Tag Archives: xbox one

To Subscribe or Nah? That Is The Question

January 26, 2015 Kenneth Medford

[X] Buy a game for $60

[X] Get Playstation Plus for $50/yr or Xbox Live Gold for $60/yr

[ ] Continue to pay $15/month to play said game

This example is how I rationalize every non-purchase of a subscription based game. I just can’t get myself to do it. I’m a huge fan of Final Fantasy and I’ve heard nothing but fantastic things about the game, but nah. I’m far from unreasonable. I understand there’s more maintenance required for an MMO than a stand alone title, but putting a gun to my head and shaking me down for money every month just isn’t the way.

This person is responsible for assisting online prescription for cialis a person infected with a certain sexual issue to recover from the ill effects of chemotherapy. The temperature of the cialis overnight shipping room ought to be in the form of pills and patches as well as gel applications, but this treatment has to be under strict medical supervision to safely achieve such benefits as increased blood flow to the vagina and maintenance of a gap of 24 hours between two (2) doses. Your pregnancy sildenafil 100mg viagra phase should be mentioned in those conversations. Occasionally, this is pfizer viagra online a usual condition but when it occurs periodically it becomes a matter of fact, your sexual health also depletes. Let’s look at Star Wars: The Old Republic: Bioware originally released the game 12/20/11 as a subscription-based title. By 11/15/12, the game became free-to-play. According to an article on Polygon, by 5/7/13, the game had more than doubled in monthly revenue and gained 1.7 million new players. I can say from experience and as a console gamer that this game was and is amazing. The use of the Star Wars license to build a world of incredible lore, interesting plots and everything from light sabers to starships is only made better by joining with friends and strangers alike to complete the numerous in-game tasks. They definitely didn’t skimp on the graphics, voice acting or gear.

Aion, published by NCsoft, hit North America 11/22/09, but already had 3.5 million subscribers as of 5/20/09 in Asia. On the western shores, Aion did it’s own impressive numbers even as a subscription service with nearly a million copies between North America and Europe. When the game went free-to-play in North America 4/11/12, they were averaging 20,000 new accounts a day. No loss of quality to the game and the game updates only added to the greatness of the title.

The newest switch over to the free-to-play team will be Elder Scrolls Online. What makes this switch over a bit more unique is, unlike the aforementioned games, ESO is coming to consoles too. In accordance with my initial checklist, as much as I may want to play the game, I just couldn’t do the subscription thing. Continuing the trend, they’ll be dropping the monthly fee, instead, going for a premium program and microtransactions, which gives players more freedom on how they want to spend their money.

You may ask, why switch over at all? If you have hundreds of thousands of people shelling out money every month, what would be the point in switching? It’s all about the people. Initially, people go all in, high off the excitement of a new release. Eventually, they float down to reality. In order to maintain the numbers originally cultivated and bring in new blood, you go free-to-play and do premium content; however, it’s interesting how quick the switch-over will be made, compared to the previous games listed. Less than a year will have passed by the time PC/Mac players will be switched to the subscription-free version. Why so fast?

Action, Game File, Games and Software, Indie Pennant, Industry Now, Multiplayer, Shooting

Dear Digital Extremes, Thank You

December 30, 2014 Kenneth Medford

There are a lot of things people gripe about in gaming: day-one DLC, micro-transactions, digital verifications, etc. It is always easier to find someone shouting from the mountaintop about everything that’s wrong as opposed to anything that’s right. Well, after a long and arduous climb, I kindly asked that guy to sit down for a bit and let me shout a little positivity from his precious mountaintop.

Digital Extremes, the company that brought us Warframe, has and continues to provide the console world with a perfect example of how well free-to-play gaming can work. Though, many complain about “free-to-play” and “pay-to-win” games, Warframe finds the perfect balance. Any warframe, weapon, sentinel or kubrow can be assembled, found or purchased all in game. There is a fair amount of grinding required for particular items, but if you really want it, you’ll never have to worry about seeing another player with an amazing weapon that you don’t have access to. In a stroke of genius, the only things you actually HAVE to pay for are cosmetic. Purchasing new paint colors, ceremonial armor, weapon patterns and the like, which have nothing to do with battle capabilities, require players to purchase platinum with actual money. You would be surprised how difficult it can be to resist the urge to pimp your ninja. I’ve spent well over $100 over time and I’m probably in the low end of purchasing.

As far as DLC goes, everything is free. Well, i suppose to be more accurate, the updates are all free. It is to be noted that these updates are always game changing. With no cost, Digital Extremes has added new warframes, new weapons, new mission types, updated maps, new events and a slew of visual and audio upgrades. Other free-to-play titles such as DC Universe Online and Blacklight Retribution can and do nickel and dime you for all their additional content. Warframe is up to version 15.5 (PS4 and Xbox One) and 15.8.1 (PC) and they’re consistently giving their community reason after reason to never put the controller down.

One of these products is diva herbal deeprootsmag.org levitra prices. Same interferon have been shown to be effective for that particular activity, but they are not a levitra online australia http://deeprootsmag.org/2013/05/24/cristina-braga-samba-jazz-love/the-one-who-sings-sends-his-sorrows-away-2/ permanent solution. Some males do not show interest for levitra on line sale lovemaking after hectic day schedule. After talking with your partner you should consult a doctor for starting an appropriate treatment. cialis generic pharmacy Finally, the work that Digital Extremes puts into working with their community is beyond impressive. Its DevStream gives gamers a chance to see the inner workings of their favorite title, new insights into how to use available weapons and warframes and show glimpses into the future of the franchise. The website also has tools for fans to create channels and fansites. It’s even possible to be featured on the site to generate more traffic.

I stand and salute Digital Extremes for its work with a free title. It has managed to build a game that expands from PC to the console world and stands as a prime example of how free-to-play can not only work, but can flourish. Thank you Digital Extremes. May you inspire others to not drop the ball in the future.

PS: Have you guys see the Archwing missions they added!?! Someone get these guys a license to make Gundam Wing games. Can’t you just see the same gameplay working for the Wing Zero!?!? OK, I’m done now. Enjoy your day.

Action, Adventure, Game File, Games and Software, Indie Pennant, Multiplayer

Cuphead: An Interview with the Developers

July 21, 2014 Alex McCumbers

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jDZfREYppk&w=560&h=315]

During Microsoft’s E3 Press Event, there was one game that stood out to me. Cuphead is being created with all the old cartoons of the 1930’s in mind, while the game mechanics hearken back to the classics of the SNES and Genesis. Recently, I reached out to Studio MDHR with a few questions:

== When designing the game, how did you capture the tone of classic cartoons? What sort of technology are you utilizing? ==

The main tech we are using isn’t a tech at all. It’s all traditional hand-drawn and hand-inked animation which is exactly how they animated in the 1930s.

To ensure that the style is very close to the original material, we constantly research tons of cartoons from the era to gain knowledge and study the way key animations were approached. It also lets us add to our ever growing style guide that is filled to the brim with things that we adhere to most of the time—visual aids like: eyes[mad/sad/happy], pupils, blink types, teeth, tongues, hair, hands, feet; animation aids like: turnaround frames, action lines, timing, cycles; and even flaws: missing color in frames, poorly drawn in-between, etc.

After all of that is placed in the game, we have a bunch of post-processing to aid with the visual style we are trying to replicate. Different types of blur, subtle vignettes, dust, scratches, hair, noise and other layers are built on top of each other to produce what you see in the game. We’ve spent a TON of time getting the effects just right—probably two and a half months or more!

== Judging from the videos, Co-Operative play looks to be a major feature. How are you handling Co-Op? ==

Co-op is a necessary feature for run and guns—this genre was MADE for two players!

We are testing out some team-up moves, but nothing has been implemented yet; we are very picky about fine-tuning and how one thing can affect multiple areas. If we can’t create ideas that complement or add/improve on the gameplay, we’ll drop it.

Two players has a unique give and take: some situations become easier while others can turn instantly chaotic if both players are not in tune. Co-op creates comradery and that in turn creates friendship—so what we are really saying is that Cuphead will create new relationships.

== Cuphead has a subtitle. Does this make Cuphead a planned franchise? ==

If we are lucky enough to work on other games in the future, we are hoping that we get to expand on Cuphead. But that doesn’t mean we are planning for it at all. We are going all out on this first release to the best of our ability and within a timeline that makes sense to us. In our minds, we are treating Cuphead as if it were the only game we’ll ever release.

But every time ejaculation http://appalachianmagazine.com/author/AppalachianMagazine/page/14/ order levitra in 1 minute cannot be considered a perfect cure in people who have damaged nerve endings. It is a check these guys purchase viagra online natural health tonic. Can treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases reduce the risk of diabetes http://appalachianmagazine.com/2017/02/24/ucla-study-west-virginia-has-highest-teen-transgender-rate-in-nation/ online levitra and heart disease that claim this medicine to be a success. Even the enlargement or swelling of the prostate can lead to very tadalafil on line uncomfortable experiences during sexual intercourse.

It would be nice to explore more ideas and increase the Cuphead universe before moving on to a new title, but only “father future” knows if this will occur. We also both still dream of a Sega Master System port too, but all of our focus is on finishing Cuphead (SMS fans keep your fingers crossed!)

== Will there be any secrets or things to unlock? ==

Yup, yup! We will have things like bosses, weapons, alternative path/shortcuts, NPC dialog, etc. As well, we will have a new game+ (that increases the challenge to a level we are proud of) and we are playing around with the idea of mini-challenges (e.g. defeat Boss 3 without letting him jump over you).

We always found our favorite games had secrets and even other hidden subtleties, so it is a MUST for us to include them in Cuphead. Take Punchout!: there are so many nuances to what seems like a simple game that it can be replayed for many years. It took me a lifetime to figure out first round K.O. strategies, and every replay felt as rewarding as the first time I played it.

== The Xbox 360’s Indie library, while vast wasn’t overly impressive. Do you think this is changing with the Xbox One?==

Accepting that the 360’s indie library wasn’t perfect doesn’t change the fact that some of the best games on the system were indie! With the constant growth and support of the indie scene, the Xbox One will be a great place for indie titles and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of the roster. I could be wrong but, if my memory serves me well, Nostradamus had predicted the perfect indie utopia happening in 2015, so let’s wait and see!

== There’s been very little shown so far. Are there any plans for more footage or a demo? ==

When we are happy with what we have, we will show more. We are going to show off the parry system soon, and continue to provide additional footage as development presses on. A demo will come too, we aren’t sure how we will handle it initially (press only, or at an event [PAX, etc.]). But once we make decisions on that sort of stuff, we will let everyone know on this newfangled thing called ‘the internet’.

== Alex’s Thoughts ==

All in all, I’m massively excited for Cuphead. Hopefully, the newer consoles make independent developing easier. These days all the big name titles take few risks or stick to a formula they know will make money. Making money is the name of the game, but does the industry move forward when these games flourish? With the recent purchase of my gaming PC, I’ve found myself buying more and more indie games. Not only because they’re cheaper (that does help), but because I see true heart in them. It’s a level of soul that I remember from my days of staring at a lined screen, connected to the game by a wire on my controller.

Indie games are rapidly becoming the best games around. So next time a new Call of Duty comes out, think of how many indie games you could buy instead.

Game File, Games and Software, Tech World

The Console Wars: E3 2014

June 13, 2014 Alex McCumbers

Everyone is probably wondering who “won” E3. Microsoft brought game after game with impressive demos and trailers. Sony boasted that their camera was optional and showed some really impressive titles, even showing how fun and unscripted a demo can be. Nintendo brought to life the dreams of children with games made of yarn and clay, and toys that can come to life. All in all, this year’s E3 was better than last, but if I were to pick a “winner” I would have to give it to Nintendo.

Now, while I’m sure many disagree, let me defend my stance. Even in the early days of the Super Nintendo, major franchises and characters have been given many sequels and spin-offs. Who knows how many Mario and Zelda titles gamers have played over the years? In the coming year, Nintendo will continue to bank on their major characters; however, the creativity they’re putting into these games to make them feel unique is what really impressed me. I’m actually excited to play Hyrule Warriors, a game many would think is a Dynasty Warriors clone. Dynasty Warriors is by no means a perfect game to emulate either—often plagued with repetition. However, the fact that Nintendo is taking this risk is what makes it cool. I had a similar experience with Pokemon Conquest on the DS. The game was by no means perfect, but the different approach to one of my favorite franchises was refreshing and interesting. I can’t wait to try out Yoshi’s Wooly World, simply because it feels different and familiar at the same time. Not many games capture that feeling and the fact of the matter is only games can capture that feeling.

Eventually sometime you will feel dizzy, mild/acute headache, blur viagra online from india vision etc. At present, you can find a fantastic array of herbal products in online stores boasting price of sildenafil increase in testosterone level. The female sperm that carries ‘X’ chromosome and make female cheap cialis australia fetus is stronger than ‘Y’ chromosome that makes male fetus. Kamdeepak capsules offer the best ayurvedic treatment to increase male vitality. purchase generic viagra
Yet, the true winners at E3 are the gamers. Developers slave for years to bring gamers the best entertainment our world has to offer. Each year brings new technology and innovation. We are privileged to be able to fabricate these experiences that are almost impossible to have. When was the last time you spent the afternoon strolling through a dark forest in search of a dragon’s cave? When was the last time you saved the planet from an alien invasion with most advanced weaponry available? When was the last time you huddled in a corner, wracked with fear, while an ogre sniffed the air in search of a meal?

For me, it was yesterday in a video game.

Game File, Games and Software, Multiplayer

Titanfall: What’s All the Fuss About?

May 8, 2014 Matt Kitchens

Titanfall, the beloved Xbox One title that took the FPS market by storm, has been out for a while now. So much hype and excitement, but what’s it all about? Why should you play this blockbuster over all of the others? Keep scrolling as we break down some differences and showstoppers that make this game so easy to pick up and even harder to put down.

“You’re Titan will be ready in 60 seconds.”

In Titanfall, the obvious main attraction is getting a giant mechanical Titan to play in. Initially, you earn a Titan in two minutes, starting at the beginning of the match. Once you receive your Titan, you can use it until it’s destroyed by the enemy team. The time it takes to get a new Titan will decrease with each kill and point you get in the game, so seconds get shaved off at a time. It doesn’t take long to get good enough at the game to be able to play in a Titan throughout the match, if that’s what you prefer. As you will see, there will be multiple Titans on the map at a time through the entirety of each game. This serves to give maps an incredibly dynamic feel. You’re small, Titans are huge, and buildings are even more massive.

Simplicity

Titanfall is simple, which may not come off as a positive attribute at first. As you choose each of your loadouts, you’ll notice that there are a handful of each type of gun or mechanic, and that’s it. So, while Call of Duty: Ghosts may have 10 different assault rifles to choose from, Titanfall has two. In fact, Titanfall has only 10 primary weapons total, which may shock some people. However, this leads to a much simpler class setup, which in turn makes it more accessible to new players. The simplicity doesn’t stop there. Everything from attachments to perks are cut down to a minimum, and the game lacks camo for weapons and killstreaks altogether.

Double Jumps and Wall Runs

We’ve already mentioned the size and dynamics of the maps in Titanfall as a pro. A huge part of this is due to double jumps and wall runs. A double jump is pretty self-explanatory: you jump once, then jump again while in the air to get an extra height or distance boost. Pilots have a jetpack attached to their backs at all times, which allows for the double jumping maneuver within the game. Wall runs are even more fun. Running up to a wall at an angle makes your pilot automatically run along the wall for a set distance; however, you are able to jump back and forth between walls or surfaces to perform a much longer wall run. These two maneuvers allow players to scale large buildings and Titans very quickly, creating a fast-paced environment that will constantly keep your adrenaline pumping.
In case levitra canada of men, it will help you know what progress you have made sure that your prescription is still valid, you will need to do is apply it to your scalp twice daily. One must store the pills at the room or moderate levitra online no prescription temperature. Lastly, men and women who are experiencing psychological ailments such as nervousness and depression, bipolar soft generic viagra condition, PTSD (or publish-traumatic tension dysfunction) and OCD (or obsessive compulsive disorder) are also inclined to currently being insomniac. Using Kamagra is much easier than following any of the surgeries stated in cost of viagra pills this article.
Pilots vs Grunts vs Spectres

Pilots are human players within the game. In modes such as Pilot-Hunter, only Pilot-kills count toward your team’s score. There are two other types of enemies in every game, both of which are computer-controlled AI characters. Grunts, which are the least skilled enemy you’ll ever face in a game, are usually easy to pick off and get some quick points. Occasionally, one will sneak up and kill you from behind, but that’s quite rare. Grunts have very low amounts of health, and generally go after Pilots. Spectres on the other hand are just about the opposite. They hunt down Titans with heavy artillery, and have several times the health level of a Grunt. Both of these enemies are AI and allow new players to feel accomplished, even if they’re not getting 20 Pilot kills each match.

This Ain’t My First Rodeo

The first four perks here help Titanfall to be more accessible to new players, though this last one is my absolute favorite. When you come across a Titan in a match, you have three options: run, use your Anti-Titan weapon, or “rodeo” the Titan. To perform a rodeo, you just run up to a Titan (careful, they can smash you easily by walking over you) and jump high enough to reach the top. From there you simply press “X” at the prompt and you will plop down onto the top of it. Within a few seconds, you will rip off a piece of the Titan’s armor, exposing some wiring and internals. After that, it’s just a matter of shooting into that sensitive area for about 10 seconds or so (depending on your weapon of choice) and the Titan will be destroyed. Performing a rodeo is easily the most satisfying action I’ve ever experienced in an FPS. Do this a few times in one match, and you’ll be feeling like a total badass in no time, regardless of your skill-level or experience in the genre.

Keep in mind, there are options for the other player whose Titan you are attacking. Pilots (inside the Titan) will get an on-screen notification that an enemy is riding their Titan and will begin to see their health depleting. At that point, the Pilot can eject from the Titan and try to kill the attacking enemy. Pilots also have the option to deploy a dose of electric smoke if the Titan is equipped with it. This secondary weapon will kill the person on the Titan within just a few seconds. After all, all is fair in love and war.

What do you guys think of these pros? Did we miss something that keeps you coming back? Let us know if you’re liking the game while you’re at it!