Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, July 01, 2008 6:00 PM
Here's what went down today in the world of videogames, technology and popular culture.
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Tags: Daily Wrap-Up, Videos
Posted by John Manalang - Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:32 PM
Java mogul Howard Schultz and his company have decided to shut down 600 underperforming, company-owned Starbucks stores as the company is still in the process of restructuring. This decision also halves the company's expansion plan for 2009.
Although the company's share recently went up to 2.4% at $16, according to the CNN report, the store closures were already part of the strategy shift implemented since January of this year. CNN reports that most of the stores closing are located in the U.S. market and 70% of those stores opened in the past 2 1/2 years. Starbucks expects to fork over $8 million in severance pays - that's sounds like a latte (sorry we couldn't help it).
Schultz could only hope that this move could put the company back on track. But from the looks of things, frappucinnos aren't the cool thing to drink anymore these days. Maybe they should just start selling yogurt. Starberry? Now that's a product!
CNNMoney: Starbucks To Close 600 Stores, Halves 2009 Expansion Plans
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Tags: Other People's Misfortune
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:21 PM
 After bringing the Caped Crusader back to the big screen with Batman Begins in 2005 and now with The Dark Knight, which opens on July 18th, director Christopher Nolan is already facing questions about a third possible film. Well, so far, he's only got one thing to say: He's not sure about it.
That's right, the man most credited with making Batman a viable box office franchise again is considering not returning for another installment. Reviews for Dark Knight have, so far, been overflowing with praise for the film, more commonly comparing it to classics like The Godfather Part II as opposed to Iron Man or Spider-Man 2. Of course, he hasn't ruled out doing the movie, he's actually said that he just hasn't decided.
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Tags: Movies
Posted by John Manalang - Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:30 PM
 Soaring gas prices have become the epidemic of this land lately. But there is hope citizens. If you are like us here, who suffer through painless hours of commute everyday and have to pay a high price for it, MyGallons.com may be the messiah we've been seeking--if it pans out.
The service is simple: Pay for the cheaper gas price now and save yourself the worry of having to pay for it at a higher price next time you have to fill up. To get started, sign up for a MyGallons card, which is accepted by virtually any gas stations (unless they pump rusted water or Canola Oil).
The downside, if gas prices go down, you've lost money. Such is life.
The rate is calculated based on the average price per gallon around your area. Although there are two types of annual fees, $29.95 for automatic refills and $39.95 for manuals, this service can be a huge advantage if you drive through a parking lot everyday. So if you're interested, check out the link below.
MyGallons.com
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Tags: Internets Culture
Posted by Robt. Juster - Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:28 PM
G4's American Ninja Challenge is back for a third round, and its going to be bigger and better than ever. We're giving you another chance to prove your mettle and earn the right to challenge the world's most difficult and diabolical obstacle course ever created. Do you have what it takes?
Here's Levi's submission video from American Ninja Challenge 2.... take a look then get going on your own video to earn a chance to join Levi and the G4 crew at Ninja Warrior 21 in Japan!
American Ninja Challenge 3 Submission Page
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Tags: G4, TV
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:20 PM
 AT&T announced to today some juicy details about launch day for the long awaited 3G iPhone. According to their announcement, AT&T retail stores will open at 8AM for the launch of the new Apple iPhone on July 11th.
In addition to that, they released detailed descriptions of the rate plans available for customers of the new, better, stronger, faster iPhone.
The plans range from 450 minutes to Unlimited talking time and can cost as little as $69.99 and as much as $129.99. That's, of course, not including the activation fees or the actual purchase price of the phone itself.
Click on the cut for the details and the devil hidden therein.
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Tags: Apple, iPhone, Products, Tech
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:05 PM
A new Open Source post from G4 President Neal Tiles is live... check it out here.
This month, Neal talks about the huge line-up we have planned for July including E3, Comic-Con, Hurl!, and answers fan questions.
Remember to submit your questions to Neal because he'll be back for another round of Open Source in August.
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Tags: G4, G4 Web Exclusive
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:03 PM
Too Human doesn't have good buzz. Although Silicon Knights actioner doesn't come out until August 19th, people are harsh on it, even though few have played it. It has to do with the decade long (!) wait for the title. Now, the previews are starting to appear.
MTV says:
“Too Human” has the setting, the promise, the play and maybe the story to succeed. But it is too soon to tell whether it’s occasional awkwardness and its less-than-broad-appeal will get in the way of many Xbox 360 owners enjoying it when it is released in August.
Wired says:
for that sort of player who enjoys playing through a game once to see the story and get the experience, Too Human will end long before its time and with not nearly enough payoff for all the story exposition.
Kotaku says:
Too Human seems surprisingly unpolished for a game that's been in some form of development for a decade, delayed multiple times, one due to be released in less than two months.
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Tags: Videogames
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, July 01, 2008 2:40 PM
A new, exciting day has dawned on the internets. Previously, if you made your webpage with .swf files (AKA Flash), Google and other search engines just wouldn't be able to see you, but Adobe has figured out a way for search engines to read, index and search Flash files. Now, text or links in a Flash application will be included by Google.
This has the potential of really shaking things up on the internets, at least in terms of search results. The application works by, basically, going through each flash site like a user and translating the text therein to search results.
Google is ready to run with the application, where Yahoo still has a little work to do.
TechCrunch: Once Nearly Invisible To Search Engines, Flash Files Can Now Be Found And Indexed
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Tags: Internets Culture, Tech, Videogames
Posted by John Manalang - Tuesday, July 01, 2008 2:37 PM
 With Sega and EA jumping on the iPhone gaming wagon, thanks to its downloadable SDK, BioWare might be looking for its next stop. Company CEOs Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk told MTV Multiplayer that BioWare's looking into what consumers want for their iPhone. They said:
“We look at every platform that comes along. Obviously, something that’s as big a cultural and technical success as the iPhone is something you really got to take a close look at. Certainly, there’s nothing written in stone yet but we’ve got a lot of folks looking at it. It’s intriguing. I think one of the things that we’ll have to see how it shakes out is what type of consumer buys games on it and what type of experience they’re looking for."
Can you imagine having one of BioWare's signature RPG series, such as their recent game Mass Effect, on Apple's golden product? It would be like:
BOOM!
....and BOOM!
Kotaku: Bioware Intrigued by iPhone Possibilites
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Tags: iPhone, Videogames
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, July 01, 2008 2:29 PM
Will Ferrell and the other folks behind internet video-rating website FunnyOrDie have launched a gaming site, Pwn Or Die. The site is a video “hub” for gamers featuring viewer-generated video content alongside trailers and vids from game publishers.
"Given the tremendous impact of the video-game industry on the Web, the Or Die Networks would not be complete without a site dedicated to gaming," said Dick Glover, CEO of Or Die Networks, in a statement. "Like Funny or Die, we have established a great destination for game enthusiasts of all levels and interests to be entertained and engaged on a daily basis."
Check it out:
PwnOrDie
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Tags: Videogames
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Tuesday, July 01, 2008 2:24 PM
The recent announcement of a Nerd Tournament at local comic book store Meltdown occasioned a geek-fight of epic proportions on G4 TV's email list. Because it's a lazy summer day, we wanted to share it with you.
Here's how the nerd tourney works: Interested parties apply to select one of the following pop culture characters and debate who would win in a fight:
Lara Croft / Batman / Gandolf / Enid (Ghostworld) / Aquaman / Captain America / Pikachu / Wolverine / Iron Man / Alan Quartermine / Superman / Alien Queen (Aliens) / Terminator / Voltron / Wonder Woman / Darth Vader / Hulk / Spiderman / Thing / Star Buck (Battle Star G) / The Father from the Movie Happiness / The Borg / Thor / Jason Vorhees / Bionic Woman / Cloverfield Monster / Predator / Chewbaca / Snake Eyes (GI Joe) / Mr. Myagi / Freddy Krueger / Forrest Whitaker as Idi Amin
The email argument this event spawned is under the cut.
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Tags: Comics, Movies, Prostate Health
Posted by Brian Leahy - Tuesday, July 01, 2008 2:13 PM
It's always interesting when commentary surfaces from one game maker to another. Today, Ashley Chung, a producer working on Fallout 3 at Bethesda, said he was "disappointed" with the reveal of Diablo III.
On his personal blog (via Videogaming247) Ashley posted:
I must say I am disappointed that Blizzard has stayed on the conservative side in terms of design with their updates to Diablo and Starcraft. Diablo will be interesting since World of Warcraft has a lot of Diablo-like qualities. I have no doubt, however, that they will be incredibly fun, addictive and polished games. Blizzard is the top of the class when it comes to game development - nobody does it better.
Ashley has since updated his blog apologizing to Blizzard. It's not really a big deal as Ashley and most Diablo fans we've talked to are looking forward to an updated Diablo III and StarCraft II.
It does bring up an interesting point, however, about sequels and how similar they should or shouldn't be to their predecessor.
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Tags: Apple, PC Gaming, Videogames
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