Deep from the trenches, it’s time for your Monday video feature: Embedded Reporter.
It’s slightly old news, but three teaser trailers have been released for one of my more anticipated games, Deathspank. Described as Diablo meets Monkey Island, this new game by Monkey Island series creator Ron Gilbert should hopefully not disappoint. It’s already got a pretty funny set of trailers…
Insert another credit, because it’s time for your weekly video game news and you’ve just hit the Game Overview screen.
In an effort to diversify their holdings, Square Enix submit a peaceful takeover bid for Tecmo, the very troubled developer of many beloved series like Tecmo Bowl, Ninja Gaiden, and Dead or Alive. What did Squeenix get for asking nicely? A big, fat NO.
Turns out Tecmo rather likes being independent, but not as much as they let on at first, despite their building problems with employees and the law. It all started not too long ago with the very public, very ugly departure of Tomonubu Itagaki, basically the brains behind all those classics like DoA and Ninja Gaiden. He claimed he didn’t receive the bonuses promised him for completion of his games. Not too long after the employees of Tecmo began suing for unpaid wages for forced overtime. Things were looking bleak for Tecmo.
Cue Square Enix to show up as the cavalry, if you will. Knowing they need to start doing more than just the standard RPG, they figured that the ailing Tecmo would be a simple and clean (bonus points if you get the reference) acquisition. Little did they know Tecmo would be so fiery and say no. After news came that Tecmo was talking with Koei, Square Enix sent a rather sheepish note asking Tecmo to please tell them why they said no. Tecmo did not respond, Squeenix pulled the takeover offer.
Will Square Enix go for another company now? Keep your browsers pointed here and I’ll let you know.
It’s probably too early to start calling me Nostradamus (we’ll have to wait until the regular season of baseball ends to know just how good I am), but if you remember this post I mentioned that Mario RPG’s launch on the VC in PAL territories would spearhead a US release. Lo and behold, Mario RPG, one of the greatest Mario games, SNES games, and RPGs in gaming history.
It’s too bad that Square Enix won’t be releasing any of its other landmark SNES RPGs on VC, preferring to milk tons of money out of players with remakes (which we like) and ports (which we find a bit annoying, but kind of like anyway). Go out and buy Mario RPG and let’s hope that Earthbound hits the system soon.
You’ve probably heard the saying that hindsight is 20/20 on Monday morning, so just imagine how well I can call ‘em two days later on Wednesday. That’s right, it’s time for Wednesday Morning Quarterback, your weekly sports round-up.
All Arrested Development jokes aside, we are actually at the final countdown of the baseball season and a few teams have got very little time left to make it to October. Foremost amongst those teams, at least in my mind, are my Florida Marlins. At a huge 10.5 games back from the NL wild card, their only chance at this point is to catch up in the NL East where they are eight(!) games back. As great as a Marlins/Rays world series sounded back in May, it’s unfortunately looking like it’s not going to happen.
The Phillies need to play well to make up their two game deficit, the Brewers need to hold on to their wild card, and the Diamondbacks need to worry about the Dodgers catching up. The only other close crazy race comes from the White Sox and Twins, tied for first in the AL Central. Let’s see what happens there, I hope it’s the Twins.
Quick little aside: college football season has appeared! Gators won over Hawaii and I hope that we see them go all the way this year.
One of my absolute favorite comedians, Mitch Hedberg is about to come out with a new, posthumous album later on this month (09/09). Having just found out about this today, I must say that I’m absolutely delighted. Mitch was an amazing comedian, able to see joy and laughter in the mundane and seemingly ordinary. We will always miss his comedy.
Be sure to go grab “Do You Believe In Gosh?” later on this month when it comes out, it contains what’s probably the last recordings of a comedic legend.
