Diablo III looks good (despite what I’ve heard about it’s graphic style and WoW like image) and I must say I am eager to get my hands on a copy for both my wife and myself. Let’s be honest, there is nothing quite like sitting down to an intense dungeon crawl and clickspam stealing all the health potions while your spouse (or girlfriend) rages in the other room. There is one small hitch, I won’t be buying Diablo 3.

During the June of 2000 I picked up my copy of Diablo II after work, from there I ran home and installed it. While it was installing on my Cyrix 266, Nvidia TNT2 powered system I was on the phone to my work colleague who had likewise done the same. I played Diablo II for about 50 hours, before I slept. This isn’t some kind of geek fantasy exaggeration, these where the gaming sessions we were involved in. I can’t remember if I called in sick for work or if it was a weekend, those kind of details faded into the background as I drove my vicious Necromancer towards Diablo himself. That is what you might call emotional heritage. Memories of a time where nothing else mattered and Diablo II engulfed our imaginations, and our lives.

In 1997 I paid $4 for a floppy disk copy of the Diablo demo. That was my pocket money, and it was $4 well spent. Four of us sat huddled around a Pentium 75 watching that interlaced intro with avid anticipation. I can only remember the name of one of my companions that day and I haven’t seen him in over a decade and yet that moment lives vividly in my mind. I lived in a boarding college at that time and we had had to find a way to hack the computer security system so we could sneak down after lights out and play games on the provided study computers. They were years out of date but Diablo would sluggishly load and play. This kind of emotional heritage stems back to a time when I held computer game companies as deities. This was all long before World of Warcraft, long before the Distribution conglomerates of today’s sordid and hedonistic games industry. My love of Blizzard stems from a fantasy time generated in the head of an adolescent who’s only love was computer games. I loved Diablo and it loved me in return, faithfully we shared our relationship for over a decade.

Emotional heritage is an interesting concept. It allows corporate entities to confuse us, trick our mind into thinking foolish things. Today’s Blizzard is not the Blizzard of yesteryear, today’s gaming market is not the same environment as that of my youth. We live in a difficult time for PC gaming and we cannot let ourselves be fooled. Diablo 3 is not, as I had wished for in my heart of hearts, a successor to the immortalised Diablo franchise. OK so it is a successor however that is not it’s primary function. Diablo 3′s primary function is to make money. Considering the franchise, we aren’t talking about pocket change. Every movement by Activision or Blizzard regarding Diablo 3 is driven by capital gains and it is entirely unlikely that it will change.

Let’s examine the scenario.

Decision #1 – Free to Play / Pay to Win

Diablo 3′s Auction house is a thinly veiled attempt by Blizzard to take a slice of the constant out of game item buying market. I’m not a fan of the free to play system stemming directly from the fact that it costs far to much since it creates a pay to win environment in which the only way to remain competitive is to pay for items. This is a ridiculous aspect of MMO’s that simply does not belong in the Diablo franchise. Worse, pay to win models can be likened to endorsed drug use for athletes, only the event organisers are the pushers making a profit. It reduces the legitimacy of gaming as a sport and after fighting so long for a scant scrap of credibility it is the last thing we need an industry leader like blizzard to adopt particularly in a non MMO game.

Decision #2 – No Mods / Restricted use of your property

This is an old argument and having never really modded Diablo or Diablo II I can’t speak with authority. I can however see both sides of this argument. As a consumer I feel I should have a right to utilise my purchase as I see fit. As a competitive gamer I would like to know the online environment is restricted and legitimate. Modding can often be considered a double edged sword, however considering the success of Warcraft III mods that have carried onto their own franchises as well as into the Starcraft II arena it is odd Blizzard has chosen this path. Except when you consider the nature of Decision #3

Decision #3 – always on DRM (digital rights management -100% internet connection required for all game modes including single player)

There have been many arguments as to what this kind of DRM means for the industry. Publishers speak constantly about the threat of piracy to the industry, a constantly rebuked and realisticly weak argument. In this scenario Blizzard speaks of the services that can be offered by a constant connection. Guaranteed anti-cheating, auction house facilities, drop in drop out co-op support, live online rankings, and constant live monitoring and cloud saving of your progress. This of course is supposed to negate the fact that should your internet become unstable lose connection or be disconnected to due to a careless council worker you will simply be disconnected form your single player game and told kindly by the Blizzard service that “ well, there are other games to play for times like that.” 

It’s plain to see the lack of mod support being spoken of as a feature is just one of the many complaints users will have about the DRM. Personally I see the auction house as a money grab by Blizzard and the last thing I need in a single player RPG is interaction with hordes of  crazed internet scammers. Let’s be serious for a few moment’s, blizzards claims that this system will abolish cheating or scammers is ridiculous, tantamount to lieing. Perhaps that kind of bullshit works on the WoW’ers out there but not even Blizzard’s street cred is going to pull that off for any experienced gamer. Not only will Blizzard’s DRM not prevent scammers and cheaters it will encourage the hacking community to take action, as they have against ubisoft and of course blizzard (not that I condone the action, just that it is expected).

I think what really makes me hate this scenario, what makes me hate Blizzard to the very core of my gaming addicted heart is that they will do this, they will pull it of and it will give every other distributor out there the licence to do the same. Sure, the boycott on Ubisoft games has for the most part worked (although they are insistent to a fault) but it wont fly with a Blizzard title. The sheer number of blind devoted fan’s that would happily shell out cash to have Blizzard CEO Perdo stick a fork in their eye, is heart breaking for those of us with a real attachment to the majesty of a gaming era now seemingly dead.

Did I buy a copy of Deus Ex despite my rage at the e-game advertising. No. Will I buy a copy of Diablo 3 despite it’s always on DRM. No.

This kind of DRM is verging on level discrimination, against socio-economic and geographicaly situated gamers. I would be pleased if some clever European activist group started a class action lawsuit against blizzard and it’s attempt to marginalize, control and discriminate it’s former fan base.

Looks like the Kid is coming back.

Bastion is the first game of Supergiant Games, an action platformer set in a destroyed world. You play the Kid, one of the few survivors of what is known as ‘The Calamity’.

You start out with just a few weapons, your trusty hammer, later a bow, and eventually a sword, musket and pistols. Now this brings me to one the best parts of the game, the narration. Basically everything you do is narrated, from key events, to the overuse of a weapon, to your random smashing of stuff. And trust me, you’ll be doing a lot of smashing. Doing so earns you crystals, allowing you to upgrade your weapons, and buy skills at the shop once you unlock it.

Bastion is an action packed indy game, and I highly recommend it. It’s available on Xbox Live Arcade and Steam.

I know we are all partial to a little geek-out on occasion. for some people it’s a virtual night club inside an expensive computer case, others wear those iconic meme t-shirts. In this case we see a true piece of art. KyozoKicks has produced some custom Van’s with a real Boom. SSSSsssssssBOOOM to be exact.

“Due to them being such a huge drain as far as time goes (for example the placement of each coloured square had to be considered so no colour was placed beside a square of the same colour on any of the four possible sides – got it?) these Minecraft Vans shall foreseeably be the only ones I ever make. Pair one of one.” @KyozoKicks

At time of posting there is only 2 days left so you really ought to get in now and start bidding. An offer like these doesn’t come up often.

It’s back, better than ever.

For those of you that haven’t played the orignal Ocarina of Time (or it’s various ports to the Wii and Gamecube), it is considered worldwide as the best game ever made. However, it is has been 13 Years since it’s first release (1998), and we wondered if it had stood up against the test of time. The answer is; well, sort of. Nintendo have made little changes to the overall game, dialog is the same, controls are the same, as is the story. What HAS changed, and fans of the game will apprecate, is the exceptionaly fast text speed, the constant frame rate, and the game itself faster overall. Also, the remastered graphics are very pretty for a portable title, especially with the 3D effect turned on.

The 3DS version also includes the Master Quest version of the game, orignally found the Wind Waker Bonus Disc for Gamecube (if you pre-ordered your copy of Wind Waker). This version of the game is considerably harder, making even the first dungeons exceptionally hard to clear. The entire world is also mirrored, making even seasoned players feel like it’s the first time playing through the game.

Overall, Ocarina of Time 3D is a worthy addition to the (currently rather small) Nintendo 3DS libary, and should be considered a must-have for any owner of a 3DS.

I’m 1200 ft down, and all I can think about is ‘Why didn’t I bring moretorches?’ It’s dark, and shadows flicker in the dim edges of my vision.I can hear them coming. I had never suspected that my journeywould lead me here, lost and hoping for a miracle, in this dank hole,somewhere far beneath the surface.

Terraria (2011) is developed by Andrew (Redigit) Spinks and his team Jeremy (Blue) Guerrette; Finn (Tiy) Bryce; and Gabriel (Red Yoshi) Henrique Kiesshau. Terraria is a game about discovering your own adventure. One of those focus-on-the-journey- not-the-destination adventures, where you find your inner person struggling to escape into the fantasy.

Click here for a gameplay trailer.

Lacking a single genre, I would call Terraria an exploration, adventure and building game, themed on such classics as Super Mario Brothers (Nintendo, 1983) and Super Wonder Boy (Sega, 1986). It offers a traditional audio experience, and includes classic background music to match the retro atmosphere. Unfortunately genre classification and traditional review methods don’t do Terraria justice. With this in mind I thought it best to share just one of my experiences with you.

I dig, for no other reason than that I can. That was until I found ore. At first I crafted a copper sword, then an iron breastplate. I could feel reality slipping away as I sought more than just armour, and protection from the waves of creepy-crawly dwellers.
My addiction becomes even more apparent as I seek the unknown riches from even greater depths. What began as a task seeking safety becomes a quest for a holy grail. I discover new and frightening experiences, and deliciously rare objects of questionable origin.

With resources in hand I began to build. My hut had grown cramped. Although functional as a workshop, it lacked personality. With wood and stone I begin my creation. My first attempts are practical and sensible affairs. Tenement blocks, for my comrades and I to share a functional life. This was soon replaced by extravagance, gold chandeliers and silver architraves were only the beginning. It took a great deal of time to complete, and I was interrupted by the ravaging goblin tribes and roaming undead. I did however complete my Sydney Opera House, my Tower of Babalon, and my Castle of Epic. Now there was only one thing on my mind: defend it, at any cost.

I felt a cold chill down my spine. It was a new and exciting feeling. I had done all there was to do, plumbed the depths for riches and built a home of unparalleled beauty. This new experience was exactly what I had been waiting for; a culmination of effort to this moment. Then I saw it, and a sickening bile rose in my throat. Glaring at me with it’s one massive bloodshot eye it howled in anger. I held my sword aloft, and shouted from the battlements.

Terraria is an epic ballad in the making, with each and every step a new page in the tale unfolding.

Terraria is an adventure un-planned; un-scripted and un-repeatable.

It’s 4am, and I’m supposed to get up for work in three hours. All in all, it’s not a bad buy for $9. When I knock off work, I will try the multiplayer.

Terraria, a 2d world of action and adventure.

I started playing this game, thanks to a friend who was kind enough to send it to me as a gift via Steam.  At first glance, I had some doubts but I gave the game a try, and what a game it is!  Killing zombies and bloodies eyeballs, while building houses and constructing some really cool and handy tools….now thats my style of game.

Many people are calling Terraria “The New Minecraft”  I strongly disagree with that statement as both games have their own unique styles and features.  Personally I like Minecraft better, but really it just comes down to personal taste.

Leave a comment telling us which game you like….Minecraft or Terraria. (And be nice, no sippin the hater-ade)!!

Cheers!

Welcome to my new addiction, Terraria. Without giveing to much away I have to repeat my tweet from 4 am in the morning the morning after I purchased Terraria.

Terraria is crack!

Watch the Terraria Trailer

Not the kind of addiction that makes you sickly and strange, gets you on the news and gives you the presence of mind to pronounce your epic win at life. It’s the kind of addiction that leaves you drained, wasted and sated; 6am in the morning roughly 30 minutes before you need to get up for work and make yourself presentable to the world at large.

It’s my kind of addiction.

What is Terraria?

Contrary to popular conversation Terraria is not a 2d Minecraft clone. It simply doesn’t do either game justice to simplify such grand open world, sandbox experiences this way. Minecrsaft is Minecraft and Terraria is …

Wonder Boy in Monster Land + Saints Row …! (Thats a complicated concept to process)

Wizards and Warriors – NextGen (A game I’ve been craving since I was 9 and my NES cartridge died no matter how many blow jobs were offered to it)

Terraria is a 2D, RPG, Open World, Exploration, Survival, Building Retro exploration into the dark places only an old school Geek gamer can appreciate.

Terraria is my current gaming addiction and I cannot express enough, how grand a scale the experience is when playing terraria.