August 19, 2003

Well after his temporary lapse in sanity, Greg Kasavin gets back to his usual good-point-making self.

I myself am conflicted on this issue, on the one hand it’s nice to know that the publishers out there are exercising a bit of quality control, but I remember also that one man’s trash can be another’s treasure. Everyone indulges in their own guilty pleasures and these so called crappy games could become a guilty pleasure for any of us. Lacking universal appeal these games will most assuredly flop when it comes to generating sales and that’s ok. So long as it doesn’t happen too many times. But that’s just natural selection working in a free market. The studios who are too dumb to know that what they’ve got isn’t very good should go bankrupt. But on the same end studios shouldn’t be so timid as to never try something new every once and a while. A delicate balance must be reached.

Greg's exactly right when he says that this measure (Q.C.) will induce brand loyalty and create fans for their studios. This is why I was willing to buy a game like "Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8" even though I was hearing some very harsh criticism (also shame on IGN for rating this game 9 out of 10, they're crazy if they think 8 is an improvement on RTK 7or even on par with 7). Over 15 some years I've been playing Koei games, mostly ones titled "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and recently they've had a surge of new titles I've enjoyed, Crimson Sea and The Dynasty Warriors series for example. So you're damn right I checked off "Koei Fan" when I was asked why I purchased RTK 8 on the warranty card. I am a Koei fan and will continue to be so, even though this latest installment has turned out to be uninspired. It's like I said before, it's ok to try and fail once and a while. But just remember Koei, innovation and experimentation are indulgences only successful companies have. Too many failed experiments and you'll get knocked down from being a successful company to just the niche market supplier you once were.

b-ruce

August 18, 2003 8:16 PM

After their 3 week hiatus a new Strong Bad email is up. And it’s damn good as always.

I’m working on some other stuff to post, but for today that’s all you get. Well that and I’ll say that the newest Romance of the Three Kingdoms game is a disappointment, it’s just not fun to play. I’ll go into more depth later but for now let me leave it at this: buy the game only if you wish to support the wonderful people at Koei Games – something I would not subscribe against.

b-ruce

August 16, 2003 5:58 PM

8 time champ

Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 is finally out in the U.S. We all know that I love the RTK series. And this one is no exception. As with every new edition of this game the programers have seen fit to exclude some of my more favorite features but as with every new edition, they always seem to introduce some more. Two days into it and I'm having fun. Stay tuned for my review.

b-ruce

August 7, 2003 7:48 PM

Hello from St. George, Utah. Well, after twenty five hours, covering 1620 miles I've made it to my destination and got to a phone line to tell y'all. It's very warm out here but it's a dry heat which does make it more tollerable than the humid Chicago heat that I'm accustomed to. I'll be here for a couple of days and then it's on to Vegas! Wish me luck.

b-ruce

August 3, 2003 10:22 PM

Don't listen to him Children!

Well, after reading Greg Kasavin's latest article I'm now even more in favor of this whole "games are art" thing.

I will say that not all games are art but I do feel that most story-driven games are. Metal Gear Solid is fucking art, end of story. Or maybe not, if you don't consider "The Godfather" art then I guess you wouldn't consider MGS art. But I think that the popular opinion is that film is art and if so then how could you not see the similarities in a game such as MGS and then connect the dots? Games are the new books because they can they can immerse you with sound as well as visuals and make you feel more connected with the characters because you must assume their roles.

The medium can be used to tell a story in a way that is just as engaging and moving as any book or film.

b-ruce

August 2, 2003

Just wanted to let y'all know I saw "American Wedding" today and many laughs were had. Just as good as the First 2 movies, but if you didn't like either one of them, I don't see anything in this one that would make you change your mind.

August 1, 2003

Welcome to August! I'm glad it's here and judging from Gamespy's release calendar, with good reason. I spy at least 4 titles (Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8, Chaos Legion, Buffy: Chaos Bleeds & of course Soul Caliber 2!!!) that I'll be attempting to purchase at their respective times of release. Couple this to the fact that I'm going to be on the road for a little less than a week starting on the 5th and I think you'll agree, August = busy! Oh well, it's better than just hanging around the house... wait, no, nothings better than that.

b-ruce