“Simpsons” arcade game comes to home consoles
To celebrate the 500th episode of “The Simpsons,” which airs Feb. 19, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., in partnership with Gracie Films and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products, is making the “Simpsons” Arcade Game available for home consoles.
The game is now available for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The game will also be available on the PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system beginning Feb. 7.
“Of all The Simpsons video games, this demented classic is my favorite,” said Matt Groening, The Simpsons Creator and Executive Producer, in a news release.
In The Simpsons Arcade Game, players take on the role of a Simpsons character to chase Smithers and Mr. Burns on an epic quest to save Maggie.
The game features four-player online and offline cooperative play as well as eight Springfield locations.
As an added bonus, fans can view classic posters made for the game back in 1991.
- Matt Price
From Monday’s The Oklahoman
Katy Perry joins forces with The Sims
Electronic Arts Inc. announced a new collaboration between singer Katy Perry and The Sims Studio, the developers behind the video game “The Sims.”
The Sims Studio plans to develop multiple games within The Sims franchise featuring special Katy Perry themed in-game content and virtual goods. The relationship kicks off with a Collector’s Edition for The Sims 3 Showtime, launching in March 2012. Katy Perry will also be featured in all-new advertising and marketing campaigns for the brand.
“I always like to think of myself as a cartoon, and now I’m a Sim!” Perry said in a news release.
The Sims 3 Showtime Katy Perry Collector’s Edition is available for pre-order.
For more information, visit http://thesims.com/katyperry or http://thesims.com/showtime, or like the game on Facebook.
- Matt Price
Click past the cut for more images.
Tennis greats McEnroe, Sharapova to cover EA Sports’ Grand Slam Tennis 2
Tennis stars John McEnroe, Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova will grace the global cover of EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis 2, set for North American release on Feb. 10.
McEnroe is a former world No. 1 and a three-time champion at Wimbledon. Djokovic currently holds the ATP Tour No. 1 ranking. And Maria Sharapova is a former world No. 1 who has won three Grand Slam singles titles.
The title will be available for the first time in HD, on the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, including support of the PlayStation Move controller. Players can play in all four of the Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
Gamers can play with or against more than 20 of the greatest players to ever play professional tennis, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Bjorn Borg, Maria Sharapova, Serena and Venus Williams.
- Matthew Price
From Wednesday’s The Oklahoman
Comics holiday gift guide: Comics fans may have a very batty Christmas
Batman: Noel
Comics fans could have a very Batty Christmas with the cool Bat-themed gifts available this year.
Inspired by Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol,” the hardcover graphic novel “Batman: Noel” ($22.99) features different interpretations of the Dark Knight from various eras. Different cast members from “Batman” take on roles from “A Christmas Carol,” including Robin, Superman, Catwoman and the Joker.
The story is written and drawn by Lee Bermejo, who drew the hit “Joker” original graphic novel in 2008.
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DC Universe Online welcomes the Flash
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) announced today the upcoming launch of its second Downloadable Content (DLC) pack for DC Universe Online. “Lightning Strikes,” set to be released worldwide later this year, will include a new adventure with super-speedster The Flash.
The pack will launch simultaneously on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC, and will also introduce the game’s eighth power set: electricity powers.
“In this DLC pack, fans have the opportunity to immerse themselves in another great character and action-packed story from the DC Universe,” said Jens Andersen, Creative Director for DC Universe Online, in a news release. “With exciting gameplay, a new power set and new locations to share with your friends, we packed a whole new kind of fun into this DLC pack and are eager for our players to dive into another legendary adventure.”
The pack will also feature The Flash-themed characters and content with new maps and features, including, as described by SOE:
Central City – An all-new map that offers players a more open world experience that provides on-going gameplay, with solo and group missions.
The Flash Museum Duo – Players can now experience the Central City of today and tomorrow. In The Flash Museum Duo, players can travel back in time to the very moment when Barry Allen became The Flash and battle foes inside the Central City Police Station!
Electricity Powers – Players now have the opportunity to get the new Electricity Power set for current and new characters. The new Electricity Power set allows players to leverage the lightning power of electricity and use new types of attacks in combat. Electricity Powers include the Tesla Ball, which creates a floating ball of electricity that zaps nearby enemies; the Shockwave, which shoots streams of electric bolts at enemies; and Ionic Drain, which drains energy from the environment to replenish a player’s health while simultaneously damaging surrounding enemies.
New Gear – Players can earn all-new gear sets including the new Zoom-inspired gear set for villains, and the new Black Lightning-inspired gear set for heroes.
New Characters – Lightning Strikes brings players new iconic DC Universe characters including Livewire, Black Lightning, The Top, The Trickster, Static and more. New characters — such as Livewire — will be featured as new “Inspired By” options for players who can choose to create a new character inspired by some of DC Universe’s legendary characters. Additional new characters — such as Black Lighting — serve as a bounty mission that players can fight if they choose to be a villain.
The pack will be free for “Legendary” players, and available for $9.99 for free and premium players through the PlayStation Network Store, through the in-game Marketplace and on PC from the DC Universe Online website.
- Matt Price
James Bond film Skyfall begins filming; Batman trailer could be on the way; Lord of the Rings follows a War in the North
James Bond news, Dark Knight Rises preview coming, and Lord of the Rings gets a new videogame in this week’s Planet 46 Comics Podcast
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Avengers trailer rocks, DC Comics hits No. 1 and X-Men Destiny reviewed
Sorry for the delay in getting this one up! Matt and Kyle discuss the Avengers trailer, DC Comics hitting No. 1 on the sales charts, and the X-Men Destiny video game. 
Review File: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #3, DuckTales #5, Shade #1.
Comics read in 2011: 1,543. Still to go: 468.
Arcade-style music video for the Nghiems ‘Dum Dum Dah Dah’ debuts
My Planet 46 Comics Podcast co-host Kyle Roberts has created this awesome music video for Norman-based
band the Nghiems. Shot at Oklahoma City’s New World Comics, this mini-movie should appeal to those who love Scott Pilgrim, comics and of course classic Nintendo. Created using stop-motion animation techniques, the video took over 4 months to produce and over 8,000 individual photos. This weekend only, you can get a free download of the song at http://thenghiems.bandcamp.com/track/dum-dum-dah-dah
- Matt Price
Click past the cut for the “Making of” the video.
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Superman leads a huge new release week; 24-Hour Comics Day is Saturday; Brad Meltzer interview
Kyle’s latest video has NES flair; 24-Hour Comics Day pushes artists to their limits; Brad Meltzer’s Decoded to start season 2; and it’s the largest release week of comics in more than a decade in this week’s Planet 46 Comics Podcast.
Batman Year One DVD trailer; DC Comics’ sexy superheroines; X-Men Destiny videogame released
Batman Year One trailer shown in advance of Oct. 18 release; X-Men Destiny hits shelves; and DC Comics’ sexy superheroines cross the border in the Planet 46 Comics Podcast.
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