Angry Joe's Xbox One rant

One of the funnier opinions about the upcoming console the Xbox one. They don't call him Angry Joe for nothing.

Cast photos for VGR

 

 

Super late post, but here's a look at UNCG's Radio booth where VGR was done for the spring.

Xbox One: presentation afterthoughts

It’s been roughly two days since the unveiling of the Xbox One, just enough time to let the announcement be processed and consumed by most around the net.  Interpretations by most have not been favorable to say the least.  While some may claim it to be a typical case of the gaming media being in an echo chamber of negativity, it all keeps coming back around to a very simple truth of the press conference itself:

The announcement was not for gamers.

In some ways this isn’t surprising.  We’ve seen the Xbox 360 shift its intended usage from blade-swapping game machine to blocky ad-delivery Netflix box.  The Xbox One continues Microsoft’s grand plan to dominate and control every facet of media in the living room, hoping that one day all consumers will have open floor space for their cameras whilst you integrate your surface to whatever smartglass app happens to coincide with the program on the screen.  It’s an ambitious goal for sure.  But for hardcore gamers and even mild gamer aficionados alike, this isn’t what we want to hear.

Hard to think I’d quote John Riccitiello, but his recent article at Kotaku says it best:

“The first and most obvious of these pitfalls is if Sony or Microsoft forgets who brought them to the dance in the first place. Gamers.”

At this time, the only attractive features gamers have seen about this console is the console specs, which end up being largely in line with Sony’s PS4 and dwarfing the WiiU, all standard stuff like an 8 core cpu with a 64-bit architecture, 8 gigs of ram, an AMD gpu, 500 gigs of onboard storage, etc.  This and an actual look at the box and controller all are positives in the books for gamers, but thats about it when it comes to the presentation.  Everything else being shown off if you go back and look at the conference are exclusive deals for TV content and Kinect functionality.  

What’s been worse has been almost all the info being presented after the conference that Microsoft of course would not present up front.  Always Online isn’t as bad as was speculated, like kicking you out of a game if the connection drops, but the Xbox One does need to check in online, what’s being speculated at least once every 24 hours.  Used games are somewhere between a small licensing fee and having to rebuy the entire game every time.  Live accounts still have a premium feature, which does share over the One and 360, but will no doubt be required for online gaming and probably other online services like Netflix.  Kinect is bundled with every system and is required to use the console, and will always be on, even if the console isn’t in use.

All of these “features” just serve to fragment the consumer base for a new console.  Gamers would rather see software.  Software is what sells a system, and Forza, Call of Duty and Quantum Break aren’t nearly enough to sell this monolith on its own.  The onus is now on Microsoft to make a phenomenal presentation at E3 in terms.  Comparatively,  Sony is still riding a wave of goodwill of presenting first, as well as advertise the ease of publishing for third-party devs and indie publishers.  Rest assured,  E3 this year will be very interesting, as we haven’t seen a true presentation for a new console generation for years now.

If I had to make a choice now though, Sony is looking far more attractive than Microsoft.

Bioshock Infinite Retrospective

Here's a quick retrospective of Bioshock: Infinite that some of our VGR and Pixel Loadout people help me put together for school.  Spoilers ensue, so make sure you've played the game.

VGR - Season 1 Finale

Well, it's the end of our first season of shows, but we go out with a bang by having Trey, DJ, Miguel and Ren in the studio, as we play some of the best music from our theme shows, as well as some new tracks to boot.  We also roundtable Nintendo's decision to go on hiatus at E3.

I'd like to take this chance to thank everybody who's listened, supported, and guest hosted on the show this spring,  I couldn't have done this without all your help.  I'm hoping to be able to get a 2nd season going soon, but for now, we'll be taking a break for a while.  Make sure to check back soon for more details.

-=Download Season 1 Finale=-

VGR - Rise of the Talkshow

We try something a little different this week and put some talk show into your music show.  It's me, Trey and DJ, talking about always online, violence in video games and review Injustice.

-=Download Rise of the Talkshow=-

VGR - Fighting Show

Time to show me yo moves and get in some sonic booms as we check out the best music from fighting games, while we contemplate that eternal question:  is there anything that Guile's theme doesn't go with?

-=Download Fighting Show=-

VGR - Indie Show

Trey and I delve into the best tunes from our favorite indie games.  From the lowly chiptune to majestic orchestras, it truly is an exciting time for independent developers and consumers alike

-= Download Indie Show =-

VGR - Megaman

It's me and Trey this week, covering the best of Capcom's Blue Bomber: Megaman!  Lots of great remixes, as well as a modern day rock opera by the Protomen.

-=Download Megaman Show=-

Lookin' Good - Transistor

Fresh from PAX East 2013, Supergiant Games, makers of 2011's Bastion, bring back their influential stylings visual flair for game design.  This time around, Transistor tackles a Sci-fi setting with heavy RPG and tactic elements.  Looks super exciting.  Totalbiscut has a great extended look as to what this game is all about.  Check it out: