Welcome to the first Select and Start News Report of the year. With lots of people on Christmas vacation there was barely any news to report. So with 2006 behind us and basically no news to report, I'd like to take this time to look back at the news with the several news reports I've done for this site. Looking back at the news reports I've written, I realised one thing: I really sucked back then.The Biggest News Of 2006
Take-Two takes too much
Wow did this year ever suck for Take-Two Interactive. Back from my very first news report they were suffering so many damn problems.
First was the Hot Coffee incident that took place a year ago, and just when you thought people would stop bringing that up, the New York's District Attorney subpoenaed them wanting to know who knew what before GTA:SA was released. Take-Two's stock plunged from this news.
But it got worse at Roger Hill, who plays Cyrus in the movie "The Warriors", sued for $250K and a court order to bar Take-TWo from using his likeness. He claims Take-Two never payed him for his likeness in the game.
Meanwhile, after they closed two of their studios (Rockstar Vienna and Indie Built), many Rockstar employees left the company, including co-founder Jamie King. Rumor has it that Rockstar was firing employees because of certain reviews for Table Tennis.
Then, along with a bunch of other gaming companies later that year, Take-Two was being investigated by the SEC about messing with stock options. Apparently they do something with the stock to make it look like they profit rather then not. I'm not sure really, but shareholder Shareholder Richard Lasky was suing them for it as well. To cap it all off for Take-Two, they cancelled their PC RTS drug smuggling empire game Snow. Founder of Take-Two, Ryan Brant, has resigned from the company due to a disability.
And then was there the whole controversy with Bully, but we'll get to that later.
The End of E3
Just when I was about to be away for a week in the summer, we get news about E3 having to be scaled back greatly because apparently the companies were recieving little payoff from this event after spending so much. That and because so many companies hold their own events that E3 was almost looking unnecessary. So then came the eternal question: would anybody step up to deliver an event just as big as the old E3?
The CEA was thinking of stepping up. There were the guys who created the Consumer Electronics Show, where video games used to be shown and treated as a joke which is why we created E3 in the first place. Anyways, they eventually backed out. Gen Con may not have been the size of E3, but they were planning on expanding their video game content. VGXPO was also talking about how they were going to be the next big event for gaming.
But now, we might just have our new official big event: The IDG Gaming Expo. The IDG are known for publishing tech magazines including Gamepro and hold this consumer-oriented gaming event at the LA Convention Center from October 18-20, 2007, and is being backed by the ESA.
The Ultiamte Irony: Who the real Bully is
Name a game "Bully" and all of a sudden you're accused of starting the next big school shooting ten times bigger then Columbine. Or at least that's what all these complainers are implying. With all these protests, lawsuits, and unfair accusations, guess who turned out to be the real bullies in this situation.
Jayne Hitchcock, from "Working to Halt Online Abuse", had this to say: "How long will it be before we hear on the news about a victim of bullies who is inspired by the new game and retaliates using a baseball bat? There is a tremendous probability that this new game will send out twisted messages, possibly even influence victims of bullying to resort to violence as a means of defense. Games can and do make impressions on young people, especially when they play the games over and over."
So instead of going after the real bullies or telling the victims how to properly act in a bullying situation, you blame the video game instead? I hope this bitch doesn't have children, because she sounds like the most irresponsible parent you can possibly have. Plus the way I see it, if the kids are only going after bullies, I say let them retaliate with a baseball bat. These days that's what bullies probably already do anyway or worse.
Meanwhile, Rockstar decided to change the name for people outside of the U.S., calling it "Canis Canem Edit", most likely because that's the only actual reason people had for saying this game would teach kids how to become bullies.
In the end, Bully recieved a T rating, got some good reviews, and Judge Ronald Friedman of Miami allowed the game to be sold since the game is not much worse then what people see on primetime TV. So all of us were going to live happily ever after...until Thompson said harsh words about the judge for allowing Bully to be sold. Take-Two took advantage of this and their lawyers asked that Thompson be charged with contempt for it. After the hearings, Judge Friedman decided to recuse himself from this case, warning Thompson that the next judge "might not be as kind".
Sony goes downhill. REALLY downhill.
It's amazing how Sony's great rise to popularity and terrible fall to hatred were both caused because of a price tag. In the first E3, Sony announced the Playstation at $299, and fans rejoiced. At the last E3 (huge media-wise), Sony announced the Playstation at $499 and $599, and the fans could not believe it. How was Sony going to defend the console at such a huge price? Unfortunately, it would only get worse.
A huge price is one problem, but a lack of consoles has proven to be an even bigger problem. As you should know by now, the PS3's price is jacked up because it's also a Blu-Ray player, which actually sell for $1000. Here's the problem: Sony suffered a shortage of Blu-Ray Diodes, so they couldn't produce as many PS3's as they promised. In the end, 400,000 were promised to North America (split even between Canada and USA), 100,000 were promised to Japan (though it supposedly soon dropped to 80,000), and the UK would have to wait until March of 2007 to buy it. So with a shortage of consoles like the Xbox 360, the launch was a bust. Riots and fights ensued across the country, people were paying outrageous prices on eBay, and it even led to the murder of Peyton Strickland who was accused of stealing the consoles but was not yet proven guilty.
And then there was the closing of import site Lik-Sang. Sony sued the Hong Kong import site for selling Japanese PSP's to the UK, claiming that the systems they were selling did not meet with consumer safety standards. Lik-Sang claims they did conform to safety standards. With Lik-Sang shutting down, they decided to point out how Sony executives were illegally importing PSPs, which Sony says was for checking the systems in order to check the nature of the goods being sold. Sony says that Lik-Sang's comments about Sony were just "sour grapes" and demanded Lik-Sang to pay around $188,000 to cover the legal costs in court.
"My final words: Sony should be proud of having such a die-hard import gamers community rushing to buy their products and supporting them with a passion. Instead, they march all over us." ~Pascal Clarysse, his final words at a Lik-Sang employee.
In other news, Sony cut their shipment targets for the PSP from 12 million units to 9 million and lost 94% of their net profit for the quarter. 2006 just absolutely sucked for Sony, and unfortunately, it's mostly Sony's own damn fault.
The Sony Quotes Collection
A random collection of quotes from the people representing Sony.
"We look at our products having a ten-year life cycle, which we've proven with the PlayStation. Therefore, the PlayStation 3 is going to be a console that's going to be with you again for 10 years. We're not going to ask the consumers to suddenly buy another PlayStation console in five years time, and basically have their investment go by the wayside." ~Kas Hirai
"Even though it's affordable, I'm guessing you need to spend about [$370 US] to take home a Wii and enjoy it...for this Christmas I think the price for what it specifically does as a video games machine is a bit pricey." ~Micheal Ephraim, comparing the Wii to the PS2
"Sorry you didn't have the opportunity to buy a PS3 this year, but I'm sure it beats lining up in a queue for hours on end only to be told the store has sold out." ~Micheal Ephraim
"Nobody will ever use 100% of PS3's capability." ~Phil Harrison
"Given that all of our previous statements about launching in Europe simultaneously with the US and Japan turned out not to be the case, I would not like to make any definitive statements on that. It's not my job to comment on hardware supply issues other than to say some very smart people are working very hard to catch up." ~Phil Harrison, on if Europe will recieve the PS3 in March
Sony vs. Microsoft: Battle of the Bitching
Microsoft announced that they were going to see an HD-DVD drive add-on, and almost immediately Sony's Dave Karraker bashed Microsoft of how Xbox 360 not having the HD-DVD drive right out of the box compared to PS3 having the Blu-Ray drive right out of the box.
But while Sony is gloating about how more powerful the PS3 is, they're losing the exclusives to back it up. A lot of people are getting hyped up for Assassin's Creed for some reason. At first this game seemed like a PS3 exclusive, but then we find out that Xbox 360 is going to get the game as well. Just another reason why not to spending $1000 on a Playstation 3. They also lost Fatal Intertia and Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War, both made by Koei. But I doubt that means anything really. They also recently lost Virtua Fighter 5.
Now Microsoft would be gloating now that they've taken Sony's exclusives but there's a big problem: the Xbox 360 is breaking apart. Besides the glitches that was going on with Dead Rising, the Fall update for the console soon turned into a castastrophe as people's consoles were breaking down because of it. Microsoft refused to refund one person's Xbox 360 because he downloaded after they said the update was fixed, so now Microsoft is getting a class-action lawsuit for this.
This was just a part of the never-ending bitching these two have to say about each other.
The Idiots of 2006
Senators who think Pac-Man is 64% violent.
I'm not exactly sure who said this, but one of the senators/experts/out-of-touch-old-bastards claimed that Pac-Man was 64% violent. Because we all know that Pac-Man is the REAL game that's causing kids to shoot up schools, not GTA or Bully or Super Columbine RPG. What I would like to know is how in the hell do you factor that Pac-Man is 64% violent. Do you play the game for a certain amount of time and record any relatively violent factors? Or do you just pull numbers out of your ass? I think The Daily Show's Jon Stewart put it best: "Seriously, the House of Representative is filled with insane jackasses."
Sam Brownback
Speaking of senators, this moron came up with a bill call the "Truth in Video Game Rating Act", which calls for the ESRB to play through EVERY SINGLE GAME and be constantly watched by a Government office. For those that don't know how the ESRB works, they recieve a video from the developers which shows the most violent/graphic content in the game to recieve a proper rating. Brownback thinks that this wouldn't work (translation: making a big deal over Hot Coffee) and so they must through the whole game. This would be WAY TOO HARD to do, because lots of video games get released every month, they just aren't all AAA titles like Brownback thinks. Plus who exactly is going to play through the games with such skill to complete it? Real gamers. And real gamers are probably going to misjudge the content by say, thinking Mortal Kombat deserves a T rating. Nothing positive came crom from this bill.
"Overrated" Guild in World of Warcraft
The number one guild in the biggest MMORPG around, and how did they get that way? By being a bunch of fucking cheaters that's how. Best reason why I don't play World of Warcraft and never will.
Wikram Lumyai
This idiot was going to sell his two PS3s and lots of games for $5000, and agreed to meet the two suspects in the parking lot of a McDonalds at 1am to make the trade. If you've ever played an MMORPG before (like "Cheaters Paradise", aka World of Warcraft), you would know what happens when you make a trade like this. You get PWNED, which is what happened to this moron.
SEGA
This company became one of the worst in 2006 for basically one reason: THEY SCREWED UP SONIC. How can you people screw up Sonic? Honestly, HOW?! Please, do us all a favor Sega: sell the damn franchise to somebody else already.
Tyrone Spellman (also known as Anwar Salahuddin)
This guy kills his 17-month-old daughter because she tripped over a power cord and so he lost his video game save. Damian Sarcuni puts it best in his Angry Gaming column:
Many of us have gotten angry enough at a frustrating game or situation; sometimes enough to throw a controller or even break some other possession. What Tyrone Spellman did, however, crossed the line between human and animal; To think that video games even played a part in that, shames the entire gamer populous. While none of us are directly responsible for this girl's death, it's amazing to think that it could even be possible and even more amazing when we see the gaming community's reaction. There were a few half hearted jokes and head shakes at this news story, but no one actually stood up to make a statement about how wrong it is and how we as a community must never be associated with the likes of this murderer. It's a scary thought, and Alayiah Turman's murder was easily the worst moment for gamers in all of 2006.
PC World Magazine
They listed Prince of Persia: Warrior Within as the 9th worst game of all time, putting it in the same category as E.T., Custer's Revenge, and Shaq Fu. Figures that a magazine based on personal computers gets something about video games totally wrong.
Things I've learned this year from my news reports
The word "ghettoising"
I've learned about the word "ghettoising", which I assume means to lower the quality of a product in order to work better on a system.
Stock options are serious business
My early news reports had at least one stock option story each, leading me to beleive that stock options is a serious offense if I had to keep hearing about.
Racism can be found in just about anything
The PSP "White is Coming" ad sparked much controversy because of the racial overtones of the white woman grabbing the black woman by the face. You'd think at least ONE person in the board meeting that day would've seen this coming. Then there was the Loco Roco enemies, which reminded some uptight 1UP blogger of Blackface. Then worst of all, some woman was complaining about an online game called Castle Crashers because the enemies were all brown and black.
I look ridiculous in a Pac-Man hat
Honestly, if I had the money, I probably would've bought that thing.
Italy is better then you
Okay this has nothing to do with my news reports, but just a reminder that Italy won the 2006 World Cup bitches.
Don't believe a word Gamestop says
First they said they wouldn't do preorders for the Wii and PS3. Then they said they were taking preorders for the Wii and PS3. Only the preorders lasted for about a couple of hours for those who were actually on the internet fast enough. Then I think they were taking preorders again...were they? I honestly lost track after the first lie, but this time I'm going to do myself a favor and not listen to a word they say.
I suck at singing
I did really terrible at Karaoke Revolution at the Digital Life expo, which means I just don't have a singing voice. Then again, neither does K-Fed and he was able to get an album release somehow. It's funny how the world works sometimes. Oh wait, no it isn't!
Do not fuck with Uwe Boll
Although you can question his real motives on why he's challenging people who give his shitty movies shitty review scores in a boxing match, at the least is actually following through on his word and he's been kicking people's asses left and right. Jack Thompson can learn a thing or two from Boll, or better yet, have Thompson get his ass kicked by Boll.
The Other Crap
It turns out that here at 411Mania, a good news report needs to have more then news. Kind of like how MTV needs more then music shows (or maybe it's the other way around). So here's a look back are the features I've been doing for my news report.
Video Game Videos: Simply post a couple funny videos that are video game related. Wasn't much to this as it was there until I got better ideas on what to feature.
Otherly Game Reviews: This section is about GAMES after all, so why not do a short review of games that aren't video games? From flash games to game shows to whatever you want to call Mystery at Mansfield Manor, I like doing this feature as well. Haven't done one in a while but I'm sure I'll continue doing this.
Progress Gaming: A short blurb on what I'm playing these days. Up until the holidays I actually haven't been playing much, but after getting too many games for Christmas, this will be updated a lot more often. In fact, here's a short blurb of what I've been playing lately.
Red Steel - Aside from bad control issues this game is actually not so bad. But damn are there control issues. You move from side to side too slow and you need to constantly hold the remote up in order to see straight.
Trauma Center: Second Opinion - Lack of proper tutorial + convoluted gameplay = frustrating gaming experience. If I get more pissed at this game I'm just going to stop permanently.
Guitar Hero II - Having a great time with this game. The learning curve is a bit steep but it's fun all around. I've been hearing about people suffering disc skips, and I'm lucky that hasn't happened to me yet.
Smackdown vs. RAW 2007 - Is it me, or is there WAY too much loading in this game? Also, the General Manager mode is a complete mess. Compared to Extreme Warfare Revenge, it just downright sucks.
More to definitely come over 2007.
The Mario Mario Interview:
At first I thought of going to Nintendo World and just talking about it for a feature, but then I learned of THE Mario Mario being there and I couldn't pass it up. Even though it's one of the most enjoyable features I've done, I think I'll leave the real interviews to Shawn Struck.
The CGI/MLG/VGA Recaps: This is the one feature that I really liked doing as it gave my news report it's own identity. Where else were you going to find a complete recaps of these shows anyway? The Championship Gaming Invitational was enjoyable, Major League Gaming was great, and the Video Game Awards...well, it allowed others to have 13 shots of alcohol. This almost makes me want to do this as a separate column rather then put it in my news report, so who knows. Maybe when Gaming Trends starts to run dry.
The Cocaine Chronicles: A lot of people were talking about this drink, so one day I found out where it was available and decided to share with the world what the big deal was. The drink burned my mouth and cost too much ($2.75?! Only in Manhatten folks!), but at least I got to see a Mini Micheal Jackson.
Guys I'm glad to have worked with in 2006 (along with the others not listed)
The other news writers:
Tommy Coloma thinks a New Zealand Kiwi should be in Smash Brothers Brawl. And that the new Rocky film was great.
(On a sidenote, I really think Bomberman should be in Smash Bros. He already crossed over in Wario Blast, so why not Smash?)
Shawn Struck gives us lots of good links and videos to check out
I wish Theo Fraser's news was for real this week (except that Dixie Kong thing...ugh).
Andrew Mellick picks the best VG Santa Clauses ever.
Columns:
Damian Sarcuni goes to Nintendo World with a friend for the Wii.
Sean McCabe continues the Nintendo Retrospective along with Theo Fraser of Nintendophiles
Will Scott looks back at the last generation of consoles
Keith Perera and Chris Kovatsh for Fact or Fiction
Caleb Newby and Andrew Mellick for another Fact or Fiction
Top 5 most anticipated games of 2007.
Reviews:
Superman Returns: The Videogame (Xbox 360) by Chris McCarver
Resistance: Fall of Man by David Redkey
Elite Beat Agents by Chris Kovatsh
Previews:
SD Gundam: Scad Hammers by Armando Rodriquez
A big thank you for all of the people out there who've been reading my news reports, and thanks to Ashish and Caleb for not firing me yet. Next week will start the REAL first news report of 2007 (unless there's somehow no news during that week either). Plus a look at the show "Video Game Champions" that aired on CBS a couple days ago.
Have a Happy New Year everyone!
