Hardware
During my intermittent, yet passionate trysts with Dame Wii, there has been one nagging point of annoyance. No, it's not the graphics, nor her refusal to kiss on the mouth; rather, it is the Wii controller. Having waved that ghastly wand until my arms could wave no more, I grow tired of its charms - favoring instead the warm, familiar comfort of "conventional" controllers.
Yes, one can always purchase the aptly-named "Classic Controller;" yet for those of us that crave old-timey goodness, its solid white frame and clear buttons stink of modernity. Thus, Nintendo sought to satisfy the craving of gamers - by which I mean only Japanese gamers - with the Super Famicom Classic Controller attachment for the Wii remote. Indeed, this gem of yesteryear is available only to Japan's Club Nintendo owners, leaving we Westerners feeling left behind, and reminded that however advanced we humans may believe ourselves to be, the specter of racism still haunts the land.
Luckily, thinkgeek.com has a rather convincing substitute. Priced at $20, the device seeks to mimic the look and feel of the classic Super Nintendo controller - on that left my thumbs thoroughly blistered when I was but a lad - connecting to the Wii controller to allow gamers to get the most retro goodness out of their Virtual Console purchases. So if you have some spare money lying around, and find yourself without the benefit of being Japanese, check out the controller at this link!
As the 3DS, PS Vita, and smartphones have shown us, augmented reality is a rather interesting prospect, casting aside the dull veil of reality and peppering our visual field with software-added loveliness. Google Glasses has sought to advance this trend, proposing wearable hardware that, integrated with Google Voice, provides features found in the Android OS - amongst which is photo/video, text messaging, and navigation. Now, it seems that Valve wishes to join the fold, as its new project does indeed look to be wearable computing.
Read more (much more indeed) after the jump!
Console season is fast approaching, and with it, an abundance of questions about the fabled "Xbox 720." Will it offer a graphical jump of the caliber we've been hoping for? Is the Kinect here to stay? Shall all humanity coalesce into a vast, hive mind, forever concerning itself only with the outcome of the latest Halo deathmatch?
Read on after the jump!
When I was a lad, the game-scape was kicking into high gear: Nintendo and Sega were locked in a battle, the 3DO introduced the masses to this "compact disc" sorcery, and the Atari Jaguar - well, I've been assured that the Jaguar did something. Yet no star shone brighter than the Neo Geo. Like a, gigantic, black monolith in the games section of Toys R' Us, it's daunting presence inspired fear and reverence from us kiddy-winks, allowing our little boy mind to imagine a future carved by these lords of the craft: SNK.
Sadly, it was doomed. The Neo Geo AES's comically-high $650 price point, complimented with games that ran around $200 a piece - Neo Geo was a sort of miniaturized arcade system, complete with those giant game cartridges - kept it out of range for most people. SNK tried to appeal to cost-conscious consumers with the Neo Geo CD (thus drastically cutting game prices), and despite the company's attempts to enter the handheld market with the Neo Geo Pocket and Pocket Color, it became clear that the Neo Geo was simply not to be.
Enter Blaze: A UK company with an affinity for retro gaming. Having made its foray into the portable realm with the "Sega Megadrive Ultimate Handheld," the company how sets its sights on larger prey, in the form of the Neo Geo X.
News of the handheld had surfaced in January, with promises of a 4.3 inch screen (more recent articles claim 3.5 inch, roughly the same size at the 3DS screen), 2 gigs of internal storage, an SD card slot, and an AV out slot. Featuring a form factor similar to the iPhone 4, it's an interesting device. Unfortunately, the handheld is reported to have a £500 price tag. I'm no whiz when it comes to currency conversion, but I can't imagine the price seeming quite as steep as it see--holy f**k.
Read more, and read the list of pre-loaded games, after the jump!
As the rumor mill is alight with speculation a successor to the Xbox 360, many hope that E3 2012 will serve as a prelude to the next generation (not forgetting the Wii U, of course) of consoles. A great rift shall appear in the firmament, and out therefrom, heaven's trumpets shall fill the ears of mortals with sonic rapture. The Virgin Mary herself shall descend - bathed in the radiance of a thousand suns - looking upon the multitudes with maternal kindness. Then, as the light dissipates, man shall lay eyes upon the Madonna, clad in immaculate robes and clutching at her breast the greatest treasure of the hereafter - prayers innumerable, made manifest by divinity's grace and formed by God's omnipotent hands - the Xbox *insert name of next-gen console*.
Sadly, it seems that such fanfare isn't in the cards - at least for E3. Countering speculation that the fabled 360 successor would make its debut at the event, Ryan James (Group PR Manager for Microsoft Studios) gave the following statement to Game Informer:
While we appreciate all the interest in our long-range plans for the future, we can confirm that there will be no talk of new Xbox hardware at E3 or anytime soon. [...] For us, 2012 is all about Xbox 360--and it's the best year ever for Xbox 360. The console is coming off its biggest year ever--a year in which Xbox outsold all other consoles worldwide.
Still, with the Wii U out on the horizon, it's getting nearer and nearer to "new console" season. While Microsoft won't be showing off any future-tech at E3, one can only assume that the company has something in the works.
What do you think, gamers? Is there anything in particular you're hoping for in the next Microsoft console? Sound off in the comments section below!
With the dull thud of inevitability, next Wednesday brings the unveiling of the iPad 3 - and in keeping with company tradition, Apple's latest incarnation of its tablet is sure to include snazzy upgrades, an aura of sleek sexiness, and the general sentiment that your iPad 2, once the crown jewel of tablet computing, will soon find itself relegated to the status of "grandpa computer."
As per usual, the rumor mill is abuzz with speculation. There has been talk of a retina display (or something of that order), quad core chip, and other such loviness, though as this comes from the internet - that place where truth and lies dance a most terrible waltz, 24/7 - and as such, should not be taken as gospel.
It's long been known that Apple employees take a blood oath not to reveal company secrets. Failing that, the "iTerminate" app, preloaded on Apple's proprietary Killswitch, utilizes the power the Intel i7 processor ("it's fast") to sever the brain stem of loose-lipped individuals in just under 2.7 microseconds. Still, Orwellian future-tech aside, it will be interesting to see what happens with the latest incarnation of Apple's tablet. It certainly has its place in the gaming realm: whether one is hopeful about introducing an otherwise uninterested demographic to video games, or subscribes to the doomsday notion that the unending torrent of cheap games will spell death for "hardcore" titles, both iOS and Android devices have shown to be lucrative platforms for developers.
One can expect the iPad 3 to fetch roughly the same price as its predecessors - with an increasingly competitive tablet market, it seems unwise for Apple to stray too far from the iPad's $500 starting point - and those hoping to save some money on an iPad 2 will no doubt find themselves disappointed - that is, unless you're willing to purchase a used device online. As I recall, the original iPad was treated to a $50 or so discount (through the Apple Store), before kicking off into the Great iCloud, and assuming you already have $450 at your disposal, it makes more sense to fork over the extra $50 for the latest model.
Image via practicallyefficient.com
Controller-free gaming: Once the collective fever dream of the gaming world, they have found a happy little home in this generation of consoles. All three manufacturers have their offerings, though the Kinect stands out for using neither wand nor nunchuck: rather, it is your salacious, salacious body of yours that provides the input.
Now, with the Move already under its belt, Sony may be looking to encroach on Microsoft territory, according to a recently-discovered patent, filed back in October of 2011. While initially annoying - the Move brought accusations across the web that Sony was simply ripping off the Wii, and the company will no doubt face accusations of ripping off Microsoft - it is worth remembering that Sony has been working with controller-free gaming since the PS2. Invented by Richard Marks, who brought us the Eye Toy, Move and PlayStation Eye, the patent is for a device that provides a "real-time three-dimensional interactive environment using a depth sensing device." While the above sketch is rather basic - no doubt owing to Sony's "thousand of chimpanzees using MS Paint on thousands of PCs" department - it does give credence to the notion that such a device will be, at its core, a ramped-up incarnation of previous camera-based gaming peripherals. News is scant - we'll be providing updates as more details come in - but according to Eurogamer's summary, Marks & Co. aims to provide a more natural, fluid experience than previous devices.
While motion-control gaming has yet to dethrone the almighty controller, the success of the Kinect has shown that such devices can be successful in the marketplace, even if only to fill a niche. Thus, in the interest of f**ktons of cash diversifying one's gaming portfolio, it's not terribly surprising that Sony has an interest in developing a successor to the PlayStation Eye.
So until we step boldly into the inevitable future - 2040 will be the year Microsoft unveils the "NeuroBox 360 Reality Synthesizer" - we'll simply have to settle for our primitive toys. I for one am disappointed. We were promised holodecks; instead, we have tricked-out webcams strapped to our televisions.
This is not the future I was hoping for.
A couple weeks ago, I reported that Razer was to debut a fancy new piece of hardware at CES, codenamed "Project Fiona." The consensus seemed to point to the notion that this would be the Razer Switchblade, a souped-up gaming netbook with a rather impressive, fully-programmable keyboard. Evidently, the tech has made it's way into the high-end, $2,800 "Blade" gaming laptop, and this "Project Fiona" business was, in fact, a gaming tablet.
Rather than running Android Honeycomb, as has become the standard for most non-iOS tablets, this 10.1 inch window into the digital realm is running Windows 7, though Razer informs Joystiq that the device "will eventually run Windows 8."
What was shown at CES is simply a prototype, and thus details are scant. What we do know is that it its 10.1 inch screen will have a 1280x800-pixel resolution, and will feature a third-generation Intel Core i7 processor. It will also have an accelerometer, as well as force feedback on the controllers affixed to the sides. Speaking with cnet, Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan (aka Captain Serious) estimates that Project Fiona "will have battery life akin to that of a laptop, not a tablet." As far as cost is concerned, Razer is looking at a "sub-$1,000 price tag when it brings the final version to market, planned for the end of this year.
Project Fiona is - well, it's something. To be honest, I'm not tremendously fond of the concept. One can only hope that those ghastly controllers/overgrown barnacles on the sides are in some way removable (the photos are less than encouraging) in the final product, lest Fiona lose the portability factor that, well, is the reason one buys a tablet. You could also buy a $900 laptop with a $30 USB game controller. Still, it will be interesting to see what changes come in the future - Razer's purpose for showcasing the tablet was to garner user feedback - and we'll let you know how things develop!
As news fiends may remember, Razer announced plans for something called the "Switchblade," an ultra-portable gaming computer. Now it seems that the fabled device (codenamed "Project Fiona") at will be making an appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show, which begins in a mere six days.
An earlier video for the Switchblade, narrated by Razer CEO and "Most Serious Man on Planet Serious" Min-Liang Tan, gives an overview of the device. For those unfamiliar with it, the conceit is that it's essentially a gaming netbook. However, the main selling point is that every key on your keyboard is capable of displaying a separate image. While the QWERTY layout is the default setting, one can customize his or her layout for each game - for example, WoW players can have an icon for each of their abilities, essentially turning the keyboard into a giant controller - for a more efficient, intuitive experience. As for mouse controls, gone is the trackpad; rather, users are given the option of connecting a mouse via USB (whether the Switchblade supports Bluetooth is unknown) or making use of the "ultra-sensitive, multitouch screen."
It's an interesting idea, and does address my principal complaint with touchscreen keyboards: the lack of tactile feedback. Being a bitter old man, forever waiting to be plucked off a world that I simply no longer understand, I can't see myself ever leaving the old-timey charm of my clicky friend - take that, Star Trek.
As for those delicious, delicious pixels: Readers will be thrilled to know that with the zippy Atom processor, you can rest assured that you, intrepid gamer, can enjoy the cutting-edge, visual bounty of titles such as World of Warcraft, or... Quake III.
Jabs aside, and as a personal note, let me say that Razer does make some rather fine keyboards. I currently use the BlackWidow Ultimate mechanical keyboard. I've had no problems whatsoever, and it remains one of the greatest things I've ever owned. I'm really not sold on the idea of Switchblade, though for those fervent MMO enthusiasts, the crux of Razer's idea does offer some interesting prospects. The company currently has a keyboard with similar functionality (albeit with fewer fully-customizable buttons) on their website for a whopping $249.
No pricing or release date had been announced, but those interested should check the news coming out of CES January 10-13th!
via Gamespy
Somewhere, deep in the heart of Sony's underground facility/HQ, an executive is punching an intern. Partly this is because he can; mainly, it's due to the recent confusion over the Vita, PSN accounts, and the frustration that stems therefrom. Initially, the company had indicated that the handheld would have a limit of one PSN account per system; users would only be able to use a different one by reverting the Vita to factory settings, thereby erasing all user data. After this, in an exchange with Wired, associate brand marketing manager Crystal MacKenzie stated that the reports we false. Rather, "Your PSN ID is bonded to your memory card and your memory card is bonded to your Vita [...] So if you wanted to change different PSN users but use the same memory card, you would need to go factory reset." In short, user information would be tied to the memory card only: Vita owners would be able to use multiple PSN accounts on the same system, though this would require using a different memory card for each account.
As it turns out, this may not be the case. Wired released a follow-up story after receiving word from a Sony rep that "PlayStation Vita is intended to be played by only one user." He went on to say that the owner's PSN account is in fact linked to the hardware, "which means that if a second person is using your Vita, it's not just a case of switching out memory cards, it's clearing out all of your saved data on the Vita itself when you do the factory reset."
While it may seem like a rather trivial thing, one of the advantage of multiple accounts is that gamers can pick up titles from different regions. So if you were looking forward to enjoying some non-North American downloads - this is, of course, assuming you're living in either Canada or "Mmmerica!!" (yes,that is the proper spelling of my country's name) - looks like you're out of luck, unless Sony decides to remedy this in a firmware update.
Time to go punch an intern.
Whatever one thinks of the Wii U -- whether it's an innovate step in home console gaming, or just gimmicky nonsense -- it's an interesting device. Featuring a tablet controller that interacts (or replicates, as the case may be) with action on your TV screen, as well as providing a limited amount of portability, the system has some rather interesting prospects. Unfortunately, while the tablet can be used to play games, the portability isn't quite as nifty as a handheld: the controller depends on streamed content, and thus must be close enough to the console to receive data. Moreover, the question of how many controllers could be supported by the Wii U has been up in the air; the rather curious news that the console would support a mere one tablet controller (classic Wii controllers could be used by other players) was chalked up to cost by Nintendo - more specifically, Nintendo President's Satoru Iwata's words that despite the fact that compatibility with multiple tablets could be possible, "We're not planning on asking our customers to buy multiple Wii U Controllers."
However, Develop Magazine recently posted a story on the matter, quoting a source who claims that while cost concerns were a factor, the additional RAM and processor speed needed to support two tablets are being ironed out. "Nintendo appears to be on the cusp of solving the technical conundrum of a single Wii U device supporting two tablet controllers," the source said. If so, this begs the question of how this will affect the pricing of the Wii U, particularly with rumors abuzz about the successor to the Xbox 360, supposedly codenamed "Loop" out on the horizon. Depending on the advancement in next-gen consoles, it's difficult to say. If Nintendo's price-friendly strategy with the Wii carries over into the next generation of consoles, it's entirely possible that even with the price hike, it could be cheaper than offerings from Microsoft or Sony. In any event, we'll keep you posted as the news rolls in!
via develop-online.net
Nintendo's not-so-terribly-super-secret 3DS-travaganza (version 2.0) is happening tomorrow (or today, depending on when you're reading this), and for those who nostrils are not ablaze with the dull waft of indifference, the event looks to tie up a few loose ends. According to Andriasang, "This pre-recorded presentation, hosted by CEO Satoru Iwata, will cover details that could not be covered during the September event." The 3DS conference page, looking quite similar to that of the September event, can be accessed at the following link. Between the indecipherable wall of Japanese characters (assuming you don't speak Japanese; if you do, then well done) there is a currently-inactive UStream icon. In all likelihood the link should be active by the time the event starts; if not, I encourage you, intrepid reader, to check Andriasang for further details.
Word is that the even will focus on the 3DS's impending firmware update, as well as offering fresh details about the upcoming Mario Kart 7. I'm particularly interested in the former, partly because as a 3DS owner, I'm terribly interested in the core features, evolving as they may be, of Nintendo's handheld Skynet. Mainly, it's because word is that the upcoming update will enable 3D video recording, and being that at my core, I am a tired old man waiting for death's icy embrace to free me from the endless cycle of monotony, i pass the time before said embrace by taking 3D pictures (and soon 3D video) of my cat -- trying desperately to find even the faintest flicker of what more socially-adjusted people call "joy" in such frivolous pursuits. With the recent revelation that such functionality should be available with the November firmware update, allowing users to record up to ten minutes of 3D video, I for one am planning to use it toward rather obnoxious ends - because if there's one thing that can be said about the internet, it's that it certainly isn't already over-saturated with videos of everyone's g** d**mn cats.
I'm a helper.
And girls who like girls who like rumble packs!
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