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Sean Pettibone

Blog> 2005 Archive

November 8, 2005

After the recent down time, I've decided to switch to a more stable platform, so I'm officially retiring my old blog and re-launching it here. Sorry, nothing personal, guys. 

October 27, 2005

Hooray, I finally got another LOC from legendary Russ Perry, Jr. It's only been, what now, a decade? Anyway here's what he wrote:

I still can't figure out how real or how made up the woman in the polka dot dress is... 

- Russ Perry Jr.

So this was a pretty cool response, and as I told him in my original reply, he's not the only one who couldn't figure it our. It is actually quite a bit hard to explain, perhaps maybe its something I shouldn't really worry about. Actually, there might be some fun this weekend, as Halloween is around the corner, who knows - anything can happen.

In the meantime, it's been busy, as I noted in the last post, I am actually pretty much filled up for the next month with teviews, but this is normal this time of year, anyway. Things on the finds are pretty much dead around November now, no more tagsales and fleas until spring. Luckily, there's always ebay. The best 'find' recently was Taito Legends on the PS2. I'm thrilled to be reliving the joys of Zoo Keeper, one of my all time favorite games - it's just so simple, yet incredibly addictive - I forgot there were actually three main screens in the game. This was absolutely one of those cherished memories of a wasted youth kidhood, and playing it again on my large TV is almost magical, like a time warp, this makes me very happy. Happier than anything coming out on the Xbox 360... I'm strange that way.

Perhaps, I'll cancel my pre-order and grab some more Vectrex games. That's the odd thing that's been happening all year, I'm more excited when I get an Intellivision oldie like Diner than I am getting something current like The Warriors. I bought the Warriors but, I haven't even been tempted to break the shrinkwrap yet. Taito Legends, I couldn't wait to plug in the second I got it. And back on track... The other Taito games are almost all awesome, especially the hidden gems like Plotting and The electric yo-yo, which despite their obscurity are great games. The emulation is excellent, and I'd highly recommend it for classic gamers.

I used to have Zoo Keeper on MAME a long time ago, but MAME kind of died with that old PC, and the laptop I have now I actually won't install games on. This is to save myself from getting egamed to death and to keep the laptop a productive experience.

Soul Calibur III seems early on seems slightly disappotining, it's more of the same and doesn't have the wow factor the DC version did. Still, this looks like a solid game, maybe I'll warm to it as I play it. One of the biggest surprises for me this month is The Con on PSP, which I didn't have high hopes for, but turned out to be an interesting fighter, largely thanks to its cool betting system and the 'conning' strategies. Other than that, things are moving along nicely right now and are definitely racing towards the holidays and winter once again.

All for now, 

October 17, 2005

My brother was lucky enough to see the premiere of Doom: The Motion Picture in LA and he said it wasn't as bad as the usual videogame movies, but it probably won't sweep the Oscars, either.

You can find his re-vue on my sight, as they say.

In related news, I've spent the past few days playing George Lucas and have tweaked and revised my comics to make them closer to what I expected them to be. I know it sound lame, but I think they're better now, much closer to my original idea anyway.

I'm saturated with games to review this week and next, today alone, three new releases were Fedexed to me, which means I only have 18 games left in the hopper. No, that's no exaggeration. Oh, the happy life of a game reviewer, months of nothing in the summer followed by 2 weeks when games arrive daily, followed by more months of nothing. Just goes to show you how intense things get this time of year. And think - the X360 is still a month away.

In previous years, the annual fall feast been cool, but it seems absolutely overwhelming this year. Its my fault for making so many contacts at E3, but I think I might roll over a die before Xmas this year.

Collecting news is fairly odd this week. Monday, a cool package came, which I'll detail soon, but lets just say a certain sub-collection of mine is now much, much more impressive.

Also, I purchased a copy of Marine Wars for the 2600 from fellow DP member Vectorman. Imagine my surprise when I found out he lived in the same town as me - though I kind of expected it already. Anyway, I picked up the game and... that was pretty much it.

Fri Oct 14, 2005 

I've been a bit quiet this past week, but I've been busy. The comics are finally up, you can check them out here. It turned out a bit cooler than I thought, I decided to caption the images, since I couldn't get my handwriting to appear legibly, even using the tablet, and placing text over the images seemed cheap and phony, besides they wrecked the feel of the images.

Anyway, check them out here, and let me know what you think: http://www.the-laser.com/comics.htm Yes, that is a 5200 on the first page

Thu Oct 06, 2005 

I've been writing like a loon on the-Laser, trying to keep up with all the new games. So here's some links to occupy you 'til I get back to the weird stuff:

Midway Arcade Treasures 3 (PS2) http://www.the-laser.com/midwaytreasures3.htm
Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves (PS2) http://www.the-laser.com/sly3honor.htm
Marvel Nemesis (PS2) http://www.the-laser.com/marvelnemesis.htm

Lots more on the way over the next two weeks,including those comics....

> Oct 04, 2005 

 It's been a busy few days, which explains why I haven't posted lately. I've gotten a lot of material in for review, so that's been occupying my time. The big news I was going to share is still a bit delayed, but it looks like I should have some news in the next couple of days. In videogaming news, it seems the Xbox 360 launch lineup won't be quite as robust as initially hoped for, however the good news is that Project Gotham 3 and Perfect Dark Zero should occupy enough time until the second wave of launch window titles arrive. I've been playing a few of the recent compilations, and I'm quite disappointed by Midway 3 but thrilled by Capcom's Classics. Now, we only need the Taito pack (containing one of my all time favorites, the original Zoo Keeper) to make the trifeca for the year. Oh, and the comics are coming along nicely. Maybe by the end of the week? Keep checking, I'll post an update as soon as the first story is posted.

With its release a little more than 2 months away, Microsoft's Xbox 360 is already looking to be a much stronger contender this time around. Its stronger software library will offer a more diverse range of titles aimed at a broader audience, while the flexible pricing strategy should help the console appeal to the mass market much earlier than anticipated. An enhanced version of Xbox Live should offer increasingly robust community aspects, and the system's powerful architecture means it will likely continue to provide impressive titles for the duration of its lifespan. Read our in-depth analysis and find out whether the company has learned from their mistakes and can capitalize on its head start to gain an advantage in the next console battleground.

With the basic parameters of the next generation battle beginning to form, it's time once again to set the stage for the console battle to come. There are obviously, several big questions on the minds of gamers and the industry as we begin the transition. We'll start our series on the new consoles with the most immediate manifestation: the pending launch of the Xbox 360. From a hardware standpoint, the console is quite powerful, coming it at roughly 3 times the power of the original console, and should perform reasonably well against the PS3, depending on who you believe. Most comparisons are only available on paper, so the reality behind these competing spec sheets and numbers is meaningless, and the truth won't come into view until developers have actual experience on both platforms. Microsoft's key selling point for the console seems to be that it represents the beginning of the HD era, for High Definition. All games on Xbox 360 are required to support HDTV standard resolution of at least 720p and 1080i, though the console and most games will also work with standard monitors and televisions. Players will also be able to use a variety of accessories including voice headsets, wireless Wi-Fi networking adaptors, cameras, and external memory cards. However, most original Xbox accessories, including controllers, from the first Xbox won't be compatible with the Xbox 360.

The system itself features a sleeker, friendlier design, with a smaller off-white case contrasting with the large black look of the original machine. Xbox 360 will also include wireless controllers, though wired ones will also be available. Microsoft's movement to saturate the market with a complete $399 system and a basic $299 model has led to some polarization, with many gamers disappointed that the vaunted hard-drive won't be a standard feature of the console. Obviously, this means that not all games on the market will take advantage of this device, which was a key appeal of the original Xbox. However, just because all games won't support it, that won't mean that the majority of titles won't. We expect a large number of titles that take advantage of the hard drive to ship, while owners of the basic model will most likely be compelled to upgrade their machines quickly. The relatively high price of the console is another issue with many gamers. The 360's launch price is $100.00 higher than the original Xbox began with, which seems a bit steep. However, Microsoft lost a lot of money on the console, and the company is probably looking for the early adopter market to subsidize the hardware early on. Demand for the console is likely to be incredibly strong in the North American and European markets initially, so we don't see this as a long term detriment to the console's prospects. The good news about Microsoft's dual system configuration approach is that it gives the company plenty of flexibility to drop hardware prices next year when the PS3 and Revolution are scheduled to launch. The price issue is also rearing its head on the software front, with many front-line launch releases looking to launch in the $60.00 range. This is another controversial issue, but one that seems to recede once you realize that 'special' and 'collector's' editions seem to be selling fine at that price point, and with the added demand, these slightly higher prices should once again be seen as a natural evolution of gaming economics.

From a software standpoint, Xbox 360 has benefited already from the momentum that the first Xbox created amongst the hardcore audience and should build on this well-established base. The more sophisticated approach of the system, it's more powerful graphics chip and superlative online gateway, Xbox Live, attracted older more PC-oriented gamers with its mix of excellent FPS titles from the likes of Ubisoft and id. Suffice it to say, these features look to carry over to 360, with the Xbox Live service getting a significant upgrade. The more sophisticated GamerTag system will include the ability to download more episodic content, increase game customization, buy online items while offering more sophisticated interaction between online gamers. These features sound impressive, but it's the games that will make all the difference.

The Xbox 360's launch lineup of software available in November should please Xbox veterans with a variety of genres well represented. Established franchises such as Project Gotham Racing 3 and Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter will come first along with other established titles like Ridge Racer 6 and Dead or Alive 4 leading the charge. Microsoft isn't skimping on original IP either, with some fairly innovative titles such as Gears of War breaking new ground. The bigger question lies in third-party support, but Microsoft is promising even more aggressive support this time around. EA is releasing new installments of their powerful sports lineup including Madden and FIFA along with strong support from Activision and other western companies. While the Xbox has always had strong hand in the west, the system didn't have as much success with Japanese developers. Microsoft seems to have made an effort to court these developers, and Sega seems ready to lead the charge with fresh titles including Full Auto and Condemned set to break new ground. Other publishers like Namco, Capcom and Square Enix have also begun taking an interest in the system and have announced that major franchises including Resident Evil and Final Fantasy will appear on the system. Microsoft's own internal developers have already proven themselves solid and capable, with Rare finally seeming to come out from the shadows late in the console's first life, and two solid launch titles, Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero, should make the company a much bigger force this time around.

One downside of the Xbox 360 is its backward compatibility, or lack thereof. While several big-name games such as Halo 2 from the original Xbox library will be backward compatible, not all of the old system's library will work on the new machine. Microsoft is promising to release patches for older games, but the difficulties from going from one chipset to an entirely new one, means its likely that emulation will never reach 100% of the old library. Our advice for those who wish to play their old games is to hang onto their old Xbox console. This way, players won't have to worry whether obscure favorites like Gunvalkyrie and Voodoo Vince will work on the new system. Given the miserly trade-in credit most stores offer for consoles, this is probably the best option.

The big question then, is given the modest success the Xbox enjoyed in the last generation, will the 360 make further headway into the market? Given how much the company seems to have learned, the answer seems to be affirmative. While the console's higher price tag may initially scare off some of the more casual audience, the hardcore gamers will more than likely scoop up enough console to see the system through to the first price drop. On the software front, Microsoft seems to be aiming for a much broader, more mainstream audience this time around with a greater range of genres and more international developers on board. The initial launch library is aimed at the hardcore Xbox user, but the titles just over the horizon in early 2006 should reach to a broader audience. The games themselves look impressive from a technical standpoint and the initial releases look set to impress visually. Using HDTV will obviously showcase the console's power, but even users with standard sets should see a significant leap forward. The bigger question is what happens when the PS3 and Revolution arrive on shelves. Microsoft seems to have designed a powerful system that should at least offer comparative experiences early on, though the lack of Blu-Ray may end up hurting the system in the end. Its important to note however, that the use of a cheaper DVD drive will probably allow the Xbox 360's price to drop lower, faster than the PS3 will be able to. Until that happens, it looks like the early launch will pay off for the system, which should have a solid installed base and a significant head start in both mind- and market-share while the new systems are in development. This launch represents a big gamble on Microsoft's part, to risk being superceded by their competitors, but the console's strong early support from third-parties should help it build on the successes it enjoyed in the last generation of consoles.

- Michael Palisano

> September 30

Back when I was in High school, I remember reading an interesting short story in a magazine about a middle aged man who was talking about his dreams. The basic premise was that he was depressed because his dreams had stopped being about the future and instead were about the past.

It seems that this was a crossing point from which he felt he would never return. It was a nicely written piece, with vivid retelling of his dreams, and I wish I could remember what magazine it was in. I'd love to find a copy, since while the author's name escapes me, the story has stuck with me ever since. Of course, this is a severe philosophy, and one that I think applies to the gamers here who seem to straddle different eras, which is quite interesting.

Personally, I don't think I've crossed that threshold yet, but I have in recent months felt a strong pull of nostalgia that I haven't felt before, for the very early years of gaming back in the late 70's and early 80's. Perhaps this is a natural phenomenon that's part of growing older, but then again, maybe its a worrying sign that my mind is growing less open than I'd like it to be. I could also be reading too much into that story's premise. I'm not sure what to make of it, now.

Sept 27, 2005

E3 was a bit harder than normal this year, but it did, in its perverse way, inspire me to return full circle to why I started writing in the first place. I found myself deep in Kentia Hall, at a meeting of some PC wargame manufacturer whose name escapes me, when I began to sense something was changing. Up to that point, my goal had been to try and run the Laser as a professional site, but near the end of the meeting, I found myself feeling very much alone, as Lost as I had felt in a very long time.

This was frustrating, since I had spent many years trying to act normal. I had stopped writing all the 'weird' struff and began to try and concentrate on the bread and butter reviews and previews. Of course, this strategy would eventually backfire.

There, in the bowels of the world's biggest game convention, it hit me: The Laser, which was my creation, my freedom from Freelance hell, had become EXACTLY what I didn't want it to be: Just another gaming site.

I knew then that changes were coming, I just didn't know what form they world take.

I think the first trigger was an odd meeting with Chris Kohler a day earlier inside the Sony Booth. I remember not having much to say, except exchaning some business cards and a general agreement on the promising Shadow of the Colossus. Except, things weren't OK. I sat through that meeting stone-faced, saying almost nothing, not asking a single question as the other animated editors got into the presentation.

In the few weeks before leaving for E3, been trying to come up with something new to do, but had become stuck in some kind of weird block where nothing really stuck. I tried a blog and hated it.

I tried a few 'funny' comic strips, (Comedy should be left to the professionals) and then decided NOT to publish both of these time consuming projects. And then E3 rolls around, and I walk through the LA Convention Center, somewhat proud of what I had accomplished, but also disappointed in myself for not using the full potential having my own world that I created provided me.

All of this was running through my mind, I walked out of the meeting in Kentia Hall, with the Wargame company and went to the CGE Booth where I actually got a chance to talk about Joe Santulli, You know, DP Joe. We talked a bit about recent finds and also about old faneds, and then another trigger fired.

A long time ago, maybe ten years, Joe had given the Laser an award for the "Scariest" or "Most Frightening" cover of the month in his fanzine review section. Then it struck me - the very thing I had been looking for, the very essence I needed to re-establish the spirit was staring (and crying) at me all along.

Over the summer, I revised the original logo for the website, and veteran readers saw a familiar figure in profile staring at the website's formerly lonesome blue star. Its been an odd few months, but I now feel like the Laser has become my "Home Page" more than it's ever been since I started. This is actually more important to me now than hit counts, or advertising revenue or any of the other usual metrics that are used to measure a website's success or failure.

A lot of people have asked me over the years just who is that mysterious woman I always seem to write about. It's a long story and one I'd like to go over a bit briefly, since in all fairness, the stately yet somewhat dreamlike vagueness of the illustrations have turned out more opaque than I had anticipated.

She is an ever-present reminder of my past, but has instead of feeling heavy, has slowly evolved into a badge of courage. In some ways I no longer feel quite as self-concious about it as I used to, because I've been through more over the past three years, and this has given me perspective that what I went through wasn't so bad. I'm still here, after all, and there's still something left for me to say, so I'm not ready to give up quite yet.

Suffice it to say, there's still a lot more to say, but the scar also reminds me of someone who smiled at me when I felt no one else would, a smile that remains with me until this day.