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Family awarded $16.5 million for wrongful death in 'Hold Your Wee for a Wii' contest

by Laura June posted Oct 30th 2009 at 2:29PM

Way back in January of 2007, we reported on the Strange family, who were suing Sacramento radio station KDND-FM for the wrongful death of Jennifer Strange, who was found dead in her home after competing in a contest to try to win a Nintendo Wii. The contest -- "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" -- involved seeing who could drink the most water without urinating, and Jennifer, who did not win, left the studio and later died. Her autopsy later showed signs of water intoxication. Yesterday, a California jury ruled a wrongful death in the case, and ordered Entercom Sacramento LLC, a subsidiary of Philadelphia-based Entercom Communications Corp., to pay $16.5 million dollars to her family as a result of the actions of the radio station's employees.

Ghostwire augmented reality game coming to your creepy motel room, DSi in 2010

by Laura June posted Oct 28th 2009 at 1:45PM

Majesco's just announced an augmented reality game for the DSi, Ghostwire: Link to the Paranormal. While the Ghostwire title had been previously unveiled, Majesco has apparently just signed on to publish it. The game makes use of the DSi's camera and microphone so the player can hunt for ghosts in their surrounding, actual environment. Once the ghosts are detected, the player will have to track down objects to bribe them into peacefulness. Ghostwire is expected sometime in 2010, but until then, we'll just keep walking with our own ghosts.

Rock Band Bar Nights encourages sloppy thrashing in watering holes

by Darren Murph posted Sep 2nd 2009 at 8:32AM

There are a few things you should generally avoid whilst inebriated in a bar: saying something offensive to someone larger than you is one, and attempting to play a song with any accuracy is another (see dude on left for proof). Regardless of the facts, MTV Games and Harmonix are looking to capitalize on the raging success that is Rock Band by introducing Rock Band Bar Nights. Said program hooks registered watering holes up with "everything from exclusive Rock Band product offerings to multiplatform marketing support," and venues that sign up will also have access to an exclusive e-commerce store. Finally, those that register prior to September 8th will get a five-song preview disc from The Beatles: Rock Band, giving you serious motivation to get your local pub invested in the initiative. Just be sure to avoid "Expert" after the eighth White Russian, cool?

[Via HotHardware]

Redbox debuts $2 video game rentals, pretty lean on titles thus far

by Laura June posted Aug 16th 2009 at 3:04PM

If you've been waiting expectantly for Redbox to launch its much dreamed-of video game rentals kiosks -- well, dream no more. Word has come down from on high that it's happened, and we'll tell you: we couldn't be more pleased. For $2 a night (which isn't really a great premium compared to Blockbuster's $9 for five nights), you can hit up the kiosk and grab games for Nintendo DS, Wii, PS2 and 3, and Xbox 360. Now -- the game selections are really slim so far, but we're pretty sure that situation will improve quickly, and the launch has only been rolled on in the Reno, Nevada area as of now. We'll keep our fingers crossed for Redbox to make its way eastward soon.

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

Tony Hawk: RIDE makes official US debut on November 17th

by Ross Miller posted Aug 10th 2009 at 8:33PM

Turns out GameStop's October 13th listing for Tony Hawk: RIDE was just a hair off, to the tune of 36 days or so. Activison Blizzard's sent word today that the skating simulator's official North American launch is set for November 17th -- plenty of time to practice your faux ollies before showing your family some virtual board skills over Thanksgiving meals. Additionally, Europe's now official for November 20th, but we already heard that last week. No word on pricing, but across the pond, GAME.co.uk is pushing that £99 / $168 figure pretty hard, and while we're willing to bet that's the official Europe price, we're not convinced that's any indication of what we'll be paying stateside.

Tony Hawk: RIDE Limited Edition skateboard outed as UK version gets priced and dated

by Ross Miller posted Aug 6th 2009 at 9:41PM

While details aren't 100 percent confirmed for those of us across the pond -- Activision has yet to come out and verify those October 13th / $120 listings -- Tony Hawk: RIDE and its white not-quite-skateboard will be launching November 20th in the United Kingdom for £99.99, or about $168 in US currency. European retailer GAME will be selling a limited edition version of the game, which will sport a red and black skateboard and surprisingly no markup in price whatsoever. You know, it's a good thing the console cycle seems to be extending beyond its formerly four-year pattern, because these plastic peripherals are gonna be doing a number on our bank accounts.

[Via Joystiq]

Read - Tony Hawk Ride dated and priced
Read - Limited Edition listing

Screen Grabs: DJ Hero makes cameo in Kid Cudi video, comes back full circle

by Ross Miller posted Aug 5th 2009 at 10:21PM

Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com.

Something very peculiar popped up while we were watching Kid Cudi's "Make Her Say" music video. Just as the song is winding down, Mr. Cudi (also known as Scott Mescudi) can be seen "air scratching" while someone in the above frame takes the pantomime one step further with DJ Hero's turntable peripheral. The connection runs much deeper, though: the song was produced by Kanye West, whose rise to fame arguably came when he produced Jay-Z's critically acclaimed album The Blueprint... and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, in turn, happens to be one of the two artists (along with Eminem) promoting DJ Hero. Funny how that works out. Video after the break, and jump to the 3:03 mark if all you really want is another glimpse of the controller.

[Thanks, Laxuo and AG Beast]

Continue reading Screen Grabs: DJ Hero makes cameo in Kid Cudi video, comes back full circle

First 21 Xbox 'Games on Demand' titles revealed

by Laura June posted Aug 5th 2009 at 1:20PM

Next Tuesday (that's August 11th), a dream we have long held near our hearts will be fulfilled -- Xbox 360 will add the first twenty-one titles to its Games on Demand service. Now, we don't have any details about pricing for these yet, but Microsoft has said that the games, which include such august titles as Mass Effect, Call of Duty 2, and Tomb Raider: Legend, will be priced similarly to the physical games. We could whine about that all day, but we're going to hold off until we see actual pricing details, and move on to dreaming of a trackpad that doesn't become unresponsive when we spill orange juice on it. Check out the video of the newest addition to the dashboard after the break, hit the read link for the full list of twenty-one.

Update: A Microsoft spokesman just emailed us a list of the Games on Demand titles for the US, which has a couple of notable differences. BioShock, Ridge Racer 6, Karaoke Revolution American Idol, Dance Dance Revolution Universe, and Sonic The Hedgehog are in, while SEGA Rally and Tomb Raider: Legend are decidedly Europe-only for now. Full US list after the break.

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading First 21 Xbox 'Games on Demand' titles revealed

DJ Hero Renegade Edition now accepting callers, lists for $199.99

by Ross Miller posted Jul 30th 2009 at 11:56PM

So how badly do you want that metallic DJ Hero turntable? The game's official website is now directing your attention to GameStop and Amazon, both of which are now accepting pre-orders for the Renegade Edition (due to launch October 27th alongside the standard bundle) for just one copper Lincoln under $200. That's a $80 premium over the regular bundle but does also include a stand / carrying case hybrid and a two-CD collection. Then again, it's also well over the cost of the entire instrument bundle for Rock Band 2 or Guitar Hero World Tour. Anyone gonna bite?

[Thanks, HArry]

DJ Hero goes renegade with premium edition turntable, DJ stand

by Ross Miller posted Jul 29th 2009 at 10:58AM

If your virtual disc-scratching needs something a little less silver and little more dark, brooding, and bronze, Activison today announced the DJ Hero Renegade Edition bundle, which includes just such a peripheral with promised premium metal controls and finish. The full package also comes with a hardshell carrying case that doubles as a stand, and less impacting on the gameplay itself, a Jay-Z / Eminem two-CD collection with unreleased tracks and a collectible case designed by Shepard Fairey. No word on price, but if that rumored $120 tag for the standard edition pans out, you can expect to be paying a prettier penny here. Browse the new gear, including the Wii version of the standard turntable, in the gallery below.

Gallery: DJ Hero goes renegade with premium edition turntable, DJ stand

Epic Games VP says new consoles are a "long way off," Natal is the "next Xbox"

by Donald Melanson posted Jul 24th 2009 at 1:03PM

We've heard plenty of talk about ten-year console life cycles for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and it looks like there's some consensus starting to build around the idea that any new consoles really are still a long ways off. Speaking with Eurogamer earlier this week, Epic Games VP Mark Rein cast some doubt on the very need for new consoles anytime soon, pointing out that "over half the users who played Gears of War 2 so far do not have HDTVs," and adding that "there's no way we're ready for the PlayStation 4 or the Xbox Whatever." He did also note, however, that the current consoles would see some major changes, and in the case of the Xbox 360 he says, "it's called Natal. That is the next Xbox." For the curious, Rein also concluded that Natal would win in a fight with Sony's motion controller, but only if it was a kickboxing fight, "because it can see you kicking."

[Via The Digital Home]

Xbox Live update preview program now accepting applicants

by Ross Miller posted Jul 20th 2009 at 7:12PM

Looking to be in the envy of all your friends Xbox 360 online friends? As they did once before with NXE, Microsoft is launching an update preview program for its upcoming Xbox Live dashboard enhancements, which for this round includes Games on Demand, Netflix movie parties, and user ratings -- better luck next time, Facebook aficionados. A Microsoft Connect account is required for registration, and lucky participants will be notified by July 31st. Hit up the read link to throw your hat (and gamertag) in the ring for a chance to be selected -- no promises you'll get in, but can't hurt to try, right?

[Via Joystiq; thanks, Ken]

Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus selling well, and Wii Sports Resort ain't even out yet

by Darren Murph posted Jul 19th 2009 at 3:20AM

For a device that took a solid year to go from "debuting at E3" to "shipping," we're pretty surprised to see that Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus held as much steam as it did. With overall video game sales dropping in June for the first time since 2000 (when looking at year-over-year figures, anyway), the Big N still had a few hundred thousand reasons to smile. Aside from the 361,700 Wii consoles and 766,500 DS units that shipped in June, the company also managed to sell 169,000 Wii MotionPlus dongles -- and that's not including the ones that were packaged with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, of which 272,400 units were sold. The real kicker, however, is that the accessory's real partner in crime (that'd be Wii Sports Resort) has yet to be released. It's good to be king, ain't it Mario?

Tony Hawk: RIDE's skateboard peripheral turning white before launch

by Ross Miller posted Jul 16th 2009 at 3:25PM

We certainly didn't mind that the Tony Hawk: RIDE board we played at E3 had a charcoal coloring, and that goes double for our feet. Apparently that sentiment isn't shared by the game's director Josh Tsui, who told GamesIndustry.biz that it'll be launched in a "more consumer friendly... [and] iPod-like" white color, which in our minds all but guarantees someone out there's gonna mistake this for a new version of the Wii balance board. Tsui's not shy with praise either, calling the board "the most advanced peripheral on the market." Ultimately, the color isn't gonna matter to us, and with a board-compatible sequel rumored to already be in the works, there's plenty of time to re-release the peripheral in all sorts of attractive palettes -- that'd of course be very iPod-like.

[Via Joystiq]

Nintendo shatters dreams, has "no plans" to ship black Wii console in USA

by Darren Murph posted Jul 16th 2009 at 2:19PM

Seriously Nintendo, what is it? Do you hate freedom? Are you still bitter about the US reception to your underwhelming GameCube? Whatever the case, we're never going to forgive you for this one. After waiting for years for a Wii in any color other than glossy white, it seems that only the Japanese will be able to enjoy the sleek, sexy and altogether drool-worthy black Wii console. In fact, a rep for the Big N informed GameDaily that there are "no plans to have other colors of the Wii in the United States." As for us? We're plugging our ears and pretending this "individual" has no idea what he / she is talking about. And weeping, uncontrollably.

[Via Joystiq]