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[eznark]

With Jeff back this week I'll see what he thinks of AP.

I wouldn't term my comments on the game a rant but that's certainly your prerogative to do so. It's an okay game which I thought I communicated. I feel the potential is there, though, to do a spy rpg so much better. So okay, it calls itself an espionage rpg. My hopes were that there was more to it than the heavy action elements we'd seen. In the end it feels like an Unreal Engine shooter that relies on the cover mechanic a lot with a character system draped over it. At least what it shows in the first hub the story is an uninspired version of something that's been done to death. And weird tech and logic issues undermine the experience.

I don't remember, did you say you finished the game? According to the ATB folks, the game is shit story and option wise until you get out of Saudi Arabi or wherever.

Do you think the options allow you to turn it into the less combat heavy experience? Gerstmann seemed to say he was able to load up stealth etc and forgo a lot of the shitty combat.

 

[SapientWolf]

There wasn't a single moment that I found myself in agreement or even plausible understanding with ANYTHING that came out of Garnett's mouth this week. I have yet to play AP, but his stance started by claiming he agrees with 'Gerstmann's' opinion, and yet everything he talked about from the game was COMPLETELY at odd's with what Jeff had talked about on GiantBomb. Completely at odd's.

I also couldn't believe a single person on the panel didn't step up during his rants(particularly during all the guffah's making fun of the AP dialogue tree system). This show -desperately- needs a Devil's advocate. I kept waiting for someone, anyone, to chime in and call bullshit or at least 'debate' Garnett.

I really need to stop listening, this episode was just awful.

I don't feel like the games on the podcast were getting an even handed evaluation. It was basically "here are all the reasons why this game is the best/worst." I just wasn't getting a full picture of the mechanics and structure, which is what I've come to expect from gaming podcasts. So yeah, I think the podcast needs another strong personality to steer the conversation in a different direction.

 

[Curufinwe]

I was baffled at the "what would get you to buy a new console discussion", mostly because not once did they mention, you know, games. I buy new consoles because they have games on them that I want to play and can't play on my current ones - I can't imagine it's different for most gamers, but they just kinda acted as if people just buy consoles to masturbate over the tech specs.

I was baffled at the consoles already do 1080p spiel.

One of the main reasons I'm excited to see new games consoles by the end of 2012 is because the 360 and PS3 have been great, and very painful, learning experiences for MS and Sony and technology (e.g RAM) is now so cheap that new consoles will be able to have vastly improved tech without being prohibitively expensive.

 

[Gattsu25]

There wasn't a single moment that I found myself in agreement or even plausible understanding with ANYTHING that came out of Garnett's mouth this week. I have yet to play AP, but his stance started by claiming he agrees with 'Gerstmann's' opinion, and yet everything he talked about from the game was COMPLETELY at odd's with what Jeff had talked about on GiantBomb. Completely at odd's.

I felt exactly the same way during that segment.

I don't feel like the games on the podcast were getting an even handed evaluation. It was basically "here are all the reasons why this game is the best/worst."

I think Giantbomb does a pretty good job of not doing this, to be honest.

 

[DidntKnowJack]

I was baffled at the "what would get you to buy a new console discussion", mostly because not once did they mention, you know, games. I buy new consoles because they have games on them that I want to play and can't play on my current ones - I can't imagine it's different for most gamers, but they just kinda acted as if people just buy consoles to masturbate over the tech specs.

Exactly what I was thinking during the show. I can't believe no one said, "So I can play the latest games." Though I have a feeling Jeff would have said something like that were he in the room.

This is why I'm never in a hurry for another generation of consoles to come 'round. I have all the systems, the games look great, I can get whatever awesome new game comes out, and I'm a happy gamer. But when the next gen arrives, I'll have to get the new systems so...you know...I can keep playing.

 

[Oxymoron]

I was baffled at the consoles already do 1080p spiel.

But upscalers, man. They're magic.

 

[LiK]

See Jeff? You miss one episode and this podcast is falling apart already. Look at all these critiques.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

I was baffled at the consoles already do 1080p spiel.

One of the main reasons I'm excited to see new games consoles by the end of 2012 is because the 360 and PS3 have been great, and very painful, learning experiences for MS and Sony and technology (e.g RAM) is now so cheap that new consoles will be able to have vastly improved tech without being prohibitively expensive.

I doubt they'd probably do that if for nothing else than development cost would increase far more.

 

[Gattsu25]

See Jeff? You miss one episode and this podcast is falling apart already. Look at all these critiques.

It's not going to get me to stop listening. I like WC.

 

[JWong]

See Jeff? You miss one episode and this podcast is falling apart already. Look at all these critiques.

More fun than it is good.

 

[Blazyr]

Regarding the console discussion I turned it to the hardware specifically because that was how I read the question. I've always been a strong advocate that the games matter not the box. It wasn't a "duh" thing so much as it was the way I interpreted the question.

 

[chixdiggit]

Brian says something like... Hooking up a PC to a TV is just too hard. Really? It's no different than hooking up a console to a TV. File this right by the you need a $5000 PC to play the latest games myth.

 

[JWong]

Brian says something like... Hooking up a PC to a TV is just too hard. Really? It's no different than hooking up a console to a TV. File this right by the you need a $5000 PC to play the latest games myth.

It is cumbersome though.

 

[Clockblockers]

Can you please just call it 4 minute warning? Its your goddamn show!

I like that he's mentioning/quoting GAF.

 

[SapientWolf]

It is cumbersome though.

Not really. You just have to plug in the power and a DVI->HDMI cable. You can get a wireless mouse and keyboard for like $30.

 

[JWong]

Not really. You just have to plug in the power and a DVI->HDMI cable. You can get a wireless mouse and keyboard for like $30.

And have the tower nearby.

 

[Vanillalite]

In terms of new hardware I liked what was thrown in at the very end of the discussion. Load times and frame rates would be a huge plus in a new console. Also 720p bare minimum with more 1080p games would be a plus as well even if the scalers are magical now.:lol

Mainly this goes for larger more open world type games with a lot going on like a GTA or a Battlefield. You really can feel things chug along in these games, and you can really see the RAM limitations as well in terms of pop in and world structure.

That being said this is the 1st gen where I'd be more happy with a 1.5 version of a system that is relatively cheap rather than a 2.0 version. The graphics in terms of polys and effects look fine in the top tier games. I'd just want that extrapolated out into true HD without the load times, pop in, or hit and miss framerate. GTA4 or Red Dead don't need to really look better for me in terms of looks, but it would be more than nice if they ran at a locked 30fps at the very least in 720p (1080p being even better)! I don't want to pay $500 for a PS4 anytime soon though.

Oh and while most of my casual friends would probably not notice that some big games like CoD:MW aren't 720p natively even they notice choppy framerates in a lot of games. I think this is one graphical/hardware thing that you can sell to the masses as my personal experience with my casual friends shows that they hate it when things get all choppy on them.

 

[MannahContana]

God, people have been listening to Garnett for this long and still don't get the guy. Jeez he's emotive, passionate and headstrong, he speaks from the heart and sometimes just sometimes he's completely off the rails. I disagree with alot with what he says, I mean David Cage a good writer? Heavy Rain a great narrative experience? This from the same guy that dosen't get Metal Gear.
But if you haven't worked Garnett out by now and been listening since his 1up days, where the hell have you been.
This is Garnett Lee and all those Alpha Protocol fans getting butthurt shocked at his behavoiur better get used to it. This is who he is, if you don't like it don't listen, he won't change, every time I listen to a Garnett Lee podcast I get prepared to be enraged. Just be prepared with a bottle of liquor before you listen and you'll live a happier life.

P.S Alpha Protocol is Garbarge. Boss fights in a stealth game when I've upgraded all my points in stealth and martial arts. Yeah fuck off AP.

 

[Lothars]

I love Weekend Confirmed, it's a really good podcast plus the intro music is amazing, probably in my top 3 for all podcasts.

I would really like to see Shane permanently on a podcast but I doubt that could happen, hopefully he 's on soon though.

 

[bathala]

its preference, but I'm having a ball with AP. Almost done with Taipei mission

 

[Htown]

P.S Alpha Protocol is Garbarge. Boss fights in a stealth game when I've upgraded all my points in stealth and martial arts. Yeah fuck off AP.

From what I've heard, it's not a stealth game. It's an RPG that allows you to play stealthily if you want.

 

[Mar]

In 5 years, you won't be able to buy a TV that isn't at least "3d Ready".

I disagree. In 5 years we'll look back at this 3D technology and cringe at how embarrassing it was. There will be comedy sketches of what the 'modern' day family was like in 2010 sitting in front of a television all wearing stupid glasses looking like idiots.

3D technology is an important technology and one that will happen and one that will be incredibly popular. But not until the technology is advanced enough to be something useful. And not until you can watch 3D without looking like a moron.

 

[chicken_ramen]

Its strange, I'm a fan of Garnett, but I rarely agree with him. I really appreciate his passion though. Its infectious. His arguments aren't always completely thought out. Sometimes they're not completely well grounded, but they're always passionately argued and lacking in a lot of the cyncism that pervades gaming (not that he's free from this of course).

I'm another who found the 'consoles already do everything' bit to be a little hard to swallow. The RAM on both consoles are severe limitations, and their inability to do resolutions PCs have been capable for years is another.

Playing console to PC ports is where you can really see the limitations up close. FC2 is at times a spectacular looking game, but everything from the textures to the polygons themselves are so chunky. Low res. Console games have a lower detail threshold that is in no way crippling games, but has been well surpassed by 5 years of tech improvement.

So when the question of what will convince you to buy a next generation of console comes up my answer is: they just have to make one. When one of the big three make one, and it has games on it, I'll buy it. It's that simple.

 

[HamPster PamPster]

There is a serious lack of scripts for Billy to read!


Garnett : Time to decide who gets the forth chair spot on the E3 cast

Billy: FWAH!

Brian: Well Shane cancelled again

Jeff: We could get Jeff Green from EA, I heard he's available

Billy: FWAH! FWAH!

Garnett : I like it I like it sort of a Yours meets GFW reunion, set something up

Billy: FWAH?

Brian: If we're bringing on Jeff Green why not Paul Barnett too, a two for one deal!

Jeff: This podcast will be more fun then it is good

Billy: FWAH!!!

Garnett : Set it up, best E3 podcast ever

Billy: FW...

Garnett , Jeff, Brian: Billy, dude, SHUT the FUCK Up... seriously



Billy: fwah

 

[Kintaro]

P.S Alpha Protocol is Garbarge. Boss fights in a stealth game when I've upgraded all my points in stealth and martial arts. Yeah fuck off AP.

Speaking of someone who doesn't "get it"...

 

[jax (old)]

There wasn't a single moment that I found myself in agreement or even plausible understanding with ANYTHING that came out of Garnett's mouth this week. I have yet to play AP, but his stance started by claiming he agrees with 'Gerstmann's' opinion, and yet everything he talked about from the game was COMPLETELY at odd's with what Jeff had talked about on GiantBomb. Completely at odd's.

I also couldn't believe a single person on the panel didn't step up during his rants(particularly during all the guffah's making fun of the AP dialogue tree system). This show -desperately- needs a Devil's advocate. I kept waiting for someone, anyone, to chime in and call bullshit or at least 'debate' Garnett.

I really need to stop listening, this episode was just awful.

So... its only a good podcast if they share your take on things? low self confidence? Why don't you tape yourself monologuing and listen to that instead and I thought the followup comment just a bit down your post

I have yet to play AP

to be fucking hilarious. So you won't listen to them because garnett's take on the game is (wrong!), but you haven't played the game. kind of pathetic mang.

:lol :lol :lol





to garnett, glad you're back podcasting because there was kind of a void on my saturday mornings here in australia and its good to hear your take on games again. shame about shane but I'm sure we'll get him sooner (than later I hope). Keep up the good work!

 

[JaxJag]

The Alpha Protocol talk was just downright terrible.

Want AP to be grounded in reality? Really? Complaining about stuff like turning invisible.

Just silly, it's an RPG.

They want a tactical shooter, not an action RPG.

 

[JWong]

From what I've heard, it's not a stealth game. It's an RPG that allows you to play stealthily if you want.

It's a stealth game because the shooting is outright terrible.

The Alpha Protocol talk was just downright terrible.

Want AP to be grounded in reality? Really? Complaining about stuff like turning invisible.

Just silly, it's an RPG.

They want a tactical shooter, not an action RPG.

They're not talking about mechanics or game genre. They're talking about what kind of spy movie it's trying to mimic. Turning invisible is fun, but none of the spies do that.

The invisible skill is pretty much a cop out because their stealth mechanics aren't very good.

 

[SapientWolf]

God, people have been listening to Garnett for this long and still don't get the guy. Jeez he's emotive, passionate and headstrong, he speaks from the heart and sometimes just sometimes he's completely off the rails. I disagree with alot with what he says, I mean David Cage a good writer? Heavy Rain a great narrative experience? This from the same guy that dosen't get Metal Gear.
But if you haven't worked Garnett out by now and been listening since his 1up days, where the hell have you been.
This is Garnett Lee and all those Alpha Protocol fans getting butthurt shocked at his behavoiur better get used to it. This is who he is, if you don't like it don't listen, he won't change, every time I listen to a Garnett Lee podcast I get prepared to be enraged. Just be prepared with a bottle of liquor before you listen and you'll live a happier life.

P.S Alpha Protocol is Garbarge. Boss fights in a stealth game when I've upgraded all my points in stealth and martial arts. Yeah fuck off AP.

I get him well enough to know that the last thing he needs on a podcast is a group of people who will agree with everything he says. And this is coming from a longtime 1up show listener. I used to criticize Shane as well but I knew that the show needed someone who was argumentative and detail oriented to help keep a good dialogue going. The Sessler guest podcast should be great if it ever happens, for that same reason.

 

[Brandon F]

to be fucking hilarious. So you won't listen to them because garnett's take on the game is (wrong!), but you haven't played the game. kind of pathetic mang.

:lol :lol :lol

Nope! Swing and a miss mang! Read my post a bit closer, it might sink in what my exact problem is!

 

[DaBuddaDa]

I swear to god if Alpha Protocol had the camera and movement ala Dragon Age, meaning a more traditional WRPG style, maybe like Baldur's Gate, the game would be getting praised. The jank in the graphics and shooting would be reduced because we're all accustomed to fantastic mechanics from real FPS/TPS which AP can't replicate, and the "unrealistic" skills such as invisibility wouldn't look so out of place.

 

[Danne-Danger]

P.S Alpha Protocol is Garbarge. Boss fights in a stealth game when I've upgraded all my points in stealth and martial arts. Yeah fuck off AP.

Uh, melee is probably the easiest way to deal with bosses (from my experience, pure stealth and melee), although I've heard stealth/pistols is another cheesy combo that makes it super easy.

Not sure what you could be doing wrong there. Unless you're in the first fight with SIE (that you can easily avoid altogether)?

 

[Larsen B]

Billy's performance in the radio play was golden.

Definitely needs more am-dram Berghammer each week.

 

[Blazyr]

FYI - Taking submissions for the Warning this week -- pre-E3 extravaganza with Sess -- on twitter and in the dedicated thread in tonight's Evening Reading on Shack.

 

[StuBurns]

FYI - Taking submissions for the Warning this week -- pre-E3 extravaganza with Sess -- on twitter and in the dedicated thread in tonight's Evening Reading on Shack.

Not into Twitter, but I'll put forward a question here anyway, if it get seen, fair enough.

Are third party exclusives over? Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Agent are seemingly Sony's last major third party exclusives, rumors currently are that Versus is going to the 360, and Agent is canned. Microsoft's major title is Mass Effect, which is more than likely an exclusive as a result of the initial publishing contract. So are third party exclusive going away, and what result would that have on the first parties?

 

[LiK]

submitted via twitter. Garnett, you promised to answer my first question originally!

 

[Seventy5]

New episode is up on the site if someone wants to make a thread for it. It's not up on my iTunes yet though.

 

[seady]

New episode is up on the site if someone wants to make a thread for it. It's not up on my iTunes yet though.

It's up on my iTunes now.