Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on February 20th, 2008
ET: The Urban Myth, Free Quake, and Critics show to be the cheating bastards they are - Welcome to the column that promises not to cheat as long as you don't include the Contra code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right B, A; ha!) known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. In World of Warcraft this week I have moved up to level 23. 3 levels a week seems to be my number. The highlights of my week had to be actual use of my blacksmithing skill. Before I was just leveling it to level and producing items for auction house or vendor trash. Finally I made something I could use, Bronze Darts and a Pearl Handled Dagger (off-hand). I was originally going to make two pearl daggers but I got a sweet dagger from one of the bosses in Wailing Caverns. I have moved into expert mining but I'm still trying to find my first Iron vein. Now if I could just procure the next first aid manual (maxed out at 150) at a fair price (less than 2g), I'd be set for the next few levels.
Posted in: News and Opinions by Archive Authors on February 19th, 2008
This morning Toshiba released the following statement:
TOKYO--Toshiba Corporation today announced that it has undertaken a thorough review of its overall strategy for HD DVD and has decided it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders. This decision has been made following recent major changes in the market. Toshiba will continue, however, to provide full product support and after-sales service for all owners of Toshiba HD DVD products.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on February 13th, 2008
The Force is not strong with this one, The NFL extends its deal with the dark side (EA), and Attack of the Genos? - Welcome to the column that has Han Solo underoos and a warrant out for the arrest of Jar-Jar Binks known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. The magic number is 20th, 20th level in World of Warcraft. As mentioned last week, I had a fascination with lockpicking; well that is up to 92 now (still meager I know). However, my new thing; cooking. Yes cooking in a fantasy MMO. I could kill goblins and raptors but I choose to cook some Strider Stew or Boiled Clams. I also have started to collect rare (translation: ones only sold on the Alliance side or not in my immediate area) recipes. Yes, some Crocolisk Steak or Gumbo coming right up. I still can't bring myself to try Fishing, I figure I might fish out a sea monster or something. That and I still have a bad taste in my mouth of fishing from the Breath of Fire games. Bad times, very bad times.
Posted in: News and Opinions by Archive Authors on February 11th, 2008
Today Netlfix, the popular online movie rental service, decided to only acquire Blu-ray titles in the future. They listed Warner Bros. going Blu-ray exclusive as the major deciding factor since 4 out of the 6 major movie studios now side with Blu-ray. While newer HD-DVD titles will be available elsewhere for purchase Netflix will no longer be providing customers with the option to rent the HD-DVD version of newer titles. Netflix did assure current HD-DVD subscribers that their entire HD-DVD library will still be available for as long as the their current stock of titles hold up in quality. Source: Reuters
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on February 6th, 2008
The Devil May Cry over installation, Stop smashing my Poker, and downloading from Xbox Live could make you a winner? - Welcome to the column that thinks that DLC is something you might want to change your pants afterwards known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. Level 17, ding ding ding. Okay so I'm still playing World of Warcraft (I still have a strange inclination to call it Whorecraft, cause I feel like a dirty dirty one). My new toy has to be the lockpicking skill. I already got it up to 62 which I know for non-noobs is nothing but I'm digging it. I'm completely fascinated by the pick-pocketing skill too. I'm starting to get the mindset where I want to walk into something dangerous and get a cool item. Then get the heck out of dodge. But then again, maybe I just want to mine and help noobies out cause I'm that kinda good natured person. Before anybody asks, no I'm not interested in PvP. I'm talking about grabbing something valuable right from under somebody's nose. Alliance that is and for the Horde.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on January 30th, 2008
Wii equals gimmick, PS3 overtakes 360, and could a Bear stop piracy? - Welcome to the column that lives in a tiny little farming community called bizzarro world but known to the gaming community as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. Level 13 is the magic number for my Troll Rogue (Lantanador) in WoW. I've spent most of the last week improving my mining & blacksmithing skills. I'm just happy that I can make a Copper Short Sword all by myself. Too bad my rogue uses daggers and other small weapons. I finally started shopping for gear at the auction house which is expensive but does yield some excellent items. But the idea of professions is an interesting one and does give you the feel of doing something more than defeating monsters, solving quests and getting money. I still think they need to lower the price point though. That's the only barrier I can't wrap my head around. Good game, sure. Worth $15 a month, I still don't see it *shrug*.
Posted in: Bitchy Rants by Archive Authors on January 24th, 2008
We reported a couple weeks ago that Warner Bros Home Entertainment was going Blu-Ray exclusive once their contract with the HD-DVD collation was up. Despite Warner’s move HD-DVD is far from dead. Though HD-DVD is precariously on the edge of “losing” the HD disc format war. Even if one format wins out we should ask the questions: “Will the HD market go physical or broadband? If HD-DVD wins, will the lower priced players and uniform spec make the market successful? Can Blu-ray make the market better? Or are the IPTV technologies too attractive to keep HD discs strong?
Despite losing Warner HD-DVD still has Universal and Paramount. While both studios have declared their ongoing support since Warner’s announcement, Universal and Paramount have also neglected to state that they will remain exclusive to the format. Despite the situation with the studios HD-DVD is still the most affordable HD format currently available and has benefitted from a finished spec. Having all players work basically the same and have similar components has allowed HD-DVDs to have a much more unique and fulfilling home experience. Having a finished format with quality titles should be a great formula for calling in the SD-DVD format hold outs. The only hitch is the growing problem of selection. HD-DVD as of this article’s publishing has 366 titles available(39% of those being from Universal alone). The catalog of titles varies from classics like The Shining to sci-fi cult favorites like Serenity. The majority of HD-DVD’s selection seems hand picked titles chosen to garner the most in sales. Despite this, Blu-ray has been leading in sales both in hardware and in software.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on January 23rd, 2008
Xbox is Crack, SNK breaks out the catalog, and Counter-Strike deemed not Brazilian friendly? - Welcome to the column that keeps living in the past as long as it can keep making money in the future known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. My new router is going pretty well. Speed has picked up a good deal, however I still feel the pain when I'm doing something at peak hours. WoW is much improved as is the Xbox Live Marketplace. I actually sat down to play a little WoW even though Guild Wars is still my choice of poison. I have a level 11 Troll Rogue(Lantanador/ server: Killrogg if you want to look it up), thanks for asking. I still like my Guild Wars, but I can understand why some WoW players are paying their monthly tithe to play their characters. It's very addicting, thankfully I've learned to control myself due to years of gaming and realizing that each game, while maybe fun isn't the cure to living a rich and full life. Unless that game is the original Metroid or Legend of Zelda. I lived on those.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on January 16th, 2008
Goldeneye XBLA in the can, EGM Blackballed, and Mass Effect could give a case of blueballs? - Welcome to the column that is like going to the bathroom after Mexican food night, full of gas and plenty of things you can't pronounce known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. I had to purchase a new router this week. See my old one was giving me fits. I could connect to Xbox Live just fine but any downloads from marketplace was ridiculously slow and PC Gaming (WoW or Guild Wars) was no walk in the park either. Sure the web moved alright, but any gaming was like surgery for lab rats. I ended up getting the D-Link DIR-625 which supports Wireless N and everything inbetween. It also has that QOS engine which means better gaming priority structure. I hope it just honestly means I can play a game in peace and not have to reset my modem and reset my router everytime the temperature changes in Houston. The only city I have ever seen where you could need a long coat in the morning and shorts in the afternoon followed by long pants at night.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on January 9th, 2008
GPS on the PSP, DTV on the Xbox 360, and Provo gone? - Welcome to the column that recommends you take heavy doses of LSD and PCP to enjoy the sarcasm to its full extent known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. All Pro Football 2k8 is a mother. Well the season mode is, I'm currently trying to beat the Legends squad which is just as bad as it sounds. John Elway at QB, James Lofton at WR and a whole list of defensive squad all-stars guaranteed to make sure they score often and you score close to never. My team's gold players consist of Walter Payton and Jerry Rice. My QB is Randall Cunningham. I actually used my own likeness as a Bronze Tight End. I should have a lot easier time on offense but for the most part my defense does better which is anchored by DE Too Tall Jones and MLB Karl Mecklenberg. But you know what kills me in this game. The short pass. Screen passes murder me and there is no good package I can find to combat it. Not to mention they do it constantly. I also made a team to resemble the '85 Chicago Bears since the game seems fit to include 6 Bears already that played on that team. It was just a matter of creating five more. I chose Jim McMahon (QB), Kevin Butler (K), Steve McMichael (DT, but I had to put him as a DE since they list Dan Hampton already in the game as a DT and William Perry is the other DT), Richard Dent at DE and Jim Covert as OT. Four starred defensive linemen. Quarterbacks are going to run in terror. I really love creating teams & players, I just wish they didn't have a cap of twenty players which I will max out when I'm done with the current Philadelphia Eagles squad.