Daily Wrap-Up 5.08.08
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, May 08, 2008 6:01 PM
Here's what happened today in the world of videogames, popular culture and technology!
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up, Videos
'GRID' Demo Gameplay
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, May 08, 2008 5:06 PM
The makers of DIRT are back with a new game, GRID. This game is all about drifting and arcade style racing. I took the demo for a spin and put my drifting skills to the test (I failed).
Just to prove there are no hard feelings, I chose the PS3 demo over the Xbox 360 demo.
The full game will release on June 3, 2008 for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.
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TAGS: Cars, G4 Web Exclusive, PC Gaming
Online Subscriptions Up To $1 Billion
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Thursday, May 08, 2008 4:52 PM
When NPD said they were doing to start tracking online gaming, we all chuckled. It's always funny when media dinosaurs try to get in on something gaming related about 5 years too late. Well, NPD's Online Subscription Tracker has come up with some results, and they're not terribly surprising...to us at least.
NPD claims they can now estimate that online subscription fees total over $1 billion a year, making us all question our career choices. This wad of cash comes from the 11 million subscribers they claim log on each month, but when Blizzard claims that World of Warcraft alone has 10 million active subscribers, someone's a little off. NPD also listed the top 5 MMO and gaming websites based on first quarter numbers from 2008. Hit the bump for the lists.
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Games For Health Event Held In Baltimore
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Thursday, May 08, 2008 4:35 PM
The fourth annual Games For Health Conference began in Blatimore today, showing how their organization has adapted certain video games and gaming peripherals to be used as a for of physical therapy for people with health issues. Both attendance and sessions have nearly doubled from last year's numbers, proving this isn't just a fad hyped up by the media.
The conference focused on games that were "playable by everybody", especially those with physical limitations. What exactly does that mean? Well, hardwar modder Benjamin Heckendorn created a Guitar Hero axe that you can play with one hand. Slide your foot into a special housing and you can strum the guitar by flicking your big toe up or down. Wanna get some extra points for your whammy action? Just lift up your heel. Combine this with booths focused on EyeToy, Wii Fit, Dance Dance Revolution, and My Weight Loss Coach, and that's one enjoyable workout my friend.
Gamasutra: Games For Health Conference Kicks Off in Baltimore
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TAGS: Videogames
SuperDeluxe Folded Into Adult Swim
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, May 08, 2008 4:23 PM
 SuperDeluxe couldn't fail. It was funded by the people at Turner, connected to super hip Adult Swim, and had money and stars all over it. So, it was a huge surprise when SuperDeluxe announced that they were closing up shop and folding all of their content into Adult Swim, saying they were "tired of competing with themselves."
What they were likely tired of was paying out hundreds of thousands of dollars to get online content and not having the traffic to support it. Yes, there was good stuff on SuperDeluxe, and, yes, it was the kind of stuff you couldn't naturally get anywhere else, but people just didn't seem to respond, and, thus...the end.
R.I.P. SuperDeluxe...you will be missed.
NewTeeVee.com: SuperDeluxe Sinks Into Adult Swim
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TAGS: Internets Culture
PSP Skype Headset Confirmed
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Thursday, May 08, 2008 4:18 PM
Remember all those photoshops of a Playstaion branded cell phone, or the iPhone/PSP mash-ups? Well keep dreaming kid, it'll never happen.
For now, you'll have to settle for this new Sony headset designed specifically for use of Skype on your PSP. It's everything you'd expect it to be with soft earbuds, adjustable microphone, and a thirty dollar price tag. Not exactly cheap, but we're talking about something that will allow you to make free phone calls with the internet from your handheld gaming device. Now go be a good Sony fanboy and buy one, right after you scream about how we get paid by Microsoft to tell you not to buy this.
PSP Fanboy: Skype Headset Finally Available
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TAGS: Sony PSP, Videogames
Geek Out: BSG Live!
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Thursday, May 08, 2008 3:54 PM
This past Tax Day, April 15th, a very special event took place at the Roxy in Los Angeles, California. Nerds from all over crowded together for a sold-out show where composer Bear McCreary brought the music of Battlestar Galactica to a live concert venue.
We were the only ones given full access to everyone and everything inside the club. Sure we could be selfish and keep all the BSG-sweetness for ourselves, but we're not like that. We're about sharing.
Bear, his brother Brendan, the lovely Raya Yarbrough, and the Galactica's own Kandyse McClure all found time to sit down with us and talk about this unique concert event that brought musicians, performers, and geeks together like nothing has before.
This is the only place where you can see this footage! Also, be sure to check back next week, where we'll have some more BSG Live surprises up our sleeve.
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TAGS: Geek Out With Blair Butler, Music, TV
'GTA' Multiplayer De-mystified
Posted by Ty Colfax - Thursday, May 08, 2008 3:21 PM
Some of us have started to venture into multiplayer modes in GTA, while others of us here on TheFeed are still working the missions before going postal on noobs and the like. But for those who have gotten to the multi-action, there's been some confusion and the instruction manual, which typically for GTA games is just loaded with jokes and song credits, is equally devoid of info on the multiplayer modes.
So, Rockstar has released a document explaining it in great detail. You can find it at our compadres' ole Kotaku site. It's extensive.
kotaku.com: Rockstar explains GTA 4 multiplayer
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TAGS: Grand Theft Auto IV, Internets Culture, Other People's Misfortune
'Everyday Shooter' Now Available for the PC
Posted by Ty Colfax - Thursday, May 08, 2008 3:06 PM
 You can download the highly decorated award-winning Everyday Shooter via Steam at this very moment, but only if you're interested in being addicted to a game so simple, you can't believe how much mileage you're getting out of it.
It's $9.99 and worth every coin. That almost rhymes.
gaygamer.net: Enjoy Everyday Shooter on your PC via Steam
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TAGS: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames
'Wii Fit' Demand Higher than 'GTA IV' on eBay?
Posted by Ty Colfax - Thursday, May 08, 2008 2:50 PM
An "expert," and we use the quotes with great purpose, has predicted that demand for the Wii Fit will be greater than GTA IV on eBay. It's not beyond us or anyone with half a brain, which is also us, that this is due to factors beyond base demand.
Could it be because anyone who wants a copy of GTA is of the age savvy enough to just go buy a copy, or maybe because old people who are going to buy the Wii Fit are ironically too lazy to get fit by exercising and diet, and therefore are too lazy to go to the f***ing Best Buy 2 miles from their house?
Also, people are going to be reselling their Wii Fit once they realize how bored they are so of course there will be more copies up on eBay. Do you know anyone who is seling their copy of GTA? NO! THEY'RE PLAYING IT!
Where are my blood pressure pills?
wiifitchat.blogspot.com: Demand for Wii Fit on eBay to be higher than GTA IV?
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Other People's Misfortune, Products
Activision Has Best Year Ever
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, May 08, 2008 2:48 PM
Activision has been around for a long time, but this year was the best year ever in the history of the company. Activision reported record revenues for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, and they've made 2.90 billion in net revenue, mostly on the back of the Guitar Hero and Call of Duty franchises. 2007 marks 16 years of consecutive growth for the company.
"Fiscal 2008 was the best year in our history and Q4 was the largest and most profitable non-holiday quarter, even though we did not release any new titles," said Robert Kotick, Chairman and CEO of Activision. "During the fiscal year, we were the #1 U.S. console and handheld publisher in dollars for the first time ever, according to The NPD Group, and we grew our worldwide share of the console, handheld and PC markets year over year. We achieved record financial performance significantly growing both net revenues and earnings per share. And, we delivered a record operating margin of 16.5% on a GAAP basis, and 18.4% on a non-GAAP basis, excluding the impact of equity-based compensation, and we increased stockholders' equity by 38%."
Game Daily: Best Year Ever: Activision Rocks with Nearly $3 Billion in Sales in Fiscal '08
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TAGS: Videogames
'Mortal Kombat' Head Talks Fatalities
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, May 08, 2008 2:26 PM
When we first heard about Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe, after we got over the WTF? factor, we asked "what about fatalities??" We couldn't imagine DC would let, say, Noob Saibot rip out Batman's spine, but we also couldn't imagine an MK game without fatalities. Turns out, the game will have something in the middle.
Here's what the game's creator, Ed Boon, said about it:
We did acknowledge that we won’t be able to do the same kinds of outrageous moves, like tearing someone's head off and the spine being attached to it. But there are a lot of assumptions that there will be no blood in the game, that there are no fatalities in the game. It's an assumption that, because the DC characters will be in there, those features will have to be dropped. My response is that, no, we're modifying fatalities. But I have every intention to keep finishers. You know, to let gamers do a really cool secret button combination and follow with a really outrageous finishing move to end the match. The names of these moves, and the level of violence we use, are to be determined. But it's certainly not a feature we plan on eliminating from the series.
Check out the trailer!
Gametap.com: Mortal Kombat's Creator Talks
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
The MMO Report: Thursday, May 8th
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Thursday, May 08, 2008 2:24 PM
This week's edition of the MMO Report is very special. We'd like to tell you why, but it's much better to be surprised, don't you think? I'll give you a hint, it has something to do with Casey's favorite activity. No, not that one, the other one.
The stories in this episode range from news about the forthcoming Champions Online, to Codemasters expanding their business, to how the LEGO Universe economy will function. Hopefully well, we all know how unstable those LEGO financial institutions are. One swift kick from your older brother and the entire infrastructure comes tumbling down, and I'd rather not have to deal with bailing out LEGO Bear Stearns.
So check the numbers, look to the future, and admit you've lost (you know who you are). This is...
The MMO Report
Subscribe to G4's The MMO Report Podcast by clicking your preferred service:
    
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TAGS: PC Gaming, The MMO Report
'Mummy' Game Coming July 22nd
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, May 08, 2008 2:19 PM
Did you know that there was a new Mummy movie coming this July? Well, there is. And there's a game that goes with it, coming out July 22nd for the Wii, PS2, and DS. It's called The Mummy: The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and, in it, you will play as Brendan Frasier's Rick O'Connell character, as well as his son, Alex.
We can only assume that there will be mummy-related adventure as part of the game. It wouldn't do to be a puzzle game, would it? However, we wonder why the next-gen consoles aren't going to be a part of this release? Does that say something about the quality of the game? We certainly hope not.
In the meantime, we have some screenshots of the game. Enjoy them.
Gamasutra.com: Sierra Announces The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
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TAGS: Movies, Nintendo DS, Videogames
Nuggets From The Net
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, May 08, 2008 2:15 PM
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TAGS: Nuggets From The Nets
Chun-Li Won't Be Too Sexy
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, May 08, 2008 2:07 PM
The upcoming Streetfighter movie focuses on Chun Li (played by Kristin Kreuk), but don't think this is just a ruse to make a super-sexy flick. According to Justin Marks, the film's writer, Li's moves are about fighting, not bedding down.
"First, I've never seen a successful action movie (in my mind) that blatantly sexualised its female lead and succeeded for its audience; Catwoman, Elektra, the list goes on and on," Marks told JoBlo.
"Then I think back to The Terminator, or possibly my all-time favourite movie, Aliens, and I think of how Ripley is depicted in that film. She's a tough woman, but not because she came from a place of wearing tight pants and beating up men. She's tough because she had this core emotional story about a life that could have been and never was. To me, that's the way you write a woman in these kinds of movies."
JoBlo.com: EXCL: Justin Marks on SF
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TAGS: Movies, Videogames
Gov't Considering Game ID Bill
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:49 PM
In spite of the below story in which game retailers seems to be doing really well with the current industry-supported, voluntary rating system for videogames, Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) and Jim Matheson (D-UT) introduced the Video Games Ratings Enforcement Act into the House of Representatives. If passed, the law would force retailers to check ID for those purchasing M-rated games.
Retailers caught selling M-rated titles to minors will be subjected to a $5,000 fine from the Federal Trade Commission.
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
FTC: Retailers Doing Okay With Games
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:38 PM
The Federal Trade Commission today released the results of its latest nationwide undercover shop of movie theaters and movie, music, and video game retailers, and game retailers are doing okay!
"With regard to M-rated video games, Game Stop rejected an impressive 94% of underage shoppers, while Wal-Mart and Best Buy spurned 80% of them. Some stores had very different results for different media. For example, while Best Buy rejected 80% of underage buyers of video games, it turned away underage shoppers for PAL music only 47% of the time, R-rated movie DVDs only 38% of the time, and Unrated movie DVDs only 17% of the time. Similarly, Target refused to sell M-rated games to underage buyers 71% of the time, but refused sales of PAL music only 40% of the time, R-rated movie DVDs only 35% of the time, and Unrated movie DVDs in only 23% of the cases."
This "secret shopper" program is great use of tax money, I think you will agree.
FTC.gov: Undercover Shoppers Find It Increasingly Difficult for Children to Buy M-Rated Games
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TAGS: Videogames
Criterion Collection Going Blu-Ray
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, May 08, 2008 12:00 PM
 Now that the format war is over, and Blu-Ray has been declared the victor, it's time for the movies to start rolling in, right? Well, one awesome step in that process is the announcement that the vaunted Criterion Collection of movies will begin their release on the HD format beginning in October.
If you don't know, the Criterion Collection is a group of DVDs that are handpicked, restored, given bonus treatment, and released. These DVDs are superior in almost every way to their counterparts, and Criterion is particularly good about developing a leet aura around them.
For the list of films coming out on Blu-Ray, beginning in October, hit the jump.
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TAGS: Movies, Tech
Epic Fail: Too-Catchy Songs
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, May 08, 2008 11:50 AM
Today's Epic Fail list is a departure: The following list of songs fail by being too catchy.
Songwriters aim for a certain amount of hookyness for their tunes, but some have the misfortune of over shooting the mark to the extent that they create monstrous melodies that, once heard, will never leave you head, even though you hate them.
We've collected the most egregious examples below, in no particular order, but feel free to add your own in our comment section. Behold: Epic Fail: Songs That Get Stuck In Your Head!
Chocolate Rain:
This song is viral, literally and figuratively. It seeps into your brain and never gets out, cycling over and over on a continuous loop of baritone and sadness. What's not so bad about this song getting stuck in your head is that it's not some annoying song you hear on the radio, it's Tay Zonday's original music he put up for free on youtube. However, the downside is that no one knows the lyrics to this marathon of a song, and since there's no chorus you end up singing "Chocolate Rain....dah dum dum dah dum dum dum dah dum dah, Chocolate Rain...dah dah dah soemthing something dah nah nah".
--Patrick Roche-Sowa
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TAGS: Epic Fail, Music
Freestyle 101 Nabs Webby
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, May 08, 2008 11:03 AM
G4's own web-series, Freestyle 101, has won the 2008 Webby Award for music! That's right, of the tens of thousands of pieces submitted to the Oscars of the Internets, Freestyle 101 is the greatest. There can be only one...and it's us, baby. Check it out!
“It’s truly an honor to win this award,” Frank told TheFeed. “This proves that videogames, nerds and hip hop have much more in common than people think. There are so many people at G4tv that helped make Freestyle 101 what it is, so congratulations, all y’all!"
"But it’s the artists who make the show so special with their incredible freestyles, insightful interviews, and passion for hip hop," Meyer said. "Freestyle 101 would be nothing without the rappers and their talents, so thank you to everyone that has contributed to or supported Freestyle 101. This is an amazing moment for hip hop on the web!”
To see what all the Freestyle buzz is about, click-on every Tuesday at 9 AM, when the hottest and hardest of hip-hop rhyme off-the-top about videogaming, tech and all the things you care about, or check the Freestyle 101 archives and the video below:
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TAGS: Freestyle 101, Music, Videogames
TorrentSpy Gets Damaged
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, May 08, 2008 11:00 AM
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