Yeow. Charlie Weis — Flame Edition
This is just stunning...that ESPN of all placed would run this shocks me. Was fun to read, though.
Bowl Bound Beta
The 1.46 Beta patch is out for Bowl Bound. Being Beta...it's not official but here's the forum thread. Sounds really good so far.
In the Doghouse
That's me. Resident of the dog house. Sometimes I swear my life is like an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Remember my neighbors, the ones we like a lot who throw this big Halloween shindig every year? Well, Saturday night is said party, we have our costumes and are ready to roll.
Dad calls me this week, "Bill, I have 4 tickets to the Ohio State Minnesota game, section 26A -- high row. Me, Oz (my uncle), Dune (Al Milton, my pseudo brother who was Cris Carter's QB in high school--true story) and you. "
"I'm in."
No, I'm dead is more like it.
It's a 3:30 kickoff, so I figure I could get back by 7:00 maybe 7:30 at the latest, plenty of time to go to the party. Huge mistake on my part. Mary explains to me that the party starts at 5:00. I ask why we need to go at 5:00. Only those with nothing else to do go to a party the minute it starts. This is a late night party, what's wrong with 7?
Everything, it seems.
"We'll have to go separately because I'm going at no later than 5:30 and I'll feel like a fool going just with Ashley."
"But it's the OHIO STATE GAME! 26A! High row! FREE TICKETS"
I am then asked what event would possibly prevent me from missing an OSU game...aside from a death in the family.
At this I pause.
"Invasion of atomic locusts?"
Well, that didn't go over as well as I thought, and in order to prevent a complete meltdown, I acquiesce and tell her I'll pass on the tickets (my father is flabbergasted at this), but that my ass will in fact be rooted to the couch at 3:30 when the ball is kicked off. TIVO won't cut it.
Now, hopefully it's a blowout by the 4th quarter so I can mosey on over to the party around 6 without fear of missing anything noteworthy.
So, keep an eye on the OSU/Minny game this Saturday. If you see a close game in the 4th, you know that things are not groovy at Casa de Abner. Actually, assume that I back down and put on a Pharoah costume and TIVO the rest of the game, which I'm sure some asshat will tell me what happens the minute I get to the party.
I think I'm screwed either way.
Update
I was able to exchange my X360 to a brand new unit courtesy of Gamestop. Really hassle free and made me very happy to blow the $40 last year when I bought the console. They didn't offer me another warranty, so I guess I'll sign up for the Microsoft one. It seems like it's worth the $60 for two years.
New unit was built in May of this year, I kept my HDD so we just swapped those out and I ended up with a new controller since I returned everything but the media remote which they don't include anymore. I'm playing games and the turnaround time was much better than MS.. 
Ich bien ein Xbox 360 loser
Well, despite you guys telling me it just had to happen, I didn't believe you. Well I was wrong, as my Xbox 360 died tonight. It locks up all the time and shows little vertical lines all over the place. One of my good Xbox 360 programmer friends showed me his video of Dead Rising and it looked just like it. Apparently the lockup is a motherboard failure.
I did look at my date of manufacture and it's November 2005, which is part of the Microsoft tainted batch...I haven't called them yet...as when I paid $1,036.35 for my Xbox 360 launch package (King Kong for $59.99, WTF), I was required to purchase a Product Replacement Plan. I'm hoping I can swap at the local Gamestop but the contract says I have to send it back to them. If I have to pay for shipping, I'm thinking MS may be the way to go. They don't open until 9AM eastern, so I guess I will find out then. If anyone has any stories to relate, please do so.
As part of the PRP, they say they can give you used (refurb) replacement. I'm concerned that I get another shit used one. Maybe if I go straight to MS, I won't have this problem...then again..maybe I will. I don't know. I just have to say 9 AM can't come soon enough.
So now that I'm Xbox 360 less for who knows how long, I have started playing games on the PC.
I've had my PS2 for 4 years and zero problems. I've had my Dreamcast for 7 years and it still works. Yes, it's a new system and new stuff and blah blah blah. MS has said that there's a higher failure rate on consoles made before 1/1/06...from what I hear, it seems like the failure rate is 100%...
Sorry it's my turn to vent on this. I feel your pain. Still a week away from Blitz, so that's going to hold that review up I guess...dammit!
Oh yeah and on Saturday, my Alienware work laptop died too. Well the backlight on the LCD died...and of course it's out of the incredibly generous 90 day warranty, so it's $269 just to look at it. Grreeeat. So I have two pieces of hardware that are DOA.
In other news, did anyone catch the CNBC interview with President Bush? On the interview uses "The Google." I think I will use "The Google" from now on. What's that you don't know that guys number, well, use the google.
Bowl Bound Update
Well, sort of. The update isn't out yet but Grey Dog is working on a big 'un. I always thought Bowl Bound had a ton of potential; it just needed a few key fixes to bring it all together. It doesn't take much to take a potentially great text sim and make it mediocre.
That said, here's the probable list of fixes via the GD website. If the update does all that, Bowl Bound will definitely be back in the rotation. Well, after the holdiays, anyway.
It’s Getting Closer
BCS Standings - October 22, 2006
1) Ohio State - .976
2) Michigan - .945
The Weekend
I have to go to work in 6 hours but here are some things to ponder:
1. I just went back to playing my Madden X360 franchise. This game could have been could but the little things really screw it up. Hey, here's a thought: don't have auto replays of big plays so you can't challenge them. Doesn't that make sense? Oh wait, I forgot who we're talking about here.
2. The new EGM compliments NBA Live 07's ESPN integration. Yeah, how about the game, though?
3. The new EGM also talks with EA about their marketplace stuff. They do a good job being very skeptical of the whole thing. While I'm not a gigantic fan of EGM, I thought they asked the right questions here. This is in stark contrast to the IGN or GameSpot "interviews" which sounded like Bill O'Reilly interviewing George Bush.
4. I'm guessing this is a parody, but it's funny nonetheless.
5. Did anyone out there get to download Mortal Kombat on Xbox Live Arcade in the brief amount of time it got out? I didn't, would love to hear thoughts if you did get it.
6. IE7 is now out, and I do not like it. I downloaded Firefox, and I'm actually I'm quite impressed. It seems much faster to me in page loading times, and just overall interface. Maybe I've finally converted.
7. Speaking of Microsoft, as Bill Harris said, WTF were they thinking with this GamerDad thing. While I'm not a personal friend of Andrew Bub, I had hired him to write some GamePen articles way back when, and most everyone in the industry knew about GamerDad (Bub is very good about doing his own PR)...so why did Microsoft do what they did and create a new GamerDad? Maybe they were pissed off about an old Bub review? When I saw that on Major Nelson, I thought it was Bub...I think Bub will get some cash out of this one .
8. As I'm writing this I'm up 38-21 playing as the Pats vs Vikings. On my 4th and 10 play, I select punt and let the clock go down to 0:00. My play clock continues to run, even though the half is at 0:00. You are kidding me right? I kick it out of bounds...THE COMPUTER HAS A PLAY! I tackle him. Now the camera is just panning throughout the stadium...the play clock is stuck on :30, the time left in the 2nd is 0:00, there's no one on the field but the game hasn't locked up. This is AWESOME! I just quit the game. Now i have to play it again. I knew causing 4 fumbles wasn't doing me any good. Stupid fucking EA. Here's a hint too..you can get GamerScore points by playing a "Live opponent" but you don't actually have to play, you get the points when you go to the live opponent screen. Back out, and you get the points!
9. I saw this on Major Nelson's blog, but Jonah Falcon was kind enough to email it to me. That's some Crack that Sony is smoking, btw.
9. I have to say, I know I said this last year for the 360 but you knew I'd buy it anyway. This time with the PS3 I can honestly say I don't care at all. If Sony sent me one, of course I'll play it, otherwise the chances of me spending $600 on it are zero. None. Nada. There's nothing for it that I want. I'm more excited about the release of Guitar Hero 2 than I am the PS3. 'nuff said.
Okay, off to get ready for work in 6 hours.
A strategy moment
As some of you know, I play a lot of sports games.
I also play a lot of strategy games -- both turn-based and real-time.
I also play a lot of role-playing games, but that's a story for another time. (Baldur's Gate 2 is a Bill Top 10 all time game. I think it comes in at number 4, actually.)
I recently finished a review for Mage Knight which should be online soon at GameSpy. What a train wreck that turned out to be. Really, really, bad. So bad that it scares me about Namco's other strategy game, Warhammer Mark of Chaos. I'm a huge Warhammer geek...so if that ends up reeking, well, I'll be sad. It's not even the same developer, but wow--Mage Knight is not good. See those Metacritic scores? Mine will fall right in line. When PC Gameworld says, "A fine game with no glaring flaws..." I'd agree with that. If I was insane.
I am playing a near final build of Medieval 2 Total War, which thus far looks a lot like Rome Total War...but Medieval. Lotta fun, though.
Bill Harris has been playing Paraworld, which I still need to get for review. Looked good at E3. It has dinosaurs.
But right now, the strategy world is ruled by Relic Entertainment. Both Warhammer 40K Dawn of War: Dark Crusade and Company of Heroes are two of the best RTS games I have ever played and both are made by Relic and THQ. Dark Crusade bumps up the 40K race total to 7, and remember--Warhammer geek---I'm happy. Necrons! Tau! A Risk-like campaign map! Woo hoo! My review will be in CGM soon. Not that you need it. It's a great game.
Company of Heroes might be the better game, though. Anything that can breathe new life into World War 2 gaming is a special game, and CoH is a very special game.
Some have asked why I am not on the 360 much of late -- well, there you go.
Hilarious
I saw this linked over at DSP and had to share.
The best telemarketing prank, ever.
Thursday Morning Musings..
Here's something to ponder as I see "rookie" ex-Oriole John Maine make the Mets go to game 7 of the LCS.
1. Fox sucks. I wish both LCS's were going to TBS next year. Anything is better. ANYTHING.
2. Based on early reviews and that I'm not reviewing it, I"m going to pass on Lumines Live...$15 for a game that requires you to pay more for the entire game? What's next? Charging points to unlock golfers? Oh wait, never mind.
3. To say I'm exhausted and spent is an understatment. Luckily thanks to hot apple cider and Maker's Mark, the pain is eased somewhat before bed.
4. Bill's call to arms on GameShark, I'm told, has generated a crap load of emails. Glad to see people are still excited by the industry. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the industry, but no longer to the way of "I will take out a 3rd mortgage on the house to get a PS3"..
5. I just wrote a massive diatribe about how I got into the business, and what to look for, but since it involved more than 4 scroll wheels and I probably already mentioned it 23 times on this blog, I just deleted it. Maybe I'll share some other time, based on popular demand (crickets)....
Quick Note About the GameShark Gig
First off, I want to thank everyone for taking the time to send in samples and for just showing interest in general.
Please keep in mind that I am not an employee of GameShark -- I am but a mere freelance writer. I doubt I will actually read the samples that are sent in unless specifically asked to do so; I will most likely just forward everything we get to the powers that be at GameShark because I know he is getting samples sent in from other locations. I say this because if a blog reader doesn't get "hired" I don't want you guys to take it personally. That's why I'm just going to forward the samples to the people that are doing the hiring (which isn't me). I also cannot discuss the financial part of this position. Again, that's not my place. Hope you understand.
That said, keep the samples coming.
Updates
Sorry, this work week is very long for me. Lots of stuff going on, plus 12 hour work days, plus various Chamber events, plus it's exam time, makes it tough to blog.
Anyway, I'd like to second what Bill said. What Bill didn't mention in the call for writers is that one of the biggest perks is that you get to work with Bill and I. You should see the ICQ extranet we have. Just kidding.
So sign up today! lol
Once Xbox Live comes back online, Lumines Live will be released for the meager price of 1200 (!) points with a 600 (!) point add on pack. 1800 points! That's more than $20! What do they think this is? A PSP? Kee-rips. This game better blow me for 1800 points, that's all I'm saying. And I don't mean Madonna-videos-of-her-book-Sex-playing-in-the-background-while-I'm-playing-Lumines blow me.
GameShark Wants YOU!
GameShark, one of my regular freelance outlets, is looking for new writers. The EiC asked me to help get the word out on this here blog -- so here 'tis. Here's some details:
- See exotic locations! (lie)
- Hobnob with industry insiders (lie)
- Make enough money to retire at 35. (terribly bad lie)
- Get paid some extra cash to play computer and videogames (ding!)
It's not my place to discuss money, but this is a paying gig. You do not need to be an established freelancer for this position. You do need to have a critical eye, the focus to meet a deadline, and the ability to write in complete sentences helps, too.
If you have any interest or just want more information, drop me a line at our blog email address. If you want to submit a writing sample (a sample review is best) that would work, too.
Oh, and FYI: even though this is a sports blog, this is not a "sports writing" position, just a general freelance post. (Bill's way of saying: you kids get off my lawn!)
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