Most Recent: Etcetera

Finally! Scorpion vs Sub-Zero in episode 7 of Mortal Kombat: Legacy

Posted on May 24, 2011 by John Scalzo

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for: Scorpion versus Sub-Zero in Kevin Tancharoen’s Mortal Kombat: Legacy.

Ian Anthony Dale returns as Hanzo Hasashi in this two-part vignette that’ll be concluded next week. Also be on the lookout for Quan Chi and another appearance by Shang Tsung.

Posted in Etcetera, News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Daily Scoop: May 20, 2011 – 99 problems & a glitch ain’t one

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Nicole Kline

I’ve been playing L.A. Noire since Tuesday, and this game is glorious. I haven’t had a single glitch (knock on wood), which is the opposite of the experience I had when playing Red Dead Redemption. In fact, I’ve been playing so much of the game that when I saw a girl walking down the street today with a shirt that said “I adore L.A.,” my brain automatically added the “Noire,” and I thought about what a great marketing strategy that would be for Rockstar.

Anyway! Amazon’s Deal of the Day in video games today is Activision’s Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2010 with Gun Bundle for the Wii, which is just $19.99. I feel like this is what Amazon defaults to whenever they can’t figure out what to put up for their daily deal. Lame. They have added some new stuff to their clearance sale, though, so go crazy.

No game-related shirts today, but this awesome “Arrested Development”-inspired shirt over at Ript is tempting me:

I would love to play an Arrested Development game. See how many drinks Lucille can down before noon!

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News, Wii |

Daily Scoop: May 19, 2011 – Is it Resistance 3 time yet?

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Ah, the Internet. It always brings me delicious things, like the glorious cover art for Resistance 3. It is beautiful. I can’t wait until September 6 to tear up some Chimera and find out what the hell happened to Nathan Hale. I can’t accept the ending of Resistance 2… *cries*

*Wipes tears* anyway, let’s talk deals. All I’ve got for you today is Amazon’s Deal of the Day in video games: Activision’s GoldenEye 007 for the Wii. It’s just $24.99 today, and while it doesn’t come with the golden controller, it still comes with enough fan service to make the hardcore happy. Pick it up if you’ve been waiting for a price drop on the best James Bond game ever!

No game-related shirts, but I love today’s shirt.w00t:

It’s called “In A Galaxy Bar Far Away.” LOL!

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Netflix on video game consoles is the leading bandwidth usage in America

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

Independent researcher Sandvine has concluded that Netflix accounts for more downstream and overall bandwidth usage than all other sources, at 29.7 and 24.71 percent, respectively. Of all devices, video game consoles account for nearly two thirds of that figure, making Netflix usage on consoles alone accounting for 19.7% of all downstream usage. That’s bigger than the next highest usage – web pages.

The PlayStation 3 leads the pack in that figure, responsible for 30.57%. The Xbox 360 comes next, representing 24.94%, followed by PCs at 19.55%, while the Wii, with the highest install base of current gen consoles, comes in last with only 10.75%. Looks like someone may have been right about that whole closet/living room dichotomy.

One thing is for certain: game consoles are usurping cable providers. With the 3DS getting Netflix a later date and Sony’s NGP probably to do the same, expect this trend to continue in the future.

Posted in 3DS, Etcetera, News, PC, PS3, Vita, Wii, Xbox 360 |

MC Lars’ b-side collection 21 Concepts (featuring the Bayonetta song) now available

Posted on May 18, 2011 by John Scalzo

Nerdcore rapper extraordinaire, MC Lars, has released a new b-sides compilation today: 21 Concepts (But a Hit Ain’t One). The album is available in trusty compact disc format as well as digitally at leading online retailers such as Amazon and iTunes.

Sadly the album doesn’t contain the song titled “21 Concepts (But a Hit Ain’t One).” That track, which features an awesome sample of the “Type A” music from the Game Boy version of Tetris (which was itself just a reworking of the Russian folk song “Korobeiniki”), can be found on MC Lars’ first full-length disc, The Graduate. As you can tell, it was also the inspiration for the album’s cover (which actually features the correct width of a Tetris column, impressive Lars!).

However, it does contain the song “Reaping Beauty,” which was inspired by Platinum Games’ Bayonetta. MC Lars (along with special guests Beefy, Random and Tina Root) rap about Bayonetta’s killing skills and her resemblence to Tina Fey. Check out the full video for the song after the break. (more…)

Posted in Etcetera, News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Raiden is a mental patient in Mortal Kombat: Legacy episode 6

Posted on May 17, 2011 by John Scalzo

Kevin Tancharoen’s Mortal Kombat: Rebirth told a distinctly Earthbound version of the Mortal Kombat story. With the NetherRealm-backed Mortal Kombat: Legacy, the director hasn’t strayed very far from the established canon of the franchise. But with Legacy‘s sixth episode, “Raiden,” Tancharoen is definitely going in a new direction.

Taking a cue from 12 Monkeys, Legacy‘s Raiden teleported to Earth and was immediately imprisoned in a mental hospital due to his “delusions.” He eventually gets the Sarah Connor treatment from a rather brutal doctor.

Tancharoen was so worried about fan reaction to this episode that it opens with a disclaimer:

The following episode represents my different take on the Mortal Kombat universe.

I think it combines the perfect amount of gritty realism mixed with a hint of mysticism.

I hope you guys enjoy it.

– Kevin Tancharoen

After last week’s rather lackluster Kitana/Mileena episode, I thought this new take on Raiden was a rather awesome change.

Posted in Etcetera, News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Ubisoft Motion Pictures details strategy for Assassin’s Creed, Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

Earlier this month, we explored the convoluted relationship between video games and film, noting the creation of Ubisoft Motion Pictures to handle the movie adaptations for their games. Today, we learned a little more info about the three main properties being looked at for the studio’s first projects: Assassin’s Creed, Splinter Cell, and Ghost Recon.

“We want to keep ownership, retain control over the film content, and we’re open to work with studios on the development of our projects,” said division head Jean-Julien Baronnet. “Our strategy is not to diversify but to bolster the appeal of our franchises.”

The goal seems to be staying away from all the mistakes and common criticism most mainstream adaptations have suffered under – they don’t represent the games. Instead, Ubisoft Montreal looks to keep their studios in the loop at many stages in production, from getting project members familiar with “the DNA” of the franchise, making sure the stories are consistent, and even up to working on the project itself, with Ubisoft Digital Arts and Hybride Technologies looking to lend a hand.

Ubisoft Motion Pictures claims to have already received interest from U.S. studios and screenwriters, and will be travelling to Los Angeles in June to meet with potential partners. Looking to have a script by the end of the year, hopefully this endeavor will lead to the rise of a respectable video game film culture.

Posted in Etcetera, News | Tagged

Daily Scoop: May 13, 2011 – ZOMG Friday the 13th!

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Nicole Kline

It’s Friday the 13th, which means I’m cringing in remembrance of that horrible NES game. I can remember playing it when I was in elementary school and getting so frustrated at how horrendous it was. If you’ve never had the chance to play it, Angry Video Game Nerd actually sums it up quite nicely.

Today’s Amazon Deal of the Day in video games is CTA Digital’s Vertical Induction Charger for 3 PS3 Controllers. It’s $30.99 down from $49.99, but I have to admit, my controllers don’t need much charging lately, what with the state of the PSN these days. Sigh…

But on to better news! Kmart is having a great in-store deal on L.A. Noire – get a $20 gaming coupon and get any game $19.99 or under for free! This is a great deal for anyone looking to pick the game up in-store – hell, this is a great deal even if you don’t usually pick up games in-store. A ton of their games recently dropped in price, so check out that list ahead of time to see if there’s anything you want.

That’s all, folks! I’ll be playing Brink all weekend now that I finally finished Pokemon Black Version. How about you? :)

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |