Snowflake Studios.. launches?!
Well, actually I am ready to go forward with the launch.. but.. oh, just read the post entitled "Snow Tonight!" in the General UBB Forum. -PAW-

Back like that Y'all
Yeah. This is the AFTERMATH of such a thing. I'm sitting down and diceing unto you the newsity to keep your mind sharp and alert. I added a new reader review for Donkey Kong Country to the reviews page. The review is by Pikamom! Check it out, word. Oh, for those wondering, yes.. I am rationing out reviews. I got sick of having nothing to cover so I'm doing.. "traditional" newsity and I'm rationing. That way I'm never out of anything new! This will be a looong weekend as there is lots to do and I hop you stay to see it. Also check back for the debut of Snowflake Studios later this weekend. YAY! -PAW-

Ice Blue: I thought Snowflake Studios already debuted... o_O
Akemi: Not the Grand Opening...
Philip: Yeah.. still got stuff left to do for it.
 

THQ and MTV.
When their powers combine... things get *really* ugly. Anyways, they shipped "MTV Sports: T.J. Lavin’s Ultimate BMX" for Game Boy Color. Now we can kill the fatted calf. -PAW-

Ice Blue: MTV is getting old... only corporate whores really watch it avidly.
Akemi: Mm.  Beef.
Philip: I'll cook yours RARE, Akemi.
 

Powerpuffin'
The Second game in the trilogy of Powerpuff girl games shipped today. The title is "Powerpuff Girls: Paint the Townsville Green" and it centers around Buttercup. The first game, which centers around Blossom, is entitled "Powerpuff Girls: Bad Mojo Jojo" and is available now in stores. In January the final game in the trilogy, "Powerpuff Girls: Battle Him", will ship. The three games carry an SRP (Suggest Retail Price) of $29.99 each. Each of the titles spotlight a particular Powerpuff Girl and each is a unique side-scrolling action game. Special levels, and trading cards can be found in this game by getting passwords at cartoonnetwork.com and at participating retailers like Best Buy, and Target. There are 36 unique cards and they can be traded between all three titles via the Game Link Cable. We have a reader review of the first title available in our reviews archive on this page. Remember! Bad Mojo Jojo focuses on Blossom, Paint the Townsville Green centers on Buttercup, and Battle Him highlights Bubbles. Since I have taken the time to break down a daft press release for your reading, please pretend to care. -PAW-

Ice Blue: Bubbles... ::drools::
Akemi: Typical man.  Goes for the ditzy airheaded blonde. 
Philip: Blossom is okay; but I liked her friend Six better.
 
 

Welcome to Moseley.
You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villany. Or a better American Skier. Johny Moseley, 1998 Olympic Gold Medalist in the Winter Olympics in Nagano (Japan), has just signed on to be in an Extreme Skiing Game for 3D0. The game will be multi-platform so a Game Boy Advance version of the game is extremely viable. 3D0 plans to get the game, featureing the Gold Medal Winner in the Moguls event at Nagano, out by the time the champion gets ready to defend his title in the Deer Valley Moguls course in Utah in the next Winter Olympic games. The games are expected to carry on brand new trends in Extreme skiing like Big mountain heli-skiing, moguls, terrain parks, big air, kickers, rails, twin-tip skis, skier-cross, and the freestyle movement. Will Johny Moseley be the Tony Hawk of the slopes? We will see if this one can fly with the bird, or just end up being flipped it, sometime next year. -PAW-

Ice Blue: Wow... news...
Akemi:  Wow.
Philip: I know.. O_O
 

Go Go Songpro!
Hey, it's December.. where is it? It's in QA. In other words, it's almost done. The website songpro.com will be selling the device in limited quantity in January. AND to top it off, certain retail stores will be carrying it. So expect to see a Songpro MP3/WMA player for your Game Boy Color in January 2001 in limited supply. In other words, if you see one.. go ahead and buy it! It will go fast. Selected retailers means, most likely, Best Buy and Babbages. So keep an eye out for it! Oh, I noted something interesting in the pictures at Songpro.com! Below is a picture of Ron Jones holding a Game Boy Advanced with a Songpro Jr. prototype thingy sticking out of it. I want you to note how much it sticks out of the system. The picture has been modified to highlight the GBA. The Game Boy Camera may very well do that too. Remember that GB and GBC cartidges will stick out halfway from the Game Boy Advanced. Kind of an interesting deal, if you ask me; but it should be okay. Oh, if you preordered.. your order is STILL top priority. -PAW-

Pass the Toriyama.
I think we mentioned a while back; but here goes (Deep breath!): "Infogrames is developing a Dragon Ball Z game for the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advanced scheduled for release next year around the Fall". Infogrames is known for Game Boy games like (reaches into his magic Game Boy Color Nintendo bag) Mission: Impossible, Mr. Nutz, Boarder Zone, and V-Rally Edition 1999. Oh, no! We're going to get screwed! Unless.. they decide to be cheap and just translate/colorize an older Game Boy game. Oh, wait! We have a reader review of an import Dragon Ball Z game on this page! Well, hope for the best! -PAW-

Ice Blue: Considering the DBZ franchise is old in Japan... this sounds like an American game.  American versions of anime... usually suck.
Akemi: Yes they do.. Imagine an "americanized" version of Ninja Scroll. *shudder*
Philip: Thundercats doesn't count as an anime does it.. O_O *snickers*

November Stuff.
Previous newsity for your textual pleasure.
Even more tantilizing textual informubation.
Yes, an absolute over-load of textual ecstasy.

Two for the road! Yes.. pass the Slugma....

HA!
Again, I shall say it. HA! HA! HA! BWA HA HA HA HA HA! Guess what the latest word from the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Japanese Sales Research Group) is! Guess the what the NUMBER ONE, best selling system is in Japan! Guess what has sold more units, and made more money in Japan. I can tell you what didn't quite easily. No, it wasn't Wonderswan, Play Station One, Play Station 2, Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, or the Neo Geo Pocket Color. It was GAME BOY COLOR. Oh, yeah. Number ONE in Japan. Of course. And NO that's not spawned by Pokemon. It's spawned by games like Mario Tennis, Mega Man Xtreme, Yu Gioh Duel Monsters, and Kirby's Tilt N Tumble. Oh, on a funny note.. the Play Station ONE is out-selling the Play Station 2 in Japan. Ha ha ha -PAW-

Akemi: And at the PS2, we laugh!  Laugh with us!  Ha ha ha ha!
Philip laughs!
 

You will take this ship and like it.
Blue's Clues: "Blue's Alphabet Book",  MTV Sports BMX, Nascar Racers, Lemmings Revolution, Nicktoons Racing, Disney's Mickey's Magical Racing Tour, and Pokemon Puzzle League have all shipped for the GBC. They all carry a SRP (Suggested Retail Price) of $29.95 Walk, don't run to your nearest Video Game Retailer and take a look at the boxes of these games before walking out of the store with a copy of Harvest Moon GBC 2 or Donkey Kong Country. Oh, some stores are selling Cannon Fodder early, go get it if you see it. -PAW-

Akemi: WAI! BLUE'S CLUES! SUGOI!
Sock Monkey sits there silently thinking Sock Monkey thoughts.
 

Like Snow falling on.. stuff.
Anyways, Snowflake Studios has launched! For this week, I will update it everyday. But after that, it's Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. For those wondering about it, iSymph and DMG Diva will reappear soon in new forms. Watch for it. -PAW-

Akemi: Brr...
Philip puts his Llama wool jacket around Akemi to keep her warm.
 

Poke Her!
Pokemon Crystal, the "On-line" sequelish thing for Pokemon Gold and Silver comes out in Japan on December 14th. The games story takes place a year after Pokemon Gold and Silver and is an "expansion" of sorts. A new character going by the Japanese name Minaki will show up. He is somehow connected to a Sacred Pokemon. (Cue Dramatic Music) You can now raid the tombs and ruins of Alph even more, as more of them have been uncovered. The graphics are even more improved as there is *gasp* more animation in battles. The fire on Cyndaquil's back moves! YAY! New items, new types of Room Decorations, and the ability to choose to play as a Female or Male Trainer. *gasp* How amazing. This is, of course, heaped onto the improvements made to the game in Gold and Silver. There isn't official word of it coming to the states, as it's online abilities are a little bit of a detractor for the USA. Cell Phones are not as widely used here as they are in Europe and Asia. A shame; but hey.. we will see. Oh, your Pokegear, Back Pack, and some other variables are different depending on the gender you choose for your character. Of course there is new Pokedex data, and a rumoured 51st TM. -PAW-

Akemi: That sounds pretty coolies.
Philip: Yup! Gotta love those Pocket Monsters.
 

Blue gets special attention.
Since I got a copy of the press release for it, Blue and Magenta get special attention. The game is aimed towards Pre-Schoolers. Which I find odd.. I dunno.. pre-schoolers? Some of the audience for the game would rather put it in their mouth than push the buttons, right? Oh, well. It has six replayable Alphabet games for your young at mind, and as usual, Marc Nix of IGN Pocket will simply adore it. -PAW-

Akemi: Akemi likes Blue's Clues..
Philip: Tommorrow.. Viral Speak and Reviews.. and of course Snowflake Studios.. and umm. YAY! *runs*
 

December Stuff.
Previous newsity for your textual pleasure.
November Stuff.
Previous newsity for your textual pleasure.
Even more tantilizing textual informubation.
Yes, an absolute over-load of textual ecstasy.

I like Phanpy. It's noddles of fun..

Pokemon Blue(Tooth) for the USA?
How exactly will Pokemon Crystal work in a land, the USA, where Cell Phones are just not as prevelant? Well, Nintendo of America is looking into that. One solution is a Phone Line outlet; but that's good for short bursts of information like E-Mail, and Game Shark Codes, you need something more "stable" to go wireless. One of my sources mentioned that Nintendo is considering Blue Tooth Wireless Technology. Now, what is Blue Tooth? Here's the cut and dry, copy/paste from a press release on Blue Tooth. I can't find a better way to describe it.

"Bluetooth is a low-cost radio technology providing an open standard for short-range wireless communications. Designed to enable wireless transmission of data signals, Bluetooth will eliminate the need for cables. The technology enables wireless connectivity across a wide range of communications devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants and laptop computers."

Some people hoped Nintendo would use it for The WaveBird wireless controller for the Game Cube. Nintendo said no to the controller; but this appears to be a feasible option for Pokemon Crystal. Useing Radio Signals, a special "PokeDome" device, and a special hook-up; the game would work very well. The only deal is an accidental disconnect. That's where the "Pokedome" would come in. It would immediately "reset" the Pokemon Crystal game. It also acts as a filter for the information being processed. Well, that's mostly rumor right now. Enjoy. Blue Tooth will also be used in a lot of other portable devices. The latest deal being Texas Instrument's newest line of calculators and some of the newest Digital Cameras. -PAW-

Adrock: Then why does every teenage girl I know have one? I guess that's not exactly their target audience.
Jazz: Funny.. I don't know any girls with blue teeth.
Akemi:  I have a phone.. my two best friends have phones.. my friend who plays gameboy has a phone.. my parents have phones.. nope, not prevelant in the US at all..
Philip: But are they WAP enabled? It's not the saturation of cell phones as a whole that's the problem.. it's the saturation of the right kind of cell phones.
 

Silly Crave, UFC is for kids!
Crave Entertainment announced today that they have shipped Godzilla: Monster Wars, and Ultimate Fighting Championship for Game Boy Color. Despite these games having shipped a week ago, Crave felt obliged to send out press that they released them. The Press Release was as follows.

"BWA HA HA! Crave has released unto you, foolish fleshbags, two more evils of Crave's bidding! They are Crave's children, freshly spawned from the bowels of the Creep! Balk in terror, insignificant Night Orge fodder, and submit your Gil unto us! Each of our demonic war-spawn is rated E for EVIL and comes with a hefty suggested (Under penalty of beheading) retail price, mortal skin puppets, of 5,000 GIL or $29.95 + your soul/firstborn male child. SUBMIT! SUBMIT!"

After that, the press release sprouted spider legs, and ran up into my ceiling corner where it proceeded to build a small web and stare at me with a blood lust. Well, it did until I printed out an illegal copy of the latest Dungeons & Dragons rule book; which I rolled up and smited the beast with, causing press release guts to spew everywhere and leaving a large hole in the ceiling corner. Oh, you were paying attention right? -PAW-

Adrock: Philip is rated E for Eerie.
Akemi: If you didn't kill it, i'd have a new pet right about now.
Philip: Sorry.. here's the press release from yesterday's Blue Clues.. it's fluffy!
 

Sony shoots itself in the foot.
I think it was aiming for it's head, got confused and shot it's foot. I demand a reload. Hey, guess what the top selling console in the USA is? The PS One. Sadly, the Game Boy Color isn't considered a "console" in the USA. Bah! Well, PC Data doesn't think it is. Oh, well. But.. hey! Check out this little bit here from videogames.com It's interesting insight into why the PS One is selling well. Wouldn't you hate to be a Sony rep after Christmas Day? Another thing I would like to say, why AREN'T sales associates stopping these people and making sure they know about these products? The customer knows what they want; you're there to make sure they don't come back angry when they discover that the PS One isn't a PS2 and can not play PS2 games. Get with the program. -PAW-

Adrock: How can you not love the PS One? It's really cute and small, you can take it anywhere, and OH MY GOD IT'S GOT MY FOOT! LET GO!
Akemi: The PSOne is SO adorable.. You just wanna snuggle it, cuddle it, and take it home to your parents.
Philip: Like me? *grins*
 

Interesting..
Well, check out this article at IGN Pocket. I know that lady they mentioned. Yes, I met her at E3, we had coffee and talked about First Person Shooters and their effects on children ages 6 to 12. I suggest for kids under 8 that Perfect Dark is a NO. I do not think kids that young should be exposed to violent games. 8 on up with Adult Supervision. I'm for the enforcement/explanation of ratings in stores. Anyways, She wrote an article for the Washington Post a while back about the marketing of Violent Games to Kids. Daphne White is a nice, concerned lady; but sometimes the list looks like it's far fetched. Sometimes well-meaning isn't seeing 20/20. Now, I'll link the older article we have here, which is a much better explanation than you would see in the IGN Pocket piece. I want to point out that the relatively large amount of kids who own a Game Boy Color.. is NOT why those three games are on the list. Look at their rateings. They are all rated "E". Giving Metal Gear Solid an "E" rating is the equivelant of giving "Men of Honor" a "G" rateing. Bionic Commando: Elite Forces has blood -just a little- and is rated "E". Turok 3 earned it's "E" rateing for being fairly sterile; but given the nature of the series it's part of.. I can understand. Now, she missed Tomb Raider and Warlocked; but parents -for the most part- know those and those games were -sadly- not as popular. Although I think they should have both gotten a "T" rateing. Perfect Dark GBC was rated "T". Little Nicky is rated "T". Get the picture? Cannon Fodder is rated "T". Driver and Carmeggedon are rated "T". Those didn't make the list because they are marked correctly. If those three were rated "T", they would not be on that list. The Lion & Lamb Project is a bit shaky sometimes; but the group is not made up of "kooks" like Logos Christian Consortium or Bejiros Ministries. It's made up of nice, respectable adults. Although, I don't agree on some points with her, or the organization; they are nice people. Now, is violence marketed towards kids? Yes, some of it is. I admit that. Look at the the list. Should that Pokemon thing be there? No. Lazer Tag? Yes. -PAW-

Adrock: Nothing is stopping parents from actually PLAYING the games they buy their kids, if only for 5 or 10 minutes. But they're too busy sending their kids to the gas station to buy cigarettes for them, so I can understand.
Jazz: hah!
Akemi: My mom actually plays my games, that's why I don't get anything tooooooo violent. *cries 'cuz she doesn't own even ONE version of Resident Evil.*
Philip: Maybe some day they will do a Resident Evil Dance Dance Revolution? Samba De Undead!
 

Wanna fight?
Okay, sure.. but first here's a new review. (Yeah, I'm evil...) Snowflake Studios Updated again, and here's a Viral Speak.. FINALLY! -PAW-

Adrock: We are a part of those concerned with Anti-Virii laws. We feel that the people of the United States should be able to consume these virii and their respective "speaks" at their own judgement. Vote YES on Proposition DMG!
Jazz W Bush: Propo... probo... prob... propoposition. Whatever.
Akemi: If you can't trust me with a choice, how can you trust me with a Viral Speak? 
Phil Gore: I invented Virii. I invented the Speak. I will crush opposition.. *makes whirring noise* Where.. is.. The Creator...
Sock Monkey sits there silently on top of some uncounted Florida Sock Monkey ballots thinking Sock Monkey thoughts.
 

December Stuff.
Previous newsity for your textual pleasure.

Miltank is awesome. Miltank is a pimp.

Long enough for you?
Some people are just never satisfied about the length of our newsity. It's too long! It's too short! It's too thick! Too thin! People, it's not the size of the newsity, it's what you DO with it. This bit of newsity is to keep you in check with what we're doing here at dmgice.com. We're trying to expand the news to make it larger and more in--depth; but not much new has happened worth noting.. a fluffy press release puppy from Activision announcing that their 102 Dalmations game shipped.. even though it was in stores last week. Infogrames bought Mattel and Craig and Marc made themselves look silly.. just a bit. We all have our dreaded companies.. THQ, and Majesco. BUT Marc and Craig forgot that while those two companies don't pubish a lot of good titles.. they just PUBLISH titles. Q*Bert had nothing to do with Majesco, Majesco just distributed it. As did the other titles that "Majesco" has published. The proper credit should go to Pipe Dream Interactive, Inc. Just thought I would point that out. And Q*Bert belongs to Columbia Pictures. (The heck?) YAY! Anyways, here's the lowdown on what's going down. And I need you to take to the message boards and talk about it!

1. Viral Speak: Should it be daily (Shorter) or only three nights a week.. (Larger)? Also, should we bring back Innocent Victim's Night.. where we force a reader to do Viral Speak for Saturday? Or not..

2. Pallet Gym Fan Fictions: This is something I've been meaning to get down as soon as possible; but I'm having a hard time doing it. Should I let one of the other staff members handle it? If I try to do it myself, with my job and other things, it'll take longer.. I already missed the first deadline. And I would really like to 

3. Previews: Adrock likes doing previews! What games would you like to see previewed!

4. DMG Diva: SHould it be a section of the site at dmgice.com or should I put it over on Snowflake Studios?

5. Gallery: Should the Gallery be moved to Snowflake Studios?

6. Goldthingies 2001: Yes, we're doing them this year as well. 3 staff members, 3 readers. Should we vote on what readers to include in the UBB? I'm pretty sure I know what readers in particular I would choose; but I want it to be fair for everyone.

7. Snowflake Studios: I've heard that Meowthar has a comic strip as well. I think some other readers have submitted comics; but I can't find them on my hard-drive or e-mail. If you have a comic and would like to be a part of Snowflake Studios.. don't hesitate to send it in. ^_^ Snowflake Studios also updated today.

8. Oddish/Release Dates: Both of those haven't been updated in a long while. I truly regret that. Well, not the release dates.. I loathe release dates.. they are usually 90% inaccurate. But the Oddish.. I'm thinking.. I may need to delegate that to someone in the staff. I have five people working with me on the and I don't let them do nearly enough.

9. Reviews: Nothing new to report really; but I found a review by Josh that I forgot I had. I'll put it up next update along with a few more. ^_^

10. Nyquil or Asprin? Just wanna know.... no real reason.. headaches a little, ya know? -PAW-

December Stuff.
Previous newsity for your textual pleasure.

I got Pokemon Puzzle Challenge today and it prevented me from getting much done. But it sure is fun.. go out and get it. I already went through a pair of batteries thanks to this game. I also beat Tomb Raider GBC.. interesting ending..

Weekend Warfare.
YAY! I have to work all Saturday; BUT.. because this is a long update.. check back and I'll see if I can get more Pallet Gym fics up as well as something for Holiday shoppers. I'll get my own Pokemon Puzzle Challenge review up.. as well as -hopefully- Harvest Moon GBC 2. I'm also working in Donkey Kong Country. If you beat every level and get all the bonus rounds that were in the original one (As well as the cleverly placed new level "Necky Nutmare").. you should probably ONLY have 86% or less. O_O Anyways, turn off the DK Barrels and go through it again to get the other pictures and open up that Lost World. Or go through without continue barrels to get more pictures and unlock that Lost World. Rare expects you to beat the game a tital of three times to get 101% and that's nifty. I have 89% right now and I'm at Tree Top Town with no DK barrels. I WILL review it! Oh, Cannon Fodder is finally shipping to me.. about time. It's been in stores for a little while. Pick that one up.. unless the idea of "War is fun" offends you. -PAW-

Akemi: Hmm.. I will be sleeping, shopping, wrapping and decorating this weekend. How about you?
Philip: I'll choose one of those and stick with it.
 

Review Soup.
Whatcha want? More reviews? Here's more reviews than you need.. Pokemon Puzzle Challenge, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX, and more this weekend! All reader reviews; and good ones too! Here is a spoon, try not to spill. -PAW-

Akemi: Whatchu like.. whole lotta reviews..
Philip: Reviews.. Mmm... 858 of them... textual goodness. *reads one* 857...
 

Mice are everywhere.
Yes, they are. Whether it is Jerry of the recently released (and post-release announced that it was released) "Tom and Jerry: Mouse Attacks" from NewKidCo. Or Nintendo and Burger King announcing their new promotion for the radiant, rampaging, radioactive, rodentia known as Chernobyl... I mean... Pikachu. Mice are everywhere. Obey them. Anyways, tiny Game Boys with Gold/Silver tiny cartridges are going to be in your Big Kid's Meals, Kid's Meals, and the mouths of children under the age of three everywhere. The pint-sized wonders will have magic motion pictures, voice, and/or little Pachinko games. Go get them between December 11th, and January 7th (2001); and hurry! Hurry! Before I get there and buy all of them; or someone in California sues because they didn't read the "Not for children under the age of 3" warning. -PAW-

Akemi: OOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooOOOOOOoooooooo
OOOOOOooooooo Pachinko!
Philip: Never has dropping your balls been more fun than Pachinko!
 
 

Chewing on the hand that feeds ya.
Or something like that. Anyways, I thought you would like to take a look at this interview IGN Pocket did with the team behind Shantae. It's niftyeous and the preview has dancing icons. Dancing icons! -PAW-

Akemi: Growf.
Philip: Oh, yesterday.. it's Infogrames bought Hasbro, not Mattel. Never type late at night. ^_^ Oooo check this out!

Be KEEN!
Or not really. Hey, if you didn't make Snowflake Studios (Which Updated today with a new Lieber Man; but.. you already have it bookmarked now.. don't you?) and would like to instead make a comic strip for Slitherine.. check this out! Even if you can't draw, just go ahead and send them comic ideas anyways! In other words, do this:

Frame One: (Tex is standing there with a generic Robotic Dinosaur.)
Tex: You're gonna bite me aren't you.
Dino: ....

Frame Two: (Same as first frame.)
Tex: You're thinking of biting me and chewing me up into little bits aren't you!
Dino: ....

Frame Three: (Tex has been eaten by the Dinosaur and the Dinosaur is picking his teeth with a toothpick and wearing Tex's hat.)
Dino: It was his idea.

YAY! Hilarious antics ensue that you control! Scan your own storyboards if you want to! Oh, you win something! Yes, you win the privilege of having your idea used in their storyline! You also recieve the pre-production sketches and materials from your idea! This is similar to that contest Charizard 2000 and Globe Flower did with Usual Suspects and is similar to AT FREAKS YA 2001.. umm.. forget that... anyways, check out the contest rules and get your ideas to Slytherine by December 31st, 2000! Hey, I'm entering. How 'bout you? -PAW-

Akemi: I am SO there.
Philip: I can finally write Squishy into the epic tale!

December Stuff.
Previous newsity for your textual pleasure.

I crave Puzzle goodness!