Baby Boomer

Well, I figured it was about time to start doing something that wasn't so game related for this week's comic strip. I got the concept while trying to sleep; one of those nights where your mind races at a mile a minute. The entire strip just popped in there, practically word for word. I've noticed that I go off and on with either Andy or Brett being either the butt of the joke or the serious one. This time it was Andy's turn to shine and present the truth about how babies are conceived. While I did say it wasn't video game related, I bet a few people will notice the number of gaming references I attempted to subtly stick in there. I'll personally shake the hand of anyone who can tell me the reference made in Brett's T-shirt on panel three. Good luck, and keep plugged in for next week. While video game news is limited for the time being, I'll be able to delve into more randomness for inspiration. Always open to suggestions, people!

Splinter Cell: Convicted or just dead?

Splinter Cell: Conviction is one of the best installments to the series yet. I love the new Fisher, willing to go above and beyond to find out what he wants without concerning himself with a body count. He wants the agency to know he's around. It's stealth meets dark stalker. Penny Arcade commented on the guards incessant dialogue so check that out after this for another good laugh. The henchmen really do just go on and on about the most obscene shit, I couldn't believe it. I can understand them being scared out of their minds because they are likely about to die but come on, people! Have some balls!

Special Announcement

Marvel vs Capcom 3 is now officially being developed for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3! We've only been asking for this game since 2 came out back in the days of Sega Dreamcast (remember those days? I do). According to GiantBomb, the game will use the same engine that powered other popular games like Resident Evil 5 and Lost Planet 2. It seems capable of handling the fast and chaotic nature Capcom's crossover series has been noted for. From the debut trailer also available for viewing at GiantBomb, the game looks like it will take the same visual approach as Street Fighter IV, maybe with more emphasis on heavy black shadows for a comic feel. Many popular cast members will return like Ryu , Morrigan, and Wolverine, but the trailer shows Hulk fighting against...Chris Redfield? This could be awesome. Keep eyes out for a full character roster when available. Maybe they will realize my dream match: Keanu Reeves against Nicolas Cage! Later, gamer!

wehadtogaminginc.

I know this is pretty much old news, but somehow I had to realize this vision. Blame my buddy if you want to point fingers. He gave this thing life. We were playing a round in Tiger Woods 10 and poking fun at Tiger's painful expressions on some of the pictures. Maybe I missed the point but I thought to myself why in the world would they use THOSE shots of Tiger? At that instant, my friend adds in, "It's like the shot after his wife found out." OOOOOOOH! I do love Tiger and all, but that kind of crap he pulled isn't sanctioned in any way. Stay on the green, buddy. It's safer there and your balls are always in good condition. Looking forward to PGA Tour 11!

Language Barrier

Looks like an increasing problem in the gaming world is not the violence in games themselves, but the language of the gamers. With online gaming on the rise and over 23 million members on Xbox Live alone, players are exchanging racist, homophobic and various profanities over gaming sessions. Even some gamer tags and screen names are plays on racial slurs. Founder of the website GayGamer.net Flynn DeMarco said that more policing is needed in the online community. He is working alongside gaming corporations to help eliminate the problem. Microsoft is asking people to be their own police force in these cases and report those gamers using the language. The charges on the gamer will be reviewed and punishments can include suspended voice capabilities or banishment from the online service. The company is even considering having its users register with their actual names though it would be in clear violation of privacy for the gamers and a potential safety risk. After all this, I'm left wondering where we went wrong as players. I rarely play online without other people I already know personally but am definitely aware there are those out there who are online merely to boast their skill and ego. Time will only tell the way this war will go. What side are you on?

Brotherly Love

In honor of Mega Man 10, I've come up with this little gag. While playing the tenth installment of the series, I started to wonder why Proto Man was now such a big part of the game. In 9 I had to fork over cash to play as him via DLC and he takes twice as much damage from attacks as Mega Man. Even with Mega Man's bum hip that won't let him slide like in the good ol' days, I actually prefer playing with the blue bomber. Apart from the shield, dash, and charge shot, Proto Man seems disguised as the game's hard mode. And now he's on the character select screen...Mega Man now has a character select screen? And Bass now as well? When the hell did he come back into this whole thing? Too many unanswered questions with too little bits to work them out. Help me, Capcom. You're my only hope.

Preview for Review

Just a little additional comic fun for the masses. This was one of the video slide shows I had made for the Pulse. You can watch it with full audio on the Pulse website but here it is in its simplest form. Yay for Final Fantasy!

Movin' On Up

As promised, here is the welcoming comic for the move to the Pulse. I have to say I think I got a bit over zealous with the burn tool but the effect is worth it. I'm still playing around with various options in the program and hope to show off more things like this in the next couple issues. Hope you enjoy and keep plugged in for next week when I delve into the violent world of Splinter Cell: Conviction.

Upgrading

Well, it looks to be official. GameOver's Andy & Brett will be moving to the Pulse online magazine. A welcoming comic strip is already in the works and should be posted in sync with the site's launch. I've already planned out strips for the next two weeks so be expecting more news on them shortly. In addition to the new site, the GameOver blog will be continued on the Pulse blog server though I will maintain this domain for the quarter as well with small news info for anyone who hasn't already heard about the transition. Sounds like a whole lot of new information to digest but stay with me. I know you'll like the improvements. Back with more news later!

Wow, Xbox Live Really Listens to Me

In an article featured on ign.com, Microsoft has announced that as of April 7 of this year, it will be dialing back its points into increments of 400 rather than the original set of 500. The hope is that it will make things a bit easier on users when purchasing online titles. The change was spurred by Xbox community responses. It warms my cockles to think that a company actually looks at the customer with the intent of serving their needs. Now if we can only get tech support to do the same thing. In case you want to know the problem I'm talking about, head on over to youtube.com and look up "Cobra Commander calls to get his Xbox 360 fixed!" Enjoy. "COBRAAAA!!!"

Awwwwsome

While scrolling through Giant Bomb's site, I came across a trailer for Rocket Knight for Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network. The retro-junkie in me lit up like Christmas morning at the mere mention of the release of a new rocket knight game. I'd played Konami's original Rocket Knight Adventures and its sequel, Sparkster, on the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo when I was a youngster and loved every minute of it. It was like seeing the best bits of my childhood gaming flooding back. What can be better than an opossum in a suit of armor strapped to a jet pack? The answer is very little. The game is set for release spring of this year but no other details are available for the moment. Check out GiantBomb.com and other sites for the trailer.

Why Your System Dies

Reading the headlines of Yahoo! News, I came across an article on the Plugged In section that listed the top things that kill gaming consoles. It mentions dust and problems with overheating common to all systems, the Xbox 360 in particular has a heat issue resulting in the nearly 40 percent failure rate otherwise know as the "red rings of death," but all common knowledge things among even casual gamers. The one thing I didn't see on the list was human negligence. Nearly all the problems that can send your console to the twinkling lights of mech heaven are things caused by users. We tend to play for long periods without getting in a break every hour or so and could care less that we can carve our name in the dust accumulated on the console itself. That same dust is likely from our own dead skin cells we shed over a three hour session with Modern Warfare. Be a friend and care for your system like it was one of the family because let's face it, with the amount of time we spend with our buddy systems, we owe them that much.

GameOver is Back

Central gamers,
I'm happy to announce the return of GameOver and the continuation into the epic Andy & Brett comic series. I am also pleased to let everyone know that work is being done to expand the blog on the Pulse website complete with article related to gaming news and every other fun bits 'n' bytes that goes with it. Check back with the blog for gaming briefs, previews and additional comic material. Hopefully I can introduce some new material like videos, Q&A's, faqs, help, and other randomness. Welcome back to GameOver!