Nerdy Study Aid: Periodic Table of Controllers

With the recent boom of video games and kids wanting to spend money on extra peripherals, like the Wii Fit, the Madcatz SE (read: POS) fightstick and enough Rock Band instruments to fill the GWAR roster, I thought I'd school some kids with a hilarious picture.

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Video Game Renaissance Is Now

According to thatgamecompany co-founder Jenova Chen, he believes we are currently in a renaissance of video games. Citing the growing budget costs for retail games and the success of digital distribution methods on both console and PC, Chen says this is the perfect time for new developers to step into the field. I would have to agree with him. As it becomes increasingly harder to develop and innovate in boxed retail games without risking the company's bottom line and sales, the potential for development on digital services such as Steam, Xbox Live, WiiWare, and the PlayStation Network is limitless.

thatgamecompany developed the PSN titles, flOw and Flower, with both acclaimed for providing a unique gaming experience and giving good evidence for the 'video games as art' argument. I can personally vouch for Flower, as the game is a relaxing yet fun experience as you control the wind to bloom flowers in a variety of environments. Check out the full quote below and look for a review on Flower in the near future.

“I feel it’s a time where a lot of people who study games start to graduate and come into this field. It’s a really good time for all these people to really push the boundaries of what games can be. With digital distribution — PSN, Xbox Live, WiiWare, Steam — all those [avenues]…Before, everything sold through retail. You can’t even make a game that’s below a million dollar budget. I think right now — in the future, when people look back, I think it’s the renaissance of video games.”

Jenova Chen - cofounder of thatgamecompany

Source: MTV Multiplayer

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Homebrew Dopeness

Here's some vids and more of some cool things brewing on the homefront for games and such. A lot of these are old, but if you haven't seen them, well, you're in for a treat.

Johnny Lee giving a presentation on his 3D Wii tracking:

Mod your PSP to use a SNES controller:

Mostly, these are here to give you ideas. I'm not making an attempt to blow your mind, I'm only trying to show you some cool stuff. Old or new, I like to call it timeless, unless you're just tired of it, already...

You can check out more past the break.

Enjoy,

Der Ninja.

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Toribash on Mac, Windows, Linux and the Wii (soon to come):

MUGEN; Ryu vs. Popeye:

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Activision's Guitar Hero Metallica Features "Lynyrd Skynrd"

This is one of those things where you just have to shake your head in disbelief and disappointment. The cover for Guitar Hero Metallica features the names of great bands featured in the game. Unfortunately, they somehow managed to misspell one of the biggest bands in the list, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Their song, "Tuesday's Gone", is one of twenty-one in the game not by Metallica.

Activision has since fixed the boxart to show the correct spelling, but this is something they will never live down. Guitar Hero Metallica features full-band instrumentation and is set to release on PS3 and Xbox 360 on March 29 and Q2 2009 for PS2 and Wii.

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Why Can't We Be Friends?

Unfortunately, there was no author or website labeled on this webcomic. But this shows that, just perhaps, all gaming platforms will one day live in harmony without petty fanboy squabbling.

One day.

You can check out more past the break along with the link to the rest of the comics.

Source: IGN via Kotaku

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