Lately, we at X-Communication have received numerous gameplay questions from a variety of readers. While we love getting mail, we are not a FAQ service. Questions such as “How do I defeat the final boss of such-and-such?” or “Where is the eighth bomafodad in fire world?” would be better asked in our forums. We will not be answering such emails in X-Communication any longer (GameFAQs, anyone?), but feel free to ask about anything else.
Dave Digs Tony’s Tunes Hey, do you think you could give me a run down of the soundtrack. Because the music is really great and I want to buy Cd's from the bands but, theres no music credits in the game. So if you could tell me who the band are and what the songs in the game are called I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.
Joe Responds, The music credits are in at least two places, actually. Firstly, you can check the back of the manual. On page 23 of the GameCube manual (not sure what pages for the other systems), there is a complete list of songs and artists. You can also check within the sound options and see a complete list. Sam Comments on Sega’s Financial Trouble Being that I own a PS2 only, it's hard to buy Sega games that appeal to you. I would love to play Shenmue II, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Jet Set Radio Future, or Sega GT, but since I can't afford an Xbox, they will miss my two hundred bucks for these games. They've offered some good titles on the PS2(Shinobi and the sports titles), but it seems they got in the bed with Billy and ignored the largest user base and now it's hitting them in the pockets. Maybe Sega should look at some of their questionable business decisions to see why they are in the red. I guess I'll eventually get an Xbox to play what I missed(late next year) and hopefully by then Sega will be truly multi-platform.
Final Bahamut Also Talks Sega Over the past year I have had a problem with Sega. I have a Dreamcast and frankly I play it more than all my other systems (Sonic 1 and 2 and Seaman), but why is Sega so interested with Xbox? I mean just look at all the games that the X-box has that are from Sega. Do they have some kind of partnership or something? I mean look at GameCube and PS2. They both are outselling Xbox, which shows they have a larger user base. I also read (unsure if entirely accurate) that statistically they are not doing so hot on that system with game sales as compared to thier meek amount of PS2 and Game Cube games. I mean, do they have a grudge against Sony for killing the Dreamcast and Nintendo for being there old "Arch Rival?" I myself do not like Xbox or Microsoft for that matter. Microsoft to me is destroying the videogame industry. Buying up whole development houses, losing all that money on this "Xbox?" Also trying to buy Capcom, which really made me mad. The industry I am afraid is heading toward a downward spiral. Sony making a chip to be used in everything to play games? Nintendo possibly not making another system. Microsoft and the freaking having to control everything. The large amount of lackluster games (I mean come on, GTA and Final Fantasy and Resident Evil are Great and all and so are a "FEW" (in personal opinion like this whole letter is) other games but they can only go for so long before the spark is lost and al life is drained. I know I have not been around since the whole videogame thing was started like some of you people have, but I have been around to see the "loosened nuts" so to speak. I fear that the industry will become ruined because of all this merging and buying out gaming houses and companies saying graphics are all that matter. I do not expect you people to even read this or put it up, but if you read it I would like for you to think about it a little, and maybe respond. I guess I will go play Super Mario Kart or something. P. S Will Luigi ever come back?
Joe Offers his Thoughts I do agree that Sega didn't make the best choice with the Xbox, but the sad fact of the matter is that even the Xbox userbase is ignoring their games. Jet Set Radio Future, and other Xbox Sega titles, sold miserably, even when considering the smaller userbase. On the Playstation 2, Sega's sports titles are crushed by EA's games.
It just seems like Sega can't win. When a company constantly pumps out innovative and entertaining games, only to watch them collect dust and end up in the bargin bin, something is seriously wrong with either the industry or the gaming public.
I’m sure Luigi will return in something, but don’t get your hopes up for a Luigi’s Mansion sequel.
Adam Responds, I'll admit that it's a bit unnerving to see so many Sega games on X-Box (I still stand by the fact that Panzer Dragoon Orta would feel better on the Gamecube Controller), but I think your analysis of the situation is a bit more pessimistic then is really the case. Remember that Microsoft is still a baby in the video game industry, and they're still trying out a bunch of new strategies in order to see which one works for them. You may remember when we reported of Microsoft's attempt to buy Nintendo (you can see the Roundtable here), and what some of the responses were to that. As it were, they're making a few more arrogant mistakes then most companies, but it's not all bad.
As long as game companies keep plugging away (and gamers perhaps get more selective in the games they buy), the industry should remain fine. And besides, there will always be plenty of petitions to keep things moving should anything go horribly wrong. Agent Steve Stirlen… 007? I have been playing Nightfire and I have a question about one of the levels. In mission number 7, you have to blast open a large door marked C-5, and photograph a prototype laser. Last night I used the laser (it shoots out a blue beam) to blast the door open. Here's the problem: Once I started using the laser, I couldn't get off the laser. I tried every button and combo I couldn't get Bond to move. Eventually, I shot the laser at the metal floor and the bounce back killed me. What am I doing wrong? Thanks for your help.
Adam Responds This gave me a bit of trouble too, but I think it's just an occasional glitch. I tried taking the picture first, and then using the laser after I encountered your problem, and it went smoothly from there.Pete Talks About the FairPlay Campaign "First off, games have always cost this much. I can't remember not paying this kind of cash for a videogame and I feel it's incredible that the price has pretty much stayed consistent now that production costs are in the millions, and development time can span years rather than just a few months or even weeks."
What an "idiotic" thing to say. Just because something has "always been" that way does not mean it is right. Besides which, games have not always been $50. Remember the 8/16bit days? Obviously not. PC Games are significantly cheaper than console games, why? Less cost in development? Of course not.
As for the argument that development times/costs are somehow related to the game, this too is fundamentally flawed. From what you suggest Halo should cost $50, because of the 2-3 years development period. Therefore Super Monkey Ball should cost $17 due to the 9 month development cycle.
"Furthermore, not that I'm shedding a tear for poor Bill Gates, but Microsoft loses in excess of $100 for every Xbox they sell. $100 each! "
So we, as the consumer, should pay for Microsoft's own business decisions? Presumably, on your planet, when MS start making a profit on every XBox we will get a cheque? Seeing as we are paying for their losses, we should reap the benefits of their profits.
I am in no way a representative of the Fairplay Campaign, but I am supportive of it.
John Luedkte Responds, Wow, I can't believe people are still writing in about this. Pete, I have addressed this a few times since the posting of the particular column you're quoting. I made those comments in response to people having emailed me asking for my support for the FairPlay Campaign, apparently not knowing that I live in the U.S. I've sympathized with the British and other European gamers in an Editor'sRoundtable, so the comments I'm making here are with the American market in mind.
You seem to have a problem with the fact that this is indeed a business and as much as you'd hate to imagine it, developers and publishers are in this business to make money. Why is that such a big surprise? My comments regarding Microsoft's loss of over $100 per unit was simply to point out that game companies take a significant sacrifice to get their units into your houses and they need to make up their money somewhere. As hardware costs go down, the prices of consoles tend to go down as well. Read the recent headlines. You can now by an Xbox and two quality Sega games for $200 in the U.S. Nintendo has a similar offer. I think they're both great deals. If they raised the prices of their consoles and lowered the prices of games, would that make you happier? I don't see the difference.
I don't think $50 is too much to pay for a game. That's my opinion. I've been paying that since the 8-bit days and will probably continue to pay that as long as I live. Hell, Killer Instinct for the SNES set me back a solid $65! And last time I checked, Electronics Boutique sells PC games in the same $40-$50 range as they do console games. Hell, an expansion pack for a PC game can run you between $20 and $40. If you feel console games are too expensive, don't buy them. Plain and simple. Either that or wait until the game goes on sale or the company goes out of business from lack of sales and you can find their games on clearance. You see where I'm going with this, I'm sure.
Like I said, the situation in Europe may be vastly different, as indicated by both myself and our European Correspondent, Phil Haymes in the Editor's Roundtable, which I linked above. However, I still hold the opinion that the FairPlay Campaign is flawed in many ways. I guess we'll wait and see how it goes. PocketX writes, Hey, I got this question on the PS2. Will the small link sys network adapter work on the PS2 for going online? Although it dose connect to the PS2, could you go online with it?
Adam Responds, I highly doubt it. You could try, but that PS2 expansion slot is made just for Sony's Network adaptor, and you'd probably be voiding the warranty by trying this out. Do this at your own risk. Paul Preorders I mostly agree with what John Luedtke had to say in his editorial about preordering. Sometimes maybe it’s a little “fun” to make a preorder and brag about it with your friend weeks before the game comes out. You get to tell everyone how you’ve already “bought” the game and are guaranteed to be playing it the day it releases. I usually preorder games from ebgames.com and it arrives at my door at 9:00 a.m. the day it releases, which is earlier than I could get it if I were to purchase it retail. Besides, my local Gamestop charges $55 for many of their new games, and I don’t want to support that. If I have to pay an extra five bucks, I’m going to make it go to shipping costs and have it delivered to my front door.
And ebgames.com is also good about having free shipping a lot of the time, add that with the fact I don’t have to pay tax for online shopping and I’ve got a really good deal coming my way, something I can’t get at my local Mall, the five dollar scamming bastards.
So here’s my plan, I only preorder online, NOT at brick and mortar stores. If I don’t preorder online (which btw you don’t have to have a down payment for online preorders) that’s when I decide to take my chances at the mall.
So Does Fred Man, I wish more people would preorder. I'm a software retailer with Babbage's and I know a lot about preordering. I do not do any of the buying our company does, but I know about the front line, what we have to deal with.
There are many reasons why retailers can't get enough copies of a game in, one being the amazing amount of stores which have sprung up. With so many new places to fill up stock, it's hard to allocate as much software as in the past. Another reason is consumer demand. The movie industry has a great thing called a box office where they can calculate sales, and due to a long running history of these figures can determine approximately how many are needed. The latest game cannot say such a thing. Our market is so fickle, the only thing we can count on is an overbearing amount of sequels (this game sold how many? can we make another?), and the perrenial sports titles. This leads to a possible lack in creative releases for our market, but I digress.
Reserving games is really the only way a manufacturer can tell if something has popularity to it. So when we get over three hundred reserves for GTA: VC, everyone is aware it's going to be a big seller. But some people take certain things for granted, such as the latest Resident Evil game. Why wouldn't they make enough copies for everyone? Who knows? Market analysis shows a waning interest in the franchise? Perhaps. This could be reinforced by your local store's lack of reservations.
And besides, who's it hurting? Placing a reservation is only putting a down payment on it. It guarantees you a copy, makes your purchase price a little lower, and if you decide you don't want it anymore, you can get your money back. What's not to like? And since specialty stores are the way this industry is carried year-round, wouldn't it be great to stop in and see your favorite retailer? I'm sure s/he would love to see your shining, smiling, preordering face too.
Joe Responds, I tend to agree with Fred on this matter. It’s really no skin off my nose to plop a small $5 deposit down to guarantee that I’ll get such and such a game on release date. As he says, it’s refundable. If I don’t want the game anymore, or see it on sale somewhere, I can just get my $5 back. I do like the idea of getting goodies with preorders, such as Nintendo is doing with Zelda, but I don’t expect it. I consider the option to preorder a benefit, plain and simple.
Adam Responds, Well, Fred, I don't think people even have to be market analysts to know that if you don't want to wait for erratic shipping schedules, preordering is the way to go. But perhaps that's just because I'm impatient.Mario Brothers 3 Advance? My favorite game of all time has got to be Mario Bros 3. I would like to know if you think that Nintendo will ever release the game for the GBA?
Joe Responds, I think that, without a doubt, Mario 3 will be on the GBA. Perhaps Nintendo is saving the best for last with their Mario Advance series.
