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DDO trumpets the start of its Winter Games
Just because we're in the heart of winter in the northern hemisphere doesn't mean that we can't enjoy snow-themed festivities! That's the attitude of Dungeons and Dragons Online, which has started a slew of activities under its Winter Games umbrella. For starters, there's the Midwinter Festival in the Forgotten Realms which includes speed skating, snowflake collecting, and vole smashing. Meanwhile in Eberron, the ever-popular Risia Ice Games are back with more ice sliding action. Then there's an ice skating rink in the harbor, an ice jump off a cliff, and a frozen half-pipe in the Bogwater Tavern. Participation in all of these activities will not only result in embarassing fun, but rewards from the various tokens won.
DARwIn-OP learns to skate, contemplates NHL career (video)
On the list of dangerous humanoid bots DARwIn is easily topped by the bow-happy iCub. Still -- we don't trust this thing one iota. While we haven't seen it pick up any weaponry just yet, our friends to the north are teaching it one of man's most notoriously violent sports: hockey. Researchers at the University of Manitoba have managed to train the former RoboCup star to stay upright while shuffling about on skates. Smacking a puck into a goal, on the other hand, has proven somewhat trickier. Eventually Jennifer, as the autonomous hockey-bot has been dubbed, managed to get the hang of it, but we don't think the Flyers or Rangers will be offering her the big bucks just yet. And, honestly, before this little guy gets too good and turns into a bully on the ice, we'd get it to switch games -- curling suddenly seems like a perfectly acceptable past time. Check out the video after the break.
PSA: Come play Sonic Colors in Bryant Park today
It may be raining here in NYC today, but that doesn't mean Sega's canceling its Bryant Park Sonic Colors ice skating party. Well, okay, the ice skating part is kinda off, but that whole "playing Sonic Colors early and seeing Cash Cash perform the game's theme song" thing is still totally on.
Video: Professor Layton takes a break, goes skating
It's hard being Professor Layton. Always solving puzzles, talking with strange people and, of course, dealing with that snot-nosed kid, Luke. Even a gentleman like Professor Layton needs to relax now and again, and what better way to relax than a soothing session of figure skating? That's exactly what this Professor Layton does, though, admittedly, it's actually just some guy in a Layton costume. Still, it's oddly mesmerizing to watch. Check it out after the break and we're sure you'll agree. One bit of advice for the Professor: Be careful out there or you might just end up in an unintentional sequel, Professor Layton and the Exorbitant Hospital Bill. [Via Kotaku]
Princess on American Ice
Aksys Games announced today that they will release a localized version of the 505 Games/ Arc System Works-developed Princess on Ice in North America. This is the one ASW game whose U.S. release by Aksys we didn't predict.The rhythm-based ice skating game features multiple playable characters, all with their own storylines. We assume the storylines are slightly more indepth than "And then she entered another ice skating competition." Winning competitions will unlock items, moves, and clothes, which can be used to customize each character.In the press release, Aksys's Frank deWindt II exhorted gamers to "Experience the excitement of ice skating in the palm of your hand." That sounds unbelievably painful. Those skates are really sharp.%Gallery-17562%[Via press release]
Imagine Figure Skater could be good, might not be
This could really, totally be a good game. Last time we checked, figure skating is a sport accompanied by music. It requires rhythmic motions and impeccable timing. All of these features are perfect for adapting to the touch screen on the DS. Tracing skating lines, tapping at the appropriate times, using smooth stylus skills -- yep, sounds like a winner.Imagine Figure Skater is marketed towards young girls, what with the absence of any male characters and the emphasis on hair and accessory customization. Sure, some of us might not have considered playing a figure skating game in any form, but we probably said the same thing about lawyers. In any case, the first screenies are in the gallery to start you down the long, complex road of "Should I buy this game when it comes out in August?" The answer is ...%Gallery-25900%[Via press release]
Princess on Ice not as sinister as it sounds
For some reason, the phrase Princess on Ice made us think of some kind of Mafia situation, a game about putting a princess on ice. We don't even watch that much Sopranos. Anyway, as the more well-adjusted among you can gather, it's actually an ice-skating thing. Well, you might find that sinister as well.European publisher 505 Games is co-developing Princess on Ice with Arc System Works, to be released in Europe in April. Presumably this will also be released by Arc in Japan. It's no surprise that 505 is so actively seeking content that is designed for girls. 505 got lucky when they agreed to be the European publisher for Cooking Mama, which brought in real money.%Gallery-17562%[Via GamesPress]
Today's iciest videos: Spinning Princess (DS)
We went through several stages with today's video picks. First, we thought, "Spinning Princess? An ice skating game for DS? That's going to suck." The next stage, after starting the video, left us saying, "This isn't so bad." Later in the video, we were closer to our original opinion but glad to have made the journey with these Japanese trailers.An ice skating game based on touch-screen controls? Maybe it could actually work. Is this that game? See for yourself after the break.
Probably not coming to the US: Figure Skating DS
Yep, this one's probably not for us, but it's so cute that we couldn't resist. If a DS skating game did see an English language release, it's the sort of thing we might play in the closet, so that no one knows our secret dark obsession with landing that perfect double axel. Also, if it wasn't quite so tee-hee pretty ... it's a little too glittery for our taste, but the concept is solid. Winter sports tend to make for fun gaming forays.[Via GoNintendo]
