Here's something I never noticed before: The combatants in Virtua Fighter 4 all have birth-dates! So taking that into consideration, in the year 2012, Akira is 44, Pai is 37, Lau is 72, Wolf is 46, Jeffry is 55, Kage is 42, Sarah is 39, Jackie is 42, Shun is 100(!!), Lion is 33, Aoi is 33, Le-Fei is 37, Vanessa is 43, Brad is 40 and Goh is 34.
It's funny thing about adding a birth-date to a video game character. It gives them a sense of history, more so with each iteration of the Virtua Fighter series, and it suggests that these characters have been around a long time, and are still able to get back up on their feet after being knocked around numerous times - which, coming from a fighting game series, is hardly surprising.
But at the same time, it does suggest that these characters are aging - and as this is a fighting series we're talking about, it won't be long before the blows render them unable to get back up again.
To be honest I've never been a fan of 'floating timelines'. I personally like to see characters age and grow wiser with experience. Therefore I find it kinda silly that Bart Simpson is forever a ten year old even when his birth-date was established as April 1st 1980 (which would make him in early thirties by now). That being said, one would think a hero who ages would be an interesting concept for a game hero.
Think about it! Each game hero goes on a journey and by the end of it, they come out the other side wiser and/or have killed lots of dudes. Thus it would make an interesting series concept to have a hero who goes on multiple journeys - and as he does so, his appearance changes, injuries and scars he suffers are there for good and the experiences he gains are there with him for ever after. And after all, what is a video game character when they're without dudes to slay eh?
I mean similar things have been done before with game characters aging: Red Dead Redemption featured a player character who is a grizzled, scarred veteran, Donkey Kong Country presented the character of Cranky Kong and even Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess had a little meta joke through Princess Zelda being of twenty years of age.
But alas, I doubt it would take off: As is often the case, a game without a young vital, pretty face will never sell as it's the youth portion of the market will balk out at playing an aging hero. I mean can anyone imagine a wrinkly, decrepit, Kratos still marching to battle insisting on having his vengeance?
Didn't think so.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Lara Croft vs James Bond
At one point last year I made a comment that equated Lara Croft with James Bond. Of course, I'm not the first one to make such a connection but I've since thought about it a lot and thought it deserved some closer examination. So, after some research, this is what I came up with:
- Lara Croft is constantly seeking artifacts to prevent global catastrophe. James Bond is loyal agent of MI6 and saving the world from a variety of nutters.
- Both are multilingual.
- Both are well educated.
- Both go on adventures which sees them visit a variety of exotic locations
- Both go on adventures which sees them face danger at every turn at afore-mentioned exotic locations
- Both go on adventures which sees them have numerous costume changes
- Both have a wide knowledge of, and use, a variety of firearms
Some similarities true but I don't know. I've seen numerous James Bond movies through the years and somehow the idea of having a female counterpart to 007 seems a bit lame and forced. I remember they tried it with The Spy Who Loved Me with the character of Anya but it seemed too obvious - why her introductory scene involved her bedding some nameless prat.
And whilst people seem accepting of the idea of James Bond screwing anything with legs, the same can't be said of Lara Croft - indeed it should be noted there was an attempt to introduce a potential romantic partner, one Kurtis Trent, but didn't really lead anyway and the character hasn't been seen since.
Still it should be noted that James Bond did inspire the character of Indiana Jones - who in turn inspired Lara herself. So let's just leave it at that.
- Lara Croft is constantly seeking artifacts to prevent global catastrophe. James Bond is loyal agent of MI6 and saving the world from a variety of nutters.
- Both are multilingual.
- Both are well educated.
- Both go on adventures which sees them visit a variety of exotic locations
- Both go on adventures which sees them face danger at every turn at afore-mentioned exotic locations
- Both go on adventures which sees them have numerous costume changes
- Both have a wide knowledge of, and use, a variety of firearms
Some similarities true but I don't know. I've seen numerous James Bond movies through the years and somehow the idea of having a female counterpart to 007 seems a bit lame and forced. I remember they tried it with The Spy Who Loved Me with the character of Anya but it seemed too obvious - why her introductory scene involved her bedding some nameless prat.
And whilst people seem accepting of the idea of James Bond screwing anything with legs, the same can't be said of Lara Croft - indeed it should be noted there was an attempt to introduce a potential romantic partner, one Kurtis Trent, but didn't really lead anyway and the character hasn't been seen since.
Still it should be noted that James Bond did inspire the character of Indiana Jones - who in turn inspired Lara herself. So let's just leave it at that.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Battling on
This week I wanted to take a break from my hours in WoW - so I headed for the long-neglected Wii to give it some lovin'. And what did I do with it? Fire up the Virtual Console and have another bash at Ogre Battle 64.
I've spoken of playing through Ogre Battle 64 in the past and this time it's the first time in a long time. My main grip with Ogre Battle 64, that lead me to abandon it previously, was that I was having trouble with the class system: There were lot's of lovely classes on offer but I couldn't get to any of them for some unspecified reason. Lack of experience to upgrade? Not enough alignment? I don't know. Needless to say, with such weaker classes, I kept getting creamed by the enemy!
But with some patience (not to mention some leveling up with the training feature) I was able to upgrade my army in awesome fashion. More paladins? Yes please!
Funny thing with playing Ogre Battle 64 is that problem of quantity vs quality. Currently I have a large army consisting of thirteen units - but only half of them are any good. There are some I always use and always kick a lot of arse but the rest perform under par. More often than not, these stragglers either a) have low levels, b) get flattened in combat with little effort from the opposition or c) suffer from me not having a clue what to do with them. Indeed, some of my lesser performing units are the one's I really want to improve (one such unit is one of dragons).
I've tried to find answer to build the best unit through numerous internet searches but most of them concentrate on building a singular unit rather than several. But perhaps there is no proper answer to that question - and if there is one it is something I would need to find for myself....
I've spoken of playing through Ogre Battle 64 in the past and this time it's the first time in a long time. My main grip with Ogre Battle 64, that lead me to abandon it previously, was that I was having trouble with the class system: There were lot's of lovely classes on offer but I couldn't get to any of them for some unspecified reason. Lack of experience to upgrade? Not enough alignment? I don't know. Needless to say, with such weaker classes, I kept getting creamed by the enemy!
But with some patience (not to mention some leveling up with the training feature) I was able to upgrade my army in awesome fashion. More paladins? Yes please!
Funny thing with playing Ogre Battle 64 is that problem of quantity vs quality. Currently I have a large army consisting of thirteen units - but only half of them are any good. There are some I always use and always kick a lot of arse but the rest perform under par. More often than not, these stragglers either a) have low levels, b) get flattened in combat with little effort from the opposition or c) suffer from me not having a clue what to do with them. Indeed, some of my lesser performing units are the one's I really want to improve (one such unit is one of dragons).
I've tried to find answer to build the best unit through numerous internet searches but most of them concentrate on building a singular unit rather than several. But perhaps there is no proper answer to that question - and if there is one it is something I would need to find for myself....
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Live at the BBC
Can't say I'm avid watcher of Lets Play videos but this one made me laugh:
I remember playing this game during my primary school years (1987-1993) upon the ancient computer, the BBC. Indeed, it's always fascinating to find out that many people working in IT now made a start through playing this game.
But it's kinda funny to look at something you once enjoyed as a child through the eyes of an adult: What once may have come across as compelling now comes across as downright weird. Thus it becomes clear that there is a lot of weird stuff going on in this game - as the LP so eloquently points out. Why, even now I still have no idea what the hell is going on in the Castle of Dreams section. In addition, whilst the game may have been intended as an educational program, I'm still puzzled as to exactly where such educational value is in this game.
Mind you, kids these days grew up playing the likes of Ocarina of Time. Wonder what they think of it now...oh wait it's been re-released for the 3DS. Never mind then.
I remember playing this game during my primary school years (1987-1993) upon the ancient computer, the BBC. Indeed, it's always fascinating to find out that many people working in IT now made a start through playing this game.
But it's kinda funny to look at something you once enjoyed as a child through the eyes of an adult: What once may have come across as compelling now comes across as downright weird. Thus it becomes clear that there is a lot of weird stuff going on in this game - as the LP so eloquently points out. Why, even now I still have no idea what the hell is going on in the Castle of Dreams section. In addition, whilst the game may have been intended as an educational program, I'm still puzzled as to exactly where such educational value is in this game.
Mind you, kids these days grew up playing the likes of Ocarina of Time. Wonder what they think of it now...oh wait it's been re-released for the 3DS. Never mind then.
Monday, May 7, 2012
HighDef Evolved
I recently visited a store run by a friend - there I saw something extraordinary: A SNES being run on a HD TV! Yeah! It looked like total shit!
Seriously though, looking at graphics from twenty years ago through such advanced screen technology is indeed a weird experience. I've said before that I found the SNES to be capable of producing some beautiful graphics that still look superb today - but to see them on a HDTV is indeed jarring. Considering how many games from previous consoles are being made available on XBLA/PSN/Virtual Console, it does raise the question as whether or not someone is actually taking into consideration how many people are using such powerful TVs. I know the Megadrive collection on the 360 has the games on it all in HD and there's a feature on the Wii that allows the use of a HDTV (but having never tried it I can't comment) but why would anyone play a classic game when the end result is a hideous sight?
Still, I guess this does make a convincing argument that graphics technology isn't going to get any better - I mean the likes of Gears of War may look incredible now but what's going to happen in twenty or even ten years time? Whose to say that what once looked incredible will then look like total shit?
Seriously though, looking at graphics from twenty years ago through such advanced screen technology is indeed a weird experience. I've said before that I found the SNES to be capable of producing some beautiful graphics that still look superb today - but to see them on a HDTV is indeed jarring. Considering how many games from previous consoles are being made available on XBLA/PSN/Virtual Console, it does raise the question as whether or not someone is actually taking into consideration how many people are using such powerful TVs. I know the Megadrive collection on the 360 has the games on it all in HD and there's a feature on the Wii that allows the use of a HDTV (but having never tried it I can't comment) but why would anyone play a classic game when the end result is a hideous sight?
Still, I guess this does make a convincing argument that graphics technology isn't going to get any better - I mean the likes of Gears of War may look incredible now but what's going to happen in twenty or even ten years time? Whose to say that what once looked incredible will then look like total shit?
Friday, May 4, 2012
Roleplaying in the Aisles
It's no secret to this blog that I love me some RPGs: I love inventing a character and guiding them through the game world set out before us. I see the character grow stronger with each step, I assist them with making key decisions and we become traveling companions on a glorious adventure. Sure there lies the appeal of killing dudes and looting gold (it'll never get old) but an RPG is, to me, taking a character on a journey and doing the things you want to happen.
But as I've found out, the wonderful world of the MMORPGer doesn't seem to offer this - I've been playing a lot of World of Warcraft so far this year and I have yet to come across the same sense I picked up from playing regular RPGs. Yes I'm taking a character I created, yes I'm seeing them grow and become stronger along the way and yes I have had some kind of kinship develop. But I honestly do not feel like I'm making a difference in the world around me nor the quests I'm making are actually going anywhere. More like any other RPG I've played, WoW has proven itself to be less about roleplaying and more about killing dudes for the gold - which ironically is how I play non-video game RPGs.
But I digress - WoW just doesn't strike me as an actual role playing game. Maybe it's the sense that because there are many people playing this game at the same time nothing in Azeroth will ever change but nothing I do makes a difference. By way of example, my mage Nasesandra recently helped some Orcs to claim a hill from the Alliance. After a hard fought battle, the hill was won - but when Naesandra comes passing by some time later nothing had changed. One would think the Orcs might build a tower or some kind of stronghold but nope - The hill still looks the same. What, did the Orcs give up the hill in order to get someone else to help them? Sounds like a scam to me...
But again I digress: As stated before WoW doesn't seem to offer much in the way of actual role-playing - thus to actually take on the persona of a character seems somewhat weird and jarring - no one seems to be doing it and to be talking with someone on chat and suddenly jump into character seems kinda strange.
I recall one time when I was using my paladin Beldrath: I talking to my friend Aef and he offered to pass on some ore he picked up with his Level 80 Hunter, Aefion. We arranged to meet a Razor Hill and once there I immediately started doing rp speak: As Aefion was the oldest and most experienced character in our guild, I, through Beldrath, started speaking in a manner both awestruck and reverent - as well as asking why he and Arendar (Aef's other character) are never seen in the same room at the same time. That, and the conversation that followed, as a fun bit of rp but it does seem a bit odd to rp in a game when actual rp isn't compulsory.
I guess in the way that maybe it is up to players to develop their WoW characters - largely though their actions and with a little imagination (provided exposure to WoW hasn't wrecked it completely). Therefore, largely based on what I've done I have seen some personalities develop with my three Blood Elves. I see Rithendal being a moody git - That type that prefers the company of animals to other characters. Whilst not a team player (he tends to disappear during shared quests), he still has the best interests of his fellow guild members at heart.
Beldrath meanwhile works as the sole blacksmith for the (same) guild thus making him, in my mind, one of it's strongest members. And being a paladin, I like to think of him as the noblest character in the..... golfing caddy that is my character roster.
And Naesandra, despite dying too easily, makes glyphs for her guild thus establishing her as a hard worker. And being a mage I like to think of her as studious and serious - kinda like a WoW Twilight Sparkle - only more violent.
Seriously, they even have the same fringe:
But as I've found out, the wonderful world of the MMORPGer doesn't seem to offer this - I've been playing a lot of World of Warcraft so far this year and I have yet to come across the same sense I picked up from playing regular RPGs. Yes I'm taking a character I created, yes I'm seeing them grow and become stronger along the way and yes I have had some kind of kinship develop. But I honestly do not feel like I'm making a difference in the world around me nor the quests I'm making are actually going anywhere. More like any other RPG I've played, WoW has proven itself to be less about roleplaying and more about killing dudes for the gold - which ironically is how I play non-video game RPGs.
But I digress - WoW just doesn't strike me as an actual role playing game. Maybe it's the sense that because there are many people playing this game at the same time nothing in Azeroth will ever change but nothing I do makes a difference. By way of example, my mage Nasesandra recently helped some Orcs to claim a hill from the Alliance. After a hard fought battle, the hill was won - but when Naesandra comes passing by some time later nothing had changed. One would think the Orcs might build a tower or some kind of stronghold but nope - The hill still looks the same. What, did the Orcs give up the hill in order to get someone else to help them? Sounds like a scam to me...
But again I digress: As stated before WoW doesn't seem to offer much in the way of actual role-playing - thus to actually take on the persona of a character seems somewhat weird and jarring - no one seems to be doing it and to be talking with someone on chat and suddenly jump into character seems kinda strange.
I recall one time when I was using my paladin Beldrath: I talking to my friend Aef and he offered to pass on some ore he picked up with his Level 80 Hunter, Aefion. We arranged to meet a Razor Hill and once there I immediately started doing rp speak: As Aefion was the oldest and most experienced character in our guild, I, through Beldrath, started speaking in a manner both awestruck and reverent - as well as asking why he and Arendar (Aef's other character) are never seen in the same room at the same time. That, and the conversation that followed, as a fun bit of rp but it does seem a bit odd to rp in a game when actual rp isn't compulsory.
I guess in the way that maybe it is up to players to develop their WoW characters - largely though their actions and with a little imagination (provided exposure to WoW hasn't wrecked it completely). Therefore, largely based on what I've done I have seen some personalities develop with my three Blood Elves. I see Rithendal being a moody git - That type that prefers the company of animals to other characters. Whilst not a team player (he tends to disappear during shared quests), he still has the best interests of his fellow guild members at heart.
Beldrath meanwhile works as the sole blacksmith for the (same) guild thus making him, in my mind, one of it's strongest members. And being a paladin, I like to think of him as the noblest character in the..... golfing caddy that is my character roster.
And Naesandra, despite dying too easily, makes glyphs for her guild thus establishing her as a hard worker. And being a mage I like to think of her as studious and serious - kinda like a WoW Twilight Sparkle - only more violent.
Seriously, they even have the same fringe:
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Planet of Sound (no.5)
Name: Alison
Birthdate: 2nd May 1989
Instruments: Keyboards / Bass
Affiliations: Tension Heads
Bio: Alison is a well-trained musician and the youngest of two children. Originally from Montreal, she came from a wealthy family. However she disapproved of her parents elitist and condescending views and sought to escape.
So she came to the US to seek her fortune and to escape her father’s disapproval of her chosen career. Seeking a room-mate she eventually ran into Thom and they bonded over music. Eventually, she was introduced to Spike and welcomed into the Planet of Sound Collective.
Alison was shy at first – no doubt out of bewilderment by the other members of the collective - but gradually became more talkative with time. When she speaks she does with intelligence, politeness and maturity. She is occasionally flirtatious with the men and always willing to provide help and musical suggestions. The youngest of the collective, Alison has nonetheless built up a partnership with Spike and John and worked together in building material for the Tension Heads. Talented on multiple instruments, Alison’s role in the band is that of playing bass and keyboards.
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