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Linpus demos uber klein mystery netbook
Like a little intrigue with your morning Joe? Check out the video below of this sleek little unidentified netbook on display at CeBIT last week at the Linpus booth, found by the same excitable bloke who brought us a glimpse of the company's Linux Lite OS. The hardware sounds to fit the standard Atom-based mold as the rest, adding 3G wireless for true portability, and is said to be built by Quanta, the company rumored to be on tap to build Apple's supposed netbook. Does that mean it could look something like this? We doubt it -- but wouldn't be surprised if it, too had a glossy screen.
The best of WoW Insider: January 27 - February 3, 2009
This past week in the World of Warcraft was enough to make moonkins laugh with glee (that's what a moonkin is above, in case you don't know your WoW lingo). And WoW Insider covered it all -- here's our top 10 posts of the week for you to peruse at your pleasure. News Believe it or don't: Patch 3.1 notes leaked?These patch notes were later confirmed as fake. But they sure look purty. Mysterious twink rends worldsA level 10 twink ... that beat Gruul? Tier 8 preview videoA look at the new gear you'll probably never have. Official 3.0.8.9506 patch notesBugfixes for bugfixes in the latest patch to the game. Replenishment is mandatory, and other buff discussion from GhostcrawlerThe forum dev with the mostest ruffles a few buff feathers. Features Guildwatch: Topping meters on every character, every nightDrama, downed, and recruiting news from guilds around the realms. The Queue: Last ritesOur Q&A column answers what to do with just one month left in the game, and other reader questions. Ask a Lore Nerd: More Scourge loveSome people know some lore. The Lore Nerd knows all. Scattered Shots: Hunter changes in 3.0.9 and 3.1Our Hunter column examines the future of the ranged DPSers. WoW Rookie: Will my computer run WoW?Unsure if your PC will play? Let our beginner column help you out.
2K Boston job listings hint at multiplayer FPS
Every day is opposite day at BioShock dev 2K Boston. Amidst gray skies and industry layoffs, multiple job postings indicate that the studio is looking to bring a handful of new talent on board, with some or all to lend a hand developing what the company describes as an "action-packed AAA multiplayer title" for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Nothing else is known of the mystery project other than it will be driven by Unreal Engine 3 -- but these days, what isn't? With multiplayer sorely absent from the original BioShock, and development reins on its sequel in the hands of newly opened 2K Marin, we're now left wondering just what exactly Big Daddy Ken Levine and his followers are up to.[Via V4VG]
TGS 08: Hotel Dusk devs reveal 'Again' for the first time
Hotel Dusk and Trace Memory developer CING is teaming up with Tecmo to deliver another atmospheric adventure on the Nintendo DS, this time in the form of a supernatural murder mystery. Again: Eye of Providence follows FBI special agent Jonathan Weaver as he investigates his family's death and its connection with a series of murders that occurred 18 years earlier. Again's title is derived from Jonathan's ability to see into the past and experience crimes -- you know, again.Producer Koichi Yamaguchi walked us through a very early build of the game, demonstrating how this helpful hindsight would help us piece together the events that occurred in a given crime scene. In what is essentially a game of spot-the-difference, you'll view the environment in a first-person perspective on both DS screens (in book orientation). The touch screen allows you to interact with the scene, while the screen to your left displays the same area, but as it was in the past. As Yamaguchi noted, it makes sense to confine history to the non-interactive screen. You can't change the past, you can only learn from it.%Gallery-34146%
Mysterious new 4GB iPod nano 4Gs begin appearing on store shelves
Now this is an interesting development. According to two separate tipsters (with two sets of photos) Apple has released a third version of the new multi-hued iPod nano to the world -- a 4GB model. As there's been no announcement from the company, and there was certainly no mention of it at the 'Let's Rock' event, this is quite a head-scratcher. According to sources (and a Dutch retailer's site), the models are available in all nine colors and are priced at €119 (or about $168) -- though there seems to be some debate as to whether these lower capacity versions are limited editions or simply an incredible gaffe on Apple's part. Regardless, they appear to be the real thing, and they appear to be on store shelves right now (in some countries, at least). If you're looking for the ultimate Apple collector's item, this may be just the thing. Check out the gallery below for lots of looks at the mystery nano.Update: The UK's Pocket-lint got hold of an Apple spokesperson who told them Apple "made a limited number of 4GB iPod nanos for some international markets, but this is not one of our main configurations." Mystery solved, we guess -- but that "limited number" bit has us thinking this was still some kind of mistake.%Gallery-32101%Read - 4GB iPod nano 4G at Dutch retailerRead - New iPod nano, very briefly in 4 GB
MillionHeir is a poor man's Layton
The concerns we voiced about Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir after playing it at E3 have not been assuaged by the latest videos for the game. While we were hoping for a puzzle-based adventure in the vein of Level 5's brilliant Professor Layton and the Curious Village, MillionHeir won't be that title. By relying mainly on one type of puzzle -- the "Where's Waldo?" variety where the player has to find objects in an elaborately painted scene -- the game already looks like it will lack serious depth. We don't really hold it against developer Big Fish Games; this was obviously made with younger gamers in mind, and not for us. Shame.The bright side of all this: now we want to play Layton again. Locate and go through the post break below for a MillionHeir developer walkthrough and more footage.%Gallery-26089%
Unsolved Crimes offers more clues about gameplay
Anyone who was around thirty-some years ago (or saw the movie Summer of Sam) might know that New York City wasn't the safest of places during the 1970s. That's why we're even more intrigued by the realistic-looking adventure game, Unsolved Crimes, which takes place in this crime-filled setting.The game should be releasing this fall (in the UK, at least), and centers around a rookie detective. He (and therefore, you,) must figure out the circumstances behind the disappearance of aspiring model Betty Blake. The game will focus on the one overarching storyline, but will include other mysteries for you to solve as well (à la Hotel Dusk). In fact, the press release boasts that there are eight different cases to solve.Also like Hotel Dusk, you'll have to pay close attention to detail so that you can answer questions later (in addition to point-and-click adventure gaming and action-packed shootouts). Check out the new screens in the gallery below for more of an idea of what to expect.%Gallery-25630%
What is Sony's mystery E3 game?
The BBC is teasing that mystery Sony game yet again. When BBC's Darren Waters first described this mystery game, he noted that "we could be on the brink of a step change in what games consoles are capable of in terms of story-telling and immersion." However, Waters was surprised that they did not show this game. MAG was cool, yes, but it was not the game this BBC writer was teasing. "This was not the game I was referring to ... And so I still can't talk about it. Or even tell you what it's called."We can confirm that Sony did show a game behind closed doors. Unfortunately, that's about all we know. Its identity will be secret until, at the very least, Leipzig Games Convention, happening next month. We can only expect big things if Waters can't stop talking about this mystery game, and if Sony is enforcing strict confidentiality about the game's details. What do you think it will be?[Thanks, Jay!]
E308: MillionHeir inherits new media
The dual announcement of Kirby Super Star Ultra and Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir was a pleasant surprise, and after Kirby had a hot injection of goodies, the mysterious heirs decided they wanted a piece of the action too. Hey when in Rome -- or in this case, E3.The trailer is suitable atmospheric, ensuring you won't feel left out of the ... mystery. It demonstrates a number of standard jigsaw and tile puzzles, along with a bit of pixel clue hunting. For a Mystery Case Files experience with less movement but more detail, check out the new round of screens in the gallery below. After perusing the updated Nintendo release list, it seems MillionHeir is still right on target for the original September 8th launch. Hooray and success for all -- we know that the DS handles adventure games extremely well.%Gallery-26089%
The mysterious Joystiq Xbox 360 faceplate
We really don't care for those flimsy, frilly faceplates, but we think we've finally discovered one with some redeeming qualities. Glimpsed by one of the whiteboard cameras at Microsoft's E3 press conference and consequently by everyone in attendance, the unsanctioned, Joystiq-branded Xbox 360 faceplate has been a source of great mystery for those who spend their days posting inconsequential filler insightful commentary on this very website.Is it real? Who made it? Why would they go through that sort of effort? Is it all just an elaborate marketing ploy? And most importantly, where can we get one? We hope to find the answers -- and the faceplate itself -- sometime before the week is out. It's not like we have anything better to do.
Mystery Apple box
TUAW reader Gabriel Moore runs an Apple Certified Sales and Service store called Computer Evolution in Davenport, IA. He sent us a short note and link to a MobileMe Web Gallery with several pictures of a strange, Apple-labeled wooden box (picture above).Gabriel writes "One of our customers noticed that we have a small collection of Old Macs in my service department and thought That he would give me something to add to the collection... Problem is I have no idea what it is or why it has the Apple name. Is this an after market fan boy box or a real product from Apple Computer? Any help from the readers or you would be awesome."It looks like the 1980's Apple logotype, but I don't remember seeing a box like this anywhere. It's small enough that it could only contain something like an Apple IIc. Do any of you wonderful TUAW readers know what this box was used for? Let us know by leaving a comment below.Thanks to Gabriel for today's stumper!
New Nanashi trailer is creepier, awesomer
Once more we must subject ourselves to the horror of Nanashi No Game, which is gloriously portrayed in this new trailer. The RPG of death is back with a vengeance here, and the video shows off many in-game exploration scenes along with suitably creepy sound effects.The more media we see, the more we want it. The DS is hitting all the right chords with its continuous barrage of mystery, adventure and horror games, and this looks to be the most technically impressive and emotionally disturbing outing ever seen on a handheld console. Japanese gamers will be picking this up in just a few days on July 3rd, while American gamers cry silent tears and re-watch The Ring.%Gallery-21570%[Via GoNintendo]
Nancy Drew finds clues on the Wii
The fact that three PC-to-Wii adventure games were announced in one week is nothing short of crazy, but as adventure game junkies, we won't complain. The more that come along, the more likely at least one will be good and sate our thirst for point-and-click, right? Right? This time Nancy Drew will be sleuthing her way onto the Wii in a port of The White Wolf of Icicle Creek. The same developer that handled the PC version (Her Interactive) will be porting this one, unlike the DS games which were made by Gorilla Systems. While the original didn't blow anyone's socks off their feet, it did get respectable reviews. Let's just hope for some refined point-and-click goodness with the Wiimote, and we should be all set.[Via GoNintendo]
Unsolved Crimes, revealed!
Take a dash of trenchcoat, a hint of hat, and a pinch of grizzled police chief. Bake it for 24 hours under a forensic microscope, and BAM! Unsolved Crimes is born. The lack of realistic detective work on the DS needs to be addressed, and these new gallery screens for the upcoming adventure look extremely promising.You'll be treated to fully 3D environments, a rather detailed case inventory system, and perhaps even driving segments. If Empire Interactive can replicate intricate investigative scenarios and rustle together a reasonably complex detective tale, then Unsolved Crimes won't stay unsolved for long. That is, people will buy it. And finish it.%Gallery-25630%
Case Closed: The Unexpected Localization
Here's a slightly random announcement: this September, those of us not in Japan will be treated to a Detective Conan (or, as it's known outside Japan, Case Closed) game, after publisher Nobilis snagged the rights to publish Marvelous' Meitantei Conan: Tsuioku no Gensou "all over the world."Case Closed: The Mirapolis Investigation will see pint-sized manga detective and bespectacled, precocious sod Jimmy Kudo return to locate clues, attend crime scenes, collect evidence, and tackle mini-games. His aim? To finally catch a shadowy figure who crashes the opening of a new theme park with a series of crimes.Truth be told, this is one for the kids (much like the Japan-only DS game), but Nobilis is doing what it can to keep the hardcore fans happy: the original Japanese anime voices, for example, will remain intact. Grab your magnifying glass and sleuth your way past the break for both a TV spot and trailer for the Japanese version.
New Sniper Studios game has great looks, horrible timing
Sniper Studios has chosen the worst possible time to release a trailer of its next project, a mysterious, untitled Wii game for which only the footage above exists. The trailer itself looks fantastically moody and noirish, and in any other week we'd be raving non-stop about this, but the recent reveal of Platinum's visually similar MADWORLD means the impact of those stark, black and white visuals was certainly lessened.But hey, this still looks totally awesome and stylish, and we're dying to know more. Sniper's only past experience has been in developing Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars on the PSP (the studio become an official Wii developer last November), so we've no idea which direction this will head in.
Joystiq hands-on: Silent Hill: Homecoming
click to enlarge scary-size What's scarier: Silent Hill, or finding out that the latest game in the series isn't being developed by the folks who made the last five games? For many fans, it was the latter when, at E3 2007, Konami revealed that Western outfit The Collective (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Marc Ecko's Getting Up) – now Double Helix – would be crafting the creeps this time 'round.Things, as they are wont to do, change ... but from our time with the latest playable version of Silent Hill: Homecoming, we were more scared by the game than we were about how it's going to turn out. The generally positive vibe was generated in large part by what lead designer Jason Allen told us is changing – but also what isn't. Full impressions after the break.%Gallery-22985%
Check out Sigma Harmonics' harmonious website
We know how much you kids love your Squeenix, so we hope you're intrigued by the company's refreshingly new IP, Sigma Harmonics. If you're not, you should still check out it's Japanese website. Even though most of us here at DS Fanboy can't read a lick of Japanese, we've never wanted a game so much before because of an official site. The art looks all kinds of gorgeous, and clicking on the "Story" link makes you feel like you're watching a trailer. We're also fond of the song choice -- it somehow puts hints of noir into a whimsical melody.Last but not least, there are some wallpapers to download, if you're into that sort of thing. Gallery: Sigma Harmonics [Via Gemaga]
Ikatan: Guess the mystery squid
Japanese publisher Cyberfront (not to be confused with Cyber Connect) has posted a mystery page for an upcoming Nintendo DS game without revealing any information beyond the image you see above -- a possible title (Ika = squid?), a possible year of release, and a possible piece of surume, or dried squid. Oh, the possibilities!A bit of background on Cyberfront -- you might recognize the company's name for its localizations of PC titles, like The Orange Box and Civilization IV, in Japan. Cyberfront's DS catalog includes Ryoukiki Exercise, New Zealand Story DS, and Inugaisha (Dog Company).So, what could Ikatan be? A cooking game limited to squid recipes? An undersea SRPG dominated by armies of cephalopods? A Super Mario Bros. remake played from the perspective of a wandering Blooper? Give us your best guesses!
Investigating Square Enix's adventure RPG, Sigma Harmonics
Sigma Harmonics' title character, Sigma Kurokami, has a hereditary ability to cause miraculous effects with his voice and other musical sounds. It is this ability, combined with a giant grandfather clock (another family legacy) that enables the plot of the game to play out; using sounds and this clock, Sigma and his co-adventurer Neon Tsukiyumi are able to go back in time and solve murders, Quantum Leap-style. Changing the past opens up another version of history, with another crime to solve.This story is told through still illustrations, drawn by first-time lead character designer Yusaku Nakaaki. You can enjoy some of the brilliant-looking illustrations of the risibly-clothed characters in this latest group of screens from Famitsu.
