Daily Bits

video games

Xbox Kinect Opens Arms to Hackers

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kinect
Hackers may not be the proper word to use, but there is no doubt that hackers are clapping their hands with glee with the recent announcement from Microsoft. The software giant recently announced that it is going to open up the playing field by releasing a software development kit sometime in spring. This will allow software developers to play around with the Kinect on a deeper level than the average user.

According to Microsoft, “The intent of releasing a “starter kit” for application developers is to make it easier for academic research and enthusiast communities to create even richer experiences using Kinect technology.” Furthermore, with the release of the software development kit, people will be able to access “deep Kinect system capabilities such as audio, system APIs, and direct control of the sensor”.

At first, the software development kit will be targeted at amateurs only. Those who want to jump into the fray for commercial purposes will have to wait a little longer for the commercial release. Just how long – there is no word as of yet.

Personally, I will never be able to take advantage of this software development kit as I have no idea what to do with it, but I am sure there are enough “hackers” out there who cannot wait to try and see what they can do with the Kinect.

If Microsoft can be believed, the Kinect is the fastest selling gadget of all time. It really is not that surprising as it really upped the ante after the Wii revolutionized the way we play our games, is it?

Via The Telegraph

Guinness World Records 2011 Gamer’s Edition

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So you think you’re the best Guitar Hero player ever born? Think again! You’ve seen all those YouTube videos about little kids kicking the butt of everyone else – never mind that we are twice or three times his age. If you want some “light reading” that is all about gaming, then Guinness has the perfect thing for you – the 2011 Gamer’s Edition. Just to give you an idea, here is an interview with the record holder for the highest scoring female Guitar Hero player. Hats off to you, Annie Leung.

It’s not all about “serious” records, though. In case you have ever wondered about all that swearing in video games, you can read up on that in this edition. Other pieces of trivia that you can start memorizing (to use as pick up lines, conversation starters, or whatever):

  • The oldest gamer included in the book is John Bates of Onalaska, Wisconsin.  He is 85 years old, a former high school principal, and is a certified Wii Bowling addict.  His feat?  He has the highest number of perfect games on Wii Sports Bowling: 2,850.
  • Mitsugu Kikai from Tokyo is only 25 years old and has 5,400 items of Super Mario-related memorabilia.  Does anyone out there have more? Let Guinness know!
  • Angry Birds is the Top Paid-For Apple App Store Game.  But then again, we already know that, don’t we?

Find out how to get your hands on the book from the Guinness web site.  If anything, it will be a good way to pass the time when you don’t have anything else to do.

FRACT Beta: Get Your Abstract Fix

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FRACT
Video games a pound a penny these days, with everyone and their mom creating their own video games. The big studios have the budget to churn out one game after another, and there are many gamers who will not hesitate to buy their creations. There are some people, however, who prefer the indie games every now and then. If you belong to the latter group, then here is a new game that you might want to try out.

Developed by Richard E. Flanagan, the game is called FRACT, and it is in its beta stage. FRACT is a first-person puzzle game which is sure to make your head spin – figuratively for some and literally for others. The premise is quite simple: the player enters an abstract world, the foundation of which are sounds and structures inspired by electronic music. The objective of the game is for the player to figure out the puzzles by “resurrecting and reviving the long forgotten machinery of the musical world”.

The game is actually a project that Flanagan worked on for his Post Undergrad in Game Design at Universite de Montreal. Being still in the beta stage, the game is not quite complete, but is already playable. Yes, there are bugs in the game, and he can use the help of players in finding them.

There are versions for Mac and PC, both of which are free to download. Here’s a preview of the game.

FRACT – Indie Adventure Game from Richard Flanagan on Vimeo.

Oh, and if you need more reason to give FRACT a try, it has been selected as one of the 2011 Independent Games Festival student showcase winners.

Atari’s Asteroids on the iPad

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asteroidsThere is something to be said about retro consoles and games. While this sector has made leaps and bounds, and consumers are demanding more (graphics, game play, etc.), a trip back to the past is always a welcome change every now and then.

Ion – that manufacturer responsible for “high tech turntables” – has come up with a new dock that will satisfy the nostalgic feelings of every gamer out there. The dock is meant for the iPad and will turn this ultramodern gadget into a console reminiscent of the past. It will allow you to play Atari’s Asteroids and even give you realistic buttons and knobs.

Just to refresh your memory, Asteroids was released as a video arcade game in 1979. The two dimensional game has a simple premise that it easily caught on and soon became the best selling game of all time. The idea is that the player controls a spaceship that flies through fields of asteroids. Flying saucers also come into the screen. The player has to shoot at the asteroids and flying saucers with the aim of destroying them without crashing into them.

Drooling now? Watch the demo video below, and I am sure that you will be wanting the dock for your iPad.

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit

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Can’t get enough of speed? Of course, the average person (READ: you and I) may never get to experience what the boys at the Singapore GP experienced over the last weekend, but good thing we have the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, and PC to provide vicarious gaming experiences. Come the 26th of October, we are going to be treated to something that just might whet our virtual appetites – Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, from Electronic Arts and Criterion Studios.

Not that the game is anything like the F1 races, but it has been touted as THE game that will bring back some life into the Need for Speed Franchise, which has seen a decline in the recent years. The question is: will this new release really make the franchise more interesting to players?

Here’s one video (of several) which will show you what is in store for us in the next month:

You have to admit – that is pretty impressive. I also have read that the game will not be too focused on the storyline, but instead highlight the fact that cops and players have to perform as best they can to level up. I like how simple that is, without the complication of plots that seem to be a tad too put on. Maybe it’s just me, but when storylines are not excellently crafted, it’s better not to have much of one at all?

In any case, for those in Europe, the game will be released a little later – November 19. In the meantime, enjoy the video and get ready to satisfy (and increase) your need for speed!

Microsoft “Kinect” Unveiled

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You might know it by another name – Project Natal – but Microsoft’s new hands-free motion control system has now been announced to the public. Its new name is Kinect, and is supposed to change the way we play games forever.

I seriously don’t know what to think of the names – Project Natal wasn’t great to begin with, and I just don’t think Kinect is better (although I see the kinection connection…)

Anyway, the details of Kinect have been – finally – shared with us, courtesy of BBC:

Kinect was shown off at a glitzy event alongside compatible games, which support the new hands-free interface and, in some cases, the facial and voice recognition capabilities.

These ranged from jumping and flying games to a yoga simulator and Star Wars shooter, in which players control a virtual light sabre and use hand gestures to control action on the screen.

There was also a virtual pet, which can be controlled and played with using Kinect. Microsoft says it will release the full details of its games at another media event on 14 June.

The official unveiling was supposed to be during the E3 expo, but I guess Microsoft wanted to pre-empt its competitors. After all, Sony and Nintendo are pretty much ahead of Microsoft in this arena.

So when are we going to see this new thing in the market? They say by the end of the year, but who really knows?