Kratos is coming...and he's bringing hell with him!

Ah, one of the best game properties of the last few years is making its debut on PS3. Our favorite Greek Kratos is getting his first installment of God of War on a next gen console. Yes, his twisted blade wielding-ness is coming to PS3 for the third game in the trilogy. The trailer, cinematics and gamepley, looks simply amazing. Hell, David Jaffe couldn't stop raving about the game and he's no longer even associated with the title. Thanks the Gods that I FINALLY have a reason to own a PS3 for something other than a Blu-Ray DVD player!!! Enjoy.

Finally, a reason to play the PS3!

Don't feel bad for my PS3. It gets used just not played. The media capability of playing almost any media file from a USB port and see it upconverted to HD has been a joy. Hey, its the only place to watch my downloaded Battlestar Galactica episodes. Really, you're not watching this show? EVERYONE is watching this show, but I digress. Of course Blu-Ray DVDs are the cat's meow too! But, back to the PS3. I have found the collection of PS3 games thus far rather under-whelming. Especially considering that there are very few exclusive to one console titles anymore. So I can play the same game on my Xbox 360 but I also get those crack-like addictive accomplishments. Yes finishing a game is great but getting the "unlocked achievements" notice at the bottom of the screen with the accompanying sound while playing a game is sheer gaming delight.
Well, now that Sony seems to be in catch-up rather than lead the way mode they've developed their own "in game Trophies" for us achievement whores. The Version 2.40 Firmware update for our PS3's will gives us access to said "in game trophies". How that's gonna work I have no idea and it must be for future games right? I mean how would they back'code these "trophies" into already released titles? Version 2.40 will also bring an updated version of the Cross Media Bar (that Sony refers to as the XMB) that'll also be accessible during gameplay. So you'll be able to e-mail, chat and play tunes while deep into gameplay. That's right boys and girls...just like the Xbox 360 lets us do now.

But imitation is the greatest form of flattery. And at at the end of the day aren't we all winners in this? Aren't we? It better get here soon cause I'm getting tired of my expensive George Foreman looking grill Blu-Ray DVD player!

The War is over!

No, not the war in the Middle East silly goose. That will continue to go on for years as we fight for Democratic Supremacy and try to wipe out terrorism but that's a discussion for a politically themed blog. I mean the war for the next generation Hi-Definition content.

And the winner is...(drum roll please)...Blu-Ray.
What's brought me to this conclusion? Well this week at the Geekgasm Convention of the year (CES, Computer Electronics Show...duh!) Warner Brothers it will pull its support of HD DVD in favor of going to Blu-Ray exclusively. That was followed by both New Line Cinemas and HBO making similar announcements. Throw in that Disney has already announced that their titles will only be Blu-Ray and that the Adult industry is adopting Blu-Ray (probably the first time Disney and porn have been in the same sentence) and you have nails in the coffin of the HD DVD format.

Honestly I can see no major difference in the picture quality or sound in either of the new formats on my home theater set up. I'm also not stoked about the price of Blu-Ray DVDs either. Especially when you consider that I can now buy regular DVDs new for under $6 and let me video game consoles upconvert the image to my HD TV. But hey, I'm glad that I at least have a reason to use my PS3 now!