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Gene Simmons of Kiss teases Angry Birds game, makes total sense
While we've been blissfully ignoring Kiss frontman Gene Simmons since his last appearance on The Simpsons, he's been busy transitioning his band from 1970s stadium rockers into a crosspromotional love gun. Take, for example, Kiss Hello Kitty (which is apparently a thing?). We're not quite sure what to make of it either.And when asked about the band's movement in the video game world, Simmons sounds ready to jump in. "We're talking with Sony games now. We are really trying to take it in areas that haven't been done before," Simmons told Industry Gamers. "[We] have stayed out of the marketplace because the ideas simply weren't exciting enough." Sounds like somebody's never played hit Aerosmith crossover Revolution X. Perhaps he's more of a Paul of Duty kinda guy?But while the likes of Skyrim and Mass Effect haven't convinced Simmons, apparently Rovio's Angry Birds was just thrilling enough. "We're talking with Angry Birds ... Kiss and Angry Birds, which will become a deal," Simmons revealed. But despite upcoming Kiss-branded Archie comics and golf courses in Las Vegas, Simmons added, "Just because there are games, and just because there's this or that out there, unless the deal is right and unless the content is exciting to our fans, we don't do it." We imagine he winked at the interviewee a bunch after saying that, though. He had to, right?
Kiss releases LED HDTV, because it's criminal to view Paul's Starchild makeup any other way
Legendary rockers are releasing officially-licensed LED HDTVs, available in 55-, 46-, 42-, and 32-inch (aka "Mini Kiss," to no one else but the Engadget staff) variants, priced between $818.88 and $1,988.88 (and unless we're mistaken by the wording, buying the 55-inch model also nets you a 32-incher) and on sale now online / in-store mid-November. Each set has the Kiss logo emblazoned on each bottom corner, and you'll be rocked -- nay, rawked -- by eight seconds of the band's imagery every time you turn it on. The TVs are produced by Roundtable Concepts and specs include... wait, you've already made up your mind, haven't you? Well, alright, then, our job here is done. One more picture after the break.
Report: Guitar Hero 6 dropping playable musicians, will work with previous DLC
Details about the upcoming sixth iteration in the Guitar Hero series (that is, if you don't count various spin-offs) have begun landing on the web from Official Xbox Magazine UK, reports GoNintendo. As Kiss' Gene Simmons proclaimed earlier this year, it seems he'll be emceeing the game. Alongside his appearance, Queen, Black Sabbath and Metallica's Lars Ulrich will also be showing up, though rather than being featured as playable characters, the various rockers will be recruitable characters for guidance through the game's campaign ("Quest Mode") -- that whole multiple lawsuit thing certainly couldn't have hurt Activision's decision, right? Maybe most important of all is the inclusion of legendary New York City club CBGB (& OMFUG) as the game's "only real-world location" (at least to this former CBGB attendee), but we suppose you're probably more interested in hearing that "previous DLC" will allegedly be playable in number six ... or whatever. Activision wouldn't confirm the details with us, but you OXM UK subscribers are welcome to re-confirm the report's legitimacy in our comments section below. [Via MTV Multiplayer]
Gene Simmons: 'I'm the voice of Guitar Hero 6'
"I'm the voice of Guitar Hero 6," says KISS front man Gene Simmons during a video clip produced by Game On, a division of UK media site ITN. And that's all he says. The clip -- view it after the break -- has been removed from the context of what's assumed to be a full interview and essentially turns Simmons' statement into a gag line. Still, Simmons does appear to be the first "official" spokesperson to outright name the next iteration of Guitar Hero, albeit unofficially. Activision previously dated a forthcoming Guitar Hero game for the "back half" of 2010. Presumably, that's "Guitar Hero 6" and the game Simmons will apparently star in. What? Activision didn't offer his crew a full-on Guitar Hero: KISS game? It's for the better, really, because all we want to do is get the digitized Simmons onstage and make him crank 'dat Soulja Boy!
TurpsterVision: Hands on with Chen Stormstout
We can't believe it either – Turpster has been let loose on WoW.com to bring you videos from in and around the World of Warcraft! You've heard him on the WoW Insider Show, and now see him on TurpsterVision right here on WoW.com. So it's Black Friday for a lot of you guys out there -- Happy Thanksgiving for yesterday and yes, my Turkey was awesome thanks for asking! A day for picking up electrical bargains and stopping The Intersect falling into Fulcrum's hands -- I'll be honest, my knowledge of Black Friday stems pretty much directly from episodes of Chuck. I was lucky enough to have my latest purchase come through today and I am super stoked to be able to show you guys, Chen Stormstout! This guys is many kinds of huge -- some say he looks like a fat Gene Simmons, I don't see that being a bad thing since The Demon is also pretty awesome (though he's no Starchild). Standing over 8" tall and weighing in at 4.5 lbs, this guy is built to impress. The detailing is beyond anything I've seen on my previous DC Unlimited figures. Enjoy the video and pick one up if you haven't already -- I wonder how much mine is worth now that it's out of the box... Check out more of Turpster's work, recent work like sites made for a Bristol Garden Landscaper or classic stuff from his WoW parody songs to TV previously on Massively.com, not forgetting everyone's favorite podcast 'The WoW Insider Show' and of course, TurpsterVision right here on WoW.com!
Movie Gadget Friday: Runaway
Ariel Waldman contributes Movie Gadget Friday, where she highlights the lovable and lame gadgets from the world of cinema. Previously on Movie Gadget Friday, we tapped into the near dystopian future of fear in Brazil. Keeping on that 1980's near-future vibe (but with a slightly more sentient twist), this week we check out Michael Crichton's Runaway, starring Tom Selleck, Gene Simmons, Cynthia Rhodes and Kirstie Alley. Filled with circuitry and hardwired chips, the movie reinforces wholesome family values by featuring warranty voids as the gateway hack to murder. Leaping Insect Robot Measuring in around the size of a human head, these six-legged, spider-like, autonomous robots are mechanical in movement but shockingly precise in killing prey. The autonomous insects have the ability to propel themselves up to seven feet in the air, allowing for attacks on unsuspecting victims. Dual-functioning, the legs are able to crawl and grasp a multitude of surfaces, albeit awkwardly and rather slowly. After programming targets into a mainframe, the robots are able to identify and kill victims by injecting them with acid via a probe before short circuiting and eventually exploding into a ball of flames. Sadly, the robots lack any sort of remote control, making human errors in target-programming unable to be edited.
Gene Simmons AXE Game Controller available now
Whether you consider him a marketing genius or just a sellout, Gene Simmons has managed to slap the logo of his band KISS onto everything from lip balm to a singing toothbrush. Now he's after your money, music game fans. Mr. Simmons also appears to be specifically targeting Sony fans, as the Gene Simmons AXE Game Controller is available exclusively (for now -- the Wii version will be released next year while the Xbox 360 version's release date is TBA) for the PS2 or PS3. The wireless controller is a 3/4 size replica of the original Gene Simmons Axe Guitar and it will work with both Rock Band and Guitar Hero via an included dongle. Place you order here now for $79.99.[Via Joystiq and Reuters]
Gene Simmons presents 'AXE Guitar' for Guitar Hero, Rock Band
Gene Simmons is getting himself a ticket on the money train that is the rhythm game scene with the branded guitar peripheral you see above. While on other consoles the peripheral will work with both Rock Band and Guitar Hero, for Wii, it'll only work with the latter, initially, as the version hitting shelves on December 1st is limited in functionality. If you can wait, though, on January 31st a version that is compatible with both games will release. The listed price for the peripheral is $79.99. Anybody like what they see?[Via Joystiq]
Gene Simmons brings branded 'AXE Guitar' to Guitar Hero and Rock Band
Hoping to enlist new members into his Army, KISS bassist Gene Simmons is looking to jump on the guitar peripheral bandwagon. The wireless Gene Simmons AXE Guitar is coming November 15 for $80 and will be compatible with PlayStation 3 and PS2 versions of Guitar Hero and Rock Band games, using a packaged dongle (pictured, not to scale). The peripheral will be a 3/4th size replica and is currently available for pre-order.A Wii version for Guitar Hero only is coming December 1st, but if you can wait until January 31 there's another Wii axe coming that's compatible with both GH and RB. Xbox 360 owners will have to wait until April 2009. As of this writing, there's been no indication of a Limited Edition version of the AXE with makeup kit and Gene Simmons tongue extender™, but hey, we can dream.[Via Reuters]
PS3 Guitar Hero: World Tour drums not Rock Band 2 compatible; Gene Simmons guitar controller not compatible with taste
Guitar Hero: World Tour has only officially been on shelves for a day or so now, but unhappy PS3 customers are already making a fuss -- the game's new drumkit isn't compatible with Rock Band 2. That's a major disappointment -- having redundant guitars because Activision and Harmonix can't play nice is annoying enough, but two drumkits is downright ridiculous -- and it's doubly irritating because Sony promised it would bring the hammer down and make sure all these peripherals were cross-compatible. The Xbox 360 kits seem to work with each other, so it's probably just a bug and Harmonix is apparently working on patch. In the meantime, you can probably take out your frustration with this crazy Gene Simmons axe-shaped guitar controller that's due out on Halloween -- we're not sure if we'd pay $80 for the privilege of pretending to be in KISS while playing a video game, but if you're in the Army, Amazon is taking preorders now.Read - Guitar Hero: World Tour drums incompatibilityRead - Gene Simmons Axe Guitar
Gene Simmons on file sharers? Sue them off the face of the planet
Kiss front man Gene Simmons, makeup-wearing progenitor of high-brow fare such as Rock And Roll All Nite, Plaster Caster, and Love Gun, as well as star of the intellectual gem Gene Simmons Family Jewels has a message for file sharing aficionados out there: you deserve to be sued. Or, as Gene subtly puts it to Billboard while discussing college student's downloading habits, "Every freshly-scrubbed little kid's face should have been sued off the face of the earth." When asked about Radiohead and Trent Reznor's recent forays into new online distribution methods, our man Simmons retorts, "I open a store and say 'Come on in and pay whatever you want.' Are you on f*cking crack? Do you really believe that's a business model that works?" We don't know Gene, but we can't wait to download your new record.[Via Digg]
I wanna spend $399 all night (and play Guitar Hero every day)
Okay, before you lolz out loud at people willing to spend $399 on a plastic Guitar Hero controller painted with some KISS artwork, read the fine print: it's actually a real guitar that's been modded to have the GH fret buttons and strum bar put in. Who's laughing now, eh? Well, we would be, if this wasn't so freakin' cool. Gamespot has the details on this axe, which is currently only for the PlayStation 2. The question remains though: Can you re-string this sucker and jam out for reals? No one knows. Maybe that's just too much rockination for one instrument to bear. Come on, it already has Gene Simmons' tongue on it, what more could you ask for?
PSP Fanboy Theatre: Volume 15
PSP Fanboy offers the latest and greatest movie and game trailers, formatted for the PSP in this new weekly feature. Check it out every Saturday. PSP owners can download files wirelessly via m.pspfanboy.com.Instructions: Save all movie and thumbnail files to the VIDEO folder. These high resolution 480x272 videos require firmware 3.30 or above. (Note: OE custom firmware will also play these videos.) Manhunt 2Download MP4 (6.8MB) | Download JPG The following videos are featured after the break: Blue Dragon, Gene Simmons - Guitar Hero II Tournament, God of War II: Mythology, Guitar Hero II [360]
GH II and Gene Simmons rock NYC
Joystiq was in NYC to capture all the Guitar Hero II festivities at the Virgin Megastore and almost got to touch KISS rocker Gene Simmons. The event featured a few of the best Guitar Hero II players this side of Texas who battled it out for a chance to rock with Mr. Simmons. Think of it as a one big marketing event where you mix one part old rockstar with three parts video games and watch the magic happen. The video above features the GH II winner rocking it out withe Gene and also a few awkward moments, but overall it was a pretty entertaining show. Also, be sure to check out both Joystiq and Major Nelson's photo galleries from the event to get a real sense of what it's like to be in the presence of a "rock god". The event looked fun, but now it's time to watch our favorite TV show, Family Jewels ... that Gene Simmons is such a character.
Gene Simmons rocks Times Square with Guitar Hero II
var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/gaming_news/Gene_Simmons_rocks_Times_Square_with_Guitar_Hero_II'; The legendary Gene Simmons (of KISS fame) rocked hard in Times Square promoting the newly released Guitar Hero II for Xbox 360. The nation's (supposed) top Guitar Hero masters were invited to perform in NYC's Virgin Megastore, and the top hero would be gifted with an autographed guitar and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with Simmons. Of course, as any legitimate rock star would do, he played with the ladies too.The large audience may have proven too nerve-wracking, as many of the performances were stiff, littered with missed notes, and lacking personality. Of course, everything changed when Simmons walked in the room, tongue intact. His charismatic interaction with the audience proved that it takes a lot more than fast fingers to become a real rock star. Remember that, next time you "strap on." %Gallery-2520%
GH II event in NYC featuring Gene Simmons
Major sent word that Microsoft will be hosting a Guitar Hero II event featuring KISS rocker Gene Simmons in New York City. The event will be held next Wednesday, April 11th at the NYC Virgin Megastore starting at 12:30PM and should wrap up around 2:30PM. Not only will Gene Simmons be rocking it out on stage, but five GH II champions will be competing and Major Nelson will be floating around doing his thing. NYC residents mark your calendars, because next Wednesday you'll be in the presence of five rock gods and Gene Simmons too. Don't you just love marketing events?[Via Major Nelson]
