Just a place to find out what's on my mind, or what's occupying my time whilst I avoid actual "work."
Name: Gary Holmes
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VGN for April 29th, 2005
Video game news:
MS VP Confirms X360 Controller Compatibility With Longhorn
Will Poole confirms that the Xbox360’s controller will be compatible with the next version of Windows OS...
A interesting bit of information has today emerged from Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2005, as Microsoft Senior Vice President Will Poole confirmed in a presentation that Xbox360 controllers will be fully compatible with the next version of the Windows OS, currently code-named Longhorn (although with the length of development, perhaps Longhaul would have been more appropriate.)
Is the next gen coming too early?
DS tops 5 million units sold worldwide
New sales figures show Nintendo's portables reaching the milestone through mid-March, "on track" to 6 million target by March.
Nintendo has portable gamers glued to 10 million screens around the world. The mobile gaming device, which features two screens in a clam shell-type design, eclipsed the 5 million units sold mark through mid-March, according to sales figures released by Nintendo. Nintendo previously predicted that sales of the DS would fall between five and six million through March, and says it is currently "on track" to meet that goal.
Nearly six months after it was released, Halo 2 finally gets its first set of downloadable content...
It’s finally here – today is the day that Halo 2 fans have been praying and begging for since November 2004 when the game was first released. Yes, today sees Bungie release the first four maps for Xbox Live subscribers to download. Two of the maps (Containment and Warlock) are available free of charge, whilst the others (Turf and Sanctuary) are considered ‘Premium Content’ and therefore are only available today if subscribers pay a small fee of $5.99.
One great essay is all it takes to make the grade.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, student or concerned neighbor, you can help your community’s school. The winning essay will receive a combined grand prize of $200,000 worth of Samsung electronics and Microsoft education, productivity and entertainment software. 100 runners-up will receive $20,000 worth of Samsung electronics and Microsoft software. Plus, authors of all 101 winning essays will receive a Samsung MP3 player. Samsung and Microsoft are committed to helping support U.S. schools by making it easier for students and educators to share the knowledge and information necessary for a better education. So help us give children a brighter future.
What game was just released and may be recalled?
Wrestlemainia 21 for Xbox.
Phantasy Star Universe
SEGA Europe Confirms Phantasy Star Universe
SEGA Europe releases specific information on the on/offline epic in the making...
The increasingly close synergy between SEGA Europe and SEGA America was again highlighted today, as both companies today confirmed the release of Phantasy Star Universe within the respective regions.
The latest chapter in the popular RPG series is currently in development for the Playstation2 and PC, wisely eschewing the GameCube market although the lack of an Xbox version is confusing.
Screens
Koei unveils its E3 lineup; announces it will show a trailer for its first PS3 game on show floor.
According to Famitsu.com, Koei's E3 lineup wil include a trailer for its first PlayStation 3 game. Although the publisher did not disclose this next-gen game's title nor its genre, it said a trailer of the game will be shown at its E3 booth.
Music from Final Fantasy with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Conducted by Arnie Roth.
The FINAL FANTASY® symphony concert tour is coming to ATLANTA for two rare dates: Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25 2005 at 8:00 PM at Atlanta Symphony Hall. The concert, to be performed by the Atlanta Symphony and Chorus, has just been announced from the long-awaited concerts in North America featuring music from the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY video game series.
Blog only
Violent, Drug Filled Video Games Robbing Kids of Youth
TBS Creates First Broadband Net for Video Games
By Chris Marlowe
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - TBS is going online to do for video games what it did for classic movies.
The Time Warner company on Wednesday (April 27) was to unveil GameTap, a broadband entertainment network that combines games on demand with original programing into a subscription package that the company characterized as the first of its kind.
"Turner's lifeblood is creating branded networks
Subscriptions are good for up to two computers, which must be connected to the Internet via broadband and have 5GB of free disk space available for the service's use. GameTap works on PCs running Microsoft's Windows 2000 or XP with 256MB RAM and a standard video card.
I've been playing:
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Wrestlemania 21--Thanks Cybertron!
Anime News:
Video Game News:
EA at UCF
EA Supports Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy
By UCF Staff
The University of Central Florida today announced Electronic Arts’
support of its Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy.
EA sparked the creation of the academy, known as FIEA, by contacting
UCF in November 2003. EA officials worked with UCF administrators to
convince the state of Florida to provide a $3.2 million grant last year to
start the academy and $1 million annually in operating funds. EA
employees in Orlando helped to design FIEA’s curriculum.
“EA applauds the creation of FIEA,” said Steve Seabolt, the company’s
vice president of University and Marketing Education. “EA has been
involved with helping to shape the academy since its inception. EA personnel
helped shape the creation of the academy’s curriculum and culture. We
have confidence in FIEA’s faculty, and believe that students who excel
in the program will be well-poised for careers building video games.”
Games as exercise
Break a sweat playing a new wave of video games
By PAM LEBLANC
Cox News Service
Monday, April 18, 2005
AUSTIN, Texas — Video games and exercise — two mutually exclusive
terms, right? Well, maybe not.
A new generation of games — dubbed "exertainment" by their maker —
actually requires a little caloric expenditure to play (more than the
thumb-on-the-joystick kind). With the interactive XaviX games introduced
last fall, players swing motion-sensitive baseball bats, tennis rackets
and bowling balls and watch the action unfold on a TV screen.
It's not quite the real thing, but then again it's not exactly like
playing a regular video game, either.
In bowling, for example, a microprocessor and infrared and optical
sensors determine the angle and speed that you give the ball, which is
about as heavy as a small head of lettuce. That determines whether the ball
careens into the gutter or sends all 10 pins crashing in a perfect
strike. A strap that loops over the wrist keeps you from accidentally
flinging the ball into the TV set.
Tennis and baseball work essentially the same way. Sensors in the gear
measure how fast and at what angle you volley or swing, and that effort
is transferred to animated scenes on the TV screen.
I hate to say I told you so
Bill targets video games
By Harrison Sheppard, Sacramento Bureau
SACRAMENTO -- A bill to ban the sale of violent video games to minors
passed a key committee Tuesday and will now return to a committee where
a similar effort was defeated last year.
The bill by Assemblyman Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, would impose a
$1,000 fine on retailers who sell violent games to anyone 16 years old or
younger.
Those testifying against the bill included representatives of the
Motion Picture Association of America, the American Civil Liberties Union,
the Recording Industry Association of America, the California Chamber of
Commerce and game retailers and manufacturers.
Among those testifying in favor of the bill were health-care
professionals, academics, women's rights groups and about 40 Girl Scouts from
around the state, including several from the San Fernando Valley region.
"Violent video games create a harmful atmosphere for young children,"
said Alyssa Franke, 13, a Girl Scout from Agoura Hills. "They are not
age-appropriate and they can scar the minds of these young children
forever."
But I told you so
Panel favors limit on gory video games
Bill advances despite supporter's concern it's unconstitutional
SHARIF DURHAMS
Raleigh Bureau
RALEIGH - A state Senate panel backed an attempt to crack down on the
sale of violent video games to minors Tuesday, despite the fact one of
the staunchest supporters of the bill said that judges would likely find
it unconstitutional.
"The legislation, I believe, has some problems," the Rev. Mark Creech,
head of the Christian Action League of North Carolina and a supporter
of sales limits, told the Senate's commerce committee. "I believe I'd be
derelict in my duty if I didn't tell you that."
Lawmakers on the committee still approved the legislation unanimously.
A store clerk or arcade operator could face misdemeanor charges for
letting minors play or buy games that have a "tendency to appeal to a
morbid interest" in violence.
Nintendo out of E3?
... and then there were two. Citing fears that Sony and Microsoft might
copy some of the revolutionary ideas, Nintendo head honcho Satoru Iwata
decided to withdraw previous statements and has now decided to not show
the new Nintendo Revolution at E3 next month. Instead, visitors will
have to be content with rolling demos of titles in development, a better
look at the Nintendo online service, new Pokemon titles, and a new
playable version of the latest Zelda title. We will be on site and report
live if anything exciting does happen.
Or are they?
You may have been reading reports breaking over the last few days that
talk of a withdrawal of Nintendo’s Revolution console at this year’s E3
show.
Nintendo has, from the very highest levels within the company, stated
that it intends to show the Revolution, its next generation home gaming
platform, at this May’s industry show and tell. Though if rumour is to
be believed, this might not be the plan any more.
However, SPOnG firmly believes that there is little substance to
stories currently doing the rounds right now. Although some news outlets
quote ‘Japanese sources’ with some inside track, SPOnG can reveal that this
is a somewhat disingenuous presentation of the root of current
mutterings.
What I've been Playing:
Halo 2 thanks to the update. Bungie loves us!
Fight Night Round 2--Thanks Cybertron!!
VooDoo Vince
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
Doom 3
Blog link of the week:
MTV and Xbox!
Anime:
Jacon recap.
Anime Explosion at Universal Citywalk Friday at 11:30pm.
Voltron for free on the big screen at Univesal Cineplex Tonight!
MetroCon is next!
VGN:
Video game news:
U.N. Video Game Encourages Kids to Feed, Not Kill
Thu Apr 14,10:26 AM ET Technology - Reuters
ROME (Reuters) - The jungle territory that hides lurking rebel forces makes it look like a shoot-em-up adventure, but in this video game -- from the U.N.'s food aid agency -- the aim is to feed the masses rather than blow them away
The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) hopes the game "Food Force," in which players direct aid workers trying to help the poor, will teach children about the problems of feeding the hungry, especially those trapped in war zones.
Microsoft and MTV Hang Out
Thu Apr 14, 2:59 PM ET Business - Motley Fool
By Steven Mallas
If Bill Gates wants to promote Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT - News) next Xbox, who's he gonna call? That's right, Viacom's (NYSE: VIA - News) MTV. (If you shouted Ghostbusters, you might want to lay off the '80s for a while.)
According to a press release, the music-video channel has been given the ring by Mr. Softy. In what amounts to a 30-minute infomercial, a program titled MTV Presents: The Next Generation Xbox Revealed will be broadcast around the globe on May 12 and May 13.
Video Game Advertising Seen Above $1 Billion by 2010
Thu Apr 14, 2:25 PM ET Entertainment - Reuters Industry
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Advertising within video games, a hot new field for marketers, will likely surge eightfold to more than $1 billion in the next five years as companies court consumers who have cut back on television viewing, according to industry estimates released on Thursday.
Mitch Davis, chief executive of video game ad network Massive Inc., said video game advertising was expected to top $1 billion in the United States by 2010, and approach $2.5 billion worldwide
May 17th to the 20th. PS3 to be unveiled. Nintendo Revolution and the new GameBoy rumored as well. Xbox 360 or whatever they will call it will be already revealed on MTV.
Games may be losing their voice
Online trade magazine reports negotiations between SAG and game publishers to renew voice-acting contract "could go either way."
Actors looking to pick up an easy paycheck have been lending their voices to games for a long time now. More recently, game publishers have been landing A-list thespians to do voice-work for their products, adding a bit of celebrity to their marketing and establishing the business as a major player in the entertainment industry.
Several forthcoming games have recently signed on professional talent, and the list isn't just from bit players anymore. To name just a few, Academy-Award winner Charlize Theron will lend her voice to Majesco's Aeon Flux, David Duchovny and Marilyn Manson voice-act original characters for Midway's upcoming Area 51, and Sean Connery will do some Bond-speak for EA's recently announced From Russia With Love. Actors are even voicing from beyond the grave--the late Marlon Brando will join James Caan and Robert Duvall in Electronic Arts' digital version of The Godfather.
However, the vocal marriage between actors and games may be silenced. According to online trade Web site Variety.com (registration required), the contract between the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists with game publishers expires tomorrow.
Apparently, it's not just a simple case of adding a zero to the contract and continuing with the process. Because the use of top-tier actors and SAG members in games is relatively new, the gaming industry has little experience negotiating deals with outside agencies and hasn't formed any collective bargaining agreement or representative organization to deal with such issues.
WEBSITE ONLY
Xbox 360 Roundup
14/04/2005
By: Jon Wilcox
The buzz surrounding the impending MTV unveiling of Xbox 360 starts to build with news, news, and more news...
In a flurry of activity, various reports from across the web have today been reporting certain aspects of Microsoft’s next-generation console, which is increasingly likely to be called Xbox360 (despite certain reservations at such a moniker).
Forbes alleges that three million units will be shipped in Q4 2005 world-wide, with analysts suggesting a price tag of between $249 and $299 when the console goes on sale sometime between October and November 2005. Dates confirmed to TVG thus far suggest the end of November is the time to keep an eye out for.
Meanwhile, Eurogamer are reporting that they have obtained details of the 360 from an anonymous source that reveals the machine will be capable of freestanding as well as confirming earlier rumours that it will be concave and, “…hollows in at the middle, like it's ‘sucking in its cheeks’…” It may also transpire that the console will be white, although Eurogamer’s source said that, “…It's impossible to tell from the documents.” The same source also reported that the logo for the 360 is a, “…simple, round nexus with "Xbox 360" written inside it.”
What I've been playing:
Doom 3--Thanks Cybertron!
Voodoo Vince
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
Psychonauts!!
Con Corner:
The Wasabi Animusical
Friday @ 8:00 PM in Main Events
Take 56 costumes, 22 anime, 19 performers, 10 songs, and put it all into one show. The Wasabi Animusical is an amalgamation of anime, manga, video games, AMV elements, cosplay, dancing, comedy, and show tunes. This Broadway-style show is guaranteed to be of the most unique and entertaining events you will see this year at any anime convention. One show only... and it's not to be missed.
Yipes!
Meet Travis! Someone photoshop a light saber in his head!
Video game news:
Sony Sold 500,000 PSPs in Two Days in N. America
Thu Apr 7, 8:58 PM ET Technology - Reuters
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sony Corp (SNE.N). (6758.T) sold 500,000 units of its PlayStation Portable handheld video game device in the first two days after its North American release, about half the units the company had aimed to provide retailers, Sony said on Thursday.
The $249 PSP Value Pack came out March 24 in the United States. There were mixed reactions to the early sales, with some analysts saying the device was not selling as fast as some large chains might have expected.
Mudvayne on Live
Register for your chance to play Need for Speed™ Underground 2 with the band on April 20, 2005. (You must register by April 13 to be eligible.)
One lucky Xbox Live member will win an Xbox and the chance to challenge the band online. Another 100 winners will take on the boys from Mudvayne in NFSU2, and 10 runner-ups will get the new Mudvayne CD Lost and Found.
Sony Patents "Brain Beaming"
According to the report, the technique patented by Sony essentially triggers what has been described as “sensory experiences” through (and here comes the science bit), “…a device that fires pulses of ultrasound at the head to modify firing patterns in targeted parts of the brain…[with results] ranging from moving images to tastes and sounds. This could give blind or deaf people the chance to see or hear.”
Ad campaign offering glimpse of next-gen Xbox?
Ilovebees.com-style game on ourcolony.net appears to reward visitors with glimpses of Microsoft's next-generation controller.
Last year, Microsoft intrigued some and infuriated many with a viral marketing campaign to help hype its now-multiplatinum Xbox shooter, Halo 2. The software behemoth tapped 4orty2wo Entertainment, a company that specializes in "immersive, entertainment-based alternative marketing campaigns."
PRESS RELEASE: Video Game Hero Mario Petitions For New Hollywood Walk Of Fame Category
"Video games are a huge part of the entertainment industry," explains George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Revenues from the video game industry routinely equal or top revenues from the film industry's U.S. box office. That's how big we are."
"I spent my whole life chasing stars," says Mario. "And now my fans want to give me one? Woo-hoo!"
DDR is exercise
CHARLESTON: Like many other 11-year-old boys, KD Jones loves sports. But at 5 feet, 175 pounds, he found his weight and his asthma an obstacle. His doctor wanted him to lose 50 pounds, and he is hoping a new health study using a video dance game will help him get down to 125 by the end of summer in time to play football.
Jones is one of 85 children in an at-home study trying the popular Dance Dance Revolution video game to boost their activity. The study is being done by West Virginia’s public employees insurance group in hopes it will lead to better health and lower costs.
Beating Has Roots In Video Game
4/7/2005
By Troy Kinsey/WCJB TV 20 News
The teenager who brutally beat the two-year-old cousin he was babysitting on Sunday told Gainesville Police investigators he was motivated by a violent video game.
Police detectives believe 14-year-old Johnny Cooper threw his cousin over his shoulder and onto the floor, then broadsided the toddler in the face with a wooden stake.
'Def Jam: Fight For New York' video game.
What I've been playing.
Fight Night Round 2--Thanks Cybertron!!
Doom 3 LE for Xbox.
I've been watching:
Shin Getter Robo 2004
Con Corner:
This Japanese Anime convention will host a full schedule of events and activities dealing with anime, manga, and other aspects of Japanese sub-culture, such as video games. JACON 2005 will be held April 15-17 in Orlando, Florida at the Sheraton World Resort.
The Wasabi Animusical
Friday @ 8:00 PM in Main Events
Take 56 costumes, 22 anime, 19 performers, 10 songs, and put it all into one show. The Wasabi Animusical is an amalgamation of anime, manga, video games, AMV elements, cosplay, dancing, comedy, and show tunes. This Broadway-style show is guaranteed to be of the most unique and entertaining events you will see this year at any anime convention. One show only... and it's not to be missed.
Video Game News:
SPOnG has received emails that indicate a complete withdrawal of Xbox hardware in the coming months, with claims surfacing today of a total end to generation one Xbox production.
According to senior sources within publishing, retailers are being instructed not to list Xbox hardware in their next catalogue publications.
No, the Xbox has NOT been pulled from retailers
Posted by Major Nelson on March 30, 2005 @ 3:09 pm (PT)
There are a few stories floating around this vast thing we call the Internet today that say the Xbox has been pulled from retailers. Furthermore, people are saying that we have “reached our targets and want to get ready for the next console.” Let me be perfectly clear: We are NOT pulling the Xbox from stores. Xbox consoles being in short supply since they are popular and stopping production are two VERY different issues. Don’t believe the mis-information that is filling your browser/inbox/rss feed.
Hillary Clinton slams GTA
by GamesIndustry.biz
New York senator and former first lady Hillary Clinton has launched an attack on violent videogames, singling out Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto titles as a "major threat" to morality.
Clinton, who is reportedly planning to seek the Democratic presidential nomination for the 2008 election, has aligned herself with hardline right-wing Republican senators in order to pressure Congress into researching the impact of electronic media on children.
Sony cancels PlayStation 3 briefing
Report: Sony scraps premiere event for its next-generation console previously scheduled for March.
TOKYO--Several months ago, Sony Computer Entertainment announced plans to hold a premiere event in Japan prior to the Electronic Entertainment Expo, where it would unveil its next-generation console, most commonly called the PlayStation 3. Reportedly, the event was scheduled for March, but the month passed by without any invitations going out to members of the Japanese game industry. Today, Reuters Japan is reporting that SCE has officially canceled the event, ending speculation that there would be a surprise announcement tomorrow, the last day of the month
Sony's PSP Selling Well But Not Sold Out - Analyst
Thu Mar 31,11:45 AM ET Technology - Reuters
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sony Corp (SNE.N).'s new handheld video game unit, the PlayStation Portable, is selling well but is far from sold out at stores nationwide, an analyst said on Thursday.
Nintendo DS News: Nintendo DS Hits Europe With Over 500,000 Units Sold
Following the launch of Nintendo DS in Europe on 11th March 2005, the new hand-held console is proving to be a phenomenal success with European gamers having snapped up over 500,000 units by Easter Saturday - that's 77 percent of the consoles that were in stores across Europe for launch. Many stores have reported they are out of stock however more deliveries are being made to replenish stocks
Dual Shocked: Sony Immersed in $90.7 million fine, injunction
US District Court favors San Jose tech company Immersion; Sony injunction to halt American sales of PS2s and affected materials.
Three years ago, Northern California technology company Immersion Corporation brought a suit against Sony Computer Entertainment and Microsoft Corporation claiming patent infringement of its proprietary technology used in the controllers for the companies' home consoles: the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.
Microsoft settled out of court with Immersion in 2003, avoiding messy legal proceedings for $26 million, which also got Microsoft a 10 percent stake in Immersion.
Sony, on the other hand, left the decision up to the courts, a move that appears to have cost the company a serious chunk of change.
Silent stuff:
EA Under Legal Attack
31/03/2005
By: Chris Leyton
Recent profit warning was unfair according to a leading US law firm...
Schiffrin & Barroway, a leading US law firm specialising in major class-action lawsuits, today heaped further misery on a beleaguered Electronic Arts, by filing a lawsuit against it on behalf of all share purchasers between January 25th 2005 and March 21st 2005.
Coming on top of EA’s recent profit warning, the firm alleges that a number of factors leading to the slump in sales were not disclosed to shareholders and led to previous financial expectations without any foundation.
What I've been playing:
Zone of the Enders 2
Oddworld: Strangers
Prince of Persia 2--Thanks Cybertron!
Anime News:
AniWho?
Convention Corner:
This Japanese Anime convention will host a full schedule of events and activities dealing with anime, manga, and other Japanese sub-culture, such as video games. JACON 2005 will be held April 15-17 in Orlando, Florida at the Sheraton World Resort.
