Games
Game Console Online Content set to boom
It’s a wireless world we are living in, and the next decade will see countless changes in the way we access, consume and pay for what we want. Further evidence of this arrived today in the form of Parks Associates’ forecast revenue streams for online content and services for Internet-connected game consoles. The research company expects the three game console manufacturers (Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo) to be generating over US$8 billion in global revenue by 2013. The anticipated increase in revenue is expected to come from digital video distribution, downloadable games and content, virtual worlds and avatar-based microtransactions, multiplayer gaming services, and dynamic in-game advertising. Read More
Sony to launch 160GB PS3 in October
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Sony is launching the 160GB Playstation 3 on October 31. The console is an early Christmas present for gamers in Europe and the US where it will retail for €449 and US$499 respectively. Features include Playstation Network content, a Blu-ray Disc player, DUALSHOCK3 wireless controllers, video chat and online play.
Sony working to make Rock Band, Guitar Hero instruments compatible
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Sony has been working with rhythm based games developers to ensure compatibility between the various companies’ peripherals on the PS3 for Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Revolution titles. Read More
ASUS Eee Stick motion sensing game controller
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ASUS has officially unveiled its new the Eee Stick - a Wii-like motion sensing wireless game controller for PC that reproduces users hand motions on screen. The unit is vibration capable, effective at up to 10 meters and has three modes of operation - 3D motion captures horizontal, vertical and rotational movement, Pointing mode is designed for use with first person shooter games and Tilt mode reproduces forward, backward and sideways motion. Read More
How to apply for Sony's PlayStation Home closed beta test
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August 8, 2008 Sony is expanding their PlayStation Home beta test at the end of the month, and they're looking for testers in the U.S. that meet "a variety of criteria" including their level of activity on the PlayStation Network. Read More
AiLive demonstrate LiveMove 2 and the MotionPlus add-on for the Wii
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July 31, 2008 AiLive, the company who helped Nintendo build the MotionPlus add-on for the Wii remote, has released a video showing off their LiveMove 2 toolset for Wii developers who wish to implement MotionPlus functionality in their games. Even if you don't play video games, you will want to see what this thing can do. Read More
PlayStation 3 Greatest Hits launch today for $29.99
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July 30, 2008 Sony has launched the first ten PS3 games in their Greatest Hits range, including Warhawk, Assassin's Creed and Resistance: Fall of Man. Click through for the full list, and our recommendations. Read More
Racing against real F1 drivers in real time – the future of gaming?
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July 23, 2008 Video games have evolved to the point where they fairly accurately depict what a real racing car driver experiences as they hurtle around the track. Gamers can compete against friends and strangers across the globe thanks to the Internet, but now BBC News is reporting on a new technology that will allow gamers to take on real opponents in real races in real time, using GPS data from the cars. Read More
Race Driver: GRID Review (Xbox 360)
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July 22, 2008 Codemasters returned to their prior reputable standing as racing game developers with the release of Colin McRae DIRT last June. This year, Race Driver: GRID resurrects another last-gen favorite for the current generation of consoles - here's our full review. Read More
Logitech's new Driving Force wireless force feedback racing wheel for the PS3
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July 21, 2008 Following the release of the Driving Force GT, the official wheel of Gran Turismo for the PS3 just a couple of months ago, Logitech have followed up with the one-piece Driving Force Wireless force feedback racing wheel for the PS3. Read More
Rock Band 2 set list officially announced
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Harmonix, EA and MTV Games have announced the 84 tracks that make up the set list of the upcoming Rock Band 2 - and this time around, every single track on the disc will utilize the original master recordings. Read More
New Wii accessories launched
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July 17, 2008 In news for Wii users– we know there’s a lot of you out there - InvenSense Inc., a provider of MEMS-based motion sensing solutions for image stabilization, dead reckoning navigation, 3D remote control, and gaming devices, has announced that its IDG-600 multi-axis MEMS rate gyroscope has started shipping in mass production quantities to Nintendo for its Wii MotionPlus accessory. The upcoming Wii MotionPlus accessory attaches to the end of the Wii Remote and, combined with the accelerometer and the sensor bar, allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player's arm position and orientation. In the new Wii Sports Resort, for example, the ability to throw a disc through the air and control the angle of flight is now possible. Read More
Guitar Hero release for Metallica’s new album
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July 17, 2008 Metallica fans will be able to rock out to new anthems from the band in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock with Metallica’s highly-anticipated full studio album, “Death Magnetic”, to be available simultaneously in record stores and as downloadable content for the game. Lounge room rockers will be able to unite on drums, guitar and vocals when the album and game content is released in September. The downloadable content will also be available for Guitar Hero World Tour when it ships this Fall. Mike Griffith, president and CEO of Activision Publishing also said that Guitar Hero World Tour will, “deliver unprecedented innovation to the rhythm-based genre with new instruments, a significantly expanded song list, and a music creator to share user-generated soundtracks.” Read More
Lapworks' portable Gamers Desk
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LapWorks,best known for its ergonomic and heat-reducing laptop desks and stands, has entered the Gaming market with a portable Gamers Desk. As PC gamers move to their couches to play First Person Shooter (FPS) and other high precision games on their HDTV or laptop screen, the desk provides a comfortable, ergonomically-sound, wide flat platform across the lap with ample space for a broad gaming keyboard and optical mouse or a laptop and external mouse. Read More
NVIDIA unleash GeForce GTX 200 GPUs
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NVIDIA’s new family of GeForce GTX 200 graphics processors (GPUs) - which includes the GeForce GTX 280 and GeForce GTX 260 GPUs - include NVIDIA CUDA technology and the new CUDA runtime for Windows Vista, which allows programmers to offload the most intensive processing tasks from the CPU to the NVIDIA GPUs. The GPUs also deliver 50% more gaming performance over the Company’s previous NVIDIA GeForce 8800 Ultra GPU with impressive shading horsepower at resolutions as high as 2560 x 1600. Read More
The week in games at The Gamer Gene
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First ever footage of Duke Nukem Forever hits the internet, Disturbed and Jimmy Buffet arrive in Rock Band, Tecmo stock drops 10 percent on news of lawsuit from ex-designer Tomonobu Itagaki, iamchris4life conquers Dragonforce in Guitar Hero III once and for all, and they ask: what are you playing this weekend? Read More
Sony announce Qore - an interactive HD gaming program for the PS3
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Sony has announced Qore, a monthly, interactive gaming program shot in HD and distributed via the PlayStation Network. Qore will feature exclusive news, interviews and previews along with bonuses like exclusive access to beta tests, demos, and downloadable content. Read More
Today's headlines at The Gamer Gene
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LucasArts considers resurrecting the point-and-click graphic adventure genre, Intel sponsors a free release of Havok Physics, Animation and Content Tools, a hacker turns his Roomba into Pac-man, Zombies take over Africa, and people who want to dress up like Gears of War characters rejoice. Read More
Wii Fit Reviewed
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Making exercise fun is something that Nintendo has tried before. In 1986, they licensed Bandai's Family Trainer peripheral for the NES and launched it worldwide as the Power Pad. In the 90's, they created the Exertainment system - essentially an exercise bike with a SNES inside. Both products were capable of raising your heart rate, but offered little else in the way of improving your health or building good habits. Wii Fit sees Nintendo's honed skill in software and peripheral development come together for another crack at the holy grail of software - making exercise fun. Read More
Nintendo's Wii Fit hits US stores
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We've come a long way since VHS was the new kid on the block and sweating it out in front of Cindy Crawford’s “Buns of Steel” fitness training video was all the rage. As the next generation of technology-enhanced personal training, Nintendo has released Wii Fit, a “game” incorporating over 40 activities that challenge users in areas ranging from yoga and aerobics to strength training and balance. Read More
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Review (PlayStation 3)
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With the full Gran Turismo 5 not due until 2009, and the free downloadable Gran Turismo HD Concept now no longer available from the PlayStation Store, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is the only PS3-based option for simulation-style racing fans. Read More
Review: Logitech's Driving Force GT force-feedback wheel for the PS3
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The Gamer Gene recently got their hands on a Logitech Driving Force GT, the official wheel of Gran Turismo for the PlayStation 3, and are reporting significant improvements in fun factor and immersion, and a decline in the brutal learning curve of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. Read More
Porsche 911 leather steering wheel for PC and PS3
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April 29, 2008 Gamers have long been able to take their dream ride for a virtual spin, and now high-end input device producer Fanatec is offering Porsche fans and gamers alike an authentic look and feel with the introduction of the Porsche 911 Turbo Racing Wheel for PC and Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3). The leather-covered wheel features a tuning display that allows gamers to change settings like sensitivity or Force Feedback during gameplay. A Mabuchi RS 550 Motor is responsible for the extra strong Force Feedback effects with additional Force Feedback actuators in the wheel used to stimulate motor vibrations. Read More
Assassin's Creed Review (PlayStation 3)
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Ubisoft’s massively hyped action-adventure game Assassin’s Creed sure is an interesting one - an ambitious mix of a history and science-fiction story with action and stealth gameplay. Can a game with this scope still be accomplished within the deadline-driven game development business? Our friends over at The Gamer Gene recently had a look at the PlayStation 3 version - check out their review here.
Assassin's Creed (PS3) Review [The Gamer Gene] Read More
A football table for the 21st century
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April 10, 2008 Table football is a game for all ages and one which continues to stand the test of time despite the advent of complex computer graphics and increasingly sophisticated game-playing interfaces. Now a collaboration between GRO design and Tim modelmakers has resulted in an overhaul of the design that aims to inject new life into the game and transform the football table from a bulky eye-sore into an attractive object d' art that complements modern interior spaces. Known as "11- the beautiful game", the strongly sculpted table incorporates minimalist design, a subtle use of light an dazzling white and chrome materials on the playing surface contrasting the dark exterior in an effort to bring the dynamics and drama of the game to the fore. Read More
Mindwire's shocking V-5 sensory feedback kit
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March 14, 2008 Mindwire has designed an electrical muscle simulation kit that integrates with second generation consoles to give sensory feedback to gamers - in other words, when you shoot a friend in Tekken he gets an electric shock. Some may shake their heads, we say "yes please!" Read More
Second lease of life: researchers develop online character with reasoning abilities
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March 12, 2008 Users worldwide have relished the opportunity to live out parallel existences in virtual worlds such as ‘Second Life’, but the characters within those worlds have traditionally been mindless avatars only performing tasks as directed by their human puppet masters. Now, a team of researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is working to engineer characters with reasoning abilities similar to that of a child. Read More
Logitech's Driving Force GT Wheel for the PS3
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Logitech has unveiled their Driving Force GT Wheel - the official force-feedback wheel of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue for the PlayStation 3. Designed in collaboration with Gran Turismo developers Polyphony Digital, the wheel features a realtime adjustment dial, allowing you to adjust brake bias, traction control and damper settings on the fly. Read More
Why PAL PS3 owners should import Rock Band
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The geeks at The Gamer Gene really love Rock Band, and their latest feature is designed to convince PAL PlayStation 3 owners that they should stop waiting for EA to release the game in their territory, and simply import the game. They've done so, twice, and can't fault the process - especially when the other option is sitting around waiting for a vague Q2-Q3 release date. Read on for what to and what not to worry about when importing Rock Band. Read More
PSP gets Skype functionality - we put it to the test
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Sony recently released a firmware update for the PSP that adds Skype functionality - as long as your PSP is the newer, slimmer kind. We've spent the morning calling people from weird places - here's the lowdown. Read More
PS3 gets DivX/XviD playback - we put it to the test
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The PlayStation 3 firmware update 2.10 arrived yesterday, adding Blu-ray Disc Profile 1.1 support, and more importantly, XviD and DivX playback. We recently brought you the low down on XviD/DivX playback on the Xbox 360, and now we've spent another strenuous morning watching videos - here's our report on Sony's implementation.
NVIDIA 3-way SLI taps the power of three GeForce cards
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NVIDIA have announced their new 3-way SLI (Series Link Interface) system, designed to eat system-melting games like Crysis for breakfast by allowing three GeForce cards to be used in one PC. This delivers up to 2.8 times the performance of systems with one GPU, and gives PC gamers ability to run the latest graphically-intensive games in the highest resolution at 60 frames per second - with anti-aliasing and all the bells and whistles. Read More
Two wheels versus four in Project Gotham Racing 4
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December 11, 2007 The Project Gotham Racing (PGR) franchise has always put gamers behind the wheel of some of the world’s most powerful and desirable cars, but with PGR4 gamers now also have the chance to throw a virtual leg over of some of the world’s best two wheeled vehicles including BMW's K 1200 R. Read More
Xbox 360 gets DivX/XviD playback, we put it to the test
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The Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update arrived overnight, and added a long list of new functionality - although the one thing most people are interested in is the relatively unexpected arrival of DivX/XviD playback. We've spent the morning messing about with it to bring you the lowdown... because we figured your boss wouldn't call watching videos "work." Read More
Samsung announces world’s fastest graphics memory
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December 3, 2007 Samsung has developed a GDDR5 (series five, graphics double-data-rate memory) chip that can transfer data at six gigabits per second - more than four times faster than that of current game consoles. The new memory also operates on less power at 1.5 volts, an improvement of 20 percent on the GDDR3 graphics chip. Read More
