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Netherlands-based handheld gaming studio Engine Software has developed a cool new piece of tech for the DSi: motion sensitivity. To show off this breakthrough, the company has developed a brief demo video of TILT, a kind of Marble Blast Ultra clone where the player guides a ball around the gameworld by tilting the DSi. It’s not the first we’ve heard of this kinda tech, and it won’t be the last.

Engine Software isn’t stopping with just this tech demo, however. The company is currently working on a full DSiWare game that will incorporate this new technology; though it likely won’t be a full version of TILT, but rather an entirely new game. Head past the break to check out a brief video showcasing the tech.

Continue reading DSi motion control demoed by Engine Software

DSi motion control demoed by Engine Software originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last year at CES, Nyko unveiled the Wand, its take on Nintendo’s Wiimote. This year, the peripheral maker’s big item is … abracadabra … the Wand — with one exciting addition! The $40 Wand+ is a single, self-contained unit that includes MotionPlus compatibility. The device still supports the crazy Trans-Port stuff, like the original Wand does, which means that Wiimote buttons can be automatically remapped to buttons on other Nyko accessories, including its gun controller.

Nyko has also introduced two variants of its cookie-inspiring Charge Base IC remote charger: a version of the original in black and a new one that can accommodate four Wiimotes.

For PS3, the company has designed a new version of its Intercooler made to bulk up Sony’s Slim model, and the Media Hub Slim, a combination of a tiny remote control and a USB hub.

The Wand and Charge Base Quad IC are due in stores this March. The Intercooler will be available next month for $19.99, and the Media Hub Slim will retail for $19.99 when it’s released in April.

Nyko reveals Wii Wand with built-in MotionPlus, more at CES originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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An online fact sheet has detailed the pricing structure for Microsoft’s newly announced Avatar-occupied Game Room, and we’d suggest gamers stock up on Microsoft funny money. Players have three options: 400 ($5) grants a dual-platform license (for unlimited play on Xbox 360 and PC), 240 ($3) gets you the virtual arcade cabinet on one platform (Xbox 360 or PC), or, for the old-fashioned types, 40 ($0.50) is just “two quarters” worth of playtime — for an authentic arcade experience, minus the sticky floors. Additionally, when visiting friends’ game rooms, you can “try” their games before you pump in Microsoft Points of your own.

The Game Room itself — developed by third-party outfit Krome Studios (Viva Piñata: Party Animals, Star Wars: Republic Heroes) — will be free for users to download. Customization options are mentioned in the fact sheet, but pricing for these features is not addressed. At launch the service will include 30 original arcade titles — with “over 1000″ planned for the future — from multiple publishers, including Atari, Activision, Intellivision, and Konami. (A list of 31 confirmed titles is posted after the break.)

Games will be presented in 1080p (because that’s why you bought that HD set) and will support multiplayer for up to two players, as well as cross-platform leaderboards and Achievements. Microsoft’s Home Game Room is slated to launch this spring.

Source – “Game Room” Fact Sheet [.doc]

Continue reading Xbox Game Room pricing, partners detailed

Xbox Game Room pricing, partners detailed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Only a few days after Capcom France’s boss Antoine Seux made some decidedly anti-Wii comments to French website Gamekult, Capcom Europe’s had to scramble their public relations fighters in an attempt to make nice with the world’s top hardware manufacturer.

A small, delicate statement issued by Capcom in the wake of Seux’s comments reads:

Further to comments made in a recent article on French website Gamekult, Capcom would like to confirm its commitment as a multi-platform developer and publisher of interactive software.

Kind regards

Capcom’s European PR Team

And that’s it! Short, to the point. Curt, even. Antoine Seux, you have been officially rapped over the knuckles for being a silly sausage. Next time, exne on the wiisucksne when you’re talking with the video games press.

(Though, you’ll note they don’t fall over themselves saying he was wrong…)

Quantic Dream has revealed a new trailer for its big PS3 exclusive, Heavy Rain. Despite featuring the Japanese voiceovers, this new footage does not skimp on the epic, and makes the game look pretty bloody amazing. Drama, throat-slitting and women in tight vests are the order of the day. Oh, and shouting. Lots of shouting. 

I’m really looking forward to seeing what Quantic does with this game. It could be a huge triumph for story-driven gaming, or a spectacular failure, but it’s going to be fun finding out either way. This video’s got me pretty pumped, in any case.

Atlus sure does love the PSP, announcing two games for Sony’s handheld in just as many days. Hexyz Force is a new RPG from Sting, creator of Riviera: The Promised Land and Yggdra Union. This classically-styled JRPG features two different adventures, each about (what else?) the end of the world. Atlus promises each adventure will take about 25 hours, totaling 50 hours of dungeon crawling and grinding for RPG fans.

PSP owners are all too familiar with the lengthy load times for many of the system’s RPGs. Thankfully, Atlus is promising “virtually no load times” for Hexyz Force. Like a console JRPG, the game will also feature twenty minutes of anime cutscenes. The UMD version is scheduled for release on May 25th, while a PSN version should follow shortly thereafter. Check out a video preview after the break.

Continue reading Atlus uses the Hexyz Force on PSP

Atlus uses the Hexyz Force on PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Uh oh, sounds like somebody brewed up a PR nightmare. Yesterday, we ran a story on Capcom’s Antoine Seux, who said that hardcore gamers had essentially abandoned the Wii and that the future of Capcom was in the PS3 and Xbox 360. The obvious sh*tstorm this caused was noticed by the rest of Capcom Europe, who are now scrambling for a U-turn. 

“Further to comments made in a recent article on French website Gamekult, Capcom would like to confirm its commitment as a multi-platform developer and publisher of interactive software,” states the publisher, with perfect diplomacy. 

One can imagine that Seux was none too popular when he got into the office this morning. Still, regardless of how much trouble Seux may have gotten into, his comments regarding the poor performance of key titles still holds true. Like it or not, the Wii’s reputation as a shovelware platform will be hard to shake, and that’s nobody’s fault … except for all the arseholes who refuses to buy MadWorld. 

Capcom (Try To) Back Away From Anti-Wii Comments [Kotaku]

Lying hypocrite Keith Vaz is at it again. The corrupt Labor politician has once again brought up the subject of violent videogames, perhaps because it distracts everybody from his shady legal deals and questionable expense accounts. In any case, he wants cigarette-style warning labels on game boxes, and states that adult videogames are worst than films. 

“A film with inappropriate content is not interactive,” bullsh*ts Vaz. “The point about video games, which is backed up by research from America, is that the player is part of the process. Players shoot and stab people in a videogame, and that is different. I accept that inappropriate content is wrong, wherever it is found, but videogames are different.

“If a young person gets hold of Modern Warfare 2, for example, they will be asked to participate in a terrorist attack; they will be asked to shoot at civilians in Moscow airport as part of the game.”

Vaz says he’s not a fan of censorship, and that adults should be allowed to play violent games. However, he still trotted out the Stephen Pakeerah case and claimed that the young boy was killed thanks to Manhunt, despite a conclusive police report saying that Rockstar’s game had nothing to do with it.

So yes, yet more misconceptions and outright lies from Mr. Vadge. Until next time! 

Keith Vaz Warns Violent Games Are Worse Than Violent Films [Negative Gamer]

Voice actor Jon St. John set the universe straight during the Music and Video Game Festival by not commenting on his role as Duke Nukem in 3D Realms’ Duke Nukem Forever. The key here is what the blank space implies.

“I’m not allowed to speak on that subject, sir,” St. John replied when asked about DNF. He added, “Let me go ahead and tell you right now: I’m not allowed to speak about Duke Nukem Forever.” The crowd in the stuffy room booed. “No, no, don’t be disappointed. Read between the lines.

“Why am I not allowed to talk about it [DNF]?”

The need for silence on the subject might have more to do with the ongoing legal brouhaha surrounding the studio and the game rather than its ongoing development, but this world is a place of infinite and surprising possibilities. Example: Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. No-one saw that coming.

Duke Nukem Himself All But Confirms Duke Nukem Forever [Pixel Enemy, via Screw Attack]