Does PS3’s extra power really matter?

Posted by wall street | Real Talk with the HipHopGamer, Sony | Monday 13 April 2009 10:53 pm

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It is common knowledge that the PS3 has tons of untapped potential that nobody has even seen yet. As amazing as Killzone 2 looks, it is still not using the complete computing power of this behemoth. With its Blu-Ray capabilities and 8 cores, we can only imagine how amazing games like Uncharted, Gran Turismo 5 and God of War III are going to look as final products. The question is; does it really matter?

The first problem that Sony is facing is that fact that everyone is demanding a price cut while they are still struggling to turn a profit on system sales. Their production costs are much higher due to the price of all of the components needed to manufacture a system this powerful. Many people are sitting by the sidelines, just waiting for the price to drop before they make the purchase. Microsoft, on the other hand, was able to drop the price on their stripped down base model due to lower manufacturing costs. This allowed them to attract some of the more casual gamers in the market.

The next problem that Sony is facing is the cost of development of exclusives such as Killzone 2. In the time that it took for Guerrilla to release their AAA title, the 360 had already seen the creation of its new system-selling title, Gears of War, as well as its sequel. As studios such as Polyphony, with Gran Turismo 5, try to create groundbreaking titles that redefine visuals in gaming, the PS3 has been missing out on titles that made its predecessor so great.

As we are stuck waiting for the release of these AAA exclusive titles, the Xbox continues to sell and gain a market share on the PS3. The biggest problem is that in this economy, the studios want to minimize risk and are looking for the safe bet more than ever. It is no secret that the 360 is easier and faster to develop on than the PS3 and with the 360 continuing to sell so well, this does not give them much incentive to develop exclusively for Sony’s system. We have seen this already with both the GTA and Devil May Cry series’ going multi-platform.

So the question is, while everyone is waiting for the PS3 to finally reach its potential, in the end, will it really matter if/when it ever does? Or will it be too late?

Written by:
Wall street

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New Batman: Arkham Asylum Screens

Posted by Agent-X | Microsoft, Real Talk with the HipHopGamer, Sony | Monday 13 April 2009 10:08 pm

Blablurn from Neogaf has posted 2 new screenshots from the following PS3 and 360 title batman Arkham Asylum, Screenshots below.

Thanks for these screenshots EuroGamer.

Neogaf

Written by: Ankido Khoshaba

ankido223

Open World or Linear Games: Which one offers a better expierence?

Posted by MattG | Features, Microsoft, Nintendo, PC, Real Talk with the HipHopGamer, Sony | Monday 13 April 2009 8:16 pm

With technology continuing to improve there are many different ways for developers to convey a story to the world through games. In the past, most were limited to a linear world due to technology restraints, but now with modern technology a lot more developers are taking advantage of open world games.

In the past linear games were the norm due to a lack of memory and lack of sufficient hardware. Linear games are basically when the developers have scripted out the events of the game. There aren’t too many options, and the player for the most part is playing the game the developer wants. Games like Mario, Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid, and more have taken this path. Linear games allow developers to create very interesting stories, and they can make a more finely crafted gameplay expierence. Some negatives though have been the lack of freedom, the lack of options, and the lack of re-playability. Basically when you play a linear game through the first time, you are getting either the entire or a large bulk of the entire expierence.

Now open-world games have always been around, but were finally made popular with the release of Grand Theft Auto III. GTA III offered gamers a wide playing field, and an unlimited amount of options when it came to gameplay. Instead of being told where to go and what to pay attention to, instead the player was allowed to do what they feel was best. Most open-world games have taken some inspiration from GTA III, and the following GTA’s. Games that use open-world gameplay mechanics include Fallout 3, Far Cry 2, and Assassin’s Creed. The positives of these types of of games are the freedom given to the player, the very large levels, and less constraints which leads to more interactivity. The problems with this unfortunately is the lack of amazing stories. With the player in charge of the game, and not the developer, the developer cannot craft a truly great story.

Both styles of game design are great, but different. It all depends on what the gamer wants to achieve when it comes to overall expierence. The question is which one do gamers prefer? Do they prefer unlimited options or an intriguing story? When game developers learn how to combine both of these features into one game then gaming will achieve an entire new level of interactivity. Developers are coming closer with game games like GTA IV and Fallout 3 proving this, but they have yet to reach the plateau of story telling yet.

Personally, I love both styles of game design, but if I had to choose between the two I would pick linear gameplay. I think that while open world maps are great, that nothing can replace an intriguing story. As long as developers don’t make games feel cramp with very small levels then linear is fine for now.

While I feel this way, it’s obvious that both have found their niche in the industry. It’s good that options are continuing to grow and not shrink, because something missing from the industry is innovation. These two forms of game design are slowly starting to merge into one with the rise of better technology and very talented developers. The question I have for you, the gamer, is which gameplay style do you prefer?

Written by MattG
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Lockdown: Episode 4

Posted by hiphopgamer | Real Talk with the HipHopGamer | Monday 13 April 2009 7:06 pm

Lockdown: Da Gamer’s Prison – Episode 4

4th Installment of this greatness that is Lockdown: Da Gamers Prison (HAHAHA). Enjoy!

Cast:
HyDRo
Payback-Ironman
Killa-Indian
Big Legend D
MattG

Subjects:
Assassins Creed 2
Bioshock 2 (Gameplay)
WET
Killzone 2 DLC
Top 5 Most Anticipated Games

Download the show (Click the Link)

inFamous Release Date Changed To May 26

Posted by PAYBACK-IRONMAN | Real Talk with the HipHopGamer, Sony | Monday 13 April 2009 6:13 pm

infamous

blog.us.playstation.com

It seems the team at Sucker Punch has been working extra hard and it looks like inFamous, will be released earlier then we originally expected. The open world action game was supposed to be released early June but instead the title will be released in the U.S on May 26. No European release dates were mentioned but I’m sure that it won’t be too far from the U.S release date. On top of all this Sony gave info on all the pre-order items that you can aquire depending on where you reserve inFamous.

The following is the list of the pre-order items and pics:

. The Gigawatt Blades (Super Power)

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. Reaper Costume for your Home Avatar

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. Early demo access on May 6.

Now keep in mind the demo will be made public and expect it on the PlayStation Store May 21.

What do you guys think? Will inFamous be a hit or a flop?

Passenger lands plane in Fla. after pilot dies

Posted by hiphopgamer | Real Talk with the HipHopGamer | Monday 13 April 2009 11:37 am

yahoo

plan-saving

FORT MYERS, Fla. – A passenger landed a twin-engine plane in Florida after the pilot died in flight with a total of six people on board.

Federal Aviation Administration officials say the pilot died after takeoff from an airport in Naples on Sunday. It was on autopilot and climbing toward 10,000 feet when the pilot died.

The passenger who took over is licensed for single-engine planes but isn’t certified to fly the larger King Air craft.

An air traffic controller helped the passanger down by calling a friend in Connecticut who knows the King Air plane and relaying instructions. The plane landed safely at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers.

The plane had been headed to Jackson, Miss. The names of the pilot and passengers have not been released

Some PS3 Players Are Waiting For Halo: ODST?

Posted by joey3d | Microsoft, Real Talk with the HipHopGamer, Sony | Monday 13 April 2009 9:15 am

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After passing through a couple of Gamestops in New York, I asked both the customers and staff members “What game are you looking forward to in the future?” many replied with good answers like GTA 5, MGS5, Assassin’s Creed 2. Many others replied Halo:  ODST…and then quickly added “but I hate 360, I own a PS3.”

After hearing that from about 18 customers and about 7 staff members, I asked them to explain their reason for that answer.

Chris G. from Harlem said “I dying to see how it is because when Killzone 2 was coming out, many xbox haters claim that Halo would be better. So now its put up or shut up time.”

Edward V. a past Gamestop manager said “Many people has been putting the PS3 down, but looking at the exclusives, you could see that PS3 is doing more than 360 is even capable of. Halo: ODST has no gameplay pictures because the actual game is not going to be huge at all. I am just waiting for it to rub it on people’s faces.”

Junior R. from Brooklyn said “I own a Xbox 360, and I am waiting for Halo because I know they are going to make the best out of it. They are going to blow away the competition. Many owners would agree.”

My Thoughts: I believe that Bungie has a lot of work to do in order of beating Killzone 2. I am not on anyone’s side, but I am just awaiting more information on Halo: ODST. As of now, its too early for me to comment, I haven’t seen Halo: ODST’s gameplay or graphics. I wish nothing but success to Bungie, and remember, everyone has their own opinions.

What do you think? Leave your comments.

Written By: Joey(3D)

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BlackSmith Finds voice with HipHop Gamer Show Family

Posted by Blacksmith | HHGS, Real Talk with the HipHopGamer | Monday 13 April 2009 5:43 am

New End of Eternity Screens and Info

Posted by MattG | Real Talk with the HipHopGamer | Monday 13 April 2009 3:10 am

Tri-Ace’s has revealed new information on their upcoming multi-platform JRPG, End of Eternity. The game takes place in a metropolis-like area, where the gamer plays as a 17-year-old Private Military mercenary Zephyr, 26-year-old ex-solider Vashyron and 19-year-old young woman Test Subject No. 20.

The city, Basel, is divided into levels with the lower class and higher class being placed on different levels. Gamers can switch between characters seamlessly in battle, and the sequence between walking mode and battle mode is seamless.

The game is coming out for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 this Winter.

Written By:

MattG
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