How much is too much? Black Ops Part 1

Wow, wrapped up another wonderful weekend last week of double point days. So it has begun, the beginning of the end of Fun! Activision has confirmed shutting down Guitar Hero and consolidating all Infinity Ward, SledgeHammer, and Raven studios to produce the newest series of Call of Duty. WHY? Well I know that the CEO gave a statement and I know that one of the designers gave a statement but did we get the answer we were looking for? Guitar Hero for the longest time has not only been a well diversified game, but a true challenge for an enormous amount of people. I play the real instrument and I can tell you that GH is actually harder than the instrument. Why take away all the great glory of fun from the gamers. Well to be honest I wonderedb so I did some investigative reporting and here's the scenario.Quick note: shout out to http://cheater-free.com/ a cool clan/party, and some nice people. Look em up.

Contacted: Infinity Ward who has no link left to contact them by per se, unless you are seeking a job and those are limited too, however as of Feb 14th 2011 at 06:47pm they will be releasing what will probably be the final security patch for Modern Warfare 2. Remembering the last patch was like remembering the name of my first dog.  Supposedly you can no longer get inside the "rock" and hide from your attackers on the map "FUEL"!
Really? Come on; like it took that long to update that one glitch? Besides, it was boring going in the rock anyway (so I heard). Whatever; point is you cannot contact IW for any issues.

Contacted: Treyarch: Treyarch has a customer service link that doesn't do a doggone thing when you click it, and yes they are hiring for all you techies out there. I'm sincerely concerned about letting them know that there are several LAG issues going on that they aren't aware of. (please do not start the PS3/XBOX argument when replying, that is for another article) Don't get me wrong, I'm fully aware that Treyarch knows that there are issues and admits it and are supposedly working on it. However, I and many others almost quit on double point weekend because we seriously waited on games to establish for at least 10-15 minutes. Do they care? yeah lets just see How many of you know about the pulling of the ethernet cable outta the gaming system to avoid taking any loss or deaths during a match? I do and trust me, they know it too, they wanted to fix it but this results in serious instability issues with a patch. How many of you seen your care package drop in front of you and keep on going? Yup lost 15 that night; so did you really get double XP or did you get the same as you would have, only double the headache from not playing as many matches as you could of? You let me know.

Contacted: Activision: Figured this would be the absolute best alternative and that maybe they were not aware of Treyarch's ability to not handle customer support. This takes the cake for the stupidest support I've ever seen from any company. I guess they are so high and mighty that you can contact them and fill out your grievance report with name and phone and address and your life's worth and then your e-mail and they will respond promptly. Sound good right? Your own e-mail address is bogus, so I tried my other one(s). Then I tried a fake one? Then I just typed edward@activision.com and it came back as company does not exist. Jeeze Louise! What the heck do you have to do to notify a company that they sold a product that CLEARLY creates a huge NON-ENTERTAINMENT value. The only reason you bought the game is to have fun and so far I can tell you that 3 months of playing it has given me one big headache from trying to understand LAG. Incidentally NAT type does effect the entire party so please pick one way to run a NAT and have everyone in your clan link the same way, it does help but it's not the cure.

I apologize to each of you who has the same frustration (could be millions) that I do share; I have tried to reason with each company to no avail. I don't know what else to do other than listen to Treyarch's spokesperson saying every other day that they are working on it. Well let's do some math cause I know it's every one's favorite subject, right? 310 MILLION dollars the very 1st day of release of Modern Warfare 2. That's 5,166,166 copies sold in 24 hours. 650 MILLION dollars in the first 5 days of Black Ops and that's just the beginning. Here is the point of this: If you have a BILLION dollar video game then get off your ASS and fix it before we figure out how to NOT buy Modern Warfare 3 which will be made by Infinity Ward, SLEDGEHAMMER, and Raven games and consisting of a vast amount of  leftover programming. NO COMPANY has the right to put out a faulty product. You wouldn't see Toyota or Ford release a faulty vehicle without reprimands, so why does Activision get off scott free?

On a positive note: Check out the newest Battlefield 3 video ( http://www.ea.com/battlefield3)and it just looks so amazing that I'm getting really excited about the release. Battlefield is an EA release and made by DICE which you can contact, including getting weekly updates about there status. I'm just sayin...........makes you wonder why Activision dropped Guitar Hero and are laying off 5000 people in these economic times?????????

Earn what you Burn
Ed Rivas
PSN: edward-10

Etiquette in Video Gaming: Part 2

     Hindsight is as demanding as predicting the future. So as an author with an opinion it must be addressed as simply put an opinion. I pondered whether to reply to each of your wonderful comments and the answer is "Yes" only do it smartly. It would not be proper etiquette to battle each of you for the reign of supreme commenter nor would it be prudent. Shallow as my little mind is I am only writing this as a means to inform some "NEW GAMERS" about the subject matter.

     Jake for example listed his credentials and justification for camping and I say all the more power too him as I would anyone in his shoes, I do not divulge my credentials due to the fact that If I didn't have "brass bullets" I would not sign my opinions with my PSN name? With no more to say about that incident let's cut to the meat and potatoes of this discussion. NOWHERE in my research have I come across this topic, sure our Chief Editor Mr. Adcock deals with the politics and writes views about the companies, games and the lack thereof. I on the other hand view gaming as a um.... "HOBBY"? (I do play at least 20 hrs a week). My intent is to stir up the hornets nest by allowing all views/comments to be posted referencing the topic that I write about. I will in my endeavor try not to be biased amongst your robust camping skills while utilizing the AK74u as a protection weapon and attaching mass casualty 203 rounds to it's sleek metal barrel. The icy cold steel lends a strength that cannot be matched or equaled with value, nor sheer excitment. However, for the pure pleasure of that particular weapon I find that attatching the rapid fire/grip and adding lightweight pro coupled with a marathon pro and, of course, warlord pro for the 7mph or 7% faster running rate and flying through NUKETOWN just to dodge the next grenade is, in MY opinion, the ULTIMATE rush.

     Etiquette is, simply put, the manner that you conduct YOUR business while playing in a community game. Without this, or in single player games, there is no manner to conduct YOUR affairs. I say blow up the entire village and kill everything in it. Etiquette in my opinion is NOT calling in DOGS/Huey when your winning 6500 to 200. Sports has this valued skill and so does a whole plethora of good people playing COD.

     Many of your comments boasted the ol' cliche, "Etiquette and COD?????????? Is there such a thing?" I don't know. You tell me. The sole reason I took on this assignment was to enlighten some people that their opinion as well as mine counts! Should there be etiquette and sportsmanship? Well yeah, there should ALWAYS be to a degree but it is WARFARE. I do however touch on some interesting facts that portray themselves as evil. Ask yourself a couple of simple questions and find out where you stand.

How many assists do I have and was I helping the TEAM?
Do I value K/D (kill to death) ratio over my fun factor?
Have I made cool friends from the 60.00 investment or did I put it on the shelf next to TUROK?
Did I meet my goal for today i.e. I wanted to be level 25 by the end of the gaming time.
When the server divides teams do I complain that it's not fair before the game has begun?

     I value each of your comments and thank you for your input, but each of you must answer the question about etiquette and whether it's right for gaming.

     Remember to "Earn whatcha Burn" and treat each other with respect.

Ed Rivas
PSN ID: edward-10

Sequels, Rehashes, and Remakes Oh My!

     

     Ladies and gentlemen, we are in trouble. The games industry as of late has been absolutely inundated with sequels, remakes, rehashes and all sorts of lazy inspiration-lacking nonsense. Publishers like Activision tend to view their games as product first and foremost. The Call of Duty series and the Guitar Hero series are perfect examples. While it may be a smart business decision to release a new version of the previous game with a few new additions, I can't help but shudder when I think that I'm paying 60 U.S. dollars for essentially the same game when I would much rather pay a few bucks for some DLC. (as I'm sure everyone would)

     We consumers get so hooked on one game that we would much rather purchase the next entry into the series instead of trying anything new. And that, my friends, is exactly how they want it. We buy into it and we will continue to do so as long as the Call of Dutys and the Guitar Heros and the Rock Bands keep coming. It's painfully obvious that consumers (me included) are dumb enough to keep shelling out the cash and that scares the living Kratos out of me.

     I've got no problem with a company trying to make money. That's the goal after all. But It's far too easy to pump out the same game over and over again for an easy buck. I say take the talent that you have behind your games and create something new and fresh. Your studios have got to be sick and tired of hashing out copy after copy of one game. We need new content. Your consumers would appreciate it. That I can guarantee.

     While a C.E.O.'s job is to satiate its share holders, it's far more important to maintain a squeaky clean image with the community at large. Bobby Kotick, for example, has failed at this endeavor. His relationship with the consumers of his products is in tatters. But, guess what, that doesn't matter because the momentum of the Call of Duty series and the Guitar Hero series seems to overshadow his nasty attitude towards his consumers. Activision is the only company that can seem to get away with demeaning statements towards us gamers because we need and crave its games. It's safe to compare Activision with the local drug dealer. We are addicted to its product and if it were to ever go away, we would all surely die from withdrawal. That is, of course, unless we find ourselves a new drug. One that is a bit better for you.

     In this age of online entertainment there is one fundamental component of video games that is too often overlooked. Single player campaigns are generally skipped for the likes of the online portions of our favorite games. I promise you, if you take a moment to begin a campaign in a game like Call of Duty: Black Ops you will not be disappointed. It may even lead to something beautiful. Like trying a different game for once!


Chris Adcock
PSN ID: Darth_Doomguy
Xbox 360 Gamertag: Darth Crouton

Issues With Defense in MADDEN '11

     Defense in this year's Madden is nonextistent. I have a passion for the Madden franchise and have owned every game since I was about 5 years old. It is my one true video game love and I will never miss a year or a competition. I grew up as a defensive minded person, so it comes naturally that I am extra critical of the defense. This year, I think that Madden took an astronomical step back in the defensive abilities of regular and online game play They worked so hard to make the big plays happen on offense that it has become practically ipossible to stop the ball on defense.

     First off is man coverage. Plain and simple, if you are running a man coverage and the opponent runs a crossing pattern then you are basically screwed. It really doesn’t matter where the receivers cross but contact will be made and people will lose their assignment.  One of your defenders will either run into the opponents receiver or your own defender and one or both of the receivers will become open. When, in real life, does this happen? It’s an awareness thing and it should not be that difficult to navigate around other players to stay among your defensive assignment.  It should be an easy fix and needs to be fixed promptly.

     Secondly, bringing pressure through your regular line.  Unless you constantly nano blitz ( to be blogged about later) or blitzing linebackers off the edge and especially in a 3-4 defense then it is getting harder and harder to get anywhere near the quarterback unless your bringing someone like James Harrison or Demarcus Ware off the edge.  Power moves constantly get you thrown to the ground and brushed off into double teams and finesse moves only go the way you want them to go half the time. If you want to speed rush off the edge and press the right stick to the outside, for some reason it spins you to the inside and straight into a double team. It gives the quarterback an unrealistic amount of time on every play to throw the ball and something needs to be done about it.

     Next on the list are at the safety position. This is the problem that bugs me the most because I played Safety back in my high school days. Any real Madden player knows about the problem that I am talking about. They will not attack the ball. No matter what, if you do not switch over and manually control the safety, they will always attack the player instead of knocking away the ball or going for the pick. This drives me up a wall because that’s just not what safeties do. They are that far back to break up completions, to knock the ball down, to jar the ball out, or to go for the interception. What safety in the NFL have you seen just go for a simple tackle on a deep duck? It goes back to awareness and having the players in the game do what the players in the league would do. If you want the game to be as realistic as possible, then get back to safeties going for the big interception over the top or delivering a jarring hit to cause the 3^rd down incompletion. Something has to be done about this for the game to achieve that realism.

     It is next to impossible to stop anybody when using Zone Coverage because of both the lack of pressure off the line and the inability of the Safety position to attack the ball. When a quarterback has all day to throw the ball and the zone defense plays really soft without that attack mentality then eventually someone is going to get open. It happens on every play. Someone somewhere is going to get open. Cover 2 defenses are supposed to cause turnovers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, even when struggling, are one of the highest in the league in interceptions.  This cannot happen if pressure is nonexistent and the rest of the defense would rather go for a tackle than play real defense. 

     The last problem that I have noticed about the gameplay on Madden is this random speed burst that receivers have at the end of a pass that the corners, and especially the linebackers, do not have. Nobody has a turbo button so when did players like Larry Fitzgerald get so fast? Terrence Newman (you will notice I use a lot of Cowboys references because I am a cowboys fan for life) should not be outran on a streak route by Mike Wallace on every down. Mike Wallace (no offense because he is one amazing receiver), although extremely fast, is not so fast that he just blows by the best and fastest corners in the league. How often does that actually happen in real life? And how often does Ben Roethlisberger actually complete that pass? Once every couple of games? I know for a fact that it’s not a minimum of 3 times a game. The extra boost needs to be taken away from the receivers or give the turbo button back to the defense. Make it fair on both sides of the ball.

     What happened to the 3-4 causing constant havoc towards a quarterback.  The cover 2 defense being one of the strongest pass coverage defense in the league.  I completely understand why the Madden franchise decided to go this route. Offense sells tickets. It is what the people like. But real fans know that defense wins championships and if you want to be a champion game franchise again then these defensive problems need to be extinguished and the game needs to become more about who is the better player on either side of the ball and not a game of who makes less mistakes on offense.


Ryan Stufflebean
PSN ID: youngsavage21

Etiquette in Video Gaming

   Etiquette (play /ˈɛtɪkɛt/ or /ˈɛtɪkɪt/) is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group.

     A vast amount of posting is needed to cover this entire subject, however in this segment we shall cover the basics. Simple definition of the word is translated into performance and behavior. I shall attempt to cover the basics on the premises that you know how to play the Call of Duty FPS (first person shooter) series.

     Will it really matter how you play? Yes, it does and here's why, most people have an unwritten code about what is and what is not "legal".

     CAMPING: By definition it is allowed during certain scenarios because it is inevitable at times. If one was to define camping by class it is presumably the amount of time you stay in the same spot.  One would assume that this is justified because it's the way you play, However, camping, as an unwritten rule, will get you "tagged" as a person who bought a war game and is not contributing to the fighting portion. However, if you select a SNIPER class you almost have to camp. Camping badges are not awarded and, therefore, until they are, camping should remain an obsolete tactic.

     CHEATING/GLITCHING: Either way your counted OUT! There were, and still are, many of you who have cheated and continue to cheat. Here's the other way of looking at it; If your sincere about your hobby then follow your heart and work hard to accomplish the goals set forth by the game. Be proud of what you have done and what you are working on. If you cheat and you win, then are you really proud that you have accomplished nothing other than destroying a programmers code. Here in set forth is the absolute rule on cheating in call of duty series. ANY INDIVIDUAL or TEAM caught cheating should be immediately reported and expelled indefinitely from the video gaming world. Think of it as a prison sentence, that's how serious we take it. For your first offense you should be stripped of your rank, busted down to level 1 and take a 2 week suspension from gaming online. Your second offense BANNED for life! You know who you are and it's blatantly obvious to admirers of the game. EARN WHAT YOU BURN!

     NOOB TUBING: While this too is allowed it certainly earns you the least amount of credit amongst your peers/teammates. Tubing is defined by abusing or only using the M203/grenade launcher for the sole purpose of killing. While this is legal, it does not promote game play and gets you rewarded harsh punishment and disrespect from the community your in.  My personal opinion is that once you reach the ranking of 50 or higher (prestige) you should no longer be allowed to utilize the grenade launcher unless you have the contract for it purchased. By all means, tell people that you have bought the contract and keep yourself out of the community pick on list.

     SMACK TALKING: For the majority of the video gaming community this is normal and can even be fun; credit to the high scoring players should be awarded for there game play when earned, however it is of this mans opinion that this can, and does, get out of control and should be monitored. I.E. when you lose, tell the other team that they fought hard and good job, we will get you next time. It's when you tell them that you want to meet them on the corner and settle a virtual conflict like real men that I tend to wonder what happened to your head. Certainly there are sexual preferences amongst our community. However, no one has the right to call them the "N" word nor the "F" word for losing or just being on. (But Ed, did you really just say that? - Chris) Yes I did, cause this blog is intended for game play and etiquette of it, not to defend anyone; however those two words wind up being abused as if they were just normal. 

     RATED M: While I certainly will kill anyone on call of duty without prejudice, I do NOT condone anyone under 17 playing games that were intended for a mature audience. The game itself is not that bad, however the Internet has traffic meant for ADULTS only and that's why this topic is covered. Realizing the popularity of this series is at an all time peak, parents please set your parental controls before allowing your6-8 year old on these games. Why? Well I've heard everything from racist, sexist, sexual advances and profanity.It's just a norm, yes they come from both genders so it's not specific. 

     While Activision does a terrible job at pairing levels against levels, it is up to you to either pick wisely your opponents or run with stronger people until your able to stand on your own feet. The latest installment, Call of Duty: Black Ops, places very little obstacles in your path to becoming an elite member, so choose wisely. 

     In summary, I would like each person who reads this to understand that we have a clan with a strict rules and that's the only way to have a clan.

1     NEVER degrade or put down the opponent.
2     NEVER assume that you are the best on the team because without a team your nothing.
3     WHEN it's a good game then tell everyone it was a great game.
4     FUN is the reason we are playing and when that ceases it's time for bed or a new game.
5     ALWAYS respect your teammates abilities as individuals and pick them up when they are down.



Happy Gaming is better gaming for all.

Ed Rivas
PSN ID: edward-10

Welcome!

Welcome to the Knew Game Blog! Make yourself comfortable and check back often for some interesting and engaging articles about the state of gaming and the gaming industry.

Chris Adcock
PSN ID: Darth_Doomguy
Xbox 360 Gamertag: Darth Crouton