Blast Magazine» gamer

Gamer, YouTube sensation Athene launches Facebook-based fundraiser to end hunger

Anthony Geehan — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:57:54 +0000

2012 is beginning to make its mark as the year of online activism, from the multisite blackout in protest of S.O.P.A. and P.I.P.A. to the use of Twitter in organizing the Occupy Movement. Now, famous M.M.O.R.P.G. player and foul-mouthed YouTube sensation Athene has launched ShareCraft 2012, a competitive, customizable Facebook-based fundraising campaign. The goal of the campaign is to raise $1 million in 100 days to help alleviate the famine plaguing the Horn of Africa.

Athene’s YouTube video to launch the project originated as a reaction to the Kony 2012 success and subsequent fallout. In the video, Athene narrates, “Not long after (Kony 2012), the backlash started. The people that were supporting it were starting to get criticized for not doing their homework.”

Regardless of the debate, he continues, “The phenomenon of the film’s virality shows that the common perception of being powerless against injustice in the world and the idea that people tend to be indifferent is obviously inaccurate. The Internet has come to such a point that the only thing we need to overcome this widepsread belief is to collectively reach out for what we believe is right.”

With 9o days to go as of press time–the fundraiser ends July 4–ShareCraft 2012 has raised $137,500 from 2,078 donors. Donations can be made directly to the fund at opsharecraft.com, but the project’s hook is that contributors can start their own sub-fundraisers, using Facebook, Twitter and email to spread the word. Specialty gaming items from Razer will be given as prizes to the sub-fundraisers that raise the most money. The funds will ultimately be given to the Save the Children Foundation, an independent charity working to support the famine-stricken population of such countries as Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.

Best Buy Launching Its Own Gaming Magazine

Eddie Makuch — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:35:40 +0000

Those who think the era of print publications is over, might wish to reconsider. According to a report, national electronics retailer Best Buy is getting into the magazine business with its own ‘zine, @Gamer.

Video game retailer GameStop owns the hugely popular GameInformer magazine and, pending more informational details, it looks as if Best Buy wants a slice of that tasty, money-laden cake.

The magazine is titled @Gamer, and is described as the “official games magazine of Best Buy.” According to the report, noted games writer Andy Eddy (GamePro, Videogames & Computer Entertainment) is leading the charge, but whether the ‘zine is merely an exaggerated advertorial or is filled with actual editorial content, remains to be seen.

If it does turn out to be an official games magazine, I look forward to picking it up. What about you?

via Destructoid

The Hollywood Charts: Tyler Perry leads the way

Blast Magazine Newsroom — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:12:51 +0000

Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” came out with a helluva weekend, to the tune of $24 million, while sexy horror flick “Sorority Row” had a disappointing sixth place showing, raking in $5.5 million, losing to “The Final Destination,” which has been around for about a month.

“Gamer,” the futuristic action title that’s not expected to be critically-acclaimed, debuted 10th with $3.1 million in revenue.

Here are the top films for this past weekend:

1. Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself: $24,030,000
2. 9: $10,856,484
3. Inglourious Basterds: $6,546,000
4. All About Steve: $5,800,000
5. The Final Destination: $5,500,000
6. Sorority Row: $5,268,000
7. Whiteout: $5,100,000
8. District 9: $3,600,000
9. Julie & Julia: $3,300,000
10. Gamer: $3,150,000
11. GI Joe: $2,525,000
12. The Time Traveler’s Wife: $2,325,000

Source: Rentrak Corporation

Mimi Michaels talks ‘Gamer’ with Blast

Jess d'Arbonne — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:47:37 +0000

This is the first in a two-part interview with Mimi Michaels. Check back in next week for the second part of the interview, where we talk about Mimi’s new show “Meteor: Path to Destruction” which comes to NBC in July.

In the future, video games have evolved: Only the best can be gamers, and they control the movements of Death Row prisoners in a real life battle. If the gamer wins, the prisoner gets his freedom. If he loses… game over.

And in the middle of this gaming dystopia is actress Mimi Michaels, playing the champion gamer’s biggest fan. Blast got to chat with the actress about her new movie, which comes to the silver screen in September.

BLAST: “Gamer” is a futuristic thriller about real people used as video game characters. What can you tell us about the movie?

M: It’s a future world where humans are in control of other humans who are on Death Row. They play them, and it’s really cool. I just recently saw a trailer for it and it looks amazing, and Gerard Butler is phenomenal in it. I think people are really going to love this movie. My character is a big fan of one of the best players, who is this kid who plays Butler’s character. I’m a very quirky, silly girl. She’s supposed to be stoned. I’m known as “Cute Stoned Girl.” She’s just out in the ether and says some silly things to this kid.

B: You mentioned Gerard Butler. Did you have any scenes with him?

M: Not in this one, but I worked with him on another film, “The Ugly Truth,” and I got to work with him on that one, so it was nice that I finally got to have a scene with him.

B: Was he a nice guy?

M: Oh, he’s a class act. He was so sweet. In the scene we did, there were a lot of extras, and it is always nice to see when one of these big, A-list actors is so kind to everyone. He talks to everyone, so thoughtful and warm, and it’s just nice to see him so down-to-earth like that.

B: Do you think real video gamers will enjoy the movie?

M: Oh I do. It’s just a really cool concept that we’re playing people “" they have microchips in them, I think that’s how it’s done. I think that for people who are into video games, this will be a great movie to see.

B: Are you a gamer?

MI think I am now! Actually, yesterday I played Wii.

B: What did you play?

M: I was at this charity event and there were a bunch of kids playing Wii, so I said, I’m just going to play with them! So we played bowling and tennis, and I was just terrible. The kids were just beating me left and right, but at least I tried!

B: Trying counts! So, besides video games, what do you do with your free time?

M: I like to bike around LA a lot, as much as I can. Actually as soon as we’re done here I’m going to go for a hike with a girlfriend of mine. I like reading, but on my off time I go back to school and take classes at USC. I love learning new things and taking classes.

B: Are you on Twitter?

M: I’m not. I’m not on Twitter, not on Facebook. I still haven’t succumbed to any of those. I know if I signed up for it I would just be on my computer all the time.

B: It’s addictive. We’re almost out of time. I can’t wait to see “Gamer.” But one last question: What’s next for you?

M: I’ve worked on a couple of web series, one which is called “House of Heather.” I’m really looking forward to this one. It’s a parody of “The Hills.” It pokes fun at that show, and it’s really funny and cute and I think they’re going to be possibly looking for a place for it on television. So look out for that because it’s really cute.

Check out “Gamer” in theaters on September 4.