News & Update, 9th April

- Call of Duty 7: Black Ops are set during World War 2 and present day. It could be during the cold war and vietnam war. Zombie mode will also return.

- Polyphony say that Gran Turismo 5 could possibly implement Playstation move and 3D. Aw come on.. release the game already.

- It is reported that two key person from Infinity ward has resigned from the studio. They are in charge of the multiplayer and the story. Looks like Infinity ward is mere a shell company now.

- Apple's iPad reportedly has sold 300.000 units on the first day in US. Given the amount of over hype about this device, it come to no surprise.

- Microsoft lied about Natal presentation at E3.. according to David Cage. The ability to take picture and map it instantly into a game is possible, but not to the extend to what been demoed by Microsoft at E3. Well.. that's what I call marketing.

- Activision reportedly selling 2.5 million of stimulus package from Microsoft data. With current rate, we will see a $20 map pack with 5 old maps of Call of Duty 4..

- Pokemon Black and White announced for DS. Details has been scarce, so stay tuned to hear more about this mega franchise.
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is iPad a prospect gaming destination?

Apple's iPad just launched in US and manage to sell 300.000 units on its first day of sales. Quite impressive given how high the price is. Whether it can be as successful as iPhone, it remains to be seen. Now forget everything that iPad can do, and let's just concentrate on gaming. Can iPad potentially be a juggernaut in gaming industry, or at least as successful as iPhone?

Firstly the price, for $499 starting price depending on the feature you want is much more expensive that the PS3.
Secondly, iPhone was successful because the game is always there in your pocket, because you definitely carry your phone everywhere including the bathroom! iPad on the other hand, is bigger. Though you can fit it into your laptop back, but you might not have it every time. So iPad will get a competition from NDS and PSP in terms of portable gaming in terms of size, weight, and its library.
Thirdly, as advanced as iPhone and iPad can be, I feel that buttons is a necessary feature for gaming. Don't get me wrong. I'm actually amazed by how iPhone games are controlled by touching, but it just feels different especially if you are playing games like Street Fighter IV.

Games never be a reason in buying iPad, however since iPad is more or less a bigger iPhone, developer can develop games for both of them simultaneously. So expect a lot of bigger version of iPhone games to iPad.


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Final Fantasy XIII linearity, good thing?

So I was playing Final Fantasy XIII up to chapter 11, I was told by reviews that this Final Fantasy is quite linear until much later on. I found out that up until now it has been quite linear even though there was some section that lets you explore the open world.

Is Square taking a risk or simply responding the need to change RPG genre? I feel that Square realised how RPG change these days especially in western world. Take Fallout 3 for example: it combines the element of open world ala GTA and RPG which turns out to be very successful and enjoyable.

The feel of today Final Fantasy is completely different. Square Enix seems to leave traditional RPG formula with this FF. There is no town or shop to visit before visiting the dungeon. No need to farm monster and leveling up before tackling the next dungeon. Instead they are focusing to the story, pace and action. The combat is simplified but complex enough not to be boring. In the end, we see more of a hybrid RPG of Final Fantasy.

So is it a good thing? Many forums condemn Square for changing drastically with this FF, but maybe they have legitimate reason.
First of all, Square said that since it is the first FF on new generation console, it takes a bit more time to develop because they need to start from scratch. And it is hard and consume a lot of time to make towns, and 3D building structure in high definition, and it is the same reason that they didn't do FFVII remake.
With already years in development, Square might be forced to do it this way in order to save time and budget.
Secondly, even though it is quite linear, it will still give you a 40 hours of playing and that is without all the side missions and completing all the upgrades. 

Another plus thing, while FFXIII might not be appealing for hardcore traditional RPG gamers, it certainly easy on the new comers. They can be kept engaged without straying from the story too long by dictating the pace of its story. The battle is not tedious and intimidating like previous gambit system, the story is not as complicated as FFVII. Actually the story is quite simple, but it tends to be over stretched.

Finally all I think Square has taken a step into the right direction to make Final Fantasy more appealing with mass audiences. Only maybe next time they can add a bit more exploring so that we can get the sense of this big world and of course, improve the story.




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News & Update 28th March

- Seems that Square Enix change their stance about Final Fantasy VII remake. After eliminating the possibility of the remake because it will be long and expensive, now Yoichi Wada, the president and chief executive of Square Enix say that they are "exploring the possibility" to make the remake. If fans petition enough maybe they do it, but don't expect it in this near future.

- Microsoft confirmed that Natal follow up is in development. They really confident with Natal success don't they?

- Nintendo announced 3DS as successor of current DS. It will play 3D graphic without the use of glasses. It will also be backward compatible with DS titles. It set to give public demo on this year E3. With Playstation Move, more Natal and now 3DS, this year E3 should be very exciting. 

- In respond to Nintendo's announcement, Sony plays down the 3DS, saying that 3D should remain in console not portable, next PSP unlikely will feature 3D.

- Heavy Rain will get Playstation Move support. Given how you  control the game, Move support makes sense.
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3DS, the next big thing from Nintendo

Big news from Nintendo. They confirmed that 3DS will be the next successor of current NDS. With already 30 million units sales in Japan alone, Nintendo is going forward to maintain its handheld market dominance.
Like the name, 3DS is capable to produce 3D graphic without the need of special glasses. Details are scarce right now, but rumor said that it uses "Parallax Barrier" LCD technology by Sharp and Hitachi which is available in 3D simulating PC monitors.

The good thing is that the 3DS will backward compatible with current NDS titles. Whether they can convert all titles into 3D graphics remains to be seen.
Also possible things that will be included in this new 3DS will be motion detector, tilt sensor and force feed back.

Nintendo promised that the device will be available for public demo at E3 this year.

I have a mixed feeling about this. Partly because I haven't seen the device and what it capable of. On the other hand, I think it is about time that Nintendo start planning on its NDS successor and try to seperate themselves from the rest of the competition. For example, take a look at iPhone, whatever NDS can do, iPhone has the potential to do it better in terms of the technology. With 3DS, Nintendo can take another technology leap in gaming industry.


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Premium downloadable content coming from EA

In further monetization of digital content. EA has a new plan in the horizon. While we are already familiar with post release DLC and game demo. EA want to try something new called "premium downloadable content". Think of it like a very long game demo with 3 - 4 hours of playing time, sort of like Battlefield 1943. This DLC will be available shortly before the release of full blown packaged game and will be priced at $10- $15. 

From EA point of view, this will serve a low cost marketing tool and limit the risk of completing and marketing the full game. They can determined whether people like this game and to identify what change should be made based on user feedback before they release the full game.

While I'd say that this is an interesting idea, we need to further see what EA means by this premium DLC. If this is like a big chunk of the full game before the actual release, maybe like Gran Turismo Prologue, then I think it is just ridiculous. Having to spend $15 then another $60 if you like the game, is a definite turn off. 

However if this DLC is something that you cannot find in the full game but somehow still in relation to the story and its universe, then I think it can be interesting. Think of it like Resident Evil 5 DLC The Lost in Nightmare episodes, put it into pre DLC instead of post DLC.
Even though I wouldn't dare to say that people will love this idea, as least make them feel their money worth something. The question is whether developers like EA will deliberately cuts off the chunk of full game and separate it to make more money out of it. I think they will.
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News & Update, 18 March

- Rumor: With Sony launched PS3 slim with lower price, it seems that it is only matter of time before Xbox 360 do the same. A chinese tipster posted an image of what could be a slimmer Xbox 360 mother board. If Microsoft can launch Xbox 360 slim with price similar to Wii and of course, Natal altogether, it will be interesting.

- In Spring, Xbox 360 will get an update to add support for USB mass storage device, however you can only register maximum 2 device at a time and it only allow maximum of 16 GB. There always a catch for Microsoft. Well if looking at the bright side, it is better than nothing, right?

- According to Playstation blog, the most popular request by community is cross game chat for PS3. I think it's due. Wonder what is holding Sony to release patch to activate this feature. We know that it's not something impossible to do on PS3.

- Digital Foundry tested Playstation Move's latency between user input and in game reflection. The result? 133 ms, which according to them is fine through most application for this kind of controller. Note that this is just a rough testing.
 
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