Rules to Xbox Live By

Ah yes it’s time for another public service announcement for those who find themselves having to post on the Account Suspensions and Console Ban forum on xbox.com. I read this forum everyday, and everyday I find myself laughing at the “I didn’t do anything” and the “I don’t deserve this”.

For those out there who think that the xbox enforcement team is armed with automated robots who suspend and ban at will, you are very wrong. Every time a complaint is filed it is seen by at least one pair of human eyes. Once the complaint is validated then the punishment is handed out.

For those who file complaints to be funny, you might find yourself suspended. Filing false complaints is a suspendable offense. The complaint filing system is there to help and when you abuse it it take time away from real problems.

Next on my list is modded consoles. DON’T DO IT! Big brother is watching and the enforcement team WILL ban you. It might take time but do us all a favor and don’t act surprised when your ban message pops up. The readers of the forum will just sit and laugh at you.

Lastly don’t create an offensive gamertag or put offensive material in your bio. There are plenty of kids using Xbox Live out there. Gamertags and profile information needs to be rated “E” for everyone. What you do inside an “M” rated game is a separate business. Inappropriate profile can get you suspended and inappropriate gamertags will get a Forced Name Change (FNC).

These  things that are all good for a laugh for the forum readers. Spare yourself the humiliation and be smart. Only idiots get banned and suspended.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Watch out Modern Warfare 2, there’s a new kid coming to town on March 2, 2010. But will Battlefield: Bad Company 2 really pose a threat to the ever popular Call of Duty series? With all the glitches and hacks going on with MW2 right now many gamers are debating the idea of trading in their MW2 for the new Bad Company in March.

Within the last few months EA has not only produced a public beta for the game but also a demo. Two things that many players say would have helped save MW2 in the long run from all the problems we are seeing now. To players BFBC2 (demo)  is a breath of fresh air from the shenanigans of MW2.

Its smooth glitch free gameplay is not as fast paced as its rival and seems to put more emphasis on team work. Something that is hard to find on MW2. There are tanks and helicopters to deal with and a lone wolf trying to protect the base by himself will find it pretty difficult.

Personally I don’t know how I feel about the game yet. I don’t see myself trading MW2 anytime soon but after playing the demo I might find myself shelling out the cash for Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Weapons Overload

Oh Borderlands how I love your many weapons. But which ones should I choose to carry with me?

One of Borderlands greatest features is the fact that there are so many different weapons scattered across Pandora. There are literally millions of different weapons variations. High acuracy, high damage, fire damage, you name it. With all those weapons and only a small amount of space to carry them, what do you choose?

It is a smart idea to carry both long and short range weapons. Even if you like taking guys out from afar, the battle can turn into close combat real fast. Find yourself a good sniper and and a good shotgun (and everything in between) Having a vast array of different weapons it a smart idea.

It would also be wise to keep weapons that deal the most damage or can do elemental damage. As your level rises and you discover new places you will find that the enemies also have high levels. Higher damage weapons will assist you in defeating these guys. Also weapons that deal elemental damage, such as fire or electricity, will continue to deal damage after the round has been fired.

As for weapons you don’t care for, pick them up if you have the space. Some weapons are worth good money at the vending machines. Or for those who like to keep everything they pick up, check out the DLC called Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot. There you will find a Bank that can be used to store your many items.

Your main objective is to stay alive. You need weapons that are going to help you do so. So be smart with what you carry. It’s all about how you fight but don’t get caught carrying all one type of weapon. That will get you killed fast.

Happy hunting!

Newer isn’t always better

It’s time for me to play devil’s advocate. Now before you get your boxers in a bunch, I am a fan of both Modern Warfare 2 and World at War.

There was a collective groan from Call of Duty gamers the day it was announced that after the great success of the first Modern Warfare, they had decided to return to World War II for the next game. How could Treyarch ignore the cries for another modern shooter game? It was a question that spammed forums everywhere.

Despite the many complaints from gamers everywhere, the game sold well over $1 million copies in its first month. I myself waited for reviews to come out before shelling out my $60. When I did get my hands on the game, I fell in love with it. As usual I glued myself to that one game for months, leaving all others to collect dust. Sure I missed the modern weapons of COD4 but the older weapons gave me more of a challenge.

Now we come to Modern Warfare 2. I swear I was going to explode with excitement during the last few days leading up to the release. The campaign story blew me away as did all the new perks and features of the multiplayer. But we soon were bombarded by glitchers and boosters looking for quick ways to rank up and annoy other players.

World at War had its share of problems don’t get me wrong but the fixes were quick and clean. Not only that but WaW had a public beta in which I’m sure many things were caught and fixed before the actual release. MW2 did have a beta but it was privately tested. I think that many of the issues we are seeing could have been fixed before the release had there been public testing.

The bottom line here is Call of Duty is an amazing game series. Modern Warfare 2 tried to give us so much at one time. I feel that maybe it was too much. Today I played WaW for the first time in months. I missed the simplicity of 3 set killstreaks and players actually caring about the objectives in game. I love both games but sometimes I might just pick up WaW over MW2.

Rapture is Calling

February 9th is creeping closer and closer. That, my friends, is when we may all travel back to the amazing underwater city of Rapture. Ten years after the events of the first BioShock (which will make it 1970), this second installment will give us a few new things that makes us itch for February.

I have two words for you. Big Daddy. You know those big guys in diving suits that you would tip toe around. That is who you are. You heard it right, this time around you are the Big Daddy. Don’t worry everyone’s favorite little sisters are still around, again with the option of harvesting and rescuing them.

Another big new feature for BioShock 2 is Multiplayer, which is set in 1959 during the Rapture Civil War. The idea of a multiplayer could go either way with this game. It is my hope that it does not take away from the single player story. BioShock had an amazing story that kept the player engaged from beginning to end. That is what players will be looking for. For BioShock fans the multiplayer is an added bonus. We want this game for the story. That is why we return to Rapture.

NHL 2010

Now that I’ve really sunk my teeth into let me give you my thoughts on NHL 2010. The one thing I always like about EA’s NHL series is that they do try to add new things each year they turn out a new one. They aren’t always big things but it gives the game a newer feel.

This year they brought out board play and first person fighting. Both small things but make the game just that much better. Board play is seen frequently in real games so why not include it in the video game. Fighting for the puck while pressing someone against the boards takes a few attempts to get it right but you’ll be a pro in no time.

First person fighting puts you in the skates of the player on the ice. Drop your gloves and throw some punches. The fights don’t last very long especially if you’re playing an online opponent but it is amusing none the less.

The popular Be a Pro game mode has returned for the 2010 season. However this time around you can play in a prospects game and get drafted. Or you can just choose your favorite team and start there. Either way you choose you must show your skills and make your way up though the AHL and into the NHL.

Overall EA made another great NHL game and defiantly deserved the Best Team Sports game at the VGA’s this year.

Killstreaks Killing MW2?

Gone are the days of 3 fixed killstreak rewards in Call of Duty. Modern Warfare was the dawn of a new era when it comes to killstreaks but is it all good for the game and it’s players?

Well the answer to that would depend on who you are asking. One group that you might find a little angry, especially when it comes to the 25 kill tactical nuke reward, are gamers that play objective based games. This includes games like Sabotage, Domination, and Demolition. Games that there is objective besides getting the most kills to win. Many gamers are finding people going for the kills and ignoring the objectives in these games types just to rack up a killstreak.

The 25 kills it takes to get a tactical nuke is not all that hard to achieve if you know when other kill streaks to place ahead of it. This nuke will end the game and reward your team with a win regardless of the score. Doesn’t sound all that fair to those who are looking for a game type with an objective above just killing everyone in sight.

You might find yourself in a game full of campers sitting and waiting to blow your face clean off. These campers will ignore the objective leaving you, the only moving soldier, to get the job done. My advice, make it through the game (which will most likely end in a nuke) and find a new lobby. As annoying as it is, there is nothing more you can do. If those players have fun doing that, then leave them to it and find your own idea of fun. Because in the end, that’s why we bought the game in the first place.

New Year, New Games

 

The New Year is fast approaching us. With that comes the anticipation of the new games that will take hours from our lives in 2010. What games will dazzle you? Which games will make you regret shelling out the $60?

2010 starts off big with three sequels bound to be just as amazing as their originals. On January 26^th Mass Effect 2 hits store shelves. I hope all you RPG fans that played the first game hung on to your Mass Effect save file because it will come in handy for this next adventure.

On February 9^th players will return to the under water city of Rapture in Bioshock 2. Along with the anticipation of actually playing as a Big Daddy, players will also have Multiplayer action to look forward to.

March 9th Final Fantasy fans can breathe easy as the game will be in their hands at midnight. Players of this series have been on their edge of their seats waiting for this sequel since 2006.

So the year begins with sequels. Will they live up to the hype? Or will they just make us wish they stuck to the one game series?

What games have you itching for 2010?

Have a Happy Gaming Holiday

Christmas is fast approaching people. Only a few shopping days left before the big day. But as we all know Xmas is bigger than the presents we give or the money we spend. Its about spending time with your family.

So my speach to gamers today is…

Try not to spend the entire day playing your new games. It’s a tough request for me to make but just give it a try. You have alllll Christmas vacation to play until your vision blurs. On Christmas try to keep the playing to a minimum and hang out with your family. Drink hot chocolate and watch the Disney Parade together. It might be the best gift you give them.

Sorry for the preachyness but I know all you gamers out there will open those gifts and head straight to your room without a word. Think about chilling with your family for the day. It might be better than you think.

Merry Christmas gamers!!

VGA

As many of you gamers know, the 2009 Video Game Awards were held this past weekend. Although Modern Warfare 2 fell short of the Game of the Year award it was able to snag the Best Shooter and Best Multiplayer Awards.

Uncharted 2

As I have seen on many of the forums MW2 players are a little upset that the game was shut out of best game by PS3’s Uncharted 2. Many of those angry gamers are 360 owners who, like myself, have not played the game due to its exclusivity to PS3. What I have seen and heard about Uncharted 2 is nothing but great things and I personally believe it must be an awesome game.

Back to what I do know, MW2 definatly deserved the best shooter and multiplayer. Up against Halo 3: ODST and Left for Dead 2 in both categories there was no doubt that MW2 took home the awards.

A few side notes…

Happy to see Halo 3: ODST get Best Original Score as the music really was memorizing throughout the gameplay.

Also delighted to see Beatles Rockband take home the Best Music Game Award. With all the classic songs and animation it defiantly beats out the Guitar Hero franchise.

What were your thoughts gamers?