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Got a song you want to play? Tell Rock Band!

So we’ve all seen it before. A killer game comes out, and even while the game reaches a fever pitch with its fans, it always seems like there is a segment of the population that are hard-to-please; always nitpicking about each and every detail.

And while you may not be that same gamer, maybe you’re the type of person that loves the way developers create their ‘vision’ for the game, but would love to just see a few ideas the’ve left out, put in the game.

Well if you’ve felt that way about Guitar Hero I & II, the developers at Harmonix are listening, and in fact, what their GH audience to help them have a voice for their next music game, Rock Band.

As 2G4G mentioned, Rock Band is the new game being developed by Harmonix in the wake of their closed relationship with previous GH producers, Red Octane. Now with EA & MTV, Harmonix is positioning themselves to build off the GH games and build a whole band – each gamer being able to be a member of the band through drums, guitars, and vocals.

 

So question is, what music do you want to play? As we speak, the developers are asking for your input, as they’ve setup a website, simply enough christened, rockband.com.

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.

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

PSP Drops to $169.99

Joystiq.com

Just when you thought Sony was pulling a deaf ear to all thats happening with their sluggish sales it seems like they’re finally taking notice.

A recent posting by Joystiq.com and Gamestop.com’s own website confirms that the Sony’s PSP has been dropped down to $169.99, $30 off from its original MSRP price. This is a long overdue price break for Sony’s little hand held device, and hopefully will help push more sales for the portable system.

Can this be just the price point Sony needs to get back sales lost from its own marketing schemes and its rival, NintendoDS?

For now, only time can tell.

Source: joystiq.com / gamestop.com

Turtle Power is Back, but is it any good?

Back from the grave, it’s Turtle-time! Images from movieweb.com

Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael & Michelangelo. Oh, and we can’t forget good ol’ Master Splinter.

…. Man, I used to love these guys.

And as a kid who grew up in the 80s and 90s, I remember really loving the entire empire: from comics, to toys, cartoons, and movies, this was a marketing blitz I really dug. At the time, the characters were refreshingly cool, fun and with the whole ninja “cowabunga” movement… you gotta admit, it was a fun time to be a kid.

In fact, much of my afternoon doodles in classes were built on redrawing these fun little turtles-in-a-half shell characters. But more than a decade later since the last billing, you got to wonder which marketing genius gave the green light for this new rehash?

Guess its the same guys who know how to take any franchise and kill it to death.
Funny thing is, most of the time, it works.

People buy into the new movie, whether it’d be good or not, just to see the newest outing of “Turtle Power”. And they don’t do this just to their own. This is the same kind of mindless marketing ‘get quick cash scheme’ that the games industry does for every movie-related tie-in. Now the movie industry is just doing it to itself, with another simplistic sequel rehash. Think of it as rehash cannibalism.

Making Green off the Green. Makes sense to us. But why not improve the story?

But when there is so much extra cash that you can make of existing (albeit old) franchises, can you truly blame the company? The funny thing, like every initial movie franchise before the cash-in, there was once a true original story and concept that producers, directors, writers, all had to come up with and create.

So when a series dies after three sequels and is resurrected 14 years later, maybe all we truly can do, is be glad there was one last hurrah. Heck, if they got even a decent rating, I’m happy, knowing it didn’t go to far south like other franchises.

Who knows, if turtles can tap into the kids market, maybe they’ll even do a better rendition for the 2^nd comeback.

It’s worked for Batman & Superman. Why not for “Turtle Power?”

Who knows maybe next time they’ll get it right. Unfortunately this might be the last rendition if “TMNT” doesn’t get even a decent reception.

Best thing to do, if you’re not up for it is to vote with your buying power.SJ Mercury News has declared this movie in one word. “Boring”. But what do you think?

Personally, I’m just happy the ‘boys’ are back; but best believe I’ll wait for the DVD.

Source /Movieweb.com / MercuryNews.com

 

Back On The Grind…

Hey Gamers, just wanted to put a post that I’ve been out with a cold the past few days which results in a lack of posts, but we’re still alive and new posts will be up soon.

That said, the most interesting news with us is we’re gearing up to get our blog service updated.  More details to come but our plans are to get the site more functional.  Just know we are still progressing via a soft launch, with a official launch to come soon.

Not bad for being our 2nd month out the box.

Back On The Grind…

Hey Gamers, just wanted to put a post that I’ve been out with a cold the past few days which results in a lack of posts, but we’re still alive and new posts will be up soon.

That said, the most interesting news with us is we’re gearing up to get our blog service updated.  More details to come but our plans are to get the site more functional.  Just know we are still progressing via a soft launch, with a official launch to come soon.

Not bad for being our 2nd month out the box.

Want to Know What Game Was Played On Heroes Last Night? Here’s the buzz…

SAVE THE CHEERLEADER… SAVE THE WORLD….

Ah man that saying gives me goosebumps.

If you’re like anyone who’s into the NBC show Heroes, you probably watch it religiously. The show has taken off since its premiere last fall, (its billed as the #1 new drama) and is considered one of the most buzzworthy shows complete with fansites, etc.

(In fact, check out this post on the shows success on www.heroes-tv.com)

One thing that was cool about last nights show was a game Mikah and his mom, Niki, were playing.  At first, I thought it was a prince of persia knock off, but it turns out its actually a developed game called Heavenly Sword.

More details to follow to see if the actual game is any good… but for now you check out the preview from last nights show here.

Want to Know What Game Was Played On Heroes Last Night? Here’s the buzz…

SAVE THE CHEERLEADER… SAVE THE WORLD….

Ah man that saying gives me goosebumps.

If you’re like anyone who’s into the NBC show Heroes, you probably watch it religiously. The show has taken off since its premiere last fall, (its billed as the #1 new drama) and is considered one of the most buzzworthy shows complete with fansites, etc.

(In fact, check out this post on the shows success on www.heroes-tv.com)

One thing that was cool about last nights show was a game Mikah and his mom, Niki, were playing.  At first, I thought it was a prince of persia knock off, but it turns out its actually a developed game called Heavenly Sword.

More details to follow to see if the actual game is any good… but for now you check out the preview from last nights show here.