Boomerang
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PS3 boomerang prototype defended
Remember that crazy boomerang-like controller that was supposedly going to be the default interface for the PS3? We're still having nightmares about it, and Teiyu Goto, PS3 design king, isn't helping. According to CVG, Goto explains the guaranteed hand-destroyer thusly: "Quite frankly, we had set aside the ergonomic aspect in favor of the image it conjured up. We wanted to present an avant-garde model for the show, running a risk of being criticized."Mission accomplished! When fans cried out in torment and fear, Sony reverted to the good ol' shape of the original Dual Shock controller. Which isn't all that ergonomic anyway, really. Is it us, or are the hand-nubs on the SixAxis too stubby for comfort?
Phat Loot Phriday: Linken's Boomerang
There are all kind of cultural and gaming references within this huge world we play in. But for a lot of players (especially us old school Nintendo gamers), this quest line this reward comes from is definitely one of the best. (No, the screenshot above is not from World of Warcraft, but seeing as this is a trinket, I figured that would be more interesting then a stats screen.)Name: Linken's BoomerangType: Rare TrinketDamage / Speed: 113-187 / NAAbilities: Flings a magical boomerang at an enemy, damaging them and giving a chance to stun or disarm them. Remarkably powerful with the disarm proc-- some people say it can even be used against bosses, and there's rumor that even Rag can lose his hammer when hit with this thing. And of course, this is a special item for Pallies, because the ranged attack makes this the only ranged ability they have at all. It's not much, but it's all they got. How to Get It: With this one, the joy is in the journey to get it. It's a long series of quests (quests that some players call the best in the game) that starts at about level 50. In southeastern Un'goro, there's a little raft sitting on the edge of a pond. Click it, and it'll send you to the bottom of the pond looking for a pack. From there, you'll be off to Marshal's Refuge to meet Linken, a gnome who's lost his way-- and he'll send you all over the world, just like a hero in an old movie-- or an old videogame.Because if you haven't guessed by now, the Linken quests are basically a huge homage to the old Legend of Zelda Nintendo games. The first quests are called "It's a Secret to Everybody"-- a phrase the old man told Link (Zelda's main character) in the first game. Later quests are called "It's Dangerous to Go Alone"-- another reference to the old man's wisdom. Aquementas was a villian in the old game, and also makes a "cameo" (if you can even call it that) in Azeroth. The other quest reward Linken gives when you finally finish the chain (you'll eventually have to defeat Blazerunner on Fire Plume Ridge in Un'goro after debuffing him with a special item), is Linken's Sword of Mastery, which is very close to Link's Master Sword. And then there's this little trinket, a nice bonus for Pallies everywhere, and just another reminder of the care that Blizzard has taken in filling this game with culture, art, and wit.Getting Rid of It: BOP, 62s 3c to a vendor. Disenchants into Illusion Dust and or Greater Eternal Essence, with a small chance of a Large Brilliant Shard.
TY the Tasmanian Tiger confirmed for Wii
Because somebody out there has to care. In a follow-up interview to one conducted way back in February, Aussie developer Krome Studios confirms that their furry friend from down under will indeed make an appearance on Nintendo's next console. After commenting on the studio's current projects, Konami's Hellboy and The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning, the tricky-to-pronounce Steve Stamatidiadis notes that "the Wii is the perfect platform for a TY game and you can bet your booties that we'll be doing one down the track."Since our considerably valued booties are on the line, we'd also wager that the Wii version of TY the Tasmanian Tiger will involve chucking the wiimote like a boomerang in order to defeat at least one evil robot kangaroo. With a talking animal jumping over platforms and such, the game will no doubt be a veritable explosion of creativity (and other Australian stereotypes). Somebody can't wait.[Thanks saigon!]
PS3 pad loses DualShock name and vibration but picks up Wii-esque motion detection and wireless connectivity
In a shocking turn of events, the PS3 controller has gone from banamerang to wireless DualShock 3, except without the DualShock name and vibration.If you take a good look at the back of the new control pad (see the close-up above), you'll notice that the DualShock 2 brand name imprinted on the old controller has now been supplanted by a row of LED lights to show which input has been set, either wirelessly or via the wired USB recharge port. Sony's now the only name in-line for PS3 controllers either on the pad or in the press releases (see "the new PS3 controller").
