‘Banner Saga’ back to Kickstarter to fund final chapter

Though Viking axe-and-smash tactics game The Banner Saga suffered years of delays after it got funded three days into its March 2012 Kickstarter campaign, it enjoyed critical and commercial success upon its release in January 2014. Its sequel earned lower sales and fanfare after indie studio Stoic fatefully decided to forgo another draining crowdfunding campaign and build it behind closed doors. But to finish the trilogy strong, they’ve launched a new Kickstarter for The Banner Saga 3, which is already 40% funded on its first day.

The last chapter will close the series’ epic story of humans, giant horned Varls and centaurs striving to survive against an army of runic automatons and the encroaching Darkness that pushes them. Both of the first games earned acclaim for their deep tactical system, lush hand-drawn animation and gorgeous soundtracks by indie composer luminary Austin Wintory.

Returning to Kickstarter is both a dependable income generator and a solid community engagement method. Fans ended up pledging over 700% of the first game’s $100,000 crowdfunding goal back in 2012, but running the campaign was draining on the team. As technical director and co-founder of Stoic John Watson told GamesIndustryBiz, the studio’s decision to neglect their community during the second game’s development hurt the game’s success. It didn’t help that its release window was simply more crowded, coming out among 400 games instead of the first title’s 70 competitors.

If the first day’s $88,000 take is any indication, The Banner Saga 3’s $200,000 Kickstarter goal will be met soon enough. As their FAQ notes, they have no firm release date; Likewise, they aren’t saying when a port to PS4 and XboxOne will be likely, though it took the first game a year and the second a few months after their PC launches to make the jumps. But early backers from the first Kickstarter who tipped in extra dough, take heed: Stoic is honoring those who bought $50-or-higher tiers that ensured copies of every game in the trilogy and will send out copies when The Banner Saga 3 drops.

Source: The Banner Saga 3 (Kickstarter)

The first Ultra HD Blu-ray PC drive ships next month

More and more, we’re getting our movies and TV via streaming services instead of on disc. But a certain DIY crowd still appreciates support for physical media piped through a home theater PC, and that’s the group the first Ultra HD Blu-ray drive is made for. Pioneer Japan announced two disc drives, the BDR-S11J-BK and the BDR-S11J-X that it will release in late February, ready to read the triple-layer 4K-ready discs.

Both drives come bundled with a copy of Cyberlink’s PowerDVD software that is ready to play back 4K movies from disc. However, you’ll also need a PC running Windows 10 as well as a 7th-generation Core i7 or i5 Intel processor (Kaby Lake) and an HDMI 2.0a connection that’s HDCP 2.2 capable (just like 4K Netflix on the PC). Once you get past the demands of HEVC compression and the DRM wrapping, it should be all set. Still, we have seen some growing pains with the first Ultra HD Blu-ray players and it’s possible a software update or two will be needed for every movie to work just right.

Both drives are capable of reading and writing (read-only for Ultra HD Blu-ray), and are basically identical although the J-X has some extra tweaks for CDs, whether you’re listening or just ripping. There’s no word yet on price or exact release date, but we’ll probably see drives in the US soon. As Myce (f.k.a CDFreaks) notes, both Pioneer and Hitachi-LG are licensed to make the drives, so whatever arrives will probably come from one of those two.

Via: AV Watch

Source: Myce, Cyberlink, Pioneer Japan

Here’s how to become an ethical hacker

Cybersecurity should be top of mind for most people, especially given the slew of high-profile cyber-attacks that have been dominating the news. While it’s often unclear who the perpetrators of these attacks are, the core concepts and techniques they use are well known, and can help you protect yourself or build a lucrative career protecting others from cyber threats.

The Ethical Hacking Training Bundle is a great resource for those wanting to learn this useful and fun skillset, featuring over 60 hours of comprehensive hands-on training. Engadget readers can pick it up today for just $49, over 90 percent off its retail value.

Here’s what’s included:

• Ethical Hacking for Beginners ($99 value)
• Ethical Hacking from Beginner to Advanced Techniques ($30)
• Learn The Basics of Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing ($50)
• WebSecNinja: Lesser Known WebAttacks ($99)
• Automated Mobile Application Security Assessment with MobSF ($49)
• Build an Advanced Keylogger Using C++ for Ethical Hacking ($199)
• Linux Security & Hardening: The Practical Security Guide ($20)
• Cross Site Scripting (XSS) Attacks for Pentesters ($65)
• How to Build a $120,000/Year Career as a Web Penetration Tester ($70)

You’ll get a comprehensive overview of ethical hacking, from core concepts and fundamentals to advanced techniques like keylogging, penetration testing, and Linux-specific system security—essentially everything you need to know to become a competent cyber-security pro. Get the Ethical Hacker Training Bundle from GDGT Deals today for just $49, down from its regular $600 price.

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Facebook snags ‘Heroes of the Dorm’ as an eSports exclusive

In a surprise move, Blizzard announced that this year’s Heroes of the Dorm eSport tournament will be shown exclusively through Facebook Live. Based around Blizzard’s popular video game –Heroes of the Storm — this unique tournament sees college teams across the US and Canada competing for a chance to win free tuition at their university. After two years of being broadcast on ESPN, every match of 2017’s competition will instead be live streamed exclusively from the game’s Facebook page. Blizzard state that the move to the social network will help to ‘enhance’ each match, allowing the company to create easily shareable clips and interact more closely with its fans.

Despite 2015’s first showing attracting only a small subset of viewers, last year’s tournament was still shown on ESPN 3, Twitch and YouTube. With ESPN previously betting big on Heroes of the Dorm, this year’s exclusion suggests that 2016’s event didn’t get the kind of ratings that the channel was hoping for.

Still, it’s a win for Facebook. This Blizzard streaming deal marks the social networking company’s first aggressive expansion into eSports, setting its sights firmly on Amazon owned competitor, Twitch. Interestingly, this is Facebook’s first notable move towards gaming since it announced Live streaming options for Blizzard games last year.

As college education is still such an expensive proposition in the US, students will once again be flocking to test their MOBA skills in a bid to save them years of crippling debt. As of today, eligible college gamers can sign up to compete, with the matches wrapping up this spring.

In 2015, UC Berkeley’s team became the first-ever Heroes of the Dorm winners, while last year’s tournament saw Arizona State University’s ‘ Real Dream Team’ earning their tuition. If you’re prepared to live in darkness for a few solid months, it could well be your time to shine. You can find information including the latest match lineups, up-to-date statistics and eventual player profiles at the Heroes of the Dorm site.

Apple Resellers and Service Providers Speak Out Following Simply Mac Closures

GameStop last week announced it is closing a number of non-productive Simply Mac locations throughout the United States, less than four years after acquiring and expanding the Apple Authorized Reseller and Service Provider, which effectively serves as a third-party Apple Store in smaller markets.

Following the reports, we received a tip from a disgruntled Apple Authorized Service Provider owner who said the underlying issues prompting Simply Mac’s downsizing are “far deeper” than it would seem. He noted his own AASP is closing because Apple has “slowly strangled” him on margins and with “free labor” demands.

Another longtime Apple Authorized Dealer and Service Provider told us that AASPs have been “under siege” for years. The person, who wishes to remain anonymous, said profit margins are “appallingly low” and that Apple views its authorized service partners as “nothing more than glorified TV repairmen.”

“I am sad to say that I do not see this changing,” the person said. “Apple is highly aware of our concerns and do not seem to care. As an Apple reseller for over 20 years, I thought that when Apple became successful we would participate in that success, but we did not,” the person added.

Given the polarizing comments from a few, we decided to reach out to a number of Apple’s authorized sales and service partners in the United States and Canada to see if there is any validity to the claims.

A number of the Apple Authorized Resellers and Service Providers we spoke to refuted the allegations, noting they are stable if not growing, but we did learn that Apple has made one adjustment in particular that might explain the pressure felt by some sales and service partners—especially smaller ones with fewer sales.

Since August 2015, Apple has lowered its profit margins for resellers, requiring them to pay more upfront for products. Apple then rebates the difference as part of the monthly Business Development Funds checks it sends to resellers, but this method requires resellers to wait longer to be fully paid.

In other words, while the margins did not change overall, resellers are now forced to pay more upfront for Apple products to sell, which restricts cash flow that could otherwise be used for day-to-day operations, employee wages, and other expenses. For smaller resellers, the change can be particularly burdensome.

Meanwhile, one reseller believes Apple’s arguably lackluster 2016 was a contributing factor to its own year-over-year sales decline.

On the service side, one person told us they “don’t know that there is any truth” to the statement about Apple demanding “free labor,” which a separate source said is likely an exaggeration for certain items that Apple used to compensate resellers for but now considers “non-revenue repair.”

“I would not say that Apple has been demanding any kind of free labor,” a service manager told MacRumors. “However, they are increasingly sending customers to us for iPhone repairs, which do not pay very well. We get paid more for a ten minute Mac repair than we do for an hour-long iPhone one.”

“I am pleased to say that Apple really values their service partners and has increased our compensation for warranty work,” another reseller said. “If you can achieve Premium Service Provider status, you get some nice perks along with higher compensation. While not perfect, Apple service really seems to care about us and is constantly trying to make things better for us.”

MacMedics, an Apple Authorized Premium Service Provider with two locations in Maryland in Severna Park and Lanham, and another in Philadelphia, agreed to comment on the record to shine positive light on Apple.

“We’re doing very well, we’ve expanded, and we opened a new pure retail location in 2015. Apple give us great support and guidance,” said Dana Stibolt, President of MacMedics. “We’re very encouraged by the upward trends over the last year, and in fact we’re hiring more staff for all locations for both in-lab and on-site.”

The other sources asked not to be identified. Apple and GameStop did not respond to requests for comment.

Tags: Simply Mac, AASP
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Apple Celebrates Australia Day on App Store

Apple has updated the App Store in Australia to mark the beginning of celebrations for the country’s national holiday Australia Day, which takes place annually on January 26. The landing page for the iOS App Store now sports a collection of apps and categories that highlight Australia’s green and gold national colors.

The update includes an emphasis on in-game additions with Australia Day-themed add-ons, as well as general promotions taking place in certain apps. Gaming apps involved in the celebrations include Clash of Clans, Torque Burnout, Marvel Contest of Champions, Asphalt Xtreme, and more.

Non-gaming apps have also been rounded up for Australia Day, including DocPlay, which notes that a collection of Australian-centric documentaries are free for a limited time within the app.

Apple has given the App Store a celebratory overhaul in the past, last year encouraging users to get involved in its Apps for Earth and World AIDS Day campaigns by promoting apps that forwarded proceeds to relevant causes. When looking back on 2016 at the beginning of the new year, Apple announced that App Store developers made $20 billion in 2016, which the company said was up 40 percent from 2015.

(Thanks, Stuart!)

Tag: App Store
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Verizon Will Support Wi-Fi Calling on Other iCloud Devices on iOS 10.3

Verizon customers running the new iOS 10.3 beta have discovered that the carrier has added an option for Integrated Calling (Calls on Other Devices).

The feature enables iPhone users to make and receive Wi-Fi calls on other iCloud-connected devices, including the iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, and most 2012 or later Macs, even if the iPhone is turned off or not on the same Wi-Fi network. The devices must be signed into the same Apple ID used on the iPhone.

AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile already support Wi-Fi calling on supported iCloud-connected devices, so Verizon was the last holdout among the four major carriers in the United States. The feature is also supported by smaller U.S. carriers MetroPCS and Simple Mobile and by a few other carriers internationally.

Wi-Fi calling on other devices may not be live yet for all Verizon customers on iOS 10.3 beta, but it should be ready in time for the final version.

Related Roundup: iOS 10
Tags: Verizon, Wi-Fi calling
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BMW and Nissan launch 174 new dual-plug EV chargers in the US

Nissan LEAF and BMW i3 owners now have a lot more charging stations they can go to. The automakers have expanded their dual-format fast-charging network, adding 174 stations to their current crop with the help of eVgo. These 174 stations spread across 33 states offer dual 50 kW DC chargers that support both CHAdeMO and SAE Combo (CCS) connectors. They can charge not just LEAFs and i3s, but also other electric vehicles, so long as they’re equipped with quick-charge ports. Nissan says the 50kW stations only need around 30 minutes to bring EVs up to 80 percent of their full capacity.

LEAF owners can look for these new stations through Nissan’s EZ-Charge smartphone app, while i3 owners can use their car’s ConnectedDrive. But since they’re located near shopping and dining establishments, as well as frequently traveled routes, they’re bound to come across the new chargers every without the apps’ help. In order to better compete with Tesla and its Superchargers, Nissan and BMW are planning to add 50 more fast-charging stations this year.

Source: Nissan

Singapore hosts first full-scale autonomous truck platoon trial

A fleet of autonomous trucks is joining all the self-driving taxis and buses Singapore is testing on its streets. Toyota and Volkswagen subsidiary Scania will begin the first full-scale autonomous truck platooning trial in the country this month. For the next three years, the two companies will operate a fleet of trucks composed of three autonomous vehicles following a manned one to transport cargo between ports. Singapore’s authorities organized the project, because aside from its desire to become the world’s first smart city, it’s also seeking to optimize road capacity. It’s a relatively tiny city-state, after all, and the number of vehicles on its roads keep on growing along with its population.

Scania’s and Toyota’s trial is composed of two phases. For the first one, both companies will focus on designing and refining their truck platooning technology in Sweden and Japan. Scania has even teamed up with Ericsson to improve its wireless communication between trucks. Local trials and further development of the technology in Singapore make up the second and final phase. You can get a glimpse of the partners’ platooning tech in the video below if you want to see how the trucks will traverse Singapore’s roads.

Via: Automotive Logistics

Source: Scania

Amazon now has over 250 Dash Buttons for easy ordering

What I initially thought was an April Fool’s joke now counts 250 different options to its name. I’m talking about Amazon’s Dash Button and today the online retailer announced that the total number of one-touch ordering devices has hit the aforementioned tally. To get there, the company added 50 more of the re-ordering tools from brands like Seventh Generation, Colgate, Emergen-C, Kingsford, KY, Lifestyles, Rogaine and more. Just how popular are they? Amazon says some brands are receiving more than half of their orders from Dash Buttons.

If you’re new to the whole Dash Button phenomenon, the tiny gadgets link to the Amazon app on your phone where you assign a product to each one. When you press the button, the mobile software asks you to confirm the order and you’re all set. The only catch is you have to be a Prime member to employ the devices. Last week, Amazon revealed virtual Dash Buttons for online use. Both the physical and the virtual options are free, but you if you want one to stick around your house, you’ll have to pay $5 up front that you get back when you place your first Dash order.