PAX EAST DAY 1

This weekend was the big Penny Arcade Expo at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Ma. I was able to go with good friend and fellow D-pad D-Bag Egan. I’m going to give a short run down of my experience with some broad and general strokes.

Friday, I met up with Egan fairly early. We hung out, scoped out the scene, and then got some eats. We sat at a bar, got a burger, a beer and watched CNN. CNN was running a story at the time about Korea being ready for a nuclear strike. After I mentioned that Korea had nukes, Egan said “Blizzard should just release StarCraft 2 as soon as possible to save the world from nuclear holocaust. “ I finished my MGD and burger with bacon. Bacon makes everything better. I was ready to head back to the convention center.

The large queue room was the next scene of our adventure. 10 minutes passed before the heat from all the people in there and the odd smell of humid August garbage got to me and I had to go get air. We walked towards the doors on Boylston Street and hung out as we saw the line getting longer and longer. Once the line got moving after 2 pm we were in the exhibition room in almost no time. We entered and took it all in.

Upon entrance to the exhibition hall, we were greeted with the Rockstar sign for Red Dead Redemption and the big 2kGames signs for Mafia II and Bioshock 2. We looked around for a few then started walking towards demo booths. I saw there was no line for D&D online, a MMO for PC. I stepped up to a station, grabbed the mouse, and fiddled with the key board and killed 2 big rats or something after 10 minutes of trying to figure out how to play. I have 0 MMO experience and found the controls to be non intuitive. I had no idea how to fix the camera so I could see what was in front of me.

The Developers Vs Journalist panel was our next stop. I found it very interesting. Some key things I took away from the discussion were Journalists communicate with consumers what to buy or not buy. Bad reviews are imminent if the writer is not a fan of the game or genre. The journalist will hate his job, hate his boss, hate the game and just trash it. They also touched upon something I found interesting when they discussed journalists writing reviews based on the individual experience. If a writer only played on easy mode, they should disclose that. They can write about general game play mechanics, but mentioning difficulty is a relative aspect to the writer, and the reader as well.

After the panel we hit the show floor again and wandered around. We stumbled upon the Monday Night Combat demo. We stopped right away and got sucked into watching other people play for a solid 20 minutes before deciding to get into line to try for ourselves. One of the loading screens has a piece of bacon giving a shotgun shell a high five. I was sold on the game right then and there. Bacon makes everything better. We spent another 30 minutes waiting our turn and when we were about to pick up the controllers the guy with the mic hosting the demo called for all people that signed up for the tournament. Neither Egan, nor myself were one of the people entered in the tourney. Defeated, yet determined we vowed to get back and get some hands on time with the vividly crazy arena combat game.

The Skate 3 demo area was our next stop after a quick lap around the exhibition rooms. We found out they were giving stuff away for getting 50,000 points on the “Beat the Meat” game mode. The “Beat the Meat” mode basically has the player trying to skate board off of a cliff, and inflict the most bodily harm possible. I waited in line, and got my turn and only hit 49,500 (approximately) I was the only person the whole weekend it seems, to not leave with a free skate deck. I did eventually win a free t-shirt at the Skate 3 demo booth, but I really wanted the board.

We also got to check out Breach. Why some one wanted to steal the code for this is beyond me. I found the game dated, and a cliché FPS. The developers at the booth were trying to upsell the fully destructible environment. I could not find much evidence of that. I also found it extremely difficult to use grenades. They did not show the grenade’s path so it was hard to effectively gauge the direction, arc, distance, and landing location of grenades. I understand that the game is in a pre-beta build right now with a projected $15.00 price tag, but I could find the same jollies playing some Team Fortress Classic.

At this point in the day, the venue started to fill up and lines got long. We took a lap around the third floor and peaked into the various rooms hosting various console and arcade game free plays. We also checked out what other attendees were doing. It looked like mostly lounging around on huge bean bags, playing Nintendo DS, engaged in some sort of CCG, or listening to music and snoozing. Egan and I then decided to get some grub and hit up Wendy’s.

When we got back to the Hynes, we had about 45 minutes or so before exhibit halls closed. We checked out the second large room. We were able to check out some of the nVidia 3D exhibits. I got to see Lost Planet in 3D I was impressed. I don’t know if it because 3D is foreign to me, and a totally new entertainment experience, or because it really is that good. Expect me to talk more about my feeling on 3D gaming and entertainment in coming weeks.

The Alienware area was where we decided to camp out next. We were able to get into a Modern Warfare 2 game on PC. I was excited and thought I stood a chance. I know the weapons and I’m familiar with the maps. I’m born to kill. I got smoked. I am a better console game by far. I am an absolutely horrible FPS player when I am on a mouse and keyboard. I had no idea what my secondary grenade key was, how to switch weapons, or how to duck.

After we got pwn3d, we checked out a crowd of people around some booth. The booth was set up by a graphics card company that was giving away free swag. Headphones, water bottle clips, processors, graphics cards, and shirts. One kid kept screaming “I’m Miley Cyrus” over and over and over again. The MC for the company got a cheap laugh the first time, and the kid in the crowd got nothing. So “Miley” kept doing this. I had a raffle ticket to win something so I wanted to hold onto hope and stick around in case my number was called. I should have realized I had no chance. “Miley Cyrus” kept yelling and screaming. Then some kid started trying desperately to out do “Miley” by repeatedly shouting “But I’m the world’s worst Ghost Buster!” After the booth announced that there were no more prizes, I took off. “Miley” went to the desk where the MC was closing up shop and was trying to barter for a free water bottle holster clip.

Egan and I ended up at Monday Night Combat again. I had images in my head that a mascot in a huge bacon suit was undulating around the crowd. I was hoping to find a huge strip of bacon willing to give me a high five, followed by a gnarly air guitar solo like Bill and Ted do. I was only greeted with a line to play the game soon before the exhibit hall closed. Egan and I stood there wide eyed watching others play this game until last call. I set a goal of playing Monday Night Combat and Skate 3 as we exited the exhibition hall.

Somehow we got corralled upstairs at 6:00 pm, just as a big panel was letting out of the main room. A huge deluge of gamers was ushered up the escalators instead of directed towards the exits. Egan and I wanted to head outside for some air, but this sea of people forced us upstairs with no way to get outside. The exit lay just on the other side of the escalator we were forced to ascend. We found a spot on the third floor hall way next to a window, against a wall with an Asian dude totally passed out next to us. Plenty of other gamers stopped to get a photo of this kid knocked out cold on the floor.

Eventually we got up and the classic console free play room was found. Holy Shit! What an excellent move. They had a Sega Genesis and NBA Jam T.E. for an epic win. Egan and I played out 30 minute allotment. I went 2-1. We then decided it was time for some beer and fun. We went to the Pour House for 2.5 beers. It was over crowded, too loud, and a mix of PAX run off and usual post 9-5er nickel and dimers. We then hit up McGreevy’s. We grabbed a beer at the back bar. They had an 8x11 plastic sign holder with a piece of paper that read “Official PAX gamer party!” Egan and I looked around and saw 3 people with PAX badges hanging around their neck and a few coats on bar stools. We pulled up two empty seats, and had a few brews before heading back to the convention center.

We planned on going to the “Losing should be fun panel” that was about an hour and a half away. We had time to kill, and did what any red blooded American gamer would do. We played some more games. We hit up the classic console free play again. And again, I went 2-1 on NBA Jam T.E. as expected. We packed up and went over to get inline for the panel. The panel was very entertaining and made some strong points. The hosts said games should be fun whether you win or lose. Essentially, losing should be fun. They got into some philosophic thoughts on how games should be fun. The player should have fun, not necessarily the character. How ever the story should progress and make sense for the character to lose in a situation, even if the player does not want to lose. I wish I took better, more legible notes but 4 or 5 Hoegaardens made me throw the rule book out the window and have some fun.

After the panel wrapped up there was still time to go to the console free play for current generation systems. I picked up Darksiders and Egan snagged God of War III for a while. I got 45 or so minutes into Darksiders. I played it on default settings and felt like I was progressing at a good pace. I enjoyed the art style, but was not too crazy on the actually beat em up aspect of it. If I had more time I would have stuck with it. I do plan on playing this game later, probably as a rental. I had to see what a lot of hype was about, but didn’t think 45 minutes allowed me much perspective. Time ran out on both of our sessions then we decided it was time to split. PAX day 2 Awaited!

Monday Night Combat - From PAX East

While walking through the exhibit halls at PAX East, McAnus and I turned a corner to see Monday Night Combat from Uber Entertainment. I instantly said, "Holy Shit, that looks sweet", from just seeing the banners they had hanging up. Upon closer inspection, my initial impression was not incorrect. The game looked insanely fun. We stuck around to watch two games, hoping to get into a game. Right as it was our turn, they shut it down for a tournament. We didn't get to play at that moment. We came back later and I was able to get into a game, but McAnus was not, some fat kid stole the controller from him before he could play.

Monday Night Combat is a Third Person Shooter coming to XBox Live Arcade sometime this year. The game is made up of six classes: Sniper, Assault, Assassin, Tank, Gunner and Support. I was able to play the Assault class and watched people play the Assassin and Sniper classes. The game mode that they were demoing at PAX East was called Crossfire. The object of the game is to destroy the other team's money ball before they destroy yours. To do this, you must escort a group of NPC robots into your opponents base, once the robots are in the base, they lower the shields on the money ball and you can attack it. Keep in mind, they other team is escorting their robots into your base also. Each class is very distinct, and all have 3 special abilities, which can be upgraded. The abilities for the Assault class were a rocket pack that allowed you to hover in the air and move in any direction, a grenade and a charge ability, that when level 3, is an instant kill.

The game was a ton of fun, I enjoyed the shit out of it. I only got to play one round, but it is definitely a game that I would purchase when it comes out on XBLA. I am not overly sure on the release date of the game though, I have a post card that just says "coming 2010", so hopefully, the game comes out soon. What the game most reminded me of was a mix between Team Fortress 2 and Defense of the Ancients. It had a very cartoonish feel to it, which I like. It does not look like a Modern Warfare 2, or anything of that nature, they were not trying to be realistic. I enjoy the vibrant colors to be honest. Some games can pull it off, some games can not. This game absolutely pulls it off. I am interested to see what sense of humor the game has, I did not get a sense of it while playing, but I only played once. I can not imagine that a game that looked like this would not have a sense of humor. They were only demoing one game play mode, on one map. I really hope there are more maps and more modes. As much fun as I had with the game, I would eventually get sick of that one map. I wasn't able to ask the developers if they had more modes shipping with the game.

Overall, I recommend Monday Night Combat, for XBox Live Arcade, the game was fun, looked great and played very well. It will be something I that will be getting when it comes out. I would just keep an eye out to see if they announce more maps and modes. I highly doubt that the one I played was the only one, but if it was, I would think twice about the purchase, if there are more, it is a definite buy, hands down.

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Steam Weekly Top 10 - 12/20/09

Starting today, each Sunday, I will do a weekly recap of the most popular games on Steam. Note the (-) next to every game, that is where it's last week spot will go, since this is the first week that I am doing this, there is nothing to put there.

10. Dragon Age: Origins(-)

Rounding out the top ten is Dragon Age: Origins, as you may have read, I am a huge fan of this game. I completed the game about a week or so ago and I would highly recommend the game to anyone who likes Fantasy RPG games. I should have a full on postmortem on the game coming fairly soon.

9. Global Agenda(-)

I always enjoy when a game that has yet to be released breaks it way into the top 10. I haven't seen much about Global Agenda, but it seems interesting. It is another post-apocalyptic game, after the third world war, society is on the verge of destruction, and is controlled by a very oppressive government. The game offers co-op and multi-player, but also has a single player campaign. I will continue to monitor the game and keep everyone posted on the upcoming developments on the game.

8. Borderlands(-)

Borderlands continues to stay in the top ten, it's been doing very well, and with the recent release of their DLC, The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, the game is just getting more buyers. As I have stated before, I will most likely be getting this game in the coming weeks. The game looks very good, it may be the first successful FPS/Action-RPG/Dungeon Crawler. I am interested to see the continuing DLC and community support this game gets.

7. The Last Remnant(-)

It's rare to see a Square Enix RPG in the top ten of a PC list, but The Last Remnant has done it. Like Global Agenda I don't know a lot about this game. It looks interesting though, my guess is if you typically like Square Enix games, this will be a good game for you. I will read more on it in the coming days and have some opinions for it.

6. Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition(-)

The original version of The Force Unleashed did very well. Though, I heard that the PC version was very buggy. I assume, this newer version includes a large amount of bug fixes, as well as, the DLC that was not available for PC. I never ended up picking up The Force Unleashed, but I was always interested enough to keep an eye on it. I may end up picking up this Ultimate Sith Edition, provided, the bugs were fixed. I can only imagine that the PC/Console versions of the game is nothing like the iPhone version.

5. Team Fortress 2(-)

If you ask me, Team Fortress 2 was one of the best games that have been released in the last 5 years. You have to love a team based FPS, that has a complete sense of humor about itself. Valve has given the game another major update with the Solider and Demoman patch. They added three new weapons for each class, and a complete story line to go with the update. On top of that, the game is on sale for 10 dollars. Valve keeps the game fresh and updated for free, I highly recommend picking this game up.

4. Counter-Strike: Source(-)

Honestly, I am not sure how this game stays in the top ten. Don't get me wrong, it's a good game, and one of the most popular games of all time. I just figured by now, that the majority of people who were going to get the game, have gotten it already. At least, enough people for the game not to show up in the top ten still. I am very interested to know who is still buying Counter-Strike: Source, and where they were 4 years ago. Needless to say, if you don't have this game, it's worth picking up.I will admit, I am bad at it, but it's still fun to play from time to time.

3. Torchlight(-)

This game may be the sleeper hit of the year. I did a quick review of the demo a couple weeks back, if you haven't read it, I recommend it. I recently purchased the game, and it's everything that I expected. Very fun, very addicting, and on sale for $10.00. The game was just updated with 60+ new achievements on Steam, and Steam Cloud support. If you do not know what Steam Cloud is, it allows saved game data, and settings to be held online, so you can play across multiple computers without having to transfer save files. It's great for me, since I will be playing on both my desktop and my netbook. If you haven't gotten the game yet, I highly recommend picking it up today while it is on sale.

2. Left 4 Dead 2(-)

I played Left 4 Dead, I enjoyed it, but didn't end up playing nearly enough to warrant getting L4D2. If I played L4D a lot, I would absolutely get L4D2. The game looks great, the addition of melee weapons is a nice touch. There isn't much more here that needs to be said, other than it's the 3rd appearance by a Valve game on the top ten, which shouldn't surprise anyone since Valve runs Steam.

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2(-)

This juggernaut continues to dominate PC and console gaming purchases. I don't foresee it stopping any time soon either. I am yet to get the game, mainly because I am bad at it, but Kyle has it and loves the shit out of it. For all of your dickheads who were boycotting it, good work, I can tell it is working. With that said, I still enjoy the fact that half of the Steam "Boycott MW2" was playing Modern Warfare 2 the day it was released, this is why gaming boycotts don't do shit.

Waiting on Modern Monday?

My copy of MW2 is probably in the stock room of my local Gamestop. I am extremely excited and have an iron clad game plan for the midnight release festivities. A majority of my "PSN Friends" are picking the game up sometime this week. One of my co-workers will be joining me at the midnight launch. I will be in full geek mode, bringing a controller with me so I can play in the store. Ill get comfortable with my own controller so when I get home I can buckle down and get my first prestige by dawn already broken into the unique feeling my controller provides. I'll be chatting with the "200" close friends of the Gamestop, partying up, talking shop with gamers , winning give aways , wearing freebie shirts and being excited for the 10 second count down at 11:59:50.

Actually, I will be working until 9:30 across the plaza from said Gamestop. As will my co-worker. We also will be with in walking distance of a hand full of chain restaurants. Our plan is to hang at the bar, get some kicking appetizers Guy Fieri style. Maybe purchasing some dessert for some hot and single ladies, just like the commercials would want us to do. They would invite us over to sit, have a drink, and chat us up. We would be so close to going home with them, until they ask us what we are doing in the area. Something tells me spilling the beans we are waiting for a midnight video game release, and killing time drinking at T.G.I. Fridays would not appeal to a couple of women looking for a good time. At least I could get some use out of my So-Cal, free wheelin', rock 'n rollin', club shirt with flames, my sweat bands, my Vans off the Walls,my wallet chain, my Oakley shades and 1990s era ska band frosted tips!
At 11:45 we plan on strolling leisurely over to the game store to pick up our copies. I might be 6 or 7 deep and full of deep fried green beans by the time I arrive to Gamestop. In all honesty, I expect the store to be fairly empty. People may trickle in and out to make their purchase. With any luck I'll be standing around long enough to get a free T-shirt. I will take photo evidence of anyone that sports the NVG's. I can see my co-worker popping his on and driving home with no headlights. Ill be finding my way home to play for about an hour. I have to work Tuesday so I won't be able to get any quality time in shooting terrorists. Wednesday and Thursday will be a different story. The fridge is stocked with Monster energy drinks and Coors Light. I also stocked up on Celeste pizza, ramen and pop tarts.

To mentally prepare gamingwise, I have been playing Pain (out of necessity) to cleanse my pallete of war time shooting games. I do not want to keep any subconscious habits from games like the previous Call of Duty games, Socom, Metal Gear, Red Faction and the Orange Box. I have high expectations for MW2's single player and multiplayer games. I also am looking forward to having a game most of my PS3 buddies have that we can all play together. Stay tuned for more MW2 hype and excitement as I get closer to acquiring the biggest game of the year.