Square Enix Press: FFXIV release date confirmed?

via twitter.com

FINAL FANTASY XIV FOR PC CONFIRMED FOR 30th SEPTEMBER 2010 RELEASE

I AM READY!!!

A friend and I were discussing today, the last we heard of the game release was going to be sometime this November. And I assume the PC and PS3 release dates will be simultaneous? Hopefully.

I'll need to get my preorder in, tonight. I think I may have to cancel my regular preorder, and pop for the the Collector's Edition.

new PlayStation Plus benefits differ by region

via gamespot.com

Announced North American lineup, starting June 29
Downloadable PS3 game: Wipeout HD
Two minis: Field Runners, Age of Zombies
PSone game: Rally Cross
Full game trial: Infamous
Three monthly episodes of Qore downloadable magazine

European lineup, June 29 - August 3
Introductory full game download: Standard edition of Little Big Planet
Downloadable PS3 game: Wipeout HD
Two minis: Field Runners, Age of Zombies
PSone game: Destruction Derby
Full game trials: Shatter, Savage Moon
Discounts: Half-off the Little Big Planet God of War pack and LocoRoco costume pack; 20 percent off Gravity Crash and Fat Princess DLC
Add-on: Killzone 2: Steel & Titanium DLC

European lineup, August 4 - September 1
Downloadable PS3 game: Zen Pinball
Two minis: Blast-Off, Alien Zombie Death
PSone game: Medievil
Full game trials: Inferno Pool, Mushroom Wars
Discounts: 20 percent off Super Stardust HD, Wipeout HD Fury, and the Zen Pinball Earth Defence Table; 50 percent off Warhawk Triple Combo Pack
Add-on: Motorstorm Pacific Rift: Adrenaline Pack

I'm thinking of popping the cash for the PlayStation Plus service. But I'm confused as to why the Euro subscribers get more than the NA subscribers. One of my big motivators was the Killzone2 Steel & Titanium DLC being included with Plus. But it looks like NA users don't get the same benefits as our friends overseas. This makes me frowny.

Red Dead Redeemed

Had some free time this weekend, so I dedicated it to finishing off Red Dead Redemption (main story). Absolutely loved this game. RDR was quite immersive, with graphics that very accurately depicted life in the Old West. This title ended up being much more than the 'Grand Theft Horse' clone I've seen it foolishly described as.

Can we maybe talk about this?

As good as RDR was, it wasn't without faults. I did think the game dragged a little in the middle, with the Mexico mission waypoints being way to far apart, and populated settlements (with new gear and equipment) were mostly nonexistent. But this is the first Rockstar title I've had the patience to finish since Vice City, so that says quite a lot for the storyline.

I collected many of the optional quests for additional outfits, but never saw the need to bother with the multiplayer. Maybe by skipping the MP, I'm missing out on a lot of fun? There's probably a way to set up private game sessions, but I don't think any of my PSN friends are playing RDR. And the thought of a public Free Roam lobby system, where random assholes could pop me in the head from afar while I'm minding my own business deer hunting, seems unappealing at this point. Go figure.

Maybe some future DLC will get me re-engaged into my life as a gunslinger. But for now, I'm trying to decide whether or not to bother going back and finishing the gauntlet of Gang Hideout missions in a 24-hr period, to nab the U.S. Marshall outfit, or just move on to something else? And what to play?

After The Rapture Pet Care

I don't really understand the concept of "The Rapture". But it still fascinates me, from a logistical standpoint.

As I understand it, those that were true believers in God during their life, will at some unknown point in the future, be called instantly up to Heaven. By God. Right in the middle of what they were doing that day, leaving all their earthly possessions behind. Maybe that's not the correct interpretation, but that's my understanding.

The people at After The Rapture Pet Care have devised a scam method for those with pets that plan to be raptured, to provide for a place for these animals to stay and be cared for, when their owners are whisked away to the pearly gates, and Rover or Tabby are "LEFT BEHIND".
I guess that's a good idea. But I just always assumed if you were so devout a believer, that you managed to actually get yourself raptured,(yay!), your pet would OF COURSE get to come along for the ride. But that's apparently not the case? Which sucks.

Broken Balls

Split Ball. AMIRITE?

I sub bowled on a Thursday league last night for a friend of mine (I took a break this summer season), and this is what I was greeted with when I opened my locker. Not sure what happened to it, but hopefully the iPhone pic is good enough to see the GIGANTIC CRACK between the finger holes and the thumb hole.

I'm not too upset, since this was not my "good" hook ball, and even though it was pretty expensive, I've said from the day I bought home the Shift, there was something "wrong" with it. I guess it had an internal flaw or void, of some sort? It does tend to get kind of damp and cold, along the wall of lockers in this bowling center. So maybe the temperature differences caused it to crack?

Or.... maybe someone got in my locker and used my ball, and dropped it? Probably shouldn't be storing any more of my balls in their lockers anymore, just to be safe.

FFXIV: "Metamorphosis: From Alpha to Beta"

I like the new textures showing up, and the lighting effects. Some of the outdoor lighting looks a little better on the alpha than the beta, to me. But I'm glad this is progressing quickly. Let me in the beta already, dammit!