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.comBloody new DeathSpank trailers, details from PAX 2008http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/bloody-new-deathspank-trailers-details-from-pax-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/bloody-new-deathspank-trailers-details-from-pax-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/04/bloody-new-deathspank-trailers-details-from-pax-2008/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While Hothead is busy pimping its upcoming Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode 2, let's not forget about its other, simpler-titled project DeathSpank. The company has released three new teaser trailers for the snarky title ("Fight" is shown above), built from the ground up with Joystiq's own Ludwig Kietzmann in mind as the target demographic.

During last weekend's Penny Arcade Expo, Hothead COO Joel DeYoung said he considered the game a "more Diablo-esque" episodic action RPG with ample amounts of creator Ron Gilbert's humor, "lampooning video game space and the idea of the video game hero that takes himself too seriously." The game is not using PAA's Torque engine. More information about DeathSpank should be coming "soon," he said. After the break, check out the "Item" and "Armor" trailer. (Spoiler: Two of these three videos use the phrase "Thong of Justice.")

Continue reading Bloody new DeathSpank trailers, details from PAX 2008

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]]>death-spankdeathspankhotheadhothead-gamesron-gilbertThu, 04 Sep 2008 08:30:00 ESTThe Combine Interview puts Tom Cruise in new lighthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/the-combine-interview-puts-tom-cruise-in-new-light/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/the-combine-interview-puts-tom-cruise-in-new-light/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/the-combine-interview-puts-tom-cruise-in-new-light/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Actually, we've just had our second viewing of "The Combine Interview," which re-imagines Cruise's Scientology diatribe as a scary statement of purpose from an anonymous member of the Combine. And now, we think it puts the Combine in a new light, as the one force on earth capable of taming Maverick himself (Kelly McGillis notwithstanding).

Rather than crank out another Tom Cruise gag (we've got plenty of them, we assure you) we'll opt to mention how well-made and creepy the short film actually is, and how Valve should really already have Tom Hall on the payroll. Take a look after the jump and see if you don't agree.

[Via Digg]

Continue reading The Combine Interview puts Tom Cruise in new light

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]]>combine-interviewhalf-life-2valveWed, 03 Sep 2008 13:00:00 ESTPAX 2008: The LittleBigJoystiq levelhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax-2008-the-littlebigjoystiq-level/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax-2008-the-littlebigjoystiq-level/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax-2008-the-littlebigjoystiq-level/#commentsFiled under: , ,

To demonstrate LittleBigPlanet's level creation tools in a way that we haven't seen or written about ad nauseum, the gang at the PAX 2008 Sony booth helped us model the Joystiq logo and vomit stickers all over it. The entire video initially clocked in at just over 10 minutes, so in the interest of time we've sped up the creation part.

Here's the full LittleBigJoystiq logo -- click for a (slightly) higher-resolution version:

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]]>joystiqlbplittlebigplanetpax-08pax-2008penny-arcadepenny-arcade-expoMon, 01 Sep 2008 16:30:00 ESTPAX 2008: Meet the Fallout 3 Vault-boy puppet dance troupehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax-2008-meet-the-fallout-3-vault-boy-puppet-dance-troupe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax-2008-meet-the-fallout-3-vault-boy-puppet-dance-troupe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/01/pax-2008-meet-the-fallout-3-vault-boy-puppet-dance-troupe/#commentsFiled under: ,

While waiting for the (much-delayed) final Omegathon to start last night, over a dozen Vault-boy puppets (of Fallout 3 fame) congregated to show off their grooving and shaking skills to a crowd of bemused onlookers. It's really what made the cheesy music infinitely more anti-meh. Check out their moves in the video above, as well as in our Omegathon gallery.
%Gallery-30939%
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]]>fallout-3omegathonomegathon-2008paxpax-08pax-2008penny-arcadepenny-arcade-expopuppetvault-boyvaultboyMon, 01 Sep 2008 13:30:00 ESTPAX 2008: Darth Vader and Stormtroopers rock to Alanishttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-darth-vader-and-stormtroopers-rock-to-alanis/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-darth-vader-and-stormtroopers-rock-to-alanis/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-darth-vader-and-stormtroopers-rock-to-alanis/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Having just exercised our right to go broke at the Pink Godzilla mini-store on this year's PAX 2008 showfloor, we were surprised and elated to turn around and see Darth Vader and a merry band of Stormtroopers taking the stage to play Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" on Rock Band 2, with vocals being handled by some unknown non-cosplayer. Apologies for the quality, as the moment was rather impromptu, but we had to share this with you.
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]]>paxpax-08pax-2008penny-arcadepenny-arcade-exporock-bandrock-band-2star-warsSat, 30 Aug 2008 18:00:00 ESTPAX 2008: Highlights from the Jonathan Coulton concerthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-highlights-from-the-jonathan-coulton-concert/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-highlights-from-the-jonathan-coulton-concert/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-highlights-from-the-jonathan-coulton-concert/#commentsFiled under: ,

Last night, Jonathan Coulton (preceeded by the awesome OneUps and Frezepop) rocked the PAX 2008 house in the only way a bearded man with an acoustic guitar standing in front of a crowd of nerds can -- with clever puns and nerd references. Check out our highlights reel of the show, including:
  • A "Still Alive" duet with Dr. Horrible's Felicia Day
  • A more subdued, romantic "Code Monkey"
  • A cover of They Might Be Giant's "Birdhouse in Your Soul"
  • A sea of arms stretched out mumbling "eat your brains"
  • Lots of great Coulton banter
We've embedded the highlights reel above. Check out the separate videos for "Code Monkeys" and "Birdhouse in Your Soul" after the break.

Continue reading PAX 2008: Highlights from the Jonathan Coulton concert

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]]>concertcoultonfreezepopjonathan-coultonjoystiqfeaturesmusicpax-08pax-2008penny-arcadepenny-arcade-expoSat, 30 Aug 2008 15:00:00 ESTPAX 2008: Highlights from Freezepop concerthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-highlights-from-freezepop-concert/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-highlights-from-freezepop-concert/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-highlights-from-freezepop-concert/#commentsFiled under: ,

In case you missed the concert Friday night at PAX 2008, or just want a quick refresher, we've created a highlights reel for the Freezepop show. What you'll see is clips from their opener ("Brainpower" of Rock Band fame), a shiny sea of cell, phone and DS lights, a rather unique "Star Spangled Banner" performance and their closer, a cover of Europe's "Final Countdown." Stay tuned later today for video from the night's headliner Jonathan Coulton.
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]]>joystiqfeaturespaxpax-08pax-2008penny-arcadepenny-arcade-expoSat, 30 Aug 2008 12:00:00 ESTPAX 2008 Music Video: Jonathon Coulton's 'Flickr' and 'Not This One'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-music-video-jonathon-coultons-flickr-and-not-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-music-video-jonathon-coultons-flickr-and-not-this/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/pax-2008-music-video-jonathon-coultons-flickr-and-not-this/#commentsFiled under: ,

Last night we attended the first PAX 2008 concert, featuring The OneUps, Freezepop, and Jonathan Coulton headlining. There are a multitude of great moments (highlight reel to come later this weekend), but one thing that stuck out was Coulton's performance of "Flickr" and special song "Not This One," both songs featuring video accompaniment aided by sound guy Bart Brad. Check out the live performance, embedded above.
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]]>crueltyflickrfreezepopjonathan-coultonmusiconeupspaxpax-08pax-2008penny-arcade-expoSat, 30 Aug 2008 10:00:00 ESTDead Space Animated Comic: Issue 5http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/dead-space-animated-comic-issue-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/dead-space-animated-comic-issue-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/28/dead-space-animated-comic-issue-5/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Something totally gross is afoot on the intergalactic mining vessel USG Ishimura. The latest issue of the animated Dead Space comic is now available for your viewing pleasure, complete with subtle pans, focus pulls, and just enough squishy sound effects to get the whole thing across.

As far as video game advertising goes, we've gotta say these comics/videos are pretty effective. Watching these chumps try and kill the space-baddies is pretty frustrating when we all know that you need to strategically dismember them. You can't just shoot willy-nilly! And seriously, how do you expect to do any damage without a badass spacesuit and accompanying laser triton? You know what, forget it! We'll just do it ourselves ... drat, advertising!

In case you're behind, here are the previous issues:

Continue reading Dead Space Animated Comic: Issue 5

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]]>ComicDead-SpaceEAEARSElectronic-ArtsThu, 28 Aug 2008 01:00:00 ESTNerdcore Rising will have its west coast premiere at PAXhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/nerdcore-rising-will-have-its-west-coast-premiere-at-pax/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/nerdcore-rising-will-have-its-west-coast-premiere-at-pax/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/nerdcore-rising-will-have-its-west-coast-premiere-at-pax/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Warning! There's an expletive-filled trailer below for the film Nerdcore Rising. It also features people binge drinking Yoo-Hoo, just so we have full disclosure. If you haven't heard about the movie before, it's a documentary that follows MC Frontalot on his first national tour as he goes from South Carolina to last year's PAX, where he was captured on film by our own Christopher Grant.

Nerdcore, which is trying hard to become its own genre of music, features songs about everything from Dungeons & Dragons to 8-bit video games, and the film explores what that's all about with Frontalot, his band, and several other Nerdcore artists. The film premiered at SXSW in Austin earlier this year, but PAX gets the goodness of the first-ever west coast showing of the flick this Saturday at 4pm. Head below the break to see the special PAX trailer for the movie, created by director Negin Farsad and MC Frontalot himself.

Continue reading Nerdcore Rising will have its west coast premiere at PAX

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]]>documentaryfilmMC-FrontalotmoviemusicNegin-FarsadNerdcore-RisingPAXPAX-08rapperrappingWed, 27 Aug 2008 15:30:00 ESTInterview: Dyack addresses Too Human complaintshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/interview-dyack-addresses-too-human-complaints/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/interview-dyack-addresses-too-human-complaints/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/27/interview-dyack-addresses-too-human-complaints/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Continuing with their week-long series, nos amis at X3F talked with Silicon Knights President Denis Dyack over some of Too Human's biggest perceived faults. Part 1 of today's video interview is embedded above. Some highlights:
  • On the community's early judgment: "People are trying to understand a game that's inherently interactive [by watching a video] ... All I can say is try the demo."
  • On clipping and texture issues: "There's glitches in all games. It's really interesting to me because, as an example, there's gonna be things you can always improve. To me, framerate's not really that essential in cutscenes and it never has been for us ... I don't think Too Human's inconsistent from any of our previous games ... So there's clipping. Oh noes. Bottom line is, does it affect gameplay and by how much? Are there ways to improve Too Human? For sure, but the overall big picture? Happy, extremely happy."
  • On the Valkyrie death scene: Dyack estimated it was a 15 and a 1/2 second scene. "If it's a sign that people love the game so much that they just want to get back in and play, could we make it skippable? Sure, it's an easy change. Is it something we ever would have anticipated since we thought it was faster than going to get your body or losing experience [which does not happen in Too Human] ... is that a change we can make in the future? Sure."
  • On comparisons to Diablo: "There's this tactical element. People think, 'oh, this is like Diablo with a bit of action. In Diablo I can just go up to an enemy and pound him away [until it dies] and move on to the next one, if you had the better loot, you usually win. In Too Human, if you don't use your tactics, it is a new kind of genre-bender, you're gonna die. And we're looking at some of the feedback and a lot of people are dying. [laughs]"
  • On future downloadable content: "I think that's gonna be unique to people who pre-order it, that's a one-time thing. But we've got tons of ideas that will far exceed the pre-order bonus."
Check out part two of the interview after the break.

Continue reading Interview: Dyack addresses Too Human complaints

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]]>denis-dyackdyacksilicon-knightstoo-humanWed, 27 Aug 2008 11:30:00 ESTDenis Dyack talks to X3F on the origin of Silicon Knightshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/denis-dyack-talks-to-x3f-on-the-origin-of-silicon-knights/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/denis-dyack-talks-to-x3f-on-the-origin-of-silicon-knights/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/denis-dyack-talks-to-x3f-on-the-origin-of-silicon-knights/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Our friends at X3F have posted the first part of their 1-on-1 interview with Denis Dyack, where he talks about the history of Silicon Knights, from its previous legal entanglements with Crystal Dynamics over the Legacy of Kain IP, through the prerequisite Eternal Darkness discussion (Spoiler: There's no talk of a sequel) and how they found themselves developing a Metal Gear Solid port for GameCube.

In case you missed it, check out the Dyack-guided studio tour from yesterday. You can catch up on all things Baldur on X3F's Too Human page.
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]]>denis-dyackdyackmicrosoftsilicon-knightstoo-humanTue, 26 Aug 2008 13:15:00 ESTX3F takes tour of Silicon Knights' studiohttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/x3f-takes-tour-of-silicon-knights-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/x3f-takes-tour-of-silicon-knights-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/x3f-takes-tour-of-silicon-knights-studio/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click for the pic-tour-ial
Our compatriots over at X3F visited Too Human developer Silicon Knights last week and were welcomed with a big, friendly bear hug from president Denis Dyack, who proceeded to drink from a bottomless coffee mug as he gave them a tour of the Ontario-based studio. Check out video of the guided tour (after the break) as well a pic-tour-ial gallery. X3F has an entire week of Silicon Knights coverage planned. Tomorrow: Part 1 of their 1-on-1 interview Dyack.

Gallery: Silicon Knights: Studio Tour

Denis Dyack with Xav de Matos

Continue reading X3F takes tour of Silicon Knights' studio

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]]>denis-dyacksilicon-knightstoo-humanMon, 25 Aug 2008 12:00:00 ESTBattlestar Galactica cast joins Animal Crossinghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/battlestar-galactica-cast-joins-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/battlestar-galactica-cast-joins-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/battlestar-galactica-cast-joins-animal-crossing/#commentsFiled under: ,

We believe it was Rob Zombie's kid brother Spider One who said "One by one they will be hand chosen, now this is what it's like when worlds collide." Could Spider have actually been peering into the future to write about LesbianGeek's labor of love that plops the Battlestar Galactica universe squarely into Animal Crossing Wild World.

A geekgasm, you say? Too early in the morning for something as nerdtastic as watching Starbuck and Season 3 mustache-enabled Adama pose with their Tom Nook-brand goods? Maybe. But it's Friday, so we're living out here on the edge.
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]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-wild-worldbattlestar-galacticaFri, 22 Aug 2008 11:30:00 ESTBionic Commando and Rearmed comparison videoshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/bionic-commando-and-rearmed-comparison-videos/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/bionic-commando-and-rearmed-comparison-videos/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/bionic-commando-and-rearmed-comparison-videos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

GameTrailers has put together another one its "totally bias" videos comparing Bionic Commando Rearmed to Bionic Commando. We're sure the NES fanboys are already all in a twitter about how Capcom was too lazy to port Rearmed to the NES and how this is an unfair juxtaposition of the two games. Capcom totally should have made a port of Rearmed for the NES so GT could make a proper comparison video. Quick, someone start an online petition to rectify this! It's all so unjust!

Check out Part 1 of the comparison video above and Part 2 after the break. Sweet mercy, look at the graphics on the NES! It's like two Atari 2600s duct-taped together.

Continue reading Bionic Commando and Rearmed comparison videos

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]]>bionic-commandobionic-commando-rearmedcapcomgametrailersFri, 22 Aug 2008 02:00:00 ESTWarhammer Online cinematic trailerhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/warhammer-online-cinematic-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/warhammer-online-cinematic-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/warhammer-online-cinematic-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , ,


There's a war going on. No, we're not talking about the one between the Armies of Order and the Armies of Destruction depicted in the recently released cinematic trailer for EA's upcoming MMO Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Nope, we're talking about the war being waged on blogs and in forums over which fantasy MMO-themed video is better: this one or the Wrath of the Lich King opening. Since it's a war, you all have to watch both and pick a side. Apathy is not a choice!
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]]>EAEA-MythicWARWarhammer-OnlineThu, 21 Aug 2008 17:57:00 ESTSee Tiger Woods actually make the Jesus Shothttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/see-tiger-woods-actually-make-the-jesus-shot/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/see-tiger-woods-actually-make-the-jesus-shot/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/21/see-tiger-woods-actually-make-the-jesus-shot/#commentsFiled under: ,

There are really only two ways of handling a glitch. Fix it in a patch or convince everyone who experienced it that it never happened in the first place. EA, as you can see in the above video, has provided the most impressive example of that second method we've ever seen.

After seeing one user's "Jesus Shot" video from Tiger Woods 08, (you'll find it just after the break), wherein a glitched Tiger walks over a pond to make a shot, EA answered back with its own video that Levinator25's supposed bug was, in fact, a mind-blowing feature. Bravo, EA. Bravo.

[Thanks, Conrad]

Continue reading See Tiger Woods actually make the Jesus Shot

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]]>eaea-sportstiger-woods-08tiger-woods-09Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:30:00 ESTGC 2008: Prince of Persia gameplay (featuring dude's head)http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/gc-2008-prince-of-persia-gameplay-featuring-dudes-head/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/gc-2008-prince-of-persia-gameplay-featuring-dudes-head/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/gc-2008-prince-of-persia-gameplay-featuring-dudes-head/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Down in front! Watch as some guy's head almost steals the spotlight from the Prince ... almost. Be sure to stick around for the slick Okami-esque effects near the end (warning: they're after the lame voice work.).
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]]>leipzig-08prince-of-persiaubisoftWed, 20 Aug 2008 15:15:00 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 ESTSee Mega64's rejected 'DS guitar game' ad [updated]http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/see-mega64s-rejected-ds-guitar-game-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/see-mega64s-rejected-ds-guitar-game-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/see-mega64s-rejected-ds-guitar-game-ad/#commentsFiled under: ,

We think the ESRB is, as a rule, pretty OK. They make it so the kids of good parents can't get adult games and the bad parents at least are forced to walk all the way into the store, which is just fine by us. But sometimes they can keep you from seeing perfectly good, perfectly surreal video game ads such as the one above made by our friends at Mega64 for an "unnamed DS guitar game" (spoiler alert, it's Jam Sessions).

The most heartbreaking thing, as revealed at the end of the ad, is why the video was rejected, which we can guarantee you won't guess. But, always obliging, the guys also made a "safe for the ESRB" version, which you can find just after the break.

[Update: Hey gang, the ESRB says they never saw the ad. We're not sure what the confusion is. The ESRB isn't specifically named in the ad, but we don't know who else they could have been referring to. We'll try to get to the bottom of it for you.]

Continue reading See Mega64's rejected 'DS guitar game' ad [updated]

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SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

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