this article about how Mass Effect 2 players will have to change discs at some point in the gameplay

Sucks for those guys.

Then again, since Mass Effect 2 isn’t even coming to the PS3 [despite earlier rumors] I guess it actually sucks for PS3 players.

But will I still laugh at the disc change?

You betcha.

Since I’m all about time wasting on the internet, I figured I might as well look around and see if any other games are going to require the dreaded disc change like Mass Effect 2.

Guess what I found?

Final Fantasy XIII on THREE discs if you buy the game for Xbox 360.

I don’t remember the last time I played a game that required multiple discs but I’m pretty certain it was a PS2 game.

So I can’t help but wonder, if you have both systems, will you be buying Final Fantasy XIII for PS3 to get out of the dreaded disc switch or do you not care and for you future Mass Effect 2 owners out there, do you think the disc switch is going to annoy you?

Image|Bioware

Post from: EveryJoe

Mass Effect 2 Includes Dreaded Disc Change

Because of that, I mindlessly surf the internet and then make note of the sites that I’ve found interesting so I can tweet them and also so I can email them to friends. I figured I might as well share them with you if I’m already making a list, so, here we go.

In no particular order:

1. Digital Game Tables: Takes retro and gaming and furniture and then tosses it all into an oven. After 20 minutes at 350°, you’re left with some awesome stuff.
2. 9 Levels of Cosplay Hell: Some of these pictures are just funny. And some of these pictures will burn themselves onto your retinas for the rest of your natural life.
3. Toad Has Been Giving Us “The Finger” Since 1985 – Who knew the little mushroom guy from Mario was such a douche?
4. Red Square game: I’m including this game on here because I’m an evil bitch. Plain and simple.
5. 17 Insanely Modded Game Console Controllers: Not only did these people have way too much time on their hands, but they also made some freakin’ awesome stuff. #1 is my favorite.
6. NES Sounds: Think of the fun you’ll have calling up your friends and then playing some of these gems for your friends when they say something stupid. There’s also the option of sharing the clips on Facebook or Twitter.
7. GameTab: Basically a big feed aggregator for all things “video games” including reviews, gaming news and downloads.
8. Left 4 Dead Playground Style: Left 4 Dead + playground=awesome.
9. Stunning Video Game Locales: Bioshock and Oblivion were givens for me but you know, I never considered Shadow of the Colossus or Fallout 3…something about the giants and radiation just puts me off. Maybe it’s just me?
10. 10 Most Wanted Video Games of 2010: The title pretty much explains it all. Santa, if you’re reading this, I’ll take Heavy Rain, Bioshock 2, The Last Guardian and please add Diablo III to the list? Thanks in advance.

Image|Emil Erlandsson

Post from: EveryJoe

Favorite Gaming Links of the Week

Anyway, the movie is all about the social structure of high school and believe it or not, the movie isn’t that bad. And since it grossed over 129 million bucks, I guess Paramount decided to ring this title for all it’s worth since they’ve released Mean Girls: High School Showdown – an Apple app – for your iPhone or iPod Touch for the low, low introductory price of $.99.

Since Santa hasn’t brought me either an iPhone or and iPod Touch, I haven’t played this game but I find myself wondering why you would want to?

You choose from four different character types – slacker, nerd, rebel or art freak – and then try to rule North Shore High. As if I real high school wasn’t bad enough for most people.

Then again, it is only $.99.

Image|Paramount

Post from: EveryJoe

Mean Girls for Your iPhone

Or, I think of this:

And after finding this game, I realize that herding cats isn’t necessarily impossible…it’s just really damn hard to quit playing.Looks simple enough, right? Look at those crappily drawn cats. This will be a cinch.

Success!

And right here is where I should have stopped.

I had beaten the stupid game – and on my first try – so there was no reason for me to keep playing the game but I had to try again. Because logically, if I beat it once, I could do it again…and again…and again.

I played this stupid game on and off all day.

There’s no good reason for me doing that. No way I can really justify it but once you play this “casual game” you’ll understand.

Or maybe it’s just me?

Images|Screengrabs

Post from: EveryJoe

Who Says You Can’t Herd Cats?

I don’t feel the need to act impartial since we all have our favorites and it’s best for people to know where you stand.

Because of this, I get a lot of questions about why I love my PS3 or if I think someone should buy a PS3.

I got one of those questions last week from a friend who wanted to know if he should get a Wii or a PS3 and if there were any “kid friendly” games for the PS3.

Of course, I told my friend that the PS3 was a better buy. Though there aren’t all of the Wii Sports games for the PS3 [duh], the PS3 does double as a Blu-Ray/DVD player [great if you have kids] and there are tons of “casual games” available for download or just to play if you go into PlayStation Home.

Add to that the fact that you now have Twitter and Facebook functionality and Netflix…well…I told my friend to get a Wii as a “complementary” system but not as his primary system.

What made me write this today was this piece I found that’s from back in 2006 from a writer at RPG Site: 5 Reasons Why I’m Buying a PS3. This led me to start looking for a more recent take on why a PS3 is the best system to buy which led me to another self-professed PS3 fan: Roger Altizer from About.com. Like the RPG Site piece, Altizer gives some compelling reasons to buy a PS3 over the other systems.

I know why I paid a premium for my 20GB PS3, but with so many people considering buying gaming systems for Christmas, I’m wondering what system you bought [or are going to buy] and your reasons?

Image|Sony

Post from: EveryJoe

I Love the PS3 But What System Do You Love?

Of course, as things tend to happen, over the Thanksgiving holiday, I lost the link.

Today [lucky me and lucky you] I found a video of what I had seen before and thought I would finally share with you my find.

From my memory of the images and seeing this video, the PC version is superior to the console versions. The PS3 version comes in a second and the 360 version is right behind it.

The comparison video isn’t the best at showing the subtle differences and if you read the comments for the video, you’ll see that I’m not the only one who thinks that.

Watch the video, take it for what it’s worth and then head over to VideogamesZone.de for their comparison shots. Not the original link that I found before but good shots, nonetheless.

Image|Bioware

Post from: EveryJoe

Dragon Age: Origins Comparison Video

While there may be some truth to that stereotype, from what I’ve seen, the gaming community is filled with charitable types who are more than willing to put down their controllers to help out when help is needed.

The Child’s Play charity is a perfect example of how gamers help out.

Child’s Play has been around since 2003 and they’re still going strong. Over 100,000 gamers have come together and helped make the time that sick kids spend in the hospital not as boring and scary with game and game system donations.

The way it works is you can either donate directly via PayPal or you can click on one of the participating hospital’s links on the world map and  purchase a game, system or book from the hospital’s “wish list”. The purchase or donation is tax deductible if you’re worried about that kind of thing and the end result is that a kid [or kids] will have something to think about other than when they’re going to get their next shot or surgery.

Right now, Child’s Play has collected over $600k for these kids and any help that you can give would be amazing.

Gotta do what you can to combat that pesky stereotype.

Image|Child’s Play

Post from: EveryJoe

Child’s Play: Gamers Give Back

The way Amazon does Cyber Monday is they release deals throughout the day and there are only so many of the discounted items offered. You can see what I’m talking about below:

Tekken 6 Limited Edition Fight Stick Bundle for the PS3 is still around for 60% off [!!!] and at the time of me taking that screenshot, you have four hours to grab your bundle.

If you scroll through the deals, you’ll see stuff that hasn’t been revealed yet along with how long you have until you can see what Amazon is teasing you with.

The thing that’s so brilliant about the way Amazon structures its deals is that it’s almost like an auction. You don’t want to miss the great deals that are available to you right now but you also feel compelled to keep checking back to see what else they’re going to reveal.

Well played, Amazon, well played.

If you’re still trying to get some great deals on the games that are on your Christmas lists, Amazon might be just the place to check out today.

Happy hunting.

Images|Screengrabs

Post from: EveryJoe

Cyber Monday Gaming Deals at Amazon!

According to G4 and Playstation’s blog, Santa is coming to PlayStation Home starting December 10th.

Actually, a whole host of Christmas goodies are coming to PlayStation Home in the form of Winter Wonderland – complete with elves and presents!

While Christmas isn’t my favorite time of the year [Halloween, please.] free stuff and mini-games are right up my alley. I killed PlayStation Home on my PS3 but now that I can visit Santa and his busy, busy elves, maybe now I’ll reinstall Home and tell Santa what I want for Christmas.

Then again, he never did get me that pony…not that I’m holding a grudge or anything.

Image|PlayStation.Blog.Europe

Post from: EveryJoe

Santa’s Checking List at Playstation Home

By itself, Agwa is sweet and fresh tasting with a hint of something…citrus maybe? Or, maybe it tastes like cocaine since Agwa is the world’s only Coca Leaf Liqueur – I wouldn’t know since I’ve never tried cocaine but if you have and you try Agwa, let me know, OK? Just so you know, the leaves have been boiled down to remove the cocaine but awesome little alkaloids remain to give  you an energy buzz.

One of the best ways to drink Agwa is by making a Bolivian Kiss.

The simplicity of the drink is one thing that makes it so fabulous. Get yourself a wedge of lime, an ice cold shot of Agwa and then bite into your lime and shoot the Agwa. The lime messes with the pH of your mouth and makes the Agwa more potent.

The drink below is how I ended up drinking my bottle of Agwa de Bolivia.

I didn’t name this so name it what you will but it tastes like a tart margarita and packs a heck of a punch.

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Agwa de Bolivia
• 30 ml Ketel One Vodka
• 15 ml lime juice
• 15 ml simple syrup
• ice

Directions:

Add all of your ingredients to a shaker half filled with ice. Shake until your arms get tired.

Strain into your favorite glass – I used an Old Fashioned glass – and garnish with a wedge of lime.

And, in case you’ve forgotten how to make simple syrup, the ratio is 2 parts sugar to 1 part water. I used 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water. Heat the mixture until the sugar is dissolved and once it’s cool, store it in a squirt bottle in your fridge. The stuff will keep for just about forever.

Agwa de Bolivia is a strange, wonderful drink that everyone should try. Chances are good that your local liquor store isn’t going to have the green stuff but if you ask the person who does the purchasing, you might be able to get them to order you some.

Consider Agwa de Bolivia a Christmas present to yourself.

Post from: EveryJoe

Agwa de Bolivia