Archive for March, 2006
Nintendo increasing DS Lite production, Western release still a mystery
According to an announcement on the company’s official site, Nintendo has already upped its predictions for shipped units across March with the original number rising from 450,000 to 550,000. A massive 700,000 DS Lites are set to burst forth from Nintendo’s production line over April.
Not only does this figure suggest some of the huge demand for the sell-out system will finally be satiated in Japan, it also seems that the company is finally gearing up production ready for the Lite’s inevitable Western debut, whenever that is. I’m sure we’ll find out next month.
No comments »17 year old gamers train Israeli Airline pilots
Cool or scary? You decide: A few months ago, Capt. Alon Pereg, who was about to command the next 737NG pilot’s course of EL AL airlines, had an idea – the trainees could practice Airliner procedures, 737 automation (FMC) and ATC communications during the ground school stages of the course by flying online.
Now, seven months later, members of VATIL, the Israeli branch of vatsim.net Virtual Air Traffic Flight Simulation Network, are part of the view in the training center. One of their main tasks is to help air force fighter pilots to switch from F16 to Boeing 767. Some of VATIL instructors are 17 years old, which means they may not even have a driver license. Simulation photos here.
Second Life online game gets $11 million funding to expand virtual world
News.com reports that Second Life, the virtual world run by Linden Labs, has netted $11 Million in venture capital funding from the Globespan Capital Partners group. I think it’s great they are using the money to make the game easier to play for gamers of all levels.
From the article: “The company makes its money by charging players use fees for land they buy and build on. For now, the company isn’t profitable, and it’s not clear when it will be, said Catherine Smith, Linden Lab’s director of marketing. However, she told News.com that Linden Lab plans to use its new funding for aggressive international expansion, as well as for hiring intended to boost its infrastructure. “
Me and My Katamari review video (PSP)
Taking a break from celestial construction, the King of All Cosmos takes the royal family on vacation to a tropical island paradise, where they become tasked with the responsibility of creating new katamari islands for homeless animals. An epic undertaking of this time, earthly proportions, the King calls upon his pint-sized son, the Prince, and all of his cousins for help.
New features found in Me and My Katamari include: Wireless play for up to four people on the PSP system; A cast of playable characters that includes the Prince and his cousins – a mix of familiar faces and new additions; A host of customization options for player characters, including new masks and headgear, as well as the ability to wear them on the head, face and body; A new island interface that highlights player options and the different stages represented by animals in need of new homes.
This PSP followup to 2004’s most original title looks just like its PS2 counterpart — that is, full 3D, lots of objects to pick up, a similar looking prince as the main character, a similar screen layout and even the same visual style. One day, the island of Paradise Commonwealth Island, where many different kinds of animals live together in peace, is struck with a giant tsunami and is left a mess. A single turtle, who’d been separated from the island due to the tsunami, washes ashore on the nearby Prince Island and speaks of his misery to the Prince. This Prince is the very prince that has caused much havoc in previous Katamari games. Katamari Damacy PSP features one big change from previous titles: dynamic levels. The levels change based on the time and season. Levels also feature changing paths which make the game different each time you play.
Bizzare and brilliant puzzle franchise finally hits the PSP. Get details in this Me and My Katamari video review.
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Next PSP GTA game is Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
“Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories” is the title of GTA’s next PSP outing. Rockstar publisher Take 2 has filed three patents in America last week with that same name. The first covers a future “GTA Vice City Stories” game, the second secures associated rights for t-shirts, headgear and assorted merchandising. Most intriguingly of all, a third trademark suggests either a Vice City Stories TV series or movie is in prospect. Expect the game to arrive on your PSP this Christmas.
Blizzard halts StarCraft: Ghost development
Blizzard Entertainment announced plans to focus the company’s console-development efforts on the next generation of console platforms. The biggest news to come with this announcement is the indefinite postponement of production on StarCraft: Ghost, the console title first revealed to the gaming media back in 2002 for Xbox, Playstation 2 & GameCube to dismay of PC fans.
To quote the press release: …
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Widespread server downtime for World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is experiencing lengthy downtime. The virtual world, with over 6 million users, also announced emergency maintenance outages overnight on a large number of game servers (known as “realms”). Since both the game & website are hosted by the same provider, here’s an updated chart of the WoW website’s performance, so you can see for yourself what’s up… or rather, down.
“We’d like to make all players aware that at this time our internet service provider is experiencing significant complications, and as a result the playability on a large portion of realms has been adversely affected,” said a message from Epifanio, Senior Game Master, on the WoW forums… “Symptoms include but are not limited to lag, random disconnections and slow authentication. Our network technicians are doing everything in their power to work with our ISP so that this issue may be resolved as swiftly as possible.”
Virtual Worlds of the future under 1 account?
Wired is running an interesting article on the realization of past predictions with regards to online gaming and where we are headed for the future. The author predicts that the separation between online worlds like Ultima Online and World of Warcraft may be headed out of style, making your in-game persona as pervasive as an email address.
From the article: “Because the current metaverse evolved largely out of videogames, it makes sense that it should be composed of fiefdoms – after all, you wouldn’t expect a Grand Theft Auto crack dealer to drop in for a barbecue with the Sims. But there is reason to believe that the divided metaverse is merely a transitional phase, and that its component worlds will coalesce.”
PS2 EyeToy review: Sega SuperStars
Sega SuperStars for EyeToy, developed by Sega’s Sonic Team studio, leverages the camera control-method featured in EyeToy to bring a new level of interactivity to the company’s core brands such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Samba de Amigo, House of the Dead, Virtua Fighter and more.
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NES Review: Ninja Gaiden. The classic debut of Ryu Hayabusa
For our first classic game review, we have the 2D side-scrolling action masterpiece, Ninja Gaiden. If you are to understand the influence behind Team Ninja’s recent Xbox Ninja Gaiden masterpiece, then you simply must play the original games that inspired it. And for those who have never played a Ninja Gaiden title, or for those that remember these great games fondly, this review is for your enjoyment. The next two games in the trilogy will be posted in the coming weeks, with a review of the Xbox version capping it all off. Have a great weekend everyone!
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