Last Day for The Humble Indie Bundle!

Don’t you just <3 indie game devs? So nice of them to give us the option to pay what we want AND give to charitable causes?!?!

If you have some funds to giveth and don’t mind getting 6 quality games in return, hurry up and hit up The Humble Indie Bundle hosted by indie devs Wolfire Games. The hours are ticking down…

As you can see in the top image, the following games are included in the package:

• World of Goo
• Aquaria
• Gish
• Lugaru HD
• Penumbra: Overture
• Samrost 2

You can also opt to donate all or some of your monies to two charities:

• Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) – proponents for digital rights
• Child’s Play – collects and donates video games, toys, and other entertainment for needy children in hosipitals across the country and beyond.

It’s a win win any way you slice it. I really think it’s a slick idea as well as a slick implementation in terms of the actual site. It’s also fun to see real time stats, which currently show Linux users are comfortably in the lead when it comes to average contributions, with Mac in 2nd, and PC in last (come on PC users! we’re not that cheap… right? ).

Cat Shit One – Incoming August ’10!!!

After continually being told to “Keep our eyes on!” at Cat Shit One’s Official Site, there was FINALLY an update last Friday regarding the status of the much anticipated series. With practically no updates since it’s initial announcement and estimated early 2010 release… which is far gone, I was beginning to think the worse: massive delay or cancellation. However, according to ANN, we should be able to expect the first episode, out of a planned 12,  come this August. YAY! It didn’t die!

For those who are unaware, Cat Shit One is an animated adaptation by Studio Anima of the manga series (Apocalypse Meow, Cat Shit One ’80) by Motofumi Kobayashi. Each iteration takes place in a different militaristic era, and in the case of Cat Shit One: The Animated Series, the setting seems to be post-Gulf War 1991.

Speaking from experience with the manga, they really do present a unique way of portraying war through characters that take the form of analogous animals (cute as they may be, the tone is quite serious). Seeing the characters “live” and on screen should really be a treat.

Check out the manga if you can, and watch the (rawesome) PV after the jump. Read more »

Wha? There’s Reason to Step Foot in Kmart: FFXIII, Bayonetta, AvsP, MW2, Darksiders, Metro 2033 for $29.99 – Nier for $44.99

Ya, that store.

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t been inside of a Kmart in years, even though there is one right down the street from me. For whatever reason, it fades back in to a hazy fog in the shopping center, and I continually ignore it. Not today however!

The often overlooked department store put up a game sale yesterday, which runs from 5/4 – 5/10.  There are some pretty noteworthy games included, and discounts are valid both in-store as well as online. Check out the full list after the jump. Read more »

Spring is Here – Kojima Gets Poetic

Kojima-san posts some interesting, quirky, and insightful things on his twitter. Just thought I’d share the imagery and poetry he posted inspired by the start of the Cherry Blossom Festival.

If I were to compare myself to a cherry blossom… if I were a cherry blossom, I would fully bloom, and readily…gracefully fall from the tree. I should be more resplendent near spring, and be more sublime when I blossom. But, I can’t fall from the tree when I’m so tired and atrophied. So I am still OK. I am still not ready to be finished. I am not sad even if Spring doesn’t come.

K-1′s Not Immune to the Touhou Invasion

Ohhh yeeeeah! Let the flamboyant K-1 entrances begin!

Home to flashy, choreographed, and ultimately entertaining entrances, K-1 has been touched by Touhou. That’s right, and it’s brought to us in the form of none other than the “Cosplay Fighter,” Yuichiro “Jienotsu” Nagashima.

Now, clearly this is not his first foray in to cosplay as he often enjoys dressing up as his favorite female anime characters for fights, interviews, and other events. Yes, I said female. Be it genuine otakudom, gimmick, or psychological warfare, this display gains Nagashima much attention as well as some curious looks (o.O). But you have to ask yourself: how baddass do you have to be to walk out to a kickboxing match dressed up like Miku Hatsune?

Any way you look at it, the answer is: pretty badass.

Just to prove he isn’t all show, Nagashima wound up taking the belt March 27th at the K-1 World Max 2010 Japan Tournament. He won his first two fights of the night via TKO, and the last of the tourney by KO, which brings his professional kickboxing record to 12-3-0.

For each of his bouts, he had a different Touhou cosplay prepared, starting with Reimu, then Eirin, and lastly Marisa.

Do have a look at the entrances after the jump.

[via Japanator and K-1]

Read more »

MGS: Peace Walker Gets J-Popped

Last week, amongst the recent rash of Peace Walker gameplay trailer releases, Kojima Productions let loose with a peppy promotional video featuring Paz (voiced by Nana Mizuki) singing “Love Deterence.”

The choice of music and style of the video caught many fans off guard, and some even flamed up about it, complaining about its inconsistency with the game and series. I for one can’t see why anyone would a) take it so seriously or b) get up in arms about it. If you’re a fan of MGS and Kojima, you should be able to lighten up and understand the humor involved.

While watching the PV, I could not help but wonder when Snake and his CQC-ing soldiers would join in and get their dance on. It’s totally something I could see them doing, and apparently that was part of the original concept: having Snake and his crew dance, squat, and do pushups to the music. Alas, they wimped out and decided to forgo taking it that far. Even so, I found the PV oh so amusing.

Although the video was produced by the Kojima Productions demo staff, Kojima himself did admit to being behind the “peek-a-boo” aspect of Paz’ wardrobe (see above pic). He also took it upon himself to reiterate via twitter that the PV was a playful exercise to explore Paz as a character and not a detriment to the seriousness of the actual game.

Check out the PV after the jump, and look out for the HEAVENS DIVIDE maxi single due out April 7th.

[via Andriasang] Read more »