Xbox Focus - Xbox 360 Columns List

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Battlefield: Bad...

Genre:First-Person Shooter
Publisher:Electronic Arts
Developer:DICE
Release Date:06/23/2008
Score: 4 / 5Read Review

Ninja Gaiden II
06/24/2008
Grand Theft Auto IV
04/27/2008
Dark Sector
03/25/2008
Rainbow Six Vegas 2
03/17/2008
Lost Odyssey
03/16/2008

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As the great Reggie of Nintendo would say "Hey, my name is Steve. I like kicking asses."

In case you didn't know, my name is Steve Wysowski, and my job is to run this site to the best of my ability, but my other job is also to maintain this column for your enjoyment. Here I will share my inner most thoughts about this wonderful world of gaming every few days; and hopefully give you all a few laughs as well. Besides my usual updating, once a week I'll throw you some links, some podcasts, and some other bits of information that I know you're gonna like. I'll also run review blogs as I'm reviewing a game, giving you some information for those specific games that you simply can't wait for a review to get some info on.

If you want to add/message me on XBL or you want to give me a news tip; hit me up on xAD Steve. Also, remember to check up the forums, I'll be there 24/7. See you on the battlefield soldier.

Outside the White Box

More evidently now than ever before, games are more than just entertainment. Outside the White Box takes a look at the things affecting Xbox gamers on a day to day basis. Every week will feature stories revolving around a selected theme; from advances in technology to political perspective and the study of games as an art form, you’ll find it all right here.

Got something to say to me? You can always comment on my articles or send me an email at DickWard@XboxFocus.com. Your thoughts may be featured in future columns to come.

Running Riot

In Halo, a Running Riot is killing 10 enemies in a row without dying. The relentless act of carnage and death towards one's opponent was the best metaphor for this column we could come up with. The opinions you're about to read in this column are relentless, brash, and so awe-inducing that you'll be forced to appreciate their wisdom. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll wonder what went wrong with your life as you realize the truth in these words. You may disagree with me, but I guarantee you will always be entertained. I apologize in advance to anyone who may be easily offended. Pregnant women and those with heart problems should consult their doctor.

Be sure to send all of your fun-filled venom and hatemail to jaleel@xboxfocus.com. It helps jumpstart my morning.

Steady Aim

Being a hardcore gamer across all platforms myself, it's sometimes hard for me to deal with fanboyism and bias in articles. Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony all have their strong points. For the time being, however, Microsoft just has more of them, and it's all thanks to its loyal fanbase.

So why not acknowledge that fanbase? That's what Steady Aim is all about. It's what bothers you, what angers you, what satisfies you and well, anything that has the capability to evoke emotion; those are the things I want to address. They won't be my qualms (though, believe me, our qualms are shared), they will be yours. Afterall, it's time to give the people what they want!

Six Rings In

I'd hate to be attached to the phrase "justifiably bitter". There's nothing justifiable about all this. I've been through five Xbox 360s in two and a half years and I'm now out of warranty. I'm "Six Rings In" so to speak. If the temperamental, but still functioning, #6 goes, I'm screwed. I don't even know why I keep playing the thing sometimes.

I have a PS3 and could easily transfer over most of my favorite games. I can't possibly explain why I put up with all of it. So instead of coming to grips with this cycle of abuse I'm just going to vent it all in this column. I'm going to spit on everything 360 lovers hold sacred until I feel better, and that might take a while.

If you have anything to say to me, direct them at Zack@XboxFocus.com.

Quick Read

by Running Riot

Posted on July 22nd, 2008

The Pussification of Games

Who was the one who decided to pussify my games? I ask this because this is what's been happening lately:

First, a major title is released to great fanfare throughout the lexicons of gaming culture. I pay $50-$60 for said title and begin the singleplayer campaign. The campaign is great but I notice I'm flying by levels at record speed and begin to wonder how much longer I have to go before it's over. Then it ends. After that, I unlock some difficulty level with a name like “Uber Extreme!” to convey that it's supposed to be hard, and I go ahead and work on that. And This takes place in a week's timespan. Two if I'm playing multiple games, three if it's an RPG. Then I play multiplayer until the next big game comes out. Rinse and repeat. Notice the pussification that takes place between the transition from classic to modern gaming.

You may be asking “But Jaleel, why do you want games to be so difficult? What's so fun about dying and then becoming frustrated with the game? I myself, am a pussy and quite frankly, I enjoy games that just let me just look at all of the... read full column

Latest Columns

Running Riot: The Pussification of Games
Six Rings In: What I loved about Microsoft's E3
Six Rings In: Microsoft Hates Us
Outside the White Box: Xbox Focus Best of E3 Awards
Running Riot: Xbox LIVE: Price Now Justified
Steady Aim: FFXIII to 360 = Common Sense
Outside the White Box: Live Blog from E3: Day 2
Outside the White Box: The Finer Points
Outside the White Box: Live Blogging from E3
The Xbox Guy: My E3 Hopes and Dreams
Outside the White Box: Developers
Steady Aim: Bad Storytelling in Modern Gaming
Running Riot: Games are NOT Movies
Running Riot: Race on the 360
Outside the White Box: Playbox Wii63?
The Xbox Guy: Stop Overhyping Games
Running Riot: The Gamers I Hate
Steady Aim: Five Games the 360 Needs
Outside the White Box: Next Gen My Ass
Outside the White Box: Ten Achievement Commandments
Outside the White Box: Sex and the 360
Outside the White Box: Top Ten Girlfriend Games
The Xbox Guy: Your 360's Summer of Dreams
Steady Aim: Are Music Games getting old?
Outside the White Box: Xbox LIVE's Dark Side
Outside the White Box: The Outside Perception of Gamers
The Xbox Guy: Gears of War 2 Multiplayer Thoughts
Outside the White Box: Don't fear the Casual Gamer
Outside the White Box: The Hardcore Xbox Gamer
The Xbox Guy: The Xbox Links: Part Uno