Daily Wrap-Up 3.12.08
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 6:06 PM
Here's what went down today in the world of popular culture, technology and videogames.
- Mario Kart for the Wii finally has a concrete release date: April 27th, 2008.
- A D.A. is in trouble for buying a gaming rig, supposedly.
- A Wacky Races games was announced.
- We knew the iPhone SDK was going to be huge, but apparently over 100,000 people have already downloaded the toolset.
- In case you missed last night's preview on X-Play, here's the latest Zero Punctuation.
- Analysts are saying that Grand Theft Auto IV's April 29 release could interfere with the May 2 release of the Iron Man film as the demographics overlap.
- Jeff Gordon is on the cover of NASCAR 09.
- TiVo is going to give you YouTube support for Series 3 and HD set top boxes.
- The 12th update for the City of Heroes/City of Villains MMO franchises is currently entering it's closed beta stage.
- Game-makers at Capcom are working on a Top Secret, hush-hush game for the 360.
--Read More--
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up, Videos
Sessler's Soapbox: Ode to a Hypocrite
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 4:43 PM
In this week's Sessler's Soapbox, Adam turns his sights on now-former NY Governor Eliot Spitzer and his downfall as 'Mr. Clean'.
As you may recall, Spitzer made a name for himself battling Wall Street corruption as well as attacking videogames, blaming them for violent crimes and increased sexuality among teenagers. He fought hard against games such as Grand Theft Auto and look at him now.
Check out the video below and let us know what you think or share your thoughts on our forums.
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TAGS: Sessler's Soapbox, Videogames, Videos
'Rainbow Six Vegas 2' Night Vision Trailer
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:23 PM
Whether we're PC gamers, 360s-heads or PS3-players, we're all waiting patiently for the March 18th release date of Rainbow Six Vegas 2, so while you idle away the days and hours, why not bone up on the night vision features of the game by clicking on this video:
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
'Gran Turismo 5 Prologue' Gallery
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:56 PM
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
Snizzle Gets Animizzled
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:37 PM
 As if his empire wasn’t all-encompassing enough, rapper-turned-actor-turned-everything Snoop Dogg will be the subject of a still-unnamed animated pilot ordered by Comedy Central.
The half-hour show will be executive produced by Snoop and Tom Lynch, and will feature Snoop as a 15-year-old growing up in 1980s Long Beach (that’s the LBC to you bustas).
One can only hope there will be much Crip walkin’, blunt smokin’, gat-tottin’ and absolutely no half-steppin’.
Billboard.com: Snoop Pilot Set For Comedy Central
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TAGS: Music, TV
'Streetfighter 2' Plus 'Commando'
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:36 PM
Capcom has a deal for you: If you download Commando 3 from Xbox Live, you can has free access to the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix beta. Just like that. You can has.
The beta is expected to be available for play shortly after the release of Comanndo 3 this Spring. The beta period will run for approximately eight weeks. You'll be able to play as either Ken or Ryu on one stage. The purpose is to stress test the multiplayer in anticipation of its full release later this year.
Hadouken! (I totally fireballed you.)
Gamespot.com: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix beta going Commando on XBLA
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
'Motorstorm 2' Announced
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:13 PM
Vroom! Sony announced Motorstorm 2 this morning.
The PlayStation 3 exclusive supports 16 gamer multi-player and will be set on a tropical island. Here's more features:
- A brand new location: experience the grandeur, diversity and unpredictability of a remote Pacific island
- 16 new diverse multi-route tracks hosting MotorStorm’s unique mixture of vehicles
- The aggressive monster truck now joins your garage
- Split-Screen Multiplayer racing – compete with up to four buddies on the same screen
Watch the below trailer, then Click the cut for the full, official description.
--Read More--
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
Trailer: First 'Mass Effect' DLC
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:44 PM
Xbox 360 title Mass Effect's first downloadable content, "Bring Down the Sky,' is live today. Batarians are in the house; hide the good china.
Here's a trailer:
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TAGS: Videos, Xbox 360
Marvel & Norton Fighting Over 'Hulk?'
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 1:42 PM
Word from the set of The Incredible Hulk is that there is tension between Marvel Studios and Edward Norton, who was promised a measure of creative control for his participation in the project. See, Norton doesn't like the cut of the film the way that Marvel's doing it, and is sort of threatening to remove his support from the project unless they let him supervise the next cut.
Now, for a franchise that's already had to hit reset, due to the fact that it didn't work so well the first time, the withdrawal of support from the lead actor would spell disaster, and potentially put at risk over $100 million in cost, plus whatever goodwill and marketing the film has in the hopper. In other words, Norton has them over a barrel...and you wouldn't like him when he's angry.
In the meantime, you should watch the teaser trailer for the film, which is great.
Deadline Hollywood Daily: Ed Norton And Marvel In 'Hulk'-ing Feud
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TAGS: Comics, Movies
iPhone 2.0 Beta Firmware Cracked Already
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 12:24 PM
That was quick. Less than a week after the beta version of the 2.0 iPhone firmware was released to developers, it has been cracked and unlocked.
The unlocked firmware will run newly developed official apps, previously developed unofficial apps, and operate on other carriers like T-Mobile. This is good news for those hackers who don't want to follow Apple's lead on this.
Maybe Apple will release a beta of 2.0.1 that will disable this hack, but you can bet by the time it releases to the public it won't work anymore.
Gizmodo: iPhone 2.0 Unlocked, Runs All Apps
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TAGS: Apple, Internets Culture, iPhone
Nugget From The Net
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 12:03 PM
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TAGS: Nuggets From The Nets
Colbert Will be President
Posted by Ty Colfax - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:56 AM
Despite the comedy of the Stewart/Colbert '08 posters and bumper stickers that have made the rounds, there is no truth that either of them will be running for office any time soon. It is true, however, that Colbert will be voicing the President of the United States in the upcoming Monsters vs. Aliens flick.
Also voicing characters in this DreamWorks animated throwback are Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Rainn Wilson, Kiefer Sutherland and Paul Rudd.
Did you know Hugh Laurie is British? That blows my mind.
darkhorizons.com: Monsters Vs. Aliens Cast Announced
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TAGS: Movies
Beer Bot!
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:49 AM
 If you could have a robot do just one thing, what would it be?
Bring world peace?
Solve the environmental crisis?
Kill your enemies?
No. No, I mean really important things in your life. Like bringing you beer when you run out!
Yes, a latest version of the Chassis home robot not only comes with new paint job and a few new lights, but it pours beer!
There's even a built-in microphone and speaker for "audience interaction" so the operator can make it talk to party people. Now that’s what I call using technology to solve REAL problems!
Engadget.com: Chassis the beer pouring robot gets paint job, even more lovable
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TAGS: Robot Uprising, Tech
Singer's 'Superman' Sequel Story
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:45 AM
 Bryan Singer is working on developing a sequel to Superman Returns, which is something that was widely suspected, but has been confirmed by the man himself. Also, he plans to direct the sequel, and doesn't like the idea that the film was widely seen as a sort of failure, pointing out that it made $400 million.
The sequel will tentatively be titled Superman: Man of Steel, and is rumored to be bringing back Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. Screenwriters, including those who penned J.J. Abrams' Star Trek, are rumored to be working on the project, but no names are yet confirmed.
/film: Bryan Singer Confirms Superman: Man of Steel Sequel to Superman Returns
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TAGS: Comics, Movies
YouTube Opens Up a Bit
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:32 AM
YouTube is going to release programming and development APIs that would allow developers to integrate YouTube into their devices or websites.
The APIs are available for free and we're already seeing companies like TiVo take advantage of this new offering from the Google-owned video giant.
The word from YouTube after the break.
--Read More--
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Tech
Wolfgang Petersen to Helm 'Uprising'
Posted by Ty Colfax - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:31 AM
Wolfgang Peterson is set to direct an adaptation of Uprising and we can be sure it will be handled with the same intense melodrama and spectacle we've come to know from this venerated legend of Hollywood. But judging from the other people included on the project, it may go sour.
Just follow the link below for an hilarious list of bad movies that the people involved in Uprising have created, Das Boot being the sole exception (and that was made in 1981.)
variety.com: Petersen Lead Columbia's 'Uprising'
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TAGS: Movies
'Guitar Hero 3' Record Shattered
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:14 AM
Last night, the Guiness Book officiallized the World's Record for Guitar Hero 3. Chris Chike (aka imchris4life) scored 840,647 points on "Through The Fire and Flames" from DragonForce. That's 97% on "expert".
“I think I can keep going up," Chike said. "I haven’t maxxed the song, so I can keep practicing and keep going up.”
Chris reports his fingers are feeling fine after the record breaking feat.
Joining Chris in the book: G4's own Attack of the Show, current record holder for largest arcade machine.
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TAGS: Videogames
Next Guitar Hero To Be Harder
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:09 AM
The next game in the Guitar Hero franchise is destined to be harder than previous iterations of the series.
Last night, at a Guiness Book of World Records event where the Guitar Hero 3 world record was broken, Red Octane co-founder Charles Huang promised difficulty:
“We keep making the game harder and harder," Huang said after watching a 97% score on "Through the Fire and Flames." "It’s amazing to see someone like this break the record, even on Guitar Hero 3, where I thought it would be impossible, so clearly we have to go back and make the game even harder."
Work out those fingers, buddy. It's gonna be a rough ride!
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TAGS: Music, Videogames
Capcom Working On Secret 360 Game
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:04 AM
Game-makers at Capcom are working on a Top Secret, hush-hush game for the 360. The game is reportedly in the testing phase, so lucky Bay Area QA guys are playing it as we speak.
Is it a new IP? A sequel to an existing Capcom franchise? Los Planet Colonies? We'd tell you , but then we'd have to kill you. Sorry.
Until the announcement, feel free to speculate!
DBTechno.com: Capcom Working On Top Secret Xbox 360 Game
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
City of Heroes/Villains Book 12 Features
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:52 AM
The 12th update for the City of Heroes/City of Villains MMO franchises is currently entering it's closed beta stage, and thanks to a posting by the developers on the official website, we know what new features will be folded into the games once it's released. Titled Midnight Hour, this update will bring new missions, squads, zone maps, costumes, as well as some tweaks on teh gameplay. Villains will be able to unlock two new Epic Archetypes at level 50, and both Heroes and Villains will have new primary and secondary powerset options they didn't have access to previously.
Check out the City of Heroes/City of Villains website to get all the details of the update, or get some extra details in the Dev Corner with Matt Miller.
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TAGS: PC Gaming
TiVo Getting YouTube
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:45 AM
 TiVo is going to give you YouTube support for Series 3 and HD set top boxes "later this year"
and requires that the box be broadband connected.
We can't think of a better feature to add to TiVo boxes than on-demand crotch kicks and mindless video blogs.
Way to play catch up, TiVo.
Gizmodo: TiVo Getting YouTube
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Tech, TV
Jeff Gordon Will Cover 'NASCAR 09'
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:31 AM
 Quick! Think of a NASCAR driver! Did you get Jeff Gordon? Yeah, we did, too, which is probably why he's going to be on the cover of NASCAR 09 for EA Sports. It just makes sense that the Rainbow Warrior would be the face man for the game that details the life and times of a NASCAR driver.
The game will ship on June 10th, and will be available on the PS3 and XBox 360, as well as the PS2. It will include a career mode, so that one day, it might be your mug on the cover of a game. Wait...that doesn't make sense. Why don't you just enjoy the game while we work out the logic behind the whole thing?
Here's a gallery of brand new screenshots!
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Sports, Videogames
Around The Net 3.12.08
Posted by Eugene Morton - Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:30 AM
 
Around the Net
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