Daily Wrap-Up 5.06.08
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 6:30 PM
Here's what happened today in the world of videogames, popular culture and technology.
- Secret Agent Clank is coming your way on June 17th.
- MotorStorm 2 is coming your was too.
- Sony's LittleBigPlanet will not be innovatively platforming inside your PlayStation 3 until October.
- The Xbox murder case continues.
- When South Park - The Complete 11th Season is released on August 12 it will include downloadable content for Rock Band as a bonus feature.
- Zune is getting some new features.
- According to Sony boss David Reeves, the PlayStation 3 is outselling the 360...at least in Europe.
- The Mirror's Edge trailer is pretty tight, yeah?
- Warner Music Group is planning on running a test starting this month that will change the price of certain songs on a number of unspecified online music stores to reflect demand.
- EA Sports has cooked up a new division, called "EA Sports Freestyle."
- Think you're a great virtual driver in Gran Turismo? Put it to the test and you could win a spot in a real race.
--Read More--
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up, Videos
"Yes We Shall" Music Video
Posted by Eugene Morton - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 3:49 PM
The election is coming up and though we normally try not to influence our viewers’ political opinions, we think we’ve found a candidate young people can finally believe in, Cobra Commander.
Now, we know we could tell you plainly that Cobra Commander is for the domination of nature, promotes funding for the Serpentor Project and believes that the children are the future, but nothing gets that message across better than a music video.
Features music by Jonathan Mann of MannMade.tv.
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TAGS: Videos
'Gran Turismo 5': Win a Spot in a Real Race
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 2:29 PM
Think you're a great virtual driver in Gran Turismo? Put it to the test and you could win a spot in a real race.
Sony and Nissan will be holding an online tournament (Europe only) to find the best fake driver. The event will run 8 months and while details are currently scarce, the winner will get 4 months of real race training before they get to race in real life.
The GT Academy contest features the Nissan 350Z and the winner gets to drive one in a real 24-hour endurance race later this year in Dubai.
They should be warned, however, as real life does accurately model vehicle and bodily damage. Here's the first 15 minutes of GT5: Prologue.
AutoBlog: GT Academy competition to put GT5 Prologue player in real race
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TAGS: Cars, PlayStation 3, Videogames
'EA Sports Freestyle' Makes The Scene
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 2:14 PM
EA Sports has cooked up a new division, called "EA Sports Freestyle," which will handle some of the more sub-culture sports games on the market. What sort of games, you ask? Well, FaceBreaker is the first title coming from the division, an arcade-style boxing game.
According to Peter Moore, the Freestyle division will focus on sports games for the casual gamer, and will exist separately from the more hardcore emulation games, like Tiger Woods or Madden. It's kind of a good idea, actually, since the thing that people usually take away from EA Sports games is that they're too difficult, unless they're a regular user of the franchise. Should make them a lot of money.
--Read More--
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TAGS: Sports, Videogames
Warner Demands Music, Brothers!
Posted by Frank Meyer - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 2:11 PM
Warner Music Group is planning on running a test starting this month that will change the price of certain songs on a number of unspecified online music stores to reflect demand.
Warner is teaming up with Digonex for the project, who "gather sales data in real-time, analyzes purchasing behavior, and sets new prices that hit the 'sweet spot' where consumer demand and market potential meet."
Most labels use the Steve Jobs' 99 cent pricing structure, but some labels would rather price songs on a sliding scale depending on popularity and other factors.
--Read More--
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Music
'Mirror's Edge' Trailer
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 2:10 PM
Parkour is that freestyle walking and jumping around thing you see people doing these days, and Mirror's Edge is the upcoming game devotes to the pastime.
I've watched this video over 4 times, and are very impressed with the visuals contained herein, as well as the possibility of "real-feeling" next gen acrobatics.
No specific release date yet, but last we heard: Late 2008.
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TAGS: Videogames
Europe: PS3 Outsells 360
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 2:05 PM
According to Sony boss David Reeves, the PlayStation 3 is outselling the 360...at least in Europe.
"I am delighted to be able announce today that we have sold more PlayStation 3s throughout Europe than Xbox 360 - even though they launched sixteen months before PS3," he said.
Reeves says the company has sold 5 million PS3s in Europe already, meaning sales are faster than the PS2's sales, and that even given how much more excpensive the console is.
Reeves said 12 million PSPs and 48 million PS2s have been sold in Europe.
"These numbers are a testament to the strength of the PlayStation brand throughout our region, the ever-increasing number of titles being launched, the rich content on offer and its appeal to different demographics and cultures," Reevs said.
Eurogamer.net: PS3 has outsold Xbox 360 in Europe
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360
Zune Scores Your Fave Shows
Posted by Frank Meyer - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 2:01 PM
 Microsoft announced today that Zune, the company’s all-in-one digital entertainment brand, is adding new software features and content to the Zune online store, music community and Zune Pass monthly subscription service.
Wooo hoooo! (He says, not really caring much either ways…)
Zune is expanding its video store to include downloads of popular TV shows from Comedy Central, FUNimation Entertainment, MTV, NBC Universal, Nickelodeon, Starz Media, Turner Broadcasting, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and VH1 that consumers can sync to their device and enjoy on the go.
--Read More--
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TAGS: Internets Culture, TV
South Park Joins Rock Band
Posted by Frank Meyer - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 1:39 PM
 When South Park - The Complete 11th Season is released on August 12 it will include downloadable content for Harmonix and MTV Games' multi-instrument music title Rock Band as a bonus feature.
Yes, marketing materials sent to retailers claim that, while supplies last, "every DVD will include a 3-song download pack for the MTV Games sensation Rock Band."
Rock Band and South Park have a bit of a history together, as the game contains a track from South Park band Timmy & The Lords of the Underworld, and the eleventh season of South Park includes an episode that pokes fun at Guitar Hero and Rock Band.
Shacknews.com: South Park DVD contains Rock Band DLC
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TAGS: Music, PlayStation 3, TV
Xbox Murders: The Saga Continues…
Posted by Frank Meyer - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 1:26 PM
The lawyer for a Florida man accused of helping kill six people with baseball bats over an Xbox video game system is saying his client should have been tried separately from the other men found guilty of the crime.
(Like that woulda made a difference…)
Yes, this was one of several arguments made to the Supreme Court on behalf of Jerone Hunter, 21,one of the two men sentenced to death for the 2004 massacre at a Deltona home. The third man received a life sentence without parole.
--Read More--
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
'LittleBigPlanet' To Hit In Oct.
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 1:25 PM
Sony's LittleBigPlanet will not be innovatively platforming inside your PlayStation 3 until October. Sony dropped the disappointing news their London Press Conference today.
Every moment without this titles is a moment that's a little empty and a little sad. Please watch this video to understand our misery:
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
Leaked AT&T Memo Hints at 3G iPhone
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 1:03 PM
Similar to a memo that was leaked last year, a new internal AT&T memo could point to an upcoming 3G iPhone launch. The memo calls for employees to avoid taking vacations between June 15 and July 12 and refers to "an exciting Summer Promotional Launch."
Remember, the first iPhone launched on June 29th.
The word "promotional" could also give credit to the rumor of a $200 iPhone discounted through AT&T.
Engadget: Leaked AT&T memo points to 3G iPhone release in late June?
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TAGS: Apple, iPhone, Tech
'MotorStorm 2' Gets A Snappy Name!
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 11:48 AM
 Admit it, you liked MotorStorm. It's ok. We all kind of did. So, it's a good thing that MotorStorm 2 is coming our way, and even better that it's getting a preview at Sony Gamer's Day today. What we already know about it, however, is that the name of the game is new. You ready? It's MotorStorm Pacific Rift.
Now, we're not sure what sort of rift we could be referencing here. Is it a tear in the Western landscape? A feud between two Japanese families? A pan-Asian restaurant? We really have no idea. What we do know is that we're excited to play it, and it won't be too long before we get the chance.
Eurogamer.com: PlayStation Gamers Day content revealed
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
'Secret Agent Clank' Gets Release Date
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 11:41 AM
 Ratchet's buddy, Clank, is out on his own and apparently doing some spy work. Yep, Secret Agent Clank is coming your way on June 17th...should you happen to own a PSP, that is. If not, we assume there will be some sort of PlayStation port in the future, unless the game isn't very good, in which case it will just go away.
But, there's no reason to believe the game won't be cool. I mean, who doesn't love Ratchet and Clank? And this opportunity to dive even deeper into Clank's psyche will be a welcome diversion in the series. In other words, you should give it a try.
PlayStation.blog: Clank gets a Date
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TAGS: Sony PSP, Videogames
'Rock Band' Brings Savings, Rock
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 11:37 AM
MTV Games and Harmonix have teamed up with McDonald’s to drop the price on select Rock Band tracks in North America, so save your money and rock out with bargain rock, baby.
Each week until June 1st, you can grab two new tracks for 80 M'Soft points each. Here are the tracks that will be available for rock bottom rates for the 360 and PlayStation 3:
5/6/08-5/12/08 :
Crushcrushcrush - Paramore
Rock 'n Roll Band - Boston
5/13/08-5/19/08 :
Shockwave - Black Tide
Sugar Magnolia - Grateful Dead
5/20/08-5/26/08:
We Care A Lot - Faith No More
All the Small Things - Blink 182
5/27/08-6/2/08:
Gimme Three Steps - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Dirty Little Secret - All-American Rejects
We know this applies to 360 content, but whether it's also for the PS3 remains to be seen.
UPDATE: Everyone gets to rock: The bargains are for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
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TAGS: Music, PlayStation 3, Videogames
'Wii Fit' Calls Kid Fat
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 10:51 AM
Maybe the real threat to kids isn't coming from Grand Theft Auto IV--could the friendly-seeming Nintendo Wii be the real culprit out to destroy our world's youth?
Anecdotal reports coming out of England point to new fitness "game" Wii Fit destroying kids' self-esteem by calling them fat. A poster on the DIS forums:
"My DSD came round this weekend and we let her play on our wii-fit. We have all laughed and joked about being told that we're fat and need to lose weight but I was gobsmacked when it told her that she is overweight. She is a healthy 10 year old girl with an active lifestyle, she swims and dances every week. She is 92lbs and 4ft9" tall and there is not an inch of fat on her. She is solidly built but not fat. She was devasted to be called fat and we had to work hard to convince her that she isn't. I know it is just a game but seriously we already have to worry about young girls starving themselves to look like the magazine models and now we have a game that tells them their fat. This to me is very worrying and I hope that is doesn't cause emotional problems for any youngsters out there"
The poster has written Nintendo an email, but hasn't heard back yet.
EDIT: Wii Fit makes it clear that their BMI calculations often don't apply to children, so we imagine this is what happened in this case.
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TAGS: Videogames, Wii
Google to Verizon: Promise to Open 700Mhz
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 10:50 AM
 Google wants to make extra-double-sure that Verizon will definitely honor the open access clause of the 700Mhz auction, which requires that any device or application be given access to the spectrum.
Verizon initially fought this clause because it will remove a lot of the control they have over their services and network.
This fits nicely into Google's plans for their Android platform, which they probably want up and running on Verizon's upcoming 4G network that will utilize the 700Mhz spectrum.
CNet: Google to Verizon: Don't shirk open access responsibilities
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Tech
Computer Shoes for $700, Dignity
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 10:37 AM
Shoes haven't evolved in a while, but now they are getting computers. VectraSense is now taking pre-orders on their $700 computer-enhanced Verb for Shoe shoes.
The shoes will use the computer to adjust to your feet, sync data with your PC, and exchange contact information with other shoes.
Then, presumably, the shoes will enslave their owners and rise up in rebellion using the gathered data to infiltrate the world's infrastructure... or something.
Engadget: Verb For Shoe "smart shoe" finally goes on sale for $700
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TAGS: Products, Robot Uprising, Tech
Blizzard Opens Digital Download Store
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 10:20 AM
Blizzard has just gotten into the digital distribution game with their updated online store. Currently available for online purchase are:
- StarCraft Anthology (includes the original game and Brood War)
- WarCraft III
- WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne
Available shortly will be Diablo II and Diablo II: Lord of Destruction. None of Blizzard's games older than StarCraft are currently available this way and any game that never had a CD-Key will not be available. No Diablo, sorry.
What's most interesting about this new store is that gamers can register and account and link their original CD-Keys from their retail copy and get access to the digital download version (both PC & Mac). I tried this with StarCraft and after a 30-minute download using Blizzard's Updater program, the game installed.
You'll need to enter the CD-Key as usual, but the website stores the key for access from anywhere. The best part of the whole process is that the game is already patched to the most recent version.
Go ahead and register because it'll also enter you into a Beta Key Lottery for upcoming Blizzard games. We're assuming this means StarCraft II and World of WarCraft: Wrath of the Lich King.
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TAGS: Apple, PC Gaming, Videogames
Around The Net 5.06.08
Posted by Eugene Morton - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 10:14 AM
How do you get your jollies? Is it by going out into the world, trying new things and meeting new people? Perhaps it’s by watching the internet’s funniest videos. That’s our thing. Meeting new people is for the birds.
College Pork: Ground Biter
College Humor: Deal Or No Deal
Break: Polish NASA
--Read More--
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TAGS: Videos
Hard Drive Recovered from Space Shuttle Yields Data
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 10:09 AM
 A hard drive recovered from the wreckage of the Space Shuttle Columbia was restored and the data was studied. The results of the study led to a paper being published on xenon gas behavior in microgravity.
The hard drive was a 400MB Seagate drive and 99% of the data was recovered.
The human cost of this study was extremely high, but at least something came from the restoration of this drive.
Engadget: Hard drive recovered from shuttle Columbia used to complete experiment
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TAGS: Tech
Xbox 360 HD-DVD Drive is Cheap in Ireland
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 9:55 AM
Losing the format war is a one-way ticket to the bargain bin for the Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-on. The player can be snagged in Ireland for about $15.
It also comes with the Media Center remote. Quite a deal if you want to play a dead format.
(Look how sad he is... and he has a lazy eye).
Engadget: Xbox 360 HD DVD drives going for €9.99 in Ireland
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TAGS: Movies, Tech, TV
'Killzone 2' Gets Release Date
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, May 06, 2008 9:44 AM
According to Sony boss David Reeves, Killzone 2 is scheduled for a February 2009 release on the PlayStation 3.
He made the announcement at the PlayStation Day conference in London today. Look for a trailer of this goggle-filled space-shooter in the near future.
Eurogamer: Killzone 2 gets release date
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