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ITRI shows off 6-inch FlexUPD AMOLED, hybrid 2D/3D display, makes lots of promises
Hey, remember when Taiwan's ITRI said that flexible TFT-EPD displays would be ready for smartphones by 2009? Yeah, well, keep that in mind when reading about this new 6-inch flexible display the company says will be released in a line of e-readers "very soon." It's called the FlexUPD, a 1mm thick AMOLED with a 5cm folding radius, 150nits brightness, and "unbreakable" construction. ITRI is also talking up its switchable 2D/3D display that we saw earlier, able to display both types of content simultaneously and do so without the requirement of goofy glasses. That tech is called i2/3DW and is set to "revitalize the [display] industry by revolutionizing the concept of 3D viewing." You keep on believing, ITRI, we'll just keep on waiting.
3D Vision hack uses active shutter glasses to display 3D content in 2D (video)
Stereoscopic display sharing -- or using one monitor to show two separate programs simultaneously -- has piqued quite a few people's interest lately. Both Microsoft and Sony have been developing ways to do this, and now there is a post on the 3D Vision Blog outlining how to modify your NVIDIA 3D Vision glasses to accept either the left or right image from a 3D display. You'll be opening the glasses up (careful!), soldering things like shutters and IR receivers, bridging this and that, but by the time you're done you'll be able to watch TV in the way that nature intended, beautiful, glorious 2D! (You can see it in action after the break.) Now, if only we could figure out how to watch color TV programs in black and white...
TUAW's Daily App: Pix'n Love Rush
I first heard about Pix'n Love Rush about a month ago from my colleague, JC.Fletcher, who described it as "a short, nervous, ristretto version of a platformer ... a sort of crossover between Mario and WarioWare, with a pinch of Galaxian and a hint of Game & Watch." And now that it's out on the App Store to play, I can say that's exactly what it is; it's a weird little mini platform game, with an art aesthetic that might turn off those not versed in gaming history. The basic idea is that you play as a cat-like creature, and you bounce around a randomized series of 125 various 2D platforming stages, collecting good icons and staying away from bad ones. The gameplay is frenetic but forgiving. There are big bonuses to be had if you can pull things off perfectly (the colors and graphics flip through various designs), but even if you miss a few icons, the game will let you run through some quick platforming pleasures in a few modes. If your taste in games begins and ends with FarmVille, this one's probably not for you. But if you're interested in experimental and art games, or if you just want to spend a quick 99 cents to see what this crazy, original gaming experience is like, give Pix'n Love Rush a try. It's definitely not a traditional title, but if you want to take a few steps off the beaten path in terms of gaming, there's a lot of fun to find.
ITRI's display manages 2D and 3D at once, set to challenge Toshiba for hybrid supremacy
We're still not really sure how Toshiba managed to do both 2D and glasses-free 3D in a single display, but we do now know that it isn't the only company to have achieved this stereoscopic feat. Engadget Chinese caught sight of ITRI's similar composite display, which is able to add depth to individual sections of the screen whilst leaving the rest of it stuck in Flatland. It's a 22-inch, 1680 x 1050 panel and, while 3D content is said to be rendered in much lower resolution than the rest of the display, SecondLife doesn't really require that many pixels to freak you out anyhow. No word on a possible retail release, so you'll just have to keep crossing your eyes at your current monitor.
HTC EVO 4G's graphics capped at 30FPS?
Reports are flying in from across the internet -- and by that we mean the xda-developers and Google Code forums -- that the EVO 4G might have something of a framerate issue. It seems that the device is "locked in" at 30 frames per second both in 2D (Canvas) and 3D (openGL) modes, while anecdotally, a phone like the Hero hits 54fps on average and has "smoother scrolling" in the menus. This apparently is visible both with the standard Sense UI installed and with the Froyo preview build, although in the latter case the Nexus One bootup video is 60fps before halving upon reaching the home screen. So, wherein lies the culprit? For Google's part, Android framework engineer "Romain Guy" responded to one thread reasserting the platform team's "target was, is and will be 60fps." We can't imagine it's related to the hardware given the EVO's impressive specs. Some fingers, ergo, are being pointed towards firmware. This wouldn't be the first time HTC's handsets have come under scrutiny for troubling graphical performance -- 2008 was not the company's finest year in that department. Whatever the reason is, we just want a quick resolve -- after all, it's just not fair when our Hero-carrying buddies are scoring better benchmarks.
Grab yourself an Ensemble Online alpha key with Massively!
How would you like to alpha test an MMORTSRPG? Yeah, that's what we thought. The amount of letters has distracted you. Our evil plan is coming to fruition! And, speaking of things coming to fruition, let's talk about Ensemble Online -- a new game from a small indie developer group. The game is incorporating aspects of a traditional RPG with elements of a real-time strategy game, all under an MMO flag. Retrieve resources, hunt monsters, build buildings, craft weapons, create empires, and wage war with other players in this 2D MMO. It's very ambitious, and ambitious things need testers. We've gotten 50 alpha keys to give away, and that means it's time for a contest! If we've caught your interest, jump with us after the break and we'll give you all of the relevant information. %Gallery-93695%
The Game Archaeologist and the Ultima Prize: Richard Garriott
Before he was Tabula Rasa's General British, Richard Garriott was simply -- and most famously -- known as Lord British, the absolute ruler and creator of the Ultima franchise. From 1980's Ultima I through 1999's Ultima IX, Lord British guided the development of one of the most popular RPG series of all time, including 1997's Ultima Online. Through it, Garriott and his Lord British persona became the de facto face of the series, a video game celebrity before such a thing really existed. After the floundering of Tabula Rasa and his subsequent falling-out with NCSoft, Garriot took a little R&R time to blast into outer space, returning to Earth to get involved with a social media games company called Portalarium. Because of his stature as one of the founding giants of not only MMORPGs, but video game RPGs as well, the Game Archaeologist stopped at nothing to procure his wise words for an interview. This quest took us to far-off, dangeous places -- including the world's most famous haunted house, Britannia Manor -- at which point we promptly purchased a return ticket and pleaded with our editor to do our dirty work for us. So bow, mere mortal! For you are now in the presence of LORD BRITISH! (cue wild applause)
Iwata: 3D functionality of Nintendo 3DS can be turned off
Afraid that the jump-off-the-screen 3D effects promised by Nintendo's next handheld (code-named the 3DS) will become tiresome and overly gimmicky? Addressing concerns that there may be possible health consequences with 3D gaming, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata assured Forbes that the 3D function can be turned off easily, allowing players to enjoy games in a more traditional 2D manner. While little else is known about the device, it seems like a smart move to ensure Nintendo's next system is attractive to as wide of an audience as possible. Of course, we may change our minds after its E3 debut -- perhaps the 3D effect will be so captivating that we'll be unable to think of gaming in any other way. [Via GoNintendo]
The fighting game you really care about: Capcom vs. Eric Ruth Games
We know some of you were unfathomably thrilled by the announcement of Marvel vs. Capcom 3, but the announcement was somewhat sullied for us by a secret, unfulfilled wish we'd kept tucked away in the deepest recesses of our heart. What if, instead of squaring off against a roster of superheroes from Marvel Comics, the Capcom combatants were forced to fight the original characters designed by Pixel Force Left 4 Dead and Mega Man 9 HD Remix creator Eric Ruth? Fine, we didn't actually have that thought -- but after looking at the first bit of gameplay footage from Capcom vs. Eric Ruth Games (posted after the jump), we really wish we had. Sure, we might not know half of the game's cast of characters, but it looks like good old-fashioned 2D fighting fun. Also, it features an announcer who says, "Ladies and gentlemen, start your fist engines," and that's the greatest thing we've ever heard.
Get experienced with Massively's new WonderKing giveaway [Updated]
Those generous people at NDOORS are at it once again with a brand new giveaway in their 2D MMO WonderKing. This time, the Level-Up Set Giveaway presents new players with the opportunity to grab one of 1,000 keys we've been given for our readers. These keys grant seven days of in-game EXP Tickets (+20% EXP) and Drop Tickets (+30% drop rate). Limit one key code per person. How can you grab one for yourself? Simply head over to our giveaway page, claim a code at the bottom of the page and follow the directions there. You'll need to be a new WonderKing player with an active account, which can easily be remedied by visiting their main site and signing up. [Update: We contacted NDOORS after comments left on this post and they've now informed us that these codes are only for new players.]
Gamesalad supports iPad game development
The folks over at Gamesalad have announced that they're releasing iPad functionality on their super-simple game development platform. They've already offered an iPhone development service for just 99 dollars, and now their system will export games directly to the iPad in the same type of way. I've never actually used their app, though we did get to see in action on the floor at Macworld earlier this year. It seems super simple -- you just drag and drop sprites onto a 2D field and set up different behaviors for each one. If you've been itching to make a game, but aren't quite ready to dive in to punching out code, this might be a good place to start.
New 2D Worms game squirming its way to Steam
A recent tweet from Team 17's Martyn Brown has revealed that everyone's favorite combative invertebrates will soon star in a new 2D outing on Steam, titled Worms Reloaded. That's literally all we know about the game at the moment, though Brown's tweet promises more details soon. Until then, we're left to worry that it's going to be an all-annelid remake of The Matrix: Reloaded, which would be totally awesome, until, of course, the big rave/orgy scene.
Sonic's pals rejected from Project Needlemouse
As predicted, Sega's playful countdown of playable characters that are set to feature in the upcoming Project Needlemouse has left only one anthropomorphic mascot standing: Sonic the Hedgehog. It's sad to think that Sonic starring in a Sonic game can make the news, but that's the world we live in. It's a world you have to share with Sega blog commenters like "ilcane87," who mildly castigated the publisher for turning a blind eye to super fans. "There's thousands and thousands of websites and message boards dedicated to single characters of the Sonic franchise out there," came the response, "and it's all those fans that you are going to alienate if you keep neglecting everyone besides Sonic himself, like you did in Unleashed." Not exactly Tikal'd pink, then. While ilcane87 may have lost "all interest for this game," we suspect some of you will be interested enough to view the piece of concept art posted after the break. Expect Sonic's solo return to 2D sometime in 2010.
WonderKing goes open beta, offers panda pet
If you enjoy side-scrolling free-to-play MMOs that you and your kids can play together, then you'll be glad to hear this piece of news. Ndoors Interactive, the company that brought Atlantica Online to this side of the pond has opened up the doors on their newest MMO offering, WonderKing. Set in myriad worlds thanks to dimensional travel, this new game pits players against hordes of demons who seem to inhabit everything from particularly pernicious jackalopes and jello to testy tiki monsters. Returning players from WonderKing's closed beta who come back and play in open beta will be treated to a special secret gift. (Could be meat, could be cake!) If you haven't tried out WonderKing, don't worry -- they have something for you too. Between now and January 10th at 6PM Pacific, all players who log in will be given an adorable Black Panda pet as a way to help them test out their shiny new pet system. So, if you've been looking for a way to while away the winter hours with the family, or perhaps you're simply passionate about panda pets, head on over to the WonderKing site and take advantage of their shiny new open beta.%Gallery-82305%
Prinny 2 named 'Dawn of the Great Pantsu War,' coming to Japan on March 25
Prinny 2: Dawn of the Great Pantsu War will reportedly launch for the PSP on March 25, 2010 in Japan, according to Dengeki Online (via Siliconera). Sure, Nippon Ichi Software might not exactly want us to know that it's making a sequel to this year's Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?, but that doesn't stop the company from releasing a mess of screenshots and a release date to gamers across the Pacific, along with with the game's full title. As if the first game's premise of securing cakes for Etna wasn't ridiculous enough, the second game tasks you with recovering underpants for her (thus the title). To combat the various adorable enemies along the way (just look at that penguin!), the developer has added new moves as well as a "baby mode" for novices. We've added a handful of screenshots to our gallery below, but you can peep a metric ton more right here. %Gallery-81200%
Luigi's Mansion + Castlevania = Mansionvania: Vacuum of Sorrow
We'll have to file this one under the "Games That We Wish Existed" category, as the screen you see above is little more than a pixelart mash-up of Luigi's Mansion and the Castlevania series. Masterfully created by Shane Gill for his PixelJoint page (and spotted by the folks at Tiny Cartridge), the piece is the living embodiment of what we wish the DSiWare service played host to more often. Alas, we don't believe we'll be seeing "Mansionvania: Vacuum of Sorrow" landing on Nintendo's digital distribution service anytime soon -- but we can at least point to it next time someone asks what we'd like to see available for download. "That! Go make that! That 2D pixel game with the vacuum-wielding Luigi! And enough with the calendars already!" [Via Tiny Cartridge]
Arc System Works has 'full intention' of doing Guilty Gear on 360, PS3
Arc System Works has built a legacy of fighting games with its Guilty Gear franchise. Recently, the company introduced a new fighting franchise in BlazBlue, and even though it was very well-received -- it's almost at a 90 on Metacritic and we certainly enjoyed it -- fight fans want to know when they'll get more Guilty Gear. Well, based on comments made by series producer/creator Daisuke Ishiwatari to NowGamer, an Xbox 360 and PS3 installment may already be under consideration. "I have the full intention to create Guilty Gear for PS3 and 360." Ishiwatari said. There was even some talk of a BlazBlue/Guilty Gear crossover, though Arc System Works business development director Tomo Ohno avoided any definitive commitments. "BlazBlue is a new thing, and there might be some crossover but at the moment we don't have any plans." [Via Kotaku]
Nintendo: Mega Man 10 teleporting down in March
Though we just found out about Mega Man 10, we won't have to wait long at all before we can try it. Nintendo's new Q1 schedule gives a March 2010 date for the WiiWare run-and-gun -- just two months after Capcom starts releasing Phoenix Wright ports. What a wonderful time to have an Internet-connected Wii and enjoy Capcom products. With the release so close, we expect more information to come out soon, starting with character art for all the bosses and the mysterious third character. We currently only know of the delightful Sheep Man and Commando Man.
Play Capcom's 2D Jetpack Attack while you wait for Dark Void
Sure, Capcom's vertical-shootin', UFO-jackin', jetpack-flyin' third-person shooter Dark Void won't be landing on retail shelves until January 12, but the developer wants you to spend some time with Will (and The Void) beforehand. If you head over to JetpackAttack.com, you can create and play levels in your browser of a significantly pared down Dark Void spinoff game, Jetpack Attack. After blasting our way through the first level, we didn't exactly find ourselves thirsting for more, though it did (no matter how small the scale) sate our urge for some jetpacking action. And hey, if worse comes to worse, you could always trade it in for gold, right? %Gallery-24248%
WonderKing Online enters into the final phase of closed beta
It's time for a fiesta in WonderKing Online! "Yippie, arriba, arriba!" as our friend Speedy Gonzalez would say. The fiesta is being thrown in celebration of the game entering into the fourth and final phase of closed beta, and players can take part in the celebration in a few pretty easy ways. Monday nights from here until the end of the phase are going to be double experience nights, which is absolutely perfect if you want to get to level 30 and qualify for a special gift that will be given to your character at launch. If you feel more creative, WonderKing is also offering a few contests involving Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube. YouTube users can create WonderKing videos to try to win a special ring, MySpace users can comment on screenshots posted each day to win a special beanie or earmuff item, and Facebook users can write a paragraph about snow to attempt to win a Santa's Gift Bag wearable item. Or, lastly, you can always go the safe route and submit bugs, as there's even a contest for that! Five users each day who submit bugs will win three Gigantes' Blessing items from the GMs. So, WonderKing players, it's time to get cracking! Fiesta away!
