Newsdump

Oh... no

Video game fans unfortunate enough to have seen theterrible '90s Street Fighter movie, get ready for more pain.Next Generation reportsthat a new film based on the popular fighting game series is underway, with a story focused on popular Chinese fighter Chun-Li. We went to IMDB to check out this "Justin Marks" character and it turns out he's written the script for aVoltron filmthat's due out in 2008. Do you ever feel like our species is doomed - and deserves it?

And then this...

If word of a new Street Fighter movie wasn't bad enough,Next Generation also reportsthat the Halo film - the one video game movie under production that actually shows any promise - is now officially on hold. We'd already reported that the two movie studios involved in production of the film had backed out, leaving it without the cash needed to move forward. Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson's production company, WingNut Films, offered a realistic but upbeat statement that ended "While it will undoubtedly take a little longer for Halo to reach the big screen, we are confident that the final feature film will be well worth the wait." We can only hope. In fact, it seems to be our last hope...

Xbox Live levels up

Ready for 1080p? Probably not. This highest of high definition display options is still supported by only a fraction of television sets. All the same, the times roll on, and today Microsoft is releasing an Xbox Live patch that offers compatibility for this mode to the Xbox 360,Next Generation reports. Better functionality for Xbox Live Arcade is also in the cards, which is crucial, with Sony and Nintendo launching their competition just next month. Just think of it as the most positive facet of the console war: Microsoft has to keep making the 360 better and better. The exhaustive list of updates - delivered by a "superstar xbox.com personality" for some completely incomprehensible reason - ishere.

Mr. Sim

There's no way you haven't heard of The Sims. Surely, somehype for Sporehas caught your eyes by now. Want to know more about the man behind these games? The New Yorker has postedan extensive and engrossing profileof Will Wright, the creator of some of the best-loved PC games ever released. Let's even ignore that for a moment, though. Let's ponder the fact that people care about film directors but ignore most game designers. After reading this piece, ask yourself if that makes sense.

It's Halloween, after all

Well, there's nothing scary about Newsdump, so we thought we'd point you at Next Generation once again. The site has run alist of the ten ingredients for any good horror game, complete with pictures from... horror films. Not games. Is it a subtle suggestion that games aren't up to snuff? Doesn't matter... it's still an interesting list that will get you thinking about how much effort goes into making spooky games that work right.

New screens

Devil May Cry 4 (PS3)
Clive Barker's Jericho (PC,PS3,360)
Stuntman 2 (PS3,360)
Eragon (PC,PS2,Xbox,360)
Harker (360)

New videos

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii)
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz (Wii)
Gran Turismo HD (PS3)
Blue Dragon (360)
Splinter Cell: Double Agent (360)
Jade Empire: Special Edition (PC)
Clive Barker's Jericho (PC,PS3,360)

October 31, 2006