For decades, geeks were ostracized, picked on, laughed at and punished by the sun’s harmful UV rays. But there is only so long that a people can be kept down before they rise up against their oppressors; and, indeed, the dawn of the 21st century has seen the ascendancy of geeks and geek culture.
We now celebrate that rise to power–and let’s face it, nerds pretty much run everything now–with w00tstock, a special event for geeks of every stripe. Television host/special-effects artist Adam Savage (“MythBusters”), actor/author/blogger Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”, “Stand By Me”) and music-comedy duo Paul and Storm present a night of songs, readings, comedy, demonstrations, short films, special guests, and other clever widgets born from and dedicated to the enthusiasms, obsessions, trials and joys of geek pride.
This is the dawning of the Age of Geekdom–and its voices will ring true at w00tstock.
1up:
The advent of DLC and downloadable games has long been cited as the death knell for GameStop and its lucrative used games business. The chain is taking steps to adapt to the changing market though.
Reuters is reporting that GameStop is set to launch a new program that will make downloadable content available in stores. Under the program, a shopper will be able to purchase the content, then have it be available for download when they get home.
The program will likely operate in much the same fashion as packages like the Dragon Age: Origins Deluxe Edition, which launched with DLC included. When a customer purchases a new or used game, it will be a simple matter for the clerk to ask if the customer wants to purchase the downloadable content as well.
GameStop has recently committed to developing a digital delivery strategy, having created the General Manager of Digital Media position in August. Their new DLC program is likely the first step in trying to “leverage existing relationships to drive digital sales.”
Details on the program remain relatively sparse. We’ll know more when they start testing the service early next year.
Kotaku:
According to sources speaking with British trade site MCV, Microsoft’s Project Natal will be released worldwide in November 2010, and may retail for under $80.
The details apparently leaked during a round of developer visits in the UK, in which Microsoft toured studios showing off the technology.
The same sources reckon 14 games will be available at launch, with 5 million cameras ready for sale on day 1, spread between standalone cameras and 360/Natal bundles.
Most interesting of all, however, is word on the price Microsoft are hoping to charge, with an expected price of £50 in the UK, which is USD$80. One source, however, indicated Microsoft may go even cheaper in an effort to make Natal an “impulse buy”, and price it as low as £30 (USD$50).
1up.com
If you want to play Warhammer Online for free, it’s now possible to indulge for as long as you like. While the upper-tier content will remain at a premium, prospective players are now free to play the trial version for as long as they wish.
“With the introduction of the endless free trial and streaming client, we are making it easier than ever for a new player to join the WAR,” said Mythic executive producer Jeff Hickman.
“We’ve worked hard to create a more informative and community driven new user experience, and now we are giving players an unlimited amount of time to explore the early parts of the game at their own pace. We are confident that players new and old will find all the enhancements we’ve made to WAR over the past year worthy of their time and commitment.”
The free trial was previously limited to 10 days, but players can now explore Nordland and Norsca at their leisure. All 24 careers are available in the trial, as are the first tier dungeon Hunter’s Vale and a variety of player-versus-player scenarios.
For those who have already tried the demo, all closed trial accounts have been reopened.
Is Activision really getting sued again? No Doubt!
TMZ reports that the band No Doubt is suing Activision for “the unauthorized use of the No Doubt’s name and likeness,” in Band Hero, released on November 2. The band is suing for an injunction prohibiting the use of the band members’ likenesses in songs other than the three No Doubt tracks included in the game, and seeks an undisclosed amount of damages.
The lawsuit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, claims that the game “transformed No Doubt band members into a virtual karaoke circus act,” a statement indicative of being able to play any of the game’s more than 60 tracks using No Doubt avatars.
A representative from Activision followed up with TMZ, stating that is has a “written agreement to use No Doubt in Band Hero,” and “believes it is within its legal rights with respect to the use and portrayal of the band members in the game.” The rep further described the lawsuit as “without merit.”
Less than a couple of months ago, we reported that Activision faced similar legal action regarding the use of Kurt Cobain’s digital likeness in Guitar Hero 5. We’re not sure how this particular dispute will play out, but it’s highly likely resolution is buried somewhere within the contractual legalese.
For decades, geeks were ostracized, picked on, laughed at and punished by the sun’s harmful UV rays. But there is only so long that a people can be kept down before they rise up against their oppressors; and, indeed, the dawn of the 21st century has seen the ascendancy of geeks and geek culture.
