Posts for November, 2008
Warstorm on the Web
Challenge Online Games announced today the launch of its latest free-to-play online game Warstorm, a browser-based, short-form game that combines elements of collectible card games and massively multi-player online games.
Smartphone classes via Verizon
Verizon Wireless is offering another set of smartphone workshops at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at its stores in Menomonee Falls (N95 W18141 Appleton Ave.) and Greenfield (4965 S. 76th St. in Greenfield Ave.).
The workshops are designed to help smartphone owners use the basic features of their devices, covering topics including text messaging; setting up speed-dial; synching with an address book; sending e-mail; browsing the Internet; using the camera; using Bluetooth and other accessories; and changing your ringtone. These classes are led by Verizon employees, who divide attendees into groups based on the type of mobile device they own.
Those interested in attending the free sessions in Menomonee Falls (262.251.3455 ) or Greenfield (414.325.1360.) can call or register online.
CodeWeavers confessions
CodeWeavers today assured "World of Warcraft" players they will be able to play the "Wrath of Lich King" expansion available Thursday on their Linux PCs using CodeWeavers CrossOver Games software.
"The current version of CrossOver Games (Linux), 7.10, runs Wrath of the Lich just peachy'," CodeWeavers' COO Jon Parshall says in a statement. "It's been thoroughly tested, and I mean, thoroughly. On the WotLK Beta server. Until my eyes bled and my hands shook."
"I played well into my mid-70s on several of my characters," Parshall continues. "I leveled a Death Knight up into the 60s as well. Hey, someone had to suck it up and do some serious 'testing' of our product on the beta, right? It was for the good of the company. Really. At least, that's what I told our CEO, my wife and my kids..."
A bit down on "Dead Space" downloads
Electronic Arts announced it will release some "premium upgrade packs" soon for its sci-fi horror game "Dead Space" to provide the game's hero with new gear. These new items will be available on Xbox Live tomorrow and in the PlayStation Store worldwide Nov 20.
Glancing at the list, these downloadable packs look like a collection of mostly cosmetics for the main character, ranging from $1 to $4. Some of the weapons the character uses to survive on the horror-filled derelict space ship get a boost depending on the package you're buying, but for the most part EA just reskinned the existing weapons with new graphics.
I'm a bit conflicted about the announcement. "Dead Space" is a good game with top-notch production values, solid storytelling, plenty of engrossing atmosphere, some interesting gameplay mechanics and other virtues.
But it's pretty short, and that's an issue when you pay $59.99 for a game. Adding up all of the new content you could download for "Dead Space," these new outfits and weapons visuals would cost about $30. »Read Full Blog Post(3)
The Power of Games
If you leave your Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 on all the time, you can cut your electric bill by as much as $100 a year just by turning it off when you are finished playing, according to a new report released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The environmental group says game systems can significantly add to consumers’ electric bills, with much of this power being consumed by machines that are left on but not being used. Examining Sony's PlayStation 3, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii, the group measured the amount of power they use when active, idle and turned off. Researchers found these systems use nearly the same amount of power when you are playing them as they do when you leave them on and walk away.
On average, the report says the PS3 and 360 use large amounts of electricity – 150 Watts and 119 Watts respectively – much more than their earlier generations. These two systems can each consume more than 1,000 kilowatt-hours per year if left on all the time, which is equal to the annual energy use of two new refrigerators, the group says. The Nintendo Wii, however, uses less power when on – at about 20 Watts – and actually consumes slightly less than its predecessor, the GameCube. Nationwide, videogame systems use about as much electricity in a year as every home in a city the size of San Diego combined, the group says.
“With so many struggling in today’s economy, it’s important to realize there are simple steps gamers can take to lower their energy costs." Noah Horowitz, a senior scientist with the defense council, says in a statement.
Some skin in the game
Gaming, meet gambling: A company called BringIt launched a new service today that lets gamers play for real money, giving them a platform to challenge each other for cash in one-on-one, team and tournament competitions.
The service supports several game and match options across different platforms, including Microsoft's Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii.
According to a statement, players open BringIt accounts and deposit money in secure accounts "where you commit your stakes and stash your winnings." During a match, the stakes are held in escrow until a winner is "declared and verified." Then the winnings are released into victor.
The service, which is still in Beta, is featuring titles including Madden NFL 2009, Gears of War 2, FIFA 2009, Halo 3, Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock, Rock Band 2, Super Smash Bros Brawl and Mario Kart. More will be added based on feedback from the player community.
Registering with the site is free and open to players 18 and older, who can fund their wagers using PayPal or credit cards. The site says that "as a special welcome," the service will match initial deposits up to $20 for playing during the Beta period.
Wagers can range from $1 or up to as much as $100,000, and because videogames are games of skill, BringIt does not violate any United States or international anti-gambling laws -- including the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2006, the company claims.
It all sounds -- and looks -- quite sketchy to me. It's a bit bleary how game results will be verified and how quickly that process will take, and the rules section of BringIt's Web site are enough to dissuade me from putting any money down on my matches.
In addition to potential cheating, I envision all kinds of disputes where both players claim they won, and the actual winners having to wade through a resolution system being more trouble than it's worth. In fact the only guaranteed winner I see is BringIt, which gets to hold onto everyone's money while raking in fees for playing arbiter and banker.
Other red flags include the BringIt's Web site. Something about it strikes me as iffy, especially the fact I can't find any physical address or phone number under the "contact us" page. It all feels a bit amateurish, even for a project in beta.
Virtual Wall Against Hunger
The United Nations World Food Programme has created a virtual wall where online donors can post a picture in support of ending child hunger. Anyone helping build the "Wall Against Hunger" can also e-mail their images to friends and bookmark them to social networking sites to help the online effort gain momentum, the group says in a statement.
Latest Opera Mini is out
Opera today announced the full version of its Opera Mini 4.2 browser is available for mobile phones, including the Android G1 and Sprint's Instinct. (1)
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