Daily Wrap-Up 4.4.08
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, April 04, 2008 6:00 PM
Here's what went down today in the world of videogames, technology and popular culture.
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up, Videos
'CoD4' Double XP Weekend
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, April 04, 2008 4:55 PM
Not only do we get the treat of new maps for Call of Duty 4, we get a Double XP Weekend. This is your opportunity to grind out some more prestige levels.
Go forth and game! Now!
Destructoid: I love acronyms! CoD 4: MW GOTY Edition with XBL Double XP Weekend
UPDATE: Xbox Live seems to be having "issues" currently. Our best guess is that lots of people (like everyone at G4) got home from school/ work and is trying to download the same map pack at once. These issues also extend to the forced download on the CoD4 system update, which means no online play until you get thru. Sad face.
UPDATE v2: Keep trying over and over... took us about ten minutes of refreshing and retrying the download to get it to start. See you online.
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
Fresh Ink Online: Kick-Ass, Secret Invasion, & More!
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, April 04, 2008 4:16 PM
This week, on Fresh Ink Online, Blair Butler has a lot to say about relatively few comics, but you should know this...
THERE ARE SPOILERS HERE FOR SECRET INVASION AND THE WALKING DEAD.
You have been warned. Now, watch the podcast.
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TAGS: Comics, Fresh Ink
Explosive 'Mercenaries 2' Trailer
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, April 04, 2008 3:58 PM
Yesterday you learned the release date of Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, now watch the new trailer:
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TAGS: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Rockstar Buys Mad Doc, Forms Rockstar New England
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, April 04, 2008 3:22 PM
 Take-Two and Rockstar have acquired Mad Doc Software, the developers of the 360 port of Bully (X-Play Review), and formed Rockstar New England.
"The team at Mad Doc Software is extremely talented," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "Bringing them within the Rockstar Games family will enhance our core technology and further support our commitment to creating progressive and innovative gaming experiences."
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TAGS: Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Sony PSP
Gerstmann Fire-er Becomes Fired Himself
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, April 04, 2008 2:52 PM
 Breaking news out of GameSpot. Looks like Josh Larson, the executive who could have been responsible for Jeff Gerstmann's departure from the website, has been fired.
Talk about just desserts.
Looks like this is all part of the previously announced lay-offs at CNET Networks, GameSpot's parent company, but maybe it's part of a scandal!
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
Devastating Rumors About Transformers 2
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Friday, April 04, 2008 2:44 PM
 Some juicy rumors reharding Transformers 2 hit the interwebs today. Along with a set of character descriptions that could be for any Michael Bay movie, it appears that five new decepticons will making their big screen debuts with the tent-pole sequel.
Wanna know which decepticons we're talking about? Well, here's a hint: They're green, they're badass, and the work really well together!
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TAGS: Comics, Movies
Fraser, Rock Join G.I. Joe
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Friday, April 04, 2008 2:14 PM
Even though we're still trying to figure out how the man behind the offensively bad Van Helsing got the chance to helm G.I. Joe's big screen debut, the casting of our "Real American Heroes" is actually getting us a little excited.
Latino Review announced today two new more casting reports, including The Rock and Brendan Fraser. The parts seem to be cameos only, but it's still nice to hear some quality guys joining the team.
Fraser is set to cut off his sleeves and sport some interesting chest art as Gung Ho, the team's cajun expert. Meanwhile, The Rock--sorry, Duane Johnson--will be appearing as badass sailor, Shipwreck.
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TAGS: Movies
Music Choice Giving Music VOD Choices
Posted by Frank Meyer - Friday, April 04, 2008 2:14 PM
Multiplatform music network Music Choice is launching a new series of thematic, episodic video-on-demand programming in April. The first series in the program will be the original four-part VOD-isode "Who Runs Hip-Hop?"
Sponsored exclusively by Boost Mobile, each VOD-isode (boy, that’s don’t roll right off the tongue, do it?) will focus on a different hip hop industry issue and address questions from four viewpoints: the artist, record label, consumer and digital media. Narrated by DJ Khaled, the series features interviews with Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Soulja Boy, 50 Cent, Jim Jones and Dame Dash.
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Music, TV
Bad Snack Review: 'Iron Man' Cookie
Posted by Ty Colfax - Friday, April 04, 2008 2:14 PM
This Iron Man Edible Image cookie caught our eye at 7-11 this morning on our daily Slurpee/Doritos run and we just had to snatch it up. Nevermind the fact that we will buy anything as a department, but us G4 internetsies would be remiss if we didn't do our duty in reviewing something that straddles the line of marketing propaganda and kitsch collecterism.
Read our impressions below the click.
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TAGS: Bad Snack Reviews, Comics, Movies
Ray-Ban Developing Designer 3D Eyewear
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, April 04, 2008 1:55 PM
 We now present one of the worst ideas ever: Ray-Ban is teaming up with D-mented Entertainment and Kerner Optical to create designer 3D eyewear.
This is in response to the increasing amount of 3D movies being created by studios like DreamWorks and Disney.
If you buy or know anyone that buys these, we will personally ban you from this website. Seriously, we can't make this stuff up.
These fools have deluded themselves into thinking that videogames will go 3D in response to their glasses. Epic fail.
Variety: Trio debuts line of 3-D eyewear
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TAGS: Products, Tech
New 'Project Origin' Trailer
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, April 04, 2008 1:41 PM
Check out the newest trailer from the F.E.A.R. sequel, Project Origin.
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TAGS: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Nokia Launches N-Gage Gaming Service
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, April 04, 2008 1:38 PM
 After a quiet beta period, Nokia has finally launched their N-Gage gaming service and... crickets are chirping.
The service is available on the following Nokia phones: N81, N81 8GB, N82, N95 or N95 8GB.
We predict exactly 0 of you will use this.
Kotaku: N-Gage Goes Live! Hello? Anyone?
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Tech, Videogames
'King of the Hill' Renewed Again!
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, April 04, 2008 1:01 PM
 Once upon another lifetime, I was cast in a script reading called Rambunxious in Austin, Texas, with Stephen Root and Johnny Hardwick from King of the Hill, written by Hill writer Jim Dauterive. On that occasion, in Summer, 2005, Root and Hardwick hugged each other and said how great it had been to work on the show together, now that it was, as they assumed, going off the air.
It's a full three years later, and King of the Hill has been picked up for a 13th season on Fox, making it the second longest running animation show of all time, behind The Simpsons. Yes, there will be 13 new episodes of the show next season, which, once again, is presumed to be the last. Of course, it's King of the Hill, so you never know.
Variety.com: Fox extends 'King of the Hill's reign
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TAGS: TV
New 'Batman' Series Features Team-Ups
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, April 04, 2008 12:43 PM
There's a new Batman television series coming to Cartoon Network this Fall, and it will be a different take on the Caped Crusader than we've seen recently. Called Batman: The Brave and the Bold, the new 'toon will shadow the old DC comic of the same name, in which Batty teamed up with folks like Green Arrow and The Blue Beetle to get things done.
One of the most interesting things about this series is that it seems to have the look of some old-school animation, say from the 60's and 70's, as opposed to the sort of heavy noir-ish look that hero cartoons seem to have these days. It's a good idea, and should be fun.
IGN: New Batman TV Series This Fall
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TAGS: Comics, TV
Velvet Revolver's Slash On Weiland Exit
Posted by Frank Meyer - Friday, April 04, 2008 12:15 PM
 Okay, by now you’ve already heard that hard rock supergroup Velvet Revolver kicked out troubled lead singer Scott Weiland, right?
Most people are assuming it’s because Weiland was getting back together with his old band Stone Temple Pilpts for a series of reunion shows this summer.
Nope, says VR guitar hero Slash.
“This is something that’s been coming down for a while,” Slash told Rolling Stones earlier this week. “I know everybody is tying the STP [reunion tour] thing to it, but it started way before that. We just had a lot of commitments to fulfill, so we just had to drag this thing out until the obligations were finished. Basically, we’re just excited about finding someone else and moving on.”
Someone else? Who?
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TAGS: Music
'Sam & Max' Coming to Wii
Posted by Ty Colfax - Friday, April 04, 2008 11:59 AM
 Finally.
It will be said our lives are fulfilled very soon. Our grandkids will hear stories about how great things used to be when Sam & Max was still episodic and released on the Wii. When we could inhabit the lives of the spastic, wild-eyed rabbit Max, or the gigantic and rangy dog detective Sam.
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TAGS: PC Gaming, Videogames, Wii
The MMO Report: Friday, April 4th
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Friday, April 04, 2008 11:50 AM
Our fearless leader has once again taken a short leave of absence. Casey is already back amongst the living, but for now you all have the unique oppertunity to enjoy the genius that is John Walsh for the second time. A Jeopardy winner and creator of the world famous publication Black Jugs, John Walsh has graced us with his literary gifts and comedic slapstick, and we couldn't be more pleased.
This week John gives you a rundown of our favorite MMO April Fools Jokes from this week, we tell you of a rumor about a possible Bioshock MMO, who Blizzard is sueing this time, and everyone's favorite segment, WTF Second Life. We suggest you properly prepare yourself for the Walsh Experience by covering your monitor with plastic to prevent damage from spit takes. It's like a Gallagher concert, but with less sadness. This is...
The MMO Report
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TAGS: PC Gaming, The MMO Report
McConaughey To Play Thomas Magnum?
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, April 04, 2008 11:40 AM
 Magnum P.I. has been in development as a movie for quite a while now, and many actors have been in consideration for the role, including George Clooney and Ben Affleck. Now, however, Matthew McConaughey has been offered the part, and insiders are saying he's seriously considering it.
Could it be because Magnum would afford him an opportunity to walk around with his shirt off a whole lot onscreen? Or is it that there's a lot of money involved in the role? Odds are good it's the latter, but you know what happens when you assume. All we know is that Matt would surely benefit from some sort of franchise built around him, because that's when the serious money starts.
Yahoo! News: Matt Making Like Magnum?
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TAGS: Movies, TV
Toshiba To Release Super Light Bulbs
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, April 04, 2008 11:40 AM
 Light bulbs are pretty necessary to modern life, but the darn things are always burning out. Toshiba wants to solve all your problems with their new fluorescent 12,000 hour bulbs.
That's a weird word, by the way. Bulbs.
These new bulbs will go on sale on July 1st, but no word on a price. They also run at 10-watts and sound awesome all around. What's the catch going to be?
Gizmodo: Toshiba's New Light Bulbs Have a 12,000 Hour Life-Span
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TAGS: Tech
PSP Outsells Everything in Japan
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, April 04, 2008 11:32 AM
 The PSP sold a lot in Japan over the last week (March 24 - 30). Like, way too many. It sold more than every other console combined including the Wii and DS.
That's 139,000 PSPs vs. 7,000 DS's, 49,000 Wiis, 13,000 PS3's and 2,800 Xbox 360s.
This is all due to the release of Monster Hunter Portable G 2nd, which is probably as Japanese as it sounds. The game has sold over 1 million copies in six days.
Gangbusters.
PocketGamer.co.uk: PSP outsells every other console combined
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TAGS: Sony PSP, Videogames
Next Week's 'Rock Band' DLC = :(
Posted by Brian Leahy - Friday, April 04, 2008 11:27 AM
 Harmonix, we love you, but come on! Next week we'll get the 3 tracks previously available exclusively from OXM.
- "Rock Rebellion" by Bang Camaro (master)
- "Shake" by Count Zero (master)
- "Super Sprode" by Freezepop (master)
The next announcement better be a full album! At the very least, the tracks are discounted with each costing 80 Points or 240 for the whole pack.
Again, sorry to PS3 owners: " Due to work Sony is doing on their store they won't be adding new material for a couple weeks so this won't release on PlayStation Store this week. When they go back up with new material in a few weeks, though, it will be there lovingly waiting for you."
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TAGS: Music, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Too Human to Get Trilogy Treatment
Posted by Ty Colfax - Friday, April 04, 2008 11:09 AM
The many-years-in-development Too Human is apparently so good, it's going to be a trilogy. The hack and slash/weapon precision action/RPG game is meant to represent a battle between futuristic Norse gods of the ancient past, man, and cybernetic war machines. Creator Denis Dyack notes that the three games will have distinct themes; 1 will be discovery, 2 will be revenge, and 3 will be enlightenment.
It remains to be seen
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