I found this mosaic on the bottom of a column at a parking garage in downtown Dallas this week. The invasion has begun!

From press release:

21 year-old Mannie Rodriguez, from Dallas, TX recently beat out over 40,000 others to qualify for Team USA in the World Cyber Games, the world's largest e-sports competition with over 2.5 million participants.

Rodriguez, who is a member of the elite professional gaming team 3-D, along with Dallas residents Russ Watson (23) and Ron Kim, will represent his country at the Grand Finals in Monza, Italy next month against 800 of the world's best video gamers from 70 countries for $430,000 in prizes, medals and national honor in eight game events. Interestingly enough, of the 12 members of Team USA, 5 are from Texas!

For more information on the Gaming competition, here are a few videos on the US Final:

Mannie - DOA4

Further information on the Team USA and the World Cyber Games can be
found below and at www.worldcybergames.com.

The Midnight Gaming Championship continues, Saturday Night (September 30th) in Bedford (2100 Central Park Blvd.).

This is the second MGC and as you can see from the photos from last weeks event (HERE), there were some great prizes and a lot of fun to be had. Oh, and it's free.

We're supposed to have some punchbutton "squeezie" boxing gloves to give out in the goodie bags, so get there and get 'em up on eBay :).

Get all the MGC details HERE!

In case you missed it, here's the full rundown on all the news Microsoft announced at X06.

Some big surprises and some minor surprises.

Big surprises:
*Peter Jackson writing the script for a new Halo game (not Halo 3), and developing a separate non-Halo game with Bungie.
*Ensemble Studios making a Halo RTS.
*DOOM available on Xbox Live today.
*BioShock and the next Splinter Cell (the one after Double Agent, which is coming out next month) to be Xbox 360 exclusives.

Minor :
*HD-DVD drive for the Xbox 360 arrives in "mid-November" for $199.
*Project Gotham Racing 4 unveiled.
*Exclusive downloadable content for GTA IV, whenever that ships.

There were a couple other tidbits, but that's the main news.

Those are some big announcements, but the reason I'm only giving Microsoft a B+ grade is that the reliance on Halo titles is a little unsettling. So we've got Halo 3, Halo 4 (or whatever Jackson's title ends up being) and Halo Wars all under development at the same time.

Now, those might all end up being great games (and I'm actually pretty excited about Halo Wars), and I think the Halo franchise is epic enough to accomodate them all. But I'd also like to see Microsoft develop some non-Halo franchises. Viva Pinata might be a step in that direction, at least for younger gamers.

Anyway, maybe I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth here -- and Sony would kill for the gamer reaction Microsoft is getting out of this show -- but hopefully there's more in my Xbox 360-owning future than an endless stream of Halo.

On Saturday, GameStop -- the largest video game retailer in the country, and which happens to be based in Grapevine -- will be holding its annual sales conference in Dallas. Roughly 4,000 store managers will be meeting with all the major video game software and hardware makers who want to get their products on store shelves this holiday shopping season.

And I'll be there.

I'll be talking to company executives, game makers, hardware folks and others. What will the Wii and PS3 launches be like? What are the hot games hitting stores in the next few months? Check back here over the weekend for news from the show.

Doug note: I'll be home playing Lego Star Wars II. :(

Microsoft announced at the X06 conference in Barcelona today that Dallas-based Ensemble Studios -- the makers of the popular Age of Empires PC games -- will be making a real-time strategy game for the Xbox 360 set in the Halo universe.

Yeah, it's kind of a big deal. Check out the official site here.

The good news for you Punchbutton and Dallas Morning News readers is that I will be heading out on Monday for a visit with the folks at Ensemble to talk about Halo Wars, their new expansion pack for Age of Empires III and all sorts of other fun gaming stuff.

Stay tuned!

I just got this press release from Activision:

Turn back the clocks and crank-up the action, id Software’s DOOM® is available now for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system by download from Microsoft’s Xbox Live® Arcade. The game, which premiered today at X06 in Barcelona, brings legendary DOOM mayhem to gamers, who for the first time ever can relive the classic demon-blasting fragfest in both single-player and 2-4-player co-operative and Deathmatch modes over Xbox Live or splitscreen. DOOM for Xbox Live Arcade is available in most worldwide markets for 800 points and is rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB.

I'm actually kind of excited about Deathmatch over Xbox Live!

Not sure if I should be as twisted as I am over retailers not taking Pre-Orders for the PS3. On one hand, I realize they are trying to avoid the fiasco that was the 360 launch, but on the other, I'm not crazy about having to stand in line for 10+ hours prior to launch only to MAYBE get my hands on one. Couldn't the retailers just take smaller quantities of Pre-Orders? If anyone knows where you can pre-order please share.

Doug note: I am hearing that October 2nd is the magic pre-order day. It's the day that GameStop goes over their final pricing and launch schedule.

Victor note: You'll probably have better luck buying a Wii, then using the nunchuk to bludgeon PS3 buyers as they emerge from GameStop and steal their consoles. During the mayhem that's sure to accompany the PS3 launch, I doubt anyone will notice.

Marc note: I've contacted several Gamestop stores as well as EB Games in the Metroplex and "the experts" at every store told me the same thing...they will not be taking pre-orders. If anyone gets more info, feel free to comment here.

Microsoft's big European gaming confab, X06, kicks off in Barcelona tomorrow.

Right on cue, a supposed "insider" reveals what Microsoft will announce.

I'd like to see some Halo 3.

Doug Note: EWWW, Killer Instinct?

SonyStyle is listing PS3 games at $59, same over-charge as 360 games. Check prices HERE.

WHEW!

Now you can concentrate on being saddened by the listed titles.

I finally posted some pix from Saturday's Midnight Gaming Championship. Our darn photo tool was busted. If you were at the event, feel free to post yours!

You can see them HERE.

Looks like the prizes were VERY nice. I know I could use some of those gift cards to help with my PS3 down-payment.

Check out the info on this Saturday's MGC in Bedford: HERE.

Here's a look at the GPS Navigation attachment for the Sony PSP: HERE

You should always take overseas prices with a grain of salt, but if this report about the average PS3 game price in Japan being higher than the average Japanese PS2 game price is true, well, I'd get a little worried.

The story claims that the average PS3 game in Japan will cost between $75 and $84, compared to an average price of $58 for PS2 games. Granted, almost everything in Japan is more expensive than in the U.S.

But that's a big price jump. Assuming a similar percentage increase in the U.S., don't be surprised to see $70 pricetags on a regular basis for PS3 titles on the shelves of your local Wal-Mart.

You know, this is getting a little depressing. At what point do gamers throw up their hands -- or just plain throw up -- and say enough is enough? Yes, inflation, Blu-ray, whatever. Games cost more to make. That's fine. But eventually most gamers are going to realize that the entry fee for next-generation gaming is about $1,000. How many other entertainment industries have the gall to make that claim?

At that price, you're not a mass market entertainment medium. You're a niche, like mountain biking or paragliding or some other nonsense. If game companies are happy with a niche audience, then by all means, go ahead and raise prices.

UPDATE: Never mind!

punchbutton will have some cool freebies to giveaway and the prizes for tournament winners are very nice!!

Get a nap, hone your Guitar Hero, NCAA 2007 and Tekken 5 skills and get over there! Details here.

Oh, when you're there, take some pics and post them here (see the right nav).

Fig. 1: There's always room for Roco

In case you're out of the loop, Loco Roco is like those wooden 3D puzzles with the tilting maze and a metal marble; but it's 2D, a video game and features a blob (instead of a ball) that's looks like a smiling plop of Jello.

So, why the over-excitement for this game? I guess it's because in the first 15 minutes of game play I laughed, out loud, about 20 times. I was actually filled with glee. When was the last time a game had that effect (on me or YOU)?

The controls are ridiculously simple: tilt the playing field to roll your Jello-guy over obstacles or split him into Jello shots (by striking him with lightning) to fit into tiny spaces. The surprises along the way, such as the sound effects, the voices, the trippy graphics and the absolutely insane music, make for a wonderful experience. It's artistic, relaxing and, above all, a blast.

It's why I only got four hours of sleep last night!

Post your thoughts!

Among other statements made by Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi yesterday at the Tokyo Game Show, Mr. Kutaragi also announced that Sony has decided to inlcude HDMI output for the 20gb version of the upcoming PS3.
Also announced was that the new recommended retail price for Japanese consumers was 49,980 yen (tax included) which translates to about $430 US dollars.
No confirmation yet on whether that new pricing will carry over to the states though.

I've attached the Sony Press Release below for anyone intrested in reading the official version.

PLAYSTATION®3 HDD 20GB EQUIPPED WITH HDMI AS STANDARD
Recommended Retail Price of 49,980 Yen (Tax Included) in Japan

Tokyo, September 22, 2006 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3) with 20GB hard disk drive (HDD) will come equipped with HDMI(*) (Ver 1.3/supporting Deep Color) output as standard with the system. PS3 with 20GB HDD will become available in Japan at a new recommended retail price of 49,980 yen (tax included).
Since SCEI first announced product specifications of PS3 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in May 2005, demand for enjoying full HD quality image and realistic digital sound through HDMI has grown tremendously. Given the sharp increase in availability of flat displays supporting HDMI in the market, SCEI has decided to equip HDMI as standard on all PS3 systems.
SCEI, with strong support from software developers and publishers, will offer a broad lineup of exciting and innovative titles and vigorously promote the PS3 platform.

(*) High-Definition Multimedia Interface

PLAYSTATION®3 HDD 20GB EQUIPPED WITH HDMI AS STANDARD
2-2-2-2

About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PS one™ game console, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and the upcoming, much-anticipated PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for PS one game console, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as regional headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. More information can be found online at http://www.us.playstation.com.

Fig. 1: This will only be used for evil.

I am fascinated by device and am ready to pick mine up, but I am not sure why. Will Uno really be that great being able to see the other players? I rarely use my Xbox Live headphones, so this camera will take some getting used to.

Fig. 2: Hacks coming soon.

Oh, and no US release date, yet.

On November 23, 2005 I mailed $60 to Microsoft.

This was one day after shelling out $600 for my Xbox 360, a couple of accessories and a few games.

So why would I hand over another $60 to Mr. Gates? The Xbox 360 extended warranty of course! And, until yesterday, I referred to this payment as the "Vanishing $60."

According to the tiny text in the warranty application, I should receive a warranty certificate after Microsoft processes my payment. Apparently, it takes 10 months to print this certificate; I just received it last night.

Going back over my bank records, I discovered Microsoft cashed my check back in January. I can only imagine that there were several high-level meetings discussing the printing of my certificate. Then, there were probably some marketing meetings and focus groups to decide the fonts and ink colors for the page.

Whatever caused the delay is now irrelevant. I have my warranty certificate; expiration date: Feb 2008. I am sure my 360 will go dead on March 1, 2008.

Third Quarter Roster Delivers Some of the Industry’s Most Anticipated Video Games

SAN FRANCISCO – September 19, 2006 – Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced that the third quarter of fiscal year 2006-2007 will feature an exceptional selection of titles across all platforms and genres.

Ubisoft’s third quarter lineup will feature titles from established brands including:

• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent™ (spy action for Xbox 360™ and Xbox® video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, PC, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo GameCube™ and Wii™): An amazing new installment in the series that has already sold 14 million units worldwide.

• Rayman Raving Rabbids™ (action-adventure for Wii, Nintendo DS™, Game Boy® Advance, and PC): Rayman® is back to fight crazed bunnies in the fourth installment of this legendary series that has sold 17 million copies worldwide.

• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Vegas (squad-based tactical shooter for Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and PC): A new episode in the acclaimed series that has sold more than 14 million units worldwide.

• Far Cry® Vengeance (first-person shooter for Wii): Part of the award-winning series that has already sold more than two million units worldwide.

• Brothers In Arms® D-Day (World War II squad-based action for the PSP system): Critically-acclaimed WWII shooter makes its handheld debut on PSP.

• Blazing Angels™ Squadrons of WWII (flight combat for Wii and PlayStation 3).

• Prince of Persia® Rival Swords (action-adventure for the PSP system): The Prince of Persia series has sold more than eight million units worldwide.

• Petz® (virtual pets games for PC, Game Boy Advance™ and Nintendo DS): Currently among the top 10 games on Game Boy Advance.

Ubisoft’s holiday lineup also features exciting new brands such as:

• Red Steel™ (first-person action for Wii): The only original first-person game built from the ground up for the Wii launch.

• Dark Messiah of Might and Magic (action RPG for PC): A new breed of Action RPS game powered by an enhanced version of the Source Engine by Valve.

• GT Pro Series (car racing for Wii): GT Pro Series lets the player drive more than 80 licensed cars with the Wii remote and free steering wheel add-on.

To round out its amazing lineup, Ubisoft includes some powerful licensed titles:

• Open Season™ (kids action-adventure for Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 2, PSP system, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, Wii and PC): The video game adaptation of Sony Pictures Animation’s eagerly awaited first CGI movie.

• Star Wars Lethal Alliance™ (action-adventure for Nintendo DS and PSP system): The first Star Wars game built specifically for next-gen handheld consoles.

• Monster 4X4 World Circuit (truck racing for Wii). Use the Wii Remote and free steering wheel to perform spectacular stunts, jump and race the most powerful Monster Trucks and go head-to-head in pulse-pounding off-road competitions all over the world.

“Ubisoft has the best portfolio of its history for this holiday season, with a strong mix of new and proven brands,” said Yves Guillemot, president and chief executive officer of Ubisoft. “We expect to confirm our leading edge on the next-gen consoles with the release of eight games for the Wii, three for the Xbox 360, four on the PSP system and two on the PlayStation 3 system.”

About Ubisoft:
Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through its strong and diversified lineup of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 21 countries and sales in more than 50 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. Ubisoft generated revenue of 547 million Euros for the 2005–2006 fiscal year. To learn more, please visit .http://www.ubisoftgroup.com

About Tom Clancy:
With more than 80 million books sold, Tom Clancy is arguably the world’s most recognized author. His works include fiction such as The Hunt for Red October, Clear and Present Danger, The Sum of All Fears, Rainbow Six, Without Remorse and The Teeth of the Tiger. Clancy also writes nonfiction works about weapons and various military units. Four of his books have already been adapted into highly successful feature films.

© 2006 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Blazing Angels, Petz, Might and Magic, Dark Messiah Might and Magic, Rayman, Rayman Raving Rabbids, the character of Rayman, Red Steel, Splinter Cell, Splinter Cell Double Agent, Ubisoft, Ubi.com and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Dark Messiah Might and Magic developed by Arkane Studios. Valve, Half-Life, and Source are trademarks or registered trademarks of Valve Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Online mode for Dark Messiah Might and Magic developed by Kuju. Rainbow Six, Red Storm and Red Storm logo are trademarks of Red Storm Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Red Storm Entertainment, Inc. is a Ubisoft Entertainment company. Brothers In Arms is a trademark of Gearbox Software and is used under license. Gearbox Software and the Gearbox logo are registered trademarks of Gearbox Software, LLC. Prince of Persia® Rival Swords based on Prince of Persia® created by Jordan Mechner. Prince of Persia is a trademark of Jordan Mechner in the U.S. and/or other countries used under license by Ubisoft Entertainment. Far Cry is a trademark of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries. Based on Crytek’s original Far Cry directed by Cevat Yerli. Powered by Crytek’s technology “CryEngine”.

LucasArts and the LucasArts logo are trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. © 2006Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM as indicated. All rights reserved.

“PlayStation,” the “PS” Family logo, and “PSP” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo™ may be required (sold separately). Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox Live are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. TM, ®, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo.

Open Season: TM & © 2006 Sony Pictures Animation Inc. All rights reserved. Game Software excluding Sony Elements: © 2006 Ubisoft Entertainment. All rights reserved. Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries.

- Unique Gameplay and Astonishing Visual Style Creates Immersive Experience --

SUNNYVALE, Calif, September 19, 2006 — Capcomâ, a powerhouse in the multi-billion dollar video game industry, today released Ōkami™, a new innovative action adventure game for the PlayStationâ2 computer entertainment system. Ōkami tells the story of a mythical sun god who sets out to restore a dismal world, decimating the forces of evil who stand in the way by commanding the elements and mythical abilities the deity possesses. Mixing Japanese folklore and a stunning traditional Japanese art style, players must utilize an inventive control scheme to overcome the challenges and evil that awaits. Ōkami is the brainchild of Capcom's Clover Studio which is renowned for such ground-breaking and critically acclaimed titles including the Steel Battalion and Viewtiful Joe series. Ōkami’s addictive and mesmerizing gameplay is now available at retailers across North America and carries an “T” rating for teen audiences by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board).

In Okami, the legendary monster Orochi has come back to life and turned the world into a wasteland. To restore the earth’s natural order and beauty, players assume the role of wolf-embodied sun god Amaterasu and participate in numerous action packed battles against the ominous beings they encounter. However, conquering these impending enemies is no small feat. Amaterasu will travel through different regions of the world to regain her “Celestial Brush” powers, all the while revitalizing everything in her path. Using an innovative control scheme, gamers can slash away at enemies, use various brush strokes to solve puzzles, create pathways, chop down trees or turn night into day. The real-time fighting system not only involves assorted brush techniques, but also myriad of specials attacks typically not associated with the physical prowess of a normal wolf.

Featuring a visually stunning art style, Okami comes alive through beautiful scenic 3D levels that have the appearance and texture of paper scrolls brushed with watercolor-like calligraphy art. Throughout the vibrant and distinctive surroundings, players must also interact with a dynamic cast of characters, building their faith to uncover clues and hints. The blend of stylized graphics and unique gameplay will result in a rich and dynamic experience never seen before.

Ōkami includes the following features:

· Create and destroy at will - Play as a god to re-establish order and beauty to a world laid barren by evil.

· Innovative gameplay and control scheme - Defeating monsters requires the usage of not only physical attacks, but also Amaterasu’s ‘Celestial Brush’ to paint the desired powers for decimating enemies and solving puzzles.

· Intense action-packed battles – Rooted in Japanese folklore, fight against a diverse line-up of demons and monsters.

· Utilize various gameplay styles – In addition to the Celestial Brush, Amaterasu can wield three types of offensive weaponry, each with their own unique abilities and effects. Depending on how a weapon is equipped, it can be used as the main or sub weapon:

o Reflectors – These well-balanced weapons are suited for close range combat

o Rosaries– Sacred magatama beads are great for quick long range attacks

o Glaives – These can be charged up to unleash powerful close range attacks

· Intriguing main character – Assume the role of the sun god, Amaterasu, who descends upon the earth in the form of a wolf. The Japanese translation of the word wolf is “Ōkami”.

· Original visuals and revolutionary design– Vibrant and inspiring graphics, reminiscent of traditional Japanese art created on paper scrolls, produce a large variety of stages with a watercolor-esque appearance.

· Interact with a unique and dynamic cast of characters.

Capcom is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, PC and wireless devices. Founded in 1983, the company has created world renowned franchises including Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Mega Man, Devil May Cry, Onimusha and the newly released Dead Rising. Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, the company maintains operations in the U.S., United Kingdom, Germany, Tokyo and Hong Kong. More information about Capcom and its products can be found on the company’s web site at www.capcom.com.

One of my goals while I'm on vacation this week is to unlock the "genocider" achievement in Dead Rising on the 360, which entails crushing, decapitating, disemboweling, slicing, shooting and burning more than 53,000 zombies. Good times.

But as much as I love this game -- game of the year for me, so far, as it keeps getting better the more I play it -- I do wonder if the absurd carnage in Dead Rising gets a free pass that it wouldn't in other titles. Such as Grand Theft Auto.

I mean, I'm happily grinding thousands of innocent people -- which is what the zombies really are -- into hamburger so I can unlock a costume of Mega Man. Imagine if Rockstar had a hidden feature in one of their games that rewarded you for butchering the population of a medium-sized town? The ensuing firestorm would be hot enough to melt the sun. But since it's not Rockstar, and since they're zombies, it's all fine and dandy. And I suspect that the developers of Dead Rising knew just how far they could go, since they were smart enough not to include any zombie children for you to massacre.

Anyway, bottom line: GTA is amoral trash. Dead Rising FTW!

Take a classic franchise, add in an action movie star, throw in all sorts of new high tech gadgetry and you've got all the ingredients to make a great game right? You would think.

Watch The Texas Gamer Video Review:

Midway's recent release Spyhunter: Nowhere to Run is the third installment on the current gen consoles, unfortunatley, the third time is not the charm for this title.
New to the series is the abiltiy to take super agent alex decker, voiced and modeled after dwayne, the rock, johnson, and venture out side of the interceptor for some third person shooter and melee action. And while drving around the interceptor shooting and blasting at just about everything in sight is still fun, it's nice to finally get to see and play the man behind the wheel. But, the sluggish controls and a poor camera in this mode help quickly diminish the games over all score.
The effort was there, decker has the agility you would expect of any modern day super agent...Shooting, dodging and even pulling off some nice finishing moves. The rock even did his own motion capturing for the in game animations. But, the overall level design and gameplay is so basic, running into one room, clearing out the enemies, perhaps arming a few bombs with a simple button push, and move on to the next room, that you'll find yourself zipping through the game at a very fast pace.
Yes, there are some nice touches, like the ability to pick up nearby objects and use them as weapons or the grappling and wrestling moves decker can use against the sinister nostra agents, but it's nothing we haven't seen before, still fun and sometimes satisfying, just not very orginal and i usually found myself looking foward to getting back to the interceptor.
It appears that every weapon and gadget is back, but new additions such as the tire spikes are fun to use and the new salvo mode which slows down the action allowing you to select multiple targets in a set amount of time is a welcome additon.
You'll still find yourself launching off of ramps for mid air vehicle transformations, which is always cool and the action never lets up. The framerate holds pretty steady at 30fps but that shouldn't be a problem becuase clearly the game is not using a lot of processing power for graphics. They are not awful, but the bar has been set by so many other devlopers on this current crop of consoles that's it's a bit dissapointing not to see that same level of polish from the folks at terminal reality, the game's developers
Spyhunter: Noweher to run is not an awful game, it just a title that lacks the production values and polish we've come to expect at this stage of the uh, game.

San Francisco, Calif, (September 15, 2006) -- Eidos Interactive Ltd., one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, announces that the Reservoir Dogs video game will be available in stores everywhere on October 24, 2006 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC in North America.

"Keeping intact all the signature scenes, style, and chronology of Quentin Tarantino's groundbreaking script, Reservoir Dogs is an intense action shooter which allows the player to experience all the scenes only talked about in the film like the diamond heist, the stashing of the diamonds, and the abduction of Marvin Nash as well as revealing for the first time the fate of Mr. Pink.

“Eidos is proud to bring one of the most esteemed and influential films of all time to the video game consoles and PC,” said Kevin Gill, US Marketing Manager. “Gaming and movie fans alike will have the unprecedented opportunity to play through the events of the movie as well as experiencing parts of the movie that happened off screen but are essential to the main plot.”

Lionsgate will release the Reservoir Dogs 15th Anniversary Edition DVD street day and date with the Reservoir Dogs video game. Included on the DVD are never-before-seen extra features and one-of–a-kind collectible packaging. The DVD also features promotions for the video game both on the disc and in the packaging.

“Movie-based video games centered on compelling content and solid gameplay have a proven history of having a highly successful run at retail,” said Bob Lindsey, VP of sales and marketing, Eidos. “With the film’s extremely loyal fan base and the concurrent release of Reservoir Dogs 15th Anniversary Edition DVD, the Reservoir Dogs video game deserves a home on the crime-film fan’s shelf.”

Reservoir Dogs is based on the 1992 Quentin Tarantino-directed classic movie about five total strangers who are brought together to carry out a diamond heist. In the video game release, players get to fill the shoes of each iconic character in the film as they relive the Reservoir Dogs experience complete with the movie’s trademark style and wit. The game will also feature the full and original soundtrack from the movie – the super sounds of the seventies brought alive with the thematic “Little Green Bag”, the unforgettable “Stuck in the Middle with You “and more.

I had all the hope in the world for Wii. It had everything going for it: huge backlog of Nintendo classics, weird new control scheme and a low low price tag.

What happened to that tag?

If I'm going to shell out another $300+ just a few days after the nearly $800 bank-bust for my new PS3 and a few games, I'm gonna have to sell a lung.

This is the weirdest launch plan since the Sega Saturn.

The casual gamer -- at least, the casual gamer willing to front $250 for a console that requires him to flap his arms like a drunken monkey -- doesn't exist.

Let's be honest. This is GameCube 2, with an unproven new controller. And it's called Wii. And it doesn't play DVD movies, doesn't do high-def, doesn't have a hard drive, and the best launch title - Zelda - actually is a freaking GameCube game! Nintendo has been able to pull off a great fraud by selling Zelda as a Wii launch title, when in reality its a GameCube game that's been delayed since, what, last year?

Casual gamers play solitaire and bejeweled. They don't spend 250-plus bucks on a game console.

I hope Nintendo does well. I hope all the console makers do well. But I think Nintendo has its hands full.

Nintendo will reshape the home entertainment and video game landscape with the launch of its heralded Wii(TM) home video game console. The Americas will lead the worldwide launch on Nov. 19. Wii will be sold as an affordable, mass-consumer product at an MSRP of just $249.99. The price includes one wireless Wii Remote controller, one Nunchuk(TM) controller and the groundbreaking collection of five different Wii Sports games on one disc, which anyone can play using simple movements,experienced or not.

Every Wii console includes another distinctive feature: a series of
on-screen "channels" that make up the Wii Channel Menu, which makes the
console approachable and customizable for everyone, from the most avid gamer
to people who have never played before. The Wii Channel Menu is the starting
point for all of the console's functions. The "channels" offer a gateway to a
rich variety of entertainment options. When connected to a TV, the Wii
Channel Menu offers a simple interface, letting users pick games to play, get
news or weather, view and send photos or even create playable caricatures of
themselves to use in actual games. Additional functions allow users to redeem
Wii Points and download classic games to Wii's Virtual Console(TM). The
variety of options available through the Wii Channel Menu motivates both
gamers and non-gamers to turn on Wii's power every day.
Wii is creating worldwide excitement with its unique control system, an
inventive, first-of-its-kind controller whose position can be detected in a
3-D space. The new controller allows users to pinpoint targets in games or
move through the Wii Channel Menu with precision and ease. This intuitive
control system will be understood immediately by everyone, regardless of their
previous experience with video games. With this one small controller, Wii
makes games both easier and more intense than anything previously experienced.
For example, in the Wii Sports tennis game, players swing the Wii Remote like
a racket to hit the ball, as in real life. They can add topspin or slice the
ball just by angling their hands and wrist like they would in a real match.
"Wii reinvents games for the devoted player," says Nintendo of America
President Reggie Fils-Aime. "But more importantly, Wii breaks the wall
separating players from non-players by delivering the best game experiences
for the most affordable price. We believe the next leap is games for the
masses -- young and old, gamer or non, alone, with a friend or with the whole
family."
Fils-Aime made his remarks in New York, shortly after Nintendo executives
in Japan announced Wii will launch there on Dec. 2.
Between launch day and Dec. 31, Wii owners will enjoy a robust lineup of
30 software titles, with selections for everyone from video game veterans to
newcomers. Some top Nintendo launch titles include Wii Sports, a compilation
of tennis, baseball, golf, bowling and boxing; The Legend of Zelda(R):
Twilight Princess; and EXCITE TRUCK(TM). While publishers are free to set
their own prices for games, first-party Nintendo titles will have an MSRP of
$49.99. Wii's self-loading media bay also can play the entire library of more
than 530 Nintendo GameCube(TM) titles from day one.
Third-party developers around the world have lined up to provide
unprecedented support for Wii.
"I believe the Wii will attract new and casual gamers to the world of
interactive entertainment," says Larry Probst, Chairman and CEO, Electronic
Arts. "It's a fun, easy and economical system that will become a bridge to
gaming for mainstream audiences. At EA, we are putting more support behind
the Wii than any Nintendo hardware launch since the Super NES."
"The Wii is changing audience interaction, opening up whole new
experiences that have never been possible in video games," says Robert Kotick,
Chairman and CEO, Activision, Inc. "With the instinctual control of the Wii
Remote, Nintendo is advancing the gaming experience to the broadest audience
of gamers. Activision is excited about the launch of the Wii and the
opportunity it offers. So much so, we plan to have five titles available at
launch -- our strongest lineup ever for a new console. We have more
development resources devoted to the Wii than to any previous Nintendo
platform. The Wii is likely to have a profound impact on the size, growth and
overall opportunities for the video game market."
"The Wii control scheme opens up unexplored areas for our talented teams
to innovate when creating games," says Laurent DeToc, President of Ubisoft
North America. "It's invigorating for us. We believe that it will help
create a new level of interest in video games and engage more players around
the world."
Additional information about the list of Virtual Console games and the
pricing structure will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Okay, you've seen the post below and read the press releases regarding the November 17th launch of Nintendo's new console and I agree with Victor about some of the struggles facing a Nintendo with a "post PS3" launch. However, I don't think we should discount the "non-hardcore" gamer market that Nintendo hopes to strike a chord with given the "...intuitive control system that will be understood immediately by everyone, regardless of their previous experience with video games..." as quoted on their releases. Nintendo has said all along that they hope to introduce a whole new audience to our beloved industry and I believe it's not the "hardcore" gamers out there that are going to be a large contributor to the success of Wii(I hate that name too) but rather those looking to dip their toes into the world of chips and bits.
One final thought...The gaming community has also been screaming for innovation in games for years now and this unique controller scheme could be just what the doctor ordered. Don't get me wrong I'll be in line for a PS3 too, but I'm not counting out Mario and the gang just yet!

So Nintendo's Wii (what a terrible name) will come out in the U.S. on Nov. 17 and cost $250.

That's two days after the PS3's launch, and just $50 less than the Core Xbox 360.

While the Wii will include a game (Wii Sports) and those other consoles will not, Nintendo may have just deflated a lot of the enthusiasm around its new system.

Frankly, the PS3 is going to dominate the headlines when it comes out, particularly since the system will be in such short supply. Nintendo could have stolen a march on Sony by launching the Wii in late October. Now, Nintendo has to fight an uphill publicity battle.

Furthermore, several weeks ago, Nintendo promised the Wii would not cost more than $250. So how does $249.99 hit you? Yes, technically, that is less than $250. But Nintendo knew most gamers were anticipating a much lower price, and this feels like a mild betrayal. Plus, gamers may compare the Wii and the lower-priced version of the 360 and think, hey, I can get a much more powerful system for just 50 bucks more.

The Wii ain't dead, but Nintendo's job just got a whole lot harder.

Nintendo is holding a series of press conferences in Japan, the U.S. and Europe starting late tonight in Japan. The New York press conference is at 8 a.m. Dallas time tomorrow morning.

Hopefully, official prices and launch dates for the Wii will be revealed, but Nintendo loves being coy. So we might just learn about the 134th version of Pokemon.

Apple unveiled yesterday a pretty cool looking device called the iTV that will let you stream movies stored on your PC or Mac directly to your TV. Download a movie from iTunes and plop down on your couch in front of your new bigscreen to enjoy the show.

What a great idea! Turns out, Microsoft has already released something like that, called the Xbox 360. Stream music, movies, photos, etc from your PC to your 360 to watch on your TV, or you can download movie trailers, music videos and such directly to your 360's harddrive. And you can play games. It's too bad Microsoft hasn't put more muscle into turning the 360 into a full-fledged media jukebox. What it really needs is its own version of iTunes for the PC and Xbox 360, which could hit later this year when Microsoft launches its line of portable media players dubbed Zune.

Apple's soon-to-be-released iTV device.

Every August, football fans all around the world rejoice. Training camps are raging with activity, and the NFL season is just around the corner. But, the real delight for the savvy football fan is actually a little video game title named Madden. It also happens to be the only licensed NFL title available.

This years title, is head and shoulder pads above last year's effort from Electronic Arts.
Graphically, the game still manages to impress, especially the Xbox 360 version and assuming of course you've got a really nice HD set watch it on. But, even the current "gen" consoles have received a bit of a visual upgrade proving there is still just a little more power left to squeeze out of our soon to be dated current crop of consoles.
To the seasoned Madden player, there aren't a whole lot of changes in the actual game play though, save for a few tweaks with the controller layout, but then again if it aint broken, don't fix it.
There was one significant change that I found very useful: The new "kick control". Gone is the old button mashing method of kicking where you weren't exactly sure if your timing was going to be right or not thus ruining that last second field goal attempt to win. Now, gamers can use the right analog stick by pulling it back for power and pushing it forward to keep the kick in line, keeping a nice fluid control on your kicks. It is a little frustrating at first, but rest assured with a little practice you'll find yourself forgetting how it used to be done.
Another interesting addition is the introduction of the lead blocker control. Players can now choose the lead blocker, or maybe an offensive lineman, before the play starts and attempt to pave the way for the shifty guys in the backfield to gain some yardage. Although interesting in concept, this feature is a little difficult to grasp. During the first few attempts I was having issues remembering that I wasn't actually controlling the running back and by then I was 10 yards down the field and my running back wasn't! This is a great feature that will definitely take some getting used to but, I believe EA is on to something with this total control type football.
The franchise mode and NFL Superstar modes are still available, yes, even on the 360 this time around. Both revamped with new tools for the really intense "Maddenites". Players are now assigned "roles" for their team, which can come in handy when you're trying to find out who to keep on the team and who to dump! Watch your trades though, players now react to new contracts, team captains being named, and what the game refers to as "shopping players around" and sometimes it can be detrimental to your success. Of course it's no surprise when you start a franchise with the cowboys that T.O.'s morale is already dangerously low.
Madden continues it's tradition of being the premier NFL title , of course being the only one helps too!