[Episode] Poyopoyo - Episode 18
Posted By: Destructoid
Sat May 5 2012 19:08:07 pm
[News] No Nuclear Power In Japan Today, Children's Day
Posted By: Destructoid
Sat May 5 2012 17:01:45 pm
For the first time in four decades, there is no nuclear power coursing through Japan's electrical veins! All 50 nuclear reactors that had remained operational there, in the wake of last year's March 11 quake and tsunami super-special-combo (...)
Kid Icarus: Uprising anime returns to Nintendo Video
Posted By: Destructoid
Sat May 5 2012 15:30:00 pm
Despite it's flaws, Kid Icarus: Uprising did a lot of things right. The game channels a particular energy that is usually only found in a certain brand of 80's and 90's anime. The light weight, sweet-and-strange narrative mixed with heavy influences from classic mythologies fused with intense action and ridiculous comedy is highly reminiscent of stuff like El Hazard, Tenchi Muyu, and Project A-Ko.
It only seems fitting then that Kid Icarus: Uprising would be adapted into anime form. If you missed this limited mini-series the first time around, it's headed back to the 3DS's Nintendo Video service as we speak.
If you're anything like me, you often forget that Nintendo Video exists, as there is plenty of video content already on the 3DS eShop. Having two different outlets for original video content on the same handheld can be a little confusing, though if Nintendo continues to put out quality content like this on both services, I'm sure I'll be able to start keeping them straight.
Despite it's flaws, Kid Icarus: Uprising did a lot of things right. The game channels a particular energy that is usually only found in a certain brand of 80's and 90's anime. The light weight, sweet-and-strange narrative mixed with heavy influences from classic mythologies fused with intense action and ridiculous comedy is highly reminiscent of stuff like El Hazard, Tenchi Muyu, and Project A-Ko.
It only seems fitting then that Kid Icarus: Uprising would be adapted into anime form. If you missed this limited mini-series the first time around, it's headed back to the 3DS's Nintendo Video service as we speak.
If you're anything like me, you often forget that Nintendo Video exists, as there is plenty of video content already on the 3DS eShop. Having two different outlets for original video content on the same handheld can be a little confusing, though if Nintendo continues to put out quality content like this on both services, I'm sure I'll be able to start keeping them straight.
[Episode] Kuroko's Basketball - Episode 5
Posted By: Destructoid
Sat May 5 2012 14:34:11 pm
Serin is victorious against Kaijo, barely It is a shock to Kise, who has never lost in his life After the game, another former Teiko Middle school player, Midorima, has a few words for Kise
La-Mulana devs comment on cancellation, future plans
Posted By: Destructoid
Sat May 5 2012 14:30:00 pm
The recent cancellation of La-Mulana for WiiWare for territories outside of Japan stirred up a bit of brouhaha, and it was a long time coming. First the game's release was put in question. Then the developers at Nigoro let us know that they didn't know what the hold up was. Shortly after that, the game's publishers announced its cancellation, and then the fans got upset. When fans get upset, conspiracy theories, finger pointing, and general grumpiness are sure to follow.
Thankfully, the good gentlemen at Nigoro are here to clear the air, and like true professionals, they're taking responsibility for the cancellation of their game. It sounds like the inclusion of DLC was a major issue in getting the game approved by Nintendo of America and of Europe. Due to the WiiWare file size constraints, DLC was the only way they could include all the features that they planned for the game. They knew that going into devleopment of the game, but they gave it a shot anyway. The gambled and lost. God bless them for trying.
It's not all bad news though. The game is still coming to PC, complete with all the content that was intended for the WiiWare version. Nigoro also sounds keen on bringing the game to the 3DS eShop or PSN, and they haven't ruled out working with Nicalis on that. I think the game would look great on 3DS, and judging by the popularity of Mutant Mudds, VVVVVV, and Might Switch Force, it might sell pretty well too.
Nigoro interview: "Overseas Sales are Essential" for Developer's Future [IndieGames]
The recent cancellation of La-Mulana for WiiWare for territories outside of Japan stirred up a bit of brouhaha, and it was a long time coming. First the game's release was put in question. Then the developers at Nigoro let us know that they didn't know what the hold up was. Shortly after that, the game's publishers announced its cancellation, and then the fans got upset. When fans get upset, conspiracy theories, finger pointing, and general grumpiness are sure to follow.
Thankfully, the good gentlemen at Nigoro are here to clear the air, and like true professionals, they're taking responsibility for the cancellation of their game. It sounds like the inclusion of DLC was a major issue in getting the game approved by Nintendo of America and of Europe. Due to the WiiWare file size constraints, DLC was the only way they could include all the features that they planned for the game. They knew that going into devleopment of the game, but they gave it a shot anyway. The gambled and lost. God bless them for trying.
It's not all bad news though. The game is still coming to PC, complete with all the content that was intended for the WiiWare version. Nigoro also sounds keen on bringing the game to the 3DS eShop or PSN, and they haven't ruled out working with Nicalis on that. I think the game would look great on 3DS, and judging by the popularity of Mutant Mudds, VVVVVV, and Might Switch Force, it might sell pretty well too.
Nigoro interview: "Overseas Sales are Essential" for Developer's Future [IndieGames]
Fireside chat with ECA President Hal Halpin
Posted By: Destructoid
Sat May 5 2012 14:00:00 pm
There's been a lot going on at the intersection of gaming and politics recently. SOPA, PIPA, ACTA, and now CISPA, our recent Supreme Court win, and the like have given us all a lot of reason to hope and to remain on our guard.
The first line of defense for many in the gaming community is the Entertainment Consumers Association. If you haven't heard of the ECA, you should probably educate yourself. Regardless of how you ultimately feel about them, the organization wields a fair amount of political power, and they focus almost exclusively on issues that are relevant to pretty much anyone reading this.
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with the president of the ECA, Hal Halpin, about a few things that have been getting a lot of attention in the press recently. Astute readers will notice that we already published the interview in the form of a feature. We received enough requests for the full-text Q and A that we decided to go ahead and push that out as well.
Conversely, the rise and proliferation of DRM-free digital distribution, indie games and the recent Kickstarter craze have given a lot of gamers and developers some hope for the coming years. What do you think is the most promising development in gaming? Is there anything on the horizon that you can’t wait for?
We're very excited about the direction the gaming community is heading. It's a decentralization of power; a shift from the publisher and platform-centric, to the developers and consumers. I don't believe that that's a threat to the third or first parties, so much as additional content and channels. Regarding indie games, we just recently created a Chapter dedicated to supporting those interested in becoming a developer and folks who are presently. Josh Hughes of Kaizen Games is heading up that effort and James Portnow of Rainmaker Games and Extra Credits lending his support as both a member of the new chapter, as well as an Advisor – who can act as the elder statesman. Kickstarter is really interesting, conceptually. I love how it empowers consumers to enable developers to create. And the fact that gaming seems to lead the charge for all of the different categories speaks volumes. My concern about Kickstarter generally is that folks understand that donating isn't the same as investing. Developers have been clear about what you get when you give, but there's also a possibility that some people will feel that the relationship entitles them to more. Let's say that X Game is funded, developed and becomes the next Angry Birds, making gobs of money… Will those who've felt a part of that process now feel owed a piece of that success? Will lawyers make that case in a class action suit? I'd hope not, but it's a concern…
Aside from our SCOTUS victory, what was your highlight of the past four years?
The U.S. Supreme Court decision was huge, to be sure, and ECA's amicus, petition and rally were all exciting to be a part of – it gave consumers an opportunity to help defend the industry and their craft, which is rare. From a policy side of the house… I'm breaking news here, so will probably not be popular with our Marketing department… ECA has engaged in over 60 legislative initiatives across the U.S. and Canada and have been successful every single time. Our members have engaged in issues ranging from bills seeking to add a tax to digital downloads – most recently here in Connecticut – to ratings and labeling. I attribute that track record to the hard work and dedication of our staff working in concert with our members. Netroots advocacy is very effective, as evidenced by our involvement in SOPA/PIPA, where our online advocacy tools helped people send over 100,000 letter to Congress in just the first 24 hours! Politicians that we met with on the Hill recently were still talking about how excited they were to see gamers and Gen X and Y constituents get so invested in the process. Picking one of those sixty efforts is tough because on some we were the only entity fighting for gamers and gaming…and the industry by extension… But it's tough to not choose SOPA/PIPA for just how impactful is was and how awesome to be involved with.
Mark Kern from Red 5 Studios and the League for Gamers has recently gone on record stating that he felt that ESA and more specifically the Video Game Voters Network has let gamers down. Do you agree?
I'm familiar with Red 5, but know very little about either Mark or his nonprofit. My initial reaction to their formation was confusion to be honest. Since ECA exists, is established and influential, why would there be a need for another similar entity that isn't? Wouldn't it be far more productive to simply lend support to an org that has full-time dedicated staff and who've all come from a decade each of running other nonprofits (IEMA and ESA)? I don't know… As for Video Game Voters Network, they've been publicly called out for being an astroturfing entity many times, including Destructoid. It's a machine that ESA turns on and off when needed, politically. Consumers sign up and provide their information to a database, likely believing that they're joining a nonprofit that represents gamers and our rights. But an ESA staffer only flicks the switch on when the rights in question align with their own interests. That stopped being speculation and became fact during the SOPA/PIPA situation, which is why VGVN's own members and the endemic press became so upset and concerned. Those feelings have since been dealt with and VGVN goes on, recruiting new members to replace those that left. I'm not sure what else can be done about it, as astroturfing isn't illegal yet.
What will the role of the ECA be, moving forward?
Well, there's really two sides of the house inside ECA. We've talked about the Government Affairs half – which doesn't normally garner this much coverage, so thank you for that – and the other side of the org is Marketing, which includes benefits for members, media representation, discounts off of games-related goods and services and supporting our community and social efforts. People join the association generally because of the many perks of membership and the cost for joining can range from zero to twenty dollars per year; zero if it's underwritten by a partner like Red Bull did last year, a dollar a year if you have a student or military domain extension, and then tiers up to a normal membership of twenty. So if someone's spending $60 on a game, X on accessories, Y on rentals…our discounts alone rationalize the cost of dues many times over. We also have non endemic partners such as American Airlines, Zip Car, Avis and Hyatt Hotels, all of which could save a lot of money for someone attending PAX, E3 or Comicon. More real life examples might be: I go out for dinner and drinks and use my Restaurant.com discount, then come home order a game with my Buy.com discount, renew my Xbox Live membership for 20% off, realize that I need a last minute gift for a friend's birthday and order something awesome from ThinkGeek with my $10 off coupon, and then plug in my Turtle Beach headset – which I scored for 15% off – and text a buddy who's not online on my Sprint phone, which cost me $50 less with my membership than it did him, without. Sales-ey, yes. But people can and some do save a lot of money.
Given the drama between the gaming press and fans over the Mass Effect 3 ending, do you think there is a widening schism between fans and critics?
No, I think that kind of thing is healthy in the long run. Sometimes the communication of the message isn't effective, but generally the message itself is. Here's an example: Hey, your review of X is crap! Versus: Hey I disagree with you about your review of X and here's why (insert something constructive and maybe even helpful, here). The first message is ignored, but the second is read and likely respected. Same between people who are on one side of a debate with folks on the other side, in a message thread or forums. People respect respect, even if they disagree with your position. Sometimes this is framed as a 'maturity' thing, which is incorrect and unkind. It's an opportunity to show each other and our detractors that we aren't the negative stereotype and won't perpetuate it.
I’ve noticed myself becoming annoyed now and then by games that I feel I am forced to defend (i.e. Manhunt 2). Regardless of actual content, they seem to push boundaries just because they can. Do you think any game has “gone too far”?
Well, that's really an individual question in that it's a moral and or ethical point of view by which one forms an opinion. Prior to ECA, I ran the retail trade association that represented the leading merchants of entertainment and as such struggled through the ten year onslaught of anti-games and anti-gamer legislation along with the other trade orgs. Where I ended up is by asking the politician or media outlet how they judge which movies or TV shows they believe go too far. Interestingly, Republicans tended to be offended by sexual content, where Democrats abhorred the violence. But what defines 'too much' to one person, likely is fine to another. I think that developers should be free to create the art they want, but know that they have a social responsibility to their craft and fans.
Do you think video games and by extension gamers have managed to shed some of their pop-culture stigma?
The negative stereotype, absolutely progress has been made, but there's clearly a lot more to be done. One of the best things about social, casual and indie games is that they also attract people who wouldn't self-identify as a gamer. My position last year was: Everyone's a gamer. We all have and play games in some way shape or form (handhelds, phones, consoles, tablets, computers, kiosks), they're ubiquitous and they should be. If you asked my wife if she's a gamer, she'd say no. If you asked her which games are on her iPhone and if she plays them, she'd say yes. What's changed is perception. People aren't identifying as a gamer due to the old stereotype…less so every year…they're not identifying because it's not a predominant entertainment in their media diet. She may play a game here and there throughout the day, but spends more time reading on her tablet, listening to music or watching TV. The important thing to note is that she is playing games and it is a staple of that diet. My position this year is: Everyone's a game developer. While not true in the traditional sense, it is becoming so due to user created content. The more tools that are made available, the more the experience of playing and creating are intertwined. We had students from a local middle school in recently and they learned how to build a web page that teaches people who to create a website. Gaming is next.
I have to ask- what is your favorite game?
Ha! Probably still Mario Kart 64. Most anticipated is either Halo 4 or Assassin's Creed 3 for me. You?
Is there anything else you’d like to say before we let you go?
Sure. It'd be great to have your readers check out our site at http://theeca.com to see for themselves if joining makes sense. For some it may be the discounts, others to support the organization that supports them, while others still may want to join up simply to be a part of the community and help use affect change.
There's been a lot going on at the intersection of gaming and politics recently. SOPA, PIPA, ACTA, and now CISPA, our recent Supreme Court win, and the like have given us all a lot of reason to hope and to remain on our guard.
The first line of defense for many in the gaming community is the Entertainment Consumers Association. If you haven't heard of the ECA, you should probably educate yourself. Regardless of how you ultimately feel about them, the organization wields a fair amount of political power, and they focus almost exclusively on issues that are relevant to pretty much anyone reading this.
Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with the president of the ECA, Hal Halpin, about a few things that have been getting a lot of attention in the press recently. Astute readers will notice that we already published the interview in the form of a feature. We received enough requests for the full-text Q and A that we decided to go ahead and push that out as well.
Conversely, the rise and proliferation of DRM-free digital distribution, indie games and the recent Kickstarter craze have given a lot of gamers and developers some hope for the coming years. What do you think is the most promising development in gaming? Is there anything on the horizon that you can’t wait for?
We're very excited about the direction the gaming community is heading. It's a decentralization of power; a shift from the publisher and platform-centric, to the developers and consumers. I don't believe that that's a threat to the third or first parties, so much as additional content and channels. Regarding indie games, we just recently created a Chapter dedicated to supporting those interested in becoming a developer and folks who are presently. Josh Hughes of Kaizen Games is heading up that effort and James Portnow of Rainmaker Games and Extra Credits lending his support as both a member of the new chapter, as well as an Advisor – who can act as the elder statesman. Kickstarter is really interesting, conceptually. I love how it empowers consumers to enable developers to create. And the fact that gaming seems to lead the charge for all of the different categories speaks volumes. My concern about Kickstarter generally is that folks understand that donating isn't the same as investing. Developers have been clear about what you get when you give, but there's also a possibility that some people will feel that the relationship entitles them to more. Let's say that X Game is funded, developed and becomes the next Angry Birds, making gobs of money… Will those who've felt a part of that process now feel owed a piece of that success? Will lawyers make that case in a class action suit? I'd hope not, but it's a concern…
Aside from our SCOTUS victory, what was your highlight of the past four years?
The U.S. Supreme Court decision was huge, to be sure, and ECA's amicus, petition and rally were all exciting to be a part of – it gave consumers an opportunity to help defend the industry and their craft, which is rare. From a policy side of the house… I'm breaking news here, so will probably not be popular with our Marketing department… ECA has engaged in over 60 legislative initiatives across the U.S. and Canada and have been successful every single time. Our members have engaged in issues ranging from bills seeking to add a tax to digital downloads – most recently here in Connecticut – to ratings and labeling. I attribute that track record to the hard work and dedication of our staff working in concert with our members. Netroots advocacy is very effective, as evidenced by our involvement in SOPA/PIPA, where our online advocacy tools helped people send over 100,000 letter to Congress in just the first 24 hours! Politicians that we met with on the Hill recently were still talking about how excited they were to see gamers and Gen X and Y constituents get so invested in the process. Picking one of those sixty efforts is tough because on some we were the only entity fighting for gamers and gaming…and the industry by extension… But it's tough to not choose SOPA/PIPA for just how impactful is was and how awesome to be involved with.
Mark Kern from Red 5 Studios and the League for Gamers has recently gone on record stating that he felt that ESA and more specifically the Video Game Voters Network has let gamers down. Do you agree?
I'm familiar with Red 5, but know very little about either Mark or his nonprofit. My initial reaction to their formation was confusion to be honest. Since ECA exists, is established and influential, why would there be a need for another similar entity that isn't? Wouldn't it be far more productive to simply lend support to an org that has full-time dedicated staff and who've all come from a decade each of running other nonprofits (IEMA and ESA)? I don't know… As for Video Game Voters Network, they've been publicly called out for being an astroturfing entity many times, including Destructoid. It's a machine that ESA turns on and off when needed, politically. Consumers sign up and provide their information to a database, likely believing that they're joining a nonprofit that represents gamers and our rights. But an ESA staffer only flicks the switch on when the rights in question align with their own interests. That stopped being speculation and became fact during the SOPA/PIPA situation, which is why VGVN's own members and the endemic press became so upset and concerned. Those feelings have since been dealt with and VGVN goes on, recruiting new members to replace those that left. I'm not sure what else can be done about it, as astroturfing isn't illegal yet.
What will the role of the ECA be, moving forward?
Well, there's really two sides of the house inside ECA. We've talked about the Government Affairs half – which doesn't normally garner this much coverage, so thank you for that – and the other side of the org is Marketing, which includes benefits for members, media representation, discounts off of games-related goods and services and supporting our community and social efforts. People join the association generally because of the many perks of membership and the cost for joining can range from zero to twenty dollars per year; zero if it's underwritten by a partner like Red Bull did last year, a dollar a year if you have a student or military domain extension, and then tiers up to a normal membership of twenty. So if someone's spending $60 on a game, X on accessories, Y on rentals…our discounts alone rationalize the cost of dues many times over. We also have non endemic partners such as American Airlines, Zip Car, Avis and Hyatt Hotels, all of which could save a lot of money for someone attending PAX, E3 or Comicon. More real life examples might be: I go out for dinner and drinks and use my Restaurant.com discount, then come home order a game with my Buy.com discount, renew my Xbox Live membership for 20% off, realize that I need a last minute gift for a friend's birthday and order something awesome from ThinkGeek with my $10 off coupon, and then plug in my Turtle Beach headset – which I scored for 15% off – and text a buddy who's not online on my Sprint phone, which cost me $50 less with my membership than it did him, without. Sales-ey, yes. But people can and some do save a lot of money.
Given the drama between the gaming press and fans over the Mass Effect 3 ending, do you think there is a widening schism between fans and critics?
No, I think that kind of thing is healthy in the long run. Sometimes the communication of the message isn't effective, but generally the message itself is. Here's an example: Hey, your review of X is crap! Versus: Hey I disagree with you about your review of X and here's why (insert something constructive and maybe even helpful, here). The first message is ignored, but the second is read and likely respected. Same between people who are on one side of a debate with folks on the other side, in a message thread or forums. People respect respect, even if they disagree with your position. Sometimes this is framed as a 'maturity' thing, which is incorrect and unkind. It's an opportunity to show each other and our detractors that we aren't the negative stereotype and won't perpetuate it.
I’ve noticed myself becoming annoyed now and then by games that I feel I am forced to defend (i.e. Manhunt 2). Regardless of actual content, they seem to push boundaries just because they can. Do you think any game has “gone too far”?
Well, that's really an individual question in that it's a moral and or ethical point of view by which one forms an opinion. Prior to ECA, I ran the retail trade association that represented the leading merchants of entertainment and as such struggled through the ten year onslaught of anti-games and anti-gamer legislation along with the other trade orgs. Where I ended up is by asking the politician or media outlet how they judge which movies or TV shows they believe go too far. Interestingly, Republicans tended to be offended by sexual content, where Democrats abhorred the violence. But what defines 'too much' to one person, likely is fine to another. I think that developers should be free to create the art they want, but know that they have a social responsibility to their craft and fans.
Do you think video games and by extension gamers have managed to shed some of their pop-culture stigma?
The negative stereotype, absolutely progress has been made, but there's clearly a lot more to be done. One of the best things about social, casual and indie games is that they also attract people who wouldn't self-identify as a gamer. My position last year was: Everyone's a gamer. We all have and play games in some way shape or form (handhelds, phones, consoles, tablets, computers, kiosks), they're ubiquitous and they should be. If you asked my wife if she's a gamer, she'd say no. If you asked her which games are on her iPhone and if she plays them, she'd say yes. What's changed is perception. People aren't identifying as a gamer due to the old stereotype…less so every year…they're not identifying because it's not a predominant entertainment in their media diet. She may play a game here and there throughout the day, but spends more time reading on her tablet, listening to music or watching TV. The important thing to note is that she is playing games and it is a staple of that diet. My position this year is: Everyone's a game developer. While not true in the traditional sense, it is becoming so due to user created content. The more tools that are made available, the more the experience of playing and creating are intertwined. We had students from a local middle school in recently and they learned how to build a web page that teaches people who to create a website. Gaming is next.
I have to ask- what is your favorite game?
Ha! Probably still Mario Kart 64. Most anticipated is either Halo 4 or Assassin's Creed 3 for me. You?
Is there anything else you’d like to say before we let you go?
Sure. It'd be great to have your readers check out our site at http://theeca.com to see for themselves if joining makes sense. For some it may be the discounts, others to support the organization that supports them, while others still may want to join up simply to be a part of the community and help use affect change.
The Question: Do you want Black Ops II?
Posted By: Destructoid
Sat May 5 2012 13:30:00 pm
[Every Friday (or whenever), Destructoid will pose topical a question to the community. Answer it if you want!]
Last week say the official start of the Black Ops II hype-train. The first trailer was released. Pre-orders are already through the roof. The game's success is all but guaranteed.
That said, there's also been plenty of hate slung at the game. Some say the graphics are bad. Other's are saying they're just burnt out on the series. Still others are claiming that they've always hated Call of Duty and as a result, that this new entry has already earned their pre-hate due to it's name alone. Call of Duty may be one of the most successful series going right now, but lets not forget how many gamers there are out there, and how many of them want nothing to do with the series. There are millions of people that love Call of Duty, but millions more that want nothing to do with it.
Personally, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the game. The futuristic setting and the ability to play as human soldiers, airborn drones, and "large robots" could offer a lot of surprises. I'm not quite sure that I want the game yet, but I'm definitely interested in finding out more about it.
How about you? What would it take for you to get psyched for Black Ops II? For you diehard CoD fans, could anything cause you to not be excited for it? Treyarch definitely isn't serving up more of the same this time around. Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing?
[Every Friday (or whenever), Destructoid will pose topical a question to the community. Answer it if you want!]
Last week say the official start of the Black Ops II hype-train. The first trailer was released. Pre-orders are already through the roof. The game's success is all but guaranteed.
That said, there's also been plenty of hate slung at the game. Some say the graphics are bad. Other's are saying they're just burnt out on the series. Still others are claiming that they've always hated Call of Duty and as a result, that this new entry has already earned their pre-hate due to it's name alone. Call of Duty may be one of the most successful series going right now, but lets not forget how many gamers there are out there, and how many of them want nothing to do with the series. There are millions of people that love Call of Duty, but millions more that want nothing to do with it.
Personally, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the game. The futuristic setting and the ability to play as human soldiers, airborn drones, and "large robots" could offer a lot of surprises. I'm not quite sure that I want the game yet, but I'm definitely interested in finding out more about it.
How about you? What would it take for you to get psyched for Black Ops II? For you diehard CoD fans, could anything cause you to not be excited for it? Treyarch definitely isn't serving up more of the same this time around. Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing?
Ubiktune releases coda's retromazing tracer album
Posted By: Destructoid
Sat May 5 2012 12:30:00 pm
Ubiktune, the same netlabel that brought you the Genesis-flavored SOUNDSHOCK 2 and virt's excellent FX4 albums, is back with a brand new release by Ken "coda" Snyder called tracer. I really think coda is one of the most talented artists in the retro music scene, being a member of yogurtbox, the group responsible for Tree of Knowledge (you can hear a sample on our Soundcloud) as well as contributing to numerous compilation albums over the years. Oh, and he rocked out MAGFest a few years back too.
It seems coda has now ventured out on his own with tracer, a four-track album spanning over 25 minutes of retromazing goodness. There's retro funk that will remind you of the demoscene, a smooth electronic track that sounds like it was taken right out of a shmup title, a spacey rock track, and another rockin' tune that would easily fit in a beat 'em up title like TMNT. And as always, it's name-your-own-price via Bandcamp.
There's no reason not to check this one out. There's some great stuff here, so let us know what you think of what Ubiktune has been up to lately and what you make of tracer after giving it a listen.
Ubiktune, the same netlabel that brought you the Genesis-flavored SOUNDSHOCK 2 and virt's excellent FX4 albums, is back with a brand new release by Ken "coda" Snyder called tracer. I really think coda is one of the most talented artists in the retro music scene, being a member of yogurtbox, the group responsible for Tree of Knowledge (you can hear a sample on our Soundcloud) as well as contributing to numerous compilation albums over the years. Oh, and he rocked out MAGFest a few years back too.
It seems coda has now ventured out on his own with tracer, a four-track album spanning over 25 minutes of retromazing goodness. There's retro funk that will remind you of the demoscene, a smooth electronic track that sounds like it was taken right out of a shmup title, a spacey rock track, and another rockin' tune that would easily fit in a beat 'em up title like TMNT. And as always, it's name-your-own-price via Bandcamp.
There's no reason not to check this one out. There's some great stuff here, so let us know what you think of what Ubiktune has been up to lately and what you make of tracer after giving it a listen.
[Episode] Bodacious Space Pirates - Episode 18
Posted By: Destructoid
Sat May 5 2012 12:02:23 pm
Jenny is the new client of the Bentenmaru, the original plan of taking her to Space University is on hold as it will not stop the threat of her Uncle With some inside information, the new plan is to head to Jenny's fianc ship to cut a deal
[Episode] Upotte!! - Episode 5
Posted By: Destructoid
Sat May 5 2012 12:01:51 pm
The battle exams continue with Ichiroku making it to the semi-finals by herself with some amazing shots The next round brings the duo Galil and Sako, both very dangerous and vengeful guns, which one girl will find out
Gia's List: The 7 Most Hilariously-Narrated Anime
Posted By: Anime News Network
Sat May 5 2012 12:00:00 pm
Sup Holmes: Konjak explains it all
Posted By: Destructoid
Sat May 5 2012 11:00:00 am
[Destructoid's Director of Communications Hamza Aziz asked Jonathan Holmes to make a show called 'Sup, Holmes?' so that Destructoid could later sell a t-shirt that says 'Sup, Holmes?' on it. This is that show. Download the audio-only podcast version, subscribe to the podcast feed and find more episodes here.]
We've got a very special guest on this week's Sup Holmes?. All the way from Sweden, it's the one and only Joakim "Konjak" Sandberg! Like last week's guest Jasper Byrne, Konjak is a handsome European man who's has worked on big name games (like Contra 4) solo projects (like Noitu Love 2 and The Iconoclasts) and even some free fan games (like Legend of the Princess). He's a master of animation, pixel art, and game design, and we're lucky to have him on the show.
We're also lucky to have yet another $30 code from Threadless to give away this week. We'll be announcing last week's winner before we toss another hot trivia question your way, so tune in if you like videogames and/or free stuff. The stream starts on Sunday, May 6th at 1pm PST/4PM EST. Jump in the chat and help this kitten grow into a full grown cat!
[Destructoid's Director of Communications Hamza Aziz asked Jonathan Holmes to make a show called 'Sup, Holmes?' so that Destructoid could later sell a t-shirt that says 'Sup, Holmes?' on it. This is that show. Download the audio-only podcast version, subscribe to the podcast feed and find more episodes here.]
We've got a very special guest on this week's Sup Holmes?. All the way from Sweden, it's the one and only Joakim "Konjak" Sandberg! Like last week's guest Jasper Byrne, Konjak is a handsome European man who's has worked on big name games (like Contra 4) solo projects (like Noitu Love 2 and The Iconoclasts) and even some free fan games (like Legend of the Princess). He's a master of animation, pixel art, and game design, and we're lucky to have him on the show.
We're also lucky to have yet another $30 code from Threadless to give away this week. We'll be announcing last week's winner before we toss another hot trivia question your way, so tune in if you like videogames and/or free stuff. The stream starts on Sunday, May 6th at 1pm PST/4PM EST. Jump in the chat and help this kitten grow into a full grown cat!
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