We will be recording the show this evening, Friday July 31 beginning around 6 PM EST. In the comments, post links to gaming or tech news stories that you think would make for great role-playing. The ones used on the show will get credited by a glowing mention. What are you waiting for? Go sniff out some stories!
In the August issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine, FFXIII Producer Yoshinori Kitase stated, “With Shiva, she turns into a motorcycle. That’s a running thing with the Summons, they maybe turn into some kind of ride. If you could just use your imagination to see where that could go“. This is the first time in series history that Shiva will have been split into multiple entities. Their “vehicle” mode in which they both become intertwined will be the motorcycle, so what can we expect from other Summons in the game? The second in this sequence of articles will again examine just that.
Part 1 of this article series made the assumption that Ifrit would almost assuredly be making an appearance due to his absence in XII. Another trademark summon in the series that is all but confirmed would be Leviathan. This summon has been a part of every numbered installment since FFIII(it appeared in FFXII as an airship, The Leviathan) with the exception of FFX. “Leviathan” comes from the Old Testament of the Christian Bible meaning “twisted, coiled” but describes more a “whale” in the modern Hebrew language. So, what role will the summon play in FFXIII?
We had a hunch that Ifrit could be a personal craft with a possible Hellfire cannon in the last piece. Could Leviathan follow those same lines? A rocket-powered surfboard, perhaps? Or a Jet Ski? These are both within the realm of possibility, but players would need to be amidst water for the mentioned “vehicle” modes. We may be assessing these alternate forms in the wrong manner- maybe they are all simply modes of transportation. Might the larger summons be your transportation on the overworld map? Could Leviathan’s alternate form resemble the White SeeD watercraft from FFVIII? Transformation would not be a problem as this summon regularly forms out of water a la the Terminator 1000 series. What do you think?
Please feel free to leave comments and/or predictions of your own so we can discuss them on the show.
Those of you who appreciate playing roles are going to dig Alpha Protocol, the Espionage RPG coming from Obsidian Entertainment(and Published by SEGA) later this year. The game is actually more along the parallel of the Action RPG genre and offers much in the vein of customization, allowing you to personalize your version of the main character, Mike Thorton. As you progress, you recieve what are called “Advancement Points”. These can be used to upgrade a list of skills that will make Thorton much more formidable. They are as follows:
Alpha Protocol uses a karmic dialog system of sorts not unlike that of Fallout 3. Gone are the standard Good, Neutral, and Evil responses in favor of the much more relevant “Professional”, “Suave”, and “Agressive” ones. Each NPC(Non Player Character) is touted to respond differently to each of these types of response. The games employs a sort of “hub” system throughout the adventure in different cities around the world such as Rome, Moscow, Taipei, and Saudi Arabia.
Alpha Protocol ships in North America on October 6th, 2009 on the Xbox360, PlayStation 3 and PC.
Square-Enix Europe has recently released the lineup of games that will make the trip to the new site for the Games Convention(GAMESCom) in Cologne, Germany. This is a new format of the Games Convention previously held in Leipzig. The show seems to be gaining ground each year, and 2009 is no different. This will an initiation of sorts for Square-Enix Europe and this will be their lineup:
Does Batman look out of place to you? As most of you who listen to the show know, Eidos Interactive was recently purchased by Square-Enix. They ceased doing business under that identity and became the aptly named “Square-Enix Europe”. Arkham Asylum is being developed by the recently formed branch.
One thing is for sure: there will be many good roles to play in the near future from Square.
This article serves to beg the gamers of Great Britain not to boycott the game as a whole, but to find creative ways to send a message to Activision. It is a grievance to hang the fate of the gaming world on your shoulders, dear British gamers, but this is your call to action, possibly saving us all from software price gouging. Your role is of the utmost importance to us globally.
Infinity Ward is a fantastic developer that does indeed pay attention to the needs of their fan community. They should in no way be penalized for crafting master entertainment experiences, plus you as gamers deserve to experience said software. The Modern Warfare series has a tremendous community on each platform, so a purchase on any of them is warranted and can be justified. Here’s where the UK comes in: ACTIVISION IS USING YOU. Plain and simple. YOU are no more than a laboratory experiment to them. YOU can send just as brash a message back at them by importing the game from the cheaper American market. The PlayStation 3 and PC DVD-ROM versions should work for you. Please be advised that an NTSC version PS3 game must be played on a high-definition display(with component cables at minimum).
We gamers in the United States are depending on you. If Modern Warfare 2 sells in the United Kingdom at the advertised price point, other publishers will insult your intelligence and follow suit. After that occurs, can you guess what will spread as a virus to the US? We as gamers are in this battle TOGETHER and can always vote with our currency. Please- do not let publishers push you around. Without the customer, there is no market for a product. Below are the links to Play-Asia and Toys ‘n Joys to import the game- you cannot let this opportunity pass you by. The software economy factors in to publisher’s decisions- why shouldn’t the same stand for us? The Gamesmen support you.
Play-Asia MW2 PC DVD-ROM
Play-Asia MW2 PC DVD-ROM(Hardened Edition)
Play-Asia MW2 PS3(NTSC)
Play-Asia MW2 PS3(NTSC- Hardened Edition)
Toys ‘n Joys PS3 Pre-Order Page(NTSC)
Join Lyfeliek and AcidBee for roleplaying and commentary! Because of scheduling conflicts and technical issues, we have an abridged show this week. We answer our first audio email, play RPG, and listen to featured music from Command and Conquer Generals. Topics discussed are Zune Markeplace in the NXE, Project Natal, cohesive Sony marketing, “crazy” Gabe Newell, and Call of Duty: Economic Warfare 2. We promised a show every week and even with issues, we delivered!
We have an email address for the new show as well! We’d love to have comments here or to the address, plus, submit news stories with roles you’d love to see us shoved into. We really need your support to help get this thing off the ground! Contact us at TheGamesmenRPG@gmail.com or simply comment below!
Direct Download | The Gamesmen On iTunes (40:36)
United Cutlery, in partnership with Sony, is bringing a true Replica of Kratos’ Blade of Chaos from the hit video game, God of War, to market in the near future. Here’s the scoop from budk.com:
United Cutlery, the industry leader in movie and game collectible replicas, has meticulously re-created the sword. The blade is cast from zinc aluminum material with custom etched mold textures and features fantasy grindings that mirror the piece carried by Kratos. The replica was created using the finest grade materials and craftsmanship available. Also included is a custom table top display stand with God of War® insignia and fantasy silk screen along with a certificate of authenticity. As with all United® Cutlery collectibles, close attention to quality is a top priority. The design of The Blade of Chaos was overseen by master replica supervisor, Kit Rae. Each replica is laser-serial-numbered and marked with the appropriate copyrights to ensure authenticity.
The Blade of Chaos will retail for $123.99 USD.
[via budk.com]
We at The Gamesmen need your help! We need audio intros to kick off the show. Here’s what we’re looking for:
“Hey- this is gamertag ‘jsslifelike’. You are listening to the lastest episode of The Gamesmen. What role will YOU play?”
or:
“Hello- this is PSN ID ‘jsslifelike’. You are listening to a brand new episode of The Gamesmen. What role will YOU play?”
There’s only a few requirements. Sample must be in mono and be of 44100Hz. You can email them to TheGamesmenRPG@gmail.com. Thanks!
Wow, is this ever going to be a game to get! I’ve been following DA:O for a while now- ever since the beginning of it’s development cycle on the Neverwinter Nights engine. GameStop recently posted what you can receive by preordering the Collector’s Edition for $74.99:
Bergen’s Honor: A massive helmet made out of dragonbone (+2 to armor, +25 physical resistance, +6 to attack).
Grimoire of the Frozen Wates: A special book that adds +3 to all attributes when read.
Final Reason: A magical staff of immense power (adds to damage, spell power, and fire damage).
Also, reserve Dragon Age Origins and receive these in-game items:
[via GameStop]
The video cannot be shown at the moment. Please try again later.
I do realize that this is a few days old, but we here at The Gamesmen are huge RPG/JRPG fans. YouTube user ‘Hwoaranga’ posted the short 16-second video of Square-Enix’s process of recording sounds effects for their games(this one of FFXIII). I imagine that the raw sound is filtered, laid over more effects with deeper bass, and then rendered for use in the final piece of software. Enjoy.