Posts Tagged ‘games’

We're past the celebrity baby births and news of Paris Hilton's new hip hop album, leaving only the seas of blood to complete the disaster trifecta, but I'm remaining optimistic because my youngest son has found true love and it's a wonderful thing to see.

James is 13-almost-14 and the change in him has been remarkable. Where once he was mainlining DVDs and living on Long John Silver's while playing Worlds of Warcraft for weeks at a time, now he has let those childish things fade away as he takes that next step towards manhood and focuses with laser-like intensity on the new love of his life: the Xbox 360.

I was astounded when he bought one a few weeks ago, mostly because he had managed to keep from spending any money since Christmas to afford it. This is roughly akin to a tree deciding to save its leaves until spring; James isn't usually aware that he's spending his money. It just occurs, the way a dog sheds. But this time he held onto every dollar with an iron fist, begging to do chores for some extra bucks (while still avoiding the usual chores he ostensibly gets an allowance for, of course) and selling everything he could bear to part with. It was inspiring to watch, and a little frightening.

Finally he was within range and he traded in his old Xbox and his Playstation II — once treasured, now only recyclable plastic — for credit to reach his goal. He watched the salesman bring it to him like a proud groom waiting at the altar. When we drove home he carried his new prize in his arms, cooing to it softly, and since then they've been inseparable. It's sweet to watch, really. I never knew he had such a romantic streak in him.

I'm not exaggerating, here. He's been showing pictures of it to friends. Coming up to brag to me for hours about how great it is. Discarding all the games and accessories from previous, lesser systems. Writing "Xbox 360" on all of his notebooks. Planning for future accessories together. At this point I'm just waiting for him to come up to me, with his Xbox and an awkward expression, and say, "Dad, we have to tell you something. . ."

Still, all in all I have to say this beats a girlfriend for him from any objective standpoint. Cheaper, ultimately; games may be pricy but they can be rented or bought used. He got the game he really wanted, "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion," on eBay; yes, I tried to explain the ironic appropriateness of using eBay to search for oblivion, but he just looked at me funny. And Xbox Online isn't any more a month than he would spend on cars or dates. Plus, we've had the Safe Gaming talk, so I'm not worried about viruses.

If anything, I'm envious. Did I ever have such a pure relationship? And you have to admit, tossing your old loves up on a counter to get credit towards a new one is pretty cool. Try that with girlfriends and they just get mad at you.

And what can girlfriends give you that an Xbox 360 can't? Speaking for a 13-almost-14-year-old boy, I mean. Adventure, amazing graphics, fast-paced excitement, golfing with Tiger Woods, flying with a WWII squadron. . . who could compete? Besides, in this relationship, he's completely in charge. Few girlfriends let you pause and pick up again later. He can change its face to match his room. He doesn't have to dress up for his Xbox, or even bathe. He can ask for advice from friends that actually works. It doesn't have in-laws to deal with. And the Xbox 360 comes with an instruction book.

All I know is, if some girl ever tries to get James interested in her, she better have a wireless controller.

One of the complaints about the otherwise-excellent Serenity role-playing game from Margaret Weis Productions was its lack of user-friendly bits. No character sheet, no quick-roll tips for getting started fast, no sample game. All of those are on the way, according to Jamie Chambers:

"SerenityRPG.com has recently been updated, and we have lots of exciting content coming soon — including a print-friendly index, an official character sheet, and errata for the early printings of the book. Soon after that we'll have an introductory adventure, supplemental rules, plug-n-play characters, and more."

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Major League Gaming, the first professional video game league (of course there's a professional video game league) has just announced that the MLG 2006 pro circuit will be broadcast on the USA Network, finally catapulting the grueling challenge of video game competition into the fast-paced world of professional sports. I don't know about you, but I can't wait. . .

"And we're back! This is Rick Riviera in Chicago, with Josie McLellan from Game-itude Magazine; Mitch Miskelli, the first kid to ever get a perfect score in Super Mario Brothers back in 1985–"

"I'm not a kid, I'm 37 now–"

"–and Game-Ho.com's Mr. Freeze, and we're here at the 2006 Boost Mobile Major League Gaming playoffs. First up is the Halo 2 competitions, where Josie has the news. Josie?"

"Thanks, Rick! It's been an exciting game so far, and the players aren't giving an inch. JaiBen327, 13-year-old captain of the D'ohBoyz, has been playing Halo 2 nonstop ever since he torrented a stolen beta copy in the summer of 2004, and he's bringing all that experience to the field this afternoon. But the Pwn Wolves want it just as bad. Mr. Freeze?"

"JaiBen327 is indeed an incredible player. In the last heat when his mother interrupted his precisely timed melee attack to make him take out the trash he kept on sticking people right and left, getting three more kills without ever spilling the bag. His final doublekill was stolen, however, when the Pwn Wolves' Juxtapose took off JaiBen327's overshield with a PP and BRed him just as JaiBen was switching from the BR to the shotty. Bad luck, there. Mitch, what did you think?"

"Hey, did I ever tell you kids about the time I found out how to jump Mario into the secret coin level?"

"Yes. Josie, how did JaiBen327 take that last death?"

"I got to talk to him right afterwards, Rick, and here's what he had to say. JaiBen327, how do you think this season is turning out for you?"

"Good, good. We got the Microsoft sponsorship, and that's really helped with the replacement gear and the private jets and everything. Sure cheered Dad up!"

"I'll bet it did. I notice that you use the claw technique, with your middle fingers on the controller buttons leaving your thumb in control of the stick. Do you find that gives you the advantage?"

"Actually I am no longer able to bend my hand in any other direction and must be fed and clothed by my support staff."

"Bummer! In your last game you had just made an incredible no-shield melee/BR kill that had the crowd jumping in their seats when you were vaporized in a rocket attack immediately afterwards. Do you regret the move?"

"Regret is a name, Josie. Whoops, I'm spawned! Later!"

"Any last words, JaiBen327?"

"PWNZORS!!!1!1!!1one1!"

"Thank you, JaiBen327. Back to you, Mitch!"

"What are you people saying? Are you speaking English?"

"Thanks, Mitch. Rick?"

"Well, the crowds here at GameSpot Stadium are really going wild today. Excitement is high, and the Goodyear Covenant Dropship is circling over–"

"Wait, check it out, JaiBen327's in trouble!"

"You're right, Mr. Freeze. He's back in play but Juxtapose was spawncamping. It looks like… yes… yes… 0wned! JaiBen327 is down for the count. Josie, can you see what's happening there?"

"Juxtapose just took out JaiBen327 and now it looks as if he's preparing for his signature move. Yes, he's squatting… there he goes! And the crowd loves it, Rick!"

"And that brings us to halftime. The MySpace Marching Band is firing up their MP3s but stay tuned for our incisive and painfully exhaustive mid-game analysis. One last word from Mitch. Mitch?"

"I don't understand any of this. People actually pay to watch kids play video games? Where are your parents? Why am I even here?"

"Because we needed someone old enough to buy beer for the championships. We'll be back with the Smash finals right after this word from new Mountain Dew Intravenous. Drip the Dew!"

Need something to push around your Serenity Role-Playing Game maps? Until we get official miniatures we'll need to make do, and for now "Captain Nathan" from Heresy Miniatures will do just fine.

Comes with a base and replaceable weaponry. Click here for better pics, and let's hope we see more. Engineer Jewel, Pilot Alan, Wacko Ninja Summer…

According to this article at ICv2 News, Tracy and Laura Hickman's "Out in the Black," the first full-length adventure for Margaret Weis Productions excellent Serenity RPG, will be released in May.  

"The husband and wife team of Tracy and Laura Hickman (Ravenloft) drew on stories of western boom towns told by Tracy Hickman's grandmother to create this new Serenity role-playing adventure which takes players to the wildest mining town on the Rim on the trail of one of the biggest secrets from the end of the Unification Wars, the disposition of a treasure of mythic proportions."

Need your own Tall Card deck but don't want to make it yourself or print out someone's design? Shaw Games has you covered.

Originally designed for fun to swap with friends, intense demand arose until John and Melissa Shaw decided they had to offer these to the world. And the world appreciates it.

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In this free Flash game to help promote the UK release of Serenity, you are Kaylee and you've got a limited amount of time to identify and replace five damaged parts from around the ship. Better hurry if you don't want to see the ship all blowed up.

The latest BWAH! is out, and it's a doozy. Not just an expansion pack, this is a whole complete game, updated for the movie, with new actions, new professions, and snazzy new graphics. 

Fully playable on its own, it can also be combined with your original BWAH! set to make the Big Damn Bwah! (You don't know what BWAH! is? Check this out)

Head here to find the latest download link.

New! The first official additions to the Serenity role-playing game by Margaret Weis Productions are here, and they look great. An invaluable aid to the GM, the screen is a four-panel foldout with a gorgeous Serenity-in-battle image on the outside and some important charts and reminders on the inside so you don't have to keep digging through the book every time someone does something. Besides, players get more nervous when you roll your dice behind something and cackle. Read on for more descriptions and pics.

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Who needs Magic the Gathering? Throw out your Pokemon cards! (Seriously, throw them out) You need to get busy playing the card game that blows them all away, in a very literal and precise sense: BWAH!

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