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This week, we have much to be thankful for. One thing we should all be thankful for is the fact that Adam Sessler takes the time out of his busy schedule each week to let us know what's on his mind. This week, Adam is going to respond to some of your ciricisms about the recent scoring of Assassin's Creed II and Left 4 Dead 2. Many of you pointed out that these sequels have improvements over their predicessors, but got a lower score. Press play to find out why.

Sessler's Soapbox: 4 out of 5 vs. 5 out of 5 »



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I highly respect g4 for not giving every great game a 5. to earn a 5 a game needs to be absolutely incredible and everyone needs to play it. if they give more than 3 or 4 five star ratings a year it becomes bloated. this is why, if you are going to have a rating at all you need to have a 10 point rating. because there are certainly differing levels of a 4 star rating. and just a quick promo the show Co-Op, formerly the 1-up show, spends about 15 min reviewing a game and then does not give it...

Posted: 15 minutes ago by supergeek13579

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It was just yesterday that we all found out about the closing of Pandemic Studios, creators of the Mercenaries series and the upcoming The Saboteur. While there have been a lot of game developers shutting their doors recently, this one seems to represent something larger than a simple financial decision. Pandemic's publisher EA tried an experiment last year by releasing new, experimental IPs like Mirror's Edge and Dead Space instead of their usual stable of licensed games and sequels. But are they really to blame when we, the gaming public, didn't buy into their great experiment? Listen to what Adam has to say on the subject and let us know what you think in the comments below. 

Sessler's Soapbox: Goodbye Pandemic Studios »



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first mirrors edge was okay i wish they would of let u play with the free running more without always on missions i guess more of an open world type game. dead space i thought was really good especially at creepin u out playing with all lights off 2 in the morning. being recently laid off myself i feel bad for the employees sorry guys just chalk one up to the corparate dicks of the world.

Posted: 3 days ago by drumsofreckoning

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Since everyone is talking about or playing or buying extra copies of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 right now, Adam couldn't let this week's Soapbox go by without talking about the controversial "Airport Scene" we've all been hearing so much about.

While this video is fairly light on spoilers, if you haven't finished the single-player campaign in the game, you might want to wait before you hear what the Sess has to say on the subject. That being said, how did playing through that scene make you feel? Or did you skip the level, expecting it to be gratuitous and offensive? Let us know what you think, but again, please keep the discussion intelligent and civil.

Update: Adam did not go on Fox and Friends. It was his decision, and it was due to scheduling.

Sessler's Soapbox: The Modern Warfare 2 Airport Scene »



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I agree entirely adam and couldn't have said it better myself. Art is art appreciate it or not its your choice and either way it cant truly hurt anyone.

Posted: Yesterday 3:53 AM by sporkassassin

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This week's Soapbox gets a little serious. First, if you want to know what Adam is talking about, search YouTube for "Call of Duty Grenade Spamming" to find the original viral video that Adam will be talking about this week.

Once you've seen it, you'll understand where The Sess is coming from in this episode of Sessler's Soapbox. Adam is not a fan of the large amount of hate speech that is thrown about on Xbox Live and the PSN during multiplayer matches, and from his perspective, that video has given those activities a somewhat passive approval from Infinity Ward. This video couldn't have come at a worse time, considering Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is coming out in less than two weeks. Do you agree with Adam on this subject? Or do you believe the developer has no responsibility towards what gamers do while playing their game? And please, keep the discussions civil.

Sessler's Soapbox: Adam Calls Infinity Ward Out »



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Last night, I ran into this problem in the first Modern warfare while online with the PS3 version of the game. I joined a game that had nothing but those pricks. I swear, those douche-bags were tossing those things out like candy to freaking trick-or-treaters. I can understand why Infinity Ward made the video, but I think they should've watched a little more before finally releasing it.

Posted: Yesterday 3:49 PM by Wanzerfan

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Earlier this week the brilliant Dana Vinson posted a very interesting article listing 5 reasons why we don't need a new console generation anytime soon. Check out the original post right here.

Now that you've covered your required reading for the week, check out what Adam has to say on the subject in this week's Soapbox. Is a graphical upgrade really required? Do we need a whole new console in order to experience next-gen games? Watch Sessler's Soapbox and let us know what you think.

Sessler's Soapbox: We Don't Need New Consoles (Yet) »



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With Cry Engine 3 running on the PS3 and 360 they both have some years left.

Game's like Uncharted 2 show the PS3 can make things look prettier than some 360 fare but I think most developers will stick to architecture unloading less of the work on the other processors (b/c the engines will then be more similar across platforms). Also the 360's favored as a platform b/c it's middleware's so similar to a PC's. The PS3 might have much more power developers could squeeze from its'...

Posted: November 8, 2009 by ArrenKae

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Borderlands came out this week, and as you can probably tell from the reviews, the RPG element to this FPS is a big reason why people are enjoying the game so much. While playing the game, Adam recognized how much he was enjoying the simple yet masterfully crafted gameplay, leading him to the conclusion that grinding can be very satisfying if done right. Such is the subject of this week's Soapbox. Do you like grinding away with your character in a game for a satisfying final outcome? Or are you more of the type that looks for instant gratification from a video game? Watch this week's Sessler's Soapbox and let us know what you think in the comments section. 

Sessler's Soapbox: Grinding is Good »



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Hey Adam, major respect for the Richard Dawkins 'Selfish Gene' reference. I remember reading that as a undergrad and it was hype! It fits in perfectly with your point on game design.

Posted: November 1, 2009 by cyberpunk_scholar

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Sessler's Soapbox: Adventures in Storytelling »


G4 Editor in Chief Adam Sessler dissects the art of storytelling in video games, where it’s been and where it’s going. Taking a look at Uncharted 2 and Brutal Legend as the best of the recent crop, Adam chats about what makes for a good story, and how dialogue and acting have vastly improved in games over the years. Yes, back in the day, the story just got in the way of the action, but now the story often drives the game. Why? What changed? Tune in and find out. Enjoy!
 

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ive been playing games as long as i can remember, honestly my first memory is actually of super Nintendo's Zelda: a link to the past a game i beat before i could even read the text boxes that insisted on slowing me down. i can still remember the locations of all the treasure chest in super ghosts and ghouls so obviously challenging game play will keep me playing but after playing ff7 for the first time my life (as far as gaming is concerned anyway) changed forever. i grew to care about those...

Posted: Yesterday 2:40 AM by sporkassassin

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Everyone loves zombies. Well maybe not people getting eaten by zombies. But being gamers, there's nothing we enjoy more than splattering the soft, gray skull of a member of the undead with the butt of our shotgun. Such is the subject of this week's Soapbox. The Sess gets literary on your ass and explains in great detail why zombies are such an important part of American pop-culture, why they work so well in video games, and why they've evolved over the years. So before you chow down on some tasty grey matter, spend some time with this week's Sessler's Soapbox. 

Sessler's Soapbox: Why Zombies Matter »


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My favorite Critical Theory professor gave his first lecture on the importance of zombies. I thought he was joking at first or having a fun opener to set us at ease but her seriously got into how art about zombies represented the cultural concerns of the time. Night of the Living Dead had a black guy taking charge (which was apparently a big thing) concurrent w/the civil rights movement. The slow but seemingly insurmountable approach of zombies was taken indicative of the nature of the threat...

Posted: November 8, 2009 by ArrenKae

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Hooray! Adam can finally tell you all exactly why he loved Uncharted 2: Among Thieves so much. For reference, check out his written review first. Then, take the time to hear straight from The Sess why this is the greatest single-player experience he's ever had in a video game. So press play and enjoy the pearls of wisom spit my the great Adam Sessler. Oh, and go pre-order Uncharted 2 if you haven't already.

Sessler's Soapbox: Uncharted 2 is Awesome! »



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i had just played wolverine, and the jumping from car to car in that was just a button push. but in this it was so well done, i needed to time my jumps. not to mention shoot people and get off the truck before it crashed. also you could just shoot the driver of the jeep and it would crash killing the passenger, saving ammo, lol. very fun

Posted: October 26, 2009 by cablenategrey

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I know you're all busy playing Firefight right now, but it's that time of week to sit down and take a minute to listen to the pearls of wisdom spit by The Sess. Adam sits down to discuss Halo 3: ODST and its strangely muted presence in this year's list of big game releases. Does ODST not need a bit marketing push because it's a part of the Halo franchise that always sells well? Or is there another reason? Find out what Sessler thinks, and tell us your thoughts in the comments section.

Sessler's Soapbox: Does ODST Have The Halo Effect? »



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I kind of liked ODST and I liked the other HALO games as well. But many people are bashing the game because they are playing the game like a previous HALO game and not learning from their mistake. And then they judge it on the "HALO rating rubric" instead of looking at it as a different type of game.

Posted: November 3, 2009 by G4_Junky

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This week, Adam sits down with a topic we're all familiar with; bosses. Not the guy who wears short sleeved shirts and scolds you for spelling errors. No, we're talking about the larger than life characters you fight at the end of a level, or to be more specific, the huge guy at the very end of the game. The Sess has a bone to pick with final bosses, because they always seem to be a bit removed from the rest of the game, requiring simple memorization or trial and error to defeat them, rather than usage of the skills you've acquired throughout the entire game.

This is where you guys come in. Leave a comment below outlining how you think game developers could improve final boss battles. Just try to be civil, expressive, and creative. But first, press play and find out what Adam has to say on the subject.

Sessler's Soapbox: Boss Battles Can Be Better »



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Hi there. The open ended games that seem to be lacking in the epic boss battle feeling at the end of them is a problem, but I think it can be remedied. RPG open ended games have an easier time, as they can and do in some cases rely on the drama and the story to resolve them. Oblivion did this pretty well with the ending to the main quest I think ending in an epic way but with no boss battle in the end, even though the boss did show up. I think games like fable 2 and the grand theft auto...

Posted: 7 days ago by mastematt

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Sessler's Soapbox: Meet The Beatles... Rock Band, That Is! »


Oh rock ‘n’ roll, how we love you so. You have brought us so much joy in the form of groups like The Stones, Kiss, Nirvana and, of course, The Beatles. Yet only one group could stir up so much hoopla in the video game community, and The Beatles: Rock Band is doing just that. Released today with much fanfare by MTV Games / Electronic Arts (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii), the game seems to be taking the world by storm. So who better to comment on the madness than X-Play’s own Adam Sessler?

Yes, The Sess covers The Beatles: Rock Band in a way only he can on this edition of Sessler’s Soapbox. Will it live up to the hype? How relevant can a game be based on source material that is over 35 years old?  How well does the game stand up to the legacy? Will Beatles fans such as himself be happy with Beatles: Rock Band? And if so, is it the music or the game itself that is leaving them so satisfied? And what exactly is it that makes a game good? Hmmmm…watch and enjoy.

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I've always looked at the numbering system as sort of a graduated measurement. Here's how I see the lose breaking down:
1 - Barely a game, if you are truly a diehard fan of the license or game type, you /might/ find some fun in it.
2 - It's okay, but there are some fundamental flaws that are hard for anyone but dedicated fans of the genre/license to overlook.
3 - A solid game that will appeal to most people. It doesn't do anything good that is new or special, but it doesn't do...

Posted: September 27, 2009 by Lordofnightmares

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Do you still have all your old games from past generation consoles? Do you still want to play them? Do they even work in the next-gen console you have? No matter what your answer to any of those questions, you should check out this week's Soapbox.

The Sess sits down to talk about the PS3 Slim's lack of backwards compatability, and uses that as a springboard to explain that while he loves playing old games once in a while, re-releasing them through digital download formats gives developers a chance to go back and fix the small bugs that originally existed in the game. Check out the video below and see if you agree with Adam, then let us know in the comments below.

Sessler's Soapbox: Who Cares About Backwards Compatibility? »



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I have mixed feelings about backwards compatibility. first off i dont have a lot of money to waste so there is often a long stretch between new games during which i play the old games i have loved forever. that said i dont think re-releasing old games is a bad idea hell i would give my right arm for an updated version of ff7 (so long as i can find a way to play one handed no gift of the magi bs)
second i can hold on to an old system if i need to so really all backwards compatibility...

Posted: Yesterday 3:34 AM by sporkassassin

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On this week's Soapbox, Adam responds directly to you, the readers. Apparently many of you were unhappy with the references made to other games in the Shadow Complex and Batman: Arkham Asylum reviews. Well The Sess took it upon himself to explain to you why it's important to include those references when talking about any form of art, including games. So put on your thinking caps, this Soapbox will test your noodle.

Sessler's Soapbox: Game Reviews Need Reference »



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Adam, you're bringing me back to art classes and that guy who said Americans need Disneyland to distract us from our country being the real theme park. He was french.

http://www.stanford.edu/dept /HPS/Baudrillard/Baudrillard_S imulacra.html

If you're interested that's the article. But I've a sneaking suspicion you've read it before.

Posted: November 8, 2009 by ArrenKae

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Now that the much rumored PS3 slim has been officially revealed, along with an all around price drop, people are wondering how this new console model will effect Sony's bottom line as well as the gaming industry. Such is the topic of this week's Soapbox. Adam takes some time out of his day to speculate about how he thinks the public will react to this new, seemingly more accessible machine and if it will bring Sony's sales numbers up to the level of the Xbox 360 or possibly even the Wii. Check it out.

Sessler's Soapbox: PS3 Goes Slim! »



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Bought my PS3 last June when it was still $399 for the 80GB model, so when I heard about the price cut I was slightly pissed off. Although paying $100 less would have been nice, I'm still VERY happy I bought a PS3, so far it has been a MUCH MUCH MUCH better experience than the 360. So any of you who like to cry "fanboy" I've owned both systems and in MY OPINION the 360 is a piece of crap when compared to my PS3. Also I go by Quality OVER Quantity, something more people should go by, because...

Posted: September 26, 2009 by Rust_In_Peace

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