In lieu of writing my thesis and looking for a job, I chose to spend the weekend feeding the bomb to TRON 2.0, and let me tell you, it was worth it. While this isn’t the best FPS I’ve played, actionwise, it more than made up for it with graphics, storyline, and a kickin’ techno soundtrack.

Read this entry NOW!

ps. I got GameCam to work afterall - I take back some of the bad things I said about it.
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After futzing with GameCam and its simpler cousin GameCam Lite, I have to say that I’m pretty dissapointed. When either program is running, you can get good quality screenshots and movies (but no sound) with minimal fuss and a simple interface (see the entry “Screenshot blues” for examples). For a free download, I count that as a success. The unfortunate part is getting the program to run.
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My girlfriend Katie and I are looking for computer games that we can play together. Previously we were playing Warcraft III, but that’s gotten a little old. We briefly played Neverwinter Nights, but playing it offline is annoying (only one person from your group gets a reward when you finish a level), and playing online with 13-year-olds is tiresome.

Katie tends to like the third-person games, preferably without too much violence. I like games which can be used on the Mac.

Does anyone have recommendations for games we could play? Perhaps there are a few games that you guys have been playing with your significant others?

In order to cure those pesky I-ain’t-got-no-screenshot-function blues, I’m testing a free screenshot utility called GameCam Jeff slapped me with (www.planetgamecam.com). The jury’s still out while I play around, but here are a few shots from Deus Ex: Invisble War just to prove it works:

Booze on tap?! Sign me up.

Hello Clarisse.

How about a new face, freak.

I saved Carl’s head and won the game. I feel good about myself…or I’m totally disappointed in myself. It’s one or the other. As it turns out, Tim & I quit playing only one level before the end.

I work outta the home.

I got 4 new games today (Far Cry, Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising, Silent Hill 3, and Missing: Since January). It’s “market research”, yeah…market research. This is what I repeat to myself as I rock back and forth in my chair staring at my unfinished games collection.

I seem to be stuck in a rut recently, managing to select several games to feed bomb to that have no screenshot function. One of those games was Mechcommander 2, which ate the bomb this afternoon after several sleepless nights and more than a few skipped work hours.

The quickest synopsis of this game is that it’s the kind of game that results from developers rushing a sequel out on the heels of a hit. Although I enjoyed the game and it more than satisfied my need for giant robot combat, there were a lot of good elements to the original that developer Microsoft seemed to have lost in the sequel. Honestly, it felt more like a long expansion pack than a discrete game. Read the extended entry. It goes on for a while - it turns out I’m really opinionated about my games.
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Last night Jeff and I did some Flash game research by beating the first 10 levels of Aqua Teen Hunger Force - Head Games. It’s similar to the NES title “A Boy in His Blob” but instead of a blob, you play Meatwad. The object is to lead Carl’s headless body through a series of obstacles and reunite it with his head. To do so, Meatwad morphs into a wall, a spring, an umbrella, and a trampoline to protect Carl or propel him. You can also tell Carl to change directions. It’s good Flash fun with great animations and a constant sarcastic commentary by Carl’s severed head.
Play it now!

While you’re at it, check out this promising upcoming adventure game fellow editor Will told me about!

I’ve been dragging my feet trying to figure out which game to start next. (Please disregard the fact that I’ve already started Spectrum Warrior, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Deus Ex 2, Splinter Cell 2, Rainbow Six 3….). There’s only one thing to do when there’s a tough decision to be made. Skip all the games I already have and download some new demos.

First up, Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising. It’s a lot like Battlefield: Vietnam only it looks better, runs better and sounds better. The gameplay’s a little wonky at times and the realism isn’t quite there but it’s a blast.

Light fuse and get away!

Have you seen Alan Alda?

They’re about to lose.

Next up was Silent Storm. For any of you who played Commandos, this is the next evolutionary step in that genre. It’s turn-based sneaking, shooting, drinking and…shooting. USA vs Nazis so it’s all in the name of fun. It’s a great looking game with good voice acting and music. I give it a thumb.

Silent and deadly?

Finally I remembered what that $14.95 a month was on my credit card. EVE Online has been bleeding me dry. So I fired it up to remember why.

So shiny…

I think it’s because everything is so pretty. Turns out Mike G and his friend Thom play this so hopefully we can meet up and compare spaceships and talk about how pretty they are.

The summer is half over so it’s time to buckle down and get gaming. But what will I play next?

Saturday July 10th, three EMB editors (Tim F, Jeff S, Will K) and the rest of The Memory Effect hit the studio to record a cover of Coldplay’s “Everything’s Not Lost”. Details on how you can download it for free (to avoid sueage) will be forthcoming.

After 14+ hours in the studio, nothing tastes quite as good as a Steak Tip Bomb from South Street Diner.

The Pre-Eaten Bomb