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Game|Life, Chris Kohler's new gaming blog for Wired News, has a revealing new interview with Hideki Konno, Producer at Nintendo EAD and the man in charge of both Nintendogs and Mario Kart DS. Here are a couple of choice excerpts:
Game|Life: Any plans for Nintendogs on Wi-Fi?
Konno: We have a lot of ideas (laughs). That's the next thing we'd like to tackle. So there are a lot of things that I'm looking forward to addressing in regards to that question.
Note: Game|Life stresses that the following quote pertains only to a working tech demo, not an actual game in full development...
Konno: ...We have this game with a big wok that you use to cook Chinese food, and it's really interesting to have the meat and vegetables frying in there, and use the controller to flip the food around without it spilling out of the pan.
Check out the full interview for more info on the development of Mario Kart DS and Nintendogs!
For the past few years, the guys at Penny Arcade have been running a charity called Child's Play, which provides video games to children who are bed-ridden in hospitals around the U.S. In fact, this year the program is serving children's hospitals around the world. Child's Play is like a gaming-specific version of Toys for Tots, and we definitely recommend that you check it out and consider offering your support.
One way you can support Child's Play and score some hard-to-find swag is by participating in Chris Kohler's ongoing auction over at his Wired News blog. Kohler is a well known freelance writer in the gaming industry and has just published his second book, Retro Gaming Hacks. As you may or may not know, members of the gaming press tend to accumulate bizarre promotional items over numerous press events, not to mention swag-fests like E3 where you can literally walk out with bags full of branded t-shirts and frisbees. Kohler has assembled a sizable lot of such items and is putting them on auction, with the proceeds to benefit Child's Play. If you're a collector of weird gaming items, check it out!
OLD FAVORITE NINTENDO IS NEW AGAIN WITH RETRO-STYLED GAME BOY MICRO
Limited-Edition Micro and $10 Coupon Celebrate 20th Anniversary of the NES
REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 5, 2005 – To celebrate 20 years of unprecedented success in the video game industry, Nintendo is making its newest game system look exactly like its first one – only much smaller.
A retro version of its Game Boy® Micro comes to the Western Hemisphere on Nov. 28, honoring the 20th anniversary of the Nintendo Entertainment System® home console. The new Game Boy Micro base unit will be maroon with a gold NES-inspired faceplate, and will sell at an MSRP of $99.99. It also will come packed with a $10 coupon that can be used toward the purchase of select Nintendo-published Game Boy Advance games.
“The Special 20th Anniversary Edition Game Boy Micro is an anniversary present to millions of Nintendo fans, who 20 years ago single-handedly built this entire industry,” says George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications.
Game Boy Micro represents the coolest piece of hardware in Game Boy® history. It’s small enough to slip into the tightest pair of jeans, and at 2.4 ounces, light enough to carry anywhere.
Nintendo News:
Nintendo’s Q1 Software Lineup Lets Users Make Music and Become a Robot
Even after the holidays are over, Nintendo will give you something to celebrate. The first quarter of 2006 will see the arrival of much-anticipated games like Metroid® Prime Hunters, as well as only-from-Nintendo experiences like Electroplankton™ and Odama™. Everyone should find something on the list below to help them chase away the winter blues.
Nintendo DS™
Jan. 9: Electroplankton – Make beautiful music with this artistic tune generator. Ten different modes keep the music humming in endless combinations.
Jan. 23: True Swing Golf – Players swipe the touch screen to stroke the most realistic golf swings ever possible. Just like out on the links, if their swing is off, they’re in the rough.
Feb. 27: Super Princess Peach™ – After kidnapping Peach for years and years, Bowser finally wised up and kidnapped Mario instead. Now it’s Peach to the rescue, pink parasol and all.
March 20: Metroid Prime Hunters® – This Wi-Fi-enabled adventure will have friends near and far blasting away for hours on end.
Nintendo GameCube™ Feb. 6: Chibi-Robo™ – The hero is a 3-inch-tall robot who desires only to bring happiness to his human family. Players explore a huge house and help Chibi-Robo complete chores and fend off enemies while maintaining his energy level.
March 6: Odama™ – This wild game wowed crowds at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. It’s the best microphone-controlled Japanese feudal warrior pinball game you’ll ever play.
Game Boy® Advance SP/Game Boy® Micro Feb. 6: Drill Dozer™ – Pilot a destructive Drill Dozer robot to recover a stolen red diamond. Players demolish everything in their path. What could be more fun?
March 6: Tales of Phantasia® - In this classic RPG with a real-time battle system, players take on the role of Cress, a young swordsman who must set out on a fantastic quest when his village is destroyed in mysterious circumstances.
One of the big news items out of Nintendo's ongoing press event in Redmond is that both of Nintendo's Brain games are being localized for a North American release under the names Brain Training and Brain Flex. Both games have been best sellers in Japan, with particularly high sales to older DS owners. Release dates for these games will be forthcoming.
In other news, NOA has confirmed that a new color for the Game Boy Micro is headed to North America. It's based on the Famicom 20th Anniversary version of the Micro that has been so popular in Japan. We'll have more details soon!
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Originally posted by: MJRx9000
So does this mean every dev from now on will sign an NDA?
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Originally posted by: tForce
Anyway, if you really don't want them, turn off CSS page stylings. Bye bye links.
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Originally posted by: vudu
EDIT: Just for the heck of it, I tried turning off IntelliTXT using Jonny's cookie method. Either I'm dumb, or the 'turn off cookie' option isn't where he said it was. I'm not ruling out either possibility.
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Originally posted by: vuduQuoteYou really don't think this is intrusive? There are seven links in two paragraphs, five in the first paragraph alone. That's annoying. Especially with the double underlined text.
Originally posted by: tForce
I don't get the complaints. I'm all for IntelliTXT as an alternative to pop up ads. It's not intrusive in the slightest.
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Originally posted by: Ian Sane
Would anyone tolerate ads that came up in the middle of a TV show and obstructed the screen or ads that came on in the middle of a song on the radio? NO! So why do internet advertisers think all this annoying bullsh!t is such a great idea?
Our programmer, Brendan Gallagher (Gahiggidy), has worked hard over the past few days to set up IntelliTXT so that it works properly with our unusual website structure. He has also tried to exclude IntelliTXT from the main page, content listing pages, and other pages which we feel would be inappropriate for this form of advertising. If you find IntelliTXT to be interfering with normal links or slowing down the site, please contact Brendan via the Staff page and give him specific information about the incident.
As you know, PGC operates on a shoestring budget because we're not doing this to make money. The site has considerable expenses for this great WebCore dedicated server, and we support ourselves fully through these various forms of advertising. By exploring new advertising opportunities such as IntelliTXT, we hope to upgrade our capabilities to give you more and better content, including media, in the near future.
Crave Entertainment Ships Sky Dancers® for Game Boy® Advance Based on Best-Selling Line of High-Flying Dolls
Help Sky Dancers save the Wingdom from the evil Sky Clone!
Newport Beach, Calif.--October 25, 2005--Crave Entertainment, a leading publisher of console videogames, today announced that Sky Dancers for the Game Boy® Advance handheld video game system has shipped to retailers throughout North America. Sky Dancers quickly became the #1 girls' toy around the world when first introduced in 1994, and was featured in McDonald's Happy Meals and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The 2005 relaunch delivers a whole new look and an animated DVD series where the enchanting characters and magical world of Sky Dancers come alive for a whole new generation. The game is available for a MSRP of $19.99.
Young adventurers can now fly off on an exciting journey with Angelica, Camille and Jade! Queen Skyla has chosen the best dancers from her High Hope Dance Academy to defend the Wingdom from the evil Sky Clone and his wicked servants and henchmen. Sky Clone has spirited away the Queen so he can take over the Wingdom, and the Sky Dancers must use their magical feathers and new special skills to save the day. The game features collectible in-game Sky Dancers costumes and hair accessories that may be traded via the Game Link cable, five unique levels of play, and three mini games: "Angelica's Perfect Aim," "Jade's Sky Slalom," and "Camille's Treasure Hunt."
Sky Dancers are back with a whole new look and attitude and flying higher than ever before! Over 20 million original Sky Dancers sold worldwide, and rocketed to the top of the Toy Book "What's Hot" list. The brand relaunches in 2005 with a master toy introduction from Play Along, makers of the mega-successful Care Bears and Cabbage Patch brands, as well as the first ever DVD launch of the Sky Dancers animated series.
SHONEN JUMP's NARUTO Coming To North America! D3Publisher of America & TOMY Corporation Announce Co-Publishing Agreement For Nintendo GameCube™ & Game Boy®Advance
Four Games To Be Released Based on Mega Hit Ninja Series
LOS ANGELES - Oct. 17, 2005 - D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA), a publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, today announced a North American co-publishing agreement with TOMY Corporation for video games based on VIZ Media's hit anime series - SHONEN JUMP's NARUTO. The agreement calls for the release of four games: one title each for the Nintendo GameCube™ and Game Boy® Advance in early 2006, and in the second half of 2006.
Featured exclusively in the monthly SHONEN JUMP Magazine, NARUTO adventures by creator Masashi Kishimoto are read by over 750,000 readers in the US. NARUTO stories are also available in graphic novels from VIZ Media at bookstores and retailers nationwide. NARUTO recently debuted on Cartoon Network in the US and YTV in Canada, achieving phenomenal launch ratings with Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14. In Japan, since publication began in 1999 in Weekly Shonen Jump, and based on the manga's popularity, the anime made its debut on TV TOKYO in 2002. Since then, NARUTO has become one of the most popular animated shows achieving immense success as a TV title as well as a licensed property for toys, trading card games and video games.
"The co-publishing agreement with TOMY represents an excellent opportunity for D3PA to leverage a superb property in SHONEN JUMP's NARUTO," commented Yoji Takenaka, executive vice president and COO for D3PA. "The success of NARUTO in Japan has eclipsed the Dragonball Z franchise, so we are looking forward to these releases in North America and the prospect of working with VIZ Media and TOMY."
NARUTO takes place in a world where ninja hold the ultimate power. Infused with the spirit of a once fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox, Naruto Uzumaki is a ninja-in-training who is learning the art of Ninjutsu with his classmates Sakura and Sasuke. The trio studies under the instruction of their teacher, Kakashi, who helps the group face dangerous and daunting tests and challenges. Through their adventures, the young ninjas learn the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity, and right versus wrong.
"We already knew we had a potential hit on our hands based on our experience with NARUTO in Japan" said Isamu Takahashi, Managing Director & Chief International Operating officer of TOMY Company, Ltd. "However, we needed to translate not only the games, but the compelling qualities of the NARUTO property. We met with many publishers in the U.S. and were impressed by D3Publisher of America's knowledge of interactive entertainment, awareness and enthusiasm for TOMY's Naruto titles and the enthusiasm with which they pursued the arrangement. We are confident that along with VIZ Media and Nintendo, the partnership with D3PA will recreate in North America the phenomenal success NARUTO enjoyed in Japan."
A smash-hit when originally released in Japan, TOMY and D3PA will release several of the popular titles in 2006 including: NARUTO: Clash of Ninja (Gekito Ninja Taisen) and NARUTO: Clash of Ninja 2: (Gekito Ninja Taisen 2) for the Nintendo GameCube™ and NARUTO: Ninja Council (Saikyuo Ninja Daikesshu) and an additional title for Game Boy® Advance.
EA's FIFA Soccer 06 Hits Stores Across the World; Best-Selling Soccer Franchise Is Now Available in Europe and Hits Shelves in North America on October 4
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 2005--Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS), the world's leading interactive entertainment software company, announces the release of FIFA Soccer 06 under the EA SPORTS(TM) brand. FIFA Soccer, one of EA's top-selling sports franchises, includes major enhancements to the gameplay and management modes, making FIFA Soccer 06 "The TOTAL SOCCER Experience." The game is available in stores in Europe today, and worldwide the first week of October.
FIFA Soccer 06 delivers a combination of attacking gameplay, complete customization, the deepest Manager mode ever, and pure authenticity. Intuitive gameplay enables you to command every move of your player with pinpoint accuracy. Passing, shooting, and tackling is now more responsive than ever and enables you to trap, shield, and dribble like a world-class soccer player.
Freddy Adu, Ronaldinho, and Omar Bravo are featured as the North American cover athletes and represent the global depth of this franchise. Adu exploded into the world of professional soccer as the youngest U.S. athlete to sign with a professional sports franchise in the past 100 years when he signed with Major League Soccer in November 2003. Ronaldinho was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and played an integral part of Brazil's 1999 Copa America team at the age of 19. Bravo is widely considered to be one of the most exciting young players on the world stage. He is already a key player for his home club, Chivas Guadalajara, and is now starring for the Mexican national team.
FIFA Soccer 06 was developed by a multi-national team of soccer aficionados at the EA Canada studio in Vancouver, B.C., and is shipping on the PlayStation(R) 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, the Nintendo GameCube(TM), PC-CD, PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R) Portable) handheld entertainment system, Game Boy(R) Advance, and Nintendo DS(TM). EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer 06 will also be available for mobile. For further product information please visit: www.fifa06.ea.com.
The Planet GameCube staff is made up of hard-working volunteers who love Nintendo. Many of us had nothing else to go on when we first joined the website; we learned the rest along the way. Now many of us have been at it for years and have gained tremendous experience in all aspects of the website’s operation. It’s time for some fresh blood to learn the ropes and kick up the energy level – and that means you!
We have two positions open at this time. Please do not submit applications for any positions other than these two. Other positions will open up in the future.
Position: Sports Editor
Given priority assignments for sports game content
May cover non-sports games as well
All-purpose writer (news, previews, reviews, features, etc.)
Requirements:
No experience necessary!
Must have advanced knowledge and understanding of multiple sports
Must be skilled and experienced in playing all kinds of sports games (sim, arcade, etc.)
Must be hard-working, self-motivated, hungry for action
Must be willing and able to work several hours per week, sometimes more
Must be able to stay in touch often via instant messaging, email, and online meetings
Should be a solid writer with great ideas and style
Good spelling and grammar helpful (perfection not necessary)
Able to work with others, communicate effectively
Able to accept criticism and suggestions from PGC editors
Must be mature (regardless of age)
For logistical purposes, candidates in the United States will be given priority.
Position: Japan Correspondent
Given priority assignments for Japan-centric content and import games
Occasionally translates magazine and online articles into English
Attends press and cultural events in Japan for special coverage
All-purpose writer (news, previews, reviews, features, etc.)
Requirements:
No experience necessary!
Must be fluent in the Japanese language (can play an RPG and understand the story)
Must be fluent in the English language (can read and write at a college level)
Must currently or imminently live in Japan for at least a few months to come
Must have advanced knowledge and understanding of Japanese video games
Must be hard-working, self-motivated, hungry for action
Must be willing and able to work several hours per week, sometimes more
Must be able to stay in touch often via instant messaging, email, and online meetings
Should be a solid writer with great ideas and style
Good spelling and grammar helpful (perfection not necessary)
Able to work with others, communicate effectively
Able to accept criticism and suggestions from PGC editors
Must be mature (regardless of age)
NOTE: All Planet GameCube staff positions are volunteer-only. You will not be paid. Staff members sometimes receive games and other products to review, but as any member of our staff will tell you, the possibility of free stuff is hardly just compensation for the work required of PGC staff members. This job is for someone who wants to develop as a writer, earn valuable experience in the game industry, and be part of a team of like-minded individuals who want to cover Nintendo and the game industry in a professional manner.
If you think you are a good candidate, please email jobs@planetgamecube.com and explain why you fit the above criteria. A writing sample (may be original or published) is highly recommended, but remember that good writing is not the only quality we’re looking for. Thanks for your interest, and good luck!
Applications for these positions will be accepted until Friday, October 7th, 2005. We regret that we cannot reply personally to all applicants. Selected applicants will be contacted within several days of the application deadline, though the actual wait time may be longer due to high volume of applicants.
