Were you one of those people who missed this generation’s “Star Wars”? Did you miss Joss Whedon’s epic masterpiece “Serenity” while it was in theaters? I know I did. And I kick myself for watching “Revenge of the Sith” instead.

Now you have a chance to watch “Serenity” on the big screen! Joss Whedon’s birthday has been christened “Serenity Day”, so come to Cinema Village this June 23 at 11:45PM to witness a piece of sci-fi cinema history all over again. This showing is organized by the Browncoats of NYC. In fact, this showing isn’t limited to NYC alone. Browncoats all over the world will gather to to watch Serenity on this day to raise funds for Joss Whedon’s favorite charity, Equality Now. Equality Now works to end violence and discrimination against women around the world through the mobilization of public pressure. If you can’t make it to the movie, you can still donate to a worthy cause here. If you’re not in NY, check Can’t Stop The Serenity to find a screening near you.

Joss Whedon’s short lived series - “Firefly” - was cancelled by Fox after only 11 episodes. With the hard work and support from a huge fan base, Joss was able to create “Serenity” (dubbed the Big Damn Movie by fans), a film that takes place 6 months after the end of the “Firefly” TV series. Serenity gave fans what they’ve been anxiously awaiting for years, a conclusion to their beloved TV show. In fact, pre-screening tickets were sold out immediately. Joss’s blend of action and comedy, sci-fi and western has been compared to the original “Star Wars” movies.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is the world’s premiere trade event exclusively dedicated to showcasing interactive entertainment and educational software and related product. The worldwide annual focal point for the computer and video game industry, E3 draws tens of thousands of professionals to experience the future of interactive entertainment. The most influential people leading the most innovative companies in the business attend E3 to showcase and see groundbreaking new technologies and never-before-seen products for computers, video game consoles, handheld systems and the Internet.

The elite Pac-Man Champions of the 21th century

During the E3 Convention, Pac-Man fans will play for prizes and bragging rights. Anyone can participate by phoning in their Pac-Man High Scores. There will be daily tournaments during E3 and to qualify for the final challenge of playing on an authentic, classic Pac-Man arcade machine. Using just one life, score as many points as possible in a sudden death type playoff.

Final Fantasy XIII for PS2 or PS3?

Even before Final Fantasy XII hits the states, rumors have been circling around Final Fantasy XIII and it’s appearance at the E3 convention. There will be no surprise that the PS3 will be featured at E3 but will this new addition to the Final Fantasy series be exclusive to the PS2 or PS3? PR Manager at Square Enix released a statement stating “the title will be exclusive for PlayStation 3 and shown at E3 is not based on any official information obtained by us.”

Nintendo’s Revolution continues at E3

Nintendo Revolution wasn’t the official name for Nintendo’s next-generation console. Now the official name as been release, Wii. I look forward to this console as the dev kit (define) has been rumored to be sold under $200. It has it’s competition, XBox 360 and PS3, beat in terms of a lower price range. Now we’ll have to wait and see if the games are comparable between the consoles. Wii will have much to prove. Wii will be at E3 where people will try out this console and maybe even discover how long the name will get old. Who knows, Wii might be around as long as TGIF.

Nintendo’s explanation for the name change:

Introducing… Wii. As in “we.”

While the code-name “Revolution” expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer.

Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players fromeverybody else.

Wii will put people more in touch with their games… and each other. But you’re probably asking: What does the name mean?

Wii sounds like “we,” which emphasizes this console is for everyone.

Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.

Wii has a distinctive “ii” spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play.

And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of video games that sets it apart from the crowd.

So that’s Wii. But now Nintendo needs you. Because, it’s really not about you or me.

It’s about Wii. And together, Wii will change everything.

References:

Gizmodo
Kotaku.com > Gaming

The phrase MMORPG (Mass Multi-Online Role Playing Game) seems very common amongst PC Gamers but the phrase MMOFPS (Mass Multi-Online First Person Shooter) is still relatively new. First Person Shooters are at most 16 player groups on a server hosted by a personal computer. Rarely has there been one that comes even close to matching MMORPGs such as WoW (World of Warcraft) and others like it with more than 6 million subscribers, until now. Developed by the H-Studio of global online entertainment company, Webzen Inc., a new FPS based off of Aldous Huxley’s 1932 novel Brave New World named Huxley will be one of the first MMOFPSs. Players are able to continuously grow and enhance their own combat styles with new weapons and skill, adopting different gameplay styles as they progress.

As I recall reading the book, I definitely don’t recall tanks and light anti-tank weapons so this game is loosely based off the book. The novel has in-game elements such as society and classes. Huxley takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where human beings have mutated and divided into Sapiens and Alternatives. Alternatives were mysteriously created when the human race mutated. Unaffected humans became known as sapiens, while affected humans are alternatives. Racism and oppression cause rebellious uprisings and war that divide the landscape between two powers. As time passed, fragments of the moon known as Lunarites, a new energy source that both sides seek to obtain, divide both sides even more. The sapiens were divided into the factions One and Syn and the alternatives were divided into the factions Alteraver and Alternix. Forced to battle against one another for the continuance of each race, Sapiens and Alternatives attempt to wipe out the conflicting race and gain control of Lunarites.

For those who are not hardcore gamers, the MMO world is a place to socialize and create a personality as you are in real life or completely opposite. And especially for those who do not have the latest and fastest PC, this MMOFPS is also slated for the Xbox 360 so you don’t have to worry about the latest video card or worry about lag because your computer is too slow. Fans of the book may find a new interpretation of their favorite classic.

Links for more information on Huxley:

"Gee, Brain what do you want to do tonight. The same thing we do every night, Pinky. Try to take over the world!" Same idea, different characters. In the new Family Guy video game set to be released during the upcoming Christmas season, that is exactly what you’ll have to do. Play as Peter, Brian or Stewie and try to take over the world. Peter must try and stop Mr. Belvedere. Brian must try and escape from prison. And Stewie matches wits with Bertram. As stories overlay while the game progresses, switch between the 3 characters and see your favorite side characters such as the Giggidy Giggidy Quagmire, the Evil Monkey, and even Death himself. What do YOU want to do tonight?

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! And nobody but nobody expects a game on the next generation console to be in black and white. Well that’s exactly what’s happening with Sadness from the highly anticipated Nintendo Revolution. From the World War I setting to the black & white ‘color’, Sadness has an excellent Film Noir feel to it. With all the shooter games out there, it’s exciting to have a different type of gothic horror game that scares gamers with only the atmospheric situations rather than guts and gore. The only thing I’m afraid of more is that when I’m swinging the controller to wave torches to scare off rats and lasso-ing walls by swinging rope onto them, I might accidentally throw the controller out the window. Don’t play this game alone!