Wrestlevania

I agree; that's pure guff. Those so inclined managed to get a Commodore 64 doing real-time, phong-shaded 3D a couple of years ago. Even in their heyday, far more powerful machines like the Amiga and Atari ST really struggled to achieve anything like that level of graphical complexity.

What really fucks me off about the PSP is that I've found myself playing emulated PSX games on it the most. I know I've bored people with my pompous opinion of the PSP before, but hey--new folks! I can't see any point to the PSP in its current format. The drudgery of bland, mutilated PS2 ports or completely forgettable PSP-only titles that have swamped the system have really left me feeling burned by Sony. There are a few gems, here and there, with Super Stardust Portable being a stellar example of what the PSP should be regularly offering this late in its life-cycle. As it is, you get the odd quirk - like LocoRoco and such - but so much of what's available on PSP--at least to Western audiences--is forgettable dross. There's well short of a dozen titles I would personally recommend for the thing, and only one of those appeared in the last 9 months (Super Stardust Portable). I like the idea of a "proper" portable PS2-alike though, gdf--especially with SDK and App Store ideas. Throw in the glorious PS2 back-catalogue, downloadable for cheap online, and it'd be killer. "Is that God Hand in your pocket, or are you just pleased to see me?" Please, Sony... pretty please? I'm moist just thinking about it.

Ooh, ooh, I know! Let's chop the penultimate season in half and pretend it's 2 separate seasons and finish it early!

Oh, OK. I was getting a 404 on the Plain Sight website when I tried to access the 'Beta' section. Got the same thing when I tried to login to the website too. Yeah, always run full screen as I typically get a decent performance boost on my aging PC If I do. It's a P4HT 2.6GHz with 2.5GB of 3200 RAM and an OEM GeForce FX5200, which quite likely isn't anywhere near powerful enough to properly run something built in XNA. But hey, it was free!

I see where you're coming from, but unless the iteration just improves (what are effectively) peripherals - like larger hard drives, wireless controllers, HDMI ports, etc. - then it's effectively a new machine. If the guts are different, no matter how subtle, then it's got to be sold as a new machine to the public.

Can I not use my existing Xbox LIVE login/identity for Games for Windows? I tried logging into the GfW website using my Xbox Gamertag email address, and instead of taking me to registration it always kicks me through to Xbox.com...

If no-one else, I'm sure Remo can appreciate what Sony's free MMO is hoping to achieve. "It's hysterically chock-full of the stupid shit you've been reading about in the sensationalist press for years, but haven't dared venture online to play yourself! (Yet.)" * SPECTRAL BLADE AND IMPROVED SPECTRAL BLADE NOT INCLUDED

For your pleasure: a rather amusingly inappropriate ad placement during this week's episode on US CANADIAN TV. [don't watch it if you've not seen the episode yet]

Blimey... it's like the 32X never existed. The unnecessary pressure Microsoft has already put on developers, i.e. no guarantee of mass storage, must already be a pain in the arse for them--nevermind whether or not people have the '720' add-on as well. And it just won't sell, people won't get it: So... this is a new console? No, it's an add-on for the old console. I can buy this and just play the new games, right? No, you have to buy the old system - plus this - to play the new games. Can I play this on my Xbox? Which Xbox have you got? Um, that 3-wotsit thingy. Have you got the 720 add-on? Uh... the what? The 720--look, no, you can't play it on your machine. Sorry. Retrofitting existing hardware is a recipe for disaster IMO.

Nice CG, hate the name though. Will be interesting to see how it turns out. I think a cross between Lost Vikings (different characters/abilities) and Freedom Fighters (free-roaming combat) would be about right. Not my cup of tea, however.

W-w-w-weird?! I'll have you know, young wo/man, that the Streets of Rage music is still my favourite Video game soundtrack to this day! "Weird" indeed... Oh, and hello!

I tried to login in to the website to see if there'd been any speed improvements with the new build, but I didn't have any luck. Is my account still valid..?

Here's a hot scoop for y'all; a friend of a friend is involved in the photography for Watchmen and has just uploaded these shots a few minutes ago. You are amongst the first people on the whole of the intawebs to see these. Edit: They're to compliment The New Frontiersman btw, a new site which I think is going to be positioned as a viral for the film.

Well, I noticed they have (at least the male) TA player models in there already, so I'd wildly speculate... yes? (I've noticed one or two specific "Arena" themed matches in rotation, too--are they not those?)

Just played my first match and it's as hectic and brilliant as I remember Q3A being. I'm surprised how little difference 10 years since last playing it has made--it's still superb. Oh, and Quake Live has finally prompted me into getting a PC headset. Just a cheap one, mind (they're £7 in Asda atm, if anyone's interested), but still...

I got friend requests from ysbreker and Cigol, and found Spaff via search. What's your handle, Jake? Any other Thumbs on Quake Live? Post your user names!

Ah, nifty! Didn't realise they'd be handing them out this way. Makes sense though--just like every other flippin' beta out there. I'll keep an eye out for my lot and then post here when I have some goodies to dole out.

When is Season 4: Part II season 5 airing--is it tonight?

Properly shite, int it? I don't agree with Rab saying the show was best-known for kicking developers in the teeth. As I posted on the Cv forums earlier in the week, I loved the show because of the boys' passion, energy and respect for games. I'll concede they did give a number of titles a bloody good shoeing. But this was very fairly given in my view--like the tawdry and banal Lost shovelware mentioned above. But no amount of whinging or cheering will bring Consolevania back now. The boys have called it a day and you have to respect them going out the way they have. Still bitterly, bitterly sad, though.

Yep, installing the client and plugging my existing Xbox LIVE credentials in worked first time. I can't see any details about friends, messaging or anything else though... where the hell is it? This just looks like a few web pages masked as a standalone application.

The problem I'm having is this: Go to Games for Windows - LIVE website Click wobbly, shouty JOIN FREE tab in header Click non-wobbly, still-shouty JOIN NOW button on page Arrive at typical Microsoft Live (aka Passport) login page and submit email address and password used for Xbox Gamertag Automatically kicked through to Xbox.com, instead of back to GfW website again So I've just googled the Games for Windows - LIVE software download instead and am installing that now. Hopefully, I can short-circuit this stupid fucking system that way.

Just a thought: Quake Live would be the ideal game to add to Thumbs' weekly gaming calendar--invites permitting, of course.

After impotently waiting for a beta invite since they first opened registration and hearing nothing, ysbreker very kindly wangled me an invitation himself (somehow). Was quite addicted to Q3A back in the day, even though I too wasn't very good at it. Lovely flow to the original game though and Quake Live seems to have lost none of that. So yeah, add me too--Wrestlevania, as always.

Sorry to be thoroughly predictable with the title, but FancyPants' Gmod videos have had me in fits of laughter this morning: Grigori Grimoire Go-Karts and Melons (Super Mario Kart) Hole in One Found via the excellent Offworld.

It's officially official: :\ NB: For what Rab means regarding Consolevania's Fluff Piece, check the RLLMUK forums.