What the fuck Kotaku!?!?!?!

Seriously Kotaku, what the hell!? How come I had to find about about a DS Haruhi game, and Wii Hare Hare dancing through other websites? Standard Kotaku policy dictates regular posts regarding all things Haruhi related, followed by a embedd display of Hare Hare Yukai.

Guess it's time to pick up Bashcrafts slack

Peekabo, 'i' See You

Nintendo are no strangers to hardware updates, so the Nintendo DSi should come as no surprise to handheld devotees. The latest revision to the Nintendo DS hardware feature two (count em, TWO!) built in cameras, music playback through SD cards, built in web browser, improved speakers and larger screens. For a company that traditionally is conservative with multimedia features, Nintendo seem to have pulled out all the stops this time. But is this the upgrade all should be running to get?

To start things off on the new checklist, one of the more interesting additions is the DSiWare store.  Totally not trying to take a page from the iPhones App Store, DSiWare allows users to make their DSi unique with various games and features. Already available in Japan are Nintendo themed calculators, virtual sketchbooks, and themed editions of the popular Brain Training series. Prices range from free downloads, up to 800 Nintendo Points ($12)

Along with downloadable software, the DSi has a few multimedia features to show off. Music playback, multiple cameras and image support are being touted as reasons to upgrade. However, many users will find compatibility with existing images and music to be poor at best. No MP3 compatibility, limited image formats, and the cameras are lower quality than mobile phones two generations ago. In short, if you want a multimedia device, stick with your Playstation Portable/iPhone/iRiver/iEtcetera.

Where entertainment upgrades may be a mixed bag in terms of upgrades, everyone should be happy with the presentation of the DSi. Gone is the fingerprint-absorbing gloss finish, replaced with an easier to clean matte finish on the outside of the system. Gamers will also appreciate the improved audio speakers and expanded screen sizes. Time will tell if the DSi can stand the test of day to day wear, but if people were careful with their Lites then the DSi should live through anything.

But the question remains – should owners of the original DS and DS Lite consider upgrading to the DSi? The answer: yes and no. While better external designs and a method of digital distribution may win over the easily converted, the limited multimedia and higher price point will make others second guess themselves. At $299.95, the DSi may not be everyone's idea of a easy buy. For others without a DS (are you guys still out there?) this looks to be the definitive version of this incredibly popular device. i hope to see you all enjoying your DSi systems at home, on the train, in between classes at tafe, and anywhere else you want.

All aboard the hype train, choo choo choo!

A cold Wednesday night. I'm still trying to recover from previous night of alcohols but I must belong to the masses that call themselves fanboy- opps, I mean gamers.
 
Anyways jokes aside, the Nintendrones were there in the masses. Kinda strange considering how much these same people condemn the DSi and its Nintendo-style of features on the interwebs. But when Nintendo calls, peoples come - it just happened that the Womens Weekly and Cosmopolitan readers were washing their hair on the night.

Already stocking DSi accessories

While the event was't quite starting up until 10pm, people were already there in preperation for the big event and for last minute pre orders of the system.  In order to entice any on the ropes people or parents of 11 years olds who had already pre ordered their own system, EB were throwing in free copies of the 'Training' games with every DSi purchased that night. And what better way to push a cynical game writer over the edge than making the price $150 when you pawn off your DS Lite. I guess I could cave in tonight.

One last photo for memories (or lulz)

As I stood in line, removing my copy of GTA: Chinatown Wars from my almighty DS Lite, I decided I would have to live without the possibility of playing my GBA games (oh yea, and Jessie's Girl on Guitar Hero On Tour). When it came my turn to be served I announced that they had won and I was trading in my Lite. Then came the turning point. "Do you have the charger with you?" As this was an impulse moment of course I didn't have any stinkin charger with me. Oh sure I could have spent $15 on a charger to trade in with the Lite, but by that point I was looking for any excuse to back out. Dodged a $150 matte black bullet with that wall in front of me. Oh wait, its time to start up that whole event thing

There is, but one ring, to rule them all!

The velvet rope was removed. It was time for the nintendrones to march up the stairs and experience the Nintendo...experience. A bunch of Nintendo Wii systems are set up for the nights Mario Power Tennis tournament (aka. an easy way for a person to score a second DSi in the night). That said, yours truely was sure to get his rear end handed to him in the first round, by someone he knew from high school to make things worse! On the bright side, despite not serving V/Red Bull/Mother/Poison as the choice of beverage, Nintendo knows what its audience digests.

To quote someone from the night "they're doing well - they have us eating out of dog bowls"

Long story short, no one told Nintendo that daylight savings was a week late and this 'midnight' launch was more of an 11pm launch. Not as charming I know, but whatever gets me home before I miss the last tram. I tried my luck at haggling the EB employees for a DSi without that bullocks trade in, but the best I could get em down to was $299.95 which was too much for me so I moved on and proceeded to snap pictures of the lucky people who could afford the rrp and still sleep at night. Enough talking now, time for pictures acompanied by my dry, unfunny wit.

The lucky first two showing off their DSi's - Don't ya just wish you were them? Yea, me neither.

Too busy enjoying that DSi to notice the free ice cream being handed to her right now.

Yea he has a DSi, so what? Smiling is for the weak after all!

But thats not a...oh I get it! Even more ironic - he wasn't playing a PSP game (oh snap!)

At least this guy has a DSi, and he seems happy about it too

Two nerds and only one DSi? Hope they learn to share

You gotta admire the nerds that take the time to inspect their goods on the spot. They just DO NOT trust Nintendo to give them that second styli

The closest I will get to a DSi for quite some time (at least a DSi without security restrains trapping it on the EB tables)

At the end the boxes were empty and the dog bowls were nothing but holes with bits of sugar sitting on the bottom. And that is pretty much it. Nothing that wouldn't have been covered by others by now since I am a couple days late in reportings. All thats left to do is say 'Cheers' and go get my 8 hours.

Cheers

PS.

Outdated!

Holy crap! This is the real deal

Yup, after showing off the greatest trailer of all time no one could consume the sheer awesomeness of the Duke. In response to this, everyone stuck their heads in the sand and pretended that this would join the ranks of Duke Nukem Forever.

But I knew better

And as of today, I know for a fact that the handheld Duke Nukem trilogy is the real deal. Seems to be VERY early on, and I still can't help but doubt the 09' release of this game. Not because the devs will fuck up and not finish in time, but because sudden release delays fits right into Duke lore alongside alien pigs and strippers by this point. Although first they need to release a section of a low-res screenshot to prove the games existance to the public. Til then while everyone has their heads in the sand, I will be proceeding to walk around picking pockets until I have enough to pick up the trilogy on both systems.

Cheers

Seriously, this is just fucking cruel!!

Just when you start getting used to being as broke as the US economy, this has to remind you that the drip of new releases is about to go full blast til December. But even with my experties in bargain hunting, all I can afford for a while is the train ticket to get to my local game retailers to look at the boxes. Maybe if I'm lucky I can pick up the box and hold it for a little while too *fingers crossed*

I mean, come on! If I don't get out there and grab myself a copy of Petz: My Monkey Family, I just might have to kill someone.

Censorship is a real *****!

Ever since the release of Space Invaders, violence has been present in video games. While the culling of various alien lifeforms was not enough to start a mass outcry, censorship has been sticking side by side with games for many years now. In the early 90s after the industry took one step too many over the line, a rating system was introduced to help keep overly sensitive content from younger audiences. But that was over a decade ago. And now in a world where video games are becoming more than a child's plaything, does this system of regulation need to evolve?

Over the years the medium itself has been able to mature on a technical and artistic basis. Pixels have given way to polygons, points have been replaced by plots and so on. And with this increase in realism, comes an increase of public outcry from family first groups and other anti-violence associations. After several years of 'controversial' releases it's almost tradition for minority groups to spread word about these games existence. Because after all, it isn't quite a Grand Theft Auto release without grand media hysteria from these organisations.

In 2008, the Australian Classification Board had several run-ins with games that they deemed too extreme for Australia's highest video game rating of MA15+. During the year, a total of five games have been refused classification in Australia, meaning the importing or ownership of these titles is considered illegal. So far, two of the five (Dark Sector, Fallout 3) have received minor edits and have been resubmitted for rating with both being released at the MA15+ rating. At this time two games (Shellshock 2, Silent Hill: Homecoming) remain unreleased while the publishers try to find a solution to allow these games into consumers hands, and the final game (F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin) has successfully appealed the ban and gotten through unedited.

The lack of an R18+ rating for adult oriented software has caused many games to suffer the fate of heavy editing in Australia or simply for the banned titles to never reach our shores. Australia is the only developed nation that does not have an adults 18+ or equivalent rating for video games, making our nation one of the strictest in terms of video game regulation. However, while we may ban a handful of games every year, it's what is let into the country that demonstrates why we need to update our rating system with an R18+ rating.

In April 2008, Grand Theft Auto IV was released in Australia to the delight of gamers nationwide. What was kept hidden until the last minute was that the developers had submitted an edited version of the game to the Australian ratings board. Upon comparison of the Australian build and international versions, the only difference was being able to move the camera from its 'behind the car' view when soliciting prostitutes. All drug references, violence and other mature material was left intact, available to any 15 year old teenager. The same game is rated 18+ in all other developed countries, which makes you wonder why the government is letting this loophole slide instead of giving the Classification Board an option to increase the rating to an R18+ level.

The most recent game to be refused classification, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, was banned for high levels of violence. Luckily for publishers Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, an immediate appeal against the ban has allowed the game to be released unedited at the MA15+ rating. Once again, demonstrating the flaws in Australia's dated rating system.

While it is only a small percentage of games that would require the new rating to prevent banning, dozens of games that would otherwise be crammed into a lower MA15+ rating would finally be properly classified. It has taken numerous complaints to the Attorney Generals, who need to unanimously agree to introduce the new rating, to even agree to discuss the idea. Aside from South Australian AG Michael Atkinson all are in favour of a new rating. Hopefully with growing media attention on the issue and consumer awareness about video game ratings, Atkinson will give in and allow Australia to grow up and give games the ratings they deserve.

Yea yea, no excuses. I'm just lazy

Whew, this has been a good month+ long nap. Now with a reason to get out of bed again I've run out of excuses for not doing any productive writing, sooooooooo ummm. Yea if Anthony gives a damn I'll get started on some of those holiday reviews I never got around to writing (list after this ranting), tomorrow, or sometime this week, I'll get around to uploading the censorship piece featured in the orientation issue of The Box.

Classwork is still going to be pushing my writing of the video games of course, but as to 'how' it will be pushing it (especially in Small Press Publishing) the final outcomes are still nowhere near set in stone. I would love to try some type of print distribution, of course the power of the internet makes stuff like news and reviews pointless, meaning I might have to use more than the usual 3 brain cells. The Non-Fiction genre essays are still going ahead, but as to formats and details included, and even length, I'm still undecided. Really feels out of place in my class through since 90% of the class are writing memoirs/biographies. Also yet to be determined is my choice of workplace for practical placement, so stay tuned!

Reviews to look forward to

AC/DC Rock Band track pack

De Blob

Dead Space

John Woo Presents Stranglehold

Mirror's Edge

Ratchet Quest For Booty

Valkyria Chronicles

Yakuza 2

Also, when is someone going to kill that Stephen Conroy so the threat of Australia going all totalitarianism will vanish with his stupid clean feed stratagy. If its a hiding spot for the corpse that is holding up the situation, feel free to use my backyard, its a small price to pay for the good of the nation lol.

Cheers

PS. In case this filter does go through, heres a list of debateable areas of interest that will get this blog banned in Australia.

-Abortion would have killed Beethoven if it were available to his family, so I am happily anti-abortion.

-Anorexia suffers need help and should seek advice from counsilers. Or just talking to friends who can knock some sense into ya (avoid friends who are also suffering from Anorexia, otherwise this goes nowhere fast)

-Breast/Boob/Tit cancer is responsible for 'x' number of deaths a year, give to whatever charities to help support research/cures

-Even I wont touch the subject of euthenasia with a 10 foot pole (but mentioning it will help get this page blacklisted by ACMA)

-Free Tibet

-Chairman Mao was  NOT right, get over yourself!

-Kevin Rudd wants to change his last name to Zedong

-If all goes shit, Hugo Weaving will save us by blowing up Parliament House