Sometimes I marvel at how I get these things right when the interweb starts spinning with rumors. In my recent article, Bungie Leaving Microsoft - So What, I predicted that this was nothing more than the usual “we want to explore our creativity” type of thing. I submit to you the following quote from my article.
“They may have a case of the “big head” disease and want to all form their own little independent company that allows them to better showcase their creativity etc…” said Deacon.
And now I present to you the words from Bungie Studios in today’s press release detailing the Bungie and Microsoft separation.
“This exciting evolution of our relationship with Microsoft will enable us to expand both creatively and organizationally in our mission to create world-class games,” said Harold Ryan, studio head for Bungie.
Sound like something you’ve already heard? I simply say good luck to them but if you read the rest of my original article, you’ll understand where this all might lead.
One of the members here used this nifty little feature at U360 the other day and I thought I’d revisit the subject to let those of you unaware know that you can leave a voice comment in addition to your usual text comments.
I posted about the addition of audio comments last year and left instructions on how to do it. It’s all pretty simple and I think it adds a little uniqueness to the site when you guys opt to use it. Big shout to PimpMethod for reminding me of how cool this little feature is.
Here’s a quick tutorial on it but you can reference the original article about it to hear instructions as well.
- Below each comment field is a link to “Insert Audio Comment”
- Click the “Insert Audio Comment” link
- A small applet will come up with details on how to record
- Click Record to begin your audio
- Click Stop to end your audio
- Click Attach Audio
- Enter a normal text comment in the comment box (in addition to attaching audio)
- Click Submit Comment
I’ve heard all the latest rumors and hype surrounding Bungie leaving Microsoft. This ofcourse originates from one of the interweb’s finest cry for hits campaign to date. These interweb junkies are clever I tell you. They even used the “I have a friend” line to really draw us in. I have two words for you that sum up what I feel. So what?
If this turns out to be slightly true and Bungie gains some form of independence in developing titles, so what is what I say. They may have a case of the “big head” disease and want to all form their own little independent company that allows them to better showcase their creativity etc., but again so what? There have been many cases of developers getting bright ideas like this to pursue “creativity” and most of them end up with games that hardly anyone cares about. So why would Bungie walk that path and travel back down a Mac route or perhaps develop for other platforms? Don’t answer that because again, so what?
Microsoft has its fill of Halo for years to come. This franchise will be making money for Microsoft when most of us are in nursing homes with the Xbox 840. At that point Bungie will either be known as that independent company who once made Halo or that Microsoft studio who continues to push out ridiculously advertised titles for Microsoft. My mom used to always say to me “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side”.
Some of you probably remember the buzz around a certain development engine supposedly being used in the next 2K football game that showcased all these incredible looking tackles and animations. Well, it turns out that the engine was being used in another football game unrelated to 2K.
NaturalMotion announced Backbreaker, the first football game to feature non-canned, fully interactive tackles. Using the euphoria engine (also found in the upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV and Star Wars: Force Unleashed games), Backbreaker features on-the-field football action with tackles that are different every time.
In the video below, what you see is in-game footage captured from a next-gen console. So it appears that Xbox 360 fans will have a taste of some truly interesting football in the near future. The game currently has no publisher so it’s hard to pinpoint when that taste will come.
I love gadgets. I love new technology and all these fancy little devices that find their way to consumers every year. One of these fancy devices is Apple’s iPhone. Tomorrow is a day that I’m sure quite a few people have been waiting for as the iPhone will be available for purchase. It’s a completely touch sensitive phone that looks incredibly sexy in my opinion. Until ofcourse you get down to its price tag. The iPhone is available for $499 or $599 depending on your storage preference. You’d also have to fork over about $60-$100 per month for a 2-year subscription service with AT&T wireless.
I looked at those prices and decided to ask how many are planning on buying the iPhone? For the price of it and its service, you could get 2 Xbox 360 Pro consoles, 2 Xbox Live subscriptions (12 months) plus 4 games and an extra wireless controller. I know it makes no sense to ask or compare but it’s my party and I can ask if I want to. The price of the iPhone is crazy despite how sexy it looks and the cool features. (oh how I want to just touch it)
I know we’re all gamers here but at the same time I know that many of you are into things like this. I know one of you was planning on buying it until you thought about what that price means compared to your gaming hobby. Blame me for those doubts lol. If I had the money though, I’d buy it. I wonder how mobile games will translate on it.
Well I just wanted to throw my love for new gadgets at you. It’s interesting to think about the Xbox 360 things that could be had for the price of an iPhone. But oh how sexy the iPhone is! What say you? Are you getting one?
I read an article this morning in a local paper that was pretty interesting. Apparently a council of the American Medical Association wants to classify our “addiction” to video games as a psychiatric disorder. In their annual policy meeting being held in Chicago soon, some members of this association intend to show that being addicted to games is indeed a behavior that needs serious attention and therapy. They’re lobbying for it to be included in a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association.
I’m sure there are many developers and publishers who say this is ridiculous but is it really that bad for some people out there? There are numerous reports about violence and video games as well as some people’s academic performance suffering due to video games. Some teens have been sent to therapy after being “addicted” to internet games such as the ever-so-popular World of Warcraft. We all should remember the person who supposedly died while playing a video game.
It can’t be that serious for some of you out there can it? I love playing games but not to the point that I’d disregard my daughter, going outside or life in general. This is what some doctors say though…that for some kids video game addiction can be as detrimental to their health as alcohol or drugs.
I know a few people who say they’ve been “sucked into World of Warcraft” and play for hours on end. Could you be addicted and not know it? Do you know someone who is and how would you feel if it were classified as a psychiatric disorder? What say you?
A few weeks ago I mentioned a cool essay contest from Xbox.com looking for the Xbox Dad of the Year. The winning entry is in ladies and gents. (thanks for the tips) I found out that my mother sent in an essay nomination for me. I didn’t win ofcourse. But the nomination from my mom was special.
Anyway, here’s your Xbox Dad of the Year winner and runner-up entries. I can only imagine a 7-Lan party set up. The value of making A’s in school has surely gone up since my day.
For those of you interested in getting the latest episode of Unscripted 360 with no interruption, I’ve created a U360 Podcast Only feed. This will give those of you podcast heads direct access to the thing you love the most. Hey it may take me a while but I’m slowly realizing it’s 2007.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/unscripted360podcasts
http://www.unscripted360.com/category/unscripted-360-podcasts/feed/
I’ll be submitting this to iTunes to clean up the show archive issue that’s been going on of late. The option is yours. Choose it if will make things easier for you. One of them if the Feedburner route and the other, a direct route. Both do the same thing.
An email subscription to the U360 Podcast Only updates is also available.
A little while ago I mentioned a certain road tour that the folks at Gamerscoreblog were preparing to do. Well, the GSB Road Trip began officially in Chicago this weekend and it’s headed for Dallas on May 28. It’s an invitation only event so I hope that all my DFW peeps got those emails in and were invited because I’d love to show you how Deacon dominates the 360 first hand.
Ok seriously, I’d love to just kick it with everyone when the tour hits Dallas. So far it seems like the event is going well with Tony, Chris and John enjoying some “off time” with the community. I hope the weather is good on May 28 so it doesn’t prevent anyone from showing up for the Dallas stop.
I’ll be excited that Monday to have something to do since Heroes wraps up its first season tonight!
I think we all need some good news today don’t we? Universal Studios is bringing my favorite television show to HD-DVD this August! I’m ready to see Sylar and Peter Petrelli face off in high definition (again). For those of you who haven’t been able to see the series in HD (NBC broadcasts Heroes in HD), you’re definitely missing out.
