World of Warcraft: Pining For Azeroth

I miss broadband and I miss the World of Warcraft. My month trial pass into Azeroth expired the day before I flew home so I figured, why waste a month when I can't play? Jonnie (aka Shandor) had spent a good hour shepherding me through unfamiliar and dangerous territory, saving me from all manner of beasties, until we arrived in Darnassus where all my pal Keri (Coppergirl) seems to be permenantly based. On the upside, I got to see more of the world and also got to travel on shps and even fly on a gryphon and a hippogriff!

The problem is, I've been without WoW for nearly a month and it's getting to me. Everyone is playing and I'm still level 5, I need to be a 20 before I can even think about questing with them. Looks like I'm going to have to kill a lot more wolves. Fortunately, now I'm around I can battle with Keri and nick half her XP - this pleases me. I prefer gaming with friends and Skype makes the experience that much more fun so I can chat while we're slaughtering. Unlike many folks who seem to spend every hour questing I'm determined to set boundaries - WoW is for after 8pm, which means I'm going to lose a lot of sleep over the next month but it will be worth it if I can be a productive member of the Gigaknights Guild.

Viva Pinata: Most. Addictive. Game. EVER!

I know Viva Pinata is a kid's game filled with moral messages and cuddly toys filled with oh-so-succulent sweets but I can't stop playing it! I managed to get some more residents this morning but I'm desperate to get myself a Chewnicorn (which I might actually be able to achieve by January if I work really hard). I've started tinkering with fertilizer and my own eugenics experiment is in full swing thanks to turnips, carrots and the joys of incestuous relationships (I still find all that amusing and Eurogamer's review still causes me to smile). As if to make things worse, I love the TV show too. There's something very wrong with me . . . .

On the upside, while I'm yet to find either a print strategy guide or a PDF version, I did find the next best thing - a Viva Pinata wiki. Right, off to wack Seedos for 'maximum seedage'!

Happy Feet Review At Eurogamer

"Ultimately Happy Feet is another safe, derivative, formulaic movie tie-in that's lacking in the graphical department and is way too easy for all but the youngest gamers out there. But if you've got a child who's charmed by tap-dancing penguins then this is an unchallenging and mildly diverting accompaniment to the movie. The rest of you, though, can safely give this a wide berth."

It wouldn't be December without a CGI movie and the chance to review a spin-off game involving cuddly animals and moral messages. Click here to read my review of Happy Feet on the PS2.

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Limited Edition Coming to R1 DVD

I love this movie. Shame about the boring cover but according to this announcement at DVD Times, there are some cool bonuses including a script, extra disc, book and postcards.

Windows Vista: Bring It On

I'm in the middle of getting a new desktop PC. I've found my perfect monitor, got a quote for my PC (which is 'Oblivion-spec' so I can play my favourite RPG of all time on yet another format) and I'm now trying to decide which operating system I want. The short answer is, of course, Vista. Friends, geeks and fellow journalists are all telling me to wait six months before getting Vista, just to make sure all the kinks have been worked out but I can't.

It looks like it's due in February which, coincidentally, is the very time I'm planning to get my new computer. I've been looking at the specs and have decided Vista Home Premium is the best package as not only does it come with support for my Xbox 360 but also have the ever-so-nice Aero thing.

I know I don't need my windows to be edged in panes of glass but it's looks that gorgeous that I don't mind paying for it. PC World have it with a preorder price of just under £200 which seems reasonable. Now I'm dreading to find out how much Outlook 2007 and Office 2007 are going to set me back but that's for another day.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Is Here

Gorgeous. I must play this.

The Elder Scroll IV: Oblivion - Knights Of The Nine Review At Pro-G

"As if the epic-ness of the main game wasn't enough, the Knights of the Nine expansion supplies another ten-hour quest line, mixing the fascinating mythology of Tamriel with the chance to be really, really good."

Yay! My first review for Pro-G is up and it's my current favourite expansion: The Knights of the Nine for Xbox 360.

You can read the full review here.

2006 In Retrospect

There's not long to go until 2007 and it's made me think about what I've achieved in the fifteen months since I became a freelance journalist. My friends seem amazed I've achieved so much in such a short period of time but I don't think my rise through the echelons of journalism has been that meteoric. Still, here's a list of some of my highlights of 2006.

• Got a staff job with Pure PSP and then walked out/quit (technically both are true) to pursue a freelance career.
• Had articles published in the following magazines: Play, Edge, NEO, OPM, PSM3 and MCV.
• Had reviews and features published on the following sites: Eurogamer, Kotaku, Pro-G and NTSC-UK.
• Got a PS2 Debug.
• Went to the Wii event.
• Went to the Rule of Rose press event.
• Went to the Tomb Raider: Anniversary press event.
• Went to the Final Fantasy XII press event.
• Made my first TV appearance in a professional capacity on More4 News (my TV debut was actually aged 3).
• Interviewed: Kawazu Akitoshi-san (Final Fantasy XII), Dax Ginn (Tomb Raider: Anniversary) Ishikawa Shuji-san and Takayama Yuya-san (Rule of Rose), Toyama Keiichiro-san (Siren/Siren 2) and Takahashi Keita-san (Katamari Damacy).
• Had my four part opus on Boogiepop published online and also as omake in the four volume manga series.

Now my plan for next year:

• Get a debug 360, Wii and PS3.
• Go to the Halo 3 press event.
• Go to X06.
• Go to Leipzig for GC 2007.
• Have articles (reviews, previews, features etc) published in OXM, Next3, Revolution, GamesTM, 360, ImagineFX, SFX and OPM3.
• Get a cover feature with NEO.
• Write a Time Extend feature for Edge.
• Meet as many PRs in person as humanly possible.

This list is probably going to get longer but that's more than enough for now.

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Phew, what a week!

Tomorrow I fly home and I've just finished all my work, bar one Tomb Raider: Anniversary feature which I can't finish until I harass Dan (politely, of course) at PSM3 tomorrow. It's basically done, just needs a little more structure and the commission sheet, of course. My website is updated, all my paid work done and I have plenty of time to do my blog reviews during the next couple of weeks.

So, this evening, I'm drinking cider and am going to do a little work on my novel before I hit the hay.

Paid to Play (Book Review)

Ever wanted a career in the games industry? Over the last ten years the number of people playing games has surged and the fact gaming is now a past-time enjoyed by all, from kids to grandparents,. With games like Gears of War, Viva Pinata, Okami, Katamari Damacy, Oblivion and God of War flying off the shelves it's no surprise working in this complex industry is incredibly popular and this is where Paid To Play comes in.

Covering every aspect of the games industry from designers and programmers to musicians, retail folk and even journalists, it's a treasure trove of information with witty footnotes, interviews, boxouts and more helpful advice than you can shake a stick at. While the information itself is slightly biased towards the US, much of the content is just as relevant to folks in the UK. There are even sample cover letters and a resume/CV to cover ever concievable situation.

As well as being informative, Paid To Play is not without a sense of humour. Brimming with pop culture references and amusing anecdotes from industry professionals, each chapter is illustrated by the famous gaming satirists, Penny Arcade, who are probably better known for their comic strips featuring the exploits of Gabe and Tycho. The chapters follow the development of the video game Death Fish from the perspectives of the career covered in that specific chapter and are sure to make everyone smile.

The chapters themselves are concise, offering a look at a day in life of a member of that profession, a summary of qualifications or the required experience. Boxouts cover anything and everything from the salary a journalist on the West Coast of the US can expect to earn to the software packages an artist needs to know and love. There is also a very useful section, helpfully entitled 'the good, the bad and the ugly' which does exactly what it says on the tin.

The authors have made a point to express the grim reality of working in this industry; the hard work, long hours and bad pay. It's not a career path chosen lightly but the downsides of working in the gaming industry are outweighed by its rewards. Like nursing, teaching or an artistic career, working in the games industry requires ability, a vocation and could even be called a labour of love. It is the chance to do something different, plus you get to play computer games.

It's a witty and entertaining read which should be top of the list for anyone considering a career as a code monkey, designer, journalist or PR person or any one of the myriad positions available. If you want to succeed - and also understand exactly what you're getting into - then this is the book for you.

Authors: David S.L. Hodgson, Bryan Stratton and Alice Rusk
Official Site: http://www.primagames.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780761552840

My First Launch

I know it sounds like the title of a primary school child's report but for me it's true. Today, the UK launch of the Wii, was my first proper console launch. My alarm woke me at six and by half seven on a cold, rainy morning I stood outside Exeter's main GAME store. Because of my status as a member of the press, the nice folks at GAME let me sneak in to take some pictures (including the scary one above of Store Manager, Simon, who is obviously suffering from Wii hysteria and lack of sleep). Then I retreated into the cold to take my place in the queue of twenty or so people.

There is definitely something to standing in a queue of eager gamers though, a sense of camaraderie. Everyone was cold but excited and it all went quite smoothly, mainly because most sensible people were still in bed or on their way to work. The store actually opened at seven with around a hundred gamers waiting outside. Three people were let in at a time so the staff didn't get too swamped and GAME's own staff bouncer, the Dead Rising fanatic, Oz, stood guard on the door chatting to those waiting and generally stoking up the crowd. Exeter got around one hundred and fifty units, all of them went within the first two hours. Indeed only people with pre-orders were actually waiting.

Around twenty minutes later, I picked up my pre-ordered Wii (which is actually being passed onto deserving children for Christmas) and a couple of accessories for me. I was however, lucky enough to receive a little Raving Rabbid statue produced to mark the launch of Ubisoft's Rayman Raving Rabbids, much to the joy of my friend Keri, who loves that game.

More pictures of Exeter's Wii launch can be found here and cheers to Simon, Paul, Ceri and Oz for letting me take photos!

Yule Is Coming - And I'm Thinking About Next Year

I am mad, certifiable even. Like many of my journalistic colleagues, I'm about to call it quits for the year to go home for some well deserved R and R. In theory, I ended my working year on Monday but in reality, I'm trying up pro bono loose ends and am busy prepping for the New Year.

I have an accountant who is dealing with all my paperwork and, as of January, I will be officially working for myself. I'm terrified but I can't wait. The weird thing is, I know nothing is actually going to change, life will continue on. I've been freelancing for almost a year now, it's taken me that long to get all my clients, and life will just continue on. This weekend, once I finish the last of my blog reviews, I'm officially done.

Then roll on Monday. I fly home, Tuesday is being spent inspiring teenagers to become journalists and Friday is our unofficial Christmas 'do'. A bunch of freelancers, journalists, PRs and other folks are all meeting in a swanky London eaterie. I'm even going on the London Eye for the first time, I just have to get my business plan done first. Sigh.

In between all this, I'm hoping for some good quality gaming time. I'm actually taking my 360 back with as I know the family will be playing Uno this Christmas, Aside from that I have plans to tend my garden, save Metropolis, wander around Cyrodiil and maybe even slaughter the Locust Horde. I might even do some work on my novel, Muse. Regardless, I need some time off and I know if I don't take it now, I never will.

It's All About The Ads: Gaming Advertising Goes Mainstream

Gaming adverts have become big business this year. Only last week I was sitting in my local Odeon waiting for Casino Royale and a new batch of trailers (I love trailers) when the 'Mad World' Gears of War ad started up. This is by far the best - and most depressing advert - I've seen this year (narrowly followed by Halo 3). Here in the UK, we had lots of print ads in specialist magazines but few games commericals on TV, this has changed. Last year it was a sporadic ad for Prince of Persia or a Japanese add for the DS I saw in a London cinema before a screening of the Matrix Reloaded, now we have Nintendogs and Need for Speed and it's just going to get more intense over the coming months.

Yesterday saw the simultaneous airing of the Halo 3 commercial on US and UK TV. I didn't stay up but I did download the ad from Xbox Live this morning and I have to admit to being impressed. A lot of love and attention went into the minute-long teaser for the Most Hyped Up Game of 2007 and it is beautiful ... but it doesn't make me want to buy the game.

Here's the ad for your viewing pleasure:

The problem with the ad is not its appearence but the fact it is a snapshot, it feels like a work in progress that says "See what we've done so far?" It doesn't have a beginning or end or anything which connects it to the game, other than Master Chief and the battle scene, there are not much-needed hints towards the story and doesn't even provoke a question in response apart from "What the hell is going on" and 'Who are those kids?"

The previous trailer was a trailer, it hooked viewers instantly and linked into the events of the previous game. With this advert, it's unclear whether these scenes are even in the game and the conversation between the two children (which takes up a quarter of the entire advert) have led fans to wonder if one of those kids is Master Chief.

Gears of War on the other hand, is a totally different kettle of fish. The advert is sombre and dark which, when coupled with the ethereally beautiful 'Mad World' really strikes a cord. Like Halo 3, Gears of War is about survival against an alien and oppressive foe but this simple advert blurs the beautiful graphics with the sombre reality of a destroyed world. It hooks instantly and makes you want to play the game. The use of 'Mad World' (which shot to fame after being used in the amazing - but complex - movie Donnie Darko) is sheer genius and really fits the tone of the game perfectly

Here's the ad:

With the release of the Wii and the PS3, gaming adverts are going to hit an all-time high. Gaming has finally become a mainstream activity which is recognised by all, no longer is gaming for kids and nerds and I can't wait to see what 2007 has to offer up.

Casino Royale (Movie Review)

I confess it took me a long time to like James Bond. My father loved the films and used to watch them with my brother while I cowered in another room. Then I saw GoldenEye and became a convert to Pierce Brosnan's tenure as 007, now that era is past and another begins. Daniel Craig takes over from Brosnan in an adaptation of Ian Fleming's first Bond novel, Casino Royale, designed to kickstart the series.

I liked the Bond films of the Brosnan era because they weren't at all dangerous and had a running sense of tongue-in-cheek. Bond had gadgets, caused spectacular explosions and ended up bedding at least two bond girls. Not so in Casino Royale. Frankly I was shocked by the darker tone, the violence and the raw thriller aspect which makes it unique from previous installments. Something which is no more apparent than in the extremely graphic torture scene where Bond's testicles are crushed by a swinging weight. It makes you wondered how he ever became the Lothario of later movies.

The decision to do a little retcon did irritate me. Of all the cast, only Judi Dench has returned as M but not the one we remember. The events of GoldenEye have been swept under the carpet and this M has no time for Bond or his methods, she seems much colder than in the previous films but this matches the hard-as-nails approach of the new Bond.

The story picks up after James Bond has been assigned Double 0 status and sees him chasing a wanted man, a bomb maker named Mollaka, through the backstreets of Madagascar before shooting him dead in the middle of an embassy. This scene is quite stunning for its special effects and Bond's prey seems to defy gravity in a style better suited to a wu xia film. But the plot itself is incomprehensible, with twists and turns which take Bond all over the world (as usual) before ending up in the Casino Royale to use his poker skills to beat Le Chiffre, an unpleasant banker with a bleeding eye

The style of Casino Royale is different as well. Where as previous films have started with explosions or car-chases, Bond is shown completing his first two assassinations. The violence of these acts is made that more startling by the fact the entire scene is in black and white, with colour only returning during the classic - albeit revamped using CGI - gun barrel moment.

The title sequence is worth mentioning as it is radically different (and in my opinion a vast improvement) , focusing on the gambling theme which - for the purpose of the film - was swapped from baccarat to poker. Hence the opening scene features villains made up of hearts and clubs, people being killed by diamonds and spades and the Kings and Queens taking on the faces of Bond and Vesper. The choice of Chris Cornell's 'You Know My Name' might be seen by some as a radical departure from previous Bond films but does suit Casino Royale to a tee.

As an attempt to re-energise a classic series, Casino Royale has been a success. It's Bond with a darker edge that is sure to delight fans of the books whilst also introducing yet another generation to 007.

Heroes: Six Months Ago

If I could only watch one foreign TV series, it would have to be Heroes. Now i know I normally do arc reviews but 'Six Months Ago' is more a prequel and is also very much a stand-alone episode between arcs and so deserves a post all its own.

Hiro traveled back in time to save his true love, Charlie, but accidentally teleported back six months rather than one day. This single act throws the lives of the other fledgling heroes in to the frame and the intricies of their relationships are revealed. Nathan's ability to fly is triggered in the car crash which paralyses his wife, Eden's past as a criminal leads to a run in with Claire's father and the Haitian but the biggest aspect of the episode was the focus on the origins and identity of the serial killer Sylar are finally revealed.

Heroes has some aspects to it which make me think of Lost. Particularly the huge number of questions left hanging at the end of an episode. However, unlike Lost, Heroes actually answers them and the mini-arc system really suits the series well. Time travel still gives me a headache though but it was nice to have my suspicions confirmed that Hiro was the one who gave Charlie her Japanese phrase book.

The next episode airs in a few hours and I can't wait to see what happens . Sadly I'm going to have to rely on Wikipedia until after Christmas. However the news that BBC Two has picked up the series and will be airing it next year has really made my week.

Halo 3: Screenshot Heaven

I love press releases from Bungie but as the old saying goes 'a picture tells a thousand words' and this one demonstrates that perfectly. This stunning screenshot comes from the sixty second commercial which is airing on Tuesday morning our time (and will be shown here simultaneously!)

The ad is airing in the UK at 2:15am on Tuesday but is going to be repeated on Channel 4 at a much more respectable time of 10:45pm on Friday December 15. Personally I'm gonna wait for it to go up on Xbox Live, I need sleep.

But back to the image. It's amazing, you can see the scuffing on Master Chief's armour and the reflections in his visor! While I don't like (and can't play) FPS, I love the mythology of the Halo series and the look of it is so beautiful, I can't wait to see the actual game itself.