The Rumble Pack Posts

For considerably better pictures of the event, I suggest that you head on over to Joystiq’s gallery.

This past Wednesday, the editors of the magazine “Kill Screen” helped put on a show at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. This isn’t the first time that video games have been displayed in a museum, but the MoMA’s a pretty ritzy place, and so it was seen (by me, at least) to be a pretty big deal, a means to bring some of the industry’s more avant-garde fair to the masses. And for the most part, I think the evening could be called a success.

Starry Heavens

Admittedly, if I were curating that shindig, my list of games would have looked a lot different. Kill Screen’s selections seemed to be more about the beauty of mechanics, while I tend to prefer a little more graphical splendor when I’m gripping a controller. On the other hand, the event tied in beautifully — probably intentionally so — with the incredible “Talk to Me” installation, which compiled dozens of modern technologies that humans potentially use to communicate with one another. Some of the wackier devices on display like animal-sensory simulations, a fifth dimensional camera and a metal pair of underpants that simulate menstruation for folks who don’t menstruate (like guys) will get the most buzz, but the entire collection as a whole was just awe-inspiring. It’s so cool to see such technological innovation in one room, and I’m glad that video games could be lumped along for an evening.

UPDATE: HERE’S YOUR JUSTIN.TV CHANNEL!

Episode 200 is a big deal. How big of a deal? Well, big enough that we’ve decided to do a live, streaming recording this Thursday night at 9 p.m. EST. Yeah, that means that you’ll have to deal with all of the computer crashes, dead air and un-bleep-able jokes that we experience every week, but it also means that you’ll be able to call in to the show and interact with the entire crew. If you’ve got a bone to pick with us or wish to share in our self-indulgent revelry, Thursday’s the night to do it.

You’ll be able to catch our live stream via Justin.tv. We don’t have a set channel yet, but we’ll announce it on our site, Facebook page and Twitter feed just prior to the show. You’ll have a few methods of reaching us. In addition to our usual channels of communication, you can reach us via Skype by sending friend invitations to rumble.pack.call.in. If you prefer text communications, register via Justin.tv and type into the chat window. Depending on caller volume, we might not be able to get to your call right away, but we’ll certainly do our best.

We’ve never done this before, but we’re hopeful that things we’ll go smoothly. Get pumped!

This is the full version of our interview with Mike Ambrogi, Tim Ambrogi and Halsted Larsson of Final Form Games. Justin and Tom ask the Jamestown creators about inspirations, sprite design, difficulty balance, multiplayer, “Honey I Shrunk the Kids,” the recent Steam sale and much more. If you’re a fan of old school shmups, you’ll definitely want to tune in.

Relevant Links:

Ars Technica Profile

Almost there! This week, Justin and Tom talk to the guys at Final Form Games about their colonial shmup, Jamestown. (This interview has been edited for length, but we’ll be posting the full interview, too.) After that, the guys talk about Ms. Splosion Man and ponder where all the cowboys have gone. Plus, Prodigy for class president, Mind Maze, Mad Maze, El Shaddai impressions, 3DS-related sadness, John Ratzenburger and agonizing weapon choices.

Relevant Links:

A Look Back at Mad Maze

The Amazing Cast of “Captain Planet”

Our Facebook Page

According to our Steam stats, the Rumble Pack somehow managed to put 108.6 cumulative hours into Terraria in just a single week. Granted, that’s split among half a dozen people, but still – that’s a lot of time devoted to digging holes in the ground. The Minecraft influence is pretty clear, but everyone has brought their own reasons for playing this wonderful little sandbox title. I’ve heard comparisons to LEGO sets, Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, Dig Dug and more; with a game so expansive, it’s only natural for it to evoke memories from a bunch of different sources. For me, though, Terraria offers everything I always wanted from Nintendo’s Animal Crossing, fulfilling that game’s potential for amazing social interaction whether your buddies are playing online or not.

Back in 2001, when Animal Crossing was a non-gaming novelty, I had these lofty dreams of maintaining a village with my entire family. There were four houses available for my parents, brother and I, and we were to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for those furry chatterboxes that populated the game. Though Animal Crossing doesn’t offer simultaneous co-op, you can take turns with the upkeep. Anything that one player does – either good or bad – will have consequences for anyone else who boots up the game. And when you’re not playing, the game “plays itself” – plants grow, villagers leave and mail arrives at everyone’s doorstep. If I were to leave a note for my dad or plant a tree next to my mom’s house, they’d  eventually discover my good deeds on their own time.

Grab your shovels, Rumble Nation. The guys are digging their way through Terraria and they’re not stopping until they reach the cat turds at the bottom. Thanks to the recent Steam sale, Kaz is totally in love with this Minecraft-ian sidescroller. Meanwhile, Justin channels his inner-Sully in the Uncharted 3 beta and Tom jams to the glow worm song in Shadows of the Damned. Plus, “Pirates of Dark Water,” android uprisings, streaming game services, “Rubber,” GBA reminiscing, Universe Sandbox and sexy lawn mowin’ from Kaz.

Relevant Links:

Wired’s still-timely profile on Netflix

“Rubber” Trailer

Noy Jitat

Steam’s summer camp is now in session, and just about the only game that the guys haven’t picked up is mumblety-peg. This week, Kaz and Justin talk about all of their recent PC game acquisitions, while Tom holds out as long as he can. Kaz plans a strategic strike in Frozen Synapse and encourages everyone to visit Jamestown. Meanwhile, Justin eradicates Galaga Legions DX and Tom shields his eyes from Half Minute Hero‘s new artwork. Plus, macaroni economics revisited, reliable legal advice, a theoretical Silent Scope Wii U, filling the fifth chair (or not), harmonicas, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow love and more.

Relevant Links:

Mario “Teaches” Typing

Our Facebook Page*

*Speaking of which, don’t forget to share “like” this episode on Facebook for a chance to win a game on Steam! (TBD since prices are pretty crazy right now, but for future drawings, we’ll select a game beforehand.)

It takes a very special Supreme Court ruling to bring back our long dormant Reader, but Justin, Kaz and special law master Jeff Kramer are up to the task. Tune in to hear about Scalia beat-downs, Alito’s special Genesis 3D and Thomas’ crazy ramblings. Guaranteed to give you a “laughing episode” or two.

Relevant Links:

SCOTUSblog’s Analysis

The New York Times’ Take on Justice Yuks

We Also Have a “Duty” Now, Apparently

If you’re one of the few early adopters of the 3DS, you’ve probably racked up a massive pile of play coins, street passed dozens of commuters (or not) and maybe even conquered Donkey Kong ’94‘s 100 levels by now. What more could a cool guy or gal like you want out of your handheld? Well, some games would be nice. Though Ocarina of Time 3D was a welcome addition to the 3DS library, the early months have been especially rough for Nintendo’s latest hardware, and I wouldn’t hold it against you if you decided to hock yours on eBay.* But before you make any rash decisions, let me ask you this: have you checked out any DSiWare?

*(glaring menacingly…)

Believe it or not, a surprisingly high percentage of DSiWare is not horrendously bad.** In fact, as we’ve said on the podcast a few times, the service is one of Nintendo’s best kept secrets, since the company refuses to advertise it at all. Games like the Art Style series and Shantae have earned accolades from both ourselves and the big sites, but the problem here is that only a very small audience has had access to them — that is, until now. The vast majority of DSiWare is compatible with the 3DS and can be found on the eShop, making this the perfect time to check out what you’ve missed. And to help you get started, I humbly suggest that you direct your attention to the following.

**Even if most of it is!