QuickJump QuickPeek 78: of new teasers, guitar gods, censorship, and more lawsuits
Another week full of lawsuits. Poor, beleaguered company Midway came under fire once again, and this time it was from a very unlikely direction: the guy behind the Mortal Kombat movies is suing them in order to “protect his IP rights”, which is a better way of saying that he wants to keep milking the MK franchise for as long as possible. Square Enix also got served with a class-action lawsuit for “deceiving” Final Fantasy XI patrons regarding fees. Not everything was bad, though. Read all about ’em after the jump in this week’s Warrior recap.
Another week full of lawsuits. Poor, beleaguered company Midway came under fire once again, and this time it was from a very unlikely direction: the guy behind the Mortal Kombat movies sued Midway in order to “protect his IP rights”, which is a better way of saying that he wants to keep milking the MK franchise for as long as possible. Square Enix also got served with a class-action lawsuit for “deceiving” Final Fantasy XI patrons regarding fees. Not everything was bad, though, as we got wind of two possible new games from a pair of big companies.
The PSP blog saw a nice healthy balance of hardware and software news this week. PSP owners have been clamoring for a new GTA game for a long time now. This week they finally got their wish. Those holding out for a lower price point for the PSP Go, however… well, I’ll just advise you not to hold your breath for it as Sony is showing no sign of backing down on this one.Link: PSP Weekend Warrior
The Japan-only PSP title Evangelion: Jo made waves this week not because of its gameplay or anything, but because of a new anti-CFW feature built into it. It’s not exactly new since there have been other PSP games that implemented CFW checks before, but it does drive home the point that developers are taking it into their own hands to keep PSP piracy at bay.
Link: PSP Homebrew Weekend Warrior
Games once again took center stage in the PS3 blog this week, and not just the retail titles too. PSN downloadables also took their time in the spotlight, especially Final Fantasy VII, which proved extremely bankable even after more than a decade. This right here is why Square Enix won’t ever stop milking the Final Fantasy franchise.
Link: PS3 Weekend Warrior
Another gaming week has gone, but one thing always remains: there’s always something to learn in the gaming industry, and we’d all like to be there every step of the way. This week on the Microsoft blog, we’ve got rules, giveaway themes, huge opportunities, and giant gameplays worthy of a show at the Giants Stadium’s LCD wall.
Link: Xbox 360 Weekend Warrior
This week sure has been a quite one for Ninty. Early prepping for TGS maybe? At any rate, there are still a few tidbits to be read in this week’s recap, the biggest being Shia LeBeouf’s anti-Wii comments that may have lost him a few fans and earned him a lot of flames.
Link: WiiDS Weekend Warrior
Last week definitely saw a lot of hype surrounding the official release and subsequent jailbreaking of the iPhone OS 3.0. With that out of the way, spotlight turns back to the latest iPhone, the iPhone 3G S, with the week closing as we await the much-awaited jailbreak and unlock for the new model.
Link: iPhone Weekend Warrior
Industry News:
It’s teaser site countdown time again, this time Square Enix.com Japan is counting the hours until they reveal more info about their new game. The page features a plain sketch of a simple landscape with only a big number four providing the only solid clue as to what it’ll be.
Link: Teaser site countdowns anew: Square Enix hints with the number 4
Square Enix isn’t the only one with a new teaser site. Capcom Japan has also put one up, so for this week we get to wrack our brains about two different upcoming games. No countdown for the Capcom site, though, but there is a number.
Link: Capcom teaser site launched; new Basara game coming?
Midway just can’t seem to get a break these days. After all the drama that came their way, even the guy behind the Mortal Kombat movies has sued them to “protect” his IP rights. Things may be looking up for the beleaguered company, though, as now they’re owned by Warner Bros. — by default, since apparently the big WB was the only one who had a “serious offer”.
Link: Midway sued by movie producer over Mortal Kombat IP rights
Link: Warner Bros. acquires Midway by default, was the only one ‘serious’
Know who else is getting a raw deal? Australians. Pretty soon Australian gamers won’t be able to access anymore those websites that host and sell games which the government deems to contain content “edgier” than what is allowed under an MA-15+ rating. Doesn’t matter if you’re above 18 not, if it’s blocked, you’re not getting to it.
Link: Australia to block online access to games with content beyond MA-15
PEGI’s starting to flex its muscles, warning publishers to dare not cheat the system, for the arms of the law are long — and can get all your money away, leaving you bankrupt. This is what publishers out there should be warned of. The ELSPA is serious with their business, and you bet you’ll get fined big time if you lie to PEGI.
Link: No, no, no, no, don’t lie: publishers to face heavy fine if caught lying to PEGI
Speaking of deception, Square Enix is facing a class action lawsuit claiming that Square Enix of America has “deceived 100,000 customers by not being upfront about fees and penalties.”
Link: Square Enix sued for “deceiving” patrons
Jimmy Page and Jack White are not singing praises for Guitar Hero. Their concurrence: video games shouldn’t be how people get exposed to music or playing instruments. In a press conference in LA, promoting the documentary “It Might Get Loud”, the two legendary guitarists (Page from Led Zeppelin, White from The White Stripes, in case you didn’t know) gave out their thoughts on music-simulation games.
Link: The gods are not happy: Jimmy Page and Jack White find learning music through Guitar Hero ‘sad’
Judging by the comments on that Metal Gear Solid movie post a while back, it seems a number of you guys like the thought of Christian bale playing Solid Snake. Got some bad news for you though (and good news for those who didn’t want him in the movie): Bale says he hasn’t been approached about the Metal Gear Solid movie.
Link: Christian Bale hasn’t been approached for MGS movie, likes very short answers
Not everything in the past week was all gloom and doom and bas news though. The week also saw the release of the list of winners in the Game Critics Awards Best of E3 2009.
Link: Game Critics Awards Best of E3 2009 winners announced
Finally stepping up to the plate in defense of video games is Electronic Arts exec Peter Moore — and to Mr. President, Barack Obama himself, no less! After recommending that kids should play out in the sunshine more rather than play videogames indoor, in his speech to the American Medical Association, Obama has now been challenged by Moore to get into a 30-Day Challenge. He sure knows how to generate some press, that Peter Moore.
Link: Peter Moore presents 30-Day Challenge to Obama
All these lawsuits are making my head hurt. Especially that Midway one. I mean, come on, Midway hasn’t exactly been pumping out a steady stream of quality but Kasanoff’s output is decidedly worse. His claims are a riot, though, so there’s that at least.
Well, that’s it for this week guys. Stay tuned for next week’s recap.