It seems that Sony's patenting spree is still not yet over. We just learned today that Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) has just recently re-filed Blasto with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to protect its trademark.

For those not familiar with this, Blasto is actually a title for the PlayStation 1. When released back in 1998, the game wasn't warmly received by players because the general experience was that Blasto was "frustratingly difficult".

It featured a macho alien-fighting captain that was voiced by Phil Hartman. Despite the re-filing, there's only a little information available for the new Blasto.

The patent just said that this is going to be a "real-time game for others over global and local area computer networks". This looks to be a sure entry for the PlayStation 3's PlayStation Network. But seeing Sony's current move with its divisions, we are not discounting the possibilities of the potential game hitting the PSP. It might even be on the Windows PC platform for MMORPG with Sony Online Entertainment (SOE), though this last possibility seems most unlikely.

At any rate, we'll keep you informed when we find out more about it. Keep checking QJ for the latest updates on this and other important news.

Despite hitting some snags in the form of Sega, SCEA, Capcom, and Microsoft backouts, it appears E for All is gaining steam after getting big boosts from dozens of other movers in the gaming industry who have confirmed participation. To prove that E for All is going smoothly as planned, IDG World Expo is now announcing that Future US, Inc. will be publishing the official show magazine for the said event.

This is big news especially for those who are familiar in the ins and outs of attending conventions like this. Why? Event magazines not only provide attendees with a good source of show floor guide, exhibitor and product information, special features and interviews, it's also a great souvenir - it goes right beside event press IDs and pictures with booth babes. Anyway, IDG World Expo CEO Mary Dolaher expressed the same enthusiasm after saying:

We're thrilled to team up with Future to create "E for All Magazine," the event’s official show publication. Given Future’s experience producing publications such as Official Xbox Magazine, PSM: Independent PlayStation Magazine, PC Gamer, Maximum PC and Next Gen, we’re greatly anticipating the creation of a top-notch magazine and commemorative keepsake for this inaugural event.

The magazine will be a 64-page collector's edition in support of the inaugural E for All. Contents will include feature stories, game reviews, product highlights, a full expo schedule, floor plan and exclusive features, interviews with acclaimed game developers, and a user-generated car art from Forza 2. E for All magazine will also carry a commemorative cover to give spice to the said event which will take place October 18-21 at the Los Angeles Convention Center - told you it's a keeper.

 

For every ground-breaking title out there, there exists an unsung hero. They – like soldiers and bad sitcoms of old – are the miserable underdogs who never receive the due credit they deserve for their work. We're not talking about the developers -  we're talking about specialists - the (fictional) guys who work behind the scenes to ensure that the elements in whatever genre you play will always remain in tip-top condition, whether its your resident androgynous antagonist 's script, or your unfriendly neighborhood mook's marksmanship scores.

These guys will be the topic of today's quick list - along with an explanation with that special thing they do just to make the game better for one special individual - you. On to the list!
 
1. Sephiroth's acting coach
Let's be honest - Sephiroth isn't that original. More than one anime, manga, and J-RPG can boast its own brew of silver-haired, bad-ass sword-wielding bishie hotness, with Sephie being just a part of this popular trend. What sets him apart, however, is execution (acting, not Aeris…).
 
Sephiroth's dark foreboding lines and steely glare will haunt many a gamer's dreams, and for this, we can thank the man's ever-capable acting coach. We're talking the drama-guru who made Sephiroth walk the walk, talk the talk - the dude who probably taught him captivatingly cheesy one-liners like "Shall I give you despair?"
 
I'm afraid you haven't, Mr. Sephiroth's Acting Coach. You did give plenty of fanboys/girls something to think about for their next few - err - dreams, though...
 
Special accreditation goes to Cloud's hairdresser.

The rest of the list is available in the Full Article

There are a lot of rigaudons happening behind the MMORPG scene. Back in December 2006, we all came to know about Red 5 Studios - the start up video game development studio that was branded as the World of Warcraft (WoW) renegade team. Why, all of its members used to be Blizzard's "peons" for WoW, Warcraft III, Starcraft, and even Diablo.

Now, Red 5 just acquired the services of acclaimed game designer Scott Youngblood. If you are not quite familiar with the guy, know that he is the brilliant mind behind titles StarSiege: Tribes, Tribes 2, and alternate-reality game Majestic. Prior to his position with Red 5, which is undisclosed by the way, he worked last with Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) on the multiplayer aspects of Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror.

"When Mark [Kern] asked me to join Red 5, I was blown away by the vast and vibrant world they're creating and by the company they're building. It's a combination I couldn't refuse," commented Youngblood. CEO and President Kern, likewise, is happy with the new partnership.

Scott is exactly the caliber of team member we're looking for at Red 5. We founded this company on passion and vision, two qualities that Scott has embodied throughout his career as a top-tier game designer. Scott's vision directly complements ours, and we're excited about having him join our growing team.

If you love WoW or Starcraft, or any other titles mentioned above, we suggest you watch closely the developments inside Red 5 Studios. We're telling you, the company's next-gen MMO is just around the corner.

There are many lists out there. A list of leaked questions from a videogame company. A list of top selling titles for the month of November. And so on. You can ask me now who I think is the best person in the world and the answer I will give you is my girlfriend. While you may not agree with me, the point here is that everything is just a matter of perspective.

So for today, we'd like to share with you the perspective being held gaming site NextGen regarding the top 25 people of the year. According to them,

This list is not a ranking of the best, most powerful, most talented, most amazing people in the industry. It is a ranking of the people who, we at Next-Gen feel, have made positive, significant and noteworthy contributions to gaming and the game industry through 2006.

 

Among the personalities who made it in the list, there are a couple of faces that made me think twice. Take for example the case of Patricia Vance of ESRB. According to NextGen, Vance has helped the industry keep control of a system that is proven to be effective. While I have no issues with that, I can't help but remember some of your comments regarding this organization. Again, at the end of it all, everything is just a matter of perspective.

Of course, the gaming site provided a few explanations about their list. It's quite a long read but if you are interested, you can access it via the read link below. But if you just want to know who made it in the said list, here's the short version. Please feel free to speak your mind.

See the list after the jump!

For the rest of us who can't make it to Tokyo for this year's TGS, then here's more than a hundred photos for us to enjoy, oggle, and drool at. Of course, there's this tendency that it might backfire and, like some of us here, may end up pitching one into pits of despair for not being there. But in any case, the photos are nonetheless enjoyable.

Some notable things that the Korean correspondent of DreamWiz has taken pictures of would be Square-Enix's massive activity area. It can no longer be called as a mere booth due to its size. In any case, Squeenix features both the DS and mobile version ofDragon Quests Monsters: Joker, Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book, Final Fantasy XIII, as well as a corner set aside for Kingdom Hearts. Whether this is a portent of Kingdom Hearts 3, which is rumored to be released for the PS3, remains to be seen. Other titles that have also been caught on camera would be Minna no Golfand Minna no Tennis, MotorStorm, Gran Turismo HD, Sonic, and Virtua Fighter 5 over at the Sega area, Bleach, Metal Gear Solid(of course!! Kojima would have it no other way!), Warhawk, Devil May Cry 4,and Lost Planet, among so many others.

Another notable sight was a playable demo station for that ever-elusive PS3 title, Unknown Realmswhich brings one to wonder just how far along is this game done? There were also what seemed to be several heaps of Playstation 3 boxes. Hmm...

More questions and answers should follow all throughout this weekend, so stay tuned!

Download: [Tokyo Game Show Day 1 Photos]