tron
Latest
TUAW's Daily App: Tron Legacy
Yes, the new Tron Legacy movie is out this weekend, and if you haven't heard about it yet, you probably will soon. There has been a free promotional app out for a while now (and it actually has a few little games to play with), but Disney has also released an official Tron Legacy game, now available on the App Store. This one's a full-fledged 3D game, featuring a Light Cycle racing mode along with an on-rails shooting mode that puts you behind a "Recognizer" (one of the big ships they fly around in the movie). The games in this one work pretty well, though the app itself is a little disappointing -- there's no real storyline or overarching campaign to the map you play through. You're basically just competing in a series of events (and even those are pretty inexplicable -- why are you piloting a Recognizer and racing Light Cycles?). But as a US 99 cent game, it's not bad, and the Tron stylings are enough to remind you how awesome the movie is. The app is universal and even has Game Center integration to track achievements (That's a first for a Disney mobile game; it's good to see them endorse Apple's social gaming network.) If you're looking for a nugget of official Tron goodness on iOS, the game is worth checking out.
Xbox 360 gets a limited edition orange Tron controller, because wired gamers need love too
In most circumstances, we'd argue a self-illuminating controller crisscrossed by bright bands of orange is a couple of notches over the top, but when it's Tron you're talking about, it all makes sense. This latest peripheral for the 360 is up for pre-order now at $39.99 and comes prepackaged with the smugness of knowing that each one sold will be part of a very limited 250-unit production run. It's officially licensed by Microsoft and arriving at snowy doorsteps some time later this month. A less exclusive blue brother should be joining it soon as well, in case the current hue's not quite to your liking.
Tron: Legacy gets its very own interactive halfpipe (video)
Look, y'all know that Tron: Legacy comes out in just a few painful hours. You've probably seen those Daft Punk headphones, a blue-glowy Razer mouse, and the obligatory armchair, among other insane promotional items. But those earthly objects definitely weren't enough to fulfill the geeky capacity of the branding opportunities that such a cinematic event -- nay, spectacle -- creates. Melbourne-based interactive design company Eness went ahead and built an interactive projection-mapped skate ramp to commemorate the premiere. The Aussies who got to shred in this thing created and destroyed light trails, exploded through galaxies of color and shapes piped straight from the Grid, and had their airtime measured in real time and projected onto the ramp. It's not quite a real-life light cycle battle, but we'll take it. Must-see video after the jump.
EVE trailer coming to a theater near you (maybe)
Ever wanted to see CCP's version of internet spaceships on the silver screen? You may be in luck if you live near a major metropolitan movieplex. In a forum post released yesterday, CCP Manifest broke the news of an EVE Online trailer attached to selected prints of the new Tron: Legacy film scheduled for release on December 17th. The trailer will run for a limited time (through January 13th to be exact), and will take a bow between eight and 15 minutes prior to showtime as well as twice every 12 minutes in theater lobbies. Details are scarce as to the actual content of the clip, and the showings are currently limited to a handful of venues in the United States. Check out the full list on the EVE forums.
Monster builds Daft Punk Edition Tron Headphones, unwittingly unleashes moral quandary of a generation
We can't tell, is this (and by "this" we mean the entertainment machine that is Disney / Daft Punk / Tron / Jeff Bridges, melding with the monster that is Monster, and creating a pair of $350 ultra-glossy headphones) the ultimate payoff of our childhood hopes and dreams, or their ultimate ruination and desecration? Both? %Gallery-109596%
HTML5 prettifies fan-made Tron trailer... in real time! (video)
What can HTML5 do for you? Quite a lot, as it happens. A chap by the name of Franz Enzenhofer has put together a real-time effects mixer for a fan-made Tron trailer, which combines HTML5 with a dash of JavaScript and a sprinkling of CSS to demonstrate the awesome potency of open web standards. You can recolor, reposition, rotate, stretch, or skew the video, all while it plays. We've got the unaltered trailer, made earlier this year as a sort of homage to the 1982 picture, for you after the break, but you'll want to hit the source link to start post-processing it with the finest browser-based video editor yet.
Visualized: Tron Armchair redefines furniture art
If you haven't noticed already, Disney (and the rest of the world, seemingly) is going all-out for this year's rendition of Tron. What's potentially better than a cinematical remake? You're looking at it. The Tron Armchair was dreamed up and designed by New York's own Dror Benshetrit, with the seating apparatus officially debuting this week at Design Miami / Art Basel. There's a whole slew of motifs to peek down there in the source link, all of which make "impregnated fiberglass and polyester resin" look about as good as they can. It's a crying shame that no price tag accompanies them, but hopefully that'll change soon. Really soon.
Tron: Evolution Avatar items set to rez on Thursday
Tron: Evolution Avatar gear will hit the Xbox Live marketplace this Thursday, November 25, which is also known as "Gobble Day" in the States. The items include clothing, props and a premium theme. Tragically, no creepy young CGI Jeff Bridges face mask will be available.
Razer's Tron gaming mouse now available for $100
You've seen it announced and teased on video, and you can now finally light up your own desk with Razer's new Tron gaming mouse. It's available right now for $100, which will buy you more what appears to be more than just a novelty mouse --you'll get a 5600dpi 3.5g laser sensor, seven "Hyperesponse" buttons, an ambidextrous design and, yes, some Tron-inspired light and sound effects. Still no indication on a release for the accompanying Tron keyboard, unfortunately, nor is there any word on that matching mousepad, which will apparently be sold separately.
Tron app updated with Light Cycles
Disney's Tron movie is coming up quick, and today, the official Tron app (which has been out since Comic-Con, hosting exclusive previews and news from the movie) has added another new feature: Light Cycle battles. Yes, you can download the official app for free, and play a fun little 2D version of the famous Tron Light Cycle battle game right there in the app. The whole thing is pretty simple -- just swipe to change direction, and of course the goal is to leave a light path that will block your opponents' bikes (or you can create a field trap by drawing a rectangle with your Light Cycle). When you add in the tank game that was released a little while back, the app is definitely worth a download. I got to see and play this app at Disney last week during an event there, and then talked to Disney Interactive's Jeff Nuzzi about the app and Disney's future plans for it. Disney already tried this "free app portal" method with Toy Story 3, and that one worked pretty well. Nuzzi said the same thing is happening with this Tron app -- "it's two great games," he told me, "wrapped around a lot of promotional content." Disney's original plan for Toy Story 3 was to include some premium experiences in with the free content, but that didn't work out as planned. "It was really a very complicated app, and I think the fans out there, the early adopters, people that are familiar with Toy Story, knew how to navigate and get through there, but then a lot of first time users and iPod touch users weren't able to connect to Wi-Fi and had trouble downloading the app." In the end, Disney sent the Toy Story 3 app completely free, and that's why this Tron app is a free download as well. Plus, Nuzzi and his company plan to keep updating the app with Tron content and information even after the movie releases. "As the movie goes through the box office and into more of a franchise, we can deliver news about the DVD or upcoming events," Nuzzi said. "It really is a portal for all things Tron and it's meant to live on beyond just the movie." The movie hits theaters on December 17, but you can download the free app with all of its extras right now.
Oakley's 3D specs are a perfect blend of gaudiness and Tron: Legacy
Think run-of-the-mill 3D specs just aren't cutting it? Need the sort of eyewear that ENCOM International would approve or? Here's perhaps a better question: got a infinitesimally-deep hole burning in your pocket? Oakley's recently-announced "optically-correct" 3D glasses are getting a special Tron: Legacy edition in honor of the upcoming internet documentary. Expect graphic art on the frames that, in some of the most amusing and illustrative words we've read in a press release for some time, "salute the cinematic story." Asking price is a steep $150, but fashion doesn't run cheap -- besides, how else are you going to stand out in a dark room filled with bespectacled people all facing the same direction?
Razer Tron Mouse leaves light trails in our hearts (video)
We don't really expect that the actual Tron movie will be any good, but boy, its officially endorsed accessories aren't looking half bad. The $100 laser mouse from Razer has snuck out for a quick pre-release video demo where we get to see it tracking gloriously on an accompanying "precision" mousepad. There's hardly much to be learnt about the mouse's ergonomics or 5600dpi accuracy, but it does glow with that mighty inviting shade of blue (cyan?) and the mousepad reacts to the laser's illumination by leaving dreamy light trails after your movements. It's cyber-poetry in motion, available after the break.
Tron: Evolution release date and Collector's Edition revealed
Disney seems to have gotten the message that you guys like collector's editions. With toys in them. One day after the reveal of the Epic Mickey Collector's Edition, Disney Interactive has announced the Collector's Edition release of Tron: Evolution for PS3 and Xbox 360. The package contains the game (obviously), along with a toy model Light Cycle by Sideshow Collectibles and a display case with a drawer for the game -- all for $130. We spent too long thinking about this and realized that since "real" light cycles are only supposed to exist in a virtual computer world, these toys are more tangible than the genuine article! Disney has also announced a December 7 release date for the Collector's Edition and, of course, all other versions of Tron: Evolution game, including those for Wii, PSP, DS and PC. %Gallery-100718%
Inhabitat's Week in Green: street-legal Tron lightcycles, electronic eyeglasses, and the American Solar Challenge
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us. This week Inhabitat saw solar-powered vehicles blaze trails around the globe as the University of Michigan's sleek pod car crossed the finish line to win the American Solar Challenge. We also watched the Solar Impulse gear up for its first eagerly anticipated night flight -- a pivotal undertaking as the sun-powered plane prepares to circle the earth. In other clean transportation news, and we were stunned to see a set of street-legal electric Tron lightcycles pop up on eBay. The field of renewable energy also heated up this week as researchers revealed an innovative tri-layered solar panel that's capable of catching the full spectrum of the sun's rays. Wind power made waves as well as Principle Power unveiled a new ultra-sturdy ocean platform that's able to support the world's tallest wind turbines. Finally, we saw the light this week as Illumitex unveiled the world's first square LED bulb, which they claim is cheaper, more efficient and more practical than typical round bulbs. We also peered at an innovative new type of electronic eyeglasses that can change your prescription with the push of a button. And for all you shutterbugs looking to share your vision with the world, you won't want to miss this handy solar camera strap that ensures you'll never miss a shot.
Tron gaming peripherals soothe your nostalgia with calming blue light (video)
We don't have the foggiest idea whether Tron: Legacy will serve to reboot Disney's venerable light cycling franchise, but it's certainly got peripheral vendors in high gear -- you'll be able to hack the ENCOM Digitizing Molecular Laser with a genuine Tron keyboard and mouse or toss virtual light discs with an Tron-themed Xbox 360, PS3 or Wii controller this holiday season. Gaming favorite Razer crafted this $130 laser-etched keyboard with swappable numpad and programmable macros; it will ship alongside a $100, 5600dpi laser mouse in October, and PDP will provide the console controllers for $50 at an unspecified date. We were bummed to hear that the Xbox 360 and PS3 pads are wired, but in retrospect that might be a good thing -- by comparison, Razer's detachable keypad is just begging to be thrown at an MCP-generated foe. See all the new Tron toys lit up in a video after the break. (Caution: video loads automatically.) %Gallery-96137%
Tron's Space Paranoids gets the browser game treatment
If you play video games because you're driven by a powerful desire to be the very best, you may want to consider skipping this one. 42 Entertainment and Disney Interactive recently paired up to release an online, Unity-based version of the arcade game featured in Tron, titled Space Paranoids. It's your basic first-person tank simulator, in which player navigate a maze while fending off enemy tanks and Recognizers. So, in that respect, we guess it's not all that "basic." It's really fun, but regardless of how adroit you become at tank-shooting, you'll never be able to beat the top score of 999,000 set by "FLN." Still, if you can be satisfied by aspirations for second place, Space Paranoids is definitely worth checking out. [Via BigDownload]
The perfect companion for those long Light Cycle trips: the 'Tron Boy' mod
Yard sales are great for two things: laughing at the ridiculous stuff some people find and bargain-priced electronics from yesteryear. In this day and age, if you come upon a yard sale that isn't trying to unload at least one Game Boy, then those people probably weren't really into portable gaming. No, really -- those people exist! We tell you this because we have a great idea should you ever come across a Game Boy at one of these slices of Americana: the Tron Boy. The pictured mod by Thretris was created to celebrate the release of 8 Bit Weapon's Tron chiptune album (ZIP file link) and does a good job of plucking our heartstrings on two distinct fronts. It makes us pine for those days of playing Tetris on the bus to school and the first time we saw Jeff Bridges kicking some ass with a disc. Those were the days. ... great, now we have a hankerin' to play some Tetris. Thanks, Thretris! [Via GoNintendo; Tiny Cartridge]
Tron: Legacy tests your games knowledge with Arcade Aid
Disney's upcoming sequel, Tron: Legacy, has been in full-on viral marketing mode via the Flynn Lives site for a bit now. Usually, we don't care about those kinds of things, but when something as awesome as Arcade Aid is attached, we just have to post it up for you guys. It's a pretty simple premise: spot all of the gaming references in a huge image and name them. Easy, right? No way, dude. It's pretty tough to nail down all 56 references -- obviously, we got 'em all, because we're bloggers and it's our job to know these things. But, we thought it would be interesting to see you guys take a stab at it. It's not because we need help on a couple and we're hoping you'll solve 'em. Nope, not at all. So bust out the brain lube and warm up that gray matter, then hit up the link above. [Via geeksugar]
Tron: Legacy blasts your old-school eyes with new trailer
Boy, Tron is old. That movie came out way back in 1982, and we're finally getting a sequel in 2010. You can see how long it's been if you count the wrinkles on Alan Bradley's (Bruce Boxleitner) face. That's Tron himself, but we've heard that he's hardly in the movie. So what gives? Well, this one is all about Flynn's (the now Oscar award-winning Jeff "The Dude" Bridges) son Sam searching for his dad, who has been missing for years. Oh, and the Game Grid has received several substantial upgrades. Just look at that Recognizer and the light cycles in this trailer. Looks like someone firehosed a ton of pixels onto everything in the computer world. We're all for that. Tron: Legacy comes out on December 17, 2010, and yes, there will be a video game adaptation. We're just waiting to see if that's been upgraded as well.
Tron Evolution premieres at VGAs, coming Holiday 2010 [update]
As promised, the Spike VGAs offered the first look at the new Tron game. Actress Olivia Wilde introduced the teaser trailer for Tron Evolution, featuring what might be real in-game footage of some neon-accented dudes dueling, and a light cycle race. As seen in the movie trailer, the light cycles can curve now, which is blasphemous. See it for yourself after the break, courtesy of YouTube's brysi. According to the trailer, Tron Evolution will be out Holiday 2010. We're guessing it'll coincide closely with the December 17 release date for the Tron Legacy movie. The teaser also suggests it'll be a prequel to the events in Tron Legacy. But probably after the events in Tron. Update: High-quality version now posted after the jump above.
