The Daily Telegraph has reported that Cher is leading favourite to play the Catwoman in a third Nolan/Bale Batman film.
The ageing pop star, who was born only one year after most of Eurpoe was kicking the shit out of each other, is reportedly director Nolan's first choice to play the agile-cum-slightly psycopathic pussycat woman weirdo.
However, it's hard to take this news seriously. The paper has also reported that the next movie will be called The Caped Crusader... yikes.

So we have already had the unlikely Heath Ledger portray the Joker very well. What could a woman who was releasing music while Lennon was still living bring to a character whose been known to jump building to building?

A recent issue of Official Xbox Magazine have theorised that the next installment of the popular, and popularly unpopular first person shooter franchise could be a launch title for whatever it is that Microsoft has brewing in a cauldron somewhere in some office.
However, it will be Gearbox at the helm, rather than previous creator Bungie, who officially parted ways with Microsoft last year, following the release of Halo 3. Gearbox man Randy Pitchford is quoted to have said "When you find out what this is, you'll likely agree that I can't oversell this one."


The new game will have heavy emphasis on looking a bit gormless, and pushing around what looks like a trundlewheel

Many of you fellow Destructoid using fellows will well be aware of the Shakesville website that around a month ago voiced its opinion on the game "Fat Princess", an upcoming PS3 game which will be available via download from Playstation store later this year.


The woman of the hour! The Round Royalty herself! This is what all the fuss is about..?

Several posts have been posted on the website so far. These range from immature rants with pictures of the writer flipping off Sony, to their latest article found here: http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2008/07/more-fat-princess.html
The blog contains an interview with the writer, one Melissa McEwan, conducted by a fine British gaming journalistic establishment (probably)
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Could you explain what you find so offensive about Fat Princess?

There are a few things I find objectionable about Fat Princess, but I'll stick with the obvious: The concept is hostile to fat women. The eponymous Fat Princess is an object of ridicule, and the source of her fatness—being fed endless amounts of food by her captors, which she cannot refuse because she has no agency—reinforces the myth that the singular cause of fatness is overeating. Whole books have been written debunking this myth. Of course there are people for whom compulsive overeating is the source of their fatness, which is as serious a psychological issue as compulsive undereating, despite our cultural failure to regard it thus. Anyone who understands why Anorexic Princess would not be considered an appropriate game should understand my objection to this one.

[i]To sum up, her first point is that the Fat Princess character is there as a point of ridicule. Fair enough. That one individual is ridiculous. However, did we not also find other male characters to be funnier? The annoying fan from Oblivion, whose sole purpose is to be killed out of frustration eventually by the player? How about King Bob-Omb, the MALE walking talking bomb of royalty who is so slow and round, that you can run around and grab him, and throw him off the hill? There are thousands of examples. Some fat, some female, some thin, some male, some short, some tall. Anyone can be a victim in a video game.
She then goes on to the discrimantion against fat people, in that the only way the game claims people become obese is through overeating. Fair enough. This is the only way people are shown to get fat in this game. I'm sure there is a solution. How about we make it so that you wait for the princess to gradually gain weight over a period of four years due to galndular problems, and despite a healthy diet? No? Wouldn't that work as a game? Ok then.[/i]

How do you respond to the common argument "it's just a game, and it's not meant to be taken seriously"?

It's a common criticism of feminism (or any similar social critique) that focusing on the "little things" is a waste of energy or resources, as if feminism could run out. The idea that feminism should be kept under glass, broken only in case of a "big" emergency, is predicated on the erroneous assumption that "the little things," like video games, happen in a void, but they don't. Fat Princess is part of the same culture in which the "big things" exist, like fat women making less money or being given sub-standard attention by healthcare providers. And, in a very real way, ignoring "the little things" makes the big ones that much harder to eradicate, because it is the pervasive, ubiquitous, inescapable little things that create the foundation of the culture on which the big stuff is dependent for its survival. It's the little things, the constant drumbeat of inequality and objectification, that inure us to increasingly horrible acts and attitudes toward fat women.

She probably has a point here. But you know what, it's just a game! People playing games haven't come here to recieve information, absorb morals, or get suckered into thinking whatever the developer wants us to think, no matter how much Jack Thompson believes so. The hyperdermic needle theory is an extinct way of thinking. Movies and television are far more influencing to peoples way of thinking. Picking fights with video game developers really want further your fight as much as attacking that TV show with the broad with the huge... career move.

FP's developer recently said the concept art for the game was designed by a female. Does that change your views at all?

No. And the fact that it's being offered as a defense of the game is telling—the suggestion being that if a woman did the concept art for the game, that must mean other women shouldn't have reason to object. "Women" are hardly a monolithic group.

What this essentially translates as; "We will fight them on the beaches, even though there are women in their number, and these women really don't mind being there. In fact, we'll end up fighting the very people we are protecting, but it's for their own good. What if they get fat". For the most part, the only people modern day femininsts are fighting for is other feminists. That's what I believe.

Do you think video games trail behind other mediums when it comes to sexist portrayals of females? If so why?

No—they're about on par with popular film and television, for example. The general lag is attributable in large part, as with other media, with insularity and lack of diversity in production. Genuine diversity necessitates actively recruiting women, LGBTQIs, and people of color who have a problem with the way women, LGBTQIs, and POC have been traditionally represented (or underrepresented) in games and want to infuse them with new visions, not just serve as tokens who put a new face on the same old shit.


Unfortunatly, most film projects which include LGBTQIs as a large part of the staff where the outcome of the project is noticeable eventually come out as unentertaining movies to straight males (and females). I'm all for equal rights, and would not mind LGBTQIs on the staff of my favourite game producer, but as long as they didn't turn it into a pretentious arthouse flick. I know there are gay people of all descriptions in the entertainment industry who entertain us all, but her implication is that we should all sit through arthouse trash which simply isn't entertaining to the majority of the public. And for video games? No thanks. The fact is, Brokeback Mountain would not make a fun game. Where's the gameplay? And no, no one say quicktime mini games in the tent!

Do you have a negative view of gamers who play video games containing sexist portrayals of women, even if they're playing the game in spite of such portrayals?

That's not really a yes or no question, because "sexist portrayals of women" is such an inexact phrase. There's clearly a fundamental difference between a game which merely fails to offer a comprehensive selection of female body types and a game in which only a male character can be played and the storyline tacitly or overtly encourages sexual violence against female characters.

Do you think it's possible to be a gamer and a feminist at the same time, given how hard it is to avoid games that sexualize their female characters?

Yes. I'm a gamer. My husband is a gamer. Many of our friends are gamers. I know plenty of other feminist gamers—women and men. But our choices are pretty limited—and no wonder, given the response to my original post on Fat Princess.

Basically, she doesn't like playing many games, because too many of us play them. What she fails to see is that sexist games are, by themselves, dying out. Tomb Raider 1 and 2, which made no huge deal of the playable characters figure, were fairly good in their day. Then, as Lara was made sexier, the games deteriorated. Game developers would soon learn that nice norks couldn't save a turkey, because it would still be a dead bird wearing your grandmothers bra stuffed with toilet tissue. Tomb Raider would eventually learn its lesson, and would focus more on gameplay, with Tomb Raider Legends being a pretty good game in my honest opinion.
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However, it is not this articles which has brought on a critipue of http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com. It is the response by the members of the site. A bunch of trolls if ever I saw. Feminist vultures hover above , waiting to pick clean the bones of any outsider who ventures onto their site to voice their opinion, and nudging the remains towards a large banhammer named Paul (who must only be a member of this site because he's looking for some feminist booty. You know the sort' the weedy kid who would join the feminist society, waiting until they all got drunk after a night of heavy debating before making his move. In my town, his name was Peter)

Before I go, here are some quotes from the fine people at Shakesville. (Jebussaves88 will not be held responsible for any small amount of sick you bring up in the back of your mouth)

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Let's see if the irrational, petty, overly sensitively, humorless pack of gamer bigots can put together a single cogent thought on the actual topic. $10 says no.

Has somebody fired up the ovens for a big heaping helping of Pathetic Anger Bread?

Considering the harassment and discrimination women face in the video game industry, I doubt that "girl" had many options to do anything but go al ong with the status quo if she wants to keep her job. I think someone is still living in the sixties...

Look, our first concern troll!

Fair Warning to Trolls: Comments will be deleted, and trolls will be banned, without explanation, warning, or apology. (FYI, troll means anyone who writes ANYTHING they don't like)

Seriously great interview. If it sends another wave of gamer-boy trolls this way, we'll just have to smack them down again. (Easy for you to say luv, we'd need an oar to smack you down... I love cheap humour)

Here's the thing I genuinely don't understand: what the hell is up with people coming into the thread and being all "But why can't people just make up whatever games they want, and then if you don't like it, don't buy it! You're trying to control free speech!" This argument makes no sense. (It's easy... if you don't like it, don't hand over that paper the wall gives you after you've been to work for a month)

First image in google when you type in "feminist" is:



Apologies to any righteous women who were harmed in the making of this blog.

Just when you thought society couldn't slump any lower, this comes along. The following is a press release from IGN

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A leading gaming and entertainment platform just became a leading platform for change. Microsoft Corp. and Rock the Vote today announced a groundbreaking partnership that will allow Xbox 360 owners to register to vote, participate in presidential polls and voice their opinions to the presidential candidates. It will all happen through Xbox Live starting Monday, Aug. 25, the first day of the Democratic National Convention.

"Xbox is a natural partner to help us reach out to youth voters," said Heather Smith, executive director, Rock the Vote. "To realize our goal of registering 2 million young Americans by this fall, we need to go where young Americans are, and there's no doubt in our minds that many are on Xbox 360 and Xbox Live."

This is the first time that Rock the Vote has joined forces with an entertainment partner such as Xbox to reach voters under 30. Xbox Live is the largest online social network connected to the television, with membership totaling 12 million - if Xbox Live were a state, it would rank as the country's seventh largest, giving it approximately 20 electoral votes.

"The Xbox Live community is active, vocal and passionate," said Marc Whitten, general manager of Xbox Live. "We're thrilled to partner with Rock the Vote to make it easier than ever for youth voters - and our members - to register and be heard."

Through the Rock the Vote partnership, Xbox Live members will be able to register to vote, voice their opinions to the candidates through an exclusive forum and participate in potentially election-predicting polls. They will also be able to download Rock the Vote public service announcements.

Xbox also will have a presence at both the Democratic and Republican conventions, promoting the Rock the Vote partnership and educating delegates about creating a safer entertainment environment on Xbox 360 and Xbox Live using the built-in parental controls known as Family Settings. These industry-leading settings allow parents to limit their children's access to video games and movies and manage their activity and communications on Xbox Live. For more information on Family Settings and other safety-enhancing gaming tools and resources, delegates can stop by the Xbox on-site kiosk or visit http://www.xbox.com/isyourfamilyset.

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Now I like the idea of people getting more involved in Politics, I really do. If everyone voted, we'd all see a world fit for us all. But do we honestly want people who wouldn't vote unless the option is presented to them on a blade of their Xbox 360 dashboard being allowed to contribute? I feel some effort should be made, rather than it being a second thought in between bouts of Soul Calibur 4 or whatever floats your boat.

Could this all lead to party political broadcasts in game form? I can just see EA releasing "Democrat Party Manager 2010".

[/img]Manage your own dream team of political professionals. Take on todays tough competition from Republican opposition. Battle it out with your own party to win candidacy, and finally, take the battle to the White House against the Evil Republican leader and win the Cup"

Am I the only one who sees it?

(Please note that I am fully aware you will not be able to ACTUALLY vote, just register to do so. But would you really be surprised after this if that does in fact happen?)

Also, anyone who can create a game cover for 'Democrat Party Manager 2010' gets a gold sticker

Statistically, a LOT of people never played these games. Yet most of them are very critically acclaimed, whilst others shine out despite some average reviews.
The Xbox is probably one of my favourite consoles, up there with Snes and Saturn. There are usually lots of folks who'll say the PS2 had the largest, and therefore best range. Depending on your taste, this may be true, but in all honesty, there are definatly enough Xbox titles out there to have kept you busy since 2002. Yes we all know about Halo, Halo 2, Ninja Gaiden and Forza etc. However, there was a whole wealth of titles aside from these that really deserve to be seen.

So therefore, I have assembled a list which I may add to in future, for those who either now have a 360, and are looking for some budget titles to while away the rest of Summer, or an avid retro collector who has a gap in their shelf. These titles statistically didn't sell awfully well, but still may have been praised by reviewers.

(Please note, Psychonauts will not make it onto this list, as suddenly, everyone claims to own and love it since Yahtzee announced he loves it like a woman)

The Warriors
The unloved movie tie-in



I have previously mentioned this game in my blog. The Warriors was a 1979 cult film which was panned by critics but loved by a growing number. Everything reeked 80's cult; a dilapidated city, hordes of gangs in vibrant costume, violence, blood, tears, and whiny villain with bottles on his fingers. It had awesome pouring out of it.
Nearly thirty years later, Rockstar Toronto give us this little gem. A scrolling beat-em-up which will remind old gamers of Double Dragon, Streets of Rage and the like, The Warriors proudly brought street based scuffing into the twenty-first century with a cocky swagger and all the slick charm of a 1980's synthesizer.
You take control of all of the nine main members of the Warriors, a street gang who call Coney Island there home. You will contend with rival gang the Destroyers, flee in fear from the Baseball Furies, and pick a fight or two with wimpy wannabes the Orphans (who sport shirts with ORPHANS written on in masking tape. Hardcore!)
Like many lesser movie tie-ins, most of The Warriors video game takes place at a different time to its movie counterpart. Unlike those lesser games however, this plot stands up on its own two feet and compells the player to continue with the war.
Most of the gameplay consists of fighting, using anything you can pick up to smash your opponents face in. You will also have to distract cops, robs stores, steal car radios, and mug people. The game shows a real darker element of the Warriors, and what petty criminals they really are. These is especially evident when Cleon, the Warriors leader, molotov cocktails the leader of an opposing gang, and watches him burn. These elements, however, only serve to add to the ending of the film, which shows regret on the part of Swan and the other remaining Warriors.

Compatible with 360: No
Bought for: £2.50 as part of 4 for £10


Broken Sword 3: The Sleeping Dragon
If you want something very different to the Xbox norm



I picked this one up towards the end of the Xbox's lifespan, and it was a very strange breath of fresh air, one that made me cough for a bit and play something else, but eventually, one rainy Sunday, I gave in to the last remaining uncompleted game on the shelf.
Broken Sword is a "point n' click" series of games, which follow Yank lawyer George Stobart, and his French on and off love interest Nico in their ongoing battle with the Templars.
However, be warned that you will not fire a single bullet. In fact, you will only kill one enemy in the whole game. It is a game of patience, exploration, and running back and forth to Gamefaqs to see what the hell you missed.
This aside, the game has a kind of rustic charm with its cheesy dialogue and cardboard cut out villains. Squint, and you could be forgiven for thinking you're playing The Da Vinci Code (not the awful game, but the book).
The game is pretty enough, characters are modelled well, environments are colourful and detailed, and puzzles are simple enough once you learn how the developers think. Before you know it, you'll be smiling slyly to yourself as you set your microwave trap and run off giggling.


I hope you like stereotypes. This fellow's Australian you know...

If you have a place in your heart still for block puzzles and stiff voice acting, then Broken Sword 3 really is a laugh. Pick it up, and you'll soon be foiling everyone from hippies to French roadworkers.

Compatible with 360: No
Bought for: £4 in Game. Probably just as cheap on Ebay


Pariah
The heavily ignored Halo-clone



Now Pariah really REALLY isn't perfect. There are a lot of things that, if you don't know about, will annoy you. But, if like me, you go in not expecting much more than a casual blast in a strange country full of mining equipment, futuristic architecture, and shite loads of trees, then you'll more likely than not enjoy this one.
Pariah is unashamed about how much of a Halo-clone it is. Originally tipped to be a Halokiller, Pariah steals vehicular combat and all the things that made Halo Halo.
However, when compared to Halo 2, Pariah does fall short in many ways. Environments often become repetitive and bland, and you will soon get annoyed at NPC's shouting "It's not you we want, it's the girl"
However, I encourage you to forgive Pariah on several basis.
1) It has a rather cool method of healing yourself: The Healing Tool. As a doctor, you carry around a medical injector which you stab yourself with to feel better. Vision blurs, and soon you'll be right as rain.
2) Weapon upgradesare pretty sweet. One of the best guns in the game is the grenade launcher, which when upgraded, becomes a Remote Grenade Launcher. Laugh to yourself as you watch a squad of hooded idiots stumble onto your little trap, and with a tap of the L-Trigger, its byebye.
3) The game is actually fairly challenging even on the easiest difficulty setting
4) The plot and ending. One of the coolest and unexpected twists in any game ever. I didn't see it coming from a mile away. May leave a lump in your throat.
So, forgive it for its shortcoming, and this is quite a game
Comaptible with 360: Yes
[b]Bought for: £3.98 in Game[b/]

I'm quite a big fan of the House of the Dead games. Well, maybe fan is stretching it. It's certainly not my favourite game series, but I usually will spend a pound if I have a coin spare in the local arcade on House of the Dead 4.
Now there is a tradition that House of the Dead games always make their way to consoles, with House of the Dead 1 being on Saturn, House of the Dead 2 on Dreamcast, and House of the Dead 3 being on Xbox (as well as Wii).

However, there is now news of House of the Dead: Overkill now making its way excusivly to Wii. The game takes a page out of Grindhouse's book for style and plot, and all in all is shapping up to be pretty cool. Players take on the role of that Agent G bloke from House of the Dead 1 and 3 (and also 2, but he is merely a side character who is injured in the first building of the game). There is mention of duel-wielding, and plenty of blood and gore, making it not only one of the mature Wii games, but also potentially one of the prettiest, with 60 fps being a consideration.
But with this news comes some worry. For ages, gaming sites have carried a profile for the Xbox 360 version of House of the Dead 4. Now it appears that this will no longer come to fruition.

In my honest opinion, this sucks.
1. All good consoles have some form of light gun game. Sony have always had Time Crisis. Xbox had Silent Scope and House of the Dead 3. Hell, even Dreamcast had HotD 2, Silent Scope and Confidential Mission.
2. Sure they're not everyones cup of tea, but they're usually good for a casual blast every now and then. I still play House of the Dead 3, which I bought a light gun for at £20.
3. Xbox 360 has little variation on control methods for its games as of yet. PS3 had six axis, and Wii had all their countless additions (table tennis bat, steering wheel, boxing glove, oven mit ect). A new lightgun which reacts to being shook like the light guns in the arcades would be welcome. This technology could then be put to use in a new 360 controller, although it seems Microsoft aren't currently worried about heavy modifications in this area.
4. This will be the only House of the Dead game not to be ported to console.

I would even put up with it being ported to Wii instead of 360, seeing as I eventually plan on picking one up when the 8th Generation looms on the horizon, and consoles drop their prices faster than a hookers knickers. However, currently there is no show. Or any light gun games for 360. Damn