Gauging Interest

Ever hear of Let's Plays?

You know, those YouTube videos people put out where they film themselves playing video games and reacting in real time?

I've watched plenty over the last few years, and I usually think to myself: "I'd like to get into that."

However, while I have a video camera and a selection of PC games to start with, my laptop does not have the space required for additional games or the software needed to capture game footage and edit videos. And I do not have the money for said software anyway, much less a new PC, nor will I for at least a year or two.

Before I start saving, I wanted to gauge interest from some of my readers here. If I were to branch off into the YouTube business, would I have any sort of built-in interest for that from any of you?

I imagine my niche would be mostly story-driven RPGs. You know, stuff that I could do a lot of voices for and take my viewers on a journey. I'd also do occasional highlights of some of the more short-form and casual games I play, and once in a while rant vlogs as an extension of my writing here. My tentpole ongoing series would be an extensive playthrough of World of Warcraft, with an emphasis on quest lore and just having a bit of fun rather than anything cold and tutorial. I would gladly consider requests from viewers for nearly any PC game as long as it's not exclusively First Person view (first person makes me dizzy, and I'm not interested if I can't turn it off), and I put in the labels other long series I would eventually do.

Now, again, IF this happens, it won't be for a VERY long time mostly due to money. I guess what I'm asking my readers here is if that money is worth saving up? Would any of you watch something like that from me?

A Much Longer Time Ago

(Originally Written for Jedi News)

So with my – extremely short – vacation, I’ve actually had a chance to rediscover a Star Wars property that I hadn’t touched in a long time. And with a newly released expansion (which I am nowhere near approaching gameplay-wise even if I could afford it right now), I thought I’d take to time to give one Saga-fan and I-III champion’s view on the game before returning to the films that earned me this column over two years ago (has it been that long?)

I’m talking, of course, about Star Wars: The Old Republic

First, a little bit of history.

WW: Old Republic Free To Play

Well, it's official. The Old Republic goes Free-to-Play this week.

And...I'm not going back just yet.

I don't mind putting some of my characters on the back burner, but no way I'm not playing my main character, a Sith Inquisitor named Binx.

Now, in order to sell their greatest strength, the story, they did not put level caps on the Free-To-Play accounts. What they did do was limit species. Human, Zabrak, and Cyborg.

Binx is Twi'lek.

I hate humans. My Zabrak Jedi Knight Simara is my co-main, so that wouldn't be too bad. I do have a Cyborg 2nd-tier (but she's a Bounty Hunter and if I could only choose one or two, I would prefer Force-Users).

I'll do more research, but it looks like I'm going to be wishing for those timecards after all.

UPDATE 11/16: So I logged in to check and I found that they would let me play Binx even as a Twi'Lek. I guess since she's my highest-level character she was grandfathered it, though if I ever wanted to make another Twi'Lek I'm sure I'd have to go through Subscription or Cartel Coins.

Oh yeah, I'm pissed I don't get Cartel Coins from all I've given them since launch, just because I couldn't re-subscribe in the month before the change. Plus, apparently my server was merged with another and I had to rename half my characters. Binx becoming Rajbinx wasn't so bad. The rest however...ugh. I might even restart my Consuler as a new race if I can ever scrape the coins enough to buy my slots back.

On the upside, if I do get some Cartel Coins, I can pretty much buy most of my conveniences back, plus Cathaur whenever they come out. So, for now, I'm sticking with the Old Republic, just not very often.

Free To Play Far Far Away?

So..."The Old Republic" is going free to play in the fall.

Guess you should've had a bigger helmet when fighting the WoWbeast.

WW Mid-Week Update: Mists Cinematic

So I know I missed another WoW Wednesday, and I don't know why. This is pretty much the highlight of the last few weeks on the WoW front, and despite it being everywhere I wanted to post it here too (I MEANT to do it last Wednesday, but...)

This is without a doubt my favorite cinematic from any of the WoW expansions, and it just gets me so psyched for the game.

Why am I posting it today instead of cutting my losses and waiting for Wednesday? Because this week's WW proper will be all about some exciting and dubious developments in Star Wars: The Old Republic! Stay tuned!

Cheating on your MMO

Where do people get this notion of only playing one video game at a time?

I can understand when it comes to a subscription service and someone can't afford more than one. But that's not what seems to be going on here.