Black Friday

Do you get up early the day after Thanksgiving, brush away the food crumbs, and join the moms at the malls? I have in the past: "its 9AM and my shopping is done!" But lately the deals have not been there and its become too popular. But the bloggers at PS3FanBoy have given me a reason to set my alarm: Get ready for Black Friday deals.

I'm planning a visit to target to get COD:WaW ($49) and Dead Space ($30). Notice these two gifts are for ME? Strange how things have changed.

Then I'll run home and PLAY!

First/Third Person Shooters - the long version

As of today, Call of Duty 4 is the standard by which all on-line multiplayer shooters are compared – it is the GOLD standard. I am at level 1 again: I just entered my second prestige mode. Each game is unique and the play is fast. After a few rounds you develop rivalries with players – and sometimes you make friends: ACE, Fey, FuriousOwl, PowerfulNinja, Skaterguy, SpiderPiggy, VarHug, BevHills (not actual PSN names, but close). I’ve had this game since I owned my PS3 – and I still play it ~6 hours a week. I got a beta key for Resistance 2 from the wonderful people at PlayStation Underground. My impressions of the beta (played 4 times, 2 hours each) are ‘ho-hum.’ It’s good – hey, it’s Insomniac, but it doesn’t have the fun and excitement as COD4. It feels just like the RFoM multiplayer. 60 players at once is awesome! How do they do that without lag? And getting your name in the top 10 is a rush (6th was my best). But the experience feels flat. The colors are brighter than RFoM – more like Ratchet and Clank – I think I like the old depressing colors that go better with a 1950’s setting about the ‘Fall of Man.’ (Am I being too picky?) The new weapons are nice; I started to favor the Marksman; the buzz-saw is fun. I don’t understand the berserker business – but I’m sure I will learn. The cooperative mode was different – but with a short one level beta, it is too soon to judge the ‘fun’ level. I think Insomniac made the Chimera too strong; it takes many, many hits from multiple players to take done one baddie. And only one person gets the ‘kill:’ the last shot. I know they made it this way so a large team (8) simply doesn’t run through the level, but it feels awkward. My advice: find a medic and stick by him (or her). San Francisco was the best map (10 players max); Orick was a forest scene that allowed games up to 60 players. I am hopeful that this impression will change. I played the COD4 single player game all the way through before going on-line. If I play R2 through – learn the weapons and the controls – maybe then I will ‘get it.’ I did buy R2 last week - it's still in the shrink wrap on the shelf: too much to play. Now let’s talk SOCOM: Confrontation. Oh, it has such potential! This very beautiful game with large maps initially gives you a feeling of awe. But the game-play is very slow. It takes time to find your enemy; it takes time to switch weapons; it takes a long time for the game to load. I know it is a tactical shooter, but remember, I am comparing it to COD4. I have hope that they will patch the server software and make some things faster. I play this game in the mornings because the servers are less full. I have tried to hook up with friends: it’s difficult in-game. Best to plan out which server and create a game. I am waiting for 1.30 patch to dig deeper into game. I received yet another beta key for KillZone 2. I've actually played this a lot; helping the guys at Guerrila Games out. This is a great shooter - it feels real (expect for the pain of death). The beta is only for the on-line multi-player portion, like R2. Nice boards - I like how dark they are, yet I see everything. The level-up system is great - I even lost 3 points after a poor performance. But here is the bad news for publisher: I'm saturated. This game is not on my wishlist because I am full of shooters. I have no history with KillZone like I have with Resistance and Call of Duty. So, unless the campaign gets awesome reviews, once the beta is over, KZ2 will not be on my PS3. The son-of-COD4 was released Tuesday: Call of Duty: World at War. I'm not ready for it! I've heard good things and seen some levels on YouTube. I'll buy this at Target the on Black Friday; then it will sit in the shrink wrap until the two weeks around Christmas. So many people to shoot - by so little time.

Firmware Updates

I am really happy with Sony for the firmware updates they release. My PS3 and PSP are up-to-date and I feel like I own the latest-and-greatest product. I read on the PlayStatation LifeStyle Blog and article about other needed features in the PS3 OS. I thought about it and here is my list:

• Expanded PSN profile – Similar to Facebook. Pictures, Blog (like this one), Game comments, Torphies, and also a calendar. Hook all these it into HOME.
• Intergame Chat - Works the same way text messaging works, but with voice chat
• Download/Install/Shut-off - this may be done in 2.5, but maybe only Download. I'll let you know in Comments when I've done it Or, simply BEEP when done (I turn of my TV).
• Password on PS3 accounts - On my machine we have multiple users. I would like to partition music, pictures, and even games. I could lock the 10 year old out of M games.
• Organize Music by "Artist > Album," not just Album. And I would like the album art on the folder.
• PSN Music channel - This would be really convenient for my PSP!
• Internet Radio on the PS3 - just like on PSP.
• PS Life needs improvements. I would like to pick my cities. And I want better weather – a simple three day forecast on the screen.
• Email from PC to PSN account (and vice versa) - while at work I can set up clan matches for the evening.

I'm happy with what I got, but I am always wanting more!

LittleBETAPlanet

I was not going to do the LBP beta – I’ve had enough ‘fun’ with the SOCOM beta and I have two other games I need to finish. But my good friends at PlayStation Underground sent me a promotion code – unsolicited – and I thought I would give it a try. In my household is a cute little girl of 10 years old. She watched as I played the first two story levels. LBP is a great game and is a lot of fun, but let me tell you: it’s a lot more enjoyable with a giggly little girl next to you. She loved Sackgirl (of course we made it a girl) and all her expressions – and the concept of ‘stickers’ is always exciting to a 4th grader. And jumping around a cartoon garden is so much ‘safer’ then the Shooters I normally play. I have no idea how Big the LittlePlanet is: creating levels, sharing games, and on-line collaborations – but I am looking forward to simply going through Story Mode with the help of bright eyed, carefree princess. Side note: I have pre-ordered LBP from Best Buy and I will pick it up the day it arrives (but not at Midnight - I think). I will download the Nariko outfit soon after. Oh, one more thing: I have an extra Beta Code from the good people at USA today. If you would like it, leave your request in the comment section.

Getting Beta and Beta Every Time

I went to my local GameStop and pre-ordered the SOCOM Confrontation with the BlueTooth headset on the day the Beta went public. I got home, entered my information, and got the download codes in 10 minutes. I saw on-line that many people had not received their codes yet – providence was on my side.

The first release was not playable. The connection times were greater than 20 minutes! And once I got in, I was only able to be in spectator mode and follow along other players. But things continued to improve with each release. During my second attempt, I was asked to leave the server because I joined-in with a clan. I even got some votes to kick me off! I must have acted like a real noob: I moved and reacted so slow still trying to find the right buttons. (I still think switching weapons is too complicated and slow.)

This last release (1.50) fixed many things, but introduced another bug which renders the game unplayable again. Every few minutes, a dialog box pops-up informing me of server issues. Once, I ran down some stairs just as an enemy player turns the corner. We both aim and … ‘Pop-up!’ We both stare at each other – no motion - he must have gotten it too. I finally let go of every other button, press X, the box disappears, and I go to guns. We both fire at the same time – double kill. That was annoying and fun at the same time. My best round so far is 9 Kills, 2 Assists, and 7 Deaths – but mostly I am 3-0-7.

I have a list of improvements, but I will keep them to myself. Most have already been discussed on the message boards.

But I’ll say this: if it wasn’t for the headset bundle, I would not be buying this next week. SOCOM Confrontation will be a beautiful game – I even would suggest to Slant 6 to delay the launch. I would rather have the final game on a disk, rather than taking up space on the Hard Drive with the latest patch.

Version 1.60 is due out tomorrow; with each new release, they make it better and better.

Upgrade you HDD NOW!

Amazon is having a sale on the Western Digital 320 GB HDD. The same one I installed in my PS3 last week! $80 is an amazing price. If you have not upgraded yet, go there now! It qualifies for free shipping! While you wait for it to arrive, you can prepare for the upgrade process.

Hard Drive Upgrade

Do you own a PS3? I expect that someday soon, you will need to upgrade your hard drive (HDD). My PS3 was born with a 40GB drive - it was full in 3 months. (Assassin's Creed would not install; when I restarted my PS3, a warning appeared saying I had less than 500 MB left.) Yes, I play a lot of different games and download demos, but I did not have any full length movies or music files. My new drive from Western Digital is 320 GB. That should hold me for about 2 years. The process of upgrading is not difficult. Read the Sony manuals first then search the web for help. I found this site useful: DoomSpace. My hints:

• Have the right screwdriver (small Philips)
• Have a USB Thumb drive ready with the boot firmware.
• You will need around 32 MB on another drive to back up your existing data. I used an external hard drive with a 32MB partition. My backup file was 28 MB - it saved everything: demos, game data, saved data, trailers... If you delete what you don't mind downloading again, you backup file will be smaller.
• Be encouraged - I did it myself with no problems in one evening.

I lost one day of gaming to upgrading my PS3. But I will reap the benefits of no storage worries for years.

"I have your barrel."

One of the purposes of this blog is to remember some of my great gaming moments. One happened this past weekend playing Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots with ElMico. On Saturday, we sat through hours of cut scenes and finished Act 1. Kojima is known for his crude, childish humor. When we first see Akiba, he is 'busy' hiding in a barrel. Later in the game, when Meryl Silverburgh introduces us to Akiba, ElMico says (using Snake's cigarette voice), "I have your barrel." I was laughing - almost crying. In the midst of a game with its serious themes of war, death, and bad relationships there is this comic relief - most of the time it is distracting - I don't like it. It brings me back to reality when I'd rather stay immersed. But accolades to ElMico for bringing it to a zenith and reminding me that I play games for fun. We continue to have fun with the barrel: running people over and vomiting our breakfast.

PS3 games for FREE?

I go to the library every Saturday. I sometimes get books (I prefer to buy and save every book I read), but mostly music CDs (Yes, I rip them - If I like them, I buy them later) and DVDs (including BlueRay). As I was walking to the check-out, I saw The Orange Box. I thought, "Wow, they have tOB for PC - I'd like to try Garry's Mod." I've enjoyed Orange Box on PS3 (except for slow load times), but I feel I am missing something not owning it on the PC. Portal is great!

But, to my surprise, it is for the PS3!

What? It's true: my library's have PS3 games for loan.

There are specific rules:

• You can't reserve or hold PS3 games
• You can only keep them for 1 week
• You cannot renew them
• You cannot request a transfer from another county library

So I borrowed Prince Caspian, Sega Tennis, and Warhawk.

tCoN:PC felt like The Lord of the Rings games for PS2. A few good puzzles, but it more felt like work than playtime. The movie cuts-scenes were interesting - it made me want to watch the movie again.

SST was a tennis game, as you would expect. I was hoping the SixAxis would be used to make it like the Wii, but No.

Warhawk - now I know what all the buzz is about. I earned a few trophies and I think I will need to borrow this again when I have more time or maybe even buy it.

This Saturday I am going to try and pick-up Assassin's Creed , I've been desirous to try that RPG out.

The purpose of writing: Check out your local library - you may find some PS3 gold.

MGS4 - Just Started

I borrowed a copy of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots from "JR." I've only 'experienced' it for 2 hours, but let me give you my initial impressions.

There is an 8 minute load to the HDD - not a problem - anything that will make load times faster. But here is what is funny: While the game is installing, we get to watch Snake smoke a cigarette. The funny part is Konami decided to display all the legal warnings for us to read while we wait. I read "Take a break for 15 minutes for every hour of gameplay," "Play in a well lit room," and (are you ready?) "Dispose of cigarette butts in an ashtray." All these health warnings, while a guy is harming his lungs. I don't mind it - I don't smoke and everyone has a right to smoke - I just thought it was funny. Maybe it was supposed to be just that.

I started playing with fellow gamer ElMico. After about 2 hours, we estimated we played about 1/2 an hour. There were a lot of cut screens and movies.

We laughed the most after we got the box. It is so funny just to watch the box bounce along the ground with Snake inside. "Hey, how did this box get here?" I was crying.

It looks like I will need to buy this game.

COD4 Double Points Weekend

As many of you know, I enjoy COD4. After I finished the game, I moved to the on-line multiplayer experience -- and I never looked back. I've lost a lot of sleep since then.

This weekend, 19-21 September 2008, Infinity Ward is offering double expericene points in the game. Also, in the PSN store, the Variety Map Pack will be half-price!

I got my information from a IW developer here:

http://www.fourzerotwo.com/2008/09/16/call-of-duty-4-week-on-psn-starting-thurs-18th/

I'll be on-line as much as I can! If you see me - Invite me into your game. PSN ID: Anguissette