Hasta La Gadget!

Hate mucking around in PC game graphics menus? NVIDIA’s got an app for that — and now, AMD does too. The chipmaker has teamed up with Raptr, a video game-focused social network, to launch Gaming Evolved: a suite that offers tools for chat, takes screenshots and even tweaks game settings for better performance. Unlike Nvidia’s kit however, Gaming Evolved relies heavily on Raptr’s community data to determine the best configuration for your PC. Naturally, the social network’s rewards system is in play, offering users beta access to select games or free DLC for using the service, too. You can also stream via Twitch, and even simultaneously watch someone else’s broadcast while you play DayZ. The company says the program is designed to “make PC gaming as simple to use as consoles,” but the beta build that’s available now plays more like Steam than a living room device.

Filed under: Gaming, AMD

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Source: Raptr

One of the major points of contention when Diablo III released on PC and Mac last year was an auction house where you could use real money to buy high-level gear. That’s changing next March 18th when developer Blizzard closes the doors on the controversial feature, as well as the in-game currency auction house. In a post on Battle.net, Blizzard Entertainment Production Director John Hight writes that, despite the auction house’s benefits, it “ultimately undermines Diablo‘s core game play: kill monsters to get cool loot.” In the video embedded below, Hight and Game Director Josh Mosquiera stress that they’re focusing on making murdering nightmare creatures the most satisfying way of getting rad gear — not spending ducats, real or otherwise. If you want a preview of what an auction house-free Diablo III looks like right now, check out the recent PS3 and Xbox 360 ports — they’re super good!

Filed under: Gaming, Software

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Via: Joystiq

Source: Battle.net

A handheld gaming console that plays Conker’s Bad Fur Day, Halo, Uncharted 3 and Day Z ? We’re intrigued. The Cross Plane resembles a Wii U GamePad and the two have something more in common than just a launch price: both mirror video and audio output to their respective controllers. The difference is that unlike Nintendo’s faltering console, the Cross Plane uses wireless HDMI to do so and (as demonstrated in the video after the break) can basically stream content from any device with an HDMI port — including Ouya, PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. Whatever it’s plugged into bears the processing load, meaning that if your PC can’t run Crysis 3, neither can the Cross Plane.

Designer Advanced Gaming Innovations (AGI) also implemented swappable cartridges (the red bit sticking out in the above picture) containing system-specific hardware support. This serves two functions: One, it cuts down on “interference and issues” between the analog and digital layouts of certain architectures. Next is that it ensures you only have to buy carts for the systems you want, presumably cutting down on price. Speaking of which, a $349 pledge snags you a unit with one system cartridge and $410 nets you a handset with two. Both of these help push AGI closer to a $350,000 Kickstarter goal that even the company admits is lofty. It’s not like more expensive ideas haven’t been crowdfunded before…

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Kickstarter

If you’re old enough to have played PC games for more than a decade, LucasArts (originally LucasFilm Games) likely has a permanent place in your heart after a string of legendary adventure and flight combat releases. You’ll unfortunately have to put the company as you knew it squarely in the past — Lucasfilm’s new owner, Disney, is ending internal development at LucasArts. The software house is shifting to a licensing model for Star Wars games, reportedly “minimizing the company’s risk” while expanding the range of games on offer. There’s a chance that in-progress titles like Star Wars 1313 will survive with outside help, according to a spokesperson in touch with GameInformer, but talk of layoffs from Kotaku dampens any chances for direct follow-ups to favorites like Grim Fandango. We won’t mourn too much when personas like Ron Gilbert, Lawrence Holland and Tim Schafer have long since moved on to other companies — still, it’s unquestionably the end of an era for game and movie fans alike.

Filed under: Gaming, Software

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Via: Joystiq

Source: GameInformer (1), (2)

A Minecraft world really comes alive with internet-based multiplayer, but the requirement for a dedicated host creates its fair share of problems for both casual gamers and parents worried about where their kids will play. Mojang is currently testing a subscription service, Minecraft Realms, that could put at least some minds at ease. Along with providing a consistent world, it will give the host strict control over who gets in; long-term plans should also include profiles with trustworthy mods already installed. The developer hopes to launch betas for both desktops and mobile devices around May, with rates between $10 to $15 per month to keep a world going, but only the owner would shoulder the full costs. We imagine that there will be at least a few takers, both among families and those who want to safeguard their elaborate masterworks.

Filed under: Gaming, Internet, Software

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Via: The Verge

Source: GamesIndustry International