The Select and Start News Report: 11.17.08
Posted by Vincent Chiucchi on 11.17.2008
ESRB starts using summaries for its ratings, tough times for the people at Midway, Sony clarifies what's allowed on LittleBigPlanet, Nintendo makes Wii Speak needlessly complicated, and Bill O'Reilly has never heard of Guitar Hero. All that and more.
The New York Giants are so awesome right now.
Big News
ESRB USES DETAILED SUMMARIES FOR GAMES; POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM CRITICS, MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS [credit: Kotaku, Team Xbox, The Escapist, 1UP, GamePolitics, GameDaily]
In a better effort to inform parents about the games they buy for their kids, the ESRB now has ratings summaries that explains in more detail what exactly is in the game. This applies to all video games rated since July 1, 2008. The summaries are available to read at ESRB's website and mobile website. Here's an example of a summary with Call of Duty: World at War:
Call of Duty: World at War is a first-person shooter in which players assume the role of Allied soldiers in both the European and Pacific Fronts during World War II. Combat can be intense with extensive use of camera effects (e.g., slow-motion, blurring, and screen shakes) and realistic sound effects to highlight the tense and frenetic nature of each battle. Fighting is fast-paced with players using a large array of military weapons (guns, grenades, and flamethrowers). Collateral damage includes sprays of red blood when enemies are shot; maimed appendages from explosions; and flailing and screaming when enemies are set on fire. Cutscenes and historical footage can contain graphic depictions of prisoner/POW executions. Strong profanity can be heard during gameplay (e.g., "f*ck" and "sh*t").
Some outspoken critics of the ESRB are praising the new summaries, especially senators Hilary Cliton and Joe Lieberman. Clinton says "This new supplement to the ratings is a real gift for parents...These new rating summaries offer more helpful information than ever before to help parents to get involved and get informed.". Lieberman, who became a key person in the formation of the ESRB, says "I applaud the ESRB for taking this proactive step to inform video game consumers."
One concern about this ratings summaries will contain serious spoilers as to the game's story. Fallout 3's summary contains an explanation of a big event that happens in the game. Another concern is who is actually going to be writing these summaries.
I'm just glad that the ESRB is doing something that people can actually say nice things about. Yeah they do spoil what happens in the game, but this is supposed to be meant for parents to explain the rating a game got, and I doubt they're going to care if they're spoiled on what happens. I do hope that these summaries are written without the influence of publishers and other outside sources. Lords know we don't need crap like "virtual orgasmic rape" showing up in these summaries.
TOUGH TIMES FOR MIDWAY [credit: GameDaily, Gamasutra, GameSpot, 1UP]
Things have not been looking for Midway these days. For their 3rd fiscal quarter ending September 30th, Midway's net losses were $75.9 million, double the amount they lost last year in the same quarter. Over this quarter Middway consolidated its Southern California studio and laid off a significant number of its Austin staff alongside a canceled project there and canceled many licenses that were not performing well. Later in the week Midway also laid off 20 to 30 people from it's Chicago studio, with Midway chairman Shari Redstone leaving the company as well. Midway says the layoffs come from the completion of projects such as Blitz: The League II and Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe and not from the companies net losses.
Has they ever been a time Midway was seeing some sort of profit? I'm amazed that a company that is constantly struggling and laying off people can still be in business for so long, and apparently that's because it's owner National Amusements is sinking so much money into this company. How long will it be until NA decides to ditch the company altogether?
SONY EXPLAINS POLICY ON LITTLEBIGPLANET LEVELS [credit: Gamasutra, Edge Online, GameDaily]
As much as gamers are loving LittleBigPlanet, there's been some problems with Sony deciding to delete levels users have been sending it, some of which are based on games like Sonic or God of War. Recently, Sony Computer Entertanment Europe revealed its moderation guidelines for creators looking to contribute to LBP's online community, three of rules being:
-Ensure that the content you share with other users is suitable for all ages - everybody has access to your level if you publish it.
-Please respect other people's intellectual property rights. For example, don't use images, brands or logos that you're not entitled to use.
-If you come across any content that you feel the need to report, then please do it responsibly. Hoax reports will be considered inappropriate behavior.
Basically, it sounds like Sony is going to do what YouTube basically does with it's videos. But then again, YouTube has been known for deleting videos that actually follow the rules and only delete them because somebody had to cry like a baby about it. The same thing could very well happen with LittleBigPlanet, and when it does, expect gamers to start being very vocal about it. Sony says less than 0.5% of uploaded levels have required "moderation" due to complains from other users, but then again, EA said the Spore problem affected less than 1% of gamers, and we all know how vocal they were about that.
BUYING THE MIC USED? THEN YOU'RE NOT GETTING THE CHANNEL! [credit: Gamasutra, GameSpot]
Coming in December, Nintendo will be launching the Wii Speak Channel that will allow Wii owners to chat with others without needing a game for it's microphone accessory coming out with Animal Crossing: City Folk. However, getting the channel requires a 16-digit code that you can only get by buying the microphone new and "cannot be replaced by Nintendo or your retailer if it is lost or stolen", and the channel can not be purchased on the Wii Shop channel.
Well thank you Nintendo. Thank you for making things even more needlessly complicated then it has to be! Why, WHY must we need a code just to get the channel just to talk to other people? At first I thought this must be Nintendo's attempt in stopping used sales considering used sales hurts the game industry (GameStop makes all the money in used sales, hence why they encourage you to buy and trade used games), but you don't see Microsoft and Sony doing it by screwing up their online chatting.
Tidbit News
-To celebrate the launch of the New Xbox Experience, Microsoft will be running a sweepstakes where the grand prize is 500,000 XBL points. To enter, you have to register your Gamertag by downloading the free "Download & Win" gamer picture. Then, between 6:01AM (PST) on November 19 and 11:59PM (PST) on November 23, you have to purchase and download an item on the Live Marketplace (either a Movie, TV Show, Full Arcade Game, Xbox Originals Game, Game Add-On, or Music Video). You can enter up to ten times. [credit: 1UP]
-Erick Dyke, president and co-founder of Orlando, Florida-based N-Space, died of complications from his cancer fight on November 10. He was 41. Dyke is survived by his wife Michelle, his parents Michael and Greta Dyke, and his brother Matthew. [credit: Gamasutra]
-Sam's Club will be selling a special Wii Bundle on Black Friday that comes with the system, three Wii Remotes, three Nunchuks, Wii Sports, Mario Super Sluggers, and King of Clubs Mini-Golf all for the price of $425. It was reported to be at $224, but that turned out to be false. [credit: Kotaku]
-Pirates in the vicinity of Somalia have been stepping up attacks on trade ships beyond the Horn of Africa into the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, imperiling access to the Suez Canal. Some of those ships just also happen to have video games on board, which because of these attacks, can delay when they arrive in the west. Where are those ninjas when you really need them? [credit: GamePolitics, 1UP]
-In the 11 days after it went on sale on October 20th, Wii Music has sold 81,000 units, a disappointing number compared to the 687,700 units Wii Fit sold in that same amount of time. Probably doesn't help that it's not exactly a video game either. [credit: GameSpot]
-Looks like everyone's favorite ex-lawyer has found a new job, as he'll being writing a weekly column for conservative website Human Events, who feature other authors including Ann Coulter, Newt Gingrich, Pat Buchanan, and Phyllis Schlafly. Good for him. [credit: GamePolitics, The Escapist]
-Things have been going from bad to shit with Circuit City, as last week they've filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The retail giant has lost more than $5 billion in stock-market value in two years and this comes just after they closed more then 150 underperforming stores. Any day now folks. [credit: GamePolitics, 1UP]
-The beta for EA's free-to-play Battlefield Heroes shooter has closed as the developer DICE will start working on the next phase of development. The beta will be back in early 2009. [credit: Gamasutra, GameSpot]
-Microsoft has cut the price of the Xbox 360 in Australia for the 2nd time within six months. The Xbox 360 Arcade unit--which was retailing for A$349 ($234)--is now A$299. The Pro bundle--which includes a 60GB hard drive--drops from A$499 to A$399. The 120GB Elite also gets A$100 slashed off its price, coming down from A$649 to A$549. [credit: Gamasutra, GameSpot, GameDaily]
-A 10th class could be coming soon to Valve's Team Fortress 2. According to 1UP, in the demo of Left 4 Dead, players can come across a box of "Chocobites" cereal that has a Team Fortress 2 action figure pictured on it and the box to "Collect all 10", a hint that Valve could be planning to release a new class for the next update of the game. Another possibility is, well, actual action figures. [credit: 1UP]
-Sony announced that the release of it's new wireless keypad for the PS3 has been delayed to the first week of December. [credit: GameSpot]
-In what looks like an attempt to cash in on Wii Fit's popularity, EA Sports is announcing a Wii exclusive new game called EA Sports Active. The game will feature a variety of calisthenics and cardiovascular workouts for up to two players, and comes with leg straps and a resistance band designed to support these exercises. [credit: Gamasutra, GameDaily]
-If you're waiting for that GTA4 downloadable content to arrive soon for the 360, keep waiting. Rockstar is not sure when exactly they're going to release the DLC, considering the large number of people that own the game worldwide and having to plan out when exactly to release the DLC for consumers worldwide. [credit: GameDaily, GameSpot, 1UP]
-With nuclear attacks being a touchy subject for the Japanese, Bethesda has altered some content in the Japanese release for Fallout 3. Altered content includes removing the "Quest for the Atom" quest that involves nuking Megaton City, "Gore Bags" and "Ghouls" have been removed, and one of the weapons having to be renamed, presumably the "Fat Man" grenade launcher. [credit: GameSpot, GameDaily]
-Game designer Richard Garriott, creator of Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa (no kidding), stated he will be leaving publisher NCsoft. After actually having been to space, Garriott is leaving the company to pursue new interests. Or maybe it was because the game was reportedly selling for only $1? [credit: GameDaily, Gamasutra]
-Brash Entertainment, the company that was to recieve $400 million in financing to create movie based games, is officially out of business due to the poor performance of their games. Brash's upcoming games Six Flags Fun Park, The Tale of Despereaux, and Saw are likely to be cancelled, along with other rumored movie games such as 300. [credit: Gamasutra, GameDaily]
-Activision has officially bought Budcat Creations, who helped Activision with the PS2 development of several Guitar Hero games. In addition to becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Publishing, Budcat's management team has signed multi-year employment contracts with Activision Publishing. [credit: Gamasutra, GameDaily]
-The original Rock Band has reached the seven million unit mark for units sold worldwide. Since it's released, the game has made the company $574 million for US retailers alone. [credit: GameSpot]
-According to the raw October NPD data, Guitar Hero World Tour more than 534,000 units sold for the month across four platforms, while Rock Back 2 selling 238,128 units for the month on two platforms.
Gaming Calendar
November 17th - Need for Speed Undercover (Multi)
November 18th:
-Tomb Raider Underworld (Multi)
-Sonic Unleashed (PS2, Wii)
November 19th - New Xbox Experience to be launched
November 24th - Sonic Unleashed (X360)
November 25th:
-The King of Fighters Collection: The Orochi Saga (Wii)
-Chrono Trigger DS
December 1st - Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon (X360, PS3)
December 2nd:
-Prince of Persia: The Fallen King (PS3, PC, X360)
-Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories (PS2)
December 9th:
-Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 (PS2)
-Rock Band 2 ported to PS2
January 6th, 2009 - Star Ocean: Second Evolution (PSP)
January 13th, 2009 - Lord of the Rings: Conquest (X360, PS3, PC, DS)
February 17th, 2009:
-Street Fighter IV (X360, PS3)
-Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride (DS)
March 3rd, 2009 - Star Ocean: The Last Hope (X360)
March 13th, 2009 - Resident Evil 5 (X360)
March 17th, 2009 - Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume (DS)
Survivor: Gabon Watch
At first it looked like Bob was going to get screwed in this episode considering if Kota lost, he was going to get voted out. His team lost the reward challenge so he got sent to Exile Island where he tried to find the clue. But since Sugar already found it like 6 episodes ago, Bob had no luck, even though he went through all the clues very fast. Knowing he was screwed, Bob came up with the idea to create a fake idol in order to trick the others, which I doubt is going to work since some of them already know Sugar has the idol. Bob really is one of the best players in the game, but he has terrible luck. Maybe his luck will improve now that the tribes have merged.
Speaking of Sugar, am I the only one that thinks she's in total power in this game? Everyone is always talking about how her swingvote is what decides who gets kicked out of Gabon. It was thanks to her that Ace was gone, and now thanks to her Charlie is gone. Well, thanks to her and Ken (the pro gamer I'm rooting for) who hated Charlie and wanted him gone because Charlife cost him immnuity. If Ken doesn't win this thing, Sugar definitely will.
Videos of the Day
Bill O'Reilly apparently doesn't like the Heidi Glum Guitar Hero ad, whatever the hell that is.
damn the jap version of fallout3 may make no sense. it almost seems as if they will allude that the wasteland of fallout 3 did not occur due to nuclear catastrophe. ghouls are ghouls due to radiation and the quest for atom is a great first quest/moral decision. If there will be no ghouls, then what explains the super mutants and why not gore bags? they have nothing to do with nuclear threats.
Posted By: Anthler (Guest) on November 17, 2008 at 02:50 PM
I'll still don't understand how americans can get up in arms about a woman in her underwear, but gratuitious violence is okay. why is mega explosions, decapitations whatever alright, but show someones ass, and thats crossing the line?
Posted By: ScottieD (Guest) on November 17, 2008 at 05:18 PM
An update about the commercial: Not sure if it's replacing the one shown above, but now Klum keeps her shirt on during the whole thing.
Posted By: Vincent Chiucchi (Registered) on November 17, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Funny how you mention Left 4 Dead at the end of the column, but forgot to mention it in the upcoming releases... LOL
Posted By: Toddo (Guest) on November 18, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Dead Space is my sleeper hit of the year.
With that out of the way, I decided to switch my money from Left 4 Dead and buy MKVDCU. I do not really enjoy paying money for something that should be standard. I do not really see the cost benefit, because I have no problem playing the game the PS3 version online (for free).
Posted By: David (Guest) on November 19, 2008 at 08:14 AM
