Studio wants to preserve games with the same care as movies
Classic movies frequently get reissues and remastered versions with behind-the-scenes content, but games seldom receive that kind of affection. More often than not, you get a barebones port, a technical upgrade (which sometimes breaks the experience) or a full-on remake. Newcomer studio Digital Eclipse thinks the industry can do a better job of preserving these classics. It’s launching ports that are more about honoring the history behind a game than upgrading it, much like the Criterion Collection does for movies. Its inaugural title, Mega Man Legacy Collection, will include both the first six Mega Man games as well as artwork and other bonus material from the series’ early days. About the only major change to the games themselves will be a Challenge Mode that “remixes” gameplay to add some extra spice.
The Mega Man update should reach the the PC, PS4 and Xbox One this summer for $15, with a 3DS version arriving in the winter. However, this is just the start. Digital Eclipse built an engine (the Eclipse Engine) explicitly to streamline the process of adapting old titles to newer platforms. So long as its technology runs on your device of choice, there’s a good chance that you’ll get that game you cherished in your youth. You probably won’t be buying deluxe boxed sets, but the days of begging your favorite developer for a re-release might soon come to an end.
Filed under: Gaming
Via: The Verge
Source: Digital Eclipse, Capcom
The machines that rose to DARPA’s robotics challenge
The robot apocalypse has been postponed. At DARPA Robotics Challenge in California, where the world’s best and brightest robots came to compete, the machines were far from invincible. They moved at a glacial pace, stumbled and slammed to the ground and lay there motionless until their teams of humans came with a rig to pick them up. But their falls and flaws revealed how vulnerable they are, and actually made them seem more human in the process. These machines exhibited grit, intelligence and dexterity that could potentially make them stellar first-responders in disaster situations in the near future.
DARPA launched the robotics challenge as a response to Japan’s Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. And the agency’s been putting robots to the test for the last couple of years. It’s their way of pushing robotics to create advanced machines that can go in as first-responders instead of humans. Despite their benefits, though, robots are often dreaded. But the machines at the two-day robotics challenge had the crowd cheering wildly, gasping loudly and jumping out of their seats in support and anticipation.
Unlike DARPA’s previous tests, the 23 competing robots were untethered this time. They had to complete an obstacle course that was designed to simulate a disaster building. Each robot needed to drive in on an ATV, step out of the vehicle, open and walk through a door, rotate a valve, drill a wall before either walking on or through a patch of rubble. In the end, they had to climb a small flight of stairs to finish on an elevated plank.
The robots spent more time standing still, as if carefully contemplating their next steps, than being on the move. Eventually, after many many minutes, most of the machines plodded along and proceeded to complete the tasks. But they were not entirely autonomous. They relied heavily on a human operator for completing tasks and navigating the staged debris. While robots can scan and measure spaces in an instant, in a way that a human can’t, they lack the ability to make judgments on the fly. So these machines were equipped with sensor suites and 3D scanners that mapped the environment and acted as the eyes for a human operator, who sat about a quarter of a mile away. The many losses and exciting triumphs in this challenge were a collaborative effort.
If the final race was any indication of the future of the robots, it seems they need humans more than humans need them. In the end, this was an epic battle of perception, human-machine coordination and dexterity. Team KAIST from South Korea finished first and took home $2 million in prize money. Their robot DRC Hubo, a humanoid, completed all eight tasks and ended up with the quickest time in the race – 44:28 minutes. Even though most of the robots in this contest were humanoids, what makes Hubo unique is that it can transform at will. It has a pair of wheels attached to its knees, so it folds over to roll over tough terrain. It’s also equipped with an internal air-cooling system that improves the efficiency of its innards.
The second spot, a $1 million prize, went to another humanoid. Team IHMC Robotics from Florida entered with Running Man, an Atlas robot supplied by Boston Dynamics. Their lab at the Institute of Human and Machine Cognition in Florida advances walking and balancing algorithms to make a humanoid robot more stable. Their final time was about 50 minutes.
Carnegie Mellon University’s CHIMP robot, a swanky red machine with extra long arms, came in third to win $500,000. The team, Tartan Rescue, built the robot in a way that it can either roll like a tank or drive on all fours to get past obstacles in its way. CHIMP had a fall like many of its competitors in the race. But, it was the only robot that got back up on its own. Overall, it scored eight points like the first two winners, but its final time added up to 55:15 minutes.
Apple Music is making its way to Android devices this fall
Apple has just announced that Apple Music, the company’s newly-announced music streaming service, will come to Android devices sometime later this fall. The music service as a whole will launch on iOS, OS X and PC by the end of June, though Android support won’t be made available until a few months later.
Just announced hours ago at Apple’s WWDC event, Apple Music is a “revolutionary” streaming service that offers music from Apple’s huge music catalogue, gives you personalized music recommendations as well as access to the new Apple Music Radio service. The first station in Apple Music Radio, dubbed Beats 1, is a 24/7 live international radio station hosted by popular DJs that will play everything that has to do with music and music culture.
At launch, Apple Music will be available in over 100 countries and carry an impressive catalogue of over 30 million tracks. Individual plans will cost $9.99 per month, and family plans for up to six people will cost $14.99 per month. Apple will also give everyone a free three-month trial when the service launches.
Apple certainly has a gigantic music library, though it’s difficult to say whether or not the service will offer more value to consumers than Google Play Music or Spotify. Do you think you’ll become an Apple Music convert, or are you sticking with Google Play Music or Spotify? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® today unveiled Apple Music™, a single, intuitive app that combines the best ways to enjoy music — all in one place. Apple Music is a revolutionary streaming music service, a pioneering worldwide live radio station from Apple broadcasting 24 hours a day and a great new way for music fans to connect with their favorite artists. Apple Music combines the largest and most diverse collection of music on the planet with the expertise of world-class music experts who have programmed playlists for your iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch®, Mac®, PC, Apple TV® and Android phones.* Apple Music will be available starting on June 30 in over 100 countries.
“We love music, and the new Apple Music service puts an incredible experience at every fan’s fingertips”
“We love music, and the new Apple Music service puts an incredible experience at every fan’s fingertips,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “All the ways people love enjoying music come together in one app — a revolutionary streaming service, live worldwide radio and an exciting way for fans to connect with artists.”
“Apple Music is really going to move the needle for fans and artists,” said Jimmy Iovine. “Online music has become a complicated mess of apps, services and websites. Apple Music brings the best features together for an experience every music lover will appreciate.”
Apple Music
Apple Music is a revolutionary streaming service and app that puts the entire Apple Music catalog at your fingertips across your favorite devices. Starting with the music you already know — whether from the iTunes Store® or ripped CDs — your music now lives in one place alongside the Apple Music catalog with over 30 million songs. You can stream any song, album or playlist you choose — or better yet, let Apple Music do the work for you.
Curation is the soul of every playlist created on Apple Music. Apple has hired the most talented music experts from around the world, dedicated to creating the perfect playlists based on your preferences, and they become better curators the more you listen. The “For You” section of Apple Music provides a fresh mix of albums, new releases and playlists, which have been personalized just for you.
In addition to human curation, Siri® is also dedicated to helping you enjoy great music and have fun with Apple Music. Ask Siri to, “Play me the best songs from 1994,” “Play the best FKA twigs song,” or “What was the number one song in February 2011?”
Apple Music Radio
Beats 1℠, Apple’s first ever live radio station dedicated entirely to music and music culture, will broadcast live to over 100 countries. Beats 1 is a 24-hour listening experience led by influential DJs Zane Lowe in Los Angeles, Ebro Darden in New York and Julie Adenuga in London. Listeners around the globe will hear the same great programming at the same time. Exciting programs on Beats 1 will offer exclusive interviews, guest hosts and the best of what’s going on in the world of music.
Apple has also redesigned radio with human curation taking the lead. Apple Music Radio gives you stations created by some of the world’s finest radio DJs. The new stations range in genres from indie rock to classical and folk to funk, with each one expertly curated. With membership, you can skip as many songs as you like, so you can change the tune without changing the dial.
Apple Music Connect
Artists and fans now have an incredible way to connect with one another directly in Apple Music with Connect. Through Connect, artists can share lyrics, backstage photos, videos or even release their latest song directly to fans directly from their iPhone. Fans can comment on or like anything an artist has posted, and share it via Messages, Facebook, Twitter and email. And when you comment, the artist can respond directly to you.
Pricing & Availability
Starting on June 30, music fans around the world are invited to a 3-month free membership, after which a $9.99/month subscription fee will apply. There will also be a family plan providing service for up to six family members available for just $14.99/month.
Requires initial sign up. At the end of the trial period, the membership will automatically renew and payment method will be charged on a monthly basis until auto-renewal is turned off in account settings. Family plan requires iCloud® Family Sharing. Seewww.apple.com/icloud/family-sharing for more information.
*Apple Music is available on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac and PC starting June 30. Apple Music will be coming to Apple TV and Android phones this fall.
Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, the Mac and Apple Watch. Apple’s three software platforms — iOS, OS X and watchOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple’s PR website (www.apple.com/pr), or call Apple’s Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.
© 2015 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Apple Music, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple TV, iTunes Store, Siri, Beats 1 and iCloud are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee will soon swim its way onto mobile devices
If you’re a fan of the Oddworld series, you’ll be happy to know that Square One Games, a Vancouver-based game development studio, is working to bring a new title to mobile. It’s called Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee, and it will soon be released to both Android and iOS devices. Oddly enough the game already complete, though Square One is waiting to launch the mobile version until the revamp of Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee on Steam has been completed.
Munch’s Oddysee takes the form of a platformer, which deviates from the FPS (first-person shooter) style gameplay found in the popular Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath. If you’re unfamiliar with Munch’s Oddysee, you play as Munch and Abe – two friends who are focused on delivering payback to the evil Vykkers corporation who is responsible for the near extinction of the Gabbits, Munch’s amphibious species. Players will take control of Munch and Abe’s unique abilities in order to complete each stage.
Square One has promised to show off Munch’s Oddysee at this year’s E3. No word has been given concerning the price of the mobile version or whether or not it will come with controller support. For those who already own the game on Steam, the refreshed version will come to you at no extra cost.
AIVAnet 