Stamper Brothers Leave Rare

It's an end of an era. Reported here, the original founders of the iconic games developer Ultimate: Play the Game, later to become Rare have left the company four years after it was bought by Microsoft.

It could be argued that Rare have not been firing on all cylinders since Microsoft bought them from Nintendo for $375m in 2002.

However, anyone who grew up playing the ZX Spectrum or Commodore 64 cannot forget the greatness of games from Ultimate: Play the Game. Not only for the great cardboard boxes they came but also the founding of innovative gameplay with the likes of Jet Pac, Lunar JetMan etc and the series of much copied 'isometric' games such as Alien8, Gunfright and Knightlore.

Becoming Rare in the late 80's creating many great games for the original Nintendo Entertainment System and in the 90's some classics such as the brilliant Goldeneye, as well as Blast Corps, Killer Instinct on the N64 and Donkey Kong Country on the SNES (to name just a few).

In a games industry dominated by the US and Japan, it's worth noting the impact that this UK firm has had on gaming over the past 20 years and although sad for nostalgia fans, its worth highlighting that Rare are just one of many UK games development companies that continued to create revolutionary games for all leading platforms.

Saddam Execution Video

Against my better judgement I watched the footage of the Saddam execution filmed by someone on a mobile phone.

Although I do not agree with the death sentence I appreciate that Saddam was tried under laws whereby he could be sentenced to death.

In addition, I do not excuse the terrible crimes that were committed by Saddam Hussein whilst he were in power.

But what sort of Democracy allows a man to be insulted, heckled and shouted at as he has a noose tied around is neck? What judicial process allows an execution to be filmed on a mobile phone and posted on the internet within hours? How does a dark execution chamber, the hooded guards, the jibes and insults morally elevate this execution higher than some of the Al Qaeda beheadings that have occurred in the past?

My Games of the year (part 2)

When I went to pick up my Nintendo Wii on December the 8th, in spite of being hungover from a Christmas party, I was not quite prepared for the amount of sheer fun I was going to have that day.

This was down to one very simple, subtle title that came free with the Wii; Wii Sports. This could so easily have been a very basic title designed simply to show off the innovative new control system of the Wii Remote which of course it does, superbly. But it also is such an incredibly addictive title which rewards continued and 'genuine' play as you understand the little nuances that are involved in each included sport.

Me and my mate spent about 8 hours on launch day playing that game, and although we did destroy his lampshade during some over excited play, I have to say it was probably the most enjoyable days gaming I've ever had.

I ached like hell the next day, but it was worth it!

My Games of the year! (part 1)

This year has seen the new Xbox 360 become an established and competition free addition to many homes throughout the country. Reportedly already shifting 10m units worldwide. However, the Nintendo Wii, only release at the beginning of December 06 has already shifted over 3 million units; an impressive achievement in less than a month.

Sony's year on the other hand has been less than impressive. After the cringeworthy press conference they gave at the E3 show they displayed an arrogance about the new PS3, bragging about the amazing 'new' (see copied) features of thee PS3 that seems to, as usual over-promise yet under deliver. Their tilt-sensing 'sixaxis' controller is a poor comparison the the truly revolutionary Wii remote as is their online proposition which pales against Xbox Live which is for me a 'killer app' on the Xbox 360.

The latter half of the year has seen the Xbox 360 really show of its potential. Anyone who has seen Gears of War played on an HD TV cannot fail to be impressed by the quality of the graphics. But such an over hyped game could have easiliy not delivered on the gameplay which I'm happy to say it didn't.

For me Gears of War is one of those games that takes a genre and adds many new and innovative gameplay features, like Halo did 5 years ago, that should make other games developers take note, and makes it one of my games of the year.

To be continued...

Saddam Hussein Executed

It's reported that Saddam Hussein was executed at 0300 GMT despite last minute appeals to block the execution.

I'm not sure how I feel about this news. Of course, the man was a tyrant and tried under Iraqi law the death sentence could be passed down. But the same old question remains, is the world a safer place now he is dead? I'm not so sure...

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