Smalltalk with James Robertson

It actually works, after applying the patch noted here - I took the screenshot below:

You might wonder why I'm doing this - after all, I have the game on my XBox. Well, I'll be traveling soon, and won't have access to my XBox - and it looks like using the latest Parallels, I can get access to the games I like on Windows without a full on Windows machine :)

Technorati Tags: fallout, parallels

I just finished "The Writer" - the second (and apparently final) DLC for Alan Wake. It wasn't bad - like "The Signal", it uses the floating words in the air thing to activate stuff - and boy, doing that is the only way to survive a bunch of the encounters, because you'll get overwhelmed fast otherwise.

I liked the game, but I think Remedy didn't carry the episodic nature of the game far enough. They released the initial game on disc with 6 episodes, then came out with two DLC episodes. Here's what they should have done: released one episode, with the rest coming out as DLC. They could have sold the initial episode for the regular price, with the purchase getting you access to the other episodes as they came out. Had they planned that, they could have rolled an episode out every 2 weeks or so, and treated the entire thing like a serial. IMHO, that would have peaked interest a lot more.

Technorati Tags: serial, alan wake

The console business is one where you need very deep pockets:

Sony's gaming business is moving towards profitability this year -- something that's eluded the company each year since the PlayStation 3 was launched in 2006.

Just think about that - four years of pretty harsh losses before things turn around - and then the console maker has to deal with two realities:

• The need to milk profits out of the now (no longer bleeding) system
• Getting ready to launch a next generation system

That sure explains why the improvements to the PS3, XBox, and Wii have all been incremental. Even though Nintendo was profitable out of the gate, they now have Apple on their turf, cutting into what they probably thought of as milk money (the entire DS line).

Technorati Tags: console, xbox, ps3, wii

March 8th is just way, way too far away....

Technorati Tags: dao2

And there was much rejoicing:

Aspyr Media plans to bring the popular strategy game Sid Meier's Civilization V to the Mac in time for the holidays.

Technorati Tags: civ, civ V

I'll be receiving the game later today, and since I'll probably be cloning Macs, I'll have a chance to play it. I'm a bit worried about the early reviews....

Technorati Tags: fnv, fallout, xbox

The list of perks for Fallout: New Vegas is out. Looks cool! This game looks like it will be a whole lot of fun.

Technorati Tags: fnv, fallout

Michael and I play many of the same video games, and we have spent a fair amount of time talking about them - so what the heck, we figured we'd take our bull sessions and make them into a podcast. Later this evening I'll be releasing episode 1 of "James and Michael on Games" - it'll be a periodic podcast, audio-only. I'll have details about the home page for the archives after I get the first episode posted :)

Now this takes me back:

Enterprising gamers are formatting vintage text-based adventure games such as Zork I, II and III for the Kindle and other dedicated e-readers.

I remember spending many happy hours with Zork....

Technorati Tags: kindle

I've enjoyed Alan Wake, so I'm looking forward to the October 12th release of the next DLC - sadly, it'll also be the last DLC for the game: 'The Writer' will be the second and last downloadable episode for Alan Wake, following on from the well-received 'The Signal', and Remedy has already been vocal in saying it'd like to return for a sequel to the game.

I'd be happy to see a sequel, or another game in the same genre. It's a nice change from most of the other games I've played.

Technorati Tags: xbox