I pretty much receded into giddy, insane laughter when I saw this. Oh teaser trailer, why do you taunt me so???!!!

I've been pretty much taking a sabbatical from updating the blog to finish up with school work. I'll get back to it soon, I think. Been playing Devil Summoner, Baten Kaitos: Origins, Manhunt, God of War, and Gurumin in the meantime.

But that doesn't mean we can't have a trailer, does it? :) This is from a upcoming PS2 game called Baroque. I have no idea what it's about, but it's got a snazzy anime trailer. It's pretty cool looking, with kick ass music and mood that reminds me heavily of Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne. I'd say that qualifies me to be interested.

Here's a new trailer for Crysis from GDC 2007, showcasing some the of cool visual effects being used in the game. The shot where the shock-wave overtakes you is really amazing.

FOXNews.com has a report on how classic and newer arcade games are becoming popular again with the American public. I would agree as I'm one of the contributers to this; I play Bust-A-Move 2 and Soul Caliber 2 at least twice a week at the bowling alley.

The US Army is going to launch a new game channel at the Global Gaming League in early June. This will not only help promote army related games, but help in opening up more communication with gamers. The channel will be free to sign up for, but the player will have to agree "to `additional contact from the army`".
Also, here's an interesting article about how newer, bulkier game controllers and accessories can be a put-off in relationships, particularily to the female side. I would think that it would only be an actual problem if you had like, you know, more game accessories than clothes and food.

Game Informer has a report on Capcom's offerings at the Spring Gamer's Day. Of particular interest is Resident Evil 4 for the Wii, which, according to the article, works wonderfully on the Wii and will also include all the extra goodies that the PS2 version had. A Harvey Birdman game for the PS2 and PSP is mentioned as well.

From 1Up.com, Acclaim is getting ready to launch a new MMO. Why the hell should we care at this point if it doesn't have the letters WoW connected to it? Because it's not an RPG. It's a dance MMO. In Dance Online, "Players create an avatar and dance off against up to six other players in a number of game modes." Now this is worth a look-see, and the open beta has just opened this week, and gamers are encouraged to try it out.

New trailers for Manhunt 2 are out.
WARNING: The following video is pretty disturbing, so people under 16 probably shouldn't watch.
Very creepy looking...but I'm loving the atmosphere. I can't wait to play it.

MSNBC has a Top 5 `Grand Theft Auto` clones list. I really only agree with two of the choices, because I don't think that using elements like the sand-box style gameplay and an open world necessarily constitutes a GTA clone. And if we're going by that format, shouldn't Crackdown be on the list?

Game Daily has a much more interesting list of games with Greek influence in them. I was surprised that Titan Quest wasn't included, but then again Titan Quest also includes Asia and Egypt. There's also an interview with Epic Games's Mark Rein and CliffyB and their thoughts on the Unreal Engine, the current console race, and story-telling in games. Really interesting read; check it out!

For the shooting game fans, here's an interview from IGN with the design manager of Bizarre Creations, Nick Davies, talking about their newest game Point Blank: The Club. The graphics in the game pics look absolutely amazing. Looks like the over the shoulder camera angle is being displayed here as well.

I'm trying to figure out what exactly I'm wanting to do with this blog. But I can't deny that anime and gaming (gaming more than anime these days, it seems) are my primary interests, and in working harder to get more news to post about, rather than just being cheap and taking it from other blogs all the time, I'm delving further and further into the subjects. This pretty much only serves to increase my enthusiasm in the video game and anime culture.
At the very least, I like to think that doing this blog keeps me busy doing something that's semi-productive and, I hope, will be of use or interest to others. For now, that's probably a good enough reason. :)

Let's do some game videos, shall we?

Trailer-wise, One Piece: Unlimited Adventure is coming to the Wii. Unstead of a fighting game or a crap-ass party game, this one appears to be an adventure game. With bug catching. Well, maybe it'll fare better on a next-gen console.

MMORPGs are going in a new direction in Bounty Bay. This game seems to focus on sea and ship adventures. Mentioned classes are pirates, merchants, and craftsmen. Looks like a nice change of pace.

And here's the opening to Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2, and...ah, let's face it, I really just don't care anymore. The anime looks nice though, and the song is upbeat.

And here's review from X-play for Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia. Whether you love them or hate them, they're still the only show that's watchable on G4 now-a-days. And they make me laugh.

I'm a little slow with anything new today, so bear with me if you've heard this already. ::ahem::

On Saturday 14th, YMCAs around the country will start incorporating "active Wii games into their Healthy Kids Day events" as a way to help keep kids active and also to promote family togetherness. This sounds like a really great program. If this is why I can't get ahold of a Wii to save my life, then I can wait a few more months.

1up.com has the news that Scarface will be coming out for the Wii. You'll be able to use the Wii Nunchuck and Remote to aim for particular body parts, which should be even more fun when the chainsaw comes into play.

Game Informer Online is having a contest giving away a GTA IV shirts, but you have to sign up for their free weekly newsletter to be entered.

The Atlanta Zoo has on exhibit in which two orangutans play video games so that researchers can study their "cognitive skills". A touch screen is built right into the orangutans' habitat for them to use. It lets them play matching games with sounds and pictures, or draw pictures.

In Garner, NC, the police are offering one of the three next gen consoles in exchange for information on a local vandal named `Ghost`. Also, the town is offering $1000. ...Is it immoral of me that the first thing I thought of was which system I'd want?

In gaming news, many US retailers are dropping 20 gig PS3s and are only selling the 60 gig version. The reasoning behind this is that apparently the 60 gig version is more popular. Kinda sucks for me, since all I really want is the version that's cheaper.

Wii and PS3 owners will be getting a new music player for their web browsers. At least, the ones living in the UK will.

Game Informer has an interview with the director of Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Yosuke Hayashi. Ninja Gaiden Sigma will apparently not only have the kick-ass PS3 graphics, but will also have great gameplay. Take a lesson, Genji.

DS owners will be able to play a compilation of Namco arcade games in the game Namco Museum DS, coming out this summer. There will be eight games for play, including Pac-Man, Mappy, and Galaga. Pac-Man VS is also one of the eight, which can be played against other players vie Wi-Fi.

And starting May 7th, X-Box 360 owners will be able to instant message each other when the X-Box Spring update will give them Windows Live™ Messenger. They "can text chat using the virtual keyboard accessible on Xbox 360, or by connecting a USB keyboard to the console." And also, check out the spiffy little mini keyboard/controller that's pictured in the article that'll be coming out in summer.

Some interesting new Japanese game trailers today. First, yet another tactical RPG, this time from a company called Spike. Elvandia Story looks it's taking a page from Fire Emblem's fighting system, but the graphics actually seem a step up from the little SD sprites we've been seeing in Ar Tonelico and Atelier Iris. They just may be cell shaded ::gasp!::.

Next, a cute little Japanese baseball game for the PSP, of all things. Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2 doesn't use real players; instead, all the players are these SD, simplified kewpie doll looking creatures with no arms. They are adorable though.

This next one looks like it was pulled straight from Angelic Layer, but might fall more into the mood of Chobits. Busou Shinki: Battle Rondo will probably have it's own share of male fans :) (hah, she calls you master). But the dolls do look really cute, and Angelic Layer has kinda made me wish I could make my own little kick ass fighting doll. These robots might be lifesized, rather than doll sized. It might actually be a really fun game, if the fighting system isn't just one of those rock-paper-scissor things like I'm thinking it is.

Fist or Twist is a fighting game. But wait, what's this? No buxom breast-bouncing fighter chicks? Not even one of those scary man-women with huge muscles and boobs like solid rocks? What kind of Japanese fighting game is this?! It'll never sell! Well, the blood splattering on the fighting ring mats looks pretty cool. I think one of the men shoved his thumb in his opponent's eye. The fighters seem to have these steroid overdose bodies though. And the graphics look good, but when the fighters are grappling aka wrestler style, their bodies start to meld into each other. But that might be fixed before release.

Finally, the video for today, a beautiful new trailer for Altus's game Odin Sphere. The graphics have this gothic look that remind me a bit of those old Lord of the Ring and Hobbit cartoon movies. I have this bad feeling that this game is going to get a crap-ass English dub, so here's to hoping that I'm wrong. Or at least, there'll be the option to switch to the Japanese dialogue.

I lost the post I was writing, God bleeping dammit. Anyhow, here's a interesting looking opening for Lupin the Third: Lupin's Death. In it, Lupin...dies?! Well, I don't really know. The tombstone shot at the end reminds me of the end of the Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer. An Alien apparently laid eggs in Lupin's body (not really), cause something's trying to burst out of his chest. I don't have much hope for the game, but the story sounds interesting, and the graphics look wonderful. The anime's style has translated beautifully into 3D, and there's some 2D animation used as well. And Inspector Zenigata gets bizaaa~ with a hot chick. While she's handcuffed to him. Huh, kinky.

I just can't seem to get back on track with any anime news lately. In new licensing news, Bandai has the rights to Zegapain and Funimation has Jigoku Shoujo/Hell Girl.

I am glad that Funimation has Jigoku Shoujo, despite the fact that Funi tends to do stupid marketing ads and such. But Funimation always gives their titles a lot of love, particular ones like Jigoku Shoujo and Full Metal Alchemist. So, we can probably expect some nice looking packaging, disc extras, and goodies to be packed into the releases. Since I've actually watched Jigoku Shoujo all the way through in Japanese (working on the second series), I'm rather excited to see what they do with the dub. Of course, the show is kind of highly steeped in Japanese culture. And while I don't mind loose translations as long as they maintain the original meaning and intention, I hope Funimation doesn't go too far off track with the translation culturally.