DC Essentials

The Flap Jaw Space Power Rankings - Episode 51

sarcoa@gmail.com (Eric Layman) — Mon, 14 May 2012 01:30:23 GMT

Welcome to the Flap Jaw Space Power Rankings (text edition), a written recap of the dynamic perversion and informal melee that unfolded on the previous episode of Flap Jaw Space: The Digital Chumps Podcast (http://digitalchumps.com/blog20/flap-jaw-space-episode-51.html). Power Rankings is a running segment where we continually update the ten best games of 2012 every episode. If you're new, there's quite a bit of nuance and havoc that goes into these deliberations, most of which you can read about in the origin story here (http://digitalchumps.com/component/content/article/134-news-and-other-musings/9138.html). The important thing to remember is that Chris had this idea approximately one (1) week before the similarly themed concept (http://www.theverge.com/label/the-besties-podcast) from Polygon. So, without further delay, THE FLAP JAW SPACE POWER RANKINGS EPISODE 51 (http://digitalchumps.com/blog20/flap-jaw-space-episode-51.html) - MAY 8TH, 2012 Going in: 1 Journey, as played on PlayStation Network by Chris, Eric and (somewhat begrudgingly) Steve 2 Fez, as played on Xbox Live Arcade by Chris and Eric 3 Read more... (http://digitalchumps.com/component/content/article/134-news-and-other-musings/9166.html)

Flap Jaw Space [Episode 51]

chris@digitalchumps.com (Chris Stone) — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:37:46 GMT

In the interest of condensation, we're going to post new episodes here in blog format. That way, you can access all of Eric's written recaps and other musing related to the podcast. The RSS feed will stay exactly the same, so you and the other millions (and millions) of Flap Jaw Space listeners do not have to update your aggregators and such. As always, thanks for listening to our idiotic blathering. Despite the fact that we promise a free copy of The Witcher 2 (PC) at the beginning the podcast this week, we forget by the end. (I promise we'll do it next week.) Aside from that, we're talking updated Power Rankings this week, with special respect to Steve's perspective on Fez. Also making appearances this week are the awesome Awesomenauts, Pushmo, The Darkness II, Super Monday Night Combat, and a little mop up duty from 2011's backlog. Don't forget your $200 sunglasses this Read more... (http://digitalchumps.com/component/content/article/134-news-and-other-musings/9155.html)

On Awesomenauts and the Terrifying World of MOBA

chris@digitalchumps.com (Chris Stone) — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:59:33 GMT

I've always (unjustly) assumed that the communities surrounding popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games such as League of Legends are about as receptive to outsiders as groups frequented by characters portrayed by Edward Norton and Edward Furlong (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_History_X). Defending lanes of ever-progressing AI drones, smashing turrets, and new-player griefing seemed to be the common threads. But why the hell are they called MOBAs anyway? Isn’t everything that is both online and competitive considered a multiplayer online battle arena? Degrees of specificity in game genre nomenclature notwithstanding, developer Ronimo Games has hybridized the console-unfamiliar concept of the MOBA with the 90s-style 2D action game that resembles Metal Slug with a Saturday-morning cartoon motif. Think of it as team-based, multiplayer Mega Man. In fact, Capcom would be well-served to take notice, rather than murdering the Blue Bomber and all of eighty of his robot buddies. MOBA-style Read more... (http://digitalchumps.com/component/content/article/134-news-and-other-musings/9148.html)

Introducing The Flap Jaw Space Power Rankings

sarcoa@gmail.com (Eric Layman) — Fri, 04 May 2012 23:49:22 GMT

Flap Jaw Space: The DigitalChumps Podcast finally hit Episode 50 (http://digitalchumps.com/featured-electronics/132-features/9111-flap-jaw-space-the-digitalchumps-podcast-episode-50.html) last week (well, it was really our 57th recording, but 50 official episodes). Up until Episode 48 (http://digitalchumps.com/featured-electronics/132-features/8959-flap-jaw-space-the-digitalchumps-podcast-episode-48.html), the bulk of Flap Jaw Space followed a fairly standard podcast model of three hosts (and an occasional bonus character) discussing all of the games we had played since the previous podcast. Flap Jaw Space also used to feature special segments like "Steve Plays a Game He Should Have Already Played," "Retroactive ShitStorm," "How Much Do You Realize," and "Burn this Mother Fu**er Down," but eventually all of that eroded into a catch-all of profanity, countless stories that were tangentially (if that) related to gaming, and a verbal deluge of ideas and/or critical theories that almost made sense. We still plan on doing all of that, but to add some focus and relevance to the 2012 gaming landscape Chris Stone developed Read more... (http://digitalchumps.com/component/content/article/134-news-and-other-musings/9138.html)

Flap Jaw Space: The DigitalChumps Podcast [Episode 50]

chris@digitalchumps.com (Chris Stone) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:54:00 GMT

"Because video games." You guys ever heard of a podcast? Well, if you haven’t this podcast is for you. In our monumental 50th episode, Steve’s baby gets sick and he has to bail, but through the miracle of science and the Time Cube, we are able to come together to bring you some discussion on Eric’s trip to Las Vegas for the Namco event, some exploits from the British West Indies, and more off-topic banter than you can shake your tiny fist at. This podcast will explode your mind into a comfortable, yet exciting blend of Cuban tobacco and action games built by Squaresoft. In addition: Fez, Trials HD, Xenoblade Chronicles, Mutant Blobs Attack, and Baby Sidequest.com. Read more... (http://digitalchumps.com/featured-electronics/132-features/9111-flap-jaw-space-the-digitalchumps-podcast-episode-50.html)

Flap Jaw Space: The DigitalChumps Podcast [Episode 49]

chris@digitalchumps.com (Chris Stone) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:26:00 GMT

The most important thing about this episode is not the content we discuss, but the dietary supplements we ingest. For some reason, we're still making podcasts, and we're almost to Episode 50. That in itself is a feat of pure majesty. This time, we're dabbling in Mass Effect 3, Journey, and a few dumb Android platform games. More important, we extract knowledge from the Steve-brain as per usual, and find one of the many secrets of the galaxy. Thank you ruining your time with us! Read more... (http://digitalchumps.com/featured-electronics/132-features/9050-flap-jaw-space-the-digitalchumps-podcast-episode-49.html)

Flap Jaw Space: The DigitalChumps Podcast [Episode 48]

chris@digitalchumps.com (Chris Stone) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:31:00 GMT

As the battle for the GOTY Ladder wages on, we invite good pal and fellow idiot Nick Bishop back into the fray to talk a little Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. In addition, we bring Ziggaraut, Syndicate, and Alan Wake's American Nightmare to the table. Much to our surprise, an American Nightmare does not entail a home foreclosure or steadily increasing rates of unemployment. The PlayStation Vita is out too, and at least one person on this podcast cares. All this, and more, as the perpetual video game outsiders of Flap Jaw Space will fill the needs that you probably don't have! Read more... (http://digitalchumps.com/featured-electronics/132-features/8959-flap-jaw-space-the-digitalchumps-podcast-episode-48.html)

Flap Jaw Space: The DigitalChumps Podcast [Episode 47]

chris@digitalchumps.com (Chris Stone) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:48:00 GMT

We're unlocking the secrets of the TimeCube and rehashing Steve's exploits and adventures in trolling Tommy Tallarico so, so hard in this week's (month's?) exciting version of Flap Jaw Space. There's a lot to love this week, including some Twisted Metal gangbangery and a little Diablo 3 Beta speak. We're not entirely sure what else is in store, but please be warned, the people speaking into microphones in the enclosed file are in no way representative of the human race. You've been warned, aliens. Read more... (http://digitalchumps.com/featured-electronics/132-features/8907-flap-jaw-space-the-digitalchumps-podcast-episode-47.html)

The Darkness II Developer Conference Call

steven@digitalchumps.com (Steven McGehee) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:22:00 GMT

At a recent developer conference call, two members of devleoper Rebellion talked about The Darkness II, out this Tuesday for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. The game takes place two years after the events of the first one released in 2007, and players once again reprise the role of Jackie, a mob hitman who was consumed by The Darkness when his girlfriend was violenty murdered by a rival mob. In the last two years, Jackie went from being a "lowly" hitman to becoming a full-blown don.But his personal demons stemming from the violent loss of his girlfriend still trouble him. Additionally, The Brotherhood, a group dedicated to taking control of The Darkness for its own purposes, is after Jackie. After a failed attempt on Jackie's life, The Darkness re-awakens and is thirsty for flesh and blood. As Jackie, players will be able control a variety of realistic guns Read more... (http://digitalchumps.com/featured-electronics/132-features/8862-the-darkness-ii-developer-conference-call.html)

Run Roo Run's adorable, cash hungry Kangaroo

sarcoa@gmail.com (Eric Layman) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:12:06 GMT

“Free to play” games don’t usually strike my interest. That particular business model, which prices the base game at little to no cost and then offers upgrades or time savers for additional fare, has been embraced by almost every modern MMORPG along with the more recent DOTA-style competitive experiences. The rationale seems sound when applied to customization; cosmetic accessories are mostly inconsequential to gameplay and don't serve to diminish the experience of another. The free to play model starts to slide into a moral grey area when it offers quick access to items that would otherwise require hours grinding. That particular method could be employed purely to exploit players by creating unrealistic goals only possible through needless tedium, but good games often err on the side of catering this method to the casual or lazy and, thus, gaining acceptability. Run Roo Run!, 5th Cell's first ground-up Read more... (http://digitalchumps.com/component/content/article/134-news-and-other-musings/8838.html)