Daily Wrap-Up 12.12.07
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 6:00 PM
Here's what went down today in the world of videogames, popular culture and technology.
- X-Play is going daily!
- Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year this year is "W00t."
- Allieu Shaw, a 19 year-old Frostburg State University student, was taken away from his dorm room in handcuffs by police after allegedly making a threat to shoot up his school while playing Call of Duty 4.
- Music-based social networking site imeem just announced a deal with Universal Music Group.
- The Recording Industry Association of America recently stepped up their definition of "unauthorized copies" to include any mp3s and AAC you've ripped from your own CD collection.
- We have new exclusive footage of the new Halo 3 multiplayer.
- In just 3 weeks of release, Mass Effect has hit the 1 million copies sold watermark.
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up
'10,000 B.C.' Trailer Live!
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 5:00 PM
TheFeed is proud to present you with the trailer to Roland Emmerich's upcoming caveman epic 10,000 B.C.
It comes out on March 7. Here's the movie's official site!
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TAGS: Movies
'Halo 3' New Maps: 'Standoff'
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:28 PM
Here we take a look at the 3rd map included in the Halo 3 Heroic Map Pack, "Standoff". This map is mostly open with hills and rocks providing cover.
There are two bases and a bunch of vehicles. The hills can make for some awesome jumping, but be careful because it's really easy to flip a Warthog on this map.
Grab your battle rifles and check this map out:
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TAGS: G4 Web Exclusive, Halo 3, Videogames
'Burnout Paradise' Demo Trailer Live!
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 4:11 PM
Oh, yessss...we are excited over the Burnout Paradise Demo.
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TAGS: Videogames
Nugget From The Net
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:38 PM
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TAGS: Nuggets From The Nets
'Sopranos' Creator Sued By Judge
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:36 PM
David Chase, creator of The Sopranos, is being sued by a federal judge who says that he helped Chase create the show. Robert Baer says that he had several conversations with Chase back in 1995, and even went on a three-day tour of Northern New Jersey to help him out with the details of the show.
Chase's lawyer maintains that Baer was offered compensation for the consult, but declined at the time. Oh, and, just so you know, this suit has been dismissed twice since 2002, but has been overturned, which allows for this appeal. If we were Chase, we'd send Paulie Walnuts after this guy, and that suit would just...disappear.
Yahoo! News: `Sopranos' creator Chase in fed court
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Spielberg Game Is 'Boom Blox'
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:28 PM
We reported Steven Spielberg's growing interest in gaming at E3, and now the title of the game blocks game he revealed at the convention has slithered out. It is now referred to as called Boom Blox, according to a schedule for the upcoming Game Developers conference in San Francisco.
Here's what we learned about Boom Blox at E3:
- The game will be centered around moving and building blocks and is influenced by games like Tetris and the infamous board game Jenga.
- The blocks interact with each other based on a real physics model.
- There are 20 different block types.
- Co-Op play will be available.
- Players can create character that interact with the blocks in one of four different themes: Western, Haunted House, Tiki, and Medieval.
- The game will give the chance for a lot of user generated content by providing an editor which will allow you to make your own blocks and block set-ups.
- It's hard to say "Boom Blox" 3 times fast without messing up.
The game is scheduled for release on the Wii in March 2008. Whether this is the final title is anyone's guess, but we'll keep you posted.
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TAGS: Videogames
New Blizzard MMO Confirmed
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:15 PM
According to Gamespot, Blizzard, creators of World of Warcraft, are developing a new MMO.
The confirmation comes by way of a Blizzard community representative, who shot down speculation that a recent spate of hiring at Blizzard was because the company was working on a Warcraft expansion. "No, it is an unannounced next-gen MMO," the rep said. "And that doesn't mean an expansion for World of Warcraft either."
So there you have it. A new Blizzard "Next-Gen" MMO has been confirmed but is not announced. When we get more details, we'll share 'em with you.
GameSpot.com: Blizzard confirms new MMOG
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TAGS: Videogames
Trebek Not In 'Jeopardy' After Attack
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 2:34 PM
 Alex Trebek, host of Jeopardy, suffered a minor heart attack in his home on Monday. He is 67 years old. Trebek is said to be recovering nicely, but production on the show has ceased until he has a chance to recuperate. Doctors say that, barring any sort of inhibition to his recovery, that means that Jeopardy will be back in full swing sometime in January.
Trebek has been the host of Jeopardy for 24 years now, after taking over for long-time host Art Fleming. Before that, Mr. Know-It-All hosted a really awesome craps-themed game show called High Rollers. TheFeed would like to wish Alex Trebek a speedy and full recovery.
Variety.com: Trebek suffers minor heart attack
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TAGS: TV
Sessler's Soapbox: I Wanna Rock!
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 2:17 PM
This year has seen the rhythm-based game market explode with the heat of a thousand suns with the success of Guitar Hero III and Rock Band. In this week's Sessler's Soapbox, Adam addresses those who can't stand this recent trend in gaming while he also defends the current slate of rhythm games as a way to broaden the gaming market. Check out the video below and let us know what you think or share your thoughts in our forums.
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TAGS: Sessler's Soapbox, Videogames, Videos
Will Writers Ruin Awards Shows?
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 2:00 PM
 You know that writers' strike, right? Well, its tendrils are reaching farther than anyone originally anticipated, including to awards telecasts, beginning with the Golden Globes, which writers and supporters of the strike will likely not attend. What does that mean? Well, it means that no one will be writing the shows, which is bad enough, but that lots of celebrities who win awards won't show up, which could mean disaster.
And before you suggest it, it's not possible for them to cancel the awards shows, because there's already too much at stake for the networks and the voting organizations for them to do that. So, what we're going to get are some pretty boring awards ceremonies...more boring than usual, even.
Variety.com: Award shows brace for strike
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TAGS: Movies, TV
Activision Halts PS3 'Rock Band' Patch
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 1:39 PM
PlayStation 3 owners, we have some bad news for you. The hoped-for patch to make Guitar Hero 3 guitars compatible with Rock Band has been put on hold, maybe forever. The culprit appears to be Activision, publishers of Guitar Hero 3.
According to a statement from Harmonix and MTV Games, makers of Rock Band:
The compatibility patch was submitted, approved and had been scheduled for release by Sony on Tuesday, December 4. Unfortunately, Activision objected to the release of the compatibility patch. The patch remains with Sony, but we have been told that it will unfortunately not be released due to Activision's continued objection.
Click the "Read More" for the official statement, in its entirety.
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Led Zeppelin’s Disappearing Act
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 1:34 PM
 Despite tons of it being available as of yesterday, footage from Led Zeppelin’s reunion concert on Monday in London has been removed from YouTube.
Despite Warner Music Group having a licensing deal with YouTube that allows fans to post WMG-copyrighted material, sources close to the situation say that Led Zeppelin owns the rights to the concert, and that the band's management requested the removal of any clips of the event.
Why?
Because there’s rumored to be a DVD of the event in the works, so they don’t want dat sh*t leaked, bitch!
Billboard.com: Led Zeppelin Live Clips Vanish From YouTube
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TAGS: Music, Videos
Nissan: No U.S. Motorsports In ‘08
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 1:26 PM
 On the eve of introducing the GT-R, their most kickass sports car yet, Nissan and Nissan Motorsports confirmed they will not be sponsoring or officially participating in any motorsports activities in North American.
"It's not all or nothing, we're certainly reviewing it against a larger motorsports strategy, but for 2008 we're taking a pause," said Scott Vazin, Director of Product Communications for Nissan Motor Company. “[But] we'll keep a presence around the world."
Why pull out, so to speak, right before the introduction of the sweet, new whip?
"The GT-R goes on sale in June, so we're a good six months away [and] the company is considering what to do with the GT-R,” added Vazin. “Can we go racing with it? What series could we be in that would be consistent across all markets?"
Actually I can answer that: Seinfeld.
Jalopnik.com: Nissan Out Of Na Racing
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TAGS: Cars
Chuck D Kills
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 12:50 PM
 Killer Tracks -- a provider of music for use in film, television, advertising, and interactive media -- just signed up the great Chuck D, lead rapper for Public Enemy.
Billed as "Chuck D Presents," the deal will feature music by emerging artists and producers from Chuck's SLAMjamz Records, as well as guest performers including Public Enemy's Professor Griff.
"Killer Tracks has a reputation for delivering the best music in this industry," said Chuck D of the agreement. "My production standards and policies stem from the SLAMjamz and Public Enemy approach of producing high-quality music that is diverse not only in sound and tempo but in attitude and purpose as well. Killer Tracks is the perfect fit. This partnership is a milestone not only in the music library business but also in the world of hip-hop."
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Music
Mustang’s Glass Ceiling
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 12:44 PM
 I see right through you, Mustang drivers.
Not because you are fake (though you can be), but because Ford is now offering a glass roof option that will be available on 2009 V6 and GT models
The $1,995 option features special tinted glass that reduces infrared rays and heat, as well as a manual roller blind can block incoming sunlight.
Mustang’s sales have been down this year by about 19% this year, so they are hoping this hip, new feature will kick start some new interest and sales. Pretty transparent of them, huh?
Autoblog.com: Mustang With Glass Roof
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TAGS: Cars
'Avatar' Pushed Back Further
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 12:36 PM
 Hoping to take advantage of the changes in 3D technology and the availability of more 3D screens, James Cameron's Avatar has been pushed to December, 2009. Peter Jackson's visual effects company, WETA, will now have more time to make the conversion to new, photorealistic software that will make the film look majestic.
Avatar is the first film that Cameron has directed since the world-beating Titanic came out in 1997. He has been working on the concept for over a decade now, so this delay is comparatively minor, when you think about it. Translation=be patient, and this will probably be worth the wait.
CNET News: 3D 'Avatar' movie delayed
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TAGS: Movies
Radiohead’s Rainydayz Remixes
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 12:35 PM
 Attention Radiohead fans!!!
A free remix album from Cali DJ/producer Amplive will feature eight tracks from Radiohead’s new album In Rainbows.
Rainydayz Remixes is due out January 10 and fans can score it by forwarding a receipt for In Rainbows from the now-defunct Inrainbows.com.
Rollingstone.com: Radiohead Remix
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Commodore 64 is 25!
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 12:26 PM
 The Commodore 64, arguably the first gaming PC, is 25 years old today.
Commodore started selling its Commodore 64 PCs for US$599 and managed to reduce the price to $199 over time. Althought eh Commodore 64 was the first million selling computer, eventually, the machine was eclipesed by Apple and IBM, and the Commodore company has been out of business since 1994.
Yahoo.com: Commodore 64 celebrates its 25th anniversary
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TAGS: Videogames
I Am 8-Bit Gets Strapped
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 11:46 AM
 The good folks at i am 8-bit and Couch have unleashed a series of limited-edition hand-numbered vinyl guitar straps for Guitar Hero and Rock Band.
These straps are sweat-shop free and cruelty-free, of course, so you can’t sweat in them, can’t have them in a shop, and can’t be cruel around them. So watch your step.
And I’m sure you know this, but i am 8-bit in an annual videogame-themed art show that started in 2005 and has morphed into a full-fledged brand.
And guitar straps are the things you use to hold the axe to your chest.
And “axe” is slang for guitar.
Check out some choice G4 i am 8-bit pics here and live it through our eyes here.
And watch our i am 8-bit video below:
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TAGS: Music, Videogames
Material Lights Up for 12 Years
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 11:14 AM
MPK has developed a new material that glows for up to 12 years without a power source. The compound is radioactive, but not in a way that will kill you.
They call the tech Litrospheres, which can be added to paints.
We're betting that it will find some way to kill someone anyway.
Gizmodo: New Material Provides Constant Light For 12 Years Without a Power Source
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TAGS: Products, Style, Tech
Sleep.FM: Waking To Real Life
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 11:00 AM
If enjoy waking to an alarm clock, but hate those noisy alarm sounds and can pass on the crappy offerings of terrestrial radio, you need to check out Sleep.FM, "the social alarm clock."
Sleep.FM is a beta service that allows you to record custom audio alarms which playback on your PC or other Internet enabled device.
For instance, now you can record your wife yelling at you, “Get your lazy ass out of bed and take out the trash, ya moron!” or you kid screaming, “Daddy, Todd hit me with a hammer!”
Sounds terrific, doesn’t it?
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