Warning: This Post is NOT About an RPG

Titanfall. I never expected you to even blip on my radar. Really, I figured I was done with multiplayer shooters. Call of Duty had long since stopped being something that commanded my attention, and Battlefield, despite multiple attempts on my part, just didn't hook me in any sustainable fashion.

But, Titanfall, despite my attempts to dismiss you, something about you kept beckoning to me to glance at previews and videos of you. I don't know if it's your OG ex-Infinity Ward pedigree, or your science-fiction setting, or your use of mechs, or the fact that you were clearly doing something different from the other Wal-Mart-esque generic shooters, I kept tabs on you.

And holy cow, am I glad I did.

On a whim, I went ahead and registered for beta codes for both PC and XB1. I received them both this past weekend, and quickly hopped into the action.

Titanfall, via its excellent mechanics is, *GASP*, inclusive and accessible in its play. I have never felt so ready to compete, and the fact that I was actually competitive so quickly surprised me.

Granted, a lot of this action is new to most players, so we'll see how that holds up when I only play 5 hours a week, while the rest of the players make it a full-time job.

What was most impressive, though, was that my 8yr old got in there and really tore shit up.

A quick note on that - it's an M-rated game, yes, I know. But I played a fair amount of it before turning him loose on it, and I felt like most of the action was absent any real grotesquerie. I winced a bit at the neck-breaking mêlée attack, but that was it. The rest of it is so out-of-this-world, that it doesn't smack of realism. Please save your holier-than-thou parenting for your own family.

The best moment of the weekend, though, was when he figured out, for both of us, that you could, as a pilot, jump on top of an enemy Titan, rip open its hull, then start drilling it with your gun. He kept insisting that it was doable, and I said, 'fine, it's your life,' and he blew that enemy Titan to pieces. We high-fived and had a great laugh about it.

The lesson: families that play Titanfall together stay together.

So, most of his action was on the Xbox One. I played mostly on PC, and LOVED it.

Visually, both were stunning, and I was surprised at how well they both play. Yeah, PC is a little more accurate with the WASD + mouse, but the XB1 version played beautifully. I rarely found myself getting frustrated with the control.

I ran my PC version at max settings @ 1920x1080 and had no issues. It was silky-smooth.

I'm not sure what resolution the XB1 version is running, but I'm certain a PS4 fanboy could tell you. The correct answer is, 'it's a console game, and I don't care; if I cared about visuals, I'd play it on PC.' It still looks goddam great for a console game.

Both versions played great, both looked great, and I'm really considering getting the game for both, since the boy prefers the console, while I prefer the PC (also, most of my friends are mouth-breathing console players, so I might as well join them.)

The biggest thing, though, was that it was accessible without feeling dumbed-down. That is quite a feat and I tip my hat to Respawn.

What was especially fun was getting to know the game a bit, then deciding on an approach, and then seeing that approach succeed. I decided I want to be a quiet, stealthy dealer of death. I use the Smart Pistol (wow, what a great weapon), which doesn't demand that you be all that accurate, but it does insist that if your target requires more than one hit, you keep the target in a wide bracket of view until the number of hits it needs for a kill all line up. This is fantastic for stealth kills. Additionally, I have a cloak that I can use for a brief time, which is more effective on Titans than pilots. This allows me to actually stealthily approach the Titan until I can jet up to its head, and begin to bring it down.

It's fantastic getting into a game like this, finding your niche, and then using it in concert with the team to bring the other team to its knees. Man, I haven't had that feeling in years.

Also, this is the first game I've ever played whose tutorial is really fun. It was almost like Portal

As I said, I'd sworn off multiplayer shooters, but I am buying this game, and I can't wait to play the hell out of it.

Bringing it full-circle, though, I guess I am describing the most literal terms of 'role-playing.' Maybe this is the multiplayer shooter role-players have been waiting for? I don't know, but I'm amped as hell for this game, and can't wait to play more tonight!

I believe users can directly access the beta from their Xbox One now. Get in there!

-Blaine

My Summer Build Project

Every summer, I build a new PC. I alternate between a desktop and a laptop each year. In some cases, I actually build them, but as I've gotten older, I more frequently 'build' them (order them, with some heavy customizations, off a website.)

This summer, I'm due for a new laptop, but I may actually hold off. Yeah, my Alienware laptop has some aspects that I don't like, and I really would like to move into a new one, and their new 'trade-up' program has me tempted, but ...

The Steam streaming beta has really given me a lot to think about. Using the streaming feature, I really could, finally, have the big-ass TV gaming experience I deserve. Yeah, my Xbox One is great, but I only buy games for it if I can't get them on PC (Titanfall, because all my friends are luddite mouthbreathers that are primarily console players, may be the exception). Why? Visual fidelity. Control schemes. Modding. Every game on PC is portable. No disc. Infinite backwards compatibility. You get the idea, right?

I keep going back and forth on this, and I actually really would like some feedback from you.

I've got a minimum of two TVs up to a maximum of 4 TVs that I'd like to which I'd like to be able to stream. You'll understand that range in a moment.

No matter the implementation, I want the following: wireless keyboard/mouse w/ 10-20ft range), wireless 360 controller (same range as k/m), and HDMI out.

My two nicest setups are in the basement and the front room. In both cases, I have a big-ass TV and 5.1 surround. I have two lesser setups in the sun room and the bedroom.

The streaming feature requires a computer with either Windows, Mac (lulz), or Linux.

I've narrowed myself to two options:
 - build two cheap SteamOS boxes that will permanently park themselves under the two big TVs, but ONLY be used for games
 - customize and order a really nice gaming laptop that can dock at any TV easily into a setup that already has the wireless control options and HDMI out set to go; if I got the Alienware route  again, I can shave about $500 off the cost, AND get an upgraded mobile gaming experience, too; additionally, since I'll be rocking Windows 8.1 on it, I can also use this for any other media need I have, as well

While I'm heavily leaning toward #2, the size of the laptop is something I'm concerned about being able to mitigate. I need a minimum of a 1920x1080 display on it, and I HATE not having the numpad on my current Alienware, so we're probably looking at around 17inches.

Also, gaming laptops tend to be pretty thick, and I'd really like to have a low profile on this thing. And they can be pretty heavy.

What's nice, though, is that since local resources aren't being used in the streaming (yeah, a handful of games will be local), heat will not be an issue.

The other choice is the cheap SteamOS boxes. I probably have the ability to implement these at a very low cost. I hold onto hardware forever, JUST IN CASE, and that may pay off here.

Another thing, too, is that the Steam streaming isn't perfect yet. It doesn't work if the host computer is locked, and if it's Win8+, it better not be at the start screen. Also, if it's a non-Steam game that you've added to the Steam menu, it'll puke if it has a launch menu prior to the actual game (commonly seen in MMOs).

Which means that I'd want some games to be able to run locally (ESO, any BioWare games for which I use Origin cloud saves, SWTOR), which nukes the cheap SteamOS box idea, almost.

There's also a wild card in all this. My old gaming desktop, which was replaced last year, is now a Windows Server 2012 R2 box, which is running a Hyper-V instance, and acting as a file share. It's still got that NVIDIA 260GT in it, which will still run a lot of modern games, so local instances of games is possible, and I'm sure I can get the Steam streaming running on it. I could, theoretically, move that out to one of the TVs.

So, I dunno. I'm mulling this over until E3 week, which is my target for pulling the trigger one way or the other. That's usually my build week, since I always take the whole week off from work.

I'm not going to rush this decision, and I want to have time to plan out the infrastructure for it, so feel free to comment away with your thoughts. When it comes to design, never operate in a vacuum. Unless you're a space-bound alien.

SPRAY YOUR THOUGHTS ALL OVER ME, PLEASE!!!

-Blaine

RPGs & Achievement Whoring

Back in the Day
I remember, in the days of yore, when Microsoft first showed off the Achievement system for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, I was curious, but not overtly excited. I wasn't opposed to the idea, but I was interested in seeing how it was implemented, and what effect it would have on the way we game. As it turned out, some of my good buddies instantly became what's now affectionately known as 'achievement whores,' and as I watched their Gamerscore tick up and up, almost minute by minute, I became concerned about their overall Xbox/life balance. This became a very real concern as I started seeing games like King Kong and Kameo pop up on their games list.

I wasn't into Elder Scrolls when Oblivion came out, which resulted in this weird period in time in which I never had anyone to play PDZ with. It was very isolating. I felt so alone.

Therefore, the first RPG that I really sunk my teeth into that had achievements was my beloved Lost Odyssey. Man, I loved that game. I think I said at the time that it was like reconnecting with an old flame, falling in love all over again, only to have it come to its inevitable end, one last time. Once the game was over, my heart was shattered again, but I didn't regret the time we shared. Not one bit. That was the last JRPG I really loved. It was that one last hurrah from Sakaguchi-san, the final Final Fantasy, and it was a showcaseof everything that was great about his games.

But then, it had DLC and achievements.

I remember, as I played through it, whenever I'd get that nice little Achievement pop-up, I got a nice warm feeling of artificial validation, but it was really neat, because it was for a game that was one of 'my' games. It was kinda cool seeing 'their' system applied to 'my' game. Sure, I'd racked up a few Achievements in other games prior to this, but it had rarely mattered much to me.

Shortly after Xbox Achievements became a big thing, both Steam and Sony scrambled to implement their versions of the Achievement system. I remember being really bothered that I'd beaten Uncharted before Sony had implemented Achievements, er, Trophies, and actually going back and playing through the game AGAIN after they were put in place, just so motherfuckers would know I could beat a game on easy.

Now
Through the years, I've found that I actually care more about Achievements in non-RPG games, like Uncharted and Dead Space than I do my usual BioWare/CDPR stable of games. I remember very distinctly, while playing each game in both series, I'd always pop into my Trophies on PSN to see how awesome I was, and to get a rough idea of my overall progress through the game. Oh, and you had to do that, since it was impossible for Sony to have that automatically sync otherwise (/facepalm. I sure hope that's fixed on PS4.)

I think I care less about it in my 'core' games, but then, I've always wished that my PC Mass Effect and Dragon Age achievements were tied to a bigger system than the BioWare Social Network (yes, it still exists, and could've been a cool thing), so that people could celebrate my love for playing through those games. EA, you have a big opportunity here with Origin.

Hell, the one thing I loved about the hated Games for Windows Live was that it tied PC games into my Xbox Achievements, so people could see my awesomeness in games like Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War 2 and Fallout 3.

Throughout the years, one thing has never happened. I've never Achievement-whored a game, and I wonder why. Lost Odyssey is the EXACT kind of game I'd do it on, too. There are Achievements for optional bosses, max-leveling, and all the great stuff we all used to do 'back in the day.' I know for a fact that Tony and I both still have saves on old PS1 memory cards that we treasure because they're so bad-ass (mine have since been transferred to my PS3, many moons ago. That fucker better never die. And it's one of the original models, that still has the ability to play PS2 games.)

I wonder, at times, if the nature of RPGs discourages Achievement-whoring, since they tend to be big, huge semi-linear games, and aside from save-reloads, it's generally very difficult to get every Achievement on the first play-through.

Additionally, at least for me, RPGs provide repeated moments of immense payoff, whether it be taking down a difficult boss, getting to a great cut-scene, or just getting immersed in the world. Achievements are inherently immersion-breaking, so maybe I pay less attention to them while I'm playing a big, bad-ass RPG. I'm not sure.

Actually, there is one game in which I really pay attention to the Achievements, and I think it's because I've exhausted so much of the content. SWTOR. However, MMORPGs are an entirely different beast, and a bigger topic than I wanna get into right now.

I like Achievements in games. I think they provide a cool meta-game for the social scene that surrounds gaming culture. They can provide instant points of reference for a discussion between two people that both like a particular game, and there is something that's very cool about looking at my own Achievements, and comparing them with someone else's. I can get idea of how they approached the game, and maybe that's something about which we have a great discussion, or I use that data to refine my own approach the next time I play the game. Or, even better, I see they did something nigh impossible in the game, and I wanna hear all about it.

I do think, though, that Achievements in RPGs, perhaps moreso than any other genre, can evolve. Because RPGs tend to be so insanely detailed and stat-based, a developer could really have some fun when setting up the Achievements for the game. There are some rich opportunities for Achievements that are tied to leveling single attributes, crafting, or even wacky choice-based Achievements (or wackier than what's already in play in some of the choice-driven RPGs.)

I also like shame-based Achievements, as well, in which you're granted an Achievement for doing something stupid or being a weak player. I've seen a few of those. I wanna say Dead Space and Fallout 3 both have them.

In any case, I may try to finally 100% a game for the first time this year. We'll see. I'm curious to see how Achievements continue to evolve. I look forward to racking up more this year in the avalanche of RPGs that will start raining down on us next month.

An Idea
Something's been rattling around in my brain for a bit, and since I like to just give away good ideas before I have a chance to implement them myself, it would be interesting if an entity like Raptr started implementing a 'Retro Achievement' system, in which PC games that lack Achievements were set up with a Raptr-based system that analyzed game progress in saves and granted Achievements for titles like KotOR, or The Witcher, or even older games, like Baldur's Gate. That would be something I'd enjoy, and could build quite a community, since there's so much passion for those old RPGs right now.

Just sayin'.

In Conclusion
Achievements are here to stay, whether you like it or not. I've seen interesting arguments both for and against them, and I see the merit in both stances. I like them, and hate to admit, but I've occasionally been more inclined to play one game than another because it has Achievements.

But, Achievements that aren't easily and very visibly displayed to other community members are nearly worthless. If you're gonna go to the trouble of implementing an Achievement system, give the user some control over displaying them. It'd be cool to pick a few really rare Achievements, and have them displayed on my profile, or my forum sig. Make them visible outside of the game, if the user wants that. It provides more community and user engagement, and really maximizes the value of the system.

Side Quests
 - I mentioned the reviews for this game yesterday, but Lightning Returns is looking more and more divisive. I may need to see for myself sooner than I thought.
 - Pillars of Eternity is now set for a 'winter 2014' release. In my mind, at least, I'm now moving this to 2015. And I'm fine with that, if that's what the game needs. I have some high hopes riding on this one.

How do you feel about Achievements? How do you feel about them, as relates to RPGs?

As always, thanks for reading!

-Blaine