Games, Sports, Movies etc.
An interesting gaming thing happened to me lately. I've noticed that I stopped playing console and portable games for the last few weeks. This is partially due to the time I've spent playing the new Final Fantasy XIV Beta. One of the things that I'm always cautious about is the dangerous pull effect that MMOs tend to have on certain types of people, or people with certain addictive habits. We've all read and heard about them on the news before. You know, like the people who forget to feed their kids or go to work because they're raiding dungeons or whatever.
I'm not one of those people, and I don't get pulled in by these games partly because I tend to schedule the time I spend with these types of activities, so it’s never happened to me. I currently have characters setup in SWTOR, LOTRO, GW2, STAR TREK, and FFXIV: ARR. I generally don't spend too many hours playing these games. I just pick at them bit by bit when I'm feeling bored. This is generally the way I approach MMOs or any other type of console games. Those times of sitting in all weekend long finishing a long rental game are long gone and unpractical for me, which is why I've taken to gaming on iPad or 3DS, with their games designed for short bursts of play time.
Since the FF XIV beta is limited to weekends, I've been logging in to Guild Wars 2 just so I can draw comparisons. I think GW2 is a highly polished game with enough content to satisfy both MMO veterans and RPG players who just want to explore and roll a character through narrative and game events. The devs of GW2 have recently announced that they plan on adding new content every 2 weeks starting next week. I was a bit skeptical about this news mainly because GW2 has been receiving updates since it launched, and I haven't felt compelled to jump in and play it for some reason until now. Also, a lot of the previous GW2 content was temporary, lasting for one time only.
The last time I played the game was during the Halloween event in October and I got to kill monsters made of Halloween candy. These types of holiday events aren't unusual in other MMOs, so it didn't feel very special. The newer content though, is supposed to change the world and narrative so I’m kind of excited about that. If you take FF XIV in comparison, the new XIV game is a giant remake to the previous world, whereas GW2 is promising to add world changing content through the rest of the games life cycle every two weeks beginning next week.
I think the devs have said enough to keep me interested and engaged for the time being. I have replaced my RPG gaming with this particular MMO, and I like the fact that it will keep expanding. It’s going to be difficult to choose between this and A Realm Reborn. Both are working overtime to drag me away, and it just might work. I’ve also been enjoying the official novels based on Guild Wars 2.
The main thing that I care about in an MMO besides game play is story and world. Characters are your own and you can add your own personal description for role playing purposes I suppose, but I mostly care about the games lore and world. Also, I love the kick ass dual wielding pistol, sometimes flame thrower wielding, Engineer. So fun to play, not to mention the excellent World vs. World and Player vs. Player competition in case you just feel like battling it out instead of adventuring through the world of Tyria.
Other news...
Did you hear about the exclusive Cloud outfit for Lightning in the Lightning Returns Pre-Order? I might just have to pre-order now!
I’ve been neglecting my town of Racoon in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Truth is, I suck at policy making and I’m trying to get impeached. I named my town after Racoon City and the Mayors name is Chris R. (Redfield). *wink *wink
Sea of Sorrows (by Ree Soesbee), the latest novel from the Guild Wars 2 game is on my reading list, as soon as I get through the other two books.
Gran Turismo 6 Beta was released yesterday, and I really enjoyed it. It’s still a very technical driving game, no car damage from what I saw, but it’s not supposed to be Motorstorm I suppose. I got to the final Time challenge and it kicked my ass. I might have to buy a steering wheel.
A Realm Reborn Beta continues this weekend. I shall try out my skills in crafting and gathering as well as kick some ass in dungeons. Which means bickering with noobs in chat for not learning to be team players and quitting.
Retronauts is back! Go to Retronauts.com and listen to the newest podcast which will be followed by new podcasts every week!
Not so gaming news...
I do love UFC and WWE and their games. So I’m especially excited because July 6 is a UFC fight weekend and July 14 is WWE Money in the Bank!
Pacific Rim opens July 12! Ever since I saw that giant robot pick up a ship and swing it like a baseball bat, I’ve been waiting!
And that’s all for now!
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