Halo Remake Coming This Year, Not Using Reach Engine?

Joystiq has uncovered some interesting information on the rumored remake of the original Halo. As expected, the Halo remake will be out by the end of 2011, but the site said that it will not be using the Halo: Reach engine as rumored last December. Here’s the 411:

Sources explain that the re-release is not Bungie’s 2001 Xbox game simply running at a higher resolution — it’s being remade with new art assets. While Halo’s audio will likely remain unaltered, the controls will allow for more recent Halo configurations.

The Halo: Combat Evolved remake is allegedly being developed by New Jersey-based Saber Interactive, the company behind TimeShift and Namco’s upcoming Inversion, but we’ve been unable to confirm the nature of the engine powering it. We understand that it’s something other than the Reach engine.

A Halo remake in 2011 was an obvious choice considering the game’s 10-year anniversary. However, it’s surprising that the game isn’t using the Reach engine. The tech is there and it looks amazing. Using it seems like a no-brainer.

Any thoughts on this Halo remake rumor?

Source

Verizon iPhone 4 Commercial: Does Your Network Work?

Verizon’s marketers are at it again, busting out the cleverest and more appropriate use of the phrase, “I can hear you now,” in this iPhone 4 ad. It’s a cute and straightforward spot that asks consumers, “Does your network work?”.

Also, I’m pretty sure that the “I can hear you now” guy has been going through the same depression and anxiety issues that I’ve had in the last year. Perhaps I’ll call him to see if he needs a workout buddy. Ha!

Coffee Talk #297: Will You Buy a 3D Device in 2011?

There’s no escaping 3D in 2011. In addition to more 3D movies and 3D televisions than ever before, you’ll see glasses-free 3D videogame consoles, mobile phones, and tablet computers in 2011. Will you …

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, Verizon setting new sales records with the iPhone 4, why the hell people like astronaut ice cream, or your favorite Super Bowl food, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

There’s no escaping 3D in 2011. In addition to more 3D movies and 3D televisions than ever before, you’ll see glasses-free 3D portable videogame consoles, mobile phones, and tablet computers in 2011. Will you buy a 3D device this year?

I don’t really have a choice. I need to write about the 3DS and its games. I actually wanted to buy a 3DTV last year so that I could write about 3D games (and I really need a new TV), but I haven’t scrapped up enough money.

You, however, do have a choice. Kindly vote in today’s Coffee Talk poll and discuss your decision in the comments section.

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Your Super Bowl XLV Predictions

Here’s some space to post your Super Bowl XLV predictions and discuss the game on Sunday. It’ll be like watching it together! I also wanted to get your take on the odds, as well as your over/under picks. Last time I checked, the Steelers were slightly favored:

Super Bowl XLV Odds
-125 Pittsburgh Steelers
+105 Green Bay Packers

The over/under was set at 45. Which way would you bet?

For the record, I’m rooting for the Steelers on behalf of RPadholic N8R and my old G4TV coworker Bleahy (I know you guys miss him. I do too.).

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

My DC Univese Online character is now at level 26 and one of my goals is to hit level 30 before I head to Las Vegas for DICE 2011. This means that I’ll probably be playing nothing but DCUO over the weekend, which also means ignoring my copy of LittleBigPlanet 2. That said, Sackboy is awfully charming. I might have to play around in that world for a bit just to get those Media Molecule fuzzies.

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

Verizon Will Throttle Top 5% of Data Users (Hello iPhone!)

Just in time for the onslaught of iPhone 4 customers it will receive, Verizon has revised its terms in conditions and reserved the right to throttle data speeds. Unlike AT&T, Verizon still offers unlimited data plans. If you’re a data hog then there’s a chance that your speeds will slow down “periodically”. Here are the details:

Verizon Wireless strives to provide customers the best experience when using our network, a shared resource among tens of millions of customers. To help achieve this, if you use an extraordinary amount of data and fall within the top 5% of Verizon Wireless data users we may reduce your data throughput speeds periodically for the remainder of your then current and immediately following billing cycle to ensure high quality network performance for other users at locations and times of peak demand. Our proactive management of the Verizon Wireless network is designed to ensure that the remaining 95% of data customers aren’t negatively affected by the inordinate data consumption of just a few users.

I know that some of you are interested in picking up an iPhone 4 on Verizon’s network. Does this development change anything for you?

Source via Boy Genius Report

PlayStation Plus Subscribers Get Double Fine Game Free

PlayStation Plus subscribers will get Double Fine’s Stacking for free on Tuesday February 8, 2011. Although PlayStation Plus offers some nice benefits, I haven’t been interested in subscribing…until now. A free Double Fine adventure game plus the other benefits of PlayStation Plus might just get me on the hook.

How about you? Anyone else tempted by this offer?

Source

What Should I Name My Next DCUO Character?

So I’m thinking of starting a new character in DC Universe Online. My first character is at level 25 and now that I understand the power/skill trees better, I want to give it another go. I’ll probably go with a staff-wielding healer type to mix it up a bit. I’m stuck on the name though. Any suggestions? So far I’m thinking:

  • Mauve Lantern
  • Young RPadTV
  • The Fuchsia Avenger
  • Alizarin Crimson

Yeah, I’ve always sucked at coming up with names. Ha!

More Deus Ex: Human Revolution Screens

Square Enix just sent over some new screens for the highly anticipated Deus Ex: Human Revolution. In case you missed them, here are links to the August 2010 and Novemeber 2010 batches. My friends that have played the game are really high on it. Several of them have called it the best cerebral shooter in years. For some reason, not a lot of you seem interested in the game. Tell me why (please)!

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Buy Pokemon Black/White Early, Get Special Victini

Gamers that buy Pokemon Black/White early will be able to obtain a new super-rare Pokemon: Victini! This new legendary Pokemon packs psychic and fire powers. Here are the details from Nintendo’s press release:

Consumers who purchase either of the new games between launch and April 10 will be able to receive a special Liberty Pass via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (broadband Internet access required), which will enable them to catch the never-before-seen Mythical Pokémon Victini.

Victini — the Victory Pokémon — is the first Pokémon that’s Psychic- and Fire-type and cannot be obtained through normal game play.

The game comes out in early March, so you don’t necessarily have to pre-order to get Victini. I’m psyched to meet Victini. Now I just need to think of a silly name for mine. I’ll probably use some pun-ridden form of martini. Any suggestions?