The Digital Pulse 07.17.06
Posted by Joshua Richey on 07.17.2006
We open the Games section in style! Microsoft has an MP3 Player, UMD's aren't selling, and several game licenses change hands. Plus we have ourselves some revealing pictures of Morgan Webb.
So it begins. 411Mania finally has a Gaming section, and I'm happy to be apart of it. My name is Joshua Richey, and this is The Digital Pulse, your weekly look into the world of technology and video games. Along the way I'll also share my opinions on the latest video games, news, and I'll throw in some scantily clad women for shits and giggles.
But enough talk; let's get this thing rolling. Here's this weeks Gaming News:
Because Microsoft Didn't Have Enough Money Already…
Wanting to get them a piece of that Apple Pie, Microsoft has been hard at work on a MP3 Player of their own. Not much was known about it at first, though. We didn't know if this was simply Microsoft's answer to Apple's Ipod, or if it was in fact a handheld - meant to compete with Nintendo's DS, and Sony's PSP. It was given the name: Argo, and that is all we knew.
Slowly more and more is being revealed about it. With every new piece of information that we receive, a flurry of new questions arise. For example: apparently the name of it has gone from Argo, to The Zune. An image has also hit the net, of what the final design may look like. (see below) Now after looking at the design, it's hard to envision yourself playing games on it, but still nothing has been confirmed or denied.
It is also being rumored that this thing is compatible with the X-Box 360; but to what effect, we do not know. Whether it can be used for gaming, or is simply for music purposes, we're sure to find out soon; as the device is expected to have launched by Christmas.
The Zune?
British Tabloid Reports Wii Launch Date and Price - Nintendo Denies
The Daily Star, a british tabloid, reported this week that Nintendo's latest console, the Nintendo Wii, would be launched at the end of November, with a price tag of £170.
Nintendo later denied the report, telling Eurogamer: "It's pure speculation on the part of the newspaper - we have made no announcements regarding Wii price, or software."
While Nintendo remains tight lipped on the issue; Speculation continues to lead to an October-November launch for the Wii.
BREAKING NEWS: Game Publishers Suck!
Andrew Macdonald, the man who produced the 2002 film 28 Days Later, recently revealed that upon the release of the film, he approached a number of Game Developers about the possibility of making a game based off the movie. His efforts were apparently met with no interest whatsoever. Which makes sense, because who the hell would want to play a 28 Days Later game? Oh that's right, the entire fucking planet! That's who.
What a 28 Days Later game might have looked like...
Get Your UMD's While You Can! LoL!
Get ready for some shocking news... You ready? Okay. You know those cute little UMD's for your PSP? Yeah, nobody buys them. UMD sales are so bad at the moment, that a few Film Companies have announced that they will cease production on them. Even retailers are getting tired of the bulk amount of UMD's lying around; stores like Target are pulling all of their UMD's off the shelves, and selling them exclusively online.
Jeez, who would have thought that selling these discs that only work for PSP's, for the price of a DVD, was a bad idea? Who'd a thunk that?
Everyone Loves Raymond Sony
Harris Interactive recently conducted an online survey with 2,351 adult - in which they were trying to determine which brands were most trusted by Americans. As it turns out, for the 7th consecutive year, Sony is the most trusted brand in the country. Surprisingly enough, Microsoft didn't even make the top ten. That's just shocking, isn't it?
For those curious, here's the rest of the list:
1. Sony
2. Dell
3. Coca-Cola
4. Toyota
5. Ford
6. Honda
7. Hewlett Packard
8. General Electric
9. Kraft Foods
10. Apple
[Credit: 1Up]
Microsoft Releasing 5 New Live Arcade Titles - Within Next 5 Weeks
Are you sick and tired of playing Fusion Frenzy in the X-Box Live Arcade? I know I am. Well Microsoft announced a slew of new games that will be available within the Arcade, one coming out each week until August 9th. And I got one word for ya… Hadouken!
July 19 - Cloning Clyde
July 26 - Galaga
August 2 - Street Fighter II
August 9 - Pac-Man
EA Representin On The Wii
Electronic Arts announced this week that they plan to fully support Nintendo's newest console, the Wii. Games such as Madden, SSX, Tiger Wood PGA Tour, Need For Speed, Harry Potter, and the Godfather, will all be available for the Wii within the next year. If you think you're excited for the Wii, you've got nothing on John Schappert. John Schappert is EA's senior Vice President and General Manager, and from the sounds of it, the guy's all but got a hard-on for the new hardware.
"Once we started to experiment with Madden on Wii, there was an explosion of innovation. Everyone in the studio is energized by the creative opportunity afforded by both the hardware and controller. By reaching into our catalogue, we are able to bring a fresh and distinctive experience to some of EA's most popular franchises. Creatively, the game play possibilities are staggering and endless."
Shhh…Treyarch Making New Bond Game
Electronic Arts all but surrendered the James Bond franchise, after failing to make a good Bond game within the 7 years that they had it. Activision was then able to secure the license, and appears to be putting it within their most trust hands.
Treyarch, makers of Spiderman: The Movie, and Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, appears to have been summoned to develop the new game. This information comes to us courtesy of Acitvison's website; which features a job listing, looking for a Gameplay Designer for their new ‘Bond' game.
Ubisoft Snags Driver License
Good News: The People behind Splinter Cell and Rainbow 6, Ubisoft, have purchased the rights to the Driver series, for the small price of $24,000,000.00.
Bad News: Ubisoft also received the staff from Reflections Interactive; makers of the previous Driver games.
[Editors Note: I just did a Wikipedia search on Reflections Interactive, and discovered that they made Shadows of the Beast. Ubisoft should have them make another one of those, because Shadows of the Beast was the shit for the Sega Genisis.]
Denzel Washington To Star In New Halo Movie
Rumors have been going around that Oscar Award Winner, Denzel Washington, was in line to play everyone's favorite armor-clad, gun-wielding, bad ass - Master Chief. The casting raises eyebrows because we always imagined Master Chief as a white fella. But people are still so geeked that Peter Jackson is involved with the movie, that not even casting David Spade could damper the spirits of gamers.
The rumors gained momentum this week when the well respected Dark Horizons' acknowledged the potential casting.
[Horrible MS Paint By: Joshua Richey]
Denzel Washington To Star In New Halo Movie
Hope I didn't get you too excited. As the rumors began to gather more and more momentum, Aint-It-Cool-News received a report from a person by the name of Latauro; who basically said that Denzel was not attached to Halo, and that in the move, the Master Chief will not remove his helmet. Not even once. Alluding that this would likely turn Denzel off from the prospect of being the lead of Halo.
Spielberg Not Making World of Warcraft Film
Wow, so basically that's the entire story. Steven Spielberg will not be making World of Warcraft, according to a Spielberg fansite. Speilbergfilms.com approached Steven's people recently, and discovered that Mr. Spielberg's schedule is entirely booked. And no where is World of Warcraft on the agenda.
And If You Were Too Lazy To Read All That: One Sentence News!
So if you want the news, but don't want to read all of that, I'll simplify it for everyone. Introducing one sentence news! All the information that you need; served in the form of a simple sentence. Here's what we learned today:
- Microsoft sucks at naming MP3 Players.
- The Wii's launch date and price are none of your business.
- Game Publishers don't realize that Zombie games equal sales.
- UMD's are about as useful as the Laser Disc.
- People trust Sony more than anyone.
- Street Fighter II is going to be available in the XBLA.
- EA has a hard-on for the Wii.
- We might finally get ourselves another decent James Bond game.
- Ubisoft will be behind the Driver series from now on.
- Denzel Washington may be the Master Chief.
- Denzel Washington may not be the Master Chief.
- Spielberg is not making a World of Warcraft movie.
New Releases This Week
The following games will be hitting store shelves this week:
Basically, the (O.T) is a weekly segment that I do in which I allow myself to talk about a number of things unrelated to gaming. I unveil my weekly awards for things such as Game of the Week, Movie of the Week, Album of the Week, and my Future Ex-Wife of the Week.
Game of the Week: 2006 Fifa World Cup
What can I say? I got World Cup fever just like a lot of other unsuspecting individuals. Having never been a fan of Soccer, prior to the 2006 World Cup, I'm admittingly new to the sport. After watching the games - I now have a better appreciation of the sport, and now realize what countries (not named United States) love so much. Soccer involves a great amount of finesse, and more strategy than one would think. Electronic Arts '2006 Fifa World Cup' has been able to capture everything that makes Soccer, perfectly. Everything from the atmosphere in the stadium, to the gay celebrations that the players do once they score; it's all in there.
The game does a great job at making you, the gamer, feel that the game you're playing is very important. You'll hear loud chants from the crowd, and your game will be called by a very enthusiastic commentary team. The controls are basic, which is what you need with a game like this. Anyone will be able to pick up the controller and be able to play this game.
2006 Fifa World Cup, check it out.
Movie of the Week: Pirates of the Carribean 2: Dead Man's Chest
I've never been a fan of cliffhangers. Some of the worst parts of my childhood revolve around movies and TV shows ending abruptly. For example: What happened to the Doc at the end of Back to the Future 2? Don't know; have to wait for Back to the Future 3. X-Men: The Animated Series during the Dark Phoenix saga…torturous. What was to become of Zack and Kelly's relationship, once Zack caught Kelly kissing Jeff on Saved By The Bell? Not until next week kids. Hell, I even hated the 1993 film, Cliffhanger, starring Sylvester Stallone.
My point in all of this? There are a few things that you need to know about Pirates of the Caribbean, before you head out to the theatre. The first being that Dead Man's Chest is simply the second movie of the trilogy. Don't expect a clean ending, expect an abrupt ending that leaves you seeking some closure. Also, be prepared to sit down for a long time. This is a very long movie; probably longer than it needs to be. However, the movie is filled with slaphappy humor, astonishing special effects, not-so-well-mannered battles, and mother-fucking pirates! Ingredients, that when put together, make an enjoyable and entertaining summer blockbuster.
Album of the Week: Rammstein - Rosenrot
I downloaded over a gigs worth of Rammstein songs the other day. I underestimated just how many songs that was worth. But it wasn't until I downloaded all those songs, that I discovered that Rammestein had released a new album, Rosenrot. I get in certain moods at times, where I need a Rammstein fix. This entire column actually, has been brought to you by the not so gentle sounds of Rammstein.
Anyway, I've given Rammstein's Rosenrot album quite a few listens by now; and while I cannot understand a damn thing that they're saying, it sounds exceptionally remarkable.
Future Ex-Wife of the Week: Morgan Webb
In honor of 411Mania launching a new Gaming section, I have no choice but to select Miss. Webb, to be my Future Ex-Wife of the Week. You see, Morgan is the ideal woman in the eyes of gamers everywhere. On G4's X-Play, the beautiful bombshell nourishes our minds with the latest Gaming Reviews, while electrifying us with her sarcastic and cute humor. This girl sincerely loves video games. Science has proven that to be the trait most needed in a wife.
Filler. Filler. Filler!!1!
> I wrote a review for Hitman: Blood Money. Go and read it.
> What the hell happened to the blockbuster of a summer, which was supposed to be 2006? This was supposed to be one of the biggest summers that the film industry had ever seen. Instead it's been a summer full of disappointments. Poseidon, X-Men 3, Cars, and Superman all fell flat on their faces. A few months ago, people joked that Snakes on a Plane could be the smash hit of the summer; and at this pace it very well could be. I'm glad that Pirates of the Caribbean made so much money, because thus far it has been the only movie that I enjoyed. Other than that, it's been a summer to forget. 2007 does look intriguing though. Spiderman 3 and Transformers will be hitting the big screen next summer.
> What are my Bengals doing? I honestly do not know what to say. This is a team that I've been faithful to since the age of 5. I endured all those miserable years of 3-13 records, and I still don't know if that was worse than what they are forcing me to support now. I trust Marvin Lewis, so I'm not going to completely second guess everything that they do. But it has been a miserable off season for Bengal fans.
First Carson Palmer tears his MCL and ACL in the playoffs; leaving his status up in the air for the beginning of the 2006 season. Then came those rumors of Chad Johnson nearly coming to blows with Head Coach Marvin Lewis. They failed in extending the contracts of Willie Anderson, Eric Steinbach, and Levi Jones. All of which are free agents after the 2006 season. Wide Receiver Chris Henry proceeded to get arrested like 7 times, for different crimes. They drafted 3 criminals (A.J Nicholson, Frostee Rucker, Ahmed Brooks), and now star linebacker Odell Thurman has been suspended for the first 4 games of the 2006 season.
I would say that it couldn't get any worse, but Chris Henry still has 2 months to see how many more times he can get arrested.
That'll conclude this issue of The Digital Pulse. Check back next week.
What can I say? I got World Cup fever just like a lot of other unsuspecting individuals. Having never been a fan of Soccer, prior to the 2006 World Cup, I'm admittingly new to the sport. After watching the games - I now have a better appreciation of the sport, and now realize what countries (not named United States) love so much. Soccer involves a great amount of finesse, and more strategy than one would think. Electronic Arts '2006 Fifa World Cup' has been able to capture everything that makes Soccer, perfectly. Everything from the atmosphere in the stadium, to the gay celebrations that the players do once they score; it's all in there. 
I've never been a fan of cliffhangers. Some of the worst parts of my childhood revolve around movies and TV shows ending abruptly. For example: What happened to the Doc at the end of Back to the Future 2? Don't know; have to wait for Back to the Future 3. X-Men: The Animated Series during the Dark Phoenix saga…torturous. What was to become of Zack and Kelly's relationship, once Zack caught Kelly kissing Jeff on Saved By The Bell? Not until next week kids. Hell, I even hated the 1993 film, Cliffhanger, starring Sylvester Stallone. 
I downloaded over a gigs worth of Rammstein songs the other day. I underestimated just how many songs that was worth. But it wasn't until I downloaded all those songs, that I discovered that Rammestein had released a new album, Rosenrot. I get in certain moods at times, where I need a Rammstein fix. This entire column actually, has been brought to you by the not so gentle sounds of Rammstein. 
