Yahoo Screen’s Xbox 360 app will bring ‘Community’ back to your TV
Don’t worry, that green hue around Yahoo Screen’s gills isn’t seasickness, Marissa Mayer’s video service is just taking on the color of its newest platform, the Xbox 360. That’s right, as soon as the sixth season of Community debuts (or other original content, whichever comes first), you’ll be able to watch it via Microsoft’s last-gen gaming console. Until that happens, well, there’s always some 38 years of Saturday Night Live clips to peruse — assuming you haven’t burned through them all on your AppleTV or Roku already.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD
Source: Yahoo Screen
‘Watch Dogs’ web app turns real data into a virtual surveillance state
It seems like there’s even more truth to developer Ubisoft’s ode-to-hackers, Watch Dogs, than we first thought. Like we’ve previously reported, the game’s depiction of a smart city that connects drawbridges, traffic lights and its population’s smartphones (among other things) all to a single operating system is closer to fact than science-fiction, but the game studio has taken the notion one step further. With the We Are Data web app, you can wade through maps of publicly available geo-location information like tweets, Foursquare check-ins and even traffic light and CCTV camera placement — all stuff you can find in the game’s Chicago. As of now, you can only live out your Aiden Pearce fantasies with info from neighborhoods in London, Berlin and Paris, but there’s quite a bit to click on should you be so inclined. The available datasets aren’t nearly as extensive as, say, something like Urban Observatory’s, but it’s pretty neat nonetheless. If searching for public restroom-locations from your desk isn’t quite your cup of tea, you could always leave the browser tab open in the background — its ambient city sounds are oddly calming.
Filed under: Gaming, Internet, HD
Source: We Are Data
Sigourney Weaver joins original cast for ‘Alien: Isolation’ DLC
It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen Sigourney Weaver play the role of Ellen Ripley in Ridley Scott’s Alien. Weaver takes the role once more alongside several other original cast members for two pre-order DLCs for the upcoming Alien: Isolation title. Ripley is joined by Dallas (Tom Skerritt), Lambert (Veronica Cartwright), Brett (Harry Dean Stanton), Parker (Yaphet Kott) and Ash (Ian Holm, likeness only), allowing you to play through two iconic scenes from the film. With the Nostromo Edition pre-order, the “Crew Expendnable” bonus content allows gamers to play as one of the surviving crew members just after Brett’s demise to entice the Alien to the ship’s airlock. Those who purchase early from GameStop are privy to “Last Survivor,” where Ripley initiates the self-destruct sequence before escaping on the Narcissus. “For some of the original cast, this is their first appearance in an Alien video game. Seeing them reprise those roles after 35 years was an unforgettable experience,” says the game’s creative lead Alistair Hope. When it arrives in October, Alien: Isolation is due for Xbox (One and 360), PlayStation (3 and 4) and PC.
Microsoft not scrapping plans for retail Xbox Ones to act as development kits
Last year Microsoft announced plans to let every Xbox One become a software development kit at some point. Earlier today, Xbox Advanced Technology Group’s Martin Fuller reportedly told the audience at the Develop conference, spotted by Digital Spy, that that was no longer the case. Except that’s not quite the case. When we asked Microsoft if the comments were accurate, we were told outright: “The comments today were not accurate.” Further, a Microsoft spokesperson said: “We remain committed to ensuring the best possible solutions for developers and hobbyists to create games for Xbox One. We will share more details at a later date.”
Why’s this important? Well, for starters it’d allow anyone access to otherwise expensive development tools and thus further along the indie community, allowing practically everybody with the requisite know-how to make games for the platform. Development kits, also known as debug consoles, allow the user to play work-in-progress games on them, among other things. As the name implies, they’re typically only given to game studios, but select members of the press that need early access to a game for coverage purposes (mostly for access to preview and not-final review versions of games) get them too. While the general public likely wouldn’t have much use for the development tools this would open up, the move could be just the thing that causes the indie scene to explode on Xbox One.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft
Source: Digital Spy
The world’s first video game arcade machine is a glittery fiberglass wonder
Computer Space sounds like a third-party PC parts wholesaler, but back in 1971 it was the world’s first video game arcade machine. Before Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney went off to start some games company called Atari, Computer Space was their first commercial collaboration — a full year before Pong. The coin-operated computer game was the first of its kind in arcades, even if it wasn’t the commercial success they’d hoped it would be. A recently christened game museum in Japan had not one, but four of the original arcade machines — and an extra (unfortunately beige, non-shimmering) machine to play the game itself — so we touched a bit of gaming history.
The game is like a one-on-one version of Asteroids without the debris. Controls are similar and simple, although being the first of its kind, there’s a learning curve to it all. A pair of buttons rotate in either direction, while the other two act as thrust and fire. (The green model is particularly rare, with a pair of joystick controls that actually never made it into arcades.)
There’s no RAM, processor or ROM.
Unfortunately, we barely managed to play the game at the museum’s launch: our own spaceship disappeared from the game screen completely after about five minutes’ play and the machine was then tagged with an out-of-order sign for the remainder of the press event. (We didn’t break it. Promise.)
The machine can’t be run through emulation easily on more modern machine, because the hardware itself was before the era of arcade motherboards. There’s no RAM, processor or ROM. ROM chips were expensive at the start of the 70s, so creator Bushnell substituted in diodes on the circuit board, laid out in the shape of the spaceship on the circuit board itself. Interestingly, the highest score possible is 15 — once you go over that, the machine resets. Technologizer has a supremely detailed tale of the game’s development, but if you’re wanting a taste of the arcade’s first video game yourself, then we suggest trying some of the downloadable simulators here.
Microsoft’s ‘Project Spark’ game creator headed for October release
Microsoft’s Project Spark has already been available to early testers for the better part of four months, but gamers have been kept in the dark over when it’ll finally go on general sale. Until today. The company has announced that the retail version of its game-creation title will hit Xbox One and PC in October as part of a phased worldwide rollout. It’ll be available first in the Americas on October 7th, then make its way to Asia-Pacific countries on October 9th before hitting Europe on October 10th. Microsoft is pricing the Project Spark Starter Pack for Xbox One at $39.99/£29.99 and will include packs full of sounds, effects, animations, props and “advanced creator features” that will help you create a virtual world that you (and hopefully others) can be proud of. It’ll also feature the first sci-fi pack Galaxies: First Contact, Champions Quest: Void Storm, special characters and the first episode of what the developers are calling an “epic campaign adventure.” The good news is that there’s plenty of time enjoy the open beta , check the source links below to get involved (and earn achievements in the process).
Filed under: Gaming, HD, Microsoft
Source: Project Spark (Xbox One), (Windows 8.1)
Nintendo’s 3DS gets its first streaming game this September
We’ve seen quite a bit of game streaming on PlayStation-branded products, but it looks like Sony will gain some possibly unexpected competition. In Japan, at least. When Nintendo 3DS owners in the region play Dragon Quest X Online (DQXO) come its September 4th launch, they won’t be popping a cartridge into the system. No, like the massively multiplayer online (MMO) game’s mobile version, DQXO on Nintendo’s handheld will use streaming tech along the lines of PlayStation Now or OnLive instead of playing from a local cart or internal storage. As Tiny Cartridge reports, you won’t be able to play in 3D as a result, and you’ll constantly need a WiFi connection to access the game — considering that this is an MMO, that should be expected anyway. However, if you’d rather lay down your cash for a physical bit of DQ gear instead, well, there’s always this Metal Slime smartphone.
Via: Tiny Cartridge
Source: 4Gamer (Japanese)
This is what Samsung’s virtual reality headset, Gear VR, looks like
Wondering what Samsung’s virtual reality headset looks like? Well stop wondering, because when it’s announced at IFA 2014 later this year, it’ll look something like what you see above. That’s a render straight from Samsung, care of Sam Mobile. Our sources confirm that, while what they’ve seen isn’t exactly like what’s pictured above, it’s very similar; we’re guessing the render is a closer target to the retail model than the developer kits currently in the wild. Keep in mind Samsung still hasn’t even teased the headset we detailed last month across two reports.
The headset remains a peripheral: you’ll use it in conjunction with your phone, which plugs in via USB and acts as your screen. The hardware is built by Samsung, the software is built by Oculus VR — the folks behind the incredibly impressive Oculus Rift.
Beyond the image seen above, Sam Mobile also says the headset will be showcased at IFA 2014 in early September. Moreover, it’s named — fittingly — “Gear VR,” like Samsung’s other wearable line. The image highlights another feature we’re first hearing about today: a touchpad along the right side. Presumably his will help solve the issue of interaction within the headset’s Oculus VR-built software, which was handled by nodding last we heard.
The report also states that Samsung will make the headset’s software development kit available shortly after it’s announced, just ahead of Oculus VR’s first ever dev conference. Imagine that! We wouldn’t be shocked to hear that every developer at Oculus Connect walks away with a free Gear VR headset, fresh for development.
For now, however, Samsung’s Gear VR is both known about widely and officially unconfirmed by Samsung itself. If it weren’t clear enough, this thing is happening, and it’s happening soon.
Microsoft offering $75 credit if gamers upgrade to an Xbox One
If you’ve pondered buying an Xbox One but have felt a sense of loyalty to your Xbox 360, Microsoft is very keen to help you make the switch. As spotted by user BeforeU on NeoGAF, the company is running a new promotion that gifts its “very best customers” with a $75 promotional code if they buy an Xbox One or any Xbox One bundle. It appears that not everyone is eligible for the offer, with Microsoft only targeting a subset of Xbox 360 owners across the US ahead of its July 31st deadline. However, there’s no word on whether the promotion will come to other countries. To find out if you qualify, turn on your Xbox 360 and make sure it’s connected to Xbox Live. If you’ve been selected, you can order a (full-priced) console from any retailer and Microsoft will credit your Xbox account with $75, as long as you redeem your voucher code by October 15th. That’ll cover you for at least one Xbox One game like Destiny, ensuring your game collection gets off to a good start.
[Image credit: BeforeU, NeoGAF]
Filed under: Gaming, HD, Microsoft
Via: VG247
Source: NeoGAF
Xbox One July update brings Achievement tweaks and improved voice control
After almost a month of testing, the July update for Xbox One is here. Committed to a rapid pace of improvements, Microsoft has delivered a number of new features, including a new Snap mode for Achievements, improved voice functionality and the ability to ‘Like’ your favorite recorded clips through the SmartGlass remote app. The new Achievement tweaks are designed to provide instant feedback while you play games, letting you track your progress and search for online solutions to help you unlock the more difficult challenges. If you’ve recently invested in a Kinect-less Xbox One, today’s update lets pull up the Snap menu with a double-tap of the home button (because you can’t issue voice commands without Kinect). That button combination lets switch back and forth between apps too, so you’ll now have more control over your multi-tasking flow. With the choice to select a spoken language, your Xbox One can also differentiate between your accent and where you live — perfect if you’re an Englishman in New York struggling to turn your console on.
Filed under: Gaming, HD, Microsoft
Source: Xbox One System Updates
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