Lawsuit: Aliens Colonial Marines "False Advertisement"

It's all just a demo...

    It seems to be official, Sega and Gearbox are in legal trouble due to the demo's highly misleading advertising fiasco.  A class action suit, to be specific.  When I hear about this I laugh.  In my head I hear Bruce from Family Guy saying, "No Wa-a-a-a--a-y!"  Really, it was only a matter of time that this would happen.
     I was one of the many that preordered and got burned by a horrendous game.  It wouldn't be so bad if they patched and fixed it for those of us that stuck it out.  Something to show that Gearbox and Sega are working to repair the damage done to all of their faithful consumers.

  "We think the video game industry is no different than any other that deals with consumers: if companies like Sega and Gearbox promise their customers one thing but deliver something else, then they should be held accountable for that decision."

-Ben Thomassen (Edelson LLC)

     I fully understand the fact that there may be discrepancies between early forms of the game and the later changes that occur just before we actually receive the product, but this particular case is undeniably wrong.  Does anyone else remember the early Borderlands game VGA trailer? (Check it out here if you can't recall- http://youtu.be/WSvTqfmv3DE)  They definitely made some massive changes to the ENTIRE visual style.  BUT!  As previews kept coming, they REFLECTED those changes.  Aliens: Col. Marines did not.  They continually advertised the enhanced graphics and gameplay.
     I am curious to see how this plays out.  There is a part of me that hopes they are held accountable for such deceptions, but then again-  I sincerely hope the gaming industry isn't opening the door to petty and frivolous legal actions to come.  What kinds of marketing issues are we to look forward to now?

     Here's my previous Aliens: Col. Marines post with a better picture: A disclaimer- SUCKERS!

Source: Polygon

Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Preorder Bonuses and Teaser Trailer

     *POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT*
     There's a nice character tease in the trailer over at Game Informer.  Lego Galactus is casting a large shadow as the devourer of brick-worlds on a handful of the Marvel Heroes.  Perhaps it's teasing us with the final boss?
     I hope we get some heroes from places off planet- Silver Surfer, Nova, etc.  Maybe it'll have a galactic sized bonus level.

     The preorder bonuses have been provided by Warner:
Wal-mart = Exclusive Iron Patriot Mini figure
Gamestop = Spider-man keychain
(in addition) Power Up Rewards members = a DLC pack for Xbox 360 & PS3 versions
Amazon = A $10 credit.

     I haven't read anything about bonuses for the Wii U, 3DS, or Vita versions.

Michael Bay's Ninja Turtles: Good News- They're Not ALIENS!

     Well, here's a small bit of "good" news about Michael Bay's destruction of our childhood memories-

     Bay from MovieFone interview:

There was that quote saying that we’re making [the Ninja Turtles as] aliens. We’re not. It’s the ooze! It’s from the original source material. These are from the original writers, and I never went out to correct myself in the press. I do listen to the fans and I do want this to be authentic. I think they’re going to be really happy with this movie. When I see the digital stuff, the turtles look great.

     So, while they are NOT aliens now (again?), did he not say this on EW.com?:

“When you see this movie, kids are going to believe one day these turtles actually do exist when we are done with this movie,” said Bay as he took the stage to discuss his new vision for the reptilian reboot. “These turtles are from an alien race, and they are going to be tough, edgy, funny and completely loveable.”

     Changing them back into mutant turtles instead of aliens is one small glimmer of hope for this potentially massive train wreck.  Still only ONE glimmer though, after the logo reveal at Las Vegas Cinema Con where Paramount reverted the reboot's title from Ninja Turtles, back to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I consider this statement as an extension of that fix.

Star Command Launch Trailer

     FINALLY releases this Friday! ...sort of. Star Command releases on iOS on May 2, and about a month later for Android. I am super excited for this game and it is soooooo close to release.

Cosmo Produces Worst Advice Ever

     Being a male, I typically don't read Cosmopolitan magazine, but a friend on Facebook pointed this article out: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/relationship-advice/i-cheated-now-what#slide-1 it's titled "You Cheated on Him. Now What?" by Jennifer Benjamin.

     Uhhh... I've always heard that the advice on dating and sex in this publication was pretty bad, but this is downright stupid.  The very first piece of advice is to lie.  Well, at least omitting the truth.  Not just once, but multiple times.  Don't tell anyone, because lies will fix everything.  Absolutely ridiculous.

     My favorite part is where she quotes psychologist Marcella Bakur Weiner, PhD, author of Cheaters.

Even if you've covered your tracks, your man could discover your indiscretion. Assuming you still want to be with him, your best bet is to say how sorry you are, swear it'll never happen again, and beg for his forgiveness. Now is not the time to get into the reasons why you did it. "Wait a couple weeks before airing your grievances," says Weiner. "He needs time to process the betrayal without being confronted with the mistakes he's made."

     So you have to be honest with yourself, but not with the man, because it's his fault you cheated.

 Seriously, what is wrong with people?  Maybe the cheater should take responsibility for their own actions and NOT push blame, make excuses, and then try to cover it up.
     If this was an article in, say Maxim Magazine, saying it was all right for men to cheat there would be a massive shit storm.  I am quite disgusted with the awful advice this article has given. 

     On the plus side there are plenty of females AND males tearing the article apart.  For that I thank all of you honest ladies (and gentlemen) out there. 

Batman: Arkham Origins: No Kevin Conroy?

     Here's another voice change on top of the Metal Gear David Hayter news from a little while ago.  Most everyone equates Kevin Conroy's voice with THE BATMAN.  He's been heard as the voice in everything from the 90's animated series through the more recent Batman video games, such as the Arkham City and Arkham Asylum as well as the new Injustice: Gods Among Us.  There are even times during Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight series that I'm fairly certain my mind turned Christian Bale's voice into Conroy's, because that's how Batman should sound.
     But apparently WB Montreal would like a younger actor for the younger portrayal of Batman.  This seems an odd decision because Conroy is a voice actor, he can CHANGE his voice to fit the younger Batman.  Same voice with less grit and rasp.

     So I'm wondering if he isn't reprising his role here for other reasons.  Maybe other work?  In other posts I've mentioned the fact that I believe Rocksteady to be working on a sequel to Arkham City for the next gen consoles.  By letting WB Montreal work on Origins and Armature making Origins Blackgate, that leaves Rocksteady free to do something else.  And what better than taking the next step in the Arkham series on consoles that offer wonderful new possibilities in gameplay? 

Source: May issue of NAG Magazine:
http://www.nag.co.za/2013/04/23/nag-magazine-may-2013-issue/

New Beyond: Two Souls Trailer (Tribeca Film Fest.)

     The official new trailer for Playstation's Beyond: Two Souls debuted live at the Tribeca Film Festival- and let me tell you, this game is looking better and better.  With this new trailer we get some back story on Jodie Holmes (Ellen Page) and her psychological journey.  It appears to be sort of inspired by Stephen King's Firestarter. 

     Here's a quote from the PS youtube site about the game:

Born with a connection to a mysterious entity with incredible powers, Jodie was different. In an adventure spanning 15 years of her life, your actions will determine Jodie's fate as she faces extraordinary challenges, danger, and heartwrenching loss on a journey to discover the truth of who she is. Beyond promises an emotionally-charged journey unlike any video game before.

Scribblenauts and the DC Comics Universe

Mr. Scribble-Freeze

     Apparently 5th Cell's next Scribblenauts game will be getting some alterations and focus on the license with DC comics.  Previously called Scribblenauts Unmasked, it may yet get a new title.

 

     From what I've read over at IGN, the game sounds like the series protagonist and his magic notebook will be assisting the DC heroes in various puzzle quests.  Not much to go on, but since I enjoyed the previous installments, and this one has my favorite Batman villain Mr. Freeze, I may be buying this one.

     Here's a quick snippet from the IGN article:

"One source describes a linear level beginning in the sewers beneath Wayne Manor where a hungry Killer Croc won’t let Max proceed. When a hamburger isn’t enough, a dynamite sandwich sends Croc into a rage leading to his arrest. Robin keeps the situation under control, allowing Max to make his way inside Wayne Manor (where Batman has been manipulated by The Joker) before discovering Batgirl’s capture in the Batcave.

In another situation, Max encounters two police officers, and must decipher which one is legit and which is actually Clayface. An X-ray exposes the villain, and when handcuffs fail to stop the sludge-monster, a freeze-gun does the trick."

    
     My previous Scribblenauts posts (From 2009):
http://www.joshuabarsody.com/search?q=scribblenauts

Metal Gear Rising: Blade Wolf DLC

     You know, even after reading the ridiculous name "Revengeance," AND seeing the even more absurd trailers for the game, I went out and preordered it.  Then I played through it.  It got old quick, with only the sword mechanic keeping me interested at all.  Seriously, the last boss fight was 80% too long, while the rest of the game was 75% too short.  I'm not sure how the math adds up, but it was pretty forgettable. 

     MG Rising was fun for the first few levels, and got boring really fast. Where's the stealth?  Kojima should've stuck with Frank "Gray Fox" Jaeger.  Keep it a tight stealth ninja slaughterfest.  How sweet would it have been if you got the badass cyborg cloaking device and could actually sneak up and shred enemies? 

     I ended up sticking with the Fox blade and suit once they were available in the game.  The Fox blade, once upgraded, pretty much cut through anything, and made playing a lot more enjoyable.  That is the most redeeming quality of the game.  Running around cutting things into hundreds of tiny pieces.

     Then after seeing the first DLC/Add-on was given to Jetstream Sam, I had slightly renewed hopes.  He was, in my opinion, one of the best characters in the game.  Sam was genuinely likeable, with a story that was pretty decent.  After checking out a friends copy...  meh.  Still disinterested. 

     Now they are releasing DLC with Blade Wolf in the lead in May for $9.99.  He's the second character I actually enjoyed.  Once again it looks to be a bunch of recycled in game materials in a slew of highly repetitive levels.  It may have the advantage of his playstyle- he doesn't use a sword.  He has the tail and a bunch of other attachments. 
     Can't say how the story will play out, but one may assume it'll be flashbacks to before the encounter with Raiden, filling in a story he's telling now.  That's at least how the screenshots appear so far.
     Well, I will at least give it a try.

Metal Gear Legacy Site: Snakes in a Game!

    It appears as if the Japanese site for the Metal Gear Legacy Collection has been opened- http://www.konami.jp/mgs_tlc/ - and it looks good. 

 

     There's a big timeline of the series, and tons of info I cannot read.  (Update: A page translation worked pretty well, I used Bing and it did a decent job)  This site is great even if it's just for seeing how the MG series has evolved over the years.

 

     Makes me want to dust off my old NES and Metal Gear cartridge...