BigJKO

What? That you've not completed a lot of work has something to do with Valve actually completing a lot of work? I mentioned four games that are out and can be played and enjoyed and are examples of what Valve are good at. There is no web of mystique surrounding these games. And no, Merus. People deify Valve because of breakout stuff like Portal (which they spent a lot of time on, even when they just thought it'd be an extra on Orange Box) and their constant updates to Team Fortress 2 and weird, silly stuff like the Meet The Team videos. Also, people seem to like Half-Life a lot. There's been a long period of silence regarding Half-life, during which they've talked about and made a lot of other great stuff. But I definitely agree that polished to perfection isn't the only thing to strive for and that a lot of the interesting games out there are rough around the edges.

Again, as Greg said "gussying up existing games and concepts" is vastly understating the amount of work Valve put into Team Fortress, Portal, Left 4 Dead and Dota 2 to get the games where they are right now. That they "just dick around all day on little pet projects" is also purely your imagination.

Oh man, this bums me out. I can live with the city size limits (if the game is designed to support that size, I don't see the issue with that) the always-online.. even server issues. But that the region mechanics seem broken is just such a bummer. Really hope they fix that before the Mac launch. Like someone wrote on twitter, this is possibly the only time a non-simultaneous Mac launch might be a good thing.

I thought it wasn't so much server load, but that it's a client performance issue and they want to ensure everyone, low-end and high-end, are on the same level city-size-wise. But that's still only an issue when the game wants players to play with other players. I wish there was just an unlimited single-player only option,

That acceptance speech was the best. Congrats so much, you guys. Now get drunk!!

And presumably holding back on announcing new games that are built on the next generation engine, until they're ready to announce the new engine.

Would love to, but I'm on a Mac. They better hurry up an release that version before everyone else stops playing.

Yep, in Episode 2! It's drowned out by Nick, so he ends up repeating "Did you win?"

Who's this pabosher guy?

That is some terrifying shit, right there..

I'm anxious to play Year Walk. It's from one of my fav indie devs, Simogo, who made Beat Sneak Bandit and Bumpy Road. Beatiful artwork every time. I need to find time to play this, because as you say, it's gotten great reviews.

Haha, "Shit - A classic game!"

Alright. I've had this bad boy (an XL) for about a week now. Here's my thoughts so far. The 3DS XL: It's great! I haven't tried the normal version but this feels like the right size for my hands. The system software is a bit sluggish.. I don't know how they'd do it better, but after having a multitasking phone in my pocket for years now, it just feels dated. The 3D effect is neat! Had to turn it half-way down so as to not feel like I'm straining my eyes, but the effect works great! Don't know how much value I'd put in it, though, having only played Super Mario 3D Land. It's a neat gimmick but doesn't add squat to the gameplay. I love how the system rewards me for walking around with it. It results in me putting it in my pocket every time I leave the house, on the off chance that I'll Pass some random person (which has so far only happened once...) I don't know if I need the touch screen. If it's going to be sort of subpar why have it? Everything's tuned to it now, obviously, but would one miss it if the navigation were tied to thumbstick instead? Super Mario 3D Land: Amazing! Underwhelming at first, but got into its rhythm quickly. Slightly too easy for the first playthrough and then IT BLOWS ME AWAY with the Special world afterwards! So many great courses, with awesome twists. Wish it had gotten to those earlier in the game. I still make weird mistakes every now and then due to not trusting the camera angle.. It's like I'm never sure if left on the stick results in going in a straight line over a passage, because the angle of the camera is slightly tilted to the side and whatnot. It's hard! And the 3D effect doesn't help. I'm going to try turning it off tonight just to see if it's easier or harder, but I can't say it makes judging jumps any easier. I like the feel of the thumbstick, but I constantly make tiny errors on it that result in me flying off in directions I don't intend to. But it's Mario and I love Mario and this is as good as Mario gets pretty much! And playing a Nintendo game again is just so much fun! So much polish. All in all, I sort of wish Nintendo would just make a handheld without all the 3D and extra touchscreen and instead just focus on one good screen and the great games they already make.. But I'm still happy with the 3DS.

Added! Also, syntheticgerbil's favourite software is Health & Safety Information...

I'm so sad that Journey is a PS3 exclusive, because that means I'll never get to play it and will only ever experience it through descriptions like in this podcast..

Post HD screenshots of Mario Sunshine, miffy!

Haha, man.. that picture!

How far do I have to sit from that TV to not get a motorbike in my face?

Oh, I just thought some amazing cross-over was happening to make that trailer exciting. Didn't mean to imply anyone was ripping anyone off.. I guess if you're into the lore of Killzone you'd recognize that guy in an instant! This guy was the saddest:

Sweet! I'm up for Mario Kartin'.

It bodes well for me that this thread is now ancient.. Well, I got a 3ds and added everyone here. My code is: 4184 - 1780 - 6592

Oh there will undoubtedly be an Aha moment. I believe Blow has, in fact, distilled the essence of Aha into this game.

So Mojam is happening again. This time with friends. I'm currently watching Pietpiet make a sweet scorpion sprite! Anyone else following this?

Haha, oh man those Youtube comments: Why.. why was he expecting it to be an epic RPG? Dafuq, yo.