Bet you all thought I forgot, uh? Ha! Nope.
Time for the weekly update:
Starting Gamerscore (on 1/01/10): 24,250
Current Gamerscore (on 2/22/10): 27,420
Increase: +3,170
Weekly Increase: +315
Gamerscore Goal for 2010: 75,000
Distance from Goal: 47,580
Again, another week of decent gain, but not what I was really hoping for. My personal goal has been to average between 100-200 points per day, averaging at 700-1,400 per week. Right now, I've been lucky to keep my head above the +300 point range. My problem is that, at the moment, I'm trying to focus my attention on completing one game at a time.
God, I'm so close to the 30K marker. I guess I just need to finish Bioshock 2 and Darksiders so I can get prepared for the onslaught of PS3 titles dropping, as well as new Pokemon games!
Happy gaming!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
DLC: Achievements vs. For the Fun of the Game (Mild Spoilers)
Yesterday it was announced by Ubisoft that the next installment of the Assassin Creed II DLC would drop earlier than expected, coming out tomorrow (Feb. 18th). It'll be available for a mere 400 Microsoft Points. There will be NO achievements in this DLC as was with the first one last month.
Let me start this conversation off by stating that, when it comes to choosing my games, achievements (and trophies to a lesser extent) have absolutely no baring on if I purchase a game or not. Yes, they are nice and are an active goal at all times for my gaming, but only as an extension. For the most part, I value achievements (and, again, trophies) as an incentive for actually completing a game or a reason to go back and play a game over and over that would normally have no replay value (I'm looking at you, Bourne Conspiracy!).
By default, that logic extends to DLC (down-loadable content) as well. If the content is worth the extra money, such as new levels/chapters/missions or maps for multiplayer, then by all means I'll buy it. I mean, if I love a game enough, why not buy something to expand the experience by as much as possible? Achievements or not, if it is worth it, I'll do it.
In my personal opinion, these two chapter packs are not. And on this one, it is because of the lack of achievements.
Let me explain.
As much of a backtracking statement as that was, I have a valid reason. I apologize if you haven't finished the game, but to defend myself I must offer some mild spoilers. Both DLC chapters are "lost" memories from the game. There are two memory core segments (#12 and #13) that are unplayable in the initial release due to the memories being "corrupted". From the day I, or anyone else for that matter, came to that moment in the game, I knew what was going to happen. They would be made as additional expansions later down the line. Sweet, right? Unfortunately not.
Both "chapters" offer an additional hour, maybe two if you take your sweet time, of gameplay. Neither offer new locations, characters, gameplay mechanics. Nothing. They are the exact same thing we did a dozen times over the first time through, with the exception of using Davinci's "Flying Machine". You only had one shot at that fun little toy in the first game. You get to use it a couple more times starting tomorrow. These "expansions" feel as though they were deliberately yanked from the game in prerelease. Being that these two do absolutely nothing to expand on the initial story line, it seems that they were removed to be DLC on purpose.
If this is indeed the case, which many are citing, then it begs the question as to why one should buy it? They might be fun little diversions, but why pay an additional $10 for content that you should have already been allowed? This is where the achievement factor comes into play. At least with achievements, I'd feel some sort of desire to to play through it all over again. As it stands, even with my immense love of the game (first retail game I completed to 100%), why bother? Ubisoft gave me no reason, only a sickening feeling that I was cheated out of content.
Let me start this conversation off by stating that, when it comes to choosing my games, achievements (and trophies to a lesser extent) have absolutely no baring on if I purchase a game or not. Yes, they are nice and are an active goal at all times for my gaming, but only as an extension. For the most part, I value achievements (and, again, trophies) as an incentive for actually completing a game or a reason to go back and play a game over and over that would normally have no replay value (I'm looking at you, Bourne Conspiracy!).
By default, that logic extends to DLC (down-loadable content) as well. If the content is worth the extra money, such as new levels/chapters/missions or maps for multiplayer, then by all means I'll buy it. I mean, if I love a game enough, why not buy something to expand the experience by as much as possible? Achievements or not, if it is worth it, I'll do it.
In my personal opinion, these two chapter packs are not. And on this one, it is because of the lack of achievements.
Let me explain.
As much of a backtracking statement as that was, I have a valid reason. I apologize if you haven't finished the game, but to defend myself I must offer some mild spoilers. Both DLC chapters are "lost" memories from the game. There are two memory core segments (#12 and #13) that are unplayable in the initial release due to the memories being "corrupted". From the day I, or anyone else for that matter, came to that moment in the game, I knew what was going to happen. They would be made as additional expansions later down the line. Sweet, right? Unfortunately not.
Both "chapters" offer an additional hour, maybe two if you take your sweet time, of gameplay. Neither offer new locations, characters, gameplay mechanics. Nothing. They are the exact same thing we did a dozen times over the first time through, with the exception of using Davinci's "Flying Machine". You only had one shot at that fun little toy in the first game. You get to use it a couple more times starting tomorrow. These "expansions" feel as though they were deliberately yanked from the game in prerelease. Being that these two do absolutely nothing to expand on the initial story line, it seems that they were removed to be DLC on purpose.
If this is indeed the case, which many are citing, then it begs the question as to why one should buy it? They might be fun little diversions, but why pay an additional $10 for content that you should have already been allowed? This is where the achievement factor comes into play. At least with achievements, I'd feel some sort of desire to to play through it all over again. As it stands, even with my immense love of the game (first retail game I completed to 100%), why bother? Ubisoft gave me no reason, only a sickening feeling that I was cheated out of content.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Update # 6
Wow.
I'm actually at Week 6 of the challenge and I haven't missed an update. Color me impressed. One of my 'New Year's Resolutions' was to stay more on task, while another was to have a sort of "return to form" for how I used to be. The former being that the challenge and getting my art done would be a top priority, while the latter was just to be more of a nerd like I was at one point. That means more games!!
Anyways, time for the update:
Starting Gamerscore (on 1/01/10): 24,250
Current Gamerscore (on 2/15/10): 27,105
Increase: +2,855
Weekly Increase: +340
Gamerscore Goal for 2010: 75,000
Distance from Goal: 47,895
It wasn't my best week ever, but it is far, far from the worst. I think the problem for the lack of gain this week was due to bouncing between games too much. I bought Bioshock 2 on the 9th, playing it off and on until Friday when I picked up Darksiders. Eh...I wasn't going to, but Gamestop had it on sale for $39.99. Not a bad deal considering it had the code for the free copy of Red Faction: Guerrilla. So, technically two good games for $20 a piece.
I actually have a clearing coming up now that I can use to finish games and earn some achievements while nothing launches on the Xbox 360 that is of pressing concern for me over the next month or so. My Playstation 3, on the other hand, will be seeing a major workout until April. Heavy Rain comes pouring in at the end of the month while both Final Fantasy XIII and God of War 3 land early next month. I've been hearing a lot of conflicting reports concerning the newest installment of Final Fantasy, as to rather the Xbox or Playstation versions are better. Frankly, I don't care. Final Fantasy XIII was one of my 5 reasons for wanting a Playstation 3 and it still is.
Well, that's all for now.
Happy Gaming!
I'm actually at Week 6 of the challenge and I haven't missed an update. Color me impressed. One of my 'New Year's Resolutions' was to stay more on task, while another was to have a sort of "return to form" for how I used to be. The former being that the challenge and getting my art done would be a top priority, while the latter was just to be more of a nerd like I was at one point. That means more games!!
Anyways, time for the update:
Starting Gamerscore (on 1/01/10): 24,250
Current Gamerscore (on 2/15/10): 27,105
Increase: +2,855
Weekly Increase: +340
Gamerscore Goal for 2010: 75,000
Distance from Goal: 47,895
It wasn't my best week ever, but it is far, far from the worst. I think the problem for the lack of gain this week was due to bouncing between games too much. I bought Bioshock 2 on the 9th, playing it off and on until Friday when I picked up Darksiders. Eh...I wasn't going to, but Gamestop had it on sale for $39.99. Not a bad deal considering it had the code for the free copy of Red Faction: Guerrilla. So, technically two good games for $20 a piece.
I actually have a clearing coming up now that I can use to finish games and earn some achievements while nothing launches on the Xbox 360 that is of pressing concern for me over the next month or so. My Playstation 3, on the other hand, will be seeing a major workout until April. Heavy Rain comes pouring in at the end of the month while both Final Fantasy XIII and God of War 3 land early next month. I've been hearing a lot of conflicting reports concerning the newest installment of Final Fantasy, as to rather the Xbox or Playstation versions are better. Frankly, I don't care. Final Fantasy XIII was one of my 5 reasons for wanting a Playstation 3 and it still is.
Well, that's all for now.
Happy Gaming!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Update #5
Evening, everyone.
Update is a few hours late. Oh well, right? Anyways, here is this week's update:
Starting Gamerscore (on 1/01/10): 24,250
Current Gamerscore (on 2/08/10): 26,765
Increase: +2,515
Weekly Increase: +755
Gamerscore Goal for 2010: 75,000
Distance from Goal: 48,235
Not too bad of a week, really. It's primarily from Mass Effect 2 and finishing the first play through. Bioshock 2 is out now, or tomorrow (depending on where you live), so here's to another good week.
Happy gaming!
Update is a few hours late. Oh well, right? Anyways, here is this week's update:
Starting Gamerscore (on 1/01/10): 24,250
Current Gamerscore (on 2/08/10): 26,765
Increase: +2,515
Weekly Increase: +755
Gamerscore Goal for 2010: 75,000
Distance from Goal: 48,235
Not too bad of a week, really. It's primarily from Mass Effect 2 and finishing the first play through. Bioshock 2 is out now, or tomorrow (depending on where you live), so here's to another good week.
Happy gaming!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
No one left behind...
Finished Mass Effect 2 tonight. I picked up +415 points from it. I'm at 900/1015 (47 out of 51 achievements) with it, mainly needing the "Power Gamer" (reach lv. 30) and Insanity difficulty achievements. I'm looking at these as being "life-time achievements", ones to come back to later when I have more time. After all, there are only 2 more days until Bioshock 2 drops.
Happy gaming.
Happy gaming.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Crazy little rambling...
I don't know why I found this funny, but last night I had my gamerscore at 26,300. That is a +310 increase in the 24 hours since my update on Feb. 1st. I know that is a realively low increase compared to most major achievement farming marathons, but damn, that was 310 in one day versus the 155 from the entire of last week.
Heh...sorry. Random rambles....
Happy gaming.
Heh...sorry. Random rambles....
Happy gaming.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Update #4
Evening, everyone.
Today's update has the pleasure of being not only a weekly update, but also our first monthly update of 2010. While my month was relatively...bountiful, the last week was not so much. I earned a few achievements, but I spent the weekend with my girlfriend, so gaming was not an issue.
Anyways, here is the obligatory update:
Starting Gamerscore (on 1/01/10): 24,250
Current Gamerscore (on 2/01/10): 25,990
Increase: +1,740
Weekly Increase: +155
Gamerscore Goal for 2010: 75,000
Distance from Goal: 49,010
As one might suspect, the 155 points are purely from Mass Effect 2. The game is a more perfected game compared to it's first installment, so the achievements don't feel like a mindless, relentlessly unending grind-fest. The biggest issue I had with the first game was the Alley achievements. You were required to play the game at least 3 times to get all 6 of them as you could only acquire 2 a play through. The new one merely requires you to play a single mission to gain their loyalty. Works for me!
In other gaming related news, my good pal M0taku over at our 100K Challenge blog has come up with a great system for using/tracking Trophies so that we might extend a hand to our Playstation 3 friends. Many thanks go out to him on that!
Well, that's all for now.
Happy gaming!
Today's update has the pleasure of being not only a weekly update, but also our first monthly update of 2010. While my month was relatively...bountiful, the last week was not so much. I earned a few achievements, but I spent the weekend with my girlfriend, so gaming was not an issue.
Anyways, here is the obligatory update:
Starting Gamerscore (on 1/01/10): 24,250
Current Gamerscore (on 2/01/10): 25,990
Increase: +1,740
Weekly Increase: +155
Gamerscore Goal for 2010: 75,000
Distance from Goal: 49,010
As one might suspect, the 155 points are purely from Mass Effect 2. The game is a more perfected game compared to it's first installment, so the achievements don't feel like a mindless, relentlessly unending grind-fest. The biggest issue I had with the first game was the Alley achievements. You were required to play the game at least 3 times to get all 6 of them as you could only acquire 2 a play through. The new one merely requires you to play a single mission to gain their loyalty. Works for me!
In other gaming related news, my good pal M0taku over at our 100K Challenge blog has come up with a great system for using/tracking Trophies so that we might extend a hand to our Playstation 3 friends. Many thanks go out to him on that!
Well, that's all for now.
Happy gaming!
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