In Other News...October 22

[DoctorFinger]

- The redone PSP version of the early PS2 adventure game Shadow of Destiny has officially been announced (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/konami-confirms-u-s-release-for-shadow-of-destiny-psp-port/) for a US release by Konami. No specific date was given, but it will be out sometime in 2010.

- EA has revealed the "Extraction" survival mode (http://www.co-optimus.com/article/2825/UPDATED_Army_of_Two_Extraction_Survival_Mode_Revea led.html) for Army of Two: The 40th Day. The mode will be "unlocked" for all gamers 30 days after the game's January 12 release, but will be available to pre-order customers from day one.

- IGN translated a Famitsu article on Final Fantasy XIII where it was revealed that the game will not require an install (http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/103/1037157p1.html), and yet will still somehow feature very minimal load times.

- Make sure you keep your old Ratchet & Clank saves (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3176607) handy for the upcoming release of Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time. Quest for Booty saves will give you a jaunty pirate hat to use in Playstation Home, while Tools of Destruction will give you discounts on some weapons in game.

- Is Epic teasing the next Unreal game (http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/50925/Epic-Teasing-Something-Unreal)? Looks like it.

- The death knell for Hulu (http://www.broadcastingcable.com/blog/ADverse_Atkinson_on_Advertising/23941-Chase_Carey_Hulu_to_Charge_in_2010.php?nid=2228&source=title&rid=6454445)? The deputy chairman for News Corp - one of three major conglomerates, along with NBC Universal and ABC/Disney, who own the streaming video service - has indicated that they will likely have to start charging for content sometime in 2010. Which would pretty much kill the vast majority of the site's viewership.

[Camel]

Better finish watching all these Lost episodes before 2010! :eek:

[Sandman]

if hulu starts charging, we riot

[DoctorFinger]

The owners of Hulu are shooting themselves in the foot if they start charging for base viewing.

I understand Hulu has to pay for bandwidth and such, but there's the same number of ad minutes on a Hulu show as there is on a TV broadcast. And because I have a DVR, I actually sit thru the commercials on Hulu more often.

I could see a sub for a "premium account": higher picture quality, earlier access to the show, maybe even DVD-style extras. But making people pay for base service is just stupid at this point.

[Adam Blue]

- Is Epic teasing the next Unreal game (http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/50925/Epic-Teasing-Something-Unreal)? Looks like it.

It's either a new Unreal story-driven campaign game, or DLC for UT3.

[darkbase]

- EA has revealed the "Extraction" survival mode (http://www.co-optimus.com/article/2825/UPDATED_Army_of_Two_Extraction_Survival_Mode_Revea led.html) for Army of Two: The 40th Day. The mode will be "unlocked" for all gamers 30 days after the game's January 12 release, but will be available to pre-order customers from day one.


Couldn't you just change your system's calendar date? (Granted you couldn't play online)

And that Hulu noise is horribly depressing.

[Pale Ale]

- Make sure you keep your old Ratchet & Clank saves (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3176607) handy for the upcoming release of Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time. Quest for Booty saves will give you a jaunty pirate hat to use in Playstation Home, while Tools of Destruction will give you discounts on some weapons in game.

Does ToD still have that amazing Stop Working feature? Thinking about it almost makes me wanna throw in the disk in and see.


Just like everyone else, I think Hulu switching from a model that barely maintains the status quo to a model worse than the alternative might not work out for the best. But what do I know? I'm not an old guy with a business degree.

[Hawkzombie]

The owners of Hulu are shooting themselves in the foot if they start charging for base viewing.

I understand Hulu has to pay for bandwidth and such, but there's the same number of ad minutes on a Hulu show as there is on a TV broadcast. And because I have a DVR, I actually sit thru the commercials on Hulu more often.

I could see a sub for a "premium account": higher picture quality, earlier access to the show, maybe even DVD-style extras. But making people pay for base service is just stupid at this point.

I would pay a low base rate (not a per show rate) if they'd at least let people in Canada watch.

As it is, I'd rather just torrent the shows and watch them on my PS3 through the media server.

[Ultima Thulian]

I'm excited for the Shadow of Destiny news. I've always wanted to play that game but never got a chance. Seems I'll get another in 2010.

[Chimpbot]

Couldn't you just change your system's calendar date? (Granted you couldn't play online)

No, assuming the "unlock" will require a title update...which it most definitely will.

[Xerxes]

Sorry Charlie, no dice Hulu. I already watch less Hulu, and this is mainly due to the shows coming on Hulu a week late. I'd torrent or netflix a show before waiting around a week. Like DocFinger said, I sit and watch your fucking ads on my computer because I'm still getting to watch it when I want rather than TV show time when I'm not home. If I'm at home with my controller, I'd flip away from those shits so fast.

How is me watching 30 Rock on Thursday night at 8 different than watching it on a Friday at 4am different? I'm sitting through the ads. Were is this magical TV money coming from? They get paid money from local networks don't they?

I'm still just confused. Seems like greed.

[LordDon]

Fuck you Comcast, fuck you for buying Hulu and pulling this shit move. First your anti-net-neutrality stance and now this. Eat a dick you fucks.

[rein]

- The redone PSP version of the early PS2 adventure game Shadow of Destiny has officially been announced (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/konami-confirms-u-s-release-for-shadow-of-destiny-psp-port/) for a US release by Konami. No specific date was given, but it will be out sometime in 2010.
Yes!
- EA has revealed the "Extraction" survival mode (http://www.co-optimus.com/article/2825/UPDATED_Army_of_Two_Extraction_Survival_Mode_Revea led.html) for Army of Two: The 40th Day. The mode will be "unlocked" for all gamers 30 days after the game's January 12 release, but will be available to pre-order customers from day one.
NO!
- IGN translated a Famitsu article on Final Fantasy XIII where it was revealed that the game will not require an install (http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/103/1037157p1.html), and yet will still somehow feature very minimal load times. Wha?

- Make sure you keep your old Ratchet & Clank saves (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3176607) handy for the upcoming release of Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time. Quest for Booty saves will give you a jaunty pirate hat to use in Playstation Home, while Tools of Destruction will give you discounts on some weapons in game. OK.

- Is Epic teasing the next Unreal game (http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/50925/Epic-Teasing-Something-Unreal)? Looks like it. Shrug.

- The death knell for Hulu (http://www.broadcastingcable.com/blog/ADverse_Atkinson_on_Advertising/23941-Chase_Carey_Hulu_to_Charge_in_2010.php?nid=2228&source=title&rid=6454445)? The deputy chairman for News Corp - one of three major conglomerates, along with NBC Universal and ABC/Disney, who own the streaming video service - has indicated that they will likely have to start charging for content sometime in 2010. Which would pretty much kill the vast majority of the site's viewership.
No way. This is most likely for a premium service. Charges for cable shows or maybe shows without a week delay. If they start charging for all content, or even the majority of content, they will die. There are other services out that do something similar and there will always be torrents.

[LongStepMantis]

Yeah...this Hulu news is no damn good. I want to be optimistic, but I have a horrible feeling they're going to pull a Napster, fail, and disappear. It isn't the same thing, but you get what I mean.

Now then, time to make an ordered list of the movies/shows on Hulu I really want to see and haven't got around to yet. There's work to be done.

[Doctor Setebos]

I understand Hulu has to pay for bandwidth and such, but there's the same number of ad minutes on a Hulu show as there is on a TV broadcast.Not even close, actually. A 30-minute show on television is only 22-23 minutes on Hulu, which translates to roughly 8 minutes less ad time per half-hour block.

Fuck you Comcast, fuck you for buying Hulu and pulling this shit move. First your anti-net-neutrality stance and now this. Eat a dick you fucks.Not sure quite what you mean. Comcast is looking to purchase a stake in NBC Universal, which they haven't even done yet. What has Comcast done to Hulu?

[Inspector Fowler]

Instead of checking for save games, they should check your Xbox (or PS3) profile for achievements (or trophies). I would guess a number of people aren't on their first hard drive or have deleted save games from older titles to make room on their system.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

- IGN translated a Famitsu article on Final Fantasy XIII where it was revealed that the game will not require an install (http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/103/1037157p1.html), and yet will still somehow feature very minimal load times.

Uncharted 2 does it, so anyone else can.

Also, Hulu lost me when they started taking down seasons of Arrested Development. It was the only real show I watched there. I've got them on DVD so there's no real loss for me.

[johnperkins21]

I think I'll wait to see what happens with the Hulu thing before I pass judgment.

The biggest issue is that the current business model for television is outmoded. People seem to forget that the purpose of television is not to entertain, but mainly to sell products, and by governmental decree, to provide news. If more and more people are skipping the ads, there is no reason for shows to be produced.

DVD sales, product placement, and cable/satellite subscriptions are definitely helping the cause, but what we have now is not a sustainable model. If we continue to want good television shows, we're going to have to deal with a few flubs along the way as production companies try to find new revenue streams. Part of it is greed, but a large part of it is basic survival.

If consumers hate it, and get nothing out of the deal, it will fail. Look at DivX. That was a horrible idea that was bad for consumers, and therefore died a slow, painful death. And I believe it was the beginning of the end of Circuit City. At this point I'll give Hulu the benefit of the doubt, and wait to see what actually happens. But within the next 10 years or so, the current television model will more than likely experience a radical, drastic change. That's simply something, as consumers, we need to prepare for.

[Vigil80]

Meh, I hope Hulu does go under. There's already too many services online I should probably be registered for.

Like most everyone's said, if they need more income, they'd better find another way. Subscription is a good way to eliminate their userbase.

[Spigot]

Hooray for the Shadow Of Destiny news. Loved that game back in the day.

[Mike Kelehan]

Am I the only one who read the Hulu article? Look:

Carey says that while throwing up a pay-wall around all content is not the answer, it doesn’t mean there wont be fees for some specially-created content and TV previews. Windows are just around the corner. American Idol audition previews anyone? Mobile Hulu is another potential way of making money.

Let's not raise our pitchforks. Throwing up a pay-wall around all content is NOT the answer. They want to have a Hulu Premium with extra content that I may or may not want, let them. If they start charging for stuff we can get on EZTV, they know that won't work.

[Ravenlock]

I'm clearly in the minority, but I would happily pay a reasonable fee for Hulu. I can get it directly on my TV through my 360, and it's already how I watch most of the shows I watch. It's pretty much solehandedly allowing me to cancel my cable TV subscription, saving me way more per month than they're likely to charge.

My only stipulations would be (1) stop getting the shows with a delay, and keep older episodes up longer, and (2) charge a reasonable amount for some sort of selection of shows or networks, not the per-episode bullshit that most digital TV delivery systems think they can pull (hi, Apple!).

If they can meet those 2 conditions, it'll be the closest thing to the a-la-carte model cable TV should've adopted years ago that we've come yet.

[OUX]

I enjoyed the response about a quarter of the way down the hulu article page, "Whatever, if Hulu starts charging, I'll just go back to pirating TV shows."

Hulu this is who watches you.

[Kelegacy]

Instead of checking for save games, they should check your Xbox (or PS3) profile for achievements (or trophies). I would guess a number of people aren't on their first hard drive or have deleted save games from older titles to make room on their system.

Save games are quite small, so I can't believe people would delete them to make room (at least save ONE state, just in case). I haven't deleted a single save in the entire time I've owned a 360. Or original Xbox for that matter.

On PS2, yeah. Those memory cards were too small.

[Jeffool]

I enjoyed the response about a quarter of the way down the hulu article page, "Whatever, if Hulu starts charging, I'll just go back to pirating TV shows."

Hulu this is who watches you.Absolutely; that's me. I actually pay for cable TV and Internet, but almost exclusively use Hulu instead as I sleep during the evening and work overnight. (I just got home now, and I'll up for about eight more hours.) If they DID want to charge, (I realize they don't,) I'd just download it. I mean, the commercials aren't even an issue; some are so good that I enjoy watching them. (Kimbo Slice versus a Caterpillar, anyone?)

What I'd like to see is something surely to fail, an experiment. I'd like to see show-specific "tip jars." I know, it'll never work, but I'd still like to see how it'd do.

[Chris_D]

Enjoyed me some Shadow of Destiny back in the day. That game does need a lot of spit and polish though. It was a very early generation PS2 game and you can tell. Looking forward to seeing how much they do with this PSP remake.

[MagGnome]

Trying to find certain shows online is such a pain. I had to scrounge around to find season 2 of True Blood, and even then I waded through at least a dozen total BS websites.

I guess I should have just downloaded them, but I haven't done that in ages.

[Kelegacy]

Trying to find certain shows online is such a pain. I had to scrounge around to find season 2 of True Blood, and even then I waded through at least a dozen total BS websites.

I guess I should have just downloaded them, but I haven't done that in ages.

Season 2 is REALLY good from episodes 2 to about 8 or 9 I thought. Then it dragged. You could tell they were trying to drag it out for a few more episodes to hit their 12 or 13 typical season episode run. The story arc could have been decent, too.

But it soured me so much I'm not resubscribing to HBO for it again. Cancelled the night the finale aired.

[MagGnome]

Ouch! I didn't know that. :(

I'm on episode 2 right now, and it's great! I have to leave for work though, blech.

[total]

I enjoyed the response about a quarter of the way down the hulu article page, "Whatever, if Hulu starts charging, I'll just go back to pirating TV shows."

Hulu this is who watches you.

"Pirating" TV they transmit freely over the waves is a bit of a stretch but ok. I hate the term pirating in the first place, but I hate when people refer to pirating network television.

Anywho. Here is how it works Hulu (and the game industry). If people can get a better product from someone else for free (torrents) then the product they pay for (watch ads) then you are doing it wrong. Hulu is a brilliant idea, and I hope they build on it. Non-obtrusive ads without some bullshit player install is fantastic. I would most likely pay a flat fee to get higher definition programming.

[Mike Kelehan]

Enjoyed me some Shadow of Destiny back in the day. That game does need a lot of spit and polish though. It was a very early generation PS2 game and you can tell. Looking forward to seeing how much they do with this PSP remake.

You know, I hear that a lot... but I really liked the game's look. Maybe it's just because it's been a while.

I met Charles Martinet at E3. He was walking around the Nintendo booth to promote NSMB Wii. I got a picture with him, and told him that I really enjoyed his work in Shadow of Destiny as Homunculus.

[Chris_D]

You know, I hear that a lot... but I really liked the game's look. Maybe it's just because it's been a while.


Well it's just that the models were very low polygon and there wasn't much texture work going on. It smacked of a low budget and getting to grips with the PS2 hardware. It wasn't really a case of liking the style or not. I played it the same time as Silent Hill 2 and the difference in technical prowess between the 2 was marked.

Anyway, I'm sure it would be easy to juice up the game a bit.

[MagGnome]

I suddenly remembered what Shadow of Destiny was. I always wanted to play that but never had the chance.

[Spigot]

I suddenly remembered what Shadow of Destiny was. I always wanted to play that but never had the chance.I believe I did a TTS write-up for it a while ago. Definately a fondly remembered, if not technologically impressive game.