femalegamer

Having just seen Batman - The Dark Knight (wow, by the way… wow!), I was thoroughly confused by the trailer for The Watchmen. I’d like to think that I know my fair share of graphic novels and superhero stories, but here is one I’ve never heard of.

Nonetheless, the movie looked interesting. And, in true superhero to movie fashion, it comes complete with video game. This one seems to be going a little above and beyond however. Tying into the debut of the movie in March 2009, Warner Bros. announced that an episodic downloadable game will become available. The game, created by Deadline Games, will serve as a prequel to the movie and will feature Nite Owl and Rorschach as the heroes.

A second game will be released later in the year and will coincide with the release of the movie into DVD.

New York Governor David Paterson signed a new law into effect Tuesday that will limit video game content for children by restricting the rating system for video games. The law also requires that parental controls be installed on game consoles by 2010 and that age ratings be prominently on game packages.

Now, as far as I can tell, we have a perfectly good rating system for games already, and they are prominently placed on the game boxes. E = Everyone. T = Teen. M = Mature.

What it really comes down to is the parents. Do they let their child buy any game (or buy the games for them) without any research? Do they turn a blind eye when their child has gotten their hands on GTA? Do they set limits on how often their children are playing a game versus going outside or reading a book? We shelter our children from as much as we can in life, video games should be no different.

While I don’t have children yet, I do know that when the time comes, they will likely be inclined toward gaming… seeing as both of their parents are.

I plan on taking a 100 percent interest in the games they want to play. Reading reviews and finding games that are appropriate for them. Yes, it is a little more work, but it’s not like we have to go to the library to research via microfiche. All the info we could possibly need to learn if a game is age appropriate is right at the tips of our fingers and easily accessible with a few clicks of a button.

It may be more work, but isn’t that part of the job and what we sign up for? Isn’t it something we should be doing without a second thought? We shouldn’t have to rely on lawmakers.

So, I’m taking off for a lil’ road trip today. Gonna get out of the house, visit some friends in Vermont and in general, take part in one of my favorite activities in life: riding in a car on a beautiful day, music turned up, heading out of state.

So I thought in place of writing a news article or a rant, I’d provide some fun!

Take some of these quizzes to test your gaming knowledge and knowhow.

What Pre-1985 Game Character are you?

Another version of the “What video game character are you?” quiz.

More in the trivia mindset? Check out this video game trivia site?

It takes a few clicks to get to any of the quizzes but you can basically test your knowledge of any game under the sun by clicking here.

Name the game via screen shot.

Video game quizzes with results you can share on Myspace. (Does anyone still use Myspace these days? Or, has the entire world switched over to Facebook? Just wonderin’)

So, I’m Audi-5000! Have a great weekend and happy gaming!

Where do you draw the line between too much gaming and not enough life? This is a question I’ve wrestled with over the past 3.5 years (about the time my husband and I got hooked on World of Warcraft). For months on end, I wouldn’t think anything of spending at least 70 hours a week playing the game. Get up, go to work, come home, play until midnight. Friday, play until 2 a.m. or later. Saturday and Sunday, play from the time we awoke to the time we finally crashed at night. My husband, who worked at home, put in even more hours than I did. He never shirked his responsibilities, but he was able to work playing into his schedule more often than not.

It didn’t matter to me since we were playing together - quality couple time.

Every once and a while though, a nagging little thought would enter my mind, “You’re wasting your life away, you need to get out of the house.” It would gnaw away at me until I became a raging nightmare to my husband and he acquiesced. Grudgingly, he’d also put the keyboard down and we’d go out for a few nights in a row: see a move, socialize with friends who had all but forgotten about us, go out for a drink, dinner, even a walk.

Occasionally, we’d both have our fill and take a few weeks off. They were nice and we both appreciated spending our time in the real world. But, ultimately, we’d miss the game and go back. A few months back, we went through one of those periods… the weather was starting to get nice and it felt good to be outside of the house. Right around the time we were getting ready to settle back in with the game, my husband’s computer decided it had its fill of life and met its microchip maker in the sky. We were both furious - we wanted to play, but we were being kept from it. We had to, gasp, find other ways to occupy our time. It’s one thing when we choose to do it, but when it is foisted on us it is totally different.

Surprisingly though, the time it took for him to get a new computer and have it shipped to us was a good thing. I think both of us realized how much life had to offer (not that we really didn’t know, we just needed a swift kick as a reminder). We’ve gotten better at trying to balance our gaming time vs. our “real life” time. There’s too much to miss out on when you’re on your computer seven days a week.

We’re not going to be young forever (okay, at this point neither of us is that young anyway), we don’t want to look back 20 years from now and realize we squandered several years of our lives (what really can be the best years of our lives - semi-young, fairly newly married, couple life with just the average responsibilities and the freedom of not quite yet having children).

Although I know we will be prone to becoming addicted again (Wrath of the Lich King is going to be coming out after all), I’d like to think we’ve learned that there is more to living life than just pixellated epic weapons and “gaming cred.”

The first big name in the FPS genre is back, and had its unveiling at the E3 Activision press conference. Id Software has been working on a new Wolfenstein, and again, the Nazis are back with another supernatural weapon. Screenshots for the game look amazing (Wow, looking back to 1992’s Wolfenstein 3D, could we have ever imagined the progression and advancement games would have?)!

According to company reps, the game will feature a strong single-player story and will also have a team-based multiplayer option. More details will be available at Quakecon later this month…

Poor Axl Rose. Back in their heyday, the anticipation of Guns ‘n’ Roses’ new album, “Chinese Democracy,” was feverish. Years passed, every once and a while we’d hear it was coming out, yet nothing ever materialized. At this point, it’s turned into just another in the list of improbable events…

“We’ll move… when the Red Sox win the World Series.” Oh, wait, that happened.

“We’ll get married… when a minority candidate has a chance at winning the White House.” Hrm… check.

“We’ll get a puppy when Chinese Democracy comes out.” Surely at this point that is a safe bet for the anti-puppy set, no puppy to be had. But is it?

Although it hasn’t been officially announced, sources close to the deal say that Rock Band 2 will feature Shackler’s Revenge - the first track off of Chinese Democracy. Supposedly, once the game is released, the album will follow shortly.

Maybe I should suggest that puppy to my husband…

Offering Guitar Hero and Rock Band through their console wasn’t enough for the people at Nintendo apparently. Instead, to round out the musical experience, the company showcased its newest game, Wii Music, at the E3 convention.

Wii Music, which will hit stores in time for Christmas, allows players to use the Wii-motes to simulate up to 60 musical instruments. Played solo or with up to three other people, the point of the game is not to match songs/beats/notes like GH or RB, but to move the Wii-motes to your own beat. In doing so, the Wii will generate a tune/beats to match the main song.

Hrm. So, yeah. I’m assuming there must be some sort of challenge in there. Some reason to motivate you to play. I guess I’m just missing what it is. The nice thing about RB or GH is it is a challenge - hitting the beats correctly - “playing” the tune. If the sole motivation is to just “waggle” your Wii-sax in order to create a new layer to an existing tune, I don’t get it.

The company also unveiled a snowboarding game (using the Fit’s balance board) and a new Wii Sports which includes jetskiing, fencing and frisbee throwing.

Editor’s Gripe of the Day: I love the Wii. I love the potential the Wii has to truly push forward the gaming experience. This is the best they’ve come up with???

To me, these games are the equivalent of reforming Led Zepplin and telling them they can only play “Mary had a Little Lamb” - so much potential, but wasted on something silly and mundane.

C’mon guys - push the boundaries!

Microsoft announced on Monday, at a press conference kicking off E3, that it has grand plans for the Xbox 360. In an effort to fight to keep the Xbox 360 relevant and spur sales, it will be spicing up the game console, adding new games and video content and will cut its price.

The newly revamped interface will allow users to create their own avatars (think the Wii’s Miis).

In gaming terms, the company is hoping to appeal to a broader audience base (aiming more for the Wii model of gaming, in which children, parents and even grandparents might be interested). During the press conference, representatives showed off some upcoming kid friendly games (including the sequel to “Viva Pinata,” karaoke focused “Lips,” and mini-game focused “You’re in the Movies.” They’re definitely not taking away from true gaming enthusiasts however, featuring during the press conference, “Gears of War 2” and “Fallout 3.”

As far as non-gaming media, reps announced a deal with Netflix, which will bring 10,000 new video titles (movies and tv episodes) that subscribers can get through the console (currently this was available via computers). The Xbox’s twist on the concept: Xbox Live users who have a Netflix account can watch the streaming movies concurrently with up to seven other online friends who also have Netflix accounts. Hrm, so you can watch the movies in your separate houses while talking on the phone? I have to admit, I don’t get it.

The company will cut mid-tier Xbox models by $50 (the current remaining 20-gig drive models will sell for $300 instead of $350). At the original $350, the company now offers a 60-gig model).

Don Mattrick, Microsoft’s senior VP of interactive entertainment, predicted that with the changes Xbox 360 would outsell the Playstation 3 going out in the near future.

Several years ago I dreamt of making a living out of my passions: writing, computer games and music. Somehow, within the past six months, I pulled it off. I’m a freelancer, the equivalent of a mercenary… my words go to the highest bidder, or in some cases the bidders that allow me to write about what I love, regardless of if they are the highest bidder.

I’ve blogged about games, obviously, and I’ve written game guides, mostly for World of Warcraft (which was cake since I’d been playing the game for three years). The WoW guides truly were second nature: I knew everything I was going to have to say right from the start. Recently though, I’ve taken on an Age of Conan guide, which has been an interesting experience.

With AoC, while I’ve learned alot already, I am still learning as I go and having to keep notes as I play. It’s an entirely different experience. It actually, gasp, feels like work! And, I can’t complain, really, I’m well aware of this. But still, when I log into the game, I know it is more work than passion.

I’m wondering if other people have felt that way. I realize probably not as much from the writing side, but have you ever played a game that felt like more of a chore to get through than fun. Was there a game you played that you didn’t want to continue, but you felt obligated to? Anyway - on that note, I should probably get back to work…

Dance Dance Revolution-makers Konami Corp. has sued Viacom’s Harmonix studio,  amongst others, claiming Rock Band violates various patents it owns.

In 2002 and 2003 Konami obtained patents that relate to a “musical-rhythm matching game,” simulated musical instruments and a music-game system. Of note, in Japan, Konami has released “Guitar Freaks” and “Beatmania,” guitar and drum pad based games, respectively. Both games have been available through several versions over the past years and can be played in session mode - basically forming a two guitar, one drum band. Unlike Rock band, it looks as though Guitar Freaks and Beatmania are mostly available through arcade systems. Konami also makes “Karaoke Revolution,” which features microphones and is, obviously, music-based as well.

In the suit, Konami is demanding cash compensation as well as an order that would block Viacom and Harmonix from using the inventions. Named in the suit are Harmonix Music Systems, Viacom’s MTV Networks Co. and Viacom.

News of the lawsuit suit caused Konami stock to rise .61 cents (2.02 percent) yesterday on the New York Stock Exchange. Wheras Viacom’s shares fell .58 cents (2.77 percent). Konami also announced it plans on releasing its music instrument game “Rock Revolution,” later this year.

Now, it sounds like they could have a perfectly valid lawsuit here. Look up images of either Beatmania or Guitar Freaks and the hardware definitely looks familiar. I’m just wondering why they would have waited so long to actually file suit (well, that and why they haven’t sued Guitar Hero makers, Activision). Wouldn’t it have made more sense to do this before Rock Band came out and sold millions of units? Essentially, the lawsuit may be too little too late. I’m guessing that should they prevail and Viacom can no longer add titles using its Rock Band instruments, people are going to make do with what they have… not run out and replace it with the Konami version.

Okay, hand a teenager a video game in which they’re killing monsters, I’m fine (most of the time - there may be some exceptions with both games and certain teenagers). There may be some blood and gore, but I’d like to think that the teenager is able to differentiate between real life (blood and gore = bad) and game life (there’s nothing wrong with a little pixellated blood and guts).

However, a new Wii game, “Pong Toss,” has me up in arms. Sounds innocent, yes? What if you knew that JV Games (under their Frat Party Games line) initially released the game under the title Beer Pong? Now, what if I said this game was rated T for teen (meaning it is acceptable for ages 13 and up)?

After initial concerns, JV changed the name to the more generic Pong Toss and took out all references of booze. Yes, it is a completely sterilized version, technically you’re aiming into pyramid stacked empty red and white plastic cups. However, the only correlation this game has in real life is the drinking game. Even if a child doesn’t realize this at first… you know one of their schoolmates will likely point it out.

Now, I know I can’t say that this game will lead to more teens playing beer pong (the real version). But, when you’re that age - you tend to be a bit more impressionable, curious and approval-seeking. With a game that is set in a much more realistic setting… you’re more likely to try and reproduce it (unlike, say, blowing up a space ship). Yes, underage drinking happens, unfortunately it’s one of those facts of life much like the sky is blue or the Giants are the reigning Super Bowl champs at this very moment. However, we should be discouraging it, something I fear this game is very much not doing.

There have been few points in my life where I out and out disagreed with the concept of a game. This would be one of them.