VentureBeat reports that a pirated copy of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is already being distributed illegally over the internet.
According to the article, the second disc of the PC version of Modern Warfare 3 was stolen from a shipping warehouse in Fresno California. While the article on VentureBeat doesn't clarify this, there doesn't appear to be a leak of the game on any torrent websites. Instead it seems as though multiple persons are selling illegal copies of the game.
The article says that Activision is aggressively pursuing anyone distributing the game -- as well as anyone caught playing it as one post on Craigslist warns: "Do Not Buy MWF3 Before Release Date...They Will Come Get You...(Everywhere)."
It's worth pointing out that even if one was able to get a hold of this alleged leaked copy, you can't play the game with just the second disc.
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Saturday, October 29, 2011
Review: The Book of Unwritten Tales (PC)
One of the best gags from The Secret of Monkey Island placed our scrappy hero behind a wall where he got into a series of preposterous events out of view. All players could see was onomatopoeia describing his exploits while the HUD showed him using bizarre objects until he emerged several seconds later with his pockets full of random, inevitably useful items. The new point-and-click adventure, The Book of Unwritten Tales, recycles this bit. It's still funny today, but far from original. This is endemic of the game as a whole; it's a loving tribute to the genre's heyday that cribs from the best, but fails to build on them.
The story surrounds a handful of characters whose fates intertwine with an elderly archaeologist that holds knowledge of an artifact that could end an ongoing war. Initially you play as a wood elf and a restless gnome looking for adventure, but the playable cast gradually expands. Most of the time you can only control one character at a time, but specific sections later allow you to toggle between characters at will.
Review: The Book of Unwritten Tales (PC)
It's a throwaway plot, but that's only a small part of the story. Characters are well written and exceptionally voice-acted by a European cast. One thing I really appreciated about the dialogue was that the lines you select are slightly different from what comes out the character's mouth (ala Mass Effect). It's subtle, but it makes things slightly more engaging when you've not already heard your next line verbatim.
More often than not the humor is clever with plenty of sharp satire, though there was a bit too much fourth wall breaking for my tastes and it occasionally crosses the line from homage to rip-off. Its numerous pop culture references are more akin to Shrek than The Princess Bride, but it's still nevertheless charming. My only major qualm with the script came in the last two minutes when the subtitles inexplicably reverted back to their native German before the incredibly abrupt, unsatisfying denouement.
The game looks beautiful with a smooth blend of 3D characters merged with 2D backdrops. Animations are lovely, making it especially rewarding when you crack a solution. It's a gorgeous world, too, with varied set-pieces and some creative character designs spread over its dozen-plus hour campaign.
Review: The Book of Unwritten Tales (PC)
In many ways The Book of Forgotten Tales feels like a throwback to vintage point-and-clicks, though its puzzles play things too safe, rarely straying from the "use everything with everything else" formula. Often the best brain teasers from classic games required you to think outside the box, but there's none of that here. Most of the solutions are sensible, but too obvious. That "a-ha!" moment you get from figuring out an unusual way of using a typical household item is lacking.
Making things easier, the streamlined interface allows you to highlight objects you can interact with and all actions are handled by one button. For better or worse, you can't attempt to use inventory objects where they won't work. On one hand this makes trial and error much quicker since you can tell by whether your cursor lights up if you can do anything. Unfortunately, one of the best parts from old-school point-and-clicks was listening to characters chastise your stupider suggestions, which is missed here.
For something called The Book of Unwritten Tales, it treads awfully familiar ground; yet it does so with moxie and high production values. It's generally knowing and polished enough that it can be forgiven for not innovating a great deal. The Book of Unwritten Tales feels like a great cover of what's come before, even if it can't quite capture its forebear's magic.
The story surrounds a handful of characters whose fates intertwine with an elderly archaeologist that holds knowledge of an artifact that could end an ongoing war. Initially you play as a wood elf and a restless gnome looking for adventure, but the playable cast gradually expands. Most of the time you can only control one character at a time, but specific sections later allow you to toggle between characters at will.
Review: The Book of Unwritten Tales (PC)
It's a throwaway plot, but that's only a small part of the story. Characters are well written and exceptionally voice-acted by a European cast. One thing I really appreciated about the dialogue was that the lines you select are slightly different from what comes out the character's mouth (ala Mass Effect). It's subtle, but it makes things slightly more engaging when you've not already heard your next line verbatim.
More often than not the humor is clever with plenty of sharp satire, though there was a bit too much fourth wall breaking for my tastes and it occasionally crosses the line from homage to rip-off. Its numerous pop culture references are more akin to Shrek than The Princess Bride, but it's still nevertheless charming. My only major qualm with the script came in the last two minutes when the subtitles inexplicably reverted back to their native German before the incredibly abrupt, unsatisfying denouement.
The game looks beautiful with a smooth blend of 3D characters merged with 2D backdrops. Animations are lovely, making it especially rewarding when you crack a solution. It's a gorgeous world, too, with varied set-pieces and some creative character designs spread over its dozen-plus hour campaign.
Review: The Book of Unwritten Tales (PC)
In many ways The Book of Forgotten Tales feels like a throwback to vintage point-and-clicks, though its puzzles play things too safe, rarely straying from the "use everything with everything else" formula. Often the best brain teasers from classic games required you to think outside the box, but there's none of that here. Most of the solutions are sensible, but too obvious. That "a-ha!" moment you get from figuring out an unusual way of using a typical household item is lacking.
Making things easier, the streamlined interface allows you to highlight objects you can interact with and all actions are handled by one button. For better or worse, you can't attempt to use inventory objects where they won't work. On one hand this makes trial and error much quicker since you can tell by whether your cursor lights up if you can do anything. Unfortunately, one of the best parts from old-school point-and-clicks was listening to characters chastise your stupider suggestions, which is missed here.
For something called The Book of Unwritten Tales, it treads awfully familiar ground; yet it does so with moxie and high production values. It's generally knowing and polished enough that it can be forgiven for not innovating a great deal. The Book of Unwritten Tales feels like a great cover of what's come before, even if it can't quite capture its forebear's magic.
First Footage of Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Film
It seems like the film is going to remain very faithful to the game, at least visually. I can appreciate that. It would be just as silly if the adaptation went in a serious, John Grisham type of direction, but boy oh boy does this movie look awful. I think that Phoenix Wright would have worked quite well as an animated series, a kind of Saturday morning cartoon Law & Order, but there are some things that don't translate into live-action. The haircuts should have been the first sign of trouble.
Monday, October 24, 2011
BioShock On PS Vita Won’t Be Infinite Or A Return To Rapture
When it comes to new hardware launches, you can always count on certain developers or publishers to pledge their support straight out the gate. Ubisoft will trot out Rabbids to make sure there’s family-friendly hilarity on the Wii U and EA’s always going to have some iteration of Madden or FIFA for the next next-gen PlayStation or Xbox.
But Irrational Games isn’t on of those companies. They’re a smaller studio and they turn smarter-than-average games, which takes longer than creating sequel after sequel. That’s why it surprised many when Irrational’s creative director Ken Levine came out during E3 to announce that he and his colleagues would be working on a Bioshock game for the PlayStation Vita. Things have been quiet since E3 but Levine recently took the time to give Joystiq an update on what not to expect from the studio’s Vita debut.
Levine says that the aim is to create an all-new experience that feels native to the vita and not just a ported, scaled-down version of something that Irrational’s already done. Joystiq quotes Levine as saying, “I’d rather do something that’s an experiment and that’s a little different. And is unique for the franchise.” He also says that, because the studio’s got a lot less manpower than other developers who develop for console and handheld, the Vita BioShock game might be the first time Irrational works with an outside entity to execute their vision.
But Irrational Games isn’t on of those companies. They’re a smaller studio and they turn smarter-than-average games, which takes longer than creating sequel after sequel. That’s why it surprised many when Irrational’s creative director Ken Levine came out during E3 to announce that he and his colleagues would be working on a Bioshock game for the PlayStation Vita. Things have been quiet since E3 but Levine recently took the time to give Joystiq an update on what not to expect from the studio’s Vita debut.
Levine says that the aim is to create an all-new experience that feels native to the vita and not just a ported, scaled-down version of something that Irrational’s already done. Joystiq quotes Levine as saying, “I’d rather do something that’s an experiment and that’s a little different. And is unique for the franchise.” He also says that, because the studio’s got a lot less manpower than other developers who develop for console and handheld, the Vita BioShock game might be the first time Irrational works with an outside entity to execute their vision.
New York Comic-Con’s Many Colourful Voltron Toys
News
New York Comic-Con’s Many Colourful Voltron Toys
By Brian Crecente on October 18, 2011 at 8:00 AM
I’m not really sure if the Voltron figures I spotted while browsing the floor of New York Comic-Con this weekend are new, but I’m positive I’m going to need to buy at least one of them.
I wonder if they’re made of metal, like those old Shogun Warriors? I actually picked up an original die-cast Mazinga earlier this month for $US10. It keeps Poe away from my nightstand when I’m not around. (Yes, I have a Great Dane that’s afraid of toys.)
New York Comic-Con’s Many Colourful Voltron Toys
By Brian Crecente on October 18, 2011 at 8:00 AM
I’m not really sure if the Voltron figures I spotted while browsing the floor of New York Comic-Con this weekend are new, but I’m positive I’m going to need to buy at least one of them.
I wonder if they’re made of metal, like those old Shogun Warriors? I actually picked up an original die-cast Mazinga earlier this month for $US10. It keeps Poe away from my nightstand when I’m not around. (Yes, I have a Great Dane that’s afraid of toys.)
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Is Hollywood Having A White Guy Once Again Play A Japanese Character?
So says a white guy, but stay with me. Hollywood is on the prowl, turning Japanese manga and anime into movies. And yet the star factory, once again, cannot find a Japanese person to find a Japanese character.
The movie in question is Akira, which is set in Tokyo (well, Neo Tokyo) and follows Japanese youth. The iconic manga and anime is being made into a Hollywood feature film. It’s been in development hell for a while now, and it’s being retooled for Western audiences.
The flick is apparently starring a white dude. Garrett Hedlund of Tron: Legacy fame is supposedly in talks to star as Kaneda. Not only is Hedlund older than Kaneda is in the manga and anime, he’s certainly not Japanese. And probably won’t be in the flick. Maybe Hollywood will change the character’s name to something a little more American.
Why even call this flick Akira? The source material is so directly connected to Japan, urban Tokyo, Japanese youth culture, Japanese consumerism and Bubble Economy Era anxieties. Oh, right, marketing and branding. You’ve seen what Hollywood did to Godzilla, right?
It does make sense for a Hollywood studio to shoot a movie in America (or Canada or whatever English speaking-country gives them tax breaks). Japan is expensive and a logistical nightmare. But, it begs the question: Aren’t there Japanese — heck, Asian — actors that Hollywood can find? In a diverse country of over 300 million people, surely, there’s one Asian actor they can find to play a character named “Akira”.
Hollywood studios will argue that they select the best actor for the role. More often than not, that actor ends up being white — or black. It’s not just about finding the best actor, it’s about finding a popular actor that can open a movie. It’s about getting butts in the theatre.
Hollywood is sometimes fairly accused of whitewashing. Other times, such as with Prince of Persia, it’s more complex.
Likewise, Japanese artists are sometimes accused of making Japanese characters “look white”.
Warner Bros., who recently greenlit the flick, doesn’t seem to be taking any chances. The budget is a mere $US90 million, which is small potatoes for a story of this size and scope.
There are Asian actors working in Hollywood. There are Japanese actors, who have appeared in big, Hollywood flicks. Those actors, however, are not starring in Akira.
If you are not familiar with them, the Akira manga and anime are fantastic. The games are not.
The movie in question is Akira, which is set in Tokyo (well, Neo Tokyo) and follows Japanese youth. The iconic manga and anime is being made into a Hollywood feature film. It’s been in development hell for a while now, and it’s being retooled for Western audiences.
The flick is apparently starring a white dude. Garrett Hedlund of Tron: Legacy fame is supposedly in talks to star as Kaneda. Not only is Hedlund older than Kaneda is in the manga and anime, he’s certainly not Japanese. And probably won’t be in the flick. Maybe Hollywood will change the character’s name to something a little more American.
Why even call this flick Akira? The source material is so directly connected to Japan, urban Tokyo, Japanese youth culture, Japanese consumerism and Bubble Economy Era anxieties. Oh, right, marketing and branding. You’ve seen what Hollywood did to Godzilla, right?
It does make sense for a Hollywood studio to shoot a movie in America (or Canada or whatever English speaking-country gives them tax breaks). Japan is expensive and a logistical nightmare. But, it begs the question: Aren’t there Japanese — heck, Asian — actors that Hollywood can find? In a diverse country of over 300 million people, surely, there’s one Asian actor they can find to play a character named “Akira”.
Hollywood studios will argue that they select the best actor for the role. More often than not, that actor ends up being white — or black. It’s not just about finding the best actor, it’s about finding a popular actor that can open a movie. It’s about getting butts in the theatre.
Hollywood is sometimes fairly accused of whitewashing. Other times, such as with Prince of Persia, it’s more complex.
Likewise, Japanese artists are sometimes accused of making Japanese characters “look white”.
Warner Bros., who recently greenlit the flick, doesn’t seem to be taking any chances. The budget is a mere $US90 million, which is small potatoes for a story of this size and scope.
There are Asian actors working in Hollywood. There are Japanese actors, who have appeared in big, Hollywood flicks. Those actors, however, are not starring in Akira.
If you are not familiar with them, the Akira manga and anime are fantastic. The games are not.
What To Expect From Nintendo
Nintendo
What To Expect From Nintendo
By Brian Ashcraft on October 21, 2011 at 9:45 PM
Today, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata will be speaking to gamers in a pre-recorded presentation called “Nintendo Direct”. According to Iwata, there’ll be information about Mario Kart 7‘s wireless functionality as well as a new Monster Hunter 3G
What To Expect From Nintendo
By Brian Ashcraft on October 21, 2011 at 9:45 PM
Today, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata will be speaking to gamers in a pre-recorded presentation called “Nintendo Direct”. According to Iwata, there’ll be information about Mario Kart 7‘s wireless functionality as well as a new Monster Hunter 3G
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