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Raise your cup for another Pong Toss
Enough people have purchased a WiiWare game about throwing balls into paper cups to warrant a return to the genre. Developer JV Games announced a sequel to Pong Toss: Frat Party Games called Pong Toss Pro: Frat Party Games. Still no beer, though. According to the press release, the followup features a "completely redesigned pixel accurate throwing system," as well as niceties like redesigned graphics and sound for a nicer presentation of some cups on a table. The multiplayer Speed Pong mode returns from the original, as does the "traditional" tournament play. Pong Toss Pro will be out on WiiWare sometime this spring.
WiiWare devs speak out on lacking support from Nintendo
Speaking with a handful of indie WiiWare game devs, GamesIndustry.biz (warning: login required) uncovered the not-so-startling truth behind Nintendo's support for third party devs on its digital distribution platform: there is none. "We feel that Nintendo is not doing enough to promote the service at all," said JV Games VP Jag Jaeger of the publisher's support. Jaeger added that it's not just a question of underpromotion, it's also a measure of not having access to the same tools that The Big N does. "Help create a more even playing field by allowing developers to use Nintendo resources ... even a more fair use of the Nintendo Channel would help -- Pokémon will be advertised for months while third party titles get a week usually." He also argued the subject of localization/marketing support in foreign markets and Nintendo's general "fend for yourself" attitude towards WiiWare development. "Nintendo, in my opinion, could do more to keep the WiiWare and DSiWare stores in customer's minds," agreed Nnooo's CEO and creative director Nic Watt. We've asked Nintendo for a response to the various allegations and will update this post if we hear more. Source - Developers call on Nintendo for more WiiWare support (requires login)
Frat Party Games - Pong Toss 'controversifies' WiiWare
Controversifies -- v.tr. -- (1) The act of releasing a game about frat party beer pong as E for Everyone (seriously) and expecting no one to realize that your game centers around excessive alcohol indulgence. (2) Informal. To fill with astonishment and perplexity; confound.Nintendo has announced that Pong Toss–Frat Party Games is today's WiiWare du Jour. For 800 Wii points (US $8), you can virtually toss a ping pong ball into cups of what assuredly is a mixture of vitamin water, apple juice, love and unicorn tears. What else would be in the "ultimate party-game favorite?"
Beer Pong becomes Pong Toss for T rating
If there's one thing people in the government hate it's being offended, but luckily there's a tried and true way to alleviate the problem: Subtract offensive, add insulting. Take, for instance, Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal who was peeved that the sure-to-be-awful WiiWare game Frat Party Games: Beer Pong was rated "T." ... You know, for teens. That was understandably problematic for Blumenthal seeing as the game is so very beer-centric. So, what's the solution, the quick fix from JV Games Vice President Jag Jaeger that makes everyone happy? Why, remove every reference to alcohol and call the game Pong Toss, of course! You know, because you're an idiot.[Thanks, Farseer]
Protesters fight the wrong in Beer Pong
When Beer Pong: Frat Party Games was announced for WiiWare, many Wii owners protested it based on its stupidity. We should have guessed, though, that some people would actually protest the software for moral reasons.The problem here lies with the games ESRB rating, which is T (13+). Lisa Lombardozzi of the Greater Herndon Community Coalition is concerned that Beer Pong will encourage children to play the game in real life. In fact, many college students who partake in the activity (which is also called Beirut, depending on who you talk to) are not even of legal drinking age. Since the United States' drinking age is 21, activists claim that the game will promote binge drinking ideals to youths. JV Games' response to the issue was more dismissive than eloquent. Company spokesman Vince Valenti said, "We are not advocating drinking any more than watching cartoons or watching the TV show Cheers, or even going bowling or to a baseball game ... If anything, you're going to be drinking less, because you are too busy playing the game, trying to beat your opponent, to be constantly picking up a beer and drinking it."We doubt parents and community members were soothed by this response.[Via Game Politics]
PSP Fanboy review: Warhammer: Battle for Atluma
When I first heard of Warhammer: Battle for Atluma's pending release on the PSP, I got really excited. I've never played a Warhammer game, but I am a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and have been waiting for a good collectable card game for the PSP for a long time.Unfortunately, it looks like I may be waiting a little longer for that game.Now don't get me wrong, Battle for Atluma isn't terrible game, but I don't think it's going to win over many newcomers to the Warhammer universe.
Namco Bandai officially announces Warhammer
Last month, we reported that Warhammer would be coming to the PSP, but just recently Namco Bandai has officially announced it plans to ship Warhammer: Battle for Atluma, a card-based battle game, this fall."One of the more compelling card-based games to date, Warhammer: Battle for Atluma goes beyond simple player interaction and encourages an inclusive sense of community among players through head-to-head battles, card collecting, trading and strategy sessions," said John Whitmore, Director of Internal/External Development at NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. "This unique dynamic coupled with the strategic, fast-paced nature of the game certainly sets Warhammer: Battle for Atluma apart from other games in its genre."While the press release didn't offer up any new gameplay information, it did mention the game will be rated "T" for teen, and the title's developer is JV Games, which has most recently developed James Bond 007: Nightfire for the Gameboy Advance.
