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Watch Dogs boasts four extra missions on Sony consoles
Continuing a trend begun by Assassin's Creed 4, Ubisoft has announced exclusive content earmarked specifically for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 incarnations of its upcoming technofetishistic adventure, Watch Dogs. According to Ubisoft, the Sony-bound versions of the game will feature four missions not found in their Xbox counterparts. Completing these missions will award players a unique outfit, a special Hacking Boost and a "deeper knowledge of DedSec, a key and powerful faction in the Watch Dogs universe." Ubisoft estimates the missions will roughly translate to an hour of play time. This additional content will be available to PlayStation owners free of charge and is slated to launch alongside Watch Dogs on May 27. [Image: Ubisoft]
Oculus VR, EA, Avegant and others join to form 'Immersive Technology Alliance'
Well, this is certainly a motley crew: a variety of companies in the virtual reality space are teaming up to create the "Immersive Technology Alliance." The group is an evolution of an earlier consortium, The Stereoscopic 3D Gaming Alliance -- apparently the world of 3D gaming no longer needs their support? Anyway, the renamed group includes major game players like EA as well as little teams like Technical Illusions (of CastAR fame), as well as the company most responsible for re-introducing VR, Oculus VR. The ITA list includes all the players you'd expect, but also has a few outliers in Epson and Panasonic; Sony isn't part of the ITA just yet, but that may change sooner than later. The group's first public appearance takes place next week at San Francisco's annual Game Developers Conference and we'll be on-hand to document the shindig. Also, to ask Panasonic what it's doing there. Head below for an example of immersive technology (an Engadget editor punching virtual sharks, obviously) and the full list of members (thus far).
Massively Exclusive: Camelot Unchained armor dev blog concludes with part 3
In the preceding installments of Camelot Unchained's three-part armor dev blog, you've seen the images Lead Concept Artist Michelle Davies and Concept Artist and Animator Sandra Pavulaan have provided on the Vikings, the Arthurians, and the Tuatha Dé Danann. Now, hear about the thought processes behind their work! This exclusive series concludes with these two artists joining Mark Jacobs to talk shop about the development of armor, ruminating on subjects like customizing armor pieces to accommodating non-human body parts and using different combinations of materials when crafting the armor. Oh, and it's got lots of early mockups to marvel at as well!
Massively Exclusive: Camelot Unchained armor dev blog, part 2
Monday, we brought you the first installment of an exclusive three-part series about Camelot Unchained's armor development. Today, City State Entertainment co-founder Mark Jacobs and Lead Artist and Animator Scott Trolan continue the discussion by introducing the looks of two more races. Where part one delved into the details of the Vikings, part two focuses on the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Arthurians. These two groups have very different approaches to armor and distinct looks, as seen in the included images by Lead Concept Artist Michelle Davies and Concept Artist and Animator Sandra Pavulaan. Read up on the ideas behind the art and see the sketches in part two of the CU armor dev blog series.
Massively exclusive: Camelot Unchained dev blog discusses armor, part 1
Currently in internal testing, work on the fantasy PvP sandbox Camelot Unchained continues rolling forward. But even with the plethora of news out there, there are still plenty of details unknown about the game. In the first of a new three-part series, creator Mark Jacobs reveals the artistic vision for CU's armor system with the help of Lead Artist and Animator Scott Trolan, Lead Concept Artist Michelle Davies, and Concept Artist and Animator Sandra Pavulaan. If you are hoping for dental floss-inspired metal bikinis, you're going to be disappointed; Jacob's vision espouses realistic ensembles befitting warriors who depend on their armor for survival. Read the team's vision and see some of the concept art right here in this first installment of this series, exclusively on Massively.
Exclusive: PMD's CamBoard Pico XS is the tiniest gesture camera we've ever seen (video)
Just as we were wrapping up CES today, we caught up with our friends over at PMD Technologies who surprised us with a little exclusive. What you see above is the new CamBoard Pico XS gesture camera that's dwarfed by the Pico S -- the one we saw at Computex -- next to it. This tiny module is only 4mm thick, 39.5mm long and 15.5mm wide, making it 1.5mm thinner and almost half as long as its predecessor, while still packing the same Infineon IRS1010C 3D image sensor chip. Given the size plus the fact that it already uses MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) instead of USB, the Pico XS is truly integration-ready for OEMs. The main changes that enabled this size reduction are the smaller lens -- which is compensated by a sharper laser illumination (but still 850nm infrared) -- plus the removal of the aluminum heat sink (which is actually the chassis), courtesy of a much lower power consumption. Instead of a typical 1W you get on the Pico S, the Pico XS requires less than 50mW typically (at 25fps) and 350mW max (up to 45fps). Temperature-wise it goes up by just 10 degrees Celsius at most, apparently. Despite the slightly reduced viewing angles, we've been told that this smaller depth camera offers the same performance as before. That certainly seems to be the case after this author tried it using PMD's Nimble UX middleware (co-developed by 3Gear Systems), which is able to do two-hand skeletal tracking down to finger level, as shown in our video after the break.
Microsoft's Xbox head isn't worried about Steam Machines and Oculus Rift; he's excited
Two of the biggest stories at CES 2014 involve gaming, and neither involves the big three entrenched console makers (Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo). Oculus VR's latest prototype, dubbed "Crystal Cove," and Valve's Steam Machines initiative are overshadowing even Sony's big PlayStation Now news, to say nothing of curved displays and wearable whatevers. Despite that overshadowing, Xbox Chief Product Officer Marc Whitten isn't too worried about either -- in fact, he's really excited about both and what they mean for the larger game industry he loves. "This is literally the most golden of golden ages that I've ever seen around gaming," Whitten told us in an interview this week at CES 2014. "I think this is what makes gaming great. And you love seeing the passion of seeing someone like Palmer [Luckey] and those guys at Oculus. And seeing someone like John Carmack get on and really be focused on it is great. I don't know how it could be anything but good." He didn't say whether or not dev kits are with Microsoft, but he's used the headset and likes what he's seen. Moreover, he isn't worried about it cannibalizing Xbox One sales. "It's just gonna increase the surface area, and I think that's an incredible thing," Whitten said. Valve's Steam Machines initiative is another story.
Take that Samsung: LG's got a 77-inch OLED UHD TV that bends on command (video)
Samsung's probably kicking back right now, shades on and cocktail in hand, thinking it's pretty cool with its 85-inch HDTV prototype that can transform from flat to curved on a whim. LG, however, isn't at CES to watch Samsung score touchdowns from the sidelines, announcing its own 77-inch OLED set that goes from flat to curved on command. All LG needs now is a press conference, subsequent celebrity meltdown, and the two companies are even. Update: And we just got an exclusive first look. It's (unsurprisingly) gorgeous. LG's calling it the first bendable UHD OLED TV -- now remember, Samsung's wasn't (it looked like LED) and it was a touch larger at 85 inches, but it's a more slender mechanism that does the bending on the LG version. We were told it's a combination of "motors and gears" that makes it work, but we like how it maintains the finer silhouette. It's coming to the US sometime between the second half of this year and the start of 2015. LG's been working on it for over a year and a half: it moves 7.5 cm to bend, making it eight centimeters narrower in total at full curve. You can also choose the degree of curvature -- in fact, LG told us that the tech can bend even further, but wouldn't tell us the limits here. Next up for the company: fully flexible TVs and transparent sets. Set your diaries for CES 2015 and watch the video after the break. Mat Smith contributed to this report.
Testing for electromagnetic interference at Samsung's EMC lab (video)
Samsung's EMC Laboratory is right in the middle of its huge "Digital City" compound in Suwon, Korea. This site goes through roughly 4,000 products a year, with different rooms tasked with testing different sections of Samsung Electronics' admittedly broad range. What you see above is a 75 by 59 feet chamber set up for the electromagnetic interference test, with three antennas pointed at a yet-to-be-released TV (not shown in the photo for obvious reasons). All of this is simply to gauge precisely how much interference the product outputs, to ensure it doesn't exceed certain levels. Do read on if you want more detail -- we've also got a video tour waiting for you.
Massively's exclusive sneak peek of RIFT 2.6: Dreamweaving, Fae Yule, and the state of the game
While we're descending into the insanity and fun of the holiday season, Trion Worlds is looking ahead to 2014 and its road to RIFT's 3.0. We hopped on the phone with RIFT's team earlier today for a sneak peek (sneak listen?) of the game's 2.6 content update and how it will tie into the expansion later next year. RIFT 2.6 -- there is no official title as of yet -- is a ways out still. Trion is targeting early February for its release, primarily because so many employees are taking time off for the holidays to be with friends and family. That said, 2.6 should arrive on the public test server in January, and the devs promise that it will be well worth the wait. So what's coming with 2.6? Dreams, crafts, and conclusions, my friends! Let's dig into it.
OUYA's streamlined new user interface arrives later this month
The OUYA user interface isn't what we'd call "ideal." The folks behind OUYA apparently realize that too, and today we've got the first look at some big updates that will be coming to the Android-based $100 game console sometime this month. A company spokesperson says a new designer was brought in to overhaul the UI so that it's easier to discover new games (and so that it's more pleasant to look at from 10 feet away). Additionally, the update includes some honest-to-goodness new features, including support for USB storage and the ability to queue games from the web (and OUYA's newsletters) so that when you go fire up the console they'll already be downloaded. Throughout, you'll notice a bigger emphasis on cover art -- in the "Discover" section, for instance, the menu headers have actually been made smaller to make room for larger game thumbnails. OUYA also made some subtle tweaks like showing all the game titles on the "Discover" page and going with a more consistent icon style. Not rocket science, exactly, but they're details that should add up to a cleaner browsing experience. Additionally, double-tapping will bring up the redesigned system menu, where you can purchase and like games. Here, you'll also find custom game recommendations -- not unlike what Microsoft has begun doing in the Windows Store.
Visualized: Pebble's insides exposed in rare transparent casing (hands-on)
Once upon a time, Pebble engineers crafted a small number of watches with a completely transparent casing. They were never intended to be used for public consumption (hence the discoloration from the product's glue), but rather were conjured up as internal validation devices. After enduring heaps of strenuous testing, only one of the watches is still functional -- and our old friend Myriam Joire brought it with her to Expand. After taking a peek at the watch, it's easy to see why it would've been so ideal for internal testing purposes: you can see virtually every part of the watch, both inside and out. The gallery below won't feature any new information that the iFixit teardown hasn't already revealed, but it's fascinating to have a closer look at a different kind of Pebble that we haven't seen before. Update: We've been told there are actually a couple other functional ones floating around the ranks of Pebble, but they're still quite rare.
Oculus CEO clarifies: one Oculus Rift headed to consumers, supports Android and PC
Despite contrary reports, Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe says that only one version of his company's consumer-ready virtual reality gaming headset is planned for launch. "We will be delivering a single Oculus Rift," Iribe tells Engadget. After giving a keynote during GamesBeat 2013 this week, it was widely reported (based on this VentureBeat piece) that two versions of the consumer Oculus Rift are being prepared for launch: one PC version, one Android. That is not the case according to Oculus. "We will be delivering a single Oculus Rift which is a tether to multiple different devices," Iribe says. The device is able to tether to a variety of laptop/desktop OSes (Windows/Mac/Linux), "and now we're looking to also support tethering to a mobile device." At launch, Android support is slim -- not exactly a surprise considering the horsepower required to run VR -- but Iribe promises it won't require next-gen, Kepler-grade mobile GPUs. "I don't think it's going to require that full Kepler capability. I think we'll be able to deliver on an even earlier chipset than that." He says that newly hired CTO John Carmack is producing impressive results already on existing mobile hardware. "I think people will be pretty surprised with what set of devices we're able to make this work on. We are focused on just a few right now, basically just to stay focused so that we can deliver a great experience on a couple devices first. Then over time we'll have that span out," Iribe says. Of course, he won't say what devices those are just yet, but we'd bet they'll be of the Snapdragon 800 variety -- something powerful. The company never specifies "mobile" as tablets or phones, and Iribe didn't say during our interview. When we followed up, the official company line is this: "We're testing the latest Android phones, tablets and gaming devices to see what delivers the best VR experience." Devs have yet to receive the Android SDK from Oculus; Iribe admits it's "taking a little bit longer," but he promises it's for the best. "When we do release it, and we say it works with this set of devices, and here is the SDK, and here are the demos and samples...when people try them they're blown away with how well they work. It's coming soon, but not ready to release a date."
HTC: Android 4.4 KitKat coming to the One within 90 days, Google Play edition within 15 days
Now that we know which of Google's Nexus devices will be eligible for an update to Android 4.4 KitKat, other manufacturers are starting to speak up about their rollout plans as well. Jason Mackenzie, president of HTC America, confirmed to us in an interview that the company is going to aggressively push out the latest version of Android to the HTC One. The Google Play edition will be updated within the next 15 days, the Developer edition and unlocked versions will get it within 30 days, and the remaining SKUs in North America (including all carrier variants) will have it in 90 days or less. With the exception of the Google Play edition, HTC plans to keep its signature Sense UI at version 5.5 (which has been available on global devices running Android 4.3); and although Mackenzie couldn't go into details on how the new KitKat features will be implented in Sense, we expect to see plenty of them make an appearance in the update in some way. HTC is still working on a rollout plan for the other devices in its portfolio, such as the One max and One mini, but Mackenzie assures us that the company will have a statement concerning those other phones in the near future. He also reiterated HTC's commitment to rapidly pushing out updates, telling us that "we're not going to [roll out updates] in a lazy fashion. We're going to make it a priority to have every dot release out on the One within 90 days." Since Mackenzie spoke to us on behalf of the company's North American branch, we're still awaiting word on HTC's plans for its global devices. Given the fact that US operators are set to push out updates in the next 90 days, we'd be surprised if it doesn't arrive sooner on One units around the world.
Exclusive: Aura Kingdom's final reveal showcases ranged classes
Just because you don't want to go toe-to-toe with your enemies doesn't mean you want to cast magic, and Aura Kingdom has you covered for non-magical ranged classes. The final classes revealed for the upcoming free-to-play fantasy game use gunpowder instead of incantations to inflict damage. Whether you prefer the dual pistols of the Gunslinger or the large cannon of the Grenadier, you can fire from afar and blast your opponents. Check out these final two classes in the gallery and get the full scoop on them in the exclusive dev blogs below. Then watch all seven classes strut their stuff in the trailer at the end.
Exclusive: Aura Kingdom reveals caster classes
Last week you got a glimpse of the melee classes coming to the anime world of Aura Kingdom. But what if you eschew the face-to-face fighting style of melee and prefer to fling fireballs at your foes or offer friends succor instead? Then this week's caster class reveal is for you! If you enjoy raining magical mayhem down on the heads of your enemies, the Wizard class is right up your alley. On the other hand, if you'd rather be the one to save the day with your healing aid, you can delve into the role of the Bard. Can't quite decide between the two roles? Then become a Sorcerer and do a little of both! Have a look at these three classes in the gallery and then delve into even more details in the dev blogs below.
NVIDIA's got a Shield 2 in the works with a next-gen Tegra heart, and why G-Sync is a big deal
At least according to NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang. NVIDIA employees filled Montreal Marriott's Salle de Bal 1,000-person capacity basement ballroom late last week, where Huang announced a hat-trick of major news for the company -- Gamestream, G-Sync, and the new GTX 780 Ti GPU -- to raucous applause. The highlight of the three, and the one that Huang emphasized by flying in a trio of game industry legends, is G-Sync. The module will arrive built into gaming monitors starting early next year, and it aims to solve the issues of tearing, stutter, and lag. The aforementioned trio of legends -- Oculus' John Carmack, Epic's Tim Sweeney, and EA DICE's Johan Andersson -- vouched for G-Sync, but we were lucky enough to grab Huang for a quick followup interview post-presentation. Beyond discussing last week's big announcements, Huang spoke to Project Logan (aka: the next Tegra chip) and NVIDIA Shield 2 (which may be coming sooner than you'd think); Huang told us he'd love to see Logan powering the next version of Shield as representative hardware ahead of anything else. Head below the break for the full video.
Istaria preps for 10-year anniversary, big content patch
Can you believe that Istaria will be 10 years old in December? Well, technically the game was called Horizons way back when, and while the name has changed, the focus on playable dragons has not. Virtrium community manager Amarie Ancalimon has penned a new dev diary that features some exciting news for fans of the long-running fantasy MMO. Join us after the cut for this developer exclusive that talks crystal-shaping, pets, and more!
Melee classes get the spotlight in Aura Kingdom reveals
You've already heard about some of the lore behind Aura Kingdom, the upcoming free-to-play fantasy game set in an anime-style world. So you know a bit about why you do what you do in the game. But how do you do it? That question is answered in part with the title's first class reveal, which in fact involves three different melee classes. Players who like to get up close and personal with foes during a fight can play as a tank with the Guardian or a damage-dealer with the Duelist or Ravager. The classes are defined by the weapons they specialize in; the Guardian utilizes sword and board, the Duelist dual-wields daggers, and the Ravager uses a great axe. These class weapons and their accompanying skills are what players will use throughout the beginning part of their journeys, but a secondary weapon can be selected at level 40, and that new class can be leveled up just like the first. Want to learn more? Take a gander at the classes in the gallery below and check out more details in the full dev blog after the break. [Source: Aeria Games press release]
Google readying 'Mobile Meter' app that offers rewards for tracking mobile usage (updated)
Google already knows better than most how we use the internet. Now it wants to dig a little deeper and monitor your app usage as well. Engadget has learned that the company is readying new mobile apps that compensate users if they allow their mobile behavior to be monitored. We're told that the project, known internally as "Mobile Meter," utilizes iOS and Android apps that intelligently monitor app usage and web browsing habits and send the data back to Google. Google refused to comment, as it usually does on what it considers "rumor and speculation." However, our sources tell us that the Mobile Meter program will be totally voluntary. Participants will be required to give their consent (or opt in) before joining. Google isn't the first to reward users to gather mobile trends either: Nielsen has been conducting research into mobile trends with an Android app. Google already passively collects data to improve its apps and resources. The Google Maps app, for instance, regularly feeds back location metrics to enhance the service. Since Google won't comment, we don't know exactly which app and web metrics it intends to track with Mobile Meter. However, it will presumably enable the company to evaluate the different habits of Android and iOS users, gaining an important insight into Apple's ecosystem. We're also told Google will anonymize all of the information it collects to ensure the privacy of its panelists. Given Facebook and Google's previous mistakes, where private information was made public, Google will need to be transparent over how the opt-in service uses the data it gathers. Update: Google has now confirmed development of the new apps, which it says are part of its Screenwise market research project that began rolling out last year. The Mobile Meter apps will replace an older method that allowed panelists to participate, helping Google measure media consumption across all screens but with more accurate results on mobile. Both the Android and iOS apps will be submitted to their relevant app stores in the near future, although only panelists will be able to actually use them. The company notes that while there isn't an open call for volunteers right now, it recruits for panels on an ongoing basis and compensation varies based on the panels people participate in.