2 Cents to Play: Submitted via Xbox Live

Originally published on The Daily Iowan Arts blog 11/20/2009

If you've been reading your friends Facebook updates or Tweets as of late, you may have noticed some were submitted "via Xbox Live." This is because the nations Xbox's got there biggest update since Micro$oft changed the menu interface. In this update, Xbox Live members can now use streamlined versions of Facebook, Twitter, and Last.FM (similar to Pandora) from their TV's.

I was skeptical about all this at first. Why would anyone use facebook on their Xbox when they can't chat, send private messages, write on peoples wall or play those stupid games? There are a couple of positives in this intergration. The first being you can view all your pictures in a slideshow on your TV which is awesome especially if you're rocking the flat panel. The other major benefit is you can now find your facebook friends who are also on Xbox Live which is great because very few xbox users can admit their friends list is compiled of all their real life friends.

Microsoft has also said users will be able to challenge their friends via facebook and post high scores. Being able to challenge my friend to shoot a 4 on the 5th at Spyglass in Tiger Woods has a lot of cool potential in a Jet Man sort of way.

Unfortunately I don't know if this will work to its fullest potential. I've already gotten some grief for updating my status on my Xbox. Im assuming gamers aren't going to "come out," so to speak, and admit they are avid online gamers. Are girls going to see this and be turned off by that cute kid from their class because he said put his thoughts on last nights "30 Rock" through their Xbox? I hope not as this update is intended to draw the casual social networking crowd to Microsoft's console but there will always be haters. We just have to keep our thumbs down.

- by Tyler Lyon
Xbox Live: Docholliday8706

2 Cents to Play: Call of Duty controversy

Originally published on The Daily Iowa Arts Blog 11/13/2009

****While we already had an excellent post on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, or as I affectionately call it "COD", it is set to be the biggest entertainment release ever.. There is a specific part of the game that warrants discussion. I'll let you know where the spoilers start.****

Like seemingly every other red-blooded American male, I stood in line to get the newest COD game. When I got home and booted up the campaign to see what the story offered. I was alerted with a message saying that some missions might be offensive and I had the option to skip them.

These types of parental guard are now common place in most "M" Rated (17 and up) games. Assassin's Creed gave gamers and their parents the option to turn of blood. The recent Brutal Legend demo (and I'm guessing the game) gave the option to do the same as well as bleep all F-words. As a 22 year-old I dismissed the menu. Bring it on. Then I ran into this little mission early into the game.

***Spoilers Begin Now BTW***

[YouTube Video of "No Russian" level]

Anyone who's played the COD series knows each game is about immersion. Breaks between missions only exist to load the next level and any cut scene usually puts the player in someones shoes like in the mind blowing intro to the last game.

[YouTube video of opening cut-scene from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare]

The "No Russian" mission in the latest COD game is the best example why violent games use to (and still do to some extent) garner so much controversy. It's all about engulfment - the player taking on the mentality of a character - that scared cable news pundits when the old Grand Theft Auto games came out. No one wants to think their kids have some taboo desire to be a criminal or terrorists but it's fine if they're Allied Soldiers or Athletes.

Game companies always point to their games rating and some of the aforementioned in game options. Popular Chains have now even begun to respect the ratings and the controversy has appeared to die down. However its just like getting booze, all you need is an older friend - sometimes a stranger will do.

If you want to try (and likely succeed) at beating the DI Video Game Guy on Xbox Live Ill be around: Docholliday8706

Playing Now: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony, NHL 10

Wish I Was Playing: Red Dead Redemption, Mass Effect 2

2 Cents to play: Console price cuts

Originally published in The Daily Iowan 9/1/2010

It’s official now — both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are down to $300, only $50 more than the Wii (which has outsold both since being released). But will these price cuts change anything?

The short answer is “yes.” Both Microsoft and Sony will see an increase in sales through the holiday season. There’s also good reason to believe that the PlayStation 3 will outsell the 360 because of the built-in Blu-ray player and Wi-Fi capabilities. However, if the Wii’s popularity has shown us anything in this current generation of consoles, it’s that the consumer doesn’t always care about the technological features.

The Blu-ray player may sell some people on the PlayStation 3 over the 360, but no one will buy Sony’s console for the sole purpose of gaming. When I was at Wal-Mart recently, I saw a Blu-ray player for a $100, and I’m sure even more of them will be that price by Christmas. These things obviously don’t matter, though, because the Wii doesn’t have high-definition graphics or play DVDs — let alone Blu-ray — and it still outsells both consoles.

The Xbox 360 is the Wii for hard-core gamers, except it uses its library to draw in players. Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, EA Sports Games, Rock Band/Guitar Hero, and now the latest Final Fantasy entry are all on both consoles. Microsoft is also the exclusive home of the Halo series, downloadable chapters for Grand Theft Auto IV, and the Mass Effect trilogy. I can’t find a single title coming for the PlayStation 3 that makes me want one the same way that Grand Theft Auto III made me want a PlayStation 2.

While Wii owners are sacrificing a deep third-party library for more immersion, Xbox owners sacrifice the lack of built-in Wi-Fi, free — albeit poorly executed — online service, and a Blu-ray player. But in the end it’s a fair trade.

Currently playing: NHL 10 demo, NHL 09, Grand Theft Auto IV, NCAA Football 10

Wish I was playing: Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony, NHL 10, Beatles Rock Band, Mass Effect 2.