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F1 drivers will compete in a virtual grand prix series
With their season on hold because of coronavirus fears, Formula 1 drivers will surely be desperate for a competitive outlet to keep them (and their fans) occupied. So, just like soccer players and NASCAR drivers, they're diving into a virtual version of their sport.
'Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled' gets a dinosaur-themed grand prix
If you've already mastered Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, the game has another challenge for you. When Activision and Beenox revealed their revival of the Naughty Dog classic last month, they kicked off the Nitro Grand Prix. With that first race complete, Activision is ready to launch the second: the Back N. Time Grand Prix.
Valve forced to tweak its confusing Steam 'Grand Prix Summer Sale'
The little cooperative game Valve conjured up to go with the Steam Summer Sale this year caused some pretty big issues, enough for the company to change things up a bit. Apparently, its mechanics were so complex, confusing and even broken that players inadvertently threw away loads of points they could've used to boost their teams. In addition, Valve seems to have failed to properly explain how players can win the top games in their wishlist as a Grand Prix reward. According to Kotaku, that led to a drastic decrease in wishlist numbers.
Pinball wizard Steve Kordek passes away at age 100
Known for crafting the pinball machine into what we know it as today, Steve Kordek revolutionized the industry with his two-flipper concept way back in 1948. Sadly, his daughter Catherine Petrash confirmed Kordek's death to the NY Times last week. He was 100 years old.Kordek designed his final arcade machine in 2003, based on the National Lampoon's Family Vacation films, after having spent a life crafting machines for Genco, Bally, and Williams. He started his auspicious career in 1948 with a two-flipper redesign of the pinball machine, an improvement over the previous year's six-flipper design (pioneered by Chicago's D. Gottlieb & Company). From there, Kordek went on to craft tables at Bally and Williams, such as Contact, Pokerino, and Grand-Prix."Pinball!" author Roger Sharpe described Kordek's impact on the world of pinball as, "comparable to D. W. Griffith moving from silent films through talkies and color and CinemaScope and 3-D with computer-generated graphics."Kordek is survived by his daughter Catherine; by another daughter, Donna Kordek-Logazino; two sons, Frank and Richard; a sister, Florence Wozny; two brothers, Joseph and Frank; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren, according to the NYT report.[Pinball image via Shutterstock]
Lucent Heart open beta starts next week
Current MMO mainstay got you down? Lucent Heart's North American open beta is almost here, the better to facilitate your massively multiplayer infidelity by adding yet another title to the stack of need-to-play icons on your desktop. June 21st is the big day, and Gamania is hosting a "no wipe" beta. That doesn't mean you won't be dying during the beta but rather that you'll get to keep your characters and progression when the service goes live. Lucent Heart's open beta will also feature Q&A sessions with the game staff and GMs, community competitions including Grand Prix races and battle of the sexes events, and numerous opportunities to fight off invading monster hordes. You can see the full event schedule at the official website, and don't forget to sign up for the open beta while you're at it. For more on Lucent Heart, see our first impressions as well as our coverage from this year's E3.
LEGO Universe unveils May contest schedule
May in LEGO Universe is all about faction pride, and as such, players are invited to participate in a host of exciting contests to demonstrate their factions' superiority. Well, that and win prizes. You can have your blocky cake and eat it in LEGO Universe! The site has posted its May contest schedule for your edification: All month: Join the community effort is underway to build the Nexus Tower via donations. May 7-8: Race in the LEGO Grand Prix, which will take place at a soon-to-be revealed location. May 14-15: Take aim and fire during the Shooting Gallery Showdown, where players will try to hit enemy ships and creatures in the water. May 21-22: Submit your best faction screenshot for a shot at several prizes. May 28-29: Unite with your faction in the Battle for Nimbus Station! Take a gander at the contest details and the many, many goodies you can win over at LEGO Universe.
Official F1 Timing App 2011 for iPhone and iPad, is it worth $33?
Formula 1 has always been the pinnacle of the FIA's motor racing roster. It's the most technologically advanced motor racing championship on Earth, with the teams and drivers pushing their cars to the absolute limit every time they hit the track. Everything on the cars is monitored remotely via a wireless data link; Formula 1 isn't a solo effort by the racing driver by any stretch of the imagination, it's most certainly a team game. From sector split times to track position, the amount of G experienced in the corners to the tire pressure and brake temperature, the team monitors it all from the pit lane wall and in the garage. But what about the fans? How can they get a bigger slice of the data-pie when it comes to the race? That's where the officially licensed, universal Formula 1 Timing App 2011 for iOS comes in. %Gallery-121202%
British Grand Prix: A rare glimpse behind the McLaren-Mercedes F1 team (video)
Jealous much? Don't be. I had to sacrifice my ears to the roaring engines at Silverstone last Friday, just for you lovely people. While the Formula One teams were taking a break from the Grand Prix practice sessions, I was able to sneak into the pit area and get up close to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes' shiny stallions -- no touching allowed, naturally, but I did learn a thing or two about their pre-race preparation. And to top things off, legendary driver Jenson Button also popped by to share some thoughts on McLaren's F-duct system (a cunning and legal trickery that lets the driver's left leg redirect airflow over the rear wing in order to stall the flap, thus reducing drag when doing straights), as well as a few grumbles about the sharp corners on the recently renovated circuit. Video's after the break, and be sure to crank up your speakers for maximum sensation.%Gallery-97407%
Game Room adds Asteroids, Time Pilot and more
Game Pack 004 is now available for Game Room, featuring seven new titles. The two standouts are Asteroids and Time Pilot, classics of the arcade days of yore. Also in the pack are a handful of Activision Atari 2600 games, including Stampede, Grand Prix and Demons to Diamonds. Rounding out the pack is the arcade game Space Duel and the Intellivision title Shark! Shark!. The pack itself is free, while individual games run 240 ($3) to 400 ($5) depending on the license. Xbox.com: Add Game Room Game Pack 004 to your Xbox 360 download queue
Downgrade Alert! WiiWare's Shootanto sequel ditches T-Rexes for Nazis
In December, Shootanto hit Japan's WiiWare service; a shooter that pits a pair of monkeys against a plethora of prehistoric baddies armed with magical coconuts. Yes, that sentence just happened. Take it all in. Not content with releasing one insanely ridiculous title, developer Grand Prix is back with the upcoming WiiWare sequel, Shootanto: Miraihen (Shootanto: Future Chapter).Where will the (almost guaranteed to be Japanese exclusive) WiiWare title be set? Will it be a horrific future or maybe a land where man battles beast? Not quite. Shootanto: Future Chapter brings the shooter into the World War II setting. Honestly, we're thankful. We were getting tired of those "monkey throwing magical coconut" titles. Time they focus on a setting that doesn't get a lot of video game love.%Gallery-43539%
F1 Ferrari phone is red, lacks speed and grace
This prancing red handset brings a dash of faux-Ferrari styling to the dreamers amongst us. This Chinese made phone features the typical touchscreen found on Chinese sets, dual-band GSM, 1.3 megapixel shooter, memory card expansion -- we're not sure on the type -- all packaged in a shifty looking red car housing. The handset also comes pre-installed with three games,Jet Plane, Intelligent Puzzle, and Hand & Boot Dance -- yeah, where is the racing game? Price is set at $190 though we suspect this novelty phone won't have the tifosi yammering and cheering like they did for their F1 hero, Michael.
Driverless vehicles to race at Robotic Grand Prix
Your favorite driverless vehicles from the DARPA Urban Challenge are getting set to tackle yet another task -- speed racing. Yep, Junior, Boss (pictured) and Ben will all be greasing their gears in an attempt to outrun the others around one lap of the 1.97-mile, 11-turn circuit, all without smashing into walls or hailing a motorist to take over. Unfortunately, all three won't be on the track at the same time -- which ensures that no green / red shell ejections will have an effect on the outcome -- but those interested in seeing this in person can head on down to Long Beach on April 20th.[Via CNET, image courtesy of PaulStamatiou]
Another homebrewing competition
Do you know how to code? If so, it seems like there's so many opportunities out there for you to make some moolah, and win some prizes (such as this, and this). DCEmu is hosting a contest where programmers develop an original piece of homebrew, whether it be games, demos or applications. Prizes include the incredibly flexible GP2X system, gift certificates, and cash. You have until December 31st to submit an entry, so you have a lot of time to work on your original designs.
