Folks, if you have checked out Blizzcon or you watched it through the Virtual Ticket, you know about the upcoming World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria expansion. But for those of you out of the loop, pull up a chair, enjoy some Dim Sum and Tea, while we tell the tale of the new expansion to you
Set in a new 5 area continent of Pandaria, an area very Chinese-like, minus any form of Cheap labor. The new Bipedal Pandas referred to as Pandaren will be the new playable races. Now people, before you bicker on who gets the Pandas, both sides get the Pandas. Alliance or Horde, it doesn't matter where the Pandas go.
Even more so, players will have access to the Monk class. In addition to Pandarens, every race(Minus Worgen and Goblin) will have access to the Monk class. These can range from being an all-out fist fighter, to a close range healer and even a Drunken Tank. That's right. They're requiring for you to be drunk as a tank.
But what else is intriguing is the new Pet System. Formerly Companions, now functioning like Pokemon, players can take the pets they find and pit them against other pets. The one major downside is that some members of the People for Ethical Treatment of Companions(PETC) will be going after Blizzard for this stunt.
Other new features includes a PVP-like Scenario system for PVErs, Dungeon Challenges, and a revamped Talent System that does away with Spec-based Talent Trees.
Mists of Pandaria will be due out next year, sometime after Deathwing joins Illidan and the Lick King in Loserville. Oh and speaking of which, no central villain this time. That's right. And that makes you wonder "Oh come on. I wanna take out a central big bad this time and punch him right in the face for trying to wreck the world." Sorry people. This will focus more on the Alliance and Horde rivalry
For more information go to
http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/2516-World-of-Warcraft-Mists-of-Pandaria-Preview-Panel
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
RIP: Dennis Ritchie
Folks, it has been awhile since we lost Steve Jobs, titan of Apple, creator of the iPod, and that guy who made Bill Gates get nightmares. But a couple of days ago, we lost yet another well-known Titan. Dennis Ritchie.
Dennis Ritchie is well-known for the C Programming language, which became a common programming language in program development, including games. He also was known for the development of the Unix operating System(Alongside Ken Thompson), the OS that later lead to Linus Torvald's Linux Operating System.
Dennis Ritchie, thank you for developing a well-common Programing Language and the framework that later became Linux.
Dennis Ritchie is well-known for the C Programming language, which became a common programming language in program development, including games. He also was known for the development of the Unix operating System(Alongside Ken Thompson), the OS that later lead to Linus Torvald's Linux Operating System.
Dennis Ritchie, thank you for developing a well-common Programing Language and the framework that later became Linux.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Gabe Newell's closed fears and a new light of Handhelds
Folks, it's been time since the passing of Steve Jobs, and yet someone is cowering in their boots not because of the loss of a visionary, but also the ideas of the future. That person is Gabe Newell, front man of Valve which owns the Digital Distribution service "Steam." His fear is a Apple-only future that eliminates Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft from the books
Valve front man Gabe Newell fears that Apple will release new hardware that could render traditional gaming consoles obsolete. At least that is what he said during a game panel at the WTIA TechNW conference - as reported by the Seattle Times.
"I suspect Apple will launch a living room product that redefines people's expectations really strongly and the notion of a separate console platform will disappear," said Newell.
Exactly. That means no new Super Mario Bros, no new Halo, no new Uncharted. The only new games you'll get are a new Angry Birds, and a new Cut the Rope. Who needs explorations, RPGs, Platformers and the like when cheap alternatives are the way to go.
But sadly, that isn't his only fear.
Newell also called the rise of "closed" platforms like Apple's iOS and Xbox Live "ominous."
"On the platform side, it's sort of ominous that the world seems to be moving away from open platforms," he said. "I'm worried that the things that traditionally have been the source of a lot of innovation are going - there's going to be an attempt to close those off so somebody will say 'I'm tired of competing with Google, I'm tired of competing with Facebook, I'll apply a console model and exclude the competitors I don't like from my world.'
"They build a shiny sparkling thing that attracts users and then they control people's access to those things."
But of course. Companies are doing more and more to compete with each other, Gabe. It's called the free market. Then again, this is coming from a company with a similar setup for Steam on a Microsoft Windows computer. Who says "Open Source" is number 1 never sold their soul like they're suppose to...
Unfortunately, I have to move away from the bad news to get to the...uggh...good news. It seems Apple's master plan to wipe handheld gaming off the earth has hit a roadblock according to this NPD report from Gamasutra
The growth of U.S. children aged 2 to 17 years old has increased by 12.68 percent, far outstripping the 1.54 percent population growth of that same age group, according to a new report from The NPD Group.
In the market research firm's latest report, According to Kids and Gaming 2011, which surveyed 4,136 individuals, 91 percent of kids in that group, or around 64 million children, now play games -- a 9-point increase compared to 2009's numbers.
The segment of that group that saw the fastest growth was children who are 2-5 years old, which saw "an increase of 17 points in gaming incidence" compared to 2009. Other fast-growing segments include females and the 15-17 year old range.
And the platforms that have seen the biggest increases in gaming activity among 2-17 year olds are mobile devices (up from 8 percent in 2009 to 38 percent) and computers. Traditional gaming handhelds, though, grew to only 45 percent from 38 percent.
NPD attributes the remarkable growth of younger players on mobile platforms to the availability of new devices on the market like tablets and iOS/Android-based smartphones, as well as huge increase in both free and paid content for those devices.
Despite that growth, the firm says that kids and their parents spent over five times as much on physical games (across handhelds and home consoles) as they did on mobile games for smartpones and other app-capable devices in the past three months.
45 percent on Gaming handhelds compared to 38% on Mobile Devices. Apple, what are you doing? Why are you slacking off on the job and allowing Handhelds to continue their domination? You definitely need to take a few pages from Fox News Channel and rip handhelds, and Consoles and PCs while you're at it, and help usher in a new age closed network that clamps you all down.
Works Cited:
Game Politics
Gamasutra
Valve front man Gabe Newell fears that Apple will release new hardware that could render traditional gaming consoles obsolete. At least that is what he said during a game panel at the WTIA TechNW conference - as reported by the Seattle Times.
"I suspect Apple will launch a living room product that redefines people's expectations really strongly and the notion of a separate console platform will disappear," said Newell.
Exactly. That means no new Super Mario Bros, no new Halo, no new Uncharted. The only new games you'll get are a new Angry Birds, and a new Cut the Rope. Who needs explorations, RPGs, Platformers and the like when cheap alternatives are the way to go.
But sadly, that isn't his only fear.
Newell also called the rise of "closed" platforms like Apple's iOS and Xbox Live "ominous."
"On the platform side, it's sort of ominous that the world seems to be moving away from open platforms," he said. "I'm worried that the things that traditionally have been the source of a lot of innovation are going - there's going to be an attempt to close those off so somebody will say 'I'm tired of competing with Google, I'm tired of competing with Facebook, I'll apply a console model and exclude the competitors I don't like from my world.'
"They build a shiny sparkling thing that attracts users and then they control people's access to those things."
But of course. Companies are doing more and more to compete with each other, Gabe. It's called the free market. Then again, this is coming from a company with a similar setup for Steam on a Microsoft Windows computer. Who says "Open Source" is number 1 never sold their soul like they're suppose to...
Unfortunately, I have to move away from the bad news to get to the...uggh...good news. It seems Apple's master plan to wipe handheld gaming off the earth has hit a roadblock according to this NPD report from Gamasutra
The growth of U.S. children aged 2 to 17 years old has increased by 12.68 percent, far outstripping the 1.54 percent population growth of that same age group, according to a new report from The NPD Group.
In the market research firm's latest report, According to Kids and Gaming 2011, which surveyed 4,136 individuals, 91 percent of kids in that group, or around 64 million children, now play games -- a 9-point increase compared to 2009's numbers.
The segment of that group that saw the fastest growth was children who are 2-5 years old, which saw "an increase of 17 points in gaming incidence" compared to 2009. Other fast-growing segments include females and the 15-17 year old range.
And the platforms that have seen the biggest increases in gaming activity among 2-17 year olds are mobile devices (up from 8 percent in 2009 to 38 percent) and computers. Traditional gaming handhelds, though, grew to only 45 percent from 38 percent.
NPD attributes the remarkable growth of younger players on mobile platforms to the availability of new devices on the market like tablets and iOS/Android-based smartphones, as well as huge increase in both free and paid content for those devices.
Despite that growth, the firm says that kids and their parents spent over five times as much on physical games (across handhelds and home consoles) as they did on mobile games for smartpones and other app-capable devices in the past three months.
45 percent on Gaming handhelds compared to 38% on Mobile Devices. Apple, what are you doing? Why are you slacking off on the job and allowing Handhelds to continue their domination? You definitely need to take a few pages from Fox News Channel and rip handhelds, and Consoles and PCs while you're at it, and help usher in a new age closed network that clamps you all down.
Works Cited:
Game Politics
Gamasutra
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
BREAKING: Steve Jobs dead at 56
For those of you who enjoy your Macs, iPhones, iPods, and other Apple products, some sad news. Steve Jobs, Co-founder of Apple, has died today. Apple has released this statement from their website.
Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.
If you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences, please email rememberingsteve@apple.com
The spirit of Steve Jobs will remain with us in our hearts, our iPods, and our Angry Birds. RIP Steve Jobs
Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.
If you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences, please email rememberingsteve@apple.com
The spirit of Steve Jobs will remain with us in our hearts, our iPods, and our Angry Birds. RIP Steve Jobs
Sunday, October 2, 2011
NPD August 2011(Late to the party edition)
(We find the Reporter snoozing at a desk. Suddenly, someone tosses a rock at him with a piece of paper attached to it, sending him flying to the floor).
Owww. My head. Who threw that?
(The Reporter takes out the paper and reads it)
Reading: You're overdue for your NPD of August 2011. Please take care of this before I punch you in the face.
Oh my god. I overslept.
Anyway, here it is. The NPD of August. So what did the 3DS do with a price drop?
Xbox 360: 308K
Nintendo 3DS: 235K
PlayStation 3: 218K
Wii: 190K
Nintendo DS: 165K
After months of playing second fiddle to the DS, the 3DS finally leaped over it with the DS itself falling. The 360 still dominates over that, along with the PS3 and the Wii. But its numbers are dwindling.
Meanwhile, on the software side, it may be SquareEnix in the spotlight
01. Deus Ex: Human Revolution (360, PS3, PC)** Square Enix Inc - 244K
02. NCAA Football 12 (360, PS3) Electronic Arts - 240.4K
03. Call of Duty: Black Ops (360, PS3, NDS, Wii, PC)** Activision Blizzard
04. Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd (NDS, Wii, PS3) Disney Interactive Studios
05. Cars 2 (NDS, Wii, 360, PS3, PC) Disney Interactive Studios
06. Just Dance Summer Party (Wii) Ubisoft
07. Just Dance 2 (Wii) Ubisoft
08. Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game (Wii, 360, NDS, PS3, 3DS, PSP, PC) Disney Interactive Studios
09. The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS) Nintendo - 84K
10. Zumba Fitness: Join the Party (Wii, 360, PS3) Majesco
Deux Ex: Human Revolution debuts at first place, giving the owners of Eidos a reason to celebrate. NCAA Football turns out to be EA's better football game this month with Call of Duty: Black Ops still hanging in there. Disney was able to sneak Phineas and Ferb into number 4 and Cars 2 at number 5(Now when are they gonna do a new Lion King game?) Ubisoft's Just Dance series of games occupy 6 and 7 while Disney has their Lego Pirates at number 8. Rounding out the Top 10: Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and Zumba Fitness: Join the Party.
The 3DS is finally taking off. Does this mean the end of the DS? Also, will the PS3 get a sales boost? Stay tuned. And now, a TV Ad
Owww. My head. Who threw that?
(The Reporter takes out the paper and reads it)
Reading: You're overdue for your NPD of August 2011. Please take care of this before I punch you in the face.
Oh my god. I overslept.
Anyway, here it is. The NPD of August. So what did the 3DS do with a price drop?
Xbox 360: 308K
Nintendo 3DS: 235K
PlayStation 3: 218K
Wii: 190K
Nintendo DS: 165K
After months of playing second fiddle to the DS, the 3DS finally leaped over it with the DS itself falling. The 360 still dominates over that, along with the PS3 and the Wii. But its numbers are dwindling.
Meanwhile, on the software side, it may be SquareEnix in the spotlight
01. Deus Ex: Human Revolution (360, PS3, PC)** Square Enix Inc - 244K
02. NCAA Football 12 (360, PS3) Electronic Arts - 240.4K
03. Call of Duty: Black Ops (360, PS3, NDS, Wii, PC)** Activision Blizzard
04. Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd (NDS, Wii, PS3) Disney Interactive Studios
05. Cars 2 (NDS, Wii, 360, PS3, PC) Disney Interactive Studios
06. Just Dance Summer Party (Wii) Ubisoft
07. Just Dance 2 (Wii) Ubisoft
08. Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game (Wii, 360, NDS, PS3, 3DS, PSP, PC) Disney Interactive Studios
09. The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS) Nintendo - 84K
10. Zumba Fitness: Join the Party (Wii, 360, PS3) Majesco
Deux Ex: Human Revolution debuts at first place, giving the owners of Eidos a reason to celebrate. NCAA Football turns out to be EA's better football game this month with Call of Duty: Black Ops still hanging in there. Disney was able to sneak Phineas and Ferb into number 4 and Cars 2 at number 5(Now when are they gonna do a new Lion King game?) Ubisoft's Just Dance series of games occupy 6 and 7 while Disney has their Lego Pirates at number 8. Rounding out the Top 10: Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and Zumba Fitness: Join the Party.
The 3DS is finally taking off. Does this mean the end of the DS? Also, will the PS3 get a sales boost? Stay tuned. And now, a TV Ad
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