Kotaku: tud

What's the Lousiest Game Gift You've Ever Gotten?

Owen Good — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:20:00 MDT

Bash left the TUD Giraffe in my care this weekend, so I'll close out my shift by asking the juicy question. Here's one for a good discussion: What's the lamest game, or game-related, gift you've ever received? Reaching back, I'm well past the get-gifts-as-games age, although my brother one year gave me a gift certificate to GameFly and then we realized it was only good for paying for a subscription, not used games, so that sucked. But I'm sure there's plenty of you out there with aunts or grandmas who gave you bargain-bin dreck that was camo-marketed to look like that latest game all the kids want. Or, worse, someone knitted you a "World's Biggest Super Mario Fan" sweater and you had to wear it whenever they visited. Anyway, tell us, dammit, in the comments.

What's The Most You've Paid For A Game?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:00:00 MDT

Look at the calender. Do it! It's F-r-i-d-a-y. Time to Tell Us Dammit, no make that, TELL US DAMMIT. Here's how it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. Who knows! Not I, not I.

Question: What's the most you've shelled out for a game?

What's Your Biggest Gaming Get?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:00:00 MDT

Pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink. No. Pour yourself two or three drinks. It's Friday, time for TELL US DAMMIT. Here's how it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. Who knows!

Question: What is your biggest gaming get? What is the best deal you've got on a game purchase?

What Genre Are You Sick Of?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 23:00:00 MDT

Ahoy! It's Friday, time to pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink and chat. That's right, time for Tell Us Dammit — rather, TELL US DAMMIT. Here's how it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. Who knows!

Question: What genre are you sick of?

You Got Hurt While Gaming?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 23:00:00 MDT

F-R-I-D-A-Y. Time for, that's right, TELL US DAMMIT. here's how it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. Not sure!

Something playing games is physical — especially if you playing a marathon session.

Question: Ever got a gaming-related injury? If so, what? How?

Who Thinks All These Game Mergers and Takeovers Are Good?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:00:00 MDT

It's Friday! Time for, that's right, TELL US DAMMIT. here's how it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. Not sure!

This week, Tecmo turned down Square Enix's offer of a friendly takeover. Rather, the company is in talks to merge with Koei, making Tecmo-Koei a possibility — like Square Enix or Namco Bandai. Our question:

What do you think of game mergers and takeovers? Are they good for the industry or bad?

Tell Us Dammit: Have You Ever Lied About Playing a Game?

Owen Good — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:00:00 MDT

Whoops! Hey, we missed TUD on Friday because of all the hoorah with GC 2008, so looks like I am the temporary caretaker of the giraffe this weekend. I got a question you can answer one of two ways. Or two questions and you can answer one. Or both. Who cares, here it goes.

So I'm hideous about staying current with popular culture. Lots of times people will ask me if I've seen a movie, or if I watch the latest HBO Original drama that everyone's raving about. (I never saw Borat. I don't watch Entourage.) And I'd rather avoid the horrified expressions and fulminating evangelism, so I make a non-committal statement in the affirmative and then dodge my way out of the conversation.

But last week, I had to admit I've never played Halo 3. (Well, never played it in multiplayer. I played it a little in singleplayer mode.) I felt like I had no good reason for that, especially as a games blogger, but that was a choice made before I came to Kotaku. So that leads us to today's TUD:

Have you ever bought and not played a video game because of peer pressure?
and/or
Have you ever told someone you played a game even when you hadn't, for any reason?

I'm especially curious about the second one. And for the record, I do have Halo 3. I bought it late last year when I was too busy for gaming. I'm working on that one.

What Kind of Games Are You Good At?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:00:00 MDT

There are many different game genres. We don't want to know which is your favorite, but rather:

Question: Which game genre is easiest for you or which one do you excel at?

Do You Think Gaming Should Be In The Olympics?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 23:00:00 MDT

Here we go! Talk time. That's right, it's Friday. Time for another round of Tell Us Dammit. No, make that TELL US DAMMIT. And here's how it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. We think.

The Olympics have started! And we all oh so very excited!! So much so that Gawker Media is aggregating all the network's Olympic coverage in one place on sister sports blog Deadspin. That place is right here. ANWYAY, here's my question:

Do you think gaming should be an Olympic sport? And why?

Well, What Did You Think of E3?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:00:00 MDT

It's Friday. You know, Friday. That means one thing: Pull up a chair, grab a cold drink, let's talk. So yes, here it is, TELL US DAMMIT. And here's how it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. We think.

Just got back from E3. Well, no. I got back a few days ago, but I just recovered. And well, I'd like to know...

Question: What did you think of this year's E3?

Can a Game Be a Tearjerker?

Owen Good — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:00:00 MDT

Reddit turned up an absolutely depressing thread in a forum the other day. Wasn't really worth a post unto itself, but I thought it'd be a good conversation starter because man, I don't think I have encountered anything like this:

My saddest gaming experience was while playing Creatures, that experimental game where you had to take care of creatures equipped with a neural network which made them able to learn things.

One of my creatures got pregnant but was also very sick. Her health stats were dropping and I was hoping she would be able to lay her egg in time. She only had 3% life over when she finally did. Afterwards, she laid down next to the egg, closed her eyes, and died. Minutes later, the egg hatched, and a cute little creature came out. His mother's body still laid there. He crawled around it, uttering the same sounds the whole time. He then crept up against her and went to sleep.

I stopped playing the game then.

So, short of game adaptations for Bambi, Brian's Song, Field of Dreams or Terms of Endearment, can a game be a tearjerker? I know colleagues (*cough cough Leigh Alexander) who were extremely emotional after finishing Metal Gear Solid 4. Is such emotion a worthy goal of a product engineered to be fun? What games have made you cry? Any? Tell us, dammit, while I ... sniff ... wipe the dust out of my eyes here.

Are The MGS4 Cutscenes Too Long?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:00:00 MDT

Got your talking hat on? If you're going to talk, you need a good hat don't chu know. And if you're going to talk, talk to us. That's right, here it is, TELL US DAMMIT. How it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. We think.

Earlier in the week I asked if I should take a break from GTAIV and start MGS4. Being the impatient bastard I am, I went ahead and started Metal Gear Solid 4. It's a nice game! Quite enjoying it.

Question: Granted, MGS4 *is* of course a Metal Gear Solid game, but do you think the cutscenes are too long?

Favorites! Which Current Console Do You Like Best?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:30:00 MDT

F.R.I.D.A.Y. That spells, yep, Friday. And Friday brings "TELL US DAMMIT", so sit back, relax. Let's talk. So! How it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. Whatever!

Question: Do you have a favorite current gen console? If so, what?

What Game Genre Leaves You Cold, Oh So Very Cold?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:45:00 MDT

Time to run at the mouth! It's Friday. So prop up your feet and open your mouth as we close this week with another round of TELL US DAMMIT. How it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interesting in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. Whatever!

Earlier we did a post on why first person and third person shooters are not popular in Japan. Many folks don't seem to get the appeal! Fair enough. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.

Question: What game genre leaves you cold?

What's The Longest You've Gone Without Gaming?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:00:00 MDT

You know it, you love it, Tell Us Dammit. No, rather TELL US DAMMIT. Yep! Time to learn about each other. How it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interesting in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. Sadness.

Question
What is the longest you have gone without gaming?

What Are Your Game Buy Regrets?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 23 May 2008 23:00:00 MDT

Ahoy! Pull up a chair, grab a coffee, let's talk. That's right, it's Friday night, time for around round of TELL US DAMMIT. How it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interesting in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. Whichever!

Question: Do you having any game purchase regrets?

Which Game Do You Want Remade?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:00:00 MDT

Check your watches, check your calendars. It's TELL US DAMMIT time! Hooray!! How it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interesting in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. Whichever!

Question: Which game do you want remade?

Now that is a hard question!

The Refractory Period

Owen Good — Sun, 11 May 2008 12:00:00 MDT

The other day my co-worker Sander (he used to work at 1up) lamented his complete inability to finish Mass Effect. Likewise, I'm simultaneously interested in finishing Bully and completely uninterested in playing it. We were playing these titles when our Xboxes RRoD'd, Sander's in late January, mine in March. It is now mid-May.

So here's a question I wanted to put to the gaming community here: How important is momentum to finishing or playing a game? I'm wondering if, in the timeline of developing, we've reached a tipping point. The 50-hour gaming experience is upon us. In sports simulations stretching an entire season, it can be even longer. How, if at all, can a developer create and sustain momentum in players to complete something that long? Because these campaigns are only going to get longer, not that it's necessarily a bad thing.

But for now, the question that we here can answer: Is there a period of time where, separated from gaming (a week's vacation, a borked machine, a ton of work or school obligations) you're just unable to get back into it?

I know Bash had a TUD on Friday, but I'm curious here, so Tell Us, Dammit! In the comments after the jump.

What Game Makes You Pull Your Hair Out?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 09 May 2008 23:00:00 MDT

Ready to bend our ear? 'Cause the Tell Us Dammit Giraffe is ready to listen. That's right, it's time for TUD. We've got a feature here on Kotaku called "Tell Us Dammit" or "TUD." How it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interesting in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. Today's question:

What game is TOO HARD for you?

With McWhertor playing through R-Type Command, that reminds me of a fit R-Type on the TurboGrafx 16 gave me as a lad. Man, that game was frustration city!

How Many Hours Do You Game Each Day?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 02 May 2008 23:00:00 MDT

Yep, yep. Talking time. It's Friday night and that means the TUD Girafe is ready to listen. So let's talk. We've got a feature here on Kotaku called "Tell Us Dammit" or "TUD." How it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interesting in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. Today's question:

How many hours do you game a day?

Shit man, with my schedule these days, I'm super lucky if I can get in between an half an hour or an hour a day. Been playing shmups like Mushihime-sama loads at my neighborhood arcade. Really helps me relax.

Are You Buying Xbox 360 or PS3 GTA IV?!

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:00:31 MDT

So, yeah, it's happening. Next week, Grand Theft Auto IV goes on sale in North America and Europe. Some people will buy it. Some people won't. The TUD Giraffe is curious and wants to know. We've got a feature here on Kotaku called "Tell Us Dammit" or "TUD." How it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn't some marketing survey or whatever. It's an emotional investment in you. Yes, we're interesting in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know fucktons about us — more than you even want to, we're sure. But, hey, we'd like to know about you. That way you won't be some faceless blob — and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban your ass. Or not, because really we're incapable of human emotion. Whichever! Today's question is a two-parter:

Questions: Are you going to buy GTA IV on the 29th? If so, are you buying the Xbox 360 or the PS3 version?

Me? Since I live in Japan, I'll be importing. Though, I still have decided which one I'm going to order...

[Pic]

What Game Are You Ashamed You Played?

ogood — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:00:00 MDT

Since McWhertor whiffed on "What Are You Playing," and Bash didn't do a TUD post either, and it's a slow news day, I'm bringing out the Giraffe to ask a question that, by its nature, you wouldn't want to answer.

But I'm gonna do it anyway because we're big boys and girls and can confess our secrets, and besides, only a complete imbecile would create a commenter account in his full legal name. So it's time to spill the beans. The TUD Giraffe demands:

What game — any console, any title, any era — are you most ashamed of playing?

Ideally, I'm talking about a game you would hide even if gamer friends came over. But it can be any game that just embarrasses you to say you played it. Bonus points if you still own it.

I'll admit mine here: I got "Playboy: The Mansion" from GameFly about three years ago, just because, hey, it was anonymous and no one would know, and I was lonely. What a crap game. The Sims with boobs, and little else. I think I got a U.S. senator to pose nude for one of my editions though, and got it on with her on top of a pinball machine. Oh Lord, now I'm thinking about Elizabeth Dole ... make it stop ...

So tell us, dammit! In the comments.

Are You a Neurotic Gamer?

ogood — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 11:00:00 MDT

When I get my 360 back, the first thing I'm going to do is wipe my Bully file from the hard drive and start over. And I guarantee you when I replay it, I'll watch all of the cutscenes straight through, and almost try to forget that I ever started it. It won't be the first time.

It's one of the weird gaming neuroses I have, and I'm wondering if I'm alone. So, just to start a conversation: What are your gaming hangups or compulsions?

Like, a few years back I told friends that I feel a weird obligation to a well written game character to not get him killed for stupid reasons. Or run out his ammo blowing up a pawn-class enemy. Or even jumping when I mean to kick someone. And when it happens repeatedly, I just start over. I 100 percented GTA:SA with zero wastes, and Vice City with just one, even though a million wouldn't have counted toward my score.

Earlier this week, Bashcraft talked about the inability to finish a game, but I think this plumbs a lot deeper. Do you take pictures of your face to work from when you create yourself in a sports title? Are you OCD about keeping your hard drives clean of game data for titles you haven't played in 3 months? Do you have one gamesave, and one gamesave only? Have you actually obeyed traffic lights in any driving game? Do you walk your character around a world or city and talk to people, even if you've heard the conversations a thousand times and just want to get to the next mission, because it seems, well ... right?

For the record, I do all of the above.

Games you'd like to forget so you could discover them fresh all over again [reddit]

Which Home Consoles Do You Own? Why, Why?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:30:32 MDT

Gather around children! It's that time of the week again, time to confess your sins to the TUD Giraffe. He's already to listen with open ears and arms. For those not in the know, Tell us Dammit is our opportunity to learn more about you reader person. That way we can feel closer! And perhaps, even for a fleeting second, feel kinda bad when we ban your ass. Here's how it works: We ask a question. You answer it. So! This week, the TUD Giraffe asks:

What home consoles do you own? And why?

Here, in Japan, I've got a PS2, a broken DC, a GC, a PS3, an Xbox 360 and a Wii. Why...? Hrm, 'tis me job, boy, me job.

Do You Finish Every Game You Buy?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:00:05 MDT

Ah, yes, Friday. The day of the week where we settle in, relax and just talk. You guessed it, we've got another round of TUD, (aka Tell Us Dammit) coming your way. For those not in the known, Tell us Dammit is our opportunity to learn more about you reader person. That way we can feel closer! And perhaps, even for a fleeting second, feel kinda bad when we ban your ass. Here's how it works: We ask a question. You answer it. So! This week, the TUD Giraffe asks:

Do you finish every game you buy?

Man, I am bad about finishing games. Unless I'm reviewing them, I find it really hard to complete the game. And it's not a time thing, but in a way, I guess I don't want that experience to end. (Sentimental and stupid, I know!) Usually, I start a game, get close to the end and start another one. Vicious cycle, that.

So reader person, what about you?