Wednesday, October 3, 2007
The Toilet Is Where to Study
11:40PM Brian Ashcraft | To: Crecente From: Bashcraft RE: Halo 3 Smack Down Yes, I think a fund raiser would be a dandy idea. And if it’s in December, even better! ‘Cause I’ll be back in Texas for the holidays. And all the games coming out? I’m at a loss. Hey game companies, let’s space this stuff out! Kthx. Today, when in the bathroom, I noticed a chart of hiragana characters. In Japanese, there are three basic writing systems: hiragana, katakana and Chinese kanji. Kids start learning hiragana first, then katakana, then kanji. Mini Bash is learning hiragana. It’s not *that* hard as compared to English as it’s completely phonetic. Though, like learning anything there is remembering involved. So, back to the bathroom! Seems a chart has been place at his eye level. While sitting on the throne, doing his business, he can stare at the chart and review characters he’s learned. Here’s the odd bit: When I first started learning hiragana so many moons ago, multiple people here in Japan recommended that I put a hiragana chart in the bathroom — not in the bedroom, kitchen or wherever, but the bathroom (AKA the toilet). And I don’t just mean a few people, but multiple. What you missed last night Italian retailers and Australian ones confirm new 40GB PS3 Nintendo still rich Custom Master Chief Granny playing Halo 3 More »
More (Italian) Fuel To Fan 40GB PS3 Flames
11:20PM Luke Plunkett | Sony, come on. Just go ahead and announce it already. All this “unconfirmed” internet news malarkey is just making you look a bit silly. Latest example: Gamestore Magazine are reporting that Italian consumers will see the 40GB model on October 10, and that it’ll come in two flavours: €399 for the console itself or €499 for a starter pack which includes two games and an extra controller. First we’ve heard of the continuation of the current Starter Pack deal, but the date certainly checks out with earlier reports. PS3 price drop at last – in Italy [MCV] More »
Screw DS Yoga, We’re All About DS Pilates
11:00PM Brian Ashcraft | Konami’s made a yoga game for the DS, called Dokodemo Yoga (”Anywhere Yoga”). Somewhat of a niche title, but makes sense — Konami does own a chain of sports clubs in Japan. Though, hot on the heels of the yoga game, comes another back bending Konami title: Dokodemo Pilates (”Anywhere Pilates”). Pilates? Yes, Pilates! You too can learn to control your muscles and improve posture via your Nintendo DS. Basically, it’s the equivalent of an instructional video on your DS. Not sure if Pilates is even more niche than yoga or what. I personally look forward to more of these Dokodemo games from Konami. They haven’t quite reached kooky, yet. Almost there! Dokodemo Pilates [Famitsu] More »
The iDOLM@STER Gets Cheap in Japan
10:40PM Brian Ashcraft | For those living in Japan and for those who own an Xbox 360, good news! Microsoft sent word that Bandai Namco’s popstar sim THE iDOLM@STER is now available as part of the 360’s budget “Platinum Collection” for a mere ¥2,940 ($US 25) starting November 1st. That’s nothing! The game is certified nerd heroin, boasting a million iDOLM@STER items downloaded via Xbox Live marketplace. That’s a not a lot, it’s a shit ton. Surely, enough for an English localisation? More »
Wow, Soldier Of Fortune Payback IS Real
10:20PM Luke Plunkett | Yesterday, Crecente had a bad case of the “can’t believes”. After seeing an awful-looking promo poster for a new Soldier of Fortune, he couldn’t believe Activision would rush something so shoddy to market in such a short space of time. Couldn’t happen. Shouldn’t happen. Thing is, it is! Kotaku Australia’s Logan has pinged us to let us know that yes, the game is real, and was quietly announced at Activision’s recent Activate Asia 2007 promo show. Why the lack of fanfare? It’s a budget game, being launched under the Activision Value label, and won’t feature either Raven Software or the series’ GHOUL body-separating tech. Sad. Soldier Of Fortune: Payback Details [Kotaku Australia] More »
Nintendo “Close” to Apple’s Level
10:00PM Brian Ashcraft | Hey, guess what? That Blue Ocean strategy Nintendo kept spouting worked. The company is behind only Toyota and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group as the third most valuable Japanese company. Goldman Sachs labelled Nintendo with a “buy” stock rating, and shares rose to an all-time high. According to the Goldman Sachs report: We believe Nintendo’s talent in creating new markets, evident from the launch of the DS and Wii, could bring it close to the level of Apple, whose high valuations are due in large part to its innovative business model. Close to Apple’s level? Wow. That makes two companies who have unseated Sony: Apple with music players and Nintendo with gaming consoles. It’s like they’re ganging up or something. To recap: Nintendo is rich, its products print money, blah, blah, blah. Nintendo Stocks [Reuters] More »
EA Go Command & Conquer CRAZY
9:30PM Luke Plunkett | When is a lot of Command & Conquer too much Command & Conquer? Right now. Forgetting the fact they released a C&C compendium less than a year ago, Electronic Arts have announced the impending release of Command & Conquer Saga, a bundle which will include C&C 3 and every C&C game before that (i.e. the games that made up C&C: The First Decade). No word on a release date, but when it does hit, it’ll set you back $US 50. Which is not bad considering C&C3 is neither that bad nor that old, but is enough to make you a little cranky if you played the sucker and went ahead and bought The First Decade. More »
MOTHER Shirts to Hold You Over
9:00PM Brian Ashcraft | Consider this a consolation prize of sorts. With MOTHER 3 not getting an English language release anytime soon, Kyoto-based shirt maker King of Games has *get this* shirts that should make you feel better! The company’s latest line is MOTHER. For those who’ve never purchased a KOG shirts, be aware they not only look cool as fuck, but they’re made from the highest quality material, come in a groovy box and are totally Nintendo approved. Besides MOTHER 3 ULTIMATE CHIMERA shirts, they got MOTHER 1+2 as well. Pre-orders for them kick off October 10th at midnight with shirts shipping in November. They’re gonna go fast! KOG Shirts [King of Games International Shop] More »
Mistwalker Putting On A Show In Japan
8:30PM Luke Plunkett | I mean that literally. They’re putting on a show! With a band and live music and everything! To celebrate the fact they’re making decent RPGs to zero sales, Microsoft Japan have decided that a live concert is in order, and will be holding a concert called “Orchestral Pieces” at Tokyo’s Orchard Hall on November 19. The Japan Philharmonic are on music duties, both composer Nobuo Uematsu and The Gooch will be in attendance and tickets will set you back Â¥5250. Don’t go expecting any Final Fantasy tunes, though, this ones all Mistwalker, so its naught but Lost Odyssey and… Blue Dragon. I’m just going to presume Ian Gillan won’t be there. Though it would be fantastic if he was. Microsoft Presents “Orchestral Pieces” [Official Site, via Game|Life] More »
