VGGEN Andrew

Why, photographs of the Joystiq staff, of course!

Sometimes I’ll follow you around for days. Watching from a distance. Taking pictures. Filling in the conversations we’d be having.

“Why Generation ABXY,” you seem to say. “You look great and fun and you should really hang out with us.”

And I’ll say, “Sure, but I’ll need a ride – my Ferrari is in the shop.”

And then we all laugh and laugh for hours before we climb into your car, my body sliding as willingly into the upholstery as it might your own embrace. And then we look at each other and smile before driving off to your place, the warm sun flashing between the buildings at us, washing across our faces over and over like a wave kissing at the shore. It would be a good day.



...Oh, and the Great Wave off Kanagawa.

A bit by proxy, but being one of his devote followers, I need only make one of ten hand gestures in order to summon the mighty Dick Cheney to kill you in the manner of my choosing.

Ah, so there was a problem. I tried to grab Castlevania: SotN off of the Marketplace, and it kept telling me my credit card number was wrong...so my money went to the PSN and I bought it for the PS3 (still a great game, even without Achievements).

In my defense (so as not to seem inpatient), I asked someone on my friends list, and they told me it was because I let my LIVE subscription lapse. That initial month was all I've really had it, so I didn't know...

However, if you look at the Mii (or, you know, have ever tried soccer/football skill tests like this in reality), his knees are bent. If this lady was already bent at the knees, she wouldn't need to PUSH with the opposite foot, merely "fall" on the proper leg. Granted, I haven't tried the game, but I'd be willing to bet it would work much better that way than standing around teetering like a weeble.

Was that smart? No doubt. But I think the real proof of his intelligence here is that he somehow managed to escape Jim Henson’s studio – no easy task.

@1

Well, it isn't like this is the only system where this is happening. I mean, look at Sony: They already released flOw on the PSN and, just like the DS, they are getting the retail release of N. I'm not quite sure about the 360, but I'm sure the XBLA has more than a few titles along those lines.

Of course, when it comes to the Wii, it is to be expected - the system was a sudden success and people are rushing to cash-in, or, depending on your point of view, rushing to cash-in before they hype wears down.

O.o Sacking them...did you even read the story? Well, anyway, Nintendo isn't sacking them, they are moving their Sales and Marketing devision to New York, and the current staff was given the option of moving with the department (with a 20% pay increase, I believe) or leaving their posts. So it is a choice being offered to them - no one is being fired.

As to the article, I don't think all the people rumored will leave. In past interviews (some even with GI itself), both Kaplan and Harrison gave very strong indications that they would be staying. However, things change, so I'm interested to see how this will turn out.

@8

Are sequels ever really necessary? I mean, so many games could have a place in the heart of gamers if the makers hadn't milked the ever-lovin shiitake mushroom out of it. Of course, today it is a rare instance when I game is made without a trilogy being planned right in the very beginning. Take Gears of War, for example - great game (though, in my opinion, not as great as the hype made it out to be), but there was really no need for that cliffhanger ending. Having them finish off the Locusts threat and then ending it for good have been just fine for me. Instead I'm left feeling a bit shafted, like I've only played half a game or something...I want some money back Microsoft!

Ah, so that's why they meant when some of these ads said, "Java-enabled." I never could figure it out, and I was just too lazy to look it up. Right now, apart from the PS3, I can't really see a reason pick up a Blu-ray player. I mean, there really aren't any good movies yet. I'm sure that will improve in time, don't get me wrong, but I don't see the point of being this early an adopter - at least wait until there is something to show off your equipment with. And, having to pick up the PS3, I have to say Talledega Nights may have been the worst movie to stick in the box...they should have put in something at least mildly entertaining.

As most people probably imagine, and as some have almost certainly already said, each system has its strengths and its weaknesses. For me, as soon as the system is back in stock, I intend to get a Wii...to go with my PS3 and Xbox 360. Really, I buy the systems for the games, and the PS3 does have a few interesting ones coming out, namely Lair and Grand Theft Auto IV (and, yes, I know, GTA IV is also coming to the 360, but Sony has free online play, another major plus). As for the 360, I probably got it more for games like Fable 2. And, finally, the Wii, well, just about every great Nintendo franchise, from Super Mario Galaxy to Twilight Princess.

Like most said, I expect it is just the price holding back the system right now, and a lack of really must have titles. I expect, once people have recouped their Christmas losses, and games like Oblivion, Motorstorm, etc. start coming out, we'll start seeing them get picked up more and more. And, on that note, for those who do have the system, any recommendations? I picked up Blazing Angels with my system just to try out the flight controls - which, BTW, are amazing - but most of the games is bugged to hell and just plain sucks.