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.
CES 2010 Postgame Wrapup
I don't know if you guys out there are into emerging technology like I am, but if you are, you were probably following the coverage of last week's Consumer Electronics Show as closely as I was. And while the majority of the show was devoted to tablets, e-readers and 3D TVs, there were a few things here and there for the gamers. (Though, one could argue that 3D TVs would effect gamers and gaming as a whole.) Here are a few of the things that piqued my gaming interest...
It's like a rumble pack... for your chest!
Why should our hands get all the vibration sensation? The KOR-fx lets you experience what it's actually like to get punched or shot in the chest without actually having to be punched or shot in the chest! But seriously, if hands free gaming is where we're headed (though I'm not entirely sure that IS in fact where we're heading), then this technology could be put to good use. I do shudder at the thought of the expansion of this tech to a full body experience...
Does this mean Project Natal games will be 10 to 15 percent less good?
The news that Project Natal will use 10 to 15 percent of the Xbox 360's processing power might not sound like a whole lot on paper, but the computer scientist in me thinks it's kind of a big deal. In layman's terms, less processing power means simpler games. Maybe not noticably simpler, but simpler nonetheless. Cutbacks might be made to areas like AI, physics, etc. But there's also a bright side to the story...
Because of the processing cost of using Project Natal, it's less likely we'll see Project Natal shoehorned into existing games. While there's something novel about controlling Burnout: Paradise by holding your arms out and stomping your foot back and forth, is it really the best way to experience that game? Probably not. Hopefully instead of seeing a bunch of casual minigames flood the market, we'll see the creation of gaming experiences that were never possible before.
All you guys out there who say Guitar Hero/Rock Band players should pick up a real guitar can finally settle down...
There were a couple of "guitars" at CES that were trying to bridge the gap between making fake music and making real music. Personally, I prefer the aesthetic of the You Rock guitar (the name could use a little work though) to the almost utilitarian design of the Gambridge Z (also not a spectacular name choice). But either way, fake guitars are getting realer!
I'm sure about 95% of the people playing games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band actually want to learn to play a real guitar, so these periphreals are a good way to entice people to do so. It'd probably be cheaper to pick up a used acoustic guitar than either of these offerings, but then how would you play your music rhythm games? Oh wait. With the dozen or so fake plastic instruments you probably already have...
Finally! Now you can game and do your spreadsheets on the go!
For the past few years I've been torn. I'm in the market for a new computer. I like the portability of a laptop/netbook, but I also like the power of a desktop for gaming. For a while it seemed like power and portability were mutually exclusive. But Alienware's new laptop combines both into one tiny package. It doesn't have a netbook price (somewhere sub-1000 bucks, who wants to be it's $999.99?) or probably even a netbook weight, but having something as small and as powerful as this laptop promises to be is a good compromise.
Look, ma! No wires!
Ok, this one probably won't have a whole lot of gaming applications at least not in the near future. But electricity without wires? C'mon! How cool is that? No more unsightly wires as you wall mount your (soon-to-be 3D) flat-panel TV! No more tripping over cables and trashing your probably expensive electronic equipment!
Though, I imagine that if wireless electricity did catch on, we'd see wireless controllers that charged wirelessly. You'd be able to game for as long as you wanted to without stopping for pesky things like recharging your controller or sleep. But your electricity bill would probably go through the roof...
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