Blog5 Games

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Sports

After spending “several hours” with Wii Sports, IGN’s Nintendo editor Matt Casamassina doesn’t like the game due to flawed controls with the exception of Wii Bowling which he calls “totally rocking.” Regarding Tennis, he had this to say: “You don’t control anything except the swing of your player’s racket. The movement of these Mii-alike athletes is all done automatically by the game. You simply swing the Wii remote back and forth to make your on-screen character do the same thing.”

True dat. Though we enjoyed the game at E3, it’s unproven how long the fun lasts with tennis (from our limited play test). Regarding Baseball, Casamassina contends: “When you want to throw a curve ball, you don’t actually motion it, as you might suspect. No, why would you want to use a gesture for a console whose primary purpose is to promote unique and innovative ways to play? To throw a curve ball, you first select it on the D-Pad and then make a standard throwing motion.”

Though no one should be expecting deep gameplay from the pack-in, a flick of the wrist puts spin on a moving bowling ball but not a breaking curve? Bush league.

[Thanks, Jeremy]

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In every Japanese museum, there are women who sit in chairs in the corner. Sit and just sit. What they are doing is beyond me. Keeping watch, I guess. On you. And me. Here’s something a little easier to grapple with. The National Western Fine Arts Museum in Tokyo is providing visitors with a DS Lite to guide them around. There’s a special cartridge that provide details on all the art. Each gallery is outfitted with a special access point that funnels the relevant info to your screen. Browse away via the touch screen. There’s even a print function, enabling visitors to select art they like, print it out and collect it before they leave the museum. Brian Ashcraft

Museum Guide DS Lite [New Launches]

Filed under: Culture, Retro

It’s customary at this time of year to pay tribute to all things that go bump in the night, so the GameSpy staff has indulged us with a list of their scariest experiences in gaming. The classic Resident Evil and Silent Hill entries are mentioned, along with the more recent Fatal Frame, Call of Cthulu, and sweet little Alma from F.E.A.R.

My personal scariest moment comes courtesy of Rebellion Software, circa 1994. The original Alien vs. Predator on the Atari Jaguar was one of the first shooters I had ever played (along with Marathon, but that wasn’t very scary). I recall creeping around the empty corridors of the Space Marine base with the ambient sounds of machinery in the background, and no warning that you’re about to have company. Suddenly, you turn around, hear that screech, and see a pack of Aliens approaching — which really sucked when I was entering a turbolift and had nowhere to run. The Predator’s trademark rattling sound also scared the bejeezus out of me because you never knew when he was going to decloak and start wailing on you.

Let’s hear your scariest moments.

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While the humor has long worn off, the meme still exists in the internet’s deepest bowls. Somewhere someone is clacking our “Riiiiiiiiiiiiidge Racer” and cackling. Alone. We have since moved on and found different things to make fun of. But for those who missed the follies…

At E3, Sony Computer Entertainment of America honcho Kaz Hirai demonstrated how to plow into a wall on the PSP version. And Ridge Racer producer Hirofumi Inagaki’s thoughts? He tells Gamasutra’s Brandon Sheffield:

Oh…well I’m not as happy with that! But hey, if he’s having fun with it, that’s ok, even if he can’t play… I’m happy people are saying the game’s name so much.

Well Mr. Positive, they weren’t just saying the game’s name, you know. Brian Ashcraft

Kaz Suxor at Ridge Racer [Gamasutra]

Filed under: Culture, Online, Polls

With a well-established name, a gem of a muse (Phoenix Wright), and sticky sex jokes, VG Cats was the obvious winner from the start of last week’s webcomic wrapup.

Second place and third place go to Penny Arcade and Ctrl+Alt+Del … boooring. Thanks to everyone who voted, and be sure to let us know of any gaming webcomics you stumble upon this week — seriously, we love reading them all.

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Filed under: Culture, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360

The Halo movie: It was on, then delayed, then off, then on again, and now off … but just a little bit. After Fox and Universal pulled funding from the project — citing the inexperience of rookie film, but veteran commercial, director Neill Blomkamp — Microsoft and Jackson expressed optimism that the project would continue despite the headshot. Evidently, that optimism has been tempered because production of the Halo movie has been postponed effective immediately. Here’s the official statement making the rounds this morning:

“As was previously confirmed, we deeply regret that both Universal and Fox did not choose to move forward with financing the Halo film under the original terms of the agreement. At this time Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, along with their partner, Microsoft, have mutually agreed to postpone making a feature film based on the Halo video game universe until we can fulfill the promise we made to millions of Halo fans throughout the world that we would settle for no less than bringing a first class film to the big screen. We are fully supportive of Director Neill Blomkamp’s vision of the film. Neill is a tremendously gifted filmmaker and his preliminary work on Halo is truly awe-inspiring. While it will undoubtedly take a little longer for Halo to reach the big screen, we are confident that the final feature film will be well worth the wait.”

Are you wondering what sort of filmmaker — one with no previous features under his belt, no less a property the size of Halo — would inspire that sort of confidence? You can scrutinize his curriculum vitae (we’re sure that’s what Fox and Universal did) and see if you can empathize with their decision. If Blomkamp is still in, we’re not sure what factors will need to change to allow the production to “fulfill the promise … made to millions of Halo fans throughout the world.” Is this a waiting game? Sit pretty until some big money rolls in and shores up that budget? Y’know, we hear Microsoft is pretty wealthy.

[Thanks, everyone!]

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Filed under: Culture, Microsoft Xbox 360

In case you didn’t know, consumer electronics run hot at times, especially when overheating. Yes, hot enough to cook eggs. So after one failed attempt in cooling a red light blinking Xbox 360 with heat gun, a few blokes decided to try something different; make breakfast. I’m totally not playing my 360 anymore. I need a system that runs cool. After all, isn’t that why we play games? Cool systems?

[Thanks, Ethan]

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Where to start? Deep breaths… MGS Gackt poster, MGS telephone cards, MGS business cards, Kojima Productions recruitment card, MGS Calorie Mate postcard, MGS Zippo, MGS GameCube, MGS t-shirt, trading cards, MGS bag, MGS cigarette case, MGS tapestry, MGS bandana, MGS Fossil wristwatch, MGS Famitsu dog tag and MGS wine. In one fell swoop, Japan-based seller “phyhod000″ is dumping eBaying the biggest single Metal Gear collection we’ve seen. It’s as though somebody woke up one day and decided they really, really hated Hideo Kojima. Brian Ashcraft

Loads Of Metal Gear [GameSetWatch]

Filed under: Culture, Nintendo GameCube, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox

It’s Halloween! You know what that means, right? It’s time for our zombie-overlords at AOL to present their annual Golden Brain Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in the field of zombiism. Movies are remembered for luminaries like that jelly-mouthed zombie guy from Night of the Living Dead while music videos will always be remembered for the zombie stylings of Michael Jackson (and K-Fed, oh snap!), but games aren’t without their fair share of undead superstars hungry for your grey matter!

There were ten prizes awarded in ten categories, like the “Mixing Bad Guys and Zombies to Make Zombified Bad Guys” award, which went to first-time winners the zombie Combine … err, Zombine (thanks, Alyx). Of course, the creeps from the Resident Evil series showed up and made a, err … killing (who invited them again?). Other less famous — but equally undead — winners included Ocarina of Time’s ReDead (EEEEEEEE!), and the titular Stubbs from Stubbs the Zombie. Congrats, everyone … except you, Larry King. Yeah, we’ve got the glasses … we know.

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Filed under: Culture, Puzzle

In honor of National Games Week, Barnes and Noble has expanded their normally paltry collection of board games to include seminal classics like Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan, Robo-Rally, and more.

National Games Week officially starts on November 19 (hey, that’s when the Wii launches!), but Barnes and Noble has decided to start the party a little early. While a lot of the games can be easily found at specialty stores, it’s good to see them getting mainstream exposure. And if you don’t live near any specialty gaming stores, but have a local B&N, this might be a great opportunity to pick up a terrific addition to your collection, or make a special holiday request.

What? Didn’t you hear that analog games are back in style?

A more complete list of available games after the break.

In case you’re looking for a particular title, here’s a list of games which Barnes & Noble is now carrying (not all-inclusive):

- Axis and Allies
- Blokus
- Carcassonne
- Hey! That’s My Fish
- I’m the Boss
- Knights of Charlemagne
- Niagara
- Puerto Rico
- Robo-Rally
- Settlers of Catan
- Shear Panic
- Tsuro

I personally wish they were carrying Reiner Knizia’s Lord of the Rings board game, and maybe a few of James Ernest’s Cheapass games, like Kill Doctor Lucky. Anything else you feel should be included?

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Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Rhythm, Exergaming

It’s a no-brainer that games like Dance Dance Revolution can do wonders in combating our country’s growing youth obesity epidemic. But can rhythm-action games also help children improve cognitive skills like reading comprehension and concentration?

Former Florida teacher Judy Shasek would likely answer that question with an emphatic yes. With the help of a $125,000 sponsorship from RedOctane, Shasek has integrated games like Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero and accessories like the X-Board into the curricula at three test schools around the country for the past three years. The results, Shasek said in a presentation at the Serious Games Summit, mirror the results of numerous academic studies that show 10 minutes of aerobic activity before a test can be more helpful than 20 minutes of tutoring, and that replacing four hours per week of class time with physical education helps standardized test scores go up.

What’s more, playing rhythm games leads to improved algebra skills, Shasek says, and reading fast-moving notes in games like DDR helps train children’s eyes for reading text. No ones really sure why these games have the cognitive effects that they do, but the working theories involve increased oxygenation to the brain and hidden, unlocked power in the cerebellum, the brain’s motion and balance center. Whatever the science, Shasek says introducing the games also has fringe benefits like decreased absenteeism and improved attentiveness among students.

Shasek is hoping to expand her program to teachers and schools across the country through her web site, Generation Fit, which includes some great videos of students getting their dance on. She’s also trying to expand the benefits to the adult workplace with Revive! Nation, a program focused on adding rhythm games to break/lunch rooms. With physical activity on the decline among kids and adults, we can only say more power to her.

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Not only does the PLAYSTATION 3 look like a Victorian waffle iron, it also heats up like one. Fact: The Sony behemoth hoovers up 380 watts of power. Play the console for 4 hours a day and add US $80 to your annual electricity bill. The console needs eight (yes, eight) times the power the PS2 need to propel its gaming goodness as well as twice the Xbox 360’s hot hot 160 watts. And the 360 can cook eggs! Meaning? The PS3 can melt floors or something. Brian Ashcraft

PS3 Power Hog [Cathode Tan]

They even have a new mode called “War”, where the “teams on the battlefield are fighting for control of strategic areas on the map until one team dominates.” Man, we don’t know where EA Treyarch gets all these wacky ideas for game modes! Jason Chen

Want to play GoW before the 7th? Head to Six Flags New england tomorrow night from 5:00 to 9:00 PM and you’ll be one of the lucky few to get your hands on the new shooter before anyone else (who didn’t care enough to attend the various events already held). At 8:00 PM, you’ll even get to hear Megadeth play bits of the GoW soundtrack. Plus if you’re really lucky, you’ll end up on MTV in a segment for their “Gears of War: The Race to Launch” show, which will impress that cousin you’ve had your eye on for a while.

You have to be 18 or older, and you’ll have to pay whatever admission fees Six Flags usually charges. Are we going to go? Probably not. Should you go and then write in to tell us what you thought? Absolutely. Should Six Flags spell the name of the band correctly in the headline? You bet. Jason Chen

Press Release [GamerScoreBlog via GamerScoreBlog]

For those of you who are playing Auto Assault and actually care about added content, you’re in luck, because you’re getting added content. The rest of you should move on to the next post. I think Ashcraft’s posting pictures of his wife playing with a cat. All gone? OK Steve, Bob, here’s what NCSoft has for you soon in Update 3:

Four new instances called The Tower, Scav Uprising, La Leche Madre, and Malachite Detention Center. The first is for four level 80s, the others for level 18s. There’s also two new loot sets coming in the form of the Warmonger Set and The Tower Set. They’re also a Ground Zero Token System:

In this change to game play, Ground Zero tokens will no-longer be given out for capturing an Outpost. Instead, you’ll receive tokens for PvP kills. Furthermore, your chance to receive a token is based on population. For example, if Humans are heavily outnumbered, they have a greater chance than their Mutant and Biomek opponents to receive a token.

I’m not sure about this game. Seeing as I’m of Asian descent, if I wanted to kill people with my car I’d actually go out and drive. Jason Chen

Other reading: Auto Assault Halloween Event [Auto Assault]

Game piracy is ranked a measly 24th out of 33 forms of illicit sales. Come on guys, just $3 billion in pirated games, pick-up the piracy, we’re not doing nearly enough damage to the industry. Before you know it we’re going to fall right off the list. As it is gaming is sandwiched between counterfeit cosmetics and counterfeit cigarettes. Ashcraft must be a pirate’s dream, he loves slathering on cheap make-up and then sitting back and playing pirated games while he’s chain-smoking through packs of Marlboro knock-offs.

Ps. Get the picture? Pirate make-up…ah-hahahahahaha. Brian Crecente

Video Game Piracy Ranks 24 on Global Index [Gamers Junk]

Remember the confusion we had determining whether the 10th Anniversary Tomb Raider Collector’s Edition was coming or not? Well, it is coming (for the PC, PSP and PS2), and it’s coming in the form of a “re-imagining” of the original game. Eido’s Kathryn Clements says:

We’ve taken all of the key moments from the original game and put them into the context of a brand new Tomb Raider adventure which will make fans of the franchise extremely happy but also attract a completely new audience.

If it’s like how the new Batman movie re-imagined Batman, then it’ll be awesome. If it’s like the new Superman movie with Kevin Spacey/Lara Croft’s boobs overacting, then not so much. Jason Chen

Tomb Raider remake details [Eurogamer]

Filed under: Online, RPGs, Video, MMO

Today’s hottest (read: most watched) game video is a beautiful non-sequitur that only YouTube could provide. This writer was left scratching his head after seeing the clip, but upon holding an emergency all-hands Joystiq meeting, our very own Kyle Orland quickly identified it as the online RPG, MapleStory. (That craptacular website requires IE; hit Wikipedia if on another browser.)

Beyond that, the video just seems to be a random clip of the game. So enjoy! 18,000 YouTube visitors — and their bots — at post time can’t be wrong, can they? Decide for yourself after the break.

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Serious Games Summit
Serious Games Summit: Henry Jenkins keynote
Serious Games Summit: Defense dept. games
Serious Games Summit: Epic Games’ Mark Rein

Metareviews
Empire at War: Forces of Corruption
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
Killzone: Liberation

Joystiquery
Ask Joystiq: Hot Topic and Warcraft
Stanford machinima panel recap
Today’s hottest game video
Today’s hottest game video: New Wii promo trailer
Today’s hottest game video: Neo-Geo Emulator on the PSP gone wifi
Weekly Webcomic Wrapup: NO! edition
We wait for Wii/PS3 at Toys R Us (Boston Edition: Part 1)
We wait for Wii/PS3 at Toys R Us (Boston Edition: Part 2)
We (don’t) wait for the Wii (Kingston, NY edition)

News
Toys R Us Wii/PS3 pre-orders start tomorrow - last chance on game sale
Nintendo World Store Manager: “Enough [Wii] for walk-ins as well.”
Warm Tea: The Bully boy-on-boy kiss goes mainstream
Circuit City Final Fantasy XII $37.99 — for real
Rift widens between Silver and Gold XBLA memberships
Nintendo appeals to retired folk
Games shipping this week
Chun-Li to star in new Street Fighter film
Play-Asia quietly cancels PS3 pre-orders to Europe
Xbox 360 Fall Update tomorrow, 85+ tweaks included
IGN previews Wii’s interface menu system
360 costs are falling but price drop is “a ways off”
Japan to get fewer PS3 launch units due to part problems
New 10 fret button Guitar Hero controller announced
Metal Gear PSP bundles exposed
Silver PS2 announced for $129
Citizen Siege: Oddworld studio’s new game & CG film project
ScummVM update improves point n’ click emulation
Amazon honors Wii test pre-orders, actual pre-orders to recommence

Rumors & Speculation
Rumor: Metal Gear Solid 4 not a PS3 exclusive?
Rumor: Enhanced DVD-capable Wii coming in ‘07

Culture
Legend of Zelda video retrospective (part 3)
Sony vs Nintendo in the motion sensitive arena
How did you blow your NES cartridge?
SONY GUTS! Sixaxis gutted and splayed out
The wait is over! A portable Atari Jaguar
Imagination beats everything

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In a rather bland article about the state of the gaming industry and the Wii in particular, the New York Times quotes Nintendo president Satoru Iwata as saying that the Wii’s virtual console could become one of the most significant revenue streams for Nintendo.

The article goes on to say that the typical Wii game will cost about $7 million to develop, or about half what Xbox 360 and PS3 games cost to develop.

And with the cheap price tag comes greater developer interest, which leads to more games and, potentially a larger market share, which in turn leads to more developer interest.

It’s sorta like the opposite of what happened with the GameCube. Brian Crecente

En Garde! Fight Foes Using a Controller Like a Sword [NYT]