Final Fantasy XV: Everything you need to know
Final Fantasy is one of the world’s most revered games franchises. Fans of Japanese role-playing games are in a state of considerable ferment over the prospect of Final Fantasy XV, its latest instalment and the first one custom-designed for the current-generation of consoles, arriving this year.
The game’s publisher, Square Enix, meanwhile, is understandably keen to build anticipation. To that end it recently held a glitzy event in Los Angeles entitled Final Fantasy XV Uncovered, during which it was announced that the game will hit the shops on September 30.
In addition a vast amount of information about Final Fantasy XV itself was revealed, including a number of related objects such as a CGI film called Kingsglaive and an anime series.
There’s a lot to take in, and a lot of excitement building. So read on for everything you need to know about Final Fantasy XV.
You can play it now (as a demo)
At Final Fantasy XV Uncovered, Square Enix launched a demo version of the game entitled Platinum, which you can download now, on Xbox One or PlayStation 4, for free. Unprecedentedly, Platinum is the second Final Fantasy XV demo to be released, following Episode Duscae, which was made available in 2015 to gamers who bought Final Fantasy Type-0 HD.
As demos go, Platinum is slightly odd, but it does at least offer a basic taste of Final Fantasy XV’s key gameplay element: its battle system.
Final Fantasy XV producer Hajime Tabata explained: “The Platinum demo offers a very low barrier to entry for people who maybe haven’t played Final Fantasy games before.” In other words, it offers a pretty simplified take on the game.
Unlike Episode Duscae, Platinum is separate from the main game: in it, you play a version of Noctis, the lead character, when he was a young boy; its general tone, influenced by Alice In Wonderland, is more whimsical than that of the final game, but it gives a decent feel for Final Fantasy XV’s considerable graphical polish.
Although the tutorial part of the Platinum demo glosses over some of the battle system’s more sophisticated elements – such as the Warp attack which lets you hit enemies from a distance are nevertheless present – there are a wide selection of magic attacks.
Square Enix
Tabata explained that Square Enix, mindful that previous versions of Final Fantasy have been perceived as having over-complicated battle systems, has tried to make Final Fantasy XV’s key mechanic more accessible: “Considering the difference between traditional Final Fantasy fans and those who are not, it’s important that the game can be enjoyed by both those groups.”
We know Final Fantasy XV’s main characters and overarching storyline
Fear not: we don’t know quite enough about either to get into the realms of spoilers. But we do know it’s the first properly open-world Final Fantasy game, as well as the first to feature vehicles.
Final Fantasy XV’s overall storyline will send you on a road-trip, in a car called a Regalia, as one of a band of friends on a quest. You play Noctis, heir to the throne of Lucis. He is accompanied by Ignis (effectively his best mate), Gladiolus, who is essentially his bodyguard, and another non-royal friend called Prompto.
Square Enix
Noctis is engaged to Luna, so the road trip is pretty much his last pre-marital blast of freedom (stag do anyone?). But trouble is afoot in Crown City, Lucis’ capital, which is why King Regis, Noctis’s father, has sanctioned the road-trip.
Confused yet? In true FF fashion it’s all about RPG names.
It’s a film, an anime series and a mobile phone game
At Final Fantasy XV Uncovered, Square Enix unveiled a whole raft of items designed to support the game. As Tabata put it, they are supposed to “create different ways into the franchise, and to allow people to enjoy the game’s universe at a deeper level”.
Chief among those goodies is a full-length CGI feature-film called Kingsglaive, which is due to be released ahead of the game. Kingsglaive takes a classic parallel-storyline approach, chronicling events that take place in Crown City while Noctis and co are on their road trip.
It has a pretty stellar cast, with Sean Bean playing King Regis, Lena Headey voicing Luna, and Aaron Paul playing Lord Nyx. Its director is Takeshi Nozue, who co-directed Square Enix’s most recent CGI film, 2005’s Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. Nozue said that while Kingsglaive will mainly be made available via digital distribution, Square Enix is looking to release it in cinemas in various territories which, hopefully, will include the UK.
Anime-lovers can avail themselves (for free) of a five-episode series called Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV. The first episode is streamable now via Square Enix’s YouTube channel, and the rest will arrive episodically on a monthly basis, starting in June.
Most bizarrely, Square Enix is making a free mobile pinball game called Justice Monsters Five. Why? Well, at one point the main characters in the game are seen playing an arcade version of Justice Monsters Five, so it’s pretty cute of Square Enix to create a real-life version of that. As yet, we don’t know when it will be arriving but it, too, will arrive before September 30.
Square Enix is putting a lot of eggs into the Final Fantasy XV basket
Final Fantasy XV will be a huge game and must already have swallowed up an almighty amount of Square Enix’s resources: it was originally announced, as Final Fantasy Versus XIII, for the PlayStation 3, in 2006.
Factor in its peripheral accompaniments, such as Kingsglaive and Justice Monsters Five and, although the former has a chance of making money, it must have cost an absolute bomb to make. There’s no doubt that Square Enix sees it as the game that, for once and for all, will drag the Final Fantasy franchise fully into the 21st century, and regain Final Fantasy’s crown as the king of RPGs. So the company desperately needs it to be a success.
Amazingly, in a press conference held the day after Final Fantasy XV Uncovered, Hajime Tabata admitted that for it to be a success, it will have to sell: “In total, about 10-million units worldwide over its whole lifetime.” So we can expect just the teensiest bit of hype in the lead-up to its September 30 launch.
Chocobos and a flying car will feature
On the evidence of various trailers, Final Fantasy XV will contain all the classic franchise-touches that the fanatical fan-base demands.
For example, Chocobos will feature, those brightly coloured emu-like creatures that, in 1997’s Final Fantasy VII, could be bred and raced. Square Enix even released a game called Chocobo Racing in 1999. It will be possible to ride them in XV, but Square Enix is currently remaining tight-lipped about whether a Chocobo racing mini-game will be included.
And the Regalia car, in which Noctis and his merry band undertake their quest, has also attracted much attention, since Square Enix revealed that it will be able to take to the skies.
However, that won’t be the case all the way through the game, as Tabata explained: “The flying model of the Regalia car is something you get late in the game as an additional upgrade. We will create some areas that you can only reach with the flying car, but it is not something you need for the main story. We want people to feel overjoyed that this car, which you have travelled the whole world in, can now fly. And we also wanted that thrilling, slightly dangerous feeling you get on an aeroplane when it comes in to land. The flying car is easy to take off, but you must be careful when you land it, because it will bounce around.”
Fan-made Captain America shield pulls off a few superhero tricks
No armory of fan-made Avengers props is complete without Captain America’s shield. While you can get one that looks the part over at MachinaProps, a shield that you can bounce off walls and Ultron robots is a little harder to come by. But! Even if your blood doesn’t flow with the super soldier serum, the Hacksmith has attempted to make it happen with several powerful electromagnets and the aforementioned replica.
It’s not exactly a simple task. As its creator James explains, a lot of work was needed to ensure the 30-pound shield (magnets and batteries too), could be held on his arm without, well, breaking something. A lot of padding was needed on the brace too. The electromagnets themselves were definitely potent enough to make it into superhero tech: the 12 V magnets could each lift 260 pounds — but crank that up to 72 volts and the pair can attach to around 1,600 pounds — at least until they quickly burn out. The keep it light, the replica shield is made of aluminum (not vibranium), meaning any magnetic influence requires additions.
The shield isn’t quite finished, but it’ll holster into a matching biker jacket that also has magnets built into it. James is already able to get a bit of bounce off some walls, and even reattach the shield to the brace. Not quite ready for Thanos, but it’s a start.
Via: Kotaku
Source: Hacksmith
HTC sales fell off a cliff
All is not well at HTC. It today posted another difficult earnings report detailing its fourth consecutive quarter of losses. The Taiwanese manufacturer, which has just released its latest flagship smartphone, the HTC 10, lost roughly $148 million between January 1st and March 31st. More worrying still is the drop in revenues when compared to 2015: HTC brought in 41.5 billion Taiwanese dollars this time last year (and broke even), versus 14.8 billion this year. That’s a 64-percent drop in revenues.
There are a couple of caveats worth noting: First, as mentioned, HTC’s new (and well-received) flagship has only just hit stores, so that’s not involved in these results. Second, the company’s VR headset, the Vive, is also not involved here. That said, the corresponding quarter last year similarly didn’t include sales of the HTC One M9. It should also be noted that this isn’t a massively new development: HTC has generally been trending downwards over the past few years, and has been attempting to restructure itself into a smaller, more efficient company.
How does HTC recover? As you’d expect, it’s trying to lower costs and raise revenues. Although it hasn’t gone into specifics, Chief Financial Officer Chialin Chang says HTC will “trim expenses” through the current quarter and beyond. HTC has recently sold off some land and property, and is likely to downsize its operations considerably in the search of profitability. Speaking about the Vive virtual reality headset, Chang said that VR will also be “an integral part of profitability,” this year and moving forward.
It’s hoped that the cost-cutting measures, together with an uptick in revenues from the HTC 10 and the Vive, will lead to better months ahead. Chang believes that HTC can break even on its smartphone business by Q3 (that’s the July to September quarter), although he notes that this does not constitute a forecast, and is instead an internal aim of the company.
Source: HTC (PDF)
Samsung’s budget Galaxy J5 2016 and J7 2016 debut in India
Samsung has launched the Galaxy J5 2016 and the Galaxy J7 2016 in India. The Galaxy J5 is available in the country for ₹13,990, with the Galaxy J7 debuting at ₹15,990. Both come with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box, offer 13MP cameras at the back and 5MP front shooters, and feature a metal frame around the sides. The phones will be up for sale starting later today on Flipkart.
The Galaxy J5 2016 offers a 5.2-inch 720p Super AMOLED display, 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410 SoC, 2GB of RAM, 16GB internal memory, microSD slot (up to 128GB), and a 3100mAh battery. The Galaxy J7 2016 comes with a larger 5.5-inch 720p display, and is powered by a 1.6GHz octa-core Exynos 7870 SoC with 3GB of RAM and 16GB storage along with a 3300mAh battery. The phones also come with LTE connectivity, and feature the S Bike Mode that debuted on the Galaxy J3.
Based on the specs, the Galaxy J7 sounds like a better bet as you get a larger screen and more RAM, as well as a larger battery for just ₹2,000 more. What do you guys think of the phones on offer?
Watch a parachute rescue a drone in free fall
Drone operators dread the thought of their vehicle losing power mid-flight, and not just because of the expensive crash that’s likely to follow — it’s that the drone might hit something or someone on its way down. ParaZero thinks it can set those pilots’ minds at ease, however. It recently unveiled a reusable parachute system, SafeAir, that slows drones when they’re in free fall. The concept isn’t completely novel, but it promises extremely quick reactions that could avoid accidents. As you’ll see in the clips below, the chute deploys within milliseconds and can rescue a craft even if it’s at very low altitudes. A lightweight drone (under 4.4 pounds) should be relatively safe even if it drops from 6.6 feet above the ground.
The technology isn’t perfect; a drone won’t fall any more slowly than 9.8 feet per second, so the odds are that it’ll still take damage. However, the parachute could mean the difference between a total loss and recovering camera footage, and could give bystanders more time to get out of the way. The main concerns are simply availability and cost. The first version in development isn’t meant for the 3D Robotics Solo, which isn’t as common, and it’s not clear how much you’ll have to pay when the system arrives. Right now, this is primarily for movie makers and adventurers whose robotic flyers are likely to run into trouble.
Via: The Verge
Source: ParaZero
India’s proposed mapping bill is an attempt to rein in Google
The Indian government is working on a new mapping bill that will have serious consequences for companies providing mapping services in the country. Dubbed the Geospatial Information Regulation Bill, the ruling aims to regulate mapping vendors like Google by forcing them to seek out a license from the newly-created Security Vetting Authority.
Here’s the crux of the bill:
Any person who wants to acquire, disseminate, publish or distribute any geospatial information of India, may make an application alongwith requisite fees to the Security Vetting Authority for security vetting of such geospatial information and licence thereof to acquire, disseminate, publish or distribute such Geospatial Information in any electronic or physical form.
The bill comes on the heels of the terrorist attack on Pathankot airbase earlier this year. Speaking to Economic Times, unnamed government officials said:
Pathankot air base, which was recently attacked, can be seen on Google Maps. Terrorists plot strikes on sensitive targets studying Google Maps. Our plea to black out sensitive installations do not yield results. This Bill is now sending a strong message that US companies cannot be running roughshod over Indian security interests.
We are not banning anyone from mapping India – only that the mapping has to be in line with Indian security considerations regarding sensitive installations and correct boundaries being depicted like not showing PoK and Arunachal Pradesh as out of India.
Under the new bill, the vetting authority will supply “security-vetted geospatial information” to all licensees, with any incorrect depiction by companies culminating to a fine of up to ₹100 crore ($15 million) and imprisonment for up to seven years.
As an alternative, BJP MP Tarun Vijay said that “patriotic Indians” should use the country’s own Bhuvan mapping solution:
Why do we need Google? We should stop becoming Google’s instruments. The patriotic government of Narendra Modi has taken a right step in a big relief to the security establishment. UPA did not take any action despite my pleas to the then Defence Minister AK Antony. I congratulate the Modi government for showing spine in face of arrogance of these IT giants. Google has been behaving as if it were above Indian law.
The reasoning behind the bill — to show “India’s true borders” and prevent listing of sensitive government installations — makes sense, but the government is failing to see the big picture. Even if the ruling were to go into effect in India, it would only prevent citizens in the country from accessing the data, as there would be no way for the government to enforce the bill outside the country’s borders. That doesn’t mean it’s not trying:
No person shall in any manner make use of, disseminate, publish or distribute any geospatial information of India, outside India, without prior permission from the Security Vetting Authority.
So, if Google Maps had to show India’s geospatial data outside the country, it would still need a license from the Security Vetting Authority. The bill also does not take into account the millions of apps that leverage geospatial information. Every time you check in to Facebook, send your location on WhatsApp, or call an Uber to your address, you’re acquiring geospatial data. There’s no mention as to how the government would enforce the ruling in these scenarios.
Thankfully, the bill is currently in a draft stage, and the government is seeking comments. If you’re an Indian resident, head to the link below to read more on the subject and share your thoughts.
See at SaveTheMap
Scientists hope to save near-extinct rhinos by transforming cells
The northern white rhinoceros is in far worse straits than most rhinos. There are just three members of the species left, and they can’t breed normally — if nothing happens, extinction is guaranteed. And that’s leading researchers to try a dramatic technological solution to keep the northern white rhino around. They’re planning to transform both frozen and living rhino cells into stem cells that could grow into eggs and sperm for the in vitro fertilization of a surrogate southern white rhino. This would not only resurrect the species, but create enough diversity that the new population should survive in the wild.
Of course, planning a revival and achieving it aren’t one and the same. The technique might require growing the cells alongside tissue from other animals, and there’s no guarantee that you’d get a healthy rhino on the other end. Also, zoos don’t always have the many millions of dollars needed to make this project happen. If everything comes together, though, it could prove that science has what it takes to bring a species back from the brink.
Via: Nature
Source: Wiley Online Library
African mobile game rewarded its top players with a real cow
What did your favorite mobile game give you the last time you topped its leaderboard? In Tunisia, the developers of a game called Bagra, which translates to “cow,” gave its top players a real, living bovine. To win, the couple had to be better than everyone else in a game of keeping a digital herd of cows safe while stealing from others.
According to local website Tuniscope, Digital Mania, the app’s developer, gave the winners a choice between claiming the live cow, donating it to charity and having it butchered for meat. Luckily for Pamela, her new owners decided to claim her alive and whole. We just hope the couple didn’t incur a crippling debt buying in-app items to protect their virtual herd.
Via: Ars Technica, BBC
Source: Tuniscope
Best armband cases for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge
Take your phone with you wherever and however you work out.
If you’re a fitness freak who loves to have their music with them as they work out, or simply looking to take up jogging as the summer warms up, an armband case is a smart way to keep your phone comfortably secure as you move.
There’s a number of options out there that purport to support a number of different phone styles. We’ll touch on some of the best of that bunch, but first we’ll focus on the ones specifically designed for use with the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge.
- SUPCASE Easy Fitting Sport Armband
- J&D Sport Armband
- MoKo Sports Armband
- Danforce Sports Armband
- Belkin Sport-Fit Plus
SUPCASE Easy Fitting Sport Armband
There’s something to like about an armband case that seems to really provide actual protection. This option from Supcase does just that, giving you a silicon case specifically designed for the Samsung Galaxy S7 (as well as an option for the S7 edge), so you’ll have easy access to the buttons and headphone jack The case is flexible and easy to put on and take off, but will keep its shape. It also allows you to use the fingerprint scanner, which most armbands render unusable with their screen protector.
The armband itself uses Velcro to be adjustable and able to accommodate biceps from 9 to 21 inches. The material is lightweight and breathable which is good for comfort, and also can be separated from the case portion for easy handwashing. It also features reflective markings so you’ll stay safe when running at night.
For Samsung Galaxy S7
See at Amazon
For Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
See at Amazon
J&D Sport Armband
This all-in-one armband case will keep your phone snug to your arm, while also adding convenient storage for other items you’ll probably want to have on you just in case. This includes a slot for a key on the outside, and another hidden pocket on the inside that’s wide enough to hold a credit card or some cash for emergency situations. The case protects your phone’s display with a touchable screen that allows you to still use your phone while it’s on your arm. It’s also available in four colors: black, blue, red, and white.
The band uses Velcro and is 18.5 inches from end to end, so it should fit comfortably for biceps 15 inches or smaller. It also includes a wire holder for wrapping your headphones when you’re done, because tangled earbuds are basically the worst thing ever. Speaking of headphones, the hole for the headphone jack is kind of awkwardly placed on the back, due to the stitching, so it’s not as convenient as it could have been. But for under $10, it’s a great deal for all the features included.
For Samsung Galaxy S7
See at Amazon
For Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
See at Amazon
MoKo Sports Armband
This is the first of several arm bands that will work with a whole bunch of different phones. It’s Amazon page includes sizing options for both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. This one is available in a bunch of bright colors, on top of the standard black, and features a reflective strip around the edge of the phone display.
It’s made with a sweat-resistant material for a comfortable feel that also keeps the moisture away from the open ports, and also features a handy pocket on the inside for storing your ID, credit card or cash. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.
See at Amazon
Danforce Sports Armband
This one is worth the mention due to its stylish appearance. As has been a recurring theme when looking at these armband cases, this one features a slim design with a secret pocket on the inside for storing your house key, ID, and credit card. It’s made from a polyvinyl chloride material and features a Lycra Velcro strip that they’re really proud of.
This one is also advertised to come with two e-books — one for nutrition tips and another with training programs for beginners. Might not be worth your time at all, but hey, it’s free.
Do note that while it works with the Samsung S7 as well as the S6, S6 edge and even that old Galaxy S5 you still may have kicking around, it won’t fit the Galaxy S7 edge. Bummer.
See at Amazon
Belkin Sport-Fit Plus
Belkin is one of the most trusted brands for tech accessories, so you know that they have their own sports armband for the Galaxy S7. Theirs lacks the secret pocket for storing and ID or credit card, but has a good build otherwise and is quite comfortable and lightweight.
They also have a couple other options on their website — the Sport-Fit and Slim-Fit models — but they’re not currently available for whatever reason. You can still check them out on their website if you think they might be a better fit for you. The prices are also way higher than the Amazon route, but as they say, you do typically get what you pay for.
See at Belkin
How ’bout you?
Any of these armband cases catch your eye? If you also need an everyday case for your phone, check out our guide to the best cases for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. Did your favorite armband case not make it on our list? Drop us a line below in the comments!
Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge
- Galaxy S7 review
- Galaxy S7 edge review
- Here are all four Galaxy S7 colors
- Should you upgrade to the Galaxy S7?
- Learn about the Galaxy S7’s SD card slot
- Join our Galaxy S7 forums
AT&T
Sprint
T-Mobile
Verizon
PayPal stops protecting you when crowdfunding goes bust
PayPal won’t be so crowdfunding-friendly in the future. The payment giant is dropping Purchase Protection for crowdfunding projects as of a user agreement change coming June 25th. From then on, you back efforts at your own risk — if a campaign goes bust or otherwise doesn’t deliver what you were promised, you can’t dispute the PayPal charge to get your cash back. You might not want to take a chance on that too-cool-to-be-true gadget, then.
The move is unfortunate if you like to give artists and inventors a helping hand, but it’s not all that shocking in light of crowdfunding’s riskiness. Kickstarter notes that about 9 percent of its projects never deliver — even though PayPal only handles some of those transactions, that’s a lot of potential refunds. We’ve asked PayPal for its official reasoning, but it might simply be a matter of wanting to keep costs down.
Via: The Verge
Source: PayPal
AIVAnet 