2007 VG Freedom Awards

The year is finally over and the verdicts are in – 2007 rocked!!!

We saw some great games as well as some major announcements from top developers from the video game’s most profitable year to date.

So here we are, dressed for the best and ready for the FIRST EVER VG Freedom Awards.

This is the first of what may eventually be hailed as the most illustrious honor in the industry (I hope).

So let’s get right to it:

Best Visuals:

Crysis – PC

I haven’t gotten the chance to play this game directly, but I can say that it is defiantly the best looking game of the year. Call of Duty 4 was the sure-fire winner for a period of time until this gem rose from out of nowhere to provide some splendid visuals that are simply incomparable. Let’s hope we see this on a console sometime very soon.

Best Story:

BioShock – Xbox 360, PC

This is a category usually dominated by RPGs, but this year the underwater shooter takes the gold. I am a little fuzzy on the details, but from what I am told the story and music of BioShock is absolutely amazing. Nevertheless, some props must also go to Assassin’s Creed for its unique presentation and approach.

Best Music:

Halo 3 – Xbox 360

I am a sucker for good music and I feel that a great soundtrack can really make a game. Halo 3’s serene soundtrack adds an additional dramatic element to its presentation that would degrade the gaming experience without it. Super Mario Galaxy is the runner up in this category.

Most Unique Nontraditional Gameplay:

Rock Band – PS3, Xbox 360

If you can afford it, Rock Band appears to be one fun time for you and a few friends. Having a track list very similar to Guitar Hero 3 and the ability to download additional content, Rock Band is a title that may take its unique elements well into 2008 and beyond. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is our runner-up.

Best Sports Title (traditional and non):

NHL 08 – PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Surprisingly enough EA managed to clean its hockey franchise up to make this the best sports title of the year. Amazing visuals coupled with solid controls and an immersive dynasty mode makes this an excellent package. Online play and the create-a-play modes are also a new treat to the series. Skate is the runner-up by taking the skateboarding franchise in a more believable direction.

Best Plateformer:

Super Mario Galaxy – Wii

Mario is back – big time. After a disappointing journey in Super Mario Sunshine, Mario has redeemed himself and has breathed new life in the 3D plateforming world. Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction doesn’t even come close. This is a must-have, for everyone.

Best Action-Adventure Title:

Assassin’s Creed – PS3, Xbox 360

This is one title that is unique in its presentation and is one of the best looking of the year. The controls are fluid and the gameplay is enjoyable. It is a clear example of one game that actually lived up to its hype. Heavenly Sword would have been a little closer if it was a bit longer.

Best First-Person Shooter:

Call of Duty 4: Modern Combat – PS3, Xbox 360, PC

With the number of outstanding FPS this year, this category is basically the top contenders for game of the year. However, Call of Duty 4 puts together a nearly flawless package with its real-life combat carnage that finally places you in the shoes of the brave men and women fighting currently. Perfect in nearly every way, sorry BioShock.

Best Multiplateform Title:

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – PS3, Xbox 360, PC

You may simply read above. Unparalleled and amazing on any plateform you choose to play it on. The Orange Box is close because of the value of its abundance of quality content.

Best Handheld Title:

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass – DS

Almost any Zelda title is a sure-fire win in any category and Phantom Hourglass is no different. Its unique use of controls will make this the most fun that you’ll have without a TV in-front of you.

Best Wii Exclusive Title:

Super Mario Galaxy

If you need a reason to buy a Wii, here’s one. Mario has always been a title that acts as a flagship for a Nintendo console and Super Mario Galaxy is such a title. The amount of detail and care that Nintendo places into its content is the reason why Nintendo is still afloat today. Nothing compares.

Best Xbox 360 Exclusive Title:

Halo 3

Since BioShock is not technically exclusive, Microsoft’s flagship will do just fine. The best-selling video game of all-time is the 360’s best exclusive – and with good reason. The visuals are decent, the multiplayer is as good as ever, and the story is great. Is there a 360 owner that doesn’t own this one?

Best Playstation 3 Exclusive Title:

Heavenly Sword

This is the closest thing to a draw you can get between Heavenly Sword and Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. However, the presentation of Heavenly Sword is unparalleled in its voice acting and character animation this year. It is a tad bit short and has been know to freeze, but this is one title that effectively uses the SIXAXIS controller.

The VG Freedom 2007 Game of the Year:

Super Mario Galaxy – Wii

It could have been Call of Duty 4, but I have a soft spot for Mario. This game reinvents the 3D plateformer and is an inspiration to developers everyone as to the amount of polished detail that every title should strive for. This is Nintendo creativity at its best. Mario looks, plays, feels, sounds, (and probably smells) its best. Is it the best Mario game ever created? Not too sure, but it certainly is the best game of 2007.

2007 VG Freedom Awards - Coming Soon

Hello everyone it is not often I can speak directly to you, but I am excited for this special occasion!

The first-ever "VG Freedom Awards" will be coming soon!!!!!!!!!

If you have any ideas of what kind of categories, nominees, or awards you want to see, drop me line in the comment box below.


Hope to hear from you there :)
EMJWINGS87

Wii are not so fit

The Chicago Sun-Times recently gave a brief report on the effectiveness of Nintendo's exercise...I mean Wii console.

A report from a British research team found that within a group of teens between the ages of 13 and 15, they burned an average of 60 more calories per hour playing the Wii than they did playing an Xbox 360.

Don't get all excited yet.

Apparently, these extra calories equal to about a quarter of a candy bar according to the researchers.

I will go on record saying that I don't feel that the Wii is a good "exercise" tool, but you also have to look at what games you are playing and how much energy you choose to exert.

With something like Wii Sports you can go all-out with your pitches in baseball. But you can also simply flick your wrist for the same type of pitch.

Which burns more energy?

Also, playing something like Super Mario Galaxy will not cause you to burn any more calories than Halo3. Maybe even less if the Halo deathmatch gets a little heated.

Maybe the best thing is still plan olde diet and exercise.

NHL 08 Review

7.5 out of 10

The battle for the Stanley Cup of all hockey video games has been a tough one for sometime now.

EA’s NHL series and the NHL 2K series by Take-Two interactive have fought back-and-forth as the best hockey title each year.

EA tries to nab the honor this year with NHL 08.

The newest edition to the long-running series shows a few new improvements from its predecessors, but still has its drawbacks.

First off, the visuals of 08 are stunningly beautiful with lush detail in close-up shots of the players. The details in the players’ jerseys are surprisingly deep and vivid and every player is rendered as they should in comparison to their real-life counter parts.

Blurring in the background in replay shots as well as reflections in the helmets and Plexiglas add a sense of realize in a spectacular presentation that sees only minor slowdown in transitions between replays.

The work of announcers Bill Clement and Gary Thorne gives the game a genuine broadcast feel, but does not last long after the phrases from the two announcers are repeated all too quickly.

If I hear “Offensive chance, 3-on-2” one more time, I feel tempted to throw my controller at the screen.

However, I am sure that these two “high profile” announcers were so busy that they could only record a couple dozen phrases in a single afternoon.

Another annoying aspect of the game is in its menu screen and stat presentation.

The menu text is very small and hard to read and practically illegible if you are a poor college kid with a “not so sharp” television. Also, it is a little annoying that in dynasty mode it doesn’t tell you the number of goals or points a player has scored over the season when they score a goal. It has been an NHL series staple for some time and leaves the game feeling not-so-real.

I like to see how many goals my created player has scored throughout the season.

NHL 08’s control scheme is simple and easy to learn – on the classic setting.

The game’s default setting is too difficult and obscure to manage without a hefty learning curve. A slap shot is conducted on the PS3 by pulling the right analogue stick backward and then forward completely which doesn’t sound hard until you have to shot in a pressure situation.

In hockey, that is every time you shot.

Also, the default setting places passing on the right two head buttons on the PS3 – very awkward.

To make matters worse, you are left guessing on some of the controls when switched to the more traditional “classic” control scheme.

Nevertheless, when you can get it to work, it works well and feels very fluid.

It is safe to say that NHL 08 feels closer to a real hockey game than any other on the market thus far.

Powerplays have the right pace and time actually slows down to real 2-minutes if you are playing 5-minute periods. The players don’t feel like they are floating in the ice like in other NHL titles and they take the appropriate positions to form real plays.

One of the more intricate and creative new options in 08 include a “create-a-play” mode. This sometimes difficult option allows you to position your players and player movement to create your own signature plays.

This is an interesting addition – however – hockey is not a game where you can run set plays very often, unless on a powerplay.

You can also take NHL 08 online in head-to-head modes playing a 3-on-3 co-op game, alone in a shootout mode, or test your skills in a league mode. This is a fantastic idea, except I have yet to find someone online when I want to play online.

I guess you need some friends.

Overall, NHL 08 is a smooth and visually appealing hockey game. However, some strange controls, awful commentary, and sometimes jumpy visuals leave this game falling a little short of a shutout.

Still, I would recommend checking it out for any hockey fan.

The Bourne Unfortunate Layout

I know that this is not video game related, but I was browsing some other blogs and stumbled upon "Quique" to find several DVD covers.

I found an alternative to "The Bourne Ultimatum" DVD cover that I haven't seen in stores and wondered why.

Until I took a closer look:


Is that really the best place for the CIA stamp?

For Matt Damon's sake, I hope he hides or no more little Damon's.

I'm sure whoever designed that had a fun discussion with the art department later.

E3 Returns to LA

A recent posting from the "Wired" blog network stated that the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) will return to its roots in Las Angeles after making a move to Santa Monica.

The largest video game convention of the year was toned-down dramatically last year after complaints that the "business oriented" conference was turning into a circus.

The Entertainment Software Association said that the skeptical of flashing lights, loud music, and plethora of "booth babes" hindered the business atmosphere and perverted the spirit of the convention - to showcase new gaming technology and software.

Last year's move saw a dramatic change in booth pizazz as well as shifting to a more office/conference room style presentation setting.

All made possible by limiting attendance to invite only.

Sorry kids with too much time on their hands (and weirdos like me).

The potential move back to the LA Convention Center may not promise a return of the technofest of years' past, but may still bring some upset gamers back within speaking terms with the ESA.

Pot Smoking = No Guitar Hero and big money on eBay

Gamespot.com recently reported on one of the funnest stories I have heard in a long time - and serves a valuable lessen.

Kids: don't do drugs because not only won't you get your presents for Christmas, but your parents will make out big-time by selling them on eBay.

A Canada man sold his son's Guitar Hero III game and guitar set for the Wii after discovering that we was smoking marijuana.

Luckily, the father had some interesting things to say with the posting:

"...Then, yesterday, I came home from work early and what to I find? My innocent little boy smoking pot in the backyard with 2 of his delinquent friends."

What's even better is that the Dad sold it for $9,100.01!!!!!!

Since when has Guitar Hero III for the Wii been that hard to find and it certainly shouldn't be worth that much money.

Alas, if that doesn't teach his son a lesson, I don't know what will:

"Sort of a 'Father-Son bonding experience'. While I doubt this will keep him from ever smoking pot again, I think it will make him think twice before doing illegal (well I think pot is still illegal in Canada) drugs on my property."

The father said that he was going to have his son watch the bid finish together - how deliciously cruel.

Here's a lesson to all you kids out there, Don't Do Drugs:

"I am still considering getting him a game for his Nintendo. Maybe something like Barbie as the Island Princess or Dancing With the Stars. These games are in stock everywhere I go, and I know he will just love them."

Downloadable Songs for Guitar Hero III

In a report from 1up.com, it seems that Activision will be releasing downloadable songs for play in Guitar Hero III.

These tracks will be available for purchase via the Xbox Live Marketplace and the Playstation Network.

New tracks should be available for the holiday season (now) and will include a 3-pack track package including "No More Sorrow" by Linkin Park, "Sleeping Giant" by Mastadon, and "Pretty Handsome Awkward" by The Used.

No official word on how much each track will cost and no mention of any support for Wii owners.

This is perhaps the best news for the series yet in that additional songs can be added. The final move would be to allow any song to be playable in the game. I think that is what gamers truly want from the series.

Video Game Consumption on the Rise

If you are thinking video games are just “child’s play” – think again.

The number of hours yearly that individuals above the age of 12 play video games increased more than 32.7 percent between 1999 and 2004 according to a report from the US Census Bureau.

The study, conducted by the media firm Veronis Suhler Stevenson, projects an additional 24.6 percent increase in 2009 which would mean a 65.5 percent change from 1999 to 2009 for the medium.

“Games are a terrific way to both attract and hold people’s attention,” Central Michigan University associate professor of computer science Thomas Ahlswede said.

Video games allow the option for the player to include their own material in the game which is sometimes too good at holding someone’s attention, the associate professor of computer science said.

He said that video games can lead to addiction when the game is too immersive.

“The one downside to games is that they are one more distraction in a world that doesn’t need anymore distractions,” Ahlswede said.

Ahlswede said with the new advancements in technology, there are always newer games available by the time the player finishes the one they are playing.

Consumer spending person per year had also increased by nearly 17 percent between 1999 and 2004 from an average of $28.21 to $32.94 which is projected to reach $44.30 in 2009.

A report from the US Census Bureau shows that video games were only one of two types of products within the toy industry which reported an increase in retail sales between 2001 and 2002, the other being in the pretend play category.

The study from the NPD Group, Inc., a market research firm, reported a 10 percent increase in sales which amounts to more than $10.32 million in retail sales for the industry.

Ahlswede attributes these high numbers to increased availability and interest in the medium as well as more access to computers.

More people are becoming more aware of video games as an entertainment option, he said, and they are in more of a position to spend money on them.

“The big games are growing but I think the small games are growing even faster,” he said. “Above all, online games in every range are really growing.”

A press release from the NPD Group, Inc. noted that 39 percent of the time that children between the ages of 2 and 17 spend playing video games is done so online.

Of online games, 91 percent are free according to the press release.

These online games are increasing in demand, Ahlswede said, because they are games that you can play for only 15 minutes at a time.

The release from the NPD Group, Inc. also reported that children who play video games spend an average of 5 to 15 hours a week playing them.

“I am concerned that some children are spending too much time playing video games and possibly becoming game addicts,” CMU sociology professor David Kinney said.

He said that too much time playing video games could take time away from family responsibilities, chores, and homework.

“Spending an inordinate amount of time gaming precludes children from participating in other family and peer activities that are necessary for healthy socialization,” Kinney said.

CMU freshman Nathan Hochstein said that he spends 10 hours or more per week playing video games.

He said there are times when his video game habits impact his school work, chores, and sleeping.

“Instead of being productive, I play a video game,” Hochstein said.

He recalled one time when he was almost left at home by his mother because he wouldn’t stop playing a video game.

A poll released by the US Bureau of Judicial Statistics showed that 47 percent of respondents felt that video games were responsible for contributing to violence in society in 2001. This percentage increased from 38 percent in 1994.

Video games were the only factor between the lack of adult supervision of children, the easy availability of hand guns, television, motion pictures, and local television news reports that increased between the two dates surveyed.

CMU psychology professor Bryan Gibson said that there is a clear connection in playing violent video games and the likelihood that the player will become more aggressive.

He said that he is familiar with research conducted on the topic which showed that after playing violent video games, the participants of the study were more aggressive when giving the opportunity.

However, Gibson said, not everyone is going to respond in the same way and these individuals were more aggressive because these violent thoughts were fresh in their mind.

Hochstein said that he does not think that video game make the player more violent.

“I think people’s tendencies to be violent are based on their predispositions before playing video games,” he said.

GTA IV Trailer

Grand Theft Auto IV was supposed to be the "big name" blockbuster hit from Rockstar this holiday season.

However, it's second quarter 2008 release date has botched those hopes which will likely reiterate into a 2008 holiday release.

At least Rockstar decided to remind the world that their are still planning on releasing the game sometime with their newest trailer:


Video courtesy of gamespot.com


When do you think we will finally see this game released?

Over 1000 Hits!!!!

Just like any other website, I wanted to mark the day we went over 1000 hits!!!!

It happened so quickly with over 500 hits in the last two weeks.

So, I guess I have to say...