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Rare says Avatars were in production before Wii even launched
Oh Rare. Do you honestly expect us to believe this? Nonetheless, it's their story and they're sticking to it.The fine folks behind that Banjo & Kazooie business have commented that Avatars are not an attempt to copy the lovable Miis from Nintendo. Head of art, Lee Musgrave, says "It was an idea we had, even before Miis were part of the gaming scene, of putting these characters that you have an affinity with, not necessarily as part of the Xbox dash, but somewhere in the Xbox that you would play multiple games with, that you would have multiple experiences with that same character."Musgrave further added that "Microsoft did not turn up one day in a speeding car and say, 'They've got Miis - do something!' It wasn't like that at all; it was something that fell into place over a period of time." But was that period of time really the year the Xbox 360 was on the market before Wii's arrival? We're not sure we're willing to swallow the red pill on that one.%Gallery-31705%
Hudson just can't make up its mind about Bomberman Blast
Click for bigger image Okay, first of all, there are new screens for the upcoming WiiWare title. Hit them up in our gallery below, then come back here, because we're got some things we need to discuss. Back? Good. Okay, to clarify: Bomberman Blast, the WiiWare title for download and not the retail disc, will feature Mii support and 8-person online multiplayer (up to four players can go online on the same Wii) and is officially on its way to North America. We know we told you something else before regarding the Mii stuff, but the press release that literally just landed into our inbox tells another story. So expect this to be one content-rich download.And on top of those details, Hudson also let us know that they'll be offering online tournaments. In fact, one will even coincide with the release of the game (which is due out in Japan this fall)!%Gallery-18349%[Via press release]
Who put 'Wii Music' in my Guitar Hero?
Hoping to somehow diminish our aversion to the sight of Miis playing musical instruments, Vicarious Visions is working the user-created, er ... "avatars" into the Wii version of Guitar Hero World Tour in a so-called unique way. In an interview with IGN, the developer explained how the recently revealed Mii mode, known as "Mii Freestyle," will work.Using the guitar or drumkit peripherals (or, if you're crazy so inclined, the Wiimote and Nunchuck for "air drumming") the mode lets you and a friend jam in a variety of music genres, laying down single notes, chords, and beats as you wish. According to Vicarious Visions, it'll all sound good because, well, it's programmed to clean up what you do. Take that, years of practice! [Via Wii Fanboy]
Guitar Hero's Mii Freestyle mode explained
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Guitar_Hero_s_Mii_Freestyle_Mode_Explained'; Vicarious Visions has confirmed that Guitar Hero: World Tour on the Wii will have not only all of the content found in the other versions, including DLC, but it will also have an exclusive "Mii Freestyle" mode, which we first heard about yesterday. But it goes beyond just having Miis in the normal Guitar Hero game.Mii Freestyle mode is actually an exclusive game mode in which players can create music on the fly using Guitar Hero guitars and drums -- or the Wiimote and Nunchuk as air drums, Wii Music-style, if they want to for some reason. The instruments lay down predetermined notes or sequences onto the familiar Guitar Hero note chart according to the style of music chosen. It's sort of a jamming version of the Music Studio found in the game. Vicarious Visions' David Nathanielsz calls the mode "a helpful bridge between the core game and the Music Studio in Guitar Hero: World Tour for Wii owners."The Wii World Tour, then, has all of the features of the other versions, plus a new exclusive mode. The only thing the other systems have on it now is graphics, which matter very little in a music game. Barring accidental monaural sound output or something, the Wii version will now be the superior version. Take that, Rock Band!%Gallery-23491% I want to read about Guitar Hero all ni-i-ight, and eat Guitar Hero cake!
GC 2008: Miis to rock out in Guitar Hero: World Tour
The Wii version of upcoming Guitar Hero: World Tour just got a bit more unique. The title will apparently include Mii support, allowing those of you who don't want to go through the pain of modeling yourself in the custom character creator to still get your likeness into the game. No other details about the Mii implementation are available right now, sadly, but we're sure they'll shed some light on it soon enough.For those of you that don't get the joke in the image above, be sure to head past the break for a brief explanation.%Gallery-23491%
Wii Transfer updated for Mii capture
Making cartoon avatars of yourself is hard work, and nobody wants to redo all that tweaking when you've got a perfectly good doppelganger sitting right there on your Wii console... with no good way to get it off the TV and onto your Mac. What a drag! Good thing there's the new version 2.6 of Wii Transfer, the Swiss Army Knife of Mac-Wii connection tools, to the rescue.Aside from the headline feature of copying your Miis to your Mac as JPEG images (which requires a bit of fancy dancing with Bluetooth and the Wii controller, but it's doable), the new version adds support for most popular movie formats, improved movie playback with random timeline access, selection of specific iTunes playlists for streaming access, and more. For $19, you can get a long way towards turning your Wii into a low-budget Apple TV.
Microsoft: 'Miis didn't influence Avatars. Honest. No, really.'
What's that you say? Microsoft's new Avatars system for the Xbox 360 is just a rip-off of Nintendo's Miis? Poppycock and slander! Microsoft man John Schappert has explained to MCV that Avatars are merely a natural development of Microsoft's online strategy. Like, obviously."It'd be remiss to say that we don't enjoy playing on the other systems and we have a lot of respect for the work that Miyamoto-san and Nintendo do," remarked Schappert, warming up for a "but," "but I think it's a logical extension of our Gamercard, Gamertag and Achievements." Commence reverse peristalsis!Schappert's denial is kind of predictable, as nobody will ever be able to absolutely prove just how much Miis influenced Avatars. With Schappert's beloved Miyamoto admitting to being "quite flattered" by Avatars, we have a hunch about what Nintendo might think.
E308: Miyamoto 'flattered' by Microsoft Avatars
Shigeru Miyamoto played the role of diplomat to perfection when IGN asked for his views on Microsoft's (plainly Mii-influenced) Avatars. The Nintendo guru claims he found the nabbing of his personalized, blobby creations to be "quite flattering," and then went on to suggest that "the basic ideas behind those two different systems are different, and because of that I think they will probably develop in different ways."Way to stay on the fence, Shiggy. We like to think he was privately fuming inside.
Microsoft giving the Xbox 360 a totally new Dashboard
Microsoft just announced at E3 that they'll be giving the Xbox 360 a total software overhaul this fall. "When people turn on their Xbox 360s this fall, they'll get an entirely new interface and Dashboard, an entirely new Xbox through the magic of software," said John Schappert, head of Live services. New features will include those fancy new Mii-like 3D Avatars, a new emphasis on community with IM, video chat, and photo sharing, along with a brand new 3D slide interface for the main Dashboard screen. Avatars will be integrated into your GamerCard, but you can also create a "Live party" and invite your friends, with as many as 8 of your three dimensional homies hanging out at once -- though you're not hanging out in an actual 3D environment. You can use your avatar in certain Live Arcade games like Uno, and even in third party titles such as the upcoming Scene It? title. It sounds like Microsoft is taking cues from the Wii, Sony's Home and Facebook all in one fell swoop, not bad at all.%Gallery-27576%
A new you with NuYu, but don't forget about Mii
If the current you isn't really working out, why not try a Mii? If the Mii just doesn't cut it, you'll want another you. A new you. A ... NuYu?As an alternative to the Mii system everyone knows and loves, Data Design Interactive has decided to come up with their own unique character creator. Officially titled NuYu Editor, it lets you build little buddies to play with -- exclusively in Data Design's range of Popcorn Arcade games. The first game to include the editor will be Crazy Mini Golf, which looks to be a pretty solid casual fun-fest.NuYu has the usual stuff for building a boppy lil' gamer -- hair, eyes, glasses, makeup -- and the screens in our gallery appear to be pretty comprehensive with more options than the standard Mii creator. Is that a good thing? We can't pretend the NuYus in the gallery look all that great, whereas some Miis look outrageously cool. In any case, the NuYus have no impact on gameplay, and if a Popcorn Arcade game comes your way there might be a few worthy little critters just waiting to be created by your artistic genius.%Gallery-27275%[Via press release]
Wii Warm Up: Mii Maker
We used to make a lot of Miis, and solicit Miis from you guys, too. Lately, however, we've hardly touched our big-headed avatars. When was the last time you made a Mii, and what was it? Do you enjoy Mii challenges, or has that ship sailed for you?
Jawa turns your Mii into a caveman
Back in November, Famitsu posted a scan of Jawa: The Mammoth and the Mysterious Stone, which left detail junkies like us wanting more. Aside from the game sounding a bit like Tail of the Sun, the screens seemed unimpressive and bare.As it turns out, though, Jawa includes an attractive feature -- assuming, of course, that your Mii is attractive, since you'll be able to dress him or her in caveman gear. You can also use your Mii to explore and wander about the game's 3D world.While the complete disinterest that Sting seems to have for Jawa doesn't bode well for the game (which releases in Japan on July 3rd), it sounds like it could be a fun Harvest Moon-like title. Instead of growing crops, though, you hunt prehistoric animals, chill out with dinosaurs, build pots, and other such activities. Can such a cute idea really go so wrong? Probably, but we hope this one surprises us.[Via Siliconera]
Rumor: "Avatars" are Microsoft's take on Mii's?
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Rumor_Avatars_are_Microsoft_s_take_on_Mii_s_and_Home'; Well, well, well, what have we here? Looks like we're finally getting some real evidence that Microsoft really does have some sort of response to Nintendo's Miis on the way. It's been rumored for some time now and the above shot of the linked flash page seems to portend the end of the rumors. Giving the rumor more credibility is that the information contained in the image, supposedly taken from an online survey, conforms to details recently given to Joystiq by a trusted source. These "Xbox Avatars" certainly look to do everything that Miis do and more. Taking into account that Microsoft doesn't seem too troubled by the rest of the year, this, along with the rumored "Newton" controller, could possibly be what they're betting the farm on. Hmm ... E3 should sure be interesting this year ...[Thanks Mighty Healthy]
Barack rocks the Check Mii Out channel
Not only does Barack Obama appear on an occasional DS system and fight John McCain in Pokémon-like battles, but apparently his Mii is quite the popular avatar. On the Check Mii Out channel, it's one of the top fifty most popular, proudly standing next to Batman. The Mii's skill, aptly enough, is listed as "Speeches."Unfortunately, thanks to the oft unkind initialing system on the Check Mii Out channel, Obama is designated as "B.O." So, fess up -- how many of you have B.O. on your Wiis?[Via Game Politics]
Five quick Wii Fit factoids
At long last, Wii Fit hit shelves in the U.S. this week, bringing with it the sleek new Balance Board. Seldom have I been so interested in a game; usually, one has something of an idea what to expect. But trying Wii Fit is an experience that videos just can't quite get across. How does it feel? What's it like to really stand there on the board? After lingering over the unboxing -- which you can check out in the gallery below -- it was time to readjust the living room and get in the game. The baby daddy decided to play along, and serve as guinea pig and unboxing assistant. After a little time with the title, a few things became abundantly clear ....%Gallery-23454%
Nintendo joins the rest of the world in not welcoming Hitler
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Nintendo_joins_the_rest_of_the_world_in_not_welcoming_Hitler'; "No online racing for you!' That's the message Nintendo is sending to Mario Kart Wii owners hoping to race their Hitler Miis on its Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.Any attempt to bring a Mii sharing the German dictator's name online for Mario Kart Wii will be met with the following error: "You cannot access Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection using this Mii name. Please change your Mii name and try again." Presumably, you should still be able to race with a Mii bearing Hitler's likeness while using a different name. You know, if drifting through Moo Moo Meadows as the architect of the Holocaust is your idea of fun.According to initial tests, Joseph Stalin, Benito Mussolini, and several other dictator jerks are not currently banned. Really, though, when was the last time you ran into someone using a Mii of Robert Mugabe.
Shadowbane dev studio to create MMO for the Wii
Here's a weird Venn diagram for you: those of you who remember Shadowbane with fondness and also love the Nintendo Wii will be totally excited about this piece of news. Stray Bullet, the Austin, Texas MMO developer, have announced that they're working on a new MMO. At the same time, they've posted a few openings on Gamasutra's JobSeeker board, one for a Senior Programmer for an un-named Wii project, and the other for a Gameplay Programmer for an MMO project. Neither posting mentions the other, but chances are, they're for the same project. Really, there's no bad time for wild speculation, so let's get the ball rolling! We're envisioning, obviously enough, actual hack and slash combat with the nunchuk and wiimote. Maybe crafting might take on a whole new dimension with the use of the motion-sensing abilities of the Wii. Maybe it'll be a massively Mii experience! Whatever's coming down the pike, we'll keep our ears to the ground for more info. With this on the way, can the Animal Crossing MMO be far behind? Hey ... what're the odds that this is the Animal Crossing MMO?
Mytopia reinvents Yahoo! Games for the MySpace generation
Are casual, social games the wave of the future? In years to come, will we lovers of the swinging sword, the flashing fireball and the gigantic gun be left reminiscing about the "good old days" as we sign on for another evening of massively multiplayer bingo? The makers of Mytopia took a look into their crystal ball, saw the success of MySpace and Facebook and casual-game havens like Popcap, Yahoo! and Neopets and said, "These great tastes... would taste great together!"Thus was born Mytopia, a Flash-based virtual world where you can create your own super-deformed avatar (like Wii's Miis) and play popular board and card games with people from around the world, build friends lists, send email, and gamble away virtual money challenging other players to backgammon, chess, Sudoku and several other similar games. It works not only as a standalone web site, but also as an application you can install in Facebook, MySpace or Bebo. No matter how you arrive in Mytopia, though, you'll be able to play with everyone else -- there's only one game world shared by all.Mytopia has a cheerful art style, bouncy music, and well-rendered board games. What it does not have, though, is bloody avatar fights in the Battledome. Come on. Even Neopets has that.[Via Techcrunch]
Mii wedding invitation is 'silly and lame,' also 'kind of cute'
So says 4 Color Rebellion's Vinnk, who recently sent out the pictured wedding invitation and profound declaration of geekiness to his friends, family and co-workers. Not only a testament of the Nintendo Wii's perversion pervasion throughout mainstream culture, the cheery avatar Mii-arriage also reveals Kevin's fellow knot tyer to be quite the sporting bride. The groom even managed to sneak in a "Wife get!" gag on the back of the invitation.Congratulations, Kevin, it looks like you've found the right woman for you. Mind you, if it was our marriage, we would have probably gone for "Miisako." Um, not that we'll ever get married. Or even meet a nice girl.....Just leave us alone, okay?!
Mii Jesus advertises for Easter services
The Mii. At the rate it's going, we're sure it'll be Time's Person of the Year or something soon. And the church is starting to get that popularity, apparently, as a Jesus Mii is being used to advertise Easter Sunday services for the Mission Bay Community Church.The church itself is located in the San Francisco area and, to our knowledge, the first of its kind to actually be hip to what the kids think is, well ... hip. Kudos to the church on finding a smart way to advertise their services.For all of you celebrating Easter today, we hope you have a safe and happy holiday.[Via Joystiq]
