Daily Wrap-Up 5.19.08
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, May 19, 2008 6:00 PM
Here's what happened today in the world of videogames, technology and popular culture.
- Electronic Arts has extended its offer to buy Take Two for the third time.
- Check out these Resistance 2 screenshots.
- Lawn mowing robot, you are either an answer to our dream or embodiment of our worst nightmare.
- Nintendo is filling out the Wii's downloadable content with two new WiiWare games and a Virtual Console release.
- Sony has added YouTube upload support to the PS3.
- Some dudes made a 5 million piece LEGO boulder and rolled it down the streets of San Francisco, chasing a fake Indiana Jones.
- Texas Governor Rick Perry will keynote this year's E3 Media and Business Summit.
- Microsoft has re-opened talks with Yahoo in the hopes of bringing about a transaction.
- Age of Conan officially launches tomorrow, but Funcom really, really wants you to know that their game is gonna be huge.
- Check out the Flashlight DVR.
- On June 2nd, G4 will be premiering G4 Rewind, a three-hour morning programming block dedicated to fan favorites from back in the days.
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up, Videos
Nugget from the Net
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, May 19, 2008 5:11 PM
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TAGS: Nuggets From The Nets, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Google Wants Your Medical Records
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Monday, May 19, 2008 4:48 PM
 As we continue to become assimilated by our internet overlords, Google is continuing to expand their business by collecting your medical records for you into one database. Announced in a webcast today, Google Health will give the public electronic access to their medical records and other health-related information by collecting it from multiple different sources. Google tested the service by storing medical records for a few thousand patient volunteers at the not-for-profit Cleveland Clinic.
Kids, say hello to your Big Brother.
Yahoo! Finance: Google Makes Health Service Publicly Available
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TAGS: Internets Culture
Apple Wants Better Ringtones
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, May 19, 2008 4:13 PM
 The WWDC is coming up on June 9th, and, with it, many people are thinking, will be the announcement of iPhone 2.0, but Apple isn't satisfied with the library of music they are offering, especially when it comes to ringtones. Therefore, they are said to be aggressively pursuing some new deals with major record labels that will allow them to expand that library.
Apparently, part of the issue is that Apple still wants to charge only $.99 for each track, but the labels think that what they're selling is worth more than that. So, until Apple starts offering those tracks for more money, it's going to be hard to get something done.
New York Times.com: Apple Wants More Mobile Music From Labels
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TAGS: iPhone, Music, Tech
Mom Made You Violent, Not Games
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Monday, May 19, 2008 4:10 PM
Christopher J. Ferguson, Texas A&M Professor and psychologist, recently penned an article for The Eureka Reporter regarding the recent media feeding frenzy surrounding Rockstar Games and the release of GTAIV. While this isn't a concrete scientific publication, Ferguson's experience and expertise in the subject matter gives him enough credit to speak freely. He details many reasons why linking violent games to violent behavior is incorrect and irresponsible, so if you know anyone who works for one of the major news networks, please forward them this article. So what does a level-headed, well educated psychology professor say is actually to blame for violent behavior in children? Their parents. WOW! WHAT A SHOCKER!!! Check out the full article, it's a great, short read.
The Eureka Reporter: Grand Theft Rationality
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TAGS: Videogames
'Dawn of the Dead' Coming To 3-D
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, May 19, 2008 4:02 PM
 Sure, we all love zombies, and we have George Romero to thank for it, which is why it's great news that the 1978 classic Dawn of the Dead will be converted to 3-D for a theatrical release at some point within the next year. If you've never seen Dawn of the Dead, you are not only missing out, but you are going to be knocked out by a 3-D version of the film.
Set in a shopping mall beset with zombies, and likely the inspiration for the highly underrated game Dead Rising, Dawn virtually brought the zombie genre back from the dead upon its first release, and we can think of no time like the present to give it a shot in the arm again.
Hollywood Reporter.com: 'Dawn of the Dead' goes 3-D
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TAGS: Movies
'Indy 4' Kills At Cannes
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, May 19, 2008 3:56 PM
 It's worth noting that, sometimes, the internet decides to crap on something just to have something to do. Take , for example, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which opened over the weekend at the Cannes Film Festival to a three and a half minute standing ovation, which is far from the failure that late opinion has predicted the film would be.
Now, we can't vouch for the quality of the film, but the people at Cannes aren't usually swayed by who made the movie or who is in attendance when deciding if they're into the work. They're way above it, for the most part. So, the fact that the reaction was so enthusiastic is more than encouraging. May we be the first to suggest that fanboys on the internets might be crapping all over it because, a) they are still mad at George Lucas about the Star Wars prequels, and b) they're afraid to get their hopes up about things, because cynicism is a lot easier than crushing disappointment.
Variety.com: 'Indiana Jones' arrives in Cannes
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Movies
Ken Levine Will Keynote PAX 2008
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, May 19, 2008 3:53 PM
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TAGS: Videogames
Uwe Boll Pissed Over Hollywood Snubbing 'Postal'
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, May 19, 2008 3:44 PM
 Poor Uwe. All he wanted to do was make a movie that tells Americans how stupid they are, but unfortunately for him, Americans are too stupid to want to see his masterpiece. His thoughts, not ours. After only 4 theaters decided to screen Postal, Uwe is understandably upset.
For the record, apparently Postal is a pretty good movie.
Here now, the rantings of Uwe Boll:
To all of you writing now about me and the fact that POSTAL is not getting screens.
its okay ..its fun kicking a guy nonstop who is on the ground
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TAGS: Movies, Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
Gates Gives Modded 360
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, May 19, 2008 3:30 PM
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TAGS: Tech, Videogames, Xbox 360
Leaving Microsoft Broke Moore's Heart
Posted by Patrick Roche-Sowa - Monday, May 19, 2008 3:04 PM
 There was a lot of speculation surrounding Peter Moore when he left his position at Microsoft to head EA Sports, but in an interview with Eurogamer, Moore explained it was more personal than professional. "I thoroughly enjoyed working at Microsoft, [but] there was a real yearning for getting back to what we as Brits living in America call home, which is the San Francisco Bay area," he said. "And you get to the point in your life where you say, do I live where I work, or do I work where I live? For me, I would rather live in the Bay area - nothing against Seattle - and there's only really one job I would have taken to leave Xbox and that's president of EA Sports."
So as it turns out, all of the conspiracy theories were wrong. Moore didn't leave because of internal politics, he wasn't pushed out because of his ideals, and he's not a lizard person from outer space.
Eurogamer: Leaving MS "Broke My Heart" - Moore
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TAGS: Videogames
'Grand Theft Childhood' Author On 'GTA IV'
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Monday, May 19, 2008 3:01 PM
 With the release of GTA IV, the arguments that "videogames are destroying a generation of children" have again begun being thrown about like fistfuls of mashed potatoes in a cafeteria food fight. Sometimes, it seems like anyone with an internet connection can sound off from left field and pronounce how our society is going to unravel into chaos and disorder ala Mad Max because we let our children play a game where you can shoot people. Well, not everyone.
Harvard professor Lawrence Kutner, co-author of the book Grand Theft Childhood, recently sat down for interview with Open Education to discuss the revitalized criticism of violent videogames and to defend games such as GTA IV. He quickly admits to not having the opportunity to play GTA IV yet, but he has some incredibly interesting and intelligent things to say about the nature of videogame criticism in general. At one point, Dr. Kutner observes:
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TAGS: Grand Theft Auto IV, PlayStation 3, Videogames
EA Defends ESA, Slams Activision/Vivendi
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, May 19, 2008 2:52 PM
 Electronic Arts Canada exec Jeff Brown has some words for Activision/Vivendi over their departure from the ESA.
I think having [Activision and Vivendi] pull out of the ESA reflects an unfortunate lack of leadership... They're a big company and we feel that when you're a big company you've got a responsibility to consumers to work on policy issues which are very, very important to consumers. And the best way to do that is with an industry consensus... There's always tensions inside these organizations, but for the most part it works... So it was sad to see them step away from that responsibility. We hope that others don't do that, but I think that the onus is on the ESA to prove that membership in it is good for the company and good for consumers. And I think we're going to see the ESA redouble its efforts to prove that.
Corporate mudslinging is the best! I wonder what they'll say about LucasArts. Maybe EA just doesn't want to be the only one left in the ESA if everyone leaves.
Kotaku: Some Electronic Arts ESA Cheerleading
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TAGS: Videogames
New Madden To Feature 'Do-Overs' (?!)
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, May 19, 2008 2:48 PM
According to Gamestop, the next iteration of Madden (Madden '09) will allow players to have do-overs. The Rewind feature must be agreed on by both players, and will allow you to reverse any play, even the other guy's. Player may select 0, 1, 3, 5, or unlimited rewinds. They are not available for online games.
I'm a purist, and while the chance to take back my own mistakes has a certain allure, the idea of my opponent nullifying my awesome play is not good. Do. Not. Want.
But what about you? Whaddaya think? Good idea or tool for ultimate evil?
Gamestop: Do Over! Madden Mondays Week 6: EA SPORTS REWIND
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TAGS: Sports, Videogames
Nintendo Explains European 'Smash Bros. Brawl' Delay
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, May 19, 2008 2:37 PM
 Super Smash Bros. Brawl is still not out in Europe and it's starting to look bad for Nintendo. Why isn't it out yet?
Apparently, it's going to actually take 6 months for Nintendo to localize the game for European languages. You know, because Brawl had so much in-game dialogue.
Please...
"Every time you go through localization you then have to put it through a test, which involves making sure that you recorded the proper voice, and that the proper voice is being activated with the proper trigger, at the proper time… so it’s not just a case of swapping over some words, it requires some proper extra development processes. And so it takes time."
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TAGS: Videogames, Wii
'MGS4' Isn't Last 'MG' Game
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, May 19, 2008 2:17 PM
We all know Metal Gear Solid 4 is the last game for Solid Snake, but this doesn't mean it's the last Metal Gear game as some people think. Also, we haven't had a Metal Gear story in a few hours.
Kojima Production's Ryan Payton cleared this up in an interview with MTV Multiplayer saying, "I think there’s been some misconceptions that this is the last Metal Gear. This is really just the last chapter of the saga of the Solid Snake story.”
He added, "[Solid Snake] was a burden [for Kojima] because of all those loose ends. So when you play Metal Gear Solid 4 and when you get to the end, I think you’re going to feel that ‘wow, this is a nice closure.’ All of the weird stuff that’s gone on in the past, it’s all coming to an end. All those weird questions - everything is answered."
Everything!
Check out the whole interview for details on the inclusion of the Assassin's Creed Altair costume.
MTV Multiplayer: ‘Metal Gear’ Series To Continue After ‘Metal Gear Solid 4′ — Plus Developer Details ‘Assassin’s Creed’ Connection
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
'Age of Conan' DX10 Delayed
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, May 19, 2008 1:59 PM
Age of Conan releases tomorrow and many have already been playing it, but where's the DirectX 10 support. Unfortunately, it's a long way off.
According to Funcom, "the early success of Age of Conan, and proud of the game launching this week, the company regrets to inform gamers that the DirectX 10 version of the game will not ship with the initial launch."
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TAGS: PC Gaming, Tech, Videogames
ESA Paid $5 Mil. To Move E3
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, May 19, 2008 1:57 PM
The annual Electronic Entertainment Expo's spiritual home is the Los Angeles Convention Center, but, last year, the festival of all things gaming moved to Santa Monica. The move apparently cost ESA, the convention's sponsor, five million dollars.
According to kotaku, the ESA broke their contract calling for E3 to be held at the convention center until 2012.
Rich Taylor, Entertainment Software Association senior vice president of communications and research, put it this way: "There was a model in Santa Monica that we tried and after the event we polled participants across the board about what they thought of it and then we tried to figure out what we could do to make it better and returning to the Los Angeles Convention Center was the right decision."
This year, the convention will be at its old home, and G4 will be there to bring you the insider's insider look at everything going on. From live commercial-free M'soft, Sony and Nintendo press conferences to all the big exclusives across five days of live programming, we got it all for you, and it won't cost 5 million bucks, either.
kotaku.com: ESA Hit for $5 million for not moving E3
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
'Drake's Fortune' Airsoft Gun For Sale
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, May 19, 2008 1:52 PM
Did you like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune? Do you collect or have a strange obsession with Airsoft guns? For the first time ever, these two worlds will clash in an epic battle of collectability.
Check out this Airsoft Beretta M92F that looks like Drake's gun from Uncharted.
It even comes with a metal briefcase. It does not come with perfect hair. Oh, Drake. You're so dreamy.
(via Kotaku)
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Products, Videogames
'Haze' not in HD? Whaaa?
Posted by Ty Colfax - Monday, May 19, 2008 1:48 PM
In the ongoing battle between framerate, resolution, and processing power, Haze has chosen to take the safe road at 576p because they "prioritize a nice smooth frame-rate over a different [resolution]," Creative lead Derek Littlewood told Ripten. Makes sense.
Haze has an exclusive release on PS3 tomorrow and in addition to not being HD, it will require a 4GB install. Luckily, we've all got 80, so it's not big deal, right guys? Huh? Am I right?
eurogamer.net: Haze not in HD, has 4GB install
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
Ice-T Says GTA So Wrong It’s Right
Posted by Frank Meyer - Monday, May 19, 2008 1:31 PM
Actor/rapper/Freestyle 101 vet Ice-T recently said in an interview that he loves videogames, specifically Grand Theft Auto. He describes San Andreas, which he once lent his voice to, as "f***ing mayhem."
“I was in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas,” the cold one said. “I played a cracked-out rap star who had his lyrics stolen and the person that stole them became a star. So I went on crack and by the end of the game I get my reputation and my mansion back. You start off as a kid in South Central LA, you build up your rep and then you get a gang. It's definitely some crazy shit.”
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TAGS: Grand Theft Auto IV, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Official Xbox Pajamas
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, May 19, 2008 1:31 PM
I'm wearing the above-pictured Xbox pajamas right now. Ladies? Are you feeling this or what?
The $17.99 pants are made of cotton, machine washable, have an open fly, side pockets and a covered elastic waistband with adjustable drawstring tie.
Buy yours here.
(via MaxConsole)
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TAGS: Videogames
Macs are Top Selling "Performance" PCs at Retail
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, May 19, 2008 1:31 PM
An surprising statistic crossed our paths by way of The Unofficial Apple Weblog today.
During the first quarter of 2008, Macs were the highest selling brand of computer for performance, which means a computer priced above $1000 a |
