Tuesday 20 April 2010

Europe Sucks for Gamers

Living in Europe and being a gamer can so annoying. North America and Japan get collector's editions of games and even games that are never seen anywhere in Europe. The region coding that is put into consoles and games prevents importing these games for play on any console outside that region.

Super Street Fighter 4 is out later this month and there is a nice collector's edition available but it's not being released in the UK.

I've just come across a nice little game called BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger. I then find out it'd been out in Japan and North America since June 2009 whilst us Europeans have only just got it (April 2010). To make it worse there's a sequel due out in Japan and North American in June! How long will Europe have to wait for that?

Dragon Age: Origins has just had a nice expansion pack, Dragon Age: Origins Awakening, released for it and I was looking forward to picking up a copy on disc for PS3. I then discover that whilst everywhere else in the world can buy the disc or download it to their PS3 us Europeans only get the option to download it and at a high price. Yet PC and Xbox 360 owners can buy the disc and download it in Europe and it's cheaper it is on PS3!

It's things like this that insight so many people to pirate and import console and software. By restricting certain products to certain countries or regions forces people to do whatever it takes in order to get what they want. In many cases this results in illegally downloading the product.

It really pisses me off when I see special editions of my favourite games released in other countries and not in my own. The game producers complain about piracy saying it's "killing the industry" but whilst they're making games available in some regions with extras or months earlier then piracy will continue.

I personally don't pirate software. I prefer to have an officially released hard copy of any media but I can see why people do it.

Friday 16 April 2010

Dragon Age: Origins


The past few months of my life have been extremely stressful but I managed to find something to enjoy.

Dragon Age: OriginsNovember 2009 saw the release of the Dragon Age: Origins video game by BIOWARE. After seeing adverts for it I thought "that looks good" but I wasn't convinced enough to go out and buy it. In February after months of indecision I eventually gave in and bought a copy for my Xbox 360. It was the best decision I have made since buying Batman Arkham Asylum. Ever since I put the Dragon Age: Origins disc into my Xbox 360 it has never been out of it. The game is so addictive. As you battle your way through hordes of darkspawn your party interact with each other and your decisions determine how your adventure progresses. You can fully immerse yourself in the characters and you never want it to end!  I enjoyed a couple of 24-hour gaming sessions over the course of the game. I just couldn't put it down. Anyone who hasn't yet picked up a copy of this game should do so. It is a must buy for anyone who enjoys video games. I can't wait for more expansion packs and even the sequel! I enjoyed it so much I bought a copy to play on my PS3 too!

Thursday 15 April 2010

Death of an Inspirational Genius


The world today mourns the loss of a unique, talented and inspirational man. Type O-Negative vocalist and bassist, Pete Steele sadly passed away on Wednesday at the age of 48 reportedly due to heart failure. He will be sorely missed by his family and his many fans. His music provided solace and understanding to many people including myself who could relate to them intimately. Type O-Negative inspired so many musicians with their music and dark humour. The world has lost a musical genius. Gone but never forgotten.


Pete Steele

January 4, 1962 – April 14, 2010

Rest In Peace