Soul Hackers available for pre-order.  Man, we're getting a lot of great games this coming spring.

Given your distaste for games involving guns and war this is a pretty strong statement about how engaging the game is. :P


I've almost finished with God of War III and really enjoying it, though -- and this will seem an odd statement about a God of War game -- there's a bit too much combat for my taste.  Don't get me wrong, I understand that the combat is a fundamental part of God of War's formula, but there are times when I think 'okay, okay, enough with the combat, I want to get back to getting things done!'

Etrian Odyssey III continues to be awesome, though I am finding backtracking through each level of the labyrinth every time I descend tedious.  I've just entered the second stratum and I'm hoping to find an exit to the surface when I map out the first floor.  Still, I continue to find the pretty environments and mapping process quite relaxing.  Also, I find the IGN review of Etrian Odyssey 3 rather bizarre and hope they find someone better to review IV when it comes out.

For example: "Channeling the days of pen and paper RPGs, Etrian Odyssey also utilizes a grid-based map on the lower DS screen for you to track your progress. Unfortunately this game adopts such a "hardcore means not explaining anything" mindset that it doesn't teach you how to use the map – the most important tool at your disposal. Sure, there's a basic intro, but the legend is never explained and there are some pretty random icons included (a hand? Scissors? The letter "E"? What does it all mean?!)."  But...but....but....getting to customize your map anyway you want with your own legend is the point!  Also, I use the scissor icon to indicate places where there are plants I can chop or pluck.  Makes sense to me....

I have no objection to your ideas generally speaking, but I do want to riff off of some of your thoughts.  First I'll note that way back in the day when I was playing Halo 2 on X-Box Live that there was a ridiculous amount of unwanted flirtation with women and AHMYGODAGIRL type shit.  This is a more harmless example since he didn't take it beyond trying to 'friend' people on X-Box Live but one fellow that was sometimes in my game had an OMGISTHATAGIRL reaction every time a creature with a high-pitched voice entered the room.  A girl I later met in college told me that she and other girls she knew who played Halo had been e-stalked by guys on X-Box Live and it reached a point where it creeped them out (constantly sending friend requests, sending private voice messages hitting on them and wanting to know ASL, that kind of shit). 

Essentially, their problem was the internet version of the developer who didn't like going to conventions because she had been groped at one.  (I'm guessing that convention wasn't in the south, otherwise the groper would probably have been thoroughly beaten by a group of Redneck Nerds if she had made an issue of it.  But I digress.)  While that's not the sort of 'EWWW, A GIRL, YOU SUCK' type stuff that was Sarkeesian's primary focus it is a problem, and I would argue a more serious one than the 'YOU SUCK, CHICKS' attitude.


Just to be fair, I think you're grabbing at a pretty high-hanging fruit when you use this particular board as an example.  I think we can all agree that we have a pretty sharp crowd here, and behavior can be a bit more base at gaming message boards/sites/chat rooms with a broader appeal.  Hell, just read through the IGN comment thread and you'll see what I mean.  Much of it is the intellectual equivalent of reading YouTube comments. 


This is entirely possible.


Thank you for this.  One thing that bothers me (and has for a while) is that whenever I see a professional 'gamer girl' that isn't behind a pen (writing a review or essay), I always have to wonder if this girl is really a gamer or just some random good looking model the magazine/TV channel is paying to fake an interest in video games to help draw in horny idiots.  It bothers me partially because I can't help but feel used if the people I'm trusting to provide me with information group me in with idiots and use manipulative bullshit like that as a marketing trick to get my attention and partly because, as you noted, it promotes a damaging stereotype.*  I know that there are plenty of serious girl gamers out there who aren't just looking for the attention of men, but I also know there are other guys who find it easier to fall back on misogynistic stereotypes and assume that they're all just eye-candy.  As you noted, it gives the impression that they're just spending time in the boys' clubhouse. 

*To their credit, IGN started a podcast called 'Girlfight' where the female staff members could get together and shoot the shit.  That kind of thing definitely helps humanize 'gamer girls'.  Unfortunately the podcast stopped about a year ago.


Klyde:  I prefer the first one.  The harder light provides a sort of intangible quality that is appealing, a sort of glow or aura for lack of a better term.  Amazing technique, by the way.  So...that makes one for #1 and one for #2.  Flip a coin?

Interesting article with a...semi-interesting comment thread.

CapnCrumbles436 (I keep wanting to type CapnCrunch) is a real piece of work.

"Why would you hold the door for an elderly person? Isnt that condescending? No! Its a sign of respect for the experienced, wiser but weaker. You hold the door for a woman as a sign of respect to acknowledge her as the helpmeet for man. You dont like being identified as the weaker party take it up wiith God. He made you and his word identifies you as such. Time for a reality check! That doesnt mean youre less human. That youre without value. Quite the opposite. Why do I waste my breath? No one believes that you cannot open a door on your own it is a kind and loving gesture, lay down your inflatted pride and get over yourself."

"Right with you bro every woman (which by the way means of the man bc Eve was created of and for Adam) I have ever dated. I hold every door for, pull out a chair for, cherish and compliment. I take the lead and I take responsibilty. Every one of them has commented that I helped her understand healthy natural roles for men and women and that I helped her to see what it was to be a lady. I dont mess around I have no problem telling a girls who you are disrespectful, dramatic and/or rebellious get goin. Its far better to be alone than for a man to put himself in a situation like that. Its amazing and sad that most women dont understand that by being submissive gentle and respectful they free up their man to take charge, to love and cherish them (Assuming the guy is decent himself.)"

"Keep your talking snakes and childrens stories out of this. These issues cant be solved by thousand year old ideals."

Right on, brotha/sista.

Ouch.  I hope insurance covered that.

Anyone else looking forward to this?



Two trailers are out (and one demo if you have the Ratchet & Clank box set) and it's looking great.

I'm not a big zombie fan but based on what I've seen in this thread I've pre-ordered the game.  You people cost me a lot of money.

I'll see how it goes over the rest of the weekend, but I'm thinking of taking a break from Fallout 3 to start on the Mass Effect Trilogy set when it comes in next week. (Hopefully this won't result in a killing spree on my part.)  It's just not grabbing me the way I expected.  That said, some of the missions have been fun and I haven't had the 'What the HELL did I get myself into...?' feeling as a result of a string of random side quests since Morrowind.

Christ, that is ridiculous.  I think it broke my stupidity meter, in fact.  It reminds me of a conversation I had with my (self-described) hippie uncle a few months ago:  He said that video games should be banned because they involve 'symbolic murder' and this encourages children to commit acts of real violence.  I held my tongue because I was pretty sure that I wouldn't be able to avoid yelling if we got into that subject, but given that he's made his career as an actor and singer I seriously considered suggesting that plays and operas should be banned since those involve a form of 'symbolic murder' that will seem more real to an individual than any 'murder' in a virtual world.

I honestly think that people that suggest that we should ban video games -- or what the hell ever -- because that will theoretically reduce violence don't understand what that means.  In the US, at least, bans are enforced by sending police to shoot up peoples' houses if they're suspected of possessing something banned.  (Say, marijjuana.)  I love the logic that says banning X *might* reduce violence, therefore we should order police to bring in anyone possessing it dead or alive thereby guaranteeing additional violence.

EDIT: On a lighter note, the term 'alleged analyst' is awesome.

I doubt I'm fifteen hours into Fallout and the freezes have already started.  Fuck.  On the other hand, I'm just hitting my stride at level 8 and learning to really appreciate the game, so I can tolerate it. 

EO 3 goes well.  I'm in level four of the first stratum and doing a bit of grinding to get ready for the first true boss I'll be facing.  Just being careful.  I was surprised that the infamous Furyhorn(s) didn't give me much trouble.  Did net me some nice armor, though. <3

This.

Well, at least we know a sequel is coming.  Here's hoping for localization!

Started Fallout 3 a couple of days ago.  It's taken it until now to really 'take', but this morning I completed the 'Bloodlines' side quest and I think I'm starting to get it.  Up until now the barren world has been a bit difficult to stomach -- I don't know why, I knew what I was getting into when I ordered it, although the last open world, first person game I played was Morrowind (a few months ago) -- and the game hasn't been as fun as, say, Jak II, but with the (peaceful) resolution of Bloodlines it felt like the world and the lore really began to open up to me, I felt a sense of both accomplishment and (pleasant) immersion.  I've also done a bit of the main quest and will note that this game isn't afraid to kick your ass. 

On a different note, given that the last game I played like this was Morrowind I keep expecting to see an option to press the white button to remove a carcass from the game once you've searched it.



My adventure in EO3 continues:  I took my level fourteen team and went through Stratum 1, level two and cleared out four F.O.E.'s in a row, opening up most of the second level to me.  I mapped out everything barring a door that is inaccessible at this time in the same run and picked up a couple of new side quests on the way back.  I felt like a badass.  I love this game.  Etrian Odyssey IV has honestly became my most anticipated game of 2013.  I thought that only getting one point at a time when leveling would drive me crazy but it's actually a lot of fun to strategize for what I'll need in the future and analyze my characters as I progress to see what area needs the most immediate attention and try to work on that.  Onto level 3!

That sounds like a lot of fun.  By the way, 1up did an interview with Uematsu yesterday.

I've been hammering through Jak II over the past few days to complete it so that I can start Fallout 3 now that it's arrived.  Jak II is hard, brutally difficult at times, but I wouldn't mind if there were reasonably placed checkpoints.  Unfortunately they're often not there during missions which can mean playing ten + minute sequences, most of which you've already mastered, over and over and OVER again.  It definitely mars an otherwise great game.

Speaking of great games, I started working on Etrian Odyssey III again.  This game is extremely addictive.  There's always that temptation to see what's around the next corner or down the next path.  I beat my first F.O.E. today with my level 12 team and I am very proud.  He handed my ass to me the first time during our accidental clash, but the second time I came prepared with an alchemist with nearly full TP and nailed him to a wall.  Once again, I am extremely glad that I decided to add lightning to my alchemist's repertoire.  After that I thoroughly searched that area to map it out and find what goodies I could and then reluctantly dragged my tired team home for some well-deserved rest when I realized that my Monk was out of TP.