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Forbes Writer Stands By Calling Rock Band A “Shameless Knockoff” Of Guitar Hero
Earlier this week, Forbes writer Peter C. Beller made a tit of himself when he swallowed some Activision PR and reprinted it in his article on Bobby Kotick. Today, surprisingly, he stands by it. To recap, in the original piece, Beller called Rock Band a “shameless knockoff” of Guitar Hero, seemingly oblivious of the fact…
By Luke Plunkett Published January 23, 2009 - Uncategorized
Yahoo! Auctions Japan Issues R4 Warning
Yahoo! Auctions Japan has a warning for those sellers putting R4 carts on the online auction blocks. Citing the efforts of Nintendo and third party publishers under the Unfair Competition Prevention Law, Yahoo! points out the legality of these devices themselves has still yet been disclosed by the courts. From a Yahoo! posted notice: “As…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 23, 2009 - Uncategorized
“Bulk Of” Microsoft’s 1400 Job Cuts To Strike Entertainment Division
According to sources speaking with ZDNet’s resident Microsoft blogger, Mary-Jo Foley, “the bulk of [Microsoft’s] immediate 1,400-person cuts” are going to fall on the Entertainment & Devices Group. Which includes the Xbox team. We were told the same thing earlier today, and when contacted Microsoft PR issued the following statement: “This is a company-wide action,…
By Luke Plunkett Published January 23, 2009 - Uncategorized
India Gets First Indian Made 3D Game
Video games based on Hollywood movies are nothing new. Video games based on Bollywood movies are newer. Hit flick Ghajini is getting just that. A PC version of the movie has been launched this month. It’s the first 3D Indian game and will be getting a worldwide marketing push. Says Sashi Reddy, boss of the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 23, 2009 - Uncategorized
Gamerscore Blog Team Let Go As Part Of Microsoft Layoffs
Sorry to keep hitting you with these bad news stories. Maybe things will get happier next week. But today, things are bleak, with news now that Microsoft’s Gamerscore blog team have been laid off. We heard last week that the blog had been shut down, but there was always the chance that was simply part…
By Luke Plunkett Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
Ubisoft Expects Consoles “Probably” By 2011 – 2012
Never mind that Sony is touting a ten year PS3 life cycle, Microsoft says it doesn’t see a new Xbox anytime soon and the Wii is still hard to find. Don’t tell Ubisoft! The company expects new consoles in probably 2~3 years. What’s more, the French publisher is gearing up for these new consoles by…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
Presenting A New, Different Street Fighter Movie Poster
The Street Fighter movie poster we’ve seen so far? Bit rubbish. This is the “international” version. Does the addition of some hot Vega claw = improvement? Other changes: gone is the confusing montage-on-white motif of the US poster, replaced by one that looks more like the poster to a movie about martial arts. Also helps…
By Luke Plunkett Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
Game Journalist In Murder Suicide
Former game journalist Jason Montes, 33 years-old, and his estranged spouse, 25, were found dead by police on January 11. He is suspected in this apparent murder suicide. The bodies were found at the home of his wife Serena Montes. Police reported that a man in the area had threatened suicide, and when they arrived…
By Brian Ashcraft Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
Ether Saga Online Closed Beta Cutely Approaches
Perfect World Entertainment have announced the closed beta of their latest anime-flavored MMORPG Ether Saga Online is just around the corner, and loaded for with bears. Ether Saga Online is based on the Chinese literary classic, Journey to the West, which means absolutely nothing to a man not well-versed in Chinese literary classics. What does…
By Mike Fahey Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
Weekly Japanese Hardware Sales Still Takin’ It Easy
Japan is in no rush to get back to its regular video game hardware buying habits, with sales cooling across the board. Even though we have a bunch of new releases, they aren’t spurring sales. Hardware rankings stay as-is, with the Nintendo DSi still grabbing the biggest slice of the hardware sales pie, with the…
By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
Flight Simulator Devs Grounded By Microsoft Job Cuts
Microsoft are slashing jobs. 5000 of them. While most of those won’t affect gaming divisions, some of them are, with sweeping cuts announced for the company’s Flight Simulator development studio. According to sources speaking with Gamasutra, “a large portion” of the staff at ACES Studio – based in Redmond, and wholly owned by Microsoft –…
By Luke Plunkett Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
Mega Man Changes Things Up In Star Force 3
Mega Man returns two times to the Nintendo DS this summer, as Capcom announces two new titles in the Star Force Series – Black Ace and Red Joker. Mega Man Star Force 3 continues the Star Force saga, combining the tried and true blend of action and RPG with an all new “Noise Changes” mechanic.…
By Mike Fahey Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
The ‘Mario Kart Love Song’ Now In New, Improved MP3 Format!
Remember mustachioed singer-songwriter Sam Hart’s lovely Mario Kart-themed ballad? Of course you do. It made grown men weep and girly knees weak—and now you can buy it, like a good person of the internet. Mr. Hart has, at the behest of his trusted circle of friends, recorded his original “Mario Kart Love Song” all professional-like…
By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
PlayStation Store Update: Time Is Money
This week’s PlayStation Store update for North America features a refreshingly honest dose of Skate 2 downloadable content. It’s for the “busy or just plain lazy,” says the official description. Yes, it’s one of those pay-to-play affairs, unlocking everything for a price. If you don’t feel like paying, there are a pair of new PlayStation…
By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
Hydro Thunder Spiritual Sequel On The Way? [Update]
Arcade Heroes is reporting today that the team behind the original Hydro Thunder is developing a spiritual sequel to the Midway arcade classic, set to debut at next week’s ATEI show in London. Arcade game manufacturer Raw Thrills is set to reveal H2Overdrive, a powerboat racing game developed by the original Hydro Thunder team, creators…
By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
LEGO Batman Deemed Oppressive And Destructive To Young Kids
The Boston-based organization Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood has given the stink-eye to Warner Bros’ LEGO Batman, nominating it as one of the most “oppressive and destructive” toys of 2008. Congratulations, WB! I mean… Why does the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood find LEGO Batman, of all games, so distasteful for our children, nominating it…
By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
Black Thursday
To: Ash From: Crecente Re: Small Car Or Big Car, That Is The Question Wow, today was a dark day in the industry, what with Sony, Microsoft and EA’s employment news. I heard earlier that a bulk of the 1,400 people let go at Microsoft today came from the Devices and Entertainment Division (aka Zune…
By Brian Crecente Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
Enjoy Double The Bikini Zombie Slaying In February
D3Publisher reaffirmed today the release dates of its two jiggly, gore-filled hack and slash games, Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers and Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad. That’s twice the bikini fun—just in time for Valentine’s Day! If you haven’t been keeping up, D3’s T&A cash cow series Onechanbara has been delighting fans of cheap, flesh-exposing action in…
By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
Rumor: EA Canada GM’s Leaked Memo to Surviving Staff
Earlier today we broke the news that Electronic Arts Canada laid off more than half of the staff from Black Box, the day after the studio launched their latest game: Skate 2. EA spokespeople decline to confirm the layoffs to Kotaku, but they have confirmed them to Joystiq. We did receive, from unofficial channels, what…
By Brian Crecente Published January 22, 2009 - Uncategorized
Metal Gear Online Set Up Us The Bomb Mission!
Konami’s keeping the legion of Metal Gear Online fans in fresh content by announcing an all-new mission for the PlayStation 3 online tactical shooter. What is it? It’s the Bomb Mission! Due to land on January 27th — no need to do anything regular Metal Gear Online players, it will coincide with regular maintenance —…
By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009