It’s not something I think I’ve mentioned here before, but Viva Pinata is one of my very favorite games. I pretty much entirely love my Xbox 360; there are so many games on the console that are in my personal AAA category, but the gameplay in VivaP is easily one of the most unique and enjoyable.

For me it comes down to a combination of elements: the zen focus you can gain from playing, and the collectible nature of the animals themselves. The imaginative, unique visuals help a lot too. :)

What does this have to do with Massive games? Well, we’re always talking about how we want something other than standard fantasy … Viva Pinata has several element that speak to the MMO player, but give them a twist we haven’t often seen in other online titles.

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I’d just like to point out that there are some wanna-bes, some second rate acts, calling themselves Rock Bands out there.

There is only one band made up of MMO-playin’ fools that I respect, and that name is emblazoned on the inside of my eyeballs:

Cookies Cake & Pie

\m/ >_< \m/

I’ve cleverly integrated myself into the podosphere as a guest commentator. All the fun of podcasting with almost none of the work. Shhh … don’t tell anyone. :)

I sat in on the Gamers With Jobs Conference Call again (they asked me back!) this past weekend, to act as an ‘expert’ in the Mass Effects.

Again, thank you to Kmart for the hookup.

This week Michael Zenke joins us with full, spoiler-free impressions of Mass Effect. Dousing the hype a bit, Michael fills us in on what’s not so hot, what’s good and what’s great about Bioware’s latest. He also offers hot tips for new players! We even have a special visit from Karla to talk about Assassin’s Creed and Mario Galaxy coop. Let us friend you up.

As happens, this post started out as a comment. In this case, it was over on Sanya’s blog, in response to her post about the Jade Raymond … thing.

What drove me over the edge into commenting was this:

Game “journalists” made this mess. I expect the real journalists to clean it up. If I have to be a credit to my gender against my will and principles, surely some of you nice boys out there can take one for the team. Stop painting her as a victim, because that marginalizes her even more than the original “articles” did. Also, through all the drama, anyone who actually listened to HER noticed she was not even remotely a “poor me” kind of lady. She’s tough and funny in the few interviews I’ve seen. So let’s call a do over. Let’s see some interviews with this producer that never once mention her femininity in any respect save the usage of the feminine pronoun, let’s police the comment threads a little more stringently, and let’s vow to do better this time.

My response is below. It’s behind a cut because it is full of swearing. If you have sensitive eyes, don’t continue on. If you’ve met me in person, and I went off on a full-blown rant, this will sound somewhat familiar. You’ve been warned.

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My review of Mass Effect is up on the site. 30 hours and a week in the making, the game was a hell of a lot of fun to play. I’m already planning my return after the holiday rush is over. I played a female Paragon Soldier, so think I’m going to try a male Renegade Biotic. Woot.

From the opening strains of the title music to the final wailing synth-song of the scrolling credits, this game encompasses what I love about gaming. Peter Molyneux nailed it at GDC this year, saying that it isn’t so much the story that matters as the emotion it instills in you. Across its storyline Mass Effect will have you laughing, furious, and deeply saddened - in some cases all about the same character. Slick graphics and heated combat aside, this title proves out the power of words artfully spoken. In some cases, the right words can mean the difference between salvation and damnation, between triumph and defeat. If you’re realistic in your expectations, if you come to the game ready for what it can offer, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more compelling reason to turn on your 360 this season.

There are very few companies that ‘complete me’ from a gaming perspective. Blizzard, BioWare, Bethesda … lots of B’s, now that I think about it.

Valve did it again last week. I love Half-Life 2 with an unyielding passion, and the triple threat of Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2 has crushed my gaming life in the last week.

Here’s a big bunch of links celebrating the beauty that is the Orange Box:

• My Review of The Orange Box on Slashdot
• Zero Punctuation on the Orange Box - Yahtzee makes me look like a hamfisted word-tard.
  
• The Gnome Quest - Once you’ve beaten it the regular way …
  
• ‘Still Alive’- I have had this song in my head for over a week now. My wife is really sick of it.
  
• Coulton Comments on ‘Still Alive’ - Why the song in my head got made.
• RPS On Portal
• RPS On Episode Two
• RPS Team Fortress Two Interview Part One and Interview Part Two.
• RPS Rundown on Team Fortress Two Classes.

Also! If you don’t own Half-Life 2 or Episode One, I’ve got those gift codes - and I think everyone I know that would want to play it already has. Want mine?