4:00PM PST What do you think?

[agn]

If you want me to call you and record your response send me a PM. If you cant or dont like to do the phone thing, post your comments in this thread and I'll read em. In the future the topics will come directly from the most active threads on the boards, even the i'd hit it one. :smt058

1. Half Life 2 The Saga

Conspiracy theories, rumors, stories, facts, hopes, wishes, worries about the most anticipated PC game release of the past decade.
2. Madden vs. ESPN

Everyone has an opinion but when you stack them up side by side what company really delivered on what they offered, and without any other competition will it stagnate innovation?
3. Burnout 3 and EA

They bought the company and made the game better than the previous 2, but problems plague the online service and gamers fear the EAization of the gaming industry. What the hell does that mean?
4. The Sims 2 and digital barbies

Who knew Will Wright would create the first artificial life that would live in millions of homes around the world. Sure it's compelling to pick up chicks in a virtual world, but what about letting gamers put their sims on a memory card stored in a GI Joe robot, or a mechanical barbie. As this technology grows, shouldn't I really be able to live with Erica the hot sim down the street who is now a state of the art robotic "real doll".
5. Fable...Is it good or just another project ego for Molyneaux?

The feedback kept me from playing it, so I need your opinions, and how much of the game that was promised is inside the box.
6. Acclaim and 3DO what we learned.

Both companies probably garnered more snickers than sympathy when these two long standing brands went into the shitter. Maybe putting out 40 army men games was a bit much, and Acclaim just mystifies me. They seemed solid as a rock a few years back riding Turok, All Star Baseball, QB Club, Dave MIrra, ah whatever.
7. What box will be in your living room?

Is it really ignorant to believe a family could afford 2 consoles per hardware cycle? Considering the availability and affordability of rental games? I think the Xbox and PS3 will both survive the next generation with Nintendo content to be third.
8. What do you want to see?

You've seen G4, you've seen SpikeTV, and you've seen what's on tv for gamers. What do you want to see on TV and what are the 3 most important rules a television programmer should remember when making a show about games?

[arefx]

I jave a cold, so I sound weird now... well I always do.. but you can read my comment on Fable.

I think its a great game, but people are being to hard on it. All the reviews I have seen have been unfair. They gave Fable a lower score because it didn't have every thing BBB and Lionhead said they wanted in the game, but if I am correct, this happens with everygame. Even a game like Fable has a budget, and they had to stick to it, people need to appretiate the game for what it is, and that is a solid Action RPG with a good story and fun gameplay. I think it is one of the best games of 04. Molyneux did a good job and so did the rest of the team.

PS: its pronounced arr fx, like a pirate with "eff ex" A lot of people seem to think its air fx...

[The_Raven]

Call me up, and I'll talk about em all. :P

[AcquiredTarget]

* pulls out $.02 for some accute commentary. yeah right *

1) Worries? Only that the game won't be as good because of the hype.

2) While I like Madden, sometimes the close game play is annoying. I'd sooner buy a $20 game than a $50 game (until I can get a damn job, curse the technology field).

3) EA, the next Microsoft? If they dominate the publishing market, can they start setting higher prices?

4)***** Work warning ******* Real dolls (http://www.realdoll.com/). Didn't see an Erica doll, but there's a "Charlie" one if that floats yer boat

5) Haven't played it, but the commercials are fun to watch.

6) Quick, put out the naked Lara Croft game! That'll save us.

7) Yeah, a family can easily have two consoles, if not all three of 'em. They're people in my block who own two or more of those damn little mini-motorcycles and trick out their cars. If they can afford those, then the sure as Hell can pick up a console without thinking twice about it. Well, they may think twice if there are colored consoles to consider.

8 A)If you're going to have an award show for games, then use game industry people and gamers as presenters and at least as a co-host. B) Don't use Anna Nicole Smith for the love of God. C) If you have to use Anna Nicole Smith, than make sure she's wearing a ball gag and buck naked.

[InnerLogic]

I would like to talk about 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Any one of those I could do.

[Sub-Z]

On Half Life 2: I really cared about this game last year. After all of the delays I will just play the thing when it comes out 6 months or a year from now my excitement level is a steady flatline, I just feel sorry about all of the people that bought all of that high dollar hardware just to play this game last year.

On Madden and ESPN: ESPN again set the graphics bar for football games on all platforms, still has the best control and the best feel on defense. Not to mention they set a new price point that hopefully will continue. EA who was acting like ESPN was a second tier game for going $20 all of the sudden is dropping prices and doing buy 2 get one free deals. Madden releases the same cookie cutter game every year with some of the worst soundtracks on the planet. Will football games stagnate? Only if EA were the only game in town. :)

Burnout and EA: I wish EA had never touched this game. Only major improvements over Burnout 2 are the extra multiplayer modes, graphics, and boost on demand. I think all of those things would have been put in even if EA was never there. Now let's see what EA added. Horrid soundtrack: check, Stupid ads all over the maps: check, the worst online lobby system in the history of gaming: check. Anything else?

Which box will be in my living room: Probably PS3 and Xbox 2. Xbox isn't going to have the graphics advantage this round probably and the rumors of no Hard Drive kinda suck. So PS3 has the nod at the moment. Xbox 2 will have XBOX LIVE 2 though and again be the greatest multiplayer system. We shall see. Again I will probably end up with both and forget about Nintendo this next generation too.

Gamer TV: Spike needs to stop, everything they touch is crap.

[MusicFan]

1. Half Life 2 The Saga
I hope an Xbox version will be released sometime shortly after the PC version.
2. Madden vs. ESPN
ESPN, because that game isn't one big advertisement.
3. Burnout 3 and EA
EA, just admit you lobby system sucks. I want to have a game from Japan and a game from Italy in the same lobby.
4. The Sims 2 and digital barbies
Didn't Futurama teach you anything about relationships between robots and humans?
5. Fable...Is it good or just another project ego for Molyneaux?
Fable is awesome. Project Ego would be a good name for a Donald Trump game.
6. Acclaim and 3DO what we learned.
Acclaim fucked themselves by deciding not to publish Burnout 3 and letting Activision get ahold of Z-Axis. Now, I will never be able to play The Last Job, a game that I was very much looking foward to for some reason I am not aware of.
7. What box will be in your living room?
I will buy all 3 next-gen consoles.
8. What do you want to see?
Screw television, the internet is the future, now if only we could convince advertisers to think the same.

[Hendrix]

2. Madden vs. ESPN
Both games have their short comings, and I think that the little battle between brands this year is pretty much a draw this year as far as the fooball games go. As far as competition goes, we as gamers can only benefit from the competition. With Sega, and EA, both trying to out do each other, it's only going to create a better game for us to play.

3. Burnout 3 and EA
Well, first off, Burnout 3 is the fastest arcade racer ever. Aside from the online problems, this is one hell of a great game. However, EA did drop the ball when it comes to the online portion of the game. When EA's "fix" to the problems, is to tell people to bypass their routers and run their broadband directly into their consoles, there's something wrong. Honestly, how many people get broadband internet, and then just run it directly to a console?

[arefx]

2. Madden vs. ESPN
Both games have their short comings, and I think that the little battle between brands this year is pretty much a draw this year as far as the fooball games go. As far as competition goes, we as gamers can only benefit from the competition. With Sega, and EA, both trying to out do each other, it's only going to create a better game for us to play.

3. Burnout 3 and EA
Well, first off, Burnout 3 is the fast arcade racer ever. Aside from the online problems, this is one hell of a great game. However, EA did drop the ball when it comes to the online portion of the game. When EA's "fix" to the problems, is to tell people to bypass their routers and run their broadband directly into their consoles, there's something wrong. Honestly, how many people get broadband internet, and then just run it directly to a console?

I do :P

[Dualist]

1. Half Life 2 The Saga
Half-Life 2 has come to the point where my emotion has been lost for it. Yeah I'll love the game when I get it, but I won't be emotionally excited when I do get it. Becuase of all of the delays and court stuff surrounding it. I'm getting pretty fed up with it.

Madden vs. ESPN
I can't comment on this one, becuase I don't like football games in general.

3. Burnout 3 and EA
I think EA did a great job picking out the game for them to publish. Since EA is new to the Xbox Live playing field, they should of let Microsoft do the servers for them. So then EA could get some in house testing before starting their own. Since EA didn't do that, their has been major complaints with their servers.

4. The Sims 2 and digital barbies
This idea creeps me. Theirs not much more I can say, but we will defiently be on the verge for something of that kind of technological breakthrough.

5. Fable...Is it good or just another project ego for Molyneaux?
Fable is a great game for waht it is, but from what the developers have said it is no where near their wieldly claims. Molyneux should learn to keep his mouth shut next time.

6. Acclaim and 3DO what we learned.
I was more sympathetic towards Acclaim than 3DO, but it is sad to see two big game developers close their doors.

I feel Acclaim and 3DO should of re-worked their in house development teams, kind of what LucasArts did. Re-evaluate their company, and improve upon and make adjustments according (Even if theyare bad ones, like the cancellation of Sam and Max or Full Throtle: Hell on Wheels).

Acclaim and 3DO would of been in the long run if they did that.

7. What box will be in your living room?
Probably whichever console has the best games that appeal to me. I haven't decided on one of the 3 companies yet.

8. What do you want to see?
I'd say listen to what the gamers or fans want. It will make the television networks really succesful becuase their aiming their TV shows towards what the audience has asked for.

[Sub-Z]

"When EA's "fix" to the problems, is to tell people to bypass their routers and run their broadband directly into their consoles, there's something wrong. Honestly, how many people get broadband internet, and then just run it directly to a console?"

When EVERY SINGLE OTHER XBOX LIVE game works without that "solution" there is a major problem on EA's end. What is sad about the whole thing is this is just about control, they want to make a PAY service because that is the ONLY reason to have that much control and not just let XBL handle it. After last night's hell with Burnout 3 would you really want to PAY extra for such a thing?

[agn]

Thank you to everyone who participated, next week I may be at the Madden Challenge, so I'll post the date for the next show once that is set.

[arefx]

Damn that sucks if we dont haev one next week.

this one was great, I couldnt stop laughing!

got rice bitch?

[Octocamo]

1. Half Life 2 The Saga

Vivendi Universal, If they delay it for 6 months...They are going to have a bunch of pissed off people that want to blow up their building. :P
2. Madden vs. ESPN

ESPN,Why? Price, Graphics, Gameplay, and Controls. It just feels more realistic than Madeen.
4. The Sims 2 and digital barbies

I own The Sims 2, and it is not a "Dollhouse Sim". It is a pretty damn good game. It's addicting, and you can learn people skills with it. Also, Modding capabilities are pretty damn sweet.

7. What box will be in your living room?

Well, I'm still sticking with Sony. So a PS3 is my first priority, then maybe a Xbox if there is a Halo 3 involved. But I'll be getting paid minimum wage, so it depends on how much money I have at launch or after. Games are $50, so For a next-generation console, I could probably buy 6 games for that price, or get a better Video card for my PC. So it just depends how much money I have.

[Shady45]

2. Madden vs. ESPN

* Both are very good games, and I have bought both, but I just had more fun with Madden. ESPN has great graphics and all the extra crap, but it still looks like the players walk kinda like robots and they look like they are gliding on ice sometimes, and the menues look like crap, its not that hard to change them and make them look a little better. Madden just feels more fun to play with friends and everything. While there are some glitches, the gameplay feels alot more smoother. Don't get me wrong, ESPN is a greatly improved game, and if Madden doesnt make some changes to the game it could be in some trouble.

4. The Sims 2 and digital barbies

* Sims 2 is a very cool game. I basically bought the game because I like building the houses and doin all that stuff, but I do kinda feel like the gameplay is played out already. I mean, I played alot of it when Sims 1 came out and now it isnt as exciting, but its still great.

[Shady45]

Damit, the show already happened, I always miss everything.

[Kropotkin]

Here's my thoughts on these issues:

1) Halflife 2: I think the game code was stolen. About that there is no doubt. Whether or not that game was ready for 30/9/2003. The code theft compounded this and delayed the release of the game further. As for whether or not this game will 'rule' to use dreadful 1337 speak, that's a given IMHO.

2) Madden vs ESPN: As a European I have a very different view on this rivalry. I say this because of some core facts about the European release of these games. Madden NFL 2005 was released in Europe without any online play, on any console. As for ESPN Take 2 have yet to release these games over here so I can't offer an opinion on them.

3) Burnout 3 and EA: I'm going to repeat what's already been said here. EA are an abomination that should be wiped out. I loathe them with a passion you can only dream of. They take a prefectly entertaining arcade racer and turn it into the co-orporate mess that it is now. Adverts for other EA games on bill-boards, god awful sound track that you have to turn off and change to your own sound track every single time you play it and finally we have the abortion that is the EA lobby system spliced onto the XBox Live! I hope the CEO's of EA die in pain.

4) The Sims 2 and digital barbies: I'm stepping away from this one. Not being keen on the Sims the thought of making them real robot things just gives me a headache.

5) Fable...Is it good or just another project ego for Molyneaux?: Don't know as it's not released over here yet, even though it was developed here.

6) Acclaim and 3DO what we learned: EA want to take over the world. That's what we learned. From what I can tell all games will be published by 10 publishers over the next few years. There is the possibility that the Games publishing industry will mirror the music industry which has a plethora of independent labels but somehow I doubt that. I think this is just a synptom of how games are becoming more and more complex to make they become the larger the team is required to do the job preventing small code shops from being able to carry out the job.

7) What box will be in your living room?: The XBox 2 will be there as will the PS3 but the Nintendo machine I have my doubts due to the GC's poor performance. Lets just see what the next generation consoles will have to offer. I personally think its too early to discuss them right now.

8) What do you want to see?: Well, from a UK perspective we are very much starved of any gaming coverage on TV here. It started with Games Master that had people playing Megadrive games against one another. It was fun but not very informative. Later there was Bits which was a good show that for me had it about right. They reviewed games, spoke to developers and gave a run down of the latest gaming related news all presented in a irreverent manner. This later became Thumb bandits but both of those shows were cancelled. There is a 'Game Network' channel that originates in Italy but they have withdrawn all UK content. There is also Gamesville but that's just two blokes yelling at the screen a lot and seems to be aimed and boys aged between 8 and 14. Mainly bad. As to what I want to see I think what Bits put out was really close but I think a reflection on how the online side of multiplayer gaming should be exploited some how. The BBC did make a show called 'Fightbox' that had people make characters on their PC that would fight on the screen in a virtual arena. It sounded promising but turn into an absolute turkey. At least they tried eh?

[The_Raven]

Since scot wont be here next week, ill just have to do The Raven's Nest prime time show next week. Don't worry guys, there wont be any toilet noises.

[arefx]

Since scot wont be here next week, ill just have to do The Raven's Nest prime time show next week. Don't worry guys, there wont be any toilet noises.


Ok, but you have to say more words, and let me call in... but im cheap too so you have to call me.

[The_Raven]

Buy a calling card. And you'll get on

[DeadMan]

Maybe he's on Verizon, then he would be in ;)

Anyway, I'd be a caller, and yes I would pay for the call too...

[The_Raven]

That's cool. Ill do it if I found out what scot uses to broadcast, and get the live 365 info. Then you can call :)