Video Games Are Art; Ebert a Fat Bastard, Claims France By LostToys @ 03:26 PM :: General Gaming :: Comment Now

The New York Times is reporting that France is looking at video games as being an artform, much to the chagrin of many film, literature, and art critics. France is proud of its contribution to culture in such forms as existentialism, Impressionism and auteur films. Now the French culture minister wants to add Donkey Kong to his country’s pantheon of high art. “Call me the minister of video games if you want — I am proud of this,” the minister, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, said in an interview last month. “People have looked down on video games for far too long, overlooking their great creativity and cultural value.” Mr. Donnedieu de Vabres is seeking to have video games recognized as a cultural industry eligible for tax breaks, similar to French cinema. “Video games are not a mere commercial product,” he insisted. “They are a form of artistic expression involving creation from script writers, designers and directors.”

Nintendo Wii Componet Cable Available At Retail By LostToys @ 03:21 PM :: General Gaming :: Comment Now

Game Informer has confirmed, through an interview with America’s Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Affairs Perrin Kaplan, that the Wii component cables will be available in stores. GI: Will component cables be available on day one? Kaplan: Yes, at retail and online. Best Buy, GameStop, Circuit City, etc… and Nintendo.com. Previously, it was rumored that the component cables, much like those found for the GameCube, would be available online only.

Zelda: Twilight Princess To Have Downloadable Content Hints Harrison By LostToys @ 03:18 PM :: General Gaming :: Comment Now

Gamespot has an interview with Nintendo Senior Vice President George Harrison about the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. GP: What sorts of online features are you looking forward to in the future? Harrison: Downloadable content, such as additional levels. GP: Any plans for any type of post-release online component for Twilight Princess? Harrison: I haven't heard of anything yet. I think everyone is still busy trying to make sure the game gets out correctly.

Contra Comes to Xbox Marketplace Wedensday By LostToys @ 03:15 PM :: Xbox 360: Action :: Comment Now

Looks like Konami will be bringing their Contra title to the XBLA this Wednesday. The game will feature: * Players can opt to play the original arcade game or play in the enhanced mode with improved graphics and sounds * Xbox Live Multiplayer: Battle all 8 levels together over Xbox Live, or locally on the same console * Xbox Live features: Players can see how they rank against their friends with worldwide leaderboards and achievements * 12 achievements: “Contra” offers achievements which range from straightforward to challenging for players of all skill levels * New visuals: Enjoy enhanced artwork including rendered new bullet effects and explosions Contra will be released Wednesday, November 8, at 1:00 a.m. PST on Xbox Live Arcade and will cost 400 Microsoft Points.

Morning Brief - Borak Edition By LostToys @ 12:00 AM :: In-House: Morning Brief :: Comment Now

It must suck to be normal Hollywood today, as Borat just kicked everyone's ass. Borat was the number one movie in the box office this weekend, and this film was only on 837 screens. It had an average screen attachment rate of $31,511 (this is about the same amount Pirates of the Carribean pulled in over the summer), with a total weekend of $26,375,000. Santa Clause 3, the second largest movie this weekend, opened on 3,458 screens, with an average screen attachment rate of $5,783, for a total box office of $20,000,000. For shame Holllywood, for shame! Who saw Borat this weekend?