The Mystery of the E74, A Brand New Fallout, and Anti-Smoking Games for Soldiers? – Welcome to the column that smokes them if they got them and then sponges off of you for more known as Dare to Play the Game.
I finally did it. I played Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust for the Xbox 360 this weekend. I’m sorry I did. The game can summed up in one phrase: Lazy programming. The base was there, but they simply didn’t come through in the execution. Feel free to read the review and you’ll understand more of what I am talking about. I did get 110 achievement points which isn’t bad…but I won’t play it anymore than to finish the game, if that. Don’t expect me to run around looking for all 100 Larry awards (I have a measly 12 right now cause I’m just not trying to find them).
So, after this I will probably be looking for something else to play that isn’t poker, Rock Band or Rocket Bowl. I have several options, but I am seriously considering two games: Too Human & Penny Arcade Vol. 1. From reading the Too Human guide book, it just looks like something I would have a good time with. The idea of multiple classes and the way you can spec a class to your liking. Penny Arcade would be a nice breather. I feel pretty good about getting most of the achievements (maybe all) and it won’t take me forever to finish.
This is Jamie Chung, she’s in the new Dragonball: Evolution movie which is doing zilch for business. However, like Dead or Alive, I’m still curious to see this abomination once it gets to DVD. Jamie looks absolutely stunning here but plays the role of Chi Chi in the movie or the wife of Goku. I watched a lot of Dragonball episodes and all I ever remember Chi Chi doing is nagging & griping a lot. Somehow, I just don’t see Jamie a nagging person. But it is called acting for a reason I suppose. Anybody out there actually see this sucker?
Xbox 360
When Microsoft announced they were extending their warranty for Xbox 360s that received a E74 error, I was curious how different the code was from the red ring of death. Not very, it turns out.
I contacted the company earlier this week to find out what a E74 code meant and whether it was possibly just a rebranded red ring of death.
Here’s what they told me:
Once a repair is made and a person gets their 360 back, does the clock reset for the extended warranty in regards to this error?
No. The same terms of the three-year warranty associated with three flashing red lights error apply.
We reported in 2007 that Microsoft was reworking their 360s to no longer give the red rings to report certain errors because people were sometimes misconstruing them. Is that the case?
No, that is not accurate.
Can a 360 still get a red ring error, aka the red ring of death?
Yes, the three flashing red lights error message can still be present on the console in the event of certain general hardware failures. We have made improvements to the console that will reduce the likelihood of an occurrence of this issue. The majority of customers who own Xbox 360 consoles have a terrific experience from their first day, and continue to, day in and day out.
Is the e74 code a replacement for the red ring of death?
No. The E74 error message can indicate the general hardware failure that is associated with three flashing red lights error on the console. This issue remains relatively narrow in scope and a very small percentage of our customers have contacted us about this issue. Again, we have already made improvements to the console that will reduce the likelihood of an occurrence of this issue.
But wait. What’s with the contradiction? How can an E74 error message apply to the same hardware failures that are associated with a red ring if they’re not the same?
“In some cases there is no difference. As we said, the E74 error message and three flashing red lights can in some cases indicate the same general hardware failure. However, it is not the same failure mode in all cases and there is no single root cause for these malfunctions.”
So it sounds like there is an overlap between hardware issues that cause the E74 message and hardware issues that cause the red ring of death.
E74 equals red ring of death. If it doesn’t today, it soon will. As much as I love the Xbox 360, I still chuckle when I read such sentences as “The majority of customers who own Xbox 360 consoles have a terrific experience from their first day, and continue to, day in and day out.“ Complete Marketing Spin Bullarky! The majority of customers who own Xbox 360 consoles report that their 360 while playing fantastic games will die a slow and painful death. Then you have to call customer support and grovel like a thirsty puppy dog. Pleassssssse give me a working Xbox 360, or I’ll dieeeeeeeeee. *ruff ruff* (I’m paraphrasing for what a dog would probably say if he could talk) Anyhow, there are so many hardware issues (and the E74/Red Ring is the most prevalent) that I am not entirely sure at this point three years is enough. Five would probably be more accurate. Honestly, my 360 will hit three years in the latter part of this year (October, I think). It’s been repaired twice. I don’t like my chances in the soup line if it goes down after October.
Somewhere in that message, I am pretty sure that there is the phrase, “You are screwed. Do not pass Go, Do not collect $200 you stupid inbred hillbilly wanker. Haha, *signed Bill Gates*”.
Fallout
Fallout New Vegas was announced moments ago during a Bethesda press conference in London.
The new game was revealed by Bethesda’s Pete Hines who said that the publisher is working with Obsidian Entertainment on the title.
It will be coming out next year for the PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.
“It is not a sequel to Fallout 3,” Hines said. “It’s simply another Fallout game in that universe.”
It will be the same sort of role-playing game experience seen in Fallout 3, he said. The game’s official reveal, with more details and a look at the game down the line.
Hines added that this title will have no impact on what Todd Howard and his team are working on.
Obsidian Entertainment is the development studio that rose from the ashes of Black Isle Studios, responsible for developing Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, Neverwinter Nights, Alpha Protocol, and Sega’s Aliens: Crucible RPG, which is currently on indefinite hold,
Interestingly enough, the new Fallout is being developed by another studio. However, this studio has enough titles under its belt to carry the banner high and proud. I am happy to see a sequel to this fine game, but I will probably need to dive back into Fallout 3 before I consider a day one purchase of New Vegas. I honestly wonder if New Vegas will be as desolate as the “New” Washington DC was in Fallout 3. It should be a good time. Another nice tidbit of info. Obsidian names their projects after states: this one happens to be Nevada, makes sense. What happens when they run out of states? Furthermore, there was a project in relation to New Jersey. It was cancelled…hopefully it wasn’t a simulation game that taxed you with the question of what to do with all of the toxic waste over there.
This isn’t just another excuse to put in another bikini clad female. This is an actual PC mod from Fallout 3. Hopefully with New Vegas, we can see some ex-strippers that still know how to please. Okay, it’s probably not necessary but it would still be good for a laugh.
Military games
If it sounds absurd – a video game, costing taxpayers $3.7 million, that nags people who do dangerous stuff all day long to quit smoking – know that “Escape With Your Life” is surprisingly effective.
Players of the game, a version of which the U.S. Department of Defense recently commissioned, will create a customizable avatar and then take a tour of all the things associated with sucking on a butt – including that people say you suck on a butt and they’re technically correct. They move their characters through different themed rooms – “from radiology to accounting” – where they learn about the real costs and effects of smoking.
In a test of smokers aged 15 to 19, the games creator said more than half of 239 who played the game reported quitting afterward.
Of course, that’s “reported” quitting. They may have taken it up later; they may have felt guilty and told researchers what they wanted to know.
Time was soldiers got two smokes in a box of C-rations. These days, it presents issues of health, cost, and even fitness for duty, so the Pentagon is spending lots to get troops to either kick the habit or never start. “Escape With Your Life,” the military version, will be housed in an arcade-cabinet style kiosk and placed in rec areas to enhance the appeal of playing it.
Okay, first I don’t smoke. However, I believe in the freedom to smoke. If you want to, by all means then go ahead and do it. Just don’t blow it in my face or smoke in my home. With that said, don’t we got better things to do than try to get our brave men and women fighting out there to stop smoking. For those who do anyway. If their one vice is lighting up after a hard day of defending our country, then go for it. There are a lot worse things in this world than that.
The interesting thing in the survey was that they tested 239 smokers between the ages of 15 to 19 and more than half of them reported quitting afterwards. Doesn’t this sound a little fishy? Last time I checked, 15-17 years old indicates it isn’t legal to smoke a cigarette. What exactly did they do? Threaten them that they were going to tell their parents? Heck yeah, if I was a smoking teenager, I’d probably quit (even temporarily) if somebody was going to tell my mother (unless she smoked too).
Furthermore, the last time I checked the mentality of a 15 to 19 year old is nothing compared to a solider. A solider will play this game and think nothing of their habit. They will more than likely mumble something about “War is heck” or “This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever played, expletive, expletive”. A teenager simply can’t compete with a hardened solider. What a waste of taxpayer money.
Lode Runner is an old friend of mine. I have fond memories of playing it on PC or some of the older consoles like NES or Commodore 64. This Wednesday, it will arrive for Xbox Live Arcade and sport 3d Graphics and 2d Gameplay. There will also be online multiplayer and co-op along with several different game modes. Two hundred and twenty levels to find that pot of gold. This was also one of the first games to include a level editor, so it is only fitting that this one will have it too. You will be able to share your levels with friends and others in the Lode Runner community. It is 1200 points, but it might be worth it.
About a month ago, I took a look at a game for Xbox Live Arcade under this same name. I also mistakenly thought that the WiiWare equivalent was already released. I was wrong. Thankfully, they are both out now and somebody out there can tell me how this one is. Here is the part of the excerpt from a month ago:
This is a tower defense game that is developed by Square Enix. This takes place after the events of Final Fantasy Tactics A2 and has units from the original. The objective is for the player to stop waves of monsters from stealing crystals by positioning units to destroy them before they escape. Each unit has their own special abilities and naturally have different strengths and weaknesses. Three hundred stages are included and actually I’m quite interested in the title but I would certainly like to see a demo first.
This was a Sega Mega Drive release around 1991 and actually there is already a Virtual Console release for the TurboGraphix CD version of the game. As Leo you are trying to save the once-quiet town of Xenobia from some fierce and gruesome monsters. Your trusty sword and jumping abilities should help you in the task. There are powerups along the way and the style is part platformer / part shoot-em-up. My thought would be to go with the TG-16 CD version as that version was released here and features better music if nothing else.
PS2
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2
PSP
DT Carnage
PS3
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2
Xbox 360
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2
Wii
ExciteBots: Trick Racing
DS
101 in 1 Explosive Megamix
I Love Horses
Are they any decent released games in attendance? *crickets* I guess not. For the few Dynasty Warrior/Gundam fans out there, there is a new game for you to salivate over. Excitebots might also be worth a gamble for those looking for a new Wii game. The two DS titles coming this week do deserve a little laughter though. 101 in 1 Megamix according to what Amazon posted is the most pre-ordered game to be released this week. Didn’t anybody learn that more isn’t necessarily better. 101 in 1 (or 100 in 1) carts never work. Instead, they either become collector’s items or one big mess. I’m going for the latter in this instance. And “I Love Horses”. I don’t even need to go further into that one…just take it the wrong way and you will get whatever joke I was going to come up with. There is always next week.
Warning: the following paragraph may contain excitement or pubescent gushing over an inanimate object. Parental discretion is advised.
I bought a Blu-Ray player! I bought a Blu-Ray player!! I’ve been looking at Blu-Ray players for probably 6 months and I have found one. The Samsung BD-P1500. It’s not one of the flashier models but it has the oomph and compatibility I have been looking for. I also made my first Blu-Ray disc purchase: The Dark Knight. Oddly enough, I found a brand new copy at Half-Price Books and it was priced about $5 less than any online store I could find. On Amazon today, I also decided to purchase the two-pack of Sweeny Todd/Sleepy Hollow. At just over the $25 threshold (which means free shipping to boot), it was very hard to resist. I guess I am experiencing the usual new toy frenzy of mine, the same thing I do every time I get a new dvd player, console or handheld.
But, the difference here is that I am only getting the discs that are significant improvements over their dvd counterparts (or new discs of course). I will not be one of those who endlessly buys every Blu-Ray disc that I already have a dvd copy of. I mean seriously, the Blu-Ray version of 2001: A Space Odyssey isn’t going to be enough of a difference from my DVD disc. (Please don’t write in and tell me that 2001: A Space Odyssey is the best Blu-Ray disc ever, I’m not buying it!). But there many titles I could think of right now that I am very interested in as time goes on. Needless to say, I am very excited when that box will appear in my mailbox by the weekend. Dark Knight will naturally be the first viewing and I will report back next week to let you folks know the results. Take it easy kiddoes and enjoy whatever new toy you buy this week to the fullest.
As Always,
Kedrix of Aldrianian
(*The Forgotten One*)
04/23/2009 @ 2:39 am
I’m not gonna tell you that 2001 is the best Blu disc ever as I don’t actually own it….but if you take a gander around the internet you will find a lot of glowing praise about the film video fidelity on Blu-Ray and that it is reference quality.