David Jaffe may not be a household name, but just so you know, he’s the genius designer behind the Twisted Metal series for the Playstation and is also known for God of War. On his blog over here, he was seen criticising the guys who make games for Marvel’s movies and their comics, too maybe. Now that he mentions it, who makes those games anyways?
Man speaks the truth as he opens his blog post with the following lines:
Please stop putting Spiderman games in big open sandbox environments where you swing around and do oh so slight variations on 4 pretty dull mission types (chase/race/collect/etc) and then once in a while toss in a boss fight and/or a somewhat unique mission.
I mean seriously, we get the point: we get to swing around and stuff, but please; more emphasis on the stuff and less on the goddamn swinging.
Jaffe demands that Marvel’s comics are ace, but the games are terrible and the biggest problem here is that they are “POWER-BASED” and not “STORY-BASED”. Marvel’s comics are known for their great stories and scripts, as he mentions the big man Stan himself. You’d wish the games would follow suit, but they have to be ridiculous affairs that throw you into this huge story with repititive missions and lack of any sort of direction whatsoever.
The Ant Commandos (TAC), a leading provider of innovative wireless video game music peripherals and
accessories, announced today its Widow Maker Wireless Bass Guitar is now available at retail for an SRP of $69.99. The Widow Maker Bass Guitar is the first bass guitar controller on the market to feature 4-1 compatibility with all Guitar Hero and Rock Band games for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3.
TAC’s Widow Maker Wireless Bass Guitar is one of the most advanced controllers on the market, featuring AutoSense wireless technology using 2.4GHz radio connectivity and offering a largest and longest body design, resembling the classic body style of a real bass guitar. The bass guitar controller features FeatherTouch Fret Buttons which are undercoated with new, stronger rubber cushions for a “clickier” feel when pressed. Using the Widow Maker to lay down their bass rhythms, gamers will be able to rock out to all versions of Rock Band or Guitar Hero for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3. “TAC is committed to providing the best possible peripherals to players for their favorite music video games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, and with the Widow Maker, gamers are getting the best quality wireless bass guitar on the market today,” said Jesse Manwill, Senior Manager, Product Management at TAC. “The Widow Maker is 100% compatible with all versions of Guitar Hero and Rock Band for the PS2 and PS3-including rock Band’s effects switch and solo functions– so consumers are truly getting their money’s worth for a top-notch bass guitar that they can rely on for years to come.”
Bass guitar fans will love all of the special features that the Widow Maker is equipped with. One of the hottest new elements is the 360 FLY Function Clip where special button clips allow for strap-free game play and the wild spinning of the controller so gamers can perform similar moves just like their most idolized guitarists. A unique button cluster with a recessed Start button will enable players to let loose and go wild without accidentally pausing the game during a jam session. Additionally, its new PowerThief power saving mode automatically conserves precious battery power for extended hours of play. For the comfort of gamers, the Widow Maker features a specially-designed contoured edge which provides a more comfortable grip on the neck, reducing finger fatigue after a late-night jam session. Realistic to the slightest detail, the Widow Maker Bass guitar controller features a stylish headstock with five tuning pegs, and it even functions as a six-string controller if necessary.
For more information about TAC or the products it sells please visit www.theantcommandos.com.
The road to elite video gaming’s TEAM USA 2008 is now confirmed: The World Cyber Games (WCG) USA 2008 National Final will be held in at this year’s E for All Expo in Los Angeles, October 3 – 5, ,International Cyber Marketing (ICM) and IDG World Expo announced today. The WCG USA 2008 National Final at the E for All Expo will feature 200 of America’s very best players, all competing for the rare chance to make TEAM USA and represent the United States at the WCG 2008 Grand Final, to be held in Cologne, Germany, this November 5th – 9th. The WCG’s Grand Final is the culmination of the world’s largest video game tournament.
America’s top gamers will be the showcase tournament attraction at the 2008 E for All Expo, the premier consumer video game event, organized by IDG World Expo and scheduled to take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center October 3-5, 2008. The WCG USA 2008 National Final will fill more than 15,000 square feet of dedicated space on the E for All show floor. In addition to determining TEAM USA and national champions in 14 WCG “Official Game Titles” the WCG USA will include the Samsung Mobile Challenge tournament, a women’s gaming invitational tournament, an “old school” pinball competition, numerous walk-up video gaming contests and many more exciting attractions. Feature matches in some of the world’s most popular PC and Xbox 360 videogames will take place on a main stage complete with live play-by-play commentary keyed to the in-game action being projected on giant video screens. World Cyber Games’ partners Samsung Electronics, Microsoft Xbox 360 and Games For Windows, Phillips amBX, Dust-Off and several others will feature expo booths with interactive displays, product demonstrations and gaming kiosks in the WCG USA tournament area at E for All, creating a high-energy gaming and youth lifestyle festival for consumers. E for All attendees will have countless opportunities to walk away with merchandise prizes via giveaways and promotions in the WCG USA area during breaks in the tournament.
“E for All is the perfect stage for the World Cyber Games, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to see the who’s who of elite competitive gamers in-person as they show their mastery of today’s most popular video game titles,” said Mary Dolaher, Chief Executive Officer of IDG World Expo, the leading producer of world-class tradeshows and events around the globe. “Through our partnership with ICM, we’re not only establishing a home for the 2008 WCG USA National Final, we’re underscoring our support of the growing global eSports gaming community.”
“E For All has quickly established itself as a premiere video game event in the United States. This World Cyber Games USA National Final at E For All will immerse gaming fans and attendees into the ever-expanding genre of International eSports competition – this is the only place to see America’s best gamers, live and in person, battling for the treasured opportunity to represent the USA on competitive gaming’s most coveted stage, the World Cyber Games Grand Final this November in Cologne Germany.” said Michael Arzt, General Manager of WCG USA.
This summer, democracy comes to the animal kingdom in Wideload Games’ presidential party game Hail to the Chimp. Video game publisher Gamecock Media Group today announced that Hail to the Chimp has shipped to North American retailers and is available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. Players can now jump into the biggest political race the animal kingdom has ever seen in this fast-paced original game that delivers exciting gameplay and a comic look at politics. It’s a bare-knuckled fight to win the crown of President of the animals and whoever gets the most clams (votes), wins!
Hail to the Chimp begins after the Lion is deposed as King following a series of embarrassing scandals. The rest of the animals decide it’s time to give democracy a chance and hold an election for the first President of the Animal Kingdom. The election quickly becomes a frenzied multiplayer free-for-all, with each candidate using a combination of brute force and dirty tricks to try and win the most votes. Ten distinct animals will compete to win the election.
“Gamers complain about the lack of innovation and originality in video games. Hail to the Chimp is the antidote,” said Rick Stults, console chief for Gamecock Media Group. “Hail to the Chimp blends political satire with over-the-top beat-‘em-up action that no one else has attempted before now.”
“Hail to the Chimp is designed for fun, pure and simple – quick, easy, party game fun for everyone,” said Alex Seropian, founder of Wideload Games. “In addition, the immersive character-driven backstory and underlying humor provide an entertainment experience that anyone can enjoy.”
Up to four players participate online or on a single console to become the new President. Everything unfolds on GRR News, the animal kingdom’s 24-hour news channel, as Woodchuck Chumley and his crew of reporters cover the political mayhem. Choose from a wide range of animal candidates, ranging from Monkey to Musk Ox to Octopus to Hippo, each with unique political platforms and competitive strengths. Players participate in 16 unique events in the race to the top, such as Political Minefield, Hack the Vote, and Character Assassin, and battle it out in 10 different arenas: waterfalls, mountain tops, factory floors, and more! A unique “teamup” option lets two players mix cooperation with competition, forming alliances and inflicting betrayals – whatever it takes to finish on top.
Hail to the Chimp pokes fun at today’s political news coverage and is content-rich with hours of cut scenes that include fake commercials, political ads and political debates that are fun to play or just watch.
Hail to the Chimp is available for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system at a great price point of $39.99.
GRAMMY Award-winning band Coldplay will have a dedicated channel on XM Radio, it was announced today. Beginning July 15, the month-long channel, “30 Days of Coldplay” (XM 51), will provide fans with music from the Coldplay catalog, including import-only released tracks and other hard-to-find recordings and tracks from their new album, an uncut, exclusive concert broadcast from the Viva La Vida North American Tour, plus other live performances, interviews and more. Viva La Vida, the band’s fifth full-length album was released in the U.S. last week and holds the record for the biggest number of pre-sales on iTunes. Their Viva La Vida North American Tour kicks off in Los Angeles on June 29.
“Coldplay is one of the most successful bands of the last decade, winning over fans across the musical spectrum with their unique sound and superb musicianship,” said Eric Logan, executive vice president of programming, XM. “With broadcasts of live performances, interviews and the band’s musical catalog, “30 Days of Coldplay” will offer an unparalleled Coldplay experience for both die-hard fans and those who are curious to hear what everyone is talking about.”
Since the band’s formation in London 10 years ago, Coldplay has risen to become one of most popular music acts of the decade, selling more than 30 million albums and winning five GRAMMY Awards. After surfacing in 2000 with the breakthrough single “Yellow,” Coldplay quickly became one of the biggest bands of the new millennium. Parachutes went multi-platinum and earned the band their first Grammy. In 2002, Coldplay released sophomore album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, winning Grammy Awards for “Clocks” and “In My Place.” Coldplay’s third album, X&Y was released in 2005, followed by their latest album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends.
“30 Days of Coldplay” (XM 51) will be available on XM from July 15 through August 15. Programming information will be available online soon at http://www.xmradio.com/coldplay.
