Suing game companies as a result of personal tragedy is not just for Americans, anymore! In this story from a few months ago, some parents in China sued the Asian distributor of WoW after their son fatally jumped off a roof. (Yes, it's horrible. I won't bother with the rant.) Interestingly, I did not see this story pop up on any game blogs...I wonder how the issue resolved.
So, anyone heading to China Joy this week?
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Google Trends
Aren't you tired of hearing about what an awesome, amazing and super company Google is? Me, neither! Check out Google Trends, something I stumbled across this morning totally on my own, without any help from a magazine or a blog or forwarded email or anything! From the site: "Google Trends aims to provide insights into broad search patterns. As a Google Labs product, it is still in the early stages of development. Also, it is based upon just a portion of our searches, and several approximations are used when computing your results. Please keep this in mind when using it." Translation: it's in Beta.
Still, very interesting! And kind of similar to another cool hidden gem: the Google Zeitgeist. I can't wait until Google can spot trends in my bowel movements.
Still, very interesting! And kind of similar to another cool hidden gem: the Google Zeitgeist. I can't wait until Google can spot trends in my bowel movements.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Lady in Hot Water
Wow. Apparently, M. Night Shyamalan's latest film is a real turd. Swing away, critics!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Retro A-Go-Go
I heard about these weird retro-styled GBA games coming out in Japan, and GSW was kind enough to point us to Nintendo's official site, which is now live. Not as cool as the Classic NES series site, but still pretty neat, with TV ads and other stuff to find. Next, check out Taito's Space Invaders 25th anniversary site, which has an awesome little Flash widget on the home page. (In fact, all the content here puts Konami's Frogger site to shame.) Speaking of Space Invaders, you MUST check this out!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Awesome SpyHunter Movie Gets Awesome SpyHunter Game
Meta alert: video game based on movie that is based on a video game is coming your way. (The snake has eaten its tail!)
Midway presents part one of this absolutely mind-bending interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, in which he discusses how awesome his awesome movie-based-on-a-video-game video game is going to rock with awesomeness.
Plus, his character is going to BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF HIS CAR, which is so awesome that I might not be able to stop my boner from shattering my pants. Get ready...
Midway Gets Candid With Dwayne "THE ROCK" Johnson
– Part 1 –
THE ROCK talks about his role in Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run and Knight Rider.
Were you a fan of the original SpyHunter?
I was a big fan of the original game. When Midway came to me with the idea, of course, we were still in the development of the movie. So my first question was how is this game going to be different? How can it compete? They said for the first time the fans of the video game Spy Hunter are going to be able to get out of the car and actually become this character who's been driving this car all this time.
So I thought, okay, how else can we compete because the video game market is so ultra competitive? How can we be creative? How can we maim and bring death to the opponents creatively with my bare hands? :)
Since your character gets out of the car for the first time in franchise history, do you think this makes SpyHunter the next Knight Rider?
Okay, well let me tell you something. Comparing Michael Knight to Alex Decker is like comparing wine to vinegar. Alex doesn't care about wearing the coolest jeans or the coolest jacket. He just has one mission, which is to hunt down spies and to kick ass like there's no tomorrow.
Are there any wrestling moves we'll recognize in the game?
Oh definitely. There's a couple of signature moves in there. For example, the rock bottom was a big finishing move for me, signature move. So we included that. There are different versions of suplexes and things that I learned from a lot of Japanese wrestlers, that if they're performed the way they're supposed to be performed, they're highly, highly dangerous. So then I just took it to another level. It's just crazy the stuff we were coming up with. And it was awesome. I saw it all back and I couldn't be happier. It was great.
Fascinating.
Wait a minute, did the Rock just dis my man Michael Knight back there? Like, wanting to wear the coolest jacket AND kicking ass like there's no tomorrow are mutually exclusive? Listen, Mr. Johnson, just because YOU can't walk and chew gum at the same time doesn't mean you have to get all up in Michael Knight's face about it. Frankly, I think Michael Knight would be happy to rip Alex Decker's pussy off and wear it like a kimono. Show THAT move to your Japanese wrestling friends, bucko!
(Dude, seriously? I actually kinda liked Doom, so get with the friggin' program!)
Midway presents part one of this absolutely mind-bending interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, in which he discusses how awesome his awesome movie-based-on-a-video-game video game is going to rock with awesomeness.
Plus, his character is going to BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF HIS CAR, which is so awesome that I might not be able to stop my boner from shattering my pants. Get ready...
Midway Gets Candid With Dwayne "THE ROCK" Johnson
– Part 1 –
THE ROCK talks about his role in Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run and Knight Rider.
Were you a fan of the original SpyHunter?
I was a big fan of the original game. When Midway came to me with the idea, of course, we were still in the development of the movie. So my first question was how is this game going to be different? How can it compete? They said for the first time the fans of the video game Spy Hunter are going to be able to get out of the car and actually become this character who's been driving this car all this time.
So I thought, okay, how else can we compete because the video game market is so ultra competitive? How can we be creative? How can we maim and bring death to the opponents creatively with my bare hands? :)
Since your character gets out of the car for the first time in franchise history, do you think this makes SpyHunter the next Knight Rider?
Okay, well let me tell you something. Comparing Michael Knight to Alex Decker is like comparing wine to vinegar. Alex doesn't care about wearing the coolest jeans or the coolest jacket. He just has one mission, which is to hunt down spies and to kick ass like there's no tomorrow.
Are there any wrestling moves we'll recognize in the game?
Oh definitely. There's a couple of signature moves in there. For example, the rock bottom was a big finishing move for me, signature move. So we included that. There are different versions of suplexes and things that I learned from a lot of Japanese wrestlers, that if they're performed the way they're supposed to be performed, they're highly, highly dangerous. So then I just took it to another level. It's just crazy the stuff we were coming up with. And it was awesome. I saw it all back and I couldn't be happier. It was great.
Fascinating.
Wait a minute, did the Rock just dis my man Michael Knight back there? Like, wanting to wear the coolest jacket AND kicking ass like there's no tomorrow are mutually exclusive? Listen, Mr. Johnson, just because YOU can't walk and chew gum at the same time doesn't mean you have to get all up in Michael Knight's face about it. Frankly, I think Michael Knight would be happy to rip Alex Decker's pussy off and wear it like a kimono. Show THAT move to your Japanese wrestling friends, bucko!
(Dude, seriously? I actually kinda liked Doom, so get with the friggin' program!)
Friday, July 14, 2006
Adrian!
Sure, everyone's going to tell you that Rocky Balboa is going to suck, but mark my words: this movie will KICK ASS. Sylvester Stallone, the most unfairly maligned star of our era.
(We'll just try to forget all about Rhinestone and Stop or My Mom Will Shoot and Oscar and Daylight and...)
(We'll just try to forget all about Rhinestone and Stop or My Mom Will Shoot and Oscar and Daylight and...)
Thursday, July 13, 2006
OK, You Win
Hey toy collectors, next time someone tells you that you have too many useless treasures, simply point them to the guy who has 15,000 Mario plushies. Thanks to GSW for the link.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Toonami Jetstream
The launch of Toonami Jetstream is just a few days away, and what I've seen so far has been really impressive. (Nice work, guys!) Jetstream is the natural evolution of a somewhat similar project that I worked on many years ago, called Toonami Reactor. (I guess we were just ahead of our time.) Although "Jetstream" is a much better name...
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Things I Hate
I am starting a list of things that I hate. Here are the first ten.
1. Hangers
2. Dogs that sing
3. Stickers on produce
4. Car seats
5. Psoriasis
6. Clap-alongs
7. BMWs
8. Celtic music
9. Boss fights
10. Bob Marley: Legend
1. Hangers
2. Dogs that sing
3. Stickers on produce
4. Car seats
5. Psoriasis
6. Clap-alongs
7. BMWs
8. Celtic music
9. Boss fights
10. Bob Marley: Legend
Monday, July 10, 2006
These Are Not Fluffy Bunnies
Jetix Europe is debuting a new show called Yin Yang Yo on the web next week. I checked it out, and it looks pretty cool! The villain is a cockroach wizard, which is totally awesome. From the people who brought you the Fairly OddParents. Coming to the US in the fall. This post brought to you by the Walt Disney Co. and your favorite, most deliciousest sugar cereal.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Toys for (Rich) Nerds
Peep my pics from Rotofugi, the awesome hipster toy emporium in Chicago! (Visit them on the web here.)
Is pink Astronaut Jesus my favorite? Don't know, but he sure is awesome...and he died for our sins!
Is pink Astronaut Jesus my favorite? Don't know, but he sure is awesome...and he died for our sins!
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Spider-Man 3
The new Spider-Man 3 trailer is live on Sony's site. Let's just say that it ain't only my spider sense that's tingling...wow!
Pinch a Brick
As a Blackberry user, I've often wondered if there is any kind of subcult devoted to "BrickBreaker" -- you know, the Breakout clone that comes installed on your BB for free. I'm not particularly good at the game (let's face it, some of the design is broken), but when I met a female executive in the Delta lounge a few years ago who had "beat" the game, I became determined to do the same. Well, no luck so far.
In any case, I googled "BrickBreaker" this morning and discovered something hilarious: according to the urban dictionary, the phrase "playing BrickBreaker" is a euphemism for taking a shit!
(You know you've done it, too.)
In any case, I googled "BrickBreaker" this morning and discovered something hilarious: according to the urban dictionary, the phrase "playing BrickBreaker" is a euphemism for taking a shit!
(You know you've done it, too.)
My Xbox Cup Runneth Over
And you thought gamers weren't athletic? This just in from the world of fake soccer:
(Note generous use of word "thrilling" in headline.)
PORTUGAL LIFT THE XBOX CUP IN BERLIN
THE XBOX CUP TOURNAMENT COMES TO A THRILLING CONCLUSION
Berlin, July 1, 2006 – Portugal was crowned the Xbox Cup Champions having won the tournament on EA’s 2006 FIFA World Cup™ on the Xbox® 360 console. In a rousing ceremony, the team lifted the Xbox Cup trophy to rounds of applause from the 8500 seater adidas stadium, at the centre of the Platz der Republik, Berlin, where the Xbox Cup’s action took place. Peter Moore, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft was there to present the trophy and be the first to offer his congratulations to the triumphant team.
The team beat Mexico 2 - 1 in the gripping final to secure their places in football gaming history. In the first semi-final, host nation Germany went up against Mexico, they were dominant throughout the first half of the game and translated that into a goal early into the second half. However, the Mexicans fought back aggressively and won through in extra time with a final score of 2 – 1. The second semi-final saw neighbors Portugal and Spain going head-to-head with the Portuguese 2 – 0 up by halftime. Though the Spaniards came back valiantly in the second half, the final score read 3 - 2 to Portugal. When it came to the Grand Final, gaming foreshadowed reality, with the Portuguese emerging victorious just hours before their World Cup counterparts did the same in their quarter final match.
The Portuguese team is made up of Miguel Angelo Dinis, 28, and Antonio Luis Ferreira Gomes, 21. Joao Miguel Gouveia da Cruz Dias, 24, accompanied them as their ultimate fan.
(Note generous use of word "thrilling" in headline.)
PORTUGAL LIFT THE XBOX CUP IN BERLIN
THE XBOX CUP TOURNAMENT COMES TO A THRILLING CONCLUSION
Berlin, July 1, 2006 – Portugal was crowned the Xbox Cup Champions having won the tournament on EA’s 2006 FIFA World Cup™ on the Xbox® 360 console. In a rousing ceremony, the team lifted the Xbox Cup trophy to rounds of applause from the 8500 seater adidas stadium, at the centre of the Platz der Republik, Berlin, where the Xbox Cup’s action took place. Peter Moore, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft was there to present the trophy and be the first to offer his congratulations to the triumphant team.
The team beat Mexico 2 - 1 in the gripping final to secure their places in football gaming history. In the first semi-final, host nation Germany went up against Mexico, they were dominant throughout the first half of the game and translated that into a goal early into the second half. However, the Mexicans fought back aggressively and won through in extra time with a final score of 2 – 1. The second semi-final saw neighbors Portugal and Spain going head-to-head with the Portuguese 2 – 0 up by halftime. Though the Spaniards came back valiantly in the second half, the final score read 3 - 2 to Portugal. When it came to the Grand Final, gaming foreshadowed reality, with the Portuguese emerging victorious just hours before their World Cup counterparts did the same in their quarter final match.
The Portuguese team is made up of Miguel Angelo Dinis, 28, and Antonio Luis Ferreira Gomes, 21. Joao Miguel Gouveia da Cruz Dias, 24, accompanied them as their ultimate fan.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Matt, Matt, Matt
A writer named Matt Hawkins has written an incredibly comprehensive piece about gaming in New York for GameSetWatch. Definitely worth a read if you live in NYC! (I was sad to hear that Lazer Park is dead, but so it goes.) Meanwhile, Matt Sakey gets all up in your shizzle about game writing in his latest column for the IGDA. Finally, this Matt is "working" from home today...did everyone see the latest Marvel Ultimate Alliance trailer? Black Bolt!!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Music for Nerds, Vol. 1337
Simon over at GameSetWatch has posted a number of cool music-related things in the last week or so. First was the four-disc nerdcore compilation, which contains a whopping 80+ tracks of hit-and-miss geek rap. With subjects ranging from World of Warcraft to Emma Frost's hard outer shell, there's bound to be something here to tickle your fanboy bone. Next is the extremely nerdy Cave Story remix project. This is remixed music from the soundtrack of a homebrew sidescrolling freeware PC game from a Japanese developer. That's so hardcore, it's like adamantium-mixed-with-vibranium hardcore.
By the way, all this music is made available for free by the artists, so there's no reason not to check it out. And if you haven't played Cave Story (also free), then you really need to. The game has been making waves in the game community for its quirky style and high level of polish. Seriously, it's awesome. R2 called it "one of the best platformers I've ever played." Again, no excuses!
By the way, all this music is made available for free by the artists, so there's no reason not to check it out. And if you haven't played Cave Story (also free), then you really need to. The game has been making waves in the game community for its quirky style and high level of polish. Seriously, it's awesome. R2 called it "one of the best platformers I've ever played." Again, no excuses!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Wherever Particular People Congregate
Yes, the old Pall Mall cigarette slogan is highly appropriate for the salon of the future: MySpace! If you've been reading the news lately (or watching pedophile sting operations on Dateline), you've probably started to think that online communities are a sordid cesspool of sex and other deviant activities. Not so! Why, just the other day, I received this message in my MySpace inbox:
"Hey Matthew!
I don't mean to bother you.. I just moved out here around Atlanta for work a couple of weeks ago. It sucks cuz I don't know AnYBoDY out here ;(. My friends back home suggested I start a myspace and look for people in my area. I just started today so here I am! :D
Well I'm lookin to meet a guy and you are pretty cute Hehe. About me... Well I'm 24, single, and I love to have fun. I'm into older men. Since you're cute and 33, you fit the profile! LoL
I just started this myspace stuff today so my profile is pretty thin to say the least. If you wanna see some of my pix, I have a homepage @ houseofvicky.com/kris - there's a bunch of photos and stuff... I also left you a PeRSoNaL message on the front page so come check it out k?
XoXo KriSty"
What an enterprising young lass! With her clever use of online lingo, not to mention her tenuous grasp of punctuation and capitalization rules, I knew "KriSty" was legit. I responded immediately, and we met this morning for a coffee at a little after 7 am. Early? Yes. But, like, she just started her job, you know, and is trying to make a good impression by showing up on time. Anyway, KriSty is a fine looking young woman, to be sure. She was eager to learn about the Atlanta environs and wanted to know what I did to "kill time". Being a married man, this seemed to be a bit of an inappropriate question, especially the way she twirled her hair and pushed out her pert young breasts when she asked me. So I sort of dodged the question and suggested visiting the aquarium.
Anyway, if that doesn't prove that online communities like MySpace are excellent social networking tools and vital outlets for today's young people, I don't know what does. Long live the web!
P.S. Give KriSty a call; she gives awesome head.
"Hey Matthew!
I don't mean to bother you.. I just moved out here around Atlanta for work a couple of weeks ago. It sucks cuz I don't know AnYBoDY out here ;(. My friends back home suggested I start a myspace and look for people in my area. I just started today so here I am! :D
Well I'm lookin to meet a guy and you are pretty cute Hehe. About me... Well I'm 24, single, and I love to have fun. I'm into older men. Since you're cute and 33, you fit the profile! LoL
I just started this myspace stuff today so my profile is pretty thin to say the least. If you wanna see some of my pix, I have a homepage @ houseofvicky.com/kris - there's a bunch of photos and stuff... I also left you a PeRSoNaL message on the front page so come check it out k?
XoXo KriSty"
What an enterprising young lass! With her clever use of online lingo, not to mention her tenuous grasp of punctuation and capitalization rules, I knew "KriSty" was legit. I responded immediately, and we met this morning for a coffee at a little after 7 am. Early? Yes. But, like, she just started her job, you know, and is trying to make a good impression by showing up on time. Anyway, KriSty is a fine looking young woman, to be sure. She was eager to learn about the Atlanta environs and wanted to know what I did to "kill time". Being a married man, this seemed to be a bit of an inappropriate question, especially the way she twirled her hair and pushed out her pert young breasts when she asked me. So I sort of dodged the question and suggested visiting the aquarium.
Anyway, if that doesn't prove that online communities like MySpace are excellent social networking tools and vital outlets for today's young people, I don't know what does. Long live the web!
P.S. Give KriSty a call; she gives awesome head.
Massively Multiplayer Academia
Are videogames worthy of academic study? Sure they are! Here are some people from Trinity University who prove the point. (Although academics who still insist on hyphenating "on-line" deserve some skepticism.) With papers such as "MMOs as therapy: A therapeutic tool or barrier to psychological growth" and "Aesthetics and gratification: Sexual practices in virtual environments" you have to give props to the depths to which these scholars were willing to sink in order to shed light on these complex issues. Humankind will undoubtedly benefit from their collective efforts.
(Okay, so maybe you detect a little sarcasm here. In all seriousness, it's nice to see the academic community turning to games as a subject worthy of study, although I don't think a paper entitled "Violence in MMOs: It's not only adolescent boys who like this stuff" is really tackling the tough issues.)
Thanks to Kotaku for posting this!
(Okay, so maybe you detect a little sarcasm here. In all seriousness, it's nice to see the academic community turning to games as a subject worthy of study, although I don't think a paper entitled "Violence in MMOs: It's not only adolescent boys who like this stuff" is really tackling the tough issues.)
Thanks to Kotaku for posting this!
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