Daily Wrap-up 1.18.08
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 18, 2008 6:35 PM
Happy Friday! Here's what happened today in the world of videogames, technology and popular culture.
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up
X-Play Gaming Update 01.18.08
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Friday, January 18, 2008 6:21 PM
Today, Adam Sessler brings you the latest in gaming news, including info on Bionic Commando Rearmed, Crysis possibly moving to the PS3, and Halo 3 being crowned sales king of 2007.
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Fresh Ink: Spider-Man, Shark-Man, Etc.
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, January 18, 2008 2:00 PM
Hey, everyone! Blair Butler's back, and she's got more comics for us to foray into. This week, she tells us stories of Shark-Man, Spider-Man, DMZ, Fell, Sword, and The Umbrella Academy. Can you think of a more bountiful harvest of comics? We can't, so we suggest you fall in and watch the video. Post haste.
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TAGS: Fresh Ink
Summer Sports: Paradise Island Headed to Wii
Posted by Justin Fassino - Friday, January 18, 2008 12:51 PM
Destineer Software today announced that their newest title, Summer Sports: Paradise Island, will see release for the Wii later this year.
The game will include seven different sporting activities: croquet, lawn darts, basketball, badminton, volleyball, horse shoes, and a 9-hole miniature golf course. Some of the games include alternate modes, as well, like HORSE for basketball, etc.
Multiplayer will span run the gamut, with team and cooperative play for up to four gamers at once. Check out the screenshots below to get a glimpse at the always-sunny Paradise Island.
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TAGS: Videogames, Wii
New Bionic Commando Rearmed Trailer
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Friday, January 18, 2008 12:48 PM
We have to admit, Bionic Commando was truly inspired gaming, and one of the best side-scrolling action games we've ever played.
Of course, there is a next-gen Bionic Commando coming our way, but now we have a trailer for the upcoming XBLA version of the classic game: Bionic Commando Rearmed. This side-scrolling actioner is scheduled to be released on XBLA in time to coincide with the next-gen rebirth of our favorite hero with an extendable arm.
For more on Bionic Commando, tune-in to X-Play tonight, January 18th @ 8PM ET.
Enough talk, here's the trailer.
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TAGS: G4, Videogames, Videos
New 'Iron Man' Screenshots from Sega
Posted by Justin Fassino - Friday, January 18, 2008 12:29 PM
It's never been easier to control a man strapped into a humanoid metal exoskeleton; thank you video ga mes.
Sega will be releasing Iron Man, the game based on the upcoming movie, later this year. Developers The Secret Level will have it out on every single platform known to man, and they've just released some brand new screenshots from the title. Click the thumbnail for the full gallery.
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TAGS: Videogames
The MMO Report: Friday, January 18th
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Friday, January 18, 2008 12:28 PM
This week's episode has a collection of bad news. Funny bad news, but bad news none the less.
Not only do we have a small handful of MMO cancelations to tell you about, but a certain gift from a certain prophet may have crapped it's pants. I'm not naming names, but you'll soon see the level of frustration that has gripped our fine host. Please send candy and flowers to console him.
The good news? Bad news means we get to make funny. And that's why y ou love us. Right? You love us, right?
So grab your gal, shine your shoes, and prepare to paint Ironforge red, this is...
The MMO Report.
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TAGS: PC Gaming, The MMO Report
Bionic Eyes Coming Through Contacts?
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, January 18, 2008 12:19 PM
 It'd be awesome to have a personal heads-up display! It could display all types of relevant information about your body like hunger level, temperature, and time since eating last.
Researchers at the University of Washington are developing a contact lens that has circuitry and lights that could theoretically superimpose a picture over a person's view of the real world.
"People may find all sorts of applications for it that we have not thought about. Our goal is to demonstrate the basic technology and make sure it works and that it's safe," said Babak Parviz, assistant professor of electrical engineering at UW.
They hope the tech will be as simple as putting on a contact lens and be able to create full displays for things like videogames and internet browsing.
UWeek.org: Bionic eyes: Contact lenses with circuits, lights a possible platform for superhuman vision
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TAGS: Tech
Videogames Help Save Lives!
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Friday, January 18, 2008 12:09 PM
 Everyone knows video games do nothing but corrupt our nation's youth, turning them into mindless killing machines that would just as soon curb stomp you as look at you. Well, apparently, 28 year old Paxton Galvanek missed the memo, as he recently applied his America's Army video game skills to saving another's life.
This troubled young man has been a long time player of America's Army, where he was trained as a virtual field medic, not a rifleman or sniper. Obviously, the signs were all there, but no one was paying attention. On a regular November morning, Galvanek was driving along with his family down I-40 in North Carolina when they witness an SUV lose control and flip close to five times. Galvanek pulled over to the side of the road and had his wife call 911 while he checked the occupants of the now smoking SUV. And that's when Galvanek's story turned tragic.
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TAGS: Videogames
Eidos Prepares to Unleash ‘Highlander’
Posted by Ty Colfax - Friday, January 18, 2008 12:08 PM
Prepare for lots of quickening, as you third-person your way through the entire 2000 year history of the Highlander series and movies. Highlander games have been made in the past for the Commodore 64, and Jaguar CD (cringe) but we’re hoping with a big baller like Eidos and a multi-platform release, this lore will finally get the treatment it deserves.
And it’s gonna run on the Unreal 3 engine which is pretty sweet. Oh, and it’s written by David Abramowitz who penned the TV series. Oh, also, if it sucks, we’re going to go to the nearest Eidos headquarters with our claymores and smash up they cubicles.
Official release date is TBA and we will be sure to let you know when we know.
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TAGS: Videogames
DirecTV Allows DVR Scheduling from Cell
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, January 18, 2008 12:06 PM
DirecTV has just launched an awesome service that will allow subscribers to schedule DVR recordings from their cell phones. If you have DirecTV and a cell data plan, point your device to m.directv.com to get started.
So far, the only reported compatible device is the HR20-700 DVR, but more support should be added in February.
Anyone want to try this out and let us know?
Engadget: DirecTV rolls out remote recording
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Products, Tech
Gold Cap In WoW Has Been Reached
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, January 18, 2008 11:54 AM
There's always been the theoretical idea in World of Warcraft that you could have more gold than you can carry, but no one had yet reached that amount of bling through legal means...until now. Several sources have revealed that they have reached their money cap in the world-famous MMO. That sum? That would be 214,748 gold, 36 silver, 48 copper. After you reach that lofty sum, you'll no longer be able to receive money from any source in the game.
What does this mean to the finances of WoW? Now that there's a cap on what one person can carry, it doesn't mean that the people at the very top of the pole will be able to add money ad infinitum, and that's a good thing. After all, without a real cap, it devalues all of the money, don't you think?
WOW Insider: Apparently you can have too much gold
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TAGS: Videogames
NASA Developing Training MMO
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, January 18, 2008 11:47 AM
 Want to be an astronaut? Remember the plot of The Last Starfighter, in which recruits were trained using videogames? Then you will love this piece of news from NASA, who are developing an MMO that will allow students to learn all about NASA's space exploration program, and eventually apply for jobs as a result.
The Agency aims to present scientifically accurate virtual worlds that will allow people to train to become astronauts without actually having to take on giant space bugs or eat space food while trying to get some space sleep. Thank God. We are tired of the archaic training systems used to determine which humans to stuff into a tube and shoot into space. This will make it much more skill-based.
Games Industry.biz: NASA developing educational MMO
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TAGS: Tech, Videogames
360 Says Sorry With 'Undertow'
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 18, 2008 11:37 AM
Xbox is really sorry about that whole "spotty connections to LIVE after Christmas" thing. They promised a free game, and now its delivery time.
The game is Undertow.
Beginning next Wednesday at 2:00 a.m. PST through Sunday, 11:59 p.m. PST, all Xbox LIVE members worldwide (gold and silver) can download the full version of the award-winning Xbox LIVE Arcade game Undertow.
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
New "GHIII' Downloadable Content
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, January 18, 2008 11:25 AM
Though there's been no official announcement yet, it looks like there's some downloadable content coming for Guitar Hero III, and, if the list is to be believed, it's going to be awesome. The songs are rumored to be "Any Way You Want It," by Journey, "Juke Box Hero," from Foreigner, and Boston's immortal classic "Peace of Mind."
We can think of no better songs to add to the GHIII canon, and we applaud this piece of DLC. Though, again, it's just a rumor, the songs have showed up on the leaderboards at GuitarHero.com, which is as telling as any other indicator that the songs will be coming our way in the not-too-distant future.
Kotaku.com: Journey to Boston with Foreigner - New GHIII DLC
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TAGS: Videogames
Best of CES 2008: Mainstream Tech
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, January 18, 2008 11:18 AM
Kevin Pereira is going to take you on a wonderful adventure of technology in this showcase of the best mainstream tech shown at CES 2008.
To help, he's brought along four other experts to voice their opinions. Together, these 5 gods of gadgetry picked the Best of the Best. Joining Kevin are:
- John DeVore, Maxim
- Adam Rogers, Wired Magazine
- Natali Del Conte, CNET
- Andrew Hawn, Iconoculture
Hit the cut for the rest of the Mainstream Tech and then head on over to the CES page for our full coverage.
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TAGS: CES, G4, G4 Web Exclusive
'Bioshock' Gets Big Ups From AIAS
Posted by Ty Colfax - Friday, January 18, 2008 11:17 AM
The impending 11th annual Interactive Achievement Awards, which is put on by The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, has announced the nominees for this year’s show which will take place February 7, in Las Vegas.
Bioshock is up for a record-breaking 12 awards, with Call of Duty 4 up for 10. We’ve scanned the list of nominees and are surprised to find only one Halo 3 nod, and it’s for Action Game of the Year. Not to take away from the other games nominated in every category, but surely they can find room for the best selling game of 2007. While it's not a 10 out of 10, it is important for the industry to have blockbusters that bring mainstreamers over and get people to buy next gen consoles. And hey, it's pretty close to a 10 - certainly up there with the other "Overall" nominees.
After the jump is a partial list of nominations.
The full list can be found at interactive.org
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TAGS: Videogames
'Rock Band' DLC Tracks Confirmed
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 18, 2008 11:15 AM
Yesterday morning it was sort-of leaked info, but today it's totally real and official: Three Oasis songs and three "progressive" songs are coming to Rock Band's downloadable content farm.
Here they are:
Oasis Pack
- "Don't Look Back In Anger" (master)
- "Wonderwall" (master)
- "Live Forever" (master)
Progressive Songs
- Smashing Pumpkins: "Siva" (master)
- Rush “Working Man” (cover)
- Coheed & Cambria “Ten Speed (Of God’s Blood and Burial)” (cover)
The Oasis songs drop on the 22 for the 360 and the 24th for the PS3, while the progressive songs come out for the Xbox on 29th and the PS3 on the 31st. All these dates are tentative and subject to change.
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360
'Rock Band' DLC Sales Top 2.5 Million
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 18, 2008 10:09 AM
It's a running argument in the gaming community: Will the downloadable content model actually work?
In the case of Rock Band: Yeah. It sure seems to.
Harmonix have sold more than 2.5 million downloadable songs for the game through the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network.
The best-selling download to date is the Metallica pack, which features the original versions of "Ride the Lightning," "Blackened," and "And Justice for All." Combo packs from The Police, Queens of the Stone Age, David Bowie (two covers and one original), and Black Sabbath (three cover songs) follow Metallica on the list.
Here are the charts for individual tracks:
- Foreigner's "Juke Box Hero"
- Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son"
- Weezer's "Buddy Holly"
- The Knack's "My Sharona"
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TAGS: Music, PlayStation 3, Videogames
'Star Trek' Tour Begins in California
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, January 18, 2008 10:09 AM
 The "Star Trek The Tour" has begun its trek (lol). For the next 5 years, across 40 cities in the United States, a travelling 50,000 square foot interactive tour dedicated to Star Trek will make the rounds.
The first location: The Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA from today to February 17, 2008.
Details can be found here. Try not to lose your virginity in the meantime, they won't let you in without it.
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TAGS: Internets Culture, TV
Nugget From The Net
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 18, 2008 8:49 AM
We're violently apolitical at TheFeed, but we think this Gilligan's Island/Mitt Romney mash-up might be enough to turn the tide of the Republican primary to McCain.
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TAGS: Nuggets From The Nets
Wham-O Founder Dead
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 18, 2008 8:24 AM
 Richard Knerr, founder of Wham-O and thus popularizer of the Hula Hoop, the Frisbee, the Superball, the Slip-n-Slide, Silly String* and countless other childhood memories, died yesterday at the age of 82.
Without Knerr, the pop culture landscape would be vastly different. The Hudsucker Proxy would have been a very different movie. No one would ever play Ultimate Frisbee. There would have been no Hula Hoop craze of the 1950. Guys with dogs named "Bandit" would have to throw something else to their pets. Etc.
LA Times: Richard Knerr, 82; co-founded Wham-O, maker of the Hula Hoop and Frisbee
*For the truly videogame obsessed, Knerr invented "toys." IE: Physical objects that are thrown, bounced, jumped on and otherwise manipulated IRL to produce "fun." Like the Wii, but different.
The level design on toys is terrible, and they're super-repetitive, but the graphics and physics engines are the most realistic yo can get, and the framerates are not to be believed. Plus, they're open-world.
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Toys
Nintendo Trumpets Sales Win
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, January 18, 2008 8:15 AM
Nintendo must be having trouble finding new ways of calling themselves awesome. Today, they would like you to know how awesome they are in terms of selling consoles.
According to info released by industry analysts at NPD group, the DS and the Wii were the two best-selling video game systems in the United States. The Nintendo DS was the top-selling U.S. system of 2007, with nearly 8.5 million sold, including more than 4 million in November and December alone. Wii placed second, with nearly 6.3 million sold through the year, more than 2.3 million of which sold in the final two months.
"By the end of 2007 we were sold out of virtually all hardware, and much of our stock of software and accessories was sold out as well, thanks to the broad appeal of Wii and Nintendo DS to core gamers, women, families, grandparents – and seemingly everyone in between,"said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of sales & |
