GayGamer.net tag:gaygamer.net,2007-10-16://1 2008-05-11T20:40:58Z For boys who like boys who like joysticks! Movable Type Open Source 4.1 Happy Mother's Day - Share Your Mom-related Gaming Stories tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33519 2008-05-11T20:00:00Z 2008-05-11T20:40:58Z Earlier this week, Fruit Brute asked if you remember your first console, and for a lot of us, those memories are probably mingled with thoughts of our parents. As we've grown up gaming, there's no doubt our moms and our games have crossed paths now and then, whether as the early providers, casual observers, or sometimes even the barriers to what we want. Hey, they're just looking out for their babies. Now that gamers are growing into parents themselves, and game companies are actively marketing to older generations, it's possible we're seeing the last few generations that will see videogames as something "for the kids." Future gamers will be born into a world where using a controller is as second nature as changing the channel on the TV or setting the microwave. As a result, our memories and stories of introducing our parents to gaming might be historically unique. Chances are you don't have something like this story to tell (at least I hope not), but in honor of Mother's Day, think back and share your own Mom-related, or even Grandma-related game memories. Early on, my mom was pretty hands off when it came to my gaming, and trusted that the NES Zapper wouldn't turn me into a bloodthirsty sociopath. She was half right. The only interference I remember was insisting I help my sister through Duck Tales, which was a small price to pay for getting to keep the NES in my room. Much, much later, I had asked for Shenmue on the Dreamcast one Christmas, and she picked up Tenchu instead, rationalizing that "they kind of rhyme," so they must be pretty much the same. Luckily she had kept the receipt. Most recently, she was amazed at how much I could make Mii that looked like me and the rest of my family, but refused to acknowledge that hers was also spot on until I shrunk the nose and smoothed out the forehead. Maybe Nintendo should work on a Botox peripheral next.... Dawdle http://gaygamer.net funny-pictures-rainbow-litter-mom-kitten.jpg

Earlier this week, Fruit Brute asked if you remember your first console, and for a lot of us, those memories are probably mingled with thoughts of our parents. As we've grown up gaming, there's no doubt our moms and our games have crossed paths now and then, whether as the early providers, casual observers, or sometimes even the barriers to what we want. Hey, they're just looking out for their babies.

Now that gamers are growing into parents themselves, and game companies are actively marketing to older generations, it's possible we're seeing the last few generations that will see videogames as something "for the kids." Future gamers will be born into a world where using a controller is as second nature as changing the channel on the TV or setting the microwave. As a result, our memories and stories of introducing our parents to gaming might be historically unique. Chances are you don't have something like this story to tell (at least I hope not), but in honor of Mother's Day, think back and share your own Mom-related, or even Grandma-related game memories.

Early on, my mom was pretty hands off when it came to my gaming, and trusted that the NES Zapper wouldn't turn me into a bloodthirsty sociopath. She was half right. The only interference I remember was insisting I help my sister through Duck Tales, which was a small price to pay for getting to keep the NES in my room. Much, much later, I had asked for Shenmue on the Dreamcast one Christmas, and she picked up Tenchu instead, rationalizing that "they kind of rhyme," so they must be pretty much the same. Luckily she had kept the receipt. Most recently, she was amazed at how much I could make Mii that looked like me and the rest of my family, but refused to acknowledge that hers was also spot on until I shrunk the nose and smoothed out the forehead. Maybe Nintendo should work on a Botox peripheral next.

]]> First Shots Of Banjo Kazooie 3 tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33515 2008-05-11T17:00:00Z 2008-05-11T16:44:44Z Although more news is expected next week, it appears someone's let the bear out of the bag a little early as two shots from Banjo Kazooie 3 have leaked onto the internet. There's not a lot of detail in the shots, in fact Banjo himself is pretty tiny in both of them, but we can see that this part of the game already looks really polished, hopefully convincing a few of the skeptical that we will be getting this game before the end of the year. In both shots, Banjo is operating a different vehicle - is this the "new gameplay element" that was hinted at back in December? In recent weeks, rumors have been flying that BK3 would be the title that introduced Microsoft's waggle to the world, but I'm not sure if these images support that speculation or not. Perhaps the controller operates as a steering wheel and yoke, maybe the motion controls have some other, non-vehicle related application, or it's possible the rumor is a bust. It's likely we'll know in a few days. In my opinion, the vehicles look all right, but I hope they're not the focus of the game. If I'm not spending the majority of my time double jumping and butt stomping, I'll be one unhappy camper. For larger versions of the images in the gallery, head to the NeoGAF forum topic linked below. First Pics of Banjo-Threeie [NeoGAF forum]... Dawdle http://gaygamer.net mumbosnuts.jpg

Although more news is expected next week, it appears someone's let the bear out of the bag a little early as two shots from Banjo Kazooie 3 have leaked onto the internet. There's not a lot of detail in the shots, in fact Banjo himself is pretty tiny in both of them, but we can see that this part of the game already looks really polished, hopefully convincing a few of the skeptical that we will be getting this game before the end of the year.

In both shots, Banjo is operating a different vehicle - is this the "new gameplay element" that was hinted at back in December? In recent weeks, rumors have been flying that BK3 would be the title that introduced Microsoft's waggle to the world, but I'm not sure if these images support that speculation or not. Perhaps the controller operates as a steering wheel and yoke, maybe the motion controls have some other, non-vehicle related application, or it's possible the rumor is a bust. It's likely we'll know in a few days. In my opinion, the vehicles look all right, but I hope they're not the focus of the game. If I'm not spending the majority of my time double jumping and butt stomping, I'll be one unhappy camper.

For larger versions of the images in the gallery, head to the NeoGAF forum topic linked below.


First Pics of Banjo-Threeie [NeoGAF forum]

bk3-1.jpgbk3-2.jpg
]]> Official WiiWare Launch Line-up tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33514 2008-05-10T21:00:00Z 2008-05-10T20:56:58Z WiiWare for North American gamers is coming soon. Like, this Monday soon, in case you don't have the date circled on your calendar. For those of you who like to plan ahead, Virtual Console Reviews has gotten their hands on what appears to be Nintendo's initial Wii Ware press release, finally revealing the launch line-up of games for the service, as well as their prices. Here's the list: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King - 1500 pointsLostWinds - 1000 points TV Show King - 1000 pointsPop - 700 pointsV.I.P. Blackjack Casino - 700 pointsDefend Your Castle - 500 points So no Pokemon Farm, World of Goo, or Sam and Max quite yet, but it's a decent slate. LostWinds and FFCC:MLaaK both seem solid, Defend Your Castle is a bargain, and Pop could be a decent sleeper puzzle title. TV Show King also sounds like it might offer some Trivial Pursuit-style fun, especially if new question packs can be downloaded to the game. I'd wait and see before plunking down $10 virtual dollars. There's no word on a schedule for WiiWare future WiiWare titles, although Nintendo has hinted there won't be a regular release every week like we've grown accustomed to from the Virtual Console. Also interesting is the introduction of a new Wii Point price level - 700 points, putting those games just over the cost of most TurboGraphix 16 titles and just under most Super Nintendo and Genesis games. For the description of the games and (allegedly) the full press release, hit the jump. North American WiiWare Launch Games [VC-Reviews]... Dawdle http://gaygamer.net ffccmlaakomgwtfbbqkfcdds.jpg

WiiWare for North American gamers is coming soon. Like, this Monday soon, in case you don't have the date circled on your calendar. For those of you who like to plan ahead, Virtual Console Reviews has gotten their hands on what appears to be Nintendo's initial Wii Ware press release, finally revealing the launch line-up of games for the service, as well as their prices. Here's the list:

  • Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King - 1500 points
  • LostWinds - 1000 points
  • TV Show King - 1000 points
  • Pop - 700 points
  • V.I.P. Blackjack Casino - 700 points
  • Defend Your Castle - 500 points

So no Pokemon Farm, World of Goo, or Sam and Max quite yet, but it's a decent slate. LostWinds and FFCC:MLaaK both seem solid, Defend Your Castle is a bargain, and Pop could be a decent sleeper puzzle title. TV Show King also sounds like it might offer some Trivial Pursuit-style fun, especially if new question packs can be downloaded to the game. I'd wait and see before plunking down $10 virtual dollars.

There's no word on a schedule for WiiWare future WiiWare titles, although Nintendo has hinted there won't be a regular release every week like we've grown accustomed to from the Virtual Console. Also interesting is the introduction of a new Wii Point price level - 700 points, putting those games just over the cost of most TurboGraphix 16 titles and just under most Super Nintendo and Genesis games.

For the description of the games and (allegedly) the full press release, hit the jump.

North American WiiWare Launch Games [VC-Reviews]

]]>



REDMOND, Wash., May 12, 2008 - Nintendo's Wii™ console has already changed the way people play games. Now its new WiiWare™ service decisively tears down limitations for how developers create games - and the way people receive them.

Starting today, Wii owners with an Internet connection can download new, creative games from a wide range of developers, from large publishers to indie shops. By reducing the barriers that make console game development prohibitively expensive, WiiWare showcases original ideas in the most democratic environment in industry history, connecting the people who make games more directly with the people who play them.

WiiWare frees developers from the traditional constraints of video game development. WiiWare lets developers experiment with big ideas and small budgets to the benefit of players everywhere. Newer, smaller teams now have an outlet for their creative ideas. The constantly growing WiiWare library will have a regular flow of unique video gaming experiences consumers might not otherwise have access to.

"WiiWare is to the video game industry what independent films are to Hollywood," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "WiiWare lets developers experiment with new ideas and experiences. Combined with our collection of classic Virtual Console games, Wii provides one-stop shopping for the greatest games of the past - and the future."

WiiWare games are easy to download. Just go to the WiiWare section of the Wii Shop Channel, find the game you want, redeem Wii Points™ and start the download. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. New games, at various Wii Point values, will be added to WiiWare on Mondays. The newly launched Nintendo Channel on Wii will let people view videos of and read information about WiiWare games and other Nintendo products. Users also can see player opinions to help them decide what to play next.
Today, the inaugural lineup of WiiWare games is just a taste of things to come:

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King (Square Enix, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 1,500 Wii Points): FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King takes a legendary franchise and launches it into the realm of simulation gaming. Players are challenged to rebuild a kingdom, leading its young king on a path of discovery through an adventure bristling with mystery and intrigue.

LostWinds (Frontier Development, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): A fresh, enchanting platform adventure that puts the power of the wind in the palm of your hand - from raging tornados to the gentlest breeze. You'll wield your Wii Remote™ controller to power Toku's jumps and glides, suspend and smash enemies, meet friends and solve puzzles using LostWinds' novel, intuitive and playful control system.

Defend your Castle (XGen Studios, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone - Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): Defend your Castle takes place on a grassy plain surrounded by invaders. You are the commander of your castle, and it is your duty to fling the invading enemies sky-high, watching them plummet to their demise. As you progress, add powerful spells and upgrades to your arsenal for repelling the attacks. How long can you hold them off?

Pop (Nnooo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 700 Wii Points): Pop bubbles to score points and stop the timer from running out. Pop can be enjoyed by anyone - casual gamers can simply play to pop bubbles and keep the game moving, whereas advanced players will need to pick their shots rapidly and accurately and generate combos to maximize their score.

V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack (High Voltage Software®, Inc., 1-4 players, Rated T for Teen - Simulated Gambling, 700 Wii Points): V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack re-creates the casino experience, with fully animated players and a realistic Las Vegas dealer. Single players can increase their bankrolls, while multiple players can engage in a head-to-head mini-blackjack tournament.

TV Show King (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): TV Show King transforms your living room into a real TV quiz show studio where you'll face the challenge of answering more than 3,000 questions across six different categories. Compete against family and friends and use your Wii Remote controller in original ways to make it to the finals to see who can win the greatest amount of cash in one final, deciding duel.

To celebrate today's launch of the new WiiWare™ downloadable game service for Wii™, there will be no Virtual Console™ games added today. But don't worry - next week the Wii-kly Update will be back to its regular Monday schedule, bringing Wii owners information about the best classic Virtual Console titles and coolest new WiiWare games.

]]> EA Announces Skate It For Wii And DS tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33513 2008-05-10T19:00:00Z 2008-05-10T19:22:06Z IGN has first official word from EA about their skate spinoff for the Wii and DS, Skate It. Craig Harris, crack journalist, wastes no time getting to the root of the biggest mystery surrounding the game: exactly what the hell is "It?" Executive producer Scott Blackwood explains. "It" can be anything you want it to be. Rails, pools, ledges, banks, mega-ramps, gnarly downhill streets...you make the call. Just like real skateboarding the answer as to what "it" is...is...fun. We're sure once you skate it, you'll get it. Thanks, Scott. That sure sounds better than, "It's just something our marketing department slapped on at the last minute." Skate It for the Wii is being developed by teams from Black Box and EA Montreal, and the DS version is being handled by Exient, who have provided several DS conversions for the company. The Wii version will support the Balance Board, and although it's optional, Blackwood promises the peripheral will help provide "a next level of immersiveness" for the game. Until I get my feet on the thing, I'm a tad skeptical about that claim, but it sounds promising. Additionally, he promises the much lauded Instant Replay feature from the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions will travel to the Wii and DS in some form, although he didn't elaborate further. Although no specific date is given, you can expect both versions of Skate It to ship in 2008. Check out videos demonstrating the control schemes after the break, although they don't seem to have any actual gameplay footage. Still, good call on the Fujiya & Miyagi, EA. Skate It on Wii and Nintendo DS [IGN]... Dawdle http://gaygamer.net skate_it.jpg

IGN has first official word from EA about their skate spinoff for the Wii and DS, Skate It. Craig Harris, crack journalist, wastes no time getting to the root of the biggest mystery surrounding the game: exactly what the hell is "It?" Executive producer Scott Blackwood explains.

"It" can be anything you want it to be. Rails, pools, ledges, banks, mega-ramps, gnarly downhill streets...you make the call. Just like real skateboarding the answer as to what "it" is...is...fun. We're sure once you skate it, you'll get it.

Thanks, Scott. That sure sounds better than, "It's just something our marketing department slapped on at the last minute."

Skate It for the Wii is being developed by teams from Black Box and EA Montreal, and the DS version is being handled by Exient, who have provided several DS conversions for the company. The Wii version will support the Balance Board, and although it's optional, Blackwood promises the peripheral will help provide "a next level of immersiveness" for the game. Until I get my feet on the thing, I'm a tad skeptical about that claim, but it sounds promising. Additionally, he promises the much lauded Instant Replay feature from the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions will travel to the Wii and DS in some form, although he didn't elaborate further.

Although no specific date is given, you can expect both versions of Skate It to ship in 2008. Check out videos demonstrating the control schemes after the break, although they don't seem to have any actual gameplay footage. Still, good call on the Fujiya & Miyagi, EA.

Skate It on Wii and Nintendo DS [IGN]

]]>





Wii Version:

DS Version:


]]> "Realistic" Sonic Dashes His Way Into Your Nightmares tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33512 2008-05-10T17:00:00Z 2008-05-10T21:28:13Z Artist Marcus Blättermann, a student at Germany's Burg Giebichenstein - University of Art and Design, decided that "the Hedgehog" part of Sonic the Hedgehog had been neglected far too long. As a result, he's offered up this version of Sega's speedster, hewing a little closer to the mascot's namesake animal. In the end I decided to give him a color-pattern that resembles a West European Hedgehog but facial proportions that stick to Sonic himself. His white gloves and the red shoes he kept as another link to the original, but the shoes underwent a little redesign. In addition his body looks like that of a runner, making it more believable that he can run at such high speeds. "Realistic" probably isn't the best word for the creation. "Absolutely terrifying" is closer. Still, it's better than the previous best effort. It also reminds me more than a little bit of this episode from Jim Henson's Storyteller, which absolutely destroyed me as a kid. Blättermann is also responsible for the dino-fied Bowser from a few weeks back, and if you like these two pieces, make sure and check out his portfolio, although note that some sections of the site might be considered NSFW. Sonic the Real Hedgehog [Essenmitsosse.de] [via: NeoGAF forum]... Dawdle http://gaygamer.net realsonic.jpg

Artist Marcus Blättermann, a student at Germany's Burg Giebichenstein - University of Art and Design, decided that "the Hedgehog" part of Sonic the Hedgehog had been neglected far too long. As a result, he's offered up this version of Sega's speedster, hewing a little closer to the mascot's namesake animal.

In the end I decided to give him a color-pattern that resembles a West European Hedgehog but facial proportions that stick to Sonic himself. His white gloves and the red shoes he kept as another link to the original, but the shoes underwent a little redesign. In addition his body looks like that of a runner, making it more believable that he can run at such high speeds.

"Realistic" probably isn't the best word for the creation. "Absolutely terrifying" is closer. Still, it's better than the previous best effort. It also reminds me more than a little bit of this episode from Jim Henson's Storyteller, which absolutely destroyed me as a kid.

Blättermann is also responsible for the dino-fied Bowser from a few weeks back, and if you like these two pieces, make sure and check out his portfolio, although note that some sections of the site might be considered NSFW.

Sonic the Real Hedgehog [Essenmitsosse.de]

[via: NeoGAF forum]

]]> Vote For The Best Upcoming Gay Gaming Industry Professional! tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33432 2008-05-10T07:00:00Z 2008-05-10T07:03:07Z Hello one and all and welcome to our little corner of Logo's NewNowNext Awards! Here we will be gathering votes for the Best Upcoming Gay Gaming Industry Professional category. We have chosen three up and coming out gay game developers for the competition and each and every one is a heavy hitter! Make the jump to meet our contestants and cast your vote!... Fruit Brute http://gaygamer.net

Hello one and all and welcome to our little corner of Logo's NewNowNext Awards! Here we will be gathering votes for the Best Upcoming Gay Gaming Industry Professional category. We have chosen three up and coming out gay game developers for the competition and each and every one is a heavy hitter! Make the jump to meet our contestants and cast your vote!

]]>

Learn a little bit about our nominees before you vote! (from left to right above)

Kyle Gabler: Kyle is one of the guys behind the Experimental Gameplay Project, and recently a game designer and magic rapid prototyper with Maxis & EA. Now he is one half of the stupendous duo 2D Boy. Along with his 2D Boy partner, Ron Carmel, Kyle is currently working on World of Goo, a physics based game that has been picked up by Nintendo as one of their Wii Ware launch titles! Kyle has been instrumental in World of Goo with everything form the story, art style and the incredible original music.

Jeb Havens: Jeb is an Associate Game Designer at EA / Maxis, happily working with the SPORE team. Having worked on SPORE Creatures for the Nintendo DS, he is currently working on another super-secret SPORE game. Jeb's previous experience includes lead design on two DS titles, as well as design work on the Playboy: The Mansion series, Gopets: Vacation Island, a few Serious Training Games projects, and a social networking website. Jeb is active in issues of diversity, especially LGBT representation in the industry and in video games, helping to start an LGBT group within the International Game Developers Association and creating and running an annual industry roundtable for LGBT developers. He has spoken and written about diversity, gender, sexuality and game design at various industry conferences. A graduate of Brown University, Jeb has also received awards and recognition as a professional board game designer, puzzle writer, and playwright.

Brian Sharp: Brian entered the games industry a spring lamb, at the age of 16, leaving a neither illustrious nor lucrative but mercifully short career as a cashier at K-Mart. He first made a little-known game, MindRover, at a startup called Cognitoy, which remains to this day his best-reviewed game (PC Gamer gave it an 89%.) Since then he's worked for gaming hardware companies 3dfx and Ageia and game developers Ion Storm on Deus Ex: Invisible War and Thief: Deadly Shadows, Electronic Arts on Spore, and currently Midway in Austin, on an unannounced Unreal Engine 3 title. In his spare time, when he is not eating or playing games, Brian is probably either climbing up rocks, sitting very still in lotus position, or making dessert.

]]> Video: Gears Of War 2 First Gameplay Footage Blowout tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33511 2008-05-10T06:00:00Z 2008-05-10T05:45:07Z Speechless. Just completely speechless. November is going to be an absolutely fantastic month for 360 owners. Guaranteed.... Noun http://gaygamer.net

Speechless. Just completely speechless.
November is going to be an absolutely fantastic month for 360 owners.

Guaranteed.

]]> Sexy Overload: SOTA Toys Sagat Resin Statue tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33501 2008-05-10T02:00:00Z 2008-05-09T23:22:00Z Clocking in at 12'' tall and $119.99, SOTA Toys' representation of Sagat from Street Fighter II is certifiably hot. Sure, his pupil-less eyes and steroid-heavy physique is initially disturbing, but the overall form and detail supplies a surplus of hottness. Make sure to get your preorder in now, for this resin statue shouldn't last long after releasing on October 1st. Sagat Resin Statue [SOTA Toys] [via: Topless Robot]... Noun http://gaygamer.net Image of Sagat's butt

Clocking in at 12'' tall and $119.99, SOTA Toys' representation of Sagat from Street Fighter II is certifiably hot. Sure, his pupil-less eyes and steroid-heavy physique is initially disturbing, but the overall form and detail supplies a surplus of hottness.

Make sure to get your preorder in now, for this resin statue shouldn't last long after releasing on October 1st.

Image of Sagat resin statueImage of Sagat resin statueImage of Sagat resin statueImage of Sagat resin statue

Sagat Resin Statue [SOTA Toys]

[via: Topless Robot]

]]> Video: The Official Persona 4 Opening tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33510 2008-05-10T01:55:00Z 2008-05-10T05:38:51Z Thanks to the recent release of Persona 3: FES, and subsequently falling in love with the Persona series yet again, I'm beside myself with anticipation for Persona 4. Launching in Japan in just a couple of months, and rumored to ship in the US by the end of 2008 by Electronic Gaming Monthly, Persona 4 couldn't get here fast enough. I need my super-stylish videogaming fix pronto, Atlus. Make it snappy! This is the Persona 4 opening movie [Siliconera]... Noun http://gaygamer.net

Thanks to the recent release of Persona 3: FES, and subsequently falling in love with the Persona series yet again, I'm beside myself with anticipation for Persona 4. Launching in Japan in just a couple of months, and rumored to ship in the US by the end of 2008 by Electronic Gaming Monthly, Persona 4 couldn't get here fast enough.

I need my super-stylish videogaming fix pronto, Atlus. Make it snappy!

This is the Persona 4 opening movie [Siliconera]

]]> Gearing Up for Gears 2 Trailer tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33509 2008-05-10T01:00:00Z 2008-05-09T22:46:32Z Noun already mentioned this earlier in the week, but Xbox LIVE's own Major Nelson posted a reminder that the trailer for Gears of War 2 will be premiering on Game Trailers TV with Geoff Keighley. That's at 1am ET on Spike TV, if you're interested. Otherwise, you could always just wait until 11pm PT (2am ET) when the trailer will go up on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace. (Honestly, it might be better to wait since you'll be able to download it in HD...) These times are slightly different than what Noun had posted, but honestly, unless you're really super-psyched for it, you might as well wait until the next morning since I'm sure the servers are going to be stressed!... Wootini http://gaygamer.net/Wootini gow4.jpg

Noun already mentioned this earlier in the week, but Xbox LIVE's own Major Nelson posted a reminder that the trailer for Gears of War 2 will be premiering on Game Trailers TV with Geoff Keighley. That's at 1am ET on Spike TV, if you're interested. Otherwise, you could always just wait until 11pm PT (2am ET) when the trailer will go up on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace. (Honestly, it might be better to wait since you'll be able to download it in HD...) These times are slightly different than what Noun had posted, but honestly, unless you're really super-psyched for it, you might as well wait until the next morning since I'm sure the servers are going to be stressed!

]]> Rumorama: Kid Icarus Wii Information Explosion tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33504 2008-05-10T00:00:00Z 2008-05-09T23:33:27Z The rumors for an upcoming Wii translation of the respected Kid Icarus series have been floating around the internet for ages. Heightened from Pit's inclusion into Super Smash Brothers Brawl, and strengthened by IGN's Matt Casamassina disclosing that the classic franchise would be returning to Nintendo's new baby, gaming website Kombo rocked the net this morning by posting a series of purported developmental sketches of gaming's next interpretation of the adventures of Pit. As disclosed from Kombo: The artwork comes from early 2008 proposal, art style has further advanced. Nintendo has shown interest in Factor 5 developing the project, though the project has not been officially green lighted. The plot that Factor 5 has pitched involves Pit being "cursed for thousands of years for a crime and becomes a 'fallen angel'." The tattoo on Pit's arm operates as a branding of his criminal status. It should come to little surprise that Nintendo has no comment on any of the information divulged by Kombo, though the most recent issue of Nintendo Power pledges to have a huge revelation in store for the gaming public next month. Time will tell whether this information leak holds water or not. Kid Icarus Wii [unconfirmed] [Kombo]... Noun http://gaygamer.net Image of mock Kid Icarus Wii box.

The rumors for an upcoming Wii translation of the respected Kid Icarus series have been floating around the internet for ages. Heightened from Pit's inclusion into Super Smash Brothers Brawl, and strengthened by IGN's Matt Casamassina disclosing that the classic franchise would be returning to Nintendo's new baby, gaming website Kombo rocked the net this morning by posting a series of purported developmental sketches of gaming's next interpretation of the adventures of Pit.

As disclosed from Kombo:

  • The artwork comes from early 2008 proposal, art style has further advanced.

  • Nintendo has shown interest in Factor 5 developing the project, though the project has not been officially green lighted.

  • The plot that Factor 5 has pitched involves Pit being "cursed for thousands of years for a crime and becomes a 'fallen angel'."

  • The tattoo on Pit's arm operates as a branding of his criminal status.

It should come to little surprise that Nintendo has no comment on any of the information divulged by Kombo, though the most recent issue of Nintendo Power pledges to have a huge revelation in store for the gaming public next month.

Time will tell whether this information leak holds water or not.

Image of potential Kid Icarus character design.Image of potential Kid Icarus character design.Image of potential Kid Icarus character design.Image of potential Kid Icarus character design.Image of potential Kid Icarus character design.Image of potential Kid Icarus character design.Image of potential Kid Icarus character design.Image of potential Kid Icarus character design.

Kid Icarus Wii [unconfirmed] [Kombo]

]]> Naked Brothers Game Coming tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33508 2008-05-09T23:30:00Z 2008-05-09T22:26:15Z Okay, no, maybe not the naked brothers you're thinking of. Sorry. THQ announced a whole bunch of games based off Nickelodeon properties, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar, Tak and the Power of Juju and The Naked Brothers Band. At least they're getting a little creative this time, making the SpongeBob game a Drawn To Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition so you can draw your own Bikini Bottom. "With the enormous popularity of Wii™ and DS coupled with our exceptionally diverse portfolio of Nickelodeon-based games, THQ continues to lead in family entertainment," said Jim Huntley, director, global brand management, THQ. "Featuring new forms of gameplay such as the music-based The Naked Brothers Band and the drawing-based Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition, we expect our upcoming titles to offer completely new ways for families to play together." There are a whole bunch of licensed Nickelodeon games coming out for PS2, Wii and Nintendo DS. If you're actually interested in what they are, I've got a whole press release with full details after the jump!... Wootini http://gaygamer.net/Wootini brewertwins.jpg

Okay, no, maybe not the naked brothers you're thinking of. Sorry. THQ announced a whole bunch of games based off Nickelodeon properties, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar, Tak and the Power of Juju and The Naked Brothers Band. At least they're getting a little creative this time, making the SpongeBob game a Drawn To Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition so you can draw your own Bikini Bottom.

"With the enormous popularity of Wii™ and DS coupled with our exceptionally diverse portfolio of Nickelodeon-based games, THQ continues to lead in family entertainment," said Jim Huntley, director, global brand management, THQ. "Featuring new forms of gameplay such as the music-based The Naked Brothers Band and the drawing-based Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition, we expect our upcoming titles to offer completely new ways for families to play together."

There are a whole bunch of licensed Nickelodeon games coming out for PS2, Wii and Nintendo DS. If you're actually interested in what they are, I've got a whole press release with full details after the jump!

]]> THQ's Nickelodeon Portfolio Surpasses Billion Dollar Mark As Company Announces Extensive New Lineup For 2008

First-Ever The Naked Brothers Band Video Game Puts Kids on Nationwide Concert Tour Where They Play Instruments, Control the Stage Shows and Create Music Videos

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - May 5, 2008 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced its upcoming portfolio of video games based on the company's long-standing relationship with Nickelodeon. THQ's longstanding partnership with Nickelodeon has resulted in sales of more than $1 billion and accounted for more than 50 million units worldwide.

This year's feature titles include the video game debut of The Naked Brothers Band. The Naked Brothers Band: The Video Game (working title) is based on the highly rated TV show that follows the lives of a kids' rock band fronted by real-life brothers Nat and Alex Wolff. In addition, SpongeBob SquarePants will take on a new creative form this year in Drawn to Life™: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition. Based on last year's top selling Drawn to Life™ video game for Nintendo DS™, the game will allow players to draw their own characters and populate the world of Bikini Bottom with their own creativity. The 2008 portfolio will also include new games based on leading Nickelodeon TV shows Tak and the Power of Juju, Avatar: The Last Airbender and Back At The Barnyard. Nickelodeon fans can also look forward to a new installment of the popular Nicktoons.

"With the enormous popularity of Wii™ and DS coupled with our exceptionally diverse portfolio of Nickelodeon-based games, THQ continues to lead in family entertainment," said Jim Huntley, director, global brand management, THQ. "Featuring new forms of gameplay such as the music-based The Naked Brothers Band and the drawing-based Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition, we expect our upcoming titles to offer completely new ways for families to play together."

"Gaming is one of the primary activities of our audience, whether it's online or on the console," said Steve Youngwood, Executive Vice President, Digital Media for Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family. "THQ's interactive video games based on our hit shows have continued to help Nickelodeon maintain its position as a leader in gaming entertainment for the family, and we look forward to the addition of these new releases to our library."

The 2008 Nickelodeon portfolio is scheduled for release in Fall 2008 across multiple game systems, including the Wii™ video game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Nintendo DS. For more information on THQ's Nickelodeon titles and the rest of THQ's family product lineup, please visit www.playthq.com.

The 2008 THQ Nickelodeon videogame lineup includes:

• The Naked Brothers Band: The Videogame (working title) - Based on the highly popular Nickelodeon TV show of the same name, this music-based video game allows players to live the superstar life of The Naked Brothers Band. Playing as the band, players will embark on a nationwide tour where they can experience all aspects of being in the band: singing, playing multiple instruments, controlling stage effects like lighting and pyrotechnics and even creating live concert videos. Featuring 25 of The Naked Brothers Band's greatest hits, The Naked Brothers Band is scheduled for release on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Wii and Nintendo DS.

• Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition - Players will experience SpongeBob SquarePants like never before by using the unique drawing mechanic perfected in last year's innovative Nintendo DS title, Drawn to Life, to draw their own character and populate the world of Bikini Bottom. Using the Nintendo DS stylus, players will create their own hero, defeat DoodleBob's rogue drawings, and rescue SpongeBob and his friends. Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition is scheduled for release on Nintendo DS.

• Avatar - The Last Airbender: Into the Inferno - Players will play as Aang and friends in this action-packed video game based on the final season of the highly acclaimed TV series. New gameplay features will allow players to interact with characters from the TV show while performing thrilling martial arts moves with enhanced Wii Remote™ controls in order to defeat the Fire Nation. Avatar - The Last Airbender: Into the Inferno is scheduled for release on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Wii and Nintendo DS.

• SpongeBob SquarePants featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom - SpongeBob SquarePants featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom is an action-packed adventure featuring 10 playable characters from some of the most popular Nickelodeon TV shows, as well as numerous iconic locations such as Retroville, Amity Park and Bikini Bottom. Players will play cooperatively as both heroes and villains while utilizing special gadgets in order to defeat the Morphoids. SpongeBob SquarePants featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom is scheduled for release on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Wii and Nintendo DS.

• Tak and the Guardians of Gross - Tak and the Guardians of Gross follows the shaman's apprentice as he visits the Spoiled Shrine and accidentally removes a strange crystal that explodes and releases the four giant Grosstrosities. Using all new "parkour" style of gameplay, players will be running on walls, sliding down poles, and swinging on vines to navigate action-packed levels. Tak and the Guardians of Gross is scheduled for release on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and on Wii. In addition, Tak Mojo Mistake is scheduled for release on Nintendo DS.

• Back at the Barnyard: Slop Bucket Games (working title) - The popular Nickelodeon series stampedes its way onto Nintendo DS for the first time. Players will compete in the first annual Slop Bucket Games - a series of wacky, fun, sporting events and reinvented classic arcade games with barnyard motifs. Back at the Barnyard is scheduled for release on Nintendo DS only.

]]> Fantastic Flash: Alan Probe - Amateur Surgeon Is Complete tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33506 2008-05-09T22:00:00Z 2008-05-09T20:12:34Z We've already told you about Adult Swim's humorous Trauma Center parody, Alan Probe: Amateur Surgeon. It's a game of saving lives and rescuing freaks and hobos, all with a pizza cutter. Well, the third and final act has been released, bringing the trilogy to an end. It's a fantastic Friday time waster. (If you don't have a squeamish stomach) Check it out!... Sgt. Sausagepants http://gaygamer.net

We've already told you about Adult Swim's humorous Trauma Center parody, Alan Probe: Amateur Surgeon. It's a game of saving lives and rescuing freaks and hobos, all with a pizza cutter.

Well, the third and final act has been released, bringing the trilogy to an end. It's a fantastic Friday time waster. (If you don't have a squeamish stomach) Check it out!

]]> Video: Why I'm Glad The PSP Is Not Region Locked: Hudson TurboGrafx Collections tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33503 2008-05-09T20:00:00Z 2008-05-09T18:32:41Z One of the most disappointing facts about the TurboGrafx-16 would have to be the best PC Engine titles never made it to the US. Nintendo effectively castrated the system early on, using what would now be considered anti-competitive business practices. I digress, that's in the past and Nintendo has learn their lesson. Thankfully, Hudson has been dumping a lot of the titles on to the Virtual Console, and making a killing doing so. I guess with the raging success, they are releasing collections for the Song PortstationPlaystation Portable. The first to installments will be released July 31 (Japan) for 2,940 yen ($28) a piece. Tengai Makyou Collection contains: Far East of Eden Ziria Far East of Eden II: Manji Maru Tengai Makyou: Fuun Kabukiden Kabuki Itouryodan Ginga Ojousama Densetsu Collection contains: Ginga Ojousama Densetsu Yuna Ginga Ojousama Densetsu Yuna 2 Ginga Fukei Densetsu: Sapphire Yes, I know these will never see a retail release in the US, but hey, that's what importers are for! The Ginga Ojousama Densetsu is worth it's weight in gold for me. Hudson TurboGrafx collections head to the PSP [Siliconera]... Asterick http://www.gaygamer.net

One of the most disappointing facts about the TurboGrafx-16 would have to be the best PC Engine titles never made it to the US. Nintendo effectively castrated the system early on, using what would now be considered anti-competitive business practices. I digress, that's in the past and Nintendo has learn their lesson.

Thankfully, Hudson has been dumping a lot of the titles on to the Virtual Console, and making a killing doing so. I guess with the raging success, they are releasing collections for the Song PortstationPlaystation Portable. The first to installments will be released July 31 (Japan) for 2,940 yen ($28) a piece.

Tengai Makyou Collection contains:


  • Far East of Eden Ziria

  • Far East of Eden II: Manji Maru

  • Tengai Makyou: Fuun Kabukiden

  • Kabuki Itouryodan


Ginga Ojousama Densetsu Collection contains:


  • Ginga Ojousama Densetsu Yuna

  • Ginga Ojousama Densetsu Yuna 2

  • Ginga Fukei Densetsu: Sapphire

Yes, I know these will never see a retail release in the US, but hey, that's what importers are for! The Ginga Ojousama Densetsu is worth it's weight in gold for me.

Hudson TurboGrafx collections head to the PSP [Siliconera]

]]> Alone In The Dark Website Launches tag:gaygamer.net,2008://1.33505 2008-05-09T19:14:26Z 2008-05-09T19:29:12Z The new Alone in the Dark website has launched and you can check out all the spooky fun that Central Park has to offer on this snazzy flash based site. There are all the things you would expect from a game site including movies and screenshots. You can also take a tour of some of the various locations in the game and pick up items that will unlock some extra downloads for you. I hope this game turns out well. I'm always happy to add another scary game to my arsenal and the videos I've seen thus far have looked quite good. Look for Alone in the Dark on your PS3, PS2, Xbox 360, Wii and PC on May 24th.... Fruit Brute http://gaygamer.net aloneshot.jpg

The new Alone in the Dark website has launched and you can check out all the spooky fun that Central Park has to offer on this snazzy flash based site. There are all the things you would expect from a game site including movies and screenshots. You can also take a tour of some of the various locations in the game and pick up items that will unlock some extra downloads for you.

I hope this game turns out well. I'm always happy to add another scary game to my arsenal and the videos I've seen thus far have looked quite good. Look for Alone in the Dark on your PS3, PS2, Xbox 360, Wii and PC on May 24th.

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