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I know what you’re thinking — “Goldarnit, another blasted GTA IV comparison post?!” (And if you are thinking that, well, the 1920s called; they want their mild oaths back.) But I’m happy to report that this post has nothing to do with differences in how GTA IV looks or runs on the PS3 and 360. Instead, it’s about Flickr user Matthew Johnston, who has done a bang-up job (there we go again with the anachronisms) on a set of comparison shots featuring photos of real locations in New York City alongside images from GTA IV.
The Flickr album, entitled “Sightseeing in Liberty City”, features 29 images. There’s also a simple cover with the following text: “Liberty City vs New York City: A photoset showing the similarities between Grand Theft Auto 4 and real life.” If you can’t tell, the image above features New York’s Manhattan Bridge on the left, and its digital doppelgänger, the Algonquin Bridge, on the right.
Johnston explains that he took the original photos of New York about two years ago, and simply took pictures of his TV while playing GTA IV to match the photos. And the side-by-side shots show just how impressive Rockstar’s reincarnation of the Big Apple in GTA IV really is. In particular, check out the picture of the Hearst Tower and the striking wide-angle shot of the Statue of Liberty/Happiness with Lower Manhattan/Algonquin in the background (it even includes fog in both instances!).
You might do a double take or two — that’s how accurate some of them are. The resemblance between Liberty City and New York is uncanny in many of these images, and it really illustrates the tremendous effort that Rockstar put into researching this game. As a New Yorker, I think this is especially cool — in fact, I might even go as far as to say that it’s the bee’s knees. Wouldn’t you?
[Via Flickr – Craig Clark, you’re the cat’s meow!]
11 COMMENTS, LATEST BY MaxVest I don't know why game developers can't do anything original anymore. All they do is copy. - view discussion
Sony has a history of disturbing ads, but this most recent one may even have the power to usurp the infamous PS3 baby commercial for shock value. An ad agency in Vienna for some reason thought that they would take the shadowed image of a man with an attractive body and add something a little bit...opposable. Should you be brave, hit the jump to see the full picture (NSFW!)
This is your usual LOL material as far as the Internet is concerned, but what Thumbcock and the PlayStation 3 have to do with each other definitely eludes me. I want to say it's not a real ad, but its appearance on the Ads of the World Web site scares me. I need more information here.
I scrabbled around the internet trying to see if Sony ever actually commissioned or used this ad, but had no luck. I assume it was either a creative project or a part of a pitch, but regardless it produced a third, unplanned effect, which was to instill nightmares in the hearts of human beings all the world over. Thanks TBWA/Vienna; I will make sure to stay fifty feet away from anything you produce in the near future.
I just received word from a source of mine that SNK Playmore, the Neo-Geo creator responsible for such classic titles as The King of Fighters and Metal Slug, will soon be closing its doors, at least in the US. This summer, the company will officially cease direct sale of its games and will instead see distribution duties go to Ignition USA.
In 2001, the original incarnation of SNK closed as well, with company founder Eikichi Kawasaki investing in a new company known as Playmore. By 2003, Playmore had become SNK Playmore, sometimes just referred to by the original name of SNK. The new distribution plans happened a while back, but it seems like things are a bit more serious.
No word on whether this is just SNKP US or if this affects Japan as well. What I do know is that a lot of SNKP US people are out of a job. Well, pretty much everyone from what I know. We'll let you know more when we hear it.
32 COMMENTS, LATEST BY NihonTiger90 Noooo, we need moar SNK games.
Yes, I know they're not closing, but still... I will miss the SNK Playmore branding. Why do they die and SegaSammy gets to live? WHY?!?!?!?!?! - view discussion
It's time for me to reveal my grand plans! BWUA HA HA! HA! I know, I sound a bit too much like Dr. Evil. But my original headline "Why am I here?" sounded like a philosophical question, something your religion professor may ask between puffs of wacky weed. Like that scene from Animal House. That was John Holmes right? I like Dr. Evil more.
Anyways, what I'm referring to specifically is "What is Dr. Boa doing here on Destructoid?" Why would an industry insider be interested in blogging? Especially considering I don't get paid for it, nor will I get fame from it. That's the problem with using a fake name. Let's just say I haven't played doctor since 2nd grade.
So after much deliberation, I have finally decided to explain my purpose for being here.
80 COMMENTS, LATEST BY topgeargorilla If it's Cliffy B (or anybody from the more mature realm of gaming), I double triple dare you to make something cool and mature for the Wii. When people in the industry complain about the Wii not ... - view discussion
A new Viva Piñata? Yes, the word has been floating around, but THQ nailed it for us today with an official announcement: the game will be called Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise and will come to the Nintendo DS this fall. Gardening on the go, huh? I would have laughed at that idea a few years ago, but that was before Viva Piñata sank its addictive claws into thousands of Xbox 360 owners across the globe...
Not surprisingly, the DS touch screen will be heavily implemented, placing the player in charge of reviving neglected Piñata Island and turning it into a garden of paradise. The game will introduce seven new species of piñatas, not to mention the usual chores of keeping the garden and breeding your adorable friends. Yes, Viva fans, it looks like in-game animal humping will be back. I know you've all been waiting for this.
A new mode called Playground has also been added; it allows players to create a blooming garden full of piñatas in a short amount of time. Portable speed mating? I suppose only time will tell. More on this title as soon as the details sprout (horrible, I know, but how could I resist?).
20 COMMENTS, LATEST BY Kyousuke Nanbu Oh crap, I was insanely addicted to Viva Pinata for the 360, now you're telling me I'm getting a portable version?
There goes work productivity :( - view discussion
We've been talking about Penny Arcade's upcoming game On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness since way back last year, long enough ago that I had actually forgotten about it a little. After all, six months in real-life time is 500 years in Internet chronicles. Luckily, I had a reminder today in the form of nearly instant gratification: the game hits XBLA next week!
If you forgot too, I'll refresh you: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness is an episodic RPG title featuring Gabe and Tycho of Penny Arcade fame on a quest through the 1920s to save...well, we aren't sure what they're out to save, exactly, but it's pretty much assured we'll be laughing the whole way, whatever it is.
The game debuts on May 21st and will cost 1600 points to download on XBLA (it can also be purchased for $19.95 for PC, Mac or Linux). Go download some wallpapers from the official site in the meantime and get ready -- this is gonna be good. In fact, I think I feel a yard sale coming on.
33 COMMENTS, LATEST BY akathatoneguy @ coffeesash, njsykora
Can either of you link to these reviews you've found? I haven't found any whatsoever. - view discussion
So, Nuts & Bolts – I guess that is the official name now. Let’s all pour out a 40 for Banjo-Threeie. I think we all secretly wanted it to be called that.
Let me just save you all the trouble and yell out a collective “ARGH!” If you are like me, you are more than confused by the strange new direction this upcoming Banjo-Kazooie sequel (?) is taking. I was more excited than words for it as of last week, but after seeing the leaked screens and now this gameplay trailer ... I just don’t know.
I am going to give Rare the benefit of the doubt, though, and not pass judgment until I can get my hands on the game. And I have to say, I love the music. Like, a lot.
But then there is the very questionable framerate. And the overly busy graphics. And that strange new look for Grunty. And the seemingly heavy focus on vehicular combat. What is vehicular combat doing in my Banjo-Kazooie game? For every little thing I like (it looks like Mumbo Jumbo is back!) there seems to be five things I don’t.
And what the heck is up with Banjo and Kazooie blasting the head off that Mario structure at the end of the trailer? That is just effed up and seriously weird.
What do you all think? Am I just being overdramatic because I was hyping the game up too much, or do I really have cause for concern? Don’t mess up my precious baby, Rare! Please.
124 COMMENTS, LATEST BY Elrando Wow, on any given day the majority of people will bitch about there only being shooters and racing games on the 360. Now a platformer with the potential to be original and inventive comes along, ... - view discussion
I don't have to ask you if you remember the Nintendo Entertainment System classic, Technos' Super Dodge Ball. Of course you do. And you probably already know that Aksys Games is lining up Super Dodgeball Brawlers, their update to the classic, for a spring 2008 release. But what you didn't know about is that Aksys is endorsing a collection of music that pays tribute to the music of the original game.
No Balls, No Glory is an internet EP release by The Bad Dudes, a multinational group of musicians that releases covers of video game music. This release contains 16 remixed songs from Kazuo Sawa's original score for the 1989 NES game, all arranged with each dodge ball team's country of origin in mind.
Project Producer Mustin said, "I'm excited about releasing this project in conjunction with Aksys games and their Brawlers release. I hope the music pays suitable tribute to the Super Dodge Ball video game we all played as kids."
This collection of music will be used by video game software developer Aksys Games in promotion of Super Dodgeball Brawlers, which will be released on May 27th, 2008 for a MSRP of $29.99.
What are you waiting for? Listen to or download the EP at NoBallsNoGlory.net.
25 COMMENTS, LATEST BY Knives Just listened to a couple of them, downloading right now and will listen to it all once i get back from classes :).
Also, OMGAAAAAWD it's Dale NOOOOOOORTH :O!!! - view discussion
Square Enix's newest trademark, filed May 2nd, is named "The Last Hope." But what is it? I don't think we've heard that name before.
Siliconera has a guess, though I don't know if see eye-to-eye with Spencer on this one. They think it may be the name for a localized Nanashi no Game (Nameless Game), a horror DS title about a cursed RPG. It would be great to see an English-language version of this title, but the names don't seen to match up.
I think it's something else completely. Siliconera's readers have begun guessing in the post's comments, and I like some of the possibilities there. So far, I like Torneko: The Last Hope and a possible renaming of The Last Remnant. Of course, you could think of reasons why these don't fit either. It could just be a protective trademark, but what fun would that be?
What's for certain is that the name sucks! Isn't it too similar to "Final Fantasy" as far as meanings go?
