Episode 291: Monster Poop

This week it’s Jordan Lund’s turn to be absent, while Jonah Falcon and Paul Nowak discuss just how bad The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is. This week’s Gaming Flashback is Peter Molyneux’s ambitious title Black & White.

In the news:

  • Silicon Knights’ cancelled games revealed
  • Gabe Newell: Valve planning console-like PC for living room
  • Windows Store “begins accepting” 18-rated games
  • Rockstar muses on “one big world containing all” GTA cities
  • Defiance‘s TV show and game “stand up on their own,” don’t ‘need’ one another

There’s also some Reader Feedback, while the Question of the Week is, “How in tune with an MMO’s story are you while playing?”

0 thoughts on “Episode 291: Monster Poop”

  1. @Black&White

    It was the first PC game I played properly. I was surprised at how complex the game was compared to console games. I enjoyed it but it got tedious real quick. One thing that annoyed me about that game was the difference in effort you had to put to be good or bad. If you wanted to be good, you had to feed the villagers, build them houses, protect them and look for their sheep. Being bad was so much easier. Just pick up a bunch of kids and chuck them in the sea. And their parents. And animals. Just chuck everything in the see. That took care of everything and you were on your way to becoming an Elite Omnipotent Asshole.

    @Steambox

    I for one would love to have a console that runs steam games. For many out there high system requirements are a barrier to PC games. And they just keep getting higher and higher each year. I bet Johna’s new rig already can’t run the latest releases on highest specs. And I find buying PC games to run them in shitty resolution not worth my money. The Steambox would be a good thing. A gaming dedicated PC with decent specs and a powerful cooling system for a sensible price. Although the idea does sound too ambitious. PC games are not uniform. Fitting them all on one hardware if bound to have issues.

    @World of Rockcraft

    I think they will do it. But for next gen hardware. Wouldn’t want them to make an MMO out of it because I don’t want some twats ruining my criminal empire.

    @QOTW

    I am with Paul on this one. I get deep into a single-player game storyline. I read books in Elder Scrolls games. I talk to every villager in Final Fantasy games. I do every available side quest in Mass Effect. But when it comes to MMOs, I tend to avoid stories. Mostly because they are crap. 90% are set in a medieval setting where some Dark Lord has been revived and now there is like 3 million warriors that try to stop him. But you are the specialiest one here. Also, because I only play MMOs with friends and it’s difficult to read stuff when others are not interested in the story. I am really into the DC Universe story but that’s because I already have a large knowledge of DC Comics.

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McFarlane Toys Makes Guitar Hero Action FiguresMcFarlane Toys Makes Guitar Hero Action Figures

Activision has decided to take Guitar Hero to the next level: Action Figures. This is a great move for the company, striking the iron while it’s hot! The Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises are growing in intensity while big blockbuster titles like GTA IV are waning in sales and profit.

Pretty soon you and your children can purchase action figures in the liking of Guitar Hero, would you consider this or is it just a gimmick?

McFARLANE TOYS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH ACTIVISION
TO PRODUCE GUITAR HERO(tm) ACTION FIGURES

TEMPE, Ariz. ~ McFarlane Toys announces a partnership with Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) to produce action figures from the hit video game franchise, Guitar Hero®. The first line is expected to hit store shelves this fall.

The hugely popular Guitar Hero franchise delivers the ultimate guitar-bending experience and enabling aspiring axe-shredders everywhere the chance to Unleash Their Inner Rock Star. Featuring a wide variety of music spanning five decades, the franchise is highlighted by countless original recordings from many of the most beloved artists of all time.

Represented in the first line of action figures are four of the Guitar Hero game’s most popular characters:

JOHNNY NAPALM
AXEL STEEL
LARS ÜMLAUT
GOD OF ROCK

“We have very recently begun creating toys based on video games,” says McFarlane Toys CEO Todd McFarlane. “With Activision, we get to work on arguably one of the biggest video game franchises out there, and capitalize on the wide-ranging demographic that encompasses this game.”

Each figure has 15-18 moving parts. Additionally, a unique guitar is included with each character that is removable and interchangeable with the other figures. Each figure also comes with a sculpted Guitar Hero logo base.

McFarlane Toys’ 6-inch action figures retail for $10-$15.

Visit www.SPAWN.com for updates and the all the latest and to-the-minute news.

About McFarlane Toys
Grammy-and Emmy-winning producer/director Todd McFarlane, creator of Spawn and the founder of  SPAWN.com, is the force behind McFarlane Toys, one of America’s top action figure manufacturers. With an eclectic array of movie, TV and music licensing tie-ins – as well as the officially licensed teams of the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, McFarlane Toys has become a leader and redefined the standards within the action figure industry. For complete information on this pop-culture powerhouse, visit SPAWN.com.

About Activision, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.  Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $2.9 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea.  More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.