Feature Stories

Earlier this month we had the fortunate opportunity to do a virtual roundtable with TRON Legacy director Joseph Kosinski, visual effects supervisor Eric Barba and head of animation Steve Preeg. The following three pages are those question/answer sessions and wonderful information for the upcoming April 5th release of TRON Legacy and TRON: The Original Classic. Folks I can only assure you that this upcoming release, which a review will be posted by tomorrow, is one of the best releases on Blu-ray this year. The edition we were sent was the 5-disc collector set that features the 3D version of TRON Legacy, the HD version of the film, two DVDs and a Blu-ray version of the first film. While I'll save most of what I have to say about the set for my review just know that you're in for a visual treat. I've watched the Blu-ray of each about three times and it's one of the prettiest releases I've personally reviewed in a long while. Anyway, enjoy the question/answers below and we'll get this ball rolling. --Nathan(click for Q/A) Joseph Kosinski / Steve Preeg / Eric Barba

Earlier this month we had the fortunate opportunity to do a virtual roundtable with TRON Legacy director Joseph Kosinski, visual effects supervisor Eric Barba and head of animation Steve Preeg. The following three pages are those question/answer sessions and wonderful information for the upcoming April 5th release of TRON Legacy and TRON: The Original Classic. Folks I can only assure you that this upcoming release, which a review will be posted by tomorrow, is one of the best releases on Blu-ray this year. The edition we were sent was the 5-disc collector set that features the 3D version of TRON Legacy, the HD version of the film, two DVDs and a Blu-ray version of the first film. While I'll save most of what I have to say about the set for my review just know that you're in for a visual treat. I've watched the Blu-ray of each about three times and it's one of the prettiest releases I've personally reviewed in a long while. Anyway, enjoy the question/answers below and we'll get this ball rolling. --Nathan(click for Q/A) Joseph Kosinski / Steve Preeg / Eric Barba

The internet's first three dimensional podcast comes at you this week with an eye-ruining look at the Nintendo 3DS, a dance with the beloved Diablo clone, Torchlight, the new Dissidia (whatever it may be called) and more mobile gaming goodness. When not distracted, we also look at the business side of the things, as the price points of modern gaming are discussed. Toilet humor is also included.

March Sadness has begun with a run through old downloadable non-favorites, sentimental endings, social gaming, and more Dragon Age II wrap up. Per the standard operating procedures, some tangents are taken and self-deprecation continues.

Game Dev Story, more Beyond Good and Evil HD, Okamiden, and Dragon Age II criticisms and observations are all featured this week. The ongoing debate on the business and future of mobile and cell phone gaming is again discussed as Steve puts on his businessman hat and Chris and Eric put on their idiot hats. Come join us, once again!

In a podcast built to rival the ramblings of a senile old hermit, we explore the dumb things we've done in the name of catching them all (Pokemon Black/White), vivid Japanese fever dreams (Yakuza of the End), and real games photojournalism (Beyond Good and Evil HD). This and more inept and insane rumbling courtesy of the cast of Flap Jaw Space.

So what’s the deal with all these visionaries? At the end of the demo we were treated to a nice lunch, which I didn’t eat (I’ve got a fun, sensitive stomach that takes all the enjoyment out of eating – Schardein always makes fun of me for it).  After lunch, we were taken into the same demo room where we were about to meet the four original visionaries behind Reckoning’s universe.

Dalentarth Getting back to the demo, once out of the cave we were treated with a taste of the outside world, near the middle of the game. This portion of the demo started off in a city/town called Dalentarth. It was much different than the Well of Souls, as it was a gorgeous outside environment filled with green grass, luscious trees and wisps/fairies flying freely around (with sound effects perfectly intact).  At this point in the game, our character was fully armored and carrying some major weapons. Nelson was showing off two different enemies, the first was called a Boggart.(Boggart attack)

Every story has a beginning Earlier last month, EA invited Digitalchumps.com to visit a very secretive, very big game the company had signed to publish. We didn’t know much about the game, other than the famous Curt Schilling (Red Sox pitcher) was heavily involved with it, which would normally make any writer giggle just a bit. In the past, there have been games where big time stars have signed on or ‘been involved’ and it turned out to be no more than just their name on a box. Generally, that type of ‘name’ meant disaster for the project. When someone wants a big name attached to the game it’s usually a marketing ploy to draw in gamers (like popular name-brand shoes), and less about the actual star involved in the gaming process. This was different though.

This week we welcome Spiderman to the podcast to wrap up our Half Life 2 discussion. In addition to a dramatic reading of the Quest 64 instruction manual, the shoddiness of Sega's Dreamcast Collection, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Shenmue, and Dragon Age 2 demo impressions. This week also features an unenthusiastic postmortem on Brutal Legend and Demon's Souls.

For the first time since last episode, we have another episode! (Some technical limitations have caused the quality to suffer a tad this week. Pardon our mess.) The Marvel vs. Capcom 3 episode is finally here. We invited our pal Mark Shepherd back to discuss all things fighting games. Also, we find out the answer to vomit ball pits at Chuck E Cheese. Games this week also include Bulletstorm, Amnesia: The Dark Decent, and Back to the Future: The Game.

Tales from Gamestop, Meat Boy sweat, Farting on old people, mime abuse, and a Pokemon soundoff are featured in this week's Internet bonanza. We discuss the new Double Fine darling adventure puzzler Stacking, along with the return of You Don't Know Jack. Also, a debate ensues involving the perfect mix of presentation and gameplay in which Steve says something ridiculous. We think.

There’s something interesting brewing in the world of wizard simulators, sexy block pushers, and arcade sports mixes, and Flap Jaw Space has just the concoction. This week, we take a look at Dead Space 2, Mario Sports Mix, and Magicka. Also, we’ve all taken a trip back to 2007 to relive (or in Steve’s case, catch up on) the much-acclaimed Valve masterpiece, Half Life 2. How does it hold up and what does it mean in the grand scheme of things?

Here's what I'm playing this weekend...

Some people I know look at the word 'Multiplayer' and kindly roll their eyes. Can I blame them? Not really. In the age of first-person shooters the multiplayer option has grown like warts across single-player gaming, eventually becoming so prominent that most gamers no longer purchase games for the experience, but rather to take out their friends (or enemies, depending on your high school life). And like Jerry Seinfeld said, "Not that there's anything wrong with that..." Truly, there's nothing wrong with multiplayer in FPS, but having a little variety would be nice. DISCLAIMER: None of the pictures in this article represent the demo, but they're damn pretty, so quit complaining. Plus, they make the article seem far bigger.