General Discussion

Ugh. I hate decisions like this. Either it's a feature that people are still using in large numbers, in which case: continue the damn product. Or it's a feature that people are *not* still using in large numbers, in which case: throw the damn thing on a shared hosting service and downgrade the support to "best effort".

I'm less inspired to upgrade to the Wii U to keep my precious Everybody Votes Channel, and more worried about what I'll *actually* fall in love with on the Wii U that they'll decide isn't worth their time.

The Mii Contest and Everybody Votes channels were the only ones I found interesting, and even then it was only for a short time. This is a little more disturbing, and I'm not sure why it was left off the above list:

- Data exchange with Wii Friends via WiiConnect24*

* Exchange of Wii messages on the Wii Message Board, exchange of Mii characters on the Mii Channel and message/data exchange within some games will be disabled.

I still play Animal Crossing City Folk from time to time, and its sad to think that a big dynamic of the game (having friends send you items or messages in the mail, or even come to visit your town) could be eliminated. I know it happens, and it's happened to much more popular games. It would be awesome if there were shared hosting services, or P2P options for this dilemma. Unlikely a solution we will be offered soon...

The problem is the consumer. We make statements with our money, and our money says that we will buy just about anything that falls within a very wide netted parameter. Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo... they aren't in any real way convinced that we want anything less than what we are already getting, just dressed in a newer outfit. They'll do what they do, because it makes them happy. Don't like the way things are going? They're response is trending toward (or explicitly stated, in the case of Microsoft) "deal with it". "Uhhh, the future we are planning is out of control, you guys! This is the nature of the thing! We're just trying to do the best we can (i.e. profit) on this crazy ride!"

The other side of that is "stop giving them money."

They pretty much know that isn't going to happen. Consumers aren't that convicted.

Thanks for all your hard work, sir!

Skynet much?!

I laughed pretty hard at that "winning" move in Tetris. I like to think playfun was completely satisfied with itself after that move, looking down it's nose at the Tetris code... "Indeed."

Harsh!

I personally really enjoyed atom zombie smasher. It could be a flash, I'll give you that, but that doesn't mean its not fun. Specially if you are only paying $1 for it. Not saying you should only pay $1 but its your choice if you want to pay more. I personally payed, I think, around $5 for it when it was on a Steam sale and I think it was worth it.

I like your card design. It makes me think of other card games, like Magic: The Gathering, except it sounds like your game is quicker to set up and go. Did you do the art work yourself?

In the past week or so it's been a little of this and that, with primary focus on:

- Bioshock Infinite (currently in 2nd play through)
- Vanquish
- Tomb Raider (just getting started)

I've recently started keeping a game journal, in an attempt to better analyze game design structure. As such, I've been playing a lot of games more for work than just entertainment, so I won't count those. Interesting challenge, though!

Recently I've been into World of tanks and war thunder. I am looking for something new to play though.

I downloaded the Starcraft: Wings of Liberty demo a few weeks ago, but I've been doing more game development than I have been game playing.

Just picked up prison architect on steam and I got to say, having a lot of fun with it. Even though its in alpha still. Great game with great potential.

Little tip for those if you that may have or will be getting prison architect: don't block your delivery zone from the street. I had a truck load of prisoners that just drove right past my prison. Not sure where they went but I'm pretty sure they aren't in a prison which can't be safe considering they were all in for assault or burglary.

Its been about two days since they left. Maybe they were really hungry...

I did have 2 prisoners who escaped...its actually kinda funny. I got 8 prisoners and they all tried to escape soon as they were put into cells. So now I have 4 unconscious prisoners who try to escape every time they wake up.

I'm not sure...a bunch more just escaped a few seconds ago. They have happiness but they never seem to be happy, even though I give them everything.

Great that some developers still have some sense.

The "always online" motif makes me nervous for many of the same reasons it does you. City of Heroes was a fun game that never found its niche and was shut down for good; that's one game experience I'll never be able to share with the next generation. It's not going to be profitable for EA to support Sim City 5 forever. Hell, the original Neverwinter Nights on AOL was a tremendously fun game that I never got the chance to really explore - and never will.

This is not to say that the ability to keep games and experiences alive forever should be the cornerstone of what makes a game acceptable. But it does seem like we need to cast a more careful eye to figuring out whether we're buying our games or merely renting them.

Microsoft won me back with the original Xbox, and initially I thought the 360 was a step in the right direction. Now, I hate my 360. It's cumbersome and littered with advertisements. It's turning (has turned) into the MySpace of gaming experiences. If they really do go with the always-on approach, then I'll skip this next iteration. There is no reason for that kind of system, other than greed and control. It serves no other purpose. It makes me a little sad that there will be exclusives to such a system that I might not otherwise play, but I can get over that. There is a mountain of great games on GOG and Steam that I haven't even touched yet.

I remember playing X-wing in college, and thinking it was the most amazing game ever made. Some of the earlier adventure games I don't remember too well. Armed and Dangerous was quite fun!

It sad when these founding studios disappear. Sad to think that a lot of the history of those games and their assets will go with them.