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Blizzard looking for "meaningful difference" in expansion releases
World of Warcraft's expansion cycle is not the norm in the MMO genre. The Blizzard expansion cycle is a new boxed expansion every two years, on average. According to Gameinformer, which got to talk to Tom Chilton at the Gamescom show in Germany last week, Blizzard is on track for a more timely release schedule with World of Warcraft expansions. Chilton told Gameinformer: We've been able to do it in one sense, but not as much as I would like to in another sense. I would like for all patches to reliably have raid bosses. Our first Cataclysm patch didn't have raid bosses. From a raider's persepctive, it probably doesn't feel any faster than it did before. For us, where the biggest improvement is going to be in this cycle is in the actual expansion release. Traditionally we've only been able to do an expansion about every two years. We're really hoping to make a meaningful difference in that.
Is this the voice behind Kindle's text to speech feature?
The controversy surrounding the Kindle 2's text to speech functionality continues unabated, and as we delve further into the legal back 'n forth between Amazon and the Authors Guild, we wonder if we haven't discovered the true identity of "Tom." According to David Pogue, the New York Times journalist has received an email from a certain adult contemporary heartthrob named Tom Glynn, claiming to be the source of the mysterious voice. What do you guys think -- would you pay $359 for this guy to read you a bed time story?
Kindle's text-to-speech feature voiced by "Tom"?
The controversial text to speech feature of the Kindle 2 has also been one of its most touted. Well, a dedicated investigator over on the KindleBoards has unearthed the purported true identity of that buttery smooth Kindle 2 voice: and he's called "Tom." Tom seems to have been developed by Nuance Technology, and if you hit the read link, you can hear comparisons of the actual Tom, and the Kindle 2 voice, then form your own opinion -- have we found him out, or is he still shrouded behind a thick curtain of mystery?
They grow up so fast!
Solely for your lunchtime amusement, we bring you this classic, heartwarming picture of a young family celebrating their new addition around the holidays. Mac is now 25, and had his first TV appearance last year after a short career as a young actor appearing on TV's Seinfeld. Tom and Beth just finished remodeling their kitchen. [Via BuzzFeed and EatLiver.com.]
Yesterday on Massively: November 15, 2007
Another day in Massively and we've got all the news from all of your MMOs, including our first impressions of just-out of-NDA Exteel. For a run-down of the day's eventsin delicious link format, keep reading! Contests Massively's Massive Giveaways - Pirates of the Burning Sea Massively's Massive Giveaways - Pirates of the Burning Sea part 2 Massively's Massive Giveaways - Pirates of the Burning Sea part 3 Features The Daily Grind: Your best MMOment First Impressions: Exteel Cinemassively: Windlight - Binary Beauty One Shots: A giant what? Behind the Curtain: Save our bosses More evidence MMOs are good for you
Former RedOctane employees legally lose their rhythm
Two former RedOctane employees, Guitar Hero II executive producer John Tam and brand manager Corey Fong, have settled with Activision regarding a lawsuit the publisher filed against the duo, GameSpot reports. The other parties involved -- PR firm Reverb Communications, peripheral manufacturer The Ant Commandos and former RedOctane employee Jamie Yang -- have not currently settled.Activision claims that Tam and Fong had used their knowledge of its rhythm games improperly in creating and showcasing a demo that aimed at getting funding for a new development house, Lodestone Entertainment (formerly Hourglass Interactive), that intended to develop rhythm titles. Tam and Fong have consented to the judge's permanent injunction that bars the duo from the following: Using the demo they created, which is said to have incorporated elements of Guitar Hero and StepMania, in any way Disclosing or act upon any Activision trade secrets Developing drum-, guitar-, or synthesizer-based games for the next year Working on any Guitar Hero II controllers for the Xbox 360 until six months after the game's release this week Developing any sort of competition for unspecified peripheral devices (effects pedals, perhaps?) found on a confidential list held by Activision until six months after they are released Additionally, Tom and Fong are to turn over "all documents, files, or materials they might have relating to the publisher's proprietary information, Lodestone Interactive, or communications with Reverb and The Ant Commandos" to Activision, according to the report.