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Crafting in The Repopulation unveiled as a viable playstyle
Few gaming features can claim such vastly different implementations as crafting. To the disappointment of dedicated MMO crafters, few games offer in-depth systems. Even worse, when trade skill systems are present, they are often near pointless as mass-produced generic goods or superior loot drops destroy the market. Not so for The Repopulation -- Above and Beyond Technologies just unveiled details of the game's in-depth crafting system mentioned in the End of May report. First and foremost, crafting will be a primary game type; crafters can succeed in their trade without combat. The system will also be very in-depth, involving tools and commanding players' attention in order to succeed. One of the more unique features is the crafting board: Instead of crafters tossing their wares into an auction house, customers post their order, including specifications and price, for crafters to fill. Also, due to the grade system, recipes gathered on the first day will still be valuable years later. Although not unique, harvesting is another interesting feature as necessary ingredients can be gained by manually gathering nodes, placing a structure, or extracting from kills. For more information, check out the full announcement. [Source: Above and Beyond Technologies press release]
EPA's letter grade automobile stickers could bring QR codes to car windows in 2013
Ever wonder how the world would still turn after MPG stickers were updated to take hybrids and EVs into consideration? Wonder no more. Purportedly, the Environmental Protection Agency is planning to decide by July's end whether it'll require "emissions grades" on all new vehicles. We're told that said stickers would resemble those shown above, complete with a QR code that could be scanned by any smartphone for more detailed information on how a grade was decided upon. As the story goes, cars would be graded from A through D, with a score of F presumably omitted for political correctness. If implemented, it wouldn't require automakers to slap these onto their rides until the 2013 model year, but as you'd expect, said car companies aren't exactly pumped about the idea. As of now, 40 percent of the vehicles on American roads would receive Cs or Ds, and Ohio's own Rep. Steven LaTourette had this to say about it: "Those who live in Planet Reality might need a minivan or SUV to haul around four kids in child and booster seats, and have room for luggage and a family dog. Thanks to the EPA, they'll be lucky to find a vehicle that gets a C." In truth, he's dead right, but there's always two sides to every story. To counter the obvious, automakers are instead backing "a more modest labeling redesign" that's not quite so jarring to consumers. Ah, the wonders of compromise.
New Mexico legislators consider video game tax for outdoor programs
The mainstream media and other non-consumers of video games have been portraying gamers as pasty, bleary-eyed shut-ins since the 8-bit days -- aside from some bruised feelings, that stereotype never really did us any harm. However, a recent proposal of the powerful environmental organization The Sierra Club to the New Mexico state legislature may put a dent in the pockets of consumers and retailers living in the Land of Enchantment.The proposal calls for a 1 percent sales tax on televisions and video games; the proceeds of which would go to "outdoor education programs". According to an article in the Huffington Post, these programs would counteract the negative effects of video games -- "lower academic scores, obesity, and increased attention-deficit disorder." Supporters of the "No Child Left Inside" movement tried to pass a similar bill last year, but were unsuccessful.Unsurprisingly, gaming advocacy groups have spoken out against the bill's obvious shortcomings, such as its assumption that video games are the sole contributor to childhood obesity, lower grades and ADD. We couldn't agree more. The only weight we've gained from being gaming enthusiasts is from our skin growing thicker due to constant attacks on our lifestyle.
If handhelds were getting grades, the DS Lite would get an A
According to the folks over at GameDaily, every console is deserving of a grade and the DS Lite is even more deserving of a good grade as it received an A. They quote the obvious outstanding features of the handheld as the reasoning behind the good grade, such as touch-screen controls, a large library of great games and reasonable $129.99 price tag. While we would've given the handheld an A+, we'll support them in saying that next to the iPod, the DS Lite is a must-have gadget for anyone.[Thanks Ali!]
GameDaily grades the consoles, PSP gets a B
AOL-owned GameDaily recently gave grades to all of the consoles. They gave the PSP a very respectable "B." Here are some excerpts of their review:Though overshadowed by the Nintendo DS, the PSP still holds its own with a more mature game lineup, plus music playback, Web browsing and media storage... The UMD movie market may be slowly dying, but the game supply is holding steady. Younger gamers will like Daxter and Loco Roco; the nostalgia gamers can relive the past with Ultimate Ghosts n' Goblins and Capcom Classics Collection; and mainstream players can pick up Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories and Madden NFL '07."The system is praised for its more mature game variety. They recommend that a price drop would do a lot to help the PSP, and it would make the system "an easy choice for those who aren't into Nintendo's style." Nintendo's style, of course, net the Nintendo DS an "A" because of its position as a "gotta-have gadget."[Via Cold Pixel]
Tales of Phantasia features new goodies on PSP
Bandai Namco sure loves the PSP. They're responsible for at least four Tales games on the PSP: Tales of Destiny 2, Tales of Eternia, Tales of the World, and a remake of Tales of Phantasia. None of these games have any plans on crossing over to America (why?!), so avid Tales fans have no choice but to look to import shops. To add insult to injury, Bandai Namco released new screens and details about Tales of Phantasia: Full Voice Edition. If it wasn't obvious from the title, the game features full voice acting, a great plus for fans of seiyuu. There's also a new gameplay element: Grade Shop, where players can trade their Grade points to alter gameplay mechanics, like experience points, difficulty, HP and more. It sounds very similar to Tales of Symphonia's system.Also, those who pre-order the game will also receive a: "special DVD, containing an original drama, interviews with voice actors, an artwork gallery and trailers of cherished event scenes." For you blokes that don't live in Japan, you can import it from YesAsia.com for $50, shipped.See also:New screenshots from Game Watch[Via IGN Boards]
