Daily Wrap Up 4.11.08
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, April 11, 2008 6:00 PM
Here's what went down today in the world of videogames, technology and popular culture.
- Square Enix confirmed that the Nintendo DS version of Final Fantasy IV is hitting American shelves on July 22nd.
- A Japanese company has created Game Suppli, a supplement developed to help the nation's gamers be less tired and more awesome.
- All kinds of new details have been revealed about Sierra's console port/expansion World in Conflict: Soviet Assault.
- We present, the PS3 Laptop.
- Eighties pop metal titans Def Leppard will premier its brand new single in Guitar Hero III.
- Check out the Killhouse.
- Harmonix has confirmed that the European version of Rock Band won’t be any cheaper than the U.S. version, despite fans begging it to be so.
- The new Alone in the Dark game is looking pretty sweet with its unique inventory screen and love of sticky tape. Infogrames, the publisher, believes that the game will sell 2-3 million copies.
- The iPod is getting bigger.
- The European Parliament voted yesterday against a rule that would cut the Internet connections of people who illegally download copyright infringing music and other digital files.
- We review the JVC HD6 Camcorder.
--Read More--
Permalink
|
TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up, Videos
Fresh Ink: Echo, Lock & Key, and More!
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, April 11, 2008 5:23 PM
On this week's edition of the Webby-honored Fresh Ink Online, Blair Butler skates through Lock & Key, Echo, Fantastic Four, Justice Society of America, and Criminal, and lets us into her thinking on all of them. You won't want to miss it.
So don't.
Permalink
|
TAGS: Comics, Fresh Ink
X-Play Gaming Update 04.11.08
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Friday, April 11, 2008 5:05 PM
Today, Kristin brings you the latest gaming news, including Mario Super Sluggers, XNA, and Unreal Tournament III.
Permalink
|
TAGS: G4, PC Gaming, PlayStation 3
Trailer For 'Strong Bad' Game
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, April 11, 2008 3:13 PM
Check out the trailer for Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People a satirical, point and click-em-up episodic WiiWare adventure..
I'm trying not to be too excited, but I can't help it. That's how I roll.
Permalink
|
TAGS: Videogames, Wii
Dan Hsu Leaves 1up.com, EGM
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, April 11, 2008 2:33 PM
After 11 years, longtime paragon of game journalism Dan "Shoe" Hsu is leaving 1up.com and Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine.
He writes on his blog:
"It's with a heavy (and relieved) heart that I write this: I've tendered my resignation here at Ziff Davis Media and the 1UP Network. My last day here will be Friday, April 25."
Check out Hsu on Attack of the Show:
 
Dan Hsu from Electronic Gaming Monthly
Watch the large version of this video
Hsu doesn't mention any specific plans on his blog, except, of course, gaining 360 achievements.
--Read More--
Permalink
|
TAGS: Videogames
New 'GTA IV' Videos, Screens, Modes
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, April 11, 2008 2:16 PM
A glurge of Grand Theft Auto IV content was released today, including the relevation of four new multiplayer modes! We'll have a gallery soon, but until then, read:
The modes:
- Team Mafiaya Work: (2 to 8 teams) You're a member of a crew doing contract work for the mafiya—including such plum gigs as escorting wanted men, picking up MacGuffins and stealing cars. Work as a team to complete contracts before the time period ends and get the rewards. You'll probably want to do your best to scupper the other crew's work as well. Each contract you complete gives your team cash, and the crew with the most cash at the end of the round wins.
- Team Car Jack City: (2 - 8 teams) Cars spawn parked around the map and the teams must steal then and take them to a drop off point. The cash teams get for dropping of stolen vehicles depends on their condition—teams get less cash the more damaged they are. The exception to this are special bonus cars, stuffed with drugs, which five a set amount of cash on delivery no matter how damaged they are. Your crew has to get hold of whatever vehicles the boss wants. Whichever crew makes the most money wins. Simple.
- Turf War: (2 teams only) A timed capture-the-base mode. There are a number of bases around the map that you have to take by stand on on them for a short period of time. The more players that are on a base, the faster it can be captures. The more bases that your team owns, the faster your team's cash score increases. If the rival gang is on or near a base, you won't be be able to take control of it—so do what you can to try and... displace them. The team with the most cash at the end of the round wins.
- Race: Race to the finish through each checkpoint in order. If you take a wrong turn or mess up in some way, you can respawn your vehicle on the last checkpoint you passed. There is a large selection of races for cars, boats , and helicopters—you can choose laps and vehicle class/type. This mode has two sub-modes: Free Race and Cannonball Run.
Videos below.
--Read More--
Permalink
|
TAGS: Grand Theft Auto IV, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Rupert Murdoch Wants His Internet TV
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Friday, April 11, 2008 2:03 PM
 Rupert Murdoch, the draconian warlord of the News Corp., owners of Fox, wants to run the internet television universe, and he wants to do it through recently-acquired MySpace. Making a deal with his daughter, Elizabeth, and her company Shine, they are planning on off-lining some of the episodic content on the 'Space into DVD and live television.
What does it all mean? It means you're going to get more things like the disastrous Quarterlife coming your way, if Mr. Murdoch has his way. And, of course, he will have his way. That's what he does. He's a multi-billionaire, for Pete's sake. That's what they do.
Yahoo! News: Murdoch seeks to make interactive TV his space
Permalink
|
TAGS: Internets Culture, TV
Gamers Camping Out For 'GTA IV'
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, April 11, 2008 1:59 PM
According to this Swedish site, the above urban tent isn't inhabited by a stinky homeless person. It's lived-in by some stinky gamers already camped out for their copy of Grand Theft Auto IV.
(via Gamerush)
Permalink
|
TAGS: Grand Theft Auto IV, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Les Claypool Scores 'Shrooms
Posted by Frank Meyer - Friday, April 11, 2008 1:50 PM
 Awesomely-titled company Gamecock Media Group announced today that they have launched a new, revamped Mushroom Men website packed with new information about Red Fly Studio’s Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars for Wii and Mushroom Men: Rise of The Fungi for Nintendo DS. Best of all, the site features original music by Les Claypool (Primus, South Park theme) that will be used in-game.
“Getting Les Claypool involved with Mushroom Men has always been a dream scenario! Having him on board and collaborating with everyone is a really exciting time for the project,” said Red Fly Studio co-Founder and Art Director Kris Taylor. “Now with the new website up and running, we hope people can really come and get a vibe for what we are creating with the Mushroom Men universe.”
On the site, fans will find all the latest information about the world of boletes, morels, amanitas, and lepiotas. Sprouting from simple links; viewers will find rendered art, videos, characters, weapon systems, screenshots, gameplay footage and more. MushroomMen.com features the latest information about the game and will be continually updated with new content over the next several months. Fans will are also treated to Les Claypool’s exclusive mushroom-inspired character and theme music.
--Read More--
Permalink
|
TAGS: Music, Nintendo DS, Videogames
'Mafia 2' Consoles Announced
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, April 11, 2008 11:47 AM
Just moments ago, 2K Games announced that Mafia II is currently in development for simultaneous release on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.
Check out the gallery!
Here's the official game description:
"Mafia II provides a beautifully crafted look into the dark and unforgiving world of the Mob. Expanding upon the original hit that captivated more than two million gamers, 2K Czech takes players deeper into the Mafia with a mature and compelling narrative that will immerse players like never before. Drawing on the experience it garnered from working on the critically acclaimed Mafia and Hidden & Dangerous series, 2K Czech’s look at mob life in the 1950s will immerse gamers in the seedy criminal underworld that makes up Mafia II."
Check out the teaser-trailer too.
Permalink
|
TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360
The MMO Report: Friday, April 11th
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Friday, April 11, 2008 11:42 AM
We hope you all enjoyed John Walsh guest hosting last week as much as we did. That man is a rare talent. But because we know you missed him, Casey's back and with a very special treat.
You see, there was a large amount of news coming from Second Life this week. So much so, that we decided to go all out and give you what you want; more WTF Second Life. We know it's one of your favorite segments, you know Casey loves to say WTF Second Life, and everyone knows there's nothing more amusing than Unicorn rape. We covered some other stories too, like the announcement of the next City of Heroes expansion, and Eve Online adding character models and interiors to their game, but does that really compare to playing as a Fox-humanoid furry that can fly as well as have realistic sexual encounters with digital representations of actual people? I didn't think so. This is...
The MMO Report
Subscribe to G4's The MMO Report Podcast by clicking your preferred service:
    
Permalink
|
TAGS: PC Gaming, The MMO Report
Bungie Talks Multiplayer Maps With X-Play
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Friday, April 11, 2008 11:32 AM
On April 15th, Bungie will unleash the Legendary Map Pack for Halo 3 onto the X-Box Live public. Can't wait that long to see the new maps?
Check out X-Play tonight, as Mr. Sark travels to Bungie to get the lowdown on the new multiplayer maps from the designers themselves. Here's a little video to whet your appetite.
--Read More--
Permalink
|
TAGS: G4, Halo 3, Videogames
Brazilian Judge Bans 'Bully'
Posted by Ty Colfax - Friday, April 11, 2008 11:31 AM
 A judge in Brazil has pulled a bully move of his own banning the sale and distribution of Rockstar's Bully: Scholarship Edition citing that it's unacceptable "that everything in the game takes place inside a school.” Retail outlets as well as web sites that sell or promote the game will have 30 days to follow the judge's order.
It's a little odd to hear that in Brazil, a country where people are practically having sex in the streets, a videogame that features people beating each other up could get banned. Of course, if you know anything about what goes on in virtually all of South America, you know this is just going to put the bootleg machine in full attack mode. You can get just about anything on the streets of the major cities, from dvds, cds, games, even books. Remember those?
If I were Rockstar, I would be pissed for a lot of reasons. Not only do they lose international sales, but they're going to have big piracy issues on their hands.
Boo on Brazil.
gamepolitics.com: Brazil bans Bully
Permalink
|
TAGS: Lowlife, Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
Will E3 Bring New Nintendo DS?
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, April 11, 2008 11:13 AM
The internet rumor mill is churning with speculation that this year's E3 will bring a new Nintendo DS. The source: The head of venerable Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu. Mind you, Hirokazu Hamamura doesn't have any insider info, he just thinks Nintendo's big announcement at E3 will be a re-designed DS.
Nintendo says "no comment."
We would like to add to the speculation by predicting not just a slight re-design, but a totally new platform. One that will beam videogame images directly into your mind. The new portable Nintendo will not technically be a "handheld" as you'll wear it over your eyes. You'll be completely immersed in an alternate reality when you turn it on.
Yes, ladies an gentleman, we predict that E3 will bring the Virtual Boy Lite.
Gamepro: Famitsu boss: New Nintendo DS appears at E3
Permalink
|
TAGS: Videogames
Boy Changes Murder Plea to 'Hitman' Made Me Do It
Posted by Ty Colfax - Friday, April 11, 2008 11:13 AM
 Jean Pierre Orlewicz of Michigan, who beheaded an acquiantence back in November when he was 17, is changing his plea from self-defense to "video games made me do it." It's a classic swerve.
The good news is the "rock music made me do it" defense has never held up and while it brings heat to the accused industry, it never really effects what gets released. Anyway, this idiot is claiming he was "under the influence of Hitman", as if it's some kind of substance.
Further damaging Orlewicz's case are a slew of witnesses who recount that before the murder happened, Orlewicz would say things like, "I want to commit a crime… and not get caught and be able to get away with it." Oh, also there was a guy who watched him do it who has already pled guilty to second-degree murder. Oh, and Jean Pierre looks like Jean Lafitte.
This guy is totally screwed and we're okay with that.
gamepolitics.com: Video Games Made Me Do It
Permalink
|
TAGS: Lowlife, Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
'Rock Band' DLC: More Classic Rock
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, April 11, 2008 11:05 AM
 Next week's Rock Band content is a classic rock oriented free-for-all featuring master tracks from Blondie, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Police.
- Blondie "Call Me"
- Lynyrd Skynyrd "Simple Man"
- The Police "Message in a Bottle"
They come out on the 15th (tax day, dudes) for the 360 and the 17th for the PS3.
Price: $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track or $5.49 (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per pack Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PLAYSTATION Network
Permalink
|
TAGS: Music, Videogames
Dualshock 3 Debate
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Friday, April 11, 2008 11:00 AM
If you missed last night's X-Play, shame on you. But here, check out the debate on the PS3's Dualshock 3 controller.
Permalink
|
TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
Around The Net 4.11.08
Posted by Eugene Morton - Friday, April 11, 2008 10:55 AM
Permalink
|
TAGS: Videos
Wrath Of The Lich King In Alpha
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Friday, April 11, 2008 10:51 AM
According to WoW Insider, Wrath of the Lich King, the highly anticipated expansion for World of Warcraft, has reached it's Alpha stage of development. For those of you who don't understand what these stages in the development of a game mean, Alpha is the first stage where testing starts. Once a game is playable, but raw, this is considered the Alpha stage. Playtesting starts, the major bugs are found and fixed, and the first layer of polish gets added to the game.
The good news is that the stage after Alpha is Beta, and with an MMO Beta means playtesting outside of the office. That means people like you get to play the Beta. That means Beta codes will soon be worth thousands of dollars.
WoW Insider: Breaking: Wrath of the Lich King is in Alpha
Permalink
|
TAGS: PC Gaming
Frag Dolls Break World Record
|
