The Select and Start News Report: 05.26.08

Posted by Vincent Chiucchi on 05.26.2008

Could the end of Jack Thompson be drawing near? Is Metal Gear Solid 4 really the last of Metal Gear? Are companies really starting to hate the ESA? Would Capcom movies be awesome to watch? The answers to these questions and more on this week's Select and Start News Report.



Welcome to the Select and Start News Report. I'm so glad college is over for the semester. It was a total bitch over the past few months.

Big News

THE END OF JACK THOMPSON? [credit: GamePolitics, 1UP, Joystiq, GameSpot, CVG]

Florida judge Dava Tunis, who presided over Jack Thompson's Florida Bar trial late last year, has recommended that the controversial attorney be found guilty on 27 of 31 professional misconduct charges. The Florida Supreme Court must now rule on those recommendations. Of the 27 misconduct charges, 21 are from the Strickland vs. Sony case regarding the police officers being murdered by 18-year-old Grand Theft Auto player Devin Moore, 4 from the the 2006 Bully trial in which he tried to declare the game a public nuisance, and 2 from issues not relating to video games.

The following is the list of offenses Judge Tunis recommends a guilty verdict:
-Knowingly making a false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal
-Knowingly disobeying an obligation under the rules of a tribunal
-Communicating the merits of the case with a judge before whom the proceeding is pending
-Using means that have no purpose other than to embarrass, delay or burden a third person
-Engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation
-Engaging in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, including to knowingly or through callous indifference disparage or humiliate litigants or other lawyers
-Making statements that the lawyer knows to be false or with reckless disregard as to the truth or falsity concerning the qualifications or integrity of a judge

Thompson's sanctioning trial will be held on June 4th. If found guilty, Thompson's career as a lawyer could very well be over. Thompson is claiming that the Judge has a personal grudge against him, and that state-mandated loyalty oaths were either not signed by the judge or were signed by others.

Instead of a verbal response, I'll instead play this music video. Sing along if you know the words:


THE END OF METAL GEAR? [credit: Joystiq, GameDaily, 1UP]

With Snake ready to kick the bucket (probably) in Metal Gear Solid 4 and Kojima no longer directing the games, does that mean the Metal Gear franchise is coming to an end? According to associate producer Ryan Payton, this is only the end of the Solid Snake story, and that MGS4 is assuringly going to tie-up all the lose ends in the story.

I figured MGS4 wasn't the last game in the series, because I remember Konami announcing "Metal Gear Online" for sometime in the future. Then of course you've always got the PSP to do more spin-offs like Ac!d and Portable Ops or perhaps remake the original Metal Gear Solid. Just as long as we don't see Snake suddenly playing sports, riding go-karts, or suddenly fighting Bomberman and The Transformers. Oh wait...

As for whether or not this would lead to a Metal Gear Solid 5, I wouldn't have thought so until this conversation with Ocelot and someone he was talking to on a radio took place after the Konami press event:

Yes.
We just finished the press conference.
Yes.
Everything went according to plan.
Yes.
We're entering into the last phase of the mission.
Do you want to execute the launch-day surprise?
Yes, that's right.
Akihabara, New York, L.A....
Live, simultaneously throughout the world....
Yes, it's under control.
The VIPs are happy to participate.
Yeah, that's right.
That person.
Yes, sir, understood.
So on June 12th...
By the way, what should we do about "The Project"?
Yes, that's correct.
That man has fallen.
It's about the sequel.
Yes, indeed.
Yes.
Yes.
Yeah.
I see.
Yes, sir.
Mr. CEO.

THE END OF COMPANIES' TRUST FOR THE ESA? [credit: GameDaily, GameSpot, Gamasutra, 1UP, GamePolictics]

Ever since Activion and Vivendi decided to leave, the list of companies deciding to leave the Entertainment Software Association is growing, as last week Lucasarts confirmed they would be leaving and now this week, Doom creators id Software are also leaving the ESA. No reasons have been given by either company as to why they're leaving, but word is going around that the companies are not happy with the ESA's new leadership. It also turns out that membership fees have gone from $1 million in 2006 to $4.5 million in 2007 from the downsizing of E3, plus it cost the ESA $5 million in event cancellation fees to move E3 from LA to Santa Monica.

This is getting bad for the ESA, and only looks to be getting worse. They downsized E3 because companies were complaining, and it now seems that because of the downsizing companies are leaving. How do you go from $1 million to $4.5 million in just one year? Our economy can't be THAT bad could it?

THE END OF BAD VIDEO GAME MOVIES? [credit: Gamasutra, Joystiq, GameDaily]

(btw, that's Kristin Kreuk as Chun-Li)

With the success of the Resident Evil films, Capcom President Haruhiro Tsujimoto says the company is looking into making deals with different movie studios into creating movies of their various properties, similar to what Marvel is doing. The success of the upcoming Street Fighter movie (The Legend of Chun-Li) will help determine how Capcom will proceed in the movie business going forward. One franchise the company seems really interested in is Devil May Cry.

Let's take a look at some Capcom franchises to see how they would stack up:

-Devil May Cry: That could definitely work as an action movie.
-Mega Man: Definitely works as a superhero movie. A good one, like Spider-Man or Iron Man.
-Viewtiful Joe: Movie parody game becoming a movie. Could work as a comedy.
-Bionic Commando: I don't know much about Bionic Commando, so I wouldn't know.
-Darkstalkers: After watching a video of the horrible USA cartoon, definitely not.
-Ghosts and Goblins: The main character would probably die 10 minutes into this movie.
-Phoenix Wright: The games are better to watch then some movies. Could definitely work as a mystery drama.

Tidbit News

-Take-Two has officially confirmed that BioShock is coming to the PlayStation 3. So far no other details, such as a release date, have been given. [credit: GameDaily, GameSpot]

-Good News for US Dragon Quest fans: Square Enix has confirmed that the Dragon Quest Zenithia Trilogy (DQ's 4-6) for the DS is coming to America. The first in the trilogy, Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, will arrive September 16th. [credit: GameSpot, GameDaily]

-Grand Theft Auto IV made a lot of money, but not enough it is going to the voice actors. Michael Hollick, the man who voices Niko Bellic, earned $100,000 for his voice work on the game, and while he appreciates getting the job, it seems small compared to the hundreds of millions the game is earning. Unlike other mediums, Hollick won't recieve any royalties. Hollick blames his union "for not having the agreements in place to protect the creative people who drive the sales of these games." [credit: GameDaily, CVG]

-Film production company Crystal Sky Pictures has secured a $200 million theatrical slate financing deal with Grosvenor Park that covers five feature films, two of them featuring Castlevania and Pac-Man. Wait...a Pac-Man film? Are you serious? [credit: Gamasutra]

-Capcom has confirmed through it's projections for the fiscal 2008 year (which ends March 31st, 2009) that Resident Evil 5 should be coming sometime in March. Expect many complaints from Sharpton and Jackson in that time. [credit: GameSpot]

-The ESA has announced that Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, will be one of the keynote speakers at this year's E3, addressing the steps the state has taken to support the games industry. [credit: Gamasutra, GameDaily]

-If you thought Microsoft banning the gamertag "TheGayerGamer" was bad, it's gotten even worse. They've now banned the gamertag "RichardGaywood," despite the fact that Richard Gaywood is the person's actual name! Homosexual gamers are of coursed pissed, but it must be even worse for Mr.Gaywood. [credit: GamePolitics]

-Sony is now releasing a Madden NFL 09 PSP Entertainment Pack. This comes with a metallic blue PSP, NFL: In Just One Play on UMD video, a voucher to download the game Beats from the PlayStation Network, a 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, and a copy of Madden NFL 09. [credit: GameDaily]

-Microsoft announced that they're going to start delisting underperforming Xbox Live Arcade titles scoring below a 65 score average on Metacritic with a 6 percent or lower trial conversion rate (those that buy the game after playing the demo). Games that get selected for delisting will get a three months heads up before being shown the door. [credit: Gamasutra, GameSpot]

Who's acquiring who? [credit: GameSpot, GameDaily, Gamasutra]

Seems companies are trying to buy each other out left and right these days. Here's the update on companies that have or haven't been bought:

Square Enix: Nobody yet, but Square Enix president Yoichi Wada says the company is considering acquiring a stake in external developers. They don't have a fix budget in buying other companies, but can issue about 290 million additional shares (amountin to about $9.2 billion) without shareholder approval.

Epic: Epic acquired Chair Entertainment Group, the developer behind recent Unreal Engine powered Xbox Live Arcade game Undertow, and currently working on their "Empire" project.

EA: EA has once again extended the deadline on it's attempted buyout of Take-Two to June 16th. The offer remains the same at $25.74 per share, despite the fact that thanks to GTA4, Take-Two's stock is now worth $27.04 per share. EA will now likely try the "I'll be your friend" trick.

Gaming Calendar

May 27th:
-Mass Effect ported to the PC
-Hail to the Chimp (PS3, X360) to be released
-Death Jr.: Root of Evil (Wii) to be released

Spring 2008 - Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms (PC) to be released

June 3rd - Ninja Gaiden II (X360) to be released

June 12th - Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3) to be released

June 28-29 - Blizzard's Worldwide Invitational convention to be held

June 2008 - Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (PS3, X360) to be released

July 8th - Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon (Wii) to be released

July 15-17 - E3 Media & Business Summit to be held

July 22nd - Final Fantasy IV DS to be released

August 1st - EA Land (PC, formerly The Sims Online) will close down

Summer 2008 - Air Traffic Chaos (DS) to be released

September 7th - Spore (PC) to be released

September 16th - Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (DS) to be released)

September 2008 - TNA iMPACT (Multi) to be released

October 2008 - LittleBigPlanet (PS3) to be released

October 3-5 - E for All 2008 to be held

October 9-13 - The Tokyo Game Show 2008 to be held

November 2008 - Gears of War 2 (X360) to be released

Fall 2008:
-Resistance: Fall of Man 2 (PS3) to be released
-MySims Kingdom (DS, Wii) to be released

God is a Spammer?

With Jack Thompson possibly losing his license if he's found guilty of the 27 misconducts, I feel so happy about it that I will no longer do any bible related stuff in this column anymore. Well, that and now God is apparently sending his people to spam me.

Gods Love Intercessory Ministry Inter. Incorp.
Ordained By God To Spread The Gospel Of
Jesus Christ Around The World, Accompany
With Signs And Wonders.

Dear Brethren,

Be glad today that you are receiving this message from a reliable, anointed by the Holy Spirit Man of God. Don`t think this is one of those spam mails you often receive; as this is God`s desire to be blessed by grace of God upon this ministry. Its words are prophetic and as you receive it, mix your faith with it and that miracle you always wished will manifest in Jesus Name (Romans 10:17, Mark 11:23-24).
We are interceeding for the whole World as God has given us the mandate to network the globe with this message of Life (John 10:10, John 14:6). Whatever belief you are, this message is specifically for you; because God is One, and He speaks by His Word (Which is Jesus Christ), and moves by His Spirit (Which is the Holy Spirit). This is the true relationship God wants all of us to be in with Him (John 17:18-22, John 14:23, Joshua 1:8-9, Isaiah 45:2-4, Genesis 1:26-28).

We pray for you today, that your heart desire be granted in Jesus Mighty Name. Death, sickness, disease, poverty, disappointment, suffering be far away from you and family in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ of the Universe. We bind all forces that have been militating against you; and release all forces of Heaven bringing your miracles in Jesus Mighty Name (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 17:20-21, Job 22:24-28, Joel 2:23-28, Deuteronomy 28:10-12).

You can contact us by sending mails to: [e-mail] And for other personal prayer points you want us to pray about for you, call our 24Hours service line: 0033 631 267 989.

We look forward to your testimonies.
Yours faithfully,
Charles Israel (The Man of God)
Gods Love Intercessory Ministry Inter. Inc.

Charles Israel, if you happen to be reading this column right now and are not actually a spammer, since you want to help me so much, I have a problem: I really can't over the fact that Lot has sex with his daughters, they give birth to children, and nothing seems to happen to them. So, is incest okay? Did something actually happen to the three of them? Am I reading this wrong?

Oh, and could you also help Mark Salmela? That guy has serious issues. I mean, the man thinks 3 is a letter.

The Video of the Day

Lupin the 3rd Intro with Metal Gear Solid:


The end of these other writers?

News Reports:

Theo Fraser's Nintendophiles

Mark Salmela's B3yond The Report

Chris Evans PC Centric Extravaganza

Joe Roche's The Full Circle 360

Columns:

John Curry lists seven franchises he would give the Old Yeller treatment to

Chris Scott continues his love of pinball by visiting the Pinball Hall of Fame

Owain J. Brimfield looks back on Herzog Zwei. the hell is a Zwei?

Derek Robbins suggests 10 things that need to change about Sonic

Rod Oracheski talks about some of the easiest games to get those 1000 achievement points.

Can't wait for Starcraft 2 for your strategy fix? Don't even like the "craft" series? Chris Vicardi has the strategy games for you.

Sean Garmer and Dan Hirsch in this week's Fact or Fiction by Tommy Coloma

Reviews:

Lost Winds (WiiWare) by Jacob Lopez

The World Ends With You (DS) by Jacob Lopez

World Championship Cards (PS2) by James McGee

NBA Ballers: The Chosen One (X360) by John Curry

Previews:

Rock Band (Wii) by Ramon Aranda

Features:

Part 2 of Mark Salmela's B3yond the Special of Metal Gear looks at one of the greatest games of all time: Metal Gear Solid

Exteel Developer Paper #4

Tabula Rasa Developer Diary: Magma Cavers

That's all for this week. Have a Happy Memorial Day.