The Witcher:
Final Thoughts

By Shamus Posted Tuesday Aug 19, 2008

Filed under: Game Reviews 61 comments

A lot of people are faulting me for being overly critical of The Witcher and not giving the game a chance, and they’re right. This series has been too divisive, and so I thought we’d wrap it up early, on a conciliatory note.

It turns out I never really took the steps needed to enjoy the game. I’ve been unfair. Luckily, people have provided me with lots of helpful tips on what I’ve been doing wrong. It turns out that to really enjoy the game you just need to:
Continue reading ⟩⟩ “The Witcher:
Final Thoughts”

 


 

Stolen Pixels #13:HypoCRITICAL

By Shamus Posted Tuesday Aug 19, 2008

Filed under: Column 0 comments

Stolen Pixels #13 is now up. Go now and read my thoughts on the wasteland that is internet humor, a problem to which I am an eager contributor. There is also a song, if you’re in the mood for that sort of thing.

Some director’s commentary stuff below, but you should probably read the comic first. But, you know, do what you like. I’m not your mum.

Continue reading ⟩⟩ “Stolen Pixels #13:HypoCRITICAL”

 


 

The Survival Sneaker

By Shamus Posted Monday Aug 18, 2008

Filed under: Game Design 106 comments

In response my article on the decline of Survival Horror, Luke Maciak suggests a different kind of SH game, and while I always love discussions on gameplay mechanics, this one really scratched my particular itch. I think it would make a tremendous game.

What he’s proposing is a Survival Horror game that focuses on the strengths of the genre (being in frightening situations) and de-emphasizing the things it does poorly. (Combat, which also undermines the scare factor of a game.) Read his bit for the full set of ideas, but the short version is that the game should focus on hiding from monsters as opposed to fighting them.

Allow me to join in with the armchair game design… Continue reading ⟩⟩ “The Survival Sneaker”

 


 

Thank You Time

By Shamus Posted Monday Aug 18, 2008

Filed under: Personal 20 comments

I had this all planned out: I’d put up a wishlist of videogames that were on my “someday” list. Once every few weeks, someone might buy one for me because I just had to try this game now. It would arrive in the mail, and Amazon would include a short note from the sender, telling me the sender’s address and letting me know why they sent the game. I could then reply with a nice thank-you card to show my appreciation.

This system would give the impatient a way to get a game into my hands, and it would be a nice little bonus gift for me every once in a while. I’m so clever!

The reality was that within 24 hours I had eight games on the way. The nice note from the sender isn’t included when the game comes from a third-party seller, which was the case for seven out of the eight games.

So now I have eight games and I only got the note with one of them. (I know who sent Tabula Rasa, got the note. Thanks so much. You’ll be hearing from me soon.)

If you’re one of the generous people who sent me a gift, I really would like to send a thank-you card. Also, if Amazon had you type in a message for me, I want you to know I never got it. If you could send an email to shamus at shamusyoung dot com with your words (if you had any) and your home address (if you don’t mind me mailing you a card) I’d really appreciate it. Please include the title of the game you gave. I am curious as to who sent what. Also include your website if you don’t mind me mentioning you as the sender here on the site.

If you want to stay anonymous, that’s cool too, but my guilt-o-meter is pinging because I got a bunch of presents and I can’t say thanks.

This weekend I managed to take a bite out of that list of games. I’m handling the quickest first, which means that the MMO’s (City of Heroes / Villains, and Tabula Rasa) will have to wait, since they will no doubt dominate the blog the way Warcraft did.

 


 

Why is the Rum Gone?

By Shamus Posted Saturday Aug 16, 2008

Filed under: Movies 47 comments

Ok, in your opinion, is this one worse than They’re taking the Hobbits To Isengard?

Must be something to do with Orlando Bloom.

 


 

Sunshine Dust?

By Shamus Posted Friday Aug 15, 2008

Filed under: Links 49 comments

Somebody has this to say:

I can't trust Shamus or his Stolen Pixels. I know the guy has powerful anti-DRM ethics, but he lives in some world made of sunshine dust where wiping out DRM will solve all our problems. I do believe that anti-piracy is necessary… but I also don't want to piss off my customers. Is there a way out of this mess?

I know I re-state my thoughts on DRM pretty often, but I’m always happy to do so whenever people give me an excuse. Particularly when it dovetails so nicely with today’s comic. In case there is any confusion, I do not think eliminating DRM will solve all our problems. I maintain that obtrusive DRM is a problem in addition to piracy. I even grudgingly accept DRM, but for it to work, it must:

Continue reading ⟩⟩ “Sunshine Dust?”

 


 

Stolen Pixels #12:
The Economics Lesson

By Shamus Posted Friday Aug 15, 2008

Filed under: Column 0 comments

You may think I’m indifferent to the plight of publishers who struggle for solvency in these troubled times. Well, allow me to demonstrate that I have a keen grasp of the particulars of the problem.

Publishers: I’m willing to offer my financial consulting services pro-bono. Call me. We’ll talk.