At long last the XBox 360, Playstation 3, and Nintendo Revolution have been revealed, their specs devoured, and flame wars commenced. Aside from the Revolution being the only one without high-definition support, what intrigues me the most about the next generation is backward compatibility. Indeed, every one of these consoles pledges support for games of its predecessor, though perhaps some more than others. The Playstation 2 boldly started this trend, effectively doubling the library of games available to Playstation 2 purchasers. Sony is continuing this with the PS3, and as a result my current allegiance in the oncoming battle is for this platform. The specs look incredible, and the mindshare is deeply entrenched allowing developers to feel cozy in the thought that their games are almost guaranteed to sell. This is no indicator of quality; rather, it is security knowing that most games will be released for this platform. I missed out on some great games on the PS2 for reasons mostly limited to my own stubbornness, and I’m fully prepared to play catch-up over the next couple of years.

Nintendo’s shrinking set-top console library since the N64 could have used this tactic, but their insistence on using archaic forms of media denied this possibility. Comfortably secure in the handheld market, however, Nintendo has smartly allowed compatibility with Gameboy games on all future versions of their handheld hardware (including the DS). The Gamecube has been home to some fantastic games; perhaps the Revolution will assure enough high-calibre titles for gamers to invest in the platform and realize what they’ve overlooked. According to this press release, the Revolution will also have access to downloadable Nintendo classics from the N64, SNES, and NES, no doubt making up for previous lost opportunities. It is unknown what this is going to cost, though charging $19.99 for a 19 year old game certainly worked for them on the GBA.

Microsoft is taking a different approach with the XBox 360, stating that this new hardware will be “backward-compatible with top-selling Xbox games.” Though what this actually means is anyone’s guess. Microsoft being who they are you could assume this means Halo 1 and 2 and consider the matter closed.

Backwards compatibility is a good trend to continue, because nobody wants to accumulate old hardware just so they can play the classics. It’s also a great way for gamers to educate themselves on a bit of gaming history – there’s nothing more annoying than reviewers falsely proclaiming originality, and consumers being none the wiser. Though all this talk about backward compatibility as a “new” feature makes me wonder where everyone’s been for the last 15 years. Once again I’m back to lamenting the neglect of the PC. Console manufacturers would never admit that’s what they’re trying to emulate, but that’s the way it’s going (and the price is going up to match). Online gaming capabilities, its inherent abilities as a media center, its graphical prowess, backwards compatibility – these are all things that the PC has always done, and has for a long time. I fail to see why marketers insist on labeling consoles as “entertainment” systems, when in fact all they’re selling you is an over-designed computer.

it seems so out of context

I think it’s time to put aside the heckling and realize what that “special” (read: commercial) for the XBox 360 really means, because we’re only going to get this chance once. Indeed, the Spike TV awards were collectively acknowledged as a huge waste of time – but at least it was 3 hours long (or whatever, I never actually got through it). This XBox 360 commercial was hyped even on Canadian television, all for what I gather was equivalent to a short segment on the home shopping network. Screenshots and specifications and superficial interviews by pop stars mean nothing to me right now. What I’m concerned about is gaming’s new image. Quite frankly, it’s embarassing.

What happened in the last couple of years? I mean, besides game culture going mainstream and Franz Ferdinand playing in the background of PSP commercials. This is a very dangerous direction for the industry to be heading. Focus grouping is not the answer to good games! This whole scenario absolutely reeks of market research and target demographics. How a blatant product placement on a channel full of product placements can be seen as otherwise is a testament to our culture. I don’t want to hear about Halo sequels and polygons for the rest of my life as a gamer, which to be honest is being tested at this very moment. As I said in an earlier post PC gaming has taken a hit because of this newfound interest in catering to an entertainment-driven market. It’s not as easy to market the type of games that thrive on the PC to people who want third person action or can actually stomach playing a FPS with a gamepad. The XBox 360 can play DVDs! Fantastic! I finally have an excuse throw my DVD player off my balcony.

I can’t help but feel bitter at these developments. Gaming has always been a big part of my life, even if it meant getting my ass kicked in the locker room after gym glass. Now the ass kickers are playing video games. Will the hardcore be remembered after these turbulent times? Will the opinions of gamers who actually played Doom matter next to Halo’s star on the walk of fame? It’s extremely scary to think my hobby is being driven into the ground by gamers who care little for gaming history or its acceptance as more than a diversion. Do you want to be playing commercials in the next five years? Go ahead and pick up that copy of Madden. It won’t hurt you…yet.

Oh, and The Killers? Give me a fucking break.

makes me want to give mankind a beating

I picked up the May issue of Computer Games magazine last week. I switched to this publication after dumping PC Gamer last year. Having been through five issues the content feels more refined, and there was a hell of a reduction in ads – but there’s something missing. It’s still focused on previews and reviews. I love Tom Chick’s column, and the in-depth study of games and game culture that usually takes place in the last few pages of the magazine. But why aren’t these cover stories instead of the trumpeting of typical exclusives? These exploratory articles are reserved for the back, which in most game magazines is where the cheat codes or letters pages go. Is it so unfashionable to take gaming seriously? Computer Games’ recent turn to fumbling, awkward attempts at humour seems to point in this direction.

Computer Games have also changed their format in the last couple of issues. The addition of the “Online” section last month was created to address the growing community of online-only gamers trying to juggle multiple subscriptions. In May’s issue I flipped through this section and came across something entirely shocking: console game reviews. In a computer gaming magazine! What in the fuck was going on here?

Read the rest of this entry »

There used to be a time where I would practically leap onto the shelves of any store that carried a full wave of Star Wars action figures. Back when I was a serious collector (which if you’re really curious, was up until about 5 years ago) there were certain figures out of each wave that were almost impossible to get, because they would usually end up in the hands of store employees opening the boxes and keeping them for themeselves. If you got to a store with a freshly unpacked display of figures, you’d almost always get first pick of the entire collection available at that time. Otherwise you’re forced to pay a ridiculous markup at comic stores, where they were more than likely supplied by said store room unpackers. Such a vicious cycle.

Yesterday I happened to be in a department store’s toy section out of pure coincidence (I swear), and I saw their enitre Episode III product line spread out like a Star Wars collector’s banquet. I was unmoved, however, because after a few select glances at the figures displayed, my suspicion that Star Wars action figures have reached a nadir was confirmed.

Ever since the first wave of Episode II figures the actor likenesses were taking a serious downturn. Obi Wan and Anakin looked nothing like their on-screen counterparts. Like figures starting as far back as the Episode I series, they also suffered from bad paint jobs. In the first wave of Episode III figures, Obi-Wan was sporting a Grizzly Adams beard complete with an odd looking splash of grey. What is this, Hasbro? Your version of shading? Or is it meant to age Obi-Wan? It looks like crap. Anakin looks like an emaciated goth that just wandered out of a Misfits concert. Moreover, despite obviously wearing some maternity tunic, Padme looks about 40 years old and nothing like Natalie Portman. These are core characters that have been made all but unrecognizable.

I could forgive the occasional accessorizing that didn’t exactly mesh with Star Wars canon. Aside from Luke Skywalker looking extra buff and coming equipped with some kind of grappling hook, it was still Luke Skywalker. He had a lightsaber. The Episode III version of Yoda comes with a giant bowcaster or something that shoots a rocket. I’m sure this has something to do with the film, but Yoda of all people should not be packing a piece of weaponry that’s twice his size. And look at his head! It deeply saddens me.

Even the Original Trilogy series that was started last year has been taking a dive. Mark Hamill is by no means an attractive man (at least that’s what my wife tells me), and yet they manage to turn Luke Skywalker into some kind of Dagobah swamp troll – ugly even by Yoda’s standards. Are they even using reference photos anymore?

All this is telling me that Hasbro is getting lazy, and Lucasfilm by extension for letting this crap through as official merchandise. Who gives a shit if the action figures look like the actors – let’s get them on the god damned shelves, right? I used to justify to myself that I was getting these figures for a complete collection, but not anymore. Call it growing up or simply the feelings of a jaded Star Wars fan – it doesn’t matter. It’s movie merchandising at its worst.

you’ve been lying to me