Banzaii - The blog of online games and games of Jorge Mediavilla

It's a bit disappointing, to say the thing that Sony is allowed the luxury of losing personal data of 77 million people (nearly 3 million of them Spanish) and credit card data of another 10 million (these already sale according to various media and blogs) and we want to compensate with a free month of PlayStation Plus and some other free content to be specified. And to top it off, what you buy and lose that month you lose if you go through and you renew the subscription box ... Are we crazy or what?

Read more ... »

To me in general seemed to be a "dark beast" that fills my aspirations. Of course, the presentation was a little response to Nintendo, it could be more carefully worked, has feeling a little hasty ... And the new provisional name ... NGP ... I understand they want to break with PSP, but I for one I will continue using PSP2 until the final name ...

Read more ... »

Without words. Is self-explanatory.

The little hell every day ... (Source: Pocketinvaders )

Him to death ... The pañueloo combo, the combo pañueloo! (Source: Potatoes bring )

As I stepped forward in our Twiiter , I have been interviewed as media star that I am (laugh track) on Radio Nou to talk about Heavy Rain, a game that I have discussed recently . The program is broadcast Monday from 22:50 to 23 hours and you can listen live here , but if you you lose it (which is clearly inexcusable), I leave the link to download right now so you can difrutarlo home, office ...

I think it has not been bad, very well mounted and, as usual, sent me the audio and my voice does not seem bad at all. Thanks Nuria!

- Listen here the story on Heavy Rain in Nou Ràdio

Last week, specifically Monday, March 15, was in Alicante and called my attention to see the capital entirely papered "Kratos" . "Heaven is hell," "Do your revenge," "An eye for an eye" could be read in most shelters and bus stops. All billboards shone like the following:

Everyone knows that God of War III has raised much attention, being one of the most anticipated video games and more reserves has reached a figure of 35000 units, you just need a week to sneak into the No. 1 top sales and remember this month is a unique game is a platform like PlayStation 3.

But the advertising campaign conducted by Sony , has not been there a few months in most centers, Media Markt and even on the web, featured a countdown of the days, hours, minutes and seconds remaining until they come out the video game market. Also on sites like youtube and many websites filled us with banner ads with the imminent arrival of the game.

In cities such as Madrid and Barcelona many LED screens announcing his departure, and even a "Kratos" flesh and blood (yes, you heard right) walked freely through the city, the metro, shops, ...

Curious was the campaign that have taken place in Italy, coinciding with the elections, you could see election posters in the streets calling for the vote to "Kratos", also as part of marketing.

Few games have reached a level so great as to advertising campaign is concerned. While recently watched the Final Fantasy XIII bus , particularly I do not remember another game that apart from his trailer on TV, has announced an incredible way in our country.

Like a film premiere it were, the in-game advertising is taking this direction, papering entire cities with their posters, with trailers and TV websites, presentations and previews in the big cities ...

It is clear that the video game market is growing and is becoming increasingly larger, and companies tend to adapt to the times, and hence Sony has made an excellent campaign with this God of War III.

¿You had been envisioned for years, see a huge poster of Super Mario Bros in your city shelters announcing his arrival on the NES? Those were different times ...

1. Why Patcher has become the great Rappel of videogames?
2. How is it possible that the prostitutes of Assassin's Creed 2 make us go unnoticed?
3. How much longer experiencing the three red lights and similar failures?
4. Why developers include downloadable content in the original game disc?
5. Will OnLive, and the like Gaikai the near future of gaming? And most importantly: Will they work decently with my ADSL Timofónica?
6. Are avenging the "hardocore" Nintendo refused to buy the games "hardocore" Wii?
7. How long will John Riccitiello at the head of Electronic Arts?
8. When do you get the p ... remake of Final Fantasy VII? Is it so hard to ignore the users?
9. Is the Halo saga is really overrated or cane Spain?
10. Does Sony is screwing with Move or will be a success as PSP go? (Go fucking question ...)
11. Really there was nothing for 3D technology that we are coming and that forces us to use a crappy glasses giving headache?
12. Will you leave talking nonsense at some point Peter Molyneux?
13. Who is the best Spanish journalist of video games?
14. Is not the argument of Heavy Rain, as little cheater?
15. Why was widely reported Steam and other digital download systems such as D2D and Metaboli games seem not to exist?

After much promise, good hype galore, marketing bag and a few performances in the playroom, Sony has come to our hands a copy of Heavy Rain (I mean when I say the original copy. Not scare me!). It will be difficult to analyze this game without tearing up the story because the game is its script (in fact, is more interactive movie game as we know it), but let's try.

Although it comes packaged as video game sold it as such and has been developed as a video game, it's an interactive movie in which your actions influence the development of history, like a book of those choose your adventure own question. The script speaks about the murderer of origami and is the "classic" Hollywood script of a psychopathic murderer who blindly meets the profile. From four different perspectives, four playable characters, we will discover the details of the story.

Sony told us, our choices, even the most minimal, influence history. As in real life, do not know if you made the right decision or not. Just take it and life goes on and leads to consequences that might not expect or could not foresee. It appears that most affects the story is that one of your characters die at some point or is retained and can not accomplish your mission. In total, it is said on the forums, there are 18 end (epilogue) different.

Obviously, no multiplayer, and the big question is if Heavy Rain is "replay". There are many people playing it again to discover new endings, but I think that once you know who the murderer, the subject loses much grace. Perhaps at some point I try to play again to see "what would have happened if ...", but certainly not going to swallow me from the beginning because, prepare scrambled eggs airplanes or playing with the kids is not exactly fun.

The overall impression was very good. The best of the game, such as interactive movie is, is history, still good, has some gaps and turns a bit forced I would like to expand on the comments but not here so as not to ruin the game to anyone. Finally, the script is not perfect, but it does, engages and interests.

As for the gameplay, the experience is reduced to a bunch of "quicktime events" that have been so popular God of War, Tomb Raider odd or Ninja Blade. The "quicktime" confined to cutscenes usually more impressive than the game itself in which the user has to hit the button combination that is proposed on the screen. Basically it is a test of reflexes. I'm not a big fan of this type of gameplay but I think it affordable for everyone and suitable for a "game" like this.

What sets Heavy Rain from other games that use this type of gameplay? Besides the already mentioned, the no "linearity" of history, and it flows whatever you decide, the other big difference is the ultra-realistic graphics, are those who give credence to the story, but here the game is not perfect. Stresses in the facial animation (not always, sometimes, seem grotesque) and worse, some textures and especially when the characters put on the clothes ... There are some frame rate drops quite remarkable ... and there is a patch available that fixes some of these bugs ... Bajároslo before playing.

The sound also helps, follow the guidelines Cinematograph at the foot of the letter and tells us next to the "nerve" to be the on-screen action the moment where we are and how nervous he is our hero. Good tunes and good score here too.

Another objective of David Cage, writer-director of Heavy Rain, was that we became familiar with the characters, we conducted with them daily tasks, we felt what they felt and we finished we identify with them, so that their joys and sorrows not leave us indifferent. I think this has also been achieved, at least to me has happened with 3 of them ... In my end only lost one and was just in that I did not connect ... Coincidence? I think not ... Just do not moved me as Peter Molineaux ... LOL

In short, and not "brasearos" more, I recommend everyone to enjoy this experience. Despite some failures and unexplained things, the script is interesting, keeps you stress and get your goals. It's actually better than many "movies" of shit that I've swallowed lately ... I applaud Sony and Quantic Dream for funding this project and innovate. I think another essential for PS3 with God of War III, Uncharted 2 and a few others.

I think Heavy Rain is the first great exponent of a new trend in video games games, the closest to the film. I think we will see many "children" of Heavy Rain in the near future and that this game opens a new line that will target the mass market in systems that do not require as OnLive console and the like. There is a lot of ground and big business to explore in that direction. I also believe that a good Heavy Rain in the Cinegames with a lot of people deciding where the story goes at a time can also be a good avenue to explore.

PS: If you want my opinion on the controversy of the nude free in the game, I think if you paid 70 bucks, free of anything, either pay yourself ... lol We are out to 10 bucks a naked! I remember a game for adults, and has a PEGI +18, not worth shocked by a nipple.

During my career in video games that I have had to deal with a few marketing managers, product managers and other people defending bad life totally different positions as to promote their games.

Some think that good games sell themselves and prefer to promote the "less good" (because for them there bad game) and others, to be really good to push it all to market forces and the "mediocrity" according quality.

Those who think that video games sell themselves good not lift a finger to promote consecrated sagas. They know they have already assured his audience that the new product features will work on the creation of expectations. They will not fight for the product magazine cover or have a special, not necessary, users are already familiar with the game and will flock to buy and journalists interested in it and doing nothing. To these they propose any action, look at you as if you were not worthy of the game and you try to "sneak" the mediocrity of the day. They believe that marketing is worth, the one that really has merit, is selling trash, garbage which a super-duper top of the sales. As they see that a game has reviews of 9 or more believe that they are virtually all the "fish" sold, is a breeze and invest their time in making it more difficult to sell.

Then there are those who think that good games should be given a marketing worthy of them. Not enough that the game is amazing, you have to communicate, market and scream out as loud its benefits. They turn in his great game, do not rest on our laurels. Do not try to exalt reason over other video game not worth the grief. The fact that a series sold well so far does not ensure that the next installment will do the same again.

What is the good way to focus the portfolio of video games? From the user point of view is clear, you have to push it really worth it and the rest is fraud, but from the point of view that needs to get to sales target, the thing is not so clear ...

I my opinion I have of course, but this time I will tell you in the comments if the article generates some

Today I was playing the demo of Dante's Inferno . For those who may know what is an action game in the purest style God of War . Such is the resemblance that many media call it a technically be a copy modeled on moves, combos, creatures, settings ...

Dante's Inferno is based on the first part of The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri. The player controls Dante, a veteran of the Third Crusade trying to reach his beloved Beatrice and free his soul from Lucifer. His search leads Dante to deal with monstrous creatures through the nine circles of hell in order to save Beatrice, also facing their own sins and crimes of war.

Honestly my opinion about this game is pretty good, I amazed me the demo, the game is technically exquisite creatures with some scenarios and graphically very good, with very crude animations and gameplay very affordable and easy to control. Another of the strengths I see in this Dante's Inferno is that is cross platform and can enjoy both boxers as sonyers.

The game was developed by Visceral Games within the Electronic Arts studios (creators include the successful Dead Space ) and will go on sale February 12 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PSP. A month later, specifically on March 16, will be released the highly anticipated God of War 3 PlayStation 3 exclusive and truly believe that the latter is the one who will win the war between them.

You guys who believe, God of War 3 or Dante's Inferno? Do you think Dante's Inferno?

I wanted to start my career in Banzaii talking about a game which we all expect a lot, like Heavy Rain. It seems to be a game that marked a before and after, since according to Sony says the game is open to many possibilities, a sort of interactive adventure movie mode, in which history will vary depending on what we do .

The game is developed by Quantic Dreams, creators and others of Fahrenheit , an adventure game released in 2005 for PlayStation 2 and was well received.

David Cage, project manager, says that the history of Heavy Rain revolves around four different characters are crossing around a mysterious man called "The Origami Killer" (the murderer of origami). Heavy Rain is a black film thriller with a very mature and adult, and whose main aim is to send a message to the player: How far would you go to save someone you love? As for the technical section is single-player, online mode is not available and their voices and texts are in Spanish, dubbed by major players in the scene director in Spain, plus the director has pointed out to be a single delivery, without sequels or sequelae.

Some media are calling it original, groundbreaking, flawless, spectacular ... So far everything is praise for this game that we enjoy from February 24 and as you know will be exclusive to PlayStation 3.

What about you than you think or expect of this Heavy Rain?

This weekend I've been enjoying Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, a major PS3 releases this year and nominated for Game of the Year (GOTY) by many. After finish my single player mode is my impression that this is a game of games, whose great virtue is to take the best from here and there in a rather successful. Let me explain:

Uncharted 2 is many things, but certainly not an original game. From the first 5 minutes I had the feeling that is what could have been Tomb Raider and never was. But also saw clear references to other titles, with the system to seek coverage of Gears of War and, most importantly, Drake has emulated the way down stairs Nico in GTA IV! It's something I really did not think it would be back in a game, I assure you J

Out of silicones, the most impressive of the game, except for the beautiful female, are certainly scenarios, perfectly textured, full of details and possibilities. It has lost the habit of distinguishing clearly between those that are interactive scenario of no and a server, overwhelmed, sometimes I was not sure where to shoot. Luckily the guys at Naughty Dog are all over and show you the way kindly if they see you're flying blind.

Uncharted 2's script moves away from the seriousness of Tomb Raider. Although Drake is saving the world, that does not stop to notice Chloe's ass or do the joking comment of the day. Style save the world "I have not seen you yell" is always more fun, right? Dialogue glorious end. Let me know, as Nui Muchachada I've seen in a videogame.

The mixture of genres, from various video games that have nothing to do with each other makes the game not be all good as it should in some respects. For an addict to Modern Warfare 2, Uncharted 2's action is somewhat watered down, although they have taken part in this spectacle that makes it so special single player mode of the last Call of Duty. Other times the game twisted and reminded you a good adventure film Indiana Jones, running under the doors before they close, or a miracle saved from collapse.

The problem of video games as ambitious, who wants to give the best of the platform genre, action adventure, it's hard to find the proper gameplay. Do not believe I pulled into the abyss for pleasure, no, is that control, being good, sometimes playing tricks on you. The rest is more or less the same thing: exploration phase and action phase seasoned with some other particularly spectacular or unusual because you have to cover an injured person and back again until the final fight.

After finish my Modern Warfare 2 in about 6 hours long I think any video game. Al menos Uncharted 2 me ha durado todo un fin de semana… No es definitivamente demasiado largo, pero sí intenso, lleno de acción y momentos épicos. El sabor de boca que deja al final es bueno, de haber vivido una buena aventura con un videojuego currado de verdad. Además hace unos días ha estado en el centro Game 39,99 euros y ha vuelto a subir a 66. Por 40 euros era una compra enorme.

Por último solo quiero preguntaros: ¿Chloe o Elena? Yo, definitivamente Chloe, mucho mejor en todos los aspectos, con más personalidad que la mojigata Isabel.

A vuestra izquierda, Elena, a la derecha, Chloe

Cuando uno se relaja, llega una avalancha de anuncios. Con motivo de los Spike TV se ha liberado un montón de información: renace la saga “True Crime”, tenemos primeras imágenes la de la nueva creación de 2k “Spec Ops: The Line” y la que más me interesa: que Electronic Arts va a poner toda la carne en el asador para resucitar mi añorado Medal of Honor por la puerta grande, a lo Call of Duty y en Afganistán.

Si la reorganización de Electronic Arts supone menos juegos, pero de más calidad y originalidad, por mi parte es más que bienvenida. Parece que el impresionante éxito de Call of Duty va a ser emulado por EA a juzgar por el impresionante tráiler que han mostrado a través de Gametrailers:

Aún nos queda dilucidar cúanto de marketing hay en este vídeo y cuánto de juego real, pero no se puede negar que si es marketing, es del bueno . En cualquier caso, si EA cancela algunas medianías y se concentra en lo bueno, tiene todas mis bendiciones.

El Spec Ops tiene también toda la pinta de resurgir como reacción a Call of Duty, pero en vez de Afganistán, la acción tendrá lugar en un devastado Dubai. Los chicos de 2k no se dedican precisamente a medianías, así que se presenta un futuro muy suculento en cuanto a “modern warfare” (guerra moderna).

PD: Por cierto, que parece ser que que Gran Turismo llega en marzo en Japón y aquí no parece que vaya a llegar hasta antes del verano . Yamauchi es mi ídolo. Debe ser el único en esta industria que no parece que tiene un petardo en el culo. Todo el mundo va acelerado menos él. Para mi que a alguien en Sony está ya sin uñas por lidiar con este crack.

Mis impresiones. Las negativas primero que para eso estamos en crisis:

• Que sea de pago cuando a 10 metros de la consola, en el PC, lo tengo gratis. Tb lo tengo en la blackberry “gratis”.
• Que hace falta un teclado USB para sacarle el máximo partido. Meter el texto con el mando es un coñazo.
• Que Twitter tarda un poco en cargar. No puedes ver la gente que te ha mencionado (que ha escrito @jorgemediavilla) en un solo clic. Eso no facilita mantener conversaciones.
• ¿Se pueden controlar varias cuentas a la vez?
• No connection between games and the new social services, which it itself is doing with Twitter Sony (Uncharted 2) and Facebook (that's precisely the approach). Isolated applications.

Now the positive, which Hayles if any:

• The design of Facebook and Twitter is very clear, simple and aesthetic. Accessibility is very good. The navigation is very accurate.
• Interconnection between Facebook and the Xbox has enabled me to know the gamertag of many people who were on Facebook, but I knew your Xbox gamertag. I've added them all!
• That gives MSFT a few days free to try Facebook and Twitter.

Then there is the issue of missing last.fm in Spain. This has left a feeling of disappointment in the fall update, as the functionality to the Zune, we are still waiting in Spain ...

How is the court lately! Well stirred.

First, the pebbles:

Seen on an email from Activision to release in which data is updated sales of Modern Warfare 2 in Spain in the first week:

We update the number of units sold of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 in Spain in its first week: 123,000 copies. Thus, Modern Warfare 2 becomes the title with the best sales recorded to date in his early days on the market, surpassing recognized and successful sports games open world games.

Interpretation: Do we really need that tells you the games you are referring to?

Second sweety, this time from Sony to Microsoft:

When he finally reaches the new update (announced with great fanfare) Facebook and Twitter to Xbox 360 is that Facebook is not exclusive to Xbox 360 and that the next PS3 firmware 3.10 of Facebook integration will also ... How silent it had ! All details on the Playstation blog europero (in strict English).

And now the stones:

Activision again:

Yesterday in some ways echoed an incorrect story, commenting that Modern Warfare 2 had been banned in the Russian market. The title is on sale in Russia since last Nov. 10 in its PC version.

Simultaneous translation: Gentlemen, please make the contrast a little info ...

And the second from Konami:

Before the news appeared over the weekend and this morning in various media, Konami Digital Entertainment Spain wants to deny information to suggest that the release of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories for Wii, PlayStation 2 and PSP will occur 8th of December in Spain / Europe.

The estimated release date of this title remains scheduled for February.

Please rectify the information promptly to benefit consumers, readers, media and sales channels.

In an effort to avoid these situations in the future, take this opportunity to remind you that any information concerning Konami Digital Entertainment releases of Spain that is not from our Press Department must be tested prior to publication. Konami Digital Entertainment is a global company whose release dates do not always agree to all the territories where we operate.

Interpretation: That contrast, bucking! And by the way do not bridge the favor of the poor local PR, which are pa'eso!

This Friday I was in the presentation of Ubisoft, the Hard Days, Madrid. I had the chance to see Assassin's Creed 2, a game that I lost insurance, the new Splinter Cell, Red Steel 2 and some others, but certainly the most impressive was watching Avatar on a television compatible 3D and enjoy the 3D in all its fullness.

After get the "Ray-ban" started to hallucinate, first with a ship approaches the planet Pandora and then clean shot against the beasts of a planet that does not really know if it is a real danger or Eden.

Avatar is the film that will break new ground in mid-December and the game promises to be no typical conversion "Guarrera" from the movie, but find it hard because all video game publishers have tried to sell crap games taking advantage of the marketing of movies and now fight it is complicated. Without going any further it just happened with Terminator Salvation and Ubisoft is not blameless in this regard: not go back too ... I remember Beowulf

Avatar The game will come a bit before the movie, on October 2, and can be played as a game "normal". So to be promoted, but its graphic engine, which the guys from Ubisoft has been in development 3 years (which was used by the last Far Cry), will switch to 3D mode at any time to enjoy it even need to renew our television and buy a 3D Ready.

It is unfortunate that the 3D effect, majestic, can not be seen in screenshots or videos, so if you have occasion to see him somewhere, do not hesitate to try it. Is the next revolution in video games.

Otherwise little more I can tell you not to know. "Assassins" rather than correct, a "must have" with juicy news as the economy system, Splinter Cell is tumbling even surprised us with some new features like tagging enemies and little more than comment on Red Steel 2, which have good cell-shading graphics and take full advantage of the Wii Motion Plus.