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Super Smash Bros. 3DS patch nerfs Rosalina, hitstun cancels
CLASH Tournaments has released a detailed breakdown of the changes introduced in this week's Version 1.0.4 patch for Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, revealing a host of balance changes and tweaks affecting several characters. Notably, the respawn time for Rosalina's partner character Luma has increased from 8 seconds to roughly 13 seconds, putting Rosalina in greater peril when Luma is knocked out. Peach, Link, and Toon Link no longer have toss canceling abilities, and Diddy Kong and Mega Man are now unable to cancel out of a stunned state by using specific moves. The patch additionally blocks playback of replays recorded using earlier versions of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS. Other listed tweaks affect Falco, Greninja, Yoshi, and Mr. Game and Watch. Shoryuken details all of the discussed changes here. Our review of the upcoming Wii U version of Super Smash Bros. went live today, and we'll have a final score once online play activates. [Image: Nintendo]
Weekly updates coming to PlanetSide 2
Would you like your favorite game to update more often or less often? Odds are you're prefer the former; barring the occasional update that badly breaks something, updates are a good thing. That's why creative director Matt Higby took to the PlanetSide 2 forums to break the happy news that the game's update schedule will be increasing to weekly patches. Yes, that's weekly, starting next Wednesday and continuing through the remainder of the year. Higby explains that the new schedule will have several benefits, starting with the team no longer requiring frequent hotfixes to take care of minor bugs and performance issues. It also means that each individual update will be a bit smaller, resulting in fewer moving pieces and a lower chance of introducing bugs with any given update. Larger features are still being developed, and they'll be moved into the new weekly schedule, but players will be able to expect at least something once a week.
Latest Android update for the Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition fixes major bugs
As Android updates go, version 4.4.2 shouldn't get anyone hot under the collar -- it's mostly just bug fixes and software removals. But in the case of the Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition, the requisite fixes are, in fact, quite substantial. As we noted in our hands-on with the massive 6.44-inch device, the Z Ultra shipped with a few unforgivable quirks, like the inability to uninstall apps (which is what you'd expect from a skinned device, not pure Android), or sideload apps via the Unknown Sources option in the security settings menu. With 4.4.2. rolling out today, all of that's now been remedied, in addition the convenient deletion of Google's not ready for primetime Apps Op feature which allowed users to manage privacy settings for individual apps. Again, it's as humdrum as updates get, but at least now your très cher Z Ultra is actually worth the money.
New Nexus 7 gets update to fix buggy multitouch (update: and wonky GPS, too)
If you're one of the 2013 Nexus 7 users who's experienced some wonkiness with multitouch, this is (hopefully) your lucky day. Over on Google's product forums today, Mountain View staffer Paulw confirmed a system update that addresses the touchscreen issues. Build JSS15Q is reportedly rolling out now -- if you've received the update, be sure to let us know if your Nexus 7 is finally screen freakout-free. Update: Looks like the update addresses an issue with the unit's GPS sensitivity, too.
The Daily Grind: How much communication on major bugs is the right amount?
A lot of people were very interested in taking part in Final Fantasy XIV's open beta. Unfortunately, for a substantial number of players, the beta started and stopped with Error 3102. Leaving aside debates about whether or not this should or should not have happened, I think one of the big problems for several players was that the developers simply didn't discuss the issue with players until the test period was nearly over, which meant that there was no way of being certain that anything was being done. You could make the case that it's better for developers to be focusing on actually fixing the problem instead of updating people on the status of the problem. But silence can look a lot like ignorance at a glance, and no one wants to be ignored when something damages the game experience. So today we ask you, readers: How much communication on major bugs is the right amount? Do you want an acknowledgement and nothing more until it's fixed, or do you want hourly status updates from the development team? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Red 5 CEO details Firefall fixes, apologizes for open beta issues
Firefall jet-booted into open beta on July 9th, but the transition ended up being a bit trickier than Red 5 expected. Tutorials broke, crafting crashed, abilities vanished from hotbars, and logins were jammed. CEO Mark Kern offered a letter to Firefall players today apologizing for the problems encountered and detailing all the fixes the team has put in place. According to Kern, login errors are resolved, server capacity is raised in all regions, instances are stabilized, tutorials are un-stuck, and calldown menus function again. Additionally, dropships are cruising along the correct flightpaths and the game's crafting and customization menus are smoother, faster, and more responsive. Kern conceded that Firefall isn't perfect (or even finished), but wants players to know that he and his team are working on it: Please accept our apologies for the rocky start, and while we are not past all of it yet, things have improved tremendously and we are working on resolving the remaining issues. Meanwhile, please join us for a series of new content and features that are rolling out regularly. It's been an incredible experience and only made possible by you, the community. Thank you and see you in Firefall. Red 5 has an open beta Firefall tournament scheduled to start this Sunday, August 4th.
SimCity 2.0 update hits April 22nd, offers bug fixes but no offline mode
Although SimCity has become relatively stable following its problematic launch, there are naturally still ongoing bugs that the folks at EA Maxis have been working to fix. Thankfully, that version 2.0 update that was teased just over a week ago now has an arrival date of April 22 at 4PM ET. Included in the update are 26 bug fixes, along with data map color filters, a color-correct HUD for the colorblind setting and the action of mayors traveling from their mansions to their jobs. Sadly, an offline mode is still no more than wishful thinking, but at least that OS X version should still be on track for a June 11th release. You'll find all the details about your virtual city's soon-to-arrive enhancements at the source link -- expect some server downtime, by the way, when the update itself hits.
Status Board updated with bugfixes, performance improvements
Panic's well-received Status Board app has been updated to version 1.1, and as you might imagine, it's mostly a bugfix update. The biggest issue fixed was probably a bug with sending standard video out, but that should be all taken care of according to Panic (sending HD video out still requires an in-app purchase). The Calendar List panel also deals with resizing much better, and there are now options for either Celsius or Farenheit listings for each Weather panel you have showing. If you're enjoying Status Board, you may also want to check out our five surprising uses for the app, or take a look at some of the other widgets users have been putting together for the service. Status Board is wonderfully designed, but the app itself is really just a container. It's up to you to fill it up with whatever you'd like to be updated about. If you haven't gotten Status Board for your iPad yet, you can grab it from the App Store for US$9.99. That's a premium price, but Panic clearly put a lot of work into this one-of-a-kind utility.
God of War: Ascension update increases level cap, fixes audio glitches
God of War: Ascension's 1.04 multiplayer update, outlined by Sony Santa Monica designer Vincent Napoli in a new PlayStation Blog post, will bump up the level cap over 30 and through the "Elite Levels," up to 40. These new levels will enable a new item, two relics, and a new ultimate magic spell for the game's four allegiances.The update will also include a multiplayer stats screen and a number of bug fixes. Audio issues are the biggest priority there, but problems with matchmaking and certain weapon unlocks are also due to be fixed in this update. There's no official release date for the patch yet, but Napoli says it's on the way.
Chrome 24 fixes two dozen bugs, promises to speed things up
Google's latest browser update landed today with little fanfare from Mountain View -- just a tiny blog post proclaiming a faster, more stable Chrome. Diving into the build's change notes, however, reveal Flash updates, bug fixes and support for MathML. Not a lot in the way of consumer facing features -- though Bookmarks are now searchable, via the Chrome omnibox. Not as fancy as the last release, but we never to scoff at stability and speed. Check it out at the source link below.
Samsung working on fix for 'sudden death' bug affecting some Galaxy S III owners
If you own a Galaxy S III that appears to have suffered some form of cardiac arrest, failing suddenly for no apparent reason, Samsung is aware of the problem, and is working on a fix. The issue, being referred to in the forums as "sudden death," seems to be relatively rare: a Samsung spokesperson told Tweakers that the problem affects "only a very limited number" of devices. So far, we know the problem applies to users running the stock software, as well as custom ROMs. For whatever reason, too, these defective models are all 16GB variants, according to Samsung. In any case, Sammy says it will push out a firmware update to correct the problem, though the company hasn't said when that patch will be ready. [Thanks, Zhewei]
DUST 514's latest build lets you bring the pain from EVE Online allies
If you've been waiting for DUST 514 to show off its integration with EVE Online, your wait is over. Now when you're in the midst of pitched fighting for an area, you don't have to wade through enemy fire and struggle against overwhelming odds. No, you can just call in your allies from outer space, bring down an orbital bombardment in the area, and take possession of whatever survived the initial blast. That's the big takeaway from the game's new build, Chromosome, and it's one that's very welcome. Admittedly the orbital bombardments are currently limited to players on the test server, but seeing as the game is still in beta that's rather appropriate. The latest development blog discussing the update also mentions that this will be the last major push before open beta, and while it's not as flashy as destroying your foes from orbit, there have been a number of bug fixes and improvements. So there's a lot to like in this update, but the best thing is raining death on your enemies with arsenals from the heavens. At least, it's the best thing until the other side has better friends.
PSA: Microsoft says freezing issues associated with latest dash update have been fixed
Earlier today, Xbox Live's official status page noted that some users were reporting issues with their Xbox 360 consoles following the latest system update, claiming the platform would lock up when navigating to the dashboard. Xbox Support said the team would investigate the issue and release a fix soon. It appears that issue has been remedied.The Xbox Live Status page has been updated, removing a mention of the issue and Microsoft has told Joystiq that, while there was a little issue, it has now been completely fixed. Still having issues? Let us know in the comments below.[Thanks, Anthony!]
Acorn updated to version 3.5, lots of new options and tools
Photo-editing app Acorn has been updated to version 3.5, and with that update comes plenty of new features to check out. The Magic Wand tool has been updated with the ability to do contiguous or non-contiguous selections, you can now export just a single layer out of the app, there are some new plugin APIs to use and there are of course a whole host of other updates and bugfixes, all available on the official website. In short, a great app has been made even better. You can nab Acorn over on the Mac App Store -- it's US$49.99. If you already own the app, the update is free.
Outwitters, Super Knights and more get nice updates
There are a few new solid updates out to popular games on the App Store, and you should head into the App Store app and grab them as soon as you get a chance. First up, Outwitters has gotten a big update to hit version 1.1. The biggest change is a new item in the in-app store that allows you to run more games at one time, but there are a number of bug fixes as well, for game crashes and game timeouts. If you are interested in checking out a very well-polished turn-based strategy title and missed this one a while back, now's the time to grab the free app. Knights of the Round Cable has also gotten a big update, as well as a name change: It's now called Super Knights. The update features the same gem-collecting, cable-spinning gameplay, but it's been updated and "superized" with faster action and new mechanics like more princesses to collect. There are also daily challenges now, so grab the update if you're interested. Puzzle Craft was also updated earlier this week with a big gold bonus for players, and the iPhone classic Fieldrunners has just been updated as well, with support for Retina display. It's also on sale for just US$0.99, so pick it up now if you haven't done so already. And that's not all: Plants vs. Zombies (both the standard and HD versions) got updated with new achievements and a Last Stand mode. Minecraft got its big update (now with creepers, so watch your back). And the Touch Arcade app (featuring content from the popular iOS gaming site) was updated with iPad functionality recently as well.
HTC EVO 4G LTE software update begins rollout today, exterminates the bugs
Sprint's EVO 4G LTE has seen all sorts of setbacks and obstacles since its official announcement -- a customs roadblock and the lack of a live LTE network, most notably. Regardless, it's the flagship of choice on the Hesse-led carrier's lineup and, as any subscriber that's opted in for the device can vouch, an inherently buggy one, at that. To remedy that slew of software inconsistencies, a firmware update's begun rolling out today, bringing with it much needed fixes for WiFi connection issues, security and Google Wallet, amongst others. Aggrieved users can manually pull the patch now by navigating to the handset's settings menu and checking for it there or simply sit back and wait for the system update to make an inevitable appearance. Toes crossed this OTA release squashes that bothersome software infestation for good.
Skype's latest update for Windows and Mac apps fixes bugs, improves stability
Those of you who are frequent users of Skype on Windows, Mac or Linux will know that the Microsoft-owned video chat service is often rather busy pushing out updates to its desktop applications. And, you guessed it, today's no exception. Unlike in previous occasions, however, this time Skype's software goods are only for folks using Redmond or Cupertino machines -- but they're also quite diminutive, so the Linux crowd won't be missing out on too much. How so? Well, both versions (Mac 5.8, Windows 5.10) aren't really adding any fresh features, only bringing an undisclosed amount of "generic" bug fixes and some unspecified enhancements to keep the apps running smoothly. You can grab the updates now from either of the links below, or straight from the Skype application on your computer.
Chrome 20 browser released: exclusive 64-bit Linux Flash, fewer MacBook crashes
If your new MacBook is having kernel panics, or you're forced to run a 32-bit browser in Linux because you need Flash, Google's brought relief with version 20 of Chrome. While acting sheepish about "yet another release," the Chrome Blog said "hundreds of bugs" were fixed, including a MacBook resource leak issue which was temporarily patched by disabling some GPU features. Also, Linux users will finally get full 64-bit support for Flash with Adobe's PPAPI "Pepper" version, but since it was made exclusively for Chrome, Penguin users will be stuck with that browser if they want the feature. To get it, check the source after the br... oh, right, background update. Nevermind.
Trials Evolution getting bugfix update, resetting multiplayer leaderboards
RedLynx is delivering the first title update for popular motorcycle crash simulator Trials Evolution, adding fixes for a number of game issues, as well as tweaks to get rid of high score-ensuring loopholes.Because a lot of "corrupted data" made it on to the leaderboards at launch, according to RedLynx, the multiplayer scoreboards in Trials Evolution will be reset when the patch goes live at 2:00 AM PDT Wednesday morning. Single-player leaderboards, player-created track leaderboards, and multiplayer ranks won't be affected by this change.RedLynx recommends that players stay out of multiplayer for four to six hours after the update, in order to make sure that any scores earned are recorded correctly. What else can you do between the hours of two and eight AM? Sleeping is one option. Just throwing that out there.
TomTom releases fix for leap year bug, gets GPS devices back on course
Not long after acknowledging that a leap year bug had borked a handful of its GPS devices, TomTom's releasing a fix to solve the problem. The company says some nav systems had tracking issues beginning March 31st, claiming the intercalary conundrum was mainly caused by a bug in the third-party software. Those whose GPS devices are acting a tad bit confused can head over to the source below, where deets on how to get things back to normal await you. [Thanks, Aryo]
