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  • The MYS7ERY Continues…

    Last night, Bungie posted a letter on its countdown homepage, stating that it had a change of plans due to its publisher. The letter sounds too harsh to be a part of the original hoax (and if it is, I say it’s in poor taste). It looks like this alternate reality game, or ARG, just got a little more interesting.

    I have to say that I’ve spent more time thinking about Bungie this week than I ought to. I absolutely love these kinds of things – finding all the clues, putting the pieces together, watching everyone else try to sort it out.  I think it’s pretty amazing that Bungie has the type of fan base that can take this seriously enough to pull it off. And with the latest setback, they are getting even more publicity – part of the original plan? They did say to EXPECT DELAYS.

    Another conspiracy theorist found a website to a radio station (real? alternate reality?) that was running the Bungie countdown at the same time. After yesterday, the script was changed. Now the last two lines read:

    COUN7DOWN 7O 7HE END:

    followed by a countdown that ends on August 7 at 7:07 pm. Knowing Bungie’s love for the number 7, we can only add that to the list of conspiracy possibilities, and imagine that, if they don’t have an announcement attached to EA’s presser this afternoon, we’ll have to wait until August to see what’s up their sleeves.

    I hope against hope that this is a brand new franchise by Bungie, something completely unrelated to the Halo universe. We’ll find out soon!

  • What is Bungie Up to?

    And now for the question everyone is asking… What is Bungie up to? A visit to their homepage at Bungie.net brings up a logo of what fans are calling “The Superintendent” as well as a countdown leading to 7:07 am Pacific Time tomorrow, 7/16.

    On Bungie Day, July 7 (notice the 7-7 symbolism here too), Bungie released a gamer picture pack and theme that both included the superintendent.

    Several Bungie employees have been seen at E3 (but what gaming company *doesn’t* have representatives at E3 right now?) and there is speculation about a new game announcement. But what? And when? Neither Microsoft nor Sony included them in their keynotes. Remember that Microsoft owns the rights to the Halo franchise, but no longer owns Bungie. Is this some new game franchise from Bungie? One can only hope.

    Stay tuned. We will bring you more as the story unfolds.

  • E3: Sony Advertises Televisions

    Using approximately one billion Sony TVs for their E3 keynote speech, Sony reminded everyone how they really make their money and why they paid out billions to win the Hi-Def war. But in gaming news…

    Several PS3 games will now be upped to “classic” status, with the price lowered to $29.99: Resistance, Fall of Man; Motorstorm; Warhawk; Call of Duty 3; Assassin’s Creed; Oblivion; and others. In addition, they plan to release the new Ratchet and Clank add-on at a $15 price point, calling it a “new concept – it’s a shorter game at a lower price.” (Hmmm… surprisingly this concept doesn’t sound quite so “new” to this 360 DLC user).

    Sony continued to push their PS2, releasing a new bundle with Lego Batman and Justice League: New Frontiers for $149. Over 130 titles are being released on PS2 in 2008. In response to the limited number of PS3 releases, Jack Tretton of Sony takes out of a can of whoop ass and says, “We’re not interested in filling up our stores with titles no one wants to play just so we can say we have the most” (translation: I cried myself to sleep after I learned we lost the Final Fantasy exclusive. But I’ll act like I don’t care).

    Sony also has a new TV & movie download service that launches tonight with entertainment partners such as – surprise! – Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, Fox, Disney & Lionsgate. Rental prices start at $1.99, with movie purchases at $15. Media can be shared across a PS3 and PSP, so you can download a movie and watch it on your PSP.

    A new PSP bundle will be available starting in October, with a silver PSP, Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, 1GB memory stick, National Treasure 2, and an Echochrome voucher for $199 (I may need to get this for mrkniceguy for Christmas).

    The word on Playstation Home is… be patient. Sony assures the public that the wait will be worth it. Again. And then showed off more pictures of how cool it will be. Maybe at next year’s E3, they’ll have an actual launch date.

    Sony did pull out a new SKU – an 80GB unit to replace the 40GB for $399 starting in September. Considering a 60 GB 360 will be available in August for $349, it’s a competitive pricing move for Sony. With some pretty-looking titles like God of War 3 and Infamous coming out in 2009, it looks like Sony might be better situated come this time next year.

    The big announcement for the day came in the form of an in-development title called MAG-Massive Action Game, which includes the possibility of 256-player online battles (in teams of 8). The game is currently in development – no release date set.

    So, my 360 fangirl-ism aside, who do you think made out the best this round? Both Microsoft and Sony announced streaming and downloadable entertainment content. Microsoft is partnering with Netflix and its huge database of movies, but you have to have a Netflix subscription to watch. Sony is partnering with some of the studios, but you have to pay per rental or purchase. However, Sony will let you transfer the media to a portable device. They both sound like pretty interesting deals.

    Me? I don’t buy a gaming console to watch movies. 😉