Hasta La Gadget!

I always wondered if any of the fungi in the Mushroom Kingdom were hallucinogenic – especially the ones that turned Mario into a flying raccoon or made him bigger. Well now we have our answer.

In Josh Mirman’s illustration, Psychedelic Plumber, we get a look at Mario the way that he might have looked if we were eating some of the same ‘shrooms that he did. Actually, I always imagined that this is what the world looks like when you eat one of those Mario stars.

The image is comprised of colorful triangles which will definitely drive your eyes wild if you look at them for too long. That said, it would be cool if Nintendo made a Mario game using triangular shapes instead of square pixels.

[Facebook via GameFreaks]

It’s been over a month since we last heard from PlayJam on their new GameStick portable gaming console. However, the team definitely hasn’t been sleeping, as they announced today that developer units of the new console will be shipping out later this month. The company also had a few other announcements, including controller production, partnerships, and the SDK.

The developer unit itself is slightly larger than what the normal units will be, mostly because the dev units have a Type A USB slot for keyboard and mouse input that will be necessary for developers. The developer units will also include a few different components from the normal units that will be meant for de-bugging and loading apps.

As for the controller, PlayJam says that it’s “nearing readiness for production now.” The company says that “making this controller almost gave the lead mechanical engineer a heart attack,” noting that the controller has a very intricate design, and PlayJam says that the engineer “has worked wonders to fit everything in to such a small space.”

Furthermore, the company has announced that over 500 developers have signed up for, or are in the process of signing up to make GameStick games, and they also said that they have some partnerships in the pipeline with “major corporations,” hinting that ARM may be one of them. As for the SDK, it will be released to game developers later this week. PlayJam will be at GDC 2013 next week to announce even more news, so be sure to stay tuned!

GameStick developer units shipping later this month is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The LEGO video game franchise has proven to be quite popular with kids and adults. Typically, the games are available on multiple platforms, but Nintendo has landed an exclusive game in the franchise for its new console. The game is called LEGO City Undercover.

The game puts players in the role of undercover detective Chase McCain. Players will be able to explore the open world of LEGO City, in what plays out like an “E”-rated version of Grand Theft Auto IV.

The game does take advantage of the unique Wii U GamePad. Characters in the game use a virtual version of the GamePad to communicate with police dispatch and perform other tasks. Players will use the touchscreen to scan the environment to locate hidden clues, listen in on criminals, access the world map, and place waypoints using the touchscreen.

Owners of the Nintendo Wii U can purchase the game right now or download it from the Wii U eShop. There’s also a companion version of the game coming to the Nintendo 3DS this April, called The Chase Begins. LEGO already offers numerous playsets based on the City franchise.

In what may seem like a surprising move (or maybe not, considering the circumstances), Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello will be stepping down from the big wig position, as well as giving up his position as a member of the Board of Directors. The resignation will go into effect March 30, and Larry Probst will assume acting CEO until the company finds a replacement.

Riccitiello says he takes full responsibility for EA’s less-than-stellar financial results as of late, and says that the company “will come in at the low end of, or slightly below, the financial guidance [EA] issued in January.” He also notes that the company has “fallen short of the internal operating plan” that was implemented a year ago.

Riccitiello says that “EA’s shareholders and employees expect better,” and he is “accountable for the miss.” Larry Probst will assume the day-to-day role as “Executive Chairman” in order to make sure that there’s a “smooth transition.” Probst was actually EA’s CEO from 1991 to 2007, and has served as Chairman of the Board since 1994.

Riccitiello joined EA in October 1997 as president and COO at the time, but he left the company in 2004 to spearhead a couple of projects, including becoming a co-founder and managing director of Elevation Partners, as well as chairman and CEO of VG Holdings. However, Riccitiello returned to EA in 2007 to take on the CEO role. Riccitiello’s full resignation letter can be read below.

March 17, 2013
Mr. Larry Probst
Chairman Electronic Arts

Dear Larry,

I hereby offer my resignation as CEO of Electronic Arts effective with the end of our Fiscal Year 13 on March 30, 2013.

This is a tough decision, but it all comes down to accountability. The progress EA has made on transitioning to digital games and services is something I’m extremely proud of. However, it currently looks like we will come in at the low end of, or slightly below, the financial guidance we issued in January, and we have fallen short of the internal operating plan we set one year ago. EA’s shareholders and employees expect better and I am accountable for the miss.

I have been at the helm as EA’s CEO for six years and served as COO for nearly seven years starting in 1997. I know this company well, and I care deeply about its future success. I leave knowing EA is a great company, with an enormously talented group of leaders and the strongest slate of games in the industry. I could not be more proud of our company’s games, from Battlefield and FIFA, to The Simpsons: Tapped Out and Real Racing 3. We have built many great franchises that will serve the company well in FY14 and beyond. In particular, I am confident that the investments we have made in games for next-generation consoles will put EA in a strong leadership position for many years ahead.

In offering my resignation, my goal is to allow the talented leaders at EA a clean start on FY14. I look forward to working with you in the coming weeks on an effective leadership transition. I’m extremely honored to have led this company and proud to have worked with all the great people at Electronic Arts.

Sincerely,
John Riccitiello

Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello resigns is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Back in 2011, Purina Friskies brand cat food launched the first game for the iPad was specifically designed for cats. That particular game had little fish that swim around the screen and change direction each time a cat smacks them with a paw. Friskies is now holding a contest seeking people to develop games specifically made for cats.

The Games for Cats Hackathon is offering prizes to developers of the top three apps and the chance for the champion to have their game marketed by Purina Friskies. The contest will be held on March 23 and 24th this year in California with up to 75 game programmers working in teams of up to five to develop their own game. The Grand Prize winner will take home $15,000(USD).

The second place winner will get $3,000 and the third place winner will get $2000. Friskies has also announced another game for cats that is available to download called Happy Wings. This game has birds, moths, and dragonflies flittering across the screen for cats to whack at. Of course, your cat must own an iPad or Android tablet to take advantage of these games.