Star Trek: The Video Game Launch Trailer: Some May Ask “Warp Factor Who?”

Namco Bandai Games and developer Digital Extremes “prequel” of sorts to the upcoming Star Trek: Into Darkness has warped into stores today, but I haven’t seen much in the way of fanfare in the form of a decent TV spot. Then again, I’m not a regular TV viewer outside of some cable shows, but even when I do catch something on another channel, I haven’t seen a thing other than an ad or two for the film. Normally, this doesn’t bode well for a game, but I think that there’s the automatic assumption that Trek fans won’t need to be pressured to snap this up with big ads and too many dollars spent on hyping something many will buy without hesitation. Poking around a few message board shows that those who have the game are liking it in varying degrees, so let’s hope this one catches on as does well, as a lot of work went into it…

Star Trek: The Video Game: Making of (4): That’s A REALLY Big Canon You’ve Got There…

Hey, now… by law I’m allowed one absolutely horrific pun on a Sunday… and I don’t think that title counts, either. Anyway, developer Digital Extremes is doing it up right here, as this game actually takes place between the last Star Trek film and the upcoming sequel, Star Trek: Into Darkness. This more than makes perfect sense, as too many licensed games try to expand their stories after a film or worse, try to add elements into a film that don’t quite work out continuity-wise. As for how it all plays, let’s see what happens in a few days when the game hits stores on April 23, 2013. As long as the AI in solo play is solid, this one should be one Trek fans should be snapping up as soon as it teleports into stores.

It’s Record Store Day Tomorrow. Rob Zombie’s Got A Real Doozy For You…

This is not only 1000% awesome, it’s really damn funny as well. How so? Well, you KNOW this will fly right on over the noggins of the digital-only kids who’ve never seen a vinyl disc spinning with a needle on it before and they’ll think ALL records played this way back in the day. Ah, the follies of youth… Anyway, if you need to find a record store near you, just clicky-click on this link and get on down to get yours. I bet that’s a damn good track Rob’s done… Hmmm, I wonder what happens when you play it FORWARDS? Oh, someone will find out. Hopefully it’s just a couple of tickets to The Lords of Salem that pops up at that person’s doorstep, heh…

So, That Solowheel Can Make You Stronger, Huh?

While I don’t think we’ll see the fine creative geniuses at Inventist put the tow truck business out of action at all, this video they’ve posted in pretty interesting and shows that their cool Solowheel can get your bigger ride moving with a good push. I’d imagine this won’t work on a city bus or anything heavier than the car shown in this footage, but it’s certainly easy for a big skeptic to disprove if they want to. Have at it, science and get back to me. I can’t afford a Solowheel just yet (and hell, my sense of balance has sent me threatening letters if I happen to look lovingly at one at a trade show ever again), but I sure like looking at one when there’s a rider on one who can make that thing move like wheeled lightning…

Star Trek: The Video Game – Making of (3): Voice Acting Is Not About Good Looks…

OK, OK, so Chris Pine isn’t exactly Bummy McBumenstein with that 45 o’clock shadow he’s got stuck to his face, but this video shows that you can completely be in character and NOT need to dress the part nor call in the makeup team. The upcoming game is getting star power with what looking like quality work from some core cast members as well as music from the film. Oddly enough, this wasn’t show at Namco Bandai’s recent press event, but I’m not worried at all, as the bulk of games shown (save for some indie downlables and the fun surprise that was Young Justice Legacy) there were from Japanese developers. In any event, Star Trek hits stores on April 23, 2013 for the PS3 and Xbox 360. I’ll be diving in solo, as I’m a lonely guy with no friends (waah!), but I guess I can take a trip to a friend’s to see how the co-op plays…

Oh, Romo! You’re SO Cute And All, But I Only Have An N-Gage QD!

Hey, Keller Rinaudo? Your Romo is an interesting device and all, but my phone isn’t as “smart” as yours at all (or anything made after 2007) and I don’t plan to change that much. Hey, I only use it for getting calls (and almost no one calls me) and playing games. Sure, I can probably grab a nice used iPhone and be hip like the rest of you cool kids…. but NO iOS or Android device will play the awesome RIFTS: Promise of Power, Pathway to Glory and some other really great N-Gage games that never got released on other mobile platforms or handheld gaming systems.

Hmmm… if you can teach Romo to program games and pull some legal strings so these games popped up on devices and tablets, MAYBE I’ll reconsider. Or maybe not. I like my contract-less freedom and app-less lifestyle…

Primal Carnage: Genesis GDC 2013 Trailer: Unreal 4 Gets An Early Workout…

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I haven’t played Lukewarm Media’s cool-looking Primal Carnage on PC because it’s an online only multiplayer-focused game and I don’t play online games anymore (bad connection at home, lack of interest in running around shooting others in the face and dealing with immature and mature racist, homophobic and other online jerks, et cetera), so I actually skipped over this announcement until a fellow editor-type pointed me in the right direction by noting Primal Carnage: Genesis is a single player game with an actual story. Woo-oo! OK, I’m sold.

 

Granted, I first got a nasty Dino Crisis 4 vibe (sorry, Capcom!) from the sci-fi elements here, but I got over that quickly and now there’s a nice Dino Crisis 2 meets Dinosaur Hunting vibe reverberating my my pointy little head. Anyway, it looks as if I’ll be keeping another eyeball on one more really cool-looking new game, huh? Good thing I have a bag full of extra eyeballs in the freezer. Buy in bulk and SAVE, kids…

STAR TREK: The Video Game: Shatner’s Back! (In Not Quite the “Arena” Mode You Wanted)…

 

So, who said Shatner wouldn’t be in a new Trek venture? Granted, being stuck in a hilarious trailer for the upcoming Digital Extremes-developed game headed to the PS3 and Xbox 360 (warping into retail on April 23) isn’t exactly the part he probably wanted, but it’s great to see him poke fun at his Kirk and that classic episode here. I have the feeling that Namco bandai Games just got a few extra sales for this one based on this funny ad alone. Hopefully, there will be some hands-on time for me at the press event next week, as I’m dying to see how this one’s turned out…

Random Film of the Week: Le Mans

(Thanks, motorsportzx!)

le_mans_xlgI still remember seeing Le Mans as a kid and, despite the fancy cars I was so attracted to zooming around that legendary race course, found myself falling asleep before the first hour was up. I think it took another three or four attempts as I got older to get through the entire movie, but today it’s one of my favorite racing films. Granted, it feels like more of a documentary of a particular race day that happens to dip behind the scenes to focus on a few people not talking much mostly about a few things that tie into to the overall story being told. Nevertheless, there’s a story that kicks in if you pay attention that works quite well in its low-key way that sets up a pretty exciting final reel.

Of course, this means as a timepiece of a particular period in auto racing history, it’s really an important work. Where the great-looking and innovative 1966 film Grand Prix got too caught up in its romance triangles and some dramatic sections (and had a poor stunt dummy go flying out of a car in one crash sequence that still makes me laugh), Le Mans is purely and primarily about the race. Continue reading

Toy Fair 2013: Flip2BFit and Bakari Will Put A Forever Spring In Your Step…

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flip2bfitEven though I know a few folks who’ve lost weight using WiiFit, Let’s Dance, Zumba or other video games, the fact is, these aren’t for everyone. In general, not enough people in the US exercise and eat right period, video game consoles aren’t in every home for any number of good reasons and some people need a bit more motivation than taking the relatively expensive way out of buying more devices that they probably won’t use once they’re unpacked. That said, adding some sort of play to one’s exercise routine is a great thing and that’s where Heather Parisi and her all ages fitness games Flip2BFit and Bakari come in. Sometimes, a good old fashioned board or card game is the way to go for anyone looking to shape up with kids they don’t want glued to the TV or a device when they should be concentrating on a few important things like diet and exercise…

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