technology filter: Games

Sony Updates the PS3's Firmware

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:21:25 GMT

Sony's managed a software update for all those folks who braved the bad press and bought a PlayStation 3 anyway. The new firmware is version 1.54. It doesn't have anything massively new, but there's good news if you're using your PS3's WiFi abilities. The new firmware supports better security in the form of TKIP and WPA-PSK as well as AOSS (for use with Buffalo hardware).

On the usage side, they've added the ability to use a picture as an avatar and support for video chat with a USB camera. It's a pretty big file, so download 'em while it's hot, just click here.

(via Engadget)

Posted by Oliver

10 Insights into Professional Video Gaming

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 18:51:52 GMT

There are a couple of professional video gaming leagues out there already. And, weirdly enough, the 'sport' seems to be succeeding. Most of us haven't been to a pro vid-gaming event, but Tom's Hardware's Guide TwitchGuru guys went to one and discovered several things about professional video gaming that they weren't expecting.

Personally, the only near-professional video gaming event I attended was the xBox 360 pre-release demo at the 2005 Digital Life show in New York. Not much stood out to me other than the moment that Jessica Alba arrived. First, nobody noticed. Then a 10-foot wide area cleared around her as she zotzed some aliens on an xBox. Guess she made the other players nervous.

Posted by Oliver

Microsoft's Vista Gaming Push

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 18:36:14 GMT

This comes via the gaming e-pub, Joystiq, which got to do an interview with Microsoft's Games for Windows Marketing Director, Kevin Unangst and the division's PR manager, Michael Wolf. According to these two, Redmond has big plans for gaming within Vista.

The new high-end Vista graphics interface is already equipped with new and easy-to-understand graphics-tweaking toolbox--making it a natural for some really hot gaming graphics. We're not going to see much actual software anytime soon, however, but the marketing message is clear: Microsoft wants to create a Microsoft Games brand that includes games for both the PC (Vista) and the xBox 360. That means players of Vista games will see greater continuity in the operation of games on the PC as well as the xBox console. It also means that the xBox's Live Anywhere Internet gaming networking will become accessible from games being run under Vista--though this will be rolled out slowly, according to the Microsoftees.

The downside is how this might affect independent game development. Microsoft's whole hog move towards a new branding empire spells a loss of freedom for game developers who used to view Windows as just another platform. With the Aero graphics interface, Vista may well sport the most advanced graphics engine to which game developers can write, but that won't make up for the loss of development freedom if Microsoft is heavy handed with the new branding scheme. That could mean a backlash of increased game development for other operating systems, notably the Mac or even the Penguin.

(via Slashdot)

Posted by Oliver

PS3 Trivia

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 17:09:10 GMT

Now that Sony is finally going to release the PlayStation 3 for real (barring any more unforeseen delays), the geek sites a re taking a closer look at the thing. Engadget's pubbed a list of some little-known PS3 trivia. Decent list of new features. Stuff like USB support for keyboards or mice. It'll also have Bluetooth support for the same hardware as well as headphones--tho I'm betting most of that stuff will be reccommended with a Sony logo.

Also some info about the PlayStation Network. Not really that different from the xBox Live network--joint gaming and limited collaboration. Still room to grow there for both of the big players.

World of Warcraft Island Beta

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 17:42:30 GMT

World of Warcraft Island is the much anticipated next-generation upgrade to the world's most popular Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG). Supposed to have all kinds of sexy new features based on new Web 2.0 technologies like Ajax.

The game's creators announced the beta program yesterday, but the announcement got nuked by Digg, so that server's been taken down again. Should be up once more shortly. If anyone gets into the beta program, let us know how it is.

(via Digg)

Review: PlayStation 3 Hands On

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 20:40:29 GMT

Yeah, it's a Microsoft blog, but you can't ignore a hands on with a game console that's become mythical enough to compare to a unicorn sighting. I've seen them at plenty of trade shows--but always behind the glass; no touchy, no feely. Engadget managed to snag a hands-on review experience and even video tape it for us.

Frankly, while it's a cool box, after watching the video I think they better have more than that if they expect us to keep waiting for this thing and not grab an xBox 360 or a Wii right now.

Halo Movie Does a Face Plant

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 19:55:01 GMT

It's old news that Microsoft put together a movie deal with Universal and Fox to produce a Halo movie late last year. Part of the newsiness was that the animation studio the little conglomerate was going to use was running its high-end anime software on Linux (yeah, the Penguin got a chuckle out of that).

But now it's looking bleak indeed for the movie, and the reason is as old as the...banks. Seems the movie studio part of the deal is upset at a budget of over $135 million (and considering how Doom did, I can't really blame them). So they want to renegotiate the financial points of the deal with a marked bent towards lowering Microsoft's profit margin. Silly movie studios; you NEVER say that to a Microsoft rep. Splat the deal is done. Though Microsoft is still looking for partners willing to sink huge gobs of money into what amounts to marketing for profit for them.

Good news is that I found the Halo 2 for Vista site--just about ready to go, so we'll have some decent entertainement as soon as we switch.

New Details About Sony's PS3 -- Think Online Services

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 22:43:39 GMT

Despite the catastrophe that is its notebook battery business, Sony's PSP division just keeps on plugging. Hwy, why not, they're only a year behind, after all. So to prove that the PSP office building isn't just filled with cobwebs, Sony held a press conference yesterday and detailed new services that it would be attaching to its PS3 if and when they mythical beast ever showed its face in the real world.

For one, they'll be launching the Playstation Network, which will allow players to download additional in-game content for titles that specifically support this feature. Supposedly, access to the Playstation Network and its in-game content will be free (though I'll make a bet now to say that the games themselves will cost a few sheckels more), but Sony intends to make money of PN by opening its own downloadable music store and an accessories store where you can buy things like joysticks and memory cards directly from your Playstation. Hope they have parental controls on that.

The whole PN thing is a pretty obvious strike back at Microsoft's announcement that it would be beefing up the online hooks for the xBox 360. Hadn't heard of anything as formal as an xBox network, but the company did say it was going to support online gaming, online in-game content, and Media Center extension with which to use your xBox to watch & record Web TV, music and movie content.

I like Sony's direction here, but let's see the PSP 3 on an actual department store shelf first. Then I'll start applauding add-on services.

(via TG Daily)

Digital Life Gaming Update

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 17:47:34 GMT

Obviously I'm not a big gamer or there'd be moew posts about that here, but I know enough not skip over the BFG if I happen to see it. So Digital Life is full of gamers and gaming news. Most of it for gaming consoles rather than the PC. Only thing I've seen so far that stood out, however, is Final Fantasy XII. The gamers I know have been wondering about this one for a while, so I suppose the fact that they're showing an early version of it here at DL is significant.

Though you don't have to wait too long for the real thing: Should be available by end of November.

Now THIS is a Gaming Chair

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:47:20 GMT

I've seen a few gaming chairs before. They had them at last year's Digital Life and sometimes they even have them in Best Buy, but they're usually just car seats that have been re-purposed to act as game chairs for race car game enthusiasts. Such is not the case here.

The Roccaforte is a gaming desk more than a gaming chair. It lets you stack up whatever equipment you want on its meny shelves (no, none of that stuff comes with the desk), and then it seems to also have an Aero chair attached. That's worth the $500 all by itself. Still, seems like a lot to buy just to be comfortable playing Call of Duty.

(via Gizmodo)

Vista Gamers Cards Preview

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 16:35:55 GMT

If you're a gamer, you're wondering how Vista is going to affect your fun hours. Fortunately, with the release of Vista RC1 gamer geeks finally have a stable enough version of the OS as well as enough third-party high-end video drivers to do some tests and make some predictions. And that's just what the guys at xBitLabs did in this game card preview. A little more in-depth than most of us need, but a good read nonetheless.

And the Winner of the Cell Phone Toss Is...

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 19:08:38 GMT

Yep. Cell phone tossing is apparently not only an official sporting event, it's also an annual one. This year's champion is a Finn named Lassi Etelatalo. The guy heaved a Nokia almost 90 meters (over 290 feet). Interesting idea. Wonder if they have one for notebooks or tape drives, too?

(via Real Tech News)

Not Just Golf, There's Bucks in Teaching Your Kids Vid Games, Too

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 15:24:32 GMT

I posted on the forming of the first professional video gaming league earlier this year. Well, it wasn't a joke. This org is live and funded. Yesterday, the Major League Gaming (MLG) announced that they had signed the nation's leading four-man Halo 2 team, called Final Boss, to a $1 million contract. They also signed the top individual Halo player, a definite geek with the handle Tsquared, to a $250,000 deal.

Okay, it's not NBA millions, but you have to start somwhere. Wonder if my reflexes are still solid enough to make some practice worthwhile...?

New Tweaks for the xBox 360

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 18:58:13 GMT

Mayhap the Wii and the PS3 have spooked Microsoft a bit, because they chose yesterday (the day of 6/6/6, BTW) to unload 125 new software tweaks they've pushed out to lucky xBox 360 owners. You can see the full list of all 125 updates here on this RealTechNews post.

Don't get too excited before you read this, tho. Much of it reads like a big-fix list.

(via RealTechNews)

Darn Funny: WolfenGitmo

Tue, 16 May 2006 13:25:42 GMT

This is classic. BoingBoing found this. WolfenGitmo is a pretty simple mod of the original Wolfenstein 3D game. In thsi version, it's got Gitmo-oriented scenery and you start the game with your hands tied and no weapons. Means you just run around getting pounded on by guards and dogs.

I haven't found a download link yet, but if you're in New York, you can see it at the CDT show.

(via BoingBoing)

Special E3 Reports

Fri, 12 May 2006 21:51:26 GMT

For those of you who couldn't get to E3--like me--I've put together a quick link list of E3 "Special Reports". Lots of commentary and on-the-show-floor-photography.

ExtremeTech's Special E3 Report

McCracken E3 blog entry

Digital Trends day-by-day coverage

GameSport Live E3 Coverage

Three CNet stories:

Halo3

Photo slide show

Vista gaming

PSP tricks

EA console games

TG Daily Live E3 Coverage

And if all that's still not enough for you, then don't forget the E3 Insider's web site. Loads more coverage there.

Gaming Chair with a bit of a Yawn.

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 17:34:08 GMT

Jen DeLeo posted on this: AK Designs just launched its new AK Rocker 200. This is a gaming chair made for those geeks who like racing games--Formul1-type chair design, ergonomic bucket seat that rocks and reclines all for the bargain price of about $80. You can even get skins for the thing at BestBuy and similar places for about $20.

Thing is, when I think "gaming" anything, I think of integration with the game. That would mean things like integrated speakers or a few gyros. Sure, that bumps the price up, but then again, $80 for a game chair that just...sits, doesn't really blow my skirt up either.

(via Gearlog)

Game Review: Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:17:10 GMT

It's all over TV, so if you've got a PC or you're one of the few who actually managed to get his hands on an xBox 360, then you've undoubtedly thought about picking up Ubisoft's Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. I don't know what the term 'warfighter' is supposed to mean, other than a more vicious sounding name than 'soldier', but the game is supposed to be pretty cool.

If you want the straight scoop before plunking down your $60, the read this game review from ArsTechnica. Lots of color, blood spatters, multiplayer skirmishes, weapons and more.

Whatever happened to PacMan?

Golf Simulation for the xBox

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 19:10:28 GMT

...and the PlayStation, for that matter. It's called Real World Golf and it uses a 3D spacial tracking system, called Gametrak. According to the vendor, the Gametrak system can track your motion at up to 2000 miles an hour with up to 1mm accuracy.

Means it not only tracks your swing, it also tracks the angle of your clubface and knows how fast it's moving when it hits your ball. Means you might be able to escape the reverse weight shift blues, but the hookers and shankers are still in trouble.

So you're using Real World Golf's golf glove, the tracking device, your game console, your TV and one of your actual golf clubs. Now you're ready to play in you rliving room with the game's player mimicking your every move...and swign fault. The game comes with 10 courses and a bunch of sideline activities like designing your golfing avatar. Hey, for about $70, it's a great Daddy's Day gift for the Pop with a Playstation...or an xBox.

(via Gearlog)

Need a Good Mobile Game: Try Brady Bunch Kung Fu

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 19:08:56 GMT

Okay, "good" is a relative term. But if you're stuck wasting time somewhere that a mobile device makes the most pleasure sense, then try Brady Bunch Kung Fu from Mobliss.

The story is weird but simple: An evil Hawaiian thingamajiggy has granted all the members of the Brady family Matrix-like kung fu abilities. For some reason, this has caused the once harmonious Brady clan to fight amongst themselves rather than team up against a common enemy like the Partridges.

It's kludgy fighting and only against the computer as yet with no support for online gaming against someone else stuck in the Delta airport terminal. But it's still fun to watch Peter beat the snot out of Alice in a kung fu fight.

Other downside: You can get the game via your cell phone's Web app plan, so long as it's Sprint. And only Sprint. We Verizon users are out of luck.

Game Developers Conference: Sex & Video Games

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 19:44:44 GMT

One of the gurus at Tom's Hardware Guide, the TwitchGuru, just pubbed a pretty interesting article on how sex is on the rise across all segments of video games. From the beginning with games like Leather Goddesses of Phobos, this trend has moved on up through Leisure Suit Larry, the Sims, that Croft chick and will most likely find a real nice home in the upcoming Desperate Housewives game.

Worth a read if you're wondering where video gaming is going.

Dungeons and Dragons Online, First Impressions

Thu, 16 Mar 2006 17:01:57 GMT

I didn't make it onto the D&D Online MMOG beta testing crew, which is probably for the best as I wouldn't have had time to do much testing anyhoo.

But one of the frequent contributors to Slashdot, guy named Zonk, did make it into the program. He's posted a rather lengthy (l-e-n-g-t-h-y) post on Slashdot describing his experience--and it's mostly lukewarm. Nothing wrong with the game apparently, graphics are good, combat is good, etc.; but he's a hardcore D&D player from way back and the game doesn't blow his skirt up.

He lists multiple reasons, but as I skimmed his post, I didn't see the one thing that keeps me from being super excited about any of these MMOGs:

You can't do whatever you want.

In traditional, tabletop coffee-and-pizza-till-4am D&D, you and the DM can do anything that comes to mind. And that's what always made the game so addictive for us. Hack-and-slash combat is fun and certainly part of it, but so is whatever else comes up.

Example: My group (I was always the DM, and damn good at it, too) took over a castle (Ravenloft if you must know) and the surrounding countryside, Barovia. It's a freehold so they get to design their own system of government--laws, taxes, even a national anthem. Took two full days of arguing with everyone in character. One nutjob wanted to start a theocracy, another wanted to implement the iron rule of military occupation--I just poured another cup of java and watched the fireworks.

Can't do that in D&D Online.

Example 2: One guy really got into his roving thief character. Hires himself out to the local nobility as a spymaster and proceeds to build the biggest spy network he can. That involved sneaking around, loads of negotiations with NPCs and him buying all these small businesses with his adventuring loot. Inns, moneylenders, pawn shops, whatever. He'd buy them, partner with someone else to run them and then rebuild the buildings with all kinds of secret rooms, tunnels, weapon caches, etc.

Can't do that in D&D Online.

Point I'm making is that in tabletop gaming, players can affect the campaign world in as direct a manner as they want. No limits. D&D Online--and any other MMOG--simply can't give that to you...yet. It's too fluid a system of rules, so you need direct intervention by a DM--an actual human. You also need the ability to affect geography--build your own buildings, weip out someone else's building, etc. The MMOGs just can't handle that kind of interaction yet.

Maybe if someone does an amazing job of database programming and then runs it on the Sun Grid.

Win an InfoWorld BackPack...and Sundries

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 22:33:43 GMT

Shameless cross-post. I've been tapped to write a feature for InfoWorld with the working title of 20 Ways to Protect Your Network from Stupid User Tricks.

So I'm gathering anecdotes from sys admins the world over. Things users have done that have hurt the network (meaning their segment, a large chunk of users, the business on the network, etc. in addition to just the entire network). You need to describe that and also describe what you did to make sure it didn't happen again.

Comment on SMB IT or send to the email address stuck in that post to be eligible for the pack.

Call of Duty Performance Guide

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 20:19:31 GMT

Dave gave me Call of Duty for the birthday-that-shall-remain-numerically-undefined. Got it running on this super notebook from Acer that I have to review pretty soon. But, while the game is rocking, it's also a resource hog as are many games.

In case you're trying to figure out why CoD is running less than perfectly on your machine, check out this Gamespot tutorial on CoD performance tuning.

A League of Their Own: The Hip Hop (Video) Gaming League

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:08:08 GMT

Now we know what hip hop stars are doing in their spare time: Playing video games. So much so, that Snoop Dogg and the Global Gaming League (the money people) have joined up to form, officially mind you, the Hip Hop Gaming League, with Mr. Dogg acting as the league's first commissioner. 'Cause you need someone really alert in that job.

An initial lineup of players include: "Proof (D12), Paul Wall, Just Blaze, Krazyie Bone of Grammy winners Bone-Thugs-n-Harmony, MLS soccer star Cobi Jones, Murs, Kaine (Ying Yang Twins), NBA Star Jalen Rose, Twista, Fredwreck, BReal of Cypress Hill, Eric V. of the Baka Boyz, and Wutang Clan founder Method Man."

Had to quote that from the press release because there's no way I could remember it.

They actually had a major press event to announce the league's creation and then...I kid you not...a player's draft. And, of course, a major launch party. All players get customized xBox 360's installed at the location of their choice (crib, tour bus, Cadillac SUV, whatever). How much you wanna bet those xBox's are made of some kind of precious metal?

And, even though mucho bucks were spent on formation, drafting, and custom bling, nobody's thought far enough ahead to actually schedule the first tournament. Yeah, this'll last.

Forget Half-Life 2; Stick to The Weather Channel

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 18:16:23 GMT

Believe it or not, the Weather Channel has an interactive arm. And WC Interactive has now teamed up with Skyworks Technologies to launch two new "breakthrough" films that you can play right off Weather.com.

The first is the Weather Channel Golf Game. Step up to the tee and whack away on a par 3. What makes this so amazingly exciting is that you can now match your par 3 to a current weather feed--either current or forecast--and for any area golf course in the US.

The next game is the Weather Channel Driving Game. (Can you guess where this is going?) This one is a little more nerve tingling as it allows you to go four-wheeling on an off-road course, and you cna play in either winter or summer conditions. On top of that, you can add your current weather conditions just like with the golf game.

Skyworks reps call these two jobs successes in the burgeoning world of "advergames." So what's that mean? Now we get to play commercials?

Man, I Should Have Kept Playing Video Games

Tue, 22 Nov 2005 15:08:09 GMT

If only I'd kept up my video game playing addiction. Maybe my hand-eye coordination would still be good enough to compete in the CPL. The Cyberathlete Professional League--now that's the gig for me.

If you want to see these guys compete and you're in the NYC area today, then you're in luck. Their PR guy sent me this summary:

In the two fierce days of preliminaries, followed by intense semi-finals, pro-gamers VoO and Fatal1ty rose as contenders for the final death match showdown. The CPL World Tour Finals will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2005 in New York at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square.

Thirty two gamers qualified for the preliminaries and duked it out for two action
packed days. Guaranteed at least $100,000, both VoO and Fatal1ty grabbed spots
in the finals through several hours of intense competitions that had the audience
at the edges of their seats.

The CPL Finals will be open to all ages; the Nokia’s doors open at 4:00pm. The
winner will walk away with $150,000, and second place will take home $100,000.

If this sounds like fun, head over to:

The Nokia Theater in Times Square

1515 Broadway (44th & Broadway) New York, NY 10036

Scariest Future MMORG: Diablo 3

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 19:40:47 GMT

Turns out Blizzard might be looking to turn Diablo 3 into a massive online multiplayer game ala World of Warcraft. No official word at Blizzard, but there were some cool pics from BlizzCon.

If you want to get on the inside track for Blizznews, then mayhap you want to sign up for a new Blizzard beta program that RealTechNews found out about.

(originally via Digg)

Geeks Galore in Seattle: Nov. 5 is Worldwide Dungeons & Dragons Day

Tue, 25 Oct 2005 16:52:46 GMT

If you're an RPG gamer and habitating in the rainy North Western city of Seattle on November 5, you might want to head over to the Sci-Fi Museum around noon. Turns out it's Worldwide Dungeons & Dragons Day and D&D's parent company, Wizards of the Coast, is sponsoring a gaming and musical event at a venue called, the Experience Music Project. Hear some geek music, play some geek games and see a whole bunch of new geek toys.

For a short preview, check out GamingReport's interview with Charles Ryan, D&D's brand manager. Maybe I'll head out for the SuperComputing 2005 show a week early, heh heh.

XBox Big Boy Buffet from X05 Amsterdam

Thu, 06 Oct 2005 15:57:42 GMT

Microsoft announces new lineup of xBox games for the Happy Holiday season. Full press release here, summarized below:

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — Oct. 4, 2005 — Today at X05, the Xbox^® brand experience for the games and entertainment industry, Microsoft Corp. unveiled an incredible lineup of games for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system as it gears up for launch Nov. 22 in North America, Dec. 2 in Europe and Dec. 10 in Japan.

Titles that will form part of the impressive Christmas holiday portfolio include these:

•	“Kameo: Elements of Power™” (MGS-Rare Ltd.). Renowned game developer Rare introduces “Kameo: Elements of Power™,” a mystical action-adventure game available exclusively on Xbox 360, in which the ability to morph into unique and incredible warriors allows Kameo to search out and battle ever-present evil.
•	“Perfect Dark Zero™” (MGS-Rare Ltd.). Joanna Dark returns in the Xbox 360-exclusive “Perfect Dark Zero,” the prequel to the international award-winning and multimillion-selling first-person shooter “Perfect Dark^®” from famed game developer Rare. A secret war has begun between shadowy corporations bent on world domination. Joanna Dark and her father, Jack, are caught up in the fight for the planet’s future. A routine bounty-hunting mission rips open a global conspiracy that will change Joanna’s destiny — forever.
•	“Project Gotham Racing® 3” (MGS-Bizarre Creations Ltd.). The popular “PGR^®” franchise zooms onto the Xbox 360, expanding many of the “Project Gotham Racing” features that gamers have grown to love. “PGR 3” creates the ultimate roster of the hottest supercars in existence, introduces them to the high-definition era, and drops them into a completely new gaming world, where style rules the road. Racers define and create individually customized gameplay, and can race each other — online or offline.

Other great games announced or shown at X05 included these:

•	“Crackdown” (MGS-Real Time Worlds). “Crackdown” pushes the action-driving hybrid genre into the next generation with the introduction of the first truly 3-D persistent playground, highly innovative cooperative gameplay, and an extensive prop interaction system all while taking place in a massive and highly stylized urban center.
•	“Gears of War” (MGS-Epic Games Inc.). Blending the best of tactical action games with the best of survival horror titles, “Gears of War” is the first game developed by Epic Games exclusively for Microsoft Game Studios and Xbox 360. “
•	“Too Human” (MGS-Silicon Knights). In “Too Human,” players are treated to a nonstop barrage of action powered by the seamless integration of melee and ranged firearms combat and fueled by breathtaking visuals previously not possible thanks to a powerful combination of Xbox 360 and the Unreal Engine 3.

Civilization IV, The Next Addiction

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 18:35:40 GMT

I don't avoid games because I'm no fun. I avoid them because the good ones consume me. Put a good game on my PC on Saturday afternoon and the next thing I know it's 4am Tuesday, I've missed my only date for the month as well as a critical staff meeting, my hair looks like Mr. T and my mouth feels like a cat's butt. It's not pretty.

Such a game was the second Civilization (I flat out missed the first). Now it's just come out in version 4 and I'm already afraid. For those who aren't, the game reviewers (what a lucky freaking job that is) at MSN have done a good job reviewing it for you.

I will be strong, I will be strong, Iwillbestrong!

Get to Know Valve's HDR

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 20:01:45 GMT

ArsTechnica has a great primer on Valve's new High Dynamic Range (HDR) graphics technology as well as a tour of its Lost Coast expansion for Half Life 2.

It's a mite high falutin' if your primary interaction with Valve is to blast demonic critters by the pale moonlight. But if you're a hardcore Half Lifer and perhaps into game development a bit yourself, this doc's for you. Check it out.

It starts out like a photo tour of a visit to Valve corporate, but the author gets a pretty good explanation of HDR in there and uses Lost Coast to show what the technology can do.

'Course, ArsTechnica's index site page died as I was posting this, so you may have to wait a bit.

It's Official: Xbox 360 Will Sell for $299 (and $400)

Thu, 18 Aug 2005 13:23:06 GMT

After weeks of rumors, the pricing for the Xbox seems set at $299, which is what everyone thought it would be since it was announced. The only news is that this will just be the Xbox Core package. Microsoft will also offer a premium version with a 20GB hard drive, W-iFi adapter, and Xbox Live membership for 400 bucks. Seems like the company wants to have one box to compete in the console market and another to play in the media center space.

No word on what the PS3 will be priced at, but it sounds like it could be expensive.

Hooked on MMOGs

Wed, 17 Aug 2005 22:34:14 GMT

There is a particularly sobering post on Kuro5hin right now about how addictive MMOGs are--and not in a good way. The problem is that MMOGs are designed to take a huge amount of time to play, most charge a monthly subscription after all. Some players get trapped in an endless game. Lost jobs, poor social skills, wasted lives. The authors' argument basically boils down to this: "Because time is precious and finite, it is quite impossible to succeed in real-life and also succeed in the game."

Sound like someone you know? I am betting it does. Or you think this overstates the case? Post a comment or send me an e-mail at technologyfilter@hotmail.com.

Another Game for Hillary to Investigate

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 13:18:47 GMT

New York Senator Hillary Clinton recently called for a $90 billion investigation into the effects violent video games have on children. In an open letter to the senator, author Steven Johnson uncovers another game that "instills aggressive thoughts in the minds of its players, some of whom have gone on to commit real-world acts of violence and sexual assault after playing."

The game: football.

The argument is basically the same as the one Johnson makes in his compelling Everything Bad is Good for You, but it makes sense to us.

Mind Your Fragging Manners

Sat, 30 Jul 2005 17:34:25 GMT

Check into a round of Halo 2 for Xbox Live and in addition to gunfire, you may also be subjected to a barrage of racist, homophobic, or just plain profane language. It isn't in the game, but the real time conversation with other players can get downright abusive. It turns out, roaming around virtual worlds and blowing people away can be pretty antisocial.

Is it too late to stop the hate? Drop us a note at technologyfilter@hotmail.com and let us know what you think.

In the meantime check out Gamespy's excellent article on how to create a kinder, gentler environment in which to shoot each other. For for the complete lesson in manners go here.

(Found via Slashdot)