Kalari will eat you

This show I talk about what it means to beta tests, the highs and lows of such, the frustrations with NDA’s vs the joy of knowing I am helping fix things before they go live. I talk about my experiences with browser based beta testing and what I hope for the future of such tests.

Game News:

Halo 4 Limited edition release: Halo Junkies rejoice the 100 dollar Limited edition is being released and this version comes with Multiplay option. The $100 package gets you a fancy box, a “UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet,” and a host of in-game bonuses, expanding the multiplayer experience.- Halo 4 Limited Edition Release

Those of you anxiously waiting for Devil’s Third maybe in for disappointment: As the game company THQ is looking to sell off this title deeming that it does not fit the publisher’s profitability profile.- THQ looks to sell Devil’s Third

Obsidan delays South Park: The Stick of Truth till 2013: Recent layoffs and financial trouble are rumored to be the blame for this delay. Initial release date was projected for the Second Quarter of 2012 and is now being pushed back to sometime next year.- South Park game delayed till 2013

Manga fans who own Xbox 360′s rejoice: The game company launches Manga app, which enables users to view full length episodes, movies and clips from the Manga Entertainment catalog.-Xbox 360 Manga App

*Special thanks to Joystiq for the articles!*

End Gamers Magazine Launch: The online Gaming Magazine that focuses on the Gaming community at large is launching and looking for writers and talent. The community is ever expanding if you want to be in the know for gaming news around the world from New releases to whats hot Retro wise join the End Gamers Forums.End Gamers Magazine

Ive been a busy little bee some of my likes and dislikes in the latest bout of gaming.

Arm chair developer: If I must change my UI give my curmudgeons the option to keep their old style because older players don’t like change.

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show run time: 34m 24secs

Yes folks I have returned to the shores of Storm Reach/Ebberron/ Soon to be Forgotten Realms. I broke down and returned as a premium player to Dungeons and Dragons online. This episode is free flowing no set news or other topics just a rundown of the things that kept me busy this month and some new projects I am proud to be apart of. Next cast will go back to my normal format but today I just wanted to chillax and talk about all the things that have been going on. So hope you enjoy!

Links:

The G-Spot
A haven for gamers of all genders but mostly for girls

The End Gamers MagazineNewly launched this will be the best online source of various gaming news and opinions.

End gamers ForumsJoin our growing community of gamers share your fun and experiences.

Manga Raiders Are you a budding writer or artists and are looking for a community to showcase your work or ideas? Look no further then Manga Raiders a growing community of artists who encourage each other’s skills and abilities. **And coming soon the MR podcast!**

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I had a show idea planned still plan on doing it to talk about the browser based mmo’s I have been beta testing. But I went back to DDO last week and been trying to catch up with everything. So I will be talking about my come back to that game as a premium player and the fun Ive had relearning everything. Things are finally settling down here so a new cast will be coming soon I promise. I know I said it wouldn’t go a month again but I’ll make sure to make the wait worth it with the next cast.

In this episode I talk about my best friend and our approach to gaming. How we met and our goal to find a game we can play together and enjoy. I also have gaming news, a rant on idiots with archaic views on females and talk about the various games I’ve tried the last few weeks. Tune in for the fun.

News segment links:

Xbox shooting to become ultimate home entertainment system and succeeding-Xbox360 is fast in moving to be the gaming system that will make most of your other home electronics obsolete, it has shown a recent rise in the number of entertainment apps used by its client base.

Sony disables certain features for its Vita/Playstation 3- They say its to prevent hackers from exploiting weaknesses but it chalks up to paying customers not being able to re download obscure games that I feel if your going to bother paying for you should have the right to re download if needed.

Playstation introduces free to play action console games- In an effort to boost good will after a horrible year Playstation is trying its hand at free to play action console games for its PSN members. My take on this: It’s not gonna help you much Sony get your act together!

Nintendo 3DS owners get a visit from Nintendo America’s CEO- The president of Nintendo America for the 1 year anniversary of the release of their latest hand held console surprised owners with a virtual visit. Still not enough for me to drop the dough for a 3DS *hugs my DSXL*

Mass Effect 3 the disappointment without spoilers my take on the Mass effect 3 controversy. Games that advertise as “The choices you make effect your over all game play” should freaking stick to that. Not dump on it then offer later on an alternative to their screw up. Just saying. I guess people will have to buy an add on to get better closure what a rip.

Martha Steward becomes apart of CastlevilleNeed anymore proof Zynga is evil? Well Homemaking diva Martha Steward is now on board allowing her likeness and her NY home to be used in CastleVille another in a long line of Ville games from that wacky developer Zynga. Like I needed any more reason to avoid Facebook games.

Zynga insiders offering 12 dollar stocks- Investors this maybe a prime opportunity. I consider the Zynga CEO the next mega villain (he seriously reminds me of a classic comic book villain) And lets face it the drones play those ville games like no tomorrow. If you have the means to jump on this deal grab it.

No armchair developer this week but next show it will be back!

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Runtime: 1hr 9m 31s

Ugh what is with game company’s who hire writers so out of touch with the wants and needs of its player base? I am talking about romance options (yes that fluff that most secretly dig but try to act like they are too cool to care about) in games. It is honestly like these developers/writers do not believe that females play. Our options for such are so lackluster its nearly always better to just forgo any romantic options. I wont lie I was excited to see the potential my Jedi sage would have, since all these damned refugee characters keep taking up room on her star ship. Only to find out the one dude that is romance-able is the most boring of the lot! So I went on a mega rant, because romance in game is bland and boring and may as well be dead!

Ranting goodness:

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Warning Kal went off on a tangent, cannot be blamed if listeners suffer headaches, emotional damage or any other frustration from listening to my rants!

Episode 18: E love baby

In this episode I tackle gaming and relationships in time for Valentines day. Seriously there are some who make Love connections while there are some who make online their personal cyber grounds. I talk about this and my adventures in gaming. Weird news and my arm chair developers segment: Hot and sexy why your mmo needs more sex appeal. Totally tongue in cheek but figure id let the crazy rantings of my mind spew forth with this one. I talk about my Beta test for Family guy Online, and my new mmo fun in Star Wars The Old Republic a little over an hour of e love goodness, hope you enjoy.

Four of the strangest new video game controllers- New game controllers I probably wouldn’t get any of them but they look cool.

Many homes own new generation consoles-56 percent of us households have current generation consoles, once again proof that gaming is now a major part of everyone’s way of life and that its not just for us geeks anymore. Nielsen reports that 39 percent of American homes have at least an IOS device and that 50 % children age 6-12 ds portable

Diablo III Delay-
Bad news for Diablo III fans your gonna experience another delay. Due to set backs Diablo III will not be released till the second quarter according to Activision. That could be as late as June 2012

Steam Rolled-Valve confirms steam security breach 2004=2008 data from purchases compromised. what the hell is wrong with hackers?

Sega Valentines video game sale-This promo has been running since the 11th ongoing till the 14th new low prices for their IOS and Android games available in the APPLE app store and android market place

Farmville goes Anti Valentines?-Farmville goes Anti valentines day with their Black Valentines items, like dark willow tree, black rose arch though sounds more Gothic to me then anti what do I know?

Special thanks to Yahoo news and Gamespot for articles.

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Show Runtime-1hr 8m 49s

Hey Happy 2012 Kal’s Den is back and in this episode I get to talk with Yak and Gespenst from Yakcast They visit to tell me tales from the Darkside, IE Star Wars the Old Republic mmo, and why I should join the dark side (they have cookies!) Also I talk about what I’ve been up to lately with my writing and joining Manga Raiders. Which is a fun site that I’ve been able to show case my writing talents at and hope to one day become a full fledged manga writer. All that along with my normal segments of weird gaming news, and a rant on peace or war in mmo’s during my Arm Chair developer segment it should be a fun show. I have a brief take on Newbs as well considering everyone in gaming starts out as one why its lame to make it such an issue hence the title 99 problems but a newb ain’t one.

Weird news (with links):

Intel Ultrabook video instead of demo: Why I think its lame that they are trying to convince gamers that their Ultrabook can handle games but don’t have the balls to show it in real time using a pre recorded video instead. Ultra snafu

Can’t find love or have social skills of a noob, 3DS has a solution: Virtual girlfriend who you can even take on real world dates! Take your virtual girlfriend on a real date(sadly this is a serious article).

Gaming research company predicting that soon every one in the family will be reaching for that console. Research says Age Ain’t nothing but a number with gaming now

Video war games linked to a US prisoner in Iran: Seems that a major Financial backer for some war type video games where you can assassinate world leaders is a major US terrorist currently doing jail time. Video game maker linked to prisoner in Iran

I also give a take on the SOPA for those of you who don’t know what that is Google it and seriously the more you know the better. We cannot allow this kind of legislature to pass, the internet is the one free zone we have left and if the government and big business have their way it wont be for much longer.

The Armchair developer- I tackle on how using peaceful tactics to appease your player base may not be as lucrative as letting them have at each other. Oh yeah full on war baby they will be too busy fighting amongst each other while you count the profits!

Interview with Yak and Gespenst: I had a blast talking with them about SWTOR and the many reasons I should join up it was very fun and informative.

0:00-15:17- Intro talk about newbs and what I’ve been up to

15:18-14:42- Weird News

14:43-25:12- Armchair Developer

25:13-1:48:05- Yak and Gespenst interview

1:49:00-1:56:42- Close with shout outs

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Show run time: 1hr 56 min 42 sec

Hey everyone 2011 is almost over and I wanted to say thank you to everyone who tuned into the den and all who braved my attempt at a podcast by granting me interviews with them. I am looking forward to 2012 and continuing to podcast for mmosmacktalk, and this show is a reflection of the fun its been so far. I have special guests that I interviewed for this show as well so hope you all enjoy.

Episode highlights

0:00-10:27- Opening segment

10:27-18:59- Weird gaming news

Links:

Froggy gets tired of game sprite teases wants real flies dammit!:Frog rage baby

Rift Account Database Hacked, personal info compromised yet cc info seems safe. This is just another victim of the massive amounts of hacking in 2011 or the Year of the Hack as I’m calling it. Many game companies have felt the pressure to act on this since it leaves many customers with sour tastes in their mouths:Rift accounts hacked

Sony trying to cover its ass against class action suits but gets bit on it instead. Never underestimate people with time on their hands to read the TOS:Sony TOS lawsuit

Want to toast the New Years gamer style? Six epic drinks modeled after 2011 top games:Drinks for the New Year

Lessah returns and so does DDO Cocktail Hour yay, new episode is up here: Episode 60 Merry Festivult

Special thanks to 1up and the Guardian UK for these hilarious stories.

18:59-48:22- Highlights of 2011. Past interview highlights with various guests.

48:22- 56:35- Armchair developer “If I had a Marketplace.”

56:35-1:14:03- Interview with Kobay

1:14:03-1:23:47- wrap up with special guest

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Show Run Time- 1h 23mins 47s

I will be getting things together to do an end of the year wrap up of Kal’s Den then taking a much needed Holiday break. I had wanted to do weekly shows up to this point but it has been rather hectic here. I am looking forward to at least 2 guests if anyone else is interested let me know It should be a fun show to do.

In this episode I tackle the monster of cheating and exploiting, how they seem harmless when you look at it one way but can end up hurting gaming communities with how they are handled by the companies. I also add two segments to the show Weird news and The arm chair developer, talk about the big bang theory, playing Dragon’s age II Dcu’s marketplace updates (which I still find a bit lacking) and this weeks comic talk is about DC’s 52 relaunch likes and dislikes. Hope you tune in to all the geeky goodness and Have a happy Thanksgiving from my family and myself to all of you.

Show highlights and links:

Weird gaming News-

Wrap up- Why its not cool to end a debate with me by hanging up on a phone conversation and the issue of wasting money on consoles rears it’s ugly head again. All in all a good show to tune into I promise.

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Run time- 54mins22seconds