Recently-Acquired Ngmoco Accumulated Losses of $13.36m In 2008, 2009
EA discounts Mass Effect, Dead Space and more for PC Halloween sale
Continue reading EA discounts Mass Effect, Dead Space and more for PC Halloween sale
New Destructoid: What's Goin' On!?
New Destructoid launched this month, and like the Four Non Blondes, you've all been asking us what's going on. We have learned what game developers go through when they push something out early in order to make a release date. In short, things went mental.
Fortunately, we've gotten our patches up quicker and more efficiently than Bethesda, and have a team of engineers working round the clock to make things awesome. Seriously, these guys never sleep.
We know that's not enough for you though, so please read on for the latest updates and an assurance that the things you want fixed most will get fixed.
Frontpage: We more or less have things rocking here. Posts are going up, you should all be able to sign in and comment. Please do! We have threaded comments now, which we're going to keep improving, and we'd like you to keep trying them out. You'll also notice that your own Destructoid community profile has a "Wall" that people can leave notes on. People leave offensive messages on mine, it's awesome! Make use of it.
At the time of writing, there are known issues with the database. Finding older posts is harder than it should be. This is still being slowly worked on. Groups are also being tinkered with so stay patient with those. We've got a problem with pages occasionally losing their backgrounds and making stuff look ugly. That's a temporary issue that will be solved soon.
We discover a new problem every day, but once discovered, we work our arses off until it goes away.
CBlogs: Pretty much everything pertinent to the frontpage is pertinent here. Ya'll should be good to go for posting CBlogs. We've gotten issues with a few people being unable to post blogs at all, and we are definitely looking into that. There have been some strange bugs limited to a few users and we're fixing them as and when they crop up.
Dtoid Mobile:
Some cool news is coming concerning Dtoid and mobility though. Stay tuned!
Forum: Hoo boy, let's don the riot gear for this one. Our forum users are passionate, and it's clear right now that they feel shafted and want the forum fixed immediately. Totally understandable -- that's your slice of Dtoid and it's not up and running properly. Please Be patient, though.
We know it sucks and we haven't forgotten about it. But bear in mind that getting the frontpage fixed first has been a priority because without the frontpage, we can't pay our bills, hence you wouldn't get a forum at all. You weren't fixed first, and I know you feel you're always getting the shaft, but if we'd worked on forums first, it probably would have been worse for them in the long term.
We've gotten a lot of requests about forums and they WILL be fixed. But there are things that do need fixing first. All of your issues with it are well known and are on the list.
Post/Reply/Thread Counts, Photo Uploading and Video Embedding: These are all getting fixed soon.
Anything else?: If you have questions about New Naruto noticed a bug that needs fixing, or interested in any case, and then use this page to a sound. Shoot in the comments below and they will read.
Also, we have a tech support email address so you don't need to ask people like me who, to be honest, can't fix anything because we're just dumb writers. Please email support@destructoid.com if you have problems. Our engineers are busy but they read everything and will work as swiftly as possible for you.
On a personal note, I'd like to absolutely thank everybodyfor storing patient and paste it. Speaking as one who found it incredibly difficult to carry out its work within two weeks, I absolutely know how frustrating it 'S was. Many and varied swears that came out of my mouth.
Much love. Please continue helping Destructoid to become the ultimate gaming community of gaming with gaming!
NPD: Digital, Used, Rental Revenues Near $3B For First Half Of 2010
THQ extends UFC rights until 2018
The deal's price tag wasn't shared publicly. Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter guesstimates: "[THQ] pay a percentage of sales against a minimum guarantee. My guess is that it's a 15% license, and that the guarantee is around $10 million a year."
License UFC was well THQ, despite a decline in sales of the franchise 'S second iteration . THQ's current strategy to combat potential annual fatigue is to give the series a "longer development cycle," which means the next installment is expected to arrive sometime in the second half of 2011 at earliest.
Android users download Angry Birds two million times in three days
Filed under: News, In the News , Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture
Rovio has reiterated that a paid version of the app (with advertising removed) is still on the way, and its Twitter account also states they're working on QVGA support and support for other Android devices as well. No matter what they add in the future, two million downloads is a great way to start off on any platform.
Square Enix and Disney release Puzzle Bobble: Disney Edition for cell phones
Is Bubble Bobble still Bubble Bobble without its adorable dinosaur mascots? Square Enix is having Bubblun and Bobblun sit out for the latest Puzzle Bobble (Bust a Move) in favor of someone named "Mickey Mouse." Puzzle Bobble: Disney Edition for Japanese mobile phones combines the familiar bubble-shooting, color-matching game with cutesy Disney characters. Mickey joined Minnie, Donald, Pooh, Stitch, and Marie of the aristocrats. We must recognize that the issuance of these characters are pretty cute. The more we look at the bear Pooh, the less we mean the exclusion of dinosaur mascots. Of course, whether or not we like to look quite meaningless, since it only released on Japanese mobile phones.
Blockbuster UK to sell mobiles, TVs
Blockbuster UK set to radically restructure its business after the bankruptcy of its U.S. arm.
Click here to read the full article
Sega Announces Shenmue City
"Third entry in the series" set for new Yahoo! Mobage PC social games platform in Japan.
The game was announced in a press releaseThat marks today 'S official opening Yahoo! Mobage, a joint venture between Japan and Yahoo! DENA, Japanese mobile portal and e-commerce solutions company.
read more
Battle.net Authenticator Policy Changed
Now, one of the authentication or the installation of mobile authentication can only be attached to one account Battle.net. If you have multiple accounts tied to one Battle.net authentication, you do not need to purchase additional equipment, and he will continue to operate as before.
This change applies only to new authenticators But those who are removed from the authentication Battle.net account will not be able to re-link it from another account, if he still has at least one account linked.
This should help reduce some of the account theft, or at least make it more cumbersome for thieves as they will have to get a new auth for each account they attempt to steal.
If you have not already added an authenticator to your Battle.net ac...
Epic Games Predicts Console, Mobile Convergence
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Epic Games Predicts Console, Mobile Convergence
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Deus Ex 3 Trailer Channels Blade Runner, Watchmen
Interview: Atari GO Goes For Online, Social, Mobile Publishing Strategy
Interview: Atari GO Goes For Online, Social, Mobile Publishing Strategy
SavetheInternet.com Coalition to FCC: Don't Waffle
Those (I assume) delicious waffles drenched in butter and syrup, were handed out in advance of the FCC's monthly open meeting. What is one of the big reasons for the protest? The September FCC meeting does not have Net Neutrality on the agenda.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski is in a tough spot these days. While net roots groups are demanding progress on net neutrality, politicians and stakeholders are telling them to stand down on the plan to reclassify broadband and mobile under Title II of the Telecommunications act. Nevertheless, groups like the SavetheInternet.com Coalition have no plans on easing up on the FCC. Read More
read more
Georgia Game Developers Association Invades SIEGE 2010
Georgia Game Developers Association has announced that Westwood College sponsors a college fair and professional guides at the fourth annual Southern Interactive Entertainment and Games Expo "(Siege). Scheduled for October 1 March 2010, at the Crowne Plaza NW Atlanta Hotel (Atlanta, Georgia ), the siege is focused on the game design industry in the South.
College Fair attracts schools like Westwood, Georgia Institute of Technology, Southern Methodist University Guildhall, SCAD, and more, depending on the event 'S organizers. Students may attend school with their representatives and to attend meetings of game development as a career.
Professional tutorials on developing games for Windows 7 Mobile, publishing music to Rock Band and network programming in Flash, are also offered.
This year, 'S The keynote speaker is the creator of Pong and Atari founder Nolan Bushnell.
Learn more about the event in www.siegecon.net .
PopCap: Facebook's Golden Era Almost Over
In an interview GameInudtry.biz PopCap Games' Chief Creative Officer Jason Kapalka said that the rapid growth Facebook has enjoyed in the last few years may be coming to an end. He cites trends that have occurred in once-popular segments such as mobile and casual, which eventually saw a decline as they became over-saturated with games.
Naturally t Kapalka ISN 'concerned that his company will have to hit the popularity of Facebook games to decline, as PopCap has its fingers in many segments. Here 's more from Kapalka: Read More
read more
FCC postpones decision on net neutrality, solicits more public comments
Federal Communications Commission said this week that it would postpone a decision on net neutrality and seek additional feedback from the public. This step was taken in August is packed with closed door meetings with stakeholders, as well as proposals from Verizon and Google, which, by most accounts, progress on this issue is difficult.
The FCC announced Sept. 1 that it plans to postpone making a decision, possibly until November. While not stated by the FCC, upcoming mid-term elections that could change the balance of power in the house and senate - and in turn change who heads powerful oversight committees - are probably a factor as well.
Chairman Genachowski said that progress had been made on the issue, but that the FCC wants additional feedback on how to handle specialized services and mobile broadband. Read More
read more
Analyst: Global Games Market Worth $105 Billion
According to Paul Heydon, an investment banker with Avista Partners, the global games market "cap" has reached $105 billion - including online games. During a talk at Edinburgh Interactive Heydon said that most analysts don't factor in revenues from anything outside of the traditional PC and console sector - which usually hits the $50 billion mark. But when you factor in online games that number jumps to $105 billion. Further, he says that online games - which includes MMO, casual, and social - make up 71 percent of the market.
Here 's s breakdown Haydon':
Nintendo – $34.96 billion
Other PC/Console (without Nintendo) – $33.22 billion
Online – $23.46 billion
Mobile $ 8.26 billion
Retail – $3.11 billion
Payment Services – $1.37 billion
Distribution/Accessories – $311 million
Outsourcing – $255 million
Source: MCV UK
PR Firm Settles With FTC On Fake Game Reviews
Read more of this storyon Slashdot.
Motorola DROID X Android Phone (Verizon Wireless)
[[[Motorola DROID X Android Phone (Verizon Wireless)]]]
Discription :
A worthy successor to the original Droid, the Android-powered Droid X by Motorola for Verizon Wireless is a pocket-sized home theater with a massive 4.3-inch high-resolution display, HDMI high-definition output with optional cable, and 720p HD video recording capabilities. And the 1 GHz processor provides excellent response for game play, such as the preloaded EA Need for Speed Shift.
 Droid X by Motorola is a pocket-sized home theater with a high-resolution 4.3-inch touchscreen display. |
Additionally Droid X will feature Adobe Flash Player, enabling you to stream video from tens of millions of websites or game play with a full PC Web experience (Droid X users will receive Android 2.2 and Adobe Flash Player 10.1 via an over-the-air update in late summer 2010). You can also easily download BLOCKBUSTER On Demand presented by V CAST Video via a link icon on your home screen or use V CAST to watch your favorite shows.
With integrated Google technology, Droid X brings one-touch access to the popular Google mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search by voice, Google Maps with Street View, GTalk instant messaging (with presence capabilities), YouTube, and Picasa. The Droid X also provides easy access to both personal and corporate e-mail, calendars, and contacts supported by Exchange Server and Gmail. And through Android Market, you'll get access to thousands of useful applications, widgets and fun games to download and install on your phone, with many more apps being added every day.
In addition to high-speed connectivity on the fast and reliable Verizon Wireless 3G network, you can also share the built-in 3G Mobile Hotspot via Wi-Fi among five devices--laptop, another phone, MP3 player, and more (additional service charge). Droid X also utilizes high-performance diversity antennas along with innovative software to improve signal strength and reduce dropped calls.
Large touch screen offers a pinch to increase functionality and shows large virtual keyboard, where you can enter text, and easily in more than 50 words per minute using Swype one continuous movement of a finger across the screen keyboard.
 Capture crisp pictures and video with the 8-megapixel camera featuring 720p HD video. |
Preloaded social networking widgets allow you to sync and stream your feeds and updates from Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace all to one screen in real time. Other features include an 8-megapixel camera with dual LED flash, 8 GB of onboard memory and a pre-installed 16 GB memory card, ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, GPS turn-by-turn directions via free Google Maps with Navigation (Beta), and up to 8 hours of talk time.
Droid is a trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. and its related companies. Used under license.
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Highlights
- Fast 3G connectivityThanks to the reliable Verizon Wireless EV-DO, Rev Network
- Works on the operating system Android (version 2.1) with deep integration of Google services and access to thousands of apps to customize your phone via the Android Market.
- Advanced multitasking capabilities allow you to receive notifications, listen to music, and even record GPS data without keeping the application open.
- Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n)access to home and corporate networks, as well as "hot spots", while on the go.
- 3G Mobile Hotspot: The Droid X comes travel-ready with a built-in 3G Mobile Hotspot--a Wi-Fi hotspot that can be shared among five Wi-Fi-capable devices. The 3G Mobile Hotspot is the perfect family vacation companion, and at $20 for 2 GB and 5 cents per megabyte overage, it provides an allowance big enough for sharing with the entire family for downloading games, Internet access, and more.
- Get where you need to go to Google Maps navigation (beta) which provides turn-by-turn voice guidance as a free feature of Google Maps. It's powered by Google and connected to the Internet. Use voice shortcuts and simply say "Navigate to [your destination]," and you'll be on your way. See live traffic, use Street View or satellite imagery to view your route, and get access to the most recent maps and business information from Google Maps without ever needing to update your device.
- Swype input system allows you to input text faster and easier by gliding your finger around the keyboard, moving from letter to letter in one continuous motion. The Swype technology then calculates what word you're intending to type (learn more below).
- 1 GHz TI OMAP processor with dedicated graphics processor.
- 4.3 inch high-resolution touchscreen display(WVGA 854 x 480 pixels, 16 million colors)
- 8-megapixel camera with fast mechanical shutter (1/1000 second) auto focus, touch-to-focus, face recognition, panoramic modes, and more.
- Capture video in high- definition 720p HD resolution and customize your videos with a slow-motion effect as well as make them flawless with an advanced three microphone solution for directional audio capture and noise cancelation.
- HDMI video for connecting to a compatible HDTV.
- Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile--enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock.
- 24 GB of memory out of the box with 8 GB of internal memory and 16 GB preloaded microSD memory card. You can expand the Droid X up to a maximum of 40 GB with its 8 GB internal memory plus optional 32 GB microSD card.
- Multi-format digital audio player with dedicated Amazon MP3 Store app for over-the-air downloads.
Watch live sports, latest local and national news, and full length episodes of TV shows with Verizon Wireless V Cast Video on Demand. - YouTube application for streaming video over 3G and Wi-Fi connection.
- Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) certified technologyallows you to stream, store and share content with multiple DLNA compliant devices such as HDTVs, game consoles or PCs
- Real HTML Web browsing provides more pages and better Web content delivered efficiently to your phone (Android Webkit HTML5-based browser).
- Text, picture, and video messagingthreaded messaging feature
- Email: Corporate (Exchange 2003 and 2007), Gmail, IMAP, POP3, Attachment and browser document viewer (Microsoft Office and pdf)
- Airplane modeallows you to listen to music during cellular disabled
Vital Statistics
The Droid X by Motorola weighs 5.47 ounces and measures 5.02 x 2.57 x 0.39 inches. Its 1540 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 8 hours (480 minutes) of talk time, and up to 220 hours (9+ days) of standby time. It runs on the CDMA 800/1900 frequencies as well as EV-DO, Rev A 3G frequencies.
What's in the Box
Droid X by Motorola handset, rechargeable battery, wall/USB charger, 16 GB microSD memory card, quick start guide
Verizon Wireless Services
- Reliable 3G Network: With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, you'll enjoy fast access to the Internet and Verizon Wireless multimedia services (additional charges applicable), with average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.)
- Visual Voice Mail: This innovative service enables you to delete, reply, and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions. Visual Voice Mail is the ideal tool for the busy mobile professional who may need to prioritize which messages he or she listens to first. Features include on-screen access to voice mail message status, save up to 40 messages for 40 days (or archive permanently), create up to 10 different caller ID-based greetings, and reply via call back, text or even voice mail.
- V CAST Video On Demand: This optional service enables you to watch full-length TV shows plus news, sports, weather, and live entertainment video clips. It features more than 100 full-length programs from leading broadcast and cable networks, ranging from highly-rated drama and comedy series to reality programs and children's programming. V CAST Video on Demand also delivers live sporting events, including NHL hockey games and an upcoming slate of college football games
The service offers unlimited viewing of video and key channel ESPN MVP. You can choose from 14 categories, including entertainment, kids, music, sports, comedy, news, pop culture, information, women, Latino, House and Leisure, multicultural and Cutting Edge, and Hollywood. Additional charges a subscription fee.
Learn More
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Swype keyboard
In the image to the left, the word "quick" was generated from tracing the path shown above in a fraction of a second, by roughly aiming to pass through the letters of the word. A key advantage to Swype is that there is no need to be very accurate, enabling very rapid text entry.
More review coming soon.
I was a little leery of getting a phone with no keyboard. Then I learned about Google Voice Actions (GVA). I wanted this phone because of GVA. My phone came with Android 2.1 and I was disappointed to learn that I could not use GVA unless I had 2.2. Since GVA was free, VLingo decided to give their app away for free and I installed it on my phone. I was surprised how accurate (99%) the speech recognition was. I can search, navigate, email, text--anything done with the virtual keyboard can be input with VLingo. Phone calls are clear and never dropped whereas I had daily problems with the purveyor of iPhones.
I found that using the virtual keyboard was not so bad. It has built-in suggested words that you can tap on, and any word you type can be added to the dictionary. I like the easy customization of wallpapers and sounds. It comes with a 16GB micro SD and you can install up to 32 GB cards if you like. I use linux at home, so it doesn't connect so well with my laptop for transferring files. I usually just use email or remove the SD card for huge files. I do tether it for laptop internet use on the go. You do not have to pay for "hotspot" service to do this.
I have now manually upgraded to Android 2.2 and things are even better. The screen is clearer and the sound volume is better. Processing and graphics are faster. I can tell by real observation and usage as well as by running benchmarking apps. Battery life has improved. I would have recommended this phone before the upgrade, but now I am even more satisfied.
I almost bought it here, but WF shipped it to me in two days, so I cancelled.
(My original review seems to have disappeared so I'm writing another)
I'm a long time Android fan, I've had 5 other Android phones (G1, MyTouch, Hero, Nexus One, and Droid) so I've loved watching it grow. This is without a doubt, one of the best pieces of hardware I've seen on a phone. The processor, the screen, the thinness, the camera, the sound quality, an all of that. The only negatives are honestly subjective (you need a keyboard or it's too large a screen). You'd think with such an amazing spec sheet this would stand out among other handsets but Motorola, and a number of other companies, seems to disagree and to that end they've decided they need to customize android with their new version of MotoBlur. While it's an improvement over the original version, it's still not that good and in fact is a serious hindrance to the device.
A good example of some of the customizations Motorola decided to make is with their contacts. Android itself supports sync with google contacts, facebook, and twitter. You can control to sync all contacts or just the contacts that are linked with your google contacts (thus not filling your list with that guy you had 9th grade English with) and then for a linked contact allows you to select which service to use for the contact picture. Sounds fine and works well. Motorola apparently thought they had a better idea and actually removed Android's built in syncing (although it's still there in the menus and you can set it up, you'll even see two facebook account icons - just nothing will ever sync) with their own. While you do get more services to sync with, like MySpace, you're also now only able to sync all or none of your contacts from that service, so that friend of a friend you hung out with once, she's in there now too. Further baffling is that you must choose, for all your contacts as a whole and not on a person by person basis, which account to use as a picture source and if you link any accounts you can no longer choose the default google contacts picture. Rather use a picture you took of someone instead of their facebook profile picture? You can't.
Another simple example, the gallery. Android now includes a very impressive gallery application, one that syncs with Picasa and just looks really nice. Motorola replaced this with a generic coverflow looking album setup and no picasa sync. Further, more subtle things involve the replacement of the genie (news and weather) widget in favor of their own implementations that are rather unattractive. Also the removal of the dock bar from 2.2 with icons for phone/application drawer/browser is replaced with phone/application drawer/contacts. Sure you can use a homescreen replacement, but most of them do not yet support motoblur's widgets for some reason (I know LauncherPro Plus is supposed to now though).
While there are some nice customizations - the multitouch keyboard, the dot magnifier (like on an iPhone) for cursor control in a text box, and optional delayed passkey/code/pattern lock, none of them really come close to making up for what can only be described as harmful or malicious changes to base Android.
All of this is rounded out with what ends up being a buggy phone. The battery status indication is impossible to believe, the phone will tell you that you have 40%, you'll have to reboot for something and then it will indicate 60% only to give you a low battery warning (15%) an hour later. This coupled with very low, and I'd argue in some cases silent, volume problems that will lead you to miss phone calls and text messages.
Advantages:
+ Fast
+ Screen surprising to watch and use
+ Multitouch keyboard and cursor
Neutral
= DLNA (it works but is very dodgy)
Cons
- Screen is very bright, even on the lowest setting it might be too bright for a dark room
-- Buggy
-- Motoblur customizations
And while all of this may improve with time, specifically the bug issues, the only solution in my opinion here would be to simply provide stock Android. Motoblur, even in this new version, is too far behind and if Gingerbread (3.0) elevates stock Android the way Eclair (2.0/2.1) did then they will never catch up.
I had to choose between this and the Iphone. Here's why I chose this:
1. Larger screen. 4.3" vs. 3.5" is a huge difference. With a 4.3" screen I can surf the web without having to constantly squint and zoom. With the Iphone's 3.5" screen, the text (although in very high resolution) is so small that it really strains your eyes.
2. Verizon's unlimited internet. My Droid X is running nonstop, as I listen to internet radio, watch internet television and so on. ATT has a 2GB per month limit, even though they charge the same price.
3. Apps. Droid has a HUGE library of applications. Not as much as the Iphone, but as much as you could want. And the good news is lots of good Droid apps are free!
4. Flash. It is simply ridiculous of apple to try and boycott flash. With Droid 2.2 (which offers Flash 10.1) you can surf all the websites without having to miss out on the cool flash content.
I also had to choose between this and the Droid 2 (this is thinner and has a bigger screen, and I don't need a slide out keyboard), the Samsung AMOLED Droids (this has a slightly bigger screen and slightly higher resolution, although they have a much lower SAR rating, so this was a tougher call) and the HTC droids (this is equal or better in every category).
Buy here (at discount) Motorola Droid X Android Phone (Verizon Wireless)