Monday, September 29, 2008
Google Looking To Challenge Gaming’s ‘Corporate Mentality’
11:20PM Luke Plunkett | Right now, Google Lively is a Second Life clone. And an unremarkable one at that. But that’s now. In the future, they want it to be much, much more. Google’s Kevin Hanna has told GI.biz that it’s hoped that, somewhere down the line, Google Lively can become an “online games platform”, in which people can just switch on a PC and enter a “creative space”. And, once there, get away from what Hanna describes is a “corporate mentality” that’s “sucking the life out of what should be the most creative and innovative medium out there”. Basically, something like LittleBigPlanet or XNA. But courtesy of Google’s corporate mentality. As opposed to Sony’s or Microsoft’s corporate mentality. Google Lively to become online games platform [GI.biz] More »
News
300 Director’s EA Games Could Become Movies
11:00PM Brian Crecente | Following Variety’s story early this morning that Zack Snyder, the man behind such films as The Dawn of the Dead and 300, has signed a deal with EA to make three games, comes the official announcement. Filmmaker Snyder, whose latest project is the movie adaptation of Watchmen, will be working with EA Los Angeles, the same studio which worked with Steven Spielberg on Boom Blox. Under the agreement with Cruel & Unusual Film, EA will own the rights to the games which they will develop, publish and distribute worldwide. EA and Snyder will also work to “extend the game franchises into theatrical motion pictures.” “I think video games are cool because they offer an opportunity to tell a story in an entirely unique way, said Zack Snyder. “Being a long time fan of the games EA creates, I look forward to collaborating with them.” Frank Gibeau, President of EA Games Label said, “Zack Snyder has a fresh and bold creative style that resonates with our core audience. Zack is the perfect partner for joining us in creating powerful new interactive fiction.” More »
Hey Microsoft, Bulgaria Is Not Germany, Japan or Korea!!
10:40PM Brian Ashcraft | Alex from, you guessed it, Bulgaria writes: So i wanted to buy Duke Nukem 3D from arcade store and surprise “THIS ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM YOUR CURRENT LOCATION”. Sorry, but when is Bulgaria became Germany, Japan and Korea? On Major Nelson blog i read this “Availability: Not available in Germany, Japan and Korea”. I tried to buy DOOM too and guess what? That’s right, born at the wrong location again. What do i have to do in order to buy and play that game? Anyone? Anyone?! Alex from, that’s right, Bulgaria continues after the jump. More »
Thrustmaster Get Wii Lightsaber Peripherals RIGHT
10:20PM Luke Plunkett | Good old Thrustmaster! They made the baddest PC joysticks back in the 90s, and…well, to be honest that’s the last experience I had with the company, since my Top Gun joystick from, oh, 1999 is still going strong. Think it’s time to get reacquainted with their wares, though, after seeing their entry into the field of tacky Wii Remote clip-on accessories/peripherals. Where other companies would cut corners, release a shark gun, release a plastic tennis racquet, Thrustmaster have released the “Glo Saber Duo Pack”, which while lacking an official Star Wars licence does come with two very official-looking sabers, which light up (they’re LEDs) for added faux-authenticity. Only thing they don’t do is make a wwhhuummm noise, but if that’s what kept the costs down to $35, we can do it ourselves. More »
Infinite Space Getting Animated Short Films
10:00PM Brian Ashcraft | To get all of the Tokyo Game Show in a tizzy for SEGA/Platinum Games DS title Infinite Space, animation studios GONZO and Production I.G. have been roped into to make animated shorts. GONZO is known for its animated version of Strike Witches while Production I.G. is best known for Ghost in the Shell. The first of these collaborations will show at TGS on October 9th. After that, they’ll be available on the game’s website. プラチナゲームズ：DS向けSFRPG「無限航路」来春発売へ ゴンゾ、IGとムービーも制作 [Mainichi via ANN] More »
News
GH: World Tour Won’t Let You Share Real Songs
9:30PM Luke Plunkett | When it comes to breaking down the feature sets of Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour, Activision’s title has long had an extra tick in the “for” column: its song creation utility. And not because you honestly think you can recreate your favourite songs in the included editor, but because, with the game allowing the online sharing of created songs, you’re relying on someone more talented to do it for you. Well, turns out you won’t be doing anything of the sort. Activision have told 1UP “If there’s a licensed song and someone holds the copyright to it, we’ll take it down regardless of whether or not someone complains”. So if you want that note-perfect cover of Honey Bucket, you’re going to have to roll your sleeves up and do it yourself. Guitar Hero World Tour [1UP, via VG247] More »
News
The Great Brothers In Arms Heist
9:00PM Brian Ashcraft | British cops seized a Renault truck filled with 16,000 stolen copies of Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway. Cops spotted the truck in Leeds after noticing its fake plates. The truck was impounded by authorities, and then stolen again hours later — along with the games. According to a police spokesperson: We are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry, including eBay transactions where a number of the games have been potentially identified as being advertised for sale. Arrests have already been made in respect of this. The take’s value? £600,000. “Fans needn’t worry as more stock is being parachuted in,” stated Ubisoft. They, though, should worry about finding the loot. Grand Theft Auto [The Sun via MCVUK] More »
New Halo Toy Line Features Wee Spartans, Big Hunter
8:30PM Luke Plunkett | McFarlane keep on releasing Halo figures, and the kids, the kids keep on buying them. Latest products to roll off the money-printing machine include some more Master Chief/Spartan variants, a range of 2.5″ figures that come in three-packs (for hot desktop Red v Blue action) and a deluxe 8″ Hunter figure, complete with intricate, wormy neck detailing. Halo 3 Figures Gallery More »
News
