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Recommended Reading highlights the week's noteworthy writing on technology and more.
Banjo CEO resigns to preserve the company's AI surveillance deals
Banjo's CEO has resigned to prevent his racist past from affecting the AI surveillance company's deals with Utah and others.
Utah pauses Banjo's AI surveillance after learning of owner's racist past
Utah authorities have put use of Banjo's surveillance tech on hold while they investigate for bias due to the owner's racist past.
Recommended Reading: The AI surveillance company watching Utah
This small company is turning Utah into a surveillance panopticon Jason Koebler, Emanuel Maiberg, and Joseph Cox Motherboard If you think Clearview's AI-powered facial recognition is a major problem, buckle up. An artificial intelligence company called Banjo has agreement with Utah that gives it real-time access to traffic cameras, CCTV/public safety cameras, 911 systems and other data. Banjo says it can combine all of that with info from social media, apps and satellites to "detect anomalies." Basically, the company claims it can alert law enforcement to a crime while it's happening. It also says the system strips all personal details so it's able to assist without sacrificing privacy. Motherboard has more on the agreement and how it's working so far.
Banjo AI surveillance is already monitoring traffic cams across Utah
A small company called Banjo is bringing pervasive AI surveillance to law enforcement throughout Utah, Motherboard reports. In July, Banjo signed a five-year, $20.7 million contract with Utah. The agreement gives the company real-time access to state traffic cameras, CCTV and public safety cameras, 911 emergency systems, location data for state-owned vehicles and more. In exchange, Banjo promises to alert law enforcement to "anomalies," aka crimes, but the arrangement raises all kinds of red flags.
Bandcamp houses complete Banjo-Kazooie soundtrack
There's probably no amount of reminiscing that can return the Banjo-Kazooie series back to its 3D platforming glory at this point, but at least now you can give kudos to the man behind the series' musical beginnings. Grant Kirkhope, composer of Banjo-Kazooie's soundtrack and longtime contributor to Rare's portfolio, is offering the sounds that backed the bird and bear's debut to those willing to name their own price. The exhaustive 164-file collection includes tracks, sound bites and a few unused beta tracks, all of which take us right back to searching for notes, Jiggles and Jinjos in the 1998 platformer. As a general Bandcamp reminder, you can take a thorough dose of nostalgia in MP3, FLAC or other formats, and those that pay will earn unlimited streaming through the Bandcamp app. If sampling the tracks has made you miss exploring themed worlds and Kazooie's general disdain for every other character, ports of both Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie are still on Xbox Live Arcade for $14.99 each. We imagine those ports will retain their usefulness to collectathon fans in the coming years, considering the cancelation of the series' spiritual successor. [Image: Microsoft]
The Joystiq Indie Pitch: City Tuesday
Indie developers are the starving artists of the video-game world, often brilliant and innovative, but also misunderstood, underfunded and more prone to writing free-form poetry on their LiveJournals. We at Joystiq believe no one deserves to starve, and many indie developers are entitled to a fridge full of tasty, fulfilling media coverage, right here. This week, Chris Zukowski asks the tough questions about free will, terrorism and beards with his artistically charged indie (which was featured in the Xbox Live Indie Games Summer Uprising), City Tuesday. *Not an actual gun. Prices and participation may vary. Do you see yourself as part of a larger indie movement? Yes.
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing screens make a pit stop in your heart
click to enlarge Sega has dropped some new screens from its upcoming Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing kart game, and if you don't find them completely charming, there's something broken near your left ventricle. We don't yet know if the game is any good or not, but if you look at these lush, colorful 3D recreations of classic Sega environments and characters and don't feel the slightest stirring down in your jaded, Mature excuse for a gamer heart, you better get it checked. Note that these screens come from the Xbox 360 version, which explains why Banjo and the Avatars (coincidentally a great band name) appear within. Enjoy. %Gallery-83937%
Banjo-Kazooie hit the track in Sega All-Stars Racing trailer
Rare's bear and backpacked bird make their debut in this latest Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing trailer. The Banjo-Kazooie team tear up the track big-truck style -- mainly because they're in a big friggin' truck. The trailer also takes care to remind us Avatars will be playable in the Xbox 360 version of the game -- but, really, who cares? Banjo and Kazooie are in a big friggin' truck!
Banjo-Tooie to beat up on XBLA this April
When Microsoft said Banjo-Tooie was coming to Xbox Live Arcade in early 2009, we were hoping for something in the first quarter or so. Rare's announcement this week puts the game just beyond that window and into April. Rare is calling it a "note-perfect migration" with upped graphics and framerate. BT will also feature the ill-fated Stop 'n' Swop, a relic from the Nintendo 64 days allowing items collected in Banjo-Kazooie to materialize in the sequel. No indication on what such items will be or how they'll affect gameplay. As for the cost, mum's the word for now, but our guess is it'll be at or near BK's 1200 ($15) price tag. %Gallery-43257%
Wii Music accommodates our de facto banjo theme
It's totally a banjo kind of week. We were just talking about Banjo-Kazooie (and its apparent banishment from Virtual Console), and now Nintendo presents a Wii Music video demonstrating that game's interpretation of the instrument of the same name. It's air banjo! Like air guitar, but folksier. While holding the nunchuk aloft, whipping downward with the Wiimote will approximate a single pluck, or a strum, depending on the song. Maybe tomorrow the featured instrument will be the kazoo. Wouldn't that be an odd coincidence?All this banjo talk makes us want to watch Space Ghost Coast To Coast. BANJOOOOOO!%Gallery-27713% Looking for more on Wii Music? You can catch an E3 trailer here, read about our time with the game here, and learn how to play the steel drum, handbell, trumpet, timpani, acoustic bass, shamisen, harmonica, cello, harpsichord, cheerleader, saxophone, sitar, cowbell, electric bass, drums, dog, accordion, taiko, clarinet, conga, electric guitar, harp, flute, marching drum, violin, piano, guitar, and marimba.
Banjo-Kazooie XBLA remake dated for Nov 26, sequel in 2009 [update]
Microsoft today released -- and promptly pulled -- a press release via Gamerscore blog (original link; via TeamXbox) announcing that the Banjo-Kazooie Nintendo 64 remake is coming "exclusively" (i.e. we're guessing no Virtual Console release) to Xbox Live Arcade on November 26 for 1200 ($15). Additionally, Microsoft announced a Banjo-Tooie remake is coming in early 2009. Those who pre-order Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts will get it about two weeks early (the game launches just under two weeks prior on November 14). Achievements in Banjo-Kazooie will unlock content in Nuts and Bolts via the "Stop n Swop" mode. We don't know why Microsoft pulled the press release, but we'll let you know when it's back up. Update: It's back up.
Nuts & Bolts is $39.99, pre-orders get XBLA Banjo early
Microsoft announced today that gamers can now pre-order Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. Much more exciting is the fact that the rumored price of $39.99 is true, making Nuts & Bolts a real bargain. Making the deal even sweeter, gamers that pre-order the game will receive a download code for the Xbox Live Arcade version of the original Banjo Kazooie. Even better than that, the code will work starting on November 14, the day of the Nuts & Bolts launch, a full two weeks before the XBLA game hits Xbox Live Marketplace. The XBLA release will include a feature called "Stop N' Swop" which allows players to unlock new features in XBLA game by playing Nuts & Bolts.Finally, a new Nuts & Bolts world called Jiggoseum was revealed. You can check out the first images of Jiggoseum in the gallery below.[Via Joystiq] Gallery: Banjo-Kazooie: Jiggoseum
Hands on: Banjo Kazooie Nuts & Bolts vehicle creation
During a special reception last night -- held at the same venue as the Gears of War 2 reception -- Microsoft allowed the press to get their grubby mitts on Rare's upcoming Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. The game has already been the center of some criticism from gamers, especially fans of the Banjo Kazooie series. Most of the coverage of the game thus far has dealt with the game's unique vehicle creation system, which allows players to build vehicles from dozens of mix and match parts, LEGO style. For those hoping this article contains a revelation regarding the platforming in Nuts & Bolts, we regret to inform you that the game's hub world -- where most of the platforming takes place -- was not available for play at the event. Here's the good news though, the vehicle creation is really, really fun.
Mario beheaded by Banjo, everybody freaks
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Proof_RARE_Pissed_Off_at_Nintendo_Mario_beheaded_by_Banjo'; Rare unveiled a trailer yesterday for its forthcoming Xbox 360 vehicle-based platformer Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. It looks very lovely, as Rare games often do, but discussion about the video now seems to be less about the game, and more about a brief cameo from Mario.Towards the end of the two-minute trailer, the bear and the bird are seen flying a customized plane towards a huge model of Mario, before blasting the revered plumber's head clean off! The cheek! Later versions of the same footage have had the decapitation edited out (there is an unedited version after the break), which suggests that Rare got a slapped wrist over the (hardly scandalous) "scandal."Anyway, with grim predictability, this scene resulted in the entire internet getting its panties in a bunch. Everywhere one looked, people were speculating boringly over what this could possibly mean. And now, Rare has enlightened us: it means nothing. Zilch. It was all a bit of light-hearted fun. Haha.MTV's Stephen Totilo spoke to lead software engineer Salvatore Fileccia about the cameo, and came away with the impression that some rascal at Rare had constructed the Mario figure using the game's vehicle editor, and that the scene had been added to the trailer at the last minute, with Microsoft none the wiser. But before you all grab your pitchforks, know that Rare still has tons of respect for Mario, with Fileccia himself commenting at the presentation of the trailer: "Action platformers have gotten a bit stale, except for Mario."Crisis over, then. Now back to praying for a Banjo game on the Virtual Console.
Mario spotted in new Banjo-Kazooie trailer
In case you missed it, check out the Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts trailer one more time. Watch closely, especially at the 1:45 mark. Yep, that's an 8-bit Mario in all his planar glory, as both a testament to the user-generated nature of the game as well as we suspect a not-so-subtle nod to their former publishing partner. [Thanks, Michael]
Rare is so not working on Killer Instinct 3
In their latest mailbag answering session of Scribes, Rare squishes then squashes the rumor that their team is currently working on a Killer Instinct sequel stating that "purely out of contractual obligation, no, we're not working on KI3". Rare also re-emphasizes that their main focus right now is the Xbox 360 Banjo-Kazooie sequel which we're sure we'll be seeing at this year's E3.That pretty much ends the Rare rumor squashing for today. But let it be known that their yet to be announced project after Banjo ships is totally fair game for the rumor generators among us.[Via Joystiq]
Rare talks Banjo-Kazooie for 360
Lee Schuneman, head of production at Rare, had some time to sit down with GamesIndustry.biz and talk about the upcoming Banjo-Kazooie game for Xbox 360. The first thing he does is assure us that the game is in good hands, stating that the team working on the title is very passionate about it, like Gregg Mayles, the Creative Director, who had the same position for both the original Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie. That being said, Banjo's latest outing will bring new elements to the table, and are noted to be unexpected by fans of the series. If you want to get the for report on the interview, including Rare's thoughts on Viva Piñata, hit up the "Read" link and have at it.
Rare on Banjo VC: "It's possible"
In a response to a young Rare fan's letter posted in their Scribes column, Rare discussed the possibility of some of their franchises coming over to the Virtual Console. The Donkey Kong Country sequels are likely, because Donkey Kong is a Nintendo-owned property. But games starring Diddy Kong, the Rare-created pal of DK, are not as clear-cut.The main focus of the letter was Banjo-Kazooie, which is a Rare-owned property. The Rare "scribe" diplomatically said that "it's possible" for Banjo games to appear either on the VC or on the Xbox 360 Live Arcade. Our advice? Don't wait for any N64 games to come to VC, because they are slow in arriving.[Via Play-Nintendo]
Don't expect any Rare games on the Virtual Console...
...according to Matt over at IGN, who claims to have spoken with some key Rare folk about the possibility of some of Rare's past greats to be in Nintendo's Virtual Console's starting lineup during GDC. While it's pretty much a given that this would be the case, what with Rare being alligned under the cold, Borg-like, Microsoft Game Studios, no-shows will undoubtedly be Killer Instinct, Perfect Dark, Banjo & Kazooie, Goldeneye 007, and Blast Corps. That last one hits this Blogger especially hard. I know many people would say the N64's strongest game was Goldeneye 007 or Perfect Dark, some might claim its stellar first-party offerings in Ocarina of Time and Super Mario 64 were superior, but for this Blogger no other experience on the console could top the sheer ecstasy of uppercutting buildings as a giant mech and bulldozing gas stations in Blast Corps. It was like a digital incarnation of my childhood with Tonka trucks and Transformers.
