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Rockstar's Family-Friendly Shocker
kleptonin writes "IGN is running an article about a new game being developed by Rockstar San Diego. Unlike their previous releases, the game will feature no guns, no violence, and no swearing. The game, Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis, will be exclusive to the Xbox 360, and will cost $39.99." Chris Morris, over at the CNN Game Over column, has some commentary on Grand Theft Ping Pong.
What's a little money on a ping-pong game if it gives you the ability to say "My company doesn't make SOLELY violent games, Senator..."
Three processors, monster graphics chip, millions in research and development...
For 3D pong?
This game sounds a little silly, but I think it could be a hit.
Here's why:
- It's the first ping-pong game to have come out in years.
- It's probably also the first ping-pong game to have decent graphics.
- Whilst ping-pong isn't going to attract many gamers into GTA, it could be a hit amongst asian gamers. Ping-pong is fairly popular in Asia. (at least more so than typical western sports)
- It's different. No competition. (maybe tennis games, but that's a bit of a stretch)
At last! All the fun, drama, and thrills of table tennis without having to go outside to your local ping-pong court. For the first time ever, you can play it from the comfort of your family rec room!!!
Hey, wait...
Information wants to be anthropomorphized.
...So it's NUDY tennis!
Only after you apply the patch.
Those who believe the Internet is private,
find their privates are on the Internet.
So it's NUDY tennis!
As soon as I saw that, I was thinking Leisure Suit Larry Table Tennis. Still no guns, violence or swearing, just jiggly girls playing table tennis. As you get better and move up the ranks, you get to play against girls that are dressed even skimpier. Of course, it would have side games and adventures, too, but the main goal is to make it to "The World's Table Tennis Championship" where everyone plays nude.
I am serious about this. Look at how many LSL games have already sold for PC.
Tequila: It's not just for breakfast anymore!
This game is all about virtual beer pong. What is the most popular non-video game on campus? Beer pong. I bet there will be game modes that easily simulate beer pong. Maybe a secret hidden game as well.
I'm sorry, but "Family Friendly" and "Shocker" just do not belong in the same sentence together.
Computers don't make mistakes. What they do, they do on purpose.
This is not Rockstar North of GTA and Manhunter fame, this is Rockstar San Diego, who made Midtown Madness and Red Dead Revolver. The two are totally different studios that just happen to both be under the "Rockstar" umbrella.
Ehm, baseballs and footballs are hard to find? If football is indeed the american soccer I am willing to bet a shit load of cash that more families own a football then a ping pong table. You need a bit more equipment for baseball but still. I wasn't exactly aware that amateurs playing baseball was rare.
It is, in fact, one of the very few "indoor" sports that has a video game patterned after it. (Poker's about the only other one that springs to mind.)
Well, if you consider poker a sport then how about the video game versions of the following. Chess, EVERY bloody card game every invented, checkers, darts, bowling, snooker, etc etc etc.
In fact isn't basketball often played indoors by pros AND done to dead as a videogame?
The only unusual thing here is that a 'big' name company did a weird sports title. Weird sports titles on the other hand are nothing new.
I just hate journalists who think ignorance is a good thing.
MMO Quests are like orgasms:
You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.
You don't want to know where the female players keep their ping pong balls. Or how they serve, for that matter.
what's the secret patch gonna be called, Hot Cocoa?
---
Is this the MPAA? Is this the RIAA? Is this the DMCA? I thought it was the USA!
Can't wait to see what sort of hidden games and goodies they stick in there... : p
This guy's the limit!
I mean, you can run into the middle of the road stark naked and scream "GRAND THEFT AUTO!" at the top of your lungs and people will just look at you and say, "It's another one of those video game freaks".
Try the same thing but scream "NINTENDOGS!" and people will call the cops.
Try it sometime, you'll see what I mean.
Obligatory Soundbite Catchphrase
Not only is this "news" a week or more behind everyone else (you're getting faster, Zonk) - but the comments here are really ridiculously closed-minded.
"How can it be fun?" "I don't see this being fun!" etc. etc.
WHAT? You haven't played it, seen it moving, or done anything other than go "Hmm, ping pong...crap"
I didn't see how Virtua Tennis could be fun, but its easily one of the greatest multiplayer games of all time, and does a stand-up job of providing a solid single player experience, too.
Open your minds and close your damn mouths.
My Mind Is Rewired. Is Yours?
My speculative guess envisions this conversation:
Microsoft: We would like you to make a XBox360-exclusive title.
Rockstar: No problem! (Evil grin)
I'm hoping the Hot Coffee style mod will let you play a fun spanking game with the ping pong paddles and the girls ;)
You're right, many more people complain about violence than sex or nudity (though oddly GTA is still only recognised by non-gamers because of it's huge sales figures more than it's content); I think that's a big difference between the UK and the US, you seem to worry more about nudity and less about violence, where as we could hardly care less about nudity, but are appalled gratious violence. This latter point is not so much about games, but more about the entertainment industry as a whole; particularly TV and Film (Hollywood in particular; indie films are usually allowed to get away with anything as it's considered art)
If I have nothing to hide, you have no reason to search me
When I heard about this, I thought, "Wow, THIS sounds like an awesome game."
Really- I'm damn excited about this.
I *loved* Top Spin on the Xbox. Tennis makes a pretty decent video game. But Ping Pong is FAST. It's like tennis, but with much quicker response times.
And the fact that Rockstar is making the game, tells me that it should have *some* decent level of quality.
Yes, I was excited when I heard about it. And I'm even happier now, knowing that there is a real street date already identified.
No reason to lie.
You're comparing Mario Kart and Quake? Well they're both video games, I'll give you that.
It seems family friendly until you use the mod code to unlock the part with king kong playing ping pong with his ding dong.
The Uncoveror: It's the real news.
... I'm impressed that they've simulated the game in such detail (down to the dust that accumulates in the center of the racket!!)... but I'd much rather play the real game and get some exercise.
Your god may be dead, but mine aren't!