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Coffee Talk #486: Whataya Want From Nintendo at E3 2012?

After discussing Microsoft and Sony, let’s close out your E3 2012 wishes and predictions with Nintendo. Out of the three console manufacturers, Nintendo has the most to lose or gain at E3 2012. It’s the only company showing new hardware — the Wii U. After massive success with the Nintendo DS and Wii, Nintendo’s recent…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, your reaction to the John Edwards trial, Randy Orton violating WWE’s wellness policy, or my awesome (unofficial) Chris Jericho t-shirt, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

After discussing Microsoft and Sony, let’s close out your E3 2012 wishes and predictions with Nintendo. Out of the three console manufacturers, Nintendo has the most to lose or gain at E3 2012. It’s the only company showing new hardware — the Wii U. After massive success with the Nintendo DS and Wii, Nintendo’s recent fortunes haven’t been as hot. The 3DS is selling well, but the company’s financials are way down. Many pundits believe that the Wii U won’t have the same success as its predecessor. What say you?

Personally, I’m still waiting for Nintendo to dazzle the world with the Wii Vitality Sensor. Remember that thing? Ha!

Anyway, now’s your turn to share your E3 2012 wishes, predictions, and expectations. Fire away in the comments section as you listen to Adam Lambert (please!).

Green Lantern Alan Scott is Gay

The Associated Press has revealed that Green Lantern Alan Scott will be reintroduced as a gay character in next week’s issue of DC Comics’ Earth 2. Scott was the original “Golden Age” Green Lantern and a member of the Justice Society. His ring was not given to him by the Guardians of the Universe and does not have a weakness to yellow. Instead, his ring’s power is derived from the magical Starheart.

We discussed the issue on the site last week. During a Google+ chat, I believe bsukenyan mentioned Alan Scott. I, rather immaturely, found the prospect of a gay superhero with a weakness to wood rather funny. Here are some mature details from Earth 2 writer James Robinson:

He doesn’t come out. He’s gay when we see him in issue two. He’s fearless and he’s honest to the point where he realized he was gay and he said, “I’m gay.”

What do you think of the DC’s reveal? Big news? Or a stunt that will cause minor waves?

Source

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

I shouldn’t play any videogames this weekend. I should save my eyes for the visual assault they’ll be receiving next week during E3 2012. However, the secret game I’m playing is so much fun! It’s very unusual for a modern console game — heady, thoughtful, and cerebral with a very deliberate pace. It definitely feels more like a mid-’90s PC game than a current console title. Very cool.

How about you? What’s on your weekend playlist?

Coffee Talk #485: Whataya Want From Sony at E3 2012?

Continuing yesterday’s chat about Microsoft at E3 2012, let’s spend today talking about your wants, expectations, and dreams for Sony at this year’s show. The company is in an interesting position after leading the console wars for two generations. It arguably has the best hardware, but has lost out to Xbox 360. The Vita…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, why Dwyane Wade is allowed to kung-fu kick defenders, Keira Knightley getting engaged (*sniff*), or Chris Jericho’s recent WWE suspension, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Continuing yesterday’s chat about Microsoft at E3 2012, let’s spend today talking about your wants, expectations, and dreams for Sony at this year’s show. The company is in an interesting position after leading the console wars for two generations. It arguably has the best hardware, but has lost out to Xbox 360. The PlayStation Vita is a wonderful bit of kit, but standalone portable gaming devices seem to be giving way to highly capable smartphones and tablets. PlayStation Move has some impressive tech, but it doesn’t seem to be getting the same kind of support Microsoft is throwing behind Kinect. PlayStation Home…is still there.

What are you hoping Sony will do at E3 2012? Are you most interested in PlayStation 3 exclusives? Are you psyched for the next salvo of PlayStation Vita titles? Maybe you want a wider variety of t-shirts for your PlayStation Home avatar? Please leave your wants, predictions, and expectations for Sony’s E3 2012 in the comments section (as you listen to Adam Lambert).

Battlefield 3 Razer BlackShark Headset Looks Sweet

Are you a Battlefield 3 fan that’s looking for a new headset? If so then check out the upcoming Razer BlackShark. With a cool design inspired by military aviation, enhanced bass for awesome videogame explosions, and Razer’s outstanding quality, this headset should be a winner. The Razer BlackShark will retail for $129.99 and is scheduled to ship in July 2012. Here are the tech specs:

  • Exclusive Battlefield 3 design
  • Stereo sound with enhanced bass
  • Sound-isolating circumaural ear cup design
  • Detachable boom microphone for voice chat or added mobility
  • Audio/mic splitter adapter cable
  • Memory foam leatherette ear cushions for maximum comfort
  • 40mm neodymium magnet stereo drivers
  • Approximate Weight: 290 g / 0.64 lbs

Headphones

  • Drivers: 40mm neodymium magnets with copper-clad aluminum voice coil
  • Frequency response: 20Hz – 20KHz
  • Impedance: 29 ?
  • Sensitivity @ 1KHz: 105dB ± 3 dB
  • Input power: 50mW
  • Cable: 1.3m rubber sheathed
  • Connector: 3.5 mm audio + mic combined jack

Microphone

  • Frequency response: 50Hz – 16KHz
  • Signal-to-noise ratio: 50dB
  • Sensitivity @ 1KHz: -37 dB +/- 4dB
  • Pick-up pattern: Unidirectional

Hardware Requirements

  • Devices with separate 3.5mm audio and mic jacks
  • Devices with combined 3.5mm audio + mic combined jack (works with all portable audio/mobile/computing devices including the iPod, iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire, Android phones, Razer Blade, Macbook Pro, or today’s newer Ultrabooks.)
  • 1m / 3.2ft audio/mic splitter adapter extension cable included

I love the look of these babies. Hopefully I’ll have a review for you shortly after that E3 2012 thingie. For now, please let me know what you think of Razer BlackShark’s unique looks.

Coffee Talk #484: Whataya Want From Microsoft at E3 2012?

With E3 2012 right around the corner, I wanted get your take on the big three console companies. Today, let’s talk about Microsoft and the Xbox 360. Obviously Halo 4 is going to be a huge part of the show and Microsoft appears keen on making the Xbox 360 much more than a videogame console. What do you expect from…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the fantastic execution of the San Antonio Spurs, Serena Williams’ first round-one loss at a grand slam, or getting pastrami with a Korean chick, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

With E3 2012 right around the corner, I wanted get your take on the big three console companies. Today, let’s talk about Microsoft and the Xbox 360. Obviously Halo 4 is going to be a huge part of the show and Microsoft appears keen on making the Xbox 360 much more than a videogame console. What do you expect from Microsoft at this year’s show? What are you hoping for? Is there anything you don’t want the company to do? Click the Adam Lambert song below, give it some thought, and leave your Microsoft E3 2012 wishes/predictions/dreams in the comments section (please!).

Qualcomm Snapdragon Game Command Video Interview

Qualcomm director of advanced gaming Dave Durnil chatted with your excellent friend Justin Leeper to talk about the company’s gaming efforts on Google Android. In addition to developer outreach, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Game Pack and Snapdragon Game Command are two of the ways the company is reaching out to gamers. Learn more about these products and future plans for them in this video interview.

Rekoil: A Modern Shooter With Old-School Sensibilities

Plastic Piranha recently launched a new site for its upcoming game Rekoil. This first-person shooter aims to blend modern graphics and gameplay with old-school sensibilities. What I mean by that, specifically, is an atypical emphasis on LAN play and modding. On the LAN side, the developers are emphasizing competitive multiplayer and eSport functionality. On the mod front, the developers appear to be aggressively fostering a community to extend the game. The whole thing feels more 1999 than 2012…and I mean that in the best possible way.

In the immortal words of Jim Lampley, here are the official particulars on Rekoil:

  • 10 maps on launch
  • Over 40 weapons
  • 10 game types currently under development
  • 5 customizable classes
  • Highly customizable server setups and game play
  • Dedicated servers & public server files
  • A focus on providing the best execution of core shooter game play to date
  • Full modification support and promotion from Plastic Piranha
  • Full E-Sports support and promotion from Plastic Piranha
  • Developed for PC

Do you guys and gals miss the days when shooters were king? You know, when Quake and Unreal ruled the PC landscape? Do you think that Rekoil can bring back those glory days, as well as all-new features? Check out the Rekoil site and let me know what you think (please)!

This Week’s Videogame Releases

There’s a trio of interesting games coming out this week. First up is Resistance: Burning Skies, which brings one of Sony’s most popular PS3 franchises to the PlayStation Vita. One of the best games of 2011 gets repackaged with loads of great DLC in Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition. Lastly, a long-running and unusual JRPG franchise gets another release in Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland.

Any of you picking up new games this week? Also, be sure to check out Amazon’s all-day Gold Box videogame deals (please)!

Coffee Talk #483: Your Most-Wanted Games of E3 2012

A lot of the talk going into E3 2012 is about what’s not going to be there. The word on the street is that Microsoft and Sony won’t be showing off next-gen consoles. Irrational Games has said that BioShock Infinite will not be at this year’s show. It’s looking like the next game from Bungie and the first game from Respawn…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the late Johnny Tapia, Paul Williams getting paralyzed in a motorcycle accident, or getting visas for foreign travel, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

A lot of the talk going into E3 2012 is about what’s not going to be there. The word on the street is that Microsoft and Sony won’t be showing off next-gen consoles. Irrational Games has said that BioShock Infinite will not be at this year’s show. It’s looking like the next game from Bungie and the first game from Respawn will not be at this E3 either. Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Half-Life 3 are reported to be missing in action. Let’s forget about all of that and focus on the glass half-full.

What E3 2012 games or products are you looking forward to? Are you intrigued by the (supposedly) vastly improved Wii U? Are there several sequels you’re looking forward to? Perhaps you’re jazzed about the second round of PlayStation Vita games? Maybe you’re interested in trends like the proliferation of mobile gaming or Skype integration with Kinect? Whatever has you jazzed, please leave a comment below and talk about your most-wanted games/products of E3 2012.