Let's Talk - DLC, Micro-Transactions & Pay-Per-Play

My stance on corporate greed is probably well known amongst the online gaming community by now. The money gouging, and money grubbing practices that have become commonplace have all but sapped out the fun that the gaming industry was once known for, and I've said so myself several times over. While a majority of these money making schemes are inexcusable forms of bullshittery there are some things that I wouldn't mind forking over my hard earned cash for. The DLC that actually rewards the gamer for their gamble on digital only items would be a prime example of such a noteworthy DLC practice. I for one bought every single piece of costume DLC made available for "Soul Calibur V", and ended up investing more money in the game than I initially sunk into it. The DLC for that game was too good to pass up.

TEKKEN Revolution: "The Fighting Game Fiasco Continues ..."

If you've been following me this year you'll know I'm very outspoken about Namco's money gouging in regards to the "Unlock Eliza" event in "Tekken Revolution". From the beginning of the event forward it has been made apparent that Namco's intentions were anything, but gamer friendly. I do realize that Namco has to make a profit somehow, but the way they've gone about it from the game's release onward is nothing less than highway robbery. Having to pay significant amounts of money for unrewarding, and less than noteworthy DLC content has paved the way for even more greedy schemes on Namco's behalf. Instead of implementing DLC as grand in scale as Tekken's character costume creation mode, or Soul Calibur V's costume based DLC they've practically turned the DLC offerings into a purely profit making business.

POS - "Piece Of Silver, Less Than Gold"

This my friends is an open letter to the online gaming community, and the companies that make the online gaming experiences possible. I have personally reached the point to where I'm about to give up on fighting games entirely, and possibly even online gaming. This possible future decision of mine is due to the POS (Piece of Shit) gamers out there who think it's alright to ruin the online experience with their BS antics. The fact is that many people in the gaming community have begun to think that this hacking, lagswitching, and cheap play is an acceptable thing since it has become so commonplace. I see more an more gamers giving into the cheaper side of gaming as a result. It's like a bad f*cking pandemic that's spreading like wildfire. Well I'm here to tell you differently. IT IS NOT OKAY! Just because a million gamers across the globe choose to act like trolling jackasses doesn't make it an acceptable trend. I don't think it's alright, and you shouldn't either. In fact as consumers we should be bitching about this with our wallets, and with our words. Until something effective is done about the matter no one should spend one damn cent. Someone in the industry needs to step up to the plate, and do something about this growing problem. I, myself have given advice on numerous occasions as to what could be done, but sadly my expert advice is falling on deaf ears. I believe it would take a million of us saying the same thing to get the point across, and unfortunately that sort of percentage lies with the ones causing the issue.

An Open Letter to Katsuhiro Harada

Mr. Harada,

My name is Brad (OtakuDante). I'm what you'd call a serious fighting game enthusiast, and fan. I've played many fighters in my time including that of the TEKKEN series. As a long time fan of the "TEKKEN" series I have followed your work rather closely, and have bought each release. For the most part the experience of playing TEKKEN has been fun, and has been something I've been glad to return to on a regular basis. From 'Tekken 3' onward I often times got lost in the local competitive aspects of the game, and even got into some of it's latter online offerings for the PS3 & Xbox 360. There's no doubt that you, and your development staff are gifted in the areas of fighting game creation, and that you know how to make a proper fighting game. With that being said though this latest free-to-play release on the PS3 has become an experience not worth revisiting, in my personal opinion. The online is overrun with the worst sorts of gamers who are all intent on winning in the cheapest way possible. This cheating opportunity which I speak of is available to them for several reasons. One reason in particular is that the "free-to-play" format often times attracts gamers other than your tried & true fans. Online gaming is severely competitive now, and younger, more annoying gamers often times get into competitive online games just cheat their way to the top of the leaderboards.

Time and Eternity (PS3/PSN)

Through vivid dream-like animations, symphonic music, witty character dialogue, and brilliant voice acting NIS America breathes life into this vibrant fun-filled anime adventure otherwise known as, "Time and Eternity". The plot, as simple as it may seem involves the marital love interests of a pervy husband-to-be, and a seemingly innocent bride-to-be. Toki, the princess of Kazma is soon to be betrothed to her beloved yet quirky knight in shining armor (*INSERT YOUR NAME HERE*). Sadly, as it often goes in such a tale of love-filled fantasy the main wedding event is spoiled by some uninvited guests, and things immediately go from being joyful to grim, and even sorrowful. In this game's moment of tragedy the princesses' long hidden secret is revealed unwillingly as her dual soul "Towa" emerges to save the day. The prince who was mortally wounded is left unable to defend his bride, and sits slumped down watching his precious Toki, now turned Towa take out the assassins single-handedly.

Tekken Revolution (PS3): "Follow-Up Review"

As promised I spent some quality time getting familiar with Tekken Revolution, it's unique offerings, and it's unusual departure from the core mechanics of previous Tekken games. The fact remains that the game still plays heavily on the punishing mechanics that most of you touch base with in any Tekken match, and in doing so feels nothing like the traditional Tekken fighters of old. The "Free-to-Play" aspect is another matter all in itself, one which I'm not entirely sure about just yet. Unfortunately for that topic I will not be able to give you a definitive opinion until Namco has finished with the trial phases of the game. I can, and will however explain the game in better detail for those looking to join the others who are interested in this particular Tekken spin-off.

Tekken Revolution (PS3): "First Impressions"

When I first watched the trailer of this latest installment of the Tekken series I was truly mesmerized. The game looked gorgeous, and the fact that it was going to be a Free-to-Play exclusive for the PS3 made it seem even more special. The fact of the matter is that not everything we see in the world of gaming is as it seems though, and Tekken Revoulution unfortunately serves as a reminder of this. When you hear the term Free-to-Play in association with a game release it usually means that there are strings attached. Just how many strings, and the extent of those strings all depend on the developer releasing the game to the public. Some Free-to-Play games can be quite enjoyable, offering enough to the gamer to be fine without any additional DLC purchases. In the case of Tekken Revolution however this is not the situation.

The Fall of the Video Gaming Industry: "Fighting Games"

There is no doubt that times are hard for most Americans, and for many people abroad. As such we find that money is tight, and budgeting is a must if we hope to stay afloat in this dwindling economy. Gamers such as myself are finding it harder, and harder to afford the hobby that we have come to love and support all these years. I've had to cut back seriously on my own spending, and I only buy games with the extra money I make doing one of my side jobs. Considering these tough times you would think that game developers would have their customers' best interest in mind, but it seems they have grown money hungry, and could care less about the products they produce. This mentality is a growing concern of mine. If companies such as those who produce video games begin to sacrifice quality for the sake of earning money, then the gaming industry (or any other entertainment industry) as we know it will ultimately fail. Who will pay the price in the end? The consumers. Those who spend their hard earned cash to support their gaming habits will eventually lose all their money to such companies, and in the end the gaming/entertainment empires will be set to last for the long haul leaving us with nothing to do but live a life of poverty.

XBLA IMPRESSIONS: "Galaga Legions DX"

I'm a fan of both oldschool, and new shmup shooters. In my gaming past I've actually played the old Galaga game, and to be honest I enjoyed the newer shmup titles much more. Recently I heard that NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. was going to be releasing a DX version of Galaga in response to their very popular PAC-MAN Championship Ed. DX. I was very excited about the news. I used to own PAC-MAN C.E. DX for the PS3, and I was very impressed with it. Namco really went the extra mile with that game, and I couldn't wait to see what was instore for Galaga. This morning I was checking the latest XBLA game releases out, and noticed Galaga Legions DX was at the front of the list. I didn't hesitate in downloading the trial version to see what it offered.