Daily Wrap-Up 11.29.07
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 29, 2007 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
'Sonic Riders Zero Gravity' Preview
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, November 29, 2007 5:12 PM
Sonic's back! Well, sort of, anyway. He's back with a new style of Sonic game that involves some slick zero gravity action, and it's called Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity. Sound strange? Worry not, we have a trailer. Why not take a look and see what that rascally hedgehog is up to now?
Peep.
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TAGS: Game Previews, Videogames
Fears Drive Game Sales
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 29, 2007 3:03 PM
Recent discoveries of children's toys tainted with Chinese lead paint and/or date rape drugs have some parents skipping traditional toys and ponying up holiday dough for Nintendos and PS3s.
According to the Los Angeles Times:
"Retail toy sales are expected to decline by 2%, to $23 billion, "said Gerrick Johnson, an analyst with BMO Capital Markets. "There's definitely money leaving that sector," he said. "It's logical to assume that video games might be viewed by some parents as an alternative."
So there is a silver-lining to the cloud of children-being-poisoned-by-their-toys.
Los Angeles Times: Video games seen benefiting from toy scares
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
Britney Lets Fans Direct Video
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:47 PM
Despite having already made one herself, Britney Spears is letting fans direct her next video.
Yes, for her next Blackout single, "Piece of Me," the pop tart wants fans to direct a second video, with the winning clip to be played on TRL.
The "Britney Spears Wants a Piece of You" contest starts this Monday, when MTV will open its vaults of Brit footage for fans to use in their clip. Fans can access the vids via the MTV Video Remixer, pick their shots, mash them up and hit "send." Clips can be up to 3:34 in length or shorter. Submissions are due by December 14. The winning "Piece of Me" video will also get an all-day premiere on MTV Hits and an online premiere on MTV.com.
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Music
South Park Library Going Online
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:38 PM
 At long last, you'll soon be able to get all the Christmas Critter blood orgies and Human-chili cook-offs you want when the entire South Park library goes online. And -- wait, it's gets even better -- it's for FREE!
Following their success with The Daily Show with Jon Stewart when MTV Networks (who owns Comedy Central) launched some 13,000 free clips in October of this year, Comedy Central executives hope this will further improve the already strong ratings for animated show.
The clips are set to become available sometime early next year and company emails will soon be clogged with links to the more disgusting and politically inappropriate segments.
ExtremeTech.com: 'South Park': All Online, All for Free
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TAGS: TV
G4 Features Attractive Tech-Experts
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:21 PM
How many of the hottest women in tech work in your office? For TheFeed it's four.
According to askmen.com, a quartet of the most talented, tech/geek oriented women on earth are here at G4...that's nearly half of the hottest women in technology! The winners are:
- Blair Butler
- Kristen Holt
- Olivia Munn
- Morgan Webb
Congrats!
Askmen.com: Top 10: Hottest Women In Tech
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TAGS: Girls, Tech
Wii Enjoys Healthy Download Numbers, Is Confused
Posted by Ty Colfax - Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:19 PM
 Nintendo’s marketing guy Shinji Hatano announced recently that Virtual Console revenue has been approximately $33 million since the launch last year. But in a stunning and hilarious bout of honesty, the same marketing guy said that he is “currently unsure if this is a lot or low.”
Boy, you have to pretty delusionally wealthy to not know if this is a lot of money. I realize there are costs associated but anything that makes $33 million dollars in a year that isn’t a James Cameron film should be considered a success.
Anyway, the system has also seen 7.8 million downloads of classic Nintendo games. But they probably see this as an overwhelming failure since it doesn’t have the word “billion” in it.
1up: $33 Million in Virtual Console Downloads
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TAGS: Videogames, Wii
Magic Game For The DS
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:04 PM
 Magicians are awesome, but incredibly creepy people--think of the thousands of lonely hours it would take to perfect just one complicated card trick, or just look at David Copperfield. So we're excited and creeped out by an Nintendo title Master of Illusion.
This Nintendo product has" the power to mystically change anyone into an eager apprentice magician with abilities sure to astound friends and family alike."
It teaches a variety of tricks, and comes with a deck of rigged cards to help you trick people into thinking you can do the impossible. Then, saw someone in half. Try it. Come on! Do it!
EDIT: The E-Rated game is out right now!
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TAGS: Nintendo DS, Videogames
Nugget From The Net
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:50 PM
Today's Nugget is an interesting Vista error message:
Confused much?
Source
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TAGS: Nuggets From The Nets
'Boom Boom' Peripheral Mash Up
Posted by Ty Colfax - Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:49 PM
 The Xbox Live Arcade download Boom Boom Rocket is getting an overhaul. The best part is inclusion of multiple peripherals, as in, you’ll be able to play with your Rockband/GH guitar controllers or your DDR dance pad instead of just the standard controller.
While this is an improvement and its good to see Bizarre Creations spiffying up things in the Arcade, TheFeed is not so sure we’ll ever do anything but use these peripherals in the game they were built for. That’s where they’re most useful and effective, eh?
Maybe it might be cool. Maybe we’ll check it out over the weekend. Maybe we’ll just try to beat that damn Aerosmith 'Train' drum part in Rock Band on hard. That=Tough
kotaku: Boom Boom Rocket Updates
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
'Bioshock 2' Without Levine?
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:40 PM
Rumor on the internet: The as-yet-announced-but-inevitable sequel to Bioshock is being developed without the creator of the original game.
Swiped from mysterious-insider blog Surfer Girl Reviews Star Wars:
2K Boston is still recovering - a good chunk of the BioShock team did not want to work with Ken ever again, and 2K definitely understood the sentiment and let them set up a new studio so that they can make Bioshock 2, leaving Ken with Project X. A good chunk of the other senior 2K Boston people who were sick of Ken but didn't move to San Francisco ended up scattering to other AAA developers instead. In Quincy, they're essentially rebuilding a team from almost scratch again.
The rumor and speculation just never ends, does it? We can't help but fear a Ken Levine-less Bioshock 2, so we hope this turns out to be not true.
SGRSW: Disaster: Your Irrational Behavior is BioShocking
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Videogames, Xbox 360
New Program Detects Lies
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:26 PM
The National Institute For Truth Verification knows when you're lying and when you're telling the truth.
See, they've found what they think is a better method of detecting the truth than lie detectors. Instead, CVSA (Computer Voice Stress Analyzer) will record your words and analyze your feelings to determine the truth or falsity of what you say, using computers. No need for electrodes and those pen-things that make jagged lines when you tell lies.
Police use it. The FBI uses it. Even the US military’s Special Operations Forces use it. More than 1,700 law enforcement agencies utilize the system, including "most major metropolitan agencies."
Don't worry: Of course you can't use CVSA to determine the truth or falsity of what cops and judges say to you, but we're sure the authorities are using the technology for good... right?
To learn more, visit the official website!
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Tech
'Lost' Promos Coming To Big Screen
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:17 PM
You miss Lost. We know it, you know it, it's just true. And how much are you hoping that Season 4 rocks? Well, ABC's pretty confident of it. In fact, so much so, that they're producing special promo spots to air before feature films in movie theaters this December. That's right. The network is so excited about the coming season, that they just can't help but show you this stuff.
We, for one, are most thankful. After all, we will be the first to admit that Season 3 was occasionally...well...sucky. But it ended really strong, and that's got us salivating for more. So, first looks for the Holidays are a fine gift. Thanks, ABC!
Watch With Kristin: Lost Ads Coming to the Big Screen
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TAGS: TV
More 'Knight Rider' Casting News
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:45 PM
 The Knight Rider TV movie project is rolling along smoothly, and now has new cast members to it's credit. Bruce Davison, who you will remember as the evil Senator from the first X-Men, is set to play the head of the Knight Foundation, which will recruit our lead hero into driving for justice.
But, that's not all! There are two more characters set for the film. Wayne Kasserman will play Mike Tracer's roommate, an auto mechanic and all-around good guy, and then Greg Ellis, who you will remember as one of the voices from The Boondocks, and as a British soldier from Pirates of the Caribbean, will play a bad guy.
That is all.
SCI-FI Wire: Knight Cast Fills Out
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TAGS: Movies, TV
Jay-Z’s Doubt Goes Digi
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:05 PM
 Jay-Z’s much heralded debut CD Reasonable Doubt is finally available on iTunes and other digital download stores via TuneCore.
The decision to go with TuneCore for digi distribution was based on the way it handled Hova’s music in the past says BlockSavvy.com executive Kareem "Biggs" Burke who, along with Damon Dash, scored the rights to the Reasonable Doubt masters when Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella was sold to Island Def Jam in 2004 for $10 million dollars.
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Movies
Rock Band Bundle Of Joy
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:59 AM
Which would you prefer, that the Rock Band Bundle you won on eBay arrive via overnight mail or arrive via a scantily clad hot blonde on Christmas Day?
Well, if the second choice is your cup of tea, then you better start bidding NOW, ‘cause the prize is already up to $365.00
This auction is for a new, sealed Rock Band PS3 Bundle (drums, guitar, mic) and two Guitar Hero 3 Gibson SG toy guitars. To be delivered by the gal above in person on Christmas Day at time of your choice dressed in the outfit above. Chloe will deliver the gift wrapped good, can open the gifts for you, and even take pictures.
No returns will be accepted on this auction…for obvious reasons.
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TAGS: Music, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Xmas LED Power!
Posted by Frank Meyer - Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:52 AM
 The fine folks at fabulous Frontgate have invented the perfect item for your holiday needs: a wireless Christmas tree!
Yes, the $395 fake tree features a wireless power for its LED lights courtesy of the PowerCast wireless power system.
Neat-o, huh!
Next up is hologram present, a terrific high-tech time saver that saves you from actually having to buy present for your loved ones!
Yee haw!
Engadget.com: Wireless Christmas Tree
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TAGS: Tech
PlayStation 3 Hacker's Paradise
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:49 AM
 New Zealand security researcher Nick Breese thinks the PS3 is just about the best thing ever when it comes to cracking passwords.
Turns out that fancy Cell processor is really good at brute force password cracking.
He points out that most passwords are still safe because they have additional security measures, but for things like .zip and .pdf files... man a PS3 could crack that thing in like a few days.
"It'll speed up the attacks but I can't see that it's broken," Nick said. "(It) is still safe because the people implementing the ciphers foresaw CPU power rapidly increasing."
So there you have it. The PS3 is the device of choice for cracking .zip files. Everyone go rush out and buy one.
TheAge: PlayStation a hacker's dream
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TAGS: Internets Culture, PlayStation 3, Tech
'Killzone 2' Beta Moved To 2008
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:40 AM
 We know that you, just like TheFeed, are really looking forward to the release of Killzone 2. As a matter of fact, if we had a house to store all of the electronic mail correspondence we've received about the game, it would have to be a Victorian split-level with an Infinity Pool and a two-car garage. Well, bad news, scenesters. The beta version of the game is being pushed back to 2008.
We're sorry. We know you were looking forward to it as much as we were. If it makes you feel better, your mother and I are going to take you out to Chuck E. Cheese on Saturday, and, yes, you can invite a friend...
As long as it's not that sjohnson. We can't have a repeat of last time.
Eurogamer: Killzone Beta now 2008
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
AT&T: 3G iPhone in 2008?
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:29 AM
 Ruh-roh. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson dropped this rumor bomb on us:
"You'll have it next year."
What is "it"? "It" is a 3G iPhone that AT&T claims will be coming in 2008.
This could piss a lot of people off. Remember that time that Apple dropped the price of the iPhone and people sued them. Just imagine the crap storm a'brewin' on this one.
Gizmodo: AT&T CEO Says 3G iPhone Next Year
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TAGS: Apple, iPhone, Products
Microsoft Sued Again over 'Halo 3'
Posted by Brian Leahy - Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:24 AM
 That copy of Halo 3 you're playing... it's faulty. According to Randy Nunez, a San Diego resident, Halo 3 "consistently causes the Xbox 360 to crash, freeze, or lock up while the game is being played."
This is interesting because this is the first we've heard of rampant crashes that Halo 3 is causing.
Sounds like this guy just has a broken Xbox 360, which is WAY MORE likely.
This is a common occurrence when a product is extremely successful. Some joker comes along and tries to sue for $100 million over nothing.
Move along, Randy.
InformationWeek: Microsoft Sued Over Halo 3's 'Consistent' Crashes
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Videogames, Xbox 360
'Chessmaster Live' heads to Xbox Arcade
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:06 AM
 Buddy, it's time for some revenge. Ubisoft announced today that Chessmaster is heading to Xbox Live Arcade, and that means everyone who ever effortlessly killed me in Halo 3 or COD is going to get destroyed by my 'leet, incredible chess skillz, ya heard?
The game features:
- Hundreds of AI opponents to play in ELO-ranked matches
- Voice-chat and LIVE Vision capabilities for head-to-head matches
- New 3D chess sets inspired by luxury board designer, House of Staunton
- Five original chess variants, including the all-new Message Chess option, which will allow players to engage in a match over the course of days, weeks or even months
Chessmaster LIVE will be available for download in January 2008, so be ready, Xbox Live. My Bishops are strong and even my pawns are unkillable. My camera will be hooked up, so I can watch you cry like a little baby when I take your queen. You have been warned.
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
'Silent Hill 5' Details On The Way
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 29, 2007 9:29 AM
We have a special spot in or hearts for the Silent Hill series of survival-horror games, so any details at all on the nest installment of the scariest game series is history are aces. Luckily for all of us, the next issue of Official PlayStation Magazine will have an exclusive, five-page preview of the game, complete with scans, screenshots and details for days.
Check your news-racks for the hot word!
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TAGS: Videogames
Miss Nerdcore Gallery = Teh Hot
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Thursday, November 29, 2007 9:18 AM
 If you haven’t already picked up the 2008 Nerdcore Calendar, what
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