General Discussion [ Page 48 ]

Cheerful Ghost is Two Years Old Today

Today marks the second anniversary of launching cheerfulghost.com. When I think about two years it seems like it's been a lot longer. It's hard to remember a time when Cheerful Ghost wasn't a big part of my life, but I guess I can only attribute that to the fact that I love doing it so much. During our second year we made some pretty important changes to the site. We made interviews a first class item, added the event system and just six months ago started The Cheerful Ghost Roundtable.

That said, the coolest part about the last two years is playing video games and talking about them with you all. Playing Left 4 Dead, Terraria, Diablo III, Starcraft 2 & FTL with... Read All

Does Nintendo Need to Change?

I recently watched an interesting video by Crossroads Reviews where a charge was made that Nintendo needs to change. Nintendo has been in the news recently for the Wii U failing to attract market share and many have opined that Nintendo needs to adapt or it will die. While I don't hold that Nintendo is in that much trouble, they don't seem to be making choices that keep with the current gaming zeitgeist. Then again, Nintendo seems to dominate the handheld space.

What do you think, is Nintendo in need of some serious change? Do you think they can make the Wii U a success with gamers?

http://slashdot.org/topic/cloud/is-nintendo-doomed/

Travis Admin wrote on 01/28/2014 at 06:02pm

What I want, that I don't think will happen any time soon, is for Nintendo to get out of the home console business. I want to play Super Mario Galaxy Next on Steam, or Mario Kart Next on my PS3.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/28/2014 at 06:23pm

I think they will retreat to solely handhelds before they do that. Still, if they can't continue in the console arena they might do that. I'd love to see all the Nintendo games I love coming to Steam. A Steam sale with the original Zelda on sale?

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/29/2014 at 01:38am

It's news some of us Nintendo freaks don't want to acknowledge, but I agree with his ideas. Having compatibility with the DS would possibly help Nintendo. As he mentioned this has been done before, but I was remembering other times such as when the you could hook up your Gameboy Advance to your Gamecube. Maybe the new tablet kind of replaces that, but it would seem to make sense if the WiiU and DS were working together, still.

OUt of this new generation of consoles, the only one I'm nearly ready for is the Wii U, I have more reason to get one of those than a PS4 and I really don't want an XBox. I like the recent trailer I saw that featured an new Zelda game for the Wii U, which would help, I'd think that would be a good reason to get one. Still, Nintendo has more games that I'm interested and aware of than any of those other two consoles. I imagine when the PS4 releases some games I'm interested in (such as Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts), I'll want one.

Still, I don't think they're doomed and a price drop does sound like something that would help them, especially now that the new consoles are out. I believe it is still the cheapest of the three and therefore more affordable. Still, more games (for whatever system) would be a big help.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/30/2014 at 02:28am

Looks like Nintendo is going to drop a new Mario Kart game. I'll admit, the one on Wii was awesome.

http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/29/mario-kart-8-starts-its-engines-on-wii-u-this-may

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Cheerful Ghost Roundtable Season 2 E1: Newest Season Ever!

The Cheerful Ghost Roundtable Season 2 Episode 1 is upon us and as always we bring the video game talk.

Show notes & time-codes so you can skip to what you want to hear.

What we have been playing

1.49m : Grand Theft Auto 5 / Online

4.50m : Assassin's Creed IV / Liberation

5.30m : Elder Scrolls Oblivion

5.50m : GTA Online Cheerful Ghost Online Crew

9.15m : Bioshock Infinite

9.55m : NW Expo Game Event / Gameboy Games / Pokemon

11.50m : Shovel Knight Releases March 31st

13.05m : Starcraft 2 releases more as Free to Play

Valve Showcases New Steam Machines at CES

16:25m : Gabes CES Steam Machine Unveiling

22.25m : Are Steam Machines Going to Flop?

28.46m : Are Walled... Read All

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/23/2014 at 05:17pm

First impression: GTAV Online?! Wow! I played it a little, but not very much. I don't think there were enough people around to do most of the online missions. I do like the character I created, I think he kind of looks like me and Squall. I'm looking forward to seeing what you have to say about that and Oblivion! I played GTA V and Oblivion at about the same time. Well, I played GTA V at night so as to carefully not expose my son to it. Hehe. I should shut up and watch this video. =)

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/23/2014 at 05:20pm

Tim! It's good to know you're WhiteboySlim! *fist bump* For what you said about GTA V and playing while kids are sleeping. Also for the Pokemon mention. Gaming Dads unite!! LOL

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/23/2014 at 05:30pm

Hehehe, I didn't have much trouble creating my GTA Online character and am actually pleased with what I have. My PSN name is GregoPeck, feel free to send me an invite.

Travis, the only issue I had with Oblivion is that one spot there in the south where the terrain narrows and it says, "you cannot go that way." I didn't like having to repair my gear, but once I mastered that skill, it wasn't that much of a pain. I think I agree with a friend who said that Oblivion was harder than Skyrim. I remember how often I died in Oblivion, but then again, once I got to a certain point, things were ok.

Oh, Jon! Thanks for mentioning me! I just heard that while you guys were talking about Pokemon.

Timogorgon Member wrote on 01/23/2014 at 07:34pm

Couple notes on the episode:
1. We forgot to discuss pricing on Steam machines! One complaint about the Steam Machines is that some of them are priced in the thousands. But there are different machines for different budgets (One as low as $499 if memory serves me correct). So I don't think that'll be a huge problem.
2. Alienware is saying that you actually CAN mod their steam machine, it just wont' be easy. Source: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-01-23-alienware-wont-prevent-users-from-modding-steam-machine

@GregoPeck I'll probably be on GTA online tonight after the kids to to bed (around 8pm pst). I'll send you a friend request when I get home and invite you to the Cheerful Ghost crew.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/23/2014 at 07:46pm

As long as I can get to the RAM and the harddisk, I don't think this is a huge problem. Like they mention, if I want a fully upgradable system I can buy a bigger one, which makes sense.

I kind of want a system I can upgrade the RAM and disk on if I want, when it comes time to start swapping out components, i'll just get a new one. That said, I hope it comes with some beefy insides because id rather not upgrade every 2 years.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/23/2014 at 08:36pm

Awesome, Tim! My son's bed time is also 8pm, but he hasn't had school all week due to the weather. I did, however, play the game a little bit while he was around, but I've denied his request to play it. He's 9.

I'm back to continuing to watch the video (I had to run out for an appointment and some grocery shopping).

RedChocobo wrote on 01/23/2014 at 10:55pm

You guys mentioned so many mainstream games this time!
You gotta try Kerbal Space Program and Project Zomboid.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/23/2014 at 11:56pm

I am going to get Kerbal SP at some point for sure, i've heard great things about it and I love the idea.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/24/2014 at 12:10am

Hey, RedChocobo! Awesome name, although I prefer the blue ones. Hehehe. I've heard of Project Zomboid, but only because in one of the random comments Minecraft says when starting up I've seen, "Try Project Zomboid." I've also seen it say, "Try Terraria."

Tim, I noticed that you're on the West coast (lucky!), and I'm on the East. In fact, I believe Jon is, too. Travis and I are here on the East Coast. So, I'll have to take your time into consideration (4 hour difference).

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/24/2014 at 12:38am

Yep, I live in Portland.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/24/2014 at 01:10am

I'm envious of you two Westerners! But that's cool, Cheerful Ghost, from coast to coast!

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/24/2014 at 02:19am

Totally. We have users from all over.

RedChocobo wrote on 01/24/2014 at 04:21pm

There's a pretty hardcore learning curve for Kerbal Space Program if you don't have a pretty good grip on orbital dynamics. But you can mod it up and it makes things a lot easier if you need it to be.

But that first time you land a ship on the moon it is such a rush.

Timogorgon Member wrote on 01/24/2014 at 06:09pm

@RedChocobo: I've looked into Kerbal space program and it looks really cool, but maybe a little more complicated than I want in a video game. If it's ever part of a bundle or massively discount I might pick it up though. Project Zomboid, however, looks awesome. I will get that one once it's a little further in development, possibly after they add multiplayer. And yeah, we did end up mentioning a lot of main stream games this time. That's because my new years resolution was to sell out. :P j/k

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Why Data Caps Are Problematic for Our Digital Lifestyles

The video showcased above it titled "Why Comcast's 300GB Data Cap is Bad for Gaming" and the subtext is "An explanation of how Comcast's 300GB data cap is bad for me, you, and pretty much everyone else in the whole wide world."

A few things before I talk about data caps. First off, the video creator notes that Comcast(the ISP in question) mentions that the majority of it's user base doesn't go over 20G of monthly data. So the assertion that a data cap is bad for everyone seems a bit off. That said, the overall concept of the video is correct, data caps are not a good thing and I do want them to go away.

I haven't paid for cable TV ever and don't plan to so having a... Read All

Pulp Fiction In 8-Bit

If you have seen the Pulp Fiction film I recommend you watch the video above. Fun to see how the game might play out on the NES. I particularly liked how it went to a Dance, Dance Revolution type game with the club dancing scene. My only quip with the video is that Dick Dale's "Misirlou" doesn't really translate well to 8-bit.

Steam Controller Drops the Touchscreen For Physical Buttons

According a few developer attendees at Valve's Developer Days Conference the new Steam Controller is dropping the touch screen in favor of physical buttons. From the image it looks like a standard D-pad layout and ABXY layout.

I know touch is the new craze but the physical buttons seem like a good move. What do you think, do you like the new buttons or would you prefer a touchscreen?

http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/15/steam-controller-changes/

**addition**

Looks like Steam Machines will also support up to 16 controllers. Too bad, I was looking forward to 32 player game parties. Oh well.

... Read All

Game/Show: Why Hasn't There Been Another Minecraft?

"We all know that Minecraft is huge! The overwhelming success of Minecraft undoubtedly surprised a lot of people given it's lo-fi graphics, fully open environment, and goal-less play. Yet, it has sold 33 million copies, and it's not just individual players who love it: it's in schools, and even the UN! The game's distinct qualities have made it a massive hit and critical darling, so you'd think it would have spawned tons of imitators. But it hasn't and we wondered why? Maybe the reason is that Minecraft isn't just a new game, but an actual paradigm-shifting invention!! Is this the case?"

As always a great video from Game/Show to start off 2014, that said I take a few... Read All

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/17/2014 at 01:57am

Interesting video. I also noticed how Terraria was not mentioned. I also noticed that it seems his glasses don't have lenses. I know, weird observation. Minecraft's popularity is huge and I think it's a great game. It does seem to be really popular among those who are 15 or younger, but many of us older people enjoy it, too. I probably wouldn't have gotten into it if it wasn't for my 9 year-old son, though. Hehehe.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/17/2014 at 02:05am

Never noticed his glasses have no lenses, I guess that's to keep the glare down. :D

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/17/2014 at 03:21am

As I said, it's a weird observation. I noticed the glare on the frames, but there was no glare where the lenses should be. Maybe they are there and just really good at looking invisible. Why just wear frames, though? Could it be to look smart? I don't know, it's weird.

Anyway, I'm glad that I've finally commented on someone else's post. I really want to be more active on here instead of just posting and replying to comments on my posts. I'm still wondering how you and others were able to imbed a video or an image in a post. Is it done with HTML? I don't know, I tried once before and it didn't seem to work.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/17/2014 at 03:46am

I'll hit you a personal message on how to do it.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 01/17/2014 at 10:56pm

Oh, the guy in the video (Jamie is it?) is wrong on one point. He may have been right at the time he recorded the video, but Minecraft does have a tutorial. I played the demo on the PS3 and that demo is a tutorial. I don't know if that's the case with the XBox (or even if the XBox has a demo). Still, the game does throw you into a world letting you do what you want. Before I played Minecraft, I read some guides and watched some good YouTube videos about how to play, which was quite entertaining.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 01/17/2014 at 11:04pm

His name is Jamin Warren.

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Steam Developer Days Posts Conference Schedule

http://media.steampowered.com/img/SDD/agenda_grid_2.png

After reading the Steam Developer Days agenda my desire to go to the event rose considerably. I hope the video from the talks is posted online because I would love to watch them all.

I do know of someone who is attending and I plan on talking with them about it. So I have that going for me, which is nice.

http://media.steampowered.com/img/SDD/agenda_grid_2.png

This tech demo is full of Portal-esque awesome

Pillow Castle Games, a student team from Carnegie Mellon, has developed a tech demo for a puzzle game that can't come out soon enough.

The basics are pretty straight-forward. Forced perspective mechanics allow you to resize objects in a very intriguing way. But it gets far more complex when portals are introduced. The portals are also resizable and let you essentially grow or shrink the entire world.

This 8 minute video makes me want more. I wouldn't be surprised if an established company tried to hire the members of Pillow Castle in the same way Valve hired the Narbacular Drop team to make Portal. Wherever they end up, I can't wait to play the finished product.

GOG.com Looks Back at 5 Years of DRM Free Games

"As a new year begins, and with 5 very successful years in the digital gaming market, GOG.com takes a look at its past."

I dig GOG's style as a company and wish them a happy 5 more years. It's a really easy site to navigate and when you find the game you want to buy, it's available DRM free. Many GOG.com titles come with digital art, game book PDF's and the game score which makes buying from GOG special. One of the reasons I picked up the Neverwinter Nights collection from GOG was to finally have Jeremy Soule's amazing score in my collection as I couldn't find it from any other source.