BASH

If you have ever read these words:

“…in a world of thoughtful and passionate gaming CEOs, Bobby Kotick stands alone. He doesn’t play video games, but he sure knows how to make money off people who do….Kotick doesn’t play his games, and it shows.”

…or these in regards to MW2’s SP:

“Am I glad I played the game? Yes. Can I see myself replaying it? Maybe not. It’s satisfying to step into the shoes of people who are so uncompromising, and the game is brilliant at creating the feeling of moral vacuum, but it’s not exactly a feeling that’s comfortable, or even fun. During many scenes, I found myself simply emptying clips into houses, knowing there could be innocents inside. Why not? I was trying to survive”.

How about these with respect to MW2’s multiplayer:

“Call of Duty came from the PC gaming scene, and it was there that it was popularized. ….it’s sad to see a game that has such a rich history on our favorite platform feel so neglected in its newest incarnation. The port of the single-player campaign is strong; the game looks, plays, and feels incredible on a capable gaming PC. The Special Ops missions are perfect if you’re in the mood for a teeny-tiny LAN party but the multiplayer offerings feel like Infinity Ward is trying to cram a round peg into a square hole.

It’s not what we’re used to, it’s not what we want, and the changes made to the online matchmaking set-up and lack of dedicated servers negatively change the online experience. It’s just that simple.”

…you probably know that they come from one of the best gaming writers around: Ben “Stasis7″ Kuchera from ArsTechnica.com (Opposable thumbs). Ben is the gaming editor at Ars Technica and is on with us to talk about Modern Warfare 2 and its impact on the PC landscape.

Also with us to talk about MW2 are: ibleedv20 from omnilinkit.com, Andy (the impaler) coons  from Loaded at goloaded.com, rudedog from fpsadmin.com and garetjax from codtv.tv. As well, our resident console expert mattks is here from weplaycod.net, @weplaycod.

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Today we depart from our usual format to present a BASH special edition. On BASH to talk to us about himself and his esports organization is the president of Team Pandemic: Chris Lemley.

We have had many current and former Team Pandemic superstars on this program, people such as Nabore, Rob-wiz, and Prank`, but we have never had the brain behind the winning teams. We set that wrong right on this cast.

Chris and I talk on a range of subjects in this interview. We cover some of the history of Pandemic, the rise and fall of CoD competitive gaming, MW2 and we even find time to talk a little bit about the new Korean micro-transaction shooter AVA.

We end our discussion talking about the new direction he wants to take his organization.

Chris is a good pragmatic businessman, a really entertaining speaker and a great advocate of esports and I cannot wait to have him back on this program.

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On today’s podcast we analyze the impact DICE producer Gordon Van Dyke’s words had on all of us PC gamers currently wandering the FPS desert looking for a game to play or mod. GvD gave a great accounting of himself and his new project: Battlefield BAD COMPANY 2 on BASH 126.

When we make the segue from BFBC2 to MW2, you can feel the mood around the round-table change. You can barely hear us from all the teeth gnashing and finger nail clawing.

This was yet another week of watching IW’s release of MW2 stumble towards the finish line.  And if you were a PC player it was yet a continuation of depressing stories.

Of course we take on the big MW2 news of the week, which was of course the Best Buy chat with the game’s devs.

We finish the cast with a positive. CoD:WW’s patch v1.7 is moving along and PC support seems to continue apace with the development of CoDTV.

On the podcast we have ibleedv20 from omnilinkit.com, josh peckler from planetmedalofhonor.com and planetcallofduty.com, rudedog from fpsadmin.com, garetjax from codtv as well as console expert mattks from weplaycod.net, @weplaycod and finally pst*joker  from mycallofduty.com.

The opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect those of BASHandSlash.com. And now let the rancor and recriminations begin…wa waaaaa.

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BASH is pleased to present Battlefield Bad Company 2’s producer, coming to us all the way from the home office of Digital Illusions CE (DICE) in Stockholm Sweden, it is none other than the legendary Gordon Van Dyke.

Gordon is on BASH to talk to us about all the awesome tech going into his new baby, BFBC2.

This is a wide-ranging interview and we cover a lot of ground. With me to help cover that ground with Gordon (aka “Lex Luthor”) is BASH regular, Garetjax from codtv.tv.

Among the interesting personal facts that Gordon drops our way is that he was a former competitive player (hence the “Lex Luthor” tags), but get this…he was also a PC modder. And his mods are the reason he got to work at DICE. I’m sure his street cred with our community just shot straight up, huh?

Of course we asked about BFBC2 as well.

- We go into depth on the Frostbite gaming engine.

- We talk about the possibilities of modding the game.

- We talk about the potential for competitive BFBC2 play.

- We of course talk about the fact that BFBC2 will have dedicated servers.

- The PC beta is also discussed.

Thanks to all the folks who helped make this cast happen: Gordon at DICE, Matt Pruitt, Jino T. and Kelly E. at EA. Thanks guys.

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