na
Latest
Water recycling technologies developed for space are helping a parched American west
To ensure humanity has enough to drink, some of NASA’s cutting-edge in-orbit water recycling research is coming back down to Earth.
Report: Tales of Xillia 2 coming to NA and EU in 2014 [Update]
Tales of Xillia 2 will come to Europe in 2014, Namco Bandai reportedly announced at the Japan Expo in France. A Namco Bandai representative told Gematsu that the game will also see a North American release in 2014. The game first launched on PlayStation 3 in November 2012 in Japan. Its predecessor, Tales of Xillia, is still on its way west too, as its English-localized version is slated to appear in North America on August 6 after it first launched in Japan in September 2011. We've reached out to Namco Bandai to confirm Tales of Xillia 2's 2014 localization ourselves, and will update as we learn more. Update: The official Tales Facebook page notes that Tales of Xillia 2 is coming to the west.
Phantasy Star Online 2 coming to NA and EU early next year [update: it's official!]
Looking forward to getting your grubby mitts on some hot Phantasy Star Online 2 action? Those in the west may have to be patient, but there's now a finish line in sight: Sega announced that PSO2 will hit North America and Europe in early 2013. According to the PR, producer Satoshi Sakai says that the wait will be worth it: "The number one thing we want to provide players in Phantasy Star Online 2 is an adventure that changes every time they log in. Just as great table-top RPG experiences revolve around imaginative and unexpected encounters, we want players to consistently be surprised as they explore dungeons and undertake quests." Phantasy Star Online 2 launched in Japan this past week. [Thanks to Tom for the tip!]
Allods Online merges down to one server
In every young server's life, there comes a time when it must leave the nest and join in union with another. And so it is for Tensess and Nezeb, Allods Online's two North American servers, which have now joined in holy matrimony to become one. gPotato has merged the sole two NA servers to become a new one named Yul. To "celebrate" the merge, the publisher is giving a free Water of Life to every character affected by the move. If a player has more than eight characters following the merge, the character select screen will now give access to all of them. While players can have more than eight due to the merge, if any characters over the eight limit are deleted, the spot is forever closed. The issue of duplicate names has been dealt with as well. Characters that haven't logged in during the past eight weeks forfeit their right to those names, while players with duplicate characters can re-snag that name on a first-come basis.
Legend of Edda going dark until 2012 due to revamp
Legend of Edda, the free-to-play title from GamesCampus, is temporarily closing its doors to the gaming public on August 26th until early next year. This isn't because of a dying population or financial difficulty, but rather to overhaul and relaunch the game with a much-improved version. According to a letter left on the website, EU's EYASoft developed a superior version of the game that went into open beta in Europe. Apparently this version was both so good and so incompatible with the North American version that GamesCampus decided to halt progress on the current edition of Legend of Edda in favor for the new and improved one. "Unfortunately," the letter says, "because of the extreme differences between the US version and the new version, it is impossible to update the US servers to the new game." To compensate Legend of Edda fans, GamesCampus is creating compensation packages to refund in-game currency and encourage players to try out on of the studio's other titles. We covered Legend of Edda earlier this year in our Rise and Shiny column.
Allods Online shows off Isle of Revelation prior to European launch
While Allods Online's European players may be surfing behind their North American comrades in terms of updates, their long wait is almost over. On Wednesday, Allods Online will launch in Europe, bringing with it the mega-patch that gPotato's excited to show off. The delay for the European launch was due to a number of factors, including market adjustments, localization, and an additional pass for polish. The launch patch not only comes with two new zones but also includes a welcome revamp to the rune system, which allows players to utilize and swap them much more efficiently than before. While we can't make Wednesday come any sooner (trust me, we tried, but Stephen Hawking sent us a cease-and-desist for tampering with the space-time continuum), we are able to bring to you seven intriguing screenshots from Allods Online's Isle of Revelation. You can check out these pictures in the gallery below! %Gallery-91331%
RIFT adds 31 additional servers for launch
If you thought Trion Worlds was running out of hardware for RIFT after the previous week's onslaught of new realms brought online, think again. In anticipation for tomorrow's official launch, the studio is bringing a whopping 31 additional servers to bear between the North American and European markets. RIFT's US side is getting 11 new PvE and eight PvP servers, while EU is due for six of each. This brings the grand total to 58 North American and 41 European servers. While the role-playing realms have repeatedly boasted high queue times since the head start, it's interesting to note that none of these 31 new servers are the RP or PvP-RP ruleset. You can follow the status of the servers -- including if they're up, how full they are and how many players (if any) are in the queue -- by using Trion's shard status page (also available in German and French varieties).
Black Prophecy throws a European open beta shindig
Put up or shut up. Lock and load. Light the fires and kick the tires. Warp speed now, mister! Whatever phrase gets you in the mood for some good ol' fashioned space dogfighting, dust it off and get it ready for use. Gamigo's announced that Black Prophecy has launched its open beta for European participants. While Black Prophecy has been in closed beta in both North America and Europe, this new phase of testing represents the first time the game's been available to everyone. In anticipation for the rush to check it out, gamigo's opened two open beta servers in Europe: Kemmura (English) and Shinava (German). To help new pilots get settled into the war, gamigo's provided a starting guide on the community forums with information about setting up an account, how to play, and how to post bug reports. With the NDA down and the open beta starting, Black Prophecy's launch hopefully isn't far away. In the meanwhile, check out our first impressions of the game, and let us know what you think when you give it a whirl!
The Road to Mordor: The Codemasters conundrum
J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote, "Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." In light of recent events, we might turn that phrase to become, "Do not meddle in the affairs of players, for they are outspoken and very, very quick to anger." I'm referring, of course, to the outright debacle that's been happening on the Lord of the Rings Online European front. While Turbine released LotRO's F2P version along with the latest patch a month ago in North America, Codemasters has yet to follow suit, citing numerous problems on its end. When we first heard of the delay, I assumed it would be shortly resolved -- perhaps no more than a week or two at the most -- which is why I've mostly kept from discussing it in this column before now. Tech problems happen, there's always legal traps waiting, code can be glitchy, and regionalization is an ever-present obstacle. But at this point it feels as though the EU "Have-Nots" community has been under siege from lack of information and a frustrating view of the "Haves" across the pond. When will it be their turn? Why didn't Codemasters see this coming? How is the EU team trying to mollify the community as the devs scramble to get this puppy to live? Let's take a journey, you and I, through the past month and into the near future. Don't mind the hobbits picketing the Shire -- I'm sure it'll all work out.
Aion test servers to open for NA and EU
This is a test of upcoming content, this is only a test... server, that is. Aion's quality assurance team is proud to announce a pair of bug-stomping, issue-resolving, feedback-spurring test servers -- one for North America and one for Europe. These servers are primed to open on April 29, so that players can preview patches and engage in some winged QA. Aion testers won't be given a fancy pre-made character, but instead will see a MMO in fast-forward: XP, Abyss Points and drop rates will be jacked through the roof to allow for rapid progress (in the name of testing, of course). The Aion team specifically notes that any test server characters won't be included against character limits. As public test servers (PTS) are always a great way for studios to involve the playerbase in making the game better, Aion subscribers should be happy to be included in the process. You can read the entire announcement over on the Aion forums. [Thanks Nick!]
Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic shows up in FCC with US 3G support
So, here's what's awesome: Nokia's well received 5800 XpressMusic will be making the trip to US soil with US 3G support baked right in. Here's what's just so-so: there's no AT&T logo on the photos, so we're assuming Nokia will only be selling this one here in unlocked, unsubsidized form. Of course, we're just thrilled to know the phone will be making a proper debut in the US of A, but those looking to pick one up will certainly need to expect a lofty price tag.
Sony Ericsson C905a does its thang in the FCC
We had darn good reason to believe that a Sony Ericsson C905 was destined for US turf, but now we have reason to be completely and utterly enraged if SE doesn't make it happen. How so? Because the FCC just gave us permission. The C905a has indeed found itself a home in the deep, deep lairs of the agency's website, and while there's not much here to salivate over just yet, there is an 85-page User Manual attached for those eager to pre-learn keyboard shortcuts and the memory card insertion process. Oh, and would you check out that Lyra ruler? Sweet stuff, we tell ya.[Via CellPhoneSignal]
Nokia's North American N85 now shipping
Just days after Nokia's highly desirable North American N85 emerged for pre-order at Amazon (and Nokia, for that matter), we're now seeing reports that some of the earliest orders are beginning to ship out. The N85 NAM, of course, includes that lovely tri-band GSM support with NA 3G compatibility baked right in, and the US warranty doesn't hurt either. So, has your pre-order shipped out yet? No? Then get on the horn and find out why!
Nokia brings firmware update to North American E71
Although it's running a few days behind the European update, we suppose late always trumps never when it comes to refreshed firmware. As of now, Americans can suck down v110.07.127 for their E71-2 in order to take advantage of a smattering of bug fixes. Most notably, users should see Nokia Email updates as well as "a new update to Mail For Exchange and Nokia Maps, both of which are pre-installed." As always, we'd highly recommend backing everything up before doing the deed, but if you're feeling froggy, jump.[Via Symbian-Guru]
Nokia's N85 drops by the FCC, dips head, inquires about what's good
Not that we ever (okay, maybe there was a moment of weakness in there somewhere) doubted that Nokia's N85 was North America-bound, but the handset dubbed superior to the flagship N96 by one Italian reviewer is indeed coming to US soil. And we've found the FCC documentation to prove it. At this point though, there's little the User Guide, external / internal photos and SAR report can tell us that we don't already know, so again, the takeaway here is that we're one (huge) step closer to having an N85 to call our own. Now that's what's up.
Comparing the censored and uncensored versions of No More Heroes
Spoiler alert: This is the first boss fight in the game.If there's one thing we can't get enough of right now, it's No More Heroes. Suda's masterpiece (yeah, we went there) came in to our video game collection and proceeded to decapitate every single other game in its pursuit to be the top title of our library. We're so smitten, we've cuddled with the game's case every night in bed, clenching it tight against our chest like our teddy bears of old. But enough about our rampant love of the game. One of the biggest concerns for Europeans is how the censored version would stack up the bloody affair that is the U.S. release. One gamer was kind enough to do just that, taking video of each death scene in the game from both censored and uncensored version of the game. So, if you're beaten the game or just don't care about spoilers, hit up the link below. For the rest of you, go play No More Heroes already!%Gallery-4611%
Many free moves for North America
Earlier this evening, Drysc announced a bevy of free character transfers for the North American realms, in four groups. The transfers began today at 3:00 PM PST, and will run until Thursday, January 17 at 3:00 PM PST -- that's one week, for those who shun addition. As always, transfer ASAP if you know you want to switch servers, because they do occasionally shut down early due to desired population levels being reached. And now, the available moves: Group A: From: Illidan, Sargeras, Kel'Thuzad, Mannoroth To: Anatheron Group B: From: Jubei'Thos, Frostmourne, Barthilas To: Thaurissan Group C: From: Aman'Thul, Khaz'goroth, Dath'Remar, Nagrand To: Caelestrasz Group D: From: Emerald Dream, Destromath, Tichondrius, Stormreaver To: The Underbog If you want to take advantage of these moves, go to the Character Move page. Will you be migrating to a new Azeroth? If you are on one of the affected servers, do you think the transfers will produce a positive effect? Are you not on this list, and think you need a transfer? Blizz claims the realms are selected based on population statistics, but since they still inexplicably refuse to provide the public with their stats, we have no way of actually knowing that.
Free character moves for the US
We've had some moves recently for Oceanic and European realms, but these are the first North American free character transfers I've seen in a while. As of noon PST today, and until 12:01 PM PST a week from today, December 28th, players can make the following transfers free of charge: From: Arthas, Illidan, Mal'Ganis, Warsong To: Azshara As always, players are urged to make the transfer as soon as possible if they intend to, since the transfers do sometimes close early if desired population levels are reached. Drysc promises that the realms they choose for transfers are based on exact population statistics, which seems to imply that, out of the North American reals, the source realms are the most overpopulated and Azshara is the most underpopulated. Those of you on these realms, does that ring true? Do you plan on taking advantage of the transfers? Azshara folks, do you welcome the newcomers?
Despite Wii's success abroad, Nintendo to keep development in Japan
Now, you might want to take a seat before reading this next sentence. The Wii is very popular. Can you believe that? We surely couldn't upon reading about it and hearing from others regarding its incredible appeal both in Japan and abroad. So, considering that demand for the console is highest in the U.S., it would make sense for Nintendo to think about focusing some of their development over here, right? Well, Nintendo doesn't have any such plans, apparently.We can understand that first-party titles are most likely going to need to be directly overseen by Iwata or Miyamoto, but what about Metroid Prime 3? It was one of the Wii's biggest titles this year, why wouldn't Nintendo want to make more titles exclusively like it, geared toward the Western gamer? Well, Nintendo thinks that's what third-party developers are for.George Harrison (is he even leaving anymore?) commented that "They're [third-party developers] doing a great job both on DS and on Wii. They tend to provide product in categories that we aren't particularly good at doing, like sports or other genres. And since they're Western publishers, they tend to be more in tune with Western tastes." So, for the time being, it looks like Nintendo's first-party development is going to stay confined to the Land of the Rising Fun.[Via CVG]
Nintendo sells a lot of Wiis over Thanksgiving
Sales for the week of Thanksgiving were ridiculous for Nintendo, as the U.S. saw an incredible 350,000 Wii units hit retail shelves and get eagerly snatched up by consumers just as quickly. As if that wasn't impressive enough, word is that the Wii sold 300,000 units the week prior, meaning that in a two week span, the Wii sold a ridiculous 650,000 units.If these sales hold up for the last week of November, the console could very well sell near a million in November alone. Ridiculous just doesn't begin to explain it!
