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HTC gets fancy with designer Tattoo covers
We knew the Tattoo would be just a little funkier than the rest of the devices in HTC's Android line (though you've got to admit that the pink Hero is pretty freakin' funky), and that vision's now coming to fruition under a whole line of designer covers. Under the clever-but-obvious "Tattoo My HTC" and "Tattoo You" catchphrases, the company is now offering a selection of 15 replacement covers to spice up your sidearm for €11.99 (about $18) each -- and if you're not feeling any of them, you can design your own right from the comfort of HTC's site for €14.99 (about $22). That might seem outrageous for a battery cover, but the good news is that these aren't just pretty rear ends -- the covers replace both the front and back of the Tattoo for a whole-body makeover that's sure to impress your fashion-conscious friends. [Via Pocket-lint]
TGS 2009: Capps talks about missing 'perching' cover system from Gears of War 2
"Everyone expects sequels to be bigger and better," Dr. Michael Capps said in his Gears of War panel at Tokyo Game Show. While talking about visual prototyping, he showcased a new type of cover that was in development for GoW2 called "perching" that was ultimately removed from the game. This system would allow for the player to take cover behind a wall as usual, but by pushing up, Marcus would be able to grab the top of the wall, and pull up. Hanging from the top of the wall, players would be able to fire their gun, with an improved vertical vantage of the battlefield.It looked really cool, yes, but Capps talked about how they couldn't implement it in the game because it simply broke the game -- especially in multiplayer. It would be unfair if players could see the entire battlefield, while still being able to stay in cover. Too bad ... because it did look really cool.
Pitchford on Borderlands cover: The game 'will blow your mind'
Gearbox Software prez Randy Pitchford says upcoming post-apocalyptic shooter Borderlands will "blow your mind." After issuing the game's daring cover this past week, the development studio head talked to IGN about it and claimed, "The motive is about the goals of a box cover – you want to evoke something, get attention and have something honest to say about the promise of the game." Though he admits some were worried at Gearbox as well as at publisher 2K Games, he believes it was the right decision to choose that cover in the end. "Judging from the response so far, it looks like it was the right call." We absolutely agree, Mr. Pitchford. Will gamers pick it up at the store this October next to Brütal Legend and other AAA titles? That remains to be seen -- but all these games that have been pushed back to 2010 couldn't hurt, right?%Gallery-69817%
Who? EA reveals FIFA 10 North American cover athletes
After EA announced a trio of British gents gracing the cover of FIFA 10 in Europe last week, the company today revealed the box art for the North American iteration. Cuauhtémoc Blanco of Chicago Fire and Sacha Kljestan of Chivas USA appear on the box, with Jason Bateman Chelsea's Frank Lampard taking center stage. EA also revealed the game's release date Stateside to be October 20, while a Euro release has been confirmed for October 2. We'll be spending the extra few weeks figuring out what exactly Chivas USA is. Peep the full cover and a new video of FIFA 10 in action after the break. %Gallery-69462%
Matte battery cover is an interesting plan B for your Touch Diamond2
This wouldn't be the first time we've seen HTC battery covers come in multiple flavors, and considering the polarizing look of some of the company's more recent devices, it makes good, plain sense that they'd want to mix things up by offering alternate designs. It seems you can score this matte version of the Touch Diamond2's cover for $35 if you look hard enough, giving the business-minded phone just a slightly more subdued look that your... uh, matte personality demands. Around these parts, we'll take the damn thing with a bright green cover if we have to -- but for areas of the globe where they're easier to come by at the moment, it's a nice option to have.[Via Slashphone]
Guild Season 2 DVD preorder available now, out 5/19
The Guild's second season is now available for preorder on DVD, and apparently it's an Amazon Exclusive -- yes, the ever-more-corporate folks at The Guild are going with the big online retailer to distribute their second DVD collection. But we can't blame them too much -- surely it's a chance at a wider distribution, and probably less work for them in general. You can preorder the DVD set right now for just $12.99, and according to The Guild's site, the set will have commentary tracks, subtitles in English, and Behind the Scenes and Audition footage. If you're as much of a fan of the series as we are, it sounds well worth the purchase.Amazon has a release date of May 19th, and it also looks like they're doing a re-release of season one on the same day (though we're not sure if that new season one cover demotes new material or if it's the same version of the season one DVD they were selling before). And of course if you're not interested in picking up any extras, you can still just watch the episodes online at their site, or by downloading them in HD from Xbox Live for free.
Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson cover Fight Night Round 4
There will be plenty of butterfly floating and bee stinging in the ring this summer, as EA announced that Muhammad Ali will be one of two cover athletes for Fight Night Round 4. The boxing legend will share the space with powerhouse and controversy magnet Mike Tyson. We just hope Ali knows to duck out of the way should Tyson's eyes flash red before schooling "Iron Mike" in a lesson of sweet science. Both will be playable in the upcoming title, which is currently in development at EA Canada. Also, eager players who lay down a pre-order for Fight Night Round 4 at GameStop will net early access to the game's demo, giving them some extra time to live out pugilistic dreams before the rest of the world laces up.
One-man band covers Wind Waker theme
If we wrote about every fan-made cover of Nintendo theme songs that slid across our desks inboxes, we'd find ourselves with little time to write about all the hard-hitting news that you crave. However, we think it would be irresponsible to not pass along this incredible rendition of the opening theme to Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, largely due to the fact that its exponentially better than the original.The acoustic cover, which is posted after the break, was performed by YouTube composer Fredrik Larsson -- and only YouTube composer Fredrik Larsson. Through the magic of non-linear editing, Freddy pools his musical talents to piece together an incredible tribute to one of Nintendo's unsung themes. We suggest having Link's oceanic adventure on-hand should you decide to check the video out -- trust us, you'll feel compelled to revisit it.[Thanks, Chris.]
Matte HTC Touch Pro battery cover tones down vivaciousness of HTC Fuze
The Fuze -- which is none other than AT&T's version of the HTC Touch Pro -- has a rather distinct glossy battery cover. Evidently that's not sitting too well with some owners, who'd much prefer the classy matte version that ships on the carrier-free GSM HTC Touch Pro (which is commonly sold in Europe). If you're one of "those people," you'll be elated to know that the cover from the latter slides on the Fuze just fine, but you'll have to lay down upwards of $30 for the change in scenery. Suddenly, glossy doesn't seem so bad, eh?[Via WMPowerUser]
Stewart Filmscreen's Media Dcor covers your flat-panel with art
If those other flat-panel concealers have left you wanting more, have a look at Stewart Filmscreen's alternative. The Media Décor deployment system "lowers a piece of custom artwork over a fixed Stewart projection screen (or flat-panel TV) when they are not in use," giving those with wall-hung sets the ability to see something other than a black expanse when glancing above the mantel. The device is available in sizes large enough to cover screens up to 110-inches diagonal, and of course, the entire thing can be remotely controlled for extra wow. If this sounds like just the thing to burn through that wad of disposable income you've recently happened upon, give Stewart a call to find out pricing details based on size. [Warning: PDF read link]
Washable Balance Board covers repel your grubby feet
Fact: feet are disgusting. Also a fact: the Wii Balance Board is very, very white. What price will you pay to keep it that way, and prevent mucky feet from tarnishing its perfect surface?Linx Products hopes that you'll pay ¥1,554 (around $14). The company recently started marketing these ivory-colored protective covers for Nintendo's peripheral, and they're available now on Amazon Japan for exactly that price. They can be washed up to fifty times, and apparently feature ... some anti-bacterial agent that we couldn't decipher.These are still Japan-only, so the rest of you will have to settle with sticking other stuff on your Balance Boards. Or you could just wash your damn manky feet.[Via Balance Board Blog] Putting your feet on the Balance Board and measuring your own BMI is so last year -- head here to read up on one blogger's quest to measure his apartment. And a cat.
Rumor: Nintendo Power to reveal Wii exclusive Sonic and the Black Knight
At the end of last month's issue of Nintendo Power, the editors promised a huge reveal in the magazine's following issue, teasing those anxiously awaiting Wii-exclusive installments in the Earthbound and Kingdom Hearts franchises. However, if the supposed scans of the cover of the upcoming edition of Nintendo Power that have begun to trickle onto the internet are legit, then the publication's big surprise could be coming from an unexpected source -- a new adventure of a recognizable blue rodent, titled Sonic and the Black Knight.Assuming the scans are real, the twentieth anniversary edition of Nintendo Power will give readers their first look at the title. No other details are given on the supposed cover, though we're sure the sole image of the cerulean speedster brandishing a broadsword is enough to send you into a tizzy. However, let us not forget the disaster that resulted the last time we bestowed a lethal weapon upon a hedgehog.
AMR Racing brightens up the Balance Board
If the cold, hard, infinitely white surface of the Balance Board has you too scared to jump back on the Wii FIt bandwagon, a solution has been found. AMR Racing has thrown together a few snazzy little cover designs, so if you're gonna be staring at the Balance Board while doing pushups, you may as well stare at a Hoochie Mama.Each cover will set you back around US$20, which might just be a small price to pay to cover up the current gross state of your Balance Board. Check out the full range over at Amazon -- or, if you are a British chap or chapette, Amazon UK.%Gallery-4745%
Massively visits Stargate Worlds, part 2: Gameplay
We saw gameplay in two contexts. First, we saw canned footage of a firefight on the planet Lucia. Second, we visited the Quality Assurance department and watched testers play the game. The scenario they were playing appeared to be a prison break. From this we acquired a relatively good understanding of the basics of Stargate Worlds' combat. We didn't see any of the other modes of gameplay, but we talked about them a bit in our interview with the directors.
Ultimate Band is less Disney, more Disnasty
Any White Stripes fan -- nay, any music fan at all -- can only look at this trailer for Disney's Ultimate Band and weep, perhaps while pounding a sharp-edged rock into the side of their skull. It's not the idea of yet another music game that will probably do the same things as all the other music games (including using Rock Band's instruments). It's the absolutely abhorrent quality of the included covers that has us writhing on the floor in pain and shame. That's got us wondering if all the music will be covers, since we know of several other songs and artists on tap for the title (and more who are rumored).Ultimate Band was initially announced as being the peripheral-free answer to Rock Band and Guitar Hero, but now that rumored versions for the Xbox 360 and PS3 have been announced, word is that there will also be a version with instruments that will retail for $170.Drag yourself past the break to see the list known artists and songs.
Cave helps your DS make its Princess Debut
The website for Cave's princess-impersonating dancing game, Princess Debut, features a lovely activity that is probably designed for little girls, but is kind of fun anyway. In keeping with the theme of not actually being a princess, you can design a DS cover out of fake rhinestones and then print it out! If you aren't feeling creative, there's even a template available to color in.Ideally, you'd affix this to the system by slipping it inside a transparent cover, but you'd probably be okay using just a little tape. Alternately, you could just mess with the editor for fun. But then how would your DS get any more princess-like? [Via GAME Watch]
Fallen Earth reveals info on mounts and more
In this week's Fallen Earth Question of the Week, we get a special treat. Not only are there eight questions answered by the FE Community Manager "Moonshadow", but the answers to these questions may reveal more than we've heard about the game in a long time.According to the comments on the post, players seem mostly concerned with the newest info on mounts. There will be both horses and vehicles, as far as we know, and they can both be created through a crafting system. This is exciting to think we can build our own cars, but does this mean we can build horses too? Will it be through genetics, or a hybrid mechanical horse? It isn't clear just yet, but we do know that there will be a wide variety of mount types that are able to be crafted through this system using skills and inputs that can create the specific mount you want. Also, it is reported that these mounts will despawn when you get a certain distance away from them. Does this mean we will be able to use the mounts as cover from enemy fire? Poor horsey.
Rest your DS in these oldschool pouches
Since we're unabashed game enthusiasts, we appreciate any opportunity to combine our love for modern day gaming with our nostalgia for gaming of the past. That's why we find these DS covers to be absolutely darling. The Game Boy cover makes more sense to have, since the system belongs in the same family tree as Nintendo's dual-screened handheld. Yet, the NES controller is a perfect shape for a DS pouch -- and who doesn't love a NES controller? -- so that works, too.Should you like these as much as we do, you can check them out at Janis13's Etsy store, along with some other DS cases.[Via Technabob]
Wii Massage Feet
Wii Fit can be hard on your feet. So why not give them a nice massage? And by "give them a nice massage," we mean "make them stand on some plastic nubs." Japan Trust Technology hopes that the nubs on their Silicone Fit Cover Tsubu Tsubu (tsubu tsubu refers to something grainy or pebbly) will be just the thing to put them at the top of the burgeoning Wii Fit board cover market. In addition to feeling neat, the nubs help players keep their feet positioned properly and prevent slippage. JTT is selling this item online -- in blue only -- for 2480 yen ($23). We make fun of stuff like this, but we can certainly see the appeal of getting a nice cover for something that we have our feet on for hours.[Via GAME Watch]%Gallery-4745%
Scale up your Wiimote
Designer Mayumi Hasegawa does a lot of work in "python leather." As in "snakeskin." As in "a surefire way to get us to stop using our Wiimotes immediately, because ewww." This Wiimote cover isn't just a fashionable print. Snake! A snake! Oh, it's a snake!The Remocon Python Suit comes in two styles: "white" and "black" and sells via Hasegawa's website for 15,750 yen (about $150). With the slightly snake-like shape of the Wiimote, having a snakeskin-augmented controller on your coffee table is basically guaranteed to freak your cats out.If you happen to think it's great, Hasegawa also has a line of pricey and vaguely unsettling DS Lite covers.[Via Inside Games]
