Games, Sports, Movies etc.
An interesting gaming thing happened to me lately. I've noticed that I stopped playing console and portable games for the last few weeks. This is partially due to the time I've spent playing the new Final Fantasy XIV Beta. One of the things that I'm always cautious about is the dangerous pull effect that MMOs tend to have on certain types of people, or people with certain addictive habits. We've all read and heard about them on the news before. You know, like the people who forget to feed their kids or go to work because they're raiding dungeons or whatever.
I'm not one of those people, and I don't get pulled in by these games partly because I tend to schedule the time I spend with these types of activities, so it’s never happened to me. I currently have characters setup in SWTOR, LOTRO, GW2, STAR TREK, and FFXIV: ARR. I generally don't spend too many hours playing these games. I just pick at them bit by bit when I'm feeling bored. This is generally the way I approach MMOs or any other type of console games. Those times of sitting in all weekend long finishing a long rental game are long gone and unpractical for me, which is why I've taken to gaming on iPad or 3DS, with their games designed for short bursts of play time.
Since the FF XIV beta is limited to weekends, I've been logging in to Guild Wars 2 just so I can draw comparisons. I think GW2 is a highly polished game with enough content to satisfy both MMO veterans and RPG players who just want to explore and roll a character through narrative and game events. The devs of GW2 have recently announced that they plan on adding new content every 2 weeks starting next week. I was a bit skeptical about this news mainly because GW2 has been receiving updates since it launched, and I haven't felt compelled to jump in and play it for some reason until now. Also, a lot of the previous GW2 content was temporary, lasting for one time only.
The last time I played the game was during the Halloween event in October and I got to kill monsters made of Halloween candy. These types of holiday events aren't unusual in other MMOs, so it didn't feel very special. The newer content though, is supposed to change the world and narrative so I’m kind of excited about that. If you take FF XIV in comparison, the new XIV game is a giant remake to the previous world, whereas GW2 is promising to add world changing content through the rest of the games life cycle every two weeks beginning next week.
I think the devs have said enough to keep me interested and engaged for the time being. I have replaced my RPG gaming with this particular MMO, and I like the fact that it will keep expanding. It’s going to be difficult to choose between this and A Realm Reborn. Both are working overtime to drag me away, and it just might work. I’ve also been enjoying the official novels based on Guild Wars 2.
The main thing that I care about in an MMO besides game play is story and world. Characters are your own and you can add your own personal description for role playing purposes I suppose, but I mostly care about the games lore and world. Also, I love the kick ass dual wielding pistol, sometimes flame thrower wielding, Engineer. So fun to play, not to mention the excellent World vs. World and Player vs. Player competition in case you just feel like battling it out instead of adventuring through the world of Tyria.
Other news...
Did you hear about the exclusive Cloud outfit for Lightning in the Lightning Returns Pre-Order? I might just have to pre-order now!
I’ve been neglecting my town of Racoon in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Truth is, I suck at policy making and I’m trying to get impeached. I named my town after Racoon City and the Mayors name is Chris R. (Redfield). *wink *wink
Sea of Sorrows (by Ree Soesbee), the latest novel from the Guild Wars 2 game is on my reading list, as soon as I get through the other two books.
Gran Turismo 6 Beta was released yesterday, and I really enjoyed it. It’s still a very technical driving game, no car damage from what I saw, but it’s not supposed to be Motorstorm I suppose. I got to the final Time challenge and it kicked my ass. I might have to buy a steering wheel.
A Realm Reborn Beta continues this weekend. I shall try out my skills in crafting and gathering as well as kick some ass in dungeons. Which means bickering with noobs in chat for not learning to be team players and quitting. 
Retronauts is back! Go to Retronauts.com and listen to the newest podcast which will be followed by new podcasts every week!
Not so gaming news...
I do love UFC and WWE and their games. So I’m especially excited because July 6 is a UFC fight weekend and July 14 is WWE Money in the Bank!
Pacific Rim opens July 12! Ever since I saw that giant robot pick up a ship and swing it like a baseball bat, I’ve been waiting!
And that’s all for now!
I don't think an AC town would give me the benefit of impeachment, although it would be cute to see that process play out in the game, they'd just kick me out outright. lol
Might have to listen to some Retronauts, and Pacific Rim looks good; I'm not as excited as everyone else, but I've heard good things.
I'm thinking that I should provide my citizens with free health care and more restrictive gun control measures. That should get things rolling.
i'm thinking of trying Guild Wars 2. IT's only $30 now. Are you a high level? Is it easy to play with others? I heard it's not bad playing solo.
I'm mostly excited for FFXIV though. I guess it's my FF nostalgia. That's like more than a month away though. I'm going to preorder the PS3 version soon though.
It's hard to tell someone what they should or shouldn't spend their money on. I for one bought the game full price at launch, GW2, but then got bored and left the game quickly. There's been a recent dry spell in games, before Steam Summer Sale, so I've been savin money and playing games I already got, GW2 being one of them, because they keep adding new content making it refreshing. Does that make sense? They are making a game from last year feel new again. I also joined a guild, but enjoy gathering, crafting and leveling my character. Also exploring.
It's too bad there's no demo. I can't describe the game in more detail without getting technical about it. Put it this way. I'm about half way through my level cap, and there is no way I will see the entire world by the time I reach the end. I will maybe have seen 20% of the world map by the end, unless I explore on my own or create other classes from LV 1.
I suggest reading reviews, blogs, visiting the official site before making a decision. I'm playing to kill time between ARR beta.
I'm really wanting to see Pacific rim. Heroes in mech suits fighting giant monsters? Totally up my alley! I'm also probably going to snatch up Lightning Returns too. (I just hope I don't have to know everything about the previous 2 FF 13 games to enjoy this one.)
I mostly got Evangelion vibes from the PR trailer, so I was sold! Robots? Check. Monsters? Check. Anime influence? Check.
You can prob just watch video cut scenes and read blogs about the FF XIII story if you don't want to play the first two games.
I'll do that. Watch the stories of the previous two games in the series I mean. I dunno, something about Lightning Returns appeals to me more than the other FF 13 games. Can't quite put my finger on it.
As a huge fan of all things featuring giant fucking monsters, Pacific Rim stands as one of my most anticipated movie going experiences in quite some time. I am quite excited.
They had me at giant fuckin robots! I don't care if the movie is bad! I'm sitting in the front row for this. 
What I liked about MMO's when I played was helping out other players. I rolled a drow cleric in D&D Online and had a blast. I had to fend people off from invites to their groups. lol
I was rolling a healer in the FF XIV beta and supporting everybody and yeah healers are in demand! 
Clerics were awesome. I loved my cleric on Neverwinter Nights, but I always made all my characters chaotic neutral, so they were always interesting to play.
I like watching Silva fight. I don't even care if you wins or loses.
He kind of trolls his competitors in the ring don't he? Fun to watch.
I'm playing XIII-2 right now and loving it. I hate to say lt but that Cloud costume just might get me to pre-order Lightning Returns! I read somewhere else that there will be over 100 costumes in LR. That's a god-awful amount of DLC!
Oh my!
Guild Wars 2 is the one MMO I've ever been able to get into. Haven't played it for a month or more, which isn't a problem thanks to no sub fee, but this promise of new content might pull me back in.
Also, what's your 3DS system code? (If you don't mind my asking.) My wife is looking for towns to visit in Animal Crossing 
Mine (because she's using my 3DS lol) is 5129-0517-7823
My 3DS friend code is in my profile on the right hand column.
1160
9861
2001
There's a book called sea of sorrows? I only know the song 
Ah yea. Retronauts is back!
I want to watch the UFC fight. I want to see Silvia go down just because that would be huge news besides, I want to see someone else finally take the belt. Mostly, I just hope for a good fight.
I am excited to watch Pacific Rim. Its one of my most anticipated alongside Elysiam next month. Sure I spelled it wrong. As for gaming, just beat The Last of Us a second time. I will be playing The Walking Dead 400 days tonight or tomorrow.
If Silva loses the belt all the UFC fans will abandon the sport. LOL. If it did happen, Dana would just hype up the innevitable rematch.
I've been waiting for Pacific Rim since I first watched a Voltron cartoon. A very long time. Elyssium, or that Matt Damon space movie is also on my watch list. Mostly because it's directed by the same guy that made District 9.
I'm just waiting for the summer steam sale to start, so I'm holding off on new games right now. I am considering buying a racing wheel for GT5 & 6.