Archive for October, 2008

1

Obama Pays $44,465 to Get Gamers Off the Couch

By
acoleman
– October 30, 2008Posted in: Gaming, Industry News, News

Obama giving thumbs upFor any of you who are in the dark about this here is a quick recap. Earlier this month we did a story on how Barack Obama was the first Presidential Candidate in History to campaign through ‘in-game’ advertising.  Obama’s mug can now be seen in 18 Electronic Arts titles that he had bought advertising rights within.  Xbox Live will be hosting the ads and they will be running until November 3rd. Holly Rockwood, the director of corporate communications at Electronic Arts stated “I can confirm that the Obama campaign has paid for in-game advertising.”

At the time Rockwood would not reveal how much the Senator had paid for these advertisements, but since the Obama campaign’s filling with the General Election Commission that figure has been revealed. Obama paid $44,465 smackers for in-game advertising with EA; not too expensive when you consider he is paying a cool million for each TV spot.

EA is not officially endorsing Obama, as Rockwood was quoted as saying “these ads do not reflect the political policies of EA or the opinions of its development teams.”  According to GamePolitics some of EA’s higher-ups’ are Obama supporters. One of them being CEO John Riccitiello who has donated $4,600 to the Obama Campaign.

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0

Tomb Raider – Underworld…Looking Better Then Ever

By
acoleman
– October 29, 2008Posted in: Action, Gaming, Xbox 360

Tomb Raider Underworld

Lara Croft embarks on a new adventure in the 8th installment in the grave robbing saga, Tomb Raider Underworld.  This is the third game in the series that Crystal Dynamics has developed, and the plot of the new game will continue where Tomb Raider Legend left off.

The Demo which was released yesterday on Xbox Live, features the new environments, and game play that fans of the third person action shooter series can finally get a glimpse of.  In Tomb Raider Underworld the environments are totally interactive, and hold memory.  If Lara bends a shrubbery or breaks a tree branch it remains that way. The environments are meticulous in their design, and the development of Lara Croft has been just as detailed.  Croft is said to have over 2,000 animations, and contextual movements, and for the first time in Tomb Raider history she has been motion captured, and the developers used Olympic gymnasts to sculpt her movements.

In terms of game play the demo features the new combat system in which Croft will be capable of shooting at two targets at once, and be able to melee enemies by kicking or vaulting off of them.  The developers have also tweaked the platforming in the new game, in which the camera angels are more forgiving, and Croft will be capable of shooting at enemies while traversing planks, or hanging from ledges.

So load your guns and ready your daisy dukes because Tomb Raider Underworld will be in stores Nov. 21st. It will be released for PC, PS3, PS2, Nintendo Wii, DS, and Xbox 360.

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5

Nintendo hoping to meet the Wii demand this holiday season

By
acoleman
– October 28, 2008Posted in: Gaming, Industry News, Nintendo, Tech, Wii

After 2 years of holiday shortage nightmares; Nintendo is taking steps to meet demands for the Wii this holiday season.

It's a Wii ChristmasFor the past two years Nintendo has completely dominated in revenue, due to the demand for the DS, and Wii console.  This year Nintendo is producing a world wide average 2.4 million Wii consoles a month, a vast improvement from last year which was 1.6 million.  Good news for consumers, who are anxious to get one this holiday season.

Reggie Fils-Aime the president of Nintendo of America has said the reason for the shortage in Wii consoles in recent years has been due to a  high level of demand; although it hasn’t slowed down in the least; Reggie has assured consumers that this year’s holiday season will be different than the last

In an interview with the LA Times, Reggie was quoted as saying “We’re producing an unprecedented level of hardware to try and meet demand.” Reggie also went on to say that Nintendo is producing 33% more Wii consoles monthly from last year. When asked in the interview how consumers could better their chances of getting a Wii this holiday season Reggie stated “Look at retailer circulars. Go to their websites. We’re flowing products into stores on a very regular basis. Once you see it on the shelf, you ought to buy it.”

The overall message from Nintendo this holiday season is that although they are expected a big demand they feel adequately prepared for it. So for any of you worry warts out there still nervous about the crowds, the shortages, and the Wal-Mart parking lot riots; rest easy because it seems this year will be a vast improvement over the last.

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1

DJ Hero Revealed!

By
acoleman
– October 27, 2008Posted in: Gaming, Industry News, News

DJ TurntablesWhat started as a rumor swirling around on-line has finally been confirmed.  Activison, the creators of Guitar Hero 2, and 3 have announced their latest creation DJ Hero.  The rumor began when Trademork revealed Activision had purchased the trademark protection for the title DJ Hero, and in doing so their intentions become clear, in what was to follow.  The title was discovered through an impromptu announcement made during an interview with Activision’s Brian Bright and Joystiq.

Brian was quoted as saying “Activision’s doing a DJ Hero game, and I can’t comment on what we’re doing. But… we’re working on the future and next gen. If I wasn’t excited about it I wouldn’t be there.”

The game is being developed by FreeStyleGames of the UK (makers of B-Boy a break dancing title), and they have been working on it for 2 years now. according to Kotaku, and 1UP; when released the game will include a smash up soundtrack, a co-op mode, and a cool turntable peripheral.

After the Activision, Blizzard merger this is one of the few titles confirmed by the companies. Although no release dates, or platforms have been announced we do know this game is currently in development and is due for release into millions of fingers just itching to scratch some vinyl.

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0

Mozilla Ubiquity

By
acoleman
– October 24, 2008Posted in: Industry News, News, Software, Tech

The developers of Firefox, Mozilla labs is currently working on a user interface that is rumored to be the next big step in Web 3.0 standards. Enter Ubiquity which is currently available as an open alpha test. The goal of the new service is to make the internet quicker and simpler for everyday use; by allowing user to control browsing with language based instructions.

Ubiquity will allow users to insert maps anywhere, translate on-page, highlight any code, and many other features that are just to numerous to name.

Here is a video with more detail

Here is the link to a Video About Mozilla Ubiquity

For more info on Ubiquity or to download it here is a link to the BLOG

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16

Japanese Woman Jailed For…Virtual Murder?

By
acoleman
– October 23, 2008Posted in: Gaming, Humor, MMORPG

A 43 year old Japanese woman was jailed today for murdering her husband…her on-line husband.

MapleStory OnlineWhen the 43 year old music teacher realized her on-line husband had divorced her in the MMORPG MapleStory, she then proceeded to login under his name and password and delete his character. When the man had realized his on-line character had been deleted he proceeded to call the police. The virtual assassin was apprehended by the authorities and jailed for illegally accessing a computer, and manipulating on-line data. The perpetrator could be facing a five year prison sentence or a fine of up to $5,000.

The Woman was quoted as saying ” I was suddenly divorced, without a word of warning. That made me so angry.”

I personally think she jumped the gun she could have suggested on-line counseling, or maybe an on-line trip for them to rekindle their romance. It’s a shame that so many on-line marriages are failing now.

Here is the yahoo Story
Woman jailed after killing virtual husband

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3

EA SUED!!!

By
acoleman
– October 23, 2008Posted in: Gaming, Humor, Industry News, News

Electronic Arts LogoEA Sued – Electronic Arts is facing a lawsuit today for supposed copyright infringement. The suit involves their NCAA sports game series; in which the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) anthem was used without the permission of the composer.  Gerald Willis the composer of the anthem has filled a lawsuit and his lawyer Ellen Winograd has stated that the anthem “was not written for commercial use.”

Willis is demanding 1.5 million dollars from EA for using the anthem titled “Win with the Rebels.” Willis claims he heard the track on 10 separate EA titles and is demanding  $150,000 for each violation. The university itself has not been named in the lawsuit.

Here is the list of titles in which the anthem was used

NCAA Football 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
NCAA Basketball 2009
NCAA March Madness 2006, 2007, 2008
NCAA Baseball 2006, 2007

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4

Star Wars MMO Announced

By
acoleman
– October 22, 2008Posted in: Action, Gaming, Industry News, MMORPG, News

Yesterday at a San Francisco press conference, LucasArts, and BioWare announced their MMORPG title Star Wars:The Old Republic, currently in development. After a poor job of keeping the game secret it has finally been revealed to the delight of millions of fans. The Old Republic, BioWare’s first MMORPG title is based on their previous creation for Xbox Knights of the Old Republic.

As stated before The Old Republic will be based on BioWare’s previous title Knights of the Old Republic; in which the plot takes place thousands of years before Darth Vader. The Old Republic is at war with the Sith Empire; and it has divided the galaxy. Players will be able to choose whether to fight as the Sith, or the Jedi, and defining their path through light or darkness. No matter what side of the war you choose there are levels, and sub levels within the chain of command each consists of its own story.

For every decision you make within the game there is a consequence and your path will be altered by it as well as the path of others. Your character will be able to team up with other characters as well; in which your decisions will be able to affect them as well as theirs affect you.

“For a long time, we’ve long wanted to return to the franchise in a grand way, and felt that the best setting for it was an online world that would allow millions of people to participate in an experience together” said Darrell Rodriguez, President of LucasArts.  “We knew that the developer was capable of working with us to deliver an engrossing story with a fully-realized online world was BioWare.”

So at long last the Star Wars and MMO hounds finally have confirmation that this new title is indeed a MMORPG.

Here is a link to the Official SWTOR website in which you can read the Press Release

Below are a couple screens from the Star Wars: The Old Republic

Star Wars the Old Republic Screenshot 1Star Wars the Old Republic Screenshot 2

Star Wars the Old Republic Screenshot 3Star Wars the Old Republic Screenshot 4

Star Wars the Old Republic Screenshot 5Star Wars the Old Republic Screenshot 6


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6

Little Big Planet Recall Update

By
acoleman
– October 21, 2008Posted in: Gaming, Industry News, News

A new development in the Little Big Planet Recall Saga.

Little Big Planet from Sony
Just in case you have been living in a cave for the past few days here is a quick recap. Sony has had a world wide recall of the platforming title Little Big Planet due for release today, because quotes from the Qur’an can be heard in the background music of the game.  The recall was announced on Friday and Sony released a statement that same day.

In recent news American Muslims have responded to the recall in an interview with EDGE and have stated that they are not offended by the use of the Islamic text in the game, but are offended by restriction of freedom of speech. M. Zuhdi Jasser M.D.; head of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy was quoted as saying “Muslims cannot benefit from freedom of expression and religion and then turn around ask that anytime their sensibilities are offended that the freedom of others be restricted.”

Dr. Jasser also went on to say that Mohammad himself “defended the rights of his enemies to critique him in any way even if it was offensive to his own Islamic sensibility.”

The composer of the offending musical track of interest, has also shared his two cents. He has been stated as saying “it’s quite normal to play music and be inspired by the words of the Prophet Mohammad. It’s my way to attract and inspire people towards Islam.”

Keep in mind Dr. Jasser and the AIFD cannot speak for the entire Islamic world. None the less If the Islamic community as a whole shares the same view as the group than this recall may have never been needed at all. The damage though has already done the game has been recalled and the revised version will be hitting the shelves next week.

For a full interview with Doctor Jasser on this recall mayhem, and the views of the American Islamic Community Hit up this link Edge Interview

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14

Mila Kunis and her WoW Confession

By
acoleman
– October 21, 2008Posted in: Gaming, MMORPG, Video

Mila Kunis on Talk ShowThe actress known for her roles in Family Guy, and That 70′s Show; and for her more recent role in the new Max Payne movie.  Mila Kunis is an actress that continues to grow in popularity; for her comedic talents, looks, and magnetic personality.  There is a lot to like, and apparently she is growing in popularity with gamers, and geeks as well, due to the confession of her love of World of WarCraft.

In a recent interview with Complex Magazine in which they discussed her television roles,  and new movie roles; Mila confessed she was fan of W.O.W. Apparently her and boyfriend Macaulay Culkin both play WarCraft. Though she couldn’t reveal her character (for obvious safety reasons) she did say she was a Mage, and that she joined guilds. She wasn’t modest about her WarCraft skills as she was quoted “I’m really good.”

Despite her interview at Comic Con, in which she accidentally stated that the X-Men films were based on video games, instead of a series of comic books, fans have been forgiving. After this new WarCraft revelation maybe the geek cultural fringe will be more willing to welcome her as one of their own. I’m sure W.O.W. fans will.


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