Daily Wrap-Up 01.04.08
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 04, 2008 6:05 PM
Here's what went down today in videogames, technology and popular culture.
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up
Avengers Assemble!... Maybe
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Friday, January 04, 2008 4:18 PM
 Will The Avengers assemble?
Maybe... In a couple of years... If we can get everyone together...
That seems to be the officially unofficial stance on a possible Avengers movie by Marvel comics, according to Iron Man director Jon Favreau. The Swinger-Made-Director says that he would love the chance to direct a big-screen version of the classic comic team-up, but Marvel doesn't want to move any such project until each of the central heroes would have their own, stand alone film.
--Read More--
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Fresh Ink: Best of Floppies '07
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, January 04, 2008 3:53 PM
This week on Fresh Ink Online, Blair Butler gives us her choice for the best floppies of 2007, referring to the best comic books that have yet to appear in a trade or graphic novel. It's chock full of goodness, and also chock full of spoilers, so be forewarned before you watch.
But watch anyway, because Blair knows more than you do about comics, and she's funny. So that makes it more pleasant. Don't you think?
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TAGS: Comics, Fresh Ink
Agent 47, Lara Croft Moving To Chicago?
Posted by Matthew Bretz - Friday, January 04, 2008 3:49 PM
According to Next Generation, Chicago-based Midway Games is in talks with SCi/Eidos, the company behind the Tomb Raider and Hitman series, about the possibility of a merger. Neither publisher has commented on the rumor as of yet, so we’ll have to take a wait-and-see approach to the deal.
--Read More--
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TAGS: Videogames
'Superman' Movie News
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, January 04, 2008 3:12 PM
 Things aren't looking too good for the Superman franchise. After word that Bryan Singer might not be attached for the sequel to Superman Returns, word is now coming that Brandon Routh might be out of the franchise, as well. This is all speculative and rumor-based, but if true, looks to spell doom for Superman.
The first movie didn't do spectacularly well at the box office, so it wasn't always a no-brainer that they would be making a sequel to begin with. Now, with all of these hurdles, it's possible that Warner Bros. might just give the whole thing a pass, favoring instead the Justice League film that's all the rage these days.
Variety.com: Dark Knight's Nolan and DC Comics Pics
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TAGS: Comics, Movies
Brit-Gate '08: Spears Hospitalized!
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, January 04, 2008 3:01 PM
We have got to hand it to Britney Spears. Just when we've figured she's done her worst, she constantly eclipses herself with something amazing, like a white-trash phoenix from the ashes of celebrity disaster. Now, we've got Brit-Gate '08, the biggest and best incident yet. Today, Spears is hospitalized after police had to come to her home to retrieve her children, who were supposed to be with their father, after the reportedly intoxicated Britney refused to give them up.
Perhaps more shocking than the resolution to this situation is the pictures of the event, showing Britney being pulled from her home on a stretcher, alternately crying hysterically and smiling maniacally. She is now reportedly under suicide watch at Cedars Sinai hospital in Beverly Hills.
Wow. WOW! What a start to 2008.
US Magazine.com:
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Wii Owners Get 'GH3' Replacement Discs
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, January 04, 2008 2:27 PM
 If you're a Wii owner, and you've recently gotten a copy of Guitar Hero III, you might notice that the audio quality of the game is...um...less. Well, Activision has noticed as well, so don't you worry. See, they're pressing new master discs, and they're going to give you a copy, so that your game sounds just as good as one played on a real system.
So, until then, you can wonder why "Through The Fire and Flames" sounds so flat on your gaming platform, or you can just wait it out and play a little Super Mario Galaxy until the new discs are ready. It's really up to you, Wii gamers.
Activision Customer Service
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TAGS: Wii
Radiohead Finally Joins iTunes
Posted by Frank Meyer - Friday, January 04, 2008 1:50 PM
 Radiohead just signed up with iTunes to allow downloads of its new album, In Rainbows, for $15.80 via the online digital music giant.
Thus far, Radiohead remained one of the few major bands to not allow their songs to be sold through iTunes.
"I can confirm that their latest album is available for sale in the iTunes Plus format. We have no other comment to make," said a spokesman for iTunes.
Wow, that’s quite a press release guys. Way to get us excited.
I have no other comment to make.
Yahoo.com: Radiohead joins iTunes
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Music
I Am Sequel
Posted by Ty Colfax - Friday, January 04, 2008 1:50 PM
 SPOILER WARNING: Do not read if you care about how I Am Legend ends.
The trouble with making a great movie that resolves itself in a nice, realistic way is that it makes a sequel hard to pull off. I Am Legend killed on the global box office grossing $331.1 million, and it’s still first-run in some areas, so that number will go up, and nevermind the dvd figures. The news here is that Warner Bros. has paid for the rights to a sequel which has not yet been written. WB merely has covered its bases when it comes to expanding their new franchise.
But for those of us who know what happened in the movie, it sort of makes a sequel uninteresting. Sure, it sets up plenty and there’s lots of ways a sequel could go, but it would be missing a key element of what made the first one such a huge success.
You know, like Men in Black II. Actually there weren’t any key elements missing from MIB II that the first one had. Unless we're talking about things like comedy, plot, character development, your mom, and a Michael Jackson cameo.
ShockTilYouDrop.com: I Am Legend 2 Rights Sealed Up
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TAGS: Movies
Dell Crystal Fashion LCD Is Here!
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Friday, January 04, 2008 1:47 PM
 After a little game of "Is it or isn't it?" Dell has finally come clean with their new 22-inch Crystal LCD display. We gotta say, this thing looks good. The design is something that actually looks very sleek and innovative and definite step up for Dell.
The monitor has a 1680 x 1050 resolution, 98% color gamut, 2ms response time, 2000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, and a 2 megapixel webcam.
Don't worry about waiting in line for this puppy, this sweet sweet monitor is available now for a bargain price of just under $1200.
Methinks your mom would look pretty good on this sucker. What do you think?
Engadget.com: Dell Fashion LCD Now Official
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TAGS: CES, Tech
The MMO Report: Friday, January 4th
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Friday, January 04, 2008 12:00 PM
Happy New Year from the MMO Report. In this dawning of a new age, we'd like to start the year off with something different. Still recovering from the lack of MMO news over the holiday season, we've put together something very special for all of you.
Machinima has always been something we enjoyed, but never had the time to implement into our show. I mean, what could be more amusing than a bunch of amateur film makers producing comedic shorts using in-game engines from our favorite digital distractions? Maybe puppies, but that's beside the point. The point is we made this collection of machinima shorts just for you. And don't worry, we didn't include any of the depressing, artsy-fartsy flicks. So nuke up some Redenbacher, smoke em if you got em, and chortle until you need to change your shorts. This is...
The MMO Report.
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TAGS: PC Gaming, The MMO Report
Sony BMG Bids DRM Farewell
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Friday, January 04, 2008 11:52 AM
Following a decade-long battle, it seems that the music industry and the internets are slowly making amends. This week, Sony BMG is finalizing the plan to drop DRM software from it's downloable library.
That would make Sony BMG the last of the four major record labels to drop DRM, behind Warner, EMI, and Vivendi. While the RIAA continues it's Inquisition against heretical organizations like Kazaa and LimeWire, the labels themselves are attempting to embrace the "new" technology after a decade of claiming it to be the "death" of the industry.
--Read More--
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Apple Creating Mobile PC?
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 04, 2008 11:30 AM
A recent patent filing points to the idea that Apple may be building an ultra-mobile Macintosh.
The patent filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office defines "a docking area configured to receive a portable computer."
Hmmm.. interesting.
It also will enable the portable device to communicate with the docking station using Bluetooth and IEEE 80.2.11 wireless connections.
No matter what device Apple is patenting, we bet dudes with little black glasses and carefully mussed up hair will call it awesome.
Yahoo.com: Apple patent reveals innovative docking station
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TAGS: Tech
PlayStation Store Update
Posted by Ty Colfax - Friday, January 04, 2008 11:07 AM
 Here’s what’s going on in the world of your PlayStation Store. They’ve made their weekly update and to be honest there’s not a lot to speak of. Some new Rock Band songs (“Limelight” from Rush will be hard as balls on drums,) more crappy metal songs for GHIII, and some cars for ProStreet. Just a sidenote, if anyone tries to sell you a Shelby GT for $2, it’s probably not in tip-top shape.
But what gets me is the description for the NFL Tour ’09 Demo. “This is a hard-hitting, pulse-pounding game of 7-on-7 football. NFL Tour is football the way you always wanted to play it”
WHAT? Don’t tell me what I’ve always wanted. Especially if it pertains to getting pounded by 7 huge, sweaty dudes on a blacktop in the park. We’ll leave that to your mom, Mr. Sony.
PlayStation Store
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
Four 'Guitar Hero' Games In '08?
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 04, 2008 10:33 AM
Lock up your mom:  According to a rumor destined to be published in the next issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine (according to the Neogaf forum), there may be four Guitar Hero games in the works for 2008.
Guitar Hero 4, Guitar Hero Aerosmith, and 2 others may be on the way.
If this turns out to be true. it leads to speculation that downloadable content might no longer be the Guitar Hero game plan.
We can only hope Guitar Hero: Elvis Costello Edition is in the works.
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TAGS: Music, Videogames
Amy Fisher Has a Sex Tape
Posted by Ty Colfax - Friday, January 04, 2008 10:31 AM
Amy Fisher has a sex tape and she ain't shy about it. It surfaced recently during a divorce with her husband, with whom she has patched things up, and if it’s anything like the 17 made-for-tv movies that came out when the whole Buttafuoco scandal erupted, it will be boring, too long, and still somehow manage to leave me wet.
You gotta hand it to her, she knows how to make dough off her mistakes and roll with the punches. She’s written books about her sexual exploits, shot her lover's wife in the face, sold her story to TV, and now instead of battling the company that will be “distributing” the tape, she taking a six-figure settlement. Some would call that taking money for sex. TheFeed calls it the entertainment industry.
Your mom calls it Tuesday.
Yahoo: Amy Fisher Promotes Sex Tape
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TAGS: Girls, Lowlife, Other People's Misfortune
San Fran To Get Free Wi-Fi
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 04, 2008 10:25 AM
Those dirty socialist hippies in San Francisco are getting something else for free: Wi-fi.
Wireless networking startup Meraki plans to deliver free wireless Internet across San Francisco. The catch is it's advertising supported, proving that you can't get a free lunch anywhere. Previously, google and Earthlink tried to cover the City By The Bay with wireless, but things stalled out.
Meraki says they will build the network using solar-powered wireless repeaters installed on rooftops. The nodes will use some of their wireless capacity to offer Internet access to those nearby, and the rest to haul traffic back, via adjacent nodes, to the network's core.
So it's solar powered. Like your mom.
Yahoo.com: Wi-Fi Startup to Pick Up Where Google Left Off in SF
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TAGS: Tech
Mad Catz To Make 'Rock Band' Stuff
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, January 04, 2008 10:04 AM
Mad Catz has gotten the go-ahead from Harmonix and MTV Games to make peripherals for Rock Band, both wired and wireless, which should begin to hit the market in the near future. This is good news for those who are looking for a choice as to where to get and how much to pay for these instruments, and also, who might be looking for a little variety in their rock weapons of choice.
We would like to see a couple of things. One would be a microphone that allows you to choose a difficulty setting without having to use a controller. How about sandbags for the drum kit, in case you live in a place with a hardwood floor? Sound dampening pads for the drums? We can think of all kinds of things that would be good to have for Rock Band. Also, we can think of all kinds of things it would be good for your mom to have.
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360
Nintendo: DS/Wii Download Correction
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, January 04, 2008 9:49 AM
Remember the story the other day that said that the Wii would be able to download and wirelessly send full DS games to the handheld console? Well, Nintendo has written us to straighten out the whole thing. Turns out the Wii will be able to download demo versions of DS games, which will disappear from the DS when it is turned off. The New York Times had it wrong, and, in turn, so did Game Daily, who we linked to for the story.
This is the statement from Nintendo's PR firm:
"An article about the Nintendo DS video game system in the December 31 Business Day section (of the NYT) incorrectly referred to future capabilities of the device. The statement that complete Nintendo DS games will eventually be able to be downloaded into the device via a wireless connection with the company's Wii game console is incorrect. Users can download games to play on Wii, and, in the future, the Nintendo DS will be able to receive demo versions of some DS games from Wii, but not the entire game. The demo will be erased once the Nintendo DS is turned off."
Now you know the real story. Book it.
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TAGS: Videogames, Wii
Videogame Cruise To Feature Cloris Leachman
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 04, 2008 9:23 AM
Sometimes, The Lord gives us unique presents. Today, it's a Carnival cruise for gamers in November featuring Grandma Hardcore, music from Video Games Live, TV-doctor Albert "Skip" Rizzo and Oscar-winning old lady Cloris Leachman. Hail, Satan!
Leachman, known for her roles as the replacement Mrs. Garrett on later seasons of the sit-com Facts of Life, the secretary who spanks Adam Sandler in The Longest Yard, and the sexed-up housewife in The Last Picture Show, will hopefully be playing Eternal Sonata the entire cruise. We don't know why, but it fits with the surrealist nature of the cruise.
The NAViGATR Cruise is sponsored by the National Academy of Video Game Testers and Reviewers, and takes place November 14 - 17, 2008 (Long Beach, California, to Ensenada, Mexico). Fares begin at $455 and tickets go on sale June 15th.
Obviously, we'll see you there.
Official Site
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
Nugget From The Net
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 04, 2008 8:48 AM
TheFeed is sorry to remind you of the existence of the Legend of Zelda cartoon, and the fact that Link said "Excuse me, Princess!" all the time.
This piece of animated clap-trap ran for 13 episodes in 1989, and in spite of its short life, the main character uttered his wretched catch phrase over 500 times. First off, "Exxxxcuse me!" is Steve Martin's line that was hopelessly out-of-date by 1989, Secondly, it doesn't fit Link's personality or relationship to the Princess at all. Thirdly...oh, why are we bothering? We defy you to watch all of this youtube video.
(Warning: May cause screaming, fits, vomiting and contusions. See a physicians if Zelda-Cartoon symptoms continue.)
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TAGS: Nuggets From The Nets
First-Look At 'Stargate: Worlds' Coming
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 04, 2008 8:19 AM
If you want a sneak peak at upcoming MMO Stargate: Worlds, tonight is your night.
Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment will the first trailer for the game with the mid-season premiere of Stargate Atlantis on the SciFi Channel, tonight at 10PM ET and 9 PM CST.
“The trailer will give gamers and fans a glimpse at what they can expect to find in Stargate Worlds,” said Rod Nakamoto, senior vice president of product development, Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment. “It’s a mix of old and new elements that hint at the direction we are taking the franchise.”
Also, an inevitable contest:
"Starting Jan. 18, 2008, viewers can enter for a chance to win an opportunity to have their name or likeness incorporated into Stargate Worlds in the Unlock the Gate Sweepstakes. Viewers are invited to watch Stargate Atlantis each Friday starting on Jan. 18, 2008 at 10/9c on SciFi to retrieve a unique code to enter the sweepstakes."
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TAGS: PC Gaming, TV, Videogames
'VRX MACH 4' Impossibly Awesome
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 04, 2008 8:08 AM
What do you get when you combine four hi-def monitors, four Xbox 360s, Forza Motorsport 2 and a "beverage containment system"? You get the "ultimate, home-entertainment race simulator" pictured above. It's called the VRX MACH 4 and you already want one.
According to VRX Industries:
The VRX MACH 4 is powered by four Xbox 360's, outputting 4 Teraflops of power, which drive the 3 Sharp Aquos LCD's; the fourth Xbox 360 powers a 7" LCD rear view mirror which elevates the virtual racing experience to a new level of realism.
And that doesn't even mention the state-of-the-art BOSE sound system, vibration system, fan-powered "virtual wind system," and other amazing features.
We're not sure of the final price, but this is one of those "If you have to ask you can't afford it" deals, we imagine. Click the cut for full specifications.
--Read More--
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