Ubisoft executives fined millions for alleged insider trading
In addition to a looming hostile takeover, Ubisoft corporate has to deal with over a million Euros in fines for alleged insider trading. The Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) has levied a combined €1.27 million (almost $1.4 million) fine against Ubisoft Montreal CEO Yannis Mallat and VP of corporate affairs Francis Baillet. Executive director of worldwide studios Christine Burgess, Ubisoft Montreal VP of executive operations Olivier Paris and Damien Moret, who’s the director of brand development for the company were also named.
According to French publication Les Echos (translated), the country’s stock market regulators found that those named sold stock in the company prior to the announcement that Watch Dogs and The Crew would be delayed out of the holiday release window in 2013. The news of those delays sent Ubisoft stock plummeting some 26 percent.
In a statement, Ubisoft told Engadget that it believes its employees acted in good faith and that the company is “convinced” that no one intentionally committed any “acts contrary to market regulations.” The firm says that the AMF’s move “represents a serious misunderstanding” of the game development and publishing process, saying that this sort of thing is “common” to the video game industry.
“Given the processes and timetables involved in the production of major games at our company and within our industry in general, we believe that at the time they carried out their transactions these employees could not have been aware of or anticipate the subsequent decision to postpone the game that would be taken by Yves Guillemot on October 11, 2013,” the statement said.
“Each major game requires the involvement of multiple teams across the company, but ultimately only the company’s CEO can make an exceptional decision such as changing a game’s release date.”
Mallat said that the accused employees will appeal this decision.
“We remain convinced that the whole process is unjustified, unfounded and illegal,” he said.
These allegations almost makes you wonder if the company actually did know what it did was illegal. Hence, pushing Assassin’s Creed: Unity out the door the next year despite some seriously horrific and performance-affecting bugs.
Via: Kotaku
Source: Les Echoes (translated)
‘Super Mario Run’ won’t work offline due to piracy concerns
Super Mario Run doesn’t arrive for another few days, but when it does, you’ll need a constant internet connection to play the game. In an interview with Mashable, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that due to piracy concerns, the latest installment of Mario doesn’t have an offline mode. The company is worried about piracy because the game will be available in 150 countries on devices that it doesn’t have direct control over.
“For us, we view our software as being a very important asset for us,” Miyamoto explained to Mashable. “And also for consumers who are purchasing the game, we want to make sure that we’re able to offer it to them in a way that the software is secure, and that they’re able to play it in a stable environment.”
The constant network connection will not only be used to save progress, but it will also sync that saved info across devices. Nintendo apparently wanted to make the World Tour available offline, but the technical hurdles to doing so and having it still play nice with the Toad Rally and Kingdom modes proved problematic.
“We wanted to be able to leverage that network connection with all three of the modes to keep all of the modes functioning together and offering the game in a way that keeps the software secure,” Miyamoto continued. “This is something that we want to continue to work on as we continue to develop the game.”
In a statement to Engadget, Nintendo said that Super Mario Run’s online connection allows it to “enhance the play experience.” An internet connection provides access to scores from other players’ Toad Rally challenges and handles new in-game events while you’re playing. The company also reiterated that being constantly connected lets users to link to a Nintendo Account so that saved progress can sync across all of their iOS devices. You know, if you need to switch from your iPad to your iPhone for some reason.
Super Mario Run arrives for iPhone and iPad on December 15th. While the game is free to download, you’ll need to hand over $10 to unlock all of its levels. Of course, with no offline mode, you won’t be able to play during your next flight or on a commute that takes you underground. Here’s Nintendo’s full statement on the matter:
Online connectivity allows us to offer a variety of features and services that enhance the play experience. Super Mario Run is not a static experience, but rather one that players can continue to return to again and again to enjoy something new and unexpected. For example, online connectivity can offer the following:
- Access to other users’ play data and scores for automatically generated Toad Rally challenges.
- In-game events that will offer players new challenges and rewards for a limited time.
- Linkage to Nintendo Account to access save data from multiple devices. For example, if players have Super Mario Run on their iPhone and iPad, they can share one save file across the different devices. However, this save data cannot be used with different devices at the same time.
Via: 9to5Mac
Source: Mashable
Rockstar classic ‘Bully’ arrives on iOS and Android
Think of Rockstar and your mind probably jumps to the Grand Theft Auto franchise, or Red Dead Redemption. While excellent games, they’ve arguably overshadowed an oft-forgotten classic from the PlayStation 2 era: Bully. The adventures of Jimmy Hopkins at Bullworth Academy were charming and mischievous, blending pranks and favors with classroom mini-games. Ten years after its original release, the game is now available on Android and iOS. It comes with the extra classes, missions and characters from the Scholarship Edition (released on Xbox 360 and Wii in 2008), while introducing new lighting, textures and character models.
Like the mobile Grand Theft Auto titles, you’ll have to put up with some tricky on-screen controls. The games were never designed for touch screens, so switching between fisticuffs and slingshots can be a real nuisance. You can, however, use a standalone controller with the iOS version — we recommend it, especially if you’re playing at home. Bully: Anniversary Edition also comes with a new, asynchronous multiplayer mode called “Friend Challenges.” Here you can race to dissect a frog, try word problems or kick back with the in-game arcade title ConSumo.
The app costs $6.99/£4.99, which is in line with previous Rockstar games on the App Store. If you haven’t played Bully before, it’s well worth checking out — especially if you’re travelling a bunch this Christmas.
Source: Bully: Anniversary Edition (iOS), (Android)
The Engadget Podcast Ep 17: Mansion on the Hill
Executive editor Christopher Trout and reviews editor Cherlynn Low join host Terrence O’Brien to talk about the week’s biggest news, including: Pandora Premium, Fitbit’s purchase of Pebble and the gaming industry’s nostalgia overload. Then Chris will tell the panel about his investigation into a failed gaming accessory that’s found a second life as a sex toy — clearly things get a little NSFW. Then all three will talk about what Amazon Go and other advancements in automation and mean for low-skill and low-wage jobs.
Wins
Loses
Winning %
Christopher Trout
7
2
.777
Mona Lalwani
3
1
.750
Devindra Hardawar
14
10
.583
Dana Wollman
10
8
.555
Chris Velazco
3
3
.500
Cherlynn Low
8
11
.421
Nathan Ingraham
4
6
.400
Michael Gorman
1
5
.167
Relevant links:
- Fitbit’s Pebble acquisition risks alienating loyal users
- Fitbit buys Pebble’s smarts, but not its products
- Bloomberg: Fitbit acquisition will kill Pebble Time 2 and Core
- The Novint Falcon: Haptic joystick turned futuristic sex toy
- Amazon Go is a grocery store with no checkout lines
- Technology is coming for your retail jobs
You can check out every episode on The Engadget Podcast page in audio, video and text form for the hearing impaired.
Watch on YouTube
Watch on Facebook
Subscribe on Google Play Music
Subscribe on iTunes
Subscribe on Stitcher
Subscribe on Pocket Casts
‘Elite: Dangerous’ finally beams onto PS4 in Q2 2017
Space adventure Elite: Dangerous is coming to the Playstation 4 in the second quarter next year, completing its gaming platform sweep. The trading and combat sim will have all the latest Horizon expansions, letting you tear around the surface of planets at up to 100mph using a Surface Recon Vehicle. The game is available on VR for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, but the Elite team unfortunately didn’t mention Playstation VR support for the PS4 version — at least, not yet.
The trading, combat and exploration sim offers multi- and single-player modes, and lets you explore the Milky Way galaxy at your own speed, either as a sandbox or part of a mission. The team has also accurately recreated our solar system and parts of the galaxy, letting you see “familiar constellations” and visit “white dwarfs, neutron stars and even black holes that exist in our real night sky.”
The team did leave the door open a crack for Playstation VR support, saying “we’re looking forward to telling you more about how we’re supporting PS4 in the coming months.” There’s no specific date other than Q2 2017, or a price, but the Xbox One version starts at $29.99.
Source: Playstation Blog
Twitch gamers will stream from the White House next week
A host of popular Twitch streamers will emerge from their poster-walled bedrooms next week to give President Obama a masterclass in clutch plays. On Monday, December 12th, Monster-guzzling gaming celebs will huddle around screens at the president’s Washington D.C. residence for the “White House Competitive Gaming Event.” A four-hour livestream starting at 4PM ET will broadcast all the casual and competitive action, with highlights of the first White House LAN party to include a pro-am Rocket League showmatch featuring members of NRG eSports, and a Street Fighter V clash between US fighting game legend Justin Wong and people’s champion Mike Ross, commentated by none other than PogChamp himself. We believe in you, Mike.
The special event isn’t simply an excuse for Barracks Obama to hang out with his favorite streamers before leaving office, though. Instead, it’s intended to “raise awareness about the importance of health insurance” ahead of the December 15th deadline to enroll or change plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace, before coverage starts on January 1st 2017.
Before and during his presidency, Obama has reached out to gamers several times, with this special Twitch event being the latest example of the White House going to where the community is (though it’s kind of the other way around this time). As a 2008 candidate, he campaigned in Burnout Paradise and several other games, popping back up in the menus of various EA titles in 2012 while chasing re-election.
Obama has long been an advocate of responsible gaming, urging parents not to let their kids spend too much time glued to screens. That’s not to say he doesn’t enjoy a session himself on occasion, and he was apparently a bit of a dab hand at Wii Bowling in his day. More recently, he’s been spending a bit of time playing Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, but it appears he’s not the biggest fan of the latest installment in the popular FPS franchise.
Join the perfect match in ‘Halo 5’ with the custom game browser
Today’s update to Halo 5: Guardians adds a long-requested feature to Xbox One and Windows 10: a custom games browser. The new browser allows players to search for in-progress games from the main menu, customizing search parameters by specific maps, modes or players. It’s been a long time coming, considering Halo 5 debuted in October 2015.
“This Custom Games Browser is something the team has wanted to add for a long time for the community, but we needed the Content Browser and the search engine that powers it up and running first,” 343 UX Design Lead Vincent Hui says in a blog post. “Thanks for being patient.”
Today’s update also adds an Observer mode, and it enables the Forge map editing tool and Arena multiplayer mode in Windows 10, though the desktop version still doesn’t include matchmaking. Get the full details in both of 343’s blog posts, here and here.
Source: Halo Waypoint
Starbucks locations are now ‘Pokémon Go’ Gyms or Pokéstops
We knew a Starbucks collaboration with Pokémon Go was on the way, but now it’s official. Niantic, the developer of the massively popular augmented reality game, revealed today that around 7,800 Starbucks coffee shops in the US have been turned into Gyms or Pokéstops. Aside from this, since these are sponsored locations after all, trainers can also pick up a special Pokémon Go Frappuccino drink. And, just like you can do at Sprint stores now, you’ll have access to a charging station too.
Whatever you do, remember to be aware of your surroundings while you’re trying to catch ’em all. Because you never know who may be creeping on you. That’s no joke.
Source: Niantic
HTC launches its own VR app and game studio for Vive
HTC spun its Vive VR business into a subsidiary back in June and today the company announced it’s launching its own studio for VR app and game development. The appropriately named Vive Studios will release games that are developed in-house and by other companies in an effort to boost interest in its virtual reality gear. The first title from the new initiative is called Arcade Saga: a trio of games that shows off HTC’s room-scale VR from the internal 2 Bears Studio.
According to Venture Beat, HTC plans to operate Vive Studios much like Microsoft and Sony do for their internal development of Xbox and PlayStation titles. Oculus also has internal studios, one focused on games while the other creates cinematic experiences for the company’s gear.
In addition to games, Vive Studios is working on virtual reality content for cinema, design, real estate sports and more. We’ve already seen uses for the Vive outside of gaming, including BMW employing the tech to design new vehicles. The internal development arm will also build games for HTC’s VR arcade push, an initiative the company says will lead to “thousands” of locations by the end of next year.
In terms of the first release, Arcade Saga is available today for $30 on Steam and the HTC Viveport store. Based on the trailer, Arcade Saga looks two-thirds a modern VR version of Breakout and one-third an archery-style shooter. The title’s three mini games include 84 levels where you’re playing as your computer’s CPU in a battle against the AI henchmen of a computer scientist who goes by Warlock. The so-called Overlords want to keep all AI, like your CPU, enslaved and working as they were intended. It’s a rather elaborate setup, but you can take a look at the game in the trailer down below.
Source: Venture Beat
The ‘Ocarina of Time’ soundtrack is coming to vinyl
In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, music had a pretty big role. For instance, all it took to summon a rainstorm or change the time of day was playing a few notes on an the titular musical instrument. And now you can get in line to buy those iconic tracks and more on 180 gram vinyl. Hero of Time is scheduled to release second quarter of next year and will set you back $40 plus shipping. Rather than just pressing the MIDI score from the Nintendo 64 game to wax, however, a 64-piece orchestra performed the tunes. I see what you did there, iam8bit.
It’s a bit odd that it took this long for someone to give the score the fancy treatment on vinyl, to be honest. But the art — that bridge from the Lost Woods, though — and overall design might make up for the wait. Want to hear it in concert? Then maybe see if the (unrelated) Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses is playing a city near you.
Source: iam8bit
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