In case you haven't checked your Major Nelson Twitter profile (damn, does he love updating that Twitter), E3 has been going non-stop since Monday. Microsoft, Sony & Ninteno all (well, all except Nintendo) came with their best this year and delivered pretty good press conferences. The Big 3's press conferences showcased new and interesting IPs, features, and exclusives like they do every year with not many, if at all, surprises. Here's a quick rundown:

• Microsoft showed a lot of gameplay, more than the other two big companies did. The Fallout 3, Gears of War 2 and Resident Evil gameplay got me excited for the holiday season of games, except RE5 which comes out in the spring.
  
  
  
  • Biggest Announcement: NetFlix partnership that allows users to DL movies for free, if a Netflix member, coming soon.
    
  • 2nd Biggest Announcement: There's a new update coming in the fall that introduces an Avatar featured interface that is designed to bring a whole new level of togetherness and personality to the community. Users can play NBC gameshow games like 1 vs. 100 & Deal or No Deal, share photos in real time with a couple friends in the same group, even take the entire party and watch a new film one of them used their Netflix account to watch for free - for 4 consoles, just connected to each other on their buddy list.
    
  • 3rd Biggest Announcment: !!SHOCKER!! Final Fantasy XIII is coming to the 360!
    
  
  
  
• Sony had some cool updates for their PS3 firmware. Games for this conference mostly appeared in trailer form, like God of War 3. There was a demo for Resistance 2 which was awesome. And there was even a business graph power point-esque presentation created entirely with Little Big Planet which was pretty adorable. My only question is this: Where was Killzone 2?!
  
  
  
  • Biggest Announcement: New TV & Movie download service that allows users to transfer from PS3/PSN Network via PC to the PSP and back again. Take your films/shows anywhere you go with your PSP.
    
  • 2nd Biggest Announcement: Resistance 2 looks incredible, and if it weren't for Metal Gear Solid 4, would probably be the definitive reason to pick up a PS3.
    
  • 3rd Biggest Announcement: God of War 3 is coming... eventually.
    
  
  
  
• Nintendo... Look, I talk smack on the Wii enough to just leave this one alone. I will say this, the Nintendo conference was lamer than lamesauce sprinkled on a Virtual Boy with only one working eye piece. Uber-lame.
  
  
  
  • Biggest Announcement: Animal Crossing: City Folk is coming soon on Wii.
    
  • 2nd Biggest Announcement: A new Pokemon Ranger game is coming soon.
    
  • 3rd Biggest Announcement: There's gonna be a sequel to Guitar Hero: On Tour on DS.
    
  • No Metroid, No Zelda, No Luigi Spin-off... NO KID ICARUS. LAME!
    
  
  

Press Conferences after the jump.

Since we're quickly approaching the release of Joss Whedon's Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, I've put myself on an official Dr. Horrible Watch.

Today I bring you two bits.


First, official release dates where announced for the web-musical (wusical?) starring Neil Patrick Harris (Dr. Horrible) and Nathan Fillion (Capt. Hammer). Part 1 will air on Tuesday, July 15th, with Part 2 & 3 to appear on July 17th & 19th respectively. Yes, they're online only...but they'll go OFFLINE July 20th.

Following that they will be made available for download at a “nominal fee” and in the near future available to buy on a very special DVD “with the finest and bravest extras in all the land”.
[Source]


Second, Dark Horse Comics have released a Capt. Hammer comic entitled "Be Like Me" on their Dark Horse Presents Myspace site. The comic was written by Joss' brother Zack Whedon and drawn by Eric Canete.

[Dr. Horrible's First Story Is Now Online via I09]

I haven't posted in a while due to the long hours testing video games, and figured since I still can't officially say anything about the projects I'm working on I'd throw up a post saying that:

MY ULTIMATE GAMING PC IS ON ITS WAY!!!

I ordered the parts to build a most triumphant spectacle of digital graphics and technology that will surely be the envy of everyone on staff here at iAmNerd.org.

Yes, I am building it myself. I ordered a couple bundles of parts that I wanted, and am getting a sweet sweet system together. Let's just say... What I am about to assemble in the next week or so can run Crysis, and not slow down.

Anyhoo, I'll post specs of what I currently own and what I will be assembling soon. I'm too tired to pull up the specs list right now. Trust me though, it's gonna be flippin' sweet!

Joss Whedon (Firely, Buffy, Angel) is a nerd god in my eyes, thus I'm obviously excited that one of his next projects, Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (staring Neil Patrick Harris, Felicia Day and Nathan Fillion), finally has a trailer.


Here's where I tell you to hit the jump to watch it.

I loves me some FireFox. Apparently, everyone else is too as my attempt to grab the brand new FireFox 3 is a little buggy at the moment. Still, it's out, it's new, and they're trying to set a world record.


For more on what's new in this version, I point you to this Ars Technica article.

So the show has been absent lately--and for that I apologize. Everyone's busy meeting deadlines, with their new jobs, or maybe no one likes little ol' Andy anymore.

But don't think the show is dead...FAR from it! Infact, I have exciting news from the realm of "what I've been up to" (granted, it's not really related to I Am Nerd):



Those who listened to the last episode of I Am Nerd are familiar with the concept of me playing music for an audience: I find a “sexah” little spot (aka Tatame Sake Bar & Tea Lounge), get on the mic to dispense some poor attempts at humor, and play some mighty-fine independent music. Good times are had by all.

Well, welcome to phase two of my awkward attempt to socialize via blatant self promotion: Frequency Zero One. FZO (as the kids will call it…because they’re lazy) is a new podcast (see: radio show) that I’ll be hosting from Tatame where I’ll be spinning (see: pressing play on my Zune) new-to-you music for your listening pleasure. However, like in television, the show rides upon a pilot. If a fair amount of people show up, this can become a regular gig. If no one shows up, I become a bitter creature forced to walk the earth alone cursing all those who dare to glance at me. Good times!

So invite anyone you want—co-workers, ex co-workers, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, boyfriends that kind-of look like they could be your girlfriend which gives everyone pause and hilarity ensues, etc—and join me Monday, June 9th from 8-10pm.

And, for those who like pretty pictures, here’s a poster:

Back when I was a huge Nintendo fanboy, I loved anything Rare spit out. Donkey Kong Country? Yep. Battletoads? God yes. Battletoads & Double Dragon? Okay...not so much.

When Nintendo let them run away to Microsoft in 2002, I figured: "Great! This means we'll get some Nintendo-esque platformers on a non-Nintendo system! Share the love!" Unfortunately, that never happened. Instead of a new Killer Instinct or GoldenEye 64, we got somewhat forgettable titles like Grabbed by the Ghoulies and Kameo--Viva Piñata was pretty good, though.

All is not lost, however, as the new Banjo-Kazooie coverage have started to get me to believe again. If you're out of the loop on the new Rare venture, I can only tell you three things: I have a trailer available for you after the jump, it's due in November, and there's a rumor that there's going to be a Wii-like controller for the game.

The PSP has been out for three years but I'm just now getting one. (A lovely new silver slim model.) The main reason I wanted one was to play Daxter, because I love Jak and Daxter more than any other game. Call me crazy.

I was excited to see what else the PSP library had to show, but I'm coming to realize there might not be a lot there. I still enjoy the system a lot with the games I've been playing. Playing Ratchet and Clank on this little system is still blowing my mind.

Even though the game selection is a little limited, I like it WAY more than the DS. You can watch video on a nice bright screen, listen to your music on the go (if it had custom soundtracks like the 360 we'd REALLY be in business) or view your pictures to make custom backgrounds and themes (even hook it up to a camera or PC for easy file transfers), and a built in web browser (can't handle too much but gets the job done). It even has Skype! Which will be very useful if I ever get my hands on the new headset.

It's a very good system to get for $169.99. But if you want a real value I suggest getting a bundle. There's the Daxter one (which I got obviously) which comes with a silver slim PSP, Daxter, a collection of 5 Family Guy episodes and a 1 GB Memory Stick all for $199.99. There's also a God of War bundle coming out in June which will have a red PSP with Kratos on the back, God of War: Chains of Olympus and the movie Superbad. Still $199.99 but no memory stick (life would suck without it) so the choice is yours.

And if you had a PSP way back when they came out but thought it too slow, the memory has been doubled (32 to 64) in the new slim models. So you might want to give it a go again.

The reason I bring this up on here is because Andy suggested the idea of me reviewing Ratchet and Clank and I thought that might be fun. And who knows, I might do my other games as well. So as soon as I beat the last boss (which is a one hit your dead boss) I'll feel good about writing a review. :)

Today's the big day, Wii owners! It's time to dust off your Wii Sports machines and get yourself a heaping helping of the small game party us XBox and PS3 kids have had for a few years now. That's right, WiiWare launches today!


Here's the launch titles (from the press release):
FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: My Life as a King™ (Square Enix, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, 1,500 Wii Points): FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a King takes a legendary franchise and launches it into the realm of simulation gaming. Players are challenged to rebuild a kingdom, leading its young king on a path of discovery through an adventure bristling with mystery and intrigue.

LostWinds™ (Frontier Development, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 1,000 Wii Points): A fresh, enchanting platform adventure that puts the power of the wind in the palm of your hand - from raging tornados to the gentlest breeze. You'll wield your Wii Remote™ controller to power Toku's jumps and glides, suspend and smash enemies, meet friends and solve puzzles using LostWinds' novel, intuitive and playful control system.

Defend your Castle™ (XGen Studios, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone - Cartoon Violence, 500 Wii Points): Defend your Castle takes place on a grassy plain surrounded by invaders. You are the commander of your castle, and it is your duty to fling the invading enemies sky-high, watching them plummet to their demise. As you progress, add powerful spells and upgrades to your arsenal for repelling the attacks. How long can you hold them off?

Pop™ (Nnooo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 700 Wii Points): Pop bubbles to score points and stop the timer from running out. Pop can be enjoyed by anyone - casual gamers can simply play to pop bubbles and keep the game moving, whereas advanced players will need to pick their shots rapidly and accurately and generate combos to maximize their score.

V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack™ (High Voltage Software®, Inc., 1-4 players, Rated T for Teen - Simulated Gambling, 700 Wii Points): V.I.P. Casino: Blackjack re-creates the casino experience, with fully animated players and a realistic Las Vegas dealer. Single players can increase their bankrolls, while multiple players can engage in a head-to-head mini-blackjack tournament.

TV Show King (Gameloft, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): TV Show King transforms your living room into a real TV quiz show studio where you'll face the challenge of answering more than 3,000 questions across six different categories. Compete against family and friends and use your Wii Remote controller in original ways to make it to the finals to see who can win the greatest amount of cash in one final, deciding duel.


[WiiWare live, no Virtual Console update this week via Joystiq]