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 Gardens Better Than Open Systems?

  • 35.00m : How Long Will PC Gaming Be on Microsoft Systems?

  • 48.15m : Wrap up & where you can find us online.


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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