Posted by
Justin Hedvat
- Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Cartoon Network announced on Monday that their beloved original series The Powerpuff Girls will be returning to television in 2016, over a decade after their last appearance on the air.
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| "Remember us?" |
"The original Powerpuff Girls was a franchise phenomenon for Cartoon Network, paving the way for a new generation of innovative storytellers and enthusiastic fans worldwide," said Rob Sorcher, chief content officer of Cartoon Network, during an announcement at the 2014 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. "We are calling these girls back into action based upon an overwhelming demand for sugar, spice, and Chemical X."
The adorable super-powered kindergarteners saved the day from the dastardly schemes of their nemesis Mojo Jojo in a 78-episode run spanning six seasons from 1998 to 2005, winning two Emmy Awards and releasing a full-length feature film in the process. The brand is one of Cartoon Network's highest grossing ever, with over $2.5 billion in retail sales.
"As the original ambassador of 'girl power,' The Powerpuff Girls brand continues to resonate with people of all ages and there is tremendous excitement around introducing Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup to a new generation," Pete Yoder, Cartoon Network's vice president of North American consumer products, stated in a press release. "With proven success and great content plans in place, there's so much potential that we're looking forward to explore with our licensing partners in the coming weeks."
The network has not stated whether original series creator Craig McCracken is attached to the project. McCracken's clever writing was a large part of what made the show such a huge success, and it would be downright evil if the new reboot didn't continue the original's unique brand of humor.
What do you think, Fanboys? Are you excited for this new rendition of the Powerpuff Girls, or is Cartoon Network just making a much-needed cash grab from one of their more lucrative properties? Let me know in the comments below!
Posted by
Unknown
- Monday, June 16, 2014
An open secret in the world of video game enthusiasts is that PCs are the best platform on which to play video games. PCs take the cake, even as current consoles tout better features and performance than ever before. Some of the reasons are obvious, while others require more intimate knowledge of the gaming community. The debate has been moot for a decade; I'm just here to explain why. Welcome to the dark side.
Reason #1: Next-gen consoles bring nothing new to the table
What are some of the reasons to buy a next-gen console? Every article discussing the pros of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One listed the same items: smoother dashboards (otherwise known as operating systems), cable TV integration, tablet functionality, additional social media sharing options, motion controls, faster mandatory installations (all PS4 and Xbox One games require installation to be played), and an improved online experience. Basically, consoles are becoming PCs. The needle has been moving this direction for a long time. Previous console generations saw this to a limited degree, but they lacked the hardware to imitate the capabilities of PCs.
Nintendo's approach to console development has centered around unique controllers instead of powerful hardware. This sets it apart, but not always in a good way.
The controllers for Nintendo consoles are great for their first party games, but provide a horrible experience for anything else. Imagine playing Madden, Call of Duty, or Street Fighter with a WiiU GamePad or a Wii Nunchuk. Pointless, right? Nintendo finally caved in this generation and offered the Wii U Pro controller, something that finally resembles a usable gaming instrument. Nintendo deserves credit for actually attempting to be innovative, but they alienated many gamers along the way.
Many people have shied away from PC gaming in the past because the only way to play was with a keyboard/mouse setup, or with a poorly made USB controller. Those days are over. There are now many options to play games on PC that only require plugging the chosen option into the open USB slot, including console controllers. How's that for simple?
Reason #2: System requirements are easy to meet
I recall trying to play Unreal Tournament in 1999 on a Compaq desktop. I hadn't known what minimum system requirements were, but I learned that day. I could play UT99 as long as I turned the resolution way down and turned all graphical settings to low. Internet play was an option, but trying to keep up with the online warriors on a dial-up connection was frustrating.
Technology has improved greatly since then. Embarrassing photos reach the people you don't want to see them at lighting speeds, and many desktops only need a cheap upgrade to the power supply and graphics card to run games as well as a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. Recommended system requirements (the hardware required for a game to be visually impressive while still running smoothly) for AAA titles are not stiff for the average Joe or Jane. Quad core processors and 4 GB of RAM are standard in most desktops sold today. It's not expensive or difficult to put together a desktop that gives great performance. Let's compare the set-up costs for a PlayStation 4 and for a desktop found on Tiger Direct with a quad-core processor, 6 GB RAM, and a 1 TB hard drive.
PlayStation 4 costs
- Console: $400
- Extra controller: $60
- Online: $50 for one year of PlayStation Plus
- Number of games purchased for $100: Maybe 3 if each are bought used
- Total: $610
Desktop costs (including video card and power supply)
I left out display options for the PS4 so that its costs didn't skyrocket. In addition, a PC with similar hardware can be built for less money without purchasing a prebuilt PC from companies such as Dell or HP, but it was important to show the potential costs for a person who would not be comfortable building a PC with individual parts. The price of games will determine which chosen platform is the most expensive in the long run.
Performance-wise, the desktop above would be capable of running nearly any title with all graphic settings maxed out at a 1920x1200 resolution at around 30 frames per second. That's much better than the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and not far below the PS4 and Xbox One. An experienced PC builder with a $700 budget could build a desktop that exceeds the performance of the PS4 and Xbox One.
Also, 1080p resolution is laughable on PC, yet PS4 and Xbox One struggle to reach this resolution even for AAA titles, including an inability to sustain even 30 frames per second. To demonstrate why this is silly, here's a screenshot of my benchmark results from my 5-year-old PC with a low-level video card with all graphical settings maxed out on the latest edition of Street Fighter 4.
Bragging about the number of frames per second is deceptive. FPS is just a number that notes how smoothly the hardware runs the graphics engine. The fact that console developers are aiming for 30 frames-per-second is telling. Next-gen games have to look demonstrably better than PS3 or 360 games or else consumers will question the merit of purchasing a next-gen console. The problem is that Sony and Microsoft are adding more weight than the console hardware can carry until developers get more experience programming for the specific hardware. For consumers, the inconsistent visual performance of next-gen consoles is a legitimate concern, one that shows a nasty consequence of Sony and Microsoft rushing their products to the market.
Reason #3: Better online communities
Online play is free —I guess that's always the first thing to mention. There are games in the MMORPG genre that require a subscription to play online, such as World of Warcraft. Other kinds of PC games that require additional money to play online after purchasing the game are hard to come across. Exceptions exists in the vast depths of the internet, but it's a rare occurrence. Also, online connections always work best for PC gaming. Explaining why would bore you to death, so just trust me or Google the indisputable facts on this one.
Playing games online for PC has been a thing since the mid-'90s, so those multiplayer communities had a chance to flourish long before console developers acknowledged the potential of the internet. That's why it was weird to watch Nintendo fanboys get so excited about the announcement of Mario Maker for Wii U when PC mods have been around for many popular games for the past 20 years. (Per usual business operations, Nintendo is going to wait to allow gamers to use Mario Maker on Super Mario World, Super Mario 64, etc., so they can milk gamers for more money down the road.)
Warning: The following video is very entertaining, but contains NSFW language.
Not all mods are meant to send you into a rage-induced coma, but it's a fun twist that allows gamers to experience Super Mario World in an entirely new way. Mods come in all shapes and sizes, such as alternate skins, new campaigns, and entirely new gameplay. If you can imagine something, it either exists or is a few months from becoming a reality. So sayeth the internet!
Until recently, most console video game publishers have tried to shut down any alteration of their intellectual properties. PC companies have been open to the mod community since the beginning, even providing the source code to the public with mods. For example, Valve's official page for Source SDK reads as follows: "Valve is dedicated to providing the best tools and resources for the modding community. The Source engine and SDK give you all the tools you need to produce brilliant game creations." This is a world that console gamers do not even know exists, despite the fact that no one is hiding the information.
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| Yes, Gangnam Style in Skyrim. Long live mods! |
It's also worth nothing that while the PC community has an older, more mature base of gamers, there are plenty of bad apples to ruin the experience. Overall, it is a better experience for people over the age of 16, but there's no running away from the jerks who want to ruin the fun for everyone. Playing video games online is a mixed bag no matter which way you play.
Reason #4: No backward compatibility issues
Halo: The Master Chief Collection was announced during this year's E3. The collection contains Halo 1-4 with shiny new graphics (Microsoft is promising 60 frames per second...) and other bells and whistles that someone, somewhere, is excited about. In other words, buy this game that you already own but can't play on our new console because we don't allow backward compatibility. Sony is doing the same thing. Nintendo has been re-releasing games since Snoop Dogg was still cool. (Keep in mind, that's a partial list which doesn't include every instance where the same game is repackaged multiple times.) Re-releasing games is not evil, but selling them for the same price as a standard new title is ridiculous.
Back in the dark ages known as the 1990s, PCs did have legitimate compatibility problems across different operating systems and hardware, but digital distribution models have eliminated this problem.
Reason #5: Cheap games—Steam sales, Humble Bundles, etc.
The open secret that PC gamers have tried to share with the world is now at hand: Games are way, way, way cheaper on PC, by way of several incredible discounts such as Steam Holiday Sales and Humble Bundles.
Like art, the glory of Steam Holiday Sales is hard to explain. You have to experience the moment to understand its allure. Here's a short list of some of the deals I took advantage of:
The Witcher 2: $4.99 USD
Cthulhu Saves the World & Breath of Death VII Double Pack: $0.99 USD
Batman Arkham City: Game of the Year Edition: $14.99 USD
Sleeping Dogs: $4.49 USD
Hitman Absolution Professional: $7.49 USD
Deus Ex: Human Revolution Augmented Edition: $4.49 USD
Rayman Origins: $6.79 USD
I also pre-ordered Sonic Generations for $29.99 on a week without a Steam sale. Earlier, we allotted ourselves a budget of $100 to buy video games. If we tallied up all of my purchases listed here from Steam, we're still left with $25.78. What should we do with the remaining funds? How about checking out the latest Humble Bundle?
Humble Bundles are deals that allow gamers to purchase a bunch of DRM-free games (Steam keys are often available) at whatever price they choose. The money used to purchase the bundle is split between the game developers, a chosen charity for the bundle, and a Humble Tip that's given to the great people who make these bundles possible. The minimum payment for a Humble Bundle is $1. The maximum is up to the buyer. If the buyer purchases the games for a price above the median, they are allowed access to additional games that are revealed at a later date, and occasionally soundtracks are thrown in for good measure. The median never goes above $8. Is this gamer heaven? Yes, yes it is.
In short, you are looking at purchasing no less than 15 games with the remaining $25.78. Assuming we spend $8 on three Humble Bundles, the $100 budget purchases 23 PC games. The same budget bought three used PlayStation 4 games. Gamers save way more money in the long run by spending a little more money upfront on a PC, because the games are far more affordable. No further elaboration is necessary.
Is this assessment of PC gaming versus console gaming fair? Please give your thoughts in the comments, and let Fanboys Anonymous know who you side with!
As always, thanks for reading.
Posted by
The Dace Man
- Sunday, June 15, 2014
Hey, hey, hey, Dacetacular nation! Dace Man here, with the fourth edition of The Dace Man Plays!! Going forward, yours truly will play a game here and there, usually for about 10 to 20 minutes because, frankly, anything longer and you all would lose interest. Hear my commentary as I take on some of the classics and some of the New Age stuff I don't quite understand!
In the fourth installment of The Dace Man Plays, I take on Disney's celebration of the Power Rangers franchise with the PlayStation 2's Power Rangers Super Legends (15th Anniversary). Let's see how the Dace Man fares playing as the Crimson Ranger from Power Rangers Ninja Storm in the fifth level of this PlayStation 2 classic.
As always, check back regularly to see what Chris "The Dace Man" Dace is looking at (and no, not just porn), as well as all of the other bloggers here at Fanboys Anonymous. Remember, keyboard warriors: leave your feedback! Until the next time, for the few, the proud, and, of course, the Dacetacular, grab a beer—and in this case a Ninja Storm Morpher—and check out what's going on here in the Dace-Sphere. See ya next time!
Follow on Facebook: Mega Powers Radio | Fanboys Anonymous | The Dace Man Show | Nerd Court | Sand & Snow: A Game of Thrones Podcast | Sports Talk Weekly | Addicted to Anime
Posted by
Unknown
- Saturday, June 14, 2014
The release date for Colin Trevorrow's Jurassic World movie is drawing near—it's just under a year away now! But, to make your wait a little more bearable, we have a load of brand new shots from the film! We see Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy) posing on a motorcycle, Bryce Dallas Howard (The Help) looking fabulous - as usual and Ty Simpkins (Iron Man 3) and Nick Robinson. Check them out below!
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| Chris Pratt as Owen |
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| Bryce Dallas Howard as Beth |
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| Ty Simpkins as Gray and Nick Robinson as Zach |
It is rather disappointing that we still haven't got any images of the dinosaurs, but I guess they're leaving the big guns until last, to get us really excited.
Jurassic World will be released in theaters June 12, 2015.
Directed by: Colin Trevorrow.
Written by: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Colin Trevorrow, Derek Connolly, Michael Crichton (characters).
Starring: Chris Pratt, Lauren Lapkus, Vincent D'Onofrio, Judy Greer, and Bryce Dallas Howard
How excited are you guys for the new Jurassic World movie? Let us know below!
Posted by
Unknown
- Friday, June 13, 2014
It's the one week to rule them all - and New York plans on doing just that. Thinking far outside the box, New York Comic Con planners will be taking the eight-year-old annual pop culture event and expanding it beyond the Javits Center's walls for a week-long super extravaganza. (Anything San Diego Comic Con can do, NYCC can do it better!)
ReedPOP, the world's largest producer of pop culture events, has announced they will be taking over New York City in an action-packed festival, rightfully dubbed New York Super Week.
"New York Super Week is an immersive and inclusive experience that aims to bring the energy, passion, and color of the entire universe of popular culture to every corner of all five boroughs of New York City," the press release stated.
The 10-day long inaugural festival will turn the city into a super hero playground, full of pop culture-themed events from concerts, comedy shows, gaming events, lectures, podcasts, food tastings, and more.
Events will include StarTalk Live! hosted by Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Slate's Hang Up & Listen podcast, Running Late with Scott Rogowsky featuring co-creators of Dr. Katz, SLIMED! Presents a Nickelodeon Nostalgia Nite, Rock Star Karaoke, Doctor Who Trivia and Costume Contest, Sci-Fi Explosion, Nerd Nite, Story ColliderThe Big Quiz Thing, Sex Nerd Sandra Workshop, and eSports competitions.
Priority seating at various Super Week events will be given to those who have purchased a New York Super Week Card. Though the card itself does not include admission to events or NYCC, it comes with its own perks such as drink specials and discounts.
Lance Fensterman, Global Senior Vice President of ReedPOP, said in the press release that:
"We envision New York Super Week taking over NYC, bringing diverse content from all corners of the pop culture galaxy to all the corners of the five boroughs of the greatest city in the world. New York Super Week will follow the spirit of popular events like South by Southwest, by introduce it with a distinct New York sensibility and flair and faulty rooted in the world of popular culture. With New York Comic Con becoming so popular amongst fans, media, and sponsors it was natural to broaden the scope of content and tear it out of the Javits Center and into the city at large allowing new fans and more fans to experience a whole week of content leading to the show."
Over 130,000 fans gather at the Javits Center each year for a sold-out Comic Con, generating tens of millions of dollars for New York's economy. The extended events will not only further boost the economy, it will bring out the geek in all of us throughout the city.
A list of participating venues for New York Super Week include:
- Hammerstein Ballroom
- Barcade
- 92nd Street Y
- Barnes and Noble
- Rock Bar
- The Housing Works Bookstore
- IFC Center
- The Bell House
- Galapagos Art Space
- Union Hall
- Brooklyn Winery
- Videology
- Museum of Morbid Anatomy
- The Way Station
- Madame Tussauds
- Ripley's Believe it or Not
- Madame X
- Dave and Buster's
- South Street Seaport.
ReedPOP will partner with Clear Channel Spectacolor as the Official Media Partner of New York Super Week and New York Comic Con, co-producing several events through out the week. Additional partners and details on tickets for each event will be announced throughout the summer.
New York Comic Con will take place October 9-12 at the Jacob Javits Center. Tickets go on sale June 18 at noon for $65 for a three-day pass and $95 for four days. For more information and full ticket prices, click here.
If you aren't excited enough, here's a promo video:
In the meantime, head over to Discovery Times Square and become a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent!
Fanboys assemble! Let us know how excited you are for a week long event in the comment section below!
Posted by
Anonymous
- Thursday, June 12, 2014
Readers: I don't know about the rest of you, but I've been a fan of mystery/detective comics since I first read the wild pages of my first comic ever, Dick Tracy. Clearly, it's a comic that sets itself apart from most detective comics by employing certain dark fantasy aspects, but it's still the one that drew me in. Twenty some odd years later, and I still like to pick up a detective comic from time to time. The stories are all different, but the nostalgia always feels the same.
I recently received two comics from an expert indie comic writer Chuck Amadori: Tether, a comic I've already reviewed; and an Isle Squared Comics and Cruel Production collaboration, Empress, a mystery/detective comic which opens up with a know-it-all detective that's seen his share of "business." Both comics seem pretty unique and the art is great. Touched up with Amadori's talent for writing, the Island Square comic team really seems to be onto something.
Empress begins something like this: a young actress who is credited with being the first and foremost to take part in a new movie-making technology has gone missing. The company responsible for her next movie cannot find her as she is quite whimsical and free. As a last resort, they hire a young detective that has seen his share of work. The problem? He's not the only detective to have gone searching for the young actress—and none of the others have returned.
Our young gumshoe seems to have a soft spot for young women and can't seem to see the big picture in the presence of a beauty. While this comic doesn't seem to come out with it right away, I suspect that either his luck or his talent will create problems with a young mole who is put on his tracks to ruin the investigation. It seems almost like it may be a device by which to employ a little comic relief. The story is quick, the plot doesn't take long to thicken, and the characters are fun. This comic is definitely worth a look. Scope Empress and tell me what you think downstairs! Indie?
Posted by
Jeff Penner
- Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Want to know what happened the past few days in nerd culture? WEEK IN GEEK is your quick fix to catch up with the rest of the fanboys out there.
MOVIES
Sonic the Hedgehog, the movie star?
My take: SEGA and Sony have created a deal that will bring Sonic to the big screen Roger Rabbit-style (live action/animated hybrid). I sense the movie will be Speed Racer (the movie) on LSD.
Peyton Reed is Ant Man director.
My take: *sigh* Sure, whatever, just make the movie. I'm sure we'll hear all about the drama just before the film is released. Edgar Wright will probably have a project of his own coming out that same month and everybody wins the marketing game.
Dumb and Dumber To Trailer.
My take: I'm a huge fan of the first movie. I love it. "Big Gulps, huh, all right"? Come on, that movie's amazing. I have to admit, I am not a fan of gross-out humor, and this seemed to highlight it. Hopefully they aren't using scenes like the one with the old lady as their base for the comedy range.
TELEVISION
Constantine easter egg.
My take: *spoiler* I guess? If you care about the DC television universe, skip this paragraph…okay…here we go…so, apparently Dr. Fate will be a part of the story. The good news about that is that the show may not just be about Constantine, but more of a Justice League Dark show. Now that would be interesting if they raised the stakes like that.
Vincent D'Onofrio cast as Kingpin for Daredevil.
My take: I've said before and I'll say it again: Marvel knows casting. Every casting announcement I hear from them is like the puzzle piece I've been looking for suddenly locking into place. D'Onofrio is an engaging actor and will definitely bring the layers the Kingpin requires. However, I'll admit I'm not huge on the casting of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, but I'm sure I'll come around.
COMIC BOOKS
Original Sin ups the game.
My take: How the Internet didn't explode last week is beyond me. I read #3 a little bit late, so maybe I missed something. I was looking forward to this crossover changing the status quo again, and it's delivering like crazy. There are several side stories that Marvel could have played out on their own, but tying them all into this series makes it a great one-stop shop. Maybe I'm just happy for anything after the demi-god-awful Fear Itself. I get the trades of all Marvel crossovers, but I'm skipping that one.
Batman #31, Nightwing #30, Batman Eternal…
My take: DC, you're killing me slowly and softly. I didn't think I would see a Batman book come out and feel "forced" to pick it up. Just get this over with. Changing Dick Grayson's role in the DCU just after re-booting to attract new fans to your heroes and legacy? Finally, why release a sub-par book to come out weekly? You're scrambling to make money off of the bat-ears, and your fans aren't digging it anymore. If anyone is loving the bat-books, please comment below! I need an argument in the "win" column on these books, please. Convince me!
Aquaman / Swamp Thing Crossover.
My take: For all the slamming I do on DC, the idea of Aquaman battling Swamp Thing is awesome, and I love the cover to #31 with Aquaman tied in swamp roots. The fight between them also plays out as a standalone battle, so I don't have to commit to more if I just want to see these two knock each other around!
GAMES
Star Wars Battlefront 3 "trailer" at E3.
My take: No footage is frustrating but hearing that Battlefront is going to be done slowly but correctly is encouraging. The designer's insistence at how meticulous they're being with creating this game is going to leave little room for error. They better be ready for the Internet commentators if the game isn't absolutely amazing.
Watch out for this segment each and every Wednesday. We'll see you next week!
Did we miss something? What are your thoughts on these topics?
Leave us a comment below!
Posted by
Anthony Mango
- Tuesday, June 10, 2014
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a pretty great track record with casting decisions, and today's announcement has continued that trend. Vincent D'Onofrio has been cast as the Kingpin of crime himself, Wilson Fisk, in the new Daredevil series!
You may recognize D'Onofrio from Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Men in Black. He also has a role in the upcoming Jurassic World film.
This is absolutely perfect casting in my mind. Too many people, in their fan casts for the role, just go with someone who is overweight, which is not actually central to Kingpin's character. Honestly, could you really see John Goodman playing the role? Goodman is awesome, but he couldn't pull off the physicality of it. D'Onofrio can make for quite an intimidating presence, and you can't deny the resemblance in the picture above.
It blows my mind that I never thought of this before, as it seems like such an obvious decision. Kudos, Marvel!
What do you think of Vincent D'Onofrio playing Kingpin?
Leave your comments below!
