Show Notes: Episode 31
By Mhykolwww.ajc.com/search/content/metro/stories/2008/08/08/carbombb.html
Teen Blames GTA For Car Bomb
Dear juvenile deliquents, please stop it. Stop committing crimes. And if you can’t do that, at least stop blaming Grand Theft Auto when they catch you.
Three teenagers in Milton, Georgia were arrested and charged with 57 felony counts for tossing Molotov cocktails in cars. One of the fellas said he’d learned it all from Grand Theft Auto.
“This case is another strong example of the serious ramifications that can come from letting impressionable teens play violent video games like this one,” Police Chief Chris Lagerbloom said. “We urge parents to pay particular attention to their children’s extracurricular activities and to intervene before it’s too late.”
xbox360.ign.com/articles/897/897271p1.html
Seven ‘Guitar Hero World Tour’ Songs Confirmed
Along with yesterday’s news of Ozzy as character in upcoming music game Guitar Hero World Tour comes word of seven new tracks. Here’s what will be in the game when it comes out for the PS2, PS3, Wii, 360 and PC on October 26th:
* Airbourne – “Too Much Too young…”
* At the Drive-in – “One Armed Scissor”
* Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – “Weapon of Choice”
* Bob Seger – “Hollywood Nights”
* Dinosaur Jr. – “Feel the pain”
* Silversun Pickups – “Lazy Eye”
* Survivor – “Eye of the Tiger”
Eye of the Tiger, baby!
www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/688014/Rock_Band_Brings_The_Metal.html
‘Rock Band’ Brings The Metal
Break out your devil horns and a case of Kroneburg: A very metal song pack is coming to Rock Band. Here’s what’s on tap:
* Airbourne – Runnin’ Wild – 80 MSP – $0.99
* DevilDriver – Clouds Over California – 80 MSP – $0.99
* Dream Theater – Constant Motion – 80 MSP – $0.99
* Killswitch Engage – My Curse – 80 MSP – $0.99
* Machine Head – Aesthetics Of Hate – 80 MSP – $0.99
* Megadeth – Sleepwalker – 80 MSP – $0.99
They’re all master tracks and will be availbale Tuesday on Xbox Marketplace and Thursday on the Playstation Store.
www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/08/07/ap5302140.html
Warners Blames Music Games For Loss
Warner Music is doing poorly financially; the company reported that their losses were $9 million in the three months ending in June. No surprise–it’s just too easy to get music for free these days–but what is surprising is one of the causes Warner cited. They say music games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero just aren’t paying them enough.
“There is what I would call a very paltry licensing fee per song,” said Edgar Bronfman Jr., the chairman and chief executive who owns a 6.5 percent stake in Warner Music. “I think the industry as a whole needs to take a very different look at this business and participate more fully and in a much more partnership way,” he said. “And if that does not become the case, as far as Warner Music is concerned, we will not license to those games.”
Woah… a shot across the bow! But if I were a game maker, I’d respond with: “Look, bucko, there wasn’t any licensing fees for music games a few years ago, so you should be happy with what you get!”
latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/08/iphone-i-am-ric.html
8 People Drop A Grand On Useless iPhone App
If you were checking out the iTunes App store yesterday, you might have noticed a program called “I Am Rich.” The application proudly points out that its main function is to remind you that you are rich. See, it costs $1000 to buy and does virtually nothing except display a ruby on your iPhone screen.
Eight people bought it.
Then, for undisclosed reasons, Apple pulled the application. Keep in mind: There seems to be nothing fraudulent in the description of the application. It states plainly: “It’s a work of art with no hidden function at all.”
The designer of the app, Armin Heinrich, sees a market for the program. “I am sure a lot more people would like to buy it — but currently can’t do so,” Heinrich told the LA Times. Whether Heinrich will receive the $5,600 Apple seems to owe him for the purchase remains to be seen.
‘Goonies 2′ Closer To Reality
Goonies are good enough, apparently, for a sequel. Word on the Hollywood street is the sequel has writers attached and the project is moving forward. So practice your truffle shuffle. It’s not planned as some kind of straight-to-DVD knockoff, either. It’s going to be given the “respect” it deserves and a big theatrical release.
Given the ages of the actors involved, may we suggest they call the new movie Cocoonies?
www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=208239
‘Star Wars Galaxies’ To Get Vehicle Combat
Sony’s MMO Star Wars Galaxies is gearing up for their next expansion, Battle for Echo Base. Included in this update is the addition of vehicle combat, which was planned to be announced at this year’s Fan Faire event hosted by Sony, but John Smedley let the cat out of the bag when he was talking to Massively at E3. Since the news was already dropped, Star Wars Galaxies’ producer Christopher Field confirmed the vehicle combat on the game’s official forums.
Along with traveling combat, Battle for Echo Base will also accurately recreate the Rebel Echo Base; the location of the Battle of Hoth sequence in Empire Strikes Back. The development team has worked very hard to reccreate the location, studying the film vigilantly. “The environment is absolutely massive, ” said Fields on the Galaxies forums. “The North Field alone is huge and will provide some exciting battle moments.The base itself is labyrinth of tunnels and rooms.” Time to warm up that Snowspeeder and set your sights on a few Imperial Walkers.
www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/688006/Star_Trek_Online_Images_Engage.html#readmore
‘Star Trek Online’ Images, Engage!
Posted by Jeffrey Kanjanapangka – Friday, August 08, 2008 10:01 AM
Check out these images for Cryptic Studios upcoming MMO Star Trek Online. A media event is scheduled for this Sunday August 10th for an unveiling in Las Vegas. The game is currently announced for PC and has been promised for at least one console.
www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=207258
No Hitler In Next Wolfenstein
Fighting robotic-armored Hitler at the end of the first Castle Wolfenstein is one of the greatest, most ridiculous boss battles in gaming history, but sadly, Hitler (with or without a robot suit) will not be showing up in the next Wolfenstein game, according to id’s lead artist Kevin Cloud. ”No, he’s not in our game,” Cloud said at QuakeCon last week. “We’ve got to save something for future Wolfensteins. We can’t do him in yet!”
Hear that? That means Hitler is not ruled out for future Wolfenstein games, which gives us all cause to hope. Shooting that dude is just satisfying.
The next Wolfenstein game has no title or release date. It will be released when it is finished. We expect it on 360s, PS3 and PCs, but really, who knows?
www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/687998/Mass_Effect_DS_Bound.html
Mass Effect’ DS Bound?
Aside from their upcoming RPG, Sonic Chronicles: Dark Brotherhood due out this September, BioWare’s considering creating another title for the Nintendo DS. This time it will be one of their own franchise – the intergalactic hit Mass Effect to be exact.
“Having a DS version would be an awesome way to keep interest alive and keep it going in addition to the next one [Mass Effect 2],” said by Dark Chronicles lead designer Miles Homes. He said that with BioWare’s handheld division, titles like the hedgehog and Mass Effect would elevate the comapany’s portable credibility, and it “reinforces the [console] franchises.”
www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/687996/Wrestler_Calls_For_More_Game_Violence.html
Wrestler Calls For More Game Violence
WWE Wrestler Randy Orton wants more violence in videogames.
“Violence sells. I want to see more violence in games – the more blood the better,” he told Eurogamer at a press event hawking THQ’s SmackDown vs. Raw 2009. Orton said videogames were the least of parents’ worries, when some “don’t know their kids are watching South Park”
Right on, Randy Orton! We agree with you, and it’s not just because we’re afraid you will beat up our entire neighborhood if we don’t!
Orton also revealed that he owns a 360 and a Wii and enjoys Mario Kart on his Wii, but without the Wiiwheel because that’s a gimmick. Mario Kart is the greatest game ever, Randy. (Please don’t punch us in the face.)
Smackdown Vs. Raw 2009 comes out across platforms on November 11th. Check out the trailer for the game under the cut.
abcnews.go.com/Technology/Story?id=5526149&page=1
Internet Addicts Rehab In Illinois
Like many humans out there, we have a problem.
But as we smear off our monitors from our dilated pupils, we have found hope. The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery in-patient facility is the first of its kind to rehabilitate internet addicts. Highly dedicated net surfers are treated in a group therapy session, where their .com cravings are tested. Crackberry fiends, online shopping splurgers and of course, computer gaming addicts are all treated in the facility.
How bad does the addiction get? Well there’s crack, Warcrack, Evercrack, marijuana, and then the internet. “In fact, the person who is addicted to his or her computer is going to have the same ‘high’ as the drug addict who is about to go see their drug dealer,” said by therapist Tonya Camacho in the ABCNews report. “Both are escapes from the real world.”
Oh and look, they have a website. Look! there’s another website…and another….another….
