Viva Porñata
There was an article posted today regarding Spore players who made some obscene interactions go on between creatures. I am sure there are plenty more than a "small number" of individuals who would use just about anything to display sexual performances. As far as it being considered "as bad as child porn," where did that person's common sense go? Regardless, people get bored and want a little attention; this is probably just their way of announcing to the world that they have not gotten any in awhile.
Mac Mini users beware, Dell is out to replace your computer - The little stands are cute, but I do not like its XBox 360 resemblance.
Lego-bot solves a Rubik's cube faster than you can
Japan to see the next Nintendo DS before New Year's?
The guide for World of Warcraft players who want to try out Guild Wars - Of course there are huge differences, they are entirely different games.
Be on the watch out for, but do not look at, today's solar eclipse - If you happen to be in the more northern regions of the world anyway.
New Neverwinter Nights 2 expansion screenshots
Researchers are putting the squeeze on light
The oldest of the old when it comes to console gaming
The Himalayas hide some nasty stuff - As long as the controls for the Wii do not suck as bad as they do for Resident Evil 4.
The most out-of-this-world arcade emulator ever made - I can sense everyone's jealousy levels rising.
Scrabulous becomes Wordscraper and Hasbro executives put their heads in the sand - Everyone can have their addicting Facebook game back now.
July 31st, 2008
Poor reporting
Joseph Olin's got a problem with video game reviewers. Can not say that I blame him, why do you think I got into it in the first place? One can not adequately describe the entirety of a video game without dedicating time to it; 2-3 hours is usually not nearly enough. However, it is important in the world of reporting to be the first to share content with the community, because if you do not someone else will, and then you will lose readers. IT is a shame that quality has to suffer because of this.
I find there is a problem with most reviewing in general; from games, to movies, even food. Subjects reviewed are predetermined to be good or bad based on erroneous factors: developers, publishers, sequels, prequels, actors, owners, locations. Diablo 3 is being developed by Blizzard; does that automatically make it awesome? Atlus just ported over another Japanese video game; does that mean it is guaranteed to be quirky and fun? Star Wars: The Clone Wars is being produced by Lucasfilm Animation; does that mean it will be a legendary film? No, no, and definitely not. Critics tend to cater to the popular or mainstream items, while discarding the rest. Then again, it is all just based on everyone's own opinions any way; is it not?
Want your spit to be remembered with the mastermind video game creator, Richard Garriott?
Traveller's Tales take on their Lego-themed games
Build it, destroy it, and rebuild it again with the new SimCity
The Red Alert 3 beta is now open - I attempted to register on EA's website in order to sign-up, but for some reason I did not meet the "criteria" to even register for a screenname.
Nifty multi-touch, super skinny, mouse-less mousepad - I just have the feeling that users' hands would get tired quickly.
Microsoft wants you to develop your own video games - So they can take more of your hard-earned money. Stick with Sony and Nintendo, they will treat you right.
As old school as an analog computer can be - So you thought your Pentium 2 was old, huh?
The British are the winning pro-gamers
Saturn's moon has its own lake - I will be the first to sign-up for summer camp on Titan.
July 30th, 2008
Shakers and stirrers
Blizzcon tickets are going on sale August 11th. Make sure to set your alarms so you can check every hour on the hour. I am looking forward to this; they are expanding the number of halls this year, that must mean they have a lot to share with us, right?
I had my first earthquake today, out here in California. It was not too bad, everyone is okay, and it was rather exciting. It made the news, so it must have been important.
Can not get enough Fable? Well, good - They already have enough storyline and ideas to push through to a 5th game? Then the second better be simply amazing if they can spend time dreaming that far into the future.
The computer knows when you are being bad - Sorry nighttime security officers, you have been replaced.
Designers have to engineer emotions - I like how the game design has to think backwards from the player's perspective of experiencing the game. When this is done properly, it definitely shines through. Could they have chosen different colors in their second set of images at least? Bright orange and vomit green are way overdone.
First Australia, now Arizona; holograms will be with us shortly
New Zealander hopes to sell homemade jetpacks for $100 grand
Even more Star Wars, now in 3D
Get into Warhammer Online via ComicCon
Top Playstation 3 games come out as "Greatest Hits" today - The only one really worth it is Oblivion though.
July 29th, 2008
To boldly go
The Star Trek MMO is not out for the count just yet; Cryptic studios, bringers of City of Heroes, have taken up the reigns to the expansive, galactic MMO. This is definitely a good thing, there was a lot to City of Heroes that was great, and hopefully Cryptic will be able to build upon that. There is also some great art to check out. Soul Calibur 4 is out this week; hooray for the same old stuff?
Former Google employees strike back against the corporate giant with their own search engine - "I index more pages than you do!" "Nuh-uh!"
China has more Internet users than the US - Well, China has a much larger population than the US in general.
One handheld to rule them all - A new DS? What could they possibly come up with next?
Microsoft allows the playing of three games online for free with the XBox
Microsoft: "We are still here... kind of sort of" - Everybody wants to rule the world.
LEDs are the light of energy saver's lives
Google is in the know with Knol
New XBox menu interface is being built - Almost looks like the album view when surfing through music on an iPhone.
Technology penetrates Australian school for girls - People in my highschool would to cheat with programmable calculators; you could store all types of notes in there. Using a computer will probably only make it worse.
Take a space ride for only $200,000 a pop
July 28th, 2008
Ninja Gaiden 2
My appendage-slicing review of Ninja Gaiden 2 is now available. Go read it.
July 26th, 2008
Blogging gamers
With AOL's budget on the edge there are cuts coming all across the board. It seems that even with the more tech-related sites generating, the gaming blogs were threatened to halt posting. Does not make much sense to limit the posting of the more popular sites; why not look elsewhere? I can understand the employees of said blogs wanting to continue to post unpaid; and speaking as someone who does just that, game on my friends, game on.
The ultimate battle of good versus evil in an online format - The Critic sounds like a great superhero name; I can rid the world of dishonesty.
Google wants to become one with Digg - It really is never-ending.
Capcom classics reloaded - I could get into some hardcore top-down shooter action.
Puzzle Quest goes galactic - 50 hours of my life gone, dedicated to that puzzle game; it has been so hard staying clean. I can feel my addiction resurfacing already.
The Miyamoto exclusive insight - He does mention, although off-handedly, that there are teams working on Zelda and Mario games currently. He, too, believes in the touch-screen technology revolutionizing gaming.
Jason is in league with the Argonauts
Scientists can tell you why those pretty lights appear in the sky
Do not expect Craigslist to hide your identity, or show up if you invite them out
Want to make games? Live in Japan? Start going to CAMP
The Internet has its whole future ahead of it
July 25th, 2008
E-merging
Blockbuster and Circuit City; Vivendi and Activision; Yahoo and Microsoft; Google and Yahoo; Yahoo and AOL; XM and Sirius. Will the attempt at technological pairings ever end? Everyone wants to be important, bigger, supposedly better, worth and making more money. Is it just me, or does it seem like it is happening more often than usual? Is the American economical "downturn" freaking people out, or are people generally interested in monopolizing industries wherever possible? Whatever needs to be done to get ahead I suppose. As long as great video game titles come out of developer mergers I will be okay with it.
Google's blogging service is so popular, even the criminals prefer it over other platforms
Bionic Commando will have you swinging for more - Time to remake Ducktales the video game.
Under 18? Go buy your Grand Theft Autos at Circuit City
American television crew runs into a Blood Curse in Japan - Definitely need more excellent survival horror titles.
Japanese Wii players will no longer have to go to the newsstand to get their manga fix
Guess it is not so Scabulous anymore, is it?
What kind of casual gamer are you? - Of course the demographics for gamers are diversifying, more people are playing video games.
Windows 7 is coming along nicely - Honestly, I really want to see the touch functionality revolutionize PC gaming.
Mirrors Edge is going to print - Worked for City of Heroes and Heroes the television series.
You want crap? These stores got it
How far will colleges go to crack down on cheating?
July 24th, 2008
Game law
So the New York government passed the recent video game law, claiming they must be clearly labeled with the appropriate rating. Additionally, new console systems must be installed with parent-controlled lockout features. This is, surprise, in response to concern about the "massive amounts" of violence in games. As if video game ratings will help parents make better choices for their children; should they not be able to use their own judgment? Or maybe do some of their own research instead of letting other people tell them what is bad? Oh right, no one has time to personally care for their children anymore. That is why we have the news to tell us what to do, then we do not need to stress out making our own decisions.
In honor of the quirky SciFi show, design your own Eureka-like invention and win an iPhone - The iRing does not sound out there at all, and it would probably sell millions!
TiVo and Amazon team up to make it easier for you to buy more stuff
ESA pushes forward for yet another E3 - They are open to change, I hope. At least feedback will be collected; surely it will have some affect on next year's show.
How much does it cost to begin the robot takeover of Earth? About 15 grand
Time for a new television - Should have held off purchasing mine for a couple of months!
Recording yourself pwning newbs is not very creative - Thank you for realizing this, it is about time.
Do not catch the Asprox virus - Give your computer lots of Vitamin C++.
Farmers should prepare to move to the moon
Bend the fabric of space and time with the Nintendo DS - This game is bad for children because it gives them the idea that changing past events is okay. That might make them kill people.
World of Kung Fu does not resemble World of Warcraft in the least - But then again, what does not these days?
July 23rd, 2008
Masking the air
Microsoft is still trying to cover-up their mistake of an operating system. They are trying to assure themselves that Vista really is good, as if it is their Padawan that has fallen to the Dark Side and they can not come to terms with it. Also makes me think of the commercials for air fresheners; sure the room will smell like flowers, but it will still smell like whatever you were attempting to mask in the first place as well. Microsoft, you can deliver the software to consumers, but you can not make them use it. Okay, enough metaphors for now.
After yesterday's discussion on The Agency's classes, I think it is time to check out the factions
Venus could be a (somewhat) hospitable alternative living environment - Think Bespin.
Darth Vader brings the Dark Side to the Playstation 3's Soul Calibur 4
Paper can be a transistor too - This is the first step towards electronic newspapers, among other things of course.
Keep up or you might be Left 4 Dead - 4-player co-op? I am so there.
Go an inventive idea? Find someone to pay you for it
Toy manufacturer develops guns with Star Trek phaser-like settings - Set to stun, Captain!
Microsoft does something nice for gamers - Wow, they actually are not going to charge you to play online with friends on the PC any longer? Do they deserve credit for finally implementing something that should have been from the start? Perhaps.
Criminals love Street View on Google Maps - Are people really that paranoid?
July 22nd, 2008
Ding
After hearing about several great upcoming games last week, it is kind of disappointing to see that there really is not anything of any importance being released this week. At least we have Final Fantasy 4 out on the DS this week along with Izuna 2; who could ever get enough of the famous Japanese titi...titles. So, now we know why all that Warhammer Online content was removed, or at least what they want us to know. They said it themselves, they have been in Beta Testing for two years; who really wants it to go on much longer? Maybe instead of removing key features from the game to "make it better" they should have not have made those items so prominent in the first place. Well, whatever they want to do to get the game out is that they are going to do.
Mario and Luigi spurred the first known video game journalism - Who are the Mario brothers?? The vocabulary and the reporter's delivery could not be better.
Facebook went under the knife - Because spending hours upon hours clicking around on profiles is a production use of time.
Fable 2 gameplay, gameplay, and more gameplay - A little pet puppy, dancing for presents, and massacring cities; what more could you ask for?
The Agency's class system - Reminds me of Shadowrun; you know, the real table-top Shadowrun.
Delve deep into the civilization and galactic aspects of Spore - Before you can move into space, you must first conquer the world. Make sure you go to the battlefield prepared.
Suicide bombers translated into EVE Online - I thought that extreme realism is what EVE was originally going for; should they not be happy? Humor aside, griefing does suck, especially when lots of time and (essentially) money are involved.
Socialize over video game console networks - No reason to go over to your friend's house to play a game or watch a movie when you can do it from the comfort of your own living room through a game "community."
Misinformed attack on Grand Theft Auto 4 removed - As if they really did care that it was incorrect; it is not like people who say such poor things about video games actually play them.
Team Ninja goes... first person shooter?
Asia's favorite mobile phones - Nokia, Nokia, Nokia, Sony, Nokia.
Portal bonus fan levels available on PC - GLaDOS can not die.
Open beta of Florensia, another upcoming subscriptionless MMO - Sounds very much like Pirates of the Burning Sea with the "maritime world." The stylization of it is very reflective of its Japanese developer.
July 21st, 2008
Wrath of the Lich King - Alpha Test
Non-disclosure is gone, time to reveal my gatherings during my time in the Alpha Testing of World of Warcraft's Wrath of the Lich King expansion. Check it out.
July 19th, 2008
Competative Issues
With another E3 event over, it is time to look back and review on how awesome it is to get together and play and talk about exciting new games. Except that really does not have anything to do with this year's E3, and trust me you are not the only one disappointed. Not only are gamers disappointed, but so are the developers! People want the booth babes, the lengthy queues to get in, and the elaborate displays; it is time E3 became E4: the Exciting Electronic Entertainment Exposition. Sounds to me like publishers were getting cheap; conferences are going to cost a lot of money if you are planning on making an impression. All events are like that, and gaming should be bigger, better, and filled with more glory than any other! Also, if you have forgotten anything that went on, there is an overview of some of the topics covered over the three days.
Many chargers imported into the UK are unsafe and uncertified - Oh no's!
The coolest place ever, literally - All in the name of the evolution of outer space.
Do you download pirated music? Then you might be downloading malware
Video on the emergence of real-life advertising in virtual-life
Several provocative relaxers for the gadget-geeky work-a-holic
Online video, Citizen Engineer, is determined to give you the D.L. on technology hardware - The musical art in the introduction is pretty cool too.
More glowy-arcade shooter gorgeousness in Geometry Wars' sequel
iPhones want to use wi-fi hotspots for free so badly they mind controlling AT&T employees to announce it on the official website - The iPhone can do whatever it wants to.
The Wii-met can read your mind
How extra terrestrials see our bright blue Earth - Videos included.
Geek out over a selection of items for a Hollywood auction - Yes, they are real. Yes, I am jealous.
July 18th, 2008
News overflow
We have an abnormal amount of interesting news today; and it definitely was not mostly generated by E3 coverage. Enjoy.
Warhammer Online due out soon enough - Of course it is almost done, now. That is what happens when huge chunks of game content are removed all of a sudden.
KOTOR-O? - As long as it does not result in another Star Wars Galaxies.
What makes people want to play a game even more? Oh, I know: achievements! - Get to level 70 without dying, you win a nifty title. Woo. There are also some nice new screenshots of Wrath of the Lich King on the page, including one that appears to be a barber shop.
Mega Man 9 to truly bring us back to the days of gaming-yore - I am thoroughly excited for this title, especially after hearing that the difficulty will be retained from previous original Mega Man titles. What was the last new 8-bit game to come out, anyway?
Steve Jobs causes burning sensations on cursed iPhone
The fat lady is singing for the traditional computer mouse - While touch screen technology is very intriguing, I am concerned about how quickly screens will become dirtied. Have you ever looked under your keyboard keys? That is what touch monitors will start to look like after a few days' usage.
Amazon wants to offer you another alternative way to watch videos
Wikipedians gather in Egypt for their yearly reference party - Yes, there is also a Wiki page on the event.
Get your 8-Bit groove on, art-style - I will be there, will you?
Newer, cuter, more flowery Pikmin are on their way - Gathering Pikmin together and launching them to their deaths would be a blast with the Wiimote.
The Red Planet used to be a wet one
Pricier new iPhone in France comes contract-less
Geeks push locksmiths close to the edge
Chuck Norris to be featured in a... mobile phone video game? - Come on, he is way beyond that.
The metallic Big Daddy will keep you safe
July 17th, 2008
It is all about gaming
While there certainly has been quite a bit of information dribbling out of the E3 conference, none of it is really earth shattering or revolutionary. Not that everything we have seen thus far is bad, it just is not as fulfilling as it has been in previous years. Did game developers feel it was unnecessary to show off due to the dramatic face life that was forced upon the exposition? With out the spectacle, what is the point? You even need an appointment to check out most of the stuff there. That is not fun and should not be the basis of an electronic entertainment expo.
Google's privates are showing in Gmail
Wrath of the Lich King alpha is over, ready for round 2?
Shake up somewhere to eat with the new iPhone
A new Grand Theft Auto to debut this winter - The Triads are at it again, and it is up to you and the stylus to defeat them.
Young hackers worry not, for your future is promising
The power of the iPhone 3G has been unlocked - So soon?
The Mobile Internet is where all the kids are at - "There's a natural gravitation to get content on a device that's different than the one the manufacturer intended." Deep down inside, we all just really want to be pirates.
Video games can make even the sick feel better
Get all the details on how Animal Crossing goes Wii - It is almost like The Sims! Due this winter as well.
Gearbox takes Diablo and makes it a shooter - Roleplaying shooter? Like first-person Mass Effect? Dear God.
TuneUp all that mislabeled junk in your iTunes
July 16th, 2008
Stylized Terrorists
A bunch of new Sega titles are spilling out from E3, with screen shots of each to boot. One of the exclusive Wii titles includes black and white terrorists; they are definitely turning this city into a MadWorld. Still unsure about the continuation of the 3-D Sonic line; seems like a waste of game development time. The Valkyria Chonicles has a great drawing-like shading style; lots of guns and shooting going on. And speaking of lots of shooting and big guns, Space Siege has got quite a bit of that going on it seems.
Viacom's copyright infringement case gets toned down on the privacy front - Your secrets are safe with Google.
So you want an iPhone? Well, too bad! - You should have stood in line for 12 hours, just like everyone else.
World of Warcraft to go offline?
Looking into Mirror's Edge - Are you ready to be a parkour courier?
Organized crime runs rampant in Goon World - How many gang name variations of SomethingAwful will there be?
Disappointing lack of first-party Nintendo at E3 - Wii Sports: Resort, Wii Music, and Animal Crossing do not count.
2 boys beat up a kid to steal and sell a video game at half price - Brilliant.
Tampering with a city network deserves harsher punishment than murder evidently
July 15th, 2008
Lifestyle gaming
In-car Internet is the next vehicle technology. Now you will be able to check your email, download porn, and pirate music all while driving! Who will need a car navigation system or iPhone anymore when we have the Internets? We just had a law passed in California, I wonder if a law will be put into effect regarding Internet usage even before it is available. That would make sense, unlike all of the technology meant for use in a moving vehicle.
Microsoft and Sony get infected with the Wii bug - As long as they do not sacrifice too many titles that interest the more hardcore gamers.
Allowance of installation of games onto the XBox 360 revealed - Maybe that would make games like Mass Effect or Assassin's Creed more enjoyable to play. Maybe.
Former Diablo 2 Blizzard employee speaks out about the Barbarian class in Diablo 3 - I, too, was curious how the other classes are to cross the broken bridge.
Neopets goes MMO, complete with a photo-snapping killer pet
A bigger, badder, more sensitive Wiimote motion sensor - Sounds like it will be time for a Metroid Prime 3 replay.
How the existance of World of Warcraft will effect Warhammer Online - Should it not be a concurrent-WoW world?
E3 trailer for Fallout 3 - I need to reserve my spot in an underground vault right away!
Now when you rob liquor stores no one has to see your face on the security video
Final Fantasy XIII will be available on the XBox 360 - Calm down fan boys.
July 14th, 2008
Shadow of the Colossus
Sometimes it is just better to kill bosses. My review for Shadow of the Colossus is now available. Read it.
July 12th, 2008
iMania
The new iPhone 3G came out today, if you have yet to hear. Tons of websites are popping up with articles on everything and anything regarding the new device. So, do you want a new iPhone? Get the low down on all the specs and features that you could ever dream of. You can also find out who else was in line with you, or who was waiting in line if you did not attend. Surprisingly enough, there was only one writer out of 100 people who were casually interviewed. Then you can check out the news on the server crashes that did not do much to help Apple's business in the least.
Warhammer Online removes massive content to meet release date - One day, if the game does well, maybe they will be able to employ Blizzard's release timing: "Soon."
Soren Johnson on the RTS-ness of the life-simulator Spore
ACTA threatens digital piracy, kind of
Cornstarch and water videos are always cool - It is ALIVE!
Borg nanoparticles are out to get us
What do people really use Windows for?
1970's solar glass technology resurfaces - Buildings could be powering themselves. Sounds good to me.
Free-to-play MMO, Runes of Magic, opens doors to its closed beta - Evidently the world is full of "ancient riddles," like "Why did the chicken cross the road?"
Pittsburgh are so enamored with robots, nearly the entire city is dedicated to them
Activision Blizzard is thinking beyond gaming - I could use a new music program while they are at it. iTunes is a bit stale.
July 11th, 2008
Evil Do-ers
Yahoo pulls at straws to keep afloat and thinks that maybe you can make a better search engine than they did. The company has announced BOSS, an open source version of their search technology. Sounds like everything continues to not bode well for Yahoo. And think of how different would things be if Yahoo had purchased Google back in the day? Google probably would have far surpassed Yahoo and everyone would be in the same boat they are now. If anyone can find a way to get ahead, it is Google.
Mass media is still convinced women do not game - Men deter from admitting women play video games because they do not want to admit that the women are kicking their asses. Simple as that.
Australia's government is against the drug use in Fallout 3
Concept art for the upcoming Half-Life 2: Episode 3
Yesterday's Internet fix puts some users in the dark
Privacy is irrelevant and supporting wiretapping saves you from consequences
More Mirror's Edge? Yes, please
Bigger means better, especially in the world of hard drives
What makes touch-screens tick - Now you can make your own.
Explosives make outer space more fun
Find a Starbucks near you... that is closing
July 10th, 2008
Little less entertainment, please
E3 seems to be on its last legs. Ever since it was decided that the gaming exposition was going to become a business conference there have been a myriad of concerns. What would the point be of an entertainment exposition if it really is not entertaining at all? If you take the fun out of video game expo, it will disappear entirely. And to add some salt to the wound, there is a list of Square games that you will not be playing at E3.
Security flaw that allows scammers to alter your surfing is being fixed - That is what is up with the recent Windows security patch that came out yesterday.
Playstation 3 40GB model replacement rumor - And a Sony/Microsoft get-together?
If you ever wanted to be a paid casual photographer, now is the time to get a Flickr account
Greener car solutions, including home refueling - And a diagram to show you how those fuel cells work. Nifty.
Controller for World of Warcraft to make you truly become your character - .Hack is real.
Custom costume-based MMO closed beta to begin July 15th - They are trying to get more girls than ever to play, is that not reason enough to try it?
Resident Evil 5 female lead revealed
If a Japanese businessman robot does not scare you, the Cthulhu bot will
July 9th, 2008
$19,000,000,000
Blessings have been given to the joining of Activision and Vivendi; they will become Activision Blizzard and will be worth nearly $19 billion. Also, the real 2.40 patch for the Playstation 3 has been released, and renamed to 2.41 to shake off any of the bad mojo.
Unforunately there will be no killing of children or nudity in the upcoming Fallout 3 - They make it up to you with some new screenshots though.
If a Second Life is not enough for you, try Google's third life: Lively
"Business soldier" Japanese robot crawls into the realm of art
German car company Mercedes is looking to go very, very green
Modder uses a Wii nunchuck to control 3D Studio Max
What could be more fun than electrocution? - And people like to blame video games for violent children.
What happens when you play too much Ultimate Frisbee in college?
Getting music for your own video game should become a bit easier
July 8th, 2008
safe in mexico
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution will be released this week for consoles. I had tried the demo a couple of weeks ago and thought it was quite promising, even despite my adamant dedication to the intense and rather lengthy PC versions. Also check out the Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon for the Wii; should prove to be a enjoyable title for the turn-based RPG fans. The US beta for Wrath of the Lich King has been opened as well. Jump on the bandwagon and hope you become a chosen one.
Leakage protection for company data, more important than one may think - I am rather surprised that Japanese employees can not distinguish confidential data from non as well as others.
Murder in the Japanese country side will need your expertise to be solved
Old school gaming anytime, anywhere
Read-only 16 layer optical disc - Who really needs compression anyway?
Help decide the discussions of the Game Developer's Conference this year
The new type of pocketbook - To be released only in Europe for the time being.
All of the reasons to hate mobile phone and ISP providers - Just as most businesses would, they take advantage of every opportunity they can to make more money from their customers.
Starcraft 2 screenshots include tons of units
2010 Prius to resemble the Szalinkski family van
July 7th, 2008
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Donkey Kong is up to his old tricks again; can not get enough of the human ladies. My review for Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis is up. Go read it.
July 5th, 2008
Happy Fourth of July
Go out, enjoy, come home and game. Oh, and check out some new Lego Batman action.
July 4th, 2008
Fr-Thursday
A Wii MMO featuring Animal Crossing could be announced at E3? How amazing would that be? As much of a social game as the Animal Crossing series comes off as, it has always been difficult or tedious to visit, share, and experience the game with other players. Turning it into an MMO would finally allow the game to blossom fully into the interactive experience it was always meant to be.
On the darker side, it could be more stressful generating income through gathering. All of the seasoned World of Warcraft farmers would be out upon fruit spawn in the wee hours of the morning, preventing anyone else from collecting the fruit. Tom Nook would run out of tasks for us to perform for him, so perhaps other village stores would be in dire needs of assistance. While this is only speculation, I can only have high hopes for a potential Animal Crossing MMO; it is what the game has always yearned to be.
Little machine makes something out of relatively nothing - Sorcerers can conjure water out of thin air too. What does the machine run on? It is probably a rather inefficient use of energy.
Competition in the solar production market to bring down consumer costs?
Stellar team, including Fatal Frame producer, working on a brand new RPG - With all of that talent, how could you not expect great things?
The Playstation 3's new trophy patch turns problematic and requires reformatting - Thankfully, they have taken down the patch until the issues have been resolved.
Judge uses positive World of Warcraft references to his advantage
European WoW-ers are now able to sign up for the Wrath of the Lich King beta - Sorry, North America, you will have to wait your turn.
This is how the next moon missions should go down, or is it up?
A genre combination to top them all? RTS and FPS merge into one for Raven Squad
Now the whole world will know how many times you have watched Rick Astley's music video
July 3rd, 2008
Bluetooth sales dramatically increase
A new law in California went into affect yesterday; one that no longer allows the use of a handheld mobile phone while driving. Drivers are now required to use a ear piece or speaker if it is necessary for them to talk on the phone while in the vehicle. On a radio show yesterday evening, the announcers spoke of at least one man in particular who, over the course of the single day, obtained two separate tickets for driving while holding a mobile phone. While I agree that this law probably will not accomplish much, I always thought of not talking on a mobile whilst driving as common sense. A driver should be focused on the road and their vehicle's surroundings to be in the best position to prevent an accident from occurring. Doing anything else while driving, be it talking on the phone, shaving, or aimlessly dazing off into space will decrease reaction time and increase the odds of an accident. There are multitudes of accidents on the LA freeways alone; are a few new headsets really going to change anything? Not to mention, texting while driving is not captured under this law and is still legal. Dangerous much?
Leonard Boyarsky of Blizzard gives the low-down on Diablo 3 for the unconvinced - Damn the Diablo 3 blasphemers!
Chrono Trigger is getting a makeover for the Nintendo DS - To be released this holiday season.
PvE look into the world of Warhammer Online - Brave the Destruction forces to claim the mystical artifact. Do not pass up on the video as the game is shaping up nicely.
Bartending robot claimed to be the "best invention ever" - Would you trust an artificial intelligence to mix a drink for you?
DS Vision in Japan allows the downloading and viewing of videos
DS stickman lost his puppy, draw him to the rescue!
Book dedicated to computer RPGs - Another light read for gamers this summer.
Retro video game art for your viewing pleasure - Advance Wars are my favorites; especially Retro Tank and Retro War.
Kids scared to call-in crimes, but more than willing to text-in
July 2nd, 2008
Gaming Medium
Where do video games come from? I would think most are original ideas, or they are based on other video games. For example: Sim City and subsequent games, Zelda titles, and HALO were all developed start to finish to be video games. Then, we also have the movie-to-game titles; including everything from Harry Potter to Lord of the Rings, and The Hulk to Kung Fu Panda. Plenty of something-to-movie-to-game titles are around, what is it that makes these movie games so appealing? I mean, besides the practically-guaranteed money generating part. After the movie-games it gets a little dicey; how many book-to-game or webcomic-to-game titles can you name? Not many, if any, unfortunately. Is the conversion from one medium to that of video games too difficult or unappealing?
However, in general almost every game coming out these days is based on another video game. Inbreeding does not work with animals, why should it with games? Perhaps that is why it is unsurprising that absolutely amazing games are so few and far between presently.
Blizzard confirms the unknown next-gen MMO that is in development - Anyone that ever looks at Blizzard's homepage would know this.
Female avatars in Age of Conan are daintier than the males - Were they attempting to encourage the women to stay at home, cook, and bear children instead of out killing monsters? Sounds appropriate.
If uncertainty is your friend, a total eclipse vacation is right up your alley
The Cloak of Invisibility in Rowling's books is actually a superlens - Unfortunately, in our universe it only works on microwaves.
Thermoelectrically advanced serving plates temperature-control your dinner - They are dishwasher safe, too!
Unprotected surfing infects you with spam - US and Brazil are the most in need of prophylactics; should we be happy about that win?
Bill Gates is finally "out of the picture, out of the frame" - As if he will actually leave his company solely in the hands of another just yet. He will still be around plenty, I am sure.
Solid state drives do the laptop no good
Microsoft's corporate structure brings all the programmers to its yard
An inside scoop on a Japanese university
Beta for Combat Arms first-person shooter opens today
July 1st, 2008