What will they think of next? First there is real time data sent to the DS at Seattle's Safeco Field. Now, it's an interactive map and real-time ride info at Walt Disney World as reported on Wired's Game|Life blog.

While Alice of Wonderland Blog points out the inherent problems with such a system one wonders why a simple map wouldn't be free.

In fact, every theme park, interstate, museum, etc. should have map and other info instantly ready for download to the DS upon walking in. For people like me, who get lost going from bed to the bathroom, it'd be a big help. Where am I?

Monday - February 4, 2008

Electronic Arts predicts that the PS3 will outsell the Xbox 360 in 2008, with the Wii beating them all. You can read all about it here.

I don't know why this is attracting so much attention. A lot of people already own Xbox 360s and Wiis, so this would be the year they buy the PS3. It just makes sense.

To date, Microsoft has sold about 17 million Xbox 360 while Sony has sold 8 million PS3s. If the projections are correct (and note the projects are for the US and Europe, only) then you'll bring up those totals to abouut 24 million Xbox 360s and 18.5 million PS3s.

The point here is that both are selling very well. The "console war" is a myth. Gamers will eventually have all three systems. It's no longer a matter of one or another.

To date console sell-through

Sure, Japanese gamers got Super Smash Bros. Brawl about a month before we'll get it, but those who didn't take care of their Wiis are having some issues.

It seems that dust, dirt, or tobacco smoke build-up are causing some Wiis to stutter while playing SSBB or causing the game to not play at all.

The problem lies in the fact that SSBB is the first Wii game to be printed on a dual-layer DVD which requires a more delicate touch from ye olde laser. Dust or smoke build-up is causing the laser to have lost that loving feeling.

Nintendo has offered to clean the dirty Wiis, free of charge, and are even covering shipping costs.

We'll see what happens when the discs hit the States and Europe. I can see the YouTube home fix-its now.

For more, head over to Engadget.

Wednesday - February 6, 2008

From Steven Spielberg and EA. It looks like a lot of fun. I definitely see similarities with Little Big Planet, of course, with that Jenga twist.

How excited am I for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed? More excited than Nien Nunb and Lando Calrissian when the shield generator on Endor finally went down.

I'm also pleasantly surprised by some quality video game journalism courtesy of Frank DiGiacomo of Vanity Fair and his "The Game Has Changed" feature.

DiGiacomo relates to us his visit to LucasArts massive San Francisco complex, where Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is being developed for the PS3 and Xbox 360 (tentatively due out this summer).

How about this for an excerpt?

By the time the demonstration was over, I was left with the unmistakable sense that LucasArts was on the cutting edge of a huge leap forward for the video-game industry—a technological breakthrough, nearly as revolutionary as the introduction of sound in film, that could finally give gaming the kind of immersive realism that would enable it to join movies and television as a form of mainstream entertainment.

Um, yeah, sign me up! I can't wait for this game!

Read the full article.

Thursday - February 7, 2008

We have begun work on the LB Assassin's Creed Altair's Chronicles Walkthrough and Strategy Guide for the Nintendo DS.

Per usual, you can check in on our growing guide as it's being written. Enjoy!

LB Assassin's Creed Altair's Chronicles Game Guide.



Update: For those who need Assassin's Creed Altair's Chronicles help beyond the current scope of the walkthrough, please post your questions in our Assassin's Creed Altair's Chronicles Help Thread in our forums.

We have begun work on the LB Devil May Cry 4 Walkthrough and Strategy Guide for the Xbox 360, PS3, PC.

This guide is being written by Nick T., author of the awesome LB Oblivion Walkthrough.

Per usual, you can check in on our growing guide as it's being written. Enjoy!

LB Devil May Cry 4 Game Guide.



Update: For those who need Devil May Cry 4 help beyond the current scope of the walkthrough, please post your questions in our Devil May Cry 4 Help Thread in our forums.

Tuesday - February 12, 2008

Mass Effect, the BioWare space epic that is full of complete and total awesomeness (not to mention a benign sex scene that has ruffled the feathers of the anti-gaming media), has been slated to hit store shelves this May. EA will be the publisher this time around, as the company purchased BioWare from Microsoft Game Studios, the publisher of the Xbox 360 version, last October.

According to the press release, here's what we can expect from the PC version:

• Optimized controls designed specifically for the PC.
• High resolution visuals – Mass Effect for the PC features highly detailed textures, characters and environments.
• Fully customizable controls – PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like.
• Run & Gun Control – Players can assign biotic powers or skills to ‘hot keys’ allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action.
• New decryption mini-game.
• New inventory screen GUI and functionality – The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.

Related articles:

'Sodomy' in Mass Effect
EA to buy BioWare and Pandemic
Idiots
LB Mass Effect Walkthrough and Strategy Guide

Continue reading "'Mass Effect' coming to PCs in May"

After three years of development, Spore, Will Wright's cellular-galactic simulator, has a release date.

While I still don't quite understand the game concept, I do look forward to wrapping my brain around it the week of September 7th. Now I'll just have to decide whether I'll be playing it on my PC, my Mac, or my DS (where it will be known as Spore Creatures). Hmm. Decisions, decisions. At least EA failed to date the Wii version of the game, so I won't have to worry about hurting my little white console's feelings.

Girl moment...

I'm good at knitting scarves and hats. However, I won't consider myself an accomplished knitter until I can pull off something as adorable as Sackboy, from the upcoming Little Big Planet. Apparently, one of the game's designers knit it. Too frikin' cute!



Oh, and don't you dare miss Sackboy in his Chinese dragon costume. I could just eat him with a spoon!

HT to Wonderland Blog

Thursday - February 14, 2008

Best. Valentine. Evar.

Sure, I hinted at one a month ago...but who knew the hubby would follow through? Me, of so little faith.

Just thought that we should share the love! Enjoy.

Tuesday - February 19, 2008

It's Monday, well, Tuesday, which is kind of like Monday due to the president's holiday, which means that there are new games for download on the Wii.

Ninja Gaiden™ III: The Ancient Ship of Doom: (NES®, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Violence, 500 Wii Points): Join master ninja Ryu Hayabusa, last member of the famous Dragon Clan, in the third and final chapter of the legendary Ninja Gaiden saga.

Phantasy Star™ II: (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): Hailed as one of the greatest games of all time by fans and media alike, Phantasy Star II is an RPG that features an epic story line and turn-based battles. Play as Rolf, Nei, Rudo or several other characters as you navigate through the Algol star system battling the evil Dark Force.

For more information, go here.

Monday - February 25, 2008

Do you enjoy getting killed while playing FPS's? Well, if you do, apparently you're not alone. According to an article found at GameCritics, participants in a study enjoyed getting killed more than killing.

While this is a good thing, it leaves one to ponder, why? For one, the study had gamers play James Bond 007: Nightfire, not exactly the most realistic or serious game. Second, the gamers were playing against the computer, not online vs each other. I wonder how that would affect the results.

I think that it's that, "oh, you got me! feeling," like when you were a kid playing cops and robbers.

Interesting stuff.

Hat tip to slashdot

We're baa-ack!

Yes, our mini-vacation in L.A. has come to an end, which means we're back to work! So, continue to check in for all of the latest videogame news and updates to our videogame walkthroughs, as we're back on our regular schedule.

While in L.A., we did have a couple of brushes with fame. First, we saw a portion of Jimmy Kimmel's "I'm f*cking Ben Affleck" being filmed outside the Roosevelt Hotel (the Harrison Ford portion):



For those who don't understand what this video is all about, it's a response to Sarah Silverman's slightly funnier "I'm f*ckig Matt Damon", which is definitely worth a watch.

Our second brush with fame came a few moments later, as we walked down Hollywood Blvd. to check out the Academy Awards preparations. As we walked down the street Jer and I both noted two men with a CNN camera staring at us. Then they made their move. Through the crowd the two made a beeline for us and asked us to ask Jon Stewart a question, as he would be appearing on "Larry King Live" that night (apparently, we fit the demographic). Since I'm camera shy, I stepped away, but Jer got to ask a question, which was aired on the show later that night.

If you care to watch, the video can be found here:

Jer on "Larry King Live"

Jer appears right around the 19:10 mark (although, according to people on our message boards, this tends to change). He's the man on the street wearing the Decemberists bicycle tee. Oh, and he's the only one who gets a laugh out of Jon Stewart.

In touching videogame news, The Telegraph reports on a Second Life memorial to fallen British soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As if the video isn't affective enough, Nik Hewitt, creator of the memorial, states in the article, "We have seen avatars - characters created by serving military personnel - wandering through the graves looking for fallen comrades".



Read

Tuesday - February 26, 2008

At the Game Developers Conference, Nintendo spokesman Takashi Aoyama revealed that there are plans to begin charging for online play and downloadable (add-on) content.

Gamers will use the familiar Wii Points to pay for play and, from what I can surmise, it seems the charges will be per game, not a blanket online charge as is the case with Xbox Live.

I could see them launching this in a week when Super Smash Bros. Brawl debuts. As if they're not making enough money.

I wonder what Reggie has to say about this.

Read

Thursday - February 28, 2008

We are pleased to announce the completion of a New England style, faerie filled, and occasionally frightening adventure.

Lunabean's Unofficial The Spiderwick Chronicles Walkthrough and Strategy Guide (Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PS2, and PC) is the most complete guide available for this magical game.

• 100% Completion Game Guide!
• Detailed walkthrough
• Complete Field Guide
• All Faerie and Sprite locations
• Instant Digital Download!
• Professionally written!

LB Guide: The Spiderwick Chronicles Walkthrough and Strategy Guide

For our 100% Completion Guide, please purchase one of the following:

Friday - February 29, 2008

It looks like June is the month to get your stealth on!

After a week of MGS4 release date rumors and a "late second quarter" promise by Konami, the company buckled and confirmed an official release date of June 12, 2008.

What's more, those who pre-order the next Solid Snake adventure will receive a "pre-order package" which will provide you access to the Metal Gear Online beta when it goes live in April, along with a bonus DVD titled Metal Gear Saga 2.0.

In case you are still sans a PS3 on that ever important June 12th date, Sony revealed this week a Metal Gear Solid PS3 bundle, which will include MGS4, an 80G PS3, and the soon-to-be-released Dual Shock 3 controller, all for US$499.

If you're planning on getting anything done this May, you might want to reconsider or get it done early, as Rockstar is claiming Grand Theft Auto IV, which will be released on April 29, will take you 100 hours to complete.

Now, keep in mind, this is coming from Rockstar, so it's more than likely the 100 hour mark is a bit exaggerated. Plus, Rockstar is talking completion here. That's 100% of the game...something I have never accomplished in a GTA title, as it simply gets too tedious for my attention span...which is why I'm someone who doesn't find the 100 hour claim as a positive. To me, there's simply a point where a single game (offline) is just too much of the same thing.



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