Hot Heart

The Beatles > The Rolling Stones

This misleading trailer stuff is quite funny when you consider this from five years ago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AfJtNORMlo

Don't we all hate stupid shit? I mean, it's stupid and shit. That is unforgivable.

Gripe 1: These pretzels are making me THIRSTY.

I can agree with that!

I'm not saying power weapons are exploits. Just a factor that can seriously unbalance things in ways regular sports wouldn't see. As I said though, I'm not an expert on the matter so I'm sure some of these things are sorted beforehand. A lot of sports revolve around racing, targets or possession of a ball; I can see 'teams of people killing one another' as a much harder thing to control. Exploits would be things like in Halo 3 where a melee to the shoulder from the front (right shoulder, I believe) can result in an assassination and, therefore, an easy one-hit kill. It shouldn't really happen that way but if it's not patched in the game, and no one's going to stop a match and do anything about it, players would then have to keep this in mind and adjust to it. Although, in the case of pro-gaming I guess the players are always making sure they're aware of this. It's not that I think games can't be sports based on those grounds but I'm not entirely sure there's a perfect model for one, currently. You could argue that there are random factors in actual sports but, again, I don't think those factors wind up with as severe consequences due to the rules of play.

I think some of the Red Hot Chili Peppers tracks have some cool funk-style grooves but never as good as the classic funk stuff. I don't think anything can match how it feels once you're in the 'groove' with Funk #49. The beat may look complicated but it almost flows naturally once you lock it in.

It is is one of the best songs to drum (and play on actual bass). I am fond of Pick Up The Pieces too. Gotta love the funk.

I see what you're saying about 'exploits' in actual sports but I don't think the consequences are always as severe as in gaming where it can can amount to actual kills or whatever. In football, a foul doesn't automatically result in a goal and even play is stopped, not necessarily to assess the situation, but to get things back in order. There are referees and such who ultimately 'control' the game whereas gaming takes some of that away. I know there are games that are balanced very well so it's no always such a problem, and I'm no expert on the matter, so I can't speak for everything. With the power weapon stuff, I can see that it's something you learn to play with but I think that element still sets it apart in a way. I wouldn't compare it to chess because it is just very different. The other factor is that pPitches, courts, fields, etc. are all even, whereas maps and respawns can vary (based on player position algorithms and such...or not). I can only assume teams switch sides or whatever, as in something like tennis. I'm not too sure. I'm not saying these things should change for gaming in general, but I feel in certain cases there are a few too many 'variables' that set them apart from accepted sports. About the 'athletic awe' thing, I find myself in awe of some gaming stuff I've seen. It might be that I suck but watching SF stuff always impresses me. As Johnny said, spectators should be able to understand what's going on; for SF I know 'how' to play, I'm just terrible. Some Halo stuff can be really impressive too. I would sort of understand StarCraft but I wouldn't know what each unit is like and such, so I'd miss some of the nuances; I would, however, be impressed by the amount of multi-tasking going on.

Gotta love the slideshow

I wouldn't ever say I'm particularly fanatical about a game series. I mean, I am a fan of Halo and Mass Effect, and own the main games, but I don't immerse myself in the lore and read all the novels and such. I am probably a bit too old for that anyways, I guess.

I think the problem is really a matter of balance or an even playing field. With games, people will always find exploits and such, which you would not see in actual sports. Even if athletes aren't physically the same, they usually have an even-footing. I'm not too sure how SC and such work, but even in FPSs there's the rush for power weapons, which can immediately affect an outcome, and I don't think that's something you'd see in sports.

Sshh, he needs the attention.

I think that Gregg person should write more stuff. I like him.

Chewie fed up with complaining? What have you done?!

I was in sixth form at the time. I'd arrived back in the sixth form centre during lunch and saw everyone gathered around the TV (more people than usual and it wasn't on shitty VH1) and, I may have this wrong, but I think this was live before the second plane hit the WTC. I can almost remember the conversation I had with my best friend. "Hey, what's going on?" "A plane flew into the World Trade Centre in New York" (I seem to recall him mentioning one but it could have been two) "What? By accident?" (sarcasm) "Nooo, on purpose..." Unfortunate thing to say but I never brought it up with him again. The whole thing was really quite shocking. I remember July 7th over here being a pretty scary time too. The husband of a manager where I worked had been travelling in London that day so she was terrified. Fortunately, he was OK. Can't imagine what it would be like going through that.

Following Heavy Rain will be 'Thunderstorms and Lightning: Very, Very Frightening (Plus Other Weather Conditions That May Elicit Emotional Responses)'

Nooo! Not again. This is 'this > that' not 'this > this & that' or any other such permutation. GOSH! The rules are there for a reason, people. Do you want this thread to erupt into chaos?! Order > Chaos

Finally finished Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Interesting bit after the credits.

http://twitpic.com/6icmpu

Haha. Woah, second and final question. Kotaku got told.

Of course, there's the fact that not all those people would've read it otherwise and it may have spurred some to go and comment on it anyway.

Pre-ordered Gears of War 3 from Tesco because they throw in a free 800MSP card...which I can use to purchase Beyond Good & Evil or put towards Trenched. GAME's only pre-order offering was some multiplayer character I doubt I'd ever use.

Yeah, I can't see the article either. Which also reminds me, can anyone see my 'Why I'm Sick Of Upgrades' document?