Posts filed under 'Gaming'
Nyko Technologies has shipped the Power Tuner for the Sony PSP to retailers. Nyko’s latest PSP peripheral adds new mobility to the handheld by giving PSP owners an easy way to listen to their music, movies or games through any car stereo.
PSP fans can now purchase the affordable Nyko Power Tuner from stores nationwide.
Solving two issues in one device, the Power Tuner operates both as a charger and an audio transmitter for the PSP. Fans can listen to music in the car, or parents can entertain kids by playing movies or games through the car stereo with Nyko’s peripheral. The new product is simple to operate; drivers must simply plug the device into an automobile’s lighter or power port. The unit transmits audio though the car radio to the vehicle’s speakers - no batteries are required. Nyko’s car companion for the PSP also features three channel settings that provide easy frequency tuning options for clear audio reception.
“The Power Tuner enhances user experience by offering multiple features at a great price,” said Susan Corben, vice president of marketing, Nyko Technologies. “We’ve created the perfect travel companion for PSP owners on long road trips.”
Source: Sony PSP Review
June 1st, 2006
Sony has learnt from its mistakes and will try for a worldwide simoultaneous launch of the PS3 on November 17.
Having Giga-bit Ethernet and a pre-installed hard disk drive as standard in PS3, users will be able to download a variety of content as well as access on-line games and services over the network.
Equipped with basic input/output ports, PS3 supports a broad range of displays from conventional NTSC/PAL standard TVs to the latest full HD (1080i/1080p) flat panel displays, offering the joy of the most advanced computer entertainment content to homes around the world. For use in living rooms, maximum heat and noise reduction has been achieved with a noise level equivalent to that of the current slim-line PlayStation 2.
With the overwhelming computational power of the Cell processor, PS3 is capable of playing back content from Blu-ray (BD) disc at a bit rate of multiplex 48Mbps with ease, the maximum bit rate defined in BD standards.
The new controller for PS3 has been created by refining and improving the world’s most popular PlayStation controller which has shipped more than several hundred million units worldwide. The controller for PS3 employs a high-precision, highly sensitive six-axis sensing system that is capable of processing all parameters within the controller itself, thereby eliminating the need for any additional settings on the display system. By applying this technology, it will become possible to freely control the PS3 system over the network.
May 9th, 2006
Following on from the success of gangster titles such as the GTA series and the Godfather, THQ has announced that they’ve won the prestigious license to develop a game based on HBO’s Sopranos series.
Xbox 360 and PS2 gamers will be able to take on the role on an illegitimate son of ‘Big Pussy’ and prove your worth to ‘da family’ by carrying out a variety of missions including collections and intimidation.
“We’re excited to work with HBO on creating a game that captures the spirit of the groundbreaking series — a modern classic that redefines the life of crime genre,” said Kelly Flock, executive vice president, Worldwide Publishing, THQ. “The Sopranos has become television legacy for this generation and now fans and gamers can become part of the story and see if they have the muscle and wit to become ‘made.’”
“It’s clear that fans want more of The Sopranos, and creating a game that puts the player in their world is a great way to satisfy them,” said Carmi Zlotnik, executive vice president, New Media Programming, HBO.
The storyline has been created in collaboration with David Chase, the show’s creator, to ensure it will live up to the high quality fans are used to.
May 5th, 2006
Game: From Russia With Love
Platform: PSP
Publisher: EA
Price: £29.99 (Amazon.co.uk)
Reviewer: Jay Neill (TechSmec.com staff)
Bond is back – way back in the case of the latest offering in the Bond game franchise and the first to hit the PSP. From Russia With Love takes you back to the days of classic Bond, when Connery was at the helm, the gadgets had lots of flashing lights and M was definitely not a woman.
The game is a close port over from the PS2 version that came out just before Christmas and it matches its grown up cousin closely in terms of graphics and sound. However, in terms of gameplay it’s not quite there, but then, the PS2 version was never any great shakes in the first place.
Like all the Bond games before it FRWL is a fairly linear third person adventure. 007 moves from one crisis to the next with terrible inevitability. The only respite comes in the form of the nicely animated cut scenes that bridge the gaps between game sections. The plot is based around that of the film, the second in the series which introduced much of what has now become Bond mythology – Q for instance. 007 is sent to Turkey to liaise with an attractive Russian defector who plans to give the UK a secret Soviet decoder machine. Mixed in with this are some shadowy agents from the super-criminal underworld who have another agenda altogether. If you’ve seen the film you’ll know what I mean.
This game pretends to be more than a simple third person shooter – there’s an opening sequence that sees you flying a jetpack and several sections where you have to pilot the remote-controlled Q-copter, but 95% of gameplay is spent running down corridors shooting Soviet soldiers with a variety of weapons. The Bond of the films spends a lot of time sneaking around before knocking off the bad guys with his bare hands – here Bond is reduced to a sub-par Duke Nukem and it doesn’t work. In fact we seem to remember the PS2 version included a ’stealth’ mode and the ability to quietly throttle a victim. That’s missing from the PSP version, presumably for control reasons.
That’s not the only aspect of the PS2 game that has been dropped on its way to the portable. One of more fun parts of the original game was a manic driving section around the streets of Turkey in Bond’s Aston Martin. I was eagerly waiting for this on the PSP, but when Bond lands in Istanbul he is whisked straight off to an underground lair with only the briefest hint that his car comes under attack. The cut scene even makes reference to this which makes it all the more unsatisfying.
There are two main quality factors that let FRWL down.
1) Controls. The PSP always suffers from only having one analogue stick, and this is really exposed on console ports. Bond is virtually impossible to steer and thank heavens for the auto-targetting of weapons or he would have next to no chance of ever hitting anything.
2) Opponent and other character AI is laughable. Bad guys are foxed by you moving out of their line of sight, even during a pitched battle. Characters remain static as you walk up to them, have a conversation and walk away – even their lips don’t move. Half Life managed to make this kind of thing believable nearly a decade ago – FRWL can’t manage it in 2006
So what is good in this game? The graphics are pretty good for the PSP, although the pre-rendered cut scenes flatter to deceive. Bond’s animation is fluid, even when the poor controls have you spinning around in a circle. The sound more than does the job, but it doesn’t stand out.
All in all, it’s a clumsy port of what was a poor game in the first place. From Russia With Love had a lot going for it – great source matter, the first Bond game on the PSP – but in the end it’s a let down and we don’t recommend you add it to your collection unless you’re a Bond nut.
Graphics
Bond is well animated and cut scenes are stylish, but it doesn’t pull out of the PSP’s stops - 7/10
Sound
Does exactly what it says on the tin. Musical score is good enough to make this a decent mark - 7/10
Gameplay
Linear to the point of being boring. There are better third prson shooters out there, there are better flying games out there. This is a hard to control mish-mash. - 5/10
Verdict
From Russia With Love is not the Bond game we were waiting for. The unexciting PS2 version should have tipped us off, but even by those standards, this game is poor - 6/10
May 4th, 2006
Game: From Russia With Love
Platform: PSP
Publisher: EA
Price: £29.99 (Amazon.co.uk)
Reviewer: Jay Neill (TechSmec.com staff)
Bond is back – way back in the case of the latest offering in the Bond game franchise and the first to hit the PSP. From Russia With Love takes you back to the days of classic Bond, when Connery was at the helm, the gadgets had lots of flashing lights and M was definitely not a woman.
The game is a close port over from the PS2 version that came out just before Christmas and it matches its grown up cousin closely in terms of graphics and sound. However, in terms of gameplay it’s not quite there, but then, the PS2 version was never any great shakes in the first place.
Like all the Bond games before it FRWL is a fairly linear third person adventure. 007 moves from one crisis to the next with terrible inevitability. The only respite comes in the form of the nicely animated cut scenes that bridge the gaps between game sections. The plot is based around that of the film, the second in the series which introduced much of what has now become Bond mythology – Q for instance. 007 is sent to Turkey to liaise with an attractive Russian defector who plans to give the UK a secret Soviet decoder machine. Mixed in with this are some shadowy agents from the super-criminal underworld who have another agenda altogether. If you’ve seen the film you’ll know what I mean.
This game pretends to be more than a simple third person shooter – there’s an opening sequence that sees you flying a jetpack and several sections where you have to pilot the remote-controlled Q-copter, but 95% of gameplay is spent running down corridors shooting Soviet soldiers with a variety of weapons. The Bond of the films spends a lot of time sneaking around before knocking off the bad guys with his bare hands – here Bond is reduced to a sub-par Duke Nukem and it doesn’t work. In fact we seem to remember the PS2 version included a ’stealth’ mode and the ability to quietly throttle a victim. That’s missing from the PSP version, presumably for control reasons.
That’s not the only aspect of the PS2 game that has been dropped on its way to the portable. One of more fun parts of the original game was a manic driving section around the streets of Turkey in Bond’s Aston Martin. I was eagerly waiting for this on the PSP, but when Bond lands in Istanbul he is whisked straight off to an underground lair with only the briefest hint that his car comes under attack. The cut scene even makes reference to this which makes it all the more unsatisfying.
There are two main quality factors that let FRWL down.
1)Controls. The PSP always suffers from only having one analogue stick, and this is really exposed on console ports. Bond is virtually impossible to steer and thank heavens for the auto-targetting of weapons or he would have next to no chance of ever hitting anything.
2)Opponent and other character AI is laughable. Bad guys are foxed by you moving out of their line of sight, even during a pitched battle. Characters remain static as you walk up to them, have a conversation and walk away – even their lips don’t move. Half Life managed to make this kind of thing believable nearly a decade ago – FRWL can’t manage it in 2006
So what is good in this game? The graphics are pretty good for the PSP, although the pre-rendered cut scenes flatter to deceive. Bond’s animation is fluid, even when the poor controls have you spinning around in a circle. The sound more than does the job, but it doesn’t stand out.
All in all, it’s a clumsy port of what was a poor game in the first place. From Russia With Love had a lot going for it – great source matter, the first Bond game on the PSP – but in the end it’s a let down and we don’t recommend you add it to your collection unless you’re a Bond nut.
Graphics
Bond is well animated and cut scenes are stylish, but it doesn’t pull out of the PSP’s stops - 7/10
Sound
Does exactly what it says on the tin. Musical score is good enough to make this a decent mark - 7/10
Gameplay
Linear to the point of being boring. There are better third prson shooters out there, there are better flying games out there. This is a hard to control mish-mash. - 5/10
Verdict
From Russia With Love is not the Bond game we were waiting for. The unexciting PS2 version should have tipped us off, but even by those standards, this game is poor - 6/10
May 4th, 2006
Sony has cut $20 from the price of the Playstation2 in the USA in an effort to boost sales, flagging as consumers wait for the arrival of the Playstation3.
The price has been dropped to $129 from $149.
“While we continue to innovate and design groundbreaking new products, we remain dedicated to our long-term vision for the PlayStation 2 platform,” said Kaz Hirai, president and chief executive, Sony Computer Entertainment America, suggesting that Sony is to continue to develop titles for the PS2 long after the PS3 is launched.
Although the retail price of the PS3 has not yet been announced, market analysts are suggesting that it will be significantly more expensive than other condoles on the market, including the Xbox360. This high price is likely to keep the PS2 in circulation much longer than Sony would previously have anticipated.
The price was also cut by a similar amount in Canada, but UK consumers are still paying full whack for their PS2s as we go to virtual press.
April 21st, 2006
It appears that the job of ‘being’ Lara Croft is now more than wearing skin tight lycra and holding a couple of large weapons.
Eidos has entrusted the latest incarnation of the gun-happy, British heroine to actually speak, which is more than can be said for the first non-digital Lara, Nell McAndrew.
Apparentally, Karima Adebibe from east London was packed off on an intensive ‘Lara course’ before being paraded in front of the media. This included the obligatory weapons training, but also archaeology, deportment and elocution. However, she comes complete with fluent Arabic, so that was one aspect of the Croft skillset that didn’t need to be brushed up.
“I really do feel like Lara Croft now. It’s incredible,” gushed the 20 year-old inhabitant of the famous Croft hotpants to the BBC, before blowing away a couple of endangered species and throwing herself off a sheer rock face. OK, so we made the last bit up, but it’s easy to imagine the role becoming a little life-changing.
“I don’t like the shorts,” Karima told the Sydney Moring Herald proving that being Lara is not all a bed of roses.
The Guinness World Records recently named Lara as the ‘Most Successful Human Videogame Heroine’. This has left TechSmec.com scratching its virtual head for another human videogame heroine so perhaps competition wasn’t great.
Karima will be wearing her Lara Croft outfit at a shopping centre near you soon. She’ll be the one surrounded by salivating teenagers.
April 15th, 2006
Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced the development of Red Steel, an exclusive first-person action title for the Nintendo Revolution (working name of the new Nintendo platform). Red Steel is set in modern-day Japan. Players will master both the ancient art of the katana and the sophisticated technology of modern firearms taking advantage of the emotion and immersive gameplay possible only with the Revolution’s remarkable controller.
“We’re honored to announce this exciting new franchise and we’re confident that Red Steel will be the must-have title for the Revolution when it launches,” said Serge Hascoet, chief creative officer at Ubisoft. “We have been working closely with Nintendo to take full advantage of the innovative controller to create a thrilling experience that can only exist on the Revolution.”
Red Steel will make its worldwide debut in May 2006 at E3 in Los Angeles. With the style and flair of a contemporary action movie, Red Steel will appeal to gamers who thirst for a new video game experience, as well as those who may have not previously considered picking up a controller.
“Nintendo is excited to have Ubisoft bring Red Steel to the Revolution launch lineup,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Nintendo of America. “Ubisoft makes some of the most innovative and critically acclaimed games in the industry and from what we have seen from Red Steel it is going to be a standout exclusive title on the Revolution.”
Ubisoft has a strong history of creating some of the industry’s top-selling video game franchises. To date, the Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell and Rayman franchises have each sold more than 15 million units worldwide and the Prince of Persia franchise alone has sold more than eight million units worldwide. The Red Steel brand will reflect this expertise and build upon Ubisoft’s past to invigorate the future experience allowed within the Revolution platform.
Ubisoft will disclose more specific information on Red Steel in the coming months and Nintendo will reveal more information about the Revolution and its unique controller at E3.
April 13th, 2006
The price of the forthcoming Playstation 3 in Europe has been set at a price point that it going to scare off a lot of customers - at least according to Vice President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe George Fornay.
The PS3 is on its way to costing between 499 and 599 Euros which places it firmly in the realms of ‘luxury item’.
It seems Mr Fornay shouldn’t have been quite so keen to spill the beans as he instantly attempted to justify the cost by saying that the price was good value for a Blu-Ray player. Of course, this fails to spot the fact that the majority of people buying a PS3 will be doing so because it’s a games console, not because it can play a paltry selection of discs on an HDTV that they don’t have yet.
Sony moved to deny the comments had any basis in fact which is a bit of a slap in the chops for one of their Vice Presidents, but then they have a track record of denying comments by their executives. Even President Howard Stringer has been ‘thrice’ denied in the past.
April 6th, 2006
If it was April 1 we would be consigning this story to the “round up of wind ups”. Rockstar Games, famous for producing the controversial Grand Theft Auto series are to move onto a more gentle pursuit for their next title - Table Tennis.
Table Tennis is expected to ship to North American retailers on May 22nd, 2006 for a MSRP of $39.99 and will hit European retail shelves on May 26th, 2006 for a price of EUR 39.99 and GBP 29.99 in the UK.
“Our goal was to create a game that is perfectly addictive in its focused simplicity, a game that showcases the true possibilities of a next gen experience, not just in looks but in feel and pace,” stated Sam Houser, Founder and Executive Producer of Rockstar Games. “We wanted to use the power of the new hardware and the resolution of new televisions to give the game an immediacy, an intensity and a sense of physicality and reality, resulting in a purer, more visceral experience that simply was not possible previously.”
Houser continued, “It is a distillation of game design philosophy, focusing on removing the traditional areas of compromise inherent in managing size and scope and concentrating the hardware’s entire power on one activity, with the aim of doing that better than it’s ever been done before.”
TechSmec.com remembers teenage games of Ping Ping being pretty violent affairs so maybe there will be a twist in the tale. However, it’s hard to see how even Rockstar can shake up the table tennis world, so a pure sim is probably on the cards.
March 6th, 2006
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