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Teenager plays Space Invaders with only his brain
While having a robotic assistant play video games for you might sound novel, it's certainly not as thrilling as interacting with the 1s and 0s yourself. A team of researchers, engineers, and students at Washington University in St. Louis have crafted a brain-computer interface system that allowed a 14-year old gamer suffering from epilepsy to cruise through the first two levels of Space Invaders using only his imagination. Rather than picking up an Xbox 360 and perusing through the Xbox Live Arcade, the crew went back to their roots and programmed an Atari 2600 to interface with the brain-sensing apparatus. The headgear boasted a grid of sensors that monitored "electrocorticographic activity" from the brain's surface to detect signals based on thought processes that were going on. By calibrating his thoughts with video game triggers, the teenager was able to learn the ropes "almost instantaneously," and had no qualms demolishing the competition while twiddling his thumbs. The group plans to use this successful experiment to further understand the mysterious signals of the mind and give physically disabled individuals a chance to show of their mental sharpness, but we're hoping to see this thing bundled in with the sure-to-be-delayed PlayStation 8 that should hit shelves sometime before 2040 2050.[Via MedGadget]
Wedbush Morgan predicts Wii launch lineup and sales
Wedbush Morgan recently released its list of anticipated launch titles and sales figures for both the PS3 and Wii. The sales figures they present are very selective and they do not predict figures for every title, but we take what we can get. Their entire proposed lineup and sales figures, which we must say is not a confirmed list by Nintendo in any shape or form, is included after the break.
DBZ: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 gameplay explained
The crew over at Gamespot managed to site down and get a little face-time with the latest build of Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi 2, explaining that the game isn't going to settle for you just sitting on the couch, playing the game as if it's on any console other than the Wii. Oh no, apparently those eager to toss fireballs and teleport will have to actively perform these motions with the Wiimote. Good news though, the controls are less frantic and demand less amounts of wild arm-flinging. So with a more refined control set, you're better able to control the in-game action. This new control scheme combines button-pressing with gesture-based gameplay. For example, to fly you'll press the C button to jump and hover, which will get your character off the ground. Once in the air, you can hold in the C button and move the controller up or down to increase or decrease altitude.
D&D fans fix Temple of Elemental Evil
A group of dedicated Dungeons & Dragons role-playing fans have managed to accomplish something Atari and Troika failed to do three years ago -- fix most of the bugs in The Temple of Elemental Evil. Circle of Eight's labor of love has resulted in a consolidated patch that greatly enhances what many consider to be the best electronic interpretation of true D&D turn-based gaming. The Co8 updates even provide some extra content, such as additional quests, and new character portraits and voices.Team Troika consisted of Interplay veterans who had worked on the Fallout series, and the company's other two releases, Arcanum and Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, also had bug problems, despite garnering praise for their general gameplay. Even though Troika has disbanded, you should still be able to find ToEE for between $10-20, either online or at your local game store.[via PC Gamer #154]
NWN2's baddie nasties revealed
Obsidian's Neverwinter Nights 2 is just around the corner, and this ugly lookin' crew is waiting to meet you when the game ships later this month. The bald dude is a frenzied berserker who is basically impossible to kill during his "deathless frenzy" attack (fortunately, he gets tired). The blue chick in the middle is a sword-wielding mage and top servant to the Lich Queen, but she shows some serious age lines if she ventures too close to the Forgotten Realms. Lastly, we have the manipulative diplomat Torio, a man-hating, angry as f@#%, agenda of rage, bitter...(you know the rest, Banky). Seriously, if you take away those flotation devices, we've got some serious androgyny going on here. Actually, neither of these villainesses represent the prototypical, evil hot babe we've grown accustomed to in the role playing genre, so you shouldn't feel to guilty carving them up.See also: Your new Neverwinter drinking buddies
Your new Neverwinter drinking buddies
Neverwinter Nights 2 has been delayed by a week, but now you have a little extra time to get to know your in-game cohorts. IGN introduces us to three companions found in the game, each of whom you can use to put Obsidian's character influence system (from KoTOR 2) to the test. It looks as though Obsidian may have been slightly influenced by the popularity of the Warforged race from D&D's Eberron setting, judging by their inclusion of Construct the blade golem. Then again, we've seen big friendly brutes in previous Neverwinter campaigns.
Epic's Rein talks Gears, UT2007
Epic Games VP Mark Rein was back in the hot seat in a new interview with CVG. For part one of two, Rein discusses Unreal Tournament 2007's hover board and weapons roster, the UT Kismet scripting language, and why Gears of War isn't really a "shooter".Regarding the Kismet toolset and UT mod community, Rein had this to say: "Mod makers and designers are going to be able to do things that programmers could barely figure out how to do in the previous generation... you could take Unreal Kismet and build Tetris with it. I mean, without being a really genius programmer you could make a cool puzzle game with it."Well, we've already had Mortal Kombat Tetris, so why not mash up the classic puzzler with a shooter? Using Unreal Engine 3's enhanced particle and shading effects, it would be the best damn looking Tetris game ever!See also: Rein reckons PS3 "in a better place" for launch than 360 EA adopts Unreal engine for select next-gen titles
New DBZ trailer may have you screaming Kamehameha
Alright, we admit it. Dragon Ball Z happens to be one of our favorite series. It's easy get caught up in 30 episodes where each one is a continuation of the same battle. And it is always worth it to see Goku slip in a famous Kamehameha. Being fans of the games as well, we are always happy to see another DBZ fighter come out. Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 2 promises a lot with 130 playable characters and a new way of fighting using the Wiimote. Pressing buttons in this game will only get you so far. You must thrust, twist, turn, and "punch" the controller. We can hardly wait to be punching the hell out of some living room air to try and accomplish some of the best moves from DBZ. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is set to release November 22. As always, click continue to see the trailer. [Via IGN]
Neverwinter Nights 2 delayed 'til Halloween
IGN's Neverwinter Nights Vault is reporting that NWN2 has officially been delayed until October 31. Probably not the greatest news for young trick or treaters with a high percentage of gamers in their neighborhood. In the meantime, fans can check out 18 new screen shots at the revamped Vault portal, including in-game character creation screens.See also: Atari announces NWN2 Limited Edition NWN premium modules earn one last gasp
NWN premium modules earn one last gasp
BioWare has given Neverwinter Nights fans a pleasant surprise this week. In addition to posting the 1.68 update, the company has announced they are selling a new premium module, Wyvern Crown of Cormyr. How exactly did this happen after Atari pulled support for NWN back in May? A moderator on BioWare's forums has this to say:"As for WCoC, it was the most complete of the premium modules at the time the decision to cancel the program was handed down to us, in fact it was very close to release. Atari and other parties were very impressed with the amount of content and quality of work that had been done and how close to completion it was, so they changed their mind and decided to make an exception for this module."It's more likely Atari's about face has a monetary incentive. Their financial woes have gotten so bad lately, some quick digital download revenue wouldn't be unwelcome. That might also explain Cormyr's $11.99 price tag -- the highest yet for a BioWare premium module. Still, this will also be the largest NWN adventure to date, and you can ride horses now. On second thought, maybe that's why Atari approved this release -- horse armor!Don't forget to check out the excellent (and free) Darkness Over Daggerford module from Ossian Studios.
Fresh English press materials
Nintendo's excellent PR folk who are not only great at their job, but also incredibly attractive people, have finally opened the flood gates and let the subsequent torrent of swirling, wet information engulf our small valley village and decimate our homes. We're fine with it though, because we have been given the information we've waited so long on (it's a small price to pay). The section of the newly-opened Wii.com for the English-speaking crowd has gone live, as well as pages in French and Spanish. Nintendo has also opened up the sub-section of Nintendo.com dedicated to the Wii here. In this sub-section, a translation of some interviews with the Wii engineers and designers that Iwata conducted may be found. Finally, a good press release direct from Nintendo can be seen here. For a list of 52 games planned for the Wii, direct from Nintendo and third-party developers, click on the continue link.
Atari announces NWN2 Limited Edition
With just over a month to go until launch, Atari has announced there will be a limited edition of Neverwinter Nights 2 available for $60. The extra coin grants you a bonus character feat, a fancy cloth map, a book of artwork, and two silver antique rings -- one lawful good, the other chaotic evil. Make sure you don't wear both at the same time, or you might feel ... conflicted.Fans may remember the eighty dollar collector's edition of the original game, which also featured an art book, in addition to a poster, mouse pad map, the game's soundtrack, and a NWN shirt. Did that shirt actually fit anyone?
Nintendo releases Wii promo materials, games list [update 2]
The Nintendo public relations juggernaut has finally pulled the trigger on its English language web sites. Check out the English section of Wii.com (also available in Spanish and French), the Wii subsection of Nintendo.com (which includes official translations of the Iwata interview series), and this Nintendo press release for lots of info. straight from the horse's mouth. Also, on Nintendo's press only website, a list of 52 planned Wii games. Check it out after the jump. [Update 1: Gamespot has updated the list with 17 games that have been confirmed as U.S. launch titles. They are noted in bold below] [update 2: Fixed formatting, Updated Gamespot's launch titles]
Is that a working Atari joystick in your pocket...
Tired of consoles that take up valuable entertainment center real estate? How about one that fits on your keychain instead? A new line of miniature Atari 2600 joysticks and paddles actually hook up to your TV to play built-in games. The mini-systems, which include two or three classic Atari games each, hook up to a TV through a six-foot RCA cord and external AAA battery pack.We wonder how playable these games are on such small controllers, but just the idea of a TV console that fits in your pocket intrigues us. Now if we could only get a pocket sized Intellivision, we'd really be in business.[Via Random Good Stuff]
Test Drive: Updated (already)
In an era of over due patches (Far Cry, Dead Rising, etc.), credit Atari with responding to their customers in less than a week. Now that's an auto-update.[Thanks srw985]
More Atari trouble: Infogrames shares suspended
Newly appointed Atari CEO, David Pierce, must have been dangerously close to spilling his herbal tea this morning after reading a BBC news report regarding the suspension of Infogrames shares. If you recall, Infogrames is the French company that purchased the seemingly cursed Atari name back in 2001 -- bad news for them means bad news for Atari. Of course, Mr. Pierce's described reaction to the news is entirely fabricated. It seems ludicrous to suggest that he learned of the share woes through a website, much less that he accessed it through the sole computer which hadn't been repossessed yet. Though we jest, Atari's continuing string of financial pitfalls is no laughing matter (especially not for them). The company and its owner are clearly in strong need of some bankable intellectual property that goes beyond Dragon Ball Z and repackaged classics. Will the next generation of consoles give them a big break and the hit they need? In this industry, anything is possible. [Thanks, Jose.]
Atari appoints new CEO, hopes to avoid pitfall
David Pierce is one lucky guy. In addition to being given a fancy "CEO" title and $600,000 annual salary, the man has now been placed at the helm of Atari, currently in the process of sailing through stormy seas and various other clichés that amount to a lot failure and not an awful lot of money in the bank. He has over 20 years of management experience, including stints at Universal Pictures, MGM, Sony Pictures and Sony Music Entertainment -- perfectly valid evidence to back up the claim that he generally knows what's he's doing. Atari stocks went up by a whole penny following the news, indicating that more than one person believes this to be a good move.The company's previous CEO and potential Marvel Comics character, Bruno Bonnell, has been shifted into the position of "Chief Creative Officer." Presumably, that entails coming up with creative ways to get the most out of the stationery and decorating the offices with cost-effective origami and pleasing fingerpaintings. Joking aside, these internal modifications may finally allow this Atari (Infogrames in disguise) to escape its current rut, reap the financial rewards and usher in an all-new video game apocalypse. Will Mr. Pierce be able to plug up that hole in the company's boat? We'll have to wait and see (and play).[Thanks cringer8!]
Atari controller "keychains" -- with games
While its merits as a keychain are questionable (not to mention potentially painful), these officially-licensed Atari game-on-a-controller units from Basic Fun should prove to be geek catnip for anyone who remembers the good old days when game consoles were wood-paneled and had switches for black-and-white or color. The familiar 2600 joystick model is available in two variations, one with Asteroids and Millipede and one with Centipede and Yar's Revenge, while the paddle gives you Pong along with Breakout and Warlords -- although if the reviews are any indication you shouldn't expect completely faithful versions of the games. Each unit will set you back about $15, which includes the six foot RCA cable for connecting it to a TV (yeah, you gotta remember to tote that along with your keychain), but not the three AA batteries required to power it.Read - Design Kitten ReviewRead - Basic Fun[Via Uber-Review]
D&D Online launches in Japan
Sakura Internet and Turbine Entertainment are launching Dungeons & Dragons Online in Japan this week, and both organizations are banking on localized content to help attract fickle Japanese gamers. Like the popular Chinese version, DDO Japan features Asian-themed armor and weapons, although you would never know this after poking around the game's web site (essentially a clone of its western counterpart). DDO retails for ¥5,040 (US$43).See also: DDO: Litany of the Dead previewed
No online support for 3rd-party Wii devs until 2007
Buried at the bottom of an IGN preview for the Wii's Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam is the news that not only is this game not going to feature any online component, but every 3rd-party game that comes out for the Wii won't support anything online either. Not until 2007 will publishers be able to offer up Wi-Fi gaming to eager players who picked up a Wii. Gamers hoping for an online component, however, are in for bad news, because one isn't planned. Activision would not say why, but IGN has separately learned from multiple development sources that Nintendo will not release Wii Wi-Fi Connection libraries to third parties until early 2007, which means that no third party launch title will have an online mode. Well, that's pretty awful. Seems like a pretty dumb move not to allow your third-party developers to offer online play with your launch titles. Online gaming has arguably become essential for most players and considering your system isn't in high-def or truly next-gen graphics wise, what other incentive besides a different control scheme would a gamer have in picking up your product? Check after the break for the possible launch titles that would certainly be affected by this.
