The Code Games News Report 12.22.06
Posted by Shawn Struck on 12.22.2006
Sherlock Holmes meets Chuthulu, a holiday poem, pimp your Wii, and more in this issue of The Code.
'Twas the update before Christmas, and all through the site,
updates were submitted, long into the night.
The staffers composed each item with care,
for they knew readers would want to see what was there.
And I with my column, and connection so fast,
came to deliver news of this week past.
For Halo 3 trailers and other big-news chatter
can sometimes obscure the smaller news that also matters.
But now that you're reading this, you already know...
I've got your back, and this is... The Code.
Line Rider Coming To DS, Wii (via deviantart)
Line Rider, a Flash animation project that had its roots in an assignment for Bostjan Cadez's illustration class, has been announced to be released for the Nintendo DS and the Wii, via the company inXile entertainment with "new added features".
What looks like a deceptively simple non-game (have a little motrcylce-riding guy follow the paths you draw) can become a powerfully fun tool in the right hands. Don't believe me? Check out this amazing clip of Line Rider officially "jumping the shark." Tee-hee!
Check out the online beta version of Line Rider below at the creator's Deviant Art pagefor Line Rider here
This could be the next big sleeper hit, guys. Line Rider has received accolades from media worldwide. Time.com commented, 'Line Rider is becoming one of the most popular flash games on the web', and The Wall Street Journal called Line Rider 'Online gamers' new addiction'. The Toronto Star noted that Line Rider was 'a deceptively simple online game' and stated that it has become "the latest Internet addiction".
inXile's CEO said that "Line Rider is like a fully animated Etch-A-Sketch® and will be perfect for the Nintendo DS and Wii."
This Week's "Now That's Cool":
Wii Custom Color Cases (via Kotaku)
Xtreme Enterprise, creators of the Shock DS Lite replacement case , are now taking orders for Project SHOCKii, their new console replacement cases for the Nintendo Wii. These cases replace every visible piece of the Wii including buttons, slot doors, and even the battery case. They come in five colors so far - Astro Yellow, Dreamy Blue, Dynamic Red, Cool Black, and Strat Clear.
Made from very high quality composite polycarbonate and ABS plastic material as well as patented Japanese acrylic paint, this product fits exactly like OEM, while giving a highly polished and refined feel to the gamer.
Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together: Sherlock Holmes & Chtuulu! (via worthplaying)
From the article at worthplaying:
At 221b Baker Street, a typical London day begins: fog in the morning, afternoon and evening. Sherlock Holmes is in a mood of malcontent this morning, and it has been a goodly time since the famous detective was called to a case worthy of his innate talents. However, Doctor Watson's arrival rapidly dispels this monotonous break, since he brings news of the mysterious disappearance of a young Maori maid who works for one of Watson's patients, Captain Stenwick.
Upon arriving on site, Holmes will discover the first clues of a very strange affair; related not to a disappearance, but to a kidnapping. Holmes' theory will be proven correct when he discovers similar cases reported in the press and by certain interrogated individuals. There can be no doubt at all; only a powerful organization could be capable of planning and enacting these kidnappings. But for what reason, since there lies no apparent link between the various disappearances and the puzzling lack of ransom demands?
The investigation and the discovery of macabre clues will quickly show that behind this mysterious organization hides a strange and disturbing sect, worshippers of the god Cthulhu, who border on the edge of reason.
I swear, if the development team messes this up, I will be very, very disappointed. In middle school and high school, I practically devoured the collected works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and H.P. Lovecraft, and combining these two forces seems like the perfect fit. You can read the rest of the press release here.
Live Action Tekken Short Film In Progress(via TwitchFilm)
Atlanta based Shadow Motion Pictures, creators of a Devil May Cry fan film currently in post production, are also readying a live action Tekken film. The short, titled Tekken: King of Iron Fist, is similarly unauthorized and will be a martial arts packed labor of love from director R.L. Scott.
He describes the short film's plot on his Myspace blog:
The story takes place after the defeat of Jinpachi Mishima at the hands of Jin Kazama. Jin becomes the new ruler of the Mishima Zaibatsu Corporation. along with that power he inherits its problems. namely... the vow of revenge set forth by Bryan. A bloody battle ensues with a shocking end you won't want to miss.
Don't expect Hollywood level production values, maybe not even Bollywood, but it has ot be better than that King of Fighters fan film where one guy accidentally set himself on fire. TwitchFilm has promo pics of theTekken Short right here.
Objection!: Phoenix Wrong (via NewGrounds Portal)
Peonix Wrong is a fan flash project that takes spirtes from the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney series and sets them to music and movie sound clips, one after the other, sort of like an animutation meets MOnty Phyton meets (good) OverClocked Remix work. You can veiw 'em all here: right from the source
Spiderman in the Mushroom Kingdom
Toyfare magazine runs a monthly comic called "Twisted Toyfare Theater," which mixes action figures and pop culture with often hilarious results. In fact, the back-pages photo-comic is where Robot Chicken got is start.
The excellent video game site Poison Mushroom has posted scans of the latest "Twisted Toyfare Theater", which features Spiderman, The Hulk, and Thor traveling to the Mushroom Kingdom.
They've got the whole thing posted at their site, 9 pages of pure comedy gold from a mag that's usually hit-or-miss for me (whenever I'm reading it overs our roomie Tim's shoulder).
Come for "A Goombah With A View", stay for the excellent Mega Man fannery (it's like a tannery. But fans. And no cured leather.)
Sometimes A Little Lawyerin' Can Be A Good Thing. Sometimes It's A Bad Thing. But It's Almost ALways Signifigant. (via GamaSutra)
GamaSutra has a fascinating article entitled Litigations That Changed The Games Industry, written by one Dr. S. Gregory Boyd. In a nutshell, it covers the history of litigation and video games, its effects on the industry, and whether it's a neccessary compnent of creating games. Great stuff, with examples ranging from Pong to Duke Nukem 3D.
Enjoy the holidays, may you find the joy that you seek, happy holidays to all, and I'll see you next week!
