Scoops • Comments

  • Lords of Midnight creator Mike Singleton dies

  • Scoops 16/10/2012

    Sad news. The memories of playing LoM and then Doomdark's Revenge will always be great gaming moments for me.

    I hope Chris continues with the iOS development so it can be released as a monument to Mike and all he achieved.     Reply +3

  • Steve Perlman calls on gamers to give reborn OnLive a chance

  • Scoops 29/08/2012

    It seems I am alone in actually liking Onlive? My daughter loves Lego Harry Potter which we can play on the computer or on the big TV depending on what we are up to. The micro console is so small I can cart it upstairs too if I need to which is nice and she always has her latest save there no matter where we log in. I use a power line adapter for a wired connection and find the experience excellent although I admit it was rather sucky over wifi.

    If it all comes to a crashing end I won't be bitter. I have had my fun for not much money - hell I bought some crap physical media games in the past that cost more. Graphically it isn't quite the console experience some expect although it isn't bad via the micro console but it is good enough most of the time.

    Onlive and it's contemporaries all face issues with infrastructure and the like but, like anything, it has to start somewhere and it seems likely the big players are watching with interest. Sony have paid a lot (too much) for a similar service and I think it is in Onlive's benefit to partner up at some point with one of the big players out there. Google, Facebook, who knows - seems like a natural extension to their businesses.     Reply -1

  • Face-Off: ZX Spectrum vs. Commodore 64

  • Scoops 02/05/2012

    Stu Campbell hasn't popped up to say what he said in his blog. Sorry for the blatant copy and paste but copyright to WoS....

    Eurogamer, for example, takes a big dump on the Speccy's birthday cake by calling on Julian Rignall (editor of a C64 magazine), Steve Jarratt (editor of a C64 magazine), Gary Penn (writer on a C64 magazine), Gary Liddon (writer on a C64 magazine), Jason Page (a C64 coder) and Paul Glancey (writer on a C64 magazine) – with only some three-year-old quotes from the sadly-deceased Jonathan "Joffa" Smith holding up the Speccy's end of the debate – to come to the startling opinion that the C64 is deemed the superior machine.     Reply +1

  • Rock Band iOS "no longer playable" after 31st May

  • Scoops 02/05/2012

    A couple of things spring to mind:

    1. It isn't as if you bought it as IAPs, the original app was self contained and paid for.
    2. I don't have it but I can't see why it needs an internet connection - why can't they just drop the online support?
    3. A few people have said this isn't unusual - remember it isn't just some multiplayer part of the game being dropped - the message is that the whole app will no longer work and I suspect few used it as a multiplayer game anyhow.
    4. They have the shame to be still selling it - anyone could go out now and easily drop £10 on the app and IAPs only to find it stops working in less than a month.
    5. Over at the Touch Arcade forums a few people have said they have contacted Apple and they will honour refunds (interesting as the refunds will come from EA so get your requests in quick!)
    6. If this really is the digital revolution, I don't want to be part of it. Having said that EA are in the minority so maybe it won't be so bad after all!!     Reply +1

  • UK's first 4G network could launch this year

  • Scoops 13/03/2012

    As has been said already, the most important factor is hardware support. The fact is that the two devices mentioned here wouldn't support UK LTE regardless of whether our coverage was 100%. Besides, it feels like we have never quite 'got there' with the 3G rollout - what chance do we have with 4G? Reply 0

  • Apple unveils its new iPad

  • Scoops 08/03/2012

    A few posters have said they are disappointed. What would it have taken for you not to be disappointed? Reply +2

  • Killzone coming to PlayStation Network

  • Scoops 12/01/2012

    A lot of you have already hit the nail on the head. For me KZ1 was something really ambitious, after all the PS2 wasn't blessed with great FPS games and it was nice that we could have as 'our' Halo. I think the whole Halo killer hype came from the press rather than Sony or the studio. It looked pretty amazing in terms of the artwork and production and was one of the best looking 'still shot' games.

    Once things started moving however it was clear the engine just wasn't up to it. If only they had made KZ with the Black engine... I appreciated the slower pace but it seemed to lack the advanced AI that had been raved about.

    Multiplayer was hugely enjoyable although probably rubbish by today's standards. I wasted many hours battling with the network adapter playing this one.

    I think a straight port is disappointing though, at least sort the framerate out.     Reply +1

  • OnLive app rolling out for iPad, Android tablets

  • Scoops 08/12/2011

    I don't kow if the iPad version is due out today, the only reference at Onlive is that other tablets and phones, read iOS, are coming soon. It is obviously nearly ready as most demos I have seen use the iPad. Should be interesting though, looking forward to it. Reply +1

  • Turning Your Android Phone into a Retro Gaming Powerhouse

  • Scoops 05/12/2011

    It is a pity iOS isn't as well catered for without having to jailbreak. It would be nice playing some of the classics on an iCade or similar. At least there is growing support from devs releasing retro stuff (Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger etc.) so you can play classics and feel self righteous too. Special mention to Elite Systems who have their Spectrum emulator in the app store along with a whole load of games you can buy for not very much - they appear to be branching out into other machines too. Not quite the same as open emulation as shown on Android but it is better than nothing... Reply 0

  • Game of the Week: Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection

  • Scoops 30/09/2011

    Played SotC at the Expo and thought this was what was originally intended. It is still the same game but the solid framerate really lifts it. Can't wait to play them both all over again. Reply +5

  • Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection HD

  • Scoops 09/09/2011

    I hate you use the phrase but two magical games - they must be because I took the time to complete both. The first time Yorda takes your hand or the first time you see a Colossus - great gaming moments for me. It is great to see so many people here loving the games too.

    I never found the framerate to be a killer in either, though it is noticeably variable in SotC so a solid framerate should make these even more of a joy to play.

    I am not too bothered about the score really but as a collection of this calibre - hard to see how anything other than 10 was considered.     Reply +1

  • OnLive UK release date announced

  • Scoops 13/08/2011

    @Darren

    Yep, the compressed video is my biggest issue with the service. I don't like how the colours get washed out either but I guess it will be up to the consumer to decide whether or not that is something they find acceptable. I will be interested to see how it works over a wired connection (I wonder if WiFi is throttled as they always issue a warning about it on log in) via their gaming box. I hope the better scaling of my TV has a positive effect on the picture.

    Will try and bag on for free at EG Expo I guess!!

     Reply +1

  • Scoops 11/08/2011

    Having played on the US service I would say this is pretty exciting. The fact you can try games for free, switch between them quickly and have the whole social system built-in makes the experience quite compelling. Lag has never been a factor though the graphics need to sharpen up a bit to meet the claim of HD gaming. Fingers crossed the UK servers will only improve the service. Amazed they didn't partner Virgin rather than BT but there you go. I believe it normally uses a 5-6mbit connection but can run down to 1.5 ish - decent connection required then.

    Good luck to them - it will be interesting to see the pricing...     Reply 0

  • Why Disney closed Black Rock

  • Scoops 08/07/2011

    The console Market seems absolutely ruthless right now and I don't see how that is going to change, especially for the next gen whenever that arrives. On a slighter happier note if any ex-devs from Black Rock are reading - Split/Second is a cracking game, thanks. Reply 0

  • Introducing Nintendo Wii U

  • Scoops 07/06/2011

    The ability to move from TV to U is quite nice, especially if you really need a poo or someone else is using it. Other than that I didn't see anything that really amazed me though I admit this is the first story I clicked on and haven't read anything else about it. Indeed some of the features seemed like they were trying a bit too hard. The baseball game - sure it changes the mechanic slightly but could be done on screen now and are you really going to browse the web like that???

    Still, not to be negative, anything that is a bit different is always welcome.     Reply +6

  • Problems with Nintendo 3DS eShop?

  • Scoops 07/06/2011

    @TonyHarrison - Too right. I paid £60 for Stunt Race FX on the SNES and probably more for Street Fighter Turbo Edition. Since when has anything Nintendo been about cheap gaming? I think the complaint about the comparative prices of iOS and DS games is fair enough. I doubt the implementation of a D-Pad control added much to the development costs, do you? If you own both devices you will vote with your wallet which is fine. If you only own a DS you have a right to be a bit miffed. Reply 0

  • Retrospective: The Good Old Days

  • Scoops 17/05/2011

    Great article which allows us old folk to come on and remember the world as it used to be. I am sure it is the modern day equivalent of your grandad talking about the war all the time.

    Three points however I feel the need to bring up:

    1 - Buying your weekly budget game was always a hit and miss affair as you just didn't know what you were getting - Kinder Surprise like really but sometimes the games were actually worth it. On the plus side I did get Booty and a wild west one whose title I can't remember which were great. On the downside I bought a game called Voyage into the Unknown by Mastertronic which was truly insipid. You could actually do anything in the game if I recall and it crashed with a BASIC error. I have nothing in my heart but hate for that one (there must be another person out there who made this error of judgement?)

    2 - Crash! ran a joystick review which led me to buy the famous WICO reball - still in the attic and truly bullet proof despite the leaf switches which at least means it doesn't drive you as mental as a microswitched one which does nothing but click, click, click, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK......

    3 - Airwolf. ...... Rock. Bloody. Hard. I maybe got to the third screen. I think this game would be banned today and put younger gamers off for life such was its difficulty curve (which was pretty much shaped like a wall going up a very long way). I did enjoy looking at the hologram on the cassette inlay though - very nice....     Reply +1

  • Telltale planning Walking Dead game?

  • Scoops 23/01/2011

    @bodypopper : yeah, people often say that until they are running flat out down an alleyway hoping a shotgun will appear from somewhere!! Reply 0

  • European Nintendo 3DS Conference

  • Scoops 19/01/2011

    unless it comes in at £129.99 in which case BEST LAUNCH EVER.. Reply 0

  • Scoops 19/01/2011

    worst. launch. ever. Reply 0

  • Scoops 19/01/2011

    Feed down. Losing will to live... Reply 0

  • MS challenges Apple's App Store trademark

  • Scoops 12/01/2011

    Not to let the truth get in the way of a good story, Apple did indeed file for the trademark several years ago which was initially refused but then temporarily allowed on the basis of evidence submitted by Apple. It then goes out to others to respond to this ruling in case someone doesn't agree - like MS in this case. I don't think there is any question of the companies suing each other at this stage.

    As StooMonster rightly points out, where does the line get drawn when you have a word processor called Word etc...     Reply +3

  • Left 4 Dead: The Sacrifice trailer

  • Scoops 03/10/2010

    Mac. Version. At. Last. There is a God. Reply +1

  • Job's Game

  • Scoops 05/09/2010

    I forget what the thread was about now... Never mind. People are talking about Apple, Nintendo and Sony competing in the games marketplace. Thing is, dont think for a second that Apple are really competing at all. They still don't care that much about gaming as mentioned in my overly long post previously. They will support it as long as it is beneficial for them to do so but it is the developers and customers who are driving the platform onwards rather than the manufacturer. Reply +3

  • Scoops 04/09/2010

    I am not convinced Apple are suddenly 100% behind gaming now but they are moving towards being a much more gamer friendly company. In the past Apple have made noises about getting behind gaming only for it to fizzle out once the publicity had died down, much to the frustration of users. Wasn't it John Carmack who said Apple simply wasn't interested in games?

    It seems to me that two events have happened which have moved Apple towards the notion that supporting games is a good thing. First is the arrival of Steam which has really helped boost the mac gaming platform overnight. Perhaps it is best described as an app store for mac games. Indeed it prompted Apple to release a specific games related driver update which is a first as far as I know! The second thing is the success if games in the app store for idevices. Sure, out of the 250,000 apps only a percentage are games but look at the charts and see the impact they are having.

    What is interesting to me is that Apple have not been instrumental at all in introducing games to any of their platforms. They may have developed the tools and delivery system to make it easy for any dev to get their products out there but it has been the devs and, importantly, the reaction of the paying public which have made gaming what it is on Apple's devices etc.

    Now Apple are making life a bit easier again and making it more attractive to devs with game centre by offering that coherent user experience which Apple likes so much. I don't see that as a major push towards gaming though, just refining the user experience to make gaming more attractive.

    Whatever you think about the devices or Apple you can't really deny it's relevance as a proper gaming platform. There is some great stuff out there and it is only getting better. Thing is this is happening whether Apple like it or not so they might as well support it. I don't think Apple will ever really be a gaming company (iConsole? Don't think so) but the day they exhibit at E3, maybe that will mark the start of real change.     Reply +6