Thicker than kleenex, slick as blood, and not legal in some countries. What am I? I've been informed by two people that there are FF4 and FF5 FMVs available at Enterprise. As for GIA, we've got the things, but there's dispute over whether we'll post them or not. Stay tuned or visit the other site. People asked a few quickies today, like what happened to RPG Maker (its US release appears to be Dead), whether I've read Preacher (comic series, critically acclaimed, but not my cuppa - I'm more of a Transmetropolitan man), whether I've played Everquest (looks interesting, but no), and whether there's an FF Tactics art book available (I've looked, but never found one). And now the news. Well, what passes for news... | PCM. Yes, again. | I noticed in the column of the 15th some erroneous information regarding "PCM." There are basically three standards for music playback on the PlayStation. These three formats are: - Redbook audio (Regular CD tracks) - XA Format streaming music - Internal PlayStation synthesis, often referred to as "PCM." XA Format streaming music is similar to redbook in that it is pre-recorded, but it is dissimilar in that it takes up less space and can be looped. The disadvantage to this format is that loading is not possible while XA audio is being streamed. Some games, such as Suikoden 1, will "pause" the XA audio, load a new location, and "unpause" the XA, but a fade-in/fade-out is necessary for this. Some games that use this format are Suikoden, Tekken 1, 2 and 3, Castlevania, etc. Internal PS Synthesis, which is often, but technically erroneously referred to as "PCM," uses the PlayStation's internal sound hardware to create music. This is similar to general MIDI, but different in that the PlayStation has no on-board "sample set." The composer/sound programmer can load as many instrument samples as can fit into the PlayStation sound RAM. Contrary to Mister Edge's statement, games that use this format are Wild Arms, Xenogears, Final Fantasy Tactics, FFVII and VIII, Saga Frontier, etc. Some games just have better sound programmers than others, so I can see why some may think these titles don't use IPSS/PCM. Of course, there are certain tracks in almost all of the abovementioned games that AREN'T IPSS/PCM, such as vocal or orchestral tracks, but the vast majority of in-game music in each is generated by the PlayStation. An easy way to test if a game is using PCM or not is to simply open the PlayStation and remove the game CD. If the music stops, it's either XA Format or redbook. If it continues, it is IPSS/PCM. |
I scarcely remember what my original spiel on this subject was, much less the original question. Sheesh. For my part, I think I'm going to agree with this latest letter. Ice_Man_Ash, who wrote the original, sorry for all the confusion, I wish I'd been able to circumvent all of it. But above, I think, is the answer you're looking for. | FMV, Sony bias, and the big N | Well now, you live in Ontario? I was wondering why your column seemed so... ~dare I say it~ INTELLIGENT?! Bloody Americans, they can't do anything right. Blagh. [No comment - Allan] Anyway, I know you people are primarily Sony supporters. (Considering the amount of RPGs for the PSX, that doesn't surprise me.) I also know that the PS2 will be an amazing system. (Looking at the specs.) But I was wondering, what'd the big friggin deal about FMV? Who in the Dragon God's name is going to use 5-odd gigabytes of space? Especially with those incredible real-time renders, (Damn you Square!) you don't NEED FMV anymore. I know that many developers will continue to use FMV due to the diffculty of creating Real-time renders, but still. 5 gigs? And the fact that Sony will now be battling itself in the DVD market, (if infact they allow for DVD movie compatibility,) it doesn't make sense to go that route. How long will it take to pirate DVD-ROM games? Not that long I grant you. Sony will find itself in the same boat as they are with the PSX, trying to curb piracy. Now I come to the OTHER great gaming company: Nintendo.Now I've heard that Nintendo has been talking with Square about developing for either the N64 (I seriously doubt) or the next system (Much more likely). Now what I am wondering is, would Square really abandon Sony (or half abandon, if they produce games for both systems) or is this some LSD induced dream? I think it might be an actual possibility. What has Nintendo trying to bang down our throats? 1) Gameplay. 2) Writability. How long have we heard that? That's why the N64 wasn't CD-ROM based. (Bad move there in my opinion.)Now what if some of Square's team have been fiddling with a few ideas that are based in Writability? Do you think that if the storage capacity for the Next system is in excess of 1.5 gigs, Square will develop? Just a thought. Oh and one more thing. You lot hear anything about this so-called "N2000". (Damn stupid name if you ask me.) -DRAGONA- |
GIA has heard no news about Nintendo's next system. The PSX2 is very much a showboat for new and cutting-edge technology, from the 55 polys a second clock speed to the DVD drive. I mean, most games aren't going to use the DVD space for anything except FMV and Redbook audio. But really, how many pieces of electronics can you name that only contain what's needed? Better to give too much room to play around in than not enough. Does it need any of this stuff? Of course not. Can developers use it? Hell yeah. Nintendo's promises of gameplay and writeability have turned out to be smoke and mirrors, frankly. A vaporware accessory (the 64DD) and a batch of games that, while often quite excellent, are not the ultimate expression of gameplay and customization that they were touted as. Superb, deep, brilliantly-executed games, sure. But there's precious little on the N64 that couldn't be done on another system. The sneered at the CD bandwagon and it ran right over them. Their new system had better boast some sort of technological breakthrough, because the N64 has failed to capture its niche and promise, and the only thing it's got going for it is top-flight first party support. If Nintendo wants to recapture the video game market worldwide, they need better than a platform. They need a product. | A smattering 'o sketch thoughts | Those sketches mean nothing, they are just sketches. Just because some guy at Square decided to draw a few things which happened to leak out doesn't mean squat. And another thing, I am glad that you didn't receive letters about them, because for god sakes FF8 hasn't even came out here yet so we shouldn't worry about the next incarnation until AT LEAST 6 months or so after beating 8, or you will all die a horrible death in the agony of waiting forever. -Mr. Splat-
Hey Allan-boy, You know, I think those FF sketches you posted just HAVE to be proof that Square and Enix are merging. You see, Square has wandered so far from their roots and beliefs that they needed to be bought up by an older and wiser company, and forced onto the path of righteousness by the creators of 7th Saga and Dragon Quest, hallowed be those names. Those sketches represent the future of Final Fantasy, one of beauty and 2D goodness, like all true gamers love and appreciate. It will be a fine future. - Hushabye
I'm thinking that those pics have to be for a remake of the firstFinal Fantasy! I mean, you've got Garland, the Fighter, Black andWhite Wizards, ANIMATED BROOMS! This looks promising! Of course theymay choose to not released it in the states as part of their plan todrive an entire nation STALK RAVING MAD!!! (uh.. er.. sorry) The one thing I've got to ask, have you are anyone else been able totranslate the text that's written on a couple of the drawings? I'mdying to find out what it says! Thanks, the site is great - BTW! I just found it today, but I'll becoming back often. Rob |
The text has been translated, butI'm told that it's nothing especially telling, though, for the most part. I wouldn't sweat it. The nature of the pictures remains a mystery, I suppose, though I had a nice collection of theories to pick from today, I figured I'd get a representative of three camps here. Mr. Splat as Scully, Hushabye as Mulder, and Rob as someone who agrees with my guess. :) | Video game music banter | Monsieur Allan, You raise an good point about the importance of music in many role playing games. No, music does not make a game, but it can be phenominally important. Would anyone have actually played Soukaigi if not for the presence of Hiroki Kikuta's superb soundtrack? Would Ys III be shunned even more by Falcom fans if the music weren't arguably the best in the series? Of course, Falcom is a bit of an anomaly in this situation. Their Sound Team JDK creates some of the most unique music out there, and has been doing so for over a decade (Falcom has a record label because of their music for cripes sake). Not one person I have asked has said that their favorite thing about the Ys series is something besides the music. Anyone heard the Redbook soundtracks from the Turbo Grafx Ys games? The music is absolutely godly (I'd proclaim Theme of Adol to be my theme song if it weren't already the theme song for some freak named Adol...oh well ^_^). The only reason I even heard of the Ys games was through a friend of mine who recommended the soundtrack from Ys III. At that point I bought the thing, popped it into my cd player, and went completely deaf when the Turbo Grafx data sent the loudest screech I've ever heard through headphones. Course, I listened to the soundtrack itself eventually (takes a while for eardrums to heal, ya know), but I'm now afraid to listen to track 2 of ANY cd I have. Falcom isn't alone though - the Konami Kukeiha Club has been reeling out incredible music for years (including your precious Suikoden soundtrack), Nobuo Uematsu is THE god of game music to most Americans by this point (with Yasunori Mitsuda of CT and Xenogears on his heels), and Koichi Sugiyama and his tunes are exactly 1/3rd of the reason Dragon Quest is so popular in Japan. I think I'll stop there, because I can rant on about this forever (sorta like you with completely random topics, eh?). And by the way, that Flatley bit had me in stitches. Strohmie |
Ah... another who sees the light of glory that is Sound Team JDK. Good, good. My plan is working perfectly, it seems... ahem, anyhow, nice outlining of some major game music movers and shakers. You missed a few, of course, including a personal fave, Yuzo Koshiro. Koshiro has done some great scores, some less great ones, and perhaps my single favourite game soundtrack of all time, that of Actraiser. That was the game that, from the moment I started it up, to the time I finished it (which was admittedly not too long), screamed 16-bit into my face as loud as the SNES could manage. It was leagues, technology-wise, beyond anything I'd played on a home system, and to this day, I still remember the Bloodpool action music. That, to me, is the definition of epic game music. | Intelligence and floating boats | Yo, Allan! Your letters section is excellently done, but there is one huge thing thatpisses me off. I forget when, but a reader asked about longer lettersections or something, you responded you can't just print every letter orsomething (or maybe even something totally different, I'm not going into thearchives to find out). But it amazes me as to some of the letters you print!If these total nonsense letters weren't printed, they could be replaced bymore intelligent questions, comments, or opinions. An example of a letterunfit for print that you actually printed: "Hello. I am a snoot. My body is covered in fuzzy pink fur, and I chirp when I am wet. If you rubmy ears, I dance. ~Shawners" A professional site like Next Generation Online, Time Online, or ABC Newswould not print such garbage on their letters section. I understand that youwant to add some humor into the letters, but this is ridiculous. I hate itwhen every game site, magazine, etc.. has a letters section for 12 yearolds. Not everyone wants a Ultra Game Players letter section filled withcrap that has NOTHING to do with the site, videogames, or anything, for thatmatter. If you want to be funny, do it maturely. Wait that didn't makesense. Okay, put it this way. That letter about putting videogames overschool, that's fit for print. The above unfunny letter is unfit for print. My point is that your letters section would benefit from not print suchchildish lettersthat would only get printed in a kids' web site. I hope you take intoconsideration that letters space is lost because of the garbage printed thatcould be used for other letters. To sum it up, Don't try to be ULTRA GamePlayers. -Clyde Hudman |
If this column only printed serious letters, I would resign. If this column became professional, like NGO, or Time, or ABC News, I would resign. If this column reached the point where I need to omit a large segment of the letters I receive because of a difference in senses of humor, I would resign. I've said before and I say again, this is not a bastion of professionalism. If you want AP style, consistent attention to detail, research, respect for readers and deep thought, you're in the wrong place. Double Agent is a volatile, quirky column, and I'm damn proud of it. Serious debate and blatant silliness slide in alongside flamewars and love fests. Hell, I hate to break it to you, but most of the letters I receive actively prefer the silly stuff like the letter you cited. I've repeatedly been asked to toss out the intellectual posturings, debate, and tech talk in the column. What you consider childish, others consider fluffy, light, and silly. Is it really so wrong to enjoy some off-topic banter and one-liners in the midst of the daily collection of missives? So no, I don't think printing silly letters is a waste of time, as long as it's in moderation. All things in moderation. When the daily take permits it, I try and diversify the tone and content of the column as much as possible. Two days ago, it was very off-topic and silly. Yesterday, it was broadly serious, with one or two one-liners tossed in to keep things light. And so forth. You're perfectly within your rights to find a letter or comment unfunny, but setting down a broad edict that all letters of that type are "unfit for print" and "garbage" is preposterous. I won't toss out a significant and well-liked aspect of this column because you didn't laugh. Sorry. | Financial advice | The reason why ompanies like square sell their games in september issimple really. Think about it, the majority of game players arestudents, students who had summer jobs. Now, in september, they're backto school and have a wad of cash in their banking accounts (or left sockor under the matress, whatever). The're wondering "What can I get withthis newfound wealth?" If he's a college student, he'll drink abouthalf of the cash. The rest, he'll buy stuff that he wants, like thatbrand new FF8 that just came out and looks really cool, or why not awhole new system. "Hey, I have about three thousand bucks in my accountfrom my job, what's about 60 or 70 bucks gonna do? Or sheesh, 300bucks, that's nothing, I have enough to last me until next summer andeven then, I'll have some left over." The next thing you know, you'reflat broke by november. The companies exploit this and pretty much grab all the money they canfrom you. But it's not their fault really, the're just trying to makean honest buck (or two or three hundred thousand). My advice to counter this? Make two accounts, one savings account andone checking. Put about half the money you make into the savings andblock it off somehow, make sure that you don't touch that money. Putthe rest of the money in a checking account and go crazy with it. Hey,what's the use of having money if you can't njoy spending it ;). Oh, and since this is a game-related column, I'll make a game-relatedcomment. Umm, err, ah, Brigandine rules! Cool-J |
I'm not marketing expert, but that sounds pretty realistic to me. It's certainly how it impacts on most of my game-playing friends. Hell, I have no idea whatsoever how I'm going to afford FF8 come September, to say nothing of buying a Dreamcast. Oy vey. Anyone care to start a Buy Games For Allan charity fund? It's tax-deductible... | Dreamcast's murky future | Hey Allan, I have to warn all of you that this is a lengthy letter, so be prepared,as I am pissed (not at you Allan). This is a letter regarding the stupidgaming public that ruins it for everyone as they are the majority. I'mtalking about people who get pissed and yell at you if you don't likethey're favorite game. People who are set outto destroy what you believe inand make everybody look stupid. People who bought tickets to see Titanicmore than once an... Oh, sorry... Back to what I was saying. I am just fed up with the stupid gamng America. And anybody who has aproblem with that can take it up with me. For example. Everybody is talkingabout how the Playstation 2 is gonna beat the Dreamcast. Just because thespecs outdo it by a mile!! Now that pisses me off. What have we seen aboutgames for this remarkable system? Nothing. What good news have we heardabut developers, price, or when it's going to come out? Nothing. When over in the other corner we have the Dreamcast. Which already has agood game line-up. A good price which beats the PS2's. And par technologyto today's standards which will hold out for another two years (until therelease of the Playstation 2, of-course). Personally, I am mad, at thegaming public, and at Sony. Don't people know that this is Sega's lastchance? I'm mad at Sony because of what they're wanting to do to Sega. They want to flatten them, take all of their audience, and leave nocompetition (which will also take flatenning Nintendo). They want to be theONLY one company making games and systems. Which is not something I willlook forward to. I have to have competition, variety. Come on people!! Helpme out here!! The only way this is all going to happen is if the gamers out there stoplooking at specs, and start looking at what really matters. Gameplay. Sure,the N64 has aweome specs. But one thing stole it's thunder. Cartridges, andtheir kiddy approach to games. Basically, what I'm saying is. I liked itmuch better when there was only Sega and Nintendo. Sure, gaming would bealot different if not for the PSX's success, and wouldn't be as big. But itwouldn't be filled with greed, and total power-hungry people trying to takesomething over which is not there's. I am very, very mad right now. And am hoping that the DC WILL NOT DIE!! Iknow it seems like I had a hard time trying to get my point across, 'causeI was. And I may not have done it. But I hope somebody out there gets mydrift. Please. Heed these words my friend. And the golden-age of gamingwill never end. It will just get better. And, to also clarify something else for you stupid people out there. Idon't hate the Sony Playstation. I just hate the moving-force behind it. Jerry "ECCENTRIC JERK" Roe P.S. By the way Allan. You're a Fucko.... Just kidding. Haha. |
Sorry to burst your bubble, but Sony didn't invent hunger for power and tough competition. Sega and Nintendo have been having it out for years, and have stomped all over their fair share of companies, themselves. Singling out Sony for being a force of evil and corrupting in the gaming industry doesn't make any sense, any more than it'd make sense to harangue Nintendo for the death of TTI or the Jaguar. Business is rough. Business is tough. Companies and products get chewed up and spat out. That's the way things go. If Sony hadn't gotten involved, then I suspect there'd be at least two other smaller companies and attached systems that would be ground into the dust of gaming history, while Sega and Nintendo battle on. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. That aside, I do think competition is extremely important, and hope that the Dreamcast is a success. Monopolies don't benefit anyone except the compant in question. I encourage diversity in all things constantly, and choice and interest in game systems and companies is no exception. I do, however, accept that these companies are out to make money, in competition against one another, and when you compete, someone wins, and someone loses. I've owned a Turbografx. I owned a Sega CD. I also owned an NES. And a Game Boy. And a PSX. So long as we never reach the point of having a worldwide gaming monopoly, I think things will be fine. Just don't bash a company for doing their job. | Narcotics content for the day | Allan- Crack, Heroin, or Speed? |
What, I need to pick just one? Cheapskate...
Closing comments From conflicts over content to company politics to the semi-obligatory drug abuse one-liner, a full day in the Agent department tonight. I'll take a moment here to reiterate what I said above, though. This is a column of relative moderation, and at least trying to reach the preferences of a majority of readers. It's not all banter and silliness, it's not all serious debate and dissertation. It's everything I can jam into it. I can't please all people all the time, so I try and please all people some of the time, and hope that I'm successful in that. - The Double Agent | | | |
