Author: David

Categories
Video Games

Dangerous gaming peripherals

Wired is running an article on the 10 Gaming Gadgets That Will Make Us Hurt Ourselves. I’m seriously hoping that some of these don’t make it past the prototype stage. Just look at the Wii 8-in-one weapons bundle. That shit shouldn’t be going anywhere near a child’s hands!

That being said, when I first saw the article’s title, I thought it would be a list of peripherals that had already caused damage. I mean, as much as I love Rock Band and Guitar Hero, I get serious amounts of RSI from extended shredding, and people complain about the muscle pain from the drum’s kick pedal.

And everyone remembers the dangers that the Wii-mote introduced us to when it hit the market.

Categories
Movies and TV Tabletop Games

GOLD: Episode 6 – And the Gods Will Have Their Way

Season 1 Finale! A nightmare about his accident makes Jon realize what is important, and he attempts to mend his relationship with a skeptical Cissy. Meanwhile, Richard arrives at Jackson’s BBQ to confront his fractured team. The British team join the BBQ with a secret plan to sabotage the Americans, unaware the Americans need no assistance. As the party escalates, representatives from the World Wide Tabletop Role Playing Game Consortium arrive to inform Jackson that the tournament is in trouble. And as Cissy and Jon resolve their differences, Cissy tells Jon about her encounter with Richard.

Congrats to everybody involved with GOLD on a great season. I’m looking forward to see what comes next, and wish them great success with Season 2.

This is a great series, and I think it’s important to support media aimed at the gaming community, so please visit the website and watch the show. It’s available on the web, as well as by podcast [iTunes]. GOLD is independently produced, so if you can spare a little money, consider clicking on their donate button.

Categories
Movies and TV Tabletop Games

GOLD: Episode 5 – Vale of the Mage

As the British team strike out into the California wilderness to meet with DeValdivia, Jackson and Richard discover that the American team is AWOL. Later, while Jon meets with his agent to discuss his future, Richard turns to Cissy for advice and comfort.

This is a great series, and I think it’s important to support media aimed at the gaming community, so please visit the website and watch the show. It’s available on the web, as well as by podcast [iTunes]. GOLD is independently produced, so if you can spare a little money, consider clicking on their donate button.

Categories
Reviews Video Games

Minor videogame update

I’ve been a bit slack in the video game department lately. Well, slack may not be the right word, but I certainly haven’t stopped playing.

I’ve played a lot of Rock Band 2 since my return from Phenomenon. I’m very happy with the gameplay changes – playing solo in “Tour” mode, challenges and so forth make for a much richer experience. I’ve also dumped a ton of cash on DLC for the game, so I’m not anywhere near to being bored with it.

I also like the extended experience you get by linking to rockband.com. I think it’s very clever marketing, and am seriously considering getting miniatures made of my band members when I’m happy with the way I’ve styled the models. Stroke my vanity visit my profile, and feel free to link me if you have an RB account.

In other news, I downloaded a couple of demos recently (thanks to the purchase of a 120GB hard drive).

Resident Evil 5 is a really poor demo. You’re dropped in the middle of a firefight with zero instruction and expected to survive. I’m assured that the gameplay is not as impenetrable as the demo shows, so I’m willing to give it a second chance.

Red Faction sounds really good in review, but neither of my regular approaches to FPS (super stealth, or gung ho) seemed to work. Again, not sure if I’ll bother with the game.

Crackdown, on the other hand doesn’t seem quite so bad. I know the game’s pretty much been and gone, but I can’t afford to ride the wave the whole time. While I’m not generally a fan of sandbox games, this one seems to encourage my “can’t be fucked” approach to things. It worked in Fallout 3, and I think it may work enough to justify a purchase for Crackdown.

Finally, I’m beginning to feel the urge to play Jade Empire again. Well, since I already own it, I won’t have to spend any money…

What are you guys into these days?

Categories
Movies and TV Tabletop Games

GOLD: Episode 4 – Labyrinth of Madness

When Oliver’s interview airs, announcing the British team’s impending move to California, Jon decides he needs to get his game back by seeking out a dangerous back-alley game. Meanwhile, Richard tries to unite his team by getting them drunk, and Cissy learns some disturbing news about her job.

This is a great series, and I think it’s important to support media aimed at the gaming community, so please visit the website and watch the show. It’s available on the web, as well as by podcast [iTunes]. GOLD is independently produced, so if you can spare a little money, consider clicking on their donate button.