Wired takes up the Fox Fight

In an article by Lore Sjöberg over at Wired.com he parodies Fox's inane ability to sensationalize anything to be an unholy threat to our nation and its children. Yes, our children, you do want to protect our children don't you? Super Mario Galaxy is a bane on us obviously. Mario? A plumber? That's quite widely known as a reference to old pornography from the 70's. It's filth.

Check out the full article here

\\drew

Soldier Boy by Egad Pit

I don't know if words are really required when accompanied by this video, so just take a peak.

I will give a few words however, because it's my blog, I have the right. Some people have far too much free time.

\\drew

Ender's Game being transformed into video game franchise

In a recent announcement, Chair Entertainment Group (Undertow) have joined forces with Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game) to create a video game franchise based on the events and places found in the award winning novel Ender's Game.

The current plan for the games is that they will be based on the Battle Room training facility seen in the novel.

No word yet as to the surmised gameplay, art direction, or release date.

Full News Release Below:

Salt Lake City, Utah – January 29, 2008 – Chair Entertainment Group, an independent video game production company and creators of the award-winning Undertow, and bestselling author, Orson Scott Card, today announced their partnership to create the first-ever video games inspired by the legendary “Battle Room,” featured in the beloved literary classic, Ender’s Game. Ender’s Game is an award-winning, international bestseller and one of the most popular science fiction novels ever written.

Under the terms of the agreement, Chair has obtained the exclusive rights to develop Ender’s Game “Battle Room” video games across all next-generation consoles, handheld platforms, and PC. In collaboration with Orson Scott Card, Chair will begin development later this year with the first offering expected for release via downloadable platforms.

“I have been a huge fan of Ender’s Game since I was ten years old, so it is a true honor for our team to be entrusted with creating the first video game inspired by this classic story,” said Donald Mustard, creative director at Chair Entertainment Group. “Our goal is to create an authentic Ender’s Game experience that delivers awesome gameplay and can be enjoyed by both longtime fans and gamers new to the series.”

“From the moment I started working with Donald Mustard and his team at Chair, I knew that these were the guys I wanted to do the first Ender’s Game video game,” said Orson Scott Card. “It’s not enough to slap the Ender’s Game name on just any game - it has to be exciting, memorable, and endlessly replayable. Chair shares my understanding of this and I am looking forward to working with them to ensure the game is as authentically Enderish as possible.”

In the fictional Ender’s Game universe, humanity is at war with an alien species known as the Formics, and Battle School is the training ground for the future leaders of Earth’s International Fleet. Taken at a very young age, Earth’s most brilliant children undergo a rigorous training designed to teach advanced military theory where strategic and tactical glory is won in the null gravity battles known to the elite students simply as the game! Through simulated war games and training conducted in the Battle Room, the children rise through the ranks of Battle School to become Earth’s only hope for victory.

The two parties previously collaborated on the Chair Entertainment Group property Empire, which the Company introduced in 2006 with the launch of an Orson Scott Card-written bestselling novel of the same name. A feature film based on Empire is in development by Warner Brothers and Chair has future plans for video games and comic books based on the property.

Gamers and long-time Ender’s Game fans are invited to share their thoughts on Orson Scott Card’s popular website, www.hatrack.com, and the official Chair forums at: http://www.chairentertainment.com/community/forums/

About Orson Scott Card
Orson Scott Card is the award-winning author of the national bestsellers, Shadow of the Giant and Shadow of the Hegemon, and of the beloved classic, Ender’s Game, published by Tor Books. He is a professor of literature and writing at Southern Virginia University and lives with his family in Greensboro, North Carolina. For more information on Orson Scott Card, please visit his official website: www.hatrack.com

About Chair Entertainment Group
Founded in 2005, Chair Entertainment Group is an independent video game production company committed to creating blockbuster entertainment franchises through development of its original intellectual properties. In 2006, Chair launched its first original property, Empire, as a best-selling novel written by Orson Scott Card. A feature film based on Empire is in development by Warner Bros. and Chair has future plans for video games and comic books based on the property. In November 2007, Chair launched Undertow, an award-winning underwater action shooter for Xbox LIVE Arcade. Additional information, artwork, and gamer forums can be found at: www.chairentertainment.com

\\drew

Super Smash Brothers Brawl meets 300

Gaming Today posted a video on Sunday, just a little video, about a small title, possibly you've heard of it, Super Smash Brothers Brawl for the Wii. *applause* *cheer* Calm down heathens and fanboys in the peanut gallery.

Well this video ties together video from the trailers for the much anticipated Wii game, VO from the 300 movie and of course a rocking soundtrack from NIN.

Online Videos by Veoh.com
Kinda makes me want to play the game, how about you?

\\drew

Cooper Lawrence Renigs on Prior Mass Effect Judgement

Yes, that's right, after having her livelihood belittled into the ether author of The Cult of Perfection Cooper Lawrence as officially recanted her argument that Mass Effect is pornography.

In an article in the New York Times -

...Ms. Lawrence said that since the controversy over her remarks erupted she had watched someone play the game for about two and a half hours. "I recognize that I misspoke," she said. "I really regret saying that, and now that I've seen the game and seen the sex scenes it's kind of a joke.

"Before the show I had asked somebody about what they had heard, and they had said it's like pornography," she added. "But it's not like pornography. I've seen episodes of 'Lost' that are more sexually explicit."

Perhaps she will learn her lesson and do some background research on topics prior to publicly criticizing them. She wouldn't write a book prior to learning about the subject would she?

\\drew

Update coming later today

Today I'll be updating the site a bit late, milestones cause frantic work environments! I may also post a small blurb about Emergent Gameplay to further educate the masses, but we'll see if I'm feeling squirrelly.

\\drew

Yahtzee discusses The Witcher

Man that is fantastic. 20 minutes, outside, puffer fish.

\\drew

Mass Effect causes more controversy

We often forget that somehow, amongst all the people in United States, we few are the pinnacle of rational thought and conviction.

Thanks to "adults" who "understand" the "dangers" facing our nation's youth, fingers are pointed every which way, to all forms of media. Why you ask? Well it's obviously the responsibility, nay, the holy charge of the government to protect our children, because we as a vapid work force are too troubled with our daily lives to become interested in the goings on of our young'uns.



/sigh

\\drew

Fantastic new Flash Game

Thanks to a fellow employee here at the grind I found this flash game today which is a step above and beyond most of the pulp flash games that are mechanically churned out on the internet today.

The game resembles a tower defense game only it seats the player in a more active role, tying in some shooter elements as well. The game also features a campaign mode which speaks much for the longevity.

StormWinds 1.5

\\drew

Female Gamer Panties

Yes, that's right. There are a myriad of stores online that cater to the male gamer (see: geek), with everything from hoodies and t-shirts to ties available for our ravenous consumption.

Well now thankfully there is a collection of "women only" gamer apparel and thanks to an article over at gamegirl.com we can check it out.

I'm personally a fan of the Achievement Locked pair myself.

\\drew

Bioshock bound for Hollywood movie release?

With the critical acclaim of 2K's title Bioshock, any reference to a continuation of the franchise is generating a fairly formidable buzz in the tubes.

An article over on Joystiq gives some insight into a possible movie adaptation of arguably one of the best stories seen in recent video games.

In a release from Joystiq.com, "A reliable source within a major film production company has told Joystiq that the two have been getting along famously, with a movie adaptation of 2K's successful franchise already being discussed by the Big Daddies internally."

*crosses fingers that the movie (if it exists) will not end up being horrible*

Full Article Here

\\drew

Girls trained in the art of "Porn" speak out about video games

Ok, so it's more along the lines of they were questioned by a Game Daily reporter during an exposition, but still some of the responses are pretty funny, surprising and all around a worthwhile read.

Here are some of my highlights from the article.

When speaking to Jenna Haze:

GD: Do you find nerds attractive?
Jenna: [Looks offended] Do I like nerds? I am a nerd. I have shelves full of books at home about vampires and werewolves. And I always have my PSP with me. Right now I'm playing Jeanne D'Arc, which is just awesome. Also, I've got a PS3 and I'm dying for the new Final Fantasy to come out. See? I told you I was a total nerd.
GD: I think I am in love.
Jenna: That's understandable.

When speaking to Jasmine Mai:

Jasmine Mai

GD: Do you find it annoying if a man plays video games while you are around?
Jasmine: No, not at all. I love games.
GD: So, if you saw a man playing video games, you would cheer him on?
Jasmine: Oh, definitely.
GD: What would you say to him?
Jasmine: Go! Go! Get the high score! Do it for me!
GD: Can you say that one more time?
Jasmine: Go! Go! Get the high score! Do it for me! [Laughs]
GD: Thank you for making my day.
Jasmine: That's what I'm here for.

Perhaps I enjoy the Jenna Haze one simply because I'm currently playing Jeanne D'Arc on my PSP as well, and it's certainly a hardcore SRPG.

The whole thing is a bit funny as the reporter apparently waylays the women immediately asking video game questions. Sometimes it's evident that they are completely thrown off balance by the less-than-lewd topic of conversation.

In that regard however I don't know if less-than-lewd is necessarily less creepy in this instance.

Check out the full article here with pictures (Not Overly NSFW)

\\drew

Air Man Battle Anthem

J-Rock, a noble past time of many an asian singer. Mega Man 2, a no less noble way of life for many an asian gamer.

Put the two together with a dash of custom art? Reap the rewards.

\\drew

Off to the sunnier coast

Hey everyone, I'll be off to the sunnier coast to see a guy about a thing, you know, work stuff. I'll be back on Friday with regular updates.

\\drew

Mario Brothers Meets Doom

Who of us have not dreamed about a port of classic Super Mario Brothers levels into an easy to digest fps format? That's right, very few, as combating the antediluvian goombas in the face with a sawed off shotgun must be close to the perfect gaming experience.

Well now our prayers are answered thanks to this clever mod.



\\drew

Awesomely Addictive Game

I found this flash game this morning thanks to a colleague, it seems simple enough upon first reviewing it, but you soon realize that the game is much more than you originally thought.

It took me about 5 minutes to beat so it's not a time sink, but certainly a clever take on puzzle games.

Cursor*10

\\drew

Elaborate Halo Deaths

Thanks to the level construction tool used in Halo 3 players have found all sorts of fun ways to commit suicide, because as George Carlin pointed out, suicide can be funny.



This new one is pretty fantastic as in encompasses four wheelers as well as impossible machine-esque grenade ricocheting.

\\drew

Zero Punctuation: Super Mario Galaxy

The Zero Punctuation review of Super Mario Galaxy is up, and holy cow, he liked it. I mean, he still belittled it for all of the right reasons, but as a whole it was the most positive review I've seen by him to date.



\\drew

Devil May Cry 4 Prologue

Being an avid Final Fantasy fan I have to say that I'm a sucker for well rendered cutscenes. This one still has me on the fence however, though some of that is probably based on my reluctance to ever enjoy a DMC game as I find that Dynasty Warriors with 1 character and 4 hours of gameplay is not truly worth my attention, but there is something appealing about the series nonetheless.



So in this installment the players will be controlling a man named Nero, with Dante (the previous series leading man) as an extra playable.

The opening cinematic has one major thing going for it outside of flashy visual effects and all around CG pretty. It's a nostalgic tip of the hat (whether intentional or not) to the dramatic fight scene in the space opera classic movie The 5th Element where Leeloo trounces a plethora of Mangalores while the Diva sings.



The similarities between the two is fun, and it gets a good amount of extra credit for being similar. Unfortunately Nero's character design removes something from the otherwise fun cinematic... He resembles an emo kid with his red hoody of angst, gray hair of maladjustment and the worst of them all the headphones of forlornment making Nero with the dejected title "The Depths of All Sorrows" and me wanting to hit him in the head with a tack hammer.

\\drew

Holiday Break is over

Hey everyone and welcome back! With the ending of the holiday season things will once again be underway here with daily updates.

Happy New Year!

\\drew