Conference Call

GWJ Conference Call Episode 132

Demigod, theHunter, Uniwar, Endgames, The Nefarious Digirati, Your Emails and more!

This week it's all hands on deck for a special conversation about how games end and what some of the best and worst are. We also spend some time listening to Cory and Julian tell us how they're absolutely not elitist. They were kind of snobs about it, though. 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!

  • Subscribe with iTunes
  • Subscribe with RSS
  • Subscribe with Yahoo!
Download the official apps
  • Download the GWJ Conference Call app for Android
  • Download the GWJ Conference Call app for Android

Show credits

Music credits: 

Intro/Outtro Music - Ian Dorsch, Willowtree Audioworks

"Alpha" - (Workbench) - www.workbench-music.com - 0:46:26
"Cosmos" - (Workbench) - www.workbench-music.com - 1:13:04

Comments

Lard wrote:

The issue is whether the iphone is prohibitively expensive.

As far as I'm concerned, it's the PS3 of mobile gaming. It may be sleek and high-tech, but it's far too expensive for its own good.

It's not the PS3 of mobile gaming, it's the PC of mobile gaming: a general-purpose platform that you can play games on.

I'm new to the forums, but have been listening to the podcast for the past year. The iPhone game discussion prompted me to register. I have zero opinion on the iPhone as a viable game platform, etc. I don't own one, but I'm sure it is great and there are plenty of good games for it. It seems, though, that there are not many (if any?) iPhone games with depth to them. The descriptions of iPhone games generally sound like they are similar to flash games. With that said, I don't understand why the over the past few months the podcast spends so much time talking about them.

Let me add that I enjoy listening to the discussions about games on other platoforms that I don't own. I enjoyed the Flower discussion and I will probably never play it since I don't own a PS3. I could relate to it, however, and appreciated the in depth discussion on it. With the iPhone games there just doesn't seem to be any "meat" there to talk about.

I like the cut of your jib, Ezrah.

muttonchop wrote:
Lard wrote:

The issue is whether the iphone is prohibitively expensive.

As far as I'm concerned, it's the PS3 of mobile gaming. It may be sleek and high-tech, but it's far too expensive for its own good.

It's not the PS3 of mobile gaming, it's the PC of mobile gaming: a general-purpose platform that you can play games on.

It's an overpriced piece of tech with expensive, indulgent features. Definitely a PS3.

And I have a PS3!

Demiurge wrote:
McChuck wrote:

My problem is that an iPod Touch would still mean carrying around two devices. For me, the subscription plans for an iPhone do make it illegitimate because I'm almost always near a computer. In fact, I'm sitting at one right now. And it'd be silly to pay more for a data plan on my phone than I do for my apartment. I just want an iPod Touch that takes phone calls. That's all. Demi, make it so.

iPod Touch + Skype app (free @ iTunes App Store) = McChuck's problems solved.

I could be completely wrong, but I thought the iPod Touch had no microphone input? That would make Skype rather hard to use.

EDIT: Nevermind, I see they sell things to alleviate that problem now.

I think it's disingenuous to write off all of the iPhone games as shallow throwaway experiences. It's true that the limitations of the platform and the fact that the games tend to be small "limit" you to experiences that are less content heavy than your typical 10-15 hour slog fest on a PC or console. I don't think that this means the games necessarily lack depth, they just lack content.

However, many (Uniwar, Galcon, the Apple Poker game) are very very well executed and fun to play for a long time.

And who can argue with a loving and faithful simulation of LED football?

I think the greater significance of the phone is not the device but the application store platform. I tend to play iPhone games on the go in preference to the DS or PSP for two reasons:

1. I'm already carrying the device.

2. All the games are *in* the phone, no stupid cartridges or {ableist slur} mini-dvds to carry around.

I realize that Nintendo and Sony have gotten into the downloads arena, but I they haven't taken the idea nearly far enough.

Also add me to the list that likes to listen to discussions of games and platforms that I will not own or play. I have long used the podcast as a way to get the flavor of the PC/MMO gaming experiences without actually having to own a PC or grind in an MMO. This, IMHO, is an underrated service.

Demiurge wrote:

By my estimation, no one has made a comment about Rob's incest comment. Just sayin'.

We're all just biding our time while making soundbites in the most incriminating way by taking them completely out of context.

I regret reading this discussion.

Well, at least you're not being passive aggressive about it.

Call Of Duty 4's ending was great. Yes, the final sequence was fine, especially in contrast with the drawn-out, boring bunker shootout that preceded it. But the thing I recall is watching the credits, after which...

SPOILER

...you're thrown into a black screen, someone opens a hatch you're looking at, and you fall into this passenger jet with your black-clad crew, moving through an explosive 60 seconds or so in your face fight with a bunch of terrorists, culminating in jumping out of the aircraft. I was laughing and bursting with adrenaline, surprised and elated, to be cast out of that winding down mode you're in when watching credits, and straight back into some of the most exciting times the game can throw you.

It was just a great example of how to end things with a twist and go out on a high note.