Double Helix and Square Enix kick off its Front Mission Evolved
Front Mission Evolved is set for a September 14, 2010 release for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows PC (in stereoscopic 3D). I loved the old FM games, but I’m not too interested (yet) in seeing the FM world in an action setting. Are any of you interested in this game?
Last week I wrote about a rumor that Sony will unveil details on a premium version of its PlayStation Network service at E3 2010. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president Andrew House more or less confirmed the announcement. In a Sony Europe Q&A session he wrote:
I can assure you that the current PSN as you know it will remain a free service. It is something that our competitors don’t offer and something that shows our loyalty to the PlayStation Community. However, Kaz Hirai stated a few months ago that we were looking at a premium service to sit alongside the current free service and that objective has not changed. You’ll learn more about it very soon.
Now that you know it’s coming, I’d love to hear more about what you’d want in a premium version of PSN. Google TV? Cross-game chat? Free games? If PSN were alive, it would be Adam Lambert, asking you, “What do you want from me?!?”
The first and second parts of my HTC Evo 4G (not a) review were mostly serious. Now things are going to get super serious! Today I’m going to tell you how well the phone works in drunken situations. Last night I went to a Prince of Persia party in Hollywood and had quite a few drinks. While I was tipsy, I snapped several photos and did some live video streaming (this feature will surely get me in trouble one day).
While I’ve been generally satisfied with the phone’s camera, it was important for me to see what kind of images it can capture when I’m…not quite sober. Here are the results of my hugely important “drunk test” of the HTC Evo 4G.
Remember that YouTube video that featured an indie game store owner ranting about EA’s Online Pass? I found it so fascinating that I tracked down the store owner and interviewed him. He’s a very cool guy and has an interesting perspective. It’s easy to think about Online Pass in terms of EA vs. GameStop. This PadCast gives you a different perspective on the issue. Here’s the official description:
Independent game store owner Chet Muzzalupo (Level 1 Games) recently delivered an inspired rant against EA’s Online Pass. The scheme is designed to discourage consumers from buying used games and encourage them to buy new. While this potentially helps developers earn more royalties, it also limits customer choice and hurts retailers. While nobody is going to shed a tear for GameStop losing out on money, the Online Pass can kill small game stores like Level 1. Muzzalupo shares his perspective as an independent game store owner, addresses the issue of used-game sales hurting the business, and talks about the future of the buy-sell-trade business.
I enjoyed chatting with Chett and I think you’ll dig this video. Check it out (please)!
THQ’s UFC Undisputed 2010
RPadholic N8R sent me this tip while I was at Google I/O last week. There’s a chance that the Skrulls are going to be the main baddies in The Avengers movie. As any comic-book fanboy knows, the Asgardian god of mischief Loki was the first Avengers’ villain. The Skrulls, however, have starred in some of the most epic Avengers tales ever and would probably look cooler on the big screen. Here’s the scoop from ComicBookMovie.com:
The highlight of this insider scoop (DISCLAIMER: which has not been confirmed by the studio itself) is that the shape-changing alien race the Skrulls are being used as the main antagonists for The Avengers. Not only that, but the Skrulls will ‘brainwash’ and use the Hulk in a similar fashion Loki did in the comics. Don’t expect a full on alien invasion, though; that will have to wait for a sequel. The Skrulls’ role will be largely clandestine, similar to the way S.H.I.E.L.D. operates.
I’m terrified of Skrulls. They’re green (which is sexy if you’re She-Hulk) and have disgusting, wrinkly chins — they’re just horrifying! They can also take the shape of any person and advanced Skrulls can mimic super-abilities as well. Considering his vast intellect and incredible powers, I’m pretty sure my old G4tv.com coworker Brian Leahy was a Skrull.
Anyway, let me know what you think of the Skrulls possibly starring in The Avengers. Also keep in mind that where there are Skrulls, there are usually Kree waiting to beat the snot out of them.
I liked the conversation you guys had with yesterday’s “Do You Care?” article about Killzone 3. It was simple and totally fit in with the spirit of the site (you guys!). So let’s try it again! The demo for Green Day: Rock Band
Personally, I think it’s great. On the ridiculous side, people can rock out to Europe or Jem and the Holograms. Being (more) serious, there are so many great songs with prominent keyboard or piano parts. Hell, just look at all the great Elton John songs that could take advantage of a keyboard peripheral. When I first heard about the news, Bon Jovi immediately popped into my head; David Bryan’s keyboard and piano playing are a really underrated facet of the band’s sound. He adds a great layer to so many Bon Jovi songs and his contributions are often overlooked.
So yeah! The question again is do you care that Rock Band 3 will have a keyboard? Well…do ya?!?
In an interesting move that’s part cool and part “our network sure sucks in this town”, AT&T has launched a free WiFi program in New York City’s Times Square. AT&T customers with a WiFi capable smartphone or high-speed Internet device will be able to access the WiFi free of charge. It’s similar to how current customers can use the AT&T WiFi at Starbucks for free, but now they can get run over while they’re browsing on their iPhone while crossing 47th and 8th. Here’s a clip from the press release:
AT&T has installed Wi-Fi service in the north central part of Times Square, near 7th Avenue between 45th and 47th Street, to provide a large outdoor hotspot zone that AT&T users can access using any Wi-Fi enabled device. The AT&T Wi-Fi hotzone at Times Square is available at no additional charge for nearly 32 million AT&T customers with qualifying smartphone, 3G LaptopConnect and AT&T High Speed Internet plans.
The Times Square WiFi program will serve as a pilot. If it takes off then AT&T will deploy it in other cities. I know loads of San Francisco iPhone users that would love network congestion moved off of the mobile network and onto WiFi. While I take a fair share of shots at AT&T, I have to admit that this program is very cool.
Legendary Pictures has acquired the rights to make a Mass Effect movie and is negotiating with Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend) to write the film’s script. According to The Hollywood Reporter:
Legendary Pictures has picked up rights to Mass Effect, the Electronic Arts-BioWare video game. Mark Protosevich, the scribe who wrote I Am Legend and worked on Thor, is in talks to pen the movie, which will be produced by Avi and Ari Arad as well as Legendary’s Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni.
I’m thrilled that a BioWare game is going to become a movie. Considering how broad the game is, there are so many ways Protosevich can go with the movie. What would you want the Mass Effect movie to focus on? Any casting ideas?
In a move that could only be described as “Apple Cool”, Cuppertino’s fruitiest company has nabbed Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) to direct the launch commercials for the upcoming iPhone. One actor and one actress tweeted about their auditions for the commercial. Engadget added more:
A trusted source has confirmed to us that the ads will feature at least one spot where a mother and daughter are having a video chat conversation using the new front-facing camera that’s been spied on the face of that iPhone floating around Vietnam and Northern California.
Whether you love Apple or hate it (and I think most of you around here love it), it’s just completely cool that the company gets people like Sam Mendes to direct its commercials. That reminds me of this vision I keep having — if I ever win the lottery, I’m getting Alex Ross to paint my house.
