In Other News...December 1

[DoctorFinger]

- The XBLA/PSN title Matt Hazard: Blood Bath & Beyond will be released on January 6 (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/matt-hazard-blood-bath-and-beyond-dated-for-jan-6/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+weblogsinc%2Fjoystiq+%28Joyst iq%29).

- And the release date I'm sure you're all waiting anxiously for: Office 2010 will be released in June 2010 (http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/12/office-2010-confirmed-for-june-2010-release-1.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).

- Sega has announced (http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2009/12/01/sonic-classic-collection/) Sonic Classic Collection for the DS coming in spring 2010. It will gather Sonic 1, 2, 3, and Sonic & Knuckles.

- Harmonix has confirmed that, for the time being, they will stop releasing new downloadable content (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6241866.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6241866) for the PSP exclusive Rock Band Unplugged.

- The XBLA version of the just released Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter has been delayed until January (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=228648?cid=OTC-RSS&attr=CVG-News-RSS).

- Colony of Gamers is continuing our Holiday donation drive to benefit Penny Arcade's Child's Play charity (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showpost.php?p=420677&postcount=2). Any donation of any amount is much appreciated, and every dime goes to Child's Play.

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[MagGnome]

Hasn't there been multiple Sonic Collections already? I had a serious episode of deja vu when I read that.

[Xerxes]

Matt Hazard: Blood Bath & Beyond seems pretty awesome.

I wonder if Project 2010 comes out at the same time. I'm kind of excited.

[Kelegacy]

I hope the Matt Hazard game is better than Eat Lead. Man, that sucked. I beat it, but it was a lesson in controlling one's frustration sometimes. I played it on the higher difficulty, so that might be the reason. It had so much promise but everything felt...generic.

[Wilkz07]

i liked Eat Lead, though it was really easy. Can't wait for the new one. I saw Serious Sam HD on steam... anyone else think that 19.99 is too much for such an old game? Sure its in HD and has multiplayer but really? 19.99?

[bapenguin]

I added the Chip In widget to the Co-Optimus front page.

[Kelegacy]

i liked Eat Lead, though it was really easy. Can't wait for the new one. I saw Serious Sam HD on steam... anyone else think that 19.99 is too much for such an old game? Sure its in HD and has multiplayer but really? 19.99?

I won't pay that much for Serious Sam because when the game came out it was a bargain title to begin with. I'd pay maybe $10 for it. I could just load up the original SS on the PC and be happy with it. Or I'll wait for a price drop. If it included the second game as well, I'd be fine with it. But it doesn't.

As for Eat Lead, you thought it was easy? I played through on the highest difficulty that was available from the start and it gave me issues when enemies spawned around me in some areas. Hazard couldn't take a lot of punishment on hard mode. Luckily checkpoints were abound and very fair.

[Gorvi]

Eat Lead is $10 right now from Game Fly, I'm considering it......

[Kelegacy]

Eat Lead is $10 right now from Game Fly, I'm considering it......

I don't know. I bought it for $10 new from NewEgg but...well, it wasn't remotely funny or even a marginally good parody. At first I didn't mind the shooting (I like to kill stuff), but before long I found myself just going through the motions to complete the game. It isn't very long, thankfully. The levels are terrible and generic, the enemies just as bad, and the humor is nearly non-existent. I even looked up a FAQ to see how long I had until the game was over. That isn't a good sign. But I hate to see games go unfinished if they are that short.

The game had great potential, but it didn't even attempt to capitalize on it. It wound up being worse than the games it was trying to make fun of, and just as derivative, which is ironic.

For $10, you can always trade it back for something, but if I had to do it all over, I wouldn't buy it. And I'm the cheap guy that plays and enjoys these types of games around here.

[Gorvi]

Since I probably wouldn't get to it for quite a while, and there are better games to play, I guess it's better to avoid then. Still, a game has to be pretty bad to pass on for $10, but if even you don't like it then it must suck. :p ;)

[MachEnergy]

Doesn't look like we'll reach our goal this year, unless people start getting really generous in the next 18 days. Not that it really matters. Any sort of donation is truly awesome. It's just a bit of a letdown after such a strong first year for us.

Although, between my own accounts and buttering up the wife, I ended up donating $200 just to try and win the David Hayter voicemail. You guys figure out a way to get David Hayter to have a beer with me, and I'll pay the whole damn thing myself! :p

[Kelegacy]

Doesn't look like we'll reach our goal this year, unless people start getting really generous in the next 18 days. Not that it really matters. Any sort of donation is truly awesome. It's just a bit of a letdown after such a strong first year for us.


I'm not surprised, in this economy. So many people are struggling themselves. Still, don't feel let down even if we don't get there. Like you said, it's the act itself, not the amount.

[Purple Santa]

Hasn't there been multiple Sonic Collections already? I had a serious episode of deja vu when I read that.
It's only serious deja vu after you own three copies of the game...
I hope the Matt Hazard game is better than Eat Lead. Man, that sucked. I beat it, but it was a lesson in controlling one's frustration sometimes. I played it on the higher difficulty, so that might be the reason. It had so much promise but everything felt...generic.
It's rare when you recommend NOT to buy a cheap game. The last one I know you said no to was Turning Point:Fall of Liberty. It's now only $10 at GF. I might have to rent it to see just how bad it is. Some games are just worth it to play to see how truly bad a game can get. At least I can rent and sent it back...
Since I probably wouldn't get to it for quite a while, and there are better games to play, I guess it's better to avoid then. Still, a game has to be pretty bad to pass on for $10, but if even you don't like it then it must suck. :p ;)
I actually bought it for $10. Spigot found it entertaining enough. Not a rave review on the game...but he found some of the humor funny. Keep in mind this is Spigot we are talking about. YMMV when it comes to liking Spigot like humor :p

[Kelegacy]

Hey, I know about playing subpar games (which usually aren't bad when the price is reduced--reviews usually take into consideration the $60 price tag when analyzing a game). I still want to play Damnation just to see how it is. I do draw the line at some games. I recently passed up both of Grin's titles that lead to their demise, Wanted and Terminator Salvation, for $10 each. I bet I'd enjoy each one, but with each being under 4 hours long, I still can't justify it. Even the reviews say they're enjoyable but not $60 enjoyable because of the length.

[Sandman]

I like Office 2007. I can't wait to see what new gameplay elements they add to 2010. I'm sure it'll still be the same old sandbox stuff they've always done though.

[Purple Santa]

Hey, I know about playing subpar games (which usually aren't bad when the price is reduced--reviews usually take into consideration the $60 price tag when analyzing a game). I still want to play Damnation just to see how it is. I do draw the line at some games. I recently passed up both of Grin's titles that lead to their demise, Wanted and Terminator Salvation, for $10 each. I bet I'd enjoy each one, but with each being under 4 hours long, I still can't justify it. Even the reviews say they're enjoyable but not $60 enjoyable because of the length.

So if you see them for $5 you might bite? Damnation i'd say....rent but you don't do that yet...maybe ask for it as a gift. Another one for $5 if you really want to play it...

[Rogue_hunter]

I'm not surprised, in this economy. So many people are struggling themselves. Still, don't feel let down even if we don't get there. Like you said, it's the act itself, not the amount.

Yeah, can't really afford to make any donation when I just dropped ~$2300 for the spring semester, up from the $1800 I paid for last spring. I'd really like to donate, just can't do it in this drive.

Though I managed to donate $45 to Child's Play at PAX as part of the Triwizard Drinking Tournament, so it's not like I didn't make a donation already. I just won't be able to give more this year, and that makes me a little sad. Like I've let CoG down.

[Doogie2K]

If I may be the voice of cynicism...didn't IGC have a bunch of prizes lined up by this point last year? Prizes grease the donations wheel; just ask every [Insert Hospital Here] Cash & Cars/Home Lottery.

Just sayin'. There doesn't seem to be the same amount of promotion or excitement over it this year in general, but I suspect the chance at a few prizes would probably make it easier for some to get over the hump.