ProMotion
Latest
MI6 teaser: World of ColbertCraft?
Stephen Colbert (the 't' is silent) has made a minor contribution to the MI6 conference, taking place June 27th and 28th in San Francisco, Ca. In the teaser, Colbert announces the release of World of ColbertCraft. The game promises to be more popular that his last title, Stephen Colbert's Escape from Skateboard Mountain. However, as Colbert explains, "for cost reasons, [WoCC] also takes place on Skateboard Mountain." Colbert adds that "on the Nintendo Wii, you can use the controller to wag my finger." All the clips seem to have been spliced together quickly; 1UP asserts that the full video will be up on Monday. The MI6 conference is a game marketing event. It has no relation, unfortunately, to the United Kingdom secret service agency formerly known as MI6.See Also:Jon Stewart blasts Congress' ignorance towards video games
Chicago signing for Uematsu, Aki, & Roth tonight
Are you in Chicago tonight for the big PLAY! concert tomorrow, but weren't willing to shell out $125 for the VIP meet-and-greet at the event? Well, you might be in luck (even if you're not attending), as a few famous folks from the concert will be on hand to sign autographs in Chicago proper for free tonight.From 7 to 9 PM (presumably Central time) at the Tower Records store on 2301 N. Clark St., Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu, bilingual songstress Angela Aki (who wrote and sang the theme song for FFXII), and Principal Conductor and Music Director of PLAY! Arnie Roth will be signing autographs to promote the world-tour premiere of 'PLAY! A Video Game Symphony' and the CD for More Friends - Music from FINAL FANTASY.While this blogger is sadly occupied with prior engagements tonight, gamers in the area are more than welcome to mob that Tower Records and cause the store's employees much consternation and bewilderment. If you don't have any imported CDs to sign, however, don't fret: the store's web site claims to have "some awesome Japanese imports available for you to purchase and have autographed at the event." Not only that, Angela Aki will be performing live as well. Score! Anybody wanna tell us how this evening turns out when it's all sung and done?[Via The Daily Northwestern; image culled from Angela Aki's blog, Nobuo Uematsu's Squenix profile, and Arnie Roth's 2005 interview with IGN]See also: Official page for Tower Clark Street (with details on the signing) Ticketmaster site for the PLAY! concert debut tomorrow Sonic and Chrono composers to join PLAY! in Chicago
Apple promoting podcasting to businesses
ClickZ is reporting on an email that is making its way around the business world. It's from Apple, and is promoting the benefits of podcasting. According to the article, the email says:"Promoting your business just got easier. Create a podcast with GarageBand, post it to iTunes in minutes, and reach customers, clients, and partners in a whole new way. Chefs are sharing recipes. Maternity store owners are giving the lowdown on diaper bags. And other professionals are airing business discussions, marketing new products and services, and keeping people informed."Call it a cash grab (buy iPods! Get your customers to buy them, too!), but I've seen it work. I know someone who was working for a dance company that was in dire straights financially. A podcast that preceded and outlined shows and museum exhibits did wonders.[Via ifoAppleStore]
Speling error mars Diamond Card launch
No, reading the Obivion manual by the dull glow of an HDTV hasn't given you late onset dyslexia. The spell check monkeys at Microsoft somehow missed a typo on many of the Xbox Live Diamond Cards hitting mailboxes this week. This is why they shouldn't let upper management do the proof reading. The saving grace here is that THRU isn't a real word to begin with. By the way, I've never had this problem with my American Express Black Card.[Thanks Tim]
Xbox 360 Water Balloon Challenge
Australian gamers may be pissed that they have to wait longer and pay more for just about everything, but at least they get to take out their aggression in a massive Microsoft-sponsored water balloon fight that recreates the famous Xbox 360 commercial. The event is schedule for April 22 on Coogee Beach in Sydney. It costs $20 Australian to register, but you get an "Xbox 360 Challenge Pack" (worth over $150!) including a 360 game (Kameo, PGR3 or PDZ), a commemorative T-shirt, trucker cap, swimming goggles, sweatband and canvas bag to haul your loot. The goal is to break the world record set by 2,677 Spaniards who tossed 50,855 water balloons in 2005. $5 of each entry fee goes to the Coogee Beach Surf Club, who hopefully aren't tasked with picking up the busted water balloons. You knew that if MS put enough marketing types in a room together, eventually they would come up with an appropriate Aussie promotion (however environmentally questionable) that might take the edge off that frustrating four month delay. For the first time, Down Under 360 fanboys are getting soaked literally instead of figuratively.Note to our Southern Hemisphere readers who may get to attend this thing: Remember to send us your pics and try not to get hit in the face.
Xbox Ambassadors share the love
"Xbox Ambassadors" have received their welcome emails from Microsoft in preparation for the first "Free Xbox Live Gold" promotion this weekend. As the Madeline Albrights of the Xbox 360 community, Ambassadors are expected hold hands and speak slowly as they guide confused Newbs through those first intimidating steps into the scary world that is Xbox Live:What we'd like from you is that you spend some time on Xbox Live during the Gold Weekend. Please clear some space on your friends list for new friends. Take some time to chat and play games with the new gamers, answer questions that you feel comfortable answering; otherwise refer questions to Xbox.com. PR person for a day! Who could pass that up? And no, telling a pupal player that shaking his console will improve graphic performance is not part of the program. This reminds me of the well-meaning dorks who used to give campus tours at my university. Would you have benefited from an Xbox Ambassador, or is the concept just a little too Mr. Rogers for your elitist geek taste? [Thanks Jaemz]
