New Columns, Gamers do make money & Guitars for everyone – Welcome to the Busted Old Jalopy that got a new fender this year known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. It is a brand new year, and yes your co-host and wonderful person spent new years by himself. Don’t weep too much, it was mostly my own doing. I could have gone to my parents but didn’t want to drive and the thought of spending new years with my parents was actually…more depressing than spending it alone. So I just pretty much lied to myself, ate a somewhat elaborate dinner, played my 360 and watched the ball drop. (insert college football joke here) This year I have come up with a couple of new columns, I hope you enjoy them. All feedback appreciated or flushed down the commode, do not toy with your sensei you weak and pathetic fool.
Ode To Morgan Webb
Man I just love the color red. From what I have read lately, Morgan might be pursuing other things besides co-host in X-Play. A few of the other ladies have been filling in for her especially during the christmas weeks. While they are good, I hope G4 realizes they don’t have the magic Morgan does. It’s probably a money move at best. But regardless, I would not expect her face to drop out of the media anytime soon. Especially when there are people like me around, we need somebody to worship for pete’s sake. Okay, dream about. I suppose worship is a bit much, she is just a super hot video game chick who likes to dye her hair different colors. *caugh*, next!
Quick news stories of interest
(*note: these were a couple of old christmas stories I found since there still isn’t much new this week*)
In August, RedOctane and parent company Activision sued The Ant Commandos, accusing the peripheral purveyor of copyright infringement, false advertising, and more in connection with the company’s unlicensed Guitar Hero controllers. The Ant Commandos quickly countersued, claiming that RedOctane swiped the official Guitar Hero peripheral’s design from its parent company’s “Magical Guitar” controller, released years earlier for Konami’s Guitar Freaks line of games.
In late October, the companies told the judge in the case that they were expecting to reach a settlement on the dispute within 10 days. It took a bit longer than that, but earlier this month the parties told the judge that they hashed out their differences and finally reached a settlement. The judge officially dismissed the case yesterday.
A representative of The Ant Commandos told GameSpot that the details of the settlement could not be revealed but did confirm that the company’s products would continue to be distributed. Representatives for Activision could not be reached for comment.
Thank goodness this is over. I mean can’t we just have tons of guitars to choose from so we can play Guitar Hero anyway we choose? Not just Gibson style guitars either, I want to see some Fenders and Warlocks sometime soon. (I know Gibson endorses Guitar Hero, but one can hope). To be truthful, I’m on the side of the Ant Commandos here, Red Octane & Activision just basically improved on the idea of Guitar playing on a video game machine. Guitar Freaks was a great concept and its a shame that it took somebody else to really bring it out the way it was supposed to be. To be honest, I would not be surprised if we end up seeing some Guitar Hero clones in the next 1-2 years. I mean we have DDR clone games and Karaoke Revolution clones, I can see some GH esque but not quite action.
MLG spends $1.75M signing seven pro gamers
Back in June, Major League Gaming made headlines when it agreed to sign a quintet of professional gamers for a total of $1.25 million over three years. While many scoffed at the amount of scratch given to the joystick jockeys, the professional gaming league apparently thinks it was a great idea, as it has signed a second wave of gamers to deals for a similar amount of cash.
Team Carbon accepts a dope novelty check.
MLG has announced the signings of the four-man team Carbon and the three remaining members of Str8 Rippin, whose team captain, Tom “Tsquared” Taylor, was one of those signed in June.
Team Carbon is made up of Chris “Shockwave” Smith, Scott “Gandhi” Lussier, Ben “Karma” Jackson, and Eric “Ghostayame” Hewitt, and is the defending MLG Halo 2 team champion. The squad beat top dogs Final Boss (the previous MLG Halo 2 champ) three consecutive times in the second half of MLG’s tour this year. The team was given a three-year $1 million deal to play exclusively with MLG.
The remaining members of Str8 Rippin–Carlos “Cpt. Anarchy” Morales, Alfonso “Fonzi” Chartier, Peter “Foulacy” Dietrich–join Taylor with three-year $250,000 deals each. Str8 Rippin is considered the third-best MLG team, behind Carbon and Final Boss.
MLG competitions can be seen on the USA Network on Saturdays at 10 a.m. ET/PT, or online at the MLG Web site.
*puts out a hand and smiles sweetly*, I have been gaming over 25 years, can you help a brutha out? Come on, I could be the old crusty guy on the team, the one who tells tales from when he used to be a kid and what gaming was like. I could also like show the gaming chics what a real man is like without the acne and final exams to worry about. Just give me shades a 30 minute spot each week and I tell ya I’m golden. Come on what do you say? Kudos however to any gamer who gets a deal like this, to be honest though as far as video games are concerned I was born about 10 years too late.
An XBOX Moment
Fable – The Lost Chapters
The XBOX Moment can be virtually anything about the 360 console. It can be an old xbox game that is compatible with the 360 or it can be an arcade live game, it can be the current hot release or it can even be some news of interest specific to the XBOX. This week we visit a game that won many 2004 polls as Game of the year. This platinum title in its Lost Chapters form goes for $20 new or even $10 used. It is 360 compatible (both original and platinum versions) and it considered by many to be the best RPG released on either the XBOX or XBOX 360 system to date. It puts you in the mind of a great warrior who is set on revenge for his family that was killed in a blaze by bandits when he was young. However, what sets this game apart was putting you in so many good or evil decision making scenarios. Want to go on a quest and escort some traders across a murky swamp? Okay we got that. Want to go on a quest and kill some traders who dare cross a murky swamp? Okay we got that too. There is also some gambling, debauchery, and lots of little things to intrigue your mind with as you make those crucial decisions. Great game (be sure to pick up the Lost Chapters version as it includes more decisions and more quests for you to explore) and we can only hope a 360 sequel will exist in the next year or two.
Arcade Classic of The Week
Afterburner
This column each week will pick an arcade classic and examine it just a little bit for everybody to enjoy. Afterburner was a game ahead of its time. Billed as one of the first flight simulators, this gave you the controls to a jet capable of efficient firepower. There was also arcade standups that gave you a sit-down full immersion of a cockpit. The cockpit actually rotated vertically as you flew through the stages, complete with flashing lights. It had a few supposed tricks such as if you flew in the top left, you could beat the whole game with hardly trying. (cause ships could not reach that part of the screen). Cheat or no cheat this was a fantastic ride that has made its way to many consoles even poping up as an unlock in the xbox version (360 compatible) of Shenmue II.
PS2
Karaoke Revolution: American Idol
DS
Super Collapse 3
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Spirit Caller
Paws & Claws Pet Vet
Pretty painless and quick release week. Things return to normal by next week. So do yourself a favor and go sing your heart out with Karaoke Revolution, bring out the Tetris clone lover in all of us, call some spirits and get Yu-Gi-Oh out of our lives and take your dog & cat to be spade or neutured. (Bob Barker would have wanted it that way).
Some Final Thoughts and Mutterings
Well as mentioned, I played a lot of my 360 this past week. From Fable to Arcade Unplugged to a couple of bargain 360 games to more Arcade type stuff, I got my fill. I think I’m getting much better at Hexic. By watching a friend of mine over the weekend, I actually picked up pointers and nearly doubled my old high score. Maybe I can actually crack 100k next time. (I know, all of you pros have millions and millions, I’m well aware). Hey if anybody knows where I can pick up a cheap Fable strategy guide (that includes the Lost Chapters), let me know…Ebay seems to think they are rare and they go for $25-$30 a pop. When I payed $10 for the game, seems hardly worth it. Yes I know they are on the net for free, but I have in the neighborhood of 50+ guides, I get them simply for the maps and color screen shots. It is nice to hold things like that in your hand as opposed to sheets of paper or a computer screen. Oh, if anybody pays attention, I’m working my way up to asking a girl out soon. It’s been over 4 months now since my ex walked out, I think I’m almost there. Whether she says yes or no, we’ll see…but I’m going to do it. More later, wish me luck.
As Always,
Kedrix of Aldrianian
(*The Forgotten One*)
