Aug 09
Aug 09
Nike’s Specially Designed Track Spikes Helped a Double Amputee Sprint in London [London 2012]
Posted in: Today's Chili
South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius just ran in the Olympics. Unlike his competitors he did it as a below-the-knee amputee, using Ossür’s Flex-Foot Cheetah legs. But he also faced a unique challenge that his competitors didn’t have to consider—how do you get track spikes on your prosthetics? More »
Aug 09
OUYA completed its Kickstarter funding last night, shattering its original $950,000 goal and reaching a grand total of $8.6 million. Around 63,416 backers funded the project all in all, but what if you missed out? Fear not, as the company has thrown up an official website at ouya.tv that will allow curious gamers to pre-order the Android-based console. The Kickstarter funding required you cough up $99 for the miniature console, whereas an official pre-order will cost $109 including shipping.
OUYA believes that the Kickstarter consoles will ship it to backers sometime in March 2013, whereas any pre-orders made on its website will come a month later in April 2013. You’ll receive the same package as Kickstarters though: one console and one controller. Naturally, buyers will gain access to the same game and content library as those who gets their hands on the console early.
The team behind OUYA has managed to garner support from several high profile gaming companies and entities, with OnLive pledging that its streaming games service will be available on the console, and Square Enix also promising a port of Final Fantasy III. Several independent developers have expressed interest in the platform too, with OUYA luring backers with the promise of free games and a vast content library.
Media has been taken care of in the past few days as well, with OUYA announcing a partnership with the XBMC team that will see the popular video solution making its way to the console. Development kits will be sent out to the XBMC team so that full compatibility can be worked into the software. OUYA has also promised support for Plex, an alternative media center.
Missed OUYA? Pre-order one for $109 on the official website is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Aug 08
The Engadget Interview: GameStop CEO Paul Raines talks tablets, OUYA and the MVNO that never was
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Looking to unload your unwanted gaming gear? You’re probably on your way to GameStop. As the largest dedicated video game retailer in the world, it’s hard to imagine a games enthusiast who hasn’t browsed its wares a time or two. Over the last few years, however, the firm has been expanding outside of retail sales — dipping its fingers into digital distribution, streaming and even phones and tablets. The brick-and-mortar store even seemed to be flirting with building a mobile network. With all these changes underfoot and a new console cycle just around the corner, it seemed like a good time to catch up with GameStop CEO Paul Raines to get some perspective.
Filed under: Gaming
The Engadget Interview: GameStop CEO Paul Raines talks tablets, OUYA and the MVNO that never was originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Aug 08
There’s not long to go until OUYA’s Kickstarter project is finally over, but the company is still announcing new features and partnerships left, right, and center. OUYA has taken to its Kickstarter page once again to announce that Namco Bandai is in discussions to bring its games to the Android-based console. Namco name drops some classics such as Pac-Man, Galaga, and Tekken, but it wasn’t confirmed that those specific titles would make it to the platform.
OUYA is remaining tight lipped about exactly what you can expect from the console at launch too. Although the team says it has some titles lined up, it can’t delve into specifics due to legal obligations. No doubt negotiations are still active behind the scenes, so eager gamers will just have to sit tight until the company is ready to spill the beans.
The team has also said that support for four controllers will be added to the console to allow for some serious multiplayer gaming sessions. The company warns though that supplies may be limited, and urges backers to update their pledge amounts in order to accommodate the extra controllers needed.
Finally, OUYA announced a partnership with XBMC yesterday that would see the popular media center customized to take advantage of the console’s software and hardware. There are those out there who swear by Plex, so the team behind OUYA have pledged that the console will support that media solution on top of XBMC. Plex already has an Android port, and works on Google TV as well, so tweaking it to run on OUYA shouldn’t be too difficult.
OUYA adds Namco Bandai, Plex, and four controller support is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Aug 07
Sony takes SOEmote live for EverQuest II, lets gamers show their true CG selves (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
We had a fun time trying Sony’s SOEmote expression capture tech at E3; now everyone can try it. As of today, most EverQuest II players with a webcam can map their facial behavior to their virtual personas while they play, whether it’s to catch the nuances of conversation or drive home an exaggerated game face. Voice masking also lets RPG fans stay as much in (or out of) character as they’d like. About the only question left for those willing to brave the uncanny valley is when other games will get the SOEmote treatment. Catch our video look after the break if you need a refresher.
Sony takes SOEmote live for EverQuest II, lets gamers show their true CG selves (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Aug 07
Windows 8 built-in games now called Xbox Windows, Microsoft’s naming synergy continues
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Were you among those who jumped for joy when Windows Explorer got its new moniker? Good news, nomenclature fans, for Redmond has decided to label its new OS’ built-in games and titles obtained from the Windows Store as “Xbox Windows.” Along with the new branding, venerable Windows titles like Minesweeper, Solitaire and Mahjong will also offer Xbox Achievements, so you can bulk up your Gamerscore while wasting time at work. Full details of the achievement and point totals can be found at the source links below.
Windows 8 built-in games now called Xbox Windows, Microsoft’s naming synergy continues originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Verge, Eurogamer | Xbox 360 Achievements, (2), (3) | Email this | Comments
Aug 07
There are no shortages of apps and games on Facebook, and there have been gambling apps available on the social network in the past. Today marks the first time that Facebook has allowed one of its games to put real money at stake, however. The launch of Bingo Friendzy in the UK allows users to play different games to try and win cash prizes. The app was created by Gamesys, owners of one of the UK’s leading bingo websites. Any Facebook user in the UK can try the game as long as they’re over the age of 18.
The arrival of real money gambling games has been on the horizon for some time. Zynga, the studio behind popular Facebook games like FarmVille, has said that it intends to bring its own bingo and slot machine apps to the UK next year, and Facebook says that games from other companies will be making their debut in a matter of weeks.
In order to play the games, users will need to provide a working credit card instead of using Facebook’s credits. Gamesys insists, meanwhile, that it will comply with gambling regulations and provide access to self-help tools that will limit access and spending. Facebook won’t be able to offer gambling games across the entire world, however, as different laws restrict the games in certain regions. The UK seems to be ok with the idea, but social media gambling is banned in the United States.
The move is an attempt by Facebook to try and bolster revenues. The vast majority of Facebook’s income relies on advertising right now, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see the company exploring other avenues in an attempt to appease shareholders, who are worried that the social network relies too heavily on ads.
[via The Telegraph]
Facebook launches real money gambling app in UK is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Aug 03
Parisian gaming company Gameloft has pulled the wraps off its first Unreal Engine Android game, but is being rather coy about what it actually is. The teaser image — which was released on the company’s Facebook page — reveals little more than a bloody sword and skull along with a cryptic message, saying that a clue was hidden in the artwork. Viewers were also invited to vote for the next hint, which will either be another image or a YouTube teaser trailer. Whether the macabre-looking game itself will create as much suspense as its marketing tease remains to be seen.
Update: Some sources have reported the platform as Android, but that has not been officially announced.
Filed under: Gaming
Gameloft announces its first Unreal Engine game, you figure out what it is originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 03:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Aug 01
Minecraft creator warns locked down Windows 8 could be ‘very bad’ for indies, stays wary of Steam too
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Microsoft just isn’t getting much Windows 8 love from the game community, full stop. Following Blizzard and Valve anxieties, Minecraft developer Notch (the man on the left) is himself cautious about the shift to the Windows Store and the seeming discouragement of third-party outlets. Despite sharing an affinity with Microsoft for square-shaped worlds, he sees any further lockdown of Windows 8 as potentially “very very bad” for indie game developers and overall competition in the gaming business. Not that Notch is singling out the OS for concern: he’s also maintaining his resistance to Valve’s Steam and doesn’t want the Portal creator to “rent games” instead of selling titles that buyers can keep forever. While Notch isn’t adverse to producing games for closed systems when it’s the only choice, he’s joining a growing chorus of those worried that openness is on the endangered list.
Minecraft creator warns locked down Windows 8 could be ‘very bad’ for indies, stays wary of Steam too originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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