Movies, Playstation 3, Technology
Who Cares about Blu-Ray?
After the dust settled between the two relatively similar formats, HD-DVD and Blu-ray, it seemed like Blu-ray was the official winner. This seems contrary to conventional logic because adult film companies, by far the largest sellers of home video discs, almost roundly accepted HD-DVD as the new standard. So the only way Blu-ray could possibly have won without the support of porn companies is by bringing their product to a new market—but was that market really looking for another physical video format?
In art and literary criticism, there seems to be an unbridgeable chasm between two schools of thought. One perspective attempts to reward anything that happens to be original, oftentimes ignoring its quality altogether. Another side recognizes the power of using an established genre or format and doing it very well. Video games, like any artistic outlet, have certain elements that have become interwoven in the fabric of the medium.
In the history of movie adaptations, no source material has gained more scorn from the critical masses than those based on video games. Beginning with classic installments of the Mario Bros. franchise, no matter how many audience members stay home, the earnest marketing gurus in Hollywood have insisted that the same people who enjoy the games will come out in hordes to see it brought to the big screen. Among this “bottom of the barrel” category there are a few gems that stand the test of time as being equal in auteurship to the impending Gigli sequel.
Though the bouncing pseudo-violence of the Super Smash Brothers series may be enough innovation to keep most game-o-holics satisfied, many from the community plug in to each incarnation to see the new retrospective of playable characters. Each game is like a quick look back in video game history, allowing them to finally play their favorite characters against each other in a less than deadly melee. As the next volume in the series is looming, let’s take a look at some of the character’s that deserve to make the call sheet.
In the days of Blackberrys and iPhones, it is no longer acceptable for a handheld console to simply play great games. At this point, full Internet, communication, and reproductive monitoring are expected from portable distractions like the Nintendo DS. But why? Is it not enough that the DS is an innovative portable console? Not in this day and age. But maybe it should be.
For years, video games have been the target of conservatives and much harsh criticism. And since the levels of violence in video games has risen, video games have also been blamed for many miscellaneous crimes. Critics say that children (and some adults as well) see the violence and crimes committed in video games and believe it is okay to do the same. And although video games sometimes seem like scapegoats for critics just needing something to blame, at times, the games may have influenced rash behavior. But then again, how can we tell what the truth is?
The Nintendo business model of the past has resurfaced, and this time the very cause of their previous popularity may be what sinks the company. At E3 this year, Microsoft and Nintendo both boasted major advances for their respective gaming consoles. Microsoft unveiled the next step in home media integration by allowing a video rental/purchasing service utilizing streaming video as well as the Xbox 360’s attachable hard drive. When it was Nintendo’s turn, they countered by discussing advances made to their controller to make it more responsive to hand and wrist movement that should have been there since the Wii’s release. Bravo.
Do you hear an echo of a Mario coin out of the corner of your dream when you first wake in the morning? Have you ever tried to use your company stapler to secure the perfect headshot? Do you tell your girlfriend that you have a “headache” so you can crawl back to the PS3 without protest? If so, you just might be able to make the grade in the ultimate test of gamer commitment!