Category Archives: Editorials

Suspect The Splinter Cell

It has to be said, I have viewed the coming of Splinter Cell with some suspicion. I mean, I don't like Metal Gear, so why on earth would I put myself through the trauma of looking forward to and being disappointed by another sneak-em-up. Right from the very first screen shots, all I could see was some bloke crouched behind a crate, a gun held up against his cheekbone. Here we go again, think we've all seen this before, I said to myself. Yet another feeble attempt to step into the platinum "oh my God he's so wonderful" shoes of … Continue reading Suspect The Splinter Cell

EMP Pulse Dancing

As if Islamic extremists flying airplanes into buildings and snipers wreaking havoc around this area isn't bad enough. To bring up my stress level, consider this" Two weeks ago, I headed off to my local EB to see if Red Faction 2 was released. Since this is the start of the busy holiday title season, I wanted to get a head start. After all, we are talking Red Faction 2, Contra: Shattered Soldier, Shenmue 2, Metroid Prime, Metal Gear Solid Substance, Splinter Cell, etc., etc., etc. As usual, I found out that RF2 was actually coming out the day after … Continue reading EMP Pulse Dancing

Chella Vs. Wendy Mesley

On an average day I scour the Internet, visiting my favorite games websites in search of news, gossip, hearsay and sometimes even fact. This week I followed a link to the CBC News website and the Marketplace page – Canada’s Investigative Consumer Program. And what did I find there? Well it all began with the story of a woman, no, a"gasp, single mother, who enjoys playing EverQuest once her children are in bed. Nothing strange there you may think, but Canada’s Investigative Consumer journalists thought differently, and in the name of Canadian consumers they dug deep into the dark underbelly … Continue reading Chella Vs. Wendy Mesley

Fairplay, Smareplay

Something is rotten in the state of the UK's videogame industry and ironically it goes by the name of FairPlay. Last week the FairPlay Group announced plans to stage "Don't Buy A Videogame Week" all in the name of its "campaign for cheaper games". "Consumers are being conned and it's time they made a stand," is the battle cry and the industry has been left a little stunned. FairPlay is a group of developers and journalists who claim that that "there isn't a single reason why games couldn't be sold at £20 or even less" and the whole campaign is … Continue reading Fairplay, Smareplay

Pre-Order Blues

After the commentary I wrote last time regarding the lies and deceits that both EB and Gamestop displayed on their web sites, I thought they would actually take my concerns to heart. Go figure that they don't, as once again they both lied to me regarding the release date of NHL 2003. Recently it was listed to be released on October 1st, and as usual I gave the stores an extra day because of their "that's when it's being shipped" crap. But when I went to the local EB on the following day (the 2nd), NHL 2003 was STILL not … Continue reading Pre-Order Blues

Tokyo Games Time!

Another September rolls by and it’s time for the ubiquitous Tokyo Game Show (TGS) round-ups. As always, just one month after another dull ECTS, everyone’s suddenly got exciting new title announcements that set the Internet all abuzz. News of DOA 4 as an Xbox exclusive was music to my ears and produced a flurry of excitement in my household. The release day cannot come a moment too soon. But the biggest news from TGS has to be NUDE – no not a bunch of ageing, saggy German naturists – a hot new title destined for Xbox. NUDE stands for Natural … Continue reading Tokyo Games Time!

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire…

What was supposed to be a day in NHL heaven turned out to take an alternate course; all because of a store's website that LIED to me. The last week I checked out both the Gamestop and EBWorld websites, and they had the PC version of NHL 2003 scheduled for this last Tuesday (the 17th). I was looking forward for this day to arrive, but I had to also remember that unlike places like Suncoast who ALWAYS get their titles on the day they are scheduled, software stores have to wait another day for the release, claiming that the listed … Continue reading Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire…

Games In My Coral

This year there was no need for spotty teenagers to try and sneak into ECTS, pretending to be the CEO of McGames Warehouse in Slough. Fortunately Sony and their unfailing loyalty to their customers decided to corral them all into a consumer show. Saves us having to deal with them back in the confines of the trade bit – the only drawback being, most of the publishers spent money on the consumer bit and put the minimum of effort into the trade side. Let's just say things were turned on their head a bit, as we all tried to sneak … Continue reading Games In My Coral

Invade Greece!

Since the last time I wrote, I have been through a lot. I am finally back from PlayStation 2 hiatus (after a $100 repair bill for a new laser lens pickup and cleaning), and even went as far as obtaining one of the rare Network Adapters. Granted I only have 56K thanks to a certain cable company not providing internet services (*cough* Adelphia *cough*) and also because my phone line isn't DSL-ready yet. But at least I can get some online action going, which I will get to in a bit. I have also kept my word about getting rid … Continue reading Invade Greece!

ECTS 2002

Well, after a bitterly disappointing non-event last year, the UK industry’s hopes were pinned on 2002 being the year ECTS came back with a vengeance. The organizers promised us a return to central London – this much they delivered as we all descended on Earls Court. They also promised us a bigger, better, all-singing, all-dancing trade show – if you interpret "all-singing" as a poor rendition of Kum bay then okay, but otherwise consider ECTS 2002 another lame duck. My only consolation was that the press office had fresh flowers on every table – it’s all in the detail you … Continue reading ECTS 2002