Kevin Garnett Allegedly Uses “Cancer Patient” in Trash Talk

The Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett — a player known for his trash talking — allegedly called the Detroit Pistons’ Charlie Villanueva a “cancer patient”. Villanueva has a condition called alopecia universalis, which prevents his hair growth. He recently posted two tweets that said:

KG called me a cancer patient, I’m pissed because, u know how many people died from cancer, and he’s tossing it like it’s a joke,

I wouldn’t even trip about that, but a cancer patient, I know way 2 many people who passed away from it, and I have a special place 4 those

Calling the whole situation a “miscommunication”, Garnett released a statement that said:

My comment to Charlie Villanueva was in fact ‘You are cancerous to your team and our league.’ I would never be insensitive to the brave struggle that cancer patients endure. I have lost loved ones to this deadly disease and have a family member currently undergoing treatment. I would never say anything that distasteful. The game of life is far bigger than the game of basketball.

That’s the lamest explanation I’ve ever heard. “You are cancerous to your team and our league,” doesn’t sound like anything a world class trash talker like Garnett would say. I hope someone posts tape of him using the term “cancer patient” and exposes his sorry ass.

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Microsoft Ups its Kinect Estimate to 5-Million Units

Microsoft is feeling pretty good about Kinect for Xbox 360 — so good that it has upped its estimated units sold this quarter from three-million to five-million. According to Bloomberg, Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business president Don Mattrick has revised the company’s estimates.

Microsoft Corp. boosted its forecast for the Kinect motion-control device for the Xbox gaming system to 5 million units this quarter, predicting the most successful Xbox product debut by sales.

Based on pre-sales, retail orders and consumer interest, the company expects to exceed a previous forecast of 3 million units, Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, said in an interview today. The device, which lets players control games with motion and voice, goes on sale tomorrow.

It looks like this will be one of the rare times that Michael Pachter is correct (I kid, I kid). What do you think of Microsoft’s numbers? Is the company being overly optimistic? Or is Kinect going to take over the world?!? Will Sony’s PlayStation Move come close to matching Kinect’s numbers?

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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!

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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!).

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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?

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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?