Quick post today. I made a simple forum for all fans of the Fight Night series and the sport we all follow, boxing. For now it is a barebones package but let's see how it goes. I know there are countless gaming forums out there but at least this way the fans have a sure place to post their thoughts where others like them will be able to read and react. Link after the break and will always be on the right side of this blog layout.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The Importance of Being...Social
Community. For thousands of years humans have commuted together forging the great societies of today and tomorrow. It goes from the minute conversation between two individuals on some remote coffee shop to the gargantuan colossus that is the Internet. After reading the title for this current post, some might think I am trying to indulge into the softer, lyrical side utilizing some rhetorical way to throw out some random opinion, yet it couldn't be more apt or sincere. Over the years, the video game community has been headed toward the social aspect of gaming. We began with the still relevant offline multiplayer sessions. For some of us (specially those of my age) this means those countless split-screen matches on Goldeneye. Then, we continued with the first online matches on Half-Life, CounterStrike and Quake. Later on, the Dreamcast (...sigh) understood console gamers would want a piece of the community aspect of the Internet and shipped with the first-ever console modem. And nowadays, we take part in fully realized online worlds through World of Warcraft or any other game of the like. However, after all this future thinking, somehow, some way, the developers of some videogame franchises stayed behind...
Seeing as how this blog is mainly geared toward the EA Sports Fight Night series, most of you might have already guessed my "rant" is going toward that specific franchise. Sports games are one of the best examples of how a true community foundation could help them live on for months/years after their release. And yet, developers fail to realize this. In the case of the Fight Night series, each released version has always focused on some gameplay aspect or better graphics or trying to revamp (miserably so) the franchise mode. Yet, the online mode always stays behind offering simple lobbies and nothing more. Haven't the developers realized the potential this series could achieve if they just used more of their time, talent and fundings in this critical area? Imagine, if you will, a fully online career where you don't have to worry that the A.I. will be cheap or repetitive since you are fighting true opponents on the other side of the ring. Imagine an online experience where you can record your fights and share them with the world. How about waiting for some night to jump in on the servers and actually watch a big event between the two online welterweight contenders for the crown. It is my opinion that this would greatly improve the life cycle and fanbase of this franchise just by focusing on online career and community options.
One of the features that the Fight Night fanbase have been clamoring for years now is the much desired Spectator Mode. People want to sit down and watch others fight. Call it Peeping Tom syndrome or voyeurism, I call it an outstanding community tool that will enhance the fan experience. I just hope with this next release of Fight Night Round 4 the new developers, EA Canada, utilize the same gusto and bravado they employed on NHL 09 to give Fight Night fans what they have been expecting for years: a true simulation of the sport with enough options to last a year. And a word of advice for them (assuming they even care), focus on the community aspects and online experience of the game. Do that...and you'll have a winner.
Seeing as how this blog is mainly geared toward the EA Sports Fight Night series, most of you might have already guessed my "rant" is going toward that specific franchise. Sports games are one of the best examples of how a true community foundation could help them live on for months/years after their release. And yet, developers fail to realize this. In the case of the Fight Night series, each released version has always focused on some gameplay aspect or better graphics or trying to revamp (miserably so) the franchise mode. Yet, the online mode always stays behind offering simple lobbies and nothing more. Haven't the developers realized the potential this series could achieve if they just used more of their time, talent and fundings in this critical area? Imagine, if you will, a fully online career where you don't have to worry that the A.I. will be cheap or repetitive since you are fighting true opponents on the other side of the ring. Imagine an online experience where you can record your fights and share them with the world. How about waiting for some night to jump in on the servers and actually watch a big event between the two online welterweight contenders for the crown. It is my opinion that this would greatly improve the life cycle and fanbase of this franchise just by focusing on online career and community options.
One of the features that the Fight Night fanbase have been clamoring for years now is the much desired Spectator Mode. People want to sit down and watch others fight. Call it Peeping Tom syndrome or voyeurism, I call it an outstanding community tool that will enhance the fan experience. I just hope with this next release of Fight Night Round 4 the new developers, EA Canada, utilize the same gusto and bravado they employed on NHL 09 to give Fight Night fans what they have been expecting for years: a true simulation of the sport with enough options to last a year. And a word of advice for them (assuming they even care), focus on the community aspects and online experience of the game. Do that...and you'll have a winner.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A New Ricky Hatton?
Yesterday, I watched the Hatton vs Malignaggi fight in what continues to be a series of busy Saturday nights on HBO for boxing fans. As for the fight itself, it was basically what was expected: two contrasting styles meeting in the ring where the predominating one would dictate the match. And the style that dominated the action yesterday night was the one employed by The Hitman. Yet, was it the same style the millions of adoring Brit fans come to know and love or was it a different Ricky Hatton we all saw on the ring?
Throughout the first rounds of the fight, it was the same old Hatton. He was bouncing on his toes, looking for rhythm to lunge toward Paulie's inside territory, trying to push the action with rough, rugged antiques. At times it was effective, at times it showed flashes of the same instances that drove him head on toward a ring corner and down for the count against Mayweather 11 months ago. Yet, by the middle rounds something happened. Yes, Ricky Hatton was still driving the action forward and not giving Malignaggi any space watsoever, yet he was also doing something else: he was jabbing and taking his time. Under the tutelage of Floyd Mayweather Sr (a weird and unexpected development in my eyes), Hatton employed more jabs and was seen more confortable fighting on the outisde at times with clean jabs and hooks. I don't really know if this is something Floyd Sr brought to the table or if it's just Ricky trying to employ different techniques into an aging package, however for the most part it worked beautifully.
As for Malignaggi, I never really thought he had anything to do on the top of the 140 division. He is a slick boxer and has personality (those hairstyles are way over the top), but he lacks a punch and the necessary skills to win against aggressive boxers with more than just a powerless jab. He never could establish his gameplan and didn't follow Buddy Mcguirt's instructions in the corner. In my eyes, Mcguirt did him a favor saving him from two more rounds of punishment in what was an already lost fight. True, no boxer wants to lose by knockout but I prefer that to getting one punch too many and then end up wasted and punch drunk later on the road.
What does the future hold for Ricky Hatton? I sure hope he continues to employ both his aggresive inside style with outside jabbing and combinations that just helps him to edge closer to his target. He said he wants the winner of Pacquiao vs De la Hoya. My guess is he will fight Pacquiao no matter the outcome of that fight considering De la Hoya already has stated numerous times that this is his last fight and has made a huge propaganda around this fact. Also, The Golden Boy is just too big for Ricky Hatton and it would not make for a fair fight. As for Hatton vs Pacquiao, I think Hatton has a good chance of beating him in what could turn out to be an all action fight.
Throughout the first rounds of the fight, it was the same old Hatton. He was bouncing on his toes, looking for rhythm to lunge toward Paulie's inside territory, trying to push the action with rough, rugged antiques. At times it was effective, at times it showed flashes of the same instances that drove him head on toward a ring corner and down for the count against Mayweather 11 months ago. Yet, by the middle rounds something happened. Yes, Ricky Hatton was still driving the action forward and not giving Malignaggi any space watsoever, yet he was also doing something else: he was jabbing and taking his time. Under the tutelage of Floyd Mayweather Sr (a weird and unexpected development in my eyes), Hatton employed more jabs and was seen more confortable fighting on the outisde at times with clean jabs and hooks. I don't really know if this is something Floyd Sr brought to the table or if it's just Ricky trying to employ different techniques into an aging package, however for the most part it worked beautifully.
As for Malignaggi, I never really thought he had anything to do on the top of the 140 division. He is a slick boxer and has personality (those hairstyles are way over the top), but he lacks a punch and the necessary skills to win against aggressive boxers with more than just a powerless jab. He never could establish his gameplan and didn't follow Buddy Mcguirt's instructions in the corner. In my eyes, Mcguirt did him a favor saving him from two more rounds of punishment in what was an already lost fight. True, no boxer wants to lose by knockout but I prefer that to getting one punch too many and then end up wasted and punch drunk later on the road.
What does the future hold for Ricky Hatton? I sure hope he continues to employ both his aggresive inside style with outside jabbing and combinations that just helps him to edge closer to his target. He said he wants the winner of Pacquiao vs De la Hoya. My guess is he will fight Pacquiao no matter the outcome of that fight considering De la Hoya already has stated numerous times that this is his last fight and has made a huge propaganda around this fact. Also, The Golden Boy is just too big for Ricky Hatton and it would not make for a fair fight. As for Hatton vs Pacquiao, I think Hatton has a good chance of beating him in what could turn out to be an all action fight.
Fight Night Round 4 Premiere Dec. 14th
Short post for you all. On December 14th, Fight Night Round 4 will be presented for the first time to the public at the 2008 Video Game Awards on Spike TV. Here's hoping we get to see a proper gameplay montage highlighting the game's new features. Fight Night fans deserve a proper representation of the sport. Let's hope this time we get it. Promotional video for the premiere after the break.
Welcome to The 13th Round
Today I take my first stab at writing a blog. Why, you may ask. Well, perhaps I find myself bored at times or I just want to make myself heard about some of my interests. Be that as it may, I welcome you to my first blog post in what will be called The 13th Round.
As I said, this blog will deal primarily with some of my interests, mainly the Fight Night series and boxing. I have been a fan of boxing for ten to twelve years now. At first I just focused on the boxers from my country, Puerto Rico, later started to gain interest in boxing in general. And that is what brought me to boxing video games.
I started with the regular Knockout Kings games and then with the Fight Night series...yes, I did not buy 2k Sports Prizefighter after reading subpar reviews from sites and users alike. Throughout all Fight Night releases I have always tried to involve myself with the community by creating leagues and sites dedicated to the game, yet they never last for long. With the impending release of Fight Night Round 4, my aim now is to give a fan's point of view on all news and previews for this future release as well as comment on the latest boxing events.
So, I hope you all enjoy the blog. Be sure to leave your comments below the posts and let me and others know what you think about it all.
Again, welcome to The 13th Round and have a pleasant stay.
As I said, this blog will deal primarily with some of my interests, mainly the Fight Night series and boxing. I have been a fan of boxing for ten to twelve years now. At first I just focused on the boxers from my country, Puerto Rico, later started to gain interest in boxing in general. And that is what brought me to boxing video games.
I started with the regular Knockout Kings games and then with the Fight Night series...yes, I did not buy 2k Sports Prizefighter after reading subpar reviews from sites and users alike. Throughout all Fight Night releases I have always tried to involve myself with the community by creating leagues and sites dedicated to the game, yet they never last for long. With the impending release of Fight Night Round 4, my aim now is to give a fan's point of view on all news and previews for this future release as well as comment on the latest boxing events.
So, I hope you all enjoy the blog. Be sure to leave your comments below the posts and let me and others know what you think about it all.
Again, welcome to The 13th Round and have a pleasant stay.
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