Zento

Happy Birthday Joystiq! Keep up the awesome job!!!

First started reading right as I entered college 4 years ago and have read it every day since. I just graduated and I'm just about to purchase my first PS3, so those games would be extra nice!

Anybody think that this might just be a less powerful version of CryEngine 2? My reasoning is that they have said before that the current console generation couldn't handle Crysis on a level that they would be satisfied with (don't have a reference, but I'm 99% positive that they have). If that is still true, then I find it hard to believe that they would be able to make an even more powerful graphics engine that could be used on consoles.

If I'm correct, then my idea is that they'll use CryEngine 3 for all of their multiplatform titles, but continue to use CryEngine 2 for all of their PC-exclusive titles.

Yeah, no idea what was going in this. Are they saying they're "preparing to drop something for Halo 3", this project will "make us drop Halo 3" in favor for this, or what? If it is something for Halo 3, its gotta be either that campaign expansion there were rumors about before or a new game that takes place parallel to Halo 3, ala Crysis Warhead. The only way I could see this being related to multiplayer was if they will be trying to release like 10 or 20 new maps at the same time.

Huh, didn't realize that. Oh well, still think Japanese songs are a good idea.

And I still want "Minority."

I was wondering if they would ever put foreign language tracks onto Rock Band. While most regular gamers are probably also familiar about the Japanese culture from awesome websites like Joystiq, most casual gamers probably will only want to play regular songs that they know or are at least in their own language so they at least know what they are singing about. So while most people here seem to indicate that they would probably purchase some of the Japanese tracks, we are probably and unfortunately in the minority and as such would probably be the only ones who purchase the songs which may be unprofitable for Harmonix.

Speaking of "Minority", when are they going to put that song on? My friends and I always sing/shout along when that songs comes on.

Does anybody know if it comes with an HDMI cable? The PS3 doesn't, but the 360 Elite model does. My guess would be that since the Elite has one so does this one, but haven't seen anything to confirm that yet.

Wow, gotta love people with power forcing their own opinions down on smaller people.

To post 1, the kid did everything he could to communicate what he was doing, what with getting the permit, putting out flyers and ads in the school newspaper, and sitting down and talking with school officials about it. I woudn't blame the father either, he was just looking out for all the young participants because, as experience has taught some of us, you're bound to get a few bad apples at one of those things.

But I do give props to the kid for putting everything together. Kudos to you, Sir Wigal.

Besides the "two main characters" (Vaan and Penelo), it looks as if Balthier and Fran are also on the cover. I've seen pictures of them in the game, but perhaps this means they might also be playable.

I was never too excited about this game, before or after I played 12. Doesn't look that great to me, but who knows? I've been wrong before.

Wow. I never thought a company could release a patch that could make a game worse, but Epic did it. Kudos to them. The game now has more lag than ever, they've further made it difficult for clans to play with each other, and now the host is an unstoppable juggernaut when equipped with the shotgun (they've got more range with that thing than the sniper rifle). Here's what Epic should do for their next "patch":

1. Weapon balance/hit detection. The sniper is apparently the ultimate close range and long range weapon. There's no way someone would be able to swing that big of a weapon that quickly and do that much damage. There's very little or no splash damage with the boomshot, which is insane considering the strength of the explosion. And as for the shotgun, it's the most unrealistic shotgun I've ever seen in a game. I've gotten headshots from 20 ft away, had the barrel clipping the inside of my opponent and not killed them upon firing, and blown to pieces by people who aren't even aiming at me.

2. Lag. Like I said before, the host is unstoppable because of the lag decrease he/she receives. Imagine trying to kill a host who jumps around because of lag, won't go down after you've emptied your shotgun into him, and can down you from 15 ft away with one shot to your toes with the shotgun.

3. And of course, the removal of the host from ranked matches. Yes Epic, removing the chance for friends to play together was brilliant, because what gamer in their right mind would want to play with their friends? Gamers, when given the choice between playing with a friend they trust or a stranger who would sooner dry hump your down character than help you up, will always choose the stranger.

In conclusion Epic, I'm not that disappointed with you. You've just given me a reason to never play your game again until you fix it. Which I will humbly accept.

I'm sure somebody is reading this and thinking...

"FOR GOD'S SAKE, WHERE IS THAT TOYS'R'US?"