In what should be great news for any fans of Battlestar Galactica and MMO online games, it was announced yesterday by NBC Universal that a massively multiplayer game based on the popular sci-fi tv series is in the works. The game will be powered by the Unity engine, which is the same technology used by EA’s browser-based Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online, and will lunch later this year.

According to the announcement, the game will be client-free, browser based and pack “state of the art graphics.” Norwegian studio Artplant, who’s previous work includes Riding Club Championships, is handling development for the game. Regarding actual details about the game itself, here’s what it known so far:

“Players will be able to choose to play as cylons or humans in a constant struggle to control the universe or just survive its perils. A blend of tactical space combat, exploration, and mission-based gameplay will provide a diverse experience. The dramatic missions will define the game’s overall storyline, enabling the player to delve into mysteries of the Battlestar universe.

Battlestar Galactica Online will create a new standard for web games, with beautiful 3d graphics and innovative game mechanics bringing a new level of game play to browser based MMOG. Assets from the television production will be integrated into the game to deliver an even more authentic experience.”

The game will launch worldwide this Fall exclusively on Syfy.com for 30 days and then will be published by content provider Bigpoint.

Back in 1999, a little company out of San Francisco invented and released a device that would allow TV watchers to freeze live television, as well as set their favorite shows to record–not on a VHS tape or DVD, but on a built in hard drive. Since that day, the idea of the Digital Video Recorder has become as globally common in the household as the coffee maker or dishwasher.

In the time following Tivo’s invention, many incarnations have been born to accommodate the growing popularity of YouTube, HD upgrades, and digital downloads of movies from Netflix or Amazon. Now, over a decade later, the company is ready to jump start the world into the upcoming digital era of media.

The new box, dubbed “Tivo Premiere”, will incorporate feature films, internet videos, music, and more web-based content to the Tivo subscribers, along with their regular TV-watching abilities. The big deal? This box will also be the first set-top device that can run Adobe Flash programming, allowing other third-party developers to create applications for the system. From THR:

Unveiled Tuesday at a party in New York, the $300 Premiere can store 400 hours of standard-definition programming and 45 hours of HD. A Premiere XL box at $500 can store 1,350 hours of standard definition and 150 hours of HD programming.

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Former The Shield writer/producer and current Sons of Anarchy creator/exec. producer/writer Kurt Sutter has a blog and on it he tells it like it is about working in Hollywood, making the show, the motorcycle culture and pretty much anything else he damn well pleases. He’s also recently posted a list of frequently asked questions about his show, Sons of Anarchy, that he obviously gets asked, well, frequently.

The questions are some of the typical ones a successful person in Hollywood who is producing a well-known and respected show gets asked. In fact, he’s probably heard these questions so may times he’s lost count. Hence, the FAQ. Really, if you think about it, Sutter is not only providing a great show for us to watch but also a valuable public service as well. Gotta hand it to the guy.

Some of the highlights of the FAQ include:

I have a great idea for the show, can I send it you?

No. I cannot accept any ideas, pitches, stories, scripts, notions or dreams from anyone. It’s a legal issue. It protects me and you. If you send it, post it or email it — it will be shredded, removed and deleted. Sorry.

I want to be an actor on your show, how do I audition?

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Funny Or Die is one of those websites that brings wasting time on the internet, and our favorite comedians together. Originally created by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, the minds behind Anchorman, Step Brothers, and Taladega Nights, the site was meant as a place for comedians to come together and contribute for the masses.

The site has had such contributors as Zach Galifiniakis, Judd Apatow, Ed Helms, Don Cheadle, Tim Meadows, James Franco, Aziz Ansari, Tom Lennon, and countless others. HBO finally caught wind of the site’s growing popularity and have put together a weekly anthology collection, which premieres this week.

The show will have some of our favorite bits, such as Drunk History, Just 3 Boyz, Hold Up, Between 2 Ferns, and many more. The first episode hits this Friday, February 19th at midnight, and looks to be a good one.

Check out an exclusive new preview of the coming episodes after the jump, and be sure to keep it here for all the updates we can bring you on HBO’s Funny or Die Presents.

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Responding to rather vocal criticism from much of the online community, Google is making adjustments to its two-day-old Google Buzz service to enhance, and enable users to more easily manage, privacy. Buzz, as it currently exists, was to be Google’s answer to Twitter and Facebook with a dash of FriendFeed thrown in, but so far it seems off to a somewhat rocky start — at least when it comes to user privacy concerns.

The changes, to be implemented later today, include:

• More visible option to not show followers/people you follow on your public profile
• Ability to block anyone who starts following you
• More clarity on which of your followers/people you follow can appear on your public profile

These changes will hopefully help users feel more comfortable with the service. I, for one, turned it off due to concerns that my contact list was being viewed by anyone who follows me, regardless if they are someone I know. With these new privacy features, let’s hope Google gets Buzz going in the right direction again.

Do you use Buzz? Or, is it something you’re not interested in? Let us know in the comments.

Many people saw him on the last week of The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien, but for those who are unaware, Pee-Wee Herman has returned to the world of entertainment. He’s currently performing live all over California, and doing lots of promotions and now his newest “endorsement” for Apple and Steve Jobs.

Funny or Die recently posted a video of Pee-Wee (Paul Reubens) discussing Apple’s newest product, the iPad, with his playhouse pals. Having revived the characters from the classic children’s program, Herman and classic characters Conky, Magic Screen and Mappy, discuss the new product, which they all confuse with sanitary napkins, tampons, and even a drink tray.

Plus Mappy shows us how even he can perform two applications at once. Funny stuff.

Check out the video after the jump.

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The internet gods have come up with a few impressive time-wasters over the past couple of years. From the birth of flash games to pictures of kittens to an endless supply of “Vampire vs. Zombie vs. Tree”-style games on Facebook, there are certainly many things to do to keep you away from actual work.

In that same vein comes The Akinator, a mind-reading website that will tell you exactly what character–be it film or TV–that you are currently thinking of. While the name isn’t all that impressive (sounds too much like a machine that turns you into a former American Idol), but the service will definitely impress you.

We’ve been passing this around the Flickcast offices, trying to stump the so-called “web genius” and we’ve yet to find a wrong answer. From characters like The Stay-Puft Marshmallow man to Captain Mal Reynolds, the web-app is definitely a fun time-waster, and will even impress you along the way.

Be sure to check out The Akinator, and let us know if you finally come across a discrepancy in the system.

If you’re a fan of Eric Powell’s awesome comic book series The Goon but often find yourself having trouble getting to the comic store to pick up the recent issues, then you’re in luck because this post is for you. According to Dark Horse Comics, publishers of The Goon, several issues of the comic including the graphic novel Chinatown, the Mystery of Mr. Wicker and The Goon #7 are going digital and will be available on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Intrigued? Thought so. Check out all the sccop from the official Dark Horse press release.

THE GOON ARRIVES ON THE iPHONE THIS WEEK AND IS BACK IN PRINT WITH THE ALL-NEW BUZZARD MINISERIES THIS SUMMER

Fans and critics alike rejoiced in 2008, when creator Eric Powell took his redneck zombie noir, The Goon, monthly for an entire calendar year. Following the release of the landmark graphic novel Chinatown and the Mystery of Mr. Wicker, Powell laid out his most complex story line to date, spanning twelve issues. In 2009, the creator celebrated the tenth anniversary of the title, releasing a special anniversary issue to coincide with a burlesque anniversary party in his honor in Nashville, followed by a special all-silent issue in November. While both were strong standalone issues, the significantly lighter release schedule left fans wondering what’s next for the madcap mercenary.

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Today, Netflix announced it will be adding another gaming console to its list of streaming video partners: the Nintendo Wii. The companies are teaming up to bring Netflix’s streaming media service to the console this spring. Of course, in order to take advantage of this service, Wii owners will need to have a broadband internet-connected Wii (who doesn’t?) and a subscription to a minimum $8.99 Netflix plan.

Now the bad news. Similar to the service on the PS3, the Wii will not have an embedded application like it is on the XBox 360 and instead will require a Netflix application disc which must be inserted in the Wii while accessing content. Given that, still ready to jump on board? If so, you can sign up now to receive additional information and reserve an application disc at Netflix’s website.

Even with having to use the disk this is still great news for those of you who use a Wii and don’t have an XBox 360 or PS3. We realize that not everyone can have more than one console and many people prefer the Wii over the other two. So, even though it took some time, we’re glad this service will finally be available for you — silly inserted disk requirement not withstanding.

According to the Associated Press, people hoping to get the newest Warner Bros. release on DVD via Netflix will have now have to wait 28 days in order to give the studio more time to sell the films on DVD first. The bonus here is that Netflix will then get a discount on the discs when they can buy them for renting and Warner Bros. is opening up more of it’s catalog to Netflix’s Watch Instantly streaming device.

This news has garnered understandable outrage and also acceptance from the online community. From cheering for more online content to wondering what this will do for DVD rentals through Netflix mail service if other studios make the same kind of deal. I have to side with the people that don’t see this as a bad thing because usually new movies are on such a long wait for me that it takes about a month before I can even get a chance to see them anyway.

Plus, more Watch Instantly streaming titles means fewer trips to the mailbox and less hassle, which is also a good thing. What do you think? Is this is a good or bad thing for Warner Bros. and Netflix? Let us know in the comments.