Wednesday, July 28, 2010
call of duty black ops
2:14 AM | 
Posted by
Jay
Call of Duty: Black Ops is already old news and has probably been forgotten about by most since its announcement yesterday, but it's time to bring it back into consciousness due to a newly released teaser trailer. Courtesy of GameTrailers, it reveals that Call of Duty: Black Ops may focus on a soldier that is the subject of a mysterious experiment.
Let's take a serious look at the trailer and break it down scientifically. Creepy guy talking! Men are shooting guns! Lots of explosions! Someone died! A jungle! View from the cockpit of a helicopter! Space! I think I saw a spaceman at the end! Arnold Schwarzenegger saves Alyssa Milano and throws a pipe through a dude!
So, as we can see, this Call of Duty game is theoretically different than the ones released in the past, which is line with developer Treyarch's statement that it's an "entirely new chapter" in the Call of Duty series. The main character at this point appears to be a soldier that has lost his memories, and may have them uncomfortably returned to him by a scientist with an ominous voice that approves of shock therapy. Will we play out his flashbacks similar to the way Assassin's Creed works?
When I hear the term "Black Ops," I normally think of operations that are under the radar, but the action in the trailer here doesn't appear to be very clandestine. With the disappointment that many gamers had in the story of Modern Warfare 2, perhaps Treyarch is looking for a really solid single-player story this time that will involve all kinds of secrets, betrayals, and weird doctors for its next take on Call of Duty.
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Iron Man 2 Trailer
With “Iron Man 2” soaring across theaters worldwide, fans can now delve even deeper into the film’s story with a number of comics following the live action characters beyond the screen.
In addition to three Digital Comics focusing on Nick Fury, Agent Phil Coulson and the Black Widow (all available right now exclusively on Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited), readers can learn just what happened to Tony Stark between “Iron Man” and “Iron Man 2” when IRON MAN 2: PUBLIC IDENTITY #3 concludes this Wednesday (in comic shops everywhere!).
Alejandro Arbona, the editor tasked with overseeing both the digicomics and PUBLIC IDENTITY, says that the collaboration with Marvel Studios came about as a natural way to expand Iron Man’s story beyond the movies.
“Marvel.com and Marvel Studios had already collaborated on some Iron Man movie-centric stories for Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited,” notes Arbona. “So during the buildup to ‘Iron Man 2,’ the guys at the studio proposed that we do it again, and right from the beginning the idea was to start building a bigger world around the continuity featured in the movies. Right away we started kicking around the projects that eventually became IRON MAN: I AM IRON MAN! and IRON MAN 2: PUBLIC IDENTITY. But we also wanted to start feeling out the world of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the agents who play a role in the movies, which led us to three short stories about Nick Fury, Agent Phil Coulson and Black Widow.”
For these stories, Arbona and the creators worked closely with Marvel Studios to ensure that the comics remained faithful to the world of the film.
“Collaborating with Marvel Studios was really stimulating, and fruitful,” remarks the editor. “We worked with Brad Winderbaum, Jeremy Latcham and Will Pilgrim, mostly over email and phone, and they provided a ton of cool and helpful information to help us figure out what Marvel concepts exist in that movie world, where the stories are going to go, what elements to show, which ones not to show yet, what teases and surprises we want to keep in our back pocket for later, etc. They also brought to bear all the story sense and brainstorming prowess that helps make the movies so solid, and really weighed in with valuable notes and advice to make these stories as strong as possible.”
The exclusive digicomics focus on three of the members of Iron Man’s supporting cast, namely Nick Fury, Agent Coulson and the Black Widow.
“We started out with the goal of telling short ‘tangent’ stories that occur around Tony Stark and Iron Man, between the scenes, so to speak,” explains Arbona. “From there, we also wanted to flesh out some of the characters who don't get as much screen time but who are nevertheless key players in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, both in the movies and in the stories we're telling in print. Fury and Coulson had their parts to play in ‘Iron Man,’ but in ‘Iron Man 2,’ the two of them and Black Widow are obviously starting to become three big guns in this world, so there were definitely more stories to tell.”
As Marvel Studios continues to build their Cinematic Universe, these stories will help flesh out the world of “Iron Man 2” and tie it to the stories of both past and future Marvel films.
“The fans have seen by now that these movies all exist in a single world together,” remarks Arbona. “Nick Fury shows up in ‘Iron Man,’ the super-soldier serum and Tony Stark show up in ‘Incredible Hulk,’ and so much wonderful stuff shows up in ‘Iron Man 2’ that I won't mention in case you haven't seen it yet—and in which case, what the heck are you waiting for? So with these comics, we want to show readers more of that world, that connective tissue between all the movies, and a little bit more of how the characters interact. For example, when Tony Stark spoke to General Ross at the end of ‘The Incredible Hulk,’ you could tell they already knew each other; they spoke about some shared history they'd had together. Well in IRON MAN 2: PUBLIC IDENTITY you see when they first meet, and what that shared history is.
“That's a big one, but there are some other Easter eggs here and there; Fury's keeping an eye on Bruce Banner in one of our Digital Comics Unlimited exclusive shorts, for instance. I was just watching ‘Iron Man 2’ myself, and having worked on PUBLIC IDENTITY, I was actually really enjoying seeing the stuff pay off that we had set up in that series, stuff like knowing more of the backstory between Howard Stark and Anton Vanko, Ivan's father, or about Tony's strained relationship with the military that makes him so intransigent during that Senate hearing. And as we move forward, and get more movies on the horizon, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe grows more, you'll see more and more and more of this great, world-building stuff.”
Arbona worked closely with PUBLIC IDENTITY writer Joe Casey and Justin Theroux, who wrote the screenplay for “Iron Man 2,” in developing the story behind the three-issue tie-in series.
“Breaking the story was super fun,” he remembers. “After we'd all read the screenplay, the brainstorming kicked off with Justin telling us about the themes he, [director] Jon Favreau and the producers had talked about for the movie, a sort of allegory for nuclear non-proliferation with Tony's concern about his technology falling into the wrong hands, and the issue of him not trusting anyone else with his suit, and the way he does come to trust Rhodey [Lt. Col. James Rhodes]. [We also talked about] the relationship with his father [and] that sort of thing. Justin also talked to us about cool stuff the filmmakers discussed that wouldn't fit in the movie, like scenes of Iron Man helping out in hot spots around the globe—that's where Justin first threw out the idea of Iron Man clearing a minefield easily and harmlessly, like we saw in [PUBLIC IDENTITY] #2.
“So with everything we got from those early story discussions, we started shaping a story that would touch on the central themes. The important thing was that it had to come organically from the stuff that happened in ‘Iron Man’—what would happen to a man who'd just revealed his super hero identity to the world?—and it had to move us toward the stuff we knew was going to be important in ‘Iron Man 2.’ And let me tell you, having just re-watched ‘Iron Man’ a couple of weeks ago, read over the three issues of PUBLIC IDENTITY again after wrapping up the series, and seeing ‘Iron Man 2’ this week, they really move along a single central throughline that's really sweet to see all together at last.”
Monday, July 26, 2010
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World Movie
Meet charismatic and jobless Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera). A high guitarist for totally standard garage band Sex Bob-omb, the 22-year-old has just met the girl of his dreams -- literally. The only grab to winning Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead)? Her seven evil exes are coming to kill him. Genre-smashing filmmaker Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) tells the wonderful story of one romantic slacker's quest to power up with love in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.Scott Pilgrim has never had a problem getting a girlfriend. It's getting rid of them that verify difficult. From the girl who kicked his heart's ass'and now is back in town'to the teenage distraction he's trying to shake when Ramona rollerblades into his world, love hasn't been easy. He soon discovers, however, his new crush has the most unusual baggage of all: a immoral league of exes control her love life and will do whatever it takes to purge him as a suitor.
As Scott gets closer to Ramona, he must face an more and more violent rogues' gallery from her past -- from well-known skateboarders to vegan rock stars and alarming the same twins. And if he hopes to win his true love, he must defeat them all before it really is game over.
Watch Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World trailers for sneak peeks at the new Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World movie. See Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World previews and scenes from the new Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World film in theaters on August 13, 2010.
Browse through Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World photos and pictures featuring Michael Cera from the new Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World movie. Don't forget to watch the Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World movie coming to theaters on August 13, 2010.
Michael Jordan Returns to Digital Form in NBA 2K11
The latest iteration of 2K’s basketball franchise NBA 2K11 will attribute a new game mode called The Jordan Challenge. Players will be able to play as the cover boy in 10 of his most famous games and will be challenged to repeat the same feats that his Airness consummate on the court during those games.
“Fans of the progression are going to be excited to know that in NBA 2K11 Michael Jordan is much, much more than just a cover athlete,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “We’re eager to start talking about the ways that Michael will be used in the game and there’s still a lot more to come.”
While playing The Jordan Challenge, fans can try to stun the world in Jordan’s self-described greatest game by torching the Cavaliers by 69 points in March of 1990; challenge to battle back from the flu to defeat the Jazz in Game 6 of the 1997 finals; or leave the world wanting more as they relive one of Jordan’s finest performances during his last game as a Chicago Bull on June 14, 1998. In addition to The Jordan Challenge mode, gamers will have the exclusive chance to play as some of the maximum teams in NBA history, including the ‘85-’86, ’89-’90, ’90-’91, ’94-’95, ’95-’96, ’96-’97, and ’97-’98 Chicago Bulls.
“Fans of the progression are going to be excited to know that in NBA 2K11 Michael Jordan is much, much more than just a cover athlete,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “We’re eager to start talking about the ways that Michael will be used in the game and there’s still a lot more to come.”
While playing The Jordan Challenge, fans can try to stun the world in Jordan’s self-described greatest game by torching the Cavaliers by 69 points in March of 1990; challenge to battle back from the flu to defeat the Jazz in Game 6 of the 1997 finals; or leave the world wanting more as they relive one of Jordan’s finest performances during his last game as a Chicago Bull on June 14, 1998. In addition to The Jordan Challenge mode, gamers will have the exclusive chance to play as some of the maximum teams in NBA history, including the ‘85-’86, ’89-’90, ’90-’91, ’94-’95, ’95-’96, ’96-’97, and ’97-’98 Chicago Bulls.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The Green Lantern Game
Green Lantern: Augment of the Manhunters will hit shelves in summer 2011 to contest up with the approaching Green Lantern movie.
Due out next summer, the necessary video game associate to the Green Lantern movie starring Ryan Reynolds, Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters, will present players the chance to take control of the Green Lantern and play through a story that will be connected to the movie, but also follow an free storyline.
In general, video game tie-ins with movies tend to fail epically, with very few exceptions. If you are eager for something like “but this game will be the exception!” keep eager. Sure, it would be great if this game is an exception to the rule, but beyond the natural problems with a video game revision of a movie, the Green Lantern is not a character that simply lends itself to video games. Several Green Lantern games have been planned over the years, and none have made it to the shelves, and the few instances where Green Lantern is featured in a game — as with Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe -- usually have the character using their incredible enormous ring to make a giant cartoon-like hammer or a green beam of light.
By the very nature of the Green Lantern’s powers, the game would have to limit the character’s abilities to make it work in a video game. If they could manage it, the game might be worth checking out. There is so much potential with the character, both in terms of gameplay and in the universe of the Green Lantern, that to do it correctly might be something worth taking note. We’ll have to set aside decision until we know more.
The game’s details are still being secured, but as the title suggests, the Manhunters will be the primary intimidation. In the comics, the Manhunters are a race of robots produced by the Guardians of the Universe to keep peace before the Green Lanterns were created. The Manhunters were assigned to keep order, but they finally determined that the only way to justly keep order in the universe was to clean out all life.
Hopefully, developer Double twist games can rupture the style and create a video game movie-tie in that pleases fans and gamers alike. The game will be available on all consoles, and is likely scheduled for release approximately the time of the movie’s June 17, 2011 release date.
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