I don't like to think of myself as a vindictive bastard. I'm pretty easy going.
Those of you who know me personally will know that I worked at EB Games for two years. I enjoyed my time there, mostly.
Now, a lot of people know of Game Stop and EB Games for the utter disregard for the customer saying "no", and how they will continue to sell you stuff you never wanted until you almost literally pull out a knife and shank them. That's fair enough, I'd want to do the same. I admit I still go to EB, mainly because they're the only place close enough who sell games. I bypass that by letting the salespeople know I'm a former employee, so I know all their tricks and policies and they won't work on me.
Anyway, the point of this blog is simple. Working for Game Stop (if you're overseas) or EB Games (as they're owned by Game Stop) can be hell. I bore it for two years, and again, while I say I enjoyed my time, I also knew just how badly they were milking me and my replaceability. Looking at the massive stack of resume's in the storeroom each day is enough to reinforce the idea that any other dipshit could take my job at a moments notice.
Enter WhistleBlowerZero, a former Game Stop employee who is fed up with their bullshit. His series of videos, in a direct parody of Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw of Zero Punctuation fame, seek to inform those of us who purchase from Game Stop / EB Games, and those of us who might want to work for them, just how raw of a deal you're getting. Spanning 10 videos totalling around 90 minutes, WhistleBlowerZero goes on to show just how hard employees are being driven, and how much of a cash-cow the company sees the consumer as.
I want to point out, even though WhistleBlowerZero is based in the Unites States, everything he says applies to Australia, and almost assuredly the entire world where you'll find one of their store franchises. I'll recount a story of my own experience, just to emphasise the point that when the customer says "no", to EB it means "keep asking until they're about to punch you."
I had a guy come im looking to buy a PlayStation 2. He already owned one, but something happened, and it died. He was already kitted out with games, controllers, memory cards and the like. All the wanted was a new unit, a cost of $200AU at the time. Upon making the purchase, I continued to offer things to bump up the sale. Dodgy third-party controller didn't work? Okay, how about the dodgy third-party memorycard? On and on until the guy was going red with frustration. But, at the end of that transaction, I'd sold him not only a PlayStation 2 console, but an extended warranty (which as my manager put to me so succinctly "is pure profit to the company"), two games, a couple of pre-orders, gift certificate and the famous "discount" card. So instead of his intended $200 purchase, he left my store carrying roughly $450 worth of goods. My manager, who watched the whole sale patted me on the back with a chuckle, and the next week my hours went up.
So as you're watching WhistleBlowerZero's videos, don't start to think he's blowing things out of proportion. It's all true.
Oh, and if you happen to be a Game Stop / EB Games "gamestopio" (as coined by WhistleBlowerZero), fuck you. I will not close my mouth. For everyone else, the more you know. Don't let this corporate serpent digest whole.
WhistleBlowerZero's YouTube Channel
Showing posts with label games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label games. Show all posts
Monday, 8 September 2008
Saturday, 26 July 2008
More On Censorship
Okay, I said I'd do an article on my so-called "hot picks" from the recent E3 show. As of late, I have been caught up in other things (read: distracted), and my want to write on the subject has mostly waned.
Today, however, I find myself faced with a very staggering look at just how uninformed the Australian government, and in turn it's citizens, are in relation to themes presented in video-games. I so horribly points out the reasons we are denied an R18+ rating for interactive media in our humble country.
I hereby present to you my evidence. Watch How Misinformed Aussie Politicians Are About Video Games (via Kotaku). In the linked article, there is a YouTube video, which I would ask you to watch if the R18+ rating, and the lack of it, is an issue you're interested in.
The video is a segment from a relatively new show on the ABC, called Q&A. In the program, various politicians are asked questions by members of a studio audience. Questions range in their topic, from current issues, to certain governmental policies, and so forth. It just so happened one question this episode was fielded by an avid gamer, and he asks the panel of their view on the lack on an R18+ rating.
Unfortunately for Australian gamers, the fellow who posed the question wasn't really allowed a chance to address the major mistakes and misjudgments the panel made when talking about Fallout 3 and it's status as refused classification. The host summarises the game as "killing people, and using a device attached to your arm to inject drugs intravenously in order to kill more people." While in essence this is true, and I will not deny it, the panel was then led to talk about violence in video games, which is far from the issue when looking at the reason Fallout 3 was refused classification. The general consensus was to protect the children (dear lord, somebody think of the children!), though two panel members did speak in favour of the R18+ rating, which I will admit surprised me.
With this video, we are opened to the problem that it's not just a lack of understanding on behalf of the government on this issue, but that it is also a lack of a distinct, articulate and valid representative for the positive. If you've followed the many gaming forums who are talking about this issue, you'll notice while most people speaking have very valid points to put across, our community lacks a sense of eloquence when it comes to actually wording our thoughts and arguments.
Please, if you're intending to write a letter to your local government representative, or any other person in a similar or higher station, remember to take the time to word out your arguments, proof read, spell check etc. I know and can sympathise with the frustration many mature gamers are feeling right now, but remember, writing a confronting letter filled with threats and profanities isn't going to do the cause any good. In fact, it's ammunition for the against side in this debate, as you're only proving that as a gamer, you're violent and unable to speak with a clear head.
So again, if writing on this subject, remember to think your arguments through and word them properly, check your spelling and proof read. Prove to these people who are against an R18+ rating in Australia, that we are mature, level-headed and reasonable people. Give them something to think about, and a positive reason for granting us this boon.
Watch How Misinformed Aussie Politicians Are About Video Games (via Kotaku)
Today, however, I find myself faced with a very staggering look at just how uninformed the Australian government, and in turn it's citizens, are in relation to themes presented in video-games. I so horribly points out the reasons we are denied an R18+ rating for interactive media in our humble country.
I hereby present to you my evidence. Watch How Misinformed Aussie Politicians Are About Video Games (via Kotaku). In the linked article, there is a YouTube video, which I would ask you to watch if the R18+ rating, and the lack of it, is an issue you're interested in.
The video is a segment from a relatively new show on the ABC, called Q&A. In the program, various politicians are asked questions by members of a studio audience. Questions range in their topic, from current issues, to certain governmental policies, and so forth. It just so happened one question this episode was fielded by an avid gamer, and he asks the panel of their view on the lack on an R18+ rating.
Unfortunately for Australian gamers, the fellow who posed the question wasn't really allowed a chance to address the major mistakes and misjudgments the panel made when talking about Fallout 3 and it's status as refused classification. The host summarises the game as "killing people, and using a device attached to your arm to inject drugs intravenously in order to kill more people." While in essence this is true, and I will not deny it, the panel was then led to talk about violence in video games, which is far from the issue when looking at the reason Fallout 3 was refused classification. The general consensus was to protect the children (dear lord, somebody think of the children!), though two panel members did speak in favour of the R18+ rating, which I will admit surprised me.
With this video, we are opened to the problem that it's not just a lack of understanding on behalf of the government on this issue, but that it is also a lack of a distinct, articulate and valid representative for the positive. If you've followed the many gaming forums who are talking about this issue, you'll notice while most people speaking have very valid points to put across, our community lacks a sense of eloquence when it comes to actually wording our thoughts and arguments.
Please, if you're intending to write a letter to your local government representative, or any other person in a similar or higher station, remember to take the time to word out your arguments, proof read, spell check etc. I know and can sympathise with the frustration many mature gamers are feeling right now, but remember, writing a confronting letter filled with threats and profanities isn't going to do the cause any good. In fact, it's ammunition for the against side in this debate, as you're only proving that as a gamer, you're violent and unable to speak with a clear head.
So again, if writing on this subject, remember to think your arguments through and word them properly, check your spelling and proof read. Prove to these people who are against an R18+ rating in Australia, that we are mature, level-headed and reasonable people. Give them something to think about, and a positive reason for granting us this boon.
Watch How Misinformed Aussie Politicians Are About Video Games (via Kotaku)
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Insert Title Here
Well, I couldn't think of an interesting or witty title for this post, as I'm not sure any I would have thought of would summarise what this entry is all about.
Today I thought I'd throw up a bunch of interesting links. There's a lot of activity in the gaming community, what with the E3 show happening this week, so I should be able to provide some decent linkage for you all.
I'll begin by saying again that I really am meaning to post up something regarding my thoughts on the lack of an R18+ rating for video games in Australia. In the mean time, however, check out this online petition (provided by iPetitions). If you are supportive of an R18+ game rating in Australia, please check it out and add your name to the list. Currently there are 1352 signatures, and every single one counts, so hit the link and sign away.
Next up, some of you may have already came across Zero Punctuation. If you haven't, I'll have to enlighten you. Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw takes a current popular game and reviews it. Not only is his commentary and style biting and highly cynical, it's topped off with an English accent, which is by no means a bad thing. Yahtzee typically picks up a game and discards what he's heard or read about it, allowing an unbiased outlook, which general ends with him verbally destroying a game which is too same-old or poorly executed. Introduction aside, this week Zero Punctuation takes on Alone in the Dark. Do check it out.
Okay, I've decided I'm going to cut it a little short there, apologies to all, but I've just gotten a massive headache which feels like it's behind my left eye, and I can't concentrate enough. I'll likely post up a bunch of my picks from the E3 show tomorrow. But right now, I need to lay down and try and kick this thumping pain in my head.
Today I thought I'd throw up a bunch of interesting links. There's a lot of activity in the gaming community, what with the E3 show happening this week, so I should be able to provide some decent linkage for you all.
I'll begin by saying again that I really am meaning to post up something regarding my thoughts on the lack of an R18+ rating for video games in Australia. In the mean time, however, check out this online petition (provided by iPetitions). If you are supportive of an R18+ game rating in Australia, please check it out and add your name to the list. Currently there are 1352 signatures, and every single one counts, so hit the link and sign away.
Next up, some of you may have already came across Zero Punctuation. If you haven't, I'll have to enlighten you. Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw takes a current popular game and reviews it. Not only is his commentary and style biting and highly cynical, it's topped off with an English accent, which is by no means a bad thing. Yahtzee typically picks up a game and discards what he's heard or read about it, allowing an unbiased outlook, which general ends with him verbally destroying a game which is too same-old or poorly executed. Introduction aside, this week Zero Punctuation takes on Alone in the Dark. Do check it out.
Okay, I've decided I'm going to cut it a little short there, apologies to all, but I've just gotten a massive headache which feels like it's behind my left eye, and I can't concentrate enough. I'll likely post up a bunch of my picks from the E3 show tomorrow. But right now, I need to lay down and try and kick this thumping pain in my head.
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Fallout 3 Refused Classification In Australia
For those of us who are avid gamers in Australia, you'd be more than aware of the heated discussion and controversy when it comes to classification on video games. For those who are unaware, the highest classification rating a game can have in Australia is MA15+. Games that receive a rating higher than MA15+ are not allowed to be sold.
There was a rumor going about for a while that due to some of the content appearing in Fallout 3, Bethesda's sequel to one of the most popular turn-based RPG's, would deem in worthy of the R18+, and thus refused classification. According to Kotaku, and a quick look at the Office of Film and Literature Classification site can confirm, Fallout 3 has been refused classification.
Those who are familiar with the Fallout series will know that it tends to have a rather violent overtone, amongst other things. While bloody dismemberment is acceptable in a classic 2D isometric viewpoint, when it enters the more realistic 3D world, it gets a little iffy, which I can understand. The thing I don't understand is why the Australian media hold onto the outdated classification system, especially in such a time as that we live in. It's ridiculous if you ask me.
So far there has been no response from Bethesda regarding the classification.
I would have a full blown rant on the subject, but it's 5am, and I really need to get some sleep. You can probably expect a large rant / thesis about the state of classification for video games late this afternoon / evening.
Edit (17:35):
Looking again at Kotaku, they have discovered just what has caused Fallout 3 to be refused classification. If I'm right in understanding, the game includes the use of "chems" which can alter a characters statistics. The OFLC deems this equal to drug use, as the various chems are seen as syringes, pills and the like. Here is a [Link] to the Kotaku article regarding the classification.
OFLC Entry For Fallout 3
Fallout 3 Refused Classification In Australia (via Kotaku)
Why Fallout 3 Was Refused Classification (via Kotaku)
There was a rumor going about for a while that due to some of the content appearing in Fallout 3, Bethesda's sequel to one of the most popular turn-based RPG's, would deem in worthy of the R18+, and thus refused classification. According to Kotaku, and a quick look at the Office of Film and Literature Classification site can confirm, Fallout 3 has been refused classification.
Those who are familiar with the Fallout series will know that it tends to have a rather violent overtone, amongst other things. While bloody dismemberment is acceptable in a classic 2D isometric viewpoint, when it enters the more realistic 3D world, it gets a little iffy, which I can understand. The thing I don't understand is why the Australian media hold onto the outdated classification system, especially in such a time as that we live in. It's ridiculous if you ask me.
So far there has been no response from Bethesda regarding the classification.
I would have a full blown rant on the subject, but it's 5am, and I really need to get some sleep. You can probably expect a large rant / thesis about the state of classification for video games late this afternoon / evening.
Edit (17:35):
Looking again at Kotaku, they have discovered just what has caused Fallout 3 to be refused classification. If I'm right in understanding, the game includes the use of "chems" which can alter a characters statistics. The OFLC deems this equal to drug use, as the various chems are seen as syringes, pills and the like. Here is a [Link] to the Kotaku article regarding the classification.
OFLC Entry For Fallout 3
Fallout 3 Refused Classification In Australia (via Kotaku)
Why Fallout 3 Was Refused Classification (via Kotaku)
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Secret Of The Splash Screen Revealed
Today, the secrets of Blizzard's enigmatic splash screen have been revealed, to the joy of countless thousands of Blizzard fans. Diablo 3 is on it's way. I've only just woken up, but the first thing I thought to do was check out what Blizzard were teasing us with the last six days, and I must say I have been startled. Though instead of going ga-ga and delving right into their new site, I've upheld my journalistic honour, and deem to tell you folks about it first.
As I mentioned in my last post, the Diablo games have taken away more hours of my life than World of Warcraft, and I don't regret a single one of those stolen hours. Then Blizzard throws you this. I am very excited about the idea of a Diablo 3, and will probably fall into a gaming coma trying to keep playing it.
I just hope that Blizzard stay true to the history of the series, and don't mess this one up.
Anyway, there is a website with much to explore sitting in the next FireFox tab, so I shall leave you there as I prepare to lose myself in the world of Sanctuary once again.
As I mentioned in my last post, the Diablo games have taken away more hours of my life than World of Warcraft, and I don't regret a single one of those stolen hours. Then Blizzard throws you this. I am very excited about the idea of a Diablo 3, and will probably fall into a gaming coma trying to keep playing it.
I just hope that Blizzard stay true to the history of the series, and don't mess this one up.
Anyway, there is a website with much to explore sitting in the next FireFox tab, so I shall leave you there as I prepare to lose myself in the world of Sanctuary once again.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Granado Espada - My Impressions
Yesterday while I was in town, I came across one of the latest computer gaming magazines, and as I had a bit of spare change handy, I decided to pick it up. Generally when I buy a magazine of this type, it's due to the featured content they have on the free CD's attached. This month, it came with the full client for the MMO Granado Espada. I've heard a bit about this game, and I figured now would be a good time to give it a look. Especially since this magazine saved me 4gig worth of downloads.
Granado Espada is a free-to-play MMO, with the option of micro-transactions to attain better and more powerful items for your character. I've always been a bit of a fan of the free-to-play MMO's, but generally after a while, they tend to be a bit of a let down, so finding a good one tends to be a bit of work. Granado Espada may have worked out the right formula to keep the player interested.
The world of Granado Espada is typically 1700's-esque, and is a pleasing departure from the typical fantasy setting found in most MMORPG's. You begin the game on a ship, you and your family being bought to the New World, a brave new frontier where anybody can etch out a new beginning. The game eases you in by providing simple tutorials on moving about, controlling your character, combat essentials and so-forth, and once you've got your footing, you're off.
Granado Espada provides you with five different character classes, the Fighter, the Musketeer, the Wizard, the Elementalist and the Scout. Each class is fairly straight forward in their role (except for the Scout, which as well as being a melee fighter, is also the typical healer as well), and each one can be customised in many different ways using various stances (progression trees) to access stronger and more varied skills.
Your family is simply the characters you are able to create at the beginning of the game. Upon creating your first character, you choose a family name which most NPC's will lovingly refer to you as, and then for each character you assign their given name. Pretty easy. Though it is the concept of the family which makes Granado Espada stand out among most other MMO's. The family is an innovative feature, in that it allows you to control up to three characters at one time. Such a refreshing change, as now you're not forced to spam chat channels looking for extra members for that one difficult quest. Controlling your party of three characters is pretty simple as well. Each of their abilities are hot-keyed to your keyboard (Q-Y, A-H and Z-N), and individual abilities are activated on the go in this way, allowing you ease of use without breaking the pace of battle. With a mixture of available classes, you can have whatever type of party you desire - a balanced adventuring team, a melee-heavy or a ranged nuke party, it's all up to you.
Granado Espada doesn't appear to have a strong storyline - or I just didn't pay enough attention in the beginning - and as such, players are left to forge their own way throughout the New World, acting as a freelancer, helping out the many townsfolk with tasks they need assistance with. Luckily, as with most MMO's, the available quests help guide you along in a linear-ish manner, making sure you're not too far out of your depth and running into high-level zones you're just not ready for.
I will admit I've only played the game for a day or so now, so I haven't seen nearly everything there is to offer, though what I have experienced so far has been rather promising, and I've only had a few small gripes with the game thus far.
So far, the only real problem I've come across in Granado Espada, is that some of the games systems aren't really explained all that well, and can leave you guessing. Another thing, and this could be just me, is a few quests I've undertaken at the recommended have been nearly impossible for me to complete, and frustratingly so. After failing a particular mission one too many times, I've simply walked away to spare myself tearing my hair out, and came back at a higher level to complete. So far I'm putting it down to my lack of experience with that game, though it's hard to not feel a little cheated when a quest is recommended for a certain level, yet gives you such a beat down, even when you're higher level. The saving grace for this is that most of these quests aren't essential to advancing your character, so if they are a little difficult, you can leave them and come back later on.
Being a renaissance-esque setting, the graphics in Granado Espada complement it rather well, with the type of characters and architecture you'd expect to come across in that period. While they could be a bit more flashy, especially with today's machines, it still works, and does it's styling well. Granado Espada's music is worth mentioning as well, though unlike the graphics, it doesn't typically complement the era. The compliment of music you'll hear, especially while battling, are typically soft techno/trance/dance tracks, and about the same portion of your typical instrumental music thrown in too. Again, I never found this to detract from the experience in any way, as the songs are rather pleasant, even for someone who doesn't like the techno genre like myself.
As mentioned at the beginning, Granado Espada is free-to-play with micro-transactions optional. Again, with most free-to-play MMO's, the option for micro-transactions allows those who are dedicated to the game to acquire more powerful items than are typically available in game, and I also believe with a small payment option, you are able to raise your level cap so as to enter otherwise dangerous or inaccessible areas.
All in all, despite my small frustrations with the game, Granado Espada is well worth a look if you're searching for a casual MMO to fill in your time. Be aware, if you are looking to download the game client, it is roughly 4gig in size, so if you have a download limit or a pay-per-meg internet contract, make sure you've got the allowance to accommodate the download.
The Granado Espada Official Home Page
Download The Granado Espada Client (Large Download Size!)
Granado Espada Screenshot Gallery
Granado Espada is a free-to-play MMO, with the option of micro-transactions to attain better and more powerful items for your character. I've always been a bit of a fan of the free-to-play MMO's, but generally after a while, they tend to be a bit of a let down, so finding a good one tends to be a bit of work. Granado Espada may have worked out the right formula to keep the player interested.
The world of Granado Espada is typically 1700's-esque, and is a pleasing departure from the typical fantasy setting found in most MMORPG's. You begin the game on a ship, you and your family being bought to the New World, a brave new frontier where anybody can etch out a new beginning. The game eases you in by providing simple tutorials on moving about, controlling your character, combat essentials and so-forth, and once you've got your footing, you're off.
Granado Espada provides you with five different character classes, the Fighter, the Musketeer, the Wizard, the Elementalist and the Scout. Each class is fairly straight forward in their role (except for the Scout, which as well as being a melee fighter, is also the typical healer as well), and each one can be customised in many different ways using various stances (progression trees) to access stronger and more varied skills.
Your family is simply the characters you are able to create at the beginning of the game. Upon creating your first character, you choose a family name which most NPC's will lovingly refer to you as, and then for each character you assign their given name. Pretty easy. Though it is the concept of the family which makes Granado Espada stand out among most other MMO's. The family is an innovative feature, in that it allows you to control up to three characters at one time. Such a refreshing change, as now you're not forced to spam chat channels looking for extra members for that one difficult quest. Controlling your party of three characters is pretty simple as well. Each of their abilities are hot-keyed to your keyboard (Q-Y, A-H and Z-N), and individual abilities are activated on the go in this way, allowing you ease of use without breaking the pace of battle. With a mixture of available classes, you can have whatever type of party you desire - a balanced adventuring team, a melee-heavy or a ranged nuke party, it's all up to you.
Granado Espada doesn't appear to have a strong storyline - or I just didn't pay enough attention in the beginning - and as such, players are left to forge their own way throughout the New World, acting as a freelancer, helping out the many townsfolk with tasks they need assistance with. Luckily, as with most MMO's, the available quests help guide you along in a linear-ish manner, making sure you're not too far out of your depth and running into high-level zones you're just not ready for.
I will admit I've only played the game for a day or so now, so I haven't seen nearly everything there is to offer, though what I have experienced so far has been rather promising, and I've only had a few small gripes with the game thus far.
So far, the only real problem I've come across in Granado Espada, is that some of the games systems aren't really explained all that well, and can leave you guessing. Another thing, and this could be just me, is a few quests I've undertaken at the recommended have been nearly impossible for me to complete, and frustratingly so. After failing a particular mission one too many times, I've simply walked away to spare myself tearing my hair out, and came back at a higher level to complete. So far I'm putting it down to my lack of experience with that game, though it's hard to not feel a little cheated when a quest is recommended for a certain level, yet gives you such a beat down, even when you're higher level. The saving grace for this is that most of these quests aren't essential to advancing your character, so if they are a little difficult, you can leave them and come back later on.
Being a renaissance-esque setting, the graphics in Granado Espada complement it rather well, with the type of characters and architecture you'd expect to come across in that period. While they could be a bit more flashy, especially with today's machines, it still works, and does it's styling well. Granado Espada's music is worth mentioning as well, though unlike the graphics, it doesn't typically complement the era. The compliment of music you'll hear, especially while battling, are typically soft techno/trance/dance tracks, and about the same portion of your typical instrumental music thrown in too. Again, I never found this to detract from the experience in any way, as the songs are rather pleasant, even for someone who doesn't like the techno genre like myself.
As mentioned at the beginning, Granado Espada is free-to-play with micro-transactions optional. Again, with most free-to-play MMO's, the option for micro-transactions allows those who are dedicated to the game to acquire more powerful items than are typically available in game, and I also believe with a small payment option, you are able to raise your level cap so as to enter otherwise dangerous or inaccessible areas.
All in all, despite my small frustrations with the game, Granado Espada is well worth a look if you're searching for a casual MMO to fill in your time. Be aware, if you are looking to download the game client, it is roughly 4gig in size, so if you have a download limit or a pay-per-meg internet contract, make sure you've got the allowance to accommodate the download.
The Granado Espada Official Home Page
Download The Granado Espada Client (Large Download Size!)
Granado Espada Screenshot Gallery
Friday, 20 June 2008
Spore Creature Creator
If you're a gamer, I'm pretty sure you would have heard of Spore. If you haven't, you really need to drag yourself out from under that rock. Seriously. Educate Yourself!
For those who don't know, Spore is...well, it's actually pretty hard to sum up what type of game Spore is. If anything, it's a mix between real time strategy, action and adventure. Essentially, it's a massive sandbox-type game, where the player has ultimate control over every aspect of the game.
You begin as a micro-biotic life form floating about in the primordial soup, and the ultimate aim of the game is to evolve into a glorious space-faring race worthy of a spot on the next episode of Star Trek. Evolution is the key phrase in Spore, and is what drives the game.
After your organism has braved the depths of the primordial soup and manages to clumsily drag itself onto the land, you are then able to modify your character to best suit itself to it's new surroundings. This is where the Spore Creature Creator comes in. Using this tool, you are able to create a virtually unlimited amount of different creatures, hampered only by your imagination.
On the 18th of June, EA / Maxis released a trial version of the Creature Creator, allowing us all to get in on a bit of this creature creating action, to tide us over until the proposed September 2008 release date. Now, I've been following this game since I first heard of it, so I've been pretty anxious to get my grubby little mitts on it, so hearing that a trial of the Creature Creator was coming, I knew I had to get it.
My impressions? This thing is incredible. While the trial for the Creature Creator limits you to roughly a quarter of the options available in the full version, it in no way limits the sheer amount of custom creatures you can create. From a six legged monstrosity to a gentle biped, if you can imagine it, chances are you can create it.
My recommendation on Spore? Well, if you want to see something different, a game where you have ultimate control over pretty much everything you see, then get Spore. After messing around with the Creature Creator - which I highly recommend - you'll understand why.
Now, an interesting thing to note, is that with a credit card, you are able to pay a small fee ($10 US) to upgrade your Creature Creator trial to a full version, allowing you access to all the different parts and options available in the full game.
In a bizarre move, EA have not placed the full Creature Creator in their Australian online store, but it is available for us to purchase through their New Zealand store for $14.99 NZ. [Link] (via Kotaku)
Oh, if you think you're clever making all manner of creatures which look like giant penises with legs and the like, you're not the only one. A cautionary, links likely not worksafe. [Link] and [Link] (both via Kotaku)
Spore Main Site
Download The Spore Creature Creator Trial
The Sporepedia, View Thousands of User Created Creatures
EA's NZ Store, Where You Can Purchase The Full Creature Creator
For those who don't know, Spore is...well, it's actually pretty hard to sum up what type of game Spore is. If anything, it's a mix between real time strategy, action and adventure. Essentially, it's a massive sandbox-type game, where the player has ultimate control over every aspect of the game.
You begin as a micro-biotic life form floating about in the primordial soup, and the ultimate aim of the game is to evolve into a glorious space-faring race worthy of a spot on the next episode of Star Trek. Evolution is the key phrase in Spore, and is what drives the game.
After your organism has braved the depths of the primordial soup and manages to clumsily drag itself onto the land, you are then able to modify your character to best suit itself to it's new surroundings. This is where the Spore Creature Creator comes in. Using this tool, you are able to create a virtually unlimited amount of different creatures, hampered only by your imagination.
On the 18th of June, EA / Maxis released a trial version of the Creature Creator, allowing us all to get in on a bit of this creature creating action, to tide us over until the proposed September 2008 release date. Now, I've been following this game since I first heard of it, so I've been pretty anxious to get my grubby little mitts on it, so hearing that a trial of the Creature Creator was coming, I knew I had to get it.
My impressions? This thing is incredible. While the trial for the Creature Creator limits you to roughly a quarter of the options available in the full version, it in no way limits the sheer amount of custom creatures you can create. From a six legged monstrosity to a gentle biped, if you can imagine it, chances are you can create it.
My recommendation on Spore? Well, if you want to see something different, a game where you have ultimate control over pretty much everything you see, then get Spore. After messing around with the Creature Creator - which I highly recommend - you'll understand why.
Now, an interesting thing to note, is that with a credit card, you are able to pay a small fee ($10 US) to upgrade your Creature Creator trial to a full version, allowing you access to all the different parts and options available in the full game.
In a bizarre move, EA have not placed the full Creature Creator in their Australian online store, but it is available for us to purchase through their New Zealand store for $14.99 NZ. [Link] (via Kotaku)
Oh, if you think you're clever making all manner of creatures which look like giant penises with legs and the like, you're not the only one. A cautionary, links likely not worksafe. [Link] and [Link] (both via Kotaku)
Spore Main Site
Download The Spore Creature Creator Trial
The Sporepedia, View Thousands of User Created Creatures
EA's NZ Store, Where You Can Purchase The Full Creature Creator
Saturday, 17 May 2008
A Child's Dream
I've always been interested in the field of game design. Ever since I was eight years old and my parents bought me the Sega MasterSystem, (ah, the nostalgia, good old Alex the Kidd!), I'd wanted to make my very own games. We only had one television in the house when I was young, so when it came time for the evening news, mum would swoop in to claim the TV, and I'd be sent off to play in the much more mundane "real-world". However, unlike most other kids of that age, I didn't go to my room to play with my cars and lego. Instead, I took out pencil and paper and started scribbling down crude sketches for my own games. At the time, my parents probably thought it was cute; little me sitting down so intent upon his little drawings! Now-a-days they're probably cursing the day they bought me my Sega.
High school went for me like it does for most teenagers; painful, "I HATE SCHOOL", with a dose of "do your schoolwork and pass, otherwise you'll regret it later on." If I had a dollar for every time I heard that...whew!
Ironically, for someone with the dream of making video games, they were also my high school downfall. With a lack of discipline towards schoolwork, and too much discipline at leveling up my characters to beat the next boss in Final Fantasy 7, I eventually fell too far behind, and ultimately crashed and burned. With terrible grades, my chances of entering into university or further study to bring me closer to my dream were all but gone.
That said, despite the path to my dreams being shattered, my passion for it hadn't lessened in the slightest.
These days, I've been looking into new ways to push myself along towards that ultimate dream, and despite the lack of the necessary education, the path to games design has opened up some.
Going back to 2000, when I was last at school, the face of PC gaming was very different. Back then, you'd go to the store, buy your game and play. The internet in those days - while established and going strong - was still a young and tender thing, and it's full potential had not been realised.
For PC gaming, and people in a similar situation as myself, 2008 - and the future - holds many promises. Today, while you'd still go out and purchase your games and have fun playing them, now they tend to come bundled with their own content editors. Having full games packaged with tools like this allows people such as myself to have a chance to get in and live our dreams, and at the same time - while not in a professional way - give us experience into the way the industry works.
Mods, and the modding community, are a massive benefit to the gaming community. It allows talented individuals to showcase their ability, and for the games themselves, it helps drive sales. I say this, as every new mod that takes off increases a games playability, and draws more people into it. Mods - whether it adds a new weapon, or introduces a completely new play mode into a game - help to keep a game fresh. Keeping a game fresh keeps people playing, and for the big companies, people playing = $$$.
So many games now come with their own content editors. The Elder Scrolls series, Unreal, Half-Life 2, and many, many more. So there are many options available for anyone who wants to get into that scene.
Now here is where I say the path to my dream has opened significantly (well, maybe not, but assuredly more than in the last five or so years). Most games would have heard of Counterstrike. In the beginning, it was a simple mod for Half-Life. However, through the magic and power of the internet, it became the next big thing. The one guy who created it in the beginning had found a formula, and it went off like a bomb. Thousands of people were playing it, and still do so. As far as I remember, Valve (the guys responsible for Half-Life) picked up this modder, and is now a member of their design team. It's a wonder story all like me dream of, and while I'd like to think that I myself would be able to pull off a success like that, I doubt it would ever happen.
However unlikely the success story might be for me, just having the experience in using such tools brings me that extra step closer to the ultimate goal of becoming a games designer. I have my dream, and despite the set-backs, I can never let it go, and will do all I can to attain it.
So wish me luck out there. Next time you log into your favourite game and click "play", you might wind up in something I've created.
High school went for me like it does for most teenagers; painful, "I HATE SCHOOL", with a dose of "do your schoolwork and pass, otherwise you'll regret it later on." If I had a dollar for every time I heard that...whew!
Ironically, for someone with the dream of making video games, they were also my high school downfall. With a lack of discipline towards schoolwork, and too much discipline at leveling up my characters to beat the next boss in Final Fantasy 7, I eventually fell too far behind, and ultimately crashed and burned. With terrible grades, my chances of entering into university or further study to bring me closer to my dream were all but gone.
That said, despite the path to my dreams being shattered, my passion for it hadn't lessened in the slightest.
These days, I've been looking into new ways to push myself along towards that ultimate dream, and despite the lack of the necessary education, the path to games design has opened up some.
Going back to 2000, when I was last at school, the face of PC gaming was very different. Back then, you'd go to the store, buy your game and play. The internet in those days - while established and going strong - was still a young and tender thing, and it's full potential had not been realised.
For PC gaming, and people in a similar situation as myself, 2008 - and the future - holds many promises. Today, while you'd still go out and purchase your games and have fun playing them, now they tend to come bundled with their own content editors. Having full games packaged with tools like this allows people such as myself to have a chance to get in and live our dreams, and at the same time - while not in a professional way - give us experience into the way the industry works.
Mods, and the modding community, are a massive benefit to the gaming community. It allows talented individuals to showcase their ability, and for the games themselves, it helps drive sales. I say this, as every new mod that takes off increases a games playability, and draws more people into it. Mods - whether it adds a new weapon, or introduces a completely new play mode into a game - help to keep a game fresh. Keeping a game fresh keeps people playing, and for the big companies, people playing = $$$.
So many games now come with their own content editors. The Elder Scrolls series, Unreal, Half-Life 2, and many, many more. So there are many options available for anyone who wants to get into that scene.
Now here is where I say the path to my dream has opened significantly (well, maybe not, but assuredly more than in the last five or so years). Most games would have heard of Counterstrike. In the beginning, it was a simple mod for Half-Life. However, through the magic and power of the internet, it became the next big thing. The one guy who created it in the beginning had found a formula, and it went off like a bomb. Thousands of people were playing it, and still do so. As far as I remember, Valve (the guys responsible for Half-Life) picked up this modder, and is now a member of their design team. It's a wonder story all like me dream of, and while I'd like to think that I myself would be able to pull off a success like that, I doubt it would ever happen.
However unlikely the success story might be for me, just having the experience in using such tools brings me that extra step closer to the ultimate goal of becoming a games designer. I have my dream, and despite the set-backs, I can never let it go, and will do all I can to attain it.
So wish me luck out there. Next time you log into your favourite game and click "play", you might wind up in something I've created.
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