Monthly Archives: February 2012

The Hunger Games Becomes an Adventure Game

In an associated pairing of entertainment mediums, a new social media game will be released the same day The Hunger Games hits theaters. The game, like the film is based on the popular young adult book series by Suzanne Collins. It’s called The Hunger Games Adventures; Games-Game would have been silly; and will be launched on March 23 of this year with the movie.

It used to be Saturday morning cartoons, action figures and cereal.  Social media games are now the new ploy to capitalize on something that is popular right now.

Funtactix, an independent game developer is no stranger to movie tie-in games. Previously they’ve put out online games based on the animated movie Rango and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.

This focus on creating games based on movies comes at a time when others in the industry are wary of touching that game genre.

Which doesn’t come to me as a surprise. Games based on movies have never been good, unless it’s sub-based on Lego. Then it’s cool. Yes, the children do make certain titles popular, but it’s only because parents buy these games for them, hoping it’ll shut them up or win them points with child services. My nephew for example will go absolutely nuts for anything based on the animation Cars. He’ll play a Cars game, but then he’ll drop it after five minutes in favor of angry birds. Anything beyond the age demographic of 6 – 12 is reaching for a developer hoping to make a movie based game.

THQ announced last month that it will no longer work on kids licensed games like Kung Fu Panda 2 or Up. Which makes sense as the initial market was for child fans of the movie back in 2008. It’s been 4 years since, so they might have upgraded to murder simulations and car jacking.

Two years ago, Take-Two Interactive Studios’ then-CEO and president Ben Feder declared to attendees that “Licensing content is dead.” according to Gamasutra. Well the same can be said about movies based on games. Take the Super Mario Bros. Movie of 1993 up to Prince of Persia: Sands of Time in 2010; How was Jake Gyllenhaal Persian?

Funtactix doesn’t think movie tie-ins are dead though. Sam Glassenberg, the CEO of Funtactix had this to say to Gamasutra about the problems with games based on films:

“The console-based film games business is rapidly disappearing. The game quality has fallen for years, and consumers have come to realize this, resulting in a collapse of the console-movie-games market.”

“The production cycle for a good console game has grown to two to three years, which is longer than the production window for a film… Hitting day-and-date on a quality game is a near impossibility.”

Glassenberg however points out that social game developers; say games for Facebook; can bring a Facebook title to market in months, instead of years. This makes it possible for those developers to put out; what is considered high-quality for social media; games at the same time with a movies debut.

Console games are at a distinct disadvantage due to product shipping, selling and review. Social media games on the other hand are instantly available online and free; so long as you don’t buy the credits to give you the needed advantage over others.

Game development is a tricky business overall and requires knowledge of trends, cost analysis, marketing and great workers. Then maybe a decent game on top of all that. I should know. I beat Dev Story, the 8-bit simulation where you manage your own game company and try to create a million-selling game.

‘Hunger Games’ Film Director Says It’s a ‘Very Faithful Adaptation’

If you are like me, you are counting down the days till The Hunger Games hits theaters. But if you have read the books you are probably a little frightened of what they might do with the beloved trilogy. (There have been very few times when a film adaptation wasn’t off base from its source). However, according to a recent sit-down with the director of the film, Gary Ross, we know a little better what to expect from the adaptation. Continue reading →

HBO Warning: War Is Coming to the Game of Thrones

 

“War Is Coming” the central words behind the new piece of teaser art released by HBO. In preparations for the season 2 release of “Game of Thrones”, the new promotional piece is a banner for the upcoming conflict the series promises.

Based on the family words of the House of Stark, “Winter Is Coming”, the war that is promised ties in from the first season of “Game of Thrones”. The eldest Stark is coming to whoop the false King for killing their father and holding their sister captive. Though not an official saying in the book series of the same name by George R.R. Martin, the phrase War Is Coming appears to the HBO’s tagline for the second season.

That or it’s HBO’s warning to AMC’s “The Walking Dead”, which broke cable records of most watched show last Sunday. HBO seems to be gearing up with their own promotional war of sorts. Like a another family from their show, they may be going for the effect of, “Hear me roar!” or better when competing against record breaking numbers, “A Lannister always pays his debts.

Okay, the poster doesn’t seem like a tease to me. I feel more like, “Oh. Okay. Shall I go along my merry business until its here?”

Already with a vast cast of actors, intricate story lines, and rabid fans waiting with swords at the slightest book deviation, the Game of Thrones will be adding a whopping sixteen new faces; some which will be in guest appearances. Joining the cast are the likes of Stephen Dillane, Nonso Anonzie, Natalie Dormer, and Jeyne Westerling; Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter!?! With so many to mention I’m worried that I’m going to need a flowchart or venn diagram to keep track of everyone. Or at least I should make a dead pool of which episodes they’ll start killing characters in.

Mina Kelly of Boomtron explains why:

“As quickly as these characters are born, they will likely also perish. It would be wise not to become too attached to any particular person in this series as any die hard fan would surely know. The lesson was learned when Eddard Stark, who gave the impression of “main character” lost his head near the end of season 1. And, after the initial shock of Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) being pushed out of a castle window by Jamie Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) wears off, you learn quickly that anything can happen.”

Apparently in between the sex scenes, the nudity and violence, there’s a story too. (Looks at his stacks of unread books) Yes, I’ll get to it.

The Season 2 premiere of Game of Thrones will bring the noise April 1st at 9pm EST.

The Walking Dead” Season 2 Midseason Premiere Kills the Cable Rating Record

“The Walking Dead” from AMC broke their previous record of most watched show. Previously set at 7.3 million viewers for their Season 2 premiere in October 2011, the show outdid it self hitting 8 million viewers this time on February 12 of this year reports the Huffington Post. Combined with the encore showing, it was really more like 11 million. That’s not even counting online downloads.

According to AMC, the premiere was the “strongest telecast for any drama in basic cable history.”

Charlie Collier, president of AMC, had this to say about the show:

“‘The Walking Dead’ is one of those rare television programs that reaches both a core genre fan as well as broad audiences simply looking for a great, character-based story. We’re so proud of and grateful for the amazing team on both sides of the camera who works so hard and is so committed to making this a unique programming event.”

“That ‘The Walking Dead’ is now the most watched drama in the history of basic cable is staggering, just like our zombies.”

“It is a great night for AMC. We’re thrilled to see this incredible record breaking response to ‘The Walking Dead,’ and ‘Comic Book Men’ is off to a strong start as well. Congratulations to the teams behind both of these shows,”

Comic Book Men that Collier is referring to is a comic book reality show by Kevin Smith; Silent Bob nooch! It aired right after “the Walking dead” and was watched by only 2 million viewers. Which to me means that only two million of the viewers are comic book fans who probably read the original The Walking Dead graphic novels..

Forget about the ratings, hocking loosely related spin offs and the money symbols burning out their retinas. What about the show? Warning: Spoilers.

Show begins of course where they last left off. With the shooting of Zombie Sophia. The dust settles and it’s up to the farmers to go nuts and get dangerously close to the walkers. “I know. Let’s all be stupid and cry over our dead zombie relatives, then give them a chance to bite us.  Yes, scratches and bites is all it takes.  That’s why she’s all catatonic.

This is further compounded by Andrea walking around without a care in the world into dark barns and trucks loaded with destroyed walkers. Is this the development of la belle indifference where she is unable to see real danger or a sign that she’s become used to this? She doesn’t even go into the barn with her weapon drawn.  She could have fell backwards in the truck and into an open mouth that bites her from the impact of a pot hole. This is where I see the show finally spiraling into zombie movie domain. The theme? When idiots attack.

I cannot express how much I dislike Shane Walsh on the show. The bullying he does, the contempt on his face, the attitude that he carries himself with, and the way of which he continuously rationalizes his actions. I am continuously annoyed with him. Is there no other development of his character other than flip out and be loud? If that’s the goal, then Shane is a well written character. I feel sorry for John Bernthal the actor who plays him. I hope he doesn’t get type cast.

So Shane continues to flip out on Rick and vies for the matrix of leadership. Shane opens a barn full of walkers to prove a point, instead of safely killing them from the outside. Rick however has to make the hard choices such as shooting Sophia. The show is becoming less about zombie survival and more “Who’s the Boss?” but without comedy.

Poor Dale. Dale is the only one privy to watch the dead frog sing and dance when no one else is around. Shane only likes to reveal his true nature to him. Why? Maybe because he believes no one will side against him. Dale even attempts to explain this to Lori, but they’re all immune to logic. Here is a version of what I heard:

Dale: Shane. He’s dangerous.

Lori: Yes, he can be a hot head.

Dale: No. I said dangerous.

Lori: Hot head?

Dale: *sounding it out now* Dane-Jer-Us

Lori: * slowly * Haw-Tuh Heh-Ed?

Dale goes on to explain that Shane is a threat to their survival and he’ll eventually kill again. I recall saying this fairly recently in The Walking Dead Game: Dead Reckoning article.

To prove that the supporting cast is become more Teflon coated against logic, Lori is all annoyed asking that Rick does not abandon them to find Hershel; one of his kids is sick and he’s gone missing.

“We need Hershel for the baby.” Oh snap! Logic! W…What do I do? Quick, get Shane to flip out!

Then there’s the introduction of new survivors, all bent on shacking up with the rest of the Walking Dead cast and exuding feelings of unsavory intent.

When Rick refuses to let them join or reveal their main base, we hear “I thought we were friends.” All over bearing bullies and rapists tend to say this.

I was surprised that the writers didn’t drag the two interlopers story out and make it into a douche fest between them and Shane.

How did the show redeem itself in less than five seconds? Bam! Another head shot! Followed by some more gun play. I hope this is the beginning of a new running gag or theme. All premieres and finales end and begin with head shots. Maybe this will lead up to Shane’s final close up.

After all, Shane is getting too big for his britches, and only one guy gets to wear the sheriff’s hat around here.

Magic Kingdom for Sale – Sold! To Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. Pictures has bought a magic kingdom, and it isn’t Disney Land. Terry Brooks, the author of the Shannara fantasy novel series also wrote a series called the “Magic Kingdom of Landover”. The first of the series is Magic Kingdom for Sale – Sold! Had it’s film rights optioned by Warner Bros. reports Variety.

First published in 1986’s, the story follows a talented but depressed trial lawyer who finds an advertisement in an upscale Christmas catalog; reminiscent of those huge Sears catalogs with a massive toy section I used to fawn over as a kid. The advertisement offers a magical kingdom for a million dollars by a man named Mr. Meeks.

As most lawyers have been brought up to crush the dreams of others, he buys this otherworldly magical land and hijinks ensue.

Publishers Write-Up includes:

“Landover is a genuine magic kingdom, complete with fairy folk and wizardry, just as the advertisement promised. But after he purchases it for a million dollars, Ben Holiday discovers that there are a few details the ad failed to mention.

Such as the fact that the kingdom is falling into ruin. The barons refuse to recognise a king and taxes haven’t been collected for years. The dragon, Strabo, is laying waste to the countryside, while the evil witch, Nightshade, is plotting to destroy the world. And if that isn’t enough for a prospective king to deal with, Ben soon learns that the Iron Mark, terrible lord of the demons, has challenged all pretenders to the throne of Landover to a duel to death – a duel no mere mortal can hope to win.

But Ben Holiday has one human trait that even magic can’t overcome. Ben Holiday is stubborn.

Magic Kingdom for Sale – Sold! is the first book in a gripping fantasy of mystery, magic and adventure from the author of the world-famous Shannara series.”

This almost sounds like a reboot of The NeverEnding Story 1984, “A troubled boy dives into a wonderous fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book.” says IMDb. Except it’s a big shot lawyer with money instead of a whiny kid with wishes. I can almost imagine this movie will be Iron Man to the Batman like Never Ending Story. Light and funny about the antics of real people abusing their power, instead of dark, serious and brooding. Hmmm… The book also came out two years after the NeverEnding Story. Coincidence?

The movie will be produced by Akiva Goldsman’s Weed Road Pictures; I Am Legend, Hancock; Andy Cohen’s Grade A Entertainment, and Weed Road’s Kerry Foster and Alex Block.

Universal Pictures has previously tried to adapt the story back in 2005 with a script by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, while Stephen Sommers was attached to direct. I guess the magic just wasn’t there anymore.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Trailer Enslaves My Imagination

What seemed to have started as a novelty novel series, has turned into a new well for Hollywood to dip it’s quill into. Twentieth Century Fox has released the first official trailer for the film Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter! The film is based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s book by the same name. Continue reading →

“The Walking Dead” Season 2 Episode 9 Sneak Peek

Can’t wait for the new episode next week in “The Walking Dead?” Well hopefully this will help you make it that long stretch till next sunday. Episode 9 of season 2 is entitled, “Triggerfinger” and we have two sneak peeks for the new episode.

The comic book turned hit television show has been taking the world by storm. After its midseason premiere that rocked the ratings, many will be looking forward to this new episode.

In “Triggerfinger” Rick, Glenn and Hershel find themselves in another deadly battle when they are trapped in a bar and get involved in a gun fight of survival. Lori comes across danger when she is unexpectedly hit by a car. Shane also attempts to rescue her and return her to the farm.

Another clip from the sneak peeks shows Andrea criticizing Shane over his methods of getting what he wants. But the argument ends when Shane points out that he and Andrea have something in common.

You can wait to watch “Triggerfinger” on Sunday, February 19 at 9/8c on AMC or you can wait to watch the new episode after watching the two exclusive clips below:

Read An Exclusive Interview With Walking Dead’s Andrew Lincoln

The midseason premiere aired last night to wide acclaim by fans an critics. And recently Eli Rosenberg over at AMC did an interview with Andrew Lincoln, who portrays main character Rick Grimes on the hit show. They talked about his role on the show, shooting the second half of the season and the secret that even his wife doesn’t know.

In case you just stumbled on this article and haven’t seen the amazing series, The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic horror television series developed for television by Frank Darabont. It is based on the ongoing comic book series, The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard.

You can see some of the questions Lincoln was asked below:

Rosenberg: Lincoln

Q: What was the bar scene like in Episode 8?

A: That was an incredible scene! We were so lucky to get such cracking actors. And we didn’t play the problem, we just played the fact that this is a reunion of human beings. The tension is inherent in the fact that they encounter this other group.

Q: Rick’s presence at the farm has been described as antagonistic this season. Do you ever feel like you’re a bad guy on your own show?

A: Yeah, I think I do a bit. I don’t normally see it like that though, because you never look at your own character as the problem. I’m appealing to this man’s spirit.

Q: Was the scene when Rick had to kill Sophia a difficult one to shoot?

A: I was talking about this the other day thinking, my goodness who’d have thought I’d build a career as a child killer in a huge internationally acclaimed show? What does that say about the state of things! Look, as an actor I was even going, “Please let her be alive.” It’s a gut-wrenching moment. Conversely, it’s a brilliant beginning to the second half of the season, which is a much darker and more dangerous exploration of these characters.

Q: Rick and Shane have a somewhat tense way of relating on screen. What’s your relationship like with Jon Bernthal?

A: It’s a nightmare to work with that man! But really, Jon Bernthal is like my American brother. He reminds me — I hate to say it — of a little bit younger version of me. What he’s done with Shane is magnificent as a character and I love the see-saw nature of their relationship. They’re like warring brothers — but they’re both so similar.

Q: Do you know what Dr. Jenner said to Rick at the end of Season 1 — and did Noah Emmerich actually say that to you?

A: Yes he did.

Q: Have people tried to pressure you into telling them?

A: My wife doesn’t even know. Man, I take my job seriously!

You can see the full interview with Andrew Lincoln here.

New Hunger Games Song By The Decemberists Released

We have already heard the song by Taylor Swift for the upcoming Hunger Games soundtrack, but a new track has been released. The song, “Our Engines” by the incredible band, The Decemberists, was revealed and is one that will be feature on the official soundtrack. The song is gorgeous (like most of their songs) and I think it will fit in well with the rest of the soundtrack. Continue reading →