Archive for the 'Gaming' Category
October 12th, 2009, 9:22 am by Jayson Peters
 Stargate Worlds may be in limbo as developer Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment struggles with financing, but that didn’t stop the roleplaying game from making an appearance in the Oct. 2 series premiere of Stargage Universe on Syfy.
 Footage from the game was used in the early part of the episode, as geeky character Eli Wallace (David Blue, pictured) solves a puzzle hidden in the game by Dr. Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle), who is looking for a brilliant young mind to unlock the final mystery of the Stargate.
After the Universe pilot aired, reports circulated online that the game’s official website trumpeted the cameo as a sign of life — but since then, the site and its community forums have been offline.
The company and its founder and principal owner, Gary Whiting, were recently sued by investors who claim misuse of company funds. The Mesa company was granted a license by MGM in 2006 to develop an online roleplaying game based on the Stargate film and TV series, but those efforts have repeatedly stalled as the game’s financial backing came into question.
Images: NBC Universal/Syfy, via GateWorld
Posted in: Gaming • RPGs • Sci-Fi & Fantasy • Television • Business • Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment • FireSky • SGU • Stargate • Stargate Worlds • Syfy | 1 Comment »
October 7th, 2009, 12:08 am by Jayson Peters
 Wizards of the Coast image If knowledge is power in the real world, imagine its worth in a fantasy roleplaying game like Dungeons & Dragons. What paladin, wizard, cleric or rogue worth his salt dare ignores the words of a noted sage?
From this Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 8-11, the professional Dungeon Masters in the D&D R&D department at Wizards of the Coast — many of whom worked to design the current 4th Edition version of the game — will man the phones for a DM Hotline to take questions from questing warriors across the U.S. and Canada.
Simply call toll-free (800) 878-3326 between 2 and 6 p.m. Pacific time. Questions must pertain to 4th Edition, and can cover technical rules quandaries as well as general DMing problems like resolving player disputes or improving the campaign experience for players.
In other D&D news:
- Wizards recently relaunched its community forums to include more social networking and blogging features.
- The official D&D website was redesigned.
- The next Player’s Handbook 3 preview, the Seeker class, was made available exclusively to subscribers of the premium D&D Insider service.
Posted in: Gaming • RPGs • D&D • Dungeons & Dragons | Post a Comment »
October 5th, 2009, 10:14 pm by Jayson Peters
 PlayStation 3 owners say a mandatory firmware update has ruined their systems, and they’ve launched a class-action lawsuit seeking compensation and restitution.
According to Courthouse News Service, the upgrade promised new features and improved navigation, but caused the gaming console to crash and rendered controllers inoperable. A subsequent update reportedly failed to solve the problem and caused the system’s Blu-ray player to malfunction.
And let’s face it, that Blu-ray player is the only real reason to own a PS3, right?
One plaintiff said Sony wanted $150 to fix the problem. Sony has stated it’s not a firmware issue, and that repair costs are the responsibility of consumers.
The suit is seeking declaratory relief, compensation and restitution for breach of implied warranty, negligence and unjust enrichment.
Posted in: Gaming • PlayStation 3 • Technology • Business • lawsuit • Nerd rage • Sony | 1 Comment »
October 3rd, 2009, 8:57 pm by Jayson Peters
Joystiq recently reported that Game Crazy, the video game retailer and reseller owned by Movie Gallery, is closing 200 stores and this weekend began liquidations at the following Valley locations:
- 1250 N ALMA SCHOOL RD, CHANDLER, AZ 85224 (*conflicting reports)
- 1555 N GILBERT STE B 101, GILBERT, AZ 85234
- 2820 E BROADWAY RD, MESA, AZ 85204
- 1641 E GUADALUPE BLVD, GILBERT, AZ 85234
- 4803 E RAY RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85044
- 10250 N 90TH ST, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85258
- 7750 E MCDOWELL RD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85257
More locations
Before the bargain shopper in you gets too excited, be forewarned that most hardware and many newer software titles, both new and used, are expected to be shipped back to the company for redistribution to surviving stores. Still, it might be a good opportunity to get a jump on your holiday shopping.
Posted in: Gaming • Business • Deals • Game Crazy | 1 Comment »
October 2nd, 2009, 1:54 am by Jayson Peters
Mesa-based Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment and its founder and principal owner are named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by investors who claim he took and used company funds.
Gary Whiting’s company was granted a license by MGM in 2006 to develop an online roleplaying game based on the Stargate film and TV series. Those efforts stalled as the game’s financial backing came into question, but one executive expressed optimism as recently as Aug. 31.
 The suit also names as a defendant Mmoguls, another company owned by Whiting. Mmoguls is described in the court documents as “an incentivized gaming network marketing company through which customers would pay to play online computer games and have the opportunity to create a network through which a customer could be paid by encouraging others to sign up with Mmoguls, Inc.”
If that looks and sounds like it’s too good to be true, you’re not alone. How does MGM feel about their brand’s involvement with such a business model … especially with a brand-new TV series, Stargate Universe, launching TODAY on Syfy, and no lucrative video game to go with it? Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in: Gaming • Mesa • RPGs • Business • Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment • lawsuit • Mesa • Stargate • Stargate Worlds | 2 Comments »
September 29th, 2009, 3:34 pm by Chris "KeL" Adams
“As if a million page view requests cried out at once, and were suddenly silenced.” Apologies to the great Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi for the paraphrasing, but it seems particularly appropriate.
Video game company Bioware opened up beta tester applications for their upcoming online role-playing game, “Star Wars: The Old Republic.” Gamers promptly hammered the page with requests causing Bioware to pull it down.
Currently, it reads “We are making adjustments to the site due to the overwhelming response to the testing announcement. Please be patient and check back later.” There’s still a long way to go, but given the strength of the Star Wars universe combined with Bioware’s incredible track record and this game has a chance to be something very special. It might even be the first real competitor to the online juggernaut that is “World of Warcraft.”
Posted in: Gaming • RPGs • BioWare • Internet • Nerd rage • Star Wars | Post a Comment »
September 28th, 2009, 12:45 pm by Jayson Peters
 An embittered rabbi must clear his name of a murder he didn’t commit by finding the real killer before the police catch up with him.
I’m game. How about you?
Wadjet Eye Games is making its gritty noir mystery The Shivah free through tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 29) to coincide with the holy Jewish Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur. Just enter coupon code “FreeShivah” when ordering.
The Windows PC game features full voice acting, an original soundtrack, three different endings, a DVD-style optional commentary and even a blooper reel.
Posted in: Gaming • Free stuff • Holidays • PC | 2 Comments »
September 27th, 2009, 12:19 am by Jayson Peters
 Paul Sams, chief operating officer of Blizzard Entertainment, is now part-owner of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers franchise.
Did the global economic summit that just concluded in that city include a secret delegation of Night Elves, Tauren, Trolls and other representatives of the races of Azeroth from Blizzard’s online RPG World of Warcraft?
Well, no one can prove it didn’t …
Via Joystiq
Posted in: Gaming • RPGs • Sports • Blizzard • Business • WoW | 2 Comments »
September 26th, 2009, 10:29 pm by Jayson Peters
 A game of Fluxx The creators of the ever-changing card game Fluxx are expanding into hazy territory.
Fully Baked Ideas, a new imprint of the family friendly games company Looney Labs, will publish an updated edition of the once controversial and now out-of-print Stoner Fluxx. The new company’s official site promises that 5 percent of the proceeds from the game’s sale will be donated to organizations that actively support the end of marijuana prohibition in the United States.
Other editions of the game published by Looney include Zombie Fluxx, Monty Python Fluxx and the recently released Martian Fluxx. All versions of the game feature the same basic mechanic: Each card played can change the rules or goal of the game, making sure it’s a different experience every time.
Looney explains that a spin-off brand was necessary “to make sure children are not accidentally exposed to adult themes on our family games web site.” Fully Baked’s new edition of Stoner Fluxx will be followed at some point by the recently announced Drinking Fluxx.
Posted in: Gaming • activism • Business • Fluxx • Law • Looney Labs • Politics | Post a Comment »
September 25th, 2009, 9:18 am by Jayson Peters
 Fresh on the heels of confirming a long-awaited drop in the price of its Wii game console, Nintendo is offering free downloadable games to anyone who buys a DSi handheld system by Oct. 5.
Actually, what they’re doing is crediting you 1,000 Nintendo DSi Points, so you need a DSi Shop account and access to a wireless broadband connection to take advantage of the deal.
The company also announced Thursday that its Wii game Wii Sports Resort, which currently sells for $50 and includes a MotionPlus accessory, would go up in price by $10 on Oct. 12 — but it will now include two MotionPlus units. Score!
Posted in: Gaming • Nintendo • DSi • Free stuff | Post a Comment »
September 23rd, 2009, 9:38 am by Jayson Peters
 Buzz has been building for weeks that Nintendo is preparing to lower the price of its Wii console for the first time since it debuted in 2006, from $250 to $200. Now it’s reaching fever pitch, with the tech blog Engadget dating the drop as this Sunday, Sept. 27. The report, picked up by The Associated Press, cited a leaked Best Buy memo.
Sony and Microsoft cut the price of their PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles last month, and gaming blog Kotaku has since posted purported leaked images of ads showing the lower Wii price.
UPDATED: Nintendo confirmed the Sept. 27 price drop tonight, and announced a Nov. 15 release date for New Super Mario Bros. Wii, which the company is calling “the first truly multiplayer Mario title ever.”
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in: Gaming • Nintendo • Business • Mario • Wii | Post a Comment »
September 17th, 2009, 11:23 am by Jayson Peters
 The creator of the virtual world Second Life is being sued yet again for trademark infringement. In April it was Scottsdale-based Taser suing Linden Labs over digital representations of its stun gun.
Now, a report from Courthouse News Service tells of a new class-action lawsuit by Eros LLC and Shannon Grei claiming Linden is making real money from knockoffs of their virtual erotic products.
To recap: Eros and Grei own rights to sex toys that only exist online … and there are knockoffs!
Posted in: Gaming • Business • Huh? • Internet • Second Life • Sex • Taser | Post a Comment »
September 17th, 2009, 10:01 am by Jayson Peters
From our friends at Robot Viking: The company that revolutionized tabletop miniatures gaming has been resurrected.
Most of the WizKids intellectual property has been purchased from Topps by a company called the National Entertainment Collectibles Association. Not only do they own the WizKids name, they also own the games (Mage Knight, HeroClix, ActionClix, HorrorClix, etc. — but not MechWarrior), the click-base concept and even the polystyrene 3D game model used for the Pirates constructable strategy game.
Read the full report at Robot Viking.
Posted in: Gaming • RPGs • Business • Collecting • miniatures • minis | Post a Comment »
September 16th, 2009, 12:43 pm by Jayson Peters
 Because slaying monsters is thirsty work, Jones Soda — known for its unorthodox sales strategies and seasonal flavors such as Turkey & Gravy, Sweet Potato and Antacid — has come up with a new line of beverages designed to appeal to the swords & sorcery crowd.
Limited-edition Dungeons & Dragons Spellcasting Soda comes in a variety of 6- and 12-packs of the following flavors:
- Potion of Healing
- Dwarven Draught
- Eldritch Blast
- Sneak Attack
- Bigby’s Crushing Thirst Destroyer
- Illithid Brain Juice
Via GeekDad
Posted in: RPGs • Collecting • D&D • Dungeons & Dragons • Food & Drynke • Jones Soda | 1 Comment »
September 14th, 2009, 7:51 am by Jayson Peters
 It’s good to be bad, particularly when you’re the Dungeon Master. At least, that’s the case at Wizards of the Coast’s latest Worldwide D&D Game Day event, scheduled for this Saturday at hobby shops across the globe.
The last WWDDGD, in May, celebrated the release of Monster Manual 2, and another in March marked the launch of Player’s Handbook 2. This one will coincide with the release of Dungeon Master’s Guide 2, and will give participants a chance to build their own adventure scenario using the new guide’s concepts.
Two is better than one, apparently. Now that the new Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition has been out for more than a year, many players are comfortable with the basics of dungeon-delving and this second round of core rulebooks, and the events celebrating them, can focus on more advanced strategies for killing imaginary things and taking their stuff.
UPDATED below with Valley locations. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in: Events • Gaming • RPGs • Conventions • D&D • Dungeons & Dragons • Worldwide D&D Game Day | Post a Comment »
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