Mobile game multiplayer tech-maker Aurora Feint has unveiled a new cross-platform service known as OpenFeint Playtime, which will allow real-time online play between users of Apple's iOS and Android-based devices.

The service, which will also feature real-time voice chat, follows hot on the heels of Apple's confirmation that its Game Center will launch alongside its new range of hardware next week.

The new system also fleshes out Aurora Feint's hints about further cross-platform development last month.

"The most successful games have one thing in common: they bring people together. Whether a simple board game or a stunning 3D console game, games are always better when shared with family or friends," said Aurora Feint CEO Jason Citron.

"Traditionally, multiplayer technology has been accessible only to top tier developers. It's just too complicated and time consuming. So we invented PlayTime, which literally takes one day to integrate into a casual game."

The PlayTime SDK promises features such as achievements, leaderboards, lobbies and matchmaking across both platforms.

On iOS, it is integrated and shares data with the new Game Center, with Aurora Feint also claiming that players who drop out of games due to service or signal loss will be replaced with an AI substitute.

The service is expected to launch later this year, when OpenFeint updates to version 3.0.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ytime-platform ...

Mobile game multiplayer tech-maker Aurora Feint has unveiled a new cross-platform service known as OpenFeint Playtime, which will allow real-time online play between users of Apple's iOS and Android-based devices.

The service, which will also feature real-time voice chat, follows hot on the heels of Apple's confirmation that its Game Center will launch alongside its new range of hardware next week.

The new system also fleshes out Aurora Feint's hints about further cross-platform development last month.

"The most successful games have one thing in common: they bring people together. Whether a simple board game or a stunning 3D console game, games are always better when shared with family or friends," said Aurora Feint CEO Jason Citron.

"Traditionally, multiplayer technology has been accessible only to top tier developers. It's just too complicated and time consuming. So we invented PlayTime, which literally takes one day to integrate into a casual game."

The PlayTime SDK promises features such as achievements, leaderboards, lobbies and matchmaking across both platforms.

On iOS, it is integrated and shares data with the new Game Center, with Aurora Feint also claiming that players who drop out of games due to service or signal loss will be replaced with an AI substitute.

The service is expected to launch later this year, when OpenFeint updates to version 3.0.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ytime-platform ...

For the most part, classic games manage to reappear on different systems. Just look at Nintendo. The publisher has done an excellent job bringing NES, SNES, Genesis and even old school Neo Geo titles to the Wii's Virtual Console, while Microsoft's Game Room brings the best of Atari's 2600 into the living room. Of course, not every console was a success. The '90s, in particular, saw quite a few flops from companies like Panasonic, Sega and Atari. Just because a system is a failure, though, doesn't mean all of its games suck. On the contrary, most of these machines have a few gems that fell between the cracks once the console croaked."
What overlooked game on a failed platform would you like to see revived?

http://games.slashdot.org/story/10/0...-Awful-Systems ...

Late last week an Australian court issued an injunction against a handful of retailers selling or importing hardware — commonly known as 'mod chips' — that allows unauthorized software to run on Sony's PlayStation 3. The court also required that the four parties that were the subject of the injunction actually hand over to Sony any PlayStation modchips they have. Sony's PlayStation 3 mod chip lawsuit could be just the first of many such cases in Australia, according to a lawyer who defended a client against Nintendo in a similar case earlier this year.

http://games.slashdot.org/story/10/0...ly-To-Continue ...

The Blu-ray Disc Association - which comprises key execs from Sony, Samsung, Disney and Warner Bros, amongst others - has told CVG that the capacity of the format will grow to "support the ambitions of games developers" in future.

The news comes after Sharp announced a new 100GB, triple-layered Blu-ray disc in July - dubbed 'BDXL'.

PS3 is currently the only games console to read Blu-ray - and is limited to the standard dual-layered 50GB disc. If a 100GB disc - or larger - becomes the industry standard in future, it will likely require a new model of PS3, or, most intriguingly, a new games console altogether.



"The ambition of [games] developers is unlimited and therefore you will see new and exciting innovations that could well require additional storage capacity," European Blu-ray Disc Association chairman Graham Heaton told CVG.

"Blu-ray is in a position to be able to grow with the industry and ensure that disc storage capacity can support the ambitions of the developers."

Microsoft has told CVG that it isn't interested in adopting Blu-ray for Xbox. It instead considers digital media the 'future of home entertainment'.

However, developers such as Capcom and Mercury Steam have discussed the "problem" of creating games on multiple DVD discs - and said that the issue will only become more apparent as time goes on.

The 360 version of Konami's Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow will be released on two DVD discs in October.

Earlier this year, Lost Planet 2 producer Jun Takeuchi revealed that Capcom had to hack content out of the 360 version of the game to fit it onto DVD.

Meanwhile, God Of War 3 developer Sony Santa Monica claimed that its PS3 exclusive required over 40GB of space - and was only possible on PS3.

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

Earlier this week Microsoft announced that it is to increase the price of some Xbox Live subscription packages – but Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter thinks the platform holder is preparing to take things much further.
“The extra $10 translates to around $100-150 million per year in additional revenue for Microsoft,” Pachter told Industry Gamers.
“I think that they will reinvest at least this much in developing other new applications, and will roll out a premium service with $100-200 million worth of enhancements. If they can get 2m users to switch from the $60 plan to the $100 plan, they'll make an extra $80m a year, and can keep investing to try to grow that business.”
But what additions could Microsoft offer to temp punters into nearly doubling their annual subscription costs?
“The Xbox 360 can work as a media center, and conceivably could do things like managing a music library,” he speculated. “Although Apple and Microsoft aren't the best of friends, I could see Apple letting Xbox Live members manage their iTunes accounts through their 360s, and other such premium services.

“I'm not the guy to speculate as to what they will offer, but I'm sure that there are many talented and creative people at Microsoft working on such a plan right now. For all I know, the Platinum plan might include virtual goods credits for various Microsoft games. If members could get specialized Halo armor or weapons worth the extra $40, they might be more willing to sign up, and it doesn't really cost Microsoft anything to offer things like that.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/40717/100-...vice-predicted ...

Samsung has become the latest challenger to enter the tablet computer battle, unveiling its Galaxy Tab at the IFA conference in Berlin.

The device will run on Google's Android operating system, with a capacity of 16 or 32Gb, expandable by 32Gb more.

It weighs 380g (14oz), and has an 18cm (7in) screen - smaller and lighter than its principal rival the iPad.

Vodafone has announced that it will distribute the device in European markets including the UK in October.

The tablet can connect via 3G networks, as well as wi-fi and Bluetooth.

It will employ Samsung's "Reader's Hub" for e-books and the "Media Hub" for music and videos. It supports Flash video and will be able to stream content to a TV.

Samsung called it "the first of the company's tablet devices", suggesting further models will be forthcoming.

"Samsung recognises the tremendous growth potential in this newly-created market and we believe that the Samsung Galaxy Tab brings a unique and open proposition to market," said Samsung's head of mobile communications JK Shin.

Continue reading the main story
Analysis

Rory Cellan-Jones
Technology correspondent, BBC News
At first sight, Samsung's Galaxy Tab looks to have more to it than the iPad.

Samsung says its research shows people want this device to be useable on the move and they need to be able to communicate with it.

So the Tab can make calls - and video calls, as well as all the video, music and book content that you get on an iPad.

You'll be able to access millions of books, plus newspapers and magazines - Samsung even says that "we expect the Tab to play an important role in the digitalization of printed material".

"There is a new and emerging consumer demand that Samsung can satisfy since mobile is in our DNA."

Vodafone's Patrick Chomet said that the firm is "pleased to be introducing" the Galaxy Tab.

"Adding tablets as part of our device range is a natural next step that gives customers an alternative way to enjoy great content and internet services," he said.

Technology analysts CCS Insight said that Samsung had joined the tablet melee with an "attractive device and strong service offer", calling the 7-inch size an "appealing form factor".

However they note that in a market with an increasing number of tablet competitors, pricing will become the crucial issue.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11163687 ...

As was speculated yesterday, Sony is to launch an iTunes-rivalling digital music service for a number of its home entertainment products.
Though technically it sounds impressive the branding could perhaps do with a little work – it’s called ‘Music Unlimited Powered by Qriocity’.
Nonetheless, the European PlayStation Blog reports that the service is built around the cloud-computing principle and will be accessible for owners of PS3, Vaio PCs, Bravia TVs and some Blu-ray players.
“We are excited to offer our customers high quality, cloud-based entertainment experiences across many of Sony’s network-enabled devices,” Sony’s Networked Products & Services Group president Kaz Hirai stated.
“Services ‘powered by Qriocity’ will revolutionize the way that users play, listen, watch, share, communicate, learn, discover and create their digital entertainment content.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/40716/PS3-...rival-revealed ...