Daily Wrap-Up 4.22.08
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 6:00 PM
Here's what happened today in the world of videogames, popular culture and technology:
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up, Videos
'They' Are/Is Coming
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:28 PM
We find something undeniably charming about “mystery first-person shooter" They. We haven't played the game (it's not out until 2009). First-time game developer Metropolis is building it from the ground up, even the engine, and they think we're going to be blasting mysterious, evil robots at 1080p with good frame rates. Sure! Sounds awesome!
Here's a gallery, and there's a full Q&A under the cut. By the way, we didn't ask the "Q's." They were provided by Metropolis along with the answers.
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TAGS: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames
No 'Fallout 3' Demo On The Way
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:15 PM
Fallout 3 is on the way in the not-too-distant future, but don't expect any kind of demo before the game comes out. According to the developers, there's no sort of bite-sized chunk that can be broken from the game to make a demo from. It's all or nothing, they say.
So, we're not going to get a chance to play the game ahead of time, but that doesn't matter, since it seems that the game will be pretty darn cool either way. It's just going to take some time, that's all. But isn't it worth waiting for good things, don't you think?
In the meantime, check out this photo gallery for Fallout 3.
Eurogamer: Fallout 3 demo not possible
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TAGS: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames
'Heavenly Sword' Dev Now PS3/360
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:05 PM
Ninja Theory, the development studio behind Heavenly Sword, has announced that their next game will be appearing on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
"It's a brutal environment out there for an independent, particularly considering the size of the games that we're developing," said Ninja Theory co-founder Nina Kristensen.
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360
Groundlings Headed For The 'Nets
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 2:43 PM
 You know The Groundlings, even if you don't think you know The Groundlings. The Los Angeles comedy troupe is the birthplace of Pee-Wee Herman, the comedy careers of Will Ferrell and Phil Hartman, and one of the most venerable theater institutions in the country. Now, The Groundlings will create short-form video content for distribution on the internet, in a deal made with Sony Pictures Television.
Sony's been investing pretty heavily in short form content these days, and this partnership with The Groundlings seems to be a very smart investment for both parties. We are looking forward to seeing what comes of this whole thing, and think that the internet is going to end up being the best place for the lost art of sketch comedy in the future.
Variety.com: Groundlings going digital
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Movies, TV
Exclusive GTA IV Gameplay This Sunday
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 2:27 PM
GTA IV is almost here, but if you want to get an early look at the biggest game of the year, make sure to check out G4 on Sunday, April 27th for an Exclusive Sneak Peek.
At noon this Sunday, we'll be interrupting our regularly scheduled programming to bring you the very first Hands On Demo of Grand Theft Auto IV with a special GTA IV: Exclusive Sneak Peek.
It’s an Exclusive World Premiere that will be coming to you commercial free and ONLY on G4! This is the first moment Rock Star is making game play footage available to the public and G4 is the only place to catch all the GTA goodness on your TV, with loads of bonus footage available on G4tv.com!
It’s G4’s special GTA IV: Exclusive Sneak Peek this Sunday at 12PM ET, only on G4!
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TAGS: G4, Grand Theft Auto IV, PlayStation 3
Babygrande Get Randam With Web Remixes
Posted by Frank Meyer - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:58 PM
 Cool-as-hell- indie hip hop label Babygrande and Philaflava.com have launched a unique remix contest to promote newly signed San Diego hip hop outfit Randam Luck.
The contest offers fans a chance to remix the song "Hood Scriptures" featuring rap legend Kool G Rap. For a limited time, participants can enter their beats to be voted on and the chance to have Kool G Rap's verse featured over their music.
Winners receive prominent positioning on Babygrande and Randam Luck's myspace pages, a Babygrande prize pack, and the chance of a lifetime to have Kool G Rap on your beat, not to mention your skills on display in front of Babygrande's A&R! But you gotta move fast as the contest will last only till the end of April.
Enter the remix contest here.
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Music
New 'Harry Potter' Game Announced
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:46 PM
Warner Bros. and EA are teaming up to release a game to tie in with the new film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The game will be released later this year, and will be available on pretty much every current videogame system known to mankind, including the Wii, for whom they are doing extra work to make the game more robust and enjoyable.
The non-spoiler laden plot of the movie, and presumably, the game, will involve Voldemort increasing his pressure on Harry and friends at Hogwarts and trying to plunge the world into eternal darkness yet again. We can only assume the game will be released concurrent with the film's release, but we'll know a lot more as we get closer to both.
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TAGS: Movies, Nintendo DS, PC Gaming
Is TV Killing Your Kids?
Posted by Frank Meyer - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:46 PM
 Guess what week it is, kiddies?
National Videogame Week? Nooooo…
Raise Awareness For Retards Week? Noooooo…..
How about TV Turnoff Week?
Yup.
It seems the National Institutes of Health, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is working with the nonprofit Center for Screen Time Awareness to promote this annual seven-day period when American parents are urged to keep children away from TV.
Why, you ask?
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TAGS: TV
Super Mario Bros. Modded Into Game System
Posted by Frank Meyer - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:33 PM
A delightful French modder named Kotomi recently took an NOAC (NES in a chip) and modified it into a copy of Super Mario Bros.
The result?
A fully functioning Nintendo housed in a Super Mario Bros. game cartridge, complete with a tiny cartridge slot, power and reset buttons and other details. He calls it a Fami-Card. Cute, huh?
Now, why on Earth would anyone do this?
Because he’s a loser with waaaay too much time on his hands!
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TAGS: Nintendo DS
Nugget From The Net
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:21 PM
You think you've got style? Not until you have these amazing Wii cufflinks, you don't. Note that the one side of the cufflink is a Wiimote, and the other is a nunchuk, just to keep it real-like. These will cost you $150, but you'll be the toast of geek couture once you've got them.
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TAGS: Nuggets From The Nets, Wii
'Sarah Connor' Re-Upped At FOX
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:53 AM
 FOX has decided to renew Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles for another season of 13 episodes, despite a fairly average showing in its first season. Still, FOX points to repeat viewing and DVR and TiVo to explain why they're deciding to bring the show back.
Also, they maintain that Sarah Connor has developed a core audience of its own, which is what's kept niche shows like Battlestar Galactica on television for years. In addition, FOX is looking at developing a companion series to the show, and looking at juggling it around to different spots on the schedule.
Still, Terminator fans can breathe a sigh of relief. It's coming back.
Variety.com: 'Sarah Connor' will be back on Fox
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TAGS: TV
Matt Lauer To Star In Videogame
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:43 AM
 Videogames have produced some memorable characters: CJ from GTA San Andreas, Samus from Metroid, and now, news anchor Matt Lauer!
Discover the World with Matt Lauer, is a web game that combines the co-anchor of NBC’s Today Show with a geography quiz.
There doesn't seem to be a just-leave-Matt-Lauer-where-he-is option in the game. Also, I'm sorry you have to know this exists.
Play it here.
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TAGS: PC Gaming, Videogames
Pachter: 'MS Shouldn't Try For 1st.'
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:33 AM
Videogame industry analyst Michael Pachter thinks Microsoft should be content with second or even thrid place in the console race.
"I personally think that, with a lot of respect for the Microsoft guys...I don't mean to diss them at all...I think they're foolish to even worry about who's first and who's second. I think that's just stupid," Pachter said during Future's OXM podcast.
"I don't understand why Microsoft has to be first. It is part of their DNA, but they really don't need to be first if they're profitable. To finish first and lose a few hundred million dollars a year is a bad idea. To finish third and make a few hundred million dollars a year is a good idea."
Dude, there is no second place, only first loser. Or at least that's what Coach used to say before the aneurysm took him to the land of the angels.
Next Generation: Pachter: MS Shouldn't Worry About Being #1
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
Craziest 'GTA' Videos Ever
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:28 AM
With the massive hype surrounding Grand Theft Auto IV's online world, level of detail and multiplayer options, we almost forgot how damn fun it's going to be. Luckily, we have youtube to remind us:
Check out Games Radar's compilation of the 10 craziest GTA videos ever.
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TAGS: Grand Theft Auto IV, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Google To Build Social Network Into Start Page?
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:20 AM
 New details have emerged that could point to Google's plans for a new social network. They recently released a developer sandbox for their iGoogle personalized start page that incorporates Google's OpenSocial API.
This could mean Google is setting up to launch a social network directly on iGoogle.
Although developers can get a preview of this new service, Google says, "This is not the final network that will be used in iGoogle. Users will have full control over who their friends are and will be able to easily modify their list of friends. Stay tuned for details."
Do you use iGoogle as your homepage? You don't, do you? You use G4tv.com, right? Good.
ReadWriteWeb: Start Pages: The Next Social Networks
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Tech
'Midnight Club: Los Angeles' Dated
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 10:41 AM
Rockstar makes games that aren't Grand Theft Auto. Hard to believe, right?
Midnight Club: Los Angeles, a street racing game, is coming in September 9th to the PS3 and 360.
Developed by series creator Rockstar San Diego, Midnight Club: Los Angeles will give gamers the freedom to race through a "hyper-realistic" LA, but with a manageable amount of traffic we hope. I mean, hyper-realistic is cool, but let's not go crazy, Rockstar.
"People are going to be blown away when they see how true-to-life Los Angeles looks in this game," said Jay Panek, Midnight Club Producer Rockstar San Diego. "We've added some great twists and turns that let players experience the authentic vibe and feel of the city at blistering speeds that you simply couldn't get away with in real life."
Along with the realistic L.A. vibe, Midnight Club will allow full customization of vehicles.
Also scheduled for release on September 9th, Midnight Club: LA Remix for the PSP, which will "take full advantage of the hardware to deliver the unrivaled sense of speed and style that the best-selling Midnight Club series is known for."
Official Site
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Videogames
'EverQuest' Head Goes To 38
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 10:41 AM
Travis McGeathy, the lead designer on Everquest, has been hired by 38 studios where he will oversee the team responsible for creating the gameplay mechanics that will bring to life the MMOG codenamed "Copernicus."
We love any game with a codename! 38 Studios, you may or may not remember, was founded by Boston Red Sox pitcher (and MMO fan) Curt Schilling. We hope Copernicus features robots playing baseball.
"38 Studios already boasts some heavy-hitting, pop-culture names with R. A. Salvatore and Todd McFarlane," said Brett Close, CEO and President of 38 Studios. "In addition to these visionaries, 38 Studios is extremely proud of the well-known and highly respected designers, artists, and engineers we've attracted. Having Travis, Jason, and Steve as the nucleus of our design team adds further credibility within the industry, strengthening our commitment to deploying a first-rate MMOG, and ensuring fans that we have the skill and experience to deliver an Online Entertainment Experience like no other."
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TAGS: Sports, Videogames
RUMOR: Wii MMO Coming?
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 10:28 AM
File this under idle speculation:
The rumor on the web this morning is that the developers of fondly remembered (and still played by some) MMO Shadowbane are creating a massively multiplayer Wii game.
Here's the evidence: Stray Bullet, the creators of Shadowbane, are working on a new MMO. At the same time, they've posted a few openings on job boards for a Senior Programmer for an un-named Wii project, and the other for a Gameplay Programmer for an MMO project.
We find it tough to swallow the idea that the Wii could support an MMO-- online components haven't been stellar--but we, like you, will wait and see.
Massively.com: Shadowbane dev studio to create MMO for the Wii
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TAGS: Videogames, Wii
Netflix To Raise Blu-Ray Rental Prices
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 10:21 AM
 The downside to the end of a format war is that prices go up. Netflix will begin charges subscribers a little extra for the ability to rent Blu-Ray discs.
Netflix doesn't expect the surcharge to be huge, but placed blame on the higher cost of Blu-Ray's over DVDs.
They also don't believe that Blu-Ray renting customers would rise over 9% of their total subscriber base this year.
ContentAgenda: Netflix to hike Blu-ray rental price
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TAGS: Movies, PlayStation 3, Tech
'Metal Gear Online' Site Improved
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 10:18 AM
This is a public service announcement: According to PS3 Fanboy.com, Konami has retooled the ID registration website for Metal Gear Online. It's now more streamlined and faster for all involved.
So here's your chance to setup your Konami and Game ID's before beta goes live on Friday, man.
Official Site
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
Activision Claims Infinity Ward Only 'CoD' Rumors False
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 10:14 AM
Following rumors that Infinity Ward had renegotiated its contract with Activision to become the sole-developer of Call of Duty games after the release of Call of Duty 5.
Call of Duty 5 will be developed by Treyarch, the developers of CoD3.
The rumors included a mention of a spin-off series that might not even be a first-person shooter. A former Activision Underground employee cited a third-person game set in the Call of Duty universe.
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TAGS: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Analyst: Game Sales Peaked for 2008
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 9:57 AM
 The analyst with the goofiest of names, Robert Higginbotham, believes that game sales have peaked for 2008. He doesn't feel like the upcoming releases can contend with the record setting first quarter sales of $4.2 billion.
"While the much anticipated release of GTA IV at the end of April is expected to produce record sales, and Wii Fit, slated for May, is also expected to be a blockbuster, the remainder of the year lacks any big releases, and comparisons get tougher throughout the year as we lap titles such as Halo 3 and Guitar Hero 3," mused Higginbotham.
Apparently, titles like Metal Gear Solid 4, Ninja Gaiden II, Gears of War 2, Resistance 2, and whatever Nintendo decides to release this holiday season aren't enough.
Let's prove him wrong and buy tons of games!
Next-Gen.biz: Game Sales Have Peaked, says Analyst
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TAGS: Nintendo DS, PC Gaming, PlayStation 3
Auto Guitar Will Destroy You
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 9:50 AM
Machines can beat us at everything: Chess, Go, factory work, and now, Guitar Hero.
Check out this video of the most extreme GH mod ever.
Auto Guitar Hero (AGH1000) connects to the composite video of the game and determines where the colored pucks are and presses the right button to score massive points and rock and/or roll.
Hackedgadgets.com
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