Legitimacy: A Lesson in Neglect

So, I've neglected this blog outside of B-Side News for a long while. I still intend to post here, though, that's for sure. Okay, so legitimate response time, I've got some things to discuss!

I've picked up a freelance reviewing job. I'm being sent review copies of games, so that's a definite plus. Only downside? I gotta bite the bullet and review some PC games, too. I think I'll live, though. This will be my first "real" job reviewing games, since what I was doing previously was just hobby work. I'm pretty excited, but I'm not an expert at reviewing, so it'll take some work. I'm excited, though, and I think it'll bode well for the future. If anyone's wondering (lolol), I'm still a news editor for my other site, so this job won't be interfering with my other work.

I finished Metroid Prime after owning the game for four years. I'm really fickle with games, and I think it's going to be a problem while reviewing them. Playing through it, it felt pretty repetitive and didn't seem to exemplify the Metroid ambience the 2D titles are renowned for. However, upon finishing the title, I came to the realization that I had really enjoyed playing it.

As such, I need to finish Metroid Prime 2: Echoes before Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is out. I've got a long list of titles I need to finish before the summer's done, and reviewing games on top of it isn't going to make it any easier of a task.

Oh, and Metroid Prime has a fantastic soundtrack. Given Metroid Fusion's and Metroid Zero Mission's mediocrity in the sound department, it's refreshing to know that there are still some good compositions left for the Metroid series.

I picked up Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition. You know, I started playing it and thought, "this game is beginning to show its age." But, then, I started progressing further, and I began to realize how well it still holds up. The character models are just dripping with detail, high poly count, realistic expressions and animation, it's really aesthetically pleasing to look at. Much of the atmosphere is excellent, too. The Village at the beginning isn't that great, but once you're at the cemetery, or the burning barn, or the castle, it's just really nice looking.

On the subject of Wii controls, I think it fits the game real well. Initially, I had about a 20 minute adjustment period where I was really perplexed with them. Now, though, I'm really content with them, and it's far, far, far superior to controlling it with the analog stick. So, really, still the same great game from two years ago, with better controls and the PS2 extras. A $30 asking price is a bit steep, but I, personally, feel it's worth the price.

I ended up typing more than I had initially thought I would. Okay, I guess this makes up for the lack of updates in the past couple months. Now, to neglect this blog until September!

No, I'll try to keep updating a bit more often. Not that anyone cares, but it's still something I'd like to do. Maybe I'll post excerpts of reviews I've done, we'll see.

B-Side News: Pro Evo Soccer 6 Online Issues

Did I mention that people don't read? I did, didn't I?

Konami and Microsoft are working to fix the connectivity issues some players are facing.

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH today addressed that they are aware that a small number of customers are experiencing difficulty connecting while trying to play online. Microsoft and Konami are both working to fix the problem at hand. We’ll let you know when a fix comes along.

B-Side News: Shadowrun Available Now for Xbox 360 and PC

Shadowrun has gone on sale today, retailing for $59.99 for Xbox 360 and $49.99 for Windows Vista.

Shadowrun goes on sale today. It carries a MSRP of $59.99 for Xbox 360, and $49.99 for Windows Vista. Shadowrun is rated “M” for Mature.

Shadowrun is a FPS offering cross-platform multiplayer for both PC and Xbox 360 players. Players can choose between four different races including human, elf, dwarf or troll. Shadowrun will come with nine maps and three map variations. The game is set in a futuristic Santos, Brazil.

B-side News: EA Announces Partnership with The9

EA has invested $167 million into the Chinese online operator The9 Ltd. to bring FIFA among other titles to mainland China.

Electronics Art announced today that they have made an investment of roughly $167 million in The9 Ltd. The company is a leading online game operator in China. Both companies also announced a licensing agreement that allows for The9 to publish EA Sports FIFA Online in China. EA will own approximately 15 percent of the common shares of The9.

The9 currently operates licensed MMORPGs in China. Some of these include MU, World of Warcraft, Soul of The Ultimate Nation, and Joyful Journey West.

“EA will be a strong partner for us in the rapidly expanding online game market in China,” said Jun Zhu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The9. “We are seeing strong interest in online sports games in China with the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics and the FIFA World Cup in 2010, and FIFA Online is set to be a top favorite in the Chinese market.”

B-side News: Ubisoft Announces My Coach Line of Casual Titles

All I can say is that, people need some reading comprehension to prevent double news posts. Hence the recent influx of B-side news. Trust me, I don't prefer putting up B-side news instead of an actual news story for the site I write for.

My Coach titles promote personal improvement and will be released across Wii and Nintendo DS later this year.

Ubisoft is continuing their Nintendo DS support with more casual games. The publisher today announced the My Coach series of games, which will act as an extension of the already released Petz line of Nintendo DS titles.

Ubisoft apparently have even more casual oriented games in development, as they have appointed Pauline Jacquey as executive producer of casual games at Ubisoft.

“Ubisoft’s vision for this business is unique,” said Pauline Jacquey. “We are developing projects that make people feel that playing games is worth their while, allowing them to spend quality time with family and friends, learn a new skill, or improve their daily lives.
By creating games with real-life benefits, we are creating games that appeal to everyone.”

The My Coach series of titles will be educational titles designed to stimulate creative thinking. The first two titles to be released will be My Word Coach and My Life Coach. My Word Coach is being developed jointly with linguists; and intends to assist players in refining their verbal and vocabulary skills. My Word Coach will be available for both Wii and Nintendo DS this fall.

My Life Coach is a “personal coach” title that’s also being developed in collaboration with a behaviorist. My Life Coach will be available this Holiday for the Nintendo DS.

The successful Petz line of Nintendo DS games will also be making their way to the Wii later this year.

B-Side News: Bomberman Blasts onto XBLA this Summer

Bomberman promises to retain the classic multiplayer experience by allowing for 8 players to battle online.


Last week Bomberman was rumored to be making his way to Xbox Live Arcade. This week, we’ve got an official confirmation from Hudson, announcing a new Bomberman title for XBLA with support for up to 8 players online.

Bomberman will allow for full character customization, letting players personalize their character’s appearance to suit their needs with over 10,000 combinations available. In addition to 8-player online play, 4-player local action will also be provided.

"This has been one of our most requested games, our fans have been clamoring for it, and we are thrilled to finally be able to deliver the game they want," said John Greiner, President of Hudson Entertainment. "As our flagship series, Bomberman has been hailed as the best multiplayer game ever created. Now that Xbox LIVE Arcade delivers a truly worldwide multiplayer gaming platform, we can at last bring to market a Bomberman game that represents our long-term vision of the brand."

Bomberman is expected to launch worldwide this Summer.

B-Side News: Sega Joins the Unreal Engine 3 Bandwagon

Sega is just one of many studios licensing Epic’s Unreal Engine 3.

Sega today announced that they have licensed the Unreal Engine 3 for upcoming projects. All of these titles are being developed in North America.

“SEGA is pleased to arm our developers with the sophisticated tools contained in Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 3,” said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, SEGA of America, Inc. “Its versatility and power will help SEGA create incredible gaming experiences.”

Details on the projects that will be utilizing the Unreal Engine 3 will be announced sometime later this year.