Weekend rant: What a week it's been
7 AM on a Sunday morning and I'm wide awake at my PC, all high on coffee. Why's that, you ask? Because I didn't get any sleep last night. None. No, I was busy watching back-to-back episodes of "The Green Hornet"; this old, old show that used to air alongside the Adam West Bat-Man series. It also marked Bruce Lee's first big role on television, which is what generated such an interest in the actor. Lee played Kato, the Green Hornet's sidekick and...
Never mind. I doubt too many people care. ANYWAY.
What a week it's been for the gaming industry. I don't think I've ever seen so much big news from Japan in a span of one week. First came Capcom's decision to go multiplatform with the Devil May Cry franchise. (You can bet 4 won't be the last in the series. Spin-offs are next, mark my words.) While I can understand why they took this decision, I still can't say I agree with it. Sure, going multiplatform makes them more money, makes the game more accessible and everyone's happy, no? No.
Sony's still a big contender in the gaming industry regardless of what problems they might have been facing for the last few months. I fully expect the PlayStation 3 to hit back hard during 2008, and when it does, the 360 will definitely feel it. That said, I don't exactly know how Sony will get their black beast off the ground if developers refuse to be a little more patient with them. Capcom's been Microsoft's bitch for the last half year now, there's no doubt about that. It truly saddens me to see that they don't seem to be attempting to balance their support out a little more, especially considering that the PS3 could definitely use some loyal third-party support from the developers who thrived on the PS2's success. Oh well, at least Final Fantasy XIII will still be PS3 exclusive, right?
Maybe. Or maybe not. If you ask me, FFXIII itself is going nowhere but onto the PS3. What I do suspect, however, is that Final Fantasy Versus XIII will probably make its way over to the 360 as well. Square Enix realizes the importance of balanced support. They also know that people will buy PS3s just to play Final Fantasy. There's no need for them to go multiplatform with it. Versus XIII on the other hand, is a spin-off. It's also an RPG/action/shooter, judging from what Tetsuya Nomura has been telling the media, and that makes it a good fit for the 360.
Like I said before, Square realizes the importance of balancing out their support. They're also big fans of "polymorphic content", which is their way of saying "We're going to take this one series, and we're going to whore it out to every platform in existence so everyone can have at it." Their Final Fantasy VII Compilation is a perfect example of this. This tendency of theirs to release sequels and spin-offs on different systems (Revenant Wings anyone?) is what led to this followed by this.
Thankfully, it hasn't been all bad news this week. Kara no Kyoukai's getting animated, so that's definitely going to be something to look forward to.
On another note, I've spent a lot of the past week looking up upcoming games for the DS, and I have to say, some of the stuff I've come across looks amazing. I can't wait for all these titles (and more!) to finally hit the shelves.
Red Garden also ended last week, so I'll be getting down to typing up impressions of that soon. The ending was ... well, not weak, but it could have been a little stronger. Regardless, the show is going straight into my list of favourites and it's going to stay there for a long time to come. Here's hoping someone licenses the series soon, for it's certainly worthy.
I finally have some time off from college, too. Exams are over, the term project is done and I don't have to worry about any of that for the next 4 months at least. I plan to spend this time updating FWA as frequently as possible, writing more regularly on Japanator (look out for our re-vamped site in the coming months!) and reading tons and tons of manga. I've finally gotten through the lot Manga Jouhou sent me for reviewing, so as soon as I'm done with typing up those reviews, I'll decide on my next pile.
Also, -- and this is not by any means happy news -- I am now 20. No longer a teenager. I know, I know ... 20 isn't all that bad, but you're talking to the guy who didn't want to turn 18 for God's sake. I need to keep a day reserved this week for going into depression. Turning 20 certainly demands such behaviour and I'll try not to disappoint. Hmm ... maybe Wednesday.
Before I sign off, here's a little reason to be excited. It isn't much, as all the footage is pretty much edited versions of stuff that's been shown before, but hey; May isn't too far off. I'm still disappointed Venom hasn't made a proper appearance in any form as of yet, but I guess they're trying to keep it under wraps for as long as possible. That, and I hear he may not be getting too much screen time in the final release.
All right, time to go hit up some breakfast now! See you guys later today.
Never mind. I doubt too many people care. ANYWAY.
What a week it's been for the gaming industry. I don't think I've ever seen so much big news from Japan in a span of one week. First came Capcom's decision to go multiplatform with the Devil May Cry franchise. (You can bet 4 won't be the last in the series. Spin-offs are next, mark my words.) While I can understand why they took this decision, I still can't say I agree with it. Sure, going multiplatform makes them more money, makes the game more accessible and everyone's happy, no? No.
Sony's still a big contender in the gaming industry regardless of what problems they might have been facing for the last few months. I fully expect the PlayStation 3 to hit back hard during 2008, and when it does, the 360 will definitely feel it. That said, I don't exactly know how Sony will get their black beast off the ground if developers refuse to be a little more patient with them. Capcom's been Microsoft's bitch for the last half year now, there's no doubt about that. It truly saddens me to see that they don't seem to be attempting to balance their support out a little more, especially considering that the PS3 could definitely use some loyal third-party support from the developers who thrived on the PS2's success. Oh well, at least Final Fantasy XIII will still be PS3 exclusive, right?
Maybe. Or maybe not. If you ask me, FFXIII itself is going nowhere but onto the PS3. What I do suspect, however, is that Final Fantasy Versus XIII will probably make its way over to the 360 as well. Square Enix realizes the importance of balanced support. They also know that people will buy PS3s just to play Final Fantasy. There's no need for them to go multiplatform with it. Versus XIII on the other hand, is a spin-off. It's also an RPG/action/shooter, judging from what Tetsuya Nomura has been telling the media, and that makes it a good fit for the 360.
Like I said before, Square realizes the importance of balancing out their support. They're also big fans of "polymorphic content", which is their way of saying "We're going to take this one series, and we're going to whore it out to every platform in existence so everyone can have at it." Their Final Fantasy VII Compilation is a perfect example of this. This tendency of theirs to release sequels and spin-offs on different systems (Revenant Wings anyone?) is what led to this followed by this.
Thankfully, it hasn't been all bad news this week. Kara no Kyoukai's getting animated, so that's definitely going to be something to look forward to.
On another note, I've spent a lot of the past week looking up upcoming games for the DS, and I have to say, some of the stuff I've come across looks amazing. I can't wait for all these titles (and more!) to finally hit the shelves.
Red Garden also ended last week, so I'll be getting down to typing up impressions of that soon. The ending was ... well, not weak, but it could have been a little stronger. Regardless, the show is going straight into my list of favourites and it's going to stay there for a long time to come. Here's hoping someone licenses the series soon, for it's certainly worthy.
I finally have some time off from college, too. Exams are over, the term project is done and I don't have to worry about any of that for the next 4 months at least. I plan to spend this time updating FWA as frequently as possible, writing more regularly on Japanator (look out for our re-vamped site in the coming months!) and reading tons and tons of manga. I've finally gotten through the lot Manga Jouhou sent me for reviewing, so as soon as I'm done with typing up those reviews, I'll decide on my next pile.
Also, -- and this is not by any means happy news -- I am now 20. No longer a teenager. I know, I know ... 20 isn't all that bad, but you're talking to the guy who didn't want to turn 18 for God's sake. I need to keep a day reserved this week for going into depression. Turning 20 certainly demands such behaviour and I'll try not to disappoint. Hmm ... maybe Wednesday.
Before I sign off, here's a little reason to be excited. It isn't much, as all the footage is pretty much edited versions of stuff that's been shown before, but hey; May isn't too far off. I'm still disappointed Venom hasn't made a proper appearance in any form as of yet, but I guess they're trying to keep it under wraps for as long as possible. That, and I hear he may not be getting too much screen time in the final release.
All right, time to go hit up some breakfast now! See you guys later today.
5 comments:
Well I'm finishing off my holiday with some rum and late late nights, I just played like 10 hours of Puzzle Quest, only breaking to pop to the shops to grab some coke for me and chops for the dog.
I'd have to say that unless Capcom start changing the actual content of their games then they can't be criticised for widening their market onto competing platforms.
Really you need to be pissed at Sony for "expecting" consumers and developers to fall over themselves to get a PS3 or develop for it just because they went ape shit on the spec sheet. They won a lot of PS2 support off the back of a fantastic product in the PS1, excellent PR (read: dirty fucking lies and bribes) and some lucky breaks with competitors. Expecting the same breaks from two very jaded and experienced companies is somewhat naive on their part.
Great stuff for the DS, although I also thought the PSP price drop at one retailer was interesting giving the improvements on its software lineup recently. Is this a push or a stock shifter though? Dare I get shafted? :)
Belated birthday wishes!
20 is nothing, hardest thing at your age is getting ready for being 30-40 in your career and still getting enough of the 20 something action you'll not get when your 30-40. :)
If I could do over again, I'd become a fighter pilot. Damn it, I passed Tyndall AFB while on holiday and the bastards fly training over the area each day. So jealous!!! Anyway I plan to rebel with a Tom Cruise Motorbike experience sans space aliens mind altering religion.
Perhaps sleep is in order. :)
Yea, I understand a lot of the PS2's success was to do with timing. They chose the right time to push DVDs and Nintendo was making a ton of mistakes with the GameCube as well.
The truth is, the PS3 still has stuff to offer that the 360 and Wii don't, so it's kind of a shame to see that potential going to waste. Although, I agree ... Sony needs to build up some goodwill again. Giving away Bravias during the European PS3 launch was pretty cool of them. And smart, I might add. I mean, higher prices, delayed launches and gimped backward compatibility?
Nothing short of an HDTV would negate all that. Good to see someone over at Sony marketing doesn't have dung for brains.
And I know 20 isn't really all that bad...everyone else says that to me, too. Just that it feels so weird going from a teenager to "young adult" (Yea, people actually called me that). Not a fun transition. My grandmom called up all excitedly early in the morning and screamed, "Welcome to the third decade of your life!!!"
I nearly cried.
Kato used to piss me off so much. Why didn't he ever do those fancy moves that we all know he can? Anyways have a nice birthday, Jelster is right 20 is nothing.
Jeez, I didn't know you just turned 20! Happy birthday man!
I was pretty upset when I first turned 20 too, now that I'm in my mid-twenties nearing 30 I can tell I'll get depressed all over again. Gotta love aging!
I've still got so much I want to do in life that I should have already started doing about 8-9 years ago, so I feel like I've wasted a huge chunk of my life, which is even more depressing than turning 20.
So, my main advice to you is do as much as you can now, accomplish your goals, and most importantly, don't wait till your 26 before you realize all that. It makes things much harder! :)
Haha, thanks guys! And yea, I'm trying to do my best to accomplish as much as I possibly can before my mid mid-life crisis begins. ;)
The one thing I really want to do before I turn 25 is drop a GBA from seven stories up to see if it breaks or not. I hear that's how Nintendo tested it for durability. Yes, yes ... I'm a nerd.
OK, that was a joke. No, I'm not that far gone ... yet ... I think. <_<
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