SEGA fires back at Nintendo with mini retro console of its own

Brace yourself gamers, a classic console war is brewing.

Weeks after gaming pioneer Nintendo announced the upcoming release of a miniature Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in October, SEGA wants to join the nostalgic trend and release a mini-portable gaming system of its own.

The Tokyo-based video game developer, which has been Nintendo’s rival since the ’90s, will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its iconic game “Sonic the Hedgehog” by releasing the Mini Mega Drive.

The retro-console will boast a “Plug and Play”  feature including 80 pre-installed games, which will also allow users to plug in the original cartridges. It comes with two wireless controllers, a 3.2-inch video display, a rechargeable battery with USB charger, and can even be directly plugged into any television set.

Apart from the classic Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, some of the built-in games will include Golden Axe and Mortal Kombat, as well as 20 newer games from its previous iteration, including Sonic 3D Blast and the popular RPG’s Phantasy Star 2 and 3.

Despite having 50 more games than its Nintendo counterpart, the Mini Mega Drive will not have an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) feature, much to the dismay of nostalgic gamers.

Much like the NES, SEGA’s Mini Mega Drive will also hit gaming stores in October.  Khristian Ibarrola

source: technology.inquirer.net

Diablo III comes to consoles, makes for better gameplay

It's been a while since the release of Blizzard’s third entry into its popular PC game franchise, Diablo. Since then, Diablo III has been criticized for a number of questionable design elements, ranging from Blizzard’s controversial decision to restrict the game to always-online play, to its glaring lack of new gameplay features despite a decade in the making.

Enter Diablo III for the console.

According to Kotaku, Blizzard is now bringing Diablo III to the console. This version, though still at its core the very same game, aims to address the problems of its PC game cousin.

 

 

First and foremost, Diablo III can finally be played offline. Gone are the infamous lag issues, server problems and the notorious Error 7 woes. Secondly, the console controller as a replacement for the mouse and keyboard offers a new, potentially more fun and intuitive way to play the game. For one thing, our index fingers will no longer ache from all that clicking. But whether this new interface will lead to sore thumbs instead remains to be seen.

On the PS3, the player uses the left joystick of the controller to move the character around. R1 and the colored buttons are primarily for mauling monsters and interacting with the environment, but they can be customized to fit any play style. The L buttons are for potions.

One addition to the characters’ common moves list is one many fans have been clamoring for and that I, personally, would have loved to see in the original game: an evade command. No longer will our virtual avatars have to stand dumbly in place and take fireballs to the face; now they can dodge enemy attacks, like any intelligent demon-hunting veteran will do. Another gameplay tweak so intuitive one wonders why it wasn’t in the original in the first place, is the ability to move while attacking. For the more fragile classes like the Demon Hunter and the Wizard, this is a blessing.

But wait, there’s more! When questioned about the other changes made to the console port, Joshua Mosqueira and Matthew Berger of Blizzard had plenty to say.

Regarding boss battles, Berger said, "We know that there's a huge tradition of boss battles on console games. We're going through bosses and updating visuals, cinematics. Also, the pacing."

The item system has also been modified. Players can now see how an item will affect their characters’ stats before they pick it up.

Online play will make use of the PlayStation Network instead of Battle.net, which means owners of the console port won’t be able to form parties with PC gamers. There is, however, another option that allows multiplay on one console and on one television, so that now you can play with your mom or your yaya at home if your online friends are too busy ogling Lara Croft to hunt demons with you.

The PC version of Diablo III sold over 12 million copies. Blizzard is confident the console port will sell just as well, however; from their estimates, over 50% of the people who have visited their booths have not yet bought or played the PC game.

As for when fans can get their hands on the console port of the game, Diablo III will be released “Soonish”, to quote Mosqueira. — TJD, GMA News

 

source: gmanetwork.com

 

Sony issues consumer alert on hacked PS3 units

Hacked PlayStation 3 units have been prevalent and a big concern for Sony Computer Entertainment. Hackers who have tried to crack the machine have met many difficulties in getting through the block that allows users to sign in the PlayStation Network with a “jailbroken” console in the years following the system’s release. 

 

Recently,  LV0 keys had reportedly been released online by hackers, enabling hacked units to access PSN content with the assistance of a PC. It’s a legitimate concern that Sony has addressed via their official website, issuing a consumer alert the addresses PlayStation Network and Sony Entertainment Network Services users.

 

Sony’s Notice Statement from the US Playstation website is as follows:

 

“Dear valued PlayStation 3 customers,

 

Unauthorized software for the PlayStation 3 system was recently released by hackers. Use of such software violates the terms of the “System Software License Agreement for the Playstation 3 System” and the “Terms of Services and User Agreement” for the PlaStation Network/ Sony Entertainment Network and its Community Code of Conduct provisions.

 

Violation of the System software License Agreement for the PlayStation 3 system invalidates the consumer’s right to access that system. Consumers running unauthorized or pirated software may have their access to the PlayStation Network and access to Sony Entertainment Network services through PlayStation 3 system terminated permanently.

 

To avoid permanent termination, consumers must immediately cease using and delete all unauthorized or pirated software from their PlayStation 3 systems.

 

In order to help provide a safe, fair, online environment, consumers who we belive violate “Terms of Services and User Agreement” for the PlayStation Network/ Sony Entertainment network or the applicable laws or regulations of their country or region risk having access to the PlayStation Network and access to Sony Entertainment Network services terminated permanently.”

 

 

In summary: those with hacked units and accessing the PSN or Sony Entertainment Network will get their accounts terminated immediately. PlayStation users best heed this bit of news.— TJD, GMA

source: gmanetwork.com

Ouya Android-powered game console now up for pre-order

Announced a few months ago and priming itself for retail in April 2013, the Ouya is a new video game console that’s primed at introducing Android-based software and games to the video game industry.

As a console that came into fruition via a Kickstarter campaign in July, the upcoming new console is the result of the efforts of Boxer8, headed by game industry veteran Julie Uhrman.

Fuseproject founder and designer Yves Behar was brought in to collaborate on the project, along with product manager Muffi Ghadiali. Backers were quickly gathered, and soon the console saw signs of life.

Built using open-source software technology that runs on the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, the unit has a Quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU powering it, and an 8 GB internal flash memory storage device and 1 GB RAM for memory. It supports 1080p HDMI Display, and visuals are supported by NVIDIA ULP GeForce GPU graphics card. It also has a 3in touchpad wireless controller, with eight buttons, two analog sticks, a d-pad, and a system button attached to it.

With an introductory price of $99, the Ouya is prepared to enter a world where Sony’s Playstation 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 are the reigning rulers of the console market.

Via an update on Kotaku, the Ouya is now available for pre-order. The console doesn’t have a lot of launch titles announced for it yet, but one big name confirmed for it is a port of Final Fantasy III by Square Enix. Another game in development is a prequel to Human Element, an upcoming zombie game slated for release in PC and Mobile Devices by video game company Robotoki. Namco Bandai is also in negotiations to port some of their existing titles to the Ouya, but not much other info has surfaced so far. Freeware open media player Plex Media Center is also coming to the system.

More information can be read about the Ouya, as well as pre-order info, by visiting the official website, www.ouya.tv. — TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

New Gaming Mouse, Savu, Comes With Its Own Achievements

Gamification has been the thing for a while now, from regular console video games to getting achievements for reading the news. Though we don’t expect everything to be gamified in modern times, we certainly aren’t surprised by it, but a computer mouse having its own achievements is not something for which we could’ve been prepared. Peripheral company Roccat is releasing its Savu gaming mouse, and with all of the fancy accoutrements of gaming mice, the Savu is bringing its own set of achievements. Yes, you can now get achievements for mouse movement and number of clicks.

At a glance, the Savu is your standard gaming mouse. Sleek exterior, pretty lighting, a multitude of extra buttons, a sensor that can crank it up to 4,000dpi — your standard stuff. However, what isn’t your standard gaming mouse feature is the Roccat Achievements Display — acronym intended — that incorporates achievements into using your mouse. No, it doesn’t have a set of its own achievements for different games, but it has a set of its own achievements for being used. The achievement list doesn’t seem to have been released as of yet, but due to the nature of what is being gamified, one can probably infer that the achievements will look something like “clicked fifty times in one minute,” and because we’re living in 2012, the achievements can also be share through social networks.

The Savu will be debuting at CeBIT in a week, so hopefully a more readily available achievement list will be released by then so we’ll know exactly how much Diablo we’ll have to play before we can get our clicky achievements.

source: http://www.geekosystem.com/savu-gaming-mouse-comes-with-own-achievements/

Comparing the Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect With the Nintendo Wii

Wii Deals

One of the latest updates and releases for video game systems is the ability to play through motion detection. All major video game systems now have motion detection hardware, including the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii. If you are looking to purchase a new video game system you need to compare the two different systems with one another. Each has its own pros and cons, so you need to weight what is most important for your needs.

Price

When looking at the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii you have to start with the price. This is also the best selling point of the Nintendo Wii, as it is considerably less expensive than the Microsoft Xbox 360. In addition the Nintendo Wii has all the necessary equipment packaged right in the box. This lets you start playing the motion controlled games without any additions. This is not the case of the Microsoft Xbox 360. Not only is the video game system more expensive, but you must also purchase the Xbox 360 Kinect on its own. This adds additional expenses to your video game purchase.

Video Quality

The Microsoft Xbox 360 is a full high-definition video game system. This is not the case with the Nintendo Wii. The Nintendo Wii is standard-definition and does not provide the same video and audio quality of the Microsoft system.

Video Game Selection

The Microsoft Xbox 360 has a larger listing of video games. Although the full list of motion detection games is higher for the Nintendo Wii, you need to take into consideration the entire video game line up, which Microsoft has in spades. However, the Nintendo Wii has more games geared towards children, so if you have young children the Nintendo Wii may be the best system for you.

Gameplay

The gameplay between the Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect and the Nintendo Wii is slightly different. The Xbox 360 Kinect has a single cable that monitors your motion, but no actual controllers are required as the system reads your movements. The Nintendo Wii, on the other hand, requires you to hold a small sensor. The game sensor detects the movements based on the small relay device placed at the front of the device. Often times, the Nintendo Wii is not as sensitive as the Kinect, as the motion display equipment in the Wii controller may become covered while in use and the docked sensor hooked up to the Wii itself is unable to read the movements. With the Kinect, you just need to make sure, when playing with another individual, you must make sure you don't stand in front of the other person, as it interrupts the Kinect camera's reception.

For more information on games consoles including gameplay or the best Wii deals or XBOX 360 deals, visit Which Console who have extensive experience of the games industry.

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