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