Mailbag: 8.3.07

So I understand some of you disagreed with my Spyglass review.

Spyglass Board Games
What is wrong with David Craddock? Was he smoking crack when he wrote the Spyglass games review? He mentions at least 3 times in his article how nobody has ever heard of Reversi. Anybody older than 4 years old has heard of the game Othello.

I can't believe that IGN would actually post a review like this. It could possibly be one of the stupidest things I've ever read.

--Dave

Thanks for your feedback, Dave. To my knowledge, we don't allow any crack in the office, though if that weren't the case, I'd have gladly smoked some while playing Spyglass Board Games.

While I do indeed find it a bit embarrassing that I'd never really heard of Mancala or Reversi--didn't connect the dots to Othello until later; doh!--until I played Spyglass, my main point, which I articulated several times in the review, is that the game boils down to a barebones offering of Chess and Checkers; nothing more, nothing less. If you're all for that, then hey, feel free to purchase.
--Craddock

Xbox 360 Gamepad
This is Rune from Denmark. As Erik, I also have an 360 console from launch which is still going strong. Might be because since I'm nearly only playing UMK3, at least until Virtua Fighter 5 comes out.

Anyway, what are your thoughts on the 360 dpad? Why is it that that Microsoft have made the greatest controller ever for every other game except for fighting games? And with the way things are going, do you ever see Microsoft admitting making a mistake with the dpad, and releasing a new controller with a working dpad?
--Rune

Good question, Rune. The 360's d-pad has been a constant source of consternation for almost all 360 owners, but especially those owners who live for fighting games--just like I do, actually. It's often physically painful for me to play titles such as Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting and Ultimate MK3 with the d-pad, and as for the analog stick, it's just not suited to 2D fighters, as I'm sure you know.

I don't know about Microsoft re-designing the d-pad on the 360 controller, as it's quite established at this point, but I might have a nice alternative for you and other fighting game fans. Hori will be releasing a Virtua Fighter 5-themed arcade stick next week on Tuesday, August 7. Though I personally prefer controllers, an arcade stick is a fantastic means of accurately pulling off special moves and combos in 2D and 3D fighters alike.
--Craddock

Xbox Live Arcade Platinum Hits?
I just listened to 3 Red lights episode 4 and was wondering if you guys think they'll ever do greatest hits games/prices. With more and more games coming out some games will have almost no chance of getting noticed especially as the games get more complex and better looking. Also, it seems people are noticing that some of the ports are bad values and will not be purchased.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Keep up the good work.
--Phillip

I can't say for sure, but I don't think there's any chance of this happening, at least not under an official "Greatest" or "Platinum" Hits brand. XBLA titles are already pretty cheap, and while it's possibly that $10 and $15 titles could drop a few bucks, I wouldn't hold my breath for $5 software to go any lower.
--Craddock

The Ghost of StarCraft: Ghost
Hey guys. Just wanted to let you all know my launch system is still going strong. I will beat that curse!

As [for my] question, have you heard anything about StarCraft: Ghost? I am probably the only person looking forward to it still but have you heard anything?
--IguanaJon

Iguana, there just may be some hope for you yet! According to Blizzard Entertainment's Rob Pardo, StarCraft: Ghost has been "indefinitely postponed," though a resurrection is not outside the realm of possibility. Pardo also said that he believes "in that game and the characters, but we were not able to execute at the level we wanted to... Rather than work on that we had to focus on our other games. We're hoping one day to return to it."

Stranger things have happened!
--Craddock

Mass Effect PC
Why didn't you ask the BioWare people if they had any plans for a PC port of Mass Effect? It took 2 years for Jade Empire to get to the PC and now it seems they will be taking longer since they want to do a trilogy.
--Alarc

We didn't ask because the question has been asked to death, Alarc. True, Jade Empire and Knights of the Old Republic did make their way to the PC, and it's possible that the same thing might happen with Mass Effect, but as of right now, there aren't any plans for that to happen.
--Craddock


The Awakening of Alan Wake
Where in the name of God is Alan Wake? No E3 showing, no information. Is this game still around?
--John

Where, indeed? The status of the upcoming game from Remedy, a.k.a. "the Max Payne guys," has been on the minds of many Xbox 360 and PC gamers, especially after the game's conspicuous absence at this year's E3. Unfortunately, the developers aren't willing to reveal much. Quality is priority #1 according to Lasse Seppanen, producer on Alan Wake. "We're not tied to a schedule," Lasse said on alanwakefaq.com. Lasse continued by confirming that "we don't ... aim at a monolithic release date. If we can make a better game by giving it more time, that's the way we'll go."

Does this mean that Alan Wake might not see the light of day until years from now? Not at all. Lasse finished by stating that the development team has no intention of "working on Alan Wake five years from now."

At this point, I'd be willing to guesstimate a Holiday 2008 release, but the game's status is officially "TBA."
--Craddock

Thanks for all your questions, IGNers. Keep em comin!