Comments for Game & Write

Comment on The Problem with Perfection, or Why Tetris Sequels Suck by gnome

gnome — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:18:08 +0000

If I could agree more I would, but I can’t so I won’t. Besides, I could simply mention Bioshock 2…

Comment on The Problem with Perfection, or Why Tetris Sequels Suck by Bubble Beast

Bubble Beast — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 14:43:00 +0000

Legal wranglings, although I’m sure is very important, does seem spiral into ridiculousness sometimes! I wonder if the band Rocksmith will fair any better against the heavy hitter of Ubisoft?

Comment on The Problem with Perfection, or Why Tetris Sequels Suck by Marc

Marc — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 13:36:37 +0000

Well, property rights cover the use of a trademark and any word that is ‘confusingly similar’. So, whoever owns the Tetris trademark (not sure if that’s Alexey) would have a case against anyone adding ‘tris’ to their game, as it would be reasonable to think that the game was from the same developer or publisher.

There was a case recently that highlights the ridiculousness of this ruling. Notch, the developer of Minecraft is the author of a game called Scrolls, which Bethesda took umbridge to, their flagship series being called The Elder Scrolls (e.g. The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion and The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim). Notch was made to give up the trademark to his own game in order to continue using the title. Barmy.

Comment on The Problem with Perfection, or Why Tetris Sequels Suck by Bubble Beast

Bubble Beast — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:44:28 +0000

I wonder if Alexey has the intellectual property rights to the ‘tris’ suffix as both examples are again developed by him!! But I agree, different sized hats falling from the top of the screen that need to be stacked to be eliminated, it’s just Tetris with a different hat on! (ouch)

Comment on The Problem with Perfection, or Why Tetris Sequels Suck by Marc

Marc — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:32:00 +0000

I suppose Welltris is not the least deserving of the ‘tris’ suffix, but Wordtris? Hatris? Come on now!

Comment on The Problem with Perfection, or Why Tetris Sequels Suck by Bubble Beast

Bubble Beast — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:16:36 +0000

Oh how you dismiss Welltris so easily, I thought it was quite a good game and, more importantly, it actually lays claim to being the only real sequel to Tetris, as it was designed by none other than Alexey Pajitnov himself (with collaboration.)

Comment on My Name is Kyle Katarn and I’m a PC by Marc

Marc — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:35:55 +0000

Do you know, even when writing this piece, I’d completely forgotten about the soundtrack. How remiss… Thank you for the reminder (and video), I am now looking for a download of the whole thing. Somewhat perversely, it will make a lovely backdrop to some Settlers 2 sessions!

Glad to hear from someone else who played it, I was beginning to feel a little lonesome. :D

Comment on My Name is Kyle Katarn and I’m a PC by Chris Lepine

Chris Lepine — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:48:49 +0000

I was pleasantly surprised to see AfterLife pop up in your memories. I have fond memories of that game too, even though I *knew* at the time that it wasn’t going to do much more than SimCity had already done for me. I did not find the advisors too annoying – in fact, I enjoyed the devil advisor and his dry wit (reminding me now of the narrator in Dungeon Keeper to some degree).

What stood out for me in AfterLife though, was the fantastic soundtrack. It was, I think, composed and performed by Peter McConnell of Full Throttle and Grim Fandango fame. There is something about this game’s compositions that are alien, enticing, relaxing and sad.

Geez, I could write a whole article on this track. I consider it one of the finest musical compositions I’ve ever heard in a game:

Comment on My Name is Kyle Katarn and I’m a PC by Marc

Marc — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:10:48 +0000

Thanks, Gnomey! Glad you like it! ;)

As for Afterlife, if you can get past the slightly annoying advisers (they take the role of a demon and an angel to tempt/guide you – a bit like that annoying Microsoft paper clip times two) then you can have loads of fun.

Comment on My Name is Kyle Katarn and I’m a PC by gnome

gnome — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:58:35 +0000

A fantastic comeback and, hold on, is that a wholly re-designed site? Well, it does look absolutely excellent!

As for the games, couldn’t agree on your selection more. Well, I could agree, but then I wouldn’t be reading about Afterlife, would I? Really have to give this one a try at some point.