http://www.zeldainformer.com/news/comments/rumor-nintendo-attempting-to-negotiate-its-way-into-ownership-of-banjo-and

Ok, this rumor sounds to good to be true, but apparently and for awhile now, Nintendo is in deep talks with Microsoft over buying Rare back, mainly over the ownership of Banjo Kazooie. I cant help but feel that Nintendo would actually go out of there way to get them back. Rare is nothing but dead weight under Microsofts care (Viva Pinata looks fun though), And even though Rare is not the same as it used to be, I feel as though Nintendo would whip them into shape. A new traditional Banjo Kazooie for Wii U/3DS would do wonders. But a rumors a rumor, Can't a guy make believe dammit! What do you guys think?

Thousands, if not dozens of people have asked me this thought provoking question, well, it just is.

Hey All! In case you haven't noticed, I am a huge fan of the Metal Gear Series. Pretty much every damn thing about it is awesome to me such as the game play, characters and stories, boss battles, etc. Metal Gear has been going strong for 25 years and still not showing signs of slowing down, well maybe there are some things about the series that even I think needs to be fixed. So I shall be conducting an little analysis on some problems plaguing the franchise so here go.

1) Weak enemies



Not so bright guards have been around since the original Metal Gear, back then it was understandable, today in 2012, they still show flaws.while each game the enemy does get smarter, It still feels like they don't have human like senses. Flaws like how they can't see far and thinking it was "nothing", or hearing a loud noise yet they still cant hear it, It's really the field of vision that rubs me the wrong way with the guards in MGS. I think MGS4 was the game that came the closest to making the guards even at times have super human like senses, how they actually can see far off, hearing a little can get knocked over and they respond, that's what I want to see more of. Also one personal quip I have, If you were to tranquilize a guard and they'd wake up later, I don't think they would just get back to doing there usual thing, If I were them I'd worry about how I got knocked out and have a tranq dart in my neck. If anything they should commence something like caution mode.

2) Really lengthy Cutscenes/Dialogue



The MGS franchise is notorious for having very,very,very lengthy cutscenes. Now don't get me wrong, I love the cutscenes in the MGS games actually, the deaths of bosses in MGS, the mindfuck ending in MGS2, the confrontation with The Boss in MGS3, and the grand finale in MGS4, many of the story elements are quite charming in their own way and really memorable. But on the other hand, you've got the hour long cutscenes where you hear nothing but 1 character not shutting the fuck up and giving you very abysmal advice that a 3 year old can even understand. once again MGS4 does something right by having the codec conversations be done during game play (ironically the one MGS game where the codec is useless yet looks it's best). You also got Miller in Peace Walker for as bad ass as he is he cannot shut the hell up. tutorial this and Fulton recovery that. theres always one character in each game that sucks up a good amount of time like rose from mgs2 or meryl from mgs4. I dunno but now that the mgs story is kind of finished I hope to see less cutscenes and dumb advice in the future and only get straight to the important parts.

3)Clunky Controls



This one I'm kind of light on but I can sometimes see as problem. MGS games can have hard times trying to get the controls for each console/handheld down. The is popping up more with it's more recent outings like Peace Walker and Snake Eater 3D.You just need that second analog to maintain your camera and use the real buttons for much more comfortable playing instead of relying on a dpad (especially when the dpad and analog is on the same side of the handheld). It's also kind of hard to play the twin snakes on a nintendo gamecube controller with that awkward Z button and having to press the pause and A button at the same time just to use the codec. But I think this is a problem that can overcome itself now that 3DS and Vita are getting 2 analog sticks. (especially when the 2nd analog comes to the inevitable 3DS rerelease).

4) Over Reliance on Camouflage/Lack of Traditional Stealth



Now When I first saw the camouflage system introduced in MGS3 go to use for the first time, I was excited, I loved the idea of blending in with the environment. MGS4 took it a step further by making the Octocamo do automatic camouflage without the need to change camo. I'd go as far as to say the Octocamo was THE main feature in the game and the single greatest gaming design idea in a long time. But something was missing. What about sneaking the old fashion way? Traditional stealth required more strategy and thinking like hiding behind a crate or under a truck, hanging off a ledge or making noise to draw attention. Maybe go back to disguising yourself as an enemy soldier. Hell the cardboard box is pretty much useless now that you've got camouflage. I think there needs to be more situations that revolve quick thinking and not require that you use camouflage to practically turn invisible to the naked eye. One more thing, wouldn't it be more realistic if you change camouflage during times where it's safe instead of manually doing it during an alert phase or a firefight?

5) Overpowered CQC (Close Quarters Combat)



Along with the Camouflage system debuted the CQC system. CQC is an easier way of disarming an enemy soldier. you can interrogate them, choke them, slit their throats,flip them over, search them for items, use as hostages during alert phases. CQC I am A Okay with. But then CQC was starting to become too overpowered to the point when you play Peace Walker you can practically flip over every guard nearby no matter how many there are and instantly KO them. a simple solution, just downplay the CQC in future games.

6) Make a new Story Arc/Reimagining



As you know by now, the MGS Saga has kinda concluded with MGS4. The Main Villain is dead, the Patriots are overthrown, all questions have been answered and a LOT of people have died (okay, okay not a LOT). So.....why are we still in this story arc. I know Peace Walker and maybe Revengaence could be used to fill in a few cracks but Why don't we just start anew? If things were my way, I would either take the series into the far off future where machines rule and new characters and new story elements are put to use or I would do a Re imagining where I would use some of the same characters and themes and put them into a new universe like snake, Big Boss and Ocelot. It seems like we dwindled in this story arc for to long, the only thing left to expect would be MSX remakes.

So those were my 2 cents on how I would treat the franchises problems. But just to note, some of theses are really just nitpicks, nothing game breaking or anything. So, how would you do things differently, do you agree/disagree with my choices?

If your a gamer who spends time on the internet, then I think you know the story about Nintendo and Sega. I've been thinking a lot about these two companies lately and how much they differ from other gaming companies especially in this day and age with the 360, PS3, PC and mobile gaming taking over the industry. Now I'm not saying Nintendo is losing the battle or DOOOOOOMED, but in terms of survival, they are on the boundary line trying to squeeze in. Now your probably asking me, "Hey! What the hell does Sega have to do with this, They had their shot and they blew it!" Well that may be and with the chances of say a Dreamcast 2 next to impossible and especially with how there is not much room in the market for another console, I've arrived to this conclusion (which people might have already thought about but here it is...), what if Nintendo and Sega merged!



Now with this idea in mind, let's go over how this will all work out shall we? First off we're not really dealing with the same Sega, not the one's way back then and this may be true. However! I believe Sega still has talent in them, with sonic the hedgehog gradually recovering with some interesting outings, some awesome franchises like Yakuza, Valkyria Chronicles, and what not, I think their doing just fine. Next, and what may be the bigger question, WHY!? I think out of all the companies Nintendo gets along with, I think they get along with Sega the most (just look at the M&S Olympic Series). Probably the most Important question is how this will affect them making their software. If anything It can only get better, increase in talent if anything, that and their can be really cool crossovers especially in games like smash bros where we can put Sega characters and themes in the games.

On Nintendo's part maybe they can give Sega a hand in handling more of their franchises like super monkeyball and nIGHTS, vice versa with Sega working on games like F-zero or Warioware. Not only are just Nintendo and Sega working together but maybe they can attract more companies to make games for them like Platinum, Prope etc. Hell maybe that Mario and Sonic crossover platformer everyone wants may come true. another suggestion could be Sega giving a hand with Nintendo on making consoles. One more thing to consider is just how well can they perform against the other console competitors, well even I don't know that one and I could assume the worst where the two companies would not get along and get in each others way to the point where they fail.



There's probably more in my mind but that's the gist of it. Now I'm not saying that they should do this, Im really just saying how Friggin Awesome it would be if they did it. If Nintendo is the heart of gaming then Sega is the soul, and both companies are the only ones (that made consoles) that are pure gaming companies. That is all there is to say and that was just something I felt like sharing. thank you for your time, comment if you like and I promise next blog I'll make more of an ass of myself. lades!

Hey all! Yours truly is here to share a stupid (yet awesome) idea on a sequel for a certain game. I've had many ideas in the past that usually come and go but this one cannot go unheard. So I know what your all thinking, just what franchise am I thinking of that your all eagerly awaiting to find out. Oh what the hell here it is...Shadow The Hedgehog 2! Yes I can see tears of happiness all around, your loving it aren't you?



That's right! Shadow The Hedgehog 2 lemme finish....done by Platinum. Considering that Shadow (poorly) blended high speed action and gun play, I think it would be the perfect job for Platinum to do. The game would have crazy ass levels that involve time travel and dinosaurs and government conspiracies. All of your favorite sonic characters would return to help and/or assassinate everyone's favorite hedgehog (No you fool, not the blue one). Characters like Vector the Alligator, Rouge the Bat, Big he Cat, Silver the Hedgehog, And of coarse who couldn't forget....The Friggin President Of The United States. We also got Dr. Eggbotnik in their to supply Shadow with guns and weapons That are powered by little woodland critters.



Story: Shadow...is back...and he is PISSED! After still depressed over the fact that he is a freaky alien clone hedgehog that was part of a science experiment, shadow goes off drinking (Alcoholism included) and eventually goes off to commit suicide, that is until the president calls shadow saying the aliens return with a new motive to probe shadows ass. shadow and the president arm themselves with guns and save the world once again. the story includes full on bestiality where Shadow has a human girlfriend and the president has a hedgehog transvestite er..mate. there is also full on profanity where you cant go a single cut scene without shadow dropping 20 f bombs all over the place and theirs a shit load of blood in the game. In the end of the game theirs a 5 hour mindfuck cut scene that only creates more questions then there are answered.

Now lemme remind you that Platinum would make the game, so go ahead and pick up Shadow the Hedgehog 2 If any game is going to (further) fuck up the sonic continuity, it's Shadow the Hedgehog 2 rated E for Ewoks.