Games

Sony Introduces New Playstation Vita Models in Color

Gear Bits

Sony Introduces New Playstation Vita Models in Color

Coming just a couple of weeks after the $199 price drop, Sony introduced a new PCH-2000 Playstation Vita model. The new version comes in a variety of colors, 15% lighter and 20% thinner, adds an hour to battery life, has USB charging, 1GB internal storage, and switches to a LCD screen. US Pricing & availability not announced, but $199 likely. The colors include pink, black, blue, grey, lime green, and yellow; Sony is also introducing special edition Gundam Breaker, God Eater and Otomate models. The current model will be getting a special ‘Play!’ Game Pack as Sony has done with…

Twin Moons Brings Fun and Choices in Casual Gaming to the Mac

Game Diary, Reviews

Twin Moons Brings Fun and Choices in Casual Gaming to the Mac

I thoroughly enjoyed the iPad release of Twin Moons from Cateia Games and G5 Entertainment, so when they announced a Mac version of the replayable hidden-object adventure game I knew I had to check it out. Now after playing I enjoy the game even more and highly recommend getting it for either Mac or iOS! Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPad; available in the Mac App Store (Also available for iPad & iPhone) Developer: Cateia Games / G5 Entertainment Description: Twin Moons has loads of content, including: – 31 creepy and enigmatic locations…

Custom Video Game Covers Class Up Your Video Game Library

Gear Bits

Custom Video Game Covers Class Up Your Video Game Library

I can’t imagine I’m the only guy who’s video game library outnumbers his actual book library 2-to-1.  I also can’t imagine I’m the only guy who’s wife would prefer he keep his video game library downstairs, out of sight.  For $6, you get 3 custom video game covers from Etsy.  Now my video games can look like a librarian’s paradise! In exchange for your $6 JamesBit will provide you with a PDF of your customized video game covers for you to print out at home.  If you have a ton of disks that need new, classier covers, he will drop…

Bloodlust Shadowhunter - Demo and Gameplay for New Action-RPG!

Game Diary

Bloodlust Shadowhunter – Demo and Gameplay for New Action-RPG!

Action-RPG games are fairly rare, and ones about vampires are rarer still. Aside from Vampire the Masquerade: Redemption from 2000 and Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines from 2004, there is … not much. Enter Bloodlust: Shadowhunter, which has a new twist as you play a resurrected vampire hunter now a vampire – and must decide to embrace or destroy your destiny! The game hasn’t been released, but there is a playable demo with a tutorial and loads of resources to help you get through alive (or is it undead?). Check out the gameplay trailers below (more on their channel) and then…

Thoughts on the Nintendo 2DS and Wii U Price Cut

Game Diary, News & Features

Thoughts on the Nintendo 2DS and Wii U Price Cut

Yesterday Nintendo announced a couple of major developments meant to bolster their sagging console business. The first is a price drop on the Wii U system to $299 to compete with the upcoming Sony & Microsoft consoles. They also launched the 2DS, a non-3D system that will play all DS and 3DS games for just $129.99. Mike S did a great job running down the details of the announcements and also the game line-ups for Fall release for Wii U and 3DS systems. So what I wanted to do was run down some thoughts on the Wii U price cut…

Nintendo 2DS Announcement and Wii U Deluxe Set Price Drop

Game Diary, News & Features

Nintendo 2DS Announcement and Wii U Deluxe Set Price Drop

Big news from Nintendoland! On September 20 the Wii U Deluxe Set will be discounted to $299.99 and a limited edition Wii U bundle with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD will arrive along with several high-profile game releases and special offers. Then, on October 12, the Nintendo 2DS handheld console will arrive. Let the games begin. Yes, Nintendo clearly hopes to increase interest in their handheld Nintendo DS console and Wii U console with new offers, games, and special bundles. Let’s run them down! On October 12, Nintendo will debut the slate-styled Nintendo 2DS handheld console for a MSRP of $129.99,…

Virtual City Playground Takes to the Skies in Another Massive Update!

Gear Bits

Virtual City Playground Takes to the Skies in Another Massive Update!

The freemium city-builder Virtual City Playground from G5 Entertainment gets another big update, and this one adds a whole new dimension as you can take to the skies! Construct a hangar, build a weather station, and run an airship to increase the happiness of your citizens! You get 14 new missions and even more fun than ever before! Ever fantasized about touching the clouds? Build a top-of-the-line airship and conquer the skies above your city! – RECRUITING ALL TRADES! Hire your friends to help with everything from hangar construction to crewing the airship. – A NEW BATCH OF SKY-HIGH QUESTS!…

Mario Esposito Discusses Sensoria Fitness Game Development Projects

Game Diary, Health and Fitness, News & Features

Mario Esposito Discusses Sensoria Fitness Game Development Projects

We recently talked with Heapsylon’s CTO Mario Esposito about impressive gear that can interface among the physical world and video. Esposito  also co-founded Heapsylon in 2009, which concentrates on wearable body sensing technology. Heapsylon, a Washington-based start-up, has launched Sensoria Fitness, which consists of mobile applications, the first e-textile pressure sensing smart sock, and Bluetooth anklet. The mobile application monitor and guide you through real-time audio cues. The smart sock, completely made of fabric, can be washed or dried like a regular sock. The anklet magnetically snaps on the cuff of the sock and sends commands. Sensoria Fitness recently completed two successful campaign on…

Avadon 2: The Corruption Gets Trailer and Release Window

Gear Bits

Avadon 2: The Corruption Gets Trailer and Release Window

In early 2011 I reviewed Avadon The Black Fortress, calling the opening of the new franchise a resounding success. Now we are in the final months of waiting for the sequel, as Avadon 2: The corruption is set to release this November with more intrigue, role-playing, plot twists and strategic combat the fueled the original. Here is the trailer!

5 Thoughts on the Growing iOS/Android vs. Sony/Nintendo Game Spending Gap

Editorials, Game Diary

5 Thoughts on the Growing iOS/Android vs. Sony/Nintendo Game Spending Gap

In the latest IDC/AppAnnie report, sales from iOS and Android games now eclipse Sony and Nintendo games by a 4:1 margin. Since 2009, we have seen a meteoric rise in the revenues and market share of games for iOS and Android devices and a decline in sales for dedicated handheld gaming consoles. What does this mean for the future of gaming-on-the-go? Here are five thoughts on what this means: Not an Anomaly: I have seen some dismiss this as a passing phase like netbooks, but that misses a larger trend. Since the launch of the initial iPhone people have been moving…

EA Offers 'Great Game Guarantee' Refund System on Origin

Game Diary, News & Features

EA Offers ‘Great Game Guarantee’ Refund System on Origin

Imagine you bought the recent Realms of Arkania game, and within an hour you were horrified at the bugginess. Steam and GoG.com are good about refunds in these cases – but what if it was an acclaimed game like Skyrim, and you just couldn’t connect? Tougher sell for a refund – so now EA’s Origin has a ‘Great Game Guarantee’. The ‘Great Game Guarantee’ is fairly simple in theory: you can return EA full game downloads (PC or Mac) purchased on Origin for a full refund–within 24 hours after you first launch the game, within seven days from when you…

New Need for Speed Rivals Features Announced

Gear Bits

New Need for Speed Rivals Features Announced

  Check out two new features in the upcoming Need for Speed Rivals racing video game coming to PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on Nov. 19 and eventually the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Check out the preview video here. Get into gear! Electronic Arts revealed two new features in the upcoming Need For Speed: Rivals racing video game – personalization (returning) and a revised career progression – both built into the AllDrive gameplay features, which meshes all the game modes together so players can quickly jump among different gaming experiences. In Need For Speed: Rivals players will enjoy these two features on either side of…

Plantronics Gaming Throws Down with Their New RIG Headset

News & Features

Plantronics Gaming Throws Down with Their New RIG Headset

Plantronics has a message to gamers: “If you’re into your games AND your mobile devices, we’ve got the headset for you!” The RIG headset and mixer audio system let you play interactive video games, take calls, and listen to music from your smartphone or tablet. It’s the first member of the RIG family of gaming devices, and it is coming this fall for $129.

The Secret Society Launches for Kindle Fire & Android, Gets Massive Update!

Gear Bits

The Secret Society Launches for Kindle Fire & Android, Gets Massive Update!

I reviewed The Secret Society for iPad, noting how it balanced ‘play’ versus ‘pay’ elements. It recently arrived for Android and Kindle Fire with massive updates, and while it feels cramped on my Galaxy S3, on Kindle Fire HD it is perfect (at stealing reading time)! If you have a tablet and haven’t played, check it out free on iOS, Kindle or Android. Here is the trailer:

The Bureau XCOM Declassified

Gear Bits

The Bureau XCOM Declassified

The XCOM universe expanded to include one of 2012’s best PC games and one of 2013’s best iPad games. This week it expands further with a cold war look at a secret agency in The Bureau: XCOM Declassified. The image shows it’s loaded up in Steam waiting for me to get started playing – look for my review next week! For now, check out the launch trailer! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8s6yQylyBWs

Plants vs. Zombies 2 Released on iOS Today!

Game Diary, News & Features

Plants vs. Zombies 2 Released on iOS Today!

Popcap and EA Games have teamed up to bring you the greatly anticipated follow-up to the original Plants vs. Zombies.  The premise of the Plants vs. Zombies series is that you’re a homeowner who is trying to defend his house against a horde of the undead.  Your weapon? Plants.  Good Luck! Plants vs. Zombies 2 is out now for free on the App Store. After a lengthy beta testing period and a soft launch in New Zealand, Plants vs. Zombies 2 is finally available to all of us Americans.  This time, instead of only defending your own home from the…

Righteous Kill 2 HD for iPad Review - Better Than the Original

Game Diary, Reviews

Righteous Kill 2 HD for iPad Review – Better Than the Original

While the first Righteous Kill game pretended to adhere to the basis of the (awful) movie, the sequel is original. Similar to the original game, Righteous Kill 2 is a fairly standard Hidden Object genre game. But unlike the original, Righteous Kill 2 is actually a decent game and worth checking out. Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure Game Platform/where to buy: iPad, iPhone; available in the iTunes App Store Developer: Starz Media / G5 Entertainment Description: Here are some of the features: – 37 intriguing levels – 16 original mini-games – Police files for 11 victims – Heart-pounding…