To prepare for tonight's FNF (and assumed Uncharted 2 Multiplayer Beta entry), I would like to share some extra codes I have come across. I wanted to do some sort of contest, but I can't really think of anything exciting or creative. I mean, the codes were free, so it'd be unfair to ask for something in return.

Anyways, I have two codes just waiting for some sweaty, PS3 owners' hands. I guess the first two to respond will get them. Just promise me you'll actually play the game and aren't just taking them to have it. In about a week or two, I'll have another contest up, but that'll be more worthy of praise.

Go go go go go!

As the title says, the servers for Little Big Planet are up. However, as far as I can tell, the pre-order codes aren't working just yet. So for those of you who picked the game up early, get on playing, creating, and sharing.

UPDATE: The pre-order codes are gonna be good to go tonight.

From the PlayStation.Blog:

Great news! Media Molecule has unveiled that the LittleBigPlanet servers are up and running and ready for the world to start posting new creations and levels. Click over to www.mediamolecule.com to see the original post. In addition to this big news - due to popular demand, all the Online Beta levels will be transferred over to the network for everyone to enjoy. Finally, to those who’ve pre-ordered LBP in North America and are waiting to download Nariko or Kratos & company, this should all be ready by later tonight...

Source: PlayStation.Blog

Like many PS3 owners, I flipped my shit when the FFXIII bombshell announcement was made. However, given a day to reflect and think about everything, I realize that it isn’t all that bad. While I would have liked to have this upper edge on 360 owners, everything is well in the sense that we’re still gonna be getting the game.

The biggest problem most PS3 owners had with the announcement, I think, was the fact that we lost this leverage against 360 owners. Sure, 360 owners can say shit like “HA! Looks like we CAN handle games that were originally thought to only be achieved on the PS3.” But the thing with that is that, in actuality, they can’t; what we can achieve on one dual-layered BD-ROM, they have to emulate on various DVDs. This isn’t meant as a swipe at 360 owners, but just to bring things to perspective.

Another point was the fact that PS3 sales, and indirectly, PS3 support will take a huge hit because of the news. Instead of all the Final Fantasy fanboys saving up for the PS3, they can simply turn to a 360. While FFXIII won’t be selling PS3s the same way we all expected it to, I think it’s still assumed that the PS3 version will be the superior version. (Note: For those with their marshmallows ready, I specifically noted that that note was just an assumption, not fact.)

However, what makes me feel better about the whole ordeal is the fact that Final Fantasy XIII won’t even appeal to a majority of the 360 fanbase. Of course, like all things, exceptions are made and present. But come on, up to this point, the Xbox line hasn’t been known as an RPG haven the same way the Playstation line has. Granted, the tides may potentially change with the onslaught of 360 RPGs coming out. BUT, I think, this announcement will affect FUTURE 360 owners, or at least a small percentage of current 360 owners. Square-Enix acknowledges this fact as well as the shitty 360 support in Japan, which makes sense for them to not release FFXIII on the 360 there. Yet, I think they overestimate their flagship title’s pulling power with a fanbase which is known more for their action and sports leanings. Sure, it looks enticing to want to spread your wings with an install base that’s [whatever the 360 ownership base is], but to test it out with a group that isn’t really RPG-centric is a bit iffy. As stated, this is just my opinion and how I view the situation.

Whatever happens in the future, only the positives lay true:
- Square-Enix will hopefully rebound from such a shitty fiscal year, which could potentially lead to some more innovative games.
- Final Fantasy Versus XIII is still a PS3 exclusive for now (and hopefully forever.)
- My Dual Shock 3 fits a lot more comfortably in my hands than a 360 controller. ;)

With y0j1mb0 and Shipero taking the night off from Destructoid-related duties, this week’s MGO clan meet up fell on the shoulders of myself and Moosehole. Despite a few very minor hiccups, we were able to have a fun (and possibly successful) MGO night. Thanks go out to those that made it out tonight, as well as my personal apologies for ducking out a bit early. I mean, hey, I was charged to write the recap blog.

…in fact, to be completely honest, I don’t remember a whole lot of tonight’s shenanigans. Except, you know, every team I played on completely dominated the opposition. Is that a coincidence? Or do I just carry that much power in my frail, teenage girl-like hands? However, one specific memory comes to mind: During a game of Team Sneaking, Moosehole was the final person alive on the “Attacking/Rescuing” team and spent a good couple of minutes at the wrong base before he realized his error. Fear not fellow fans, for the opposing team still did not have the proper abilities to find him as he was able to ensure our team’s win. Moosehole, I salute you.

I would like to note, however, that I absolutely hate the regular Sneaking mission. The few rounds I played as Snake, I was terrible. In fact, I felt as if I should just stand out in the open to be killed just to get the next round started. But then, I realized that that’s no fun, so I spent a few minutes hiding until my original team (Red Team this time) had enough kills to get the win.

Some of my favorite places to hide in Urban Ultimatum were inside the garbage dumpster near the middle of the map:



As well as in one of the various crawlspaces scattered across the map:



For the final game, or at least my personal final game, I asked the remaining players to gather around the catapult in Urban Ultimatum for a few group pictures. Unfortunately, they aren’t too good because of the lack of the other team’s names, but so be it. Thanks again to those that co-operated.

This was one of the first images taken and it turned out pretty well, despite Celdurant and Gatomalo not properly posed. To make up for their minor flukes, I added a black and white filter because it is EPIC.



After the stereotypical “We Are DTOID” poses, I tried for some more experimental pictures. This was our attempt at forming some sort of star-like asterisk. However, Gatomalo didn’t get the picture and decided to floor hump his way across the ground. Way to go, man. Way to go.



After that, we decided to flip over and let the sun hit our front-sides. For some reason, Celdurant could NOT keep his hands off the goods. Like the gentleman that I am, I pretended to play dead so he could fulfill his video game necrophiliac fantasies.



Unfortunately, the eskimo and butterfly kisses weren’t enough (are they ever?) entertainment for this ragtag of manly men, because somebody pulled out y0j1mb0’s favorite periodical: Teen People.



At first, Benefactor was keeping Zac Efron to himself. But before long, the rest of the group became privy to his very selfish ways and found a copy of Seventeen with a cover story on the Jonas Brothers as Benefactor insisted on having his alone time.



Eventually, he could not curb his curiosity over the Jonas Brothers’ dietary habits and joined the rest of the group. Unlike the rest of the group, I was able to resist the tween pull that these young men have.



And with that, this week’s Solid Snake Saturday/MGO Saturday comes to a close. Join us next week as we practice our spooning skills.

Note: I apologize for differing image sizes. If they're really that bad (I haven't previewed the pictures yet), I'll re-size them later.