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Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Keepin' it real fake, the Nintendo Wiimote candy dispenser


This candy dispenser looks "exactly" like a Wiimote, except it fires candy out of the spot where the IR transmitter should be.

Apparently the instructions suggest that you "Do not aim at face," so... it's kind of like the real thing.

read more | digg story

Apple shows renewed commitment to games


Apple has changed its practices and shows signs of committing to supporting games on the Mac.

Apple hadn't done enough to support games in the past, but said that Apple CEO Steve Jobs' keynote speech at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference last year suggests that the company has a renewed focus on games.

"I think historically, Gabe is absolutely right. The Apple guys will probably frown to hear me say that, but I mean there are facts and there are facts, and the fact is, that over the years Apple has shown an interest in gaming and then not followed through on it," id Software's CEO said.

"I do think they have made a significant investment... Jobs had a limited amount of time [at his WWDC 07 keynote]... but... had games on his show; not only did he give time to id, he gave time to EA, and I do think that it demonstrates at least a commitment at a high level to sharing the platform's face, if you will, with games."

"But I mean, it is about the follow up... and I certainly hope they follow through on it, because with the hardware now, you're not having to deal with this weird Power PC architecture; they have Intel chips and all that stuff, and it does make it a whole lot easier for us to work with it," he added.

Do More Than Just Game on Your Microsoft Xbox 360


Once I bought my 360, however, I've been able to get rid of my home theater PC, my DVD player, and even my cable box, so that my entire entertainment system runs through my Xbox 360. It's convergence at its best. The 360 is not perfect by any means, but it's the best multimedia device I've ever used.

read more | digg story

Madden Music Soundtrack available for download


One of the Most Influential Soundtracks in Videogame History Returns with Major Events, Tracks from Busta Rhymes featuring Linkin Park, Disturbed and The Offspring.

Get more here...

Music track listing for Madden NFL 09, set to release August 12, 2008. The new soundtrack features 26 songs from a multi-genre roster of superstar acts and soon-to-breakthrough artists, including Franz Ferdinand, Good Charlotte, Airbourne, From First To Last, The All-American Rejects, Rev Theory, K’Naan, and Kidz In The Hall. Madden NFL, the biggest-selling sports franchise in videogame history, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with a full slate of live music events, tributes and television appearances leading up the game’s street date.
“Madden NFL is the foundation of what we do and sets the standard for every soundtrack we create,” said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing for EA. “Madden NFL revolutionized the industry by making music of multiple genres – from both established acts and brand-new artists – an essential emotional component of the videogame experience and the NFL season itself. This 20th Anniversary Edition soundtrack celebrates that legacy like never before, complete with marketing events that take the excitement to a whole new level. Not only have we changed the gaming culture forever, we continue to move the needle musically for millions of people around the world. Madden NFL will always be recognized as the game that made the music matter in videogames.”
The highlights of the Madden NFL 09 soundtrack include genre-bending collaborations by Busta Rhymes featuring Linkin Park and Young Dre, The Truth featuring Good Charlotte, as well as returning Madden NFL hit makers Franz Ferdinand, Gym Class Heroes (both with pre-album prerelease tracks), All American Rejects, Shinedown, Senses Fail, Disturbed, The Offspring and Airbourne. The soundtrack’s trend of introducing emerging artists continues with 12 new acts that include The Fashion, Kardinal Offishall featuring Lindo P, In Flames, Innerpartysystem, Hollywood Undead, Mindless Self Indulgence, Izza Kizza, Trivium, Kovas and Tyga.



Cross-promotional events leading up to the game’s release include a series of :60 viral videos for tracks featured in the game, a special Madden Music Anniversary tribute issue of Billboard on newsstands July 13th, as well as other marketing partnerships to be announced in the near future. Beginning the week of August 4th, a different Madden NFL 09 soundtrack artist will perform live each night on a popular late night show.

Over the past decade, the Madden NFL soundtrack has launched premier artists that include Good Charlotte, OK GO, Fallout Boy, Franz Ferdinand, Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet For My Valentine, Yellowcard, Dashboard Confessional, Jet, Ozomatli and 30 Seconds To Mars, and featured such superstars as Green Day, Outkast, Foo Fighters, blink-182, Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osbourne, The Hives, Timbaland featuring Justin Timberlake and Sum 41.

The complete in-game soundtrack for Madden NFL 09 features the following 26 songs:

ARTIST - SONG
Airbourne - Stand Up For Rock ‘N Roll
Busta Rhymes feat. Linkin Park - We Made It
Disturbed - Inside The Fire
Franz Ferdinand - Lucid Dreams
From First To Last - Worlds Away
Gym Class Heroes - I’m Home
Hollywood Undead - Undead
In Flames - The Mirror’s Truth
Innerpartysystem - Don’t Stop
Izza Kizza - Millionaire
K’NAAN - ABC’s
Kardinal Offishall feat. Lindo P - Burnt
Kidz In The Hall - Blackout
KOVAS - Wax On, Wax Off
Mindless Self Indulgence - Never Wanted To Dance
Rev Theory - Hey Yeah
Senses Fail - Wolves At The Door
Shinedown - Devour
The All-American Rejects - The Real World (Demo)
The Fashion - Like Knives
The Offspring - Hammerhead
Trivium - Into The Mouth Of…We March
Tyga - Diamond Life
Underoath - Desperate Times, Desperate Measures
Wale feat. Southeast Slim - Breakdown
Young Dre The Truth feat. Good Charlotte - Workin’

Music from the Madden NFL 09 soundtrack is available on EA’s music website at www.ea.com/eatrax.

10 Free Linux 3D game downloads


Addictive 3D games for Linux users to fill their time with. These games are really good and some have won awards or have been featured on magazines. Most are cross platform and all of them completely free. You don’t have to use ‘Wine’ to be able to play as they come with Linux installers

read more | digg story

Mega Man 9 first video game footage revealed


. . . the first footage, which definitely has the look and sound of a classic Mega Man game from the '80s (minus slowdown and flicker). Details on the Blue Bomber's return are slowly starting to emerge, but we're hoping to learn a lot more about this WiiWare title soon. . .

read more | digg story

Disney - Pixar's Wall.E PlayStation 2 Screenshots


Screenshot images from the European PlayStation 2 release of Disney - Pixar's Wall.E.

read more | digg story

Zelda bedding - feel the force


A pair of Triforce pillows on a dark gray background. Made from 1" cotton squares, they measure about 20"x30". They have plain black backsides.

read more | digg story

Make your Nintendo GameCube Wall.E mod


A gamecube mod inspired by the new Pixar film, Wall-E.

read more | digg story

Gridiron Glory as Midway announce Blitz - The League II


Sequel to Million Unit Selling Football Video Game Expected This Fall.

Blitz - The League II. Back for another season of heart-pumping, bone-crushing, no-holds-barred football action, Blitz: The League II strips the rules and regulations from traditional football to enhance the fun by bringing the pain. Complete with an all-new story mode penned by former ESPN "Playmakers" writer, Peter Egan, and the return of football legend, Lawrence Taylor, Blitz: The League II builds on the success of the previous release with new features and enhanced gameplay. Blitz: The League II is scheduled for release this fall for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.


"Professional football has long sought to gloss over the often brutal realities that surround the game and its players," said Mona Hamilton, vice president of marketing, Midway Home Entertainment. "Blitz: The League II embraces the most compelling storylines behind America's favorite sport and allows fans to experience them in a bold, interactive way."

Animal Boxing throws a twist on everything you've seen so far in Nintendo DS


Tighten up the gloves, throw on your headgear, personalize your fighter and… flip up your console! Discover the new features of Animal Boxing.

Animal Boxing throws a twist on everything you've seen so far in Nintendo DS. Even on your own console! With the innovative system SD (Slam Down), the player can face their animal opponents without fighting dirty and giving low blows. The Nintendo DS touch screen shows the torso and face of your opponents, which is where you must strike mercilessly… but also must be attentive to the unpredictable movements of legs that let them dodge your attacks!

Animal Boxing presents up to 50 different characters against which you can measure your strength to get the champion belt of the Village. It’s time for you to know what you’re up against: animals who will come at you with different fighting styles. You better be prepared for the agile and speedy Cat, the cunningly effective Fox, the icy and unrelenting Penguin and the fearsome Rhinoceros with jackhammer fists. Prepare for a journey through new and different lands in Animal Boxing!

Flip up your console and pull out your stylus… It's clobbering time!

Rock Band Download new Rush Tracks


Chili Peppers Season The Catalog With "Snow ((Hey Oh))"

Harmonix and MTV Games announced additional Rush tracks will be available at the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content. On July 8th, air drummers and guitarists will rejoice when direct from the Rush Masters Vault the exclusive Rock Band versions of “Closer To The Heart” and “Working Man (Vault Edition)” (featuring never released alternative guitar solo) are made available for $1.99 per track (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft). One of the most successful progressive rock bands in music history, Rush have sold more than 40 million albums worldwide and continue to sell out arenas worldwide. Rush now have 5 songs available for Rock Band including cover versions of “Tom Sawyer,” “Limelight” and “Working Man,” almost a full-set by prog rock standards!

Also available are two amazing tracks from six-time Grammy winning, multi-platinum funk rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers. “Snow ((Hey Oh))” and “Tell Me Baby” from their critically acclaimed ninth studio double album Stadium Arcadium will be available for $1.99 per track (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox LIVE Marketplace).

Release date: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace)
Thursday, July 10, 2008 (PLAYSTATION Store)

Tracks: From the RUSH Masters Vault:
“Closer To The Heart”
“Working Man (Vault Edition)”

Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Snow ((Hey Oh))”
“Tell Me Baby”

(All tracks utilize the original master recordings)
Price: $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox LIVE Marketplace) per track
Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PLAYSTATION Network