Conference Call

GWJ Conference Call Episode 117

Birth of America II, Mount & Blade, World of Goo, Our Failed Predictions, The Games of 2009, Your Emails and more!

This week we're going to pick over the remains of our 2008 predictions and see how we made out. We also look at some of the more interesting games coming in 2009 and find out why Rob is the Ringo of the podcast. Please note that we recorded the show before the news on the 1Up.com apocalypse broke. Our thoughts are with all the excellent folks who have lost their jobs. If you want to submit a question or comment call in to our voicemail line at (612) 284-4563!

To contact us, email [email protected]! Send us your thoughts on the show, pressing issues you want to talk about or whatever else is on your mind. You can even send a 30 second audio question or comment (MP3 format please) if you're so inclined. You can also submit a question or comment call in to our voicemail line at (612) 284-4563!

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Show credits

Music credits: 

Intro/Outtro Music - Ian Dorsch, Willowtree Audioworks

"PodunkStump" (Ian Dorsch) - 0:31:56
"Los Pistoleros" (Ian Dorsch) - 1:02:19

Comments

A reminder to everyone - I am playing Birth of America II. I understand that both versions are excellent games, though.

doubtingthomas396 wrote:
mrtomaytohead wrote:

Or alternately, there is the mysteriously spacious Honda Element which gives ample front seat leg room and even more to the rear, all the while being completely rugged on the interior so as to be able to take any mess you could throw at it. That being said, it's an ugly under-powered Honda box on wheels.

That's what Dear Old Dad currently drives, and honestly I still consider it to be a minivan, regardless of what the official designation is. Needs more seats, though.

I'll challenge you on the underpowered, though. I find that four cylinder engine remarkably zippy for a vehicle that size.

While I'm at it, I'll challenge the ugly too. If you want to see an ugly car, check out those horrid Scion XB cinderblocks-on-wheels. Seriously, they look like something I might have drawn and called a car when I was five. The new models aren't so bad, but the old ones made me want to gouge out the eyes of whoever though that was a good looking car.

OK my view of underpowered is skewed. When I got to drive it it was from a guy whose previous cars, included a 5.0 mustang and a highly modified 91 MR2 w/ absolutely no options (a/c, power steering, roof, spoiler) and 300hp/ft-lbs. This was a bit of a change. Anyways, it's kinda zippy for the engine it has, yes. But it doesn't have the beef to tow much and when loaded down, you can really tell. Still, fitting two full sized mountain bikes in the back with only turning the seats up is pretty cool.

And while the sylings of the Element are consitant throughout and it presents itself well for what it is, I still maintain it is ugly in my eye. Scion's just hit a whole other realm of ugly associated with the teenage modifiaction-obsessed crowd.

Elysium wrote:

A reminder to everyone - I am playing Birth of America II. I understand that both versions are excellent games, though.

The Rebirthing?

Rat Boy wrote:
Elysium wrote:

A reminder to everyone - I am playing Birth of America II. I understand that both versions are excellent games, though.

The Rebirthing?

Born Again?

Elysium wrote:

A reminder to everyone - I am playing Birth of America II. I understand that both versions are excellent games, though.

hrmmm... kinda misleading. The box art and the show notes text, they are.

Jayhawker wrote:
Rat Boy wrote:
Elysium wrote:

A reminder to everyone - I am playing Birth of America II. I understand that both versions are excellent games, though.

The Rebirthing?

Born Again?

Hallelujah!!!

The box art and the show notes text, they are.

Yeah, I wish I had noticed earlier. Blame Certis for not paying more attention to me.

Coldstream wrote:

Minivans suck the joy out of life. Don't own one!

Top Gear would disagree with you I think.

Is the call in number from Canada or the USA?

I don't think there is any shame in owning a mini-van, it's practical and versatile. Where the shame comes if is if you try, in vain, to hold onto your vanished youth by trying to look cool in it. It's impossible, like an 80 year old grandmother holding onto her youth by dressing in a mini-skirt.

Don't fight that your life is over, own it and die with grace.

WizKid wrote:

Is the call in number from Canada or the USA?

I believe the area code is for Minnesota.

Doesn't everyone have free long distance in North America on their home phones? I thought that was just standard now a days.

I'm glad we're moving back to minivans. This trend of boxy minivans labeled "SUVs" needed to stop.

Lego Rock Band - "I Fall To Pieces" by Patsy Cline!

Gaald wrote:
WizKid wrote:

Is the call in number from Canada or the USA?

I believe the area code is for Minnesota.

Doesn't everyone have free long distance in North America on their home phones? I thought that was just standard now a days.

I know I have free long distance in the USA, not quite sure about north and south of the border though.

Why is it so shocking that I didn't like LBP? I found the controls nonintuitive. Why does your sockboy/girl always automatically face forward? What's with the jumping backwards instead of just turning around and walking back? Things just felt really mushy and imprecise.

Also there was the problem that I always have when Shawn wants to play something co-op which is that he charges off without waiting, ever, and I feel like the younger brother in A Christmas Story, dragged along everywhere and never heeded. I can't make that jump that fast! I don't know how to make this wheel turn! I can't put my arms down!

Brennil wrote:

Why is it so shocking that I didn't like LBP? I found the controls nonintuitive. Why does your sockboy/girl always automatically face forward? What's with the jumping backwards instead of just turning around and walking back? Things just felt really mushy and imprecise.

I'm actually right there with you. That's part of the reason I ended up not liking LBP all that much. And if you aren't into the platforming, and aren't into the Level Creator ... well, that's why I traded my copy away.

I know I just committed eighteen crimes of heresy, but there you go.

Brennil wrote:

Also there was the problem that I always have when Shawn wants to play something co-op which is that he charges off without waiting, ever, and I feel like the younger brother in A Christmas Story, dragged along everywhere and never heeded.

My fiance had Halo (and consequently, Microsoft's consoles for some unknown reason) ruined for her for that same reason. Except, she wasn't playing w/ Shawn, or me. It was one of her college friends before we met and he dropped her into the campaign on Legendary, having never played any FPS'es. So actually, her experience was probably a bit more of an extreme outcome.

Thankfully, Timesplitters has gotten her to reconsider her hatred of the FPS genre. But that's only because of the Ninja Monkey. She likes monkeys... And really likes Ninjas.

Dam I just bought a minivan too 2 weeks ago. And in Minneapolis of all places. It has a spoiler though.