PixlBit

The PS3 is really awful with gamesaves sometimes. I had a PS3 burn out on me a few weeks ago. Now I have this hard drive that works, with all the game saves still on it... only it's entirely encrypted. I can, after about 20 tries, get the old PS3 to turn on for about 5 seconds before crashing, and this is after repair attempts involving thermal paste and such, so no luck transferring those saves.

I'm still trying to decide how much I should harass Sony about releasing some solution to transfer data from the HDD of a dead PS3. I called their service line and was told the best way would be to send in my PS3 for repair. Of course, during the repair they'll format my HDD in order to make sure that's not the problem, so you know, game saves would all be lost. The person I spoke with didn't mention the last part until I had declined to send it in several times, so that's fun.

Anyway, yeah. If you have an old BC PS3? That thing is due to die sometime soon due to the lifetime of the thermal paste, and will either need repairs often, or alternatively, completely die, like mine. Back up your saves and such while you still can! :(

The thing about Monster Hunter is that it's got so many barriers to fun and enjoyment. The fights with the monsters can be a lot of fun in some cases, though the method to learn about how to fight a monster is all too punishing.

Anyway, to sum it up, it is a lot of fun with the right people. However, if you grow to be skilled and you wind up playing with people who aren't, know that one bad player dying a few times can end a round in a loss, which is a bit sad. Other than that, there really is a lot of grinding. A lot of gathering supplies to create items to be used to create the items you plan to use. That kind of stuff. So... I wouldn't recommend it unless you have patience. If you do, it can be very rewarding when a team works well together.

If you're looking for something to collect, I think the collector's edition is the better buy, what with the statue. I would assume the fight stick is probably going to be available sold separately. Even if it isn't, the collector's edition has more collectibles, and you'd be better off owning a fight stick that already has a reputation of being a solid controller.

Just a heads up, I have plans tonight, so PB & Jason 114 will be delayed to tomorrow.

Edit: Actually, I take it back. I can't make one tonight, either. Expect an extra-large PB & Jason next week, though!

Maybe. Most likely. It's my favorite thing to rant about!

I want to go on record and say that I'm never happy to see when so many people face losing their jobs. I do wish the best for the former employees of Junction Point, of course. However, I don't want to ignore reality, either. Warren Spector, as an individual, as a marketer, as the direct of the Epic Mickey titles really painted a deceitful picture of the games in question. His catchphrase for the games and for the studio as a whole was "Playstyle Matters," but in playing Disney Epic Mickey and its sequel, it was clear that the motto was all fluff.

A quote from the Junction Point Studios mission statement: "Junction Point games offer strong, player-driven narratives, opportunities for problem-solving over puzzles and choices with significant consequences. The studio's goal is to tell stories with players, not to them, allowing them to craft their own, unique experiences."

As this was Junction Point's goal, it's clear that their leadership fell well short of achieving said goal. In Disney Epic Mickey, aside from flat, dull gameplay and fetch-based puzzle mechanics, there were no consequences. No matter how one chose to play the game, the story would be told the same way each and every time. The only instance in which there would be a difference is shown in quick scenes right at the end of the game, most of which reflected how one defeated the few bosses. Epic Mickey 2 showed no substantive signs of improvements, and suffered from more technical and gameplay issues than the first.

I'm not sure why these games wound up as awful as they did. I'm aware some people have enjoyed them quite a bit, but I can only imagine how magnificent the original concept could have become, and shake my head in despair over the final product. For me, though, I place the blame squarely on the head of the person who mislead, misdirected, and mismanaged in so many ways, Warren Spector. I know many people look up to him as a game designer, especially for his work with Thief and Deus Ex. I can only say that I hope he does a better job one whatever his next project(s) is/are, and I hope he manages to create a more stable and prosperous work environment than the rubble that is now Junction Point.

You're probably wondering why I chose a V8 as the article image here. It's because they often stare at produce in Nintendo Direct. Now you can stare at it when you listen to PB & Jason!

Today's PB & Jason will be a day late again. Expect one tomorrow. It'll feature Ni no Kuni, the Wii U from today, and a lot of other things! Be sure to listen!

So! Good news/bad news time. Bad news first: I have a sinus infection messing with my throat and voice. As such, I won't be recording PB & Jason tonight. Good news: Instead, I'll be recording it tomorrow. I should be well enough by then, and there's no PixlTalk scheduled to go live then, so it should be a fine time to release it. No skipping PB & Jason this week!

This needs more caps! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!

ETC!