Let it not be said that I don’t listen to what people are saying. Granted, I’ve had another approach to tackle the issue, but for the time being, consider this a stop-gap measure.

(more…)

Oh, my bad. I thought there was a non-Sony Blu-Ray player out already.

Evidently not.

“Sony delivered its first high-definition video discs in the Blu-ray format to retailers Tuesday — 15,000 units each of seven titles, including Hitch, 50 First Dates, Underworld: Evolution, and The Terminator. The only problem is that no players are available yet on which to play them, and it’s unclear what the retailers will do with the discs before the players are available. DVD-oriented websites that have been able to preview the new discs reported that the technical quality of several of the films is disappointing (they praised the quality of 50 First Dates, however) and questioned whether a market for them could be created given the initial high cost of the players. Samsung has indicated it plans to be the first to introduce a Blu-ray player next week for $999, while Toshiba has already begun selling its rival — and incompatible — HD DVD players for half that amount.”

Guess I mistook the DVD-oriented site reports as being regular consumers.

Wow. I guess that’s one way to create demand… or not…

LBD “Nytetrayn”

So, Tenchu DS is being brought to the US…

…but, it will only be available through EB Games and GameStop.

Interesting.

It leads me to wonder if this could become a growing trend. There are toys that are exclusive only to certain retailers, could games follow?

LBD “Nytetrayn”

A nice interview with Simon Furman, courtesy of Comic News International, discussing the upcoming events in TransFormers comics.

LBD “Nytetrayn”

So, I evidently missed something kanuckles had spoken of on IRC in regards to a title I’m sure some of you have heard about, the ill-fated, rather controversial 3-D Sonic title for the SEGA Saturn, Sonic Xtreme.

Well, egg(no caps) linked me to a Google video depicting a level from the game called “Red Sands” being played through. Upon further inspection, there are videos for “Jade Gulley” and “Crystal Frost” stages, too.

According to egg, “its by this USA guy who was working on Sonic Xtreme… so basically… he went back and grabbed everything he had that remained of the project… very insightful stuff… so now there’s an effort to finish the game and make it available for PC.”

You can check out their site here.

It’s certainly a very interesting looking/moving game, one has to wonder how well it’d do if the graphics were upgraded and released in today’s marketplace…

Actually, it reminds me of Super Mario Galaxy, just a little.

LBD “Nytetrayn”

It’s Sony vs. God in a battle to see who can screw up your computer the most!

From the sounds of things, God’s got a strong lead…

LBD “Nytetrayn”

Kotaku has taken note of some slots on the back of the Wii “Classic” controller, stating that they should have some functionality because they are “not sexy.”

Whatever, guys. I don’t look at the back of the controller enough to care. I’d say the whole of the front definitely makes up for whatever she may be lacking in the rear, knowhatI’msayin’?

LBD “Nytetrayn”

First, their Blu-Ray player is delayed until October…

“The reasons behind the delays have not been revealed. However, if Blu-ray finally rolls out in October early adopters might not mind waiting three weeks for $600 PS3 over a $1000 Blu-ray player.”

…then Business 2.0 says Ken Kutaragi “doesn’t matter.”

“Remember the Betamax debacle? Sony seems to have forgotten all about it. Under Kutaragi, who is the power behind Sony’s PlayStation videogame consoles, the company is launching another format war with its Blu-Ray high-definition videodisc, the successor to the venerable DVD. Unfortunately, the PlayStation 3, which was supposed to put Blu-Ray into millions of living rooms, is months late and hundreds of dollars more expensive than competing consoles from Microsoft and Nintendo – largely because it includes one-of-a-kind technologies like Blu-Ray. The delays and cost overruns are likely to make both the PS3 and Blu-Ray nonstarters.”

IGN: “A spokesman for Sony reminded us that Blu-Ray has the support of “90 percent of Hollywood, and this is just one publication’s opinion.” IGN News was unable to confirm the sound of sobbing on the other end of the line.”

LBD “Nytetrayn”

Looking back, I didn’t really talk much about what was in last month’s NP; it touched on(no pun intended) Zelda: Phantom Hourglass rather nicely, confirming some things about how it’ll play. The game IS a direct sequel to Wind Waker, and it seems it’ll be primarily stylus-based, from your movements to attacks and other things; it sounds much like an adventure-based cross between Zelda and Animal Crossing, in a way.

Tap an object like a barrel or a rock, and Link will pick it up, and depending on whether you tap the ground near or further away from him will determine if he gently puts it down, or hurls it. Dragging the stylus(which controls his guide-fairy) can make him roll, and moving him to a pit will allow him to jump automatically, like in other games.

Back-and-forth motions in front of Link will make him swing his sword accordingly, or a circular motion around him will trigger the whirling-blade attack.

The only buttons to be used will be L or R(a lefty-friendly game, they say), and maybe the control pad as a sort of menu shortcut.

There’s more to it, of course, like drawing the path of the boomerang, but that’s a little idea of how things will work.

As for the new issue, a few tidbits, but I need to read through the whole thing.

They have some ideas that’ve been tossed around for a possible Wii Animal Crossing, including talk of being able to use your real-life e-mail to send some letters to someone in-game.

Starting lineup for Wii is looking to be: LoZelda: Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Red Steel, Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of MirrorsSuper Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, and Rayman: Raving Rabbids.

They also show pics of how the Wii controller will be used for the upcoming Dragon Ball Z title, too. Coolness. (anyone wanna see? I dunno if the pics of the real-life part are online or not)

Big MP3: Corruption interview…

…and I’ll post whatever else is interesting later.

LBD “Nytetrayn”

On the recommendation of kyouryuu and others, I made sure to catch the last encore of Wednesday night’s The Daily Show, featuring the headline story “Player Haters,” regarding the discussions of video games in Congress.

Miss it? Worry not, Comedy Central has you covered.

LBD “Nytetrayn”