The Podcastle episode 15: The controversial episode

Yes folks, it’s that time — the eagerly anticipated controversial episode ofThe Podcastlehas arrived, delivered at your feet as a cat might deliver a mangled bird with its jugular torn open. This episode runs considerably longer than usual (we’re talking RetroforceGO length, kids) but this is probably my favorite show we’ve done yet, so I hope you enjoy it. Now, this IS the controversial episode, and a lot of it is tongue-in-cheek....

June 15, 2025 · 1 min · 152 words · Julie Martinez

These unofficial Mega Man 3D renders are hot

Total 3D art badass David Espinoza worked on games likeKnights of the Old Republic 2andNeverwinter Nights 2, and movies likeGet Smart, but it’s his unofficial stuff that we’re raving about today. Check out his 3D renders of several Mega Man characters. Um, holy sh*t? Look at that detail! We’re with Kotaku on that these look like movie-ready CG characters. Let’s see a Mega Man movie using these. Hell, let’s see a videogame using these!...

June 15, 2025 · 1 min · 75 words · Dr. Patricia Wilson

Things on Wheels achievement contest winners revealed

We were slightly afraid of what you guys would come up with when we gave you the opportunity tocreate your own achievementsfor Load Inc.’s upcoming Xbox LIVE Arcade title, Things on Wheels. But you did us proud, and Load Inc. have chosen their winners. Congratulations to Destructoid community membersLode40andAlienGuy18, who will not only have their achievements appear in the game, but will get listed in the credits as well. “We all loveTop Gear....

June 15, 2025 · 1 min · 197 words · Brian Lester

This happened: Nintendo patents horseback-riding peripheral

When Nintendo announced the Wii Vitality Sensor at E3 earlier this year, I was in shock. Sitting behind me in at the event, a woman exclaimed, “This is happening,” clearly not believing what she was seeing and hearing. Now imagine the reactions if Nintendo had revealed a Horseback Riding Saddle peripheral for the Wii. Let that soak in for a second. A horseback riding peripheral. Done? Well, believe it or not, this is something Nintendo has considered seriously enough to file a patent with the European patent office....

June 15, 2025 · 1 min · 189 words · Alexander Trevino

This week’s VC releases: Pac-Attack and Riot Zone!

For the second week in a row, Nintendo is delivering two — not three — games to the Wii Shop Channel. Not a huge deal, as Nintendo has done a great job of consistently offering new content each week. If memory serves me correctly, Nintendo haven’t missed a single week since the Wii’s launch, which is more than Sony and Microsoft can say about their respective services. But when I have absolutely no emotional connection to either of the titles, that’s when it makes my job difficult....

June 15, 2025 · 3 min · 625 words · Jill Collins

Thompson’s Utah bill vetoed: Another win for intelligence!

The poorly written and rather pointless HB 353, a videogame/movie bill intended for Utah by Jack Thompson,has been vetoedby Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, thanks to the sloppy writing of the bill itself, and some clever lobbying from the games industry. “While protecting children from inappropriate materials is a laudable goal, the language of this bill is so broad that it likely will be struck down by the courts as an unconstitutional violation of the Dormant Commerce Clause and/or the First Amendment,” explained Huntsman....

June 15, 2025 · 2 min · 275 words · Nicole Wagner

THQ shelves Red Faction franchise due to bad performance

In a conference call concerning THQ’s fiscal 2012 First Quarter results, sales ofRed Faction: Armageddon, licensed kids titles (Penguins of Madagascar, Barbie Jet, Set and Style), andUFC Personal Trainerhave “adversely impacted the quarter,” according to CEO Brian Farrell. As a result of the bad performance and an increase of net losses, from $30.1 million in fiscal Q1 2011 to $38.4 million this past quarter, Farrell noted that “given that that title, now in two successive versions, has [only] found a niche, we do not intend to carry forward with that franchise in any meaningful way....

June 15, 2025 · 4 min · 645 words · Angela Allison

THQ: Core audience not on Wii, de Blob going multiplat

THQ has put out a number of interesting little titles on the Wii, includingDeadly Creaturesandde Blob, but a new interview with CEO Brian Farrell seems to indicate that the publisher isn’t satisfied with its Wii software performance, and that previous Wii exclusives likede Blobare looking at future multiplatform status. “Deadly Creatureswas a fun experience. Critically well-reviewed. Didn’t find much of an audience and I think more of the core-gaming audience is on 360 and PS3....

June 15, 2025 · 2 min · 281 words · Heather Welch

To shock and awe, Ubisoft announces Assassin’s Creed 2

Moments ago, Ubisoft sent us word that it has just revealedAssassin’s Creed 2for a holiday 2009 release. Yeah,we’re as surprisedasyou are. The press release (found after the jump) recounts a lot of the info we already knew (takes place in Italy, play as someone named Ezio, etc). But hey, this quote is new! “Our creative team is working hard to top the experience ofAssassin’s Creed,” said Ubisoft’s creative director Patrice Desilets....

June 15, 2025 · 2 min · 423 words · John Olson

Video Sharing ousted in Home beta

Thus far only a handful of journalists have been able to get into theHomebeta and explore its virtual crevices. But once we get in, we start banging stuff around. Yesterday, it was revealed byWiredthat the video sharing options inHomehave been either stripped or never implemented at all. If you have been up on the plethora of promises Sony have tossed out about the downloadable PlayStation 3 service, sharing video was always at the top of the list....

June 15, 2025 · 1 min · 184 words · Jeffrey Reid

Voice actor confirms North American release for Xenoblade

A North American release forXenobladehas been up in the air for years, because apparently Nintendo of America is soswampedin new Wii releases, it just couldn’t fit the thing on the docket. Even a European versionhas been confirmed, but nobody wants to talk about America. That is, until voice actor Peter Dickson.His websitelists him as the actor for Emperor Sorean, and claims that Xenoblade is set for a fall release in both Europe and the United States....

June 15, 2025 · 1 min · 163 words · Jason Johnson

Warner to stream movies to Japanese Wii via new service

The new Fujisoft WiiWare download calledEveryone’s Theater Wiicosts 500 Wii Points, and will allow Japanese Wii owners to stream movies, anime, and foreign films to their console through this sort of online rental service. While the service launched in Jaunrary, a new update to the roster brings 54 new films to the table. Warner Entertainment Japan has partnered up with Fujisoft to bring these new movies to the service, giving users something to watch other than anime....

June 15, 2025 · 1 min · 113 words · Ian Lester

Watch Marcus and Dom in Lost Planet 2

Capcom has released a sexy new trailer forLost Planet 2, heralding the arrival of Marcus and Dom fromGears of War. The musclebound meatheads of Epic’s overtly macho shooterwill be playable charactersin the upcoming sequel, and this is a brief taste of what to expect. What do you think aboutGears of WarandLost Planetteaming up? It’s certainly odd to see the characters invadingLost Planet, but it’s bound to result in a tidy little sales boost, so the pairing seems very sensible from a business perspective....

June 15, 2025 · 1 min · 107 words · Janet Bradford