Business, Gamer Culture, Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Numerous mass media outlets have reported that the video game industry is supposedly “recession-proof.” To that regard, I would point them to the large amount of layoffs, studio closures, and sub-par performance on many game titles. GameStop’s continually recording breaking profit margins aside, the gaming industry is feeling the recession, and the wallets of gamers are beginning to get tighter.
Events, Game Design, PC, Xbox 360
Everyone’s got principles. For example, the guys and gals at Valve are staunch advocates of “better late than never.” From Half-Life 2 to Portal, most Valve products are delayed at least once before they’re released.
Last Saturday, John Diamonon of Capcom posted in his PlayStation blog that Capcom is hard at work to become the #1 digital publisher on the PlayStation Network. After seeing much success in 2008 (thanks to hits like Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix), Capcom and SCEA are forming a plan to make more downloadable content available through PSN in the future.
Microsoft just announced that as of December 12th, gamers will be able to get more out of the world of Albion. As of that morning, they will release the first downloadable content pack for Fable II, making a lot of people very happy. I know I will be. But this is another example of how developers are getting the most out of games by offering DLC and extra content. It’s a trend I like and I hope will continue.
Oh, BioShock. Is there really a way to fully enumerate how wonderful an experience you are? Maybe it’s the incredibly unique setting, the idea of genetic amplification, or simply the recurring nightmares I have about freaky little mutated girls drawing fluid from me with giant syringes that makes this game so memorable. Originally released only for Xbox 360 and Windows, the world of Rapture finally came to the PlayStation 3 last month, and Sony stalwarts are getting some bonuses for their patience: namely, PS3-exclusive downloadable content. Details on the DLC, due out November 20th, have recently been revealed.
Nintendo Wii, PC, Playstation 3, Technology, Xbox 360
65 Million B.C. Earth downloaded a large comet. This new content added features like mass extinction, no sunlight, and fiery mess. The bugs were not quite worked out.
44 B.C. Julius Caesar downloads the Ides of March pack, which brought a knife into his back, betrayal, political unrest, and power struggle.
1 A.D. Mary downloads a messiah to her womb. It provided much faith and controversy. Contained first DRM that allowed re-download after deletion.
1347 A.D. Europe downloaded a new difficulty level for their living simulation called Black Death. It increased the difficulty to breathe, poisoned blood, caused bloody vomiting and terrible aching limbs. Players found the add-on extremely unbalanced and many could not cut the mustard.
Gamer Culture, Guitar Hero, Music, Rock Band
So last week, everyone got a quick glimpse into which tracks I believe should be considered as downloadable content for Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour. Sadly, one article just isn’t enough to get the attention of the people at Harmonix and Activision; using an “insider tip” that claims two articles are enough to garner attention, I present the second installment of my DLC wish list, this time it’s all about the song packs.
If you’re a fan of music, and a fan of video games, you are almost definitely a fan of either Rock Band or Guitar Hero. We’ve all “rocked out” on our plastic Stratocasters, and smashed the drums like Animal; but like every other facet of music, everyone has their own opinion on which songs they’d like to wail to. Both Harmonix and Activision have done a great job of presenting a variety of tracks that span multiple decades and genres; but I can’t help but feel they could use a little guidance in choosing future tracks to be released as downloadable content. I’ll present a list of songs that I believe would be perfect for both games, but this isn’t just a list of songs I like: these are songs that have a rightful place in both of these games.
