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More details emerge on Apple's A5 chip for upcoming iPad 2 and iPhone 5
So, AppleInsider has some new info on Apple's successor to the A4, which we were talking up last week, and our sources say it's spot on. Specifically, AI claims that Apple is moving to dual-core SGX543 graphics, up from the A4's single SGX535 GPU (also known as the PowerVR 535). What's particularly great about this move is that the graphical power improvement is rated at around 4X the current generation -- which makes a true 4X resolution iPad "Retina Display" upgrade seem much more of a possibility. We're also starting to see 1080p HDMI video output as a "default" spec in this year's generation of devices, so there's no reason Apple will want to be left out -- particularly in the Apple TV -- and these dual graphics cores could handle that easily. The same cast of A4 characters are to credit for this new A5 generation, including the Apple-owned Intrinsity and PA Semi, while Samsung will again do the production duties. But details aside, we're just excited to play around with all this new horsepower when it hits -- apparently the PSP 2 is rumored to use the same graphics architecture with even more cores. Isn't Moore's law a grand thing?
Realtime Worlds director Dave Jones not joining Epic
It was rumored yesterday that Realtime Worlds creative director Dave Jones was moving to the United States in order to join Epic Games. Jones has since contacted Develop, informing the site that the initial report seen in the Herald Scotland was incorrect. Commenting directly on the Develop story, Jones said, "I'm still in Dundee and not in any way joining Epic. No idea where that rumour came from." Before founding Realtime Worlds and developing both Crackdown and the recently closed APB, Jones contributed to several well-known titles, including the original Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings. [Image credit: Jon Jordan]
Rumorong: Test Drive Unlimited servers not going offline next year
Reports have been floating around the 'net that Atari would be shutting off the servers for the first Test Drive: Unlimited game as early as January of 2011, presumably to make way for the open world racing game's sequel. But Atari tells Joystiq that the rumors are blatantly untrue -- "they are not dropping the servers at all," a representative told us this afternoon. The rep said that it's possible that French developer Eden Games may be moving the servers in some way, but anything like that would make no difference for players of the game at all. So keep on driving, Test Drivers -- your virtual O'ahu isn't going anywhere.
Rumorong: No Splinter Cell Conviction demo with Assassin's Creed 2
[geekadelphia.com] Joystiq has confirmed that the blurry video and NeoGAF forum member's claims of a Splinter Cell Conviction demo voucher shipping inside Xbox 360 versions of Assassin's Creed II were nothing more than an enticing balloon full of hot air. As the picture you see above reveals, copies of ACII sold by GameStop included a Splinter Cell Conviction leaflet meant to solicit pre-orders of Ubisoft's next big game, while a similar leaflet (included in our Amazon.com copy) contains a URL and code ("CONV1C71ON") for ... ringtones and wallpapers? Yes, sad, but true. Looks like we got our hopes up for nothing, folks. [Thanks Eric!]
PSA: Microsoft not planning Blu-ray drive for 360
Today has seen several reports that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has confirmed a Blu-ray drive accessory for the Xbox 360. The purported revelation came from a Gizmodo interview, during which Ballmer said that 360 owners wanting a Blu-ray player could purchase "Blu-ray drives as accessories." Clearing the air, Microsoft's Larry Hryb (a.k.a. Major Nelson) has gone on the record saying that the company has "no plans" for a 360 Blu-ray drive, adding that Ballmer was actually referring to Blu-ray drives for PCs. Hryb reiterates -- as did Ballmer -- that the main push for the Xbox 360 will be streaming media, noting specifically that the upcoming Dashboard update will bring instant 1080p streaming, a feature of the Zune Video Marketplace. Now, say it with us (one more time): Blu-ray isn't coming to the Xbox 360.
38 Studios denies Dec. 2010 release for Copernicus, plans to detail project next year
A representative for 38 Studios informs Joystiq that, despite some reports to the contrary, Copernicus does not currently have a release date. The clarification was made following The Boston Globe's report that the green monster studio Curt Schilling built is "targeting" a release of December 2010 for its MMO.In a statement to Joystiq, the company revealed it has reached several significant milestones, but that the rumored release date goes back to when the development house first formed. 38 Studios plans to release Copernicus "when the project is complete to [its] standards and satisfaction." We've been told to expect the company to finally begin discussing details about the project next year.[Via Big Download]
THQ: Rumored closure false, Euro wireless subsidiary restructured
Earlier today, a rumor circulated across the interwebs, stating that THQ had closed its doors and laid off* all its employees. The origin of the story seems to be a "source" close to N-Europe. We've already heard of "significant business realignments," as well as one analyst's proclamation that the publisher's franchises were slumping, but just this week it hinted at sequels to de Blob -- so what gives? As it turns out, this is (probably) much ado about nothing. We've got an official statement from the publisher rebuking the story. Said THQ, "Today, we advised our staff of a restructuring of our wireless subsidiary in Europe. That's all that has happened." N-Europe has also updated a retraction to the story. False alarm, folks, go back to your Spongebob games.* Feel free to substitute with axed, sacked, made redundant, karate chopped, etc.
Report: Warner Bros. rebooting Tomb Raider film (sans Megan Fox)
Warner Bros. is preparing to restart Lara Croft's celluloid career, reports ComingSoon.net. The rights to a Tomb Raider film were reportedly included in the deal when Warner acquired approximately 20% of publisher Eidos last year. How this particular franchise reboot -- overseen by producer Dan Lin -- ties in with Eidos' alleged plan to redesign the iconic protagonist (again!) remains to be seen.Chances are she won't be played by Megan Fox, though. According to a rumor making the rounds yesterday, the Transformers star was poised to succeed Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft in a third Tomb Raider film. However, according to What They Play, Fox's spokesperson says the actress is "not involved in the movie at all."Sorry, Fox fans; looks like the role of Lara still belongs to Angelina.Source -- Warner Bros. Rebooting Tomb RaiderSource -- Megan Fox is not the new Lara Croft
Rumor: Associated Press dates Home for Nov. 19
An article purported to be from the Associated Press has been floating around today that very casually dates PlayStation's Home for November 19 -- coincidentally, the same day as the New Xbox Experience launch. The origins of this version stem from The Inquirer ("Sony, Microsoft begin battle of virtual worlds"). It's also interesting to note that the article does not mention NXE's simultaneous launch date. When you search the AP website, however, you will instead come across a "Sony, Microsoft virtual communities to start" from the same day (via Yahoo!). In this version, Home is "dated" for "later this year," while NXE is coming November 19. Both pieces also use the exact same quotes from Enterbrain's Hirokazu Hamamura, Sony's Ryoji Akagawa and Microsoft's John Schappert. It's likely that the former piece was an earlier, now-corrected draft from the AP or a gross misread by The Inquirer (and subsequently propagated from there). It should also be noted that at Sony's Tokyo Game Show press conference this weekend, the company announced an open beta for Home would be launching in Japan this month and end in November. We've gone ahead and contacted Sony and AP to confirm.
Rumorong: G4 says massive 360 'relaunch' event not happening
You just knew that Monday's rumor of a televised "relaunch" for Xbox 360 planned for September 25 on G4 was too good to be true. Although, with everything its sheer madness (hey, we called it!) promised – the New Xbox Experience release; new, free Xbox Classics; huge exclusives revealed – it was one rumor everyone (well, make that "everyone with an Xbox 360 or lack of console favoritism") very much wanted to become fact. Alas, not this time. G4 has flat-out denied plans for any such event – let alone one lasting five hours – with X-Play host Adam Sessler making the rumor (and internet rumors in general) the subject of his latest "Sessler's Soapbox" rant, which you can watch after the break. That is, if your will to continue hasn't been utterly crushed by the busting of this nigh-legendary hoax.[Via X3F]
Rumorong: Activision, Red Octane call shenanigans on World Tour set list
We hope you didn't get your hopes up regarding Guitar Hero World Tour's hypothetical set list, which included songs from such bands as REO Speedwagon, Rob Zombie, and whole lot of Tool. Game Informer reports that both Activision and Red Octane have come forward, denouncing the list as a fraud. While some of the tracks listed will make it into the game, such as Van Halen's Hot for Teacher, the report calls the lion's share of the list "wishful thinking and pure speculation." We're sorry Tool fans, but you'll have to get your progressive rock fix somewhere else.
Rumorong: Nintendo DS redesign not leaked by Disgaea DS ad
The internet speculation switchboard lit up this weekend when a print ad for a trio of new Nintendo DS titles -- Disgaea DS, Rhapsody, and A Witch's Tale -- from NIS America in the August issue of Nintendo Power was found to show Nintendo's touchable handheld with noticeably wider screens. Some might even call these widescreens. But was this a simple Photoshop snafu, or an unintentional peek at Nintendo's E3 plot? With Nintendo brushing aside the supposed leak as "purely rumour and speculation," we followed up with NIS America, the proverbial horse's mouth. "We placed screenshots on a DS backing to emphasize the platform, and edited them for effect," explained NISA marketing swami, Nao Zook. "These games are specifically for the current Nintendo DS, and as far as we know, there is no 'widescreen DS' in the works." She offered apologies for any confusion or elevated hopes the ad might have caused, adding, "we also agree that a widescreen DS would be really cool." We agree, almost as cool as being asked to purchase Nintendo's portable yet again ...
Rumorong: Resident Evil 5 hitting simultaneously on PS3, 360
On Wednesday, PlayStation Lifestyle posted up a rumor that Microsoft was supposedly gunning for a timed Xbox 360 exclusive, to be paid for in cash money and announced at E3. Following an understandable uproar on the part of PlayStation fans, Capcom has set the record straight via their official message forums.In fact, said record-straightening was done by Christian Svensson, Capcom's VP of strategic planning and business development, who wrote: "The assertion is false. RE5 is a multiplatform release that fits with our oft-stated crossplatform strategy." In the same thread, Svensson confirms "for the avoidance of doubt" that the game will be a simultaneous release on both platforms. Thanks for being so quick with the extinguisher on this one, Sven.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Rumorong: Rock Band tracks not on South Park: Season 11 DVDs
The website which reported that three Rock Band tracks would be packaged with the South Park: Season 11 DVDs has now taken that bit of info back. TVShowsonDVD.com says that a Paramount representative informed them the information was incorrect, but that there will be other bonus materials in the release. South Park's eleventh season had the infamous "Guitar Queer-o" episode.Considering South Park had an entire episode about Guitar Hero, it would have been a little weird if the DVDs came with Rock Band downloads. However things got mixed up, it's a little sad to see the info turn out false -- unless the "bonus materials" end up being Guitar Hero III tracks.[Via X3F]
Rumorong: Target not pulling Mass Effect
Last night we got a handful of tips concerning a rumor (that originated from this Playfuls post) claiming that super-retailer Target was removing Mass Effect from its shelves following last month's ridiculous Fox News situation. After making some calls to local Targets, none of which had a problem ringing the game up on their registers, we followed up with Target Corporate Communications.A Target spokesperson got back to us this afternoon after double checking with all the right folks and told us unequivocally, "This is just a rumor. There are no plans to remove this game, it's available at Target stores and Target.com." We just wanted to nip this one in the bud before it spread too far and, having just done that, we now return you to your regularly scheduled Joystiq posts.
Rumorong: Resident Evil 5 and Devil May Cry 4 demos on RE: Extinction Blu-ray disc
A report making its way around the intertubes incorrectly states that the Blu-ray release of Resident Evil: Extinction will include playable demos for Resident Evil 5 and Devil May Cry 4. The original story has since been updated and Capcom has made a clear statement regarding the matter on their blog.The Blu-ray disc of RE: Extinction will include high-def trailers of both RE5 and DMC4. There's no word yet if these are trailers we've already seen or something brand new. It's probably going to be a good while before we get a public demo of either of these hot titles.
Rumorong: Turok isn't delayed, it's been February
Turok didn't recently receive a delay. Period. It's been February all the way back since E3, despite what some major gaming news outlets are reporting. One outlet in particular even has the same video below their story which we've linked from GameTrailers after the break that clearly shows a Feb. release date. Need more proof? Download the trailer on your Xbox 360 or PS3. They've all got the same date from months ago. As for Europe getting it Feb. 8, that's pretty much consistent with the way things work. Turok's already got a tough enough time being marketed by Disney, which is a shame because we definitely found our time with the game enjoyable. As much as August is a painful month for gamers in terms of delays, Turok just isn't one of them -- yet.
Rumorong: Rein says Gears of War on PS3 is 'bull****'
Following rumors of Gears of War heading to the PS3, Epic Games came out with a statement shooting the whole thing down. Quite succinctly, Mark Rein, VP of Epic Games says, "This story is complete bull****. I emailed the site and asked them to take it down. We're very happy with our relationship with Microsoft. If it weren't for them Gears wouldn't be the huge hit it has become."Mark Rein has said it before and he'll probably have to say it again. In conversations we've had with Rein here at Joystiq, he says that Epic is very happy with their Microsoft relationship. Do they disagree about marketplace transaction fees? Yes. But, like Rein has said in the past, it's Microsoft's store. Seriously, don't expect to see Gears on PS3.
