PlayStation Move: like a Wii HD
Reading through a ton of the E3 news, it seems that I called it when I said that the PS3 Move is exactly like a Wii (but just with HD and 3D). Gizmodo's Mark Wilson had a hands on of the PlayStaion Move and while the peripheral has it's pros and cons, it boils down to the first gen software.
If you have been living under a rug, the premise with the PlayStation Move (over the Wii motion controls) is that the PS3 can track Z motion (depth) and gives the player better control. So you should be able to stab somebody instead of just swiping at them with a sword. The PS3 Move is going to suffer from the same issues as the Wii has: Waggleware. Games that both console manufacturers should be sweeping under the rug. Who wants to wave a controller as fast as they can to move faster (PlayStations TV super star and Wii Sports Resorts).
The other downside to the PlayStation Move is noticeable input lag.
So I tried The Fight: Lights Out. This is game seemed like the antithesis to TV Superstar. It's gritty and violent, sure, but it also tracks two Move controllers rather than one, allowing you to punch an opponent into oblivion. Plus, the Move's camera would track my eyes, allowing me to rotate my position by turning my head (a good thing, since I was warned not to move my feet after calibration). I couldn't wait, even donning 3D glasses for the full effect. The combat? Laggy. And I never felt like my punches were registered the way I threw them onscreen. Rather, my uppercut registered a precanned animation. I understand that my punches probably looked too horrible to use, but a lag, combined with pure animation cues, stops you from feeling like you're fighting. Heck, even Wii's loosely controlled Punch Out! feels more like actual boxing.
While not everything is bad about the PlayStation Move (read more about the Eye pet, Sports Champions and SOCOM) I just don't see the need for more motion control in video games. While Mark Wilson says SOCOM is enjoyable using the Playstaion Move controllers, I don't see it as being comfortable for extended periods. Playing some of the "point and shoot" games on the Wii was great fun, but it gets tiring quick. It will be interesting to see if Sony can bring developers to write for the platform and produce games that use the controls in unique/innovative ways. Time will tell if Sony can capitalize on the more feature heavy control scheme.
Then again, once you look at the true cost of PlayStation Move, it may be hard for game developers to write for it. PlayStation Move pricing breaks down like this: $39.99 for the main controller, $29.99 for the sub controller (although you could just use a dual shock controller) and about $40 for the PlayStation Eye. High costs + optional peripherals will mean for low adoption and game developers being reluctant to write games.
Ubisoft sees DRM as “vital” to success for Splinter Cell Conviction
This is really dis-hearting to see;Splinter Cell Conviction’s Maxime Béland is defending Ubisoft's "always on DRM" as vital to the success of the game. “We consider that protecting our PC games is vital to our business and will allow us to continue investing in the development of creative and innovative games on the PC platform,” even though the DRM has been nothing but failure for legitimate customers for Assasins Creed. The public has been very outspoken about Ubisoft's DRM failure and it's surprising to see that the DRM is going to stay. When you design a system that DDoS's itself, what do you expect?
As always with super restrictive DRM, it's the legit customers that get screwed. Pirates cracked the game before it was even released, although there are still some issues with Assasins Creed (the game downloads bits of data for each level). This DRM also completely destroys any First Sale rights since the game is tied permanently to your Ubisoft account. The game looks super fun, but I will wait to play it on a Xbox 360
PS3 Firmware 3.21 removes Linux support
Sony is releasing the 3.21 PS3 firmware on April 1 and it's no April fools joke: PS3 owners will lose support for Linux and the 'OtherOS' install. The PS3 3.21 firmware does nothing else-no added features, game support-it just removes functionality. Sony is citing 'security concerns' but we all know that is a codeword for piracy.SCEA's Patrick Seybold explains that the removal of said functionality is necessary "due to security concerns ... [and] will help ensure that PS3 owners will continue to have access to the broad range of gaming and entertainment content from SCE and its content partners on a more secure system." I call bullshit on this one, Sony is out to squash the OtherOS exploit before it can be used for piracy.
If you wish to keep your Yellow Dog, or any other Linux install going on your older PS3 you will have to opt out of the 3.21 firmware update. The downside is that you lose the ability to play back DRM protected video stored on a media server OR play any future PS3 titles that require the 3.21 (or higher) firmware. PS3 owners who opt out of the 3.21 firmware update also can't sign into the PlayStation Network, which means no more online play or chat.
This reminds me of the constant battle that Sony has been fighting with home brew/piracy on the PSP. It seems that they update the firmware every other day to try and they still are unable to prevent people from using the PSP how they want. It's sad to see Sony start down this path with the PS3 and removing a feature because it MAY lead to home brew or piracy. Why not let patch the exploit in a way that still allows the OtherOS?
If you are looking for how to install Linux on your PS3 before the firmware update, check out Popular Mechanics.
GameCrush: Girl Gamers for Desperate Nerds
The Internet never ceases to amaze me, with all the weird services and startups that try to capitalize on lonely and desperate male gamers. I have been seeing ads for GameCrush all over and curiosity got the better of me and I went to see what the hubbub was. Well, it turns out that Gamecrush is focused on getting lonely videogame nerds to pay to have lovely girl gamers play with you-no, not like Geek2Geek, but VIDEOGAMES.
The Gamecrush service costs $6.60 for 500 'credits' that can be used to play a game online with a GIRL or have a video chat. A game session usually lasts from 6 to 10 minutes and leaves enough GameCrush credits for the gamer to tip his PlayDate. GameCrush will also have social tools that allow PlayDates to post profiles complete with picture galleries, video clips, blogs and text chat. PlayDates can make up to $30 or more per hour while having fun playing online games. After a game session is completed, Players rate their gaming experience, and top-rated PlayDates are rewarded with enhanced site promotion and additional benefits.
GameCrush says that the cost of their service equates to something along the lines of buying a girl a drink. Now, you could argue if it is a real girl behind your 'PlayDate', but I suppose the video chat part would sort that out quick. Who knows if this will take off, but I have seen desperate gaming nerds pay for weirder things. That and their public beta was overwhelmed in minutes hints at high demand. How embarrassing would it be to have your 'PlayDate' kick your ass? Hint: Very funny, unless you are into that kind of thing.
If you want to read the GameCrush PR, you can do so here, but try to keep your sanity in check.
So, what's your thoughts on this new 'service' for gamers?