In Seven45 Studios’ second developer diary for Power Gig: Rise of the Six String, design director Jack Davis goes over the game’s clans. In addition to using real instruments, Power Gig differentiates itself from the competition by integrating a heavy storyline. Find out how the clans fit into the game’s world and story in this video. After you check it out, let me know what you think (please)!
Category: Videogames
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 Reaches Greatest Hits Status
THQ has announced that the award winning WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010
The latest edition to the renowned fighting videogame franchise, has achieved “Greatest Hits” status in North America for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, as well as joined Nintendo’s “Player’s Choice” collection in North America for the Wii video game system.
The word on the street is that the writing in SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 is even more spectacular. I’ll be hitting up Summer Slam 2010 to get a better idea of how the game is shaping up and to hit on Nattie Neidhart.
Congratulations to THQ and everyone that worked on SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 — particular the outstanding writing staff.
Coffee Talk #193: Have Games Desensitized You to Violence?
After E3 2010, I vaguely remember an article by some guy I can’t remember saying that videogames have desensitized people. The premise was that gamers have spent too much time shooting enemy soldiers, decapitating villains, and blowing buildings up that it no longer seems shocking. I started thinking about the issue again after the excellent people at Gamasutra started discussing it.
Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the cast of Friends getting old, the Yankees struggling like hacks, or how crappy Sprint is, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
After E3 2010, I vaguely remember an article by some guy I can’t remember saying that videogames have desensitized people. The premise was that gamers have spent too much time shooting enemy soldiers, decapitating villains, and blowing buildings up that it no longer seems shocking. I started thinking about the issue again after the excellent people at Gamasutra started discussing it.
The argument certainly has some merit. I remember being stunned and impressed when I saw a fatality in Mortal Kombat for the first time. That doesn’t cut it today. The violence has to be bigger, badder, and crazier. Having said that, I’m not at all desensitized to real-world violence. I would panic (before acting heroically, of course) if I saw someone get shot in real life. I am shocked when a pedestrian gets hit by a car. I guess what I’m getting at is that I don’t see a correlation between the videogame world and the real world when it comes to this issue.
As always, I want your thoughts on the matter. Have you become desensitized to videogame violence? Does it matter in your IRL existence? Considering the leap from Mortal Kombat to God of War, where do you see videogame violence ten years from now?
EA Leaving Money on the Table with NBA Jam for PS3/Xbox 360?
As RPadholic smartguy mentioned yesterday, you have to buy NBA Elite 11
Personally, I’m interested in playing NBA Jam on my PS3 or Xbox 360, but I’m not about to drop $60 on NBA Elite 11 to do so. I am, however, willing to pay $10 or $15 for NBA Jam itself.
Not sold as a standalone, I think EA is leaving money on the table.
That boy is wise beyond his years….
Anyway, what do you think of EA’s ploy? Is it clever? Or is it just dumb? Do you think EA will eventually sell NBA Jam through PSN and Xbox Live? Do you think the company has it planned out and is being dishonest by claiming NBA Elite is the only way to get NBA Jam on the aforementioned platforms? Conspiracy!!!
Sony Announces PlayStation Network Summer Sale
Sony has announced its PlayStation Network Summer Sale. There are a bunch of discounted goodies in the mix. Check out the list and let me know if you plan on picking anything up. Perhaps one of the games can be designated for an RPad.tv Invitational if enough of us buy it. Remember, the prices are good until August 9, 2010.
PS3
Fat Princess – $7.49 sale; $14.99 reg.
PixelJunk Shooter – $4.99 sale; $9.99 reg.
Groovin’ Blocks – $4.99 sale; $9.99 reg.
Madden NFL Arcade – $7.49 sale; $14.99 reg.
Wakeboarding HD – $7.49 sale; $14.99 reg.
PSP
The Eye of Judgment Legends – $14.99 sale; $29.99 reg.
echoshift – $7.49 sale; $14.99 reg.
Patchwork Heroes – $4.99 sale; $9.99 reg.
Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars – $14.99 sale; $29.99 reg.
Lunar Silver Star Harmony – $14.99 sale; $29.99 reg.
minis
Tetris – $4.99 sale; $9.99 reg.
Dracula Undead Awakenings – $2.49 sale; $4.99 reg.
Monsters Probably Stole My Princess – $2.49 sale; $4.99 reg.
Zombie Tycoon – $2.49 sale; $4.99 reg.
Bloons – $1.49 sale; $2.99 reg.
EA Create Announcement Video
Here’s a video of Electronic Arts’ Create, a recently announced title that blends gameplay and game design. A lot of people are comparing it to Sony’s LittleBigPlanet
Check out the trailer and let me know what you think (please!). Will Create be able to reach a broader market than LittleBigPlanet thanks to being multiplatform and geared towards younger gamers? Will it be the media darling that LittleBigPlanet was? Are any of you interested in this game or games like it?
NBA Jam Gets Manute Bol and Spud Webb
As if having the legendary Detlef Schrempf wasn’t enough, EA Sports has revealed that the late Manute Bol and the diminutive Spud Webb will be featured in the NBA Jam remake. This downloadable game brings back the old-school gameplay of the original and modernizes it with motion controls. I checked out NBA Jam for Shacknews during E3 2010 and mentioned some of the NBA legends featured in the game:
The game also features NBA legend Detlef Schrempf…as well as Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Larry Bird, Dennis Rodman, James Worthy, Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, and Kevin McHale.
Sorry…just wanted to quote myself. More importantly, creative director Trey Smith told ESPN’s Jon Robinson:
I’m able to confirm are Bird, Magic, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dennis Rodman, James Worthy, Kevin McHale, Detlef Schrempf, Spud Webb and Manute Bol. Manute was such a special guy and did so much humanitarian work. When he died, that really broke our heart. It was important for us to get him in the game, and he’s such a great shot blocker in the game, which is so important in “Jam.” We’re very honored to have him in the game.
That’s cool that the devs put Bol in the game as a tribute. He should have an alternate lion costume as a bonus. Dude did kill a lion after all.
Do Your Political Beliefs Impact Your Videogame Shopping?
I recently watched this interesting video about a woman that’s boycotting Target due to a political contribution made by the company. According to Game Politics, Target donated $150,000 to MN Forward. Here’s the deal:
The contribution to MN Forward is also being used to run ads for Republican Gubernatorial Tom Emmer, who, according to CBS News, opposes same-sex marriage, angering another whole segment of consumers.
The site also noted that Best Buy contributed $100,000 to MN Forward as well. These are two massive retailers. I’m sure that most of you have purchased games, electronics, etc. at Best Buy and/or Target. Would you still buy games from these stores if they donated to a political cause you oppose? Do your political beliefs outweigh the convenience and prices offered by these companies? I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the matter. (And no, this article wasn’t written to guilt you into buying more from my Amazon links.)
What Are You Playing This Weekend?
I have no idea what I want to play this weekend. I’ve been so busy waking up early to write on the site, working on super secret project(s) during business hours, and taking two business dinners that I can’t believe it’s Friday. Where the hell did the week go?!?
Perhaps I’ll dive into some MLB 10 The Show to start things off. If my brain can hack it, I’ll move onto an RPG. I still have Dragon Quest IX and Glory of Heracles to conquer.
How about you? What’s on your weekend playlist?
Colbert Credits Mario for Capping BP’s Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
The always hilarious Steve Colbert has discovered the identity of the “mystery plumber” that helped cap the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Check out this clip from The Colbert Report for a good laugh or 12.