TeamEncinoMan

and this game is fucking awesome:

Wii Ware should drop in the US on May 19th. I can't wait...It's going to be all original titles available for download. I've read that Nintendo is allowing almost complete creative control for the software developers, and that the games will use the Wii controllers in new innovative ways. I was on gamespot.com and found this interview with Tom Prata, a senior Nintendo executive, regarding Wii Ware: GameSpot: You've announced WiiWare will launch in North America on May 12. What are your plans for a global rollout? Tom Prata: We're really here today to talk about the North American launch, Japan will be discussing what they plan to do and Europe will be discussing their plans. We just felt that this is the largest game development conference, it's a great place for all the entities to come, so we thought it was the best place to discuss what North American plans are like. And of course, content creators will be working in Japan and in Europe and Australia, so even though we're only announcing the date for North America, content creators from around the world will be able to participate in our launch and the subsequent rollout of the content. GameSpot: What will the WiiWare channel be like from a consumer point of view? TP: Effectively it will be a very user-friendly experience, like all the channels with Wii. You'll use your Wii Remote to connect to the channel applications, you'll find the product that you're interested in downloading, use Wii points to buy it, and that will download just like a Virtual Console game to the consumer's system. As for game developers, we're giving the opportunity for the game developer to decide what content they want to make. We're really excited by the possibility of what the Wii controller can mean to the game designer, and then what it means to the consumer. GS: What are your plans for the actual launch day? How many games will be available? TP: We haven't gone specifically into the launch plans. We need a little bit more time to work with the content creators. There are about 100 projects that are under development which are coming to the North American market, and we're going to spend time with them [the developers] to find out what their schedule is because, once again, we're not requiring a particular type of product. It's their decision to make that, and it's also their decision to make based on the development schedule. So we're going to work collaboratively to work out what the development time is. Likely what we'll do is launch with a good breadth of titles that will cover a number of different genres, and perhaps some unprecedented game experiences using the Wii Remote. And what we'll do is consistently release new content, like we do with Virtual Console. GS: How about cost? How much will a WiiWare game cost? TP: We are still working as it relates to different pricing. We do anticipate that consumers will be able to download content for a variety of different prices, similar to what you can experience with Virtual Console. GS: From a developer point of view, are you open to all types of game ideas? TP: Effectively we are. I think if we go to content creators and say please make a game in this particular genre, it kind of defeats the purpose. One of the goals with WiiWare is to give content creators the chance to make the content they like. And we really don't want to pigeonhole them--what we'd like to really see is content that is for everybody, and also things that people haven't experienced before. If we go back a number of years, a game like Brain Age--we couldn't possibly imagine what type of genre that game fits into, yet it can be so meaningful to people. It's really open for content creators to decide what to make. GS: So you're only looking for games? How about nongame applications for the Wii? TP: The content should be entertaining and add value to consumers. Whether it's defined as a game or an application, I'm not so sure. GS: Will content be region-specific on WiiWare? TP: Yes. The content creators themselves will be responsible for making the game. And then let's say it's a European developer and they want to localise for the North American market. They basically will need to work with Nintendo of America as it relates to that, and then go through the quality-checking process to make it available on the market. And vice versa with American developers wanting to go into Europe. GS: Do you think WiiWare will appeal more to large publishers or indie developers? TP: Eighty percent of the games we're seeing are coming from entities which haven't published on Nintendo platforms before. That said, there are still major publishers that are participating. As you can see from the press announcement, Square Enix is bringing Final Fantasy, so it's really open to any development community. The bulk of the content in the early stages will probably come from more independent-type companies. GS: OK, so what's the process for a developer to start using WiiWare? TP: So if you have an idea, you can build it. The key component is you'll want to notify our development support group and fill out a simple project sheet to make us aware of the game. It's a very special thing, with just basic information about the content itself, and then you're free to go off and make the game. We do a quick check of the content to make sure there are no red flags, but once again we're not judging the content--that's really for the consumer to decide. So you go off and make it as you would any other type of Wii application. We use that project sheet for scheduling purposes. Then the developer delivers a candidate to Nintendo for the QC process. Once it passes our lot check or QC process, then we will work with the developer to determine when it will be made available on the Wii channel. GS: So basically Nintendo will have final say on what gets on the WiiWare channel? TP: To some extent yes. But we're not in a position that we're judging the idea. We want the developer to come up with the idea. So we have only made a few restrictions--not content restrictions, but we're not supporting an in-game advertising model, and we're not supporting the developer retrieval of consumer data. GS: What about content that's violent or overtly sexual? TP: Again, we're not putting those types of restrictions on. The developer will be required to secure the appropriate rating from the ESRB, and we will abide by the ESRB's rating policy. GS: Who owns the IP? TP: The content creator. GS: How is the pricing decided? TP: We haven't gone into details as it relates to pricing. The only thing we've discussed is there won't be one price--there will be a variety of pricing. And it's not based on the number of gameplay hours or the volume of gameplay--we don't like to think about content and value as relating to price. GS: Will you set any limitations on size of the final game download? TP: We really want people to be focusing on the game content itself and not concerned with filling up some massive storage device. The issue is that the more requirements we put on developers, the more difficult it is for them. We really want this space to be about the game, and not about other types of products. With that said, Virtual Console has more than 200 games available, and some of the most-loved games are fairly compact in data size. So there's a tremendous number of things people can do in terms of gameplay and entertainment and not be so concerned about making large experiences. GS: Tom Prata, thanks for your time.

WHAT?! KaBar posted photos and i can't see them!! wtf?!

The Godfather of Hip Hop Afrika Bambaattaa and Frosty Freeze at Pro-Am 2001 Enjoying a Hot Dog at the Pro-Am 2001 Speedy Legs & Frosty Freeze at Konkrete Jungle - March 2001

H2E: What is the first crew you were in? Frosty: Rock City Crew from 1978-1980 with: Butch Cassidy, Kid Sun Dance, TyFly, FlyTy, Lil Mel, Shane, Normski, Scotty, Fritz, LD, CharlieRoc, Wayne, Ron Dike, Kenny Flip, & others. H2E: When did you join RockSteady Crew (RSC)? Frosty: I became 2nd generation RSC in 1981, some of the other guys that joined at the same time were; Ken Swift, TyFly, RaSean(Kippy D), Lil Crazy Legs, Mr. Freeze, Lenny Len, Take 1, Doze, Fast Break, Lil Lep, NelSki, Gino, Flip Rock, etc... H2E: How did that whole 2nd generation of RSC begin? Frosty: Well, first Crazy Legs asked JoJo and Jimmy D (Founders of RSC) for permission to start his own Manhatten chapter but they denied him, finally around March, 1981 they agreed and the rest is history. H2E: What movies have you danced in? Frosty: Style Wars, Wild Style, & Flash Dance H2E: What about magazines? Frosty: I was the first Bboy to come out on the front page of any magazine! (Village Voice, April 1981) H2E: What TV shows have you appeared on? Frosty: 20/20, Live at 5, Teletone News, CBS News, Studio Y etc... H2E: Did you ever do any music videos? Frosty: Buffalo Girls, & Bambaataa's PLANET ROCK H2E:What tours have you been on? Frosty: Kitchen Tour - 1982 with RSC, Fab 5 Freddy, Crazy Legs, DJ Spy and others. We went to D.C., Pittsburg, Minnesota, Madison Square Garden, Iowa, Chicago, Detroit, & Toronto. After that was the opening of the famous ROXY in June 1982 European Tour - November 1982 with Crazy Legs, Take 1, Mr. Freeze, Ken Swift, M.C.'s Infinity, DST, KC, Shaheim, Fab 5 Freddy, Ramalzee, Dondi, Futura 2000, Bambaattaa, Double Dutch Girls, Kool Lady Blue, & Willie Craft. We went to London, Paris, Strasberg, Leoine, & a whole bunch more cities. Before Beat Street - May 1984 with Grand Master Flash, Crash Crew, Poppin Larry Love, Levan, Broadway, and Kid Creole & Raheim from the Furious 5 Japan Airlines Tour - 1984 with Rockaron, Craig, DJ Jonathan, and others. I ran into OzRock out there. Summer - 1998 with Fabel, Fever, & Sweet Pea. We went to Italy. December - 1998 with Jojo, Fever, & Fabel. We hit Germany this time. H2E: What other elements of hip hop have you dabbled in? Frosty: I MC'd from 1979-'80 on tapes with Louie Lou, we were the Soul Bro. MC's I did some graff also in 1980. I pieced with Kay Slay, LK, Duel, $, TFA, TC5, IBM, CIA, TDS, RAZ, DURO, Shy 147(RockStars) H2E: What have you been up to recently? Frosty: I was teaching classes with Fabel last year in some public schools. I hosted Marlon B's event at the Culture Club and I did the Studio Y Tv show in January. H2E: What years have you attended the Bboy Masters Pro-Am in Miami and what are your thoughts on it? Frosty: 1998, '99, & 2001 - I like meeting all the international Bboy's, South Beach is fun, I like the weather, the people are nice, it's just a lot of fun and a great location. It makes me feel like a kid again! H2E: What moves have you made up or a part of your trademark style? Frosty: I invented the Suicide, and I helped pioneer moves and combos like: Cannonball, Round the World, Swipe to Headspins, Kickout 4-Step footwork, No Hand Footwork, many freezes, and most of all adding character to the dance. H2E: Any famous last words? Frosty: Well, I want to keep on dancing but I know my time is limited. "We are all in this together, we need to stick together!" I am more experienced with business now and I know how to control my own destiny. The 1980's were a lot of business for me and now I enjoy the scene more and have a lot of fun. peace...

Speedy D & Speedy Legs handing Frosty a Zulu Nation Hall of Fame Award at the 2001 Anniversary Frosty accepting an award from Zulu Gremlin at the Pro-Am 1999

In this 1981 photo provided by Martha Cooper, breakdance pioneer Wayne 'Frosty Freeze' Frost executes his 'dead man' move outside of New York's Lincoln Center. Frost died in a New York hospital Thursday, April 3, 2008 after a long illness. He was 44.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frosty_Freeze NEW YORK - Wayne “Frosty Freeze” Frost, a hip-hop pioneer whose acrobatic performance with the legendary Rock Steady Crew in the 1983 movie “Flashdance” helped set off a worldwide breakdancing craze, has died. He was 44. Frost died Thursday at Mount Sinai Medical Center after a long illness, said Jorge “Fabel” Pabon, a senior vice president of the crew where Frost and other so-called b-boys (for beat or break boys) made their name performing complicated and daring dance routines. “He was one of most charismatic b-boys that ever lived,” said Benson Lee, director of the new documentary film “Planet B-Boy.” Breakdancing emerged from the Bronx and Harlem in the early 1970s, part of the hip-hop culture that also included graffiti, MCing or rapping, and disc jockeys scratching and mixing vinyl records on turntables. During extended pauses, or breaks, in the music, b-boys would mimic James Brown’s showmanship and footwork and Bruce Lee’s martial arts, adding their own signature moves. Frost was known for his energetic style, intricate choreography and fearless moves including back flips and head spins. One was even dubbed the “Suicide.” Frost got his start in 1978 with the Bronx-based Rock City Crew. In 1981, he became part of the Rock Steady Crew, joining such acclaimed breakdancers as Ken Swift and Lil Crazy Legs. Frost toured the world with the Rock Steady Crew and other hip-hop artists, including Fab 5 Freddy, Futura 2000 and Kool Lady Blue. Frost’s appearance with Rock Steady Crew in “Flashdance” spread the breakdance phenomenon globally, said Joseph Schloss, a visiting scholar in the music department at New York University. “He was one of the first B-boys that most people ever saw,” Schloss said. Graffiti artist and close friend Zulu King Slone, who knew Frost for 15 years, said he was “like a walking hip-hop culture encyclopedia.” As a member of the Rock Steady Crew, Frost also appeared in several movies on hip-hop culture, including “Wild Style,” “Beat Street” and “Style Wars.” He also appeared on the cover of the Village Voice in 1981. Funeral arrangements were incomplete.

Madman- It sounds very interesting... i will look around for it! Kabar- You've basically stated a lot of my impressions of Rolling Nowhere. I really enjoyed the first 2/3rds of the book, but there is this moment of absolute contradiction/identity-crisis for the author, that really bothered me. In the matter of only a few pages, the author goes from elatedly "fitting in" with the tramps, referencing Black Like Me, and the kid is practically giddy about it. He's proud of his long hair, he's dirty, he's comfortable, etc. He feels like he fits in. And honestly, within 3 pages, he's totally contradicting himself! He has a minor freak-out, he cleans himself up, think it will put distance between himself and the hobos, and in his mind he is feverishly renouncing the "hobo identity." He wants to be surrounded by "normal" college kids, and be with people who know who he "really is." I found that part quite disgusting, actually. To his credit, the book is very well written and he includes tons of detail throughout, but like Kabar said, he feels like a poseur. Oh! AND he does seem to travel with the most immature, steamlining assholes. If you were only familiar with this book, you would think that the only people out there are mooching assholes, and bickering babies.

wow. this is interesting. the http://www.luisart.org link doesn't work for me... anybody else? i'd like to see this imposter, or his "art."

RN- sounds awesome. Never seen Long Gone, but i love Who is Bozo Texino. I'm gonna try to order Catching Out soon. I'm about to finish the book Rolling Nowhere, and i've got mixed feelings about it. I'll ellaborate once i'm through it.

When do the Wii Ware games drop? I've been enjoying downloading the classic games, but i heard there were supposed to be a bunch of $15 downloadable original games available at some point... Does anyone else know about this?

RN- Thanks! I actually have One More Train To Ride, and i like it. Good profiles & it's cool because you can open up to almost any page and start reading. I really enjoyed the profile on Shortstop. I will definitly check out the other two. Does anyone know of the film Catching Out?? i just learned of it and i'm not sure if it can still be ordered...i'm going to e-mail the filmmaker today to find out. If anyone's seen it, i'd love to know what you think of it.

DWR is a cool site.

TINT

Good info, Madman... that's what i had figured. it's a different world than when Littlejohn wrote his book, and I think the kid in Rolling Nowhere is travelling in the early 80's, so things have changed. Rolling- Is the book called "Hobo" ? Let me know and i'll check it out.

A few years ago, I found the film "Riding the Rails" at my local library after a conversation with my grandfather about his own experiences as a youth on the move. Earlier this year i was excited when i found this thread. Kabar, on your recommendation i've been reading Duffy Littlejohn's "Hopping..." book while reading this thread at the same time. My routine is the Kabar thread at work when the boss isn't looking, and Littlejohn at night at home. I know you've said that Littlejohn sugarcoats in a lot of areas, so this weekend i picked up "Rolling Nowhere" to balance it out. I actually love "Rolling Nowhere" very much, and i think it accompanies Littlejohn's and your writing very well. Kabar: Littlejohn talks a lot about walking right up to yard workers and asking for directions, and destinations for trains, and he seems to claim that this is almost 100% successful. This seems hard for me to believe, but maybe it's that i've grown up in the Northeast? Is this generally true, or is it regional, or is it a good example of Littlejohn's glossing-over? As many have said, I really appreciate the time you've spent over the last few years sharing so much great info and exciting stories. Stretch and Burl, TexasMadMan, and others, my hat is off to you as well!

:rolleyes:

right on.

honest? honest about being drunk, and that's about it. Idiot.

what?! oh, come on. are you sure? who was the little kid in season 4 stealing suv's?

is that game good? I've been playing a lot of Bubble Bobble & Castlevania on my virtual console.

no shit? i must have missed that. cool...i'll have to re-watch and check it again. I always liked kenard stealing cars in season 4.

i think the last scene proves that Marlo will always have a foot in the game, at least. With his money, he can fund whatever operations he wants. I wish Bunk & McNulty had a moment at the end for closure. Are you guys SURE it was Kenard who blasted Omar? I just didn't think it looked like him... (bottom right)