Jugaccino

Lets get this out the way first. Under no circumstance is piracy forgiveable. The fact that people profit or manipulate someone else’s product, creative work etc for what is essentially theft is wrong. In this modern age where the internet is host to various manipulations and various forms of piracy theft, it seems right to regulate internet traffic to monitor piracy. This is currently what was formerly being put into place in America with the bills; “SOPA” and “PIPA.”

These bills though have been abandoned as of today through widespread rejection and disapproval with the final nail in the coffin being Lamar Smith putting the bill on permanent hiatus after PIPA earlier in the week was withdrawn. The bills promised to retain American intellectual property+rights yet was seen to limit creative expression that is commonly found everywhere on the internet. There was one casualty in the short time SOPA+PIPA were in discussion which was megaupload. A cyber cloud storage site, it was also home to “pirates” as they would be called, (see what I did there?), could view/obtain content for free. There are however numerous users that have used the site correctly and most importantly legally. What will be interesting to see though is the reaction this gets over the coming weeks, months from the users and how the American’s will respond.

So with the closure of the bills (for now anyway), the internet cries: Hurrah! Internet wins! While I agree that the support of the internet has not gone unnoticed from millions of people during the blackout stages (162 million people approximately visited wikipedia) in protest of the bills despite the site being down, it shows worrying signs for the future. Such an aggressive bill(s) to regulate or more appriopriately “control” the internet is worrying. I like creative expression, freedom of speech and a voice.

The internet can be just that for any singular person that accesses it. It is a powerful tool for any person and serves god given rights (in a way). America in trying to protect piracy has seen it as piracy comes into freedom of speech+creative expression. So mock-up pictures (even if you did it in paint) would be classed as illegal. Its like drawing a moustache on your mate’s photo but then you get fined for it. Thats the harsh reality and despite this not going through, I believe the foundations have been set. Their are some countries that control their local internet (China for instance) but they are a communist nation (big brother in essence).

For the English speaking, we are a democracy and freedom of speech is part of humanity. While I applaud a brave attempt from the Americans in trying, the manner in which they set out was worrying and amendments must be made to make it fairer to all while not infringing basic human rights. The publicity also makes me believe that America is trying to rule the world and the fact megaupload’s owner is from New Zealand (not America-formerly part of the commonwealth) means there must be loopholes somewhere and that is there for America to exploit or any other nation possibly. For now, the internet is free (sort of) from extreme control. But in the short space of time SOPA/PIPA was publicised, they took a high profile casualty that shows and that this is not over.

Yes, it’s really cool to be able to say that we have received help fromPokerListings.com – ranks the best poker websites. Here’s a quick comment from Claire at their website: “the website (jugaccino) brings so much great articles and material to gaming enthusiasts. Thanks to the team behind the website!”

UNCHARTED 3:DRAKE’S DECEPTION

PLAYSTATION 3

NOVEMBER 2011

To define and refine are two conceptual meanings that can be rightfully applied to Uncharted. Define- Uncharted is an explosive cinematic game with riveting set-pieces combining that with 3rd person cover shooting gameplay. That is Uncharted as a whole though as defining the third entry into the critically acclaimed trilogy is complex. Refine- Uncharted 3 utilises previous elements to maximum capacity in this instalment alongside some new features and dynamic cinematic storytelling.

Uncharted 3 as a game- as a whole is worthy of any living person’s time. I don’t need to tell anyone that. So go out there and buy the game okay? Uncharted 3 coming as an instalment in a trilogy so acclaimed its legendary (well nearly) the game makes very little improvement on its predecessor but opting for refinement of the game. The vast majority of the game to experience Uncharted vets like myself and many others is in places predictably predictable.

The game follows Nathan “Nate” Drake on another globe trotting adventure from London to the Rub al Kali desert looking for the fabled lost city of Ubar/Iram of the Pillars. The mystery is consistent with the other two entries offering plenty of intrigue although at the end is slightly disappointing yet still delivers. Nate is joined by his close friend Victor “Sully” Sullivan who in this game is focused much more in depth which offers to players a new perspective into Nate’s and Sully’s friendship including some flashback sequences.

Mechanically, graphically and technically this is near flawless by today’s standards. The glistening colour of the sand blowing swiftly through Drake’ s path. The vibrant colours shown throughout the game and the attention to detail is phenomenal. This is the height of graphical power of games at this moment in time. There are the odd chugs in framerate and some minor tearing that pops up occasionally but it does nothing to detract Uncharted from being aesthetically stunning. The game controls how standard 3rd person games do. Expect jumping to cover and popping out for some sly headshots. Free climbing is back and better than before. Scaling rusty ships has never been so fun (oh did I give something away?). The voice acting is again top notch. Nolan North really does a great job as Nate and the motion capture tech used for all the actors is impressive on par with L.A Noire’s facial recognition tech.

The game unfortunately suffers from its own escalating popularity and its clear to see. A trend is common in games nowadays and like Call of Duty- why innovate when you have a successful product? Yes that may be true yet familiarity can be detracting. The plot is somewhat predicatble at times as well as some of the gunfights. Some of the gunfights are so obviously staged there may as well be a message saying incoming fight. The plot even follows similarly to the other two predecessors which adds to the familiarity like “I have played this before.” Shame as some of the set pieces in Uncharted 3 are breathtaking but detracting at the same time.

By no means a major flaw but however unnecessary as a breaking the mould in terms of twists etc could have made the single player more worthy. Nonetheless though, these criticisms are still relatively minor compared to what matters which is Uncharted 3 delivers. The story is still as intriguing as ever and while it may sound like I am hammering Uncharted I am not far from it. This is minor and when Uncharted hits the ground running, it blows everything out of the water on technical terms.

Enter multiplayer and this is where the bulk of playtime will be spent. Modes from standard team versus team and deathmatch are here. Plunder (capture the treasure) and co-op modes are back with a vengeance. The online offering is much more substantial than the second offering with deeper customisation, more weapons available and in-game perk unlocks from your overall performance (similar to COD’s killstreaks).  Bigger and better, it is the biggest improvement that Uncharted 3 has on its predecessor. The sense of “this is Uncharted” is clearly prevalent throughout each match and the subtle additions make it more worthwhile.

To conclude, Uncharted is the best trilogy this generation on any console and is concluded in an suited fashion. The game has been refined since Among Thieves two years prior  to make it mechanically and graphically one of the best titles around. While most things are spot on including a addictive multiplayer experience, the single player is a hit and miss somewhat. The narrative is brilliant one chapter but falls flat another. The cast is on form one chapter but is disjointed another. The feeling of familiarity and deja vu are too common that it is detracting from the experience at hand. A shame really as the game ha so much going for it and it remains to be seen as one of the best games this generation-it could and should have been better.

90/100-A fitting finale to a superb trilogy. Will be up for awards but not as strong as its predecessor. Hardly a bad thing considering Uncharted 2 is phenomenal and Uncharted 3 is so close to matching that. Need I say more. I can’t recommend it more.

DEATH OF CONSOLE GAMING

In tragic news, the latest Call of Duty sold a meagre 100,000 units upon release continuing the year on year decline of the franchise for the past 10 years. Is that statement believable? Is it a possibility? Personally that statement at this moment in time is laughable and speculative considering that the latest iteration wiped the entertainment launch board clean as a whistle. Sitting comfortably at the top of the tree as the most profitable game ever to be released it also represents a worrying trend. While Call of Duty to its critics has not changed for the past 4 years and still sells by the bucketload, there are games out there that have genuine persona and quality yet can sell very very little.

Take Singularity for example. A game that clearly has quality as well as a distinct atmospheric tone only let down by the ignorance of the same publishers that publish Call of Duty. Singularity sold in interest very little. Finding a game online seems like winning the lottery. Game franchises like Call of Duty on the more traditional hi-spec gaming machines sit at the top of the tree changing very little yet succeeding massively. In the times of recession, why by a game which you play by yourself whereas you can buy Call of Duty-the game that everyone owns (possibly).

Gaming on consoles should be seen and act like a spectrum. Genres should offer multiple quality titles that should warrant deserving attention. But for every COD each year we have games like Singularity, Vanquish, Shadows of the Damned in that they are good games. I can safely inform you that those games offer high quality entertainment and fun….well mostly-attempting Vanquish on hard is sort of sadistic on yourself-have a whip at the ready its a painful experience. But its fun though and why should games like these be ignored in favour of games that have stayed the same since the near beginnings of this generation of games? Should the medium praise repetition or innovation as after all this is a creative medium and creativity shouldn’t be ignored. Sadly it seems to be the case.

Maybe marketing is a problem. If COD wipes the floor with sales it surely ensues a high budget and a mass marketing profile. With the marketing profile, its the game on the word of everyone’s lips whether being disputed in Parliament for its content/controversy or the social side it brings-it is in a league of its own in many ways. Yet for all the profit it brings in for each passing year, consumers will see through it eventually (I say speculatively) that repetition is not the way forward as it is indeed the way backwards for this and any medium of any kind.

2012 is here. Drinks were downed while fireworks were being prepared to create a show in the sky. Memories were present while the people who have left have gone but not been forgotten. A general principle in celebration of the turn of the year can almost be applied to anything. Happiness, remorse, anticipation, hope and ambition surround society in what is to inspire people to do better or new this year. Well its no different in any industrial department especially in the media, technology and entertainment. What does 2012 hold in store for the companies behind the future of technology?

Well for starters, I hope the people that read these articles had a very good new year celebration and have high aspirations for this year. I myself have lost someone close to me last year but nonetheless I have carried on with my studies, writing these articles,getting on with life and aspiring for graduate jobs next year. For Apple, they have lost their founding father. Steve Jobs passed late last year after losing his battle with cancer yet the company that he has left behind will most certainly continue to uphold their tradition of innovative products as well as that guarantee closely affiliated with the brand. It will be an interesting year for Apple seeing how they march forwards and continue without Steve Jobs at the helm.

As previously mentioned, the PS Vita was released in Japan late last year to some positive acclaim yet sales proved to be lacking. While debut sales held up well at around 350,000, the second week only brought in a meagre 70,000. That accounts for a loss upto 80% of units sold in the first week. Although the 3ds had the same issues and was forced into an early price cut, could this tech-heavy handheld have to play savvy with retail and forced to cut its price? Watch this space…..

Finally, rumours are beginning to circulate that next generation consoles from Microsoft and Sony will surface at some point this year after Nintendo announced they would release the WiiU this year. It would be a sensible move to announce the consoles since the XBOX 360 has been present for the past 7 years and the PS3 being 6 years. I would expect nothing less than an  announcement or something pointing in that direction. A console release would be unexpected admittedly but Microsoft and Sony will be wanting to build a base quickly much like the 360 did with a year and a half start almost on the PS3.

2011 has been a kind, difficult, enduring and strenuous year for technology. There have been some highs and lows in the year so lets take a small nostalgic trip back through the depths of this mixed year. Starting of with games (which is my forte so why not), it has been an incredible year-for some. Activision continue to make headlines with the same game since 2007 yet the profits are increasing each year. This year was no different which saw COD:MW3 rake in $1 billion so quick it beat Avatar (2009-James Cameron) making it the fastest selling product in entertainment history. The year has seen many closures of game studios including most notably Team Bondi responsible for the critically acclaimed L.A Noire. There was also the PSN hack….minor thing there only 70 MILLION accounts affected….

In handheld technology, it was yet another dominant year for Apple with its IPAD, ITOUCH and of course the IPHONE dominating the headlines as well as the sales so it seems. Apple seems to have a strong foothold into these markets where products are smaller, cost effective (debatably) and economical. Add to the Itunes store and the dominance does not stay there with Apple having more than one hand in the music field as well. Sony released the first Playstation control certified phone and despite some initial acclaim it has been most underwhelming.  The evidence is there for all to see that Sony are quite quick to release an XPERIA Play 2 after seeing the criticism aimed at the phone. The 3DS also released to also an underwhelming reception however over the past 3 months sales have been gathering a rapid momentum that has propelled it to surpass the original DS year one sales. One to watch in 2012 for upcoming software releases.

This year also marked the announcement and drip feed of tantalising information of Sony’s new handheld the PS Vita. It has at the time of writing been released in Japan for little over a week and has been nothing short of a success. Combining the use of smartphone interface with top notch graphical power along with a host of games not found on smartphones could make this a winner. Add this to features such as dual analogue nub sticks, rear touch screen and motion control could make this the best piece of software for next year. Just don’t look twice at the price… (RRP £230-280 dependent on model as well as bundle-DOES NOT INCLUDE GAME OR MEMORY SD CARDS which price at £20-60 and £30-50 respectively. Prices vary on model.) Not trying to put anyone off believe me- *wanders off and whistles innocently*.

Guys and girls, I hope you have all had a very good Christmas yesterday. Lets all remember the true meaning of this time of year that divine inspiration has instilled into each passing generation the principles of giving and receiving. Regardless of faith, race or belief -it is a time of year for all familes, friends and partners to give as well as receive. While the myth of the Christ still rages on, the notion that has been set years gone past still remains the cornerstone of our society as it ever has done before. As this is the last post of the year I would like to wish every reader a very healthy happy new year and I hope you all have a great year.

Modern gaming has seen a community trend over the past five or so years which has created competition, bragging rights and pre-judegement on skill-achievements. Completed a game in record time? You get rewarded with a *ping* and a small box in the top right or bottom right corner shows up by saying congrats. Is it worth it though? All the effort that goes into not to just complete a game but more so to finish it wholly. There are people out there that dedicate their lives to it but it does leave questions.

For starters-why? Games traditionally reward players on completion rather than progression on merit as well as ability. So stat screens, bonus levels and in-game rewards were the norm. But now as well as this comes the system added to individual profiles which profiles individual in-game achievements for the world to see. Wow… Greatness stems from these achievements. These gamers that have attained maximum completion should be commended for their life’s work. While I am at it, I am going to write a cheque and donate to their cause….

Yes there was just a tiny bit of sarcasm there. Seriously there are people out there that take it with force. Gamers that partake seriously in this are rewarded with numbers, icons and some logos on screen. Doesn’t necessarily mean that the gamer next to that person is worse, far from it. It most likely means that their time is better spent elsewhere which it most certainly should be. If developers added rewards for each unlockable acheivement like FF13 did with XMB themes, then this could be more worthwhile to the wude ranging gamer at least anyway. It may even garner more playtime for games and generate more funds from server bandwidth if its an online game or not.

Either way, it really does ask serious questions but mainly why? Why why why why why? With a little bit more of why…. Games are made for escapism, enjoyment and social competition. This adds competition but on a necessary scale. “Haha! I am owning you on that game in unlockables. I am so much better!” “Pfft no you ain’t and you wanna know why? Could do with a something called a life….”

Since this is the last article before Christmas, I shall take this opportunity to say to my fellow readers-have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

The video game awards, an annual pastime each year to celebrate the year’s best gaming entertainment. A growing critique of the show though is that the awards largely come second to the gaming press as well as chosen reveals for future releases. So didn’t realise it was on or just missed it? Have no fear (do have faith) that the all you need to know about the night is right here.

AWARDS: Portal 2 dominated the showing picking up the most awards for; best female voice, multiplayer, DLC, male voice and best PC game. In some distance away, Uncharted 3, Batman: Arkham City, Bastion all picked up 2 awards while Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim picked up 3 including the GOTY award. Considering the nominees for the awards, it was evenly split with each award deservedly going to the titles though how multi-platform title Batman got best XBOX game over Gears of War 3 which incidentally is an exclusive for the XBOX.

GAMING PRESS: For an annual game awards show it seems strange to present new titles for the future. Yet this is the current trend for gaming press/hype these days and last night was ultimately no different. The big stories was that Playstation exclusive The Last of Us is being developed by Naughty Dog-developers of Crash Bandicoot and the recently critically acclaimed Uncharted trilogy. The game takes a Resident Evil esque perspective on a zombie character driven game. Considering the talent behind it, this could be one to watch out for in 2012.

Metal Gear: Rising continues to have a troubled development with Konami and Hideo Kojima now handing the reigns over to Platinum Games. This team were responsible for two of last year’s brilliant but largely underrated and overlooked games-Bayonetta+Vanquish. The story has also been revised for after MGS4 allowing Platinum to create its own take on the story without confsuing events of the other games. Another talented studio that should create a worthy addition to the Metal Gear series.

On a more serious note, the show was a commercial disaster for the viewers. Mocking gaming health systems? Teabagging winners? What on earth possessed the team behind the show to say in the face of gamings critics, “look at how stupid gaming is. We are good at creating a good representation.” Unbelievably baffling. Never have I witnessed something like this. If gaming is going to break the critics moulds then we need events like these to be diverse and interesting not for immature people-the medium is growing in maturity not immaturity.

As with each passing year, gaming brings with it a catalogue of stellar and quality titles. There is no doubting that 2012 will follow in 2011’s footsteps as a prolific year but what titles are worth buying? What titles will be the commercial and critical winners among the masses? With the year upon us lets waste no time in analysing what is worth looking into.

MASS EFFECT 3 (MARCH 2012): Mass Effect 3 concludes a highly successful trilogy of stellar sci-fi space adventures. Concluding the adventure of protagonist Commander Shepard, this promises to be the first big game of the year on all platforms and is bound to make a hefty impression on the scene throughout the year. Players also have the ability to use a female character as the lead protagonist instead of a male. Will you buy it because of this? Doubtful….

FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 (JANUARY 2012): The follow up to 2010’s slightly dissapointing but nonetheless successful Final Fantasy, this sequel promises to create a proper Final Fantasy experience that wasn’t found in the strangely alien XIII. Expect dodgy voice acting, quality CGI FMV sequences, turn based conumdrums, big beasts and a colourful world full of intrigue as well as danger. A possible dark horse for the year it should sell very well to the diehard lionhearted legion of FF fans. Not saying I am one though….

METAL GEAR SOLID HD COLLECTION (FEBRUARY 2012): A remastered triplet of titles from the legendary Metal Gear Solid series. Consisting of 2002’s critically acclaimed MGS2: Sons of Liberty, MGS3: Subsistence/Snake Eater (2006) and the port of last year’s PSP GOTY MGS: Peace Walker. Already receiving rave reviews, this is a collection that no-one should ignore. One of gamings best console franchises this is essential. Lengthy action cutscenes, long dialogues, conspiracy, jungles, bipedal walking tanks, espionage, crazy battles I could go on here. Its a crazy franchise that possesses charm as well as the quality of action epics. Already brilliant this should be a fond trip down nostalgia lane.

UNCHARTED: GOLDEN ABYSS (PLAYSTATION VITA-FEBRUARY 2012): Uncharted is Uncharted. Epic, cinematic and fun, the series for the Playstation has been one of gamins defining series. This launch title for the sought after PS-Vita should cement itself as the most technically advanced handheld title for years. If you get your hands on a Vita then expect to be laughing at the wisecracks and seeing protagonist Nathan Drake inadvertedly blow stuff up ploughing your way through ancient history oncemore.

Christmas brings the best and the worst out of consumer buying. People will generally go out, venture into the local city-centre and buy what they require. Clothes, music etc- there just are somethings that are not worth buying as they co-exist in a juxtaposition with essential purchases. It is no different with games. Despite some front covers of games looking like Holly Valance but end up playing like a conversation with Lady Gaga-just not worth the effort; are there games out there that really aren’t worth purchasing when production costs and values are so high? Oh yes unfortunately…….here is why.

RECENT RELEASES

2011 has been nothing short of a prolific year for gaming. Arguably it could be the year the world begins to accept the medium seriously. As well as the good there has also been games that have been such an embarrassment to gaming in some ways more than others. Need For Speed: The Run shows that the series may well be running out of steam. Widely criticised and widely approved as no more of a rinse/repeat procedure from EA-this is not worth the time and certainly not the money. Not a bad game as such but Dead Island certainly does nothing new to make it essential and worthy to buy. To summarise, the game plagiarises elements from both Borderlands and Left 4 Dead (which incidentally are two vastly superior games) to create a different take on a co-op survival game. However, a buggy flawed mess of a title does not excuse the unique take on the sub-genre to its credit.

BARGAIN BIN (conversation at a game shop/store)

Tempted by a cheap game to tide you in over the holidays? Sure why not. What do you have in mind? Well I was tempted by Homefront and Mindjack when they came out in the first quarter of 2011-are they any good? Erm…no. Really? What about Homefront? Well the multiplayer is something of a guilty treat at times but is vastly similar to MAG and Medal of Honor which is around the same price and far better. Oh…dare I ask about the single player? Nope…just don’t get me started on Mindjack. Why? A game that plays so badly it is on par with watching “The room” with some ugliness and pathetic flaws that shouldn’t exist like poor dialogues, camera angles and just the game in general-just no!!! Okay then..so I should stick with Skyrim? Yeah good idea. I shall take it to the till for you….

Ahh the end of year time…so much to buy for friends, family and loved ones. What off the lazy days at home when the snow is thick and the cold air is blistering? What of your games machine-will it get some attention over the holidays as something for yourself? Well guys and girls this article is for you as for this week, I will tell you what to buy… I won’t be as direct as that. I will advise on some stellar titles in the manic creative world of gaming.

NEW RELEASES

You have a wallet/purse don’t you? The game you desire is out. If you buy it no matter how much you enjoy it the wallet/purse will divorce you as you have left it empty and void. Worth it? Course it is. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim are the standout titles one a commercial juggernaut. The other is a critical and a second best commercial juggernaut. Both look outstanding and will eat you’re lives. Skyrim boasts over 100 hours off gameplay in an epic fantasy Lord of the Rings esque world. C.O.D will have you playing against you’re Dad and his Dad in the same room shouting “noobz” at each other. Seriously imagine that picture.

BARGAIN BIN

You are the sensible type that buys on the cheap or on offers? You love the wallet/purse like no other. Well no greater satisfaction can come like a bargain from yesteryear. Deus EX: Human Revolution and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood are two substantially quality titles. Deus Ex is a recent release but I have spotted it for sale new at GAME for £14.99. Stealth conspiracy action at that price…wow. Assassin’s Creed has been a stellar series of late. The quality is evident as the combination of historical intrigue and superb scenery makes for an atmospheric game. The same price as Deus Ex in GAME, you can hardly go wrong.

MY RECOMMENDATION

I do love nothing more than a bargain and my choice is a critically underrated shooter-Singularity. Combining time travel, great shooting mechanics and multiple ways to traverse the enemies you encounter Singualrity offers a breathtaking collection of gun toting levels. It maybe short and the multiplayer a bit of a waste but make no mistake, the atmosphere in this is like no other. For around a tenner, you simply cannot go wrong with a quality bargain like this.