Let the credits roll

Blood, sweat, and tears. Sometimes it’s quite a sacrifice to finish a story-driven video game. Responsibilities are forgotten, bed times are pushed back an hour or two or five, and in extreme cases, food is an afterthought. But as soon as the final boss is cut down or the end cut scene is wrapped up and those tiny words begin to scroll up the screen, the power button looks extremely appealing.

I know, I know - you just beat the game, why spend another ten minutes just looking at a bunch of names of people you don’t know?

Well, not only do the folks who’ve worked on the game for years appreciate you staying to see them acknowledged (take a look at the QA credits in Skyrim - hint, hint), but every now and then you may find a little gem during these credits.

Bioshock Infinite is a wonderful game, and a lock to be up for Game of the Year later this winter. It’s also got something special during the end credits.  Fans are given a behind the scenes look at one of the game’s iconic songs.  Check it below.
 

 

War is upon us...again

So I'll go right ahead and say it - I've been a Microsoft guy since the Xbox 360 launched in 2005. The reason why, you may ask. Is it because of its online presence, the processor, [insert technical jargon here], the sleek design? Nah, none of the above. I got hooked by a marketing ploy. 

With the launch of the Xbox 360, Microsoft provided 3,000 tickets worldwide for fans to attend the official event in California. All I had to do was submit a short essay on why I wanted to attend. And instead of holding it at some swanky nightclub or a pricey hotel, it was held in the middle of the Mojave Desert inside an enormous airplane hanger.  Don't believe me?  My dad didn't either. It took some convincing for him to join me in my trek for the latest and greatest tech.

My dad and I at the 360 launch event in 2005 (oh, and see humongous hanger in background)

I was one of the 3,000 chosen to make the trip to the west coast and my loyalty to Xbox hasn't wavered since. But the time is again upon us where the console war between Playstation and Xbox is renewed. Sony has already had its press conference to introduce the PS4, and not to be outdone, Microsoft is holding its own get together at its offices in Redmond, Washington, in a few weeks.

While the specs of each system, the exclusive titles, et cetera, et cetera are impressive and should factor into the decision on which to purchase, for me, it may come down to who does a better marketing job. Just give me a ticket to your launch party, and I'm yours.