Tag: the-end

Nintendo rides are coming to Universal’s theme parks

Over the years, Nintendo has crafted a diverse roster of beloved video game characters. They’re colorful and instantly recognisable, so inevitably some fans have wondered whether a Disney-style theme park could be built around them. Well, wonder no more. Nintendo announced today that it’s teaming up with Universal to build new rides in some of its theme parks. It’s staying tight-lipped on the details, but says to expect “spectacular, dedicated experiences” based on Nintendo games, characters and worlds. The move is another sign that Nintendo is becoming less protective over its homegrown video game franchises. The company is already working with DeNA to develop new mobile games, and last month the Wall Street Journal reported that a Legend of Zelda TV show was in the works. That rumor was later shot down (at least partly) by Iwata, but it still signalled Nintendo’s willingness to work with others. After all, these sorts of initiatives could help Nintendo to capture the imagination and support of a whole new generation of gamers. Something that’s increasingly important, given the lacklustre sales of the Wii U. So what Nintendo rides would you like to see in Universal’s theme parks? A rollercoaster based on F-Zero , or a haunted house inspired by Luigi’s Mansion ? Of course, there’s always Nintendo Land if you need some inspiration… Filed under: Gaming , Nintendo Comments Source: Nintendo

View post:
Nintendo rides are coming to Universal’s theme parks

‘Grim Fandango Remastered’ comes to Android and iOS

The classic point-and-click adventure Grim Fandango has made its way to iOS and Android . Originally released by LucasArts, Grim Fandango was remastered by creator Tim Schafer’s Double Fine Productions for PlayStation 4, Vita, PC, Mac and Linux earlier this year. Unlike many mobile ports of traditional games, Grim Fandango ‘s point-and-click gameplay should lend itself to extended plays on iPad and Android tablets quite nicely, although playing on smaller phones may prove problematic. The mobile version of the critically acclaimed game includes the re-release’s improved graphics and audio along with additional features like an optional director’s commentary. Grim Fandango is priced at $9.99 in both Google Play and Apple’s App Store for one week only, after which it’ll be sold at $14.99. If you don’t have that kind of equipment but are still keen to play it, Double Fine is applying the same 33% discount to the game on both Steam and the PlayStation Store. Filed under: Gaming , Mobile , Apple , Google Comments Source: Double Fine Productions , (Google Play) , (App Store)

View article:
‘Grim Fandango Remastered’ comes to Android and iOS

Reddit creates a team devoted to original videos

Reddit is about to host a lot more than links and comments. The social site is launching a dedicated team that will produce original video content. It’ll initially focus on bringing the spirit of Ask Me Anything sessions to video, but it’ll eventually look at covering stories from subreddits and individual users — if you’ve seen the “Explain Like I’m Five” adaptation, that’s a hint at where Reddit is going. It’s hard to tell if this will click with a community that’s more about impromptu discussions than slick presentations, but Reddit is clearly willing to find out whether or not there’s money to be made in moving pictures. Filed under: Internet Comments Source: The Verge

More:
Reddit creates a team devoted to original videos

The first self-driving big rig licensed to operate in the US

A Daimler-built autonomous truck can now legally operate on the highways of Nevada. Gov. Brian Sandoval has officially granted the “Freightliner Inspiration Truck” a license for road use in the state, making it the first of its kind to navigate public roads in the US. The Inspiration is loaded with cameras, radar systems, other sensors and computer hardware like most autonomous vehicles. However, it’s not completely self-driving — it still needs a human driver behind the wheel. According to the big rig’s official website , the all its sensors and computers are “responsible for maintaining legal speed, staying in the selected lane, keeping a safe braking distance from other vehicles, and slowing or stopping the vehicle based on traffic and road conditions.” That frees up the driver to do other tasks, like doing the inventory, route planning and scheduling. Certain conditions require the system to transfer control back to the driver, though, particularly when exiting a highway, driving on local roads and docking to drop off deliveries. Developing… [Image credit: Freightliner Trucks/Instagram ] Comments Source: Daimler , Freightliner (1) , (2) , (3)

See more here:
The first self-driving big rig licensed to operate in the US

Dropbox for iOS will create Microsoft Office files from scratch

If you’ve ever wanted to start a report on your iPhone and save it straight to Dropbox, you’re in luck. The cloud storage outfit is rolling out an iOS update in the next few weeks that allows you to create Microsoft Office documents and save them online, not just edit them . The upgrade will also let you comment on files from the iOS app. And if you just can’t wait to try something new, the latest version packs a redesigned home view that focuses on your recently opened files. There’s no mention yet of corresponding Android releases, but those are undoubtedly in the pipeline. Filed under: Cellphones , Storage , Internet , Mobile Comments Source: App Store

View original post here:
Dropbox for iOS will create Microsoft Office files from scratch

GOG’s Galaxy platform is one step closer to taking on Steam

It seems like just yesterday Good Old Games was giving away copies of Aliens vs. Predator to get folks to try its (optional) PC gaming service , Galaxy. Times have changed and leading into The Witcher 3: WIld Hunt ‘s release — the first major title debuting on the storefront — the platform is moving from closed alpha testing into an open beta. The constant that’s carrying over from the alpha is that you aren’t required to participate in anything within the software. Not into automatic updates that might fix some of your favorite glitches in a game? That’s totally cool; you can opt out and still keep playing. Steam and Origin aren’t quite as keen on that. Let’s say that you’re going to go all in and allow Galaxy to perform the patches for you. If one breaks the game to the point of it being unplayable, you can roll back to the previous, working version supposedly without much of an issue. You can download a separate DRM-free backup copy of a game, too. As the press release quotes tell it, the idea is to make the optional features — and the platform itself — enticing enough and to such a high quality that you’ll choose to use them; it’s a motivator for the development team to do its best work. Want to see what this so-called digital freedom “tastes like?” Head over to GOG.com and grab the beta for Mac or Windows. Filed under: Gaming , Home Entertainment , HD Comments Source: Good Old Games

View post:
GOG’s Galaxy platform is one step closer to taking on Steam

Chevy’s 2016 Volt costs just $25,000 if you live in California

Chevy’s Volt hybrid was once considered pricey even after government tax credits, but the 2016 model may well be within your reach… if you live in the right state, at least. The automaker has revealed that its latest eco-friendly sedan will cost $33, 995 at full price (down $1, 200 from last year), but it’ll drop to to a more palpable $26, 495 if you qualify for a full federal tax credit. And if you live in California, it’ll sit just under the magic $25, 000 mark — not bad for a full-size car that can stay on electric power during a typical commute. You can certainly find cheaper hybrids if you look around, but this is a testament to how quickly Chevy’s once-exotic technology has become accessible. Filed under: Transportation Comments Via: TechCrunch Source: Chevrolet

Read More:
Chevy’s 2016 Volt costs just $25,000 if you live in California

Lenovo’s super-light LaVie Z laptop is now available

If you’ve been jonesing for a featherweight laptop but feel that Apple’s MacBook rubs you the wrong way, you’re in luck: as promised, Lenovo is now selling the LaVie Z and LaVie Z 360 in the US. Both 13-inch systems largely resemble what you saw in January, and strike a careful balance between brisk performance and a light design that won’t strain your shoulder when it’s in your bag. They share Quad HD screens, fifth-generation Core i7 processors, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB solid-state drive. The only big difference is the 360’s namesake convertible touchscreen, which turns your PC into a makeshift tablet. Lenovo may have been optimistic about what it could deliver this month, though. The standard Z is ever-so-slightly heavier than claimed at 1.87 pounds, and the models available now are significantly more expensive than what we were quoted a few months ago. You’re looking at $1, 700 ($1, 500 after a discount) for the regular LaVie Z, and $1, 850 ($1, 699 on sale) for the 360 — that’s at least $200 higher than expected. It’s entirely possible that lower-end versions are coming, but you’ll have to pay a premium if you simply can’t wait. [Thanks, Ibrahim] Filed under: Laptops , Lenovo Comments Source: Lenovo (1) , (2)

Read this article:
Lenovo’s super-light LaVie Z laptop is now available

Build 2015: With Windows 10, Microsoft is no longer a follower

Referencing former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s infamous “developers!” chant is practically a cliche nowadays, but it felt like the silent refrain throughout the company’s entire Build conference this week. In the run-up to Windows 10, Microsoft wants developers. It needs developers. And it will do whatever it takes to get them — even going so far as to allow devs to recompile their Android and iOS apps without much fuss. None of this seemed possible from Microsoft years ago, when simply owning the dominant desktop platform was enough. But now with mobile devices and the cloud in play, Microsoft needs to evolve. And by doing so, it’s also making Windows 10 a far more exciting upgrade than Windows 8 ever hoped to be. Microsoft’s been talking up the idea of Windows 10 as a platform since announcing it back in September. But it wasn’t until the company revealed it was also going to be a free upgrade for existing Windows 7 and 8 users (for the first year), that it truly hit home how different Windows 10 would be. Microsoft is now prioritizing getting as many people as possible on a single Windows platform more than the revenues it would get from selling access to it. Throughout the Build conference, one thing became clear: Microsoft is no longer just reacting to the competition. Windows 8 was notable for unifying desktops and mobile devices, but it also felt like a desperate attempt to prove that it could do touch interfaces too. Windows 10, with its hooks into Azure Cloud services, better support across a variety of devices and the promise of freaking holograms with HoloLens, finally puts Microsoft back into a leadership role. That’s a sentiment echoed by several Microsoft staffers I talked to (though they wouldn’t admit it on the record). And that could be the key to Windows 10’s success. All of the apps Several years after Windows 8’s launch, I can only think of a handful of truly compelling apps. Many developers didn’t want to devote time to the platform when they would be much better off building something for iOS and Android. And, aside from the vague promise of easy porting to Windows Phones, Microsoft never really gave developers a compelling case to jump ship. Windows 10 is a completely different story. Microsoft is basically opening the floodgates to apps from pretty much every major platform. Got an iOS or Android app? You can easily recompile it and plug it into the Windows Store. Microsoft’s even making room for web apps and older Win32 desktop software . The goal is to populate the Windows Store with plenty of compelling apps — it doesn’t matter how it was originally made. Microsoft’s also making it easier to build Windows 10 apps by releasing coding tools for OS X and Linux. And the icing on the cake for developers: Once you’ve got a Windows app, you can make it “Universal” so that it runs across phones, tablets, and even the Xbox without much effort. The truly astounding thing? Basically everything I wrote in that last paragraph would have been impossible at Microsoft a few years ago. By removing much of the friction involved in making Windows apps, Microsoft has shifted the mentality for developers from “why should I build for Windows?” to “heck, why not?” Strong device support Windows 10 has all of the cross-device promise that Windows 8 had, except it’s potentially far more useful. The new Continuum feature , for example, reshapes the OS’s interface depending on how you’re using it. If you’ve got a Windows 10 tablet, it’ll be much more touch-friendly. If you’ve got a traditional laptop or desktop, it’ll resemble Windows 7 with a revamped desktop Start menu. And for convertible devices like the Surface Pro 3, your experience will change depending on its orientation. Herein lies the promise for Universal Windows Apps — developers only have to manage one codebase to bring an app to multiple devices. During one of Build’s keynotes, Microsoft reps showed off how USA Today managed to bring its desktop Windows 10 app to tablets and even the Xbox One, where it only shows you news videos. (Because nobody expects you to read articles on your Xbox.) At Build, Microsoft also showed off how a Windows 10 phone can spit out a decent desktop interface. That won’t replace your primary computer, but if you’re working on the go, or can’t afford anything beyond a phone, it’s a feature that could fundamentally change the way we compute. It’s no wonder Microsoft laid out an ambitious goal to bring Windows 10 to a billion devices in a few years. It has to think big. By doing so, it will finally be able to court the developers who’ve ignored Windows 8 so far. Compelling software and features On their own, some of Windows 10’s features might be enough reason to upgrade. Microsoft’s Cortana virtual assistant is steadily improving with every new early Windows 10 build. It’ll also be the first such assistant on a desktop OS — Apple’s Siri came first, but it’s still only on iOS devices. Then there’s Edge, Microsoft’s slick new browser which could make you forget about the dark days of Internet Explorer. It’s speedy, minimalist, and also supports Cortana. And once again Microsoft is also working hard to court developers by making it easy for them to bring over their existing browser extensions. I also got a taste of Windows 10’s Xbox One streaming feature, which performed surprisingly well, with no discernible lag or stutter. It’s definitely something I’m looking forward to using when my living room TV is occupied. Excitement about the future We still don’t know when and how Microsoft will bring its holographic headset HoloLens to the public, but even at this early point it’s clearly something special. It’s light years beyond Google Glass, which was more of a persistent notification platform than a true augmented reality solution. And it interacts with the physical environment far better than the VR platforms we’ve seen. Most impressively, HoloLens isn’t some far off satellite project for Microsoft — it’s part of the company’s vision of a unified Windows 10 platform. On top of being powered by the new OS, it can also run any Universal Windows app. With HoloLens, Microsoft has something that could keep developers excited for the next few years. I had the chance to sit through a HoloLens programming session , and while the experience didn’t quite match those demos Microsoft has been promoting — the field of view was small, and the fit wasn’t very good — it still has the potential to be a significant leap forward in computing. I built a hologram using the Unity game development tool and Visual Studio (with a huge helping hand from Microsoft’s reps) and spent about an hour tweaking it. When viewed through HoloLens, my creation’s textures were surprisingly clear (I was able to read the text on a crumbled up ball of paper), but it wasn’t truly lifelike. Sure, it was just a beginner hologram, but it was enough to make me excited for what real developers will be able to do once they get their hands on HoloLens. Wrapping up Maybe this is reading too much into things, but I noticed a very different feeling in the air after chatting with developers and Microsoft employees over the past few days, when compared to the Windows 8 launch years ago. Back then there was plenty of apprehensiveness around the new touch interface, and a general sense that Microsoft was just rushing to catch up to Apple and Android. Now, that anxiety has been replaced with excitement. And for Microsoft, that’s the best possible outcome from its developer conference. Filed under: Software , Mobile , Microsoft Comments

View article:
Build 2015: With Windows 10, Microsoft is no longer a follower

New game from ‘Banjo-Kazooie’ team fully funded in 40 minutes

All that the team at Playtonic Games had to say was, “It’s a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie , ” and their project probably would have reached its £175, 000 funding goal on Kickstarter . But Playtonic — a studio composed of former Rare developers — instead revealed gameplay videos, pretty 3D screenshots, a colorful world and a few songs from their new game, and then they promised it was a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie . That said, Yooka-Laylee blasted past its Kickstarter goal in less than 40 minutes and the numbers just keep on climbing. Andy Robinson, Playtonic’s writer and only non-Rare veteran, calls the quick success “incredible.” “Since we first discussed this project at the beginning of the year the response has been amazing, ” Robinson says. “The fans are what convinced us to go bigger and launch this Kickstarter, and now together we’ll hopefully birth not just an amazing modern platform game, but convince other developers that this is a genre the public are very much interested in.” Yooka-Laylee (yes, like the tiny guitar) is a 3D platformer starring Yooka, a bipedal lizard-like dude, and Laylee, a purple “wisecracking lady-bat.” They have unique abilities, such as Yooka’s tongue-grapple and Laylee’s tactical sonar blast, and together these best buds explore five worlds filled with weird characters and feisty bosses. Also, one of the abilities is a “giant fart bubble.” Playtonic knows the way to its players’ hearts. Much of our footage, though representative of our goals, will likely be unrecognizable compared to the final product — in a very good way. Yooka-Laylee is in development for PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Wii U, with a goal to launch on some of these platforms by October 2016. Playtonic planned ahead with its Kickstarter, listing stretch goals through £1 million that include the addition of more levels, extra bosses, new modes and, lastly, a simultaneous day-one release on Xbox One, PS4 and Wii U. Everything on the Kickstarter page was created in just three months, a feat that Robinson largely attributes to the team’s experience. Still, this is only the beginning. “It’s worth highlighting that what you’ve seen so far is still very early, ” Robinson says. “We focused on nailing the characters and tone of Yooka-Laylee the best we could in the time that we had. But beyond that, much of our footage, though representative of our goals, will likely be unrecognizable compared to the final product — in a very good way.” Filed under: Gaming , HD Comments

More:
New game from ‘Banjo-Kazooie’ team fully funded in 40 minutes