Has Nintendo Lost Its Way, Latest Wii U News Makes Us Think So - ZoKnowsGaming

So is it just me or has Nintendo’s actions going back all the way to E3 just made you say…what the hell? So first Nintendo announces the Wii U at their E3 demo, but then focuses for the most part on the controller and only briefly shows the actual console in an on-screen demo but doesn’t acknowledge that it’s the console. They show a lot of cool game footage for the Wii U but it turns out that the actual footage was from the PS3 and Xbox versions of those games.Then they turn around and tell us that the Wii U won’t be launching until Holiday 2012 in the official press release though rumors are swirling it could launch earlier. That already didn’t start things off on a good note but the hits kept coming.

Earlier this week we found out that the Nintendo Wii U will NOT support DVD or Blu-Ray playback because Nintendo feels like you already have a bunch of devices that do that. Whether or not that is the case is irrelevant, how the hell can you not support the two most popular video playback formats? At that point I knew that the Wii U could never be the center of my entertainment hub but I still had a little bit of hope. Next we found out that the Wii U will only support ONE controller, yep you heard me right just one. In both cases, Nintendo mentioned cost as a factor in the decisions that they made. At this point, I am wondering why in the world anyone would want to buy the Wii U at all. Even if it turns out to be more powerful than the PS3 which I still doubt, it won’t be an overall better console for all the deficiencies I have mentioned earlier. The original Wii was a little weak on the technical side but at least it was innovative, so far I have seen nothing truly innovative about the Wii U. The controller is interesting but it almost seems like a glorified version of the Sega Dreamcast controller from back in the day doesn’t it?

At this point I just have one question, what the hell is Nintendo thinking? This isn’t going to compel casual gamers to purchase a new console and it definitely won’t move hardcore gamers. Nintendo is quickly painting themselves into the novelty category, not the gaming system you have to have but one that you pick up just to say you have one. I don’t know, maybe I am just old school but it seems like Nintendo has lost their way and forgot who they are. They used to be the undisputed kings of the console and now they seem content to sit on the sideline and the let the big boys at Sony and Microsoft duke it out. What happened to you Nintendo? Speak on it in the comments and tell us about the Nintendo you remember, maybe they will read this and get their stuff together.

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Source: "Super Bowl 2011" via Glen in Google Reader

Chat Live With Season 10's Top 11

The Season 10 Top 11 are back together again and they are rehearsing for the American Idols LIVE! 2011 Tour. The tour kicks off on July 6th in West Valley, UT. You will have the opportunity to chat LIVE with the Top 11 and ask them questions.

To submit your questions for the Idols, login to Twitter and type "#IdolsLive" in front of your response. Your Top 11 will answer the questions live on video during one of two separate chats.

The first live video chat is scheduled for Wednesday, June 22 at 630pm ET/330pm PT - only on AmericanIdol.com.

The second date is scheduled for Tuesday, June 28th at 7pm ET/4pm PT. As you watch the Idols answer your questions during the video chat, you will also have the opportunity to chat with fans on the same webpage.

Please keep in mind that the Top 11 are busy rehearsing, so the chat times may change. Be sure to check back here often.

Source: "American Idol 10 Live Feed" via Glen in Google Reader

Season 11 Auditions - Dates & Locations

Season 11 auditions begin this month! The excitement kicks off during the last week of June in St. Louis, Missouri and continues through the end of August. We have more details on the venues and registration/audition days.

Check it out:

St. Louis, MO
Scottrade Center
Registration: June 26-27
Audition: June 28

Portland, OR
Rose Garden
Registration: June 30-July 1
Audition: July 2

San Diego, CA
Petco Park
Registration: July 6-7
Audition: July 8

Pittsburgh, PA
Heinz Field
Registration: July 13-14
Audition: July 15

Charleston, SC
North Charleston Coliseum
Registration: July 20-21
Audition: July 22

Denver, CO
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Registration: July 27-28
Audition: July 29

Houston, TX
Reliant Park
Registration: August 24-25
Audition: August 26

Stay tuned for further details and a full audition section on AmericanIdol.com.

While you wait, see if you can find our Top 13 finalists in these Season 10 audition photos.

Source: "American Idol 10 Live Feed" via Glen in Google Reader

The Mag: Ultimate Standings 2011 - ESPN (blog)

Welcome to ESPN The Magazine's ninth-annual Ultimate Standings, in which we measure how much MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises give back to the fans in exchange for all the time, money and emotion the fans invest in them.

The Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers jumped from No. 9 last year to the top spot in 2011, due in part to star quarterback Aaron Rodgers officially turning the page on the Brett Favre era at Lambeau Field. But below-average ticket prices and unmatched customer service were also a key point among fans as evidenced by the Packers finishing first in such categories as "fan friendly environment at games" and "provides an avenue for fan feedback."

The eight major categories that make up the Ultimate Standings were created based on feedback from fans about what they want most from their favorite teams (click here for a more detailed account of the method to our madness.) The categories:

Bang For The Buck (BNG): Wins during the past three years (regular season plus postseason) per revenues directly from fans, adjusted for league schedules.

Fan Relations (FRL): Openness and consideration toward fans by players, coaches and management.

Ownership (OWN): Honesty and loyalty to core players and local community.

Affordability (AFF): Price of tickets, parking and concessions.

Stadium Experience (STX): Quality of arena and game-day promotions as well as friendliness of environment.

Players (PLA): Effort on the field and likability off it.

Coaching (CCH): Strength of on-field leadership.

Title Track (TTR): Championships already won or expected in the lifetime of current fans.

Below you will find a sortable table of this year's Ultimate Standings as well as previous results going back to 2003. Subcategories that make up the overall ranking for that category are available for the 2009-11 results. Insiders can click on team names for a more detailed breakdown of the rankings.

Financial analysis by the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon (Steve Acampa, Andrew Behl, Cally Deal, Michael DeMartini, Timothy Dobyns, Patrick Haas, Travis Hanson, Peter Raschio, Carolyne Wood and Bill Zachry). Fan surveys by Maddock Douglas and NetReflector.

 

Click on table headings to sort by category.

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Source: "Super Bowl 2011" via Glen in Google Reader

Happy Birthday, Lisa Tucker!

Little Lisa Tucker is all grown up. The Season 5 singer turned 22 years old on June 13. The Lion King alum was only 16 years old when she appeared on American Idol. While on the show, Lisa found success with songs by Jennifer Holliday and The Jackson 5. She made it all the way to tenth place, so she got to spend the summer touring the nation with the rest of the Top 10 Idols, where she impressed fans with her guitar and piano skills.

Since appearing American Idol, Lisa has found success as a TV actress who appeared on FOX's The OC and she had recurring roles on Zoey 101, The Game, and most recently as Greta Martin on Vampire Diaries. In addition, she has been working on her music under R&B star Ne-Yo and his production team.

Happy Birthday, Lisa!

See Lisa Tucker's Idol transformation.

Source: "American Idol 10 Live Feed" via Glen in Google Reader

Scotty and Lauren Make Their Grand Ole Opry Debuts

The Grand Ole Opry welcomed two new performers to its stage recently, American Idol winner Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina. Their performances before a sold-out crowd came three days after they made a surprise visit to see Carrie Underwood perform on the Opry on June 7 and less than two weeks after this season's Idol finale.

Opry member John Conlee first introduced Alaina, who opened with the LeAnn Rimes hit "Blue." "I could cry right now. I cannot believe I am here in front of all of you," Alaina said. Pointing to her knees, she continued, "I've dreamed of this day since I was about this tall. ... as tall as my heels! ... I never get nervous singing, and my knees are shaking!"

Before closing with her first single, "Like My Mother Does," the Georgia native saluted her family standing in the wings. "I can't see you, mamma, 'cause it's black back there," she said, looking backstage. "But I love you! This one's for you."

Asked by Conlee how she felt after her debut as she exited the stage, the 16 year old said, "I'm scared to death! It's going to take me an hour to calm down from this one!"

McCreery was up next with his first single, "I Love You This Big." "Wow! This ... read more

Source: "American Idol 10 Live Feed" via Glen in Google Reader

NFL's top 10 players of 2011 by position - USA Today

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NFL's top 10 players of 2011 by position USA Today Collins has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of the past three seasons, when he has 17 combined interceptions. He picked off a pass and returned it for a touchdown in the Packers' 31-25 defeat of the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Berry made a Pro Bowl mark ... Top 75 Greatest Rams of All TimeBleacher Report all 2 news articles

Source: "Super Bowl 2011" via Glen in Google Reader

Being 'humbled' good, Rivers says - msnbc.com

Getty Images

During a recent edition of PFT Live, we discussed the four big issues in the ongoing labor talks.  There’s a widespread belief that, once the two sides find a way to resolve the biggest sticking point — splitting up the money — the rest of the deal will fall together like a tightly-configured row of upright dominoes.

But there’s one issue that will require one side or the other to completely yield.  And it’s the one issue that is the least interesting to the non-lawyers in the crowd.

The labor deal that expired on March 11 arose from the settlement of the Reggie White antitrust lawsuit.  As a result, certain types of disputes arising under the expired CBA were resolved first by a special master, then by presiding Judge David Doty, and then by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.  The NFL, convinced that Doty is biased in favor of the players (and presumably inclined to feel that Judge Susan Nelson feels the same way), wants to end any and all judicial oversight of the CBA.

Earlier this year, multiple sources indicated that the issue represented a true dealbreaker for the league.  Even now, indications remain that the NFL will not agree to any settlement over which the federal courts retain supervision.

For four separate reasons, the NFL should find a way to give up on this point.

First, every labor agreement contains a mechanism for resolving disputes.  So whether it’s Judge Nelson or whether it’s an independent arbitrator, someone other than the NFL and the reconstituted NFLPA will have final say over the application and/or interpretation of the agreement when it comes to the various fights that may arise.

Second, the issues that landed in the federal court system often arose not from a dispute regarding the application of the CBA to the facts, but from the specific meaning and intent of certain portions of the labor deal.  With the use of foresight, the lawyers should account for most of the potential issues that could arise in advance, minimizing the circumstances in which the language of the CBA allows for two possible outcomes.

Third, the Eighth Circuit has proven to be, from the league’s perspective, an acceptable umbrella for the Minnesota federal courts.  Thus, while it may take some extra time to bring these disputes to a conclusion, the NFL should realize that, when push comes to shove, fair consideration will be given to their arguments.

Fourth, and perhaps most importantly, these fights are rare and insignificant in the grand scheme of this multi-billion-dollar business arrangement.  Once, maybe twice per year, the league and the NFLPA square off on an issue that lands before Judge Doty.  Is it really worth refusing to do a deal in order to fight for an arbitration process that would still subject the league’s interests to a potentially arbitrary or, in the league’s view, flat-out erroneous reading of the labor deal?

Since the two sides are working hard to find outcomes that would allow both parties to win at best or save face at worst, the league should be willing to agree to a system that permits ongoing judicial oversight, but only as to a very narrow band of potential disputes.  If that can’t be accomplished, the NFL should have no qualms about abandoning its opposition to judicial oversight, even if only to persuade the players to make the leap of faith that comes from taking a smaller piece of an ever-growing financial pie.

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Source: "Super Bowl 2011" via Glen in Google Reader