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Video Game Power Rankings #2

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I’ve decided to move the VGPRs to Monday to give me a chance to digest the week’s news over the weekend and work on the post during that time as well. So here is week #2’s Video Game Power Rankings (number in parentheses is the previous week’s ranking)

1 (1) Halo Reach – Halo Reach Beta is in full swing. I’ve got it, I’ve played it, and for the most part I like it. It’s amazing to me the sheer numbers of idiotic Halo players that already permeate the Beta, but it’s only going to get worse, as the beta opens to Silver Xbox Live members this week. Great. At least we got the Invasion game mode, which is quite fun to play.

2 (9) Bungie/Activision – This story broke just as the first Power Rankings was being put together, so it was left off the list (but added later by Nat). This just barely loses to Halo Reach for hopefully obvious reasons. The ten year agreement will let Bungie “bring [their] next gaming universe and IP to the largest possible audience.” Not sure what Activision brings that Bungie couldn’t do on their own (besides possibly the PS3 audience) but it will be interesting to see if Bungie is serious about new IP or not. I, for one, will give them the benefit of the doubt. They’ve earned that much.

3 (-) Fallout New Vegas – For a game that isn’t coming out for a little while, Fallout New Vegas sure got a lot of press last week. Joystiq has a preview, highlighting such things as a new VATS that includes melee attacks which warms my cold, dead, post-apocalyptic heart.

4 (8) Infinity Ward/Activision – This was another item I left off the list last week but include now because the shock waves of this announcement are still being felt.

5 (-) Guild Wars 2 – I include Guild Wars 2 here at #5 out of respect for the original and for the brief burst of Guild Wars activity I saw on Twitter last week. I can’t believe how long and strong GW has survived. Even though it’s been years since I last played, I have a small place in my heart for the original non-MMO MMO.

6 (-) Alpha Protocol – Alpha Protocol is coming out soon and the marketing machine is starting to ramp up. Videos galore abound.

7 (2) Ebert and games as art – This one lost a little steam over the past week, but I had to keep it in the rankings just so I could link this post, which has the most definitive wrap-up of blogger response to the Ebert dust-up out there.

8 (-) Alan Wake – The game isn’t out yet, but that doesn’t mean the plans for “DLC” can’t be (rightly) criticized.

9 (-) Frozen Synapse – I don’t remember where I heard about Frozen Synapse first, it could have been a podcast (probably the GWJCC) but it seemed like all of a sudden a whole lot of people were talking about the game. I quickly realized this game is certainly not in my particular wheelhouse but it is going to be popular nonetheless.

10 (-) The New New Super Mario – The Power Rankings for the Week That Was wouldn’t be complete without the mention of FotB Zack’s “If Mario Was Designed in 2010” going viral.

Honorable Mention: The new Steam Client will be available for Mac this week and E3 is just around the corner.

In My (Digital) Hands

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I know the Beta started Monday, but between kid duty on Monday nights and Lost on Tuesdays, this was the first chance I’ve had to download the Halo Reach Beta. I’ll be diving in as soon as I hit Publish.

Games as art

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I’ve always liked the quote, “I don’t know if it’s art, but I like it!” One of the biggest issues I have with the whole “Games as Art” debate is that in 10 years no one will even care.

Alright, I know that is a helluva statement to make, but let me clarify it. How many children do you know don’t play videogames? Let’s take that a step up, how many teenagers? How many twenty-somethings? Depending on who your general social crowd is, I’ll bet you don’t hit a significant group of non-videogame participants that you know until the 30’s or maybe even 40’s. Even then, they may not be in the majority.

Ta da! Videogames are mainstream. Notice the almost overnight irrelevance of Jack Thompson. Sure, we have the occasional obnoxious legislator trying to pass some bill or another, but it almost always passes in and out of the news. Some random news commentator desperate for attention may ride out the tired trope of evil videogames and protecting children, but it’s about as original as writing an article on Rock ‘N Roll and the decadent influence it has on youth.

The entire concept of what is and what isn’t “art” is fairly nebulous, but if you care about a videogame being “art” you have little to worry about. Anything that is mainstream eventually produces dedicated artistic endeavors. There are numerous games (Which I am intentionally not going to name. Can you guess why?) that are already considered “art” by the videogame community. Outside of the videogame community why would anyone care? The rantings of Ebert on the art-worthiness of videogames are about as relevant as a dog’s opinion of a squirrel. A passing distraction that causes a lot of commotion and barking but will never get.

As for me, I could care less. I don’t worry about how artistic a game is before I play. I am here to be entertained. This is not a different standard. Movies, books, and music are all things I enjoy but I feel no need to support anything for reasons beyond my personal interest. My personal opinion is that videogames are entirely better off without adding some artificial layer of snobbish elitism to them somewhere. Do we not already bemoan innovative games that don’t sell to big budget titles? Doesn’t that sound like the stereotypical struggle of the artistic endeavor already?

May Releases

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Yay, it’s the monthly releases, yay! May has a very solid group of offerings. Never mind the Halo Reach Beta, let’s get to some actual real life games:

Xbox 360 banner

Week of May 3rd
Iron Man 2
Autobahn Polizei – As these two releases show, it’s a fool’s game to go up against a Halo game, even if it is in beta.

Week of May 10th
Lost Planet 2
Skate 3

Week of May 17th
Shrek Forever After
Red Dead Redemption – May certainly wasn’t looking promising until this came along. I know Nat is interested in Red Dead Redemption and after seeing the multiplayer video he posted, I have to admit I’m intrigued as well.
Alan Wake– On the other hand, Alan Wake has been getting a lot of buzz and may be a strong contender for a pick-up this month.
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands– Another strong franchise just in time for the movie later this summer.
Split / Second– Quite a strong week for the 360.

Week of May 24th
Blur– I think a lot of Blur will be getting played around these parts.
UFC Undisputed 2010

Wii banner

Week of May 3rd
Reader Rabbit Kindergarten– The kids love Reader Rabbit games on the computer, I’m surprised it’s taken this long to get one on the Wii. (At least this is the first time I’ve seen them on the Wii)
Iron Man 2

Week of May 10th
Winter Sports 3– Not a whole lot of games for the Wii this week, but if you’re interested in new peripherals, this is your week, especially if you’re in the market for gold Wii accessories.

Week of May 17th
Boot Camp Academy
Trauma Team
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands

Week of May 24th
Super Mario Galaxy 2– Yes, day one purchase here for me. I can never get enough Super Mario Galaxy.
Trackmania

Nintendo DS banner
Week of May 3rd
Iron Man 2
Picross 3D
Dementium II– Seems like this game has been on the new releases list for the last few months. Will it ever come out?

Week of May 10th
Monster Racer

Week of May 17th
Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
Color Cross

Week of May 24th
Trackmania
Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force 2
Dawn of Heroes

PC banner

Week of May 3rd
Burger Island Combo– Kokomo may be the place you want to go, but I’d rather be on Burger Island.
Out of the Park Baseball 11 Deluxe

Week of May 10th
House
Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer

Week of May 17th
Becky Brogan: The Mystery of Meane Manor
Split / Second

Week of May 24th
Blur
Making History 2: War of the World

PS3 banner

Week of May 3rd
Iron Man 2

Week of May 10th
Quantum Theory– Going off the box-art, that looks nothing like the Quantum Theory I learned about.
3D Dot Game Heroes– Been hearing a lot of buzz for this game. I would imagine this will be right in Brock’s wheelhouse.
Lost Planet 2
Skate 3
Super Bike World Championships SBK– The PS3 didn’t want to get left out of the fun this May. This is a pretty solid week.

Week of May 17th
Split / Second
Red Dead Redemption
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands

Week of May 24th
Blur
ModNation Racers
UFC Undisputed 2010

PSP banner

Week of May 3rd
Iron Man 2
Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake
What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord!? 2– This is a sequel? I guess the Lord was unclear with his answer in the original.

Week of May 10th
Naruto Shipuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3

Week of May 17th
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands

Week of May 24th
ModNation Racers
Hexyz Force

What are you picking up?

(Note: As always, all Amazon.com links have our affiliate code embedded in them. If you purchase something through our link, we get a little commission. It’s appreciated.)

Video Game Power Rankings #1

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So I’m trying out a new, (hopefully) regular feature on the blog, the “Video Game Power Rankings.” What are the VGPR, you ask? Well, if you’re a sports fan, you’re familiar with “Power Rankings”. Done for just about any sport, on a weekly basis, Power Rankings aren’t a list of the best teams but which teams are garnering the most attention and mindshare. This is usually because they are winning (and therefore the best of the teams) but they go beyond that.

The other day, I was listening to the BS Report (a podcast by ESPN columnist Bill Simmons) and he was talking to Tim Goodman, a TV critic for the SF Chronicle, who does a similar Power Ranking, only with TV shows. I thought “why not do one for video games?” So this is a first stab a new idea. We’ll see how it goes.

The format will probably change as I do this, but the idea will be the same. The rankings will be based on a highly secret and detailed equation known only to me that will hope to capture the popularity of games and gaming topics that are occupying the mind of gamers. These topics will be gathered from blogs I’m following, conversations on Twitter and other community sources. I’ll start with a top five, but hope to build it into a top ten or even twenty. So on to the rankings:

1 (-) – Halo Reach – If you were watching TV Tuesday night, you probably saw the new HD commercial last night for Halo Reach. As if gamers weren’t excited enough for the multiplayer beta starting next Monday.

2 (-) – Ebert and games as art – This one probably would have taken the top spot if I posted it last week, but Ebert continues to claim games are not art. Bloggers and other gamers continue to disagree.

3 (-) – Splinter Cell: Conviction – The long awaited, retooled return of Sam Fisher has been met with mostly critical and financial success. I know I’m enjoying it. Even this “ill-advised” marketing stunt can’t slow down its momentum. I should have my thoughts/review up as soon as I finish the single player.

4 (-) – California’s Supreme Court A hearing about the sale of violent video games to minors bill that will. not. die.

5 (-) – Dead Rising 2 – A personal favorite here. I know it’s still three months away, but I’m getting excited. Not sure how I feel about “Case Zero” (other than “WOOHOO! Another Dead Rising game!) but Bill Harris calls it a demo.

Honorable Mention: The Korean Starcraft/Gambling scandal and Super Mario Galaxy 2’s 2D video.

This is a rough draft and I’ve noticed that it is console-heavy and absent of anything Sony related (unless you count the multi-platform games). This will change moving forward. Any suggestions or ideas where to go forward with this? Is someone else doing this already? Can you do my laundry?

Freaking Inkies–for a freaking good time

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Let it be known that I have bought more games from the App Store than any other gaming medium this year. I’ve enjoyed each and every game. The winner so far? Tilt to Live.

However, this is not about that great game (that could easily be ported to any other platform, please!). This is about Freaking Inkies. Take the charm of Plants vs. Zombies, add a little bit of de Blob, and some precise tilt controls and you get this new game.

I love this stuff.

This Game You Should Play: Beat Hazard

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Seizure inducing for the win

Pictures do not do this game justice. Beat Hazard by Cold Beam Games is a new entry in the music as game genre. You essentially fly a ship that shoots down anything that moves a la Geometry Wars. The catch? It’s all created by your music.

The Audiosurf of 2010

How does it work? Each song is a game. The game reads certain characteristics of your own music and then relays that as enemies on screen, their frequency, and the rate or power of your ship’s own guns. What this does is makes each song unique but each song plays exactly the same. Usually upbeat tempo (think trance) songs work best because there’s a lot of action. Sometimes it’s too much–it’s a blast. Have a song that crescendos? So does the action on screen. Is there a quiet pause after that crescendo? Uh, oh. A lot of enemies and no force behind your pea-shooter of a weapon. However, all is not lost.

Added brilliance

Instead of being a typical shooter there are a couple of neat innovations:

  • Shooting some enemies nets a POW reward. This in turn powers up your ship’s weapon.
  • Some enemies release VOL. This increases your songs volume and also draws more enemies to the screen thereby increasing your chance for failure and glory.
  • Little +1 symbols net you a score multiplier. (Oh, this game is all about points and rank.)
  • You can also protect yourself during the quiet lulls of the song by using bombs. They are a mechanic that is in every shooter: everything on screen is destroyed.
  • Your music generates bosses. Have fun with multiple bosses.
  • Of course, there are leaderboards. Always a win. Ranks too. Cumulative ranks. The higher you are the more perks you have at the beginning of each song.
  • Achievements.

Blue Light Special

So, where do we get it? It’s on Steam for $10 and can be had on XBLA indie for 400 MS points. The XBLA version is cheaper but there are a few more features (nothing major) with the PC version. The Steam version can be played with a mouse/keyboard combo or an 360 controller (only–but there are some simple workarounds for this).

Honestly, there are some songs that cause so much chaos on screen you have no idea what’s going on, but you do know what to do. It’s the best feeling to have your ship survive a huge onslaught of enemies, pulsing lasers, and seizure-inducing light effects.

How to avoid the next game industry crash

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Bill Harris thinks the videogame industry is heading for a crash. I’m not sure if I like Bill, but I do respect him. His general antisocial ways probably appeal to my misanthropic nature and so I try not to have too much positive personal bias, but I can rarely argue with his analysis. He makes some good points about a potential looming crash, though I don’t think he goes far enough.

I don’t like to rehash other people’s blog posts, so I don’t want to talk about why we’re heading for a crash, just that I do think we’re heading for one. Right now the four big players are playing a four-way game of chicken except the only way to win is to not veer off course, crash into your opponents as hard as you can, and hope you’re the one who can still walk away. While there is the possibility that one or more participants could survive such a contest, a far more likely scenario is that all four wind up on life support.

Then it occurred to me this week that while the crash is almost certainly inevitable, there is a way for at least one company to win.

Instead of playing this four way game of chicken, one company needs to reverse course and completely change their whole approach. Almost every strategy being proposed by EA, Activision, Ubisoft, and Take Two focuses on nickel and diming consumers if not outright treating them like garbage. If one company starts to focus on making consumers happy, they win. That’s not a minor proposition though because it flies in the face of everything the movers and shakers in the market are working in.

Quit spending money on day one DLC. Either it’s in the game or not. Drop your prices for 360 and PS3 games to $50. Stop development on every game we all know is not going to sell. Do we really need a Kane and Lynch 2? Quit worrying about the secondary market. I’m not saying embrace it, just quit drawing attention to it and quit making it look like your trying to screw consumers. In general, start looking at ways to make gamers feel good about spending money on your products. Also, let’s face it, the current release model is unsustainable and the current economy will only make it worse. I don’t have the answer to how, but these companies are supposed to be full of smart people. Figure out how to make the “long tail” work for you and quit this ridiculous death march of trying to sell a million copies in the first two weeks of release just to break even.

Also, I know I didn’t spend much time on the above points but I’m sure the price point thing is going to stick with some people. Look, $30, $50, or $60, the actual price doesn’t matter so long as a game recoups it’s development costs. Once a game gets past the cost of development it is essentially printing money. Valve has proved time and again that lowering the price of games increases sales exponentially. $60 is an off-putting price. There are many more games I’d be willing to buy on day one for $50 instead of $60. There are many games I do buy when they hit $10 off. The difference to consumers between $40 to $50 is not the same as $50 to $60. It is not “just $10 more” in the minds of consumers. I’ve worked in software development for over a decade now and I promise you that a piece of software is only worth as much as someone will pay for it. Trying to sell $20 games for $60 is part of the reason the videogame industry is struggling so much in today’s economy. Trying to market $20 games as though they are worth $60 is just throwing money down the toilet.

The overall strategy needs to be a shift towards doing something good for the consumer.

In My Hands

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I have mixed feelings about starting this game tonight. I had really hoped to have Mass Effect 2 finished before this disc showed up, but I didn’t quite meet that goal. I also feel like I’m neglecting things around these parts as my blogging has dwindled recently. Hopefully this will spark the writing bug after some good sneaking around tonight.

First impressions to follow…