James

By Pentadact


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Let Tom Francis tell you all what it's like, being male, middle-class and white.
 

 

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"Am I the only one who enjoys the mako combat? I found it nice to be in a pretty easy and fun situation after slogging through all the awesome, but tiring foot combat. I think I had..."

Weird Fish on 2008 In Games That Were Better Than Other Games
 

 

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Just before I first set eyes on this, I had to sit through a series of presentations about various console-only games. It was embarassing. I was scared someone from the outside world might peer in and think this was what games were like.
 

 

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Murder Inc.
The story of a ten-month covert operation in Eve Online to assassinate one player and steal $16,500 worth of items.
First Night, Second Life
A surreal break-in on my first night in the ultra-liberal virtual world.
 

 

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So My Vesper Became Your Chariot

 
 

valerie-plame

I have a special weak spot for songs that make me laugh with their opening couplet, and I have a special weak spot for spies, and I have a special weak spot for The Decemberists. So this song (via The World Forgot) was always going to win my heart - it didn’t need to be as catchy and fun as it is.

If, like me, you barely understood the basics of the Plame affair at the time, I suggest having it explained to you by Matthew Baldwin while you listen to this. It’s one of those rare occasions when you realise that thing you kept hearing about in the news was actually hugely exciting if you get the right person to tell you about it.

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The Poisoned Sponge: Ooooh political intruige! It's juicy! And pleasing on the ears. How wonderful.

Smurfy: Oh, Valerie!

Roadrunner: Aaah. Finally, I love politics. I want some kind of politics based video game where you get to play as the President or something. It ranges from difficulty- easiest as George Bush, hardest difficulty as Richard Nixon.

Some might say, "Thats a stupid idea" but think of Phoenix Wright, you play a lawyer, but it's a fantastic game because of the script and storyline! :D

Dante: The poltical machine is the closest you're going to get I think.

http://www.politicalmachine.com/

Jazmeister: Deus Ex 2 was pretty political.

Jon Baker: What about Bad Dudes, for the NES?

"The president has been kidnapped by ninjas! Are you a bad enough dude to rescue the president?"

Totally political.

Roadrunner: I gotta admit, that sounds amazing in every way. I'm going to go download the ROM for it then :P

Jon Baker: Roadrunner, prepare to be disappointed. The opening screen is about the best part of Bad Dudes. If you're going to play an NES brawler, play Double Dragon or Battletoads and just pretend that is the premise.

Jazmeister: I thought this was battletoads.

Bret: Well, there's always METAL WOLF CHAOS.

You're the president. The VP has launched a military coup. There's only one solution. Giant Robot combat.

Sadly, it was only released in Japan, despite full English voice acting.

Dave C: METAL WOLF CHAOS: EAT MY JUSTICE!

Jazmeister: The moment they invaded Iraq and weren't fired upon by WMD's, I just had to sigh. Blair did a lot for the economy, for education, and for big faces, but I just don't know about the killing. This is what happens when MPs can't play GTA IV.

J-Man: @Jazmeister,

Man, I miss old labour.

Jazmeister: @J-Man

Is not a man entitled to the sweat of his brow?

J-Man: @Jazmeister

No, says the man in Washington. It belongs to the poor.

Jazmeister: @J-Man

No, says the man in Somalia, it belongs to me.

(Apologies to James-consuming Somalians; I know the pirates are bloody foreigners)

Roadrunner: Bioshock reference. I like how we can link back to videogames from anything.

But Jaz, are you supporting Blair above? Because he fucked up the economy and left Brown to pick up the pieces.
I like watching BBC Parliament on the BBC Iplayer, because it's like a football match with yobs, going "Wheeeeeeyyy!" and heckling.
Gordon Brown couldn't answer a question, made a mistake, and there was sarcastic laughing and clapping at him, which lasted a while. I found it pretty funny.
@ J-man. We have a situation on our hands, I would explain more in detail but because you don't use steam or xfire or ANYTHING, unfortunately the only way to communicate with you is through Pentadact's blog. Also you know the word "Blog" still has a scribbly red line underneath? I wonder when the dictionary will update to add in "Blog."
*Does not mention hair or post-deleting*

Jazmeister: I'm not uniformly defending Blair; I never heard anyone justify the war to my satisfaction, and I certainly was never asked to vote on it, but he did bring in minimum wage, he ramped up spending without too much in the way of tax, gave us a devolutionary vote up here in Scotland, and did a lot towards peace in Ireland. He's not without merit, Mr Blair, in my opinion. It just went a bit warlike in the end, really. Too much mixing with the US Gubment for my liking.

I don't know what to think of Golden Brown. Except, you know, never a frown...

Oh, and yes, everything has something to do with games. It's great.

Roadrunner: I just made possibly my longest post ever on my blog.
Why is this relevent to Pentadacts post you ask? Well, it's political.
And the best thing about it? It feature the most hilarious right wing stereotype Republican expressing his views! :D
So uhh...yeah.
www.roadrunnerblog.wordpress.com

peterd102: I have to admit a sneaking regard for american politics, they can't do things that annoy people too much or they will be shot.

And btw Saddam was a C***

J-Man: I just watched W. and it was crap. A completely biased look at Bush, caricaturing him by having him eating and drinking in every scene and with no hard-hitting facts. Yes I'm a leftie, but this is just sloppy film-making.

Jazmeister: Brad Pitt does that eating-to-show-character thing, I hate it. I don't like Brad Pitt anywhere near as much as a decent person should.

Drake: This is why I prefer Canadian politics. Our government is so twisted and confuseing, nothing gets done without months of red tape. Often a party gets into power, and is kicked out before the first thing they did goes through. It makes me feel safe.

J-Man: @Jaz

Yeah, I thought Josh Brolin would be above it.

Jazmeister: Maybe he was just hungry? Acting is hard work.

Am I doing a good job commenting on all the political shite? Credit to team?

DoctorDisaster: That song is brilliant. I, however, was a journalism student during the Plame Affair (thank God the press didn't go for 'Plamegate'), and unfortunately was taking law and ethics classes at the time. So I know every godforsaken detail of the whole situation, and sometimes wake up screaming things like 'DAMN YOU, SCOOTER!'

 
 

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    Previously, On James...

     
     

    2008 In Games That Were Better Than Other Games     GTA IV Shorts: Cut Off     PC Gamer Podcast: The Future’s Dim     Thoughts On The Team Fortress 2 Christmas Changes     Dear Sir     Extra Mirror’s Edge Levels Blocky, Unrealistic     Dead Space: The Right-Hand Side Of A Good Game     So My Vesper Became Your Chariot     Fallout Girl: The Road To Tenpenny Towers     Revenge Of The Psycho Graverobber     I’m Not Making The Plan Next Time     HERO CLOSET     The Gold Ribbon Goldberg Device     Fallout Girl: Anywhere But Megaton     Bethesda Ruin America     Fallout Girl     Left 4 De-     The American Public Announce That Tom Francis Is Right     Right To Live     Far Cry 2: What I Do Like     Far Cry 2: What I’d Like     Far Cry 2: Impersonation Of A Buddy     New PC Gamer Podcast: Eau De Toilette Radioactifs     Far Cry 2 Released, Forest Fires Up 8000%     !     Deadly Toads Of Death     World Of Goo Is Coming To Steam, Gentlepersons     Trust Me With Your Ears: Volume Three     Plan B Is Complete     The Fate Of The Nation And, More Importantly, My £5     Multiwinia Mathematics     A Stab At Meet The Spy     Clear Screen     Trust Me With Your Ears: Volume Two     Retro Team Fortress 2     Sounds Like The Spy Update Is Next     Status Report     Field Studies 6: The PC Gamer Sporecast     I No Longer Feel I Have To Be James Dean     Plan B Chapter One Is Complete     Field Studies 5: My Spore Review     I Read A Thirty-Eight Page Comic About Google’s Browser     Heroes Of Medicine     Red Versus White     Soviet Power     Plan B Is Live     Trust Me With Your Ears: Volume One     He Looks Truly Mortified     Lumber Yard Wallpapers     Heavy Update Thoughts So Far     Relic Announce That Tom Francis Is Right     Team Fortress 2 Goes To The Rockies     Steel Yourself     Vote Tom Francis In The Games Media Awards     Heavy Update: Sandwiches And Fresh Green Grass     Chris Livingston Stops Considering A TF2 Comic     Seriously, Buy Braid     Braid Is Out On Filthy Consoles     Film Catch-Up     Tweak Fortress     Field Studies 4: Vu To A Thorough Game Demonstration     The Middleman     What’s Happening In Kansas     Mirror’s Edge     Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog     Weltpolizei     The Prop Cigarettes You Smoke, They Show Who You Are     Cutting Verses Down To Size     The Sun Is Shining But We Stay Inside     Mrs D Mrs I Mrs F-F-I, Mrs C Mrs U-L-T     I Propose A Less Serious Vote     Valve Completely Out Of Weapon Ideas, Beg For Help     I Know The Commander Because He’s My Pal     Blizzard Announce That Tom Francis Is Right     Regarding Matt’s Location     Oh My God What The Fuck Barbecue     Cube In Memoriam     Pyro Flare Pistol Thingy Shown In Meet The Sniper     Field Studies 3: My Pretties     Field Studies 2: I Will Save You From The Wangs     Field Studies 1: Sporegasm     Muxed Feelings     You Don’t Have To Be An Engy To Work Here But You Do     Someone Already Made An Ubersaw     Team Fortress 2 Unlockable Ideas     A Riposte To Valve’s Defense Of PC Gaming     Randy Smith Has The Worst Game Design Ideas Ever     Sire, My Regard For You Is This Big     Crysis Suit Modes Revisited     Fractal Hasselhoff And Football Management     What A Shame     The City That Rarely Enters Sleep Mode     The Most Needlessly Complex Terror Plots In Film History     No-One Drove In New York, There Was Too Much Traffic     In One Thousand Two Hundred And Ten New York Minutes     That Band You Like Has A New Thing Coming Out     A Slice Of Fried Gold Rush     Achievement Unlocked: Typed Achievement_Unlock     Bracing Oneself     It’s A Democratic Gaming Landscape, Bitches     Non-Problems Of The Obscenely Over-Privileged     Wanking ‘Not Inappropriate’ To Government Commerce     Dispensing Justice     Getting Owned     This Just In: Frogs Aren’t Morons     Der Uberdoktor     Jon Stewart On Presidential Elitism     I Actually Can’t Stop The Music     Offlyin’     The Life And Inevitable Death Of Bloopi     PC Gamer Blog: Five Years Of Foolishness     Anne Diamond Reviews Games     Fail Dogs     Review: Soulstorm (Fire Indeed Hot)     There Will Be Country For Old Men In Real Life, Baby     The Far Cry 2 Team     PC Gamer Tells Greg Costikyan To Shut The Fuck Up     Valve Decided Against The Overhealer     Austin Translation     Preview: World of Goo     ‘Meet The Scout’ Imminent     PC Gamer Blog: Greatest Videogame Weapon of All Time     Bill Hicks: Another Dead Hero     Vortessence Hangover     Nick Montfort On Portal Vs The Passage     I Eat What I Slaughter     Jonathan Blow On Making Enough Money For Food     Audiosurfing The Shipping News     Team Fortress 2 Badlands Exploit Patched     Lost, Season Four, Spoilers, Obviously     Badlands     James 2.5 Explained     PC Gamer Podcast: March     Chris Livingston Considering A TF2 Comic     Come In     Actors Out Of Context     Murder Incorporated     Books That Make You Dumb     Powered Down For Redesign     New TF2 Maps And Medic Change In Two Months     Molecular Gastronomy Blog     Team Fortress 2 Update Reactions     Things Round Here Have Changed     My Goatee     Things I Forgot To Talk About Round-Up     GalCiv2: Still Genius     Analysing Team Fortress 2     Gamespot Finally Do The Logical Thing     Deus Fucking Ex Fucking 3     Crysis Week: The Endingening     Episode Two Death Maps     Masq     SO… MUCH… CAKE…     On Rock     Review: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare     I’m Not Allowed To Do This     I Played Through The Crysis Demo Holding A Surprised Korean Guy     The Greatest Spy In Team Fortress 2     FEAR: Perseus Mandate Is The Best Game Ever     Hellgate London Thoughts     Beautiful Piano Rendition Of The Portal Song     I Played Through Episode Two Holding A Goddamn Gnome     Pushing Daisies Continues To Be Incredible     Ten Minutes To Go     The Best Three Things On TV     Life Complete     This Just In: The Scout Is A Dick     Not Being A Spy     SO… MUCH… BLOOD…     Weirdly, You’ve Been Tanned - Suspicious For The Winter     Structurally Superfluous     Top of GameTab: Wikipedia Edits From Sony IP     Heroes Season Two     My Favourite Disaster     Quick BioShock Warning     Rock, Paper, Shotgun     British Airwaves     BioShock Review Review     Gollum Beat Box Like You Never Seen     The Machine Of Death Winners     System Failure     The Order of the Phoenix     The Completist: Tribes: Vengeance     Quickly     Boston and Bioshock     Cloak And Tagger     Gamespot Finally Do The Logical Thing     The Completist: Far Cry     This Month In Terrible, Part 2: London Olympics Logo     This Month In Terrible, Part 1: Anti-DRM T-Shirts     The Finale Post     Not The Finale Post     Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa-     Starcraft 2     Grrraaahahahahaa!     Mystery Trip     Access Denied     Invasion of the Body Snatchers     New-Album Deathmatch     Can I Just Say (3)     Back!     ‘Iv’     Desktop Tower Defense     Whoa     Noble Jedis     I Don’t Know About You Folks     Infinitely More Exciting Than Anything     Exploded     A Couple Of Things!     This Is Taking Ages     Best Interview Ever     Let Them Eat Facts     He’s Gone Too Far     Highlight Of 2006 (3/3)     Highlight Of 2006 (2/3): Snowboarding To Safety     Highlight Of 2006 (1/3): Previewing Oblivion     Yeah, Me Too     Somerfield     24     iPwn     2006     First Screenshots Of Introversion’s Next Game     Dexter: Series One     Woo     Dexter Again     Primer     Just ‘Cause     Spoiler Test     Heroes     Not Everything You Find On Flickr Makes A Lot Of Sense Right Away     Posts About Games Writing Suck So I’m Writing A Post About Posts About Games Writing     Supreme Commander     A Weak Russian Sunset     Event-Inspired Idea: Cellphone Breathalizer     I Am About To Play One Of These Games     Dexter     Bad News     24: Drink When…     Blood Money And Sex     Veronica Mars     Too Zune     Something I Didn’t Understand But Still Feels Right     James 1.0     Dangerous Animals Found Dangerous, Term Remains Mystery     Don’t Blog While Stupid     Should I Hit The Weak Spot For Massive Damage Now?     25th Hour     Porn Shoes     A Life In Questions     Paris Laptop Consciousness Drip     This Next Test Is Impossible     Found And Lost     Team Fortress 2, Episode Two And Portal     Not Lasting     Pandora’s Checkbox     Episode Three Conjecture     Episode Two Conjecture     Trivia: My Firefox Extensions     Half-Life 3: Episode 1     Can I Just Say     Top 100 Musings #1: Battlefield 2     Maths Cop 2: The Revengening     Waa?     Out Of Office Auto-Blog     Oblivion Review     I Took A Photograph Of You In The Herbacious Border     If Things Go Right     New Ritual     Favourites     World Of Lifecraft     Elsewhere     Some News, JC     This Is The Winter Of Our Disco Tent     Villainy Like It Oughta Be     FEAR     Battlefield 2 Stats     Brain Storm’s New Clothes     Fahrenheit     Sorry     Quote From What I’m Watching     NaNoWriMo - Hard FAQs     Mockba     SWAT 4: The Game     First Night, Second Life     Disappointing Results     Maths Cop!     NaNoWriMo     Google Oozes Connectivity     Lost Season 2     Serenity     Oh Screw It, I’ll Mention The Revolution     Flying     Introducing: Brain Storm     Concerned     This Month In Awesome     Rain     SWAT 4: The Movie     On Bringing It     State Of Things     Quest Ideas     Quest Que C’est?     WordPress Wizard     Reasons To Freeze To Death     Phew     Futurama     The West Wing     Firefly     Lost     The Great     The Fantastic     The Top Few     Mulholland Drive     Adaptation     Grosse Pointe Blank     Memento     LA Confidential     Diablo 2     Battlefield 2     Half-Life 2: Deathmatch     Deus Ex 2     N     Morrowind     Half-Life 2     Deus Ex     Charles Darwin     Friedrich Nietzsche     Ludwig Wittgenstein     Tom Francis