Daily Wrap-Up 12.19.07
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 6:02 PM
Another day, another pile of world-changing stories on TheFeed, and if you weren't here for all of them as they happened in real time, thank whatever deity you admire that we have the daily wrap-up, which is this.
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up
Sessler's Soapbox: Bad Fortune
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 5:23 PM
So, apparently a group of stuffed shirts from Fortune Magazine, who normally spend all their time counting the gold duccats stashed away inside their goblin vaults, have decided to ping Sony with 2 of the 101 Dumbest Moments in Business for 2007. In this week's Sessler's Soapbox, Adam addresses the issue and suggests that maybe it's time to give Sony a break. He also ponders why Fortune editors think they know anything about the gaming industry. What do you think? Is Fortune right about Sony? Let us know what you think in our comments section below, or share your thoughts in our forums.
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TAGS: G4 Web Exclusive, Sessler's Soapbox, Videogames
Santas Under Attack '07 Live - UPDATE
Posted by Matthew Bretz - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 3:34 PM
What would a Yule be without stories of everyone’s favorite jolly old Christmas mascot suffering an onslaught of verbal, physical and sexual assaults? Well, a joyous time of peace and love to all mankind, really. But since that’s not the case, TheFeed presents this UPDATE to our very special holiday report: Santas Under Attack ’07 Live!
Cold-cocked Kringle – “They thought I'd spilled my hot chocolate, but then they realized it was blood.”
An off-duty firefighter dressed as Santa was knocked unconscious after being hit in the face with an unidentified projectile in Spokane, WA on Saturday.
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune
DMX Goes Online For Music
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 2:37 PM
 Troubled rapper DMX has signed a new record deal with the music division of online gaming and entertainment company Bodog.
The gruff Yonkers MC will release his next album, Walk With Me Now and You’ll Fly With Me Later, through the label in 2008.
“I’m thankful for the fact that Bodog believes in me, that we share the same vision and the fact that they see in me the same thing I see,” DMX said in a statement. “I’ll show you [Bodog Music] how it’s supposed to be done, and we’ll get to where we’re supposed to be. You got a dog for life.”
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Music, Videogames
'Saint’s Row 2' Breaks New Ground
Posted by Eugene Morton - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 2:08 PM
 Saint’s Row 2 is going to be off the chain and that’s not an empty boast. Right now all any sandbox loving gamer can think about is GTA IV and for good reason, but after you’ve claimed Liberty City in the name of Niko Bellic, you might want to take a trip back to the Stillwater and once again tread The Row.
In a newly revamped and larger (45%, to be exact) city with 130 playable interiors, you’ll be able to take your revenge on those who wronged you in helicopters, speedboats, jet-skis and even planes, which can literally plow through buildings!
Plus, there will also be a story mode that’s completely co-op (in yet another first). Furthermore, players will have the option of playing as a character of either gender or as character who has a non-specific gender. Groundbreaking!
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360
Chow Yun-Fat Joins Dragonball Z
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 1:25 PM
 I have to say, for a movie based on a manga and trading card game, the Dragonball Z flick is accumulating quite the impressive cast of thespians. Announced today is the casting of Chow Yun-Fat of The Replacement Killers and Anna and the King fame.
Already cast in the film are Emmy Rossum of Songcatcher and James Marsters of The House on Haunted Hill. You know, looking back on it, they probably could have gotten some bigger name talent, like that guy from The Killer or that lady from Phantom of the Opera.
What do you think?
Dark Horizons: Chow Yun-Fat in Dragonball Z
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TAGS: Movies
iPhone Attacking Japan
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 1:25 PM
Unconfirmed reports say Apple is holding talks with Japanese mobile carriers as it readies for the launch of the iPhone in Japan in 2008.
It appears that major Japanese telecoms NTT DoCoMo and SoftBank Mobile are seeking exclusive domestic marketing rights for the iPhone. But negotiations with Apple are said to be encountering difficulties because of the computer giant’s demand that it control the subscriber base through its iTunes Music Store in addition to getting a cut of subscription revenue from iPhone users.
The reports also hints that Apple could start doing non-exclusive deals with one or more Japanese carriers.
Billboard.com: Apple Gearing Up For Japan iPhone Launch
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TAGS: Internets Culture, iPhone, Tech
Another 'Devil May Cry 4' Video
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 1:23 PM
Nero is back again. Check out one of the new abilities you'll be getting early in Devil May Cry 4.
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TAGS: G4 Web Exclusive, PlayStation 3, Videogames
Pumpkins Smashing iTunes With New Music
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 1:01 PM
 Alt-metal titans Smashing Pumpkins will issue found time to create a four-song acoustic EP, American Gothic, to be released in the U.S. January 2 exclusively through iTunes.
The EP features the tracks "The Rose March," "Pox, "Again, Again, Again (The Crux)" and "Sunkissed," and was produced by frontman Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.
"I had written a bunch of material during the residencies in Asheville and San Francisco [earlier this year], and fans kept asking us if we were gonna put any of that stuff out," said Corgan (above looking frighteningly like Kirsten Dunst). "iTunes came to us wanting to do something together, so it just felt right."
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Music
Toshiba Building Personal Nuclear Generator
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:57 PM
Did you ever think to yourself, "Man I really hate paying this electricity bill all the time?" Toshiba has just the thing for you: a basement sized nuclear reactor.
Yes, if you've got 20 feet by 6 feet of space in your pad soon you will be able to fill it with... A NUCLEAR F&!@&NG REACTOR.
No word on cost (it's probably more than anyone can actually afford), but supposedly it runs automatically and will never overheat. Well, until there's a meltdown and it kills everyone in a 5-mile radius.
Gizmodo: Toshiba Builds Personal-Sized Micro Nuclear Reactor? Huh?
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Products, Tech
(Insane) Man To Eco-Boat Around Globe
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:49 PM
Eco-boat powered by human fat attempts round the world speed record
My favorite opening sentence to a story this week goes like this: “The fastest eco boat on the planet will attempt to break the round the world speed record using fuel made from human fat.”
Beautiful, ain’t it?
And it’s true too….
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TAGS: Sports, Tech
New 'Rock Band' DLC Released
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:41 PM
Grab your DLC hats 'cause it's Rock Band time.
Available now on Xbox Live Marketplace are the following new tracks:
- Radiohead - "My Iron Lung" (Master)
- Weezer - "Buddy Holly" (Master)
- Pretenders - "Brass in Pocket" (Cover)
The tracks sell for 160 Points or $2 each.
The PS3 version should get these tracks tomorrow.
ShackNews:New Rock Band Tracks Hit Xbox Live; Weezer, Radiohead, Pretenders Songs Added
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TAGS: Music, PlayStation 3, Videogames
John Conner Not Hero Of T4
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:26 PM
 A few weeks ago, we reported on Christian Bale’s casting as the savior of all mankind, John Conner in the upcoming new Terminator trilogy. Well, the folks over at CHUD have uncovered some more details on the plot that will unfold in Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins.
It seems that caped-crusader friend will not be playing such a large role in the new trilogy’s first installment. Instead, it appears that the movie will mainly center around a Riddick-like character named Marcus (not Fenix) and Bale’s Conner will play a much larger role in the second and third chapters of the trilogy.
There’s much more of course, but it ventures into heavy spoiler territory. Head over to CHUD.com to check it out.
CHUD.com: The Future Begins Here
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TAGS: Movies
Jackson's 'LOTR' Settlement Worth $40M
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:25 PM
 You know how we reported yesterday that Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema have made up and decided to get back in bed to produce the two--headed The Hobbit films? Well, there was a settlement of a lawsuit in there somewhere, where Jackson had sued New Line over his share of the profits from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and that settlement is reportedly worth $40 million.
That's a lot of money, and certainly a good reason for Jackson to want to get back in business with them. Now, Jackson and his wife, Fran Walsh, have creative control over the totality of the Hobbitverse. This means that all of the decisions over the films are completely at their disposal. Not a bad settlement, overall, if you can get it.
New York Times.com: Master of ‘Rings’ to Tackle ‘Hobbit’
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TAGS: Movies
Macs More Rockin’ Than PCs?
Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:21 PM
According to a recent report by the market research firm NPD Group, Mac owners are more likely to buy digital music files than PC owners.
WTF?
Yup, NPD found that exactly half of all Mac owners paid to download music in the third quarter of 2007, versus only 16% of PC owners. In fact, 34% of Mac users uploaded music to their MP3 players, compared to 16% of PC users, and 56% listen to music on their computers, compared to 31% for PC users.
They also found Mac owners are more likely to buy CDs -- at 32% vs. 28%.
Of course, there are far more PC owners in the world than Mac owners…so even though you guys have more digi music, we’ll still kick your ass!
Billboard.com: Report: Mac Users Buy More Music
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TAGS: Internets Culture, Music
Valve Adds Gifts to Steam
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:14 PM
 Looking to give the gift of PC Gaming this season? You might want to check out Steam, which has just been updated to allow gift purchasing.
Anything available to purchase on Steam can be sent as a gift to the e-mail address, which allows the recipient to download the game.
It does require that they install Steam, which is a devious way of getting more people to use the platform, but that's the spirit of the season, right?
Details here!
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TAGS: PC Gaming, Videogames
Play Any PS1 Game on PSP
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:09 PM
 Armed with the 2.10 PS3 update and the 3.80 PSP update, gamers will be able to remotely play ANY PS1 game on the PSP that they have downloaded from Sony or still have the disc for.
Too bad it can't switch discs for you when you clear disc 1 of Final Fantasy VII.
Gizmodo: All PS1 Titles Now Playable on The PSP via Remote Play
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Videogames
G.I. Joe Gets Scarlett
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:00 PM
 News seems to keep rolling in from the G.I. Joe movie. It now seems that producers have found Snake Eyes’ love interest and arch-nemesis. The word from Latino Review is that Amityville Horror (the remake) star Rachel Nichols will be donning the red locks of courage to play Scarlett, while Korean actor Byung-hun Lee will filling the role of Storm Shadow.
The addition of Nichols and Lee add to already interesting cast, including Sienna Miller as Baroness and Ray Park as Snake Eyes, makes this movie something to keep your eye on. All that’s left is for us to hope against hope that with Stephen Sommers directing, G.I. Joe turns out more like The Mummy and less like Van Helsing.
JoBlo.com: New G.I. Joe Recruits?
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TAGS: Movies, Music
'Cloverfield' Contest: Win A Screening!
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:58 AM
 You already know about Cloverfield, J.J. Abrams' monster movie that's coming out in January, on the 18th, to be exact, and we already shared the first five minutes of the film with you, but if you want to be among the first people to see it, you can win an official screening from Paramount, just by grabbing the film's widget, which contains those first five minutes, and sharing it with your friends.
The person who shares out the widget the mostest will win a screening of the movie, right in your own hometown, and you can invite all your friends. But that's not all, other prizes include pretty sweet tech stuff, like camcorders and digital cameras. Not bad for just playing around with your widget, eh?
Also, we would like you to know that, if a Feed reader wins this contest, we would seriously like to be invited to the screening, because we think this film is going to be awesome.
Cloverfield Official Site
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TAGS: Movies
IGN Interviews Sony's Jack Tretton
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:41 AM
IGN has conducted an interview with Jack Tretton, the CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment of America, and it contains a few interesting bits of information from the man himself.
The questions are definitely softballs thrown to allow Jack to plug Sony's products at every chance, but it's worth a read.
Particularly interesting is the following:
IGN: Obviously, some have figured out how to use the PS3 hardware -- Uncharted, Ratchet, Warhawk, etc. -- but do you think most third-party developers will be able to get their cross-platform titles to look and play as good in 2008?
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Videogames
TheFeed's Best of 2007 - January
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:27 AM
You know how, at the end of the year, a lot of media outlets curiously come up with 'Best Of' lists to cover for the fact that there's no news in the world, and that most of their staff is already on vacation until the end of the year? Well, TheFeed is proud to present our Best of 2007 list.
Over the next 12 days, we will be taking a look at the best of TheFeed in 2007, complete with links to the original stories, so you can see how far we've grown together, Feed reader.
And now, January, 2007.
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TAGS: G4
'Kane & Lynch' Demo on Xbox Live
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:24 AM
Your old buddies Kane & Lynch have hit Xbox Live in a single-player demo of the BEST game of all time. This game is SO GOOD you'll literally want to CHEER your eyes out.
Do yourself a favor and steer DIRECTLY INTO this demo because it is the GREATEST thing you will ever experience.
*Editor's note: Certain changes have been made to this news story to better represent our true feelings on Kane & Lynch: Dead Men from Eidos.
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
'Duke Nukem Forever' Teaser Kinda Lame
Posted by Brian Leahy - Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:18 AM
Well the Duke Nukem Forever teaser has arrived and it's... a complete let down. In the first video released since E3 2001, Duke looks behind the times.
Yawn. We'll still check it out "when it's done," but at this point it'll have be the |
