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'Iron Man VR' update includes New Game+ and 'Ultimate' difficulty mode
'Iron Man VR' patch adds new game modes, weapons and gameplay improvements.
Sony patent would combat piracy by comparing load times
A patent describing a "method for validating legitimate media products" attributed to Sony Computer Entertainment America surfaced earlier this week. Originally filed in August 2011, the patent elaborates on a process by a which a piece of media could be detected as legitimate (not pirated) by comparing two load times against a benchmark for the media.As seen in the flow chart above, the patent also describes a secondary validation stage in which a serial number and "user identification information" are checked against "reliable data, such as that sourced from the manufacturer or developer of the media title." Examples of the user information could include account names, location, IP addresses, the speed of the user's connection and product license numbers.The secondary validation cycle would account for load time errors due to hardware issues, but would also be skipped entirely if the first cycle (the load time benchmark comparisons) checks out. Whether the "load time" method for combating piracy is used in future hardware efforts by Sony is unknown.
Halo: Reach load times compared: hard drive install vs disc
If you're a hardcore FPS multiplayer ... player, odds are you'll see the business end of Halo: Reach's loading screen countless times over the next few months. According to a quick test conducted by Examiner, you're going to want to install Reach to your hard drive if you value your free time, as doing so reportedly cuts down load times drastically for just about all of the game's modes. Some of the sped-up load times are too fast to resist -- for instance, according to Examiner, an installed Reach can load a custom game in 9.7 seconds, as opposed to 28.7 seconds uninstalled. That would give us an extra 19 seconds to spend getting shot over and over and over again!
ModNation Racers 1.02 patch improves load times by nearly 30%
As noted in our review, ModNation Racers' load times were unbearably long upon release. When Sony promised that today's 1.02 patch would improve this issue, we busted out the stopwatches to find out for ourselves. Does the patch significantly improve the load times for races? The answer appears to be a definitive "yes." We used the first five tracks in the Quick Race mode and calculated the average load time to begin a race before and after the patch was installed. Based on our calculations, it took an average of 45.6 seconds to load a single race before implementing the 1.02 patch. Additionally, returning to the Mod Spot after the race took an average of 24.3 seconds of loading. With 1.02 installed, however, the load time to begin a race decreased drastically. Starting a race took an average of 32.7 seconds, which is about 28 percent faster than the pre-patch time! The loading time it took to return to the Mod Spot after a race also improved with the patch, but not significantly: It still took an average of 22.4 seconds. Even after the patch, we're still looking at nearly a full minute of combined load times for each race. Still, the improved speediness of launching a race must come as good news for fans of the game.
PSP load times cut in half with File Majik Pro software
Perhaps the most significant complaint against early PSP games was about lengthy load times. Modern PSP games have largely alleviated this problem, sometimes with the help of a middleware solution from CRI called "File Majik Pro." If that sounds familiar, its because the same tech was made available for PS3 developers two years ago. The tech allows developers to better compress files, and rearranges data in the most efficient way possible. It also offers the ability to install data onto the Memory Stick, for quicker loads on UMD-based games. Already, major PSP games have taken advantage of the tech, including Persona 3 Portable, Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny, and Valkyria Chronicles 2. So, how will players be able to identify PSP games that take advantage of this technology? One way is to look for the "Criware" logo on the box. It's likely you've seen their logo load before a game -- and now you know what they do. [Via Siliconera]
Bayonetta PS3 patch available worldwide today
If you've been playing Bayonetta on PS3, there's a chance you've been making sandwiches just as often as you've been vanquishing virtual angels. We admire your productivity during the loading screens, but perhaps it's time to accept the aid of Sega and Platinum Games. The developer has confirmed the worldwide availability of a title update that allows the game to be installed to the hard drive. All you have to do is boot up your game and you'll be prompted to download the update. Of course, you've also been known to make sandwiches during installations, so ... well, they must be really delicious at this point. That's a win, no matter what.
D3 Publisher: Puzzle Quest 2 won't have Galactrix's load time issues
As exciting as the prospect of Puzzle Quest in Space might have been, the excitement offered by Galactrix was completely derailed by the game's outrageously lengthy load times. However, in a recent interview with Kotaku, D3 Publisher's Michael Cerven claimed that the recently announced Puzzle Quest 2 won't be plagued by the frequent intermissions, as developer Infinite Interactive "rebuilt the DS engine from the ground up to be fast and perform smoothly with very quick load times as opposed to retrofitting the lead SKU code for the DS." If Cerven's claims are true, we suppose this is good news for the impatient puzzle-solvers out there. However, we got so much stuff done during Galactrix's near-constant loading screens. We even learned to speak Esperanto! Ĉi tiu estas rakonto pri videoludoj!
WipEout HD in-game ads return, still affect load times
Fans of Sony's blistering anti-grav racer WipEout HD will no doubt recall the game's update to version 2.0 back in August. That's because one of the additions came in the form of advertisements that would play during race loading screens. Having to see ads in a game you've paid full price for is one thing, the fact that they nearly doubled load times is another. Thankfully, Sony responded to an outpouring of ire over the ads by yanking them. Well, as we were warned last month, they're back. The 2.10 update for WipEout HD boldly proclaims that "Changes have been made so that any adverts shown during loading screens will not adversely affect the loading times" upon first launch. OK, ads are back, but at least they don't increase load times -- right? Not so fast. When loading a particular race, we perceived some degree of delay while the ad (in this case for Fat Princess) played. Wanting to make sure it wan't just in our ads-in-our-games-can-leave-now-please heads, we timed it. Lo and behold, the same course loads in 16.9 seconds without the ad and 21.7 with it -- an almost five second difference. The results were more or less the same for every track we tried, with smaller venues loading faster, naturally. So, despite assurances otherwise, load times are being affected by the re-instated ads. We're working to get in touch with Sony and the game's developer, SCEE Studio Liverpool, to find out exactly what gives. [Thanks, Ken!]
Sega considering Bayonetta PS3 patch to address long load times
We've all seen reports about the PS3 version of Bayonetta's visual inferiority to the 360 iteration of the game, but according to a few forum posters on Platinum Games' site, the title is plagued by a bigger problem on Sony's home console: Lengthy load times. According to one forum post, it takes 25 seconds to load a level, 10 seconds to load a cutscene, five seconds to open the menu and three seconds to pick up an item. In the context of the game, that last one makes sense -- we imagine hair-clothes don't offer the flexibility required to collect an object from the ground. Fortunately, a Sega representative responded to one such complaint, saying "a patch to correct this issue is under consideration," later adding that there's no time frame as to when a decision about the update would take place. In the interest of universal cross-platform equality, we're sincerely hoping the answer is "before January 5." [Via 1UP]
Fox dreaming of a future where Blu-ray movies load faster, are judged by the content of their character(s)
At least someone is (seemingly) listening to our Blu-ray gripes. /Film hit a Fox hosted press summit and heard exactly the things we've been waiting to hear: a future where "advanced" Blu-ray players can do what DVD players have done for years: automatically resume play where we left off on all players, dramatically reduced load times and a live demo of the IMDB Live Lookup feature available on the Wolverine release. The company has nabbed a researcher from Panasonic, Joe McCrossan, who is heading up the efforts to improve viewer's experience and tossing around long promised buzzwords like iPhone connectivity and Digital Copy along with the previously mentioned features under development -- if he succeeds on making them reality we'll rename an Engadget editor Joe in his honor, and it might not even be the one already named Joe. [Thanks, chevelleman]
Cut the elevator music: Mass Effect 2 to feature faster loads
Somewhere in the galaxy, in the year 2183 ...Tali: You would think that with all the advancements made by all our species, we'd be able to create a faster transport system. We have been standing in this elevator for at least a minute right now. I feel anxious knowing that while the Geth plan their new attack on this galaxy, all we can do is just stand here and do nothing. I feel so powerless! Thankfully, BioWare's Casey Hudson told MTV Multiplayer that our next adventure will utilize "a completely new system" to handle load times. The loads will be faster in Mass Effect 2 and will become "part of the game experience." It seems like in the future, we might not have to utilize such primitive technology.Wrex: My people are dying.Shepard: ...[Image Source]
MTV's Totilo: DS version of Galactrix plagued by load times
Considering our outrageous, unslakable handheld lust for Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, we didn't think anything could keep us from diving back into our dual-screened device for a go at Galactrix -- though a report from MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo is giving us slight cause for concern. According to Totes, the DS version of the game suffers from "surprisingly long load times." Yes, he said the DS version -- not the Commodore 64 version. We were confused at first as well.Totilo said that the four to five-second load times occur before each puzzle, during mission selection and when checking inventory. Doesn't sound like much, but as he assures us, "it adds up." Anyone else notice their precious seconds being squandered whilst participating in some interplanetary gem-swapping?
Ask Engadget HD: Which Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player loads discs the quickest?
CNET's UK branch already ran a number of Blu-ray players through a timed gauntlet, but this week's Ask Engadget HD question places the responsibilities squarely on your shoulders. We're hoping Mick's question enables us to compile some pretty meaningful data, so break out the stopwatch and contribute! "Which current Blu-ray player (Profile 2.0, of course) has the quickest load time? I'm looking for something that loads much faster than my BDP-S300. Manufacturers don't bother listing load times on their decks, so I'm looking for some help from the audience." You heard the man -- we want model name, startup time and disc load times, along with any other tidbits you feel like tossing in. Get to it, partners.Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
New Xbox Experience load times compared: DVD versus HDD
You've already been given the skinny on Microsoft's New Xbox Experience -- you know, that stupendous, sure-to-be-life-altering dashboard update that'll hit 360 owners on November 19th -- but one aspect that still hasn't been adequately addressed is the difference in load times between the DVD and HDD. If you're staring blankly ahead with a look of decided curiosity, here's a bone: the NXE will enable users to load full games onto their Xbox 360 hard drive for "quicker load times" versus the traditional DVD method. When tested on a variety of games, MTV Multiplayer found that the bootup sequence was between 9 and 15 seconds quicker via HDD, though loading a ~6.6GB title initially took around 11 minutes. Whether or not those precious ticks are worth it is totally your call, but avoiding the annoying hum of the optical drive has to count for something. A trio of comparison vids await you in the read link.[Via Joystiq]
File Majik Pro middleware promises to cut PS3 load times for free
Developers have been struggling with the Blu-ray drive on PS3. For many, it appeared that there were only two options for PS3 games: suffer through long load times, or suffer through a long initial installation process. CRI File System promises to give developers another option. File Majik Pro for PS3 supposedly cuts down load times from an average of 22 seconds on a Blu-ray disc to only 9. Best of all, this program is being made available for free -- unitl 2010.We can't substantiate these claims in any way, but we're glad to see alternative options available for developers that haven't mastered streaming techniques for the PS3. Imagine a day when mandatory installations for PS3 games are a thing of the past.[Thanks, Ether02! Via SCRAWL]
IGN: PS3 Oblivion loads quicker, looks nicer than 360
IGN got some hands-on time with the long-awaited PS3 port of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and came away with some quite favorable comparisons to the Xbox 360 version. Load times that were seven to ten seconds on the 360 have been reduced to three to five seconds on the PS3, according to IGN. What's more, the frame rate drops that accompanied entrances to detailed areas have been eliminated, and the graphics have been improved with higher resolution textures, improved shading and an increased draw distance (to minimize far off object popping up suddenly). Amazing what newer hardware and an extra year of development time will do, isn't it? Still, it's not all wine and roses for PS3 owners. While the "Knights of the Nine" side-quest will be preloaded on the PS3 disc, the rest of the downloadable content available to Xbox 360 and PC players will not be available, though the content packs "may find their way to the PlayStation Store at some point in time in the future." Hopefully PS3 adventurers will be too busy playing the massive main quest to notice the omission when the game comes out in March. [Thanks, Phranctoast]
PSP load times analyzed
Long load times have been a concern for PSP owners ever since the system was released. But just how bad are those load times exactly? Gamespot decided to find out, measuring the time from system start-up to actual gameplay in more than 80 PSP games.The results show the average PSP game clocking in at a whopping 103.4 seconds of load time, compared with sub-30-second load times for the average DS and Game Boy Advance game. Sports games were the worst offenders while puzzle games tended to be quicker on the draw. At just over four minutes, WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 had the single worst load time in Gamespot's tests, a fact that should be unsurprising to anyone who's seen this video.Interestingly, PSP games rated 9.0 and above by Gamespot had shorter load times than any other scoring range. Does this show that reviewers appreciate short load times, or just that better games tend to be designed to load faster?While the tradeoff between loading times and storage space is always a tough one, we have to believe that a wait of close to two minutes is too long for a quick, portable game. What do you think? How long is too long to wait for a game to start?(Thanks, HaloBreaker)
Medal of Honor hype on IGN
IGN has a huge blow-out on the upcoming PSP Medal of Honor Heroes. They have one written-by-a-marketing-team write-up that features profiles of the in-game characters: Generic McAmerican, Jimmy Paterson, William Holt and John Baker. Snore... The other is an interview with the game's producer, Peter Choi. It very similar to a previous interview, but it's great to know that he understands some of the things PSP fans are looking for from a game: 32 player online (Infrastructure) multiplayer. I can't stress enough how awesome that sounds. "The game is also optimized to have very short load times, which is hugely important for gamers on-the-go." (Yes!) "User Hosted Server feature along with official EA Nation Server games, are both fully customizable and have very detailed leaderboards and stat tracking." (Yes!) If all that hype wasn't enough for you, then you might want to check out the newest trailer for the game. It looks a lot like the previous videos, but with even sharper, prettier graphics.
Blog debate: PS3 to load games slower than the Xbox 360
From the "PS3 can't get a publicity break" file comes news that the system's Blu-ray load times will be slower than the DVD speeds of the Xbox 360. Following our post regarding Resistance: Fall of Man's beefy 22GBs of data, Microsoft's Andre Vrignaud (aka Ozymandias) wrote about why storage capacity isn't as important as drive speed and -- wouldn'tcha know it? -- Blu-ray has bunches of the former and not so much of the latter. Former Sony employee Mark DeLoura responded with a long, thoughtful response sticking up for the format that fanboys love to hate, talking textures, audio, and even read speed. Naturally, there's some guffawing from the other side of the aisle as Ozymandias takes umbrage with some of DeLoura's claims, notably that textures and other media will take up a sizable chunk of that Blu-ray disc. One area they are in agreement on is that Blu-ray's read speed isn't as fast as the Xbox 360's. Says DeLoura: "Admittedly, Blu-Ray looks dicey from several non-capacity angles. Blu-Ray movies require a 1.5x Blu-Ray drive, or 54Mbits/second. Sony announced that PS3 uses a 2x BD drive, which is 72Mbits/second or 9MB/second. The Xbox 360 uses a 12x DVD, which should give it about 16MB/second. That is significantly faster for games and will result in shorter load times. And that 12x DVD drive should be a whole lot cheaper. (Note that the PS3 drive will do 8x DVD, and even that is faster than 2x BD.)" Says Ozymandias in response: "This is pretty much what I've been saying regarding drive speeds. A good example of where we're pretty clearly agreeing." So, they're in agreement. The PS3 will load slower than the Xbox 360, leading one to question whether bragging about 22GB discs is the most prudent course of action. Let's hope they use the compression technologies touched on in the debate to shrink the data down considerably, even if it obviates a key selling point of the console. ... but wait, it's not all settled. Be sure to read the comments on Ozymandias' last post to get a bunch of great feedback, including this gem on the finer differences between CAV and CLV drives ("a BD25 on PS3 fares better than a DVD9 on the 360"), or Kim Pallister's link back to his own feedback on the fight and the "innovator's dilemma." [Thanks, Hank; via DigitalBattle] Grist - Will Resistance: FoM justify the PS3 pricetag? [Joystiq] Point - Drive Speed More Relevant to Games Than Capacity [Ozymandias] Counterpoint - On PS3 and Blu-Ray [Mark DeLoura] Counter-counterpoint - Oddly, We're in Violent Agreement [Ozymandias]
FFIII gameplay preview
Yeah, we know. Final Fantasy III overload. But what's a fanboy girl to do? We are powerless to resist the lure of the lovingly updated classic. This preview has no random chatter, but only the FFIII goodness we crave. Nice look at the use of the stylus, the battle system, and more. Doesn't look like there's an issue with loading times from one area to the next, but this is just a taste, after all.
