Category: News

All the news that is news

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Awesome: Bungie’s Destiny Will Be Revealed Sunday

Destiny

We’ve been hearing tidbits about Destiny for a long time. It’s the first thing that Bungie has done since spinning off and leaving Halo is others hands and needless to say I –and every other gamer on the planet– am pretty excited to see what they’ve come up with.

They’ve kept a pretty tight lid on things, but they’ve [announced via facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=398946153534028&set=a.398946146867362.88374.356414807787163&type=1) that we’ll start getting info this coming Sunday, 17th of February.

You can pretty much pick your poison for finding out, Bungie has set up Destiny [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/Bungie), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Bungie), [Google+](https://plus.google.com/+bungie), [YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/user/Bungie) as well as a [new section on their forums](http://www.bungie.net/en-US/View/community/Forum/Topics?tg=%23destiny0).

Anyone else crazy excited???

[source: [polygon](http://www.polygon.com/2013/2/12/3981140/bungies-destiny-reveal-coming-feb-17)]

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Awesome: Please Let Today’s Star Wars Rumour Be True

Oh, man. There seems to be a new Star Wars rumour every day – this week alone has suggested origin movies for Han Solo and Yoda – but today’s is so good that I’m just praying that this one turns out to be true.

An Australian radio show is quoting a reliable source that insists the main baddie in JJ Abrams’ new Star Wars will definitely be…John Noble, AKA Walter Bishop from Fringe.

This guy
This guy

If you’ve seen him as the evil alternate Walter or his character in *Lord Of The Rings* then you’ll know how deliciously evil he can be without turning his character into a pantomime stereotype. Exactly what Episode VII needs. So, while I’m pretty sure that 99.999% of all the current *Star Wars* rumours will prove to be completely false, I’m hoping against hope that this one happens.

*Via [io9](http://io9.com/5982377/could-fringes-john-noble-really-be-playing-the-villain-of-star-wars-episode-vii?utm_source=kotaku.com&utm_medium=recirculation&utm_campaign=recirculation0)*

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Awesome: A Look at How The Steam Box Will Redefine Consoles

Valve

[T.C. Sottek Writing for The Verge](http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/6/3958162/valve-steam-box-cake):

> Valve is trying to build a game console that you haven’t seen before: something that brings the PC (the big thing sitting on your desk) and the traditional console (the little thing sitting under your TV) together into a single device. A device that will run Valve’s Steam platform: the biggest digital game distribution service on the market, with upwards of 50 million users. (By comparison, Xbox Live has somewhere around 40 million subscribers.) But what does that really mean?

> […]

> Based on what Valve has told us, its Steam box will — like a console — be something small and quiet that you can fit near your television while you kick back on the couch with a wireless controller. Like a PC, it will let you buy and download your games as many times as you want without needing any discs, and choose from a vast library of free game customizations. The Steam Box will also include a few unique twists, like controllers that can passively sense your feelings (biometrics), and wireless technology that can connect the console to several rooms and screens in your house at the same time.

> Valve is shopping for the right ingredients — the features, parts, and partners — to make the Steam Box a reality. But why would a software company like Valve, known for its game-making chops, want to bake its own consoles and controllers? Let’s look back at 2012 to find out.

It’s a long article so be sure to get comfy before you sit down to read, but do sit down to read because it’s a nice rundown of everything that seems to be going on.

I, for one, can’t wait for this thing.

[source: [the verge](http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/6/3958162/valve-steam-box-cake)]

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Awesome: Monty Python to (mostly) Reunite for SciFi Film with Robin Williams

Monty Python

From [Variety](http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118049265/):

> Members of Monty Python’s Flying Circus are reteaming for “Absolutely Anything,” a sci-fi farce combining CGI and live action, with Terry Jones to direct and Mike Medavoy to produce.

> Plans are for filming to begin in the U.K. this spring, with the Pythons voicing key roles as a a group of aliens who endow an earthling with the power to do “absolutely anything” to see what a mess he’ll make of things — which is precisely what happens. There’s also a talking dog named Dennis who seems to understand more about the mayhem that ensues than anyone else does. Robin Williams will voice the character.

> “It’s not a Monty Python picture, but it certainly has that sensibility,” Jones told Variety.

Not all the Pythons are on board of course. Eric Idle is yet to sign on and Graham Chapman is, you know, dead. Still even if it’s not a Python film proper it’ll be amazing to see them… wait, hear them. It’ll be amazing to hear them all back together again.

The addition of Robin Williams will be an interesting one as well, his rather manic style may fit in either perfectly or terribly. My question is will they cast Eddie Izzard in any roles?

Either way, this should hopefully be something to look forward to.

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Awesome: Chris Pratt Cast as Star Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy

20130205-164855.jpg

Holy crap Chris Pratt has been cast as Star Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy. From [Deadline](http://m.deadline.com/2013/02/chris-pratt-getting-guardians-of-the-galaxy-lead/):

> After a long search, Marvel Studios has found its lead for its next big superhero franchise, the James Gunn-directed Guardians Of The Galaxy. I hear the role will go to Chris Pratt, the Moneyball star who bulked up and played one of the hero Navy SEALs in Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty. The role is Star-Lord, the Guardians leader who is the offspring of a human mother and an alien father. A puffier Pratt plays Andy Dwyer on the NBC series Parks And Recreation. He certainly has the charisma to hold the screen.

This is most definitely good news. Chris Pratt is one of the best parts of Parks and Rec, and he has been a great supporting player in Moneyball, Zero Dark Thirty and everything else I’ve seen him in. He’s got the bulk and badassery cred from ZDT as well as the comic timing so I think this is going to work out well. In fact he might be a perfect fit for James Gunn’s style.

Plus the big rumour is that Iron Man will head into space at some point during Iron Man 3 and potentially meet the guardians, so maybe we’ll get to see him this summer instead of waiting for next.

Sweet.

[via: [badass digest](http://badassdigest.com/2013/02/05/chris-pratt-is-the-lead-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy)]

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Awesome: Ouya to be Available at Retail in June for 99$ USD

20130205-004442.jpg

Good news everyone! Ouya, the Kickstarter backed android powered hackers delight game console, is going to be sold at retail staring this June. So far the list includes Best Buy, Target, GameStop and Amazon. It’ll be 99$ and 49$ for an extra controller. The controller, in case you’re not aware, includes a touchpad in addition to analogue sticks, buttons and d-pad, which is pretty cool (although given the Android OS makes total sense).

Kickstarter backers and preorders will be fulfilled sooner (and preorders open up this week), so if you want to get one early there’s your chance.

There’s a lot to be said about the Ouya. Cheap and easy to mod and develop for, like I said above its a hackers delight. I think my favourite thing from the article is this quote though:

> **WSJ: What’s to stop other developers for using the controllers for other devices, like Apple TV?**

> UHRMAN: We are okay with that. One of the promises of being open is you can use what we build for other things. But you can create accessories and peripherals for our device as well. At the end of the day, it makes our ecosystem richer.

No matter what you think you gotta admit that’s a pretty refreshing outlook after dealing with companies like Microsoft and Sony and Apple.

[source: [the Wall Street journal](http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/02/05/ouya-finds-a-friend-with-amazon/) via [polygon](http://www.polygon.com/2013/2/5/3953788/ouya-to-sell-on-amazon-gamestop-target-and-best-buy-for-99-99-pre)]

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Awesome: “Star Citizen” Spaceships Are So, So Shiny

Hot *damn*. Ever since I read an article about specialist [Lego spaceships](http://kotaku.com/5901269/my-favourite-spaceships-in-the-world-arent-in-games-or-movies-but-lego/gallery/1) on Kotaku, I’ve been increasingly drawn to fantastic spacecraft art. And now, also on Kotaku, is a [collection of ship designs by Kemp Remillard]( http://kotaku.com/5981685/badass-90s-starfighter-design-lives-on) for the upcoming *Star Citizen* – and they’re all fantastic. A few of the cutaways are already calling for the print-and-frame treatment:

Spaceships

 

 

*Star Citizen* is the latest game by Chris Roberts, designer of Wing Commander, a game that Matt [rather likes](https://awesomefriday.ca/2013/01/awesome-classics-wing-commander-1990/). Hopefully the game will be as spectacular as the ships and the space trading simulation genre will get a much-needed shot in the arm.

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Awesome: New G.I. Joe Cobra Special Forces Viral Campaign

Cobra Special Forces

A new G.I. Joe: Retaliation viral campaign has started and they want to recruit you to Cobra. Check out the video:

If you head to the recruiting website, [CobraSpecialForces.com](http://www.cobraspecialforces.com) there is a listing of events near you like Tough Mudders, Kid Rock Concerts, WWE Events, and all kinds of stuff where you can “see if you have what it takes”.

You gotta admit, it’s a pretty cool campaign. And I always wondered where the bad guys got their hordes of faceless soldiers to inevitably end up dying at the hands of the good guys.

[source:[slashfilm](http://www.slashfilm.com/g-i-joe-retaliation-viral-marketing-begins-with-cobra-recruiting-video/)]

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Awesome: PS3 exclusive “The Last Of Us” sounds amazing

[Eurogamer](http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-04-the-last-of-us-preview) has published an extensive preview of The Last Of Us, the PS3 swansong by Uncharted makers Naughty Dog. It sounds like it’s got all the spit and polish of the adventure series, with an added element of survival horror, but without any of the linear hand-holding that dogged Drake’s Deception:

Having proven so adept at telling its own stories, The Last of Us feels like a Naughty Dog game that finally allows players to tell their own, offering a space in which there’s a palpable sense of terror and a broad set of possibilities. Late in the play-through, we get to craft one of our own. With one bullet left in the stock of Joel’s shotgun and a single freshly crafted molotov in his backpack, we’re presented with a room with three creepers and a single runner; a grisly puzzle that plays out with grim results. The shotgun shell’s used to kill the runner at the far end of the room, the Molotov used to disperse the two creepers standing side-by-side while the final creeper’s seen off with a flurry of desperate hand-to-hand blows.

After the slightly disappointing aftertaste left by the aforementioned Uncharted 3, this has the potential to be one of the games that defines this generation, coming right before the PS3 becomes superseded. I *love* a good third-person adventure game, so this has me very, very excited.

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Awesome: Directors Guild of America Awards Winners Announced

Argo

With all this hoopla about the Super Bowl I forgot to talk about the Directors Guild Awards. The big winner this year is _Argo_ director Ben Affleck. So far he and his film have locked up Best Picture _and_ Director at the Golden Globes, Best Ensemble at the SAG Awards, Best Picture at the Producers Guild Awards. So yeah, the Oscar is pretty much Argo’s to lose at this point but bear in mind that while the film itself is up for Best Picture at the Oscars Affleck isn’t up for Best Director.

Rian Johnson, that of Looper (one of our favourite films here at the Awesome Friday HQ) also won an award in the dramatic series category for directing an episode of Breaking Bad. Which is kind of awesome. It’s the second time he’s directed an episode of Breaking Bad and only the second time he has directed something he didn’t write. I just hope he makes another film soon so he can win for that.

Also severely awesome, Lena Dunham won for directing the pilot episode of her fantastic series _Girls_. We haven’t talked about Girls much around here but we really should. It’s a great series, and one that feels both raw and honest about being young, living in the city, and figuring your shit out. Lena Dunham is the creator and head writer and producer and she’s well deserving of all the accolades she keeps receiving for it.

[You can check out the full list of winners at the DGA Website](http://www.dga.org/Awards/Annual.aspx).

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Awesome: The LA Noire blooper reel is unbelievable

Holy shit. Rockstar has released [this video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1va8FxBl7Cg) showing the amazing level of detail present in the Team Bondi motion capture. Watch as the actors fluff their lines and the rest of the cast react, all perfectly captured and recreated in their respective characters. There’s rumours that Rockstar has incorporated this technology into GTA V, so I’m really looking forward to how it’s evolved.

As for now, I just need to find the will to play LA Noire.

**Update:** Here’s an embed!

_-Matt_

Via [Kotaku](http://kotaku.com/5981281/you-will-not-believe-youre-watching-this-la-noire-blooper-reel)

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Awesome: Watch the Premiere Episode of House of Cards for Free

House of Cards

Netflix paid a metric boat load of cash for House of Cards and so naturally they want as many people as possible to see it. To that end, they’ve made the first episode available for anyone to watch, regardless of whether you have a subscription, which is pretty cool.

The first episode is directed by David Fincher, and the cast is star studded, so I’m guessing there are worse things you could spend an hour watching. It’s obvious they want you to sign up to watch the rest but you know what? Netflix is only 8 bucks a month. Worth it.

Watch this space over the next few days, I’m going to be watching the whole series and talking about it in chunks (probably 3-4 episodes at a time) as I do.

Meanwhile, relax and enjoy your flight.

[Watch Chapter 1 of House of Cards on Netflix](http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/House_of_Cards/70178217)

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Awesome: Playstation 4 about to be announced?

[Eurogamer](http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-01-next-playstation-believed-to-be-unveiled-on-february-20) has received word from Sony about a ‘business update’ set for February 20th and are pretty sure it will the official announcement of their next-gen console. Or, most likely, it’ll be “look for something cool at E3”. Here their supporting non-committal video to get your interested piqued:

[PS4?](http://youtu.be/d-3GMHIgR-U)

So this month has Metal Gear Solid: Rising on the 19th, new Playstation announcement on the 20th and I complete my 36th cycle around the sun on the 21st. Not bad, February. Not bad.

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Awesome: New Trailers for Iron Man 3 and others coming Superbowl Sunday

Iron Man 3

Unless you’re from some alternate dimension you’re aware that advertising at the Superbowl is kind of a big deal. Well this year is no different.

Premiering this Sunday during the game will be new trailers for Iron Man 3, The Lone Ranger, Oz the Great and Powerful, and at least a few more.

They’re sure to hit the web the day of so when that happens we’ll get them posted along with a breakdown of what we see in each one.

In the mean time, here’s the teaser for the trailer for Iron Man 3 that will be debuting at the Superbowl.

[source: [Slashfilm](http://www.slashfilm.com/super-bowl-teases-iron-man-3-the-lone-ranger-oz-the-great-and-powerful-and-more/), [Marvel](http://marvel.com/news/story/20031/iron_man_3_gets_new_poster_game_spot_teaser)]

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Awesome: Duncan Jones to direct Warcraft

World of Warcraft

From [The Hollywood Reporter](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/warcraft-movie-lands-source-code-416956):

> Duncan Jones is making the jump to big-budget tentpole movies, signing on to direct Warcraft, Legendary Pictures’ live-action adaptation of Blizzard Entertainment’s video game universe.

> […]

> Taking an almost kitchen-sink approach to fantasy, Warcraft, which has grown to be one of the most popular multiplayer online role-playing games out there, is part fantasy, part science fiction and — depending on the game you’re playing — includes elements such as dragons and orcs, zombies and werewolves, and aliens and spaceships.
Legendary is keeping its script, written by Charles Leavitt, under wraps. The Warner Bros.-based production and finance outfit is eyeing a fall 2013 start and a 2015 release.

Duncan Jones has already made a good movie and an OK movie. The former, the brilliant _Moon_ starring Sam Rockwell and the latter _Source Code_ starring Jake Gyllenhall. Both had strong characters and performances though and those are the things that something like Warcraft needs. There’s plenty of story in Warcraft and there’s plenty of places to go with it. What’s going to make a movie in that world compelling isn’t the story or the spectacle of it all but rather the characters, and Duncan Jones is good at that kind of movie. Kind of like how Joss Whedon did with The Avengers.

Colour me excited.