Chatpad impressions

I had a little bit of time to mess around with the Chatpad. First I have to say that this must have been planned from the beginning because it fits so well. At first, it looks like it isn't going to fit, but when you push a little bit harder it snaps right in place. There is a pass-through for the headset and it comes with a new headset that has a clip-on control for volume. The pad itself is nicely spaced and well thought out. It is pretty easy to type with your thumbs. It's also backlit which is VERY nice. The light goes off after a few seconds of not being used to preserve battery life. I don't see a huge amount of application for the device yet. It will be nice for things like naming items in Oblivion or any other time you want to add text. It also gives the controller a nice weight and feel. I think I will keep it attached all the time. Hopefully there will be more games that come out that take advantage of it, like MMOs. I guess we will have to wait and see.

New Chatpad available.

I picked up one of these bad boys today. I will put up some impressions this weekend when I have a chance to try it out. Here is a blurb about it and some features:

Chatting with friends and family on Xbox LIVE® and Windows-based PCs is easy using the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit. This device easily connects to any Xbox 360 controller and provides easy to use chat capabilities while maintaining gameplay functionality in one easy-to-hold device. The Messenger Kit includes a Chatpad and Xbox 360 Headset.

Features

• Chat on Xbox LIVE with ease featuring dedicated keys to letters and characters.
• Don't hamper your style—the Xbox 360 Chatpad attaches seamlessly to your Xbox 360 Controller.
• Backlit buttons allow you to accurately type words even in dimly lit environments.
• Messenger Kit includes the Xbox 360 Wired Headset for the ultimate communication bundle.

Cyberball 2072 impressions

Hey Microsoft... Why don't you just come to my house and kick me in the balls? It feels like you already did. First my Xbox 360 dies just before the long awaited (for me anyway) Cyberball 2072 gets released and right in the middle of playing Bioshock. That turns out to be ok because a friend of mine let me use his 360 because he didn't have a screen to play it on. So with glee on Wednesday morning I fired up the old 360 and downloaded Cyberball 2072 before work. I played a quick game and was immediately concerned that nothing extra was done -- no enhanced graphics, or play modes. However, it was the exact game from the arcades that I dropped so many quarters into. I went to work feeling excited because I couldn't wait to go home and play someone online. That is what the game is about after all. I remember facing off against savvy opponents in the arcade and dreading seeing certain people playing the game, knowing it was going to be a tough battle. I got home last night and loaded up the game then clicked on mulitplayer for the first time. Well guess what? The only mode available in multiplayer is CoOP! What the hell were they thinking? This game was announced a long time ago and I assumed it was taking this long to come out because they were either doing extra stuff or tweaking multiplayer. It looks like they were just sitting on their asses doing jack-squat. What's wrong Microsoft was it too technically difficult to get head to head multiplayer working in a twenty year old game? That's odd because games like APF 2k8 run great head to head. Maybe you just ran out of funds because you had to spend so much money fixing all the crapped out 360s you have been selling everyone.

Lots of sites like to give out numeric reviews, well here is mine: -1.

Wil Wheaton PAX Keynote.

If you haven't heard Wil Wheaton's keynote speech at PAX and you are a gamer, you need to. Link.

Rocketmen: Axis of Evil

Take a gander at a cool looking upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title coming soon. Here is blurb and some video:

WizKids’ popular constructible strategy game comes to Xbox LIVE Arcade this fall with Rocketmen: Axis of Evil. In this arcade shooter, players will join the heroes of the Alliance of Free Planets in their white-knuckled, frenzied struggle to free the Solar System from the tyrannical grip of the Legion of Terra. Up to four players will be able to cooperatively shoot their way through multiple levels, powering up their weapons, picking up bonuses and laying waste to anything that move

CIick and learn Part 2

Richard Dawkins, brilliant as usual:

Cyberball 2072 coming 9/5

Sweet fancy Moses! Just when my friggin Xbox 360 dies, they announce the immenent release of one of my favorite games of all time! I may have access to another 360 while mine is being fixed so I will keep my fingers crossed. Here is the info:

Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don't keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn't go critical before you can score.

• Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
• Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
• Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
• Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
• Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!

Cyberball 2072 (400 Microsoft Points)
Rediscover the arcade classic game “Cyberball 2072” from Midway on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your team downfield for a touchdown. But watch out, the ball gets hot if you don't keep moving! Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn't go critical before you can score.

Rings of Death

There you have it, folks. Take a gander at what I was welcomed to when I got home yesterday itching to try out the Tiger Woods 08 demo. Yep, the dreaded Three Rings of Death have struck me again. I called up Micro$oft and they are sending me a box to ship my baby in to them for repair. Luckily, I took my own advice and have a regular xbox and PS2 to play until it comes back. I am worried it might not make it back for the Halo 3 launch though. But what REALLY pisses me off is I was right in the middle of playing Bioshock for Crissake! I probably could pull a few strings and get it replaced at a local Gamestop, but I want to make sure I get the permanent fix and don't have to go through this again. Here are some tips if this happens to you:

1. If you get these three lights AND the light on your power supply is green you are screwed. Don't bother trying any of the troubleshooting tips. They won't work.
2. If you are an Xbox Gold Live subscriber get them to refund the amount of time that you are without your Xbox 360 while it is being repaired.
3. Remove your hard drive. They don't need it. You want to make sure you keep all those hard earned saves.
4. Make sure you eject whatever game you have inside the Xbox 360 BEFORE you ship it out.
5. Always have a backup plan for gaming. In my case having the Xbox 1, PS2 and DS will get me through the repair time.
   
   

Today's click and learn post.

This one is from Richard Dawkins. It is called The Enemies of Reason.
Good stuff.

Now THIS is what I'm talkin about!

This is the kind of game I envisioned when I bought my Wii. Luckily, I only have to wait until October, 23rd! I give you, Rockstar Table Tennis for the Wii!!