Latest Gear Live Videos
Forbes Magazine calls Rock Band “Shameless Knockoff” of Guitar Hero, Alex Rigopulos’ Head Asplodes
Posted by Alex Lifschitz Categories: Activision, Corporate News, Culture, Electronic Arts, Music,
Hay fanboys, listen up! And before you read anything, the following was from FORBES, not Bobby Kotick, for the sake of Rock Band/Guitar Hero wars everywhere.
In a recent profile of Activision CEO and industry provocateur Bobby Kotick, Forbes decided to talk about a number of Activision bread and butter franchises, such as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (whose empty, frail husk now litters that halls of Activision, milked clean of its sweet, sweet nectar). Somewhere around the end, though, is an interesting little snippet of text:
“EA also teamed with MTV to sell Rock Band, a shameless knockoff of Guitar Hero that added drums, bass and a microphone to the world of make-believe rock stars. EA says it is returning to an “auteur model” of designing games, taking bigger chances on fewer ideas.”
Look, we should all see this kind of writing for what it really is: Unresearched and inflammatory. Even if you didn’t know that the Rock Band guys are the guys who made Guitar Hero in the first place, it’s a wee bit unprofessional to take sides. I’ve worked for Activision, and they’ve said some crazy things regarding the music game timeline, but don’t confuse the quote as coming from Kotick.
Funny how they don’t mention Guitar Hero: World Tour anywhere.
Read More 
| Forbes
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Malia Obama’s camera: Kodak EasyShare M893 IS
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cameras, Hot Deals,
We’ve been getting quite a few emails today asking about the camera that Malia Obama was using during Barack Obama’s inaugural address, so we figured a post was in order. Malia was taking images and/or recording video on her Kodak EasyShare M893 IS 8.1MP digital camera. It looks like she was sporting the purple version, but it is also available in red, black, and silver. You can grab one for just over $100 at Amazon.
We’re still curious if we’ll get to see any of the shots and footage that Malia scored from the amazing seats she had.
HBO Offers Free Access to Obama’s Opening Ceremony
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Specials, ABC, Cable, HBO, Cable/Satellite, News,
UPDATE: You can find a list of performers for that HBO program here.
Although most of us are currently without tickets for Barack Obama‘s big day, those with cable or satellite service will have front row seats to the first major event of Inauguration Week.
On January 18, HBO will exclusively air the festivities from the Lincoln Memorial. The program is expected to be filled with A-list performers including a rumored appearance from Bruce Springsteen. Unlike the channel’s coverage back in 1993 (when Bill Clinton was welcomed into office), the 90-minute event will also be open to non-subscribers.
On Monday the 19th, the Disney Channel will be the sole broadcaster of “Kids’ Inaugural: We Are the Future.” The event honoring military families will be attended by Michelle Obama and Jill Biden. Then on Tuesday the 20th, ABC will have exclusive access to “The Neighborhood Ball: An Inauguration Celebration.” That is where the Obamas are expected to perform their first dance of the evening.
Read More | Variety
Werd: Bailout - Part Four
Posted by Patrick Snajder Categories: Domestic Policy, Editorials, US Economy, Videos, Wall Street,
We’re bailing Thursday out with some videos. Sit back, listen, and we can explore inner and outer space together, forever.
“A working class hero is something to be.”
Click to continue reading Werd: Bailout - Part Four
Read More | Hicks on America
Sling.com Becomes Official
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, HDTV, Internet, Movies, Music,
Sling.com has officially gone from beta to open to the public, (although they haven’t yet removed the logo.) There is access to hand picked TV, movies and web video. Over 650 shows on 110 channels are available in the genres of sci-fi, classic, reality, politics and lots more. And if you have a Slingbox you can connect it to your TV. Sling is free, but if you register you can subscribe to your fave shows and communicate with family and friends on the site.
Read More | Sling
Werd: Thanks - Part Two
Posted by Patrick Snajder Categories: Editorials, Humor,
Thank you mom for my birthday.
Thank you dad for the hustle.
Thank you Ed for the sense of humor.
Thank you Max for the heart.
Thank you Stef for understanding.
Thank you ROC Crew for lifting my spirits.
Thank you Lleras for the laughs.
Thank you Shawna for listening.
Thank you IM Buddys for being online.
Thank you left-handers for saying no to the right.
Thank you MGMT, The Arcade Fire, and Portishead for diversions.
Thank you DFW, Vonnegut, and Gladwell for the extensive studies.
Thank you for reading this.
Thank you internet for all of it.
Click to continue reading Werd: Thanks - Part Two
MTV to Host Presidential Bash
MTV has announced plans for its “Be the Change Inaugural Ball,” a bash for President-elect Barack Obama. The event will take place in the Ronald Reagan Building in D.C. on January 20. Live television coverage will give everyone access to the party. MTV will also feature all the revelry via Internet.
Celebrities, politicians and recording artists will decorate the event, meant to celebrate Obama’s swearing in to office. MTV will also choose hundreds of partygoers to give the cameras plenty of great shots.
It is expected that more than one million will arrive in Washington to celebrate the event, and to participate in several inaugural balls being planned throughout the city.
Read More | MSNBC
Sarah Palin to Pick Up a Pen?
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Rumors, Where Are They Now?,
Some are estimating that governor Sarah Palin could make as much as $7 million to put her thoughts to paper in a book. This huge total is just $3 million shy of the sum Bill Clinton received for his 2001 tome. Clinton’s staggering paycheck was the largest ever awarded a former president for a book deal.
Currently, paparazzi are chasing Palin and snapping her pic at every opportunity. Some say these pictures could go for as little as $300, but others say a Palin shot could fetch something in the five-figure range.
Palin drew attention early for her folksy charm and homespun catchphrases. Her party did not win the election, but Palin seems to have won her place in the public eye. With reports of a possible pundit spot, a talk show gig and now a multi-million-dollar book deal, Palin’s future looks bright - and highly, highly public.
Read More | MSNBC
Michael Moore Shifts Focus to Economy
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Documentary, Political, Sequels, Upcoming Releases,
What a difference a few months make.
Not surprisingly, the state of the economy has many people changing their plans these days…and that includes filmmaker Michael Moore. Earlier this summer, Paramount Vantage said the director would be producing a follow-up to 2004’s Fahrenheit 9/11. The movie, which was to have picked up chronologically where the last documentary left off, was originally supposed to tackle “what’s going on in the world, and America’s place in it.” Now it appears the sequel may get a slight shift in tone.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Michael’s project may now move from foreign policy to the financial crisis at home and abroad. That’s a subject matter that could dramatically change for Americans by the time the film is actually released. (It’s projected to debut in the spring.) It’s also a topic that some fear may be too pessimistic during an era of change. (Isn’t life supposed to get better during Barack’s time in office?)
But what Moore ultimately does with his currently-untitled film is still really anyone’s guess. I suppose it will just all depend on how our country is faring in the next few months…
Read More | Hollywood Reporter
Barack Obama Official Web Site Change.gov
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet,
Moving right along, Pres-elect Barack Obama already has his own new official site. Change.gov features a countdown to the inauguration, updates on what he is doing and asks for input on personal stories concerning the election and the road you took to get there. There is also information concerning his future policy, agenda and a page to apply for a gig in the new administration. Sadly, there is no news yet about the puppy, which Obama claims is the topic of about 50% of the emails he receives.
Oh, and for an added tidbit, Obama’s site runs on ExpressionEngine - the same publishing tool we use here to run Gear Live. We recommend it to anyone.
Read More | Change.gov