IT sector could see an upturn this festive season, GfK says
Christmas could prove to be more fruitful than expected for the IT market, research firm GfK has said.
According to Greg Allen, a senior account manager for IT at GfK, there are a number of factors that point to a slight upturn for the sector.
“While some consumers have closed their purse strings, there are still almost 29 million people employed in the UK and those people may hold the key to making IT a merry Christmas,” he wrote in a blog for PCR.
GfK found that the IT retail market experienced growth of 4.1 per cent in the nine months to September 2009, compared to a year earlier.
“A large proportion of this year’s growth is due to development of key product areas,” Allen wrote, picking out USB mobile modems and netbooks as two product areas that have seen progress.
“There should be some opportunity over this Christmas to increase attachment ratios on mobile broadband and laptops,” he said.
Other product categories to see growth were storage, E-assistants and software.
Microsoft has confirmed that it is investigating a problem described as the "black screen of death", which affects its latest operating system.
The error means that users of Windows 7 see a totally black screen after logging on to the system.
The firm said it was looking into reports that suggest its latest security update, released on Tuesday 25 November, cause the problem.
Reports suggest the problem also affects Vista, XP and other systems.
Software firm Prevx, which has issued a fix for the problem, says "millions" of people may be affected.
"Users have resorted to reloading Windows as a last ditch effort to fix the problem," the firm's David Kennerley wrote in a blog post.
"We hope we can help a good many of you avoid the need to reload."
Unknown problem
The firm said its fix did not work in all cases.
"There can be many causes," said Mr Kennerley.
"But if your black screen woes began in the last two weeks after a Windows update or after running any security program (including Prevx) to remove malware during this time then this fix will have a high probability of working."
Mr Kennerly said the firm had identified "at least 10 different scenarios which will trigger the same black screen conditions".
"These appear to have been around for years now," he said.
The firm reports that the problem affects editions of Windows 7, Vista, XP, NT, and Windows 2000.
Microsoft said that people who are affected by the problem should contact its customer service line.
A spokesperson said that the reports did "not match any known issues" documented by the firm.
It has not issued a fix for the problem, which causes the desktop, task bar, system tray and side bar to disappear, according to reports.
The "black screen of death" moniker is a play on the "blue screen of death", which appears when Microsoft operating systems crash.
Lightning Fish Games CEO Simon Prytherch has told GamesIndustry.biz that he believes the Wii market's issues this year have partly been the result of poor quality games that flooded the market, leaving consumers who had bad experiences to spend money only on the key franchises.
"I don't think you can ever write Nintendo off, but the Wii market - from a third party software developer and publisher perspective - is over-saturated with product," he explained. "Consumers have been damaged by a lot of sub-standard software, so now they only trust big Nintendo brands.
"So going forward we're moving onto other platforms, and we always have been over the course of the company. But in this coming year we're definitely going to be doing PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 titles," he added.
While the company's first release - Ubisoft-published NewU for the Wii - may have suffered in that market, he does see a strong future for motion-based games in 2010, with the new hardware from Microsoft and Sony being released... but only as long as the right games are developed.
"The short answer is that they'll have a huge impact," he said. "The longer answer is that they'll only have a huge impact once people start designing specifically for those controllers. The first-person shooters and driving games - they've already got a really good controller that people are really happy with as a hardcore audience.
"There will be totally new genres that will be developed for those controllers, and it would be foolish of me to try and predict what they'll be - but I'd say they do involve a lot more characterisation and story, and a lot more social interaction.
"If you're talking about something like Natal, where you're using your whole body to control something as opposed to just your thumbs, then it's a whole different way of looking at things. You've got to look at people's fatigue levels, and not keep them jumping around for hours on end... you need to give them rest periods."
Sony has revealed that it sold over 440,000 PlayStation 3 units over the Thanksgiving week in the US.
The week includes the traditional Black Friday sales, where many retailers discounted software and hardware to kick off the busy Christmas sales period.
"The 2009 holiday season got off to an amazing start for PlayStation, with all key retailers showing a significant increase for PS3, PSP and key holiday titles over Black Friday and the holiday weekend," offered Patrick Seybold of Sony Computer Entertainment America.
"In today’s economy, consumers are drawn to items that offer the most value for their money, making the PS3 an ideal choice for those who want a comprehensive gaming and entertainment system all in one package... we have no doubt the momentum and demand will continue and consumers will prove that entertainment this holiday season is going to be defined by PlayStation," he added.
The 250 GB PS3 sells for around USD 349 in the US and comes bundled with games including Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Little Big Planet GOTY Edition.
Nintendo sold over 1.5 million consoles during Thanksgiving week, according to internal sales figures.
Those sales broke down to 500,000 Wii units and one million DS and DSi SKUs sold between November 22 and 28. The numbers of DS consoles sold, says Nintendo, surpasses the all-time handheld hardware sales record set by Game Boy Advance during Thanksgiving week in 2002.
"Holiday shoppers are finding value in our products' prices, and through a gameplay experience that's unique to Nintendo," said Cammie Dunaway, executive VP of sales and marketing.
Yesterday it was reported Wii sales were up 85 per cent week-on-week since the Wii's price cut in October. Dunaway said the Wii is in "a very good position" going into the holidays.
Microsoft has reported that Thanksgiving week has been its biggest week for sales of the year so far.
Exact figures weren't released, but Microsoft's director of product management for Xbox 360 and XBL Aaron Greenberg announced in a Twitter update that Xbox 360 sales over Thanksgiving week had doubled those of the previous week.
"Great Black Friday results just in, biggest sales week of the year for Xbox 360, more than 2xs previous week sales," he wrote.
Sony has reported over 440,000 PlayStation 3s were sold during the US holiday week and Nintendo said Wii sales topped 500,000.
Ubisoft has said that it is working on around ten titles for Microsoft's Project Natal, with all games set to release during the first six months of the technology going on sale.
In contrast, the publishers has between 4-5 games for Sony's motion controller. Speaking in a conference call to investors last night, CEO Yves Guillemot indicated that the majority of its motion projects are casual titles, although he also implied that motion technology may be incorporated in some capacity into other releases
"We have around ten games that will come for Natal during the first six months of the launch of Natal, and we expect between four to five games for the new controller [from] Sony," said Guillemot, reports Gamasutra.
"That's the picture at the moment; it can change in the next 12 months," he added.
Microsoft's Project Natal is expected to launch towards the end of next year although Microsoft has not committed to a launch window officially. Sony's has said that its motion controller – as yet without a name – will be released in Spring 2010.
IW's Robert Bowling reports on his twitter account that Infinity Ward is giving 2,500 Modern Warfare 2 cheaters the boot. The news comes as the war between IW and MW2's fans rages over the decision to go with IWnet hosting instead of dedicated servers. Unhappy players were quick to come up with hacks that would allow their own servers and various other changes."
Despite the dedicated-server complaints, Modern Warfare 2 has sold ridiculously well.
BoingBoing has a recent post regarding Games Workshop's aggressive posturing against fan sites featuring derivative work of their game products. 'Game publisher and miniature manufacturer Games Workshop just sent a cease and desist letter to boardgamegeek.com, telling them to remove all fan-made players' aids. This includes scenarios, rules summaries, inventory manifests, scans to help replace worn pieces — many of these created for long out of print, well-loved games...' As a lifelong hobby gamer of table, board, card and miniature games, I view this as pure heresy. It made me reject the idea of buying any Games Workshop (read Warhammer) products for my son this Christmas. Their fate was sealed, in terms of my wallet, after I Googled their shenanigans. In 2007 they forbid Warhammer fan films, this year they shut down Vassal Modules, and a while back they went after retailers as well. What ever happened to fair use?
PlayStation Home will open a Winter Wonderland on 10th December; a fantasy land of snow and elves and Santa's Grotto.
But unfortunately not all is well there and Santa will need your help to complete preparations and make Christmas a triumph. Rewards are promised to those who help, and mini-game tasks are designed to be frolicking good fun.
There will be a winter market with special clothes and items for avatars to buy, including what looks like a fetching duffel coat, satchel, hat and glove combo - judging by the screenshot on the European PlayStation blog.
A photo elf will even chuck-in a free festive border should you be snapped by him.
Overview : The famous Cross Battle Adapter now comes in a new version, 2.0, with new functions to swap all your controller's functions!
The Cross Battle Adapter 2.0 is an adapter to allow you to connect your Xbox 360 wired controller to your PS3 console for use with PS3 games.
The XCM Cross Battle Adapter 2.0 is built with a new function for swapping the controller’s triggers and bumpers. You can also swap the functions of A, B, X, Y buttons (Example: Set the function of A button to the X button or set the function of B button to the Y button, etc) and swap the functions of 2 analog sticks as well! The PS3 Six Axis mode and rumble function are also supported. The best adapter in the industry just got better!
Features:
Compatible with ALL PlayStation consoles and models.
Requires the wired Xbox 360 controller.
Built in Rapid Fire / Turbo for each button with independant controls.
Easy to Use - Just Plug and Play!
Quality/Usability : This review is an update to the XCM Cross Battle Adapter. There is also a Cross Battle Adapter PLUS that supported rumble that was released after the original CBA.
Comparing the two Cross Battle Adapter, there is a big cosmetic change. The Cross Battle Adapter 2.0 comes in a purple casing with a clear purple back. The front has a big backlit LED "XCM" logo with toggle switches. Like the original CBA, the switches are for the TURBO function. Each switch is also labeled to tell you what each buttons are. For instance, the [X] button on the PS3 is the [A] button the 360. The R1 button on the PS3 is the RB on the 360.
To connect the CBA 2.0, plug the Cross Battle Adapter 2.0 into the PS3 console and the LED "XCM" logo will start flashing blue. After plugging in the Xbox 360 wired controller (yes, you must use a wired controller) and the blue LED will stop flashing and stay lit.
Cross Battle Adapter 2.0 gives you the ability to use the tilt functionality. But its not what you think. There is no motion or tilt sensitivity. Instead, if you switch the TILT button to "L" on the CBA2.0, the function of the LEFT analog stick of the 360 will now replace the PS3 controller's tilt function instead of its own function. If you switch to "R", it will take the function of the PS3's tilt function. If you dont want the tilt function at all, leave it on "N". So if you have it set on "L" or "R", you lose the original function of the analog stick.
The CBA 2.0 allows you to swap buttons. You can swap the A, B, X, Y, RB, LB, RT, LT, RC, LC, START, BACK and Directional Pad. An example is to switch the A and B button. Press the "S" button and the LED indicator will light up, then press the B button and the indicator will stop blinking. When you press the A button, the light of the LED indicator will turn off. This means the swapping procedure is complete and the B button now has the function of the A. If you want the A button to have the function of the B, simply repeat the steps above but change buttons.
To get back the original button settings, simply press the "S" button and the LED indicator will light up. Press the A button and the indicator will start to blink. Press the A button again and the light indicator will turn off.
To swap analog sticks, press the "S" button and the indicator will light up. Press any direction of the RIGHT analog stick and the indicator will turn off. To get back the original function, just repeat the steps. The easiest way to get back all the original functions is to press and hold the "S" button for 3 seconds. The LED indicator will blink quickly and all functions will be set back to their original function.
Here is a video of the Cross Battle Adapter 2.0 working on the new PS3 Slim:
With the lit XCM logo and "S" button indicator, swapping/remapping buttons and confirmation is much easier to notice. Like the Cross Battle Adapter PLUS, rumble is also available on 2.0.
Conclusion : Overall, the XCM Cross Battle Adapter 2.0 is a big improvement over the original Cross Battle Adapter (we didnt have the chance to review CBA PLUS since the only difference was that it had rumble available). However, I dont know how much of a use the tilt feature will come in handy. I didnt use it much considering I'm use to using the analog stick. For others they may prefer it. The swapping of buttons is a great addition which gives gamers the ability to configure button layouts to their liking. Unfortunately, you still need to use a wired controller. When I mean wired, I dont mean a wireless controller with the USB cable attached to it. This the only drawback to the Cross Battle Adapter 2.0.
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is offering one of three free games to new owners of the PSPgo.
Users who set up or sign in to an existing PlayStation Network account via the PSPgo are offered a choice between Gran Turismo, Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines and MotorStorm: Arctic Edge. In Germany, LittleBigPlanet replaces Assassin's Creed.
The offer is open from today until January 10. When originally launched in Europe in October, SCEE offered Gran Turismo free to early adopters of the console.
The system has been discounted at retail from the RRP of GBP 224.99 to around GBP 199 in the UK, with some retailers such as HMV offering the handheld for as little as GBP 149 for a limited time.
Electronic Arts' FIFA 10 has sold over 4.5 million units worldwide since release in October, a 26 per cent increase on the same sales period in 2008.
According to the publisher, over 113 million online games have been played, with an average of 3 million per day played over Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 services.
A new game mode, FIFA 10 Ultimate Team, will launch in February next year. "FIFA 10 Ultimate Team adds a lot more authenticity to a unique game that will update with new challenges and content over time," offered producer Paul Hossack.
"We now have over 7,000 players from 27 leagues available, from which gamers will craft one or multiple squads to show their mastery of the revamped, more realistic chemistry system, and compete in tournaments with exciting requirements and rewards. On top of that, we'll release new tournaments and other updates regularly to keep the experience fresh and exciting."
Mobile application features integrated video support
Fring has unveiled the first video over internet service for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
The service is embedded in to the Fring application, which enables free VoIP calls on the devices, and allows iPhone users to receive incoming video calls.
The co-founder and CEO of Fring Avi Shechter commented: “We were the first to bring mobile voice over internet (VoIP) to mobile devices, the first to bring iPhone and iPod touch users the choice to make free Internet calls, the first to enable cost-saving mobile twitter over internet, and now we’re proud to continue leading the field of rich mobile-internet communication by bringing users the world’s first fring video calls over internet for the iPhone and iPod touch.”
Due to the unfortunate positioning of the camera on Apple’s devices, out going video calls are not possible, however users of the Nokia Symbian S60 can make full use of the service.
Sega's announced Sonic Classic Collection, a compilation of the blue hedgehog's oldschool outings for Nintendo DS.
The Collection - which is due in 2010 - gathers together the first four Sonic The Hedgehog games; Sonic, Sonic 2, Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles - and slaps them on the dual-screened handheld.
The ported versions are optimised to take "full advantage of the Nintendo DS", claims Sega, with a new save anywhere feature and a "wealth of extras" including video and collectable pictures.
"The phenomenal successes of the original Sonic games are the pillar of today's Sonic brand recognition" says Sega marketing man, Gary Knight.
"Sonic Classic Collection for DS will allow a new audience to enjoy a timeless collection of games, whilst older Sonic fans can revel in the nostalgia of playing their favourite Sonic titles. It's a perfect amalgamation of heritage and new generation entertainment"
Sonic Classic Collection will hit shops in March 2010.
Activision has announced that Call of Duty Classic will be released on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade.
The game will cost $14.99 on PlayStation Network in the US, where it comes out on Thursday 3rd December. European plans aren't mentioned but these things usually align. Most of the time. Sometimes.
Xbox Live Arcade users will get to start playing tomorrow, Wednesday 2nd December, providing they are happy to fork over 1200 Microsoft Points (£10.20 / €14.40).
Call of Duty Classic is, clearly, the original Call of Duty redone to work on modern console controllers. It was bundled with the steelbook and "Prestige" editions of Modern Warfare 2 in November.
Blu-ray's latest bit of brilliance is the Flipper: a disc that's plain ol' DVD on one side, and Blu-ray on the other, like bolting a cassette tape on the back of a CD. Amazing.
It may be a case of Apple simply protecting its brand name, but in light of all the Apple tablet rumors, we're treating its recent purchase of the "TabletMac" trademark as yet more evidence stacking up in our favour.
Next week sees the release of Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 on PSP in Japan. Or, as its known in the game's homeland, Winning Eleven 2010. To celebrate, there'll be a Winning Eleven PSP-3000 on sale.
We've seen a Black Friday deal or two about Wiis being bundled with New Super Mario Bros. But this is the first I've seen of a New Super Mario Bros. bundle with Wiimote static clings.
When the DSi LL launched, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata pointed out that the portable's larger 4.2" LCD screens meant that it was easier to watch others play.
"Nintendo DSi XL realizes beautiful game screens even for those who look at them from an angle," Iwata said earlier. "You do not have to peek closely into the monitor of another player's video game to get a good view anymore. Nintendo DSi XL is going to offer a new play style, where those who are surrounding the game player can also join in one way or the other to the gameplay. When you look at the home console video games, you can understand that the fun of great games can be conveyed to and shared by those who are watching the player play."
Erik Estavillo -- otherwise referred to as a "professional plantiff" by GamePolitics for his laundry list of legal claims -- has subpoenaed Microsoft's Bill Gates in his suit targeting the company for his run in with the Red Ring of Death. According to court documents filed in a U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the subpoena demands Gates hand over paperwork that reveal the "true and relative number of actual Xbox 360 units that have been fixed by Microsoft over the past 3 years." Estavillo also seeks data pertaining to the number of broken Xbox 360 consoles and the amount of people banned from Xbox Live for "piracy" between November 28, 2008 and 2009.
While Estavillo is looking for answers to questions every journalist has been seeking, his track record of legal battles places him in eccentric territory. Estavillo is also suing Activision Blizzard claiming characters in World of Warcraft walk at an intentionally slow pace in order to bilk customers of more monthly fees. In the claim, he subpoenaed actress Winona Ryder and Depeche Mode member Martin Gore. Estavillo has also filed suit against Sony for being banned from online play, stemming from comments he supposedly made during matches of Resistance: Fall of Man; and Nintendo, for issuing firmware updates that disabled his Homebrew Channel.
The Final Fantasy series has been known to have some truly epic box art in the past, such as the man vs. machinery motif of the Final Fantasy VII cover, or the lovely, all-inclusive tableau featured on the front of the last entry in the core franchise. Imagine our surprise when we received the images above from Games Press -- it seems the cover for the UK version of Final Fantasy XIII will be considerably more simple than the box art of its predecessors.
We've posted larger versions of the two boxes in the gallery below. Check them out, but don't let those eyes of yours wander. Yes, we know her skirt is hiked to a precarious degree. We also know that the baby Jesus is watching your every action.
The Final Fantasy series has been known to have some truly epic box art in the past, such as the man vs. machinery motif of the Final Fantasy VII cover, or the lovely, all-inclusive tableau featured on the front of the last entry in the core franchise. Imagine our surprise when we received the images above from Games Press -- it seems the cover for the UK version of Final Fantasy XIII will be considerably more simple than the box art of its predecessors.
We've posted larger versions of the two boxes in the gallery below. Check them out, but don't let those eyes of yours wander. Yes, we know her skirt is hiked to a precarious degree. We also know that the baby Jesus is watching your every action.
December 1st, 2009, 20:50 Posted By: Darksaviour69
Mabinogi closed beta starts on Wednesday, 2nd December (tomorrow), and runs through to the 23rd of the month. So if you want your Beta Key get one quick!
Weekly Special - Mini Ninjas for Xbox360™ (region free) is now available at an unbeatable bargain price of US$ 19.90 only - offer available for 1 week only!
From the publisher: The evil Samurai Warlord is capturing the worlds animal and turning them into mindless Samurai minions under his direct control. Using them and the ancient magic to turn even the elements on the world, it seems as though all hope is lost. However, he did not account for the Mini Ninjas!
Play As Hiro, Futo, Suzume, or the other Mini Ninjas to return the world to it's former peaceful state. Use the particular skills of each of the little warriors to defeat the evil warlord, free the enslaved animals, and release the pedestrians from their state of terror and return them to their normal lives!
Mini Ninjas is available at an unbeatable bargain price of US$ 19.90. Our weekly special is region free and supports English, French, Spanish, Italian and German.
You can almost hear the theme song from "Cops" playing in the distance as you read this headline.
According to a report from the New York University student newspaper, there is widespread gadget and computer theft taking place on the hallowed educational grounds of NYU. The situation has gotten so bad, that New York's Finest have been called in to help crack down on "iCrimes."
From Cult of Mac:
Quote:
In an effort to stop campus gadget and computer thefts, New York police are bringing an ID program to the New York University students.
Back in the days of firmware 2.x and 1.x, we were able to play mame roms directly from our iPhone and iPod Touch. The app was called mame4iphone developed by ZodTTD. It emulates a huge range of arcade games from the 1970's - 2000. mame4iphone was based on MAME 0.37 Beta 5.
mame4iphone is back with vengeance, and is now available for iPhone/iPod Touch firmware 3.0. It is available for download for free on Cydia and also available for Rock users.
What else is new in this release you ask? Well for starters you should notice some performance improvements over the previous version, which is no surprise considering the plethora of changes to firmware 3.0 as well. The emulator has also been updated to MAME4All v2.4. There are specific user interface changes as well that allow for the entire romset to be loaded, as well as some bugs with screen orientation and scaling.
DigiTimes, the Taiwan-based site that reports on the East Asia mobile phone industry, has another report out today regarding Qualcomm chips in Apple phones. According to their sources, Qualcomm is talking to Apple about its new hybrid mobile chips. However, previous rumors that the phones would be released by summer of next year may not pan out, according to this report.
Qualcomm's new hybrid chip allows phones to use the networks of CDMA/EVDO carriers - such as Verizon and Sprint in the United States - and UMTS/HSPA+ carriers including AT&T and T-Mobile. In addition, the same chip supports LTE, which is a network technology that major carriers have announced plans to implement starting next year.
With Apple's enormous power and size, it isn't difficult to imagine the many ways in which the company is capable of exerting massive influence wherever it places its high beams. Naturally, such influence leaves Apple vulnerable to the occasional criticism of market manipulation.
Case in point. This week Apple is facing claims that it is "manipulating flash memory prices" through the duplicitous act of placing huge orders and then ultimately taking less than originally demanded. According to a report from 9to5Mac, Apple continues to affect prices with the tactics they are believed to habitually employ.
Swiss Manager Pro from CellPhoneSoft provides task management, system information, and file manager services, all in one application. A composite system utility that indeed acts like the Swiss army knife for smartphones, considered as an essential addition by many users. Compatible with all Symbian/S60 phones.
I fixed the touch keys on the recent AntSnes 0.71 release. I though that I could support multi-touch in my application. I mean that there’s nothing preventing it to happen It should just work.
Well, the thing is that there’s no multi-touch in S60 5.0! So there’s also no multi-touch on Samsung i8910. Therefore I’m not wondering anymore why Nokia uses only those crappy resistive displays.
According to Symbian roadmap the multi-touch is coming in Symbian^3. The Symbian^3 should come sometime at 2010. The chances of getting the multitouch to the AntSnes before that are close to 0.
It seems we too have fallen victim to the curse of independent Dreamcast developers. Despite our best efforts, circumstances dictate that Rush Rush Rally Racing Deluxe Edition will not be available this month.
Here's the official statement from redspotgames:
redspotgames wrote:
The production of the Deluxe Edition of Rush Rush Rally Racing has been delayed, but will be completed in 4 days. We have been informed by the CD factory that a component supplier sent the wrong jewel cases and the production cannot be finished without them. Unfortunately this also means that the game cannot be delivered on time.
The CD factory guaranteed the delivery by Friday, December 4th, 2009. As always, we are going to send out the Deluxe Edition the same day we receive the game to all our customers who preordered it. Yet we are very sorry for the inconvenience caused.
We too would like to extend our apologies to all affected customers. Nobody likes to wait, and we know this very well.
While it may sound like a dirty joke, turning off the alarm clock with a wiggle of your joystick is entirely possible here. [Sean] was inspired by the light gun alarm clock featured in Make magazine a while back and decided to build something similar. Instead of going the light gun route, he chose to use a joystick. You set the time on the clock using the joystick and the fire button works as a snooze button. Though it currently doesn’t have a snooze-waggle feature, it could without too much effort.
[Sean]’s server is small. He notes in his comments that he can’t handle the traffic from us. This is why we had to find it our selves instead of him submitting it. Tsk Tsk. To help, we have included the few other pictures of his build after the break. If you really want to overload his poor little server, you’ll find the link to his site here, instead of at the beginning of the article.
Why take an iPhone, a slim device that already takes decent photographs and add several macro magnifying lenses? For [Mathijs], simply because he could, But now he can take some awesome macro pictures.
[Bhautik] (maker of the tilt-shift Plungercam) took the concept further. With some more trademark plumbing supplies and a lot of duct tape, secured an interchangeable SLR lense assembly to the back of his iPhone.
Well, the title is maybe a bit strong, but this processor is a really complex piece of work ...
The disassembler is done, the interpreter skeleton is ready, and I'm done coding the Operation commands (24 opcodes).
I'm now working on the Load Immediate commands (11 opcodes), DMA, JUMP and LOOP commands will follow shortly (I hope )
Understanding how the opcodes really work is difficult, mostly because of poor / erroneous documentation, and I won't be able to test anything until every opcode (and the main loop) is coded ... Timing must also be taken care of, as DSP clock is only half of the main SH2's ... so there's still a lot to do until I can get any sound during the logo assembly
I've also started toying around with various UI libraries (finally ), and I think I'll chose Juce for the next UI overhaul ... primary testing with OpenGL gave good results, I'll have to fire up my image creation software to create some nice icons (ph34r my mad Gimp skiils ) I'll try to post some screenshots when I'll have something more tangible
Surprise! Its the Moon Princess Legend! A left-hook translation of Kaguya Hime Densetsu (A Bamboo Cutter’s Tale)(1988) for Famicom NES has just come out of the woodwork! You are a young woodsman armed with only a whip, a candle, and the words of a mysterious angel. A Moon Princess has landed upon Earth, and hides inside a glowing bamboo stalk within an enchanted forest. You must seek the hand of the Moon Princess who can only be saved by magical orb that is guarded by a fierce dragon. Saunter through silly side-quests and goofy misadventures with your turtle sidekick Nonchi! This is a text and graphics adventure with minor side-scrolling arcade sequences. Several surprise endings and three difficulty levels!
Massive news for the Xbox 360 Homebrew Scene, heres the full sp:
Ikari360 released a new version of freeBOOT. This new version of the 'rebooter' will launch right into a patched version the latest MS dash (8955) and will now also work on Zephyr and Jasper-16mb motherboards (next to the original support for Xenon and Falcon).
But the even bigger news in this v0.02 is that the kernel is patched! No more XEX signature checks, LIVE/PIRS signature checks and Harddisk authentication ... which basically makes homebrew XDK possible on retail Xbox 360! And this should also allow you to patch existing signed XEXs with any (region, media etc) flags you want.
freeBOOT must be installed on a 2nd 'NAND' ... but next to Cygnos360 v2 support, it will now also work with Cygnos360 v1 and the (homebrew) xD-card mod!
But of course, this still requires the JTAG hack, so it's only possible on (pre ~June 2009) Xbox360 consoles where the onboard NAND has never been updated (via any normal MS procedure) to 849x (July 09) or newer. If you updated to anything over 7371, your 2BL (bootloader) has been updated (which won't allow a non paired image to boot into 4548) and CB-fuse inside the CPU burned, so the JTAG hack won't work anymore and there's no way to downgrade for now.
However if you're still on 7371 (or anything lower), you can now 'reboot' that console into a patched 8955. Your onboard NAND stays untouched on 7371 and freeBOOT/XeLL/patched-8955 are located on the 2nd NAND. The fuses are no problem either as freeBOOT will use 'virtual fuses' to launch 8955.
For new systems and refurbs things can be a bit more complicated, some still have 7363/7371 or lower but already have the new bootloader that fixed the JTAG hack, I dont think there's a way to know for sure without first dumping your NAND and check your CB-version. For new systems, certainly try to get one produced before June 2009.
It's called a 'rebooter' because it uses the JTAG hack to boot your console into XeLL and from there it 'reboots' your console into the patched 8955 kernel.
From the readme:
freeBOOT is a rebooter for the Microsoft Xbox 360. This version of freeBOOT allows you to reboot into kernel 2.0.8955 on all Xenon, Zephyr, Falcon, and Jasper consoles with 16MB flashes, which are vulnerable to the JTAG hack.
Support for Opus and Jasper consoles with larger flashes will follow soon.
As freeBOOT needs a second flash memory to store kernel 2.0.8955 and associated data, either a Cygnos360 or an xD card mod is required at the moment.
Bug Fixes
* Harddisk installation and save game/profile issues have been fixed
New Features
* updated to kernel 8955
* additional support for Zephyr and Jasper consoles with 16MB flashes
* support for xD card mod and Cygnos360 V1 added
* Harddisk authentication disabled
The Xbox 360 will now accept any SATA harddisk.
* removed XEX signature checks
Execution of unsigned devkit and retail XEXes is now possible. Encrypted devkit XEXes must be decrypted with XexTool(info)(info) prior to use.
* removed LIVE/PIRS signature checks
The dashboard will now run applications from unsigned LIVE/PIRS containers.
* extendable patch system
Researchers/hackers can now try new patches easily. Please refer to "src\patches_kernel_8955.S" for more information.
What's Next
* support for Opus consoles and Jasper consoles with large flashes
* further removal of security system restrictions
* easier build process
Credits
My gratitude goes to all those who helped me get this new release done.
Xoxide posted a video of freeBOOT v0.02, his Xbox360 'rebooting' into a patched 8955 kernel and booting up MAME360 (which was written and leaked long time ago, but could only run on devkits until now) and a homebrew Launcher:
Kidspaint is a painting program mainly for kids. Up to four people can paint on the screen at the same time by using different wiimotes.
Version 2.0 (2009-12-01)
MP3 MUSIC PLAYER ADDED! (you can put your own mp3 files inside the 'music' folder)
Bigger brushes are available in 'Kids mode' and 'Full mode'
Updated to use GRRLIB 4.1.0
In 'Full mode' you only have to hold buttons for 1 second in order to save, clear or exit
Brush size and color can no longer be changed manually in 'Baby mode'
More detailed built-in instructions
The project followed very amateur "Super Smash Bros. Rumble"Acquires a 7th demo. We get new characters, new cards, etc. ... but still no playable version in perspective.
Quote:
Super Smash Bros. Rumble Demo 0.7 is now released! Brought you you by the coders, neeh, Diddy, and PS991, the new features include:
8 new courses, 10 new characters, unlockables, credits (on the vault screen), double jump (some characters can jump more than 2), pause, run (double-tap the D-Pad), side collision, new graphics, some new character sprites (Olimar, Geno) and a CPU!
Since you only start out with a few characters in the beginning, you will have to unlock the rest by exploring the features mentioned above (HINT HINT!). There is only a max of 31 characters that can be unlocked and the rest will remain locked, so do not freak out and spend hours trying to unlock them all.
New courses include:
Battlefield
Treetop Town
Kamek Castle
Delfino Plaza
Brinstar
Hachiko
Jungle Japes
The Beginning
PROBLEMS:
The cpu is really glitchy right now, If you have one on the screen, it will mess with player 1's jump. Also, the cpu tend to fall through the floor and teleport about the stage. This is not permanent and we only included a cpu in this demo to show you, the fans, that the coders are only a few errors away from having a functioning cpu.
Because of the enormous file size, music has not been included in this demo. Do not think that your speakers are broken.
If you are playing on an emulator, you will not be able to save the characters that you have unlocked. On the DS, however, you can save the unlockables.
Small update to my puzzle game Cogito DS. After a moment touched a DS (thank you to a friend who lent me her fat pink DS last Saturday), I decided to restart the dev of homebrew, more for fun than anything else. History to revisit the code, I updated Cogito DS with elements that were missing from version 1.0.
The program for this update, full of new levels, adding decorations and especially a system backup to slot 3. For the full changelog, direct the Official Site.
The Roma themselves downloads HERE.
I hope that the concerns of reading / writing file. Sav fat will be resolved. If you have any worries, thank you for your clear linker (gba slot or not).
The Japanese ClassG coder has released a new update to its plug macrophytes, prx come to version 3.0.1.2 which allows you to configure key combinations you can do with the push of just one, adjust the sensitivity of the analog stick and set the auto-fire for a given key. This release fixes a bug related to compatibility with the Pops.
More informations below.
Alternative to ChickHEN R2/ChickHEN mod for PSP owners in 2000 and 3000. Using this version of MHUSPEED you can access all'HEN in less time, even with custom themes active in the dashboard, and there are greater chances of success. The installation and use patterns are the same as the old release, however, found to follow all the details, a demonstration video and a link to download.
Details / Video:
Quote:
Improvements:
- Works with custom themes active
- Faster than ChickHEN
- Less likely to crash
Mini-guide:
- Copy the file in the root of the Memory Stick speed.bin
- Copy (and overwrite if required) PICTURE folder
- Navigate to the Photo section of the main menu until the first image of the folder (below) is loaded
- Enter the folder mhuspeed and move slowly down with the Down button
If after several attempts, the procedure does not restore the system settings.
Credits:
- JPEG originals m0skit0
- Speed.bin original dave
- Exploit of matiaz
Hey Guys, how is everyone this evening? Well... just thought I would drop by and...
RELEASE PSPINSTALLER V2!!!
(by Richard Sparrow (aka spike_132000))
What?!? :
It is an application that will automatically download and install homebrew games and apps, saves, wallpapers, movies, music... anything really... but only if the repository that you select has those files for download!
Changes:
-> New Scrolling Menu System, no page system anymore!! Scroll up and down through the menu's!
-> Repository System, this allows other people to host games, apps, anything really! So im not so depended on anymore
-> Install anything to anywhere on the PSP System, not just restricted to certain folders because PSPInstaller now treats the zip file as if it is the ROOT of the memory stick when it installs things!
-> No repetative Start WLAN, Stop WLAN, it's needs to be on for the app to work now otherwise, you'll get kicked out It will initialise at the start of the application! If you switch your WLAN Switch to off while the app is running and your not in the middle of downloading something it will tell you that Wireless is needed, if your downloading something, then it will just wait on that screen forever (NO FIX FOR THIS).
-> Major credits where credits due (Check top screenie for list)
M33 Users:
This was created and tested using 5.00M33-6, It does definately work on this version.
GEN Users:
There was reports of a Wireless Dialog loop on some GEN Firmwares. Make sure you have the latest version of GEN installed before attempting to use PSPInstaller.
Well, I made a small program that allows you to play sound effects on your psp, its pretty basic but I think it is really fun :P It's a quote from my original post.
Quote:
I now introduce to you... SoundEffects! v1 LOL Sounds effects allows you to use some sound effects HAHA, I can think of at least three things I do every day that needs a drum roll :P so this program is just 6 different sound effects for you to use ( I plan on adding more) And um yea, like I said this is really kinda basic because it is my first HB and I'm still learning, but I think it's fun. So yea, if I make a v2 I will add more sound effects and better graphics. And maybe a menu... car sounds, people sounds and so on. So, just to sum up it is a sound board with sound effects.
Sound effects:
Drum roll
Sorry!
Hallelujah
Applause
Gasp!
Heartbeat
Please try it out, tell me what you think, how I could improve it (I know their are many ways but maybe you guys know some more HAHA)
More early xmas presents with XBReboot v0.05! Like freeBOOT v0.02 it will reboot into a patched 8955 kernel. However, this one can be flashed directly in your onboard NAND flash, no need for a 2-nand solution. Before flashing it on your system, you will have to dump your console specific KeyVault (kv.bin) from your dumped Xbox 360 NAND image and put it inside the hacked image with nandpro:
nandpro 7371.bin: -r16 kv.bin 1 1
nandpro xbr.bin: -w16 kv.bin 1 1
Afaik, this initial version of XBReboot will only work on Xenon (v1) motherboards, but it's probably only a matter of time before it's made for other motherboard revisions.
Again, this hack relies on the JTAG hack to boot into XeLL from where it will do the reboot to the patched 8955 with virtual fuses, so will only work with 360s that don't have the new bootloader.
The hack contains no readme/nfo so for now that's all the info we can confirm, but I assume it has the same patches as freeBOOT v0.02.
Microsoft's Windows ran to stay in place last month as Window 7's market share gains made up for the largest-ever declines in Windows XP and Vista, data released today by Web metrics firm Net Applications showed. By these numbers, Windows 7's gains were primarily at the expense of Windows XP. For each copy of Vista replaced by Windows 7 during November, more than six copies of XP were swapped out. Meanwhile, Apple's Mac OS X lost share during November... betcha Ballmer is having an extra giddy time with that news. Linux came up a winner last month, returning to the 1% share mark for the first time since July. Linux's all-time high in Net Applications' rankings was May 2009, when it nearly reached 1.2%."
MojoKid sends in a piece that takes a step back from Google's much-analyzed OS to look at what it is trying to accomplish.
"Last week, Google open-sourced its Chromium OS project, more than a year before the operating system is scheduled for release. In doing so, Google hopes a variety of developers and companies will become involved in the project, and has pledged to release regular updates as well as a comprehensive log of bug reports and fixes. This article takes a look at Google's design vision for Chromium, the unique benefits it offers, and a bit of why Google is throwing its hat into this particular ring in the first place. Chromium, after all, is a Linux-based OS entering the smartbook/netbook market at a time when the product segment is already being well served by a variety of Linux distros, XP, and Windows 7. In the midst of all these options, do we need another operating system? We just might."
Once upon a time Universal was the hybrid disc king, with plans to release up to 90% of its 2007 HD DVD titles on the dual sided discs, but we know how that ended. Now the company is back to its old tricks, ready to ship the first BD-59 discs with a 50GB Blu-ray / 9GB DVD configuration promising movie and all available special features in whichever format is desired. The expensive answer to a question no one was asking or the perfect way to add future proofing and extended compatibility to new movie purchases? We'll know more once a price is announced for the Jason Bourne trilogy of movies -- seeing their first individual Blu-ray releases -- due on January 19.
Japanese video game mag Famitsu is famous for its lack of "perfect" 40 out of 40 review scores, having only issued only 13 of them during the publication's lifespan. And Modern Warfare 2 came within spitting distance of that "perfection."
The newest issue of Famitsu weighs in on Infinity Ward's blockbuster, crippling it with a mere 39 out of 40, one point shy of greatness. While potentially disappointing, it puts the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game in good company. Famitsu has also deemed games like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Okami, Grand Theft Auto IV, Resident Evil (for GameCube!) and many more worthy of 39/40 praise.
Sadly, though, Modern Warfare 2 won't join the ranks of 2009's other "perfects" which include New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Bayonetta, Dragon Quest IX and Monster Hunter Tri. And Final Fantasy XIII, we presume. Probably safe to save Square Enix a second spot on the list.
Microsoft just pulled back the curtain on a brand-new bundle exclusively for our brothers and sisters to the north. Aside from a 250GB Xbox 360 Elite console, the bundle also includes a double dose of Bungie goodness: Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST.
Starting today, you can get your maple syrup-soaked hands on this for a suggested retail price of $399.99 CAD. If you're a US gamer wondering why we didn't get this piece of gear down here, relax -- let Canada win this one! You have any idea how many driveways a Canadian has to shovel to earn this thing?
Harmonix has confirmed to Joystiq that Rock Band Unplugged has "run through [its] planned slate" of DLC. Following two weeks of Rock Band Unplugged DLC being absent from our Rock Band Weekly feature, we decided to check in with the developer to see if this was the end of the road for the portable rhythm game's downloadable track support.
Harmonix stated it is "very pleased with the performance of the Rock Band Unplugged game on PSP, the Rock Band PSP bundle and PSPgo starter kit" and appreciates Sony's support of the title, which currently has around 100 tracks via disc and DLC combined. The developer states that the DLC team is currently focused on the ambitious "Rock Band Network, weekly console DLC, and unannounced future projects." Harmonix isn't ruling out future Unplugged DLC, as it may be "part of event releases," but it appears that weekly updates are done for now.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has released a free iPhone app aimed at parents buying games for children this Christmas.
Intended to educate parents on the content of the games they're buying, the app contains rating summaries for over 18,000 games.
These rating summaries are currently provided by ESRB but not displayed on game boxes as ESRB ratings and content descriptors are. The organisation says the summaries elaborate on the content descriptors, enabling parents to make informed choices on the games their children play.
"Rating summaries provide just the kind of specific, descriptive information that parents find useful when having to make decisions about whether a game is suitable for their child," said ERSB president Patricia Vance.
"This new rating search app puts all this information at parents' fingertips when they need it most, right at the store. It's a powerful tool that will help assure parents that the games they give as gifts are not only fun but also appropriate for their children."
The free app is available now and contains information on titles rated since July 1 2008. ESRB has also planned a series of TV and radio adverts, which will inform parents about its ratings system and the new app.
ESRB game ratings were established in 1994. A Federal Trade Commission report released in 2007 found that nine in ten parents were aware of the ratings, 87 per cent were satisfied with them, and nearly three quarters use them regularly when choosing games for their children.
With big releases such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 grabbing headlines all over the world, 2009 was the year when video games finally completed their invasion of mainstream entertainment.
As sales of recorded music and DVDs continue to decline, video games are on the rise, and about to experience a Christmas boom.
This year, there are also likely to be more first-time games players and buyers than ever before.
With these people in mind, we present our selection of 50 games that cannot fail to please, whether you are buying for yourself or as a gift.
All of these games are for the current generation of games consoles: the Nintendo Wii; Microsoft's Xbox 360; Sony's PlayStation 3; the Nintendo DS; and Sony PSP.
Many of them have been available for a year or more, which means they can often be found for £20 or even £30 less than new releases.
All of the titles link directly to YouTube trailers, to give you an idea of what the game looks like.
The games are in no particular order, though we have separated them into Family and Adult titles.
Console gamers, please feel free to add your own selections and mini-reviews in the comments at the foot of the article.
GAMES FOR ALL THE FAMILY
Professor Layton and Pandora's Box (DS)
The second Layton adventure blends beautiful animation with a series of logic puzzles guaranteed to engage brains of all ages.
We were so excited by this game, and by its predecessor Professor Layton and the Curious Village, that we travelled all the way to Japan to meet its makers.
Wii Fit Plus (Wii)
The console that can do anything now offers this improved structured fitness course, complete with yoga classes. It's brilliantly executed, and it has the power to make you feel guilty.
Guitar Hero/Rock Band (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
The play-along genre really deserves a feature in its own right, but both of these series are great fun, and the instruments required to play are interchangeable (on the same console).
Check the track listings for individual preferences before you buy. Beatles Rock Band (see video link) and Lego Rock Band are both available.
Just Dance (Wii)
Before play-along and sing-along, there was dance-along. Here is the latest Wii version of an arcade staple.
Forza Motorsport 3 (Xbox 360)
While the world awaits the PlayStation's Gran Turismo 5, Forza on the 360 is just about the most realistic racing sim you can buy. One for serious petrolheads.
Wii Sports Resort (Wii)
Sky-diving, fencing, archery and more; it's all here in a package that combines Nintendo's propensity for cuteness with its ability to make even the dullest games seem fun.
Rabbids Go Home (Wii)
The latest in the series that includes two Rayman Raving Rabbids titles. None of them will disappoint, though for party fun the earlier games are a better bet with their stupid tasks such as cow-tossing.
Mini Ninjas (DS, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360)
A fabulous little Zelda-like adventure game in which you chase around the Japanese countryside liberating animals that have been turned into baddies. Great for adults and kids, though could benefit from a multi-player mode.
Lego Star Wars: Complete Saga (Wii)
The Lego games, which now include Batman, Indiana Jones and even Rock Band titles, are all great fun, but Star Wars remains the pick of the bunch. Familiarity with the films is a prerequisite.
Brain Training (DS)
With the backing of a Japanese professor, Nintendo re-aligned handheld gaming for an older generation with this collection of puzzles designed to maintain and improve mental agility.
Known as Brain Age in the United States, where the trailer comes from.
ScribbleNauts (DS)
A platform game with a twist: you draw your own solution to a level on the DS screen, and the built-in dictionary brings it to life. Addictive and entertaining.
Amazing Adventures: The Forgotten Ruins (DS)
A puzzle game that works equally well played casually or for hours at a stretch. It involves solving a variety of puzzles in order to get at a bigger mystery.
FIFA 10 (PS3, Xbox 360)
Electronic Arts' football series just about shoulder-charges the Pro-Evolution Soccer competition in our book. The 2010 version provides a plethora of AI tweaks, though not enough to justify the purchase price over the excellent FIFA 09.
Madden NFL 2010 (PS3, Xbox 360)
Another venerable sports series from Electronic Arts, Madden really does seem to get better with every iteration, and this new version is tougher and more authentic than ever before.
Ashes 2009 (PS3, Xbox 360)
Codemasters' first cricket game since the last Brian Lara in 2007 is the best cricket game on the next generation consoles, though there is still room for improvement.
Grand Slam Tennis (Wii)
This EA game may lack the graphical excellence of their efforts on the high-def consoles, but the Wii control system more than makes up for it.
Compatibility with Wii MotionPlus means that accuracy is unprecedented.
Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time (PS3)
We are highlighting the latest in the extraterrestrial platform and puzzle series, but any game that bears their name is a guaranteed hoot.
Inventive, brilliantly designed and executed and lovely to look at, the Ratchet and Clank games are one of the Sony console's best kept secrets. Watch the trailer and admire.
Okami (Wii)
One of the best of the late crop of games released for the last-generation PS2, Okami works equally well on the Wii. This mythical adventure relies, uniquely, on the power of calligraphy to get you out of trouble, and the storyline drags you right in.
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii, DS)
Brilliant family fun, especially if you have a Wii Fit Balance Board, used here for snowboarding and ski-ing.
Once the real sports have been successfully completed, you can unlock Mario Kart style versions of them too.
Little Big Planet (PS3/PSP)
The pioneering British title that gave the world Sackboy is an addictive platform adventure that really comes into its own when you create your own levels and share them online.
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (Wii)
This Japanese cartoon puzzler and platform game is a forgotten gem, with intriguing puzzles and a classic desert-island setting.
Singstar (PS3)
Sony’s console-based karaoke system is now available in flavours that include Motown, Queen (see video), Take That, Abba and many more.
Addicts are now filming and uploading their own performances via the PlayStation Network. Lord preserve us. Available with mics and without.
Eyepet (PS3)
Augmented reality comes into the home with this stunning game, designed to fascinate children and baffle adults.
Create your Eyepet, who (thanks to the PS3 camera) then runs around your real living room and builds objects you draw for him.
New Super Mario Bros Wii (Wii)
Mario, Luigi and friends are back in 2D, but with a twist. This time, up to four people can play on one screen, adding competitive fun to the Mario mix for the first time.
Lips: Number One Hits (Xbox 360)
The Xbox take on karaoke lacks the variety but is strong on tracks. This one includes Barbie Girl, Heart of Glass, Karma Chameleon and over 30 more.
New tracks can be downloaded. Available with mics and without.
WeSing (Wii)
More karaoke, this time for the Wii, with 30 instantly recognisable songs here to massacre. Available with mics and without.
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
The Brooklyn plumber takes off for outer space, and a platform game that will bend your brain out of shape as it plays with gravity and physics.
While we’re on the subject of Mario on the Wii, may we also suggest Super Paper Mario, and the all-new New Super Mario Bros Wii (above), which brings four-player multi-player to the party? Buy any one of them and you won’t regret it.
Mario Kart (DS and Wii)
This is the game that can make racing fans out of the most determined car hater, and both DS and Wii versions are absolutely brilliant, with multiplayer modes that never lose their fun. On the Wii, the chance to compete against players from all over the world is irresistible and brilliantly presented. Be warned, though: you will lose.
The Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess (Wii)
The only Japanese role-playing series that is almost as popular here as in its home country, Zelda offers a unique combination of great story, cute characters and brain teasers that is as addictive as it is enjoyable.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
We make no apologies for putting a second Zelda game in this mix, since Link’s first outing on the DS was so good it made you rethink what was possible on the console. From the moment you blew out the torches, you were hooked.
A new Zelda game, Spirit Tracks, is out on the DS on December 11, and from brief glimpses earlier this year, it looks the business.
GAMES FOR ADULTS
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3, Xbox 360)
The first Modern Warfare game was good, but the new one racks the realism up a notch, and has generated more than its fair share of controversy in the process.
As a first-person shooter, it’s challenging, but what really sets it apart is the power of its story-telling, which brings the brutal dilemmas of the modern world into sharp focus.
Left 4 Dead 1 and 2 (Xbox 360)
There is no real plot to Left 4 Dead, other than being stuck in the middle of a zombie outbreak.
You join up with three other people online and kill zombies. You get to a safe house where you fill up on health and ammo and kill some more zombies.
These are not the 1970s version of the undead that lumber around at a snail's pace, but the noughties incarnation that run full tilt at you, hoping to snack on your brains. What's not to love?
Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3, Xbox 360)
How could we ignore the game that showed us what next-generation consoles were capable of?
Of course, the morality of a world in which you must commit crimes to get to the top is dubious, to say the least. Still, exploring the meticulously re-created New York City can take almost as much time as exploring the real thing.
The recently released expansion pack set Episodes from Liberty City contains two extra storylines that are almost extra games themselves. In particular, we recommend The Ballad of Gay Tony, and our recent interview with its main writer, Dan Houser .
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (DS, PSP)
The handheld companion to GTA IV is a great game in its own right, with hidden subtleties that can take time to appreciate.
On the DS in particular, the touchscreen adds a new dimension to GTA’s mean streets. Back in March, we caught up with its developers in Leeds.
Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3, Xbox 360)
The Dark Knight, as re-imagined for the recent Christopher Nolan films, gets the game he deserves with this entertaining prison-set rampage through a gallery of grotesque villains. Great fun.
God of War Chains of Olympus (PSP)
The handheld Sony console doesn’t have much in the way of must-have software, but the portable version of the myth-based beat-em-up was so good that you forgot you were playing on a portable device.
Bioshock (PS3, Xbox 360)
The rules of the first-person shooter were rewritten in this atmospheric sub-aquatic adventure, which plays differently each time you switch it on.
The sequel, Bioshock 2, is due in February next year. Need I say that it’s one of the most eagerly awaited games of the year?
Halo ODST (Xbox 360)
A lot like Halo 3, with a little bit of the early Bungie game Marathon smashed in for good measure, says our Halo correspondent, Michael Moran. This is a good thing.
Infamous (PS3)
You are Cole, wrongly identified as the terrorist who destroyed Empire City.
You are mysteriously endowed with incredible agility and resilience, and you can drain electricity from streetlights, machines and car batteries, then release it in violent but controlled bursts. It’s a blast.
Resident Evil 5 (PS3, Xbox 360)
The latest instalment of the zombie-plague saga with a brain is a blast, complete with zombies on motorbikes.
Uncharted 1 and 2 (PS3)
The closest that video games have come to producing a genuine action thriller, the Uncharted games grab you from the outset and don’t let go.
The first game is now available at a bargain price.
Killzone 2 (PS3)
The good guys of the ISA take the fight to the Helghans in this challenging sequel, which is still one of the best shooters on the PS3.
Dead Space (PS3, Xbox 360)
Yet another shooting game, this time on a space station where monsters are rampaging and the only language they understand is a bullet through the head. Atmospheric and very violent.
Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360)
A highly enjoyable combat sequel, with an impressive coop mode and great visuals. One of the best games of 2008.
House of the Dead: Overkill (Wii)
Sometimes you want your horror shooters to contain tactical subtleties and ask the big questions.
Sometimes, all you want is a big gun, lots of zombies to blast, and a knowing sense of humour about all the carnage. This is one of the latter.
Resistance 2 (PS3)
The sequel to one of the PS3's most controversial titles, the game plays out in the same alternative universe where the Second World War was cut short by an alien invasion.
The Chimera are everywhere, and you've got to kill them.
The Orange Box (PS3, Xbox 360)
Stunning value for money package from the develop Valve, which gives you five games in one box.
Our pick of the titles is Team Fortress 2, though older gamers will be happy to revisit Half Life 2.
Prince of Persia (PS3, Xbox 360)
Not as impressive or as enthralling as Assassin's Creed, from the same studio, this is still a well crafted, beautifully designed modern version of a game that is rightly regarded as a classic.
Assassin's Creed 2 (PS3, Xbox 360)
One of the best games of 2009, this sequel to the graphically impressive but flawed first game brings us forward in time to Renaissance Italy, and plunges you right into the heart of a struggle for power.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PS3, Xbox 360)
We were torn between this and Fable 2 for a fantasy adventure, but the tragic experience of one Times reviewer, who spent two sleepless nights playing this before suffering a system crash and the loss of all data, swung it for us.
Soldiers may go into battle better prepared to handle equipment and with a greater knowledge of their surroundings after an intellectual property licensing deal Monday between Microsoft and Lockheed Martin that will deepen the defense giant's access to visual simulation technology. The intellectual property agreement between the two focuses on Microsoft ESP, a games-based visual simulation software platform for the PC
Early last month a visually impaired gamer sued Sony under the Americans with Disabilities Act (and if you think that people with disabilities don't play games, think again). The AbleGamers Foundation has decided to step forward and provide a rating system for games that blends together a number of factors to determine a score with regard to accessibility. Visual, hearing, motion, closed captioning, speed settings, difficulty settings and even colorblindness options are all taken into account when compiling these scores and reviewing these games.
APC Magazine details how Optus, an Australian mobile phone operator, has for months been deliberately blocking access to Android paid apps.
"Optus is the exclusive Australian mobile carrier for the HTC Dream and Samsung Galaxy Android phones, and yet people who signed a long-term contract for these phones have to date been blocked from buying paid Android apps and getting the full Android experience. ... APC found many angry and frustrated comments on the Whirlpool community forums by Optus & Virgin Mobile customers."
The article speculates, reading between the lines of the opaque comments offered by both Optus and Google, that the carrier is "demanding a cut of the sales revenue from Android apps if it is to remove its restriction on accessing them."
EA's DICE has changed the item pricing structure for its free-to-player shooter Battlefield Heroes, reducing the real-money cost of items while making their cost to rent or buy with in-game currency dramatically more expensive.
As Ars Technica explains, all non-cosmetic items in the game, such as improved weapons, were previously available for both BattleFunds (bought with real money) or Valor Points (earned through playtime).
While that's still true, the changes have increased the Valor Point cost of all items and reduced the BattleFund cost of most. Valor Point item rentals have also been shortened from up to a month to just one to three days.
One player, quoted by Ars Technica, calculated that they would have to play 50 matches a day just to afford to keep a powerful weapon using VP. In effect, the choice for players who want to be competitive is now between spending money or submitting to serious grind. Needless to say, it's been a very unpopular move.
The received wisdom in free-to-play gaming is to charge for convenience or cosmetic items, whilst ensuring a level playing-field in terms of game balance between free and paying players. Battlefield Heroes - which boasted two million users in September - has now, in all but technicalities, broken that rule. It will be interesting to see how it fares.
It has a few bug fixes, but the main thing everybody has been waiting for: Sound is now working properly and crystal clear!
The only missing thing is a tearing fix, but apart from that, the emulator is working really well now.
Electronic Arts' CEO John Riccitiello has said that the digital videogame market will overtake the traditional console and packaged goods business next year.
He added that if the publisher's digital business was a stand alone company, it would be seen as the "darling of Wall Street", with the recent Playfish acquisition a clear indication of EA's growth strategy as it strives to become a market leader in the online gaming sector.
"It's new to compete in that sector, so when people think of games they traditionally think of the Xbox, the PlayStation and the Wii, and they forget about all these online services that are out there – subscription, microstransactions, games they find on Facebook or if they go to Pogo," Riccitiello told Reuters.
"If you add all that stuff up, it's almost half of the industry now. It's about 40-45 per cent. Next year it's likely to be a larger share of the total industry and it'll be bigger than the console games all put together.
"A couple of years ago EA embarked on a plan to really build itself up in this new frontier. In the last quarter alone we did $138 million in revenue and if EA's digital business were a stand alone company it would be the darling of Wall Street," added Riccitiello. "It's in a larger company right now, but we're building it very quickly and our goal at Electronic Arts is to have a very profitable packaged goods business, but also to have a digital business of a similar scale over time."
The recent acquisition of Playfish for $300 million will allow Electronic Arts to bring its strongest brands such as FIFA and The Sims to Facebook and other social platforms, he revealed.
"We look for new business models that will help the rest of our business be stronger and allow our intellectual property to do well there," he said. "That's what we got with Playfish, it reaches 60 million people a month. And yet they don't have the same intellectual property that we have in terms of The Sims, FIFA... that can do well on that platform. We look at that combination and see huge synergy."
Any further acquisitions are likely are also likely to be in the digital market, said the CEO, as the company continues its plan to "conquer" new markets.
"From the perspective of Electronic Arts, when we look at M&A we look for three things. We're constantly trying to conquer new territory in particular on the digital side, so when you ask about deals, we're mostly looking at the digital side, we're mostly looking at compatible organisations from a culture perspective and of course you need to agree on price. And those are three hurdles that are often difficult to reach," he admitted.
Nintendo has cut back the numbers of Wii units being produced, which has led companies providing parts for the consoles to predict steep declines in their profits this financial year.
According to a Nikkei report, the profits of Japanese companies Mitsumi Electric and Hosiden Corp are both expected to take a hit in the current financial year following the move by Nintendo.
Mitsumi predicted its net profit will fall 52 per cent and said it had seen orders from Nintendo drop roughly 30 per cent in the April-September period.
Hosiden is expected to suffer a sales drop of between 30-50 per cent for the second half of the financial year.
The Wii lost its place as the best selling console in the US in September for the first time in three years. Its subsequent price drop boosted it back to first place in October, however Nintendo's revised Wii hardware forecast has dropped six million units to 20 million for this financial year.
Electronic Arts has said that it will release around 40 titles in the next financial year, down from the 50-plus released during fiscal 2009.
Last month the company indicated it had cut around a dozen titles from its portfolio as it looked to reduce costs and focus on higher quality products – at the same time it revealed plans to axe 1500 jobs.
Speaking at the Reuters Global Media Summit, CEO John Riccitiello also added that the number of published titles could drop further, stating: "Thirty wouldn't shock me at some point in the future."
Speaking in a video interview, Riccitiello also said he was pleased with the uplift in hardware sales due to the big three console manufacturers dropping the price of their machines, and he expects an even bigger boost in the market once home consoles drop to around USD 149.
"We actually have seen a pretty substantial pick-up in hardware sales in particular for the PlayStation 3. The pick-up is pretty much in-line with what we'd anticipated.
"The lowest price hardware out there is $199. In the history of our industry most hardware sells for $149 or below and so that's still in front of us. So that makes us feel good about the longer term as hardware manufacturers get to that price point we'll see yet again a big pick up in sales."
Wal-Mart has begun cutting the prices of its games in the run up to Christmas, sparking a price war with rival retailers such as Amazon.com.
Until December 24, the store will sell selected new releases at a lower price as an incentive for shoppers. Rock Band: Beatles on Wii is now priced at USD 40 and Left 4 Dead 2 on 360 at USD 50, a price reduction of USD 10 for each.
Stores are also planning a special offer for Wii hardware, reports Reuters, giving customers buying the Nintendo console a USD 50 Walmart gift card when bought in-store between December 5-12.
In response, competitors such as Target and Amazon.com have begun offering price cuts of their own, or matching their rival's prices.
All three console manufacturers reported significant rises in hardware sales over Thanksgiving week in the US. Retailers are now moving to avoid the subsequent drop in consumers that typically occurs immediately afterwards.
Samsung has launched its inaugural Samsung Application Store Developer Challenge, which calls for developers to submit a game or application in order to potentially win a USD 100,000 prize.
The competition is open to UK or Italy based developers that are registered to sell paid apps through Samsung's Seller Office, and runs until December 10.
Games or applications that "buck the trend and deliver a unique experience" are what the judging panel will be looking for. The eight app categories that can be submitted into are Games, Entertainment, Health/Life, E-Book, Productivity, Reference, Social Networking and Utilities.
As well as a USD 100,000 grand prize, there will also be 36 individual cash rewards given to commended applications.
The target handheld device for submissions is the Omnia II and entries must be native to Windows Mobile. Full information and registration details can be found on the Samsung website.
‘A monster’ at Sony was born after Nintendo’s Yamauchi severed ties
Phil Harrison, the former head of Sony Worldwide Studios, has given his account of the falling out between Sony and Nintendo during the SNES-CD negotiations.
Before PlayStation went on to revolutionise the world of electronic entertainment, Sony had tied itself to a deal with Nintendo to jointly work on a CD-ROM add-on for the SNES.
At the time, Harrison joined what was then called Sony Electronic Publishing, and the firm had just started releasing cartridges for the SNES and Sega Mega Drive.
But in a dramatic turnaround that spun two electronic empires into opposition, Nintendo’s ex-president Hiroshi Yamauchi announced at CES – to the surprise of Sony as well as onlookers – that the firm would be partnering with Phillips for its SNES-CD platform.
“[Sony and Nintendo] fell out over the way the royalties were divided up,” Harrison told Develop.
“That was very embarrassing to Sony and it’s not how you do business with companies of that size and stature.
“What it ended up doing was creating a bit of a monster in terms of the passion and drive within Sony, particularly Ken Kutaragi, to prove everyone wrong.”
A year later, Sony asked Harrison to join a new top-secret team known as Project One…
iPhone developers know from last year that they can expect a big Boxing Day boost, as hundreds of thousands of people start browsing for content on their newly-gifted iPhone or iPod touch.
However, they can mark another big day in their calendars: Black Friday. It's traditional for US retailers to offer big discounts on products on Thanksgiving Friday, and last week was no exception.
Now analytics firm Mobclix is saying that the App Store also benefitted, with a 59% traffic boost on the day - and a 43% increase for Thanksgiving week as a whole, compared to the three other weeks in November.
Whether this is due to the way thousands of apps had their prices chopped for the day, or simply because people were sitting about at home with time on their hands, is unclear.
Even so, the sheer number of the former, allied to the upswing in traffic, means Black Friday is set to mean cheap apps in future years as well as cheap products.
Microsoft will be "switching internal focus from Windows 7 to Windows 8 in fiscal year 2010. Microsoft's fiscal year starts in July, which is only eight months away. According to Microsoft's roadmaps, the release of Windows 8 is scheduled for 2012."
Symbian's problem isn't that it lacks capabilities, it's with the user experience: namely the clunky, awkward, and occasionally terrible S60 interface. Enter Maemo, to save the day! And also, apparently, a newer, friendlier Symbian. Nokia wants to get better, please.
The latest of Nokia's reliably rousing Capital Markets Day reports points to two goals, both of which sit decidedly forward from here:
In 2010, we will drive user experience improvements, and the progress we make will take the Symbian user interface to a new level...[Nokia will] deliver our first Maemo 6-powered mobile computer, with an iconic user experience, in the second half of 2010.
Forward in terms of time, obviously, but more importantly in terms of progress: Symbian is getting stale and needs this UI update badly, while Maemo, despite a generally positive reception, is still a little raw, with a slim device selection for at least another year. You can probably assume that Maemo 6 will be more polished and ready for the mainstream, but for now it's just words on paper.
That said, Nokia's self-help regimen will take time. Nokia expects their mobile device volume market share to stay flat for 2010, partly due to their conspicuous absence from the growing US smartphone scene, but mostly, I'm guessing, because even in their European strongholds, Symbian devices are starting to feel plain old.
So yeah, all eyes on Nokia, because things are just about to get exciting! In a year.
Remember that $3M iPhone 3GS heist in Belgium last month? Burglars nabbed 3,000-4,000 handsets. Now, according to blogs uncovered by Cult of Mac, they're being offloaded in Russia (where the 3GS isn't available) in batches of 100—cash only.
A Taiwanese player has has become the first to complete every single one of World of Warcraft's achievements - which is probably as close as anyone can come to "completing" the game.
MMO Champion (via GamePro) reports that the character Little Grey, a Tauren Druid, is the first and only player to have 986 out of 986 achievements listed on his Armory page. (In fact, he's missing one World Event achievement, but a bug has balanced it out with 165/164 PVP achievements.)
Little Grey has 100 mounts and 75 vanity pets; has completed every quest in the game, visited every location, and defeated every dungeon and raid boss; has made over 100,000 valid player kills in PVP and achieved 100 victories in each of the game's Battlegrounds; has achieved Exalted reputation with 40 separate factions, and more.
According to Little Grey's Armory stats, the character has played 2124 Arena battles, taken 1911 flight paths, completed 5906 quests (an average of just under 15 a day) died 8543 times and killed 496,539 players and creatures. Little Grey has also hugged eleven times, waved once, LOL'd once and has never cheered.
Third party peripheral company Logitech is working on a UMD drive add-on for the PSPgo, a source has told CVG.
Neither a price or release date was given, but we were told that the device will plug into the PSPgo, allowing users to play their UMD games on the portable.
"The only problem is that it'll make the PSP a little bulky", said our source.
Logitech's UK office told CVG: "We're not aware of it, so it may be something the US office is working on." We're awaiting a response from it and Sony.
PSPgo is able to store and play games from either its internal memory or a memory stick. The news remains rumour for now, but if true, we imagine a UMD reader would insert into the PSPgo's memory stick port on the left side of the console, as did some hard disk add-ons that were released for the older PSP models.
Developer talk at the Tokyo Game Show in September hinted of a plan by Sony to release another iteration of the handheld, a PSP-4000 that would support Sony's UMD format, for release in 2010.
The lack of a UMD drive is, among other things, a widely criticised aspect of the new PSPgo, rendering built up collections of UMD games useless for its owners, who'll have paid a whooping £225 for the pleasure.
Microsoft's announced the next big feature set to debut on Xbox Live... Avatar pets.
From tomorrow the first shipment of two, four and non-legged companions arrive on Xbox Live Avatar Markketplace, each of which will be available for purchase at 240 Microsoft Points (£2.04).
They include, according to Major Nelson; "Large Dog, Pug Dog, Dog in Bag, Cat, Siamese Cat, Long Haired Cat, Goldfish, Guinea Pig, Monkey, Bird, Snake and yes....a Pony."
Check out the image gallery on this page for a proper look. We're getting ourselves a guinea pig!
So, hypothetical situation. You're perched on the roof of a skyscraper, peering across a lengthy chasm to the adjacent building, where your destination lies. You're suddenly overcome with doubt and uncertainty! If only you had some sort of portable parkour training manual which could show you the proper timing and form for such a jump. Fortunately, your hypothetical needs are being tended to. According to a recent EA press release, the high-flying, first-person adventure, Mirror's Edge, will soon land on iPhones and iPod Touches.
A few screenshots for the title (which is due out in January) show that while it will be in 3D, we'll be operating from a side-scrolling perspective rather than being stuck within Faith's head.
In an increasingly unsurprising turn of events, the Large Hadron Collider suffered a major power failure this morning, knocking the machine and its website out of service. The failure occurred in an 18,000-volt power line in Meyrin, Geneva where the LHC is housed beneath the ground, causing pretty much everything to shut down. The LHC's magnets maintained a temperature of 1.9 degrees above absolute zero (having to re-cool them would have been a pretty sizeable setback), however, and no long-term damage seems to have occurred.
The trouble-prone Large Hadron Collider is expected to resume full operations sometime later today, and is currently operating on limited power from a backup supply. Regardless, the unfortunate event is sure to resurrect that zany Higgs boson time-travelling theory.
Electronic Arts has chosen Afghanistan for the setting of the next in its Medal of Honor franchise, as the company looks to reboot the first-person shooter under the shadow of Activision's Call of Duty.
The location will be a sensitive one for some, with the announcement coming only days after both the UK and the United States pledged more troops for the ongoing war in the region.
"The development team has been working closely with Tier 1 Operators from the US Special Operations Community since the earliest stages of development to create the most authentic modern war experience," said the company.
"We are honoured to have the rare opportunity to work closely with these men to create a game that shares their experience," added Greg Goodrich, executive producer on the project.
Games set in realistic locations and tackling real-world issues have been scrutinised this year, with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's 'No Russian' level gaining almost as much media coverage as its stellar sales.
Earlier this year, publisher Konami dropped Atomic Games' Six Days in Fallujah, which was based on a notorious battle in 2004 and saw the deaths over 2000 people, after receiving complaints from families of those affected by the conflict.
EALA is creating the single player version of the game, with EA's DICE studio handling multiplayer duties. Medal of Honor is due for release in 2010.
"EA has always been an advocate for telling the soldiers’ story,” added Sean Decker, VP of EALA. “The new Medal of Honor follows that tradition. We felt it was important to tell the story of today’s war and today’s elite soldiers via today’s most relevant medium – videogames."
While some players might think it would be fantastic if Nintendo remade older Zelda titles like Nintendo 64 title, Ocarina of Time. Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma doesn't think remakes are so easy.
"Whenever we have to think about the remake," Aonuma told IGN, "we have to also think about the background, especially what kind of situation, what kind of period and time that previous game was played in, because, be it Ocarina of Time or any other games, whenever they say they want to have a remake on whichever platform, they have some emotional attachment from playing that game at that particular time or environment." According to Aonuma, that sort of background is always there. "We cannot afford to destroy that kind of emotional attachment."
Another reason is that whenever Nintendo comes up with new technology, the developers are inspired to put that new tech and new ideas into new Zelda games. For example, in the upcoming Legend of Zelda on the Wii, the game features 1-to-1 controls. Players can swing the Wii Remote, and directly control Link's sword play in-game. "It has become very natural," the producer added. "I mean, the movement of your arms are precisely reflected in the gameplay whereby Link is wielding his sword just as you shake the Wii Motion Plus remote."
What's more, game play for the upcoming Wii Zelda title will be different from the traditional dungeon — field — dungeon structure that has dominated Zelda titles in the past. According to Aonuma, expect an announcement at next year's E3 about these changes.
"So that's the current situation and that's the reason why we are not very aggressive in exploring the possibility of remaking the past Zelda series," the producer added. "If I can think how to do it, or if any inspiration comes to me, without destroying the emotional attachment people have to the past game, and I can make some great innovation or renovation on the remake, then I might be able to think about it further."
Nintendo Characters are holding a party here. Mario arrived with his friends such as Luigi, Princess Peach, and Yoshi. The bad guys such as Wario and Bowser are also here with the small guys. The popular heroes such as Yoshi and Mario are available in different sizes.
Donky Kong and DD Kong are joining in, pile them beneath your Christmas tree with Kirby, King Dedede and Waddle. This time Kirby is not just a small bouncy ball, he is a huge round and fluffed up cushion which you can use as a make shift pillow.
The plushes have arrived take your pick:
Mario
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Bowser Jr. (Small Size) JPN US$ 24.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Cooper Jr (Small Size) JPN US$ 16.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Fire Mario (Small Size) JPN US$ 12.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Ghost (Small Size) JPN US$ 9.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Goomba (Small Size) JPN US$ 9.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Luigi (Small Size) JPN US$ 12.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Mario (Medium Size) JPN US$ 24.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Mario (Small Size) JPN US$ 12.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Noko Noko (Small Size) JPN US$ 9.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Princess Peach (Small Size) JPN US$ 12.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Toad (Small Size) JPN US$ 12.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Waluigi (Small Size) JPN US$ 16.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Wario (Small Size) JPN US$ 16.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Yoshi (Medium Size) JPN US$ 24.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Yoshi (Small Size) JPN US$ 12.90
Donkey Kong
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: DD Kong (Small Size) JPN US$ 16.90
Super Mario Plush Series Plush Doll: Donkey Kong (Small Size) JPN US$ 19.90
Rush through raging rivers, slash though swampy everglades, and blaze through desert dunes as the terrain gets altered with every turn.
Gain on your opponents lap after lap as you force the competition to carve new race lines, but beware, they can do the same to you.
Grapple an assortment of unique off-road beasts such as MX bikes, ATVs, Sport Buggies and Trucks to become the champion of champions.
Every victory brings you closer; every upgrade equips your ride for victory. Fine-tune, tweak and customize each vehicle the way you want it, you are in control.
But victory is never complete, take on friends around the world via the Xbox LIVE® connectivity. Battle on-line to see who reigns supreme within individual events, progressive event series, and Mini-Games.
MX vs ATV: Reflex is available on multi-platforms:
Xbox360™
MX vs ATV: Reflex ASIA US$ 49.90
MX vs ATV: Reflex US US$ 64.90
PlayStation3™
MX vs ATV: Reflex ASIA US$ 49.90
MX vs ATV: Reflex US US$ 64.90
Nintendo DS™ MX vs ATV: Reflex US US$ 34.90
Sony PSP™
MX vs ATV: Reflex ASIA US$ 29.90
MX vs ATV: Reflex US US$ 34.90
Due to the Thanksgiving holidays, the US version shipments are delayed. They will arrive on Friday.
Rogue Warrior is a story-driven shooter that provides team-based tactical combat set in massive, contiguous levels using Unreal 3 streaming technology. Central to the game's single and multiplayer experience is the idea of a freeform battlefield, where players are given the freedom to choose how to complete a given objective, allowing for creativity and surprises, rather than heavily scripted events and tightly contained spaces traditionally used in this genre.
An advanced AI system allows NPCs to react and fight realistically, see and hear others, and respond as a team. Rogue Warrior offers a new take on the multiplayer experience, with 10 gameplay modes and a system whereby maps are created using tiles that are selected by each team. Rogue Warrior's tiling system allows users to experience over 200 maps in both day and nighttime settings. In addition, the campaign features solo and on-the-fly cooperative play for up to four players, where anyone can join or leave an existing campaign game at any time without having to go to menus or save progress.
In Rogue Warrior, you play Dick Marcinko, leader of an elite SEAL unit trapped behind enemy lines in North Korea on a covert mission to assess the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. When war breaks out between North and South Korea, you must try to lead your team back into South Korea while greatly outnumbered and with no support and limited resupply. Your journey will take you through a variety of never-before-seen environments inside of North Korea, including submarine pens, shipbreaker yards, prison camps, and more.
Infinite Way submitted their game entry right on time for the MSXDEV'09 competition. Dr. Pill is a simulation game that takes place in a doctor's office where the player deals with infections, symptoms and pills. The game's ROM and manual can be downloaded from the MSXdev'09 pages.
A late entry into the MSXDev'09 competition from developer Imanok. Stray Cat is a run-'n'-jump platform game with the goal of getting the cat, Flash, to his date with the cutest kitty at downtown. The game's ROM and manual can be downloaded from the MSXdev'09 pages.
etaliot is another space shoot-'em-up entry into the MSXDev9 competition, this time courtesy of Video Hazard (with Madonna MK 2 on lead). This is a MegaROM game follow up to Seleniak with extra attention given to graphics and scrolling techniques. The game's ROM and manual can be downloaded from the MSXdev'09 pages.
In a distant galaxy, far far away... No, it's not a Star Wars game, but rather Menace, a retro style space shoot-'em-up. Developed by TNI, this is their submission to the MSXDev'09 games competition. The game's ROM and manual can be downloaded from the MSXdev'09 pages.
RELEVO Videogames have completed their entry into the MSXDEV'09 competition with British Bob. This is a classic style platform game where the game's character, Bob, has been called in to save the day: recover tea biscuits that have been stolen by a gang of thieves. The game's ROM and manual can be downloaded from the MSXdev'09 pages.
As the deadline for the MSXDev'09 games development competition fast approached, a flurry of game entries were submitted at the last hour. First up is X0rz, a puzzle game developed by Vampier & Hydragon. The game's ROM and manual can be downloaded from the following link.
ow Abductors is developer Paxanga Soft's unannounced entry into the MSXdev'09 games competition. As the title might suggest, this horizontal abduct-'em-up has the player controlling an alien spaceship as it goes around beaming onboard unsuspecting cows. The game's ROM and manual can be downloaded from the MSXdev'09 pages.
This was a quick little project but is somewhat notable for big Zelda fans: A patch was recently finished restoring Zelda: Link’s Awakening (and its DX version) that put the content originally cut by Nintendo’s localization team back into the game. It restores three main parts of the game:
Changes the Necklace back into the Mermaid’s swimsuit top (and changes the dialogue to a closer translation of the Japanese version)
Changes the Hippo sprites in Animal Village
Fixes the ‘Tale Key’ typo
As an extra bonus, a cave taken out of the game received a normal entrance: check around Kanalet Castle and see what’s inside!
Flubba has released a new version of his Sega Master System and Game Gear Emulator for DS:
Yet another small update for S8DS.
*Added support for Coleco Vision.
*Added keyboard support for SC-3000/SG-1000.
*Added support for mode 3 grpahics.
*Added support for red/cyan glasses in SMS 3D games.
*Fixed issues with mode 0,1 & 2 graphics.
*Fixed cutof of long filenames in the browser.
*Fixed timing of VInt.
*Changed colors for the filebrowser.
Tantric has released another new version of his Nes Emulator for Nintendo Wii:
heres the full details:
FCE Ultra GX is a modified port of the FCE Ultra Nintendo Entertainment
system for x86 (Windows/Linux) PC's. With it you can play NES games on your
Wii/GameCube.
-=[ Features ]=-
* Wiimote, Nunchuk, Classic, and Gamecube controller support
* iNES, FDS, VS, UNIF, and NSF ROM support
* 1-4 Player Support
* Zapper support
* Auto Load/Save Game States and RAM
* Custom controller configurations
* SD, USB, DVD (requires DVDx), SMB, Zip, and 7z support
* Custom controller configurations
* 16:9 widescreen support
* Original/filtered/unfiltered video modes
* Turbo Mode - up to 2x the normal speed
* Cheat support (.CHT files and Game Genie)
* IPS/UPS/PPF automatic patching support
* NES Compatibility Based on FCEUX 2.1.2
* Open Source!
Tantric has released another new version of his Snes Emulator for Nintendo Wii:
heres the full details:
Snes9x GX is a Super Nintendo™ / Super Famicom emulator for the Nintendo Wii.
Snes9x GX is a port of Snes9x 1.51 (http://snes9x.ipherswipsite.com). It was
originally ported by SoftDev for the GameCube, and has been worked on by
various authors. Development has since moved to the Wii, and the project is
currently being maintained by Tantric and michniewski.
Snes9x GX is a "homebrew application" which means you will need a way to run
unsigned code on your Nintendo Wii. The best website for getting started with
Wii homebrew is WiiBrew (www.wiibrew.org).
* Based on Snes9x 1.51
* Wiimote, Nunchuk, Classic, and Gamecube controller support
* SNES Superscope, Mouse, Justifier support
* Cheat support
* Auto Load/Save Game Snapshots and SRAM
* Custom controller configurations
* SD, USB, DVD (requires DVDx), SMB, Zip, and 7z support
* Autodetect PAL/NTSC, 16:9 widescreen support
* Original/filtered/unfiltered video modes
* Turbo Mode - up to 2x the normal speed
* Zoom option to zoom in/out
* Open Source!
Sand Traps is an original multiplayer puzzle/platform game for Wii homebrew.
The objective of the game is to tilt the board using your Wiimote, in order to guide the sand towards the green exit. In each level you need to save a certain percentage of the sand. If the sand 'falls out' of the board it is lost. If the sand touches the red stone it is also lost.
In some levels you can add new stone, and in some levels you can also remove it again so you can reuse it elsewhere.
Version 2.2 (2009-12-02)
Background music by Peter de Man added
Robert Morley allias Azenris proposed version 1.3 "Red Temple". The idea of the game is to collect cherries / melons and advance in levels, but for this you must solve riddles ..
Quote:
There is not really much difference, mostly code changes, few bug fixes ..
New update for the popular DS homebrew "Moonshell", Now in version 2.08. To recall" Moonshell "media player is necessary for the DS, developed by the team Moonlight.
BlazerRazor has posted this info of a new release of his app:
Hello all,
0.3 open beta scheduled for release on December 4th
This release will be a beta release and will serve as a test release for feedback and minor bugfixes. I hope you will test it and help me correcting stuff smile.gif
For other developers a devkit will also be released. This will give others the opportunity to implement their own backend and possibly more backends for other systems (OSX and Linux).
boby2pc released a new version of FindSecData, a tool to help you uncripple the HDD features on a banned Xbox 360 console.
FindSecData will extract secdata.bin and filetable of NAND dump. It uses patch-latest secdata.bin method (not delete method).
What's new/fixed (since v0.4):
* added bypassing FF version records in filesystem (v0.41)
* more accurate timestamp - used for visual purposes only (v0.41)
* added parameter to show time part of timestamp in filetables (v0.42)
* added support for large blocks (v0.5)
* block rellocation support (v0.6)
* now for 256MB and 512MB Jaspers is only needed dump of 0x600 blocks:
nandpro lpt: -r256 raw.bin AE0 600
or nandpro lpt: -r512 raw.bin AE0 600
so only about 1h dumping (v0.6)
* protection to use large block controller with small 24MB dump (v0.61)
A new version of XBReboot has been released already with a new patch (PIRS support) and fixed XeLL.
XBReboot is an image you can flash on your onboard NAND that will allow you to 'reboot' a JTAG-exploitable 360 in a patched 8955 kernel which makes homebrew XDK possible (unsigned XEXs etc).
The released image is just for Xenon motherboards, but the readme states it could easily be made for other 16mb-nand motherboards, so I guess we'll see support for those soon.
It comes with a readme this time, so we now get some official details:
MODFREAKz released a new version of 360 Flash Dump Tool(info):
[quote]
Since Robinsod released the source of "360 Flash Dump Tool" and stopped developing a few people decided to continue develop this great app.
This tool will allow you to decrypt/encrypt and extract various parts of a XBOX360 flash dump and much more!!
Note: Jasper dumps are not supported in this version, largeblock is being worked on.
What's new/fixed:
- Bugfix, regarding to CD decryption. If you have a 1920+ CD version it doesn't decrypt CD properly. (by arnezami)
- Bugfix, if a CPU key starts with 00 then the program crashed. (by arnezami)
- Added, separate extract option for all important stuff (Security Data, Extended Key Vault, Console Revocation List, AP25 Challenge Database, Config Blocks)
- Added, console ID generation method (source from xorloser)
- Added, detection and correction of 1 wrong byte in the CPU-Key (by MODFREAKz)
- Added, XValue decryption (by Redline99)
- Added, support when raw extracting a file that it sets the Date/Time stamps as per original in Nand
- Fixed, decryption for "Console Revocation List" (Thanks to xorloser and Redline99)
- Fixed, "Kernels not extracted (CPU Key required, CD Ver == 1920)"
- Changed, full KV.bin extract and patch
- Added new OSIG types and unspoof possibility
- Added/Changed new regions
- 1BL, XEX1 and XEX2 are set as standard
- Improved exception handling
- Added Drag and Drop
- Changed Icon
- Code cleanup
- Fixed a lot of other small bugs
XBReboot v0.05 has now also been released for Zephyr, Falcon and Jasper-16mb motherboards.
*Update* They are all available with the latest 8955_1 patch revision now, so each 16mb motherboard can now run XBR v0.05 8955_1! Only support for Jasper 256/512mb motherboards is still missing now.
Don't forget to inject your own KeyVault and Config before flashing
Wagic v0.9.2
Wololo released an update for his Wagic homebrew a couple weeks ago. Wagic is a card game similar to Magic: The Gathering. You have the ability to create your own decks, earn money to buy cards, and play against many ai decks. The official release can be found here: LINK
Graphical Mod:
Now for even more good news. We now have the graphical mod to accompany the game that makes the game look and feel much more like MTG. Added are card images and a completely rethemed game.
You can see some screens below of the mod in action:
The link to the post with all the info about the mod is found here as well as the links for download: HERE
Remember the Wii no Ma channel? Nintendo updated it with a streaming video service in the Theater Room and soon it’s going to have a Music Room too.
J-pop artist Becky spilled the beans on her blog where she mentions her music will be on the Wii starting December 5. To access her content users need to click on the ad service houseplant, then navigate to “various rooms” and “music room.”
Wait a second, “various rooms”? Nintendo trademarked a slew of rooms like Manga Room, Local Room, Book Room, and Music Room which we discovered last month. Looks like Nintendo has bigger plans for their Wii no Ma channel.
Tantric has released another new version of his gba Emulator for Nintendo Wii:
heres the full details:
Visual Boy Advance GX is a modified port of VBA-M.
With it you can play GBA/Game Boy Color/Game Boy games on your Wii/GameCube.
-=[ Features ]=-
* Wiimote, Nunchuk, Classic, Gamecube controller, Keyboard and Mouse support
* Rotation sensors, Solar sensors, and Rumble support
* Optional special Wii controls built-in for some games
* SRAM and State saving
* IPS/UPS/PPF patch support
* Custom controller configurations
* SD, USB, DVD, SMB, Zip, and 7z support
* Compatiblity based on VBA-M r847
* MEM2 ROM Storage for fast access
* Auto frame skip for those core heavy games
* Turbo speed, video zooming, widescreen, and unfiltered video options
This is a beta release, please use cautiously and make sure you have a back-up of your savegame file. It has not been completely tested through different cycles of the DLC distribution period. And by using this application, your savegame file could become corrupted or you could find problems when playing online. Only using it if you are comfortable with taking responsibilities to all those issues.
This application has been only tested for US version, and has not been tested for the other two regional versions (Europe/Australia: Animal Crossing Let's Go to the City; Japan: Machi e Ikouyo Doubutsu no Mori).
Summary
DiiLC is a simple application to download and insert the DLC (downloadable content) or HDLC (hacked downloadable content) into Animal Crossing City Folk savegame file (use Waninkoko's savegame extractor for extracting savegame file). This application searches the DLC and HDLC files from the distributing servers. It could download and insert three DLCs (for US, EU, and JP regions) and one HDLC that are available at the time when the application is running.
Just for you all to know. Open PS2-Loader (Project) 0.5 has been released (the project was previously known as "Open USB-Loader Project"). It is the first released 100% OpenSource-Gameloader for the PS2 (that also means, it doesn´t use the 2 USBA-Modules anymore, which were used in earlier versions). It currently supports USB-Loading and a unique thing to this loader, loading of games from SMB/Windows-Shares/LAN for games installed in the USBA-Format.
Nintendo’s Wii has become the fastest-selling home console in the history of the UK, surpassing six million sales after just three years on the market.
According to GfK-ChartTrack upweighted data, the console hit the milestone in week 48 this year – exactly two years and 51 weeks after it went on sale.
The console was given a boost by the launch of the black Wii in mid-November.
“Wii launched in December, 2006 and sold 185,000 in just a few weeks,” explained GfK-ChartTrack director Dorian Bloch.
“In calendar year 2007, it sold 1.81 million – but really took off in 2008, with 2.73 million sold. So far in 2009, it’s hit 1.31 million – but it’s got a few weeks to build on that before Christmas.”
The Wii still has some way to go to catch the UK’s best-selling console of all time, which at last count was Sony’s PS2. The system has sold through a whopping 10 million units to date.
The SingStar series has now sold over 20 million units, Sony has announced, five and a half years after the London Studio's singing game first launched on PlayStation 2.
Sony's landmark sales figure coincides with the release of a new update for the game, which adds a number of features and fixes issues such as missing songs caused by its previous update.
Features added include assorted top 10s on the SingStore - such as most downloaded tracks, and top festive tunes - and the ability to view purchasable SingStore songs directly from the song selection screen.
A child-friendly cartoon version of the end-of-song feedback and rating screen has also been introduced.
Sony has updated the SingStar series on a regular basis since 2004 with instalments spanning pop, R&B, the '80s and ABBA hits.
Earlier this year, Sony confirmed 16 million units had been sold across PAL regions alone.
Localisation within Europe has been crucial in hitting those numbers, it said, with the game available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Croatian and Russian.
Discussing emerging markets for Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two, CEO Ben Feder has said that social networks will bring a true mass market audience to the videogame business.
His comments come after the company revealed plans to launch a new Civilisation game on Facebook, to launch in 2010, and as rival publisher Electronic Arts accelerated its growth in the area with the recent acquisition of social games company Playfish.
"Social network games is an area that promises to deliver a true mass audience to the videogame world and we're bringing Civilisation Network to Facebook next year," Feder told the audience at the FBR Capital Markets conference in New York.
He also pointed to online play in Asia as another growth area for the company, with the publisher expecting NBA 2K Online to succeed in China and surrounding regions when released next year.
"Asia is a burgeoning area for us, it's a growth area. Online games are especially important to that region and especially important to Take-Two, and we're specifically proud to be partnering with Tencent [Holdings], which is one of China's top online game operators, to bring our NBA franchise to Asia," he said.
Feder acknowledged that the past year has been "challenging" for Take-Two and the industry as a whole, but he expects the company to perform well in 2010 with four sequels due for release – BioShock 2, Red Dead Redemption, Max Payne 3 and Mafia 2.
Traveller’s Tales’ Jon Burton foresees the end of physical media for games
Sony’s handheld ‘for the digital lifestyle’ will die out if its downloadable software keeps to UMD prices, according to Traveller’s Tales director Jon Burton.
“I’m betting on Sony making PSPgo games much cheaper than the UMD versions, or the PSPgo will die,” he said.
Burton’s comments came from this week’s Develop Jury Service – a new feature that puts a pressing question to a group of developers and industry execs.
Burton held the majority view that digital content will eventually eclipse physical, but said the change would happen quicker if downloadable games offered better value than their disc-based counterparts.
“I own a PSPgo but don’t want to buy LittleBigPlanet, for instance, as I can get it 20 per cent cheaper on UMD from Amazon and could resell it once I’m finished with it. But if I download it, I get no discount, and no chance to resell – how annoying is that?”
He went on to describe what he saw as a “stalemate” between platform holders and retail businesses.
“At the moment the [UMD and PSPgo] prices are kept at parity as the platform holders need physical stores to sell their consoles and PCs, so don’t want to undercut them.
“But once they realise they can use outlets such as supermarkets for bulk distribution of consoles, then they can slash the prices for downloaded content and that will signal the beginning of the end.
"At the moment it’s kind of a stalemate as both sides think they need each other and no-one wants to blink – I’m betting on Sony making the first move by making PSPgo games much cheaper than the UMD versions, or the PSPgo will die."
Majority of developers foresee a digital-only era, but few agree on when that will come
A cocktail of strong debate and sparkling wit was the outcome of sister site Develop’s first ever Jury Service feature, which resulted in a near-unanimous verdict that physical content is now on borrowed time.
“If you look at the model adopted by the music industry, it is getting rarer and rarer that you would physically buy an album,” said Traveller’s Tales director Job Burton.
FinBLade's John Chasey added: "There is a vicious circle occurring where retail is seeing a growing percentage of sales are in the second hand market since the margins are greater, which reduces revenue for publishers and developers.
"They will therefore migrate towards online as a method of increasing their margins."
Security company that identified Microsoft as the cause apologises
Malware has been identified as the root cause of the Windows issue, dubbed the 'black screen of death'.
Initially, the cause was identified as a Microsoft patch by Prevx – the UK security firm that first identified the issue and created a fix. However, after working closely with Microsoft to find out the source of the problem, malware has been identified as the cause.
According to Prevx: “The issue appears to be related to a characteristic of the Windows Registry related to the storage of string data. In parsing the Shell value in the registry, Windows requires a null terminated "REG_SZ" string. However, if malware or indeed any other program modifies the shell entry to not include null terminating characters, the shell will no longer load properly, resulting in the infamous Black Screen.”
The security vendor has since issued an apology to Microsoft for any inconvenience that its announcement may have caused and in a blog entry wrote: “The emergence of this issue coincided with the recent set of Windows updates, therefore our investigations were focused on identifying if any of these could have been the cause of the problem.
“Regrettably, it is clear that our original blog post has been taken out of context and may have caused an inconvenience for Microsoft. This was never our intention and we have already apologised to Microsoft. Microsoft is a valued partner and our fix was developed to ensure its customers were able to quickly resolve the Black Screen issue without having to reinstall Windows as some users indicated.”
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the inspiration behind EA’s decision to set the next Medal of Honor title in the modern day – and boss John Riccitiello has now openly spoke about his desire to topple Activision’s Call of Duty from atop of the FPS hierarchy.
“I'm not saying it's going to happen tomorrow,” Riccitiello told Kotaku. “But in the way that Activision sort of alternates sequels of Modern Warfare and Call of Duty and owns the leadership position in FPS between Medal of Honor and Battlefield – I want it back.
“And we're going to get there with innovation and quality.”
That’s not to say, of course, that Ricciello thinks Modern Warfare 2 is a bad game. Far from it.
“I think the Infinity Ward guys are great,” he admitted. “It's not about them being bad for us having to be great too. I'm a fan of a lot of our competitors' products. But if you've played Modern Warfare, and you've played the first one — and you've played the last Call of Duty — it's sort of starting to feel like they're making the same game again.
Riccitiello was also keen to stress the belief he has in the publisher’s upcoming Battlefield: Bad Company 2.
“The first Bad Company did very well in its first outing,” he added. “The next one is a heck of a lot better and it looks like a worthy competitor to Modern Warfare. We think we've got an advantage over Modern Warfare 2 with our multiplayer. The guys at DICE do that really, really well.
“Frankly, once you get past, sort of, four people on a map, I think our gameplay is better.”
Last night, we wrote a story about a letter sent by Emblaze to Apple, claiming that an iPhone live streaming app was infringing one of its media streaming patents.
We wondered why Apple received the letter, which was offering to license the technology, when the cause was an application released by a third-party developer for iPhone.
However, a spokesperson for Emblaze subsidiary Else Mobile has confirmed the comment made by a John Green on our original story - that it's the API being used by the Knocking Live Video app that's the focus.
"The commenter is correct: the Live Streaming API is part of the Apple operating system (iPhone OS) - it is embedded within the OS without any need to write any application code," the spokesperson tells ME.
"Knocking is simply another application that happens to use these capabilities. We sent Apple a notice letter informing them of the infringement and offering them to license our technology."
We'll have to wait and see what Apple's response is. The company is facing a separate patent infringement lawsuit from Nokia relating to some of the other technology inside the iPhone.
However, it should be noted that at this point, Emblaze is not actually suing Apple.
Entanet says publishers are "fighting a losing battle" in charging for online content
Publishers such as News Corp should embrace the internet, rather than blocking users' access to free news stories, internet service provider Entanet has said.
Google said this week that it will allow publishers to limit the number of stories users can access free via the search engine, after some companies threatened to remove their content from the search engine and move to rival Bing.
“Murdoch and News Corp are fighting a losing battle,” Entanet said in a statement. “If they are unable to access stories from one publication, web users will simply find the story elsewhere.”
In an article for the company’s opinion site, Entanet’s head of marketing Darren Farnden wrote: “Personally I think News Corp is shooting itself in the foot. I understand it favouring quality over quantity and its protectiveness over content. However, to presume readers will be loyally prepared to pay a subscription to read its stories, despite the fact that the same stories will be available elsewhere for free, is flawed.”
“This argument comes down to a traditional industry struggling to understand the true benefits the internet can bring if it is prepared to change its traditional distribution models. Instead of blocking Google, why not embrace the additional traffic it delivers and take full advantage of the advertising opportunities it provides?” he added.
News Corp already limits web access to the Wall Street Journal to paying subscribers, with similar plans in the pipeline for The Times and Sunday Times.
Konami’s PSP-only Metal Gear Solid title arriving in the UK on May 28th
Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker will be released on the PSP in the UK on May 28th next year, publisher Konami has confirmed.
Described as “the next true chapter in the story of the legendary Special Ops expert Snake”, the game is a sequel to PS2 classic Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Unlike titles such as Metal Gear Acid, Peace Walker is very much a ‘proper’ stealth instalment in the series.
“Metal Gear Solid fans should prepare themselves for the next chapter of Snake’s story,” series creator Hideo Kojima stated.
“Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker will answer many of the series’ unanswered questions and showcase a different, more collaborative side to tactical espionage.”
Precision pointed out that a Taiwanese man has been named the first ever person to successfully beat World of Warcraft, getting all 986 achievements, completing 5906 quests and /hugging 11 players. Insert joke here. There are many.
Controlling computers with our minds may sound like science fiction, but one Australian company claims to be able to let you do just that. The Emotiv device has been garnering attention at trade shows and conferences for several years, and now the company says it is set to launch the Emotiv EPOC headset on December 21. PC Authority spoke to co-founder Nam Do about the Emotiv technology and its potential as a mainstream gaming interface."
One wonders what kind of adoption they expect with a $299 price tag.
The PC demo for Codemasters' upcoming DirectX 11 racing title, Dirt 2, has just hit the web and is available for download. Dirt 2 is a highly-anticipated racing sim that also happens to feature leading-edge graphic effects. In addition to a DirectX 9 code path, Dirt 2 also utilizes a number of DirectX 11 features, like hardware-tessellated dynamic water, an animated crowd and dynamic cloth effects, in addition to DirectCompute 11-accelerated high-definition ambient occlusion (HADO), full floating-point high dynamic range (HDR) lighting, and full-screen resolution post processing. Performance-wise, DX11 didn't take its toll as much as you'd expect this early on in its adoption cycle."
Bit-tech also took a look at the graphical differences, arriving at this conclusion: "You'd need a seriously keen eye and brown paper envelope full of cash from one of the creators of Dirt 2 to notice any real difference between textures in the two versions of DirectX.
iPhone is still seen by many people (and a lot of IT departments) as predominantly a consumer phone.
However, Vodafone UK looks set to tout the iPhone 3GS as a business handset when it starts selling the device early next year.
In an email sent to its business customers titled 'Introducing iPhone 3GS for business', the operator promises that "with highly secure corporate email, calendar, contacts and thousands of business apps, iPhone 3GS is ready to go to work".
The email goes on to highlight the device's email, calendar and contacts features, as well as the way its Safari browser can securely access corporate intranet sites.
Vodafone also stresses the quality of its network, including for voice calls.
Touting the iPhone 3GS as a business handset isn't a new idea - O2 offers the device on business tariffs already - but it shows Vodafone is planning to look beyond pure consumers when it starts selling the device next year.
Linus Torvalds has officially released the version 2.6.32 of the Linux kernel. New features include virtualization memory de-duplication, a rewrite of the writeback code faster and more scalable, many important Btrfs improvements and speedups, ATI R600/R700 3D and KMS support and other graphic improvements, a CFQ low latency mode, tracing improvements including a 'perf timechart' tool that tries to be a better bootchart, soft limits in the memory controller, support for the S+Core architecture, support for Intel Moorestown and its new firmware interface, run-time power management support, and many other improvements and new drivers. See the full changelog for more details.
A patent issued in 2003 called 'Method and system for demultiplexing a first sequence of packet components to identify specific components wherein subsequent components are processed without re-identifying components' is now owned by Implicit Networks, who has recently claimed Windows 7 infringes upon it with its Filtering Platform. This is used in Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008. Implicit is seeking a jury trial and damages. A shocking turn of events; you actually want to cheer for Microsoft this time as Implicit is nothing more than a patent licensing company (troll) and has done battle with Sun, AMD, Intel and NVIDIA.
Intel unveiled a completely new processor design today the company is dubbing the 'Single-chip Cloud Computer' (but was previously codenamed Bangalore). Justin Rattner, the company's CTO, discussed the new product at a press event in Santa Clara and revealed some interesting information about the goals and design of the new CPU. While terascale processing has been discussed for some time, this new CPU is the first to integrate full IA x86 cores rather than simple floating point units. The 48 cores are set 2 to a 'tile' and each tile communicates with others via a 2D mesh network capable of 256 GB/s rather than a large cache structure.
I was about to make a derogatory comment regarding the psyche of one who'd desire a bloody hand 360 faceplate, but then I realized, I'm the one promoting it. $18 at Etsy or a pretty simple DIY
15 years ago today in Japan, the original PlayStation went on sale. It wasn't until a year later that it hit US and European shelves, with Ridge Racer satisfying gamers years before GTA was ever a twinkle in Rockstar's eye.
Helping Sega pioneer disc-based gaming, the original PlayStation went on to sell over 100 million consoles until it was discontinued in 2006. Check out the official birthday site for PlayStation here for a trip down memory lane—when PlayStations were much smaller and lighter than they are today, and didn't need to install patches every 20 minutes
Back at E3 in June, we had a chance to check out the singular Peregrine glove -- a wired elastic affair which allows you to configure 40 different combinations for gaming. When got tried one on, we found that fast-paced games might not be the Peregrine's forte, but something like World of Warcraft could be a perfect pairing. The Peregrine, which runs $129, is available for pre-order now, which means that just about any day now we should start seeing these puppies in the wild. We can only hope!
Sony's announced that the GT Academy competition will begin this year on 17th December.
That may be unremarkable, but on the same day a special demo of Gran Turismo 5 will be released.
That sampler of Polyphony's game offers up a Time Trial platform to qualify for the Academy. Race a Nissan 370Z as fast as you can around a new GT5 circuit before 24th January 2010 to take part.
Head over to the European PlayStation blog for pictures and videos.
Gran Turismo 5 was once penned for release this year but is now expected in March 2010, although no specific date has been announced by Sony Europe.
Xbox Live's Stephen Toulouse has mentioned that anyone caught exploiting Modern Warfare 2's Javelin glitch in multiplayer will get suspended from Live.
"While IW works on getting the MW2 glitch fixed, people we catch using it will receive suspensions from Live. Play fair everyone," he told the Twittersphere (thanks Kotaku).
"For those asking, cheating suspensions are usually 24 hours for first offence," he added later. "But egregious cheating can be 2 weeks!... Using any bug or glitch to gain advantage in a game is expressly against our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct."
The Javelin glitch involves equipping a rocket launcher a certain way and sprinting, which effectively turns the user into a suicide bomber. As soon as you're killed, you'll explode, taking out everyone in the vicinity. It works on the PS3 and 360 too.
Microsoft is unleashing pets on the Xbox Live Avatar Marketplace today.
They'll cost 240 MSP (£2/€2.80) each and the first batch will consist of a Large Dog, Pug Dog, Dog in Bag, Cat, Siamese Cat, Long Haired Cat, Goldfish, Guinea Pig, Monkey, Bird, Snake and Pony.
Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb offered pictures of the living accessories on his blog.
As with other items on the Avatar Marketplace, some companies will offer exclusive goods. Square Enix, for example, is dishing out Chocobo pets to its Twitter followers.
Sony has told CVG it's not banning players who utilise the so-called Javelin glitch to cheat in online multiplayer games of Modern Warfare 2.
Xbox players exploiting a recently discovered Javelin glitch will be suspended from Xbox Live, said online boss Stephen Toulouse, as reported earlier this morning.
"Using a glitch in a game to get an advantage is explicitly called out in the ToU. It's not like people are doing it by accident," he reasoned.
A Sony rep, however, told CVG today: "I don't believe we are banning people for using the glitch." So expect exploding corpses to be more prominent on Sony's platform, then. And no, we're not telling you how to do it because cheating's dirty (Google will do that for you).
Better hurry though as IW are already working on a patch to address this issue on PS3. Thanks for the spot eagle-eyed CVG reader allygray69.
Microsoft has announced that on December 15th, Games on Demand comes to Games for Windows Live, which is a very fancy way of saying it's going to start digitally distributing PC games.
Microsoft announced this week that, for a limited time, Canadian gamers will be able to grab a special bundle that includes a console and both of Bungie's Halo games for the 360.
Every year Sony Computer Entertainment Japan recognizes the biggest selling domestic titles on the PlayStation platform with the PlayStation Awards.
The ¥500,000 (US$5,700) "Gold Prize" is given to titles that ship between 500,00 and 1 million units. This year's winners are Yakuza 3 and Resident Evil 5 on the PS3 and DISSIDIA Final Fantasy on the PSP.
The ¥1,000,000 ($11,400) "Platinum Prize" is given to titles that ship between 1 and 2 million units. This year's winner is Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G PSP the Best.
A special prize was also given to the top five downloaded games on the PS3 PlayStation Network. Those titles are GOMIBAKO, Minna de Spelunker, Katsuragi Misato Houdou Keikaku, Bomberman Ultra and Battlefield 1943.
Every year Sony Computer Entertainment Japan recognizes the biggest selling domestic titles on the PlayStation platform with the PlayStation Awards.
The ¥500,000 (US$5,700) "Gold Prize" is given to titles that ship between 500,00 and 1 million units. This year's winners are Yakuza 3 and Resident Evil 5 on the PS3 and DISSIDIA Final Fantasy on the PSP.
The ¥1,000,000 ($11,400) "Platinum Prize" is given to titles that ship between 1 and 2 million units. This year's winner is Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G PSP the Best.
A special prize was also given to the top five downloaded games on the PS3 PlayStation Network. Those titles are GOMIBAKO, Minna de Spelunker, Katsuragi Misato Houdou Keikaku, Bomberman Ultra and Battlefield 1943.
Since the launch of the PSP Minis digital platform alongside the PSP Go back in October, Sony has showed little more than a passing interest in promoting its bite-sized game service. After playing a decent chunk of games at launch and then barely hearing a whisper since, we've been wondering when the company would show more support for Minis. If what we're hearing from a handful of reliable sources is true, however, the PSP Minis will finally get some attention in the near future as they become playable on the PlayStation 3.
It'll happen "before Christmas," says one source (confirmed as "this month" by others independently), allegedly with the entire selection of Minis (and presumably upcoming releases) to be playable on PlayStation 3 consoles -- with a resolution bump to boot. As for Sony: "We don't comment on rumor or speculation.", so we'll have to leave it in the rumor department for now.
Since the launch of the PSP Minis digital platform alongside the PSP Go back in October, Sony has showed little more than a passing interest in promoting its bite-sized game service. After playing a decent chunk of games at launch and then barely hearing a whisper since, we've been wondering when the company would show more support for Minis. If what we're hearing from a handful of reliable sources is true, however, the PSP Minis will finally get some attention in the near future as they become playable on the PlayStation 3.
It'll happen "before Christmas," says one source (confirmed as "this month" by others independently), allegedly with the entire selection of Minis (and presumably upcoming releases) to be playable on PlayStation 3 consoles -- with a resolution bump to boot. As for Sony: "We don't comment on rumor or speculation.", so we'll have to leave it in the rumor department for now.
We initially dismissed the Friiboard, a Balance Board attachment created by the husband-and-wife team at Swiit Game Gear, as another inconsequential plastic Wii add-on, or worse, a Roll & Rocker for the Wii. The device adds a convex surface to the bottom of the Balance Board, adding real movement to the board, with the goal of enhancing the realism of snowboarding and skateboarding activities.
But upon viewing the (very homemade) video, we think it actually looks like it could be fun. It gives the Balance Board a little wobble, but not so much wobble that it will destroy your body, loved ones and home like the Tony Hawk Ride board. One thing the device shares with Ride: it costs a lot. At $44.99, its price makes it a shaky proposition
Two guards at a Washington, DC jail were arrested on federal bribery charges for suspicion of accepting cash to smuggle contraband to inmates: specifically iPods, cell phones and chargers. The devices are prohibited, in part, because they can be used to hack security equipment in the jail.
According to a story in the Washington Post, an inmate went to the FBI in October 2008 to report that guards were taking bribes to smuggle personal electronics into the US capital city's jail. An FBI agent posed as the brother of an inmate, and met with Braxton and Ford. Over the last two years, the agent gave the guards several hundred dollars to smuggle a phone, an iPod and a charger to inmates at the jail.
Retrogaming Times Monthly has released its 67th issue with a Christmas 2009 edition. The monthly HTML zine covers computer and console videogaming with articles, reviews and more. Issue 67 highlights:
High Score Monthly! Profile
Christmas Memories From The Golden Era
1982: The Best Christmas Ever
Fooling The Stores: A 1984 Guide To Videogame Return Policies
Apple II Incider - My Apple II Wishlist
Pitfall!: A Homebrewer's Journey
Looking Forward Into The Past
Please Save Christmas Santa!
Dual Perspective - Super Mario Brothers
All Eyes On Mega Man III
Modern Retro - Tekken 3
Old Wine in New Bottles: Taito Legends 1 & 2
A Pixilated 21st Century!
Video Game Tattler
Weblink: http://www.retrogamingtimes.com/
This is major news for the Homebrew Community and a real slap for Nintendo, Divineo has won a ruling in the Courts in Paris and the upside is that Flash Carts arent deemed illegal and it gives Homebrew a massive boost, heres the press release from assentek via nintendomax
Nintendo dismissed the case of linkers
This December 3 to 13h, the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Paris has been made the ruling in the case between Nintendo Assentek.com to France and other defendants.
The subject of the complaint of Nintendo France, in summary, is to declare the infringing devices such linker (trademark / copyright / protection code). Actions by Nintendo, except for registered letters to the majority of resellers in France, have been seized counterfeits, from December 2007 to June 2008. Nintendo France claiming mimicking the linkers and want to stop marketing immediately.
Since the beginning of these actions the company has conducted Assentek also shares in return, citing interoperability DS consoles, right to the backup copy and use third party applications (homebrew, free and legal) and extending the capabilities of the DS in mp3 player, divx etc. ...
These arguments did not resonate on the side of Nintendo France have fortunately had the ear of the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Paris who gave verdict that day.
Nintendo France has been rejected all his arguments and can not prohibit the sale of linkers in France.
However this is probably a first episode ending (good) in the general confrontation between France and Nintendo players in the world of game consoles and Assentek in particular.
Therefore, please keep in touch with us to stay informed of further developments and your support if your heart tells you to our action. The number by force, we invite you all to join us on facebook so that joint action can emerge from this network of users / gamers that you are and what we are.
Students from the Gotland University Suede were made in 2007, "Drinks DS". A bartender simulation they had submitted to the competition 2008 IGF MobileAt the time we had failed to get their hands on the binary than done because we offer the only existing demo. Cheers, have a cocktail!
Master sonic offers "PlaybootDs"A utility almost useless and therefore indispensable. PlaybootDs can launch your homebrew with an intro from another console, 6 in total (Game Cube, Game Boy Advance, Play Station, Play Station 2, Xbox, and Genesis).
For this fact you should copy the 2 binary PlaybootDs.nds and PlaybootDsConfig (eng). Kts or PlaybootDsConfig (sp). Kts then PlaybootDs directory / to the root of your linker. Start PlaybootDsConfig to choose which will play the intro to launch your homebrew, your console will turn off and a config file will be created in the directory PlaybootDs /. Put your homebrew rom.nds renamed in the same directory and run the binary PlaybootDs.nds.
fooshi offers version 1.0 of its shoot Em Up for the DS "Xplosive Fight".
Quote:
Version 1.0:
- Added a menu with various functions:
* New game
* Load game
* Orders
* Credits
* Highscores
- Added 3 lives for the player
- Management Game over who do return to menu
- Possibility to leave the game paused
- Added 5 enemies
- Optimization
New revision available, 1265, for Jpcsp the PSP emulator for PC developed in Java. This update also fixes some bugs in builds earlier and thus improves the overall stability of the program. For proper use of Jpcsp, which allows you to run some homebrew like those included in the archive, you need to install Java on your PC.
More to follow.
Changelog:
Quote:
Rev1265: Implemented signal handling in GE commands: SIGNAL command, sceGeContinue. This might reveal graphics in some games (eg when displaying "END without FINISH"
or "Unsupported sceGeContinue"). Avoid displaying "Unknown / unimplemented video command [0xFF
Research organisation The NPD Group has released results of its latest survey, entitled Kinds and Gaming 2009, revealing that 82 per cent of 2-17 year olds in the US classify themselves as gamers.
However, in the older age range, particularly among females, the results indicate a reduction in the amount of time spent playing games compared to last year.
The numbers point to around 55.7 million kid gamers in the US in total, of which 9.7 million are between the ages of two and five - the smallest segment - while 12.4 million are between nine and eleven - the largest segment.
The 12-14 age range is the group spending the most amount of time per week on games at 10.6 hours, while across all the age groups kids have access to 2.5 platforms each on average.
"The decline in teen usage of videogames is likely due to diversifying, maturing interests, which translates into stiffer competition for their mind and wallet share," said Anita Frazier, industry analyst at The NPD Group. "In addition to competition from other areas of the entertainment space, more school work, activities, and parent-imposed time limits on gaming are factors which the data suggests may be contributing to this dip in older teen engagement."
The survey, which interviewed over 5000 members of the company's consumer panel, also found that over half of the respondents played online, with the 9-14 male demographic contributing the most.
There has been no substantial change in the number of adult brain tumours since mobile phone usage sharply increased in the mid-1990s, Danish scientists say.
The Danish Cancer Society looked at the rates of brain tumours among 20 to 79 year olds from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
They found that trends in cancer rates had not altered from the period before mobiles were introduced.
But they say longer follow-up studies are needed.
The research, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, says radio frequency electromagnetic fields emitted from mobile phones have been proposed as a risk factor for brain tumours, but a biological mechanism that could explain the potential effects has not been identified.
Cancer incidence
The study was based on 59,684 brain tumour cases diagnosed over 30 years from 1974 to 2003 among 16 million adults.
Brain tumours often take a very long time to develop so we will need to look for any future changes in incidence rates to see if mobile phones could pose any longer-term risks
Dr Alison Ross, Cancer Research UK
During this time, the incidence rate of cancers known as gliomas increased gradually by 0.5% per year among men and by 0.2% per year among women.
For cancers known as meningioma, the incidence rate increased by 0.8% among men and, after the early 1990's, by 3.8% among women.
This more rapid change for women was driven, the researchers say, by the 60-79 year age group.
Isabelle Deltour, of the Danish Cancer Society in Copenhagen who led the study said the lack of a detectable increase in tumour rates up to 2003 may suggest that the time it takes for cancer to develop from mobile phone use is longer than 10 years of exposure or that the number of tumours it promotes is too small to be detected.
She said: "Our results extend those of previous studies of time trends up to 1998 by adding five years of follow-up.
"Because of the high prevalence of mobile phone exposure in this population and worldwide, longer follow-up of time trends in brain tumour incidence is warranted."
Further research
Dr Alison Ross, Cancer Research UK's senior science information officer, agreed that further research was needed: "Overall, the scientific evidence tells us that using mobile phones for less than 10 years does not increase the risk of cancer and this large study supports that conclusion.
"However, brain tumours often take a very long time to develop so we will need to look for any future changes in incidence rates to see if mobile phones could pose any longer-term risks."
Mike Dolan, of the Mobile Operators Association which represents all five UK network operators said: "This finding is consistent with previous studies in this field and will form part of the overall body of scientific research.
"The UK mobile phone operators are supporting a large cohort study which is a recommendation of this paper."
BioWare's rocked the very foundations of the internet this morning by confirming that its epic action RPG sequel, Mass Effect 2 is just a bit too epic to fit on a single disc - so it's putting them on two.
Community coordinator, Chris Priestly explains, in handy number form:
"1 - Yes, there are 2 game discs for both the PC and Xbox 360 versions, both the Collector's and standard editions.
"2 - There is a 3rd disc with the Collector's Edition. This is a movie DvD containing making of and other bonus information.
"3 - The PC version is a standard install. You install the information from both discs and then play with 1 disc in the drive. No swapping.
"4 - The Xbox 360 does not have an install and does require disc swapping during play.
"5 - Even though there is a disc swap, it occurs at a carefully planned place in the game (that does not interfere with gameplay) and is done once. You do not swap back and forth. 1 swap and then done.
"6 - Why 2 discs? Answer: Because you cannot fit this much awesome on one disc."
What?! You mean we have to swap the discs?! Disgraceful.
Mass Effect 2 is in the shops on January 29 in Europe with a Collectors' Edition.
Take Two says its most cherished IP does not need to become an annual franchise
With recent DLC release The Ballad of Gay Tony apparently marking the end of the Grand Theft Auto IV journey, attentions have now turned to what Rockstar may have planned for the inevitable GTAV – but it looks like the wait is going to be a long one.
Though publisher Take Two has not been specific in naming a date – or indeed, revealing any detail at all – about the sequel, talk in its recent investor report seems to dash hopes of a 2010 release for GTAV.
Specifically, Take Two says that GTA is such a “strong franchise” that it doesn’t need annual releases, particularly whilst DLC releases for GTAIV mean that the record-breaking epic is still making money.
Whether that means a 2011 release for GTAV remains to be seen – but that’s the obvious conclusion to draw.
Sega’s sci-fi becomes the latest title to feel the brunt of the OFLC’s ban-hammer
High-profile 2010 release Aliens vs Predator has become the latest in a long line of titles to fall foul of the famously strict Australian Classification Board, and will not be released in the region next year.
In a statement released to GameSpot, the OFLC stated that “the game contains first-person perspective, close-up depictions of human characters being subjected to various types of violence, including explicit decapitation and dismemberment as well as locational damage such as stabbing through the chest, mouth, throat, or eyes”.
The report also took exception to the Predator’s predilection to collecting ‘trophies’ from its human victims and the fact that “bloodied eye sockets” are left when eyes are either stabbed or gouged.
However, the Australian arm of Sega has not ruled out a possible appeal, stating: “We will continue to investigate all options available to us, including the possibility of appeal.”
Sega Europe have apparently already stated that it has no intention to tone down the violence in an effort to appease the also famously strict German ratings board.
Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata reckons that often-overlooked N64 Zelda quest, Majora's Mask, was a "turning point" for Nintendo, and an early glimpse at games of the future.
Speaking in Nintendo's latest Iwata Asks inteview,Zelda top man Eiji Aonuma explains that the game's compact world was the result of a harsh one-year development cycle plan.
"The 'Three-Day System', the idea of a compact world to be played over and over again, came down from Miyamoto-san and one other director, (Yoshiaki) Koizumi-san," explained Aonuma. "We added that to the mix, and then, finally, we saw the full substance of a The Legend of Zelda game we could make in one year."
Iwata went on to add: "Actually, I feel as though, back then, we were given a glimpse of the concept that 'Deep, compact play is one form of the games of the future'. I think in that sense, as a product, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask was a big turning point for Nintendo."
We too, want to see the series' darkest game mentioned more in Best Game Ever lists. Just buy it on Virtual Console to see why.
Analyst also looking towards 'iPad'
Analyst firm IDC has predicted that there will be more than 300,000 iPhone apps by the end of next year, compared to 75,000 Android apps.
That said, analyst Frank Gens is pretty bullish on Android's prospects.
"The advantage of Android - that it's more 'open' than the iPhone platform - creates more compatibility challenges for developers," he says.
"But the developer and app momentum will nevertheless grow strongly in 2010," he says.
Gens predicts that a big chunk of the new iPhone apps will come from "well-known Global 2000 business and consumer brands", aiding the momentum of iPhone.
Meanwhile, IDC has also forecast that Apple WILL release its 'iPad' tablet device by the end of 2010, with Gens claiming it will be more like an oversized iPod touch than a downsized Mac.
Studio will not pander to 'territories where adults are not able to make their own entertainment choices'
UK developer Rebellion has emphatically stated that it will not be producing an edited version of its upcoming Aliens vs Predator to appease classification boards who ban the game.
The news comes shortly after it was confirmed that the Australian Classification Board has banned the title in the region, citing its extreme violence as the cause.
“Rebellion is disappointed that its upcoming title Aliens vs. Predator has been banned in Australia,” the studio’s CEO Jason Kingsley stated. “However, as we understand the law in that country the authorities had no choice as we agree strongly that our game is not suitable for game players who are not adults.
“The content of AvP is based on some of the most innovative and iconic horror movies, and as such we wanted to create a title that was true to the source material. It is for adults, and it is bloody and frightening, that was our intent.
“We will not be releasing a sanitized or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices.”
The US Federal Trade Commission has expressed concern at the widely differing approaches to age ratings for mobile games within operator portals and app stores.
In a wider report on violent entertainment and children, the FTC looked specifically at how mobile games are marketed.
Its report claims that US operators AT&T, Sprint and Verizon don't carry age-rating information for mobile games on their portals, but that Nokia and Apple do on their app stores.
However, even then the FTC is concerned that these systems don't necessarily dovetail with the existing ESRB ratings for console and PC games.
"Although mobile game sellers should be commended for instituting rating systems for their products, the proliferation of different systems has the potential to create consumer confusion with the ESRB ratings, a system with which parents are already familiar," says the report.
For now, the FTC is advising parents to monitor what games their children are downloading on their phones.
It's a relatively new issue, and one that's been tackled head-on by Apple with its age-ratings system.
However, with handsets now eminently capable of showing hi-res gore'n'violence, the debate around how mobile games should be rated - and using which system - is set to intensify.
As a follow-up to Epic Games' release of a free version of the Unreal Engine last month, the company has now posted over 160 video tutorials which demonstrate the various uses of the Unreal Development Kit. Roughly 20 hours of footage were created by technical education company 3D Buzz, with topics ranging from user interface to game physics to cinematics.
A recent post at the Press Start To Drink blog examined the relationship the games industry has with copyright laws. More so than in some other creative industries, the reactions of game companies to derivative works are widely varied and often unpredictable, ranging anywhere from active support to situations like the Chrono Trigger: Crimson Echoes debacle. Quoting:
"... even within the gaming industry, there is a tension between IP holders and fan producers/poachers. Some companies, such as Epic and Square Enix, remain incredibly protective of their Intellectual Property, threatening those that use their creations, even for non-profit, cultural reasons, with legal suits. Other companies, like Valve, seem to, if not embrace, at least tolerate, and perhaps even tacitly encourage this kind of fan engagement with their work. Lessig suggests, 'The opportunity to create and transform becomes weakened in a world in which creation requires permission and creativity must check with a lawyer.' Indeed, the more developers and publishers that take up Valve's position, the more creativity and innovation will emerge out of video game fan communities, already known for their intense fandom and desire to add to, alter, and re-imagine their favorite gaming universes."
Last month we discussed news that Microsoft had banned hundreds of thousands of Xbox users for using modified consoles. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has now pointed to this round of bans as a prime example of the power given to providers of online services through 'Terms of Service' and other usage agreements.
"No matter how much we rely on them to get on with our everyday lives, access to online services — like email, social networking sites, and (wait for it) online gaming — can never be guaranteed. ... he who writes the TOS makes the rules, and when it comes to enforcing them, the service provider often behaves as though it is also the judge, jury and executioner. ... While the mass ban provides a useful illustration of their danger, these terms can be found in nearly all TOS agreements for all kinds of services. There have been virtually no legal challenges to these kinds of arbitrary termination clauses, but we imagine this will be a growth area for lawyers."
Nintendo has today lost a major court case against the Divineo group in the main court of Paris. Nintendo originally took the group to court over DS flash carts, however the judge today has ruled against Nintendo and suggested that they are purposely locking out developers from their consoles and things should be more like Windows where ANYONE can develop any application if they wish to.
Sucker Punch's PlayStation 3 title InFamous has sold 1.2 million copies worldwide since release, Sony figures have revealed.
The news, announced on Sony's US blog, coincided with that of a price drop to USD 39.99 for the game in the US.
In addition, new free content in the form of a 'Gigawatt Blades' super power will be made available via the PlayStation Network on December 10. The game's original soundtrack will also be released on December 8.
InFamous was released in North America and Europe in May this year. It is available in the UK as a Platinum title for GBP 20.
A group of US students has created an entire orchestra out of separate iPhone applications.
As part of their studies, the group from the University of Michigan built the applications themselves and composed music for them.
While some of the applications sound similar to traditional instruments, others make unique noises.
The iPhone handsets are attached to speakers which the performers wear around their wrists.
A live concert of the students' original compositions is planned for 9 December. It will mark the end of their three-month course, run by Austrian computer scientist and musician Georg Essl.
He told BBC News that while the concept of using computers to make music was not new, the rise of smartphones had made the idea more practical.
"I come from this community of people who work on sophisticated ways of making sounds," he said, "but they tend to be very handcrafted prototypes. I realised that few people end up using them."
"Now everybody has a smartphone, the question of how you get an instrument into people's hands has disappeared."
Starting from scratch
Unlike traditional instruments, iPhones do not have to be physically modified for sound, Mr Essl said.
The in-built microphone can be transformed into a non-speech sensor, enabling students to blow into it in order to mimic a wind instrument.
The motion sensors can also be used musically - an application can be programmed to sound different when the device is tilted, for example - but the desired effect is down to the individual designer.
"In many ways, composition for us means composing the instrument as well as the music," said Mr Essl. "We can choose what a tilt will mean."
He admitted that the new technology was a work in progress that would advance as the devices themselves became more sophisticated.
"It's about playing with what you're given," he said. "The piccolo is never going to play the bass line."
Back to basics
Some traditional orchestras agree that smartphones have a part to play in making professional music.
There are lots of applications that are incredibly useful to musicians - our piano tuner uses the iPhone tuner application to tune Steinway pianos for our performances at City Hall
Stephen Duffy, Scottish Symphony Orchestra
"There are lots of applications that are incredibly useful to musicians - our piano tuner uses the iPhone tuner application to tune Steinway pianos for our performances at City Hall," said Stephen Duffy, spokesperson for the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
"Every musician I know who has an iPhone uses that application."
However, he added that most classical musicians did not take the instrument applications particularly seriously.
"Let's face it, you're not going to play a concerto on an iPhone. It would be interesting to see what people do as a group - but applications will never replace the real thing."
Publisher D3Publisher has confirmed that it is bringing a new game based on the popular Ben 10 children's TV series to handhelds and consoles next year. Featuring an original storyline crafted exclusively for Ben 10 Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks, the heroic youngster will travel into the depths of space for the first time in the series.
“Ben 10 Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks leads you on an all new intergalactic adventure in the vast Alien Force universe; take Ben and the Omnitrix to never-seen-before alien home planets”, said Adam Roberts, managing director at D3 Publisher, Europe. “With 10 playable aliens and an original storyline, Ben 10 Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks is sure to be a favourite among fans of the television series and video games.”
“Building on the solid success of our first two titles, this latest release will continue to further the success of our video game franchise and cement Ben 10's position as a thriving global brand," added Maria Rosaria Milone, commercial director for licensing at Turner CN Enterprises, EMEA. “Together with D3, we have once again created a game that contains the qualities fans have come to expect from the Ben 10 video game series and we look forward to its release across EMEA in 2010.”
The previous Ben 10 games have always sold well and remained in the sales charts for relatively long periods, thanks largely to the popularity of the TV show. Vilgax Attacks is set to hit retail in 2010, and is to see release on the Xbox 360, Wii, PSP, DS and PS2. Most territories will see a February release with France, Germany, Italy and Spain to follow later in the year. 1st Playable Productions is developing the DS SKU, while all other versions are being handled by Papaya Studio Corporation.
Last Monday, the Spanish Government published the latest draft for the Sustainable Economy Act, which would enable a Commission dependent of the Ministry of Culture to take down websites without a court order, in cases of Intellectual Property piracy. On Wednesday, using Google Wave, a group of journalists, bloggers, professionals and creators composed and issued a Manifesto in Defense of Fundamental Rights on the Internet, stating that 'Copyright should not be placed above citizens' fundamental rights to privacy, security, presumption of innocence, effective judicial protection and freedom of expression.' Quickly, more than 50,000 blogs and sites re-published the manifesto. On Thursday morning, the Ministry of Culture Ángeles González Sinde (former president of the Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) organized a meeting with a group of Internet experts and signers of the Manifesto. The meeting was narrated in real time via Twitter and concluded without any agreement. On Thursday afternoon, the Prime Minister's staff had a private meeting with the Ministry of Culture and some party members (who also expressed their opposition to the draft). Finally, Spain Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero announced in a press meeting that the text will be changed and a court order will continue to be a requirement, but [the government] still will search for ways to fight Internet piracy.
Swiss iPhone developer Nicolas Seriot presented last night a talk on iPhone Privacy in Geneva. He showed how a malicious application could harvest personal data on a non-jailbroken iPhone (PDF) and without using private APIs. It turns out that the email accounts, the keyboard cache content and the WiFi connection logs are fully accessible. The talk puts up several recommendations. There is also a demo project on github."
I like the Pac-Man watch as much as the Pac-Man Theme Song: "Paaaac-Man, run from the ghost! Paaaac-Man, he eats dots on toast! Paaaaaaaaac-Man, he'd rather have lamb roast!" That's the Pac-Man Theme song. In my head it is, ok?
It's a minor update, but the Android 2.0.1 SDK just came out, mostly consisting of little bug fixes (Bluetooth, resource allocation, that kind of thing). Alongside that, there'll be an OTA update for the Droid in "the coming weeks."
The Android 2.0.1 update should be out by the end of the year, but Droid owners (the only ones lucky enough to play with Android 2.0 at the moment) will also get an OTA update with a few Droid-specific fixes. We're told these include improved camera autofocus (thank God) and better voice reception (although in my experience the Droid's reception is stellar). We'll let you know when it's released, which should be before New Years.
Back in 2008, Lucas Ordonez lived what seemed like an ordinary existence. The 22-year-old Spanish student was an avid motorsports fan, but he lacked the suitable investment necessary to become a professional race driver and had virtually given up on racing. Besides, he was already knee-deep in trying to complete an Master of Business Administration (MBA). But it was Ordonez' passion for virtual racing, particularly his love of Gran Turismo, that made him stand out from his peers — both off the track and eventually on it. In just a few months, Ordonez' life was transformed from console dreamer to racing the real thing at a real race track in Europe . And Ordonez managed to do the unthinkable: go from the couch car to the race car, and win.
There's one thing (and one thing only) that we know about House, MD. He seriously loves nearly killing people before saving them. Well, that, and he loves chilling out with a PSP Go. What, you hadn't heard? Yeah, seems old Dr. Greg is pretty into gaming in his downtime -- you know, when he's not downing Vicodin or collecting clues. There's one more piece of evidence after the break.
Take-Two has pushed the released of Max Payne to the second half of 2010, sometime between the start of August and the end of October.
Payne's third outing had been promised earlier in the year.
Nevertheless, Take-Two's 2010 schedule is encouraging as BioShock 2 (9th February) and Red Dead: Redemption (30th April) are poised for release earlier next year.
The preliminary Q4 2009 earnings report (full digest expected later this month) also confirmed a "first half" 2010 launch for Mafia II.
Take-Two shares were down, however, and the company does not expect to achieve its goal of "profitability" this fiscal year nor next, reports the Associated Press.
Max Payne 3 will be developed in-house by Rockstar rather than by series creator Remedy, and leave New York for Sao Paolo, Brazil. Max is also older and bald, but still has Bullet Time to slow the action down to granddad pace. The game's in development for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. There's plenty more information below.
When last Kotaku reported about the future of Command and Conquer, there was an editorial eyebrow raised skeptically. But the boss at EA believes that real-time-strategy needs "fundamental innovation." His pitch might change your expression.
When Square Enix enlisted to localize Modern Warfare 2 for Japan, the publisher went above and beyond the call of duty. The game would be issued a complete Japanese-dialog makeover -- whereas the first Modern Warfare localization was simply subtitled -- in response to a "strong desire from Activision to widen the entrance for beginning FPS players," as Square Enix told Famitsu. However, some gamers are reporting that the extra effort has fallen short, citing numerous translation errors in the localized game. [Insert your Bill Murray joke here.]
Additionally, Japanese site My Game Flash has rounded up other complaints about the localization, most notably an alteration to the sensationalized "No Russian" mission. Rather than delete the mission (as in the censored Russian version), Square Enix had the Japanese version of the mission adjusted to restrict the player from participating in a terrorist assault on an airport. If the player does engage civilian targets, it's game over.
Square Enix has posted an update on the Modern Warfare 2 Japanese site describing the full Japanese language and subtitle tracks and warning of the "No Russian" edits, but has not announced plans to patch the translation errors or change the limitations on the censored mission. The publisher has cited technical limitations, which prevent selectable English and Japanese language tracks. Head past the break to see some footage of the Japanese version of MW2, courtesy of andriasang.
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom proves that the Wii is a perfectly capable platform for fighting games -- except that it doesn't have a high-quality arcade stick. If these box images found on MadCatz staffer Mark "MarkMan" Julio's Flickr stream are any indication, the company behind the Street Fighter IV FightSticks is going to take care of that. Julio posted two images of a retail box for a Tatsunoko vs. Capcom FightStick using the same shape and layout as the company's Standard Edition Street Fighter IV FightStick for PS3 and Xbox 360. It would seem that response to the Comic-Con mockup (seen above) was positive enough for the accessory manufacturer to go ahead with a retail release!
The stick may be included in a special bundle for the game, as well. One Shoryuken forum user claims to have found both a normal and arcade stick bundle SKU in the GameStop database. We've contacted Capcom and MadCatz to find out just how we'll be controlling a giant lighter in a fight against Mega Man.
Last year's free Xbox Live Arcade game from the Unlock Xbox contest, Dash of Destruction, may not have been the best game we ever played, but it was certainly far from the worst. Also, it had that whole costing nothing thing going for it, so that helped our opinions considerably. This year, our chances of getting a fun game have doubled, with the contest's 1,500 competitors vying for two spots rather than one.
The final eight contestants have been culled from the initial submissions (listed after the break), and are now available to be voted on over at the contest's website, ultimately determining three game ideas to be given final pitches at Microsoft. From there, we get two XBLA games full of Doritos' "bold, intense" branding -- and at the very least some free Achievements.
BlazerRazor has released a new version of his Remote Control app for DS here at DCEMu
Remote Touch DS gives you the opportunity to remote-control your computers mouse, keyboard and other things from your Nintendo DS hand-held console. This solution is not like remote desktop, but more like an advanced remote control.
The solution is client-server based, obviously, and requires you to have a server running. It is not plugged with synergy, it is my own solution. The server receives commands from the Nintendo DS and acts according to them.
Current release (out now; 0.3):
This is a major release and contain
There are 
It should just work.
)
) I'll try to post some screenshots when I'll have something more tangible 
