How to run a good business model

As we all know, microtransactions are now becoming more and more popular in video games.

 We've seen some games, such as the Forza series do microtransactions badly. Forza Horizon allowed us to buy coins to buy cars. That is a bad idea as it basically let us get the best car at the start of a game.

Now a good example of a good business model would be Team Fortress 2. You can buy items, like hats that offer no extra benefits, they are purely cosmetic. You can also buy weapons, that offer bonus stats but also have debuffs. The cons outweigh the negatives. Another good Valve game that runs a good business model is Counter Strike: Global Offensive. You can buy keys to open crates (which can be bought or randomly dropped) and inside a weapon skin will be dropped, it could be a bad one or an ultra rare skin. The skins offer zero benefit to the game and are purely cosmetic. Valve sets one good example on how to run a business model.

 Another company that runs a Free To Play (or F2P) model would be Hi Rez studios and their game Smite. Smite is a F2P MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) that pits pantheons' gods vs each other. It allows you to buy the God Pack, which unlocks all current and future Gods for about $29.99 (or £20.99). You can then buy skins for about £5 which have no effect on the game except the voice changes and you have skin on your character (if you choose it).

I really want EA, Microsoft, Sony and Ubisoft to take this into account. DON'T let people instantly buy the best gear, let us buy cosmetic items that have no real impact on the game!

This is just a little rant.

My song of the week is Tech N9ne - Don't Tweet This. I love the bass on this. Check it out below

Whats this? Another post?!

I was bored today, so I thought I would make another blog today to keep myself entertained and talk about something. Its another pet hate that annoys me in video games and it is a re-occurring thing. Day 1 DLC.

One thing I really hate in the gaming industry

Recently, a game called Evolve launched to the public, many claming it to be the GOTY, but really. Its only been 2 months into the year, plus we got The Witcher 3 and The Division to come, don't get your hopes up for an Evolve GOTY edition.

Evolve released for about £40 on PC and about £55 for consoles. Then we had the £80+ day 1 DLC that came with it. It was mainly monster skins and what not. But come on! If it could be released as day 1 DLC, it should be free! Not £80+ to get all the skins! Its just evidence that 2k games is greedy and wants to rake in money for a half decent game.

This is all the Day 1 DLC that was available on the steam store, there maybe more on XBL and PSN

Another culprit that got a lot of hate for day 1 DLC was the at first disappointing Mass Effect 3. EVERYONE (and I literally mean everyone) flamed EA as being greedy for making day 1 DLC. Sure if you got the N7 edition on consoles or the Deluxe edition on PC you got the "From Ashes" DLC for free (and if you were a fan of ME series, you most likely did) but if you got the standard edition you had to pay out an extra £10 for it.

An advert for the "From Ashes" DLC, the same release date as ME3

In my personal opinion, if it released along side a game's release, it should be free as it was still made with the games original budget. But that's just my two cents.

If you didn't see my main post yesterday the link will be here: http://shrikelemat.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/sneak-and-peak.html

Sneak and Peak

Its another Sunday, and that means another list. It being the 3rd week of the month means its time for another top 5 list. From now on I am going to have my blogs follow an order. 1st week is the preview of the month, the 2nd week is a review of a game. The 3rd week is a top 5 list and the 4th week is just a general discussion. (if there is a 5th Sunday in the month then it will be another review or discussion)

Anyway, this week's top 5 list is my top 5 stealth games of all time (that I've played).

At #5, a very iconic game series by a company that last year fell from glory. I am talking about TC's Splinter Cell. It is hard to pick on Splinter Cell game however if I had to pick one it would be the newest one, Splinter Cell Blacklist. This game is probably my favourite Splinter Cell game. Its got Single Player, Co-Op and Multiplayer. What more can I ask for? Its only downfall is that its hard to find a co-op buddy with a mic.

#4 sees Fallout New Vegas jump into the list. Now some of you might say "Alistair, how can a Fallout game beat Splinter Cell?" Fallout can beat Splinter Cell simply because I play Fallout as if it was a stealth game. New Vegas made it even easier to stealth with the ability to add suppressors to your guns. Plus Fallout had more replayability than Splinter Cell Blacklist does.

DayZ makes it to #3. I play DayZ as if it was a stealth game, and you really have to. If you go in guns blazing you often die and lose your gear. If you play stealthy and tactically you at least survive a bit longer, plus it is fun sneaking up on a sniper and killing him.

One does not simply walk into the #2, but Shadow of Mordor is an exception. I love this game, its like Assassins Creed had a baby with Lord of the Rings and produced this, except it is better than any Assassins Creed game (after AC:Brotherhood) and any LotR games. Its Nemesis feature is like no other system in any other game and I could just get lost and put in 100+ hours just walking around and killing Uruks (or Orks).

However, one franchise stands above the rest, its obvious what takes our #1 spot. None other than the whole Metal Gear Solid franchise. Its almost impossible to pick one game from the franchise, so I'll pick the one I've been playing to get ready for MGS V: The Phantom Pain. I've been playing MGS 3: Snake Eater. Its hard not to love the MGS franchise's charm. From its unique take on history to its 4th wall breaking (not that there was ever one in the franchise) and its jokes.

My song of the week is a weird one but as soon as I heard it I fell in love with it. Just listen to it own below and tell me what you think of it. Until next week, everyone stay dapper.

All in a DayZ work.

Today, I am reviewing DayZ (I would have reviewed the Resident Evil Remake but I haven't carried on with it, damn you Battlefield Hardline Beta).

Note: This is a VERY early access game, so all the things I talk about and complain about are subject to change, I will post another review when it releases into Beta and then when it releases into a full game.

DayZ, the most infamous Early Access game on Steam. DayZ started out as a mod for a game called ArmA 2, which the ArmA series is the successor to a Operation Flashpoint games. DayZ was really the first game to kick off this whole "Zombie Survival" craze that has come about in recent years. I loved the mod, it had its flaws but its flaws is what made it.

So, the year is 2013, it is near Christmas. You are looking for a zombie survival game to play with your friends, but they don't have ArmA 2 and the DLC. DayZ released on the 16th December 2013, to much delight from the ever growing community. But people were also angry. People were mad that it wasn't a finished game, the amount of bugs, glitches and hackers put many off in the beginning, including myself.

Fast forward to today (8th Feb 2015) and it has just released v0.53. It has come A LONG way since the first version. They have really taken on board what the community says. In the beginning there were about 3 different types of clothing, two guns and the bare minimum of buildings that could be entered. Now there are so many types of clothing (military, civilian and clothing made out of animal leather), animals, a couple cars, more guns, the option for suicide, the ability to tie people up and almost the buildings can be entered.

Sure there are still bugs, like zombies going through walls and random dying from falling off a ladder but it is miles better than the competition (H1Z1 is miles off from being DayZ and does anyone still play Infestation Survivor stories).

I've had many a fun time in DayZ with my clan, including the clan battles (will link a Twitch VoD in at the bottom) but I've had many a rage moments in the early days from hackers and glitches.

I would recommend this game if you are a zombie game fan.

(sorry for the late upload, been getting college assignments completed before I go on holiday)

This weeks music choice is a rap about one of my favourite indie games that is on steam and on the internet, Town of Salem. Made by BoyinaBand and Minx.

The month of Feburary Highlights

So, its the new month, that means it is a new blog about the things to look forward to this month.

So, the first thing we can look forward to is the new Game of Thrones episode from Tell Tales, Episode 2: The Lost Lords which comes out first on the 3rd for PC, and all Playstation platforms, and a day later on the Xbox systems. The Battlefield: Hardline open beta starts on the 3rd for all platforms (if you are on PC you can preload it on Monday)
     The next, and biggest release of February is Evolve, I will most likely not be reviewing this, but Evolve comes out on the 10th for all platforms.
     The 13th sees the release of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate on the 3DS, and Majora's Mask 3D also releasing on the 3DS (damn, never wanted a 3DS more than ever).
     The new Total War game, Total War: Attila releases on the 17th for PC only, this interests me as it is a Total War game and it should be interesting playing as Attila controlling an army.
     The 'cinematic' The Order: 1886 releases on the 20th, not interested in it, I may end up playing it if we end up getting it at work, though the only game we have for the PS4 is that one Killzone game that was terrible.
     The final notable game of February is the first episode of Resident Evil: Revelations 2 - Episode 1. Not interested in this and the first Revelations game just couldn't keep my gripped to the story.

What game are you going to get this month (if any at all)? Any game that you think I missed and should have mentioned? Disagree with my opinion? Let me know. Till next time.

My most anticipated game for this month is probably the new GoT episode, not a strong month and it could be the weakest month this year. Let me know what you think of the Tell Tales GoT series so far.

   
My song of the week is Dyin' Flyin' by Tech N9ne, listen to it below.