June 2011: Financial Threshold Green
Temperatures here in the Mid-Atlantic area have surpassed 90 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity for a few days running now. Plants are exploding in growth, bugs are impersonating rabbits and there’s talk of the need of “SPFs” around the house. That means two directly related events, the arrival of summer and its omnipresent buddy, the Great Summer Gaming Lull.
Publisher have begun realizing that the cusp of Q3/Q4 isn’t a sure bet for every game, genre or quality notwithstanding. There’s so much noise in that period that gems have been held off until Q1 or Q2 the following year to allow for added maturation and better PR penetration. Or left to die in the tidal wave.
The realization that games can be sold from June till August continues to escape most publishers. I levy the idea that this would be a great opportunity to test the waters for new intellectual properties, game ideas, handheld offerings (fun in the sun while gaming!) or AA games.
There’s still a gaming appetite, even if it is depressed by summer activities, that is never satiated.
In other news, E3 2011 starts next week, June 7-9, which is another reason for having an anemic release schedule in June. I won’t be attending this year (*gasp*). The new rules will not stop me from covering the show for LoreHound though.
Purchased:
- F.3.A.R. (June 21) – Horrible acronym notwithstanding (thanks Sierra!), the franchise has had me hook, line, and sinker since the moment I fled my room after Alma had me yelping for my mommy (who would have just made fun of me). The franchise took a turn to more action, less scaring in the most recent instalment (and DLC). I’ve discussed my reservations, but hold hope that F.3.A.R. makes me scared of the dark again. And pregnant ladies. Check out my interview and “F*CKING Run!” multiplayer mode demo. Oh, and a $20 gift card doesn’t hurt.
Likely:
- Red Faction: Armageddon (June 7) – Time and again I plan on getting a Red Faction game, only to overlook it, to let it pass by. The destruction tech that Volition develops is reason enough to purchase, which I usually during discount season. Yet, I rarely actually play the damn games, never beating a single one.
- Alice: Madness Returns (June 14) – Alice was an absolute shock to my system. It was the first piece of reinvented/expanded medium that sold me on the idea. I was completely engrossed in the dark, disturbed world that Alice lived in after Wonderland. American McGee struggled to return to Alice’s greatness afterwards. Here’s to hoping her return is his return.
- Duke Nukem: Forever (June 14) – I wouldn’t say that I’ve matured all that much, I’m always up for a cheap pop, slapstick humor or ridiculous prank, but Duke Nukem: Forever isn’t doing it for me. Waiting on reviews or a hefty discount.
Sorry:
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (June 19) – The Nintendo 64 version, Master Quest and Collector’s Editions have all been championed by these skilled hands. One more go is tempting, especially given my collection mentality, but new experiences await.
Honorable Mentions:
Couldn’t find any upcoming DLC or video game-based novels that interest me enough to worth mentioning.
