Falling in L.O.V.E. all over again...

It's true... I've found love again... a love of fear!

Well, more precisely, F.E.A.R. Extraction Point.

I've just finished playing through the demo for the third time and those ghostly things (because I'm not quite sure what they are or how to describe them) still give me the creeps. The red glowing eyes and shadow-like movements... all just too eerie. In fact the first time I reached that part of the demo, every hair stood on end... it's THAT good.

I'm not sure I can remember the last game that really had that sort of effect on me, it may even be as far back as the Aliens mod for Doom (best played with the lights off and heartless, stealthy flat mates with a vicious sense of humour...).

From this initial impression there doesn't appear to be any huge leaps in the additional features department... but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The original game was fantastic and if this expansion just adds more of the same I'll be a happy man. But this was just a demo so there's no telling what surprises lay in wait in the full version!

Now if you'll excuse me... I'm off down the shops to get some brighter, long-life, light bulbs and lamps to cover all the darkened corners of the house. Just can't be too careful these days...

Are gamers killers?

They're at it again... or rather, Jack Thompson is at it again.

Apparently, the 25 year old man that went on a shooting spree in a Montreal College this week played 'Postal' and 'Super Columbine Massacre RPG' and that is why one person is dead and nineteen other were wounded.

Do you think they will EVER stop trying to blame games? Of course it had nothing to do with the fact that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't right in the head?

It's a tragic event and one that will scar a lot of the people in and around the area for the rest of their lives so it's only right that Jack Thompson should jump in and start declaring that he is 'right again'... good one Jack... way to go in the sensitivity stakes!

I'm still not sure exactly what Jack gets out of trying to bad-mouth computer games all the time. According to him they are 'violent virtual reality murder simulators' that TRAIN people to kill.

Um...

Nope...

Struggling slightly with this concept...

I've played computer games (violent and otherwise) for the last twenty-odd years; I've watched violent films; I listen to heavy metal all the time; I'm even IN a heavy metal band... and yet I don't feel any urges to start killing people.

Maybe it's me... maybe there's something wrong with me... maybe I SHOULD be feeling these urges...

Or maybe he's talking a load of bull

His latest target is Take-Two Software's 'Bully' which get's released mid-October. He is quoted as saying that it is 'in every sense is Columbine simulator'. Yeah... I can see the similarities... two teens, armed to the teeth with an assortment of weapons and looking to blow up their school before 'checking out' is just like being bullied (or being the bully) at school. The funny thing is... the ESRB rated the game T for Teen! Score one for the ESRB.

One thing I think Jack has really missed out is the fact that if we were all trained killers... surely one of us would have had the decency to take him out first?

anyone remember when people used to kill for money, love or (the biggest killer of all) religion?

Now if you'll excuse me... I've got to go catch a plane to Florida to see a lawyer about a gun...