Nintendo of Australia are ready to go the dogs, quite literally in this case. Why am I saying this? Nintendo have recently announced that they will be in Sydney for the first ever first ever ‘Pup-Up’ store, where Australia’s finest award-winning dogs will be in attendance. This free event will consist of Sydneysiders getting tips on dog obedience, dog grooming and pet photography, and since the big N will be present, visitors will also get to try out Nintendogs + Cats for the 3DS.
These dogs will also be displaying tricks for the audience as well as taking photos via the AR card system on the 3DS, which will allow for each pup to get their photo-op in 3D with Nintendo’s pixelated alternatives. Acclaimed Sydney Psychologist Victoria Kasunic will also be at the doggy display to comment on pet research along with Redbird Photography, who will be on hand to detail the profession of snapping proper pictures of your pooch and inform the audience about pet shelters.
So how can you get in on this action? Just head to the Customs House Square on August 25th (which is this Thursday), starting at 10 AM. Make sure you bring your 3DS as well if you own one, as this is sure to be a great Streetpass opportunity.
Genre: Documentary Director: Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno, Kurt Engfehr Featuring: Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno Running Time: 88 minutes Available for purchase at:Madman Online Store ($24.95)
Overview
If ever there was a group of people who make you laugh while at the same time make you question society and the way it is constructed, it’s The Yes Men. You’d be forgiven for not knowing who these two pranksters are before picking up the DVD, but afterwards you sure as hell are going to love them.
The Yes Men Fix the World is a documentary that is poorly made, cheesy, and everything that would make students in film school cringe…and that’s what makes it a wonderful film to watch. The Yes Men don’t attempt to hide the fact that they had a small budget; instead they use it to show that even people with very little money can affect the world in a big way.
Plot
The Yes Men are two guys, Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, who are out to make a difference. Initially, they make false websites for large corporations in order to get invited to conferences and events, but when the BBC contacts them and asks for an interview, The Yes Men truly see an opportunity to change the world. After this comes a whirlwind of pranks at conferences, and an exposure of some of the largest issues plaguing the world today.
It’s easy to see how the narrative can be extremely engaging – after all, who doesn’t love a bunch of pranksters screwing with the large corps? You have to commend these guys: while it would be hard to string together a bunch of different, unrelated campaigns together into a coherent narrative, The Yes Men managed to make the structure of the film flow very nicely. Each prank somehow transitions onto the next, even though they jump from the Bhopal disaster in India to Hurricane Katrina to general wars against greed.
With that being said, the film has no conclusive ending and may leave you with an unsatisfied feeling – I stared at the screen for a second and said “that’s it?” While it’s a subtle reminder that fixing the world is a task The Yes Men will never complete, it still would be nice to have some sort of concrete conclusion to the action. None of the campaigns really had in-depth follow ups either, and it is never known if The Yes Men were (for the most part) ignored or if they just chose not to include what happened afterwards.
Characters
The two main characters in the narrative are The Yes Men, Andy and Mike. Andy is the one that carries out most of the pranks, and Mike seems to deal more with the administrative side, but both act as narrators as well as characters in the film. While what they do is awesome, unfortunately the characters themselves are very flat and boring – and if that was for a particular effect, it wasn’t very effective. When they did speak as themselves instead of as their persona (which wasn’t very often), both seemed very rehearsed and even the beginning scene where they introduced themselves seemed quite forced. In the beginning, it was funny in a Flight of the Conchords-esque style, but after a while it just became bland.
However, the characters that were truly frustrating were those in the corporate bodies. If you ever needed an eye-opener to the coldness of some people in the world, The Yes Men Fix the World is proof that, more often than not, people in business care more about money than other humans. These people are meant to disgust you and shock you, and believe me – they will.
Just a note on being shocked though: The Yes Men Fix the World did have some interesting characters to support their cause, and I was quite surprised at who they chose to show on camera. In films, you have to remember that each scene is selected for a reason; many people who appeared on camera speaking out for The Yes Men appeared less than trustworthy. While it’s great not to judge based on appearances, these people really did impact the credibility of their cause.
Audio/Visual
As I mentioned before, the film is not what I would deem a visual masterpiece. The effects largely look like they were made using iMovie or Windows Movie Maker, some of the shots are low quality (although often this is justified because they are filming incognito), and the cinematography is virtually non-existent. However, this adds to the notion of two men trying to fix the world with any means they had: if they could afford to pay fancy cinematographers and didn’t film guerrilla-style at points, their entire cause most definitely would have been questioned. Also, the visual elements make for some extra laughs at how odd or quirky they are – after all, when you move from one person’s face to another using a whirlpool-esque transition, you just have to laugh at how weird it is.
The audio is better than the visual from a technical perspective, but is quite exaggerated at times to both emphasise a specific moment in the film, and to add comedic value. While no particular tracks or moments stand out, the soundtrack is aptly chosen and really works with the narrative and characters in the overall scheme of the film.
DVD Extras
The DVD comes with no extras – yes, I was very upset. It would have been great to see the pranks included in their entirety as an extra, as opposed to having to watch them through the narrative. Also, with productions like these there are tons of bloopers; for guys who are such big jokers, I’m amazed they didn’t provide at least one reel. Lastly, it would have been great to see some more reactions from people towards their pranks; unfortunately, the film is all you get with this one.
Final Comments
The Yes Men Fix the World is a funny, eye-opening film that will make you see that fixing the world isn’t as serious as it seems. While there are some shaky elements in the documentary, overall it will have you laughing, inspired, and waiting to hear more about these guys.
A new trailer has been added to the pile of Gundam AGE related scrap news. But this trailer as a matter of fact, however small (15 seconds) should be enough to tide over rabid fans who are probably salivating provusely right now at the the mere mention of the giant mecha series.
The Gundam AGE anime series is part of the 30 year anniversary celebrations of the franchise, which will include manga series, video games, card games, models and much more. You can check out the trailer below for all the Gundam AGE thirst quenching you could possibly need, that is until you wake up tomorrow morning longing for just another hit of Gundam.
MineCraft has already proven, in so many ways, how creative gamers can be. Destructive, fire-starting trolls aside, it’s nice to have a game based around creating things rather than blowing stuff up or shooting dudes. Not only are people encouraged to build in-game, but resourceful MineCrafters have been creating mods that add new mechanics to the game.
This Pokemon mod is one of the coolest I’ve seen. The creator, using the screenname SeaGoingManatee, plans to introduce the original 151 first–gen Pokemon into the wilds of MineCraft, as well as incorporating several mechanics from the legendary series. As it stands now, players can find Pokemon wandering the landscape, craft Pokeballs to capture them, use a Pokedex to level them up and even evolve them. In the future, players will be able to battle, discover towns and Gyms, and even encounter Team Rocket, who will send out hostile Pokemon. If these guys can pull it off, this is sure to be awesome.
The mod is still in the fairly early stages, with apparently about 15 Pokemon modelled so far, but the creators are looking for help with this fairly ambitious task. If you have the skillz, jump on the forums and let the guys know.
Watch Captain Sparklez’s demonstration below, or click here for more information and updates, to submit models, and download the mod.
Ubisoft and Demiurge Studios are teaming up to bring you Shoot Many Robots, a game of pure metal carnage, announced today. Developed by Demiurge Studios and published by Ubisoft, Shoot Many Robots will be released on Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network and Windows PC in 2012.
“Ubisoft is excited to be working with Demiurge Studios on the release of Shoot Many Robots,” said Adam Novickas, Director of Marketing at Ubisoft. “Ubisoft is focused on providing players with a strong and diverse portfolio of digital titles, and Demiurge is set to bring another amazing game to the digital space with Shoot Many Robots.”
Shoot Many Robots follows P. Walter Tugnut on his mission to kill as many robots as possible after a factory begins to ominously produce killer robots. With an RV full of guns and beer, gamers will experience a four-player co-op run-n-gun side-scrolling RPG shooter filled with tons of weapon and item customisation. Shoot Many Robots will also feature two game modes: Traversal, where players must progress linearly through a level, and Survival, where players fight against waves of robot hordes, delivering hours of robotic carnage and fun.
Ubisoft and Demiurge will be showcasing Shoot Many Robots at PAX Prime in Seattle August 26–28, 2011.
Why don’t you check out the game screenshots and video below.
Onwards with the potential legal battles, this time involving usual “good guys”, Blizzard and Valve studios and the use of the DOTA 2 mod which the former plan to use in Starcraft 2 despite Valves recent trademarking of the name. Frank Pearce Blizzards VP of product development told Eurogamer that the plan is to rather rename the product than delay its release and risk a dispute. He went on to refer to DOTA as a “genre in this space, at this point, and almost a sub-genre of the real time strategy space. “It doesnt seem like something someone would want to trademark but the US legal system lets people do just about anything they want to try.”
The Defence of the Ancients mod was created for Blizzards Warcraft 3, and was as of last year trademarked by Valve studios who have planned a forthcoming sequel to the title. Rob Pardo from Blizzard is baffled at Valves behaviour citing them as a “pro mod community. Its such a community company that it just seems like a really strange move to us… I really dont understand why they would do it to be honest.”
Peace wouldnt comment on Blizzards legal obligations in using the mod but was emphatic that the name is not important and players will easily identify and immerse themselves in the experience. In closing Peace said ” At the end of the day the label we put on that mod for Starcraft 2 is not as critical as the gameplay experience we create and deliver to the fans. We will not hold back the experience from the fans because of a naming conflict.”
DOTA 2 was first shown at Gamescom in an invitaional tournament with a million dollar prize, way beyond anything offered in previous gaming competitions. Gabe Newell of Valve defended the companies position saying that the community should decide on the mods propriety which he is clearly leaving a lot of faith in.
There are many things that can be done with technology. In Deus Ex: Human Revolution there is actually quite a lot more that can be done with technology, but that is just a video game right? Well you can have at least a few pieces of that video game yourself, as Square Enix is teaming up with Musterbrand to offer a new line of Deus Ex brand clothing.
Now while none of this clothing will actually give you any special abilities nor is it robotic in any way, you can still sport some t-shirts and even a pair of jeans that sport some in-game logos. The special piece that can be purchased however is a relatively close replica of Adam Jensen’s trench coat. Don’t let him know you have it though, he looks more than a little angry up there without it. The store itself won’t be open until tomorrow and it will have both North American and International shops for those interested, though at the moment no prices are known for these items.
Sega Rally Online Arcade
Developer: SUMO Digital
Publisher: SEGA
Platforms: XBLA (reviewed), PSN
Release Date: May 18th, 2011
Price: 800 MSP – (Available Here)
Overview
After departing from the Sega console, I dove deeply into Playstation’s gaming void. I found myself playing a genre that was so unlike any other I have played before. Racing was surely not my favorite genre to play, but Gran Turismo 2 opened me like a fresh wound. While not being Gran Turismo 2, Sega Rally Online Arcade allows you to jump into the action. 3…2…1… GO!
Gameplay
The controls are fairly simple . If you are using an automatic vehicle, just hit the gas and go! Manual vehicles have more power since a player can shift faster than an automatic. Using a manual can be easy to learn as well. Once the race starts, the car jumps from neutral to 1st once the gas is pressed. Shifting up and down is controlled by the controller’s left and right bumper. Once the speedometer reaches a certain speed, the speedometer will flash red and suggest a shift. A player may shift between gears at any time, yet an abrupt shift will cause the vehicle to accelerate slower. Manual may take a few tries to master, but the quick acceleration is useful for arcade difficulty and time attack mode.
Going around long corners is not extremely difficult with super sensitive turning. At points of a race you may think to down-shift or brake to take on a corner, but even an automatic can take 90 degree turns at its highest gear. This technique in the game is called the power slide. By predetermining the degree of the turn, a player can initiate a slide by a hasty turn at higher speeds.
I have tried all of the cars in several different modes, but the gameplay did not change much at all. I noticed the starting cars have roughly the same top speed , acceleration, and handling. Basically there was not any difference between the vehicles apart from size and cosmetics.
-Championship
A championship tournament ends as quickly as it starts. Starting from 22nd place, the player must move up through the ranks within three races. With two laps a race, a total of six laps determines the overall winner. Placing first allows you to play in the secret Lakeview stage where you face off against a ridiculously fast car. By winning this stage you unlock Lakeview as a playable stage in “Time Attack” and “Quick Race” as well as a BRAND NEW CAR!
-Classic
Playing through on “Classic” generates a head-to-head match-up of nostalgic vehicles such as the Toyota Celica and the Lancia Delta. While there is only one opponent, you are almost constantly fighting to maintain the lead. If you are worried about a slow start, do not fret too much because the CPU opponent will slow down. Win five times in this mode to unlock the “Conditioned Reflex” achievement worth 10 gamer points.
-Time Attack
In “Time Attack” a player faces a ghost opponent that has been set by either Sega staff or top players on the leaderboards. In the race the player cannot physically affect the ghost car’s movements. The purpose of this battle is to achieve a faster time and to potentially be ranked online.
-Multiplayer
Being one of the prime purposes of an online arcade, Sega Rally Online Arcade seems to fall short. Once entering the online multiplayer, you may choose to join a potential game or customize your own. Customizing a game can alter AI bots, car types, number of laps, and the playable map. The major issue with online play is finding an available match. With hardly any online multiplayer activity, players would be better challenged by playing “Time Attack” mode to race against the leaderboard times.
Local multiplayer is readily available as long as you have a buddy to play with. Playing head-to-head may prove a tough match with any friend since all of the cars are equally balanced. The person who makes less mistakes on the map will more than likely be the winner. This makes for a competitive racing contest among friends.
Visuals/Audio
From the desert to the jungle, the environment visuals are fulfilling. Each map provides objects like people, bridges, and beaches that bring reality to the player. With a limited map selection, the scenes show a lot of background detail to make each lap through intriguing.
One texture that sticks out readily is mud. While your car travels through mud, a build-up is collected on the rear bumper. Driving through water cleans mud off but slows the vehicle down. The effect is pretty cool but worth avoiding to maintain a consistent high speed.
The coolest sound of Sega Rally Online Arcade is the grinding of tire to road. The power slide makes a sound like individual rocks and gravel popping as the tires grab for friction. Other sounds from the vehicle meet your standard for gear changes, acceleration, breaking, and collisions.
As I was making my way closer to my first turn, the game told me there was an easy left turn ahead. The voice continued to belt out directions for each turn or jump that I was nearing. This initially was an annoyance, but I understood this was helpful especially for new players. In-game options proved useful to turn down the volume of the voice yet keep the visual arrows available.
Overall
Sega Rally Online Arcade cannot compare to bigger racing titles because of its shelf life. While spending only a few hours on unlocking achievements , players will burn through the single player modes. The multiplayer should be the key aspect to increase the longevity of the game, but the lack of community could prevent players from finding a single match. By focusing multiplayer locally, players can experience competitive play more readily. If you are trying to avoid a pricey racing title, Sega Rally Online Arcade could be a great supplement for a low price.
Arkedo and Sanuk Games are proud to announce that “01 – JUMP!”, the first installment of the critically acclaimed ARKEDO SERIES, will be available in Europe on August 24th for only €1.99 / £1.74.
Douse your console in a colorful world and get ready for some serious old-school action! In this tightly crafted 2D platformer, your 8-bit hero must collect bombs before they blow up, while avoiding nasty little bats, 2-way powered crabs, sharp stalactites, spikes from hell, and a bunch of other oddities.
The game is so truthful to the old-school experience that it has no ‘continue’: once you’ve lost all your lives, you have to start it all over again – but in a good mood!
Initially published on XBox Live Indy Games as a “one game per month” experiment, the ARKEDO SERIES got scores of enthusiastic reviews. Jamie Davies from console-arcade.com called “01 – JUMP!” a “colorful and highly entertaining platformer that’s crammed with charm”, while Brandon Daiker of n-sider.com felt like he would best describe it as a “fistful of Altoids stuffed straight up your ass”.
The two other games, “02 – SWAP!” and “03 – PIXEL!”, will have their release dates announced shortly.
About Arkedo
“01 – JUMP!” has been created by Arkedo, a Paris-based studio comprised of eight game developers, and focused on making arcade games with a twist. Founded in early 2006, the studio’s award-winning DS titles (Nervous Brickdown, Big Bang Mini) were well received by the public and the press. Arkedo’s secret plan to rule the world is a weird combination of trying to make cool games, cooking great food, and being generally nice to everyone – except SouthPeak. It is with genuine astonishment we can announce that this silly plan is currently working.
About Sanuk Games
“01 – JUMP!” is ported and published on PlayStation® 3 by Sanuk Games, a prolific casual game studio. From its Bangkok-based sweatshop, Sanuk Games churned out over 50 games in the past couple of years. Among Sanuk Games’ recent releases on PlayStation® consoles are Spot The Differences, Hysteria Project, Actual Crimes: Jack The Ripper, Twin Blades, Pix’n Love Rush, 3D Twist & Match, Drums Challenge and Hysteria Project 2.
Check out some of the screenshots, as well as a video, below.
Madman will grace our DVDs again in October with a great lineup of DVD releases. With a wide variety of genres and a Will Ferrell film tossed in the mix, plenty of these releases are most definitely worth looking forward to. We’ve selected our pick of the bunch below, but if you want to see more you can always check it out at Madman’s Official Site.
Everything Must Go
Nick Halsey (Will Ferrell) is a career salesman whose days of being on top are long gone. The same day Nick is fired, he returns home to discover that his wife has left him, changed the locks on their suburban home and dumped all of his possessions on the front lawn. Faced with an imploding life, Nick holds fast and sets up everything he owns in front of the house and prepares for a garage sale of the soul.
EVERYTHING MUST GO sees Will Ferrell return to the subtle, bittersweet performance style that he mastered in STRANGER THAN FICTION, and also pairs him with Rebecca Hall (THE TOWN) and Laura Dern (JURASSIC PARK).
Release date: 5th October 2011
Armadillo
Hugely acclaimed across the globe, ARMADILLO is the harrowing, unflinching look at the daily lives of soldiers serving in Afghanistan.
Award winning film director Janus Metz captures life on the frontline with an uncompromising and intense vision, bearing witness to the realities of the combat zone. As the fighting intensifies the effect of modern warfare is gradually realised as exhaustion, fear and adrenaline set in. Idealism meets paranoia in an authentic gun battle and decisions are made that can never be reversed. Gripping, thought provoking and visceral, this is as close as you get to battle action from the edge of your seat.
Release date: 5th October 2011
Misanthropology – Eddie Perfect
Live from is sell-out performance at The Famous Spiegeltent, Eddie Perfect (OFFSPRING, SHANE WARNE: THE MUSICAL), the Helpmann Award-winning comedian, composer and performer, is back! His latest darkly satirical musical work promises to be a kind of twisted social autopsy, examining the stranger cultural rituals we find ourselves performing.
Release date: 19th October 2011
Freedom: Series Collection
A new vision of the future, from the mind of AKIRA creator, Katsuhiro Otomo.
In the year 2041, mankind created their first space colony on the moon. But after a freak cataclysm devastated human civilisation on Earth, the republic of the moon built a domed megalopolis known as Eden. Now in the year 2267, a boy called Takeru spends his time engaging in hover-craft races against rival street gangs, unaware that he is about to embark in the journey of unearthing Eden’s origin.
