Daily Wrap-Up 2.28.07
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, February 28, 2008 6:00 PM
Here's what went down today in the world of videogames, popular culture and technology!
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up, Videos
Michael Jackson’s Thrills Denied
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, February 28, 2008 4:17 PM
 Don’t you assume when Billboard Magazine lists the Top 10 albums that those albums are indeed the 10 top selling albums of that week? It’s kind of implied, isn’t it?
Well, you’d be wrong.
Dead wrong.
It turns out that at some point during the music industry recession Nielsen/SoundScan and Billboard quietly decided the Top Current Albums Chart should actually reflect only new albums, which they feel need as much exposure as they can get in this day and age. So the chart now excludes catalog titles (defined as albums that are 18 months old or older) entirely.
WTF?
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TAGS: Music
'Metal Gear Solid 4' Date Confirmed!
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, February 28, 2008 3:30 PM
We finally have confirmation of Metal Gear Solid 4's release date. As expected, it is June 12, 2008.
The box-art above is from the Metal gear Saga 2.0 pre-order bonus.. It does look awesome. Included in the press release were details on the pre-order program:
Starting in April 2008 (no word on if this will apply to existing pre-orders), gamers who drop money in advance on MGS4 will receive a "Metal Gear Saga 2.0 DVD, containing a Prologue that recaps the Metal Gear franchise, a 20th Anniversary retrospective, character bios for Big Boss, Liquid Snake, Solidus Snake, and Solid Snake, plus a collection of international trailers of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots".
The pre-order, as mentioned, also guarantees access to the Metal Gear Online beta test, which is scheduled for "late April" in the US.
The pre-order packages will be "while supplies last". Press release after the cut:
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
Epic Fail: Attempts At Flight
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, February 28, 2008 3:24 PM
Since the dawn of time, Man has dreamed of flying. Also going to school naked. But mostly of flying. While the majesty of man's conquest of gravity is super-inspiring and crap, we'd rather focus on the times when Mans' reach exceeds his grasp and rather than shuffling off the coil of this earth and soaring into the heavens, Man is more like, "oh, crap!" while he hurtles to the ground and certain death and/or humiliation. We're like that.
Please enjoy TheFeed's Epic Fail: Attempts at Flight.
 Icarus: The classic, first ,and most epic of all epically failed flyers, mythical Icarus got carried away with the wings he'd created stolen from his pops, and flew too close to sun, melting the wax that held his contraption together, and causing his spectacular crash. Usually seen as a metaphor for man's hubris, I choose to think of the story of Icarus as a cautionary tale about using heat resistant wax when attaching bird wings to your arms. But Kid Icarus on the NES was pretty sweet.
--sjohnson
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TAGS: Epic Fail
'Battlefield Bad Company' Screenshots
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, February 28, 2008 3:11 PM
Check out this gallery of brand new screenshots for Battlefield Bad Company.
EA's 360 and PS3 shooter is currently expected in 2009, and will feature nearly totally destructible environments, and a cast of amoral anti-heroes fighting for treasure in the middle of a warzone. Which sounds pretty good to us.
As always, we'll let you know more when we know more.
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360
Gamefly's Q Awards Results
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:47 PM
 Gamefly's Q Awards, in which regular jamokes like you and us get to vote for the games they liked best all year long, awarded Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare with its coveted Game of the Year award, beating out Bioshock and Halo 3 to take home the honor that all games aspire toward.
There were many other awards, including those to honor the best for each major console, in addition to the Game of the Year honors. Check out the entire list of award recipients, followed by the second and third place games in each category, after the jump.
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames, Wii
'Chronicles of Spellborn' Screens
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:45 PM
Check these new screenshots for Chronicles of Spellborn--then lookit the trailer.
This PC MMO will be out in the future.
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TAGS: PC Gaming, Videogames
More TV & Movies Coming to XBL Marketplace
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:19 PM
Microsoft sent along a press release informing us that their Video Marketplace service on Xbox Live is doing just fine. Montly sales are up 70% since September 2007 and more content is set to launch.
Notable launches include:
- Robot Chicken: Star Wars - March 4 - Two months before DVD release
- Afro Samurai in HD
- New South Park the week of March 10 (the season starts on the 12th)
There's also a list of shows and movies in the full press release after the break. Won't you read and find out what they are?
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TAGS: Movies, TV, Videogames
'Firefly' First Surface Game
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:10 PM
Want a first look at Firefly, the first game for Microsoft Surface?
I might never come out--it's more of a test than anything else--but still, this Surface thing is rife with gaming possibilities.
(via sarcasticgamer)
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TAGS: PC Gaming, Videogames
New 'Teen Titans' Movie on Hold Indefinitely
Posted by Ty Colfax - Thursday, February 28, 2008 1:57 PM
 Don't fret, you can sign a petition to get Teen Titans: The Judas Contract back into production. The animated straight-to-video title was to be the 3rd in a series of Teen Titan flix but Warner Bros. has decided to do a Batman and Wonder Woman film instead, putting TT:TJC on hold indefinitely.
But there is hope for all you screaming Teen Titan fans. You can send an email to Warner Bros. demanding, or maybe asking would be better, that they go ahead and make the next Teen Titans movie. If they get enough support, which we're guessing would need to be pretty substantial, they'll go for it.
Until then, more Batman and Superman as a woman stories are headed to your DVD player or bit torrent depending on how illegal you roll.
worldsfinestonline.com: 'Teen Titans: The Judas Contract' Animated Feature on Hold
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TAGS: Comics, Movies
New 'Street Fighter 4' Trailer
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, February 28, 2008 1:47 PM
You can't possibly resist this in-English Street Fighter 4 video, can you?
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TAGS: Videogames, Videos
16.4 Tbps Transmitted Over Wire?!
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, February 28, 2008 1:39 PM
Japan's satellite internet project made FIOS look like peanuts at 1.2 Gbps, but now France has managed to send data 1500 miles over a wire at 16.4 terabits per second.
The project is part of an effort to upgrade the backbone of the internet and speeds like this won't be reaching consumers anytime soon, but it's pretty amazing.
The technology involved in obtaining this speed was very complex and even included "a highly linear, balanced optoelectronic photoreceiver and an ultra-compact, temperature-insensitive coherent mixer." This leaves us to ask, "Why didn't they think of that earlier?!"
Gizmodo: Researchers Transmit Optical Data at 16.4 Tbps Over 1,500 Miles
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Tech
X-Play Goes Hands-On With Dark Sector
Posted by Justin Fassino - Thursday, February 28, 2008 1:33 PM
D3 Publisher of America stopped by the X-Play studios to give us a look at their newest game: Dark Sector. We went hands-on, so be sure to check out tonight's show at 8PM.
In the meantime, you can get a sneak peek at the gameplay and atmosphere in the video above. D3 Senior Marketing Manager Mike Scharnikow gave a very detailed crash course in what you can expect when playing multiplayer in Dark Sector, including throwing a glowing blade of death that can fly around corners. Nifty.
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360
The Internets Present: Faildogs
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, February 28, 2008 1:29 PM
Hey, remember LOLcats?
Please enjoy Faildogs.
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Nuggets From The Nets
Leno to Stay on 'Tonight Show'?
Posted by Ty Colfax - Thursday, February 28, 2008 1:19 PM
 NBC is quietly positioning itself to keep Jay Leno on the air beyond his contracted step down as the Tonight Show host in late 2009. They haven't said for sure if he'll stay as the Tonight Show host or if it will be in some other capacity, maybe even prime time. Well, it's hard to imagine they'd give up an hour every night in prime time and keeping him in the Tonight Show host spot would mean they would have to pay a breech of contract penalty to Conan O'Brien of a reported $40 million.
Jay has also been courted by FOX and ABC although its unclear in what capacity he would work for them. One things for sure, Conan is the voice of a younger, now growing older, more moneyriffic generation and if NBC wants to stay on top of late night, they need to be smart about the transition.
news.yahoo.com: Jay Leno quietly courted for next gig: report
Quick informal Feed poll: Who is your favorite late night host; Leno, Letterman, O'Brien, Kimmel, Ferguson, or {shutter} Daly?
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TAGS: TV
Spielberg Says No to Digital Indiana Jones
Posted by Ty Colfax - Thursday, February 28, 2008 11:50 AM
Spielberg says he doesn't want to show Indy 4 in digital. Say WHA? Most theatres in the country have made the switch to digital projection, which would make it difficult if not impossible to show the movie. We're not sure why Spielberg has made such a call especially considering Lucas, his bestest buddy, is all about the digi, even going so far as to go back and digi up his classics.
C'mon, Steve. Let's be real here, just you and me. C'mere. Nah nah, c'mere.
CUT TO: EXT. BACK ALLEY - NIGHT
TheFeed (whispering): What the frack is the matter with you? Heuh?
joblo.com: No Digital Indy 4?
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TAGS: Movies
Heroic Soundtrack
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, February 28, 2008 11:25 AM
Fans of Heroes are getting a little gift to tide them over while they wait for the next season to start after the writers strike derailed it.
The NBC Universal Television, DVD, Music & Consumer Products Group will release a soundtrack to the hit superhero show on March 18 that will feature exclusive new singles from artists including Wilco ("Glad It's Over"), Panic! at the Disco ("Nine in the Afternoon"), Imogen Heap ("Not Now But Soon") and Brighton Port Authority featuring Iggy Pop ("He's Frank"), as well as classic tracks from Bob Dylan ("Man in the Long Black Coat") and David Bowie’s "Heroes," of course.
The effort will also include the Heroes theme song, three other songs by former Prince chicks Wendy & Lisa, and a new track ("All Things Must Pass") by Jesus and Mary Chain, their first in a decade. Nada Surf's "Weightless" will be the first available, starting Feb. 29.
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TAGS: Music, TV
Apple Sued Over iPhone Caller ID
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, February 28, 2008 11:16 AM
 Romek Figa, a Massachusetts man, is suing Apple for infringing on his patent from 1990, which deals with caller ID and displaying a name when an incoming number matches one stored in a phone's address book.
While this may seem like common sense, Figa holds the patent and he's trying to take Apple to court. He seeks damages and Apple to license the patent, which would secure him a nice chunk of change.
Other cell companies like Motorola, Nokia, and Samsung have reportedly already licensed the "tech" from Figa, but Apple has refused the "terms offered."
Do you think Apple will get out of this one? We think so.
Engadget: Apple sued over iPhone caller ID
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TAGS: Apple, iPhone, Other People's Misfortune
Rakim Returns…Sorta
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, February 28, 2008 11:16 AM
 The man many consider to the be the greatest MC of all time, a man so revered that he is simple referred as “God” among his hip hop peers, is about to return with his first full-length album in nearly a decade.
Yes, on March 4th Rakim (of Eric B. and Rakim fame) will issue Live, Lost & Found through Koch Records. The album features 17 classic tracks performed live as well as four previously unreleased studio cuts, including the brand new single "It's Nothing."
Among the classics found on Live, Lost & Found are "Paid In Full," "Juice (Know The Ledge)," "Microphone Fiend," "Eric B. Is President," and "Don't Sweat The Technique."
This will hold fans over who have been waiting for Rakim to release a new album since his aborted Aftermath project with Dr. Dre.
IGN.com: Rakim Is Back
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TAGS: Music
Penny-Arcade ReMix
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, February 28, 2008 11:16 AM
What happens when you let Japanese students studying English fill in the captions for popular gaming web-comic Penny Arcade?
You end up with comics funnier than the original!
More!
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TAGS: Videogames
Quarterlife Not Long For This Network World
Posted by Ty Colfax - Thursday, February 28, 2008 11:13 AM
 Quarterlife's 10pm debut on NBC last night only garnered a measly 3.86 million viewers, practically half of the leading show's 7.6 million. 3.86 million is probably not enough to keep the show alive and in fact it has already been moved to Sunday evenings where FOX will most likely smash it to death with their animated lineup.
In the grand scheme of history, it is significant. The first internet show to make the big jump to a major network. It's rise to NBC was brought on by two factors; the writer's strike which left the networks dry of content, and the stream of viewers taking to the internet to watch shows online. It may end up being a martyr, but it should open up the doors for more varied content from varied sources, so we're not all watching what 3% of rich white dudes in Hollywood want us to watch.
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TAGS: Internets Culture, TV
(Anti)Energy Drink
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:58 AM
 With energy drinks all the rage these days, leave it to the syrup-slurping people of Houston, Texas to come up with the Drank, the anti-energy drink!
There’s no indication on the website as to what goes into the lethargic cocktail (hopefully not the same cough syrup that killed UGK’s Pimp C recently!), but it comes out officially on September 15 and is sure to get you to slooooooow down.
Incidentally, their motto is, “The game has changed, it's time to get low.”
I’m not sure what that means, but I dig it!
(Thanks to nahright for the tip.)
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TAGS: Style
Mario Kart Wheels? Wiiiiiiii!
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:27 AM
 Guess what, Mario Kart fans!?!?
On April 11, the same day Mario Kart Wii debuts in Japan, Nintendo is gonna start selling extra Wii Wheels.
Yeeeeaaahhh!
Each extra plastic steering wheel will go for about for 1200 yen (that’s $11 us Yanks).
Of course, we all know Nintendo’s Wii Wheel isn’t required to play Mario Kart Wii, and that Ubisoft’s wheel should work just fine, as will should a standalone controller, but isn’t it nice that we have some options in this crazy, tipsy-topsy world of ours?
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TAGS: Videogames, Wii
Google Hacking Gets Easier
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:23 AM
 Hackers have been using Google for a while to try and find sensitive or private information that has been accidentally posted to websites or hidden, but still accessible by the public.
It used to be a manual task and took time to yield results.
Now, a new automated program called Goolag allows anyone to search Google for information and this has authorities and security companies spooked.
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Other People's Misfortune, |
