On Gear Live: Samsung S95C: The OLED TV You Can’t Afford (to Ignore!)

Star Wars Kinect bundle features R2-D2 Xbox 360, C-3PO controller, 320 GB hard drive

What you see here is an R2-D2 inspired Xbox 360, along with a C-3PO Xbox 360 controller, and you'll find these as part of the Star Wars Kinect bundle that was revealed by Microsoft at Comic-Con. Also included in the bundle is a white Kinect sensor, Star Wars Kinect, and Kinect Adventures. The console also includes a 320 GB hard drive, which is a first for the Xbox 360 line. The console itself has custom R2-D2 sounds rather than the standard Xbox 360 chimes. You can pre-order these now, and they'll be shipping in the fall for $449.

Read More | Star Wars Kinect Bundle

Gallery: Star Wars Kinect bundle features R2-D2 Xbox 360, C-3PO controller, 320 GB hard drive


Advertisement

Here’s what the Wii U console looks like

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: E3, Hardware, Nintendo, Wii U,

Nintendo Wii U console

While Nintendo focused their E3 2011 Wii U efforts on the tablet-style controller for the new platform, many gamers wondered why they were to quiet about the console itself. In fact, many wondered if the Wii U controller was the console, and if it was just a new accessory for the current Wii system. Nintendo cleared it up later during E3, but all the press photos they released focused on the exciting controller. We're guessing they simply thought that the controller was the big deal (which it is,) and that no one would care about the actual console when it's over a year away from launching (although they were wrong there.) Above is an image of the Wii U console. Not much to see, but at least we can see that it is certainly not a Wii. Oh, and yes, it does 1080p.

Gallery: Here’s what the Wii U console looks like


Nintendo announces Wii U

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories:

Wii U controller

During its E3 2011 keynote address, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime announced Wii U, their next-generation console. The intro video was heavily influenced by the Wii U controller, which has a large touchscreen on it. Nintendo says it's a 6.2-inch display, large enough to allow you to play Wii U games directly on the controller if someone else wants to use the television, but it also works with the Wii U console as well, becoming a second screen. It has two analog pads, shoulder buttons, force feedback, accelerometer, control pad, microphone, speakers, gyroscope, and a camera. This is definitelythe most powerful home console controller we've ever seen.

Games announced include Smash Brothers, Assassin's Creed, EA Sports titles, Ghost Recon Online, Tekken, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, Aliens Colonial Marines, Lego City Stories, Darksiders II,  and more. Nintendo did make sure to mention that Wii U is an HD console, which leads us to believe that this is more than just a new Wii controller, but they really made the announcement all about the controller and less about the console itself.

Nintendo says that Wii U will launch in 2012, but no price was announced.

Developing...

Gallery: Nintendo announces Wii U


Xbox Live will store your profile and game saves to the cloud this fall

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Internet, Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox Live,

Xbox Live cloud syncing

Microsoft didn't have enough time to cover everything that's coming down the pike for Xbox Live with the fall dashboard update, but they sent us an email detailing some of the new hotness that they didn't talk about on stage, and we're super excited to hear that profiles will be able to be saved to the cloud. What does that mean for the average Joe? Well, this means that instead of saving your games to your hard drive or USB stick, you can instead save them to the web. Same goes for your Xbox Live profile, along with achievements, friend list, etc. One thing I've always hated about having two Xbox 360 units in the home is that I need to remember to grab my USB stick and bring it upstairs and down if I want to log into Live. Now, I just enter a username and password on any Xbox 360, from any location, and I am logged in. The days of recovering a Gamertag will be history come this fall!

Gallery: Xbox Live will store your profile and game saves to the cloud this fall


Gears of War 3 beta review

gears of war 3 beta

"Gears of War 3," the final installment in the Gears of War trilogy, is slated to hit store shelves on September 20, bringing the war between The Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) and the Locust Hoard to its conclusion. However, you don't have to wait until the fall to play the game; developer Epic Games has given those who purchased "Bulletstorm: Epic Edition" or pre-ordered "Gears of War 3" a chance to take the online multiplayer for a spin. New and returning gamers will appreciate all the new weapons, characters, and the smooth online experience.

The "Gears of War" beta comes with a purpose. Besides letting gamers preview the title before its release, Epic Games is using it to test its new dedicated online servers. The studio is also looking to iron out any bugs, glitches, and exploits that plagued the previous series entries.

The gameplay of "Gears of War 3" multiplayer remains mostly the same, but it incorporates new weapons, maps, game modes, and game play mechanics. Gamers will continue to strategically go in and out of cover to get a better position for the kill.

Click to continue reading Gears of War 3 beta review

Gallery: Gears of War 3 beta review


Portal 2 review

Portal 2 review

Innovation in video games is terrific—sometimes. But with certain ideas and series, particularly the simplest ones, the smartest thing to do can be to just expand and build on the concept but not change it very much. That's the choice Valve Software has made with Portal 2, the ravenously awaited sequel to the addictive and brain-twisting 2007 first-person puzzler. Judging from our initial half-day with the game, Valve has chosen wisely.

The original Portal, first released as part of the Orange Box collection, was maddening because it was so straightforward, and delightful because of its rampant dementedness. As a test subject trapped in the Aperture Science building, you were armed only with a gun that could create up two dimensional portals: shoot a blue one, shoot an orange one, then run through one to emerge from the other. Strategy and physics played key roles as you struggled to discover what happened to the all the office workers, evade turret fire and pits of foul-looking liquid, and determine what the nature was of the teasing and tormenting computer (the Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System, or GLaDOS) that made jokes at your expense every 30 seconds.

 

Portal succeeded because its formula was both hard to screw up but easy to love. It was both rigorously adult (some of the levels were hard, and many of the bonus boards all but impossible), and yet faultlessly cute (who can forget the baby-voiced android weapons, or the Weighted Companion Cube emblazoned on all six sides with hearts). This meant that anyone of any age could play it, and because it required just a handful of keys or buttons (far fewer than the average shooter), you didn't even need to be an experienced gamer. As if realizing this, Valve even structured the game to provide to provide its own fully integrated tutorial so you could master tricky concepts without being aware you were learning everything.

In fact, the most commonly cited problem with the game was that it was too short: Nineteen levels and it was done. For years, people have been crying out for more levels and more snappy wit—and with Portal 2, that is what Valve has almost exclusively provided.

Click to continue reading Portal 2 review

Gallery: Portal 2 review


Duke Nukem Forever delayed. Again.

We've played "Duke Nukem Forever." We swear we've played it. We've even brought back proof that we played it. And when we played it, Gearbox president Randy Pitchford promised us—promised us!—unequivocally that the game would be released May 3. Today, word has emerged that the game is being delayed until June 14 in the United States and June 10 internationally.

We're crushed, but we suppose we shouldn't be surprised. Duke Nukem Forever is the most-delayed title in the modern history of game development. Originally slated for release in 1997—and that's not a typo—this sequel to 1996's "Duke Nukem 3D" has seen countless changes of hands, vanishing and reappearing developers, lawsuits, and more trade shows than PCMag's intrepid staff. It's even won Wired's Vaporware of the Year of the Award more than once—several times after it received a 2004 lifetime achievement award.

Click to continue reading Duke Nukem Forever delayed. Again.

Gallery: Duke Nukem Forever delayed. Again.


PSP2 to sport OLED display, 3G connectivity

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Hardware, Portable/Mobile, PSP, Rumors, Sony,

Japanese newspaper Nikkei revealed some major details concerning the PSP2, reporting that the portable system will include 3G connectivity to the NTT DoCoMo network. While this particular network is exclusive to the Far East, the included 3G connectivity means we can expect the same thing for the American launch of the PSP2. With 3G connection speeds, the PSP2 would be capable of downloading data over a phone network, instead of being limited to wi-fi connections.

Also, Nikkei broke news that the PSP2 sports an OLED touch-screen, and an all-new processor for delivering cutting edge handheld performance. All will be confirmed January 27th, when Sony officially unveils the PSP2 to the world.

Read More | Kotaku via Nikkei

Gallery: PSP2 to sport OLED display, 3G connectivity


Real-life Fallout 3 Helmet

real fallout 3 helmetI am known to dabble in the arts - I paint, draw, and like to make a mess with glue. However, don't ever confuse this with being in the least crafty. I cannot make anything myself, which is a great loss when Halloween comes around. Unlike me, Josh Jay probably got all the candy on the block.

Josh is the creator of this amazing Fallout 3 helmet. Why he crafted this stunningly detailed piece is unknown, but those reasons don't matter. It is awesome.

To see pictures of the step-by-step process, you can view his Facebook galleries:

Gallery: Real-life Fallout 3 Helmet


Kinect Hack Turns World of Warcraft Into Full-Body Grind

Posted by Drea Avellan Categories: Microsoft, MMORPG, Mods/Hacks, PC,

Microsoft Kinect allows you to maneuver your character and navigate compatible games simply by using hand gestures and body movements – at least that’s how Microsoft intended it to be. Researcher Evan Suma and his team at University of Southern California, have found a way to use Kinect is a somewhat unusual way. OpenNI, hacked programs (FAAST), and some tech voodoo, have allowed this team of masterminds to plug in Kinect to their computer’s USB port, and use it to play World of Warcraft. The software translates real-world gestures into in-game commands that allows for the player to level-grind with their fists.

Click to continue reading Kinect Hack Turns World of Warcraft Into Full-Body Grind

Read More | Game Life

Gallery: Kinect Hack Turns World of Warcraft Into Full-Body Grind


Advertisement

{solspace:toolbar}