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On PlayStation 3, Barack Obama 'Burnout' Billboard Sells Something Else

Posted 10/15/08 12:30 pm EST by in Burnout, Obama, Politics, PS3, Xbox 360


I spent a half hour driving through the virtual city of "Burnout Paradise" this morning, trying to find the widely publicized Barack Obama campaign ad that a member of the Rooster Teeth website spotted nine days ago.

I failed to find Obama, because I was playing "Burnout Paradise" on my PlayStation 3.

The Democratic Presidential candidate is only confirmed to be advertising in the game via a deal with Microsoft-owned ad firm Massive, on the Xbox 360, according to GameSpot. Nothing like that seems to be in effect on Sony's home console.

On the PS3, we've got ads for Burger King, Slingbox and Comp USA. Obama? He's not there.

So what product is being advertised in the PS3 version of Paradise City on the billboard that's running Obama on the 360? Take a look: Read More...

How To Find That Barack Obama Ad In 'Burnout Paradise'

Posted 10/15/08 12:00 pm EST by in Burnout, Obama, Politics, PS3, Xbox 360


Insert a copy of "Burnout Paradise" into an Xbox 360*

Make sure you're living in a battleground state. (States listed in second paragraph here)

Then drive at the location marked in the map below to see the Obama ad that everyone's talking about.

'Burnout Paradise' Location Of Obama Billboard

*This doesn't work in the PlayStation 3 version, which is running a fake ad in Obama's place.

Reminder To U.S. Gamers: Deadline Looming For Voter Registration (via Xbox 360)

Posted 10/3/08 5:30 pm EST by in Politics, Xbox 360


nullby Daniela Capistrano, MTV News producer

Hey Xbox 360 fans:

If you haven't registered to vote, you still have a little bit of time to handle this important task in time for the deadline - without having to put down your controller. How?

Back in August, Kotaku reported that Microsoft and Rock the Vote had partnered up to offer Xbox 360 owners the ability to register to vote, voice their opinions on the candidates through an exclusive and download Rock the Vote public service announcements - all through the Xbox.

If this is the first time you've heard about this service, there's still time - visit the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, download the Rock the Vote gamerpic and receive a voter's registration form via email (or just go to Xbox.com's Voter Registration page). Fill that sucker out and drop it in the mail or submit it in person at your local registration office.

Here's a few links for ALL Gamers out there to help you meet the deadline:

declareyourself.com
videogamevoters.org/takeaction/registertovote/
rockthevote.com/

Most states require you to register 30 days before the election, so that is October 4th.

Check your registration date and get this small but important detail out of the way in time to choose your candidate on November 4!

Microsoft Unintentionally Blocking Some Xbox 360 Users From Registering To Vote [UPDATED]

Posted 8/26/08 9:39 am EST by in Politics, xbox live


UPDATE: I'm told by Microsoft this has now been fixed. Leave a comment if you're still having issues!

***

Shacknews discovered something strange while testing out Microsoft's "Rock The Vote" section on Xbox Live: Silver users can't register to vote.

That seemed like a one-time glitch. But when I tried to register with my girlfriend's free Silver account, I couldn't get the process to work, either. Luckily, she's already registered to vote.

Microsoft representatives have stated a desire to create new incentives for users to forgo Silver Xbox Live memberships and become paying Gold members. But stopping people from registering to vote?

Thankfully, it's just an error. A Microsoft representative told me it's nothing more than a glitch in the system. Everyone should be allowed access to register -- Silver or Gold.

Keep checking to see when Silver users gain their right to register to vote.

9/11 'Space Invaders' Art Not Approved By Taito, Exhibitors Noted

Posted 8/22/08 2:59 pm EST by in Art, Politics, Space Invaders


The exhibitors of the "Space Invaders" exhibit that includes a 9/11-themed re-mix of the game at Games Convention in Germany knew they didn't have permission from the original arcade game's creators to showcase all the artwork at the event, according to a document found by MTV Multiplayer.

Computer Game Museum Berlin knew it didn't have expressed permission from Square Enix and Taito for the controversial "Invaders!" art piece.

Continuing a story broken at Kotaku this week, I've discovered a text file in the press materials for the exhibit noting the "Space Invaders" publisher had never signed off.

""The artwork "invaders!" is not approved by Square Enix/ Taito," read the short note.

Whether Computer Game Museum Berlin or artist Douglas Edric Stanley will face any of the legal challenges threatened this morning remains to be seen. A statement issued by Taito noted:

"TAITO is seriously considering all available options-including legal actions against the infringer and, if necessary, the Games Convention exhibitor involved-in order to end this unauthorized and impermissible misuse of the Space Invaders content and to protect TAITO’s intellectual properties."

Meanwhile the artist, Stanley, has said, in an interview with the AFP, he considers his art to be a "unusual ... though obvious" metaphor for the 9/11 attacks.

MTV Multiplayer has attempted to contact Computer Game Museum Berlin. We'll let you know if we hear back from them.

Related Posts
‘Space Invaders’ Vs. World Trade Center — Creator Explains 9/11 Project

'Space Invaders' Vs. World Trade Center -- Creator Explains 9/11 Project

Posted 8/20/08 2:44 pm EST by in Art, Politics, Space Invaders


'Invaders!' Insallation At GC, Via KotakuToday Kotaku reported and posted an image about a "Space Invaders" mod that, of all things, sets the famous arcade game against the backdrop of the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11.

The game is being presented as an art installation at the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany as part of a 30th anniversary celebration of "Space Invaders."

Who would make such a thing and why?

I did a web search and found a full explanation on the GC site that's suddenly slow to load.

Here's the deal:

Installation for the exhibition “30 Years of Space Invaders"
Invaders!
Invaders! (2008), Douglas Edric Stanley (USA/F)

The World Trade Center attacks mark a deep cut in our recent history that is still being processed. The French-American artist Douglas Edric Stanley has found an unusual – though obvious – metaphor with his work “Invaders!”, which is based on the 1978 arcade original. In his interactive large installation, the players must prevent the catastrophe by controlling the well- known cannon at the lower screen border with their bodies and firing it using arm movements. Like the original, this trial is ultimately
unsuccessful, thus creating an articulated and critical commentary about the current war strategy. In this regard, Douglas Edric Stanley sees Space Invaders as “a social tale that can be related to historical tales without losing its poetic power” (D.E. Stanley).

You can watch a video of people playing "Invaders!" and judge it for yourself at this YouTube link.

Read more from the creator and even download the game at his blog.

Is 'Hail To The Chimp' Funnier Than 'The Colbert Report'? We Count LOLs

Posted 7/11/08 12:05 pm EST by in Animals, Gamecock, Hail To The Chimp, Politics, PS3, Xbox 360


When I heard about the politically-themed party game "Hail To The Chimp" last year, I was told it was for fans of "The Colbert Report."

In other words, "Hail to the Chimp" is for me. By hiring writers from political comedy mainstays "The Daily Show" and The Onion to pen the game, Mike Wilson, CEO of the game's publisher Gamecock Media, said, "We're specifically going after people who follow politics and find it funny... Only ours is funnier."

But is "Hail To The Chimp" funnier than the "The Colbert Report"? The satirical, late-night talk show features charismatic host Stephen Colbert and his deadpan comedy, wry wit and astute political observations. I watch it every night it's on. And I laugh. A lot.

I took Wilson's words as a challenge. So I conducted an experiment where I measured the laughs I had during the game and the popular TV show. And the "truthiness" may surprise you...

Read More...

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