Gary's Blog

Just a place to find out what's on my mind, or what's occupying my time whilst I avoid actual "work."

 

VGN for October 21st, 2005

Video Game News:

DOOM opens tonight!!

Reviews already in, some calling it the best movie based on a video game to date.  Is it?  Go see for yourself!

New PSP bundle.
Stockings will be stuffed with new PSP Giga Pack; essentially swaps out 32MB card for 1GB card for $299.
 
Sony Computer Entertainment today announced that it will offer a new PSP bundle for this holiday season, called the PSP Giga Pack, beginning next month.

The PSP Giga Pack will basically include the same items as the usual PSP Value Pack: the PlayStation Portable, an AC adapter, a battery pack, headphones w/remote control, a protective pouch, a wiping cloth, and a Memory Stick Duo.

However, the pack's "Giga" status comes from the inclusion of a 1GB memory stick in lieu of the 32MB stick in the Value Pack. The pack also includes two more items not featured in the Value Pack, a PSP stand that allows for hands-free movie viewing and a USB cable to connect the portable to PCs.

The Giga Pack will sell for $299 (349 CDN) in North America and for 299.99 euros (214.99 GBP) in Europe. In Japan the PSP Giga Pack is slated for release on November 17 at the price of 29,800 yen ($258). The Japanese package will be offered in both the standard black (PSP-1000G1) and Ceramic White (PSP-1000G1CW) PSP color models.

GameStop up next for 360 kiosks

Beginning today game retailer joins Wal-Mart with demo stations for Microsoft's new console; all stores outfitted within a month.
For all the clamor from Microsoft about the Xbox 360 being the biggest thing in home entertainment since the TV dinner, the company sure is being quiet about when the public can get some hands-on time with the machine. In the past few days, Wal-Marts across the country were prominently displaying demonstration kiosks for the console, supposedly with playable samples of Call of Duty 2 and King Kong.

Today GameStop followed suit with its own kiosks for the concave console. According to one GameStop employee, a company e-mail sent out to the near 2,000 stores stated that Xbox 360 stations would begin appearing at the outlets starting today, with the goal being that each store have a station within a month. Consistent with reports, GameSpot was told that playable demos of Call of Duty 2 and Peter Jackson's King Kong would be included.

It's unclear at the time whether this will also include EB Games stores, which were recently acquired by GameStop in a merger. "At this time, we are not informed of what happens with EB's stores," said the GameStop employee.

Though the likelihood of Xbox 360 demo stations coming to game retailers seems inevitable, nothing has been made official. As of press time, Microsoft had not answered requests for confirmation. However, back in April, Microsoft announced a partnership with Samsung to provide 25,000 high-definition monitors in Xbox 360 displays around the world.

Nintendo partners with McDonalds.

Jay Wrolstad, newsfactor.com
Wed Oct 19, 5:13 PM ET
 
In a clear sign that Wi-Fi is heading in new directions, Nintendo (PNK: NTDOY) has partnered with wireless-networking specialist Wayport and McDonald's (NYSE: MCD - news) to give customers the opportunity to engage in interactive gaming while they gobble down a burger and fries.

 
Next month, the gaming giant will launch the new wireless-gaming service by releasing a selection of Wi-Fi-enabled games for its Nintendo DS players that can take advantage of the free wireless hotspots at some 6,000 McDonald's restaurants.

Penny Arcade vs. Jack Thompson

Florida Bar Association says despite "many complaints," no action has been initiated against the antigame attorney over public spat; Thompson's full response inside.
This week has seen much attention in the games press focused on the ongoing feud between Jack Thompson, increasingly high-profile antigame activist, and Penny Arcade, the popular game-enthusiast cartoon Web site.

The spat came to a head after Penny Arcade announced its intention to donate $10,000 to an Entertainment Software Association charity in Thompson's name. An incensed Thompson, one of the ESA's most vociferous critics, then accused Penny Arcade of harassing him by selling "I Hate Jack Thompson" T-shirts via ThinkGeek.com and threatened the site with legal action. He then issued a press release saying he had faxed the Seattle police asking them to take action against Penny Arcade, which he accused of being a "little extortion factory." However, on Thursday morning, the Seattle Police Department told GameSpot that it had not yet received any such complaint from Thompson.

This morning, it appeared that Thompson's tactics had backfired. Many game sites reported that the Miami-based lawyer was now under investigation by the Florida Bar Association (FBA) over his actions in the Penny Arcade dispute. Most of these sites linked back to an article on PC enthusiast site Ars Technica, which said only that "Penny Arcade forum members wrote, edited and sent letters and faxes to the FBA detailing Thompson's activities and urging the review of his license to practice law." The article does not say specifically that an investigation had been launched.

This morning, GameSpot called the Florida Bar Association to see whether any new investigation has been launched against Thompson. Representatives of the FBA's disciplinary division said that despite "many complaints" filed over the past week, no new investigation into Thompson's activities had been launched as of this morning. However, the reps would not rule out the possibility of any future action being taken.

Governator?  Lawsuit for your state may terminate new ban.

Tue Oct 18, 8:16 AM ET
 
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Two industry trade groups sued the state of California on Monday after the state passed a law barring the sale of violent video games to minors.

California Gov.  Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former screen "Terminator" who is himself portrayed in several video games based on his Hollywood roles, vowed to fight the suit, which was filed in federal court in San Jose.

"I will do everything in my power to preserve this new law and I urge the attorney general to mount a vigorous defense of California's ability to prevent the sale of these games to children," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

"California's new law will ensure parental involvement in determining which video games are appropriate for their children. I believe strongly that we must give parents the tools to help them protect their children."

The trade group Entertainment Software Association announced its intentions to fight in court immediately after Schwarzenegger signed the ban 10 days ago. Video Software Dealers Association joined in the suit.

"It is not up to any industry or the government to set standards for what kids can see or do; that is the role of parents," Douglas Lowenstein, the group's president said.

"Everyone involved with this misguided law has known from the start that it is an unconstitutional infringement on the First Amendment freedoms of those who create and sell video games."

Dork Alert!  Win a date with Vida!

Attention gamers! If your videogame obsession has left you with a permanent indentation in your couch and no hope of a date in the foreseeable future, Spike TV is here to help. FHM's lovely Vida Guerra has agreed to take one lucky man as her personal escort to the Spike TV Video Game Awards and to the exclusive after-party on November 18, 2005 in Los Angeles.

Now all you have to do is tell us why you're worthy. Simply log on to http://www.fhmus.com/vgas and explain why Spike TV Video Game Awards is the perfect place to take Vida*. If we like your plea, pack your bags. Just leave your stuffed Zelda at home.

What I've been playing:

The Incredible Hulk!

Pirates:  Legend of Black Cat.

Kingdom under Fire!

 

Anime:

Phantom Master: Dark Hero

 After wandering through the desert for days, a bitter warrior named Munsu is lost and unable to continue. His life is unexpectedly saved by Mon-ryon, a young man who dreams of becoming a secret agent for Jushin, a once-great country that was recently destroyed. Mon-ryon`s goal is to save his girlfriend, Chunhyan, a born fighter who is held captive by the evil Lord Byonand.
 
Join Munsu and Chunhyan as they fight for their freedom, and vengeance for a dead nation.
Swords, sorcery and a phantom army await!
 
Anime Explosion is a free once a month showing at Loews Cineplex at Universal Citywalk Orlando.

Don't forget JACO's Halloween Bash is this coming weekend, October 22nd, starting at 5:30PM and goes until 11:30PM! Come on out for fun, games, and friends! We will be starting the night off with a video game tournament on the big screen and will roll into themed programming and our yearly Costume Contest that you won't want to miss. Wear your favorite costume and bring all your friends for a fun time. JACO members show your current membership for a trick-or-treat goodie bag! Certainly don't forget to bring a pre-carved pumpkin to feature in our 2nd annual Pumpking Carving Contest and display it for everyone to enjoy! This year we are also proud to feature Wasabi Anime's first professional photo shoot! A classroom will be dedicated and decorated for themed photos of you and your friends which you can download later from www.wasabianime.com! Printing services will also be provided on site, so don't miss out!! We can't wait to see you there. Light refreshments will be provided, but feel free to bring candy and goodies for all your friends and new faces you may meet! LET'S PARTY!

UPDATE: Please stay tuned to your local weather telecasts and media outlets to monitor the progress of Hurricane Wilma. In the event that there is a hurricane warning for the Central Florida area, the JACO Halloween will be postponed. Currently the event is still planned to occur, but this is pending a safe environment. We do not want to risk harm to our attendees or staff so please be sure to pay close attention to weather forcasts and check this site for updates. In the event we do decide to postpone this event, we will do our best to announce it here ASAP. Thank you for your continued support and we hope for the best!

Sincerely,
Jason Sadeghi
JACO President

Convention Corner:
Necronomicon!!!
October 28-30, 2005

posted by: Gary1059 at 07:13 | link | comments (1) |

#1  26 October 2005 - 07:08

 

nice, cozy place you got here :).. - guile

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