Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 6:02 PM
Here's what went down today in the world of videogames, popular culture and technology:
- Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise is scheduled for release this fall for Nintendo DS.
- Hideo Kojima says the West has surpassed Japan when it comes to game-making.
- Microsoft's Shane Kim says the 360 will have a seven-year life-cycle.
- Guitar Hero IV's drum peripheral has been spotted and shot.
- Electronic Arts has closed their fiscal year and have posted income of $3.7 billion, but actually lost $454 million on the year.
- A convicted killer is claiming to have played Grand Theft Auto just before committing the double murder that puts him up for a potential execution.
- Peter Molyneux says that Fable 2 will be "content complete" by the end of the week.
- One thing you can say about The Sims franchise, they never miss an opportunity to spread The Sims' word. The latest entry: MySims Kingdom for the Wii and DS.
- A gamer with the tag "TheGayerGamer" has had his name changed because it was deemed offensive.
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Tags: Daily Wrap-Up, Videos
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:28 PM
Today, Blair Herter brings you the latest in gaming news, including new Resident Evil 5 scans, a look at the Guitar Hero IV drum kit, and a possible sequel for Eternal Darkness.
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Tags: G4, Nintendo DS, PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Videogames, Videos, Wii, Xbox 360
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:07 PM
 The ACLU has taken exception with the recruiting tactics of the United States Army, especially the use of the game America's Army, saying that the game encourages kids below the age of 18 to want to join the military before they reach an age of reasonable consent.
The game, they feel, violates the U.N. protocol which requires countries to shield those under 18 from military recruitment, encouraging young kids to want to go to war, the way they play it in the game. Now, we think that, just as always, any kid who has a difficult time discerning what they see on a game from reality deserves what they can get, even if that means a trip to Iraq.
GamePolitics.com: ACLU Criticizes Military Recruitment, including America's Army Game
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Tags: Videogames
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 4:57 PM
 We draw ever closer to the day our robot liberators will make our imperfect world their own each and every day. Today, we celebrate ASIMO, the Honda-built robot, who had the unique opportunity to conduct the Detroit Symphony in a version of "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha.
We find it interesting that this happened in the home of Robocop, and are wondering if Detroit is the epicenter of the aforementioned robot uprising. All I know is that I have been grooming myself to be part of the new robot administration for the better part of the past decade, and I am ready to be assimilated.
Yahoo! News: Honda robot conducts Detroit Symphony to warm response
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Tags: Music, Robot Uprising, Tech
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 4:55 PM
As we head toward the 2008 Presidential Election, there are a lot of issues that will be important to voters. An issue that will be important to you is a candidate's position on videogames.
That's why the Entertainment Software Association has launched the Video Game Voters Network (VGVN), a website dedicated to making it easy for game-playing voters to contact the candidates about games. The site offers news about games and how they relate to politics as well as opportunities to take action.
By signing up and entering your information, the VGVN will send a form letter to the Presidential candidates that stresses education about videogames instead of legislation.
Here is an excerpt from that letter:
"I am writing to make you aware of an issue that is quite important to me and millions of Americans - the right to free speech. In recent years, we have seen representatives at all levels of government attempt to restrict this right by passing laws that regulate the sale and rental of video games. As an American, a voter, and an avid video game player, I want to ensure my rights are protected."
If you want to get involved, head over to the Video Game Voters Network.
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Tags: Videogames
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 4:40 PM
Ralph Hardy, a 13 year-old kid stole his father's credit card and racked up $30,000 worth of debt on it, eventually partying in a hotel room with an XBox 360, Halo 3, a couple of friends, and two hookers. That kid is a flat baller. The kid, from Texas, managed to convince the desk clerk at the hotel that he and a friend had won a World of Warcraft tournament, and that's why they had the money they did. Furthermore, they convinced the same clerk to deliver Fritos and Dr. Pepper to their room.
But it gets better. For this next part, you have to read it the way it was originally reported...
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Tags: Girls, Videogames
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 3:43 PM
 NCSoft made a lot of money in the first quarter of 2008. How much, you ask. How about $84.3 million with a net profit of $7.7 million.
According to the company, "Operating profit showed significant improvements quarter over quarter (63%) and year over year (16%)."
The company credits the sucess of the company to the continuing popularity of the Linneage series in Korea as well as North American sales of City of Heroes and City of Villains.
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Tags: PC Gaming, Videogames
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