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Apple is launching a credit card
The rumors were true -- Apple is releasing its own credit card. Apple Card promises to make the most of the company's privacy, simplicity and (of course) integration with your iPhone. You can sign up for the Goldman Sachs-backed card directly from your device (it'll be useful right away), and it'll appear in an updated version of the Wallet app that can show your latest bills, transactions and spending history. Naturally, you can use Messages to ask for customer service.
Steamy Romance Novels: Now with illustrations
One of my favorite parts of any new expansion has just gotten an upgrade, of sorts. It's no secret that I love the Steamy Romance Novels that have been a staple in the game since Burning Crusade. Mists of Pandaria added not one, but two new selections -- although one of them, I'm In Love With A Robot, is too smudged to actually read. Needless to say, part of me has been wondering if the savage lands of Draenor will, in fact, contain one of these literary masterpieces for us to collect. I was both surprised and delighted to see that not only do we get a new book, but all the books in the collection have received visual upgrades. That's right -- every readable Steamy Romance Novel now has illustrations along with the tantalizingly silly bits of story. That's some pretty loving attention to detail for what are essentially a bunch of vendor-trash books that most people won't favor with more than a glance. But more importantly, a new novel has been added to the collection: A Steamy Romance Novel: Savage Passions. And even more importantly than that, a new method has been added of obtaining all of the Steamy Romance Novels ... just in case you were missing one from your collection.
Notch explains decision to axe 0x10c, concentrate on 'smaller' games
When Marcus "Notch" Persson cancelled 0x10c, he laid the blame at the feet of a "weird creative block" that hampered his game development. In his blog, however, he has revealed that it was the sheer weight of fan expectation that killed the highly-anticipated space-sim. The Minecraft creator was so concerned about becoming "another under-delivering visionary game designer" that he'd rather ice the project than do a George Lucas. Instead, he's going to concentrate on producing smaller games away from the public eye, adding that he's looking forward to playing Project Trillek, 0x10c's spiritual successor, when it's done.
Steamy Romance Novel makes a return with double the fun in Mists
Although I've been impressed and delighted with each update of stuff to come with Mists of Pandaria -- the armor, the weapons, the reputation rewards, the mounts, and of course all those wonderful pets -- I still couldn't help but feel that something terribly important was missing. This thing, of course, was the Steamy Romance Novel edition for the next expansion, which we discussed way back in March. I mean sure, you can give me five new levels, a new race, and a ton of stuff to do, but it just doesn't feel complete until I can read about Sir Marcus' further, uh, exploits, as it were. Ladies and gentlemen, the issue has been addressed. And we have not one, but two resources waiting for us (although one of them doesn't appear to be legible). A Steamy Romance Novel: Hot and Misty follows Marcus to the Tavern of the Mists, where we learn that Kama the stable master is largely unimpressed with Marcus' exploits, Madam Goya appears to offer more rare items than expected, and you should be careful heading upstairs in the neutral tavern, because you might just find a pair of blood elves waiting for you. Unless you're into that thing, of course. You can read the whole tawdry mess over on Wowhead. And if you're interested in more, well, you're kind of out of luck for now, it seems. While A Steamy Romance Novel: I'm In Love With A Robot exists, it's too smudged with oil to read. Oddly enough, it appears to be an engineering item, since it fits in any of the engineering bags available. Apparently the book came with a schematic -- who knew? Regardless, with all the new new new of Mists, it's nice to see some things never change. It's open warfare between Alliance and Horde in Mists of Pandaria, World of Warcraft's next expansion. Jump into five new levels with new talents and class mechanics, try the new monk class, and create a pandaren character to ally with either Horde or Alliance. Look for expansion basics in our Mists FAQ, or dig into our spring press event coverage for more details!
Found Footage: Sony attacks iPhone gaming in new PSP ad
Well, when you get big enough, there's a target painted on your back. Sony has gone after the iPhone and the App Store in a new ad for their PSP gaming system. As you can see above, the ad comes from the "Marcus PSP" series (starring 30 Rock's hilarious Bobb'e J. Thompson as an advice-giving kid), and calls out iPhone gamers for not playing "big boy games." The ad then shows games like Twisted Metal: Head-On and Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee, bragging that they are all available for $9.99 (though the small text confirms that they are $9.99 each, not together). Very interesting. Truth be told, the ad is kind of weak -- it doesn't tell you to not own an iPhone, just that phones are better meant for texting and calling. But the biggest attack point here is that iPhone game developers are amateurs compared to Sony's stable, with a Doodle-esque "Game Castle" going up against high profile franchises. Nintendo has pretty much ignored iPhone gaming in the past, admitting that Apple is an eventual enemy, but generally staying unconcerned about the App Store, even as its share of handheld gaming grows. But this is the first time a competitor has publicly acknowledged the competition to consumers, and given Sony's rough history with the PSP lately, it looks a lot like a guppy trying to bite a shark.
New Gears of War figures featured at Toy Fair
NECA had quite the Gears lineup at NYCC's Toy Fair this past weekend, and MTV Multiplayer was there to check it out. Aside from a cute Marcus Munny, attendees could also check out the new Boomer figure, as well as the Ticker, among others. Personally, this blogger is glad to finally see a Colonel Hoffman figure. It sucks not having the toy of the guy you murder countless people online with, you know?
Marcus' Corner signs off with Geoff Keighley
HEY SON! We've all come to know and love Mega64's diminutive, mustachioed sidekick during his recent run of interviews with various members of the video game industry -- that's why it breaks our heart to learn that the video posted after the break is the final episode of Marcus' Corner. We'll be sad to bid adieu to the series, but we can think of no better way for it to conclude than to watch the pint-sized straight-talker viciously heckle Adam Sessler Geoff Keighley. From his show's tardy time slot to his favorite titles, no stone goes unturned and, as a result, unmocked. We have indeed had the time of our lives, Marcus.
Mega64 puppet Marcus hits up the Castle Crashers
This week on Mega64's interview miniseries Marcus' Corner, the foul-mouthed puppet interviews "Dan Pilates and Josh ... John, I don't know who cares" (whose birth names are the not-so-interesting Dan Paladin and John Baez) from Behemoth, makers of Alien Hominid and the upcoming Castle Crashers. After the interview, Marcus answers fan mail and looks at fan art, such as that seen above. See what he has to be say after the break.
