Brian Ashcraft

Being An Only Child…

To: Crecente From: Bashcraft RE: How IS the baby? Hrm, yeah, having a second child is a ton of work, but five years separates Mini and Micro. We’re at the point where we can have Mini-Bash help out — save for when he runs away from the diaper changing. He will so not help out…

What Rock Band Can Help You Do Musically

The common gripe about Rock Band is that you’re not really making music. It’s just a game! Big whoop!! Well, let Harmonix boss Alex Rigopulos address that issue: First of all, in Rock Band the singing gameplay is really singing, and the game feedback on the singer’s pitch really does help people become better singers.…

This Guy Is Gonna Write DOOM 4

Id Software is working on a new DOOM — DOOM 4, actually. British Fantasy award winning author Graham Joyce will be writing it. While Joyce has NDA’d his life away, he does confirm to website CVG: “”I can say that ID have hired me to help develop the storyline potential.” Joyce has published fourteen novels…

Chun-Li’s Japanese Voice

That’s Kristin Kreuk. She’s Chun-Li in the upcoming Hollywood flick Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. Next to her? That’s Riisa Naka. Today she was announced as the Japanese language voiceover dub Chun-Li. She’s a quarter Swedish and voiced the lead character in anime The Girl Who Leapt Through Time — and an episode of…

The Umbrella Corporation Umbrella

That’s right, now you can use the logo of fictional bioengineering pharmaceutical company the Umbrella Corporation to keep yourself dry. Great for protecting oneself against the elements. Zombies? Not so much. Priced US$14.99 at ThinkGeek. Umbrella Umbrella [ThinkGeek via Wonderland via GameSpark]

Super Robot Wars K Announced For Nintendo DS

The latest Super Robot Wars game is once again coming to the Nintendo DS. Titled Super Robot Wars K, the game features these series: Haja Tensei Dangaioh Overman King Gainer Sokyuu no Fafner Dennou Senki Virtual On Mars Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73 STARGAZER Mazinger…

Harajuku Is The Place For Hangame

Looking for a cool place in Tokyo to try out online games? Try “flatflat” in Harajuku. The narrow space (3.5 meters by 45 meters long) was designed by Japanese firm Sako Architects and allows folks to check out online game portal Hangame — and do it in style. The concept for the space is a…

Street Fighter IV Wants To Teach You Fighting

Not everyone who is planning on buying Street Fighter IV has experience with the fighter. Capcom hopes to get all players on the same page. While tutorials are not new, the SFIV tutorial is all-encompassing. As Capcom’s Street Fighter expert Seth Killian explains, “It begins with normal moves, then it goes on to specials, supers,…

Monster Hunter G Dated, Getting Own Classic Controller

Wii title Monster Hunter G has been dated for Japan. It will be out April 23 for ¥3,990. That’s not all. Oh no. Included is a demo for Monster Hunter 3 tri and one promotional Monster Hunter card game card. There’s also a limited edition start pack which includes the same goods plus a Monster…

This Japanese Adult Video Game Actress Knows Her Western Games

Adult video actress often say they play video games, but few really play video games. Japanese AV lady Noa, star of MAX ORGASM, does. She’s hardcore, yo. The self-proclaimed hikikomori otaku blogs about playing games — games like Fable II. She name drops Peter Molyneux, reminisces about Fable I and talks about things how “the…

Microsoft Considering Sizable Layoffs

According to The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft is considering “significant” layoffs across various corporate divisions. Insiders close to the company did not disclose whether Microsoft’s Xbox division will be affected. Nothing has been set in stone reports The Wall Street Journal, and Microsoft could find alternatives to keep costs down. If Microsoft goes through with…

Final Fantasy Legend II Getting DS Remake

Next up on Square Enix’s remake platter? SaGa 2: Hihou Densetsu aka Final Fantasy Legend II. Like the recent Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest DS remakes, the game is getting the full 3D treatment. According to Shonen Jump, the game will be out sometime this year in Japan. No word about a Western release. 【サガ】『Sa・Ga2…

So… How Is The Baby?

To: Crecente From: Bash RE: TV That’s the question I’m getting a lot these days. It’s a nice question! While Mrs. Bashcraft’s pregnancy was rather rough on her (her morning sickness was so bad she needed to be hospitalized), the actual delivery was smooth. Taking care of Micro Bash has been smooth as well. Sure,…

Watchmen Artist Says Watchmen Game Is “Completely Canon”

Watchmen: The End is Nigh is a video game tie-in for the movie version of the Watchman graphic novel. No, don’t leave yet! Keep reading. The beat-’em-up-meets-puzzle-game will be released in an episodic format to coincide with the upcoming film. While Watchman writer Alan Moore is off being bonkers and not involved with the game,…

Is Nintendo Making A Motion Sensing DS Card?

Maybe! A Nintendo trademark that’s appeared on the Japanese trademark database indicates such. The trademark is for a “DS Houi Sensor Card” with “houi” meaning “direction” or even “cardinal point” in Japanese. Website Siliconera wonders if that means it refers to the ability to sense motion or detect direction. (Maybe Nintendo is making some sort…

“Wii Is Driven By Girls And Women”

Hey! Girls play video games. I know that, you know that, and even Tim Curry knows that. But what’s more, publisher Ubisoft says, females drive the Nintendo Wii. According to Ann Hamilton, senior brand manager with game publisher Ubisoft, “What’s driving the Wii sales is the use of Wii by women, girls and families… It’s…

Hey Game Developers, Learn How To Use Your Game Writers!

Video game writing is still in its infancy. It’s a baby, so to speak. But, it’s maturing. Mirror’s Edge writer Rhianna Pratchett says the key to integrate scribes into the team. According to Pratchett, “I think far more developers are aware of the need for writers but they don’t really know how to integrate them…

Final Fantasy Creator Is Interested In Doing A Wii Game

Hironobu Sakaguchi is best known for two things: Creating Final Fantasy and his ‘stache. His resume is more than that! He’s also created Blue Dragon for the Xbox 360 and now the Nintendo DS. Since Microsoft Game Studios published Blue Dragon, we don’t have our hopes up for the game appearing on the PLAYSTATION 3.…

The Sun Teaches Us How To Make Sackboy

Stuck between articles on googly-eyed Amy Winehouse, UK tabloid The Sun has a helpful PDF how-to for knitting a Sackboy toy. No, really. Not exactly the sort of content one would expect from The Sun. Though, the article’s intro seems laced with typical Sun sexual innuendo: “STUCK for something to do over the New Year…

Your Insane Fanboy Form Letter

Fanboys are crazy. We hate them. They do make us snicker, so here is a fill-in-the-blank fanboy letter courtesy of game site Hardcasual. It’s supposed to be to a game company, but many of these lines echo online chatter. Unfortunately. To the folks at [GAME COMPANY], let me first say I’ve [-ED VERB] all your…