ThunderPeel2001

I don't think you're allowed to get within a certain distance of them... I think a missile launcher is your only hope. (I guess no-one tried it?)

Oh, lol

It does look good... When I was in LA bus stops had the "Humans Only" signs on them, which was pretty cool

I don't know what else to say. You've not done anything to contradict anything I've said except say you "believe" that it's an "extension" of the same deal... for which there is no evidence whatsoever (in fact the sales-agent for theatrical distribution of Ghibli films is now a totally different company! Tokuma don't deal with international theatrical distribution of Ghibli films, a French company called Wild Bunch does). I've provided you with evidence that Lasseter is a massive champion of Miyazaki in the west, and even more talking about he's using his new power to give Ponyo the biggest theatrical release of any Miyazaki movie. I've proven that it's not even the same company distributing Ghibli films anymore. I can't argue against cynicism.

The future...?

I think days everything pretty much works with everything, thankfully. Here's a useful chart http://www.joystiq.com/Instrument-Compatibility-Matrix/

Well it took them two years to do it (they bought it in 1997 and released it in 1999), so it suggests to me that they didn't know how to release it... but who knows. I wouldn't be surprised if it was dumped on Miramax myself. Also, Miramax... "arthouse"?

Nothing in those articles contradicts what I've said. I don't think you've read the deal very closely: It says that Disney owns the Worldwide rights to some Studio Ghibli films for HOME VIDEO only. That's why the article you linked says "Walt Disney Co. has acquired North American rights to Hayao Miyazaki's smash animated hit Spirited Away" in its opening line. The only theatrical deal they got was for Princess Mononoke... one film. You ask me to provide sources of the "one picture deal" and you've only done it for me (thanks!). Also, just because Disney owned Miramax during the time they made this deal doesn't mean that Miramax = Disney. They were still separate companies, run by different people, in different buildings, with different goals. Jeez. Do you want me to argue with this barrage of cynicism? I'll just add that the reason Disney is giving Ponyo a theatrical cut is because of Lasseter, not because of any pre-existing deal. So yes, nonsense I say.

Did anyone try firing a missile at them to try and take them both out? (Just wondered what would happen )

What?! Oh man, you talk some nonsense sometimes. The Weinstein's had a one picture deal with Studio Ghibli... and they tried to recut the movie for US release! That was the end of their relationship. (Ghibli sent them a Japanese sword with a note, "no cuts!".) Walt Disney dubbed the English adaptation of Spirited Away (yes, I know they owned Miramax at the time), but they did it under the supervision of John Lasseter! (Which is why he's on the DVD introducing the film.) According to Wankypedia: Lasseter was a "huge" Miyazaki fan, and he and his staff had often sat down and watched some of Miyazaki's work when they hit story problems. The first viewing of Spirited Away in the United States was in Pixar's screening room. From the news: The Walt Disney Company, which holds the distribution rights to the films of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki but has never put much marketing effort behind them, is set to give Miyazaki's latest film, Ponyo, a first-rate push. While previous Miyazaki films have opened in limited release in only a handful of theaters, Ponyo will debut in more than 800 theaters. Reuters on Tuesday indicated that John Lasseter, Disney's chief creative officer, has been behind the latest effort on behalf of the Japanese animator, whose films are generally enormous hits overseas. The Weinsteins, on the other hand, are known for buying foreign films and refusing to release them! (Like Hero, which was only released when Tarantino discovered they owned it.) Lol. The Iron Giant was amazing, with, dare I say it, perfect casting for Diesel

To be fair, the things Nevsky list don't seem all that grand to me...

Agreed... Wall-E appears as probably the least "de-risked" mainstream animation I've seen in years. It's not like Pixar are churning out Shrek sequels or Ice Age sequels or Madagascar sequels or... I digress. Having been put in charge of Disney he's been put in a rather shitty spot, IMO: He now has to handle all their homogenised crap (like "Bolt"), too (and no doubt get all excited by it, yuck). But it's also thanks to him that Disney is giving Ponyo the biggest US release a Miyazaki has ever had. That's pretty amazing. Anyways: Tales of Monkey Island -- ! I've actually just got back to trying to complete the first episode. Yes, I'm being rather slow about it, but I'm enjoying it!

Update: I haven't earned a single achievement since I last posted. Go me! How about you two?

Demo!? Oh man! I totally forget we might actually get to play it before it's released...! (I hope it's better than the Psychonauts demo... for the sake of sales, at least.)

Yeah, because you know, Lasseter is the enemy of quality animation...

To the internet!

It's not just an achievement, it's the very fact that you're being monitored at all. That someone has decided for you that your action earns you "-1000 Karma points", or whatever, instead of just letting you live with consequences within the game. Also, for most games, that "Karmic score" (if you will) is often the biggest tangible (and lasting) outcome of your actions... (Lionhead likes to give you devil horns or angel wings, for example.) So the cause and effect of your "ethical" decision is, for the most part, nothing more than a score instead of an actual knock-on effect within the game. The very presence of your good/evil "score" is enough to alter the way you think about solving an ethical dilemma... at least it is for me a lot of the time. I know I can't help factor it in in a game like Fable, when really I should only be contemplating the dilemma. How many times have you heard people say, "I'm playing it through again, but this time as an evil character"? People subconsciously acknowledge the way these games are designed, and they're designed to be played as either good or evil without genuinely making you think about anything. If you haven't already read it, and I know it's the third goddamn time I've linked to it, but I think I did a pretty decent job of explaining my particular issues with the whole "Karma point system" and I'd be interested to hear your thoughts: http://thunderpeel2001.blogspot.com/2007/03/peter-molyneuxs-emotional-stuff.html

Yeah I remember how 2D graphics were really getting quite awesome when 3D came along and (apart from the 3D-ness) made everything look 80s again. Still, like you say, it was a necessary progression (in the same way that adding sound to movies ruined camera movements until the technology improved). It's interesting to note that Grim Fandango has aged MUCH better, I think, despite being the older 3D game, though!

Here's my article (go read it now - again!), but you summed up precisely what my point was. I've felt exactly the same way in other games and it's a shame... Give us our freedom, Mr. Developer! (If you know what I mean.) My article even made the "news" on Lionhead's site... and obviously changed the creative direction of the entire studio (*sob*)

Yeah, they all led to the same pages, just the banners on the sides didn't unfurl as far (they've been getting longer each day). I think you're right though: Seems like a typical Lionhead assessment of an argument... Very simplistic!

I haven't unpacked my 360 yet... Will do soon, though.

True, I can't see that either... Only a day to go before we find out! (More or less.)

The thumbs up banner is: Rebel.swf and the Thumbs down is: Royal.swf (apparently). True. I guess if it was done really well it could be good.

Wow, awesome! I love your artwork! (There's bit in the preview that reminds me Mignola... although only a small part, you've definitely got your own style.)

Well the EU actually gets it three days after the US, so you guys will probably get it... 2013?