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Hacker's unofficial 'Watch Dogs 2' app is incredibly appropriate
After successfully linking GTA V to an iPhone, the same Hungarian hacker has now developed software that allows users to manipulate Watch Dogs 2 from their smartphone. Using the programming language, Python, YouTuber Planetleak DIY Projects has managed to recreate the game's Dedsec app on his iPhone -- and the irony of creating an iPhone hack for a game about hacking probably wasn't lost on him. Thanks to clever keypress emulation and screenshots mimicking the look of the game's smartphone, the custom app instantly navigates a convincing replica of Watch Dogs 2's in-game menu via the iPhone's touchscreen.
How will you survive when the robots take your job?
The robots are coming, and they're taking our jobs. Or that's the concern, anyway. A recent Oxford University study surmises that over the next two decades, about 47 percent of U.S. jobs are at risk of being made obsolete thanks to automation. This isn't restricted to just blue-collar factory labor either; even office clerical duties and high-skilled work could eventually be done by computers and artificial intelligence. And if that happens, how will we make a living? Well, recently, a very old idea has gained momentum in Silicon Valley that aims to solve this very problem. The solution? Guaranteed income for everyone.
Princeton researchers find security flaws in IoT devices
One of the main concerns about the so-called Internet of Things is security, and the recent findings of researchers at Princeton won't help ease the anxiety. Researchers at the university's Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP) took a close look at how information is transmitted between the connected devices in your home and the cloud to gauge just how secure they really are. The list of devices researched included the Belkin WeMo Switch, Nest Thermostat, Ubi Smart Speaker, Sharx Security Camera, PixStar Digital Photoframe and a SmartThings Hub. As it turns out, a few gadgets the group examined sent information out in the open.
Ubi software turns projections into touchscreens with Kinect for Windows
Ubi Interactive, not to be confused with gaming publisher and developer Ubisoft, has released software called Ubi that's capable of turning any projected surface into a touchscreen with help from Microsoft's Kinect for Windows, CNET reported last week. Ubi works with the Windows 8 operating system to evolve projected displays into interactive touchscreens by incorporating Kinect for Windows. Walls, desks, tables -- any portion of a room can be translated into an Angry Birds battlefield so long as it's "visible to the depth sensor camera in the Kinect," Ubi's FAQ states. The basic, single-touch compatible Ubi software for a 45" display costs $150. Those gunning for a 100" display can pay $380 for a single-touch compatible professional license, while a business license supports two touch-point displays for $800. If you're not fooling around, the enterprise license supports a 100" display and 20 touch points for $1500. Every version of Ubi includes a year of free updates. Ubi only supports the Windows 8 operating system and is currently not compatible with Kinect for Xbox. Still, we can't help but daydream about incorporating Ubi into Microsoft's IllumiRoom technology so we can attach a more literal meaning to the phrase "game room." If your interest is sparked by the possibilities, you can order Ubi here.
Ubisoft buys Action Pants Inc., making sports game for Wii
Publishing giant Ubisoft has announced its acquisition of Vancouver-based Action Pants Inc., along with plans to utilize the studio on a new sports game exclusively for Wii. Considering that most recent publisher news has concerned layoffs, we're pretty happy to report the birth of Ubisoft's first in-house studio on the west coast of North America. "The creative talent at Action Pants made the decision an easy one," said Ubisoft's executive director of worldwide production studios, Christine Burgess-Quemard. Co-founder and executive partner at Action Pants Inc., Simon Andrews, shared the excitement and said the two companies have "similar values." Considering those "values" have included Ubiporting crappy games to the console in the past, let's hope these two skip the foreplay and get right down to the nitty gritty: creating actual worthwhile experiences on the Wii.[Thanks, Tom!]
Splinter Cell: Conviction delayed into 09' ... GASP!
There were rumors floating around and now we can finally confirm the news. Splinter Cell: Conviction is delayed once again. Gasp!In their just released first quarter fiscal report, Ubisoft made mention that Splinter Cell: Conviction is still alive (phew!) and that it has been delayed once again (aww, shucks) possibly into 2010 (wah?). According to Ubi, they've pushed back its release to "bolster the line-up for fiscal 2009-10", meaning that the earliest we'll see Sam Fisher and hear his new voice will be April 2009. We've made the executive decision to place Conviction alongside Alan Wake in the 360's exclusive vaporware catalog.[Via Joystiq]
Haze delayed again, to clear in next fiscal year
The name chosen for developer Free Radical's oft-delayed FPS Haze has become something of a self-fulfilling prophecy. While we were almost ready to get excited for the game to make its retail debut sometime before April, publisher Ubisoft broke news (and gamers' hearts) today by once more pushing the game out until an unspecified time during the coming 2008-09 fiscal year (read: after April).The game's release date has become something of a running gag in certain circles, with Haze originally expected for the holidays before being brushed aside for what we were told was a final bit of spit polish. It would seem, however, from this latest news that Haze was in fact more sullied than previously believed. If there is one ray of sunshine to cast on this gloom it's that the delay has caused Ubisoft to raise its guidance for coming fiscal year to €1 billion (or nearly $1.5 billion in Earth currency) up from the €975 million previously forecast – though we're doubtful that Ubi's financial wherewithal will comfort those of you who have been told once again to wait your turn.
Get Rabbid with some Rayman videos
CVG has been so kind as to upload a couple of choice videos for the second title following Rayman and those kooky bunnies' first outing on the Wii, Rayman: Raving Rabbids. Rather than the short marketing videos featuring the bunnies, these clips focus on showing off some of the new minigames in store for those willing to sign up. So, while they aren't as humorous as you would expect, the footage of the new minigames should still tickle your fancy.
Brothers in Arms screens split the duty
If you've been keeping up with the march of news about a certain squad-based FPS franchise hitting the DS, then you might know that the game was recently confirmed to have vehicles for player use. Old news, right? Well, it still is, but at least we have more screens from Ubisoft to look at. Never hurts, right? Kiffnews dishes up 4 fresh screens, with a pair each presenting foot-based and vehicle-based action for the upcoming title, which we've gone ahead and embedded past the post break.
Surf's Up had better use the Wiimote as a surfboard
We just wanted to get that in there nice and early, because it's important. You can infer from the rather pointed headline that a game based on the upcoming CG kids' movie Surf's Up has been announced for the Wii.Ubisoft will be bringing the videogame version of Sony Pictures' Surf's Up to pretty much every system we can think of, which is pretty much standard operating procedure. The game will feature voice acting from many of the movie's stars, including Shia LeBoeuf, Jeff Bridges, and Jethro from the Beverly Hillbillies movie. There are two reasons that we think Surf's Up could turn out okay: first, it's being developed by Ubisoft Montreal, who are responsible for the Prince of Persia series; and second, surfing seems like a natural for the Wiimote. At least, we hope it's good, because we're certain lots of kids are going to want it.[Via NeoGAF]
DS Daily: We just want to talk about Jam Sessions some more
It's been a popular topic of discussion lately-- the DS guitar simulator/toy/thing that Ubisoft is surprisingly localizing for a US audience. For some of us, weirdly enough, it was the biggest story to come out of GDC. We're still actually not sure why Ubisoft, a company generally known to play it safe and never release anything that hasn't already been released on other systems, decided to pick up something that isn't even a game. A misguided attempt to jump on the Guitar Hero bandwagon, perhaps?Whatever the reason, we heart Ubisoft for doing it. We haven't made any attempt to hide it: we are eager to try Jam Sessions. We want it to be out right now. We don't care that it isn't a game, or whatever.So what about you commenters? Are you ready to strum-- but not solo-- on a virtual guitar doodad? Have you learned to stop worrying and love the non-game?
Get your jam on with this Jam Session video
Maybe you thought, after first hearing about the game, that such a title would be near impossible to play effectively. For those of you wondering what the game might look like, we already covered that. Maybe you're the type of person who needs to see some video? Well, past the post break, we have got you covered.
From Eigo Zuke to Jam Sessions
Newsweek's N'Gai Croal, who reported the news that Ubisoft would be localizing Hiite Utaeru DS Guitar M-06 as Jam Sessions, has posted an interview with Seth Delackner of Plato, the director of the "game". The story of how Delackner got to create a guitar simulator is pretty surprising: he was hired to program a sequel to the English training game Eigo Zuke. But Nintendo decided to handle the programming themselves as they had for the first game, leaving Plato with a DS programmer, a DS development kit, and no projects. The team brainstormed new ideas, and came up with a music game.As a demo, Delackner put together a little program that allowed the user to "strum" over a line on the touchscreen to play guitar samples. Plato loved it, Nintendo loved it, and Hiite Utaeru DS Guitar M-06 was born.It's no secret that we love music games, so expect more on Jam Sessions as we hear it. We want the story on that beautiful, but random boxart.
Ubisoft is going to publish Jam Sessions
Remember that Guitar-type game on the DS? Well, we're happy to inform that Ubisoft is going to be publishing the title stateside, allowing all of us to live the dream of being a rock star whilst still getting our gaming fix. It's like a delicious sandwich that is chock full of peanut butter (that would be Jam Sessions) and fluffer nutter (and that would be the DS Lite). Wait ... what would that make the bread, then? You? We didn't really think that through and are, honestly, kind of hungry right now ...Grumbling stomach aside, the game will be releasing in June. For those unaware, the game turns the DS into a tiny guitar, where the stylus is used to pluck strings and create music. Using the d-pad and shoulder buttons, you can switch the tone of the notes you're playing, allowing for a wide variety of different tones from your virtual guitar.
Ubi rep clears confusion: no online play in Blazing Angels
With all of the confusion surrounding Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII and online play, we're all dying to know if this game is to release with online gameplay. According to a nameless Ubisoft representative, we've all got our hopes up for nothing. Wii-UK received word as much when contacting Ubisoft, who said that the game would feature no online gameplay modes when it releases later this month. Looks like we'll all still need to wait for Pokemon before online gameplay rolls out ...See also: First screens of Blazing Angels on the Wii
Ubisale at Toys R Us
There have been a lot of sales to report lately! If you picked up a Wii at Toys R Us yesterday, you now have an opportunity to get some relatively good games for a decent price, from now until the 10th.Toys R Us is offering three Ubisoft-published Wii games for the price of two. Your choices are GT Pro Series, Open Season, Rayman: Raving Rabbids, Red Steel, and Monster 4x4: World Circuit. This offer is valid online, but we aren't sure about its status in TRU stores. If there are three games in that list you're interested in, or two games you're interested in and one you think you could get a decent price for on eBay, then you are in luck![Via QJ.net]
First screens for Blazing Angels on the Wii
Ubisoft has finally gotten around to release some screens for the upcoming Wii version of Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII. While there aren't as many screens as we would've liked, we're still holding out hope that the updated controls and other improvements being made to the game will add some value. We tried the game when it was on another console, and honestly, it wasn't too great. Actually, it downright sucked.We've included the other screens past the post break.
Ubi's faith in Wii pays off (in January, at least)
Yes, January was one crazy month for Nintendo as they undoubtedly saw more profits than Uncle Scrooge has in his vault, but what about those third-party supporters? The amount of profits they received in that month should also be high, right? Well, for Ubisoft it was beyond high as the company saw an increase by 78% during January. Could we expect this surplus in profits for Ubisoft to rise? Sure, why not, they are putting out countless ports titles for the system, so with the steady demand for the console, it seems that Ubi's profit rise in January could be the beginning of a trend for the company. How long could it last? Well, that's up to consumers to decide.[via Joystiq]
New Rival Swords trailer takes us through speed killing
Over at AMN, they got their hands on a new trailer for Prince of Persia: Rival Swords. The trailer comes in at about a minute long and has Ubisoft Producer Ben Maddis (could be a misspelling of his name, we're going from audio) showing us the subtle differences between the speed killing controls for both the Dark Prince and regular Prince. From the looks of it, not much has changed in transitioning over to the Wii, aside from the controls.You can check out the trailer here.
More games from Ubisoft
According to IGN, an Ubisoft subsidiary from Spain has released documentation revealing a few new projects. While Ubisoft's continued support has been well documented, we wonder if the company might be stretching itself too thin in attempting to tackle all of these projects at once. Regardless, the more games the merrier we are ...So what games are they, you ask? Well, first up is a Wii installment in the Brothers in Arms series, dubbed Brothers in Arms: D Day. Personally, if this were to turn out to be true, we'd be very happy. Next is Spelling Spree, a title that would obviously focus on grammar and spelling exercises. Finally, the third title on the list is Cosmic Family, a port of a PC title and also aimed toward younger gamers.
