Archive for the ‘Editorial’ Category

In this ever evolving world of technology, video enthusiasts and gamers alike have become very familiar with the advanced, yet infantile Blu-ray format.  I say “infantile” with no implied negative connotation, but more so because it remains a young format that has yet to reach its full potential. Even though BD has been on the market for little over three years — less than three for the Playstation 3 — it has still garnered equal amounts of praise and criticism. That fact is largely due to Sony’s implementation and marketing of the PS3 as an alternative BD player, in addition to pushing it as a necessary gaming format.

There exist the  technical advantages  versus older formats including hi-definition video/ audio perception, scratch-resistant technology, and voluminous data capacity. Though, beyond those technical feats, has BD done more harm than good to Sony, gaming consumers, and game developers?

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Dear Bungie,

I propose to you the “Prestigiously Legendary Edition” of Halo 3: ODST. Before you laugh and dismiss, read up!  We all know about the cool and sort of wacky limited “Prestige Edition” for I-Dub’s (because they’re hip like that) next shooter-blockbuster. I don’t even have to say the name…

Modern Warfare 2.

The package comes with night vision goggles and a freakin’ promo code for the original COD! Aside from shooting animate objects, this should surely trigger the inner-child-like fascination  in every male; assuming you’re not already a child. I for one am saving a c-note and a half to buy this baby on day one…Just like I did with Halo 3’s worthless “Legendary Edition”.

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Remember when Insomniac Games held a Ratchet & Clank weapon contest earlier this year? The winner of the contest will have their gun featured in ‘Crack In Time’ as a playable weapon! Really cool of Insomniac to do, enhancing their community involvement even further. The weapon had to be funny, cool, and original.

Well here’s my submission. One of many that didn’t make the cut . I present to you, the S.O.U.L. Visor:

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February is Black History Month. As an African-American I want to take this opportunity to study some of the issue surrounding games and the portrayals of African characters or those with African heritage. I’d like to make comparisons between stereotypical, defective and one-dimensional characters like Barrett and Augustus Cole and more complex, but still problematic characters such as Carl ‘CJ’ Johnson. I’m also going to pick out some positive black characters in other entertainment media, as well as a precious few in games.

Also, I’ll argue that more rounded African-American or African-diaspora characters are a commercial imperative for game-makers, as the audience for games becomes more racially diverse. And I’ll explore how the marketing of games is changing, as personal modification of player-characters becomes more prevalent.
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Here’s an unforgettable story about how love and video gamesblissfully (check back at a later date for disastrously) entwine. First, I’ll tell you how lucky of a guy I am. Second, I’ll tell you how awesome of a girlfriend she is!

About three weeks before the launch of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Konami and Kojima Productions announced that Hideo Kojima would attend the launch event of the game and sign copies (along with a virtual actress from the game) at the Virgin Mega Store in Manhattan. During this same time, my girlfriend had just moved to New York to pursue her master’s degree, having left Atlanta and me behind.

Well, one day–about a week before the launch–we were talking on the phone while she was in the Virgin store, then I told her about the event and how people were going to camp out for it. Now, she knows how dedicated and serious of a gamer I am (playing, industry, culture) and she isn’t a gamer herself, but she definitely respects the medium and is increasingly interested in it. Out of nowhere she says: “I’ll do it for you!” WTF? My jaw dropped.

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