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New Orleans declares state of emergency following cyberattack
New Orleans is the latest city to fall victim to a cyberattack, although it appears to have fared better than some of its peers. The city both declared a state of emergency and shut down most of its computers after detecting suspicious activity, including ransomware and a flurry of phishing emails. It's not clear if the ransomware compromised any systems, although Mayor LaToya Cantrell said that there had been no ransom requests or evidence of employees being tricked into handing over login details.
New Orleans adopts searchable video tech for police body cameras
The city of New Orleans has become the first to adopt special video tech to aid police and prosecutors search through footage collected by body cameras worn by patrolling policemen.
Google Maps updates streetview for New Orleans, reminds us the jazz plays on
In many ways, Google's Streetview is a document. A snapshot in time. Usually, this amounts to pictures of a sunny clear day in downtown Localsville, but it can also be a reminder of times less bright. Since Hurricane Katrina, the city has been working hard to rebuild neighborhoods and communities, and better prepare itself for the future. Today -- via Google's Lat Long Blog -- Mayor Mitch Landrieu proudly announced that Streetview has been updated to reflect those efforts, and show New Orleans in that familiar, sunny way. Whether it's Congo Square ("the birthplace of jazz"), the city's parks, or more recent features and attractions, Landrieu proudly extends an invite to all of us to come take a look, enjoy the virtual tour, and "whet our appetite." We say put the Gumbo on.
5 Apps for Mardi Gras
With Lent peeking around the corner, there's still time to get down, celebrate, and indulge before fasting, abstinence, and penitence. In that spirit, here are a bunch of last minute apps to help you seize the day...and the pancakes. If you're lucky enough to be around New Orleans, follow your favorite Mardi Gras parades with the WWL-TV Experience Mardi Gras app (Free). This handy mobile app offers schedules, routes, events and more for the Mardi Gras partier. It uses integrated GPS coordinates to let you know what's happening right around you. Can't get down to New Orleans? You can try out a virtual Mardi Gras! ($0.99) experience instead. This game allows you to "hop on your float, wear a purple crown, and be the King of Mardi Gras!!" The goal is to "keep the crowd happy" by throwing cheap trinkets at them. The game is rated 4+, so TUAW rather suspects that the traditional method of asking for trinkets will not be shown in-app. Brush up your Hip Hop skills with Dance Video: Hip Hop Dancing ($2.99). On sale this week for 50% off its normal price, this app helps teach the basic hip hop steps, "wave", "crip step", and "old skool" moves like the "running man". Of course, TUAW staffers admonish you not to try dancing with a gut full of pancakes. Looking for a few last minute recipes? You might want to check out Gourmet Live (Free). This lifestyle apps includes new and classic recipes, interviews with celebrity chefs, and more. It may be your best chance to indulge in high-caloric yumminess for a while. Finally, in the sincere spirit of Shrove Tuesday, we bring you Pancakes (Free). We were totally won over by the beautiful app description: "Pancake is a game of how you can cook delicious pancakes. We cook a lot of delicious pancakes. How to Play: Within the time limit, or compete for a delicious pancake how many burn." We think you'll like the app description too.
Sprint shows you where and when it's disabling Nextel's iDEN legacy network
Clue's in the title, really. If you head on over to Sprint's website, you'll find a page explaining the forthcoming changes to the service for legacy iDEN customers. Nextel users can enter in their zip code to find out which cellphone towers will be decommissioned and the due dates for each one. The program's beginning in New Orleans this month as the towers are thinned out to a reasonable number. Whilst it isn't (yet) the death-knell for the standard, given the network's push-to-talk service now works over CDMA and, you know, LTE, we'd start looking at replacement phones pretty soon.
CCP reveals World of Darkness details to bloodthirsty fans
Details about CCP's World of Darkness are popping out of White Wolf's The Grand Masquerade in New Orleans this weekend, and they're definitely worth draining for every last sweet drop of... information. While the game is still in pre-production -- and as such, nothing is set in stone -- the devs weren't hesitant to dish out a lot of the ideas and features that they hope will make this the best vampire MMO to date. It's CCP's desire to emulate LARPing (live-action roleplaying) as much as possible with World of Darkness, with plenty of metaplots running inside the game and without. Players will begin as a mortal human who can make the choice to become a kindred (vampire) or stay mortal for the duration of their characters' lives. There's a very real danger that characters might experience "final death" -- permadeath -- if they take too many risks. If you get in over your head, you can retreat to your character's Haven for safety. The entire game will take place at night and on one server, and CCP is definitely aiming it toward the hardcore set. Nudity, gore, and insanity effects are all par for the course. If players push outside of the acceptable boundaries too often, they'll lose "humanity" points and could become flagged for constant attack by other players and NPCs. Play your cards right and you may become the prince of the city. The game will change over time with dynamic events, and CCP promises that there will be real consequences for player decisions. Look for our World of Darkness interview with CCP coming later this week. [Thanks Pilgrim for the tip!]
Going to The Grand Masquerade in New Orleans? We want you!
If you're attending The Grand Masquerade on September 15th through the 18th this year and you're interested in meeting up with CCP and White Wolf for an interview, we want to give you some money. No seriously, we want to pay you to meet some game devs, and you can even be dressed like a vampire while you do it. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, huh? The Grand Masquerade is the annual event held by White Wolf in New Orleans, Louisiana as a fan gathering for World of Darkness. Since White Wolf and CCP are working on a World of Darkness MMO, we're especially interested in getting some first-hand information out of the event. This year, they've confirmed that more details on the MMO will be revealed, so we're especially excited to be a part of it. Read on after the jump for details on how you can apply to represent Massively at The Grand Masquerade.
Gameloft opening New Orleans studio
Gameloft is opening up a new studio in New Orleans, Louisiana, taking advantage of the state's generous tax incentives. "As it stands, we expect to employ an approximate 150 people in our New Orleans studio over the course of the next 10 years," Samir El Agili, general studio manager for the US and Latin America at Gameloft told Joystiq. "But with the fast pace and rapid expansion of the handheld and downloadable market we will adjust that number accordingly should we find it necessary." The new studio will work on a diverse range of downloadable titles, across mobile, XBLA, PSN, Facebook and future connected consoles. Louisiana is doing its best to compete against states like Texas and countries like Canada (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, et al) in attracting game talent. EA has already been wooed by the state, with a facility at Louisiana State University handling North American QA, which it will expand with a new building that can accommodate over 600 employees in the near future.
Gameloft looking to open New Orleans studio
Likely looking to leverage generous tax credits offered by the state, mega-sized mobile developer/publisher Gameloft recently swamped a New Orleans job board with thirteen full-time positions. Contacted for comment, the company informed Joystiq: "Gameloft is currently recruiting in New Orleans for a variety of game development positions. We'll have more information about our exciting endeavors in New Orleans soon." Staffing site Mary-Margaret.com notes that Gameloft is the primary game company hiring for positions in New Orleans currently, "but there will be many more companies to come in the near future." Louisiana is definitely looking to get game developers and publishers down south. EA already has a presence at Louisiana State University handling North American QA, which it will expand with a new building that can accommodate over 600 employees. Coupled with Gameloft's plans and the increased chatter Joystiq's hearing from other developers, it would seem that Louisiana is making a strong case to entice the gaming industry from going straight to Canada (read: Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, et al).
New EA facility in the works at Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University is expected to officially green-light Electronic Arts to begin construction on a 94,000-square-foot facility on campus this summer. The Advocate of Baton Rouge reports the $30 million building, which will be paid for mostly by state and federal grants, would be the first for-profit business on campus in cooperation with the school. EA will pay $465,000 a year in rent once the building is completed, which is expected to be in the late summer or fall of 2012. The proposed facility is said to feature a classroom, an auditorium, conference rooms, A/V equipment, and a coffee shop on the first floor. The second floor will be occupied by the school's Center for Computation and Technology, which will also take up some resources on the bottom floor. The top floor is reserved for EA. EA first established a presence at the school in 2008 with a QA facility. The space is now "maxed out." EA currently has about 400 workers in Baton Rouge (some being part-time students), with a $6 million payroll that could add another 200 employees. EA's current deal with LSU runs through June 2018. [Thanks, Nick]
CCP to take the mask off of World of Darkness at The Grand Masquerade
We've been biting our nails waiting for CCP to fully unwrap its promised World of Darkness MMO, but so far the company is playing its dark cards close to the chest. However, if you happen to be in New Orleans later this month, you may be among the first to pry substantial information from the slavering jaws of the developers. Last month, CCP community developer Shane DeFreest strongly hinted that the upcoming White Wolf convention, The Grand Masquerade, would be the company's first big step to show the game to the anxious public. The convention website has since posted a list of event panels for the weekend, which includes a session entitled "Tell the World of Darkness Development team what you want to see in the MMO" as well as several other MMO-specific panels. The Grand Masquerade will run from September 23-26, 2010, at the Roosevelt Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New Orleans. As the future of the World of Darkness is revealed, Massively will be sure to bring you the news. Just... not until we make our own dark pacts first. [Thanks Cliff!]
Drew Brees discusses 'Madden Curse,' fan voting for Madden NFL 11 cover
Even people who avoid sports like the plague know that there is a certain "curse" associated with being on the cover of a Madden game. This year's cover boy, New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees, ain't sweatin' it though -- "it is what it is, but I look at it as a challenge," he told ESPN. Heck of a "challenge," Mr. Brees. The majority of your predecessors didn't fare so well. On a more positive note, Brees also offered some of his opinions on the voting that led to his appearance on the Madden NFL 11 cover. "This game is driven by the fans, so it means so much more to me and to all the Saints players because we understand the bond we've had with our fans and with our city. Certainly when the fans have spoken, that means so much." The ESPN interview is pretty insightful, including brief talk on the new Hit Stick controls, as well as GameFlow and GamePlan, the pair of managerial game types available in Madden NFL 11. Hit up the source link and give it a read. [Thanks, Zoot Suit Jedi]
Loyola University professor drives City of Heroes/Villains players crazy, all for sociology
Twixt was one of those names on the Freedom server of City of Heroes that would just drive everyone nuts. He was a PvPer who would find some of the craziest ways to annoy the heck out of his opponents, such as teleporting them right in front of the Longbow agents at the hero base in PvP zones. A year ago, however, the man behind the keyboard finally drew back his mask to reveal a sociology professor from Loyola University outside New Orleans.Now his study on City of Heroes/Villains is finally coming forward, revealing a controversial look at how defying the cultural rules of a population can turn a person into a social outcast. The study's goal was to play only by the developer's rules, ignoring any extra rules that might be created by the population. For example, the concept of "kill stealing" and "fair fights" are thrown out the window as they are created by the population, not the game. Think of it like EVE Online -- if the game allows it, he does it. While the study is intriguing in the fact that it covers the "new frontiers" of virtual worlds, it also brings into question some of the ethics involved with working undercover in a population, such as causing undue stress via what we consider to be griefing.For a full report, check out the story as reported by The Times-Picayune.[Thanks Petterm, Scopique!]
New Orleans' Prytania rises up to 3D
Outside of the frozen food section at the supermarket, nothing beats the summer heat quite like a cool (or downright cold) movie theater, and the recently Sony/RealD 4k-equipped Prytania theater in New Orleans just added 3D capabilities to entice viewers some more. No surprise -- Disney's summer blockbuster, Up, was the first talkie to make the leap off the silver screen at the newly outfitted venue, and we suspect that The Prytania -- the only theater in N'awlins to have Up in 3D -- raked in a healthy crowd for its investment. We love to see storied theaters keep up with the times, and this almost 95-year old movie house is no exception.[Thanks, gamedude360!]
New Orleans, Louisiana's Prytania Theatre goes 4K
Not even three full years since getting itself back in business, The Prytania Theatre in New Orleans, Louisiana has apparently embraced the wonderful technology that is 4K. Still the only single screen cinema in the entire state, this landmark venue now has Sony 4K badges on its otherwise bare website, signifying that it is now ready to treat patrons to a high-resolution movie-going experience. 4K theaters are still relatively rare even in America, so we'd probably hop on down and see whatever's playing should you find yourself in N'awlins. Speaking of -- has anyone dropped in since the upgrade?[Image courtesy of DayLife, thanks gamedude360]
NBA All-Star Weekend 2008's HD by the numbers
NBA All Star Weekend 2008 is upon us, and while it might not have the 3D cachet of last year's game, there will be plenty of HD to look forward to while voting on the dunk contest. Not just a U.S. spectacle, this year's game will be broadcast in HD in Belgium, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia and Spain. TNT has lined up 32 HD cameras to cover ASW, and 22 HD video servers, all connected via 10 TV trucks, 122 flat screen monitors and 66 miles of fiber cables. The festivities start tonight with the rookie challenge at 9 p.m., but the number we're looking for is how high Dwight Howard jumps in the dunk competition, and if he recreates Andre Iguodala's off-the-back-of-the-backboard reverse jam.
CNN, Golf / Versus finally added to Cox's New Orleans lineup
Although Cox inked a deal to snag CNN HD (and TBS HD, mind you) some three months back, it seems as if customers in New Orleans, Louisiana are just now getting a taste. According to a tipster, Cox has just recently threw CNN and Golf / Versus into the high-definition lineup, but stations such as History Channel HD, Science HD and NHL Network HD are still sorely missing. Anyone else enjoying the (admittedly late) newcomers in the area?[Thanks, Jose R.]
UPS rebel employees steal $19,000 in PS3s
Three UPS employees have been charged with stealing $19,000 worth of PS3s from the Elmwood distribution center in Louisiana. The men, who worked at the UPS plant in the evening, sent 20 PS3s and 24 SIXAXIS controllers to their day jobs at Andrews Sport Company Inc. by switching the stickers on the boxes.Although the story broke today, the crime was originally filed on Dec. 11 and the thefts were finished by Dec. 5. So, if you were expecting a PS3 shipment by UPS between launch and Dec. 5 around New Orleans without it ever arriving, then we've got a pretty good idea who's got it. No word yet what the thieves did with the stolen systems.[Via GayGamer]
EarthLink wins bid for New Orleans WiFi network
Shortly after winning approval to build a 15-square mile WIFi network in Philly, Earthlink has now gotten the go ahead to build one in New Orleans, replacing the city's free but slow city-owned network. As with the Philidelphia network, New Orleans' will extend for 15-square miles and should cost users about $20 a month for 1-megabit-per-second service, although Earthlink says a slower 300 kbs service will be available for free and without advertising while the city rebuilds. No word yet on when deployment of the mesh network will begin, but it will apparently use gear from Tropos Networks with some additional hardware from Motorola's MOTOwi4 line of products.
The Superdome will be back this fall, and with HD
After the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, it seemed doubtful that football would ever be played in the Superdome again, but the NFL announced shortly before Super Bowl XL that the Saints will be playing actual home games starting September 24th next season against the Atlanta Falcons. The league has announced they will be putting in as much as $20 million of the projected $182 million it will cost to repair and renovate the stadium with most of the rest coming from insurance and FEMA.Part of the renovation will include a huge high definition scoreboard much like the one in New Orleans Arena. They also plan to renovate the luxury boxes, hopefully they will take a look at our buying guide before they make a final decision there.
