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| by Danny Internets | March 20th, 2009 - 8:48 am
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In line with our continuing coverage of politicians’ desperate attempts to deflect blame from bad parents to the video game industry, Derbyshire.co.uk reports this week that Glenis Wilmott, elected Labour Party leader to the European Parliament, has recently been pushing the legislative body to mandate the installation of a new feature to all video game consoles sold in the region. This new feature would consist of a red button which would allow parents to disable the machines when they display objectionable content that might forever warp their children’s fragile minds, potentially forcing them to engage in antisocial behavior or commit any number of heinous atrocities.
Apparently, Mrs. Wilmott is not aware that virtually all modern electronics already have this feature: the power button.
Wilmott’s cesspool of stupid website further expands on her position:
A red button fitted to consoles, computers and other gaming devices would offer parents the chance to control access or even disable games with inappropriate content.
The recommendations in a report for the European Parliament also says that parental control options on video games should be backed up with more information on game content and an age rating system which is the same across Europe.
Studies show that violence in video games does not automatically lead to violent behaviour. But prolonged exposure to scenes of violence can have an adverse effect on the player and even potentially lead to violent behaviour.
Source
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| by Timmy Walnuts | March 13th, 2009 - 3:33 pm
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I was taking a little stroll through the internet today, and when I’m poking around aimlessly, I generally don’t find anything of much interest. But today felt different. First came the most amazingly awesome thing I’ve seen in a long time. This has got to be the best Metroid cosplay ever, if not the best cosplay of all time. Not to mention she’s pretty smokin’. But continuing with this Metroid theme, I became curious to when we could expect another to be released. And wouldn’t you know it? The official Japanese Metroid site has a banner at the bottom of the screen, after the flash intro, that simply states “Another Side Story - Coming Soon” with a picture of a space pirate next to it. Yes, I know this has been posted for about a month now, but I still needs my Metroid.
I just hope that this “side story” doesn’t mean another first person experience (and that its not on the Wii). We need a return to the series roots; a side-scrolling, exploratory adventure to continue where Metroid Fusion left off. I don’t want much. Just a nice, old-school feel with some new features, maybe a new type of beam weapon? Shit, I’ll even take a spin-off that focuses around the space pirates, just give me a classic Metroid game. The Castlevania series continues to garner much success using this formula, one that was created by the original Metroid team.Yet, we haven’t seen a seen a 2D installment for about five years now, and its about damn time for one.
Why not take the graphical success of Street Fighter IV, that 3D look on a 2D plane, and mesh it with the exploratory nature of the Metroid series? The game would look fantastic, and with the right development team, could bring the series back to its Super Metroid glory days. Hopefully some news will surface sooner rather than later; all we have is a dinky little banner that possibly points to the same Metroid Dread that was mentioned in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
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| by Timmy Walnuts | March 10th, 2009 - 6:16 pm
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Guitar Hero has been THE staple for music games ever since its introduction into the gaming world back nearly four years ago in November of 2005. Developed by Harmonix and published by RedOctane, it was deemed innovative, groundbreaking, or in one simple word: awesome. Gamers and non-gamers alike flocked to the virtual guitar as if free handjobs were included with every purchase. Everyone and their sister has either owned or at least played some incarnation of the game. And as Activision got their grubby, greedy little hands on the franchise in 2006, an explosion of music-oriented games was just around the bend.
When RedOctane was bought out by Activision, a $100 million expenditure simply for the Guitar Hero name mind you, Harmonix went they’re own way and were eventually gobbled up by MTV Networks within the same year. The final collaboration between the two companies originally behind the Guitar Hero series turned out to be one of the least critically acclaimed titles, with GH: Rocks The 80’s receiving lukewarm reviews at best because of its high price-tag and meager track list. With the two original companies going their separate ways, the music-game genre was ready to explode with the highly anticipated sequel to GH2 and the arrival of innovation delivered by then “newcomer,” Rock Band.
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| by Timmy Walnuts | February 18th, 2009 - 1:14 pm
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Electronic Arts announced today the prequel to critically acclaimed Dead Space, entitled Dead Space: Extractions, exclusively for the Nintendo Wii. Set for release in the fall of this year, Extraction will shed light on the events leading up to Issac Clarke’s mission on the USG Ishimura in the original game. The prequel will tell the story of a small party of space colonists desperately trying to escape an infection plaguing the Aegis VII mining colony imbedded in the deepest regions of known space. A new heroine is introduce
d, and it rapidly becomes clear that protecting her is the key to surviving the horrific infection.
The game is being built from the ground up using the Wii’s customized controls, which should offer a genuinely unique experience that you won’t find on the 360 or PS3. Rather than the over the shoulder, 3rd-person view that the original Dead Space nearly perfected, Extraction will feature a first person perspective, designed entirely around the Wiimote and its motion controls. The game also introduces all new characters, enemies, weapons, enhancements, puzzles, and a completely co-operative campaign. No specific release date has been announced, other than “Autumn 2009.”
Now, I’m all for a prequel or sequel, or both, but why the Wii? Dead Space was so appealing because it was intended for a mature audience, an audience that generally owns a 360, PS3, or PC, not a Wii. I do realize that this is an effort to bring that community of gamers back over to Nintendo, but being apart of this group myself, I’m not exactly thrilled that this prequel is a Wii exclusive. I’m happy with what EA gave me with the original, and don’t exactly want them changing the chemistry so soon. Why not try to repeat the same success with what you know first, rather than trying to innovative? Who’s to say your first endeavor wasn’t a fluke? I hope that their efforts in “building from the ground up” don’t mean “we spent all our time on the motion controls, and we forgot about the plot,” which has happen with plenty of Wii titles. Now, the question is: does this have enough pull to attract new Wii buyers? Or will Dead Space enthusiasts pass on this one?
Perhaps this is all in timing with the Wii release of Resident Evil 5? Hmm…Oh yeah, and checkout the Dead Space: Extraction Announcement Trailer
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| by Danny Internets | January 31st, 2009 - 8:17 pm
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World of Goo.
Developed by 2D Boy, loved by critics, coveted by gamers, and pirated by 90% of its owners.
It should come as no surprise that its publisher just filed for Bankruptcy on January 28.
RIP, Brighter Minds.
Source
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| by Timmy Walnuts | January 29th, 2009 - 3:33 pm
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Activision has finalized the track listing for Guitar Hero: Metallica due March 29th exclusively for the Xbox 360 and PS3, with a release for the Wii and PS2 sometime soon after (I’ve heard May at the earliest). Originally thought to be another Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, Neversoft/Activision’s lackluster and lukewarm first venture into a band themed GH, this new project seems much more ambitious. Aerosmith featured just a mere 41 songs, a long shot away from GH: World Tour’s impressive 86. GH: Metallica will feature nearly “60 songs,” a step above Aerosmith’s game.
The 60 songs includes their newest album, which fully integrates into the game once downloaded. However, if you don’t have the Death Magnetic DLC album, then the list drops down to around 50, yet a much more respectable 50, with only 11 tracks from the post-1991 era, barring their newest album.
Although the Metallica content is vast and impressive (it sure beats the hell out of Aerosmith), some tracks are repeats from previous GH and Rock Band releases, which I really don’t Read the rest of this entry »
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