News about gaming:
Gary Marshall: Sony CEO shows how to react to PR disasters
Sony boss Howard Stringer is a funny guy.
His comments about the PlayStation Network outage – the result, let’s not forget, of the biggest case of compromised customer data the internet has ever seen – made us laugh: a huge, hugely embarrassing and potentially brand-ruining disaster “is a hiccup in the road to a network future.”
CyberPower throws in world’s fastest graphics card into new offerings
When it comes to the world of competitive PC gaming, you can be sure that most folks would want nothing but the very best inside the chassis of their machines. Of course, you would not only enjoy the benefits of a large screen display by seeing more pixels than your opponents, having the right kind of keyboard and mouse combination would also go a long, long way in helping you achieve digital domination among your peers.
Bluetooth Game Gripper needs your help to be realized
Whenever a good idea comes along, some of you might wonder, “How come nothing is done about it?” Well, one of the main reasons would be the lack of finances, and it is a good thing that there are some ways to go about the situation. The Bluetooth Game Gripper is one interesting project that might just materialize in time, although it will definitely need your help and support – with the latter coming in monetary format as the most practical method.
Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure offers a new way to play
I remember back in the day when I was still a young ‘un, games were more often than not moments where imagination was required. Imagine cops and robbers or cowboys vs Indians – those classic physical games involved plenty of running around and screaming, and we needed no pixelated adventure to spur us on or remain addicted.
Nintendo 3DS release dates and pricing formally announced
Stereoscopic 3D is where it is at, and Nintendo is not slow off the mark to make sure they are there at the very beginning to capture a potentially lucrative market with their upcoming portable 3D-enabled console, the aptly named Nintendo 3DS. This will definitely be yet another shift in the gaming industry, having first rolling out touch-screen gaming in 2004 and motion-controlled gaming in 2006, where March 27 2011 will be a date that many will look forward to. Nintendo’s 3DS will finally be available to the masses, bringing portable entertainment in 3D without having to purchase a pair of special glasses to begin with. While the initial choice of colors are pretty disappointing by Nintendo’s standards (you can choose from only Cosmo Black or Aqua Blue), we are pretty sure that the Big N will be rolling out more color variants down the road as they normally do.
Guinness reveals videogame world records
Disheartened Wii gamers, this one’s for you: having only received a copy of Wii Sports in April 2009, 85-year-old John Bates has gone on to achieve the Guinness World Record for Most Perfect Games on Wii Bowling.
Yes, such a thing does exist, and if you can beat his run of 2,850 perfect games then you could steal the title out from under him.
Digital Storm introduces Black|OPS gaming systems with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 inside
When it comes to super fast performance rigs for gamers, the name Digital Storm would surely ring a bell among others in the industry. What Digital Storm has wrought this time around would be to introduce their Black|OPS gaming system range that will be equipped with NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 580 running – nay, purring within. With all the additional power underneath the hood, gamers will now be able to leverage the unparalleled performance of the world’s fastest DirectX 11 GPU, leaving you to way to weasel out of a crushing defeat by complaining that your hardware is not up to snuff. Why not check out more of what the newly equipped Black|OPS gaming system range has to offer in the extended post?
USB Classic Joystick
There are times when you just feel so retro, you wish you were 10 again. Video game fans can certainly identify with this, as there is always at least one title or console which redefined their lives when they were much younger. The Atari 2600 joystick was one of the most iconic game controllers ever, and it is now back in the form of the USB Classic Joystick – you can tell by its name that it can be plugged into your computer, playing both old games and new ones with aplomb. Imagine the thrill of pressing “Fire” to start – it surely rolls back the years, eh? You might not be able to afford a time machine even if such a device were to be invented, but for $24.99 a pop, at least you can mentally go back in time with the USB Classic Joystick. Bear in mind that it will not hook up to classic Atari hardware, eh! Read the rest of this entry »
New Xbox 360 dashboard update out today
Microsoft is releasing a new revamped Xbox 360 dashboard today available to download via Xbox Live right now.
The mandatory update should take you around five to ten minutes to install, depending on the speed of you home internet connection.
Microsoft emailed Xbox Live users to inform them the update will “enhance the interface, navigation, and responsiveness” of the Xbox 360, as well as adding new features.
Razer ups gaming ante with Razer BlackWidow
Everyone by now should more or less have heard of the Razer brand when it comes to computer gaming peripherals that are of high quality. Well, the latest device to join the fray would be the Razer BlackWidow, where this mechanical gaming keyboard was specially engineered for gamers who want nothing less than superior tactile feedback and comfort while playing. It is interesting to note that from Razer’s point of view, the majority of mechanical keyboards in the market today are standard mechanical keyboards rebadged as gaming keyboards that feature stiff keys that cause key actuation fatigue. Basically, what Razer is saying is this – such keyboards will leave gamers off for the worse since it decreases gameplay performance instead of enhancing it. Razer’s BlackWidow offers something different, being built from ground up by gamers while boasting a uniquely tactile mechanical key architecture that provides each key on the keyboard with a crisp response and tactile feedback similar to a mouse click. When used in tandem with a unique key actuation point halfway through the full travel distance, the optimized mechanical key structure found in each of the Razer BlackWidow’s keys provide for greater precision and accuracy versus other traditional mechanical keyboards.
Microsoft Kinect Beta Invitations Are Out: Did You Get Yours?
Rumors mills are working again. Microsoft is doling out invitations via Connect to the users for testing its “Xbox LIVE and Kinect 
Beta Program’. If the screen captures of the said invitations are genuine, then Microsoft is going … [visit site to read more]
PlayStation Move Vs Microsoft Kinect: PS Move Set to Dominate Sales in the Motion Controller Wars
As the release dates of the PlayStation Move and Xbox’s Kinect are being anxiously awaited, the question frying on everyone’s lips is, which motion controller will be more successful.
Well, it looks like this question has an early answer, because after a UK survey carried out by sales website Groupola, it looks like the motion-controlled gaming wars between Sony’s PlayStation Move and Microsoft’s Kinect is showing signs for an overwhelming Sony victory in sales. The survey, which … [visit site to read more]
Gaj-it Gaming Round up: Angry Birds, Halo Reach, Dirt 3, Medal of Honour & Battlefield 3
Following the hype and success of Angry Birds, Joe Wee, co-founder of Angry Birds developer Rovio, has announced that the highly addictive iPhone game would be a making an appearance on the PS3, PSP and Nintendo DS.
Microsoft Confirms Kinect Pricing and Confirms New Slim Arcade
Microsoft’s bigwig Aaron Greenberg announced yesterday the pricing for their hotly-anticpated Kinect movement control would be £129.99 with Kinect Adventures, and announced that it will be bundled with a new slim Xbox for £250.
Sony stereoscopic screen sharing patent puts two players on one display
Rock Band 3 crashing into living rooms on October 26
Look, it’s summer break. What better to do than learn a little piano in preparation for the upcoming release of Harmonix’s Rock Band 3? The next installment — which promises to bring all sorts of new kit to the market — was finally given a release date today, and not surprisingly, it’ll be quickly climbing the Santa Lists of rug-rats the world over. According to the company, the title will ship on October 26th in North America, with the Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 versions priced at $59.99 sans hardware and the DS rendition at $29.99. Hop on past the break if you’re interested in learning about your wealth of pre-order options. Read the rest of this entry »
Android versus iPhone live multiplayer gaming made possible in SGN’s Skies of Glory
Shocking as this might sound, there are no only a few games in which iPhone and Android users could go at each in live multiplayer mode. Exploiting this vast void is Social Gaming Network, whose Skies of Glory aerial dogfighting title has been ported to Android (2.0 and above) while retaining the ability to communicate with iOS devices over WiFi, 3G or Bluetooth connections. Frankly, we can’t think of a better game to get the cross-platform multiplayer movement going: fAndroids and iPhoneys gunning each other down while talking smack to themselves should prove therapeutic for both parties. On a more serious note, given the tireless growth that both platforms are showing, this kind of thing should hopefully tend toward being the rule rather than the exception.
Gaj-it Guide: The New Xbox Slim
Gaj-it took delivery of the new slim Xbox today, which was released to crowds across the country at mid-night launches last night.
Pinel & Pinel’s 80′s arcade cabinet fits squarely into the future
Pinel & Pinel — it’s been awhile, hasn’t it? The design boutique has just kicked things back into high gear with an all-new creation inspired by the era of wooden TVs, Bono’s mullet and the original Engadget BBS. The 80′s Trunk, a swank new arcade cabinet, is easily one of the most astounding creations we’ve ever seen, and there’s no question that your basement is yearning for one as we speak. Unlike conventional cabinets, this one’s equipped with an emulation system that houses 60 unforgettable titles (Pac-Man, Space Invaders and 1924, just to name a few), and there’s also a plethora of color options to choose from. You’re also looking at a 1080p LCD, enough amplification to wake the neighbors with bleeps and bloops and an iPod / iPhone docking station if you prefer your own background noise. Mum’s the word on a price, but it’ll probably come down to choosing between this and your first born’s college education. You know what to do. Read the rest of this entry »
Modded Game Gear becomes portable home for N64 (video)
It may or may not actually be the most compact Nintendo 64 we’ve ever seen, but even if it’s holding down the second spot, you can’t knock the ingenuity here. Crafted by one Evil Nod, the self-proclaimed N Gear 64 is little more than an N64 console tucked, shoved and crammed inside a Sega Game Gear enclosure. Best of all, the modder somehow stuffed an N64 controller in there too, yet still left all of the original markings for nostalgia’s sake. Head on past the jump for a video of it in action, or tap that source link to learn more about the build process. Riveting stuff, we tell ya.
Letcool 350JP game console does double duty as handheld, digital camera
Xbox 360 4GB Arcade Bundle gets premature Amazon page
Microsoft’s plans for the Xbox 360 Arcade bundle have been tipped, thanks to a prematurely posted Amazon Germany listing. The product page seemingly confirms a 4GB bundle, together with a €148.99 ($190) price tag, though has since been updated to remove any mention of cost or release date. Still, thanks to VG247’s speedy fingers, we know the retailer expects the new bundle to ship on August 20th 2010.
New Xbox Arcade Edition Sighted on Amazon Germany
We know that Microsoft will be releaasing their new sleek, shiny and quieter Xbox on Friday – but one question does remain what will happen to other the premium and arcade editions.
DIY Internet Chess Table makes online matches suddenly awesome (video)
Computerized chess has been around for at least a few centuries now (okay, so maybe “score” is more accurate), but if you thought an IBM supercomputer dominating one of the planet’s brightest humans was gnarly, have a gander at this. One determined modder has whipped up what may very well be the most impressive way to engage in online chess ever, as the DIY Internet Chess Table turns an on-screen opponent into an on-table opponent. Put simply (or as simply as possible), the multitouch table uses a projector to beam a chessboard onto an opaque surface, and moves are captured via webcam and sent back to an internet server. The human’s moves are recognized and countered, and then that same human is told where to move the computer’s piece via on-screen arrows. Trust us — it’s worth your while to hop on past the break and mash play for a video demonstration.
3DTV’s Will be Mainstream by 2013 According to UbiSoft
French computer game publisher and creator Ubisoft have waded into the 3DTV debate this week as they have stated that they feel that the new uber expensive tech will become mainstream in under 3 years.
OnLive latency gets the stopwatch treatment
OnLive’s latency has again come under scrutiny, with gamers concerned that network delays might scupper the immediacy of their play. DigitalFoundry hooked up a Ben Heck latency monitor with an Xbox 360 joypad and then filmed some gameplay with a 60fps camera; slowed down and frames counted, they figures out that the OnLive system could manage an optimum response of 150ms.
Activision would “very aggressively” support plug-and-play PC games console
Outspoken Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has been throwing gaming cats among console pigeons again, describing the Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft games systems as “walled gardens” and promising to “very aggressively” support HP, Dell or any other PC manufacturer who chose to push a plug-and-play computer that hooked up directly to the TV. Such a PC would allow the game developer increased access to the revenue stream; Kotick told the Financial Times [subscription required] that he believed “60 per cent of [Microsoft’s] subscribers are principally on Live because of Call of Duty.”
Microsoft Xbox Live revenues to top $1Billion
Microsoft have announced the latest revenue figures for their ever-impressive Xbox Live Service and they have confirmed that it generates over 1 billion dollars each year.
NTT DoCoMo looks to sell handheld game manufacturers on 3G
Microsoft Kinect Will Let You Play Sitting Down, Only When Sitting Makes Sense
Whether or not you own a Nintendo Wii, you’ve probably seen the commercials. Or know someone who owns one, and have experienced the gameplay for yourself. With that in mind, we all know that Nintendo intended for people to get off the couch and actually interact with their games on a whole “new” level. Sure, there’s some commercials out there that show plenty of folks sitting on their couch, tilting their Wii remotes all over the place, but with accessories like Wii Fit and what not, we all know where Nintendo was going with this. (And subsequently, yes, Sony’s Move is positioned in much the same way.) But, what about Microsoft’s Kinect?
Microsoft Announces Summer of Arcade 2010
The summer months are notoriously slow months for the games industry with so many games launched around Christmas time. Last year Microsoft launched a new set of games that would be lauched during the summer months on Xbox live Arcade. And they have just announced their plans for this … [visit site to read more]
Sony Working on “future platforms”
Sony Worldwide Studio boss Shuhei Yoshida has let it slip that the electronics giant is already working on future games platoforms – and has confirmed that they aim to make them more developer-friendly.
ASUS ROG Rampage III GENE packs gaming punch into microATX
ASUS has outed their latest Republic of Gamers motherboard, and unlike many of its predecessors the Rampage III GENE packs its punch into a much smaller area. A microATX board, the new ROG Rampage III GENE supports up to hexacore Intel Core i7-980X processors thanks to its X58 chipset, as well as USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s.
Nintendo, Sega controllers and carts find a new home in the RetroN 3 console
AVADirect Announces Availability of NVIDIA’s 3D Vision Surround Technology in Core i7 PCs
So, NVIDIA’s 3D Vision technology seems to be making the rounds as of late. Not that that’s a bad thing at all — we’re actually glad to see the prominently dependable and fantastic tech being utilized on as many systems as possible. And with today’s announcement from AVADirect, that’s just another hardware manufacturer working to bring the best pieces of the market into one frame.
Sony Ready To Release Surround Sound Soundbar
Sony have announced that their Playstation Surround Sound System Soundbar has been given a firm release date of September 30th for Japan.
Sony Japan outs PlayStation Move bundles (including ray-gun)
It’s not just a white PS3 and a chunkier hard drive that Sony Japan are promising today; they’re also spilling some details on the PlayStation Move launch including the awesome retro ray-gun “shooting attachment” we saw at E3. Two bundles have been announced for Japan, set for release on October 21st 2010, one with a single Move wand, PlayStation Eye camera and a copy of Bio Hazard 5 Alternative Edition, and another that throws in a ray-gun shooting attachment and replaces the title with Big 3 Gun Shooting.
Sony “Classic White” 160GB PS3 Slim outed; black PS3 gets 320GB HDD boost
Sony Japan has outed their latest PS3 models, packing either 160GB or a new 320GB hard-drive, and now with more choice in color too. The PS3 CECH-2500 will drop on July 29th 2010 in Japan, available with the 160GB HDD in either original “charcoal black” or new “classic white”, accompanied by a black-only 320GB version.
PS3 Slim in White Release Date in Japan Expected for July 29th 2010
Sony have just announced that the “classic white” PS3 Slim for Japan, model CECH-2500 is expected to be released on the July 29th, which is this month. The 160GB HDD model will be going on sale for 34,980 yen which is around $400.
iBuyPower’s Magic makes any game playable through multitouch (video)
So, you just sprung for a multitouch-enabled Battalion CZ-11, eh? Too bad there’s hardly any software out there for you to take advantage of. Er, was out there. iBuyPower — a company most often associated with new hardware — has just flexed its software muscle by creating a new system that will enable any game to played via multitouch, regardless of whether the game’s creators gave it so much as a thought. Magic, which is short for Multitouch Advanced Gaming Interface and Control, is a proprietary piece of code designed specifically for the company’s own touch-enabled laptops, and it works by linking a multitouch gesture to a command the game already understands, emulating multitouch commands by mapping keystrokes or mouse clicks. Best of all, it’s available now as a gratis download, and we have little doubt that the hackers in attendance will have this working on Dells, Alienwares, Lenovos and HPs before you can spin around twice and add another smudge mark to your LCD. Read the rest of this entry »
