News from devkitpro site (thanks wiibrew for tip)

The latest stable libnds release is now available through SourceForge and the devkitPro windows installer.

correct bgGet return value.
bgUpdate sets all backgrounds.
consoleInit(), now initializes a passed in PrintConsole* with default settings.
All vram defines use “SPRITE” as apposed to a mixture of “OBJ” and “SPRITE”.
Added oamAllocReset(), oamInit now clears all sprite memory allocations.
keyboard and console VRAM mapping changed to better default layout.
keyboard now has visual feedback.
keyboard update no longer calls scanKeys().
Added backspace support for proper stdio behavior.
findAP checks wep mode before copying wep key.
dynamicArray.h adds deallocation.
more gbatek naming fixes.
added setBrightness function for fading.

http://www.devkitpro.org/ ...

SpiderDave has updated Splatter Castle


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Teresa says that she was harassed by other players and later suspended from XBOX Live because she identified herself as a lesbian in her profile. When she appealed to Microsoft, she says they told her that other gamers found her sexual orientation "offensive."

Teresa says:

I just recently saw a thing on your site about someones gamer tag being banned because it had the word gay in the tag.

I had a similar incident, only my account was suspended because I had said in my profile that I was a lesbian. I was harassed by several players, 'chased' to different maps/games to get away from their harassment. They followed me into the games and told all the other players to turn me in because they didn't want to see that crap or their kids to see that crap.

As if xbox live is really appropriate for kids anyways! My account was suspended and xbox live did nothing to solve this, but instead said others found it offensive.

Today I received a message from another gamer calling me a ***. I am a lesbian, so they aren't too smart if they cant get their anti-gay slurs right.

Microsoft does nothing to stop this or prevent it, but instead sides with the homophobes. No one will help me get the word out about Microsoft's anti-gay policy. Not even the HRC who says Microsoft has a positive image with them. Not to me it doesn't!

We've heard of gamers being suspended for identifying themselves as gay in their GamerTag, and even one case of a guy whose name was actually "Richard Gaywood" but his tag was suspended anyway because apparently the word "gay" is so offensive that it doesn't matter if its actually your name.

As far as we know, Microsoft is unwilling to reconsider this position.

http://consumerist.com/5160187/ident...d-on-xbox-live ...

Ubisoft announced today that it has partnered with Gold's Gym, the world's leading authority on health and fitness, to create the video game Gold's Gym: Cardio Workout. Licensed by Rocket Co., Ltd., the game will be in North America stores on March 31, 2009 and it will be available exclusively for the Wii home video game system from Nintendo.

"We are excited to partner with Ubisoft on our first video game," commented Lisa Zoellner, chief marketing officer of Gold's Gym International. "It is a natural extension of our brand and is in line with our mission to get more people around the world excited about exercise and fitness. We believe that the game will provide consumers with a workout that is both fun and rewarding."

Compatible with the Wii Balance Board accessory, the game provides players with a personal training experience. Players can perform a variety of exercises including cardio boxing, running, sit-ups and other activities while also tracking burned calories and body weight evolution. In addition, the game offers multiple training modes and fitness levels, and the difficulty of the gameplay evolves as the player's fitness level increases.

"As a leader in personal training, we are thrilled to collaborate with Gold's Gym on a new cardio workout game," said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft. "In order to provide an authentic Gold's Gym experience the game will incorporate gym signage and dialogue into the game."

As part of the partnership, the game will be co-marketed by Gold's Gym and Ubisoft. Each game will include a coupon for a one week free trial to Gold's Gym. In addition, Gold's Gym Cardio Workout will be featured throughout the Gold's Gym clubs, on the Gold's Gym website, and the game trailer will be displayed on the Gold's Gym Broadcast Network. A demo of the game will also be available at various Gold's Gym facilities.

For more information on Gold's Gym Cardio Workout, please visit http://www.ubi.com. ...

Nintendo has outlined a list of countries around the globe that remain leaders in denying adequate and effective protection of video game products. In its annual comments to the U.S. Trade Representative under the "Special 301" process, Nintendo has singled out countries where piracy is rampant and has asked the United States to take further steps to combat it.

Nintendo reports that piracy of its most popular products, the Nintendo DS™ and Wii™ systems, has increased during the year. Nintendo attributes this increase to the availability of circumvention devices, such as "game copiers" and "mod chips." These devices skirt the product security embedded in Nintendo's famous products and enable the play of illegal Nintendo software.

"It is important for parents to note that if users of circumvention devices are children, they may be exposed to unsuitable content downloaded from the Internet and played on their Nintendo systems," said Jodi Daugherty, Nintendo of America's senior director of anti-piracy.

Below is a summary of Nintendo's filing:

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: China continues to be the hub of production for counterfeit Nintendo video game products. The number of online shopping sites in China selling infringing Nintendo products is increasing, and help is needed by the government to curtail the growth of these illegal marketplaces. These products are sold both inside China and to the world, including our key market in the United States. Chinese customs officials must stop shipments of game copiers and other infringing products out of China, and China should work in the coming year to eliminate barriers to its enforcement laws.

REPUBLIC OF KOREA: Internet piracy in Korea continues to increase, as does the availability of devices that get around product security and allow for the play of illegal Nintendo software. A massive customs raid of 10 premises that resulted in the seizure of more than 75,000 game copiers at the beginning of 2009 is a positive sign the government is serious about enforcement. Nintendo is pleased with Korea's consistent customs seizures, and courts are now starting to hold distributors of circumvention devices, such as game copiers, accountable. The Korea-U.S. free trade agreement is important to all intellectual property rights holders.

BRAZIL: Federal anti-piracy actions are not reducing piracy in Brazil, and local enforcement efforts are weak. Efforts to prosecute for piracy are virtually nonexistent. Customs and border control agents failed to seize a single shipment of Nintendo video game products in Brazil in 2008. Internet piracy is increasing with no legal infrastructure in place to respond to the threat it poses to rights holders. High tariffs and taxes also constitute market barriers for legitimate video game products.

MEXICO: Anti-piracy actions by the Mexican government in 2008 were wholly inadequate. The Mexican government must recognize the seriousness of the piracy problem and start using existing enforcement tools. Mexico's participation in negotiating the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is encouraging, but enforcement efforts need to move forward now. The willingness of Mexican customs and Mexican postal service workers to be trained by trademark owners was a positive sign in 2008.

SPAIN: The availability of game-copying devices in Spain is alarming. Internet sites offering game-copying devices and illegal Nintendo software are widespread and must be addressed. Nintendo asks that the Spanish government implement laws protecting the creative copyright industry and enact laws against Internet piracy. Nintendo considers education a priority in its fight against piracy in the European Union. Customs authorities play an important role in enforcing intellectual property rights, and Nintendo is seeing positive signs in this area. Nintendo is pleased about recent steps taken by the Spanish National Police against distributors of game copiers.

PARAGUAY: Corruption continues to hamper anti-piracy efforts. Nintendo's anti-piracy actions in Paraguay show that illegal goods are imported and also locally produced. Border controls are key to decreasing piracy, and the revised criminal code will increase penalties against those distributing circumvention devices in Paraguay.

For more information about Nintendo, visit www.Nintendo.com. ...

via Gizmodo US


Yep, AT&T is pulling its Quickfire Sidekick-wannabe off the shelves. That's because if you shove the charger in the wrong way, as some people have done, it, well, the punchline pretty much writes itself.

Here's the text message AT&T is sending out to people who own Quickfires to make sure they don't plug it all wrong and blow up their phone (though no explosions have happened quite yet).

...

Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G was Japan's best selling game last year. In fact, the top three PSP games of all time in Japan all have the words Monster Hunter in their titles.

So it probably shouldn't come as a surprise to learn that Capcom is doing another Monster Hunter game for the system.

Capcom's Keiji Inafune made things somewhat official in an interview featured in the latest issue of Famitsu. Without getting into specifics, he said that Capcom is setting its sights on the next PSP entry in the series.

He did admit that he's not sure if it will be called "3rd," and that he expects it to be a ways off. But it appears PSP owners in Japan can look forward to more from the series.

Of course, we're still waiting for 2nd G to come our way as Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, so all this talk of sequels is a bit pointless.

Inafune also shared some insight into how much importance Capcom places on the Monster Hunter series. He recalled having explained to producer Ryouzo Tsujimoto and the rest of the Monster Hunter Tri developmen staff that Monster Hunter isn't just a big game for Capcom, but a big game for the game industry as a whole. While admitting that he was just speaking boastfully when he told the staff that Tri can be bigger than Dragon Quest, he added that he really does want to make this to happen.

Inafune described Tri as an "amazing" game and said that he hopes it will set new records for the Wii game market. In Japan, Tri is set for a summer release.
http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/957/957035p1.html ...

via Eurogamer


Capcom has said Lost Planet 2 will feature full campaign co-op support for up-to four people.

The Lost Planet 2 reveal trailer hinted at this yesterday; we saw one player deploy an expanding cover shield, which allowed two uniquely-outfitted helpers to fire rockets and supporting rounds from safety.

The sequel's story is spun 10-years after the adventures of Wayne in Lost Planet 1, and so lots has changed: vast slabs of ice have melted, and given way to vibrant jungles and other environments.

Players will make their own heroes this time, too - not settle for some silky-haired pouter. However, we're not sure what sort of customisation options there will be, nor whether they will affect abilities.

Grappling will return, and Capcom has some extra actions to spring on us at a later date. Also, the ranks of the alien and insect-like Akrid army have expanded.

There's no word on VS (Vital Suit) mechs, but they feature in the video and so are presumably as destructive and consumptive of T-ENG fuel as in the original game. Multiplayer versus modes are also kept under wraps.

We're also none-the-wiser as to platforms and dates. We expect Capcom will stay multiplatform and gun for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. (UPDATE: It's worth mentioning the latest press release only states that Lost Planet 2 is in development for 360, so it could well be a platform exclusive - but Capcom has yet to confirm.)

Capcom does promise that fan feedback has been heavily taken onboard. We know Lost Planet 2 will be the publisher's first title to use MT Framework 2 technology, too.

We're quite excited; Lost Planet 1 was often spectacular when devastating mechs took on swarms of Akrid or screen-filling bosses. Bit it all turned out to be a bit skin-deep, as the plot turned cheesy, combat plateaued and climactic encounters resorted to by-the-book weak-spots.

Worth a bash, though, as our Lost Planet: Extreme Condition review points out. ...

News via emurussia

First version of brand new sound plguin for Sony Playstation 2 emulators has been released.

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