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by Published on February 22nd, 2012 00:15- Categories:
- Apple iPhone
The last time the iPhone dallied into eager Chinese hands there was more than a spot of bother. Hopefully, China Telecom's announcement that it'll be getting the 4S on March 9th will give retail stores enough time to prepare. It'll be up for pre-order online from March 2nd, starting from free on contract, and available in the usual 16GB, 32GB and 64GB varieties. The news came via the China Telecom website yesterday, with CEO Wang Xiaochu confirming in a press release this morning (Chinese time). So if Nokia thought it would have the network's biggest release in March, it might have to think again.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/c...phone4s-march/ ...by Published on February 22nd, 2012 00:14- Categories:
- Android News
What the Atrix 4G first promised, it looks like the folks at Canonical may deliver. Think back to CES 2011, when Motorola showed us a future where our phone was the only computing device we would need -- only to leave us wanting when its webtop app didn't deliver the requisite functionality for such a future. Well, it turns out Ubuntu now runs on multi-core Android devices and your handset can grant a full desktop experience when docked with a display and a keyboard. It's a customized version of Ubuntu that plays nice with Android, the two OS's sharing data and services while running simultaneously. So, you can still access telephony and texts from the Ubuntu environment while enjoying all the computing capabilities it has to offer, including: Ubuntu TV, virtualization tools for running Windows applications, desktop web browsers, and Ubuntu apps built for ARM. It isn't clear exactly what hardware you'll need to run Ubuntu on a handset, but Canonical has said it works on multi-core devices with HDMI and USB connections. We'll get more info next week when it's shown off at MWC, but until then you'll have to settle for the source below and PR after the break.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/u...droid-devices/ ...by Published on February 22nd, 2012 00:11- Categories:
- Playstation Vita News
Asda has become the first UK supermarket to promote its PlayStation Vita price – and it’s the lowest price we’ve yet seen for the console.
The supermarket will tonight put the Wi-Fi version of the new handheld on sale for just £197. The same price is available online.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/vita-...tonight/091519 ...by Published on February 22nd, 2012 00:09- Categories:
- Playstation Vita News
The PlayStation Vita has assumed a commanding position in Amazon.co.uk’s video games pre-order charts.
The Wi-Fi console and 8GB memory card currently top the bestseller lists on the strength of their pre-orders alone.
In total the machine and associated games can lay claim to nearly three quarters of the top 20 pre-order charts, too.
“14 of the top 20 positions in our video games pre-order chart are held by the PlayStation Vita console, games and accessories, which clearly illustrates the level of excitement that we are seeing around the product,” Amazon UK’s video games manager Liz Hosmer stated.
“The release of a console is always big news and the buzz created around the new technology and enhanced gameplay has ensured that the PlayStation Vita is a bestseller in our charts before it has even been released.”
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/vita-...-charts/091521 ...by Published on February 22nd, 2012 00:00- Categories:
- Playstation Vita News
Sony has at last released the complete UK digital launch line-up for PlayStation Vita and, interestingly, Sony has chosen not to mirror its overseas strategy and has priced the digital games at the same RRP they will carry on the High Street.
The most expensive game is EA’s FIFA Football, which costs £44.99. Sony’s AR Suite games are available for free.
The downloads will go live at midnight tonight on the Vita Store. As well as games, a number of apps and demos will also be available.
UPDATE: It appears that some games have been discounted compared to the High Street while others have not. And, as plenty of MCV readers have already pointed out, High Street discounting will ensure that in most cases the digital versions are actually more expensive.
Here’s the list in full:
Games
• Everybody’s Golf (£29.99/€34.99)
• Little Deviants Trial & Unlock (£19.99/€24.99)
• Modnation Racers: Road Trip (£29.99/€34.99)
• Reality Fighters (£19.99/€24.99)
• Uncharted: Golden Abyss (£39.99/€44.99)
• Wipeout 2048 + Network pass (£29.99/€34.99)
• Escape Plan (£9.99/€12.99)
• Hustle Kings (PSN Only) (£6.49/€7.99)
• Motorstorm RC (PSN Only) (£4.79/€5.99)
• Super Stardust™ Delta (PSN Only) (£6.49/€7.99)
• Super Stardust Delta & DLC Bundle (£7.99/€9.99)
• Top Darts (PSN Only) (£6.49/€7.99)
• Plants Vs Zombies (Soe) (£8.99/€11.25)
• Cliff Diving (Ar Suite – Digital) (Free)
• Table Football (Ar Suite – Digital) (Free)
• Fireworks (Ar Suite – Digital) (Free)
• Army Corps Of Hell (£34.99/€39.99)
• Virtua Tennis 4 – World Tour Edition (£34.99/€39.99)
• Asphalt: Injection (£19.99/€24.99)
• Lumines Electronic Symphony (£29.99/€34.99)
• Rayman Origins (£29.99/€34.99)
• EA Sports FIFA Football (£44.99/€49.99)
• Shinobido 2 (£34.99/€39.99)
• Touch My Katamari (£24.99/€29.99)
• Blazblue Continuum Shift Extend (£34.99/€39.99)
• Michael Jackson The Experience HD (£24.99/€19.99)
• Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 (£39.99/€44.99)
• Dynasty Warriors Next (£29.99/€34.99)
• Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus (£29.99/€34.99)
• Ridge Racer Gold Pass (£5.49/€6.99)
• Ridge Racer (£16.99/€19.99)
• Dungeon Hunter: Alliance (£29.99/€34.99)
• A-Men (£11.99/€14.99)
• F1 2011 (£44.99/€49.99)
• Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack(£5.49/€6.99)
Apps
• Facebook (Free)
• Live Tweet (Free)
• Flickr (Free)
• Foursquare (Free)
Downloadable Content
• Everybody’s Golf Network Pass (£7.99/€9.99)
• Reality Fighters Network Pass (£7.99/€9.99)
• Wipeout 2048 Network Pass (£7.99/€9.99)
Hustle Kings
• Hustle Kings Snooker Pack (£2.39/€2.99)
• Time Savers Pack (£1.19/€1.49)
• Uncharted: Golden Abyss (£0.79/€0.99)
• Modnation Racers Road Trip – Unlock All (£3.19/€3.99)
• Super Stardust Delta: Advanced Star Fighter Pack (£2.39/€2.99)
Motorstorm RC
• Access All Areas Pass (£0.79/€0.99)
• RC Collection Pass (£0.79/€0.99)
• Full Game Pass (£1.19/€1.49)
• Rare Rally Car: Patriot Enforcer – Only available for 14 days (£0.79/€0.99)
• Rare Rally Car: Italia Buttercream – Only available for 14 days (Free)
Touch My Katamari
• Fancy Damacy x 3 (£1.15/€1.39)
• Fan Damacy x 5 (£1.59/€1.99)
• Fan Damacy Item (£0.40/€0.49)
Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3
• Additional Character: Jill (£3.99/€4.99)
• Animal Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
• Brawler Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
• Femme Fatale Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
• New Age Of Heroes Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
• The Evil Twin Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
• The Rising Dead Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
• Viewtiful Strange Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
• Villain Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
• Weapon Expert Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
• Additional Character: Shuma-Gorath (£3.99/€4.99)
• Costume Pack (£3.99/€4.99)
Ridge Racer
• Add-On Course 01 ‘Old Central’ (£1.99/€2.49)
• Add-On Car 02 ‘Elenie’ (£1.19/€1.49)
• Music Pack 01 (Free)
...by Published on February 21st, 2012 23:54- Categories:
- Nintendo Wii News
The premium SKU of Wii RPG The Last Story will not be stocked at GAME when it is released this Friday.
In fact, the chain has been cancelling pre-orders for the Limited Edition, according to VG247. Emails have been sent out to anyone that ordered the product will be sent a standard edition instead.
The Limited Edition comes in a Steelbook case and features a copy of the game, the soundtrack and an art book.
According to GAME's Facebook page, the retailer "won't be stocking the Limited Edition", and that it "unfortunately had to cancel pre-orders of said edition".
The Last Story arrives on Friday, February 24th and GAME will still stock the standard edition. It is a Japanese RPG from the mind of Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy.
GAME has decided not to stock a number of titles in the past few weeks, including Ubisoft's five Vita launch titles.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/game-...edition/091535 ...by Published on February 21st, 2012 23:51- Categories:
- DCEmu
Jagex CEO Mark Gerhard believes that the decline and eventual closure of high-street retailer The Game Group is now inevitable.
Speaking as part of an expert panel at the BAFTA Question Time event, sponsored by GamesIndustry.biz, Gerhard stated that the efficiency with which the internet serves the modern consumer's needs - easy access to a wide range of content at lower prices - has started a process that will eventually eradicate physical retail for games.
"I think, 10 years out from now, we'll be talking about [physical] retail nostalgically, as a museum piece," he said. "I don't think there's much there that would give it a second life."
Physical retail, Gerhard explained, is part of a system that takes "huge chunks of margin" from developers, facilitating the decline of the independent development sector.
"That all erodes the economics for developers being able to make money," he continued. "They take a chunk - say 20 or 30 per cent - the publishers take a bit, and after inflation it's no wonder that the independent games industry isn't alive and vibrant, because they're not making any money."
I think, 10 years out from now, we'll be talking about [physical] retail nostalgically, as a museum piece
Mark Gerhard, Jagex
"[Developers'] response is almost desperation. 'We're going to go straight to the customer. We're going to go online. We're going to bypass the sequence that's taking so much from us...' I recognise that it's sad, but I think it's a fait accompli."
"It's sad to see an institution decline, but the writing has been on the wall for quite some time - the internet didn't happen yesterday... People are still playing games. They're still doing business; they're just doing it in a different place... If you don't adapt you die. It's as simple as that."
Jason Kingsley, owner of the UK studio Rebellion, compared watching the rapid decline of companies like HMV and Game to studying a mass extinction on the fossil record. He admitted to always being puzzled that the games industry sold data, "on bits of plastic wrapped in cardboard and the cellophane and put on the back of lorries."
"I always thought data should go down wires and fibre optic cables," he said. "It's a reforming of an industry, and a refocusing away from selling data - which is more easily distributed in other ways - to offer a very different kind of service."
UKIE's Jo Twist warned the other panelists not to "undersell" the importance of a one-to-one retail experience with engaged sales staff. To those unfamiliar with gaming or shopping for somebody else it can be the only way to make an informed purchase.
However, Kingsley disagreed, arguing that personal recommendations through social networks already provide the same service in a more meaningful way.
Frontier Developments' David Braben went further, saying that major chains like Game and HMV never offered the level of service Twist described, and were instrumental in the decline of the independent retailers that once did.
"In a sense, they're just getting a taste of that medicine," he said. However, Braben also added that internet speeds in the UK weren't yet capable of supporting a full scale shift to digital retail for "the next year or two."
This will give physical retailers some time to find an effective way of serving the needs of consumers, and potentially allow a more passionate independent retail sector to regain some of the market.
Nevertheless, Braben echoed Gerhard's belief that, in 10 year's time, it would be "hard to imagine" any games being sold in "shrink-wrapped retail."
"Whilst I am tremendously sympathetic to all of those that work in the shops, the fundamental problem is that they've got to look at their business to reposition it anyway - that's irrespective of whether it's a good or bad thing."
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...rom-extinction ...by Published on February 21st, 2012 23:43- Categories:
- Apple iPad,
- Apple iPhone
The continuing value of the App Store to developers was under scrutiny at the BAFTA-hosted Games Question Time event last night.
An expert panel composed of UKIE head Jo Twist, Jagex CEO Mark Gerhard, Frontier Developments' David Braben and Rebellion CEO Jason Kingsley debated the likely effects of the increasing demand for high production values on iOS devices.
Jason Kingsley agreed that the emphasis for a product to be "as polished as possible" was greater than ever, but that the investment necessary for that standard of execution can still be offset in a way that's impossible on consoles.
"Instead of making 20 hours worth of gameplay, you can make an hour's worth of gameplay, see how people react," he said. "The acid test is what people do with it... That's brilliant feedback for us; actually what people do when they play the game."
However, Mark Gerhard stated that the problem Kingsley desrcibed - of producing what is, "effectively a gold master" - already exists on the iOS platform, and that the "next wave of iterations" of Apple hardware could unbalance the economics of development and "kill the App Store."
"Everything's moving online," Gerhard said. "This is controversial, but the mobile bubble will burst this year and the social bubble will burst, too."
I think that, bar a handful of winners, nobody makes money on Apple's platform. It's great for consumers, not good for developers, and that's going to be the death of it
Mark Gerhard, CEO, Jagex
"There just isn't the money there. The only people that are winning right now are Apple and consumers. Everyone's rushing to make games for the new iPhone, and in that Apple makes a lot of money, but it's a race to zero."
Gerhard noted that Jagex has had four number one games on the App Store, but none made more than £3,000 to £4,000 a month profit. The amount of revenue versus the necessary resources is "a problem" for independent developers, and Gerhard believes that the same is true of all "walled-garden" services.
"I think any closed platform, be it Microsoft, be it PlayStation Vita, XBLA, PSN, the App Store, ultimately are taking such a big chunk that people just aren't making money. Facebook, too."
"I think that fundamentally, bar a handful of winners that Apple is keeping, nobody makes money on their platform. It's great for consumers, not good for developers, and that's going to be the death of it."
Gerhard addressed the widely held belief that the App Store is "the next frontier" for game developers. Like all closed platforms, he argued, the App Store is subject to "lethargy" in the form of approval processes and the need to adhere to guidelines.
Jagex has found a huge amount of success on the open web, and Gerhard believes that improvements in browser technology over the next 12 to 24 months will make it possible to create immersive 3D games.
As a result, the browser will emerge as a "new platform" that offers developers a greater share of revenue and greater control over their products.
"I would say as a survival strategy you want to leapfrog that," he said. "You want to go purely straight to browser."
"Online we can launch and we can iterate hourly. We can use data to kind of tone and shape the content experience. We can be that agile. We don't have to release, see what happens, make some changes, and re-release weeks later."
However, David Braben argued that the biggest problem facing developers is the "route to market," or actually getting the product into the hands of the audience. The App Store may not be ideal in this regard, but it has clear advantages over the open web.
Gerhard had already stated his belief that "new channels" would emerge to aid discovery of browser games on the open web, but Braben countered that any such entities would also be closed systems.
"The advantage of The App Store is that it's a place that focuses you; you're seeing what's coming out," Braben said.
"With the internet it's a lot, lot harder. I think you're right that there will be routes to the internet that will essentially do what you're talking about, but they will again be closed."
"There will be a gatekeeper otherwise there isn't value to it, in a bizarre way."
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...y-of-app-store ...by Published on February 21st, 2012 23:40- Categories:
- Nintendo 3DS News
Yoot Saito's Dreamcast pet sim Seaman is headed to 3DS, according to reports.
Andriasang brings word from Japan's Nikkei, which in a feature claims Nintendo is looking to revive games from thirdparty publishers' back catalogue for 3DS, giving Seaman as an example.
Released in 1999, Seaman tasked players with raising the titular species using the Dreamcast's microphone, with minimal guidance except for sparse narration by Leonard Nimoy.
Saito is currently at work on Level 5's 3DS collection Guild 01, which also features games from Suda 51 and Vagrant Storydesigner Yasumi Matsuno. Saito's game is called Air Porter, which casts players as "the man in charge at the airport [who] must expediently manage baggage."
http://www.edge-online.com/news/repo...man-coming-3ds
...by Published on February 21st, 2012 23:37- Categories:
- PS3 News
Almost a third of PlayStation 3 owners are "seriously considering" buying a PlayStation Vita.
The finding comes from Playr2, which asked 1321 PS3 owners about Sony's new handheld, which will be on shelves tomorrow.
Thirty-two per cent of respondents said they were "seriously considering" buying a Vita in the near future, according to Eurogamer. Twenty-two per cent of those intend to buy the system within a week of tomorrow's launch.
It's a limited sample, obviously, but will be well received at Sony - especially given that only half of that 32 per cent previously owned Vita's predecessor, PSP.
http://www.edge-online.com/news/thir...een-vita-study ...
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