BT Calgary Blogs

When Lego Star Wars hit consoles 4 years ago it took the video game world by storm. How creative! A game where everything was made out of Lego pieces! Lego characters, with Lego props, all set in a world built out of Lego. It was a smash hit! Then 2 sequels came out, along with Lego Indiana Jones, and Lego Batman and something happened to the cherished Lego branded games. They began to wear thin. How many more titles would come out on the same premise? Were companies banking on the Lego name just to sell games? Well we may have our answer with Lego Rock Band.

Here we have two franchises that really couldn’t be more different. One is based on music and building a music career. The other, a series of action games based on the Lego property. Which brings the question, why would you bring them together? Rock Band is a very successful franchise on it’s own. Does it really need the Lego brand to try and bolster sales? The bigger question…would a music game with Lego characters even work? Well, it works, but it still doesn’t answer the question as to why it was done in the first place.

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Every once in awhile something lands in my hands that makes me stop and say “what?” Something so bizarre I just scratch my head and stare in bewilderment. Something so unique that you can’t even tell what it is until you turn it on. BeoTime is that device.

Bang and Olufsen is known for high end audio/visual gear with stunning design, and let me tell you BeoTime doesn’t disappoint. There’s a good chance you’ve never seen a alarm clock quite like this. But is it practical to drop more than $400 on a clock for your bedroom? I have mixed opinions.

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What do you place next to the world’s tallest building? The world’s tallest fountain of course! Wet design, the company responsible for the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas, has created another masterpiece this time in Dubai.

The 900-foot long water show uses 6,600 lights, and 50 colored projectors. The fountains themselves can shoot 150 meters (492 feet) into the air which puts the Bellagio show to shame. The fountains on the Vegas strip can only shoot a mere 140 meters into the air.

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Edmonton based BioWare has become a household name for many gamers around the world. The Company has developed such hits as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire, and Mass Effect, and has a long history of producing exceptional titles with engrossing story lines. Now the company is hoping to add another title to that growing list. Dragon Age: Origins takes the company back to its medieval gaming roots. Can it possibly live up to the high expectations set out by gamers? It certainly does, but it’s by no means for everyone.

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When I think back to classic Playstation titles Ratchet and Clank has always been one of my favourites. It’s one of those few franchises that I know I can rely on to not only be fun, but entertaining. Call it comfort gaming if you will. A “go to” franchise where I could sit back, relax and know exactly what I’m getting into before I even inserted the disc. Yes Ratchet and Clank, we have a long history together. That’s why I’m breathing a sigh of relief. The latest Ratchet and Clank game, A Crack in Time not only continues this great gaming tradition, it adds to the experience proving old franchises don’t have to get stale.

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This announcement just released by the Calgary Stampede!  *bliss*

Calgary – The Calgary Stampede is thrilled to announce that Bon Jovi, one of the most prolific and exciting live rock bands in the world, is the first major act to be announced for next year’s Calgary Stampede, July 9-18, 2010.  The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth welcomes Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan and Tico Torres to the Pengrowth Saddledome on Wednesday, July 14.

Bon Jovi’s visit to next year’s Stampede will be the only western Canadian arena show during the band’s The Circle World Tour.  The tour will see the band spend much of the next two years on the road, performing 135 shows in 30 countries.

“Obviously, we’re overjoyed to welcome Bon Jovi, one of the hardest working rock bands in the world to next year’s Stampede,” say Jim Laurendeau, senior manager, Stampede Programming. “We know that this is just the first of many major announcements about the talented lineup we’re bringing to next year’s
show. Stay tuned.”

Over the past two decades, Bon Jovi has sold more than 120 million albums, and performed more than
2,600 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans.

Tickets for Bon Jovi go on sale on Monday, November 16 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster.

When it comes to realistic racing games one title always seems to come to mind. Gran Turismo. At one point Polyphony Digital seemed to have cornered the market when it came to racing simulators. Very few developers have been able to achieve the same fan base Gran Turismo has. Then along came Microsoft and the Forza franchise. Microsoft clearly proved there was room for another great racing sim in the market, as Forza Motorsport 2 kicked some serious ass on the Xbox 360. But can Microsoft top it’s sophomore entry into the racing franchise with a third installment? You bet it can!

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Candace Bushnell is coming back to Calgary!  Start planning your outfits ladies (and gentlemen).  From the  shoes up of course.

Most of us know and love Bushnell’s first book “Sex and the City”.  The real Carrie Bradshaw is making 3 exclusive appearances across Canada.  She is speaking in Vancouver and Toronto and her tour kicks off in Calgary at the Jack Singer. Mark January 21st on your calendar!  Tickets for “A Conversation with Candace Bushnell” go on sale through Ticketmaster or through Union Events *this* Friday, November 6th….BUT we have the secret pre-sale password.  So if you’re an early bird click here and enter the word “lipstick” and you can get first pick at tix!

Bushnell made an appearance in Calgary last month.  I am a big fan and had the chance to hear her speak (click here for the review).  For Candace’s January appearance I will have the opportunity to host a special Q&A (the theme – “Sex, Success, and Sensibility”).

My life is complete.  Can’t wait to find out more about The Carrie Diaries (her upcoming SATC prequels)!

If you have any questions for Candace send them my way!  I’m would love to hear suggestions from fellow Sex and the City fans.