Indie developer to restore E3 to its former glory.

It seems like the hullabaloo of the "old" E3 will never be put to rest. Some prefer the original format set up at the LACC while there's a considerable percentage in favor of the more business, invite-only approach. While the new approach definitely offers some welcome benefits, it appears that the annual event has lost of its glimmer and entertaining spark. A spark that the Gamecock Media Group is hoping will be reignited with its upcoming campaign to bring the the "fun back to the gaming industry". 

This afternoon's press release left me scratching my head to say the least, but full details are forthcoming. Gamecock will be setting up it's campaign at the Hotel Figueroa (awesome hotel by the way) during the week of E3 (July 15 - 18). So who's invited? Well, if you're in the area - everyone. No need to wait for a special invite or jumping through the hoops. 

"I read last week that some of my most high profile supporters are not happy with the current administration of the ESA. Many of them apparently feel that I am the right man to right the ship, before it sinks entirely, due to my intimate experience with, or at least near, the E3 Expo's of the past," said Mike Watson. "After a long conversation with my wife, we have decided to step forward and bear the slings and arrows of public life this election season. Since the macabre, but strangely high-spirited burial of E3 last year, we are glad to see that it still hassome life left in it. My only hope is that it can be rebuilt and become what the all-knowing gaming god intended it to be. Good luck and God bless." In short - Mike's message is saying: Make your voice heard. 

I should point out that Mr. Wilson has announced his candidacy to replace the current ESA President. It remains to be seen if he'll actually be successful, but it's clear that an E3 revolution is underway; one that I am very eager to see how things pan out in the months to come.

This blog article should be recognized as the sole opinion of the editor and does not necessarily reflect GotNext's official position on the subject.

The Red Ring of Death that is.  

I knew this day would come. All those stories from unfortunate souls whose lives were ripped apart. Shattered by the unavoidable reality that their console refused to work. I am talking about the dreaded Red Ring of Death. Hi. I am Chris and I've become a victim of a faulty Xbox 360. Of all days to die on me… why NOW?!? Why before I even had a chance to sit back and enjoy GTA4 like so many others are doing at this very moment. What does my 360 have against me embracing this awesome gem Rockstar has lovingly  put together?!? *sobs*

I don't want to fork out anymore cash right now. Think of what I can do with all that green. Food. Clothes. E3 Expenses. Buying another unit is the LAST thing I need to be thinking about. Naturally I started looking at some quick fixes documented online. Some suggested that I take apart the unit and rework the circuitry. Pass. Others hinted at a few taps on its side when powering on. Yeah, a lot of good that would do I'll bet. Then I saw something really out of left field: using a towel.

You heard me… a good 'ol fashioned towel. I know, you're thinking: "what's that supposed to do… keep it warm?"

Well, laugh that up but I figured that I had nothing to lose. I headed into my bedroom and yanked a towel from my hamper. Upon returning to the living room, I am thinking as I wrap the 360: "This is retarded… a towel can't possibly make this problem go away."  I power the 360 back on, sitting back and hoping that my wish would be granted.

(The 360 starts to hum followed by that low, humble power melody that routinely plays when the system comes on.)

The system worked. O_o

I thought "OMG… this silly technique actually friggin' works…." My fiance smirked… (heh, I am sure she was thrilled to know that I wasn't about to blow $400.00 on another unit). Crazy huh? I'd be lying if I said that I actually expected this to work again (and who knows for how much longer… I mean, does the towel need to stay on there now. That would suck if it does). In any case, at least I could get a few hours playing GTA4. You can read more about this unorthodox method at Endgadget.

UPDATE: The damn thing is on the fritz AGAIN. STUPID TOWEL METHOD IS TEH FAIL. >:( 

This blog article should be recognized as the sole opinion of the editor and does not necessarily reflect GotNext's official position on the subject.

Hooray for cordial invitations.

By now, everyone knows that this year’s E3 will be an invite-only function open to working members of the press. Several outlets including heavy hitters IGN, Gamestop, Gamespy and several widely respected blogs (see: Kotaku, Destructoid) were among to receive their invites.

The ESA has started distributing a second round of invites to editorial destinations (like ours) to enjoy this year’s highly anticipated media summit. For those of you keeping score, this year’s press function will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center scheduled to run July 15 - 17. Downsizing the event was a welcome change, but Santa Monica’s Barker Hanger just didn’t seem to cut it for a lot of the attendees. I am intrigued to see how things will turn out at the LACC without the massive numbers that used to storm the place in previous years. Oh, and although Kentia Hall might may an unexpected return, the Center won’t have the pitter-patter of cute booth babes.

The ESA’s hand in restructuring the media expo we’ve all come to know and love remains a work in progress, but the long term effort will be better for everyone involved. Publishers. Editors. Everyone. I won’t miss the days where I felt like each appointment was just a rushed tour to take on the next group waiting to see the featured lineup. I won’t miss the days of people that really had no business there and hogged up every playable station. (Thank god for E4All). I won’t miss the long lines getting registered. I will miss seeing some of my fellow colleagues though. Socializing during the day makes these events all the more enjoyable!

Light-hearted spoof aimed at Rockstar's hottest release of the year.

Although I've played previous GTA installments in the past, this will probably be the first one I plan to play through completion. Blame it on my addiction to achievements. Anyways, I can't think of any gamer on the planet who isn't eager to get their hands on GTA4, set to release next week on April 29th.

If you're not even the least bit excited, when's the last time you checked your pulse? Anyways, in lieu of this highly anticipated release, the folks at Crackle have published a short parody sketch which takes a few innocent pot shots at GTA4. Get the inside look at what goes on at a mo-cap company trying to move up in the corporate world and… well, you'll have to watch the clip to find out more.

GTA4 is in all our hearts…

We tried to embed the video but due to technical difficulties (sorry!), you'll have to settle for the good 'ol fashioned link which can be accessed here. Enjoy and have a great weekend folks!

The community service beta gets pushed back to 3rd Qtr.

SCEA reports that the participants looking forward to beta testing their virtual community service known as HOME will have to wait till this Fall.  "We understand that we are asking PS3 and prospective PS3 users to wait a bit longer, but we have come to the conclusion that we need more time to refine the service to ensure a more focused gaming entertainment experience than what it is today," said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

"Our overarching objective is to provide users with new gaming experiences that are available only on PLAYSTATION Home. Spending more time on the development and on the Closed Beta testing reaffirms our commitment to bringing a quality service, maintaining the PlayStation(R) tradition."

The HOME project has been a very ambitious project created to give the PS3 some added appeal that's been lacking since the console's debut. Once available, gamers can look forward to a rich, fun interactive community environment that will incorporate social networking, gamer achievements, leaderboards and more. Details of the Closed Beta testing features, registration for the test and the service will be announced as they become available.