DCEmu Homebrew Emulation & Theme Park News
DCEmu Featured News Articles
by Published on November 21st, 2012 23:10- Categories:
- Wii U News
The developer of Metro: Last Light has lashed out at the technical innards of Nintendo’s Wii U.
“Wii U has a horrible, slow CPU,” 4A Games’ chief technical officer Oles Shishkovtsov told NowGamer, with colleague Huw Beyon adding: “We had an early look at it, we thought we could probably do it, but in terms of the impact we would make on the overall quality of the game – potentially to its detriment – we just figured it wasn’t worth pursuing at this time.
“It’s something we might return to. I really couldn’t make any promises, though. We had an initial look at the Wii U, but given the size of the team and compared to where we were last time, just developing for the PS3 is a significant addition.”
However, it’s far too early to draw any meaningful conclusions.
Launch and early cycle games on any new platforms soon become outdated as developers get to grips with unfamiliar hardware. Just compare the visuals of, say, Black Ops II and Call of Duty 2 for example.
Add to this that reports from elsewhere don’t tie-in with 4A Games’ assessment. Mass Effect 3 on Wii U, for instance, seems to be more or less comparable with the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, and even arguably superior to the latter.
Note too that Last Night comes with some pretty serious hardware requirements on PC.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/metro...ow-cpu/0106786 ...by Published on November 21st, 2012 22:32- Categories:
- DCEmu
As touch-screen continues to expand across all manner of mobile devices, the Intel Developer Blog examines the ways in which developers can utilise this tool to full effect…
There is certainly no shortage of Android devices in the market at the moment. Whether it be the latest and greatest smartphone or a wrist-watch, Android is fast becoming one of, if not the, developer platform of choice thanks to the mass migration of mobile manufacturers towards the operating system.
Touch-screen is now making its way to other portable devices such as laptops. It is becoming increasingly important that developers utilise its potential to full effect – especially when it comes to games. There’s a useful blog on issues developers are likely to face in coding for touch, such as hardware variations, button tactility and so forth that you may find useful.
Developers have been given the opportunity to go beyond the gaming parameters set by traditional input components, namely buttons and joysticks. The good old ‘A-B-C’ functionality of a Sega Mega Drive or SNES (XY / AB) control probably springs to mind. Touch-screen allows developers to think about the way they design and develop games in a very different way, just as virtual reality will do in the future (distant future, sadly!).
Is this a good thing? Opinion is divided. In business terms it’s a good thing; the market and target demographic has expanded considerably ranging from your 55 year-old commuter to primary school kids. Think of Angry Birds(free on Android in case you hadn’t noticed - there’s also a Star Wars version out...). It’s simple, fun, abstract, and ultimately designed to be won. Compare this to say Diablo 3, one of the hardest of hardcore games – in fact so hard testers described it as ‘unbeatable’! (Although someone somewhere recently beat it on ‘Inferno’ mode, I’ve heard).
It's clear games aren’t what they used to be, they’re no longer designed with quite the same audience in mind.
The hardcore gamer may disagree. Touch-screen isn’t necessarily a good thing for your dedicated gamer who will feel a pang of rage like no other should you lose (die) due to an unresponsive input system. The accuracy and responsiveness of touch-screen isn’t yet comparable to that of the classic mouse / keyboard combo. This isn’t a major issue right now as the majority of big games are a) incompatible with mobile devices, and b) incompatible with touch screen, but it’s worth bearing in mind.
Touch-screen will cater for both the non-traditional and traditional gamer. The potential to capitalise is huge! Yet not all developers are doing so. Various games still present users with an on-screen virtual joypad – a move that basically undermines the point of having touch-screen in the first place. They’re horrendous and hard to use, I like to know the analogue radius of a control, and feel the buttons as they depress.
If you’re an app developer avoid this tactic at all costs and focus on the strengths offered by touch-screen. Innovative controls are not bad control. A swipe or a tap can go a long way as a control-model for physics based skills and puzzle games. The mass user acceptance of this as an input mechanism will take time before it’s universally accepted though.
As touch-screen improves so will (hopefully) its capacity to become integrated into higher-spec games, which in turn will undoubtedly becoming increasingly played on mobile devices. The fact that smartphones are now running on the latest processors which are more powerful than some PCs is testament to how soon this will be. Don’t get left behind!
• This blog post is written by Softtalkblog, and is sponsored by the Intel Developer Zone, which helps you to develop, market and sell software and apps for prominent platforms and emerging technologies powered by Intel Architecture.
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-gaming/019913 ...by Published on November 21st, 2012 00:26- Categories:
- PS3 News
Thanksgiving approaches in US, and SCEA is marking the occasion with a sale on the US PlayStation Store.
Commencing tomorrow, the 'Ultimate Editions' sale will see nine full games and their DLC sold at a hugely discounted price.'Ultimate Editions' is the new slogan SCEA is using for PS3 games bundled with all their available DLC.
During the sale period of November 20 to 26, Sony is also offering a $10 PSN rebate to anyone who spends over $60 on the PS Store. "A voucher will be delivered via an XMB message on December 6th, and will need to be redeemed by January 6th, 2013," it explains.
The games included in the sale are as follows:
Game - discount price with all DLC (PS Plus subs price)
Alice: Madness Returns - $19.99 ($15.99 for PlayStation Plus members)
Assassin's Creed Brotherhood - $27.99 ($22.39 for PlayStation Plus members)
Assassin's Creed Revelations - $49.99 ($39.99 for PlayStation Plus members)
Deus Ex: Human Revolution - $34.99 ($27.99 for PlayStation Plus members)
Homefront - $19.99 ($15.99 for PlayStation Plus members)
Mass Effect 2 - $34.99 ($27.99 for PlayStation Plus members)
Red Faction Armageddon - $24.99 ($19.99 for PlayStation Plus members)
Saints Row 2 - $24.99 ($19.99 for PlayStation Plus members)
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - $29.99 ($23.99 for PlayStation Plus members)
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...dlc-for-cheap/ ...by Published on November 21st, 2012 00:07- Categories:
- Nintendo 3DS News
Between the 3DS and the 3DS XL, Nintendo has sold nearly 6 million handhelds in the United States since the system's March 2011 debut. The company revealed the updated figure in an announcement for a new Super Mario 3D Land 3DS hardware bundle set to hit store shelves this Friday.
While the company didn't give updated information on the rest of the world, it did release figures through September 30 in its last quarterly financial report. Worldwide, Nintendo has sold 22.19 million 3DS systems (2.1 million of which were 3DS XL models). Japan has accounted for 7.94 million 3DS systems, the Americas have combined for 7.38 million, and the rest of the world was credited with buying the remaining 6.88 million.
Nintendo also expects 3DS sales to accelerate significantly through the holidays. The company is forecasting sales of 17.5 million 3DS systems for the fiscal year ending March 30, 2013. By the end of its fiscal first half, it had sold 5.06 million units, less than one third of that forecast.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-million-in-us
...by Published on November 21st, 2012 00:03- Categories:
- Wii U News
The launch of a new console provides a moment of clarity and reality after months of pre-release hype and speculation. The future of the Wii U is still wide open, with much depending on Nintendo's ability to improve the system's software, release compelling games, and convince third party publishers to support the console with impressive software. Some things are already happening, though, which may give some indication of the Wii U's future prospects.
First of all, the Wii U is already sold out at retailers across North America, according to reports. Over 2500 units have appeared on eBay already, though, at prices from $400 to $500 as some early buyers attempt to cash in. This sounds like there's solid demand, yet it's not as fevered as the demand for the Wii after its launch in 2006. The (then) $250 Wii console was selling for well over $1,000 on eBay well into 2007, and it was many months before supplies caught up with demand for the Wii.
Something unprecedented has occurred during this new console launch: Two major retail chains are offering discounts on Wii U software. This has never happened before at the launch of a new console, according to industry veterans. Toys R Us is running a sale: Buy one Wii U title, get the next at 40 percent off. Target is running a similar sale: Buy two Wii U titles, get the third at 50 percent off. Those prices mean the retailer is essentially giving up all profits on the software it is selling. Does this mean these retailers are trying to attract hardware buyers for the Wii U? Or are the retailers just concerned that Wii U software isn't going to sell all that well, and worry about being stuck with hard-to-sell inventory?
“It's going to be a tough retail season, and given the increasing Black-Friday driven shopping culture, this is a tactic designed to ensure that the store in question is the primary shopping source for the Wii U,” said Scott Steinberg of TechSavvy Global. “If they get you in the door to buy Wii U software at a discount, chances are you're going to do all your Wii U shopping at that specific retailer.”
"If they get you in the door to buy Wii U software at a discount, chances are you're going to do all your Wii U shopping at that specific retailer"
Scott Steinberg
The retail struggle in a soft game market is more intense this year than ever before. “This is certainly a first in history, and it points to the state of the retail and set-top console market,” said Steinberg. “In the past you would never see retailers discounting premium launch software for a console system. In most cases it's an opportunity to mark prices up. But I struggle to remember the last time a console launch had so much software available.”
Michael Pachter, senior analyst with Wedbush Securities, agrees that this promotion is being driven by the needs of retailers rather than any perceived weakness in the Wii U. “Keep in mind that they don't have many Wii U hardware units, and that the total shipped to the US is probably well under 1 million for the launch, so their risk is that they sell 100,000 or so titles at no profit,” Pachter said. “It's a loss leader to drive traffic. I don't think it's a signal about the health of console sales at all.”
The Wii U may be sold out for the moment, but the early buzz on the console is mixed. Some reviewers gave the console an Incomplete, since many of the Wii U's features were unavailable until a last-minute firmware patch was delivered just before launch (too late for reviewers). Others liked the Wii U, but almost all reviewers agreed that the full potential of the Wii U remains to be unlocked. None of the launch titles seemed to be destined for classic, console-defining status similar to Super Mario Bros. or Super Mario 64.
The Wii U is in limited supply for the moment, but the true test of its selling power will come when you find it easy to walk into a store and buy one. The competition looks daunting; both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 will be available this weekend for $199, which includes a 250 GB hard drive and several games. That's an advantage of hundreds of dollars over a Wii U (counting the cost of software) that's roughly equivalent in graphics power; the PS3 and the Xbox 360 have robust libraries of software (many at lower prices for classics or used software) and proven online communities and extensive arrays of entertainment, low-cost downloadable games, and other features.
The Wii had two distinct advantages at launch; it was half the price of competing consoles (though it lacked the processing power and HD output), and it had a unique, easy-to-grasp interface with the Wiimote motion control. The Wii was readily understandable by anyone in the family, regardless of prior game experience. Grandma could grab a Wiimote and bowl or play tennis readily.
"Nintendo has set up the Wii U for failure"
Dan Hsu, GamesBeat
The Wii U, by contrast, lacks both of the Wii's advantages. The Wii U is more expensive than the PS3 or the Xbox 360, yet it offers no clear graphics advantage. The GamePad has a daunting array of buttons and sticks as well as a touchscreen ...by Published on November 20th, 2012 23:58- Categories:
- Xbox 360 News
Microsoft is set to bring Xbox Live subscribers a pay-per-hour Karaoke application.
This pay-as-you-play business model is a console first and the Karaoke service will allow Xbox Live subscribers to stream, and then butcher, songs through the 360.
Rather than pay for individual tracks, the service gives users the opportunity to exchange Microsoft Points for temporary access to The Karaoke Channel’s 8,000 plus catalogue of tunes.
Access comes in sessions of two, six and, for the hard-core crooner, 24 hours and features SmartGlass integration and achievements.
The service is set to arrive in time for Christmas and the move continues Microsoft’s recent exploration of new payment models, seen recently with its first free-to-play game on Xbox Live, Happy Wars.
Karaoke also continues the console's proud history with the party pastime, with titles including Lips on the 360 and 2003’s Xbox Music Mixer.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/karao...x-live/0106689 ...by Published on November 20th, 2012 23:56- Categories:
- Playstation Vita News
Vita owners can now have access to the PlayStation Plus service courtesy of the Vita firmware update 2.0.
Sony previously announced that the service would be coming to the handheld and the addition forms one of several enhancements arriving with this system upgrade.
The update adds the ability to use the web browser in-game and the addition of wireless PC synching will enable players to transfer content between the handheld and the PC using Wi-FI.
Console gamers can now transfer folders from a PlayStation 3 or a PC to the Vita system and the upgrade also features enhancements to a range of Vita applications.
An Email app has now been added to the home screen of the handheld and the Maps application now able to showcase weather information.
Meanwhile, Turkish is now a optional system language and players can now select how they wish to be alerted regarding the type of notification.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/syste...o-vita/0106690 ...by Published on November 20th, 2012 23:50- Categories:
- Apple News,
- Android News,
- Apple iPad,
- Apple iPhone
The number of apps created for iOS has passed one million, says social app discoverability company Appsfire.
The company revealed the news in a tweet but have not given any further information surrounding the numbers and have not yet updated the figures to account for November.
The number represents that total that have been submitted, and since around one in four apps have since been taken off or replaced, the current number on the App Store sits at a few hundred thousand lower.
This milestone comes as Android begins to catch up with app numbers sitting at around 700,000 according to Google.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/app-s...ssions/0106694
...by Published on November 19th, 2012 23:12- Categories:
- DCEmu,
- PSP News,
- PS3 News,
- Nintendo DS News,
- Nintendo 3DS News,
- Nintendo Wii News,
- PC News,
- Xbox 360 News,
- Playstation Vita News
UPDATE: Amazon is currently offering a 250GB Xbox 360, 12 months of Xbox Live and a copy of Halo 4 for £150. The console alone usually costs £159.99.The bargain is currently listed on HotUKDeals but is seemingly unrelated to Amazon's Black Friday deals.Users can also add FIFA 13 or Need for Speed: Most Wanted for £20 or Call of Duty: Black Ops for £30.ORIGINAL STORY:Online megastore Amazon has kicked off its yearly Black Friday celebrations - a week of dramatic price-cuts on items available for a limited time or until stock runs out....
All the deals are viewable on Amazon's Black Friday Lightning Deal page. Sale prices are only revealed when items go live.Available now (for just over an hour longer) are cut-price copies of WWE '13, this year's entry in the long-running wrestling series. The sale price gives you a third off, meaning £16.99 for Wii copies or £24.99 on PS3/Xbox 360.At 7.45pm UK time this evening Amazon will begin a sale on uDraw for Wii and Xbox 360.At the same time, PS3 and Xbox 360 copies of Darksiders 2 will also go cheap.The day started with a huge PlayStation 3 bundle offering a new 12GB super slim console, PlayStation Move, Wonderbook gadget and the Harry Potter-themed Book of Spells game.During the writing of this article the item sold out at its Black Friday price (£169). It's now back at its pre-deal price of £199.We'll keep this article updated every morning with the coming day's deals.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/deals-offers...TX3BFB3XTD7ATAby Published on November 19th, 2012 22:48- Categories:
- Nintendo 3DS News
Just because Nintendo is focusing its energy on the Wii U launch doesn't preclude a sweet deal or two in portable gaming. Starting November 23rd, the company is bundling Super Mario 3D Land with Flame Red 3DS models at the same $170 price as the handheld by itself; it even comes pre-loaded on memory to save some of the hassles of physical media. You can be sure the limited-run console is all about goosing Black Friday sales at a time when Nintendo really needs the boost, but we don't think too many mobile gamers will mind if it means entering 3DS ownership with one of the platform's better games in hand.
http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-3DS-S...+Mario+3D+Land ...- Search DCEmu
- Advert 3
News Categories
- Links of Interest
Sony Consoles News
- Nintendo Consoles News
- Sega Consoles News
- Apple & Android News
- Xbox Consoles News
- Open Source Consoles News
DCEmu News Archive
- Advert
- Retro Consoles News
- PC News
- Latest DCEmu News
- DCEmu Network Sites
-
Menu 
Forum Stats
- What is the DCEmu Homebrew & Gaming Network
Catherine: Full Body’s English translation for the Vita