Now that the hype is over, it’s time to see how the latest Star Wars games stand on their own. OpenAlpha.tv takes a look at the Episode III PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS game, as well as Lego Star Wars. As a follow-up segment, Open Alpha delves into the problems with the blue Lego Star Wars PS2 disc and how to overcome it.
Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games continue to grow in popularity, partially due to the increase in broadband availability and the increased complexity of the worlds available to explore. Jenn takes a look at what’s out now, what’s fun, what’s free, and what’s up with services like IGE.
Jenn’s going to San Francisco! This is a quick interim episode dedicated to the ways she’ll kill time on the plane with her Nintendo DS and PSP with the ScummVM and 1.50 firmware. Think of it as a teaser until full production can resume when she gets back.
Jenn’s first solo release (meaning she taught herself Premiere Pro, lighting, the whole deal) covers the basics of the PSP and some launch titles. The episode ends rather abruptly, but that is normal and not a bad download.
Jenn takes a break from sleeping off mono and playing games to record this brief holiday episode. She’s got a (slightly) evil gift giving tip and announces the first ever OpenAlpha contest!
Jenn answers a selection of viewer mail! DS vs. PSP? 360 vs PSP?? And what’s up with Digital Fishing??? She also warns the contest winner that they’ve got a few days to claim their prize before the next OpenAlpha release.
Jenn walks through the basics of World of Warcraft, from getting started, to common tasks, adding UI Mods, and de-mystifying ‘Aggro’ with finger puppets. She also reviews the WoW Atlas, declares the winner of Hello Kitty’s Cube Frenzy, AND announces a new live WoW show with Darren from Hak. 5.
Jenn takes a look at the Logitech PlayGear Pocket, offers up some money saving PSP tips, and goes into the fun she’s been having with the PSP Lua player and PSP Golf with extra map packs. Also, she’s a guest on April’s Hak.5 so be sure to check it out! (8:45) During the shoot I lost a light so it’s pretty apparent what I shot before and after… next time I’ll pick up a spare bulb.
As you read this I am probably at the airport or on a plane to Los Angeles for E3. OpenAlpha will be there on the floor but that’s not what I want to talk about just yet. Way back in 2004 was my first attempt at a video show on the net that was plagued by technical difficulties that I hadn’t seen before or since BUT I managed to dig up the sole surviving clip from that expedition and, boy, is it something to see. Aside from being kind of hilarious (the crowd developed a bit of a pulse as the show went on) it’s actually appropriate for Pre-E306 discussion due to the so-called “booth babe banning”. Feel free to google for more links on this old story, it’s everywhere. The following 14 minute clip was from Namco’s stage show in 2004 showing off Death By Degrees and SRS Racing. Some would argue that the games were not the true focus of that show but I did edit out the short gameplay trailers they played before the stage attraction. Also cut out is the mad dash to the stage for t-shirts before and after. I’m not sure what this year’s floor exhibits will bring but I will do my best to bring them to you… preferably with less-lousy camera work.
Jenn takes a first look at the Nintendo Wii and some of the various tech demos available on the floor. More from E3 to come including an in-depth look at some first party games and titles Jenn is looking forward to this holiday season.
At E3 Jenn got a few minutes to chat with Al Lowe. Most of you might know him from a little series called ‘Leisure Suit Larry’… except for the last one. He had nothing to do with that. Al talks about his new game development venture, iBase Entertainment, good ol’ Larry, a very strange path to becoming a game designer, and the state of the industry today. A cramped restaurant booth may not be a scenic interview spot but the conversation was definitely worthwhile.
To close out the last dedicated E3 episode Jenn gets guided tours through Crysis, Obsidian Edge, Flight Simulator X, and talks with a Microsoft Rep about things to watch for on the horizon including the presently ethereal ‘Live Anywhere’ service.
On Jenn’s birthday (today!) she put together a rambling one-shot piece to answer some more FAQs to lead into the new monthly schedule as well as a new Feedback portion of the show. Also *gasp* World of Warcraft!
In this first music game episode Jenn takes a look at beatmania on the PS2 and some of the games it inspires on the PC and PSP. She also takes a stroll down memory lane to the first music game she can remember playing.
Jenn takes a time out from playing with her new toys to share her thoughts on the 360’s Live service while taking a closer look at the Wii friends system and Excite Truck.
Jenn takes a road trip to Virginia and enjoys surfing the Wii Channels and playing with the new Wii Remote Straps as well as some less than graceful replacements.
