EDG Podcast Ep. #106 – Heads in The Cloud
So this podcast was recorded on Tuesday, April 26th, so you can guess what the topic was. Listen in as Eric Bouchard, Chris Maeurer, Kyle Erwin and John Danforth discuss the recent Amazon and PSN outages and what they may mean for gamers.
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Intro music – Takeharu Ishimoto – ‘Calling’ from the soundtrack for The World Ends With You
Break music – The Fold – ‘Medicine’ from Secrets Keep You Sick
End of Podcast music – The Fold – ‘The Title Track’ from This Too Shall Pass
Timestamps
Our Weeks – 7:58
What We’ve Been Playing – 19:26
Cloud Gaming and the Outages – 1:19:44
Questions from Twitter – 2:07:07
Daily Bits 7/30/10
In today’s Daily Bits: It’s not longer a RUSE, Best Buy trying to match Amazon, Insomniac announces an announcement, Intellivision Lives and StarCraft+Lego?
This is not a feint: RUSE to release September 7
Some would argue Ubisoft has been too in love with it’s World War II RTS’s name, offering several different release dates that have not stuck. So now the company expects everyone to believe that the new one for RUSE, September 7, will hold. The date was originally tweetedby Ubisoft’s Aymeric Evennou, leaving people to wonder if it was just another fake, but the company has independently verifies this will be the date the game releases on the PS3, 360 and PC.
Unless Ubisoft changes its policies on PC DRM, it will not matter to me when this game releases. RTSs are really only good on PC, but I will not buy a PC game with that kind of draconian copy protection.
Best Buy lowering price on 360 bundles
On August 2, Amazon is planning on offering a sale of the Final Fantasy XIII Xbox 360 along with along with Bioshock 2 and UFC Undisputed 2010 for $300. Well, a reliable source is telling Joystiq that Best Buy is going to be reducing its versions of that bundle along with the Splinter Cell 360 to $299 until they are sold out of the product. While the deal might not be quite as sweet as Amazon’s, it will be going on for more than one day, and for those who do not like to purchase consoles online, this will give them another option.
See, this is why competition is a good thing.
Insomniac will announce new game before PAX
So it appears more companies have decided to announce announcements. Sometime between now and Labor Day Weekend’s PAX Prime, Insomniac will be announcing a new game, which will be demoed at the Penny Arcade Expo. Now before you all get too excited, this will be a PS3 exclusive game; Insomniac is not ready to reveal its multiplatform game the company is making for EA.
The rumors are this will be Resistance 3. I will leave it to you to decide whether that is a good thing.
Intellivision to make a comeback on DS
Intellivision fans rejoice; the games we grew up playing are making a return appearance on the Nintendo DS. Virtual Play games has announced Intellivision Lives!, a collection of 60 games from the Matel console that captured the hearts of retro gamers (granted, we were not retro at the time). Along with such hits as Astro Smash, Armor Battle, Night Stalker and Shark! Shark!, the collection includes 6 games never actually released. The collection is due out in September.
So, you think this might lead to a Retro Active on the Intellivision?
StarCraft done with Legos!
I have nothing else to add to this. Just check out the video (courtesy of Machinima.com).
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Daily Bits is a collection of all the gaming news that has happened for the current day that we deem as interesting and relevant to our readers. Check back daily for more news round-ups and feel free to send your suggestions to dailybits@everydaygamers.com
Daily Bits For 5/31/10
Daily Bits is a collection of all the gaming news that has happened for the current day that we deem as interesting and relevant to our readers. Check back daily for more news round-ups and feel free to send your suggestions to dailybits@everydaygamers.com
Happy Memorial Day From The Everyday Gamers!
In between all of your grilling and gaming today, be sure to remember all of our fallen heroes that allow us to live the way we do everyday. On that note, everybody here at Everyday Gamers wish you a safe and Happy Holiday. Be sure to tell us what games you’ve played over the long weekend!
Release Date List For 5/30-6/5
This week we have the highly anticipated RPG Espionage Alpha Protocol hitting store shelves this Tuesday. Not your thing? There are also 5 new Modern Warfare 2 maps that you can get your hands on this Thursday. Check out our source below for the full list of goodies.
Treyarch Gives 100% Dedication
To what should be no surprise, Treyarch has decided to become 100% dedicated to only Call of Duty titles from here on out.
Treyarch is a 100 percent Call of Duty studio — and it has been for a long time now, long before any of [the Infinity Ward] events occurred
says Mark Lamia, Treyarch’s studio head. Lamia also mentions
We focused all of our efforts on creating the best Call of Duty game we possibly can and what that meant is not working on anything else.
It seems like the Call of Duty franchise is only beginning. Are you burned out by the amount of Call of Duty’s that we are seeing now? Let us know how you feel in the comments section.
Split Second Wrecks Amazon
Don’t feel like waiting in lines at your local Best Buy to get Split Second? Well online shoppers you can now head over to Amazon and pick up the game for $39.99. The deal is good for the PS3 and Xbox 360. This may be a today only sale so head over to Amazon quickly to get your copy!
Original Wii Bundle $150.00 At Best Buy
On Best Buy’s website they have the original Wii bundle for $150.00. The bundle includes the original Wii Sports but not Wii Sports Resort or MotionPlus. If your just looking for a quick Wii fix and do not mind receiving the new add-ons then this seems like a great deal. Supplies could be very low so you may want to act quickly if you have any interest.
Joe Danger Rides To PSN June 8th
Been dying to get your hands on the motorcycle racer Joe Danger? Hello Games have finally announced a June 8th release date and what not a better way to start the summer downloadable games off. If you are in any way a fan of arcade racers then this game should definitely been on your list.
Living with GameStop
This is the third in our series of articles about GameStop. In the Case Against Gamestop articles, we explained from both a Customer and Employee perspective just why we at Everyday Gamers have taken such a strong stand against the company. The biggest video game retailer in North America has not exactly helped its case since then by breaking street dates on major holiday titles. If it was possible, we would tell our readers to flat out refuse to deal with them.
Unfortunately, we realize for many of you this just is not a realistic ideal. Being the largest video game retailer in North America and one of the few that deals in used games, GameStops are everywhere, and for many of you there just really is no good competition in your area. On top of that, the company uses its market share to negotiate special deals with game makers, allowing it to offer exclusives the competition just cannot match. In the end, even those of us who are the most hardened against the company find ourselves having to deal with it from time to time.
In light of this, we at EDG thought it would be a good idea to share some of the insights we have gained on how to get the most out of your dealings with the game retailer. These insights come from years of being GameStop customers and, for at lest one of us, from being an employee. Hopefully these tips will help you even the odds a bit the next time you go to purchase or trade games with the company.
Tip Number 1: Not all GameStops are alike
I know it can be easy to lump all the stores together because GameStop is a retail giant, but not all stores are alike. While the prices and corporate strategies will be the same no matter where you go, the employees working for the store can make all the difference. If there are multiple stores in your area, which seems likely since GameStop loves to over saturate the market, check more than one out before deciding which one you will frequent.
Need help determining which GameStops employ friendlier, knowledgeable and helpful staff? Here are some tell-tale signs:
1. The state of the store: Look to see just what state the store is in when you enter. Does it look like the employees make an attempt to keep it looking nice? Are the games alphabetized, or are they just strewn all over the place. Do you see employees walking the store, seeing if games are out of place? The state of the store will give you a clue about just how much the employees care about their job and the customers.
2. How customers are treated: Are the employees sensitive to the customer’s needs, or are they too busy trying to force preorders and Game Informer subscriptions down their throat. Are they listening to the questions customers are asking and providing thoughtful answers, or are they just schilling the latest game corporate is choosing to push. Look for signs of a staff that actually cares about the customer.
3. Test their knowledge: Ask the employees about a few games or gaming related issues you are familiar with. Check their answers. Do they know of what they speak. If they don’t know, are they willing to admit that, or do they make things up to hide their ignorance. Personally, I would much rather have someone tell me they are not familiar with a game then try to make up an answer to hide lack of knowledge.
Once you have found a good store or two, you will find dealing with the company a much more relaxing experience.
Tip Number 2: Watch the Sales
Though GameStop’s general prices are no better than anyone else’s (in fact, they can often be worse), it does tend to have good sales. These can range from just good prices on new games to the popular “Buy 2 Used games, Get 1 Free” sales the stores have on a regular basis. Every summer GameStop runs its Gamer Days sale, and the prices during that sale can make dealing with the company worthwhile even to its most hardened critics.
If you really want to know what sales are coming up for GameStop or any retailer for that matter, there is only one website to check: Cheap Ass Gamer. As much as I am not a fan of the the name of the website, the site itself is packed with info on how to get games for great deals, and it is the place to go to find out what sales all retailers are running, including GameStop.
Want to know just how good the sales can get? Earlier this year, I picked up a copy of Street Fighter IV for $19.99 when it was selling new for $39.99. During last year’s Gamer Days sale, certain Guitar Hero controllers were being sold for $9.99; and it is not unusual to see games on sale for 50% off during that sale.
Tip Number 3: Trade to your advantage
We all know GameStop almost never gives fair value for trading in games, but there are ways you can make sure to get more for your trade:
1. Trade early: If you know you are going to trade in a game after you beat it, beat it as soon as possible so you can trade it in as early as possible. GameStop is always looking for trade ins of the hottest releases, and the company will generally give you better trade credit for them. This is becoming even more important with the recent trend of games to drop in price a couple of months after coming out, and it is a must if you are going to trade sports titles. One thing I do is look at my games and evaluate whether or not I am really going to play them anytime soon, If the answer is no, I will trade them in, knowing that is I really want to come back to them, I can pick them up later for a good price or GameFly them. Granted, I take my trades to Play N Trade, but the principle is the same.
2. Trade for New Releases: GameStop almost always has trade in deals when you put the money toward a preorder or new release. If there is a big game you are looking at preordering and you have some games to trade in, take advantage of these deals. A game that would normally only trade in for $10 will give you $12 if you get an extra 20% for preordering a qulifying game. That is how I was able to afford Rock Band; after trades, I paid about $40 for it, including all the instruments.
3. Know when to trade: After the holidays, GameStop almost always needs trade ins. As a result, the company will often offer trade deals right then. Also keep an eye out for major deals where it offers up to 40% trade credit. Those are rare, but they do happen.
4. NEVER trade for Cash: GameStop will never give you anything close to what games or consoles are worth if you trade for cash. If you need the money, look at selling on Amazon, Craig’s List or even your local pawn shop. They will generally give you a better deal.
Tip Number 4: Remember the alternatives
No matter where you live, there will be alternatives to GameStop, at least in terms of new games. Best Buy has been in the midst of a price war with the company, offering “Buy 2 Get 1 Free” deals on all games and even at one time offering to sell some new games and GameStop’s used price. Toys R Us, Target and (I hate to say it) Walmart have all been offering deals on new games as well. See if you can find local stores that offer trade credit for games, such as Play N Trade. Also, never forget the online alternatives, such as Amazon, Ebay and Craig’s List.
It’s up to you
While these tips can help you deal with the company, in the end there is only one way to make sure you are not going to be fleeced by GameStop: determine before entering the store what you are willing to deal with. If you are trading in games, think about what the lowest amount you are willing to get in return is, and if the store will not meet that, walk away. When buying, know before you go what would be a good price to pay for the games you want, and if you find GameStop’s price is higher, go elsewhere. Never forget that GameStop is not the only video game retailer in the US. If you keep that in mind, you can make sure you deal with the company on your own terms.
Gamestop Vs. Best Buy: Round 2
I recently wrote about how Best Buy was matching Gamestop’s prices. Well, it seems that Gamestop is paying attention. In that post I said that Gamestop could make their used games prices lower. Well, they did just that. I am not trying to gloat, I am saying that this is exactly what needs to happen. Gamestop is finally starting to realize that they need to change their ways. Now, even though they are cutting their prices, Gamestop still has a few things to change before I go back there. I am actually going sometime this week to personally try out the Kiosk at Best Buy. That brings me to my next point. Gamestop trade-in credits. I had also mentioned in that post, that I felt that Gamestop had ripped me off numerous times and they have. For example, I was going to trade in my 360 to them (WORST mistake ever). So, I called in advance to see how much they might give. They said $100. I figured that was fair since you can get a new one for $250. Well, low and behold they only end up giving me $80. I wish I would have said NO WAY and kept it, but I didn’t. So let me get this straight, they tell you one thing, but do another? That is why people are getting turned off from Gamestop. The problem is, they have really been our only option which is why I am so excited about how Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon and a few others are trying out used games and Kiosks.
Amazon Lists Another Leak?
A few days back, I saw that Amazon Germany had a listing for a PS3 Slim, now they have another listing. This time, its LittleBigPlanet for the PSP. They listed a supposed release date and price. Here’s where there is some good news, bad news. Good news, the supposed release date is sometime in October, the bad news, the price is $49.99. Now, obviously none of these things have been confirmed by Sony and I am sure the listing price will be cheaper. Either way though, I am really looking forward to this game.