[PlayRatty] tag: female

Age of Conan Content Update of Chunky Goodness

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:03:45 +0000

FunCom has rolled out a major content update for Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. Players levels 55-63 will now find Ymir’s Pass open. This new outdoor area features quests that include new storyline elements. The Amphitheater dungeon has been added as well. FunCom is promising the Age of Conan community “one of the most epic and memorable monster encounters ever created for the game.”

“This is an important update that opens up a lot of new gameplay content for players who have already passed the level fifty mark,” says Game Director Craig Morrison. “In the months ahead we will introduce even more new content, and coming up soon are two exciting new high-level dungeons intended for players who have reached the maximum level. At this stage adding more content and keeping people entertained is very important to us!”

There are many other tweaks including a solution to female avatars squinty eye issue. Its not as big a deal as the earlier breast reduction bug, but I’m sure it will be appreciated. Full update notes follow the break.

NEW PLAYFIELDS

The gates to the brandnew playfield ‘Ymir’s Pass’ are now open. Adventurers from levels 55 to 63 will find new quests and challenges in this playfield, which can be accessed from Eiglophian Mountains, Field of the Dead and Atzel’s Approach.
The ancient Amphitheatre of Karutonia has been discovered. The entrance to this new dungeon is located in the Ymir’s Pass playfield.

GENERAL

Getting knocked back while talking to an NPC should no longer make one’s character unable to move or attack.
Female faces should no longer have squinty eye issues.

CLASSES

Priest General

Vitalizing Jolt and other friendly area spells will now properly hit the caster, in Massive PvP zones.

Ranger

Armor Ripper III will no longer debuff yourself.

COMBAT

Fixed an issue where the instant cast spells would not complete instantly and start the next queued spell right away.

GUI

PvP invulnerabilities now appear categorized, like other invulnerabilities.
A new global chat channel is now available.

NPCS/MOBS

Patrolling guards will always resume their patrol if they get distracted while patrolling.
Enabled the options for Murderers to travel to Ymir’s Pass and Lacheish.
Added an option to the Outlaw Smuggler in Lacheish, for the player to travel to Conarch Village from Lacheish Plains.
Chill crawler Mindrazer and Shadowbearers now properly attack players.
Kyllikki: Kyllikki and her adds should now only attack players inside her room.
Kyllikki: White Hand Guard, Gurnakhi Honorguard, White Hand Priest, and White Hand Spellguard should now properly reset when they have no hated targets.
Kyllikki: Killing Champion of the Honorguard should now stop the raid trash in front of him from spawning.
Kyllikki: Added a forcefield after the “Champion of the Honorguard” encounter.
Yakhmar: Yakhmar now spawns adds at a fixed interval.
Yakhmar: Yakhmar now despawns his adds when he is killed.
Yakhmar: Yakhmar now properly evades when he’s pulled out of his territory
Yakhmar: Redesigned Yakhmar’s Lullaby ability to increase the usability of Herald of Xotli and Demonologists in the encounter.
Yakhmar: Rebalanced Yakhmar’s Wyrmlings to accommodate the changes done to Lullaby.
Fixed guards in PvP areas to now agro correctly when players use certain spells.

PVP

Khopshef Province Redemption quests should have more correct dialog.
Outlaw Smuggler NPCs will now show the cost of teleporting you in their dialog.

QUESTS

Khopshef: Ruthlessness - The male humans killed for this Redemption quest will no longer drop female heads.
Khopshef Province: Commander Ramartarsi - Players should now be able to interact with Commander Ramartarsi in the “Serpent’s Head Inn” in Khemi.

TRADESKILLS

Recipes for city items that should require guild buildings, now properly do.
Some of the new crafted shields were requiring the wrong tradeskill to use - this has been fixed. This change does not negatively effect players who have already learned the recipe — they now may make the item using the proper feat.

WORLD DESIGN

Fixed a rendering bug that caused the sky to “lag behind” camera movement.
All ledges in Kylikki’s crypt have been blocked off.

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Wii controllers wont make you kill people

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:45:51 +0000

I don’t know about you, but whenever I pick up my Wii remote I have the uncontrollable urge to make stabbing motions at whoever is in the room with me. Alright, that’s not true at all. I usually have the urge to swing it around like a light saber or use them as make shift nunchuks. Thats all in good fun, right? Yes! It appears that the Wii controller doesn’t contribute to higher aggression in players according to a new study conduced at Villanova University. Go figure!

The study used Manhunt 2 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 to gauge the 118 volunteers (68 female and 50 males). The volunteers underwent a test for psychoticism before and after playing the games with the Wii motion controls or standard controls. Dr. Patrick Markey, the man behind the study, concluded that motion controls did not raise aggression in players anymore than good ol’ fashioned button mashing. The test also concluded that violent videogames have more impact on people predisposed to higher levels of psychoticism.

It’s nice to continually see studies that debunk what some of the anti-gaming lobbing types clutch to. I know Jack Thompson is gone (for now) but this issue is far from dead. There will still be lobbying against violent videogames, and we have to remain vigilant and stop it. I may have blasted enough virtual people/creatures in my lifetime to populate a large country, but I have never once thought about taking another person’s life or seriously harming them for that matter. We can’t and shouldn’t let a few crazies in the world ruin it for the rest of us.

How To Play As A Mii In Animal Crossing What Works, What Doesnt

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:00:28 +0000

So far “Animal Crossing: City Folk” is very similar to its DS predecessor “Wild World,” but there is one major difference: I can put myself in the game.

The new Wii version allows you to incorporate your Mii avatars into the game.

I tried a few Mii makeovers, and there are a few things you should know before you spend your hard-earned Bells…

[Note: All images are digital photos taken of the game playing on my HDTV.]

Makeovers and haircuts are given at the salon called Shampoodle located in the city. You can take the bus to the city any time you want, but Shampoodle is only open from 8am to 9pm.

Simply talk to the salon owner Harriet, and she’ll ask if you want to change your hairstyle or get a complete makeover. Your first makeover is free. Then you’ll be asked to choose which Mii you’d like to look like. And voila! Your “Animal Crossing” character looks like the Mii you chose. Harriet also warns that if the Mii you chose changes or disappears from the Mii channel, your make-up will change or disappear as well.

I got my first Mii Makeover on Sunday night, and I changed my female character to look like my Mii. For the sake of experimentation, I decided to get another one. So last night, I went back to Shampoodle and asked for another makeover. It wasn’t a problem. I went with the “Stephen style” to look like the editor of a certain blog I write for. It cost 3,000 Bells.

As soon as I was done, I went back to Harriet for another makeover. I definitely didn’t want to look like Stephen forever. She just said that I had a new life waiting for me and I should go enjoy it. It seems that you can only get one makeover a day. Fine.

Since I was stuck with Stephen’s Mii, I went to the boutique called GracieGrace to see if I could add a hat or glasses to my character. When I tried on a hat, I noticed that Stephen’s Mii face went away and my default face was back. When I bought the hat for 6,400 Bells, it erased my makeover entirely (or so I thought — keep reading). I had also tried on a zebra-striped dress, but that didn’t affect the make-up. So buying anything for your character’s head or face takes the place of the Mii makeover. Annoyed at all the Bells I spent, I reset my Wii.

After getting yelled at by the mole Resetti for resetting my Wii, I went back to town to get another makeover. I spent 3,000 Bells to get the “Snoop Dogg” style. Much better.

Then this morning, I went to Shampoodle right when it opened at 8am and got another makeover. This time, I went with the “Zoidberg” style.

And since I hastily reset my Wii last night, I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything. When GracieGrace finally opened at 9am (I had to wait), I bought glasses. Then I clicked through the menu options. It turns out if you go to “Designs” you’ll see that your Mii makeover is there. Oops!

So you don’t lose your Mii makeover after all, but you can’t wear any head accessories to accompany your Mii makeover. I also tried putting on the glasses, reverting back to my default face, to see if I could trick Harriet into giving me another makeover today. No dice. Guess I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to get a new face…

Help Me Fill Out My VGA Ballot

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:00:43 +0000

I may not really take your advice. But maybe I will.

I’m a judge for Spike TV’s Video Game Awards, the only annual televised awards show that allows me to serve as one of their judges. A few weeks ago, I had to submit a list of nominations (I’d like to think that “No More Heroes” voice-acting nod down there is just because of me.)

My ballot of winners is due tomorrow. Take a look at the list. Frankly, I’m not sure which game gets my Game of the Year vote. The winners will be announced when the show airs on December 14. Decisions, decisions…

Game of the Year
Gears of War 2
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Grand Theft Auto IV
LittleBigPlanet
Fallout 3

The rest of the categories are after the jump.

Studio of the Year
Media Molecule
Rockstar North
Harmonix
Bethesda Game Studios

Best Shooter
Far Cry 2
Resistance 2
Gears of War 2
Left 4 Dead

Best RPG
Fable II
Fallout 3
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
The World Ends With You

Best Fighting Game
SoulCalibur IV
Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit

Best Individual Sports Game
Shaun White Snowboarding
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09
Wii Fit
Skate It

Best Handheld Game
God of War: Chains of Olympus
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Patapon
Castlevania Order of Eccelsia

Best Graphics
Gears of War 2
Fallout 3
LittleBigPlanet
Metal Gear Solid 4

Best Game Based on a Movie or a TV Show
Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Quantum of Solace
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Naruto: The Broken Bond

Best Music Game
Rock Band 2
Guitar Hero World Tour
Wii Music
SingStar

Best Driving Game
Burnout Paradise
Pure
Midnight Club: Los Angeles
Mario Kart Wii

Best Action Adventure Game
Grand Theft Auto IV
Dead Space
Mirror’s Edge
Metal Gear Solid 4

Best Team Sports Game
NHL 09
Madden NFL 09
NBA 2K9
FIFA Soccer 09

Best Soundtrack
LittleBigPlanet
Grand Theft Auto IV
Rock Band 2
Guitar Hero World Tour

Best Xbox 360 Game
Fable II
Gears of War 2
Grand Theft Auto IV
Fallout 3

Best Wii Game
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Boom Blox
Wii Fit
No More Heroes

Best PS3 Game
Metal Gear Solid 4
Resistance 2
LittleBigPlanet
Grant Theft Auto IV

Best PC Game
Spore
Crysis Warhead
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
Left 4 Dead

Best Original Score
Fallout 3
Spore
Metal Gear Solid 4
LittleBigPlanet

Best Multiplayer Game
Gears of War 2
Left 4 Dead
Resistance 2
Call of Duty: World at War

Best Performance by a Human Male
Michael Hollick as Niko Bellic in GTA IV
David Hayter as Old Snake in MGS 4
Stephen Fry as The Narrator in LBP
Jason Zumwalt as Roman Bellic in GTA IV

Best Performance by a Human Female
Nathalie Cox as Juno Eclipse in The Force Unleashed
Debi Mae West as Meryl Silverburgh in MGS 4
Paula Tiso as Silvia Christel in No More Heroes
Keeley Hawes as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider Underworld

***

So… any suggestions? How do I possibly compare “Spore” and “Left 4 Dead” for Best PC game? It’s not easy!

Phew!: Waggle doesn't produce murderers

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:00:00 +0000

Filed under: News

There is a popular viewpoint pushed by those who campaign against the likes of Manhunt 2, and it runs a little like this: motion-controlled on-screen violence is more likely to corrupt players than that which is played through pressing buttons. Senators have used this argument in the past, as have journalists, but they're both wrong. Gloriously, wonderfully wrong. Who says so? Science says so, that's who.

A new study from the labs of Villanova University has revealed that swinging a Wiimote and pressing a button generated the same amount of "hostility and aggressive thoughts in" 118 college students (68 female, 50 male). The participants played either Manhunt 2 or Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008, with each individual having their levels of "psychoticism" tested before and after play. Nobody completely flipped out, and whether flailing with a controller or pressing a button, levels of hostility remained even -- and thus another anti-gaming myth crumbled.

Gallery: Manhunt2

[Via Game|Life]

Phew!: Waggle doesn't produce murderers originally appeared on Nintendo Wii Fanboy on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Wii Controls Don't Make You Violent

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:23:00 +0000

A new study suggests that games that feature motion-controlled violent actions, like the Wii version of Manhunt 2 (above), don't affect players any differently than traditional violent games. Phew!

The study was conducted by Dr. Patrick Markey at Villanova University, and examined participants with varying levels of psychoticism, gauging their "hostility and aggressive thoughts" while playing Manhunt 2 or Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008.

The 118 participants (68 female and 50 male college students) completed a measure of psychoticism before and immediately after playing one of the two games, with either motion controls or standard controls.

Published in Computers in Human Behavior, the study concludes that the use of motion controls did not exacerbate any of the perceived negative effects (aggression, hostility, etc.) that could result from playing violent video games. Swinging a Wiimote or mashing a button generated the same results.

The Wii's motion controls are a popular target for opponents of violent media, and Manhunt 2 ruffled quite a few feathers, particularly with claims that young children would be rehearsing violent moves, and converting them into real physical violence. This study weakens those conjectures, offering evidence that tossing in a bit of waggle isn't the recipe for creating a homicidal maniac.

Having elevated levels of psychoticism on the other hand, affected how players performed during the study. It notes that participants who showed higher levels of psychoticism during testing "were much more affected by violent video games than other participants."

Could it be that people who are predisposed to violence are susceptible to violent media, while the rest of us aren't likely to emulate our cherished murder simulators? Only time and research will prove that claim one way or the other, but science sure sounds a lot better than that "gut feeling" most pundits usually have.

Image: Rockstar

New Study: Wii Motion Controls Do Not Increase Negative Effects of Manhunt 2 [GamePolitics]

Video: Blood of Bahamut, Square Enix's New RPG

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:08:11 +0000

You got your Shadow of the Colossusin my Final Fantasy! You got your Final Fantasyin my Shadow of the Colossus! And so on.

The first trailer for Square Enix's upcoming Nintendo DS roleplaying title Blood of Bahamutseems to be a large departure from the company's typical number-crunching, melodramatic fantasy tales -- at least in the gameplay department.

We're sure the game will still have effete, troubled male leads, sassy, overly competent female fighters and adorable monster mascots, but presuming that the above footage isn't a bizarre sidequest, this combination of kill-the-behemoth action and Final Fantasy'straditional roleplaying could be very interesting.

Bill O'Reilly is Pleased With the Guitar Hero Ad Featuring Heidi Klum in Lingerie

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:43:53 +0000

At this point, just hearing the name “Bill O’Reilly” in relation to anything about video games means you’re going to hear a discussion fully worthy of a facepalm. Last week, the man didn’t disappoint when he took time in his show, The O’Reilly Factor, to discuss a topic that threatens the very sanctity of every American home: a Guitar Hero World Tour ad featuring Heidi Klum dancing in her underwear. In the video above, you can seen O’Reilly show the commercial in question and then asks his two conservative female guests if they think that’s appropriate. Neither of them have any objections to it, and they both don’t see much difference between it and your standard beer commercial (one of them also points out that O’Reilly just ran one great TV spot for the game).

I should probably point out that the ad he shows is actually the Director’s Cut that was released online and probably won’t be shown on TV — the “regular” version has Ms. Klum keeping her shirt on. But that’s doesn’t really matter too much, since Bill O’Reilly isn’t actually all that upset by it. As he says himself near the end of the clip, “I mean obviously, as a guy, I don’t have a problem with it…but I wanted to get the culture warriors point.” With that in mind, I’m expecting plenty of clips from this show featuring more scantily-clad women in the future.

Via NintendoRaw

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Should innovative games get a free pass?

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:30:19 +0000

Destructoid writes:
In the case of Mirror's Edge, what I see is a game that has meticulously gone out of its way to be "different." From the unique first-person-action elements, to the bright colors, clear skies and even the Asian, brunette, modestly chested female protagonist, this game is one that has tried to lay the exact trap that Stuart has fallen into -- inflation of a game's merits simply because it's pretending to be some brand new innovation. Frankly, the games press has actually surprised me by seeing through all that for once and giving the game an honest appraisal, whatever their opinions may be.

Played Second Life, lost his wife: An argument for FPSs

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:30:09 +0000

Online games like World of Warcraft and communities like Second Life allow people to connect in amazing ways. Take Amy Taylor and David Pollard, a happily married British couple who met in a chat room and demonstrated their love with a fantasy wedding in Second Life before marrying for real. It was a nice story, but this virtual marriage is ending in a very real divorce.

Both avid gamers, Pollard, 40, kept playing Second Life. His wife, 28, became suspicious when she found his virtual character snuggling up to another woman’s. Taylor hired an online private detective (12 yr old hacker?) and found that her husband was visiting a virtual prostitute. “I looked at the computer screen and could see his character having sex with a female character. It’s cheating as far as I’m concerned,” she claims.

Pollard confessed that through the game he had been seeing an American girl, but said that he wasn’t doing anything wrong and that they “were just chatting and hanging out together.” Stories like this and the Maple Story should serve as a reminder to gamers everywhere that virtual relationships are becoming more and more real. Most of us with wives should probably just stick to FPSs. Don’t feel too sorry for poor Amy Taylor though. She already has a new love interest, who she met while playing WoW.