Thread: Lobbycast Episode 42

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Episode 42, Week of December 14th

On Episode 42, the crew discusses the recent VGAs, including new trailers, game announcements and, of course, the awards given. In addition, they go over the November NPDs and present their weekly features, The Weekly Whatchas and The Indie Game Roundup. And the award for Best Podcast Fueled by Tortuga, Sobieski and Maker's Mark goes to...

PGL News

Peench’s Poll : Did you watch Spike TV’s 2009 Video Game Awards?

Movie Releases




December 16
- A Town Called Panic (NY; LA release: Jan. 29)
- Crazy Heart (NY, LA)
- Ricky (NY)

December 18
- Avatar (conventional 3D theaters and IMAX 3D)
- Did You Hear About the Morgans?
- Nine (NY, LA; wide: Dec. 25)
- The Young Victoria (limited; expands: Dec. 25)

DVD Releases

December 15
- G-Force (Deluxe DVD + Digital Copy) (Adventure, Comedy)
- The Hangover (2-Disc Digital Copy Special Edition) (Comedy)
- The Hangover (Single-Disc Edition) (Comedy)
- Inglourious Basterds (Single-Disc) (Action, Drama, War)
- Inglourious Basterds (Two-Disc DVD Special Edition + Digital Copy) (Action, Drama, War)
- Murder by Decree (Crime, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller)
- The Other Man (Drama)
- Psycho Ward (Horror)
- Robot Chicken: Season Four (Animation, Comedy, TV)
- Taking Woodstock (Comedy, Drama)
- The Tudors: The Complete Third Season (Drama, TV)
- Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (Extended Edition) (Family)

Blu-Ray Releases

December 15
- G-Force (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) (Adventure, Comedy)
- The Hangover (Digital Copy Special Edition) (Comedy)
- Inglourious Basterds (Two-Disc + Digital Copy) (Action, Drama, War)
- The Mel Brooks Collection (Comedy)
- The Other Man (Drama)
- Star Trek: The Original Series - Season Three (Adventure, Sci-Fi, TV)
- Star Trek: The Original Series - Three Season Pack (Adventure, Sci-Fi, TV)
- Taking Woodstock (Comedy, Drama)

Movie News

Portman to Star in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!

Video Game Releases

Garfield Gets Real (Wii)

New Demos

Arcade
Call of Duty Classic (1200)

Qix++ (800)

Retail
Fairytale Fights

Guitar Hero: Van Halen

Video Game News

VGA Awards Section






Game Announcements










Awards

Best Voice In a Game
- Arleen Sorkin as Harley Quinn
- Claudia Black as Chloe Frazer
- Jack Black as Eddie Riggs
- Mark Hamill as The Joker
- Nolan North as Nathan Drake

Best Cast
- Brutal Legend
- Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard
- Ghostbusters: The Video Game
- South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play!
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine Uncaged Edition

Best Performance by a Human Male
- Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman
- Hugh Jackman as Wolverine
- Samuel L. Jackson as Afro Samurai / Ninja Ninja
- Shia Labeouf as Sam Witwicky
- Vin Diessel as Richard B. Riddick

Best Performance by a Human Female
- Eliza Dushku as Rubi Malone
- Kristen Bell as Lucy Stillman
- Megan Fox as Mikaela Banes
- Tricia Helfer as Dare

Best Independent Game Fueled by Mountain Dew
- ‘Splosion Man
- Flower
- Osmos
- Trials HD

Best Downloadable Game
- Battlefield 1943
- Fat Princess
- Plants vs. Zombies
- Shadow Complex

Best DLC
- Fallout 3 – Broken Steel
- Fallout 3 – Point Lookout
- GTA IV: The Lost and Damned
- GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony

Best Graphics
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Killzone 2
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Best Soundtrack
- Brutal Legend
- DJ Hero
- Guitar Hero 5
- The Beatles: Rock Band

Best Original Score
- Assassin’s Creed 2
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Halo 3: ODST
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Best Game Based on a Movie/TV Show
- Ghostbusters: The Video Game
- South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play!
- The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine Uncaged Edition

Best Multiplayer Game
- Borderlands
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Halo 3: ODST
- Left 4 Dead 2

Best Action Adventure Game
- Assassin’s Creed 2
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Brutal Legend
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Best Driving Game
- Dirt 2
- Forza Motorsport 3
- Gran Turismo (PSP)
- Need for Speed Shift

Best Fighting Game
- BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
- Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny
- Street Fighter IV
- Tekken 6

Best Music Game
- DJ Hero
- Guitar Hero 5
- LEGO Rock Band
- The Beatles: Rock Band

Best RPG
- Borderlands
- Demon’s Souls
- Dragon Age: Origins
- Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story

Best Shooter
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Halo 3: ODST
- Killzone 2
- Left 4 Dead 2

Best Team Sports Game
- FIFA Soccer 10
- Madden NFL 10
- NBA 2K10
- NHL 10

Best Individual Sports Game
- EA Sports Fight Night Round 4
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
- UFC 2009 Undisputed
- Wii Sports Resort

Studio of the Year
- Infinity Ward
- Naughty Dog
- Rocksteady Studios for Arkham Asylum
- Valve

Best PS3 Game
- inFamous
- Killzone 2
- Rachet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
– Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Best Wii Game
- MadWorld
- New Super Mario Bros. Wii
- Punch-Out!!
- Wii Sports Resort

Best Xbox 360 Game
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Halo 3: ODST
- Forza Motorspot 3
- Left 4 Dead 2

Best Handheld Game
- Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
- Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story
- Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
- Scribblenauts

Best PC Game
- Dragon Age: Origins
- Left 4 Dead 2
- Plants vs. Zombies
- The Sims 3

Most Anticipated Game
- Bioshock 2
- God of War III
- Mass Effect 2
- Starcraft II

Game of the Year
- Assassin’s Creed 2
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Left 4 Dead
– Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

November NPDs

November 2009 Hardware Sales
• Nintendo DS -- 1,700,000
• Wii -- 1,260,000
• Xbox 360 -- 819,500
• PlayStation 3 -- 710,400
• PlayStation Portable -- 293,900
• PlayStation 2 -- 203,100

November 2009 Software Sales
1. Modern Warfare 2 (360) -- 4,200,000
2. Modern Warfare 2 (PS3) -- 1,870,000
3. New Super Mario Bros. (Wii) -- 1,390,000
4. Assassin's Creed II (360) -- 794,700
5. Left 4 Dead 2 (360) -- 744,000
6. Wii Sports Resort (Wii) -- 720,200
7. Wii Fit Plus (Wii) -- 679,000
8. Assassin's Creed II (PS3) -- 448,400
9. Dragon Age: Origins (360) -- 362,100
10. Mario Kart (Wii) -- 315,000

Impressive Voice Actor List for Mass Effect 2


New Borderlands DLC Gets a Name and Price
Additional info, courtesy of thefrozenpoison

New Borderlands Patch Fixes a Number of Issues

Time Magazine’s Top 10 Video Games

1. Modern Warfare 2
2. Batman: Arkham Asylum
3. DJ Hero
4. Borderlands
5. New Super Mario Bros. Wii
6. Geo-Defense Swarm
7. Scribblenauts
8. Halo 3: ODST
9. Assassin's Creed 2
10. Uncharted 2

Quantum Theory Coming to 360 as Well as PS3

New MW2 Patch Fixes Bugs and Exploits

Sony News

Sony Nearing Break Even Point on PS3

Sony Filing Details Motion-sensing Controller Attachments

Microsoft News

Twitter, Facebook and Last.fm Parental Control Update Coming Soon

Splinter Cell: Conviction Features Co-op Prologue Campaign
Four Player Co-op Missions

Keighley Says Halo: Reach Will Be a Huge Leap Forward

Perfect Dark Coming Soon to Xbox Live

Ray Muzyka: Upcoming Mass Effect sequel will be "the best thing yet from BioWare when it comes out."

PC News

Star Wars: The Old Republic Preview

Weekly Whatchas

Whatcha Listening to?

Lou: Last.FM - Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs
Geoff: Major Nelson Podcast, Adam Carolla, Remember When
Sam: BS Report discussion of Jersey Shore, Flight of the Conchords

Whatcha Watching?

Lou: South Park S7, Role Models
Geoff: The Misfits, Fringe, Dexter, Dollhouse, You Don’t Mess With the Zohan
Sam: IASIP, Dexter, Making of Caddyshack

Whatcha Playing?

Lou: DA:O, Tactics Ogre, Dante's Inferno, Trine
Geoff: DA:O, Fairytale Fights, Jurassic, Bayonetta
Sam: AC2, DA:O, MW2 SpecOps

Indie Games Roundup

Cannon #12 (80) (SquigglyFrog Studios)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Cannon #12
Desc: Cannon #12 is a 2D shooter reminiscent of early arcade games. Defend Earth against wave after wave of the incoming fleets armed with large cannons. Arm your cannon and blast theirs out of the solar system! But be careful! There's all sorts of nasty things up there in orbit, from asteroids to space junk, to the intelligent seeker missiles of the enemy!

Chris Unarmed (240) (Chris Hughes)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Chris Unarmed
Desc: Journey through a world of evil monsters in this unique platformer. Marvel at the innovative level design and scale impossible feats, in an intriguing web of wall jumping fun. Ride powerful wind currents, uncover hidden keys, and much more. You are Chris Unarmed.

Christmas Tree 3D (240) (Holographic Dreams)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Christmas Tree 3D
Desc: Decorate your own christmas tree ! Have fun with your family while decorating tree together. Decorate tree and admire stunning effects: fully dynamic per pixel lighting, wind effects, snow and look how whole tree sways in the wind ! You can play up to 8 christmas songs.

Crimson Blues (80) (Phang Chan Chun)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Crimson Blues
Desc: IGF 2010 build. Crimson Blues is an action puzzle-platform where the player is able to shift between red and blue modes, gaining new abilities when interacting with different colored objects. The game features a full tutorial mode leading up to the single player game, as well as a 2 player gameplay with unlockable extras and new modes.

Don’t Be Nervous Talking 2 Girls (80) (Silver Dollar Games 1)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Dont B Nervous Talking 2 Girls
Desc: Are you nervous talking to girls? All you need is practice.

Dual Zone (240) (Ninja Fever)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Dual Zone
Desc: Dual Zone is a fast ability game that will push your reflexes and coordination to your human limits. With solo and cooperative gameplay along 50 levels full of enemies, Dual Zone also features a "Panic" mode with unlimited gameplay time. Try to win all the Awards!

Duel: The Art of Combat (240) (AwesomeGamesStudio)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Duel: The Art of Combat
Desc: Duel is a side-view 3D action game full of shooting, jumping, fleeing, chasing, slashing, dodging, rope-swinging and trying to kill your opponent. The game shows its best when you're playing in split-screen mode with your friend. There's also challenging story mode and cooperative survival mode. Try it!

Fractal Dive (80) (heloli)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Fractal Dive
Desc: Explore the fractal space rendered in real-time! Sometimes geometrical, sometimes biological, but everytime spectacular, wonderland expands in your display. You might feel the God in the infinite pattern generated from simple mathematical formulas. *)This is not a game. ‚Ö‚ë�`‚è‚Ç‚Á‚Æ‚±‚Þ

Gerbil Physics (80) (Beringela)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Gerbil Physics
Desc: Physics-based gerbil demolition fun! Buildings formed of gerbils await destruction for your amusement using a variety of demolition tools. Use bombs, ropes and disintegrators across 24 levels of gerbil mayhem including the 'terrifying' Iron Gerbils. No gerbils were hurt during the making of this game.

Guardian (240) (Dave Carlile)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Guardian
Desc: Take command of an orbiting defense satellite in this action-packed planetary defense shooter. Blast away at waves of incoming asteroids and crafty aliens before they break through your shields and damage your planet. Scavenge powerful weapons from vanquished alien ships and turn them against your foes. Endless levels provide an ever increasing challenge. How long can you surive?!

Hydro Electric Worker (240) (WastelandTech)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Hydro Electric Worker
Desc: A massive electrical failure has occurred in Power City. As a result, lines are surging, and the doors at the animal store opened automatically releasing dogs and hawks. Fixing the lines won't be easy, be sure to save money for better tools, faster boots, and Clones just in case. Do you have what it takes to restore electricity to Power City and become the #1 Hydro Electric Worker?

Japanese Hand Game Online (80) (SASGA)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | ???????ONLINE
Desc: "its say on set" is an traditional hand game in Japan. Players lead own thumb up/down and an attacker expects to match the total number of thumbs. "its-say-on-set" is the call of that timing. Multiplayer mode supports up to 4 players by Xbox LIVE.

Johnny Platform Saves Xmas! (240) (IshiEiketsu)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Johnny Platform Saves Xmas!
Desc: As usual Christmas needs saving, and only Johnny Platform can do it! Take on upgraded evil robots across 100 levels using Johnny's new rolling skill, bombs, presents, flaming Christmas puddings and lots more coffee.

Molly the Were-Zompire (80) (RainbowDespair)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Molly the Were-Zompire
Desc: Finding a magical portal to another world? Cool! Being killed soon upon arrival? Not cool. Turning into a Were-Zompire (Werewolf + Zombie + Vampire) and gaining amazing power? Very cool! Embarking on an interactive story with many different paths & endings? Totally awesome!

QbTron 3D (80) (Raccoon456)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | QbTron 3D
Desc: Take on QbTron - the Quantum Super Computer. Bring down its ten cores by feeding Datum pieces via Data Stacks in 3D virtual space. It will not be easy as QbTron controls the Data rate and Stack Size making it evermore challenging as you progress to disable the unstable machine. 6 in-game Music tracks, 10 variable-sized Stacks, 3 levels of Difficulty and 1 very unhappy Super Computer.

Rate My Avatar (80) (ProjectorGames)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Rate My Avatar
Desc: Welcome to Rate My Avatar - the only app that lets you share your avatar with users from around the world! Put your style in the spotlight and see what others truly think of you - do you have what it takes to enter the prestigious Hall of Fame, or should your next accessory be a paper bag?! (Xbox Live Gold account required for online functionality)"

Runic (240) (ExecutiveIguanaStudios)
Link: Xbox LIVE Marketplace | Runic
Desc: Runic is an exciting puzzle game unlike any other. The player has the choice of approaching puzzles from differing dynamic angles to achieve the final goal. Runic features a vast array of levels as well as the oppurtunity to co-operatively play through with a friend. Or for those of you with a competitive side there is a head to head multiplayer mode as well.

That is a big no to watching Avatar.
Looks like a CGI ohh ahh feast, lacking in the story, Terminator 2 was the last Cameron movie I saw.
hehe ,what if Thundercats and Smurfs had kids, instant classic ^_^

If you listened to the podcast (or are reading this) here are...

The Official Lobbycast Questions for Episode 42....

Are you planning on seeing Avatar?

What was you favorite arcade game as a kid?

To answer the questions:

Question 1 - Avatar - Meh, not interested. I think I'm even less interested because the movie first off didn't interest me, but now with the hype (over-hype) I am less likely to see it.

Question 2 - Favorite Arcade Game - I loved playing Kung-Fu in the arcades. That was one of my favorite past times and a quarter guzzler for me!

I don't really know much about Avatar so I can't really say.

As far as favorite arcade games, I have to agree with... uh.. whoever it was that said Galaga. I loved that one - That and Spy Hunter! I can still hear that song in my head!! haha.

Dude, I can't believe you guys had L4D sullied b/c of the tourney. That makes me sad. It also makes me think you guys are nancy boys.

Originally Posted by Peench

It also makes me think you guys are nancy boys.

I'll probably wait until Avatar is on DVD. If not, then when it is on cable.

Galaga was my favorite arcade game. We would stay at this resort at South Padre Island all summer, and Galaga was one of the games they had. I would play that all the time and got pretty good at it also.

Padre = good time!

Galaga ftw!

Peench, please don't make fun about L4D... at least two of us are in therapy over the many, many unspeakable things that happened to us those nights.

Also, if anyone wants to volunteer for the job of fact checking Lou, send him an email! Paulo on Lost was played by Rodrigo Santoro. Suck it, Louis!

Avatar: no
Arcade game: Tempest, no...Ms. PacMan.

I just received Arkham Asylum from a trusted friend who swears by it. If you want to borrow it when I'm done, Lou, feel free.

L4D2 is hardcore, and I haven't played any versus yet. You better gird your loins if you're even thinking about playing that game.

Nice cast, gents.

and never mind you don't know your female actresses very well. keep that up, we'll take away your man-cards. The girl in the 40 yr virgin that was in the tub is Elizabeth Banks. You had some others off too; I just can't remember which movies you were referring to right now.

That L4D conversation...sounds like a bunch of noobs with no skills. Gee, next time, just cheat.

As for favorite arcade game...not sure really. I did play a lot of 1942. I probably like Contra the most. I did dump a lot of money into 720.

As for Avatar, I'll check it out later. No way I'm going to pay $8 to $10 to watch it though. I'll watch for BR and just get it from Netflix or something.

AH I was mistaken, but Nathan Filliion was in an episode of LOST, it was called "I Do". AS usual, just got the wrong characters name. We would make the worst the journalists ever. Maybe ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY is hiring....or the NY Times.

haha Lou, you guys are awesome. I love hearing you guys say "Oh, what was his name..." then say "Oh yeah, that guy..."

I believe you on the male actors. I don't really pay much attention to them. And the ones I know are usually the really big names that have been around. A hot actress on the other hand, that's a totally different story.

Wow, I'm really disappointed that you guys had such a bad experience with the L4D tourney. Therapy and everything!

That IS a game that gets out of hand easily. I've been on the receiving end of a thrashing or two, it's not real fun. It's too bad though... that game really emphasizes teamwork, so it's a blast when it plays right and the competition level is close. Actually I think it's a LOT more team-oriented than almost any FPS. It's a great game, so it's tough to think you guys got so bummed about it. Been there though.

Maybe try a glass of warm milk... I mean, this WAS like a YEAR ago now...!

Padre = Great Time!!!

1) I'm not interested in Avatar, but I'll probably watch it eventually like I do all blockbuster CGI fests. I'm still planning to watch The Watchmen at some point.

2) I guess my favorite arcade game from my childhood was Area 51. I was 12 when that game came out and I played it a ton.

I forgot to answer your questions!

1) Nope. Not even the slightest bit interested in the blue cat people. Doubt seriously I see it before it comes out on TV and is playing relentlessly on low-rated channels.

2) Really hard to pick a game from my arcade days. Had a ton of fun playing Cyberball (Tournament Cyberball, the 4-player one, was a blast). I also loved Galaga but was never that good at it, and Xevious... and Double Dragon... wow, I'm old.

I remember playing and seeing people surrounding Pac Mac, Donkey Kong, and Centipede machines. I even remember the original street fighter where you actually hit the machine, and wasn't different buttons for different power of kicks/punches like in II.

Another game I like was the original Stunt Driver by Atari. Graphics weren't that great, but one of the few games in the arcade you had to use the clutch to shit. The vector graphics Stars Wars was a lot of fun.

I totally stunk at it, but I always enjoyed watching the original Dragon's Lair from Disney, the one that ran off of laser disc.

Originally Posted by lovekeiiy

you had to use the clutch to shit.

Quo raises a good point. We had a couple of matches in that tourney where we were ahead and for some reason had a couple of bad rounds and next thing you know we're way behind. That game is one that can get out of hand real quick!

I'll leave it alone though guys because I totally agree. For some reason L4D is a game (even part 2) that can get really frustrating, really quickly! Even with the co-op that we've been playing lately I know there are times when I want to smash something after tank upon tank are thrown at us.

Xevious was awesome! I know there's a PS3 game (can't remember which one now), that would give you that game to play while the main game was loading. That was awesome!

it's amazing how different a thought you can express from a typo!!! I mean to say you have to use the clutch to SHIFT. Although, the other thought would have made a very interesting and probably humiliating arcade experience; maybe not as bad as getting pwn'd in L4D