The saga of a new GoldenEye game -- or the possible re-release of the original -- has acquired yet another new wrinkle. Said wrinkle comes in the form of a new internet domain registered by Activision. The domain in question, uncovered by superannuation, is goldeneyegame.com, which certainly points to some sort of revival for the storied title. While the prospects of an actual re-release of Rare's N64 classic have been all but crushed, an artist's resume discovered in October 2009 did mention work on a GoldenEye 2010 for Activision.

Assuming the resume was accurate, Activision could be securing the domain in advance of an announcement. It's also unclear if any of this ties into James Bond: Bloodstone, the alleged title of the Bond game in development at Bizarre. We know Activision has Bond plans for 2010, but could the company be preparing us for a double-0 dose of espionage, perhaps rolling out a new version of GoldenEye to drum up interest for Bloodstone? Or maybe the company is simply getting its ducks in a row in case it does decide to revive GoldenEye.

Whatever it is, something is definitely stirring shaking at Activision.

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/23/ac...oldeneye-game/ ...

Back when The Beatles: Rock Band's Special Value Bundle was first announced, we had some reservations about how much of a "special value" it really was. However, a recent Amazon discount has made its description irrefutable: For just $51.08 (shipping included), you can grab the 360 version of the bundle, which includes a copy of the game and a set of instruments from the original Rock Band. If you can deal with the calamitous clicking and clacking of the series' original drum kit, that's one heck of a deal.

There's no telling how long this discount will be offered, or how many copies of the bundle are still available, so prospective mop-toppers should act swiftly.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...kiangagenew-20

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/24/th...-51-on-amazon/ ...

Another day, another Apple leak. This time it's an eBay double whammy of the camera-donning iPod touch, which appears to be of the same design from August but now with iPod branding on the back. Better yet, the two devices bear the prototype identification codes "DVT-1" and "DVT-2" ("DVT" stands for "design verification test" in Apple-speak, according to Daring Fireball), while the DVT-2 model wears an extra bar code label seemingly stamped by the "Apple Development Team." What's interesting is that the model number "A1318" at the bottom matches the current iPod touch's, which may suggest the camera feature was ditched just before the current line went into mass production, or that we may see this variant as a minor update instead of a redesigned iPod touch in the coming months. We tried to verify using the FCC ID "BCGA1318," only to be let down by a kaput FCC database -- we'll give it another spin later. Unsurprisingly, the eBay listing was quickly taken down, but it's not like any mere mortal could've gotten much use out of that Transformer-themed (and familiar-looking) "SwitchBoard" test-bed software -- maybe it was a displeased Michael Bay who killed the auction.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/24/o...amera-briefly/ ...

The vaguely kidney bean-shaped device above is actually, believe it or not, yet another motion controller. Details are scant, but apparently the HP Swing is being bundled with HP Pavilion desktop PCs in India (starting at 29,990 Rupees, or about $670). The thing will not be available separately, and as far as we know there are no plans to release it in the states. We're not saying that it won't be released in the US, but we are saying that we probably don't care. Either way, we'll let you know when we hear more.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/24/h...lion-pcs-in-i/ ...

Additional trophy sorting and 3D gaming readiness should have been enough to satisfy and PS3 owner after the latest v3.30 system update (hey, at least it didn't take anything away this time) but there's a couple other surprises in store. If you're the kind of person who loves (or hates) their beeps and bloops, there's a toggle for Bitstream Direct (output audio with the original digital signal prioritized) or Mix (mixed with sound effects such as button sounds and then converted to bitstream format) on Blu-ray movies, while future VAIO PC owners can get a taste of remote play without any PSP intermediary. Other, unconfirmed, reports include updated Flash compatibility, enhanced region free Blu-ray movie playback, the usual complaints of bricked or otherwise busted consoles as well as erroneous claims of an updated EULA that maintains Sony can update your PS3 whenever it wants (newsflash - it's always said that.) Sure, you can always wait for a custom build from Geohot instead, but we've got a Fat Princess to rescue.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/24/p...tstream-audio/ ...

At the 3D Gaming Summit in Los Angeles, Sony Platform Research Manager David Coombes talked about the PS3's upcoming firmware update, how it will affect the console's performance, and what's new with the PlayStation Move.

In regards to the PS3's 3D-enabling firmware update, Coombes said it will come in two waves; the first update hitting this Summer will allow the console to display 3D games, while 3D Blu-ray support will come "a short time after." Sony reiterated that the games being offered to UK customers who purchase a 3D-read Sony Bravia display, which includes PAIN, Wipeout HD, Motorstorm Pacific Rift, and others, may not be the same as those offered in the United States.

Coombes also spoke about 3D on the PlayStation 3 from a development perspective. Most notably, he discussed that the 3D experience in PS3 games would always be implemented by developers, not by an automatic conversion process in the PlayStation 3 itself. While TV manufacturers may offer a conversion feature, the PS3 itself will not. In other words, once the console gets its firmware update, that doesn't mean you'll be able to play any game in pseudo-3D. You'll have to wait for the developers to produce an actual 3D version of the game.

He also addressed concerns that 3D images will cut the console's processing power in half, saying developers can actually find non-3D information that can be shared between left and right images. Shadows, for example, are generally flat. The PS3's GPU can share that data between left and right eye images, instead of having to render it twice.

Similarly, games that are already capable of running in split-screen will transition to 3D more easily, since they're already designed to display two simultaneous images. By finding ways to optimize 3D, developers won't necessarily have to sacrifice detail or framerates.

Coombes also announced that 3D PS3 games will be compatible with any and all 3D HDTVs that support the HDMI 1.4 standard. The PS3 will automatically scale 3D images to fit whatever screen you're playing on, while still making it a comfortable viewing experience.

The 3D software development kit has been available to developers since January, the fruits of which we expect to see at this year's E3.

Lastly, Coombes demoed the PlayStation Move, and how it pertains to 3D control. In addition to simply tracking the Move controller itself, however, Coombes also demonstrated the facial recognition and head-tracking capabilities of the PlayStation Eye, as part of the Move system. The demo included an on-screen mechanical puppet that was mapped to his body, as well as his arms via the PlayStation Move.

Head and body-tracking meant the puppet's entire torso was matching the position of his body. The purposed benefit of combining the Move's controller tracking technology with the PlayStation Eye's head and body tracking, Coombes said, was Johnny Chung-style perspective tracking - where moving your head changes your perspective of the world inside your TV, giving the illusion of 3D.

Coombes also applied these concepts to a third-person perspective of the puppet, where his actions were being mapped onto a 3D character within the game. Moving his body and arms caused the character to move and reach into the game-world. This was all just a tech demo, but still an encouraging example of what developers could pull off in the future.

http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/108/1085581p1.html ...

Those of you who have been following this story [LINK] regarding our Ironstar comrade Dom Guerrera’s PlayStation Network account being hacked; this is a fully detailed version of his situation, along with another PlayStation Network user that has reported a similar story. The previous post involving Dom’s PlayStation Network account being somehow hacked never detailed his situation in full, I made brief reference to it as a warning.

On Saturday April 17th Dom received a chain message from a friend on the PlayStation Network. The message that he received contained a URL to a PSN code generating website, which promised free content from the PlayStation Store. Dom DID NOT, and didn’t have any intentions to visit the PSN code generating website. The next day at about 10 AM EST, while at work Dom received multiple emails that confirmed purchases made through his PlayStation Network account, although he did not purchase anything. There was absolutely no person using Dom’s PlayStation 3, nor does anyone else have his account information. When he finally got home from work he immediately contacted Sony PlayStation customer support and checked the status of his PlayStation Network account, on his account multiple purchases of PSP titles were made, random PSP demos were queued to his transactions as well. Dom does not own a PSP. The purchases made on his PlayStation Network account totaled an outrageous $350, as his credit card was charged every dime. As you would expect; Dom was outraged. He contacted his credit card representative and reported the situation, although he is yet to receive any money back from the purchases made on the PlayStation Network account.

Like Dom, I’ve spoken to another user on the PlayStation Network that has reported almost the exact situation involving PSN chain letters and the hacking of his account. In his situation he was sent chain letter on PSN containing the PSN code generator website’s URL. Again, he also did not visit the website. In brief details the user told me that his credit card was charged multiple times for PSP titles, demos were queued to his account as well (similar to Dom), the purchases made on his account totaled enough to cause his credit card to bounce. He also does not own a PSP.

The two stories posted on CVG and Destructiod are inaccurate. Dom Guerrera did not visit any phishing scam website.

Unfortunately we haven’t received any official word from Sony regarding this matter; as usual we’ll keep you updated. If you have noticed suspicious activity on your PlayStation Network account recently, please let us know in the comments below.


*Update*
We have just received word from Sony's PlayStation Network investigation team; Dom's account was indeed hacked. According to Sony, Dom's PlayStation Network account was accessed from an unknown IP address that purchased loads of unauthorized content from the PlayStation Store. Sony also reimbursed Dom's credit account with half of the money he was charged. The situation is still being investigated. We will give you a final update when the situation is resolved.

http://www.ironstarmovement.com/prof...network-users/ ...

Newly released for Wiz:

News via http://www.gp32x.com/board/index.php...dpost&p=842856

Teaser video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06YD75The48&fmt=22
8 Levels (mostly for starters)
Interesting graphics.
Install by extracting into wizznic/packs directory.
Geet it here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/wizznic/files/ ...

Newly released for Wiz:



Ported by Senor Quack (dan silsby)
(dansilsby gmail (dot) com)


Changes from v1.0:
* Many optimizations in the OpenGLES drawing code. More complete
conversion to fixed-point math, along with ARM ASM fixed-point
divide and conversion of float divides to multiplies where possible.
Now most any scene is 20-60fps. Levels 8-10 are not as smooth
as the PC version but still fairly playable.
* Custom configuration utility allows overclocking of CPU and
RAM timings, reconfiguration of controls in both rotated and normal
modes, selection of rotated or normal screen, disabling of music, and
selection of laser to be on or off by default.
* Support added in OpenGLES code for drawing texture effects that were
missing before.
* Slight changes to default control schemes but, again, these are now
configurable by the user.
* Sound is now at 44khz instead of 22.5khz. In version 1.0, the OGG files
were re-encoded to fix a problem with the first song that only seems to
surface on ARM architectures. However, with version 1.1, I instead
replaced just that one song with a wav decoding and the other songs are
original. Overall music quality is now as good as the PC game.


Important credit goes to:
* Pickle - all the contributions to 3D stuff on the Wiz
* GameGod - Initial work on GP2X port
* Notaz - pollux_set utility


Installation:

Unzip rRootage_wiz_11.zip into the game\ folder of your SD. The SD should
now contain this folder: game\rRootage_wiz_10\
Be sure to extract the zip with full pathnames enabled. You can extract
it anywhere you want on your SD card if you like, though.


Playing the game:

* Launch rRootage.gpe to play the game. Launch rRootage_cfg.gpe if you
want to use my custom configuration utility.


Default Wiz Control Mapping:

ROTATED FULL-SCREEN MODE:
Menu, X: Laser off (on by default)
R_Trigger, A: Special
A: Pause
Select: Exit to menu (new feature I added)
Vol+/-: Change volume
DPAD: Move

NON-ROTATED MODE:
Y, R_Trigger: Laser off (on by default)
A, L_Trigger: Special
Menu: Pause
Select: Exit to menu (new feature I added)
Vol+/-: Change volume
DPAD: Move

Download here ...