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SuperWes Updated the banners, but not his title
Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 3725
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Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 11:12 am Post subject: Podcast #2 Half Life 2 - Now Available |
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It's been a month since our first podcast, so here goes number 2. In this episode, Matthew Williamson, Benjamin Rivers, Andrew Toups, J.R. Freeman, and M. O'Connor discuss the seminal PC title Half Life 2 and its unique qualities and shortcomings. The podcast can be downloaded here, and the cover here. Stay tuned after the podcast to learn how you can win a copy of Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light for the PSP!
Our staff is currently busy finishing up their articles for our next issue which is due in mid-September. Please remember to check back then, or just sign up for our mailing list in that little "mailing list" section to the left. We should mention that there are a few technical issues with this podcast. We thought about redoing the whole thing, but didn't feel that the issues were bad enough to try to artificially recreate the conversations that went on. O' Connor has done a great job of cleaning things up, but if you still want to complain or have any other, more positive feedback, please click Comments and let us know what you think. |
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Nana Komatsu weak sauce
Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 1293
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Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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. . .
I liked the first half of the podcast when you stayed on Half Life 2. It was very interesting in the way that the first podcast was.
The second half really bothered me, to be honest, I don't see how making fun of gamers is relevant at all but I guess I'm strange that way. |
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dhex Breeder
Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 6319 Location: brooklyn, Nev Yiork
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Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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we made fun of gamers?
you mean toups' "hit a to talk appeals to social misfits" thing? _________________
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Mister Toups Hates your favorite videogame
Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 1693 Location: Lafayette, LA
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:20 am Post subject: |
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Speaking of making fun of gamers, you didn't happen to leave the horse girl bit in, did you? And if you didn't, could you send me that excerpt? _________________ where were you when nana komatsu got a wii? |
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Nana Komatsu weak sauce
Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 1293
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:41 am Post subject: |
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I don't recall a horse girl bit.
It was mostly the "Half Life 2/Xbox 360 is the game for people who've had sex" bit.
I mean, I have had sex and I still don't see what's so great about the Xbox 360 other than it has a lot of hype for being the first of the next-gen.
I'm probably overreacting so please ignore this (like everything else I say) as overzealous insanity. |
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ryan .
Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 999
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 5:58 am Post subject: |
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I've had sex with my 360. Fact. _________________ Come to me, Mordel. We shall depart. |
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dhex Breeder
Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 6319 Location: brooklyn, Nev Yiork
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 7:26 am Post subject: |
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Quote: | I'm probably overreacting so please ignore this (like everything else I say) as overzealous insanity. |
there's really no need to be schizoid about it. criticism is criticism.
i think the point is that the marketing behind it - and the expensive accoutrements - are pitched towards that kind of audience rather than the more insular and "hardcore" gamer types. _________________
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purplechair .
Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 378 Location: in my pants
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 9:06 am Post subject: |
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I hadn't expected so many of you to have played it on the XBoxoxoxox. |
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Mister Toups Hates your favorite videogame
Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 1693 Location: Lafayette, LA
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 9:57 am Post subject: |
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Nana Komatsu wrote: | I don't recall a horse girl bit.
It was mostly the "Half Life 2/Xbox 360 is the game for people who've had sex" bit.
I mean, I have had sex and I still don't see what's so great about the Xbox 360 other than it has a lot of hype for being the first of the next-gen.
I'm probably overreacting so please ignore this (like everything else I say) as overzealous insanity. |
Oh well, yeah, that was facetious bullshit of the highest degree. And I was talking about how it was marketed, not what I actually feel about the system (it's still basically a system for pockmarked virgins, the difference being that its exclusive to pockmarked virgins with high income). _________________ where were you when nana komatsu got a wii? |
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Shapermc Hot Sake!
Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 10:14 am Post subject: |
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I was making fun of people who have had sex!
(i kid, i kid) _________________ “The average man has a secret desire to be a swaggering, drunken, fighting, raping swashbuckler.”
-Robert E. Howard in a letter to a friend circa Decmber 1932
"There is no place in this enterprise for a rogue physicist!" |
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ryan .
Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 999
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 11:26 am Post subject: |
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It's nice to see that the fine belief that gamers are unhygienic virgins is being kept alive and well in publications of all brow elevations. _________________ Come to me, Mordel. We shall depart. |
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Lestrade Bug Fister
Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 1760 Location: Toronto
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 11:56 am Post subject: |
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Well you have to admit, we as a "culture" often don't help the matter. And, can we truly make fun of "gamers" if we are, in fact, gamers ourselves? There's nothing wrong with a little self-depricating humour.
If the "Xbox 360 = sex" comment riled people up, maybe it's a good thing the entire "Bugfister" train of conversation didn't make the final cut.
(Though if you ever get a spare moment, Dhex, I would love the complete recording so I can listen to this part again!)
To that point, though, the last half of the podcast probably would have been more relevant but I think a lot of our material here was too mangled by Skype issues to use. Too bad; some of it was GOLD! |
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ryan .
Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 999
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:01 pm Post subject: |
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And should I apologize for having such lovely skin? _________________ Come to me, Mordel. We shall depart. |
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Lestrade Bug Fister
Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 1760 Location: Toronto
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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Whatever that means, yes. |
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ryan .
Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 999
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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A joke ... in reference to Toups' pockmarked comment.
But a joke about gamers being dirty and virgins isn't so much offensive as it is not that funny. If he followed it up with a "Nerd!!!" I might think otherwise. _________________ Come to me, Mordel. We shall depart. |
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SuperWes Updated the banners, but not his title
Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 3725
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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Nerd!!!
-Wes _________________
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Lestrade Bug Fister
Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 1760 Location: Toronto
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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I think you're reading WAAAAAY too much into such an off-the-cuff comment. I can't believe you're getting offended by this. |
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ryan .
Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 999
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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I love you, Wes.
* I'm not offended. I was just poking fun at a generalization made at a place such as this. No big deal. _________________ Come to me, Mordel. We shall depart. |
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Lestrade Bug Fister
Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 1760 Location: Toronto
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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ryan wrote: | * I'm not offended. I was just poking fun at a generalization made at a place such as this. No big deal. |
Even New Games Journalists can engage in humour too, you know! |
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Mister Toups Hates your favorite videogame
Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 1693 Location: Lafayette, LA
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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ryan wrote: | It's nice to see that the fine belief that gamers are unhygienic virgins is being kept alive and well in publications of all brow elevations. |
Shit dude I'M a pockmarked virgin okay.
Well, not really pockmarked, but still. _________________ where were you when nana komatsu got a wii? |
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a_plus .
Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 252 Location: olympia
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:12 pm Post subject: |
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the strange vocal effects are wonderful |
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Nana Komatsu weak sauce
Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 1293
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Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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I did enjoy those. |
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leoboiko .
Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Curitiba, Brazil
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Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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And when is my pre-ordered #6 shipping? _________________ Leonardo Boiko |
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J.Goodwin .
Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 297 Location: North Shore, MA
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Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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Mister Toups wrote: | Well, not really pockmarked, but still. | It's ok, I've got the pockmarked part covered. Together we are an invincible team! _________________ Gamertag - FalcomAdol -- Don't Click Here 触手
Playing - Ninety-Nine Nights - Xbox 360 |
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SuperWes Updated the banners, but not his title
Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 3725
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Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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leoboiko wrote: | And when is my pre-ordered #6 shipping? |
It's already shipped, we just haven't sent out the e-mails yet. The books came in early this week and local orders went out on Tuesday night with international going out on Wednesday afternoon. Sorry it's taken so long to get these set out this time. We have plenty of excuses, but really all that matters is that everyone should bet getting their books some time next week. When you get the book come back and let us know what you think!
-Wes _________________
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leoboiko .
Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Curitiba, Brazil
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Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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SuperWes wrote: | Sorry it's taken so long to get these set out this time. |
Hey, no problem, I was just curious. I assume you don't have a tracking number? I hope my international order doesn't take too long to arrive. _________________ Leonardo Boiko |
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The Great Unwashed .
Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 359 Location: Perth, Western Australia
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Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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Guys, I really enjoyed that, but it was seriously the least professional panel-based discussion I've ever heard. Not only was the sound quality absolutely abominable in places (you can hear people echoing from 30 seconds ago!) but you wandered so far off track in some cases I was wondering why you were even bothering to nominate a topic in the first place.
Take all that with a grain of salt though, because I really did enjoy it. But yeah, you really need to clean up that sound quality before the next one. Badly. Sorry _________________
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Lestrade Bug Fister
Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 1760 Location: Toronto
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you, we were quite aware of the issues with Skype. It's not like we programmed vocoder effects into the podcast. The audio didn't turn out well, but we wanted to release the show anyway, so there you go. Just take this as a glitch in the grand scheme of things, like a clip show or something. Life isn't over; we will make more podcasts, and they might suck less or more.
Also, please name one area where we veered so completely off-track so as to completely ruin your enjoyment of the show. I mean, it's a podcast. The point is to discuss a videogame, and yet sometimes that involves other things. Sometimes you reach a conclusion in these things, and sometimes you don't.
Number one was "too stiff." Number two was "unprofessional." Don't worry, guys and gals, we'll get it eventually.
And don't worry, next time we won't invite the Cylons (sorry, Shaper). |
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SuperWes Updated the banners, but not his title
Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 3725
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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Next time we'll do something unprofessional and stiff. Maybe something where Mr. Mechanical uses his NPR voice to talk shit about IGN.
-Wes _________________
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Shapermc Hot Sake!
Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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The Great Unwashed wrote: | Take all that with a grain of salt though, because I really did enjoy it. But yeah, you really need to clean up that sound quality before the next one. Badly. Sorry |
Glad you liked it. I think we will try a different voice program next time. _________________ “The average man has a secret desire to be a swaggering, drunken, fighting, raping swashbuckler.”
-Robert E. Howard in a letter to a friend circa Decmber 1932
"There is no place in this enterprise for a rogue physicist!" |
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dhex Breeder
Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 6319 Location: brooklyn, Nev Yiork
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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yeah, skype makes me mad. i did briefly look into whether some phone-baesed hardware options are feasible, but it would seem most of them are built for digital lines, which i don't have, or are stupid expensive.
i'd be very happy if i could split the incoming signal into individual streams, but if ifs and buts were candy and nuts we'd never be able to talk about ending cause the whole shit'd be like "man, candy cindy thinks she can just nut, whazzao!"
but fuck, it makes me want to go buy a micromodular just to get those awesome vocoded stepping joints for myself. the worst part being i edited out a tremendous amount of them to begin with, including some clever trickery. _________________
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Dracko .
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 2613
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 7:48 pm Post subject: |
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To those of you who played the game on the X-Box: Are you aware this port contains a use of the Konami Code? _________________ "This is the most fun I've ever had without being drenched in the blood of my enemies!" |
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The Great Unwashed .
Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 359 Location: Perth, Western Australia
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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The Great Unwashed wrote: | Guys, I really enjoyed that, |
The Great Unwashed wrote: | Take all that with a grain of salt though, because I really did enjoy it. But yeah, |
Lestrade wrote: | Also, please name one area where we veered so completely off-track so as to completely ruin your enjoyment of the show. |
Uh? _________________
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Mr. Mechanical Friendly Stranger
Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 1276
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Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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SuperWes wrote: | Next time we'll do something unprofessional and stiff. Maybe something where Mr. Mechanical uses his NPR voice to talk shit about IGN. |
I'd be down for that. |
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Mister Toups Hates your favorite videogame
Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 1693 Location: Lafayette, LA
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Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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Dracko wrote: | To those of you who played the game on the X-Box: Are you aware this port contains a use of the Konami Code? |
Really? _________________ where were you when nana komatsu got a wii? |
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Dracko .
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 2613
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Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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It's what I hear. Supposedly, once you enter it in-game, using the d-pad and A and B buttons, you get 25 health points. Could any of you X-Box owners help confirm this? _________________ "This is the most fun I've ever had without being drenched in the blood of my enemies!" |
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J.Goodwin .
Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 297 Location: North Shore, MA
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:52 am Post subject: |
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Confirmed. UUDDLRLRBA does give you 25 health in Half Life 2 for Xbox (at least, it does under emulation on the 360). _________________ Gamertag - FalcomAdol -- Don't Click Here 触手
Playing - Ninety-Nine Nights - Xbox 360 |
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astral89 .
Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 4
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Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 8:42 am Post subject: |
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R-r-r-r! The only reason why I hate Half Life 2 is that everyone likes it... But podcast is still great. |
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Dracko .
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 2613
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Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:29 am Post subject: |
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And for good reason. _________________ "This is the most fun I've ever had without being drenched in the blood of my enemies!" |
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Shapermc Hot Sake!
Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279
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Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:18 am Post subject: |
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astral89 wrote: | R-r-r-r! The only reason why I hate Half Life 2 is that everyone likes it... But podcast is still great. |
I thought I wouldn't like it at all because it basically has the same size following as HL1 which I ended up not liking at all. That's why it took me so long to play HL2 _________________ “The average man has a secret desire to be a swaggering, drunken, fighting, raping swashbuckler.”
-Robert E. Howard in a letter to a friend circa Decmber 1932
"There is no place in this enterprise for a rogue physicist!" |
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Mr. Apol .
Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 157 Location: a curiously familiar pit
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Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:08 pm Post subject: |
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SuperWes wrote: | Maybe something where Mr. Mechanical uses his NPR voice to talk shit about IGN. |
yes
yes
yes
and before it play exactly three minutes and three seconds of "freebird" then play "get low" by lil' jon and eastside boyz feat. ying yang twins as the outro _________________
LJ -- Profile |
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Harveyjames the meteor kid
Joined: 06 Jul 2006 Posts: 3636
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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You guys did a great job! Well done!
I guess my problem with this Podcast is that you rarely discuss the game outside of its own parameters. I thought you you going to talk more about the game in a wider context, if you know what I mean. The whole podcast just sounds like a bunch of guys sitting around talking about a game they really like, which is nice, but any of us can do that and have probably have done already. Outside of the internet!
To summarise; why would anyone download a podcast just to hear conversations they could have themselves? There needs to be more focus and sense of purpose to the discussion.
I hate to be the lone dissenting voice, but I think this could be good if you get it right! |
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dhex Breeder
Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 6319 Location: brooklyn, Nev Yiork
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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dissenting voices are good; this is indeed a Work in Progress. _________________
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Dracko .
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 2613
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Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, they were definitely moments where I wished you guys had gotten back on track, and whatever one's stance on the issue, the piss-take on jRPGs and sub-social fandoms of any nature were irrelevant.
Maybe it might help if you had specific topics of debate you had planned out beforehand, clearly announced, and linked together in a nice, cohesive package? _________________ "This is the most fun I've ever had without being drenched in the blood of my enemies!" |
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shnozlak .
Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 33
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Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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Just heard it, the robot voices aren't that bad, though you could tone the swearing down its just sorta silly. _________________
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Lestrade Bug Fister
Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 1760 Location: Toronto
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Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 6:33 am Post subject: |
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shnozlak wrote: | Just heard it, the robot voices aren't that bad, though you could tone the swearing down its just sorta silly. |
My bad. But that's the only way they'll let me participate. :-(
You should hear the unedited version!
I have to admit, our jabs at JRPGs was my favourite part of the podcast. There are a lot of dry gaming podcasts; I like the silly, fun ones. |
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Nana Komatsu weak sauce
Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 1293
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Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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After the last one I'm heistant to ask, but what ever happened to the podcast? Is it no more? |
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Dracko .
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 2613
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Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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Probably need a focus of some sort.
I suggest something awesome like IF, notporn.com or Anna. Or be elitist arseholes and dedicate one to Kenta Cho and Fumito Ueda _________________ "This is the most fun I've ever had without being drenched in the blood of my enemies!" |
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dessgeega loves your favorite videogame
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 6563 Location: bohan
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Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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Nana Komatsu wrote: | After the last one I'm heistant to ask, but what ever happened to the podcast? Is it no more? |
we tried one about warioware and rhythm tengoku and it blew up. there will be a postmortem in the next issue. _________________
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