Posts with tag gaming
"NVidia Shield" is about to launch
NVidia’s revolutionary new game console to sell for $349, preorders start May 20th
NVidia is getting ready to launch the NVidia Shield, a revolutionary new handheld game console running Android complete with a 720p screen built into a controller similar in appearance and functionality to your average XBox 360 controller, which we first saw at CES earlier this year under the name “Project SHIELD”.
The new console will be available for preorder starting May 20th at NewEgg, NVidia, GameStop, Micro Center, and Canada Computers and will run you a pricey $349 – that’s more than the similarly spec’d Ouya console and even Nintendo’s base model Wii U, if you’re keeping tally.
For those more interested in spec’s then value, the NVidia Shield should more than deliver – inside we’ve got a Tegra 4 SoC, 2GB of RAM, Android 4.2.1, GPS, and HDMI for more traditional TV gaming; the Shield will support “Shield” exclusive games, Android games, and will even allow users the ability to stream desktop PC games to the Shield’s built in display.
NVidia has yet to reveal the specific release date for their new console, however given the imminent pre-order we’d assume that we’ll be hearing about a release date fairly shortly.
Coming for Mac and PC in 2014
EA and Maxis announce The Sims 4
EA and developer Maxis have just announced a new entry in the longrunning The Sims series, The Sims 4. The new game will be the first “next-generation” The Sims game in the primary series (not counting the offshoot SimCity, which recently saw a rocky launch), with The Sims 3 having been released in 2009 for the PC and Mac. Since then, EA and Maxis have been pushing out DLC and content packages like no tomorrow, publishing minor entries such as The Sims 3 University.
Details are sparse at the moment, however EA notes that more information will be revealed later today at The Beat.
Source: EA
More social bird slinging fun to be had
Rovio releases new Angry Birds Friends game for iOS and Android, totally free
Are you one of the few (ok, well, many) people who still play Angry Birds like it’s a vital organ? Well we have good news for you – Rovio, the makers of those friendly bird slinging games, has just released a brand new version of Angry Birds entitled “Angry Birds Friends”, available now in the App Store and Google Play entirely free of charge. Whilst the new Angry Birds game of course includes some all new levels, the real kicker this time around is improved social play – scores are now are placed on leaderboards, encouraging users to play and repeat levels in order to top their friends’ scores.
Angry Birds Friends’s social abilities are cross platform compatible, meaning that users on iOS, Android, and even Facebook can play and compete despite the differences in platforms used. The application comes as a separate download from the original Angry Birds app, not an update, so you’ll have to manually go download it if interested.
Or how about a $99 Nintendo DSi XL?
Get a Nintendo 3DS for just $129, straight from Nintendo
Nintendo may not be the financial powerhouse it once was these days, but the company is trying to remedy that by offering a couple of models of their long lasting line of handheld consoles refurbished for fairly significant discounts. Nintendo explains that the devices may have some slight “wear and tear”, but if that doesn’t disturb you then you’ll be getting a deal – a Nintendo 3DS, which usually runs for $169 new, can be had for just $129 right from Nintendo’s website in either Aqua Blue or Midnight Purple.
Or, if you’re not into those new fangled 3D consoles, you can pick yourself up a classic – the Nintendo DSi XL, which is an overgrown version of the ridiculously popular Nintendo DSi, can be had for just $99 in either Metallic Rose or Midnight Blue.
Both consoles also come in starter bundles if you’d like a game to go with that – for $169 you can get a Nintendo 3DS in either color with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS or a Nintendo DSi XL with Mario Kart DS. All of these are now available on Nintendo.com at the source link below.
Initial catalog is somewhat underwhelming
Nintendo launches Wii U Virtual Console
Nintendo has today officially launched their Virtual Console service for the Wii U. Bringing with it new features such as a customizable control scheme, native support for the Wii U home screen, and off-TV play (on the Wii U Game Pad), the Wii U Virtual Console is a decent upgrade to the old Wii Virtual Console of yore. Unfrtounately, there are numerous downsides to the new service – while the Wii’s Virtual Console has an absolutely huge catalogue of games available to download, the Wii U’s Virtual Console has only 8 games currently available, which are as followed:
NES
Punch-Out!!
Balloon Fight
Kirby’s Adventure
Donkey Kong Jr.
Ice Climber
Excitebike
Super NES
Super Mario World
F-Zero
Owners of any of the above games for the Wii’s Virtual Console can upgrade their games to support the Wii U Virtual Console’s new feature for a charge of $1.
Via: Wii U Only
Where will you be?
Microsoft to announce the next XBox on May 21st
Microsoft has reportedly just sent out invitations revealing that they will be announcing the next generation XBox console at a media event scheduled for May 21st. Though details are currently short, we can expect to hear about the specifications and functionality of the new XBox before more details are revealed at E3 this summer.
Image Source: The Verge
#Dealwithit, good sir
Microsoft employee who insulted XBox gamers on Twitter ousted from Microsoft
You may remember Adam Orth, the man who on Twitter last week insulted not only your intelligence but all XBox gamers who sees issue with an always-on internet connection requirement for the next XBox – I certainly do. Well, as it turns out, Mr. Orth is no longer with the company following the whole outbreak of an argument last week. Microsoft refused to comment on this information, however credible sources assure that this is indeed the case.
Microsoft is said to be revealing their plans for their next generation XBox console, codenamed Durango, in May. A rumor today speculated that Microsoft will be tying the next XBox to your existing cable box to further the XBox’s media capabilities. Microsoft is also said to be bundling a new version of their Kinect hardware with the console.
Via: Polygon
That's quite the exploit
Ubisoft UPlay gets hacked, outs numerous unreleased titles
Ubisoft’s UPlay software, which allows is a DRM, game management, and multiplayer service for Ubisoft titles in a similar vein to parts of Origin, has been exploited today allowing hackers to download and play any game compatible with the service totally free of charge, and free of DRM. What’s most interesting is that the exploit also allows for users to download and play unreleased games, many of which have leaked to various public BitTorrent trackers and other forms of P2P software over the last couple of hours.
One only has to search for “Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon”, an unreleased and previously rumored Ubisoft game set in the Far Cry universe, to see the extent of the damage. Little was known about the game prior to this exploit; now we have full plot details, walkthroughs on YouTube, box art, and even the full game available for download free of charge.
Ubisoft has not yet commented on the exploit and sensitive data pertaining to UPlay users are reportedly safe from the exploit, however we will keep a close eye on the situation until we know more.
Onto the next destination for XBox
Microsoft to hold an XBox event this May
According to Microsoft-know-it-all (and we mean that with the most love possible) Tom Warren, Microsoft is planning on hosting a special XBox event prior to this year’s E3 conference in May. The event will (of course) be used as the next generation XBox’s coming out party, which will compete against the likes of Nintendo’s Wii U and Sony’s PlayStation 4. We had previously reported that Microsoft’s next XBox will always require an internet connection to function. Previous signs had indicated that Microsoft would be holding an XBox unveiling event on April 24th, however plans have seemingly been changed somewhere along the line. A specific, solid date for this event has yet to be obtained.
On top of this event and E3, Microsoft has also confirmed that we will be hearing more about their plans for the XBox brand of products at this year’s Build 2013 conference. There has been no shortage of XBox rumors for this year, beginning with of course the imminent unveiling of the next generation XBox alongside of a rumored potential 7″ XBox Windows-based gaming tablet.
Source: The Verge
#Dealwithit
Microsoft apologizes on behalf of incredibly rude Microsoft Studies director
Bit of an odd one here at the end of the week – a Microsoft Studios creative director apparently went a little crazy on Twitter yesterday following some sketchy rumors that the next-generation XBox will require an always on internet connection in order to function.
Adam Orth, the man on trial, took to Twitter, writing the following posts in response to the rumor:
Twitter user and senior BioWare designer Manveer Heir responded saying “You know some people’s internet goes out, right? Deal with it is a sh***y reason.”, and pointing out that some users, such as those in “Janesville, WI or Blackburg, VA”, do not always have access to reliable and fast broadband. Orth’s response? ”
“Why on earth would I live there?”
Microsoft today apologized for Orth’s Twitter ranting, saying the following in a statement posted on MajorNelson’s blog:
We apologize for the inappropriate comments made by an employee on Twitter yesterday. This person is not a spokesperson for Microsoft, and his personal views do not reflect the customer centric approach we take to our products or how we would communicate directly with our loyal consumers. We are very sorry if this offended anyone, however we have not made any announcements about our product roadmap, and have no further comment on this matter.
Deal with it indeed, Orth.
Source: EuroGamer, MajorNelson
Claims its the world's fastest
AMD announces Radeon HD 7990
Some more gaming news for you today – AMD has confirmed the existence of their newest high end graphics card, the AMD Radeon HD 7990, at the GDC 2013 conference in California today. The card combines two distinct HD 7970′s Tahiti GPUs into one behemoth of a card, and the company claims that it is the “world’s fastest” graphics card.
AMD also demoed a computer with the card installed running the just announced FPS Battlefield 4 today, which is only fitting considering the insane suggested system requirements the game must have to handle those sorts of jaw dropping graphics. We’re particularly light on the precise specifics of the card at the moment, but as soon as we know more, you’ll know more.
AMD had previously released a new mid-range graphics card earlier this month, the AMD Radeon HD 7790. The 7790 is now available at various retailers by several different manufacturers.
Via: Engadget
Source: AMD Gaming
A $99 gaming console is coming your way
Ouya begins shipping, meta-look at hands on previews
It’s no secret that I’m personally a bit burnt out by AAA-level game developers that deliver beautiful graphics but fail to deliver any sort of meaningful game play – that’s why I continue to be so excited about the Ouya, a $99 Tegra 3 powered console by a new, Kickstarter-funded company of the same name that hopes to go head to head with the big leagers by embracing not the sort of mega-funded games we’re so used to today, but rather with quality “indie” titles and – shock and awe – games that are actually fun.
Both The Verge and Engadget got to have special hands-on sessions with the finalized Ouya console recently, and has posted videos detailing their experiences. Both sites appear to be fairly impressed with the quality of the console – its build is very solid and sturdy, yet tiny, giving off the impression of a premium product worth well beyond its asking price. The bundled Bluetooth controller feels “as good as” the XBox 360′s controllers, though The Verge did have issue with its trigger button saying that they feel somewhat “cheap”, however on the whole it doesn’t appear to be a deal breaker by any means.
The console’s software, which utilizes Android’s kernel and some of its subsystems (however it is important to note that the Ouya’s software can not natively run much of the default Android OS’s software), is beautiful and meticulous, but as spartan as it gets. There are just four primary functions on the home screen – Play, Discover, Make, and Manage. There’s just not a whole lot going on there at the moment.
The Ouya has begun shipping to Kickstarter backers this week, and will be available to the general public on June 4th at Amazon.com, GameStop, and Target. So let us know in the comments, fans of gaming – will you be jumping aboard the Ouya train and purchasing one?
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