Space Siege - Impressions

OK, I'm back on the critical path purchase wise. Now I just need to set the Warcraft aside long enough to play.

I've played about 5 hours of Space Siege, and I have no idea how far into the game that puts me. Generally pleased. It is mostly and action game. The Role Playing Game elements are very reduced. The biggest complaints I have so far are

• the camera is working against you
  
• I can't figure how to change the controls

The story is pretty stock, but I may not be that far in. I was correct about the demo. They deliberately introduce the cyborg/humanity plot early in the demo. The cyborg vs. your humanity is a central theme, but the full game introduces other story elements that I assume are intended to also affect your decision making.

I may have a more detailed look later.

Holy Market Forces, Batman (1.1)

World of Warcraft Epic Stein's

This is how you know your market is huge. You make a cup. Admittedly, a very fancy cup. You call it a collector's item. You claim it has "old world" craftsmanship. You make two versions of it, because you know your audience that well. Then you charge 10 times the manufacturing cost for them. Then they sell out.

Ok, I guessed on that last bit. Keep an eye peeled. We'll watch the insanity together.

(1.1)
I was thinking more about this and thought some extra thoughts. I thought about my buying thresholds. This item is in the category of "Holy crud. No way I'm buying one of those. Maybe for Xmas." Except when I look at it, it's a waste of an Xmas gift. $70 bucks is a whole other game, that I don't have time to play. Wait, that is clever. Blizzard.

It never rains...

You probably know the old adage. Well, it's pouring in Poodiopolis. In fact it may be a monsoon.

1) Space Siege - Already released (or read that as "I'm already behind!")
The demo actually held me back slightly. I'm not sure the "choose to be human or cyber" mechanic is going to be the core story element it's intended to be, but may be the demo is compressed.

2) Spore - Early September
I don't know that Spore is a game. It's more likely that Spore generates pocket dimensions. Again, though I've been really hyped about this for a long time, I played with the free version of the creature creator and had mixed feelings. Innovative and clever, no doubt. Fun GAME? Hard to say.

3) Fallout 3 - Q4 2008 (Hopefully before Xmas. Wait. Hopefully later.)
This one has not been spoiled for me by a demo yet. I should mention that I'm not a long term fan of Fallout. It is, however, written by Bethesda and set in one of my very favorite genres. And it's written by Bethesda.

4) Wrath of the Lich King - Q4 2008 (yes, I'm back on the crack. Hopefully it's not terminal)
I don't really want to get into it.

5) Warhammer Online - Sept 18 ('cause I really need another MMO in my life.)
I'm trying not to be disappointed in advance. On the other hand, me and every other fan boy are smacking down their bucks opening day even if it is a pile. So I guess from a certain perspective, it's job well done.

Add a liberal dash of regular PnP, where at least I'm not GM for a change. And a once monthly strategy game day. I can hear Rebecca chambering a round.

Chupacabra

Sometimes strange things come to my attention. I try to pretend that I don't notice, because that means they might have to put me on lithium. Lately, I've had a run of "the web is a small world".

It seems the chupacabra is destined to haunt me.

The word first came to my attention as part of a gag in an early episode of "Red Vs. Blue" (very often, very NSFW). The gag consists mostly of the characters trying to decide what name the Warthog should have.

The term has come up in a couple of web comics lately. I'm kind of like CARNIVORE. Except dumber...

(ah the Friday afternoon link post. Good times.)