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Other Stuff: Saving, Fun, Least Favorite Critical Games, and Atari's Golden Years
by David Oxford | 09/05/08 | 8:23 PM PST

Welcome to "Other Stuff." This is just a quick dumping ground for neat features and articles found while searching for news, maybe some stuff I don't really have much else to comment on, or items that don't really fit their own story. Stuff that's interesting to read, or at least sounded that way when I saw it.

• Top 10 Least Favorite Critically Acclaimed Games: Pretty much just what it says it is; games that people have loved or rated highly, but this guy didn't find all too appealing. Maybe you agree with some of them? Or maybe he's just full of it. You decide!
• Just What Is Fun, Anyway?: Newsweek's NGai Croal and I seem to have a similar stance as of late when it comes to stories in games: The big stuff isn't as fascinating as it used to be. So what else is there to motivate us to keep playing?
• Atari: The Golden Years -- A History, 1978-1981: I love reading up on the history of this business, and seeing what went down in the golden years of the company that was king before The Crash and Nintendo's subsequent revival of the industry is usually fun.
• Saving the Day: Save Systems in Games: About a week ago, you might recall that I wrote a little rant about saving in portable games. Well, now designer David Sirlin has taken the main topic-- saving-- and gone into far more detail about the whole subject, nevermind just the portables. Maybe there's something developers can pick up on in there...

...and that's it for me, I'm outta here. Have a good weekend!

Wii
The Taste of Energy: Mega Man 9's E-Cans on Tap
by David Oxford | 09/05/08 | 7:57 PM PST

A few weeks ago, we brought you news of a hot little item hitting the streets of Japan to celebrate the release of Rock(Mega)man 9: The E-Tank energy drink.

People have sought to get their hands on one, and sure enough, it's happened. So does it taste like that god-awful magic potion the Square guys came up with? Well, as +D Games shows and tells it (in Japanese), the drink is clear, and "flavor and ingredients are typical to that of any other sports drink, though it has a strong aftertaste of royal honey - the drinks primary flavoring constituent. Nevertheless, he felt that the beverage does deliver a spot of energy for those laggy days at work or right after giving your all in sport." -- as translated by The Mega Man Network

In case you're not familiar with what royal jelly is... well, read at your own risk. I'll admit that even I'm hesitant to drink one of these things. Maybe I'll just keep it as a souveneir for the can...

On the other hand, maybe it's only the taste of royal jelly... of which I admit I have no idea the taste. Perhaps this bears further research...

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My Game This Weekend: Too Human - What's Yours?
by Blake Grundman | 09/05/08 | 7:14 PM PST

Well, the buzz for Too Human has gotten the best of me. Overall the reviews from most gaming publications have been pretty scathing. There have been many comments about promises made, but never delivered on. However, on the community side there has been more widespread support, even acceptance. Many fansites have been praising the game's variety and replayability.

The early portions of the game have left me scratching my head a bit. I am also having some difficulties with the new control scheme that the game introduces, but I am sure that this will pass with time. If I were to make one flash judgement, it would be that the story is a bit scatter shot. This may be due to the fact that I was just trying to power through the game, but it is still a bit confusing. Though I can't really understand what is going on all the time, I still find myself compelled to be a part of it!

As a skeptic of anything that I haven't completed myself, I have decided to dedicate my weekend to trying the game out. I was once a victim of the soul stealing Diablo games, and the frequent comparisons have me hopeful. What it all comes down to is whether or not Too Human can unleash my inner loot whore. I have done my best to restrain myself for this long, but Lord knows what will happen when that disc enters my 360 again. All I can say is that my wife has already been warned, and she has the priest of our church on speed dial in case I become to possessed. "The spirit of Dyack compels you!"

Well that's enough from me, what do you have planned for your weekend of gaming pleasure?

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WWE Tombstones Game Asylum's YouTube Account Over Old Game Trailer
by David Oxford | 09/05/08 | 6:44 PM PST

While I am undoubtedly a fan of WWE, there are times that they do things to which I can only shake my head (insert joke here). This time, it involves effectively killing one website's YouTube account, not over wrestling footage, but a year-old wrestling game trailer:

Apologies for the harsh language there, but you may (or may not) have noticed that Games Asylum's YouTube page has been permanently disabled.

Occasionally we'd get the odd e-mail from EA and other publishers via YouTube claiming copyright on videos that we uploaded, but they didn't mind us uploading them. And why would they? We're giving their games publicity for free. Heck, the press are always sending us links to videogame trailers so that we can potentially feature them on this site.

But earlier this week a year old video of the WWE Vs Smackdown trailer was removed, because the WWE claimed full ownership and copyright violation. Today I received a message stating that the Game Asylum account has been disabled, thus losing everything that was uploaded - over 300 videos, including some personally taken in Tokyo.

Last time I checked the channel had over 3 million video views. Obviously YouTube aren't bothered about the loss. -- Games Asylum

Now, this sucks-- no question about it. However, seeing odd things like this here and there over the years, I have don't really blame the company so much. I don't think Mr. McMahon or Triple H came across the video and said "let's shut this bastard down." Usually, this stuff comes down to some legal guys doing their jobs-- and poorly, one might surmise, especially with all the other footage, video, and music there is.

The other problem would likely be YouTube, who I think overreacted. As it seems many companies are prone to do, they're more willing to listen to an angry, vocal minority-- or one company, in this case-- without giving the "offending" party a chance to defend itself, or allow others to speak up on their behalf. And that's just rubbish.

It would be nice to think someone might realize there was an overreaction here, but I don't see that happening, and that's unfortunate indeed.

Wii
Media: Chairs, Cookies, and Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party
by David Oxford | 09/05/08 | 6:03 PM PST

It's been too long since we've seen a trailer for Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party. So here's a new one, apparently in celebration of the finale of Big Brother in the UK.



...did he just...? No. I'd rather not consider that. He took it from the chair. That's all there is to it.

Wii
Just When You Think You've Got the Answers, Cho Aniki on US VC Changes the Questions
by David Oxford | 09/05/08 | 5:57 PM PST

Some games, you just imagine you'll never see in your native country in a million years. And then, there they appear.

Japan and our pals in the PAL regions have been enjoying the glistening and rippling Cho Aniki on their Virtual Console services for many moons now. North America finally gets the homoerotic tinged side-scrolling shooter this Monday, as the title has been rated by rated by the ESRB — E-10+ for "mild suggestive themes" — and tentatively dated for September 8.

It will join its TurboGrafx-16 sibling Final Soldier, prepping us for the upcoming PSP remake of the same game and confusing the masses with its overly bizarre everything. Start your posing now. -- Kotaku

Someone wanna tell me again why we can't have Captain Rainbow here? Because I'm damn sure at a loss now.

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Team Ninja Reaches Settlement, Kills All Within
by David Oxford | 09/05/08 | 5:30 PM PST

Just kidding. This is one ninja battle that seems to have ended without bloodshed, fortunately.

Team Ninja's saga has spanned the past few months, and is finally at a close, with a a judicial settlement reached:

Regarding the litigation against our company, on September 1st a settlement was reached as indicated below:

Settlement for the Lawsuit Has Been Reached
On July 16th, two of our employees brought suit against our company regarding unpaid overtime in the Tokyo District Court and presented a proposed settlement. On September 1, 2008, a judicial settlement was reached. -- Kotaku

That just leaves the question of Itagaki, who left the company just prior to this case for similar reasons.

Do you think he would settle? Or take them through the wringer for all they're worth? Tell us in the comments.

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A Buggy Life: How Patches are Making Developers Lazy
by Brad Hilderbrand | 09/05/08 | 5:27 PM PST




Is anyone else suffering from a bug infestation?

I'm not talking about the ants that invade your kitchen in the summertime, turning your countertops into a constant parade of little black bodies heading behind the refrigerator to that soda spill you never bothered to clean up. Nor am I noting the buzzy flies that come around every summer to ruin your picnic and turn an otherwise respectable person into an arm-flailing madman. No, I'm talking about buggy games, firmware updates, and patches, which all seem to be more prevalent now than ever before. It seems like a lot of titles are shipping in a borderline broken status, and developers are relying on patches to fix their handiwork after enough consumers complain about major game problems. This is unacceptable, and without more stringent QA procedures and a heavier emphasis on making sure the game is right before it goes out the door, we are in danger of heading down a road where shipped games are little more than Alpha code, with promises of future fixes actually making them playable.

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Square-Enix Responds to Tecmo Rejection, Seeks Explanation
by David Oxford | 09/05/08 | 4:27 PM PST

This is almost hilarious. At the start of the year, EA began making their move to acquire Take-Two, and are only now rumored to have had enough. Meanwhile, a scant few days ago, Square-Enix makes their bid known to take over Tecmo, which was rejected, and now Square-Enix is done with it.

Or so it seemed; now they seem confused about why, and would like answers, as shown in a statement:

The Company immediately requested TECMO for explanation of some issues as follows:

1. Please confirm that the decision on the start of discussions with KOEI toward integration of management is the reason for rejection of the Proposal.

2. If that is the case, please clarify concretely that major terms of integration of management with KOEI (form of the integration, stock prices assumption, integration ratio and so forth) are favorable for TECMO's shareholders than the Proposal.

3. If not, please clarify that TECMO has an alternative plan, which is favorable for TECMO's shareholders than the Proposal.

The Company will make definitive decision on its plan immediately after receiving a response from TECMO. -- Square-Enix, via Kotaku

Hmm, I guess maybe this isn't going away as quickly as it seemed.

Wii
Touch! Generations Soundtrack Shows Even Club Nintendo Offerings are Leaning Casual
by David Oxford | 09/05/08 | 4:01 PM PST

Lately, Nintendo does not cease to bewilder. Especially in this latest move, as they have decided to offer their Club Nintendo members in Japan (we're still waiting here, by the way) a brand-spanking new music CD. Nothing too unusual about that.

Now, this being a Club Nintendo release, you would expect it to target some of their harder-core fans, as past offerings such as Peach Healing Music or Koopa Loud Music had. Something from Zelda or Super Paper Mario, Metroid or Fire Emblem, or something along those lines.

Instead? They release to perhaps their most dedicated fans their most casual soundtrack to date: The Touch! Generations Sound Track. While I won't deny that some of these may indeed be catchy, and hey, they do have some Animal Crossing and a Smash Bros. Brawl track on there, I don't think that this is something fans would be as interested in as others, or say an exclusive DS game, or a Super NES controller that works on the Wii.

Personally? I'd love to see more game music released via iTunes, as the Bionic Commando Rearmed soundtrack was.

On the other hand, it seems that the rest of their offerings may be a little more attuned to the traditional, including a new Game & Watch Collection.

See the full track listing after the cut, and discuss whether you think this selection deserves its own CD or not in our comments.

Wii
Take-Two and Nintendo Continuing to Develop Ties
by David Oxford | 09/05/08 | 2:06 PM PST

The relationship between Take-Two and Nintendo has been... interesting. They've brought a version of Bully to the Wii, made the controverial Manhunt 2 available for the console, and seen great success with their release of Carnival Games, but have also stated that it wouldn't be right for a Grand Theft Auto game, sometimes trying to dodge the question altogether.

But with the announcement of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the Nintendo DS, Pandora's box is open once again as people try to ascertain the likelyhood of carjacking with waggle.

Speaking on Chinatown Wars during the company's third quarter call to investors, Take-Two CEO Ben Feder wouldn't rule it out, as he confirmed that the DS title is set to release in the first quarter of 2009 -- no later than February 1.

The company's spent what Feder said is "an enormous amount of time and effort" with Nintendo building a "partnership" to bring GTA onto the DS, and he also feels the franchise has "significant value to add" to the platform.

"It's not a one-way relationship in any way," Feder said. "Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is not even the first step, but an important step, in continuing to develop that relationship."

"Without commenting on whether GTA is coming to the Wii or not, Nintendo and Take-Two work very well together; Nintendo and Rockstar work well together, and we are continuing to grow that relationship." -- Gamasutra

An interesting position to take, I must say, essentially talking about how well it would work without any indication of it ever coming to pass. Hell, even Reggie wants it on there. So what's the problem, exactly?

Tell us in the comments if you think mixing this batch of oil and water would work.

Wii
Ghostbusters 3 Movie in the Works, Could Be Result of New GB Game
by Marco Halili | 09/05/08 | 1:44 PM PST



They may have their AARP cards by now, but according to Variety, the Ghostbusters are back in business, so much so that a new film is in the works.

Columbia Pictures is getting serious about scaring up a new installment of its blockbuster "Ghostbusters" franchise.

The studio has set "The Office" co-exec producers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky to write a script for a film designed to bring back together the original cast of Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson.

Studio would not comment on the development and has been mum on recent rumors that there was interest in making another installment of the franchise. -- Variety

Over at GoNintendo, Editor-in-Chief Kevin Cassidy doesn't think Ghostbusters 3 would have gotten the green light without the hype of the
currently-in-limbo Ghostbusters: The Video Game.

There's no chance in hell that a third movie would have begun its creative process without Ghostbusters: The Game happening. The game has brought a lot of the cast back together, put them into their old roles, gave them a great story to work with, and re-invigorated the franchise. The game isn't even out, yet the buzz is bigger than ever. -- GoNintendo

Now, if only all this Ghostbusters movie buzz could get the video game back on track.

What do y'all think? Do we have the Ghostbustin' game to thank for this new GB movie sequel?

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Latest Jack Thompson News Blows Us Away
by David Oxford | 09/05/08 | 12:20 PM PST

This appeared over on GamePolitics, with the title "I'm Just Not Sure What to Make of This..." It's a sentiment I'm sure many can, or will relate to.

This picture just showed up in an e-mail from Jack Thompson.

There was no explanation, other than the subject line:

"First feeder bands from Hurricane Ike hit Miami!"

Color me confused. Is the man growing a sense of humor? Learning PhotoShop?

Maybe it's symbolism: the pole represents his law license. The hurricane is the Florida Bar and he's trying to hang on...

UPDATE: So it appears that Thompson may be preparing for a second career (you never know when you might need one of those)... as a weatherman.

In a followup e-mail Thompson claims that US news organizations are underreporting the upcoming Hurricane Ike because it's not as sexy as the recent Gustav, which threatened both New Orleans and the Republican National Convention. Even his BFFs at Fox are guilty, says Thompson (now is that any way to get air time?). -- GamePolitics

You know, I think I can safely say I already like Jack Thompson far more as a weatherman than as a lawyer... just so long as the longtime rival to gamers everywhere doesn't say "There's a nasty storm brewing..." every time Take-Two announces a new title.

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Rumor: EA 'Walking Away from Merger Talks' with Take-Two
by David Oxford | 09/05/08 | 12:12 PM PST

Word on the street is that this whole thing with EA and Take-Two merging may finally be over, with the two parties remaining seperate:

There's rumours! Rumours on the street. Wall Street, to be precise, as investment site Seeking Alpha say they've heard EA may be "walking away from merger talks" with long-time takeover target Take-Two. T2's conference call earlier today said nothing of this, of course, nor have EA (as the pair are now cosy in their cone of silence), so this is all conjecture, but it's hardly outrageous conjecture. The EA-T2 courtship rituals have been prologued, fumbling and, ultimately, boring, with a deal looking less and less likely the longer the whole sorry mess drags itself along. -- Kotaku

If this is true, then good... how about making it official? Then maybe we can stop talking about it already.

Wii
Children's Edutainment Coming to Japanese WiiWare
by Derek Buck | 09/05/08 | 12:09 PM PST

Children in Japan are being handed a convincing new excuse to play Wii.

Cable Entertainment is bringing Play with Kappa: Kappa and his Forest Friends to WiiWare, the first interactive children's edutainment title to be released on Wii.

Cable Entertainment announced a new WiiWare game for Japan, and it's already scheduled to come out in September! Kappa-kun to Asobou: Kappa-kun to Mori no Nakamatachi (Play with Kappa: Kappa and his Forest Friends) is an animated picture book with voice narration. The game, which tells the story of a young kappa who wants to become human, also includes simple quizzes about the material.

It's cheap (600 points), can be purchased from home, and might encourage a few parents to share a story with their kids. -- Nintendo Wii Fanboy

For those unfamiliar with the term, a "kappa" is a child-like water creature found in Japanese folklore, usually with a body similar to that of a monkey or frog.

For reasons that should be obvious, it is unlikely Play with Kappa: Kappa and his Forest Friends will be released outside of Japan. It could, however, open the door for edutainment titles with a more American appeal.

Any title that lends video games credibility and gets parents more involved with their children is one I wholeheartedly support.