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For some reason, VAIO announces a Windows 10 phone
Japan is getting more Windows Phones. In October, Windows Japan announced that six companies were tackling Windows 10 for mobile, and following the gorgeous NuAns phone, VAIO has revealed its second ever smartphone. (The funny part is that VAIO's once-parent company went so far as to make a Windows Phone slider, but it never saw the inside of a phone store.) Anyhow, here's the VAIO Phone Biz. It's for business use. It's not a slider, and it's launching next month, but only in Japan for now. Let's see if it's worth getting jealous about.
Here's a trailer from that Borderlands thing you'll never play
Borderlands Online is still a China-exclusive title, but if for some reason you want to watch the trailer for a game you'll probably never play, we have it for you after the break! MMO Culture reports that Borderlands started its "technical test" today. It also says that the game is an "instance-based online shooter," so really you aren't missing too much if you're a fan of the original series and its open world ethos.
That Witcher MOBA is now in closed beta on Android
You know, a Witcher MOBA ranks right up there with Upset Stomach Simulator 2015 on the list of games I'll never play. Your mileage may vary, though, so if you're into MOBAs and you're into all things Geralt, you should know that The Witcher Battle Arena has launched its Android closed beta. "Designed with fairness in mind, the game features no pay-to-win elements and allows players to unlock every piece of in-game content via gameplay," says a developer posting sussed out by Joystiq. "Closed Beta focuses on balancing gameplay, fixing potential netcode issues, and further refining in-game features."
Wargaming fans celebrate World of Warplanes launch from a mountain, for some reason
Seven World of Warplanes fans have combined their love of digital high altitude acrobatics and actual, real-life high altitude adventuring to celebrate the game's recent launch. The team trekked into the Himalayas reaching altitudes as high as 5,000 meters, stopping for World of Warplanes breaks along the way. Although it's not the first time we've climbed in the Himalayas, this expedition has been an amazing and special journey for us all. We've broken several new trails, which was a hard, but satisfying, experience. On our way upward, we stop to get some rest and play World of Warplanes. The team planted a World of Warplanes flag on one of the peaks, which we assume means Wargaming now owns Mount Everest. [Source: Wargaming press release]
WWE '13 is your big chance to wrestle like a professional boxer (Tyson, specifically)
Mike Tyson is known for his years as a professional boxer slash professional ear-biter, so you can imagine our surprise when THQ announced this morning that he's appearing in upcoming wrestler WWE '13. Tyson's reprising his role from 1998 as a "ringside enforcer" for D-Generation X. He's also a playable character, though, ya know, he's totally not a wrestler."The baddest man on the planet is back – and only in WWE '13," Tyson said in the press release, totally of his own volition and not written by someone else. "Fans everywhere can now relive what I experienced during the 'Attitude Era.'"Only pre-orders of WWE '13 get access to Tyson as a playable character. The game launches on October 30 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii.%Gallery-158593%
How would you change the Jawbone Up?
Ordinarily, we'd be dismissive if you answered that question with "Doy, make it work!" but in the special case of the Jawbone Up, it's entirely apt. The wristband promised plenty of technological advances that would track your sleep, calories burned and diarize your food intake, all within the confines of a slender cord wrapped around your wrist. The downside? A significant proportion of the units conked out days after being opened, forcing the company to offer no-questions-asked refunds and halt production. So, what we want to know is: do you have a working Up? Does it still work? Do you like it? If Hosain Rahman was reading the comments below, how would you suggest he goes about fixing things?
New Call of Juarez game suggested in Ubisoft email survey
Ubisoft recently sent out an email asking players of Call of Juarez: The Cartel to rate specific parts of the game, and regardless of whether the responses all sum up to "This game is suxorz," it suggests that a sequel is already in the works. The survey asks players which console they own, which Call of Juarez title is their favorite, how they would rate The Cartel's graphics, cut-scenes and "being part of a team but having my own interests come first," among other questions. Ubisoft then asks which which of the following (eerily specific) aspects players would want to see in a new Call of Juarez title: Hunting an outlaw in the rocky mountains Defending a ranch attacked by Mexican pistolleros Preventing a bank robbery Rescuing an innocent man about to be hanged up Taking part in a shooting contest A gun duel in the empty main street of a town against your worst enemy Guarding a fort against a group of outlaws Helping a man to escape from the sheriff's office Defending a train attacked by Native Americans on horses A gunfight in a saloon after a poker game Preventing outlaws from pillaging a gold mine A fusillade between lawmen and outlaws Grab your guns and saddle up -- this could be a very bumpy ride.
Kate Paiz answers the "Whys" of LotRO's changes
When a parent tells a kid to do something, the immediate follow-up question is invariably, "Why?" Likewise, Lord of the Rings Online's Kate Paiz knows that players are constantly asking "Why?" when Turbine makes any additions or changes to the game, which is why she spends a bulk of her December Producer's Letter explaining the company's actions and decisions. Paiz says that the team saw that not enough F2P players were heading into the Lone-lands, which is why they made the zone's quest pack free for everyone. Other deep LotRO secrets she reveals are the reasons behind removal of radiance, dual upgrades to the legendary item system, the addition of cosmetic pets for all (which may provide buffs when used!), and the expansion of Monster Play so that all tiers of players can participate. She also shares an encouraging word about the financial state of the game: "Revenues for the game have continued to increase. While we are getting some great feedback on what the LotRO Store can do better and what other items you'd like to find there, Store usage continues to be much higher than industry averages!" You can read the full Producer's Letter over at LotRO's website.
Amazon Kindle listed as 'temporarily out of stock,' Nook and Sony Reader smile coyly
Amazon's Kindle may have the price advantage when it comes to its e-reading competitors, but right now it's sorely lacking in the availability department. Looks like the device is out of commission and has been for at least 24 hours as of this writing. In the past, CEO Jeff Bezos and company have written us apology notes and / or provided a timeframe for its return. This time, however, we're left with nothing but a bold red "Temporarily out of stock" notice and nary a word on when that sales restriction might lift. Not to worry, though: if you're really jonesing, the Graphite Kindle DX is still available and shipping immediately. We've pinged Amazon and will let you know what we hear.
King of iPhone Fist: Pocket Gamer says Namco releasing iPhone Tekken game soon
Tekken 6 for PSP Street Fighter IV isn't the only fighting game to be shoehorned awkwardly into the iPhone. According to Pocket Gamer, an anonymous Namco staffer has confirmed that a Tekken game is on the way to the platform -- a platform that, we feel we should remind you, lacks not only a high-quality arcade-style joystick, but any mechanical controls at all. Last year, Namco's Jonathan Kromrey mentioned that the company was considering porting its fighting games onto the iPhone, and it would appear that nobody successfully dissuaded the publisher. No details were given about the game, except that its development is near completion. We'd say Soul Calibur is next on the list, but Gameloft kind of already did that.
Dead or Alive Paradise coming to PSP, sans fighting (and volleyball)
Do you love the Dead or Alive franchise? Do you wish Tecmo would just get rid of all that pesky fighting and volleyball gameplay and give fans what they really want out of the franchise: quality alone time with the DoA girls? Thankfully, Tecmo has answered that call. Seriously. The latest issue of Famitsu reveals a new Dead or Alive game for PSP called Dead or Alive Paradise. However, this isn't a new game in Tecmo's franchise. In fact, it's barely a game at all. The Examiner notes that this is a port of a mobile game, one which lets you play mini games with the girls, as you continue to purchase skimpier and skimpier outfits for them. Classy. Paradise is scheduled for a Spring 2010 release in Japan and, thankfully, it's a single-player only experience. We'd hate to think what kind of terrible multiplayer modes Tecmo would imagine for a game like this.
Oh no! It's a Dragonball Evolution trailer
This is the trailer for the upcoming video game adaptation of the Hollywood live action adaptation of the classic anime/manga series. The very existence of this game is ludicrous, but the trailer manages to go to a whole new level of ridiculousness with its cheesy narrator. According to the trailer, some of the features you'll be able to find in Dragonball Evolution include "Battle," "Character," "Story" and "Gallery." Enjoy.%Gallery-42642%
The Daily Grind: Why do you play?
Unlike your average video game, which arrives on store shelves with a pre-defined scope and story, MMOs are an ongoing, evolving experience. (That World of Warcraft box you picked up four years ago bore only a faint resemblance to the game you're playing today.) Every time you log on, there's the chance of a completely new experience. Perhaps a recent patch introduced a new zone for play. Perhaps a recent patch introduced some unpredictable bugs. Perhaps your friends have decided to stage an in-game dance competition in the middle of your opposing faction's city. You won't know for sure until you log on and see -- and even after years of playing, you may encounter something in your favorite MMO that will surprise and delight you. But evolution isn't always an entertaining process. As the game grows, sometimes you'll find it's changed in ways you don't like. And other times you may find yourself hitting a wall, as you reach the end of the current round of game content with nothing new on the horizon. And yet other times you may find that the game just seems to be an endless grind in which you're repeating the same tasks hundreds of times in order to pick up that next shiny piece of loot. In times of trouble, what is it that keeps you playing? Friends and guild-mates? The obsessive-compulsive need to complete every quest or earn every achievement? (Don't knock it 'til you've tried it, folks!) The fun of playing a new alt? Tell us, why do you play?
The Daily Grind: But all my friends play!
Why do we play MMOs? Sure, we could spend all day discussing game design, new content, casual vs. hardcore, class balance (nerf <insert class here>!), PvP, crafting, leveling curve, and economy... but in the end what makes us log on to a game day after day, through nerfs, bugs, and server meltdowns? Chances are, it's not the gameplay -- it's the people. Would you still play your favorite game were it not for your guild (or clan, or fellowship)? Or is your MMO-ing all about the game?
Why did Apple drop the price?
I think there's no question by now what the biggest announcement yesterday was. The iPod Touch is cool, and the new CoverFlow interface will definitely make some music listeners happy this holiday, but since the end of the announcement, the biggest splash has come from the iPhone's price drop.Why would Apple drop the price of something that was already hitting all the marks they expected to hit? The analysts have already started their breakdown, and if stock prices are any indication, it seems investors are sure Apple is worried (not about competitors obviously, but about expectations), and wants an extra boost. Of course, us Apple fans will disagree-- Apple really does want the iPhone to be "more affordable," and a lower price is icing on an already sweet cake. A lower price doesn't mean desperation-- it's Apple doing what Apple does: breaking the mold and making things better for consumers.Except that if any other company dropped the price of a product after only a few months (ahem, Microsoft-- one of my Twitter buddies noted that no one raised hackles about the Zune's price drop), it'd be seen as a sign of big trouble. What's going on here? Is Apple just aiming to put more iPhones in consumers' hands? Are they worried about the iPhone's sales numbers? Or did they bring down the price just to make sure the iPhone was still competitive against the iPod Touch?
DS Daily: Why do you play?
We've asked you a lot of things -- sometimes some very silly things -- but there's one thing that we're still a little curious about. Why do you game? It's one of those questions that can be hard to answer, like, "why is water wet?" and "how did Bob Barker refrain from aging for so long?" But give it some thought, and try to let us know what it is about this hobby that keeps you coming back. Is it just nice to have something to do with your hands that also engages your brain? Do you play to relax? To, uh, stay tense? Just because it's fun? Dig deep and see what you can come up with.
