Parking Space Invaders
1:30 PM, September 29, 2006
I found this mosaic on the bottom of a column at a parking garage in downtown Dallas this week. The invasion has begun! 
Dallasite qualifies for WCG Team
11:22 AM, September 29, 2006
From press release:
21 year-old Mannie Rodriguez, from Dallas, TX recently beat out over 40,000 others to qualify for Team USA in the World Cyber Games, the world's largest e-sports competition with over 2.5 million participants.
Rodriguez, who is a member of the elite professional gaming team 3-D, along with Dallas residents Russ Watson (23) and Ron Kim, will represent his country at the Grand Finals in Monza, Italy next month against 800 of the world's best video gamers from 70 countries for $430,000 in prizes, medals and national honor in eight game events. Interestingly enough, of the 12 members of Team USA, 5 are from Texas!
For more information on the Gaming competition, here are a few videos on the US Final:
Further information on the Team USA and the World Cyber Games can be
found below and at www.worldcybergames.com.
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WHO CARES!!!
Doug note: punchbutton cares! Did you not qualify Tommy?
MGC tomorrow in Bedford
9:51 AM, September 29, 2006
The Midnight Gaming Championship continues, Saturday Night (September 30th) in Bedford (2100 Central Park Blvd.).
This is the second MGC and as you can see from the photos from last weeks event (HERE), there were some great prizes and a lot of fun to be had. Oh, and it's free.
We're supposed to have some punchbutton "squeezie" boxing gloves to give out in the goodie bags, so get there and get 'em up on eBay :).
Get all the MGC details HERE!
September 27, 2006
X06 grade: B+
4:58 PM, September 27, 2006
In case you missed it, here's the full rundown on all the news Microsoft announced at X06.
Some big surprises and some minor surprises.
Big surprises:
*Peter Jackson writing the script for a new Halo game (not Halo 3), and developing a separate non-Halo game with Bungie.
*Ensemble Studios making a Halo RTS.
*DOOM available on Xbox Live today.
*BioShock and the next Splinter Cell (the one after Double Agent, which is coming out next month) to be Xbox 360 exclusives.
Minor :
*HD-DVD drive for the Xbox 360 arrives in "mid-November" for $199.
*Project Gotham Racing 4 unveiled.
*Exclusive downloadable content for GTA IV, whenever that ships.
There were a couple other tidbits, but that's the main news.
Those are some big announcements, but the reason I'm only giving Microsoft a B+ grade is that the reliance on Halo titles is a little unsettling. So we've got Halo 3, Halo 4 (or whatever Jackson's title ends up being) and Halo Wars all under development at the same time.
Now, those might all end up being great games (and I'm actually pretty excited about Halo Wars), and I think the Halo franchise is epic enough to accomodate them all. But I'd also like to see Microsoft develop some non-Halo franchises. Viva Pinata might be a step in that direction, at least for younger gamers.
Anyway, maybe I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth here -- and Sony would kill for the gamer reaction Microsoft is getting out of this show -- but hopefully there's more in my Xbox 360-owning future than an endless stream of Halo.
Yet another Punchbutton and DMN exclusive
2:36 PM, September 27, 2006
On Saturday, GameStop -- the largest video game retailer in the country, and which happens to be based in Grapevine -- will be holding its annual sales conference in Dallas. Roughly 4,000 store managers will be meeting with all the major video game software and hardware makers who want to get their products on store shelves this holiday shopping season.
And I'll be there.
I'll be talking to company executives, game makers, hardware folks and others. What will the Wii and PS3 launches be like? What are the hot games hitting stores in the next few months? Check back here over the weekend for news from the show.
Doug note: I'll be home playing Lego Star Wars II. :(
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I interested to hear what you report from this meeting. I would love to get a handle on the response and participation of your Midnight Gaming Championship Events.
Halo Wars, brought to you by Dallas-based Ensemble Studios
2:26 PM, September 27, 2006
Microsoft announced at the X06 conference in Barcelona today that Dallas-based Ensemble Studios -- the makers of the popular Age of Empires PC games -- will be making a real-time strategy game for the Xbox 360 set in the Halo universe.
Yeah, it's kind of a big deal. Check out the official site here.
The good news for you Punchbutton and Dallas Morning News readers is that I will be heading out on Monday for a visit with the folks at Ensemble to talk about Halo Wars, their new expansion pack for Age of Empires III and all sorts of other fun gaming stuff.
Stay tuned!
DOOM on 360
1:23 PM, September 27, 2006
I just got this press release from Activision:
Turn back the clocks and crank-up the action, id Software’s DOOM® is available now for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system by download from Microsoft’s Xbox Live® Arcade. The game, which premiered today at X06 in Barcelona, brings legendary DOOM mayhem to gamers, who for the first time ever can relive the classic demon-blasting fragfest in both single-player and 2-4-player co-operative and Deathmatch modes over Xbox Live or splitscreen. DOOM for Xbox Live Arcade is available in most worldwide markets for 800 points and is rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB.
I'm actually kind of excited about Deathmatch over Xbox Live!
September 26, 2006
Who's taking Pre Orders?
2:27 PM, September 26, 2006
Not sure if I should be as twisted as I am over retailers not taking Pre-Orders for the PS3. On one hand, I realize they are trying to avoid the fiasco that was the 360 launch, but on the other, I'm not crazy about having to stand in line for 10+ hours prior to launch only to MAYBE get my hands on one. Couldn't the retailers just take smaller quantities of Pre-Orders? If anyone knows where you can pre-order please share.
Doug note: I am hearing that October 2nd is the magic pre-order day. It's the day that GameStop goes over their final pricing and launch schedule.
Victor note: You'll probably have better luck buying a Wii, then using the nunchuk to bludgeon PS3 buyers as they emerge from GameStop and steal their consoles. During the mayhem that's sure to accompany the PS3 launch, I doubt anyone will notice.
Marc note: I've contacted several Gamestop stores as well as EB Games in the Metroplex and "the experts" at every store told me the same thing...they will not be taking pre-orders. If anyone gets more info, feel free to comment here.
Yay, rumors!
2:03 PM, September 26, 2006
Microsoft's big European gaming confab, X06, kicks off in Barcelona tomorrow.
Right on cue, a supposed "insider" reveals what Microsoft will announce.
I'd like to see some Halo 3.
Doug Note: EWWW, Killer Instinct?
Sigh of relief... $59 PS3 games.
1:44 PM, September 26, 2006
Midnight Gaming Championship pix now posted!
10:48 AM, September 26, 2006
I finally posted some pix from Saturday's Midnight Gaming Championship. Our darn photo tool was busted. If you were at the event, feel free to post yours!
You can see them HERE.
Looks like the prizes were VERY nice. I know I could use some of those gift cards to help with my PS3 down-payment.
Check out the info on this Saturday's MGC in Bedford: HERE.
September 25, 2006
PSP GPS Navigation....
5:55 PM, September 25, 2006
Here's a look at the GPS Navigation attachment for the Sony PSP: HERE
Would you pay $70 for a PS3 game?
5:15 PM, September 25, 2006
You should always take overseas prices with a grain of salt, but if this report about the average PS3 game price in Japan being higher than the average Japanese PS2 game price is true, well, I'd get a little worried.
The story claims that the average PS3 game in Japan will cost between $75 and $84, compared to an average price of $58 for PS2 games. Granted, almost everything in Japan is more expensive than in the U.S.
But that's a big price jump. Assuming a similar percentage increase in the U.S., don't be surprised to see $70 pricetags on a regular basis for PS3 titles on the shelves of your local Wal-Mart.
You know, this is getting a little depressing. At what point do gamers throw up their hands -- or just plain throw up -- and say enough is enough? Yes, inflation, Blu-ray, whatever. Games cost more to make. That's fine. But eventually most gamers are going to realize that the entry fee for next-generation gaming is about $1,000. How many other entertainment industries have the gall to make that claim?
At that price, you're not a mass market entertainment medium. You're a niche, like mountain biking or paragliding or some other nonsense. If game companies are happy with a niche audience, then by all means, go ahead and raise prices.
UPDATE: Never mind!
September 22, 2006
Midnight Gaming Championship... Saturday, the 23rd!
5:31 PM, September 22, 2006
punchbutton will have some cool freebies to giveaway and the prizes for tournament winners are very nice!!
Get a nap, hone your Guitar Hero, NCAA 2007 and Tekken 5 skills and get over there! Details here.
Oh, when you're there, take some pics and post them here (see the right nav).
Greatest PSP game. Ever!
4:33 PM, September 22, 2006
Fig. 1: There's always room for Roco
In case you're out of the loop, Loco Roco is like those wooden 3D puzzles with the tilting maze and a metal marble; but it's 2D, a video game and features a blob (instead of a ball) that's looks like a smiling plop of Jello.
So, why the over-excitement for this game? I guess it's because in the first 15 minutes of game play I laughed, out loud, about 20 times. I was actually filled with glee. When was the last time a game had that effect (on me or YOU)?
The controls are ridiculously simple: tilt the playing field to roll your Jello-guy over obstacles or split him into Jello shots (by striking him with lightning) to fit into tiny spaces. The surprises along the way, such as the sound effects, the voices, the trippy graphics and the absolutely insane music, make for a wonderful experience. It's artistic, relaxing and, above all, a blast.
It's why I only got four hours of sleep last night!
Post your thoughts!
HDMI will be standard in both SKU's of the new PS3
9:55 AM, September 22, 2006
Among other statements made by Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi yesterday at the Tokyo Game Show, Mr. Kutaragi also announced that Sony has decided to inlcude HDMI output for the 20gb version of the upcoming PS3.
Also announced was that the new recommended retail price for Japanese consumers was 49,980 yen (tax included) which translates to about $430 US dollars.
No confirmation yet on whether that new pricing will carry over to the states though.
I've attached the Sony Press Release below for anyone intrested in reading the official version.
September 21, 2006
360 Cam (finally) and DS headset
12:08 PM, September 21, 2006
Fig. 1: This will only be used for evil.
I am fascinated by device and am ready to pick mine up, but I am not sure why. Will Uno really be that great being able to see the other players? I rarely use my Xbox Live headphones, so this camera will take some getting used to.
Fig. 2: Hacks coming soon.
Oh, and no US release date, yet.
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Just wondering what sort of evil you believe the camera will be used for....??
September 20, 2006
Xbox 360: The Warranty
12:39 PM, September 20, 2006
On November 23, 2005 I mailed $60 to Microsoft.
This was one day after shelling out $600 for my Xbox 360, a couple of accessories and a few games.
So why would I hand over another $60 to Mr. Gates? The Xbox 360 extended warranty of course! And, until yesterday, I referred to this payment as the "Vanishing $60."
According to the tiny text in the warranty application, I should receive a warranty certificate after Microsoft processes my payment. Apparently, it takes 10 months to print this certificate; I just received it last night.
Going back over my bank records, I discovered Microsoft cashed my check back in January. I can only imagine that there were several high-level meetings discussing the printing of my certificate. Then, there were probably some marketing meetings and focus groups to decide the fonts and ink colors for the page.
Whatever caused the delay is now irrelevant. I have my warranty certificate; expiration date: Feb 2008. I am sure my 360 will go dead on March 1, 2008.
September 19, 2006
Press Release: UBISOFT ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR Q3 FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007 LINEUP
1:44 PM, September 19, 2006
Third Quarter Roster Delivers Some of the Industry’s Most Anticipated Video Games
SAN FRANCISCO – September 19, 2006 – Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced that the third quarter of fiscal year 2006-2007 will feature an exceptional selection of titles across all platforms and genres.
Press Release: VANQUISH THE POWERS OF EVIL AS CAPCOM® RELEASES OKAMI FOR THE PLAYSTATION®2 COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
1:39 PM, September 19, 2006
- Unique Gameplay and Astonishing Visual Style Creates Immersive Experience --
SUNNYVALE, Calif, September 19, 2006 — Capcomâ, a powerhouse in the multi-billion dollar video game industry, today released Ōkami™, a new innovative action adventure game for the PlayStationâ2 computer entertainment system. Ōkami tells the story of a mythical sun god who sets out to restore a dismal world, decimating the forces of evil who stand in the way by commanding the elements and mythical abilities the deity possesses. Mixing Japanese folklore and a stunning traditional Japanese art style, players must utilize an inventive control scheme to overcome the challenges and evil that awaits. Ōkami is the brainchild of Capcom's Clover Studio which is renowned for such ground-breaking and critically acclaimed titles including the Steel Battalion and Viewtiful Joe series. Ōkami’s addictive and mesmerizing gameplay is now available at retailers across North America and carries an “T” rating for teen audiences by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board).
September 18, 2006
Dead Rising and GTA
5:10 PM, September 18, 2006
One of my goals while I'm on vacation this week is to unlock the "genocider" achievement in Dead Rising on the 360, which entails crushing, decapitating, disemboweling, slicing, shooting and burning more than 53,000 zombies. Good times.
But as much as I love this game -- game of the year for me, so far, as it keeps getting better the more I play it -- I do wonder if the absurd carnage in Dead Rising gets a free pass that it wouldn't in other titles. Such as Grand Theft Auto.
I mean, I'm happily grinding thousands of innocent people -- which is what the zombies really are -- into hamburger so I can unlock a costume of Mega Man. Imagine if Rockstar had a hidden feature in one of their games that rewarded you for butchering the population of a medium-sized town? The ensuing firestorm would be hot enough to melt the sun. But since it's not Rockstar, and since they're zombies, it's all fine and dandy. And I suspect that the developers of Dead Rising knew just how far they could go, since they were smart enough not to include any zombie children for you to massacre.
Anyway, bottom line: GTA is amoral trash. Dead Rising FTW!
Texas Gamer Review: Spyhunter: Nowhere to Run
1:35 PM, September 18, 2006
Take a classic franchise, add in an action movie star, throw in all sorts of new high tech gadgetry and you've got all the ingredients to make a great game right? You would think.
Watch The Texas Gamer Video Review:
September 15, 2006
Press Release: Eidos Announces Street Date for Reservoir Dogs Video Game and Releases New Screenshots
1:58 PM, September 15, 2006
San Francisco, Calif, (September 15, 2006) -- Eidos Interactive Ltd., one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, announces that the Reservoir Dogs video game will be available in stores everywhere on October 24, 2006 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC in North America.
September 14, 2006
I agree with Victor, kind of...
6:45 PM, September 14, 2006
I had all the hope in the world for Wii. It had everything going for it: huge backlog of Nintendo classics, weird new control scheme and a low low price tag.
What happened to that tag?
If I'm going to shell out another $300+ just a few days after the nearly $800 bank-bust for my new PS3 and a few games, I'm gonna have to sell a lung.
This is the weirdest launch plan since the Sega Saturn.
Marc, you ignorant...
5:31 PM, September 14, 2006
The casual gamer -- at least, the casual gamer willing to front $250 for a console that requires him to flap his arms like a drunken monkey -- doesn't exist.
Let's be honest. This is GameCube 2, with an unproven new controller. And it's called Wii. And it doesn't play DVD movies, doesn't do high-def, doesn't have a hard drive, and the best launch title - Zelda - actually is a freaking GameCube game! Nintendo has been able to pull off a great fraud by selling Zelda as a Wii launch title, when in reality its a GameCube game that's been delayed since, what, last year?
Casual gamers play solitaire and bejeweled. They don't spend 250-plus bucks on a game console.
I hope Nintendo does well. I hope all the console makers do well. But I think Nintendo has its hands full.
Press Release: Nintendo's Incomparable Wii Console Launches Nov. 19; MSRP $249.99
4:01 PM, September 14, 2006
Nintendo will reshape the home entertainment and video game landscape with the launch of its heralded Wii(TM) home video game console. The Americas will lead the worldwide launch on Nov. 19. Wii will be sold as an affordable, mass-consumer product at an MSRP of just $249.99. The price includes one wireless Wii Remote controller, one Nunchuk(TM) controller and the groundbreaking collection of five different Wii Sports games on one disc, which anyone can play using simple movements,experienced or not.
Wii here at Texas Gamer will be the first in line
2:42 PM, September 14, 2006
Okay, you've seen the post below and read the press releases regarding the November 17th launch of Nintendo's new console and I agree with Victor about some of the struggles facing a Nintendo with a "post PS3" launch. However, I don't think we should discount the "non-hardcore" gamer market that Nintendo hopes to strike a chord with given the "...intuitive control system that will be understood immediately by everyone, regardless of their previous experience with video games..." as quoted on their releases. Nintendo has said all along that they hope to introduce a whole new audience to our beloved industry and I believe it's not the "hardcore" gamers out there that are going to be a large contributor to the success of Wii(I hate that name too) but rather those looking to dip their toes into the world of chips and bits.
One final thought...The gaming community has also been screaming for innovation in games for years now and this unique controller scheme could be just what the doctor ordered. Don't get me wrong I'll be in line for a PS3 too, but I'm not counting out Mario and the gang just yet!
Wii details
12:35 AM, September 14, 2006
So Nintendo's Wii (what a terrible name) will come out in the U.S. on Nov. 17 and cost $250.
That's two days after the PS3's launch, and just $50 less than the Core Xbox 360.
While the Wii will include a game (Wii Sports) and those other consoles will not, Nintendo may have just deflated a lot of the enthusiasm around its new system.
Frankly, the PS3 is going to dominate the headlines when it comes out, particularly since the system will be in such short supply. Nintendo could have stolen a march on Sony by launching the Wii in late October. Now, Nintendo has to fight an uphill publicity battle.
Furthermore, several weeks ago, Nintendo promised the Wii would not cost more than $250. So how does $249.99 hit you? Yes, technically, that is less than $250. But Nintendo knew most gamers were anticipating a much lower price, and this feels like a mild betrayal. Plus, gamers may compare the Wii and the lower-priced version of the 360 and think, hey, I can get a much more powerful system for just 50 bucks more.
The Wii ain't dead, but Nintendo's job just got a whole lot harder.
September 13, 2006
Nintendo Wii price and launch date revealed tomorrow?
4:29 PM, September 13, 2006
Nintendo is holding a series of press conferences in Japan, the U.S. and Europe starting late tonight in Japan. The New York press conference is at 8 a.m. Dallas time tomorrow morning.
Hopefully, official prices and launch dates for the Wii will be revealed, but Nintendo loves being coy. So we might just learn about the 134th version of Pokemon.
Xbox 360 versus Apple iTV
2:26 PM, September 13, 2006
Apple unveiled yesterday a pretty cool looking device called the iTV that will let you stream movies stored on your PC or Mac directly to your TV. Download a movie from iTunes and plop down on your couch in front of your new bigscreen to enjoy the show.
What a great idea! Turns out, Microsoft has already released something like that, called the Xbox 360. Stream music, movies, photos, etc from your PC to your 360 to watch on your TV, or you can download movie trailers, music videos and such directly to your 360's harddrive. And you can play games. It's too bad Microsoft hasn't put more muscle into turning the 360 into a full-fledged media jukebox. What it really needs is its own version of iTunes for the PC and Xbox 360, which could hit later this year when Microsoft launches its line of portable media players dubbed Zune.
Apple's soon-to-be-released iTV device.
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BUT, Xbox 360 hates Macs and AAC encoded songs (yeah, there are 3rd party solutions that open a few of those doors, but we shouldn't have to rely on shareware, right?). With the iTV, all that becomes available!
C'mon Microsoft, be friends with iTunes and Macs!
Texas Gamer hits the gridiron with Madden '07
2:24 PM, September 13, 2006
Every August, football fans all around the world rejoice. Training camps are raging with activity, and the NFL season is just around the corner. But, the real delight for the savvy football fan is actually a little video game title named Madden. It also happens to be the only licensed NFL title available.
