So far, sophisticated 3D web games have typically required either a plugin (think Quake Live ) or a special environment where they can run native code . While those are just dandy, they aren’t really web games, are they? That’s going to change shortly, as Trendy Entertainment has revealed plans to launch truly web-based versions of both Dungeon Defenders Eternity and the upcoming Dungeon Defenders II . Both Unreal Engine-based titles use a mix of open standards like WebGL , Web Audio and Mozilla’s heavily tuned JavaScript web code (asm.js) to handle desktop-level 3D and sound in your browser at “near native” speeds. You may not notice the difference at all, provided you’re on a reasonably quick PC. If you’re interested in giving either base defense game a spin, you might want to check out the Firefox 31 update arriving at the same time. Mozilla’s latest browser includes tweaks for game-related performance, as well as some handy features whether or not you intend to play; it enables parental controls on supporting sites, malware blocking for downloads and a search field on the new tab page. You don’t need Firefox if you’re only eager to try Dungeon Defenders , but you may want to swing by the source links to see if anything else in the upgrade tickles your fancy. Filed under: Gaming , Internet Comments Source: Mozilla Blog , Firefox Notes

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New plugin-free web games run (almost) as well as their desktop counterparts

It looks like that (pending 2 years for existing customers) price hike hasn’t greatly affected Netflix’s popularity, as it announced today that it has 50 million customers altogether. About 36 million of them are in the US, and Netflix is about to launch in more European countries in September. The only real change we’re seeing mentioned in today’s earning report is that it’s about to start distributing in-store gift cards this fall, so you can give the gift of Netflix or join without having to pay online with a credit card. The company’s focus of course is how it’s building up a library of exclusive content, and it says Orange is the New Black became the most watched series in every Netflix territory when season two launched. Upcoming shows include Sense8 from the Wachowskis and the Daredevil series it’s making with Marvel, and it’s cast a number of big names for those shows already like Vincent d’Onofrio, Naveen Andrews and Rosario Dawson — check the gallery below for more details. Developing… Of course, in a letter to investors Netflix also spoke up on net neutrality and its battle with ISPs over paid peering access, laying out its policy goals. Number one is for the FCC to “not sanctify paid prioritizations” aka fast lanes, two is to either block the merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable or extract a requirement blocking the combo from charging for interconnect. Filed under: Home Entertainment , HD Comments Source: Netflix , Netflix

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Netflix crosses 50 million subscribers worldwide, takes aim at the Comcast / TWC merger