Epic Games: Desperate Wars
Posted on Saturday, May 7 2011 @ 12:45:21 Eastern

Wow, it has been a while since I last wrote a blog entry. Perhaps rehabilitating from my less than 24 hour job at GR is most likely the reason I haven’t been writing much. Now, time to make amends. In this article I’m going to criticize Epic Games about their Gears of War 3 Multi-player beta and their desperate attempt at people buying Gears of War 3.
 
On April 25th, Epic Games released their Gears 3 Beta for anyone who pre-ordered their game (April 18th for Bulletstorm: Epic Edition owners). Allowing this beta is hopefully giving Epic Games enough time to polish the new abilities and making the weaponry balanced and joyful for gamers. Gaining access to the beta is great and gives you that special feeling knowing you were part of something “revolutionary.” Unfortunately, Epic Games have been promoting their beta too much.
 
Their promotion to gain “special” access in their beta gained attention when announcing it to be released with Bulletstorm: Epic Edition. The true fans of Gears of War titles (like me) quickly went and pre-ordered Bulletstorm. Epic announced they would “only” give players the special access if they would buy Bulletstorm. Ok Epic, you’re doing what Bungie decided to with Halo: Reach. Announcing people will get the beta, but you have to purchase a game full of crap. I apologize; it wasn’t that bad of a game. It’s a game people would rent before purchasing. So, this doesn’t really convince me. Do people with the access to the beta get anything else special? Yes, they also announced exclusive content that will be carried over to the full game. Sweet! I get to show off my flamed weapons and Thrashball Cole! Suck on that you peasants! And incomes an announcement that soon upset many gamers.
 
Few months later, Epic announced people who pre-ordered Gears of War 3 will also be able to have special access to the beta. Whoa, wait a second. You mentioned a few months back the “only” way into the beta was to purchase Bulletstorm, the true and only way. How could you do this Epic? You just lied and became such a dishonest pile of ****. All from not getting enough players to access the beta, you go a step further, lie to fans and promote the access to beta with pre-ordering the full game. This is a douche move you’re doing, Epic. From what I’ve been witnessing, you’ve seem desperately to put more sales on this game.
 
In April, I was watching my favorite programs on TV, when I saw a commercial that made me laugh upsettingly (yes, laughing upsettingly). It was a one of the GameStop commercials that are used to basically to say, “Hey...pre-order *insert product here* and get whatever.” I don’t believe it, how desperate are you, Epic? Do you seriously need to make so many promotions already? Look at all what you did and it’s only for the beta! So, now the question was, “What do people get if they access the beta from pre-ordering Gears of War 3?” They get everything Bulletstorm owners got, except for one lousy flamed Hammerburst since Bulletstorm owners gained one week early access.
 
So, now we wait until the full game releases. Epic Game, in my opinion, is desperate for this game to sell and is low for being dishonest to its consumers. Believe me; Bulletstorm purchasers received the full definition of the phrase “caveat emptor.” In conclusion, I’m going to mention my three predictions of what Epic is going to do with the release of Gears of War 3.

First, they’re going promote the release like they did with the beta. They will be doing so because of their Limited Edition and Epic Edition product details have yet to be announced. All we know is their cost by looking at websites such as GameStop. Will they promote it like they did with the beta? I wouldn’t believe it to be that desperate. Secondly, they’re going to screw the beta users over. More and likely the “exclusive” content that will carry over to the full game, makes me feel everyone has a chance to earn it. Lastly, Epic is going to be bummed out. Of all their hard work in their marketing strategy, they won’t win GOTY.


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Sony's NGP: It's The Little Things That Matters
Posted on Friday, January 28 2011 @ 05:49:11 Eastern

Touch screen, Front and rear cameras, Wi-fi and 3G network? Yes these great specs are available with Sony’s NGP (Next Generation Portable), but do we really want to care so much toward these three details? It seems today every mobile device has these three specs (maybe not both front and rear cameras, but you get the picture). Everywhere you look, you always see that advertisement for a smart phone saying, “Oh rabble rabble rabble 3G/4G network rabble rabble.” You can’t get away from it.
 
People are so fascinated knowing they’ll be able to control this device with touch screen technology along with the abilities. Being able to take pictures is a nice feature. Guess Sony does have to compete with the Nintendo 3DS don’t they?  After reading these specs about Sony’s NGP, I started to list what specs I valued the most. Laughing to myself, I found out it was the specs we least worried about concerning the most to me.
 
What would you assume would be my favorite feature of the NGP? Do you believe it’s the touch screen? How about the camera abilities? Why not the ability to connect wirelessly around the world? If you are guessing I would favorite one of these, then you guess wrong. My favorite part of the NGP (so far) is the addition of a new analog stick. Yes, I value this more than fancy touch screens. Here’s why
 
When playing games with the PSP, did you think it was rather difficult controlling the camera with your action buttons? Exactly! How hard was it for you to target your opponent in an FPS game? Yes, those actions buttons aren’t exactly your resource for fast reaction now are they.
 
It’s not even those stubs that came on the PSP. They actually look like analogs sticks. Being able to use these babies is by far better than having a touch screen in my opinion.
 
It’s the little things that matter that makes a big difference. We could go about and keep making the new technology into smaller devices, or we can correct the mistakes in the previous. Sony’s NGP has done both (so far) and hopefully these are some reasons why it won’t fail and perhaps live up to its name "Next Generation Portable."


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Midnight Launch: The Survival Guide To Home
Posted on Sunday, November 14 2010 @ 16:24:44 Eastern

So you’re on your way to the midnight launch. You’ve brought your entertainment and the delicious munchies to endure the line filled with fans. A friend has even chosen to come and enjoy the time with you. “Three…two…one…HOORAY!” It’s now time to get your game, and boy you’ve been eagerly waiting to play the game, but how will you be able to protect yourself on the way back home?
 
Your safest route would have to be driving back home with your friend escorting your game back. This will eliminate most of the muggers that might approach you. Even if someone approaches your door that you don’t know, lock your doors first. If he/she tells you to get out of the car in a mean tone, don’t be a ******* and get out. You can easily drive away, chances are his/her two feet won’t be able to catch up to you.
 

 
What happens if you don’t know have a ride back? Well escorting the package unarmed is always a bad thing. Never go to a midnight launch without a source of weaponry. If you’re a hardcore gamer, you might have bought replica swords, axes, etc. Like a hardcore gamer like myself, I’ve bought a replica of Link’s Master Sword. This baby will always protect me from any danger.
 


Sadly, due to most places, carrying a sword is against the law to carry. If you’re not able to carry the sword, not to worry, a nice handgun could be a better option. Like a sword, in most places it’s illegal to carry, but you can always try getting a permit. I dislike the idea of carrying a handgun; they could shoot off even if you don’t want it to. This can result in getting yourself harmed and as well as others. I dislike usage of handguns the most in this scenario
 
“Well UghRochester, what if we don’t have swords or handguns?” Well, you can always carry a pocket knife. Unlike handguns and swords, carrying a knife with you (depending on the size and style) is completely legal in most places. I’m a Batman fan (if you couldn’t tell by my tattoo) so I carry around a double-sided Bat-Knife. This baby will always protect me. The big plus is it fits in your pockets and the muggers won’t know you have one. “Hey, give me your game!” “Ok, just joking here you go instead *insert stab sound*.” I feel carrying a knife is one thing you should always carry with you wherever you go.
 

 
Ok, enough with over-protecting thyself. If you have no weaponry to defend yourself, I guess all you can do is fight back with you arms and legs. If you’re a complete douche bag, you can always leave a friend behind (if one does come). If not, then you should really learn to RUN!


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Video Games Don't Make me Violent!
Posted on Friday, September 10 2010 @ 16:29:02 Eastern

Hi my real name is Howard Hall, but most of you know me as the infamous UghRochester. As the editorial staff of GR should know, I have this “V: Violent Before I played Video Games” t-shirt. I wear this shirt proudly wherever I go. Making ...   read more...

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Life As a Video Game: The Reality
Posted on Tuesday, August 10 2010 @ 13:43:39 Eastern

As I’m sitting here drinking a can of Mountain Dew, I begin to watch web videos about people showing how fictional qualities in a game would be like if it was in a real life situation. Mimicking mostly the movements and how hilarious it is to a...   read more...

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My thought on Halo: Reach multiplayer beta
Posted on Thursday, May 6 2010 @ 13:02:29 Eastern

Halo fanboys say, "BEST Halo video game EVER!"
Other FPS fanboys say, "Dude, shut the f*ck up!"
I say, "Why can't we all be friends?"
...   read more...

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Cheating: Past and Present
Posted on Tuesday, April 13 2010 @ 20:10:36 Eastern

Remember back in the day where everyone must go online, or buy a codebook for bunches of cheats? Do you remember how bad-ass everything in a game was having “everything unlocked” or “unlimited everything?” Of course you do! &...   read more...

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Xbox Live's New Gamertag option
Posted on Friday, March 5 2010 @ 23:12:41 Eastern

In case you haven’t heard. Xbox Live now has a feature in which you’re allowed to “express” yourself. Now expressing yourself with gamers around the world is a plus and minus on whether you’ll be friendly, or if you&r...   read more...

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Pwned writes to Pwner
Posted on Thursday, January 28 2010 @ 23:14:03 Eastern

"As I attended the support group for pwned victims
We decided the best way to help resolve and regain our freedom
 is to face our pwners..."

Dear Pwner,

 A...   read more...

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Guitar Hero: Van Halen Unreleased Feature
Posted on Sunday, November 1 2009 @ 11:39:08 Eastern

Aw screw it, let’s just Jump!   Welcome to Guitar Hero: Van Halen, you’re now going to be rocking out to another legend of rock n roll. Not only are you going to be playing the 25 epic Van Halen’s tracks, you’re going...   read more...

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