The videogame industry is in danger of pigeon-holing itself and projecting simple stereotypes to the mass market, according to Bethesda's Todd Howard.

The current crop of home consoles are perceived to sit at opposite ends of the spectrum, according to Howard, with the Wii associated with cheap kids games and the Xbox 360 and PS3 home to violent, adult-rated content.

"As an industry, we have to make sure the world knows that gaming is for everyone, and not just kids or thirty-somethings who never grew up," said Howard speaking to the AIAS.

"I'm worried the Wii is getting stuck with quick-buck games aimed at children who don't know any better, and the 360 and PS3 are all about M rated kill-fests."

Howard also said that developers must cater to new players by understanding what holds back their progress when they first pick up a videogame.

"Everyone needs to think about the player who is playing for the first time and really figure out what confuses them, or how they can have 'real fun' while they learn the game.

"Frustration is the number one reason people of all skill levels stop playing," he added. "Everyone needs to get better at the 'learn-play-challenge' design ramp."

Asked what problems in game development he would like to be able to solve instantly, Howard replied: "Technology and the discipline to use it correctly."

"I see a lot of groups still struggle on each game with the basics, from rendering speed to load times."

Part of this problem is the introduction of new technology to the industry, which requires time for developers to successfully get to grips with, said Howard.

"I think the best ideas don't emerge until the platforms and tech are stable, because early on you spend all your time just getting something to 'work,' and then you're satisfied, as opposed to iterating it until it 'works great'."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-itself-howard ...

Videogame controllers are typically rated on ergonomics, durability, and responsiveness -- though they sometimes get a few bonus points by looking especially cool. The original NES game pad really didn't have any of those attributes going for it, but that didn't stop it from becoming a cultural icon, one that has inspired reproductions of all shapes and sizes. The latest one varies not in dimensions but in composition: it's made of soap. Yes, this controller, which sells for just $8.25, is designed for bath time fun, and what it lacks in functionality it makes up for with natural ingredients and lovely (we presume) fragrances that surely smell a good bit better than those musty hunks of discolored plastic you probably have stuffed in a box somewhere.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/18/n...elp-you-get-a/ ...

Videogame controllers are typically rated on ergonomics, durability, and responsiveness -- though they sometimes get a few bonus points by looking especially cool. The original NES game pad really didn't have any of those attributes going for it, but that didn't stop it from becoming a cultural icon, one that has inspired reproductions of all shapes and sizes. The latest one varies not in dimensions but in composition: it's made of soap. Yes, this controller, which sells for just $8.25, is designed for bath time fun, and what it lacks in functionality it makes up for with natural ingredients and lovely (we presume) fragrances that surely smell a good bit better than those musty hunks of discolored plastic you probably have stuffed in a box somewhere.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/18/n...elp-you-get-a/ ...

Not content to let Apple be the only one having fun banning racy apps that might scar the fragile minds of its users, Google is apparently looking to get in on the action with its Android Market. The company has confirmed that no graphic sexual content will be allowed, nor anything that encourages violence or hate speech. That's bad news for those who like bad apps, but the good news is that if you find something you've downloaded to be just a little too mainstream for your edgy tastes you'll have 24 hours to return it. Keep your download and unlimited reinstalls will be at your disposal, but Google maintains the right to forcefully remove an app from your device whenever it feels like it -- pledging to do its best to get you a refund. Finally, there will be no upgrades provided through the Android Market, meaning you'll rather unfortunately need to get them through some other, less secure means.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/18/a...ot-sexy-stuff/ ...

News via PSPITa


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News/release from maxthebest




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OK, here is the unofficial version of LaunchELF. (Note: It's based off Mirakichi's source to LaunchELF v3.41)

Changes: Unofficial LaunchELF releases by EP + dlanor

LaunchELF v4.39 (2009.02.17)
-Updated gsKit and existing source files to SVN rev 1470.
-Upgraded USBHDFSD to SVN rev 1534 by radad.
-Updated ps2ftpd and existing source files to SVN rev 587.
-Changed "DEVICE_UNITS" from 4 to 10 for the newer USB driver.
-Altered an old workaround to allow multiple USB devices to show up properly within FTP clients.

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Last June, a pair of gamers, Geoffrey Pecover of Washington, D.C. and Jeffrey Lawrence of California, filed a class-action lawsuit claiming that Electronic Arts' exclusive licensing agreements with the NFL, NFLPA, Arena Football League and NCAA has created a monopoly on football videogames and directly led to the game publisher raising the price of its extremely popular Madden NFL franchise.

The plaintiffs' case is stated clearly in the introduction to its claim, which was filed on June 5, 2008:

"This suit arises out of the blatantly anticompetitive conduct of Electronic Arts Inc., a multi-billion dollar interactive entertainment software company that produces numerous interactive football software products including Madden NFL, NCAA Football and Arena Football titles. Through an unlawful and anticompetitive series of exclusive agreements with the National Football League, the NFL Players Union, Arena Football League and the National Collegiate Athletic Association ("NCAA"), Electronic Arts has driven its competition out of the market for interactive football software, including most significantly Take Two Interactive Software, Inc., the maker of the interactive football software title NFL 2K5 and has prevented additional competitors from entering the market. As a direct result of this anticompetitive conduct, the price of interactive football software has soared: Prior to signing the exclusive agreements referred to above, Electronic Arts charged $29.95 for its flagship product Madden NFL. Immediately after the exclusive agreements entered into effect – and the effective withdrawal of its only competitor from the market – Electronic Arts increased its price for that software nearly seventy percent to $49.99."

Lawyers for both sides of the case made their arguments before Judge Vaughn Walker on Nov. 4, 2008, and the transcript of those arguments have just been released. In reading through the 48-page document it becomes apparent that Walker was somewhat receptive to the argument put forth by Pecover's representation, attorney Stuart Paynter.

Paynter argued that the exclusive licensing agreements EA entered into with the NFL, NFLPA, AFL and NCAA make it impossible for other game publishers to compete in the arena of football videogames and allowed EA to both raise its prices for its products and, at the same time, to invest less in the quality of those products, ultimately at the expense of the consumer.

Attorney Daniel Wall, who represents EA, argued that his client had every right to bid on the exclusive licenses being offered by the four organizations, and that there is nothing unlawful about EA having made the best bids on those licenses.

The next phase of the class is a class certification hearing is scheduled for June 10. Jury selection is scheduled for Sept. 9, and a trial date is set for Sept. 14 in U.S. District Court in San Francisco.

http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/955/955011p1.html ...

Timed nicely (although most likely coincidentally) to coincide with the announcement of the DSi's US release, Namco Bandai revealed itself to be the first third party publisher to support the DSiWare download service. The company shared first details on three upcoming titles with the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu.

Leading the way in name recognition is Korogashi Puzzle Katamari Damacy. Yes, this is a new rendition of Katamari Damacy, only it's not quite what you think. The game only uses themes from the Katamari franchise, and is otherwise another one of those games that can be described as "a falling blocks puzzle game with a tiwst." The twist here is that the blocks that drop onto the field have mini "katamari" clumps in them. These roll around in between the blocks and pick up stuff.

A Japanese release for this twist on Katamari Damacy is planned for March 25, priced at 500 DSi Points. As a somewhat unexpected feature, the game will include an actual voiced theme song from virtual idol Hatsune Miku.

Namco Bandai is also bringing Mr. Driller to DSiWare. Set for a February 25 Japanese release at 800 DSi Points (placing it in the upper pricing bracket for the service), Sakutto Hamareru Hori Hori Action Mr. Driller includes time attack, mission, and drill stone modes, all playable by a solo player. The latter mode disperses throughout the play field special blocks which have a variety of effects.

A WiiWare version of Mr. Driller is also on the way, so be sure and check IGN Wii later in the day for details.

The third DSiWare title from Namco Bandai is one that will likely stay in Japan. Mojipittan Shiritori Tokei is the latest entry in the company's addictive Scrabble-like word puzzle franchise that has appeared on every system since sliced bread. The DSiWare version is being priced at a low 200 DSi Points, but still includes a dictionary with 130,000 words! Japanese speakers can look forward to this download on February 25.

All the release dates in this story are for the Japanese DSiWare service only. We'll let you know when Namco Bandai makes an announcement for the games (well, for Katamari and Mr. Driller at least) on our shores.

http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/954/954943p1.html ...