Daily Wrap-Up
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, January 10, 2008 5:58 PM
Here's what went on today in the world of videogames, technology and popular culture.
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up, Videos
'Justice League' Being Canned?
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, January 10, 2008 3:43 PM
You know that Justice League movie that's been in development for the last few months, and has caused all kinds of speculation about who might be doing it and how it's ever going to get done? And you know how that Justice League movie kind of made it so that there might not be another Superman movie? Yeah, well, there might not be that Justice League movie anymore.
Why, you might ask? Because the script isn't very good, apparently. Also, the people that they cast to be in the movie aren't inspiring too much confidence, either, and the production budget has been inching higher and higher the more the pre-production rolls along. So, they might just scrap it altogether. Which would kinda suck. We've been really looking forward to it.
Dark Horizons.com: "Justice League" On Hold/Canned?
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TAGS: Comics, Movies
Schilling Will Retire, Work On Games
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, January 10, 2008 3:32 PM
 Curt Schilling is, perhaps, most well known in his role as one of the most productive pitchers in the history of baseball, having brought two World Series victories to Boston as a member of the Red Sox. After this season, however, you will know him as the designer of a new MMORPG, which is currently being developed under the code name Copernicus.
One of Schilling's collaborators is comic book and action figure mogul Todd MacFarlane, so you know it's going to be at least interesting. Schilling revealed at CES that he will be retiring from baseball after the upcoming season, and devoting his work life, full time, to working for his gaming studio, 38 Studios.
We are fervently hoping that you play Copernicus as a blood-filled sock on the way to Cooperstown, NY, beset by angry Yankees fans everywhere you go.
CNN.com: Star pitcher trading baseballs for video games
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TAGS: Sports, Videogames
Epic Fail Thursday: Numbers
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, January 10, 2008 3:09 PM
TheFeed is proud to present Epic Fail, our feature that brings you the greatest failures in the world of videogames, popular culture and technology. We're not talking run-of-the-mill defeat here; Epic Fail is reserved for the top of the bottom: Grand-scale fiascos only.
This week: Numbers.
Below are the worst failures in the world of numbers.
- 2: This perennial second-place finisher is never quite good enough to get the job done.
- 69: The dirtiest of all numbers, 69 never sounds as cool as it looks to write it on paper, and its reputation has been forever tainted with a usually less-than-satisfying sexual act. By contrast, its cousin 96 is well-thought-of by all.
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TAGS: Epic Fail
20, 60 Gig PS3s Discontinued In Japan
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, January 10, 2008 2:46 PM
We're a little stumped by this one, but it looks like both the 20 gig and the 60 gig PlayStation 3s are being discontinued in Japan; the 40-gig model will be the only one available in the inscrutable island nation. That means no more backward compatibility for PS2 games in Japan.
We'd understand getting rid of the smaller HD models in favor of the beefier 60 gig model, but getting rid of the bigger-drived model is a little odd...
Whether this is a harbinger of Sony's plan for the PlayStation 3 in the rest of the world remains to be seen.
Engadget.com: 20GB and 60GB PS3 discontinued in Japan -- PS2 backward compatibility ends
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
'Wii Fit' Dated
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, January 10, 2008 2:39 PM
 1up.com dropped the bomb on the release of the Wii Fit with accompanying balance board peripheral for the Nintendo Wii. It's May 20th.
Wii Fit, designed to help you keep in shape, has already cracked a million sales in Japan.
TheFeed reminds Nintendo there is still time to re-name the excercise board "The Nintendo Fat Mat."
1up.com: Wii Fit Sells 1 Million in 1 Month
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India Producing $2,500 Car
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, January 10, 2008 2:16 PM
Poor people and bargain hunters rejoice: Indian car makers at Tata Motors have unveiled a $2,500 car. The People's Car features a two-cylinder engine, roomy interior, gets 54 MPGH (highway) and looks like this:
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi, Mr. Ratan N. Tata said:
"I observed families riding on two-wheelers - the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby. It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family. Tata Motors' engineers and designers gave their all for about four years to realise this goal. Today, we indeed have a People's Car, which is affordable and yet built to meet safety requirements and emission norms, to be fuel efficient and low on emissions. We are happy to present the People's Car to India and we hope it brings the joy, pride and utility of owning a car to many families who need personal mobility."
No word yet on whether a U.S. release is forthcoming. Let's hope so, though. I mean, look at that monstrosity!
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TAGS: Cars
Iron Man Publicity Details Revealed
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:58 PM
In a media blitz set to rival the blitz of the Baltimore Ravens' defense or the blitz of tanks of the actual Blitzkrieg, Ironman will hit the popular culture with a massive amount of marketing this summer. The marketing will reportedly cost $50 million.
Brand participating in the Ironman marketing juggernaut include: LG Mobile, Burger King, Seven-11and others. Even Audi will use the film as a launch pad for a high-end R8 sports car.
"The partnership fans across every demo," LeeAnn Stables, Paramount's svp-worldwide marketing partnerships told Brandweek magazine.
Ironman comes out on May 2nd.
So, are you psyched for the big movie or at least the promotional fast-food cup?
Adweek Magazine
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Stormfront Wins Tech Emmy
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:22 PM
Remember Neverwinter Nights? No, not that one...the other one. The one that was available on AOL from 1991-1997? Well, the Emmy people sure do, because they just gave Stormfront Studios, the company that developed it, a technical Emmy for having done so. In fact, they call the old Neverwinter Nights the first MMORPG of all time.
Also, one of the presenters was Buzz Aldrin, and that, my friends, is as awesome as it gets. So, let's give Neverwinter Nights the respect it so rightfully deserves, now that it has something in common with Desperate Housewives and Frasier. Tha hardware, dogg. Tha hardware.
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TAGS: Videogames
Gamer Builds Nuclear Reactor In Home
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:50 AM
 A Texas man who is best described as 'an out-of-work computer whiz who redesigns video games' has been visited by the FBI for attempting to build a small-scale nuclear reactor in his basement. Fascinated by the lure of nuclear power, the man had, on his blog, talked about being in possession of uranium, which drew the interest of the Bureau, who came and investigated.
The good news is that the man wasn't found guilty of doing anything illegal. The bad news is that they took his reactor away, which means he's going to have to start again. Or not. We're guessing the FBI made it quite clear that this was a visit they didn't want to have to make again, lest our friend the game 'redesigner' become an unperson.
'Nuff said?
GamePolitics.com: Gamer Builds Nuclear Reactor in Home; FBI Pays a Visit
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune
Ice Cube Joins A-Team Cast?
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:45 AM
 Rap vet Ice Cube told MTV this week that he is in negotiations to play of Sergeant Bosco "B.A. (Bad Attitude)" Baracus in John Singleton’s film version of the ‘80s TV show The A-Team, a role made famous by the great Mr. T.
Cube even said he’d get a Mohawk like Mr. T if he got the role!
But the deal ain’t done yet…
The Writers Guild of America strike is holding it up, for one. Plus, while Singleton wants Cube in the role, the decision is up to Fox, who have yet to weigh in.
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TAGS: Movies, Music, TV
CES 2008: No iPhone Competitor from Microsoft
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:40 AM
 In an interview with German publication Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Bill Gates flat-out said that Microsoft will not be going after the iPhone directly.
"No, we won't do that. In the so-called smart phone business we will concentrate solely on software with our Windows Mobile [Operating System]," said Gates.
Gates stressed that their partnerships with manufacturer's like Motorola (with the Q) and Samsung (with the BlackJack) allow them to reach more customers than if they were to release their own device.
Still, the iPhone has managed to capture a 20% smartphone market share since its release.
Yahoo News: Gates Says Microsoft Won't Launch iPhone Rival
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TAGS: CES, iPhone, Tech
'Stranglehold' DLC Finally Available
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:33 AM
In a move that comes a few months too late, the Map Pack for Stranglehold has been released on Xbox Live and will follow shortly on the PlayStation Network.
For a whopping 1200 ($15) Microsoft Fun Bucks, you get yourself 10 new multiplayer maps, 21 new characters, and 10 new achievements worth 250 gamerpoints total.
We'll pass, thanks.
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
UPDATED! Hilary Clinton vs. Tivo
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:31 AM
 Remember the other day when we reported that Hilary Clinton was overheard telling her daughter that she couldn’t figure out why her Tivo was erasing all her shows for stuff it “thought” she wanted instead?
Well, a Tivo rep contacted us and issued the following statement for us to pass along to the presidential candidate:
“A simple problem calls for a simpler solution! We'd like to send the ‘TiVo man’ himself straight to the campaign trail to teach Hillary everything there is to know about our product in just five minutes (yes, 5 minutes!). We know it will take no time at all to show Mrs. Clinton the right buttons to push so she can rest assured that while she’s on the road, America’s favorite DVR is not skipping a beat.”
Wow! Tivo contacted lil’ ol’ us directly about this! I can’t even get them on the phone when my box goes down! And they seem to think we have Mrs. Clinton’s ear! Amazing! I’m scared to tell them that Hilary would likely run in fear if I ever approached her to chat.
Oh, and according to TVGuide, Hilary's favorite TV shows are HGTV makeover shows, Grey's Anatomy, Antiques Roadshow, American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. And since American Idol starts again next Tuesday, baby, you better get your TiVo sitch worked out pronto!
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Tech, TV
Radiohead Sells A Lotta Rainbows
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:19 AM
 Radiohead scored its second No. 1 album on the U.S. pop chart this week with In Rainbows, an album that was at first sold on the Internet under the band’s "name your own price" system.
In Rainbows also topped the charts in Britain, Canada, France, Japan, and Ireland.
The album also marks Radiohead's first album since it decided to bail EMI. It is being distributed in the United States by ATO Records Group, a label co-founded by Dave Matthews.
Rainbows are cute and colorful and sometimes have a pot of gold at the end, left by a kindly ol’ Leprechaun.
News.com: Radiohead's "In Rainbows" is #1 onCharts despite early online sales
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Music
Valve Acquires Turtle Rock Studios
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:09 AM
Valve Software is sitting pretty right about now. The Orange Box sold huge and Portal took home a ton of awards, but it looks like they are expanding.
Valve has acquired Turtle Rock Studios, the developers behind the upcoming Left 4 Dead co-op FPS full of zombies and awesome.
Here's our E3 Game Preview for Left 4 Dead:
Press release after the cut:
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TAGS: PC Gaming, Videogames, Xbox 360
Fight Club…The Musical?
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:08 AM
 David Fincher’s 1999 flick Fight Club is the next film to get turned into a…Broadway musical?!?!?
Yup, following the footsteps of Hairspray, The Producers, and Monty Python’s Holy Grail, Fight Club is slated to get a theatrical makeover for 2009, a decade after the film’s original release.
Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk has agreed to jump on board, Fincher is in, and Trent Reznor expressed interest in developing the music.
What’s next? Terminator: The Musical? Bourne Identity On Ice?
Pastemagazine.com: FIGHT CLUB musical in development, Trent Reznor may be involved
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TAGS: Movies
Dr. Phil Fights Live Racists
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:01 AM
Television Doctor and Oprah-friend Dr. Phil has taken time out of his busy schedule of helping Britney Spears deal with her wealth, fame and youth, to fight the racists on Xbox Live.
On a recent Dr. Phil Show, the doctor fought all of Xbox Live Racism and won. Double!
Terry, an African American Gamer, said he had been taunted, called a "monkey" and threatened with lynching
Dr. Phil addresses Terry’s wife, Nydia. “You worry this could jump from the virtual world to the real world because they’re talking about lynching, and attacking, and your children,” he surmises. “I just feel like on the Internet, in this situation, anything is possible,” she replies. “I don’t know who these people are. They claim to be the KKK, and I have a really big problem with that. They’re calling my children monkeys, that they’re going to hang them, they’re going to kill them, they’re going to kill me. It’s crazy, and it’s out of control. Nobody is trying to do anything about this. My husband has contacted Microsoft for many years, and I don’t understand why the FBI is not all over this.”
So rather than be like, "unplug your headphone, man. That's what everyone else does." Dr. Phil got the Microsoft to start doing some security.
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
CES 2008: Games For Windows Interview
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:58 AM
We managed to snag an interview with the very busy Kevin Unangst, Senior Global Director of Games for Windows, at CES 2008. Kevin definitely doesn't believe that PC gaming is dead and spoke with us about the Games for Windows brand, Games for Windows Live, and future plans for the platform.
First, Microsoft has announced 9 new titles that will be released under the Games for Windows brand in 2008:
- "Alone in the Dark" (Atari)
- "Bionic Commando" (Capcom)
- "Conflict: Denied Ops" (Eidos Interactive)
- "Empire: Total War" (SEGA)
- "LEGO Indiana Jones" (LucasArts)
- "Microsoft Train Simulator 2" (Microsoft Game Studios)
- "Sins of a Solar Empire" (Stardock)
- "Space Siege" (SEGA)
- "Tomb Raider: Underworld" (Eidos Interactive)
Second, Kevin informed us that Microsoft plans to invest much more heavily in GFW and GFW Live in 2008. They see 2007 as laying the "plumbing" and infrastructure and 2008 is where the platform (yes, they see it as a platform, just like the 360) will grow.
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TAGS: CES, PC Gaming, Videogames
CES 2008: Fyre’s Box O’ Porn
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:52 AM
Among the high-tech gadgets that made its debut at CES this week was a lil’ thing called Fyre.
No, not the electronics store! It's the cool, new box o' porn invention!
Miami-based entrepreneur Estefano Isaias calls Fyre the first set-top box to deliver DVD-quality adult movies on demand to home televisions. The Fyre just needs to be plugged into an Ethernet port via a broadband connection, with another plug in the TV set.
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TAGS: CES, Movies, Tech
Indy 'Next Gen' Game In Works?
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:46 AM
 Two pieces of big news about the new Indy flick Indiana Jones and The Crystal Meth Skulls were revealed this morning:
- A "next-gen" Indiana Jones games is in the works, probably to coincide with the release of the movie.
- The movie looks like it will be released in Blu Ray.
Spielberg's movies aren't covered by Paramount's (maybe no longer) exclusive HD-DVD deal.
These are both rumors but they both seem very, very likely to be true. The game is a give-away: What big movie doesn't have a shovelware tie-in for your home game system. The Blu Ray thing: It looks like this format is currently winning the war with HD DVD, and why wouldn't Spielberg put his opus out on what's looking more and more like the winning disc?
JoBlo: Indy feeling Blu?
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TAGS: Movies, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Nugget From The Net
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:15 AM
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TAGS: Nuggets From The Nets, Robot Uprising
Talismoon Offers 360 Quiet Fan
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, January 10, 2008 9:38 AM
My 360 is about as loud as a lawnmower, or a vacuum sucking up scraps of metal. But all that could change.
Talismoon is releasing a fan for your 360 that will both cool it enough to stave off the Red Ring of Death and allow you to use your media extender to enjoy the subtle tones of The Shins without the sound of a Harrier Jump-Jet taking off in the background.
Yeah, installing it voids your warranty, but be a man for once and fix your fan...or be sensible and don't void your warranty. It's up to you.
Click the cut for the press release specs.
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
'Smash Bros. Brawl' Delayed A Month?
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, January 10, 2008 8:39 AM
According to the take-it-with-a-grain-of-salt release dates of game retailers like Gamefly and Gamecrazy, eagerly antici |
