Mailbag From Jul 25, 2006

Jul 6, 2006 Jun 26, 2006 May 23, 2006 May 19, 2006 Apr 21, 2006 Apr 14, 2006 Apr 10, 2006 Apr 6, 2006 Mar 29, 2006 Mar 20, 2006 Mar 10, 2006 Mar 1, 2006 Feb 24, 2006 Feb 23, 2006 Feb 13, 2006 Feb 3, 2006 Feb 2, 2006 Jan 27, 2006 Jan 25, 2006

This is a two part question, and since you Insider guys are not affiliated with any specific games channel, I pose it to you: Are we in the middle of the worst summer for videogames ever?

--Robert

Absolutely, Robert. Summer 2006 should officially go down as the worst in videogame history, at least as far as quality software releases are concerned, with a close second being each successive summer before videogames were invented. I seriously stopped playing games altogether a few months ago after I finished Hitman: Blood Money, and the last time that happened was when I got grounded in middle school for smoking and mom took away my 3DO.

--Craig

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Busy Bees

I've asked before but never got an answer, but the question is regarding the lack of game video reviews on the IGN site. I'm sure there's a good reason (time, E3) but I was just wondering when you were planning on having more video reviews on the site. Thanks!

--Don

After the integration of the IGN Weekly Show a few months back, the 5 member video team at IGN was burdened with the responsibility of producing a feature that should contain a staff of twice that. Still though, those guys have been busting their butts to handle all other day-to-day video assignments like processing trailers, gameplay clips, cutting interviews, etc, etc. I feel confident in saying that they've still been providing video reviews for all major releases across platforms.

But since video reviews went free last year, you'll rarely see them on the Insider page unless they're in HD. Maybe that's why a few have slipped past you, Don.

--Craig

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Riddick Sequals?

I was wondering if you guys might have info on a new Riddick game and/or movie. I don't know how everyone else feels, but I think fans are long overdue for some information on another installment in either category.

PS. Why not returning my phone calls Inbox? I thought we had something special, /teardrop.

--Michael


Starbreeze AB, developers of Butcher Bay, are now working on the Darkness for next gen platforms, and haven't released any info on a follow up to Butcher Bay. I remember a while back Vin Diesel told some reporter a sequel was "In the works", but with nothing to go on besides Vin's words, I wouldn't hold your breath for another Riddick game any time soon, Michael.

The Inbox isn't looking for a relationship. You knew what this was.

--Craig

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Virtual Hope

I just recently joined IGN in hopes of finding out more information about the "Game Library" that was in talks about getting the rights to port old 8-bit and 16-bit games from almost every system. And I have managed to no find anything on this subject in recent talks. I also subscribe to EGM and Game Informer and nil is the word. Got any info?

Besides the recent announcement that the Turbo Grafx title Bonk's Adventure has been confirmed for the virtual console, nope we got nothin' at this point. But, don't worry; the second any more titles are confirmed you'll read it here first on IGN.

--Craig

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"Classic" my arse

Some of your guy's choices for games you hated were just wrong in my opinion. Contra was/is bad ass. That's a classic in my mind with Double Dragon. How can you hate any Zelda game? Well except those CD-i ones. I agree about Gran Turismo being overrated but I don't hate it. Same with the MGS series. Kid Iccarus was unbeatable unless you use a rom and save state. Battletoads was fun minus the damn bike level. Metroid was great; just too bad you had to back track a lot to earn energy. I guess that's it for now. I like these kinds of topics. I miss the old 8 bit and 16 bit eras.

--Paul

Don't we all miss those era's just a little bit, Paul? I'm more into the arcade-style racers myself, so I've never gotten into Gran Turismo extensively, even though I'm a customization freak. I completely understand its appeal, but I can see where Daemon was coming from when he made those comments. Steven Ng is crazy; Battletoads was amazing. Don't listen to anything he says, because he writes FAQ's and no one respects that. I stand behind my Metroid Prime statement.

If you have no idea what the relevance of Paul and I's conversation is, then check out our last roundtable on "classic" games it's ok to hate.

--Craig

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The PS3 Fails

I just had an idea for an article I'd love to read (for you guys to make), ok, we all know about Sony's woes and wii60 and the 700 million dollar loan, all this negativity towards Sony and the ps3, right? Now, you guys can do a "what if" article...what if the ps3 fails!? This question, I'm sure, is in the mind of a lot of readers. Sure, some argue Sony will go on, others say, what with the billions they are behind because of the ps3 production, will bankrupt and die, still others say the ps3 WILL be successful, but what this article is about is WHAT IF the ps3 fails. You guys being very knowledgeable about this stuff could share your input. Thanx a bunch!

--alex

We got two of our most opinionated editors here at IGN , Jeremy Dunham and Gerry Block, to debate whether or not the PS3 will be a monumental failure in IGN Weekly Episode 2. Also, regular Insider contributor Alex Wollenschlaeger, touched on the same issue in his latest Digital Culture. Both of those features should give you enough of the info you're looking for, Alex.

--Craig