Daily Wrap-Up 2.11.08
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, February 11, 2008 6:01 PM
Here's what went down today in the world of videogames, technology and popular culture.
- Yahoo has turned down Microsoft's buyout bid.
- Zero Punctuation is teaming up with X-Play.
- Two news games have been added to the Wii's VC.
- A Florida ex Marine has been missing for more than a week, and relatives think it might be partly because of Call of Duty 4.
- Electronic Arts announced this morning that the ubiquitous videogame publishing company will be rolling out a slew of "casual" games based on Hasbro properties.
- Microsoft snatched up Danger, the makers of the Sidekick.
- Marvel Universe Online, long rumored to be ailing, is now officially, unequivocally dead.
- Researchers at NYU's Stern Business School have published a study that attempts to show a correlation between online buzz (in blog posts and social networking traffic) and album sales.
--Read More--
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up, Videos
Ubisoft Thinks You Need Exercise
Posted by Justin Fassino - Monday, February 11, 2008 5:36 PM
Looking in the mirror while you're naked may not be your favorite thing. It may scare you. But Ubisoft wants to take away that grotesque fear with a helpful piece of software for the DS called My Weight Loss Coach.
That's right, play video games to improve your health.
The game will be out this summer and come with such useful features as nutritional advice, a daily log that tracks your fitness performance, and a pedometer, so you know how far you've traveled. Once you create your profile upon starting the game for the first time, it will give you a rough suggestion on the severity with which to start your conditioning and diet.
Hopefully this is just a prelude to the inevitable My Hair Styling Coach and My Family Reunion Coach. Get on it Ubisoft.
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TAGS: Nintendo DS, Videogames
X-Play Gaming Update 02.11.08
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Monday, February 11, 2008 5:11 PM
Today, Adam brings you the latest in gaming news, including Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 and Lost Planet.
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames, Videos
Pre-Order 'Chains Of Olympus' Now
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, February 11, 2008 5:01 PM
The killer PSP app God of War: Chains Of Olympus is now available for online pre-order through the GOW website. You can prowl the site and see with Kratos has been up to, or, actually, was up to before the first game, and find out news and information about the upcoming game.
Of course, should you want to get our preview of God of War: Chains of Olympus, you can check out the demo we did a few months back, you know, just to get your feets wet.
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TAGS: Sony PSP, Videogames
New 'Banjo Kazooie' Coming in 2008
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, February 11, 2008 3:35 PM
Do you care that Banjo Kazooie 3 is coming out in 2008?
We care about it. But do you care about it?
Microsoft's Shane Kim revealed that the game is coming by the holidays: “I’m super-excited about what they’re doing with ‘Banjo.’ I think ‘Banjo’ is going to be a big hit for us this holiday.”
So this year, then.
MTV.com: Microsoft’s Shane Kim On ‘Fable 2,’ Why Marvel MMO Was Canceled And More
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TAGS: Videogames
Polaroid Says No More Polaroid
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, February 11, 2008 3:04 PM
 It's a rare phenomenon when something is so well known that the brand name is what most people use to identify it. Kleenex...Coke...Q-Tip...and Polaroid. Well, the Polaroid company has decided to abandon the cameras that made them famous, the ones with the instant film inside, and focus their business on a new model entirely...printers, digital technology, etc.
It makes perfect sense in the age of the digital camera, but it's still going to be kind of sad to see the old Land Camera go. After all, it's a lot of fun to take those pictures and watch them develop right in front of your eyes. It was a good run...and Polaroid will now come to mean something else entirely.
CNN Money: Polaroid shutters the Polaroid
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TAGS: Tech
'Tron' And 'Commanders' This Week
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, February 11, 2008 2:47 PM
This week's Xbox Live Arcade content will be Commanders: Attack of the Genos and Discs of Tron.
Commanders: Attack of the Genos is a fast-paced turn-based strategy game featuring "an art deco look and tongue-in-cheek storyline."
Discs of Tron is a PVP experience from back in the old days of the arcade. Updated graphics and sound though, and no tokens required!
Both games will be available on Wednesday.
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
More Punk 'Rock Band' DLC
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, February 11, 2008 2:26 PM
As everyone knows, old-school punk rock is the greatest form of music, so another punk pack of downloadable content from Rock Band will make this Wednesday/Thursday like Christmas times a million.
Today's tracks:
- “Complete Control” by the The Clash
- “Truth Hits Everybody” by The Police“
- "Teenage Lobotomy” by the Ramones
Although we might argue that The Police aren't really punk as much as new wave, and speaking of The Police, they're a great band, but seriously, Rock Band, do we need 5 Police tracks? Really?
Anyway: Release date: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 (Microsoft) Thursday, February 14, 2008 (Sony).
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TAGS: Videogames
Charge Gaming Costs To Your Cell Phone
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Monday, February 11, 2008 2:11 PM
Thanks to Mobilians International, you will soon be able to have your in-game purchases and subscription fees for any NHN USA game billed to your cell phone. The two companies, in conjunction with PaymentOne Corporation, are setting up a payment process where no credit card will be needed and all charges will show up on your next cell phone bill.
Mobilians hopes this service will be used by the younger demographic of online gamers, allowing them to get the full experience of the game without their own credit card. This might also put a few parents at ease, allowing them to track their children's spending without giving them a credit card number, which we all know usually leads to some outlandish purchases.
Will this payment method take off and span across other online games? Hard to say, but multiple payment options never hurt when your demographic can range in age and income level. Only time will tell. If anyone tries this out, please let us know.
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TAGS: PC Gaming
Play 'Burnout' With 'Hills' Stars
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, February 11, 2008 2:02 PM
We often dream about playing Burnout Paradise with Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, stars of MTV’s The Hills, and now our dreams can finally come true. Thank you, Baphomet.
Electronic Arts Inc.announced a special Game with Fame Valentine’s Day event on the Xbox LIVE. This event will give couples a chance to play with Hollywood’s hottest duo; On February 12th from 9:00pm PST – 12:00am, Xbox LIVE Gold members can score an opportunity to play with Heidi and Spencer, grab their Mugshots, and gain fame on the roads of Paradise City.
Players will also have an opportunity to chat and play with Burnout Paradise producer Craig Sullivan and other surprise guest celebrities. We sincerely hope one of the guests will be ex-patriot songstress Nina Simone.
--Read More--
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TAGS: TV, Videogames
NPD To Track Online Games
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, February 11, 2008 1:48 PM
The NPD Group, that delightful group of industry analysts who publishes the solid info videogame and system sales, is entering the online space and will be tracking subscriptions to online games. NPD's new quarterly report, Subscriptions Reports, will chart paid subscriptions and renewals to your favorite MMOs.
NPD plans to chart market size and title shares for MMO/PC games, gaming web sites, and game console services like Xbox Live.
Gamasutra: NPD Launches Online Game Subscription Tracking Report
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TAGS: Videogames
'Frontlines: Fuel of War' Multiplayer Demo Available
Posted by Ty Colfax - Monday, February 11, 2008 1:44 PM
Frontlines: Fuel of War has released a multiplayer demo DLC on the Xbox Marketplace. It works with up to 32 players online and incorporates over 60 future-weapons in the Fuel future-war setting of 2024.
We haven't played it yet, cuz we at work, yo. Gotta make that paper, so we can afford all these Rock Band songs and Mass Effect expansions.
Also, the download is only available for a limited time and once it's gone, it's gone.
check out specs and such: frontlines.com
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
Boy Robbed Over Pokemon Cards
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, February 11, 2008 1:17 PM
A grade school child in Redwood City California was robbed at fake-gunpoint by a classmate. The booty: Pokemon cards.
Redwood City police said the fourth grader brought an Airsoft gun to School and held it to a 6-year-old's forehead, demanding that the younger child give up the trading cards, and break himself.
Squirtle was unharmed in the incident.
KCRA: Boy Robs Classmate With Foam Gun
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Toys, Videogames
A 'Crysis' Movie is in the Works
Posted by Ty Colfax - Monday, February 11, 2008 11:47 AM
"A Crysis movie is definitely planned," said Cevat Yerli recently. The Crytek CEO and co-founder who brought us Crysis is now telling us there will be a movie to match. An earlier Crytek game, Far Cry, has already gone on to the film world and is now in the closing phases of post-production.
Yerli had no details about the film's plot but we can assume it will be very similar to the storyline followed in the game, and judging from the cinematic quality of the cutscenes and the trailers for the game, we just might be in for a treat.
Or, judging from the voice-over acting, it might suck. Let's be fair.
kotaku.com: Crytek Talks Crysis 2, Far Cry Movie and CryEngine 2
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TAGS: Movies, PC Gaming
Netflix Goes Blu-Ray; War Over
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, February 11, 2008 11:43 AM
 Netflix has delivered what might be one of the final blows to HD-DVD, as they have decided to switch to Blu-Ray exclusively, effectively ending what little war there might be left between the two high-definition DVD formats. They have pledged to phase out HD-DVD by the end of 2008, at which time they will become very lovely coasters for your coffee table.
We will not call it a comeback (thanks to a taunt by LL Cool J), but things are certainly looking up for Sony these days. Now, will it be enough to overcome the sluggish start that PS3 endured?
CNET News.com: Netflix says chooses Blu-ray format over HD DVD
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TAGS: Movies, Tech
Tech Review: Sony LocationFree Base Station
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, February 11, 2008 11:30 AM
G4tv.com gets to play around with all the cool new gadgets and tell you what to think about them. Here’s the scoop on the…
 Sony LocationFree Wireless Base Station
Available: Now
Price: $199.99
Sony is trying harder and harder to incorporate PSP-support into their other products. The most interactivity is between the PlayStation 3 and PSP, of course, but Sony’s new LocationFree base station can stream video to your PSP or computer from anywhere in the world.
PROS:
- PSP Connectivity
- Acts as Wireless Base Station
- Good Video Quality While on Home Network
--Read More--
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TAGS: Sony PSP, Tech, Tech Reviews
Anonymous Targets Scientology
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, February 11, 2008 11:11 AM
If you are on the internet right now or have ever been on the internet, you've no doubt heard about Anonymous, the group of unknown persons from an unknown place who do unknown things but are leet.
This weekend, Anonymous left its palatial manse and took it to the street by protesting Scientology centers and churches all over the world. Judging from the youtube videos, everyone had a nice time.
Wanna read what happened?
Wanna see pictures?
--Read More--
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Videos
Apple Files for Portable Gaming Patent
Posted by Ty Colfax - Monday, February 11, 2008 11:02 AM
 Apple has filed a patent for the handheld gaming device that has been rumored to be in the works at their labs for quite a while. Now, before you get all crazy about how sweet it would be to have a touchscreen gaming interface that would have tons of space and computing power in your pocket (drools,) let's remember that big companies file for patents all the time.
A high percentage of these patents are designed to keep doors open for future innovation and cover their bases should they decide however many years down the road they want to put something out. It also means that any other company who wants to move on the technology has to license it from them, thereby creating more revenue for a company that merely did a tiny bit of research and filled out some paperwork 20 years ago.
But oh, how sweet would it be? Only time will tell. And Steve Jobs.
At the time of this article, Steve Jobs was probably unavailable for comment.
ign.com: Apple to Enter Gaming Arena
also:
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TAGS: Apple, Products, Tech
'Lost Planet' Demo Pulled
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, February 11, 2008 10:56 AM
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Google's Android Unveiled in Barcelona
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, February 11, 2008 10:19 AM
The Mobile World Congress show is going down in Barcelona and a few companies are showing off some prototypes running Google's Android OS.
Reports from the floor indicate that the OS is snappy and intuitive, but the prototype's capabilities were limited. It looks like a promising platform, but this is not how you launch a product, Google.
Where's your huge presentation? Your turtleneck? Your "one more thing"?
Head over to Engadget to check out a bunch of photos of this and another prototype.
Engadget: Google attacks: Android at Mobile World Congress
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TAGS: Indie Games, Tech
Writers Strike Almost Over?
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, February 11, 2008 10:18 AM
 You know that writers strike we keep talking about? Well, odds are pretty good it will end as soon as tomorrow, as both sides have tentatively agreed on a deal that will stop the four-month holdout and get our entertainment community back to work. The contract will be voted on tomorrow, and if the writers follow the recommendation of the union, they will ratify.
The terms of the new contract include some relief on internet distribution, in which the writers will receive $1200 per year for one-hour webcasts for the first two years, and then 2% of revenue after that. So, that there's a percentage at all is good news, but did we really have to cost the city almost a billion dollars to get 2% of something that will be three years old by the time it starts earning?
Ars Technica: TV writers secure Internet gains; strike may end Tuesday
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TAGS: Movies, TV
New Batch Of 'Street Fighter IV' Character Screens
Posted by Justin Fassino - Monday, February 11, 2008 10:14 AM
What game series combines sweaty, hairy-chested Russian bear wrestlers and Japanese martial artists? Street Fighter, of course.
Capcom has released a huge new batch of images from the game that show off more of the returning fighter roster, including Dhalsim, E. Honda, and Blanka. Still no release date or platform officially announced for the game, but it sure is pretty.
Click the image to view the entire gallery.
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TAGS: Videogames
Britain To Legislate Gaming?
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, February 11, 2008 10:02 AM
It's looking increasingly inevitable that the United Kingdom will be legislating videogames. While the British government currently rates videogames, the classification doesn't prevent the sale of games to minors. It is expected that an upcoming report will call for legal penalties for retailers who sell violent games to minors.
According to a report in The Guardian over the weekend, the government in the U.K. will also tell parented to make sure all gaming is done in the living room or kitchen, where the TV is in clear view and activities can be monitored.
Although similar laws have been passed in the United States, they've eventually all been deemed unconstitutional by the courts.
computerandvideogames: 'No games in bedrooms', parents advised
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
Music Blogs Predict Album Sales?
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, February 11, 2008 9:55 AM
 Researchers at NYU's Stern Business School have published a study that attempts to show a correlation between online buzz (in blog posts and social networking traffic) and album sales.
Online buzz is apparently blog posts (just like this one!) about an album and the number of MySpace friends a band has on their profile. Guess this passes for research at business school, huh?
They conclude that they cannot find correlation because popular bands might be getting online buzz because they are already popular and that the album was already going to sell big.
They note that the online buzz could still be used to predict album sales.
We're surprised that this many people who contribute to online buzz actually buy music.
ArsTechnica: Blog, social network buzz correlates to better album sales
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