Random Gaming 06.29.2007

-While perusing the Blue Planet Software site, I saw their logo and thought "Dude, whoever did that totally ripped that off Roger Dean." Well, I was sorta right. He's "Consultant for art design on the company's computer games and influences the artistic quality of its products" whatever the heck that means. Maybe it just mean that Henk Rogers is a huge Yes album cover fan and was totally stoked to get Dean to do the Blue Planet logo. More research actually shows that Henk wrote the storyline to a 90's Black Oynx sequel that had Dean doing the art. Doesn't look like it ever came out. The logo and art direction of Tetris Zone looks like Dean's work also. Update: ...and he did the most recent version of the Tetris logo.

-Too bad this officially USLMRA licensed Lawnmower Racing Mania 2007 game never came out on the Xbox even though it "went gold". It would have been the perfect follow-up to Lawnmower Racing 2006. *sigh* Now we're just gonna have to wait for next year's Lawnmower Racing Mania 2008.

-There exists in this world we live in a Dance Dance Revolution DVD Game. When showing this to a friend, he was sadly optimistic, saying that DVD technology could handle a game of DDR using the remote to enter the steps. When I showed him a review that stated "The 2 mats that go with this game do NOT attach to anything that scores you - they just go on the floor by themselves." and "it's a little like step aerobics on a flat surface", I think a little piece inside of him died.

-Here's an odd little flash game called "Genie Joe and the Axeman" trying to promote a hot sauce from Joe Perry of Aerosmith. The product is called Joe Perry's Rock Your World and come in two flavors, Boneyard Brew and Mango Peach Tango. That's I have to say about that.

-The winner for the best quote I found this week goes to Babaroga Games: "Muppets Puzzle Party" is an original title developed by Babaroga for Disney Mobile Studio, inspired in part by Babaroga's original game "Strip-off at the Krystal Pistol"

Elf Bowling In Fiji

Kotaku recently posted a story about Elf Bowling: The Movie coming to DVD this October. The fact that Elf Bowling, a simple online flash game that was popular enough to produce numerous sequels and eventually end up ported to boy Gameboy Advance and DS has inspired a feature film is amusing enough but as usual, obsessive internet research reveals a bit more.

The earliest mention I can find is from May 15th on the official Fiji Audio Video Comission(FVAC) site. That page says that the planned release(then just called “The Great North Pole Elf Strike”) was for Christmas 2005. The listing for Elf Bowling - Bocce Style on the official NStorm games site also gives the same release window.

Another 2004 mid-may post at Animation Magazine's site gives a few more details such as Miramax picking up the home video and television rights and the production being animated in Fiji.

The story picks up in April 2005 in this speech by Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase speaking about the new Animated Film School where he says that the film is nearing completion. Of course he also says "They tell me “The Great North Pole Elf Strike,” is based on an internet game where elves stand-in for bowling pins. Fiji looks forward to being similarly bowled over, by what this great joint-venture holds in store for us!" so who knows how well it was coming along.

The most recent rumblings are from mid June last year where the film had it's simultaneous world premiere in Fiji and the US at the 1st annual Kula Film Awards, Fiji's version of the Academy Awards. Elf Bowling was also referred to as "the first animation feature made in Fiji".

Much to my embarrassment, I couldn't find where the hell Kotaku got their image of the home video cover from, but I did find this small drawing at the official site of the one of the directors:
Not sure if the movie will be any good(hey, I'm trying to stay positive), but they did get a couple of good voice actors for it including Joe Alaskey(current voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck) as Santa Claus Tom Kenny(Spongebob) as "Dingle Kringle".

Odd Gaming Moments: Vitamin C Motion Capture

I'm not a sports fan and can't play sports games but I do often buy them when they're just a dollar or two. I usually just pop them in and start a computer vs computer game to admire the graphics. At least I can enjoy the extras. In this video from Triple Play 2002 for the PS2 entitled "Who Is Vitamin C?", we get the aforementioned popstar talking about how much she played Triple Play while creating her most recent album. Sadly, the album bombed and her record label dropped her so maybe she should have concentrated on the music instead. We also get to see her dance and lipsync in a mocap suit but sadly the resulting CG looks nothing like her. She's apparently in the game as one of the players, but I have no idea how to make that happen(see first sentence above).

Random Gaming 06.21.2007

Nice picture, eh? I found it over at Deep Fried Entertainment.

-There exists in this world we live in a mobile phone game based on the movie School Of Rock. Sadly, it's just a Simon clone, but it does have the nice addition of unlocking free wallpapers and ringtones as you play. I wish more mobile games had that feature.

-A PC gamed called Elvira's Monster Match 'n' Stack is on its way featuring the likeness of Elvira Mistress Of The Dark. Sadly it's just a generic block stacking game. The graphics do look nice though.

-It may not be the most appropriate game to play in Greensburg, Kansas but Tornado Jockey definitely looks fun. Is this where Digital Chocolate got their idea for the very well-reviewed Tornado Mania!?

-This is bizarre. I found this Gamespot story from late 2003 entitled: Dan Rather Not Voicing video game:

"A fairly ludicrous rumor made the rounds Friday, which had venerable CBS anchorman Dan Rather lending his voice to a British video game.

According to the stories, a press release by UK publisher System 3 Games said Rather would be lending his voice to America's 10 Most Wanted, the European title of the recently released--and roundly panned--Fugitive Hunter: War on Terror. Developed by Black Ops Entertainment and distributed by Encore Software in the US, Hunter lets gamers beat such international nasties as Osama bin Laden into submission and/or a bloody pulp.

"What are you talking about?" said a CBS News representative when queried by GameSpot about Rather's involvement. A call to Black Ops' offices yielded similar results. "I don't know anything about that," said a baffled spokesperson at the California-based developer, "nothing even close."

Now compare that with the description of the game I found on Black Ops' own website:

"America's 10 Most Wanted enlists the military expertise of CIFR's top agent in the hunt for US fugitives listed on the FBI website, including the notorious leader of the Al 'Queda terrorist network Osama Bin Laden and the ousted leader of Iraq Saddam Hussein. Commentary is provided by Dan Rathner, star news anchor for the US television network CBS over licensed news footage from CNN. In game music is provided by members of So Solid Crew who will also make guest appearances in the game."

Ohhhhhh. Dan RathNER. I can understand the confusion...wait, no, I still don't understand.

-Speaking of Black Ops Entertainment I see that they have "'Video Game Jumpstart,' designed to help kids and people enter the videogame* business." At only 40 bucks I have to admit that at least it's fairly cheap. Otherwise, I have nothing else to say(except that I hope there is a section on how you can use the game engine that you built with money from a Hollywood license for both the movie game and a game where you get to punch Osama Bin Laden in the face.)

*Even Black Ops can't figure out the videogame vs. video game conundrum!

Raw Danger's release date is slippery(when wet)

Ugh, I can't believe I just wrote that title up there.

Still no solid news on the Raw Danger release date. Apparently Amazon.com has sent out e-mails to pre-order customers notifying of a delay containing this note:

"Unfortunately, we are unable to ship the product(s) as soon as we expected and need to provide you with a new estimate of when they may be delivered:

"Raw Danger" [Video Game] Estimated arrival date: 06/22/2007 - 06/29/2007",

while others have received notices stating the arrival date at July 7-9.

Gamestop/EB has pushed the release day forward to today(6.13.2007) and GSW commenter TJ2000 points out that they advertised the release date as the 19th in their most recently weekly flyer:
There's also unsubstantied info out that the change from M to T which resulted in the dropping of "Sexual Themes" descriptor was from a sequence where you were playing as a schoolgirl escaping from a teacher intending to rape you. That sequence could possibly be the one pictured in the bottom three screen shots here.

Update(late evening): Just checked Gamestop.com and it's been pushed forward again one day(the 14th). Copies have appeared on various torrent sites within that last few hours so at least one person got their hands on it.

Raw Danger is coming soon(and may already be here!)

Raw Danger, The sequel to the PS2 classic Disaster Report, is one of those budget releases that I often lust after and have a hellish time getting my hands on(see Chulip, Carol Vorderman's Sudoku, Brave: The Search for Spirit Dancer, etc.) Here's some various info I've dug up about it.

The best place to start is the official website for the Japanese version, Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 2: Itetsuita Kiokutachi. There are pages for wallpapers, videos, book covers(!), and press pictures(characters, logo, screenshots).

By way of GameSetWatch, I see that Namako Team has a couple of posts by Trevor Wilson pertaining to the US version dealing with problems that might have arising form the honkification of the main characters(everyone is now blond?) and the ESRB rating changing from Mature to Teen(boo).

I initially had hopes for some actual promotion of this game when IGN published a three page Survival Guide(note the changes in hair color on the character art)back on April 13th but there really hasn't been anything of substance since then. The official Agetec page for the US version is extremely lame with only a picture of the cover and five screenshots. As usual, I'm shocked that any company would release a game that they apparently have worked very hard on and not give it a lick of promotion. What is wrong with these companies?

Speaking of the cover here's a comparison of the main characters from the original version and the US box art:
You can see that they used the Japanese art for reference but Anglo-ized the faces(And kept the same hair colors!). I'm not sure about the whole street sign theme they went with, complete with an out-of-place bio hazard symbol and subliminal skull and crossbones, but it is an attention-grabber.

As usual price and release dates are all over the place. Most have the release date as today with the price 14.99 but here's a general roundup.

Amazon - 14.99 - Available to purchase, but not in stock
Gamestop/EB - 19.99 - Release date is today but you can't actually order it yet. A call to local stores says that it's in the computer as being out, but no one has any copies. I would have pre-ordered this and have been trying to for months, but they never had it listed. It must have popped up in the last week or so.
Best Buy - 14.99 -Release date is next week (6/18)
Agetec store - 39.99(!!) - Can't actually order it yet.

Too bad we don't get the promotional whistle with pre-orders and I hope they haven't cut this cute little guy out of the game (whoever he is). I'll report when/if I am able to find it locally and what color everybody's hair is now.

Odd Gaming Moments: Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses

Well thanks to online PS2 repair guide Pro-Tips, the easiest fix(cleaning the laser lens with rubbing alchohol) actually worked. I'm glad because it sure didn't worked the second time my PS2 had the DRE blues and I sure didn't want to have to start messing with that wheel business.

In celebration, I bring you this first installment of Odd Gaming Moments. In this episode, we start with an easy one by watching a section of Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses for the PS2. I've saved you from viewing any actually basic gameplay(wimpy no-lose platforming) and shoot you straight to the good stuff, i.e. carefully choreographed dancing sequences and frightening in-engine cut scenes.

Please, not again.

There are sometimes that you rely on entertainment waiting at home to get you through the day. Work is boring, family life is hard, money is tight. I may not be able to fix all of the problems in life but attaining 100% on Lego Star Wars II is within my grasp.

So it's soul crushing to say the least when I get home ready to ignore my family for a few hours and see this bullshit:

Fuck.

This is the third time this has happened. The first repair was paid for, the second one was free, and I don't think they're going to do it again for free so I guess I'm screwed. And of course I don't have the money for a new one.

Thank God for HDLoader, though. It allowed me to continue my stud and gold brick hoarding after an hour of ripping and transferring my original disc. Unfortunately I probably won't be able to check out my recently obtained copy of My Street as it has issues with online gaming.

I hope and pray that one of the various self repair techniques found on the interweb fixes it or else I'll have to start facing reality...and we all know how hard that is.

Charlie's Angels: Full Road Halo* X Throttle Cyclone

"Thank God that's over!"

This is not the what a developer would want a player to exclaim after completed their game but that was my soul's honest response to Charlie's Angels for the Gamecube. I can usually find some enjoyment in a bad game but after a the first two hours, the final two I had to endure to finish it were pure punishment. Well, at least it makes for a good story.

Rather than re-hashing the games problems(repetitiveness, awful models, invisible walls, terrible animation, weak dialogue, total lack of The Mac-man, etc.) I'll point you to the Metacritic page that has some wonderful and creative reviews on the title. Some times it takes pure hatred and anger to write a really good scathing review. Gamecritics.com's Gene Park(who actually called Ubisoft tech support about the controls!) put it best:

"...Charlie's Angels is a horrible game manufactured with the creaky spare parts of a rusty genre along with fallen gears from the movie hype machine. This is the kind of game that's given away when you order a large pizza and get the second one for half price. This is the kind of game you might see kids play in daytime cartoon shows. They look generic and lame, but it's clear that yeah, it's a videogame."

In doing research about the game is seems that there were a lot of failed tie-ins to the second movie Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle including jewelry, reproductions of clothing worn onscreen, children's clothes(!), awful-looking bobble head dolls, an online animated prequel, a mobile game, and a download-only PC title, Charlie's Angels: Angel X.

There's not much info out about Angel X on the official site, I had to resort to gaming enthusiast sites for a decent description and screenshots. The demo link on the official site doesn't work, but it can still be downloaded from numerous sources. So, I tried it.

The strangest thing about it is that it's a point and click brawler. The control is described as comparable to Diablo or Baldurs' Gate. I'll have to take their word on that as I've never played either but playing through the first level of Angel X doesn't really make me want to. I really couldn't see it being entertaining at all, especially at 20 bucks.

While I have to admit that it's amusing that there are Nestea Cool trucks and vending machines outside of the ancient Chinese training dojo-type place and a Sony-Ericsson Kyocera phone onscreen at all times but again, 20 bucks? This game should be free.

The nadir of the advergaming was when I had to take a picture of the the villain speeding away in the Nestea Cool delivery truck with the Sony-Ericsson Kyocera phone. I'm disappointed that they couldn't work in Best Buy and the Pentium 4 processor. I guess that's in the full version.

To make it even more baffling, it's often referred to as "Charlie's Angels: Angel X Online Game" but the only thing online about it seems to be the way to buy it and the leaderboard scores.

As a bonus to my obsessive ramblings, here's the code that I obtained by decrypting the flash file to the Best Buy portion of the official Full Throttle site(sad, isn't it?). The secret code to the Secret Content page of that site is "ca062703". Ah fuck it, here's the direct link.

*The original title of Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle was Charlie's Angels: Halo. I guess Microsoft didn't like Sony using the name of one of their most popular game franchises.