Here’s a clip of the Evo 2010 finals in Super Street Fighter IV
New Darkstalkers Game to be Announced at Comic-Con 2010?
Capcom producer Yoshinori Ono is set to announce a new game at San Diego Comic-Con 2010. While his panel, “SSFIV and Beyond!“, only mentions Street Fighter, Shacknews‘ Brian Leahy believes that Ono will announce a new installment in another popular Capcom franchise:
The official description for the panel is limited to the Street Fighter franchise, but it is strongly rumored to be a new Darkstalkers game.
Ah, I miss the days of beating the crap out of Leahy in Street Fighter IV
Google Aims to Make Android Development Easy with App Inventor
Google’s App Inventor for Android is an interesting initiative that aims to make development ridiculously easy. Using a simple visual tool, App Inventor requires no programming knowledge at all. Check out the video above to see how easy it is to use. App Inventor will certainly lead to a ton of garbage, but I’m sure there will be some gems created with or at least started with these tools.
Let me know what you think of App Inventor when you have a moment. Any of you interested in playing with it? Maybe you could make an RPad.tv app or game. That would rule!
RIM Posts a Completely Unimpressive BlackBerry OS 6 Video
RIM has posted another teaser video for BlackBerry OS 6…and I’m reminded of the immortal words of Sean Connery in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, “I’m waiting to be impressed.” I don’t see how this is supposed to excite anyone that has a basic knowledge of Apple iOS, Google Android, or Palm WebOS.
Perhaps I’m missing something. What do you think of the clip? Is there anything there that’s the least bit exciting or interesting?
This Week’s Videogame Releases
There are pretty two games coming out this week. First up is NCAA Football 11
Any of you planning to pick up new games this week? List ’em (please)!
Ed Smashed: Edward Norton Out as Hulk in Avengers Movie
The Avengers movie will have one last star as Edward Norton will not be reprising his role as the Incredible Hulk. In a scathing statement, Marvel Studios president of production Ken Feige said:
Our decision is definitely not one based on monetary factors, but instead rooted in the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members. The Avengers demands players who thrive working as part of an ensemble, as evidenced by Robert, Chris H., Chris E., Sam, Scarlett, and all of our talented casts. We are looking to announce a name actor who fulfills these requirements, and is passionate about the iconic role in the coming weeks.
Given Norton’s creative issues with the last Hulk movie, this is hardly surprising. For all of his amazing talent, Norton can be a giant pain in the ass to deal with. The good news is that Chris Evans has one less incredibly talented actor to upstage him.
How do you feel about Norton being booted as the Hulk? Any suggestions for a replacement?
Coffee Talk #176: Your Favorite Heel Turns
Last week LeBron James pulled off one of the most thorough heel turns in the history of heel turns. He went from a basketball player that was loved by some and liked by most to one of the most hated people in the NBA. One of Bill Simmons’ readers compared it to Hulk Hogan’s heel turn at Bash at the Beach ’96. It’s a funny analogy, but it totally works. James’ heel turn is so unbelievable that it could pass for a WWE storyline. I’m pretty sure halfway through the season, Pat Riley is going to take out Erik Spoelstra with a steel chair, spray paint his back, and take over as head coach.
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 World Cup finals, Jesse Jackson accusing Dan Gilbert of seeing LeBron James as a “runaway slave”, or BP’s efforts in the Gulf of Mexico, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
Last week LeBron James pulled off one of the most thorough heel turns in the history of heel turns. He went from a basketball player that was loved by some and liked by most to one of the most hated people in the NBA. One of Bill Simmons’ readers compared it to Hulk Hogan’s heel turn at Bash at the Beach ’96. It’s a funny analogy, but it totally works. James’ heel turn is so unbelievable that it could pass for a WWE storyline. I’m pretty sure halfway through the season, Pat Riley is going to take out Erik Spoelstra with a steel chair, spray paint his back, and take over as head coach.
What are some of your favorite heel turns? Whether they’re from WWE shows, sports, videogame storylines, or real life, betrayals are powerful things. From Cain betraying Abel to LeBron betraying his hometown franchise, I want to know what some of your favorite heel turns in history are.
Austin Aries, Claudio Castagnoli, and Paul London in WWE Game
A friend notified me that my IMDB listing has been updated to include my writing credits for SmackDown vs. Raw 2011. Naturally, I went ahead and perused the listing. I was surprised to see that the motion-capture actors were listed. The entry noted that former WWE Superstar Paul London, my friend Austin Aries, and my favorite wrestler Claudio Castagnoli did mo-cap work for the game. This surprised me since I didn’t think that THQ and WWE would want the world to know that indie wrestlers were doing the in-game moves for current WWE talent.
According to IMDB, Aries did the mo-cap work for Evan Bourne, Chris Jericho, and Santino Marella. London portrayed Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston. Castagnoli donned the capture suit for Edge and Jack Swagger.
R.I.P. Bob Sheppard, Voice of the NY Yankees
Longtime New York Yankee public address announcer Bob Sheppard passed away today at 99. He was the voice of Yankee Stadium since 1951, announcing legends like Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Phil Rizzuto. He announced games until 2007, introducing fans to current Yankee greats like Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Jeter still uses a recording of Sheppard’s voice for his at-bats.
While most stadium announcers for most sports use an in-your-face style, the Yankees stayed with Sheppard’s classic announcing for decades. He added a classy and dignified air to Yankee Stadium. I’ve attended dozens of games with Sheppard on the mic. I haven’t been back to New York for baseball season in years. It’s definitely going to be weird going to a Yankee game and not hearing his voice. I hope that Jeter will continue to use Sheppard for his at-bats. I definitely want to catch a game before he retires and to hear the “Voice of the Yankees” one more time.
There have been so many Yankee legends over the years and so many of them have been introduced by Bob Sheppard. He became such an integral part of Yankee games and Yankee history that he ended becoming a legend himself. Rest in peace Bob Sheppard. You will be missed.
(Not a) Review of “Leliana’s Song” DLC for Dragon Age: Origins
The “Leliana’s Song” downloadable content for Dragon Age: Origins is the best post-launch DLC Bioware has released for its outstanding 2009 RPG. In addition to the things you’ve come to exepct from Dragon Age DLC — new items, new companions, new villains, etc. — “Leliana’s Song” stands out for its excellent voice acting and storytelling. If you’ve ever been tempted by any Dragon Age DLC, this is the one to download before any of the other post-launch content.
(Spoiler alert for anyone that hasn’t played the original!) “Leliana’s Song” is a prequel that examines the titular character’s past as an Orlesian spy. The DLC recounts the circumstances that lead her to chantry life in Ferelden, focusing on the betrayal by her mentor and lover Marjolaine. (And yes, fans of lesbian make-out scenes have something to look forward to.)
The storytelling is well done, thanks to a strong script and some excellent voice acting. Leliana and Marjolaine steal the show, while companions Sketch and Tug add some decent support. If you’re a Leliana fan — and lots of Dragon Age players are — then you’ll enjoy experiencing her past as a manipulative, cutthroat bitch bard. It’s such a great contrast to the seemingly dopey, bless-the-maker character you first encounter in Dragon Age.
The DLC adds some new music that’s completely appropriate for the adventures of the bard. Some of the exploration and battle tracks are lute driven, which is just cool. Along with cowbell, videogame music needs more lute.
In terms of gameplay, there’s nothing new. It’s the same action-RPG combat and exploration that made the original so enjoyable. Most players will be able to beat the DLC in less than two hours. It takes considerably less time if you skip through the dialog and cutscenes (in which case you’re kind of missing the point). Beating the DLC nets you some nifty armor (Battledress of the Provocateur) that can be used in Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age: Origins Awakening. Next to the Felon’s Coat, it’s the second-best light-armor in the game.
Most diehard Dragon Age fans have already purchased “Leliana’s Song.” If you’re on the fence about it due to disappointment in the other DLC then I recommend taking a chance on this one. It’s another dose of that lovely BioWare combination of fun gameplay and great storytelling. Out of all the Dragon Age DLC, “The Stone Prisoner” and “Leliana’s Song” are the best. This DLC is a nice prequel chapter in the Dragon Age saga that offers a few hours of fun and some nice armor that can be used in the full game.