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Skullcandy's take on Apple's AirPods will only cost you $80
If I've learned anything in the time since Apple's original AirPods debuted, it's that there are a lot of people who don't mind wearing earbuds that extend down from their ears. Apple is currently on version 2.0, and today Skullcandy revealed its take on the polarizing design. With the Indy, Skullcandy managed to pack a lot of features in an $80 package, including a handy charging case.
SGI name lives on after $42.5 million sale to Rackable Systems
As you know, Rackable Systems was originally hoping to acquire the one-time king of the 3D set for $25 million (with some speculating that even that was a bit much), but it looks like the bankruptcy judges had other plans. Now that the dust has settled (and a check has been cut for almost twice the original asking price) it looks like the two companies will finally merge, forming an outfit called... SGI. The newly minted Silicon Graphics International hopes to combine the strong server business of Rackable with the original Silicon Graphics Inc. name (and overseas service contracts), inspiring the same sort of technological alchemy that once brought the iconic brand to the silver screen by way of such fine cinematic fare as First Kid. In addition, SGI plans continued development and support for the existing Silicon Graphics and Rackable product lines. Quite frankly, we really don't care what they do, as long as they bring back the Indigo -- back in the day we would have killed for one of those bad boys.
SGI to sell itself for just $25m, throw huge sadness party
Man, the difference a few years decades makes. In the 90s, Silicon Graphics helped create silver screen mega-hits like Jurassic Park and Terminator 2, and in 1997, its fiscal year sales totaled $3.66 billion. Today, the company's mired in its second bankruptcy, which has occurred just three years after the first. In order to just terminate the dream before it gets any more nightmarish, SGI has announced plans to sell itself to Fremont-based Rackable Systems for a mere $25 million -- and some analysts are even concerned that the suitor here could be sinking its teeth into a sour deal. The agreement still has to be approved by a bankruptcy judge, and of course, there's still a few more inches of red tape to cut through, but we'll be sure to let you know when the fantasy ends and the wake begins.
Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings swings onto Wii, DS in Spring 2009
A trailer for Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings has popped up online. Watch as Indy gets thrown through a window, escapes floods, uses a whip, steals an amulet, and runs away from gunfire -- all without ever losing his trademark fedora. Yep, all in a day's work. According to the video, it's coming Spring 2009 for Wii, DS, and an unidentified PlayStation console (it's already been rated for PSP and we know Wii games often see a PS2 port). This is great, LucasArts. Really ... but any chance of getting an Indy game in the vein of Indiana Jones and The Emperor's Tomb on 360 and PS3?Oh, it all makes sense now: IGN's rumor; the vague response. Sounds to us like that project won't ever see the light of day, while Staff of Kings is LucasArts' "commitment" to the franchise. Is it possible to miss something that was never released?[Via Mixnmojo]
Ford Racing Mustang Challenge coming to Discovery HD Theater
If NASCAR and Indy aren't giving you enough HD racing this season, there's always the Ford Mustang Challenge. Discovery HD Theater is planning a three-part series to follow the eight race series, beginning with testing this month to its conclusion in September. The now standard in-car HD cameras will be a part of the action as professional racers ranging from rookies to vets hit the track in their identically-spec'd Ford Mustang FR500S. An air date is still TBD, but pony car fans can check after the jump for more details.[Via Autoblog]
Indy Racing League to stuff HD cameras inside select cars
Though we already knew the entire 2008 IndyCar Series would be broadcast in high-definition, many may have glossed over one crucial (to us, anyway) element: a minimum of six cars in each race "will be carrying onboard HD cameras with 360-degree panning capabilities." Of course, NASCAR fans know all too well the joys of seeing things from within the frame, but this marks the first time professional racing has used cameras of the HD variety to entertain. Reportedly, the devices will be "lipstick-sized and mounted in a protective shell atop the car's air intake, and panning [will be] controlled by technicians operating joysticks." Of note, drivers who carry the cams will vary from race to race, but we do know that Helio Castroneves, Danica Patrick (surprised?) and Dan Wheldon will be among those chosen for the opener.[Image courtesy of G4TV, thanks Geoff]
Open this treasure chest full of new LEGO Indiana Jones screens
Those of us in North America aren't the only ones looking forward to this summer, as our friends across the pond in Europe will be getting the game only a few short days after we do. Even without the 4-player co-op, LEGO Indiana Jones still looks incredibly promising.Thankfully, some new screens for the game have made their way onto the net. We've tucked them under the brim of our gallery below, so whip through them and tell us what you think! %Gallery-15539%
Lego Indy resurfaces with News, Release Date
Previously hinted at by Travelers Tales, (the developers of this and all the Lego games) and then announced last July, the Lego Indiana Jones game has shown itself again. This time with some details and the game's full name: Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures. Lego Indy will be similar to the Lego Star Wars games, in that the game story will end up spanning a total of three feature films, in this case the original eighties trilogy. The game will have three chapters (likely one per film), eighteen levels, and the traditional Indy equipment like the whip and gun. Oh, and that trademark Travelers Tales humor is supposed to be present in full force as well. With a target release date of June, this is great news for fans of the Lego games, though it does make one wonder about the status and release date of Lego Batman ....
Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Ten Unsung Games
Everyone knows about the good Indiana Jones games (because there have only been a couple), but do you remember the unsung games of Indy's yesteryear? Gnomeslair has compiled a list of the ten best unsung Indiana Jones games, and there's a few on there that really bring back memories. Although we'd have to argue and say that the Atari 2600 Raiders of the Lost Ark game wasn't really unsung ... people loved that game. Mostly because it was about the best you could do in 1982, and thankfully it wasn't the E.T. game.Likewise with the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom arcade game that came out in 1985. That was a game that used a voice synthesizer ("Soon Kali Ma will rule the world!") and had that really fun mine cart sequence in it. Sure it got ridiculous, with Indy having to whip flaming hearts out of the air, but so what. It ate our quarters faster than anything.Check out the list and let us know if these should be sung or unsung. It's really made us want to boot up ScummVM and play Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine all over again. Plus we might have to start bugging Nintendo and asking if Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures will be coming over to the Wii via the Virtual Console. And Lucasarts, when is your Indiana Jones game coming out, eh?[Thanks, Konstantinos]
iTunes creates new venue for Indy distribution
Variety reports that independent video producers can now sell through iTunes. The first indy video production, a 40-minute snowboarding feature, represents the first iTunes content outside the studio system. This opens doors for small business videographers to market their content and I suspect that video tutorials may be a big growth area for content. Let me point out that the video that debuted (it's called "That") is by no means an amateur production. It creates a new venue for distribution previously unavailable through video podcasting.
In-game ads put devs in control
Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, IGA Europe vice president Ed Bartlett explained how in-game advertisements could benefit the interests of PC-based independent developers. Barlett pointed to Nadeo, which was able to release TrackMania Nations as freeware through the use of in-game ads, in turn boosting its player base (recording over 6 million downloads) and increasing ad revenue. This business model is unique because it eliminates the need for a publisher and means developers can retain the rights to their IPs.Ironically, it's the indie developers that have been most resistant to in-game ads; whereas triple-A title publishers, while unable to offset theirs games' costs with ads, have been much more receptive to the practice.
Video Games Live seats in Indy up for sale
Tickets are now on sale for the two Video Games Live shows planned in conjunction with Gen Con Indy Friday & Saturday, August 11-12.After a stop in Philly earlier this month, the VGL tour is moving on to Houston July 14th, Chicago August 5th, and then Indianapolis the weekend after that. More on reserving seats for the Hilbert Circle Theatre can be found on the official announcement page (via the pic to the right or the Read link below).Judging by the reviews of the Philly show so far, Video Games Live sounds like it could be a lot of fun. If they keep providing public access to Guitar Hero II, they may have sold this blogger on going already. We hope Midwestern gamers not attending the Chicago show can make a pitstop in Indy to keep Tommy's show on the road. So, yeah ... rock on.See also: Official VGL report from Philly (with some local links to boot) Video Games Live ticket purchases opened a bit early The official page for Gen Con Indy PS2 impressions: Guitar Hero II
Indy returns in indie adventure game, Fountain of Youth
Alright adventure gamers: while we're busy waiting for LucasArts-leftovers, Sam & Max, to make their triumphant return to the small screen, check out the demo for the fanmade Indiana Jones adventure, Indiana Jones and the Fountain of Youth. Built using Adventure Game Studio, the screenshots look remarkably SCUMM-y; the artwork, animation, sound, and writing, all recall the golden age of LucasArts excellent point-and-click adventure games. What makes us nervous: LucasArts team of highly-trained ninja lawyers who only get paid if they send x amount of cease and desist letters to obsessively loyal fans of their various properties. C'mon, look at their URL! Barnettcollege.com ... brilliant. (Note: Mac users can download a beta of the AGS game engine here)See also: Use your BRAINS in zombified adventure game[Via digg]
Silicon Graphics files for Chapter 11
We can't help but feel a twinge of melancholy as we ponder Silicon Graphics' announcement today that the company is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. However, the SGI of today is a mere shadow of it former self, with a mixed bag of products that range from overpriced, Linux-based, Intel-powered workstations to overpriced, Linux-based, Intel-powered supercomputers. But it wasn't all that long ago that the SGI Indy was considered the hottest thing on the market, and seemed to herald the future of multimedia computing. Of course, that future was pre-empted first by cheaper Unix and Linux options, and later by Mac OSX and even Windows, which was hardly a factor in the graphics industry back in the early 90s when the Indy debuted. So, best of luck emerging from bankruptcy, SGI. We'd like to see you stick around for a bit just for old time's sake. But if we want one of your boxes, we'll skip the new ones, and hunt down an Indy on eBay.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]
