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Rumor: Microsoft testing the motion-sensing waters
Why does this news pertain to you, intelligent and drop-dead gorgeous reader? Well, for one we suspect you have a deep and dark hatred for Bill Gates and his company. Also, this rumor states that Microsoft is working with one of Nintendo's partners to establish this motion-sensing controller.Gyration, a company that Nintendo had worked with in the past to establish what has become the Wiimote, has now begun work with the Redmond-based giant to develop a unique controller for the Xbox 360. And, with the Xbox 360 being the only current-gen console missing motion-based controls, it's likely that Microsoft could be planning to correct this soon.[Via Gaming Bits]
Dojo update: Controls
Today's dojo update isn't a huge megaton or anything, but for those who didn't know about all of the various control options, it's something new. Also, you can transport your control settings to a friend's house by uploading your settings to your Wiimote and hitting the road. Screens of the various set-ups can be found in the gallery below.%Gallery-10206%%Gallery-6869%
Xbox 360 parental timer coming in December?
Xbox 360 addicts, particularly ones under the age of 18 (or still camping out in your 'rents crib), take note: a "Family Timer" could be wrecking your habitual play as early as next month. The above image was reportedly spotted in the pamphlet of a Guitar Hero III keychain (we know...), and it touts the timer's ability to easily limit how much time kids spend on the console. If this proves legitimate, the new functionality will be available via Xbox Live next month, and there's even an option to "suspend or add time" depending on how those report cards turn out. Parents, we know how much flak you'll be getting should you activate this "feature" right around the holidays, but hey, just tell those immature youngsters of yours that you're simply following in the footsteps of Bill Gates himself.[Via Joystiq]
Rumor: Xbox 360 parental timer coming in December
The Xbox 360's parental controls could be getting a boost next month with a "parental timer" feature that would let parents limit the amount of time children can play. The information comes from a TeamXbox forum poster who says he found the feature listed on a pamphlet included with a Guitar Hero III keychain, of all things. Not exactly iron-clad sourcing, but given that Microsoft's Vista operating system already has a similar feature, it doesn't seem too far-fetched. Still, consider it a rumor until we can confirm this for ourselves.[Via XboxToday]
NiGHTS website hints at control options
The issue of NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams' control scheme is getting more complicated-- and, to us, more awesome. Reports from TGS indicated that the game made no use of motion controls; later, we heard that the motion controls were optional, and disappointing. But it seems that we have yet to hear the whole story about the control options for this game.Sega's North American NiGHTS website has opened up, and its "features" area lists the supported controllers for the game. According to the website, it is possible to play NiGHTS with the Wiimote, Wiimote and Nunchuk, Classic Controller, or even a GameCube controller. We still have yet to determine the specifics of any of the control schemes, but it at least seems more likely that there will be one for everybody. And, as with Super Smash Bros. Brawl, we're excited about replaying the game using different control schemes.The website also features a brisk history of NiGHTS and a short video of the Saturn game in action. It also features a lovely sparkle effect when you move your mouse.
Matt C.'s new hype train: Medal of Honor: Heroes 2
Now that Zack & Wiki has been released into the wild, IGN's Matt Casamassina needs something new to hype, and we're all sorts of behind this latest choice: Medal of Honor: Heroes 2. In a recent blog entry, he reports that the controls are out of this world. In fact, he says the WWII title "beats the pants off Metroid Prime 3 in the FPS control department. This is the new Wii benchmark, period." That's a bold statement, but it seems to jibe with what we've seen and heard so far about the game ... and hey, we get bonus incredible multiplayer to boot. Put us down in the excited column on this one.In the same post, he drops possible hints of an Elebits sequel. Exciting![Via Joystiq]
IGN's Casamassina says new Medal of Honor 'beats the pants off Metroid Prime 3' controls
With equal parts vindication and deep personal loss in his life, IGN's resident Nintendo fanboy Matt Casamassina seized the moment and spent a little time blogging. The big revelation is that he believes the upcoming Medal of Honor Heroes 2 is a new benchmark in Wii FPS controls. He says there is a video coming in the near future, but for now says, "[MoHH2] officially beats the pants off Metroid Prime 3 in the the FPS control department." Casamassina also says while speaking with Shingo Mukaitoge (Elebits, Dewy's Adventure) that the game producer "paused for a moment, smiled, and would only say, 'That's a secret.'" in regards to an Elebits sequel. Mukaitoge says his team is already working on a new Wii project and will announce it soon. We're kinda looking forward to another Elebits. It's no secret that the game was a rush job for the Wii release, but it'd be interesting to see what the team could do with a little more time.
NiGHTS is looking better and better all the time
At this point, we can only assume that the earliest shots of Sega's NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams were maybe a little too early. The game looked rough and flat, but these days? NiGHTS is looking better than ever. But that wasn't the only issue with the revival of the classic; after recent reports from TGS, reviewers complained of slow framerate and a lack of motion controls. Well, folks, we've got what may be good news: it looks like there's a chance for everything to go our way with this latest NiGHTS.Retailers stealthily changed the date on the title, and it looks to have been pushed back to just before Christmas. We can only hope that will give Sega a chance to work on the framerate issue. As for the motion controls, Graham at Sega Nerds demanded the right to test the motion controls at TGS and reported that they really weren't anything special. In fact, he says the other mode -- which more closely resembles the original Saturn controls -- was better. So maybe those will be fixed as well ... and if not, well, that's okay. We can do our androgynous fly-bys retro-style.We've updated the gallery below with some of the new screens, and we'll tell you that they are definitely worth a peek. If this is how much NiGHTS has improved recently, we can't wait to see it at release!%Gallery-4673%
Wii Warm Up: In comparison
We don't often try to fan the flames of rampant fanboyism around here, despite the name. Oh, sure, we may sometimes poke a little fun at other epic titles, but for the most part, we're all about letting everyone do their own thing, and we're even behind owning multiple systems! Loyalty is great and all, but so are options, amirite?But sometimes, we get a little tired of the remarks about the Wii's graphics, games, and output. We complain sometimes, but honestly, we've got it pretty good. Our system doesn't break once a month, and our flagship games are looking pretty sweet, unlike certain other super-hyped titles that failed to deliver (in all fairness, we're mostly dealing with long-running franchises, but still). We don't usually end up with a game that doesn't live up to certain promises, either. On top of that, our console is pretty affordable, and you can usually get just about anyone to play with you! All in all, we'd say Nintendo fans actually have it pretty good right now. How about you guys? Do you feel pretty good to be Wii owners?
Lair dev berates motion controls ... in other games
What's good for the goose is good for the gander, they say, but what's good for the dragon isn't necessarily good for the jet fighter. At least that's what Factor 5 president Julian Eggebrecht seems to be saying. In an interview with GamesRadar, the Lair developer said the motion controls in Incognito's Warhawk are, and we're quoting here, "eurgh!!"Eggebrecht explained that while desperately twisting the controller like a goon is a perfectly fine way to control a dragon, it just doesn't work for Warhawk's high powered jets. "I see motion-sensing as a complimentary, additional new step in terms of controls and where it fits you should use it and where it doesn't fit, don't force it," he said. "Please don't force it." Interesting he should put it that way ... while Warhawk's motion-sensitive flight controls can be turned off in the options menu, controller twisting is the only option for Lair's dragon flight. Forced indeed.Eggebrecht isn't just hurling insults, though -- he seems to really believe in this plane/dragon control dichotomy. In a separate GamesRadar story on the vague possibility of a new Rouge Squadron game, Eggebrecht said he didn't think the motion controls would work for the series' futuristic flying machines. "If I was to do a game with an X-wing, I don't know if I'd necessarily use motion control," he said. "It might be [analog] stick, because that is how you'd be controlling the craft - it might be more appropriate." But for dragons? Fuggedaboutit!
Contra 4 controls give us pause (and other buttons)
We've reached the point where every single Contra 4 news piece that comes in has us gripping the arms of our chairs, afraid that we'll fall from the dizzying heights of ecstasy that we've just been sent to. The experience is both exhilarating and terrifying. Even this image of Contra 4's control setup, taken at one of Comic-Con's demo stations last week, gave us cause to throw our office windows open, yelling out our excitement to the pedestrians below. Press B to jump! Press Y to fire! Press L to switch weapons! How great life is!
Use your iPhone as an XBMC remote
I have to say, as much as everyone whined about the lack of an iPhone SDK, I am nothing but impressed at how far people are bending over backwards to provide functionality to the iPhone. Yes it makes you wonder how much we could do if there was an SDK, but on the other hand, developers are really showing us just how much can be done with just a browser.Take, for example, the Xbox Media Center iPhone Remote. If you're still using your old Xbox as a media center, Tom Robinson has devised a setup that will let you actually log in to your Xbox from your iPhone, essentially using the iPhone as a very expensive (but very functional) remote control. Basically, you FTP the code onto your Xbox (or just install it over the web), and then login to the Xbox's IP from MobileSafari, and you can use it to browse media, view information on playing media, and even use transport and audio controls. Wild.My only question is how secure this is-- without having used it, it seems like all you need to get full access to the Xbox is the IP address. There may be something in the code that confines access to a local network, but if you can install this script from the web, it seems like you could also log in to control an Xbox from afar after it's been installed. At any rate, it's a really interesting idea, and just another example of how creative people are getting in developing functionality on the iPhone.Thanks, Dave!
Wii Warm Up: The worst controls
Earlier this week, we spent a little time talking about some of the best motion-sensing control schemes offered by Wii games so far -- so it's only fair that we dedicate a little time to the worst that you've experienced since launch. We've managed to avoid some of the games that are supposed to be really awful, but can definitely say that about half of Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz definitely left something to be desired (and yet, part of the game was fine). We've heard horror stories however, that many games are far worse. How about you? What's the worst you've tried to suffer through on the Wii? Feel free to get into the gory details.
DS Daily: Most innovative
Yesterday, over on Wii Fanboy, we spent a little time discussing some of the best control schemes we've seen so far on the new console. We thought that today might be a good time to get the DS readers in on the action, since after all, the handheld has really brought a lot to the table. What games do you think have really made the best use of the touchscreen? How about the mic? Best games overall? No real rules or categories here -- just talk up what you've liked best about what the DS has to offer.
Poll: The best in motion controls (so far)
For such a popular console that tries to offer something for everyone, the Wii also manages to be somewhat controversial -- and we're not just talking about Manhunt 2 here. The motion-sensing controls have been a bone of contention when it comes to nearly every game, even those people seem to enjoy. Some gamers find them awesome, and others ... not so much. We've selected six games which cover a range of game types (and aren't all first-party, either) as a measuring stick of what you think is best when it comes to Wii controls. We encourage you to vote early (and often!), but feel free to talk about other choices in the comments, as well as the reasons behind your picks. You might have noticed that Wii Sports isn't on this list (and neither are several other well-received games!). We considered including it, because not everyone agrees that it works quite well as a showcase of the Wii control capabilities, but decided at the last minutes to include only non-bundled games. Feel free to voice your support for Wii Sports in the comments, however! Which of these games boasts the best motion-sensing controls? The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Cooking Mama: Cook Off Trauma Center: Second Opinion Madden NFL '07 The Godfather: Blackhand Edition Resident Evil 4 (Wii)
DS Daily: On shooters
Shooters are rare on the DS, but not unheard of, though they often debut to mixed reactions. Metroid Prime Hunters is one of the system's most polarizing titles, and the same seems true of the more recent Touch the Dead. Yesterday's impressions of Dementium: The Ward seemed promising, and of course, IGN's Matt Casamassina continues to insist that someday, we're going to see Halo DS, maybe, kinda, probably -- not really. But do shooters really belong on the system? The touchscreen and other controls manage to do a lot of things really well, including some things that are really off the wall, such as acting as a full-fledged guitar. But is the DS suited to shooters? Considering the smaller screen size, some system limitations, and the unique control system, we can't help but wonder if we really need shooters, or if they're suited to the system.Don't get us wrong -- we love a good FPS. But that doesn't mean we necessarily have to have one on every available system, so we think it's a fair question. On the other hand, is there any reason not to have any FPS titles on the DS? Where do you stand?
World of Warcraft Mac client adds builtin movie capture
Some of you might already know that I do some other blogging work on another Weblogs, Inc. blog called WoW Insider, all about World of Warcraft, the MMORPG videogame. Most gaming companies tend to shy away from the Mac, but Blizzard has always been the exception. And with World of Warcraft, there are actually huge benefits to playing the game on a Mac. A while ago they added builtin iTunes controls (right into the official client), and as of the upcoming patch (now available for players to play around with on a public test), they've actually created an ingame movie recorder-- only for the WoW Mac client.It's a pretty well done feature, too. WoW Insider's Paul Sherrard took the recorder for a test drive, and created what you see above (after a little bit of iMovie fiddling). The options are pretty impressive for an ingame vid capture as well-- you can control whether the UI or cursor is seen or not, and you even get a choice of codecs (including H.264, Pixlet, or Motion JPEG). Very nice. Whoever's working on the Mac team at Blizzard really knows what they're doing, and is definitely giving Mac users the hookup on cool exclusive features.Thanks Mark, who also sent this in!
Dojo update: Giga Bowser and Smash Attacks
Continuing the focus on Bowser, the Dojo has updated, showing off Bowser's Final Smash. Unlike Link's and Pikachu's, Bowser's Final Smash sees him transforming into the monstrosity you see above. In this form, Bowser hands out beatings like the Santa at the mall hands out candy canes during Christmas.The other update over at the Dojo sees the explanation of attacks, and how they're performed using each of the available control schemes. There, each attack, from standard to Smash, are now dictated by how strongly you press the analog stick. This should allow players to control their attacks and fight more effectively.As usual, we've included images of the attack breakdown and Giga Bowser in the gallery below.%Gallery-3347%Read - Giga BowserRead - Attack breakdown[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]
EA Sports introduces kid-friendly waggle with "Family Play"
Never let it be said that EA can't innovate! Whatever we usually think of EA Sports, their new Family Play control system is really cool. Madden '08, NBA Live '08, and FIFA Soccer '08 will all include Wiimote-and-Nunchuk-based control schemes that will allow players to "take full control of the game"-- running, passing, kicking (not so much in NBA Live) and such. But they'll also include simplified Wiimote-only control schemes that reduce the games to Wii Sports-level . The controls become fully gestural, and the AI takes over some of the gameplay tasks that were previously yours. The coolest part? You can switch back and forth on the fly, just by plugging in or unplugging the Nunchuk. Even the method of choosing controls is streamlined. We are quite impressed.
Dojo update: custom controller configurations
Today's Dojo update is a rather interesting one, revealing the custom control schemes supported by the game. As with Melee, you can save your own profile name, but this time around it will also keep your preferred control method settings. Not only that, but you can also change the button mapping, allowing you that much more freedom when it comes to laying the smack down on the competition.You can see some images of how it will look in the gallery below.%Gallery-3347%[Thanks, vidGuy!]
