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Xbox 360 getting an HDMI port soon?
That is the latest rumor from Xbox-Scene, who were also sent the requisite fuzzy picture of what is purported to be an Xbox 360 motherboard with HDMI-out equipped. No word from the anonymous source if this is actually coming soon (or ever), if it could be part of the HD DVD-equipped Xbox 360 that isn't planned, or just a mockup of some kind. We also don't know if this would be a deep color 1080p capable HDMI 1.3 output or...well really anything at all just yet but it makes for an interesting picture. Do you need a digital output on your next-gen console or are you proudly analog forever?[Via Engadget]
Cricket-controlled Pac-Man
It looks like hamsters aren't the only critters that have found themselves as unwitting accomplices is some mad game designer's grand scheme to find a less artificial intelligence. Recently, grad student Wim van Eck turned to crickets to add a bit more unpredictability to a game of Pac-Man, casting them in the role of the lowly ghosts against a human-controlled Pac. There's few details about how the system actually works, but it seems that the crickets actually proved to be more worthy adversaries than your typical AI-controlled enemy: at one point, a particularly clever "ghost" decided to shed its skin, probably knowing full well that it would become invisible to the game's color-based detection system. Not bad, now how about a centipede-controlled version of Centipede, Wim? [Via Pasta & Vinegar]
Exclusive footage from the "Lost" game
ABC's Jimmy Kimmel managed to get his hands on an advance copy of the Lost video game. "One of the guys at the office played it all day today", and as you'll see, he certainly seemed to enjoy it.
1080p Gran Turismo HD screens
Contrary to what some would have you believe, 1080p gaming is (almost) here -- to that one guy running in 1920x1080 on his PC: shut up already -- Sony has released a few screens to show the power of 1080p on the Playstation 3. We must say, the extra resolution is certainly looking clean, although as much as we love resolution, we also love reflections, motion blur and particle effects, of which which Gran Turismo HD doesn't appear to have any. Of course, GTHD appears to actually be HD, unlike some racing games we could name. Hopefully more will be added as the game gets closer to release.
E3: What resolution are PS3 games running?
As the next-gen parade continues at E3, many people have stopped by to comment on their opinion of Sony's upcoming console after it was revealed that at least two of the upcoming titles would definitely be running at 720p, not the 1080p Sony has been touting as the true definition of HD. Just to clarify, no one has suggested that PS3 would not be able to output games at 1080p (well, no one suggested it until Sony revealed the $499 model would be without HDMI anyway).After all that, IGN took a look around and has only found two games on display targeting 1080p. The upscaled-GT4 demo Gran Turismo HD, and Wardevil, showing a real-time tech demo but non-playable. It is likely that if you have a TV that can accept a 1080p input the PS3 will be able to upscale games rendered at 720p or 1080i to match, just like the Xbox 360 does. How soon until the first major native 1920x1080 game hits? That still remains to be seen.
Dirty Harry coming to HD DVD in 2007
Dirty Harry is back, hitting your screen in high definition in a couple of different ways. First up is a new Dirty Harry videogame coming to next generation consoles (360, PS3, Wii?). To coincide with the game, Warner will be re-releasing all the Dirty Harry movies -- Dirty Harry, Magnum Force, The Enforcer, Sudden Impact and The Dead Pool -- on HD DVD as the definitive Dirty Harry Collection, along with a host of (mostly unspecified, but expect audio upgrades and behind the scenes featurettes) extras. No Blu-ray release mentioned, however the films will on a moratorium of at least a year starting September meaning two things. If you want them on DVD buy them now while you can still find them, and expect the game and movie pack next fall.(You have no idea how difficult it was to write this post without including some "Do you feel lucky, punk?"-related humor.)
Xbox Live Marketplace brings home HD E3 trailers and demos [Halo 3 update 2]
Ok so thats basically direct marketing speak from Microsoft. But it's true. This week Xbox 360 owners have been able to download trailers and demos of some of the same games that they will be showing in LA. Yesterday I was able to download the demo for Test Drive Unlimited (which is not so unlimited, the demo has a 15 minute timer boooo!) and Lost Planet, as well as the trailers for a lot of other games, movies and apparently there will also be video straight from the E3 floor. If you don't have a 360, you can also get a hold of the high definition trailers from Xboxyde. To find out exactly what and when things are available, check out the Marketplace section of MajorNelson's website.We'll get back to you after Microsoft's pre-E3 showcase, in the meantime, check out live coverage at Joystiq.Today's XBLM releases:Game Trailers:Call Of DutyCuldcept SAGAHitman: Blood MoneyLost Planet Extreme Condition Marvel: Ultimate AllianceNBA 2K7Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis Tony Hawk's Project 8Demo:Lost PlanetAs just announced during Microsoft's presentation THE HALO 3 TRAILER IS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON XBOX LIVE. That is all. Also available on bungie.net.
PS3 Games: Not 1080p
We'll have to wait until Sony's conference later today and the rest of E3 to get more details about their upcoming console but from the Pre-E3 announcements we're already getting a few tidbits. Sony has been touting their ability to output 1080p via dual HDMI ports while some have claimed most games won't be able to use that resolution. Checking out Sega's announcement that Virtua Fighter 5 will be a Playstation 3 exclusive and Epic's interview regarding Unreal Tournament 2007 reveals one common thread, that both are targeting 720p. Obviously these will be early titles in the systems lifespan so we may see later games kick it up to 1920x1080 and with few having HDTVs that display or accept a 1080p signal this is of limited importance. Still one has to wonder if Sony will even call these games high definition, since the only True HD is 1080p at least according to Phil Harrison.Check for more live E3 coverage from Joystiq.
E3: No PS3 price, no Rev date or price, says CNN
CNN recently opined on Sony and Nintendo's strategies for E3. According to the prediction, Sony won't be revealing the launch price for the PlayStation 3. Instead, that announcement will be saved for a future date PR opportunity. And while Nintendo will come clean with the official name of the Revolution, don't expect the company to be talking price tags either, or for that matter, a launch date.With little chance of one-upping the competition, Microsoft will use the event to hype Windows Vista gaming. As for the Xbox 360, well, CNN declares we'll "see the first footage from the next installment of Halo..."
Capcom reveals playable E3 lineup
Capcom announced its lineup of titles that will be playable at E3: GBA Mega Man Battle Network 6 Cybeast Gregar, Cybeast Falzar Nintendo DS Mega Man ZX PS2 God Hand Okami Street Fighter Alpha Anthology PSP Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins Monster Hunter Freedom Xbox 360 Dead Rising Lost Planet In addition, Capcom will unmask several new games for as of yet announced platforms. PlayStation 3? Nintendo Revolution? C'mon, Capcom has to have at least one ace up its sleeve...
Paris Hilton set to star in mobile video game
Surely one of the most visible personalities on big and small screens worldwide already, Paris Hilton is now set to invade your cellphone with a new game she is developing with being developed by Gameloft. While it's unknown whether Ms. Hilton will actually be writing the code or simply lending her name to the project, what is clear is that the title will be targeted towards the "tween/teen" audience, and is slated to launch this summer. Also unknown is the exact plot of the game, but we have a strong suspicion that it will involve taking pictures of yourself with your cameraphone and then trying to protect the sensitive data at all costs.[Via MocoNews]
VR video game gets your hamster in on the action
Traditional playtime between humans and their pets has generally been limited to fetch, tug-of-war, and the occasional chase around the coffee table before bedtime. Well if researchers from the Emerging Art and Architecture Research Group, or RASTER, and Singapore's Mixed Reality Lab have anything to say about it, pet owners will soon be able to kick those old fashioned games to the curb in favor of video games that let their animals get in on the action. The group is in the midst of designing a game called "Mice Arena", wherein the human player is pursued by an on-screen avatar controlled by a real world hamster, which chases a piece of motorized bait corresponding to the human's position on the in-game map. What's more, the hamster's game space -- a specially designed tank -- actually adjusts its terrain to match the on-screen action through a series of actuators underneath the floor. Future games from the collaborative -- and we'll leave the jokes to you on this one -- will incorporate decidedly less pet-like animals in the fun, with tentative titles such as (we're not making this up): "Chicken Petman" and "Jellyfishtrone."
Dell's Alienware purchase, the week after the morning after
Now that the world's had a few weeks to digest the news that Dell acquired Alienware, some more thoughtful analyses are starting to appear. The basic justification for the merger hasn't changed -- Dell purchased Alienware because Dell repeatedly failed to build credibility in the high-end PC gaming market -- but the analysis has gotten better. Slate's Séan Captain writes the best one yet. Our readers also suggested a few areas for evaluating the merger. Will Alienware's tech support suffer? Wrote Sloopydrew: "At least now Alienware PC owners will be able to enjoy long chats with underpaid folks in India." And how about the fact that truly hardcore PC gamers would never buy any pre-assembled computer because they know that they can get a faster box for less cash by assembling components purchased separately? One more thought: now that Apple's released bootcamp (it runs games fast!), maybe the market for pre-assembled gaming rigs will shift to from Star Wars geeky to the sexy brand of geek chic that Apple peddles.
Warning: You may find this post heinous and offensive
But Xbox 360 Fanboy needs your help. For every positive (like the HD Beat flickr group), there is an equal and horrifyingly opposing negative. This weekend they are running a contest to find out who has the most pathetic Xbox 360 gaming setup in all the land, and uh, some of these are pretty pathetic. Sweet 720p videogame loving should never be found in what appears to be a laundry room.Go, vote, and then thank your lucky stars that you have not found youself in such a pitiable position.
Playstation 3 price: 500 euros ($600 U.S.)
That's what a few French websites are reporting, apparently stated by Sony Europe boss George Fornay in a radio interview. That would convert to roughly $613 American dollars and make the PS3 the most expensive videogame console out by quite a bit. He apparently confirmed that the Playstation was delayed to work out Blu-ray copy protection issues (that we still haven't seen a final design for the controller, system or a finished game does not appear to have been a contributing factor), and that it should launch in the range of 499 to 599 euros. He justified the high price by saying it was cheap for a platform capable of reading Blu-ray discs.With no confirmation or official announcement from Sony U.S. or Japan this is still in rumor territory, but its a little late for an April Fools. Their main competitor, the Xbox 360 Premium system, launched at 399 euros. Well, I guess we'll ask you again, is around $600 your price for PS3 Blu-ray? Personally, I'm not buying one until they announce a Bob Ross videogame.Previous Playstation 3 price news: Playstation 3: Coming to North America (and the world) in 2006 Playstation 3 price rumors: $599 for Blu-ray movies?
Sony confirms plans to chuck boomerang controller (and it won't come back)
Sony today confirmed they plan to toss the much-reviled boomerangamajig PS3 controller thingy, according to CNNMoney.com reporter Chris Morris. A redesigned controller is expected to be unveiled at E3, in May. What's funny about this is that the decision was most likely fueled by gamer reaction to the controller's mere looks. The controller might have turned out to be the most comfortable ever released, but the world will never know because gamer reaction to the design of the thing was nearly unanimously negative after its unveiling at E3 in May 2005. Was Sony unfairly slapped down by gamers and the video games press for being too forward-thinking? We all sure talk a big game about wanting change, but we've shown (over and over again) very little acceptance of schemes that represent a true visual or mechanical departure from the norm. The Nintendo DS touch-screen interface, for instance, also faced quite a bit of negative reaction prior to its release. [Image comes from Joystiq PS3 controller redesign contest. This particular concept was designed by Joystiq reader Adam Portilla of Chicago.] [Via Engadget]
Playstation 3 delay is official
In the "who didn't see this coming?" news of the day Sony has announced that the Playstation 3 won't be shipping this Spring. A Japanese newspaper is reporting the launch has been pushed back to November in Japan, potentially leaving US high definition gamers PS3-less until 2007. The stated reason for the delay? Copy protection related to the Blu-ray drive. Apparently that preliminary AACS agreement wasn't enough, or maybe Sony is just planning on slipping a combo (or at least 4x drive) in the unit.It's been pretty obvious that the PS3 would slip, with it being March and developers still not having final hardware to work on, but November seems pretty late, it will be interesting to see how they keep the hype machine rolling all year long.Hopefully we will learn more about Sony's next generation plans tomorrow. [Via Evil Avatar]
HDTV Game of the Week: Fight Night Round 3
This is a game I've been waiting for since the impressive demo Sony used to advertise their PS3 at E3 last year, and EA's Fight Night Round 3 has not failed to impress. Every bone cracking punch, every drop of sweat and blood, almost every boxer you could ever want to fight is ready in glistening 720p. If you were waiting for the "next generation" feeling to hit you, put your gloves on and find your mouthguard because it is here.
HDTV Game of the Week
Now that the high definition gaming era is upon us (or not, depending on who you believe), we'd hope to see a lot more of these posts, but there has been a bit of a post-Christmas drought in the videogame lineup. That's coming to an end as the Xbox 360 gets a new game this week, Full Auto, not to mention lots of HD resolution trailers and screens from upcoming games.Unfortunately despite all the Playstation 3 news as of late, we have no new trailers or images for you.
Sony Playstation 3: Say goodbye to your Tivo, your iPod, your..........Xbox 360?
No price, no release date, no playable demos = no problem. The hype machine is officially rolling as more details leak from the latest PSM article detailing how the PS3 will change the world upon it's launch later this year. Why should your credit card be running in fear of a pre-order? Let's run down the list: DVR Online service that will surpass Xbox Live an iTunes Music store-style service for downloading high definition movies music and more Better media center functionality than the 360 Stream DVR'd content or disc-based movies to your PSP over the Internet via LocationFree Fall release That's not even mentioning the dual 1080p output and Blu-ray disc playback we already know about. We're excited, but we also remember when Ken Kutaragi told us the PS2 would be like jacking into "The Matrix", 5 years later and there are no plugs in our bodies. We'll keep a space open in the entertainment center, but we're not shaving our heads in preparation (again). What features are you most anticipating when the Playstation touches down by an HDTV near you?
