Roderick

The flaw in the definition is easily spotted: what if you're actually up against stupid people? That doesn't make you a fanatic. Why, I feel like I'm doing battle with idiots on almost a daily basis. That might make me a bit sanctimonious at times, at most, but nothing more

As a non-native English speaker, I've for some time felt absolutely entitled to cherry-pick from the many subtle differences between American English and British English based on what I like best at that moment. Sometimes I double-L, other times I'll go for the Z instead of S, though most of the time I choose ou over o, because it's just goddamn chique. That's right. I'm making my own fucking English! That's the Dutch way! We just create a trade route, set up a formal company structure and take whatever the hell we want!

It's a whole lot of nitpicking. He has a few points, but only a few.

Is it particularly shallow of me to dislike Will Wright, now that I've heard he donated big money to McCain and the Republicans?

That's pretty good! Congrats!

Wow, someone can't take his sarcasm tonight

I just watched The Happening. That movie's all build-up, and then all letdown.

Is this from the same TGS announcement that brought us Another Code for the... Wii? Because that was sincerely unnecessary and weird, if it really is a remake.

I am flabbergasted at such a violent outburst! (I am definitely going to play this sequel sequel though, if Toblix doesn't spawn in front of me to tear the box from my hands personally every time I try to check out, which I am inclined to believe will happen.)

Well, they did it. Now I have to buy this thing. http://www.gametrailers.com/player/40181.html Tim Curry, George Takei and J. Jonah Jameson? And the dude from Brazil whose name escapes me? Where can I buy the DVD with with all the cutscenes?

But, but... I WANT cheap ways to win, so I can skip ahead to the cutscenes!

Haha, those written memories are indeed what's awesome about Lost Odyssey. Not because of their, admittedly, cheesy animated texts, but because of the touching stories they tell. They really flesh out the main character in many subtle ways. I'm not saying it's the best way to do that sort of thing, but I found it very interesting and often beautiful.

I just came back from a Force Unleashed launch party in Utrecht, which was a refreshing departure from Amsterdam (which is further away and less compact, so more difficult to get to and find your way). The presentation was a mixed bag: on the one hand there was a horrible amound of BS in the first five minutes about how the games industry is, again, larger than the movie industry, and that this would be the first time you could play in the Star Wars universe (errr?). Then there was the half hour making of the game, which would have been totally exclusive if I hadn't seen it already months earlier on Gametrailers. But on the other hand there was a touching lecture on the history of Star Wars by national film icon René Mioch, who is a pretty nice guy (I talked to him a bit later on to tell him I enjoyed his prematurely cancelled tv programme where he would go head to head with our other film icon, Jac Goderie). Afterwards there was an opportunity to buy the game itself before it hits the stores this friday, and get a horrible toy lightsaber with it for free. I didn't get it yet, I'm waiting for a better opportunity. Which is to say, I hesitate to spend 65 Euros on a game I know to be flawed at best. There was also a line-up of completely unrelated 'stars' that gave interviews in exchange for a free copy. That stuff with local celebs is always awkward at best, pathetic at worst. But, despite all of this, I enjoyed myself; I had a chance to talk to some colleagues in the journalism biz and surround myself with that authentic feel of Star Wars. The thought that all the way over in San Francisco they were having exactly the same party, but with George Lucas attending, didn't diminish that

Star Wars: Dark Forces 4: Jedi Knight 3: Jedi Outcast 2: Jedi Academy: George Lucus is Batshit Insane

I don't know if Starcraft (2) fits that spammy rushy bill. Sure, there are some rush tactics (Zergling rush anyone?), but the units, especially in the upcoming sequel, appear to be much more specialised. Meaning they have one big strength, but also a few enormous drawbacks that you have to cover up with other units, causing the need to strategize and adapt.

Lost Odyssey may look a bit more generic Japanesey, but it does some wonderful things with storytelling that won't be for everyone, but definitely charmed me.

I haven't played it, but I heard pretty quickly on that it wasn't all that special apart from its visual style and backstory. I think it'll fare pretty weakly compared against something like Lost Odyssey, which is by no means a perfect JRPG in itself, but has a lot more charm and uniqueness going for it. Xbox 360 RPG's are a mixed bag. Blue Dragon was apparently disappointing, but Tales of Vesperia was a ginormous hit in Japan and brought about a total resurrection of the console on its own there.

Guess who's getting pretty for the premiere? Here's my card. Well, hellooo beautiful!

This weekend was another manga/anime convention and seeing as I have been slowly perfecting my Joker costume over the months; time to don the grime again. This picture is unfortunately blurry, but decidedly bad-ass. I was selling my new graphic novel on the convention: Quelle Horreur. I'll post a link to it as soon as it's available in an online shop. The picture here has a Don Corleone feel that's fitting. And here's a special message from the man himself:

Bummeth in the gob, I should think

The beast has fallen! The Game giveth, and the Game taketh away.

OHHH that is excellent... There's not a whole lot of time, but perhaps I can make something work.

Hahahaha oho this is Disney's worst nightmare. Princesses gone bad!

It may be because I played JK2 on the Gamecube, but the swordfighting never felt that accurate to me I still enjoyed the game, though, even if JK1 (and Dark Forces) meant a lot more to me when I played them. The Force Unleashed hate is a bit weird though. I understand the opinion that it's mediocre and flawed, and therefore disappointing... but shit? It's actually pretty fun a lot of the time, especially once you unlock some combos.

This game is getting pretty good reviews. Worth looking into! This is, by the way, exactly the 'hardcore' stuff that Nintendo completely failed to show at E3, weirdly. And also... anyone else really excited about the seeming revival of 2D platformers? Between Wario, Braid, Megaman 9 and Little Big Planet, it's a good time for old-school platformers!