Andy Wood

GameSpy’s running the first online Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 review today, giving the co-op-centric real-time strategy game a solid 4/5:

Hard-core RTS gamers may find the strategic model of Red Alert 3 a bit simplistic, but taken on its own terms, Red Alert 3 is the strategy game equivalent of Super Smash Brothers — simple, brutal, fast and fun. The game’s strategy model is built around three fun-to-use armies that exemplify classic RTS archetypes. The Soviets are a brutal direct damage army best at building big and hitting hard. The Allies are built around versatility with shifting troop-carrying units that change their combat role based on the type of troop they’re carrying. The Empire army is a fast-moving hit-and-run strike force built around stealth and transforming. The sole “innovation” in the game is an increased role for naval units — normally not a popular thing in RTS games — that the game makes work by adding in lots of amphibious units and vehicles that are easy to use and as filled with personality as their land-based counterparts.

Ultimately, it’s Red Alert 3’s multiplayer components that really sell it. Almost every unit in the game has a single secondary power that’s activated by pressing the (default) “F” key on the keyboard and any selected multi-unit squad can be tabbed through to use a specific power. The result is a game of slam-bang back-and-forth action where players who are quick enough at reading the situation can employ specific powers to take out enemy units. Even for players who aren’t that good, simply spamming the “F” and “Tab” keys will probably do something useful — or at least amusing. The simplicity and the user-friendliness of this design ensure that strategy newbs can have a good time without a lucky break frustrating more skilled players.

Here are the results for the GamersCircle Arkham Asylum Release Event:

1st Place Winner–Heath Ledger Joker Mini-bust and No Man’s Land Event

Dial: Blake Harrison

2nd Place Winner – Halle Berry Catwomen LE: Blake Matador
3rd Place Winner – Mr. Freeze LE: Kyle Denna
4th Place Winner – FCBD Iron Man: John Vina
Fellowship–No Man’s Land Event Dial: Ember (Spark)

Three people came in costume to get the re-roll bonus. Blake Harrison came in full Brave Heart gear and won a $10 store gift certificate for his costume.

The crowd opening up boosters.	Blake “Braveheart” Harrison
Kyle Denna “Ultimate Spiderman”	Blake “the Pirate” Matador
more booster openings	battles ensuing
blood bath?	Ultimate Spiderman (Kyle Denna) vs. Pirate (Blake Matador)
Blake M vs. Blake Harrison in Final Match	Chase “Lamp Post” Batman

Thanks to everyone that attended.

GameStop will Be Selling COD: World at War a Day Early on PlanetXbox360 reports that GameStop may begin selling Call of Duty World at War on the evening of November 10, a day in advance of the game’s official release date. They report learning of the plan from the manager of a local store, saying the games will be picked up early at FedEx to facilitate early sales. The report makes it sound like this is all based on this local report, but they go on to say: “Either way this is 100%, make sure you’re at your local GameStop at 4:59 p.m. on Monday the 10th of November to pick up Call of Duty: World at War.” We remain unconvinced, and the GameStop.com CoD: World at War Page does not reflect this information.

The zombie invasion that recently began in World of Warcraft to pave the way for the launch of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion for Blizzard’s MMORPG is not poplar with all players, reports Ripten. The plague of Zombies seems particularly unpopular with PvE players, who feel they are having PvP game elements force upon them, and many players finding the game unplayable due to the large number of NPCs turning up dead, or undead, or something. They point the way to a post on the World of Warcraft Forums from Blizzard on the situation:

We do appreciate the feedback; if threads are being deleted, it’s because the moderators are trying to keep things consolidated and constructive, not because they seek to stifle dissenters.

As I have stated, if this was planned to last any longer than it is, we would have been a great deal more leery of the wide-reaching effects of the plague. This has been anticipated; I respect the concept that some people dislike it and we’ll certainly take that into account, but this was an event meant to impact players in all walks of life and routines. I am in no way stating it was perfect, and should we do something like this again the feedback both for and against will be taken into account when changes are made, particularly pertaining to lower level players. This event absolutely was meant to shake up the status quo of the average WoW day, and in that it’s been successful.

It will still continue as planned, but for those of you less than fond of the plague, you don’t have much longer to wait.

It isn’t the number one question I hear all of the time at the shop, but it is one of the top 5.  How much is my comic book worth? There are lots of answers to this question and lately I have been telling them to turn to Ebay.  They are a good source for realtime values, with price guides being good to find the ideal price.

I have found that this is a ‘readers’ market and not a ‘collectors’ market.  I often find that people won’t pay the prices for the classic Uncanny X-Men #94 or Incredible Hulk 181, but instead are more interested in the variant covers of their favorite current titles.

With the volatility of today’s economy, it’s important that you don’t try to sell a comic for some quick cash, especially if the comic in question is a rare find. I’ve heard from more than one of my peer comic shops about how they scored a collection from a person looking for a quick sale, only to find a lot of pricey issues.

Do you home work, but also understand that the recession will go away.