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The first "Wii ambassador" event
The first of the "Wii Ambassadors" has had their party, and the invitee has written a blow-by-blow runthrough of the event. Though absolutely no recording device of any kind were allowed (seriously...he was actually frisked), he still manages to paint a crystal-clear picture; that is, a picture of awesome. From the last-second delivery of the rendezvous point to the van ride with the taped-over windows, and the absolute chaos of the party itself, it's a hell of a read.Particularly impressive to him were the two new additions to Wii Sports: Bowling and Boxing. Does anyone else think that two player Punch-Out-like boxing action with the Wiimote is heaven on Earth?
Wii "ambassadors" receive gifts
Nintendo is trying a different approach to some early Wii marketing. In major urban areas throughout the country, Nintendo is holding private parties for "ambassadors", whom they have personally selected, and a whole crapload of their friends. We're not sure whether the ambassadors were randomly chosen, but we doubt it. (Where the heck were our invites, Nintendo?) In any case, the ambassadors recently received a mysterious package in their mailboxes. What was inside? A ridiculously hot, super-amazing black DS Lite, as well as a cardboard Wiimote mock-up personally signed by Reggie Fils-Aime himself. The ambassador in Miami took some pics, which can be seen here. There's also one in Chicago who's giving away two free tickets to some hardcore Chicagamers (yeah, we just made that up) willing to meet him in some shady location. Also of note is the date of the event (September 29th) and an excerpt from the back of the cardboard Wiimote: "The event will occur several weeks before Wii launches..." This is probably the strongest evidence we've seen for a late October launch. Seriously, rendezvous points? Whole vans, spiriting away gamers to some secret Fortress de Nintendo? Next time, Reggie, sign us up as well.
djay - a "groundbreaking" audio application
djay, as you can see, is a "groundbreaking" new audio app that offers a slew DJ-oriented features to get your party started, including: Real-time audio mix transmission over Bonjour network Real-time audio mix recording iTunes Integration Automatic artwork image loading on both turntables Time-Stretching Pitch-Shifting with amazing blend effect Audio Unit Effects Support Pre-Cueing (requires multichannel sound card) Crossfade automation Magnetic tempo slider for precise beat matching GarageBand instruments integration via network AppleScriptability for mixing automation and a whole lot more. Seriously, I had to whittle out quite a bit from djay's feature list just to fit these key points into the post. I'm not a DJ myself, but checking this out sure makes me wish I was.All these features come in (what looks like) a slick package for the low, low price of $0; in fact, I can't even find a donation link at the product's site, algoriddim.net (clever). If any more DJ-capable TUAW readers check this out, please share a few words of your wisdom with the rest of the class.[via digg]
GamerTag Radio XBLA party
Miami-based GamerTag Radio threw an Xbox Live Arcade party Friday night to celebrate their nomination in 2006 Podcast People's Choice Awards. Follow the link for a special edition of their show, along with pics and video of the event. While you're at it, stop by PodcastAwards.com and give Godfree and crew a vote for consistently putting together the web's best (and only) Latin-flavored Hip-Hop Xbox podcast.
Confirmed: Crash Bandicoot coming to Wii
At one point, Crash Bandicoot was the closest thing Sony had to a true mascot for their system. Over the years, as our favorite marsupial's popularity has waned, he's made appearances on several other systems, including Nintendo's own DS. At a recent demonstration for Crash Boom Bang!, a party title for the DS, a Vivendi spokesperson confirmed that the company has plans to bring the series to the Wii.Although unconfirmed, the spokesperson seemed to imply that the Wii title would also be a party-style game. Vivendi is planning for a 2007 release.
Get pizza, music, and 1000 MS points, free!
Microsoft is hosting one helluva party. Well, to be specific, lots of parties. In celebration of the Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays promotion, Microsoft wants you to throw an Arcade Party. What's more, they'll even give you everything you need: a pizza from Papa John's, free music downloads, and 1000 MS points to download Arcade titles. In return Microsoft wants pictures of your party and an explanation of what you did. Did you turn Frogger into a drinking game? Did one guy eat all the pizza before yakking it up on your 360? You get the idea.If you'd like to throw an Arcade party on Microsoft's tab, hit them up at: xlmail@microsoft.com with "Arcade Party" in the subject line. I have no idea how many of these they're giving away so, good luck.Note to self: turn Frogger into drinking game.[Thanks, TxdoHawk]
Third party games for 40 bucks?
A forum post discussing the recent Nintendo management briefing is stating that third party titles on the Wii would be releasing for $40 a pop. With the already established low development costs of working with the Wii, this is a believable rumor. If this were to turn out true, we could see Nintendo's first party titles selling for $50, which would make not only the hardware more affordable than the competition, but also the software, adding more fuel to the flame of thrifty thrills that the Wii is generating. So I know I won't have to break my piggy bank to get the console, but let's hope I won't have to for a few games either.[Via iBloggedThis; Thanks yon!]
Drinktrain
What better way for a group of tireless Apple code monkeys to relax after a week of hard work than to get smashed on the train ride home? According Drinktrain, not much. Thus, a tradition consisting of just that seems to have emerged from within Cupertino. Most Friday evenings, the last car on the CalTrain from Mountain View to San Francisco can be found chock full of inebriated Apple employees partying it up to such themes as: Chuck Norris Train, Snakes on a Mothaf*ckin Train, and my personal favorite; Mac OS X Pirate Localization Train. According to our anonymous source, Drinktrain participants get away with their shenanigans due to the fact that there is no open-container law that applies to CalTrain vehicles. By far the juiciest tid-bit of information in the official wiki is the fact that Drinktrain is continuously looking for new blood, even if it comes from those who don't work at the shiny white mother-ship. Who's up for some locomotive lunacy!?
"I Hate You, E3," declares Escapist writer
Okay, so maybe not hate completely.The eye-catching title of an essay from the latest installment of The Escapist puts the emphasis on the negative aspect of the love-hate relationship many industry vets have with E3, but there's surprisingly a lot of love for the trade show here, even if you don't subscribe to the hardened "I hate E3 because I love it" theory of convention devotion.While the Joystiq staff hasn't been to quite as many E3s as the founder of the International Game Journalists Association (IGJA), we can certainly empathize with the world-weariness that might accumulate after years of weeklong death- press-marches and working in overcrowded, sensory-overloaded spaces. We just hope our love of the game(s) will stay with us as it has for Mr. Thomas, whether we're watching from home or working the show floor in person in post-apocalyptic L.A. The parties will be sure to be awesome.See also: Joystiq at E3 2006 mega-site The Escapist's big E3 issue this week, with references within to Joystiq's Paris Hilton story and some E3 party pics orig. from Joystiq The Game of Journalism -- the IGJA's official web site
Webzen: a lot of fuss for one release
One MMO company definitely wants to get noticed at this E3. Webzen's booth is big, almost as large as nearby THQ and Activision, and they're putting on a show for the crowds. With dancing booth babes, a loud emcee and armour-clad models -- as well as plastering all the cafeteria tables with ads -- Webzen's attack on the Western world is well and truly here. Of Webzen's three games being shown at E3, only one is out in the near future -- Huxley. Soul of the Ultimate Nation will make its way to the U.S. in 2007 (no word of an European release), and Project Wiki is slated for a Korea-only release at the moment. So why the big fuss? Webzen believe that in Huxley they have the tools to break into the Western market, and make a name for themselves worldwide. The joint Xbox 360/PC release is at once a risk and an adventure for them -- and they want gamers to sit up and pay attention to it.
Chili Pepper listening parties to be held at Apple Stores
It's great to see that when the Peppers (finally) decide to commit to something, they really dive in: iLounge is reporting that on May 2nd at 6:30 pm local time, Apple Stores in the U.S., Canada and UK will hold listening parties for the band's new album, Stadium Arcadium, set to land on May 9th. The stores will play all 28 songs from the new album and will be giving away a limited number of iTunes cards so fans can download the new single, "Dani California" (iTMS link). Let's also not forget that pre-ordering the new album enters you into a contest for a logo-engraved, 60 GB Chili Peppers iPod, and gives you access to a Ticketmaster pre-sale for the band's North American tour.
Everlan
Jonesing for that rare murloc pet? Wish there was some kind of LAN based competition to compete in for WoW? Guess what... There is!Everlan is a LANparty in Denver CO that hosts 500-600 gamers and they are being sponsored by Blizzard. They have a whole slew of WoW competition lined up for party goers, including scavenger hunts, leveling races, and other in-game competitions. Makes me wish I lived in Denver :P.Kudos to these guys, I know it was a challange to throw a 120 person party, so I tip my hat to them for their 500-600 gamers!
