-
Talk About Depressing
As seen on i.imgur via digg
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 22, 2010 -
Weed + Rap + Chrono Trigger
Many rappers rhyme about marijuana. But how many of them do it to the Chrono Trigger soundtrack? Grass-roots (geddit?) rapper Wiz Khalifa, perhaps best known for his “Say Yeah” single, has released a mixtape dubbed Kush and Orange Juice for free online. That was nice of him. And this song is, as one commenter points…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 22, 2010 -
What Time Is Your Bedtime?
To: Crecente From: Bashcraft RE: Great Boxie It’s past my bed time! No, really. It is! (Oh, and nice looking mutt!) What you missed last night Oh Man, They Ruined This Awesome Box Art Blizzard Bans 320,000 Cheaters From Warcraft, Diablo Who Wants To Play With Kim Kardashian? Do Not Trust This Magazine’s Review Scores…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 21, 2010 -
Reviews
Does For the Win…Win?
Groups of massively multiplayer online gamers from around the world band together to form…unions. No, wait, stay with me! For the Win is the latest book from Cory Doctorow, known for his work at website Boing Boing as well as his best selling novel Little Brother. The book is set in the near future in…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 21, 2010 -
Oh Man, They Ruined This Awesome Box Art
Tropico 3 is a decent enough strategy game. One of the best things about it, honestly, is the game’s delightful box art. Box art that sums up the game. Box art that has been changed for Japan. OH NO! This box art makes the game look so damn dull. Screensavers are more exciting than this.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 21, 2010 -
Tokyo’s Virtual Child Porn Bill Returning
It’s not dead. Not at all. Tokyo’s virtual child porn bill will be back this fall. Last month it was reported that the bill had been delayed. It was assumed that the bill was delayed indefinitely, but politicians have continued pushing it ahead. The bill, which proposes to revise provocative “visual depictions” of characters who…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 21, 2010 -
Next Yakuza Game Is PSP Bound
Project K is the newest entry in SEGA’s Japanese crime franchise known as Yakuza. Unlike previous titles, it will not be a home console game. It is also getting a new protagonist. According to the latest issue of Japanese game magazine Famitsu, the tentatively titled Project K does not star series regular Kazuma Kiryu, but…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 21, 2010 -
Yet Another Study: Brain Training Games Don’t Improve Intelligence
First it was French scientists who said brain training games like Brain Age do not work. Now, it’s UK scientists. As part of a nationwide study for a BBC television program, over 11,000 individuals used the “brain training” games for six weeks. Those in the study were up to the age of 60 years old…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 21, 2010 -
Years Later, Argentina Bans Rape Video Game
Argentina has banned controversial adult computer game Rapelay. Rape games have been banned in Japan. So what gives Argentina? According to the country’s justice ministry, the game is a “clear apology for the crimes of sexual abuse, rape, torture, discrimination against women and paedophilia”. “Necessary measures are being taken to prevent the release of the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 21, 2010 -
Not All Yakuza Girls Are “Just” Hostesses
One at least is a porn star. But not Sayaka Araki. She’s a fashion model, a DJ and a business tycoon. Japanese crime game Yakuza allows players to visit night clubs and chat with hostesses. Araki, who appeared in Yakuza 3 as a hostess, is the president of her own beauty products company that sells…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 21, 2010 -
Who Wants To Play With Kim Kardashian?
Kim Kardashian is famous for several reasons, none of which we fully understand. While she has used her ability to hold things for evil in the past (see above), she is now using it for good. Phew. This Kim Kardashian Xbox 360 is part of Microsoft Australia’s drive to auction off one-of-a-kind game consoles for…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 21, 2010 -
Do Not Trust This Magazine’s Review Scores
The biggest Japanese game magazine, Famitsu, has awarded its highest score to stealth game Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Deserved or undeserved, in the process of reviewing the game, the publication has shown that, as a source of objective game reviews, it cannot be trusted. Here’s why: Some would say that Famitsu has sold its…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 21, 2010 -
This Is Great
To: Crecente From: Bashcraft RE: Burning Up! So great. So, so, so very great. My father-in-law got this as a present today for his birthday, courtesy of Mrs. Bashcraft’s mother. Happy birthday! Happy Beatles! (He took this picture — that’s his job, takin’ pictures!) What You Missed Last Night Making Avatars That Aren’t White Dudes…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 20, 2010 -
The Evolution of The Otaku Room
Time changes us all. And not only us, but our rooms. Otaku are no exception! This image show an otaku room circa-1985. Notice the Nintendo Famicom console on the floor as well as the VCR, record player and a robot figure. Hair is down. Fast forward to 1995. Not much has changed. More game consoles…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 20, 2010 -
This Crane Game Prize Is Most Impressive
Crane game prizes can run the gamut of everything from rice cookers to stuffed animals. Figures are not uncommon. This figure, however, is quite nice. Hatsune Miku started out as a Vocaloid character, but has since gotten her own PSP game and arcade game. This 24cm figure is a US$50 value. Not a bad pull…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 20, 2010 -
Nier Art: An East vs. West Comparison
Upcoming Japanese action role-playing game Nier is getting an English language comic book. How does it compare to the original Japanese art? They’re…different. It’s not a matter of which one is better or worse. Here are two different stylistic takes on Nier by accomplished artists. On the right is the Western comic art. On the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 20, 2010 -
Yes, There Are Actually Pokemon Batteries
Just what Japan needs: More Pokémon stuff. Whether it be Pocket Monster branded school buses or any of the endless heap of merchandise, Japan loves its Pocket Monsters. On May 25, these Maxell Pocket Monster batteries go on sale in The Land of the Rising Sun. Thunder Pokémon Raikou and thunderbolt Pocket Monster Electivire appear…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 20, 2010 -
Japanese Poll: Only 8% Will Definitely Buy A Nintendo 3DS
The general public has yet to see the upcoming 3D-glasses-free Nintendo 3DS. It will be playable sometime this year. Exciting, no? Well, not to some folks in Japan. Nintendo has described the portable as allowing games to be “enjoyed with 3D effects without the need for any special glasses”. The Nintendo 3DS will succeed the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 20, 2010 -
FarmVille Expanding To “Various Mobile Platforms”
Farm simulator FarmVille launched on social networking site Facebook.com. It then became hugely popular, boasting 80 million users. Know what that means? It means that it’s really, really popular. And it also means that chances are really good the world will see FarmVille on other platforms — you know, like Android and the iPad. Domain…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 20, 2010 -
Allow Me To Retort
As seen on Reddit via Hawty McBloggy
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 20, 2010
Brian Ashcraft
Brian Ashcraft's posts