“The Dark Knights Rises” will get a lot of “it was good, but…” style reviews. Due to what it is, the film came burdened with a lot of expectations and not all of those could be met. This shouldn’t overshadow that it is a good movie, a 5 out of 5 stars within the superhero / comic book film pantheon. Continue reading
Aren’t You A Clever Spambot?
I’ve had a couple comments recently that have a name that screams “spambot” but the comment has been mostly on target (gold price at the bottom here is the only one I approved). It looked like a real comment and I wanted to give the poster the benefit of the doubt… but a quick google … Continue reading
Great Moments in Game Advertising – Adbot, Social Commentator (#E3)
When even the Adbot is casting judgement, it is time to consider the issue. Continue reading
Great MMO Studio Collapses of Our Time – 38 Studios
So, what’s the take-out here? Obviously the market conditions that 38 Studios launched with in 2006 were very different to those it expired under in 2012, with investors no longer interested in pouring tens of millions of dollars into MMO development. But it’s not like 38 Studios should have been strapped for cash – as identified, they had at least US$135m put into the studio. Yes, they got a single player title out, but it fell a long way short of the initial “broad media” dreams, or even releasing the promised MMO, while burning a lot of cash. Continue reading
Brad McQuaid Comes Back to Vanguard
No, really. I blame myself. I said, “McQuaid” five times to a mirror while writing about the spectacular collapse of Sigil. “What harm could it do?”, I chuckled to myself. Now we know.
Great MMO Company Collapses of Our Time – Sigil Games Online
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes was certainly a saga in development, but I doubt anyone involved in in felt pretty heroic by the end of their time at Sigil. Continue reading
Great Moments in Game Advertising – Lara Croft And The Sphere of PR Disaster
In games advertising, self-administered wounds are becoming increasingly rare. As the games industry matures, there is at least some sense that what developers say to games journalists reporters is going to go to a wide, mainstream audience, so if something stupid is said a lot of people are going to hear it. Which is why … Continue reading
Point / Counterpoint: The Role of Women at Modern Gaming Events
Kotaku covers it succinctly: If you’re a woman and outside of those things, well, you just don’t really fit. If I was being extra picky, I’d say the image used for the ‘positive take’ of women in gaming shows a lot of leg on a woman with an hourglass figure who’s reached the top of … Continue reading
Great MMO Company Collapses of Our Time – Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment
This wasn’t MMO game development; this was a bloody soap opera. Continue reading
Australia Passes R18+ Gaming Classification, But…
… it’s only at the Federal level. It’s up to the States and Territories to then pass complementary legislation that allows the sale of R18+ titles. Are the States and Territories likely to pass such things on? It’s a good question and not one that I’ve seen get much attention. Just because the Attorneys-General decide … Continue reading
World Class Villains 