» Home » Our Writers what is the game trust?

The Game Trust is an ensemble chorus of the best independent videogame writers in the industry. Our strength lies in the range and variety of their interests, the depth of their passion, and the skill with which they are able to share knowledge with their readers.

William Abner

Erin Bell

Chris Buecheler

Tom Chick

Russ Fischer

James Fudge

Harold Goldberg

Troy S. Goodfellow

Scott Johnson

Scott Jones

John Keefer

Steve Kent

Ryan Kuo

Scott Kurtz

Gus Mastrapa

Evan Narcisse

Kyle Orland

Marc Saltzman

Paul Semel

Steve Steinberg

John Teti

David Thomas

Aaron Williams

» See All Contributors

» Close Writer Browser » Open Writer Browser

James Fudge Author Bio

Status: Uncle.

Last Login: November 20, 2009 5:26:29 PM
Joined: February 20, 2008 3:22:00 PM
Website: www.crispygamer.com/news
AIM: jfudge06
Twitter: jfudge
Xbox Live: GSProphet
PSN: jfudge
Steam: jfudge06
About Me: News Editor, Crispy Gamer

Bio
Articles
Blogs
Posts
Ratings

No Russian, No Problem
By James Fudge | November 13, 2009
I was intent on ignoring the No Russian mission in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 but there have been so many blog posts (this one, this one and this one) our review and this feature article that I figured - what the hell - I'll throw my .02 in there just for fun. Ironically I speak ...

» Read More
Giving up: should reviewers suffer through bad games?
By James Fudge | October 21, 2009
I had an interesting conversation with a colleague (who I won't mention out of respect) this evening about game reviews and how much a reviewer has to play what they perceive as a bad game before they throw in the towel and write a review. To my way of thinking you should try, to the best of your ability, to play that game as far as you can, barring a show stopping bug or design flaw that prevents you from continuing. So if a game is awful, are reviewers allowed to say at some point "hey I wouldn't play this game anymore than I have to and you shouldn't either" or should they do the heavy lifting and play it to the end? My thought on doing that is that it is wrong and it makes it difficult for an editor to know whether that person was truly playing an awful game or was just being lazy. As much as I loathe playing crappy games, I take the responsibility ...

» Read More
A savage beating in Risen
By James Fudge | October 6, 2009
I am a masochist; that is why I asked to review Risen, a game by Piranha Bytes - the company best known for creating the Gothic series of decidedly European role-playing games. Gothic is not known for being user friendly; the controls in that game series are antiquated, there’s no hand holding and the system is awesomely brutal and unforgiving to the player. Everything is difficult - from learning how to use a bow and finding a way to use the game's sparse magic system to getting skills, gold and supplies that you need – actually takes a lot of work. Risen is a tick kinder than those games but it is admittedly a tough experience to swallow. Yet, I am still enjoying the game no matter how many times I’m killed by a seemingly harmless rat or ...

» Read More
OOPS: Day two blues on your MMO? BAD.
By James Fudge | September 3, 2009
It is probably not a good thing when this is all that you see for an entire day on a brand new MMO. Here's what the official web site says: "A small issue with the patching servers needed our immediate attention. As a result, players can currently not patch the game. As we currently have no time estimate, we will keep you updated as this progresses. Thank you!" Not the greatest answer. Let's see how long this lasts. Update: It came back up at 9 PM EST give or take a few minutes. I was greeted with this lovely scene:
» Read More
Marona is Marona
By James Fudge | September 1, 2009
I just finished "Another Marona" in Phantom Brave: We Meet Again, and I have to say that, despite being a little bit disjointed from the original story, I was pleasantly surprised out how interesting it was. I can't really talk about it in this space because i'm wrapping up a review for it, but it is pretty obvious that the story telling in Nippon Ichi's later games is darker. Not that the original game was all sunshine and roses - unlike the Disgaea series, Makai Kingdom or even the incredibly adult Soul Nomad, Phantom Brave toys with the ideas of acceptance, optimism and people's capacity to be cruel. The light-hearted moments are a little lighter than I care ...

» Read More
Does Nintendo even care?
By James Fudge | August 11, 2009
You may have read various opinions on why the new Wii MotionPlus isn't all that great. I honestly could care less about dipping my toe into the waters of that debate. But I do have a bone to pick with Nintendo about something the company should incorporated into its design a long time ago: the ability to recharge your controller directly from the console. Frankly, the minute that Nintendo saw the Xbox 360 and PS3 controllers were capable of this, it should have began work on designing a similar system for recharging the Wii remote. Instead it was left to companies like Nyko, Mewe, Mad Catz and PDP. That's all well ...

» Read More
Killer robots in space: how Gus Mastrapa helped me save the universe
By James Fudge | August 6, 2009
Playfish is not the only company working diligently to make a name for itself on social networking scenes like Facebook, MySpace and Beebo, but it is certainly one of the best at providing graphically rich game experiences in that space. We'll be posting an interview with the company very soon, but I just wanted to talk about one game that has kept me busy this week: Crazy Planets. If you haven't tried this Facebook game out, it is basically a turn-based strategy game similar to Worms in which little soldiers wearing the masks of your Facebook friends battle killer robots on planets for resources, experience points and medals. One thing I really like about the game is the fact that you ...

» Read More
The underbelly of Xbox Live
By James Fudge | July 29, 2009
Despite all the compassionate talk from Microsoft about homophobia and racism, both are alive and well on Xbox Live. While the people employing such colorful language might think they are just being cute and adding some spice to a Stanger’s game of UNO, for example, it is highly offensive and rampant. Here's how a typical game goes. Four players start a Live game. One or two players start insulting the entire room: "We don't like n*****s here. We hang n******s for fun," or "You're a f****t. ...

» Read More
Rumor: Atari and Cryptic working on Neverwinter Nights Online game
By James Fudge | June 9, 2009
Chris Morris reports that sources close to either Atari or Cryptic Studios have confirmed that the pair want to create a massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on Neverwinter Nights. The article goes on to say that this was Atari's intention all along when it decided to purchase Cryptic Studios. Cryptic is currently working on two games right now: Star Trek Online and Champions Online. With Atari owning both wizards of the Coast (who in turn own the old TSR Dungeons & Dragons license) and Cryptic Studios (who happens to own the Champions RPG property) it makes perfect sense to create an MMO based on the popular RPG series that BioWare -- and later Obsidian -- helped to make popular through its games and expansion packs. Read ...

» Read More
Pre-E3: KOF XII Slugfest
By James Fudge | May 27, 2009
For all of you tough guys (and girls) that are flying in to Los Angeles for the Electronic Entertainment Expo this weekend (and those of you who are indigenous to the region by fate or by choice) may want to check out the King of Fighters XII Tournament. The event will let 128 people slug it out in Playmore's latest KOF game for fab prizes and bragging rights. The event is sponsored by Ignition Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment of America, GameStop, and the EVO Championship Series. So why am I giving this a plug here? Because I'm sad that I can't attend (I won't be at E3 this year) and I feel like Julie from the Love Boat when it comes to E3 events. there are a lot of cool things going on leading up to and during the show ...

» Read More

» See More Blog Posts

Vitals: 39, married, one kid (8)

Education: School of hard knocks; in the trenches of the Quake community.

Experience: James began his career in the Quake community, doling out news to anyone that would have him. Since that time, he has worked as a news editor for Computer Games Online, IDG Games' Games.net, GameSpy, Voodoo Extreme and GameShark. Before joining Crispy Gamer, James served as the editor-in-chief at GameShark for three years. His greatest triumphs? Writing news for two competing publications at the same time and surviving 11 years in the industry.

Platforms played: All of them, though I prefer the Xbox 360 and the PC.

Genres played: Decent turn-based strategy games, RPG, action, whatever.

Multiplayer or single-player: Good co-op can make all the difference in the world.

My favorite Top 10 games:

1) Master of Magic
2) Master of Orion
3) Ultima VII
4) SmackDown vs. Raw series
5) Master of Orion 2
6) X-Com
7) Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
8) Dead Rising
9) Gears of War
10) WWF No Mercy

What turns the hamster wheel in my head: Family, optimism, humor, coffee, truth, working here.

	Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360) User Ratings 100% Buy \| 0% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Champions Online (Xbox 360) User Ratings 0% Buy \| 100% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Demon's Souls (PS3) User Ratings 100% Buy \| 0% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Dragon Age: Origins (Xbox 360) User Ratings 75% Buy \| 25% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Fallout 3 (Xbox 360) User Ratings 78% Buy \| 22% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Left 4 Dead (Xbox 360) User Ratings 100% Buy \| 0% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Machinarium (PC) User Ratings 100% Buy \| 0% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Modern Warfare 2 (PS3) User Ratings 33% Buy \| 33% Try \| 33% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Torchlight (PC) User Ratings 100% Buy \| 0% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY

The Chatter Box

Recent
Active
Status

Assassin's Creed II
2 Comments
Last November 20, 2009 by unangbangkay
I'm mildly disappointed that the actual assassinations seem to be more linear (or at least simple) this time around. I very much enjoyed the assassinations ...
Weekend Playlist, 11/20/2009
1 Comment
Last November 20, 2009 by CG-Gabe
I still have Dragon Age: Origins to play. I also picked up the God of War Collection, because I had retired my PS2 before they came out. I also picked ...
Experience Points 11/20/2009
1 Comment
Last November 20, 2009 by thk123
Oh Steve, *shakes head*
Experience Points 11/18/2009
8 Comments
Last November 20, 2009 by chrishokeblog
It's a fact: Smokers love Bill and Jockeys love Nick.

Ding! 03/30/2009
678 Comments
Last November 15, 2009 by Xenoth
The issue was never that he decided not to make this comic anymore. It was that he said Ding was returning and strung everyone along for months playing ...
So I just played "that part" of Modern Warfare 2
59 Comments
Last November 14, 2009 by Catastrophic1
Well I broke down today and bought the game and I played "No Russian" but unfortunately, probably due to all the talking about it and seeing it on YouTube, ...
Weekend Playlist, 11/13/2009
35 Comments
Last November 18, 2009 by girlgamer21
@RyanKuo: thank for letting me know.
"It's a Massacre!": The Appalling Failure of Modern Warfare 2's "No Russian" Mission
29 Comments
Last November 17, 2009 by RyanKuo
@TomBissell: Pulling out narrative flowcharts to defend the scene doesn't seem so different from calling it out for being awkwardly rammed in, ...

ChknKitty Says

Wow, people win every day in the Chicken Out contest! Sign up and win.

	Review: WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 (Xbox 360) by James Fudge \| 11/20/2009 12:46:32 PM \| 0 comments This year's SmackDown is all about the finer points of wrestling.
	Review: Torchlight (PC) by James Fudge \| 11/6/2009 6:30:58 PM \| 14 comments Action RPG fans need look no further than Torchlight.
	Feature: Games That Time Forgot: Rails Across America* (2001)* by James Fudge \| 11/3/2009 8:46:38 AM \| 3 comments Rails Across America lost its own game -- to wield influence and make history.
	Review: Risen (PC) by James Fudge \| 10/16/2009 6:47:11 PM \| 1 comments Risen may be what you've been searching for.
	Review: Champions Online (PC) by James Fudge \| 9/25/2009 5:22:36 PM \| 4 comments Champions Online players will have to power through some bugs. James Fudge reviews.
	Review: Phantom Brave: We Meet Again (Wii) by James Fudge \| 9/16/2009 3:33:57 PM \| 2 comments Phantom Brave might enlighten Wii owners to our hardcore ways.
	Interview: How Playfish Baits the Hook on Facebook by James Fudge \| 8/18/2009 9:00:44 AM \| 0 comments We talk to Playfish's John Earner about Crazy Planets, social networks and the end of platforms.
	Feature: The Five: Cletus Clay by James Fudge \| 4/8/2009 6:12:42 PM \| 0 comments Strap on your overalls -- there's aliens in them thar hills. James Fudge previews the shotgun-brandishing Cletus Clay.
	Feature: The Five: Parabellum by James Fudge \| 4/8/2009 6:11:31 PM \| 2 comments If you and your playmates don't work things out, you're all going to hell. James Fudge previews the nuke-tastic Parabellum.
	Review: WWE Legends of Wrestlemania (PS3) by James Fudge \| 4/6/2009 8:01:08 PM \| 0 comments THQ and Yuke's invite you to a throwdown to celebrate 25 years of WrestleMania. James Fudge reports from ringside.
	Review: WWE Legends of Wrestlemania (Xbox 360) by James Fudge \| 4/6/2009 8:01:06 PM \| 0 comments THQ and Yuke's invite you to a throwdown to celebrate 25 years of WrestleMania. James Fudge reports from ringside.
	Feature: The Top Nine Hottest Game Dudes of All Time by James Fudge \| 3/28/2009 2:33:15 PM \| 9 comments We've all admired their steely nerves and sexy curves. James Fudge presents the hottest, hunkiest game guys in his eyes.
	Review: Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? (PSP) by James Fudge \| 3/2/2009 7:10:14 PM \| 0 comments Disgaea's unsung hero finally gets the spotlight -- as a platform-jumper. James Fudge evaluates the RPG series' unexpected move into run-and-jump antics.
	Column: The Indies, February 2009 by James Fudge \| 2/17/2009 9:41:39 PM \| 2 comments Where can space conquerors and dungeon-crawlers rub shoulders with enterprising miners and pitiful robots? Only in indie games. Get a roundup of recent indie notables in James Fudge's new column.
	Feature: Playing Politics: The 2008 Presidential Candidates on Videogames by James Fudge \| 10/31/2008 5:29:17 PM \| 3 comments For gamers gearing up for Election Day, one critical issue has been noticeably absent. James Fudge looks at each presidential candidate's stance on videogames. Read on, and you might be surprised.
	Review: Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice (PS3) by James Fudge \| 9/19/2008 6:44:42 PM \| 1 comments The grind towards level 9,999 continues in Disgaea 3. Read on for James Fudge's detailed account of the new features that will help you level items, deal with the student council, and subdue your opponents.

	Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360) User Ratings 100% Buy \| 0% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Champions Online (Xbox 360) User Ratings 0% Buy \| 100% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Demon's Souls (PS3) User Ratings 100% Buy \| 0% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Dragon Age: Origins (Xbox 360) User Ratings 75% Buy \| 25% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Fallout 3 (Xbox 360) User Ratings 78% Buy \| 22% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Left 4 Dead (Xbox 360) User Ratings 100% Buy \| 0% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Machinarium (PC) User Ratings 100% Buy \| 0% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Modern Warfare 2 (PS3) User Ratings 33% Buy \| 33% Try \| 33% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY
	Torchlight (PC) User Ratings 100% Buy \| 0% Try \| 0% Fry My Rating BUY TRY FRY

Email
Password
Verify Password
Gamer Name
Send Me the Crispy Gamer Newsletter
Send Me Email Offers from Partners
Remember Me
Register

Email
Password
Remember Me
Log In

James Fudge Author Bio

User Ratings

My Rating

User Ratings

My Rating

User Ratings

My Rating

User Ratings

My Rating

User Ratings

My Rating

User Ratings

My Rating

User Ratings

My Rating

User Ratings

My Rating

User Ratings

My Rating

Christopher Buecheler's Columns

The Chatter Box

ChknKitty Says

In the Headlines

Jones Destroys Valuable Collectable; Hangs Head in Shame by Scott Jones

Kotaku Fund Raiser Fun by David Thomas

Confession: I Bought A Collector's Edition (And I'm Not Sure Why) by Scott Jones

Swag Tester: Win a Scribblenauts Rooster Cap by John Teti

Follow Us

About Crispy Gamer

Crispy Gamer on the Go

Crispy Gamer Shop

Log In or Register with Crispy Gamer

Use your Facebook account to log in to Crispy Gamer

Reasons to Join Crispy Gamer