Help Improve Kinect Technology and Walk Away With Freebies

Hey guys!  Here is your chance to contribute and get some free Avatar gear and achievements while you're at it. Microsoft released an app called Voice Studio on XBLA.  Basically, it's a voice calibration tool that will have you saying lines of dialogue from the different places you will use Kinect such as where you sit while watching movies or where you stand while playing Kinect.  This will help devs improve the Kinect's voice recognition technology and improve the entire experience as your TV is creating noise wile playing or watching movies.  The best part is the rewards!  Not only are you improving the experience but you get freebies!  Here's what you can earn:

Avatar awards include a tin can phone, vinyl record glasses, a VU meter shirt (m/f) and a giant speaker

You also can earn four achievements for 50GS by completing all eight tracks:

1. 

   Golden Voice

   Sucessfully completed all eight tracks in Voice Studio

   20 UNLOCKED ON 4/3/2012
2. 

   Fast Talker

   Successfully completed the sixth track in Voice Studio

   10 UNLOCKED ON 4/3/2012
3. 

   Massive Mumbler

   Successfully completed the fourth track in Voice Studio

   10 UNLOCKED ON 4/3/2012
4. 

   Baby Babbler

   Successfully completed the second track in Voice Studio

   10 UNLOCKED ON 3/31/2012

Bungie Finished the Fight on 03/31/2012

"We have followed your careers with great interest here on Bungie.net, and you have gifted us a mountain of heroic moments to memorialize. It is with a sense of awe that we step back and admire the impact that you have had on our games, and upon our studio. Thanks for sharing your stories with us."

I got a lump in my throat today as Bungie.net said farewell to HALO and left it in the hands of others to continue their great work in keeping up with the endless statistical analysis that comes with all the fragging in this universe.

"This week’s Mail Sack marks an important milestone for the Bungie Community. For more than a decade, gamers have been clashing on the virtual battlefields of Halo multiplayer. Ever since Halo 2 brought them together via Xbox LIVE, the statistical analysis enabled by Bungie.net has tracked all of the fragging, shooting, splattering, pummeling, capturing, detonating, controlling, betraying, and assisting you brought to the virtual battlefield. It’s been a glorious run."

"On Sunday, that comes to a close as we yield the stage to developers who will be ensuring that the legacy of Halo lives on."  Those are some mighty big Spartan armor to fill.

Of course, you can still follow your stats on halo.xbox.com, but there is something to the love that was felt for this franchise on Bungie.net that may never be matched.  

I salute you Bungie, for changing the face of the gaming world by making Xbox relevant and by advancing online multiplayer with HALO 2.  

Bungie did leave us with something amazing though.  Behold some of the most outrageous statistics you have ever seen!  Witness how you and others like you have built an online universe that reaches to the farthest reaches of the Milky Way and back by clicking the image below (you may have to use the zoom function).

Pokemon Black and White 2 covers

If the covers to these games don't get you worked up, then nothing will!!

Pokemon Black and White Sequels Finally Announced

My Pokefever is now heating up!  Announced today by Junichi Masuda on the Japanese show Pokemon Smash is the latest installment to the long running franchise.  Contrary to the popular thought that a Grey version would be coming as has been the current formula of two titles and a third to wrap them together, this will be a Pokemon first.  A numbered sequel.  Two games entitled Pokemon Black 2 and Pokemon White 2 are due out for a Japanese release on the DS (not the 3DS?) this June!  No word yet on a stateside release, but one can't help but wonder what changes will come with this title.  Will it take place in the Unova region?  Will it be the same hero?  How will new Pokemon be introduced and will it offer anything new in combat?  Lastly, are those Pokemon pictured evolved states of Reshiram and Zekrom??  Can't wait to find out!  Stay tuned for updates!!
-source Serebii.net

Mass Effect 3 Space Edition is no monkey business

We should have packed a monkey

Yesterday Bioware released it's historic first videogame into space.  These Space Editions of Mass Effect 3 being launched worldwide through February 29th in Berlin are sent up in balloons and are GPS tracked to land in random locations where eager fans await to get their hands on the space ready copy with a one-of-a-kind binus. Perhaps this first launch that took place in San Francisco should have been sent up with a monkey as the copy landed securely in a national park mocking fans from a treetop view of 150ft.

At least they didn't go into the ocean

Of course, since it's a national park, the tree is protected so no chainsaws will be used to get the game down.  As they try humane ways to bring it to earth, like a baseball tied to a rope, we await to see if the launch from Las Vegas will get shot down over Area 51.

Guess Who's Back

Sega of America's channel has a tantalizing new Youtube video.  If you are a Dreamcast fanboy, and I know you are, this should be getting you up and polishing your inline skates!  Click the image for the Jet Grind Radio/Jet Set Radio teaser!  Coming soon to XBLA and PSN.  Obey!!

Credit: :X360A and Destructiod

Borderlands 2 Comes Out Guns Hot Today!

Ok, I think they are done spilling the beans for today...Take 2 and Gearbox came out with a bevy of Borderlands 2 awesomness today.  Here is the skinny:

New trailer!  Click on the image to behold the glory (if you don't joy puke, you're wrong):

Also announced was a release date.  A cross platform street date of September 12, 2012 in the US and September 21, 2012 internationally, which seems so far away!  The looting four player co-op fragfest will be back with "With more guns, more enemies, more missions, an engaging story and all-new characters, Borderlands 2 promises to bring a new era to gaming this fall."

Also announced was a sweet pre-order deal if you do so through Gamestop or Amazon!  The Borderlands 2 Premier Club.  In this premium package you will receive the Golden Key, Vault Hunter's Relic and Gearbox Gunpack which should all prove to add quite a bit of badassery to your starting arsenal!  For full details click HERE.

I don't know about you, but I'm joy puking about stepping back into the Wasteland and take on the giant Clap Trap in that trailer!!  I'm calling Zero!

Lollipops and Chainsaws, like peanut butter and jelly

I can't wait for the May release of Lollipop Chainsaw from the Grasshopper Manufacture team led by the almighty mad scientist Suda51.  As if I wasn't excited enough, then they hit me with this madcap Japanese trailer showcasing some of the Undead Elite like Vikke the Viking Metal Zombie and Punk Rock Zombie, Zed, as well as some amazing mini-games!!  Move over 2K, zombie basketball is taking over!!  It's hard to explain the madness, so feel free to see it for yourself.  Click on the image for the video and enjoy pure Japanese insanity.

"The world is infested with rotten and madness.  And comes despair..."  Happy Sparkle Hunting!!

Another Big Day in Gaming Goodness 2/22/12

Some great stuff so far today!!  To have it all in one place, here it is:

First, the "big" Nintendo announcement, which by definition slightly underwhelming but still offered up some tasty nuggets of information.  Here is the breakdown:

They spoke about a new eShop title releasing today about a cowboy armadillo titled Dillon's Rolling Western which promises over 20 hours of gameplay, even for experienced players.

Also featured was Kid Iccarus Uprising.  They spoke about some multiplayer features, Street Pass integration, weapon upgrading and combining, a stand that releases with the game, and a pre-order bonus at select retailers which is quite nice!  Pre-order the game and receive a free download code for the 3D Classics remake of the original Kid Iccarus!

They spoke about the new Mario Tennis Open and some of it's WiFi multiplayer goodness

Last they hinted at the upcoming American release of Last Story, a much anticipated RPG from the pros at Square Enix which will be published by XSeed sometime later this year, and the current release of some blockbuster titles on the 3DS

Sadly, nothing about WiiU or Pokemon was mentioned as this was an entirely 3DS driven announcement.  To watch the video, click on Reggie.  Also click on the titles below for some extra content on the games mentioned.

Dillon's Rolling Western 1

Dillon's Rolling Western 2

Kid Iccarus Uprising 1

Kid Iccarus Uprising 2

Kid Iccarus Uprising 3

Kid Iccarus 3D Classics

Mario Tennis Open

Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir

**UPDATED**On XBLA, Alan Wake's American Nightmare launches today on the House Party line up for the price of 1200 Microsoft Points. This is a solid play!  You play Alan Wake after the events of the first title.  The game begins with Barry asleep in a motel and the television on to Night Springs.  As the camera zooms in to the TV, you are treated by some nicely done FMV of Wake trying to battle Mr. Scratch, after which you are left to your own devices as a Rod Serling sound-alike tells the tale.  After some exploring and baddies coming after you, you get to the Desert Shore Motel where you meet Emma Stone.  You are tasked with retrieving 21 manuscript pages and to get the story started three items to rewrite reality.  Everything is close by and you get to fight more nasties as you progress.  After retrieving the items, you are ready to go back to the oil rig and re-write the story.  Soon after, the demo ends, leaving me clamoring for more.  Also playable is an arcade mode in which you fight off waves of enemies in different arenas to earn multipliers and the high score on the leader boards.  This mode was quite enjoyable as well as the controls are tight and the enemies like to sneak up behind you.  This is a great sequel to a great game, and definetly loses nothing being an arcade release.  Check it out!! To go to the official page, click on the image.
There are 12 achievements for 200GS in this title.

Also, IGN is hosting a huge, live tournament for Street Fighter X Tekken today!  To watch the live stream, click on the imgae and check out some gaming gold!  You can watch the main feed, a Street Fighter feed and a Tekken feed which runs from 9:00am to 7:30pm Pacific!  Enjoy.

Hot Stuff For 2/21/12

Big day for gaming today!  Makes me wish I was rich!!  Here are the highlights for today:

Asura's Wrath Launches today!!

This looks like one hell of a good time with some gorgeous graphics and over the top battles among gods!  Could be another classic from Capcom.

IGN Score: 7.5

This game has 45 Achievements for a total of 1000 Gamerscore

Syndicate also launches today!!

This is a follow up to an old PS1 classic, Syndicate Wars by EA.

Another promising action packed title that should keep gamers busy for a while

IGN Score: 7.5

This game has 50 Acievements for a total of 1000 Gamerscore

Also, if you have purchased the Elite service for Call of Duty MW3, the new map drops today!  Overwatch offers some vertigo inducing action as you battle atop a high-rise under construction!  Look out below Elite members and enjoy your early drop on your MW3 Season.

Windows Phone News

Hey gang, here are a few recent nuggets about my personal favorite mobile OS:

Facebook got a Facelift!  Check out the update to the Facebook app.  Not that you need it much being that it's completely integrated into the phone, but if you are one that prefers to use apps, the new improvements to the UI should be a welcome change.  For the full details go here: *LINK*

Easy Gamerscore Booster! Downloaded the game Collapse! recently as the deal of the week and completed all 200GS within a couple of hours.  I came nowhere near to completing the game, so if you're looking for a quickie for the max GS, this is a good one which is also enjoyable. *LINK*
Awesome Deal of the Week!  This weeks DoW is amazing!  If you haven't tried Gravity Guy, give it a whirl.  For $1.99, you can't miss. *LINK*
Last but Not Least! Paul Thurrott wrote a really comprehensive article about Windows 8, he is pretty much the Windows Genius.  Check it out here, it's more on the PC side of things but there are many great articles on his site.  *LINK*
Also, feel free to use the GIF as you please as it's approved for use by Microsoft.  Originally shared here: *LINK*

Cool Tidbits From the Kinect Revolution

If you own a Kinect, then you know that it's far  more than just a kid's gaming gimmick.  While most games for it are child-centric, the device offers many functionalities that take it well beyond gaming hardware.  I feel cheated when I can't tell my living room TV to pause a video, or change the channel.  Once you get used to controlling an entire echo system with your voice, it feels as if you are living in the future and it's hard to go back to using your hands.  Here are some really cool Kinect stories I've seen floating around the web that show some of the future possibilities powered by Kinect:

The Holodeck is closer to being a reality than ever imagined.  Engandget has been reporting some really cool holagraphic technologies.  How about controlling your Android smartphone on a projection on the wall?  Or creating full 3D renderings with your Windows Phone?  Or even a complete virtual theme park in Korea?  All these things are real and could be closer to becoming available to the masses than you may think.

Check out programming4fun's cool video:

Or this video posted by DDRBoxman controlling an Android phone via Kinect and a projector:


How about integrating your Windows Phone with playing Kinect games on the 360:


Click the image below for the Engadget article about the Korean Kinect theme park:

This SOPA thing is scary...

I don't know about you, but I find this whole SOPA thing frightening...

As I've tried to browse the internet today, I found many of the sites that I frequent blocked by the US government, and many more blacked out in protest.  I felt as if I was being robbed...how can a source of infinite knowledge and sharing, a wild west with no boundaries, suddenly be silenced in a way that makes it feel so barren and cold?

If this is what big dollars are paying the government to do, then this is not a future I want.  I was already banned in the US and Germany for posting my best friend's bachelor party on Youtube because of the soundtrack.  A soundtrack spliced together of music from a show we paid for and went to.  To think not being able to use anything you didn't create yourself in such a public forum is unfathomable.  Just thought I'd post my opinion on this whole thing.  This is a free country, after all.  The web should be kept free as well.  Coming from a family that fled Cuba from communism, and moving from Venezuela to miss it there myself, a government controlled internet is a future I would like to escape again.

As an artist, I view the internet as a way to get my work out to the masses, and encourage anyone to use any of the work I've crafted.  In the end, "pirates" are just fans and probably line the pockets of the man trying to block them far more than those who don't share their passions online.  The man should begin to consider the "pirate" as free advertising and let those of us who love what we love continue sharing and perhaps creating new fans to line their greedy pockets.

Snake! Snaaaaaake!!!

Hideo Kojima released a very awesome picture of a Snakeskin 3DS that will launch with the Special Edition of the Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D remake for that system when it launches in Japan.  No official word on this until January 20th, and no word whether this will be available in the US for it's Q1 release, but I am already frothing for this one!

The Gaming Journal Has Moved

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know the Gaming Journal can be found here: http://e0dgamingjournal.blogspot.com/

Thanks :)

The Gaming Journal 1/2/2012

Another slow day in gaming today.  Did manage to score most of the achievements on uDraw: Instant Artist, and got to get greedy with Wario on my lunch break.  Here is how it broke down...

Game Played uDraw: Instant Artist=Xbox360: Time logged: Around 2 Hours

Unlocked the following achievements:

• COLOR CRAZY-30GS
• JUST A WARM UP-20GS
• GET INSPIRED!-20GS
• SIT BACK AND RELAX-20GS
• CANVAS COUNTRY-50GS
• ACCOMPLISHED ARTIST-20GS
• LOOK, NO MESS!-10GS
• FANCY PANTS-10GS
• SPLAT SUCCESS-10GS
• STROKE OF LUCK-10GS
• IT'S CUSTOMARY-20GS
• ANIMATED ARTIST-20GS
• MY PERSONAL EFFECTS-10GS
• LOCKDOWN!-10GS
• PLACE YOUR MARK-30GS
• TILTING HERO-30GS
• LOST IN PAINT-20GS
• ART CAMP CRAZY-50GS
• DOTS TERRIFIC!-5GS
• I'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER-5GS
• COLOR FILL CRAZED-5GS
• ARTIST IN TRAINING-10GS
• COLOR CONUNDRUM-50GS
• REMMY'S APPRENTICE-50GS
• INTERMEDIATE ARTIST-30GS
• BEGINNER ARTIST-30GS
• ADVANCED ARTIST-30GS
• GREAT START!-20GS
• PICTURE THIS-50GS
• PERSONAL MASTERPIECE-5GS

Tried for the minigame ones, but found the tilt controls too frustrating, and the alien splat game almost painful.  uDraw is a neat concept, but you have to push down on the stylus too hard to make it fun to draw, and the tilt controls are too awful to have fun playing.  Strangely enough, I enjoyed painting by colors the best and found it slightly relaxing.  Unlocked 30/39 for 680/1000GS bringing my Gamerscore to 104,607.

Game Played Warioland 4=3DS Virtual Console: Time logged about 8 minutes

Got through the intro cinematic and the first level while on my lunch break.  I never beat this on the GBA, so I'm going to try to go all the way this time around.

Game Played Mario Kart 7-3DS: Time logged about 5 minutes

Further customized my Mii and attempted to get three stars on my last 50cc circuit.  Only had time for one race though.  Nothing unlocked today.

Game Played Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword-Wii: Time logged about 40 minutes

Started a couple of side quests, expanded my wallet to now hold 900 Rupees.  I can now carry one more item in my pouch.  Caught a few bugs today and generally ran around delivering Pumpkin Soup and trying to find a missing child.  Still loving the game :)

That was it for 1/2/2012.  I'm off work tomorrow, so hopefully there will be more gaming activity :)

The Gaming Journal 1/1/2012

This new year brings a fresh idea.  Starting today, I will document gaming activity and achievements within games to track progress and maybe lend a hand to those stuck somewhere that I have been able to complete.  So here goes my first journal entry on the first day of 2012:

Game played Mario Kart 7: Time logged 1:11

Today I finished all cups in 50cc with 1st place and unlocked the ability to use my Mii as a racer.

Also unlocked were the following racing mods by coin collecting:

• Cloud 9 Body
• Egg 1 Body
• Slick Wheels
• Mushroom Wheels
• Paraglider

Attempted 150cc races, but only got silver on the Mushroom Cup.  This is going to be a tough go as it seems the computer teams up to crush you at 150cc.

Game Played BlayzBloo-3DS: Time Logged about two minutes

Downloaded it from the eShop for $4.99 and just gave it a whirl for a sec.  Seems fun so far, I'm hoping you can unlock more characters.  The game play is really shallow.  I was hoping for more of a Smash Bros. experience.  I recommend waiting on a price drop on this title.

Slow gaming day as I worked most of it.  I'm about to try the UDraw tablet on the 360 for the first time.  I'm pretty excited about this one :)

Tech Predictions Sure to be Wrong for 2012

Happy 2012 everyone!  I hope 2011 was good to you and the new year brings many amazing things!  With all the news and innovations in 2011, it made me wonder what's to come...I submit to you my list of Seven tech predictions for the last year on earth according to the Mayans.  If we make it as a species, it will be fun to look back on this and see how wrong some of these might be.  Join the time capsule and post your predictions, tech or not, in the comments and let's see if we have Nostradamus in our midst.

1. RIM will stop production of Tablets and Smart phones and become a software only provider and begin to regain profits.
2. Windows Phone will gain HUGE market share with the introduction of Windows 8 tablets, which will raise demand by creating a better environment with PC, XBOX, tablet and phone.
3. Sony and Microsoft will announce a new console, probably at the E3 conference in June.
4. 3D TV's, as they are now, will become passe and will only be invigorated by an affordable glasses-free tech, that's available on a big screen.
5. Nintendo will release six new colors of 3DS systems by year's end to add to the four already available.
6. Shigeru Miyamoto will officially announce retirement, thus crushing many fanboys souls.
7. I will finally catch all 649 Pokemon, just in time for the announcement of a NEW game in the series.

Well, that's it for this installment, I hope to get some good replies!  This will be a fun one to look back on...

A Poketactical RPG This Way Comes

It's been a while since I've posted, but some of the most exciting Pokemon news have come down the pipe.  As much as I love Pokemon as a JRPG and the hook of catching them all...still trying to catch all the older gen Pokemon on Black & White...Nintendo has released some news in Japan that have me frothing with excitement.  In their first partnership, the Pokemon Company and KOEI jumped the gun from their announcement at Jump Festa and burst into the scene with their mega-team-up announcement: Pokemon+Nobunaga's Ambition.  Strange?  Yes...Exciting?  YES!  As a fan of tactical RPGs and Pokemon, this is a match made in heaven.  

Not a lot of details have been announced for this title, but a teaser trailer has been concocted.  How will Pokemon play a role in traditional Japanese folklore?  Will this be the big step into Pokemon growing up?  Will this even release outside of Japan??  Stay tuned and in the meantime froth over this trailer...

HTC Radar Release Date Announced

HTC Radar Windows Phone 7.5

Now that T-Mobile users have the Mango 7.5 update available on their HD7 devices, Windows Phone brings another choice to the plate.  This is the slightly smaller and sexy HTC Radar releasing on November 2nd in the US.  While waiting for developments on the Nokia/Windows front, this appears to be the only new choice to T-Mobile customers wanting to upgrade their Windows Phone experience.  While smaller in stature, this new HTC device provides some key upgrades not found in the HD7 model.  These new features include 4G (HSPA+21) Network speeds, HTC Watch compatibility, WiFi sharing, a front facing camera and of course comes packaged with the 7.5 Update.  While the entire phone itself is smaller than the HD7's screen and it doesn't sport one of the fancy new dual core processors, the sleek white design and these great new core features make it a desirable upgrade for any Windows Phone aficionado.  Stay tuned for a full hands on review shortly after the Radar's November 2nd release.