You can now browse Reddit from your Xbox One
The internet’s front page is coming to an Xbox One near you. ReddX is what Microsoft is calling the first ever Reddit app for TVs and it’ll allow you to browse through r/gaming or the rest of the site while you’re, you know, playing games, and it’s rolling out today. A post on Xbox Wire notes that there are media-specific achievements to unlock that are named after gaming memes (Scumbag EA, perhaps?) and there’s even a customized main page. More than that, you’ll be able to upvote, comment and perform any of the site’s functions while holding an Xbox One controller or SmartGlass device. You can also control GIFs, view image galleries and even watch embedded YouTube videos without leaving the app, and, because it’s on the Xbox One it can of course be snapped in alongside something else and is controllable with voice. To show off just how it all works, Larry “Major Nelson” Hyrb wrote a post to Reddit directly from the application.
Posting to @reddit using the new ReddX app for Xbox One pic.twitter.com/tMXnqIMr1H
– Larry Hryb (@majornelson) August 19, 2014
A few new features are coming to the Twitch app, too. You’ll now be ale to capture audio from a chat headset and watch broadcasts with pals. Perhaps most notably, though, is that the Kinect can now follow and zoom in on your face (like it does for Skype) so you don’t have to sit two feet from the sensor anymore, making it easy for fans to gaze upon your mug.
For a moment, let’s say the internet’s largest message board and live-streaming service aren’t your bag, though. That’s totally fine! MTV is coming to the Xbox One as well and it’s bringing full episodes of certain TV shows in addition to bonus clips and behind-the-scenes access for US cable subscribers. Will there be music videos? We doubt it, but you never know.
There’s a new workout available in Xbox Fitness that fans of the Seattle Seahawks might be excited about, as well. Quarterback Russell Wilson’s workout apparently is a high-intensity affair that focuses on power and agility, among other aspects, in 40 and 20 second intervals. After a 3D Blu-ray marathon, a little exercise might be in order. Or not.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft
Via: Twitter
Source: Xbox Wire (1), (2), Major Nelson
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‘Madden 15’ will bring EA’s CoachGlass app to the PlayStation 4
Remember that Xbox exclusive “CoachGlass” app that pushed to push Madden NFL 25 tips and play advice to the second screen? It just got a little less exclusive. In a new post detailing the app’s Madden 15 implementation, EA revealed that the feature will be available on both Xbox One and Playstation 4 platforms. While there’s no word as to why the feature is no longer an Xbox exclusive, its former status won’t be forgotten: the app is keeping the Microsoft-inspired name. There are a few cosmetic changes too — the app has been redesigned to make play data easier to read, and it focuses more on statistics than suggesting strategies.
EA admits that many of the ideas from CoachGlass’ original app inspired Madden 15′s playcall features, but says the second screen add-on is still worthwhile. In addition to the redesign, the app now offers new options for run / pass while on defense and now offers suggestions for offensive plays as well. Check out EA’s full overview right here.
Via: Operation Sports
Source: EA
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Activision wants its own movie studio to turn games into big-screen blockbusters
Activision games like the Call of Duty series are practically movies between their big-name actors and Michael Bay-like action scenes, so this begs a question: why doesn’t the company actually make movies? Apparently, it may do just that. The Information hears from sources that the developer is tentatively planning to launch a studio that would produce movies and TV shows based on its brands. The new outfit would theoretically be a Marvel-style hit factory that produces exactly the titles it wants to see on the big screen, rather than licensing out to third parties that historically botch the job. That certainly makes sense — for every successful adaptation like Resident Evil, there’s a dozen Wing Commanders that tarnish an otherwise fine legacy.
Whether or not this project pans out is another matter. CEO Bobby Kotick is still in talks to get the necessary executive talent, and Kotick himself has been worried that movies might sour people on the franchises. Activision certainly isn’t commenting on the rumor at this stage. However, the firm might feel like it has little choice. Call of Duty sales have been gradually dropping for a while, and there’s no guarantee that Skylanders will remain a cash cow forever — movies may rekindle interest in these well-worn properties and prevent a Guitar Hero-level burnout.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD
Source: The Information
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‘District 9’ star cast in lead role for PlayStation’s ‘Powers’ series
Every story needs a hero, and comic-book based yarns aren’t any different. Good thing Sharlto Copely has some experience in that department because the upcoming Powers adaptation for PlayStation would be awfully different without Detective Christian Walker. The District 9 alum has been cast in the lead role alongside Michelle Forbes (Orphan Black, Battlestar Galactica) as Retro Girl. Series co-creator Brian Michael Bendis writes on the PlayStation Blog that while the actors don’t resemble their 2D counterparts in appearance, neither he nor co-creator Michael Avon Oeming ever intended a faithful version of the book to hit the screen. He says that the pair were looking more for actors that captured the spirit of the characters instead and he wants the show and the book to exist, more or less, in parallel universes and play to the strengths of each respective medium. How much will those universes cleave? Well, we should know come December.
[Image credit: Associated Press]
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Sony
Source: PlayStation Blog
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‘Minecraft’ might actually come to virtual reality after all
Earlier this year when the Facebook purchase of Oculus VR went down, there were more than a few detractors but none as prominent as the man behind Minecraft. At the time, Markus “Notch” Persson said that his company Mojang was in talks to bring the blocky construction set to Oculus Rift, but cancelled the deal because Zuckerberg’s social network creeped him out. That’s all changed now. Notch recently tweeted that he’s officially over being peeved about the transaction, and was now more upset about a hole in one of his favorite socks (yes, really). That musing didn’t go unnoticed by Oculus. Specifically, the outfit’s chief technology officer and all-around game-industry legend John Carmack, who offered:
“Say the word, ship the source and I’ll make sure it runs well on you-know-what…”
Yep, that’s right: one of gaming’s most prominent programmers has formally offered to help port Minecraft to VR. Oculus courting one of the, if not the, biggest indie developers and his absurdly successful games makes a lot of sense. Minecraft is infinitely more recognizable to a mainstream audience than something along the lines of, say, EVE: Valkyrie is, and this sort of deal might land Notch enough money to buy another Aphex Twin record — everyone wins.
@notch @brendaniribe say the word, ship the source, and i'll make sure It runs well on you-know-what…
– John Carmack (@ID_AA_Carmack) August 17, 2014
Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD
Via: IGN
Source: John Carmack (Twitter), Markus Persson (Twitter)
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EA Access restricts early ‘Madden 15’ gameplay to six hours
Thanks to EA’s all-you-can-game subscription, early access to Madden 15 for those who fork over $5 per month is the closest thing the gridiron faithful will get to a demo this year. On top of that, gameplay for early access to the full title is capped at six hours according to the gaming service’s Twitter account. In the past, there hasn’t been a time limit for demos, but players were limited to options like one quarter of action at a time, and sometimes with a couple of pre-selected teams. Of course, EA Access is only available on Xbox One, so the PS4 faithful will have to wait until launch day for kickoff.
@KansasFF EA Access memebers will have six gameplay hours with the full Madden NFL 15 game.
– EA Access (@EAAccess) August 18, 2014
Via: NeoGAF, Steve_OS (Twitter)
Source: EA Access (Twitter)
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‘Minecraft’ add-on helps you learn programming while you play
Programming languages can be daunting to learn, especially if you’re a kid who’d rather be playing games than creating them. Thankfully, ThoughtSTEM has found a way to make coding both accessible and entertaining in one shot. Its upcoming LearnToMod software teaches you how to write JavaScript code by producing Minecraft mods that are appropriate to your skill level. If you’re just starting out, you can use building blocks of code that produce simple-yet-fun features, such as a bow that shoots teleporters. Advanced students, meanwhile, can write in raw JavaScript and produce content that you wouldn’t think was possible in Minecraft‘s cuboid universe, such as a Tetris mini-game.
The system also includes plenty of motivators, in case the gameplay itself isn’t enough. There are more than 100 lessons with video tutorials, badges for accomplishing certain tasks and private servers that let you show projects to your friends. You can even get credit at the University of California in San Diego, if you’re pursuing a programming degree. While only 150 students are testing LearnToMod now, you can pre-order it for $30 ahead of its wider October launch — a bit late for back-to-school, but just fine if you’re hoping to get your feet wet.
Via: Wired
Source: LearnToMod
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Latest Xbox One update adds remote game buying, 3D Blu-ray
On top of the updates that Microsoft announced at Gamescom last week, the folks in Redmond are rolling out August’s monthly update to Xbox One consoles. First, you’ll be able to purchase extra content for that title of choice before you head back to your living room with SmartGlass or by visiting Xbox.com on a mobile device. During marathon gaming sessions, you’ll now get a pop-up notification when that trusty controller is running on fumes. Despite lacking the feature at launch, this round of addition finally brings 3D Blu-ray support to the Xbox One. To round out the update, Activity Feed now sports a single-column view with more sharing ability, notifications can be disabled when watching video and your Friends List will display the last time your mates were online. The tweaks are on the way to consoles starting today, so you’ll be getting cozy to the new features shortly.
Filed under: Gaming, Microsoft
Source: Major Nelson
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Here’s another ‘PlayStation Phone’ that Sony could have made
Sony may have given up on its Xperia Play, but Chinese gaming companies 78point and Much think there’s still a demand for Android phones with built-in gaming buttons and joysticks. Funnily enough, both brands ended up sourcing their hardware from the same OEM, which is why 78point’s P01 and Much’s W1 are technically identical, with the exception of their Android 4.2 skins. This dual-SIM (WCDMA/GSM) device is essentially a typical Chinese mid-ranger, for it features a 5-inch 720p IPS display plus MediaTek’s 1.7GHz octa-core MT6592 SoC (with 2GB of RAM and Mali-450 MP4 graphics). You also get 16GB of internal storage, microSD expansion of up to 64GB, 8MP/2MP cameras and a generous 3,000mAh battery.
With the dedicated gaming buttons, CN¥1,999 (about $330) is a pretty competitive price for this package, as long as you don’t mind the 213.8g weight — about the same as the refreshed PS Vita’s 219g — and the chunkier body. The 78point P01 even appears to come with a multi-platform emulator (MAME, PSP, Dreamcast, NDS, GBA, NES, SNES, N64 and more), whereas Much plays it safe by recommending emulators instead. Folks in China can now pre-order the P01 on JD.com ahead of its August 20th launch, or they can nab a W1 from Chinese operator Snail Mobile.
[Image credit: 78point; Much]
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Mobile
Source: JD, Snail Mobile
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Creator of Xbox dashboard ads is sorry for all the Mountain Dew tiles
You know all those annoying ads cluttering the Xbox 360 and Xbox One dashboards? Well, one of their creators has issued an apology. Former Microsoft employee Allen Murray writes on Gamasutra just how his noble intent to get digital games noticed on the Xbox 360 got away from him, and, as he tells it, Redmond initially opposed the idea. Prior to joining the Xbox team Murray worked at Amazon, which he says gave him a keen insight into how tech can be used to enhance retail sales. His idea was to highlight titles like Hexic HD on the dashboard and allow users to purchase them directly from the dash almost effortlessly. So, with the encouragement of Larry “Major Nelson” Hyrb, Murray pitched the idea to his bosses and was immediately shot down. Eventually the higher-ups relented and, clearly, the results speak for themselves. “If you hate the Mountain Dew ads, I truly am sorry,” he says. Well, at least we have a target for our fist shaking now.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft
Via: Gamasutra
Source: The Illuminated Squid
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AIVAnet 