A brave new confusing world.

I never was prepared to be a Dad. I thought I was, of course. But really, when you're a thirtysomething gamer who's pretty set in his ways, the addition of an often-cranky, often-awake-at-inopportune-times little bundle of squirms and squeaks can really throw you for a loop.

There's no doubt that being a Dad is the greatest thing ever. Except, of course, for my gaming and blogging habits, which are much fewer and farther between than ever.

However, I would like to state for the record that I indeed am alive and well and playing games every once in awhile. Sure, it's down to a few hours a week most of the time, but it's not so bad. The biggest change has not even been related to the little guy's arrival a few months ago, but rather to my change in career. These days, I don't ride the train anymore, so there's hardly any handheld gaming going on. It's almost all treadmill time on the 360 (which is only three days a week for the most part) or stealing a few late-night hours here and there. You definitely get an appreciation for the term "free time", because there's much less of it than there ever was.

So, what have I been playing lately? A smattering of things, really. I've gotten to the later stages of Valve's Portal, which is brilliant but has me stumped now that I am on level 13. This one's killing me, and I don't think I am smart enough to figure it out. Naturally, getting stumped there led me over to the main title of the Orange Box, Half-Life 2. I am more than a little embarrassed to admit I've never played it (or its predecessor), but I've started down the path and I'll see where it takes me.

This past week I really dove headfirst into Sega Rally Revo, for which you'll see a review on this site in the coming days. Once or twice a week in the past month I've also dropped into a few Halo 3 online matches with some longtime friends, which have been fun enough but hardly mindblowing. Maybe it's because I'm older, have so little time, or am just looking for more out of my games, but I am not feeling the love for Bungie's latest. I can't even pretend to be interested in the single player; after an hour or so plodding through the first level, the baffling storyline and oh-so-familiar gameplay leaves me bored beyond belief. 

Believe it or not, I am still playing a lot of The Bigs, an utterly addictive over-the-top baseballer that's been out for many months now. It's the perfect treadmill game. I also recently won the Super Bowl in Madden 08, a distinctly anticlimactic affair that didn't even get me an Achievement. Disgraceful!

Up next are a couple of GN review titles - Folklore and Warhawk. My PS3 hasn't been this happy since……..ever.

The purpose for this rambling, self-serving, incoherent blog post? None, other than to remind all the GotNexters that I am still here, still kicking, and still looking to get a good night's sleep one of these days.

A welcomed addition for this reputable company.

It's been a while since I posted, but I'm still around, spending less time playing games and more time reading about them. I did just receive an interesting press release stating that Crutchfield has added gaming-related items to its other offerings. Usually I wouldn't be that excited about an announcement such as this, but considering the quality of Crutchfield (Consumer Reports has repeatedly given it the top nod for consumer electronics), this is good news.

The company is known for customer service, so if you're looking for answers to technical questions, you'll be able to get them answered properly, as opposed to the many, many times I've been flat out lied to by big box electronic stores just to try and get the sale. The fact that you can complete the home theater experience while picking up a PlayStation 3 is a definite plus.

Specifically, about the Wii version of Okami.

Christian Svensson responded like a person talking to other people today, putting him head and shoulders above most executives dealing with their company's fans.  Capcom forum-ites have been saying the same thing just about everyone else has about the Wii version of Okami, and the lack of confirmation on 480p 16:9 resolution.  Here's his response-

"A few points here… I get the issues, I really do, but people seem to be missing a few things.

We selected Ready at Dawn to do the port. These guys are all ex-Naughty Dog and ex-Blizzard, and they have already shipped their own titles that have ridiculously high review scores and sales (and have more on the way). Their attention to detail and technical prowess is among the best of any team I've ever worked with.

If we wanted a cheap and dirty port, I could have turned around and picked any one of 50 houses and gotten it done for less and perhaps more quickly. Clearly, that wasn't the approach we sought for a variety of reasons (for the fans, for the reputation of our company, for the potential of the product, etc.).

Lastly, if this were a quick cash in, let's face it, there's TONS of other products that had higher sales on other platforms we could have chosen to port, quickly and cheaply. Okami, as great as it was, wasn't a huge seller on PS2 such that it's quick and dirty port would be assured "sales success" on a new platform. We picked a huge game (read: expensive, especially on testing costs), with a ton of moving parts.

So, on the contrary, we have a lot to prove with this game and I know we, and RAD are up to the task. I apologize if I bristle at the accusation that this is a cheap port, but I do.

Given that the only port we've done to date was RE4, which has a 90+ gamerankings score and provided AMAZING value for the platform, has this really been Capcom's modus operendi such that this allegation should be leveled at us? Zack & Wiki is getting better reviews than just about anything you'll see this year on Wii, except possibly Galaxy. Shovelware is not what we do.

As I've said in prior interviews, we're getting the game up and running first. The game is enormous. If after we have everything working correctly, cleanly and as desired so as not to "break" the amazing experience that is Okami, we will worry about potential enhancements. As we are NOT at that point in the process yet, we are loathe to even mention any potential changes or enhancements for fear of disappointing the fans/media.

So for now, if you MUST assume the worst, assume that you will have an amazing 40-60 hour adventure that is one of gaming's most impressive pieces of art to play in fantastic new ways. If you want to hope for the best, well, perhaps we'll have more to say in a few months, but for now we're going to have to ask for your patience."

I could pick apart a few things in there, but for the most part I agree wholeheartedly, especially in tone.  A little bit "bristle"-y is just the way to be when everyone knows your business better than you.  I've had it up to here (picture my hand held way up high for proper effect) with bland "We strive to give our customers the best value possible, and hope they can appreciate our product in the intended fashion" answers.  I'd rather read any David Jaffe rant than yet another boring, inoffensive, and utterly forgettable interview that's been run through seventeen layers of public relations before I could read a pre-approved word.  Hell, Svensson's comments were pretty mild, it's just that they read relatively honestly.

PS2 Okami wasn't exactly a big-ticket item for Capcom.  The Wii port is hardly a gift to the fans from a generous and loving corporation, but I seriously doubt they're planning their yearly take around its earnings.  If wanted features can be put in as the budget allows, great.  If not, then all I ask is that it be as beautiful and fun as the PS2 original.

If Capcom and Ready At Dawn do have time for a tweak or two, though, might I suggest a difficulty option offering a challenge for someone above the age of 12?  I'd take that over all the hi-res ultra-polygon models in the world.

Arcade-in-a-Box releases the first authentic peripheral for diehard fighting fans. 

With the highly anticipated release the next iteration of KOF and SF2 Turbo HD Remix on the horizon, third-party developers have already begun working on some remarkable must-own peripherals. And if you're like one of the many diehard fighting vets who cherish the ability to recreate an an arcade experience, you'll want to keep an eye on what Arcade-in-a-box has in store for you!

This morning, the company announced the immediate availability of authentic single (see left image) and dual-player arcade sticks for the Xbox 360 console. Each stick is composed of authentic arcade controls identical to those used in such classic arcade cabinets including Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and Galaga. (Yeah, I know Galaga isn't a fighting game, but it was mentioned in the press release.) :p

Check out the following specs:

42- 15" L x 10" D x 4.5" H

Authentic Arcade Buttons and Joysticks

Optional Custom Overlay

You choose the colors for T-molding, buttons and joystick D-Pad, A, B, X, Y, RB, LB, Start, Back, and Guide buttons are included

Optional Headset Jack - Wired USB controller means it's also compatible with Windows XP and Vista-

Constructed with 3/4 black melamine coated wood to give that authentic arcade weight and feel

Optional joystick upgrade to the Mag-Stik Plus or Sanwa JLF

Your choice of button types, either Concave or Convex Pricing

Single-Player $149, Dual-Player $299

It should also be noted that the sticks are Windows XP and Vista compatible, which should delight those of you who often play Kawaks, MAME, or even on GGPO.net! Up till now, gamers haven't been blessed with a high-quality stick (short of creating their own custom model that is) but Arcade-in-a-Box Owner Ed Farias is looking to change all that. "Our goal was to design and deliver a product for the gamer who wanted the most elite, most authentic, and most thrilling Xbox 360 arcade experience possible."

We're hoping to get our hands on one of these awesome sticks to playtest. Stay tuned for further updates and be sure to check out the site for the entire arcade stick lineup!

The largest sci-fi adventure has just been signed and sealed.

This is the stuff that space opera dreams are made of.  The masters of the western RPG, creators of everything from Baldur's Gate to Jade Empire, have completed their long awaited epic.  Promising a vast world to explore and interactions like none other, Mass Effect is destined to be a landmark in console gaming, and it'll be hitting in November exclusively for the Xbox 360.  If just one game disc stuffed with content isn't enough, there'll be a bonus disc for pre-orders and  a collector's edition with the following perks:

* A Mass Effect fiction book titled "Galactic Codex: Essentials."
* A 36-page guide to the Mass Effect universe.
* An additional Mass Effect art book titled "A Future Imagined."
* A 36-page collection of BioWare's concept art for the game.
* A bonus DVD of exclusive Mass Effect background material and additional content.
* 18 Mass Effect themed gamer pics (three unique sets of six).
* 16 dashboard themes (four unique sets of four).
* Ten songs from the Mass Effect soundtrack.
* And a whole lot more.

Combining a rich and engaging narrative with intense sci-fi tactical combat, Mass Effect will have an estimated retail price of $59.99, and the limited collector's edition will have an estimated retail price of $69.99. Mass Effect is rated "M" for "Mature" by the ESRB. For more information, visit http://www.masseffect.com.