EA Turns to iPhone During the Economic Downturn

iPhone 3GS

In case you haven’t noticed, the economy is crap, which is hurting several game publishers, including giants like Electronic Arts. While every publisher is looking to get leaner and meaner, one of the platforms that has been successful for EA is Apple’s iPhone/iPod Touch. EA CEO John Riccitiello said:

The traditional packaged goods business has been a little challenged so far this year. The other end of the world, online games that you download, games you get by the way of iPhone for example, that totally digital business is up so strong that it’s off-setting the challenge we see at retail.

I want to point out the number one grossing application on iPhone now is Beatles: Rock Band.

The iPhone/iPod Touch game market, while extremely competitive, is one of the most potentially lucrative segments of the business. Development costs are low, the installed base is tremendous, and the price point is feasible for impulse purchases. It will be interesting to see if more big publishers turn to the iPhone while the economy is still in the toilet.

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Use Twitter to Help Save Honey Bees #HelpHoneyBees

Honey Bee

Sure, bees are pretty much bastards, but honey is pretty awesome. More importantly, it’s sad that honey bees have been disappearing at an alarming rate over the last few years. Bees are extremely important for pollenization; several specials of flora and numerous vital crops depend on bees. You can help save honey bees through a simple Twitter message. TechCrunch has reported:

Running through November 11, Häagen-Dazs will pay $1 for the first 500 people that tweet everyday with the hashtag #HelpHoneyBees. The money will go towards both a UC Davis research project to further look into Colony Collapse Disorder, as well as help fund the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, which aims to teach people about how to create their own honeybee farms.

I encourage everyone with a Twitter account to send a message that includes “#HelpHoneyBees”. The effort is minimal and you’d be helping a great cause.

Lastly, in the immortal words of Eddie Izzard, “I’m covered in bees!!!”

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What Are You Playing This Weekend?

My gaming goals are pretty diverse this weekend. I’m going to give WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 a break for a week or two. One of my closest friends is starting up Borderlands and I want to play some co-op with him. I love playing cooperative games with a good friend; other than family and a couple that has a child together, is there a stronger bond in humanity than between two people that play co-op games?

weeklies

I also picked up Tekken 6. All my industry friends are telling me that the net code is a mess, but I’m actually playing this one for the story and Panda. I’m not sure why, but I’ve always been fascinated by the world of Tekken 6. Some of the plot points are goofy, but I’ve always enjoyed the story. *shrug*

Of course I’m going to be spending the bulk of the weekend playing Dragon Age: Origins. Actually, I’m probably going to ditch my Borderlands friend and Tekken 6 for Dragon Age. My plan is to play all three, but who am I kidding?!? BioWare rules!!!

As always, let me and your fellow RPadholics know what you’re playing this weekend!

Coffee Talk #20: Bluetooth Headsets and Gaming

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, how badly you wish you were at the Canyon of Champions today, Nigel McGuiness’ corny lines on TNA Wrestling, or the sleep vs. Dragon Age: Origins debate Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Up until a few years ago, I felt that Bluetooth headsets were exclusively for wankers. It was just impossible not to look like a complete tool when using one. My stance has softened after the sensible banning of mobile phone use while driving and the PlayStation 3’s inclusion of Bluetooth. One of the things I like about the PS3 is that it allows you to use any Bluetooth headset you want, rather than a proprietary one. I like that consumers can spend as much or as little as they wish for chatting with their fellow PS3 gamers.

jawbone 1

One line of Bluetooth headsets that I’ve had extremely positive results with is Aliph’s Jawbone series. The models are very stylish and also feature effective noise reduction. The “noise killer” feature of the Jawbone is fantastic for those that use their headsets outdoors or in crowded areas. Gamers that play in a living room full of noisy siblings will also appreciate the noise reduction. I’m playing around with Aliph’s latest model, the Jawbone Prime, and will have a review-type article up next week.

For now, I wanted to ask you if you use a Bluetooth headset with your PlayStation 3 or mobile phone. What model do you use? What are your priorities when selecting a Bluetooth headset? Price? Style? Features? Leave a comment and let me know (please)!

Dissidia Final Fantasy Available as a PSN Digital Download

Dissidia logo

Square Enix has announced that Dissidia Final Fantasy is now available as a digital download on Sony’s PlayStation Network. Today’s press release stated:

Previously released for the PSP system, Dissidia Final Fantasy now arrives on the latest handheld offering from Sony Computer Entertainment. Combining fighting game elements with RPG-based character development, Dissidia Final Fantasy does what no other Final Fantasy title has done before, bringing to reality an all-star cast of fan-favorite Final Fantasy characters.

The game has its flaws, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Final Fantasy fans will totally mark out when Cecil from FFIV is hanging out with Tidus from FFX and Cloud from FFVII. It’s just cool. I recommend giving it a whirl if you’re looking for a fast-paced fighter with some RPG elements.

Now that it’s available as a digital download, any of you giving this game a shot?

Bonus Rounds (Car Smashing) Return in Super Street Fighter IV

Super Street Fighter IV bonus round

Capcom community ace and fighting game guru Seth Killian has revealed that bonus rounds will return in the upcoming Super Street Fighter. The man known at S-kill said:

Yep, bonus stage action is back in Super Street Fighter IV. Innocently parked cars, we’re officially putting you on notice to watch your backs.

This is awesome. I’m totally down with dragon punching cars again. Hopefully there are some new stages to spruce things up too. Hmmm, maybe Capcom can do some crossover and have the world warriors beat up some Monster Hunter critters in a speed challenge….

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Mass Effect 2 Collector’s Edition Detailed

Mass Effect 2 Collectors Edition

Electronic Arts has announced details on the $69.99 Mass Effect 2 Collector’s Edition. Today’s press release stated:

Available on January 26 in North America (Jan 29 in EU) alongside the standard edition, the Collectors’ Edition of Mass Effect 2 comes in a premium, tin case and includes the full version of the game, a 48-page hardcover “Art of Mass Effect 2” book, Issue 1 of the Mass Effect Redemption comic book, and a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes and making-of videos. In addition, the Mass Effect 2 Collectors’ Edition will include unique in-game weapons and armor that can only be obtained by purchasing this version.

I’m pretty sure I’ll still be playing Dragon Age: Origins when ME2 comes out, but I’ll be sure to get this game (and really, anything that BioWare puts out). How about you? Collector’s or plain vanilla?

Shigeru Miyamoto Discusses His Design Goals for Zelda Wii

During a recent investor Q&A session, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto shared some of his design goals for the next Legend of Zelda game for Wii. As you know, the game will likely be significantly different from its predecessors due to its use of Wii MotionPlus. While some of you are down on the game and down on Miyamoto, I’m pretty sure the next Zelda for Wii will be great. Anyway, here’s what the game-design legend had to say:

Of course we are preparing gorgeous graphics for the sake of users’ anticipation for a grand role-playing adventure. But what I believe is very important is the realistic, actual feeling players have experienced themselves; the feeling to have really been on an adventure, to have explored the unknown terrains, to have solved the puzzle through trial and errors, to have themselves grown through various experiences! In that sense, a personal sense of creativity is becoming important among us. We have assembled one of the most creative team for the recent Zelda for DS, and we want to be as creative as possible for upcoming Wii Zelda.

Zelda Twilight Princess 2

A lot of Miyamoto’s design philosophies reminded me of my exchange with Rpadholic “LarcenousLaugh” in yesterday’s Coffee Talk. Miyamoto’s games aren’t about heavy-handed storytelling; they’re about the experience. While many modern games have been successful with strong storytelling, Miyamoto’s games succeed with their transparency, allowing gamers to feel like they’re the star of their videogame adventure. Some players might think this style is old fashioned, but I think it still works today.

As always, I want to know your opinion on Miyamoto’s style and what you expect from the next Zelda Wii. Do you prefer heavy-handed storytelling (Kojima games) or do you like transparency (Miyamoto games)?

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Tekken 6 Runs Faster on Xbox 360 Than PlayStation 3

Tekken 6

Gamers that are still deciding which version of Tekken 6 to pick up might want to consider Gemaga’s recent test on comparative load times. Kotaku did some handy translating and discovered that the game loads faster on Xbox 360:

According to Gemaga, it takes over thirty seconds (33 seconds, to be exact) to change a character and change a stage running the actual game disc on the PS3, compared with the 11 seconds it takes to start a fight on the Xbox 360 using the game disc.

If you’re serious about fighting games, there’s a lot to consider. If you’re playing on a pad then PS3 is the way to go. If you have sticks for both systems, 1/3 the load time makes the 360 version awfully appealing. It’s interesting that the difference is so substantial. What do you guys and gals think?

Source via Kotaku

Epic Games Releases Free Version of Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine 3 UDK

Epic Games has launched the Unreal Development Kit (UDK), based on Unreal Engine 3 technology. The company already has the dominant engine this console generation. Releasing a free version should help it expand its reach and get a hold of the booming indie-games market. Today’s press release stated:

Epic Games, Inc. announces the launch of the Unreal Development Kit (UDK), a free edition of Unreal Engine 3 that provides community access to the award-winning toolset like never before. This software release is available to anyone interested in using 3D game engine technology, including game developers, students, hobbyists, researchers, creators of 3D visualizations and simulations, and digital filmmakers. Anyone can start working with the industry-leading Unreal Engine 3 toolset by downloading UDK at www.udk.com, where detailed product features, technical documentation, commercial licensing terms, support resources and more are also available.

This is a huge move for the company, but it’s personally disappointing to me. You see, it used to be an annual goal of mine to get Epic Games president Mike Capps drunk, so that I could get his signature for an Unreal Engine license on a cocktail napkin. A free version of the engine makes my game less fun.

Are any of you aspiring game designers going to give UDK a shot?