Dead Island Game Trailer

The Husband suggested I check out the new Dead Island video game trailer, posted all around the inner-tubes yesterday (for me, discovered via friend Winda Benedetti at MSNBC). And the inner-tubes don't lie, people. This is one helluva trailer. Check it out, then let's discuss...

Not only is the animation breathtaking (wow, is it), but there is a story in this 3-minute clip that is dramatic and heart wrenching. I'm no film student, but I really liked the device used of moving time both forward and backward. The music is sedate and melancholy (I didn't even notice it the first time through), in sharp contrast to the gruesomeness of the visuals. And while I didn't cry, the last 15 seconds -- a flashback to happier times -- gave me the chills.

I'm sure like many others today, I can't wait to see the game itself.

This also reminds me to always be prepared for that zombie uprising. **Shudder**

Retro Gaming Expo

Portland has some really cool events for such a small city. This weekend, for example, is the Retro Gaming Expo at the Crowne Plaza. As they describe:

The Portland Retro Gaming Expo is an annual exhibition of classic video games and systems in Portland, Oregon. We aim to recognize the history of video game systems and their authors, manufacturers and players.

I know Atari changed my life as a kid; I bet those consoles changed yours too! I'm still counting on getting a tabletop Ms. Pacman for our basement suite one day. And it will rock!

More Retro-Inspired Posters

It must be a theme this year, as another set of retro-inspired posters are available, this time on ThinkGeek.com (via @wilw). This time, the subject is classic video games. Awesome.

Here's my favorite:



I really am going to need more/bigger walls!

Microsoft Makes a Budget Game for the White House?

Not sure why, but this post about the Obama administration asking for Microsoft to help them develop a computer game about managing the United States federal budget and deficit via Mashable struck me as weird:

Each player will be tasked with balancing the federal budget. The game obviously won’t be a completely realistic simulation of that task — if it was, no one would want to play — but it might give some citizens a sense of how difficult the task is.

The commission likely hopes that players will become more sympathetic to the difficult and controversial decisions it will have to make after the game demonstrates that there are no ideal options. Those decisions could include higher taxes and cuts to medicare, social security and other programs.

Questions: Would anyone actually want to play this game? What is the reward or the "pay-off" if you balance the budget? What would a player consider to be fun about such a game? Also, why is Microsoft the one being asked to make this game? (All I can imagine is a giant Excel file with simulation formulas that would make my eyes bleed.) There are lots of other game makers out there and I would guess they are cheaper/faster. Finally, who is this being "sold" to? A particular market segment, such as graduate school econ students?

Am I missing something?

For My New House...

This might need to be an ongoing series... Let's see what else I can find for my new place!

Submission #1: Spice Invaders salt and pepper shakers! (via Laughing Squid)



Love. Want.

There is also a STNG "Earl Grey Tea. Hot." coffee mug that I really want, but now can't find. Will post when I re-locate the image.

Update: Thank Interwebs! Found it on Wil Wheaton's Cafe Press site:

Star Trek Online Game - Should I Engage?

In case there was any doubt, let me say now that I love Star Trek. I'm biased to Next Gen (Picard!), but I like Original too (Spock!). I even enjoyed a good percentage of Deep Space 9 and Voyager (though I actively avoided Enterprise. Couldn't even buy into that one). I'm such a fan girl that I've read quite a few of the books that are supposed to take place in the Star Trek universe.

Oh, and I may have attended a convention. Or two.

And met some cast members.

And have an autographed photo of John de Lancie (Q).

And named a pet after a character (also Q).

Wow, when you commit that all to fake paper, it's something, isn't it? Don't judge me too harshly.

Given this love, I was pretty excited to hear about the new MMORPG Star Trek game coming out from Cryptic Studios. It's only been available for beta testing until now. There's been household discussion about taking on a new geek endeavor (for me) and branching out into the world of MMO gaming, so this release is well timed.

However, several reviews seem to indicate mixed reviews. On the one hand, character development appears to be very promising (via Mike Smith at Yahoo Video games):

There's near-universal agreement on at least one point: the game's character generation is awesome. That'll be no big surprise to anyone who's followed its developer, Cryptic Studios, for any length of time: flexible, fascinating character design is practically their signature move. If you sit down with the game, expect to spend some considerable time poring over its options.

On the other hand, the game is set 30 years after Nemesis, with the Federation engulfed in war. So the focus of the game is on combat, rather than exploration or diplomacy. Some reviews note that dedicated Trek fans may be disappointed with this deviation from show canon, though apparently this may also be dependent on what kind of Trek fan you are.

Another issue that's come up in a few reviews is that of the combat play itself (via io9):

Less cool is the clunky ground combat on away missions, which all seem to devolve into a basic shoot-em-up that feels very un-Trekky. The lack of full three-dimensional space combat is also a drag. Starships maneuver like underpowered airplanes, unable to loop, roll or deviate from the arbitrary flat "plane" of space by more than 45 degrees.

I guess these reviews leave me undecided on whether or not to try the game. As a newbie to online gaming in the first place, I wonder if it is safer to try a more established, well-loved game.

The cost appears to be in line with similar games ($14.99 monthly fee, with $50 initial purchase price). Given my cautious nature and upcoming tax bill, maybe I'll wait until user reviews are in and see where it lands.

There's always World of Warcraft and Everquest, right?