CAGcast #199: Wombat, Wake Up

[CheapyD]

3078[/img-l]CheapyD loves Alan Wake, Wombat loves 3D Dot Heroes, and Shipwreck loves Monster Racers (and Alan Wake). Of course we all love your CAGbag (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71382) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/cheapyd) questions!

108
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Show Linkage/Notes (click the button below to expand):


Intro: Flash Gordon Football Fight - Queen

NPD: 1600 MS Points card best-selling 'accessory' for two months (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/npd-1600-ms-points-cards-best-selling-accessory-for-two-month/)
Ubisoft: 50% of Games Will Be 3D by 2012 (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179383)
UFC Undisputed 2010 requires code to play online (http://www.destructoid.com/ufc-undisputed-2010-requires-code-to-play-online-174080.phtml)

Swedish Retailers Spill Project Natal Price, And It's Expensive? [Rumor] (http://kotaku.com/5540223/swedish-retailers-spill-project-natal-price-and-its-expensive)

Rumor: Premium PSN reveal at E3, one 'free' game a month (http://www.destructoid.com/rumor-premium-psn-reveal-at-e3-one-free-game-a-month-173868.phtml)
Rumor: PSP2 has touch screen, two cameras, f*cking power (http://www.destructoid.com/rumor-psp2-has-touch-screen-two-cameras-f-cking-power-173873.phtml)

Ninjatown: Trees of Doom (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ninjatown-trees-of-doom/id369997638?mt=8)

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: Wonderman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xruHo6oB_4I)





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

[Orb01]

Ah, I've been waiting all day for this. Can't wait to listen through it. Thank you guys for all the time and work you put into these podcasts. :applause:

[nzbeans]

w00t! Just started listening to it now. :)

Edit: First.

[willjer]

I played the Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands game and I definitely don't think that it's something to simply look past. Its a great game. You guys should definitely give it a go before you reach conclusions on it!

[CheapyD]

Oh, I'm sure its fine...I just think it's going to be lost in the shuffle of more high-profile releases.

[KingBroly]

I'm sure EA would like to thank THQ for making their online pass plan look awesome by actually announcing it a few months in advance instead of surprising everyone out the blue. At least EA has a plan for people who rent it/buy a game used. It may not be a good plan, but at least it's a plan.

Are you guys sure the reviews for Alan Wake aren't high because of the game's long development cycle? IIRC, the game was announced before the 360 was released. Games that were announced before their console came out this generation (FFXIII, RE5, Too Human, Alan Wake, etc.) that have taken a good while to get to market have not been reviewed with the highest of praise. I'm pretty sure hype dissipated quite a lot for Alan Wake over the years like the titles I mentioned.

[RichMeisterMan]

Whiplash found out Tony was driving the same way Pepper Pots and everyone else did. It was plastered on every TV when he went to replace the regular driver.

[Joshe]

What I don't understand is why the CAGcast is up on iTunes on the iPod touch as soon as it's posted on iTunes, always have to wait a few hours before it shows up on the iPod for other podcasts.

Well just downloaded it, will listen to it in the morning

[RichMeisterMan]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=21355476&postcount=704

Cheapy, there is definitely a difference in quality with RDR on the Xbox360 and PS3. I think the only multiplatform game better on the PS3 might be Final Fantasy XIII

[DarkZion]

Whiplash found out Tony was driving the same way Pepper Pots and everyone else did. It was plastered on every TV when he went to replace the regular driver.
Not only this, but Whiplash's goal was to attack Stark. It was clearly known Stark would be attending the race, so whether or not Stark was driving, Whiplash still would have been there to confront Stark anyway.

It's not like Whiplash showed up somewhere private where only Stark was. Instead he went to a highly publicized event in which it was clearly known that Stark would be there.

[Interfeci]

Fossil Fighters had a Pokemon style to it. It would have been great, but it was way too simple. Enjoyed it nonetheless. I loved the concept of having to piece together your next fighter.

[Sgt Barone]

Cag cag cag!!

[Wombat]

Not only this, but Whiplash's goal was to attack Stark. It was clearly known Stark would be attending the race, so whether or not Stark was driving, Whiplash still would have been there to confront Stark anyway.

It's not like Whiplash showed up somewhere private where only Stark was. Instead he went to a highly publicized event in which it was clearly known that Stark would be there.

But he had the orange jumpsuit before he left, as if he knew Stark would be on the track. But Stark should have never left the party with Pepper & Hammer. Whiplash disguised as a busboy would have made more sense.

[Princess Zelda]

Your great Wombat :)

[ch3zyp00fs]

Yay. Something for the work day.

[Gentlegamer]

Re: EA and marketing costs and loss - I would have had little interest in Mass Effect 2 based on the official marketing if I hadn't played the original Mass Effect, which I bought at GS for $15. So perhaps EA and others need to consider that used, cheap copies of games help sell new copies of sequels in the series.

[rogueweapon]

I appreciate the Heads Up on RDR from Cheapy. If the game is the same, I prefer the ps3 version but I will always buy the superior version if there is a discrepancy. I almost bought the ps3 version. Btw this is a bit late but I just finished ME2, and I finally listened to the CAG ME2 show. I can't believe Wombat and Ship chose Tali over Miranda. Wtf is wrong with you guys, you don't even know what she looks like. I'd sort of understand if Tali had Miranda's body but she doesn't and she wears a fockin bucket on her head. You guys can't even bang the hot chick in a videogame. And Cheapy was right about ME3 needing ship combat, I thought exactly the same thing when I was playing the game.

[NicaVic]

Great Show, but please play more Red Dead Redemption I am really looking forward to your thoughts on it!

[WankerJist]

You know, with these crapton of deals happening right now on everything, I wonder what Black Friday is going to be like this year. That might improve the NPD numbers...maybe. Food for thought.

Can't say I'm surprised about Project Shitbox's pricing and I agree with Wombat that it will need to be shipped with a game like Fable 3 to move any units. Either that or something compelling for the casual crowd (think Wii Sports) and/or something featuring a wildly popular series (maybe another Halo game or Call of Duty: Soldiers in Natal). Wonder if Sony is waiting on MS to jump the gun on pricing so they can compete with Move?

[LiK]

Shippy, so EA invited you to the MOH event but you can't talk about the game or the event itself? What is the fucking point?

Btw, good to hear about Aksys. DeathSmiles! Whee~

Btw Cheapy, why did you feel the need to tell us how many episodes are in Alan Wake? That sorta spoils the game cuz now I know when the end game is coming up. Please don't do that again.

[xlaxparkax]

Shipwreck swears like a sailor. He says shit every now and then, and to me, shit is more offensive than fuck. It's not as extreme as shit-fucking, but extreme nevertheless. Fucking is good, but shit is gross, although taking a shit in the mornings is good and relieving.

[YoatOverNothing]

I think one of the things developers/publishers could do to reduce the price of making games in terms of marketing would be stop having special events for journalists (Like Capcom's Captivate.) They're unnecessary and expensive.

They could also stop making special editions of games. I wonder how much more money it costs to make a copy of Modern Warfare 2 that included night vision goggles.

[token2k6]

love the episode! I'll start adding more to my collection now. However, I think it'd be cool if we could get a 'private' notes area..I like to put the details of how I got the price I paid, when, where, etc.. With the CAG Marketplace intro, it displays that notes area which is just a little too much, especially if you're trying not to reveal the price you paid..

[DarkZion]

But he had the orange jumpsuit before he left, as if he knew Stark would be on the track. But Stark should have never left the party with Pepper & Hammer. Whiplash disguised as a busboy would have made more sense.
Well I think he had the intention of attacking drivers during the race because he knew that Iron Man would show up to save the day. It was just a bonus that Stark happened to be one of the drivers.

[Clarke]

Wombat I hope you weren't really expecting your Macbook to be amazing at running games. The problem isn't with Runic or Steam but the hardware. I'm sure it excels at most other tasks but graphic intensive games weren't high on the list when being made by Apple.

Another big part of the problem at hand is the API. Now I know some people may bring up the Wolfire article citing OpenGL is a much better platform for 3D rendering but that point is moot. I'm sure electric cars can be more efficient than gas powered ones but the market just hasn't been developed that much. They PC games industry has settled on DirectX as a standard. Maybe if developers take Apple more seriously the future of Mac gaming will be much stronger.

Sorry about your computer not handling Torchlight. If you make a Windows 7 partition I'm sure it will run. But you seem satisfied with the games you already have or play so you shouldn't really worry about PC gaming.

[Conboy]

Shipwreck, you did say Coy, not Ko-EE. Sorry Charlie.

[thwak]

Shipwreck,

Steam gives system requirements for macs as well as PCs. Here's the system requirements for torchlight on the mac:

Minimum:


OS: OSX 10.4 +
Processor: Intel Mac
Memory: 1GB RAM
Graphics: OpenGL 2.0 compatible video card with 256MB dedicated RAM (ATI Radeon X1600 or nVidia equivalent)
Hard Drive: 800MB




Maybe it won't run on a macbook that doesn't have an intel processor. That's the only reason I can gather as to why it won't work on your macbook.

Still, steam does give the system requirements for mac games, it's right there on the store page. You can't say that steam isn't telling you that your mac can't run the game. They do, very clearly with in the product description, it's just that not every mac is made the same and you have to look at the system requirements rather than assuming that every mac computer could run it.

[Wombat]

Shipwreck,

Steam gives system requirements for macs as well as PCs. Here's the system requirements for torchlight on the mac:

Minimum:


OS: OSX 10.4 +
Processor: Intel Mac
Memory: 1GB RAM
Graphics: OpenGL 2.0 compatible video card with 256MB dedicated RAM (ATI Radeon X1600 or nVidia equivalent)
Hard Drive: 800MB




Maybe it won't run on a macbook that doesn't have an intel processor. That's the only reason I can gather as to why it won't work on your macbook.

Still, steam does give the system requirements for mac games, it's right there on the store page. You can't say that steam isn't telling you that your mac can't run the game. They do, very clearly with in the product description, it's just that not every mac is made the same and you have to look at the system requirements rather than assuming that every mac computer could run it.

Yup I meet those requirements :(

[Clarke]

Yup I meet those requirements :(
You should have tried the demo first.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/41500

[robpe36]

So I'm at the point where you guys were discussing Red Dead and not knowing about camp sites. All you need to do to set up a camp site is press select, then right bumper, and select it with A. With a camp site, you can save wherever you are, and it allows you to fast travel to any waypoint that you set on your map.

[RichMeisterMan]

But he had the orange jumpsuit before he left, as if he knew Stark would be on the track. But Stark should have never left the party with Pepper & Hammer. Whiplash disguised as a busboy would have made more sense.

I think more or less it was just the best way for him with his look and whatnot to get into the event as a mechanic, track attendant, whatever. Once he found out where Anthony was I don't think anyone other than Iron Man was equipped to prevent him getting or going where he wanted anyway. So had he found out he was in the dining area he would have whipped his way there.

I think an orange jumpsuit is also the only thing a poor Russian man that just blew all his money on an arc reactor could afford. Had he shown up with his long nasty hair and in expensive rich folk clothes I think that would have been even more of a plot hole.

Wombat I hope you weren't really expecting your Macbook to be amazing at running games. The problem isn't with Runic or Steam but the hardware. I'm sure it excels at most other tasks but graphic intensive games weren't high on the list when being made by Apple.

Another big part of the problem at hand is the API. Now I know some people may bring up the Wolfire article citing OpenGL is a much better platform for 3D rendering but that point is moot. I'm sure electric cars can be more efficient than gas powered ones but the market just hasn't been developed that much. They PC games industry has settled on DirectX as a standard. Maybe if developers take Apple more seriously the future of Mac gaming will be much stronger.

Sorry about your computer not handling Torchlight. If you make a Windows 7 partition I'm sure it will run. But you seem satisfied with the games you already have or play so you shouldn't really worry about PC gaming.

LOL at Torchlight being "graphic intensive" I have a netbook that is total weaksauce in the hardware department, I can't even watch HD video, and Torchlight will run on this. The problem does sound like it's Runic. Sounds like they'll release a patch. You act like they put a product on steam for mac and they're just going to leave it broken.

And wombat you should try to make the jump to PC gaming because it's the best!!! Once you get past or bypass the higher start up cost games you see the magic.

[AshesofWake]

good show, lotsa laugh haha and for some reason i have much more interest in Alan Wake now than I ever did!

[Clarke]

LOL at Torchlight being "graphic intensive" I have a netbook that is total weaksauce in the hardware department, I can't even watch HD video, and Torchlight will run on this. The problem does sound like it's Runic. Sounds like they'll release a patch. You act like they put a product on steam for mac and they're just going to leave it broken.

And wombat you should try to make the jump to PC gaming because it's the best!!! Once you get past or bypass the higher start up cost games you see the magic.
As opposed to web browsers, productivity software, and media editing? Yes.

[Walt Jay]

Where are the pics of Ship wearing his MOH Oakley glasses and backpack? We could use that for the next CAG contest, such as "Win Ship's sunglasses and backpack by photoshopping him wearing the sunglasses and backpack in backgrounds" - Contest (rolls off the tongue, I know).

[retromufc]

At least this podcast has a decent name

[smellhasreturned]

Another sexy episode gentleman. You better go hard for #200... I want B-List celebrities like Jon Luvitz & Antonio Banderas.

[commish]

I might be the only who cares, but Wombat how about a spoiler alert in regards to Smallville.

[Jasonofindy]

I think one of the things developers/publishers could do to reduce the price of making games in terms of marketing would be stop having special events for journalists (Like Capcom's Captivate.) They're unnecessary and expensive.

They could also stop making special editions of games. I wonder how much more money it costs to make a copy of Modern Warfare 2 that included night vision goggles.


Actually, the reason you are seeing so many more special editions now are because they generate additional profit when compared to the regular editions. When purchased in bulk the low end night vision goggles cost considerably less then the difference in price between the hardened and prestige editions. You also benefit from the 'collector" effect where a certain percentage of dedicated fans will actually buy one or more copies of each edition.

Additionally, while throwing the press special events may seem pricey in raw dollars, as a percentage of the marketing cost for most large budget games it is usually a drop in the bucket, especially when compared to the amount of gaming media coverage it generates. This is increasingly true in those cases where you use the same event to promote multiple games. (Including those smaller games in your stable which may not have their own marketing budget.)

[RchrdJ]

I hope Bit.Trip Runner is good Shipwreck; my review copy is in the process of being sent to me :)

As for episode 200, any chance for an appearance from either Super Programmer John, or John Snow? They don't have to be live appearances.

[usickenme]

Wombat wake up? more like everyone listening wake up....

[CheapyD]

Wombat wake up? more like everyone listening wake up....
I can't believe it took 39 posts for someone to come up with that.

[CaptainJoel]

Once again, great show! Shipwreck's sojourn to LA was my big interest in this show. I laughed my ass off when he talked about the EA dickheads using their own airsoft gear. That's just a serious douche move! You guys should start a CAG airsoft team and challenge EA, that'd be fun. And Wombat, your idea about the sort of Marvel comics Pokemon game was fucking AWESOME! You and Shipwreck really need to start up BatShip Insane consulting and get some good games made. I know I'd definitely buy that Marvel Pokemon game day one.

[dubbfoolio]

CheapyD you will enjoy the following article http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179359&cmpid=0101 Red Dead Redemption resolution is lower on PS3! I blame you for willing this disparity into existence you xbox fanboy!!! ;)

[Xo ColdKilla oX]

i love coming to the homepage and seeing a new show =)
really makes my day, thanks alot guys

[Velo214]

http://designer.3ddotgameheroes.eu/

There is a link to internet 3d dot game heroes editor :)

Peace!

[Oburi]

Tell me if you all think this is possible. So the Natal maps your body image and puts it on tv wouldn't it be possible for the new 3d tv's that are coming out to work with that and allow the mapped image to grab the 3d objects? Like a 3d baseball game the ball is thrown to you and you can catch it. I'm not going to buy project shitbox but I just see where it could go. Even if thats a next gen selling point like HD was for this gen. Tell me what you think

[Plastique]

Love the Flash Gordon music in the intro!

Another great show as usual. And Wombat, you rock!

[polly]

Well let's all throw a nice little pity party for those poor game publishers. Cheapy, the main game experience may not deteriorate but the online community in particular certainly does die off for any given game over time. This is the main irony with EA & THQ charging used game buyers extra for the online component of their sports games, since few people will still be playing a year later.

You may be rolling in that CAGdough ;) but at least acknowledge the difference between Project $10, where added bonus content is given to gamers who buy new, and EA & THQ's online pass strategy where they're holding game functionality ransom for those who don't. The online pass strategy strikes me as particularly anti-consumer and I'm genuinely shocked when people say they don't have a problem with it. It's like we've been worshipping game developers for so long that we just let them piss down our back and tell us it's raining.

[Z_meista]

Well I think he had the intention of attacking drivers during the race because he knew that Iron Man would show up to save the day. It was just a bonus that Stark happened to be one of the drivers.

Agreed. Whether or not Iron Man was there, I think his main intention was to insult Stark one way or another.

And yes. Shipwreck has cursed in past CAGcasts. Still listening to the show...

[Vegan]

Cheapy, the book industry and music industry ARE trying to squash out the second-hand market. Kindle and iTunes.

[Fjordson]

Great episode. I think you're spot on about all the used stuff. The only reason other industries aren't as aggressive when it comes to combating used sales is simply because they don't have the means. And people have this delusional picture of companies like EA being some evil group of billionaires, swimming in cash trying to take over the world. These big publishes are losing massive amounts of money every single year.

And hopefully you guys play more RDR before next week's show. The game is incredible and really opens up after the first few hours.

[megma42]

^ I would like to know where you get your data about losing massive amounts of money every single year. I believe that if it was "every single year" they would be out of business by now.

[megma42]

OK, I looked it up. Here is the info straight from EA Investor Relations website.

For fiscal year ending March 31, 2010:

GAAP net loss for the year was $677 million as compared with a net loss of $1.088 billion for
the prior year. Diluted loss per share was ($2.08) as compared with a diluted loss per share of
($3.40) for the prior year. Fiscal 2010 GAAP results include a $140 million restructuring charge
associated with the fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2010 restructuring plans.

Non-GAAP net income was $145 million as compared with net loss of $96 million a year ago.
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share were $0.44 as compared with diluted loss per share of
($0.30) for the prior year.

I am not sure that they actually lost money last year, just that they lost it according to GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles).

[Fjordson]

I am not sure that they actually lost money last year, just that they lost it according to GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles).
Seems like you're clutching for straws. I'm not going to pretend to know what this means, though.

I'm not saying these big name companies are fully innocent, but they aren't as well off as people think.

[thwak]

In response to Wombat's question, "can you name any well known games that copy the Pokemon formula" I can name one known to hardcore gamers.

The Shin Megami Tensei series is basically Pokemon, but with more mature themes involving topics such as religion and morality. If you really want to get more technical, it could be argued that Pokemon stole their gameplay ideas from the Shin Megami Tensei series since the Shin Megami Tensei series has been around since 1987 in japan.

So if you ever wanted a Pokemon esque game that wasn't aimed towards kids I would suggest that series. However I wouldn't neccesarly recommend that series to Wombat, or any parents, since those game tend to go on forever (for example, it took me well over 80 hours to beat persona 4).

I hope that answers your question, and I do think that marvel super heroes game idea is awesome. No one would ever make it because it's too clever, but it's still a good idea none the less.

[ColdAsIce]

Yeh Whiplash was only suppose to cause some chaos and show the world the the ironman suit can be duplicated.

[40_ounce]

I can't download the show from itunes. Will try the other dl link.

[Sigma]

Seems like you're clutching for straws. I'm not going to pretend to know what this means, though.

I'm not saying these big name companies are fully innocent, but they aren't as well off as people think.
I get what you are trying to say. A lot of people think companies like Activison and EA are loaded with money because they are such big publishers and in this day and age that simply isn't true. Both companies are far from bankrupt, but they haven't been turning much profit in the last few years. Activison has had the saving grace of Call of Duty, but for every great success is a few epic fails and for Activison that epic fail is anything having the word Hero or Hawk in it. The last batch of Guitar Hero/Band Hero and Tony Hawk ride just didn't sell all that well and with the high cost of shipping these games to stores had to have cost them a small fortune.

Something I would like to know about EA is how much money they actually make on some of these EA Partners deals with companies like BioWare and DICE. I wonder how much money EA takes in on these deals versus what the developers get. I'd be interesting to know the numbers because some of EA's best selling titles are from developers that are on the EA Partners deal.

Cheapy, the book industry and music industry ARE trying to squash out the second-hand market. Kindle and iTunes.
Any industry is going to try to stop people from buying digital or worse, USED! I see the music industry being a digital only business model within the next 6 or 7 years. CDs are already on the verge of extinction
and many major retailers are giving CDs less space on the shelves or simply getting rid of them all together. Same goes for books, but it'll be decades before we live in a Mass Effect-esque world where all books are on iPads and Steve Jobs is the President of the World!

Back to CAGcast discussion though, I am still listening to show and once again another great show. I can't wait for the big #200 next week. The talk on Alan Wake is making me want to spend more money this week! I just picked up RDR and 3D Dot Game Heroes so I wanted to wait a few weeks to pick up Alan Wake, but after hearing Cheapy and Ship give the game glowing praise and getting some first hand time with it at a friends yesterday, I am already pulled into the story by just playing the first 30 minutes of episode 1. Remedy has made a brilliant game, with an unparalleled presentation. I don't know why everyone want's to compare this to Silent Hill and Resident Evil, Alan Wake really doesn't have much in common with either game and quite honestly it's better than just about every game in either of those series especially the disappointing RE5.

[Evilsean]

I loved hearing about Wombats gripe with saving in Red Dead Redemption. It took me back to my days working the electronics department at Wal-Mart. People would come in with their perfectly fine products and ask me why its not working. The first question I always asked them was, 'Well what does the instruction manual say?', to which I was always answered, 'I didn't read the instructions'.

[SRDMizzou]

As for the discussion on used things. Text book companies do use a way to combat used sales. I can't tell you how much money I spent in college getting the new 8th edition of a book that changed some page numbers and examples just enough for the 7th edition to be useless for class homework. It would also drive me crazy when I found a typo in that 8th edition, meaning next year there would be a 9th edition.

I don't mind the codes given out for new games, because the only used games I buy are a few years after they released (i wait for them to drop to $15-$20) and by that time not many people are online to find a match with anyway.

If anything, I think it would drive down used game prices. Say you could hypothetically get Mass Effect 2 used for 50 with a code, or 35 without the code.

[shipwreck]

Something I would like to know about EA is how much money they actually make on some of these EA Partners deals with companies like BioWare and DICE. I wonder how much money EA takes in on these deals versus what the developers get. I'd be interesting to know the numbers because some of EA's best selling titles are from developers that are on the EA Partners deal.

Not to invalidate your question about EA Partners, but BioWare and DICE are owned by EA. EA Partners are companies like Valve, Crytek, Epic, and MTV Games.

[Sigma]

Not to invalidate your question about EA Partners, but BioWare and DICE are owned by EA. EA Partners are companies like Valve, Crytek, Epic, and MTV Games.
That's right! I actually did know that EA owned BioWare and DICE, woke up earlier than usual today and had yet to have my coffee.

Regardless thanks for setting my last post straight, Ship.

Still has me wondering what cut of the sales EA gets and what cut the developers are getting on these partner deals. Same goes for Bungie and Activison too, which I believe was discussed a bit on the CAGcast a few weeks back.

[Ogelthorpe]

I've had the unfortunate luck of listening to the first 50 minutes of this podcast. Wombat's feedback on Red Dead Redemption is not only totally inaccurate (you can't fastravel without a map?) but incredibly retarded. The fact that he didn't know how to save in game after playing for two hours is inexcusable as well. Volus, you really have to step your game up.

[Curufinwe]

I'm surprised no one mentioned that the large percentage of gamers who don't have their systems connected to the internet stand to gain from EA's Online Pass if it reduces the selling price of used copies of their sports games.

Like Cheapy, I don't have any problem with EA doing this. If you don't buy the game new, you are not their customer, and they really don't owe you anything.


I'm glad even though Cheapy and Shipwreck really like Alan Wake, they managed to stop themselves from reading out who gave it low scores on MetaCritic and saying how all those reviewers sucked or whatever. Sometimes we all just need to accept that a game we love isn't going to get the same love from everybody else. 83 is a good average score, and people like Chris Kohler at Wired are entitled to their opinions.

[Wombat]

I've had the unfortunate luck of listening to the first 50 minutes of this podcast. Wombat's feedback on Red Dead Redemption is not only totally inaccurate (you can't fastravel without a map?) but incredibly retarded. The fact that he didn't know how to save in game after playing for two hours is inexcusable as well. Volus, you really have to step your game up.

So you are saying I spoke about the game for 50 minutes? Maybe I spent 3 minutes.

[Sigma]

I'm surprised no one mentioned that the large percentage of gamers who don't have their systems connected to the internet stand to gain from EA's Online Pass if it reduces the selling price of used copies of their sports games.

Like Cheapy, I don't have any problem with EA doing this. If you don't buy the game new, you are not their customer, and they really don't owe you anything.


I'm glad even though Cheapy and Shipwreck really like Alan Wake, they managed to stop themselves from reading out who gave it low scores on MetaCritic and saying how all those reviewers sucked or whatever. Sometimes we all just need to accept that a game we love isn't going to get the same love from everybody else. 83 is a good average score, and people like Chris Kohler at Wired are entitled to their opinions.

http://images.tvrage.com/people/17/48539.gif
BULLSEYE!

How many serious online players of any sports game wouldn't already be picking the games up new on day one anyway?

[Sigma]

So you are saying I spoke about the game for 50 minutes? Maybe I spent 3 minutes.
I just like how he says first 50 minutes like it was a short snippet of the podcast, when it's half the length of the whole podcast!

I've had the unfortunate luck of listening to the first 50 minutes of this podcast. Wombat's feedback on Red Dead Redemption is not only totally inaccurate (you can't fastravel without a map?) but incredibly retarded. The fact that he didn't know how to save in game after playing for two hours is inexcusable as well. Volus, you really have to step your game up.
He did say he couldn't give a proper opinion of the game yet because he had only played for 2 hours. You are acting like 2 hours in the game everyone should be playing at an expert skill. He knows now, so why come in here and bash Wombat? Is it because you wanna be mentioned on the podcast because we all know that Wombat insults typically get a mention.

[Ogelthorpe]

Here is a better question: Do you have to be an "expert" to realize that there was an in game save? How about taking 2 minutes to sort through the menu, or pay attention to what is going on in the game! I know, I know - I'm expecting too much. I'll forgive him if he gives me a British Cosby impression on the next cagcast.

[hollitz]

I want to hear Shipwreck say "cunt".

[RichMeisterMan]

So with Red Dead Redemption, just out of curiosity. Does anyone here know what exactly they are doing when they play horse shoes and when they are dueling? I taught myself to throw horse shoes well enough to win a match where I bet a buck. Dueling though...I win sometimes and I lose sometimes; I really don't know what the hell it is I am doing.

The tutorials in this game are horrible, and that's the one thing I'd dock it for.

Wombat, I definitely agree that John Marshton is painted as being more of a good guy. What I don't like though is that story missions give you honor, so what if you are trying to be dishonorable? I think this game could have benefited very nicely from a Mass Effect esque conversation system.

Also, you guys need to be sure to buy the bandanna in Thieve's Landing. If you dawn the bandanna it gives you like an alternate persona. So you can build up a bounty and what not for yourself with the bandanna and when you take it off John Marshton won't have a bounty. It'll also keep your honor high. (Keep in mind you have to put on and take off the bandanna with no one around.)

I want to hear Shipwreck say "cunt".

Nah, him saying it for the sake of saying it wouldn't mean anything. I want to hear him call someone a "Goddamn fucking piece of shit!" with so much ginger rage that he is spewing tons of spit all over the place and he is about to throw bows on a bitch. Perhaps someone could take an axe to his Donkey Kong machine to bring forth this theoretical rage of the mighty Shipwreck.

Another thing, Ship and Wombat...

Steam is the SHIT!!! It's digital distribution done the way the good lord intended. Not only are these games new to the Mac, but so is STEAM. Let them get the hiccups out before you write it off; I'm sure you guys will be able to play on your mac books.

[ZombieJeebus]

Re: Iron Man plotholes

Yeah you can easily enough think of a reason why Whiplash figured out where Tony was, but the execution of it in the movie was lazy. One line or two of dialogue takes care of the whole issue, where is the proofreader?

A bigger issue was how the heck did Whiplash survive all that chaos he caused? All the shrapnel and explosions should have wiped him out. Getting hit by a 4000 lb car 6 times should have crushed him to a pulp. But all he got were some bruises????

[Kuromimi]

Awesome show guys! Looks like I will have to get Alan Wake.

[rupan_sansei]

Cheapy, your comment about Rockstar's VIP only E3 booth reminded me that Bethesda did the same thing last year. It didn't dominate the show floor like buses and a fence, just a really large black box in the corner, but you had to have an invite to play any of their stuff. From what I remember they were the only company to put all of their titles behind closed doors. Here's hoping they change their plans this year, especially with Fallout: New Vegas on the way.

[shipwreck]

Cheapy, your comment about Rockstar's VIP only E3 booth reminded me that Bethesda did the same thing last year. It didn't dominate the show floor like buses and a fence, just a really large black box in the corner, but you had to have an invite to play any of their stuff. From what I remember they were the only company to put all of their titles behind closed doors. Here's hoping they change their plans this year, especially with Fallout: New Vegas on the way.

While most of their stuff was behind closed doors, I seem to remember there being kiosks with Wet on the outside. Maybe I'm remembering wrong, though.

[polo14player]

check this out! esp. at the 1:57 mark! LOL! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEBjxWdoOfA

[Curufinwe]

LOL, when I freeze-framed it at 1:57 he looked terrified.

[RchrdJ]

Poor Shipwreck, he looks so terrified.


14942[/IMG-C]
[I]"Please! Don't leave me with these people."

[RichMeisterMan]

He sprinted off the bus so fast, lol!

[rupan_sansei]

While most of their stuff was behind closed doors, I seem to remember there being kiosks with Wet on the outside. Maybe I'm remembering wrong, though.

There were definitely kiosks, but I think they were just running trailers. I might be remembering that one wrong though.

[Manloi]

Hello! Wombat,

I am a big fan of your show, and respect all your objective opinions about the current gaming business.

One thing about Alan wake I wanted to tell you is, the game has James McCaffrey's voice in it. I think you might be interested to hear his voice again after Max Payne 1 and 2. Especially, he is the person who gave you the Copy of Max Payne 2.

Also, I believe the game developer Remedy has very good relationship with the actor, James McCaffrey, and the finnish band, Poets of the Fall who sang the credit theme of Max Payne 2 and Alan wake. That's what they come back for this Alan wake Project. I just felt like, Remedy is a good small gaming developer which spend alot of time to creative something amazing for gamer to appreciate.

Cheapy D and Shipwreck was right about this game. They really did nail the feeling of the environment and the storytelling. I wish you enjoy the game once you get it.

Futhermore, I believe the upcoming Mass effect 2 and Alan wake DLCs will be one of those better DLC compare with the shitty DLCs out there. 'Cause if DLC can serve as a bridge between their Franchise, more people will be willingly buying the DLC. Like Alan wake will add two new episodes that can might link to ALan wake 2

And I suggest Bioware that Mass effect 2 can make a DLC that offer an in game choice which will affect the major story in Mass effect 3. I believe that would sell the DLCs. Although Mass effect 2 might not build their game that way, DLC with major choice. But I would like to see that.

Sorry for this long e-mail, just to express this interesting little stuff before you play Alan wake, and my suggestion toward the DLC. Thank you

[reddjoey]

Shipwreck, did you get M-Frames or Half Jackets?

I still have my issued M-Frames.... Never wear them because it makes me look like I'm off to the local batting cages or drink on my john boat

[shipwreck]

Shipwreck, did you get M-Frames or Half Jackets?

I still have my issued M-Frames.... Never wear them because it makes me look like I'm off to the local batting cages or drink on my john boat

These are what they look like:
http://www.patriotoutfitters.com/img/products/19900/19946.jpg

[FroMann]

Good show guys, but I found Shipwreck and Wombats preview for Steam on the Mac to be unfair giving it more flak than positives even though its only been out for 2-3 weeks? Only because a single game on Steam from another developer did not work? Come on guys.

To Wombat and Shipwreck. What are the specs of the MacBooks are ya'll using? And what are the specs for your iMac Cheapy?

[trip1eX]

NO reason Torchlight shouldn't run on a newer Macbook with the 9400M integrated gpu or better.

I have an iMac with that same gpu and Torchlight runs fine.

[Davestation]

You guys are crazy for saying that Fable III is the game to get Natal out there with. Logic dictates that Microsoft wants to get project shitbox bundled with their best franchise. E3 they will probably announce that Halo Reach will have it featured and you can get some kinda bundle. That would be a better game than Fable III.

Also, your junkett talks are getting boring. Why the fuck would you go to a junket and not be able to talk about the game, but instead just talk how cheap EA LA is. EA LA only produces shit games and I was looking forward to the revamp of Medal of Honor until Shipwreck mentioned they where working on it. Is there an embargo on talking about the game?

[shipwreck]

You guys are crazy for saying that Fable III is the game to get Natal out there with. Logic dictates that Microsoft wants to get project shitbox bundled with their best franchise. E3 they will probably announce that Halo Reach will have it featured and you can get some kinda bundle. That would be a better game than Fable III.

Also, your junkett talks are getting boring. Why the fuck would you go to a junket and not be able to talk about the game, but instead just talk how cheap EA LA is. EA LA only produces shit games and I was looking forward to the revamp of Medal of Honor until Shipwreck mentioned they where working on it. Is there an embargo on talking about the game?

Yes, there is an embargo until June 15th, that's why I can't talk about it. They did not inform us of this embargo date prior to me going. If you'd like to hear some stuff about the game, you can listen to last week's Giant Bombcast. Apparently Ryan Davis wasn't given the same embargo because he did not see it at this event. The game looks really good.

[banodyne]

Just to throw some fuel on the fire of Steam on Mac: Steam for Mac Benchmarks: Windows Is Much Faster (http://gizmodo.com/5540716/steam-for-mac-benchmarks-windows-is-much-faster). It shows that on the same hardware setups Windows is a lot faster. Mac OSX can do many things well. Gaming is not one of them.

[trip1eX]

Just to throw some fuel on the fire of Steam on Mac: Steam for Mac Benchmarks: Windows Is Much Faster (http://gizmodo.com/5540716/steam-for-mac-benchmarks-windows-is-much-faster). It shows that on the same hardware setups Windows is a lot faster. Mac OSX can do many things well. Gaming is not one of them.

Silly comment at this stage.

Maybe you're just a perpetual glass is half-empty kind of guy, but gaming just got a lot better on the Mac because of Steam's arrival. Portal plays just fine too.

Performance gap will only get better as games/drivers/STeam get better optimized for the Mac.

edit: "One surprising result, however, is that the same version of Portal is five times more stable on Mac OS X than on Windows."

[dohmai]

No more Monster Racers!!

Also glad the singing during the Godaddy 'ad' is over.

[grap3fruitman]

Your comments on Alan Wake pushed me over the purchasing edge and I'm just starting chapter five and scared shitless basically but not enjoying it as much as Cheapy is unfortunately, probably because I don't do well with scary games like this. Anyway, has anyone tried to spoil the ending for you like they did with Heavy Rain? I was in the middle of my game when some douche bag by the name of "Sinister Poison (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/grap3/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo0725.jpg)" sends me a voice message in an attempt to spoil the ending but fortunately I was pretty quick with the B button there. I don't even know the guy, probably a recent player.

Two: Any chance we'll see Mrs. Boatcrash on the Cagcast ever? Might be nice to have a women's opinion on poop too. =P

[Keirnoth]

Shipwreck, Wombat - There was a huge Portal update today (May 25th) to fix the crashing issues you were having. I don't have a Mac myself so I can't test it, but maybe try give Portal a second chance to see if it'll work.

Don't know about Torchlight either. You're missing out on a great game, but I'm sure you have a giant game backlog you gotta address anyway.

[avatarofhope]

Past tense of swear is indeed swore FYI. :bouncy:

[sinewav]

Also, your junkett talks are getting boring. Why the fuck would you go to a junket and not be able to talk about the game, but instead just talk how cheap EA LA is. EA LA only produces shit games and I was looking forward to the revamp of Medal of Honor until Shipwreck mentioned they where working on it. Is there an embargo on talking about the game?


Personally I enjoy hearing all about the junkets that Shipwreck & Wombat get invited to even if the games are under embargo and hope they get invited to more. I don't have the time nor contacts at CAG's disposal to attend these events, so if if they are go and take the time to talk about what's it's like to visit a studio or attend a junkett then by God I want to hear them. As Shipwreck already said once the embargo is lifted he'll talk about the game, what's the rush?