Join the cast of Another Videogame Webcomic as we peek behind the curtain to see what exactly goes into bringing your favorite video games to the small screen. It may be a job in video games, but it's still a job.
Not if you paid me a million dollars...
So, I don't think it's a secret that doing this comic is more of a resource hog than my other comic, Matriculated. With Matriculated, all I really need to do is write, letter and post it and I'm done. With Another Videogame Webcomic, there can be a huge commitment for both time and money when reviewing a single game. And not every game I play ends up as the subject of a comic. When you think about it, because of all the various pieces of the comic, the stars really have to align for a single game to be reviewed here. One of the games I played early on that didn't originally make the cut (for a variety of reasons) was X-Blades
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A few months ago when Joe and I started AVW, we kicked around the idea of how exactly I'd be able to review the necessary number of games to sustain the comic. I'm not a bottomless pit of money, so buying every game was out of the question (and seriously, there are some games I've reviewed that I wouldn't want to own or even admit to playing). Renting was the obvious option, but surprisingly, the local Blockbuster isn't known for getting games in a timely manner. Finally, I decided on renting through Gamefly which offered the right balance of cost and availability of new titles.
The first game I ever received from Gamefly was, of course, X-blades. Now, there were a few reasons why X-blades never really got the full AVW treatment... There were a lot of other games out at the time that I felt were a better use of my time... By the time those games had been reviewed, I felt the window on reviewing X-blades had passed. And finally, the overwhelming reason was I couldn't bring myself to finish the game.
But if you want a mini-review, here it is: "X-blades sucks from top to bottom. The combat is repetitive and unsatisfying. It reminds me of Devil May Cry without the tight controls or sense of style or anything that makes Devil May Cry actually good. I had a hard time figuring out if my hits were actually connecting with the enemies on screen or if I was just swinging my blades wildly. The controls feel really loose, which can be a valid design choice except for the fact that you need to pull off certain platforming sections with those controls which make it extremely frustrating. X-blades isn't a bad looking game though... and you'd think that staring at the main character's ass constantly would bring a certain sense of fulfillment... but it doesn't. It just makes you feel dirty. Overall, the game looks and feels like a demo I'd download for the PC back in the mid-90s. Sure, I would play through the demo at least once, but the prospect of paying for what feels hastily thrown together isn't something I'd be interested in."
With that background, you can imagine my amusement when I was on CheapAssGamer (another source of information where I can go easy on my wallet when finding games to review) and saw that they were running an ad campaign to literally pay people to play the game. Ok, so maybe it's more like a rebate for people buying the game but it's still hilarious. Even more hilarious is the realization that they're still trying to market this game a couple months after its initial release. Though my favorite piece of marketing for the game comes from the UK, which features a scantily clad real life model superimposed on a very 90s looking CGI background.
While I'm hoping that none of you out there fall for the this newest round of marketing, I am glad that they are offering the rebate. Not because I think you guys should be paid for playing the game. (Honestly, if you're that strapped for cash I think McDonalds is hiring... even in this economy.) But because it give me an excuse to revisit a game that I feel has historical significance to Another Videogame Webcomic.
Player Two
After the resurgence of multiplayer co-op, GameBizCo Inc. hired Player Two to be the Goose to someone else's Maverick. His workload isn't quite as heavy as most of the other people working at GameBizCo Inc. and as a result, he spends a lot of time in the break room or playing computer solitaire.
First Appearance: Another Videogame Webcomic?!? An Introduction
Player One
Player One is top dog at GameBizCo Inc. Nearly every game, from Pong to Mario Bros to Grand Theft Auto, requires Player One's expertise. His cocksure and sometimes inappropriate attitude is an annoyance to his coworkers but seeing as every game needs a first player, they make due.
First Appearance: Bonus Stage! Here comes Player One!
Damsel I. Distress
Whether it be a castle, a dungeon or mystical island, Damsel always needs to be saved... and she hates it. Damsel longs for the day when she's given the role of a strong female lead character who doesn't have huge breasts with hyper accurate physics.
First Appearance: LittleBIGPlanet
Final Boss
Underneath the huge brute that is Final Boss lies a timid creature who wouldn't hurt a fly. He puts on his "angry face" when throwing barrels down ramps or breathing fire but deep down he feels sorry for doing so. He's been known to throw a game or two in the player's favor.
First Appearance: World Record
John Minion
John Minion, or Min for short, is the hardest working employee at GameBizCo Inc. Playing everything from Goombas to no name thugs, Min gets beat up on a daily basis but loves every minute of it. He always wanted to work in the gaming industry and was originally hired as an intern. After years of getting coffee, his big break came when someone called in sick... and the rest is history.
First Appearance: Watchmen: The End is Nigh
Middle Manager
Middle Manager works in the Human Resources department. He runs staff meetings and interviews prospective employees. The other 90% of his time is spent playing Freecell on his computer.
First Appearance: Another Videogame Webcomic?!? An Introduction