[LCfiner]

That was pretty exhaustive. Very cool. I only missed one game, so I'll check that QL out when it's up. Overall, not that impressive, but I'm still sold, if for nothing other than Lumines.

I may not be in for day one, but I saw enough stuff to let me know I should get one later in the year or early next year. There’s a lot of potential there.

For example, I have no doubt that a new wipeout game coming down the line would be better optimized for the hardware and could run at 60 fps. that’s something I would get.

[LiQuid!]

Good to see GB finally endorsing the original PSP.

And Tactics Ogre, to boot. One of the best tactical RPG remakes on any system and $20 is a steal for it.

Kinda surprised to see the PSP game prices vary so wildly. I'm used to XBLA and the awful Games on Demand where most games are pretty firmly set in stone and very rarely drop in price. The range of prices for games on PSN seems great enough that I'd be in danger of impulse spending myself into the poor house if I had a Vita.

Also I'm totally with Jeff, stop all the marketplace bullshit of forcing customers to buy physical copies of games. There needs to be a digital version of Lumines. That's the type of game that needs to be available via one touch every time you have your system.

[StuBurns]

There will be digital versions of every PSV game.

[chiablo]

3DS launch: 12 games.

Vita Launch: 25 games.

I'd say the Vita has handily won this round.

[Brad Grenz]

Vita Lumines IS going to be available as a digital download. ALL RETAIL VITA GAMES will be. It's just not on the store yet because none of the thirdy party stuff has gone live. I don't think there is any serious concern about Sony backtracking there. In fact, 3rd parties WANT digital to become the defacto standard. You can't sell PSN copies used. Some publishers may not have thought the potential sales were worth the trouble of adding their old PSP games to PSN, but there is no barrier in the Vita's case since it is a requirement for all games being published at the outset.

[Typographenia]

I did a 17 hour live stream when the Vita was launched here in Japan with Mehdi. So, 5 hours ain't long at all. ;)

Mother of mercy. I can hardly stand to put more than 2 hours at a time into a single session, unless I'm really determined about it. I tip my hat to you.

[pharmboy044]

I did a 17 hour live stream when the Vita was launched here in Japan with Mehdi. So, 5 hours ain't long at all. ;)

That was pretty awesome. I loved the unboxing in the car while you guys were driving, pretty hilarious.

[LuchaShaq]

IT has a sim card slot and can accept message but not send them? Throw in the ability to respond and a microphone for the 1 phonecall I make every 3 or so days and I'd go from no chance in hell to day one.

[pharmboy044]

IT has a sim card slot and can accept message but not send them? Throw in the ability to respond and a microphone for the 1 phonecall I make every 3 or so days and I'd go from no chance in hell to day one.

It has a built in microphone that supposedly is pretty good and will be getting Skype.

[StuBurns]

3DS launch: 12 games. Vita Launch: 25 games. I'd say the Vita has handily won this round.

For serious?

[SweetTeddie]

And Tactics Ogre, to boot. One of the best tactical RPG remakes on any system and $20 is a steal for it. Kinda surprised to see the PSP game prices vary so wildly. I'm used to XBLA and the awful Games on Demand where most games are pretty firmly set in stone and very rarely drop in price. The range of prices for games on PSN seems great enough that I'd be in danger of impulse spending myself into the poor house if I had a Vita. Also I'm totally with Jeff, stop all the marketplace bullshit of forcing customers to buy physical copies of games. There needs to be a digital version of Lumines. That's the type of game that needs to be available via one touch every time you have your system.

I'm pretty sure Sony said from the start that ALL games will have a digital version in the Playstation store, but only some will get retail releases. They made it a single submission system, so you can't decide to only have a game sell on retail.

[LCfiner]

I thought Jeff was referring to the original PSP version of Lumines that was (is) not available on PSN (this came up a lot when the PSP Go launched. it bummed me out, for sure)

And I thought that was mainly a licensing issue.

[KongRudi]

Dissapointed in the Giant-bomb quicklook livestream of Vita, they seemed totally unprepeared, and supertired, and constantly complaining.
One of the dudes were extra useless, like a mime, couldn't even put the disk in the boxes.
Only commenting on how expensive Uncharted were, and if he had that game on Iphone.
He could have had a PC-looking up stuff.

They barely seemed to have tried the device before, or even looked up any video of system-functionality before they decided to do a quicklook-live stream.
They didn't know if there were a microphone on the device.
They didn't know how to work the picture filters or button-mapping of PSP-games, he just had done it by accident.
They didn't want to show of party-system, just said it were text-only, wich is wrong.
And when asked questions about custom-soundtrack, they said they didn't think there weren't any, until users in chat had to tell them how they turned it on.

Also annoying that they didn't bother to mention the price on most of the games, and when they did more often than not they were guessing. :-/
I could see that, if they were talking about PSN-games, wich weren't available yet, but when talking about prices they allways refferred to the most expensive MSRP-price.
And they complained that some of the games where available on Iphone, but didn't really bother to check out if there were any differences on the stuff - like online play.
The only usefull information I got out of this, were looking at some of the Near-features, wich I hadn't seen before, wich looked cool.
But it were really annoying to see that he downloaded Near-stuff, but didn't bother to check it out ingame when they came to the games he had gotten Near-stuff for.

They should also concider moving abit closer to their wifi-spot, the Mac were wired into ethernet, but the wifi for the Vita seemed to be moving between 0 and maximum 1 dots all the time.. :P

[shadyspace]

Dissapointed in the Giant-bomb quicklook livestream of Vita, they seemed totally unprepeared, and supertired, and constantly complaining. One of the dudes were extra useless, like a mime, couldn't even put the disk in the boxes. Only commenting on how expensive Uncharted were, and if he had that game on Iphone. He could have had a PC-looking up stuff. They barely seemed to have tried the device before, or even looked up any video of system-functionality before they decided to do a quicklook-live stream. They didn't know if there were a microphone on the device. They didn't know how to work the picture filters or button-mapping of PSP-games, he just had done it by accident. They didn't want to show of party-system, just said it were text-only, wich is wrong. And when asked questions about custom-soundtrack, they said they didn't think there weren't any, until users in chat had to tell them how they turned it on. Also annoying that they didn't bother to mention the price on most of the games, and when they did more often than not they were guessing. :-/ I could see that, if they were talking about PSN-games, wich weren't available yet, but when talking about prices they allways refferred to the most expensive MSRP-price. And they complained that some of the games where available on Iphone, but didn't really bother to check out if there were any differences on the stuff - like online play. The only usefull information I got out of this, were looking at some of the Near-features, wich I hadn't seen before, wich looked cool. But it were really annoying to see that he downloaded Near-stuff, but didn't bother to check it out ingame when they came to the games he had gotten Near-stuff for. They should also concider moving abit closer to their wifi-spot, the Mac were wired into ethernet, but the wifi for the Vita seemed to be moving between 0 and maximum 1 dots all the time.. :P

Whatever you say, Walt Whitman.

[Officerrob]

Dissapointed in the Giant-bomb quicklook livestream of Vita, they seemed totally unprepeared, and supertired, and constantly complaining. One of the dudes were extra useless, like a mime, couldn't even put the disk in the boxes. Only commenting on how expensive Uncharted were, and if he had that game on Iphone. He could have had a PC-looking up stuff. They barely seemed to have tried the device before, or even looked up any video of system-functionality before they decided to do a quicklook-live stream. They didn't know if there were a microphone on the device. They didn't know how to work the picture filters or button-mapping of PSP-games, he just had done it by accident. They didn't want to show of party-system, just said it were text-only, wich is wrong. And when asked questions about custom-soundtrack, they said they didn't think there weren't any, until users in chat had to tell them how they turned it on. Also annoying that they didn't bother to mention the price on most of the games, and when they did more often than not they were guessing. :-/ I could see that, if they were talking about PSN-games, wich weren't available yet, but when talking about prices they allways refferred to the most expensive MSRP-price. And they complained that some of the games where available on Iphone, but didn't really bother to check out if there were any differences on the stuff - like online play. The only usefull information I got out of this, were looking at some of the Near-features, wich I hadn't seen before, wich looked cool. But it were really annoying to see that he downloaded Near-stuff, but didn't bother to check it out ingame when they came to the games he had gotten Near-stuff for. They should also concider moving abit closer to their wifi-spot, the Mac were wired into ethernet, but the wifi for the Vita seemed to be moving between 0 and maximum 1 dots all the time.. :P

Perhaps there isn't too much to be excited about at this point? Most of the GB guys have previously stated that they don't exactly see the purpose of this device due to a large percentage of people shifting to IOS and the high cost of entry. Combine that with the fact that most of the launch software consists of rehashes, and I can see their point.

[KongRudi]

I'm pretty sure Sony said from the start that ALL games will have a digital version in the Playstation store, but only some will get retail releases. They made it a single submission system, so you can't decide to only have a game sell on retail.

I'm pretty sure that's it's up to the publisher - where he wants to sell the games.
But it's only one version beeing sent to Sony for testing, and if it passes, it gets accepted for both retail and PSN-release.
So unless (for example) Gamespot makes a deal with EA, about making one particular game exclusive, I don't see why publishers wouldn't want games beeing released for both digital and retail, unless you just want to limit your userbase, or lower your costs by going digital only.

[StuBurns]

Sony said everything at retail will be on PSN, so I don't think it is the publisher's call. It's probably to make sure if they do release a DD only PSV down the line, it has a complete library. Missing some bigger releases like KH:BbS on PSN hurt the Go no doubt.

[Kurdel]

And that is why I love Giant Bomb.

If I wanted to listen to people read off a press release of bullet points I would watch [insert an other website here].

[EmCeeGramr]

there is literally no middle ground between being uninformed but funny or a fact-spewing robot

none

if anything attempts this they will be annihilated from reality with no trace of their existence remaining

[Massa]

Perhaps there isn't too much to be excited about at this point? Most of the GB guys have previously stated that they don't exactly see the purpose of this device due to a large percentage of people shifting to IOS and the high cost of entry. Combine that with the fact that most of the launch software consists of rehashes, and I can see their point.

Regardless of how they feel about the device or games this was overall a pretty dull and lifeless stream of content from GB.

[SteveWinwood]

Regardless of how they feel about the device or games this was overall a pretty dull and lifeless stream of content from GB.

No vinny.

there is literally no middle ground between being uninformed but funny or a fact-spewing robot none if anything attempts this they will be annihilated from reality with no trace of their existence remaining

I'll do it myself.

[Dragonzord]

Regardless of how they feel about the device or games this was overall a pretty dull and lifeless stream of content from GB.

Hard to make the Vita look exciting

[Massa]

Hard to make the Vita look exciting

Making the Vita look exciting is not what I'm talking about. In fact if I only watched GB for coverage of exciting games I'd be missing out on their best content.

[Riposte]

Okay guys: More or less depressing stream than what you were expecting??

[KongRudi]

Perhaps there isn't too much to be excited about at this point? Most of the GB guys have previously stated that they don't exactly see the purpose of this device due to a large percentage of people shifting to IOS and the high cost of entry. Combine that with the fact that most of the launch software consists of rehashes, and I can see their point.

I'm not a regular at Giant Bomb, since I'm mainly playing on PS3 and PC.
While GB mainly seems to focus mostly on Kinect and 360. :-/
Criticism or feedback might not be wanted, but I'm giving feedback anyway. :)

I've seen alot of coverage about the device to be excited for it, on youtube - and proper websites, I also watched DJ's livestream, but tuned into GB for this quicklook, since I'm getting a Vita. Even tough potential Vita-gamers might not be Giant Bomb's target audience, they should atleast try to figure out what the thing can and will do.

I'm not really sure on how high priority video-games journalist take over hand-modelling for Jeff, but when you run a gaming-website, you ought to put some effort into research, I think, call it work-ethic, or serving your readers.

Do you really find it excusable that none of the three so-called videogame-journalists, didn't know if there were a microphone on the device?
It's right there in the 'welcome-park' tutorial software - there is a 'game' wich has you singing into the microphone - while you create a remix of the 'song', giving you a trophy, if you use more than 20 sound-balls.

I don't know that much about Giant Bomb, I'm not a target-audience, I guess.
But not giving feedback on that kind of video-game journalism, I feel like is to not complain on a bus-company, who employs blind drivers.

[Dragonzord]

I'm not a regular at Giant Bomb, since I'm mainly playing on PS3 and PC. While GB mainly seems to focus mostly on Kinect and 360. :-/ Criticism or feedback might not be wanted, but I'm giving feedback anyway. :) I've seen alot of coverage about the device to be excited for it, on youtube - and proper websites, I also watched DJ's livestream, but tuned into GB for this quicklook, since I'm getting a Vita. Even tough potential Vita-gamers might not be Giant Bomb's target audience, they should atleast try to figure out what the thing can and will do. I'm not really sure on how high priority video-games journalist take over hand-modelling for Jeff, but when you run a gaming-website, you ought to put some effort into research, I think, call it work-ethic, or serving your readers. Do you really find it excusable that none of the three so-called videogame-journalists, didn't know if there were a microphone on the device? It's right there in the 'welcome-park' tutorial software - there is a 'game' wich has you singing into the microphone - while you create a remix of the 'song', giving you a trophy, if you use more than 20 sound-balls. I don't know that much about Giant Bomb, I'm not a target-audience, I guess. But not giving feedback on that kind of video-game journalism, I feel like is to not complain on a bus-company, who employs blind drivers.

Who gives a shit that it has a mic? Why wouldn't it? What handheld device doesn't have one these days?

[ThusZarathustra]

snip

Go to IGN son, you'll be happier.

You want regurgitated PR blab and myopic nitpicking, they're your site.

[SteveWinwood]

I'm not a regular at Giant Bomb, since I'm mainly playing on PS3 and PC. While GB mainly seems to focus mostly on Kinect and 360. :-/ Criticism or feedback might not be wanted, but I'm giving feedback anyway. :) I've seen alot of coverage about the device to be excited for it, on youtube - and proper websites, I also watched DJ's livestream, but tuned into GB for this quicklook, since I'm getting a Vita. Even tough potential Vita-gamers might not be Giant Bomb's target audience, they should atleast try to figure out what the thing can and will do. I'm not really sure on how high priority video-games journalist take over hand-modelling for Jeff, but when you run a gaming-website, you ought to put some effort into research, I think, call it work-ethic, or serving your readers. Do you really find it excusable that none of the three so-called videogame-journalists, didn't know if there were a microphone on the device? It's right there in the 'welcome-park' tutorial software - there is a 'game' wich has you singing into the microphone - while you create a remix of the 'song', giving you a trophy, if you use more than 20 sound-balls. I don't know that much about Giant Bomb, I'm not a target-audience, I guess. But not giving feedback on that kind of video-game journalism, I feel like is to not complain on a bus-company, who employs blind drivers.

Hint: GB doesn't focus on Kinect.

[Brobzoid]

I counted less than ten smiles from Jeff, and I consider four of them highly contentious as they could have been sarcastic. Also worth noting that he never raised his voice in exuberance when a game was booting up - which seems unprofessional as I imagine many watching the stream would have had they been in his place.

clearly he hates his life and should stop talking about video games on the internet.

[Arlecchino]

Some serious Poe's Law going on in this thread; I don't know what the fuck is going on.

[Home]

The hardware itself is pretty neat, but the launch games leave a lot to be desired, just like pretty much every system launch in history. I'll probably pick one up once some better games come out, or atleast when Lumines drops in price.

[Jintor]

To some extent I don't really think of them as journalists anymore, more like entertainers (exception: Patrick in written materials)

[GavinGT]

I'm not a regular at Giant Bomb, since I'm mainly playing on PS3 and PC. While GB mainly seems to focus mostly on Kinect and 360. :-/ Criticism or feedback might not be wanted, but I'm giving feedback anyway. :) I've seen alot of coverage about the device to be excited for it, on youtube - and proper websites, I also watched DJ's livestream, but tuned into GB for this quicklook, since I'm getting a Vita. Even tough potential Vita-gamers might not be Giant Bomb's target audience, they should atleast try to figure out what the thing can and will do. I'm not really sure on how high priority video-games journalist take over hand-modelling for Jeff, but when you run a gaming-website, you ought to put some effort into research, I think, call it work-ethic, or serving your readers. Do you really find it excusable that none of the three so-called videogame-journalists, didn't know if there were a microphone on the device? It's right there in the 'welcome-park' tutorial software - there is a 'game' wich has you singing into the microphone - while you create a remix of the 'song', giving you a trophy, if you use more than 20 sound-balls. I don't know that much about Giant Bomb, I'm not a target-audience, I guess. But not giving feedback on that kind of video-game journalism, I feel like is to not complain on a bus-company, who employs blind drivers.

Wait, hold the presses, it's got a MICROPHONE?

Who gives a shit?

And from now on, you should probably just stick to sites that tell you exactly what you want to hear. It's pretty obvious you just wanted to tune in to have others reinforce your purchase decision.

[Riposte]

Vita's microphone/chat stuff is actually very good. Works well with PSP games (since you can multitask with parties).

[SteveWinwood]

I counted less than ten smiles from Jeff, and I consider four of them highly contentious as they could have been sarcastic. Also worth noting that he never raised his voice in exuberance when a game was booting up - which seems unprofessional as I imagine many watching the stream would have had they been in his place. clearly he hates his life and should stop talking about video games on the internet.

Maybe his grandma died.

[Dany M]

When it feels more like work than fun for them, then they shouldn't record anything

[RomanticHeroX]

Jeff was exhausted from a late night slowdancing and clearly in no state to fairly evaluate video games. Just the kind of crap I'd expect from "so-called" "video 'game'" journalists.

[MonsterDunk]

Maybe his grandma died.

All she ever wanted was for me to score six goals and have the hard facts about the potential presence of a microphone totally confirmed. And I couldn't do either.

Pretty much the worst day of my life, you guys.

[Riposte]

Jokes aside, if they are not going to act like they want to be there then I'm not going to watch. And if I'm not going to watch (in other words: spend time on the site) I'm not going to feel like paying them a fucking subscription is worth it.

[Jintor]

You've still got Tested and Bricked to watch!

[Arlecchino]

Giantbomb threads need a bingo sheet.

I just crossed off "Giantbomb staff come into the thread for a smackdown, drop the mic, then walk back out

[Requeim]

All she ever wanted was for me to score six goals and have the hard facts about the potential presence of a microphone totally confirmed. And I couldn't do either. Pretty much the worst day of my life, you guys.

edit: i think Ryan is the only one who hasn't been to these threads now

[obonicus]

Should they be feigning excitement? It's not like they were shit-talking the system and its games throughout. These games aren't bad enough to be funny, not good enough to hold attention on their own and generally not that much fun. They're a bunch of launch games. Things like the Kinect marathon were more entertaining exactly because so many of those games were trainwrecks.

To some extent I don't really think of them as journalists anymore, more like entertainers (exception: Patrick in written materials)

With the exception of Patrick, I don't think they ever considered themselves journalists, rather games writers.

[GavinGT]

Jokes aside, if they are not going to act like they want to be there then I'm not going to watch. And if I'm not going to watch (in other words: spend time on the site) I'm not going to feel like paying them a fucking subscription is worth it.

Jeff's credibility is built on the fact that he always keeps it real. I much prefer him to act naturally than to constantly go around with a fake smile on his face. He was there to show us the Vita and give us his opinion on it, not to hawk the system like he's on HSN (or Cutlery Corner, if you prefer).

Also, Jeff, I'm sorry about your grandma. I too know a thing or two about disappointing my loved ones.

[Curufinwe]

I thought their coverage today was fine.

[Otrebor Nightmarecoat]

The amount of crying over the inability of giantbomb to have an orgasm, much more pretend one, over a new game system has me and a few true fans (read: the ones who are complaining about the lack of excitement) worried sick.

[Gav47]

edit: i think Ryan is the only one who hasn't been to these threads now

What about Vinny and Patrick?

[MrTroubleMaker]

What about Vinny and Patrick?

they have

[FStop7]

Okay, I admit that I haven't yet watched today's QL.

That said, I did watch the Q&A session between the GB staff and Dave Snyder over whether or not he should get a Vita. They didn't seem particularly negative then. Is today's QL somehow different or is this just Internet bellyaching?

[GavinGT]

The amount of crying over the inability of giantbomb to have an orgasm, much more pretend one, over a new game system has me and a few true fans (read: the ones who are complaining about the lack of excitement) worried sick.

Is this tongue-in-cheek? Poorly worded? Or do you really expect them to feign excitement for this thing just because you think it deserves it?

I don't know where some of you guys have been recently, but quite a lot of people are lukewarm on the Vita.

Okay, I admit that I haven't yet watched today's QL. That said, I did watch the Q&A session between the GB staff and Dave Snyder over whether or not he should get a Vita. They didn't seem particularly negative then. Is today's QL somehow different or is this just Internet bellyaching?

It's like the Uncharted 3 8.8 review all over again. People are pissed because they don't want to hear any form of criticism whatsoever.