WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 Community Contests Start Today

Smackdown vs Raw 2010 slider

THQ has announced details on the first community contest in a ten-week series for its game WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. (You might know it as the videogame with the best writing in the history of videogames.) The company is challenging its customers to create the ultimate WWE Superstar and/or Diva. Here’s a snippet from the press release:

The first community contest begins today, encouraging site members to use the game’s Create-a-Superstar Mode to construct and name their ultimate Superstars and Divas. Consumers will also submit brief written descriptions to further tell the stories behind their creations. All entries will be received via PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox Live Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The entries will be judged on character design, character name and the written description. The winner will receive his or her choice of a WWE sweatshirt and WWE t-shirt from www.wweshop.com (subject to availability).

As a videogame lover and WWE fan, I encourage all of you to participate in these contests. If you happen to win with an original Superstar based on me, I’ll get you something special. The storyline can start off with something like this, “Cast off from the place he called home due to dubious circumstances, a lonely Superstar goes back to his roots to fight the battles he loves, the only way he knows how.” Ha!

Sony Details PlayStation 3 Firmware Update 3.15

PS3 Fat

Director of PlayStation Network Operation Eric Lempel has detailed the upcoming PS3 firmware update 3.15. There are two major features in this update: a transfer utility and the ability to play PSP Minis on a PS3. Here’s what Lempel had to say:

It enables existing PS3 owners who purchase a new PS3 system (perhaps as a second unit for the household) to transfer their content from their current PS3 to the new system. Content such as games, game save data, and videos downloaded from PlayStation Network can be transferred to the new PS3 system and deleted from the current PS3 system. Other content, including personal media files (photos, music, videos), can be copied onto the new PS3 and remain on the current PS3 system.

The 3.15 update also enables “minis” to be played on a PS3 system. As we’ve reported here before, “minis” launched on PlayStation Network this fall in conjunction with the launch of PSPgo. These bite-sized games offer a more casual experience and are ideal for shorter gameplay session.

I’m curious about PSP Minis. Although long RPGs are my favorite kinds of games, I can always use something that can kill five to ten minutes, whether it’s waiting for the cable guy, standing in line, etc. Do you have any thoughts on PSP Minis?

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Sega Confirms Yakuza 3 for March 2010

Yakuza 3

Gamers have been waiting…and waiting…and waiting to hear if Yakuza 3 is destined for a U.S. release…and Sega has finally confirmed the game for a March 2010 release. Assistant community manager Aaron Webber wrote the following on the PlayStation Blog:

After months upon months of requests, a myriad of rumors, and even full campaigns that speak to the unparalleled dedication of the fans, we can finally speak those words that all of you have been waiting anxiously to hear. So, here they are: Yakuza 3 is coming West.

I was never really into the series, but know a few people that love it. Are any of you looking forward to this game? I’m pretty much going to be ignoring every March release, except for a teeny title being released by Square Enix.

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NES Controller + Mountain Dew = Soap?!?

NES controller soap

Cooler than anything I’ve ever seen at Lush (and I love Lush) is DigitalSoaps’ NES controller-shaped soap. I’ve already filed it under “completely awesome”. It’s not just the retro-console coolness of this soap. The fact that it’s scented with Mountain Dew fragrance oil gives this soap major bonus points…mostly because I’m astounded that there’s such a thing as Mountain Dew fragrance oil.

Source via Gizmodo

Toshiba Cell Processor TV Available This Week

Toshiba Cell TV

Toshiba has been promising a Cell-based television for years and it’s finally set to deliver this week (in Japan) with the Cell Regza 55X1. Some people forget that the Cell processor is the product of a nefarious triumvirate joint venture between Sony, IBM, and Toshiba. While Sony uses Cell as the heart of its PlayStation 3 console and IBM has all sorts of Cell-based supercomputers, Toshiba hasn’t had anything to show for its investment. That changes on Thursday.

Here are some bullet points from Toshiba’s press release illustrating what Cell does for the 55X1:

  • CELL Platform Super Resolution Technology that builds on Toshiba’s current super resolution technology to offer unmatched picture quality.
  • Self-congruency, a dedicated process that improves image quality at the edge of the picture.
  • Enhanced color and brightness balance that improves picture color and definition.
  • LED backlight control system. In the CELL REGZA, the display is divided into 512 distinct areas, each with individually controlled lighting. Luminance is pushed to an industry high of 1250cd/m2, 2.5 times the level of typical TVs, and the dynamic contrast ratio is an astonishing 5,000,000:1.

In other words, this television will look better than yours. The Cell Regza 55X1 will be available in Japan this Thursday for around $11,000.

Congrats to RRODisHere!

RPad Magnet LarcenousLaugh

The latest winner in the RPad.tv chick magnet giveaway is RRODisHere! Here’s his winning comment. He was one of the first readers I got attached to at G4 for the way he stirred the pot intelligently. While other editors wanted to ban him, I always supported his efforts. I’m thrilled that he’s hanging out at my new site!

Today’s photo is from LarcenousLaugh and it’s Bat-tastic! Batman might be dead (well, as dead as any huge comic book character gets) in current DC continuity, but I’m proud to stand by his side. For the record, I’m more Nightwing than Robin.

Coffee Talk #42: Real-Time Strategy Games on Consoles

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, Allen Iverson starting his second life as a Sixer, scooter luggage, or Danica Patrick driving for JR Motorsports, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Real-time strategy games on consoles took a huge step in 2009. Ensemble Studios’ excellent Halo Wars set a new standard for the genre, while Double Fine’s Brutal Legend deceptively mixed RTS gameplay with adventure. It’s still a niche genre on home systems, but it’s possible that these two games have paved the way for future RTS successes on the PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360.

Halo Wars

Remember, it wasn’t that long ago that purists scoffed at the notion of first-person shooters on consoles. Gamers swore that they’d never abandon the pinpoint control of a keyboard and a mouse for a gamepad. Titles like GoldenEye 007 and Halo changed all of that, making shooters arguably the most popular type of games today.

Today I wanted to see what you thought of RTS games on consoles. Do you think they’ll ever be a big deal? Do you think that Halo Wars and Brutal Legend opened the doors for future titles, similar to how GoldenEye and Halo paved the way for all the great shooters available today? Or is the genre simply too complex to be controlled with a gamepad?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Teaser Trailer

Yeah, I’m a Harry Potter nerd. I loved the books and some of the movies. Plus, Emma Watson has blossomed into a ridiculous hottie very beautiful woman. With all of that in mind, I was super psyched to see this teaser for The Deathly Hallows.

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

3G4 Brings N64 Emulation to the iPhone

NWorksDev has a Nintendo 64 emulator in the works for the iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 3G. The company claims that the product is being coded by a 14-year old. Those of you that want some N64 action but thought this mobile N64 gaming system was too bulky might want to look into this app. Engadget reported:

Compatible with the iPhone 3GS and the iPod Touch 3G, this bad boy appears to be rendering down the graphics (as one would expect) but all in all it seems to be running pretty smoothly. Of course, this is a work in progress: the developer (who claims to be 14 years old) says that he has to overcome duplicate button registers, delayed presses, and some crashing — and he has yet to implement the L, R, and Z keys.

I’m still floored that this program is being developed by a 14-year old. I’m pretty sure my biggest accomplishment at 14 was winning some dinky tennis tournament. Making an N64 emulator for iPhone is a much greater feat. Anyway, I’d totally be down for some N64 action on my iPhone. Mario Tennis 4 life!!!

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