A Nerd's Take - The iPad: Apple's Latest Victory?

It is getting pretty hard to ignore all of the bad press Apple has been getting over their recent iPad announcement. More than anything, I think Apple's biggest mistake was in allowing hype and rumor to inflate expectations.

Behold universe: All your iLife is belong to us. Pretty please?

For months we haven't heard anything different than that Apple's tablet would be a second coming in the world of tech, but none of the hype was coming from Apple itself - who was content to remain silent on the issue. I'm sure it was great for them to sit back and allow all of the free marketing and speculation; however, without anyone to check them, all of the iFanatics convinced themselves that Apple could do no wrong.

So what we're left with is a 10" version of the iPhone that can't do more than one thing at a time...not exactly thrilling stuff for people who were expecting it to function as a touchscreen laptop without a keyboard. Oh well, this certainly isn't the first time hype has made an otherwise underwhelming product appear fantastic.

A Nerd's Take - Animal Crossing 4: Wealth of Animals

Lately there's been a bit of discussion about Nintendo being lazy. Now I think this point is more than a little nonsensical because Nintendo has always had a habit of acting completely inconsiderate of fan desires and complaints. I'm not saying they don't occasionally toss the "hard-core" market a bone every now and then in the form of a Twilight Princess or Smash Bros., but there has never been any indication that their games are any less popular even when they take the cheap and easy path. After all, money has a lot to do with any company's ultimate direction.

All the same, there have been more than a few times when their releases have been way too underwhelming. New Super Mario Bros., anyone? No? Then how about Wii Music? The latest installment of the Mario Bros. series really was little more than the DS game of a few years ago put onto a new platform. Wii Music, while certainly original in concept, boils down to an hour-long experience that doesn't need to be revisited.

I think the series that typifies this pattern the most is the Animal Crossing franchise. The first game that came to domestic shelves was on the GameCube and was a completely fascinating title. In many ways, I think it was a precursor to the contemporary "casual" game phenomenon because it emphasized a different kind of play style. For once you didn't have to spend long hours trying to beat a boss or overcome any specific challenge, the point was to play and enjoy.

That's a lot of freeloaders...

The second game, Wild World for the DS, built upon many of the features in the original and overcame a few of its shortcomings. While I ultimately lost interest (after a few months) because of repetitive town events, I still think it was a general success.

City Folk, on the other hand, was a complete disappointment. Players found themselves doing everything that had been done before, the only "new" feature being an optional trek out to the City by bus. The City was simply comprised of characters and stores that had all existed before, just never in one place. All the rest of it: fishing tournaments, fireworks, flea markets, constellations, coffee, etc. I'd seen it all before!

Not exactly thrilling stuff.

I'm not saying City Folk was a bad game, but it was a missed opportunity. The important thing to remember is that this is not a death knell in the Animal Crossing series, just like Nintendo's disappointing releases have not dampened fan's interest in their games. But when Nintendo (eventually) announces a new title there will need to be changes to keep fans coming back for more!

What changes, you ask? Well, let's hit the ground running on a few of my practical and impractical suggestions for the fourth game in the AC series:

1. Economics - Land Ownership
Playing games that never end, like Animal Crossing, must to have something to keep players interested and coming back for more. In the first game, and every title thereafter, players have had to shoulder a mortgage in order to payoff and expand their own house. As slow as Animal Crossing can be, it is so rewarding to finally have a zero-balance and be debt-free! This needs to be expanded upon in future titles.

After all, why should players be limited to owning just one house? I mean, how did Nook corner the market in the first place? I want to be able to buy up residents' homes as well, only to turn around and rent them out to the other animals. Not only will it give a steady income stream, but you would also be able to foreclose on that one animal you want to see move out of town...

Ok guys, party's over. Rent was due two weeks ago.

2. Economics - Items for Sale!
If Nook owns all of the homes in town, why should he also have the only store? Players could have a direct way to earn money if they are allowed to compete with Nook in the retail world and ultimately expand to the City and, dare I say it, other players' towns as well. Of course, you could also hire animals in and around town to keep the store open. What better way is there to keep them from loafing about the village all day long?

3. Swimming
Being totally honest, this was my biggest hangup with City Folk. After all this time walking along the beach, I'm more than ready to jump in. Players could go scuba, snorkel, or even dive for clams. And if all of this is happening, why not throw in some swimming competitions?

So close to the water, yet so far away...

4. Law Enforcement
Why does it seem like Officers Cooper and Booker haven't done anything since the first game? They obviously need some help getting things done around town and keeping the riff-raff in check, that's why players should get the chance to join the local police force. Just think about it: you could walk a beat, perform investigations into alleged crimes (Is it just me, or do many of the animals seem like kleptos?), get transients and ruffians to hurry on their way through town (looking at you Redd and Lyle)...maybe even decide on sentences for offenders. Of course that would introduce a courtroom mechanic (maybe Tortimer could act as Judge).

5. Politics
Every game features Tortimer as the mayor of your sleepy town, but apparently this is a life-long appointment. No more! In the ultimate challenge of trying to win favor with all the town's residents, players would be tasked with campaigning consistently up until Election Day. And why limit the candidates to Tortimer and the players? At least one other animal should get the chance to participate as well.

Winners of the election would get to be Mayor for 3-6 months (a year seems too long for Animal Crossing, doesn't it?) and get special perks with the job, like directing other public works projects (e.g. bridge construction and property movement) and setting an acceptable tax rate to pay for it (no deficits allowed!).

Guess who's not the only game in town now?

Ok, Nintendo. This is your new directive: make an Animal Crossing game that will keep us all playing! Feel free to post any suggestions for future Nintendo titles below.

Breaking News! - Jay Leno Rejects Time Change, Threatens to Quit NBC

If you are wondering, the title of this post isn't really made up...it is actually referring to an earlier time in television history.

For all of you out there following the late-night drama at NBC, an end may soon be in sight...it just might not be the end you want to see. Inside sources are claiming that Conan has reached a tentative deal with NBC to be bought out of his contract, clearing the path for Leno to resume command of The Tonight Show...and for Conan to go to another network.

Who couldn't love hair like that?

Whatever your position on who should come out on top, it really seems as though NBC is treating Conan miserably. Remember that the guy signed a contract with NBC way back in 2004 and had to wait five full years before getting what he wanted. If NBC and Leno were opposed to Conan taking over at 11:30pm, they both had plenty of time to raise an objection. I mean, would Conan ever have been able to sign the contract at all if Jay hadn't given his consent?

Looks like we're going to be back to this.

The bottom line is that all of this sounds very similar to the late-night debacle NBC had with Leno and Letterman back in 1992. For those of you interested, please feel free to read the New York Times article about Jay below. You can also find the full text of the article here.

Jay Leno Criticizes NBC On 'Tonight' Cliffhanger

By BILL CARTER

Jay Leno, expressing what he called "surprise and disappointment" with NBC executives, said yesterday that he believed his performance as the host of the "Tonight" show should have more than satisfied the network and that he did not deserve to be threatened with losing the leading show in late-night television to David Letterman.

"Am I crazy?" Mr. Leno said in a telephone interview. "The ratings are going up, the advertisers are happy and so are the affiliates." And yet Mr. Leno said he had not received any assurances from NBC executives in New York that he would not be dropped in favor of Mr. Letterman by Jan. 15. That is the deadline NBC is facing to match a CBS offer to give Mr. Letterman about $16 million to star in a nightly talk show at 11:30, the same time as the "Tonight" show.

"I am disappointed," Mr. Leno said. "I feel like a guy who has bought a car from somebody, painted it, fixed it up and made it look nice and then the guy comes back and says he promised to sell the car to his brother-in-law." Go Elsewhere? 'Of Course'

Mr. Leno said he would "obviously leave NBC immediately" if the network decided to give the "Tonight" show to Mr. Letterman. He said he would absolutely refuse to do a show in the 12:30 A.M. spot now occupied by Mr. Letterman's show, "Late Night," and would indeed consider creating the same problem for NBC that Mr. Letterman's proposed deal with CBS caused.

"Would I go to CBS if they asked me?" Mr. Leno said. "Of course. I'm not going to do some little happy hour from Omaha at 12:30."

The comedian became the host of the "Tonight" show in May after Johnny Carson retired after 30 years on the show. At the time, NBC chose Mr. Leno over Mr. Letterman for the position.

Now it faces the same choice, but the stakes are much higher. Beyond the $16 million to Mr. Letterman, NBC would have to pay Mr. Leno about $10 million if it breaks its commitment to him to be the host of "Tonight." NBC now pays Mr. Leno $3 million a year as the host of "Tonight."

"NBC is like a guy with two girlfriends who doesn't know which one he's going to marry on Jan. 15," Mr. Leno said. "And the longer you wait, the madder they both get."

He said NBC's indecision was hurting him even if he survived the Letterman threat, because the network executives were letting it be known publicly that they have some doubts about him, doubts, he said, that are unjustified. 'This Isn't About Dave'

To compound the emotional aspect of the conflict, Mr. Leno acknowledged his own debt to Mr. Letterman. "I would not have this job if not for Dave," he said. Mr. Letterman had Mr. Leno on his own show as his most frequent guest in the early 1980's. "This isn't about Dave. Dave is worth whatever somebody wants to pay him. Anything I can do toward keeping him at NBC, I'd do." Short of giving up his own show, that is.
"It's a tricky situation," Mr. Leno said. "Dave is truly a star and terrific, and this is a terrible position NBC is in. But fragging your own soldier doesn't make any sense to me."

Despite the indecision in New York, Mr. Leno said he did not believe that NBC would force him out. "I don't think it will happen," he said. But he added, "I'm not sure, and that's the annoying part."

A version of this biography appeared in print on December 23, 1992, on page C9 of the New York edition.

A Nerd's reView - Dragon Age: Origins (PS3)

In many ways, Dragon Age: Origins is the game I have been waiting years to get a hold of. I, like many others, picked up BioWare’s Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic the day it came out and was thrilled by the almost seamless integration of traditional RPG aspects with the opportunity to make choices that impacted the story. The largest problem I have with Kotor and its Obsidian sequel is simply this: I have played them both too much! Not at all to the fault of the developers, it simply becomes difficult over time to enjoy a game when every line of dialogue is virtually memorized. Of course, I have gotten and continue to get tremendous replay value out of both games.

Why hello there, beautiful.

I would argue that, for those unfamiliar with the Baldur’s Gate franchise, Dragon Age features gameplay more similar to Kotor than to BioWare’s other RPG offerings, although its active combat system is reminiscent of Mass Effect. It offers a robust, compelling story that allows players to experience a variety of origin stories determined by the player character’s race and class. The origin sequences themselves are linear and their impact in game is disappointingly little more than negligible, but BioWare has designed a system that gives each player character a separate reason for being. Thankfully gone are the days of the amnesiac hero all too common in games. I can only hope that this feature is one that is present (and expanded upon) in impending sequels I am already waiting for with baited breath. Other developers: please take note.

By the various paths, players soon take on the role of a freshly minted “Grey Warden” – a Jedi/Spectre-type organization in the midst of a centuries-long conflict with rampaging hordes of corrupt creatures known as the Darkspawn. In the wake of disaster, players are charged with rallying the free-peoples of Ferelden against the approaching storm and leading them to victory against the Darkspawn. What follows is a very long (60+ hours) series of quests both large and small, many with several means to an end as you explore a very fleshed-out world (which is very telling, especially if you take the time to read the codex).

Surprisingly, you won't see many of these.

Similar to Mass Effect, you will find no moral compass to guide you in the grey areas of decision making (although party members may chime in from time to time to offer their own preference). This is not to say that you exist in a world without consequences, however. Much to the contrary, your choices will directly impact both your influence with party members (a particularly and consistently muddled job will thin your ranks) and help to shape more than a few end-game events. I found myself particularly impressed with the end of the game and – without giving anything away – I feel BioWare has given Dragon Age an ending sequence to be proud of.

Perhaps one of the greater disappointments I have with the game is that it is all too easy to miss out on back-story and some quests by unknowingly selecting the “wrong” option in a conversation. For this reason, it is important to save frequently. It is worth mentioning that the auto-save feature does know when to save before important sequences and challenging fights, but that does not mean you should think everything is taken care of for you.

Combat, as I mentioned previously, is quite active and can subsequently be rather challenging. The action can still be paused at any given moment so that specific instructions can be issued to your party members; however, much to my chagrin, you are simply unable to queue orders. Instead, players are offered the indirect opportunity to “program” party members with behaviors to follow when situations you define present themselves. This has the potential to be a very powerful tool in combat, but the drawback is that tactics can never be ignored either. The mage in your party will not know to heal your warrior if it is not programmed through the tactics screen (you can take active control of any party member to issue commands directly, but – again – these orders cannot be queued). There may even come a time when the combat stance of your party members may mean the difference between life and death. More than once, a warrior in my group who was set to “aggressive” pursued a fleeing enemy away from the party through several rooms filled with baddies. Believe me when I say his death was shortly followed by a swarming train of death.

Seriously, cover your nose the next time you sneeze...

It seems as though many people have found the graphics of Dragon Age lacking. I, for one, do not think this is the case. Visuals, overall, convey precisely what they need to and, aesthetic choices aside (I need to be covered in gore for how long?), are not typically lacking. I am much happier with a game that puts gameplay well ahead of pretty. That having been said, I do think a patch should be forth-coming. More than once, combat-oriented cinematic sequences would stutter and my character has unwittingly been occasionally transported from one end of the map to another when exiting a conversation. Also, I have noticed that it can take anywhere from 30 – 60 seconds after combat has finished for loot to appear on dead enemies. This left me feeling very impatient more than once, as the frequency of skirmishes only increases in certain areas.

I am currently on my second play-through of Dragon Age and I am well aware that this game will suffer the same fate as Kotor – I will be playing it well into the future. That is not to say that Dragon Age is not without its faults. Inventory management can be particularly grating and conversation options are sometimes limited to two extremes or result in missed opportunity, among many other things. All the same, this is a game to love. I only hope that BioWare plans a great deal more in the way of DLC support than Mass Effect received because it will give me something new to do by the time I am on my fiftieth play-through. A sequel can’t come soon enough.

A Nerd's Take - Raimi Cuts the Web Loose!

Whoa! Who's spidey sense isn't tingling on this one? I think it is incredible - considering the box office numbers of every other installment in the series (even the train wreck of #3) - that the studio wouldn't give Sam Raimi carte blanche to do whatever he wanted at this point. They must have been monkeying with the story something fierce to make him walk - kudos to him for not feeling like he needs another $100 million in his bank just to put out a bad film. Who here could say they would make the same choice? 

Spider-man has become a bigger than life hero at this point. I guess when you look at how many 2-40+ year-olds worship him, no matter what Sony does they are going to have a hit on their hands...but what a lousy way to go about it. Before long we'll have reboots on top of reboots. The words that make my eyes go wide are "a teenager dealing with...contemporary human problems." Yikes! Characters like Spider-man stay popular because their story transcends contemporary buzz-words, it is something everyone can relate to.

 How's this for a contemporary human problem?

I think it is a crying shame that studio involvement lead to the jumbled mess of #3 and that fans were so quick to throw all of the blame onto Raimi's shoulders. I think studios are the main reason he has always shied away from blockbuster films - at least with smaller movies he can make them the way he wants to. Good luck to you, Mr. Raimi. I'll be in the theater when the lights go down for your next film!

Maybe in twenty years Raimi will get the original cast back together and give us a Spidey dealing with middle-age, that would be cool!

P.S. I'll go ahead and start the flame war now - Spidey 3 is in no way more emo than Dark Knight. "I'll let everyone think I'm a villain, but I'll know in my heart that I'm a hero." Come on, really? Way to make Batman into a fluffy, misunderstood bunny.