Hasta La Gadget!

Smartphones and tablets are currently the most popular devices for game developers to release games on. It shouldn’t be surprising given how many people own smartphones and/or tablets, and want mobile games to play in order to pass the time. The Game Developers Conference polled over 2,500 North American game developers and asked them which platforms they’re currently developing their games on.

55% of the game developers said that they’re currently developing games for both smartphones/tablets. 48% are currently developing games for PCs and Macs. 13.2% are currently developing a game for the Xbox 360. 13% are currently developing a game for the PlayStation 3. Only 4.6% are working on a game for the Wii U. 4.2% are making a game for the PlayStation Vita, and finally only 2% of developers are currently developing games for the Nintendo 3DS.

58% of developers are planning on releasing their next game on smartphones/tablets, 49% are releasing their next game onto PCs/Macs, 14% are releasing their next game for the Xbox 360, 12.4% are releasing their next game for the PlayStation 3, 6.4% are planning to release their next game to the Wii U, 5% are releasing their next game for the PlayStation Vita, and only 2.8% are planning on releasing their next game to the Nintendo 3DS.

Mobile gaming is rapidly rising and developers find that the smartphone/tablet platform would be the most profitable one to develop for. Games are relatively cheap on mobile devices (with the highest I’ve purchased being Final Fantasy Dimensions with its $19.99 price tag), making them more easily accessible than the $60-ish priced console games. It also helps that there are really well-made mobile games that feature beautiful graphics, such as the ones being released for the NVIDIA Tegra 4.

[via Apple Insider]

55% of developers currently making games for mobile devices is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Google has unveiled a Chrome Experiment called Super Sync Sports, a side-scrolling game with colorful animation and simple, yet addictive sub-games: racing, cycling, and swimming. Instead of using your computer’s controls to play, however, gamers sync and use their mobile device, using it as a controller, hence the game’s name. You can check out a video of the game in action, as well as instruction on how to play yourself.

A tablet or a smartphone can be used, with a smartphone arguably being easier to use than a larger tablet. Syncing is achieved by using Chrome for Mobile/iPhone, so users will need to download and install it in order to play. Once installed, syncing the controller with the game is simple and straight forward. Up to four players can sync their devices and compete with each other.

Gamers need to go to chrome.com/supersyncsports on their laptop or desktop to pull up the game. After doing that, select a game, then turn on your mobile device. From Chrome for Mobile, visit g.co/super and enter the code that appears on the computer screen. By doing this, the mobile device will sync with the browser game and begin to function as a controller.

After syncing, the gamers can then select an athlete to play as from the mobile device, then control the character via gestures on the touchscreen. Super Sync Sports works with Chrome version 15 and higher, Android 4 and higher, and iOS 4.3 and later. The game utilized HTML5, CSS3, and Canvas.

[via Google Blog]

Google unveils mobile device-controlled Super Sync Sports game is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

You’ve blasted your way through the 20 games that come built into the Neo Geo X, so what’s next? Last month, rumors the handheld had been discontinued suggested that was your lot, but the truth was less worrying: the limited edition Gold bundle run had come to an end. Now, Tommo Inc has detailed the first of five additional game cartridges for the portable. Neo Geo X Classics: Volume I will add 15 titles for you to wear your thumbs down on, including Metal Slug 2, King of Fighters ’96 and Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves. The cart is due to hit North America in April for an unspecified price, and those that pick one up will get a “Rocket” high-speed data transfer and charging cable gratis, as well as the Neo Geo X System Update 1.0, which we expect to hear more details on shortly. A travel case for the handheld is also in development, and is expected to be released the same month. Hit up the PR to see the full games list for Volume I, although chances are, some of you are playing them already.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds

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Activision has announced that they will be moving away from the licensed games, meaning there will be fewer games from the James Bond, Transformers, Men in Black, and Spider-Man series. Rumor has it that James Bond will be seeing its end really soon. Activision is following the same move that Electronics Arts made back in 2008. EA Games president, Frank Gibeau, said at the time that “the days of licensed-based, 75-rated games copies are dead like the dinosaur.”

Along with its move to back away from licensed games, Activision will also be laying off 30 people from its company. That’s about 0.5% of the company, and those that are being let go will be offered “outplacement counseling services” to help them find a new job. Activision made it clear though that the cuts will barely affect Treyarch. The company says that there will be “minimal reduction in staff to better align our development talent against the needs of DLC development.”

Like EA Games, Activision feels that the licensed-games industry isn’t bringing in enough revenue to make the projects worth it. Due to the high-costs of making the movie-based games, and the decreasing demand for them, the games started becoming more trouble than they were worth. Activision will still be releasing a few licensed-based games this year, including games based on The Walking Dead, Deadpool, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

I can see why companies are beginning to stray way from licensed games. The licensed games as of late aren’t as amazing as games from the older generation (does anyone remember Goldeneye 007?). Even 007 Legends, which was highly anticipated, turned out to be a let down, which is why the James Bond series might be the first of the licensed games to get the axe.

[via Wired]

Activision is pulling away from licensed games is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Razer, one of the most well-known manufacturers of gaming gear, is now re-launching its gaming peripheral line-up designed for Blizzard’s StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm expansion. The collection of gear is designed to give StarCraft II players the edge that they need in order to dominate in their matches. Razer is bringing back its StarCraft II product line because of the positive response it received during its initial launch. This re-launch will only be available for a limited amount of time.

There are 4 things that gamers are able to purchase from Razer’s collection. There’s the Razer Spectre Staracraft II Gaming Mouse, the Razer Marauder Starcraft II Gaming Keyboard, the Razer Banshee Starcraft II Gaming Headset, and the Razer Starcraft II Zerg Edition Messenger Bag. The Razer Spectre, Marauder, and Banshee all have an APM (Actions-Per-Minute) lighting system that responds to the gamer’s movements and speed. The lighting system features a multicolor LED that can be customized to any color the gamer wants.

The Razer Spectre is a lightweight, 5-button, gaming mouse that gives RTS (real-time strategy) gamers the control that they need. It also features a 5600 dpi Razer Precision 3.5G laser sensor and a 1000 Hz Ultrapolling/1ms response time. It is priced at 59.99 in both the U.S. and Europe.

The Razer Marauder is a gaming keyboard which features a multi-colored backlit keyboard that has elevated keys which will improve rapid command input as well as increase your gaming performance. There is also an “on-the-fly” macro recording system, and the keys are laser-etched and conveniently spaced. The Marauder is priced at 99.99 in both the U.S. and Europe.

The Razer Banshee is a gaming headset that comes with a configuration utility that allows you to adjust your equalizer, pitch, and volume, providing you the best sound experience while you game. It also comes with a detachable microphone boom that will allow you to easily transport this device. The device is priced at 89.99 in both the U.S. and Europe.

Last, but not least, there is the Razer Zerg Edition messenger bag. The bag is a weather-proof, tear-resistant bag designed to protect all of your gaming gear. It has a compartment for your laptop, gaming peripherals, and also a mobile gaming device. It’s inner-lining is shock-absorbent in order to protect all of your expensive devices. The messenger bag sells for 79.99 in both the U.S. and Europe.

If you’re a diehard StarCraft II fan, or if you need peripherals that can enhance your gaming experience, you should act on this sale now before Razer discontinues it again. Razer is also holding a sweepstakes. Players will choose the race they align themselves with, whether it’d be Protoss, Zerg, or Terran, and 3 lucky players from each race will be awarded the Razer StarCraft II gaming headset, mouse, and keyboard, along with a StarCraft II strategy guide and clothes.

[via PR Newswire]

Razer is re-selling StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm gear for a limited time is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.