Australia Tech Gadget: Games

Showing posts with label Games. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Sony PlayStation Vita 3G Lands On Vodafone UK

The guys over at Vodafone just dropped is an email to let us know that the Sony PlayStationVita 3G is now available on their network in the UK, and the PS Vita 3G is available exclusively through Vodafone here in the UK.

Vodafone are offering the PlayStation Vita 3G for £279, and it comes with 4GB of storage, plus a pay as you go SIM card, WipEout 2048, when you top up the SIM card with £5 of data.

The PlayStation Vita 3G introduces the new pre-installed NEAR application which provides an array of new social gaming services not currently available on any other portable gaming console. This includes location based services and real social gaming on the move, allowing users to comment on and recommend games as well as track their friends’ locations through the inbuilt GPS which is exclusive to 3G models only.

You can find out more information about the PlayStation Vita 3G over at Vodafone.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Sony PlayStation games on HTC soon

Sony PlayStation games – previously only available on Sony Ericsson mobiles – could soon be coming to other platforms, with HTC first in line. The announcement, leaked by an insider, could come officially atMobile World Congress later this month.

The Sony certification program is a cross-platform genius-idea that means Android smartphones and tablets could soon have access to PlayStation branded classics like Crash Bandicoot, Tomb Raider or even Uncharted.

First in line for PlayStation certification is HTC – and between its Beats Audio-toting smartphones and quad-core Tegra 3 Endeavour handset, it could give even the PS Vita a run for its money. Will Apple ever get on board with Sony’s scheme? Seems unlikely at this stage, but if it wants to compete it might need to start thinking about playing with the other kids at the sandpit soon.

PS3 SSD Upgrade Found To Improve Skyrim, Rage, Brink Performance

The question of potential performance gains versus sticker shock for an SSD is not something that keeps me up nights. In fact, SSDs are still firmly in my mental category of stuff that needs to seriously come down in price before warranting the average consumer’s consideration. However, in the wake of major new game releases struggling to stream massive textures through tiny amounts of RAM and taking advantage of the PS3′s fortuitous upgrade-friendliness, Eurogamer has decided to stick an SSD into a PS3. And then write about it.

They’ve reached the conclusion that there are “some advantages in how solid state drives can benefit console gaming – whether as a consequence of a design better suited to other platforms (Rage), or through what appears to be a woefully inadequate caching system (pre-patch 2.03 Skyrim).” Find out what those advantages are in their detailed breakdown.

Source Eurogamer

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

AMD launches Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition Video Card

If you’re a gamer on a budget looking for a new video card, you’ll want to check out the new card that AMD has unveiled today. The new card is called HD 7770 GHz edition and is the first video card in the world to ship with a 1 GHz clock speed on the reference design. There are other video cards out there running at 1 GHz, but those are overclocked cards from partners.

The video card has at least 1 GB of RAM is built on the 28nm process. The video card supports the PCI Express 3.0 slot and has several other important AMD features such as AMD ZeroCore Power, PowerTune, AMD Eyefinity 2.0 and AMD App technologies.

The best thing to be said about the new video card is that some models will start at $159. You can count on seeing some that sell for less than that price and some selling for more when they’re overclocked out-of-the-box. This should be a pretty interesting video card for budget gamers.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

HTC PlayStation certification devices coming 2012, time to get your Crash Bandicoot skills up to scratch

HTC is to be one of the first companies outside Sony that will be getting PlayStation certification for its mobile devices

The announcement expected later this year, possibly at the forthcoming trade show Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, will mean thatHTC smartphone and tablet owners will eventually be able to play Sony PlayStation certified games, such as Crash Bandicoot and other classic PSOne titles.

The Sony PlayStation certification program was first announced over a year ago at the launch of the Sony PlayStation Vita in Japan.

“It expands the PlayStation experience beyond the PSP border. It is the first cross-platform endeavour,” said Kaz Hirai, then Sony Computer Entertainment CEO and soon to be president and CEO of the whole of the Sony corporation.

Sony's PlayStation Suite and the certification program is a cross-platform initiative for Android smartphones and tablets, aimed at appealing to manufacturers and gamers alike as the company tries to continue its success in the heavily competitive field of mobile gaming.

For the manufacturer, it gets access to some great PlayStation games, while gamers get to relive their PSOne days, albeit on their smartphone. Although, it must be said, it's taken a while for phone makers to jump on board.

Such a move will be a big boost for HTC, giving it a gaming focus as well as a music one (thanks to its partnership with Beats Audio). It'll help in its fight with Samsung and Apple, who have managed to streak ahead in sales and popularity in the last year.

When we asked HTC about PlayStation certification for its devices, the company said it couldn't "comment on rumors or speculation". However, our source suggests that certification will be awarded in the second half of 2012.

Microsoft’s Xbox 720 may have touchscreen controllers

Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox will use controllers that have “an HD screen surrounded by the traditional 360 buttons and sticks,” according to Xbox World Magazine. The magazine claims Microsoft’s tablet-like controller will have shape closer to Sony’s PS Vita than Wii U’s “bulky unit”. The next Xbox “will be a matte-black media hub with a mission to bring games to life in your living room with augmented reality, directional sound, and a four-player, finger-tracking Kinect.” The new controller will apparently also be used as a remote control when watching TV, a browser for the Internet or for extra buttons while playing a game. Earlier rumors suggest that the next generation console may be six times more powerful than the current Xbox, however it is not expected to launch this year. The publication speculates that the console could be priced over $600. “Microsoft are playing it safe with the CPU and GPU but running wild with the functions that will change how you play, but it won’t be cheap,” the site claimed.

Monday, February 13, 2012

3 Grand Theft Auto games now available for Macs

Mac users who are fans of the Grand Theft Auto games now have a reason to celebrate. Valve has just announced that Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas are now all available for Mac computers. Grand Theft Auto 3, the first GTA game that started the whole 3D, 3rd person view gameplay is now playable on the Apple operating system – you no longer need to turn to Windows, your PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 to play this free-roaming, action-packed, adventure game.

The graphics on the games might be a little dated by now, but hey – at least you get to play them. All three games are on 20% discount from now through February 20th: GTA 3 and GTA: Vice City are only $7.49, while GTA: San Andreas is $11.24. Get them on Steam now.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

A Dark Castle, A Wolf, A Ghost and You:Fun Game

Every week Mac Games and More features a fun, casual game you can play over the weekend. This week’s selection gets you an invitation to a dark, damp and really scary castle, where a wolf and a ghost are following you. Why would you accept that invitation? Download it now

Grim Tales: The Legacy (hidden objects) - If you were a fan of Grim Tales: The Bride, you’re certain to like Grim Tales: The Legacy, the sequel. It takes you on a scary hidden objects journey where you’ve been invited to an event at a castle in the middle of nowhere and once you arrive, things seem strange and downright creepy. Of course, it’s really dark and blustery, no one is around to help you, you get into an accident AND you’re being shadowed by a wolf. Oh, and I think there’s a ghost thrown into the mix. Don’t worry, you will love every minute of this situation! This is a special collector’s edition, which includes a strategy guide and many exclusive extras. Download it now

Friday, February 10, 2012

Kinect Star Wars bundle arriving on April 3rd

Last year it was announced that the Kinect Star Wars bundle was going to arrive in April 2012, and it looks like Microsoft will be keeping its promise. According to a recent announcement on the Major Nelson website, we now have a definite release date for the game and console bundle. The Kinect Star Wars bundle has been confirmed to be arriving on April 3rd 2012. The bundle which consists of an Xbox 360 styled to look like R2-D2 and a gamepad that is customized after C-3PO, a white Kinect and of course the Kinect Star Wars game. In the meantime while you wait for the bundle to arrive, check out a video demo of the game after the break:

Thursday, February 9, 2012

PS3 4.10 Update Adds Faster Web Browsing

Sony has rolled out a new update to its PS3 console this week v4.10. Which brings with it a number of new minor changes together with faster web browsing. The PS3 4.10 update has made a number of alterations to the PS3 browser with “improved display speed.” and will now display some pages that it previously could not.

The update is also rolling out the name change we have been expecting and a few new terms and conditions which you will need to accept. Sony explains:

“First off, once you download the new system software, you will be asked to accept a change to our Terms of Service. In an effort for more unity between PlayStation Network (PSN) and other Sony Entertainment Network services, your “PSN Account” will now be named “Sony Entertainment Network Account.”

Please note that this change is one in name only and will not change the PSN that you know and love. You’ll still play games online, still have access to the latest downloadable games and add-ons, and still experience a wide variety of movies, sports and music across PSN.”

You can find more details after the firmware goes live here.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

PlayStation 3 system software hits v4.10, includes improved browser

Sony have just announced through their PlayStation Blog that they've released a new system software update which brings the PlayStation 3 to v4.10. Included in v4.10 are some minor changes, but one surprising one, too.

The new system software update requires you to accept a change in Sony's Terms of Service (ToS), and in an "effort for more unity" between PlayStation Network (PSN) and other Sony Entertainment Network services, all "PSN Accounts" will now be named "Sony Entertainment Network Account".

This change is by name only, and does not change the PSN in any form. Games can still be played online, and access to the latest downloadable games and add-ons are still available. System software update v4.10 includes an improved PS3 Internet Browser, with improved display speed. More details on the firmware can be found, here.

Amazing Weather 2.0, a unique WP7 App

The last time you saw Amazing Weather, it was simply gorgeous, but with 2.0 update things have changed dramatically! There are now tons of detailed weather information from the current conditions page to the hourly and daily pages, new radar and satellite images as well as the much asked for, GPS support and Personal Weather Stations.
Amazing weather 2.0 comes with the best of the two worlds: simplicity and full blown details.
From the moment you open Amazing Weather you will be mesmerized by the astonishing animations that will let you feel everything from the tiniest rain drop to the strike of lightening.

Here are some user reactions on the new version:

“Wow, what a difference an update makes!“
“Best weather app I’ve ever seen, and the latest update has made it better still. Looks awesome, and still manages to provide a lot of detailed information.“

Awesome features:

Astonishing animations based on current conditions, and daily forecast.
Detailed current conditions data.
Sunrise and Sunset times.
Live tiles with updated weather conditions.
Seven days quick view weather forecast.
Detailed text and daily forecast.
Radar, infrared and satellite imagery.
Access to nearby Personal weather stations using GPS location.
Access to nearest station using GPS location.
Pinch out for detailed hour by hour weather conditions.
Flexible update intervals changed from settings.

Changes in V2.0.4:

NEW: Detailed current conditions data.
NEW: Sunrise and Sunset times.
NEW: Detailed daily forecast.
NEW: Text forecast.
NEW: Radar, infrared and satellite imagery.
NEW: Personal weather stations.
NEW: GPS for nearest weather station.
NEW: Quick tutorial.
Refined interface for easier navigation.
Enriched displayed conditions in the now and hourly sections.
Various bug fixes.

App Price: 1.99$ USD.
Trial: Yes 12 hours, limited to one city at a time.

Marketplace: http://goo.gl/9vPlO

Kinect Star Wars Xbox Bundle Launching 3rd April

Microsoft has announced that its Kinect Star Wars Xbox 360 bundle will go on sale in the US on the 3rd of April, and the console will cost you $449, which includes an R2-D2 themed console, a C-3PO themed controller and a white Microsoft Kinect sensor, plus the Kinect Star Wars Game.

With five dynamic modes – Jedi Destiny: Dark Side Rising, Podracing, Rancor Rampage, Galactic Dance Off and Duels of Fate – “Kinect Star Wars” makes it possible for Star Wars fans of all ages to delve into immersive Star Wars experiences. In addition to the previously announced Jedi, Podracing and Rancor modes, Xbox 360 and LucasArts have today unveiled new additions to the game, including:

You can find out more information about the Star Wars Kinect Xbox 360 bundle over atMicrosoft.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Guide: How to download and install apps on the Nokia Lumia 710

This tutorial will explain how to add new app content to your Lumia 710
Your Nokia Lumia 710 can download and install a number of apps and games, as well as music tracks, via the Windows Phone Martketplace. This guide will show you how to access and add new content to your phone.

From the homescreen tap the ‘Marketplace’ tile. Here you can browse through the various categories, including applications, games and music. You can also view recommended or top rated apps and content.
Alternatively, you can conduct a search using the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen.
When you find the app you want to install, tap on it and you can view reviews, screenshots and descriptions for that app.

Free applications can be downloaded straight away by tapping the ‘Install’ button. You will be prompted to confirm that you want to install.
Paid apps will have two options. You can press ‘Try’ to download a free trial with limited functionality. Or you can press ‘Buy’ to buy the app there and then. If you press ‘Buy’ you’ll be prompted twice and will have to go through a payment process. Follow the onscreen instructions.

Once complete the app will be installed onto your phone.
Depending on the size of the app this could take some time. You should be able to see a progress indicator to show the app installing

Sony PS Vita Portable Charging Accessories

Sony Japan has resealed details of its new charging accessories which have been created to compliment its new Sony PS Vita gaming console. The new chargers include a new car adapter that will be available from march 22nd in Japan for around $20 or ¥1,500. That will enable you to use juice from your cars lighter socket. Together with a new portable charge enabling you to carry extra juice for your console with you.

The new PS Vita portable charger is packed with a 5,000mAh battery pack, which Sony say is good for recharging your PS Vita 1.5 times. Once flat the PS Vita portable battery pack takes around seven hours to re-charge to full once again.

The PS Vita portable charger will be arriving in stores on April 5th in Japan and be available for around $60 or ¥4,500. Unfortunately no information on pricing or worldwide availability has been released as yet, but as soon as information comes to light we will keep you updated as always.

** It has been spotted though on the GameStop website for $50.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Sony Entertainment Network Will Merge With PlayStation Network Accounts On February 7th

Sony has announced this week that on February 7th 2012 the PlayStation Network will come to a close and be re-named Sony Entertainment Network (SEN). The new change in name will also bring with it a number of changes to the terms and conditionsassociated with the services provided by Sony. All of which will become mandatory if you would like to continue using the new Sony Entertainment Network (SEN) services.

Here are a few of what Sony feel are the most important amendments to their terms and conditions:

- New terms for parents of minor, subaccount holders regarding the limitations of chat parental controls. Your reacceptance of the Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy affirms your consent to the sharing of your child’s data that may occur if your child utilizes certain communication functionalities on PlayStation devices such as PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita systems.

- New terms that explain the location-based services offered through the PlayStation Vita system. For parents of minor, subaccount holders your reacceptance of the Terms of Service and User Agreement and Privacy Policy affirms your consent to your subaccount holder’s user of these services on the PlayStation Vita system.

- A description of our “What’s New” section, which provides topical information about our services and advertisements.
Information about pre-ordering content.

- The name of your “PlayStation Network account” is changing to a “Sony Entertainment Network account.”

However you can read the full Terms of Service and User Agreement here, and the new Privacy Policy here.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Xbox Live no Longer Exclusive to WP?

Microsofts heavily rumored plan to bring Xbox Live games to platforms other than Windows Phone is a reality.

While the company would not reveal specific plans, a Microsoft spokesperson all but confirmed them by telling Inside Mobile Apps while the Xbox Live experiences and games always work best on the Windows platform, we understand that some Xbox fans may be using other types of devices. To satisfy that need, we are working to extend a few of our Xbox experiences and titles to other platforms.

Rumors Xbox Live games would no longer be a Windows phone exclusive began to pick up steam in early January, when LiveSide and Business Insider spotted a job description for a developers with iOS and Android experience to bring the latest and greatest gaming and entertainment experience to mobile platforms including Windows Phone, iOS and other mobile platforms.

When asked about when the same Xbox Live experience available on Windows Phone would be available for iOS and Android, the company remained tight-lipped, saying we are laser-focused on providing the best mobile Xbox Live experience to our customers, regardless of platform.

While Microsoft currently advertises Windows Phone as the only phone with mobile office, Xbox Live, mobile app, and more its clear Microsoft is focusing on extending its console gaming business into the mobile lucrative mobile market, with the release of iOS versions of Xbox Live and its first-party game Kinectimals in December.

Microsoft would not reveal specific revenue figures or user numbers for either app, only stating My Xbox Live and the ‘Kinectimals companion experience have both been well received by iOS users.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Game Review: NFS Hot Pursuit

NFS Hot Pursuit tries to bring the excellent console game to mobile phones…

verall Score: 3/5

DON’T buy this if you actually like racing games. NFS Hot Pursuit for WP7 will likely bore you to death.

Gameplay: 1/5

In this game, you drive in a relatively straight line 95% of the time, and you never get to take hard corners or juke the cops by going left then right then left on some city side streets. There’s only ONE path in this game… forward. The formula to playing this game is to simply drive as fast as you can. If you’re the cop, you drive fast and hit the racer. If you’re the racer, you drive fast and randomly move away from the cop. However, the cop’s car will magically be faster than yours and somehow accelerate in front of you. There’s hardly any true talent or knowledge of driving a car involved in this game. You don’t even control the gas pedal of your own car. If you could drive down the streets of your choice in a city to avoid cops, this game would actually be decent.

Presentation: 3/5

The visuals are pretty good (though nothing impressive), but the sound effects are ANNOYING. All you hear is a constant police siren…. sure, that’s sort of realistic, but when we watch a movie with a cop chase, is all we hear “WHhheeee oohhhh Wheee oh whee oh”? NO. You can hardly hear your own car’s engine over the sirens, and I don’t think the game even has many ambient sounds like road noise either. You’ll want to turn your volume way down to avoid hearing their dreadful siren 24/7.

Lasting Value: 2/5

You could probably get a couple of hours of gameplay from this game. It features unlockable cars and you can play as both the cop and the racer. However, would you want to keep playing this game? Personally, I’m done with it and I never want to see it again. Give me a true racing game and I’ll be happy. This is like playing Forza with Kinect….. NO, that’s not a racing game! If you’re a super casual gamer, then maybe you will feel differently about this game.

Gameloft LIVE! launched

Great news, Gameloft fans. The company has decided to hop on the social gaming bandwagon with the release of Gameloft LIVE! (Xbox LIVE anyone?). Using the app, gamers can create their own avatars, meet people, stay in touch, and even invite people to play games. Gameloft LIVE! also brings more trophies and rewards to unlock so you can dress up your avatar and environment, and lets users purchase Gameloft’s games the app.

As an incentive to join Gameloft LIVE! and download the app, it is also offering a bunch of free games for download. However, users will need to give up their phone number (just like when buying other games from them with an Android device) and it takes up around 230MB of space – so make sure you’re on WiFi and have enough storage room on your phone. Check it out at the Gameloft website.

Max Payne 3 arrives on Xbox, PS3 May 15th, PC May 29th

We know that some gamers out there might be a bit sore or put off to hear that Max Payne was delayed until May, but here’s the good news – it seems that May could really be the launch date and will not see anymore delays as Take-Two has outed specific release dates for the game during a recent earnings report. For those who own Microsoft’s Xbox 360 or Sony’s PlayStation 3, you guys are in luck as the game will be seeing a release come 15th of May.

However to those who prefer gaming on their PCs, it would seem that the PC version of Max Payne 3 will only be seeing a release on the 29th of May, a good two weeks later, which we guess could be construed as some form of a “mini delay”. Either way the extra two weeks really isn’t that big of a deal, right? Assuming that Take-Two is definitely keeping to schedule this time round, the 15th and 29th of May are both dates that Max Payne 3 hopefuls will want to note down in their calendars. In the meantime pop on over to the official Max Payne 3 website for more details of the upcoming game

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

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Friday, February 3, 2012

NFS Hot Pursuit tries to bring the excellent console game to mobile phones…

verall Score: 3/5

Gameplay: 1/5

Presentation: 3/5

Lasting Value: 2/5

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