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DCEmu Featured News Articles
by Published on October 4th, 2012 00:35- Categories:
- Nintendo 3DS News
If you live in Japan and aren't already red-shelling on a Pokémon or risqué edition 3DS XL, maybe one of these three new bundles will inspire you. For the minimalists: the Monster Hunter Tri G bundle complete with all-black 3DS XL (known as the LL in Japan), releasing November 1st for 21,800 yen (approximately $280). Following one week later (on the 8th) is the Animal Crossing: Jump Out bundle with white and pattern handheld, setting you back 22,800 yen (approximately $290). And, for the same price, the pièce de résistance of the trio -- a New Super Mario Bros. 2 bundle with black and embellished red XL, expected November 15th. If you're the importing type, or just want to see how good the Japanese got it, then check out the gallery below and pick your favorite.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/03/n...ds-xl-bundles/ ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 22:50- Categories:
- Xbox 360 News
Electronic Arts took a victory lap over FIFA 13 saleslast week, but now that the title's launched in Europe, the publisher is taking another. EA today said that FIFA 13 sold more than 4.5 million games across all platforms and regions in its first five days on sale. The publisher added that makes it the biggest game launch of 2012, and the biggest sports game release of all time.
The soccer sim got off to a quick start, selling a franchise-best 353,000 Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 copies in North America on its first day. That would be added to by the game's United Kingdom debut, which saw 1.23 million copies of FIFA sold in its first 48 hours. EA is also crediting the game as having the highest daily online activity in company history, with as many as 800,000 simultaneous players.
The series has grown considerably in recent years. FIFA Soccer 10 was similarly hailed by EA as the biggest sports game launch of all time, but it posted a first-week total of just 1.7 million copies sold. Last year's game sold 3.2 million copies on consoles, with another 890,000 on iOS.
FIFA 13 is now available on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, iOS, PlayStation Vita, 3DS, Wii, PC, PlayStation 2, and PSP. A Wii U version has been confirmed to launch alongside that system's November 18 debut.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...n-in-five-days ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 22:49- Categories:
- DCEmu
Digital Foundry on major tech advances this generation, and how it will transition into the next
The story of each and every console generation is one of evolution - increasingly more complex, visually exciting games coming to market year-on-year. The benefit of fixed hardware architecture is that game-makers get to know the machines they are working with and are able to squeeze out more performance with each successive project. The current seventh generation of consoles has been longer than most - and the technological advances we've seen over the last seven years have been truly remarkable.
"From a tech perspective at least, it's hard to find any actual 'bad games' in AAA development at this time - an endorsement of quality standards in the industry and proof that the current generation is now mature."
A quick tour of the major titles on site at the Eurogamer Expo last week was testament to this: in terms of the technological nuts and bolts at least, it was virtually impossible to find any kind of "bad game" on the show floor whatsoever.
Flashback to late 2004/2005 and the twilight of the PS2/Xbox heyday and there was never the kind of consistency in technical excellence as that seen in today's AAA market. Of course, the games, the budgets - and the industry itself - are bigger than they were back then, and equally of note is the increased importance of events such as GDC and SIGGRAPH, where we see developers sharing technologies, workflows and philosophies.
But it's interesting to see the emergence of a number of technologies, initially defined by the limitations of the current-gen machines, that will continue to evolve as we move into the era of the next Xbox and PlayStation 4.
One of the most impactful changes we see in the wave of current and upcoming games is the shift to what's referred to as deferred rendering. The actual technology isn't actually that new - a vintage 2001 Xbox 1 Shrek game from a North American division of DICE is thought to be the first console title to implement it and variations in the technique were seen in Xbox 360 launch title Perfect Dark Zero along with a more impressive roll-out for the tech in GTA 4 before it really hit its stride in Guerrilla Games' Killzone 2. However, the technology is becoming increasingly more popular for the way in which a vast range of light sources can be added to any given scene, without anything like the performance penalty associated with traditional "forward" rendering - where light sources are calculated in turn with rendering load increasing accordingly, rather than considered as a whole.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...o-their-limits
...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 22:44- Categories:
- Playstation Vita News
The obvious need for new games made Vita’s near total absence from Sony’s E3 conference all the more galling. The company was quick to respond to the tide of negative feeling with an assurance that Vita was most definitely present, with 25 playable games on the show floor. But it wasn’t until August’s Gamescom that we saw clear signs that Sony recognises Vita is in severe danger of being stuck with the same ‘no games’ label that PS3 took so long to shake off....
http://www.edge-online.com/features/...nguish-itself/by Published on October 3rd, 2012 22:40- Categories:
- DCEmu
The MD of Eurogamer has stated that booth babes will be banned from future Eurogamer Expo events.
The issue was thrust into the spotlight over the weekend when concerns were raised over the presence of Virgin Gaming booth babes at last week’s well received Eurogamer Expo. Each had a QR code printed on one of their buttocks.
“For future shows we will be issuing formal guidelines – booth babes are not OK,” Rupert Loman wrote on the Eurogamer forums, going on to explain how the were allowed entry into this year’s event.
“We’ve always had an informal guideline regarding booth babes: we don’t think they are right for the Expo. When we talk to publishers and exhibitors, we discourage them from bringing booth babes – and encourage them to bring developers.
“Of course, exhibitors need to bring staff to the show, but they should be interesting, cool and exciting and knowledgeable (developers and publisher staff) rather than pretty girls in revealing outfits just for the sake of it. We want the show to be friendly, and all 50,000 attendees to feel comfortable.
“At this year’s show three companies showed up with booth babes. Two in particular we thought were dressed inappropriately. As a short-term measure we told them to move into the 18+ zone, and we asked some of them to put on leggings as well.
“Although it was only a small number of booth babes, our regret is that we didn’t go further on the first day and just say ‘this isn’t right’ and ask them to change their clothes – or not attend. Instead, with the huge pressures of putting on such a large show and everything that comes with it, we let it go. And that’s what has prompted this debate – and we’re sorry it happened.”
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/eurog...-expos/0103908 ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 22:34- Categories:
- Apple iPad
Asian factories have begun manufacturing the long-rumoured iPad Mini, it is claimed.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the still unconfirmed device has a 7.85-inch display with an as of yet unspecified resolution, although it is lower than the Retina display found in the iPad 3.
Apple will position the device as a rival to newcomers such as Google’s Nexus 7 and Amazon’s Kindle Fire series, both of which are significantly cheaper than the iPad.
The iPad as we know will continue, too, with the aim of maintaining Apple’s iron grip on the luxury tablet sector.
Talk of the iPad Mini is nothing new. In fact, we think we’ve even seen pictures of it. An October launch for the device was being touted as far back as May of this year.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ipad-...uction/0103909 ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 22:17- Categories:
- DCEmu
Download service Steam started hosting software as well as games as of September 5th. It’s by no means the first nor the last company to offer a range of downloadable software but Valve’s current strength in the games market means software developers and retailers alike will be watching with interest to see how this works out.
It’s part of a trend that points to a move away from boxed software at retail, to a download-only era that’s getting closer at high speed.
A statement on the Steam website read: “The software titles coming to Steam range from creativity to productivity. Many of the launch titles will take advantage of popular Steamworks features, such as easy installation, automatic updating, and the ability to save your work to your personal Steam Cloud space.”
There had been hints for some time that Valve might make a move in this direction. A recent update to Steam’s Android App revealed a range of new software categories, and founder Gabe Newell has mentioneddiscussions with Adobe in recent months.
DIGITAL DOMINATION
Valve’s not the only firm planning big things for digital software. EA, which has its own Origin streaming service (solely for games at this point), also thinks we are on our way to digital domination.
EA COO Peter Moore told Reuters that: “There will come a point, when we say ‘We are doing more in digital media now than we are in physical media’ and it’s not far away.”
So what does it all mean for those retailers and developers who still care about boxed software? Are there still opportunities out there?
Software publisher Serif, which says it already works with a number of digital distribution partners including Intel, Amazon and Valve, thinks a decline at retail is inevitable.
Sales and marketing director Ashley Hewson comments: “Sales of software in bricks and mortar retail is already in fairly rapid decline. This is primarily driven by more consumers preferring to download software, which in turn is accelerated by retailers dedicating less of their shelf space to software products.
“There is some opportunity here if you can keep your products on the shelf while your competitors lose their slots, but even that only presents a short term win. In the long term, I would expect most opportunities for in-store purchases of software to come from cross-sells made at the point of purchase of a hardware item.”
Jon Atherton, VP for distributor Entatech, points out that though there is a decline, there are still benefits in selling software for indies: “The software market is becoming increasingly focused on downloads, moving away from the more traditional boxed products. Whilst Entatech can accommodate and support this shift in supply, we still cater for the traditional boxed market – in our experience our smaller independent retailers still prefer to have a tangible product as they find this aids their sales.”
Publisher Focus Multimedia is more positive – having had recent experience of selling Angry Birds on PC at retail, despite it already being available for free online, and it continues to sell a range of software solutions at retail outlets too. The firm’s Alan Wild says: “There are still great opportunities at retail. People want to be entertained and are prepared to spend.”
WORKING SIDE BY SIDE
Distributor and service provider Gem agrees that the market still has some life in it. Head of marketing Katie Rawlings says: “The industry is still redefining itself. Just look at the growth within the mobile and browser areas; these are very recent developments in the last few years. While some cannibalisation is to be expected, boxed and digital will most likely work together side by side for many years to come.”
Gem is also in the interesting position of having acquired a digital distribution arm earlier in the year. Talking about Ztorm, Rawlings tells PCR: “Developing our offering together with Ztorm for both online and in-store activities where we can offer tie-ins between physical and digital products is very much on our agenda.”
Serif’s Hewson leaves us with: “We, and in particular retailers, will have to accept that within a few years nearly all consumers will just buy software online. What share of that action the traditional retailers can get through building their own app stores against competitors – such as Microsoft, Apple, Valve, and Amazon – I guess is their challenge.”
An interesting thought. Software players in the IT channel need to consider their digital options. Selling physical media alone just might not be enough any more.
http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-retail/029297 ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 22:12- Categories:
- PC News
Microsoft's Apps World stand offers a tantalising glimpse of what to expect from Windows Phone 8.
Apps World in London's Earls Court has hundreds of exhibitors, seminars and demonstrations to choose from. The ebb and flow off delegates means that areas will fill up and empty regularly over the course of the day.
But one stand that is perpetually busy is Microsoft's.
There's no doubt that a large number of people are attracted to the Microsoft's area by the sight of tablets running Windows, and the whispers of 'Is that a Surface?' ping back and forth from those approaching.
The answer, alas, is no - it's not a Surface.
But people remain, because after playing with Windows 8 on a tablet it doesn't matter that it's not on the company's forthcoming slate. Playing with the OS is such an immersive experience that the portal becomes non-existent, the OS itself is king.
Offering the ability to flick between a traditional desktop and the not-called-Metro-anymore start menu, on a tablet, Windows 8 tablets might prove to be the first device that can truly offer the ability to do a full day's work in the office, but also be suitable for surfing and general dicking around when lazing on the sofa in the evenings.
Completely polished, the best word to sum up Windows 8 is 'elegant'.
The music library looks like a storefront, the way it offers up your contacts' details the most intuitive system I have seen yet, and you can feel that the whole thing has been designed for touch.
But what about Windows Phone 8?
Well, despite a series of talks about the mobile OS, there was a notable lack of any real new information about Windows Phone 8, but rather than frustrate, this seemed to only stir up more anticipation, even among the usually cynical delegates - especially once they had had a chance to play with the tablets on display.
I bumped into a vehemently anti-Microsoft friend at the show - this guy is Linux all the way - and when I told him how much I liked Windows 8 he gave me the kind of look that nerds are all too good at firing towards those of us less-technically minded; a mixture of pity and irritation. However, when I saw him again two hours later, his manner had changed.
"Did you have a go on the Windows 8 tablets?" I asked. Looking at the floor he mumbled, "yep".
"And what did you think?"
A pause, a sigh.
"It was really, really nice."
HA! In your face!
If Windows Phone 8 is anything near as enjoyable and practical as Windows 8 on tablet devices, the company really might start making a dent in iOS and Android's dominance.
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...useable/019523 ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 22:09- Categories:
- Playstation Vita News,
- Xperia Play News
Cross platform mobile gaming service is available in nine countries and offers games on Vita and other certified devices.
PlayStation Mobile is now live, giving PlayStation Vita and certified-Android device users the ability to buy third party and PlayStation-produced content.
The service is available in nine countries including Japan, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Australia, with the promise of more to follow.
Picking up the story from our sister site, MCV:
For the time being there are 12 compatible devices – PlayStation Vita, Xperia Play, Xperia Arc, Xperia S, Xperia Ion, Xperia Acro, Xperia Acro HD and three THC models – the One S, One X and One V. Both the Sony Tablet S and the Sony Tablet P are also supported.
All games support both physical controls (where available) and touch screen input.
Any purchases made on the store can be installed on up to three separate devices.
Here’s the launch list:
Super Crate Box - £2.79
Aqua Kitty - £2.79
Magic Arrows - £3.99
Everybody's Arcade - Free
Nyoqix - £4.49
Incurvio - £5.59
Flick Hungry Giraffe - £2.39
Hockey - £1.79
Frederic - £3.19
Loot The Land - £3.19
Tractor Trails - £2.59
Twist Pilot - £2.79
Numblast - £2.39
Underline - £2.19
Rebel - £1.59
Word Blocked - £1.59
Wipe - £1.19
Fuel Tiracas - 40p
Samurai Beatdown - 79p
Beats Slider - 65p
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...es-live/019525 ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 10:37- Categories:
- PS3 News
The AC3 Season Pass, only previously rumored when a claimed internal GameStop document was leaked, has been officially confirmed via this week's US PlayStation Store update, which offers gamers the opportunity to pre-order the game with a Season Pass for an extra $30 over the usual $59.99 price.The PS Blog update confirms, Ubi will offer an Assassin's Creed 3 Gold Edition which, at $89.99, will come with a Season Pass which is expected to give gamers access to much of the 'extensive' DLC the developer has planned for AC3.
When asked in the blog comments if the Season Pass would be offered separately, a rep replied replied "Yup, it will".
There was no mention of a standalone price, but the $30 mark up on the Gold Edition of the game is a solid hint.
Ubisoft has confirmed an Assassin's Creed 3 release date of October 31 on PS3 and Xbox 360, with an Assassin's Creed 3 PC release date to follow on November 23. A Wii U version will be available at the console's launch.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...ass-confirmed/ ...
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Catherine: Full Body’s English translation for the Vita