Is it just me, or does this look like the worst thing ever? “By the makers of the Matrix trilogy.” They must be having a brain fart.
Posted Dec 12, 2007
Story of Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch), who’s Mach 5 vehicle can jump, go under water and clear trees. When he’s not racing, he’s battling villians with his girlfriend Trixie, kid brother Spritle and pet monkey Chim-Chim.
The next generation will be computer animated. It has become harder and harder to tell the difference between reality and CGI in certain videogames. The ripple effects of water. The sweat pouring from the pores of your character after he wins a battle. Look around you. Look at the games you play now and look back at the games you used to play only 10 or so years ago. The differences are astounding.
The video below is a prime example of what can be done now:
Alone in the dark 5(1Q 2008 on PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox360 and Wii)
Versus what was done back then.
Alone in the dark(Released in 1992 on DOS)
Most webcomics aim solely to dish out the funnies on a regular basis. Others do so with astounding wit and irreverent humor. Sites like xkcd.com for example.
Created by Randall Munroe in 2005, the comic tackles a variety of different topics. Romance, life, math, science and pop culture references. Don’t expect high brow computer graphics here, it’s mostly with stick figures. what matters here is not the art, but the content.
The site comes with warning printed clearly on the bottom of the page:
“Warning: this comic occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors).”
The comic is definitely worth a gawk or two. Here are few example picked out by the GVL crew. Enjoy!
Priorities
Fans
Angular Momentum
From Jon’s previous discussions with me regarding this GVL business, I’ve basically come to the conclusion that, well, fashion isn’t on the “important to learn about” list. Totally understandable, completely expected. From reading the several very informative categories on the right side of the screen, it would appear that the idea of “fashion” may exist in more RPGs (Fable had some good outfits) than in real life.
HOWEVER, let’s pretend you’re single… And if you are single, well, let’s pretend you wish you weren’t, y’know, alone all the time. You want to attract a (insert your gender preference here, because in my world, it doesn’t matter which you prefer in this scenario). Your Blizzard shirt, Decepticon-logo’d hoodie and your ever-present cargo pants may not be the perfect armor to go into battle with. Luckily, I’ve come up with a few easy (and CHEAP!) ways to improve your social status without looking like (prepare to cringe) Ryan Seacrest. “Seacrest OUT!” was a catch-phrase that should have caught on… literally.
Wii owners who have purchased Guitar Hero III were left confused when they started playing the game: the sound was in mono.
Despite the fact that the game is advertised as supporting “Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound”, only one channel works properly. In a game where sound *IS* the game, not getting the full effect is excessively detrimental to the game.
In an interview with IGN, an Activision spokesperson said: “We are currently working with Nintendo and are planning to issue an improved audio experience in future versions of the game. We expect to have re-mastered discs available by early 2008 and we will be offering consumers replacement discs at no cost once they become available.”
So if you were planning on getting Guitar Hero III on the Wii for Xmas, maybe you should consider a rain check.
Some PAX moments hit the cutting room floor. They could find a home anywhere else but are worth the watch.
Astonish! Joe climbs the wall like the monkey he truly is!
Shock! Jon gives away all the spoilers to find the mystery symbol!
Suspense! Who will build the gun faster to shoot his opponent in the head! Joe or Jon? (Heh, Jon of course!!)
Whimsical! Ryan hits on mannequins!
Gush! Wil*Fucking*Wheaton gives us massive props for our self made t-shirts! (We later sent him one by the mail. We love Wil <3)
Shiver! Scary monsters come after us!
Kamikaze! Call him crazy, but Joe falls nearly 30ft backwards to the crowds approval!
See you next year at PAX 2008.
In recent news, it has been reported that according to a survey by the folks at Hill and Knowlton, 60 percent of Americans believe that the government should regulate which video games are made and sold.
I find it disturbing. The problem is not what is being made, it’s what you buy your kids. There is the ESRB has a rating system which parent often will disregard or ignore because “little Billy” wants it.
Following that thought, here is a list of video games that you SHOULD NOT buy your kids this holiday season (According to the National Institute on Media and the Family along with their reasons in parenthesis). No matter what “little Billy” says he wants.
1. Assassin’s Creed (stabbing)
2. Call of Duty 4 (shooting)
3. Conan (loin cloths)
4. The Darkness (gangland monsters)
5. Jericho (Clive Barker)
6. Kane and Lynch: Dead Men (not very good)
7. Manhunt 2 (murder)
8. Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles (zombies)
9. Stranglehold (balletic violence)
10. Time Shift (gratuitous time manipulation)
Remember as a kid, when playing racing games, like Excite Bike for example, you’d hit the turn just a little to steeply and hit a tree. What was once a first place, ends up being 6th. The shame.
The Burnout series not only encourages touches and hits, it rewards you for them.
Catch the demo next week available on both the Playstation Store and Xbox Live Marketplace.
Watch the video below.
The new single from Metallica will soon be downloaded by thousands of people and the band is ok with it.
No, the band did not have a change of heart on their feelings about file sharing. Rather they will be releasing the single exclusively as downloadable content for Rock Band, said Paul DeGooyer the MTV Senior vice president of home entertainment in an interview with Rocky Mountain News.
Is this finally the match made in heaven we have been waiting for? With Harmonix’ incredible game design and MTV’s music connections, the possibilities are endless when it comes to what kind of content can be downloaded in the near future on a console near you.
Us here at GVL International Headquarters don’t always know what’s “in” or “cool” or even “adaquate” when it comes to fashion. We’re gamers! Not fashionistas! If it passes the smell test, it’s good enough.
Heck half the time we have to restrain Joe from walking out of the office wearing only his underwear. More than once we’ve had to ask the question: “Joe, where are your pants?”
That’s why we make friends like Lindsay. She makes us slightly less indecent to look at. Just slightly.
With the (semi) recent releases of such games as Halo3, Guitar Hero III, Rock Band, Mass Effect and Final Fantasy XII for the DS, it’s a miracle I can even make it out the door to buy food. That and I think my girlfriend and I are still on speaking terms. I think. Well at least it’s not World of Warcraft, that shit has torn apart more families than crack, alcohol and naked pictures of Bea Arthur on your hard drive.
This weeks bundles of joy are delivered from all places:
Warriors of the Lost Empire looks like a solid game for the PSP if you have one of those.
If you took the time last week to buy the Wii Zapper that came with Link’s Crossbow Training, why not try something closer to the original NES zapper game, Ultimate Duck Hunting. Make sure the dog doesn’t leave tooth marks on your fallen fowl.
It’s like reaching one of those moments when nothing can go wrong.
Riley is on the guitar, hitting every note without fail, as is Doug is playing the bass. Joe is on drums pounding away and setting up the rhythm for me to follow.
I can hear the crowd chanting along as we approach the ending of ‘Creep’ by Radiohead. My throat is hoarse from belting out the high and low notes. I know we have to finish strong—the fickle fans demand it.
As the final chorus ends, the crowd cheers and gives us a standing ovation. We played the song flawlessly and won the battle of the bands on “Rock Band.”
Harmonix’s “Rock Band” is just what he name implies: Grab your instruments or microphone and join forces with your friends in what is perceived as being one of the most socially interactive games released since “Rayman Raving Rabbids” for the Nintendo Wii. It’s like starting a garage band with your friends without years of practice.
