Nestlé

yep.

Sorry I'm late on this one but I have a handfull on 360 wireless headsets and I LOVE them!!!!

They sell for about $50 apiece.

Oh Neo... Always the optomist when it comes to Nintendo.

Let's be clear on why Nintendo is releasing a new system: Their shares are the lowest they've been in the last six years.

Beyond that there has been nothing to confirm that they will attempt any of the things you described above. They haven't said they were going to do HD with the console and if anything there's a good chance they'll go the other way. They've already announced that it won't have any built in internal memory which is a good sign this is not going to be a powerhouse system. It will support SD cards similar to the Wii.

From what they've announced this sounds to be more like the Gamecube than anything. It will be a home console with controllers that each have a screen that you can disconnect and play seperately (Anyone remember how hard Ninendo pushed "connectivity" with GBA & Gamecube?)

I'm not bashing it. Honestly, I'm keeping an open mind since I used to be a Nintendo fan-boy. Especially since I have 2 boys, this console might be one I'm going to buy.

That said this console IS NOT TO SHOW NINTENDO CAN STILL PLAY WITH THE BIG BOYS.

And as for 360... Microsoft still hasn't announced it's successor so I'm going to wait and continue riding this console for all it's worth. Is it old and staring to show it's age? Yep. But as history shows us that's normally when the best games for a console come out.

If they've got a replacement coming we'll find out in a month.

YOU USED A WALKTHROUGH!?!?!?!?!?!

Shame Neo... Shame.

Portal is a gem of an experience you can't get anywhere else... And part of that experience is getting frustrated. No cheating in Portal 2! Got it?

I'm into chapter 6 in Portal 2.

Fantastic game. Can't get enough... Especially of the new character. Can't remember his name but he is hilarious!

WHEATLEY! Ohhhh Wheatley... Such a friggin funny character.

[in country drawl] "I'm usin this voice so she can't pick it up on her voice sensors"

GlaDOS "Hey little robot, I can hear you."

[normal voice] "Oh! Don't have to do the voice. Run RUN!"

LOL

There are SO MANY awesome quotes!

Don't worry, I won't post any since I don't want to spoil the game for those who haven't played yet.

I'm now into chapter 7 and my only complaint is that there hasn't been any Wheatley dialogue for awhile.

YOU USED A WALKTHROUGH!?!?!?!?!?!

Shame Neo... Shame.

Portal is a gem of an experience you can't get anywhere else... And part of that experience is getting frustrated. No cheating in Portal 2! Got it?

I'm into chapter 6 in Portal 2.

Fantastic game. Can't get enough... Especially of the new character. Can't remember his name but he is hilarious!

Yeah, the reality is that what's done is done.

Right now Sony needs to figure out where to go next, and hopefully that involves trying to make it up to their consumers.

Okay, I wanted to make sure to post this.

EVERYONE READ IT.

Sony HAS LOST your credit card information. Not only that it's very likely that they lied and DID lose the 3 digit security number too.

Congress is now dealing with them AND the FBI to find out how much of what Sony has said over the last 2 weeks is bullsh*t.

2.2 million credit card numbers have already been sold and it looks like more are on the way.

CHANGE YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER.

Alright, I'm now editing this post because I skimmed the article I read, and now going back the IS the possibility that the 2.2 million credit cards is untrue. Here is the article:

http://www.1up.com/news/reports-credit-cards-sold-surface-fbi-dhs-involved-psn-investigation?pager.offset=1

Yeah, the reality is that what's done is done.

Right now Sony needs to figure out where to go next, and hopefully that involves trying to make it up to their consumers.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/44108/Sony-dates-speculative-PSN-return

Sounds like the credit card data was encrypted, so there's a chance that we aren't all screwed in that regard.

But yeah, looks like we might get access to the PSN by the 3rd. It says "some services" so they'll probably give us access to the store, just not all that unimportant stuff like playing games with friends.

Yea, I'm not jumping on the "change your credit card train," it would mean updating too many services I use it for.

That said, on 1up they reported that there HAVE been several issues with credit card fraud that coincide with the timing of PSN's breakdown, but they may just be coincidences.

Cross your fingers.

"Smurfed"

LOL. That about sums it up.

Good news though... They say PSN will be back up in a week.

Yep.

I can post a link in a second.

The source I have says they found out about the intrusion SOMEWHERE BETWEEN the 17th & 19th. Intentionally vague on how long they've known.

But here you go:

http://www.1up.com/news/alert-playstation-network-account-data-compromised

Also, for those of you interested, this article shows how political this fiasco is getting:

http://www.1up.com/news/psn-fiasco-prompts-connecticut-senator-demand-answers

Is anyone else keeping up on the PSN news? I can't believe this crap!

I am not happy Bob. Not. Happy. Thankfully I don't think I actually gave them credit card stuff but I'm going by my bank tomorrow to see if I can do something about my card in case there was any problem there.

Hopefully you didn't.

I didn't think I had until DC Universe started direct charging mine a few months back.

The whole thing is a friggin gong show.

The worst part is how Sony is dealing with it.

Step 1: Find out you've been hacked and someone has access to your user's info.

Step 2: Wait a week to tell your users that they have said information.

And you know how Sony is making it up to us? Free credit checks! Hurray! Now I can find out if they screwed me over FOR FREE!?!?!

Having never used XBL, I can't really compare the two services. I got a PS3 because of the games they have, not the online service. I'd rather play Metal Gear, Little Big Planet, or God of War than Halo, Fable, or Gears of War. I'm not saying they're better games, I just prefer them.

In the end, both systems have their pluses and they have their faults. I don't really buy into the fanboy crap.

Back on topic, I beat Portal 2. Haven't tried the co-op yet.

I completely agree with you Bri, I bought my PS3 for the same reason. I LOVE the games available on PS3, and dealing with fanboys is among the worst experience a gamer can have. That's why I own both systems (and owned a Wii).

In the end though, I sold my Wii because the Kinect did the same thing without the clutter.

I've kept both other systems though because they both have so much to offer.

When it comes to the PS3 though it's the console itself that's so frustrating.

There are definetly great things available to those who play on the PS3, and I used to suggest it to people trying to decide which console to get. Unfortunatly they've dropped the ball SO MUCH on me in the last 6 months that those days are gone. Unless someone is looking for a Blu-Ray player I direct them to the 360. I'm a gamer, but the reality is, if I only had a PS3 this last year would have turned me off of gaming.

Sony possibly having lost the credit card information of all their users is just icing on the cake.

Back on topic:

I get my copy of Portal 2 tonight!!!!

Well PSN has been a gong show this week.

For those of you who don't know it's been down since Wednesday.

I am blown away by the fact that people still defend PSN vs XBL. Yes, it's free... But you get what you pay for.

Specifically, that currently means PSN was hacked and Sony had to turn it off to assess the damage. At this point they're not sure what the hackers got... By this I mean how many credit card numbers.

Luckily XBL is still doing fine. Hooray!

I happily pay $25 a year for a service that doesn't disappoint me at EVERY opportunity.

If Sony lost my credit card information... So help me...

I'm still working on Portal 2. I got it on the PS3, which allowed a free Steam copy for PC/Mac. I'm having a fun time, and I'm looking forward to exploring the new Steam features on PS3.

If only the PSN wasn't down worldwide, I'd be able to get said Steam copy.

Easiest solution I can think of is to buy a 360.

I picked up Mass Effect a couple of days ago. I'll most likely finish out ME2 and then go back and check it out. That or just start the game and then replay ME2 under another alias. Are you able to customize your look, like the 2nd one? That is my only concern with playing either games. Although I wish EA(Bioware) would get the design of their eyes down a bit better. I noticed this on ME2 and on Dead Space. I'm starting to get some of the alliances back that I had before, namely Jack. I have a bit more renegade than paragon at the moment. So I'm trying to play a little nice to insure that I can balance things down the line. Quick question, am I supposed to get rid of the fake distress call or deter the missile attack first? I'm not sure if this is one of the dc's or part of the game. Might do the Tali mission before tackling that decision. Thanks to a buddy of mine, I'm able to play the GOW3 Beta. Really intense, but this is one that definitely shows my lack of skills. Definitely makes me hope that one of the new bundles is an exclusive GOW console. I agree with Nestle on everyones taste. I tend to take things with a grain of salt when it comes to my buddy. I'm not sure if it is his job, but he seems to be a real hard judge of games. At least here I get a better idea of what to play and what to stir clear of.

You can customize your look in ME1. In ME2 you are so burned and deadlike that their surgery let's you redesign yourself. This was good for me since my character was UGLY in ME1. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense that people can recognize from the first one, but who cares?

As for the "order" of missions in ME2, sorry, it's been awhile since I've played and I can't remember exactly which mission those are. That said, the order once matters ONCE during the game and I'm pretty sure neither of those missions are the one I'm referring to.

I pursued Miranda (I <3 Sarah Walker ).

As for the first game, I've tried to play it but it's different from ME2, the combat especially. I couldn't really get into it that much. But, for a completionist, it may be worth playing. There are only a few key things that effect ME2 from ME3, and those same things, along with new things in ME2, carry over to ME3.

The biggest issue for me personally, is now I know MY Mass Effect story. If I was to go back and play ME1, the story of ME2 may be different than the one that I have already experienced. So, in that case, I don't want to bother with it. For better or worse, the story I played in ME2 will be my experience that I take into ME3 so I want to keep it that way. So, since you've already started playing ME2, I don't know that I'd go back personally, but that's up to you! neo

Not actually true Neo.

There are over two Hundred things in ME1 that effect your game in ME2. ME2 & ME1 combined will have an effect on over 1000 things in ME3. (Cause if you choose option 1 in ME1 then Option A in ME2 it'll give a different combination than O1 and OB, make sense?)

Having played through ME1 & 2 with several friends, the most intriguing thing is that ALL of our games are different. It's fun to compare how one universe differs from the other.

To give you guys an example, my game has the human race as being very insignificant in the universe. When you start with ME2 they make all the decisions for you from the first game. One of which being you decide to save some alien hating humans over the ruling alien council.

There really are a lot of differences and bonuses for those who've played all the games.

That said, Don, Neo is right as I said before the gameplay is GREATLY improved and streamlined for number 2.

While it's fun to be able create a universe that reflects your play style be warned: The first one isn't NEARLY as good as the second. Mostly just from a gameplay standpoint. If you can get past silly camera angles, auto-aiming combat and micromanaging equipment pick it up. If those are a deal breaker, then stick with #2.

That's my strong point too. If the sh*t is hitting the fan, chances are I'm right smack dab in the middle of it.

Unfortunatly that means if you see me coming I'm as good as dead. Snipers are my kryptonite.

That said, I usead to play with my buddy Greg who was an eliteist when it came to weapons. He carried a sniper and nothing else. When we would play together the two of us could take on entire teams on our own as long as we played by the same strategy.

Phase 1: I run headlong into the enemy and "stall" them while my partner got ahold of the sniper rifle.

Phase 2: Watch a professional go to work. He would call out the enemy and I would start running towards them. By the time I got there one would already be dead. I would then kill one while he'd shoot another over my shoulder or something rediculous like that and I'd finish the last one.

His strategy was very longterm game while mine was a short one. Together we were a well oil machine.

Sadly he doesn't play anymore. So, like everyone else... I lose att Halo.

On another note, it's THAT time again:

My PS3 rant!

ALL I WANT TO DO IS PLAY THE GAMES I OWN FOR PS3!!!!

Why does it have to be so hard!?

Apparently there's an update that you need to get for the system. Nothing works until you update but in order to find out you NEED an update you have to run several tests on your PS3 at which point one tells you HOW to update (where it is in the menus). Why can't it update itself? Cause that would be common sense.

Well I figured out I needed an update. Hurray! Life is good again, right? Wrong. My update continues to fail randomly at different points in the process.

I'm not being descriminatory. Every system/game is going to burn you. Even Halo got me upset a couple weeks back for "temporarily banning" one of my Xboxes cause it thought my boys were boosting, when in fact they're just not any good at the game.

The difference is EVERYTHING I try and do on my PS3 is a chore and they have 50 error codes that mean you're screwed. If you're among the lucky ones who haven't had an error code pop up, don't worry... Your time is coming.

The frustrating thing for me is that I've encountered so many of them.

Don't call them weaknesses. Everyone has a style of play that they go to more often than others. The beauty of Halo os that it balances every weapon so that those are your strengths... But they have weaknesses.

Jetpack, for instance gives you air superiority, but makes you the most vulnerable on the ground of any loadout.

Needler is a great mid to long range weapon. The ideal weapon for "Sniper Killing." Unfortunatly the needles don't home well at short range and is the worst weapon in close combat.

Everyone has a playstyle... The only problem comes in when the guy next to you is paper to your rock.

For sure.

Of course, if you'd had your mic on you probably would have heard my wife and I arguing and her hitting me every time I killed her.

Seriously, I grew up playing games with my brother so for me they're a very social experience. I've played as much Halo as I have only because I have friends who I play with.

We figured you had your TV turned right down cause for awhile we were playing with guys screaming in spanish. We muted them, but when we continued to play with them Robin said "Don must not be able to hear anything."

Oh, and speaking of assissinations, you're a really strong player face to face, but you've GOT TO WATCH YOUR BACK. I'm sorry, but I assissinated you A LOT. Especially since you tend to lean towards Jetpack it means that people can run up behind you much ffaster than you.

Anyways, maybe sometime we can play with mics and chat a bit.

See you around.

Well once upon a time I was your superior...

Ahhh... You're all grown up.

I'm still a commander.

I have't been playing regularly in awhile. Between Beyond Good & Evil, DCU Online, Back to the Future & Yoostar 2 I haven't had much time to play Halo. Add to that the fact that I'm ACTUALLY not playing much (like once or twice a week) and my hours really dwindle.

Does this mean you could beat me now? We'll have to see...

Been dealing with some personal stuff, so my online/game time has been minimal. I did download and play the defiant map of Reach multiplayer and kind of like this one a bit more than the Noble pack. At least there I have a fighting chance of helping my team win compared to some of the other maps OK, not to incite a riot from the ME2 fans, but are things going to pick up? I'm currently at a space station trying to assemble my team and bored out of my skull. Which makes me think even if I didn't have so much going on I wouldn't be playing this much. Still, I like designing my character to reflect my dashing good looks in the game

WHAAAAT? Minimal? It's true I haven't been playing much Halo in a while, but all of a sudden you're a colonel?

Anyways, as for the Defiant map pack, I agree:

While there are oher maps I like more this is possible the most solid map pack I can remember. All 3 are really strong. I higly recommend it.

Sadly, this map pack marks the end of Bungie's envolvement in making Halo games. While the quality of the maps are a good sign that 343 can handle Halo it's the end of an era.

Anyways, as for Mass Effect, Don it has one of the best "End of Games" I know of. I'm not sure at what point it'll pick up for you specifically but it certainly DOES ramp up as Shadow mentioned. While I didn't lose as many friends as he did (just my secretary) the ending is entirely up to you and that makes the 3rd game really exciting.

I love RE5. So much to do in that game that people don't know. Unlike most games out there it gets MORE play value the more you play it. SO many unlockables. Not to mention multiplayer is awesome! Sure every game out there has slayer, but are zombies trying to eat all the players WHILE they fight? Didn't think so!

Once again I want to shamelessly plug Beyond Good & Evil.

I've started playing it again and "rediscovering" what made that game so good. There aren't many 7 year old games out there that I would suggest but BG&E is one of them. At least download the demo. Do it.

Don't be sad Pickle.

Sony signed some exclusive DC games last year that they've kept "hush hush."

Who knows when we'll see them, but we DO know they'll be getting exclusive rights to a handful of games.

Plus, the DC Collection sucks. Honestly, DC was home to more great games than possibly ANY other system and the best they can do is Crazy Taxi and Rapala? Dance Channel 5 didn't even come out stateside on the DC!!!

To be fair, they're all great games, but pale by comparison to the wealth of games Sega SHOULD be putting out.

Hey Neo, if you ever need another body for Reach Campaign, let me know.

The cool thing about Reach is that dificulty compunds. Two people means more opponnents and feistier ones at that.

Also, everyone PLEASE pick up BEYOND GOOD & EVIL. It hits XBL this week. It was a Zelda-ish game from a few years ago that is PHENOMENAL!!! Unfortunatley the sales sucked. The fantastic sequel got put on hold due to the crappy sales from the first one. This is our chance as a gaming community to have our say: Spend money on an awesome game so we can get more like it!!!!

I have found the PSN arcade/downloads section to be very strangely set-up, and not user-friendly at all. Doesn't seem like it should be very complicated to make that simple and intuitive. I haven't turned my XBox on for probably a year (edit: that's not true--I'm pretty sure my Red Dead Redemption is on there, but anyway. . .), but I don't remember it being difficult to find games there.

This is 100% my point! Why is it so hard to find ANYTHING in the store. Neo is right, there are loads of great games available from PSN... But good luck finding them! Why should I have to go through a maze of menus to find a game that I'M GOING TO PAY FOR? Why are arcade demos in a different place than the games? It's ludicrous!

I'm reasonably sure that they axed the backwards compatibility initially for cost cutting measures. They built a machine that was unaffordable for most of the populace, so they had to cut all sorts of features just to lower the cost. Even if the cost of whatever they had to add to make it work was small, it does add up.

Since then, there's been all sorts of talk about external devices or software emulation that would make backwards compatibility possible again, but now Sony has discovered that you can just sell people the games again either as a download or in an HD bundle.

That they are still selling PS2s at this point should tell them they should reinvest in making the PS3 play PS2 games.

I like my PS3 and I've never had any issues with Sony personally, but I can completely understand the viewpoints of those who prefer X-Box or just don't like the PS3.

Oh, and I'm juggling my time between Little Big Planet 2 and Castle Crashers.

Both great games Bri. I should make it clear that I don't have problems with Sony OR the games on PS3, but the PS3 itself.

The dashboard is perhaps the most confusing/worst laid out menu ever designed that requires you to do "tricks" to accomplish simple tasks. Take for instance the fiasco I went through last night:

Sony Auto-charges my crdeit card for a renew membership of DCU Online. Fine, whatever. Then I go to try and buy BTTF but the PS3 says my credit card info. isn't up to date so I can't. I try and change it but I don't know my password since it auto logs in every time I turn it on. I call sony to find out how to change my password and it says you have to sign out and say "I forgot my password."

HOW DO YOU SIGN OUT!?!?!

I actually figured it out, but my point is a person shouldn't have to "figure it out." It should be intuitive like this website, or email or XBox. The dashboard is just one big mess...

AND EVERYTHING TAKES SO LONG!!!!!!! I may have said this before, but I've spent more time WAITING to play games on that system then actually playing them.

Oh, and if you're still wondering I still can't buy BTTF. For some reason it won't charge my credit card, despite the fact that they can take money out whenever THEY want.