Daily Wrap-up
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 6:00 PM
Here's what happened today in videogames, technology and popular culture!
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up
X-Play's Best of 2007 Awards Nominations
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 4:54 PM
The end of 2007 is rapidly approaching and that means we're in Award Season. Forget the Oscars or the Emmy's, we X-Play Best of 2007 Awards Nominations are out! What's going to take Game of Year? You'll need to tune in to the hour-long Best of 2007 Awards Show on Monday, December 17th at 8PM ET, only on G4!
Go below the cut for 2 of the 16 categories.
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TAGS: PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Sony PSP
Sessler's Soapbox: Gaming's Power Couple
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 4:42 PM
Adam's back, boys and girls. And in this week's Sessler's Soapbox, he's taking on the recent Activision/Blizzard merger and what it means to the world of gaming. How do you feel about the merger? Is it too dangerous to have mega-publisher making all the decisions? Check out the video and let us know what you think below or share your thoughts on our forums.
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TAGS: Sessler's Soapbox, Videogames, Videos
Make Da 'Heroes' Macroz!!!
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 3:16 PM
Our Heroes...let us show you dem. Or, more accurately, you show us dem, with our Heroes caption contest. Go to G4's Heroes homepage, and caption the pictures there with some of your pithy, wry humor. We know you've got it in you. Still, we've provided some examples, shown below.
Oh, and while we have your attention, you might want to know that the Heroes Volume 2 finale will air on G4 on Saturday night at 10PM, followed by an action-packed The Post Show which will feature HRG himself, Jack Coleman. Would we lie to you?
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TAGS: G4, TV
Duck Down Makes History
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 3:13 PM
Following its music licensing agreement with ESPN a few weeks ago, Duck Down Records continues attacking the cable programming world by inking a deal with the History Channel’s Gangland Series. In addition the label has signed a deal with Youtube, joining their list of partnered clients, which will include their very own Duck Down Records channel.
Duck Down’s deal with The History Channel’s Gangland Series will include Black Moon and Boot Camp Clik’s own Buckshot, commissioned through Man Made Music, creating the original theme and promo music for the History Channel’s popular show Gangland. Produced by Dirty Elegance, Buckshot was recruited to create a brief intro that would set the tone for the show’s gang related theme. Alternative versions were then created from Buckshot’s original piece, including one performed by Ice-T.
Meanwhile, a Youtube content partnership representative contacted Duck Down after seeing an increase in activity on their videos. The new partnership allows Duck Down to highly customize its page, upload larger video files, and receive video placement throughout Youtube’s featured playlists.
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Music, TV
Mike Patton’s Legendary Voice
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 2:48 PM
In the upcoming Will Smith sci-fi flick I Am Legend the voices of the enemy creatures might sound a little familiar to all you Faith No More, Tomahawk, or Mr. Bungle fans.
Yep, that’s because the sounds, roars and grunts are voiced by singer Mike Patton, who is known for doing insane things with his voice.
Perfect choice!
Patton is also reportedly scoring a short film called A Perfect Place, directed by Derrick Scoccera, for his own Fantoma Films.
[Watch a video of Patton's making fun of Wolfmother above.]
CHUD.com: Mike Patton Is Legend
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TAGS: Movies, Music
Foo Fighters to Play VGAs
Posted by Ty Colfax - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 2:37 PM
 The Foo Fighters, whose "Learn to Fly" is featured in one of the hotter games of the year, Rock Band, has signed on to play the Video Game Awards happening later this week.
In addition to this little bit of good news, Rock Band will also be set up outside the theatre as celebrities walk the red carpet. They’ll be able to form bands and jam for all the world to see. We’re pretty sure this will equal a lot of embarrassment for some of the B-list celebrities attending the event, for as you know, you can’t just pick up the axe and kick ass. It takes practice.
We’d also like to imagine for a moment that Rock Band were set up at The Academy Awards on the red carpet and what the worst combinations would be for a Rock Band band.
We’re thinking – Al Gore on drums, Dakota Fanning on bass, Geena Davis on guitar, with M. Night Slamallama on vox.
Feel free to add your own.
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TAGS: Videogames
Gaming's Report Card Grade: C
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 2:14 PM
For the last 12 years, the National Institute on Media & the Family has issued a Video Game Report Card annually. Yesterday, they gave the gaming industry a C for 2007.
"Why should I care what a bunch of blue-noses think of my hobby?" you might ask yourself. Here's why you should care: The opinions of the NIMF mean something to the people in power in the US. And they make the laws. And the laws affect the ratings. And the rating affect the content. And the content affects you.
Under the title: "An Ominous Backslide on Multiple Fronts," the NIMF said
Console manufacturers, for the most part, seem to understand the importance of making games safe for kids. Microsoft included a timer feature that allows parents to limit their children’s video game playing time, a praiseworthy innovation…
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
Politicians Call For Transparent ESRB
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 1:54 PM
Our first reaction to politicians saying anything about videogames is to disagree... but today's politicians-tackling-gaming are actually making sense.
Amazing, isn't?
Congressmen Joe Baca (D-CA) and Frank Wolf (R-VA) have written a letter to the Entertainment Software Rating Board to make a reasonable request: They'd like the process of game rating to be more transparent, with the ESRB posting videos publishers submit to the board viewable online.
Other than the total nightmare of spoilers that would be unleashed, we think this is a great idea. It's much preferable to the ESRB making decisions behind-closed-doors. Since an AO rating from the ESRB all but prevents the release of a game, wouldn't it be great to see what kind of content will earn you that rating?
The two congressmen offered a joint statement on the matter. "We believe that posting comprehensive clips of T-rated games and higher online is advantageous for both consumers and the ESRB," they said. "The public will be more accurately informed of the substance of games before making purchasing decisions, and the rating process of the ESRB will be brought to light and given more credibility."
Gamespot.com: Congressmen call for ESRB transparency
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
'Grand Theft Auto 4' Trailer Tomorrow
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 12:20 PM
Tomorrow is a big day for gaming.
A new Grand Theft Auto 4 trailer is dropping.
Set your calendars for 3 PM Eastern Time (12 Noon Pacific) and set your browser to www.g4tv.com/thefeed. We'll have the trailer the second we're allowed to show it to you.
Then, if you want to see the trailer in its full glory, on your TV at home, Attack of the Show will feature the first television airing of the trailer at 7PM ET and PT tomorrow.
Don't miss it.
To whet your appetite for GTA, please enjoy this gallery of spanking new screenshots.
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TAGS: Grand Theft Auto IV, PlayStation 3, Videogames
'ChroNarn: Prince Caspian' Lookin Good
Posted by Ty Colfax - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 12:13 PM
 The Chronicles of Narnia is kind of like the Harry Potter of the 50s, except good.
And the trailer for the new Chronicles of Narnia movie is looking pretty good. It looks darker than Lion…, and appears to have some better action sequences.
We can only hope that the series will continue to be made into films so that the nude scene in Voyage of the Dawn Treader with Susan happens. Totally hot and totally fake.
Watch the Prince Caspian trailer in the provided link below.
yahoo.com: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
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TAGS: Movies
New 'Ninja Gaiden II' Trailer
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 11:58 AM
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TAGS: Videogames, Videos, Xbox 360
Robbie Williams Says Sorry
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 11:54 AM
 In a rare example of a pop star war of the words diss-fest, UK pop star Robbie Williams apologized to former Take That manager Nigel Martin-Smith on Wednesday and paid unspecified legal damages over song lyrics that suggested he had stolen money from the band.
Williams quit Take That in 1995 to pursue a solo career, and has since made several of "outrageous allegations" about his former manager.
"Robbie Williams wishes to make it clear to his fans, and the public at large, that he did not intend these lyrics to be taken at face value or as a serious statement by him of the views which he holds of Nigel Martin-Smith," his attorney said. "Specifically, Robbie Williams did not intend to allege that Nigel Martin-Smith has ever stolen any funds from Take That or anyone."
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TAGS: Music
Kimmel Has To Pay His Own Staff
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 11:48 AM
 The staff of Jimmy Kimmel Live has been being paid by ABC since the writers' strike began on November 5th, but that is no longer the plan, according to the network. Instead, Kimmel will pay the staff out of his own pocket, as other hosts, such as David Letterman and Conan O'Brien have been doing.
In the meantime, the only late night host to return to work is Carson Daly, who explained the reasons for doing so in his first opening monologue since his return. His justification is that there are 75 other staffers who would lose their jobs if he remained on strike, and that a lot of those people came with him when he made the move from New York to L.A.
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TAGS: TV
AC/DC Plugs Into Platinum
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 11:47 AM
 AC/DC’s latest DVD retrospective, Plug Me In, has been certified five-times-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Released on Tuesday, October 16, Plug Me In debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Music Video chart and #1 on the SoundScan Top DVD Music Videos chart. It also debuted at #1 in 12 countries around the world, including the U.S., the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Finland, and New Zealand.
The compilation contains over five hours of live and television performances by this legendary kick ass Aussie band. A limited edition of the set includes a third disc featuring 21 additional performances, along with reproductions of authentic AC/DC memorabilia.
AC/DC is scheduled to begin recording its first new album since 2000's Stiff Upper Lip. Now THAT’s an album I’ll buy!
Blabbermouth.net: AC/DC: 'Plug Me In' DVD Box Set Certified Quintuple-Platinum In U.S.
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TAGS: Music
Madonna To Give It To Us
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 11:35 AM
 Madonna had a private record company listening party for her upcoming new album earlier this week and fan site Drowned Madonna got a spy into the event.
They are reporting that the Material Mom is calling the effort Give It to Me after one of its 13 songs, and included production by Kanye West (on “The Beat Goes On” “The Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You”) and Pharrell (on some candy inspired song). In fact, the conference room was decorated like a candy shop in honor of the Pharrell collaboration tune.
According to Madge, the album is scheduled to come out the last week of April 2008.
Yikes!
Rollingstone.com: New Madonna Album
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TAGS: Music
Speed Racer Movie and Sadness
Posted by Ty Colfax - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 11:30 AM
 NOTE TO HOLLYWOOD: Stop Killing the Past!
Not everything that used to be good has to be remade into something not good. This is something Hollywood has ignored for decades, but every time it happens, it still hurts a little more.
Matthew Fox (A Token for Your Thoughts and Party of F’n Five) has finished his part as Racer X in the upcoming live-action Speed Racer flick, and we hope it doesn’t come off as awkward as Kevin Frasier’s reaction shots in the linked interview below.
So Hollywood, do us a favor, and stay off our childhoods! Or is it childhoodren?
iklipz.com: Speed Racer on ET
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TAGS: Movies
Nugget From The Net
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 11:20 AM
Today's Nugget From The Net is a web-series from two of the most talented people in the entertainment industry: TheFeed's own Mike D'Alonzo and Stephen Johnson. And I'm not just saying that because it's me.
Time Suck tells the touching story of two idiots who work in an office and send each other dumb web videos all day. It's not at all autobiographical, we swear. Plus: There are puppets.
Check out the rest of the episodes here. But be over 18, okay?
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TAGS: Nuggets From The Nets
Pimp C Dead, Spice 1 Shot
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 11:18 AM
 Boy, this has been a dark week for hip hop.
First legendary Bay Area rapper Spice 1 was mysteriously shot in the chest, leaving him in critical condition
Then Pimp C (above) of Houston hip hop vets UGK died!
WTF!
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TAGS: Music
CBS Recycling 'Dexter' For Air
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 10:17 AM
Desperate times, they say, call for desperate measures. Such is the case with television during the ever-expanding writers' strike. So, CBS is thinking outside the box and planning on recutting Showtime's Dexter and airing it on the network. They think that it goes along with some of their other 'crime-themed' programming, like CSI.
Um, CBS, we don't know if you've ever actually seen Dexter, but it is a whole hell of a lot more dark and violent than any show you have ever come up with...except AfterM*A*S*H...that was brutal. Still, it will be fun to see just how much 'cutting' will have to be done so that you can get the censors to approve.
In the meantime, the good version of Dexter is still airing on Showtime.
Yahoo! News: CBS eyes "Dexter" for edited broadcast
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TAGS: TV
Sony Offers 100 Free Books with eReader
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 10:00 AM
Even though no one reads anymore, a format war in the oldest format is a'brewin'. The battle lines are drawn between Amazon's Kindle and Sony's Reader.
This will be bigger than the PS3 vs. 360 and Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD combined!
To whet your appetite for literature, Sony is offering up to 100 free classic books (1 at a time) with the purchase of every book.
Also, the Reader is $100 less than the Kindle.
If we still read, we might jump on this. Check out Sony's page here for more details.
(via Gizmodo)
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TAGS: Products, Tech
Hatcher Sued Over Lip Plumper
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 9:56 AM
 Until this morning, TheFeed was unaware that there was something in the world called a lip plumper, let alone more than one. However, Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher is aware of them, you can bet on that. She's being sued by Hydroderm, a company with which she has a $2.4 million endorsement deal, because she has promoted other lip plumping devices, including one comically called CityLips.
In addition, she's appeared in situations with many, many other beauty products. We're not sure what part of this story is our favorite, but this quote from Hydroderm's attorney is pretty close. "Hatcher's name, image and likeness have been linked to so many competitors' products (at least 17!) that it is anyone's guess as to what product keeps her skin and lips youthful," the lawsuit said.
It is, indeed, anyone's guess.
Yahoo! News: Teri Hatcher sued over lip gloss deal
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Indie Game Award Nominees Announced
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 05, 2007 9:53 AM
Much like "indie" music, indie games are a mixed bag. Most of them are a mess, all but unplayable |
