Archive for May 8th, 2007
First Look: The Simpsons Game
The Simpsons Game is finally revealed, and we watch as fat Homer rolls right on through the Duff Beer Factory.
Cheats: Achievements
Absorb our web of Spider-Man 3 Xbox Achievements!
News: Shadowrun goes gold; release date set for end of May
The FPS reworking of the original tabletop and SNES RPG classic is currently being mass-produced, and will make its way towards stores starting May 29th.
Cheats: Unlock The Black Spider-Man Suit!
Nab the spider suit you always wanted for Christmas but were never given. Now celebrate!
Cheats: Spidey Air-Chain
Try the Spidey air chain in Spider-Man 3 for the Xbox 360!
Screen Update: Two Worlds
Adventure through the Two Worlds in these screens.
Feature: Beautiful Katamari Exclusive Interview
We head out to Japan for an exclusive Q&A with the Beautiful Katamari team. Read on for all the juicy tidbits.
News: Peter Moore responds to hardware defects and other 360 issues
The Microsoft corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business recently sat down to answer an extensive list of questions given to him by inquiring Xbox 360 gamers.
Screen Update: Boogie
Shake it like a JPEG picture? Check out these new screens from the new dance title coming to the Wii.
News: Prices slashed and supply increased for PSP title Gurumin
Available copies of the adorable action RPG Gurumin are now in ample numbers, and to entice more PSP owners to try it out, Mastiff has cut the game’s retail price in half.
Screen Update: Dungeons and Dragons: Tactics
Get lost in these mazes and monsters and keep your fingers crossed Tom Hanks doesn’t show up.
Review: Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar
To many people, Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar may seem like just another flavor of fantasy MMO, but in some ways, it’s the flavor. Everyone knows it–it’s unavoidable, especially considering the franchise’s current status in mainstream pop culture.
News: This Persistent Life: 7 Things that Suck About World of Warcraft
In the first edition of THIS PERSISTENT LIFE, Miguel Lopez identifies seven key mistakes of World of Warcraft, and how Blizzard can fix them. Check back every week for a new installment!
Screen Update: Two Worlds
Adventure through the Two Worlds in these screens.
Screen Update: The Witcher
Check out these new screens from the upcoming witch-tacular game.
News: EA’s profits take a slide as Spore is delayed until 2008
The industry’s largest publisher has suffered increased financial losses for the first quarter of 2007, and have also delayed the much anticipated Spore until 2008 at the earliest.
Screen Update: Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu
New Dragonball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu screens are up! Say that name 5 times fast.
News: Microsoft delays Xbox 360 Spring update until — today
We know that a lot of you were expecting to download the Xbox 360 Spring update yesterday so that you could begin using Windows Live Messsenger, but Microsoft has apparently postponed the release of the update to today instead. Feel free to go crazy downloading it now.
Rock Band: Rock Band Rocks the Strat
Eagle-eyed Luke, our writer from the future, pointed out very early this morning that Rock Band would be making use of Fender, Roland and BOSS styled peripheral in the game.
Harmonix just confirmed that with a press release and a bit more details. The guitar will be modeled after the Fender Stratocaster. In addition other Fender guitars, basses and amps will be featured in the game. Both Roland Corporation and Boss will also have their electronic instruments and guitar effects pedals in the game.
And now the pointless quotes:
“Fender is pleased to be part of Rock Band and the exciting opportunity it offers passionate music fans and gamers,” said Bill Mendello, CEO of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. “Our friends at Harmonix have done an amazing job of capturing the power and style of legendary Fender products within the virtual gaming experience and delivering it all in the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.”
“Part of Roland’s mission is to bring people closer to the music they love. Rock Band certainly fulfills that goal by bringing a deeply interactive music experience to the world, and having Roland featured in the game is a great honor,” stated Dennis Houlihan, President and CEO of Roland Corporation U.S.
“Like the Fender Stratocaster, BOSS effects pedals have a long distinguished history,” states BOSS U.S. President Paul Youngblood. “We’ve worked with Fender on many projects in the past and we’re honored to be sharing this experience with them. Having the Strat® in Rock Band is going to take the virtual world by storm and when it does, we’ll be proud to have the BOSS name and pedals right there with it.”
“The Stratocaster has been the weapon of choice for many of the world’s legendary guitarists. Giving players the opportunity to rock out using a guitar peripheral modeled after the Strat really adds to the authenticity of the experience,” said Alex Rigopulos, president and co-founder of Harmonix. “Many of the staff here at Harmonix play Fender and Roland instruments and use BOSS effects pedals in their own bands, so we are thrilled to be able to work with these companies.”
Poor Gibson.
CAMBRIDGE, MA - May 8, 2007 - Harmonix, developer of the blockbuster Guitar Hero™ franchise, MTV: Music Television, a division of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) will have their instruments exclusively featured in the upcoming videogame Rock Band™, an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to experience and connect with music. In addition, Roland Corporation and BOSS have agreed to have their brands featured within Rock Band.
To deliver the ultimate interactive music experience in Rock Band, Harmonix and MTV have secured an agreement with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, the world’s most respected manufacturer of electric guitars and amplifiers, that will allow the Rock Band game controller peripheral to be modeled after the legendary Fender Stratocaster, one of the most enduring and iconic models of electric guitar in the world. In addition, Fender guitars, basses and amps will be exclusively featured in the game.
“Fender is pleased to be part of Rock Band and the exciting opportunity it offers passionate music fans and gamers,” said Bill Mendello, CEO of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. “Our friends at Harmonix have done an amazing job of capturing the power and style of legendary Fender products within the virtual gaming experience and delivering it all in the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.”
To further raise the level of Rock Band’s authenticity, Roland Corporation, the world’s leading innovator in electronic instruments, and BOSS, recognized for its line of guitar effects pedals, have agreed to have their brands featured in Rock Band in-game and via co-marketing.
“Part of Roland’s mission is to bring people closer to the music they love. Rock Band certainly fulfills that goal by bringing a deeply interactive music experience to the world, and having Roland featured in the game is a great honor,” stated Dennis Houlihan, President and CEO of Roland Corporation U.S.
“Like the Fender Stratocaster, BOSS effects pedals have a long distinguished history,” states BOSS U.S. President Paul Youngblood. “We’ve worked with Fender on many projects in the past and we’re honored to be sharing this experience with them. Having the Strat® in Rock Band is going to take the virtual world by storm and when it does, we’ll be proud to have the BOSS name and pedals right there with it.”
“The Stratocaster has been the weapon of choice for many of the world’s legendary guitarists. Giving players the opportunity to rock out using a guitar peripheral modeled after the Strat really adds to the authenticity of the experience,” said Alex Rigopulos, president and co-founder of Harmonix. “Many of the staff here at Harmonix play Fender and Roland instruments and use BOSS effects pedals in their own bands, so we are thrilled to be able to work with these companies.”
Rock Band will allow players to play solo or recruit bandmates and jam side-by-side or virtually online, playing music from the greatest rock artists of all time. Built on unprecedented deals with the world’s biggest record labels and music publishers, the music featured in Rock Band will span all genres of rock and include many master recordings.
The title is slated for release on PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® in holiday 2007. For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockbandgame.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.
Electronic Arts will serve as the exclusive distribution and marketing partner for Rock Band, managing distribution for the game in US, Europe and Australia.
About MTV Networks:
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 135 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.
About MTV Games:
MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.
About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc:
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. The company pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US with the introduction of Frequency in 2001 and Amplitude in 2003. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music. Harmonix is best known as the creator of blockbuster titles Guitar Hero™ and Guitar Hero II™, the Karaoke Revolution series of singing games, and EyeToy: Antigrav. For more information please visit: http://www.harmonixmusic.com
About Fender Musical Instruments Corporation:
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is the world’s foremost manufacturer of guitars, amplifiers and related equipment. Since 1946, its name has become synonymous with all things rock ‘n’ roll. Iconic Fender instruments such as the Telecaster®, Stratocaster®, Precision Bass® and Jazz Bass® guitars are known worldwide as the instruments that started the rock revolution, and they continue to be highly prized by today’s guitarists and collectors. FMIC markets using the brand names Fender®, Squier®, Guild®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, Charvel®, SWR®, Tacoma®, Olympia® and Brand X®. For more information, please visit www.fender.com.
About Roland
Roland is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of electronic musical instruments, professional audio equipment, multimedia products, and music accessories. For more information, contact Roland Corporation U.S., 5100 S. Eastern Ave., P.O. Box 910921, Los Angeles, CA 90091-0921, (323) 890-3700 (x3718 - for media use only.
www.RolandUS.com
About BOSS
Known around the world as the company that put the “stomp” in “stompbox,” BOSS is the division of Roland Corporation most easily recognized for its legendary line of colorful guitar and bass effects pedals. But beyond these killer pedals, BOSS has pushed the envelope for over 30 years with innovative multi-effects, rhythm machines, personal digital studios and other easy-to-use instruments for musicians of all types. For more information about BOSS products and news visit www.BOSSUS.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS BIGTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
Kotaku Schwab: Clip: Wallstrip Does Nintendo
For those who don’t read it, Wallstrip is blog where “stock culture meets pop culture” and they often do video podcasts covering companies that are off the beaten path. In the past, they have covered EA, Sony, and even Marvel, but it came as a bit of a shock as today I logged on and saw Nintendo as the company who was brought in to be this week’s ringer.
Unfortunately, most of the video is boring footage of the host playing a child at Wii Tennis and going over facts most Kotakuites already know, but it is interesting to see that maybe the Nintendo is finally being regarded as a real company again. Now that some of the hype has gone down, I’m actually eager to see how the three consoles will compete in 2008 on a more even playing field.
Nintendo Co LTD (NTDOY) [Wallstrip]
