via Gizmodo


During an otherwise dry TechED conference panel about Windows Mobile 6.5 development, Senior Project Manager Loke Uei Tan made a surprising admission: 6.5's semi-vaunted new interface was severely rushed, and isn't even finished. UPDATED

From his mouth:

It's a revealing, slightly embarrassing mea culpa, and an honest one. Wherever new interface features have been implemented in 6.5, they work fairly well, but massive parts of the OS still looks and operate like they did in 6.1, such that 6.5 feels more like an interface add-on than an actual OS upgrade.

But hey, points for honesty! And maybe, just maybe, Tan's "eventually" means "before 6.5 ships."

UPDATED: The WinMo dev team has responded in the comments. Basically, 6.5 is "finished" in the sense that interface changes won't reach much deeper than we've already seen. One thing: the above screenshots show an early build of the OS, and the Honeycomb looks a bit different now. The response:
...

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that EA SPORTS has innovated a new, physical brand of hockey that includes first-person fighting in NHL 10 to match the toughness and emotional intensity real-world NHL players endure in pursuit of a Stanley Cup Championship.

The franchise that has won 19 sports game of the year awards over the past two years begins a new era with gameplay innovations that deliver a new standard of toughness, the emotion of playoff hockey on the ice and in the arena, and over 200 gameplay refinements that replicate the skill and finesse that every fan sees throughout the NHL playoffs.

A new first-person fighting engine enables players to trade punches with an NHL tough guy. Feel what it's like to be on the ice in the skates of an NHL player to throw and dodge punches. Grab and tug an opponent's jersey to land a punch that ignites the fans and sparks your team to victory. Challenge a skill player and an opposing team tough guy will step in to settle the score.

On ice toughness and intimidation is taken to a new level in NHL 10 where winning one-on-one battles for possession of the puck along the boards becomes a test of will and skill. Utilizing an all-new board physics engine, players can use their body to shield the puck on the boards and then kick-pass it to teammates. Bigger, stronger players pin opponents to the boards while fanatical fans bang on the glass, just like real life. Fore-check defenders, pressure the puck and finish checks to intimidate your opponent into mistakes. Players fatigue, bobble passes, and avoid collisions under threat of constant physical pressure. Inspire teammates, ignite the fans and change the momentum of a game by instigating scrums, drawing penalties, and mixing it up — all after the referee blows the whistle!

"This is the most authentic simulation of hockey we have ever created," said Producer David Littman, a former NHL and minor league goaltender now in his eighth year working on the NHL franchise. "The Stanley Cup is the most difficult trophy in all of sports to win and NHL 10 replicates the emotion, intensity and toughness players require to win the Cup."

NHL 10 features more than 200 gameplay refinements that replicate the skill and finesse of hockey and deliver the most responsive and authentic action ever for the series. Players can one-time loose pucks, score from their knees, knock pucks out of the air and lift a leg to fake a shot on goal. A new 360 degree precision passing mechanic delivers control over the speed and direction of passes so players can bank passes off the boards or play the puck into space for teammates to skate on to it. Plus, all-new interactive crowds bring the emotion of playoff hockey to life with towel-waving fans, glass bangers and crowds that react to the action on the ice.

Prove you are tough enough to quiet the crowd, silence the opposition and survive a playoff run to lift the Stanley Cup in NHL 10.

NHL 10 will be available in stores this September for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system with an MSRP of $59.99. It is developed under the EA SPORTS brand by EA Canada in Burnaby, B.C. The game has not been rated.

EA SPORTS is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world, with top-selling titles and franchises including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA Football, and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR?.

*Based on total sales in 2008 according to the NPD. ...

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that EA SPORTS has innovated a new, physical brand of hockey that includes first-person fighting in NHL 10 to match the toughness and emotional intensity real-world NHL players endure in pursuit of a Stanley Cup Championship.

The franchise that has won 19 sports game of the year awards over the past two years begins a new era with gameplay innovations that deliver a new standard of toughness, the emotion of playoff hockey on the ice and in the arena, and over 200 gameplay refinements that replicate the skill and finesse that every fan sees throughout the NHL playoffs.

A new first-person fighting engine enables players to trade punches with an NHL tough guy. Feel what it's like to be on the ice in the skates of an NHL player to throw and dodge punches. Grab and tug an opponent's jersey to land a punch that ignites the fans and sparks your team to victory. Challenge a skill player and an opposing team tough guy will step in to settle the score.

On ice toughness and intimidation is taken to a new level in NHL 10 where winning one-on-one battles for possession of the puck along the boards becomes a test of will and skill. Utilizing an all-new board physics engine, players can use their body to shield the puck on the boards and then kick-pass it to teammates. Bigger, stronger players pin opponents to the boards while fanatical fans bang on the glass, just like real life. Fore-check defenders, pressure the puck and finish checks to intimidate your opponent into mistakes. Players fatigue, bobble passes, and avoid collisions under threat of constant physical pressure. Inspire teammates, ignite the fans and change the momentum of a game by instigating scrums, drawing penalties, and mixing it up — all after the referee blows the whistle!

"This is the most authentic simulation of hockey we have ever created," said Producer David Littman, a former NHL and minor league goaltender now in his eighth year working on the NHL franchise. "The Stanley Cup is the most difficult trophy in all of sports to win and NHL 10 replicates the emotion, intensity and toughness players require to win the Cup."

NHL 10 features more than 200 gameplay refinements that replicate the skill and finesse of hockey and deliver the most responsive and authentic action ever for the series. Players can one-time loose pucks, score from their knees, knock pucks out of the air and lift a leg to fake a shot on goal. A new 360 degree precision passing mechanic delivers control over the speed and direction of passes so players can bank passes off the boards or play the puck into space for teammates to skate on to it. Plus, all-new interactive crowds bring the emotion of playoff hockey to life with towel-waving fans, glass bangers and crowds that react to the action on the ice.

Prove you are tough enough to quiet the crowd, silence the opposition and survive a playoff run to lift the Stanley Cup in NHL 10.

NHL 10 will be available in stores this September for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system with an MSRP of $59.99. It is developed under the EA SPORTS brand by EA Canada in Burnaby, B.C. The game has not been rated.

EA SPORTS is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world, with top-selling titles and franchises including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA Football, and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR?.

*Based on total sales in 2008 according to the NPD. ...

Square Enix is on board with DSiWare! Unfortunately, the only people who should be excited are old Japanese ladies.

The first download from the Final Fantasy publisher is called Mr. Brain. If that title makes you imagine a brain training game of some form, you've nailed it. The game promises three types of training.

Mr. Brain is based off an upcoming Japanese television drama that stars one of Japan's hottest stars, Takuya Kimura. In the drama, Kimura plays a genius neurologist who works with the police.

It's unclear if there will be any connection to the drama side from the name. We imagine Square Enix would have been pretty vocal about it if they'd gotten Kimura to actually appear in the game.

Square Enix will release Mr. Brain through the DSi Shop on May 27 at 500 DSi Points. The drama kicks off on the 24th.

http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/982/982939p1.html ...

via IGN


We shared first details yesterday on Capcom's Japanese release plans for Monster Hunter 3. Today, we have a first look at the game's bonus items.

As revealed yesterday, MH3 will launch in Japan on August 1. Capcom will be offering the game both on its own for 7,340 yen, and as part of a couple of special packages.

Retailers throughout Japan will offer the Monster Hunter 3 Classic Controller Pro Pack. As the name might suggest, this package bundles in Nintendo's Classic Controller Pro, an upgraded version of the current Classic Controller that goes on sale in Japan on August 1. Pricing for the bundle is set at 8,490 yen.

Likely to be harder to come by is the Monster Hunter 3 Limited Edition pack. Priced at 9,440 yen, this version of the game includes a DVD with a MH3 making-of feature and footage from the May 6 Monster Hunter 5th Anniversary concert. Capcom is also planning an unspecified bonus of some form. All this ships in a special box. This version of the game will be sold exclusively through Capcom's online e-Capcom retailer.

All versions of the game will qualify for a special "monster head" bonus item. Capcom will make three figures available, given to buyers at random. Specific designs outside of a silhouetted image have yet to be shared.

All these special editions, prices, and release dates concern Japan only. Capcom hasn't shared specifics about an international release for Monster Hunter 3, although the game is expected to arrive some time this fiscal year.


Images at IGN ...

DCEmu Member and Coder SimonKagstrom has today answered the Dreams of many emulation fans on the Nintendo Wii by today releasing the first Amiga Emulator for the Nintendo Wii on our Forums:

Heres the release notes:


Download and Give Feedback VIa Comments

also give feedback and thanks to Simon here --> http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/sho...d.php?t=207513 ...

News via nintendomax

Cid2Mizard proposed the first version of a puzzle game called "Digitory DS", a remake of the flash game of the same name.
Quote:
You control with the stylus numbered balls on the blue band and need to drag in the 4-way to make money from value to collect and remove the blocks in the center.
Move your ball touching the blue tape, and start reaching your ball.
You get 5 pts for 1 short, 5 to 10 + 2 are both, 5 + 10 + 15 to 3 are, etc ...
There are currently 15 levels, but ultimately the game will count 60, but not all identical to the flash version.
So you enjoy working in mental calculations.

Download and Give Feedback VIa Comments ...

News via nintendomax

Super Alarm is a small alarm clock for your Nintendo DS, visually scenarios Super Mario World, the program with the library Palib hope your feedback to make improvements, is currently tested only in the R4 card, it would be tested on different cards Flash and inform its operation, is in Spanish language and I hope out soon in English, if you give me a little time can make a small manual of the same but the menu is quite friendly and easy to use.

Download and Give Feedback VIa Comments ...

via Eurogamer


PlayStation Home community manager "TedTheDog" has admitted that Europe trails other regions in the number of themed areas PS3 Avatars can explore.


So, he adds, priorities will be switched to production of Spaces for the foreseeable future. The first task is implementing some of the older content "we've been missing for a while now" - areas like Uncharted, Warhawk, Guitar Hero and Resident Evil 5. After that, he hopes new spaces can launch simultaneously with other regions.

The European team has been recruiting to meet this end, and is apparently considering 17 Spaces to add over the next two to four months. Not all will make the cut.

TedTheDog also says Sony will try to share information sooner with the community, and aim to communicate the latest Home changes "one week in advance". ...