With the announcement of the Sony NGP (or PSP2 for those not down with the new acronym) gamers are in somewhat of a awkward position.


At long last we've got one of those bittersweet decisions to make again. We have an important choice, between the undeniably impressive Nintendo 3DS and Sony's new juggernaut of a handheld.

Unless you're a lifelong Sony or Nintendo faithful fan, and are willing to drop the cash for their respective handheld without considering the competition - or able to pick up both - you're going to be doing a lot of thinking about which of the two to splash out on.

This is where the launch games usually strut their stuff. Usually.

We say it's an awkward position because Nintendo's launch line-up is...well, it's not exactly blowing anyone away. Sure, Street Fighter looks ace, PES 2011 is shaping up to be the best portable footy title yet and Steel Diver has generated some buzz, but the early offerings lack Nintendo's wow factor.

The chirpy plumber, sword wielding Elf and Pokemon are all noticeably absent from the 3DS launch line-up, and this will no doubt be a bit of a bummer for a lot of people.

Sony isn't in much of a better position either. Although it's dazzled us with impressive specs, gleaming hardware and videos of games such as Uncharted, Resistance and Killzone - all looking surprisingly similar to their PS3 counterparts - it hasn't said whether any of these titles will be part of its launch line-up.

In this respect Sony is in a position where it could get the edge. With no games currently confirmed for release, the NGP has the perfect chance to come out with its big guns blazing.

With that said we're turning to you: what games would get you on board with Sony's new handheld?

Be they first-party exclusives, returning franchises, third-party titles or even PlayStation Minis - what in particular would make you part with your hard-earned?

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...VG-General-RSS ...

We've gotten a bunch of tips in the past hour or so that the Android Market is doing weird things, and we can corroborate this on our Nexus S here -- we're just not able to download stuff. Apps look like they're starting to download, then they suddenly vanish into thin air without a trace and without an error message. Our Droid 2 is still fully functional, though, so this definitely isn't consistent; really, we're just wondering if this outage might have something to do with tomorrow's Android-themed festivities at the Google campus, which -- naturally -- we'll be attending. So how is everyone faring out there tonight?

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/01/a...o-tomorrows-e/ ...

Do you believe what you're seeing? 9to5Mac along with iFixYouri repair say they've got the new iPad 2 display. Better yet, they've got the purported part number: LP097X02-SLN1, compared to the original iPad's LP097X02-SLA3 display. It's said to be lighter and more than 1-mm thinner than the original while featuring a thinner bezel as well -- right, just as the rumors and our own sources have said. Such a display would also enable some tapering of the edges in line with those milled aluminum dummies we've seen. The big mystery is still the resolution. A 9to5Mac commenter claims to have deciphered the part number to reveal its LG Phillips 9.7-inch XGA 1024 x 768 H-IPS display origins (same resolution as the current iPad, if true). Unfortunately, we have no way to confirm this. One more pic of the part number details after the break.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/i...isplay-leaked/ ...

When it comes to storytelling, videogames are considered the poor cousin to film. Indeed some believe videogames will never surpass film when it comes to telling a good tale. But for one videogame writer, this status quo will come to an end sooner rather than later.

That videogame writer is Deus Ex: Human Revolution lead scribe Mary De Marle, who in a new interview with Eurogamer explained the challenges associated with spinning a good videogame yarn.

"There's great potential to go beyond what films can do," she said. "The difference games have versus movies is, when you're playing a game you're an active participant and what's happening to it is happening to you. There's an aspect of it that's so much more personal once you get into it.

"The way we've told stories in the past through film is, the author of the story is in complete control of it and they can craft something that pulls on your heartstrings. They know the craft and they know the way to give information, reveal it, hold stuff back, characterise their characters, and they know they can feed this to you in a way that makes sense, that builds that questioning inside you to say, 'Where's this going? What's happening?' The revelations are very powerful and hit you when they hit you and make you feel an emotional response.

"But games, we have the dilemma that we can't control what the player is looking at and seeing, and we have to find new ways of doing it, and find new tools of storytelling that enable us to have those reactions."

In Scott Steinberg's Game Theory: Ep 3, famous videogame developers reveal their thoughts on the art of videogame storytelling.

"I don't think we've yet mastered the techniques of true interactive storytelling," was Ultima creator Richard Garriot's verdict.

"I mean that not just in dialogue, not just in cutscenes, but really in the entire experience unfolding and how you emotionally become engaged with what's going on."

For De Marle, the answer is simple: writers must work closely with programmers to ensure the creation of a seamless, compelling whole.

"The more we're working on it we're getting better and better at it, but we have to work more closely with the other members of the team. All sides have to understand we are working together to create a powerful emotional experience and there are times that execution is very important and there are times when the gameplay is what's going to have to do it. So, how can we work together to get that?"

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...n-surpass-film ...

Penguin United Component Cable (Gold Plated)
Manufacturer: Penguin United
Site: Buy from Penguin United
Price: $13.99

Overview : Wii component video cable enables 480P (progressive) video display resolution between the Wii console and your Television. This enhanced version of our popular orginal Penguin United Wii Component Cable comes with 24K gold plating for enhanced data transmission rate and durable outer nylon braid. Cable is to be used for Nintendo Wii Console only, comes with 1 year manufacturer's warranty. Cable Length 6 feet or 1.8M

Quality/Usability : (excerpt from our Wii Component Review)

The cables looks like the regular Penguin United Component Cable. Only difference is that the gold plated cables has a mesh covering on the cables and gold plated tips on the plugs.

Comparing the regular version and the gold plated version, there wasnt a big difference when it comes to quality. They pretty much looked the same with some exceptions of a few less jaggies that you would see on the regular component cable that you wouldnt see on the gold plated. The colors on the other hand were slightly more vibrant.

The length of the cable is is the same, measuring 6 feet. The mesh look to the cable is a nice touch and makes the stand out from the rest of the cables on the market.

The company also offers a 1 year warranty on all their products which is great for those who live in the US since the company is also located in the US.

Conclusion : Overall, the Penguin United Component Cable (Gold Plated) looks identical to the regular cable with the addition of mesh. There was some slight differences between the gold plated and regular cables but wasnt too noticeable unless you were looking for them. If you dont have a keen eye for detail, stick with the regular component cable as you wont notice a difference.

Images via comments ...

After the desktop stalwarts of Windows 7 and Mac OS, the world's third most popular platform for web browsing turns out to be Apple's iOS. The software that makes iPhones, iPod touches and iPads tick has been identified by Net Applications as responsible for over two percent of the global traffic data analyzed in the web statistician's latest report -- the first time iOS has crossed that threshold. The UK and Australia had more than five percent each, while the USA clocked in at 3.4 percent. Leaving operating systems aside, Chrome has continued its steady growth on the browser front and now stands at a 10.7 percent share, more than doubling its slice from this time last year. Internet Explorer overall has dipped to its lowest level yet, at 56 percent, however Net Applications indicates IE8 is showing nice growth. So at least it's looking like we're finally ready to bury the zombies known as IE6 and IE7, whatever other browser we choose to migrate to.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/i...ffic-chrome-r/ ...

The quintessential nanny state is tightening its grip on online gaming a little further today, as it announced that starting March 1st, 'online game companies must set up a web page, enquiry hotline and other special channels for parental supervision of their children. Besides, these companies shall authorize parents, who want to monitor and control their children playing online games, to take measures to limit or ban the playing. Also, the online game companies shall provide help to parents in supervising their children's online game accounts and preventing them from playing improper games, as part of the project.' If you're a parent, the new effort by the Ministry of Culture has surprisingly specific recommendations for how to regulate your child's gaming: 'The document suggested a school student play online games for less than two hours every week and spend no more than 10 yuan ($1.5) on playing online games every month.' The article (from the state media) ends with amusing speculation that the youth will simply acquire a fake adult ID to get back online. Stay tuned for more rules and regulations from China's new 'Parental Watch Project.

http://games.slashdot.org/story/11/0...r-Online-Games ...

Trade body displeased that government has asked Ofcom to re-access potential site blocking powers
Video games trade body UKIE has expressed its concern about the government's decision to re-evaluate the potential website blocking powers that would be granted to ISPs as part of the Digital Economy Act.
Yesterday Westminster announced that it has asked Ofcom to consider the viability of the proposals. Specifically, it wants to know how easy it is to implement such blocks, how robust the measures would be and how much such action would cost ISPs.
"I have no problem with the principle of blocking access to websites used exclusively for facilitating illegal downloading of content," culture secretary Jeremy Hunt told the BBC. "But it is not clear whether the site blocking provisions in the Act could work in practice so I have asked Ofcom to address this question."
UKIE director general Michael Rawlinson is disappointed by the news.
”UKIE was concerned to learn that the Government has asked Ofcom to review section 17 and 18 of the Digital Economy Act, which would allow the blocking of websites dedicated to copyright infringement, subject to secondary legislation introduced by the Secretary of State," he stated.

“UKIE supports the Digital Economy Act and the measures contained within it that are designed to help the industry tackle intellectual property theft.
"At a time when Government and industry need to work together to ensure the Act is a success, UKIE urges the Government to recognise that the proposed measures to prevent access to illegal websites are an important tool that will help to protect British businesses from online copyright infringement now and in the future.”
“UKIE will be responding to Ofcom’s review to ensure that the interactive entertainment’s position is made clear.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/42830/UKIE...ver-DEA-review ...

Moxia USBCell Rechargeable Battery
Manufacturer: Moixa
Site: Buy from Moixa
Price: $17.00 (2 pack)


Overview : This NiMH AA cell can be used like a normal battery and can be recharged simply by plugging into a USB port.

With over 15 billion Alkaline batteries made and thrown away each year - wasting resources, C02 and creating toxic Landfill - USBCELL offers a eco-friendly alternative as can be re-used hundreds of times as no charge adaptor or cable is needed, saving you money, hassle and waste.

Features :

• Rechargeable AA NiMH Battery 1.2v 1300mah
• 90%+ Charged after 5 Hours by powered USB
• Built in Intelligent Charger
• Charge by powered USB
• Also can be charged in approved NiMH Chargers

Quality/Usability : Majority of today's electronics such as digital cameras, portable devices such as MP3/CD players, remotes, flashlights, and controllers all use alkaline batteries.

No more need for disposable batteries. Yes, there are lots of rechargeable batteries on the market but in order to recharge them, you will need a charger. What happens if you dont have a charger on your? USBCell is similar that it is rechargeable but to recharge them, its different. The name of the product can give you a hint as to how it would recharge...USB. But you can also charge in any rechargeable battery charger as well

The design of the USBCell is unique. With USB ports on PC, laptops and even game consoles, it is fairly easy to find USB ports to recharge. To charge, you simply, pull of the green cover. The green cover is attached to the battery with an elastic band so you wont lose the cover by accident. Once the cover is off, a USB plug is explosed. Pull back on the cover and insert the USB plug into any USB port.

Once inserted into a USB port, a green LED light is lit up to inform you that it is charging. When the battery is fully charged, the LED will turn off.

Having charged the USBCell batteries for the recommended 5 hours, I was about to get a little more than 20 hours with the Wiimote before the battery died. Although a Xbox 360 controller is pictured with the USBCell, I was unable to fit both batteries into the Xbox 360 wireless controller but I was able to fit one into the plastic holder. Even with the one battery, it felt a little snug.

Conclusion : Overall, the Moixa USBCell Rechargeable Battery are probably the most unique product we have reviewed. There are some problems that I see. If you have a USB port that is recessed or further in to your device, the USBCell may not reach. Another problem is the mAh. Although 1300mAh is perfect for devices that doesnt draw a lot of power but when used with devices such as digital cameras, people prefer 2000mAh or higher for high powered devices. But these would come in handy as a temporary backup solution. Other sizes are are planned to be released but no further information has been mentioned.

Price of the USBCell is a bit pricey. For maybe double the price or less (depending if there is a deal), you can probably get a charger, four batteries and a higher mAh battery such as 2500mAh.

Images via comments ...