Apple Has Democratized Platform-Specific Game Design

BioShock Is Just Robocop

I just read the most amazing little write-up by Steve Hogarty over at PCZone. He theorizes that BioShock is based upon RoboCop, a sort of archetypal allusion, breaking the argument down point by point. Interesting parallels include conflicts in programming, humanizing flashbacks, big daddies (remember those faceless ED-209's?), shameful period advertising and even the titles 'BioShock' and 'RoboCop' when broken down into syllabicate structures. The only element I see missing is the Little Sisters...yeah, my mind just can't fill in that gap with literary theory.

Hit up the link and give the piece a read, then let me know what you think. I, for one, recently DVR'd RoboCop and will be rewatching it in the near future while annoying my wife with "you SO should have played BioShock!" comments.

BioShock = RoboCop [pczone] Thanks Steve!

Guitar Hero Mobile Might Actually Be Good?

Mobile phone gaming is not just bad; it's horrendous. And with the ease of slipping a DS in your pocket, who cares? Let the sheep pay too much for crappy phone gaming. But we can't help but to get a little interested over the prospect of Verizon's exclusive Guitar Hero Mobile...if only for the novelty. But according to CNET's early hands-on, it might actually be—dare we say—good?

Playing virtual guitar has gotten easier with a reduction from five keys on the console game's peripheral guitar to three on the phone. Users can choose whichever keypad row feels best.

Sony Passing On Better DualShock For No Good Reason?

MGS4 producer Ryan Payton may think the Dual Shock 3 feels better than the old version—and maybe it does—but according to Sony, the new controller is using Immersion's same base technology from 10 years ago. And it's a major point of contention that confuses Immersion as much as anyone else since they have far better technology in the ready.

I believe it's actually less expensive. The old technology utilizes two motors to create the complex set of sensations, whereas Immersion's new TouchSense technology utilizes a single motor, but we drive the motor in unique ways so that you can get stronger yet crisper effects... So you save on at least one motor, there's less power consumption, and you may save on other components and circuitry.