Author: RPadTV

https://rpad.tv

Harry Potter Linked to India’s Dwindling Owl Population

The Harry Potter books and movies have been blamed for the dwindling owl population in India. Jairam Ramesh, India’s environment minister, told BBC that along with black magic rituals, Harry Potter was to blame for owl poaching. Here’s the skinny:

He said that Harry Potter books and films featuring his feathered friend Hedwig are popular in India and had contributed towards the demise of owls.

Mr Ramesh said there had been an increase in people wanting to buy them from illegal bird traders.

Accio owl!!! So along with the death of millions of trees, JK Rowling is responsible to owl poaching. Nice going Jo!

Source

LittleBigPlanet 2 Creatinator Video Feature

Here’s a super cute LittleBigPlanet 2 video on the new creatinator item. From the single-player perspective, it’s simple — the creatinator shoots stuff. From the level-creation perspective it gets more complex — it can shoot whatever the creator can think of and be used for puzzles, platforming, and more. I’ve spent a bunch of time with the creatinator and I’m really impressed with its creative possibilities.

After you check out the vid, kindly let me know what you think of the creatinator and share ways that you’d use it.

Dragon Age Legends Brings DA to Facebook

BioWare has announced Dragon Age Legends for Facebook. The game is a teaser (enabler?) for the upcoming Dragon Age II, giving players a feel of the game’s world and rewarding them with unlockable items that can be used DA2. Here’s a clip from the press release:

The new game is inspired by the award-winning BioWare franchise but custom-designed for the casual and social play style for Facebook users of all ages. Dragon Age Legends blends accessible and engaging tactical combat with compelling co-operative gameplay perfectly suited for social networks, making for a unique offering on the platform. Launching in February 2011, Dragon Age Legends will also give gamers the chance to earn exclusive unlocks for Dragon Age II, one of the most highly anticipated video games of 2011.

Dragon Age Legends will give players their first taste of the Free Marches, the primary setting of Dragon Age II. Alongside their Facebook friends, players will take on challenging quests within an engaging storyline, earning loot, sharing rewards and growing their kingdom. The game will include a gratifying character customization and upgrade system that will allow players to tackle demons and darkspawn to become a legendary hero within the Dragon Age universe.

Yeah, I’m going to be playing the hell out of this one. It’s a clever way to attract gamers that are on the fence or new to Dragon Age. It’s also another way to keep BioWare marks (like me) addicted. Check out the screens below and let me know what you think of Dragon Age Legends (please!).

[nggallery id=28]

Hulk Hogan Plays Def Jam Rapstar, Flashes His Schlong

In this video, the immortal (not really) Hulk Hogan plays some Def Jam Rapstar with his slut daughter and “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart. For some reason, The Hulkster flashes his junk at the camera…which is a really weird thing to do in front of one of your oldest friends and downright creepy to do in front of your daughter. The whole thing is rather…disturbing.

EA Sports Cancels NBA Elite 11

EA Sports: it’s in the game…except, you know, when it’s not. One game EA Sports won’t be in — at least in the near future — is basketball. The company has announced that NBA Elite 11, previously delayed until 2011, is flat-out canceled. According to Gamasutra:

CFO Eric Brown confirmed today on the company’s call to investors that the game is actually canceled, although the publisher doesn’t plan to terminate the franchise.

Instead, it’ll be moving development of the brand from EA Black Box to its Florida-based Tiburon studio, as part of a wider reorganization of some of its key franchises’ development with the aim of cost-efficiency.

While the NBA Elite franchise has hit a major bump in the road, 2K Sports’ NBA 2K11 has the floor to itself and has time to build on its excellent base. Do you think EA Tiburon will be able to whip EA Sports’ basketball efforts into shape? Or is NBA Elite destined to be Scottie Pippen to NBA 2K’s Michael Jordan?

Source

Epic Games and Chair Team Up For Infinity Blade on iOS

Remember that impending mobile gaming explosion I wrote about in Coffee Talk #204? It just got one step closer. Epic Games (Gears of War, Unreal) and Chair Entertainment (Shadow Complex) have officially announced Infinity Blade for Apple iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad). The game blends sword-based action with RPG elements. Here’s a clip from the press release:

Taking handheld gaming to new heights, the graphically intense “Infinity Blade” features adrenaline-fueled sword battles and epic boss fights set in the realm of a fully 3D castle. The game’s robust single-player mode features an intuitive combat interface and simple touch controls which enable hardcore and casual gamers alike to engage in fun, furious battles. As play progresses, players gain experience, build stats and earn more powerful items to prepare their knight for the final encounter with the game’s nemesis, the God-King.

And here’s a quote from my pal, Epic Games president Dr. Mike Capps…or as I like to call him, “Busta” Capps.

More than one million people have been introduced to the world of ‘Infinity Blade’ through our free app, ‘Epic Citadel,’ and soon everyone will be able to play our first fully featured game for iOS devices. With ‘Infinity Blade,’ ChAIR has created an amazing looking, incredibly fun game that really demonstrates the potential of triple-A mobile gaming.

To be honest, I only included his quote to remind y’all that Dr. Mike should be referred to as “Busta” Capps.

Seriously though, this is going to be huge for iOS gaming and more gaming in general. While there are loads of engaging games available in the iTunes App Store, most of them are visually unimpressive. The upcoming generation of iOS games will have deep gameplay and sharp graphics. Infinity Blade should set a new standard for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad gaming. I’m truly excited for this title. How about you?

Will Ferrell and Manny Pacquiao Butcher “Imagine”

John Lennon is one of my favorite people that ever existed. I enjoy Will Ferrell’s comedy. Although I don’t particularly like his boxing style, I enjoy watching Manny Pacquiao fight and I’m proud of what he means to the Philippines. All that said, it was kind of painful to watch Ferrell and Pacquiao butcher John Lennon’s “Imagine” on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Ferrell was hamming it up and can actually sing better than this. Pacquiao is under the delusion that he’s a good singer. The whole thing ended up being unintentionally funny…and wince inducing.

Check out the clip and let me know what you think (please)!

Welcome to Apple’s Winter Wonderland

Apple has had a ridiculously successful 2010, selling millions of iPhones, iPods, iPads, iMacs, MacBooks, and more. The crazy thing is, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet (b-b-b-b-baby, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet). The company is going to be one of the most dominant brands this holiday season — perhaps the most dominant brand.

The iPad will be available in more stores than ever, including electronics outlets like Best Buy and mobile phone stores like Verizon’s. Target recently announced that it will start offering the iPhone 4 on November 7, 2010. While Apple does well with its online store and Apple Stores, brick-and-mortar chains like Best Buy and Target have a much broader reach. The sales figures are going to be nuts!

What do you think? Will Apple be the most wished for brand this holiday? What else can touch it?