Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Power Gig's full-size, handmade guitar / controller now on sale for $250]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/23/power-gigs-full-size-handmade-guitar-controller-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/23/power-gigs-full-size-handmade-guitar-controller-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/23/power-gigs-full-size-handmade-guitar-controller-now-on-sale/#comments Ah, ha! There it is! Way back in March, we had a sit-down with folks from Seven45 Studios about their plans for Power Gig: Rise of the SixString (for PS3 and Xbox 360), focusing mainly on how they intended to rival the Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises from a peripheral standpoint. The six string guitar accessory that ships with the game bundle today is already leaps and bounds better than what RB3 is packin' (pending Stratocaster launch plans), but an instrument we were keenly interested in at GDC was also one we couldn't photograph at the time. The company made clear that it was looking at releasing a real-deal, bona fide guitar in the future -- a full-size First Act axe that could be used with the game or with a legitimate amplifier. Now, that limited edition piece is on sale for both of the aforesaid consoles, boasting a single cutaway basswood body, humbucking pickup, and a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard. Each one is available for $249.99, but there's no telling how many will be produced. We'd also prefer to see these in larger music shops in order to give consumers an idea of the fit, finish, feel and sound, but those into taking chances can get one headed their way as we speak.

Gallery: Power Gig's full-size, handmade guitar from First Act

Continue reading Power Gig's full-size, handmade guitar / controller now on sale for $250

Power Gig's full-size, handmade guitar / controller now on sale for $250 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryavailablecontrolcontrollerfirst actFirstActgamingGDCGDC 2010Gdc2010guitarinstrumentmicrosoftmusicnow availableNowAvailableon saleOnSaleperipheralplaystation 3Playstation3Power GigPowerGigseven45sonyxbox 360Xbox360Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtusphere's virtual reality hamster ball put to the test]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/19/virtusphere-virtual-reality-hamster-ball-put-to-the-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/19/virtusphere-virtual-reality-hamster-ball-put-to-the-test/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/19/virtusphere-virtual-reality-hamster-ball-put-to-the-test/#comments For eons we've wondered what it would be like to walk around in a bona fide Virtusphere, and at GDC last week we finally got our chance. The large plastic cage can turn and roll in any direction, and once replete with a wireless head-mounted display and fake gun, we were ready to take on some polygonal alien baddies. Getting into the cage is surprisingly easy, but unfortunately once we had a screen strapped to our head our well-honed sense of balance was right out the window, and we found ourselves staggering around a bit as we got used to the motion of the cage. The real military versions have a motion sensing gun controller, but we had to do all our aiming with our head, which didn't help. After a minute or so we got used to the "momentum" involved in moving the cage, which felt pretty great, but we'd say our favorite part about the experience was just being able to turn in place to confront baddies -- there's something about a few well placed steps that really blows away a left or right tug on our 360 controller's analog stick. At the end of the day the sheer size, cost, and ultra-dated graphics has us hardly pining for one of these in our living rooms, but with a bit more work on the gaming end (and a working gun pointer) we could see this as the arcade experience to beat. Check out a video of our harrowing experience (from outside and inside) after the break.

Gallery: Virtusphere virtual reality hamster ball put to the test

Continue reading Virtusphere's virtual reality hamster ball put to the test

Virtusphere's virtual reality hamster ball put to the test originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdcgdc 2010Gdc2010hands-onspherevirtual realityVirtualRealityvirtuspherevrFri, 19 Mar 2010 13:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Game Room for Xbox 'rewinds' the hits in our hands-on demo]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/microsofts-game-room-for-xbox-rewinds-the-hits-in-our-hands-o/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/microsofts-game-room-for-xbox-rewinds-the-hits-in-our-hands-o/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/microsofts-game-room-for-xbox-rewinds-the-hits-in-our-hands-o/#comments Microsoft showed off its new retro-tastic Game Room UI for Xbox 360 in playable form at GDC last week. While the "make a virtual representation of a gaming space" idea might seem ripped straight from Sony's Home, there aren't really any actual similarities -- outside of the fact they're both in 3D, at least. You dive disembodied through the different game rooms pretty intuitively, with different company collections on the bottom "level" of the mall-like UI, and upper levels set aside for your own collections of the games. Unfortunately, once you actually select an arcade cabinet, the UI gets rather overly complex, with all sorts of modes you can play the game in, sorts of scores to be tracked and an indecipherable menu tree that makes it a real chore to exit a game. We're sure arcade fanatics, ready to pit their scores against the best of them and looking for truly in-depth functionality are going to love all this, but for us poor simpletons it's a little much to take in all at once. Luckily, Microsoft saved the best for the actual gameplay. Not only does it nicely emulate inserting coins and even entering in codes on a virtual keypad, but when playing games in the non-ranked classic mode there's a "rewind" function accessible at any time with the tug of the left trigger. The screen gets those VHS-style wavey lines and you can mend your errors instead of losing a valuable life or having to start from the beginning. It's perfect for patching over the quarter-munching difficulty of some of these games, and it might even be enough to pull us away from our polygon-drenched gorefests now and then to don an inexplicable bear avatar and spelunk some Crystal Castles. Check out a video of Game Room after the break, and stand by for a launch of the service on March 24.

Continue reading Microsoft's Game Room for Xbox 'rewinds' the hits in our hands-on demo

Microsoft's Game Room for Xbox 'rewinds' the hits in our hands-on demo originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadearcade gamesArcadeGamesgame roomGameRoomgdcgdc 2010Gdc2010hands-onmicrosoftvirtual arcadeVirtualArcadexbox 360xbox liveXbox360XboxLiveMon, 15 Mar 2010 21:38:00 EST<![CDATA[AMD lays out Open Stereo 3D Initiative at GDC]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/amd-lays-out-open-stereo-3d-initiative-at-gdc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/amd-lays-out-open-stereo-3d-initiative-at-gdc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/amd-lays-out-open-stereo-3d-initiative-at-gdc/#comments
NVIDIA has certainly been more active in 3D than ATI/AMD has as of late, but it looks like the situation may be starting to change, as AMD has taken advantage of the just concluded GDC to lay out its new Open Stereo 3D Initiative. While the company isn't yet drumming up too much fanfare about it (or even issuing a press release), it does seem to have gotten things started on an ambitious note, with the initiative promising to provide consumers with "more choice, more innovation, and lower cost." In the nearer term, that will apparently translate to products like 3D-enabled ATI Eyefinity technology, 120Hz displays, stereo 3D notebooks, and various bundled solutions and shutter glasses. Of course, any actual product announcements are still a little ways off, but it looks like AMD does already have quite a few partners lined up.

AMD lays out Open Stereo 3D Initiative at GDC originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3D Initiative3dInitiativeamdatieyefinitygdcgdc 2010Gdc2010open stereoOpen Stereo 3D InitiativeOpenStereoMon, 15 Mar 2010 14:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Playcast Media nabs support from big name publishers, aims to bring STB gaming to US]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/playcast-media-nabs-support-from-big-name-publishers-aims-to-br/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/playcast-media-nabs-support-from-big-name-publishers-aims-to-br/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/playcast-media-nabs-support-from-big-name-publishers-aims-to-br/#comments
 GDC is winding down here in San Francisco, but Playcast Media is hoping to snag its 15 minutes by announcing new partnerships with Atari, Capcom, Codemasters and THQ (to name a few) for use in its "console-free games-on-demand" service. 'Course, streaming games in through a set-top-box is nothing new, but few operators in the States offer such a thing with any real substance behind it. Playcast's solution enables titles to be pushed through existing cable and telco STBs, and we're told that the US market is next in line to get gifted. We're not given any significant details beyond that, but we're pretty jazzed about big name publishers signing on to finally give this distribution method a bit of credence. Now, if only this Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD shipped with a SIXAXIS controller, we'd be golden.

Continue reading Playcast Media nabs support from big name publishers, aims to bring STB gaming to US

Playcast Media nabs support from big name publishers, aims to bring STB gaming to US originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cablegamesgaminggdcgdc 2010Gdc2010pay-tvPlaycastPlaycast mediaPlaycastMediaset-top-boxsoftwarestbstreaming gamesstreaming mediaStreamingGamesStreamingMediaFri, 12 Mar 2010 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wacom Cintiq 21UX hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/wacom-cintiq-21ux-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/wacom-cintiq-21ux-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/wacom-cintiq-21ux-hands-on/#comments It's almost too much to take in all at once. Sure, the $1,999 Cintiq 21UX pen display is priced out of reach for most of us mere mortals who "don't draw good," but the pure lustworthiness of this unit sure makes us try to forget that inconvenient fact. The expanded movability of Wacom's latest is commendable, the pen input is naturally great, the screen is beautiful, and even those new rear-mounted touchpads seem helpful. It would take someone much more familiar with professional draw-ist-ing to really speak to the more specific merits of the 21UX, but from a mere standpoint of inspiring irrational desire in our hearts, Wacom seems to have done a pretty good job this time out. Check out a video of the screen in action after the break.

Gallery: Wacom Cintiq 21UX hands-on

Continue reading Wacom Cintiq 21UX hands-on

Wacom Cintiq 21UX hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>21uxcintiqcintiq 21uxCintiq21uxdrawing tabletDrawingTabletgdcgdc 2010Gdc2010hands-onpen displayPenDisplaywacomwacom cintiq 21uxWacomCintiq21uxFri, 12 Mar 2010 14:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Unreal Engine 3 adds extra dimension with NVIDIA 3D Vision]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/unreal-engine-3-adds-extra-dimension-with-nvidia-3d-vision/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/unreal-engine-3-adds-extra-dimension-with-nvidia-3d-vision/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/unreal-engine-3-adds-extra-dimension-with-nvidia-3d-vision/#comments Epic Games has announced that its wildly popular Unreal Engine 3 has now added NVIDIA's 3D Vision to its list of supported technologies. We've already come across Batman: Arkham Asylum being played with NVIDIA's signature shutter glasses so this isn't a huge surprise per se, but it does put a stamp of compatibility on the vast catalog of games -- both current and future -- built upon Epic's graphics engine. Those include Borderlands, Mass Effect 1 and 2, Bioshock 1 and 2, and that all-time classic 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. The Unreal Development Kit -- a freeware version of the Engine for non-commercial uses -- is also being upgraded to make the addition of stereoscopic 3D effects "easier than ever," while other small improvements (covered by Gamespot) show that the Epic crew isn't standing still on its core product. Good news for all you mobile mavens wanting a taste of Unreality on your iPhones or Pres.

Unreal Engine 3 adds extra dimension with NVIDIA 3D Vision originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d vision3dVisionepicepic gamesepic studiosEpicGamesEpicStudiosgamesgaminggdcgdc 2010Gdc2010graphicsgraphics engineGraphicsEnginenvidianvidia 3d visionNvidia3dVisionpc gamingPcGamingstereoscopicstereoscopic 3dStereoscopic3dudkunrealunreal development kitunreal engineunreal engine 3UnrealDevelopmentKitUnrealEngineUnrealEngine3Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:17:00 EST<![CDATA[InstantAction streams full games to any web browser, gives indie developers a business model (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/instantaction-streams-full-games-to-any-web-browser-gives-indie/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/instantaction-streams-full-games-to-any-web-browser-gives-indie/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/instantaction-streams-full-games-to-any-web-browser-gives-indie/#comments Look out, OnLive -- you've got company. InstantAction is having their coming out party at GDC, and we stopped by for a lengthy chat about the technology, its future and the hopes / dreams of the company. Put simply (or as simply as possible), IA has developed a browser-based plug-in that allows full games to be played on any web browser so long as said browser is on a machine capable of handling the game. In other words, you'll still need a beast of a machine to play games like Crysis, but the fact that you can play them on a web browser opens up a new world of possibilities for casual gamers and independent developers. You'll also be notified before your download starts if your machine and / or OS can handle things, with recommendations given on what it would take to make your system capable.

Oh, and speaking of operating systems -- games will only be played back if they're supported on a given OS, so you won't be able to play a Windows only title within a browser on OS X or Linux. Rather than taking the typical streaming approach, these guys are highlighting "chunking." In essence, a fraction of the game's total file size has to be downloaded locally onto your machine, and once that occurs, you can begin playing. As an example, we were playing The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition -- which is the sole title announced for the platform so far, though Assassin's Creed was demoed -- within minutes, and since you're curious, that's a 2.5GB game, and we were on a connection that wasn't much faster than a typical broadband line.

More after the break...

Gallery: InstantAction demonstrated at GDC 2010

Continue reading InstantAction streams full games to any web browser, gives indie developers a business model (video)

InstantAction streams full games to any web browser, gives indie developers a business model (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunkingembeddedembedded gamingEmbeddedGamingfacebookfeaturefeaturedfeaturesgamesgamingGDCGDC 2010Gdc2010hands-oninstant actionInstantActionlucas artsLucasArtsonline gamingOnlineGamingsocial networkingSocialNetworkingsoftwarestreamstreamingstreaming gamesStreamingGamesFri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkworks shows off TriOviz for Games 2D-to-3D SDK, we get a good look]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/darkworks-shows-off-trioviz-for-games-2d-to-3d-sdk-we-get-a-goo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/darkworks-shows-off-trioviz-for-games-2d-to-3d-sdk-we-get-a-goo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/darkworks-shows-off-trioviz-for-games-2d-to-3d-sdk-we-get-a-goo/#comments Darkworks introduced its TriOviz for Games SDK yesterday during GDC, and while TriOviz technology has been around for years in Hollywood, it wasn't until today that this same technology debuted for console and PC titles. Essentially, this software wrapper enables standard 2D video games to be viewed in 3D on a traditional 2D display, and we were able to sneak an exclusive look at the technology today at the company's meeting room. We were shown a European version of Batman: Arkham Asylum on Microsoft's Xbox 360, and we were given a set of specialized glasses (which were passive, unlike NVIDIA's active-shutter 3D Vision specs) in order to enjoy the effect. So, how was it? In a word or two, not bad. It obviously wasn't perfect, but you have to realize just how cheap of a solution this is for the consumer to implement. All that's required is a set of special glasses, but given that these can be distributed in paper-frames form, you could easily find a set for a couple of bucks (at most), if not bundled in for free with future games. Users won't need to purchase any additional hardware whatsoever, and what they'll get is a deeper, more immersive image in return.

We could very clearly see the 3D effect, and even though it was subtle, it definitely enhanced our experience. We noticed a minor bit of blurring and ghosting during just a few scenes, but when you consider that this doesn't actually change the underlying code in existing 2D games (that's the cue for developers to breathe a sigh of relief), we didn't feel that these minor quirks were unreasonable. The other interesting aspect is just how clear the image remained for onlookers that didn't have 3D glasses on; we noticed slight image doubling at specific points, but it's not something we simply couldn't look at without acquiring a headache.

More after the break...

Continue reading Darkworks shows off TriOviz for Games 2D-to-3D SDK, we get a good look

Darkworks shows off TriOviz for Games 2D-to-3D SDK, we get a good look originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d gaming3dGamingbatmanDarkworksexclusivefeaturedfeaturesgaminggdcgdc 2010Gdc2010microsoftplaystation 3Playstation3SDKsoftwaresonystereoscopictriovizTriOviz for gamesTriovizForGamesxbox 360Xbox360Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Talkin' Windows Phone 7 Series gaming with Microsoft at GDC]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/talkin-windows-phone-7-series-gaming-with-microsoft-at-gdc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/talkin-windows-phone-7-series-gaming-with-microsoft-at-gdc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/talkin-windows-phone-7-series-gaming-with-microsoft-at-gdc/#comments
We already got a look at Microsoft's little XNA show-and-tell as relates to Windows Phone 7 Series, but our colleague Andrew Yoon over at Joystiq had a chance for longer sit-down with Xbox Live general manager Ron Pessner and XNA Game Studio manager Michael Klucher at GDC today, and he's been kind enough to share the interview with us. The main topic of conversation was the company's plans regarding Xbox LIve and, specifically, how it would be integrating it into Windows Phone 7 Series. And believe us, there was plenty to discuss -- including the sweet science of porting games from Zune HD to 7 Series phones ("it's 90, 95 percent code reuse... in an hour or couple of hours, we're taking games that were written for Zune HD and putting them on the phone"), the importance of maintaining a consistent gameplay experience amongst different hardware, and the reasoning behind limiting devices to asynchronous multiplayer. What are you waiting for? Hit the source link to embark on this miraculous journey of discovery.

Talkin' Windows Phone 7 Series gaming with Microsoft at GDC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamesgamingGDCgdc 2010Gdc2010Michael KlucherMichaelKluchermicrosoftRon PessnerRonPessnerwindows phone 7 seriesWindowsPhone7Seriesxbox liveXboxLivezune hdZuneHdThu, 11 Mar 2010 19:52:00 EST<![CDATA[OptiTrack mixes motion capture with a virtual camera for delicious, Avatar-esque results]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/optitrack-mixes-motion-capture-with-a-virtual-camera-for-delicio/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/optitrack-mixes-motion-capture-with-a-virtual-camera-for-delicio/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/optitrack-mixes-motion-capture-with-a-virtual-camera-for-delicio/#comments We knew virtual camera systems are starting gain traction, particularly in the world of cinema and within James Cameron's little set of toys, but it's pretty wild to see one in action. NaturalPoint is showing off its OptiTrack motion capture system at GDC, a budget-friendly multi-camera setup (if $6k is your idea of budget-friendly), but it also has a prototype of sorts of its upcoming virtual camera system. The camera's orientation and movement is actually tracked in the same way a motion capture suit is, and if you're in the same tracking space as a motion capture actor you can do "real" camera work with a live 3D rendered preview of the action. The shoulder-mounted camera has controls for virtual tracking and dolly moves, along with zoom, and has zero problem delivering that shaky handheld look that's all the rage in visual effects these days. There's no word on much this will retail for, but despite the fact that we have absolutely zero use for it we totally want one. Check out a video of it in action after the break.

Gallery: OptiTrack mixes motion capture with a virtual camera

Continue reading OptiTrack mixes motion capture with a virtual camera for delicious, Avatar-esque results

OptiTrack mixes motion capture with a virtual camera for delicious, Avatar-esque results originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d camera3dCameragdcgdc 2010Gdc2010motion captureMotionCapturenaturalpointoptitrackvirtual cameraVirtualCameraThu, 11 Mar 2010 18:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkworks SDK transforms 2D games into 3D games, no 3D TV required]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/darkworks-sdk-transforms-2d-games-into-3d-games-no-3d-tv-requir/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/darkworks-sdk-transforms-2d-games-into-3d-games-no-3d-tv-requir/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/darkworks-sdk-transforms-2d-games-into-3d-games-no-3d-tv-requir/#commentsWell, wouldn't you know it? 3D seems to be the topic of conversation here at GDC , and Paris-based Darkworks is making a splash by announcing the availability of its TriOviz for Games SDK. In short, this magical software concoction is a post-process effect that allows standard 2D games to be transformed into 3D masterpieces... and you don't even need to buy a 3D television. We were briefed on the tech here at the show, and we're told that the magic happens in the software and the glasses, and unlike existing 3D technologies, other users around the house will still be able to watch you play in 2D without all those blurred edges. In other words, existing titles (for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC; sorry Wii owners!) can have a 3D experience added in, and we're guessing that a select few AAA games will be seeing a DLC pack in the near future for those who care to re-play their favorites in the third dimension. We'll be doing our best to swing by and catch a demo later today, but for now, just know that your life will never be the same once these 3D-ified games start shipping in the Spring.

Darkworks SDK transforms 2D games into 3D games, no 3D TV required originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d gaming3dGamingDarkworksgamingGDCgdc 2010Gdc2010microsoftplaystation 3Playstation3SDKsoftwaresonystereoscopictriovizTriOviz for gamesTriovizForGamesxbox 360Xbox360Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Dolby issues Axon SDK to bring surround sound to online console / Mac gamers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/dolby-issues-axon-sdk-to-bring-surround-sound-to-online-console/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/dolby-issues-axon-sdk-to-bring-surround-sound-to-online-console/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/dolby-issues-axon-sdk-to-bring-surround-sound-to-online-console/#commentsDolby's Axon surround sound technology isn't exactly new (it's already used on a number of PC titles), but to date, it has yet to make a stand in the online console and Mac gaming sectors. All that changes today at GDC, with the aural company introducing an Axon software development kit that will make it possible for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and OS X titles to integrate the technology. According to the company, this here solution provides improved audio chain processing (noise suppression and echo suppression), surround sound voice chat over stereo headsets, 5.1 playback and support for any stereo headset. We're told that the ports should be available for devs starting in April, though only time will tell how long it takes for your Xbox Live experience to go from haunting to all-encompassing.

Continue reading Dolby issues Axon SDK to bring surround sound to online console / Mac gamers

Dolby issues Axon SDK to bring surround sound to online console / Mac gamers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>axonchatconsoleDolbyDolby axonDolbyAxongameplaygaminggdcgdc 2010Gdc2010macmicrosoftonlineos xOsXps3SDKsoftware developer kitSoftwareDeveloperKitsonysurround soundSurroundSoundxbox 360xbox liveXbox360XboxLiveThu, 11 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[OpenGL 4.0 arrives, brings more opportunities for general purpose GPU action]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/opengl-4-0-arrives-brings-more-opportunities-for-general-purpos/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/opengl-4-0-arrives-brings-more-opportunities-for-general-purpos/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/opengl-4-0-arrives-brings-more-opportunities-for-general-purpos/#comments What's a Game Developers Conference without some sweet new tools for developers to sink their teeth into? Khronos Group, the association behind OpenGL, has today announced the fourth generation of its cross-platform API spec, which takes up the mantle of offering a viable competitor to Microsoft's DirectX 11. The latest release includes two new shader stages for offloading geometry tessellation from the CPU to the GPU, as well as tighter integration with OpenCL to allow the graphics card to take up yet more duties off the typically overworked processor -- both useful additions in light of NVIDIA's newfound love affair with tessellation and supposed leaning toward general purpose GPU design in the Fermi chips coming this month. Lest you don't care that much about desktop gaming, OpenGL ES (Embedded Systems, a mobile offshoot of OpenGL) is the graphics standard on "virtually every shipping smart phone," meaning that whatever ripples start on the desktop front will be landing as waves on your next superphone. If that holds true, we can look forward to more involvement from our graphics chips beyond their usual 3D duties and into spheres we tend to care about -- such as video acceleration. Now you care, don't ya?

OpenGL 4.0 arrives, brings more opportunities for general purpose GPU action originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d api3dApiapicross-platformgame developers conferenceGameDevelopersConferencegdcgdc 2010Gdc2010gpugraphicsgraphics libraryGraphicsLibrarykhronoskhronos groupKhronosGroupopen graphics libraryopenclopenglopengl 4.0Opengl4.0OpenGraphicsLibraryThu, 11 Mar 2010 11:06:00 EST<![CDATA[PrimeSense talks full-body motion control at GDC, gives us a video demonstration]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/primesense-talks-full-body-motion-control-at-gdc-the-possibilit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/primesense-talks-full-body-motion-control-at-gdc-the-possibilit/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/primesense-talks-full-body-motion-control-at-gdc-the-possibilit/#comments PrimeSense was formed in 2005, and unless you're a sickly obsessed silicon junkie, you've probably never heard of them. All that changes today. We sat down with the company at GDC to learn more about the chip that it produces, and we left with an imagination sore from being stretched so severely. Put simply, the company manufacturers a microchip that, when paired with off-the-shelf optics, can create a 3D grid that a computer can understand. The purpose here, as you can likely glean, is to enable PlayStation Eye-like interactions, or as the company suggests, a "more natural" way to interface with devices you use every day. Rather than grabbing the remote to switch channels or snapping up that HTPC keyboard in order to flip through your stored DVD library, PrimeSense would rather you kick back on the sofa and gently flick your hands in order to turn to this week's Gossip Girl or sort through those classic horror flicks.

Gallery: PrimeSense press photos



It's important to remember that PrimeSense isn't in the business of creating hardware, but today we were shown a reference design that looks an awful lot like an enlarged webcam. The device is completely USB powered, and while the unit shown in the images and video here was obviously a standalone device, we were told that it would be possible to integrate the solution into displays and the like in the future. They also mentioned that the depth location -- which enables it to map out a room and detect your entire body -- was done on-chip, with only the associated middleware taxing the CPU. Still, they've had success running this on Atom-level processors, so there's certainly no big horsepower hang-up preventing it from hitting up a variety of markets.

More after the break...

Gallery: PrimeSense motion control demo at GDC 2010

Continue reading PrimeSense talks full-body motion control at GDC, gives us a video demonstration

PrimeSense talks full-body motion control at GDC, gives us a video demonstration originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dchipcontrollerexclusivegamingGDCGDC 2010Gdc2010hands-onmotion controlmotion controllermotion sensingmotion sensorMotionControlMotionControllerMotionSensingMotionSensorprimesensesensorwebcamThu, 11 Mar 2010 02:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Want more on the PlayStation Move? Head over to Joystiq!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/want-more-on-the-playstation-move-head-over-to-joystiq/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/want-more-on-the-playstation-move-head-over-to-joystiq/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/11/want-more-on-the-playstation-move-head-over-to-joystiq/#comments Sony's calling the PlayStation Move the "next generation" of motion gaming and planning to market it as heavily as an entirely new console, so it's sort of a big deal -- and that means our main dudes at Joystiq are all over it. We've already covered the main details, but hit the links below if you're looking for some seriously deep dives.

Want more on the PlayStation Move? Head over to Joystiq! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdcgdc 2010Gdc2010joystiqmotion controllerMotionControllermoveplaystationplaystation 3playstation motion controllerplaystation movePlaystation3PlaystationMotionControllerPlaystationMoveps moveps3PsMovesonyThu, 11 Mar 2010 01:01:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Move first hands-on (update: video!)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/playstation-move-first-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/playstation-move-first-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/playstation-move-first-hands-on/#comments At last, we've felt Sony's long awaited motion controller, now at last officially known as "PlayStation Move," in our unworthy, sweaty hands. We have a bunch of videos on the way, but for now you can revel in our first close-ups of the controllers in the gallery below. Here are some of our initial thoughts:
  • The controllers are light. Much more akin to the DualShock3 than the Wiimote in heft, and we're guessing that's due to Sony's continued love of rechargeable batteries.
  • The main controller does have some subtle vibration (not DualShock or Wiimote level, but present), but we're not sure yet about the subcontroller.
  • We hate to say this about "pre-alpha" software, but we're feeling lag. An on-rails shooter we tried out, dubbed The Shoot, was discernibly inferior to shooting experiences we've had on the Wii, both in precision and refresh rate of the aiming cursor.
  • The gladiator game is about as fun as it looks, we'll have video after the break momentarily. Unfortunately, while it's less of a defined experience than something like the sword game on Wii Sports Resort, you're still working through a library of sensed, pre-defined actions instead of a true 1:1 fighting game with simulated physics. Not that it isn't possible with PlayStation Move, just that it's not this.
  • The lightness of the controllers means we might be feeling less of that Wiimote fatigue, always a good thing! There's an aspect of the controller that feels a little cheap, but at the same time we wouldn't call it fragile.
  • As far as we can tell, the control scheme for Socom 4 is quite similar to dual-controller shooter setups on the Wii, with the camera moving based on your aiming cursor hitting the edge. It's hard to see this as the preferred hardcore setup, but we're told it's configurable, so we'll try and see what else is on offer.
  • The system seemed to have a bit of trouble understanding the configuration of our body in a swordfighting stance: even though we selected "left handed," it was putting our sword arm forward instead of our shield. Right-handers didn't seem to have similar problems, and we're sure this will be ironed out in time, but it certainly shows that the controllers aren't magical in their space-detection prowess.
  • As would be expected, you're supposed to stand relatively center on the TV, and at a certain optimal distance. The system is forgiving, but there's a sweet spot that users will undoubtedly have to learn.
  • Lag is less prominent on Socom 4, and we'd say we're pretty accurate with the controller already, though the framerate choppiness of this pre-alpha build obviously hampers that a bit. We did get a slight feel of being in "scene to scene" shootouts instead of a free-roaming FPS, perhaps a design choice to mitigate the limited camera movement offered by the controller, but we'll have to see more levels to know for sure.
Update: We added in a longer video -- are you ready for three minutes of nonstop excitement?

Update, final edition: We've got a new video with close-up walkthroughs of the controllers and some in-depth gameplay of Socom 4.

Gallery: PlayStation Move first hands-on

Continue reading PlayStation Move first hands-on (update: video!)

PlayStation Move first hands-on (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdcgdc 2010Gdc2010hands-onmoveplaystation 3playstation movePlaystation3PlaystationMoveps moveps3ps3 movePs3MovePsMovesonyWed, 10 Mar 2010 23:58:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation Move motion controller launched at GDC, starter kit to be under $100 with game]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/playstation-move-motion-controller-launched-at-gdc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/playstation-move-motion-controller-launched-at-gdc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/playstation-move-motion-controller-launched-at-gdc/#comments
 No surprise here: Sony just officially announced the PlayStation Move motion controller at GDC 2010, calling it the "next generation of motion gaming" because it's so precise -- latency is about the same as the DualShock 3. As expected, it uses the PlayStation Eye camera to track the controller, and Sony says it becomes an "extension of your body." The plan is not only to engage casual gamers, but to use the precision of the controller to create "new experiences for core gamers" -- many of the demo videos we saw involved using a controller video in each hand, and there were quote a few demos of action / RPG games. We also saw a demo of Move Party, which uses the camera to do augmented reality gaming and video chat. The demos are pretty impressive -- Sony's not kidding when it says the Move is incredibly precise. There's also going to be a secondary "subcontroller" with an analog stick for shooters -- you can play all the way through SOCOM4 with just the Move and the sub-controller. (Yes, it's just like the Wii Nunchuk, only wireless.)

You'll be able to get Move in three ways: in a bundle with a PS3, standalone, and in a starter kit targeted at "under $100" with the PS Eye, a controller, and a game. That's all the pricing info we have right now, but it certainly sounds aggressive -- Sony says they're treating this like a major console launch, so expect to see this everywhere when it launches around the holidays. Video after the break.

Update: The European PlayStation Blog says some games will come bundled with Move as well.

Check out our hands-on right here!

Gallery: PlayStation Move announcement

Gallery: PlayStation Move press photos


Continue reading PlayStation Move motion controller launched at GDC, starter kit to be under $100 with game

PlayStation Move motion controller launched at GDC, starter kit to be under $100 with game originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsgdcgdc 2010Gdc2010motion controllerMotionControllermoveplaystationplaystation 3playstation motion controllerplaystation movePlaystation3PlaystationMotionControllerPlaystationMoveps3psmcsonysubcontrollerWed, 10 Mar 2010 19:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Live from Sony's 'PlayStation Move' motion controller event]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/live-from-sonys-move-motion-controller-event/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/live-from-sonys-move-motion-controller-event/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/live-from-sonys-move-motion-controller-event/#comments We just got underway at Sony's PlayStation Move motion controller event. Sure, they haven't called it "Move," just yet, but we just saw the "Move" moniker on a demo screen at the side of the stage, so we're feeling pretty confident at this point.

Continue reading Live from Sony's 'PlayStation Move' motion controller event

Live from Sony's 'PlayStation Move' motion controller event originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdcgdc 2010Gdc2010liveblogmoveplaystationplaystation 3playstation movePlaystation3PlaystationMoveps3ps3 movePs3MovesonyWed, 10 Mar 2010 19:05:00 EST<![CDATA['PlayStation Move' trademarked by Sony in Europe, reeks of motion controller involvement]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/playstation-move-trademarked-by-sony-in-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/playstation-move-trademarked-by-sony-in-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/playstation-move-trademarked-by-sony-in-europe/#commentsWe're exceptionally likely to find out the official name of Sony's PlayStation motion controller in just a few hours during the company's GDC press event, but till then, we've got one more late-breaking morsel to chew on: Move. According to trademark divers across the web, Sony has filed a European trademark for "PlayStation Move," which certainly sounds like a plausible title for some sort of motion-sensing apparatus. To date, we've also heard "Arc" thrown around (which we tend to prefer, if we're being candid), and the logo shown here -- which is said to belong to a separate trademark application -- definitely looks more like an "A" than an "M." Keep it locked right here for more as we get it.

'PlayStation Move' trademarked by Sony in Europe, reeks of motion controller involvement originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscontrollereuropegamingGDCgdc 2010Gdc2010motionmotion controllermotion sensorMotionControllerMotionSensormoveplaystationplaystation arcplaystation movePlaystationArcPlaystationMovesensingsensorsensorssonytrademarkWed, 10 Mar 2010 17:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Razer promises Mac support for all upcoming products]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/razer-promises-mac-support-for-all-upcoming-products/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/razer-promises-mac-support-for-all-upcoming-products/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/razer-promises-mac-support-for-all-upcoming-products/#comments Razer already provides full Mac support for a few of its gaming peripherals -- including the Naga and DeathAdder -- and basic support for others, but it's now taken avantage of GDC to "reaffirm" its commitment to Mac users. That apparently means that "all upcoming" Razer products -- including the company's line of StarCraft II peripherals -- will boast full Mac support out of the box, and that the company will be rolling out updates to some of its existing products "later this year," including the Orochi, Mamba, and Imperator gaming mice. First Steam, now Razer peripherals -- dare we say it's a good time to be a Mac gamer?

Razer promises Mac support for all upcoming products originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gaming micegaming mouseGamingMiceGamingMousegdcgdc 2010Gdc2010imperatormacmac gamesmac gamingMacGamesMacGamingmambaorochirazerWed, 10 Mar 2010 16:37:00 EST<![CDATA[OnLive Game Service to launch on June 17 in the US for $15 a month]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/onlive-game-service-to-launch-on-june-17-in-the-us-for-15-a-mon/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/onlive-game-service-to-launch-on-june-17-in-the-us-for-15-a-mon/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/onlive-game-service-to-launch-on-june-17-in-the-us-for-15-a-mon/#comments It's been a long time coming, but it looks like the wait for OnLive is finally coming to an end: the service is now officially slated to launch on June 17 in the 48 contiguous states. The game streaming service will run users $14.95 a month, though buying or renting games is an additional cost (it's unclear exactly what that cost might be). Luckily there will be lower prices available for multi-month buys, and the first 25,000 people to sign up will get their first three months free. Service includes free instant-play demos, multiplayer and an "instant video-based social network," whatever that means. At the outset the service will run on Mac and PC as a browser plugin, but the MicroConsole TV adapter will be released later this year, with other devices to be added "over time." Initially the service will run at 720p, but 1080p / 60 fps will be added once the bandwidth becomes available. Out of the gate there will be somewhere between 12 and 25 titles available, including Mass Effect 2, Borderlands, Assassin's Creed II, Dragon Age Origins, and Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands. There are five different data centers set up to serve up the games, strategically placed to reduce lag... let's hope they work!

OnLive Game Service to launch on June 17 in the US for $15 a month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdcgdc 2010Gdc2010onliveonlive game serviceOnliveGameServiceWed, 10 Mar 2010 15:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Razer and Sixense distribute SDK and FPS shooter utility through Steam]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/razer-and-sixense-distribute-sdk-and-fps-shooter-utility-through/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/razer-and-sixense-distribute-sdk-and-fps-shooter-utility-through/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/razer-and-sixense-distribute-sdk-and-fps-shooter-utility-through/#comments Surely you remember those Sixense motion controls that we caught lounging around at Razer's CES booth, right? Yeah. Today at the Game Developers Conference, both outfits have teamed up in order to distribute the Ultra-Precise Motion Controller SDK and FPS utility library via Steam, which should give devs the ability to create new games and port existing titles for use with the aforementioned sticks. We're told that these new tools will require "require virtually no knowledge of the inner workings of the controller," enabling coders to craft titles that take full advantage of the six degrees of freedom. Will this turn the PC into the next Wii? We kind of doubt it, but at least someone's looking out for non-console gamers who have a secret obsession with Nintendo's Wiimote.

Continue reading Razer and Sixense distribute SDK and FPS shooter utility through Steam

Razer and Sixense distribute SDK and FPS shooter utility through Steam originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>first person shooterFirstPersonShootergaminggdcgdc 2010Gdc2010Motion sensingmotionplusMotionSensingrazerSDKsensorSIXENSEsoftwareSOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT KITSoftwareDevelopmentKitSTEAMvalveTue, 09 Mar 2010 21:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft shows off XNA games running on Windows Phone, full 3D is a go]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/microsoft-shows-off-xna-games-running-on-windows-phone-full-3d/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/microsoft-shows-off-xna-games-running-on-windows-phone-full-3d/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/microsoft-shows-off-xna-games-running-on-windows-phone-full-3d/#comments Alright, we're going to be straight with you: you're not going to like this. See, Microsoft just showed us a pair of 3D games running on its ASUS Windows Phone prototype and built with its brand new XNA Game Studio 4.0, but wouldn't let us nab a single photo or video of the process. What we can tell you is that they exist, they work, and at least Microsoft tossed us some screenshots to wave in your face. The two titles are The Harvest (pictured), a good looking touch-controlled dungeon crawler with destructible environments, being developed by Luma Arcade; and Battle Punks, a less impressive one-on-one sword fighting Facebook game by Gravity Bear that's being ported over. We didn't get to see any full motion 3D camera moves, since Battle Punks is just composed of two characters duking it out, and The Harvest has a fixed camera and some pre-rendered elements, but there were indeed some real polygons being crunched before our eyes at a full resolution (no upscaling), alpha-rev, choppy framerate, and we were assured that full screen 3D was possible. We also got to see one of our first glimpses of universal notifications on Windows Phone: Achievement unlock notices (also pictured above) that slide down from the top of the screen in a black bar and then slide back, and can't be interacted with. Follow after the break for some more nerdy details, along with a video of VisualStudio in action, and screenshots of the two games are in the gallery below.

Gallery: Windows Phone 7 Series XNA screenshots

Continue reading Microsoft shows off XNA games running on Windows Phone, full 3D is a go

Microsoft shows off XNA games running on Windows Phone, full 3D is a go originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7 series7Seriesbattle punksBattlePunksgdcgdc 2010Gdc2010hands-onthe harvestTheHarvestvisualstudiowindows phonewindows phone 7 seriesWindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7Serieswp7sxboxxbox liveXboxLivexnaxna game studioxna game studio 4.0XnaGameStudioXnaGameStudio4.0Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft bringing XNA Game Studio 4.0 to GDC this week, does 3D gaming for Windows Phone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/microsofts-bringing-xna-game-studio-4-0-to-gdc-this-week-does/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/microsofts-bringing-xna-game-studio-4-0-to-gdc-this-week-does/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/microsofts-bringing-xna-game-studio-4-0-to-gdc-this-week-does/#comments We've all had a feeling that Microsoft is holding back some pretty big surprises (or at least completely reasonable revelations) when it comes to Windows Phone 7 Series and gaming, and here at GDC this week it sounds like we're going to get a little glimpse into that. Microsoft is unveiling its new XNA Game Studio 4.0, which lets developers work on games for Windows Phone 7 Series, Xbox 360 and Windows PC. The integration with Visual Studio 2010 that we saw the other day allows developers to build a single project and then make slight modifications to let it run on each platform respectively. Most importantly, Microsoft specifically mentions that 4.0 will include hardware accelerated 3D APIs for Windows Phone 7 Series -- not stunning, giving the fact that Zune can do 3D games (and is supported by XNA), but relieving just the same. Other phone-related tidbits are also telling: there will be fairly deep Xbox LIVE integration, including unlocking achievements from phone-based games and push notifications for asynchronous turn based gaming. Hopefully we can get some real live multiplayer gaming going as well, but there's no mention of that just yet. Microsoft promises "much, much more" will be revealed at MIX 2010, but for now we're gonna dig for all we can here at GDC.

Microsoft bringing XNA Game Studio 4.0 to GDC this week, does 3D gaming for Windows Phone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7 series7Seriesgdcgdc 2010Gdc2010windows phonewindows phone 7 seriesWindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7Serieswp7sxboxxbox liveXboxLivexnaxna game studioxna game studio 4.0XnaGameStudioXnaGameStudio4.0Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Seven45 Studios ups the ante for music games, intros fully functional six string controller]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/seven45-studios-ups-the-ante-for-music-games-intros-guitar/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/seven45-studios-ups-the-ante-for-music-games-intros-guitar/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/seven45-studios-ups-the-ante-for-music-games-intros-guitar/#comments We've seen "real" guitars made to "work" with existing music-band titles, and we've even seen MIDI guitars play nice with Rock Band, but we've yet to see a company design a game from the ground-up to work with a legitimate six string. Until now. Here at GDC, Seven45 Studios is making a name for itself by introducing Power Gig: Rise of the SixString (for PS3 and Xbox 360) along with a bona fide axe. The newfangled company is a sister firm to First Act -- the same guys who made that guitar sold with your '07 Jetta -- and the instrument debuting here at the show uses proprietary technology "that can distinguish and recognize gamers' input all along the guitar." Better still, the instrument includes all of the innards necessary to make noise through an amp, so you could theoretically use this to rock out in real life as well. If you're skeptical about the game's ability to actually recognize complicated inputs, get a load of this: "Power Gig also introduces the option to switch on chording, or chord play; chording presents the added challenge of playing the game using chords that require specific finger placement on the strings." The tandem is slated to go on sale this fall for an undisclosed amount, and we'll be snagging some hands-on time with the game and guitar here in just a few hours -- stay tuned!

Gallery: Power Gig: Rise of the SixString guitar

Continue reading Seven45 Studios ups the ante for music games, intros fully functional six string controller

Seven45 Studios ups the ante for music games, intros fully functional six string controller originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessorycontrolcontrollerfirst actFirstActgamingGDCGDC 2010Gdc2010guitarinstrumentmicrosoftmusicperipheralplaystation 3Playstation3Power GigPower Gig: Rise of the SixStringPowerGigPowerGig:RiseOfTheSixstringseven45sonyxbox 360Xbox360Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone games ported to webOS in 'a matter of days' on tap for GDC?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/iphone-games-ported-to-webos-in-a-matter-of-days-on-tap-for-gd/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/iphone-games-ported-to-webos-in-a-matter-of-days-on-tap-for-gd/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/iphone-games-ported-to-webos-in-a-matter-of-days-on-tap-for-gd/#comments
EA has already said that it was able to get 3D games up and running on webOS in a "matter of weeks" using the OS' PDK (or Plug-in Development Kit), but it looks like Palm might be ready to step things up even further at GDC next week. While any official word will have to wait until then, John Paczkowski of AllThingsD says that he's heard from sources close to the company that Palm will be now demonstrating how iPhone apps can be ported to webOS "in a matter of days," and with virtually no degradation in performance. Not much more to go on that at the moment, unfortunately, but you can be sure we'll be there at GDC to how this and anything else Palm might have in store pans out.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

iPhone games ported to webOS in 'a matter of days' on tap for GDC? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdcgdc 2010Gdc2010palmpalm pixipalm prepalm pre plusPalmPixiPalmPrePalmPrePluspdkpixi plusPixiPlusprepre plusPrePlusweboswebos pdkWebosPdkFri, 05 Mar 2010 16:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony files for 'PlayStation Arc' trademark in Japan -- all but a done deal?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/02/sony-files-for-playstation-arc-trademark-in-japan-all-but-a/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/02/sony-files-for-playstation-arc-trademark-in-japan-all-but-a/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/02/sony-files-for-playstation-arc-trademark-in-japan-all-but-a/#commentsSony's PlayStation Motion Controller has gone through a few different names during its development, but "Arc" has cropped up far more than any other over the past few months, and it's now looking increasingly like a sure thing. While any official announcement will likely have to wait until GDC next week, the folks at Siliconera have discovered that Sony recently filed to trademark the name "PlayStation Arc" in Japan, which is just the latest form of confirmation of the name following a domain registration, and some noticeable name-dropping from gaming CEOs seemingly in-the-know. Of course, Sony could always pull a surprise out of its hat, and we'll be there live at GDC to report on whatever happens.

Sony files for 'PlayStation Arc' trademark in Japan -- all but a done deal? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcgdcgdc 2010Gdc2010motion controllerMotionControllerplaystationplaystation 3playstation arcplaystation motion controllerplaystation movePlaystation3PlaystationArcPlaystationMotionControllerPlaystationMoveps3sonyTue, 02 Mar 2010 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony's PS3 motion controller might be called Arc, or something far less bodacious]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/19/sonys-ps3-motion-controller-might-be-called-arc-or-something-f/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/19/sonys-ps3-motion-controller-might-be-called-arc-or-something-f/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/19/sonys-ps3-motion-controller-might-be-called-arc-or-something-f/#commentsRemember that retooled controller that Sony seemed darn well inclined to bring to the masses with its PlayStation 3? Some might say that was the original Arc, but given that just about everyone laughed the design off and forced the company's hand with the conventional SIXAXIS, there seems to be a distinct possibility that the suits are about to get their revenge. According to "a concrete source speaking under conditions of strict anonymity," VG247 has it that Sony's forthcoming PS3 motion controller will be labeled Arc when it hits retail shelves sometime "this year." If you'll recall, we knew that the device was called Gem (or was it Sphere?) during its internal production, but this is first time we've been notified of a proper name for those "on the outside." 'Course, only time (and high-ranking marketers) will tell whether the moniker will stick, but we find ourselves strangely attracted -- who knows, maybe we're just sympathetic.

Sony's PS3 motion controller might be called Arc, or something far less bodacious originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcgdcgdc 2010Gdc2010gemmotion controlmotion controllerMotionControlMotionControllerplaystation 3Playstation3ps3rumorsonysony arcsony gemsony playstation 3SonyArcSonyGemSonyPlaystation3Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:24:00 EST