This ad for the Playstation 3 is quite possibly the most disturbing and very, very, very horrific ad I have ever seen. Penis envy is one thing but video-game-thumb envy? Barf-o-rama! I am not sure who this ad is targeted to, but count me out!
Enjoy this so very NSFW ad yourself
Survey says, probably not. Looking at the numbers, the inaugural release from Marvel Studios really brought home the bacon. Domestically, Iron Man pulled in a whopping $102 million in gross returns this weekend, giving it one of the 10 best opening weekends of all time (boxofficemojo.com). That’s quite a feat, considering that this was one of the first comic book film adaptations that didn’t feature a villain of prominence.
Many industry pundits theorized that the release of the latest installment in Rockstar Games’ ragingly successful and undeniably controversial Grand Theft Auto series would have cannibalized sales from the movie. While there is no doubt that the game has been selling quite well, that was to be expected. Iron Man arrived with very little fanfare. How many movie posters or billboards did you see before its launch? In comparison, GTA IV posters could be found all around Chicago, along with a host of billboards and TV ads.
Industry experts are theorizing that GTA IV might stand to earn $450 million in sales this year, but let’s stack that up against where Iron Man is likely to land by year’s end. Even if it fares only moderately well, say along the lines of Bruce Almighty. That means Iron Man would pull in over $480 million during its theatrical run. But to be fair, I’m guessing that this fantastic film will fare even better, probably more along the lines of Shrek 2 and Spider Man 3, somewhere around $800 million.
What do you have to say to that, Niko?
Is it possible that Mr. Jack Thompson, the nemesis of gamers around the world, has found means to finally bring the games industry down?
He sent this image to GamePolitics in an email with the subject line: Evidence.
What’s he trying to “prove?” Well, that one’s just too easy.
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.
Maybe this is because I don’t get into fighting games, but Batman should always win, no matter what, even against the guy with four arms.
If you forgot about the last time somebody tried this, look here.
Venkman: Grab your stick!
Unison: HOLDING IT!
Venkman: Heat ‘em up!
Unison: SMOKIN’!
Venkman: Bang ‘em hard!
Unison: READY!
Venkman: Let’s show this prehistoric bitch how we do things downtown… THROW IT!
Out in October for all your consoles…
Ahoy! Shots in the Dark IS the official podcast of Shotgun Reviews, so we thought we’d hit you up with an all review episode (after the Gatling Geek news segment, of course). We went a little outside the box, though. First, Janelle reviews The Sims 2: Freetime, the likely final expansion pack to The Sims 2, and even gives you a sneak peak of The Sims 3, due out next year. Then we take a deep look at the first 7 “episodes” of Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield’s FreakAngels; the completely free webcomic. Head over, take a listen, subscribe through any and all podcasting services, and be a better human being. Or Warren Ellis will send the arse eels. It’s your choice.
by John Stvan AKA Halcylon
Edited by Vince Scalabrino
Much like the fabled unicorn, Achronos is elusive, majestic, and beautiful. Well, we assume he’s beautiful. Regardless, the Shot in the Dark crew managed to track down this mythical man and cornered him. He agreed to grant us three wishes. The first two were wasted on Lucas’s wish to have Spider Man’s super powers and Vince’s wish to have Codemaster’s “Overlord” become a reality. With Spider Lucas out the window and The Dark Lord Vince safely within his evil tower, the rest of the crew were left to have their final wish granted: that Achronos answer a battery of questions. The following is a relatively exact representation of what ensued.
My latest piece for WIRED Magazine is now on the site; you can check it out here, if you’re so inclined.
It remains to be seen if I shall receive near-immediate hate mail as I did with the Sidekicks piece. Remember, gentle readers, it’s all in good humor. Enjoy!
by John Stvan: Shots in the Dark’s Halcylon
Forum ninjas (ˈfȯr-əm ˈnin-jəs): The secretive thread jockeys of the night who lurk about the digital corridors of Bungie.net, at once being fans and more-then-fans. Shots in the Dark was enthused when Evilcam, one of Bungie’s cadre of elite super-forum users, agreed to indulge us with an interview.
A figure of towering importance in the worlds of fantasy and gaming has passed away. Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax has died at the age of 69. He now enters a new realm where the making of Saving Throws is guaranteed.
By John Stvan
On February 20th, Shots in the Dark found, tied up, and guerrilla interrogated a current Forum Ninja (see: Moderator) from Bungie.net. Moderating a bunch of rabid Halo fans is no small feat, and he told us of the ups and downs of one of the largest gaming communities around. To protect his identity, we shall simply call him by his tag of Yoozel.
Shots in the Dark: Yoozel is an interesting name. Does it come from anywhere or anything?
Yoozel: It’s a mystery really… there is some truth out there about it… but all I’m willing to say is that it came from an artist I went to school with and she’ll get mad props always. Not to mention it was an inside joke back in the day….
SitD: Has that always been your gamer name?
Yoozel: Well… in the Bungie realm of things, yes. Over the years I have assumed countless identities to game under… but I was never really into competitive online play until Xbox Live came out.
SitD: Nice shameless Microsoft plug! Have to make the bucks somehow, right?
Yoozel: Will moderate for 401K and benefits!!
SitD: You’ve been a part of Bungie.net for how long?
Yoozel: I’ve been apart of Bungie.net for almost 5 years now. Still going strong and continually pissing a lot of people off. And despite public opinion it’s not over until my liver explodes or the Webmaster gives up!
SitD: Are you telling me that the fans, the forum community, cause you to drink?
Ready to launch some ridiculously adorable cartoon hamsters into orbit? Sure you are! Totally go to:
http://www.digyourowngrave.com/flight-of-the-hamsters/
This online game is so addictively fun you will be able to maximize your time wasting ten fold! Enjoy!
For those of you who are unaware, Shots in the Dark is the official podcast of Shotgun Reviews. Its hosted by regular Shotgun contributors Lucas Siegel, Janelle Siegel and Vince Scalabrino. They’re joined by Imoticon, JB, and The Viceroy, expert gamers and a professional video game designer. These heavily opinionated folks dissect and occasionally eviscerate pop culture with the same tongue-in-cheek cynicism you’ve come to know and love here at Shotgun.
In their most recent episode, the Shots in the Dark crew reviews Talisman: The Board Game, coupled with a lively round table discussion of the most controversial Marvel arc of the 21st century, Spider Man’s One More Day. And if you’re into video games at all, you’d be interested to hear the exclusive cheat for Rock Band that the crew discovered. Curious? Head on over and give them a listen. Or just click on the big, blue, appropriately-named button above and get your fix.
Hello there all!
Here is the link, for the few who asked, to the World of Warcraft article I did.
Thanks!
-Kyotee D.
2008 Video game release schedule.
Please be aware that all release dates are subject to change. For a list of dates I would recommend visiting www.gameinformer.com .
January 08-09 2008:
Blast Works: Build, Fuse & Destroy - Wii
Brain Challenge - Nintendo DS
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 - Wii
Bully: Scholarship Edition - XBOX 360
Cabela’s Monster Bass - XBOX 360, Wii
Classic British Motor Racing - Wii
