Halo Reach Launch Night September 14, 2010
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Halo Reach came out at midnight today and this is what was waiting for me in front of my local GameStop when I came to pick up my order. There were a ton of Halo fans ready to play, furvored with anticipation. Some of them were even willing to sit for an interview!
Check out my coverage of Halo Reach’s midnight launch, at my local GameStop in glorious 1080p!
If you’re just checking out the site for the first time because you’re one of the people interviewed, thanks again!
Top Five Jedi Knight Cutscenes September 9, 2010
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Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II probably has some of the best cutscenes seen to date in a video game, and it is probably where all my love for cutscenes has come from.
Here’s a list of the top five cutscenes in the game.
Man I miss live-action FMVs.
Top Five Alan Wake Cutscenes August 29, 2010
Posted by Maniac in Site Videos, Top Cutscenes.8 comments
I had so much fun making the Top Ten Halo Cutscenes I decided to do another one, a top five with the game that I’ve been playing almost all summer, Alan Wake.
The game’s sense of story, pacing, tension, drama and humor are perfect, and it was difficult to even pick five of the best, let alone ranking them. But here’s my list of the best cutscenes in Alan Wake.
Scenes were graded based on story, quotable dialog, music, and setting, and given a score based upon each. I have to say, it was very difficult but totally worth it.
If you haven’t played this game yet, shame on you!
Coffee Table Video Game Art Books August 22, 2010
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I love when games transcend the medium, and occasionally a publisher will release a beautiful art book based around a video game, worthy of any collector’s coffee table.
Some people like art books, some people like books on landscaping or home design, I like my coffee table books on video games.
Top Ten Halo Cutscenes Supplement August 15, 2010
Posted by Maniac in Site Videos, Top Cutscenes.4 comments
After reading all the comments from my recent Top Ten Halo Cutscenes video, it surprised me everyone wanted me to include Halo Wars and Halo 3 ODST.
The truth was, because the games were so new (both were released in 2009), they just couldn’t score high enough in the nostalgia sector to beat the contenders for the top ten. But there was enough of a demand from fans that I decided at least five more should be posted.
The rules were still the same. They were graded on story, music, quotable dialog, setting and nostalgia, but with a few twists. Halo 3 ODST and Halo Wars cutscenes could make the list now, however, no cutscene that had previously been on the list could.
So for the people who watched and enjoyed my previous top ten, enjoy, this is for all of you!
Top Ten Halo Cutscenes August 12, 2010
Posted by Maniac in Site Videos, Top Cutscenes.3 comments
After seeing the recent Halo Reach trailer I was reminded that Bungie made some of the best cutscenes to date in video games. While short, they got a lot of story across and featured some great dialog and music.
So then I started jotting down some ideas as to what were my favorite cutscenes in the Halo games. Then I decided the best thing to do would be to pick out my favorite ten. Because there were going to be ten, I had to set some ground rules with how to rate them. I decided that they should stick to in-engine rendered videos, which meant Halo Wars was excluded, and I also thought that they should stick to the Master Chief’s story, so Halo 3 ODST was removed. With those restrictions in place, then the list started to take shape.
I seriously have a whole legal pad marked up with names, names crossed off, plus and minuses given to certain videos. They have been organized based upon story presentation, music, setting, quotable dialog, and finally nostalgic factor. I say nostalgic factor was the most important thing because my feelings towards these cutscenes are the reason why I’m even doing the top ten in the first place.
They were all initially watched in sequence (Halos 1-3) with no spoilers when I first watched them. Seriously though, these videos are full to the brim with spoilers, don’t watch them if you don’t want to know what happens.
Like the t-shirt?
The Long Road to Recon August 6, 2010
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After picking up Halo 3 ODST I was obsessed with using it to get the highly desired Recon Armor, and doing it the fair way, by completing all seven of the VidMaster challenges.
Recon Armor is the highest honor that can be given to a Halo 3 player. It is special armor originally only for Bungie employees and only given to people under the radar for going above and beyond merely playing Halo. Previous recipients include people who beat Bungie employees at their own game (literally) and a couple who had a Halo themed wedding.
It took 10 months, as long as a year of college (sans summer) to do it, but on August 4th, 2010 my multiplayer character was awarded Recon Armor. This is the story of how I got it, the ups the downs, the good parts and the parts where I lost all hope. Enjoy the video about the greatest accomplishment I ever received in my life (and I am a college graduate).
Enjoy the very first gameXcess.net video in 1080p HD! Thanks to all those who helped me out!
For those of you unaware of Recon or what the VidMaster achievements are, here’s an informational video. Hopefully it’ll help you as it helped me.
Small Town Geek Bar May 28, 2010
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Where I come from there are no venues for people like me to go where I can just be myself. I have no hang out.
After watching Malcolm Ingram’s documentary “Small Town Gay Bar”, and seeing the people of that movie people finding a place where they could just be themselves, I asked myself, where could people like me, the geeks, go to be ourselves? We don’t have such a place.
But back in 2003, I did, for a few months. And this is that story.
I had tried filming this well over a year ago on a much older camera, I’m sure you’ll notice on my YouTube channel some of the original test shots for the documentary are still up. I know I had promised that all the new video content for the site would be shot on my new 1080p camera. However, this video was made before I had the new camera, forgive me.
Alan Wake Limited Collector’s Edition Unboxing May 18, 2010
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I’ve waited FIVE years for this moment. Alan Wake has been released in the US since Midnight, and here is my first day and date unboxing, and oh boy is it glorious!
For those of you who haven’t yet picked this up (because you’re asleep) get off your comfy beds and go buy this right now!
Dear Playstation May 16, 2010
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With all the people asking questions to Sony, I thought I’d show you one I submitted. Wonder if VP Kevin Butler would like to respond to it.
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