Generally speaking, I’m a pretty busy guy, but this week has been rather insane. And considering the time of year it is, it’s only going to get crazier. It’s been especially difficult trying to keep abreast of the news, so with that in mind, please excuse the lateness…
- First up is a blog by a disgruntled wife of an EA employee.
The life of a game creator has it’s high and lows, but when you work for a large publisher, it’s mostly lows (I can attest to that), and this particular account is pretty hard hitting since it comes from a very personal level. After my experiences at Ubi Soft, I really do know what it feels like to get screwed over by a game making juggernaut.
Interestingly enough, shortly after that was published, then came another one, and without the safety of anonymity. More or less the same thing, and both speak of a problem that’s only going to get worse unless something changes…
And that something might be this. Hopefully it will lead to something that will ultimately make the industry healthier for everyone involved.
- It’s recently been revealed that Capcom has sold the right to the Street Fighter franchise to Capcom of America. Which means that any new Street Fighter games will have to come from the US, which is pretty doubtful (but not out of the questions). All this shows is what a piss poor job Capcom has done handling yet another one of their major IPs. Alongside Mega Man and Resident Evil, once Capcom strikes gold, sooner or later, they’ll make everyone sick of it.
- Also revealed was a special edition of Gran Turismo 4 featuring a tie-in with Nike (and only in Japan, of course). Included with the game are shoes and a t-shirt…
… which if you are filmed by an EyeToy while playing will unlock a special Nike concept car…
Neat idea, but I’m afraid of this becoming a major trend. Also, that shirt is actually pretty weaksauce (I have a thing for game related shirts and a pretty big snob about it, hence my hatred for Hot Topic attire).
- As the release of the DS approaches, new info, such as the contents of the box, is coming to light. One of the more interesting things is actually the included wrist strap because it also doubles as a “thumb strap”. At the end is tiny bit of plastic that sits at the end of your thumb, and is supposed to act as a alternate means to touch the screen if you plan on not using the stylus. It’s another one of things that Nintendo does that’s very smart on one hand, but looks rather awkward and even stupid on the other.
Speaking of the stylus, I guess extras are included since I see that they’re selling them in packs of three. Those fuckers had better not cost more than one dollar.
- I finally got Technic Beat! I ordered it from eBay earlier this week and it actually arrived, despite fears that there would be trouble. I purchased it from a seller who didn’t have a pic, which I never do, but I was so excited to see it listed, I simply rushed into things. Plus the fact that he was the only guy selling it made it seem sorta suspect as well.
Up until know I just couldn’t figure out what the hell was going on. On Gamestop’s site they listed the game as being released, and via their store locator, some copies were supposedly available in the area. But when I called all of them, I heard the same damn thing, “We don’t have it”, and when I mentioned that the site says differently, I got “it’s wrong”, end of discussion. Meanwhile on EB’s site, they said the release date was December, even though many people across the country (everywhere but New York of course) are already playing it.
- Over at Insert Credit, Tim has named me the 47th best poster on the forums. Neato.
In other news…
- Here’s a commercial for jeans which, quite honestly, is one of the coolest things ever.
- And here’s what’s guaranteed to be the next big clothing trend amongst hipsters and
the techno-elite. If this isn’t the final straw that drives the poor and angry against to yank said asshole’s iTunes ear buds out and punch them in the face, I don’t know what is.
- Please enjoy the musical stylings of Zladko, “Zlad” Vladcik.
- Got word that Night Court is finally coming out on DVD! And it’s about fucking time; Night Court is by far one of my most beloved shows from childhood. In fact, it had a huge part in me wanting to come to New York in the first place.
- Last night I met up with Gerry, and when I mentioned how many visits this blog gets (which I still can’t believe is more than four, including myself), he suggested I post some Google ads to generate revenue. So all people would have to do is simply click on the ads and I’d get a nickel. Even if just a few people bothered to do it, I could stand to get a cool hundred bucks. It is tempting…
- And finally, here’s a really funny pic of Raina Telegemeier and I from SPX:
… There’s tons more to tell, but I’m already running late as it is.
