[Episode 35] The Value of Entertainment

[Voodoo]

http://image.colonyofgamers.com/imcast.png

We all have pled guilty before to spending too much money on entertainment. But how is that really defined and who is to say what is really “too” much? When it comes to PC gaming that always seems to come up. Many would argue who do not play PC games that you could get more mileage with your cash with console systems or spend nothing and just go visit your local public library. However at the end of the day what really defines value in entrainment is the pleasure you get from the activity. In this case I would argue that PC gaming as a whole is the best bang for the buck. But there are some who would argue that it is also hardware costs as well that either makes or breaks this argument.

As with most things in life this not as simple as it appears. But it does make for a very interesting discussion with us fellow podcasters. So join Robert [Trebor], Eric [Ravenlock], Steve [Dukefrukem], Adam [Grifter], James [Vigil80], J Arcane and Clayton [Voodoo] as we each answer the question: Are PC games the best entertainment bang for the buck?

Hosted and Summarized by Robert [Trebor]
Participants are Eric [Ravenlock], Steve [Dukefrukem], Adam [Grifter], James [Vigil80] and J_Arcane
Produced by Clayton [Voodoo]

Direct Download (http://www.immortalmachines.com/public/podcast/The_Value_of_Entertainment.mp3)

http://www.immortalmachines.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/button_itunes.png (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=301414682) http://www.immortalmachines.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/button_rss_podcast.png (http://www.immortalmachines.com/?feed=podcast)

[Dukefrukem]

This show flows well. I like Eric's time here.

[nabokovfan87]

This might interest you all.

http://www.classicdosgames.com/online.html

[Ravenlock]

It’s a true pleasure to see an underdog come from behind. There are a lot of games in the world, and many of them aren’t that great. Those ones are pretty easy to dismiss. But occasionally one shows up that has so much potential and only misses the mark on a couple of fronts, but that’s enough to rob it of success. It aches a bit when that happens, and all you can do is hope that they can patch the game up to where it needs to be, or fix the problems in an expansion or sequel. Usually they don’t, of course, but when they do, it’s that much sweeter for the unlikeliness of the success.

Lead & Gold: Gangs of the Wild West (http://store.steampowered.com/app/42120/) was one such game, when it came out on Steam back in April. A great theme, well handled; solid gameplay; an excellent aesthetic; some really creative ideas in terms of promoting teamwork. But it launched without dedicated servers, and the P2P netcode was shaky enough and the community small enough that it seemed to kill all chance of its success. To read the forums after launch was to hear the laments of many unhappy customers about how they wanted to love the game, but just couldn’t when it was so hard to find a reliable match to play.

But I wouldn’t be posting this if it didn’t have a happy ending, and indeed, in this case developer Fatshark (http://www.fatshark.se/) seems to have come from behind. Dedicated servers have been patched into the game, the recent Steam sale seems to have bolstered the community, and I had a really great time getting back into the game and playing some (very stable) matches on the much-expanded server list.

If a Western-themed team-based third person shooter sounds like your thing, you’re going to want to listen to the latest Indiecast (http://www.immortalmachines.com/?p=393) and hear more. If you like what you hear, $15 will get you a copy – or, of course, you can wait for another Steam sale, which there will inevitably be. There always is.

Hosted and Summarized by Eric [Ravenlock]
Participants are James [Vigil80] and Producer Clayton [Voodoo]

Direct Download (http://www.immortalmachines.com/public/podcast/Lead_And_Gold.mp3)

http://www.immortalmachines.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/button_itunes.png (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=301414682) http://www.immortalmachines.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/button_rss_podcast.png (http://www.immortalmachines.com/?feed=podcast)

[Doogie2K]

Fat Shark are made up of ex-GRiN folk. Thus why they were recruited for BC: Rearmed 2.

[Ravenlock]

Oh - that makes sense, then. Thanks for clearing it up. :)

[nabokovfan87]

Hey Raven, can you talk about peggle next, so that will be the weekend sale. I forgot to pick it up in the steam sale.

[Voodoo]

Hey Raven, can you talk about peggle next, so that will be the weekend sale. I forgot to pick it up in the steam sale.
Ha! Interesting how that's been working out hasn't it?

[Ravenlock]

I'm not sure I can justify featuring Peggle as a game that I think more people need to hear about. But I thank you for the suggestion, all the same. ;)

[nabokovfan87]

I think he knows more then he's letting on...

[Ravenlock]

Hell, if I did, I'd feature Just Cause 2. ;)

[nabokovfan87]

Hell, if I did, I'd feature Just Cause 2. ;)

SERIOUSLY, I'M SCARED OF YOUR POWERS!

http://store.steampowered.com/news/4137/

[Ravenlock]

....Oh.

Well, shit.

:D

EDIT: I could really use a "let me reserve this price but don't actually charge me or let me play it for about 2 weeks, I just bought Starcraft 2" button instead of a "Buy" button right about now.

[nabokovfan87]

Heh, I'm sure if steam had a "bill me in next paycheck" feature, it would be one of the most used things on thier site.

[Doogie2K]

So clearly Ravenlock is the new Fishbang in terms of, "talk about it and it will get remade/get a sequel/go on sale."