Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Sunday, March 28th, 2010
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For most geeks, the only thing that can trump video games is, well, porn. Which is exactly why so many companies are exploring the world of sex based video games. For those old schoolers, you may remember games like Sierra’s Leisure Suit Larry Series, which was a computer adventure game about a guy trying to get lucky in any way possible. Of course we are talking about pixelated cartoonish sexual imagery but hey, back in the day this stuff was awesome! Certain game development companies continue to make straight out porn focused games, but there are also some ‘mainstream’ games including sex as part of a storyline like Heavy Rain, Mass Effect 2 (again), and the always controversial Grand Theft Auto series. With the advent of the video game rating system, it seems like mainstream games that really push the envelope are becoming less and less prevalent. Partly because any game slapped with an “AO” rating practically means suicide for the developer because no brick and mortar store will stock the game. With this move towards keeping our games clean, it seems almost counter intuitive to bring back sex video games a la Lesiure Suit Larry and Benny Hill. It’s a surprise to see new sex-based games hitting the market like Bonetown, Project X, and Digital Playground’s new 3D world, that bring players into a world where they can pretty much do whatever they want without judgement. All of these games feature well known porn stars (helllllooo, Ron Jeremy is in Bonetown), which is cool for fans because they can interact with them virtually like never before. Unlike Bonetown and Project X , Digital Playground’s Utherverse focuses more on leisure and social networking rather than gaming. Users aren’t expected to complete missions or earn points, rather, they’re expected to roam around the world, have fun, and do all the things they can’t really do in real life (because unless you’re Tommy Lee, it’s doubtful you’re hooking up with porn stars). The Utherverse creates a place for fans to interact and play, making this new genre of sex games a rule free social networking experience. “We don’t refer to the virtual world as a game, but rather as the 3D Web, or the Virtual World Web. It’s really is less of a game and more of the Internet in 3D. It’s a place where users come to have social networking in real time, to watch movies together, to shop for real-world goods and services, as well as virtual goods and services – but there is no objective,” said Brian Shuster of Utherverse. Basically the goal is to have sex, hook up, and do all the naughty things you can’t do in real life without getting yourself in trouble. While Bonetown and Project X both feature well-known porn stars, Digital Playground’s Utherverse is the first game to feature all Digital Playground branded pictures, videos, and characters, possibly marking a new frontier for porn. Aside from screenings of their DP porns, the game features the contract star, Raven Alexis, a self-professed geek and WoW gamer. For Raven, this new avenue is an obvious choice, “It’s been so cool and exciting so far, getting to know the ins and outs of the game took a little while, and I’ve already met some amazing people. I don’t think that Digital Playground could be teamed up with a better company to begin putting virtual characters of their contract girls into a game.” The technology behind this emerging trend is what’s really interesting. Utherverse , the company that created Digital Playground’s 3D world explained that the creation of virtual worlds can take upwards of four years and cost up to 10 million dollars. Utherverse took the technology that goes into making these games and created a tool set and prop editor that allows companies to completely customized and create their own world without much coding or time. The way it works is that a company will choose from basic landscape and surroundings and then can further customize with a prop editor, cutting down on time and making the world of 3D games available to many companies. “The prop-editor also allows the user to pull images from the web, web pages, flash object, flash streams or any of the scripts that need to go onto objects. Scripts can include a wide range of tools, including the ability to inter-link objects, so that when a user clicks, they are transported from one are of the virtual world to another, or from one world to another.” For Digital Playground, this meant that they would import lots of fun things like videos, pictures, and toys. Raven was also able to create her own character in the game, “I did make my own character, which took about a week in total – and she has all kinds of customized outfits that she can wear. For a gamer, it was completely fun for me, and I’m totally addicted to this game! I’ve already been told by many people in game that my character looks just like me!” The world of online sex games marks a new chapter for the adult industry. Where previously adult stars were only able to interact with their friends through video and a hand full of in-person appearances, companies are now exploring different ways like online games. Are the family collations like MAVAV, Mothers Against Videogame Addiction and Violence that complain about games like Grand Theft Auto going to come after these truly hardcore sex focused video games? Only time will tell. Guest columnist Lydia Leavitt writes about sex and, oddly enough, social media. For more information on the latest intimate technology, check out 69adget.com and check out check out Digital Playground’s Utherverse (NSFW)
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Friday, March 26th, 2010
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This is obviously a much older Nano but at $48 for 1GB , I may get this for my Dad so he can listen to Roy Orbison albums. Again, not amazingly great but $48? Pretty good. Never before has something so small held so many possibilities. The 1 GB Apple iPod nano holds up to 240 songs and will display full color album art and photos. It also handles Podcasts, Audiobooks, Games, clocks, contacts and calendars. All in an iPod that weighs less than a single CD case. Now that’s huge. At only .27 inches thin and 1.5 ounces, iPod nano packs a lot into its diminutive design. Get up to 14 hours of battery life and 1 full GB of storage. It also features a 1.5″ bright LCD screen, the Apple Click Wheel, and a Dock connector that fits an entire ecosystem of iPod accessories. With so many features like these, iPod nano can change the way you listen to music and more.
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Monday, March 15th, 2010
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Before I begin, that headline is completely ripped off a Eurogamer commenter , so never let it be said that I’m above stealing jokes within the right context. OK, so, it seems that the new “DLC” for BioShock 2 (which came out four days ago) isn’t really DLC at all! Nope, the content is right there, already on the disc that’s sitting inside your Xbox 360 . Time to storm the Bastille again. Users have reported that the download size of the DLC, which adds two playable multi-player characters, among other things, only comes in at 108K for the Xbox 360, and 24K for the PC. Now, unless 2K Games have invented some sort of Space Age compression technology, how can you fit two new characters (and more!) in a file so small? Conclusion: the content must have been on the disc the whole time. In other words, that means that you’re paying 400 Microsoft Points (around $5) for something that’s already in your possession! It’d be like walking into the shoe store at the mall, then being asked to pay for the shoes you’re wearing. Well, not really, but sorta. Or is it? Do you really “own” everything that’s on the disc? I would say yeah: I bought the disc, I own it. Now, if I were to have a lawyer read the fine print, he’d probably say, “Well, technically you purchased a license to play the game, and you don’t necessarily own the contents of the disc per se …” How often do you download software that, while you download the entire thing, only unlocks after you cough up $20? Same deal or not? I’d say no: when I download shareware I’m well aware that I’m downloading something that, while it’s all on my hard drive, won’t unlock until I actually buy it. There’s no such expectation for Xbox 360 games: I buy the disc, and I expect that I’ll have access to everything on the disc without having to pay extra at a later date. If not, publishers should put a sticker on the box that says, “Contains additional content on the disc that must be purchased separately.” That way people can decide if they want to support that. I probably wouldn’t just on principle, but I’m crazy like that . It’s just unseemly. I would expect that the game’s developers had created the content that later wound up in the DLC currently with the full game, and at some point the publisher was like, “Well, put these assets aside, we’ll release it as a DLC at a later date. Just put it all in a hidden directory or something.” Or maybe 2K Games should create a new term to take the place of DLC: PBC, or premium bonus content. Be upfront about it—it’s on the disc that ships, but you need to pay extra for it—and see if it sinks or swims. Video game publishers: I’m available for consulting. I’ll let you use PBC, but further tips will cost you.
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
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Only yesterday we were drooling over the idea that Epic Games had managed to port their draw-droppingly beautiful game engine , Unreal Engine 3, to the iPhone. As it turns out, the iPhone isn’t alone – it’s heading to webOS, too! Read the rest at MobileCrunch > >
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
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So I got a random delivery today, and I was quite surprised to see it was from Nintendo. Even more surprising was when I opened the box and saw they had sent me the two latest Pokemon games, HeartGold and SoulSilver . What was even more interesting was when I started to read the enclosed literature that explained exactly what’s new about these two games. One of the criticisms leveled at video games is that they encourage children to sit on the couch instead of going outside. Nintendo has of course bucked this trend with the Wii Fit and other games that have been coming out recently that encourage getting up and moving around. Imagine my surprise when I saw that HeartGold and SoulSilver include something called a “Pokewalker”. What is a Pokewalker? Well, apparently you can download your favorite Pokemon into a small pedometer that you clip to your clothing, and then you take your Pokemon for a walk. Walking your Pokemon will increase it’s happiness, help it to gain experience points, and even help you to catch other species of Pokemon. Kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) can connect two Pokewalkers to gain special gifts. I love it! Gameplay is the same as the other Pokemon games, but feels closest to the most recent release, Pokemon Diamond . This is actually a great thing, since Pokemon Diamond is considered to be one of the best games of the franchise. I haven’t had a chance to try the Pokewalker yet, but I’ll update this story after I reach the level where I can use it.
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Thursday, March 4th, 2010
Video Games | ScrewAttack | Top 10 Worst Robot Masters XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii While the voiceover is a little, how you say, annoying, the video is actually quite funny. I haven’t played Mega Man in years, actually, so I missed most of these guys. There was actually a Clown Man? Plant Man? Seriously?
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
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Atari has announced Test Drive Unlimited 2, coming in the Fall to Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. While the first version of the game contained both online and offline modes, this new version “is ‘always live,’ with automatic updates and seamless online/offline integration. A revamped single player narrative mode can be played offline or as part of the multiplayer experience.” When you’re not racing, you’ll be able to customize your cars and acquire “property, clothing, and all the accoutrements of a luxurious car-based lifestyle.” Anyone remember the original Test Drive ? Five cars, stopping at gas stations? Good stuff. Press Release: Atari To Transform Online Racing With Test Drive(R) Unlimited 2 Join Thousands of Players Online, Race the Worlds Most Coveted Cars, and Live the Ultimate Luxury Lifestyle NEW YORK, March 3 /PRNewswire/ — Atari, SA, one of the world’s most recognized videogame publishers, and much-acclaimed developer Eden Games, are proud to announce the newest installment in the legendary racing franchise with Test Drive® Unlimited 2 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC coming Fall 2010. Test Drive Unlimited 2 expands on the traditional racing experience providing gamers with M.O.O.R.®: Massively Open Online Racing®; immersing drivers in a persistent online environment and revolutionizing multiplayer racing communities as players compete, team up, and share their achievements and creations online. Unlike any other driving game, TDU2 blends the open world experience with realistic vehicles and performance dynamics and for the first time, TDU2 features vehicle damage, weather effects, day and night cycles, and a brand new island to explore. The first Test Drive® Unlimited innovated the racing genre with an immersive online and offline experience – over 1 million players created online accounts. Test Drive Unlimited 2 blends the single player and multiplayer experiences seamlessly, creating a dynamic world of unique content and challenges. Test Drive Unlimited 2 is “always live,” with automatic updates and seamless online/offline integration. A revamped single player narrative mode can be played offline or as part of the multiplayer experience. “After the highly successful Test Drive Unlimited which redefined the genre with massively open online racing, Test Drive Unlimited 2 will be an innovative evolution in racing games, expanding its unparalleled multiplayer experience and immersing players in a world full of new online content and lifestyle customization.” said Jeff Lapin, CEO of Atari, SA. “The game fits squarely into our strategy of moving online and generating new revenue streams while maintaining our current retail business.” Test Drive Unlimited 2 puts the world’s most desirable vehicles in the players hands. These ultra-limited edition masterpieces are flawlessly replicated with Eden’s finely tuned driving technology. Players define their online persona through the customization of their vehicles, and the acquisition of property, clothing and all the accoutrements of a luxurious car-based lifestyle. The challenge comes to life with the most expansive and comprehensive multiplayer offering on the console and the ultimate refinement of the core Test Drive driving experience. All-new race types, vehicle classes, environmental challenges, locations and much more push this epic franchise to new levels of performance and luxury. For more information on Test Drive Unlimited 2 please visit www.testdriveunlimited2.com or log on to www.atari.com .
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
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Of all the wonderful uses for Linux, gaming hasn’t traditionally been one of its stronger suits. But as we all know, old console emulators provide eons of entertainment and said emulators run across a variety of operating systems. And so there’s Puppy Arcade, a derivation of the small-footprint, runs-on-just-about-any-hardware Puppy Linux. Developer Scott Jarvis just finished up the latest version, Puppy Arcade 7 , and has made it available for download. Run it as a Live CD, make a bootable USB stick, or install it full-bore. What you’re presented with is a clean UI with an OS X-style launch bar chock full of your favorite emulators. Fire one up, show it where to find your ROMs, and enjoy. It’s a pretty smooth installation process if you’ve played with Live CDs before. I tried it out a bit this morning and was up and playing old NES games in no time at all. Good stuff. Puppy Arcade 7 [ScottJarvis.com]
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
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If the $120 price tag that initially accompanied DJ Hero as it made its way to market in late October of last year seemed a bit steep to you (and apparently, you weren’t alone ) then you may be interested to hear that you can get the Xbox 360 bundle for $59 from JR.com. The kit includes the game with “80+ DJ mixes” and the turntable controller. JR.com claims that you’re saving $100 off the previous price of $159.97, to which I suggest that JR.com should “stop frontin’.” That’s a thing, right? Frontin’? Trying to sell a $120 game at $160 is frontin’. DJ Hero Bundle – Xbox 360 [JR.com via dealnews ]
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
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Quake 3 has been ported to Android. It looks slick, too (see video demo below). The project is called “kwaak3” and is based on Quake 3 ports to the iPhone and Nokia N900. The developer got everything up and running on a Motorola Milestone (a GSM Motorola Droid with multi-touch, basically) and makes use of the phone’s keyboard, “so it won’t work on your Nexus One or other phone at this point,” according to the project page . The minimum required Android version is 1.6, though, so you may be able to load it up on your own Android phone if you don’t have a Droid/Milestone. Indeed, the developer lists frames-per-second rates for the HTC Hero as well. Here’s a quick video demo from AndroidandMe’s YouTube page : The features, according to the project page: Audio Hardware floating-point on Neon-capable devices Input: keyboard, touchscreen and trackball OpenGL 3D rendering Game uses ARM optimized libcgamearm.so / libqaarm.so / libuiarm.so Networking Yes, networking. “There is network support in Quake3 which works properly. I played against my laptop using wifi and it works fine,” according to the developer. Cool stuff. If ever there was a need for a full size mouse and keyboard, this might be it. kwaak3 [Google Code via Slashdot ]