The Robot Press

Super Smash Brothers Brawl on Wii

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Thu, 11 May 2006 20:28:00 +0000

This looks to be kickin' rad and will be a serious factor in my future personal game system purchase. The inclusion of Metaknight in the game has me particularily excited, though Snake being in it is rather cool.

NIGHT OF FIRE

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Wed, 10 May 2006 02:17:00 +0000

This is a very odd cover of the europop hit Night of Fire, by the HINOI Team, with supporting singer Korikki (a wrestler). Hinoi Team is a J-Pop girl group formed around Asuka Hinoi with supporting members Keika Matsuoka, Hikaru Koyama, and Rina Takenaka. Most of their releases (such as this one) are covers of Europop songs. Check it out for hot japanese chicks and hilarity.

The World of Warcraft Movie

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Tue, 09 May 2006 20:33:00 +0000

Warner Bros.-based Legendary Pictures has picked up film rights to adapt the popular fantasy video game franchise World of Warcraft and will develop the project with game publisher Blizzard Entertainment, which is owned by Vivendi.

At least Uwe Boll won't get his hands on this one.

Read More (NY TIMES)

Snakes on a Plane

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Fri, 05 May 2006 00:57:00 +0000

Slated for release by New Line Cinema August 18, Snakes on a Plane is a modern action movie starring Samuel L. Jackson as FBI agent Nelville Flynn. Nelville and partner John Saunders (Mark Houghton) escort John Saunders (Mark Houghton), a former Mafia member, to testify in a highly publicized case that could bring down said Mafia. In the course of a flight between Hawaii and California, an assassin pays airport security to sneak a time-release crate of 400 snakes of various sizes on board in the hope of killing the witness.

The movie has recently received mass anticipation from the internet as a result of its excellent title and premise. At one point, the film's title was switched to Pacific Air Flight 121. In August 2005, a disgruntled Samuel L. Jackson told an interviewer, "We're totally changing that back. That's the only reason I took the job: I read the title." In another interview in early 2006, Jackson claimed that once he learned about the movie title being changed he said: "What are you doing here? It's not Gone with the Wind. It's not On the Waterfront. It's Snakes on a Plane!" The film was soon reverted to the working title of Snakes on a Plane.

In the realm of the web, the somethingawful.com forum goons and other web communities are responsible for increasing the hype for this film to a high degree. In recognition of the unprecedented Internet buzz for what had been a minor movie in their 2006 line-up, New Line Cinema ordered five days of additional shooting in early March 2006. While re-shoots normally imply problems with a film, the producers opted to add new scenes to the film to take the movie from PG-13 into R-rated territory and bring the movie in line with the growing fan expectation. Among the reported additions is a line that originated as an Internet parody of Samuel L. Jackson's traditional movie persona: "That's IT! I want the motherfucking snakes off the motherfucking plane!".

Teaser Trailer:

The Obligatory Carmen Electra Post

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Fri, 05 May 2006 00:07:00 +0000

Carmen Electra, doing what she does best. Possible NWS, but for reasons of sexiness, not for nudity.

Custom Cloud Strife Lego Set (Final Fantasy 7)

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Thu, 04 May 2006 23:30:00 +0000

A particularily skilled lego mod artist is selling a custom Cloud Strife lego character with buster sword on ebay. The character itself is made out of basic lego pieces with painted on additions and sculpy clay hair.

The same artist has done numerous other customs in the past that are particularily cool any you are advised to check them out.

Dark Side of the Moon A Capella

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Thu, 04 May 2006 23:04:00 +0000

""Dark Side of the Moon A Cappella" is an all-vocal version of Pink Floyd's magnum opus "Dark Side of the Moon." No instruments were used in the recording of this unique version of the album. Eight singers and one "vocal percussionist" (similar to a beatboxer) recreate the original work in its entirety.

The album was recorded in High Definition, without breaks between the tracks (as in the original), and is as close to the original in timing as possible, thus preserving its "Wizard of Oz Compatibility." Produced and mixed by the renowned a cappella Producer, Freddie Feldman, this recording breaks new ground in both the worlds of a cappella and rock.

Dark Side of the Moon A Cappella has been nominated for Best Pop/Rock Album in the 2006 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards (CARAs)."

Give their version of "Time" a shot, the intro for it is truly epic, and when I say epic, I mean hilarious.
Listen

Fuck the RIAA

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Thu, 04 May 2006 22:36:00 +0000

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is on a rampage, launching legal attacks against average Americans from coast to coast. After over 18,000 lawsuits and counting against P2P users, file sharing has continued to increase rapidly. Meanwhile, music fans, like 12 year-old Brittany LaHara, college student Cassi Hunt, and parent of five Cecilia Gonzalez, are being forced to pay thousands of dollars they do not have to settle RIAA-member lawsuits, and many other innocent individuals are being caught in the crossfire.

This irrational crusade is not generating a single penny for the artists that the RIAA claims to protect. The RIAA should be working to create a rational, legal means by which its customers can take advantage of file sharing technology and pay a fair price for the music they love. With artists increasingly turning against the lawsuits, momentum may be shifting in favor of a better way forward.

Copyright law shouldn't make criminals out of more than 60 million Americans — tell Congress that it's time to stop the madness!

We have 73044 signatures so far - this is amazing! If we can get 100,000 signatures, we will deliver the petition to the Senate and House Commerce and Judiciary Commitees.

Link

Koko loves him some Boobies

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 03:49:00 +0000

"Women sacked 'for not baring breasts to gorilla'

Two former caretakers who refused to bare their breasts to a 300lb (136kg) sign language-speaking gorilla named Koko have settled a lawsuit against the Gorilla Foundation. Nancy Alperin and Kendra Keller said that they were dismissed after they refused to expose their bosoms and reported sanitary problems at Koko’s home in Woodside, south of San Francisco. They were told that if they “did not indulge Koko’s nipple fetish, their employment with the Gorilla Foundation would suffer”, their claim alleged. Ms Alperin and Ms Keller said that Francine Patterson, Koko’s caretaker and president of the Gorilla Foundation, pushed them to bare their breasts to bond with the 33-year-old female simian. The foundation has denied the allegations. The settlement’s terms were not disclosed. (AP)"

from Times Online

Geoge Lucas predicts the death of Big Budget Movies

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 17:23:00 +0000

"'The market forces that exist today make it unrealistic to spend $200 million on a movie,' said Lucas, a near-billionaire from his feverishly franchised outer-space epics. 'Those movies can't make their money back anymore. Look at what happened with King Kong.'" Lucas' prediction: "In the future, almost everything that gets shown in theaters will be indie movies ... I predict that by 2025 the average movie will cost only $15 million.""

from the New York Daily News

We'll just have to see then, won't we?

Another Awesome Quote List

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 06:18:00 +0000

Time to take a break from the news so that I can list some quotes from everyone's favorite assassin droid, HK-47. (See KOTOR for more info)

"Commentary: The meatbag speaks without clarity. Detail your involvement or the master will splatter your organs all over the floor."

"Suggestion: Shall we find something to kill to cheer ourselves up?"

"Statement: I have already learned a great deal, master, and I am anxious to learn more of lying, betrayal, and new ways to harm innocents."

"Exclamation: No! Master, no! What are you doing?"

"Conclusion: Still there was a brief moment where I felt like I almost understood why some meatbags choose peace and friendship over a high-powered blaster carbine."

"If you will excuse me, I will meditate on the face of my old master as he was being electrocuted. I find it most soothing."

"I think he is making fun of you, Master. Shall i proceed with wasting the Meatbag?"

"Deceit: Nothing to see here miss, just a regular droid. Move along, move along."

"I therefore make no claim to that designation, prospective buyer. I am a law-abiding droid. Yes, indeed, law-abiding, that's me!"

"Translation: 98% probability that members of the miniature organic's tribe are being held by Sand People, master. Doubtless he wishes assistance. 2% probability that the miniature organic is simply looking for trouble and needs to be blasted. That may be wishful thinking on my part, master."

Update to the Potion Story

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 21:36:00 +0000

"Osaka’s Suntory Beverages is launching the Final Fantasy XII Potion on March 7, a week before the PS2 title hits shelves and sends RPG fans into a frenzy. A 120 ml plain Jane bottle goes for 191 yen (about $1.60 US), while the Premium Set commands 600 yen ($5.75). The Premium Set is limited to 3 million boxes that include one art card and a special 100 ml bottle of Potion. So for more money, you get less to drink. Guess that’s okay for collectors, but sucks if you’re thirsty."

from Kotaku

Hangin'

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 21:27:00 +0000

Sorry, but it was absolutely necessary that I take up valuable newsspace for this.

Star Wars - Empire At War Demo Available

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 21:39:00 +0000

GameSpot has the official demo for the Star Wars-themed RTS game, Empire at War available for download. You can *legally* get it at any of the following locales. Included in the demo are five tutorials and one galactic conquest map, although only a limited amount of units are available to use. (just like any other demo)

GameSpot - Worthplaying - 3D Gamers

Personally, I am intrigued and will probably end up getting a copy for myself.

7 and 9 year old perform Lazy Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 11:23:00 +0000

Awesome

Need I say more?

Rubik's Cube Solved in 11.13 seconds

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 02:57:00 +0000

"A 20-year-old California Institute of Technology student set a new world's record Saturday for solving the popular Rubik's Cube puzzle, turning the tiled brain-twister from scrambled to solved in 11.13 seconds.

Leyan Lo is part of Caltech's Rubik's Cube Club, a brainy clutch of students that hosted the competition at the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco. Lo's record-setting time came early in the day, among his first five tries in the preliminary rounds.

The record-setting solve caught competitors and Lo himself by surprise."

from MSNBC

Mario Works the Streets

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 04:55:00 +0000

It'sa Him! It'sa Him! Looks like he's getting rid of Luigi once and for all. ;)

Fuzzy D20's for your Rearview Mirror

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 11:21:00 +0000

True, 6-sided fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror may be overdone and cliche, but 20-sided dice, that is a different story. Time to replace that ratty, dangling high school tassel with something more fitting of a geek. Think of these fuzzy icosahedrons (that's a 20-sided polyhedron for the math-impaired) as a fantasy muse, inspiring you as you drive, conjuring images of dungeon crawling, orc whacking, and critical hitting.

Get your own pair for $9.95 at Jinx

Star Wars - Empire At War

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 02:34:00 +0000

Another great game in development, or so I am guessing: Star Wars - Empire at War. It is scheduled for release on February 7.

Empire At War is the latest attempt to emulate large scale Star Wars battles. It focuses on the struggle between the empire and the rebels that begins in the time frame between episode 3 and episode 4.

It is being developed by Petroglyph, which is comprised of many former members of Westwood Studios, best known for their work on the Command and Conquer series. Empire at War uses an entirely new engine that Petroglyph developed, known only as Alamo. It uses several higher-end shader effects such as soft shadows, specular lighting, and particle effects for dust clouds and explosions.

Empire at War features beautifully rendered land and space battles set on memorial planets such as Yavin 4, Tatooine, and Dagobah, as well as never-before-seen environments taken directly from the Star Wars films and Expanded Universe novels.

Memorable Star Wars hero characters can be brought into the action to help turn the tide of the battle as players build, manage, and upgrade their space and ground-based units, vehicles, troops and base structures. All of the gameplay and action within Empire at War is persistent, meaning that strategic and tactical elements from events will have a permanent effect on the galaxy. In addition to the Single-Player campaign mode, the game includes a two-player campaign mode and online skirmish modes for up to eight players.

Official Website

Pimpin in Sweden - Ice Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 18:13:00 +0000

"ICEHOTEL, now in its thirteenth year, is continuing its successful and celebrated career as the world's biggest hotel made entirely of ice and snow. From its modest beginnings as a single room thirteen years ago, ICEHOTEL has grown to 5,000 square metres built of 30,000 tons of snow and 4,000 tons of ice.

In the winter season 2001/ 2002, more than 14,000 guests spent the night in ICEHOTEL and 37,000 day visitors walked in through the reindeer-skin covered doors. In this 60-room wintry fairy-tale land, there is a hotel reception, hall of pillars, Iceart exhibition, ABSOLUT ICEBAR, Icehotel cinema, the fantastic Icechurch and of course hotel rooms. In the evening, the guests assemble in ABSOLUT ICEBAR to have a drink "in the rocks" from iceglasses sculpted from the ice of the River Torne.

A new chapter began in winter 2003 with the construction of "Ice Globe Theatre" - a replica of Shakespeare's "Globe Theatre" on the Thames in London. The project attracted large numbers of guests to the region. The building was a highly interesting challenge in its own right, and the goal was to unite that bastion of the Thespian arts, The Globe, with the beauty and magic of ICEHOTEL.

Of ICEHOTEL itself, the sculptors save just a few works of art from the preceding winter season in the Art Center, and the rest of the hotel is left to melt away. Nature's own short-term gift gives an opportunity to experiment with form, space, and technique every year; and just like snow flakes, no two ICEHOTELS are ever identical. The beauty, and the parts we are not completely happy with, run back into the River Torne and make way for next winter's version of ICEHOTEL. From this river, the ideas of the summer shall find expression in the creations of the coming winter.
From the river came the ice, and to the river it shall return; all that will remain are memories."

From http://icehotel.com/

Pizza Man Attacked By Five Young Girls

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 06:45:00 +0000

From Tampa Bay's Ten News:

A pizza delivery man in Cincinnati has told police he was the victim of a robbery attempt yesterday -- by a pack of girls.

Police say he described his assailants as five very young girls. Investigators believe they're looking for suspects in the eleven-to-14 age group. A police captain says it's a little disturbing. The 21-year-old delivery man says the girls tried to take the pizza from him and ended up knocking him to the ground.

But he wasn't hurt, and nothing was taken. He says when he arrived at the spot where he was supposed to deliver the pie, it seemed the girls were waiting for him. Police are looking into whether they were the ones who phoned in the order.

A Moment of Zen

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 23:02:00 +0000

As per BoingBoing.

Back From Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 22:27:00 +0000

Now the news flow can begin in earnest. It was a slow news week in any case. You didn't miss much *good* news anyway. Furthermore, vacation being over makes me sad.

WoW: 18,000 People Banned

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 04:08:00 +0000

Yes, another WoW post, but in a bold but innefectual play to stop cheaters, dupers, and "griefers" as Microsoft is wont to call them, Blizzard has closed 18,000 accounts permanently which were in violations of the terms of service.

This probably won't have much effect, as people involved in gold farming and reselling wouldn't be so angry with the closing of one account. A rough estimate of the people banned per server is about 100 or so, so the impact on the game itself isn't great.

Official Site - World of Warcraft

The Chappelle Theory

noreply@blogger.com (Demosthenes) — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 01:29:00 +0000

I recently found a link to this site, which details the reasons for the end of the hit tv show "Chappelle's Show" and for Chappelle leaving for South Africa. If it is at possible, I now hate Al Sharpton and Oprah "Satan" Windrey even more than I did before. (Not to mention Bill Cosby, who was unfunny to begin with)

It starts off by offering a brief history of Chappelle's Show, and then going into detail about an alleged conspiracy between Oprah, Sharpton, Cosby, Louis Farrakhan, and other influential black leaders. Among the most disturbing highlights are as follows:

"The package — which arrived via UPS — contained a picture of Chappelle's sleeping children, taken the night before in Chappelle's house."

"Chappelle emerged from the shower one morning to find the three men sitting in his bathroom. By Chappelle's account, they told him "If we can get into your home this easily David, imagine what we can do to you if we really wanted to hurt you. If you don't tone down your show, maybe the next time we're in your bathroom, we'll be waiting for your wife or children to get out of the shower — not you."

"...while watching an episode of the Oprah Winfrey show, Chappelle recalled being completely stunned when Winfrey turned to the camera in the middle of interviewing Tom Cruise and said "Dave Chappelle, you should be ashamed of yourself for airing that Niggars sketch on your show this week, I'm going to make sure you never work in Hollywood again."

The image, allegedly taped by Winfrey, and transmitted to Chappelle's house under the direction of Robert L. Johnson who called in some favors with Chappelle's local affiliate station manager, terrified Chappelle."

The Theory