Redbox still working on getting games to its rental kiosks

Do you have any idea how effen cool it will be if Redbox kiosks start spitting out video games? Think about this: you would be able to get your beer, Funyuns, and rent the latest gaming titles at one location. The future is near, friends and Redbox is still pursuing the game rental market.

Actually, Redbox is experiencing some technical difficulties. You see, Warner Bros, Twentieth Century Fox, and NBC Universal have cut off access to their collective libraries because they do not get any revenue from the rental kiosks. Plus, Redbox is stating that 20th Century Fox and Warner Home Video are somehow stopping the company from purchasing movies at retail from Target and Wal-Mart.

Welcome to the jungle, Redbox. The movie industry makes it worse here everyday.

The company is staying somewhat quiet about its gaming plans. Redbox hasn’t officially announced any partners or game publishers that are on board yet, but trials are underway in Reno, Nevada and Wilmington, North Carolina. Some kiosks in those areas have been renting out discs for $2 a day since this summer.

Mitch Lowe, president of Redbox, at the Reatuers Global Media Summit,

“We are talking early and often with the content providers of games so that we start out with a much better understanding of what we’re doing,”

Redbox is likely learning from its trials with the movie studios and probably do not want the same thing to happen if they do in fact offer games. But if all the kinks are worked out, games should be a big hit for Redbox. The expensive infrastructure is already in place. The company already has 20,600 kiosks nationwide, with further expansion planned for the northeast and Florida. Throw some Assassin’s Creed 2 and Modern Warfare 2 discs in the machines, and they will likely be sold out within hours.

[via CrunchGear]

‘God Of War 3’ Will Be The Last In The Series?

One of the games exclusives that I had in mind when I picked up a PS3 was the ‘God of War’ series. Call me disturbed, but nothing screams “loads of fun” like picking up enemies and ripping them apart. So it goes without saying that I’m excited about ‘God of War 3’, which is said to be the last in the franchise series. Check the quote from Stig Asmussen, Game Director of ‘God of War 3’:

“We have large shoes to fill following the success of the previously released God of War titles, But with refined gameplay and jaw-dropping visuals, I guarantee that God of War will give fans what they have been eagerly waiting for, and much more."

Somehow if this game is a huge hit, I would doubt that this will be the last. Usually development houses don’t leave money on the table when it comes to games.

[G4TV]

Obama Ads In EA Games

I have to say that I’m seriously impressed/frightened by the ingeniousness of this idea. But as the election fast approaching, the Obama camp is thinking of new ways to reach voters. This Obama ad is within the video game Burnout Paradise, and it’s not the only game that features this promotion. Apparently several games including Madden NFL 09 Need For Speed: Carbon have the ad, but not everyone will see them. The games don’t ship with this advertisement, as you must be connected to Xbox Live to view them. And they are only running in the toss up states such as Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The ad directs gamers to voteforchange.com, an Obama site.

No matter how you may view this, it goes to show you that gamers are not just looked at as little kids with a silly hobby any more.

Vote early…. Vote often. That’s the Chicago Way!!!

[Crunchgear]

Reality Check

Ok, I saw this and had a good laugh.

Can't say that they're wrong!

[G4TV]

Microsoft: Sony Doesn't Keep Their Promises

I love it when game console makers have something negative to say about one another. Case in point is Microsoft's representative Aaron Greenberg, who says that Sony failed to keep their promises to gamers. He says that they failed to deliver the games promised to PS3 owners prior to the release of the console. He goes on to say that the online content, or the revolutionary "Home" that Sony has paraded about has not materialized.

Them's fight'n words!!!

Being an owner of both consoles, it's hard for me to dispute any of the claims that Greenberg makes. Although I do enjoy the PS3 and some of it's functionality, I mostly like it as a Blu-Ray player. Plain and simple, from top to bottom the Xbox 360 has the best games available. So far as the online content it's not even a contest, the 360 has the best online interaction in the business. And everytime I have to choose which console to buy a game on, it always seems to come down to the online gaming expirence; and that isn't a hard choice at all.

[Next Generation.com via G4TV]

Announcement Video For Gears Of War 2

If you’re looking for Gears of War 2 details, this video gives you a behind the scenes look at the announcement. Gears of War 2 is scheduled for release in November of this year.

[G4TV]

Dual Shock 3 Due Out April 15

Finally, the reason why I didn't pick up the extra controller for the PS3 will hit the streets on April 15th. The Dual Shock 3 with rumble will be available on tax day, and should have been since day one. But due to an earlier lawsuit, Sony wasn't able to add this feature to the SIXAXIS controller that launched with the console. Now that Sony has made nice with the company (with a fat check), the rumble is back.

Now all we need is a good game to play.

Sony?

DualShock 3 Dated For US [Kotaku via Crunchgear]

Video Of The New 'Street Fighter' In HD

Street Fighter IV 4 arcade
by AkihabaraNews

Street Fighter fans rejoice, Akihabara News has done you a solid. While covering an arcade show in Japan, they've captured high-def gameplay video of the new Street Fighter.

And it looks glorious!!!

Sony Ads Remind You: Our Network Is Free, Yippee!

Sony, in a interesting ad, has taken up the art of 'saying without saying' with this new promotion. The statement "the fun is always free" is a plug for the Playstation 3 network, and a clear shot at the Xbox Live Network costing $50 per year. Now for me $50 for an entire year doesn't seem like a lot of money, and considering all the things you can get with Xbox Live, I think it's a bargain.

Comparing the 2 networks together, you can come to the conclusion that you get what you pay for. Now that might not always be the case, if Sony gets off the mat and has the year they believe they're going to have.

But for now, I think Sony should have held off on this bullet point.

“The fun’s always free” says new PS3 online ad [ComputerAndVideoGames.com via Crunchgear]

Microsoft To Make Xbox 360 Announcement At CES

With the CES coming up next week, the rumor mill has ramped up in the Microsoft camp. Word has it that Bill Gates is set to announce a new Xbox 360 SKU, perhaps the built-in HD-DVD and or the licensing of Xbox technology to other companies like Toshiba.

Maybe Toshiba will build a unit that might now red ring as much as our favorite white elephant.

We will find out next week folks!!!

Microsoft teases with 'important' Xbox 360 news for CES [Destructoid.com via G4TV]

Metal Gear Solid 4 Coming To Xbox 360?

In a interesting turn of events, the eagerly awaited PS3 exclusive Metal Gear Solid 4 won't be so exclusive after all. Rumor from XboxFamily says that Microsoft will be getting MGS 4 for the Xbox 360 12-14 months after the release for PS3. They claim that a Konami representative allegedly said MSG 4 for the Xbox 360 has been in the works since early 2007.

Of course Microsoft isn't commenting on this at all, and told XboxFamily that leaking information is a serious matter and will be punished by the fullest extent of the law (with caining optional).

I'm sure that this event doesn't sit to well with Sony.

Metal Gear Solid 4 Coming to Xbox 360 [XboxFamily via Crunchgear]

Gears of War 2 Available For Pre-Order

I have to tell you that I wasn't sure when the Xbox 360 came out that it was the system I wanted. I swore by the PS2, so logic would suggest that the PS3 would be that much better (obviously I was wrong). But what really made my decision of buying a 360 was Gears of War. That game was great to say the least, and to this day, I still play it.

Well get ready for the hype machine to start winding up again.

You can now pre-order Gears of War 2, which is due out on November 15th 2008. I know it's almost a year away, but I'm excited already!!!

[Amazon via Crunchgear]

NBA LIVE 08 Goes 5 On 5 On-Line

If you've been waiting to take on your friends in NBA live '08 while on-line, then your wait is over, at least if you own a PS3. A new patch is available for NBA Live '08, but what's more surprising is that the PS3 is getting it first! Usually, the Xbox 360 would get any new cool update first, but PS3 owners will have the opportunity to have 5 on 5 on-line play with 10 people from 10 different consoles.

The Xbox 360 patch is due out later this month. Check the press release:

"In NBA LIVE 08, all 10 players on the floor can now be controlled by individual users on 10 different consoles, removing the use of artificial intelligence altogether. Player movement, decision making and game outcome can now be completely dependant on how you play as an online team, bringing you closer to a real life game of basketball than ever before. This new game mode enables any number of players from one to five on different consoles to connect and play online against another team of up to five players on five different consoles. The CPU will take control of any players not controlled by users."

Thanks to G4TV for this info.

Iron Man Game Trailer: I Like It!

After seeing the game trailer for the 'Iron Man' movie, I'm even more excited about seeing it. I just hope the game trailer doesn't turn out to be the best part of both movie and game.

[Gametrailers.com]

Where Can a Geek Go for a Getaway

My Wife and I have always enjoyed "Geek Getaways". The last two DragonCon's have been in our home base of Indianapolis, there's always a few Star Trek conventions in Indy or in several cities a few hours away. Our favorite Geek Getaway is in Las Vegas at the "Star Trek Experience"! They have the definitive Star Trek Museum, a few interactive shows that are AWESOME and when you are through with all that you can buy some Romulan Ale and kick back at Quarks! (Romulan Ale is Blue! It's also quite smooth and yummy) They have all the Klingon Delicacies; as well as food from all over the other parts of the known galaxy.
All that being said, I found a wonderful article on "Geek Getaways" on MSN City Guides. This article, written by Sean Mahoney will have you dreaming of places to go you never knew existed! Click here for the story; and let us know which getaway you'd like to go see! If it's not listed here; then make one up and tell us what would be in your "Fantasy Geek Getaway".

First 'Street Fighter 4' Screen Shots

Back in the day when I had my Super Nintendo (the last Nintendo console I've ever owned), I use to have friends come over just to do battle on 'Street Fighter'. Hours were spent trying to get bragging rights over who kicked the most ass on that game. While I know that there have been other reincarnations of the game on other consoles, nothing ever equaled up to that one.

Well according to 1UP, they're going to give it another try with the intro of 'Street Fighter 4'. But one of the most interesting things is that they have obviously improved the graphics, but will keep the 2D game play. Check the bullet points:

• The graphics are "polygonal but the gameplay is strictly 2D."
• There will be new moves, locations, and gameplay features,
• The standard six button control scheme remains.
• Ryu and Ken return along with Chun-Li and Dhalsim, but the rest of the fighters haven't been revealed.

It's expected to play on the PS3 and Xbox 360 platforms, but no release date as of yet.

Street Fighter IV Unveiled [1up.com via G4TV]

Disbarment seeked For Jack Thompson

For those of you who love to hate game-hating attorney Jack Thompson, your ship might have just come in. The start of the ethics trial for Thompson has begun, and the lawyer may be disbarred, which would prevent him from practicing law within Florida. The trial stems from several complaints about his professional conduct during several court cases against the video game industry.

From gamepolitics.com:

"Over the weekend, Thompson turned to the Florida Supreme Court in an apparent effort to block this morning’s trial from moving forward. In one court filing Thompson asserted that he was willing to accept a 90-day suspension of his license to practice law. The embattled attorney claimed that such an offer had been on the table, but that the Florida Bar was now seeking his permanent disbarment."

Talk about what goes around comes around!
I know I shouldn't feel this good about something bad happening to someone else, but I just can't stop giggling.

Jack Thompson Faces Trial Before the Florida Bar Today [Gamepolitics.com via G4TV.com]

$10 Off Games $30 And Up At Best Buy

Although today is Cyber Monday, and there are a ton of great deals to be found on the net. Best Buy is still trying to get your butt into their brick and mortar, by way of savings. Just print this coupon out and you can get $10 off any game $29.99 and up, no matter what platform. The deal only goes until November 28, so you better get crack'n. This coupon only works in-store, so don't waist your time trying to enter this into their on-line store.

[coupon via Gizmodo]

Assassin’s Creed Video Review

If you haven't had a chance to see Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed, you're in for a treat. This game looks amazing, and the guys at Gametrailers.com have a review of it just for you. They certainly loved the overall look of the game, but thought the A.I. fell a little short.

Check it out!!!

Assassin’s Creed review HD [GameTrailers.com via Crunchgear]

New Xbox 360 Ring Of Death?

Never say that Microsoft doesn't come up with something new and original, case in point is the new "ring of death" lights on the Falcon-based Xbox 360s. The newer Falcon 360s were created to cut down on such things like..... the "red ring of death". But at least they've given us a new color sequence this time, that reminds me of the upcoming holidays.

Seriously, there isn't any word on if this is a brand new internal error or the "general hardware failure" that we've all come to know and love. I'm sure the guy who this belongs to isn't to happy that he can't fire up Halo 3 right now. But I have to give it to Microsoft, those new lights sure are pretty.

[Crunchgear]