Jon Michael May's Blog, page 2

Frontline Tactics

I run through a couple a missions in the turn based strategy game, Frontline Tactics.  It’s not a bad game and considering it’s free to play, it can serve as a fun distraction.

STO – Episode Four

Here’s the link to my STO Playlist where you can see Episode Five & Six.  Any further STO videos I make will be uploaded there as well.

Remember to like and Subscribe, thanks a bunch.

 

STO – Episode Three

Picking up where I left off yesterday…more STO…

More Star Trek Online

Here’s episode 1 & 2, of a Let’s Play series I’m doing for the recently released Season 9 of STO.

The Sound was a bit wonky in the beginning, but it straightens out after a few minutes.

 

 

More coming later today/tomorrow.

Star Trek Online Gameplay

I’ve been playing STO for a while now, though not so much recently.  I’ve gotten back into it as a way to try my my had at capturing some gamepaly.  So here’s two minutes of me getting beaten by a couple of clearly superior Voth battleships.

 

Halo Composer leaves Bungie…

Anyone that’s ever played Halo knows that aside from setting the bar by which other multiplayer console based games are judged, the iconic music set the tone for every ambitious step taken into that universe. Martin O’Donnell, distinguished himself within the gaming industry as the creative force behind that music and an integral part of Bungie. He was part of the team and you couldn’t have one without the other.

When Bungie parted ways with Microsoft to pursue other non-Halo related ventures, O’Donnell followed. It was believed, as we have now learned that their next great endeavor would and does include the talented work of Mr. O’Donnell. As he had proven with the Halo franchise, he is integral to their team.

So it came as a bit of a shock this week, when we learned that O’Donnel had been “terminated without cause” from Bungie. Little information about the exact nature of the parting has been released, aside from the fact O’Donnell’s music will be included in Destiny, set to release later this year across multiple platforms.

Until we learn more, if we ever do, we’re left to speculate about the reasons for the parting of two long terms partners. I won’t attempt to venture a guess. I don’t feel it’s my place to turn whatever limited insight I might have towards what little information is available. What I will say however is that I doubt O’Donnell will be out of work long. Someone with his talent, will surely be snatched up by another studio quickly. I wish him the best of luck in the future and look forward to whatever creative endeavor he turns his attention towards next.

Civilization is heading to space…

Sid Meier’s Civilization will tackle a more sci-fi bent world in it’s next installment.  I could bore you with more words, or you can just watch this video.

Do you need more Borderlands in your life?

If so, than keep an eye on this rumor. Borderlands 2 may be getting a prequel to be released later this year on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. 2K Australia will head up development in conjunction with Gearbox Studios. The game will follow a younger Handsome Jack rise to power as you play one of four Lieutenants. The game will be set on the often seen, but yet unexplored moon of Pandora and large H shaped space station.

If true, this would make the second Borderlands game currently in development, along with Tails of the Borderlands, which is being developed by TellTale games.

This is likely a way to get one more Borderlands outing on last gen systems, from a trusted secondary studio, before a proper Borderlands game is released on next-gen consoles from Gearbox. It feels reminiscent of the move made with Fallout New Vegas that was released by Obsidian, rather than Bethesda which developed Fallout 3. While environments, weapons, and new abilities are reported to be available in the prequel, like Fallout NV, the game may not include enough new content to truly set it apart from it’s counterparts. Only time will tell however.

For the full rundown of the rumor, which is as yet unconfirmed, check out the full story here: https://www.gamepointsnow.com/blog/next-borderlands-game-is-pre-sequel-set-on-the-moon/

Ridley Scott & Halo

Ridley Scott is set to create a Halo digital release…IGN has the story, so I’ll like the video rather than trying to repeat every detail.

The Man, The Legend, The Sess…

My introduction to the gaming industry as something more than just an export business, came primarily through the vantage point of G4 and X-Play. It was Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb, two names that have come to command a great deal of respect and authority among those that care about video games beyond the game, that first taught me what it meant to examine video games in the same way that we view music, film, and even literature. In the days after the needless departure of X-Play and the G4 network as a whole, Webb has been far less present in the scene than her counterpart. And that’s unfortunate.

Sessler however was quickly snatched up by Rev3 Games after his departure from G4 and put to work doing what he does best, examining games beyond the point of sitting down to play them. It was through Adam Sessler that I began to see games as art and realize that the intent of the developer mattered perhaps just as much as the final result. While I don’t credit Sessler with single-handedly shaping my view of gaming, I would be negligent to dismiss his contribution.

So it is with some degree of loss, that I learned today that Adam Sessler is largely moving on from his position as a gaming journalist powerhouse. In his own words: http://sessactual.tumblr.com/

“After some incredible achievements over the last year and a half, I am announcing my departure from Rev3 Games and Discovery Digital Networks.  Sixteen years in front of the camera covering the videogame industry has brought me to a point where I am ready and desiring to explore new opportunities.  While I would never say no to doing one more review, interview or opinion piece, the time feels right to explore new avenues inside of gaming that help further the medium.  The audience, my wonderful and talented co-workers and the last year at Rev3 Games will forever be appreciated for what was accomplished.  There never is a right time to part ways with something that has become as natural as breathing, but things do end and now feels right.”

I thank Adam for his insight into gaming, his wealth of knowledge, and general amount of joy and legitimacy he has brought to the field of gaming journalism. Without him, video game journalism wouldn’t be what it is today. So long and good luck in your future endeavours.