Real news from the virtual world:
n PUNCH-DRUNK: A short list of the great characters on the PlayStation 2 would have to include Sly Cooper, the charming raccoon and fearless thief who starred in three delightful adventures. So what’s Sly creator, Sucker Punch Productions, doing now that it’s perfected the funny-animal genre?
How about a violent superhero tale set in a post-apocalyptic urban wasteland?
“We really enjoyed the gritty comic books of the past 20 years, like ‘The Dark Knight,”’ says Sucker Punch co-founder Bruce Oberg. “And we knew when we were moving to a new platform (the PlayStation 3) that we wanted to try something different, more PG-13.”
“inFamous,” due later this month, is the origin story of Cole, a bike messenger who survives a massive explosion and discovers he’s been granted the power to control electricity. “We locked onto electricity early on,” says Oberg, “because it’s cool visually and gives you some cool powers.”
The game certainly has a distinctive look, blending a realistic city with comic-book-style cut scenes. “It’s not a reaction to someone else’s game,” Oberg says. “We started off with pages of ideas of things that would be fun — shooting, exploration, climbing — from a broad spectrum of people.”
Cole’s ability to climb any building in the blasted Empire City really sets “inFamous” apart; I felt a bit of vertigo after scaling one skyscraper.
The real goal is to answer the question: What if you were a regular person who got superpowers. “The first thing you’re not gonna do is buy some tights,” Oberg says.
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n SUNK BY SCANDAL: “Six Days in Fallujah,” the video game based on one of the fiercest battles of the ongoing Iraq war, drew a lot of heat when Konami announced it last month. Too much heat, it turns out, for the Japanese publisher, which has decided to pull the plug on the game.
“After seeing the reaction ... and hearing opinions sent through phone calls and e-mail, we decided several days ago not to sell it,” a Konami spokesman told the Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun.
Peter Tamte, president of “Fallujah” developer Atomic Games, said he was surprised by Konami’s decision. “Development of the game had been progressing very well and on schedule,” he said. “We would very much like the opportunity to complete the game.”
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n FAITH CARDS: “Fallujah” isn’t the only game stirring up trouble. Italian developer Molleindustria pulled its Flash game “Faith Fighter,” in which religious figures like Jesus, Buddha and Muhammad duke it out, off the Internet after an Islamic group called it “incendiary.”
But the developer quickly returned with a cheeky sequel in which you have to “give love” to all the icons; failure to respect any of the religions leads to Armageddon.
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n NEW IN STORES: Sony’s nifty blend of rhythm and strategy games returns to the PlayStation Portable in “Patapon 2.” ... This week’s movie tie-in is Majesco’s “Night at the Museum: Battle for the Smithsonian” (for the Xbox 360, Wii, DS).
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‘Sly Cooper’ developer gets gritty with ‘inFamous’
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Pymatuning Valley student may be petite, but she has big goals as she prepares mission trip to South Africa
Courage, selflessness, sacrifice: words to define a hero. They define a person who has a certain quality of mind that allows him or her to overcome adversity, a person who is willing to forfeit something valued for something of greater claim. A hero is someone noted for feats of courage and nobility of purpose. At Pymatuning Valley, Ami Turner fits that definition well.
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Ss. John & Paul celebrates prom with 'Masquerade' theme
Ss. John and Paul High School was filled with excitement for this year’s prom. The dance took place May 15 at Martini’s Restaurant.
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Graduation on the horizon for seniors, retirement for four Geneva educators
The 2009-2010 school year has been a time of innovation and continuing successes at Geneva High School.
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GRA lacrosse team a big hit
This past year has been a year of firsts for Grand River Academy. GRA’s first football team in 75 years was launched last fall, students participated in several new academic competitions, lights were added to the tennis courts; and to finish off the year, another GRA sport was created, the hard hitting game of lacrosse.
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Crash dramatization gives students a shocking view of what could happen if they make a wrong decision
Broken glass, the smell of blood, pain- induced moans and cries for help. As you approach, you see the results of an automobile accident and see the victims, teen-agers who have just recently left their senior prom. As sirens become louder, you realize the magnitude of the situation and witness such bright futures end early because of one bad decision. This scenario is one that every parent is afraid of on prom night. This is where Officer Tim Blon and the rest of the Jefferson Emergency Services come in to help ease the fears that haunt many parents on the night of prom – a drunk driving car crash simulation for Jefferson Area High School students.
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Powder Puff games fun year-end event for Grand Valley
Grand Valley High School seniors are happily counting down to graduation day. Commencement will be held 7 p.m. June 4 in the Grand Valley High School Gymnasium.
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As the school year nears an end, Edgewood's calendar is packed with awards ceremonies, class of 2010 graduation
As the school year comes to a conclusion, the final parent teacher conferences are held, prom occurs, the band and choir perform, awards are given and seniors are realizing their achievements.
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LEAP growing in popularity as force for promoting a positive atmosphere
Lakeside High School has been busy with balancing education and activities to keep students involved. Lakeside Encouraging Acceptance Promoting Peace, an organization that was formed in December 2009, represents a positive atmosphere at LHS and in the community.
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Grand Splendor, trip to Washington is the finale for seniors at SRCA
As the 2009-2010 school year comes to an end, South Ridge Christian Academy is as busy as ever. The next event on the calendar is Grand Splendor.
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Vocational school welcomes hundreds of future students, parents at orientation
“Back to school” might seem like a weird statement seeing how we are just about done with the school year, but on April 20 students from across the county turned out at the Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School to look at the facilities and meet with teachers and school officials. People began arriving before the event’s official starting time of 6:30 p.m.; more than 500 people attended during the evening.
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