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New iPad Pro shipments continue to slip as Apple faces display production issues
According to Bloomberg, Apple is dealing with supply chain issues that could leave buyers waiting weeks for their new 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Google warns Android app reviews may take longer due to coronavirus
Google is warning developers that Play Store app reviews may take longer than usual due to work schedule adjustments, Android Police reports. In a statement, the company cautioned developers to "expect review times of 7 days or longer." This likely applies to both new app submissions and those that trigger a manual review.
'Doom Eternal' is delayed to March 2020
DOOM Eternal's launch was slated for November 22nd -- but to add some polish, publisher Bethesda Softworks is pushing that date back to March 20, 2020. The developer, iD Software, will also add a new feature called Invasion Mode, which will allow players to enter others' campaigns as a playable demon. This new mode will be a free download available shortly after the game arrives.
GM's self-driving car reportedly has trouble recognizing pedestrians
It seems that General Motors' self-driving car unit, Cruise, is running into major difficulties, and will likely not be able to hit its late 2019 launch target. Sources close to the project have told Reuters that engineers have been hitting unexpected technical challenges, like being able to detect objects if objects are in motion. For example, vehicles would hesitate or stop when passing a row of parked bicycles, would mistakenly see "phantom bicycles" that caused jerky stops, and would even fail to recognize pedestrians. "Nothing is on schedule," one GM source told Reuters, as Cruise has already missed mileage targets and milestones.
Bloodhound's rocket-powered test run delayed to 2019
Hopes that the Bloodhound supersonic car project was making progress in its land speed record bid have been dampened yet again. Due to a lack of funding, trials that may have paved the way for the 1,000mph record have been pushed back to May next year, although the date of the overall record attempt taking place in South Africa -- late 2019 -- still stands.
A US customs computer snafu caused major airport delays
US Customs and Immigration computers went down at various airports around the US yesterday, causing some havoc for travelers returning from holidays. It left hundreds of folks stuck in lines for a couple of hours in a part of the airport where there's normally not a lot to do. The agency didn't say what caused the problem, but said "there is no indication the service disruption was malicious in nature."
Worldwide flight delays caused by glitchy check-in system
Passengers around the world have been enduring long delays thanks to a glitchy passenger reservation system, passengers, airlines and airports are reporting. Airports as far flung as London's Gatwick, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Melbourne and Baltimore Washington have all reported issues. According to Gatwick, it was caused by a problem with Amadeus Altea, a passenger management system used by 125 airlines. That company confirmed that it's having a "network issue," according to the BBC, but has started restoring services.
Google plans faster updates for all Android phones in 2017
If you didn't get a timely update on your Moto, Samsung or HTC device, but your friend over there with the Google Pixel did, it's not necessarily the manufacturer's fault. The complexity of Android, especially when it comes to security, is also a big part of the problem. In fact, Google revealed that around half of the 1.4 billion Android devices out there didn't get important security patches in 2016. This year, however, it plans to work more closely with smartphone makers to improve that stat.
Capcom drops sales forecasts ahead of year-end results
Capcom revised its consolidated earnings forecast for the fiscal year ending on March 31, lowering its net sales expectations from 80,000 million yen ($673 million) to 65,000 million yen ($547 million). The change represents an 18.75 percent decline, which Capcom said is "primarily due to the severe impact on pachislo machine sales," thanks to "the delay in the introduction of a new model." Capcom added that "delays in the launches of some midrange titles in the Digital Contents business" also impacted its projections. While the publisher did not specify what previously-delayed digital games were the culprit, it did push back the beta for its online RPG Deep Down (seen above) to 2015 back in late August. Capcom also delayed the Japanese launch of Breath of Fire 6: Guardians of the White Dragons to this coming spring as of late July. [Image: Capcom]
Google Maps will now warn you about UK train delays
Google Maps has incorporated train timetables for a while now, but it's never accounted for the inevitable delays and cancellations that plague UK networks. You would select what you think is the fastest route, only to stand around on the platform wishing you had called a taxi instead. Well, that could be less of a problem in the future, if you're a Google Maps user at least, because today the company has added real-time National Rail data to its travel app. So if yet another signal failure is disrupting your line, the app should reflect that automatically and give you some alternative routes. In addition, you can now swipe around the map and tap on any UK rail station to review the next departures -- helpful if you're stuck in the middle of nowhere and need to start making tracks.
The Witcher 3 dev: The market is afraid of badly-polished games
When CD Projekt RED delayed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt to May 19, 2015 earlier this week, the developer said it saw "many details that need to be corrected" in the game before it was ready to launch. The group's President and Joint CEO Adam Kicinski added to that statement, telling Polish financial journalists (as translated by Eurogamer) that the studio's fans "took our decision very well. [The] market is afraid of badly polished games on next-gen platforms." While Kicinski did not name any games or developers in particular, games such as Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Unity, Sony's DriveClub and Microsoft's Halo: The Master Chief Collection encountered varying, severe issues at their respective launches on PS4 and Xbox One this year. The CD Projekt head also said the developer wants "to disarm the opinion that [The Witcher 3] doesn't exist. It will be closed by the end of the year in line with the schedule." Kicinski said there are "a lot of small errors" in the game, which are "the only reason behind the delay," and that the company doesn't want to "release the game with bugs that undermine the gameplay." CD Projekt admitted it "set the release date too hastily" when it aimed for February 2015, which itself was a delay from The Witcher 3's previous 2014 launch window. [Image: WBIE]
Dark Souls' Steam migration delayed, prepare to die next month
Dark Souls PC owners can throw another log on the bonfire, because they have to wait until December for the game to transition over to Steam. Namco Bandai says it's finalizing the nuts and bolts of moving the action-RPG from Games for Windows Live to Steam, and more testing means the company's targeting the transition for next month rather than this one. In its original announcement, Namco said owners will be able to redeem Dark Souls on Steam by using their GFWL tokens at no extra cost. Saves and achievements can survive the journey during a short migration period, but GFWL rankings will be flattened by a figurative cannonball rolling down a metaphorical staircase.
Explore Alaska Native stories with Never Alone's ice climbers
In a week stuffed with all-guns-blazing, triple-A new releases, something like Never Alone is a distinct anomaly. Out now on PS4, Xbox One and PC, it combines challenging puzzle-platforming with a story infused with Iñupiat folklore that comes direct from the source. Co-developers Upper One Games and E-Line Media collaborated with "nearly 40 members" of the Alaska Native community, including elders and storytellers, and the project was funded by the Cook Inlet Tribal Council to ensure its cultural authenticity. The end result is a 2D platformer in which an Iñupiat girl and an Arctic fox struggle against an immense, eternal blizzard as they climb and clamber together through the harsh Alaskan landscape.
Halo: MCC matchmaking patch delayed until 'later this week'
Halo, is it matchmaking you're looking for? Sorry, but the Halo: The Master Chief Collection matchmaking-focused patch originally scheduled for tomorrow, November 19, is now due "later this week." After a week in which the Xbox One compilation's been beset by online troubles, 343 Industries said the extra time allows the studio to include more fixes in the title update, as well as ensure a complete testing and certification process. "This content update includes a variety of fixes across the title," reads 343's update on Halo Waypoint, "including matchmaking performance issues, general UI and game stability improvements, as well as fixes for game-game specific issues in Halo: CE, Halo 2, and Halo 2: Anniversary, and more. The full patch notes will be posted later this week, in advance of the content update release."
Citizens of Earth delayed, taking office in January 2015
The launch of Citizens of Earth has been delayed to January, Atlus announced today. The game will now enter office on January 20, 2015. Citizens of Earth was previously expected to arrive in September, then set a date for this month before its delay this week. Developed by Eden Industries, the game incites memories of other quirky, lighthearted RPGs such as Earthbound. In Citizens of Earth, the Vice President of the World investigates strange happenings in his town while recruiting 40 different citizens as battle party members, delegating his team to fight in his place. While Citizens of Earth fell short of its $100,000 CAD ($91,600 USD) goal on Kickstarter in October 2013, Atlus picked up publishing duties for the game this past April. The game will cost $14.99 (€11.99) and will be available on PS4, Vita, 3DS, Wii U and PC. [Image: Atlus]
Evolve's alpha test delayed on PS4 due to firmware issues
Evolve's "Big Alpha" test has been postponed on PlayStation 4, 2K announced today. After the PS4's recent version 2.0 firmware update resulted in a number of issues for players, the publisher also began "experiencing difficulties with the Evolve Big Alpha" on Sony's home console. "PlayStation and 2K are working together on a resolution," 2K noted. The test was expected to hit PS4, Xbox One and PC this weekend, and it will still happen for the latter two systems. PS4 owners that happen to have an Xbox One or PC capable of playing Evolve are encouraged to use the registration code "05379-29749-32069" and referral code "EvolveBigAlpha4v1" to register for the alpha test on either of those systems via Turtle Rock Studios' site. Those suffering from the PS4's Rest Mode issues after the version 2.0 system update may also want to consider trying one possible fix listed here. Evolve will launch on February 10, 2015. Update: 2K has addressed the issues stalling the hunt on PS4 in the following statement: "2K, Turtle Rock Studios and PlayStation continue to work hard to resolve the difficulties affecting the Evolve Big Alpha on PlayStation 4. Evolve's closed alpha test is still playable on Xbox One and PC. We thank our PS4 users for their continued patience. More information will be provided at the Evolve website, Twitter and Facebook pages as it becomes available." [Image: 2K Games]
Driveclub PS Plus temporarily held back to ease server load
Evolution Studios announced it's delaying the PlayStation Plus edition of Driveclub following the server troubles and connectivity issues the retail version's endured since launch. In a Facebook post, Game Director Paul Rustchynsky apologized for holding back the content-lite version free for Plus subscribers, which was due to launch alongside the full game this week, noting that "we want to ensure that when you come on board, you get the best experience possible." Rustchynsky didn't provide a new due date for the Plus edition, but said once Evolution's happy with server performance the studio will announce when it'll be available. The delay also applies to the racer's companion iOS and Android app, which did launch on Google Play yesterday but was since pulled. As for users who've pre-ordered the full game upgrade from the Plus edition, Rustchynsky said "you will still get the full version of Driveclub digitally." - we've reached out to Sony to clarify if that means they can obtain the full version now or when the Plus version launches [Update: A Sony UK spokesperson told Joystiq, "If someone has purchased the PS Plus version, they will be able to get the full game - as the game isn't out yet here, this would be on Friday in the UK."]
Star Citizen updates backers on the status of Arena Commander V0.9
Star Citizen's latest update to the Arena Commander module has not come out yet. Yes, V0.9 is being held back slightly, but there's a good reason for that. A recent dispatch from the development team explains that the update just had not been rigorously tested enough to release, especially with the overall goal of making fast progress from V0.9 to V1.0. Of course, the V0.9 update also offers a significant number of upgrades to the experience as a whole, which makes the change that much more understandable. Improvements include the addition of the Murray Cup Racing Mode and the Vanduul Swarm Co-op Mode, leaderboard functionality, and improvements to existing hangars. The update also includes the M50 and 350R ships for all modes and adjustments to make flight options more robust. So you'll have to wait a little longer for the update, but the hope is that it's more than worth the wait. [Thanks to Cardboard for the tip!]
Camelot Unchained launches pre-alpha test checklist
Camelot Unchained is running a little bit behind, as we learned last week. It happens; it's the nature of development. But what, exactly, is the source of the delay? The team has launched a pre-alpha testing checklist to explain just that. No, it's not the things players have to do before testing; it's what the team has to get completed before the game is ready for its earliest tests. While there are no time estimates available on the unchecked entries, fans can get a good idea just from the chart how far along the development process is. Presumably, more entries will be filled in as they are completed without other fanfare. If you want to have a one-stop spot to see the state of the game in development, check it out for yourself.
Shin Megami Tensei 4 delayed once more in Europe
Atlus pushed back the European release of Shin Megami Tensei 4 to October, fueling the idea that when game and continent finally meet, it'll be a universe-imploding, hell-frozen-over act of irrevocable consequence. The 2013 3DS JRPG was due to launch this month in Europe after a year of silence about it ever reaching the region. To Atlus' credit, PR Manager John Hardin explained the delay was due to a few "last-minute issues specific to the EU version, and the studio's keenly aware of what's been a long wait.
