Archive for December 4th, 2006
Sid Meier’s Favorite Word Is “Fun”
When computer games and video games collide! Legendary PC game designer Sid Meier is thinking about bringing Civilization to the Nintendo DS. He says, “If we can deliver a fun experience to the players on the DS, then we’ll do it.” While the ill-fated N-Gage saw a version of Civilization II, Meier wasn’t directly involved as the title was licensed out by Atari. He’s currently busying himself with a PSP version of Pirates, which he compares to the PC/Xbox version and says “is “looking to be a really fun game.” What about the new machines, Sid?
I think the latest consoles have the processing power to deliver fun experiences with the bigger strategy games. It’s definitely something we’ve been keeping our eyes on and we’ll let you know where we’ll go from here.
The key word here, folks, is FUN.
Sid Meier Talks Fun [VGB]
Click here to learn about Fun-Boy.
Maid Cafes Jump The Pond
You know, it’s late, so let’s put the otaku back in Kotaku. Normally, the maid cafe thing is Ashcraft’s beat, but when a maid cafe opens up in North America, I’m forced to report on it. It looks like the Ontarian population of Canada can enjoy the questionable noodles and haphazardly fried katsu pork the Akihabara crowd has been choking down for years. But now the lonely and dumpy can dine on unremarkable food with maid uniform clad cuties willing to make conversation.
If I ever make it back to Canada, I’m definitely trying the Garoupa Cutlet and the Love Season. Sounds delicious!
I Maid Cafe [via BoingBoing]
Take-Two Signs Up For In-Game Ads
I was a little concerned when I read that Take-Two had signed a deal with Double Fusion to include in-game advertising, as I had waking nightmares that we’d see no more Ammunation or Burger Shot or other clever advertisements in Grand Theft Auto IV. Yeah, pretty chilling, I know.
However, this deal only represents 2K developed titles, which includes a number of sports games, ones that could benefit from a realism standpoint from in-game ads. I doubt we’ll be seeing much of this advertising in games like Pirates! or Civilization.
Also, I’m sure that Take-Two will pass the savings on to you, Joe Consumer, once the Double Fusion based revenue starts rolling in. On Bizarro World, of course.
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. and Double Fusion Sign Multi-Title In-Game Advertising Deal
Double Fusion to Represent Advertising Opportunities for up to Nine Sports and Action Titles from 2K and 2K Sports
NEW YORK & SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: TTWO), through its 2K and 2K Sports publishing labels, and leading independent in-game advertising company Double Fusion, today announced that the companies have entered into a multi-title agreement (up to nine titles) for the sale of in-game advertising opportunities in a selection of 2K and 2K Sports titles.
Under the terms of the agreement, Double Fusion will be the exclusive North American and European representative for integrated advertising opportunities in select 2K titles debuting in 2007 and 2008. In addition, Double Fusion will serve as the exclusive representative and technology provider for dynamic in-game advertising across all PC and certain console platforms except for the Xbox® and Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft.
“Our titles offer a range of advertising and marketing possibilities for leading and niche brands, so working with a company that can effectively sell both dynamic and integrated opportunities was key to our decision,” said Steve Glickstein, 2K’s Vice President of Sales and Licensing. “Double Fusion’s sales team immediately provides 2K with the advertising agency connections on Madison Avenue and the scale necessary to tap into the opportunities inherent in many of our games.”
Select versions of 2K and 2K Sports titles will feature integrated, hard-coded placements that will offer marketers opportunities for deep integration into gameplay and storylines, reaching users of the games whether or not they are connected to the Internet. In addition, certain titles will also contain a rich array of dynamic advertising placements, allowing advertisers to reach millions of gamers through real-time media buys, while also offering consumer targeting, measurability, and flexibility in delivering advertising content.
“The relationship with 2K represents an alignment of long term visions between our two organizations on both the current state and future direction of the in-game advertising industry,” said Jonathan Epstein, President and CEO of Double Fusion. “2K offers the hottest slate of sports and action games with extremely attractive, advertising friendly environments, delivering key demographics with the flexibility, pervasiveness and accountability that only in-game advertising can provide.”
The partnership with Take-Two underscores Double Fusion’s commitment to offering their advertiser and agency partners a wide array of in-game advertising opportunities, its commitment to maximizing revenues for its publisher and developer partners and its commitment to building a portfolio of top titles among retail PC and console games, massively multiplayer online games, casual downloadable games, and advanced online games. Double Fusion is currently seeking approval of their technology for all console platforms.
About Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PlayStation® game console, PlayStation®2 and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox® and Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube™, Nintendo DS™ and Game Boy® Advance. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games, 2K and 2K Sports, and Global Star Software; and distributes software, hardware and accessories in North America through its Jack of All Games subsidiary. Take-Two also manufactures and markets video game accessories in Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region through its Joytech subsidiary. The Company maintains sales and marketing offices in Cincinnati, New York, Toronto, Geneva, London, Paris, Munich, Madrid, Milan, Sydney, Breda (Netherlands), Auckland, Shanghai and Tokyo. Take-Two’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.
About Double Fusion
Founded in 2004, Double Fusion is the leading independent provider of dynamic in game advertising. Going beyond traditional advertising mediums to engage valuable and hard to reach gamer demographics, Double Fusion provides the widest range of in game advertising and marketing programs, from dynamic 3D interactive objects, video, interactive ads, 2D signage and more, all the way up to fully immersive storyline integrations. Double Fusion’s sales force and integration teams work directly with advertisers, developers, and content owners to ensure seamless execution of advertising and marketing campaigns, creating an additional revenue source for videogame publishers while protecting the gameplay experience. Double Fusion is privately held and headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Jerusalem, London, and Shanghai. More information on Double Fusion is available at www.doublefusion.com.
Advertisers interested in opportunities within the Double Fusion network; and developers and publishers interested in increasing their per-title revenues through integrated and dynamic ad placement opportunities should visit www.doublefusion.com.
Double Fusion is a registered mark of Double Fusion, Inc.
All trademarks, copyrights, registered marks, brand names, registered brand names, product names, and logos found in this press release are the property of their respective owners, may be registered in certain jurisdictions, and are mentioned in this release for identification purposes only.
RoboBlitz Hits XBLA Wednesday
The Unreal Engine powered, Ageia PhysX physics based action game RoboBlitz will be this week’s Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday entry. Already available on Valve’s Steam platform, the Naked Sky Entertainment developed title should show up on Live around 1 PM PST/4 PM EST on, you guessed it, Wednesday, for you puzzle-solving action lovers.
You can snag it for a mere 1200 “points”, so download it let me know how it is. Thanks. I don’t buy anything I can’t flush.
Sony Australia says nice things about Wii
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Business
In an article discussing the repercussions of the Playstation 3’s March release date in PAL territories, the Sydney Morning Herald obtains a few interesting quotes from Sony’s general manager for Australia and Middle-Earth. Though portraying the PS3 in a positive light is to be expected, the kind words aimed at a competitor’s product are somewhat surprising — especially when they make it sound better than Sony’s own product to the uninformed reader.
“The Wii-type functionality is more just a sub-element of what the PlayStation 3 offers,” says Nic Foster, clearly referring to motion sensitivity. “Wii is a core gaming device. It’s a more fun, intuitive sort of product to pick up, where the PS3 is a broader entertainment solution; so you can have your fun, enjoyable gaming … but then you have a whole suite of other applications … such as Blu-ray media playback, the ability to access your music, access your photos and the interoperability with the PlayStation Portable.”
Clearly, the objective was to express the PS3 as a device that encompasses everything the Wii has and more (and there are shades of truth in that), but instead of simply labeling it as such, the Sony man rattles off a bunch of features you’re bound to read about on the box. For some, “more fun” might be all that matters in a gaming console and indeed, it’s easy to see how straying off that path has made things more difficult for the PS3. Then again, the fact that we had to start that sentence out with “for some” implies that there’s some balance to be found between pure gaming and valuable features. Wouldn’t you know it, but Foster has a pretty good statement regarding that issue too.
“Gamers are extremely aware of what they’re after and what they want. So gamers will already have a very good understanding of what PlayStation 3 offers versus what Wii offers and many of them will probably have both devices.”
Well, it seems like we can all get along after all.
[Via NeoGAF]
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Halo 3 Ad Online Now!
The next look at the continuing adventures of Master Chief and his Spartan gang of merry men is now online for your gawking pleasure. If you missed it elsewhere, and can stream ASX files, go nuts. You’ll probably like that new shield grenade. The rest of you will have to make do with this Youtube version.
Halo 3 Teaser Ad [thanks, John]
Games of the Week: Out of the Ghetto Edition
Well, kids, I’m out of the next-gen ghetto. I got my HDTV running, my PS3 hooked up, my 6.1 surround sound system installed and I’m ready to SPEND SPEND SPEND! Let’s see what’s new and notable this week, so I can fill up my house with more games.
Kirby Squeak Squad (DS)
Kirby returns to traditional platforming, but now with stylus bonus control.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (PSP)
The proper stealth Metal Gear game players demanded.
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS)
All new, dual player Castlevania adventure — now with less horrid cover art!
Star Wars: Lethal Alliance (PSP)
Third person action adventure featuring those lovely Twi’Leks. Mmmm. Headtails.
Star Trek Legacy (PC)
Real time Starfleet combat spanning every generation.
Fight Night Round 3 (PS3)
Improved port of the gorgeous EA boxer.
Full Auto 2 Battlelines (PS3)
Sega jumps ship with this PS3 exclusive combat racer sequel.
WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2007 (PSP)
Dudes get sweaty and half-naked, then punch eachother. You know the drill.
Wait, I finally get a proper console set up and the only thing I want to buy are portable titles? Why am I made to suffer? What are you more fortunate kids getting this week?
Hot Flashes: Kdice
You might remember that back in July I wrote about Dice Wars, the Risk-esque Flash game of global domination played out with stacks of dice. The free Flash game consumed my weekend, keeping me away from my blogging duties. Well, it just happened again, as I’ve just now had the unfortunate opportunity to come across Kdice.
What’s Kdice? It’s the multiplayer version of Dice Wars that is equally and dangerously addictive. It’s a simple, point-and-click strategy game that you can play at work instead of putting together those TPS reports. And, at the risk of getting shitcanned from this job, it’s the game I just spent the last 30 minutes with, wiping the floor with the chumps you see eating my virtual dust in that pic.
Mmmmm. That’s some tasty global domination.
Kdice [via Waxy]
Dice Wars, Like Crack In Flash Form [Kotaku]
The One-Handed Xbox 360 Controller
No, you twisted, hentai wanking filth, this is not a controller made for Dead or Alive Xtreme 2. Put your debit card away. This custom wireless Xbox 360 controller, hacked by Ben Heckendorn, was made for a serviceman injured in Iraq. You might remember Heckendorn’s previous custom electronics, like the Xbox 360 laptop and the Neo Geo Portable.
According to his making-of post, the device is controlled mainly with the left hand, triggers and buttons on the posterior side within reach of the four fingers, with analog sticks and d-pad controlled by the thumb and right leg.
Ben has seen so much interest in such a device that he’s considering mass manufacturing. Let’s hope that Heckendorn and company are successful in accomplishing their goal of getting more of these into the hands (or hand) of the injured and disabled, and that we’re not forced into shaming controller manufacturers into doing this sort of thing.
Actually, scratch that. Console and controller manfacturers should be doing this shit, like, yesterday.
Single-handed wireless Xbox 360 controller [thanks, Alejandro]
Today’s hottest game video: Wiimote on Windows
Filed under: Culture, Hacks, PC, Nintendo Wii
Today’s most-watched YouTube game video shows a Wiimote controlling a Windows PC mouse pointer. (Go here if you’re looking for that other video.) The Bluetooth connection uses the freely available GlovePIE to make sense of the movements; download the software to try it out at home.
We’re excited about the hacking and modding cultural movement; it seems bigger than ever. Hats off to the Wiili guys and anyone else who adds unintended features to our consoles.
See the video after the break.
Continue reading Today’s hottest game video: Wiimote on Windows
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Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for PC, it works
Filed under: PC, Wireless, Microsoft Xbox 360, Peripherals
IGN gives a thumbs-up to the forthcoming Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows, enabling 360-compatible wireless devices for PC use. The dongle offers simultaneous synceration for up to four wireless controllers and four (wireless) headsets. The Wireless Racing Wheel is also supported, along with all future wireless Microsoft offerings.
Despite what the image might imply, the receiver is wired, connecting via USB. Retail units will ship later this month for $20 — no surprise there.
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Halo 3 Beta Registration Live, Sorta
After half a day of sitting around twiddling our thumbs, the Halo 3 beta registration site has finally gone live.
Hitting the site and clicking enlist now gets you this information:
Register now for future Halo 3 updates and for an opportunity to participate in the Halo 3 multiplayer public beta program, scheduled to kick off in spring 2007. Participating in this beta is an unprecedented opportunity for gamers to be among the first to experience the most anticipated game of 2007.
The Xbox Live multiplayer public beta, which is a pre-release version of the multiplayer experience of Halo 3, is scheduled for availability in spring 2007 exclusively on Xbox 360. This beta also represents an opportunity for gamers to give information that will help in the development of Halo 3. Through the resulting feedback, Bungie Studios will be able to further refine and hone the end result of the game.
Please note that in order to register* for the beta, you must be 17 years or older and a resident of the 50 United States (includes District of Columbia) or Canada. If selected to participate, you must have access to the following:
- An Xbox 360 Pro console (includes hard-drive)
- A valid Xbox Live Gold subscription
- A valid Microsoft. NET Passport account with a Xbox Live gamertag linked
Once you select your language (apparently Canada-English is its own language), you’re spirited away to a registration site.
Ignore the blank pages and seeming lack of activity and eventually you will be able to sign-up for a chance to beta test the multiplayer aspects of the 360 uber game. Or at least, so the rumor goes. I kept getting jettisoned onto a white page.
The Worst PS3 eBay Auction EVER
It’s actually one of the funniest, but any time I’m forced to view manboobs at my job, I’m a pretty unhappy employee. You can “Buy It Now” for a cheap $2,500, or take your chance with a bidding war. A couple of things to note:
Please bid. If I have to list this again I’m moving the PS3 box in the photo. In case you’re wondering, none of my parts touched any of its parts.
Good, good. Still “mint” I suppose. Frankly, if I had a couple extra thousand to throw around, I might just take this guy up on his offer. But I’d have it delivered to Crecente’s house, unannounced.
I will ship overnight insured to anywhere in the US, or for an additional fee, I will deliver the PS3 in a full Santa suit with appropriately dyed beard and hair to anywhere in the continental US between December 19th and 23rd. I suppose if the fee is high enough, I would be willing to deliver the PS3 as pictured.
As you can see, I’ve edited out the offending portions of the auction phot. If you’re a gambling man, go ahead, take a look at the full auction. Keeping in mind, this one can’t be unseen.
Me? I feel sick. I’m gonna go lie down.
Sony Playstation 3 PS3 3 Year Target Warranty [thanks(?), Mark]
“I Got A Wii-mote Stuck Up My Ass” or Wii Has Best Week Ever
One of my favorite TV shows, VH1’s weekly roundup of entertainment news and hot topics Best Week Ever, gave the Nintendo Wii the coveted award of having, well, the “Best Week Ever”. Fortunately, no footage of said colon lodged Wii exists, but apparently it happened during a rousing game of Wii Sports tennis. Ouch.
The Ultimate Guitar Hero Controller
If you are 21 or older, are in the vicinity of Brooklyn this Wednesday and, for some reason, weren’t going to go to Joel’s Funde Razor, this shit better change your mind.
What you are looking at is one of three full-sized, handmade Guitar Hero 2 controllers which you can win at the annual fund raiser for Child’s Play.
Where are the fret buttons, you might ask? Why up on the top of the neck painted black. This controller kicks so much ass it has to stop and take a breather about half way through. Now go forth my children and get drunk and donate lots of cash for sick kids.
Today in Joystiq: December 4, 2006
Joystiquery
Today’s hottest game video: Wii in Japan
Viva Piñata invasion results in Mario López dancing
Why can’t I demo my VC downloads? (Wii annoyance #011)
News
Halo 3 reminder: commercial and public beta today
Reggie: Wii online games in Q2 2007
Nintendo of Japan apologizes for lack of component cables
Online demand for 360 surpasses PS3 … Wii beats both
Video game market expected to jump 12%
New games this week
Drunk David Jaffe desires God of War 3
Wii sells out in Japan
Professional gaming coverage coming to CBS, others
Hand it to Heck: The Xbox 360 one-handed controller
Factor 5 fidgets with two PS3 e-distribution titles
Economist: taxing virtual property is inevitable
Xbox 360 sales below expectations
RoboBlitz hitting Xbox Live Arcade this week
DevHook now emulating PSP 3.01 firmware
Halo 3 Starry Night commercial
Public transportation and GTA: Vice City Stories
Don’t expect predictive console results until early 2007
Independent Games Summit line-up
Rumors & Speculation
Rumor: Alan Wake slips to 2008
Culture
Wii Sports tricks
Canadians add extra bling to their DS
A Wii dilemma for Sony (and Microsoft)
Shutting up your Xbox 360
Nintendo Wii has the “best week ever”
Gamer tats aplenty
Are some topics off-limits for “serious” games?
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Fake Luigi Gets Busted At JPN Wii Launch?
While American console launches are rife with shootings, muggings, stampedes, and generally poor displays of human behavior, the Japanese console launches are, at worst, a display of gross otaku fashion and greasiness. Well, I suppose there’s that whole mafia hiring of homeless dudes to camp out for PS3s and Wiis thing.
Sadly, now there are cosplayers posing as official Nintendo mascots. Allegedly, this Luigi fan wiggled his way into one Yodobashi Camera launch event, taking part in the festivities in a very unofficial capacity.
After handing out the first Wii and acting very Luigi like, it seems the Nintendo superfan’s true identity was discovered and he was quickly escorted from the store. Man, those Yodobashi staffers look pissed!
More pics of fake Luigi working his magic [Arena Nikkei BPnet]
Independent Games Summit line-up
Filed under: Culture, Business
Independent game developers, it’s that time again. CMP media has posted a preliminary version of the Independent Games Summit (IGS) schedule on the Game Developers Conference (GDC) site. The IGS takes place March 5 - 6, 2007, the two days prior to the three day GDC at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.
The summit is also tied in with the 2007 Independent Games Festival, which will feature the year’s best independent games. Those nominations will be announced this Saturday on IGF.com. The winners will be announced March 7, the first night of GDC at the IGF Awards.
The one simple request we have is that independent developers who end up being nominated for awards please, please, PLEASE have a speech ready when you win. Also, practice what you are going to say in a mirror a few times before you get up in front of thousands of people and just blow it. Trust us, it will help you in the long-term with your career.
[Via GameSetWatch]
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PSone Titles For PSP Hit PlayStation Store
The first North American PSone titles have hit the PlayStation Store, which you can now play on your PSP. As you can see in the above pic, Tekken 2, Crash Bandicoot, Coolboarders, Hot Shots Golf 2 and Syphon Filter are the first available titles.
Titles range from 157MB (for Hot Shots Golf 2) to 535MB (for Tekken 2) with each setting you back a cheap ass $5.99 (US). These are currently only playable on your PSP and require a PlayStation 3 for the download, but expect updates soon to make them playable on the PS3 and downloadable from the PSP.
PS1 games for PSP (US) [E-mpire Forums]
Jaffe Fine With PBoy Mansion Interview
David Jaffe is quite quickly becoming, for me, the game developer’s Everyman. He’s neurotic, gets drunks and spouts off and seemingly spends a disproportionate amount of time worrying over what other people think of him. And by other people I don’t mean his bosses or his equals, no I mean you, the gamer.
As I mentioned in the duplicate post about Jaffe’s drunken interview at the Playboy Mansion: Anyone who, while roaring drunk at the Playboy Mansion, tells his Sony handler to “go fuck yourself. Go to the Grotto and fuck yourself, because no one else there is going to” is deserving of plenty of admiration.
The morning after Jaffe had some major reservations about the interview. But it turns out things went OK for him, at least judging by his Sunday blog entry:
The other bit of press is from last month’s Playboy Mansion Party. This is the video I thought would kill my career as I did it while shit-faced. I also did it at the URGING of Jeff Reese, the marketing guy I share the scene with in this clip. But gametrailers did a nice editing job and made me look- I think- not like an ass! Thanks GameTrailers!
Come to think of it, maybe he’s more the Woody Allen of developers than the Everyman.
SICK NO MORE! [Jaffe's Game Design]
