Electronic Gaming Monthly, Shuts Down

Written by Frank R | 06 January 2009
Posted in SOMM Blogs - Gaming

Many of my fondest memories as a young teenager have involved an issue Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM). Having little to no money, an issue of EGM allowed me to experience the latest video games and consoles. EGM started in 1989 and this year would have been celebrating its 20^th anniversary, instead they are shutting down. According to GameSpot.com, the Ziff-Davis owned publication will end with the January 2009 edition.

I Game, Do you?

Written by Frank R | 26 November 2008
Posted in SOMM Blogs - Gaming

Fanboyism (Part One)

Written by Frank R | 26 November 2008
Posted in SOMM Blogs - Gaming

Fanboyism

Part One

You step through the door with a harden stare and your eyes narrow to the glitz and glamour of your surroundings. Your palms are sweaty and you cannot keep your glasses from falling off your face. The insides of your left pocket feel like a ten pound bag of lead and you can no longer bear the burden. The electricity of the sounds of a nearby TV/VCR combo spouting out the latest releases, various demo stations and chatty patrons bat against your ear drums and you're met with a "Hello, how can I help you today?" You shoot back that you're just looking, but you know what you came here for and it is your own little secret. You walk towards the demo station of your chief rival and catch the ending converse of two idiots who don't know any better. One holds the empty box of a metallic encrusted man with its glaze focused on the background of lit rubble and a crimson skyline. You think to yourself, "Enjoy your crappy spinoff of the Marathon series, Killzone 2 will be much better anyway." The other is playing the demo of what should have remained exclusive to your machine of choice. The guy playing the demo invites you to play a round but you turn around and say "It's better on the PS3" as you walk away. Your destination sits directly across from what you believe is last-gen tech disguise as revolutionary ware. Although that area is buzzing with mothers, children and a few guys, they don't count. "Who cares about GameCube 1.5 and its bird flipping technology? It's only a fad." You whisper under your breath. "Our Sixaxis controllers are way better and just wait until they release the DualShock 3. I won't go into our technology and how great our Cell processor is." You turn your attention to the Sony Playstation 3 rack and all its superior software. You pick up the UT3 box for the PS3 and carry it over to the checkout counter. "I would like to get this and I want to pre-order LittleBigPlanet and Metal Gear Solid 4." You say with a smile. The store associate gives you a bewildered look and then asks "Do you want to pre-order Devil May Cry 4? It is coming out soon and it is going to rock." You stare directly into his eyes. Your muscles tighten and you're about to shout, but quickly you settle down. "This guy is probably an X-bot." You say in your head. "No, I don't support traitors." You spit out. "Uh, whatever dude." The associate muddles. The associate gives you the total and you hand him the money hesitatingly. After the associate hands you the bag with your game and receipts, you unzip your hoodie. The custom T-shirt underneath says it all. "Playstation Forever. RIP X-Bots and Nintendon't". You walk out smiling from ear to ear.

Stupid People and Video Games

Written by Frank R | 26 November 2008
Posted in SOMM Blogs - Gaming

Some time ago I read about a guy named Jonquel Brooks (19), who shot and killed one and wounded two others over a Playstation. This story was amusing to say the least and even though I feel sorry for the lost soul that resulted out of this matter, the death could have been avoided.

Two (Or More) Times the Charm

Written by Frank R | 26 November 2008
Posted in SOMM Blogs - Gaming

Remember when you first grabbed the Longshot in Gears of War and delivered a lasting haircut to a Locust? The time you purchased (insert your favorite car) in Gran Turismo and had the field eating your dust? The first game is the opening opus, which more often than not, will grant you fond memories for years to come, but what about the sequels? The sequel to any great game usually never delivers on a secret unspoken promise. Inside your mind, you already know that promise and you hope that the sequel to the game you will buy will deliver on that promise. Why then, are sequels not as good as the first game?