Hello all. I had the opportunity to try out the new Need for Speed: Shift video game courtesy of Screwattack.com. Check out the blog I wrote, gameplay video, and interview with the online community manager.
http://screwattack.com/node/28515
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Bioshock 2 Marketing Beach Event Jones Beach August 8 2009
For those that do not know, marketing has taken a new face. New innovative ways are being thought of to get a product's name out and generate interest. What 2K Marin, the developers of Bioshock 2, did was bring Rapture up from the sea so to speak. 2K Marin strategically went to beaches around the world, planting bottles and rocks from the Bioshock universe. I went to one of the beaches, which happened to be at Jones Beach. You should also know all these beach events happened at the time of sunrise. For Jones Beach on August 8th 2009, it was 5:56 am. Surprisngly around 30-40, mostly young people around 20-30, dressed for anything but a day at the beach came to check out what this mysterious and cryptic event was going to have. We eventually found our way to a small mountain of sand where marketing from 2K Marin were standing. On the ground around the hill were bottles of wine stuck in the ground. While they were bottles, they are made of plastic. When the cork is removed, there are three pamphelts inside. Two are for Electro-bolt and Decoy plasmids and the other is a double-sided advertisement for Rapture, the iconic underwater city from Bioshock. Someone else reported that they found a symbol painted under a rock. Though it was short, it was fun to be a part of this strange, yet unique marketing event.
For more info about the event, click here and here. These articles are courtesy of video game blog Kotaku. I am thankful to Kotaku for using some of my photos.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Resident Evil 5 Contest News Story
Resident 5 Contest
Click the above link and check out an "Arm and a Leg" to see my Resident Evil 5 contest news story.
Click the above link and check out an "Arm and a Leg" to see my Resident Evil 5 contest news story.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Wrestlemania XXV Predictions
The biggest event of the year for the WWE Universe happens on Sunday. Our Stanley Cup, our Heisman Trophy, our... well you get the point. Wrestlemania rarely ever disappoints and this one will be no exception. Wrestlemania XXV promises to be night of great wrestling and entertainment.
The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels in a Singles Match:
I think the Deadman will go from 16-0 to 17-0. I don’t see any plans to make Taker lose at a Wrestlemania anytime soon. While at first I was disappointed to hear this match booked, on account that the two have fought each other countless times, I have to say, the way the two have acted trying to intimidate the other has been absolutly excellent. The stakes of the match are great: Undertaker’s streak, HBK being beaten by the Undertaker. It should be an exciting bout.
The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels in a Singles Match:
I think the Deadman will go from 16-0 to 17-0. I don’t see any plans to make Taker lose at a Wrestlemania anytime soon. While at first I was disappointed to hear this match booked, on account that the two have fought each other countless times, I have to say, the way the two have acted trying to intimidate the other has been absolutly excellent. The stakes of the match are great: Undertaker’s streak, HBK being beaten by the Undertaker. It should be an exciting bout.
Verdict: Undertaker
CM Punk vs. Kane vs. Mark Henry vs. Montel Vontavious Porter vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Christian vs. Finlay in a Money in the Bank ladder match:
Wow. All of these superstars have their own fan base (yes, even Mark Henry.) I enjoy watching all of them (yes, even Mark Henry.) But I think MVP will be MITB. CM Punk already had it, Kane has no chance, I doubt Henry can even climb that ladder without breaking it, Benjamin despite having a great last name, always seems to get pushed but then reverts back to mid-card status, it is too early for Kofi Kingston, but I think but he will be a future winner, Vince doesn’t take kindly to Christian so it’s said, and Finlay is to busy training the newbies. This will be the year of MVP, with his recent US Title win, face turn, and inevitable push.
Verdict: Montel Vontavious Porter
Triple H (c) vs. Randy Orton in a Singles match for the WWE Championship:
Just like the Taker HBK match, I was originally skeptical of this one as HHH and RKO have fought each other numerous times. I originally thought HHH might take it, but with the new stipulation of disqualification and countout on HHH, I think RKO will take it. Then again, it could just be used to make it seem like the odds are stacked against HHH and he once again comes out looking like Superman. Something has to happen with the McMahon family. I don’t know what, but I feel something will go down.
Verdict: Randy Orton
Edge (c) vs. The Big Show vs. John Cena in a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship:
CM Punk vs. Kane vs. Mark Henry vs. Montel Vontavious Porter vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Christian vs. Finlay in a Money in the Bank ladder match:
Wow. All of these superstars have their own fan base (yes, even Mark Henry.) I enjoy watching all of them (yes, even Mark Henry.) But I think MVP will be MITB. CM Punk already had it, Kane has no chance, I doubt Henry can even climb that ladder without breaking it, Benjamin despite having a great last name, always seems to get pushed but then reverts back to mid-card status, it is too early for Kofi Kingston, but I think but he will be a future winner, Vince doesn’t take kindly to Christian so it’s said, and Finlay is to busy training the newbies. This will be the year of MVP, with his recent US Title win, face turn, and inevitable push.
Verdict: Montel Vontavious Porter
Triple H (c) vs. Randy Orton in a Singles match for the WWE Championship:
Just like the Taker HBK match, I was originally skeptical of this one as HHH and RKO have fought each other numerous times. I originally thought HHH might take it, but with the new stipulation of disqualification and countout on HHH, I think RKO will take it. Then again, it could just be used to make it seem like the odds are stacked against HHH and he once again comes out looking like Superman. Something has to happen with the McMahon family. I don’t know what, but I feel something will go down.
Verdict: Randy Orton
Edge (c) vs. The Big Show vs. John Cena in a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship:
This was a potential main event match ruined by a stupid love triangle angle. Barring that, I don’t think Show and Cena are worthy having the belt (ESPECIALLY CENA.) I hope Edge retains and then this love triangle BS is done with. I just had a thought. Imagine if Batista came out and turned heel by siding with Vickie Guerrero. I’m just sayin…
Verdict: Edge
25-Diva battle royal in which the winner will be crowned "Miss WrestleMania":
I honestly don’t care about this. The women’s division isn’t living up to what it could be. I remember the great matches with Lita, Ivory, Chyna, Sable and so many better divas.
Verdict: Don’t care, probably Gail Kim. I hope Santino gets in though and steals it.
Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy in a Extreme Rules match:
I had a feeling these two would fight at Wrestlemania. However I was hoping it was for the WWE Championship against each other. But alas no. I think the obvious winner will be Jeff Hardy. I just hope whoever loses isn’t kicked to the curb and forgotten. Hopefully both go to main event statuses.
Verdict: Jeff Hardy
The Colóns (Carlito and Primo) vs. John Morrison and The Miz in a Tag team: Lumberjack match to unify the WWE Tag Team Championship and World Tag Team Championship:
To be honest, I haven’t been paying too much to these two. Not out of disinterest, but they just have been under my radar. I think it’s a tough one to choose. But I’m foreseeing a breakup of the Colóns after they loose. Morrison & the Miz are both entertaining and they make a great tag team. It isn’t time for them to breakup yet.
Verdict: John Morrison and The Miz
John "Bradshaw" Layfield (c) vs. Rey Mysterio in a Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship:
Well this one started off without any fanfare. I didn’t even know there was still an Intercontinental Championship. I mean when was the last time it was defended by JBL. Regardless, I think Rey Mastreo will take it. Why? Because I want JBL to go back to announcing so why not have Mastreo retire him twice.
Verdict: Rey Mastreo
Chris Jericho vs. Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat and Jimmy Snuka (with Ric Flair) in a Handicap elimination match:
This will be the most exciting match for me, being the Jericho mark that I am. As it is, I will answer this prediction as a mark: Sometimes legends need to keep their mouths shut. Yes they are important to the business, but I don’t need to hear it every second. Good for them they attained that status. But I hope Jericho slaps their mouths shut.
Verdict: Edge
25-Diva battle royal in which the winner will be crowned "Miss WrestleMania":
I honestly don’t care about this. The women’s division isn’t living up to what it could be. I remember the great matches with Lita, Ivory, Chyna, Sable and so many better divas.
Verdict: Don’t care, probably Gail Kim. I hope Santino gets in though and steals it.
Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy in a Extreme Rules match:
I had a feeling these two would fight at Wrestlemania. However I was hoping it was for the WWE Championship against each other. But alas no. I think the obvious winner will be Jeff Hardy. I just hope whoever loses isn’t kicked to the curb and forgotten. Hopefully both go to main event statuses.
Verdict: Jeff Hardy
The Colóns (Carlito and Primo) vs. John Morrison and The Miz in a Tag team: Lumberjack match to unify the WWE Tag Team Championship and World Tag Team Championship:
To be honest, I haven’t been paying too much to these two. Not out of disinterest, but they just have been under my radar. I think it’s a tough one to choose. But I’m foreseeing a breakup of the Colóns after they loose. Morrison & the Miz are both entertaining and they make a great tag team. It isn’t time for them to breakup yet.
Verdict: John Morrison and The Miz
John "Bradshaw" Layfield (c) vs. Rey Mysterio in a Singles match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship:
Well this one started off without any fanfare. I didn’t even know there was still an Intercontinental Championship. I mean when was the last time it was defended by JBL. Regardless, I think Rey Mastreo will take it. Why? Because I want JBL to go back to announcing so why not have Mastreo retire him twice.
Verdict: Rey Mastreo
Chris Jericho vs. Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat and Jimmy Snuka (with Ric Flair) in a Handicap elimination match:
This will be the most exciting match for me, being the Jericho mark that I am. As it is, I will answer this prediction as a mark: Sometimes legends need to keep their mouths shut. Yes they are important to the business, but I don’t need to hear it every second. Good for them they attained that status. But I hope Jericho slaps their mouths shut.
Verdict: Chris Jericho
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
An Arm and a Leg… and Heads and Torsos for a Trip to Africa
An Arm and a Leg… and Heads and Torsos for a Trip to Africa
By Andrew Benjamin
LONDON -- A trip to Africa would cost the average person an arm and a leg. In this case, it cost not only an arm and a leg, but heads and torsos. To promote the release of Resident Evil 5, Capcom held a treasure hunt, only the treasure was replaced with severed limbs. The people running the contest strategically placed heads, arms, legs and torsos throughout Trafalgar Square, which contestants found through cryptic clues in emails after registering. When a contestant found the body parts, they were asked to bring them to Westminster Bridge and scream “Kijuju,” the fictional African town where Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar face off against hordes of infected people. Each body part won the contestant points, with heads being the most at five. The contestant who had the most points would receive a free trip to Africa.
A representative of Capcom, who was on hand to declare a winner, confirmed that at least 100 people registered for the contest. Around 15 people showed up on the bridge carrying at least one body part. “We wanted to organize an event that would really give people a chance to be involved in the world that the game represents,” the spokesman for Capcom said. “We needed to do something that fitted in with the values of the game and was suitably horrific.” And indeed it was horrific. Not only were contestants carrying body parts in full view of the public, but the body parts also bled, leaving some contestants with messy clothes and hands. “The main thing is that everyone has had fun,” the spokesman said.
Even though it was a harmless contest, the possibility of police being tipped off was a concern. “It’s been a little bit worrying thinking about the police and people getting the wrong idea about the body parts,” the spokesman said. “We’ve done everything we can to make sure everyone doesn’t get the wrong idea.” Police and the House of Parliaments were not notified of the contest.
Regarding the possibility of a future contest for Resident Evil 6, the representative didn’t want to speculate. “I’m sure for every future release of Resident Evil more and more incredibly exciting things will happen to mark the release.”
The winner of the contest was Stephen Long, 26, from Finchley. He gathered four of his friends and woke up around 6a.m. They then headed to Trafalgar Square to search for the body parts. “It was a once in a life time opportunity and I was glad I was able to get my friends in on this,” Long said. “I really did not think we would win. It looked like such a different event that we would never be able to do anywhere else.” As the winner, he will be going off on a trip to Gambia for 7-10 days. Long was looking forward to one aspect of the trip. “I’ll be amazed at how hot it is.”
Eventually, two police officers did come by and ask the body parts be removed from public view.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Chris Jericho is not to blame for what happened
It seems that WWE wrestlers and abuse of women go hand in hand (that's a joke har har). The latest fracas of a WWE wrestler beating up a woman is now with Chris Jericho. Now I am very biased in a situation like this. I had once had the great opportunity to interview Chris Jericho when he came to Boston University to do a book signing for his autobiography. I did a phone interview with him and found him to be cordial, pleasant, and a great interview. At the book signing, he was chatting casually with fans and answered more questions from me. Also, he signed a book of Shakespeare's plays for one fan who didn't have enough money to buy his book. You have to be a really cool dude to do that. I am also a Jericho mark. He is the best wrestler working today.
Now on to the incident. The video is all over Youtube so feel free to watch and make your own assessment. The video doesn't show it, but from eyewitness reports, it was said that Jericho is trying to leave in his vehicle. It was then the fans take it too far. They blocked his vehicle and he is forced to get out and tell them to move. He is arguing with someone, probably that idiot guy who calls him "motherfucker" and "disgrace to Canadians." Someone puts his hands on him, don't know who though. He then tries to get back into his car and is then pushed into by that blonde lady (that's the nicest term I'm willing to call her.) Jericho then snaps back and pushes and punches that lady. Security in the meantime is off in la-la land.
And so it happened. Jericho was attacked physically and he defends himself. Questions arise from this: did Jericho even know a woman pushed him, did he attack the first person he saw and it just happened to be her, when Jericho realized he punched someone was he playing his role as a heel by showing little emotion?
I don't think questions like this will be answered. The local police who responded to the scene called it a "minor incident," so this is as probably as far as the incident will go. However, I think it is clear the lady provoked Jericho and what happened was a result of frustration. No I don't think "the bitch deserved it" as I bet some have said on some message boards. It happened as a matter of circumstance. Had their been past revelations of Jericho beating up women (not including the incident with HBK's wife har har), I would have a different assessment of this. But nothing has come about of this. I therefore have to believe that Jericho's actions were that of a man who was provoked and nothing else.
Now on to the incident. The video is all over Youtube so feel free to watch and make your own assessment. The video doesn't show it, but from eyewitness reports, it was said that Jericho is trying to leave in his vehicle. It was then the fans take it too far. They blocked his vehicle and he is forced to get out and tell them to move. He is arguing with someone, probably that idiot guy who calls him "motherfucker" and "disgrace to Canadians." Someone puts his hands on him, don't know who though. He then tries to get back into his car and is then pushed into by that blonde lady (that's the nicest term I'm willing to call her.) Jericho then snaps back and pushes and punches that lady. Security in the meantime is off in la-la land.
And so it happened. Jericho was attacked physically and he defends himself. Questions arise from this: did Jericho even know a woman pushed him, did he attack the first person he saw and it just happened to be her, when Jericho realized he punched someone was he playing his role as a heel by showing little emotion?
I don't think questions like this will be answered. The local police who responded to the scene called it a "minor incident," so this is as probably as far as the incident will go. However, I think it is clear the lady provoked Jericho and what happened was a result of frustration. No I don't think "the bitch deserved it" as I bet some have said on some message boards. It happened as a matter of circumstance. Had their been past revelations of Jericho beating up women (not including the incident with HBK's wife har har), I would have a different assessment of this. But nothing has come about of this. I therefore have to believe that Jericho's actions were that of a man who was provoked and nothing else.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Protesters rally against cell tower
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20237269&BRD=2731&PAG=461&dept_id=574901&rfi=6
My first published freelance article for the Queens Chronicle. It is about protestors in Queens, NY rallying against a cell phone tower being built in their area. Check it out.
My first published freelance article for the Queens Chronicle. It is about protestors in Queens, NY rallying against a cell phone tower being built in their area. Check it out.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Pop Culture Wizard is in London
Hello loyal followers. The Pop Culture Wizard is here. Where you might ask? In merry ol' London. Starting tomorrow, I will update all of you wonderful people of my travels, trials, and tribulations as I take over Europe starting tomorrow. So far PCW has seen the much smaller than originally pictured Buckingham Palace, the eerie Tower of London (and by eerie I mean the fact that it has those stoic soldiers who aren't supposed to react), Westminster Abbey (without going in ironically), and a few other assorted venues. Despite study abroad being my goal, I will be travelling to other European places. I will try to post pictures of my wondrous odysseys but I will mainly update all you wonderful people on my goings-on. I am off to bed to another full day in London. Ta ta.
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