As The Game World Turns

 

Advances in gaming such as the Wii & Ps3 motion-controlled gaming have helped the industry embrace new ways of delivering games. And with XBOX LIVE being (arguably?) the best online service currently, it appears that online access is truly now beginning to play a larger role in today’s console wars – becoming a vital component to each camp’s artillery.

Nintendo & Sony respectfully aren’t out of the game as Nintendo has its vast past library to dip in with its Virtual Console offering; and PS3 turning to HOME to be its next big thing.

Which makes you start to wonder, besides all this…what’s next for gaming?

What will game companies offer in the next few months & even years, that will snag the attention of its game players?

Game Today, Gone Tomorrow?

It’s pretty safe to assume that what’s popular today probably won’t be tomorrow. It’s the nature of how the world works. So what will be popular tomorrow? Or more importantly, what will be the next focus?

Well the best way to speculate is to see whats on the forefront today. For this current gen, some things that could possibly happen that are already rumored to be in the works are:

• Virtual Entertainment rise?: In the early 90s articles galore were written on the possibility of Virtual Reality… magic 3D goggles and surround sound earphones that were supposed to beam us up in emotions close to Star Trek never surfaced; but were brooming. While it seems far off from what could reach the market, the small steps of the Wii and its possibilities have open minds to possibilities.

• Independent Channel: As downloadable content is already available, what if game companies began to embrace an independent scene – allowing the best of the indie gamers to get published to a “channel” or section of their online games development?

• Episodic Entertainment: Just like you’re favorite Heroes or 24 show, what if games we’re issued out in episodes, released on the internet at a specific schedule (weekly, biweekly, etc.) in which an entire group of gamers played through the game at the same time, expected to finish, and be eagerly waiting for the next plot point?

Turn Your PSP Into A Music Machine… Check Out TraxxPad!

Sometimes, some of the coolest things out can come out of nowhere… unexpectedly hitting you even when your senses. This is what TraxxPad has done for me today.

While at first it looks like Homebrew, look again friends, as this is a product that Eidos, (of the Tomb Raider franchise) is going to distribute.

Something I found while, (funny enough) looking through Myspace pages, an embeded video on Youtube led me to look at TraxxPad, a new interactive music software from Definitive Software that will be released from Eidos for the PSP.

Billed as a the “portable studio”, killer apps like these if marketed properly might give the PSP an edge over the DS and its console brethren in that its exactly what the PSP needs right: cool software thats exclusive to the PSP market.

Basically it appears the traxxpad will give any user, from pro to casual music fans, to just simple button mashers, a chance to create and build and edit their own beats, using their PSP as the platform. What makes this savory is the fact that a person could eventually just think on the fly – whether it be chill’n with homies, going out at clubs, or running errands – and create some awesome beats for music. And while home PC/Mac users have been able to do studio like software, & attempts at a studio music software have been already attempted on the console front like the PS2, etc…. the ability to be portable with the PSP is what makes this exciting, and then allowing the user to export the music to both .wav or .mp3 formats.

According to eidos’ website, it looks like Traxxpad will be available this summer, with a release date of June 27, 2007.

According to the myspace page thats been setup for Traxxpad, apparently this video wasn’t even meant to be leaked out, (although thats hard to believe) but apparently their definitely is a market hype for the item, and if it were to get pushed, I could see Sony adding this to try and push more sales for the PSP.

Game-Related Marketing: From Movies To Shirts & Everything In Between

Marketing To Gamers: Can They Get It Right?

We at 2G4G love knowing that the culture of gaming is branching out to other mediums like clothing, movies, toys, and soda cans? (see below)

It seems in 2007, just about everything is turning game-related; which truthfully, I find particularly weary as a gamer… because if not done right can turn out nerdy. Although like anything over-exposed, I’m sure there is a lot that can backfire, for those slim game-related media marketers that get it right… it can be an awesome addition to anyones collection.

From movies to shirts & everything in between, gaming is surely seeing some resurgence on every front.

Game Apparel

Curious as to why we are building a game apparel line? Well besides the obvious answer “cause we can”… well its simple, who can resist the nature of taking geeky gaming icons, characters, etc. and making them look, cool?

If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, just look at these images of stuff thats online:

Found on Kotaku.com, these kicks are simply sick and although I’m not into the high gloss look, I could see how people would sport these. Wouldn’t it be cool to match these with some jerseys?

Halo 3 Zune / Halo3 Mountain Dew Can

Posted on playfeed.com, you’ll find an excellent post on 1 of an exclusive 20,000 production Zune Halo3 units being unboxed and exposed to light for the first time.

Looking at these screen shots of both a Halo3 arcade box and Halo 3 can, one can only imagine how much this will help fuel the hype for both the game and all of the marketing tie-ins.

Source: Playfeed.com

Apparently someone over at Pepsi Co. diggs games!

While I’m not a Zune fan, if I had the cash & was one of the lucky ones to get my hands on this limited edition mp3 player, I probably wouldn’t mind fork’n up the cash for this product. Definitely looks cooler than the Halo3 Legendary Edition Helmet they got going for the “collectors”… I mean I’ll admit it at one point I used to buy stuff to fill up my room with collectible game figures and stuff, but for $ 129.99, why not just save that money for more games?

Ho-Hum Monday? How about some News?

Nintendo’s plans for the summer heat up

Nintendo new Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is coming! Although originally scheduled to be Wii launch title, Metroid should be a great addition for Nintendo’s summer line up. Today Nintendo released a press statement saying that the series would launch on August 20th. That, along with Brain Age 2 releasing the same day, should help the Wii get more gamers on both the DS & Wii fronts. (Just wish they’d release more in July to give us gamers more summer fun)

Oh, and did you know we’re less than 24 hours from seeing a Super Smash Brawl website being posted?  Make sure to check in soon at: http://www.smashbros.com/index.html

Starcraft II: The BEST sequel news in awhile

Now, I admit, I don’t post much PC info on 2G4G, but Starcraft II is a great way to get our PC news started eh?

Back in 1998, a friend of mine used to swear by Starcraft. Who’d thought it would take us almost 10 years later to get the sequel?

Blizzard Ent., who’s been probably busy upkeeping their World of Warcraft series, does have a whole lot fans to appease. Starcraft was the best selling PC game in 1998 when in debuted, and it will have to be special to avoid the sophmoric slump that many games do.

But that won’t stop the hype, and the rabid online fans, from hoping. Hopefully they’ll get it right. For now, check out this youtube trailer.

The Wonderful world of… Haloid?

Video Game Mash-Ups

In this world of user generated videos, it should be no surprise that today’s web 2.0 generation is driving the way media works.

One new video recently uploaded on the net, is showing how even fans can produce quality work. This vid is also a great example of anyone can really have no excuse to get their name out their, even if its not under the big lights – yet.

Monty Oum’s Haloid, showcases an epic fight between both Master Chief vs. Samus. In fact, his submission, uploaded on gametrailers.com just a mere month ago on April 17, has reached an amazing 1,864,095 views. Pretty impressive for something only over a month online.

[coolplayer]http://www.gametrailers.com/umwatcher.php?id=57998[/coolplayer]

Monty says in his own words, “I discovered that the Master Chief Vs Samus debate had started quite a while ago. It makes sense to ask that sort of question. They of course are both enhanced humans in powered up mechanized suits. But in the end even though the basis for the characters were already established, I ended up improvising from the knowledge that I had, as well as the information I had to research and obtain from various sources to put together two characters that would fight on even ground.”

Definitely this is an epic undertaking that few could even dare to dream to deliver let alone actually produce something relatively cool.

In Haloid, Monty has been able to do both, without even a shed of sweat apparent anywhere. While his critics may knock him for his lack of originality (Monty’s fight takes some sources and ideas from other scenes and sounds in the Matrix series and elsewhere) its still doesn’t knock his ability to produce.

Not bad for a guy who didn’t even go to school for this. To see an actual interview, check out last nights GameHead TV show, first aired on SpikeTv last night.
So make sure to click on play. (Although like anything cool, it will serve you best to download the video) If you haven’t seen this show folks, you won’t regret it.

Now if they could make the real movies just as entertaining, maybe we’d be on to something.

Source: gametrailers.com

Mario & Sonic In The Same Game – Hype or Fiction?

Could it really be true?

Ok for some months now, the gaming industry has had a leak on a Mario Sonic game coming to surface via a Beijing Summer Olympics game in 2008. Could it be that finally the two rivals, whose mascot identities still represent both Nintendo & Sega camps respectively, now be in a game together?

Apparently so. According to VGM Daily’s podcast (vgmfusion.com) it seems the game is going to be developed by Sega sports developers, with Shigeru Miyamoto at the helms leading the pack!

What amazes me is if this game does get produce, is that Sonic & his coherts would & could easily be open for more possible game mashups for any possible future Nintendo/Sega crossover(s)…

Now whether or not this allows Sonic to be in the upcoming Super Smash Brothers Brawl (which is the upcoming 3rd rendition of the Super Smash Bros. franchise) remains to be seen, but hope and time is available for the developers to do so.

Add the fact that their is already a non-Nintendo character included, (Snake from the Metal Gear Solid franchise) it wouldn’t surprise me if Nintendo & Sega opened the door for Sonic to make an appearance to push sales of the new Brawl series, but didn’t reveal it til the last minute to make a last minute buzz.

NO doubt that just the mere idea of Sonic being in a Nintendo game would truly build a great hype for both companies to play on. Sorta similar to the Capcom vs. SNK series, but different in a whole different level as Nintendo & Sega respectfully represent the best of the 16-bit console wars in the 90s.

Definitely worth looking into… make sure to check back with 2G4G for updates.

Source: vgmfusion.com

Sometimes SoCal Is The Place To Be…

To Live & Game In LA

While the Bay is still THE heart of many game & tech companies, Southern California at times can sometimes look like its the place to be with all the posh clubs, culture & celebrities.

One event that really would have been nice to have attended was a recent “Artists of God Of War I & II” showcase. Presented this past weekend at a cool art studio in Alhambra, CA called Nucleus - the artists all came and help marketed their God of War II book, and even threw a raffle prize comprising of the book and games.

I mean in a world where anyone can get a copy of anything, isn’t nice to still be able to meet and greet the actual artist that make these world possible? Too bad they didn’t do a arts studio tour around the Bay area as well…. now that would have been cool.

Gamers at NucleusTo see more make sure to visit Nucleus’s site at: www.gallerynucleus.com

As an artist I appreciate the look and feel that God of War provides. Definitely the creative talent that was combined to bring this game to life are all-stars in their own right. They may not get much attention in the pop media, but it truly is living art that I’m glad got some notice outside of the gaming community.

Truly wished we had something like this here.

Ah, but I guess we can’t complain too much….

….at least we don’t have their traffic, right?

Source: Nucleus

Missed GameHead’s Halo 3 Episode? See it here!

[coolplayer width="360" height="1080"align=left]http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=19453&pl=game&type=wmv[/coolplayer]

As Spike TV’s Game Head (a video-game related show co-produced between SpikeTV and Gametrailers.com) enters its 4th season, last nights Friday May 11 show was a definite highlight in the series as the show was able to get a sweet look at Halo 3.

And with the advent of blogs, we at 2G4G are proud to say you don’t need cable to get in on all the gaming love.

Have fun… and stop salivating…. at least wait til its closer to Fall… sheezh!

And don’t forget to set your tubes to the show when it goes live… every Friday night at 1am on Spike!

Source: SpikeTv.com / Gametrailers.com

Check out the Live Video Post: Halo 3 Beta

Halo 3 has to be one of this year’s most anticipated releases. Scheduled to hit store shelves sometime Fall 2007, its been quite some time waiting for this monster to unravel.

It will be interesting to see the sales records Halo 3 will break. Back in 2004, Halo 2 broke $125 million sales on its FIRST day.

That’s $125 million sales people – compare this to the movies and Spider-man 3’s recent “record” breaking 1st day sales at $58 million, and it goes to show the fastbreak that the games industry is taking.

For a local take, check out Dean Takahashi’s notes on today’s beta launch in SF via his blog post on the san jose merc!While Halo3 is still in ‘beta’ mode, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the game looks really polished. With an already large established fan base, and new gamers to join the bandwagon, the only question won’t be if Halo3 will break records, but by how far.

For now, enjoy this recently released betalicious video from the boys out of Redmond. Bungie has a lot on its plate. Good news is if you’re in with their Crackdown promotion,you get to PLAY the beta version this Wed!

Ok, enough talk. Enjoy this Halo3 ‘Betalicious’ video.

Source: mercurynews.com

… Its Almost Summer

… No Shoes? No Shirts? No Problem!

With Summer just around the corner we at 2G4G can’t wait to just relax from our days jobs, take some time and put our feet up… don’n are weekend “game face”, throw’in down some bbq, and get some good ol’ gaming time in. As this year marks the first summer that the PS3, Wii & Xbox360 all compete together it will be interesting to see how this first year will play out between the console wars and gamers attentions.

Funny, I’ve always read that the video game industry’s best sales are during the Winter due to the Christmas buying frenzy. And while that may be true, my best and fondest times playing games was always during these lazy days of summer.

Play Symphony in San Jose

And now in local news…

Looks like our local symphony in San Jose is taking a page out of Video Games Live by promoting a traveling production called “Play!” a video game symphony. Seems like shows like these are getting help from both gamers and symphony goers looking for something fresh.

Check them out for yourself at http://www.play-symphony.com/