Archive for January 15th, 2009
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Action
During an interview with The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, God of War creator David Jaffe said the game he was “most jealous” of was Metal Gear Solid 4. “To make a game of that scale and at that level of quality clearly took a whole hell of a lot of tenacity and vision,” he explained.
We’ve hit some choppy waters with Mr. Jaffe in the past, so as part of our continuing efforts to smooth things over, we’d like to remind him of what he has that Kojima doesn’t. For one, though the story in Jaffe’s may be more limited in scope, it makes sense. Also? Swords on chains. Oh, and no monkeys crapping themselves. Big plus.
David Jaffe is most jealous of Metal Gear Solid 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Action
A sequel to a successful franchise, surely you jest!? Still, as much as another game being made in the Grand Theft Auto series is a no-brainer, if gossip found in the latest issue of Game Informer is to be believed, the inevitable follow up could be coming sooner than expected. The rumor mongers at GI write that Rockstar North is “already working” on the next GTA, with the game expected to light up cash registers during holiday 2009.
The magazine describes the as-yet-unannounced title as a “full retail game,” rather than simply new DLC or a compilation of previously released downloadables. Still, juicy as this is, we can’t help but find this rumor somewhat difficult to swallow given that nothing about the project has been so much as whispered before now. However, if true, it seems likely that the game would follow previous releases and adopt a subtitle similar to GTA: San Andreas or Vice City. How about Sesame Street? What’s the hooker situation like over there?
Rumor: Rockstar North prepping new GTA for holiday 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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 Make no mistake, the hottest thing going in the mobile realm just now is the Palm Pre, but that’s not to say RIM hasn’t gained a lot of attention with its most recent outpouring of smartphones. Max has chimed in with this week’s Ask Engadget question (which was sent in via ask at engadget dawt com), and it’s all about the latest and greatest BlackBerrys.
“I’m considering purchasing the BlackBerry Bold, but the news about the Storm and even the Curve has me intrigued. Which would your readers recommend for a new BlackBerry owner, and why? Pros and cons for each would be excellent.”
We don’t need to reiterate just how high the pedestal is on which the Curve 8900 sits (yes, even today) in the minds of the BB faithful, so we’ve no doubt that it should be included in this conversation. Go on fanboys, defend your dialer below.
Filed under: Ask Engadget, Cellphones
Ask Engadget: Best BlackBerry handset right now? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360
A video posted on YouTube purportedly shows gameplay from an alpha version of Star Wars Battlefront III. Indeed, the footage — while low in quality — appears legitimate, with its poster reporting that it “was taken in an internal show and tell Alpha meeting back in November.”
Watermarked with a Free Radical logo — much like pre-release builds of Haze were — the game appears very similar in mechanics to Star Wars Battlefront II, albeit with dramatically improved visuals (particularly in the area of screen-rocking special effects). Elements of note include airborne combat that seamlessly transitions from a planet’s atmosphere into space, the presence of a playable “old” Ben Kenobi (on what appears to be Tatooine) and even playable Ewoks.
There’s still no word on the fate of the game given Free Radical’s current predicament, but this footage — if authentic — has us hoping Jedi meditating that the dev’s work so far doesn’t go to waste. See the video for yourself after the break.
[Via GameVideos] Continue reading Rumor: ‘Leaked’ footage shows Star Wars Battlefront 3 in action
Rumor: ‘Leaked’ footage shows Star Wars Battlefront 3 in action originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted by Joseph L. Flatley
 There has been plenty of research into cloaking devices, but while scientists are still working their way towards the visible light spectrum they seem to be having the best luck with microwaves. Most recently, a new metamaterial made from over 10,000 individual pieces of fiberglass has been used to cloak a bump on a flat mirrored surface — the material prevents microwaves from being scattered, giving the RADAR (we’re guessing it’s a RADAR) the impression that the surface is flat. This has many possible applications, such as cloaking sources of interference to cellular communications. Unfortunately, the implication we most desire — rendering us invisible during high society jewel heists — has yet to become reality. Filed under: Cellphones
Cloaking device puts the kibosh on cellphone interference originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Biz
If it seems you have read this bit of news over and over again, well..you have. However today UK publisher Eidos did indeed confirm that some kind of buyout talks are in the works for the financially troubled company. Eidos’s statement is so short about the matter we reproduce it here in full:
The Board of Eidos plc (”Eidos” or the “Company”) notes today’s share price rise.
The Board can announce that it has received a preliminary approach which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the Company. Eidos emphasises that discussions are at a very early stage and that there can be no assurance that an offer will be forthcoming.
Further statements will be issued in due course as appropriate.
That’s all they are saying now. If you believe the rumors half the game industry wants to buy Eidos if only to get their hands on their popular IP like Tomb Raider and Hitman. Early in 2008, Eidos (then known as SCi) announced they had rejected an earlier buyout offer. That caused the stock price to crater and as a result the company’s management team resigned.
Eidos confirms “preliminary” buyout talks originally appeared on Big Download Blog on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Culture, Nintendo DS, Mac, PC, Nintendo Wii
Shigeru Miyamoto and Spore have been recognized by The Jim Henson Company as part of their annual “Jim Henson Honors” awards. The legendary game designer was bestowed the Celebration Honor, which goes to an “individual, organization or product that makes the world a better place by inspiring people to celebrate life.” Mario, Donkey, Wii … yeah, you know the drill.
As for Spore, it took home the Technology Honor, probably because it allowed everyone to create their favorite Star Wars characters or giant penis monsters. The other not so game-related awards went to artist Shepard Falrey (Creativity Honor) and the Center for Puppetry Arts Distance Learning Center (Community Honor).
Congratulations to everyone. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with the video after the break.
Continue reading Spore, Shiggy honored with Jim Henson awards
Spore, Shiggy honored with Jim Henson awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted by Joseph L. Flatley
 We’ve seen Android on a Mini-Note, and we’ve seen it on an Eee PC, but we never thought in a million years that we’d ever see Android on mom’s hat. Looking for a way to simplify his mother’s regular tech support calls (the universal remote often throws her for a loop) Dan O’Sullivan dreamt up his Camera Hat for Complicated Televisions. The whole megillah consists of an Android handset strapped to the forehead — miner’s lamp-style — with a custom app streaming camera footage to the web, where he can keep an eye on things while he talks her through turning on The Price Is Right for, like, the zillionth time (if she’s anything like our moms, that is). Hit the read link for some more info on the project and the full source code.
[Via Make]
Filed under: Handhelds, Wearables
Android-powered camera hat keeps mom in the loop and lookin’ sharp originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Biz, Culture
The annual DICE Summit in Las Vegas is coming up next month and today the event’s organizers the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences announced their initial list of speakers for the event. The DICE Summit is also the home of the annual Interactive Achievement Awards which comedian Jay Mohr will host once again for his fourth straight year.
Speakers confirmed for the DICE Summit include Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello, DC Universe Online lead designer Chris Cao, Digital Illusions creative director Lars Gustavsson, Bethesda Softworks‘ lead designer Todd Howard and Ensemble Studios founder Bruce Shelley (who will also get the organization’s Hall of Fame honor during DICE). The event is still scheduled for the Red Rock Hotel in Las Vegas from Feb. 17-20 with the Interactive Achievement Award to be held on Feb. 19.
DICE 2009 announces new speakers originally appeared on Big Download Blog on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sports/GTs, Japan, Supercars, Nissan, Tokyo Auto Salon
Click above for a gallery of the Blitz Nissan GT-R
You’d have to go to great lengths to improve on the Nissan GT-R, but judging by the number of R35s on hand at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Japan’s top tuners are making a serious attempt. One GT-R that caught our attention comes from the aftermarket firm Blitz, which ditched Godzilla’s all-wheel-drive system and fitted a manual gearbox in an attempt to make the GT-R a credible contender in Japan’s D1 drift series.
With the complex ATESSA-ETS setup and rear-to-front drivetrain removed, Blitz has created the first rear-wheel-drive GT-R and addressed one of the main complaints about the R35 - it’s weight. While the stock seats remain (Blitz plans to fit a set of Bride buckets later on), it’s nixed the air-conditioning and a number of other components, along with replacing several interior panels and the hood with carbon fiber pieces. The gearbox still sits in the rear for optimum weight distribution, but a Hollinger sequential unit has been fitted with the addition of an NISMO GT R34 LSD. The twin-turbo’d 3.8-liter V6 remains unchanged, but the exhaust has been swapped in favor of a Blitz cat-back.
In addition to a set of gauges to keep tabs on boost, oil temperature and oil pressure, Blitz fitted its own ZRR dampers at all four corners, along with a set of BRW09MAG forged magnesium wheels, sized 20×9.5-inches (+38) up front and 20×10-inches (+18) in the rear. Each is shod in super sticky Dunlop SP Sport DSST Ctt (we think 600s) rubber, with 255/40s on the front and 285/35 out back.
The Blitz GT-R is still under development, so it won’t be campaigning in D1 until 2010. Not that it matters, we’re just enamored by the sight of an R35 with a clutch pedal. Check out the gallery below for some shots under the Blitz GT-R’s body.
[Source: Blitz, Autoblog Chinese, GTRBlog]
2009 Tokyo Auto Salon: Blitz brings RWD, manual-equipped GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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