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Glitch swaps out XP for imagination, tweaks UI
It's a happy day if you've been yearning to scratch that browser-based sandbox itch. Yes, Glitch has returned with an overhauled user interface and the new imagination system. What the heck is imagination? Well, glitches now have imagination (iMG) instead of XP. You gain iMG by questing, crafting, and collecting (i.e., by playing the game), and you can spend it on upgrades and various other gizmos still in the works. In short, iMG allows you to "create, grow, and customize the world and your character." It also serves as a nifty way of explaining new game abilities as opposed to boring old XP. TinySpeck has authored a FAQ on the imagination changeover. Give it a read-through before you log in, as both the level curve and your character's accumulated XP have undergone significant changes. [Thanks to Halldorr for the tip!]
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: October 25, 2008
Verizon was on a rampage last week when it came to FiOS TV expansions, and we're delighted to say that this week isn't too much different. For starters, we see that the latest wave of interactive features have swept across North Texas and New Jersey, while councils in Pomona, Lindenhurst, Hewlett Bay Park and Yorktown, New York approved video franchises to get Verizon's fiber-based programming service up and running in the near future. Finally, we see a single town in Washington (Kirkland) and two locales in the Bay State (Hudson and Weston) get word of impending FiOS TV service. We'll see you next week -- here's to hoping your neck of the woods gets covered within the next seven days.Read - North Texas interactive featuresRead - New Jersey interactive featuresRead - New York expansionRead - Massachusetts expansionRead - Washington expansion
Verizon brings new features to Interactive Media Guide in MD / VA
Verizon's Interactive Media Guide has been on the rollout path since July of last year, but now customers in Maryland and Virginia can look forward to even more of that delicious interactivity. Beginning this very moment, FiOS TV users in the aforementioned states will have access to a "fantasy sports application, free casual games, purchasing power via remote control, more widgets that provide on-demand access to information and entertainment, and other exciting options." More specifically, you'll be able to stream HD recordings to six other TV sets throughout the home, create two separate lists of favorite channels and interface with your ESPN Fantasy Football right on your TV screen. Not bad for free, huh?
Interactive Media Guide hits more FiOS TV areas
Nearly half a year after Verizon began rolling out its Interactive Media Guide to select subscribers, the carrier is finally announcing that a new batch of customers can now look forward to receiving it. Reportedly, "a number" of users in New York, California, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia can now take advantage of the free IMG, and while specifics weren't doled out, we are told that it'll be making its way to other states "soon." On another note, Ocean State residents can thank the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, as it has just given VZW approval to start offering service in those zones we heard about last month. Oh, and for outcasts in Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, East Providence, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield and Woonsocket, rest assured that Verizon is already seeking a license for your neck of the woods.Read - IMG comes to more statesRead - Verizon FiOS TV green-lit in more of Rhode Island
Is Hellgate an MMO or not?
Being as Hellgate: London is seeing lots of installs this week, the question is going around: is it an MMO or not? As Cuppy points out, it certainly fits the bill. It is Massive, it is Multiplayer, and it is definitely Online. But on the other hand, Hellgate is a little different-- it's free to play, like Guild Wars, but also like Guild Wars, expansions will cost you. You can form guilds, but as I understand it, there is no "overworld," per se-- even towns are instanced.So is it an MMO or not? Depends, of course, on how you define MMO. A persistent overworld is a huge element of "normal" MMOs-- a world in which you can walk around and see thousands of other players playing the game alongside you, and Hellgate doesn't have that. On the other hand, its unique model lends itself to pulling in a lot of non-MMO players. Players turned off by the time and money commitment implied by a monthly fee have no such problems with Hellgate, and that will definitely be a nice draw for them (as it has been with Guild Wars).So maybe we need a new label for just what games like Hellgate are. Anyway Games says, wisely, that labels are how you sell games, and, for better or worse, Flagship can't call their game an MMO. So what can they call it? These "buy once, play in a virtual world" games will surely become more popular. Instead of simply being called MMOs, maybe we should put them in an "instanced multiplayer game" (IMG) market of their own.
Verizon planning Q4 update to FiOS TV 2.0
Though some of you may still be more comfortable referring to FiOS TV 2.0 as the Interactive Media Guide (IMG), Verizon will reportedly be dishing out a "maintenance release" at the end of this year to whichever you decide to call it. According to John Czwartacki, users can look forward to seeing a number of enhancements to the IMG come Q4, several of which include: Scaled video while you are in the menus finding the next show or movie to watch. Better program information with richer descriptions. New reminder system, for future TV shows or PPV events. Efficient way to flip through your favorite channels while hiding others. Better management of your DVR settings and schedule. Expanded help topics, and more video tutorials. Also of note, 2008 could hold in store "games and the ability to program the DVR remotely," and for those who have been waiting patiently in Massachusetts for the IMG to hit home, your wait is dangerously close to ceasing.[Via ZatzNotFunny]
Verizon launching FiOS Interactive Media Guide
Verizon may be upping the prices for DVR usage, but now we get the chance to see what that extra fee buys you. According to Dave Zatz, Verizon is launching FiOS Interactive Media Guide -- also known as FiOS 2 -- in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with rollouts occurring nationwide via software upgrades this summer. There are plenty of features to bullet-point, including an all-new 32-bit interface with 8-bit transparency, tabbed interfaces with a better central focus, global content searches (that also include local Media Manager content like photos and music), trailers and poster art for On Demand content, and traffic and weather widgets. See our gallery below for more screencaps from the FiOS presentation.[Via Zatz Not Funny] Gallery: Verizon launches FiOS Interactive Media Guide
The best DMG design
Here's a clever idea. I'll admit that I'm superficial enough to think more of a given application if its installer is on a well-designed disk image. AppZapper and Delicious Library immediately come to mind. While I simply admire them from afar, blogger Roustem Karimov is on a mission to find the best one. He has posted snapshots of several images to his blog, and he rates each in terms of appearance, how clearly information is presented and so on. Check it out, it's rather interesting.[Via The Apple Blog]
Game developers react to Boot Camp
Inside Mac Games has a nice roundup of reactions from various Mac OS X game developers on the news of Boot Camp. Reactions on the whole are positive concerning the opportunities that Boot Camp offers, and speculation from the likes of Aspyr, MacSoft, Freeverse and Ambrosia are hopeful that this will help boost the Mac gaming platform even faster.Check out the roundup, as there are some great comments from individuals at these companies that touch on where they think the market is headed, and what we can expect in the not-too-distant future of Mac gaming.
