Daily Wrap-Up 11.15.07
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 15, 2007 6:01 PM
Here's what happened today in teh world of videogames, popular culture and technology:
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up
'Kane & Lynch': Tokyo Trailer
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, November 15, 2007 2:44 PM
Kane & Lynch like to travel to exotic locations like Tokyo. It's getting away from the stress of the US that keeps them going.
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TAGS: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Senator Mike Gravel's Gamertag
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 15, 2007 2:30 PM
Senator Mike Gravel is running for president.
According to the below video, his gamertag is Giveemhellgravel.
He may be mad.
EDIT: We can't find his gamertag at all, and this isn't even from his campaign! It's from some unfunny webshow or something that has something to do with an elevator. Plus, killing people with the energy sword is weak.
Fake.
We can't make an informed decision on our poltical candidates until we know what their achievements are.
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TAGS: Videogames
PS3 Gets Anti-Viral
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, November 15, 2007 2:28 PM
 The PlayStation 3 is a nice target for malicious code because it has a web browser and a big 'ol hard drive.
Trend Micro, a Japanese based company, has released a set of anti-virus and blocking software for the PS3.
The software suite will also attempt to block the user from visiting websites that have been identified to contain malicious code. Parents can also choose to block adult content with a password protection solution.
It is still unsure if viruses run at 60fps on the PS3. Most of the viruses we see end up being better on the 360 anyway. Besides, does anyone even know how to code a virus on the Cell Processor?
Yahoo News: New antivirus software for Playstation 3
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TAGS: Internets Culture, PlayStation 3, Tech
'Guitar Hero 3:' Free Downloads
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 15, 2007 2:00 PM
If you've been playing Guitar Hero 3 since it came out like we have, you've already played the following three tracks during the game's Boss Battles:
- Slash's Song
- Tom Morello's Song
- The Devil Went Down To Georgia by The Devil.
Now you can download them. For free. If you have a 360. They should be coming to the PS3 any second now, too.
Free!
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TAGS: Videogames
Microsoft's PlaysForSure DRM Standard
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, November 15, 2007 1:44 PM
 Microsoft is slapping another seal of approval on products. The PlaysForSure brand will feature a logo that will ensure that branded DRM content will play on branded players.
This doesn't really make sense to TheFeed because the whole annoying point of DRM is to restrict where the content can be played.
Supported devices include offerings from Samsung, SanDisk, Creative Labs, iRiver and more. Missing from the list are any of the iPods and (laughably) Microsoft's own Zune players.
We're unhappy about this because it marks another step toward full acceptance of DRM instead of moving back toward (in our opinion) fair-use.
Check out Microsoft's information site for PlaysForSure for more.
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Movies, Music
Watch This: TheFeed's Strike Guide
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 15, 2007 1:19 PM
With the television and movie writers' strike in its second week, and more and more shows shutting down, you may be suffering from TV withdrawal and asking yourself "Why?" (Which is a funny question to ask yourself, unless you are a arbitrator who specializes in entertainment industry collective bargaining disputes, of course.)
But because you are most likely another mouth-breather who likes to watch television, you probably don't understand the reasons behind the writers strike. So please enjoy this video made by a Daily Show writer that explains the strike in easy to understand terms and is kind of funny.
Many more hysterical/interesting videos here, including ones starring Todd Bridges from Diff'rnt Strokes!
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, TV
'Mario and Sonic Olympics' DS Dated
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 15, 2007 1:13 PM
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games will hit the Nintendo DS on January 22, 2008.
The epic face-off will pit bitter enemies Sonic and Mario in 16 events, including two native-to-DS competitions--10m Platform Diving and Cycling!
The Nintendo DS edition also features eight Dream events – five of which can only be found on the handheld game. Each Dream event takes an Olympic sport and brings it into a video game-inspired world filled with obstacles, power-ups and familiar opponents from the worlds of Mario & Sonic to challenge even the best players. These exclusive DS Dream events are: Dream Canoe, Dream Boxing, Dream Basketball, Dream Long Jump and Dream Shooting(Skeet).
Confirmation of the inclusion of no-holds-barred illegal pit-fighting event have not been verified, but we'd like to see the winner of that one anyway.
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TAGS: Nintendo DS, Videogames
Busy…Like A Foxx
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, November 15, 2007 12:55 PM
 Oscar-winning actor/singer Jamie Foxx is entering the reality-TV game by producing shows for MTV and VH1.
The actor has two-year production deal and is developing an MTV show called From Gs to Gents, in which guys compete to become gentlemen. A VH1 show is also in the works…
No word as to how this will affect his music career, but one can only hope it completely derails it…
Reuters.com: Jamie Foxx getting real with MTV and VH1
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TAGS: Movies, Music, TV
Sony Takes Advantage Of Wii Shortage
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 15, 2007 12:50 PM
In an example of the console war heating up, Sony is planning on taking advantage of the shortage of Nintendo Wiis.
Sony boss Howard Stringer told the Associated Press: "It's a little fortuitous that the Wii is running out of hardware."
Mr Stringer said the increase in sales of the console was "the breakthrough we have been anticipating." He added: "Obviously, we've taken so much heat over the year on PS3. Finally, the turning point has been passed."
So there you have it. Sony feeling confident, Wii in short supply.
BBC: Sony makes most of Wii shortages
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Wii
'Dungeon Explorer' Goes Handheld
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 15, 2007 12:31 PM
Classic proto-RPG Dungeon Explorer Warriors of Ancient Arts is crawling into the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP.
The game is coming to North America in early 2008 for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) and Nintendo DS
According to the company:
"In the PSP version, players are trained in weaponry and mystical forces as Warriors of Ancient Arts. On a quest and ready to uncover the fate of a legendary kingdom, gamers will prepare to battle demonic forces and monstrous creatures. DE: WAA features hundreds of variations of weapons, armor and equipment that can be chosen and upgraded throughout the adventure to defeat enemies. Unique for the PSP system, players have the ability to choose their warfare style with more than 150 different kinds of fighting arts, including Big Bang Arts, allowing three players to team up to triple their destructive power in Ad-Hoc Multiplayer mode."
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TAGS: Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, Videogames
WoW Population Reaches 9.3 Million
Posted by Ty Colfax - Thursday, November 15, 2007 12:28 PM
 Vivendi announced yesterday that the total number of subscribers for World of Warcraft is up to 9.3 million. That’s a lot of Azerothians. To compare, that’s more inhabitants than Sweden, Azerbaijan, and way more than Middle Earth.
If you happen to be one of these 9.3 million, look us up next time you’re in Zul'Gurub. We have some blood for you.
Kotaku.com: WoW Population Hits 9.3 Million
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TAGS: Internets Culture, PC Gaming, Videogames
'Fable 2' Wants Your Insults
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 15, 2007 12:05 PM
In RPG Fable, if you were mean enough to NPCs, you eventually "earned" the title "Arseface."
Fable 2 is looking for a new heel designation, and wants your help. They've opened up a forum where gamers can suggest insults to add to the game.
According to developers Lionhead, "The insults should be puerile, but not too puerile, sound at least somewhat original, and not cross a certain line (as an example, "gobshite" has been rejected because, while it might sound funny and wacky to American ears, it’s still a bit too strong for Fable and British ears). The thing to remember is that it’s a way for Fable villagers to call the Hero an arsehole because they hate him/her and obviously needs to work for both genders."
Now get to insulting!
Fable 2 Development: Community Call Insult the Hero
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TAGS: Videogames
NBC Auctioning Off Props
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, November 15, 2007 11:58 AM
 NBC is auctioning off some of its props from some of its most popular shows, including Heroes, The Office, and Friday Night Lights, with some of the proceeds going to charity. The auctions will begin next Monday, and will be on offer until December 3rd, after which a new group of props will be available. The proceeds will at least partially be donated to United Way.
What props can you get, you might ask? How about Isaac's paintings from Heroes? The poker set from the episode of 30 Rock where Jack bet the intern his job? A couple of jerseys from Friday Night Lights? Oh yeah, brother, they're there. Now, if only you could bid on James Caan's career before Las Vegas, that would really be something...huh?
Yahoo! News: NBC auctioning off props from TV shows
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TAGS: TV
PlayStation Eye Tech Demos Are Awesome
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, November 15, 2007 11:56 AM
 The PlayStation Eye is a pretty sweet piece of tech that comes with The Eye of Judgment. Sony Computer Entertainment America's Research and Development group is playing around with some tech demos.
Their results are pretty damn awesome.
The demos feature immediate integration of objects and sketches into simple games. You really need to watch the three movies for yourself.
Follow the link!
PlayStation Blog: Video of New Research Conducted with PlayStation Eye
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Tech, Videogames
Max Headroom In 'Watchmen'
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, November 15, 2007 11:33 AM
 Matt Frewer, who once embodied all things 80's as the computerized gadfly Max Headroom, has been cast as an entirely different icon altogether. Frewer will play Moloch in Watchmen, the film version of the graphic novel that has taken approximately 200 years to get to the big screen.*
For those of you who are not familiar, Moloch is a former villain to the Watchmen, and one of the catalysts of the story in general. We can not stress enough how much we are looking forward to seeing this movie. Hopefully it will actually get finished this time out.
Dark Horizons: Frewer Is Moloch In "Watchmen"
*This is an exaggeration.
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TAGS: Comics, Movies
Nintendo Designing A New DS?
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 15, 2007 11:06 AM
Evan Wilson, an analyst with Pacific Crest Securities, says there is a new Nintendo DS being designed.
According to Wilson citing an unnamed source, the new hardware will drop the GBA slot, have an even thinner profile than the DS Lite and add some storage media and enlarged screens.
Reportedly, Nintendo is waiting to release the new system until demand and sales for the current-gen DS tapers off.
Hmmm... keep in mind, it's just a rumor now, but it seems pretty likely that Nintendo would have at least begun design on whatever system they have coming up next.
DSFanboy: Analyst details possible new DS hardware
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TAGS: Nintendo DS, Videogames
10 PlayStation 3 Tricks
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 15, 2007 11:00 AM
There are well-known features in your game system and little known aspects that verge on the edge of exploits.
The below artice lists ten tweaks and tips for the PlayStation 3 that you might not be aware of, including how to play different region games, make free video-calls and how to upgrade your harddrive.
Okay, theses aren't exatly 'leet hacks or anything, but if you didn't know before, now you know. And it's all about getting the most out of your system.
Tech.co.uk: 10 PS3 Tricks Sony Doesn't Tell You
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
Gene Simmons Hates You
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, November 15, 2007 10:55 AM
 It’s no secret that KISS’ Gene Simmons is kind of a jerk. A rich jerk. A talented jerk. An entrepreneurial jerk. A smart jerk. But a jerk.
But he says what’s on his mind and that’s why we love him.
Well, that and that he flies around and spits blood and fire onstage.
Recently in an interview to promote his many projects (A&E‘s Gene Simmons Family Jewels reality show, his Nickelodeon animated show My Dad the Rock Star, Simmons Abramson Marketing, the new Kissology DVD boxset, NGTV.com, and Ladies of the Night, his personal and historical overview on prostitution), Simmons denounced downloading big-time and blamed the music industry slump on the kids….who he says should all be arrested and sued to high heaven!
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Music
YouTube Going HD in 3 Months?
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, November 15, 2007 10:51 AM
 Kids love that YouTube. Soon, they will love it in high-definition. YouTube co-founder Steve Chen hinted at the upgrade coming in 3 months.
Whether or not the bump in quality will be to HD or just a higher resolution is unknown.
Keep in mind, this will do nothing to make movies of people getting kicked in the nuts taken from cell phone cameras look any better.
This will also likely increase the cost of running YouTube, but Google's pockets are pretty deep.
Gizmodo: YouTube Getting HD in Three Months
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Tech
Zep’s Digi Stairway To The Charts
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, November 15, 2007 10:44 AM
 I bet you assume just because it gets played on the radio and in Guitar Center's across the globe that Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" was a #1 single in the homeland of England, right?
Nope. In fact, it never even was a single actually …
But the Zep classic is expected to make its debut in the UK singles charts at No. 56 this Sunday, as it’s features on the group's digitally remastered greatest hits compilation, Mothership, which was released in the UK on Monday, November 12. In fact, a bunch of the band’s songs are expected to hit the charts this week's since a change to the chart’s rules allowed downloads to become chart eligible.
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Music
Honda Gets Clarity
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, November 15, 2007 10:37 AM
Honda recently introduced the production version of the FCX fuel-cell hybrid at the LA Auto Show this week, conveniently called the FCX Clarity. The zero-emissions ride features a hydrogen-fuel-station-finding GPS system, which gets you the "gasoline-equivalent" mileage of 68mpg combined city/highway.
For the time being, Honda is leasing only 100 or so of the cars to buyers who live near one of its three hydrogen fuel stations in Southern California. So it looks like if you wanna save the world, you gotta move to Cali, baby! Hahahahaha!
Engadget.com: Honda unveils production version of the FCX fuel-cell hybrid, the FCX Clarity
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TAGS: Cars
Hayden Panettiere Hosts EA Party
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, November 15, 2007 10:31 AM
 Oh, Electronic Arts, you are one lucky videogame mega corporation. That's why you are able to book serious hotties like Hayden Panettiere to host parties for you, like you did the other night, when she hosted the launch party for Need for Speed: Prostreet. And, she brought some friends along for the party, too, like Masi Oka, who plays Hiro on Heroes, and Missy Peregrym, who played Candice.
We're not exactly sure how Ian Ziering got there, but we know that celebrities can be hard to come by, so we're willing to forgive you for that. One thing, though, we must have lost our invitation, because we know you wouldn't have a party without inviting TheFeed, would you? Especially knowing how much we love you. Still, we forgive you. Just, next time, expect us with bells on.
Especially if Hayden is going to be there.
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TAGS: Music, PlayStation 3, Videogames
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