The Full Circle: 360 News Report 03.13.09

Posted by Joe Roche on 03.13.2009

It's Friday and 411's Joe Roche is back to take you around The Full Circle. This week we'll be talking about Fight Night Round 4, Bioshock 2, Army of Two 2, Godfather II, and any other sequel we can fit into the conversation. We'll also close out the week with a Hot Button that touches on another tragedy that some will try to pin on video games.

It's another Friday which can mean only one thing – it's time for The Full Circle. This week we've got a special Friday the 13th Full Circle which only happens, well apparently every month since we had a Friday the 13th column last month too. A better bit of news is that it's the official St. Patrick's Day Full Circle so crack open a green bottle of beer (or Smithwick's if you're not an idiot), enjoy some corn beef and cabbage (little mustard), kiss a red head, sit back and relax. We've also reached the official release date of Resident Evil 5 so I'm sure there are plenty of people looking forward to a weekend of zombie killing in Africa.

As for me I have wrapped up Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard and you can expect a full review on that coming up in the not to distant future. I'm now fully invested in Star Ocean: The Last Hope which I am not ready to start discussing yet except for one thing. If this is a prequel to the events that take place in future (past) Star Ocean games then why is this game given the subtitle The Last Hope? Shouldn't this be Star Ocean: The First Hope? Just a thought.

The only other game in my current rotation is MLB 2k9 which is another game that I'm not fully prepared to talk about. I can say that as the only option on the Xbox 360 I am satisfied. Now I'm not sure that I'd consider that a good thing for the 2K franchise, but last year I played about three weeks worth of games and then put the thing down forever. The controls are improved from 2K8, and while the fielding is still wacky it's not ruining the game for me. The only major drawback that I've found is for whatever reason outfielder speed going towards the infield seems incredibly slow, as the Red Sox I can't get to anything in short center which seems strange since my CF is one of the fastest guys in the league. Other then that complaint though I'm pretty happy with the game thus far.

With the formalities out of the way it's time for what you've all been waiting for – lets go around The Full Circle.

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Godfather II is Gold
After an initial delay from it's originally slated February release, EA has announced that Godfather II has gone gold and will ship for it's new April 7th release date.

I'm sure this is great news for anyone running the Games section using a Michael Corleone avatar. There was some disappointment around 411 Towers when Godfather was delayed from its original launch date, but I supported the decision then and I still support it now. At the time I thought EA was going to use the extra months to hype the game and build anticipation – that has not really happened. Maybe I'm not the target audience (mid 20's video game writer/enthusiast and lifelong Godfather fan) but I haven't really seen much in the way of advertisement in mainstream media for this game recently. I think for a franchise that peaked in 1974 with the release of The Godfather II it's a bit dangerous to release the game without a large hype machine backing. However, I have no doubt that the game will do well, and I know I'll at least give it a whirl but I really thought EA was going to put their full weight behind the game when they delayed it, though I guess there is still time.



Fight Night Round 4 Cover
On Monday, March 9th EA unveiled the cover art for the upcoming Fight Night Round 4. The cover honors will be shared by Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, which was voted on by fans at AliorTyson.com starting in December 2008.

Here is a quote from Mike Tyson which gave me gamer chills: "I'm honored to be on the cover of Fight Night Round 4 with Ali. He was a special champ, and I have the highest respect for him as a person and a fighter" said Tyson. "People always ask me if I think I would have beaten Ali if I had the chance to fight him when we were both in our prime. Now you can figure it out for yourselves. Fight Night puts you right in that ring and gives you the gloves to settle the score."

I think one thing people don't realize about Mike Tyson is that he's an incredibly well studied boxing historian. I honestly feel like sharing the cover with Muhammad Ali for Tyson is probably one of the highlights of his career. Boxing fanboyism aside though I could not be more excited for Fight Night Round 4. FNR3 was the first PSP game that I got and I still play it a great deal to this day (even with the wonky PSP one analog control), and FNR4 looks to improve and expand on that formula. Throwing Tyson into the mix makes this game even better then I had thought it could be, and I cannot wait to mix it up with Iron Mike. I should take a moment to thank EA for giving us young, dominant Tyson and not old face tattoo Tyson, although having his face tattoo as an unlockable costume or DLC would be pretty fantastic. The improved Legacy Mode will have me picking this game up at launch, but I'm also looking forward to some online play, and just being able to throw together some all time classic bouts to relive, recreate or just experience for the first time should be awesome.



Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Christmas
At the Annual Medbrush Morgan Securities meeting Activision CFO Thomas Tippl confirmed that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be coming this holiday season and is "looking incredible."

Well this has to be the least surprising news story of the week. The Activision Infinity Ward/Treyarch double dragon have pretty much confirmed that the Call of Duty franchise will be a once a holiday season release moving forward, and according to Tippl they expect Modern Warfare 2 to be the most highly anticipated game of the holiday season, and potentially the game of the year. As essentially a rube when it comes to the Call of Duty franchise I wonder how highly anticipated this sequel is going to be when the holidays come around. From what I can tell the biggest selling point of COD4 has been the online multiplayer component, so are people really going to be clamoring for an updated online multiplayer game? Actually that's a stupid question – yes of course people are going to be coming out of the woodwork for Modern Warfare 2, and by the time it drops I'll probably be one of them.



Bioshock 2 in Game Informer
The cover of the most recent (or upcoming April edition) Game Informer magazine will be graced by the new and improved Big Sister for the upcoming Bioshock 2: Sea of Dreams.

This might be the most I've had to stretch for a news story but frankly that picture makes me tingle in places that are usually reserved for small children to point out on dolls while on the witness stand so I had to find a way to work it into the column. I don't think anyone would blame me for working in Bioshock 2 information every week until it comes out, even if it forces me to make up news stories like this one – that's how excited I'm starting to get for this game.



Brain Challenge Avatars
According to Major Nelson's Twitter account, Brain Challenge's new title update will add support for Avatars.

This is the type of story that is passing as news this week. I haven't played Brain Challenge and I haven't played a single game with Avatar support, so I'm not sure that I'm really qualified to comment on this news. That being said Microsoft made a big deal about avatar inclusion in the Xbox Live games so any time they add new games to the (short) list of games that support the virtual you it's a good thing. Now we can start to wait around for the Showtime update that is supposedly coming in the Spring right?



Weekly Xbox Live Arcade Update
This week the Xbox Live Arcade added Crystal Defenders and Peggle, both for 800 Microsoft points a piece.

Early returns on these games have been pretty positive, and just like the previous news story anytime quality games get added to Xbox Live Arcade that's a positive in my view. So if for whatever reason you're not playing one of the many quality games that has come out recently this weekend perchance you could jump on XBLA and try either one (or both) of these games.



Somewhat Confirmed Classic Rock Pack
A recent listing at Gamestop revealed a price and release date for the stand alone Rock Band: Classic Rock Track Pack. The disc is slated to release on May 19th for $29.99, and if it's anything like the previously released Rock Band expansion disc players will not need an original copy of Rock Band, or Rock Band 2 to enjoy the 20 songs provided.

A word of warning, neither Harmonix or EA have confirmed this story although it seems pretty clear that it's true and we will be getting a Classic Rock expansion to the Rock Band franchise. Some of the songs on the disc that are anticipated are:

- "All Right Now" by Free
- "Can't Stand Losing You" by The Police
- "Closer to the Heart" by Rush
- "Holiday in Cambodia" by Dead Kennedys
- "The Joker" by Steve Miller Band
- "Peace of Mind" by Boston
- "Rock and Roll Band" by Boston (I just threw up in my mouth)
- "Take the Money and Run" by Steve Miller Band (awesome)

So for all you Rock Band enthusiasts who weren't satisfied with almost every song ever created being available on your platform, get ready for songs that your parents probably hate because they were played to death when they were in high school.



Confirming My Confirmation
EA has officially announced "Army of Two: The 40th Day" the sequel to EA Montreal's Army of Two. The game will once again focus on co-op play, but will move the players to Shanghai, China where Rios and Salem are in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

This isn't much of a news story (seems to be the theme of the day) since we pretty much predicted this was coming last week. That being said I know Army of Two did pretty well for people who enjoyed the hell out of the co-op play so there will be some people very excited to try The 40th Day. My only complaint is that EA didn't take my suggestion for Army of Two: Army Harder which I think would've been the best name for a video game ever.

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The Viewing Room

The 3rd Russian Doc video in anticipation of Singularity, apparently released by the Soviet Dharma Initiative



The Mass Effect 2 teaser trailer as per request.



If you haven't picked up Resident Evil 5, here is the 5th viral video, called "Back" where Chris Redfield explains the human brain.



Here is the Dark Void "Gateway of Fear" trailer. Not a whole lot of info given here but the game looks beautiful, and am I crazy or wasn't this guy the lead in "Haze" last year?



X-Men Origins: Wolverine "Uncaged" trailer – in a word, awesome.

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Reader Rants

We'll kick the week off with David who seems to suggest that I be given more control over the internets, a proposition that I would fully support: Joe,

You should have the power to rob people of internet usage. Then you wouldn't people like Travis posting on your article. X-D

I really put this first so I could address my pissy mood last week. I would like to extend an olive branch to everyone who I attacked last week – that was probably a bit out of line. I really do appreciate all of the commentors, readers, and contributors of The Full Circle (and every other column here on 411Games) because without you guys there wouldn't be a forum for me to write for. I was having a pretty lousy week last week and it came across pretty strong in my article so for that I apologize. I stand by my suggestion that you read everything before bashing me but honestly it's your job as commentors to bash me – as long as we don't start getting 30 "RVD one shot deal" comments per week I'll be happy camper.

I'm in such a giving mood this week that next up we'll give some space to my former nemesis Mark Salmela who may or may not still write here: How am I the third favorite Robbins? Unlike Derek I actually know how to pleasure a woman...

Just think, 3 Robbins brothers, none of them will reproduce. And when they're dead, I will inherit their name...

This comment is probably 100% true; at least as far as the Robbins brothers non pleasuring of women is concerned. I also think Mark deserves some credit for not mentioning any Targets, or Terrors in this comment which breaks a streak of 100 straight posts about Target Terror.

S. Masters makes me an honorary Robbins: Mr Robbins,

I am TRULY dissapointed at the lack of the Mass Effect 2 teaser in your column.

Yours truly

Not only did you make me a Robbins S. Masters, but now you're asking for weeks old teasers – well by now you've already seen the Viewing Room and you're welcome. Mass Effect 2 is going to be amazing, and in the near future we'll have a Hot Button to discuss where I think this whole ordeal is going.

Reader Tito brings some great stuff to the table this week including his take on Mass Effect 2: 1) UFC Undisputed does look pretty. If it controls welll and doesn't suck, could be worth a go.

2) Early bioshock 2 stuff has me very intrigued. First game was awesome. Here's hoping they expand on it in a good way.

3) My theories on the ME2 trailer is this: The Geth, having lost numerous amounts of troops from the first game and suffering a shortage of resouces to replenish, develope a form of nano-virus to infect other races and assimilate them, Borg style into Geth Ranks. With that theory in mind, the Geth that we saw could in fact be Cmd. Shepard. Most others would think him dead, and we get to play a portion of the game as a Geth/human hybrid or something to that (mass) effect.

In order Tito, 1) have very low expectations for UFC Undisputed. I enjoy the UFC to some extent although I always subscribe to the Bret Hart line of thinking which is that it's more impressive to fake beat someone up every night of the week, then to really do it three times a year. That being said there is simply no way to translate the UFC into a video game. There is no storyline to speak of, a lot of the fights will end up on the ground and I simply don't see how we'll get a proper grappling mechanic, and if you take that out and make this all about stand up you're essentially just creating a boxing game, and for that I'll wait for Fight Night Round 4.

2) Can't disagree with anything you said there.

3) Interesting idea Tito and I'll keep it in mind when I give my take on what I want/hope/expect from ME2 later on this month.

Our old friend David gets our one sarcastic comment of the week: You remember about the thing about 360's dominance in Japan? I guess Yakuza 3 put a QUICK stop to that... >__<

Oh well. I guess that is the equivalent of GTA in Japan.

In the words of Bill Simmons…yep, these are my readers.

For a few moments here I'm going to humor Drew Robbins follow his comment this week: Sixth favorite? I demand to know which Ravishing Robbins are ahead of me in the "Power Rankings."

I think this one is a no brainer, taking into consideration S. Masters nominating me as a Robbins you've got:

1) Me
2) Tim Robbins
3) Mark Salmela
4) Baskin Robbins
5) Derek Robbins
6) Self Help Guru Tony Robbins
7) Drew Robbins

I should note that Drew you were docked one position as I put myself at the top of the list obviously as there isn't a Robbins alive who could touch the awesomeness that I display on a daily basis.

And just to add some closure to this whole argument let's bring in the fifth favorite Robbins Derek Robbins: Suck on that, Drew..

Indeed.

Once again this week byzdalmyt takes us home with another solid contribution to the Reader Rants section: The only interest in Riddick I have is the fact I held on to a copy of the Xbox version that I bought like 4yrs ago on clearance for $2.50 at Target. I just knew it would become BC at some point, but it never happened.

I played the demo this weekend & while it was good, I think that's all I'll ever care to play of it.

The Wheelman demo started pretty good & then got sort of stupid when they wanted you to drive & shoot with the left bumper. Why isn't that nagging b' in the passenger seat shooting at them instead? I'm the g.d. Wheelman! I've got a right analog stick to manipulate, left analog to steer, gas, brake & I can't be locking on with right bumper & shooting with left bumper! What the hell is this, TNA iMpact(I remember having to hold like 3 buttons in that game to do some moves). They should've copied Saints Row did a lot better with having your "homies" auto fire on other cars, etc.

Then there was Wanted. Wow, what is this...Winback 3: Explict Language Edition? That demo was weak & I'm not going to waste any time commenting and more on it.

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The Hot Button

Today's Topic: Another Tragedy

On Wednesday morning, March 11th a 17 year old kid named Tim K. (Ed. I had Tim's full name listed in this article when I first wrote it. However, he is a minor and while the name is available to the public online I feel more comfortable leaving it out. Say what you will about that decision but in my mind it's the right move) burst into classrooms in his former high school wielding a Beretta 9 mm, and went on a shooting rampage that left 16 people, including the shooter, dead.

Before I say anything else I want to take a moment to send my thoughts and prayers to the families of all 16 (yes even the shooter) families who have suffered an immeasurable tragedy this week. Eight of the nine students killed were female, and three teachers (all female as well) were also killed in the shooting. I honestly cannot form the words to express my sorrow for these families who have had something so precious stolen from them without any explanation.

Of course that's what everyone wants – an explanation. The news media cannot simply run a story about a school shooting, because in the current climate there is no such thing as someone who is simply "crazy," "insane," or "unstable." There has to be some childhood trauma, or some switch that was flipped in the mind of a 17 year old who would do something so heinous. We, as rational human beings cannot fathom what would cause a 17 year old to open fire on a high school classroom so we immediately think there was a trigger in his life that lead him to this moment, as if shooting up a classroom is similar to why certain people avoid swimming pools because of the their uncle tossed them in before they could swim.

Of course the Associated Press included this tidbit of information in their story:

A 17-year-old who would give only his first name, Aki, said he had been studying this year with the shooter at a private business school, and described him as a quiet, reserved person.

Aki said the two played poker together, both in person and online, as well as a multiplayer video game called "Counter-Strike" that involves killing people to complete missions.

"He was good," Aki said

Look, I get it – the news media is always going to run with the angle that video game violence was the cause (or contributing factor) to an act like that which occurred here. There is no debate that Germany is one of the countries that has spent the most time debating video game violence recently, so any child who mentioned a video game was going to get in the AP story – the job is to sell stories, not report the facts.

The fact is that the regional police director Ralf Michelfelder described the scene by saying that ""most of them had shots in their head — it must have all happened in seconds."

According to the stories coming out of Germany, the 9 mm Beretta that was used in the attack had been taken from Tim's father's gun collection – he had 15 guns, and copious amounts of ammunition in the house. The murder weapon was kept unlocked in his fathers bedroom. Papers that didn't run the AP story focused on other, more prominent features of Tim that people who knew him claimed including that A former classmate said... "The only thing which stands out is that Tim was always very good with weapons. He mainly shot air weapons firing plastic balls, but the house had several gun cabinets occupying square metres of walls, mainly air guns."

"He was a pretty good shooter. He used to shoot in a forest behind his house. Sometimes we'd have air gun battles in the summer."

Am I the only person who finds that information a little more haunting, and perhaps a little more important then the fact that he used to play online poker, and counter strike? Of course there is also the quote from another person who had met Tim recently, a 12 year old girl named Sabienne Boehm who said that Tim had showed her a note that he recently sent to his parents – what did the note say? "He wrote to his parents that he's suffering and he can't go on,"

The tale of Tim K. is not unique. A child living in a climate that accepts and glorifies guns, who is taught to shoot them not by video games but by his father, who has easy access to weapons that are not kept locked in a safe, and who appears to suffer from mental illness which his parents are at least potentially aware of. Those factors that I just listed are almost universally found in school shooters – parents ignore the signs, and then a tragedy like that which occurred this past week happens, and someone is quoted as saying this individual played "violent" video games. I do not mean to place the blame squarely on any one thing – however I think there is a much better explanation rooted in mental illness, then in violent video games.

Maybe I'm coming from a place of bias – I am after all a video game columnist who has a vested interest in this industry. However, if you don't want to take my word for it then how about that of Dr. Peter Langman who recently released a book titled "Why Kids Kill: Inside the Minds of School Shooters". After being asked by the AP about the Tim K. situation Dr. Langman said: At first, Langman's conclusions might sound obvious: These kids would have to be crazy to go to their school and open fire. But the public and the media, especially in the immediate aftermath of a school shooting, have usually focused on other factors: the killers' fascination with violent movies and video games, their easy access to guns, even the side effects of psychiatric drugs.

Langman says some of these may have been factors but do not by themselves explain rampages in places like Littleton and West Paducah, Ky.; Jonesboro, Ark.; and Springfield, Ore. Millions of kids watch violent movies and live in households that harbor firearms. Yet only a few have ever gone on to become mass murderers.

Why bring this topic up at all this week? Because as I am writing this column the Utah Senate is debating HB353, which as most readers to this site know is the bill that Jack Thompson introduced to enforce penalties against companies who do not uphold video game ratings. It has been highly contentious and watchdog groups on both the left and right have spoken out against the bill – because censorship won't solve the problem, it'll put a nice sheen on top of the problem so that people can go back to ignoring it. That is, until another Tim K. walks into a high school after being ignored for too long.

By now (if you're still reading) you're probably wondering what the point of this rant was, and I'm not sure I have one. These shootings have a profound impact on me, and I am always at a loss for words when a child takes the life of another kid. However, it bothers me to see news agencies talk about things like "Counter-Strike" and avoid the root of the problem. Perhaps if we spent more time discussing what causes kids to feel like the world is crashing in around them, and their only escape is through violence – instead of focusing on video games and horror movies we might be able to prevent these things from happening. But instead we'll put a gloss over this incident, and blame Manhunt, or Counter Strike, or Marilyn Manson and just hope that if we ban all things "adult themed" then nothing like this will ever happen again.

I am truly at a loss for an ending.

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Punching Out

Nintendophiles by Theo Fraser

You Dirty Cheat by Jonny Richardson

The Release List by Tommy Coloma

Three Player Co-Op by Drew Robbins

What If? by Greg Bruno

Games Top 5 by Todd Vote

Fact or Fiction by Ramon Aranda

Living LIVE by Trace Aber

What I Hate About You by John De Large

The 10th Hour by Derek Robbins