DCEmu Featured News Articles

We're in an interesting position with Windows Phone 7. We still don't know what devices will be running the OS nor indeed exactly when they'll be launching, but despite that we've already had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of quality time with not one but two separate versions of Microsoft's mobile revolution. And now, if that weren't enough, we've gained access to a series of detailed architectural documents about the OS courtesy of tweakers.net and HTCPedia.com, documents that detail everything from ringtones to device drivers. It's a couple-hundred pages of generally menial stuff, but there are quite a few nuggets of gold to be found in here, and we've dug them out just for you. Click on through, and let's see what we've got.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/24/w...dbits-exposed/ ...

There's a couple of good'uns on Nintendo's download services this week for gamers on the US side of the pond.

Metal Torrent on DSiWare brings another mental upscrolling shooter to the handheld. We're all about dodging bullet swarms of death at every opportunity.

Then you have the brilliant-looking ArtStyle: Light Trax - an almost Tron-like racer with simple visuals but fun physics.

Here's the full official list:

Nintendo DSiWare

Metal Torrent
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Fantasy Violence
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Prepare for a high level of intensity as you pilot a solo ship deep into enemy space in this vertically scrolling shooter. Battle wave after wave of relentless attackers aiming to do one thing - destroy you! Your goal, beyond mere survival, is simple: Get the highest score possible and earn bragging rights in online leaderboards. Two powerful fighters are at your disposal: the Accipiter and Bateleur, tailored for beginner or expert players. Progress through eight phases of action and take out enemies by tactically using your weapons: an unlimited-fire blaster weapon available to both ships and an energy-consuming special weapon unique to each craft. Absorb energy cubes from destroyed enemies to replenish your energy gauge and increase your score. Collect a series of consecutive cubes to create a chain and boost your score even higher. Choose from pattern or random modes to vary the level of challenge, but the real indication of skill comes from competing with players around the world for the highest score possible. Use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to upload your score to the online leaderboards to see where you stack up or even view replays of top-ranking players' games and study their secrets. Do you have what it takes to be the best?

World Poker Tour Texas Hold 'Em
Publisher: Hands-On Mobile
Players: 1-6
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Simulated Gambling
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Play like the pros in World Poker Tour Texas Hold 'Em on the Nintendo DSiWare service, the official game tested and approved by the experts at the World Poker Tour. Whether you're just learning to play or you're an old-school player wanting to hook some fish, Texas Hold 'Em has tables for all players. Choose to play solo in two unique tournaments designed specifically for the Nintendo DSiWare version or use a local wireless connection and play with your friends and take down monster pots. The action is in your hands in one of the most authentic poker games ever brought to the Nintendo DSi system.

Real Crimes: Jack the Ripper
Publisher: Virtual Playground
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Blood, Mild Sexual Themes, Violent References
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Real Crimes: Jack the Ripper - the fabulous, chart-topping hidden-object game with amazing graphics is now available on the Nintendo DSiWare service. One of the first and best games of its type, Jack the Ripper features numerous atmospheric 3-D locations and oodles of hidden objects to find. The realism of the scenes and the accuracy of the storyline will fascinate all ages from young teen to adult. Travel back to 1880s London to help Scotland Yard's detectives solve the crime of the century. Visit world-famous landmarks such as Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Palace. Search crime scenes and solve mini puzzles in your hunt for clues. Was Jack a doctor, a royal prince, a barber or something else? Was he mad? This game will tell you. Enjoy hours and hours of game play in this truly absorbing game. Whether you are an experienced player or a newbie, once you start your investigation, you will be on an adventure you won't want to stop - until you discover Jack the Ripper's true identity, that is.

Advanced Circuits
Publisher: BiP media
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Whether with a train, a car or a tank, are you ready for a new challenge? This brain-boggling puzzle game will put your powers of deduction to the test. Complete the circuits by connecting squares on the game board with pieces of track. Some pieces of track are already shown on the board at the beginning of the game to give you a head start. There is only one solution to each puzzle. The rules are simple but the challenges are tough.

Challenge mode features 60 predefined game boards of increasing difficulty.
Free Play mode lets you select the game board size and practice on any number of randomly generated puzzles.
72 awards to be won.
Also features a tutorial, hints and tips and even the solution if you feel like giving up.

WiiWare

ArtStyle: light trax
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 600 Wii Points
Description: Art Style: light trax takes racing to whole new (and very surreal) levels as you control a white beam of light moving perpetually forward while your viewpoint shifts between 2-D and 3-D perspectives. Start by choosing one of the two main modes of game play, each with its own distinct ...

There's a couple of good'uns on Nintendo's download services this week for gamers on the US side of the pond.

Metal Torrent on DSiWare brings another mental upscrolling shooter to the handheld. We're all about dodging bullet swarms of death at every opportunity.

Then you have the brilliant-looking ArtStyle: Light Trax - an almost Tron-like racer with simple visuals but fun physics.

Here's the full official list:

Nintendo DSiWare

Metal Torrent
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Fantasy Violence
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Prepare for a high level of intensity as you pilot a solo ship deep into enemy space in this vertically scrolling shooter. Battle wave after wave of relentless attackers aiming to do one thing - destroy you! Your goal, beyond mere survival, is simple: Get the highest score possible and earn bragging rights in online leaderboards. Two powerful fighters are at your disposal: the Accipiter and Bateleur, tailored for beginner or expert players. Progress through eight phases of action and take out enemies by tactically using your weapons: an unlimited-fire blaster weapon available to both ships and an energy-consuming special weapon unique to each craft. Absorb energy cubes from destroyed enemies to replenish your energy gauge and increase your score. Collect a series of consecutive cubes to create a chain and boost your score even higher. Choose from pattern or random modes to vary the level of challenge, but the real indication of skill comes from competing with players around the world for the highest score possible. Use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to upload your score to the online leaderboards to see where you stack up or even view replays of top-ranking players' games and study their secrets. Do you have what it takes to be the best?

World Poker Tour Texas Hold 'Em
Publisher: Hands-On Mobile
Players: 1-6
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Simulated Gambling
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Play like the pros in World Poker Tour Texas Hold 'Em on the Nintendo DSiWare service, the official game tested and approved by the experts at the World Poker Tour. Whether you're just learning to play or you're an old-school player wanting to hook some fish, Texas Hold 'Em has tables for all players. Choose to play solo in two unique tournaments designed specifically for the Nintendo DSiWare version or use a local wireless connection and play with your friends and take down monster pots. The action is in your hands in one of the most authentic poker games ever brought to the Nintendo DSi system.

Real Crimes: Jack the Ripper
Publisher: Virtual Playground
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Blood, Mild Sexual Themes, Violent References
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Real Crimes: Jack the Ripper - the fabulous, chart-topping hidden-object game with amazing graphics is now available on the Nintendo DSiWare service. One of the first and best games of its type, Jack the Ripper features numerous atmospheric 3-D locations and oodles of hidden objects to find. The realism of the scenes and the accuracy of the storyline will fascinate all ages from young teen to adult. Travel back to 1880s London to help Scotland Yard's detectives solve the crime of the century. Visit world-famous landmarks such as Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Palace. Search crime scenes and solve mini puzzles in your hunt for clues. Was Jack a doctor, a royal prince, a barber or something else? Was he mad? This game will tell you. Enjoy hours and hours of game play in this truly absorbing game. Whether you are an experienced player or a newbie, once you start your investigation, you will be on an adventure you won't want to stop - until you discover Jack the Ripper's true identity, that is.

Advanced Circuits
Publisher: BiP media
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Whether with a train, a car or a tank, are you ready for a new challenge? This brain-boggling puzzle game will put your powers of deduction to the test. Complete the circuits by connecting squares on the game board with pieces of track. Some pieces of track are already shown on the board at the beginning of the game to give you a head start. There is only one solution to each puzzle. The rules are simple but the challenges are tough.

Challenge mode features 60 predefined game boards of increasing difficulty.
Free Play mode lets you select the game board size and practice on any number of randomly generated puzzles.
72 awards to be won.
Also features a tutorial, hints and tips and even the solution if you feel like giving up.

WiiWare

ArtStyle: light trax
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 600 Wii Points
Description: Art Style: light trax takes racing to whole new (and very surreal) levels as you control a white beam of light moving perpetually forward while your viewpoint shifts between 2-D and 3-D perspectives. Start by choosing one of the two main modes of game play, each with its own distinct ...

Online reports claim that original Xbox evangelist J Allard is currently on sabbatical from Microsoft and may not return to the company.

Citing unnamed sources, Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet suggests that Allard took a leave of absence from the company after the recent closure of the Courier Tablet project he had been working on.

Although only one of Foley's sources suggests that Allard was encouraged to leave by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, there seems to be general agreement that he was unhappy about Courier's cancellation and increasing keen to leave the company.

Allard was one of the original champions of the Xbox brand, undergoing a radical makeover to take centre stage at a number of press conferences and public events. After overseeing the launch of the Xbox 360 though Allard disappeared from public view and was never again seen to be publically involved with the Xbox brand.

Instead he became involved in research and development for a number of secret projects, including Courier and what eventually became the Zune media player.

Microsoft has refused to comment on Allard's current whereabouts or status, although his corporate profile still lists him as chief experience officer and chief technology officer.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...n-to-microsoft ...

SCEA's publisher relations boss Rob Dyer has said Sony's approval process will not tolerate lazy ports of Wii games for the PlayStation Move controller due out later this year.

Dyer says the platform holder will do everything it can to improve games that inevitably will shift over from Wii, and prevent the rush of shovelware titles that plague the Wii catalogue.

"We'll do everything we can, whether it's up-res, add trophies, and do things and make it network-only so you don't see it on a disc, but at the same time, we don't have to approve it if we don't want to go down that path," said Dyer.

He went on to say Sony will tell developers to rebuild any ports to implement Move's specific strengths and features before it makes a PS3 Blu-ray release.

"If it's day and date, we'll work with them on it. If it's a port, then we'll move it a step, to the network. Unless it's something that they've done an incredible amount of adjusting... We want to be a one-to-one experience," said Dyer.
"The Wii doesn't have a camera. We've got a camera. Use that camera, implement that in there. A lot of these guys don't want to. They just want to use the accelerometer and say, well... No. Not gonna happen. It doesn't work that way. Put the camera in there, make it work with that, get your trophies, up-res is, put some more content in, come on down."
Move was originally due for release around now, but was officially delayed to "autumn" of 2010. All the official details were revealed at the firm's GDC Move conference which you can watch in full here.

Move will be available in three different bundles; standalone for those who already have the PS Eye; with the camera and a PS3; or with the camera and a game (which Sony notes will cost under $100).

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...VG-General-RSS ...

Rockstar Game's Red Dead Redemption has debuted at number on in the UK charts, with the critically acclaimed open world adventure easily eclipsing the numerous other new entries of the week.

Unlike many recent new releases, the Xbox 360 version of the game easily outsold the PlayStation 3 at 65 per cent of overall sales to 35 per cent, with anecdotal evidence suggests the PS3 version has been harder to locate in some stores.

Nevertheless the PS3 version of the game was still the second fastest-selling individual format release of the week.

Overall sales of Red Dead Redemption made it the eleventh fastest-selling game ever in the multiformat charts, the ninth fastest-selling 360 title and the eleventh fastest-selling PS3 title.

The next highest new entry of the week was Disney's arcade racer Split/Second: Velocity on 360 and PS3, which entered the charts at number five. The 360 version debuted at number 11 in the individual formats charts and the PS3 version at number 14.

The rest of the all formats top five was dominated by older releases, including evergreen titles Just Dance and Wii Fit Plus, as the other new entries and last week's Alan Wake and Lost Planet 2 failed to make a lasting impression on the chart.

The third highest new entry was Ubisoft's pseudo movie tie-in Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, which despite being released on every major format reached only number nine in the all formats chart. The PS3 version was the top-seller, debuting at number 16 in the individual formats chart.

The final new entry in the top ten was Sony's PS3 exclusive racing title ModNation Racers at number ten. The game fared better in the individual formats rankings and was the only game other than Red Dead Redemption to chart in the top 10, at number seven.

The full Chart-Track top ten for the week ending May 22 was as follows:

01 Red Dead Redemption
02 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
03 Just Dance
04 Wii Fit Plus
05 Split/Second: Velocity
06 Battlefield: Bad Company 2
07 Lost Planet 2
08 Alan Wake
09 Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
10 ModNation Racers

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...e-in-uk-charts ...

Infamous Grand Theft Auto radio DJ and regular Rockstar contributor Lazlow Jones has said he hopes the "really gritty western" atmosphere of Red Dead Redemption "evokes an emotional response" from players distinct from GTA's satire.

"I hope that for the people that do pick it up that it evokes an emotional response," he told Radio 1 Newsbeat.

"That people will feel they're part of our world and that they'll become immersed in the time period. We did so much research into everything. What the guns of the time looked like, what the clothes looked like, what the interiors in the game are like. Those interiors were all specifically researched by our people in great detail, so I hope they'll love it and that it'll put a smile on their face."

Asked how it felt to complete a five-year project like Redemption, he said: "It's an amazing high. You're also very sensitive to any criticism about it because you've worked so hard on it."

The producer - who claimed to get involved with Rockstar after he met one of the founders while out surfing - also said that he thinks the success of the last Grand Theft Auto game has made it a lot easier to create adult game content without being ripped apart by the censors.

"I think that Rockstar has pushed a lot of boundaries to be able to make the art that that we believe we should be able to make," he said.

"If you tell a gritty crime drama with violence and profanity and call it The Sopranos you're handed a load of awards to put up on the shelf. You do the same and call it a video game and you'll have certain organisations up in arms.

"I think ever since GTA IV came out and there were such rave reviews by major publications saying that this is actually art the restrictions about being politically correct have largely fallen away."

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/la...esponse-to-rdr ...

Microsoft has warned it's unlikely to approve the Xbox Live release of Privates, the new offering from British developer Zombie Cow.

As described on the studio's website, Privates "is a platform twin-stick shooter in which you lead a teeny-tiny gang of condom-hatted marines as they delve into peoples' vaginas and bottoms and blast away at all manner of oozy, shouty monsters".

The idea behind the game is to provide a bit of sex education as well as some laughs. It's being funded by Channel 4 and designed to fit in with the Personal, Social and Health Education guidelines of the National Curriculum.

Microsoft's not convinced, however. Speaking to Seattle PI, spokesperson David Dennis said the game hasn't been submitted for review yet - but doesn't sound like his company's cup of tea.

"We have guidelines in place that closely track requirements of content ratings boards worldwide and, among other things, prohibit the publication of strong sexual content," he said.

"While we haven't seen this game, we can confirm that if it is consistent with the description we have seen on the Internet, this game would not pass peer review and would not be permitted to be distributed on Xbox Live."

In response, Zombie Cow's Dan Marshall said Privates is designed to promote the safe sex message to teenage boys in an "entertaining, funny way".

"There was always going to be a risk it won't pass Peer Review, but obviously we'll do whatever we can to get the Xbox version out," he said. "It'd be a shame if a huge number of teenagers missed out on some quality gaming and vital education because of some abstract, cellular-level innards and pubic hairs."

Whatever Microsoft decides, a free version of Privates will be released for PC.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/zo...-sexy-for-live ...

Bungie has announced that Halo: Reach will launch in the US and Europe on September 14, and in Japan a day later.

The recent beta for the game saw more than 2.7 million players take part, logging 16 million hours and more than 1.1 billion kills during the 18-day test. Access to the beta was through last year's release, Halo: ODST.

"It's exceeded our expectations," said Bungie community director Brian Jarrard. "Our only real perspective going into this was the Halo 3 beta test, which had about 800,000 people. We knew there were a couple million copies of ODST' out there, but we really didn't have any specific information that let us know what the population might be like."

"There really is tons of analytical data that we need to derive from the beta test with regard to the network and back-end systems," added creative director Marcus Lehto.

"We needed our fans to provide feedback. We needed a very large audience to hammer on this game, which allows us to use the data that really helps shape the final product."

Reach is the last Halo game from Bungie, and once it's out the door, the team will be firmly committed to its new 10-year deal with Activision.

"It's absolutely bittersweet," offered Lehto. "We created this. I was there on day one in 1997 back when it was just three of us working on what ultimately became 'Halo.' Now, we have the largest team we've ever had on a 'Halo' game. We're having fun, but closing this series out as the leader of this project, I will definitely be sad when it's all over."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...tember-release ...