LG Reveals HDTVs With ‘Vudu’ Service Built-In
July 30, 2009 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
LG is an old hand when it comes to flat screen TVs with High Definition capability, and it is nice to see them introduce yet another improvement to their new line up of HDTVs in order to go one up against other competing brands. This time round, the Korean consumer electronics giant has rolled out broadband-capable HDTVs that are able to access the instant high-definition (HD) movie service from VUDU Inc. The HDTVs that fall under this purview will include LG’s LH50 1080p LCD series and PS80 Plasma 1080p series, where they will be come with “NetCast Entertainment Access” from next month onwards. This unique partnership between both companies will see consumer obtain access to thousands of HD movies at the touch of a button without having to go through the usual motion of flipping through a catalog at a video store as of yore.
The VUDU service enables consumers to instantly buy or rent from an extensive library of movies and TV titles. This industry-leading catalog will comprise of over 2,000 high-definition movies, and best of all is, you don’t have to worry about forking out any more monthly fees. In addition, there is no need to purchase, install, or connect any additional hardware for you to get started. Consumers can easily enjoy movies in VUDU’s unique HDX format, with Full HD 1080p resolution, plus Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound to tickle their visual audio senses.
Teasers For Wolverine And Iron Man Anime From Madhouse
July 30, 2009 by tcgames · 3 Comments
About a year ago, we reported that Marvel had tapped the famous animation studio Madhouse to create four anime series for release in 2010, the first two of which would be based on Wolverine and Iron Man. The anime projects will be written by renowned writer Warren Ellis, who most recently wrote the kick-ass G.I. Joe: Resolute web shorts. Now that we’re getting so close to the release dates we can finally catch a glimpse of these projects in action, and they certainly look interesting.
Twitch has dug up the teasers on Youtube, which you can find embedded after the break.
First up is the Wolverine trailer, which unfortunately looks a tad generic. The only way you could tell this was a teaser for Wolverine is from the Marvel bumper at the beginning, and the fact that the main character has three claws coming out of each hand. The main character doesn’t look like any version of Logan I’ve ever seen, and honestly he just looks like any typical big-haired anime character in a generic samurai anime. As an admitted Wolverine fanboy, this teaser disappoints.
The Iron Man teaser looks more intriguing, especially since the action lends itself so well to anime like Macross. We see Stark blowing things up good in Paris, and a villain character who is apparently also a Navy captain that has a suit of his own. Anime logic, indeed.
Dawn of War 2 Update 1.5.0 - ‘There Is Only War’ Released
Another one of Relic Entertainment’s ambitious post-release balancing acts goes live today. The "There Is Only War" update for Dawn of War 2, known more prosaically as version 1.5.0, introduces a whole mess of balance changes and even a few new abilities to the units in the game. The list is here.
"There Is Only War" also adds eight new maps that are actually five new maps. One was part of a pre-order exclusive deal and another is actually re-used three times in different configurations based on the number of players in the game (Gamereplays.org has a great analysis of the new maps here). I’ve goofed on Relic for a while that all their maps seem to be set on either Dagobah or Tattoine, but I’m happy to see that at least one of the new maps, Leviathan Hive (pictured), seems to have its own aesthetic. Furthermore, a map editor will be included with the patch, so there should be no shortage of places to fight as players create their own maps.
A completely revised replay feature will make it easier to figure out what’s going when you watch recorded games. For instance, it used to be a mystery what units a player was building and what wargear his commander equipped. "There Is Only War" changes that.
Bryce Dallas Howard Plays Bad Girl In The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
July 29, 2009 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
It seems that more and more Eclipse is becoming the Twilight film to pay attention to. First we caught word that David Slade would be directing the film—which is interesting not only because he’s a talented up and coming director, but because he’s also had some unkind words to say about the series (Slade has since distanced himself from his earlier remarks). Now we’ve learned from that Bryce Dallas Howard is taking on the villain role of Victoria, replacing Rachelle Lefevre who portrayed the character in the first two Twilight films.
The official reason for Lefevre’s departure is a “scheduling confict”, though you’d have to wonder what would convince someone to drop one of the biggest new film franchises. Hitfix points out that Lefevre has been a big supporter of the series who seemed adamant on making the time for Eclipse back in May, so there’s very likely a bigger story behind this casting change.
As for the addition of Howard, I’m certainly not complaining. While I’m far from looking forward to this film, I would be interested to see how the series ends up with higher caliber direction and actors. I wouldn’t be surprised if more of the lesser known actors in the series get replaced later on. The Twilight Saga is a franchise not unlike the budding comic film franchises we’re seeing now, and we’ve learned from The Dark Knight and Iron Man 2 that comic film casts aren’t really set in stone.
Discuss: Do you think this is a smart move for Bryce Dallas Howard? Are there any roles you’d like to see replaced in the Twilight series?
Trick Your Xbox 360 With Windows And Lights
July 29, 2009 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
Tons of people own an Xbox 360. But almost all of them have a boring, stock model. You know, one without a window in the top and sweet LED lights inside that let you see the components as they play. You, however, can be different.
The XCM Black Light Chameleon case lets you make your Xbox 360 the most unique console on the block. You can choose from one of 7 colors for the lights or just have them cycle through them all. It’s a DIY affair, but the kit comes with everything you need to perform the surgery yourself in about 10 to 15 minutes. Seems worth the effort to me.
Universal Delays ‘Wolf Man’ Until February 2010
If it quacks like a duck and gets pushed back from release date to release date like a duck, it’s probably a duck. And a lame one at that. Universal’s The Wolf Man, a key piece in the studio’s plans to reinvent its classic horror line, has been shoved to 2010.
We should have seen it coming by now; the film was originally going to be released in April. Then it moved to November, which made a little more sense although October is a better fit. That shift allowed Universal to tie in some Halloween-related theme park stuff, and that’s minor but an allowable excuse in this circumstance.
Now, Shock Till You Drop says it’s moving to February 12, 2010. Not a bad weekend on its own, but clearly the wrong weekend for a movie that should be nearly a year old to audiences by that point. The translation is easy: Universal is saddled with a bad movie and will probably spend some time trying to fix the visual representation of the monster, but is ultimately resigned to taking a hit on this one.
‘Champions Online’ Open Beta Starts August 18
Sure, it’s an exciting headline if you’ve been jonesing to join legions of other adults as they pretend to have super powers, but it does come attached to a couple of caveats. For one, the Champions Online beta will only be running until August 26, scarcely enough time to get our tights broken in.
Also, you won’t be able to get entrance to the beta unless you pre-order the game through IGN’s Direct2Drive service beginning on August 5. Maybe that’s not a problem for you, but if that’s a deal breaker (ladies), you’ll be sitting on your latex-gloved thumbs until the game launches for real on September 1.
‘Rippers’ For Savage Worlds Is Now A Facebook Game
July 28, 2009 by tcgames · 2 Comments
Pinnacle Entertainment Group is extremely proud to present the Rippers Facebook game! Please come check it out and tell all your friends. We hope this is the first of many new electronic ventures, but of course that’s only the case if you help us spread the word!
Create a Ripper from one of six factions, Hunt monsters, complete Adventures, Craft new Rippertech, Build your Lodge, help your friends Take Back The Night!
Rippers is a new RPG on the Facebook social networking site. Featuring unique adventures, Rippertech crafting, a marketplace, and more than 300 items, Rippers offers a little more than traditional Facebook games. Join your friends in the “Horror War” against the evil Cabal and build your Lodge to aid you in your struggle.
Rippers was designed by Simon Lucas and programmed by Matthew Klausemeir and Christian Clough, with art by Jordan Peacock, Christophe Swal, Andrew Chason, Adji Setya Dharma, and Satya Hody, based on the original Rippers and Rippers: The Horror Wars by Shane Hensley and Chris Dolunt.
DJ Caruso To Direct Video Game Adaptation Of ‘Dead Space’
July 28, 2009 by tcgames · 2 Comments
Games publisher EA and Temple Hill Entertainment (which has a hand in the Gears of War film adaptation) have been working to set up a film version of the horror / sci-fi game Dead Space. Now Variety has announced the director: Disturbia and Eagle Eye’s DJ Caruso. The game had strong film overtones; you couldn’t play through without detecting obvious strains of Alien, Solaris and quite a few other influences. What direction will a film based on a game that is heavily indebted to film take?
First, I loved Dead Space. In last fall’s crowded game market I played through the title more than once. The story was thin, and the action could be repetitive, but I latched onto the atmosphere, sound and visual design and a few zero-gravity sequences. But story and action are going to be far more important in the film, which means whoever Temple Hill chooses as screenwriter may have to make some serious changes. I can’t see the film happening as a straight adaptation, as there’s just not enough to go on.
The game follows an engineer named Isaac Clarke, who with two other officers arrives on a derelict mining ship to discover massive carnage. The bodies of dead crewmembers are being recombined into horrific zombie-like creatures that can only be killed by dismemberment. As Isaac seeks to restore power to the ship he discovers the influence of a scientologist-like cult that focused on a monolithic alien artifact. Power from the artifact may be creating the necromorph zombies, and may also be responsible for visions that plague Isaac as he works.
Skype Adds 37M More Users, Revenue Jumps To $170M In Q2
July 28, 2009 by tcgames · 2 Comments
Skype’s second-quarter revenue increased 25 percent year-over-year to $170 million, according to financial statements released by corporate parent eBay. Skype also saw its registered user base grow to 480.5 million for a staggering 75 million user increase during the first half of 2009.
Skype’s second-quarter revenue was up $17 million from Q1, a 9 percent increase, and it also added 37.3 million new users in Q2, slightly less than the 37.9 million it added in Q1.
According to the earnings release, Skype in addition to adding users, the company is also "focused on product strategies to enhance customer engagement."
Another positive quarter of growth for Skype could mean an increased IPO price as eBay gears up to take the VoIP company public in early 2010. That is, of course, if eBay and Skype’s cofounders settle a lawsuit over the P2P tech that’s at the heart of Skype’s client.
For more:
- see the press release here
