Your Favorite Videogame Sucks
March 3, 2010 by Daniel Wise
Filed under Articles
I’ve started to wonder if the entire entertainment industry has a yearly barbeque pot-luck dinner in which movie moguls, A&R big-wigs, and television hot-shots get together and plot out the new hotness; talking for hours, and going over demographics to figure out what this new hotness is. The video game industry is sort of that out-of-place in the arena of entertainment. Sure, the industry rakes in tens of billions of dollars yearly, but the industry is still niche. Though they’ll never admit it in a million years, your typical jocks or “ew, icky games are gross” type of people are still gamers if they own a PS3, XBox or Wii.
The industry is wise to this, so they have devised a clever little plan to rake in more gamers and more cash. It wasn’t hard for them to figure it out: People like numbers at the end of titles, people like boobs; and the only thing they love more than boobs are big, phallic, throbbing guns. With this simple formula in place, they’ve been able to release titles that hit people in the mouth. Punch-drunk, and loving it, these people are able to swallow big-name title after big-name title. The industry has gone through its growing pains, and now it is able to fire off on all cylinders like a clock-work project monolith; it is impartial to human emotion; always seeing, and always knowing. Read more
Consumption Overload
November 3, 2009 by Daniel Wise
Filed under Articles
A topic that has caught my eye lately is that of the oversaturation of the games industry with mediocre titles that seem to have all the hype in the world behind them, and the truly great games that seem to never catch a break. I will admit that I’ve been one of the sorry suckers that have bought into the hype of games long before they are released. What’s worse is that I realize what I’ve done. I’ve spent $60 on games before and put in around 5 hours of actual gameplay. Read more
Blurring the Lines: Modern Warfare 2
November 3, 2009 by Daniel Wise
Filed under Articles
As most of you are aware, footage has been leaked of the terrorist segment in COD: Modern Warfare 2. The obvious reaction has been the firestorm that has erupted over the violence content within video games. At this point, I’m not sure whether I should be disturbed by this, or if this is a brilliant move on the part of Infinity Ward. There are a few ways to look at this: The obvious one is that this is your shock and awe for the sake of shock and awe. The second is that this simply fulfills the violence porn that propagates within the industry. But, the third is that this could in fact be rife with social commentary. I want to think that this challenges the player in a different way.
Meet The Players Podcast #6 – Hi, How Are You Pete Franco
October 23, 2009 by Daniel Wise
Filed under Reviews & Interviews
The “Meet the Players” podcast is the mid-week interview session with today’s movers and shakers within the video game industry. Each week Daniel interviews professors, artists, programmers and critics, inquiring on the latest trends in the industry and shedding light on the topics of this ever changing form of media.
Enjoy!
THE PETER FRANCO INTERVIEW
Peter Franco is in charge of the art within Hi, How Are You from Apples App Store. He has carefully crafted the aesthetic of Daniel Johnston’s art into an innovative platformer. Franco is a classically trained artist who graduated from the University of Michigan. He later found himself traveling to Austin, Texas and a career in creating art for video games. He has been through three major console generations with creating art for the N64, PS2/XBox and PS3/XBox 360. Now, he has partnered up with Stephen Broumley to form Dr. Fun Fun and Smashing Studios to take step back to a simpler time of gaming with Apple’s iPhone.
HI, HOW ARE YOU IPHONE/IPOD TOUCH GAME
Hi, How Are You is an iPhone/iPod Touch game based on the works and mythology of indie legend Daniel Johnston. The game is full of classic gaming references, sweet tilt-based gameplay and surreal art that will please the eye. The game is available on the iTunes App store for only 99 cents, so give it a look and support your indie developers.
Download the Podcast
Episode 32 – Heads Up! U Prankster!
October 13, 2009 by Daniel Wise
Filed under Reviews & Interviews

The Heads Up! Display Show Podcast is the weekly source of gamer talk and discussion without the boring news. The hosts dive deep into the latest trends in video games from the importance of indie developers to the advancement of stories in video games. We guarantee that each episode is packed with witty dialogue, sophomoric humor and thought provoking topics from the best team in bush-league podcasting.
Enjoy!
Episode 31: Heads Up! Free Time!!!
October 7, 2009 by Daniel Wise
Filed under Reviews & Interviews

The Heads Up! Display Show Podcast is the weekly source of gamer talk and discussion without the boring news. The hosts dive deep into the latest trends in video games from the importance of indie developers to the advancement of stories in video games. We guarantee that each episode is packed with witty dialogue, sophomoric humor and thought provoking topics from the best team in bush-league podcasting.
Enjoy!
WHAT WE ARE PLAYING
Daniel- Mega Man 2 (iPhone/iPod Touch)
Hi, How Are You? (iPhone/iPod Touch)
Jim – Zombie Apocolypse (XBLA)
Darin – WET (X360)
THE ROUND TABLE –
What are your thoughts on the release of Sony’s PSP Go?
Do you really like waggle/motion control?
Halo 3: ODST Review
October 1, 2009 by Daniel Wise
Filed under Reviews & Interviews

Get set, it’s time to drop.
Overview:
In stark contrast to the night-time sequences are the daytime sequences. These are triggered when Rookie finds artifacts belonging to his missing squad mates. During the day-time, the essence of Halo truly shines with frantic, non-stop action. The day-time sequences are easily digestible as each mission shouldn’t last more than 30 to 40 minutes on Normal difficulty. That all changes on Heroic and Legendary which showcases the power of the Covanent and the frailty of the ODSTs. The day-time sequences are extremely hard to go solo in the high difficulties, so the first run-through should be on Normal. The campaign is strictly meant to be played solo, but co-op is available.The story of Halo 3: ODST is a bit of a let-down compared to the hype that was manufactured. I came into this expecting to be blown away by the voice acting, setting and themes, but I came away from it disappointed. This game is similar to last summer’s Transformers 2, in which you have a story that tries way too hard, mixed with action sequences that are over the top and yet very satisfying. Bungie doesn’t deliver on the surface, but for those that become dedicated to searching for a deeper meaning to the game will find that Bungie has provided just that. A couple play-throughs and a knowledge of literature or mythology are required to get the full effect of the story of this game, but the Hollywood delivery was a major turn-off.
With that said, this is the best campaign in the series for the fact that no single part of the game undermines another. The action sequences are digestible and frenzied and stalking the streets of New Mombasa is a brilliant change of pace. Finding health-packs, supply chaches and audio logs gives the player much to do and explore.
Multiplayer:
Loved: The unique story telling is a step in a new direction for Bungie. The VIZR is extremely helpful and provides the best tactical advantage for the night-time segments, but it’s useless during the day. The frailty of the ODSTs gives a sense of mortality and I am no longer controlling the hand of God Himself. The soundtrack is stellar, takes a new approach to the established Halo theme and expands on it to great effect. The complete multiplayer experience, plus co-op and fire fight mode will keep this disc in my 360 for some time to come.Hated: The over done Hollywood approach was a big turn-off and nearly made me lose faith in the efforts of Bungie from a story telling perspective. Owners of Halo 3 are getting a little bit short-changed with this effort. The battles can become overbearing at some points and I felt like I wanted to get back to being in the boots of Rookie. This game includes the lamest
Gade: (B) This game is innovative, but certain aspects holds it back from true greatness and originality. You’ll get plenty of bang for your buck in the area of gameplay, but some may find the story to be cliched and cheesy. Bungie steps over bounderies with this effort, but certain conventions keep the game in the realm of pandering to frat boys and 13 year-olds.
Ep. 30: Heads Up! Orbital Drop Shock Podcasters
September 28, 2009 by Daniel Wise
Filed under Reviews & Interviews
The Heads Up! Display Show Podcast is the weekly source of gamer talk and discussion without the boring news. The hosts dive deep into the latest trends in video games from the importance of indie developers to the advancement of stories in video games. We guarantee that each episode is packed with witty dialogue, sophomoric humor and thought provoking topics from the best team in bush-league podcasting.
Enjoy!
WHAT WE ARE PLAYING
Daniel & Jim – Halo 3: ODST (X360)
Darin – Need for Speed: Shift (X360)
THE HYPE MACHINE –
Jim - Brutal Legend (X360)
Release Date | October 13, 2009
Dan – Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom (Wii)
Release Date | January 26, 2010
Dead Rising 2 (X360)
Release Date | Sometime 2010
THE ROUND TABLE –
What are your thoughts of buying content that is already in-game, both legally and otherwise?
BONUS CONTENT:
MEET THE PLAYERS PODCAST: Episode 5
THE AKIRA THOMPSON INTERVIEW
Akira Thompson is a QA Tester at Treyarch Studios. Despite what some think, the life of a QA Tester isn’t quite as thankless as the movie Mama’s Boy portrays it as. They are the shock troopers in the front line defending “joe-six-pack-gamers” from terrible bugs and glitches. While the testers know how to have fun, they also know how to get down to business. Testers play and see games a little differently, always looking for the best way exploit bugs that the programmers and artists have overlooked.
Download the Podcast
<– Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes
Episode 29: Heads Up! We’re not The Beatles
September 21, 2009 by Daniel Wise
Filed under Reviews & Interviews
The Heads Up! Display Show Podcast is the weekly source of gamer talk and discussion without the boring news. The hosts dive deep into the latest trends in video games from the importance of indie developers to the advancement of stories in video games. We guarantee that each episode is packed with witty dialogue, sophomoric humor and thought provoking topics from the best team in bush-league podcasting.
Enjoy!
BEATLES ROCKBAND
We all played Beatles: Rockband this week and we had a jolly-good time with it. The game is trippy as balls, finely made and something that John Lennon and George Harrison can smile down upon. It’s easier than other Rockband or Guitar Hero titles, but the point is not to kill your fingers with blistering riffs and solos, but rather to introduce the masses to the fine music of the Beatles. It will also give you an appreciation for the skills of Ringo. Damn, he is a fine drummer.
THE HYPE MACHINE – 18 Minutes 50 Seconds
Dan & Jim - Halo 3: ODST (X360)
Darin – Need For Speed: Shift (X360)
THE ROUND TABLE – 30 Minutes 10 Seconds
What is your preferred racing game? Are you more of a simulation racer (Gran Turismo) or are you more inclined for the arcade racer (Burnout)?
BONUS CONTENT: Read more
Fanboyism
September 17, 2009 by Daniel Wise
Filed under Articles

At times, I wonder if my opinions lead me to look as if I constantly fall under the trap of being labeled as a fanboy. People naturally do not like being labeled, so I naturally have this inclination to curl up my fists and bite my tongue when that dreaded word is used to describe me. Can one have a close allegiance to a system and not really care much for the others? I had a discussion with Jim Howard last week about SSB Brawl, the wii, and Madden NFL Football. I know what you are thinking and calm down, that Madden tie-in sure is a curve ball, but I will show how it all fits together.
I have had this love-hate relationship with the Nintendo Wii. I was very excited for the Revolution when it was in its early days of conception. The motion controls were intriguing, it had a sleek and sexy console design and you really can not go wrong with Miyamoto helming the game development. It all looked early on that Nintendo was going to start an electronic Armageddon on conventional gaming wisdom and sweep the market. While they have dominated the world markets and have now become recession/depression/apocalypse proof, they have not done a whole lot to really spark my imagination. Read more





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