The Week In Review

In this week’s edition, Mark Hamill hangs up the Joker’s purple coat, and a prison PlayStation is turned into a tattoo machine.

Treyarch not Distracted by Infinity Ward Situation

There’s been plenty going over at Infinity ward, but the Zen Masters at Treyarch are not letting it get to them. “The situation at Infinity Ward is unfortunate. It’s just not something that we want to let distract us or that we really think about too much,” said Treyarch’s Josh Olin. “We’re still focused on our primary charge – to make the best game we possible can – so we’re keeping our heads down and staying focused.” (link)

Arkham Asylum 2 To Be Last Hamill Joker Outing

Aside from his obvious, Star Wars-themed, claim to fame, Mark Hamill is most widely known for his impressive performances as the voice of Batman’s arch-nemesis, the Joker. But according to Hamill, Arkham Asylum 2 will be the last time he voices the Clown Prince of Crime: “This will be my last, there’s no question about that. But it’s the last hurrah.” He assures us however, that gamers are in for a treat with the sequel, although he’s been sworn to secrecy. (link)

Did Warner Bros. Pirate its Anti-Piracy Software?

A German company is suing Warner Bros. for allegedly stealing its anti-piracy software. Medien Patent Verwaltung claims that it showed Warner Bros. its software in 2003, expecting to be “treated fairly”, only to find that that WB used the system without ever paying for it or giving Medien Patent Verwaltung any credit. Is Warner Bros. using stolen technology? Only time will tell. (link)

Grown-Up Films Remade as Kids Books

You might not immediately think that mixing violent movies and children’s books would work – or maybe you do, which makes you a very special kind of person – but Josh Cooley, a story artist at Pixar, decided to give it a try. Taking the classic Golden Books and infusing them with memorable scenes from movies like Terminator and Pulp Fiction, Cooley has created something that is oddly charming. Hit the link to see more. (link)

PlayStation Ink

Nothing says “ex-con” like a blurry tattoo done with improvised equipment, but it’s not everyone who gets their ink done with a machine built of a PlayStation. An inmate at Brook House Immigration Removal Center built his makeshift tattoo gun out of a motor salvaged from the aforementioned console and a sharpened ballpoint pen. The device was confiscated by officials, but no further action will be taken against the inmate. (link)