Articles by Mr.Mog!
For those of you down under that usually snubb the Sunday paper (I for one do as there's hardly anything but filler and ads), then maybe the prospect of having a nifty and (almost) free game, and a good one at that (though can you call it a game?) will change your mind.
Today in the Hearld Sun here in Victoria (and the 30th for The Courier Mail), you'll be able to get your hands on The Spore Creature Creator thanks to EA for just $2 via redemption. Though don't be mistaken: this is only the the demo; you'll still have to pay the $10 for the full version. But regardless it's a great way to dip your feet into world of Spore without wasting your precious bandwidth. And it may be just enough for me to finally buy a copy of the Sunday Hearld.
Check out the Jump for the Press Release
If you're unlucky enough to live in a PAL region like me then you know how long we have to wait for even the biggest titles. Weeks, months or even years
(it's true! Look at Phoienx Wright and the Trauma Center series for example), most of the time it's a guessing game as to we'll get a game any time soon, especially with the "niche" titles such as
Persona 3 and the like
(we love you Koei!) and the like. All thanks to the regional lockout and the poor excuse of localization.
But there's still hope! Through the magic of importing you can enjoy games at the same time as our US and Japanese brethren, though be it with a few "hurdles" to tackle, particularly if you're in the market for a home console title. This guide will help you find out what you need to consider (both cost and tech wise), choosing where to buy your gear (and what to be wary of) and finally what type of games are considered "import-friendly" if you decide to sample some of Japan's fine electronic wares. We're doing it because we care!
Click the jump to read on
Usually when one finds a bug in a video game or piece of software, the appropriate thing to do is to usually send a polite calm email explaining what the problem is and what, if any work-arounds can be put in place. What you're about to read is an example of what NOT to do. Particularly if your IQ doesn't stretch into the triple digits (which seems to be the case with this story).
Steve Fawkner, CEO of the Australian development studio Infinite Interactive dropped the bomb (so to speak) about several death and bomb threats sent to the company's Port Melbourne studio while unveiling their latest title: Neopets Puzzle Adventure at Captivate 08'. And why? All because of a single bug within the PSP version of Puzzle Quest: Challenge Of The Warlords, which sees the CPU Player Assistant redundant.
While speaking to Eurogamer, Fawkner elaborated on the bizarre situation:
They were all emails, and I think at least two of them were possibly serious! They actually left their email addresses on them, so we know who they came from... We had a PSP bug and someone said, 'We're going to send you a bomb and blow the studio up!' But, er, we can track that email.
Wow, real bright. He goes on in the interview to shed some more light on the intelligence of the email senders:
Most of them were people who were going to kill us who lived in the States, and we're in Australia, so unless they were actually serious enough to hop a plane, fly over to Australia and gun me down.
As they say, stupidity knows no limits. But hopefully they fixed the problem in the end, because a bug is a bug and nobody likes them (though you don't need to express your dislike through angry emails)!
Aussie Developer Received Death Threats... [PALGN]
Since the introduction of the Wii's online infrastructure (well, at least for online play), one major complaint has always dogged the Wi-Fi Connection: DLC. With the the lack of memory on board the console and Nintendo's reluctance to help developers till now, it's always been a dream that's been difficult to come true. Until now.
Vicarious Visions, the developers behind the latest in the Guitar Hero series, World Tour, have confirmed that the wii version will receive "true" downloadable content, in the form of new music, both user generated (presumably free) and licensed.
It's unclear at the moment how they intend to deal with the storage limit (a meager 512mb), but my guess is that it'll be a case of swapping content between SD cards and the flash memory as you want to use it. I really do hope Nintendo does come to their senses and allow content and games to be run directly off SD cards. As many of you know, it was this very reason why RecOctane, coupled with time restraints and lack of infastructure, chose not to include DLC with GHIII:
"We've been looking at DLC on the Wii for a long time, and with Guitar Hero 3, it was the first Guitar Hero game on the Wii," he explained. "It was the first third-party WiFi title with online play. That took a lot of effort to be able to do that. We didn't have the time, and the infrastructure and stuff wasn't in place [at the time], for DLC [in GH3].
I think this very wise move will make Activision the winner in the upcoming "battle of the bands". Not only will they be tapping the large userbase that the wii provides, but are solving one of the major reasons why the wii version of GHIII didn't reach it's full potential (other than the crappy guitar and bad disks that were shipped which are no brainers to any publisher).
Guitar Hero 4 Wi DLC Includes Actual New Songs [Shacknews]
[Via Aussie-Nintendo]
Hey there boys and gals! I normally would hesitate to post something so personal as this, but I thought I might as well give this a shot.
As some of you who frequent the site's chatroom may know, I'm about to be jetting off for a few weeks to Victoria's luscious wine and orange country up north. While it'll will be fun to be home and breathing the fresh country air, what's less fun is the fact that my lease runs out for my current place on the day I leave, meaning I'll be without-home when I return to Melbourne, Australia.
So in other words, I'm looking for a new mog lair to continue to plan world domination study, work and write. My current price range is around $50 - $140AUD (plus bills) per week for a place relatively close to Melbourne's CBD, or at the very least be close to a train or tram line. I'm not fussy about sharing, smokers, sexuality and gender and I'm willing to do my fair share of the house work and cook (spag bol anybody?). And you get a glimpse on the creative process of a GG writer!
If you know of such a place or are looking for a flatemate, feel free to contact me via my GG email: mrmog@gaygamer.net. Thanks!
The promotional event, depending on how it's handled can be a great way to bring together both old and new consumers to a franchise/company's wares with great financial results, or a total flop. Nintendo Australia's attempt to spread the gospel according to Miyamoto, the Connection Tour, which returns again this year is a combination of the two.
For those of you who haven't been to the previous years events, The Connection Tour is basically a small series of events around Australia in Westfield shopping malls (which for some reason all seem to be situated hours away from the CBD) that allows people to try out the latest Wii and DS games (notable ones this year is GH: Areosmith, GH: On Tour and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon) and duke it out with a competition using the latest flavor of the month (last year was Pokemon D/P), this time being of course the upcoming Super Smash Brothers Brawl and Mario Kart Wii. There's also some exciting free stuff to get a hold of if you're lucky. I like free stuff, and so should you.
While it's nice to meet and face off against other DS/Wii gamers in the flesh for a purdy new DS, preview the latest upcoming games and get loads of free shiz, the utterly clueless booth babes, the two hour train ride to the malls out in the sticks where they host the events and the allocated space which accommodates for only 1/3 of the total attendance makes it almost unbearable even for a free event, particularly for something that the sole aim is to ram the product down your throat.
Check the jump for the press release and location and dates
All of us know that there's nothing greater than to gather around with a few mates and lay on the smackdown with a few rounds of Brawl or Mario Kart. It breaks the ice and gets the conversation running along smoothly. But according to Kasidie, a magazine for swingers, it can help couples do a whole lot more than just talking, in particular the Wii with it's "seductive" motion controls.
The article provides handy hints for swingers and couples to maximize their love lives through the magic of gaming (most of which can't be mentioned here for obvious reasons), though needless to say the active nature of many of the games discussed (Mario Party, Wii Sports, WarioWare Raving Rabbids, Guitar Hero and Rock Band) are ripe for adult situations:
Unlike many other games, Wii Sports strongly encourages physical activity among players. The games generally require movements modeled after the actual sports you are playing. This provides numerous opportunities for physical intimacy and heightened sexual tension ("Here, let me help you perfect your bowling stance. Let's start with those hips...").
Oooh la la! I don't think Nintendo would necessarily approve of it's "touching is good" motto being taken so literally, but it's always nice to be shown that the Wii isn't just for children, Soccer mums and crotchety old people. And it's every guy's (at least mine) dream come true: Gaming and sex all rolled into one. Everybody wins! But remember: Play Safe (in both senses wink wink)!
How Video Games can Liven Up A Swinger Party [Kasidie]
[Via GoNintendo]
I must admit, I'm a extreme completist when it comes to games, particularly RPGs. I don't know why, but whenever the need arises to collect things, be them coins, trophies or achievements, the OCD side in me breaks loose and go nuts. Explains the 150+ hour save file in Pokemon D/P.... But according to US researchers it's not because I have a addictive personality (thank god), but apparently because I'm "wired" that way as a member of the male sex.
Professor Allan Reiss and his research crew wired up both male and female subjects to a scanner while playing a unknown game that involved winning territory (most likely an FPS), with predictable results. While women had a good understanding of both the game mechanics and goals required to win, the male subjects were "alot more motivated to succeed". The research also 'discovered' that the most popular types of games for men are"territory and aggression-type" games.
The real discovery though in the study and the belief for the findings is that when men win, a part of their brain, linked to the section that controls rewarding feelings and addiction, is stimulated. I can imagine an teenager using this an excuse to his parents: "but mum! My gender is making me do it!".
While this is stating the obvious to a degree, it's at least nice to know how and why there are guys who take things slightly too seriously in a usually friendly match online. And I know quite a few gals who are just as dedicated to laying down the pain. But regardless of gender, it's always good to remember moderation. Tell me what you think. Plausible or total BS?
Wii men's 'want to conquer' urge [The Sun]
[Via GoNintendo]
Is it just me, but does it seem that these days no one uses base colour names anymore, particularly with consoles? Gone are the days of "red", "blue" and "green" and are now replaced with the likes of "charcoal red", "deepsea marine blue" and "lush undiscovered rainforest green". It's all hype and marketing to pander to the fashionista consumer I know, but it's still very strange.
Nintendo seems to be returning to it's roots for the next round of colours for the DS Lite in Europe, with the simple names of Red, Turquoise (otherwise known as the ice blue edition in Australia, Japan and America) and Green. Nearly all the handhelds I've had have been red (when you're 8 it makes anything look cool), so when I finally decide to ditch my phattie I can proudly continue the tradition.
The new additions arrive in Europe ready to accessorize your gaming life on June 13, though no word yet on the rest of the world (rumors say June 19th here in Oz). Simple and clean is the way to go Nintendo and Sony!
Last week here at GayGamer we celebrated the American launch of WiiWare, Nintendo's answer to XBLA with a ton of impressions, Speculations and Conundrums. Well now it's our turn!
Yesterday saw the release of the downloadable game service for Australia, New Zealand and Europe. The initial launch line up includes the same titles as the US version (except for Pop), with a few extra (and quite good) titles to make up for the week long wait:
Lost Winds
Star Soldier R
Dr. Mario & Germ Buster
Toki Tori Take 2
TV Show King
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
The two games I'm most looking forward to downloading once I get my Wii back are FFCC: MLAK and Dr.Mario & Germ Buster (Dr.Mario Px in Japan and NA). I love me some classic puzzle action. The exclusion of Pop surprises me, since it was developed right here in Australia, as well one of the more anticipated about titles.
If we get a different release calendar here in the future remains to be seen, though judging from the VC the chances are high. I'm just glad we didn't get shafted by Nintendo, unlike another company I know of...
Click the jump to read press release
Oh how the weeks have passed... This week's episode of the gaming and geek culture radio program L33T Rainbow ROFLCOPTER (1-3am Friday Australian EST on JOY 94.9 FM and presented by yours truly) is the final show of the Autumn season. As usual I would like to thank GayGamer.net for all their support.
"Oh Noes!" you may be thinking (if you're one of the few people who actually listen) but have no fear, as the show will be continuing on into the cruel and cold winter all the way to september, starting off with a special 3 hour edition. And for those who cannot listen live, the podcast will keep on going as usual but through a different feed, so stay tuned for more information.
We also now have a dedicated email address leetrainbow@gmail.com, feel free to send any suggestions, feedback, tips or just anything you want to get off your mind. And finally we're looking for a permanent co-host. If you think you can stay up late enough and talk about geeky things, then send us an email. A gal is preferable but not a requirement.
We do it because we care.
[Click here to listen live JOY 94.9]
Click here to subscribe to current podcast through itunes
Damn you EA, Damn you to hell!! While the rest of the world is rocking out, for those of us in Australia and New Zealand, we have to wait till September (October for NZ) to play Rock Band. It's bad enough that the instruments and game will be separate purchases upon release and will cost pretty much twice the price as the US complete bundle, we get it a year after everybody else?! That's just plain inexcusable.
If you're one of those people who refuse to stand for such a travesty of justice and have alot of cash to burn (the soul is willing but the wallet is weak in my case), Canned Geek's guide to Importing Rock Band (2.0), provides you with a step by step guide to becoming the next Midnight Oil for around $440 (including a second guitar controller). In addition to tips on buying a bundle, the author Kyle also touches on things such as how to fix instruments, getting your hands on a US credit card and accessing the American PSN to download tracks. It's a pretty neat guide and one that first time importers should take a look at, even if it isn't Rock Band as it covers many of the fundamental issues and workarounds that have to be faced when buying games, services and equipment from different regions.
Before you go rushing off with high hopes, be warned of the amount of effort and money you're about to be committing yourself to for going down this route. You'll only have the choice of the PS3 version (which doesn't have region lockout), the package will as mentioned above set you back nearly $440, you have to make sure that the seller (if buying from ebay) is legit, you'll need a US credit card (or use PSN cards) and be on the US PSN and finally if something goes wrong, you're without warranty. Just stuff to be mindful of.
Why do you make us jump through all these hoops to play your game EA? We're loyal customers who even though don't bring in as much money as other areas still should not be treated like second class consumers. Here's a tip to Guitar Hero 4 and Rock Revolution: get in here before Rock Band and you'll be golden!
[Via Kotaku]
And girls who like girls who like rumble packs!
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