Checkout a short film from Hennessey Productions with some writing, camera work, and some side acting from yours truly:
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
MGS4 and Dualshock 3 Release Dates
Gamespot reported that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and the Dualshock 3 have semi-release dates.
Metal Gear Solid 4 - June 12
Dualshock 3 - April
Please leave comments below.
Metal Gear Solid 4 - June 12
Dualshock 3 - April
Please leave comments below.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
360 Sequels Galore
1up.com has reported that Microsoft's keynote address at this year's Game Developer's Conference included a slew of sequels.
Most notably was information and video on Gears of War 2, due out this November:
Also unveiled was Fable 2:
Finally, Ninja Gaiden 2: Temple of Sacrifice with a release date of June 3, 2008:
Most notably was information and video on Gears of War 2, due out this November:
Also unveiled was Fable 2:
Finally, Ninja Gaiden 2: Temple of Sacrifice with a release date of June 3, 2008:
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
HD DVD Defeated
ABC News - among many media outlets - reported today that Toshiba has officially declared defeat in the high-definition media formate war.This comes a month after film studio Warner Bros. announced its exclusive support for Sony's Blue-ray format.
In the ABC News article, Toshiba President Atsutoshi Nishida said:
"We concluded that a swift decision would be best...(the Warner decision) had tremendous impact. If we had continued, that would have created problems for consumers, and we simply had no chance to win."
This also comes just weeks after Microsoft announced a price-cut on the HD-DVD supplemental player from $179.99 to $129.99.
Now Microsoft is left with a difficult decision - attempt to coerce Sony into allowing a Blue-Ray addition to the Xbox 360 or continue with a product that supports no high-definition video format.
Regardless, this changes things in the console war in which Microsoft may actually pay Sony in order to simply be competitive with them.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Gaming's Greatest Love Stories
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!!
In the spirit of love, let us pause for a moment to reflect on some the greatest video love stories of all time:
Pac-Man Loves Ms. Pac-Man
This steamy and perhaps first-ever video game couple officially "hooked-up" in 1982 in "Ms. Pac-Man." Ever since, these two have been hitting it hot and heavy eating little fruits and making all sorts of little Pac-Kids (the ones with the bows on their heads are the girls).
Jumpman (Mario) Loves Lady (Pauline)
I bet you didn't know that Peach wasn't Mario's first love. In a strange connection, Jumpman from the original "Donkey Kong" arcade (who is commonly referred to now as none other than Mario himself) was originally after the ravishing redhead (originally named Lady, but was later changed to Pauline) who was captured by the diabolical Donkey Kong (name not changed). This was one of the first occurrences of the the "Damsel in Distress" archetype commonly used in video games. How do you know they were in love? A little hear appeared over their heads when Jumpman came close.
Super Mario Loves Princess Peach
Everyone knows about these two lovebirds from the 1985 class "Super Mario Bros." Perhaps the most famous video game storyline of all time, Mario must search far across the Mushroom Kingdon to finding the stolen princess from the evil clutches of Bowser. Fellas take note, the shear number of times that Mario saves Peach is more than enough to show some deep commitment.
Link maybe Loves Zelda and maybe Loves Saria
Although there is no definitive suggestion that Link has any primary love interest, but there is some evidence that there was something going on. First off, much like Mario and Peach, Link has saved Zelda I don't know how many times and in a couple of different forms (Tetra, Sheik,etc.). In the case of Sheik (Zelda in disguise) from "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time", she is active in helping Link in several occasions - perhaps a secret love. Also in "Ocarina" we have Saria who seems to care deeply for Link as he leaves the Kokiri Forest. Maybe I am reading too deeply into it, but there has to be a "link" somewhere.
Hana Loves Rain
Yeah, I went there. The love story of Hana and Rain in "Fear Effect's" 2001 sequel "Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix" is one of an "alternative" nature. Yes, they're gamings first ever lesbian (and perhaps first explicit homosexual) relationship. The plot of "Fear Effect 2" surrounds the story of how the two met and fell in love. An odd progressive advancement for gaming and gay rights or a sleazy, boy-ish fantasy for the sake of perverting content to increase sales? You be the judge - they're still in love.
Earthworm Jim Loves Princess What's-Her-Name
Nothing says true love when your partner is called What's-Her-Name. Initially appearing in the original "Earthworm Jim" and in a greater role in "Earthworm Jim 2," Princess What's-Her-Name immediately captivated Earthworm Jim with her when he meet and rescued her from the evil Psy-Crow. Deep, rich compatibility.
Sora Loves Kairi
Talk about some interesting love. In "Kingdom Hearts" we find that these two were still deeply connected after Sora was separated from his friends Riku and Kairi on their home planet Destiny Island. After saving all of the other Disney Princesses who were "Princess of Heart," Sora discovers that Kairi's heart was inside of him = love. To release her heart, Sora impales himself with his keyblade. Talk about a real love connection.
Solid Snake Loves Meryl
It takes a woman to melt the cold heart of Solid Snake in "Metal Gear Solid." In one of gaming's most creative and complex storylines, a love sub-plot between Meryl and Solid Snake take them through the horrors of Shadow Moses. Depending on what you did in the game, you will either Meryl being killed or rescued with Solid Snake at the end of the game. What really happened? She actually did escape.
Tidus Loves Yuna
Every Final Fantasy has some sort of love interest relationship, the connection between Tidus and Yuna in "Final Fantasy X" is one of the deepest. Having encountered and fallen in love across their journey to Zanarkand, Tidus is ultimately separated from Yuna only to be reunited in "Final Fantasy X-2" as Yuna takes arms in an attempt to find the man she loved. This is one love story in gaming that shows the lady getting down and dirty in order to save her man.
Squall Loves Rinoa
Being perhaps the greatest love story in the "Final Fantasy" franchise and the best in all of gaming, the plot surrounding "Final Fantasy VIII" involves the love interest between main characters Squall and Rinoa. These two fight for each other and save each other at one point or another in the game and representing an unrelenting love that never dies. Ultimately, it was their love which won the day in one the gaming's greatest stories ever told.
In the spirit of love, let us pause for a moment to reflect on some the greatest video love stories of all time:
Pac-Man Loves Ms. Pac-Man
This steamy and perhaps first-ever video game couple officially "hooked-up" in 1982 in "Ms. Pac-Man." Ever since, these two have been hitting it hot and heavy eating little fruits and making all sorts of little Pac-Kids (the ones with the bows on their heads are the girls).
Jumpman (Mario) Loves Lady (Pauline)
I bet you didn't know that Peach wasn't Mario's first love. In a strange connection, Jumpman from the original "Donkey Kong" arcade (who is commonly referred to now as none other than Mario himself) was originally after the ravishing redhead (originally named Lady, but was later changed to Pauline) who was captured by the diabolical Donkey Kong (name not changed). This was one of the first occurrences of the the "Damsel in Distress" archetype commonly used in video games. How do you know they were in love? A little hear appeared over their heads when Jumpman came close.
Super Mario Loves Princess Peach
Everyone knows about these two lovebirds from the 1985 class "Super Mario Bros." Perhaps the most famous video game storyline of all time, Mario must search far across the Mushroom Kingdon to finding the stolen princess from the evil clutches of Bowser. Fellas take note, the shear number of times that Mario saves Peach is more than enough to show some deep commitment.
Link maybe Loves Zelda and maybe Loves Saria
Although there is no definitive suggestion that Link has any primary love interest, but there is some evidence that there was something going on. First off, much like Mario and Peach, Link has saved Zelda I don't know how many times and in a couple of different forms (Tetra, Sheik,etc.). In the case of Sheik (Zelda in disguise) from "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time", she is active in helping Link in several occasions - perhaps a secret love. Also in "Ocarina" we have Saria who seems to care deeply for Link as he leaves the Kokiri Forest. Maybe I am reading too deeply into it, but there has to be a "link" somewhere.
Hana Loves Rain
Yeah, I went there. The love story of Hana and Rain in "Fear Effect's" 2001 sequel "Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix" is one of an "alternative" nature. Yes, they're gamings first ever lesbian (and perhaps first explicit homosexual) relationship. The plot of "Fear Effect 2" surrounds the story of how the two met and fell in love. An odd progressive advancement for gaming and gay rights or a sleazy, boy-ish fantasy for the sake of perverting content to increase sales? You be the judge - they're still in love.
Earthworm Jim Loves Princess What's-Her-Name
Nothing says true love when your partner is called What's-Her-Name. Initially appearing in the original "Earthworm Jim" and in a greater role in "Earthworm Jim 2," Princess What's-Her-Name immediately captivated Earthworm Jim with her when he meet and rescued her from the evil Psy-Crow. Deep, rich compatibility.
Sora Loves Kairi
Talk about some interesting love. In "Kingdom Hearts" we find that these two were still deeply connected after Sora was separated from his friends Riku and Kairi on their home planet Destiny Island. After saving all of the other Disney Princesses who were "Princess of Heart," Sora discovers that Kairi's heart was inside of him = love. To release her heart, Sora impales himself with his keyblade. Talk about a real love connection.
Solid Snake Loves Meryl
It takes a woman to melt the cold heart of Solid Snake in "Metal Gear Solid." In one of gaming's most creative and complex storylines, a love sub-plot between Meryl and Solid Snake take them through the horrors of Shadow Moses. Depending on what you did in the game, you will either Meryl being killed or rescued with Solid Snake at the end of the game. What really happened? She actually did escape.
Tidus Loves Yuna
Every Final Fantasy has some sort of love interest relationship, the connection between Tidus and Yuna in "Final Fantasy X" is one of the deepest. Having encountered and fallen in love across their journey to Zanarkand, Tidus is ultimately separated from Yuna only to be reunited in "Final Fantasy X-2" as Yuna takes arms in an attempt to find the man she loved. This is one love story in gaming that shows the lady getting down and dirty in order to save her man.
Squall Loves Rinoa
Being perhaps the greatest love story in the "Final Fantasy" franchise and the best in all of gaming, the plot surrounding "Final Fantasy VIII" involves the love interest between main characters Squall and Rinoa. These two fight for each other and save each other at one point or another in the game and representing an unrelenting love that never dies. Ultimately, it was their love which won the day in one the gaming's greatest stories ever told.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Best Console of All-Time
There is much dispute in the arena of which video game console should be hailed as the best of all-time - we are going to solve that NOW!!!!
Below is a list of the top nominees for best console and it's up to YOU to vote on the right-hand side for your pick for the best of all-time. Take a look and cast a vote:
Atari 260
0
Hailed by many as the "first console ever," the Atari 2600 was the revolutionary gift to the world in 1977. This wooden beauty was the first console to ever feature a cartridge-based format for game content . The Atari 2600 was the first console to bring gaming to the mainstream.
Notable games: Pong, Pac-Man, Combat, Asteroids, Pit Fall
Nintendo (NES)
Yes this is certainly a classic, but is it the best? This little gray box of wonder hit North America in 1985 and revolutionized the industry almost immediately. Also known as the "Famicom," the 8-bit machine told eager gamers that they were "playing with power!!!" The cartridge-based console also featured the first-ever game that allowed you to save on the cartridge itself in "The Legend of Zelda."
Notable games: Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Duck Hunt, Tetris, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid
Super Nintendo (SNES)
The "Super Famicom" made its debut in 1990 as the 16-bit big brother to the original NES. Hailed as many as the "greatest console of all-time," the Super Nintendo revolutionized classic plateforming titles with it's use of a quasi-three dimensional visuals with its digital signal processor (DSP) chip. Also, these massive cartridges held up to 124 Mb. The SNES, and it's competitor - the Sega Genesis - brought a whole new console war to the mainstream.
Notable games: Super Mario World, Super Metroid, Super Mario Kart, The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past
Sega Genesis (Mega Drive)
As the direct competitor to the SNES, the Sega Genesis (1989) held true to many gamers by revolting from the "Kiddy Image" of Nintendo and created the first-ever hardcore gamer market. Gee Wiz, the Genesis version of "Aladdin" included a sword and "Mortal Kombat" included realistic blood. Now way!
Notable games: Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage, Earthworm Jim, Mortal Kombat
Sega Game Gear
This one hand-held that was ahead of it's time. It's North America release in 1991 saw the addition of a backlit color screen when the Nintendo GameBoy was still providing us with stunning and dim light and dark green visuals. However, the hand-held never really took off, but give it props for being revolutionary.
Notable games: Sonic the Hedgehog, The Lion King, Mortal Kombat
Sony Playstation
Sony's first foray into the gaming market paid off. In 1994, the Playstation was the first console to successfully pull-off a disc format. Sony quickly gained third-party support because CR-ROMS were a cheaper format for developing software. The Playstation is one of the most successful consoles of all-time and includes some of the best games of all-time.
Notable games: Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII, Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania: Symphony of Night, Resident Evil, Tekken, Gran Turismo
Nintendo 64
This 1997 release shocked the gaming world with a new dimension to gaming - the third dimension. I think anyone can tell you about the first they controlled Mario has he flew through the air in Super Mario 64. Some of the finest titles that Nintendo has ever produced came from this little console. However, the costly and dated cartridge-based format forced many third-party developers to jump ship on the Nintendo bandwagon and sided with the Sony Playstation. The early years of the N64 was some of Nintendo's greatest, but the wanning years are marked as Nintendo's worst.
Notable games: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, Perfect Dark, Banjo-Kazooie, Golden Eye, Perfect Dark, Super Mario Kart 64, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Jet-Force Gemini, Super Smash Bros.
Sony Playstation 2
The "big brother" of the Playstation was released in 2000 and is identified as the fastest and best-selling game console of all-time. Still popular and supported today, the PS2 was the first console to include backwards compatibility and a DVD disc drive. The PS2 also included several revolutionary accessories such as the EyeToy camera, the Dance Dance Revolution dance pad, and the Guitar Hero guitar controller. The PS2 has been widely accepted at the undisputed winner in it's race against the Nintendo Gamecube and newcomer Microsoft's Xbox in the "next generation" console war.
Notable Games: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Kingdom Hearts, Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, God of War, Final Fantasy X, Guitar Hero, Devil May Cry
Microsoft Xbox
In 2001, Microsoft made the "next generation" console war a three-way one. With its superior processing and graphical power, the Xbox became a formidable adversary to the dominate Playstation 2 and the Nintendo Gamecube. The Xbox was the first console to include a built-in hard drive and proved that late newcomers can compete in the video game industry.
Notable games: Halo, Halo 2, Project Gotham Racing, Dead or Alive 3, Ninja Gaiden
Nintendo DS
Nintendo launched its sixth hand-held console in 2004 and revolutionized both hand-held gaming and Nintendo's new focus on innovation. The Nintendo Dual Screen comprised of two backlit LCD screens with the bottom utilizing touch-screen technology. The handy little gadget also included a microphone, wireless capability via 802.11 G, and backwards compatibility with all Gameboy Advance titles.
Notable games: Super Mario 64 DS, Super Mario Kart DS, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, New Super Mario Bros., Brain Age, Big Brain Academy, Nintendogs
Nintendo Wii
The current leader of this generation, the Nintendo Wii, launched in 2006 and has built off of Nintendo's new found philosophy of revolutionizing the industry. Players of the Wii use a controller resembling a remote called the Wiimote to literally move to prompt motion on the screen. The is also the first non-hand-held Nintendo console to be both backwards compatible with Nintendo Gamecube games as well as includes built-in wireless.
Notable game: Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Sports, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
PLEASE VOTE NOW!!!!
Below is a list of the top nominees for best console and it's up to YOU to vote on the right-hand side for your pick for the best of all-time. Take a look and cast a vote:
Atari 260
0Hailed by many as the "first console ever," the Atari 2600 was the revolutionary gift to the world in 1977. This wooden beauty was the first console to ever feature a cartridge-based format for game content . The Atari 2600 was the first console to bring gaming to the mainstream.
Notable games: Pong, Pac-Man, Combat, Asteroids, Pit Fall
Nintendo (NES)
Yes this is certainly a classic, but is it the best? This little gray box of wonder hit North America in 1985 and revolutionized the industry almost immediately. Also known as the "Famicom," the 8-bit machine told eager gamers that they were "playing with power!!!" The cartridge-based console also featured the first-ever game that allowed you to save on the cartridge itself in "The Legend of Zelda."
Notable games: Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Duck Hunt, Tetris, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid
Super Nintendo (SNES)
The "Super Famicom" made its debut in 1990 as the 16-bit big brother to the original NES. Hailed as many as the "greatest console of all-time," the Super Nintendo revolutionized classic plateforming titles with it's use of a quasi-three dimensional visuals with its digital signal processor (DSP) chip. Also, these massive cartridges held up to 124 Mb. The SNES, and it's competitor - the Sega Genesis - brought a whole new console war to the mainstream.
Notable games: Super Mario World, Super Metroid, Super Mario Kart, The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past
Sega Genesis (Mega Drive)
As the direct competitor to the SNES, the Sega Genesis (1989) held true to many gamers by revolting from the "Kiddy Image" of Nintendo and created the first-ever hardcore gamer market. Gee Wiz, the Genesis version of "Aladdin" included a sword and "Mortal Kombat" included realistic blood. Now way!
Notable games: Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage, Earthworm Jim, Mortal Kombat
Sega Game Gear
This one hand-held that was ahead of it's time. It's North America release in 1991 saw the addition of a backlit color screen when the Nintendo GameBoy was still providing us with stunning and dim light and dark green visuals. However, the hand-held never really took off, but give it props for being revolutionary.
Notable games: Sonic the Hedgehog, The Lion King, Mortal Kombat
Sony Playstation
Sony's first foray into the gaming market paid off. In 1994, the Playstation was the first console to successfully pull-off a disc format. Sony quickly gained third-party support because CR-ROMS were a cheaper format for developing software. The Playstation is one of the most successful consoles of all-time and includes some of the best games of all-time.
Notable games: Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII, Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania: Symphony of Night, Resident Evil, Tekken, Gran Turismo
Nintendo 64
This 1997 release shocked the gaming world with a new dimension to gaming - the third dimension. I think anyone can tell you about the first they controlled Mario has he flew through the air in Super Mario 64. Some of the finest titles that Nintendo has ever produced came from this little console. However, the costly and dated cartridge-based format forced many third-party developers to jump ship on the Nintendo bandwagon and sided with the Sony Playstation. The early years of the N64 was some of Nintendo's greatest, but the wanning years are marked as Nintendo's worst.
Notable games: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, Perfect Dark, Banjo-Kazooie, Golden Eye, Perfect Dark, Super Mario Kart 64, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Jet-Force Gemini, Super Smash Bros.
Sony Playstation 2
The "big brother" of the Playstation was released in 2000 and is identified as the fastest and best-selling game console of all-time. Still popular and supported today, the PS2 was the first console to include backwards compatibility and a DVD disc drive. The PS2 also included several revolutionary accessories such as the EyeToy camera, the Dance Dance Revolution dance pad, and the Guitar Hero guitar controller. The PS2 has been widely accepted at the undisputed winner in it's race against the Nintendo Gamecube and newcomer Microsoft's Xbox in the "next generation" console war.
Notable Games: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Kingdom Hearts, Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, God of War, Final Fantasy X, Guitar Hero, Devil May Cry
Microsoft Xbox
In 2001, Microsoft made the "next generation" console war a three-way one. With its superior processing and graphical power, the Xbox became a formidable adversary to the dominate Playstation 2 and the Nintendo Gamecube. The Xbox was the first console to include a built-in hard drive and proved that late newcomers can compete in the video game industry.
Notable games: Halo, Halo 2, Project Gotham Racing, Dead or Alive 3, Ninja Gaiden
Nintendo DS
Nintendo launched its sixth hand-held console in 2004 and revolutionized both hand-held gaming and Nintendo's new focus on innovation. The Nintendo Dual Screen comprised of two backlit LCD screens with the bottom utilizing touch-screen technology. The handy little gadget also included a microphone, wireless capability via 802.11 G, and backwards compatibility with all Gameboy Advance titles.
Notable games: Super Mario 64 DS, Super Mario Kart DS, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, New Super Mario Bros., Brain Age, Big Brain Academy, Nintendogs
Nintendo Wii
The current leader of this generation, the Nintendo Wii, launched in 2006 and has built off of Nintendo's new found philosophy of revolutionizing the industry. Players of the Wii use a controller resembling a remote called the Wiimote to literally move to prompt motion on the screen. The is also the first non-hand-held Nintendo console to be both backwards compatible with Nintendo Gamecube games as well as includes built-in wireless.
Notable game: Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Sports, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
PLEASE VOTE NOW!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
