FIFA 10 UK Cover Athletes

Our British cousins, across the pond, website GamingShogun, has the scoop on the cover athletes, football stars that are to grace FIFA 10. Man U's Rooney, Chelsea's Lampard and Arsenal's Walcott are the coverboys.

Battle in LA; Beckham vs the fans

David Beckham needs no introduction these days, husband of Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, ex-captain of English Football Team, and the $250 million dollar MLS superstar. The Armani underwear model, (no I will not post those pics), loses his cool by the mouth of a Disney Interactive Videogame Support Technician, David Martinous.

Kotaku's Stephen Totilo questions the odd behavior of "The World's Second Most Famous Athlete" and how a "videogame guy" story in the New York Times and Yahoo Sports pop up in his morning search ritual.

I really want to ask Totilo who he thinks is the first most famous athlete and why is he surprised that a videogame tech could be so loud and rude, at the very moment any twitter responses were not returned.

All the time behind a videogame screen, we have to get our jollies elsewhere, right?

During a preseason friendly, well preseason for AC Milan, but midseason for the LA Galaxy, the rossinerri squared off with the MLS team. The LA Galaxy really need a nickname. It was at half-time when the confrontation took place.

According to the LA Galaxy, the fan who jumped onto the field has been banned from the LA Riot Squad, but according the super-fans club there has yet to be a decision on the member, who according to their website, a recruit just needs to show up on section 138 and cheer. Tough requirements we all can agree.

The once Man U devil to wear the coveted number 7 jersey, strutted to section 138 and confronted the now infamous LA Galaxy support club, Riot Squad, and outstretched his hand. The incident reminds me of another infamous outburst of Red Devil #7. The kick that would go down in Football lore.

The incident in Los Angeles could of been worse, for all parties, Beckham's outburst was unbecoming of a superstar athlete who is a role model for children across the world and his own. For the fan Paige, who jumped off to greet Becks, could of recived a Red Devil kung fu kick, and ultimately the fans, who want the Galaxy to play well, make the playoffs, and win that MLS cup who has yet to be raise by the team.

Links visited;

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/07/morning-ticker-galaxy-tie-milan-wambach-nets-100th-and-more.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jul/20/david-beckham-confrontation-la-galaxy

http://www.mls-daily.com/2009/07/exclusive-fan-confronted-by-beckham.html

http://kotaku.com/5319791/did-a-video-game-guy-tick-off-worlds-2nd-most-famous-athlete

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/sports/soccer/21beckham.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=david%20bekham&st=cse

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=jo-beckham072009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

OP-ED; UFC vs EA Sports

Update: Added a link, pointing out the economical success of UFC 100.

With EA Sports announcement at E3 jumping into Mix Martial Arts foray, squaring up in the octagon and hitting the canvas with ferocity, fans of the sport and videogame enthusiasts would be open to the competition of having a competing title to THQ's superb, 1 million unit breaking (according to the NPD Group), UFC Undisputed 2009 game.

President of UFC, Dana White, is enraged at EA Sports decision to jump into the MMA business. Dana White comments on EA Sports on the night of UFC's most successful event, UFC 100 earned over 5 million at the gate, has confirmed a "war" with EA Sports. Has this pissing match of words gone too far or just started? Can President of EA Sports, Peter Moore, succeed in matching the sales of THQ's UFC Undispitued 2009? Is this beginning of EA Sports becoming a promoter of some kind of, EA MMA Fight Night at your local sports center?

Not everyone is an excited bunch, UFC President Dana White, speaking to MMA Junkie, had choice words for EA and any fighter who signs to fight (in the game that is) in EA's MMA,"

"We put our asses on the line, THQ and the UFC, to make a video-game deal in the worst economy in the world," White said. "We go out there and do this thing, and it's successful, and now [expletive] EA Sports wants to do a video game. Really? That's not what you told us a year-and-a-half ago.

"You told us you'd never be in business with us. They wouldn't even take a meeting because mixed martial arts disgusted them. This wasn't a real sport. Boy, they got over that real quick, didn't they?" "I'm not tap-dancing around this thing or whatever," White said. "I'm telling you straight-up, I'm at war with them right now. That's how I look at it."

"You won't be in the UFC,"

"You know what the difference is?" White asked. "I'm in the mixed martial arts business. EA isn't.

"EA doesn't give a [expletive] about mixed martial arts. They made that very clear."

To translate, Dana White offered EA Sports the UFC license, but were turned away, either because of the disagreement how fighting would be portray (too disgusting according to Dana White), or EA Sports said UFC was not a sport (probably meant as, UFC does do not high enough numbers to be considered a marketable sport a year and a half ago according to EA). Since UFC signed with THQ, Dana White has a special interest that his label succeeds (UFC is a label, like the NFL, MLB, MLS because they are not just sporting leagues but are marketable and profitable businesses as well). The hypocrisy weighs heavily on Dana White shoulders, as he should know, since he was the one who got into the MMA game by purchasing UFC from its previous owners.
Has two years really pass since Peter Moore's announcement from moving Redmond to Redwood Shores? It was actually July 17, 2007 when it was announced, and yes it is possible that Peter may have seen the EA MMA title in some form of concept before and right after that date. It maybe also possible, it was Peter Moore who said "NO" to Dana White, but according to White that meeting did not happen...

EA Sports President Peter Moore did not directly respond to UFC president Dana White, but in his official blog he wrote,"

"I love mixed martial arts, and we've been working on a game concept since I came to EA two years ago. I have great respect for the organizations and individuals that have invested in the sport's growth over the past decade - so this is one that is near and dear to me and I'm excited to see such good progress to date. I trace my MMA video game roots back to my support of Crave's UFC title on the Dreamcast in 2000, and have been a fan ever since. Our title will bring both innovation and further authenticity to mixed martial arts, not to mention a strong global publishing network that will help spread the sport's popularity around the world."

To translate, EA Sports president, of MS, Sega, and Reebok fame, Peter Moore has had his eye on the growing interest on mix martial arts in the Western World i.e. USA, UK and Europe. Peter has great respect to individuals and organizations who have invested in mma in the past decade, (he must be talking to philanthropists who have open jui juistu centers in flavelas or other poor areas in third world countries). Or is Peter referring to UFC previous owners, who must've worked with Crave and Sega to release a game on the Dreamcast (during a moment of hysteria, AZ Senator John McCain called MMA the equivalency of human cockfighting)? So how is EA Sports going to compete with a label that operates 90% of mma? By going worldwide of course, like its other game, FIFA, EA will probably sign with other smaller but known fighters from up and coming, although, smaller promoters.

Competition is a great thing, there is no doubting that concept, but in Dana White's business plan his company's goal on having the UFC become the NFL of mma in the US (the world?) really threaten by EA Sports coming into the marketplace? Or this the moment when EA Sports becomes more of a label of just videogames and become a promoter of some kind and partnership with smaller, yet competitive promoters?

Fight Night Round 4 Review

I believe words must be conquered, lived, and that the apparent publicity they recieve from the dictionary is a falsehood. Nobody should dare to write "outskirts" without having spent hours pacing their high sidewalks; without having desired and suffered as if they were a lover; without having felt their walls, their lots, their moons just around the corner from the general store, like a cornucopia...

-JL Borges 1926

There is only one sport near and dear to my heart I love, none other "the beautiful game." No on can agree on who coined soccer (other parts of the world, football) as "the beautiful game" however, everyone agrees soccer is special to the world. Playing roughly all of my adolescence on those green fields chasing a peppered ball to only place it in white net, and in college cheering wildly for our favorite national or club team with teammates. The beautiful game did not start with the "stars", but with the youth playing on grassy, dirt, and asphalt fields chasing a ball made of hope and dreams. A game is not won on statistics alone, but by securing goals. The English play with tactics, Germans with efficiency, Brazilians with flair and Americans with grit. Soccer by definition is a world sport.

Boxing is rarely about beauty, it pits two beasts, pummeling each other with jabs, uppercuts, and haymakers in 12 rounds that last 3 minutes long. Death is not a rare occurrence in the ring. The crowd present and at home want the drama of a knockout. We root for the challenger, and despise the champion. We hate the prettyboy, and marvel at the history of cuts and bruises of the old timer. Fighters win and primadonnas hit the canvas. A fight is won by knockout or by outpucnhing your oppenent, statistics matter. Boxing by definition is a mans' sport.





I never understood boxing before 1992, that is, until I saw my first Pay Per View championship fight. Julio Cesar Chavez, the Lion of Culiacan, defending his WBC Lightweight belt against the speedy challenger Hector "Macho" Camacho in September 1992. For me, Camacho had a few things going against him, he had too much flair, very pompous, and not Mexican, were the easiest of features only a 12 year old boy could dislike on a boxer. In my eyes, Chavez was the darling, the Champion, 81-0 record, a Mexican folk hero and a legend in the making. With Mariachi music as he entered the ring, all of us were in awe.

Being part of a youth traveling soccer team, weekends were spent in hotel rooms, prepping for a tournament of games in Sacramento, Fresno, Davis, Los Angeles and San Diego was never out of the ordinary. One particular weekend, the fathers could not imagine of missing a highly anticipated fight. After our second game of the day was over, we rushed to the hotel to shower, sped to a nearby eatery, and hauled ourselves back to the room to watch the Chavez v Camacho fight.

The fight is considered legendary, cat vs mouse, the stronger Chavez punishing the fleeing Camacho, as a cat toying with its prey. By the seventh round, Chavez was in total control of the fight, Camacho failed to throw in the towel as his ringside suggested, the challenger would last five more rounds surviving a bloody pulp assault to his face and figure.

It was probably the best fight a 12 year old boy could of witness as his first. There are a few first memories men will cherish, their first fist fight in the school yard (a bully named Ryan), first crush on a pinup (Cindy Crawford), their first soccer goal (five years old in AYSO game) and their first PPV Title Match.

I will always remember JC Chavez the way I did in 1992. A Champion, Pound for Pound best fighter in the world, and a folk hero Mexican. The scandals, the losses, the women, the ad campaigns over time would dent JC Chavez credibility in my eyes and countless of others, I hear he even has a junior who wants to fight PACMAN Pacquiao.



A couple of nights ago, memories began to fill my eyes with tears of remembered youth, as I knocked out Sugar Shane Mosley in the seventh round of a Welterweight title match in EA's Fight Night Round 4. Mosley leaned into a haymaker uppercut, Mosley falls, referee counts to ten, fight over.

Fight Night Round 4 Review of some sorts

I believe words must be conquered, lived, and that the apparent publicity they receive from the dictionary is a falsehood. Nobody should dare to write "outskirts" without having spent hours pacing their high sidewalks; without having desired and suffered as if they were a lover; without having felt their walls, their lots, their moons just around the corner from the general store, like a cornucopia...

-JL Borges 1926

There is only one sport near and dear to my heart I love, none other "the beautiful game." No on can agree on who coined soccer (other parts of the world, football) as "the beautiful game" however, everyone agrees soccer is special to the world. Playing roughly all of my adolescence on those green fields chasing a peppered ball to only place it in white net, and in college cheering wildly for our favorite national or club team with teammates. The beautiful game did not start with the "stars", but with the youth playing on grassy, dirt, and asphalt fields chasing a ball made of hope and dreams. A game is not won on statistics alone, but by securing goals. The English play with tactics, Germans with efficiency, Brazilians with flair and Americans with grit. Soccer by definition is a world sport.

Boxing is rarely about beauty, it pits two beasts, pummeling each other with jabs, uppercuts, and haymakers in 12 rounds that last 3 minutes long. Death is not a rare occurrence in the ring. The crowd present and at home want the drama of a knockout. We root for the challenger, and despise the champion. We hate the pretty boy, and marvel at the history of cuts and bruises of the old timer. Fighters win and primadonnas hit the canvas. A fight is won by knockout or by out punching your opponent, statistics matter. Boxing by definition is a mans' sport.

From Untitled Album

I never understood boxing before 1992, that is, until I saw my first Pay Per View championship fight. Julio Cesar Chavez, the Lion of Culiacan, defending his WBC Lightweight belt against the speedy challenger Hector "Macho" Camacho in September 1992. For me, Camacho had a few things going against him, he had too much flair, very pompous, and not Mexican, were the easiest of features only a 12 year old boy could dislike on a boxer. In my eyes, Chavez was the darling, the Champion, 81-0 record, a Mexican folk hero and a legend in the making. With Mariachi music as he entered the ring, all of us were in awe.

Being part of a youth traveling soccer team, weekends were spent in hotel rooms, prepping for a tournament of games in Sacramento, Fresno, Davis, Los Angeles and San Diego was never out of the ordinary. One particular weekend, the fathers could not imagine of missing a highly anticipated fight. After our second game of the day was over, we rushed to the hotel to shower, sped to a nearby eatery, and hauled ourselves back to the room to watch the Chavez v Camacho fight.

The fight is considered legendary, cat vs mouse, the stronger Chavez punishing the fleeing Camacho, as a cat toying with its prey. By the seventh round, Chavez was in total control of the fight, Camacho failed to throw in the towel as his ringside suggested, the challenger would last five more rounds surviving a bloody pulp assault to his face and figure.

It was probably the best fight a 12 year old boy could of witness as his first. There are a few first memories men will cherish, their first fist fight in the school yard (a bully named Ryan), first crush on a pinup (Cindy Crawford), their first soccer goal (five years old in AYSO game) and their first PPV Title Match.

I will always remember JC Chavez the way I did in 1992. A Champion, Pound for Pound best fighter in the world, and a folk hero Mexican. The scandals, the losses, the women, the ad campaigns over time would dent JC Chavez credibility in my eyes and countless of others, I hear he even has a junior who wants to fight PACMAN Pacquiao.

A couple of nights ago, memories began to fill my eyes with tears of remembered youth, as I knocked out Sugar Shane Mosley in the seventh round of a Welterweight title match in EA's Fight Night Round 4. Mosley leaned into a haymaker uppercut, Mosley falls, referee counts to ten, fight over.

From Untitled Album

David Villa to sign with Barca

According to a report on www.barcaloca.com David Villa of Valencia will sign with Nou Camp giants FC Barcelona. More details to come...

A Hero's Welcome, Ronaldo packs the Bernebau

a joyous occasion at the Bernebau!

Giuseppe Rossi, super sub, scores twice in Confedarations Cup 2009

once a villain now a hero

Giuseppe Rossi, came of the bench to score twice agaisnt his native country (Rossi was born New Jersey), in Confedarations Cup 2009 group play. The defeat is a heartbreak for the American soccer team, which lead at halftime, but a red card to Ricardo Clark prove to be a vital part of the game. The two Rossi's, Villareal Striker Giuseppe Rossi and Roma's Daniele De Rossi, the later if US soccer fans recall violently elbowed Brian McBride in the 2006 World Cup Match, played exteremly well, with De Rossi scoring the leading goal.

In earlier game, Brazil edge Egypt with a last gasp penaly shot by the newly signed Real Madrid playmaker, Kaka, 4-3.

***

Did Rossi earn a starting spot with two marvelous goals? Sound off below!

David Villa to sign with Real Madrid

In another display of big spending, Real Madrid is to sign David Villa prolific goal scorer of Valencia fame. Los Blancos with have star studded attack of Villa, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. Is there another jewel for Real Madrid's galaticos roster to come?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

C Ronaldo to Real Madrid

More to come as the story is developing...
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Barca, Masche, Transfer Drama, oh my!

Yes I did it! Barca! Barca! Barca!

Argentinian little man, Javier Mascherano, Liverpool midfielder, crosser extraordinaire, may be joining the other little wizard soon. Terra is reporting that the Masche is inching closer to signing with the treble winning, Man U pounding, Chelsea dream crushers, Barcelona FC.

Will Liverpool fans be up and arms, as they are in Milan, for the departure of one of their better midfielders? A Yaya Toure departure might just be in the cards afterall, since Mascherano, now team captain of the Argentina National Team, plays a similiar position.

Dante's Inferno Critique too harsh...

Sexy Videogame Land blogger, writer, journalist, and drunken podcaster, Leigh Alexander, opened the gates of hell, actually, she critiques EA Visceral Game's Dante's Inferno for being, wait, she actually does not critique it all. Leigh only points to other sites, like Kotaku's Brian Crecente, First Wall Rebate and Chris Remo's posts successfully pulling apart the foundation of what the IP is based on. Very gory, yet insightful posts. (Visceral Game's are known for Dead Space, The Simpson's Game, James Bond, Lord of The Rings, Road Rash, and the 16 bit Strike Series.)

But are we not putting the cart in front of the horse a little bit?

The Dante's Inferno, the game not the poem, is not even out yet, as it may be possible, the story can change during any moment in a game's development cycle, especially if it is a cut scene heavy type of game (God of War, Devil May Cry series were) they may be pulling the wool over our eyes this entire time. It is too early to pass judgment. Or is it?

I will, of course, criticism aside, jump in the pool since it is all warm and filled with chlorine.

One of the core arguments is the usage of the literally work being done so freely, as without any historical and literal context, as being wrong, "anti-intellectual" and uninspiring. I do agree, using the term adaptation is fool hearty, a better term would of been interpretation, as this is Visceral Game's interpretation of Dante's Inferno. Boobies and all. It is possible, since the greek god shtick is taken, what other religions did the team at EA could of use for their God of War clone? Egyptian? Uto-Aztec? Maya? Inca? Catholicism! A Call of Onuris game sounds compelling, fighting a ton of demon like creatures with the pyramids as Giza as backdrop, it does not have to be historically accurate, does it? Since Ubisoft has that 3rd Crusade thing going on for them, doh!, they also took the Renaissance, a warrior poet fighting the legions of hell sounds cool and all.

***

My wishes for the game are a bit different than the rest of us criticizing it, I would of like to have seen, the sins (demons, lust minions, babies) cast into hell were of videogame cliches, for example, when in the sixth circle of hell, a group of enemies will spawn behind the avatar and the camera or in the seventh circle we are shot by fireballs from an unseen enemy or in the eighth circle, death closets and shot kills! Do not forget grenade spamming, oh I hate that! That is how I imagine videogame Hell to be like, and to spoil the ending, instead of Lucifer chewing on the heads of the traitorous Brutus, Cassius and Judas it will instead be, Master Chief's, Mario's and Solid Snake's heads. Interpret that as any way you may!

***

The God of War comparison is not fair, because no one held any type of criticism to its revenge story, but there may have been thought provoking commentary if it was named the as the classical, Virgil's Aeneid. It was not. Dante's Inferno may get skewered and grilled, not for creating a work on a classical poem, and missing the ironies that made the said poem so celebrated, but only because God of War 3, and Bayonetta seem so compelling.

***

Brazil's playmaker Kaka to leave AC Milan for Real Madrid

In an effort to stay relevant in football, Real Madrid is poised to sign AC Milan and Braizilian playmaker extraordinaire Kaka for a hefty sum of £56 Million. If the reports turn out true, Real Madrid is restarting their bid to European domination by buying these Galaticos, players who are considered to the elite of football players of the world. Our only question at Latinogamer, who is next to go to los blancos?

Terra.com is reporting that the deal is done...

Where's my SOUL; Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchise off a step

When it comes music, the industry itself has been always driven either by good marketing or creative hustle.

Why has MTV Games/EA/Harmonix and Activision/Neversoft failed, once again, to address Soul Music and Latin American Music in their marquee franchises of Rock Band and Guitar Hero at E3?

Sony's Singstar has included a strong multicultural lineup in their song selections, do to SCEE being part of multilingual market, but when it comes to American publishers and developers they have failed to properly capture the other popular music genres.

Soul Music, R&B, Hip Hop, Mariachi, Banda, Cumbia, Rock en Espanol are huge music genres, with multimillion selling artists and albums, but Rock Band and Guitar Hero have included very little amount of songs in to their respective franchises.

The Music Game genre is growing, DJ Hero, Scratch and The Beatles, were recently announced at the videogame tradeshow E3, but there is still an absence.

Nintendo, please make a James Brown Wii Balance Board game. Thank you.

Left 4 Dead 2, Valve and the Tale of Two IPs

Earlier today at Microsoft's E3 Press Conference, Valve announced the sequel to their co-op zombie shooter, Left 4 Dead 2. PC Gamer has the exclusive print story and more details are bound to be announced at the EA Conference.

Valve has changed the way the way they support their IP's with the announcement of the sequel to Left 4 Dead.

I would say so, especially after the latest release of content to the popular online shooter, Team Fortress 2. Valve has released weapon add ons to almost every class, maps and even three new modes. With Left 4 Dead also received free content, the Survivor pack added two full campaigns of "Death Toll" and "Dead Air" for versus mode, as well as the survival game mode, where the survivors try to fight through endless waves of zombies. Why does the Left Four Dead 2 content, a year later of its' release,not added to the existing L4D?

The tale for Team Fortress 2, released in Nov 07, was a bit different, originally included in the Orange Box (Steam and retail) and later packaged as a solo sku, the free content received has trickled out of Valve for two years. If you add up all the content, Team Fortress 3 with updated visuals, could of been printed and released. Why do Left 4 Dead owners get the shaft, and also PC players who are accustomed to the free content of Valve, now have to pony up and pay for content that would been free? Considering one of the glaring issues reviewers and critics had for L4D as being too short.

How great will the backlash be?

Grand Theft Auto goes Latino...Why?

Rockstar Games, creator of the multi-selling Grand Theft Auto Series, have revealed their next installment, GTA "The Ballad of Gay Tony" including a fabulous glitter rainbow font.  Grand Theft Auto 4 received high praise  for its execution of the story and gameplay of Niko Bellic and its' portray of immigrant life in America and New York City.  Even one would say the tired old pun, " Is this our Citizen Kane moment?"  

On the eve of E3, "The Ballad of Gay Tony" has the gaming industry in a buzz tweeting, blogging and podcasting on the next episode of GTA will be.  As of know, it seems Microsoft's $50 million exclusivity deal with Rockstar for two episodic downloadable content was the smart choice.   The announcement has writers/journalists/bloggers praising Rockstars move to include a Latino/Hispanic lead and the word 'gay' in the main title.

Kotaku's Stephen Totilo remarks , "two parties managed to make May 26, 2009 a significant date for Latinos" (the White House announced a first Hispanic/Latino Judge to the Supreme Court that day) as Rockstar named a fictional lead of the new GTA episode.  Both of the news-makers are New York Puerto Ricans or Nuyoricans, and makes complete sense for Rockstar to include a Liberty City Puerto Ricans (Liberticans!) since Liberty City is a fictionalize New York City.  It seems, the writers of Rockstar Games did not try to pigeon hole Latino/Hispanic or Gay and Lesbians into Liberty City, why would they, if in New York why not Liberty City? 

Bitmob's Dan Hsu  applauds the developer with the byline, "Rockstar's Got Balls" including, "Quite impressed that Rockstar doesn't shy away from potentially controversial subject matters." Having a GTA story based on "Gay Tony" may have a share of controversy, to right wing pundits, but gay and lesbians may have a differing opinion if the character is portrayed in a stereotypical manner.  The title may be misleading, "Gay Tony" may not live a homosexual lifestyle, but because of his night life connections inherited the nickname (Latinos love to give weird nicknames).   

Tiny Dancer of Gaygamer.net questions Rockstar's motive, "First the 'Over the Rainbow' achievement in Bully and now our very own gay-titled DLC episode? Have gay gamers managed to charm their way into Rockstar's heart, or is it the love of controversy that beats beneath Rockstar's ample bosom?"  It is not Rockstar's first time to used a minority as a major protagonist; GTA "Vice City" an Italian American, GTA "San Andreas" an African American, GTA 4 an Eastern European, GTA "Chinatown Wars" an Asian American and now with GTA "Ballad of Gay Tony" a Latino/Hispanic or Puerto Rican.  Lest we not forget Rockstar's "Read Dead Revolver" which the protagonist was one of Native American descent.  Is it controversy what drives Rockstar or do they see the bigger picture, New York, historically, is a collection of different minorities living together, violently and peacefully.  

***In GTA 3 protagonist, I would argue, was a carte blanche protagonist meant for the player (you) to create their own story.***

Rockstar is an innovating developer in the videogame world, we all can agree, but is their motive to portray a different view on American life through their protagonists sincere or are they taking tried and true stereotypical minorities and placing them in the videogame fold?

   Rockstar's own founder details "Ballad of Gay Tony" as, "This episode's focus on high-end night life contrasts with the biker gangs portrayed in The Lost and Damned, whilst giving us a lot of new gameplay possibilities."  Their press releases reveals a bit of the plot, "players will struggle with the competing loyalties of family and friends, and with the uncertainty about who is real and who is fake in a world in which everyone has a price."  If the plot sounds familiar, it is, a movie that dealt with the same night life atmosphere scene was "Carlitos Way ", starring Al Pacino as retired Puerto Rican gangster trying to leave vice and crime behind him, with many scenes taking place at a night club.   

However, a day later, I am press to see significance.  Of course, the date is less significant to American Latino/Hispanics, since Judge Sonia Sotomayor has yet to be approved by the US Senate and no one outside of Rockstar has seen or played the protaganist Luis Lopez in "The Ballad of Gay Tony."  Latinos/Hispanics have given lukewarm response to Judge Sotomayor historical appointment to the Supreme Court .  

The Latino/Hispanic gaming community, however, will be up in arms if Luis Lopez is portrayed as a stereotypical hot blooded Latino lover, well, at least Luis Valdez will.  

As of now, all comments at Kotaku point to indifference.  

EA Sports Active; burning for a better beach body

After a night with Electronic Arts new sports title, EA Sports Active, is the game (or interactive workout video) recommendable to Wii Fit owners and DVD workout connoisseurs? Details below.

***

First session was completed last night. I felt the burn, the day after sores, the blistered feet (usually thumbs from Team Fortress 2) but was the workout a greater value than walking your dog or jogging (mindlessly) on a treadmill? EA Sports Active will likely end up in a pile of Carmen Electra stripper, Taibo punching and P90x DVD videos. What does EASA offer that these videos do not? One simple caveat, there are times the game does not advance if you do not properly do the exercise.

It is like having a p.e. teacher yelling at you for being a dumb twitter twit for not doing one simple rep correctly. It is sixth grade all over again!

Keyword, patience, especially with the curls. If you do the movements to quickly or shake the Wii mote, it throws the game off. If you are patient and focus on the exercise (as a trainer would force someone to the exercise correctly!) the game registers it and you are on to your next rep. There was trouble with the lunges, inline skying and curls, but after a few tries, the work out was like a DVD exercise video (perspiration included). The gameplay mechanic of not letting the player advance before the excercise is done correctly is a buying reason over all of the DVD videos.

The Wii Fit balance board is supported, but there is no need to use one if one is aiming to do the EASA's 30 day workout regime.

As with all things that deals with getting fit, in shape, or rock hard abs, the game is as good as one makes it. Confusing? I know, but let me explain. The value of EASA will only be weighed agaisnt the effort of the user. If you are serious in losing weight, any DVD, any treadmill, any team sports activitiy and any gym of your choice will help you lose the weight, but the amount depends on you and only you. EASA does a good job on starting the path, but it is you who has to finish it.

A Daisy of a game; Sega brings pilates to the Wii

Latina Daisy Fuentes, a MTV icon of the fab eighties, once lover of Luis Miguel, is bringing pilates to the Nintendo Wii. The Cuban-Spanish-American icon will sculpt gamers bodies via the fine aspects of the popular German fitness program, "Daisy Fuentes Pilates" will be available Summer 09.

Publish by Sega, on the heels of EA Sports active, pilates is a popular fitness program that sells tons of dvds and books very well local gyms. If Sega can come to market at an affordable price point, look for this title to be on future NPD lists.

God of War 3 Top Five Gods that should be featured!

1. Phobos and Deimos (Fear and Dread) The sons of Ares will be on the warpath for revenge of the murdered father by the hands of Kratos


2. Enyo The Goddess of War, who else, wants to exact revenge on Kratos for the murder of her brother


3. Aphrodite Lover of the Fallen God of War Ares, mother of Phobos and Deimos, it seems Kratos has done to these gods what they have done to him, doing the exact opposite killing the lover, brother and father of their family


4. Hephaestus Scorn by the Gods married to Aphrodite but not loved by her, this maybe one of the only gods that may aid Kratos (besides the titans) that may help him on his quest to destroy Zeus 


5. Kratos's siblings - Nike, Bia and Zelus, will they stand agaisnt Zeus or betray Kratos

Demilitarized Killzone; Five changes for Guerrilla to fix KZ2 multiplayer

Killzone 2 has become a widely popular title for the Playstation 3 and the Playstation Network. Online players have moved away from popular franchises of Call of Duty and Resistance to KZ2 hectice online team based shooter. The multiplayer in Killzone 2 is similar to popular PC series, Battlefield, Call of Duty 4, and Team Fortress. By taking portions of each title, Guerrilla Games created a fun, challenging and addicting shooter. There are a few issues; listed below are the top five changes for GG to implement on their next patches.

1. Tone down damage done by grenades and rockets, matches have become grenade/rocket spam heavy
2. Class weapon exclusivity of each class and during gameplay, players can only get ammo from weapon crates
3. The ability to upgrade turrets increasing the damage output per each level
4. Medic faster recharge, extra points if alive after ten revives
5. Force class team balance, no more than four of a kind on each team

Sound off below with your own ideas.

Top 7 Non Sony Game Series that should be on PSN

Sony recently announced an on-going courtship of third party non platform Playstation games to find a home at Playstation Network. (MTV Multiplayer Blog)
Latinogamer wants to see another kind of initiative, how about court non Sony PS classics to PSN. We scourged the internet, and our memories, to bring a top 7 list of game series that need to come to the PSN.

7. Spike's Fire Pro Wrestling

6. Atari's Driver

5. Midway's Mortal Kombat

4. Namco's Ace Combat/Air Combat

3. Atlus' Persona

2. Capcom's Resident Evil

1. Square Enix's RPG Backlog

SCEA announces 2009 Lineup for PS3

Sony is one of the biggest publishers on the gaming industry and today was the announcement of games to expect for year 2009. Blockbuster titles include, God of War 3, Killzone 2, Uncharted 2, MLB 09, Infamous, Heavy Rain and MAG. A strong line up to help Sony push PS3 hardware to homes, college dorms, and children rooms around the USA and other regions.

Is there a pool of PS2 owners ready to move on the PS3, or will the lineup bring new gamers to the fold?

Kanye West a gamer?

Kanye West has a blog, written by himself or ghost writer would be a guess, but the posts are all to do with fashionable clothes, music, architecture, women, and an occasional video game trailer. The trailer was none other, Final Fantasy XIII. Is Kanye a gamer?

Who knows, he has posted a Pac Man Couture fashion show, a Wipeout Chair, an LED Clock Shelf (to hold your games of course), a Complex Q&A with Soulja Boy, and a handful of women who had a hand in a female videogame roles. The list includes Angelina Jolie, Josie Maran, Krystal Forscutt, Michelle Merkin, and Maggie Q. All these ladies had parts in Tomb Raider, Need For Speed Series and Perfect Dark.

There is no concrete evidence that Kanye is a gamer, but posting a much anticipated JRPG trailer on his blog may be a sign. His fans comments were mixed;

"Kanye, why are you fronting like you like video games, man?"

"ye! i didn't know you got down like that!"

"DO YOU EVEN GAME LIKE THAT YE? OR DID IT JUST LOOK COOL TO YOU? this
game is going to change the gaming world how you changed the music
world."

Is it a sign of the times that videogames have gone mainstream? All those kids who played FFVII have all grown to be adults and their love of videogames would have to seep through. For Kanye, it was his posting of FFXIII that outed him.

Killzone 2 Demo code for North America **FREE**

Just describe in the comments on why you deserve the Gamestop demo code.

Best response gets the KZ2 beta code courtesy of LGs. The code is redeemable on the Sony PS3 Network or PSN.

Update. The contest ends 10PM PST Time. The one code will be sent to the winner at 9AM PST on Friday the 6th.

Thank you.

NPD Top Five Selling Games for 2008

NPD List;

Top-Selling Games In The U.S. For 2008

(All versions combined. Units in millions)
1. Wii Play 5.28
2. Madden NFL ‘09 5.25
3. Grand Theft Auto IV 5.22
4. Mario Kart w/ Wheel 5.00
5. Call of Duty: World at War 4.63

One interesting note, all of the top five form a different outlook on how to sell a videogame;

1. Mini games bundled with an extra controller
2. Multi-SKU(NO PC)with Special Edition and a Spanish Edition of a long running sports franchise
3. HD Multi SKU Sequel from popular developer
4. Exclusive sequel with a peripheral
5. HD Multi SKU sequel of a popular fps franchise

MEGATON News: Palermo back on, says Maradona

Ten years after failing to convert three penalty shots during a 1999 Copa America match versus Chile, Palermo "está entre los seleccionables" (translation: El Loco in the AFA pool of players). Martin Palermo achieved cult status among Boca Junior's "12th column" after scoring twice against Real Madrid during the now defunct, replaced by FIFA Club World Cup, Intercontinental Cup final in 2000. Maradona has confirmed that Palermo is on an impressive list of Argentine players if he would return to form after his eight month injury layoff.



via Terra

I have embed the video, since Terra had not....ciao!

NPD Videogame Sales Numbers for December 2008

Video game sales grew 19 percent, from 2007 to 2008, at $21.3 billion, according to NPD group.

2008 Dec
Hardware sales

PS2 410K
PS3 726K
PSP 1.02M
X360 1.44M
Wii 2.15M
DS 3.04M

Top 10 software sales

WII PLAY W/ REMOTE 1.46M
360 CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR 1.33M
WII FIT W/ BALANCE BOARD 999K
WII MARIO KART W/ WHEEL 878K
WII GUITAR HERO WORLD TOUR 859K
360 GEARS OF WAR 2 745K
360 LEFT 4 DEAD 629K
NDS MARIO KART 540K
PS3 CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR 533K
WII ANIMAL CROSSING: CITY FOLK 497K

Dec 2007
Hardware sales

* NDS: 2,470,000
* Wii: 1,350,000
* 360: 1,260,000
* PS2: 1,100,000
* PSP: 1,060,000
* PS3: 797,600

Top 10 software sales

1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (360) 1.47 Million
2. Mario Galaxy (Wii) 1.40 Million
3. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PS2) 1.25 Million
4. Wii Play (Wii) 1.08 Million
5. Assassin’s Creed (360) 893.7 K
6. Halo 3 (360) 742.7 K
7. Brain Age 2 (NDS) 659.5 K
8. Madden 08 (PS2) 655.2 K
9. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (360) 624.6 K
10. Mario and Sonic: Olympic Games (Wii) 613.0 K
11. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3) [500K - 613K]
12. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock* (Wii) >500K
13. Rock Band* (Xbox 360) [463K]
14. New Super Mario Bros. (DS) [401K - 500K]
15. Mario Party 8 (Wii) [401K - 500K]
16. Assassin's Creed* (PS3) [401K - 500K]
17. Mass Effect* (Xbox 360) 401K
18. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS) [385.7K - 401K]
19. Madden NFL 08 (Xbox 360) [385.7K - 401K]
20. Mario Party DS (DS) 385.7K


* Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Wii) >500k
* Mass Effect (Xbox 360) 401,000
* Mario Party DS (DS) 385,700
* Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (Wii) 147,600
* Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings (DS) 117,200
* Half-Life 2: The Orange Box (PS3) 56,500
* Nights: Journey of Dreams (Wii) 60,800
* TimeShift (PS3) 25,000
* PS3 Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune - 206,000
* 360 Rock Band - 463,000
* PS3 Rock Band - 174,000

Meet The Chicanator! From EA Burnout Paradise

Criterion has finally announced the remaining cars from the Burnout Paradise Legendary Cars pack. Rounding out the list, is the cleverly named, Calvary Bootlegger an homage to The Chicanator. But what the hell is a Chicanator, one might ask, since Spanish is not known to all.

A Mexican White Bullanator would have a better ring!

At first, I thought it was Chicana - tor, a Chicano(a) is someone of Mexican descent but born and raised in the United States, especially from the West and Southwest regions of the country. But why would Criterion name a car that is a knock off the famous Dukes of Hazard 69-70 Dodge Charger, General Lee, The Chicanator (The Confederate flag is replaced with the Mexican one). I know, the car is named the Calvary Bootlegger but what the hell is The Chicanator, a fictional tv character in who drinks and drives, slaps chicas asses, and saves Paradise City from a white haired industrialist?

Maybe it is not Chicana, but Chica. What does Chica mean, it can have different definitions, chica can be reffered as; girl, young women, or plural, darling, maid or to describe something as small or tiny. The most probable definition of The Chicanator is The PussyWagon or The Babenator (Babenator does not work, needs more syllables). So are all Mexicans, who generally buy American automobiles, a stereotypical chauvinistic macho women hungry man who also bootlegs liquor? The only bootleggers that exist currently in Mexico are the ones who create the illegal pulque, similiar to moonshine, makers are so poor, they have a burro rather than a Dodge...

I have a few better ideas for The Chicanator. How about a different homage, maybe a factual person like The Shermanator, named after the other famous General of the Civil War General Tecumseh Sherman, painted navy Federal blue and grey with Old Glory on her roof because if the car was named General Grant it would be an uproar. Or not. Too insensitive to our Southern compartriots.

The Chicanator will just fly over the heads of everyone else, Mexicans and Women gamers will not even know, heck, do latinos or women even buy HD games, or do they just play the Wii? What about a famous Mexican general, El Zapata, El Pancho Villa or even better, General Santa Anna, with some awesome hydrolics and a horn that plays a the famous mariachi song, Las Mananitas or El Rey, and painted green or red?

My favorite name, I came up before I typed this raving blog post, El Chonchanator or El Luchadore. I just can not decide!