So at work a few weeks ago, Andy asks me what is my favorite videogame. I honestly could not think of one definitive game, but I could name a few that I really loved (i.e. Tales of Symphonia, Tetris, Zelda). We both had this idea about bracketing my favorite games and seeding some over others.
So I have decided to do that now.
Here is my method. I have a list on my IGN account with the majority of games that I own in my collection (majority, not all of them). If not present, I would remember games and add them to the list afterward. I checked off games as I went down the list which were games that were all favorites. I came up with 29 of them, and then went back over it and added three more for an even 32 games. That will give four brackets of eight games a piece.
I picked the 1 and 2 seeds first, then the 8 and 7 seeds next, going outside in. The hardest choices were trying to seed the 5 and 6 games. Therefore, after a quick revision of my list and seeds, not all of them may be properly seeded as they are seen by me. Which is not a big problem, since each will face off against another, giving lower seeds a good chance against higher seeds (probably no 8 over 1 upsets, but calling any game an "underdog" may not be appropriate).
I may be able to do two matchups per day, except for those days that I am not at my computer (like when I am up north or just having a really lazy weekend).
Now you are wondering, "Tim, where are these brackets?" Right here. They are listed not in seeded order, but instead listed by bracket and matchup.
Bracket A
1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
8. Pokemon Blue
4. Killer 7
5. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
3. James Bond 007: Nightfire
6. Metroid Prime
2. Tetris
7. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic
Bracket B
1. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
8. Chrono Trigger
4. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
5. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
3. The Legend of Zelda
6. Syphon Filter
2. NHL ‘94
7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Arcade Game
Bracket C
1. Resident Evil 4
8. Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
4. Final Fantasy VII
5. Golden Sun
3. Super Mario Bros. 3
6. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
2. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
7. Super Metroid
Bracket D
1. Tales of Symphonia
8. Halo 3
4. Contra
5. Metal Gear Solid
3. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
6. Diablo II: Lord of Destruction
2. Fire Emblem
7. Kirby’s Adventure
Hopefully, matchups will start tomorrow. I will do my best to make it as presentable and fun as possible. Hell, I will have a lot of time at work during the day to think about this kind of thing. The only obstacle is trying to remember it all when I get home in the late afternoon.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Top Trio: Games that changed my view on gaming
I love videogames. I have always loved videogames. But there were a few moments where gaming changed from something to pass the time to a way of life; to a different way I view the world; a way a think about things... These are the three games that changed my view on gaming.
Metal Gear Solid - This goes for all of them. Videogames used to be only for playing. Games were then given plots so that the player would be given a story to act out. Then Metal Gear Solid came along and took story telling to a whole new level. Gameplay was on an equal plane as the storytelling, and for me it was more enthralling than playing the game. Most recently with MGS4 (LOVED IT) the storytelling was bigger than the gameplay. It was a cinematic experience with never a dull moment, and I truly do mean never.
Metroid Prime - One of the most beautiful games visually. In fact, I played this game at a Best Buy for maybe a half-hour, and after the first five minutes I decided that I needed a Gamecube. It was an adventure game hidden underneath a FPS; a "first-person adventure" per se. It was perfectly paced and challenging at the same time. You are always on the move, always with objective. Acquiring power-ups came often so there was always something new you could do and somewhere new you could go. This was one of those games where you can get lost just looking and not really doing much of anything.
Fire Emblem - I have been a fan of RPGs for as long as I can remember (which pretty much traces itself back to Super Mario RPG for the SNES). Hell, I even include Pokemon. But Fire Emblem took way too long to reach the states from Japan, and I was ready when it arrived. Being a strategy RPG was something really new to me though. If somebody fell in battle, I did not have the luxury of healing or reviving them. They died. It meant planning two, three, or even more steps ahead. What I really loved was taking the smaller units and making sure they got a piece of the action, because once leveled up, they became the best units available. They are one of the most challenging games around. As a closing note, Marcus you suck you EXP whore!!!
It was hard and easy at the same time to narrow the list to three. I did think of other games, like Half Life, Guitar Hero, Killer 7 (it's freakin' sweet still), Resident Evil 2, and Knights of the Old Republic. However, I am most proud of the fact that I even got around to writing this article.
Metal Gear Solid - This goes for all of them. Videogames used to be only for playing. Games were then given plots so that the player would be given a story to act out. Then Metal Gear Solid came along and took story telling to a whole new level. Gameplay was on an equal plane as the storytelling, and for me it was more enthralling than playing the game. Most recently with MGS4 (LOVED IT) the storytelling was bigger than the gameplay. It was a cinematic experience with never a dull moment, and I truly do mean never.
Metroid Prime - One of the most beautiful games visually. In fact, I played this game at a Best Buy for maybe a half-hour, and after the first five minutes I decided that I needed a Gamecube. It was an adventure game hidden underneath a FPS; a "first-person adventure" per se. It was perfectly paced and challenging at the same time. You are always on the move, always with objective. Acquiring power-ups came often so there was always something new you could do and somewhere new you could go. This was one of those games where you can get lost just looking and not really doing much of anything.
Fire Emblem - I have been a fan of RPGs for as long as I can remember (which pretty much traces itself back to Super Mario RPG for the SNES). Hell, I even include Pokemon. But Fire Emblem took way too long to reach the states from Japan, and I was ready when it arrived. Being a strategy RPG was something really new to me though. If somebody fell in battle, I did not have the luxury of healing or reviving them. They died. It meant planning two, three, or even more steps ahead. What I really loved was taking the smaller units and making sure they got a piece of the action, because once leveled up, they became the best units available. They are one of the most challenging games around. As a closing note, Marcus you suck you EXP whore!!!
It was hard and easy at the same time to narrow the list to three. I did think of other games, like Half Life, Guitar Hero, Killer 7 (it's freakin' sweet still), Resident Evil 2, and Knights of the Old Republic. However, I am most proud of the fact that I even got around to writing this article.
OK
So I do not forget, things I need to get done:
-A couple top three lists, like the good 'ole days from journalism
-Some more Brawl posts, possibly throw in some Mario Kart
-METAL GEAR SOLID 4
-A decent breakdown of my Final Fantasy favorites
-More Playstation 3 banter
-Dance party
So that last one is not a for sure deal, but would be fun nonetheless. Order of this stuff is not really how you will see it all. I think I know where I will begin. Working a monotonous job helps me brainstorm. However, working a monotonous job makes me forget everything. GO TEAM VENTURE!
-A couple top three lists, like the good 'ole days from journalism
-Some more Brawl posts, possibly throw in some Mario Kart
-METAL GEAR SOLID 4
-A decent breakdown of my Final Fantasy favorites
-More Playstation 3 banter
-Dance party
So that last one is not a for sure deal, but would be fun nonetheless. Order of this stuff is not really how you will see it all. I think I know where I will begin. Working a monotonous job helps me brainstorm. However, working a monotonous job makes me forget everything. GO TEAM VENTURE!
Friday, May 09, 2008
Summer Gaming Goals
This is a good start.
A month ago I did some spending of money at those gaming stores. For a solid $50, the price one would pay for a brand new game (less actually), I got six: the complete Devil May Cry series, Rogue Galaxy, Metal Gear Solid 2, and Metroid Prime (that last one just for collection completeness).
So I have been home from school for a week now, and already had plans for gaming. First off, I needed to play through the MGS series having only played the first one. Now that the collection of the three is complete, I played the original PS1 version for the first time, since my brother took it from a former roommate. I have The Twin Snakes for Gamecube and that was the only taste of Solid Snake that I knew, thus you must feel exactly what I am talking about. I will return to this topic later on.
I still have Final Fantasy X from Erik, and that is one RPG I must play through. This lack of a PS2 all these years has really hurt the gamer in me. It is why I bought all these games that I did. And while still on topic of FF, I hope to have a week of FF posts where I talk about my favorites of the series.
Also with blog topics, another one I want to give is my favorite Cam Clarke voice acting roles. He is awesome.
So back to MGS.
I have this plan. It is called buy a Playstation 3. I think it is a suitable gift to myself this summer. But not a normal PS3; the one that come bundled with MGS4 and an 80 GB hard drive. I will be the first to admit that I don't need 80 GB, ever, but the deal is pretty fair. It is $400 for a 40GB, and the bundle is $500 for the game (60) and the system (400) therefore leaving the other 40 gigs for simply a dollar a piece. Then I will also get Call of Duty 4. It will be sweet.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Videogames: Ratings, Profits and Players
One of the most significant trends in the past three years, not in numbers but in importance, is that the number of mature-rated videogames has decreased. In 2007, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board assigned only 6 percent of videogames a Mature rating.
In 2006, 8 percent of videogames were rated for mature audiences, while in 2005, 12 percent of games were stamped with an “M” on the box.
In terms of sales, in the twelve months between March 2007 and March 2008, three of the top 10 games were rated Mature: Call of Duty 4, Halo 3 and Assassin’s Creed. There were 17 games rated “M” from the top 100 games sold in that one year.
Ben Lutz, Au Gres freshman, suspects that since Halo 3 is part of a series, gamers are familiar with the title and that helped it sell better.
“The ending to Halo 2 was a disappointment,” said Lutz. “Having to wait for another release to see the ending of the story is the main reason the third game sold so well.”
Only three games in the top 20 console games of all time are rated “M” for mature audiences, and each of them belong to the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Half of this list belongs to two franchises that are rated “E” for everyone: the Super Mario series and Pokemon.
In 2006, only one game from the top 10, Gears of War, was rated Mature, while for the entire top 100 (like in 2007) there were 17 games rated Mature.
To look forward and guess which games will sell the best for 2008 is almost impossible, considering the recent releases of Grand Theft Auto IV and Mario Kart Wii, the upcoming release of Wii Fit, and the release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl in March. These four games are only taking into account the first half of the year.
The second-half of 2008 will boast sequels to popular franchises and can almost guarantee to sell more than their predecessor. These games include Metal Gear Solid 4, Gears of War 2, Fable 2, Killzone 2, and Resistance 2; all of which will most likely be rated Mature like their forerunners.
A trend shows that game sales has gone up in the past years also. Sales have soared so much, in fact, that the Entertainment Software Association reports that “US computer and video game software sales grew six percent in 2007 to $9.5 billion – more than tripling industry software sales since 1996.”
“Advertising is big for me,” said Lutz, who likes to see or even play the game before he buys it. “Word of mouth and reviews help, but if the company is well known people will probably go for it. A game is more likely to be sold if people do not feel like taking a risk when buying it.”
The sales of videogames are also closely monitored, especially ones with the mature rating given to it. Codes are in place that try to prevent the sales of Mature-rated games to those under 17 years old without the permission of a parent or guardian, and sales of games rated “Adult Only” are forbidden to those under 18 years old.
“I think the ratings system is more of a guideline,” said Lutz. “There are so many games you could take differently.”
The ESRB set up a Retail Council that would help educate and enforce these codes in November 2005, and consists of large chains such as Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy. From November 2006 to November 2007, store enforcement of these codes has gone up by more than 10 percent.
Two years ago the Federal Trade Commission released results from a nationwide undercover shop survey which showed a decrease in sales of M-rated games to minors. In 2005, only 42 percent of shoppers were able to buy a mature-rated game, which is under half of the 85 percent that were able to purchase mature game in 2000.
The latest numbers from the FTC also say that more stores are providing information on the ratings to its shoppers and half of the stores’ cashiers ask the age of children who want to buy a mature-rated game.
“What do you really define as mature?” questions Lutz, an experienced gamer that has been exposed to many different degrees of violence in videogames. “There are other themes rated at a lower level.”
Parents do look at the ratings when choosing what is suitable for their children to play. For the past couple of years, parents, politicians and the media have argued that violent content leads to violent behavior, and studies have been conducted to show that both sides of the matter hold true in some circumstances.
“I am a pretty relaxed guy,” said Lutz about any anger issues he might experience from playing games. He says that he has never emulated anything he has seen or performed while gaming.
“Unless aliens attack Earth, I don’t plan on it.”
It was only three years ago that the ESRB voluntarily added a new rating to its system, “E10+,” which means that the game may be suitable for everyone over the age of 10 years. This rating was introduced so consumers could make easier decisions on what games were more suitable for their family.
While such focus is strongly on the youth members of the gaming community, such gamers are not the ones that hold a majority. The ESA found in their 2006 “Essential Facts” report that the average age of a gamer is 33 years old, and that there are almost as many gamers over the age of 50 than there are gamers under the age of 18.
While the stereotypical image of a gamer may be a teenage male, that idea is challenged by the fact that there are more women over the age of 18 playing videogames than there are males 17 years old or younger.
Gamers are also not entirely fixated to their controllers, either. The ESA report also says that “79 percent of game players of all ages report exercising or playing sports an average of 20 hours a month.”
In 2006, 8 percent of videogames were rated for mature audiences, while in 2005, 12 percent of games were stamped with an “M” on the box.
In terms of sales, in the twelve months between March 2007 and March 2008, three of the top 10 games were rated Mature: Call of Duty 4, Halo 3 and Assassin’s Creed. There were 17 games rated “M” from the top 100 games sold in that one year.
Ben Lutz, Au Gres freshman, suspects that since Halo 3 is part of a series, gamers are familiar with the title and that helped it sell better.
“The ending to Halo 2 was a disappointment,” said Lutz. “Having to wait for another release to see the ending of the story is the main reason the third game sold so well.”
Only three games in the top 20 console games of all time are rated “M” for mature audiences, and each of them belong to the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Half of this list belongs to two franchises that are rated “E” for everyone: the Super Mario series and Pokemon.
In 2006, only one game from the top 10, Gears of War, was rated Mature, while for the entire top 100 (like in 2007) there were 17 games rated Mature.
To look forward and guess which games will sell the best for 2008 is almost impossible, considering the recent releases of Grand Theft Auto IV and Mario Kart Wii, the upcoming release of Wii Fit, and the release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl in March. These four games are only taking into account the first half of the year.
The second-half of 2008 will boast sequels to popular franchises and can almost guarantee to sell more than their predecessor. These games include Metal Gear Solid 4, Gears of War 2, Fable 2, Killzone 2, and Resistance 2; all of which will most likely be rated Mature like their forerunners.
A trend shows that game sales has gone up in the past years also. Sales have soared so much, in fact, that the Entertainment Software Association reports that “US computer and video game software sales grew six percent in 2007 to $9.5 billion – more than tripling industry software sales since 1996.”
“Advertising is big for me,” said Lutz, who likes to see or even play the game before he buys it. “Word of mouth and reviews help, but if the company is well known people will probably go for it. A game is more likely to be sold if people do not feel like taking a risk when buying it.”
The sales of videogames are also closely monitored, especially ones with the mature rating given to it. Codes are in place that try to prevent the sales of Mature-rated games to those under 17 years old without the permission of a parent or guardian, and sales of games rated “Adult Only” are forbidden to those under 18 years old.
“I think the ratings system is more of a guideline,” said Lutz. “There are so many games you could take differently.”
The ESRB set up a Retail Council that would help educate and enforce these codes in November 2005, and consists of large chains such as Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy. From November 2006 to November 2007, store enforcement of these codes has gone up by more than 10 percent.
Two years ago the Federal Trade Commission released results from a nationwide undercover shop survey which showed a decrease in sales of M-rated games to minors. In 2005, only 42 percent of shoppers were able to buy a mature-rated game, which is under half of the 85 percent that were able to purchase mature game in 2000.
The latest numbers from the FTC also say that more stores are providing information on the ratings to its shoppers and half of the stores’ cashiers ask the age of children who want to buy a mature-rated game.
“What do you really define as mature?” questions Lutz, an experienced gamer that has been exposed to many different degrees of violence in videogames. “There are other themes rated at a lower level.”
Parents do look at the ratings when choosing what is suitable for their children to play. For the past couple of years, parents, politicians and the media have argued that violent content leads to violent behavior, and studies have been conducted to show that both sides of the matter hold true in some circumstances.
“I am a pretty relaxed guy,” said Lutz about any anger issues he might experience from playing games. He says that he has never emulated anything he has seen or performed while gaming.
“Unless aliens attack Earth, I don’t plan on it.”
It was only three years ago that the ESRB voluntarily added a new rating to its system, “E10+,” which means that the game may be suitable for everyone over the age of 10 years. This rating was introduced so consumers could make easier decisions on what games were more suitable for their family.
While such focus is strongly on the youth members of the gaming community, such gamers are not the ones that hold a majority. The ESA found in their 2006 “Essential Facts” report that the average age of a gamer is 33 years old, and that there are almost as many gamers over the age of 50 than there are gamers under the age of 18.
While the stereotypical image of a gamer may be a teenage male, that idea is challenged by the fact that there are more women over the age of 18 playing videogames than there are males 17 years old or younger.
Gamers are also not entirely fixated to their controllers, either. The ESA report also says that “79 percent of game players of all ages report exercising or playing sports an average of 20 hours a month.”
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
BRAWL pt1
So yeah, it has been over a month since I posted. I won't lie; I have not been busy at all.
However, the past three days have been busy.
Brawling.
Immediately, I want to get one thing out of the way: I dislike how play is a bit slower than Melee, in Melee I could knock you off the screen with a smash attack and you would go flying in a blink. In Brawl, the speed at which I destroy you off the screen is slowed and de-intensified. (I also dislike Marth's reach being shortened).
So James and I easily put in 13 hours of gameplay on Sunday, Brawling immediately with who was available at first. We started the Subspace Emissary, but paused for sleep at 4 am (daylight savings time robbed an hour of Brawling from us. We will never get it back).
We picked up where we left off that afternoon and unlocked everyone we could through the SSE, and then that night I went through and unlocked everyone else. Yes, Jigglypuff too.
The Final Smash is new in Brawl, which builds up the excitement of a match when it appears because it turns into a mad dash to get it. Some characters' attack is far better, while others (like Meta Knight's) can be easily wasted and highly ineffective (or even completely useless).
My favorite new item is the Assist Trophy, which acts like a Pokeball, but is not restricted to Pokemon. Random characters from all sorts of Nintendo games come and deal damage to your opponents, and I have found that Saki from Sin & Punishment is the most lethal. He can shoot from a distance, rush your opponent, and then slice and dice with the blade on his gun. Very awesome.
I feel as if I have included plenty in this post, so I will save a lot more thoughts for later on. Up next will be my impressions of the new characters.
However, the past three days have been busy.
Brawling.
Immediately, I want to get one thing out of the way: I dislike how play is a bit slower than Melee, in Melee I could knock you off the screen with a smash attack and you would go flying in a blink. In Brawl, the speed at which I destroy you off the screen is slowed and de-intensified. (I also dislike Marth's reach being shortened).
So James and I easily put in 13 hours of gameplay on Sunday, Brawling immediately with who was available at first. We started the Subspace Emissary, but paused for sleep at 4 am (daylight savings time robbed an hour of Brawling from us. We will never get it back).
We picked up where we left off that afternoon and unlocked everyone we could through the SSE, and then that night I went through and unlocked everyone else. Yes, Jigglypuff too.
The Final Smash is new in Brawl, which builds up the excitement of a match when it appears because it turns into a mad dash to get it. Some characters' attack is far better, while others (like Meta Knight's) can be easily wasted and highly ineffective (or even completely useless).
My favorite new item is the Assist Trophy, which acts like a Pokeball, but is not restricted to Pokemon. Random characters from all sorts of Nintendo games come and deal damage to your opponents, and I have found that Saki from Sin & Punishment is the most lethal. He can shoot from a distance, rush your opponent, and then slice and dice with the blade on his gun. Very awesome.
I feel as if I have included plenty in this post, so I will save a lot more thoughts for later on. Up next will be my impressions of the new characters.
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