So to test this one out, I’ve decided to use our very own Nicole as the guinea pig for this change. I’ve summoned her from the depths of her dungeon and now has willingly sat down and talked for the interview.

We were studying at the same college why didn't I meet any gamer girls like her? *bitter*

Haoson: So what was your first video game?

Nicole: I believe it was Tetris. Or Galaga. Or Balloon Fight. Good god, I sucked so hard at Balloon Fight.

Haoson: TARA BALLOON FIGHT TAYO IN REAL LIFE!

Nicole: HAHAHAHAHA SHIT TAPOS MAY EVIL SEA CREATURE DIN?

Haoson: lol Anyway so I assumed that your first console was the famicom? What’s your fondest memories of the unit?

Nicole: Hihi, you said ‘unit’.

Haoson: LOL

Nicole: Okay seriously now. hahahaha I won’t call it the fondest memory but it happened so many times it’s ingrained in my system. I’m talking about that wonderful ritual of blowing the cartridge and praying to all that’s holy that the unit runs the game. (there are so many innuendos in this answer that I won’t even bother correcting myself haha)

Haoson: Umagang umaga nicole GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF! haha!

Nicole: But it’s the truth! Tell me you didn’t blow on your cartridge!

Haoson: I did blow that slot…. a lot of times….

Nicole: HAHAHAHA SEE! I REST MY CASE!

Haoson: Anyway what was your most favorite famicom game and why?

She plays DnD too hence the Dungeon Master Bit *wink wink*

Nicole: CONTRA. FOREVER. I remember being immensely satisfied with finishing Contra. It’s a surreal feeling, finishing a Nintendo Hard game. I vividly remember begging my brother “CAN WE PLEASE UP UP DOWN DOWN now?” Before I was educated about the Konami code, I called it Up Up Down Down. haha!

Haoson: Could you chronicle your game history after famicom? SHOW YOUR GAME CRED GIRL FRIEND *snap snap snap*

Nicole: After Famicom these are the games I loved. I played a lot of other things that I didn’t love. LOL. These are the life-changing ones that turned me into the antisocial loser I am today.
SNES – this marked the beginning of my love affair with RPGs. I will be forever thankful Nintendo <3

• Legend of Zelda
• Lufia 2
• Chrono Trigger
• Earthbound
• Ogre Battle
• Zombies Ate My Neighbors
• Final Fantasy VI (arguably the best FF there is)

PSOne – jumpstarted my love affair with Sony.

• Brave Fencer Musashi
• Final Fantasy VII
• Castlevania
  

  This goes right here says nicole :3

• Wild Arms
• Breath of Fire
• Final Fantasy Tactics
• Saga Frontier

PS2 – I was sad that PS2 only had a short life before Sony introduced the PS3. Short but meaningful tho.

• Persona 3 and 4
• Bully
• Final Fantasy X
• DMC 3 <3
• Kingdom Hearts 2
• Silent Hill 3
• Fatal Frame Series

PS3 – light of my life, fire of my loins

• Uncharted 2
• Heavy Rain
• Fallout 3
• Fallout: New Vegas
• Bioshock 2
• Dragon Age Origins
• Dragon Age Origins: Awakening

PC – forgotten realms and post apocalyptic dystopia is <3 (also zombies!)

• Dungeon Siege
• Neverwinter Nights
• Baldur’s Gate
• Icewind Dale
• Fallout 2
• Fallout Tactics
• Left for Dead 2

MMO – marked the dark ages lol

• Ragnarok Online
• Cabal PH
• Lost Saga
• Aika Online
• Aion Online
• Dance Battle Audition
• Dragonica
• Luna Online
• Granado Espada

Haoson: OH SNAP RO

Nicole: OH HELL YEAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *wink with open mouth smile*

Haoson: Seeing your list it seems that you are a big RPG fan, why is that?

Nicole: I’ve been writing stories since I was 10 years old. Games allow me to not only create  but actually be part of another world.

Haoson: With that said have you had the experience of being too “engrossed” in your own world?

Nicole: I would probably lose a lot of girl points by saying this but I once skipped bath for 3 days because I was too ‘engrossed’ in another world. I was like, “My character smells minty fresh! I DO NOT NEED A BATH!”

Haoson: What game was that?

Nicole: Happened once while I was playing Aika Online, and more times than I dare to admit while I was playing Dragon Age Origins

She likes to cosplay a missing pink eared cat-- oh that's billy beside her btw

Haoson: What made you decide to FINALLY take a bath?

Nicole: …. I was.. uhh.. starting to get itchy. Too gross?

Haoson: No, not really I’ve heard of worse things. So moving on, You’re a big DAO (Dragon Age Origins for you people who don’t know) fan right? What made you sooooooo love the game?

Nicole: Aside from Alistair? (this is the part where I desperately try to prove that I am a girl lol) It HAS to be replayability. I can tell a HUNDRED stories with what DAO was able to offer. I got to be a slutty heroine, a stoic noble girl, a lesbian lover, a mage hater. Create your own story is the future of RPGs! Haha

Haoson: So among the above mentioned characters you created what character archetype was the most fun to play? why? HERE WE GO [evil grin]

She wore my roy mustang cap during the mini meet with writers XD

Nicole: Oh dear. I enjoyed a lot of characters (the girl with the elf fetish is one of the fun ones) but I think I love my Noble Queen the most. I love her the most because I got to marry Alistair! THERE, I ADMIT IT.  It was that brilliant gem of a moment, when Alistair was introducing me as the hero of Ferelden, when his voice went all booming, “And, as a reward for your heroic efforts” and then adding in a voice meant ONLY FOR ME, “and as an engagement present.” I melted!

Haoson: So… do you consider your current BF as YOUR Alistair?

Nicole: He actually has a lot of things in common with Alistair. They’re both temple boys, both capable of delivering witty one-liners, they both fumble when trying to express their feelings. And… uh, I can also imagine going through that iconic Alistair conversation with him. (stalling this) hahahaha!

Haoson: Go on…. [evil smirk]

Nicole: The player would ask Alistair something like, “Since you grew up in a temple does that mean you have never…?” Alistair would say, “Never what? Had a good pair of shoes?” “You know what I mean” Then of course the convo escalates until Alistair admits that no, he has never had that kind of uhm, activity with women. His words, “The chantry isn’t exactly the place for rambunctious little boys” Boyfriend is exactly like that. And now I shall remain silent.

Haoson: So if your bf does that to you what would happen? [grin] (and yes dear readers, I’m purposely STRESSING THIS TOPIC)

Nicole: Does WHAT to me? [eyebrow raise]

Haoson: THAT [points at earlier conversation] the Alistair thing.

Nicole: well if he starts beating around the bush when I ask him if he has ever done it with a woman, I’d probably say “Awww… that’s really cute ” (which I think I did because the conversation DID happen OMG I SHOULD STOP TALKING NOW).

Haoson: Uh yeah you should there are areas where we uh… can’t tread ( at least not in the interview anyway, so we chat about THAT in the future ayt? LOL). So continuing on with DA II coming out what’s your thoughts about it?

Nicole: *nervous laugh* Boyfriend is so going to kill me for this. Anyway, YES, DA2! There has been a lot of talk that DA2 is going to be a dumbed down DAO. And I don’t want to believe it. I trust that Bioware will still give me the same depth and wonderful experience I had with Origins. It’s tough to shake the worries away though.

Haoson: so among the game devs is it safe to assume that you OH SO LOVE BIOWARE?

Nicole: YES! THEY ARE MADE OF WIN AND AWESOME AND UNICORNS AND HAPPY LAUGHING BABIES!

Haoson: If you’re given a chance would you jump at the next plane and visit their office?

Nicole: I’d WALK to Edmonton if I have to!

No it wasn't forced really... it wasn't

Haoson: You love them THAT Much eh?

Nicole: I was a dying gamer before Dragon Age Origins arrived. The last best RPGs I’ve played was Persona 3 and 4 and Square Enix was making me a sad panda game after game.  DAO came out and my hope for humanity burns once more. haha.

Haoson: So do you consider yourself a socially inept person? Since a lot of people consider gamers to be too reclusive to even work normally in society.

Nicole: Socially inept… probably not. However, I do manifest strong antisocial tendencies. (I have cancelled dates to stay home and play one too many times lol) Too reclusive to work normally in society? HAH! That’s exactly the thing. Personally, I treat my whole life like a game. I develop social links, stomp on goombas and level up. I work hard at what I do because I know that it will pay off in the end. The gamer in me knows that and believes that. If anything, games has taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, saying the right things at the right time and luck.

Haoson: What do you consider as your real life “goombas”?

Nicole: Douchebags, people who pull other people down in order to get ahead, people who cut lines, people who litter, jeepney drivers who smoke while driving (SRSLYWTF)

Haoson: Since you mentioned smoking Jeepney drivers, I had to ask, do you have any vice?

Nicole: Coffee. And alcohol.  and, hohyeah I’m going to be cheesy here, GAMING! GLORIOUS GAMING!

Haoson: So do you also agree with what kevin butler said on his time on the E3 Sony Conference? (which I personally think is the ONLY HIGH POINT in the sony part of E3)

Nicole: FOREVER MAY HE REIGN. *bows low*

Haoson: Sooo… what’s your message to other gamer girls out there? [smirk]

Nicole: I hate you Vince

Haoson: Thanks I love you too

Nicole: Okay, here’s my message: Nowadays, you give any chick a controller and she’s immediately marketed as a gamer girl. Doesn’t matter if the only game she ever played is Sims 3. “Girl Gamer” has become such a target for advertising that it loses its true meaning. It’s tough enough to be taken seriously as “girls who game” we don’t need this stereotyping to make it more difficult! I challenge every self-confessed girl gamer out there to explore new territory. Break the stereotype! Log out of Farmville! Play a game not just because it’s cute or because you can change outfits. PLAY IT TO OWN IT.

Haoson: So does this mean there’s a distinction between GAMER girls and girls who play video games?

Nicole: I’m usually averted to labels and titles which is why this whole “gamer girl” schtick makes me really uncomfortable. But I think the title “gamer” is such a big word to call yourself. It’s like calling yourself a writer. If you have to call yourself a writer, then you probably aren’t one. Everyone can play video games, but not everyone is a gamer. I think I’ll leave it at that.

Haoson: Okay thanks for the time! You can go back to your dungeon and torture people nao

Nicole: Great! My torture candle and whip has been waiting for me.

*whipish*

In celebration of their newest DLC, The Sacrifice, Valve is now on a 66% sale for both L4D and L4D2! Of course the offer is only limited to steam so don’t go hopping to the nearest store, say Datablitz, Gamestop or whatever. This is solely for the steam and steam alone. So fans of the game who would want their legit copies- you can now ask for people who have paypal or have own way of paying at steam to get you a copy and you can just shell out 300+ php eh? *wink wink* (it’s an estimate based on the exchange rate of USD to PHP)

Here’s the breakdown of the discounted prices of the two games and the bundles over at steam:

For L4D:

For L4D2:

aaaannnddd… for the Pack

I was kinda miffed when I saw the discount– I just bought L4D2 which was already priced at $19,99 oh well– makes me want to get L4D too for myself and my sis haha!

]]> http://www.back2gaming.com/news/slashed-prices-for-l4d-and-l4d2/feed/ 0 http://www.back2gaming.com/news/the-sacrifice-is-out/ http://www.back2gaming.com/news/the-sacrifice-is-out/#comments Wed, 06 Oct 2010 02:46:49 +0000 Haoson http://www.back2gaming.com/?p=738

The latest DLC for both L4D and L4D2 is finally out. Fans and owners of the game can log in and update their corresponding games to get the all new “The Sacrifice” map which adds a “sacrifice” feature where players can choose a character to they can “sacrifice”. This is Valve’s way of providing players “they’re own version” of how things went down before the L4D and L4D2 survivors meet at “The Passing”.

Here’s the complete list of what’s new with the DLC:

For L4D owners you have:

• The complete Sacrifice campaign with maps playable in Campaign, Versus, and Survival.

For L4D2 owners:

• “The Sacrifice” campaign and L4D1’s “No Mercy” both playable with the L4D1 Survivors. Each campaign is playable in Campaign, Versus, Survival, and Scavenge modes.
• Both feature the Left 4 Dead 2 Special Infected, items, and weapons.

You also have new achievements to aim for:

I’ve already downloaded the DLC for the game so probably you’ll be seeing me online over at steam later tonight. Aside from the DLC the last and final webcomic, part 4 of the sacrifice is out. You’ll see how Bill ended things and see how his life was before the game.

With October just a few days in, It would mean that the latest reiteration of the Front Mission franchise will be open to us in the PAL region. More specifically, the game is just four more days away from going live on steam.

This coming October 8, Front Mission Evolved will be open to those who have steam accounts. I personally am waiting with baited breathe for this one since I’ve been recently saturated with zombies because of my recent acquisition of games, Left 4 Dead 2 and Dead Rising 2.

I’ve been meaning to get the game since I saw the trailer where you can now pilot the fabled wanzers instead of just controlling them like chesspieces on the battlefield. While some FM fans didn’t like the change (Bossmac as an example) I find it pretty refreshing at least to give us players the opportunity to feel like actual pilots.

Front Mission Evolved is set in the year 2171, 50 years after the events of Front Mission 5: Scars of the War. The human race has started a massive push for space exploration through orbital elevators to set up surveillance satellites to watch over their adversaries. However, tension rises when one of the elevators in USN North America is destroyed by unknown forces. Dylan Ramsey, a young engineer, finds himself quickly caught in a swirl of destruction, conspiracies and crumbling alliances in a new war brewing between the O.C.U. and the U.C.S. (lifted from the FME post at Wikipedia)

The game has been released already last September 28 for North America players. However PAL and European regions are only going to get some wanzer action this Oct. To spice things up, people who pre-ordered the game over at steam will get free wanzers, Rexon & Calm.

gameplay photos are courtesy of IGN

]]> http://www.back2gaming.com/news/front-mission-evolved-coming-out-this-week/feed/ 0 http://www.back2gaming.com/news/the-sacrifice-is-coming/ http://www.back2gaming.com/news/the-sacrifice-is-coming/#comments Fri, 01 Oct 2010 05:46:33 +0000 Haoson http://www.back2gaming.com/?p=673

Yeah Francis the end is near! *Evil Laugh*

L4D and L4D2 players rejoice! The latest DLC for both games will becoming out tuesday next week, October 5. “The Passing” will narrate the story on how things went down in “The Passing” campaign, where you see Bill, slumped down hear the motor all dead with his trusty gun beside him.

On a similar note, L4D’s wecomic, the Sacrifice just released their third comic, this time focusing on Francis life prior the game. Part four of the series will also come out on Oct. 5, with the focus on the last survivor (soon to be dead) Bill.

writer’s note: Just in case you’re going to hang me up for that spoiler, in my defense, Bill’s ALREADY dead in the Passing– unless you haven’t played the game. If that’s the case it’s not my problem anymore

“The Sacrifice” is the prequel to “The Passing,” and takes place from the Left 4 Dead Survivors’ perspective as they make their way South. You may read the comic to find out the official version of events or this October 5th you may play the game to choose your own ending.

In “The Sacrifice” for Left 4 Dead, gamers receive the complete Sacrifice campaign with maps playable in Campaign, Versus, and Survival. There are 5 new achievements, a new style finale and plenty of places for devastating Hunter pounces.

For Left 4 Dead 2, gamers receive “The Sacrifice” campaign and L4D1’s “No Mercy” both playable with the L4D1 Survivors. This version also offers 5 new achievements. In the L4D2 version of “The Sacrifice” each campaign is playable in Campaign, Versus, Survival, and Scavenge modes, and both “The Sacrifice” and L4D2 version of No Mercy feature the Left 4 Dead 2 Special Infected, items, and weapons. Yes, Zoey with a chainsaw!

“The Sacrifice” will be available as two separate packages on Xbox Live for 560 Microsoft Points each and free to all PC gamers.

Valve also released a trailer for the upcoming DLC… I’ve had goosebumps after watching this one.

The part 2 of The Sacrifice comic book of Valve’s Left 4 Dead was released last September 21.The second part of the comic tells the backstory of Zoey’s life prior the game including a series of events which will lead to the DLC “The Passing”.

The Sacrifice is the latest DLC for both L4D games will tell the story of the events that happened prior to The Passing, where it is known that the L4D2 survivors will get the chance to meet the three survivors from the first L4D game. It’s pretty apparent that the DLC will kill one of the survivors and it’d be your decision who will make that sacrifice.

Parts three and four will be live on September 28 and Oct. 5 respectively. The last remaining parts will tell the story of Francis and Bill and what their lives were prior to the game.

You can read the comic on this link.

• Lilium
• Rukia9

Game/s Played:

• Final Fantasy 5-12
• Chrono Cross
• Xenosaga Episode II-III
• Kingdom Hearts 1 & 2
• Ar Tonelico
• Brave Story
• Samurai Warriors 1 & 2 (includes both Xtreme Legends)
• Fable II
• Obscure II
• Resident Evil 2 & 3
• Bully
• Odin Sphere
• Left 4 Dead
• Left 4 Dead II
• Audition
• Perfect World
• O2Jam
• Tekken 1-6
• Soul Calibur IV
• Gears of War 2 and the list goes on XD

Game/s currently playing:

• Final Fantasy 7 (PSP Re-release)
• Final Fantasy 13
• Bayonetta
• Assassin’s Creed II
• Burnout: Dominator

What’s your main game?

• Left 4 Dead, I will always prefer the first game. I like how they gave character to Zoey, she’s into gaming as well.

How did you start playing video games?

• It all started with my FAMICOM. I felt cool back then having one. XD

What was your first game?

• Super Mario Bros.

Your proudest gaming moment?

• I was with my college friends in the arcades, I borrowed 1 token because I was being frugal that day. I played this game called “Rumble Fish”; I was going through the stages smoothly, friends were amused by all this they started challenging me and they couldn’t win. FYI, it was my first time playing Rumble Fish. I reached the final boss but was defeated I think I won one round but it was all in vain, hehe. I’m proud of this ‘cause it all happened with 1 token, I’m not really an arcades person.

Game Affiliations: (guilds, clans, forums etc.)

• Pixel Otaku (long ago was FFWorlds)
• I founded the once Friendster group called “RPG Masters”.

Preferred Game Genre: (mmorpg, fps, rpg, action, etc.)

• Definitely RPGs! I’ve always wanted games that deliver an in depth storyline which is commonly found in Role Playing Games.

Preferred Gaming Platform: (PC, consoles or handeld)

• It is quite a tie between consoles and handheld; consoles because it’s worth it, every month its bound to have a new game released, most of the games that I’ve been very fond of I’ve played in consoles. Handheld, well simply because of the fact that it is very handy, you can anywhere as long as the situation allows you to; my PSP has become of the things I’ve become accustomed to bringing with me.

If you were given a choice for a free console what would you choose from the three? Wii, Ps3 or Xbox360?

• PS3! Why?! Well…first off, I don’t have one. I’m a 360 owner. I’d like to see what the PS3 has to offer, with all the great reviews and feedbacks it’s been getting, I can browse the internet, there definitely is something with that console and it’ll be a great addition to my Playstation collection. I would also like to try MGS.

How about if you were given a free handheld what would you choose? Nintendo DS or PSP?

• NDS! I’ve yet to play with it so it would be really great if I had one!

Are you more of an online or offline gamer?

• I’m more of an offline gamer; I haven’t played MMOs for a long time.

Let’s say you were given the choice to change the world into one of the games you played before (or you are currently playing), what game would it be?

• Definitely Final Fantasy 8, I really liked the whole school concept. It would be great to actually have a school like Balamb Garden,  I really liked how they designed it, makes you envious of Squall The towns in the game are also great, if I’m to live there, I’d live in Balamb City because it seems like a peaceful place.

If you can change yourself into one of the many heroines in any game, who would you change into?

• Mitsuru Kirijo from Persona 3; she’s one of my ultimate favorite heroines. Mitsuru’s character really amuses me, I like her snobbish I’ll kick your arse if you get too close personality. Plus, she lives in Japan and points a gun on her head to summon her Persona. It’s pure win.

If you would be given a power from a game character, what kind of power would you ask for? Why and what will you do with it?

• Sonic’s ability to run fast! Haha, I would really like to have that to avoid the heavy traffic I usually stumble upon, I wouldn’t  need a car anymore I’ll just grab my boyfriend then and we’ll head off to school! XD

What are your other hobbies aside from gaming?

• My boyfriend and I are fond of web designing; I’m currently learning how to do things.  I’m also into graphic designing; I update my DeviantArt whenever I have something new. I like learning new things especially when they’re related to computers. I enjoy watching movies, tv shows, J-dramas with my boyfriend.

Why do you think pinay gamers rock?

• Because we can kick just as much arses

What’s your message to all the gamers out there?

• Video games will never fail to entertain you, but it should be done in moderation. I think you’ll be able to enjoy playing video games even more when you have nothing to worry about school, so school tasks always comes first. School and video games are two things that will never agree with each other. There’s time for school and there will always be time for gaming ^__^

Like most people, I started my MMO career with Ragnarok Online. And like most people, I would have been filthy rich by now if it weren’t for Ragnarok Online. Damn it.

Aaaah yes, even after all these years I can still remember the excruciating pain I had to go through to be an acolyte. Curse you Father Rubalkabara for living in the middle of nowhere! And you Choco, a big FUCK YOU to you too for… well, for hanging out near Rubalkabara’s place!

Eventually I did become a priest, a high priestess even, and I was Full Support all the way. Like a good, obedient little FS, I learned every single skill that’s useful to everyone but me. I was happy. Until of course I came across morons like these too often to count:

Wiz: aTe HeAL wAk T@ng@
Me: >.> *heal*
Wiz: FS ka b? Di kA aTa mAruNonG
Me: …. hindi porket may pari di ka na mamamatay. Wag kang sugod ng sugod kasi, ang lambot lambot mo eh.
Wiz: *charges on ahead, leaves me behind*
-Wiz dies after getting hit twice –
Wiz: aWtZz! B0B0 P0T@!!!! WaLA KaNG KWeNTA!

I played Full Support for a little over 6 years. I’ve been battered, scammed, accused of being a guy, of being gay, of being a fugly ass ho’ all because people think that every single Priest is their own personal katulong.

When they die, they blame the Priest. Does it matter that they’re way too weak for that area and don’t bring their own emergency pots? No, of course not! It’s the Priest’s fault! Does it matter that they charge blindly ahead and leave their Priest behind? No, the Priest should have been like a guardian angel attached to their hip! Of course, it’s the Priest’s fault! Come on you guys, FS Priests are working WITH you, not FOR you.

So I took a break from being the unappreciated, whiplashed FS and took on my friend’s recommendation to play Left 4 Dead 2. I found myself holding a gun and walking around while blasting zombies to kingdom come. It felt… right. It felt good. Hm. Yes. OH. YES. FEEL GOD’S WRATH FOOLS!

All the pent up rage of being everyone’s on-call bitch has indirectly trained me to have dead aim and L4D2 just took off the lid that has been keeping my killer instinct in check. I was on a mad rampage. I played shooter games before but never did I enjoy it THIS MUCH. I guess it helped that my FS training has developed a searing loathing for the undead. This also marked the beginning of my beautiful love affair with blood and gore. More on this love in future posts.

And that is why I will never ever play Full Support again. I’d rather die kicking and screaming with my gun down a zombie’s throat than die while keeping everyone else alive (and being cursed at while doing so, too!)