tie-ins
Latest
Publishers: Movie tie-in games don't need critical acclaim
While publishers may unleash the PR hounds over some games, apparently they aren't so concerned when it comes to movie tie-in titles. MCV spoke with several company representatives behind this year's movie-licensed cash-ins, revealing the opinion that megaplex titles are enjoyed by fans of the film and reviews don't really matter.Activision Blizzard's head of marketing, David Tyler, notes that many licensed titles are targeted at kids, who really don't pay attention to scores. He believes success or failure depends on how fun a game is, and that game ratings are largely the concern of an older target audience. Meaning, if there was a movie tie-in game for The Bucket List, chances are, the publisher would make sure it's amazing.
Blizz posts overpriced ringtones, wallpapers
It's not an iPhone Armory app, but Blizzard did release some official content for your mobile phones. They've set up a mobile.blizzard.com site, at which you can buy wallpapers and ringtones from WoW and the other Blizz franchises. At this point, you're probably asking yourself one question: can I get a murloc gurgle ringtone? The answer, thankfully, is yes. Yes you can. (Though I can't guarantee it's a good idea.) There is a big catch: the ringtones are priced at $2.99 each. Yikes. I know ringtones are big business, and I know Blizz is all about the tie-ins, but this is foolishness. Who would pay this over recording an MP3 and sending it to their phone? The wallpapers are $1.99, which is equally dumb for something I could just as easily screenshot off Blizz's concept art pages and email to my phone. Also I can't find the USA or Canada on the list of countries; it seems, at least at the moment, that these are not available here. It's a shame that these are so oddly expensive, and that they're not even available in the US, because some of them are pretty well-done. It would be awesome to play the WoW intro theme when my guildies text me to go raid. I guess I'll just have to make my own ringtone for it.
Much a dew about nothing
How disappointing it was to discover this Xbox-360 branded Mountain Dew tanker truck wasn't really filled with sugary green liquid. Apparently, avoiding the extra hauling weight helps them save on gas.
South Park kids love slurs, wired controllers
In a product placement coupe sure to please the Microsoft marketing department (and anyone with a zest for ethnic humor), the Xbox 360 makes an appearance on South Park. Xbox-Scene provides screen grabs and a capsule summary:The episode, titled "Tsst", tells the story when Cartman's mom realizes she can't control her son anymore, she gets help from an expert. Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer" takes on the challenge and while he might have what it takes, Eric Cartman's not going down without a fight.Of course, a perpetually winter-clothed and construction paper cut-out like Cartman would have a Core System (note the wired controllers), though he apparently sprang for a USB hub—and a "Fony"-brand TV.[Thanks GP2S]
