Showing posts with label games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label games. Show all posts

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Google games for education comes to student Chromebooks

BYSharif S @shotsheriff2 hours ago

0

Google Play for Education screenshot

If Google really on a quest for global domination, as some people trumpet, wise began its efforts in the classroom. In addition to attracting schools to the Chrome OS platform, via cheap Chromebooks, it now also offering them access to the "Google games for education" hub through these devices. This hub contains apps, books and videos that are specifically tailored to children teams by their primary and secondary education in the us, and it was previously only available to those who had a condition-school Android tablet.

0 comments

Via: APPLIED SCIENCES

Source: Google Enterprise Blog

Tags: chrome os, explains, education, google, google games for education, k12, school wear next: Watch this walkthrough of Samsung's Android device Google Chrome OS

Google Chrome OS thumbnail imageGoogle Chrome OS Key specs reviews • 67 prices discussions Type Computer OS source model Open the 32-bit 64-bit platform, released 2009-11-19 see all specs → 7.3 average user rating ease of Configurability 9.1 speed 8.6 6.8 ecosystem (apps, drivers, etc.) 7.1 openness 8.1

Get better reviews by people who actually have this product!

Write a reviewsee all reviews → 818 Try Chrome OS (UPDATE: REMOVED) try Chrome OS (UPDATE: removed) 54 Chromium OS on ASUS eee PC via USB in three easy steps Chrome OS on ASUS eee PC via USB in three easy steps 1 Forgive my sheer ignorance, but how do I download Chrome OS? Again, please forgive my ignorance! Please advise... forgive my sheer ignorance, but how do I download Chrome OS? Again, please forgive my ignorance! Please advise ...

Talk about the Google Chrome OS with other people who own it too!

Start a discussion See all threads →. fyre. fyre-fyre-comment-dividing line > span. commentary-answer-wrapper {top: 18px;}.fyre. fyre-commentary-dividing line a, >. fyre-fyre-comment-a dividing line >.: hover {top: 20px;} AboutAbout EngadgetContact usAdvertiseAbout guidelinesReviewsProduct ✖ AdsCommunityForumsEngadget reviewContributeSend reviewsWrite a MetaCommunity our us a tip!Add it to our discussionAsk a questionLive eventsEngadget databaseWrite a LivePopular a ExpandEngadget review Start EngadgetEngadget AppsMore topicsMobileHDAltSoftwareAppleFollow Apps from Engadget

Subscribe to Engadget newsletter

Televisionsportable playersfitness devicese portablestabletsheadphonescamerasroutershdtvs categoriescellphoneslaptops//Summit media readersdigital media playersMobileCellphonesTabletsBluetooth HeadsetsGPSPhotographyCamerasCamera LensesCamcordersDigital photo FramesGamingConsoles-book (home) Consoles (portable) RacingComputersLaptops/GamepadsJoysticks/Flight/Controllers/PortablesDesktopsOperating SystemsPeripheralsKeyboardsMiceMonitorsComputer HubsWebcamsPersonal TechHeadphonesPortable ScannersPen TabletsUSB/Firewire Speakers Headset sPrinters Media HubsStorageExternal DrivesFlash ReadersFitnessMiscellaneous DevicesNetworkingRoutersSwitches/PlayersE-book DrivesMemory CardsNetwork Storage RAID/Hard Drive PlayersRemotes TelevisionsSpeaker DocksDigital TheaterHDTVs/Home Media Arrays/ControllersA/V ReceiversDVRsSpeakersVideo-DVD players Engadget EditionsEspañol繁體中文简体中文日本版DeutschlandAOL Tech International.

© 2014 AOL Inc.
All rights reserved.Reprints and PermissionsPrivacy conditions of UseTrademarksAOL A-Z HelpAdvertise with us

#close-ad {display: none;} @media only screen and (max-width: 768px) {#mobileaddiv {width: 100%; position: fixed; the lower:-4px; z-index: 1000; overflow-y: visible; padding: 0; margin: 0} #close-ad {display: none; position: fixed; bottom: 45px; right: 5px; z-index: 2000; background: # 000; padding: 0px 5px 0; border: 2px solid #fff; border-radius: 50-50%;} #close-ad a {color: #fff; font-size: 12px;}}the end

View the Original article

Saturday, June 14, 2014

These are the biggest Xbox One games at E3 2014

BYTimothy J. Seppala @timseppala21 hours ago

0

Invision

Sure, you could spend the rest of your days playing Titanfall online, but what if you'd like to give your Xbox One something a little different to play? Microsoft's message for this E3 was clear: games, games and more games. We took to the company's booth this week to find out what you'd be playing this fall, and whether you like shooters, driving games or indies, you should be all set for first-party titles. How does Redmond stack up to Sony's plan for the PlayStation? We'll let you be the judge.

FABLE LEGENDS

For a lot of people, the Fable franchise has been heartbreaking from the word "go." The series' promise of ultimate freedom was never truly fulfilled and even the series' creator, Peter Molyneux, has said the last was a "train wreck." If the past three entries left you wanting, Fable: Legends might not change that. Instead of going for the series-typical action-RPG, Legends looks more like a shallow co-op romp than a lengthy single-player game where your actions determine your appearance (doing good deeds caused a halo to form around your head, for example). Three players work to take down waves of enemies and gather loot; even if you play solo, you'll have comrades fighting alongside -- they'll just be AI-controlled. Where it gets unique, however, is when a fourth person plays as the villain. From there, you're taking almost a tower-defense-style look at each match, and directing enemies toward the advancing heroes.

I thought this aspect was fun, but couldn't help but pine for a traditional Fable game where I could kick chickens, have a wife (or husband) in every city and collect a trail of flies. A beta for the title launches this fall, and a full release is planned for next year.

SUNSET OVERDRIVE

Sunset Overdrive is absolute mayhem. Developer Insomniac Games' latest takes everything it's known for (colorful action, ingenious weapon systems and pure irreverence) and poured it into a game where you can fire explosive propane tanks at glowing orange monstrosities whilst grinding around on power lines and defending a vat of the energy drink from the monsters it created. In the multiplayer match I joined, there were countless explosions, particle effects and monsters on screen at the same time, and the game never once stopped being silky smooth as I bounced off of trampolines and onto roofs so I could rain hell from above with a freeze ray -- even with seven other players. Granted, this was a very controlled setup in Microsoft's E3 booth, so anything could happen when it launches this fall. While I'm confident that multiplayer should be a blast, I'm curious as to how the experience translates to a solo campaign. Insomniac knows how to tell a story though (just look at Resistance 3, for example), so I'm not too worried.

FORZA HORIZON 2

Not everyone wants to spend more time virtually tuning an absurdly expensive car's engine than they do actually, you know, racing it. Forza Horizon 2 doesn't force that, much like its predecessor didn't. For better or for worse, Horizon 2 doesn't immediately feel all that different from the first Horizon. I drove my bright red Corvette Stingray through the desert, carving out corners on cliffside roads, shunting anyone who came too close, while electronic dance music beats thumped in my headphones. Looking back, however, at least one aspect of my race stood out: I was encouraged to drive off-road. It sounds minor, yes, but seeing the suggested racing line (and my opponents) lead into tall grass changed the pacing of the competition a bit. We were all in low-slung, high-powered automobiles designed for racetracks -- this forced us to slow down, and gave me a chance to overtake those who decelerated too much. And when I crossed the finish line in eighth place? A few fighter jets scrambled overhead, leaving multicolored contrails in their wake. It seemed a bit familiar, yes, but I was okay with it and I can't wait to get behind the wheel this autumn.

ORI AND THE BLIND FOREST

Ori and the Blind Forest is one of the bigger pushes for Microsoft's indie-game initiative, and it's gorgeous. During my brief demo, I guided a charming, little white creature around a beautiful setting, hopping from platform to platform and launching fire attacks at pink and pulsing enemies. The PR reps on hand told me that all of the backgrounds are procedurally generated, meaning an algorithm assembles them, so if you go back through the same area three different times, you'll see three different backdrops. Given that this game plays in the style of a classic Metroid or Castlevania where earning new abilities opens hidden areas in previously traveled areas, you'll probably see the same scene more than once when the game launches this fall.

HALO: THE MASTER CHIEF COLLECTION

You didn't think we'd keep Halo out of this, did you? Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MCC) packs four games onto one disc, some 100 multiplayer maps, a totally remastered Halo 2 and a whole lot more all into one $60 package this fall. Halo 2's overhauled graphics don't measure up to other recent shooters, but pressing the Xbox One controller's "view" button brings the original 2004 graphics back, and you can see just how different the two games look. Better shadows, more detailed textures and, well, a lot more drama, come to light with the new visuals. Developer 343 Industries is remastering the audio, too if you're into that sort of thing. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 3 and Halo 4 aren't getting revamped, but that's because they already looked pretty great running on the Xbox 360. I was told, however, that some post-processing effects have been added so they look a touch better. What's more, the MCC is how you'll access the Halo 5: Guardians beta this December, and Ridley Scott's Halo: Nightfall live-action series after the collection's November 11th release.

[Image credits: Microsoft]

0 Comments

Tags: e32014, gaming, hd, hdpostcross, microsoft, xbox, XboxOne Next: LinkedIn to face lawsuit for sending repeat invitations to your contacts Microsoft Xbox One

Microsoft Xbox One thumbnail image Microsoft Xbox One Standard Day One Edition without Kinect Buy from $499 Key specs Reviews • 49 Prices Discussions Game format Optical disc, Downloadable Online features Multiplayer, Voice chat, Video chat, Store, Browser Drive capacity 500 GB Controller type Wired, Wireless Motion controls Camera / optical Video outputs HDMI Released 2013-11-22 see all specs → 8.1average user rating Game library 6.8 Graphics 8.7 Controller(s) 9 Design and form factor 7.7 Other features (media, online, etc.) 8.6 Noise 8.8

Get better reviews from people who actually have this product!

write a reviewsee all reviews →

Displaying prices for model: Standard-Black

Amazon.com $499.00 + tax & shipping Buy now Dell Home $499.99 + tax & shipping Buy now Target.com $499.99 + tax & shipping Buy now Microsoft Store $499.99 + tax & shipping Buy now 8 Playstation 4 or Xbox One Playstation 4 or Xbox One 13 E3 reveals? E3 reveals? 4 Are raw console specs important to you? (PS4 vs. Xbox One) Are raw console specs important to you? (PS4 vs. Xbox One)

Talk about the Microsoft Xbox One with other people who own it too!

start a discussion see all discussions → .fyre .fyre-comment-divider > span.fyre-comment-reply-wrapper {top: 18px;}.fyre .fyre-comment-divider > a, .fyre .fyre-comment-divider > a:hover {top: 20px;} ✖AboutAbout EngadgetContact usAdvertiseAbout Our AdsCommunityForumsEngadget MetaCommunity guidelinesReviewsProduct reviewsWrite a reviewContributeSend us a tip!Add to our databaseWrite a reviewStart a discussionAsk a questionLive eventsEngadget ExpandEngadget LivePopular topicsMobileHDAltSoftwareAppleFollow EngadgetEngadget AppsMore Apps from Engadget

Subscribe to Engadget Newsletter

Top categoriescellphoneslaptops / portablestabletsheadphonescamerasroutershdtvs / televisionsportable media playersfitness devicese-book readersdigital media playersMobileCellphonesTabletsBluetooth HeadsetsGPSPhotographyCamerasCamera LensesCamcordersDigital Photo FramesGamingConsoles (home)Consoles (portable)Controllers / GamepadsJoysticks / Flight / RacingComputersLaptops/PortablesDesktopsOperating SystemsPeripheralsKeyboardsMiceMonitorsComputer SpeakersHeadsetsPrintersScannersPen TabletsUSB / Firewire HubsWebcamsPersonal TechHeadphonesPortable Media PlayersE-book ReadersFitnessMiscellaneous DevicesNetworkingRoutersSwitches / HubsStorageExternal Hard DrivesFlash DrivesMemory CardsNetwork StorageRAID / Drive ArraysHome TheaterHDTVs / TelevisionsSpeaker DocksDigital Media PlayersRemotes / ControllersA/V ReceiversDVRsSpeakersVideo Disc Players Engadget International EditionsEspañol繁體中文简体中文日本版DeutschlandAOL Tech.

© 2014 AOL Inc.
All rights reserved.Reprints and PermissionsPrivacy PolicyTerms of UseTrademarksAOL A-Z HelpAdvertise with Us

#close-ad{ display: none; } @media only screen and (max-width: 768px) {#mobileaddiv {width: 100%;position: fixed;bottom:-4px;z-index: 1000; overflow-y: visible; padding:0;margin:0} #close-ad { display: none; position: fixed; bottom: 45px; right: 5px; z-index: 2000; background: #000; padding: 0px 5px 0; border: 2px solid #fff; border-radius: 50% 50%; } #close-ad a{ color: #fff; font-size: 12px; }} the end

View the Original article

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

PlayStation 4 pre get all pre-order starting with destiny games

Tired of "sandwich" to "Sandwich" to do, arms crossed waiting for the PlayStation 4 ol ' Metal Gear Solid downloads: ground zero? Although we stop you, stimulate delicious sandwiches, we sympathize you with the situation. Fortunately for you, Sony and adding preload first pre-ordered games the PlayStation 4 this fall with the next game by Bungie big: fate. This means that all that stuff before the start of the "official" game on September 9 you can download, and when midnight strikes, you are ready to go. Strange, comes the message by message from the PlayStation Network by Ubisoft; as shown above, shows dogs (which starts this Tuesday) not be preloaded. Sorry, Charlie! September, however, you are good to go.

0 comments to share

Source: NeoGAF

Tags: Activision, Bungie, fate, Hdpostcross, playstation4, ps4, Sony, Ubisoft, monitoring unit to: Joystiq weekly: check "Transistor", «Metro» Director's cut and a book about "Earthbound"

View the Original article

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

NBC's $7 billion Olympics deal will keep the games tied to cable TV until you're old

 2014 Winter Olympic Games - Season 2014
We hope you love how NBC handles its Olympic Games broadcasts, because it just locked up broadcast rights on TV, internet and mobile devices until 2032. NBC previously outbid rivals from ABC/ESPN and Fox with a $4.38 billion offer for the broadcast rights through 2020, and the new extension runs things out for twelve more years at a price of $7.65 billion, with a tiny $100 million signing bonus "for the promotion of Olympism" between 2015 and 2020. The good news, is that NBC has at least seen the light on live broadcasting, and made all the events (except for the Opening Ceremony) available for viewing as they happened on the internet or TV during the 2014 Winter Games. Of course -- rather predictably since NBCUniversal is owned by Comcast -- it's still tying access to those internet streams to having a cable or satellite TV subscription, and it seems unlikely that will change any time soon.
[Image credit: Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images]

Friday, May 9, 2014

Nintendo promises 'more inclusive' games in wake of #Miiquality campaign

When Nintendo designed Tomodachi Life, a bizarre life-sim that puts the company's Mii avatars in an exaggerated parody of reality, it probably didn't expect to provoke a marriage equality campaign. Community cries for 'Miiquality' petitioned Nintendo to add same-sex relationships to the title, but the company's initial response was sterile and dismissive. "Tomodachi Life was intended to be a whimsical and quirky game," Nintendo said. "We were absolutely not trying to provide social commentary." Intentional or not, the lack of same-sex relationships caused a stir. Now, Nintendo is apologizing officially.

"We apologize for disappointing many people by failing to include same-sex relationships in Tomodachi Life. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to change this game's design, and such a significant development change can't be accomplished with a post-ship patch."

It's a much warmer response, and addresses the problem more directly: adding new romantic options to the game before launch isn't feasible, and the changes would be too large patch in later. That said, Nintendo plans to be more mindful of these kinds of issues moving forward, promising that future games in the series would be move inclusive and more representative of all kinds of players. It's a good, level response -- and probably what the company should have said in the first place. Better late than never.

0 Comments Share

Source: Nintendo

Tags: 3ds, 3dsXl, gaming, inclusion, lgbt, lgbtq sexuality, nintendo, tomodachi-life, tomodachilife Next: Engadget Daily: a guide to Japanese toilets, Apple eyes Beats for $3.2 billion and more!
View the
Original article

Monday, May 5, 2014

Nintendo bundling Wii U with two games and an extra controller for $330 on May 30th

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Nintendo bundling Wii U with two games and an extra controller for $330 on May 30th adSetAdURL('/_uac/adpage.html'); adSetSyncDelay('125');adSendTerms('1');adSetMOAT('1'); if ((/iPad/i).test(navigator.userAgent)) { document.write('');} else { document.write('');} data = {blogUrl: "www.engadget.com",v: 9184};_when_ = {jquery: lab.scriptBs("jquery"),login: lab.scriptBs("logincookie"),plugins: lab.scriptBs("plugins"),eng: lab.scriptBs("eng")}; var s265prop9 = ('20878052' !== '') ? 'bsd:20878052' : ''; var postID = '20878052'; var modalMNo = '93319229', modalVideoMNo = '93320648', modalGalleryMNo = '93304207',btfMN = '93418841'; _when_.eng("eng.omni.init", {pfxID:"weg",pageName:document.title,server:"acp-ld39.websys.aol.com",channel:"us.engadget", s_account: "aolwbengadget,aolsvc", short_url: "",pageType:"",linkInternalFilters:"javascript:,",prop1:"article",prop2:"gaming",prop9:s265prop9,prop12:document.location,prop17:"",prop18:"",prop19:"",prop20:"", prop22:"ben-gilbert", prop54:"blogsmith",prop62:"video_youtube_topbox",mmxgo: true });// Legacywhen = _when_; var mobilePlacementID;onBreak({320: function () { mobilePlacementID = '348-14-15-13c'; },768: function () { mobilePlacementID = '348-14-15-13c'; },980: function () { mobilePlacementID = '348-14-15-13c';}}); onBreak({980: function () { adSetType("F");htmlAdWH("93319229", "LB", "LB"); adSetType("");}}); var gdgtEdition="usa",geoCountry="usa"; Engadget Menu Engadget News Reviews Features Videos Forums Events More Close

username or email address

password

forgot username/password? remember me

login or
Connect with Facebook not yet a member of the Engadget community? sign up Sign Up Log In _when_.eng("eng.nav.init") _when_.eng("eng.messagebar.init") _when_.eng("eng.utils.responsify") _when_.eng("eng.tips.init") Engadget Live 2014 Expand CES 2014 Podcasts Product photos Subscribe via RSS Send us a tip! News Reviews Latest Reviews Top Categories cellphones laptops / portables tablets headphones cameras routers hdtvs / televisions portable media players fitness devices e-book readers digital media players Show all categories All categories camcorders camera lenses Computers >desktops digital photo frames Gaming >consoles (home) Gaming >consoles (portable) Gaming >controllers / gamepads Gaming >joysticks / flight / racing gps Headsets >bluetooth headsets Headsets >headsets Home theater >av receivers Home theater >dvrs Home theater >remotes / controllers Home theater >speakers Home theater >video disc players miscellaneous devices monitors Networking >switches / hubs os / platforms Peripherals >computer speakers Peripherals >keyboards Peripherals >mice Peripherals >pen tablets Peripherals >usb / firewire hubs Peripherals >webcams / network cameras printers scanners speaker docks / portable speakers Storage >external hard drives Storage >flash drives Storage >memory cards Storage >network storage / home servers Storage >raid / drive arrays Features Videos Forums Events Engadget Live 2014 Expand CES 2014 More Podcasts Product photos Subscribe via RSS Send us a tip!

MUST READ: Apple vs. Samsung trial round two: Samsung infringed two patents, owes Apple $119.6 million

onBreak({980: function () {htmlAdWH("93308280", "215", "35",'AJAX','ajaxsponsor');}});Nintendo bundling Wii U with two games and an extra controller for $330 on May 30thBY @RealBenGilbert4 days ago 0

You don't have a Wii U yet, right? You're forgiven, and far from unique (in that respect, anyway -- you're a unique snowflake otherwise). Should the eighth entry in the Mario Kart series pique your interest, Nintendo's got a pretty fantastic bundle arriving at the end of May with a copy of the game, an extra Wii Remote Plus gamepad, and a free download of one of four games. All that stuff comes together in one box for $329.99 -- a pretty great deal considering the Wii U system in the box costs $300 by itself!

Head below for a new trailer for Mario Kart 8, as well as more on why Nintendo would offer a brand new game for free alongside its console.

The price isn't a measure of Nintendo trying to save you dough, but one of a company struggling to make its game console relevant against growing competition from Sony and Microsoft. The PlayStation 4's sales are already outpacing the Wii U, at 7 million consoles compared to Nintendo's 5.86 million (as of Dec. 31 2013); Xbox One isn't far behind at 5 million.

With major third-party publishers like EA and Ubisoft largely abandoning the Wii U, Nintendo's leaning on first-party software to sell the system. And that's where this Spring's Mario Kart 8 comes in, the latest entry in a series going back to the Super Nintendo era. Like Microsoft offering Titanfall bundled in with Xbox One, Nintendo is bundling a major, exclusive release with its console, and taking a hit on profits from game sales in favor of putting more Wii Us in more living rooms. The hope is, in the long run, more consoles in homes means more game / accessory sales (which is where the real money is for Nintendo).

The company also announced this week that it's going to (once again) skip holding a press conference at E3, instead opting to host a Nintendo Direct video stream.

0 Comments Share

_when_.eng("eng.perm.init")

GTA V will survive GameSpy's server shutdown, but Rockstar's older games aren't as lucky

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
GTA V will survive GameSpy's server shutdown, but Rockstar's older games aren't as lucky adSetAdURL('/_uac/adpage.html'); adSetSyncDelay('125');adSendTerms('1');adSetMOAT('1'); if ((/iPad/i).test(navigator.userAgent)) { document.write('');} else { document.write('');} data = {blogUrl: "www.engadget.com",v: 9184};_when_ = {jquery: lab.scriptBs("jquery"),login: lab.scriptBs("logincookie"),plugins: lab.scriptBs("plugins"),eng: lab.scriptBs("eng")}; var s265prop9 = ('20877857' !== '') ? 'bsd:20877857' : ''; var postID = '20877857'; var modalMNo = '93319229', modalVideoMNo = '93320648', modalGalleryMNo = '93304207',btfMN = '93418841'; _when_.eng("eng.omni.init", {pfxID:"weg",pageName:document.title,server:"acp-ld39.websys.aol.com",channel:"us.engadget", s_account: "aolwbengadget,aolsvc", short_url: "",pageType:"",linkInternalFilters:"javascript:,",prop1:"article",prop2:"gaming",prop9:s265prop9,prop12:document.location,prop17:"",prop18:"",prop19:"",prop20:"", prop22:"timothy-j-seppala", prop54:"blogsmith",prop62:"video_novideo_topbox",mmxgo: true });// Legacywhen = _when_; var mobilePlacementID;onBreak({320: function () { mobilePlacementID = '348-14-15-13c'; },768: function () { mobilePlacementID = '348-14-15-13c'; },980: function () { mobilePlacementID = '348-14-15-13c';}}); onBreak({980: function () { adSetType("F");htmlAdWH("93319229", "LB", "LB"); adSetType("");}}); var gdgtEdition="usa",geoCountry="usa"; Engadget Menu Engadget News Reviews Features Videos Forums Events More Close

username or email address

password

forgot username/password? remember me

login or
Connect with Facebook not yet a member of the Engadget community? sign up Sign Up Log In _when_.eng("eng.nav.init") _when_.eng("eng.messagebar.init") _when_.eng("eng.utils.responsify") _when_.eng("eng.tips.init") Engadget Live 2014 Expand CES 2014 Podcasts Product photos Subscribe via RSS Send us a tip! News Reviews Latest Reviews Top Categories cellphones laptops / portables tablets headphones cameras routers hdtvs / televisions portable media players fitness devices e-book readers digital media players Show all categories All categories camcorders camera lenses Computers >desktops digital photo frames Gaming >consoles (home) Gaming >consoles (portable) Gaming >controllers / gamepads Gaming >joysticks / flight / racing gps Headsets >bluetooth headsets Headsets >headsets Home theater >av receivers Home theater >dvrs Home theater >remotes / controllers Home theater >speakers Home theater >video disc players miscellaneous devices monitors Networking >switches / hubs os / platforms Peripherals >computer speakers Peripherals >keyboards Peripherals >mice Peripherals >pen tablets Peripherals >usb / firewire hubs Peripherals >webcams / network cameras printers scanners speaker docks / portable speakers Storage >external hard drives Storage >flash drives Storage >memory cards Storage >network storage / home servers Storage >raid / drive arrays Features Videos Forums Events Engadget Live 2014 Expand CES 2014 More Podcasts Product photos Subscribe via RSS Send us a tip!

MUST READ: Apple vs. Samsung trial round two: Samsung infringed two patents, owes Apple $119.6 million

onBreak({980: function () {htmlAdWH("93308280", "215", "35",'AJAX','ajaxsponsor');}});GTA V will survive GameSpy's server shutdown, but Rockstar's older games aren't as luckyBY @timseppala4 days ago 0

Since GameSpy announced that it was shuttering its online mulitplayer services come May 31st, a few companies have adressed how their respective legacy games would keep functioning in the future. Rockstar Games has recently come out with its two-years-in-the-making solution, and, well, there's a direct relationship between how old a game is and the number of features it'll lose. With last year's Grand Theft Auto V, there's nothing to worry about -- it's business as usual for players as the outfit converts to its own system for hosting online services like multiplayer and progression tracking. Internet play will remain intact for Red Dead Redemption (posse up!) and Grand Theft Auto IV, but online stat-tracking and leaderboards -- and "in-game Social Club services," for the former -- hosted via the Rockstar Social Club won't.

The likes of Beaterator, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (on Nintendo DS and PSP) and Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition and Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition Remix take the brunt of the bad news, as they'll be stripped of their connected functionality completely. It's a little disappointing that those games are losing features, sure, but the economics of keeping the lights on for a five-year old music app or a PlayStation 2-era racing game likely didn't make sense for Rockstar anymore. For the full list of what isn't making the cut, be sure to check the source links. 0 Comments Share

_when_.eng("eng.perm.init")

Monday, April 28, 2014

The battle for exclusive games has come to smartphones

It's like Sega and Sony all over again. We don't mean the hardware arms race (although that's certainly happening), but how the smartphone world's two top players are now fighting over the most popular games... and their sequels. Gaming is one of the top money-spinning app categories on smartphones and tablets and according to a WSJ report, both Apple and Google are trying to get popular games and their developers on their side. The companies promise headline placement in their respective online stores and prominent ads around the app portal, in exchange for exclusivity, or at least a lead. This was apparently the case for Plants Vs. Zombies 2 last year, where Apple got a two-month lead over the Android version -- and it's not the only one.

The Cut The Rope series followed a similar pattern, while Gameloft, the company behind titles like Asphalt, had apparently discussed the exclusivity angle with Apple, but eventually decided to launch on both Android and iOS at the same time. "We haven't found the case where it makes sense for us," said Gonzague de Vallois, head of sales and marketing. In contrast to the console battles from the last few decades, neither platform has managed to nail down anything resembling a talismanic mascot character or series -- we're not expecting hell to freeze over in this new fight. 0 Comments Share

Source: WSJ

Tags: apple, CutTheRope, google, mobilegaming, mobilepostcross, PlantsVsZombies Next: Behold the internet's power: Quentin Tarantino to rewrite movie ending after script leaks .fyre .fyre-comment-divider

View the Original article

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Amazing first Fire TV games include in-house titles and Minecraft

Amazing new Fire TV media hub may be focused on video, but it's going to have a significant game roster--including some examples from the company itself. Amazon Game Studios is building more than a dozen titles for the set-top box that include Sev Zero, a Gears of War-like sci-fi shooter. Youll have some third-party games to choose from, of course, such a special port of Minecraft Pocket Edition, a Monsters Inc. endless runner and the arcade racer Asphalt 8. "Thousands" of games will be available within a month, and youll see software from major developers like Ubisoft and Take Two. While you shouldn't count on Fire TV replacing your PS4 or Xbox One any time soon, it's evident that you won't be hurting for things to play.

0 Comments Share

Tags: amazon, amazongamestudios, amazonvideo2014, firetv, gaming, hdpostcross, minecraft, monstersinc, sevzero, videogames Next: TiVo co-founders ' new Qplay web video service is now available for everyone

View the Original article