Daily Wrap-Up 2.19.08
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 6:00 PM
Here's what went down in the world of videogames, technology and popular culture.
- Blu Ray won the format wars.
- SEGA today confirmed the name of the forthcoming Sonic RPG as being Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood
- Rock Band DLC this week includes Weezer, STP and Garbage.
- Analysts are already forseeing a boost for PlayStation 3 sales.
- Joker shuts down LAX.
- Competitive Starcraft is getting Americanized.
- Baby-simulators My Baby Boy and My Baby Girl are coming to the DS.
- We caught up with Eric Stubbert, Industry Team Manager for Sennheiser Electronics, to find out about their new line of gaming headphones.
- The Halifax Bank and The Bank Of Scotland will no longer allow gamers to subscribe to WoW through their bank.
--Read More--
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up
X-Play Gaming Update 02.19.08
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 5:15 PM
Today, Morgan brings you all the latest gaming news, including the death of HD-DVD and rumors of Microsoft looking to acquire Epic Games.
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TAGS: Videogames, Videos, Xbox 360
'Age of Conan' Screens
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 3:18 PM
Is this gallery full of Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures screenshots enough to get you to cancel your Warcraft account? On May 20th, you'll be able to decide. That's the date Conan hits PCs.
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TAGS: PC Gaming, Videogames
'Lego Batman' Villain Revealed
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 3:11 PM
Check out the sexy (?) Harley Quinn, villainess from upcoming Lego Batman!
Here's a whole gallery of new screenshots.
The game comes out in the fall for every current platform except the DS.
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Videogames
Pinnacle Releases Video Editing Tools for Gamers
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:51 PM
How do you prove that you can get 5 stars on Through the Fire and Flames and are 9 years old? You film it and throw it on YouTube, but what do you use to edit it?
Pinnacle wants to help you out with their new software Pinnacle Studio 11, which starts at $50 and is an easy-to-use video editing suite.
"Available at e-tail and retail stores, Pinnacle Studio Plus version 11 and Pinnacle Studio Ultimate version 11 with full HD support have MSRPs of $99.99 and $129.99 respectively. The standard Pinnacle Studio version 11, without HD support, is available with an MSRP of $49.99."
However, it still doesn't solve the problem of getting the actual footage off of your console. For that, check out Adaptec's GameBridge.
(via Press Release)
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TAGS: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Products
Cell Providers Offering Unlimited Voice Plans
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:46 PM
 Things move fast in the madcap world of cellular telecommunications.
Verizon introduced a $99 unlimited calling plan. Five hours later, AT&T matches their offer with a $99 plan of their own. Then, three hours later, T-Mobile drops their own $99 plan, but includes unlimited text and MMS.
This will only really help people who talk way too much on their cell phones. Chronic texters will also benefit from T-Mobile's plan.
Fun Fact: There are 43,200 minutes in a 30-day month. Use them all and bankrupt your cell provider.
Yahoo: 3 cell carriers in price battle
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TAGS: Tech
Apple Patents Gestures
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:32 PM
Buried deep within a patent filing by Apple are a set of protocols and hand gestures designed to control the next generation of touch-sensitive devices.
Referred to as "chords," these finger gestures allow for an intuitive, advanced and versatile control. They may be the future of all computing. Plus, they will provide us with countless opportunities to make jokes about fingering our computers. It's almost as good as the "Wii," really.
Apple Insider: Apple filing spills details of advanced multi-touch pads for Macs
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TAGS: Tech
Top Game Rentals This Week
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:18 PM
Game rental giant GameFly loves to let us in on the winners in the world of rentals. The top reserved titles for all platforms is a window into the secret desires of gamers. Below is the most-popular games for the week ending February 18, 2008 across all platforms:
- Lost Odyssey
Xbox 360
RPG
Microsoft
- Turok
Xbox 360
Shooter
Touchstone Home Entertainment
- Devil May Cry 4
Xbox 360
Action Adventure
Capcom
- Frontlines: Fuel of War
Xbox 360
Shooter
THQ
- Conflict: Denied Ops
Xbox 360
Shooter
Eidos
- Army of Two
Xbox 360
Shooter
Electronic Arts
- Burnout Paradise
Xbox 360
Racing
Electronic Arts
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Wii
Fighting
Nintendo
- Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2
Xbox
360
Shooter
Ubisoft
- Major League Baseball 2K8
Xbox 360
Sports
Take Two
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TAGS: Videogames
More 'Street Fighters' Join Cast
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:18 PM
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Three more stars have been attached to the new Street Fighter movie and they are:
- Kristin Kreuk - Chun Li
- Michael Clarke Duncan - Balrog
- Chris Klein - Nash
We aren't sure who Nash (apparently, Charlie from Street Fighter Alpha) is, but we can think of no better thespian to portray him than Oz from American Pie. Good show, chaps!
Also joining the cast are Moon Bloodgood, recently seen in the tragically cancelled Journeyman (it was good, dammit!), Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas (pictured above as Ryu), and Edmund Chen, a Hong Kong film star. No announcements on the characters they will play just yet.
Sounds like the makings of a hit.
Variety: Kreuk, Duncan cruise 'Street'
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TAGS: Movies, Videogames
Ninja Warrior Finalists To Be Crowned
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:11 PM
 You are not permitted to miss Attack of the Show tonight. Along with the usual mixture of zazz and pure wow, Kevin and Olivia will be announcing the finalists of the American Ninja Challenge contest!
So tune in and find out which American competitors have the right stuff to take on the treacherous, torturous, tortuous Ninja Warrior obstacle course from hell...or at least purgatory.
It all goes down tonight at 7PM ET. Viewing is mandatory.
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TAGS: G4, Sports, TV
Adobe Hopes To Corner Gaming
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:49 PM
Adobe, makers of Photoshop, intends to get into the game-game big time. Today, the company releases Adobe Director 11 upgraded multimedia software. Just the thing for game developers.
Let's hope it works as well as Adobe Acrobat!
Google: Adobe takes aim at video game market
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TAGS: Videogames
'Gears of War' Action Figures
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:40 PM
These Gears of War action figures give us reason to be alive, especially the one of the locust caught mid-headshot. Click the link to see it.
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TAGS: Videogames
Free, Ad-Supported 'Quake Live' Coming
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:38 PM
In-game advertising company IGA and mack-daddy's of PC Gaming id Software are teaming up to bring you Quake Live. The game will run in a web-browser and be playable at a "freemium".
Now, this terrible term, apparently just means that you'll see advertisements in the game.
In addition to Quake gameplay, they are setting up some cool community features like stat tracking and matchmaking.
Full press-release at Kotaku.
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TAGS: PC Gaming, Videogames
Analog Cell Networks Shut Down
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:27 PM
 The OG of cell networks is getting shut down. The government has given the okay for the move and AT&T, Verizon, and Alltel are shutting down their analog cellular networks.
Expect the AT&T and Verizon shut downs to occur immediately with Alltel planning on progressively shutting it down through September. We don't know why, but they are.
This should help free up network resources and towers to expand fancy digital networks and improve cell coverage.
You had a good run, analog, but your days are up.
Engadget: Analog cellular networks, R.I.P.: 1983 - 2008
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TAGS: Products, Tech
Wiikly Update: Sequels Galore!
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 1:03 PM
Do not miss this week's virtual console releases on the Wii. Two sequels, both awesome: Ninja Gaiden III and Phantasy Star II.
Yeah, you want to download 'em.
Click the cut for official description!
--Read More--
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TAGS: Videogames, Wii
Rumor: Xbox 360 Blu-Ray Drive?
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 12:56 PM
 Before the corpse of HD-DVD is cold, rumors of a Blu-Ray add-on for the 360 are showing up again. Smarthouse has it from their MS insiders that a Blu-Ray add-on is already specced out and just needs to go through the approval process.
They foresee a release as soon as May 2008.
This is all very believable... until they also mention an Xbox 360 with a built-in Blu-Ray drive. That's where we lose them. This just doesn't make any sense to us based on Microsoft's established strategy with HD downloads and HD-DVD support as an add-on, not built-in.
What do you think? Would you buy a Blu-Ray add-on for the 360?
Engadget: Xbox 360 Blu-ray player rumor returns right on cue
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TAGS: Movies, Tech, TV
15 Most Annoying Game Characters
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 12:55 PM
Cracked.com's list of the 15 most annoying videogame characters is funny and all, but what about that damn "Sorry Mario, The Princess Is In Another Castle!" dude? He wins as far as I'm concerned.
Add your most annoying character below.
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
2GB Shuffle from Apple
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 12:50 PM
 Apple is dropping the price of their 1GB iPod Shuffle to $49 and later this month a 2GB version will be available for $69.
Expect the new version to be available in all of the fun colors of the 1GB, including a RED version that donates to AIDS research.
Engadget: Apple intros 2GB iPod shuffle for $69
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TAGS: Apple, Music, Tech
Freestyle 101: Prodigy (Mobb Deep)
Posted by Frank Meyer - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 12:00 PM
Anyone who loves hip hop knows veteran New York duo Mobb Deep. Their 1995 breakthrough sophomore album The Infamous featured hits “Survival of the Fittest” and “Shook Ones Part II” and cemented their rep as one of the hardest ever. So imagine our excitement when Prodigy agreed to tape a Freestyle 101 at Play Studios and rap for us over a crazy Messiaz beat. Hell, he even rapped about Xbox, PS3 and Grand Theft Auto, making this perfect for the G4 crowd.
But fame in the rap game comes with a price, and rappers Prodigy and Havoc know this all too well. Beefs over the years with everyone from Tupac to Jay-Z to Fat Joe have kept their name in the headlines, but also forced some fans to choose sides, making as many Mobb Deep naysayers as fans. And when they hooked up with 50 Cent and signed with his G-Unit Records a few years back, the polarization continued. But critics were silenced when Blood Money was released in 2006 and featured all the sinister beats, catchy hooks and bangin’ rhymes fans have come to expect, reminding everyone why Mobb Deep has stayed in the game so long: They are incredible.
--Read More--
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TAGS: Freestyle 101, G4 Web Exclusive, Music
Setup Your Wii as Media Center
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 11:56 AM
Lifehacker has instructions on how to turn your Wii gaming machine thing into a genuine media center. The service runs on the Opera-powered Wii Internet Channel and a free PC program that must be run on the machine storing the content.
The quality isn't super high and both the 360 and PS3 are better at this type of thing, but if you only own the Wii, check this solution out.
Lifehacker: Use Your Wii as a Media Center
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Movies, Music
U of Michigan Laser Most Intense Ever
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 11:51 AM
Every once and a while we're reminded that for every research project there is another research project run by a mad scientist.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have created the most intense laser ever, which runs at 20 billion trillion watts per square inch and fires for just 30 femtoseconds. A femtosecond is a millionth of a billionth of a second. It can fire once every 10 seconds.
The beam is also concentrated to hit an area the 100 times smaller than a human hair. The apparatus also looks like a giant modded PC. The research team claims there are scientific applications and could lead to medical breakthroughs, but we think this is the first step toward blowing up the moon.
University of Michigan: Michigan laser beam believed to set record for intensity
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TAGS: Tech
"WikiLeaks" Plugged Up by Courts
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 11:37 AM
 WikiLeaks.org, which has previously posted leaked documents pertaining to US run prisons in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, has been shut down by a Cayman Islands bank.
Julius Baer Bank and Trust got all uppity when WikiLeaks apparently posted internal documents from the bank, which implicated them in possible money laundering and tax evasion acts.
The bank successfully got a US Court to force Dynadot, the company that hosted WikiLeaks, to take down the site, but also "lock the wikileaks.org domain name to prevent transfer of the domain name to a different domain registrar."
"It’s like saying that Time magazine published one page of sensitive material so (someone can) seize the entire magazine and put a lock on their presses," said Julie Turner, former attorney for WikiLeaks.
This is pretty ridiculous and certainly makes it look like the documents held no truth. Also, WikiLeaks' Swedish servers were hit with a denial of service attack and then there was a fire at the facility. Nope. Nothing fishy going on here.
Wired: Cayman Islands Bank Gets Wikileaks Taken Offline in U.S.
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Other People's Misfortune
Bank Blocks 'WoW' Subscriptions
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 11:27 AM
The Halifax Bank and The Bank Of Scotland will no longer allow gamers to subscribe to WoW through their bank. They're not anti-gaming or anything. They're anti getting-ripped-off: They claim World Of Warcraft subscriptions have an “unusually high incidence of credit card fraud”.
However, they will process payments from customers who contact the bank and verify identity.
So there's that.
Filefront: Halifax Bank Blocks WoW Subscriptions
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TAGS: PC Gaming, Videogames
Tech Interview: Sennheiser Gaming Headphones
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 11:00 AM
We caught up with Eric Stubbert, Industry Team Manager for Sennheiser Electronics, to find out about their new line of gaming headphones.
Sennheiser is offering up three pairs of headphones that come in a variety of prices and features.
Take a look and learn something:
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