IGN Announces November ''Editors' Choice'' Game Awards; Electronic Arts picks up 5 awards
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 2003--IGN Entertainment - home to IGN.com(R), the web's largest gaming and entertainment destination with over 15 million monthly unique visitors - announces its "Editors' Choice" selections for November, honoring the month's best new game releases.
IGN's editorial team reviewed over 160 games in November and singled out the month's best new titles for each of the major game platforms - Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox - bestowing the prestigious "Editors' Choice" award on those games that earned their highest recommendations. November's award-winners are:
ESRB Publisher Title Rating* Platform(s)Electronic Arts FIFA Soccer 2004 E GBA, PC, PS2 Electronic Arts The Lord of the Rings, Return of the King T GC, PC, PS2, XboxElectronic Arts Need for Speed Underground E GC, PC, PS2, XboxElectronic Arts Medal of Honor Infiltrator T GBAElectronic Arts NCAA March Madness 2004 E PS2Gathering Railroad Tycoon 3 E PCNintendo Fire Emblem E GBANintendo Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga E GBAKonami Karaoke Revolution E PS2Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack M XboxRockstar Games Max Payne: The Fall of Max Payne M XboxRockstar Games Manhunt M PS2Sony Computer Entertainment SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals II M PS2Sony Computer Entertainment Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando T PS2Square Enix Final Fantasy X-2 T PS2Ubisoft Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time T GC, PS2, XboxUbisoft Beyond Good & Evil T GC, PC, PS2, XboxLucasArts Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic T PCNatsume Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town E GBASega ESPN College Hoops E PS2, XboxMicrosoft Project Gotham Racing 2 E XboxTecmo Monster Rancher 4 E PS2Tecmo Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly M PS2* E = Everyone; T = Teen; M = Mature
With November's lineup, Sony's PlayStation 2 reaffirmed its leader position as the gaming platform of choice. Seven of the 23 IGN award-winning titles are only available on PlayStation 2, versus one system-exclusive winner on Xbox and PC. Nintendo's Game Boy Advance scored five of the awards this month, reinforcing its top position as the gaming world's most successful handheld.
"Publisher Electronic Arts went from strength to strength by nabbing five awards across 13 SKUs," said Peer Schneider, Network Director of IGN.com. "With FIFA' Soccer 2004, NCAA March Madness 2004, Need for Speed Underground, and Medal of Honor Infiltrator for Game Boy Advance, EA has once again proved its versatility, presenting console, PC and handheld gamers with quality software from a variety of genres."
To read the full reviews for each award-winner and a complete list of current and past winners, go to http://games.ign.com and click on the "Editors' Choice" section link.
About IGN Entertainment
IGN Entertainment, through its flagship network IGN.com, is the Internet's leading information and entertainment destination for teen and young adult gamers. IGN serves its audience by providing both free and subscription-based content and services. IGN's award winning content -- two Webby People's Voice Awards and two Wired Magazine's Readers Raves Awards -- attracts more than 15 million unique visitors a month, including over 6.2 million registered users and more than 82,000 paying subscribers. IGN offers its business customers a full spectrum of integrated marketing solutions to reach this large web-centric audience. These products include fixed placement and impression-based advertising, sponsorships, permission marketing, custom publishing, e-commerce, direct e-mail marketing and content licensing. For more information, please visit http://www.ign.com.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20031215005852/en/IGN-Announces-November-Editors-Choice-Game-Awards
Techno Dance Moves
Techno music is the same electronic music with those powerful and repetitive beats that make your body groove with the tune. This is what the disc jockeys play at rave parties and clubs. The music itself is so appealing, with prominent and easy-to-catch beats, that adapting some interesting dance moves won't be difficult for those who know how to move their body! For those who are afraid to do so, due to the fear that your feet and beat won't coordinate, let me tell you, it is not that hard. Of course, there are some professional dancers who might scare you by doing those extraordinary moves, but don't let that happen. Dancing is meant for enjoyment, and let it be just that.
How to Dance to Techno Music
Dancing to any music is worth it, if and only if you enjoy it. Techno dancing is nothing but the ability to swing your body by catching the rhythm and beats, which generally follow a pattern of 1-2-3-4 count in 2 seconds. Mentioned below are some tips that will help you incorporate some cool steps.
Feel the Music
Dancing is just transforming your feelings into movements. The best things are felt when the eyes are closed. Music is that one thing that has the power to connect with the soul and senses. So, just close your eyes and catch the beats of the music playing around you.
Let Your Body Loose
A stiff body cannot move! Dancing is swinging your body like waves of the sea. After the first step, when you have felt the beat and the rhythm of the music, you need to just surrender your body to the waves of the rhythm. Just allow the music to take control of your movements.
Stop Getting Conscious
The worst thing that can happen to you on the dance floor, is to want to dance to your favorite songs, but stop yourself because you don't know what to do. Even if you catch the beat, many a time, the consciousness overtakes the urge to tap the toes. If that happens with you, just relax and shoo away the consciousness. The best thing about techno music is that there is no set format or step to follow. Almost any step that matches the beat can work.
Nod the Head
It's time for some physical action! First, start by nodding your head, remember, nodding and not banging. Consider your head to be a gentle pendulum. Catch the beat and start nodding your head in sync with it.
Tap Your Feet
Coordinate the beat of the songs that are playing, to the head and toes. Remember the beats which are very strong and fast. Catch the 1-2-3-4 pattern of the music and start moving your head and toes. Slide your neck accordingly, as per the rhythm, and there you are, beginning a perfect dance move.
Swing Your Body
Once your head and feet are set in motion, just close your eyes and allow the music to swing your body. Don't try to overdo it if you are new to it. Just move with the beats. Consider this to be the first step and save your aggression until you master the art.
Some Simple Steps to Try
The previous section briefed you about the ABC of techno dancing. Once you have got the hang of it, you can try doing the easy moves mentioned below. These are fairly simple and once mastered, they can be combined with other difficult moves to get you to the next level.
The Up-down Hula Hoop
This involves being a little more flexible and not rigid. Firstly, relax your muscles and get into the rhythm of the music. The music can have varied beats and bass structuresfast or in double beats, varying in tempo and sync. Place your hands on your hips (this works best for the ladies), and keeping it stiff, move only your bottom half in a circular motion (that is very hula hoop-like) and make your way down to the ground, constantly circling and twisting yourself up and down. Every time you twist, make it go hand in hand with the beat, so that you're twirling your hips, nodding your head, with your legs slightly parted, and dipping yourself down and up in a sexy manner. Use a pole or erected structure for support to help you practice the part of dipping low and gliding up, with your hips rotating in a smooth, and not so rigid fashion.
The Sideways Hula Hoop
The previous move can also be done sideways, wherein you are moving your body in the same fashion while standing at the same place, and just swinging the upper portion of your body sideways, in tune with the beat!
Run for Da Music
This move appears more or less like running softly, with you being at the same place. Close your hands and form a fist, like you do while running! Lift them up till your chest and then bring your right fist forward in a circular motion. As you do that, gently lift your left leg and slide it a little towards the back. Continue the circular motion, and this time, keep your right fist behind and bring forth your left fist, with your right leg sliding back. Continue this movement while coordinating with the beats. This works well only if you let your body loose. You can practice this in front of the mirror and improvise.
Be like a Snake Dancing Techno
This works with a flexible body that can move like a snake! Use your upper body to first move outward like a serpent, as your hips thrust out simultaneously. You can keep your hands on sides of your head, shifting it left and right to the beat, and moving to-and-fro.
Sideways Snake Dancing
You can alternate the previous move with moving in the same fashion, but side-to-side with arms mimicking your body, or with your arms being raised in a semi-elevated pose.
Grinding
If you want to bust a move with a partner, then you can have them facing forward with you standing in a position where your back is towards them. Ask your partner to stretch his/her arms out, by your side, swaying from side to side, and you in turn, imitate the previous hula hoop step, slowly making your way down and then up, with your partner being a support structure (like say if you were to stand with your back against the wall). Practice against a wall, to allow yourself to find that balance in fluidity to make it less uncomfortable.
You can practice these steps at home or with the help of a partner. Practice while you feel the music, this is all that takes to master this dancing style. Keep it grooving. All the best!
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/techno-dance-moves.html
Tuna Beheading Raves are the Hot New Thing in Tokyo
Tuna dismantling is all the rage in Japan. As the name suggests, it involves a sushi chef taking apart a large tuna with impressive speed and dexterity. It's a hot piece of entertainment for weddings, restaurants, and seafood markets, and involves plenty of audience participation (watch the video below for an idea of how it works).
Now some wise guy nightlife entrepreneurs have brought tuna deconstruction to the club. Afromancethe crew that founded the Japanese version of Burning Man and created a 1,000-foot water slideare behind the event, called Maguro House (Tuna House). Ravers at Club Asia in the Shibuya neighborhood will dance to house music while watching fishmongers slice up a 90-pound tuna and turn it into sashimi. Tickets are going for about 25 bucks and it all goes down on December 28th. More info here.
https://thump.vice.com/en_us/article/tuna-beheading-raves-are-the-hot-new-thing-in-tokyo
Understanding Electronic Music Sub-Genres
There is a profound amount of experimental and indie electronica that everybody should listen to.
One of the most well-known and sing-alongable of this batch would be Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard and producer Johnny Tamborello's collaboration as Postal Service. Their supposed only album, Give Up , was conceived by way of mail, as they never recorded in the same room as each other. It is electro-pop with an indie audience. The beats delve into techno and IDM territories.
Radiohead achieved ethereal heights using guitars and effects on OK Computer in a similar way and then responded with a series of releases primarily made with synthesizers and drum pads, in Kid A and Amnesiac. They will define this era of music we currently live in. Thom York's solo album was a techno album which featured guitar and piano instrumentation, his naked (that is, sans effects) voice, which all started as a friendly suggestion of Bjork's, who thought his wonderful voice was too often disguised with effects.
The American band Wilco created a masterpiece in analog engineering in Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. This is, in the end (because their record label didn't like the album) indie music that achieves levels of serenity and the sublime similar to Radiohead. It is experimental to the max. There are times of complete and utter peace and of chaos. And, like with Radiohead's Thom Yorke, the vocals and lyrics are stellar.
Sigur Ros is an Icelandic post-rock band that creates beautiful, even orchestral, ambient music.
Four Tet is a British producer, guitar player and DJ particularly known for his inventive concepts, unique sounds and amazing remixes. He was my "gateway drug" into electronic music. Four Tet is Kieren Hebden, the guitar player for the post-rock band Fridge. His most recent work includes three releases with legendary acid jazz drummer Steve Reid.
A friend of Four Tet, Jon Hopkins, is British piano player and producer. He has recorded many ambient and dubstep tracks. James Blake is a British singer-songwriter dubstep producer who is rising out of the underground culture of electronic music.
The world-famous Gorillaz, who have received considerable air-play in America, are the brain-child of Damon Albarn, lead singer of Blur (who had a hit in Song #2, "woo-hoo!"), and comic book designer and artist Jamie Hewlett. The idea was to create a virtual band of cartoon characters. According to Wikipedia: "The music is a collaboration between various musicians, Damon being the only permanent musical contributor." When "Clint Eastwood" came out, I didn't get it, I guess I was too young. But a few years later, I found myself discovering the Gorillaz, when they released Demon Days and I found my brother's burned copy of their debut album. Enjoy this review of their singles compilation, which really gives the group its due, below.
Animal Collective is a great example of an indie electronic band. They are known for their long sustained moments of ecstasy, which often seem to come from out of nowhere in the middle of irresistibly catchy songs that often have a liking similar to The Beach Boys.
Ryksopp.
Massive Attack's Mezzanine uses lots of dark guitars playing minor chords, which fit in perfectly with the epic bass and snare. This album, therefore has elements of post-gothic rock, which is not as scary as it sounds. Heavy metal music that uses synthesizers and other electronic equipment is considered Industrial. Nine Inch Nails would be a great example of this niche. The psychedelic band Shpongle is a cross of acid-house and live instrumentation. The post-rock dance band Sound Tribe Sector 9 (or just STS9) is fantastic and spaced-out. I would say they make much better, cohesive and well-executed albums than any of the hippie jam bands with whom they often share the stage. Bonobo is a chillout, hip-hop and jungle DJ that uses his band for his studio recordings and in live performances.
http://hubpages.com/entertainment/Electronic-Music-Genres
Twitch Details Latest Attractions for TwitchCon 2015
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Twitch, the worlds leading social video platform and community for gamers, today unveiled new information about TwitchCon 2015 on its brand new landing page, including details about 40 panels and 50 Twitch broadcasting celebrities who will be taking part in onsite activities. In addition, EDM superstar Darude will be among the acts performing at the TwitchCon 2015 afterparty.
In April, Twitch conducted an open call to the community and staff for panel submissions. This announcement resulted in hundreds of applications and a lengthy review process. As a result, the top 40 panels have been chosen with details about each one viewable on the new interactive TwitchCon website.
Another big part of TwitchCon 2015 is connecting the community with the most popular broadcasters. Twitch has now revealed that the following personalities will all be involved with the event on a highly interactive level with more to come:
2MGoverCsquared GiantWaffle
nl_kripp
ApproachingNirvana GoldGlove
OMGitsFirefoxx
Bacon_donut Gripsed
PokerStaples
Brownman Iamsp00n
Reynad27
CaptainSparklez iiJeriichoii
SethBling
Cirno_tv imaqtpie
Sevadus
CohhCarnage itmeJP
Sodapoppin
CosmoWright kittyplaysgames
Summit1g
Dansgaming Lethalfrag
Swiftor
dmbrandon Lirik
TeamSp00ky
EatMyDiction1 LOLrenaynay
TheJustinFlynn
eg_jwong ManVsGame
Timthetatman
Ellohime maximilian_dood
Towelliee
Ezekiel_iii ms_vixen
Trick2g
GassyMexican Nightblue3
TrumpSC
On September 26 at 9:00pm PDT is the TwitchCon 2015 after party. This event is for ages 18+ with tickets only available for purchase to those purchasing a pass to TwitchCon 2015. The first spotlight performer being announced is popular electronic dance music producer and DJ, Darude. Darudes "Sandstorm" song is a staple among the Twitch community as an infectious track, as well as being a popular response in chat whenever someone asks what song is playing with a frequently used emote (duDudu).
"The Twitch community has been really passionate about my music, especially in the way they hype Sandstorm in chat and the support they have given my Twitch channel," said Darude. "I look forward to performing for this incredible group of gaming and music fans at TwitchCon."
TwitchCon 2015 is taking place September 25-26 at the Moscone West convention center in San Francisco and is the first ever convention dedicated to Twitchs community of partners, broadcasters, and viewers. To be kept in the loop with all TwitchCon news, follow the TwitchCon Twitter feed and sign up at TwitchCon.com to receive updates.
For daily updates specific to TwitchCon, visit the TwitchCon Twitter feed, and for general Twitch news, visit the Twitch blog, Twitter and Facebook pages. To follow Darude, visit his Twitch, Facebook and Twitter pages.
About Twitch
Twitch is the worlds leading social video platform and community for gamers. Each month, more than 100 million community members gather to watch and talk about video games with more than 1.5 million broadcasters. Twitchs video platform is the backbone of both live and on-demand distribution for the entire video game ecosystem. This includes game developers, publishers, media outlets, events, user generated content, and the entire esports scene. In February 2014, Twitch was ranked the 4th largest website in terms of peak Internet traffic in the U.S., fortifying the brand as an entertainment industry leader and the epicenter of social video for gamers. For more information visit the Twitch website and the blog.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150608005444/en/Twitch-Details-Latest-Attractions-TwitchCon-2015
