Yeah, Yeah, I know E3 was this week, and why arn’t there any posts?  simple reason, 18 billion other sites with the same news.  So I thought I would wait until this weekend to be able to compile all the news from E3 into one simple easy to read post.    Though I can tell you this.. Microsoft had some pretty cool things coming out of the pipe, Sony seemed to be like ‘well we’ve got cool stuff coming soon.. maybe.. don’t forget us, ok?’  and Nintendo’s was like ‘Hey, we’ve got a new mic.. for online.. which we didn’t want to support in the first place.’

So I’ll tally everything up and go from there.. Personally I would suspect all of the mains to dogged this year.

It’s being reported around the ‘Net that the WII is the top selling console now.
anyone that’s been watching the numbers and information floating around would have already known that over ~6 months ago, or pretty much since the WII was released.   Just because the ‘numbers’ prove it now, now it’s news?

Well this is a turn of events.  Even though FlagShip studios has been reported to have closed it’s doors for the past 3-4 days, NOW Bill Roper (CEO to Flagship) has come out saying, We’re not dead yet.. we only needed to layoff most of our workforce.

Though the good news of this story is if you paid for the game; you’re now playing for free, but Flagship is no longer taking new subscribers.

Now what this is telling me is, like I said before, that Flagship bite off more then it could chew.  Promising the world and only delivering about 30% of it.  The game concept was flawed, the execution of the game play was very flawed and the lack of people signing up said that.   Though 1 million subscribers also states that the game was starting to come into its own. 

But the bottom line is all investors know and care about.  they don’t understand how long it can take to make a good game these days because all of us want flashy graphics, real-time Internet support and all these bells and whistles that really don’t mean much of anything but we’ve been programmed to expect it.  Gone are the days where 3 people can make a game to earn enough money to buy a Ferrari.. in a different color.. one for each day of the week.  (yeah Romano.. )

But even with the best game, if you can’t turn around a profit in time in the numbers you’ve promised your investors your game goes down the tube.

So I guess the real question here is what killed Flagship?  Bad Games?  Bad management?  Investors that just didn’t believe in their product anymore?

The full track list for Rock Band 2 was released today at E3.
Over 85 songs, all master tracks.

1. AC/DC “Let There Be Rock” 1970s
2. AFI “Girl’s Gone Grey” 2000’s
3. Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know” 1990’s
4. Alice in Chains “Man in the Box” 1990’s
5. Allman Brothers “Ramblin’ Man” 1970’s
6. Avenged Sevenfold “Almost Easy” 2000’s
7. Bad Company “Shooting Star” 1970’s
8. Beastie Boys “So Whatcha Want” 1990’s
9. Beck “E-Pro” 2000’s
10. Bikini Kill “Rebel Girl” 1990’s
11. Billy Idol “White Wedding Pt. I” 1980’s
12. Blondie “One Way or Another” 1970’s
13. Bob Dylan “Tangled Up in Blue” 1970’s
14. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” 1980’s
15. Cheap Trick “Hello There” 1970’s
16. Devo “Uncontrollable Urge” 1980’s
17. Dinosaur Jr. “Feel the Pain” 1990’s
18. Disturbed “Down with the Sickness” 2000’s
19. Dream Theater “Panic Attack” 2000’s
20. Duran Duran “Hungry Like the Wolf” 1980’s
21. Elvis Costello “Pump It Up” 1970’s
22. Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way” 1970’s
23. Foo Fighters “Everlong” 1990’s
24. Guns N’ Roses “Shackler’s Revenge” 2000’s
25. Interpol “PDA” 2000’s
26. Jane’s Addiction “Mountain Song” 1980’s
27. Jethro Tull “Aqualung” 1970’s
28. Jimmy Eat World “The Middle” 2000’s
29. Joan Jett “Bad Reputation” 1980’s
30. Journey “Anyway You Want It” 1970’s
31. Judas Priest “Painkiller” 1990’s
32. Kansas “Carry On Wayward Son” 1970’s
33. L7 “Pretend We’re Dead” 1990’s
34. Lacuna Coil “Our Truth” 2000’s
35. Linkin Park “One Step Closer” 2000’s
36. Lit “My Own Worst Enemy” 1990’s
37. Lush “De-Luxe” 1990’s
38. Mastodon “Colony of Birchmen” 2000’s
39. Megadeth “Peace Sells” 1980’s
40. Metallica “Battery” 1980’s
41. Mighty Mighty Bosstones “Where’d You Go” 1990’s
42. Modest Mouse “Float On” 2000’s
43. Motorhead “Ace of Spades” 1980’s
44. Nirvana “Drain You” 1990’s
45. Norman Greenbaum “Spirit in the Sky” 1960’s
46. Panic at the Disco “Nine in the Afternoon” 2000’s
47. Paramore “That’s What You Get” 2000’s
48. Pearl Jam “Alive” 1990’s
49. Presidents of the USA “Lump” 1990’s
50. Rage Against the Machine “Testify” 1990’s
51. Ratt “Round & Round” 1980’s
52. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Give it Away” 1990’s
53. Rise Against “Give it All” 2000’s
54. Rush “The Trees” 1970’s
55. Silversun Pickups “Lazy Eye” 2000’s
56. Smashing Pumpkins “Today” 1990’s
57. Social Distortion “I Was Wrong” 1990’s
58. Sonic Youth “Teenage Riot” 1980’s
59. Soundgarden “Spoonman” 1990’s
60. Squeeze “Cool for Cats” 1970’s
61. Steely Dan “Bodhitsattva” 1970’s
62. Steve Miller Band “Rock’n Me” 1970’s
63. Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” 1980’s
64. System of a Down “Chop Suey” 2000’s
65. Talking Heads “Psycho Killer” 1970’s
66. Tenacious D “Master Exploder” 2000’s
67. Testament “Souls of Black” 1990’s
68. The Donnas “New Kid in School” 2000’s
69. The Go-Go’s “We Got the Beat” 1980’s
70. The Grateful Dead “Alabama Getaway” 1980’s
71. The Guess Who “American Woman” 1970’s
72. The Muffs “Kids in America” 1990’s
73. The Offspring “Come Out & Play (Keep ‘em Separated)” 1990’s
74. The Replacements “Alex Chilton” 1980’s
75. The Who “Pinball Wizard” 1960’s
Bonus Artist Bonus Song Title Decade
76. Abnormality “Visions” 2000’s
77. Anarchy Club “Get Clean” 2000’s
78. Bang Camaro “Night Lies” 2000’s
79. Breaking Wheel “Shoulder to the Plow” 2000’s
80. The Libyans “Neighborhood” 2000’s
81. The Main Drag “A Jagged Gorgeous Winter” 2000’s
82. Speck “Conventional Lover” 2000’s
83. The Sterns “Supreme Girl” 2000’s
84. That Handsome Devil “Rob the Prez-O-Dent” 2000’s

[Joystiq.com] has a number of articles dealing with this law suit, and had this to say:

Here at Joystiq, we weren’t too surprised when Konami decided to jump on the legal bandwagon by bringing a lawsuit against the makers of Rock Band for patent infringement. After all, the rhythm game has made roughly a gazillion dollars and has component parts that bear at least a passing resemblance to Konami games like Guitar Freaks and DrumMania (not to mention Karaoke Revolution, which Harmonix helped develop, and the upcoming Rock Revolution). That said, we’re not the ones being sued, so our relative shock at the suit doesn’t really matter. That said …
“Konami’s actions are extremely surprising,” an MTV Games spokesperson told MTV News regarding the suit. “Unfortunately, successful products such as Rock Band can often become targets for baseless litigation. We have substantial defenses to this claim and intend to vigorously defend it.”
The full interview includes more details about the lawsuit and information on the actual patents that Konami claims are being violated. Any budding legal eagles out there want to check them out and give an informed opinion on the merits of the suit?

—————————————————————-

Makes me wonder why they are doing this now?  I mean really, the GH series has been round for a while.. why bring this suit now?

Yeah, ok.. so like this is a little late.  But the [The Wall Street Journal] has confirmed a price cut to the Xbox 360 PRO model down to $299.    So now there’s no excuse if you don’t own one.

the track list has been released for the game shipping on 6/29/08.

Tier 1:
Getting the Band Together (Nipmuc High School)
All the Young Dudes by Mott the Hoople (cover)
Draw the Line by Aerosmith
Dream Police by Cheap Trick
Make It by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
Uncle Salty by Aerosmith

Tier 2:
First Taste of Success (Max s Kansas City)
All Day and All of the Night by The Kinks (cover)
I Hate Myself for Loving You by Joan Jett
Movin Out by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
No Surprize by Aerosmith
Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith

Tier 3:
The Triumphant Return (The Orpheum)
Complete Control by The Clash
Livin on the Edge by Aerosmith
Love in an Elevator by Aerosmith
Personality Crisis by New York Dolls (cover)
Rag Doll by Aerosmith

Tier 4:
International Superstars (Moscow)
Bright Light Fright by Aerosmith
King of Rock by Run-D.M.C.
Nobody s Fault by Aerosmith
She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult
Walk This Way by Run-D.M.C., featuring Aerosmith

Tier 5:
The Great American Band (Half Time Show)
Always on the Run by Lenny Kravitz
Back in the Saddle by Aerosmith
Beyond Beautiful by Aerosmith
Dream On by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
Hard to Handle by The Black Crowes (cover)

Tier 6:
Rock N Roll Legends (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)
Cat Scratch Fever by Ted Nugent
Mama Kin by Aerosmith (re-recorded)
Sex Type Thing by Stone Temple Pilots
Toys In The Attic by Aerosmith
Train Kept A Rollin by Aerosmith
Guitar Battle vs Joe Perry by Joe Perry

Bonus Songs (The Vault)
Combination by Aerosmith
Kings and Queens by Aerosmith
Let The Music Do The Talking by Aerosmith
Mercy by Joe Perry
Pandora s Box by Aerosmith
Pink by Aerosmith
Rats In The Cellar by Aerosmith
Shakin My Cage by Joe Perry
Talk Talkin by Joe Perry
Walk This Way by Aerosmith

A Public Service Announcement for all gamers.

Warcry reports that Star Trek Online has been cancelled. Well, not officially cancelled, but the company that used to be called Perpetual and used to have the license to make Star Trek Online had to give back the license. Some other company could now restart developing the game, but they won’t get any existing code from Perpetual.

Scott Jennings calls it an impossible license. But apparently the reasons for Perpetual giving up the license are less about design possibilities, and more about financial possibilities. Perpetual already cancelled Gods & Heroes which was already in the beta and had pre-order boxes shipped to retailers. And they did some clever legal and financial engineering, including creating a new company, P2 Entertainment, and transferring all their assets including the Star Trek Online license to that new entity. People who were owed money by the old Perpetual sued them over that move. Investors had to write off their investments, as the old Perpetual went bankrupt.

For us players all that just means that we won’t see a Star Trek Online game before 2015, if ever.

[Edit: Rumors have it that the new STO developer will be Cryptic Studios.]

[Via Tobolds]

[1/18/07 Update]

P2 Entertainment To Lay Off Star Trek Online Dev Team Today

Dana Massey posted on 17 Jan 2008 3:11 pm

P2 Entertainment will officially lay off members of the Star Trek Online development team this afternoon, according to multiple sources at the company. The news comes as no surprise after reports earlier this week that they had suspended development.

In cooperation with P2, Cryptic Studios interviewed members of the Star Trek Online development team at Cryptic’s Los Gatos office Tuesday for positions on unannounced projects. They had no comment on reports that they would take on the game and license.

P2 did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

[Via WarCry]

[06/13/08 Update]

[Play.tm] is reporting that Cryptic Studios (makers of City of Heros) has a new MMO in the works and will be announced to the public on July 27th. It’s still pure rumor that Cryptic Studios picked up the Star Trek MMO license after Perpetual had to sell it (read above).   However, things are looking up for a possible Star Trek MMO.

The world of gaming.. it does make you want to break out into song from time to time.