F@#% Yeah Gaming

So what's up with our site?

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:27:44 -0600

A letter from the editor:

F@#% Yeah Gaming was and is a great example of what a few people can get together and do in a short amount of time with limited resources. I’m incredibly proud of this little project, and firmly believe that we have produced some fantastic original content and fascinating creative pieces.

So, it’s with a heavy heart that I announce that we’re essentially closing shop.

I created this site and suckered my friends into writing for it so that we could use it as a place to, simply, write about videogames. My goal was to create the sort of videogame blog that I would love to read, and I think we accomplished that. By mixing up your standard reviews and news items with creative essays, game quotes, and the occasional game-related video or Snuggie, I think we managed to bring something fresh and new to the table of videogame journalism.

For the most part, we were using a free image hosting service for our posts, which means that as time passes, most of our images will disappear from the site (many already have). All text content, however, will remain up indefinitely, as well as our comment system.

If you’d like to follow my own work, there are several places you can find it. I’m now writing a regular videogame column for Naked City Magazine, and I’m also contributing to Pixelated Sausage, as well as adjusting to the podcasting world as a co-host of the Distributed Failure gaming show, which is now featured on All Games Radio.

All of the other writers for FYGaming have been invited to contribute to Pixelated Sausage as guest writers, as well, so hopefully you can check out some of their work there in the future, too.

Again, thank you all for checking out our little videogame site. If you have any questions, comments, or want to get in contact with anyone involved here, you can send me an email at fyeahgaming [at] gmail [dot] com.

Peace, love, and videogames,
Dustin Deckard

PSA: These are the winners of the Spike TV Video Game Awards

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:00:00 -0600

Best Voice Actor – Jack Black for Brutal Legend
Best Action Adventure Game – Assassins Creed 2
Studio of the Year – Rocksteady Studios
Best Team Sports Game – NHL 10 from EA Sports
Best Performance by a Human Male – Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in X-Men Origins
Best Cast – X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Best Independent Game – Flower
Best Individual Sports Game – UFC 2009 Undisputed
Best Role Playing Game – Dragon Age: Origins
Best PC Game – Dragon Age: Origins
Best Performance By a Human Female – Megan Fox in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Best Downloadable Game – Shadow Complex
Best Downloadable Content – The Ballad of Gay Tony
Best Wii Game – New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Most Anticipated Title 2010 – God Of War 3
Best Shooter – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Best Multiplayer – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Best Fighting Game – Street Fighter IV
Best Handheld Game – Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Best Driving Game – Forza Motorsport 3
Best Soundtrack – DJ Hero
Best Xbox 360 Game – Left 4 Dead 2
Best Original Score – Halo 3: ODST
Best Game based on TV Show – South Park Lets Go Tower Defense Play!
Best Music Game – The Beatles Rock Band
Best PlayStation 3 Game – Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Best Graphics – Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Game of the Year – Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

For more information, see spike.com.

PS3 firmware update to include support for playing PSP Minis

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:28:00 -0600

The official European Playstation blog has confirmed that the PS3 will soon be able to play PSP Minis, which were launched back in September. The blog confirms a December 17th release date for EU territories but does not mention a US release date.

PSP Minis are bite-sized games similar to iPhone and iTouch games from the Apple App Store, with similar price-tags. For example, the massively popular iPhone game Fieldrunners is also available as a PSP Mini for $6.99.

No more details have been announced yet, so we’re not sure whether these games will be accessible from the “Game” option in the PS3’s XMB or from some other menu option. It was also rumored earlier this week that many of the Minis would be receiving a resolution boost for when they’re played on an HDTV. We assume that this rumor is true, considering that the Playstation blog mentioned that the “majority” of current Minis will be ready on launch day, and that all Minis following will be required to have the PS3 functionality built-in. It also mentions that the PS3 will be playing these Minis through an emulator, which makes us wonder: how far away is a an official PSP emulator for the PS3?

It makes sense, has huge potential, and would seemingly be a good business decision. Imagine buying a new PSP game from the PSN the night it releases, playing it on your PS3 for a few hours, then continuing your adventure with your synced saved files on your PSP Go during your morning commute the next day.

It seems to me that this would be a great selling point for the PSP platform, especially for the PSP Go.

You want to curl up in this Street Fighter 4 Snuggie

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:30:00 -0600

Unfortunately, we couldn’t find an online retailer to link to for you to purchase this sleeved blanket, but we know one thing for sure: it’s real. Your best bet is to try and find one at your local retailer or mall kiosk. Call us crazy, but we imagine it’s not the best selling Snuggie ever, and they just might have one sitting on a shelf all by its lonesome.

We probably don’t have to point out that a gaming-related Snuggie is a distinctly awesome gift idea for that geek closest to your heart.

"Well, I see that the President has equipped his daughter with ballistics too!"

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:00:00 -0600

“Well, I see that the President has equipped his daughter with ballistics too!”

- Luis Sara - Resident Evil 4 (Gamecube, PS2, PC)

Vote for your best of the 2000's

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:34:00 -0600

Adweek Media has created a website dedicated to polling the internet in 33 different categories to determine the winner of “best of the decade” awards.

Video games make a few notable appearances in the polls, especially in the “Best Commercial (non-Superbowl)” category, where both Sony and Microsoft are nominated. The “Mountain” PS2 commercial makes the list, as well as Xbox’s Halo 3 “Diorama” commercial. Both of them are excellent and awe-inspiring, and can be viewed on their category’s page along with all other nominated commercials.

Also noteworthy is that the Playstation, Wii, and Xbox are all up for the “Product of the Decade” award, but face stiff competition from the likes of Blackberry, Google, iPod, and Red Bull, to name a few.

You don’t have to vote for all 33 categories to get your opinion in, so head on over to bestofthe2000s.com to check out the full list and tip the scales in favor of your preferred corporate entities.

"Man, this is like trying to find a bride in a brothel."

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:20:56 -0600

“Man, this is like trying to find a bride in a brothel.”

- Viktor Sullivan - Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune (PS3)

PSA: I'm on the Distributed Failure podcast again

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:56:00 -0600

At the end of this week’s episode, the guys asked me if I’d be interested in being a more permanent member of their team, and I said yes!

Alright, so it’s not a marriage proposal or anything, but exciting nonetheless. FYGaming will continue to team up with Pixelated Sausage in any ways that can benefit independent gaming blogs like ours.

In other news, the FYGaming team is still interested in getting our own podcast off the ground, so be on the lookout for that.

And again, check out this week’s Distributed Failure podcast here, or subscribe and listen in iTunes.

VALVe today released a patch for Left 4 Dead 2 on the PC. This...

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:10:31 -0600

VALVe today released a patch for Left 4 Dead 2 on the PC. This patch fixed a bug that would make a Witch invincible if she was lit on fire (either by Incendiary Ammunition or a Molotov).

I can not think of a scarier thing to happen in a game of L4D than a crying, flaming, invulnerable Witch mowing down player after player, until no one stands alive.

Thank you, VALVe, for the most harrowing bug in the history of PC gaming. I probably won’t sleep tonight.

"Sit your ass down in that chair and drink your goddamn TEA!"

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:10:22 -0600

“Sit your ass down in that chair and drink your goddamn TEA!”

- Cid Highwind - Final Fantasy VII (PSX, PSN, PC)

"Would you kindly head to Ryan’s office and kill the son of a bitch?"

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:00:58 -0600

“Would you kindly head to Ryan’s office and kill the son of a bitch?”

- Atlas - Bioshock (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

Old Bits, New Beats

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:00:00 -0600

Imagine a fusion of Pong, the iconic paddle ball game, and Rez, the synesthesia-inducing rail shooter, and now you’re looking at Bit.Trip Beat. The game is the first in a series of six published by Aksys Games that uses basic Atari-esque graphics set to pulse-pounding tunes that progressively improve as the player performs better.

More important than Bit.Trip’s fusion of old and new is the revolutionary way in which the game approaches the player. Rather than try to one-up (gaming pun fail) the competition in graphics, music or style, the Bit.Trip series focuses on combining all these elements in a way that works for each game’s unique direction. Prior to Electronic Arts’ big turn around in recent years, gamers complained that the video game developer giant was churning out the same games year after year simply because there was profitability there. Bit.Trip wants to be the kid in class that convinces all the other students that essays should not be written to receive an A; they should be written to express how one feels. With game franchises like Call of Duty, it can be important to make certain caveats to an expected audience, but with the advent of games like Bioshock, even EA has shown us that artistic expression and financial success are not mutually exclusive.

While Bit.Trip Beat has style in spades, it does lack a sensible and albeit tangible storyline. As well, the controls on the Wii can be a bit finicky even though precise movement and continuing the beat is highly valued. Despite a few drawbacks, this game and others in the series stands to herald another turn for the industry to more artistic times. Bit.Trip Beat is available now on WiiWare along with sister titles Bit.Trip Core and Bit.Trip Void.

A new hero has joined our party!

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:51:49 -0600

Hey everyone, I’m Andrew and I’m the newest contributor to FYGaming.

I have been on the internet since I found a laptop with a connection, and am well versed in its ways. I have my own personal blog here and keep it mainly for myself. I am very big into graphic and web design, and I plan on going into that field when I get older. And of course, I love gaming.

I play all different types of games, from flash browser games, to DS games, to iTouch games, to console games. My favourite type of games, though, are definitely MMORPGs. I love the community that comes with them and RPGs have always been a love of mine. I’ll often post reviews of them when I get the chance, and love trying out games in closed beta.

Some favorites:

Final Fantasy XI (Xbox360), Guild Wars (PC), Borderlands (Xbox360), Team Fortress 2 (PC), Warcraft 3 (PC)

Listen to me talk about video games on the Distributed Failure podcast

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:59:57 -0600

This week I had the privilege of being a guest on the Distributed Failure podcast. A huge thank you to all the guys over at Pixelated Sausage for having me on the show - it was a blast!

Check out the show here, or just subscribe on iTunes.

Games we discussed include Tropico 3, the God of War Collection, Left 4 Dead 2, the new Borderlands Zombie Island DLC, Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles, and more.

"Since you left home on your journey, things have changed around here. For example, I don’t..."

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:13:39 -0600

“Since you left home on your journey, things have changed around here. For example, I don’t have as much laundry.”

- Ness’ mom - Earthbound (SNES)

Bioshock 2 chalk art

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:06:36 -0600

With the first-ever PAX East now less than a scant four months away, I’ve lately found myself spending a lot of time reminiscing over all of the incredible memories I gathered from PAX “Prime” 2009. Among my favorites are those made by the awesome presence that Bioshock 2 had at the convention.

Although the game was not playable at the show, 2K Games went all out, hiring a chalk artist to create the breathtaking painting seen above. FYGaming’s own Sam McConnell snapped this picture shortly after the 10 foot masterpiece was completed.

Bioshock 2 has a release date of February 9, 2010, and is scheduled to launch simultaneously on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

MAG beta key giveaway

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:47:58 -0600

PSA: The official MAG blog is giving away a massive number of beta keys for their upcoming 256-player online shooter. The keys get you into the latest release of the beta (4.5).

I’ve been in the beta ever since I got back from the Penny Arcade Expo earlier this year, and although the epic battles featured might not be up everyone’s ally, if you’ve got a PS3 this is definitely something worth checking out.

Click here to get your key before they’re gone!

"Bound only by the paper-thin wrapper of mortality, a soul here lies, struggling to be free. And so..."

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:50:45 -0600

“Bound only by the paper-thin wrapper of mortality, a soul here lies, struggling to be free. And so it shall, thanks to a bowl of bad gazpacho, and a man named… Calavera.”

- Manuel Calavera - Grim Fandango (PC)

Casual Game in the Running for PC Game of the Year

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:09:44 -0600

Just to show how the casual video game market is starting to slowly overtake those more mainstream AAA titles, Plants Vs. Zombies will be completing for PC Game of the Year at SpikeTVs annual VGAs. Although Plants Vs Zombies is certainly a worthy game in its own right, it’s going to have some stiff competition, as Dragon Age: Origins, Left 4 Dead 2, and the Sims 3 are also up for the award. I’ve always tended to root for the underdog and would like to see more games like Plants Vs. Zombies get the recognition they deserve from the mainstream gaming community, but we’ll have to wait until December 12th to find out who wins. For now, head over to SpikeTV’s website to cast your votes in all the categories.

Desert Bus for Hope

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:33:00 -0600

Everyone at FYGaming would like to extend our congratulations and gratefulness to the team over at www.DesertBus.org! If you’ve never heard of Desert Bus before, it’s simply a video game created for the (never released) Penn & Teller Sega CD game. The objective of the game is to drive a bus in real-time from Tucson, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada. The trip takes about 8 hours and you have no passengers, no scenery except for the desert, and there’s no way to cheat! It’s the most boring video game in the world.

The team at Desert Bus for Hope decided that in 2007, they’d play the game and do a live-stream from their webcam in exchange for donations, which they then gave to Child’s Play - the charity foundation started by the Penny Arcade guys that provides video games to children in hospitals. They ended up raising over $22,000 and accidentally inventing the internet telethon. Then, in 2008, they raised an astonishing $70,423!

Now they’re at it again. At the time of this writing, they’ve been playing for almost 2 solid days and have raised over $34,000. And they’ll keep playing as long as the donations keep coming in.

Not only do they take flat donations, but they’ll also be your monkeys… for a price. For example, yesterday a kind soul donated $750 for them to go see Twilight: New Moon. And as their website mentioned, they’ll sing you the Portal theme song, “Still Alive”, for just $20.

Please check out their website, even if you’re unable to make a donation right now. Watch the live stream for a little while to get an idea of what’s going on.

Again, we’d just like to say “thank you” to everyone over at Desert Bus. Not just for making a huge donation to a wonderful charity, but also for being shining examples to the world that gamers aren’t just selfish, lazy pigs who sit around and play World of Warcraft all day (well, most of us aren’t).