Microsoft says no to WebTv, Red Dead Redemption’s Ad Budget, & Video Games cause Tooth Decay? – Welcome to the column that provides a foundation for healthy white teeth but is still working out the kinks on bad breath known as Dare to Play the Game.
I’m still having difficulties with playing Deadly Premonition. I’m not sure what it is, but I spent most of my time this weekend going back and forth from World of Warcraft to Game Room (Xbox Live). In WoW, I mainly worked on my Shadow Dwarf Priest & my Night Elf Hunter. My Priest is up to 76, and I don’t see any problem with him hitting 80. I could honestly stand in Northrend and quest my way to 80 if I so chose. However, my gear would suck beyond belief.
The interesting thing about my Night Elf Hunter is that he’s supposed to be a joke character. One that I have no plans of taking seriously. His name is Eazymode. The idea is that most people who play Night Elf Hunters do it because its easy, all they have to do is send their pet in and auto-shoot their arrows. It just so happens that my mother-in-law plays….a Night Elf Hunter. Where else do you think the joke came from? Until my brother-in-law actually got her some gear, I was convinced she was going to sit in Stormwind for the rest of her life. More later.
On May 25, 2010; we will be getting the newest UFC game, UFC Undisputed 2010. It will include a ton of fighters along with an array of new enhancements including my favorite, southpaw stance (since I’m left handed and all). The demo should be out soon and include four fighters: Shogun, Machida, Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson. I just hope the career mode allows you to date the ring girls…hrmmm probably not. If you also think that this was just a blatant attempt to post a picture of UFC Ring Girls and loosely tie it to the upcoming game, you would be right. You’re welcome.
Microsoft
In a recent interview Microsoft’s director of product management was asked why there was no browser on the Xbox 360, and if one will ever be made available. Don’t bet on it anytime soon.
According to an interview with Inside-Games, translated by Sankaku Complex, Aaron Greenberg said:
“We really believe that the web browsing experience on TV is a poor one, and the real magic is to take those web experiences and optimize them for the living room. That’s what we did with Netflix. So, sure, you can go on the PS3 and go to Facebook and and try to navigate, but it’s an absolute nightmare. No disrespect, there’s things I love about the PS3, but that’s not one of them. We want the online experience to be fun and optimized for the living room, and we’ll continue to add more applications to get morerichness.”
Though Greenberg’s candor might be a little much, it’s hard to disagree. Even with a chatpad I can count on both hands the number of times I’ve used my PS3 browser.
Then again, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve used my 360’s Facebook or Twitter functionality.
I’ve actually tried to do web surfing with the Nintendo Wii, it is pretty craptastic unless you are keeping it simple (like text and plain pictures). The main reason for this is the lack of a true mouse function and keyboard support isn’t what I thought it would be. It’s great for a joke or a perhaps a gag when you are bored but it doesn’t do anything important like search for porn.
Seriously, from what I hear it isn’t much better on the PS3. Again, if it is anything complicated then usually the console has to build its own optimized version of the website and that takes time. Consider the Wii and Youtube. Nintendo has its own optimized YouTube site for the Wii but it doesn’t feature even half of the videos and the quality stinks for the most part.
So, Microsoft has built up several optimized experiences for Xbox Live such as Netflix (which is excellent as long as your internet provider doesn’t mind the gigabytes of bandwith you will eat up), Last.FM and others like Facebook. Facebook could be loads better, I understand apps will be a challenge but it’s mostly a glorified status update at this point. But I have a feeling that eventually Farmville, Mafia Wars and some of the other more popular apps will show up on either the optimized version of Facebook Xbox or in their own Xbox Live Arcade Game. Scared? Yeah, me too.
Well no wonder they called it a nightmare. Even on the PS3 they can’t even control spam. Oh no, CHEAP VIAGRA! Seriously though, who would buy cheap Viagra? That’s not exactly something you want to go black market on.
Rockstar
Red Dead Redemption will be Rockstar’s “most ambitious game to date,” says a studio executive, which explains why it’s carpet-bombing TV and certain film audiences with a sizable pre-launch ad campaign.
Speaking to MCV, Rockstar GM Neil Stephen said Redemption will get the company’s first ever cinema advertising campaign.”We think the cinematic nature of the game makes it a perfect fit for cinema,” Stephen said; the game will be advertising to audiences of Robin Hood, Iron Man 2 and Prince of Persia.
“We are spending a larger proportion of our TV budget pre-launch than we ever have before to ensure Red Dead Redemption is established as a massive triple-A title,” Stephen said. Rockstar added that its cinema campaign will incorporate some kind of Bluetooth-enabled content download via posters in the cinema foyer. Elsewhere “In terms of sales projections, we are aiming high and as such are focusing more attention on retail channels than ever before,” Stephen said.
This is interesting and even though I loathe advertising on a large scale, I support this one. Mainly cause Red Dead Redemption is made by a top level software company and should get recognition as a “massive triple-A title”. The original title Red Dead Revolver (I happen to own on Xbox) did fairly well by critics and also sold about a million and a half copies.
The idea of advertising in certain movies, especially those of action adventure types will appeal heavily to their usual 18-34 demographic. They will be able to win over a lot of curious parties and probably churn in another winner. Without it honestly, most people would pass on the fancy blood red cover and probably purchase something like Splinter Cell instead. Here is to the game being a success (and even better than the first title).
Tooth Decay
Various scientific and medical studies performed over the past few years have shown video games to cause violent behavior, obesity, and crooked fingers among young people, but at least we still have our teeth – or do we?
A new study, run by the University of Iowa, has linked frequent video game playing to poor oral health. The study, conducted on children age 12 through 16, suggests that the dietary habits associated with frequent computer and console game use are conducive to tooth decay. Basically, when kids play video games, they eat and drink crap. It’s worth noting that children also eat and drink crap when watching television, reading books, or whenever their parents aren’t watching. This is likely due to the fact that crap is delicious.
The study also found that children with parents who structure their video game playing time are less likely to suffer the ravages of tooth decay, as they are more likely to eat regular meals as well.
I guess the whole point of this study, as with just about any study about tooth care, is that you should regularly brush and floss your teeth. Gargling with Mountain Dew isn’t going to make your smile more extreme.
If only there were some sort of point system for brushing…
I’m not sure why the University of Iowa decided to single out gamers here. We generally keep our mouths aimed at the screen, so bad breath and tooth decay isn’t an issue. Just stay downwind and you’ll be fine.
Alright, let the University of Iowa be pelted with a 12 pack of your favorite sugary beverage. Video games cause tooth decay. And giant fairies take up space in my rumpus room. Surely, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have worked with dentists by inserting cavity chips into their systems to guarantee more trips to your least favorite person who uses a drill.
Really, really? I swear, it makes people so happy to do studies about gaming and how you are more likely to have terrible teeth, murder people or vote Republican (or Democrat). You can decide which is the worst of the 3. Here is the truth boys and girls, be sure to write this down. What makes for terrible teeth you dare ask? Why my friends, it’s terrible parents.
Terrible parents don’t monitor their children’s eating habits; terrible parents don’t monitor what kinda crap they drink on a regular basis. By not doing this, children get tooth decay, cavities, gum disease and all sorts of things that one would not wish on a person’s mouth. Good parents for the most part influence children to have good habits with respect to what they put in their mouth. Basically unless bad teeth really do run in the family; children would just do better with some real parenting.
But see, you can’t say that. It’s easier to blame video games, because video games can’t walk up to your front door and scream something about racism or scream something about being politically incorrect. People can, even though they are the real problem to begin with. It would be nice if in today’s society, people would take responsibility for their own actions or what they are in charge of and owe up to their faults instead of blaming inanimate objects. But perhaps I am asking way too much.
Here is a real winner against Tooth Decay. Ali and a freaking Rainbow. If that doesn’t get you brushing your teeth or off the pot, nothing will.
– Age of Booty 400 points (usually 800)
– Defense Grid, 400 points (usually 800)
– Lumines LIVE, 400 points (usually 800)
– Mad Tracks, 400 points (usually 800)
– Rocket Riot, 400 points (usually 800)
– Schizoid, 400 points (usually 800)
– South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play!, 400 points (usually 800)
– Super Street Fighter II HD, 560 points (usually 1200)
– Track & Field, 240 points (usually 400)
– Wallace & Gromit Episode 1, 400 points (usually 800)
In lieu of an actual game this week, we get a bunch of sales. I did try out both Age of Booty and Mad Tracks and didn’t really feel the urge to go ahead and pull the trigger on the purchase. Track & Field would be an automatic purchase for me except it exists on a compilation disc that I know at some point I will purchase. Plus, Track and Field always gave me some massive finger cramps even though I adored the game. Anyhow, there is a ton of games in this list and most of us (except me apparently) will probably be able to enjoy at least one of them.
Fishie Fishie, really? This is a real game or a bad joke on me? Anyway, you control a fish and this fish eats all the time. So that’s what you do, you go through 100 different levels and seven game modes like Story, Soccer, Capture the Star and Survival. Eating fish.
Apparently, this is a game that can be played with one button. Yeah, the quit button. *sigh*
The poetic trainer is back. Children will be able to learn the basics from numbers to letters to shapes and colors. Children get to dance with the new PooYoos and earn interactive rewards. This game is designed for children who can not read yet. Because if you could read, you would quickly realize that 500 points are gone that you can never get back. NEXT!
Another wonderful rare game on Virtual Console release this week. This one is a side scrolling shoot em up on the Neo-Geo. You are in charge of a warshipand you must fight off the Iron Mask Republic and save the Kingdom of Chop. There are many ways to polish off your enemies. There are three blast weapons that are all upgradable as well as a charged attack that you can use when Iron Clad is attached to your ship. Then there are three melee weapons and even a bomber that clears away enemy bullets. Finally, there is also a stage select which bridges the way for multiple endings. 1,000 points doesn’t seem bad at all.
Xbox 360
Borderlands Double Game Add-On Pack: The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned / Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot
I tried looking for releases this week but all I could find was the add-on disc for Borderlands as officially coming out. It’s one of those slow weeks all around. Take a look at WiiWare and Xbox Live and you’ll just see a barren landscape. So here is my suggestion for this week, go get a Wii or Xbox Live points card and download some things that you have put off.
On the Wii, they have made a habit lately of releasing hard to find classics like Ironclad, Ogre Battle 64 and Dracula X on the Virtual Console service. On the Xbox Live, I just mentioned the almost dozen games that are on sale this week. And to prove that I reward those who actually read all of my column, Geometry Wars 2 is also half off this week. Now go, go and find some DLC classics this week.
Anyway, back on our earlier topic: Eazymode. The whole point of bringing him up is that he actually jumped in levels from 13 to 21. Anybody who knows me well enough is that I don’t jump 8 levels in a single weekend ever. (unless it is the first 8 levels) What would possess me to level a joke character that much in a single weekend? Why my sweetie of course.
Sarah decided to start up a dwarf paladin (probably by the time you are reading, she passed me up on levels) and being the helpful person I am, I played along side of her and worked with her through various quests and even a few runs of dead mines. My DPS was surprisingly 2nd after the tank. I doubt that will stick but I think I’ll play this character a little like my blood elf hunter who used Polearms, had enchanting for a profession (offset by a second gathering profession) and wasn’t that terrible to play. But I’m keeping the name. I’ll never let that joke go. Have fun kiddoes.
As Always,
Kedrix of Aldrianian
(*The Forgotten One*)
