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'Super Smash Bros.' gets 'Street Fighter' and 'Fire Emblem' brawlers
The roster for Super Smash Bros. just grew a little larger. Nintendo announced today that Street Fighter icon Ryu and Fire Emblem's Roy are joining the fight on Wii U and 3DS. They're available for $3.99 on either system, or across both for $4.99 each -- Ryu's pack also comes with a Suzaku Castle stage, if you're struggling to decide which to buy first.
Disney shutters LucasArts
Following Disney's acquisition of Star Wars and its related companies and properties, gaming fans have wondered what might happen to developer LucasArts. Out of all of the possible scenarios, the worst has happened: Disney has stopped development in the studio and laid off its employees. From the official Disney statement: "After evaluating our position in the games market, we've decided to shift LucasArts from an internal development to a licensing model, minimizing the company's risk while achieving a broader portfolio of quality Star Wars games. As a result of this change, we've had layoffs across the organization. We are incredibly appreciative and proud of the talented teams who have been developing our new titles." Massively conveys its sympathies to those affected by the decision. There's no word yet how this might affect Star Wars: The Old Republic, if at all.
LASR: behind the curtain of the Navy's robotics laboratory
I don't know all that much about the Naval Research Laboratory when I arrive in DC for "the public's first opportunity to look inside" the space's new $17 million Laboratory for Autonomous Systems Research (LASR). I give the cab driver the address, and he casually tells me that it "stinks," illustrating this notion with a universally familiar hand gesture. He means it literally, too - that you can smell the place, simply driving by in a cab, with the windows up. He says this with such assurance, such gusto, that I fully expect it to smell like the city dump. A wall of stink. It's not much to go on, but it's something. And while I can thankfully report that his reaction was a bit overstated - at least on this particular day - there's certainly a distinct odor to the place. It's a sprawling 130-acre complex that sits sandwiched between the 295 freeway and the waters of the Potomac River; a series of nearly identical big, white buildings facing inward toward a grassy courtyard. On the way in, a space with what appears to be crushed cars is visible from the freeway.
US Navy shows off its new LASR autonomous robot testing facility
All the fun of the desert and the rainforest from the (relative) comfort of home? Sign us up. That's the promise offered by the admittedly awesomely named Laboratory for Autonomous Systems Research (that's LASR, for you abbreviators out there), first announced last month. The robotics lab, housed in a $17.7 million building at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington DC, offers up around 50,000 square feet, a portion of which is aimed at reproducing some of the Earth's more extreme ecosystems to test out naval robotics. The facility is home to firefighting robots, swimming 'bots and hydrogen fuel cell-powered unmanned aircrafts, to name but a few. The Naval Research Laboratory opened the doors of the massive facility up to members of the media today, and Engadget was on-hand along with a moderate sized gathering of fellow reporters. Included in the tour were two simulated environments. The Tropical High Bay is designed to mimic rainforest terrain, with flowing water, fog and climate controlled temperature and humidity. The Desert High Bay is a bit let complex in its environmental simulation, limited to a sand pit, rock way, and adjustable light, smoke and wind. Meanwhile, an on-site indoor pool is used to challenge aquatic vehicles. Testers demonstrated the Pectoral Fin Swimmer – an autonomous bot inspired by the biological movements of fish, in order to access areas not reached by more traditional propel driven robots. Also on hand was Lucas, a Mobile, Dexterous, Social (MDS) humanoid robot [pictured above] with a Segway base. The laboratory demonstrated how the robot was capable of reasoning in a simulated firefighting scenario – and, equipped with an extinguisher, was capable of putting out a very real fire on the floor of the facility. We'll have a more in-depth tour of the facility in the near future. In the meantime, check out a sneak-peek of what we saw in the gallery below.
Hands-on with the Star Wars Blu-ray: Early Access iOS app
We know, we know. You're fit to be tied waiting for the complete Star Wars collection to be released on Blu-ray in September, but there's good news for impatient iPad owners here in the US. You see, some of the collection's bonus materials can be had for free a bit early -- as in tomorrow -- courtesy of the Star Wars Blu-ray: Early Access App. Even better, we've got video of the app in action plus a gallery of pics for you to drool over until you can download it yourself. And for folks abroad or those with an iPhone or iPod touch, the same sneak peek will be available in August. The app itself is a ported version of what you'll see on the Blu-ray discs, but there's some added touchscreen functionality -- pinch-to-zoom on the concept art and users can spin props and models with the flick of a finger in the "Collection" section. The app also lets you selectively download the content, so all that artwork and video won't eat up an undue portion of your iPad's memory. After getting handsy with it in person, we found the app easy to use and the content compelling (where else can you examine the Death Star up close?), but we were left wishing that there was a bit... more. Of course, the lion's share of extras are reserved for the paying customers come September 16th -- though we were disappointed to discover that, currently, there are no plans to make it all available on the app even if you buy the Blu-rays. Regardless, you get what you pay for, and that makes this gratis addition to the Star Wars universe a darn good deal. Update: Grab the app and try it out for yourself at the iTunes link below! %Gallery-128683%
Star Wars Blu-ray extras revealed early by iOS app launching at Comic-Con
We're still a few months away from the Star Wars movies release on Blu-ray, but dedicated fans can get a preview of the set this week in the Early Access app for iOS. Set to debut in time for Comic-Con on July 20th, the free app promises some of the 40+ hours of bonus materials planned for the discs, including concept art, models and interviews with cast and crew. We've already seen iPad apps pulling in extras to go along with movies like Tron: Legacy, but this is the first one we've seen launch ahead of the Blu-ray release. Check out a couple more screenshots and detailed description after the break, then come back tomorrow for our hands-on look at the Star Wars app.
Star Wars Blu-ray details to be revealed May 4th
After a CES reveal and finding out the release date of all the Star Wars films on Blu-ray (in The Complete Saga, Original Trilogy and Prequel only editions), what more could there be to find out? Apparently quite a bit, and LucasFilm has sent out an email informing those interested to keep an eye on maythe4th.starwars.com (great pun, George, did you come up with that one on your own?) where it is promised "all will be revealed" -- most likely details on the extensive special features and official box art -- at 9 AM EST. Clear your Wednesday calendar and keep refreshing that page, which currently features a conveniently ticking countdown to the main event.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars gets box art, November 11th release date
Let's face it -- whenever a new Star Wars flick comes out, it's a massive deal. Granted, The Clone Wars didn't make nearly as big of a splash as any of the other non-animated versions, but true fanatics will likely be grappling for this one, regardless. We've just learned that said title will be making its Blu-ray debut day-and-date with the DVD release, and as expected, it'll be presented in 1080p with a 5.1 Dolby TrueHD soundtrack. Also of note, "The Hologram Memory Challenge" and a "creative conversation" with those instrumental in making the film will appear as BD exclusive bonus features, and a Digital Copy will be included for those who care. Look for this one to crowd shelves on November 11th for $34.99 (MSRP).
Ask Massively: May the Farce be with you.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.... Once more into the breach, dear friends. It's time, once again, for another edition of Ask Massively. Some of the more astute readers of this column might already have an educated guess as to what this week's Ask Massively is going to cover. In case you require a well-placed smite from the ol' "Clue-by-Four", read on and gain enlightenment. Dear Darth Massive, Why is it that any Role Playing Game set in the Star Wars universe seems to fail miserably? I would think that even a retarded monkey could make a Star Wars based MMORPG successful. Is the franchise jinxed? Is Lucas to blame? Sony has a pretty good track record with MMORPGs, yet every mention I hear of Star Wars Galaxies makes it sound like the worst game ever to hit the shelves. I don't even know what NGE is, but apparently it causes the same reaction in SWG players that garlic and crosses do in vampires. Help me, Obi Wan Massively, you're my only hope. -Laura T. Well Laura, or can we call you Mrs. T? We're not sure how someone can lay claim to "Obi Wan" and "Darth" in the same email, but it seems like a fascinating reference to the duality of the human soul. The answer to your questions are a little more complex than you might think. After the jump, we'll be happy to take a closer look at why the Star Wars franchise appears to have such a difficult time translating to a multiplayer environment. If you would like to seek knowledge, be smitten by 'Ye Olde Clue-by-Four", or just have an answer to a simple question that has been bugging you for some time, feel free to drop us a line at ask AT massively DOT com or stop by our tipline and let it fly. We now have enough fake "Genuine, Authentic, Honest-to-god" Rolex offers that we are considering becoming an authorized reseller. Please don't send us any more.
Dojo update: Lucas is packing moves
Lucas just might be our new favorite character to hate, as today the dojo reveals his special move list. Sure, Fox has the annoying ability to reflect everything and spam his pistol across the whole level, but Lucas might have him beat with the Psi Magnet maneuver you see above. It allows him to absorb projectiles and turn it into health.Since our favorite character is Samus, he could very well be a lot of trouble to fight.%Gallery-6869%%Gallery-3347%
An elegant announcement for a more civilized age
This is yet another confirmation of what every gamer has been waiting for since the first time we saw the Wii controller. At the Hollywood & Games Summit, panel moderator N'Gai Croal asked LucasArts president Jim Ward about the possibility of a Wii lightsaber game. Ward's response was very encouraging. "We're all over that, and internally we have already played a lightsaber game on the Wii. It's a lot of fun, and we'll get there." He went on to say that "some stuff" would be out this fall. Start practicing your blind Force-guided waggling now.[Via NeoGAF]
ScummVM ported to Wii and Gamecube
Here's some fantastic news: ScummVM can now be run on the Wii! Rodolfo Portillo just released a Gamecube version of the program, which allows classic LucasArts adventure games (and others!) to be run on systems other than the old PC's they were designed for.You still have to have the original files, and you have to have a Gamecube SD adapter, but you guys all have your own copies of Sam & Max Hit the Road, right? Right? One other small issue: this isn't a Wii-specific port, so Wiimote pointing is out.
Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Ten Unsung Games
Everyone knows about the good Indiana Jones games (because there have only been a couple), but do you remember the unsung games of Indy's yesteryear? Gnomeslair has compiled a list of the ten best unsung Indiana Jones games, and there's a few on there that really bring back memories. Although we'd have to argue and say that the Atari 2600 Raiders of the Lost Ark game wasn't really unsung ... people loved that game. Mostly because it was about the best you could do in 1982, and thankfully it wasn't the E.T. game.Likewise with the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom arcade game that came out in 1985. That was a game that used a voice synthesizer ("Soon Kali Ma will rule the world!") and had that really fun mine cart sequence in it. Sure it got ridiculous, with Indy having to whip flaming hearts out of the air, but so what. It ate our quarters faster than anything.Check out the list and let us know if these should be sung or unsung. It's really made us want to boot up ScummVM and play Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine all over again. Plus we might have to start bugging Nintendo and asking if Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures will be coming over to the Wii via the Virtual Console. And Lucasarts, when is your Indiana Jones game coming out, eh?[Thanks, Konstantinos]
Indiana Jones Das Spiel
This German language Indiana Jones GC 06 trailer (showcasing ILM's "Euphoria" physics) is so charmingly retro it makes me want to spend 7 years shooting a shot for shot remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark in my backyard. Oh right, some kid already did that.
The possibilities of motion
Spirited away in the PC Gaming section of IGN is a rather well-written editorial of the past, present, and future of motion-sensing controllers. It examines how the PS3's and the Wii's new controllers might introduce a new visceral thrill into many tried-and-true genres, how it might attract new gamers, and so on. It's nothing terribly new, but it does have some interesting comments from the MIT professor/video game enthusiast Henry Jenkins, a revelation about how bouncing puppets might appear on the Wii, and a convenient collection of each company's stance on the future of input devices. Take a gander, if you're willing.[It's so bad.]
