Rabu, 04 Februari 2009

PSP

PlayStation Portable

PSP (PlayStation Portable)
Manufacturer Sony Computer Entertainment
Product family PlayStation
Type Handheld game console
Generation Seventh generation era
Retail availability JP December 12, 2004
NA March 24, 2005
PAL September 1, 2005
Units sold Worldwide: 41 million (as of August 20, 2008)[1] (details)
Media UMD
CPU MIPS R4000-based; clocked from 1 to 333 MHz
Storage capacity Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo
Connectivity Wi-Fi (802.11b),[2] IrDA, USB
Best-selling game Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, 2.55 million (as of September 30, 2008)[3]
Successor PlayStation Portable Slim and Lite (redesign)

The PlayStation Portable (officially abbreviated PSP) is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. Development of the console was first announced during E3 2003,] and it was unveiled on May 11, 2004 at a Sony press conference before E3 2004. The system was released in Japan on December 12, 2004, in North America on March 24, 2005, and in the PAL region on September 1, 2005.

The PlayStation Portable is the first handheld video game console to use an optical disc format, Universal Media Disc (UMD), as its primary storage media. Other distinguishing features of the console include its large viewing screen, robust multi-media capabilities,and connectivity with the PlayStation 3, other PSPs, and the Internet.

Despite the console's superior computing power and multimedia capabilities, sales have (with cyclical exceptions) lagged behind its main competitor, the Nintendo DS. Despite this, the console is "the most successful non-Nintendo handheld game system ever sold". After the release of a remodeled, slimmer, and lighter version of the PlayStation Portable, appropriately titled Slim and Lite, in early September 2007, sales quadrupled in the United Kingdom the following week and increased by nearly 200% in North America for the month of October.


History

Sony first announced development of the PlayStation Portable at a press conference before E3 2003.[21] Although mock-ups of the system were not present at the press conference or E3,[21] Sony did release extensive technical details regarding the new system.[22] Then-CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Ken Kutaragi called the device the "Walkman of the 21st Century" in a reference to the console's multimedia capabilities.[23] Several gaming websites were impressed by the handheld's computing capabilities and looked forward to the system's potential as a gaming platform.[6][21][24]

The first concept images of the PlayStation Portable appeared in November 2003 at the Sony Corporate Strategy Meeting and showed a PSP with flat buttons and no analog stick.[25] Although some expressed concern over the lack of an analog joystick,[26] these fears were allayed when the PSP was officially unveiled at the Sony press conference during E3 2004.[27] In addition to announcing more details about the system and its accessories,[28] Sony also released a list of 99 developer companies that had pledged support for the new handheld.[29] Several PSP game demos, such as Konami's Metal Gear Acid and SCE Studio Liverpool's Wipeout Pure were also shown at the conference.[30]

Launch


On October 17, 2004, Sony announced that the PSP would launch in Japan on December 12, 2004 at a price of ¥19,800 (about US$181 in 2004) for the base model and ¥24,800 (about US$226 in 2004) for the Value System.[31] The console's launch was a success with over 200,000 units sold the first day.[32]

Sony announced on February 3, 2005, that the PSP would go on sale in North America on March 24, 2005 in one configuration for a MSRP of US$249/CA$299.[33] Some expressed concern over the high price,[34] which was almost US$20 higher than the system's price in Japan and more than $100 higher than the recently launched Nintendo DS.[35] Despite the concerns, the PSP's North American launch was a success,[36][37] although reports two weeks later indicated that the system was not selling as well as expected despite Sony's claim that 500,000 units had been sold in the first two days.[38][39]

The PSP was originally to have a simultaneous PAL region and North American launch,[28] but on March 15, 2005, Sony announced that the PAL region launch would be delayed because of high demand for the console in Japan and North America.[40] A month later, on April 25, 2005, Sony announced that the PSP would launch in the PAL region on September 1, 2005 for 249/£179.[41] Sony defended the high price, which was nearly US$100 higher than in North America, by pointing out that North American consumers had to pay local sales taxes and that the GST was higher in the UK than the US.[42] Despite the high price, the console's PAL region launch was a resounding success, selling more than 185,000 units in the UK alone, more than doubling the previous first-day sales record of 87,000 units set by the Nintendo DS.[43] The system also enjoyed great success in other areas of the PAL region with more than 25,000 units preordered in Australia[44] and nearly one million units sold across Europe in the first week.[45]

Variations

Retail configurations

PSP Core Pack
Country Release price Release date
Australia AU$200.95 September 1, 2005[46]
Europe 139,99 September 1, 2005[47]
India INR11,990 September 1, 2005[48]
United Kingdom £109.99 September 1, 2005[47]
Canada CA$229.99 March 22, 2006[49]
United States US$129.99 March 22, 2006[49]
Chile CLP$119,990 April 4, 2008[50]

The PSP is sold in two main configurations that differ in which accessories are included. The basic unit package or Base Pack (called the Core Pack in North America[51]) contains the console, a battery, and an AC adapter.[52] This version was available at launch in Japan[31] and was later released in North America and Europe.[53] The Core Pack currently retails for CA$/US$169.99,[51] ¥19,800,[54] HK$1,280 or $1,360 (depending on the color),[55] S$280,[56] AU$279.95,[57] NZ$299.95,[58] 169.99, and £129.99.[59]

The Value Pack includes everything in the Base Pack as well as a 32 MB Memory Stick Pro Duo, headphones with remote control, a carrying pouch, and a wrist strap.[52] Some regions have modified versions of this pack that include different accessories.[60] The Value Pack retails for US$199,[61] ¥26,040,[62] HK$1660,[63] AU$399.95,[64] and NZ$449.95.[60]

Many limited edition versions of the PSP that include various accessories, games, or movies have also been released.[65][66]

Colors

The PSP is currently available in ten colors. These include , piano black, ceramic white, ice silver, rose pink, deep red, champagne gold, felicia blue, mint green, lavender purple, and metallic blue. Only the piano black model is available in all regions.[67] The ice silver, ceramic white, and deep red versions are available as stand-alone models in Asia[67][68] and as part of the "Daxter", "Star Wars Battlefront", and "God of War" entertainment packs in North America (with a Darth Vader silkscreen on the ceramic white model and a Kratos silkscreen on the deep red model).[69][70] The rose pink, champagne gold, felicia blue, and lavender purple versions are only available in Asia[67][71] and the mint green model is exclusive to Japan.[72] The metallic blue color had been discontinued, but was made available again in North America as part of the Madden NFL 09 entertainment pack.[73] Several other special edition models, such as the Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops camouflage PSP, have also been released.[67] The pink and silver colors have been discontinued.[67] It has been recently announced that Asia will get another four new colours; Vibrant Blue, Radiant Red, Bright Yellow and Spirited Green - in March of 2009.

PSP Slim and Lite (2000 series)

The PSP Slim and Lite, in ice silver

At E3 2007, Sony announced that a new version of the PSP would be released in September 2007, for all regions.[51] The redesigned PSP is 33% lighter and 19% thinner than the original PSP. The redesign also features composite TV output, supports charging via USB, double the onboard RAM (32 MB to 64 MB), and has a brighter screen.[74] It also caches UMD data in memory to decrease game loading times. The WLAN switch has been moved to the top where the old IR receiver was to avoid accidental switching, and the speaker vents that were at the bottom and underside of the original PSP have been moved to the top of this new model.[75]

PSP-3000


On August 20, 2008, a revised PSP design, model 3000, was announced at a press conference in Leipzig. Based on the Slim & Lite (PSP-2000) design,[76][77] the PSP-3000 features an improved LCD screen, a built-in microphone, an oval shaped start and select buttons, and expanded video-out. The LCD screen features a higher contrast ratio, shorter response time, and wider color gamut, as well as anti-reflective technology for improved visibility in well-lit environments. Expanded video-out capability allows gameplay video to be output in interlaced format. This model was released in Japan, Asia, North America and Europe in October 2008.[76]

Sales

Region Units sold First available
Japan 11,078,484 (as of December 28, 2008)[78][79] December 12, 2004
United States 10.47 million (as of January 1, 2008)[80][81][82] March 24, 2005
Europe 12 million (as of May 6, 2008)[83] September 1, 2005
United Kingdom 3.2 million (as of January 3, 2009)[84] September 1, 2005
Worldwide 41 million (as of August 20, 2008)[1]

By March 31, 2007, the PlayStation Portable had shipped 25.39 million units worldwide with 6.92 million in Asia, 9.58 million in North America, and 8.89 million Europe.[85] In Europe, the PSP sold 4 million units in 2006 and 3.1 million in 2007 according to estimates by Electronic Arts.[86][87] In 2007, the PSP sold 3.82 million units in the US according to the NPD Group[88][89] and 3,022,659 in Japan according to Enterbrain.[90][91][92] In 2008, the PSP sold 3,543,171 units in Japan, according to Enterbrain.[78][92]

In the United States, the PSP has sold 10.47 million units as of January 1, 2008, according to the NPD Group.[80][81][82] In Japan, during the week of March 24 – March 30, 2008, the PSP nearly outsold all the other game consoles combined with 129,986 units sold, some of which were bundled with Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G,[93] which was the best-selling game in that week, according to Media Create.[94] As of December 28, 2008, the PSP has sold 11,078,484 units in Japan, according to Enterbrain.[78][79] In Europe, the PSP has sold 12 million units as of May 6, 2008, according to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. In the United Kingdom, the PSP has sold 3.2 million units as of January 3, 2009, according to GfK Chart-Track.

Hardware


A ceramic white PSP. The shoulder buttons are on top, the directional pad on the left with the analog 'nub' directly below it, the PlayStation face buttons on the right and a row of secondary buttons below the screen.

The PlayStation Portable uses the common "slab" or "candybar" form factor, measures approximately 17 x 7.3 x 2.2 cm (6.7 x 2.9 x 0.9 in), and weighs 280 grams (9.88 ounces). The front of the console is dominated by the system's 11 cm (4.3 in) LCD screen, which is capable of 480 x 272 pixel video playback with 16.77 million colors. Also on the front are the four PlayStation face buttons (Triangle, Circle, X, Square), the directional pad, the analog 'nub', and several other buttons. In addition, the system includes two shoulder buttons and a USB 2.0 mini-B port on the top of the console and a WLAN switch and power cable input on the bottom. The back of the PSP features a read-only UMD drive for movies and games, and a reader compatible with Sony's Memory Stick Duo flash cards is located on the left of the system. Other features include an IrDA compatible infrared port (discontinued in PSP-2000 and later series), built in stereo speakers and headphone port, and IEEE 802.11b Wi-Fi for access to the Internet, ad-hoc multiplayer gaming, and data transfer.

The PSP uses a 333 MHz MIPS R4000 (32-bit) CPU, a GPU with 2 MB onboard VRAM running at 166 MHz, and includes 32 MB main RAM and 4 MB embedded DRAM. The CPU was originally locked to run slower than the hardware was capable of and most games ran at 222 MHz. However, with firmware update 3.50 on May 31, 2007, Sony removed this limit and allowed new games to run at a full 333 MHz.

The PSP includes an 1800 mAh battery that will provide about 4-6 hours of gameplay, 4-5 hours of video playback, or 8-11 hours of audio playback. Official accessories for the console include the AC adapter, car adapter, headset, headphones with remote control, extended-life 2200 mAh battery, battery charger, carrying case, accessories pouch and cleaning cloth, and system pouch and wrist strap.

Software

System Software


Sony has included the ability for the operating system, referred to as the System Software, to be updated. The updates can be downloaded directly from the Internet using the Network Update feature, or they can be downloaded from the official PlayStation website to a computer, transferred to a Memory Stick Duo, and subsequently installed on the system. Updates can also be installed from UMD game discs that require the update to run the game.

While system software updates can be used with consoles from any region, Sony recommends only downloading system software updates released for the region corresponding to the system's place of purchase.System software updates have added various features including a web browser, Adobe Flash support, additional codecs for images, audio, and video, PlayStation 3 connectivity,] as well as patches against several security exploits, vulnerabilities, and execution of homebrew programs. It is currently at v5.06.

Graphical User Interface


The PSP's version of the XrossMediaBar (pronounced Cross Media Bar and abbreviated XMB) includes seven categories of options. These include Settings, Photo, Music, Video, Game, Network, and Playstation Network. The PSP has the capability to play photo slideshows and audio and video files, stored on a Memory Stick Duo, monitor and save content from RSS channels, and send and receive photos wirelessly with other PSPs while in ad-hoc mode.The PSP also includes the ability to customize the appearance of the XMB with different colors, photos, or themes. Although the XMB can be accessed at any time by pressing the Home button, the currently running application will exit before showing the interface (with the exception of a photo slideshow, and most of the applications in the "Network" column.). It is now also possible to change the appearance of the PSP with "theme" files, with there being few official ones and mostly user made, though legitimate, theme files.

Web browser

The PSP Internet Browser is an embedded microbrowser. It is a version of the NetFront browser made by Access Co. Ltd. and was released for free with the 2.00 system software update. The browser supports most common web technologies, such as HTTP cookies, forms, CSS, as well as basic JavaScript capabilities.

The version 2.50 upgrade added Unicode (UTF-8) character encoding and Auto-Select as options in the browser's encoding menu, and also introduced the saving of input history for online forms.

Version 2.70 of the PSP's system software introduced basic Flash capabilities to the browser.However, the player runs Flash version 6, four iterations behind the current desktop version 10,] making some websites difficult to view.

There are 3 different rendering modes, "Normal", "Just-Fit", and "Smart-Fit". "Normal" will display the page with no changes, "Just-Fit" will attempt to shrink some elements to make the whole page fit on the screen and preserve layout (although this makes some pages extremely difficult to read), and "Smart-Fit" will display content in the order it appears in the HTML, and with no size adjustments; instead it will drop an element down below the preceding element if it starts to go off the screen.

The browser also has limited tabbed browsing support, with a maximum of three tabs. Pages are opened in new tabs when a website tries to open a link in a new window.

Remote Play

Remote Play allows the PSP to access many features of a PlayStation 3 console from a remote location using the PS3's WLAN capabilities, a home network, or the Internet. Features that can be used with Remote Play include viewing photos and slideshows, listening to music, watching videos stored on the PS3's HDD, and several other features. Additionally, Remote Play allows the PS3 to be turned on and off remotely and allows the PSP to control audio playback from the PS3 to a home theater system without having to use a television.Although most of the PS3's capabilities are accessible with Remote Play, playback of DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, and PlayStation 2 games, most PlayStation 3 games, and copy-protected files stored on the PS3's hard drive is not supported.

Wireless Phone

PSP as of January 8, 2008 supports Skype Internet Phone service. PSP 2000 or later required for this feature.

Games

In addition to playing PSP games, several PlayStation games have been rereleased and can be downloaded and played on the PSP via emulation. Currently, the only three official ways to access this feature is through the PlayStation Network service for PlayStation 3, PSP, or a PC.

Demos for commercial PSP games can be downloaded and booted directly from a Memory Stick. Demos are also sometimes issued in UMD format and mailed out or given to customers at various retail outlets as promotional content.

During E3 2006, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced that the Greatest Hits range of budget titles were to be extended to the PSP system.On July 25, 2006, Sony CEA released the first batch of Greatest Hits titles. The PSP Greatest Hits lineup consist of games that have sold 250,000 copies or more and have been out for nine months. PSP games in this lineup retails for $19.99 each.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced on September 5, 2006, that a number of titles would be available under the Platinum range for €24.99 each in Europe and £19.99 in the UK.

Homebrew development


On June 15, 2005, hackers disassembled the code of the PSP and distributed it online. Initially the modified PSP allowed users to run custom code and a limited amount of protected software. Sony responded to this by repeatedly upgrading the software. Over time curious parties were able to unlock the firmware and allow users to run more custom content and more protected software.

Reception

The PSP received generally favorable reviews soon after launch and most reviewers cited similar strengths and weaknesses. CNET awarded the system an 8.1 out of 10 and praised the console's powerful hardware and its multimedia capabilities while lamenting the lack of a screen guard or a guard over the reading surface of UMD cartridges. Engadget applauded the console's design, stating that "it is definitely one well-designed, slick little handheld". PC World commended Sony's decision to include built-in Wi-fi capabilities while lamenting lack of a web browser at launch and the glare and smudges that resulted from the console's shiny exterior. Most reviewers also praised the console's large and bright viewing screen and its audio and video playback capabilities. In 2008, Time listed the PSP as a "gotta have travel gadget", citing the console's movie selection, telecommunications capability, and upcoming GPS functionality.

Controversial advertising campaigns

  • Sony admitted in late 2005 to hiring graffiti artists to spray paint advertisements for the PSP in seven major U.S. cities including New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. The mayor of Philadelphia has filed a cease and desist order and may file a criminal complaint. According to Sony, it is paying businesses and building owners for the right to graffiti their walls.
  • In 2006, Sony ran a poster campaign in England. One of the poster designs with the slogan "Take a running jump here" was removed from a Manchester Piccadilly station tram platform due to concerns that it might encourage suicide.
  • News spread on in July 2006 of a billboard advertisement released in the Netherlands which depicted a white woman holding a black woman by the jaw, saying "PlayStation Portable White is coming." Some found this to be racially charged due to the portrayal of a white woman subjugating a black woman. Two other similar advertisements also existed, one had the two women facing each other on equal footing in fighting stances, while the other had the black woman in a dominant position on top of the white woman. The stated purpose of the advertisements was to contrast the white and black versions of its game console available for sale. These ads were never released in the rest of the world, and were pulled from the Netherlands after the controversy was raised.
  • Sony came under scrutiny online in December 2006 for a guerrilla marketing campaign hoping to go viral, for the console, with advertisers masquerading as young bloggers who desperately wanted a PSP. The site was registered to and created by the St. Louis, Missouri advertising firm Zipatoni on behalf of Sony before it was taken down.

Rabu, 21 Januari 2009

HIstory of gundam (from wikipedia)

Candidates for the 2009 steward elections are asked to submit their nominations by January 25. Nominate yourself.
[Hide]
[Help us with translations!]

Gundam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Gundam (ガンダム Gandamu?) is a metaseries of Japanese anime, featuring giant robots, or "mecha", created by Sunrise studios. The series started in April 1979 as a TV series called Mobile Suit Gundam, and later became a franchise name with more sequels, prequels, side stories and alternative timelines, published and aired in various media including TV anime, OVA, manga, novels, and video games. Gundam became a collective term for 7 different time lines, all featuring their own story-lines, with a few common denominators and war machines called Gundam.

The original timeline for the Gundam series was the Universal Century (UC) series, which included Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) and Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985). Since the 1990s, alternative timelines have been produced and developed, including the Future Century, After Colony, After War, Correct Century, Cosmic Era and Anno Domini timelines.

In the 2008 ranking of average sales figures for anime copies sold in Japan (1970-2008 total sales figures averaged by episode), Gundam series were in 4 of the top 5 places: Mobile Suit Gundam ranked second, with Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny third, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED fourth, and Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam fifth. Also, New Mobile Report Gundam Wing ranked 18th and Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ ranked 20th.[1]

As of 21 January 2008, the Gundam franchise is a 50 billion yen trademark.[2] Gunpla's(Gundam Plastic model) income is 90% of the Japan character plastic model market's income.[3]

Academic fields in Japan also view the series as a good inspiration in research fields. The Gundam academy, or officially International Gundam Society is the first academic institution based on an animated TV series.[4]

Contents

[hide]

[edit] Overview

[edit] Concept

Mobile Suit Gundam was principally developed by renowned animator Yoshiyuki Tomino, along with a changing group of Sunrise creators who went under the collective pseudonym of "Hajime Yatate".

During its conceptual phase the series was titled Freedom Fighter Gunboy, or simply Gunboy, because the title included a robot armed with a gun, and the primarily target demographic were shōnen (boys). In the early production stages there were numerous references to the word "freedom": the White Base was originally "Freedom's Fortress", the Core Fighter was the "Freedom Wing", and the Gunperry was the "Freedom Cruiser". The Yatate team combined the English word "gun" with the last syllable of the word "freedom", "dom", to form the name Gundom. Tomino then changed it to the current title, suggesting that Gundam signified a powerful unit wielding a gun powerful enough to hold back enemies, like a hydroelectric dam holding back floods.[citation needed]

Most Gundams are large, bipedal vehicles controlled from cockpits by a human pilot. The majority of these "mobile suits" - the description of these vehicles, including the Gundam, in the various series - have a cockpit in the "torso" of the machine, with a camera built into the "head" to transmit images to the cockpit. Rarely, cockpits are mounted elsewhere on the chassis, as in Psyco Gundam, where the cockpit is located in the unit's head.

While most Gundams are non-sentient there are some exceptions; in the side-story Gundam Sentinel, an artificial intelligence called A.L.I.C.E. develops its own emotions, wanting to become human at the very end of the story. [5] In The Blue Destiny, another side-story, four mobile suits (one of them not a Gundam), built with the EXAM System, share a Newtype human soul and instinct which allows them to act exceptionally independently.[6] These are the only canonical and specified plot-related Gundams that contains self-sentience to the main story-line.

[edit] Innovation

Mobile Suit Gundam is said to have pioneered the real robot era of mecha anime.[7] Unlike its super robot cousins, Gundam attempts at realism in robot design and weaponry, as well as the thematic and ethical roles of the robots themselves. Zambot 3 was an earlier program by Tomino, where he began developing the ideas in "Gundam".

The inherent motif of all the various Gundam series is the harsh depiction of the atrocities of war.[citation needed] All the machines, including the Gundams, are usually depicted running out of energy and ammunition, or breaking and malfunctioning like all machines do. The technology, at least that of the Universal Century, is practical and is either derived from true science, including Lagrange points in space, the O'Neill cylinder as a living environment, or at least well-explained technology that is potentially feasible, and/or requiring only a few fictional elements inserted into real science to function (Minovsky Physics, as a means of energy production from helium-3). [8]

The necessity of developing humanoid robots is also scientifically explained, albeit fictional. The fictional Minovsky particle is pervasive in Universal Century, and these particles prevent the use of radar. Long distance cruise missiles, anti aircraft guns and missiles, cannot function automatically due to lack of radar control. As a result, all weapons control systems have to rely on human eyes. Warplanes, which largely relies on auto-guide missiles are useless. On top of that, early warning system is non-functional. In Universal Century, humans have colonized space. The Principality of Zeon, which rebels against Earth Federation, needed a weapons system that could function outside of the colony in zero gravity, as well as in gravity. The weapons system should be able to open and close air locks, plant demolition charges, engage with enemy tanks and planes. In such a world, what could be most dynamic and thus could inflict most damage is a robotic giant, in the form of mobile suits. Once mobile suits have been developed by one side, the opposing force had to develop a similar system, just as British invention of tanks lead to the development of tanks in Germany, and eventually lead to tank-to-tank battles.

Gundam's realistic scientific setting has gained its reputation in the field, as well. On 18 July 2007, as MIT's Astronautics Department's Professor Dava Newman displays her biosuit, the normal suit as seen in the Gundam series was referenced as Mobile Suit Gundam's Normal Suit is now real by various news.[9][10] On 14 February 2008, as NASA proposed its beginning of the nuclear thermal rocket engine research, Technobahn, a scientific journal in Japan relates it to the Gundam universe, having wide usage of nuclear thermal rocket engines on its mobile suits.[11]

[edit] Narrative

The narrative itself revolves around mobile suits and pilots fighting in a war, destruction and dehumanization inherent in war. The series tends to explore all sides of a conflict; each faction has their own heroes and villains, all of which have their own unique motives, failings, and virtues. Political battles are as likely to determine the outcome of a war, as it often is. Gundam also features debate on various important philosophical issues and political ideals, both historical ones, and some of those likely to crop up in the future. Of particular note are the frequent explorations of the nature and meaning of war, the ideal of pacifism, and the continuing evolution - natural or engineered - of humanity and its consequences. These are often framed in the series as a debate between the protagonist and antagonist over the course of a duel, as they try to convince each other of the righteousness of their causes.

Finally, most of the stories are basically structured as "coming-of-age" dramas, where the main protagonist (and sometimes the main antagonist) and most of the cast personalities, points of view, and actions may (or may not) change dramatically, as the events on the series unfold. This makes the plot seem more realistic. In early super robot animated series, the hero and cast usually act in the same predictable manner in most episodes, occasionally seeming to have no connection between episodes. In the various Gundam series, the characters' personalities and actions are transformed/developed by the turn of events surrounding them; some achieve their goals, others are hardened by war, and some even switch allegiances (whether for their own agendas, or following their conscience, after a change of philosophy). The best example of this is how the personalities of longtime rivals, Amuro Ray and Char Aznable, are influenced by their experiences in the Gundam saga.

As it is a coming-of-age drama in robot genre, the story line has a minute fractures and fragmentations in narratives, in pace and story lines. This may be a reflection of unstable teenage sentiments, or that the creator of the series may have wanted to achieve too much. At times the story revolves around fast paced war and up-rooted lives. At times it is about Amuro and his distant father. At one point Amuro runs away, unrelated to his father. Deep philosophical and psychological discussions are made between enemies. Amuro was infatuated with an officer, Matilda Ajan, and find connection with an engineered psychic Lalah Sune from whom he learns about Newtype. Amuro finds likeness in rival Char, but also despises him. Char has his own motives, and his sister Sayla Mass is a shipmate of Amuro. The narrative stays with Amuro most of the times, but at times, it revolves around various side characters as well, which may widen the story, but also detracts viewers with too many topics.

[edit] Distinctive characteristics

Gundam is the name or nickname of several mobile suits or mobile fighters, although in some of the related series, such as G-Saviour do not use the term Gundam in the show and presume viewers can tell the difference of Gundam type mobile suits from its general characteristics. The OVA series Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO mainly based upon other famous icons from the first series like the Zaku to relate the show with other Gundam series.

The term Gundam is more of an idea instead of a clear image. Each series can show very different design and colouring for the Gundams. Most of the Gundam in various shows normally have a head following the design of the first Gundam, from the design of Kunio Okawara. Some are different from others, like Zeta Gundam using an angular white mouth-piece instead of a squared red one. One of the notable incidents in early history of Gundam design was when Katoki Hajime presented his line art design of S Gundam to the Sunrise officials, they felt that it did not look like a Gundam and rejected the design, yet when Katoki added in the major colouring, red, blue and yellow, to the same design and added a few more pictures displaying the suit from different angles at the next meeting, the same officials found it to look quite like a Gundam. The producer, Masahiko Asano noted in his notes that everyone had their own idea of Gundam, and in the meeting, they were trying to find the asymptotic view for everyone in the meeting.[12]

[edit] Meaning in different series

The different series have had different ways of maintaining the tradition, and the only unique feature that all Gundams have in common is the name.

In the Universal Century timeline, "Gundam" is the name of the Earth Federation's (Chikyū Renpō, 地球連邦) first experimental general-purpose mobile suit, which is incredibly powerful, compared to most of the mass-produced models eventually used by either side. Afterwards, many powerful mobile suits based on the Gundam's design also carry the name, such as the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II, MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam, LM312V04 Victory Gundam, etc. The Anaheim Gundams, or Greek alphabet Gundams are a series of mobile suits developed by the fictional company Anaheim Electronics, some of them are notably carrying different style heads than other Gundams in the series, like the Rick Dias (Gamma Gundam) and Hyaku Shiki (Delta Gundam).

In the Future Century timeline, the word "Gundam" refers to a space colony's entry in the "Gundam Fight", a competition that determines which colony would rule the Earth for the next 4 years. The pilots who use these Gundams are known as "Gundam Fighters". However, some suits that are called Gundams are not entries in the Gundam Fight at all, with the most operative examples being the JDG-009X (JDG-00X) Devil Gundam and the JMF-1336R (JMF1336R) Rising Gundam.

In the After Colony timeline, the word "Gundam" refers to most mobile suits constructed out of a special alloy called "Gundanium", which can only be mined and produced in space. This alloy gives the Gundams high resistance to conventional weaponry and renders them stealth under radar, due to its nature of absorbing electromagnetic waves. Every Gundam has a unique name that befits the nature of the suit and/or its origins, such as the XXXG-01W Wing Gundam, XXXG-01D Gundam Deathscythe and the XXXG-01S Shenlong Gundam.

The After War timeline is a loose continuation of the Universal Century continuity, presenting an alternate scenario, with many of the mecha designs loosely based on Universal Century suits.

In the Correct Century timeline, the name "Gundam" is given to the SYSTEM ∀-99 (WD-M01) ∀ Gundam "Turn A"/White Doll mobile suit by a specific character, who was originally ace pilot, but placed under suspended animation. The color scheme of the Turn A reminds the character of the Gundam mobile suits from previous eras.

In the Cosmic Era works, Gundams are mobile suits that carry a specific type of operating system, first secretly produced (without the programmer himself knowing what he is programming the system for) by the one of the protagonist's robotics research group, and faced a few upgrades by various factions throughout the story. The acronym of the operating system always spells "GUNDAM", thus, these suits are called "Gundam". However, this is retconned by later toys and scale models tagging the "Gundam", after the unit's own name.

In the Anno Domini timeline of Mobile Suit Gundam 00, the term Gundam is the generic designation of a line of unique and highly effective mobile units developed by Celestial Being, such as the GN-001 Gundam Exia and GN-002 Gundam Dynames. Distinct from concurrently introduced weapons, suit torsos contain a core generator system known as the GN Drive or Solar Furnace, capable of sustaining independent unit function for an indefinite period of time without needing to refuel. In addition, onboard propulsion recycles the generator's GN particle exhaust for high-speed, virtually unlimited output. The particle exhaust disrupts the use of conventional radar and a range of wireless communications.

The Huckebein series of mecha from the Super Robot Wars series also share many Gundam-like characteristics; not surprising, since its mechanical designer is Hajime Katoki, who has done many redesigns of previous Gundam models.

See also the Japanese article for Gundam Type /ガンダムタイプ for details.

[edit] Further development

An interview of Yoshiyuki Tomino in the OtonaFami 2009 February issue, he commented about the lack of planning of Sunrise and Bandai, and pointed out his own view on plans for the next 10, 20, 30 years. He also decided to create concepts suitable for Sunrise and Bandai for the next 100 and 200 years from now. and claims that a good movie needs 3 to 4 years of production time, and thus it is too late for him to do anything for the 30th anniversary of Gundam, yet it is still not too late for the 35th anniversary, and he might do something for that, yet he denies about directing a new Gundam series in 2015. However, he foresees that on next year's(2010) January, he would still scolding Isn't there only 4 more years left? and no action would be taken by the company. His wish is that in the future, a common sentence people will use is Think like Gundam. [13]

[edit] Calendar system

The majority of Gundam works, including the earliest ones, occurs in the Universal Century (UC, for short) calendar. Later series are set in alternate calendars or timelines that are mostly unrelated to the UC system. There is a basic premise or back-story common to all the Gundam series: in each timeline, Earth has at some point established space colonies within the Solar System, but eventually engages in an armed conflict against them. On a side note, at least three calendar systems are initially numbered after the year that the series premiered. For example, Mobile Suit Gundam takes place in UC 0079 (it premiered in 1979) , New Mobile Report Gundam Wing in After Colony 195 (a 1995 premiere) and Mobile Suit Gundam 00 takes place in 2307 (with a 2007 premiere). In addition, the initials for the Cosmic Era calendar, CE, is the same for as the initials for Common Era, a designation of the Gregorian calendar.

  • Mobile Fighter G Gundam takes place in the Future Century (FC). In this timeline, the space colonies have gained the upper hand over Earth, consequently attempting to put an end to the internal power struggles now plaguing the planet.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Wing takes place in the After Colony (AC) calendar system, referring to the years after the foundation of the first space colony. Unlike the UC and FC, Earth firmly maintains repressive control over its colonies.
  • After War Gundam X takes place in the After War (AW) timeline, referring to the years after the conclusion of the 7th Space War, where the Earth was devastated by massive colony drops. As a result, the story features distinct post-apocalyptic undertones, in addition to the common space war themes.
  • ∀ Gundam takes place in the CC (正歴 Seireki?) calendar system, where director Yoshiyuki Tomino intended as the distant future of all previous timelines. The CC sees the colonies becoming much stronger than the Earth, but unlike the FC timeline, takes a more aggressive stance towards it. The English acronym of CC is Correct Century (コレクトセンチュリー), in the official Japanese ∀ guide book.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, its sequels, and spinoffs take place in the Cosmic Era, with CE referring to the years after the foundation of the first space colonies. This timeline mostly mirrors the UC's balance of power between Earth and the colonies.
  • The latest entry in the franchise, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, is the first series to incur the Anno Domini (西暦 Seireki?) timeline.

Bandai and Japanese-speaking fans unofficially refer to projects not directly related to the first Gundam series or its staffers (such as Gundam Sentinel and Mobile Fighter G Gundam) as "Another Gundam" stories, and to projects made after 1989 as "Heisei Gundam" stories. On a survey for a video game that would become Gundam: True Odyssey, the Cosmic Era series (including Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray) were collectively referred to as "21st Century First Gundam" (a reference to the original Mobile Suit Gundam series). English-speaking fans have used the term "Alternate Universe" ("AU" for short) as a nickname for the stories that do not take place within the Universal Century timeline, but this is made unofficial for use in Japan.

[edit] Gundam franchise

[edit] Animated/live-action series and films

In order of release:

[edit] Original design series and variations

Due to the sheer popularity of the Gundam franchise, especially the mobile suit design, several "Original Design Series" were published. These series are drawings and precise specifications for additional mobile suit units not found in the original animated material:

  • Gundam Century (1981)

Gundam Century was a book published in 22 September 1981. At first it is an unofficial anime guide of Mobile Suit Gundam, published by Minori books(みのり書房) as an extra appendix of the monthly magazine 月刊OUT. The book served as the basics of all the technology and realistic demonstration of Gundam, in which at publish, it is a collection of fan material along with interviews and off-time works from the original Gundam creators like Yoshiyuki Tomino, Kunio Okawara and Yoshikazu Yasuhiko. Also collected various real world space exploration science and referenced scientific journals like L5 news, Science, Physics Today. The settings in the book has since then been adopted and endorsed by the official company Sunrise and Bandai. Although most of the numbers and history has since then been changed a few times, (for example, the One Year War started in November 0079 instead of the current official timeline January 0079).[14][15] the book is regarded as the pioneer of the realism of the Gundam franchise, and is acknowledged in Gundam Official and is republished by as an official publication in the year 2000, named as Gundam Century Renewal Version.

  • Mobile Suit Variations (1983)
    • Also known as "MSV", these variations exist from the One Year War, and considered to be official and canonical in the Universal Century timeline.
  • Mobile Suit X (1984)
    • Also known as "MSX", these are new models for a proposed, but never produced new animation series, and considered to be official and canonical in the Universal Century timeline.
  • Z-MSV
    • Variations from the Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam series.
  • ZZ-MSV
    • Variations from the Mobile Suit Double Zeta Gundam series.
  • CCA-MSV
    • Variations from the Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack movie.
  • Kunio Okawara's MS Collection (M-MSV)
  • F91-MSV
    • Variations from the Mobile Suit Gundam F91 movie.
  • V-MSV
    • Variations from the Mobile Suit Victory Gundam series.
  • SEED-MSV
    • Variations from the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED series.
  • SEED Destiny MSV
    • Variations from the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny series.
  • 00V
    • Variations from the Mobile Suit Gundam 00 series.

[edit] Manga and novels

The manga narration of the original series is published in English in North America by a variety of companies, such as Viz Media, Del Rey Manga, and TOKYOPOP, among others. Gundam-related manga is also published in English in Singapore, by Chuang Yi.

[edit] Video games

Following the popularity of Gundam, various video games feature original characters previously not found in other media. Some video games have been converted into comics or novels.

Games Book title Book type Description
Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story Gundam Blue Destiny Comic
Gundam Side Story: Rise from the Ashes 機動戦士ガンダム外伝―コロニーの落ちた地で…〈上〉角川スニーカー文庫
機動戦士ガンダム外伝―コロニーの落ちた地で…〈下〉角川スニーカー文庫
Novel
Mobile Suit Gundam Lost War Chronicles 機動戦士ガンダム戦記―Lost War Chronicles〈1〉角川スニーカー文庫
機動戦士ガンダム戦記―Lost War Chronicles〈2〉角川スニーカー文庫
Novel
Mobile Suit Gundam: Zeonic Front ZEONIC FRONT―機動戦士ガンダム0079〈1〉角川スニーカー文庫
ZEONIC FRONT―機動戦士ガンダム0079〈2〉角川スニーカー文庫
Novel
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam

Play in official or original mode as kamille, amuro, judau, heero and more. Upgrade with new parts and increase your level as you capture enemy fields. Choose your side the Titans, E.F.S.F, A.E.U.G and more.

[edit] Super Robot Wars

The Gundam metaverse makes regular appearances in the Super Robot Wars series by Banpresto. In fact, there has not been a single non-Banpresto Original title which has not featured at least one Gundam series and characters. Some series come and go, but Amuro Ray, often in his RX-93 "ν Gundam", is a regular character and has actually never missed a single game. This all changed in Super Robot Wars Judgement for the Game Boy Advance and Super Robot Wars W for the Nintendo DS. So far, almost every single major Gundam series has made at least one appearance in the series.

The mobile suit units are considered the representing unit in the "real robot" type of mecha. The games' units are often separated by being "super robots", powerful mecha that often have near-limitless powers and technology, but have a shorter range of movement, and real robots, mecha that are physically weaker, but possess a wider range of movement and accuracy. There have been so many mobile suit units that it is impossible to tell a distinct style, however, mobile suits are extremely agile and have an enormous variety of weapons.

[edit] Series based on Gundam models

Although not directly related to Gundam, these series incorporate Gundam models as part of the stories. It is also noted that Genshiken and Sgt. Frog were created by subdivisions of Bandai, Media Factory and Sunrise, respectively:

[edit] Merchandise

Bandai, the primary licensee of the Gundam trademark, makes a variety of products for the Gundam fan. Other companies produce unofficial toys, models, t-shirts, etc. Categories of products include the "Mobile Suit In Action" ("MSiA") action figures, and Gundam Model Kits in several scales and design complexity. Generally, each series listed above will have its own set of products, although the MSiA and models lines, such as Master Grade and High Grade Universal Century, may extend across series. The most popular line of action figure in recent year; however, is the "Gundam Fix" series. This line of figures include the mecha shown in the animated series/manga/novels, but also included new accessories to create a more updated version.

[edit] Internet

Bandai maintains a number of sites to promote various Gundam projects. Most prominent amongst these is "Gundam Perfect Web", the official Japanese site. Its English language counterpart is the US maintained "Gundam Official". For a brief trial period in 2005, the site hosted the "Gundam Official User Forum". These forums were based on the existing fan forum, "Gundam Watch", and made use of many of its staff. When the project was retired, Gundam Watch was reborn, before passing the torch onto "Gundam Evolution", which maintains many of the same traditions and staff.

A number of series specific websites have been produced. These are often available for a limited time, usually to promote a DVD release. Common content includes character and mecha listings, lists of related merchandise and pay-for-download content. "Special" pages are also frequent, often presenting downloadable wallpaper or a small game. The Superior Defender Gundam Force site, for example, offers a game where players take the role of the villain, attempting to blast its minions with its weapons. After completion, users are rewarded with a papercraft of the Ark fans featured frequently in the show's second half.

[edit] As a cultural icon

Gundam is a popular cultural icon of Japan, it is a 50 billion yen business of Bandai Namco (projected 50 billion yen income of the company and reached a highest number of 54.5 billion yen in 2006).[16] Not only were stamps published, an employee of the Agriculture Ministry was reprimanded for contribution to Japanese Wikipedia Gundam related pages [17], the Japanese Self Defense Forces code-named its developing advance personal combat system as Gundam and the Fire department used Gundam to promote the future of fire fighting developments. A tram station stood a monument of the original Gundam and used the main theme of the first Gundam anime as its departure melody and other businesses like Mitsubishi not only created a test-type simulator for concept cars with a version of Gundam cockpit, it also held recruitment seminars using "How to make a Gundam" as a demo of what their development process is and based their Lancer Evolution design on Gundam. Isuzu also used a Gundam to model the VX2. A conference as a preparation for the "International Gundam Society" (国際ガンダム学会) was held on the 24 August in Hiroshima, using Gundam as the main topic to discuss about the relationship of the science and technology in sci-fi anime and the real world.

[edit] Fire fighting poster

original location

The RX-78-2 Gundam and 2 Medea transport planes were featured in a fire fighting poster in Japan. The RX-78-2 was equipped with water spraying equipment instead of weapons.

[edit] Japanese stamps

The RX-78 Gundam was recognized as a culturally significant subject by the nation of Japan on 23 October 2000, with the inclusion of the suit and of the main pilot on two stamps in the 20th Century Stamp Series. [18]

Additionally, this mobile suit and other notable mecha from various Gundam series were recognized in the second set of "Anime Heroes and Heroines" stamps, released in 2005. It was one of only four franchises to be given the honor; the others were Pokémon, Galaxy Express 999, and Detective Conan. [19]

[edit] Japan Self-Defense Forces

The code name for the under-development Japan Self-Defense Forces advanced personal combat equipment is "Gundam".[20][21][22][23] On the display exhibition on 7 November 2007, the equipment of the set contains infra-red camera and scope that can verify the incoming target is friend or foe, along with a monitor display that can browse the internet. The equipment has a total weight of 9 kg and the powered suit can run for 8 hours. The testing team consisting of troopers claims that the major improvement should be focused on increasing the battery life of the system. The researchers are also aiming for funnel type systems including missiles that can stay/hover in air and mini scouting robots.[24]

[edit] Tram station monument

On 23 March 2008, a RX-78 Gundam monument in the south exit of the Kamiigusa Station (上井草駅), and an original Gundam head mark will be on display on the Seibu Shinjuku Line train until 4 April 2008. The music of the train departing is also changed to the melody of the opening theme of Mobile Suit Gundam. The event also featured free Gundam eco-bags. The monument pose is directed by Tomino, the original creator of Gundam, and featured a pose of Gundam pointing its hand towards the sky symbolizing paragenesis and hoping for the future. According to the director, it corresponds to the title of the first episode of Gundam, ガンダム大地に立つ!!, and carries a meaning of from Earth.[25]

[edit] Isuzu VX2

The concept of Isuzu VX 2 official link is inspired by RX-178 Gundam Mk-II as concept design arts released in the Jan/Feb 1998, as seen in issue no. 71 of the magazine Axis published in Japan.

[edit] Mitsubishi

[edit] Test-type simulator

Mitsubishi has cooperated with Bandai to create a simulator for concept cars, which will show up in various places including car shows and factory sites for visitors to test run different cars. The simulator features an up to 0.5G simulated acceleration, a 100 inch screen with 24 bit digital sound and accommodation for 4 people in a 2 line formation that the front seaters will control the simulated vehicle. Although the commercial release will be a car simulator, the test-type of this simulator will be decorated like the Gundam cockpit and become a simulation theatre in the Toyota theme park, Mega Web, located in Tokyo.[26]

[edit] Seminars

As part of MHI Jobcon 2005 (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Job Convention 2005), a recruiting event of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, seminars were held in six Japanese cities. The topic of these seminars was "Mobile Suit Gundam Development Story"; which indicated the requirements and processes that Mitsubishi would have to implement if the company had been required to build an RX-78 mobile suit. [27]

[edit] Lancer Evolution

According to Gundam-san 4 koma comic, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution appearance is influenced by the RX-78-2 Gundam.[28]

[edit] Lucky Star

Gundam became a plot discussion in the Lucky Star anime episode 19 for about 1 and a half minute, V, W, X are mentioned and shows like Gundam serial killing event or Detective Gundam are proposed to see if fans will watch them. Amuro Ray, Bright Noa and Haman Karn are mentioned to be compared to the age of the main character, all look much older than the 18 year old Izumi Konata of the show, the plot continued to have a parody of M'Quve's pot.

[edit] Ink and wash painting

In 2008, the ink and wash painting of Gundam drawn by Hisashi in 2005 was sold in the Christie's auction held in Hong Kong with a price of US$600,000.[29][30]

[edit] International Gundam Society

On 24 August 2008, a conference was held in Hiroshima with hundreds of academic professionals in different fields joining together to discuss about the relationship of anime science and technology with the modern world, including military, economical, linguistics, possibility of the Universal Century (human colonizing space) and beam weaponry in the Gundam world. Many envisioned the science in Gundam is not far from our time.[31][32][33] One aeronautics expert in the project said Thermal nuclear rockets and spherical helper bots should be pursued.[34]

[edit] See also

[edit] Bibliography

  • Mobile Suit Gundam. Yoshiyuki Tomino. Sunrise. Nagoya Broadcasting Network. 1979-04-07–1980-01-26.

[edit] References

  1. ^ TV anime sales history total sales figure ranking averaged by episode, Latest version. TVアニメ歷代売上累計平均ランキング最新版TOP25
  2. ^ Otona no Gundamu Perfect, 大人のガンダム完全版
  3. ^ Flow of the Japan toy industry (日本の玩具産業の動向), Japan Economic Department, Information section(日本経済情報課)
  4. ^ Gundam cartoon academy to turn science fiction into reality in Japan
  5. ^ Gundam Sentinel
  6. ^ Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: The Blue Destiny
  7. ^ Oppliger, John (2007-10-12). "Ask John: Which Gundam Series Have Had the Most Impact on Anime?". AnimeNation. Retrieved on 2007-10-26.
  8. ^ Gundam Science, The High Frontier - G.K. O'neil's Space colonization plan, Gundam Century, Out Magazine special edition, Renewal Version
  9. ^ tehnobahn, 機動戦士ガンダムのノーマルスーツが現実に
  10. ^ Ming Pao, 19 July 2007
  11. ^ technobahn ガンダムにも搭載予定? NASAが研究開発中の熱核ロケットエンジン
  12. ^ What's "Sentinel", Masahiko Asano, Model Graphix Special Edition "Gundam Wars III" Gundam Sentinel The battle of "Real Gundam", ISBN4-499-20530-1
  13. ^ Yoshiyuki Tomino scolding the 30th anniversary of Gundam (富野由悠季『ガンダム』30周年を叱る), OtonaFami(オトナファミ) 2009 February
  14. ^ Gundam Century Renewal Version
  15. ^ Gundam Officials, references
  16. ^ Nekkei BP mook, Otona no Gundamu Perfect (Gundam for Adult's Perfect), Business & History+Character+Mechanic, Nekkei Entertainment, ISBN978-4-8222-6317-1
  17. ^ BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Japanese workers in Wikipedia row
  18. ^ "The 20th Century Stamp Series 15". Retrieved on 2007-01-10.
  19. ^ "Anime Hero and Heroine Series II - Gundam". Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
  20. ^ yahoo news
  21. ^ yahoo news picture
  22. ^ original pdf file from Technical Research And Development Institute Ministry of Defense, ガンダムの実現に向けて(先進個人装備システム), Aiming to archieve (in building a) Gundam(Advanced personal equipment system).
  23. ^ The actual Gundam developing by the Defence Forces is (防衛省が開発する「ガンダム」の正体とは)
  24. ^ 防衛省:“ガンダム”新装備を公開 暗視カメラに生体認証、ファンネル?も (まんたんウェブ) - 毎日jp(毎日新聞)
  25. ^ 機動戦士ガンダム:上井草駅に記念オブジェ 富野監督も祝福(まんたんウェブ) - 毎日jp(毎日新聞)
  26. ^ 三菱重工|「機動戦士ガンダム」のシミュレーターを製作 アミューズメントエキスポに試作機を参考出展
  27. ^ "MHI Jobcon 2005" (in Japanese) (4 February 2005). Retrieved on 2007-01-11.(Website prevented deep linking, see Year of 2004 and link to 4 February 2005)
  28. ^ Mobile Suit Gundam-san(Kidou Senshi Gundamu san), P.123
  29. ^ 史上最貴高達水墨畫拍出60萬美元天價-游戲-人民網
  30. ^ 遊戲基地-新聞:史上最貴鋼彈RX-78-2水墨畫 拍出1800萬台幣天價
  31. ^ J-Cast
  32. ^ Chugoku shinbun online 中國新聞
  33. ^ GNN Gamer News Network Taiwan
  34. ^ Gundam cartoon academy to turn science fiction into reality in Japan

[edit] External links