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Capcom embraces Mega Man's 'milking,' asks for full Mega Man games list
We have to chuckle when the Capcom blog upon recognizing Mega Man holds the Guiness record for "Most Number of Games In a Single Series," admits that the franchise has been "milked like no other milking in the history of video game milkings!"The Guinness World Record Gamer's Edition recognizes 46 Mega Man games, but the Capcom blog adds several more that were Japan-only or very much off the beaten path (Mega Man Soccer?). Capcom is actually asking for help in figuring out all the Mega Man games (not counting appearances in other titles). Whoever lists them all on the Capcom site first gets a "semi-official Capcom gold star of complementarianism" and "some kinda random prize." Good luck!
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith announced, GHIII getting 'Dream On' for free
In an announcement that may just usurp the throne from Electronic Arts as the king of milking franchises, Activision has announced plans for a new Guitar Hero title, casting aside the franchise's reputation for offering a wide breadth of rocking tracks in favor of highlighting a single band -- Aerosmith. The news echoes comments made by guitarist Joe Perry last year regarding the series' next installment, at which time he said that the next Guitar Hero game would be dedicated to the band's music. The announcement comes following Activision's promise earlier this month to return to the well this year, with the newly announced Guitar Hero: Aerosmith currently expected to ship to retail in June with Neversoft handling the game for the Xbox 360 and PS3, and Vicarious Visions taking care of development on the Wii. Details remain nonexistent concerning what tracks we can expect to make the cut, with guitarist Joe Perry commenting only that the title is "based on the diversity of the Aerosmith catalog." With a game dedicated to one -- and only one -- band, we have to assume that whatever songs do find their way onto the disc, they'll be master tracks (they better be).And if June seems to far off for those of you hugging your Steven Tyler doll while staring at the Pump tour poster on the wall, Activision has announced plans to release the band's 1973 power ballad 'Dream On' as a download for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of GHIII (Sorry Wii owners, but you knew what you were getting into). The song will be free from February 16-18, so get it while it's hot!
Command & Conquer Saga: the most complete collection since the last one
Command & Conquer: The First Decade, EA's comprehensive celebration of all things C&C, packed a lot of value into one box set, offering all 12 games and expansions spanning the series' ten-year existence. The compilation seemed to be all a C&C fan could ask for, though not according to EA, as the company has strangely announced plans to revisit the set less than two years later with Command & Conquer Saga, adding this year's Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars on top of everything else included in The First Decade.But why stop there? At $50, Saga will admittedly include a lot for players' hard earned credits, but we have to wonder if subsequent C&C games will be likewise bundled into new, even more comprehensive packages shortly after their solo debut. With Tiberium Wars set to suffer Kane's Wrath in early 2008, we fully expect yet another collection to follow in short order. Mark your calendars for Command & Conquer: The Whole Enchilada for release in time for the 2009 holiday rush.
Air Combat: new Tom Clancy franchise takes to the skies
With Ubisoft's EndWar still months from release, the company has once again pulled at Tom Clancy's supple teat, announcing Tom Clancy's Air Combat, the latest game to be counted among the longstanding military action brand's ranks. Promising to take it all skyward, Air Combat is being handled by Ubisoft's Bucharest studio, the folks behind Blazing Angels as well as, of all things, Chessmaster XI. The aerial combat is expected to ship in 2008 for unspecified consoles and PC.We don't know much about the game at this point, though Ubisoft's managing director hints at the game's online focus, stating that the company is confident that Air Combat will be "an instant online multiplayer hit." Like other Tom Clancy games, Air Combat will be set in the near future, as players will fly a variety of jet fighters, complete with hi-tech piloting assistance to help players shoot down bad guys. In addition, as players get better at the game, Ubisoft notes that they'll be able to shed the assistance, no doubt offering more challenge for seasoned flyboys. I feel the need, the need for speed!
Cow milking robots
Swedish company DeLaval specializes in "cow comfort" products including the Voluntary Milking System. You see, a cozy independent cow is a happy cow and that makes for an increase in milk yield, dig? The VMS is powered by embedded Linux 2.4.18 running on an AMD Geode GX1 200MHz processor - a single system can milk a herd of 60 cows three times a day. This gives farmers more time to kick back, relax and presumably drunk-milk their friends and pets. When the cow feels the need, she enters the stall where a laser and photo-sensor guided robotic arm searches for, cleans, and then milks each of the four teats. Milk flow, quantity and time is monitored and compared to historical data as early indicators of illness or injury. Be sure to check out the vids for plenty of hot lactating bovine action.
