excaliburps

Just a heads-up, a writer friend of mine has an interview with a development team who doesn't think of Kotaku much to put it kindly...and they've gone on record to say something about it! Will post the link here when it's published later. I read some of it and quite understood why they were pissed.

Yeah, I'll probably include Counter-Strike but most probably in the multiplayer aspect of the discussion. I was in the way of thinking that the Modern setting exploded when MW1 came to the scene. The popularity it garnered seemed to push that game out in front of people's minds. While it might not be the first, people assume it is because it's the most popular one. But this same argument could be used for different things as well. I mean for PC, one could argue it was CS or BF2 that started the Modern MP FPS. So in effect, it does look like the consoles are late to the party with BF2:MC which got released on 2005 for the PS2. I'm counting this one because it has both a Modern setting for the SP and MP. Again, does anyone care to refute this? So far for the bare-bones discussion it looks like this. PC: MP started with CS, BF2. Stat progression started with BF2. Single-player-Delta Force? Solider of Fortune? (Very much want a clarification on this from the PC crowd here). Consoles- MP and SP BF2:MC 2005. MW1 is considered by most people on both platforms to have started the Modern setting. Mostly due to popularity and it penetrating the gaming/casual mindset. Again, that's a very bare-bones discussion but it's a start which I need to build an article on. Thoughts? I'm not sure if I can thank everyone individually in the article, but I will ask the higher-ups if I can include a link to TAY for the help at least. You guys ok with that or do I need to give you separate foot massages? Haha!

Whoa! Didn't expect people to reply this soon and from the looks of it, I have my work cut out for me. Should I count Counter-Strike? It's a mod. I think BF2:MC was the first Modern setting FPS for consoles, correct? Anyone who would want to refute this? PC is very, very tricky. Delta Force? Soldier of Fortune? Argh! For stat-progression, I think BF2 really did start it all. Wiki, while sometimes inaccurate, seems to think the same way. Although the effect Modern Warfare 1 had and how it counts because it's the most popular should also be discussed. Does Halo count or does it count for Future Warfare? Long story short, keep the conversation going. I think I'll use some of the sentiments here...I also hope I don't get flayed to death when I write that article up as it will clearly be a controversial discussion. Here and in other forums where I've discussed it.

Hey, Earlier in the day, I had a quick chat with Patrick Liu (DICE Producer) who remarked that Modern Warfare is getting most, if not all the credit for the big transition from WWII FPS' to the modern era. He was not dissing the game by any means, but rightfully acknowledge that BF2 did it first. I told him MW might have been the first to use the modern setting in its SP, which he pointed out that BF2:MC for the PS2 did it way back in 2005. Then, someone chimed in Delta Force. Which was an old PC game. Anyhoo, long story short, I told Liu that this makes for an interesting topic and that I'll write up something about it. Anyone here who knows a couple of things about it and wants to help out? I'll most probably tackle both SP and MP going the modern route. Oh, and I'll also include the fact that BF2 was the first game to introduce stat-progression unlocks in a MP game if I'm not mistaken. Any help would be appreciated. If you can help, hope there's a source material that I can work with as well for authentication. Not doubting any of you but having sources in black and white would help a lot. One last thing, this won't appear on gamrFeed but on a new site which I got hired for. Cheers!

Nonetheless, thanks!

I just wrote a feature about piracy where I'm from. Let me know what you think. http://bit.ly/hTCX90 Hope it makes a lick of sense somewhat to you guys.

Yeah, I might ask something to that effect but a little less hostile of course. Oh, and the interview won't be on gamrFeed. I'll make another thread for it, but it will be on a new site that I'll also be a part of. It's going to be something good, especially for shooter/FPS fans. Can't divulge any details for now but I will be working for sites other than 'Feed. If you have anymore questions throw them my way. I've compiled a few but I can always use more.

Hey I'll be interviewing someone at DICE next week. Matros, the Community Manager. Anyone here with good questions you want to throw my way? Nothing too specific about BF3 as he's not allowed to answer most of the things we really want to know.

Oh, just wanted to say that I got another writing job! It's for a fairly known network that focuses on FPS, shooter games. I might even try reviewing or previewing a few games if the review copies come in. Not naming it yet as I'm not sure I'm allowed to. Still semi-official as we haven't disclosed some of the finer details, but if it goes through; I'll be writing full-time! Anyhoo, also wanted to talk about "games journalism" a term I kinda loathe. I do get that feeling of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. It does happen sometimes. I mean there are a couple of off-screen things happening that sometimes people are not privy to that angers some people, but not our intent. I'm saying this without actually sayingstuff which makes it doubly hard. I mean that sometimes writing for games isn't all that. A couple of things behind the scenes complicate things and it's shit. Yep as some people here know by now, I'm very opinionated in my posts. Whether it's right or wrong is a different topic altogether. I mean, not making excuses for some of Kotaku's fuck-ups but I do see where some of 'em came from. Now? I get the usual hate posts but I do get the "you're doing good" comments as well. Thing is, most readers say one thing and the other depending on the subject you posted on and what your opinion on it was. Same reason why other writers tell me it's sometimes best to let the commenters spew hate and whatnot and just not reply. I do reply to some but to those who ask intelligent questions or point out errors. But hate? Nah... Anyway, sorry if this sounded boring or too mellow. Just wanted to share and vent at the same time. Hard to do that when you can't actually say out loud what it is you really want to say.

Yep. When I asked our EIC the day before the embargo how Homefront was, all he said was "Ugh" or something to that effect.He was reviewing it you see. Made me cringe a bit to be honest. I mean Danny Bilson's a nice guy. Kinda want to interview him down the road, but I don't think I can mention Homefront without being snarky just a bit. I think I'm good with Crysis 2 and getting Socom next month. Yeah. Then Brink.

The guy who got banned emailed me and told me what he experienced. Update is on the page itself. http://gamrfeed.vgchartz.com/story.php?story=84936 I asked him what specific incident he did that got him banned. He said he doesn't know aside from what he told me. Could he be lying? Yep. Any way of knowing for sure? A bit unlikely as the thread he started has been taken down and EA has not been replying. Kinda odd if he does get a permanent ban and all he did was this. Not saying it's right. But just that something doesn't smell right.

The game has been getting some solid reviews in! Actually, I have yet to see a negative one. Our review gave it a 9.4! Ok, call me a sheep but this might have tipped me over the edge in getting this over Homefront. My reasoning? Higher scores, most probably more players will buy it. Which also means that more people will play online. Yeah...Kinda far-out, no? The graphics I've seen so far are truly amazing. I mean having the SP clock in at 12-15 hours isn't shabby either.

I'm actually thinking of getting HF used. Only thing stopping me is the code thing you have to buy if you want to get past level 5. I mean, it's either this, Crysis 2, or Socom. I'll most probably be getting Socom 4. Bur I can't get Crysis 2 and Homefront and get Socom 4 and Brink. I barely have time to play as it is. Let alone and get all four. I know if I do, I won't get my money's worth. Irony, writing for games has robbed me of my time playing them. Fucking insane. From what I've seen of the MP, it looks decent enough. It has that CoD vibe going for it but it looks a tad more balanced than CoD. Crysis 2 feels like MW2 but the Nanosuit feels kind of fresh somewhat. Argh! I have to make a choice and I don't know how! I'll be getting Brink 100 percent. Same with Battlefield 3. But for these two? I'm still at crossroads.Help!

lrn2Kotaku... Oh... I see you already did. Eh? You mean learn from Kotaku? Saddest thing about being a "games writer?" having to do these fluff pieces (well, not this one) just for revenue. Original content gets no love, meaning, no money...Sad but true. I mean: I am disappointed that someone who (I assume as you are here) became disenfranchised with Kotaku's constant inflammatory stories with misleading headlines and a penchant for selective fact picking would apparently follow a similar path. I was using Kotaku as a verb to mean: Inflammatory, Hit Count Whoring or Generally shoddy reporting. You've got to pay the bills, I get that, I just don't like this kind of reporting. Yes, the PS3 demo was broken, but as many have pointed out, so were both the Xbox demos and the PC one. As such singling out the PS3 version for an "Uh oh inferior version" story is either lazy or dishonest. People I've talked to said the Xbox demo wasn't as borked as the PS3 one. I got to play maybe around 3-5 games. I waited more than 20 minutes sometimes to get into a match. Some people here will also say that the Xbox demo is as borked. I am talking about my experience. The Xbox and PC getting two demos/beta is a fact. I was actually going to put in my impression of it, doubt the editor would let me as that would mean less than a news piece more of an opinion one. I never said the Xbox/PC version were better. The PS3 only getting 3 days for the demo is fact. The other versions getting two demos are also fact. Do I want to bitch about it? Hell yes. Concerns for servers being fixed in a week? Hell yes. Cannot say the Xbox version was borked as well or saying it's an absolute truth. The reason why I "singled out" the PS3 version is because that's the platform I was reporting on.

lrn2Kotaku... Oh... I see you already did. Eh? You mean learn from Kotaku? Saddest thing about being a "games writer?" having to do these fluff pieces (well, not this one) just for revenue. Original content gets no love, meaning, no money...Sad but true.

Anyone heard of anymore people being banned from accessing DLC or whatnot? I did a write up of something over the weekend. http://gamrfeed.vgchartz.com/story/84936/ea-terminates-another-dragon-age-ii-player-account/ Guy in question already said something, but I have to verify it first before updating the story. No word from EA yet either. If you know something similar, hit me up!

I honestly don't go to Kotaku much these, but that was LOL worthy. Haha! @Dean: Haha! More revenue,no? Heard the eds there are getting serious coin. No wonder Luke does what he does.

I don't think the 360 one started off any better. I've not tried either though. And I'd only do a write-up if I were 100% sure the problems were on their end. I can say with confidence (and you can go back n read this thread) that as someone who's played the PC MP demo, the 360 MP demo and the singleplayer PC demo Crytek were nice enough to release, that yeah the MP demo's were pretty fucked for the other two. 360 version runs like shit in both lag (though that got better) and native frame rate (that might get better in final release). And the PC version had a ton of issues with the server browser making it nigh impossible to join a decent match. (yeah this bit is more directed as excaliburps) Have not tried the other demos. Sucks to hear it's about the same as the crappy PS3 version. I'm going to wait it out and see if it they resolved this upon release first before taking the plunge. @Hot Heart: Haha! People always get riled up by those...I have no idea how. It is good for revenue though.

MP is actually not bad. I've only gotten to play a few rounds but it's like MW2 but a bit more balanced. The suits add a whole element of strategy unto themselves. Good idea by Crytek with the dog tag system for the Killstreak Rewards. You can't snipe and expect to dominate everybody here. This or Homefront...Hmmm.

I don't think the 360 one started off any better. I've not tried either though. And I'd only do a write-up if I were 100% sure the problems were on their end. Too late! I already did! http://gamrfeed.vgchartz.com/story/84875/crysis-2-mp-demo-for-ps3-ending-soon-amidst-issues/

Apparently, the demo is ending "soon" because Crytek wants to have everything ready for release. That does not bode well. I mean I tried playing the demo last night. After more than 20 minutes attempting to get into a game, I gave up. Can they fix this in a week? So, Xbox and PC get two MP demos and the PS3 gets one but it's borked. I think I should do a write up about that...

I;m actually interested in this game just for the MP. From most of the reviews I've read, the SP i average while the MP is actually good. The MP is pulling the overall score up. Anyone here who've played a few rounds care to share? Oh, and I did a couple of posts about the game. The game has been very busy in the media, but not really in a good way. Price drop and Pachter's reaction: http://bit.ly/hiQFLX Sales in first day: http://bit.ly/fmtADq To THQ calling it the "biggest title in the industry" http://bit.ly/hlUiCu Yep and I think there's even more! I don't think this is the media blitz THQ was hoping the game would get, no?

I think it has more to do with some of our readers. Sad but true. Other editors told me that's how it works sometimes. Fluff pieces get more hits and original content is fallen on deaf ears. Thanks for reading it! Part 2 is here: http://gamrfeed.vgchartz.com/story/84753/exclusive-interview-with-off-duty-gamers-part-two/ I had to cut a lot of stuff out to make it reader friendly.

Maybe it's just the way that certain bloggers have reported their comments, but people from DICE are starting to sound a bit arrogant and rude. It's not really Treyarch's decision to keep milking the same technology and catering to a more "Hollywood" single player experience. These are budgetary and marketing decisions handed down to them. When Josh Olin says, "we can update it to do those things.” I think it would be better for Daniel Matros to simply suggest: "So the next Call of Duty will have destructible environments, realistic physics and dynamic effects?" Yes, what Olin said is total bullshit, but the man also just complimented your technology. How about a little grace and politeness among developers? Instead they're just inflaming this cock contest between two games that imo have very little in common and cater to very different audiences. I think it's probably how the interviews were worded most probably. I actually had DICE GM Karl-Magnus take a look at that link and asked him if he'd care to comment. His response? "No " Regarding Matros, he's generally a very passive guy. He certainly doesn't want to hear how BF will kick CoD's ass, etc. I mean he was plugging Homefront before it got released to be honest. One thing weird is he's following Robert Bowling and NOT Olin. Maybe some bad blood between them? He normally doesn't talk trash as well.

I hate it that it happens often. I mean not just on the site I work on, but other sites as well. Sad but people would rather see another console argument than see original content. It's like most people are averse to reading an article longer than two paragraphs. I'm serious. It's like every article on most sites are trying their best to be a big headline and a few quotes and that's it. That John Carmack thing, I didn't title it that way. My editor did. Although my title was in the same line of thinking. Unfortunately, but fortunate for me, yes. It did get a lot of hits. I mean it's certainly adding to the fanboy console argument fire, but at the same time, We do need those things.I mean hits of course. I need these kinds of stories to help me earn money while I write something insightful that will only get 1,000 or less views. Sucks that it works that way.