Friday 17 March 2017

Nintendo Doubles Production of the Nintendo Switch

Nintendo has announced that they will double production of the new Switch console from 8 million to 16 million in their next fiscal year beginning on April 1. This comes on the back of news that Nintendo had sold nearly 1.5 million Switch consoles in its first week of sales.

Nintendo specifically mentioned that better than expected demand for the Switch console has lead them to this decision to ramp up production. Shares of Nintendo were up 1.69% in Japanese trading and the stock is up nearly 10% since the day before the Switch console launched.

Sunday 8 May 2016

Battlefield 1 Official Trailer Released

The official Battlefield 1 trailer has been released and can be seen below.
Battlefield 1 will be released on Oct 21st 2016 on Xbox One, PS4 and PC





Tuesday 3 May 2016

Wii U 5.5 Kernel Exploit

Following after SMEA's release earlier this week of  his 'iosuhax', comes a working 5.5.x kernal exploit for the Nintendo Wii U console, which seems to be an early leak by one of Hykem's beta testers.


The Wii U Kernel exploit for 5.5 that has been left right and center of discussions on the Wii U scene recently, was just leaked a couple of hours ago on GBATemp.
This exploit lets you run Loadiine (Wii U backup launcher), Cafiine, and a bunch of other cool tools.
The exploit is compatible with (at least) firmwares 5.5.0 and 5.5.1.
Developer NWPlayer1234, one of the people behind the exploit (along with Marionumber1) has confirmed the leak is the real thing. It's a full fledged exploit and people have already been confirming they can run Loadiine and other tools with it.


Now this is more like a 'userland' jump to 'execute code' stage loader, so its messy and not easy thing to setup, so I suggest you visit Wololo's Blog which is linked below for more info, some 'how-to' videos if you wish to try this release out and don't get upset if not all games work and that you need to use your PC with Java installed, as this is basically a pre-release-alpha-testing package designed for other developers to try out and see how it works, not a finished-polished-off-package for the average joe Nintendo Wii U owner.


Wololo's Blog

Saturday 30 April 2016

Minecraft Hacked

Hackers are reported to have stolen login details of over seven million members of Lifeboat, the Minecraft site that provides players with the option of running servers for playing customised and varied versions of the game on the smartphone edition. The data is now believed to be on sale on the dark web. Lifeboat confirmed that it was aware of the data breach but chose not to inform those affected.


Minecraft was hacked in early 2015 but information about the breach has only recently emerged thanks to security researcher Troy Hunt, who has a list of Lifeboat members' stolen credentials.


A spokesperson for Lifeboat said: "When this happened [in] early January we figured the best thing for our players was to quietly force a password reset without letting the hackers know they had limited time to act. We did this over a period of some weeks. We retain no personal information (name, address, age) about our players, so none was leaked. We have not received any reports of anyone being damaged by this."


Lifeboat passwords were understood to have been weakly hashed using an MD5 algorithm. According to Hunt, this essentially allowed anyone to discover and verify people's passwords simply by Googling it. Lifeboat requested gamers to reset their passwords after they uncovered the breach. However, they choose not to alert the users about the hack, in efforts to keep the hackers in the dark. They may have feared that alerting the public would also simultaneously alert the hackers pushing them to act in haste and steal all the data.


Lifeboat maintains that the data breach caused minimal damage since they are yet to receive reports from anyone affected by the hack.

Nintendo NX Confirmed For March 2017

Nintendo announced a variety of updates during the earnings announcement for its full fiscal year, ended March 31. These updates included the first information about Nintendo's next video game system, code-named NX.
"As we report the results of the last fiscal year, we also look forward to an exciting period ahead with further growth in our mobile business, new products for our dedicated video game systems and continued progress in our efforts to increase the number of consumers experiencing our IP through games, licensing and expanded entertainment," said Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima.
For a complete overview of Nintendo's financial announcements, as well as changes to Nintendo's governance system, please visit Nintendo's Investor Relations website at https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en. Announcement highlights include:
  • Miitomo: Nintendo's first app for smartphones and tablets has already crossed 10 million unique users worldwide. The free-to-start social experience app launched in Japan on March 17 and in a variety of other countries, including the United States, on March 31. In the United States, Miitomo reached #1 free app status in its various online stores shortly after release. Along with these outstanding user numbers, Nintendo also has, to date, sparked more than 300 million conversations in Miitomo. In addition, users can insert their Mii characters into photos to create unique "Miifotos" that can be shared through various social media. As of now, more than 20 million Miifotos have been created. To celebrate Miitomo hitting 10 million users, Nintendo will run a special 10-day "Celebrating 10 Million Users!" promotion April 29-May 8.
  • Nintendo's Next Mobile Apps: Building on the positive consumer reaction to Miitomo, Nintendo announced that its next two mobile apps would be based on the familiar and beloved Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing franchises. Nintendo plans to release both of these applications this fall. As for the former app, while making it more accessible in comparison to the Fire Emblem games for Nintendo's dedicated gaming systems, Nintendo aims to offer the great value of a role-playing strategy game. Nintendo will design the latter game so that it will be connected with the world of Animal Crossing for dedicated gaming systems. By playing both Animal Crossing games, users will find increased enjoyment. Both of these are pure game applications. Compared to Miitomo, they have more prominent game elements, and the game content will tie closely into Nintendo's dedicated games business. Nintendo will provide more details about these applications closer to their launch period, and aims to have multiple types of apps that appeal to different audiences and different groups of players.
  • NX: Nintendo previously announced that it would release more information about its next system, code-named NX, this year. As the first announcement of any NX information, Nintendo confirmed that NX is scheduled to launch in March 2017. NX will not make an appearance at the upcoming E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles in June and will be unveiled later this year.
  • The Legend of Zelda: The latest installment in this classic franchise is scheduled to launch simultaneously for both Wii U and NX, and both versions of the game have been in development in tandem. Because developers need more time to polish the game, it will launch in 2017, but it will be the focus of Nintendo's presence at E3.
  • E3: Nintendo changes its approach to the show every year. This June, Nintendo will focus its attentions on the upcoming game in The Legend of Zelda franchise. The Wii U version of the game will be playable for the first time on the E3 show floor, and it will be the only playable game Nintendo presents at the show, in order to provide attendees a complete immersion. Additional information about Nintendo's E3 plans will be announced in the future.

Thursday 28 April 2016

John Romero and Adrian Carmack announce BLACKROOM

BLACKROOM was announced on Monday and launched on KickStarter, and already it is turning the FPS world upside-down and inside-out as its being lead by the original team John Romero and Adrian Carmack!


John Romero and fellow id Software co-founder Adrian Carmack proudly announce BLACKROOM, a visceral, varied and violent shooter that harkens back to classic FPS play with a mixture of exploration, speed, and intense, weaponized combat. Use fast, skillful movement to dodge enemy attacks, circle-strafe your foes, and rule the air as you rocket jump in the single- and multiplayer modes.


Powered by Unreal Engine 4 and fully moddable on PC, the game is being developed with community at its core, starting with today's launch of a Kickstarter campaign to fund development.
Features of BLACKROOM:
  • Reign supreme in a variety of multiplayer modes, including co-op, 1-on-1 deathmatch and free-for-all arena in a wide variety of locations including hardcore military sims, hellish infernos and interstellar space.
  • Delve into a captivating 10+ hour single-player campaign, spanning wildly varied environments, from ruined Victorian mansions to wild west ghost towns to swashbuckling pirate galleons and beyond.
  • Master fast, skillful movement with rocket jumping, strafe jumping and circle strafing.
  • Challenge yourself with expert abstract level design, invented and perfected by John Romero and made material by Adrian Carmack. Romero's latest map, Tech Gone Bad, has received universal praise and over 1M unique impressions.
  • Master six built-in multiplayer maps, as well as countless maps created by the community.
  • Extend your experience with full mod support and dedicated servers.
  • Put your skills to the test in Challenge Modes (speedrunning and more) that present unique and demanding goals.
  • Affect the holographic worlds in the BLACKROOM with a device called the Boxel, and influence the environment, your weapons and your enemies.
  • Features new soundtrack compositions by acclaimed metal guitarist George Lynch.
In the single-player campaign, step into the shoes of Santiago Sonora, Chief hNode Engineer at HOXAR, Inc., the world's foremost creator of holographic simulations. The company's exciting BLACKROOM technology allows users to be anywhere at any time, creating fully-realized holographic worlds that are indistinguishable from reality, all inside of a giant black room. When testing of their new leading-edge Predictive Memory technology reveals troubling anomalies that blend the real world with the virtual, you're sent in to investigate and are swept across a staggering and dangerous array of simulations developed for BLACKROOM users, from medieval castles to horror sets. Peering into your mind and tapping into your deepest memories and fears, however, it's clear that the BLACKROOM is not all fun and games.


BLACKROOM reunites game lead John Romero and art director Adrian Carmack, who co-founded id Software and co-created some of the industry's seminal video game franchises, including Wolfenstein, DOOM and Quake. The Night Work Games team carries on that history of innovation with BLACKROOM, with a focus on fast-paced action, pushing technical boundaries and developing community-focused, mod-friendly games.
"It is incredible to work with Adrian again," said John Romero, game lead. "We're developing exactly the type of game we think a lot of shooter fans want. It's the type of shooter we're known for, and the type of game we love to play ourselves. It's a skillful shooter, from movement to weapon and map mastery."
Adrian, who got his start with John in 1990 at Softdisk before going on to co-found id Software, echoed Romero's comments. "It's been great working with John again, and we're really setting out to produce a visceral FPS," said Adrian Carmack, art director at Night Work Games. "Because of the BLACKROOM's setting, we have a lot of freedom to create environments that players might not expect in an FPS. BLACKROOM technology lets its users enter just about any universe imaginable, and gives them the power to alter the world. That gives me lots of artistic freedom."
BLACKROOM is targeted for release in winter 2018 on PC and Mac, DRM-free and on Steam. The team today launched its Kickstarter campaign, which will help the team fulfill and expand upon its ambitious plans and gives the community a unique opportunity to get directly involved in the game's development. Visit the Kickstarter page bit.ly/blackroomgame.


For more information on BLACKROOM and to stay up-to-date with the latest developments, visit the official Night Work Games (www.nightworkgames.com) site and follow the studio on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/nightworkgames), Twitch, Twitter (@nightworkgames) and YouTube.

King’s Quest – Chapter 3: Once Upon a Climb Released

Sierra has announced that King's Quest - Chapter 3: Once Upon a Climb - the latest exciting tale in the new King's Quest - is available today worldwide on the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Windows PC via Steam. It can be downloaded via the PlayStation®Store, Xbox Games Store and Steam. Players who already own either King's Quest: The Complete Collection or King's Quest: Season Pass should download the new chapter directly through the in-game "Chapters" menu.


Perfect for springtime, King's Quest - Chapter 3: Once Upon a Climb adds a romantic comedy twist to the adventure, turning a spotlight to Queen Valanice, the future wife of King Graham and a classic character from the series' origins. As Graham continues to recount some of the most daring stories from his life to his granddaughter, Gwendolyn, players will get to experience the true legend behind Graham's first encounter with Valanice and how he rescued her from the wicked witch Hagatha.


Developed by The Odd Gentlemen, the new King's Quest takes players on a five-chapter journey back through all the untold puzzles, challenges and triumphs of Graham's long reign with the same memorable spirit of wit and wonder that first launched one of adventure gaming's greatest franchises over 30 years ago.


King's Quest: The Complete Collection (a bundle* containing all five chapters and a bonus playable story epilogue) and King's Quest: Season Pass (a bundle* including Chapters 2-5) are now available through the PlayStation®Store, Xbox Games Store and Steam. King's Quest - Chapter 1: A Knight to Remember and King's Quest - Chapter 2: Rubble Without a Cause are also available to purchase individually.


King's Quest is rated PEGI 12. For more information, please visit www.sierra.com, and follow Sierra on Facebook and Twitter.


*Subsequent chapters and epilogue may be downloaded in-game upon individual release.

Friday 15 April 2016

PlayStation 4 outsells Xbox One in March

PlayStation 4 was the top-selling new gaming console at United States retailers last month, according to data from industry-tracking firm The NPD Group that Sony Interactive Entertainment provided to GamesBeat. PS4 has outsold the competition for 13 of the last 15 months. The Xbox One came out on top in April and October in 2015, and it continues to sell well - but Sony has all of the momentum. Nintendo's Wii U, meanwhile, is likely on the way out as the company shifts to mobile gaming and its new codenamed NX dedicated hardware to try to find new revenues in the $99.3 billion gaming business.
The console gaming industry represents about a third of that $99.3 billion total, and Sony is well positioned to take advantage of that in terms of both hardware and software sales.
Here's the full statement from Sony Interactive Entertainment:
"Thank you to our fans and partners for making PlayStation 4 the top-selling console and software sales leader for the month of March, as well as the number-one console for fans of The Division, according to NPD. We are truly humbled by the success and look forward to delivering more amazing gaming experiences throughout 2016, including the launch of PlayStation VR this October."
These console sales come with a cloud of uncertainty. March is when people first started hearing rumors of an alleged "PlayStation 4K" with improved processing and video-output capabilities. Microsoft has also mentioned the possibility for something along those lines. Refreshed consoles that sell for $400 from each company make a lot of sense, but these rumors could also scare consumers away from making any big purchasing decisions now.

Sunday 13 March 2016

Super Mario Maker Update Brings KEY Features

An update to Super Mario Maker has added some additional items, modes and features to the critically acclaimed game, making it even more fun to create, share and play levels from all around the world.


Here are the details about the latest update from Nintendo themselves:


Today, a software update to the Super Mario Maker game for the Wii U console adds some additional items, modes and features to the critically acclaimed game, making it even more fun to create, share and play levels from all around the world.

Fans of the Super Mario World game for the Super NES fondly remember the key item, which, when grabbed, unlocks keyholes and grants access to new parts of the level. With this new free update to Super Mario Maker, both the key and locked doors with keyholes will be added to the game. Accessed by shaking the P-Switch and Door items, respectively, the key and locked doors can be used together to create challenging new levels. The key can even be attached to enemies, forcing players to defeat an enemy to retrieve the key and move forward. With this, mandatory boss battles are born!


When players shake a coin in Create Mode, it will now change into a Pink Coin. If a player collects all the Pink Coins in a course, a key will appear. By using the key, locked door and Pink Coins, players can expand imagination and create unique puzzle solving levels.
A new skewer obstacle will also be added to the game. Originally featured in Super Mario World, this huge, foreboding column comes slamming down in a level and appears in a course by shaking the Thwomp item in Create Mode.


Players looking for a serious challenge are in luck, as after downloading the free update, a new "Super Expert" difficulty will be added to the 100-Mario Challenge. This new difficulty pulls random courses that have been categorized as being "Super Expert" after the courses are created. By completing 100-Mario Challenge on this difficulty, five new Mystery Mushroom costumes can be won. (The update also brings three new costume rewards to "Normal" mode and four to "Expert.")
The game update also brings new additions to the Super Mario Maker Bookmark website, which lets users sort and search for levels using a smart device or browser. Super Mario Maker World Record players will now be shown on the website.


Recently, there have also been some new costumes added to the game, including the always smart and sometimes zany Professor E. Gadd from the Luigi's Mansion games. Fans of Daisy can play through the Adventures in Sarasaland Event Course and also get the Daisy costume. Players should check Event Courses often for new levels to play.


Super Mario Maker has a staggering 6.2 million different user-created playable courses, which in turn have been played more than 400 million times as of Jan. 27. For more information about the game, visit http://supermariomaker.nintendo.com/.

Tuesday 1 March 2016

Vampyr Gets First Screen shots

You can see the screen shots that were just released by the 'Life is Strange' team and more info about their new game below.


Vampyr, the new RPG from acclaimed game-development studio Dontnod, today was showcased in its first screen shots. Set in 1918 London, Vampyr promises to offer a unique, deeply immersive action role-playing experience steeped in vampire mythology, with a strong narrative.
The first screen shots of the game showcase the game's world, as the Spanish flu laid waste to London's once bustling population. Every character in the game has his or her own unique back-story and will affect the world. Be careful who you choose to hunt, as they will be gone forever, and their death will impact in a meaningful way the world that surrounds you. Feeding on human blood will not just keep you "alive", it will also unlock new vampiric powers to use. As a Doctor, and a Vampyr who used to be human, you may also choose to heal your potential prey, crafting medicines from items collected in the game world.
There will be times when exploration and seduction will only get you so far, and you'll need to resort to engaging in Vampyr's dynamic, melee-focused real-time combat. It blends hard-hitting melee combat with supernatural vampire powers. Find and loot materials and components from the fresh corpses of your victims or during exploration, in order to craft and improve tools, melee and ranged weapons, as well as special ammunition's and coating to exploit the weaknesses of your enemies.
As you cling to what remains of your humanity, your decisions will ultimately shape the fate of your hero while searching for answers in the coughing, foggy aftermath of the Spanish Flu.
About Vampyr
Prowl the disease ridden streets in Vampyr - a darkly atmospheric action RPG from the studio behind 'Remember Me' and 'Life is Strange', developed using Unreal Engine 4.
Set in early 20th century Britain during a bout of the lethal Spanish flu, the streets of London are crippled by disease, violence and fear. In a completely disorganised and ghostly city, those who are either fools, desperate, or unlucky enough to walk the streets lay prey to Britain's most elusive predators: the Vampires.
Emerging from the chaos, a tormented figure awakes; as the player it is you who determines how to harness your new powers, by specialising in deadly, versatile RPG skill-trees that change the way you play. As a doctor recently turned into a Vampire, you try to understand your new affliction. Your quest of intuition, discoveries and struggles, will be filled with death and drama, while your attempt to stem the irrepressible thirst that constantly drives you to take human lives.
As you cling to what remains of your humanity, your decisions will ultimately shape the fate of your hero while searching for answers in the coughing, foggy aftermath of the Spanish Flu.
Key Features
  • Explore a darkly atmospheric early 20th century London.
  • Play a tormented and powerful Vampire learning the rules of your new condition. A man of science, a beast of the night: Your toughest battles will be within yourself.
  • Build your own combat style through a wide range of crafted weapons and powerful Vampire abilities to defeat a large and unique bestiary.
  • Choose your fate: moral choices will shape your story. How human could a Vampire be, when he must feed?
About Dontnod
Based in Paris, DONTNOD develops video games for consoles and PC based on original concepts and innovative technologies.
If you want to learn more about Dontnod, you can learn all kinds of stuff about us on our official website: http://www.dont-nod.com/






Uncharted 4 open beta leak

Sony and Naughty Dog have not made any official announcements regarding the Uncharted 4 Multiplayer Open Weekend, but a listing has popped up on the European PlayStation Network. The listing, which has since been removed, mentions the open beta will run from March 4 17:00 GMT (9am PT / 12pm ET) and will finish on March 6.


Only one mode will be available in team deathmatch, on three of the game’s maps. The page did not reveal the download size.


Uncharted 4 has had a closed beta recently, but was only available to The Nathan Drake Collection owners.


Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is out April 26.



Forza 6 Apex coming to Windows 10

Microsoft held an event last week to allow the press some time with a few of the games coming out this spring on Xbox One and Windows 10.
The event’s embargo doesn’t lift for another six hours, but The Seattle Times went ahead and ran its report, which happened to mention some of this afternoon’s announcements.
The original article has been removed, but a Google Cache version remains readily available here.
According to the report, Microsoft showed off Forza 6 Apex, a free, trimmed down version of last year’s Xbox One game that’ll be released this spring on the Windows 10 Store.
The report doesn’t mention what to expect from Apex, in terms of number of cars and tracks, or whether or not the full game will be available later on.