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March 29, 2005
Hillary Hits GTA
We're long-time fans of grrl power Senator Hillary Clinton, especially now that she's a New Yorker like ourselves. But, girlfriend is starting to step over the line in her quest to appeal to "values" voters.
"Children are playing a game that encourages them to have sex with prostitutes and then murder them," says Hillary, repeating the oft-used claim about the Grand Theft Auto series. As part of her new campaign against games, she's teaming up with right-wing politicos Rick Santorum and Sam Brownback to push for an investigation into the industry and its impact on children.
Check it out here: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,12675659%255E2703,00.html [via Kotaku.com]
Posted by gamegal at 12:35 PM | Comments (0)
No More PS2s?
The newswires were abuzz with the seemingly insurmountable judgment issued against Sony this week in a lawsuit. A San Jose company called Immersion sued, saying that Sony had stolen their force-feedback technology for use in the standard duel shock controllers.
Back in September, a jury sided with Immersion, and on Monday, a judge awarded the company almost $90 million in damages. The judge also ordered Sony to stop selling the infringing products (including the PS2, since it comes with a duel shock controller), although that order was put on hold awaiting an appeal.
Back in 2003, Microsoft paid the company $26 million to avoid a similar standoff. That included $6 million to buy a stake in the Immersion, so they're probably chuckling into their lattes this morning.
Link:http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050329/ap_on_bi_ge/sony_playstation_lawsuit_25
Posted by gamegal at 12:29 PM | Comments (0)
March 28, 2005
ABC Report on Girl Gamers
ABC News has a short article up on their website today about women gamers -- a topic they've apparently never heard of before.
"Until recently, the video-game industry was seen as strictly a boys' club. But that's all changing," say the article, unimaginativly titled "Girls Got (Video) Game."
They talked to Jenna Chalmers, a designer at EA, who said, "I think it's easy to kind of stereotype that women don't want to shoot or that women don't want to do sports or that women don't want fast-paced action."
Check out the full article below.
Link: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Technology/story?id=617384&page=1
Posted by gamegal at 12:04 PM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2005
My Chromosome Can Beat Up Your Chromosome
Sunday, I spat a mouthfull of morning coffee at my significant other as he pointed at a New York Times Opinion piece by Maureen Dowd titled "X-celling Over Men." She usually has me cussin' and drinkin' while reading her emotionally driven rants that seem to have little facts or stats behind them.
Now that I've calmed and taken time to read her article, it's really an interesting piece based on a report published in scientific journal that says women are truly more complex than men, genetics-wise.
The article goes on to describe women as "creatures of infinate variety," "mosaics," "chimeras," and that we have "superior gene expression." Right on, sister.
And, if, as the report says, the puny Y chromosome is mostly used to control men's groin area, maybe it explains why someone like Larry Summers say ridiculous things like women don't excel at math and science.
Read and talk amongst yourselves.
Posted by gamegal at 03:01 PM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2005
Bijou Pops for PSP Designer Duds
OK, so this is kooky, but Sony introduced the PlayStation Portable handheld console in Los Angeles last night at a celeb-studded party and fashion show with such insta-hits as the gold-dipped, diamond-studded PSP by Kimora Lee Simmons, a fur PSP holder by Henry Duarte, and a black PSP-sized clutch from Marc Jacobs. We'll take one of each, please.
And if you think that's wack, try this: Bijou Phillips, acting as runway model, had a wardrobe malfunction when her strapless dress gave into gravity. That's one way to put the girls into gaming. Then, model Alek Wek ate the runway and lay there like a fallen quarterback until someone graciously helped her to her feet.
No other disaster reports from the party that also attracted Nicky Hilton, Courtney Cox, Owen Wilson, Chris Kattan, Drea De Matteo, Alyssa Milano, Paula Abdul. Who knew gaming events would truly become a staple in the fashion/celebrity circuit? Go Sony, it's your birfday.
Posted by gamegal at 04:37 PM | Comments (0)
Takahasi Agrees, Games Should be Fun
There's been lots of talk around the office about how games should be judged more on its fun factor than the usual graphics, gameplay, celebrity elements found in most every video game review. For instance, almost the entire game community panned Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines because of all of the glaring bugs in the first release. But, who cares? The game was more freakin' fun than eating a block of cheese in your underpants.
Keita Takahashi, creater of equally fun game Katamari Damacy, agrees, and in his Game Developer's Conference speech taked about wanting to make games that make people happy and justifying his wacky roll-up-trash-and-shoot-into-space game by saying "it's fun to roll something."
Damn right it is. Three cheers to Takahashi to getting back to the basics in video game enjoyment, or as we like to call it, EFF-YOU-EN.
Posted by gamegal at 03:47 PM | Comments (0)
March 14, 2005
Sims Creater Will Wright's Spore
We've always been huge fans of Will Wright, not only for his simulation games, but just the fact that he's simply a fascinating person to talk to. C'mon, the guy battles robots and talks about science books without sounding like a total mouth-breathing gork. Gotta love this man.
So when Mr. Wright announced Spore, his current work-in-progress at the Game Developer's Conference, it was no suprise to us.
Spore sounds like it'll work much like SimCity and Sims games, playing a god-like figure, turning something into something much larger and more complex. In this case, you'll turn a primordial witches' brew into an entire functioning planet, at which point the player will be free to invade other planets to start the entire process over again.
The project seems overwhelming in scope and like it has major-disaster potential. If anyone can pull it off, though, Wright's the one to do it.
Read more on Spore >>
Posted by gamegal at 11:38 AM
March 08, 2005
Hot Topic Tuesday: Xbox 2
Unbeknownst to the mainstream gamer, the games industry has converged on San Francisco to attend the annual Game Developers' Conference. Lots of games get air time, and there's a million meetings and free-drinkfests for the people that put the joy into video games, aka game developers. Journalists get some play, too.
And while that's nice and all, the only thing we want to hear about the show are details on Xbox 2, aka Codename: Xenon.
One of our fine feathered friends at GameSpy (Hiya, Raymond) sent us a link to his story on Codename: Xenon's specifications, a bunch of technical speak that essentially translates into: A roomier harddrive! Amped memory! High definition gaming! 5.1 surround sound! An included USB 2.0 camera! The ability to play your own music with any game!
ED note: Ray says all specs are based on mega-early development kits and other educated musings, so all is subject to change. If you're a single lady and don't like Ray's speculations, send in your name, number and photo and he'll get back with you. Wink, wink.
Posted by gamegal at 03:51 PM
March 07, 2005
Calling All Sexy Indie Gamers
Are you a sexy gamer? Are you a sexy indie gamer?
If you look good and like games from indie publishers, this might be the free ride you've been waiting for. Send in pics and a 500-word essay explaining why should hold the title of "Sexiest Indie Gamer of All Time."
Winner takes home include the coveted S.I.G.A.T. title and trophy, a free copy of the Alien Hominid PS2 game and vinyl action figures, among other items.
All entries my be received by March 16 -- next week -- so put your most sultry side forward and start entering.
Read more about the Sexiest Indie Gamer of All Time contest. >
Ed Note: Even if you don't win, don't forget- - all women gamers are inherently sexxxy. Yeah, that's a triple-x, sister. Don't you forget it.
Posted by gamegal at 04:08 PM
March 04, 2005
ESRB Intros E10+ Rating
The Entertainment Software Rating Board announced that it will start to brand games with an 'E10+' rating, which stands for "Everyone 10 and older. "
So if this shows up on a box, it means that the game has content that "may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language, and/or minimal suggestive themes." Ya know, like when Richard Simmons screams about his love for sausage and milky sauce, or when cartoon hot dogs and donuts hold hands while dancing across the screen. Yeah, just like that.
Posted by gamegal at 04:31 PM
March 03, 2005
Status of Women in Computing Research
A research association focused in on women -- and attempted to answer the question -- why don't more women pursue advanced computer science degrees and head into computer science research?
And, instead of taking Harvard Prez Lawrence Summer's women-can't-do-science route, the conference focused on the importance of networking and mentoring women who are entering what largely remains a boys' club kind of industry.
If you're a chick into games and technology, you're probably very familiar with this kind of environment. We certainly are. Read more about the CRA-W event (sponsored by Microsoft, Google and Lucent); see what you think.
Posted by gamegal at 12:13 PM | Comments (0)
March 01, 2005
Pizza To-Go via EQII
If there's ever been something ripe for mockery, it's just been surpassed by the new EverQuest II/Pizza Hut partnership. That's right, you can order a steaming, cheese-slathered pizza though the EverQuest II interface.
Typing "/pizza" in the EQ command box will call up the online ordering screen. Enter your order and address and head back to slaughtering halflings as the pie is delivered to your doorstep.
For the EQII enthusiasts who want to avoid turning into a living, breathing fatty gamer stereotype, start praying for a EQ-Subway matchup now.
Read more about Pizza Hut and EverQuest II.
Posted by gamegal at 11:54 AM