I can't say I was surprised when Xbox Senior Vice President Don Mattrick lifted the veil (the veil being the shell of an Xbox 360 Original) to reveal a slimmer, sexier and sleeker new look for the Xbox at Microsoft's latest press conference at E3 2010. It replaces an ageing system that bears its mid-00's roots on its sleeve; organic edges, creamy white shell and circular motifs don't quite have the relevance and impact in the new decade. It's also worth mentioning its mechanical integrity. For Microsoft, the refreshed version hopes to at least alleviate (if not solve) the ubiquitous RROD, but also jumpstart the Xbox brand in an unprecedented gaming lifecycle. It's a tried and true strategy in the console wars, made prevalent by Sony's PS2 and inescapable by Nintendo's DS. While design may be only a piece of the grand puzzle, it represents the face of a new era in Xbox and for many, its first impression.
Microsoft: You really want this thing that you don't really want.
Sony: You should probably start paying for that free stuff. Also: see above.
Nintendo: Here are all those games you asked for last year!
The next GoldenEye was officially and finally announced today. It is going to be exclusive to the Wii (which basically means that the graphics will be true to the 1997 version), but still has those great game modes that we all loved like Slappers Only, Paintball, and Golden Gun. For me, it was Lasers in the Temple or nothing.
When this game comes out, the same rule applies just as it did 13 years ago - if you play as Oddjob, you are a cheap bastard.
I'm not sure if everyone got this email from Sony today, but LA area gamers can be the first to play with the Playstation Move tomorrow (Tuesday, June 15) if they show up between 6 and 9pm at one of three participating Best Buys throughout the city.
If you go, I hope you have fun, but you won't see me there. I'll be at the Los Angeles Convention Center gettin' mah E3 on, then heading to Hollywood for an exclusive party put on by Nexon so's I can get my free drink on. Ya heard?
Good, it's on. We thought you might like another podcast so we made one for you. It's short so don't get too excited. Enjoy the dulcet tones as our voices move you.
This week we have some pre-E3 discussion, talk some Splinter Cell, God of War III, Red Dead, EVE Online and Joe Danger.
I was hesitant in watching Solomon Kane; I had heard about it and watched a trailer, but it looked to me like another attempt at milking a comic book story for some money. I read the Wikipedia article on the film and it said that it has an 82% "fresh" rating on rottentomatoes.com, which is really good for a community-fed statistic. Convinced of its merit, I decided to try it out.
To be honest, I couldn't stand it. It was a vague, slow, and unrelentingly boring film with CGI that is about 10 years out of date. It tells the tale of a guy that looks like Van Helsing who wears a pilgrim hat. Solomon's backstory is not very fleshed out beyond an obligatory flashback or two; being that this is the first film in a projected trilogy, they should have spent more time working the character's motivations so that I would actually want to watch the next two films. And in this case, I will not be watching the next two films.
And by the by, there are only 17 reviews up on rottentomatoes.com, so I don't think it's an accurate assessment. Rather, you should consider the hundreds of reviewers that were so unimpressed that they couldn't get around to writing something.
To promote the upcoming release of the new album by Shoes And Socks Off -- the solo project of ex Meet Me in St. Louis singer/Shield Your Eyes bassist Tobias Hayes -- record label Big Scary Monster Records are going to post a new track from the album on Youtube every week until August, when the album releases.
The new album, titled Robin Hood Waiter Champion Have-Not will be Tobias' fourth album under the Shoes And Socks Off monicker, and is set to release in early August, by which time every track on the album will be available to view on Youtube.
As such I'll be posting links to the new tracks every week, starting right now with the first two videos, posted below.
If you like it, you can buy the first three albums in a limited edition three CD set here. If you prefer your music a little more . . . free, then you can download three tracks from Shoes And Socks Off To Where The Skyline Is Fortified With Windows And Doors album -- as well as a whole bunch of other free stuff -- by signing up at www.bsmrocks.com/friend. Alternatively, you can download a six-track covers EP here. Either way, enjoy the show!
I spent part of my work day today reading a beginner's guide to Eve Online (when you work at a game company, these activities are called "research"). Even after a couple hours of reading it, I'm still overwhelmed with the level of content that is within that game.
It took less time to learn how to shoot an M16 in the militray, and that can kill someone.
Mark Hill Editor, Podcast Host Tyler Miller Editor, Artistic Director Steve McKay Contributor, United Kingdom Giang Cao Contributor, Australia Russ Crandall Contributor
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I'm not sure if everyone got this email from Sony today, but LA area gamers can be the first to play with the Playstation Move tomorrow (Tuesday, June 15) if they show up between 6 and 9pm at one of three participating Best Buys throughout the city.
Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics. 
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account!