Afterthoughts: Video Games Live

On Thursday night I was lucky enough to attend Video Games Live preformed by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. I had watched many of the YouTube videos of performances, but the real thing is more of an experience than a concert. Here’s how it all went down.

Xbox 360 Elite is out now!

One of my friends was going to make the leap to the next gen today, with the purchase of Xbox 360 Elite and Oblivion. Anyone else pick one up?

KLind

Wii Name is one year old!

Today is the one year anniversary of the day that brought the internet to a screeching halt. You can read my old post here. I was a supporter of the name since I first heard it, and by now it’s weird to look back and see how upset people were that the console wasn’t called Revolution anymore. It seems normal now to call it the Wii. Now if Nintendo would put out some compelling games that make me want to play it…

Buttonbasher is going to Video Games Live!

Tonight (Thursday) the Buttonbasher is heading to Video Games Live in Columbus, Ohio! I’ll make sure to grab some pictures at the show, but since my camera can’t do audio, don’t expect videos (kinda pointless at a concert). I’m a huge fan of video game music, having 18 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds currently on my hard drive. I’m particularly excited to hear Civ IV, Sonic, Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy, Beyond Good & Evil, and of course Halo.

Another reason to be excited is this press release:

MEET HALO COMPOSER AND OTHERS AT FIRST EVER GAME CONCERT IN OHIO

Pre-show festival announced as the Columbus Symphony brings video games to life

WHAT:
Video Games Live™ features music from the most popular video games performed by the Columbus Symphony and Otterbein Vocal Ensemble.  This experience combines exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, solo performers, electronic percussion and unique interactive segments to create an explosive one-of-a-kind entertainment experience. 

The pre-show festival includes a costume contest where audience members can dress as their favorite video game characters.  Other activities include game competitions with Guitar Hero™ II and Space Invaders on a customized DreamAuthentics arcade cabinet.  Prizes include over 250 classic arcade games donated by DreamAuthentics. 

During the post-show Meet and Greet audience members will have a chance to interact with game composers and Video Games Live™ co-creators and producers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall as well as Halo® composer Mike Salvatori and solo pianist phenomenon Martin Leung (The Video Game Pianist).

Expect a lengthy write-up!

KLind

Halo 3 shown off May 11!

Now for your daily dose of Halo 3!

Bungie’s holding a press event to show off Halo 3. Press will most likely get to play some multiplayer, and some questions about the beta (launching 5 days later) will be answered. I hope and pray for a singleplayer trailer, but that probably won’t happen.

Oddly enough Buttonbasher was not invited to this press event.

More news on Halo 3 as it hits.

KLind

God Of War: Chains of Olympus Trailer, and demo offer!

I plan to buy a PSP for this game.

Also, if you want a free UMD demo of the game, sign up here.

It’s while supplies last, and you might have to sign up for the Playstation Underground, but free is free!

KLind

Call of Duty 4 confirmed in…Joystiq banner ad…

Joystiq.com seems to be surprised by an ad that popped up on their site. The ad is as follows:

So Call of Duty is finally moving away from World War II! The games being handled by Infinity Ward who made the first 2. Don’t expect much from the trailer (if they follow tradition, it’ll be a CG movie that won’t reflect the end product). But I could be wrong, because the last ESPN Game trailer it could end up awesome like this.

KLind

Metal Gear Solid Italian Film

This is quite possibly the funniest thing I’ve seen all week.

And to fight is to now to survive

KLind

New Halo 3 campaign tidbits, and Marty LIVE

Geekdad got to visit Bungie, and recorded a bit of dialogue for Halo 3. You can check out the readup at the link, but there’s something just awesome. Scans of the script!

Scan 1

Scan 2

Read through those, and speculate. I noticed key terms such as:

-Marine “Yes, Sargeant! Roger that! On it!”

-Marine “I’m sure Commander Keyes has a plan…”

-During Explosions above: “Wonder if anyone knows we’re down here…” “Brutes can’t smell through rock, can they?” “Think all the Pelicans got away?”

-Marines (distant): (sounds of Flood possession)

-Fighter Pilot: Seraphs! On my Six!

Okay. The first 2 quotes indirectly confirm that the Arbiter is back. While Master Cheif is heading to earth, the Arbiter is on Delta Halo with Commander Keyes and Sarge. The bombing part must be the civil war raging between the Elites, and Brutes. The Arbiter might not be fighting because he was aware of the true intentions of the Prophets, and had lost all faith in the Covenant. So basically the Arbiter is back, and hopefully the game will start with him. My dream opening has the “tutorial/intro” level being handled by the Arbiter, and everyone trying to escape. Then after that, you see the grand entrance of Master Cheif. Okay, back on track. The Flood mention could be contained on Delta Halo, and get that part out of the way at the beginning, because if the Flood come to Earth, we’re all screwed amirite? I think the Fighter Pilot mention means that the UNSC C-709 Longsword Interceptors could possibly be flown by the player.

Whoo… So much speculation! So long to wait! Oh well. At least we have a huge first taste on what one aspect of the story might be.

(^ C-709 Longsword Interceptor from Halo CE)

And Geekdad also grabbed a video of Marty O’Donnell playing and explaining the Halo 3 trailer music:

KLind

Bioshock Collectors Edition is Awesome

For most collectors editions, you might get an extra disc with a short DVD or something like that. For 70 dollars, It’s not a big enough extra to convince me to buy. But if done right, I would totally drop 70 bones on something good. And boy, is this good.

The fans made a petition to make a Bioshock Collectors Edition, and 2K didn’t just listen, but they asked what the fans wanted in it! Here’s what’s included:

• the requisite “making of” DVD (Okay!)
• the soundtrack CD (Awesome!)
• a Big Daddy figurine (The Best!)
• Metal Game case (designed by fans!)

I already wanted Bioshock, but for all thats included for 10 extra bucks makes this a must have.

Plus I want a statue of this guy on my desk:

Mmm. August can’t come any faster!

KLind