CAGcast #119: Go Dick!

[CheapyD]

Wombat and Cheapy discuss Xbox 360 and Wii broken promises, new releases, the latest video game industry and shopping news, your CAGbag (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71382) questions and much more!
Review us on iTunes! (https://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZFinance.woa/wa/addUserReview?type=Podcast&id=78311760)

Win one of five copies of Critter Round-Up (WiiWare) (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183989)
Win Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 1 (Xbox Live Arcade) (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183990)

Catch CheapyD Monday Evenings on ScrewAttack's Hard News (http://www.screwattack.com/HardNews/)

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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: Icewind Dale (PC)

CAG Party Pictures (Shipwreck (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21991223@N07/sets/72157605182193384/) - Del Far (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexerde/sets/72157605125897313/))

Xbox 360 Broken Promises - E3 2005 (http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/rbach/05-16-05E3.mspx)

Hard News (http://www.screwattack.com/HardNews/) - UGO Complaints (http://gamesblog.ugo.com/index.php/gamesblog/more/cheapyd_gets_screwed/)

New screens tease more MADWORLD (http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2008/05/21/new-screens-tease-more-madworld/)

Community sites are the future for Sony games (http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/05/20/community-sites-are-the-future-for-sony-games/)
Itagaki says Ninja Gaiden Sigma was 'no good' (http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/05/21/itagaki-says-ninja-gaiden-sigma-was-no-good/)
Madden NFL 09 PSP Entertainment Pack (http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/PSBlog/%7E3/294990043/)
BioShock Confirmed For PS3 (http://feeds.gawker.com/%7Er/kotaku/full/%7E3/295882513/bioshock-confirmed-for-ps3)
PlayStation Store Update: We Already Miss DBZ (http://feeds.gawker.com/%7Er/kotaku/full/%7E3/296174742/playstation-store-update-we-already-miss-dbz)

Microsoft Explains "Gaywood" Ban (http://feeds.gawker.com/%7Er/kotaku/full/%7E3/295417376/microsoft-explains-gaywood-ban)
Infinite Undiscovery Finds Release (http://feeds.gawker.com/%7Er/kotaku/full/%7E3/295337608/infinite-undiscovery-finds-release)
Microsoft To Start Pulling Underperforming Titles From Live Arcade (http://feeds.gawker.com/%7Er/kotaku/full/%7E3/296120627/microsoft-to-start-pulling-underperforming-titles-from-live-arcade)
Xbox Live size limit upped to 350MB, price limit to 1600 MS points
(http://feeds.joystiq.com/%7Er/weblogsinc/joystiq/%7E3/296103106/)Xbox.com 'tool' to fix XBLA DRM fiasco next month
(http://feeds.joystiq.com/%7Er/weblogsinc/joystiq/%7E3/296103107/)Microsoft: No spring dashboard update this year (http://feeds.joystiq.com/%7Er/weblogsinc/joystiq/%7E3/296098535/)
Another Xbox magazine confirms 360 motion controller, Mii-like caricatures (http://gonintendo.com/?p=43881)

Target / Circuit City / Best Buy Video Game Prices: May 25 - May 31, 2008 (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183104)

Pachter Earns Financial Times' Number One Award (http://feeds.gawker.com/%7Er/kotaku/full/%7E3/296070057/pachter-earns-financial-times-number-one-award)

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))
CheapyD's Flickr Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheapyd/) (Subscribe (http://www.flickr.com/people/cheapyd/relationship/))

Outro: Sears Tele-Games (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjX2gGz8NhM)


Bonus Pictures:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2511909629_5f7158db9a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21991223@N07/2511909629/in/set-72157605182193384/)

By popular request, bjwoodruff's CAGs On News Theme Song
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/podcast/cagsonews.mp3

[NateWhs152]

Yeah first post

[NOXER]

ROFL tell me you didn't walk around all day with those lightsaber hilts.

[Cao Cao]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2511909629_5f7158db9a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21991223@N07/2511909629/in/set-72157605182193384/)

Look out Hayden... Shipwreck and Wombat are out for your head!

[GodlyOne]

Hoorah, listening to the show right now.

[ShinAkumA21]

CheapyD Hate America lol

[Fragonard]

Looks like a fun CAGtogether. Wish I lived in the area so I could attended. Too bad I live on the complete other side of the country in Seattle. We should get the CAGs together before or after PAX this year, that would be sweet.

[menikmati]

I actually lol'ed and could imagine CheapyD saying "PICS NAO!" in reference to Wombats dog.

[Trenchalicious]

My comments: Cry Moarrrrr.... cry cry Customer Service sucks... who gives a shit. I don't need to be pampered like a baby when I go to the store. Go in, get out, and go home. Push as many people out of the way on either way.

[gunm]

Sweet. I may take this w/me to LA tomorrow night.

[thorbahn3]

The News channel is wii 24connected. If you turn Wii 24connect off the download for new articles takes way longer. The loading you see is just loading the data from storage. Same with weather.

[therodersabides]

Sweet, now I've got something to listen to during my five hour drive to the Sasquatch music festival tomorrow!

[ChibiJosh]

I want me one of them console shirts. Unfortunately googling "console shirt" didn't exactly work.

Don't worry, Wombat. I show up to every "event" first too.

[paintball745]

i must say i like the fact that cheapy and wombat talk about random stuff every week at the begening of every show,before they start talking about games.i dunno anyone else like this?also the show is very loose not meaning it doesnt feel to scripted.ala the major nelson podcast.

[Rig]

The News channel is wii 24connected. If you turn Wii 24connect off the download for new articles takes way longer. The loading you see is just loading the data from storage. Same with weather.

I believe this is right. The Wii always has the latest headlines scrolling across the channel when I fire it up (as does the weather).

However, I think Cheapy is right about the Brawl levels; those seem to download when you connect to Wi-Fi on Brawl. Then again, I don't know if Nintendo ever said Brawl levels would specifically download overnight.

[MikeydCT]

Has Microsoft give any arcade names that they will remove? I want to get them before they remove it. I hate that they are doing that.

[KingBroly]

Also, WiiConnect 24 has no leaderboards to speak of. But for News and Weather, WC24 gives you that. Downloadable levels, not so much. The Wii should just have a Wi-fi Connection Channel.

Also, your Bill Clinton impressions were terrible.

The PS3 had a single track from Lair on their store a few months ago, and it was free. I don't know if it's still there or not.

[rogueweapon]

hey cheapy,
do you realize thesimexchange.com is a data mining scheme? And if your name is Dick Gaywood you are either en fuego or you should seriously consider a name change.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRTTFKWhEmA#GU5U2spHI_4

[stakis]

100% Agree with Cheapy on the tipping issue... I've teaching English in South Korea where we also don't tip for anything and all service I receive is awesome and not forced....

Its going to be hard to move back home in the next 3 months

[stakis]

i must say i like the fact that cheapy and wombat talk about random stuff every week at the begening of every show,before they start talking about games.i dunno anyone else like this?also the show is very loose not meaning it doesnt feel to scripted.ala the major nelson podcast.

Haha I think its my favorite part of the show

[lordwow]

Interesting analysis of the supermarket industry guys. I used to work for a supermarket in high school and part of college, and I was by far the fastest cashier in my checkout department (I ended up winning some big money once the company started doing "competitions" for speed and customer service at the end of my tenure).

I know I got a lot of flack from my fellow employees for working so quickly. It was a two-sided thing for me, for one, it impressed my bosses, which I suppose was a bit of a suck-up move, but the more impressed they were with me, the more hours I got. It also was great to have a lot of return customers know me and come through my line each time they came because they knew I was working about 3x as fast as anyone else.

The downside of this of course is that my co-workers would constantly question me as to why I would work so fast when I was getting paid the same. I tried to explain to them that it's not the point, that lots of people get paid the same thing to do the same job as someone else but do more or less work. I tried to keep my level of speed and consistency as high as possible regardless of how much I was getting paid.

Probably the most upsetting thing to me was getting thrown in the express lane (10 items or less). The problem with express, which is universally despised by cashiers, is that most people bring 30+ Items, and since you're bagging and scanning yourself, you have to do a lot more work, and you end up doing about 3x as many sales as the regular cashier due to the smaller size of the orders. My bosses would constantly put me on express BECAUSE I was the fastest cashier, despite the fact I despised it, and could move the larger orders far quicker if I had a bagger assisting me.

When I confronted my managers at the time about it, they stated that someone as fast as me had to be put on the express register every shift. So I went ahead and slowed down as slow as humanly possible as Cheapy described, and the next week was allowed to move back to the regular registers because my productivity numbers had dropped to among the worst on the front end.

This unfortunately is a common practice among most supermarket chains, and the best piece of advice I can give people is to never use an "express lane" unless the store is getting "slammed" (3+ people waiting in line at a register), the employees there are usually disgruntled and unhappy about their situation, because of the way who is going to work there is determined. In other words, the best cashiers often felt they were being "punished" for doing good work instead of getting a raise by getting thrown to the crappy express registers.

[hoofrog]

I think Cheapy and Wombat got the 360 user-created content wrong. Microsoft has been working on this and it is beginning to pay off. A recent post from Major Nelson covered this exact topic (I cannot get link from work)

Xbox Live Community Created Games (http://creators.xna.com/)

Also, regarding the underperforming Xbox Live titles, I am assuming they will not be "listed" as a game for purchase, but it will still be listed in your account for redownload if you already purchased it. I seriously doubt they will deny you the ability to redownload a title you purchased from XBLA.

[LiK]

WOW, how ironic that mrs. shipwreck wasn't there when Wombat had a dog emergency.

btw Cheapy, i thought you did well on Hard News considering the lack of time you had to say anything. People just wanted to break your balls on UGO (and i think it was broken). ;)

[CheapyD]

I think Cheapy and Wombat got the 360 user-created content wrong. Microsoft has been working on this and it is beginning to pay off. A recent post from Major Nelson covered this exact topic (I cannot get link from work)

Xbox Live Community Created Games (http://creators.xna.com/)



But maybe most exciting, the Marketplace is going to be a way to get VelocityGirl reengaged with our market and reengaged with games. Because on the Marketplace, she's going to be an active member of the community, the community of people that play games like Tony Hawk.
Now, she might never pick up a controller, never take a run in the halfpipe but she'll be able to design and sell stickers, shirts, boards, sound tracks and even design her own skate park for those hardcore gamers like Striker.


Clearly this and XNA are two different animals.

[orko60]

Clearly this and XNA are two different animals.

Definitely. Hell, even designing a level for an FPS game is extraordinarily difficult.
How is a normal person going to program a game?? I wonder if anyone would ever make an RPG creator game, like the ones from last gen, but have it where you could put that content online (possibly for sale).

If you make a custom paint job in Forza 2, is it for sale? How do you get paid (in game points?)? I remember this being something like what they're talking about...

[Trenchalicious]

Oh and with Amazon, their hourly seller list is complete bs in most cases. I think some of the items on the list are paid for advertisements... especially when some items haven't been in stock for weeks, yet they remain high on the list that are allegedly updated hourly. Shady shady.

[aknowlesjr]

cheapy, you were awesome on hardnews on Screwattack. all the complainers suck! good job and i'll prob pay more attention to their show now b/c i know you are involved.

[Walt Jay]

Cheapy,

I agree that Amazon sales-related "news" is pointless and not very informative. For one, Amazon is not Wal*Mart. I'm sure Amazon is one of the largest online retailers, but I doubt they move anywhere near the volume of the big box stores. Even if a game is doing well (or not doing well) on Amazon, it is not entirely predictive of the overall results when you take into account all sales channels. Also, it is not very telling because the rankings are just rankings, not actual sales figures.

I think a recent example of this is with GTA IV 360 vs. PS3 sales. Tons of blogs were reporting that GTA IV 360 was outselling the PS3 version on Amazon because the 360 version was #1 and the PS3 was #2. How is this news when we don't even know how much the 360 version was outselling the PS3 version? Was it by 1%? 15%? 75%?

IMO, leave all the sales reporting to NPD.

/rant off :bomb:

[benjamouth]

Nice CAGcast Cheapy and Wombat.

One comment though, Cheapy could you have anymore more of a boner for Penny Arcade?
"The game got some bad reviews but those guys are probably just jealous of Penny Arcade", do you actually believe that, I mean come on !!!

Yeah, the game actually would have been as well reviewed as GTA, if everyone wasn't jealous of how awesome the guys at Penny Arcade are. :roll:

Time for someone to hail a cab and ask for Real Street.:D
Nice mid-cast burping though. Credit where it's due and all that.

[Davinator]

Cheapy - I've run into your credit card issue before myself. It usually happens to me after I go on vacation, where my credit card company puts a hold on the card until I verify that someone hasn't stolen it. Also, another time someone actually did steal my credit card and was trying to make charges in Paris and China.

So yeah, hopefully a quick call to your credit card company should fix that problem with your credit card & your xbla points =)

[HotShotX]

Just started listening to the 'cast when you and Wombat started mentioning the tip system, and I have to disagree. While the tip system is considered a mandatory gesture when dining out, 10%-20% is the norm for people who don't want to think and plop down that amount regardless of their service.

As the customer, we can tip anything we want (including nothing if the service sucks enough), and the amount tipped is really up to the one giving it. While larger groups may have an 18% gratuity based on where you dine, I personally will tip anywhere from 15-25%, usually rounding it up to the next $5-10 increment on the bill (i.e. $32.50 Bill + $7.50 Tip = $40.00).

However, I will certainly go up to 50% tip if the service is good enough, which to date has only occurred once, at a Denny's of all places, where the waitress put in a lot of effort to ensure that Crimson was well taken care of, and that is what's important to me when we dine out. Granted, a 50% tip on a $25 bill is only $12.50, but that's still probably 3-5x more than what they might see with people thinking that 10% is a mandatory tip, regardless of service.

All in all, I think it's up to each individual, and the criteria for determining tip (or lack thereof) is inherently our right to choose.

~HotShotX

[Nephlabobo]

I have to say Cheapy, I agree with you 100% about one thing.

You're absolutely right about service across Asia where they are literally tripping over themselves to help you as opposed to North America where retailers look at you like you're scum unless they are either getting a tip or earning by commission.

(Except for taxi drivers in Korea, who are some of the biggest assholes on the planet.)

Tipping is like giving someone a reward for good service when it's their god damn job to so in the first place.

That said, Wombat did make a valid point about some places that will remember you if you give a good tip and return again later.

[blazsox]

Couple things after listening to CAGcast.

In regards to service in America (no one wanting to work) - I agree in some aspects there are those people who just don't want to work and treat you like shit. But being in the retail service myself I've noticed that certain people I just won't give a shit about, others I will treat fairly well. Those customers who come right in and boss you around on what they want, and act like they are superior to others I find disrespectful. Yeah I am an employee and on my job description I am supposed to kiss their ass, but I am not going to waste my time on a customer who treats you like shit. I would much rather service someone who treats you like a human and not some slave.

Second comment - as for the Pixeljunk Monsters soundtrack download, we did previously have a single track from Lair for a free download months ago. It wasn't a full soundtrack, but it was a solo track.

[lordwow]

Couple things after listening to CAGcast.

In regards to service in America (no one wanting to work) - I agree in some aspects there are those people who just don't want to work and treat you like shit. But being in the retail service myself I've noticed that certain people I just won't give a shit about, others I will treat fairly well. Those customers who come right in and boss you around on what they want, and act like they are superior to others I find disrespectful. Yeah I am an employee and on my job description I am supposed to kiss their ass, but I am not going to waste my time on a customer who treats you like shit. I would much rather service someone who treats you like a human and not some slave.


Great comment gamer, there is definitely a real different attitude here in America by the consumer, and it's not a good one. How many times even on these boards have we argued about trying to trick a cashier into letting us use a coupon in combination of a sale, etc. Then to go and complain to the manager if it doesn't work?

That and these same jerk consumers are also the people working at these places...

Ever since I worked as a cashier, I am incredibly polite and cordial to everyone who works at these places because I know how ridiculous people can be to them all day.

[gorgo]

Good 'cast, as usual!

One thing Wombat, I must disagree with you with, is that Blu-ray is equal to downloadable movies in Sony's eyes.

In my eyes, and the eyes of anyone who looks at the details, they are far different. Current HD movie downloads, through XBL or Dish, at least, are 720p, 5.1 dolby digital, and you can watch them for maybe a day.

Blu-ray is 1080p with high-defintion sound, extras, etc. It's not the same market.

Downloadable content is great for casual viewing... and features a lot of content not on Blu. If you just want to see the movie, but it's not something you need to own/see in best possible way, then downloadable content is cool, especially when you can't even rent it in HD.

A disc-based, keepable content platform is not something that will go away soon. Movie collector nerds like myself like to see my content lined up on my shelf. However, if I want to see something that I KNOW I don't want to own, and can't rent (like an average comedy), then HD dlc on Xbox Live or Dish is the preferred format.

[thorbahn3]

100% Agree with Cheapy on the tipping issue... I've teaching English in South Korea where we also don't tip for anything and all service I receive is awesome and not forced....

Its going to be hard to move back home in the next 3 months

Damn!

[bobthecat23]

great cagcast guys though the beggining was a lil iffy

[nesfan8222]

although the beginning was different, i enjoyed it. Interesting points about tipping by cheapy. I felt like other parts of this cagcast were giving me deja vu, the "dont bring back any blackies" and the randall gay points have come up before. thanks as usual wombat and cheapy

[outlawmoogle]

Wombat (and Cheapy), while it's true that you can control a character on the top screen and a character on the bottom screen in The World Ends With You, thankfully you can set the top screen character to play completely automatically when you aren't controlling them. I personally can't concentrate on both screens at the same time usually, so I just have the AI fight for itself and it does a pretty decent job of doing it. From time to time I'll have a chance to manually enter a combo though.

[E*Master]

I may have a solution for your MS points dillema without getting it shipped from the USA.

This is how I get my XBL gold subscriptions every year. Simply go to ebay and buy your points there. What some of the members (with a lot of positive feedback) do is EMAIL the code to you within an hour after purchasing the points card. Not only is this time efficient but also massively convenient. Here is an example:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/XBOX-LIVE-4000-POINTS-CARD-BRAND-NEW-IN-SEALED-PACKAGE_W0QQitemZ220238483777QQihZ012QQcategoryZ13 9969QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Make sure you check their feedback first to see if a couple of other people have done this before you and done so successfully. :D

[CheapyD]

Cheapy - I've run into your credit card issue before myself. It usually happens to me after I go on vacation, where my credit card company puts a hold on the card until I verify that someone hasn't stolen it. Also, another time someone actually did steal my credit card and was trying to make charges in Paris and China.

So yeah, hopefully a quick call to your credit card company should fix that problem with your credit card & your xbla points =)

Well, I just tried it now and it worked. Very odd. There was a good two days there where it was a no go. I remember having a problem like this when the COD4 maps came out.

[Dr Mario Kart]

This is why console exclusives are good, or rather why multiplatform games are always bad for the game:

With a console exclusive, you're going to get (or are supposed to get) a game that is tailored to the strengths of the system, whether that be taking advantages of the hardware architecture or controls.

There are several ways go about multiplatform development:

1) Simultaneous development with one of the platforms being the lead platform:

Example: Oblivion. Developed at the same time, but the PC version ended up with a terrible interface that works fine for a console but is subpar for the PC.

2) Simultaneous development with no lead platforms:
All versions of the game are likely to suffer because considerations are made during development that affect platform A based on something going on with platform B. Generally a lack of optimization to each system's strengths.

Examples: Generally not the AAA stuff. Probably more along the lines of movie tie-ins and smaller developments. No big names off the top of my head.

3) Console Exclusive with a port to another system later on:

If you believe that the first game was made with no considerations made to a future port, then only the port is compromised. Bioshock on the PS3, even if its a better game than the 360 version, is necessarily worse than a game built from the ground up for the PS3 exclusively.

Another Example: Resident Evil 4 for PS2. Major things had to be compromised to make it work. No less than a miracle from the good people at Capcom.
_______________________

In every case, multiplatform development hurts the game. Either every version of the game, or just some versions of the game.

I want as many true exclusives as possible.

Now, there is a case of multiplatform development where each console's game is built from scratch with an engine tailored to that console, but this basically never happens.

[Nephlabobo]

Damn!

To be fair, I didn't teach students to write much when I was in S. Korea either.

[stakis]

I have to say Cheapy, I agree with you 100% about one thing.


(Except for taxi drivers in Korea, who are some of the biggest assholes on the planet.)
.

HAHAHA.... I have to second that!!!

[stakis]

Damn!

HAHAHAHAHA

I'm not even going to edit that!!! Awesome find!!!

[UltimoRey]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2511909629_5f7158db9a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21991223@N07/2511909629/in/set-72157605182193384/)


"That's no moon!"
sorry Wombat, I don't like that people make fun of your weight, but it was the first quote that popped in my head.

[terpkristin]

Great show, guys!!!

I've downloaded the PA game demo, but I haven't tried it out yet. I'm probably going to buy it, as I'm a big fan of the comic and I like to support the indy stuff. I wish it were $15 per episode, though. At that price, 4 episodes = 1 complete game = $60.

The entire flap over Richard Gaywood not being able to use his name as his XBLA username is just ridiculous. However, I went to school with Richard Handler (if I'm not mistaken, he wasn't the first in his family with that name...), so I think Dick Handler is worse than Dick Gaywood. And even though it's not a dick joke, my brother named his son Otto Maddock (and our last name is pronounced Pilot) so my nephew is Otto Maddock Pilot or automatic pilot, which is pretty awful, too...

/tk

[Wolfkin]

CheapyD and Wombat both of you guys expressed concerns about :ds: "The World Ends With You". Let me (as I'm sure countless others before me have done) highly recommend the game.

This is a game which like "Boom Blox" doesn't translate well in to words. It sounds very complex and to be honest it's pretty deep. However one of my favourite things about this game is that it's very very scalable. It sounds daunting to control both characters at once and it can be but the game has all sorts of fail-safe systems so if you want to just control the bottom screen you can do that and gradually start to take over the top screen at your own pace or not at all. There are numerous mechanisms which let you fine tune the difficulty of the game.* Don't let this one pass you buy guys, and thanks for the show.



*Plus on your off days you still get experience

[banodyne]

Always two there are, a master and an apprentice.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2511909629_5f7158db9a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21991223@N07/2511909629/in/set-72157605182193384/)

[banodyne]

Re: Penny Arcade Adventures. Do you think the problem is that they labeled it episodic content? If they had said it was a $20 game that lasted 10-15 hours, most people would've said that's a fair price. The other episodes would've been sequels that came out amazingly fast. Is this any different then a lot of games that come out every year with little improvement. (We're looking at you EA.)

[banodyne]

Well, I just tried it now and it worked. Very odd. There was a good two days there where it was a no go. I remember having a problem like this when the COD4 maps came out.
If it ever happens again you could use your Japanese cell phone to buy points (http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/05/docomo-to-suppo.html).

[FriskyTanuki]

MyResistance.net has been around since last fall at least, I believe, and Insomniac is working on revamping it over the next few months. It's not like websites are now Sony's new smash idea for online communities that they're claiming are innovative.

I have the full version of Penny Arcade Adventures and it surprisingly had me hooked, which I couldn't take a very long break before going back to beat it. The price is pretty much the only reason I'd be hesitant about buying this, but likely I managed to get around it. I wouldn't even really say that you have to be a huge fan of PA to like the game, because there's not much in the way of references to the comics as most probably expect. Outside of some characters and some odds and ends, that's about all the game has as far as Penny Arcade's concerned.

As for your call for broken 360 promises, Cheapy, how many paint jobs have you designed with your cell phone? ;) Imagine if Sony puts that idea out in a real application (Home) long before Microsoft, even with the delays that Home has had.

The 360 controller is more like the Dual Shock than the Duke/Controller S? I'm confused by that statement, Cheapy. The only similarity I see are the shoulder buttons and maybe the more comfortable build, but that's it.

I get my podcasts on my PSP with the RSS feed, as it's great to be able to pull up the RSS feeds, download the day's podcasts from my wireless connection, and listen to them once I'm done. I think you missed the point of the RSS feed before, Cheapy, though I know you don't listen to much of any kind of podcast.

Good show.

[orko60]

Damn!

MyResistance.net has been around since last fall at least, I believe, and Insomniac is working on revamping it over the next few months. It's not like websites are now Sony's new smash idea for online communities that they're claiming are innovative.


I get my podcasts on my PSP with the RSS feed, as it's great to be able to pull up the RSS feeds, download the day's podcasts from my wireless connection, and listen to them once I'm done. I think you missed the point of the RSS feed before, Cheapy, though I know you don't listen to much of any kind of podcast.

Good show.

There's nothing worse than listening to a podcast on your psp, and the headphones get pulled out, releasing the sound to the world. Then everyone around wonders why the fuck you're listening to video game nerds talk.

Is there a fix for that? That's the biggest reason that I don't use my PSP as an mp3 player.

Is there a Warhawk website? They need one. I don't see how that would be too difficult. Like you pointed out; there is myresistance.net, which has been working well since launch.

[FriskyTanuki]

There's nothing worse than listening to a podcast on your psp, and the headphones get pulled out, releasing the sound to the world. Then everyone around wonders why the fuck you're listening to video game nerds talk.

Is there a fix for that? That's the biggest reason that I don't use my PSP as an mp3 player.

Is there a Warhawk website? They need one. I don't see how that would be too difficult. Like you pointed out; there is myresistance.net, which has been working well since launch.
There is, but I don't think it has its own forums separate from Sony's forums, so it'll redirect you to the ones on the PlayStation site.

Not sure about the volume solution, you could try a rubber band around the PSP and cord to keep it from being likely to be pulled out.

Edit: Actually, I think I figured out how to actually do that. The steps:

1. Turn on PSP without headphones plugged in.
2. Hold the audio button down until it's muted.
3. Plug in headphones.
4. Hold the audio button down again until the volume's back on.
5. Play an audio file, make sure you can here it through the headphones, then pull them out. You shouldn't be hearing anything coming out of the speakers.
6. To get the audio to work with the speakers again, pull out the headphones and hold the audio button down so you see the mute symbol again.
7. Hold the audio button down again until the audio comes back on and it should be coming out the speakers again.

[terpkristin]

CheapyD and Wombat both of you guys expressed concerns about :ds: "The World Ends With You". Let me (as I'm sure countless others before me have done) highly recommend the game.

You know, I wanted to love this game. Actually, I loved everything about it except the stylus control on the bottom screen. Maybe I'm just bad with stylus controls, but it always seemed that things I was trying to do didn't work. Like I was trying to move Neku, but instead of moving him (so he wouldn't get attacked), it would use a fire pin attack. And there was one pin, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get to work, even in the tutorial mode. I don't remember which one it was, but I was quite frustrated. The dual-screen combat was pretty nifty, and once you get the jist of it, isn't as complicated as it sounds. But for me, the stylus control on the bottom screen just didn't work.

I'm beginning to wonder if the reason I have a problem with stylus-control games is because of the screen protector I have on the DS. I had a lot of problems with Phantom Hourglass, too (well I hated the control for that game, period, I gave up after less than 2 dungeons because I found it so annoying).

Anyway, if Cheapy or Wombat wants a used copy of TWEWY, let me know, I could part with it pretty inexpensively..

/tk

[pete5883]

Looks like your MS Points problem is fixed, but even if it wasn't you'd be able to buy points if you had the right Japanese phone provider: Japan Can Buy Microsoft Points Over The Phone (http://kotaku.com/392893/japan-can-buy-microsoft-points-over-the-phone)

[Wolfkin]

You know, I wanted to love this game. Actually, I loved everything about it except the stylus control on the bottom screen. Maybe I'm just bad with stylus controls, but it always seemed that things I was trying to do didn't work. Like I was trying to move Neku, but instead of moving him (so he wouldn't get attacked), it would use a fire pin attack. And there was one pin, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get to work, even in the tutorial mode. I don't remember which one it was, but I was quite frustrated. The dual-screen combat was pretty nifty, and once you get the jist of it, isn't as complicated as it sounds. But for me, the stylus control on the bottom screen just didn't work.I don't know how far you got but I know in the begining for instance the first pin you get doesn't control the way they tell you to control it. Outside of that I really haven't had too much problems long as you remember the order rule (pins get used in order from left to right), and I use one of the Hori Screen protectors.

[LiK]

Well, I just tried it now and it worked. Very odd. There was a good two days there where it was a no go. I remember having a problem like this when the COD4 maps came out.

Same thing happened to me as well when CoD4 came out. it must be a server issue. i've spoken to the Xbox head of Live Operations and he said the CSR at MS are completely clueless to what happens on their servers.

[orko60]

There is, but I don't think it has its own forums separate from Sony's forums, so it'll redirect you to the ones on the PlayStation site.

Not sure about the volume solution, you could try a rubber band around the PSP and cord to keep it from being likely to be pulled out.

Edit: Actually, I think I figured out how to actually do that. The steps:



I will try it, thanks. It's funny, 'cause I was playing God of War: COO on the plane to Costa Rica this week, and I had to shut it off because I got to a part early on where there were two chicks you could bang (after the 'Persian'). It was very embarassing! Why do they have to put silly stuff like that in. I switched to the Patapon demo, as it is okay for people to watch me play that over my shoulder.

[terpkristin]

I don't know how far you got but I know in the begining for instance the first pin you get doesn't control the way they tell you to control it. Outside of that I really haven't had too much problems long as you remember the order rule (pins get used in order from left to right), and I use one of the Hori Screen protectors.

Hmm, maybe I'll give it another go. I got to the third day or so before I just got too frustrated. But if I do, I still think I'm going to wait a little while...

/tk

[outlawmoogle]

Hmm, maybe I'll give it another go. I got to the third day or so before I just got too frustrated. But if I do, I still think I'm going to wait a little while...

/tk

The fire pin kinda sucks because of how it's used. When you use that pin you have to start the stylus under Neku and then drag in order to move him. Try some other pins and you'll probably find it controlling better.

[SuxoR]

I hope they will start doing Shovelware again :/

[blazsox]

Great comment gamer, there is definitely a real different attitude here in America by the consumer, and it's not a good one. How many times even on these boards have we argued about trying to trick a cashier into letting us use a coupon in combination of a sale, etc. Then to go and complain to the manager if it doesn't work?

That and these same jerk consumers are also the people working at these places...

Ever since I worked as a cashier, I am incredibly polite and cordial to everyone who works at these places because I know how ridiculous people can be to them all day.

I agree. I remember when I was much younger I would be super impatient in cash out lines, thinking to myself "jeeze, why did they hire some old lady who can't even move?" Since getting into retail, I am probably one of the few in the line who don't look like they are about to shoot somebody to advance in the line.

I find the best customers to be those who attempt to trick you in prices. "Oh no that was labeled as $14.97 in the bin over there, not $24.97"

"Mam, it's clearly labeled over there in big bold print as $24.97"

(she shows me where she found it)

"Mam, this is a health and beauty bin, why we would stock movies in this bin?"

"I want your manager"

Common sense. ;)

[banodyne]

Yeah, I remember my days working in a ghetto mall. A newer bigger one opened down the road so all our customers were locals who couldn't drive out to the other one. I remember one old lady who would shoplift thongs and try to return them for cash saying she got them as a gag gift.

[guju900]

always enjoy listening to your humor and you bring something that no other podcast has in the video game section.

[outlawmoogle]

I agree. I remember when I was much younger I would be super impatient in cash out lines, thinking to myself "jeeze, why did they hire some old lady who can't even move?" Since getting into retail, I am probably one of the few in the line who don't look like they are about to shoot somebody to advance in the line.

I find the best customers to be those who attempt to trick you in prices. "Oh no that was labeled as $14.97 in the bin over there, not $24.97"



I used to work in a non-profit secondhand store. You wouldn't believe the amount of scum willing to lie and steal from a charitable organization, even if the merchandise cost less than a dollar.

[JadedJedi]

CheapyD, it was funny to hear you thoughts about tipping. Here's my guidelines about tipping from not only a cheap ass gamer, but a cheap ass tipper too.
1. The tip starts at 15%, for every 5 minutes you have to wait to get your cup refilled, deduct 1%
2. If your waiter/waitress sits you near a crying baby, deduct 5%. The term "family restaurant" really means "colicky babies welcome"
3. If the waiter asks if everything's ok after you finished your meal, deduct 5%
4. if the waiter wasn't very pleasant but made sure your glass is topped off and made sure you were ok, put the tip in the place that he would have to make an effort to reach it.
5. if the waiter makes a pass at your girl, there will be no tip and report to the manager that the waiter sexually harassed your girl. (This happened when I was on a date)

[KanoBlade]

New listener here (sorta), i've listened to a previous CAGcast before however this one tipped me over the edge, I LOVE THE CAGCAST! Can't wait for the next show!

[StarKnightX]

CheapyD, it was funny to hear you thoughts about tipping. Here's my guidelines about tipping from not only a cheap ass gamer, but a cheap ass tipper too.
1. The tip starts at 15%, for every 5 minutes you have to wait to get your cup refilled, deduct 1%
2. If your waiter/waitress sits you near a crying baby, deduct 5%. The term "family restaurant" really means "colicky babies welcome"
3. If the waiter asks if everything's ok after you finished your meal, deduct 5%
4. if the waiter wasn't very pleasant but made sure your glass is topped off and made sure you were ok, put the tip in the place that he would have to make an effort to reach it.
5. if the waiter makes a pass at your girl, there will be no tip and report to the manager that the waiter sexually harassed your girl. (This happened when I was on a date)

Most of these sound good except number 2 , and I don't really understand number 4.

In the case of being sat next to a crying baby , what if the alternative was having to wait considerably longer to get a seat? As in "sit here by the cying baby or wait another 15 to 20 minutes for another table to open up"?

[atomsk]

I totally agree the tipping in the US, it's such bullshit. When I worked in a restaurant my job wasn't deemed tip-worthy, even though I worked harder than the servers.

[msdmoney]

The only requirement I really have for a good tip is to keep my drink filled. If I have to ask for another refill after waitng a while, or even worse if I have to remind them a second time they aren't going to get a good tip. The best waiters are the ones who bring me another refill as I'm finishing my current drink.

[orko60]

CheapyD, it was funny to hear you thoughts about tipping. Here's my guidelines about tipping from not only a cheap ass gamer, but a cheap ass tipper too.
1. The tip starts at 15%, for every 5 minutes you have to wait to get your cup refilled, deduct 1%
2. If your waiter/waitress sits you near a crying baby, deduct 5%. The term "family restaurant" really means "colicky babies welcome"
3. If the waiter asks if everything's ok after you finished your meal, deduct 5%
4. if the waiter wasn't very pleasant but made sure your glass is topped off and made sure you were ok, put the tip in the place that he would have to make an effort to reach it.
5. if the waiter makes a pass at your girl, there will be no tip and report to the manager that the waiter sexually harassed your girl. (This happened when I was on a date)

You sound like a complete a-hole. I'm surprised you tip at all. At the very least, you could start at 20 fucking percent...

[typeRJ]

i just got a zune about a month ago and subscribed to the show through the zune marketplace.

not that the number of zune users is anywhere near itunes users, but plugging it as available on the zune marketplace might get a few more listeners.

[HOVA uk]

did you guys answer a question from "Hiro Protagonist "?? or did i hear wrong.

'cause thats J Allards gamertag, but it might be an impostor. .

[JadedJedi]

You sound like a complete a-hole. I'm surprised you tip at all. At the very least, you could start at 20 fucking percent...

I am a complete a-hole, and yes, I sometimes don't tip. That's why I prefer fast food. It's the small revenges that I relish.

[JadedJedi]

In the case of being sat next to a crying baby , what if the alternative was having to wait considerably longer to get a seat? As in "sit here by the cying baby or wait another 15 to 20 minutes for another table to open up"?

I don't wait, I just leave. Therre have been many instances where I sat near babies that have been nice and quiet, or the mom or dad gently stops them from crying. Its the ones that are sreaming like a banshee and the parents don't seem to notice or care. No, I am not a father and God willing, never will be.

[terpkristin]

did you guys answer a question from "Hiro Protagonist "?? or did i hear wrong.

'cause thats J Allards gamertag, but it might be an impostor. .

I thought I heard them say it was Hiro Antagonist. Yay for plays on Snow Crash.

/tk

[Chase]

http://i32.tinypic.com/21ew7th.jpg

[FriskyTanuki]

I thought I heard them say it was Hiro Antagonist. Yay for plays on Snow Crash.

/tk
Why not just go to the CAGbag and find out who (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4390383&postcount=2651)asked it?

[terpkristin]

Why not just go to the CAGbag and find out who (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4390383&postcount=2651)asked it?

Come on, FT, that would be doing things the smart way! Plus, I was more or less right, I heard Hiro Antagonist. ;) It's hard to hear the _ in the middle. :D

/tk

[Ender]

CheapyD, it was funny to hear you thoughts about tipping. Here's my guidelines about tipping from not only a cheap ass gamer, but a cheap ass tipper too.
1. The tip starts at 15%, for every 5 minutes you have to wait to get your cup refilled, deduct 1%
2. If your waiter/waitress sits you near a crying baby, deduct 5%. The term "family restaurant" really means "colicky babies welcome"
3. If the waiter asks if everything's ok after you finished your meal, deduct 5%
4. if the waiter wasn't very pleasant but made sure your glass is topped off and made sure you were ok, put the tip in the place that he would have to make an effort to reach it.
5. if the waiter makes a pass at your girl, there will be no tip and report to the manager that the waiter sexually harassed your girl. (This happened when I was on a date)

Wow, dude. It's not the waiter's fault you were born with a tiny penis.

[Maklershed]

It was Hiro Antagonist. I remember it.

And Jaded Jedi, do you ever ADD to the tip when they do good work or do you just punish them?

[DustoMan]

Great show, guys!!!

I've downloaded the PA game demo, but I haven't tried it out yet. I'm probably going to buy it, as I'm a big fan of the comic and I like to support the indy stuff. I wish it were $15 per episode, though. At that price, 4 episodes = 1 complete game = $60.



Major Nelson asked Gabe and Tyco about the $20 price tag on last week's Blogcast. I can't remember which one responded, but he said, "Well Bejeweled is $20."

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7126362&st=bejeweled&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1109938020399

http://www.popcap.com/games/bejeweled2

[E*Master]

To be quite honest. I don't understand tipping at all. The person that is serving you is employed by and establishment to serve you. Now, I don't give a rats ass if he/she/It is making minimum wage because all I got to say about that is get a real job if the one you got ain;t paying you enough. There are plenty of options.

So, if I am to "tip" them because they for the simple fact that they are doing there job yet are not being paid very well that means I should tip the guy at wal-mart who is making minimum wage as well because he went to the back and got me something that was not on the shelf because he was doing his job, just that he isn't gettingpaid enough to do it.

I worked in the restaurant industry for over 4 years as a cook and got paid shit. I did all the hard work, degreased my hair and skin for 45 minutes after every shift so I wouldn't smell like food for the rest of the night/day and I NEVER FUCKING GOT TIPPED ONCE!!! You know who gets a tip? The girl with the huge tits taking the food to the customers who has "sooooo much to put up with". Customer service involves you having to interact with people, whether it's Brian in India or me at (my former employer/outsourcer) T-Mobile. There is tonnes of jobs that you can do this line of work in that varies in pay and that requires just as much skill.

So, I am supposed to tip them for what again? Because they make no money at their current job and can;t get off their ass to find themselves a better one? Oh wait what? They have kids and no time? Looking for a new job requires you to sit on ur ass on Workopolis (at least in Canada) for a few hours and email a couple of dozen resumes out. That is it.

But no I am supposed to tip them instead so that they can get a little extra money because their job pays them shit. I don't get that at all. Thus I don't tip or even go to restaurants in general unless it's a special occasion.

One other reason I don't tip is because I don't get any better service regardless. I don't even see the same waiter/waitress/tranny waitress etc. in the restaurants I go to because most of the time they do go and find themselves a better paying job or get fired for being a dick.

/rant.

PS Fuck Tipping.

[FriskyTanuki]

Come on, FT, that would be doing things the smart way! Plus, I was more or less right, I heard Hiro Antagonist. ;) It's hard to hear the _ in the middle. :D

/tk
I heard it. The capital letters, too. 8-) ;)

[Gentlegamer]

To be quite honest. I don't understand tipping at all. The person that is serving you is employed by and establishment to serve you. Now, I don't give a rats ass if he/she/It is making minimum wage because all I got to say about that is get a real job if the one you got ain;t paying you enough. There are plenty of options.

So, if I am to "tip" them because they for the simple fact that they are doing there job yet are not being paid very well that means I should tip the guy at wal-mart who is making minimum wage as well because he went to the back and got me something that was not on the shelf because he was doing his job, just that he isn't gettingpaid enough to do it.

I worked in the restaurant industry for over 4 years as a cook and got paid shit. I did all the hard work, degreased my hair and skin for 45 minutes after every shift so I wouldn't smell like food for the rest of the night/day and I NEVER FUCKING GOT TIPPED ONCE!!! You know who gets a tip? The girl with the huge tits taking the food to the customers who has "sooooo much to put up with". Customer service involves you having to interact with people, whether it's Brian in India or me at (my former employer/outsourcer) T-Mobile. There is tonnes of jobs that you can do this line of work in that varies in pay and that requires just as much skill.

So, I am supposed to tip them for what again? Because they make no money at their current job and can;t get off their ass to find themselves a better one? Oh wait what? They have kids and no time? Looking for a new job requires you to sit on ur ass on Workopolis (at least in Canada) for a few hours and email a couple of dozen resumes out. That is it.

But no I am supposed to tip them instead so that they can get a little extra money because their job pays them shit. I don't get that at all. Thus I don't tip or even go to restaurants in general unless it's a special occasion.

One other reason I don't tip is because I don't get any better service regardless. I don't even see the same waiter/waitress/tranny waitress etc. in the restaurants I go to because most of the time they do go and find themselves a better paying job or get fired for being a dick.

/rant.

PS Fuck Tipping.

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/miramax_films/reservoir_dogs/steve_buscemi/dogs.jpg

[orko60]

did you guys answer a question from "Hiro Protagonist "?? or did i hear wrong.

'cause thats J Allards gamertag, but it might be an impostor. .

It's not just J Allard's gamertag. It's a character from a Neal Stephenson novel. Allard didn't make it up or anything, so it could be a coincidence, and probably is.

[JadedJedi]

Wow, dude. It's not the waiter's fault you were born with a tiny penis.

It's the waiter's fault that I don't have a full glass. TIpping should be a reward for good service and not an obligation. If the waiter hates their job they can quit and get a job that pays above minimum wage. It's called a college degree. Look into it!

[outlawmoogle]

You sound like a complete a-hole. I'm surprised you tip at all. At the very least, you could start at 20 fucking percent...

Don't worry, I'm sure he's eaten his share of pubes and spit.

[portland485]

Cheapy, i think that maybe the reason you dont get more reviews on iTunes is because you have to have iTunes installed to do so. I tried to give you guys a review, but since im not about to install iTunes solely for that reason, I cant.

Anyway, just a thought, awesome show!

[orko60]

Don't worry, I'm sure he's eaten his share of pubes and spit.

Outside and inside restaurants, regardless of tipping, I don't doubt.

When I was a cook, we used to drop shit all the time and still serve it. If I knew he was eating, I would dip my ripe balls in the soup, and fill his glass with a delicious concoction of various bodily fluids.

[Rei no Otaku]

My wife moved to the US from Japan when she was 13, and she's half-black, and half-Japanese. Her family moved here because of the the prejudice they had to deal with. So you're right about that.

[terpkristin]

Major Nelson asked Gabe and Tyco about the $20 price tag on last week's Blogcast. I can't remember which one responded, but he said, "Well Bejeweled is $20."

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7126362&st=bejeweled&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1109938020399

http://www.popcap.com/games/bejeweled2

I listened to that interview, and I'd completely forgotten about that "justification."

:( Pretty lame.

/tk

[aknowlesjr]

the PA game is great even for non fans. i don't read the PA cartoons or commentaries and still fine the game hilarious. I put down my $20. i do hope thought the future episodes are cheaper, although if this one sells well i have my doubts.

[calvin449]

http://www.avatarimage.net/imagehosting/files/cdpqvypsmiwbod12kn7b.jpg

[Blaine]

Wombat is 100% right on the tipping point. This just happened to me last week. There's a small italian restaurant near my house. My fiance and I went there two weeks ago and liked the food so much we went again the following week.

The first time we ate there I was very happy so I left a largish tip (almost 30%).

The second time we went there, we walked in, the host said "Hello" to us and then started to wander around to the other groups who were there before us.

About 10 minutes in, we started to get irritated that he didn't take our name and put us on the list.

I walked up to say something, I looked at the list and it already said "Blaine - 2".

I told my fiance, she didn't believe me, and then the host came over with our menus and walked us to our seats.

So not only did the waiter remember us but the host remembered as well.

Needless to say the service was excellent.

And if you really think about it, Cheapy is right that 15% tip is pretty much food tax at this point in time, so the only way to really get a response is to tip over the tip.

So I agree with Wombat (tipping can make you a prefered customer) and I agree with Cheapy (waiters should just get a living wage so that tips are only for exemplary service).

[ELpork]

Dear Cheapy and wombat. I love the show but is there a need for so many awkward moments.

[kashwashwa]

Dear Cheapy and wombat. I love the show but is there a need for so many awkward moments.

I didn't hear any awkwardness... it's only awkward if you make it awkward!

This is the first CAGcast I've listened to, and I gotta say it's 10 times better than the rest of the tripe that video game sites call their podcasts.

[StinkyCheese]

Dear Cheapy and wombat. I love the show but is there a need for so many awkward moments.

First time listening? ;)

[ALLoGISTIC1]

Wombat, Have you heard about haze? I have it. have you seen the reviews its been getting? umm, I have it. apparently its a mess. yeah, I have it. so, on to the next segment, wombat?...

It's unusual for wombat to not voice his opionion, so what happened here! Was there something you wanted to add regarding haze, wombat? since cheapy apparently wasnt interested in whether you have it or not.

[junkbomb]

MGO beta, of all things, already had community website that you can access in the game.

[Yipwoop]

Cheapy and Wombat have questioned why the PS3 can't just emulate the 360 in its online system. I have a feeling it might have something to do with patents. If Microsoft patented their online interface (and I have no doubt they did), then Sony cannot just blatantly use the same type of online system unfortunately.

[orko60]

Cheapy and Wombat have questioned why the PS3 can't just emulate the 360 in its online system. I have a feeling it might have something to do with patents. If Microsoft patented their online interface (and I have no doubt they did), then Sony cannot just blatantly use the same type of online system unfortunately.


It seems to be their plan, though, to copy it directly; they're just taking forever to do it. Don't think it's a patent issue.