Microsoft demoed a motion capture camera controller today at E3. Basically a camera that sits under your tv and watches how you are moving. It’s up to the XBox to turn that movement into meaningful game play. Included in the demo was a skateboarding game “replete with a young man ‘air’ ollie-ing,” which I am interpreting to mean that it kind of negates the the need for the expensive board controller used in Tony Hawk Ride, the theory (and marketing slogan) being that you can “use your own gear.” Still, that’s going to have to be some sophisticated hardware to be able to deal with the subtleties of a skateboarding footwork and hand grab variations. What if you could combine the two? Well , then you’d just have, you know, actual skateboarding. In any case, Microsoft’s Project Natal won’t be shipping in 2009, so Tony’s crew still has a good year or so head start, more so if you take into account Microsoft’s infamous sliding launch dates. This will go over well with parents, I ‘m sure. I’m already yelling at my kids for all the time for skateboarding in the house, and they aren’t even hooked up to a…

Apparently, killers are kosher again for legendary Vision Skateboards. You used to be able to get Mark Rogowski’s shape with the word “Vision” in place of skateboarding’s most famous murderer. Market research must have proven that the public has a short term memory for distasteful acts such as rape and assault, but a long term love for nostalgia. Now you can get the Gator re-issue board as it was in his glory days. No word on where those royalty checks are going. Yes, It’s a proud legacy.

East coast favorite and former Spitfire pro JR Neves passed away saturday, still no official cause of death. This is a detail from a Brooks Fritz shot of Neves at FDR back in 2005. Be sure to check out the whole image at Skateboard-revolution.com. Deluxe has posted an old video part as well.

This is Weirdo Skateboards rider, test pilot and representative Tom Beeson The photo was shot by Dwayne Sackey at the Berkeley Skatepark in Berkeley, CA. Get some hot, weird action.

I almost forgot to do a Shot of the Week, so I pulled this one out. This is street skating circa 1989, and part of that scene was being a dick to pedestrians and cars… This shot involved the fake ollies (layback ollies?) where you skate up to something and put your hand on it to support your weight while you ollie the board onto whatever impossibly high obstacle was in front of you. Of course, nowadays people could probably ollie onto the hood of a car without help. I still love to do this trick, and recently brought it out of retirement, although not on the hoods of a cars belonging to people I don’t know. The guy in this pictures shall be named only as “Carl” as he has since gone onto become a productive member of society, and probably wouldn’t appreciate this picture showing up in his background check the next time he applies for a job. Check out the full frame Shot of the Week.

I don’t know which former powerhouse brand has fallen further from grace. Nash, Variflex, Vision or now Kryptonics. If this concept had come from World Industries in the 90’s I would have praised it as the pinnacle of satire. Instead, the aptly named Skater in a Box is toy store/sporting goods fodder without irony. Still, I might need to get one of these: Skateboarding is an image; no one wants to be or look like a poser. That’s why the Kryptonics Skater In a Box has everything you need to fit the part of a real skateboarder… …Add in your Kryptonics skull beanie, chain wallet, and wristband and you’ll have everything you need to hit the skatepark or the streets. The board graphic is quite clever, actually. All of these items can be yours for about 60 bucks, so you know the quality is not an issue.

OK kids, come check out Skate Life NW this Sunday from 12-5 behind DOS. There will be a grill, a bunch of product you probably haven’t seen, some Schwag – I believe Nike SB has donated some gear. And then there’s the best trick contest on the bank to wall at DOS with a cash prize. Stop by and say hi! Throw some food on our grill. All we ask is that you love us, please? LOCAL ZINES: Show up and set up for free! List of attendees after the jump.

I have a vague recollection of this style of Levis commercial. This one dates back to 1977 and briefly features some kids and possibly even a gorilla on a skateboard. It’s hard to tell compressed and small, plus the psychedelic nature of the animation doesn’t help any. – Thanks to Eric Shea for the tip.

It may have been pen for months already, but the Ed Benedict grand opening celebration is this Saturday, May 30th. 1:15 PM Ceremony: Commissioner Saltzman, Commissioner Fish, PP&R Director Zari Santner 1:30 PM Adidas/Tribute Skateboards Skate Jam 2:00 PM Best Trick Competition 2:30 PM PP&R Skate Jam Invitational (grades K-8 and 9-12)

The Half Moon Bay Review reports that their police will enforce helmet regs but that pad use is discouraged. Unless you’re skitching, then no pads or helmet. Huh?