Game Chemistry

It may seem like common sense, but gamers have always assumed that they are free to sell, give away or chuck the video game titles that they no longer want out of the door once they are finished. Unfortunately, the video game industry disagrees. In a move that is sure to anger millions of consumers, Sony and Capcom are making major changes to the way in which gamers can access their titles. While Sony’s plans are still in development, Capcom has already made the first move. The company is now testing a feature that only gives gamers the option of utilizing one save slot. So, if you planned on playing ‘Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D’ online, you won’t be able to go back and play the same scenes again unless you start from the beginning.

Sony is taking things one step closer by issuing a password encryption feature that can only be utilized by one gamer. If a PlayStation 3 owner decides to sell off some older titles, the buyer won’t be able to unlock any online features if a pre-owned game is played. If the entire gaming industry follows suit, video game buyers will simply try to find a way to sidestep the technology. However, if other video game developers refuse to implement similar security measures, Sony might be hanging itself out to dry. So far, Sony hasn’t released any titles that include the PSN pass code restrictions, but gamers will have to start thinking carefully before they make future purchases.

Just as Sony has just managed to undue most of the damage done by hackers due to the PlayStation Network security breach, Sega Pass customers were hit, possibly by the same attackers. Sega Pass is an online portal that allows users to download popular video game titles. Now that both Sony and Sega have been hit within a few months of each other, users are beginning to wonder exactly how their personal information is stored. Normally, encryption will stop even sophisticated hackers from being able to make heads or tails of secure data, even if they are able to make it past firewalls and other security measures. Unfortunately, it seems that Sega failed to take adequate steps to securely store its customers vital information.

Like Sony, Sega delivered a heartfelt apology to customers, but many feel that it is too little, too late. Sony customers have been urged to change their passwords, especially if they used them on other websites. It appears that the hackers were not able to get to billing information, but a database with the up to date information of more than 1.3 million people could be just as valuable to unscrupulous characters. Identify theft is a real fear in this technologically advanced age, and having the complete contact information and names of such a large number of targets could cause many Sega customers to experience long-term difficulties. Anyone that has a Sega Pass account should go to the company’s official website and follow the instructions listed for securing their data.

The jury is still out on ‘Duke Nukem Forever,’ but fans have been waiting for this release for years. ‘Duke Nukem’ was one of the original first person shooters that segued seamlessly from the computer to an actual console. Of course, its games like this that have to maintain a delicate blend between preserving all of the elements that attracted fans to the title in the first place, and adding in new details that will make them fall in love all over again. For the most part, the main character, Duke, hasn’t changed one bit. He still likes to crank obnoxious jokes, but his cache of catch phrases is being to get dated.

As for weapons, you will have the chance to see how grenades look when they explode in this updated version of ‘Duke Nukem,’ however, there aren’t any new additions that are particularly exciting. The enemies look the same and the world, though new, is just a recreation of places seen in recently released action thrillers. ‘Duke Nukem Forever’ isn’t breaking any new ground, but it is great for avid fans.

What gamers will get with ‘Duke Nukem Forever’ is an updated version of a title that turned casual players into rabid virtual killing machines. After a few hours, you might start to get bored with the monotony of it all, but this is still a game worth popping in and playing for a little while every so often. Don’t get your hopes high, but do get your fingers ready for a good time.

The video game that Rockstar Games put on hold again and again to pump out new titles for its bestselling “Grand Theft Auto” franchise is finally getting its time in the spotlight. “L.A. Noir” has been described as a gritty crime thriller that relies heavily on a strong storyline and highly detailed animation sequences. Although the game is set in the 1940s, Rockstar still manages to make the characters easy to relate to.

The game’s main character, Cole Phelps, is a WWII vet turned detective. His exposure to the war has turned him into a no-nonsense super sleuth that does whatever he need to to break a case. Though “L.A. Noir” has plenty of the gore and excessive violence that gamers have come to expect from Rockstar Games, it is also thoughtful and methodical.

Much of the game play depends on the player’s ability to fine the clues left at crime scenes and interpret the cryptic messages uttered by distressed suspects. In between all of the slow paced but beautifully rendered animated scenes, gamers are treated to a menagerie of high speed car chases, back alley brawls and the ever present femme fatale.

The game’s slow pace may be the reason why many critics have failed to give it the full five star rating, but for gamers that want something different from the average first person shooter, “L.A. Noir” certainly won’t disappoint. Rockstar Games put “Grand Theft Auto” on hold just to put the finishes on “L.A. Noir” and the work definitely shows.

It is unclear whether John Brandon, a writer for Fox News, actually took the time to play ‘Bulletstorm,’ before he candidly referred to it as the ‘worst video game in the world.’ That’s a pretty strong statement to make about a video game that hast not yet been released and that has received strong reviews from respected game reviewers in the industry. Is ‘Bullstorm,’ violent? Absolutely. In all actuality the game is just another title in a long series of games that only seem to shock those that don’t actually take the time to play the games that they criticize at all.

In the entertainment industry there are plenty of movies with graphic language, images and themes. For the most part, these movies are meant to shock their viewers into actually thinking about their societies. ‘Bulletstorm,’ is no more violent than ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops,’ or any other first person shooter. Brandon then goes on to argue that young gamers will be damaged by playing ‘Bullstorm,’ unless retailers are penalized for selling these titles to anyone that is underage. There is no mention of how parenting comes into play, which is strange considering that the average nine year old at least has to get a ride from his or her parents to the mall. Real gamers will either love or hate ‘Bulletstorm’ because of its graphics, game play and storyline, but it is still unclear why Fox News decided to focus on a game that they couldn’t be bothered to play before reviewing.

This is certainly not the first time that video games have been blamed for violent attacks, but the striking similarities between, ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,’ and the recent violent attacks at Domodedovo International Airport are remarkable. Even so, researchers have already shown that people that demonstrate violent behavior are not further influenced by violent video games. Social background and financial status are both far more important factors when it comes to identifying those that may be more inclined towards violent behavior. In the aftermath of the infamous Columbine attacks, the media went on a modern day witch hunt and they were quick to blame certain music artists and video game makers. As time went on, people began to realize that the parents themselves were more responsible than any other outside influence.

All of these facts have not stopped politicians and the media in Russia from condemning the makers of, ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.’ In fairness, the video game in question is far more realistic than most, and gamers have a number of choices to make within the game itself. The fact that a violent attack was essentially duplicated in the very same place that it was presented in a video game has led some to believe that there should be more restrictions on who can get access to them. Most countries already have laws and regulations for video game retailers, but ultimately parents are the ones that get to decide whether or not their children can play violent video games.