So far, most of this “Experience Points” series was based on just that: an overview from player experience. It’s a bit harder to offer my opinion on PvP when I haven’t dabbled in it much myself. As it seems to be a habit of mine, I’ll try and put in a few disclaimers before delving… Continue reading Experience Points: Champions Online – Part 8: PvP
Category: Views
Experience Points: Champions Online – Part 7: Endgame
Looking over the feedback on these articles, as well as community comments on various other “second looks” on the game, I’ve started wondering what was really up with the criticism of content gaps in Champions Online. I started playing a few months after the game was released and never had this problem, so I just… Continue reading Experience Points: Champions Online – Part 7: Endgame
An Homage to RollerCoaster Tycoon
All gamers have video games that they deeply cherish, forming a connection with them that regular games cannot come close to creating. They are often widely regarded as the greatest games ever made, held up to a legendary standard for all to revere. Games like Chrono Trigger, EarthBound, Deus Ex, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina… Continue reading An Homage to RollerCoaster Tycoon
Pandas and You
Everything is coming full circle again, Blizzard trademarks another name a few months before Blizzcon. Those in the know understand what that means, New Expansion; but what does ‘Mists of Pandaria’ mean in terms of content?
EA’s Newest Platform: Sure-to-fail? Or Cannot-fail?
By RockyRan EA seems to have figured it out. The games they publish don’t have any real problem selling themselves, whether they be BioWare’s latest RPG or their AAA Call-of-Duty-killer. Not only do they not have any real problem publishing their own games to retail space, they even offer their publishing services to other developers… Continue reading EA’s Newest Platform: Sure-to-fail? Or Cannot-fail?
Why I Failed Shameless Gaming Month
PXOD guest contributor Trjn ran a piece at the end of June that declared July to be “Shameless Gaming Month“, that magical time of the year where there’s not a lot of titles coming out so you can power through your backlog. I, however, failed spectacularly, and haven’t finished a single game. Here’s why.
Interview with Cakebread, creator of the Stanley Parable
The Internet is currently on fire because of the Stanley Parable, a quite different Half-Life 2 mod. We had the opportunity to talk to the creator about it. The interview contains spoilers, so if you haven’t played the game yet, do so right now. Preferably without watching the trailer or reading up on it. Thanks… Continue reading Interview with Cakebread, creator of the Stanley Parable
Challenge Everything – On Gaming Difficulty
The basic element of any video game is challenge. You can omit any other element and still identify something as a “video game.” You require no graphics for text-based adventure games. You require no music in your games. Stories can also be completely done away with. But think about a video game without any challenge?… Continue reading Challenge Everything – On Gaming Difficulty
Experience Points: Champions Online – Part 6: Adventure Packs
The Adventure Packs in Champions Online had a few goals, but were only partially successful. The point was to make self-contained repeatable mission chains that would work as scalable content, so you could do them regardless of your level or team size. This would give every character something to do and help with mission gaps.… Continue reading Experience Points: Champions Online – Part 6: Adventure Packs
How To Get Into Dwarf Fortress
Inspired by the recent write-up of Dwarf Fortress and its creator in the NY Times, I thought I’d knock this little piece up. Dwarf Fortress is a game you may have heard of. It is a game you’ve possibly seen. And it’s something that looks like it stepped right out of the matrix. Certainly not… Continue reading How To Get Into Dwarf Fortress
Experience Points: Champions Online – Part 5: Nemesis System
It’s fun to save the world from a giant flaming gorilla, stop a high-tech terrorist organization and help grannies find their lost kitties, but each hero needs that one person that makes it personal. The Joker, the Lex Luthor, the Dr. Doom, the nemesis. The antagonist of a story is a trope goldmine. They help… Continue reading Experience Points: Champions Online – Part 5: Nemesis System
Retrospective: Carmageddon
When I discovered a new Carmageddon was being made by the original developers I was as giddy as a schoolboy; probably because I was one when I played the first game (shh, don’t tell anyone!). Clearly, I’ve become better and less pixelly-looking with age, but the original Carmageddon has only its charms on which to… Continue reading Retrospective: Carmageddon
Experience Points: Champions Online – Part 4: Costume Creator
Something universally agreed upon in regards to Champions Online is just how good the costume creator is. While you cannot exactly make anything you want, most concepts translate very well into the game. The creator sports around 3000 regular pieces, another 400 gold pieces, dozens of C-Store sets and a lot of unlockables. Cosmetic items are… Continue reading Experience Points: Champions Online – Part 4: Costume Creator
Friday Freeloader: Kerbal Space Program
With the recent closure of the Shuttle Program and the future of just what craft will take man into the stars on everyone’s mind, Kerbal Space Program is a timely entry for Friday Freeloader.
Experience Points: Champions Online – Part 3: C-Store
As mentioned in the previous installment of Experience Points: CO, the most vocal fear in any Free-to-Play game is the Pay-to-Win occurrence. I wrote how being a freeform character, which is exclusive to Gold players, compares to being an archetype, but I didn’t address the actual microtransaction store and its relevance in the “Pay-to-Win” argument.… Continue reading Experience Points: Champions Online – Part 3: C-Store