CAGcast #197: Tehrnutzov

[CheapyD]

3078[/img-l]We've got lots to discuss this week including Skate 3, Bungie + Activision, Halo Reach Beta (and its code distribution), Alan Wake, Splinter Cell Conviction, Dead to Rights Retribution, CAG iPhone app issues, your CAGbag (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71382) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/cheapyd) questions, and much more!

106
Download (http://traffic.libsyn.com/cheapyd/cagcast197.mp3) - 106 minutes, 51MB
iTunes: Subscribe (https://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZFinance.woa/wa/subscribePodcast?id=78311760) - Review (https://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZFinance.woa/wa/addUserReview?type=Podcast&id=78311760)
http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png (http://feeds.feedburner.com/cagcast) http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/../podcast/google.gif (http://fusion.google.com/add?feedurl=http://feeds.feedburner.com/cagcast) http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/../podcast/yahoo.gif (http://add.my.yahoo.com/rss?url=http://feeds.feedburner.com/cagcast) [IMG]http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/../podcast/facebook.gif (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2395729194) http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/../podcast/newemail.gif (http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=223592&loc=en_US)

Support the CAGcast with these GoDaddy (http://www.godaddy.com/) coupon codes:
10% off any order = CAG10
$5 off $30 = CAG5OFF30
$6.95 domain = CAGDOMAIN

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


Intro: Uranus - The Planets - Holst

The Video Game Release List of 5/2 - 5/8 (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/63595)

Bungie Signs 10 Year Activision Deal (http://www.destructoid.com/megaton-bungie-signs-ten-year-deal-with-activision-172387.phtml)Bungie Explains Activision Deal (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/bungie-explains-activision-deal-interview?page=1)
Red Dead Redemption To Get Free Co-Op Mission Pack (http://kotaku.com/5531487/red-dead-redemption-to-get-free-co+op-mission-pack)Analysis: Communication, confusion, and community managers (http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/215050/analysis-communication-confusion-and-community-managers-update/)

Warner Bros. acquires MMO developer Turbine (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/warner-bros-acquires-mmo-developer-turbine/)

Halo Beta Codes Giveaway and Journalism (http://kyleorland.com/thegamebeat/?p=2447)

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: Astrocade (http://gameads.gamepressure.com/tv_game_commercial.asp?ID=10507)






(http://twitpic.com/1921lx)

[Jorrel56]

Yay. News on CAG iPhone app! :)

[nzbeans]

Second. :D

[aznboovie]

w000t iphone apps

[TheJerseyKush]

YEAHHHH another delicious podcast

[controlcommerce]

Woot.

[prence]

I don't know why but I thought Red Dead Redemption had co-op during the full game. Oh well.

Anyway.. good stuff thus far.

[Bluntsly]

Glad I checked here before starting my work, the CAGcast is the one shining light during a dreary monotonous graveyard shift.

[CaptainJoel]

YAY! I've been dying to listen to a new CAGcast!

[chakan]

um...guys, if you followed Cheapy's twitter feed, you'd know that its not good news about the iphone app.

[CRH7386]

I'm glad I get to listen to the CAGcast while studying for finals :-) I'm also glad Shipwreck is back. Justin was a good edition for maybe once in a while but Shipwreck is the man!

[sainrub]

Haha,

I had my speakers just a lil to loud for the opening. :D

[Interfeci]

The dude that voices Kratos is T.C. Carson. He was in Living Single.

[volt1up]

The dude that voices Kratos is T.C. Carson. He was in Living Single.

Hrm, apparently he voices Mace Windu in the clone wars cartoon and some games.

[Sgt Barone]

yes! a week without a CAGcast is like a week without taking a shit, it sucks.

[crunchewy]

For those not listening, a summary of the iPhone app issues?

[WankerJist]

Yes! Have been looking forward to this after a long sabbatical!

[LiK]

worst opening ever! lulz

btw, sucks to hear about the CAG app status. no Amazon = suckitude x1000000

[4nik8tor]

thought this show sucked. until the John Snow reference. best show ever!

[Zimmy]

Sorry to hear about the app.
That Amazon policy basically killed my current favorite shopping app, Red Laser.
When you scan a UPC, it doesn't include any Amazon data which makes it useless.

One suggestion, please include mobile forum browsing in the app.

[kashwashwa]

It's so depressing to me that the restaurant Shipwreck ended up at was the Keg... a shitty steakhouse chain.

Especially considering you were in Vancouver, an amazing foody city. I was just there on vacation 3 weeks ago, and it's difficult to even find a place to eat at as mediocre as the Keg. :(

[rogueweapon]

Good show ya Cheap Bastards. Ok, I've heard Wombat tout his guitar playing skills too many times now. I have to hear Eddie Van Wombat shred his axe. Maybe a live performance on the next show?

[ch3zyp00fs]

Good show ya Cheap Bastards. Ok, I've heard Wombat tout his guitar playing skills too many times now. I have to hear Eddie Van Wombat shred his axe. Maybe a live performance on the next show?

Not a bad idea, I'd love to hear Wombat play a lil.

[4nik8tor]

he's a bassist..

[Wombat]

Not a bad idea, I'd love to hear Wombat play a lil.

If I could get me from 1998-99 on the show I would, but I am not nearly as good as I used to be.

[Walt Jay]

Wow. Key to riling up Wombat: Ask his advice and insight on Spider-Man :)

[smoger]

seth wasnt *that* bad in sf4... it seems like theres one move with each character that he's extremely poorly programmed against.. all you have to do is figure out what that move is and exploit the crap about it.. (and be reallly careful about when you strike)

..and he is definitely easier in Super.

[rogueweapon]

If I could get me from 1998-99 on the show I would, but I am not nearly as good as I used to be.

I love how Wombat ignores my original post. Well I'm calling you out Hoss. 17 years, it's like riding a bike plus you got a week to practice. Do it for the fans.

[xpag406]

I love how Wombat ignores my original post. Well I'm calling you out Hoss. 17 years, it's like riding a bike plus you got a week to practice. Do it for the fans.
Even better:
A Performance for CAGCast 200!
Anyway, great show as always!

[banodyne]

Cheapy, you said you had someone inside Amazon fighting for you. Is there anywhere CAG readers could write to to let Amazon know this is how their customers want to buy products from them?

[banodyne]

You know what every gaming site overlooked in their reporting of the Activision/Bungie deal? Microsoft, after letting Bungie split off, had the right of first refusal (http://blog.seattlepi.com/digitaljoystick/archives/122942.asp)for new properties coming from the developer. So whatever this new IP is Microsoft looked at it and said no thanks.

[dubbfoolio]

Hey 'Bat-crash, strangely relevant article for you nerds:

http://egotvonline.com/2010/05/05/top-9-iron-man-villains/

I think it's funny that they couldn't come up with 10.

Also I think Wombat should serenade Cheapy with "Your body is a wonderland" on episode 200. anything less will be a total disappointment!

[shafnitz]

I only have one thing to say about the Bungie/Activision deal:

Who wants to take bets that sometime in the next 10 years, one of them sues the other one for breach of contract?

That is all.

[volt1up]

I only have one thing to say about the Bungie/Activision deal:

Who wants to take bets that sometime in the next 10 years, one of them sues the other one for breach of contract?

That is all.

Yup, I don't see how an independent minded bungie is a good fit when they fired the infinity ward guys for "insubordination."

[morph3us]

Hey Wombat, it is funny that you said you could not think of 3 Iron man villains because this list was on digg today!

http://egotvonline.com/2010/05/05/top-9-iron-man-villains/

[volt1up]

Hey Wombat, it is funny that you said you could not think of 3 Iron man villains because this list was on digg today!

http://egotvonline.com/2010/05/05/top-9-iron-man-villains/

4.) Alcohol

[lokizz]

most people probably had an issue with justins laugh on that past podcast it was really grating on the nerves especially if youre wearing heaphones to listen to the show. but he was ok in the role he played but its good to have shipwreck back because i like facts and in depth info when it comes to talking about games not just apethetic musings from someones somewhat biased point of view. no offense. oh yeah btw cheapy if youre not sure if something like a game or demo is on psn or not check out friskytanukis psn store thread he updates it regularly that way youd know that the demo you were referring to was on psn.

[geminas01]

First it's Stravinsky's inferno dance from the firebird suite, now it's Holst's planet suite....and its not even Mars or Jupiter, but the rather obscure Uranus!


Is CheapyD really classing up the podcast?! :applause:

[eataburger]

I'm suprised that you got that far on the iPhone app without first securing Amazon's pricing feed.

I imagine they are saying no because they are going to launch their own app, maybe just for premium members or something and have full control over how their prices get distributed.

I see how Wombat's role is continuing to grow. He's becoming good at knowing when to jump in and when to back off on a point.

One thing I admire about Wombat is that he is an original thinker. He looks at a situation and gives some thought to it and adds to the conversation vs regurgetating what he reads (i.e. CheapyD).

[freakyzeeky]

I want a hammock in my office... that would be fantasic! ;)

[gunm]

I think Capcom is trying to find that balance between making money off DLC and still providing something for everyone else. SSFIV is $40 MSRP and including unlockables that do not require purchase.

[KingBroly]

You know Cheapy that the DLC from Street Fighter 4 works on SSF4, right? Also, the majority of the DLC for SF4 are strategy videos that people who would be interested in seeing already know how to use those strategies effectively. And if you mean Super, it's mostly themes and gamerpics, not actual in-game content (which is still on the disc).

[volt1up]

Wolverine and The X-men had a really neutered wolverine but the series was actually good, especially with the dystopian future stuff and The Age of Apocalypse that would have been season 2. Spectacular Spider-man was probably better overall, least favorite being the campy Brave & the Bold.

[repete]

awsome

[Dmoney]

CheapyD, That Amazon policy sucks, but what if every cag member sent an email, or wrote a letter to Amazon, would that help any? Just a thought. love the show, keep your chin up, you will find a salution to this iphone app problem. Remember we got your back Cheapy. just let us know where to send our email or mail, and its as good as done.

[Energy Penguin]

Woot forty-five!

E A Glory
...it's in the hole

[Z_meista]

too bad about the iphone app cheapy...
maybe you can still have forums with links to amazon?

[200STM]

If wombat played bass around the late 90s he must've been in the NY scene, wombat did you see Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, The Movielife, and The Rookie Lot as they just started playing? Nice podcast nice to have Shipwreck back and CheapyD if you build it they will come XD... CAGCAST CAGCAST PARTY TIME EXCELLENT XD

[bickle]

I think Capcom is trying to find that balance between making money off DLC and still providing something for everyone else.

I think they're trying to find a balance between completely screwing over the consumer and making an assload of money.

[ShinAkumA21]

i picture wombat playing guitar nude serenading the ladies while cheapy on the bass and boat crash is on the drums :applause:

[MIGGO]

I'm sorry, but Brave and the Bold slipped in Paul Dini dressed as Harley Quinn:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/MIGGO_ZERO/batman1e1-1.jpg


This is an ultimate nod to comic book geeks.

I'm looking forward to Marvel vs Capcom 3, as I'm interested to see who Capcom decides to include. Will we be seeing Bayonetta, Super Joe, or the Dark Void guy?!

[jrt1138]

A quick note on Wombat's Sony/WB/DC Universe Online conspiracy theory: Kotaku has been posting semi regular updates on the character designs. And toys for the game were announced at Toy Fair in February.

Here's a link (http://kotaku.com/tag/dcuniverseonline/).

[dastly75]

This is really just a off hand question to Cheapy. It's been asked before I'm sure so feel free to ignore it. I am nearing the end of my 90 days here in Japan. 11 of the weeks were spent doing some intense conversational study(not to mention living with a Japanese family) so I think I should at least have survival level Japanese down if not more. That said, are there any adventurous/interesting things to do in Tokyo in a short period of time?

It's a bad question in that it's highly general and Tokyo is massive but I will only have a few days in Tokyo at the tail end of my mega week of traveling so any little notable things you might know, I wouldn't mind hearing.

Again, this is just a off hand question so don't feel obliged to answer, I should find things to do one way or another.

[Dr Mario Kart]

Comic fans are probably more fickle. Fighting game fans are more concerned about mechanics and movesets over appearances or stories.

[Sgt Barone]

it's so damn good to hear Shipwreck again.

[DARKMETHOD]

For wombats DC Universe Online Question, i am apple and i run the fan website dcuo-unlimited.com.

the game is still coming out and should be out this November. we talk about the clues leading up to the release date for November in podcast 3.

http://dcuo-unlimited.com/

take care guys and keep up the awesome cast!
Apple

[banodyne]

Wolverine and The X-men had a really neutered wolverine but the series was actually good, especially with the dystopian future stuff and The Age of Apocalypse that would have been season 2. Spectacular Spider-man was probably better overall, least favorite being the campy Brave & the Bold.Wolverine would never lead the X-Men. He hates taking a leadership role. Storm had to threaten him to temporarily assume command during The Fall of the Mutants.

[butaneko]

Professor Wombat in the house for this show! Is there someone listening this week that you are trying to impress? Or are the press junket and Fox Business appearances by your cohosts causing you to step up your game?

I did enjoy the Simpsons reference though. Keep up the good work guys!

[bgame2]

For the love of all things holy cheapy, please curtail wombat's rants on random topics. When you or shipwreck talk about anything wombat is slightly disinterested in (for more than 15 seconds) he does everything he can to sabotage the discussion. You and shipwreck need to take a page out of his book. Right now, the two of you are too polite.

One of my favorite parts of the show was cheapy ending wombat's rant with a clearly disinterested: "Food for thought". It was pretty apparent that he had tuned out the last three minutes while looking at standard definition porn.

Having said that, wombat's refusal to read any negative comments about Justin was classy.

[Achuba Nanoia]

Good show, but please guys, next time stop saying the show will be bad. Cheapy loves to praise about how professional the show sounds in the audio department, so let's make it professional in the content also ;). Keep up the good show.

[Jay Are Man Loy]

It's so refreshing to hear a movement of Holst's Planets Suite other than Mars and Jupiter. I love those two, but no seems to acknowledge any of the others. I gotta say, I never expected to hear Uranus associated with any media, especially a video game podcast. My hat is off to you Cheapy.

[chaseamazon]

This has to be one of the worst performances on a podcat by wombat ever. First off he really dropped the ball by not reading all the justin mcelroy voice comments. Those were pretty hilarious comments and even justin tweeted about them. Wombat is just such a ridiculous kiss ass when it comes to anybody at Joystiq. I guess he still actually thinks he will get hired by joystiq. He really is devoid of any talent other than being a pretty good punching bag for cheapy. And what was with his long rambling diatribes? I counted two right? One about that activision/movie studio/godfather thing that made no sense. Another one was about the DC online game that made even less sense. Wombat =' zero.

Glory hole was great and that room that shipwreck described at the studio, with pretty much every game ever created, sounded like a cream dream!

[Wombat]

This has to be one of the worst performances on a podcat by wombat ever. First off he really dropped the ball by not reading all the justin mcelroy voice comments. Those were pretty hilarious comments and even justin tweeted about them. Wombat is just such a ridiculous kiss ass when it comes to anybody at Joystiq. I guess he still actually thinks he will get hired by joystiq. He really is devoid of any talent other than being a pretty good punching bag for cheapy. And what was with his long rambling diatribes? I counted two right? One about that activision/movie studio/godfather thing that made no sense. Another one was about the DC online game that made even less sense. Wombat =' zero.

Glory hole was great and that room that shipwreck described at the studio, with pretty much every game ever created, sounded like a cream dream!

There was a third the Spiderman/Iron Man one.

[chaseamazon]

exactly!

[Moozh]

Regarding the Activision/Bungie partnership, I am not as worried about Bungie staying independent as I am about the way Activision treats their customers. Are we going to have to pay $15 for future map packs by Bungie? That may be the case for all map packs given the success of the MW2 maps, but Activision is the company that set that trend. Bungie has said in the past that they wanted to give Halo maps away for free, but Microsoft didn't let them. Imagine what Activision will do with the pricing.

Also, look at what is happening with Starcraft 2. There are going to be three separate retail releases spread out over the next few years, with only ONE playable race in the campaign. The previous Starcraft releases (original, Brood War) both had separate, lengthy campaigns with all three races playable. Plus they are killing LAN support, and I also heard rumors that Battle.net, their currently free online play service, will have some sort of pay to play structure in the future.

And they recently charged $25 for a mount in World of Warcraft, which apparently previous mounts were free. I don't play WoW, so someone correct me if I'm wrong.

My point is, the partnership may be good for both Bungie and Activision, but I don't see how this is good for our wallets.

[shajek]

The Reach Beta is fun, but it sounds like my skills are on par with you guys. In one round of SWAT, I was killed about 15 times by headshot. Never saw them coming.

[CaptainJoel]

Good show guys! I completely agree with Wombat and Ship about the Wolverine and the X-Men sucking. It was a really crappy show. Spectacular Spidey wasn't as bad, but it still was far from perfect.

[bickle]

And they recently charged $25 for a mount in World of Warcraft, which apparently used to be free. I don't play WoW, so someone correct me if I'm wrong.

99.9% of the mounts are free (well, they cost virtual in-game money), but the $25 mount is new and has never been available before.

[Moozh]

99.9% of the mounts are free (well, they cost virtual in-game money), but the $25 mount is new and has never been available before.

Sorry, I worded my statement poorly. What you said about other mounts is what I meant. (I edited my original post.)

[VidPower]

I couldn't stop laughing when you guys started talking about EA glory holes. "It's in the hole."

[zaidr]

Hey guys. Good show.

I'd just like to throw in my two cents on the conversation about beta key giveaways and the influence it has on the reviewers. Wombat said that it doesn't make a difference if its genuinely a good game - and it only has some influence if its for a bad game...which means it does have an influence on the reviewer. I don't get the distinction.

So if you're paid to lie to your readers, but you ended up not having to lie, its okay? It only matters if you were paid to lie, and ended up having to follow through?
Now, I know I'm taking this to the extreme here, no one was paid to lie obviously, but I think you get the point.

Maybe the actual influence that beta keys allow is showing the reviewer how much fan hype there is for a game. And you guys yourself said that reviewers' twitter followers take a jump almost 6 fold with these kinds of things. I think the influence the author was referring to is the fear of the backlash if the reviewer points out what they didn't like about a game from their readers, who, through this beta giveaway, have shown the review how rabidly in love with the franchise they are.

I don't think I have to remind you guys of poor Rusty's comments section for Kill Zone 2, which also had a beta...

[apathylad]

It was pretty surprising seeing Wombat going off on long tangents when he has called out CheapyD for it in the past (his CAG iPhone app concerns, for example). How come Shipwreck doesn't get his own monologues? That guy needs more lines!

[Gamer SDP]

good show (I think, I listened to this when it came out).

I don't really care bout the Amazon issue for the CAG app, but I can't wait until the price tracker and/or trade in value tracker for the website becomes more streamlined. the overview prices aren't the most recent since the prices are different when you click a different tab.

[luptaktical]

I'm glad Wombat and Shippy W were able to tak your mind off of your iPhone app/Amazon woes. Yay for POO!

[x caponed x]

I love how Cheapy says something in a forum and it ends up on every major outlet and he's amazed how people pick up on it, then in the very next segment they talk about that Activision guy saying something casually and it being everywhere and Cheapy jumps all over him for it.

Also: every analogy that Wombat makes has something do with food. And everything he thinks is boring I find interesting, then he goes off on some tangent about comic books or something. You still give me an occasional laugh though <3.

[Fjordson]

Great episode. I was dying laughing at the glory hole conversation.

As for the Beta code giveaway stuff, I didn't know people were making a big deal out of it. Who gives a fuck? Video Games are a business. A lot of these media outlets are too. These big giveaways are good for hyping the respective game and for drawing attention to the site/media outlet/whatever. Get the fuck over it.

Sorry. Again, fantastic episode. I'm envious of Wombat's knowledge about comics. It reminds me of how much catching up I have to do.

[Baron O Hell]

Hey Wombat, I also like unlocking people in fighters. I don't really care for the new trend of having everything unlocked from the start. Maybe they could have two systems of unlock. A time released for the poor players and regular unlock for the people can beat the game.

On a different note Spectacular Spiderman was a great cartoon. The second season was better than the first but I don't think it was played in the US.

[SoxFan13]

Hey guys- I love the show, and have been listening for a long time. I wanted to address your positions on DLC. I think that you've really got it wrong. This is the way the world works financially. When I order an ice cream at Baskin Robbins, I get my choice of flavors. Then, for additional charge, I can get toppings of all varieties. I am not entitled to every topping they have available just because I ordered an ice cream.

Similarly, there are assets that developers don't put in the retail copy of the game. Just because it exists doesn't mean you get to have it for one cost. Cheapy, you 've pretty much said that none of this DLC coming out is worth the money. So, what are you really missing?

We consume games so quickly these days and move on to the next big thing. The developers need something to keep their game relevant. Whether this is missions, maps, or costumes, there's gotta be something to keep interest up in the game.

If people want to buy extra costumes for Street Fighter characters, let 'em. Does it take away your enjoyment that you can't see Ken in a different color outfit?

On an unrelated note, I met Wombat at PAX East, he was a super nice guy. I hope all 3 of you can make it next year.

[jkanownik]

Hey guys- I love the show, and have been listening for a long time. I wanted to address your positions on DLC. I think that you've really got it wrong. This is the way the world works financially. When I order an ice cream at Baskin Robbins, I get my choice of flavors. Then, for additional charge, I can get toppings of all varieties. I am not entitled to every topping they have available just because I ordered an ice cream.

I love this analogy. It's perfect. The toppings are also overpriced because they have to be in order to justify the carrying cost of having them sitting around.

Popcorn and candy at a movie theater is another one that works.

[b00bious]

Hey Wombat, do you know what your voice reminds me of? A summer night.

Why you ask? Because sometimes it's can be soothing like a gentle breeze and sometimes it can make me feel hot and bothered. Keep up the good work stud.