Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/JoystiqThe Joystiq Podcast combines insightful commentary on the week's video game news and culture with several disembodied, often spooky, voices. Voices may or may not belong to Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann, Joystiq.com editors, or their guests. Spookiness not guaranteed where prohibited, please check local laws. More information available at www.joystiq.comEurope's PS3 PlayTV records TV with no DRMhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/europes-ps3-playtv-records-tv-with-no-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/europes-ps3-playtv-records-tv-with-no-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/europes-ps3-playtv-records-tv-with-no-drm/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In a world where video providers seem to be adding increasingly disruptive digital rights management into their video streams, you can always count on video game accessories to provide a hole for unprotected video to break through. First it was the Xbox 360's HD-DVD drive, whose component output allowed for DRM-free copying of the now-defunct high-def discs. Now it's Sony's European PlayTV digital video recorder add-on for the PS3, which CVG reports can "export [recorded] videos to your PS3's XMB menu as MPEG-4 video" for free use on other devices.

At a time when everyone from Tivo to Microsoft seems to slap some sort of protection on digital video recordings, it's frankly a little baffling that Sony (itself a major video producer) would leave this hole in its digital recorder. Not that we're complaining, we're just waiting with trepidation for the other patch shoe to drop.

[Via Evil Avatar]
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]]>accessoryadd-onDRMeuropeplaytvrecordervideoThu, 04 Sep 2008 16:00:00 ESTHomebrew proposal culminates in 'Bejeweled' weddinghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/homebrew-proposal-culminates-in-bejeweled-wedding/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/homebrew-proposal-culminates-in-bejeweled-wedding/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/homebrew-proposal-culminates-in-bejeweled-wedding/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You've probably all but forgotten about a story we ran way back in March in which one Bernie Peng used a homebrew version of Bejeweled to propose to his girlfriend of three years. Well, Bejeweled publisher PopCap didn't forget about the proposal, helping to make the couple's wedding this Saturday an unforgettable affair.

According to the New Jersey Star-Ledger, PopCap chipped in $1,000 for decorations ($500 of which went to a Nintendo DS-shaped cake) and $5,000 for free copies of Bejeweled that were given to all 250 guests. "There are good ways and bad ways to hack software and to us, this is a good way," said PopCap spokesman Garth Chouteau. After a honeymoon in Bali, the happy, nerdy couple will also get a guided tour of Popcap's Seattle headquarters.
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]]>bejeweledcakeDShomebrewproposalweddingMon, 01 Sep 2008 17:00:00 ESTBungie staffer gets Xbox Live account hackedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/bungie-staffer-gets-xbox-live-account-hacked/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/bungie-staffer-gets-xbox-live-account-hacked/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/bungie-staffer-gets-xbox-live-account-hacked/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Let this be a good reminder to always err on the side of caution when giving out your Xbox Live information ... that is to say, don't do it. MTV Multiplayer found out that Halo 3 multiplayer producer Joe Tung can list himself among the gamers who have had their XBL accounts compromised. "Representatives from Microsoft aided Joe in swiftly resolving the issue," said Luke Smith, who didn't provide other details.

One rather sneaky method of account stealing has been "social engineering," whereby the hacker in question calls up Microsoft service support and pretends to be the owner of the account and gains the sympathy of the customer service rep. Of course, the biggest tactic so far has involved promising one billion MS points with a simple click of the mouse. Protip: Don't give out your password, no matter how enticing a proposition is.
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]]>bungiehalo-3joe-tungxbox-liveThu, 28 Aug 2008 20:30:00 ESTWatch the Blip Festival documentary free for one weekhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/watch-the-blip-festival-documentary-free-for-one-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/watch-the-blip-festival-documentary-free-for-one-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/watch-the-blip-festival-documentary-free-for-one-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

One of the most surprising films in the sort of "Holy crap? What the heck?! This is cool!" vein to come out of SXSW film festival earlier this year was Blip Festival: Reformat The Planet. It's all about chiptune music and the performers, and is beautifully shot. It's hard to imagine Nintendo thinking people would be hacking into their Game Boys in order to create full-fledged concerts, concerts that would one day spark a feature documentary and an entire genre of music.

For one week, you can watch the impressive documentary at Pitchfork.tv. It's even broken up into bite-sized chapters for you. Give it a looksee and you'll find yourself toe-tapping along to the addictive 8-bit music throughout the film. It's beaten Wizard Rock as our current favorite geek music of choice.

[Thanks, Eliot]
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]]>Blip-FestivalChiptunesGame-BoyNintendoReformat-The-PlanetWed, 20 Aug 2008 03:00:00 ESTFable 2 Pub Games exploit will make you very, very richhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/fable-2-pub-games-exploit-will-make-you-very-very-rich/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/fable-2-pub-games-exploit-will-make-you-very-very-rich/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/fable-2-pub-games-exploit-will-make-you-very-very-rich/#commentsFiled under: ,

Let this be a lesson to developers: If you're planning to make a tie-in XBLA game that lets you earn gold in your main title, make sure to vet the game as much as possible for potential exploits. A trick has been found in Fable 2 Pub Games that lets you bet 60 on Tower of Fortune and potentially earn 600 each time. We've embedded the video after the break, should you wish to start Fable 2 with a gazillion trillion gold.
%Gallery-29493%

Continue reading Fable 2 Pub Games exploit will make you very, very rich

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]]>cheatexploitfablefable-2fable-2-pub-gameslionheadpub-gamesxblaFri, 15 Aug 2008 16:00:00 ESTWatch and learn: DVD on Wii how-to videohttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/watch-and-learn-dvd-on-wii-how-to-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/watch-and-learn-dvd-on-wii-how-to-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/watch-and-learn-dvd-on-wii-how-to-video/#commentsFiled under: ,

Earlier today, we reported on the better-late-than-never news that DVD playback has come to Wii, thanks to the console's burgeoning homebrew development community. We decided to give the hack a go ourselves and recorded a brief video tutorial of how you too can unlock the immense potential of the Wii's disc drive. Okay ... so you can just watch DVDs, but this is big stuff for Nintendo, folks.

The actual process is so simple - and the results, even for a first release, so impressive - that we're boggled by the fact that Nintendo hasn't simply added this functionality to the Disc Channel as part of a system update. It's a matter of downloading a small file, a hombrew video player, copying them to an SD card, and using the Homebrew Channel (a guide to installing which we've posted about previously) to apply a two-second patch. Keep reading after the break for our full impressions.

Gallery: Guide to watching DVDs on Wii

So you want to play DVDs on your Wii?First thing's first: essentialsA word to the wiseWhat to download firstCopy over the Twilight Princess save

Continue reading Watch and learn: DVD on Wii how-to video

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]]>dvdhackhomebrewhow-tojoystiqfeaturesmplayernintendoWed, 13 Aug 2008 19:40:00 ESTDust off your Wii, it's time to watch a DVDhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/dust-off-your-wii-its-time-to-watch-a-dvd/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/dust-off-your-wii-its-time-to-watch-a-dvd/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/13/dust-off-your-wii-its-time-to-watch-a-dvd/#commentsFiled under: ,

boom
Nintendo isn't exactly swinging for the fences with the remainder of its 2008 Wii lineup, but then, when you hit your grand slam so early in the year, it's easy to fade in the second half of the season. Thankfully, homebrewer Erant has stepped up to the plate and delivered a clutch hit: DVD video playback.

... Um, let's try that again: DVD VIDEO PLAYBACK!!1!!!!!

The no mess utility is easy to install (well, maybe not for grandpa) and includes a media player that also makes nice with the video files stored on your SD card. All we need now is a VHS-to-DVD converter so we can transfer mom's old step aerobics tapes onto disc. That's right, homebrewed balance board games! Who knew all this old stuff could feel so new again?

[Via Wii Fanboy]
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]]>dvddvdx-installerhomebrewwiiWed, 13 Aug 2008 13:40:00 ESTModder brings touchscreen support to PSPhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/modder-brings-touchscreen-support-to-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/modder-brings-touchscreen-support-to-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/modder-brings-touchscreen-support-to-psp/#commentsFiled under: ,


DS owners are a handsy bunch. Rarely do fans of Nintendo's handheld jump onto the PSP wagon, as they know they'll miss the thrill they receive after wiping their meaty paws all over the screen of their portable gaming device. However, modder jube808 is working to bridge the gap between handhelds -- in addition to adding a sturdier control pad and increasing the battery life of the PSP, he also recently integrated a touchscreen into the system. So far, he's created a brief tech demo, seen above, and a rudimentary keyboard (posted after the break), but he hopes that the technology can be utilized by interested homebreweries.

His next project? Integrating a Cuisinart panini press into his Xbox 360. Let us know how that one works out for you, Jube.

Continue reading Modder brings touchscreen support to PSP

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]]>hackjube808modpspsonytouchscreenSun, 10 Aug 2008 15:30:00 ESTPSP phone mod ain't pretty, but it ringshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/08/psp-phone-mod-aint-pretty-but-it-rings/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/08/psp-phone-mod-aint-pretty-but-it-rings/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/08/psp-phone-mod-aint-pretty-but-it-rings/#commentsFiled under: , ,

psp phone
In a striking departure from the initial blueprint, the world's first "PSP Phone" has killed two birds with one stone:
  • Added a working phone feature (Check!)
  • Got rid of that blasted UMD drive (Check!)
We're not sure which is more preposterous: Quadrupling the size of your cell phone (and in turn, clutching a PSP to your ear), or cutting a hole in your PSP and gluing a cell phone in there? Sony, please take this as a sign that folks are getting mighty desperate for the real thing.

[Via Engadget]
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]]>modpsp-phoneFri, 08 Aug 2008 21:00:00 ESTWii system menu hack released, region coding on the runhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/wii-system-menu-hack-released-region-coding-on-the-run/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/wii-system-menu-hack-released-region-coding-on-the-run/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/wii-system-menu-hack-released-region-coding-on-the-run/#commentsFiled under: ,


Remember that Wii system menu hack we told you about yesterday? Among other things, HackInstaller removes the health warning at startup, the background music and -- most importantly -- all region encoding for GameCube and Wii games and Wii channels (you can view a walkthrough of the patch, above). Homebrew coder "Crediar" has released HackInstaller into the wild.

Installation requires the homebrew channel. If you haven't taken the leap to homebrew, check out the Wii Pack Generator for a no-fuss entry into the scene. We suspect Nintendo isn't going to take this loss of region coding concern lightly.
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]]>crediarhackinstallerhackshomebrewWed, 06 Aug 2008 21:30:00 ESTWindows Vista + PS3 = Proof of Patience, and not much elsehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/windows-vista-ps3-proof-of-patience-and-not-much-else/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/windows-vista-ps3-proof-of-patience-and-not-much-else/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/windows-vista-ps3-proof-of-patience-and-not-much-else/#commentsFiled under: ,

We're not even willing to label this a "proof of concept," as this mash-up of Windows Vista (via emulation) and the PlayStation 3 is only for those with near-infinite patience or those with a penchant for pain. Some numbers to keep in mind: a day to install, 25 minutes to boot up, 5 minutes to access the start menu and 12 minutes to open notepad. (That's a lot of sandwiches.)

Video embedded after the break, or click here to view instructions on how to do it yourself. Only the truly masochistic need apply.

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading Windows Vista + PS3 = Proof of Patience, and not much else

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]]>hackhomebrewsonyvistawindowswindows-vistaWed, 06 Aug 2008 05:00:00 ESTWii hack zaps annoying health warning, region codinghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/05/wii-hack-zaps-annoying-health-warning-region-coding/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/05/wii-hack-zaps-annoying-health-warning-region-coding/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/05/wii-hack-zaps-annoying-health-warning-region-coding/#commentsFiled under: ,

There's nothing wrong with your speakers. The above video is totally silent, although its content speaks volumes. What you're looking at is a new Wii System Menu hack from homebrew coder "Crediar." What's special about this one - which is installed via the Homebrew Channel we've covered previously - is that it does away with the annoying health warning screen at boot-up, the Wii Menu background music, and, most importantly, region coding for Wii games, GameCube games and Wii Channels. The video is annotated so you know exactly what's going on during the walkthrough. Crediar hasn't made his work public as of yet, but we can only imagine Nintendo - unlike Wii owners - will be none too pleased.

[Thanks, Craig!]
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]]>hackshomebrewTue, 05 Aug 2008 21:00:00 ESTSee the Mirror's Edge demo re-created in Portalhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/04/see-the-mirrors-edge-demo-recreated-in-portal/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/04/see-the-mirrors-edge-demo-recreated-in-portal/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/04/see-the-mirrors-edge-demo-recreated-in-portal/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Forgoing parkour in favor of teleportation, an inspired modder by the nom de éditeur of EvilWeevil has created a 1:1 replica of the Mirror's Edge demo level from E3 (or, if you'd rather, the initial gameplay footage of DICE's first-person platformer) using Valve's smash action-puzzler, Portal. As you can see in the video, there's no fancy climbing, leaping, balancing, or zipline action - this mod is all about using the portal gun to reach the (all-too-sudden) end of the level. Now to get a hold of the actual mod ... our time with Mirror's Edge at E3 was criminally brief, and we're always looking for an excuse to revisit Portal.
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]]>mirrors-edgemodsportalMon, 04 Aug 2008 23:30:00 ESTQuakeCon 2008 in pictureshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/quakecon-2008-in-pictures/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/quakecon-2008-in-pictures/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/quakecon-2008-in-pictures/#commentsFiled under: , ,


OMGWTFBBQ! What you see above is just one of many outlandish case mods to be found at QuakeCon 2008's "BYOC" LAN party annex. Given the fans and heatsinks that thing's sporting, we wouldn't be surprised if you could actually grill on it. Our sister site, Big Download, is at the annual frag fest covering all things PC and snapped these photos, along with some general ambiance shots (read: booth girls).

Gallery: QuakeCon 2008 PC Case Mod Gallery

Just chillinI'd like a drinkIndustrial strenghtBarbacue mods on the grillsSpongebob

Gallery: QuakeCon 2008

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]]>case-modquakecon-2008Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:55:00 ESTDoctor Who wants to time warp, play retro gameshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/30/doctor-who-wants-to-time-warp-play-retro-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/30/doctor-who-wants-to-time-warp-play-retro-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/30/doctor-who-wants-to-time-warp-play-retro-games/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Most of us have probably dabbled around with a Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator before, but have you ever crammed one into a TARDIS? Those things are supposed to be bigger on the inside than the outside. Anyhow, one man decided that having a dedicated stand-up gaming cabinet wasn't enough, so he built this pillar of geek awesomeness.

Check out the two different sections, one on the building of the iconic blue Police Box, and the other on the console. He even had the 7th doctor, Sylvester McCoy, autograph the thing. Is it still a sin to covet thy neighbor's sci-fi gaming cabinet? If so, mark us down in the "sinner" category.

[Thanks, Douglas!]
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]]>arcadecabinetDoctor-WhoemulatorMAMEold-schoolretroscience-fictionTardistime-travelWed, 30 Jul 2008 20:15:00 ESTWii Brew's Wii Pack Generator delivers no-fuss homebrewhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/30/wii-brews-wii-pack-generator-delivers-no-fuss-homebrew/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/30/wii-brews-wii-pack-generator-delivers-no-fuss-homebrew/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/30/wii-brews-wii-pack-generator-delivers-no-fuss-homebrew/#commentsFiled under: ,

For those who still haven't tried Wii homebrew, the folks at Wii Brew have made it even easier than before. Introducing the Wii Pack Generator, "a web-based utility that allows you to select from the most recent, up to date, and high quality homebrew for your Nintendo Wii and create a custom pack." Click on the files you want and the application will give you either a .zip or .exe file you can use to extract the components into an SD card. A video tutorial of the Twilight Hack, required for Wii homebrew, is embedded after the break.

Continue reading Wii Brew's Wii Pack Generator delivers no-fuss homebrew

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]]>homebrewtwilight-hackwii-brewwii-pack-generatorwiibrewWed, 30 Jul 2008 15:15:00 ESTNintendo files lawsuit to curb DS piracyhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/nintendo-files-lawsuit-to-curb-ds-piracy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/nintendo-files-lawsuit-to-curb-ds-piracy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/nintendo-files-lawsuit-to-curb-ds-piracy/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Nintendo has filed a lawsuit in Japan against five retailers for "importing and selling equipment that enables illegal game programs to be played on [the Nintendo DS]" -- presumably flash carts such as R4. According to Reuters, Nintendo is joined by 54 other Japanese developers.

While the lawsuit is intended to thwart piracy, an unfortunate side effect is a hit to the homebrew community. If you were ever planning to pick up a flash cart for the DS, you might want to go ahead and grab one while you can.
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]]>flash-carthomebrewlawsuitpiracyr4Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:15:00 ESTNo compromise with working, full-size NES belt bucklehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/no-compromise-with-working-full-size-nes-belt-buckle/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/no-compromise-with-working-full-size-nes-belt-buckle/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/29/no-compromise-with-working-full-size-nes-belt-buckle/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Your eyes, they do not deceive you. What you're witnessing in the above video is the antithesis of the subtle but very drool-worthy NES-in-a-blank mods we've been reporting on lately. It is, quite simply, a working NES on a belt.

Watch! as it's worn into a home electronics store and ... connected to a TV. Marvel! as its model plays Super Mario Bros. using the connected controller (but where's the power supply, and do we even want to know?). Visit! the site where you can actually buy one of your very own - for the low, low price of $300 - and be the envy of ... no one.

[Via Engadget]
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]]>nesnintendowearableTue, 29 Jul 2008 03:00:00 ESTRumor: New Xbox 360 dashboard leakedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/28/rumor-new-xbox-360-dashboard-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/28/rumor-new-xbox-360-dashboard-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/28/rumor-new-xbox-360-dashboard-leaked/#commentsFiled under: ,

Although we don't have a released date for the New Xbox Experience (i.e. the completely revamped Xbox 360 dashboard), the update has purportedly leaked onto the interwebs, and Xbox 360 modder xHaVoK87 has chronicled his efforts to install the new dashboard onto his modded console (note: so far it only works on hardware-modded Xbox 360s).

There's a handful of videos to show the installation process (embedded after the break), as well as one of the working dashboard (seen above). Despite all the footage and technical lingo, we remain, as always, skeptical. According to the posting, "Beta Stage 2 Release" is coming in mid-August.

[Via Xbox360Emu]

Continue reading Rumor: New Xbox 360 dashboard leaked

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]]>dashboardleaknew-xbox-experiencenxexbox-360-dashboardMon, 28 Jul 2008 13:30:00 ESTRyan Davis talks up Giant Bomb's explosive re-launchhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/23/ryan-davis-talks-up-giant-bombs-explosive-re-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/23/ryan-davis-talks-up-giant-bombs-explosive-re-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/23/ryan-davis-talks-up-giant-bombs-explosive-re-launch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When Gamespot Editorial Director Jeff Gerstmann was abruptly fired under controversial circumstances late last year, it set off a sort of domino effect. In the wake of the scandal, Gamespot staffers Ryan Davis, Brad Shoemaker and Vinny Caravella all decided to leave the venerable site to start a new project with Gerstmann: a project called Giant Bomb. A skeleton of the site has been up since March, but the project really got going Monday with an overhaul that mixes user-created, wiki-style pages with editorial reviews, videos and podcasts from the four-man ex-Gamespot crew.

We talked to Giant Bomb co-founder Ryan Davis about his thoughts on the new site and his departure from Gamespot, and game journalism in general. Some excerpts from our conversation (be sure to click the "Continue" link for the full interview):

On Gerstmann-gate and the state of game journalism
"Obviously we still have lots of friends and a ton of history there [at CNET], but we're so focused on the good stuff we're doing now. ... [Gerstmann-gate] certainly helped get our names in people's mouths in certain circles. ... Before [Gerstmann-gate] even happened, I felt like people needed to be more skeptical about what they read, with the massive influx of news-blogs giving little distinction between rumor and fact.

"We're not in the business of reporting news, but as far as the review process goes, we're being very open about a review being that person's perspective. We don't use fancy math to come to our reviews, we just go with what the reviewer feels the game merits. I think when a review has to represent an entire organization's perspective on a game, that's where you can run into trouble. Also, for what it's worth, I've never considered myself a 'game journalist.' I think they exist, but I'm a reviewer and a commentator more than anything."

Continue reading Ryan Davis talks up Giant Bomb's explosive re-launch

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]]>controversygamespotgerstmann-gategiant-bombjeff-gerstmannjournalismWed, 23 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EST