Games Journalism Or Bust!

Download Episode 57: Downhill For The DS?

Like the last two episodes of the podcast, this one is not in time. Unlike the last two, it’s early. That’s because Dippy’s been able to work his magic and I’ve been kept far, far away from it while the editing was going on. Apologies for the hold-ups over the last couple of episodes - hopefully, I’ll have better luck when I edit Ep58.

In the meantime, here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode: Read the rest of this entry →

You will actually be able to get this demo on a disc (presumably the same one I’ve got) if you pre-order the Xbox 360 version of the game at GAME stores, and it will be released on Xbox Live on Wednesday May 19th. I’m not entirely sure about the arrangements for PS3 owners, since Sony doesn’t exactly shout from the rooftops about every demo and third-party release.

Still, when you do get your hands on it, you’ll find three levels from the final games, each of which will demonstrate one of The Bourne Conspiracy’s three gameplay styles - namely fighting, shooting and driving. The levels aren’t connected by cutscenes (aside from those within each level) so there’s no indication of how well the overall story will be presented or even specific details about the plot, but the game’s missions will basically follow the storyline of both the books and films, as well as Bourne’s pre-memory-loss missions. Read the rest of this entry →

Japan must be the safest country in the world.

I’ve recently been playing Pokemon Diamond, mainly because it’s the only game I have time to play. You can play it on the train or at home, you can duck in and out of it at any point, and you can save whenever you like. Shamefully, this is the ONLY game I have at the moment that fills all of these criteria.

However, while playing yesterday, I started to notice something that can be found in most, if not all, Japanese RPGs. Arriving in yet another new town, I went through the usual, tedious process of talking to everyone, reading everything and basically going over the place with a fine toothcomb because heaven forbid I should miss anything.

Given that these games are a coming of age story, you’re playing a young child/teen who is off on a grand adventure - likewise, most JPRG protagonists have yet to hit puberty! And yet, through this simple town-scouring tradition, you violate one of the vital rules we are all taught as a child: don’t talk to strangers. Read the rest of this entry →

I cannot stress enough how sorry I am that this episode was late. Unlike last week’s troublesome ‘cast, this week’s was a dream to edit, but things kept getting in the way – not the least of which was moving house! Dippy’s editing next week’s episode (recorded last night), which should be with you by Monday, so we should be back on track. Next time it’s my turn to edit, I’ll endeavour to get the episode up on time, if not earlier.

The problem is, as much as I love podcasting, editing is becoming quite disheartening. I have dedicated hours of my life every day to this show for the last couple of weeks and yet I still never manage to finish the episode. It’s not an unfamiliar process, which means it feels less complicated, and yet it seems to drain time out of my life.

Both my blog and my gaming is behind because of the last two bouts of editing, and worst of all, I sound really bored (more so than usual) on the upcoming episode. I even feel like I’m letting people down, which is daft because it’s an entirely voluntary project rather than a full-blown commitment!

Still, here’s a rundown of Episode 56, including some handy links to the news stories we discuss, and a solemn promise that I will improve in the future. Read the rest of this entry →

I swear it’s a conspiracy. On Wednesday last week, the In Stock team went to see Vivendi’s new offices and after a tour, a few drinks and a look at Ecto1 (the Ghostbusters car in their car park. Obviously.), I was given a demo disc for The Bourne Conspiracy.

And I haven’t played it yet.

Things just keep getting in the way. Editing the podcast. Recording the podcast. Editing the next podcast. Scout meetings. Packing boxes. Moving boxes. Unpacking boxes. Signing accomodation contracts. Another Scout meeting. And only one measly hour of GTA IV.

I know it sounds like a list of excuses, but given the number of sites going nuts over the demo’s release tomorrow, I just wanted to set the record first before I post my impressions: I had it first!

So there.

[There are no GTA spoilers in this post, so please don’t include any in your comments]I’ve heard a considerable amount of criticism about the early stages of GTA IV. Many people are saying the same thing, through word of mouth, forum posts and podcasts - the first missions are boring. There seems to be very little gangster-capping action or drive-by shooting, and a little too much dating, socialising and taxi driving. Having only played two measly hours, I’m inclined to agree.

The trailers and gameplay footage released during the game’s preview cycle implied we would be enjoying the same explosive, all-out mayhem we’ve come to love from Britain’s foremost videogame export, but the cellophane is barely off the box before you find yourself shopping for a new outfit to impress your new girl. Read the rest of this entry →

At some point, I will have to go back and put in posts for the other episodes that I’ve missed. In the meantime, Episode 55 is now up. It was an absolute bitch to edit, partly due to the audio quality on a couple of the feeds but mainly due to how much I had going on around editing. Hopefully, life will start to calm down soon and I can dedicate more time to the podcast – I haven’t even been updating the blog or forums when each episode comes out!

While I brainstorm ways to develop some self-discipline, here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode Read the rest of this entry →

A little paranoia for you today…

I actually got home about two hours ago, despite the fact that I should still be on the train home as I type this. Why? Because of a simple powercut.

Well, I say ’simple’ but it was deemed serious enough for the boss to send the team home today and even knocked out the traffic lights across the road. Power loss occured at approximately 12.45pm, with the company giving up hope on it being fixed when someone turned up to stick the good ol’ ‘lights not working’ sign on the traffic lights - about three hours later! Read the rest of this entry →

If only I had time to play it before Monday!

And where’s my 1000 MS points and £130 Vouchers, hmv? Your general shabbyness is turning me into one of those whining consumers!

Where’s my copy of GTA IV?

I pre-ordered it at hmv.co.uk, bagging myself 1000 MS points and £130 in vouchers. I recieved emails, assuring me it would arrive on the day. I recieved an email saying it would be sent to Royal Mail Special Delivery, which I would have to sign for. I called them to clarify my card details because they changed after I placed my order, and I took the opportunity to change the delivery address so that I could get it at work, rather than waiting to pick it up from the Post Office at the weekend. I then recieved confirmation of this change, albeit with a worrying ‘2-5 day’ delivery time.

So where’s my copy?