Xbox

Microsoft’s Xbox One Initial Presentation – Technology That Will Step Behind the Curtain and Let You Take Center Stage

“The beginning of truly intelligent TV”… “A huge day for all entertainment”… These are some of the memorable quotes from today’s Microsoft Xbox announcement presentation, which included two female media executives sharing the stage, military dogs in the next Call of Duty game, Steven Spielberg, exclusive sport partnerships, and, mostly importantly, the “All in One” Xbox One system – technology that will step behind the curtain and let you take center stage. I felt this presentation was about smart media integration and expanding consumer offerings more than actual information beyond improved computer power/processing. The big hardware setup innovation was having…

Game Diary, News

Disturbance in the Force as EA Gets License to Make Star Wars Games!

Taking top prize of a consumer poll two years in a row is something most companies would dream of … unless you are EA, and the poll is ‘Worst Company in America’. That’s right, EA made history by capturing the title an unprecedented two years in a row. How? Trashing beloved franchises, over-enthusiastic nickel-and-diming via DLC, and psychologist and analyst enhanced extortion through freemium games (yes, they actually have behavior-analyst teams designing games to get you to spend $100 over time on something you wouldn’t pay $5 for upfront!). So imagine the excitement of the gaming community when the most…

Editorials, Game Diary

Pizza Hut Delivery Application Released on Xbox 360 … Really?

I recently saw an article from USA Today on a new “Create Your Pizza App” Xbox 360 app that lets users order food from Pizza Hut right from this game console. This free app includes the full Pizza Hut menu. The app caught my interest while the justification for the app was laughable to me. A different way of doing the same thing. Each app element was socially constructed based on our experience…how we relate to the elements individually or collectively. There are many social factors working here. Overall, pizza delivery is something many people use it and I don’t…

Game Diary, News

Next Xbox Console Annoucement Date Set

“A New Generation Revealed. Be part of this historic online event, featuring a live stream, video, images, updates and more.” Microsoft released this accompanying statement today as they announced the time for the reveal on the next generation Xbox console. The announcement date is May 21, 2013 at 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST). That would be 1 p.m. EST. Spike TV will televise the announcement at this time while it also streams live on Xbox Live and Xbox.com.

Game Diary, Reviews

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14: The Masters Historic Edition Review for PlayStation 3

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14: The Masters Historic Edition, the 16th release in this game series, offers players an in-depth, rewarding golf experience. This high quality golf game features improved graphics, PlayStation Move controller capability, real-time weather system, and Legends of the Majors mode. Players can now create their own unique experience facing Tiger Woods or his fellow golfers, past and present like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Bubba Watson. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 14: The Masters Historic Edition includes tournament practice facility, extra content, online pass (broadband connection required), The Masters’ green jacket ceremony and five additional courses in additional…

Game Diary, Reviews

The Ultimate Bioshock Infinite Review for PC and PS3

Ask any gamer and they know ‘that game’ – the one that is supposed to be ‘genre transcendent’, combining excellence in gameplay, technical aspects, gear, freedom of choice and action, story, immersion, multiple platforms, cinematic qualities, and so on. And while there are many games that have claimed to bring it all together, in 2007 Bioshock was perhaps the first one to truly manage the feat reasonably well. It was not the greatest shooter, nor did it have the best sense of freedom of choice, but it brought excellence in all areas to bear in a way that kept gamers…

Game Diary, News

Popcornflix Digital Movie Application Releases on Xbox 360

Popcornflix, an online digital movie platform, has released their Xbox 360® application which allows users to navigate with their voice or a hand wave. That’s right. The Kinect controller, the “hands-free” motion sensing input device offers yet another fun, interactive interface experience. Access is free for Xbox LIVE Gold subscribers. Xbox 360 users can use this app to view and pick new arrivals, the most popular selection or browse all movies. Users can also use the app to search movies by genre, title, actor or director. Popcornflix offers several eclectic movies from a wide range of genres that include action/thriller,…

Editorials, Game Diary

Free-to-Pay, a Revolution in Game Sales & Player Investment

The era of the sixty-dollar shooter desperately needs an end. Modern game distribution exists in a broken system. As a recent Gamasutra article has detailed, recent NPD data shows a noticeable decline in both hardware and software sales. The Wii U, the first next-gen console to hit the market, has shown us a dreadful, if not silent, first three months. Developers continue to pump out online passes and DLC, while piracy has become as commonplace a habit as wearing skinny jeans. In the long term, Microsoft and Sony could be poised to turn the tables by restricting the use of…

Game Diary, Reviews

Tomb Raider Review for PlayStation 3

In Tomb Raider, adventuress/archeologist Lara Croft returns in her ninth video game…the first in four years. Was it worth the wait? Definitely. Developer Crystal Dynamics and publisher Square Enix push current consoles to their limit with this impressive reboot. The Hype A Survivor is Born When the first ever Tomb Raider game launched in 1996 it was a revolution. Outstanding in terms of graphics, gameplay, and storyline, it changed the way that video games were played and developed forever. Fronting the games assault on the world was the central character, Lara Croft. Lara was also to have an incredible impact,…

Game Diary, News

PlayStation 4 Console Announced – Will ‘Radically Customize Technology’

Sony announced the PlayStation 4 will be released for the holidays 2013. This announcement event was held in New York. Presenters included Andrew House, president and group chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. then Mark Cerny, PS4 lead architect; and finally David Perry, co-founder of Gaikai. Sony’s current console, the PlayStation 3, was released in 2006. Cerny mentioned that Sony began seriously envisioning the PlayStation 4 (PS4) in 2008 and wants to “radically customize technology”. The PS4 will feature an enhanced GPU, a x86 processor with eight CPU cores, and 8GB of RAM memory. PS 4 games will be…

News

Wreck-It Ralph Early Digital Release

Why wait until March to see Wreck-It Ralph? Today Walt Disney Animation Studios begins the early release of Wreck-It Ralph on HD Digital and HD Digital 3D. The 4-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack, 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, SD Digital and On-Demand will release on March 5, 2013. Bonus features on the physical home video versions will include four alternate/deleted scenes and easter eggs. The Oscar nominated animated short Paperman will also be included on the versions releasing on March 5. The home video landscape continues to change with early release from various services. Several media companies are testing the waters…

Editorials

Microsoft Surface and Windows RT: Playing in the Windows 8 Sandbox

A Little History… A while back I took the plunge and made the shift from an iPhone to a Windows phone, first with a Nokia 900 and later with a 920. It was an interesting exercise. I learned a lot, discovered some new ways of working, and learned to make some compromises. I even learned that some things I thought were “critical” to my daily functioning really weren’t so critical, after all. True, I am heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem for apps and movies, but music is pretty much DRM free these days. Books are still problematic no matter…

Game Diary, Reviews

Need for Speed Most Wanted: Video Game Review for PlayStation 3

This open world, action racing game from Electronic Arts is set in the booming metropolis area of Fairhaven – a fictional environment containing several different environments. The Hype The open-world action in Need for Speed Most Wanted gives you the freedom to drive anywhere, discover hidden gameplay, meet up with your friends or just hang out and toy with law enforcement. Lose the cops … your way. Hit jumps and shortcuts, switch cars, lie low or head for terrain that plays to your vehicle’s unique strengths. Hit the gas and fight your way past cops and rivals using pure driving…

Game Diary, News

Crysis 3 Multiplayer Beta Begins January 29

The open multiplayer beta for the sandbox shooter Crysis 3 game starts January 29 on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 where players can battle the corrupt Cell Corporation. Players can try out the new superpowered Nanosuit, which features cloaking, vision, and armor properties. Players also get two team-based modes (eight in full game), two maps (12 in full game) and the new New York social feed, which lets players share their accomplishments. This beta ends on February 12. Besides the nanosuit, players will encounter powerful equipment and weapons including the typhoon assault rifle that fires 500 rounds per second….

News

The Good and Bad of HDMI Switching

This holiday season was the season my family finally made the jump to HD TV. I absolutely love HD TV, and I am really looking forward to watching NASCAR and actually being able to read the tickers! As result of getting the TV, I ended up receiving or giving products that needed an HDMI connection to the TV. We got an Xbox 360 for Luke and I, plus I was given a Roku 2 XS and a Blu-ray player for Christmas. One of the things on my Amazon list was a Kinivo HDMI switch as I knew right away I…

Game Diary, Reviews

‘The Walking Dead: A Telltale Game Series’ Review

Ever since winning Spike TV’s 2012 Game Of The Year award, Telltale Games has been topping yearly ‘best of’ lists like crazy. Yet, with all the press, there’s still a fundamental question to be answered: what’s so good about the new Walking Dead game series? It’s just a tie-in, right? How can a licensed, downloadable title be anything more than a cash cow? As it turns out, Telltale Games had an answer. The studio, while previously known for its mediocre, licensed work (CSI, Back To The Future) has finally done something remarkable. They’ve crafted an episodic series that manages to…

Game Diary, News

Need For Speed Most Wanted DLC Released, Ultimate Speed Pack

Still need some speed? Electronic Arts delivers in impressive fashion with the Ultimate Speed Pack, which is available for download on $9.99 at PlayStation Store (PS3) and Origin (PC), and for 800 Microsoft points on Xbox Live Marketplace (Xbox 360). This Need For Speed Most Wanted downloadable content (DLC) includes 70 new “speed-themed” milestones and five amazing exclusive cars – Hennessey Venom GT Spyder, Pagani Nonla R, McLaren F1 LM, Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, Lambourgini Aventador J. Players also get 25 challenge events for each of these five cars. Players can also nab this DLC pack and Time Saver…

Health and Fitness

10 Simple Ways to Eat Better in 2013

From now until 2013, we’re going to take a look at some New Year’s Resolutions and a Gear Diary way to help you keep them. New Year Resolution: Eat Better in 2013 I have been very public with my running goals and accomplishments as well as my weight loss this year on Gear Diary, Facebook, and in my daily life. As a result, I have often been asked in every forum ‘how do you do it’? The simplistic and truthful answer is ‘eat less and exercise’. Of course it is never so simple – my exercise routine has me running…

Gear Bits

Xbox 360 Thoughts from an Open Source Guy

I know! I know! How could I, an Open Source guy, send my money to Microsoft by purchasing an Xbox? Well, when my family is concerned, I need to consider them when purchasing tech. My son wanted an Xbox, so Santa got him one this year — no matter what Dad thinks. So, here are my thoughts about the Xbox system as a whole, from the perspective of an open source guy. Updates Updates Updates I swear my son was about ready to bust when it took HOURS to get the updates installed. It’s not that there were so many,…

Gear Bits

Content is Everything – My Mom’s Thoughts on Netflix

As I have been in Knoxville, TN visiting my folks this holiday season, I have had the opportunity to show my parents Netflix on a TV. I have not one, but two devices with me that can stream Netflix to a TV. My Roku 2XS and my son’s new Xbox. One afternoon I was flipping through the Netflix app on the Xbox looking for something to watch, and lo and behold my Mom said one thing: How can they expect me to pay for this when everything is so old? Boom. There’s the problem. Every streaming service I showed her…

Editorials

If You Want GOOD Service, Use the Apple Store Instead of Apple Support

Apple has a reputation and standing as one of the best customer support organizations in all of the consumer world. They top the ratings each year; due to their retail stores, the ability to quickly talk to someone knowledgeable has made using Apple products easier than ever for millions of folks. Truth is, in more than 30 years of owning Apple products starting with the Apple ][+, I have never needed service of any type. I have had a couple of questions, and had to email support about a couple of iTunes issues, but I have never had an actual…

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