Video Gaming: What are we all playing?

Hey guys!

I'm more of a console gamer, so sadly have little experience of PC gaming, but it still counts right? Besides Fifa (which is very much just a pick-up-and-play scenario), I've been very much enjoying a run through of the Assassin's Creed franchise before I find the cash to buy Black Flag, and I am also biding my time for the Lego The Hobbit which release this Friday (I'm a child, I know!)

I'm not sure how many of you are videogamers, but I just figured I would throw this out there and see what games you guys are all playing at the moment?

JJ

Here we go...

On the PS3:
- The Assassin's Creed series
- The Fallout series
- Modern Warfare
- Skyrim

NES (FTW! ):
- Super Mario Bros series
- TNMT series

On the comp:
- The Fallout series
- The Command & Conquer series
- The Settlers series (mainly Settlers 3)
- The Might and Magic series and Heroes of Might and Magic series
- The Starcraft and Warcraft series
- The Civilization series
- The Total War series

I haven't gotten the Assassin's Creed Black Flag yet, as it will be a treat for when this semester is done However, I do rather regularly (once a year or so) run through the game series, as they are a great way to learn about history. Of course, it didn't exactly go as the events in the game, but they're all based on actual events and characters, so there's always some little tidbit of information to learn

As for the strategy games, that's just due to my first computer games being Command & Conquer and Sid Meier's Civilization II. We had a comp before that, with Commander Keen being a favourite of my brother and me, but these two games were the first that I got as a present

As for the role-playing games, I like the story lines. The more I can affect the character development during the game, such as in Fallout and Fallout 2, the better. And also, the landscape in Skyrim reminds me of Northern Norway, where I go hiking occasionally

- Loran

On the PS3:
- The Assassin's Creed series
- The Fallout series
- Modern Warfare
- Skyrim

Still not up with the times on Skyrim. It's something I have always intended on grabbing a copy, and seeing what the hype was about but other games come along instead... I have Fall Out 3 and New Vegas, but despite liking the setting and storyline, I find the game play a little "clunky" and laboured. Huge fan of Assassin's Creed though. What is your personal favourite of the series?

NES (FTW! ):
- Super Mario Bros series
- TNMT series

I actually have a SNES, and it's just the greatest. The games for it are hard to find and expensive, but just hard to beat in terms of sheer fun The graphics aren't all bad considering how old they are now, either

JJ

The graphics are amazing! Only problem with the technology is that I need a CRT television to play Duck Hunt, as modern TVs don't work with the NES gun Good thing my parents still have one, and I told my dad not to sell it. It's gathering dust in the garage until I need it, but at least I know I'll be able to shoot virtual ducks on my telly at some point in the future
And yeah, games for the NES, and SNES, are ridiculously expensive. But then again, once you've got the game, it won't be worn out that easily. Robust tech etc etc

I recommend checking out Skyrim, it's a good game. And like I mentioned, the graphics landscapes are awesome I still remember the first time I saw the valley in northern Norway. It looked exactly like the northern Skyrim landscapes. It's amazing how detailed the graphics are in today's games

As for the Fallout series, yeah, they're a bit clunky. I remember seeing the results of a vote for the buggiest game in the world, and Fallout 3 won However, I think that Bethesda have released an update, as I don't think New Vegas is as clunky as before. Or then I've just gotten used to it

My favourite of the Assassin's Creed series is probably either AC2 or Brotherhood, due to them being set in Renaissance Italy. I did a project about Florence in the sixth grade, when the school I was at in Belgium did a field trip to Florence. And we had been studying that time period, as well as Renaissance Italy in general. And after ten years one of my first reactions to playing the game and seeing the landscape was "I've been there..."
However, the naval battles in AC3 are just amazing, and so much fun!

- Loran

That's my issue with the SNES! I bought a super high tech TV (my pride and joy!), spent a lot of money doing so, and it isn't compatible with the SNES. Until I find a TV capable of doing so, or an adapter online to allow me to set-up the SNES on my TV, it'll be sat there gathering dust Shame because I always have this itch to play classic Mario titles or TMNT: Turtles in Time...

I think I will check out Skyrim, if I can pick it up cheap enough. Fallout was great beyond the gameplay/controls, so maybe I will check for a patch and give it another try

Yeah, I love Renaissance Italy, so I was naturally a huge fan of AC 2, but I think 3 was my favourite. I adore Revolutionary America, and especially the inclusion of the Native Americans. It was just wonderfully detailed and designed, and a load of fun to play. I need to buy the DLC at some point

JJ

Now that I think about it, I'm not sure which one I like more; AC2 or AC3. Both are great games, and have beautiful graphics and settings. Probably still go with AC2... Not sure though

But yeah, that's also one reason why I won't let dad sell the old CRT. Finding adapters or cables that are compatible between the NES and the TVs of today is a pain. A good thing is that the current TV that we've got at home is compatible with the NES, but it doesn't work with Duck Hunt. So it's almost perfect

- Loran

I think I will check out Skyrim, if I can pick it up cheap enough.

Keep an eye open when the steam summer sale goes off, last year they had it for -75%. I almost picked it up and wish I had. Maybe this year.

In other news, I don't play computer games as much as I used to, but when I do get on it's either TF2 or AoE 2:Conquerors, with the occasional binge of LOTRO when I want to go questing.

I pretty much am solely PC at this moment, but I do own a Wii (that my wife took from her parents, since they weren't using anyways )...

PC games that I'm more actively playing:
1. Loadout (free on Steam, kinda fun FPS)
2. League of Legends (yeah, I'm one of those people... Top Lane FTW)
3. ...that's about it right now. I own a few dozen games, and rotate them once in a while, but not so much these days.

I have been more actively playing a couple Facebook games:
1. MyVegas Slots - You win loyalty points that can be cashed in for vouchers in Las Vegas, NV.
2. Mech Conquest - Because mechs. Fun.
3. Hello Hero - Because I love collecting, and this game's basically a "Pokémon" collecting/team-building game.

Also, I play on Kongregate (www.kongregate.com). Good fun free flash games.

As for Wii... Fortune Street. That's really all that needs to be said

Nothing at the moment! Thinking of getting the new Xbox later in the year if there's something Halo-related out.

Age of Wonders 3 on the PC and Star Trek online. 

Currently toying with upgrading to the new gen, but can't really justify the steep costs at the moment - particularly with the weak game line-up

Star Trek Online. 

What's that like?

Also playing Star Wars: The Old Republic at the moment. Just got into it, and whilst the graphics leave a lot to be desired, I am a big fan. I'm not quite "au fait" with it yet, and die a lot, but it's good fun for fans of the SW universe

JJ

Xbox 360:
-Fallout NV
-Skyrim
-Dishonoured

I highly recommend Dishonoured, I've played it through 3 times and each time was completely different.  You can go loud or quiet, lethal or non lethal, and I do love a little steampunk.

Xbox1:
-Thief
-Titanfall

There's not a huge choice of games for the 1 yet, but around August it goes crazy, my missus won't be seeing a lot of me, locked up in the mancave.

Dedled

Dishonoured is definitely a game I have been tempted by, but never really been sold on it by the marketing I've seen... Might be worth me giving it a go

JJ

You should be able to pick it up on the cheap these days, I also bought all the expansions through Live, I really can't rate it highly enough one of the best games I've ever played.

Currently toying with upgrading to the new gen, but can't really justify the steep costs at the moment - particularly with the weak game line-up

Star Trek Online. 

What's that like?

Also playing Star Wars: The Old Republic at the moment. Just got into it, and whilst the graphics leave a lot to be desired, I am a big fan. I'm not quite "au fait" with it yet, and die a lot, but it's good fun for fans of the SW universe

JJ

I did Starwars Old republic back when it released.  I did enjoy it but most of my friends stopped playing it so I dropped it too.  Good game though.

Startrek online is pretty good considering it's free.  Though I don't like the ground combat the space combat is pretty cool.  And there a section of the game where you send duty officers on mission to gain resources which is pretty cool as you can get better duty officers.  It kinda like Pokemon startrek style tbh. 

Have any of you played Gears Of War? The story may be hard to follow in some places, but it's very fun, and the enemies, known as locust, are what I based my ogre army on (somewhat, not entirely.). Oddworld is fun as well, it's an old, at least, to me, platformer from 1997 where you play as an alien slave (neither humans nor earth are mentioned.) who escaped from a meat processing plant once you learned that a brand new product would be made of your species, it's very puzzle heavy, but has awesome art and the creatures in it are fantastically weird looking.

Currently toying with upgrading to the new gen, but can't really justify the steep costs at the moment - particularly with the weak game line-up

Star Trek Online. 

What's that like?

Also playing Star Wars: The Old Republic at the moment. Just got into it, and whilst the graphics leave a lot to be desired, I am a big fan. I'm not quite "au fait" with it yet, and die a lot, but it's good fun for fans of the SW universe

JJ

I did Starwars Old republic back when it released.  I did enjoy it but most of my friends stopped playing it so I dropped it too.  Good game though.

Startrek online is pretty good considering it's free.  Though I don't like the ground combat the space combat is pretty cool.  And there a section of the game where you send duty officers on mission to gain resources which is pretty cool as you can get better duty officers.  It kinda like Pokemon startrek style tbh. 

I'm a huge fan of SWTOR, but I don't really know anyone who plays. It has a good learning curve, and it's fun

I might check out Star Trek Online. What's the computer requirements?

JJ

If you can run Starwars then you can run Startrek for sure mate.  But at the end of the day it's free and is a steam game so just give it a go.  If you don't like it you have lost nothing at the end of the day. 

Medieval 2: Total War, yet again. I find I'm getting a bit too good at the campaign, I've pretty much fulfilled the 'long campaign' objectives as Venice and haven't actually seen a Mongol yet - it'll be interesting to see how well my empire fares against them, but beyond that I fear I've exhausted the content after all these years.

Also, Pokémon X, several times during the week. I'm currently an exec in my uni's Pokémon Society and we have regular matches every week and take the whole thing quite seriously. At the risk of own-trumpetyness I reckon I'm one of the better plays there, competitive Pokémon's a real hoot and probably the most in-depth strategy game I've yet encountered.

Whenever I play PC games it means I'm not painting models so it's a bit of an evil side but I do enjoy some quality gaming on and off the table.

PC

- Borderlands 2
- Farcry 3
- Torchlight 2
- Hitman Absolution

That's mainly it at the moment.  Most things on Kongregate are fantastically addictive as well.

Also, Pokémon X, several times during the week. I'm currently an exec in my uni's Pokémon Society and we have regular matches every week and take the whole thing quite seriously. At the risk of own-trumpetyness I reckon I'm one of the better plays there, competitive Pokémon's a real hoot and probably the most in-depth strategy game I've yet encountered.

Someone else playing 6th gen?! Not many people I know are playing them. I have Y myself, but will grab X at some point. The few people I do know playing them are obsessed with shiny hunting, but I'm more of a competitive battler. I used to have a pretty awesome streak in the last gen, and competed at tournie level. Not had much experience in the new meta. I'd be interested in a friendly match up once I have caught up on training, if you're interested?

- Borderlands 2

How are you finding it?

JJ

Also, Pokémon X, several times during the week. I'm currently an exec in my uni's Pokémon Society and we have regular matches every week and take the whole thing quite seriously. At the risk of own-trumpetyness I reckon I'm one of the better plays there, competitive Pokémon's a real hoot and probably the most in-depth strategy game I've yet encountered.

Someone else playing 6th gen?! Not many people I know are playing them. I have Y myself, but will grab X at some point. The few people I do know playing them are obsessed with shiny hunting, but I'm more of a competitive battler. I used to have a pretty awesome streak in the last gen, and competed at tournie level. Not had much experience in the new meta. I'd be interested in a friendly match up once I have caught up on training, if you're interested?

*Cricks neck* Bring it. 6th gen's been pretty fun thus far, but the power creep has led some particular communities to be quite ban-happy (admittedly quite justifiably in some cases - Mega Kangaskhan, for example, effectively boasts a higher BST than the gen 3 mascot legendaries).

How are you finding it?
JJ

I could quiet happily play that game again and again.  So much humour, so much replay ability and always loot to hunt for.  I really am a sucker for that game.

Also, Pokémon X, several times during the week. I'm currently an exec in my uni's Pokémon Society and we have regular matches every week and take the whole thing quite seriously. At the risk of own-trumpetyness I reckon I'm one of the better plays there, competitive Pokémon's a real hoot and probably the most in-depth strategy game I've yet encountered.

Someone else playing 6th gen?! Not many people I know are playing them. I have Y myself, but will grab X at some point. The few people I do know playing them are obsessed with shiny hunting, but I'm more of a competitive battler. I used to have a pretty awesome streak in the last gen, and competed at tournie level. Not had much experience in the new meta. I'd be interested in a friendly match up once I have caught up on training, if you're interested?

*Cricks neck* Bring it. 6th gen's been pretty fun thus far, but the power creep has led some particular communities to be quite ban-happy (admittedly quite justifiably in some cases - Mega Kangaskhan, for example, effectively boasts a higher BST than the gen 3 mascot legendaries).

The odd 6th Gen battle I have had at a comp level has been a bit trickier than previous generations. The introduction of Fairy and it's type advantages/disadvantages threw me a bit. The Mega's are interesting too. I've seen some pretty ban happy communities, which in some cases is acceptable, but some just seems to be knee-jerk reactions to things that require a little forethought to combating

Give me a week to figure out the new meta, and I will be definitely up for a battle or two

How are you finding it?
JJ

I could quiet happily play that game again and again.  So much humour, so much replay ability and always loot to hunt for.  I really am a sucker for that game.

I've been a big fan since the first game, but the second was just something beyond the scope and dreams of the first. I really enjoyed it, and have been meaning to replay it at some point. Did you grab any of the DLC by any chance?

JJ

Got all of the DLC.  I'm trying to get a level 72 zer0 happening at the moment but we all know the feeling when you're playing a game and that little voice is saying "You should be painting" and lately that voice has been winning which isn't a bad thing.

Besides I game for hours and have nothing to show for it, I paint for hours and I've got some physical evidence that I've done something and to me that's really important especially when I've got a young family so they don't become a bunch of social retards who can't strike up a conversation purely because they've been playing electronic devices their whole lives - I won't have it. 

Besides I game for hours and have nothing to show for it, I paint for hours and I've got some physical evidence that I've done something and to me that's really important especially when I've got a young family so they don't become a bunch of social retards who can't strike up a conversation purely because they've been playing electronic devices their whole lives - I won't have it. 

Voice of reason over here, ladies and gentlemen!

I agree with you completely on this Jimmy. It really pains me to see young people literally wasting their lives in front of gaming consoles, computers and smartphones. I'm not saying gaming is bad, after all I play a considerate amount of games when I feel like it. What I'm saying is that it becomes a bad thing if the kid playing turns out to be a complete social retard, as Jimmy put it. Gaming is fun, and should not be banned or restricted completely, but maybe throw the kid outside to play with their friends every now and then

- Loran

In my household my kids earn 'tokens' as a reward system for showing initiative such as doing the dishes without being asked or painting my models (still waiting on this to happen    ), each token is worth 5 minutes of video gaming then on a weekend they'll get opportunities to use the tokens.  Is working well so far.

Absolute winner there Jimmy. Can't go wrong with training your kids with Warhammer values.

After working on their Initiative, how do you plan on improving their Leadership qualities and raise their magic level?

Got all of the DLC.  I'm trying to get a level 72 zer0 happening at the moment but we all know the feeling when you're playing a game and that little voice is saying "You should be painting" and lately that voice has been winning which isn't a bad thing.

Besides I game for hours and have nothing to show for it, I paint for hours and I've got some physical evidence that I've done something and to me that's really important especially when I've got a young family so they don't become a bunch of social retards who can't strike up a conversation purely because they've been playing electronic devices their whole lives - I won't have it. 

Which DLC is your favourite? I've only bought a couple, but just can't justify stumping up the cash unless I know they'll be worthwhile! I've got a Level 70 Zer0, but can't seem to break that 71 barrier. I'm now working on getting Krieg to a high level...

I agree on the social retard thing. But I don't always find that time spent on virtual and digital realities is intrinsically linked to this. I have game cartridges (Pokemon specifically) with over a 1,000 game time hours ranked up, each. I have spent hundreds of hours toying and tinkering on electrical devices, playing with games, softwares, apps and operating systems. And yet I am not only fairly intellectually gifted (I put that down to a mix of nature and nurture), but very socially capable. Without opening a whole can of worms, I feel that perhaps blaming these things for social "retardedness" is a bit of a scape goat In my mind, at least, it's no different to what we do in our hobby

That said, restricting - or at least, monitoring - the amount of time a child dedicates solely to this pursuit is a worthwhile and healthy cause

JJ

I disagree, young people today are nowhere near as social in my opinion as they were like 15-20 years ago unless they're talking to one another via cell phone or the internet.

You compare it to our hobby however I believe that's a social event as well and very different from say playing an online game with friends.  The social interaction is on a much higher level, you're physically interacting with someone and they're reacting to what you do with no electronics involved whatsoever.  Pure 'manual' fun is all it is.  A tournament is another good example of this I would think.

Perhaps you're right, blaming technology is probably a good scape goat, perhaps crap parenting is the core issue?  Not building proper core values on the home front.  However I would guarantee in every western country if you offered a kid an ipad to play with or to go outside and look at stars or climb a tree they'd pick the ipad every single time.

BL2 - wait until they're on special on Steam and buy them all?  That's what I did, got them for dirt cheap.  Favourite I think is a tough one, but probably tiny tina's as its based on a fantasy RPG with the usual humor she brings.  Great laugh and good loot of course.

All PS3
I have loved the Assassin's creed series.
Didn't play 1 as much, and think 3 is the least of them.
But that is probably also, because I like the renaissance time period and the assassin in AC3 was a bit flat in personality.
AC2 was the best game I have ever played at that time.

Skyrim is still one of my favorites and is the only game I have played for 4 hours straight without making any progress at all.
Just walking around sightseeing.

Fifa 13/14 though I prefer 13 because of gameplay in and outside matches

I still like civilization revolution as a casual game to pass time.

Gran Turismo series is still a treat.

I have played most of the lego games and think they are still quite funny.

I don't know if I missed stuff