EA fakes Dante's Inferno Protest

Link

Apparently EA had set up a fake protesting group against the game Dante's Inferno in order to promote their game.It was a fake CHRISTIAN GROUP, which didn't go over well with Christian activists.

It's pretty stupid to do a thing like that, especially with such silly protesting like TRADE IN YOUR PLAYSTATION FOR A PRAYSTATION. Sure it was meant to create interest over an apparently "controversial" game because of the protesting, but EA may have also been spiting Christian activists as well.

From what I've seen, they are no more guilty than the Christian activists. Between the killing of the abortion doctor and the protest at a gay persons military funeral, they are definitely not innocent either.

EA did it to promote their game Dante's Inferno, and sadly for those who are angry about this, it will probably work. Why do I say that? Well watch this video and understand bringing attention to individual games helps them sell. Gamer's buy recommended and highly praised games, but will also respond to controversy and overhyped news about a game to buy it.

So make of it what you will, EA did this and it's likely to garner a lot of criticism and sadly sell more games. I really don't care about the game selling because I haven't demo played it yet. If I like it, should I feel bad with the negative advertising criticism? No, and you shouldn't either unless you feel this was a low move or you hate the game when it arrives in 2010.

Geeksquisite Episode 32: Game Edition: E3 2009 awards.. It's Over

Episode 32 Game Edition: E3 2009 Awards.. It's Over

We have a long discussion about 1vs100 and a bunch of other new and old games we've been playing. Also we have the E3 2009 Awards. Woot!! so with this episode we conclude our coverage of E3 thanks everyone, it's been fun.

E3 2009: Heavy Rain Impressions

So, I've been in love with Heavy rain for a while now, everything about the game just screams perfection. The story, the presentation, the graphics, just everything. So, it's no surprise that when they showed the game at E3, I was going to be excited. What I didn't expect was for them to show a full scene from the game!

After watching this five part developer walkthrough of the game, I feel like they are making this game amazing. The whole thing seems a lot like Indigo Prophecy, Quantum Dream's last game on the original Xbox. However, they took some of the things in Indigo Prophecy that didn't work, and changed them or improved them for Heavy Rain.

In the walkthrough, they show one of your main characters. In the actual game you'll have 4 different main characters you can play as at different times in the story. Here you're playing as an FBI agent named Norman Jayden, and he's going to the junkyard to interrogate a man nicknamed Mad Jack. The demo starts out just walking around the junkyard. The interesting thing about these walking sections of the game is that instead of just using the left analog stick to move, you instead use the left analog stick to look around, and use the R2 button to move forwards. I personally think this is a very intuitive control scheme and helps give the character a much more lifelike and much more fluid animation.

So, Norman goes up, and talks to Mad Jack, and asks him a few questions. Jack says he doesn't know anything. So, then you begin searching around the warehouse using your special sunglasses that can scan things in the environment, and eventually, Norman stumbles upon a Skull in a pool of acid. At this point, Mad Jack comes back, with a gun, and puts it to the back of Norman's head. Now, we have a nice QTE sequence much like in Shenmue or God of War, But instead of losing if you miss one button press, you just go to a different string of events. Of course, if you miss too many button presses, then you'll die.

Norman ends up getting the upper hand on Mad Jack, getting the gun from him and pointing it at him. Mad Jack doesn't believe he'll actually use it, so you have a few different options now, to prove it to him. Of course, Norman starts having withdrawals from his drug addiction, making him fall over and pass out. Letting Mad Jack take his gun back.

After you wake up, you're handcuffed to the inside of your car, heading towards a giant trash compactor. There's a bunch of different actions you can take to try and escape. Also, the screen has now split in two, much like it does in 24. The bottom screen acts as a visual timer, while you control the gameplay in the top screen. It's this part that really sets the QTE system apart from other games, because in order to find the different actions you can take, you have to look around your environment. This looks like it'll create a much more frantic experience than your standard QTE system.

So, Norman ends up being able to escape from the car, at the last second, and now has to fight off Mad Jack, who isn't the happiest person in the world right now. This involves another short QTE sequence, in which Norman comes out on top. There's another possible way to do that part where you die, however, the developer has said the story would continue, even if all of the 4 main characters die, creating a ton of replay value with a very different, very varied branching storyline. I think this kind of emergent gameplay is exactly what the industry needs to keep moving forward, and this game is definitely a very good reason to get a PS3. Look for it when it's released early 2010.

E3 2009: 'Scribblenauts' Demo Impressions

So, E3 is winding down now, and if I can think of one HUGE technology announcement that TOTALLY blew me away, it'd definitely have to be... Scribblenauts. No, not Project Natal, not Sony's motion wand... just Scribblenauts. Obviously, I'm not serious, but Scribblenauts does look to be packing some pretty interesting technology in it.

So, the concept of Scribblenauts is simple, type in various objects and you'll be able to spawn them and use them. Supposedly, you can type in anything and get anything. I don't know how true that is, but so far they seem to have a pretty impressive amount of stuff in the game. In this gameplay demo, they show off the spawning system, and manage to spawn a lot of varied and different items. They also show some physics-based puzzles, and a sandbox mode, which looks a lot to me like 2D Garry's Mod.

The game controls like your standard 2D platformer, but the spawning aspect of the game is pretty ambitious, and it'll be interesting to see how well it pans out when the game is released later this fall.

E3 2009: Impressions of 'The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks'

So, for a while now on the podcast, I've been pretty adamant about my distaste for the new Zelda game coming to the DS, Spirit Tracks. So, you'd think that when E3 rolls around, I still wouldn't care about it.

So now, I've seen a new gameplay trailer, I've seen a developer walkthrough, and yaknow what? I'm starting to like the game just a little more.

Now, don't get me wrong, I still hate the idea of traveling on a train, as opposed to exploring the entire world using your boat. A train simply gives you less freedom since you're limited by tracks. However, the new dungeon stuff looks pretty compelling.

For anybody who's played the multiplayer mode in Phantom Hourglass, they're taking one of the Phantom Knights from that mode and giving you control over him in some parts of the dungeons, creating some new types of puzzles to solve. For example, in the new gameplay trailer, they have the fire-resistant knight walk past some streams of fire, blocking them from shooting out, while link follows along on the bottom ledge. Also, all of the combat and dungeon gameplay seems ripped directly from Phantom Hourglass, which is a good thing, because that stuff was all very compelling.

Overall, I feel like The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is probobly going to turn out to be the "Majora's Mask" of the DS Zelda games. Somewhat fun, but overall just not as compelling as the first game.

E3 2009: God of War III thoughts

At the Sony conference we got a quick look at what God of War III will end up being like. If, however you look around the web you will find much more in depth footage of the game. The demo itself is about 20 to 30 minutes long and ends with probably the best and goriest head decapitation I've ever witnessed.

while I always knew I'd be getting the game I was never impressed by the graphics until the newest demo. The VGA trailer that was shown a few months ago was just atrocious and while it showed some interesting gameplay options, graphically it wasn't the leap forward for the series I was hoping. Finally getting a chance to see the game in action it really is a painting come to life like David Jaffe mentioned months ago.

This is a game of excess and everything just seemed amped up to the extreme. The game is gorier, prettier, more options, better camera placement, better pacing. The game is looking for a March 2010 release date and all I can say is I hope the next 9 months go by fast.

E3 2009: 'Scratch: The Ultimate DJ' Impressions

So, after Ed said just how horrible DJ Hero looks, I'd like to bring up another DJ simulator game that will be coming out soon that was also shown at E3, entitled "Scratch: The Ultimate DJ".

Unlike how DJ Hero is loosely based off of the Guitar Hero name, and has the same sort of structure as it, Scratch is a totally unique IP, and looks like the method of control is a lot smoother. I have to admite, though, that when I first saw their turntable controller I was a bit underwhelmed. However, since then, I got to see a gameplay demo, and all of that changed!

This game looks to not only have a smooth flowing control layout, but also a lot of originality in mixing and re-mixing the tracks. You have five different buttons on the controller, which are used much like guitar hero at first, to simply follow the song's beats. but there's a certain amount of originality at some points, where you can use the buttons to make different sort of sound effects. You also have a fader switch, and a record wheel. You can control the intensity, the speed, or the craziness of all of these effects using the record part of the controller, pretty much doing actual re-mixing, simply, and easily.

The game is looking great, not to mention the amazing tracklist that they've announced so far. Beastie Boys, Run DMC, Mixmaster Mike, Gorillaz, 2Pac, and tons more.

I kind of feel like this game is taking a different approach than DJ Hero, and a much more exciting and creative one, and it'll definitely be on my radar in the months leading up to it's release. Scratch: The Ultimate DJ is due out September 30, 2009 for Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii.

E3 2009: Ed's Thoughts on Day 2

Reuploaded due to technical issues, Ed's thoughts on Sony and Nintendo.

PSP Go: Will It gain momentum?

The PSP Go was the worst kept secret of E3, Sony's conference even acknowledged that, even though some details were kept secret.

For one thing, we knew the PSP Go would have a slide out controller for a better "handling", kinda liked the design myself. I want one, just like everyone else. And i'm considering buying it as an entry level PS3 alternative, but the release had issues.

For one thing, it only downloads games. There is no CD drive for the games, hence the fact that the PSP GO is 50 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter. I LIKE THAT. But others like Rob, fellow blogger :), would rather have a physical copy or get a digital copy with a physical copy as T.J. would want. I'm more easygoing (hence the favorite blogger :D) and I just like the fact that the digital copy will cost less than the physical copy. 

Although when it came to price, the retail is to be $250. $250 dollars for that? Seriously, the high end PSP 3000 with more hardware on it having the drive for physical copies is $170. There was no miniaturization of technology for the PSP, just a slid out keyboard. Yes I know the games will cost less, but it's kind of a pricey entry fee into the PSP world. 

Also, for me, having an exposed screen on a handheld unlike the DS makes me hesitate. 

E3 2009: DJ HERO IMPRESSIONS

So T.J. wanted me to give my thoughts on DJ HERO, and sent me demonstration videos of the game. Being that I have had Guitar Hero and own Rock Band, I was curious how a DJ record peripheral and a game would work. Sadly to say i'm not too thrilled.

It's a great idea but the thing is its hard enough to get good songs with Rock Band and Guitar Hero taking a huge chunk out of the industry. But the idea of DJ HERO is not to replay those classic songs, the idea is to remix and play with those songs. That makes this game appeal to a different crowd somewhat, and some like me wonder why you wouldn't do the real thing instead.

It's one thing to play a classic song you like, but there is something odd about hunching over a table or sitting at one with your hands flying over the DJ peripheral than it is to hold a guitar or play drums.

Granted be this is a nice idea, why didn't they just go to Guitar Hero or Rock Band and try to get a contract where they provided the DJ device for future titles and further diverse the rock universe. Adding DJ mixing to the Rock Band universe would be kinda sick to give something extra like mixing the song or adding to the universe. Even if its scripted.

DJ Hero doesn't look scripted, so for the "players" its going to be a labor of love more than it would be a challenge to follow along with a pattern. And seeing the buttons on the record spinner made me think you might SLIP sometimes if you really get into it. And the buttons are to mimic you playing the song, but is it me or were the buttons making you play the guitar's notes? If your playing the guitar's notes it makes the DJ element pretty pointless, and the DJ peripheral should have just been patented and contracted to either Guitar Hero or Rock Band.

That's my opinion

E3 2009: Impressions of Brutal Legend Gameplay

So, I've been pretty excited about Brutal Legend for a while now. Jack Black is probobly my favorite comedian, Tim Schafer is one of my favorite video game designers, and Heavy Metal just totally rocks! There can't possibly be anything that you can think of that would make that combination bad.

So, it was really a treat to get to see a live demo for Brutal Legend. Now, This wasn't at the press conference, and it wasn't on G4. Instead, on the now infamous site, Gamespot, they had Tim Schafer talk through a live gameplay demo of Brutal Legend. As much as I dislike Gamespot now, it's currently the only place with any gameplay footage for the game! If you want to check it out for yourself, then follow this link.

They showed off the part of the game where Eddie Riggs first gets transported into this world of metal. He finds a guitar, an axe, and he rips and shreds both physically, and through the power of rock. With his axe, he has normal melee attacks, with various combos, and it looks like your standard 3rd person action game. However, since the whole world is powered by rock, when he shreds on his guitar he's able to cast various stage effects such as lightning, as well as pyrotechnics. He also has a big earthquake attack that he can do by pressing A and X simultaneously, and doing a power chord.

Besides the combat, however, Mr. Schafer also talked about how there would be a big open world that you could drive your car around in, and they even showed off a little bit of that. I thought the open world stuff looked good, but I'm not exactly sure how well the car controls will be... I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Overall, I really think the game is shaping up to be everything I hoped it would be, the iconic Tim Schafer comedy is there, and Jack Black does an amazing job of voicing it, and giving it his own little style, too. I feel like the combat might get old fairly quickly, but the boss battles should prove to be fun, the cutscenes will be amazing, and hilarious, and hopefully all of the open world exploration will prove to be amazing. The game is out "Rocktober" 13th later this year, and I couldn't be more excited.

E3 2009: Rob's Day Two Impressions

Day two impressions! Nintendo! Sony! My thoughts! Extreme camera angles!

Watch!

Do it now!

Biggest Flop at E3: Wii Vitality Sensor

When Nintendo brought out the Wii Vitality Sensor, I recognized it in an instant because I had one on my finger during a trip to the hospital. And I thought to myself, YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. In the bad way. 

What the heck was the President of Nintendo thinking?! If this device sells even one of these i'll be surprised. But lets consider an honest possibility. Perhaps they will make games where they try to scare you enough to make your blood pressure go over a limit and you lose. Or maybe they'll make future shooters where your heartbeat will be heard by nearby enemies the more your real heartbeat gets higher. That would be cool and demonstrate a new way to control the Zen of gaming. 

But none of this will work because I gotta wonder if people could play any games with the vitality sensor on one of your hands. No, the answer is no. So all they have is casual games focused on the ability of the vitality sensor to sense your heartbeat. Seriously, who cares about their heartbeat when they're going to raise their blood pressure playing video games. Could people with high blood pressure benefit from this? No, if they want to play games anytime during the month. 

So what is the point of the Vitality Sensor, theres no fun game for it. It's data, and god know's people hate looking at graphs during the Nintendo Conference. If anything the only good use it has the vitality sensor will tell you when your sooo bored of your Nintendo Wii; so basically this peripheral is basically a hardcore gamer test. When you see your heartbeat is flatlined when wearing that thing, you know its a sign the Wii has lost everything, especially with Microsoft topping its Wiimote with Natal. 

My E3 2009 quick thoughts on the conferences of Monday and Tuesday

Sony Press Conference Impressions

Sony was definitely the high point for the second day of E3, or at least the more packed conference. Many predicted Sony would be the best of the three conferences, we will discuss this later tonight but for now how did Sony do as a whole?

First they had a countdown showing they would be delayed a half hour, but yet they started on time anyway? Go Figure. Jack Tretton put alot of effort into showing that PS3 was bringing us the next stage in gaming, kinda pointing to its game lineup frequently. 

Multiplatform games like Beatles Rockband and Arkham Asylum were briefly mentioned. 

Uncharted 2 was brought out, the multiplayer beta starts tonight. Then they showed a Demo, the traversing of the buildings, the conflict with airborne threats while scaling the numerous buildings had me drooling. You can't just run away from enemies either, because the helicopter kept following you on the outside while you engaged enemies inside a building they went in. It looked fun, so fun the Naughty Dog label proves this is not a dream. It's a sweet PS3 exclusive.

Then came the MAG demo, live 256 player gameplay. It was sweet to look at, especially being it had to support that many players. It didn't perfect everything but was very satisfying, the map view system, the objective system had the enemies respawning further inside their bunker the closer you got. That makes alot of sense, and the offensive team is set up that on time intervals helicopters came in and thats when friends could respawn. Sweet, the game will be awesome. 

Then after some audio difficulties they got into PSP bundles, rock band was one and hannah montana was another. hahaha. Then they had Kaz Hirai come out to show us the PSP Go, only uses downloaded games so no game slot on PSP Go. That was cool and the full controls slides out of the PSP Go, but it costs $250 to buy. I'll consider buying it if the games are cheaper when you consider the lack of something to physically buy with your game purchase. None of the current PSP's will be phased out but its the lightest and easiest PSP to carry around. 

Then they announced PSP titles like Gran Turismo. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker will be on PSP, which is a sequel title, not a spinoff. Gameplay of Peace Walker was good looking and is coming in 2010. Resident Evil title coming for PSP, Little Big Planet and Fat Princess as well. Some of those will sell extremely well. 

Moving onto PS3, we got to finally see Assasin's Creed 2 gameplay. It looks slightly better than the first but now you can use a multiple amount of weapons or take them from guards. At one point your flying on a hangliding device which perked my interest for a moment, smoke bombs are also available. Ironically they didn't have a release date but we know its November 11th. 

Then we got Final Fantasy 13 with more footage, looked GREAT. Then they showed Final Fantasy 14...the MMO! Graphics are good for an MMO, although MMO's haven't been my thing. I'm sure Masin (Charlie) will be more talkative about it. Then they brought the Motion Controller Wand out, I really don't have much to say about it. But Sony realizes it's casual and gimmicky, so comparing it to Xbox's motion controller is kind of unfair for both parties. This Wand will be available in Spring 2010.

New Franchaise called ModNation Racers brought out that let you race with online players and create your own maps with a good amount of choices and very easy building controls. Looks fun to me although I heard T.J. comment it really took the graphics ability of the PS3 down a notch. They also showed Project Trico, now named The Last Guardian. OMG it looks even better in alot of areas and less good in a few areas, you play as the boy we finally know. But not really any gameplay.

Then they showed an actual sequel of Gran Turismo 5 for PSP. But the biggest game release was the presentation of the God of War III Demo. It looked flat out amazing, combat was amazing with typical sword slashing, Chimaeras where you could rip their horns off. And if i'm not mistaken did the main character grow wings at one point? Whatever, the game looks crazy good. There was 20 more minutes of the Demo we sadly didn't get to see, and the game will come out 3/10/10. 

Sony threw together a pretty good press conference, Unlike Nintendo it didn't have alot of issues they were a fault of. As to whether it was the best conference of E3, that will very likely be a subject to talk about on the podcast tonight. Sony and Microsoft really fought against eachother here, and Nintendo didn't really but once again. Geeksquisite needs to have some feedback before we can officially broadcast our views. 

Sony Press Conference (E3 2009 Live Blog)

E3 2009: Ed's Day One Impressions

E3 Impressions for Day One, Microsoft wows. Ubisoft Blows and Electronic Arts didn't interest me in the slightest.

Nintendo Press Conference (E3 2009 Live Blog)

E3 2009: Rob's Day One Impressions

I love myself a nice Cappuchino, and I love myself some E3, I talk about both of these things, while I give you my impressions of day one of E3 2009.

Geeksquisite #30 Game Edition: E3 Coverage for Monday (podcast)

We started podcasting very late but hope it was worth it. I bring you our first podcast covering E3. The podcast is nearly 3 hours long because we touch on just about everything that happened at the 3 press conferences. Microsoft, EA, Ubisoft, and a bit more. We also have some new music to start the show since it's been over a year now it's time for a change. So with that enjoy the show.

Episode 30 is here