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5TH Cell counting down to XBLA announcement [update]
Scribblenauts developer 5TH Cell is about to reveal its next game, which it has been teasing for almost a year -- but there's a bit more teasing to do before that happens. The developer posted a seven-day countdown for the title on its site, revealing in a press release that the end of the countdown -- Thursday, October 28 at 10pm PDT Friday, October 29 at 1am EDT and 1am PDT -- will coincide with the reveal of the new title on Spike TV. A brief teaser will also be shown tonight. According to the press release, the game will be "a completely new experience for Xbox Live Arcade players." 5TH Cell's Jeremiah Slaczka has previously told Joystiq that the company's next original game would use the Source Engine. We'll find out more in ... seven days, and counting. Update: 5TH Cell informed us that it sent out the incorrect time yesterday. You'll be able to see the reveal on Friday, October 29 at 1am EDT/PDT.
Review: Deadliest Warrior
There are few things I love more in video games than the juxtaposition of two elements that clearly should not be juxtaposed. It's the peculiar desire which first attracted me to Deadliest Warrior, though, the sincerity of that attraction was questionable. Was I psyched to play a game that finally gave me the chance to see who would emerge victorious in a melee between a Pirate and a Viking? Yes, of course, because that's silly. Was I legitimately excited to play the game itself? Not so much. Fortunately, behind all the comedically anachronistic battle pairings is a brilliantly simplistic and entirely entertaining fighting game engine -- one which rewards second-to-second survival instincts rather than a comprehensive knowledge of esoteric, nigh-impossible-to-execute techniques. If you're a fighting game purist, the absence of dash-canceling or air-to-ground linking might put you off. If you've never, ever understood, nor do you possess any desire to ever understand what those things are, then Deadliest Warrior will land right in your wheelhouse. %Gallery-88124%
Hyperspace Beacon: E3 -- extravagant extraterrestrial exhibition
The Hyperspace Beacon is a weekly guide and discussion by Larry Everett about the yet-to-be-released game Star Wars: The Old Republic. We have been teased, taunted, and tantalized this week before the Electronic Entertainment Expo, so much so SWTOR fans don't know topsy from turvy. In this Hyperspace Beacon, released just hours before Electronic Arts' press conference at the Expo, I will hopefully give you the lowdown on the latest news and perhaps help you appreciate the magnitude of the startling reveals. On the surface they may seem like hyped-up teases with very little to latch on to, but I believe they have exposed quite a bit. As Massively reporters packed their bags to head to Los Angeles, Bioware did not stop tossing tidbits at its diligent disciples. First, we were treated with a hands-on walkthrough from Gamespot detailing the beginning quest for most of the starting classes. Twi'leks and chiss were cited as playable species in this revealing report. Also, Gametrailers.com probed the path behind producing an exciting E3 trailer. Besides touring Blur studios, the interview taunted us with a brief look into this year's animated short story. Continue on after the break to find more insight into the extravagant extraterrestrial exhibition that is this year's E3.
GDC hands-on: Deadliest Warrior (XBLA)
Okay, honesty time. Most of the preparation for my GDC appointment to check out Pipework Foundation's TV-to-game adaptation Deadliest Warrior was spent thinking up jokes about the game's cast of anachronistic characters. "So, what are we looking at," I would snidely remark, "Templars? Cavemen? Wizards? Robots? Robot Cavemen? Grizzly bears?" To which Pipework would politely laugh, as I would insist, "No, seriously. What's the grizzly bear situation?" I was prepared to be underwhelmed by the game, so I'd attempt to cajole an entire preview out of this line of questioning. Fortunately, this precaution wasn't necessary, as Deadliest Warrior looks to be a surprisingly competent, enjoyable fighting game, and a welcome addition to the Xbox Live Arcade lineup. Here's the takeaway: Think Bushido Blade; but instead of being stuck with controlling boring ol' samurai, there are ninjas, Spartans, Apache, knights and four other yet-to-be-announced warriors (Including, hopefully, wizards). %Gallery-88124%
Spike TV holding casting calls for nightmarish God of War 3 contest
Good news, The Tester -- you're off the hook for being the worst idea for a video game-themed game show. Look sharp, Spike TV's recently announced God of War 3 promotion/contest Last Titan Standing -- you're officially on notice. According to a recent press release announcing the show's casting call, Last Titan Standing (which airs the night before GoW 3's March 16 release) pits players against one another for a chance to play the game "before the rest of the world." Kind of a lackluster prize -- what will they be doing to win it? Well, according to the casting call: "The story, puzzles, and straight-up action in God of War 3 will be recreated and YOU can be standing in the midst of the battles." Thanks, but no thanks, Last Titan Standing -- all things considered, putting up with pre-order panhandling from our friendly neighborhood GameStop clerk is marginally more bearable than getting our arms ripped off by a minotaur.
VGA 2009 viewership down 5% from 2008
Spike TV's Video Game Awards show isn't simply about celebrating the best of the games industry. No, it plays host to numerous WORLD EXCLUSIVE trailers. But, just how many people tuned in to watch? According to a report by Variety's The Cut Scene, not too many: Roughly 647,000 viewers watched the broadcast in 2009, a 5-percent decrease from 2008's viewership, and a 30-percent decrease from 2007's. When accounting for DVR views, the total jumps to 691,000 viewers. (For comparison's sake, the most recent Golden Globe awards drew in 16.9 million viewers.) The online numbers (via GameTrailers.com) should make it pretty clear what Spike TV is doing right -- and what it's doing wrong. The scene pictured above, featuring Mike Tyson and the cast of The Jersey Shore, got a paltry 16,000 views. The Halo: Reach trailer, on the other hand, got 584,000. Perhaps if the Video Game Awards focused on, y'know, video games, there would be more reason to stay tuned in.
Deadliest Warrior video game announced during VGAs
Oh, you've never heard of the television show known as Deadliest Warrior? We'll break it down for you: Each episode pits two different types of warriors from different time periods against each other to see who would win in various forms of combat. For instance, one episode might show the results of a Ninjas vs. Spartans throwdown. One might show how a conflict between Marines and Medieval Knights would resolve itself. Robots vs. Wizards? A bit less likely, but still within the realm of possibilities. The VGAs brought great news involving this series -- Pipeworks Software is making a downloadable video game based on it. The announcement was accompanied by a lava-hot trailer showing a battle between a ninja and a heavily armored knight, which we've posted after the jump. What? Who wins? The ninja does. Of course.
2009 Spike VGAs to go without a host for the first year ever
Forget about your Samuel L. Jacksons and your Jack Blacks -- this year, the Spike Video Game Awards is totally going commando (if you're an awards show, "going commando" means without a host). Our sister site Big Download got worried recently when no host had yet been announced (the whole Joystiq Network was holding out for Shia LeBeouf), and got in contact with Spike TV to find out what was up. "As of right now, we are going without a host, similarly to what we did for this year's Scream Awards," a representative said. A mess of presenters -- from Tony "I promise I won't talk about Ride" Hawk, to Mike "We're terrified and not making any more jokes" Tyson -- have been confirmed for the show, though it seems that none would step up to the host position. You can catch us, like every year, liveblogging the event and cracking jokes from the comfort of our couches. It's almost like you're in our living room with us, except you don't have to wonder where that smell is coming from. Hooray!
Next Tron game teased, debuting at VGAs
[Image Source] Joining games the likes of Halo: Reach and 2K's new Spec Ops debuting at this year's Spike Video Game Awards is a new installment in the Tron franchise. It's not the first time we've heard of the game -- it was rumored to be in development back in January of this year. Still, its existence is confirmed by an all-too-brief teaser at GameTrailers, which promises a proper unveiling at Spike's awards show on Saturday, December 12. Based on the teaser, the game may simply be titled Tron -- although the logo and art style found in the footage are very similar to that of the upcoming movie sequel, Tron: Legacy. We'll find out exactly what to expect on the Game Grid in just a little over two weeks' time. For now, check out the teaser after the break. [Via That Videogame Blog]
DISH Network adds seven new Viacom HD channels, cements HD supremacy
If you want your MTV HD you can get it, and BET HD, CMT HD, Comedy Central HD, Nickelodeon HD, Spike TV HD and VH1 HD on DISH Network. Thanks to a new deal with Viacom, all those HD feeds were announced today as available to all subscribers at no extra cost. Also included? Video on-demand and Internet streaming rights that senior VP Dave Shull had no problem claiming as a testament to DISH's "continued HD leadership" while also asserting its HD supremacy. BET HD is available on the Classic Silver 200 HD package and up, while all the rest are on the Classic Bronze 100 lineup.
Dean Geoff Keighley continues tenure at Spike TV
Unwilling to let the Dean of Video Game Journalism (Hon.) flit away to one of the many other cable networks covering games, Spike has locked Geoff Keighley (Jeff K., if you're nasty) into a new multi-year deal. How many years is multi? 2? 37? There's just no way to tell. GK will continue with a full slate of activities, including producing the Video Game Awards and hosting "GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley," for which, considering the title, he seems to be the best candidate.
American Cable Association calls out Viacom's annoying crawl
We're not sure how this demand will be received, but the American Cable Association's argument is simple: if only Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks subs are in danger of losing MTV Networks channels at the stroke of midnight, why are we all bothered with an annoying crawl message? Of course, that plea is couched by statements backing TWC and BHN's reluctance to agree to new higher programming fees, but those of us eagerly anticipating a Miley-Sized surprise during tonight's NYE celebration that have a different provider could do without the interruptions.
Spike VGA Winners: GTAIV snags game of the year
Here you go, a recap of all of last night's Spike TV Video Game Award winners that is viewable (in its entirety) after the break. And if you weren't already aware thanks to this blog's title, Grand Theft Auto IV beat out all other contenders for Game of the Year honors. It's a bit controversial to say the least, but then again, it is the Spike VGAs. Right? Gears of War 2 came away with a pair of the colorful monkey awards, one for best shooter and another for best Xbox 360 game. Fallout 3 also did well and Valve's Left 4 Dead had nothing to be ashamed of either. Clicky the linky below to view it all.
Be social, join Major Nelson's VGA live chat event
With all the excitement surrounding tonight's Spike TV Video Game Awards, we know you'll be a good fanboy and watch the show either on TV or via the award show's live stream. And instead of watching all by your lonesome, we recommend jumping over to Major Nelson's site and joining the live chat event. The VGA live chat (accessible here or through your favorite IRC client) will promptly kick off at 9:00PM eastern over on MajorNelson.com. You'll be among your community peers which means you can discuss, speculate and express your fanboyism while watching the VGA news unfold. We'll be hanging out in the chat session and we've also learned that Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb will be stopping by sometime during the VGA airing. It's socialization, it's awards, and it's just fun.
Rumor: Gears 2 Combustible DLC releases soon!
According to a few eagle-eyed members of the official Epic Games forums, a new Gears of War 2 Combustible Map Pack will be announced tonight at the Spike TV Video Game Awards and will be available via the XBLM Monday morning at 3AM eastern.Per comments made on the Epic forums, Spike's live stream of the award show was (for a brief period) online and was displaying all the award show's rehearsal footage. Oops? The rehearsal footage supposedly showed new Combustible Map Pack DLC for Gears 2 that's set to release in early Monday morning. No other details were revealed, but we have a hunch we'll be seeing an Imulsion map among the mix. Seeing that the live feed is no longer active (or crippled under the bandwith strain), we can't verify the DLC announcement or its release, so keep your eyes glued to Spike TV tonight at 9PM eastern.%Gallery-37076%
Reminder: Spike VGAs air tonight, debut of Gears 2, GTAIV and more
Reminder that tonight, at 9:00PM eastern on Spike TV, the Spike Video Game Awards will be airing and among the various awards that'll be handed out will be exclusive debuts of highly anticipated games. GTAIV's Lost and Damned episodic content will be shown, Fight Night Round 4 will be debuted, Brutal Legend will fight its way on stage and even more. Xbox.com also informs us that sometime during the VGAs we'll find out "what's next for Gears of War 2". Hmm, DLC much? The big reveals go down tonight at 9:00PM eastern on Spike TV.[Thanks, Spartan5565]
GTAIV 'Lost and Damned' to debut at Spike VGAs
Spike TV must be on a television ratings mission, because they not only have secured a few game debuts for their VGA award show, but we're told that Grand Theft Auto IV's Lost and Damned episodic content will premier at the award show as well. The press release doesn't tell us much more than that, so we're not exactly sure what or how much Lost and Damned will be shown. Then again, it doesn't really matter, because our interest is piqued and we'll be tuning in on December 14th at 9:00PM eastern.%Gallery-37703%[Via Joystiq]
God of War III to make appearance at Spike VGAs
Oh really, Spike TV? You're really going out of your way to make sure we watch your Video Game Awards show this year. Not only are you debuting Uncharted 2, but you're also going to be giving us a look at God of War III? Really? The Gametrailers.com promo page for the VGAs lists Naughty Dog's upcoming sequel, Brutal Legend and the hotly anticipated GoW III. We can't wait.December 14th. 9PM. Mark it on your calendars.[Thanks, Hyams!]
TNA Wrestling preps for first ever HDTV broadcast
Aw, yeah. Just a few short weeks after TNA Wrestling wrapped up the final loose ends on a new high-def studio in Nashville, in comes the announcement we've been expecting. TNA will be taping a live iMPACT! event on October 23rd in Las Vegas which it will broadcast in high-definition on Spike TV. When it airs, it'll mark the first ever HDTV broadcast for the sport. We'd say you could go and watch the sweat / blood in person, but maybe it's best to just take this one in from the (HD) sidelines.
Real bands face off against fake bands tonight on Spike TV Rock Band 2 special
Have you ever gold-starred your favorite song on Rock Band, and briefly thought that you could embarrass the artists who originally recorded the track in a head-to-head showdown? Well, based on what we've seen from major-label bands that have tried their hand at Harmonix's rockstar simulator, that probably wouldn't be terribly difficult -- regardless, Spike TV will be pitting the three highest ranked groups of faux troubadours against three actual bands in a Rock Band 2 countdown special tonight at 11:30 PM EST.The show, titled 30 Minutes to Midnight, will feature Judas Priest, Cheap Trick and Disturbed playing their respective Rock Band 2 tracks against the top three bands of the Xbox Live community: Earth, Wind and Centaur!; Die! in a Fire; and Here Comes a New Challenger. The program will also feature a young man who can apparently pass a song while performing all four parts at once -- and without any of those newfangled robot arms we've been hearing about lately.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
