Just a place to find out what's on my mind, or what's occupying my time whilst I avoid actual "work."
today
October 2006
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Video Game News:
Less "Mature" titles sold to kids...
By Lisa Baertlein Thu Mar 30, 8:25 PM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission
said on Thursday a nationwide undercover shopping survey last
year found that fewer Mature-rated video games were being
sold to unaccompanied children.
The results come as many state and federal lawmakers -- who
claim that the industry's self-rating system lacks adequate
retail enforcement -- are pushing for laws that would ban the
sale of violent or sexually explicit video games to minors.
The FTC said that 42 percent of its undercover shoppers --
who were children between the ages of 13 and 16 -- were able
to buy an M-rated game last year. That is down from 69
percent in 2003.
Multi-player demos on Live Marketplace...
Ubisoft and EA's finest from the military available to all
via Xbox Live...
Posted: 23:33 on 30 Mar 2006
By: Chris Leyton
It's a great time to be an Xbox 360 owner at the moment; with
games such as GRAW, Oblivion and Fight Night Round 3,
Microsoft's next-gen format is really beginning to show signs
of its true potential.
The good vibes carried on today with the announcement that a
demo for EA's Battlefield 2: Modern Combat has made its way
to the Xbox Live Marketplace, in addition to the long-awaited
GRAW demo - though we'd imagine most people have probably
gone out and bought it by now.
A hopeful sign of things to come...
By Thomas K. Arnold Thu Mar 30, 10:11 AM ET
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Exactly a year after it
was launched in the United States, the Sony PlayStation
Portable's days as a hand-held movie-viewing device might be
numbered.
Disappointing sales have slowed the flow of movies on the
proprietary Universal Media Disc to a mere trickle. At least
two major studios have completely stopped releasing movies on
UMD, while others are either toying with the idea or
drastically cutting back.
And retailers also are cutting the amount of shelf space
they've been devoting to UMD movies, amid talk that Wal-Mart
is about to dump the category entirely.
Wal-Mart representative Jolanda Stewart declined comment on
reports that the retailer is getting out of the UMD business.
But studio sources say such a move is imminent, and a check
Wednesday of a Wal-Mart store in Santa Ana, Calif., revealed
a drastic shrinkage of UMD inventory. Several shelves of
movies in the PSP section were gone; all that remained were
seven UMD titles sitting bookshelf-style on the top of the
PSP section, with no prices or other information.
*SPECULATION!!!*
IGN has been at it again with further details from an inside
source close to the Revolution...
Posted: 13:01 on 30 Mar 2006
By: Chris Leyton
In the continued absence of official specifications IGN has
once again been playing the guessing game when it comes to
the Nintendo Revolution, suggesting further details from an
"inside source".
According to the source the Revolution's "Broadway" CPU has a
clock speed of 729 MHz, whilst the "Hollywood" GPU runs at
243MHz; although clock speeds aren't the only means to
judging a processor's performance, these figures put the
Revolution comparatively faster then those of the GameCube's
"Gekko" (485 MHz) and "Flipper" (162 MHz) chips respectively.
The source further alleges that the Revolution will contain
24MB of 1T-SRAM (unique memory combining speed of SRAM and
the capacity of DRAM), along with an additional 64MB of
external 1T-SRAM that can be accessed as quickly as the main
allocation.
Figures such as these immediately scream of a generation
behind what the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 are capable of,
however it's worth remembering that specifications such as
these mean very little when they're not taken into account
with the overall picture of what the Revolution is all about.
Perhaps the most intriguing claim from the original IGN
article is the suggestion that Nintendo was working on
Revolution styled controller devices for the GameCube, as
part of the push for innovative peripherals that the Japanese
giant confirmed back in 2004.
Whether or not the Revolution is just a souped up GameCube
with the device now intact and of course the Virtual Console,
remains unknown at this stage, however it does little to
deter our anticipation for what is truly a fresh start for
the videogame industry.
What I've been Playing:
Oblivion on XBOX 360
Like, 20 hours this past week. Yipes. I'm at the point
where the game actually begins. Yee-Haw!!
Anime News:
Media Blasters, in conjunction with World Events Productions,
is releasing Voltron: Defender of the Universe on a series of
DVD sets beginning in September. Each set will contain about
15 episodes, all with 5.1 audio and remastered video.
In addition to original character sketches, TV ads, and news
footage, the DVDs will contain new extras created "with help
from the original producers and staff."
Media Blasters is also planning to release Hundred Beast King
GoLion and Armored Squadron Dairugger XV on DVD starting next
year. They will be uncut and subtitled.
More information will be available from Media Blasters' new
Convention Corner:
In 2006 JACON will be celebrating its seventh year of bringing Japanese animation to the Central Florida Area. 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 2006 will be held April 28-30, 2006 in Orlando, Florida at the Sheraton World Resort.
The Wasabi Animusical II: Electric Boogaloo
The sequel! Come join us on a not-so Bogus Journey as the Wasabi Empire Strikes Back! This 2 Fast 2 Furious dancing and comedy show follows up where last year’s left off… but this time Wasabi Anime makes use of popular songs from movies it found in The Chamber of Secrets. So Escape From L.A. and come to Orlando, Florida for the most popular convention stage show because we Still Know What You Did Last Summer.
For more information visit http://www.animusical.com
Video Game News:
Nintendo plus Sega equals Revolution FTW?
Thu Mar 23, 5:33 PM ET
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Nintendo Co. announced a partnership with former rivals
Thursday intended to boost the library of downloadable classic video games
for the company's upcoming Revolution console.
The agreement covers some of the more than 1,000 games made by Sega and
Hudson Soft for the now-defunct Sega Genesis console and the TurboGrafx 16
system, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said.
The Revolution's planned "Virtual Console" download service was already
expected to also play older Nintendo-made games like "Mario Bros" and
"Zelda."
"No one else can match the environment we're creating for expanding the
game experience to everyone," said Iwata, speaking at the Game Developer's
Conference in San Jose. "Our path is not linear, but dynamic."
By MAY WONG, AP Technology Writer Thu Mar 23, 1:47 PM ET
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Walk into any store that sells or rents video games, and
chances are you'll find only a few shelves, if any, for personal computer
games amid the aisles dominated by console software.
The PC still has a solid future as a gaming machine given the rising
popularity of games played online — for both casual games like "Tetris" and
intricate multiplayer games like "World of Warcraft." But the way in which
people get their games is getting a makeover as game makers experiment with
online distribution as an alternative to boxed CD-ROMs.
Some companies are even betting that PC gaming is on the cusp of a download
revolution, much like its entertainment counterparts in music and video.
"It's just another evolution of retail commerce of what in the end is a
digital product," said Jamie Berger, general manager at IGN Entertainment.
As you heard first on VGN for months...
By Lisa Baertlein
Thu Mar 23, 8:57 AM ET
SAN JOSE, California (Reuters) - Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news).'s top video
game studio executive said on Wednesday that a new online service debuting
with its PlayStation 3 console in early November will open up a world of
new content for gamers as well as new revenue opportunities for the
company.
The service, which lets users buy games and communicate and compete with
other players via the Web, again puts the company in head-to-head
competition with Microsoft Corp.
Sony, one of the world's leading technology manufacturers and entertainment
companies, aims to retain dominance over the roughly $30 billion global
video game market with the PS3.
Rival Microsoft introduced its next-generation Xbox 360 game console
last November. The company's Xbox Live subscription service, which offers
game downloads and online play, has been a hit on the new machine and Sony
had been widely expected to offer a similar service.
The basic level of Sony's online service, known internally as PlayStation
Network Platform, will be free, Phil Harrison, president of worldwide
studios for Sony Computer Entertainment, said at the Game Developers
Conference in San Jose.
Users will pay for subscriptions to game services and premium content, he
told Reuters in an interview.
We've had the unveiling of the UMPC, but that hasn't stopped reports that
Microsoft are still planning a handheld system...
Posted: 21:27 on 20 Mar 2006
By: Jon Wilcox
Rumours of Microsoft working on a handheld system to rival the PSP and iPod
have continue to go on, regardless of last week's unveiling of the Origami
Project and other no shows in previous years. The latest report on the
X-handheld project has come from the blog of one reporter for the San Jose
Mercury News - somewhat apt and no way a coincidence given the city's
current hosting of the Game Developer's Conference this week.
In his blog, journalist Dean Takahashi comments that the Seattle
Corporation is working on a handheld platform similar to Sony's PSP
handheld, and is currently being headed by Xbox 360 evangelist J Allard.
Citing sources at low-power chipmaker Transmeta, Takahashi says that up to
thirty of the company's engineers began work on the device in 2005.
Supporting his claim, the reporter says that Microsoft's reshuffle at the
end of 2005, which brought Allard, Xbox 360 designer Greg Gibson, and
finance officer for the Xbox project Bryan Lee, into the same area of the
company, led by Robbie Bach, was to enable work on the device.
Of course Microsoft haven't commented on the report as yet, but it's almost
certainly going to be the standard "Microsoft doesn't comment on rumours
and speculation" line. Rumours that Microsoft will be entering the handheld
scene are sure to continue until the day that they actually announce that
there is a handheld in the works - until then, it continues to be rumour
and speculation.
Warhawk, while looking great, was essentially a barren section of ocean
with a lot of fighter ships (they were aiming for a hundred for the final
game) going around destroying larger vessels and some nice looking water
(wave simulation with procedural animation) and clouds (volumetric
raytracing). Overall it was a great demo but a far cry of what was shown
last year and gave a nice sobering introduction to the rest of the demos
which was shown towards the end. Fortunately it will be playable at E3.
Bummer.
Go read this article in its entirety. It raises some interesting questions
about what the PS3 will actually ship with.
New Revolution shots!!
What I've been playing?
Living in OBLIVION!!!--XBOX 360
So far, best game I've ever played.
Anime news:
Jacon, coincides with Convention Corner.
Welcome to the JACON Web Page!
In 2006 JACON will be celebrating its seventh year of bringing Japanese
animation to the Central Florida Area. 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 2006
will be held April 28-30, 2006 in Orlando, Florida at the Sheraton World
Resort.
Check this web page for information and updates. Hope to see you all there!
Latest Updates:
New! JACON 2006 Costume Cabaret (March 18, 2006)
Guest! JACON welcomes voice actor, Billy West, as this year's Guest of
Honor. (March 13, 2006)
Guest! JACON welcomes members of Red vs. Blue as guests for 2006. (March
13, 2006)
See! The latest press release from JACON. (March 13, 2006)
News! Pre-registration deadline extended to Monday, March 20, 2006 and why
isn't there online pre-registration. (February 27, 2006)
New Event! Otaku no Kirameki Sakura [JACON 2006 Beauty Pageant] (February
26, 2006)
Video Game news:
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun suggests a November Japanese launch...
Posted: 23:10 on 14 Mar 2006
By: Chris Leyton
Reporting ahead of tomorrow's press event, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun is
suggesting that Sony will confirm a delay to the Playstation 3 until
November 2006 in Japan.
The paper maintains earlier claims that the Blu-ray technology is behind
the delay, claiming copy protection issues surrounding the format are
specifically to blame.
The news comes after reports have emerged citing claims by Microsoft that
any delay to the PS3 scheduling could have a positive effect on the sale of
Xbox 360, providing a larger then expected "headstart" period to gain a
significant grip over the Western market at least.
Whether or not the delay leads to a knock-on affect throughout the West
remains to be seen, but look out for further information very shortly.
[UPDATE]
Further information to this report suggests that if Sony were to stick to
the planned Spring 2006 launch then it would only be able to supply 500,000
units to the market, compared to the 2.5 million it believes are needed to
avoid initial shortages.
This comment seems to suggest Sony was gearing towards a Japan launch at
the outset, so whether or not the delay will lead to a simultaneous North
American release remains to be seen - just don't expect the PS3 to surface
in Europe until Spring 2007 at the earliest, hopefully we won't have to
endure the nine month wait it took for the PSP to appear.
Thu Mar 16, 8:37 PM ET
LOS ANGELES - Xbox 360 gamers will get a year of free music videos and
other content from artists signed to Epic Records under a promotion deal
between the record label and Microsoft Corp., the companies said Thursday.
The arrangement calls for Epic Records to feature 12 of its artists on a
program dubbed Artist of the Month, which users of Redmond, Wash.-based
Microsoft's popular gaming console can access over the Xbox Live
entertainment network.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Xbox Live members will be able to download exclusive music videos free and
compete for a chance to play an online game against the Epic recording
artists.
PS3 Further Details
More details emerge covering the HDD, backwards compatibility, Blu-ray and
HUB service...
Posted: 13:47 on 15 Mar 2006
By: Chris Leyton
Further information to today's announcements surrounding the Playstation3
has become apparent, via a series of interviews granted to Japanese
publications with Ken Kuturagi.
Confirming that a 60 GB 2.5" Harddrive (HDD) will be available that comes
pre-installed with Linux, Kuturagi-san confirmed our earlier suggestion
that this will be an optional peripheral and that developers will have to
create their games towards the basic specification.
The meeting also confirmed that the Playstation3 will offer 100%
compatibility with PSone and PS2 titles, which will benefit from being
displayed in High-Definition. Whether or not the PS3 will play original
discs, or support a service like that recently confirmed for the PSP
remains to be seen.
In a move that evidently suggests Sony just wasn't ready for a Spring
launch no matter what, Kuturagi-san confirmed that finalised dev-kits will
be ready in May and promoted to developers in July.
All PS3 titles will be created on Blu-ray discs with Kuturagi-san
maintaining that Sony is capable of manufacturing 10 million discs per
month, at a production cost rivalling that of DVD dual-layers.
Finally the announcement confirmed an online service similar to Xbox Live,
and looks likely to follow Microsoft's model by offering a Basic package
along with presumably a Premium service. The standard service will likely
include community features such as Voice-Chat, Lobbies, along with the
possibility of trading online and downloading software to the HDD.
Final Fantasy in Japan.
Thu Mar 16, 2:48 AM ET
TOKYO (AFP) - The latest version of the legendary video game Final Fantasy
was launched in Japan, with its creators comparing the intricate work to
great architecture.
The mythological role-playing game -- which has spawned a computer graphics
movie, mobile phone ring tones and soft drinks -- has been a flagship
product for Sony's PlayStation and for gamemaker SquareEnix.
"The vast, game-world map was designed with extreme care to details. This
monumental work was created as if it were grand architecture," Yoichi Wada,
president of SquareEnix, told a launch in Tokyo's trendy Shibuya district.
The launch of Final Fantasy XII, played on PlayStation 2, comes four years
after the 11th edition of the game.
Since the introduction of the first edition in 1987, SquareEnix has sold
more than 65 million copies of the Final Fantasy series worldwide,
attracting game players with its quality images and mysterious story lines.
"This type of work is similar to an awesome European cathedral," Akitoshi
Kawazu, executive producer of the game, said at the same event.
More importantly...
I finally got an XBOX 360!!!!
What I've been playing:
XBOX 360!!! Thanks to Cathy at the Blockbuster Game Rush store in
Altamonte Springs for the hook up!!
King Kong, Condemned and Full Auto baby!
Con Corner:
Anime Express will be held on the third weekend of March, the 17th through 19th.
Costs
Weekend Pass: $20
Friday: $10
Saturday: $15
Sunday: $10
Tee-shirts: $20
Tee-shirt & Weekend Pass Combo: $30
When: Midnight, Friday, March 17th
Where: Lowes Cineplex at Universal City Walk Orlando
We will begin wristbanding at 10:30 pm at the table just inside the lobby.
Luffy and crew arrive at the harbour of Anabaru. The local casino is holding a competition in which the winner will obtain a huge monetary reward if he reaches the finishing line first. Nami is elated and decides to participate in the competition. However, there is a conspiracy going behind the competition and the mastermind is an ex-military commander, Gasparde. His plan is to lure all the pirates to the military base and send them to their deaths. Luffy and gang have to overcome the numerous tests and tribulations along the way to complete this dead-end adventure.
Running Time: 95 minutes
Video Game news:
My Horrorscope?
Watch your spending, GARY. You may have an impulse to spend your money that
isn't easy to control, and which could lead you to having some big financial
difficulties. Unless you are a millionaire, it would be advisable to leave your
credit card home these days, unless you want to buy one special small
present... In this case, go ahead because you do deserve it!
A 360 is small, is this trying to tell me something?
NEW Super Mario Bros - New Details
Mario Bros are back in town with the Koopa Kids, Bowser and Toad too...
Posted: 23:28 on 09 Mar 2006
By: Chris Leyton
The release of NEW Super Mario Bros is reason alone to label 2006 as one of the
finest years in gaming; the first original Mario Bros title since Super Mario
World helped to define the 16-bit era - who needs the next-generation???
With mere months until its release (in North America and Japan at least),
details on the title are slowly beginning to emerge, some of which were
recently divulged in a Nintendo Power interview with Takashi Tezuka.
Heralding the return of the Koopa Kids, Tezuka-san also confirms the appearance
of Bowser and Toad, but makes the surprising claim that Yoshi's style doesn't
suit the nature of the game and won't be making an appearance - perhaps a good
thing for the purists.
Despite the inclusion of a two-player mode the game will not make use of the
Nintendo Wi-Fi service, whilst the opportunity to justify Nintendo's inclusion
of a microphone looks as though it's going to pass by once again.
Tezuka-san concluded the interview when asked about the possibility of seeing
Mario Bros on a home console, by suggesting, "The probability is not zero, but
no further comment at this point."
Nintendo for Seniors?
By HIROKO TABUCHI, Associated Press Writer Tue Mar 7, 2:45 PM ET
TOKYO - Like many retirees, Isamu Shishido sometimes forgets names and even his
own telephone number. But now the 67-year-old says he's found a product that
could sharpen his thinking: a new brain-training game from Nintendo Co.
The ailing maker of Super Mario and Pokemon games has scored a hit by courting
Japan's burgeoning gray market with "Brain Training for Adults" — a number and
puzzles game that Nintendo says can stimulate the brain.
"I don't want to end up some crazy old man," Shishido explained at a crowded
Tokyo electronics store after trying the game on display. "I want to play a
little everyday before going to bed."
The game, played on the company's hand-held DS console, is part of an effort by
Nintendo to broaden its customer base amid falling profits.
Sony to announce SOMETHING next week?
KOEI vice-president hints at a major event taking place in Japan next week...
Posted: 15:23 on 09 Mar 2006
By: Chris Leyton
Covering a recent event held in Japan focussed around Dynasty Warriors BB,
KOEI's vice-president, Kiyoshi Komatsu, is reported to have told journalists of
a significant Sony event taking place in Japan on March 15th.
It's believed that new information on the Playstation 3 will be announced at
the event, which will hopefully provide clarification on the amended release
schedule and new demonstrations of the next-gen format in action.
Sony however has yet to comment on the event, so it seems we'll just have to
wait and see at this stage.
What I've been playing:
NOTHING. Moving.
Convention Corner:
Anime Express will be held on the third weekend of March, the 17th through
19th.
Costs
Weekend Pass: $20
Friday: $10
Saturday: $15
Sunday: $10
Tee-shirts: $20
Tee-shirt & Weekend Pass Combo: $30
Registration will begin at 5pm on Friday, and 7am for both Saturday and Sunday.
Also new to Anime Express will be a DCI Sanctioned Magic the Gathering
Tournament
Video Game News:
By Lisa Baertlein
Wed Mar 1, 8:42 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Video game maker S2 Games plans sell
its new title "Savage 2: A Tortured Soul" exclusively through Web
downloads this October testing a new delivery system that both
independent computer game makers and industry behemoths are
trying.
By declining to box up thousands of CDs and distribute them in
stores, S2 aims to cut the price of the game and hold on to a
bigger percentage of proceeds, Marc DeForest, the company's
co-founder and lead designer, told Reuters this week.
The increasing proliferation of high-speed Internet connections
is helping to drive interest in digital video game publishing,
particularly among small game development houses looking for a
direct route to fans.
According to research from Parks Associates, 42 percent of U.S.
households have broadband Internet access, which is making it
easier for users to quickly download video games, photos, music
and other content. Broadband penetration in some other countries,
such as South Korea, is significantly higher.
Digital delivery of high-definition films, which are enormous
files, has been restricted by the limited deployment of
high-capacity networks needed to deliver feature-length videos to
millions of consumers via satellite, telephone or cable TV
networks.
In the case of S2, players will be able to download the entire
game to their computers. Online game play will happen on S2-run
servers that allow the company to identify those players who have
paid for the game.
Grrrrrrrrr.....PS3 delay?
By Colin Campbell
Few in the industry believe that PlayStation 3 will launch in the
spring. It looks like Sony may be ready to announce a delay. A
company spokesperson has admitted that a delay is possible.
Sony has told the media that the launch of the console will be
delayed due to difficulties in finalizing the Blu-ray drive's
specs. An unnamed spokesperson for Sony Computer Entertainment in
Japan admitted that PlayStation 3 launch could be delayed.
SCE said that if final specs were not finalized with the Blu-ray
Disc development consortium, the launch of the console could be
delayed.
Famitsu president Hirokazu Hamamura, is quoted, "Sony has not
begun taking orders early this month, that means that it would be
difficult for the company to begin sales in May."
Until now, Sony has steadfastly stuck to its previously announced
launch date of "spring" without offering any further details.
Most industry observers believe the machine will be launched in
Japan and North America in the fall.
Hitoshi Kuriyama, an analyst at Merrill Lynch, believes the U.S
launch could be delayed until 2007. Merrill Lynch's recent report
on PS3 suggested the machine would cost around $800 to produce,
and would be delayed.
Final Fantasy XII footage...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eAIHC6zWCQY
And...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51eglKOlYg4&search=FF%20XII
But more importantly...
Oblivion Release Date Confirmed
As the rumours suggested, not long to go now before Bethesda's
epic is unleashed upon the gaming world...
Posted: 17:41 on 02 Mar 2006
By: Chris Leyton
Bethesda Softworks and 2K Games today brought the news that Elder
Scrolls fans have wanted to hear, Oblivion will ship to stores
across North America and Europe during the week commencing March
20th. The confirmation backs up the widely held belief that
Oblivion will arrive on the PC and Xbox 360 on March 24th in the
UK at least, with both versions arriving in standard and
collector's editions.
"Our most ambitious project ever is finally done," said Todd
Howard, Executive Producer of Oblivion. "We're excited to get the
game into everyone's hands and let them experience it for
themselves. We hope they enjoy it. I think it's our best game
yet."
"Oblivion will set the new standard for next generation gaming
and change the way role-playing games are viewed forever," said
Vlatko Andonov, President of Bethesda Softworks. "We set very
high goals and ensure they are reached because that is what our
fans deserve and have come to expect from Bethesda Softworks. We
are very proud of our team's accomplishments with respect to
Oblivion."
"Oblivion is one of the most anticipated video games of 2006 and
its release will be a milestone for the Xbox 360 and PC," said
Christoph Hartmann, Managing Director, 2K Games. "A shining
example of next-generation role-playing, Oblivion breaks new
ground in the genre with unparalleled graphics, revolutionary
gameplay and an expansive RPG world."
What I've been playing:
Fable Lost Chapters--XBOX
Animal Crossing--NDS
Black--XBOX
Con Corner:
Mega-Con wrap up
Name: Anime Express
Date: March 17-19, 2006
Location: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, FL
At-Door Rates: $20weekend