Look out, MadCatz -- Razer's ready to add an Xbox 360 arcade stick to its peripheral lineup. The $200 Atrox should please serious button mashers, thanks to Sanwa-sourced controls and completely customizable parts. A total of 10 buttons sit alongside the joystick, and you'll find storage compartments for an additional stick and the bundled 13-foot detachable USB cable under the lid. Fighting game enthusiasts can pre-order the Atrox beginning on May 21st from Razer's online store, with global availability set for June -- Japan's lucky shores will see it this month. There's no word on variations for other systems, but that may be the price to pay for the integrated Xbox Live headset jack. Catch a render of its internals and a press release after the break.

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Source: Razer

Earlier this month, EA DICE's Johan Andersson dropped a major bomb: Frostbite 3 won't be ported to the Wii U. The news meant that the company's next-gen franchises were doomed to skip the console: No Battlefield 4, no Star Wars games, no Mass Effect spin-off. Now, EA's Jeff Brown is saying the same fate applies to all of the company's titles, telling Kotaku that the company has "no games in development for the Wii U currently."

The confirmation isn't too surprising, but it is a crushing blow to fans who were banking on EA's 2011 promise to support the console. Although Brown wouldn't rule out the possibility of the company returning to the platform, Kotaku was told that EA feels it fulfilled that promise by releasing games like Mass Effect 3 and Need For Speed Most Wanted during the Wii U's formative months. Despite the loss of third party support, Nintendo has previously urged gamers to be patient. After all, E3 is just around the corner.

Filed under: Gaming

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Source: Kotaku

Sure, Mountain View may be bolstering its gaming efforts on mobile platforms and the web, but it's seen fit to give Google+ Games the pink slip. After June 30th, the game section on the titan's social network will go dark, but Page & Co. note that some titles will still be playable on other sites. Depending on developer support, folks who've turned hard-earned cash into in-game credits may still be able to spend unused coin during a grace period or when playing the same games through other websites. It's not entirely clear why Google is sunsetting the portal, but it could certainly be part of its grand plan to focus on fewer things.

Filed under: Gaming, Internet, Google

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Source: Google

While Jordan Mechner's Karateka burst back onto the scene through its 2012 remake, that wasn't good enough for purists who really just wanted a port of the 1984 original. Consider their wish granted, as Karateka Classic is coming to both Android and iOS on May 16th. The release goes the extra distance to recreate much of the Apple II-based fighting experience, warts and all -- would-be warriors can even choose a monochrome screen palette or hear a floppy drive churning away. About the only concessions to modernity are touch control, playing tips and a Sands of Time-style rewind feature. At 99 cents, Karateka Classic is undoubtedly a cheap nostalgia trip... even if it does trigger that fear of birds we thought we'd cured ages ago.

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming

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Source: Karateka

While Rovio still leans very heavily on one game franchise for its success, there's no question that it's a big company these days -- big enough, in fact, that it's venturing into publishing for the first time. Its new Rovio Stars division will look for a handful of promising third-party games to support, giving them both the resources and exposure needed to shine. The first titles to make the cut are Nitrome's upcoming puzzler Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage and 5 Ants' Tiny Thief. We don't know if Rovio's guiding hand will be enough to give these games a major boost, but we can get a taste of what's to come through the Icebreaker trailer after the break.

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming

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Via: Rovio

Source: Rovio Stars

Whatever value you see in game development schools, it's clear that few of them tout gaming industry veterans who can lead by example. The University of Texas' upcoming Denius-Sams Gaming Academy could solve this discrepancy by tapping two executives whose work many of us know by heart. Both legendary designer Warren Spector and Blizzard COO Paul Sams will guide (and sometimes teach) year-long post-baccalaureate certificate programs at the Academy that focus on creative leadership and game company management -- yes, that means instruction from gurus behind the Deus Ex and Warcraft franchises, among other classics. The programs will also emphasize that all-important ability to finish a game, rather than mastering skills in isolation. The first students join the Academy's ranks in fall 2014, although they'll need to be exceptional to stand a chance of getting in -- just 20 spots will be open in the first year.

[Image credits: Nightscream, Wikipedia; Rob Fahey, Flickr]

Filed under: Gaming, Software, Alt

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Source: University of Texas at Austin

Pry open any Android-powered game console on the market today, and you'll likely find a mobile processor -- an ARM-based chip originally designed for tablets, smartphones and maybe the odd specialty device. It seems to make sense -- after all, isn't Android a mobile OS? Christopher Price, CEO of Mobile Media Ventures, doesn't seem to think so. "Android is the future of personal computing," Price told Engadget. "Even on the desktop." According to Price, developers just haven't had a chance to play with a truly powerful Android gaming machine. So, naturally, he's building one.

Despite its Apple-esque name, the iConsole.tv is billed as the most powerful Android device to date. It's a bold claim, but the specs add up: the company's Unit 00 developer kit runs Android on a 3.3GHz Intel Ivy Bridge CPU, 8GB of DDR3 RAM and two 500GB hard drives. Graphics are handled by Intel's integrated HD 4000 chipset -- a surprisingly capable GPU, though still a far cry from dedicated hardware. Price stressed that these specifications are for the $999 developer version the company announced today. The final product's build hasn't been finalized, but we were told it would ring it at a notably lower price. Still, considering all that power, we had to wonder why MMV chose Android. Price reiterated the potential he sees in the platform. "We're pushing the envelope and adapting it for high-performance gaming, but we see Android being the change agent in personal computing, on the TV and the desktop. People hate walled gardens, and they hate maintaining their PCs. Android can solve that, and we're going to help make that happen."

Gallery: iConsole.tv hands-on

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Those who don't hang out at Japanese arcades (who doesn't?) have missed out on Pokemon Tretta, which has players building virtual Pokemon collections through real tokens they win in battle. It's not always easy to visit the local gaming den, however -- so Nintendo, Marvelous AQL and Takara Tomy Arts are releasing Pokemon Tretta Lab to use those creature libraries elsewhere. The add-on for the 3DS and 3DS LL combines a downloadable game with a dual-token scanner that can be used to fight other players, practice against AI or simply study new critters. Pokemon Tretta Lab ships to Japan on August 10th for ¥3,800 ($38), and it may be tempting to newcomers when tokens for Eevee, Lucario and Mewtwo are in the box. Unfortunately, the rest of the world will likely have to watch from afar. While it's easy for a Pikachu handheld to cross borders, Tretta Lab's dependence on a healthy arcade market all but rules out a similar trip.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Peripherals, Nintendo

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Via: Tiny Cartridge

Source: Pokemon Tretta (translated)

Let's be honest: it's doubtful we'll ever get to directly recreate the skydiving antics of Google I/O 2012's opening keynote. Some of us on the I/O 2013 floor, however, could get the next best thing. As part of a Google Maps API showcase, Portland-based Instrument has developed a Map Diving game for Chrome that has players soaring over real locations to reach Pilotwings-style checkpoints. The version that will be at the event links seven instances of Google's web browser, each with its own display; gamers fly by holding out their arms in front of a motion camera like the Kinect or Wavi Xtion. Sergey Brin probably won't be waiting for anyone on the ground once the demo's over, but Instrument hints in a developer video (after the break) that there could be a take-home version of Map Diving after the code is tuned for a single screen. Either way, we can't wait to give it a spin.

Filed under: Gaming, Internet, Software, Google

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Via: The Verge

Source: Instrument

What's life been like for the outspoken Gears of War designer and former design director of Epic Games since his departure last fall? Well, a lot of taking it easy. Cliff Bleszinski (or CliffyB to many) may not be manning the design reins of an upcoming game, but he's still quite active -- especially in chatting up the blooming dev community around Raleigh, N.C. We caught up with Cliff after his keynote at the recent East Coast Games Conference to talk next-gen, annualized game franchises and anything else we could think of. Join us on the other side of the break for the full discussion and some unabashed love for the Tarheel State.

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The Delta Six gaming controller first hit Kickstarter last fall, but the plug was pulled from the crowdfunding effort by its creator David Kotkin, as he reckoned it wasn't on track to generate enough support. With hardware and software refinements made over the last few months, the peripheral has just been relisted on Kickstarter. In case you need a refresher, the peripheral puts a premium on realism and motion-enabled gaming. Thanks to accelerometers, gyroscopes and buttons in odd places, users can do things such as bring up in-game sights by looking down the plastic rifle's barrel, or steady their shot by pulling the faux weapon close to their arm.

Now, the campaign is asking $159 for controllers with black or white paint jobs and orange tips, as a second look at production costs indicated the project's original $89 price tag was too low. This time around, the funding goal has been locked in at $100,000, instead of a cool half a million. As for internals, the shooter is toting an Arduino, which opens up the hardware to software updates and customization. Not only will the blaster work with PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the Wii U, but it's set to boast compatibility with next-gen consoles through an update, to boot. If the Delta Six reaches it fundraising mark, it'll ship out to supporters in December. Check out our hands on with the contraption or head past the break for Kotkin's video pitch.

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

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Source: Kickstarter

EA's Frostbite 3 engine, which underpins many of the company's next generation titles, looks like it won't support Nintendo's Wii U. Johan Andersson, Technical Director of the Frostbite project at EA DICE, says the company tested Frostbite 2 on the console and found the results to be "not too promising," to the point where it "chose not to go down [the] path" of porting the next version. Leaked slides from earlier this year revealed that EA has approximately 15 games in development that use Frostbite 3, the implication being that Wii U gamers are going to miss out on some fairly big titles, including Battlefield 4, Star Wars, the next Mass Effect and, as Joystiq pointed out last week, this year's version of Madden NFL. It all adds up to a notable loss of support for the new console -- but hey, EA-style gaming was hardly a core part of the Nintendo experience in the first place.

Filed under: Gaming, Nintendo

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Via: Joystiq

Source: NeoGAF, @repi (Twitter)

Electronic Arts and Disney announced a multi-year agreement today that will see future Star Wars video games exclusively developed and published by EA. This news comes a little over a month after the house of mouse made the decision to stop internal development at LucasArts. EA's developers scheduled to take on the Star Wars universe include DICE (Battlefield), Visceral (Dead Space) and BioWare, the latter of which will continue development of its already released Star Wars MMO (The Old Republic). The financial terms of the agreement have yet to be disclosed, but EA will create games for a "core gaming audience" while Disney will produce casual titles for mobile and social outlets. Now that the force is strong with EA, our fingers are crossed for a new installment in the KOTOR franchise.

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Via: Joystiq

Ahhh, the venerable Atari 2600. The godfather of console gaming has, in recent years, seen a resurgence as a hacker's muse -- mods to its innards and controllers are legion on the web. Recently, a new mod emerged: a controller that combines the capabilities of the Atari's joystick, paddle and keyboard controllers. It's crafted from a small wooden box, a cannibalized joystick, an Ethernet cable, some switches and a smattering of other electronic bits, and there's a full how-to on making one of your own on Instructables, courtesy of user x2Jiggy. If the mere mention of such an all-in-one has those DIY juices flowing, head on past the break for a construction video and see how it's done. It's high time you dust off your stock 2600 and break out Pitfall, Adventure or, well, Breakout.

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Via: Hack a day

Source: Instructables

Just about every gamer we know has wanted to alter a game world on the spot, whether it's to cheat, fix game mechanics or experiment. Special Stage Systems' Ming Mecca system is built entirely around that concept -- and will definitely appeal to anyone with a fondness for analog electronics. Knobs and switches on its World Core synthesizer module adjust the game machine's maps, graphics, characters and even physics through voltage tweaks. Players only have to load assets on an SD card if they'd like a different look, and they even have access to the firmware and schematics if they want to go completely off the beaten path. Input is just as unconventional: a Control Core turns NES-compatible gamepads into signal generators that can be used just as easily for music making as for playing. Ming Mecca isn't expected to ship until summer 2014, and it won't be cheap at an estimated $999 for a World Core and $350 for the Control Core. Even so, we're sorely tempted to splurge -- it's not often that a gadget scratches so many of our nostalgic itches at once.

Filed under: Misc, Gaming

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Source: Special Stage Systems

While some people associate the word "jailbreaking" with prison riots or smartphone hacking, the most mainstream of cracking subcultures also takes on video game consoles. A mod chip developer known as WiiKey is now claiming to have reverse engineered the Wii U's disk encryption, making it possible to play "backed up" copies of games via a USB drive. The group says its "WiikeU" optical drive emulator is region free and compatible with all Wii U console models. So far the hacking brood has yet to furnish any proof of its claims, but Nintendo is very much aware of the situation.

Nintendo is aware that a hacking group claims to have compromised Wii U security; however, we have no reports of illegal Wii U games nor unauthorized applications playable on the system while in Wii U mode. Nintendo continuously monitors all threats to its products' security and will use technology and will take the necessary legal steps to prevent the facilitation of piracy.

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Via: Eurogamer

Source: WiiKey (1), (2)

When Microsoft piled on the Xbox media channels last year, we didn't realize just how long it would take for some of those channels to come to fruition. We're quite possibly on the cusp of new hardware, and Machinima's app is just now making its Xbox 360 debut. Still, it might be worth the wait for those who live and breathe gaming even after they've set down the gamepad. The app includes the full suite of Machinima channels and their associated videos, ranging from regular shows and specials through to game blooper reels. Machinima is available everywhere Xbox Live is active; if that isn't enough to tide you over, Microsoft is teasing the reveal of a OneBeat electronic music app next month.

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft

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Source: Major Nelson

It's easy for us to go shopping for a refurbished Nintendo handheld at stores and auction houses, but not if we're looking for a huge bargain: small discounts and dodgy quality often make it wiser to buy new instead. Nintendo has just offered us some better reasons to scrimp and save by quietly offering both the DSi XL and 3DS through its refurb shop. The used (and occasionally bruised) systems respectively start at $100 and $130, or $30 and $40 less than they'd normally cost -- enough to justify splurging on a game or two. While the selection is currently scarce, we'll set that qualm aside when everything gets the same year-long warranty as a new unit. About the only debate left is whether or not we're looking for a dedicated game machine in the first place.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Nintendo

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Via: Nintendo Everything, Ars Technica

Source: Nintendo

Nintendo's hardware sales may be in a bit of a stupor, but its downloadable games are a different story. During today's financial results briefing, the company's president, Satoru Iwata, announced that digital sales for the 2013 fiscal year, which ended in March, cruised past ¥16 billion (around $160.9 million), more than doubling transactions from the last two years. Nintendo's frontman went on to credit the demand for downloadable game add-ons and the convenience of digital titles as contributing factors in the company's surge. Iwata also pointed out that most 3DS owners are using their systems online. This includes 87 percent of the handheld's owners in Japan and 83 percent in the US. While these numbers are impressive, the system's internet use statistics start to dwindle in Europe, where its user connectivity rate is only 57 percent. The Wii U's user base is almost as connected, with 80 percent of the platform's owners taking the system online The company's e-commerce may be thriving, but we wouldn't bet on seeing Nintendo announce a download-only console during its E3 keynote presentation.

Filed under: Gaming, Nintendo

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Via: Joystiq

Source: Nintendo

The Unity 4 engine has given Flash gaming a lot of TLC by simplifying web ports of complex projects. If you ask Unity Technologies, however, that love isn't being requited -- and the company feels jilted enough to stop offering new Flash licenses, effective immediately. Adobe supposedly isn't committed enough to the plugin, having halted work on both a re-engineered Flash Player Next as well as an attractive revenue sharing model. Unity is equally concerned about the broader developer community shying away from Flash at the same time as its own plugin, Unity Web Player, has soared past 200 million installs. While those with existing licenses should have Flash support for as long as versions of Unity 4 are in the field, the exit is bound to have game creators scrambling to find alternatives for any future web-based titles.

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: Unity Technologies

We've seen plenty of the Radeon HD 7990 in action with Battlefield 4, but it's taken AMD a little while to furnish us with full specs and pricing for its in-house reference design. Now that all the info is here, in the run-up to commercial availability in two week's time, it's finally possible to judge the pros and cons of what is arguably a very niche product. Read on past the break and we'll do just that.

Gallery: AMD Radeon HD 7990 official slide deck

Filed under: Desktops, Displays, Gaming, AMD

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Let's be frank: many dedicated console gamers among us have at least briefly dreamed of ordering food without having to lift our hands from the controller. That's about to be more than a fleeting fantasy for Xbox 360 owners, as Microsoft is launching a Pizza Hut app today for those permanently lodged in the living room. The release puts all of the delivery menu a quick hop away on the Dashboard, including custom orders. Buyers can tempt their friends through Facebook, and there's even Kinect support for greasy-handed customers who'd rather not touch the gamepad (or a napkin, apparently) when requesting a second serving. Microsoft stresses that the Pizza Hut partnership isn't the start of a broad trend toward ordering real products through an Xbox, which is just as well -- our arteries can only take so much inactivity at once.

Filed under: Gaming, Microsoft

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Source: Polygon

Dedicated gamers are very familiar with loading chat apps like Teamspeak or Ventrilo to coordinate their multiplayer sessions, but such software usually sits in the background -- it's hard to tell who's speaking without switching apps and losing focus. Razer's new Comms open beta may just give players a chance to stay in touch without those rude interruptions. The Windows app provides the obligatory home for group voice and text chat, but its real standout is an optional on-screen game overlay that will keep the conversation going, either with a full window or a minimalist ticker that shows who's speaking. Razer's war on lag persists here, as well: Comms' servers reportedly minimize delays and hiccups in the heat of battle. Not everyone will need the beta when many games already have chat baked in. Those that want a more consistent experience, however, can give Comms a spin today.

Filed under: Gaming, Software

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Source: Razer

It may not be the most popular hardware configuration in PC gaming circles, but Macs actually make pretty capable gaming rigs. It's hardly a surprise, then, that Mac users are clamoring for serious gaming peripherals. Logitech is happy to oblige, of course, announcing recently that its updated its gaming software to support more devices on Mac OS. Gamers in Apple's ecosystem can now make the most of the company's full line of G series mouse and keyboard products, including the eight it released to herald the rebranding of its gaming lineup. The update is free, of course, and promises to offer Mac users the same level of customization that traditional PC gamers enjoy. Check out Logitegh's official announcement at the source for the full list of compatible devices.

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Source: Logitech