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Author Bio
Caley Roark

Home Town: Lancaster, PA
Sports: Football, Baseball
Games: NFL 2K5, MVP 05, NBA 2k series, Civilization
Teams: Phillies, Eagles, Sixers
OS Username: CPRoark
Tags: Live: Mr Rockit
Monday, August 25, 2008
Collecting Cards Without the Stale Gum Smell
02:18 PM - August 25, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Caley Roark
Our very own Caley Roark checks in today with a look at a potential new mode for game developers to add to their games. Check out his idea in his article, Collecting Cards Without the Stale Gum Smell.

Quote:
"I was about seven when my grandfather bought me my first pack of baseball cards. It was a $9.99 value pack, filled with a random assortment of 200 older cards -- many were the familiar mid-'80s Topps "woodgrain" cards, and a special few were of the painted Donruss "Diamond Kings" variety. This single purchase led to a childhood obsession of collecting cards. My spare change was converted into wax packs. Baseball cards were my parents' go-to stocking stuffer or Easter egg filler. I subscribed to Beckett's Baseball Monthly, and learned economics from a price guide. I was around for the launch of the glossy Upper Deck brand, and remember how crazy it seemed that these packs were selling for more than a dollar. One of my first major moral dilemmas surrounded a fairly lopsided trade with a less than intelligent boy at school."

Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Getting Hit by the Madden Hype Machine
12:02 PM - August 13, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Caley Roark
Did you get hit unintentionally by the Madden hype machine this year? Our very own Caley Roark looks to be finally dodging the machine this year. Or is he? Be sure to check out his article Getting Hit by the Madden Hype Machine to find out for yourself. Be sure to let Caley know if you have gotten hit by the machine like he has the past few years.

Quote:
"Somewhere, deep inside EA's corporate headquarters, marketing executives have my picture framed on the wall. Or at least I think they do, as it seems every advertising decision designed to fuel the Madden hype machine targets my individual weaknesses. It's like they ask, "What will Roark fall for next?" and then stick that on the front of the box."

Game: Madden NFL 09Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS2 / PS3 / Wii / PSP / NDSVotes: 88 - View All
Monday, July 28, 2008
APF 2K9: What Could Have Been
11:52 AM - July 28, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Caley Roark
All-Pro Football 2K8 wasn't a best-seller by any means, but it did manage to create a sizable following among football fans due to its solid gameplay, wrapped in a non-licensed football game. However, thanks to 2K scrapping the All-Pro franchise -- at least for this year -- gamers are left wondering what could have been with All-Pro Football 2K9. Caley Roark has a few ideas about what could have been and writes about them in his article, APF 2K9: What Could Have Been.

Quote:
"One game that we won't see is All-Pro Football 2K9. After being announced, this game was quickly shelved by 2K Sports. But, with my five keys in mind -- and a healthy dose of imagination -- let's look at what "could have been" for APF 2K9."

Monday, July 21, 2008
Beijing 2008 Review
01:17 PM - July 21, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Caley Roark
We have posted our review of Beijing 2008.

Quote:
"Recently, sports gamers have fretted over the word "accessible" and what it means to video gaming in general. When a company strives to make a sports game "accessible," the common connotation is that it will be "watered down," made too "kid-friendly," or simply less authentic."

Game: Beijing 2008Reader Score: 4.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS2 / PS3 / Wii / PSP / NDS / PC / Mac / GBAVotes: 5 - View All
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Top Ten Places to Play in MLB: The Show
02:05 PM - July 10, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Caley Roark
Caley Roark checks in this week with a look at his top ten favorite places to play in MLB '08: The Show. Check out his list and see if you agree.

Quote:
"While all sports have their hallowed grounds, it's this writer's opinion that none come close to matching baseball's in beauty, scope or originality. Perhaps it's the ingrained sense of history, or the elegant symmetry that's required by rule. It could also be because baseball is one of the few sports where the design of the stadium actually changes the playing area, allowing for a unique experience in each venue."

Game: MLB '08: The ShowReader Score: 8.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSPVotes: 97 - View All
Monday, July 7, 2008
UFC 2009 Undisputed Trailer Impressions
03:02 PM - July 7, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Caley Roark
Caley Roark checks in today with a set of impressions of the UFC 2009 Undisputed trailer which was released last week. Check out his impressions of the UFC 2009 Undisputed Trailer.

Quote:
"The first in-game visual information to address that question comes by way of a trailer released last week. The minute-and-a-half clip features light heavyweights Forrest Griffin and current champion Quentin "Rampage" Jackson in a series of grapples, takedowns, and counters."

Game: UFC 2009 UndisputedReader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: Xbox 360 / PS3Votes: 25 - View All
Monday, June 23, 2008
PC Vaporware: Treasures of the Past
01:37 PM - June 23, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Caley Roark
With PC Sports Gaming teetering on the edge of extinction, many sports gamers are going to have to begin looking back in time to find quality titles to play. Operation Sports' Caley Roark talks about a few of these titles today in his article, PC Vaporware: Treasures of the Past.

Quote:
"So, with the future in doubt, it's the past that holds the most promise. There are plenty of older sports games that can provide some hours of memories, reminiscent of gaming glory gone-by. Some of these fall into the informal category of "abandonware" and may be out there for you to find."

Platform: Other
Friday, June 13, 2008
Justifying a Fantasy Draft
04:21 PM - June 13, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Caley Roark
Caley Roark checks in today with a look at how "sim-heads" could ever possibly justify using a fantasy draft option in their franchises. Check out his article, Justifying a Fantasy Draft.
Quote:
"Are these two desires mutually exclusive? I doubt a real life team could financially -- or mentally -- afford both T.O. and Chad Johnson, so drafting those two isn't exactly “sim.” Yet, if you are trying to put together a deep-threat passing team, those two might be tops on your list -- in both fantasy and video game leagues. Well here's how some virtual GMs satisfy both sides of this tricky coin.
"

Monday, June 9, 2008
Potential Sports Movie Video Games
12:19 PM - June 9, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Caley Roark
Caley Roark checks in today with a look at which sports movies would translate well to a video game. Check out his article, Potential Sports Movie Video Games.
Quote:
"The summer season brings with it heat, blockbuster movies, and, too often, lousy game tie-ins. For every Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, there are 10 examples like Superman Returns or The Fantastic Four. These games seek to grab "automatic" audiences looking to elongate their film-going experience, but often forgo necessities such as polished graphics or enticing game play."

Saturday, June 7, 2008
Making the Jump to a PS3 and The Show
12:27 PM - June 7, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Caley Roark
Caley Roark has penned an article discussing his experiences with MLB '08: The Show and his new PS3 which were both bought thanks to the government's free stimulus handouts. Be sure to check out his article, Making the Jump to a PS3 and The Show.
Quote:
"Sometimes things just go your way: the planets align, fate smiles, and the ball takes a lucky bounce. Such was the case for me last week. The combination of a government stimulus check, a sweet deal from Walmart , approval for a Sony credit card, and catching my wife on a good day allowed me to purchase a PS3. I wasn't looking for a new system: I've owned the Xbox 360 since launch, and we got a Wii for Christmas. Mainly, since the format war ended, I've been itching for a BlueRay player. My wife mocks my self-given title of "early adopter."

Game: MLB '08: The ShowReader Score: 8.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3Votes: 97 - View All
Friday, May 23, 2008
Buried Sports Gaming Treasure on the 360
11:16 AM - May 23, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Caley Roark
Caley Roark has penned an article that talks about some fo the best backwards compatible games on the XBox 360. Check out his article here.

Quote:
"Dr. Henry Jones, Jr. has spent a lifetime (or at least four films) tracking down and uncovering rare antiquities: those items that, despite their value, have become buried by the sands of time (and the occasional desert). We can apply the teachings of Dr. Jones ("You call this archeology?!") to the current sports game landscape to dig up valued artifacts that have become lost on current consoles."

Platform: Xbox 360
Friday, May 16, 2008
Five Key Things to Improve Non-Licensed Football Games
12:43 PM - May 16, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Caley Roark
Operation Sports writer Caley Roark checks in today with an article discussing five key aspects non-licensed football games could improve to be competitive with Madden. Check out the article and give us your thoughts!

Quote:
"Like a film studio trying to make a movie with no A-list stars, video game publishers have an difficult task when it comes to releasing an unlicensed football game. In both cases, it's not impossible to create a quality product by any means, but conventional wisdom says not to expect record-breaking sales. So, what can game publishers do to create the next Blair Witch Project of non-NFL football games?"

Sunday, May 11, 2008
MLB 2k8 All-Underrated Team
12:19 PM - May 11, 2008. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Caley Roark
As with every sports video game, there are a number of players whose real life counterparts play at a much higher level than their digital counterparts. Caley Roark makes his writing debut today by looking at these types of players in Major League Baseball 2k8 with his All-Underrated Team.

Quote:
"Every new baseball season brings with it a collection of surprise stories, including the rise of an unknown, the sinking of a touted rookie, and the resurgence of a forgotten veteran. Almost two months into the 2008 baseball calendar, these surprise stories start to look less like statistical aberrations and more like lasting trends."

Game: Major League Baseball 2K8Reader Score: 6/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Wii / Xbox 360Votes: 74 - View All

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