CAGcast #84: The Rail Not Taken

[CheapyD]

CheapyD gets his hands on the latest Railfan game and GH: 80's Edition, finishes the Mass Effect book, and is still feeding his 360 a healthy diet of towels. Mover & shaker Wombat announces a new contest and stalks game PR companies. We also answer your CAGbag (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71382) questions, discuss the latest gaming and shopping news, and yet, there's more!

Listen for details on a new contest (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147144) and don't forget to take the CAGcast Audience Survey (http://www.podtrac.com/audience/start-survey.aspx?ver=1&pid=3GISo-m8x9E$)!

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Past CAGcasts (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/../archives/cat_cagcast.php)


Show Linkage/Notes (click the button below to expand):

Intro music: Kick the Can - DDR 4th Mix (PS-JPN)

Vote CAGcast - Podcast Awards
(http://www.podcastawards.com)CheapyD's Japanese Toilet - ScrewAttack.com 's Toilet Tuesday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEnfCQD1QvY)
Open casting call: Forum Guides (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146866)

CAG Foreplay Podcast #10: New Releases (7/31/07) Speed Walkerz Edition (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/../archives/cag-foreplay-podcast-10-new-releases-73107-speed-walkerz-edition.php)

Pachter: Nintendo May Launch Hi Definition Wii (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6632&Itemid=2)
Super Dodge Ball coming to DS with eight-person multiplayer (http://feeds.joystiq.com/%7Er/weblogsinc/joystiq/%7E3/139687720/)

Railfan: Taiwan High Speed Rail (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-bp-49-en-15-taiwan%2Bhigh%2Bspeed-70-21dk.html)
PS3 likes TV: DVR facilities planned (http://www.destructoid.com/ps3-likes-tv-dvr-facilities-planned-37193.phtml)
After PGR4 Didn't Fit On DVD Sony Says: Blu-Ray Was Totally Worth It
(http://feeds.gawker.com/%7Er/kotaku/full/%7E3/139427531/blu+ray-was-totally-worth-it-284618.php)
Circuit City flyer shows Xbox 360 price drop on all systems (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/31/circuit-city-flyer-shows-xbox-360-price-drop-on-all-systems/)
Mass Effect: Revelation (http://www.amazon.com/Mass-Effect-Revelation-Drew-Karpyshyn/dp/034549816X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-4612678-8880057?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186039193&sr=8-1)
New cars (some free) hit Forza 2 (http://feeds.joystiq.com/%7Er/weblogsinc/joystiq/%7E3/139578662/)
Xbox is hiring

(http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/mar/386310440.html)Target / CC / BB Video Game Prices: 8/5/07 - 8/11/07 ** Uber Thread ** (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146278)
GameQuest Direct Weekly CAG Offers - Expires 8/6/07 (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/../archives/gamequest-direct-weekly-cag-offers-expires-8607.php)

Rock Band slays 2007 Game Critics Awards (http://feeds.joystiq.com/%7Er/weblogsinc/joystiq/%7E3/139429221/)
Lagging PS3 Sales Hurt EA's Margins (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6648&Itemid=2)
Piracy: Massive Mod Chip Raid Sweeps Nation (http://feeds.gawker.com/%7Er/kotaku/full/%7E3/139711870/massive-mod-chip-raid-sweeps-nation-285007.php)
NY Post sues Uwe Boll for infringement (http://feeds.joystiq.com/%7Er/weblogsinc/joystiq/%7E3/139674117/)
Two boys experience the worst GameStop visit ever (http://www.destructoid.com/two-boys-experience-the-worst-gamestop-visit-ever-37204.phtml)

CAGbag (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71382)

Digg the CAGcast (http://www.digg.com/podcasts/CAGcast)
Digg CAG Foreplay (http://www.digg.com/podcasts/CAG_Foreplay)
MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/cagcast)
CheapyD's Youtube Videos (http://www.youtube.com/cheapyd) (Subscribe (http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=CheapyD))
www.screwattack.com (http://www.screwattack.com/)

Outro: Segascope 3D (http://gameads.gamepressure.com/tv_game_commercial.asp?ID=894)



Bonus Photo!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1127/969305594_cdfba62f45.jpg

[HooHaa]

I hope you winked suggestively at your neighbour. :D

[daphatty]

RE: Ads during the show...

One ad during the show is too many. I'm all for getting "pizzaid" but I despise commercials and will do everything I can to avoid them, even if it means not listening. Might I suggest that when you go down that path (because lets face it you will) that you place the adverts either at the very beginning and/or very end of the show. ESPN's PTI podcast does it this way and it seems to be the least intrusive.

RE: New forum guides/mods

Great Idea! I hadn't realized just how much the site had grown until Shrike handed in his mod commission. Good lord that guy put in work!

RE: New Releases Discussions

Thank you for not discontinuing this segment. While the Shipwreck's cover new releases in much greater detail I find your brief discussions much more useful. I prefer the short and sweet perspective you guys have always provided. Please, keep up the good work.

RE: Wii's staying power

I'm getting tired of people questioning whether or not a Nintendo hardware product has "staying power." Where the hell have people been? Are they forgetting Nintendo's track record? Every time sales start to slump Nintendo releases a "revised" version of their hardware! The Wii is nothing more than a GC with a slightly upgraded GPU and a "revolutionary" controller. The DS lite is, guess what, a sexier DS! And on and on...


Overall, great show guys! Thanks for the hard work.

[striker199]

sweet, downloading now

[contej85]

The intro music rocks.

[mikeohara]

many a dollar was spent by me playing DDR 4th and 5th mixes, so Kick The Can was played many, many times.

Listening now.

[contej85]

many a dollar was spent by me playing DDR 4th and 5th mixes, so Kick The Can was played many, many times.


Same, and I totally approve.

[contej85]

Just a correction, I was discussing signing up for their Gamer card, until CC informed me it is only good on full price merchandise. So it won't be working with the sales, so it's a pass for me.

[io]

Congrats on buying the (expensive) U.S. Wii, Cheapy. I was impressed you did that "live" on the CAGcast :lol:. Hopefully Metroid will at least partially justify that purchase - maybe if you get a little deeper into the game you'll become immersed. Hopefully you'll be able to set aside a bit of time from Bioshock to give it a chance.

And while the lack of voice chat on Mario Strikers is a mild disappointment (edit - just wanted to clarify that since it wasn't expected, it is more of just a missing feature when compared to XBL), it is still a fun experience to play against a CAG. I just finished a couple of matches with Yukine and playing a person is VERY different from playing the CPU, I can tell you that right now!

[McBacon]

Great work Wombat, you've done so much for the podcast.

About all this MGS 4 stuff; Sony doesn't own Konami; Hideo can do what he wants with MGS 4 so if he wants to show it at his own MGS 20th Anniversary Party, and not the E3 that he openly said sucks, then I think he can.
Sony probably did want that MGS 4 play through at E3, but ultimately its Konami's decision.

[thorbahn3]

The future of CAG:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v382/thorbahn3/hhhh.jpg

[peteyrose]

I was a little saddened to hear your impressions of Railfan Taiwan edition. I was in Taiwan last month to visit family and rode the High Speed Rail (HSR) twice along the entire length of the country. It was very awesome, and I was surprised to see a brochure for the game while browsing an electronics store sometime later. I instantly remembered CheapyD's positive raves about the first Railfan and decided to buy the game as a nice souvenir of the trip.

I don't even own a PS3! (and don't plan to buy one until 2008 most likely). So while I can't play the game myself yet, it was at least nice to hear somebody talking about it. Too bad Railfan: Taiwan didn't live up to your expectations, but it makes a nice story for me to say that my first and only PS3 game is Railfan. The look on people's faces when I tell them that is priceless.

[GiO]

When will the winner of the goozex contest be announced? I thought it would be announced this episode considering it ended the 30th...

[CheapyD]

When will the winner of the goozex contest be announced? I thought it would be announced this episode considering it ended the 30th...Um...it was announced in this episode, wasn't it?

[FoxHoundADAM]

YAY more CAG. I just finished last weeks yesterday so good timing.

[thorbahn3]

Good show. I'm surprised you paid that much for a Wii. I have a feeling you'll be mocking yourself for buying two wii when you have nothing to play on either version in the future. Everybody Votes does make me turn it on every two to three days though I must say.

As for Wombat getting a job, wouldn't his view become askewed if he got a job at one of the big three? I trust Wombat to not become a PR whore, but some people wouldn't trust him anymore. If you obtain such a job keep it a secret.

[Wombat]

Good show. I'm surprised you paid that much for a Wii. I have a feeling you'll be mocking yourself for buying two wii when you have nothing to play on either version in the future. Everybody Votes does make me turn it on every two to three days though I must say.

As for Wombat getting a job, wouldn't his view become askewed if he got a job at one of the big three? I trust Wombat to not become a PR whore, but some people wouldn't trust him anymore. If you obtain such a job keep it a secret.


Some one would have to offer me a job first

[bobthecat23]

idk meh cagcast herd better what u guys think about the gta4 delay
i would want to paint my cuitar in full black black on black

[thorbahn3]

Some one would have to offer me a job first

Just for future reference Wombat. I wouldn't want to see a Wombat hate cloud appear. BTW on that PGR4 needing more space for day/night, why not just release it as downloadable content if the space it uses isn't that big?

[PyroGamer]

I need to get myself one of those Pizza Trucks.

EDIT: Dear god! Wombat doesn't know what Go is, and Cheapy doesn't know Mancala.... this is a problem, guys.

EDIT 2: Waiting a year to get a flipping update, and then having the update include NONE of the features you want, instead featuring some useless crap like MSN messenger, then yes, I'd rather have it once a month or so.

[KingBroly]

Cheapy ordered an American Wii. We all know what that means...

AMERICAN WII UNBOXING VIDEO!!!

When it comes to people playing their Wii or not Cheapy, you answered your question earlier in the show when you mentioned that companies didn't invest early in Wii development. We'll start to see more Wii games early to mid next year in abundance.

[PyroGamer]

Mass Effect isn't available at my library.

[Jackal888]

Now you have two Wii consoles. I know you did it for CAG, it still hurts listening to you purchase another. Its like watching a friend do drugs, you are sad that this makes them happy.

Zack and Wiki is the first game I see that interests me on the Wii, Mario Galaxy is the second. Two games is not enough for me. Maybe in a few years when the Wii cost as much as the Gamecube.

[Heyasuki]

I think someone would of guessed Tai, I mean come on that's a pretty common name these days.

[nym123]

haha wombat doing big things

[gunm]

I'm ok with a couple of ads here and there, but I whole-heartedly agree that you two should be doing the ads yourselves. Not only would it maintain the continuity of the show, but I know you guys would make it hella more entertaining and fun than any prefab commercial would do.

This works for our most popular morning radio show where I live, where commercials done by the two DJs are highly sought after spots.

Anyway, I say go for it. If that's what keeps these CAGcasts coming regularly, so be it.

Great job on the contacts, Wombat! You da man!!

[trip1eX]

Yeah biased is a strong word. What I'm really alluding to is that I think you really only see this pressure on reviewers to rate Nintendo games higher because you're not really interested in their games. :)


*****
There will be no HD Wii unless it's just a machine that upscales current games and then why bother? I mean are you going to pay another $250 or $300 for a machine whose only purpose is to upscale Wii games? Nah. (Think playing PS2 games on a PS3.)

Plus WiiSports is winning people over with N64-level graphics. Why do they need a hi-def machine? I think this is perhaps an inside joke at Nintendo. 'You say we need hi-def graphics? Well our (WiiSports) pack-in not only doesn't have higher tech graphics than the gen before, it's no better than graphics 2 generations ago :) Take that.'


*******

People keep thinking the Wii will fade because they think it's all about the horsepower. But again they forget Nintendo is winning with N64-level graphics in WiiSports. And, btw, according to Nielson ratings, it's the upscale homes that are actually buying the Wii too. So the appeal is not just because it's affordable either.

[KingBroly]

Cheapy,

You did order an American Wii game, right? RIGHT!?

Wombat, your statement about there are only people waiting to get a 360 to buy Halo and not people waiting to get a Wii for Smash is misinformed. There are those who are waiting to get a Wii for Smash. But, Halo isn't the 360's killer app this holiday season. It's GTA. I know it's cross-platform, but it does have the DL content coming. It's the game people will buy to enter next-gen. NOT HALO.

[CYRiX]

I think it would be acceptable to have 3 ads during the show at the :00, :30, and 1:00 marks. It would be best if they occurred during the transitions between topics to. Anyways guys you don't have to even listen to them you could "fast forward".

Anyways I think Wombat's name is Steven, Sam or Steve. They did say it started with an S right?

[umcthomas]

Good name. I had a (Japaneese) roommate named Tai in college. As I recall it was short for Taiske (THAI-skay).

T

[kyogensho]

In response to the ads, I am fine with them in the podcasts I listen to, and I think 3 would be fine in a 90 minute podcast, one as a "this podcast is brought to you by" and 2 stern/carolla style in-podcast ads would be great. You guys get paid and we keep getting quality shows for free, sounds good!

[LiK]

Cheapy, name your kid Naruto

[KingBroly]

I take back my earlier statement about GTA IV.

Why?
It's been delayed until 2008.

[pop311]

Cheapy, yooo should totally name ur child "N00b OMGWTFBBQ Pwner!!!"

But seriously, nice show and shame on you Wombat for calling N'Gai Croal N-Homo Coral :shame::lol:

[Wombat]

Cheapy, yooo should totally name ur child "N00b OMGWTFBBQ Pwner!!!"

But seriously, nice show and shame on you Wombat for calling N'Gai Croal N-Homo Coral :shame::lol:

listen again, that was his cheapness

[pop311]

listen again, that was his cheapnessI know, I know, I was meerly restating what The Dahli Cheapy said.

On another note Wombat, are there any plan between you and Mrs. Wombat about having a baby in the future?

[super_nerd]

Woot, I got mentioned in the cast! Cheapy, if you name your baby super nerd I will give you monies...maybe. And now I know what wombat's name is, Samuel L. Jackson! I'm down with advertising if it's you or wombat reading it live in your own style. Wombat, I think you should apply for the job if it's something you want, it never hurts to try.

P.S. Analyst...have any of you seen Arrested Development? Tobias was the first ever Analyst + Therapist = Analrapist. And games for windows live is a steaming pile of doodoo. It's not revolutionary, it's retarding what online play means for the PC.

[jedijeff]

I am still surprised that Cheapy continues to say that anyone thinking of buying a console should buy a 360. No contest. Then he rants about how unreliable the 360 is. Why do you throw so much support behind a company manufacturing and selling, as Wombat said, 'broken' systems.:bomb: Shouldn't reliability play a part in which console people buy? Is it acceptable because it is the only console sold by an american company? I realise the Wii and PS3 don't have as many games as the 360 but that is only in the short term. I have more than enough current games to keep me busy, and there will be way too many games available by this fall that I want, of which I'll only be able to afford a few. In other words, I don't think software is the only determining factor. Do you really get that many free xbox 360 games or is it something else?:roll: :lol:

[FriskyTanuki]

I was surprised to hear the comments about Cheapy and Wombat prefering a Buy it, Rent it, Skip it type of rating system for game reviews, which is exactly what we do over at Gamer 2.0 (http://www.gamer20.com/). Along with a score, we also give a suggestion on whether it worthy of a purchase, rental, or that it should be avoided.

[rogueweapon]

N-Gai is an N-Guy. I saw him on the last episode of Gamehead. I would have never guessed. I thought he was asian. Cheaps you have to name your kid Ed209 or Ed or Sum Young Guy. Good show guys.

[nesfan8222]

Cheapy, when i agreed with thorbahn and said baby naming contest I was figuring it would be just for fun, not that you had to name your kid whatever we came up with. I thought you could have two or three categories like best ridiculous name and best serious name etc. Im sure Mrs Cheapy would be fine with Robocop Knight Rider Abrams.

Anyway the name you had in mind sounds nice, just give him a middle name that starts with "N" so his initals can be TNA

Maybe we can start a whats wombats name thread if the clue given out today is true.

nice entertaining show as usual guys. As for the ads in the show, I guess one in the beginning, one in the middle and one at the end wouldnt hurt if it got cheapy and wombat some monies

[PyroGamer]

Maybe we can start a whats wombats name thread if the clue given out today is true.
Steven.


What do I win?

[LarryGe]

Hey cheapy, railfan may seem more interesting if you play it while using the other stuff that the playasia guy brought you. Create you own camera angles

[CheapyD]

My USA Wii just arrived from play-asia...less than 48 hours after ordering.

[Wombat]

Steven.


What do I win?

I big steaming pile of nothing, my name isn't Steven.

[io]

I big steaming pile of nothing, my name isn't Steven.

Seth? Sven?

If Cheapy won't have a baby naming contest maybe I will. My wife and I can't think of a name for our son (due Nov). Or rather, we can think of a few but don't agree. Maybe some crazy-ass suggestions will inspire us ;).

[Johnny-C]

My USA Wii just arrived from play-asia...less than 48 hours after ordering.
Holy crap that was fast. But hey, now you can play Happy Feet: The Game!

[thorbahn3]

Do it io!

[PyroGamer]

I big steaming pile of nothing, my name isn't Steven.
*marks off list*


Sam.

[Jackal888]

*marks off list*


Sam.

Try and go for Biblical names

[Wombat]

so far zero winners on my name

[Mr Unoriginal]

so far zero winners on my name

Socrates?

[HOVA uk]

Interactive Ads ftw!

OR better yet.. Youtube Ad's.. we all know how great of a Youtuber cheapy is.

[pop311]

Sean, Sebastian, or Scott.

Am I correct?

[LiK]

wombat's name is Shawn

[Wombat]

still wrong guys, but keep guessing

[lanzarlaluna]

Cheapy,

Since the new Railfan isn't as good, do you have any idea if the Asia version of the previous game (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-bp-77-2-49-en-15-railfan-70-1qbe.html) has English support? I plan on picking up Railfan in the near future.
(http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-bp-77-2-49-en-15-railfan-70-1qbe.html)

[Tybee]

I big steaming pile of nothing, my name isn't Steven.

Mine is. He can have a hug, if he wants one.

[Tybee]

Good show, but after last week’s huge announcement, this one seemed pretty low key by comparison.

I think ads would be okay. You guys deserve to get paid for what you do. Just keep them short and keep them relevant. I don’t want to hear you pimping domain name registration services, car wax, or douche. Work them into the regular show as discussions (making sure you clearly indicate when you have been paid to discuss a certain product) or, even better, as contests, and I don’t think too many people will complain.

“Buy It, Rent It, Skip It” reviews are shit. If you have a problem with the numbers, read the text above it. Don’t dumb down reviews simply because some people are too lazy to read. And if you must rely on numbers alone, at least use an aggregator like Game Rankings or Metacritic to get a better overall sense of sentiment about the game.

I find your lack of Picross knowledge disturbing. You should both check the game out, especially given the $20 price point. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Same goes for Strikers Charged, which features a surprising amount of depth. As Io and others have noted, playing the AI (which is frustratingly good) and playing folks online (who can range from embarrassingly bad – like me – to crazy skilled) are two completely different experiences. Sure, it’d be nice to talk to folks (especially CAGs) as you play them online, but it’s a fun and unique experience all the same. Also, co-op (which you can do online or in tournaments) is really fun with friends and significant others.

[pop311]

still wrong guys, but keep guessingSeth, Simon, Spencer?

[AshesofWake]

still wrong guys, but keep guessing


Sully?

[LiK]

wombat, your name is Stanley!

[kyogensho]

I would guess Stewart/Stuart.

The following link (http://www-db.embl-heidelberg.de/jss/servlet/de.embl.bk.wwwTools.GroupLeftEMBL/ExternalInfo/stewart/wombat.html) proves absolutely nothing at all. Or (http://www.wombatfs.com/about/team_vp_entitlements.htm) does it?

[AshesofWake]

I would guess Stewart/Stuart.

The following link (http://www-db.embl-heidelberg.de/jss/servlet/de.embl.bk.wwwTools.GroupLeftEMBL/ExternalInfo/stewart/wombat.html) proves absolutely nothing at all. Or (http://www.wombatfs.com/about/team_vp_entitlements.htm) does it?


nope, wombat has a film/media degree

[Wombat]

Someone got my name right

[zewone]

My USA Wii just arrived from play-asia...less than 48 hours after ordering.
Wow, that was extremely fast.

In regards to Wombat:

His name is Robert Paulson.

[Konchu]

I agree with the ratings this really the problem with ratings thing really ratings on most games get scewed cause they dont want to use all the numbers really a perfect game should be a 10 and the worse possible game should be a 1. Really a 5-6 should be an ok and a 7-8 should be good and 8-9 should be great. On the low end 2-4 should be varying degrees of suck.

[LiK]

Someone got my name right

me??? :D

[moonknight25]

Great show guys! A few thoughts.......if you guys make more money with ads then go for it. You guys provide an excellent podcast and should be rewarded. Metroid should be worth every penny that us WII cost ya! As far as your baby name Cheapy, I think that you and your wife should think of a hybrid jewish/tokyo name that way both families would be happy :)

[Konchu]

I have actually read some individual reports of the systems that are coming back from the repairs are newer systems(I hope this is the case). Maybe we will start to see some more news on this before to long. I think they are tring the ulitmate in quiet recall one unit at a time but I agree I would like to know there are no faulty systems on shelves.

[Wombat]

Wow, that was extremely fast.

In regards to Wombat:

His name is Robert Paulson.

I do know Rob Paulson

[Surferflames]

My library actually caries all the Halo novels. Never checked them out, but they seem to have a few copies of each. I get most of my DVDs there, and actually grabbed Shadow of the Colossus(PS2) this week as well. Ours is pretty advanced, as they even offer free home delivery.

Sadly no Mass Effect yet.

[pop311]

Someone got my name rightWas it me??? Please tell.:bouncy:

[CYRiX]

my bets are on stanley

[Wombat]

My name is not Stan or Stanley

[nesfan8222]

Wow, that was extremely fast.

In regards to Wombat:

His name is Robert Paulson.

haha wombats really meatloaf :D

[LiK]

i got it, but i'll keep it a secret. don't wanna anger Wombat-san :)

[PyroGamer]

EDIT: Stewart.

[SoNiC1023]

This will be my first cagcast hopefully its good;)

[trip1eX]

I'm all for a “Buy It, Rent It, Skip It" rating system because it represents the bottom line. You can have all the 9.3s and 6.8s and 7.9s and 8.4s you want, but ultimately you're either going to “Buy It, Rent It, Skip It."

NWR uses a similar system for Wii VC games. 'Recommended, Recommended for Fans, Not Recommended.'

[trip1eX]

My USA Wii just arrived from play-asia...less than 48 hours after ordering.

IF you paid me $450 or whatever it was I would have had it there that quick too. ;)

[yukine]

Good show as always.

[rogueweapon]

is.. Cosmo . btw, sony sent me a survey for singstar and asked for 3 frequently visited websites. Of course cheapassgamer was numero uno, bam.

[LiK]

is.. Cosmo . btw, sony sent me a survey for singstar and asked for 3 frequently visited websites. Of course cheapassgamer was numero uno, bam.

hey, me too :)

[PyroGamer]

I'm all for a “Buy It, Rent It, Skip It" rating system because it represents the bottom line. You can have all the 9.3s and 6.8s and 7.9s and 8.4s you want, but ultimately you're either going to “Buy It, Rent It, Skip It."
Yes, but the reviewer's idea of what to buy, what to rent, and what to skip is not going to be the same as every consumer.

A consumer should be able to decide that it's only worth it to him to buy games of 9.0 or higher quality, and the reviews should let him do that effectively.

[AshesofWake]

Scores should be removed completely from reviews. That was it forces the consumer to actually read the review and decide based on what is written, how they want to approach the game. Do they want to rent it, buy it, or fuck it. This forces the people that make judgments on a game based on score to actually give a shit and research a bit. See what makes it a worthwhile or not worthwhile game.

[FriskyTanuki]

Yes, but the reviewer's idea of what to buy, what to rent, and what to skip is not going to be the same as every consumer.

A consumer should be able to decide that it's only worth it to him to buy games of 9.0 or higher quality, and the reviews should let him do that effectively.
Reviews are not forceful demands, but suggestions. The readers have always had the powers to decide whether they're convinced that they want the game or not from reading the review.

Scores should be removed completely from reviews. That was it forces the consumer to actually read the review and decide based on what is written, how they want to approach the game. Do they want to rent it, buy it, or fuck it. This forces the people that make judgments on a game based on score to actually give a shit and research a bit. See what makes it a worthwhile or not worthwhile game.
It's been done and the readers can't handle it.

[AshesofWake]

It's been done and the readers can't handle it.


sucks for them then, they'll enjoy using their own personal judgment based on whatever they know instead of listening to someone else, oh noes! using brain so evil...

[PyroGamer]

sucks for them then, they'll enjoy using their own personal judgment based on whatever they know instead of listening to someone else, oh noes! using brain so evil...
What?

"sucks for them"??? The WHOLE POINT of reviews is for THE READER'S BENEFIT. Reviews aren't some sacred institution that we have a moral obligation to keep in the "perfect" format, they are made for one reason only: to serve the reader.

"Sucks for them"? If it "sucks for them" than IT SUCKS. Period. How could it "suck" for anything else? It's sole purpose is "for them". If it sucks for them, then it simply SUCKS.


2nd:

"they'll enjoy using their own personal judgment based on whatever they know instead of listening to someone else"

WHAT??? Then what's the point of the revie? If it's not to "listen to someone else", then what IS the point?

And where does this information of "whatever they know" come from? If it's not from "listening to someone else", then it has to be from playing the game themselves (or watching it played), in which case you either own the game, or you are subject to perhaps a non-objective video representation of the game (so in a sense, you are still "listening to someone else")



Reviews are meant to objectively rate the QUALITY of a game.

Telling someone to "buy it", "rent it" or "skip it" does NOTHING to address the OBJECTIVE QUALITY of the game.

A five star scale, a 1-10 system, something objective and simply is the best way to objectively rate a game, compare it with other games, and make a simple, unequivocal statement on the QUALITY of the title.

[AshesofWake]

What?

"sucks for them"??? The WHOLE POINT of reviews is for THE READER'S BENEFIT. Reviews aren't some sacred institution that we have a moral obligation to keep in the "perfect" format, they are made for one reason only: to serve the reader.

"Sucks for them"? If it "sucks for them" than IT SUCKS. Period. How could it "suck" for anything else? It's sole purpose is "for them". If it sucks for them, then it simply SUCKS.


2nd:

"they'll enjoy using their own personal judgment based on whatever they know instead of listening to someone else"

WHAT??? Then what's the point of the revie? If it's not to "listen to someone else", then what IS the point?

And where does this information of "whatever they know" come from? If it's not from "listening to someone else", then it has to be from playing the game themselves (or watching it played), in which case you either own the game, or you are subject to perhaps a non-objective video representation of the game (so in a sense, you are still "listening to someone else")



Reviews are meant to objectively rate the QUALITY of a game.

Telling someone to "buy it", "rent it" or "skip it" does NOTHING to address the OBJECTIVE QUALITY of the game.

A five star scale, a 1-10 system, something objective and simply is the best way to objectively rate a game, compare it with other games, and make a simple, unequivocal statement on the QUALITY of the title.


the problem is the majority of individuals don't read the review and base their entire judgment on just the number at the end. I know I've done it in the past and I know that a majority in general do this. Of course not everybody does it. removing a score and making someone read the actual review is the only wat i can think of an individual basing an opinion on content rather than a simplififed number,

Reviews shouldn't have a buy it, rent it, skip it, attitude attached to them. Every person's view is different in what constitutes a game that is worth it to them. For example, Condemned for Xbox 360. I would put down $60 for this game just like I did at launch even after going through it about 4 times. To me it's worth buying and not only worth just buying it's worth the $60. But I also see posted a bunch of places and even comments from my friends that there is no way in hell worth $60 and not even worth buying, just renting. The game got an 8.7 on IGN. What does that even mean without any content attached to it? How can a simplified scoring system determine this? A review based on what the game should represent without a "score" or even maybe a verdict would be much better off.

Regarding the information elsewhere someone can get, they can get it from watching videos of gameplay online, so far gameplay videos have been a very good representation of gameplay mechanics for the most part. On top of that, word of mouth from people that have played a game. And even further, just simple previews of a game. I guess my main point is that anybody that takes a numerical value to heart and bases their entire decision on just that deserved to be shafted if the game isn't what they wanted it to be because they didn't read the review. HENCE "sucks for them" I know someone that bought the Darkness by just seeing it got a 9 something on IGN. Didn't even read what the review said, never watched a single video of the game or anything. And now they wish they just should have rented it. Obviously a stupid a move, but that's just one example. That's why i think removing a numerical value or even a verdict would help people, since that's what reviews are supposed to do. It would force people to read and determine a purchase based on the content, again. It's there money though, so i guess more power to people that do that...

[Sn0brawler]

With regards to advertisements, I would be very comfortable with 1-2 minutes of ads per hour.

[lordwow]

A great show guys, a real 180 from last weeks (sans Cheapy's big announcement).

It's disappointing to hear that the new Railfan is not so great. Granted I don't own a PS3 at the moment, but I too enjoy these fun little simulator type games that have disappeared over the last decade. I am waiting for the next Aerobiz (airline simulator) game myself... but I'm sure the Dept of Homeland Security would ban it from being sold here to stop terrorists or something.

I think another thing you guys talked about which was right on was the fact that, like the Forza Motorsport Nissan-sponsored cars, I will download anything that is labeled/branded/painted/etc with logos and crap if it means it's free... and I have no doubt that the other CAGs are in agreement here. (And unrelated to this rant, 50pts/car with no bundles was absolutely the way to go). But I think what annoys me is when I'm doing a terrorist hunt in the Calypso Casino on R6:Vegas, and there's a massive poster for the 300 DVD coming out (July 31st! On HD-DVD and Blu-Ray!).

Companies go on and on saying how the advertisements reduce the cost to the consumer... but then again... Rainbow 6 Vegas retailed at $59.99, so I'm not exactly sure what "discount" I got from these ads. It's even worse on next-gen games that are missing features/content/modes that the previous-gen systems have for the same game (I'm looking at you EA). You're paying a premium, for better graphics but worse gameplay/features, but you also get lambasted with these ads which are frequently updated via XBox Live (thanks, I really appreciate that "update").

Whatever, if game publishers want to tell me I'm receiving some benefit for ads, I want to see it, either in FREE downloadable content (sponsored by whoever) or a price cut in retail. Otherwise, it's not really a discount to anyone... just a bonus to the game producers.

[PyroGamer]

the problem is the majority of individuals don't read the review and base their entire judgment on just the number at the end
.....
removing a score and making someone read the actual review is the only wat i can think of an individual basing an opinion on content rather than a simplififed number,
Why? If people don't like reading reviews, just like looking at the scores, what's wrong with that? It's their business.

Just because you have some idea of how people should go about spending their money doesn't mean scores should be removed because it's "the only wat" to get everyone to do things your perfect and right way.


And for the record, the last game I bought because of a review score was NEVER.

[AshesofWake]

Why? If people don't like reading reviews, just like looking at the scores, what's wrong with that? It's their business.

.





if the whole point of the review is to benefit the gamer, then not relying on the score and reading the review will totally benefit a gamer, going off what you stated

]The WHOLE POINT of reviews is for THE READER'S BENEFIT.

[kyogensho]

Why? If people don't like reading reviews, just like looking at the scores, what's wrong with that? It's their business.

Just because you have some idea of how people should go about spending their money doesn't mean scores should be removed because it's "the only wat" to get everyone to do things your perfect and right way.


And for the record, the last game I bought because of a review score was NEVER.
I would agree with Pyro here on the issue of scores. It gives people a way to quickly skim through reviews, and if you are the kind of person that is interested in researching a game thoroughly before a purchase you will do that research despite the existance of a score or not. It simply provides a course for another type of reader.

For me, I thought scoreless reviews were superior, but then I found that I actually dont like reading reviews anyway. Usually I already have opinions of games based on previews and hype, and if a score breaks from my expectation I will read the review to find out why.

That being said, a 100 point scale is useless, go 10 or 2 or nothing.

[orko60]

Damn. I was hoping that Wombat's name was Saul, a true NYC Jew-name.

Guess it's probably Stewart, then.


I still don't understand why CheapyD bought that American Wii. All he does is poo-poo everything on it (probably rightly so). What a huge waste of money. Then again, he is a "kept man," whose rich wife can afford it. :D

[io]

Damn. I was hoping that Wombat's name was Saul, a true NYC Jew-name.

Guess it's probably Stewart, then.


I still don't understand why CheapyD bought that American Wii. All he does is poo-poo everything on it (probably rightly so). What a huge waste of money. Then again, he is a "kept man," whose rich wife can afford it. :D

Nah, man, he's going to play Metroid 3 and LIKE it - especially since his 360 will probably die for good right around when Bioshock (and Metroid) comes out ;).

[Tybee]

Nah, man, he's going to play Metroid 3 and LIKE it - especially since his 360 will probably die for good right around when Bioshock (and Metroid) comes out ;).

And Strikers Charged, so he can get schooled in the CAG tournament by Courageous, just like the rest of us. ;)

[PyroGamer]

I would agree with Pyro here on the issue of scores. It gives people a way to quickly skim through reviews, and if you are the kind of person that is interested in researching a game thoroughly before a purchase you will do that research despite the existance of a score or not. It simply provides a course for another type of reader.Totally agree.

For me, I thought scoreless reviews were superior, but then I found that I actually dont like reading reviews anyway. Usually I already have opinions of games based on previews and hype, and if a score breaks from my expectation I will read the review to find out why.Double agreed. Same way with me. Really, scores should give an overview of the review itself.

That being said, a 100 point scale is useless, go 10 or 2 or nothing.
Agree on absolutely EVERYTHING here.

You end up with scores like "9.6" and "9.7" and it makes absolutely no sense, and then there's confliction between scores and such.

I like GameInformers 20-point scale (0-10, and .5 in between), but I'd like even more a simple "5-star" system, with perhaps 10 points (0-5 and .5 in between).

It's easy to differentiate between a 2 star game and a 3 star game, but a 4.7 and a 4.9? Just gets riddiculous.