Category Archives: Images

Hands-on: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

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Game: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Publisher: Nintendo

Release date: 2011

In terms of control, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a stellar improvement over the last Zelda game for Wii that was ported from GameCube, Twilight Princess.  The game requires the Wii MotionPlus add-on and true 1:1 motion is the result.  Though the short demo at E3 did not share details about the plot of the game it did help introduce how you will control Link for the better part of the game.  The Wii-mote is your sword and the nunchuck acts as the shield.  At all time you’re constantly whipping out your sword and shield to fight off enemies.  To bring them to the forefront it’s as simple as a quick forward moving shake of the controllers.  Most of the enemies came in the form of plants and the game makes it super easy to figure out how to kill them.  Plants open their mouths horizontally and vertically; so if a plant opens its mouth vertically you take out your sword and slice vertically to kill it.  Slice and dice is the name of the game here.  After learning how to kill the plants with your handy-dandy sword you quickly learn that you have a bunch more weapons at your disposal.  Hit a button on the Wii-mote and a menu pops up enabling you to select from weapons like a slingshot, bow-and-arrow, and a whip.  Many of the weapons, namely the sword and bow-and-arrow, work exactly like they do in Wii Sports Resort.  It’s pretty clear that Nintendo ported these 1:1 actions from that game to this one.  But that’s not an issue, really; I always enjoyed Swordsplay anyway.  Link can also throw bombs into the middle of growing baddies and boom they go.  With the aid of a map I was able to find my way through the plants and to a door with a wandering eye.  I was instructed to spin the Wii-mote (my sword) in a clockwise circular motion to confuse the eye to enter the door.  The demo concluded with an oversized scorpion boss.  To kill it the game hinted at slicing your sword at its pinchers.  I had very low health and ran out of potions so I died before I could kill the big baddie.

All in all Skyward Sword is definitely turning out to be a solid Wii title.  Before this year’s Nintendo press conference all we had was a teaser poster and now there’s a trailer and playable demo.  As a long-time Zelda fan there’s not much I can complain about.  The precise motion controls are a welcome addition to the franchise and a more cartoonish-looking Link and environment make the game feel less like Twilight Princess and more like uber-successful titles Ocarina of Time (my personal favorite) and Wind Waker.  There’s no cell shading here, but the graphics feel more friendly and colorful when compared to Link’s last outing.

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Sony press conference highlights: Move, 3D gaming, PS Plus, Portal 2

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The Sony press conference took place at the Shrine Auditorium.  And I was there!  So please continue on, will you?

3D gaming is all the rage in Sony’s world, and so all distinguished guests of their press conference received 3D glasses.  After humorously jabbing Microsoft and their poncho-required Cirque event from the other day, President & CEO of PlayStation Jack Tretton invited Kazuo Hirai to start things off with a gorgeous demo of Killzone 3 in 3D.  Though 3D gaming might sound like a gimmick to many of you, listen here: 3D adds a great sense of depth to the game and likely become an integral part of video games.  Parts of the gameplay featured the use of jetpacks; during these scenes I felt like I was at a Universal Studios theme park ride, fully immersed in an exciting, different world.  In another scene we were taken to the skies via a helicopter and watched a gunman fire at enemies down below.  At one point I asked myself if I was witnessing a video game demo or a scene from Avatar.  Yeah, it was that good.  The 2-part demonstration elicited many oos and ahhs from the crowd.  I might have been the loudest.  In short, 3D added a tremendous amount of excitement to Killzone; after a few seconds of adjusting to the depth perception any distractions that might have existed disappeared.  Killzone 3 from Guerrilla Games drops February 2011 and will be compatible with Sony’s motion controller called Move.  20 games will be made available in 3D for the PS3 by the end of this year.  Sony promises 20 additional titles will be created natively in 3D by March 2011, some of which include Crysis 2, Mortal Kombat, Shaun White Skatebording, Ghost Recon Future Soldier, EyePet, Tron: Evolution, MLB 2K11, NBA 2K11, Motorstorm Apocalypse, Gran Turismo 5, and a Sly Cooper collection.  A short montage of 3D video and gameplay rounded out the first section of the conference; let’s just say fatalities look fantastic and baseball players throwing balls at you is a bit scary in three dimensions.

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Microsoft press conference highlights: Kinect, ESPN, Xbox slim

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Microsoft kicked off E3 2010 in unique fashion with their Project Natal for Xbox 360 Experience featuring a Cirque du Soleil crew.  Next they kicked things into high gear with their media briefing at the Wiltern Theatre.  Ready, set…

The press conference began with a number of game trailers and real-time demos.  First up was Treyarch with Call of Duty: Black Ops.  It releases November 9.  It was announced that Microsoft & Activision signed a multi-year agreement pertaining to Call of Duty downloadable content.  Starting with Black Ops in 2010, all Call of Duty add-ons and map packs will launch first on Xbox 360 through 2012.

Next was Kojima Productions with Metal Gear Solid: Rising.  It’s being described as a “sword action game” that’s based on the Japanese terms “zan-datzu” which means “to cut” and “to take.”  A brief trailer revealed that the game will feature protagonist Raiden slicing and dicing his way past enemies (and watermelon).

Then Xbox’s major blockbusters hit the stage.  Epic’s Cliffy B. demonstrated Gears of War 3 which is due out April 5.  A new mode called “Beast” will be detailed soon.  Then Lionhead Studios’ Peter Molyneux showed off a trailer for Fable III; it releases October the 26th.  And things rounded out with a new trailer for Halo: Reach, “the most ambitious game Bungie has ever created.”  The trailer was a mix of gameplay footage and cinematic cut scenes.  Reach drops September 14.  Also thrown into the mix was a new game from Crytek codenamed Kingdoms; it looks like a game based on the move 300.  (*Each game title is linked to their respective E3 trailers/gameplay footage.)

Kinect for Xbox 360, formally known as Project Natal, was detailed.  “Kinect detects both movement and sound in very sophisticated ways.”  An image revealed the guts of the motion-sensing device; it contains two 3D depth sensors, an RGB camera, multi-array mic, and a motorized tilt.  “When you combine the power of Xbox 360, the services of Xbox Live, and the magic of Kinect, the result is not just a revolution for your games, but for all of your entertainment.”  Enter the Kinect Hub.

To get your Xbox 360 to recognize you, simply stand in front of Kinect, wave your hand, and the software will sign you into Xbox Live and bring up your custom avatar.  Wave your hand a second time and you’re brought to a “controller-free menu” designed for Kinect gestures.  The Kinect Hub allows you to interact with your games, friends, Netflix, Zune, Facebook, last.fm, and also customize your avatar.  Thanks to the built-in mic, voice control is also accessible.  Their motto is “if you see it, just say it.”  You must precede all commands with “Xbox.”  So for example, if you say “Xbox, Zune” the Zune hub loads up and now you have access to Zune Video, and now, Zune Music.  Over seven million songs are now available over Xbox Live with Zune Music integration.  With controller-free entertainment that’s “natural and effortless” you can also play/pause movies with your voice and rewind/fast-forward them with your hands.  To select a piece of content simply hover your hand over it for a couple seconds.

Continue reading Microsoft press conference highlights: Kinect, ESPN, Xbox slim →

E3 2010: We’ve arrived

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On June 15 the floodgates open at the Los Angeles Convention Center for E3 2010.  Today the team and I snooped around the perimeter of the convention center to give you a quick teaser before the show officially kicks off tomorrow afternoon.  Enjoy the short clip above and a handful of pictures in the gallery below.

Tomorrow expect full rundowns of the Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo press conferences, plus the first batch of hands-on impressions and developer interviews straight from the show floor!

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Day Zero: Project Natal for Xbox 360 Experience

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On Monday June 14 Microsoft hosted a pre-E3 event called World Premiere Project Natal for Xbox 360 Experience.  It was described as “a spectacular live performance imagined by Cirque du Soleil” and that’s exactly what it was.  Sort of.  Here’s what went down.

So we get there and wait in an enormously long line.  But that didn’t matter much since our tickets guaranteed entrance into the event.  While waiting outside we could hear the faint sound of heavy drums, and as we neared the front doors “Cirque” people were there to greet us with exotic dancing.  People in line received green and purple Xbox-branded wrist bands and we were eventually split up into two lines according to wrist band color.

As we start heading inside the jungle-themed Galen Center at USC we are handed yet another wristband; this time it’s an Xbox 360 USB band.  Inside it’s rather dim when we’re welcomed by Xbox reps who are handing out white ponchos with over-sized shoulder pads (I felt like Lady Gaga).  After bringing fitted with the ponchos, we are instructed to walk towards to large auditorium.  On our way into the auditorium we are startled by an Indian “family” who is sitting in a couch inside a mock living room.  There is a large square cut out in the wall and the family invites us to walk through the wall opening (which symbolized walking out of a TV and into reality).  The two parents and their children said hello to us in some Indian dialect and then directed us into the main auditorium.  You can say we were dazed and confused at this point.

The large auditorium housed all the white poncho-dressed guests; it looked like we were all part of some nerd cult.  Before the main event, we all just stood around and watched a bunch of Cirque people bizarrely dance around us and interact with others.  People with purple bands sat in the seats, those with green bands stood on the center floor.  Around us were large screens populated with Xbox avatars walking around a virtual jungle.

After a bit of a wait the lights went down and the main event began.  Three screens fell from the ceiling and a Cirque man introduced a “Prologue”.  The first part of the show featured a child riding in on Cirque elephant, climbing up on prop rocks, and using an Xbox 360 controller to play through three undisclosed games.  When he reached the top of the rocky structure a curtain was removed from the top rock and a bright green Xbox logo was revealed.  Then our shoulder pads lit up bright green.  Big applause.  When the child turned his back to us the screen projected his avatar that copied his every move.  When an arm was raised, the avatar lifted his arm in the same fashion.  Since there was some lag, you could tell this was all pre-recorded, but the effect was still impressive.  Then the big reveal: Project Natal is now Kinect.

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Project Natal is ‘Kinect’, 5 casual games leak too (Update: Xbox 360 Slim TBA?)

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With only a few hours left until Microsoft’s press conference at E3, USA Today managed to get a hold of (and leak) the final name for Project Natal.  It’s called (drum roll please…) Kinect.  Microsoft’s Major Nelson confirms it via Twitter.  A number of casual games have been outed, too.  Kinectimals lets you play with over 20 different virtual animals; Joyride lets you race with your avatars, controller-free of course; Kinect Sports features boxing, bowling, beach volleyball, track and field, soccer and table tennis; Kinect Adventures is a river rafting game with various obstacle courses to flail your arms and legs through; and MTV Games will make Dance Central.  Disney and LucasArts are planned to unveil games featuring characters from their arsenal.  In addition, the LA Times outed four games this morning (including Richochet, River Rush, Obstacle Course, and Living Statue) and spilled that “about a dozen more” Kinect-supported games will be unveiled by other developers during E3.  It look like release date and pricing details will have to wait until tomorrow’s press conference.

Update: What appears to be a legit Italian Microsoft ad is boasting a new slimmer Xbox 360 console.  It was originally spotted at Console-Tribe.  The thirteen second spot lists features like a 250GB HDD, built-in WiFi (woot!), and compatibility with Kinect.  That last sliver of info makes this ad feel all the more authentic.  How could an imposter know about the Natal-to-Kinect transition when news of it just leaked out from USA Today?  Interesting, I know.  Well good news is that we won’t have to wait too long to see if this manifests itself into something tangible.  Look after the break for the commercial.

Update #2: Official press shots of Kinect are out!  So sleek and black and shiny.  Go ahead, take a closer look in the gallery below.

[Via Joystiq, here, here, here & here; LA Times] Continue reading Project Natal is ‘Kinect’, 5 casual games leak too (Update: Xbox 360 Slim TBA?) →

WWDC ’10: All about iPhone 4

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This year’s World Wide Developers Conference in San Fransisco *officially* introduced the world to the next super phone from Apple dubbed iPhone 4.  Want all the details from the Steve Jobs hosted keynote?  Read on.

Jobs ignited the introduction of the next phone with this choice quote: “It’s the biggest leap since the original iPhone.”  It packs over 100 new features, but per usual, Jobs offers a glimpse into arguably the nine most exciting new features.

(1) All new design

Jobs compares iPhone 4’s design to a “beautiful old Leica camera.”  The phone features a glass surface front and back for optical quality & scratch resistance (plus it’s 30x harder than plastic) and a stainless steel band around the perimeter for strength and antenna integration (plus it provides for extraordinary build quality).  The band is “the primary structural element of the phone.”  It’s used as part of the phone’s antenna system.  Jobs says this is all part of “brilliant engineering.”  There are three slits in the band; one piece is for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS, and the other piece for UMTS & GSM.  Now here’s what buttons and levers you’ll find on the phone.  Left side: volume +, volume -, mute; Right side: micro SIM tray; Front: home button, receiver, front-facing camera; Back: camera w/ LED flash; Top: 3.5mm headset jack, second mic for noise cancellation, sleep/wake button; Bottom: mic, 30-pin connector, speaker.  iPhone 4 is just 9.3mm thick, that’s 24% thinner than iPhone 3GS.  Jobs is happy to say “it is the thinnest smartphone on the planet.”

(2) Retina display

That’s the name for Apple’s latest display technology.  iPhone 4’s display contains packs four times the number of pixels into the same 3.5-inch screen found on older iPhone models.  At 326 pixels per inch, Jobs claims that 300ppi is the limit of the human retina and so iPhone 4’s display is “comfortably over that limit.”  This results in incredibly sharp and precise text, images, and video.  Jobs compares it to how text looks in a fine-printed book.  He also throws out this stat: “the retina display has got 78% of the pixels on the iPad, right in the palm of your hand.”

iPhone OS 4 (renamed iOS 4) makes it so that your apps automatically run full size on the retina display.  Apps will look even better on an iOS 4 device because the software automatically renders text and controls in the higher resolution.  So in other words, developers do not have to do any work on their apps to make them look better for the new display.  However, Jobs points out, if devs choose to open up the hood of their apps and add higher resolution artwork “then they will look stunning.”

Here’s some hard specs for you.  iPhone 4 features a 3.5 inch display, 940 x 640 resolution (4x more than iPhone 3GS), 800:1 contrast ratio (4x more than 3GS), and IPS technology for “superb color and wide viewing angle.”  Jobs: “The display is your window into the Internet, into your apps, into your media, into your software. .. We’ve got something here that’s the best window in the planet.”

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More Rock Band 3 details: new guitars, cymbals expansion kit, MIDI adapter & keyboard priced

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It was just yesterday when we learned all about Rock Band 3’s new instruments and game modes.  One day later comes even more news about the highly anticipated music game from developer Harmonix and peripheral maker Mad Catz.  Here’s what we know so far: RB3 will feature a new game mode beyond the Expert level called “Pro”.  Pro mode aims to actually teach you how to play an instrument.  If you’re asking to yourself, “How can plastic toy guitars teach me how to play the real thing?” I’ve got a definitive answer that might just blow your mind.

In addition to the redesigned standard guitar that will ship alongside the game, Mad Catz is also manufacturing two new guitars that will resemble real life guitars.  The Wireless Fender Mustang PRO-Guitar Controller ($149.99) contains 102 buttons in total, including 17 frets along a button-based neck and a 6-string strumming area which allows for discrete picking of each string and a touch-sensitive string box which allows players to mute or ‘cut-off’ notes when pressed.  This thing is so authentic that it operates as a fully functional MIDI guitar; a MIDI output connector provides compatibility with MIDI software sequencers.  A six-string Fender Squier Stratocaster is also in the works but has yet to be detailed.

The Wireless PRO-Cymbals Expansion Kit ($39.99) will bring the drums setup into Pro mode territory.  The kit will attach to the standard drums setup and add three new cymbals to the mix: hi-hat, crash, and ride.  The cymbals will feature enhanced responsiveness, quieter sound with noise-dampening rubber, and permanently rest at a pre-defined 10° angle.

Next up is the MIDI PRO-Adapter ($39.99) which allows you to hook up your own keyboard or electronic drum set to a console.  This conversion box will act as mediator to allow for MIDI to USB to console.  It features a velocity sensitive adjustment for MIDI drums and a full D-Pad plus standard gaming controller buttons so you can properly navigate on-screen menus.

And last but certainly not least is the Wireless Keyboard Controller ($79.99), the latest addition to the party.  The keyboard/keytar instrument includes 25 keys and features a two-octave (C3 to C5) range and non-weighted, velocity-sensitive key bed.  Just like the Fender Mustang, the keyboard has a MIDI out port allowing you to use it as a real keyboard with MIDI software sequencers and hardware devices.  It’s also been confirmed that it can be used to play the lead guitar and bass in the game.  (Note: A RB3 + keyboard bundle will sell for $129.99.)

So, if you’re one of those people who has been playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band games for years now but you’ve been craving a more realistic experience, all signs point to Rock Band 3 on delivering and satisfying your quench for a new challenge.  Or if you’re the casual type RB3 has some good news for you, too.  Three-part vocal harmonies have been ported from The Beatles: Rock Band, bringing the grand total of potential simultaneous players to seven: guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and three vocalists on mics (or however you decide to divvy it up).  Also, every game mode support player drop in/ drop out, meaning players can come and go as they please, new instruments can join and difficulty level can be changed on the fly.  House parties are about to get a whole lot more fun.

Rock Band 3 is expected to release this holiday season for all major consoles.  Look in the gallery below for some in-game screenshots.  After the break catch the newly release game trailer and an image of the Fender Squier Stratocaster.

[Via Engadget; Joystiq]

Continue reading More Rock Band 3 details: new guitars, cymbals expansion kit, MIDI adapter & keyboard priced →

Classic Dreamcast titles are headed to Xbox 360, Playstation 3 this fall

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What comes to mind when you think back to the Dreamcast, the console that officially marked the end of SEGA’s run as a hardware maker?  For me, it’s two games and an essential accessory (at the time): Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi, and the Visual Memory Unit (or VMU).  Though the VMU will never see the light of day again, something entirely different can now be said about the former two games.  Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi have been named the first two games (with many classic Dreamcast titles to follow) that will make their way to modern consoles.  Ported Dreamcast games will boast “high resolution visuals and surround sound” and support online leader boards and achievement and trophy integration.  Look for the games to hit Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network this fall.  Stills in the gallery below, PR after the break.

[Via Joystiq]

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Console Font forms alphabet & number set out of video game lore

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Designer Varun Vachhar has created Console Font, a new font style that derives its shape from video game systems.  You’ll quickly notice that his alphabet/number set is inspired by classic oldies like the Atari 2600 controller, failed machines like the Nokia N-Gage, and modern systems like the Wii and the forthcoming Playstation Move.  He promises to make the font a free download at some point.  Look in the gallery below and see if you can decipher some words.

[Via Engadget; ConsoleFont]

Concept images of Thor & Captain America emerge

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This week images of the next two Avengers have leaked into the wild.  First there’s Thor the Norse god who wields the Mjolner hammer.  (If you have not seen Iron Man 2 yet, make sure you stay for the credits for a sneak peek of said hammer.)  If you are doubting that this image of Thor is real, just compare it to the official still of Chris Hemsworth as Thor outed by Marvel a few weeks ago.  The concept image matches up pretty well if you ask me.  Thor is expected to hit theatres May 6, 2011.

Next we have the first (ever) image of what Chris Evans will look like as Captain America, the first Avenger.  And you know what, he’s looking pretty bad-ass.  From the mask to the sheild (which was also hinted at in Iron Man 2), the suspenders, and the kevlar red-white-and-blue retro-fitted suit, Cap appears ready for the big screen.  Captain America: The First Avenger, directed by Joe Johnston, is expected to hit theatres July 22, 2011.

Look in the gallery below for more concept images of Thor and Captain America.

[Via Collider; AintItCoolNews]

Lost: The Complete Collection coming to DVD & Blu-Ray August 24

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Lost fans, “The End” has come and gone.  But the show must go on…in your living room.  Today ABC released the details concerning the DVD & Blu-Ray release of Lost: The Complete Collection.  Here’s what you need to know.  The ultimate fan package includes:

• Every Episode in the Series (Seasons 1 through 6)

• Over 30hrs of Season 1-6 Bonus materials (previously released materials from Season 1-5 and the all-new Season 6 bonus material)

• A unique series of featurettes that takes viewers on very personal tours of Oahu where the series was created, with key cast and crew as they reflect.

• Exploring the global phenomenon that is Lost, bonus showcases events ranging from the series cast and crew at San Diego’s famed Comic-Con convention to international voice recordings, local events and even fan parties, all of which helped make the show into a worldwide favorite.

• A closer look at some of the props with cast, writers and producers, exploring their significance, stories and emotional ties to the characters.

• Humorous yet emotional look at every character who died on the series

• 16 hilarious Lost “Slapdowns” featurettes showcasing celebrity Lost fans who confront Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse to ask press questions about the final season, including the Muppets and cast members Nestor Carbonell, Michael Emerson, Rebecca Mader and more.

The packaging and its contents include: “a Special Edition collectible ‘Senet’ Game as seen in Season Six, a custom LOST island replica, an exclusive episode guide, a collectible Ankh, and a black light penlight.”  Though the list prices for the DVD and Blu-Ray collections are $229.99 and $279.99, respectively, you can pre-order them at Amazon for $148.99 and $194.99.  Don’t wait and miss out on the reduced pricing.

ABC also divulged information about the release of Lost: The Complete Sixth and Final Season DVD & Blu-Ray box sets.  These will include: every sixth season episode; bloopers and deleted scenes; audio commentaries; and the following featurettes- “The End: Crafting a Final Season”, “A Heroes Journey”, “See You In Another Life, Brotha”, and “LOST On Location.”  Finally there’s the Lost Blu-Ray & DVD exclusive that’s described as: “Go deeper into the world of LOST with a much-anticipated new chapter of the island’s story from Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse.”  This is likely the Hurley-Ben epilogue Michael Emerson hinted at during his interview on G4’s Attack of the Show.  It will be a 15-20 minute clip that reveals the life of Hurley as the new Jacob and Ben as his #2.  (Note: All Lost: The Complete Sixth and Final Season extras are included in The Complete Collection package.)  Though the list prices for the DVD and Blu-Ray box sets are $59.99 and $79.99, respectively, you can pre-order them at Amazon for $38.99 and $51.99.  Don’t wait and miss out on the reduced pricing.Both Lost: The Complete Collection and Lost: The Complete Sixth and Final Season DVD & Blu-Ray sets will be made available online and in stores on August 24.  Look after the break for the full press release and more details.

[Via /Film]

Continue reading Lost: The Complete Collection coming to DVD & Blu-Ray August 24 →