Greetings humans, Monki here with your weekly injection of all things video-game.
Things are eerily quiet. We are sitting in the calm before the storm that is E3. I, unfortunately, can't make it out to E3 this year, but if you are out there and want to let us know what is going on, drop me a line and we'll get some peoples' thoughts and feelings on the new and improved(?) E3.
On a personal note, I've spent this past week playing with my fancy new iPhone. I jumped from a RAZR that was about two decades old to the iPhone which is the newest and coolest gadget out there. I've demoed it to about forty different people at various locations, from the Drafthouse, to Hutt's Hamburgers, to my work, to the poker table...Harry nearly stole mine but I tickled his chin, grabbed it and ran.
Anyway...it's badass. I can't wait for the software updates to get iChat up and running on it...then I'll be completely tied to the internet no matter where I go! The internet flows through me like herpes!!
Press Releases of the Week!
My favorite first person shooter ever is still Doom 2. I used to stay up with friends playing on a local dial-up BBS called Bigtoe here in Austin. We'd be up till the crack of dawn playing until every last Cyberdemon was slayed.
One of the reasons why I dug it was the simplicity of the controls. You turned 360 degrees...no up and down. Seven different weapons mapped to the number keys, a use key, a fire key, a run key. That's it. Have you played some shooters on a PC lately? You are running something like twenty mapped keys. Insanity to the key of F12!!
Anyway, EA is going back to a super-simple approach for their Wii titles. I kinda like this idea.
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - July 5, 2007 - Watch out sports fans, the playing field has been leveled! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) has made it easier for players of all ages and skill levels to play its most popular EA SPORTS games on the Wii through the all-new EA SPORTS Family Play style of gameplay. Debuting in the Wii versions of Madden NFL 08, NBA LIVE 08 and FIFA Soccer 08, EA SPORTS Family Play is a new way to play that enables players of all abilities to play with their friends and family without a competitive disadvantage. Advanced controls are also available for more experienced players, providing two compelling ways to play, and ensuring everyone can enjoy playing EA SPORTS games on the Wii together.
In the main game of Madden NFL 08, NBA LIVE 08 and FIFA Soccer 08, players have the choice to play the style that best suits their skills. When entering a contest, players now have the option to choose Advanced or Family Play. Once in the game, Advanced users take complete control of all aspects of the gameplay through intuitive Wii gestures using both the Nunchuk and Wii remote. EA SPORTS Family Play offers a simplified control system using just the Wii remote that enables novice players to focus on having fun while the console does the rest. With the Wii remote in hand, players control key actions - such as shooting, passing, snapping, and throwing - while the console controls the rest. It's like having an invisible helper on your team. Plus, as novice players gain confidence in their ability they can gradually begin to use Advanced controls simply by plugging in the Nunchuk. It's that easy.
"EA SPORTS Family Play on the Wii creates an incredibly accessible and user-friendly experience that the whole family will enjoy," said Dave McCarthy, Executive Producer for the three games developed at EA Canada. "While many fans love to control every piece of the action, novice players can have just as much fun jumping in to throw a touchdown pass, nail a three pointer or take a shot on goal. Family Play brings together fans of all ages to enjoy playing EA SPORTS games, and even let's them ease in to Advanced play if they desire."
The following three EA SPORTS games feature EA SPORTS Family Play:
Madden NFL 08 on the Wii
Anyone can play like a pro in Madden NFL 08, whether a new user or a long time fan. Play with only the Wii remote with EA SPORTS Family Play or use the Wii remote and nunchuck for more advanced controls; the decision is yours. Featuring an all-new Party Mode, play trivia or chose from 22 different mini-games. Break down plays and highlight key moments with all-new Madden NFL 08 telestrator. Bring the game online, play head to head with friends and keep up to date with the live sports ticker for the ultimate online experience.
NBA LIVE 08 on the Wii
When the game is on the line and the ball is in your hands, what will you do? Will you penetrate the lane and rise above the rim for a monster slam, or find an opening around the perimeter and sink the game-winning basket? Jump in on the NBA action with EA SPORTS Family Play that gives every user the opportunity to enjoy success in NBA LIVE 08. You control your team's shooting, passing, and steals on defense with the Wii remote, and leave the rest up to the AI. If you're already a pro, use both the Wii remote and nunchuck for more advanced controls.
FIFA Soccer 08 on the Wii
The whole family can play FIFA Soccer 08 with a flick of the wrist. Play the traditional and authentic way or in a new party mode called Footii Party with Ronaldinho where you can play Juggling, Table Soccer or Boot It with your own Mii characters to unlock a customized Ronaldinho character to take on the champ. The in-game Soccer Academy makes it easy to learn the basic and FreeMotion advanced controls in more than 30 interactive tutorials, or let the game give you an assist with EA SPORTS Family Play. EA's award-winning Interactive Leagues online play is also featured.
You think when we're all 60 that we'll need to have our control scheme dumbed down from the 60 keys it'll be at by then back to the normal 15 we're used to now? Hmmmm...I don't want to get old.
I'm in between contests right now on the site...I promise I'll get the Army of Two winners up this week. THIS WEEK. I promise!! Anyway, a friend of AICN Games sent along word of another pretty sick contest:
Betson, the distributor of Big Buck Hunter Pro, teamed up with FHM to find all the Big Buck Hunter Pro machines in America. The user who locates the most machines at local bars, arcades, and even Walmarts wins their very own machine. It's a pretty hefty prize (they cost $4,500). I thought that might a cool bit for your next game's column for AIC.
Big Buck Hunter Pro is one of the last remaining games that keeps the arcade industry alive.
When was the last time you played an actual arcade game? I own a few and I honestly rarely play them unless I have people over. Of course, when I do have people over, the warm hum from the 4 player Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is something that makes my heart smile.
Last but not least...Microsoft has stepped up to the plate.
REDMOND, Wash. - July 5, 2007 - Microsoft Corp. today announced that it will expand its global Xbox 360 warranty coverage. Any Xbox 360 customer who experiences a general hardware failure indicated by three flashing red lights will now be covered by a three year warranty from date of purchase. All other existing Xbox 360 warranty policies remain in place.
As a result of what Microsoft views as an unacceptable number of repairs to Xbox 360 consoles, the company conducted extensive investigations into potential sources of general hardware failures. Having identified a number of factors which can cause general hardware failures indicated by three red flashing lights on the console, Microsoft has made improvements to the console and is enhancing its Xbox 360 warranty policy for existing and new customers.
Microsoft stands behind its products and is taking responsibility to repair or replace any Xbox 360 console that experiences the "three flashing red lights" error message within three years from time of purchase free of charge, including shipping costs. Microsoft will take a $1.05 billion to $1.15 billion pre-tax charge to earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 for anticipated costs under its current and enhanced Xbox 360 policies.
"The majority of Xbox 360 owners are having a great experience with their console and have from day one. But, this problem has caused frustration for some of our customers and for that, we sincerely apologize," said Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices Division. "We value our community tremendously and look at this as an investment in our customer base. We look forward to great things to come."
For any customer who has previously paid for repair expenses related to the three flashing lights error message on the Xbox 360 console, Microsoft will retroactively reimburse them.
At 2:30 p.m. PDT today, Microsoft will hold a teleconference for financial analysts and investors with Robbie Bach, president of Entertainment and Devices, Chris Liddell, senior vice president and chief financial officer, and Frank Brod, corporate vice president and chief accounting officer to discuss today's announcement. To participate, U.S. residents can dial +1-888-459-9165, and those outside the United States can dial +1-773-799-3324. The passcode is MSFT. The call will be available for playback beginning approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call through 5 p.m. PDT on Thursday, July 12. To access the playback, U.S. residents can dial +1-866-363-4143, and those outside the United States can dial +1-203-369-0210. An audio webcast of the conference call will also be made available at the Investor Relations site at http://www.microsoft.com/msft.
Xbox 360 customers with questions should visit www.xbox.com.
I've owned one 360 since about 5 months after launch...no problems. It's actually stopped locking up as much as it used to. Maybe I got an XBox that was like a box of wine. The older it gets...the smoother it is. Mmmm...XBox wine...Peter Moore, call me, I think I'm on to something.
Pretty Images of the Week!
By this time next week we'll have something like eighty bajillion new trailers to show off, so enjoy this simple section and expect an enormous offering next week.
This first trailer is the E3 trailer for Call of Duty 4.
Wow.
I've got my Activision Pre-E3 coverage coming up soon. In the next couple of days...I'll be talking about this one.
Up next...MAN IN SUIT! MAN IN SUIT!!
I love needless destruction...which is pretty much exactly what Godzilla is...right?
To finish off, I give you a PS3 exclusive title. Lair is looking pretty sweet...here are some of the monsters in the game.
Dude, he totally pulled that guy off of the bridge and tossed his ass into the ocean. Sweet. $500 sweet? We'll see...
Oh, and go check out my YouTube page... I AICN-ified it. You should subscribe to get my latest videos I get sent. Good times indeed.
Well...duhhhhhh... You know what, I bet kids like rated R movies too...and those magazines your father hides in his closet behind his golf gear.
Hello, My Name is Monki and I'm an Achievement Addict of the Week!
It started out shortly after I got my 360. The achievements.
It slowed down...but now it's starting to overtake me.
I'm currently playing a game for a review I'm working on. In the game you have to collect items to go to the next level. If you want, you can collect all 525 items scattered throughout the game and get 100 achievement points. Think along the lines of the orbs in Crackdown.
Anyway...I beat the main storyline of this game, and start to go back to collect the "orbs." I get all of them...except for one. Then I find it...in a place that is literally impossible to get to. I skipped out on it during one of the missions and now it is literally IMPOSSIBLE to get.
524 of 525. Mother fuck.
Quit to main menu, new game, overwrite old save.
I'm playing through an entire game based on the fact I missed one tiny item. I need some help.
I have three games that I have perfected, Call of Duty 2, Dynasty Warriors 5 and Fight Night Round 3. But my crowning achievement is perfecting 200 of 200 in Geometry Wars. 1,000,000 without dying is a bitch.
Whoever created achievements deserves a huge fucking pat on the back. That guy has taken shitty single-player experiences and made them a communal event. I look at it now as a badge of honor. Yes...yes I played that shitty game long enough to get a perfect 1000 of 1000. Who wants to touch me?
Gone are the days of high scores on a local arcade machine...we now welcome the shit talking that comes with being the first of your friends to break 5 digits with your gamerscore. I know I'm not alone in this obsession. How many of you have gone back and played through beaten games only to pick up that extra 250 points for playing on a harder difficulty? (or an easier one, for that matter...)
Sony was supposed to bring "entitlements" with their games. Whatever happened to that? Well, I guess we did see some trophies in PS3 Home, but when is that supposed to come out? And honestly, who cares if you have a Metal Gear Solid couch you got for beating the game entirely in a box...just let me know how many points that is worth.
Time to burn another 15 hours to pick up that final 190 points. I love this job.
The Final Minute with Monki!
That does it for me. I'm almost completely moved in to the new treehouse and man is it lookin' fancy. The arcades are all lined up in the garage/manrage just waiting power and the fridge is stocked full of Shiner and Corona. Party time.
Simple, yet, fun.
Alright, I'm going to go cry myself to sleep since I won't be out at E3, feel free to e-mail me with all your badass trailers and press releases for my next enormous column. Until then though, back up the tree I go!
