Monthly Archives: February 2016
Bryan Fuller’s Star Trek and Daniel Bryan’s Retirement
Hey guys, Eric and Matt here with a podcast that took -- gasp! -- just a couple of weeks to post since the last one! Join us as we quest to return to a semi-regular, bi-weekly-ish schedule!
This time out, we discuss...
-Bryan Fuller being named the showrunner on the new Star Trek series-Master of None getting renewed for Season 2
-Damon Wayans joining the Lethal Weapon TV pilot
-Hayley Atwell signing onto a new pilot... and the fear that causes for Agent Carter fans
-Jackie Earle Hayley joining Preacher
-Lee Majors joining Ash vs Evil Dead
-Ashley Judd joining Twin Peaks
-AMC ordering a new talk show, Geeking Out, with Kevin Smith and Greg Grunberg
How to Watch the DICE Summit
The DICE Summit in Las Vegas is almost here, and once again features a packed schedule of speakers across all facets of the video game industry.
Highlights this year include Bethesda's Todd Howard, Tomb Raider writer Rhianna Pratchett, and Hideo Kojima in conversation with Guillermo del Toro.
We'll be streaming the Summit (and the DICE Awards) so keep reading for all the info you need regarding the what, when, and where.
You can watch the DICE Summit on these platforms:
Loot Crate Launches Games Specific Service Loot Gaming
The monthly grab bag service for delivered goodies, Loot Crate, has today launched its games-related option for subscribers.
Loot Gaming operates pretty much like Loot Crate's other series of themed collectibles. For $25 a month customers receive "4-6 premium items" based on various series of video games. Most of the items are created specifically for Loot Crate.
So far Loot Crate announced memorabilia from franchises including The Elder Scrolls (Skyrim was cited in particular), Super Mario Bros., Halo, Heroes of the Storm, and Street Fighter.
In addition, subscribers get "a game manual style booklet" detailing the products in each package, as well as a Loot Gaming branded pin. Finally, packages will occasionally contain in-game DLC, though what sort, and for which games, is so far unspecified.
The Simpsons Will Feature a Live Segment With Homer
Homer Simpson will respond live to fan questions during the final three minutes of The Simpsons' May 15, improv-comedy focused episode.
As Homer, voice actor Dan Castellaneta will be "discussing topical subjects and responding to fan questions" during the live segment -- which will air live on the network's East and West Coast broadcasts, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Those hoping to have their questions answered must tweet using "#HomerLive" between May 1-4.
Showrunner Al Jean says the live segment is being made possible by a mocap technology that allows Castellaneta's voice and movements to be quickly translated into animation.
NECA Toys Shows Off Nathan Drake Sackboy Figure
NECA Toys is releasing two new Sackboy action figures this year—Quizzical Sackboy and Nathan Drake Sackboy. The third in the line, Happy Sackboy, is a re-release from the toy company's first wave of Little Big Planet action figures.
Each figure is posable, and stands a little over five inches tall. No price has been announced, though we do know that all three will hit shelves in June.
The first wave of Little Big Planet figures was released last February, and brought Sad Sackboy, Happy Sackboy, and Kratos Sackboy.
NECA Toys had its new Sackboy Nathan Drake alongside its Ultimate Nathan Drake figure at New York Toy Fair this past weekend. NECA's Nathan Drake figure is a bit larger—standing seven inches tall—and will cost around $25.
Multiplayer-Only Version of CoD: Black Ops 3 Available on Steam
Activision is offering a Call of Duty: Black Ops III starter pack that gives players access only to the game's ranked multiplayer mode. The multiplayer starter pack is a limited time offer on Steam, running only until February 29, and selling for $15.
Players who purchase the multiplayer-only version will be able to upgrade to the full version of the game at a reduced price. The pack includes access to public, ranked matches, as well as to the Weapon Paint Shop, Gunsmith, Arena, Freerun, Theater, and Black Market.
The Walking Dead Gets the Honest Trailer Treatment (Again)
A new "Honest Trailer" for The Walking Dead has released, poking fun at Seasons 4 through 6 of AMC's incredibly-popular zombie drama.
The video, created by the folks at Screen Junkies, isn't afraid to lay on the criticism, highlighting the show's predictability, abundance of filler episodes and a whole lot more. The 7-minute clip also pokes fun at the network itself and its use of TWD to promote its lineup of other, lesser-known shows.
Thanks to the show's incredible success, AMC has no intention of ending The Walking Dead anytime soon. In fact, the network said it "would absolutely engage" in a new companion series or future spinoffs in the event creator Robert Kirkman had new ideas.
SEGA Gives Away Jet Set Radio HD and More on Steam
Besides putting much of its catalog on sale SEGA is giving games away completely free on Steam.
The first "Make War Not Love 3" prize bundle includes the HD remake of its still gorgeous Jet Set Radio. In addition installing the pack will gift you with Golden Axe, Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit and its assorted add-ons, as well as a collection of Genesis games.
To unlock the games all you need to do is head to the event's Steam page and click "Install Game." It's worth noting that this seems to be different from the storefront's free weekends, during which specific games can only be played for a limited time.
Life After Deadpool: Ryan Reynolds Heading to Mars
Deadpool's Ryan Reynolds is reportedly in talks to star in Life, a large-scale Skydance Productions film that follows a Mars space mission.
According to Deadline, Reynolds could star in the movie alongside Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation's Rebecca Ferguson. Written by Deadpool scribes Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese—and directed by Safe House's Daniel Espinosa—Life explores "intelligent alien life" on Mars.
The talks have been ongoing, reportedly, since before Deadpool's widespread success.
Deadpool smashed box office records on Friday, landing itself the the title of biggest opening day for an R-rated movie. It's numbers put it among the top 10 comic book movie openings of all time, and higher than any of 20th Century Fox's other X-Men-related films.
Doctors 3D Print Functional Body Parts
3D printing technology has been used to craft everything from toys to food, but its potential application in medical science is arguably one of the most exciting. This weekend, researchers at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine successfully printed living tissue, the first of many important steps towards eventually constructing fully functional human organs.
According to Engadget, head researcher Anthony Atala and his team use the Integrated Organ and Printing System (ITOP) to create living tissue capable of naturally integrating into the body. For example, a 3D printed human ear implanted under the skin of a mouse eventually generated its own blood vessels and cartilage.