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Production Chevy Volt interior and exterior spy shots leaked?
We've seen GM's carefully managed Volt PR campaign, but that hasn't stopped our friends at AutoBlogGreen from combing the net for a better look, resulting in these apparent snaps of the center console and the production exterior rolling along the set of Transformers 2. The shiny, rounded all white center console with touch sensitive interface? You're probably thinking what we're thinking. At least the exterior shot -- which shows off a "Volt" badge on the A-pillar -- is a bit more clear. Of course, this might just be a movie-only iteration and any number of things could change before those batteries get out of Malibus and into proper rolling stock... but we'll just sit back and keep our fingers crossed, at least until 2010.Read - Chevy Volt InteriorRead - Chevy volt Exterior
Transformers: The Movie: The Game: The Sale
The Transformers DS games got good-to-great reviews, which is unusual for a licensed game. In fact, Activision's DS games could be considered better than the movie, because they actually have Transformers in them, unlike Michael Bay's awkward teenage comedy with occasional background robots.In case you missed Amazon's Gold Box deal back in April, the retailer has put Transformers: Autobots back on sale for $10. After today, the listing will instantly transform back into a full-priced game, but for now it's in the shape of a pretty good deal!
Transformers on Blu-ray revealed and dated
After all the drama with Michael Bay threatening to drop out of Transformers 2 because Transformers wasn't released on Blu-ray, we thought you guys would like to know the movie is finally coming out on Blu-ray September 2nd. The date was announced a while back, but now we have the box-art and details concerning the release. The box-art looks more or less like the DVD/HD-DVD releases, but Blu-ray will have an additional feature of Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround audio that was missing from the HD-DVD release. Other features include audio commentary with Michael Bay, two four-part documentaries, a featurette, still gallery and trailers. It will also be BD-Live-enabled with details to be announced later.
Rumors: Touch-sensitive Guitar Hero guitar, tons of new Spidey games, Bill Nye and more!
Xbox 360 Fanboy found some super secret info about Microsoft's plans for a Mii-like avatar on the site of market survey firm Intellisponse. The X3F story was posted on NeoGAF, whose members then began messing around with the Intellisponse URL. And that's when Internet Magic happened. A wealth of unannounced Microsoft, Activision, and Disney games were revealed in .swf files containing game descriptions.Some of these are clearly just pitches -- see the five million Spidey games -- but given the evidence of Ultimate Band (which we already knew about), some of them are definitely on the way. There aren't any massive megatons like the Xbox got, but unannounced games are always news! Until they're announced! We're marking it all as rumor for now, because we don't know what's real, what's proposed, and what could be some kind of elaborate trap!The site has since been taken down, but we've got most of the text, and you can fill in the gaps with Joystiq's posts on the subject, as well as the NeoGAF thread. Kotaku has a roundup of the Spidey-related titles.The full list follows after the break. Highlights include a touch-sensitive Guitar Hero World Tour (referred to here as Guitar Hero IV) guitar, a Marvel Ultimate Alliance sequel, a Spidey game built around the Balance Board, and -- perhaps most exciting -- a Bill Nye the Science Guy science minigame collection. Weirdest of all, and least likely to be as exciting as it sounds, is Trioxide, some kind of system for playing Wii, PS3, and 360 games on the PC with their original controllers? Streaming video, maybe?
Rumor: Marketing website reveals new licensed games
After Xbox 360 Fanboy found some unreleased information on marketing firm Intellisponse's website, NeoGAFfers quickly figured out how to access more of their info (because it was a very simple process). As a result, Xbox 360 fans had a sort of impromptu E3 of rumors, videos, and news. The DS fallout from the release of Activision and Disney survey materials isn't quite as explosive, but it has enabled us to learn a bit about some planned or proposed new games from the companies. Unfortunately, the newly-"announced" DS games consist solely of licenses, from the expected (Transformers 2) to the sadly kind-of expected (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition) to ... what? (Gossip Girl). We've posted the full text about each game from the now-defunct site after the break.
VC Tuesday: We got a great big Comvoy
The only Virtual Console game going to Japan this week that isn't already available in the U.S. is Transformers: Convoy no Nazo, translated on the box as "Mystery of Comvoy." It may just supplant Urban Champion as the worst game on the VC. It's so awful that it's kind of adorable. It's so awful that Nintendo made a second Famicom game available to make up for it. Aside from the ironic enjoyment of Transformers, Japanese gamers can for-real enjoy the excellent Lords of Thunder. And they can react to the WiiWare release of TV Show King with mild interest. Transformers: Convoy no Nazo (Famicom, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points) Yoshi's Cookie (Famicom, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points) Winds of Thunder (Lords of Thunder) (PC Engine, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
Transformers Blu-ray edition gets detailed, confirmed for September launch
Check it, Blu-ray fans. That totally believable rumor about Transformers finally fitting into a BD sleeve was indeed accurate, and now we're starting to see the nitty-gritty details about what we can expect come September 2nd. For starters, the Blu-ray edition will feature a 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track as well as a 5.1 PCM uncompressed track to complement the obligatory 1080p transfer. We're also told to expect a trailer for the BD release of Iron Man, BD-Live content and a lengthy list of supplemental material -- all of which is expected to be in beautiful high-def. Tap the read link for the full list of extras, and start saving that $39.99 (or so) right now.[Thanks, Wii60Warrior]
Transformers 2-disc Blu-ray edition coming September 2?
The day Michael Bay and fans of Blu-ray and big robots have all been waiting for is September 2, according to advanced, inside information obtained by TVShowsonDVD.com. Last year's HD DVD blockbuster Transformers is finally coming to Blu-ray after last fall's exclusivity agreement fell by the wayside, in a 2-disc release described as "similar" to the previous version. Hopefully that means all HDi and internet connectivity features intact, with new bits added courtesy of 50GBs of storage space and BD-Live. We expect there should be, and with a majority of Blu-ray owners using PlayStation 3s, they may even surpass the HD DVD edition's 30% internet-connected rate.[Via Seibertron.com]
Here come Amazon's Gold Box deals [update 2]
Just a reminder to all you friendly folks in the U.S. -- Amazon is having crazy DS deals today. The retailer kicked off its Gold Box sales awesomely, offering Advance Wars: Days of Ruin for $16.99. If we don't say so ourselves, that is damn sweet. You have until 12am Pacific time to bite on this, but we recommend getting it sooner rather than later because we doubt supplies will last.As for the lightning deals, we've listed them here (with our guesses for ones that haven't been confirmed yet). Keep in mind, these are in Pacific time, and each deal lasts for four hours (assuming they don't go out of stock): 6am-10am: "Will you answer the call?" - Confirmed: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare for $18.99 10am-2pm: "Dazzle your unsuspecting friends with your magical prowess." - Confirmed: Master of Illusion for $14.99. 2pm-6pm: "Protect the Earth, destroy the invaders." - Confirmed: Tranformers: Autobots 6pm-10pm: "Your destiny awaits. Experience the power." - (Our guess: Naruto: Ninja Destiny) We suppose that with such an awesome "Deal of the Day," we can forgive Amazon for everything else being subpar. Keep in mind, though, that these are just our guesses. We'll update the post as other sales are confirmed.[Update 1: Master of Illusion was confirmed as the second lightning deal and was added to the post.][Update 2: Transformers: Autobots is the third lightning deal. And, would you look at that -- Master of Illusion sold out. Who would have thought?][Via CAG]
All Spark Cube gets turned into a talking USB hub
That USB missile launcher you had to have is one thing, but a giant 4 port USB hub in the likeness of the All Spark cube the Transformers movie? Did we mention it talks, spouting off classics like "We must protect the All Spark Cube," every time you plug in a device? This surely-authorized product will run you about $35 US, although the toll on your dignity may not be calculable.[Via Everything USB]
Upcoming MMO movies (and why they'll suck)
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/Upcoming_MMO_movies_and_why_they_ll_suck'; Dorothy Parker once said "The only 'ism' Hollywood believes in is plagiarism." While not technically plagiarism, the practice of mining popular properties of other media is a time-honored mainstay of Hollywood's. Why invent a new franchise when you can adapt one that already exists? Well, if we're talking about translating videogames to cinema, there are at least 3 reasons against that we can think of right away: Street Fighter: The Movie, Double Dragon, and Doom. Oh, and the entire body of work of Uwe Boll.With such a history of failure, why does Hollywood keep banking on videogames as good sources of material? Because it's always desperate for the next big hit, and adaptation is seen as being easier than originality, even though by now it's apparent that it's not quite as simple as it seems. An even better question is: why exactly don't these translations work? What is it about games that makes for poor films? Let's see if we can answer this question and assess the potential success/failure of some upcoming MMO movies.
Paramount officially Blu-ray (again)
Michael Bay can breathe easy, Paramount (Dreamworks included) has officially gone Blu-ray. Two and a half years after announcing itself purple, and exactly five months after becoming HD DVD exclusive, this move makes all six major Hollywood studios Blu. Don't make space for that Blu edition of Transformers in your DVD rack just yet, as the company plans to "monitor consumer adoption and determine our release plans accordingly", but with PS3 sales up and BD Live on the way, we can't imagine it will take very long. The Hollywood Reporter expects to see Universal and Paramount new releases hitting Blu-ray and DVD at the same time by late spring or early summer, when we can forget this whole thing ever happened -- unless of course you picked up an HD DVD player for Shrek, in which case we have a few ideas on what to do next.[Thanks to Robert and everyone who sent this in]
Two years of battle between HD DVD and Blu-ray: a retrospective
It's hard to believe it's actually over, but for more than two years we've followed what has come to be one of our favorite topics as Blu has faced Red in a battle to be the next physical home media format. In the end it came down to studio and consumer electronic industry support -- not to mention the PS3 -- but it was by no means an easy victory, and just because it was more popular than HD DVD, doesn't mean Blu-ray can win over the hearts of millions of DVD fans. But while we wait to see how well Blu-ray is adopted by the masses, we wanted to take a second to look back at how it all ended up working out. We'll start this story way back in the Summer of '05 where the talks to create a unified format broke down: this is the moment most of us realized we were in for some fun. Sure, this thing got started way before that, but we have to start somewhere and this is when it really began to get interesting. As HD DVD approached the BDA to join forces and demanded too many changes to the Blu-ray disc format, the BDA told them to pound sand.
Paramount's Transformers showing up in Blu-ray attire?
Per usual, we'd recommend not getting too riled up over this until it's proven definitively true or false, but considering that pallbearers actually hoisted up HD DVD's casket already this morning, maybe there's not too much sense in doubting. Nevertheless, an eagle-eyed Circuit City employee has apparently located Transformers in its internal database completely doused in Blu. You heard right -- a Blu-ray 2-disc edition of the Michael Bay flick is reportedly showing up with a UPC code different than the HD DVD version. 'Course, this really isn't quite as surprising today as it would've been yesterday -- you know, considering that BD and HD VMD are really the only options left for studios to run to -- but feel free to make of it what you will.[Thanks luvincharity and Kyle] %Gallery-16204%
Autobot flash drive probably isn't licensed, doesn't care
We know how you Transformers aficionados roll -- you'll spend your very last dollar just to ensure your collection stays complete. That being said, we'd probably recommend skipping right over this Autobot 1GB USB flash drive, unless you dig (likely) non-licensed gear cluttering up your pristine heap, that is. If you're still letting your heart cloud your mind, riddle us this: what legitimate piece of Transformers kit requires you to purchase 12?[Via Coolest-Gadgets]
Cartoon Network to enjoy huge TurnOut
Turner Entertainment, holder of the Cartoon Network brand, has announced its partnership with Outblaze Limited, a web infrastructure company, to create TurnOut Ventures Limited. They will focus on leveraging the character recognition appeal of the various CN franchises into online games, virtual spaces, and the like.What would we like to see come from this? How about an MMO based on Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, where you can create your own monster? Or a Transformers game, where you can unlock the ability to transform to different vehicles as you level up? Or a Powerpuff Girls title where you are a new model of PG, patrolling the world, dispensing cuteness and justice in equal measure? Is the world ready for this? Are you? Am I? No, I'm not. I'd like to keep game development away from established franchises, thank you. Now, mind you, aside from the football-themed MMO, the article under consideration doesn't specifically mention branded game development, so perhaps we'll be spared the further dilution of once-favorite characters via tacked-on plots and shoehorned game mechanics. I'd like to be right about that, but history continues to prove me wrong. I live in hope!
Master Chief Transformer, maximize!
We can think of nothing more enjoyable than the sheer awesomeness of Halo 3 and everyone's favorite Spartan, Master Chief. Then again, we can also think of nothing better than our childhood memories of transforming and playing with our old-school Transformers toys. And now we can have both.Friendly eBay seller digitalworld40 skillfully crafted a custom transforming toy that blends our obsessive love of everything Master Chief with our nostalgic addiction of Transformers into one toy. Meet the Master Chief Transformer! This custom toy is an APC 117 Transformer who is artfully decorated to look like Master Chief when "maximized". Do we love it? Yes. Do we want it? Yes. Can we have it? Eh, probably not. The $200 price tag would force us to eat nothing but Macaroni & Cheese for the entire month of February. Then again, Mac & Cheese isn't all that bad ...[Thanks, grigdog]
Bumblebee spotted on CES floor
The Transformers' Bumblebee showed up on the CES show floor this year, though we have to say he was more than a little worse for wear. According to reports, he'd been out drinking all night with David Caruso at the Bellagio, and couldn't find his keys when he woke up... which we're sure you can imagine is a major problem for him. When we requested an interview, the alien robot claimed he wasn't feeling too well, and asked if we had a swimming pool and two gigantic Alka-Seltzer tablets.
Transformers Unlockables: 500 MS points gets it all
Big news everyone! Big news! The Xbox Live Marketplace has just been graced with brand new Transformers: The Game DLC called Transformers Unlockables. And guess what? You're going to love this, it's nothing more than a cheat code download that unlocks all the game's bonus items and upgrades. Double guess what? The content costs 500 Microsoft points, which is sweetness to the fifth power! ... end sarcasm.You know, we'd expect this type of paid cheat code content from EA (since they have a rather lengthy track record for doing it), but funny thing is that Transformers: The Game is published by ... Activision. We guess since they've reach EA's publishing scale post Vivendi merger they've also decided to adopt EA's XBLM business strategies. Bad Acti, go to your room and think about what you're doing. You're grounded!
Honda's transforming Rose Parade float in action
With all of yesterday's excitement over the availability of TV converter box coupons, we totally spaced on the annual Rose Parade, featuring that crazy ASIMO-piloted, transforming Ridgeline float from Honda. Well luckily a member of the YouTube nation was able to (rather shakily) capture a full transformation sequence on home video, which you can catch in three parts after the break. Our take? Pretty impressive for a parade float, but pit this achingly-slow changer against any one of the Decepticons in a ROBO-One-style deathmatch, and Honda would have a lot of truck-plane pieces to sweep up after the carnage.
