Wii 3D - Reality or Gimmick

They recently launched their much hyped glass –free handheld console 3DS across major markets.  The Kyoto based company didn’t announce any specific numbers for European territories, but we heard that numbers from UK are not encouraging, may be due to clash with ipad 2 launch. 3DS chapter is over, now get back to Wii; the original money spinner for Nintendo (Yeah! it’s proven). According to Hideki Konno,  the head of the 3DS project said in an interview given to CNN, Nintendo wasn't interested in big-screen 3D until it glasses-free 3D TVs became the norm. What does that mean? We assume that the company is ready with prototype, but waiting for the right time to unveil Wii 3D. With E3, the annual gaming conference approaching fast, the news of Wii makeover is getting stronger than ever. The maker of Super Mario Brothers is feeling pressure from Microsoft & Sony from the past months. Sales for the Wii are down 45% down from the last year. Analyst predicts more downturn for Wii as the console looks bleak in comparison with PS3 & Xbox 360. Earlier Nintendo was the only console, who used to offers motion gaming; but now both Microsoft & Sony offers motion controllers in the form of Kinect & PlayStation Move.

Will Nintendo  announce Wiis successor in coming Days?

 Nintendo is a smart company; they know where they lack & how to repair their damage. They might not launch Wii 3D this year, but they are going to launch Wii HD. If they want to remain ahead in home console race, they need to act faster. Now, most of the world has moved from CRT TVs to LED one. And, why would any one like to see 480p resolution in 2011? Both PS3 & Xbox 360 cost $ 100 more than Wii. Why I am not sure about Wii 3D. One of the reasons is PS3s unsuccessful strategy to tap gamers. 3D technology is still new, common people are not familiar with the technology. Further more, there are many disadvantages associated with 3D technology @ present like health issues, costs of owning 3D TVs etc. "Wait-And-See" strategy is best suited in Nintendo’s case. Its not that they don’t want to use 3D technology, they are the 1^st one in the industry, who have come up with glass-free 3D tech. 3D has a momentum to become the next big thing in entertainment industry. All, we need is industry support to popularize 3D TECH in a big way. 

Dress up your consoles, the way Japanese do

Credit- ColorWare

Are you bored with same Black White  consoles? Want to dress up your console with Red, Green & Blue. We all love colors, but don’t know how to apply them on our expensive consoles. When ever, we go out to shop our favorite gaming console, the store manager answers in same old manner; Sir, we don’t stock colored consoles. Well, he’s right in his own place, he is a store manager, not a manufacturer. But, what would you do to get that console or handheld in a color you wanted? The most common option available for a gamer is to either import colored consoles from Playasia.com or use F***ing skins available in your neighborhood gaming store. Gamers across the word crave for colored consoles but unfortunately left with no choice but to spend their money on traditional colored machine. In the past, companies like Sony & Nintendo have come up their respective line up, but that’s not sufficient to lure gamers. So, what could be done to solve this problem, companies are not going to listen, they are more than happy to feed Japanese & Korean gamers. Is there any company or design house, which can solve this mass problem? Yes, ColorWare can solve this problem. They can provide users with ample number of options like customization, choosing your own color or choose from hundreds of color combinations to find something that reflects your personality. Their services are quite cool, but for that you need to pay a hefty amount.  For PS3, gamers need to pay $149 for jazzing up their systems. For controller, their pricing starts from $ 30(USA only) & $85(Internationally). You can also buy brand new consoles from ColorWare for e.g. an Xbox 360 complete with customization costs $500. Apart from game consoles, they also dress up your ipads, macs etc. It’s a good for those, who love to play with colors more than that  desperation to have some thing unique & magical.

              

Born to Entertain : PlayStation 2

PS2s recent win over Xbox 360 gives us enough evidence that this monster is not dead.  According to Media Create (Japan’s official gaming sales tracking agency) recently unveiled its latest data, you will be surprised to know that a 10 years old PS2 outsells Xbox 360. Sony, the makers of PlayStation 2 themselves don’t know, when they will going to stop manufacturing PS2. With the strong base of 150 million sold (not shipped) & games for the system still being made, it is evident that people are still buying this aged console. What makes ps2 still sellable in its 11^th year? There are number of factors, which make PlayStation 2 still going like its sweet price of $99,  availability in developing markets like India, Brazil & Mexico, developers interest , light & compact design , Ps3 non- compatibility  & Ps2s wooing nature to tap non –gamers across the globe.

FUNKY days are back in Australia

Apple’s much awaited iPad 2 finally rolled out in more than 25 countries. As expected, crowds came in large numbers to buy their favorite Piece of Art.  Australians too braved scorching heat to get their hands on  flirtatious iPad.

 Here are the images from the Australian launch of iPad 2 

Credit- The Australian

Credit- The Australian

Credit- PerthNow

Credit- The Australian

Credit- The Australian

Credit- AFP

 

Sony wants YOU to Buy 3D T.V

Credit- PlayStation Blog 

Sony is leaving no stone unturned to make PS3, the most happening gaming system ever made by human beings. The company, behind PlayStation 3 recently pledged to release nearly 30 (3D) enabled games for the system. Some of the biggest titles such as Uncharted 3, Socom 4,   & Ratchet and Clank: All 4 in one among others. The Tokyo based company is facing stiff competition from Microsoft’s Xbox 360 at the moment. According to NPD, Xbox 360 is outselling PS3 month-on- month basis, which caused a worrisome situation for Sony. Analyst sees a price drop for PS3 in coming months. As Nintendo’s umber cool 3DS release date is approaching fast, the company wants to divert a little attention towards PS3. Hey if you forgot, originally PlayStation 3 started the so called “3D” revolution due to its inbuilt 3D capable quality. Sony has already launched 3D capable Killzone 3 last month. Now company claims that 20% of total demos downloaded for Killzone 3 were in 3D.

Do you own 3D enabled T.V?  Give us you feedback on this post via Twitter 

Angry Birds Rio inaugurated Amazon's new App Store

Credit- Amazon. com

Amazon’s App store, the new champ in “APP WORLD” category announces Angry Birds Rio as stores Exclusive. The game is based of the same line of popular Angry Birds series, now gamers get more features plus improved game play. To celebrate Amazon’s new brave attempt in crowded App store circle, the company is selling Angry Birds Rio for just $0.00 down from $0.99. On launch, Amazon is offering more than 3,800 apps, which is quite impressive for a new app store.

Update: Apple Inc is planning to sue Amazon .com over “App Store” trade mark.

ROCKSTAR GAMES PRESENTS L.A NOIRE

Credit- Rock Star Games

    

Andy Warhol once said, “I love Los Angeles. I love Hollywood. They're beautiful. Everybody's plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic.

Wana experience L.A in 1947, the land where crime rate is on its zenith. You can’t live without every day corruption. Here life is full of hurdles; the city is bleeding with underworld’s notorious activities. To make L.A crime free city, detective Cole Phelp is ready to fight with city’s mafia.

 

L.A NOIRE will be available on Xbox 360 & PS3 on May 17^th 2011 in USA & May 20^th 2011 in Europe.

                         

             

Motorstorm Apocalypse Delayed- Post-Tsunami Effect Continues

Japan’s 8.9 magnitude quake earthquake & Tsunami has shocked the whole gaming fraternity. Sony officially announced that Motostrom: Apocalypse will be not available at earlier announced date. Now the game will be available on April 12^th 2011. Due to the unfortunate similarities between the earthquake and tsunami levels in the game, forced the company to make changes in its release date. 

BAFTA goes to ……..

We all know that this year BAFTA for the best film goes to Colin Firth’s The Kings Speech. But for all those, who don’t know about BAFTAs Gaming awards 2011. These awards have special mention in our gaming world. The journey started in 2003, when the British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) decided to split computer & gaming awards into separate entity.  Last year Batman- Arkham Asylum won night’s biggest award .This year Mass Effect 2 walked away with Best game of 2010 at BAFTAs.

Another game which won hearts of gamers & critics with it’s out of world experience & narrative to die for won BIG 3 awards. Any guess? If you are a PS3 gamer you have a right to know. Yes! It’s HEAVY RAIN.

Source- The Guardian 

Is there any award ceremony with out action, finally the award for the Best Action game went to Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood.

Here is the complete list of winners, who won big at gaming biggest extravaganza:

http://www.bafta.org/awards/video-games/video-games-awards-nominees-in-2010,1656,BA.html

Peep inside 3DS TV commercial for American Gamers

Nintendo is not known for intelligent advertisements. Their idea is simple in nature, i.e. to attract gamers with realistic gaming. Here, the company tried to highlight 3D capability of 3DS in big way. With games such as Street fighter in 3D, gamers get a fair idea from this advertisement.

The company successfully managed to give a glimpse of so called 3D world via 3DS. With new Motto, 3D & lots of games, 3DS is ready to serve you unlimited & never ending gaming experience.  

Take a look at Nintendo’s sweet commercial for 3DS

 

We declare “ZUNE” as dead

“ZUNE” is dead……….

“KIN” is dead …………

“ZUNE” is dead……….

“KIN” is dead…………

Finally, the day has arrived, when the company announced that they would no longer be supporting their fab music player known as “ZUNE”. Sadly, the player was good, actually better than iPod, but it never steamed out mp3 player market.

When company realizes that they failed to challenge ipod’s dominant market. They slowly shifted from hardware & suddenly jumped into software wagon by announcing integration with Xbox 360, Kin & Windows Phone 7.

There are multiple reasons for zunes failure:

·        Non- Compatibility with Apple’s  itunes

·        Limited availability of zune player(only in USA& Canada)

·        It never matched ipod’s coolness

·        Pricing

Send us your opinion, comments via Twitter.

Your 4th Konsole is almost ready

                                                                      

XBOX - BRAND TO OWN

Love. Game. Apple

Apple fans: We have 65,000 Apps exclusively for Ipad.  Isn’t it great?

Android fans:  We have Motorola Xoom. Honeycomb…baby

Apple fans:  Ipad can run games.

Android fans:  So. What’s big deal in it? Even Android Market place offers gaming.

Apple fans:  Motorola Xoom failed to entice gamers because it lacks games.

Android fans: We have Android Market Place

Apple fans:  Do u have any other words to say, except Android Market Place.

Is there any end to this stupid conversation? The truth is that Apple has become an undisputed king, especially with the coming of App store. Recently, Steve Jobs announced that, Ipad now boost more than 65, 000 apps. Most of these apps are games. It’s true that Android market place offers gaming, but there is no “A” level gaming found on Android store. 

Honeycomb, the latest from Google’s stable is still new & offers negligible apps as compared to heavy loaded Apple’s app store.

Industry Analyst believes that Apple’s second installment to popular Ipad, will head the next –generation of consoles. Due to built in dual -core processor & the ability to deliver console like gaming, this tablet will reach greater heights than its contemporaries such as Nintendo’s popular DS & Sony’s PSP.

Handheld gaming is going through a sea change. Nintendo is ready with its 3DS rivaling Sony’s upcoming NGP a.k.a PSP2. With the coming of Application stores from Apple & Google, the whole game has changed. Now users can download cheap games from these app stores. Here, cheap games doesn’t mean low on quality, instead games are quick & comes to an end in less than 15 minutes, as compared to hours of game play on DS & PSP.

Apple is known for its user experience & quality to deliver excellent products such as ipod, iphone, and ipads. The company now wants a bigger slice in booming gaming market.

Kinect proved Rockking for Microsoft

Credit- Microsoft

Microsoft claimed that its motion controller sensor, Kinect is one of the fastest selling gadgets of all time. The company shifted magical 10 million units to retailers. The Guinness Book of World Records has certified that Microsoft‘s Kinect is the fastest-selling consumer-electronics device, beating i family from Apple & not to forget Nintendo's money making Wii.

What makes Kinect so popular?

·        Microsoft’s heaving spending on Kinect sensor

·        PlayStation Move  failed to entice gamers around the world

·        Wii  flagging sales in recent months

·        Microsoft’s right strategy to tap casual/New gamers

·        All thanks to America , considered one of the biggest territory for Xbox brand

BlackBerry Playbook- Your new gaming console. Oh really ?

Credit- Blackberry 

Playbook can play games. What? What?  


You heard it right.

Research in motion (RIM) better known for BlackBerry smart phones is planning to bundle few games with their ultra chic PlayBook.

Electronics Arts (EA) world’s largest game publisher will provide games like Need for speed undercover & Tetris on PlayBook. We hope more developers like EA will introduce games on play in coming months. With this move , the makers of playbook wants to shed their business- focused image.


What do you think about BlackBerry Playbook. Will it be prove to  an IPAD 2 killer ?

Now Enjoy Angry Birds on FACEBOOK

Angry Birds, the popular casual game now coming to world’s 3^rd  most populated place. The Facebook version will be completely redesigned and comes with new added features to make the game more enjoyable. The game, which set to break 100 million downloads in coming days has made a benchmark in gaming industry. Angry Birds is a true example of a successful casual game. Some analysts say that, Apple’s ios helped this game to achieve greater heights. Now, the game can be purchased on almost all mobile platforms & can be run on heavy- duty PlayStation 3. Its Ipad version even supports HD game play.

Making Angry Birds on Facebook is a natural step to tap increasing casual gamers around the world. We still think that most of us have progressed from casual gaming to hardcore ones but we need to know that casual gaming still commands a healthy share in gaming market. With the rise of new mobile operating platforms such as Android & ios, causal gaming is a new buzz word among the developers. Gaming fraternity touts “Mobile Gaming “as The Next Big Think. Most of them are eagerly waiting for next Angry Birds to take place.

Move vs Kinect - The Battle Continues

In the ongoing Gamers Development Conference (GDC), Sony strategically announced a new application called Move.Me for the new developers. Basically, Sony wants developers to make unimaginative & creatively driven technology in the fields of health, education etc. By this move, the company wants to expand the reach of playstaion move beyond gaming. Last month, Microsoft announced that they will be introducing Kinect to the new consumers beyond proud Xbox 360 owners. We usually hear from both Sony & Microsoft that the seventh generation of gaming which includes home consoles like PS3 & Xbox 360 will be longer than expected. So, are these companies trying to make their consoles life little longer?  Recently, we got to hear, that Sony has scrapped the development of PS4 because of lack of funds. On the other hand Microsoft spends approximately 500 million dollars to promote Kinect. Both the companies are trying their best to popularize their respective motion weapons .Consoles(hardware) sales in the recent months has shown no improvement despite launching redesigned consoles. At this point of time ,opening up their technologies does make sense.



Razer Chimaera 5.1 for the ultimate gamer

Credit- Razer

We all spend thousands of dollars on setting up of jumbo speakers to get surround sound, but at the cost of comfort. One of the world’s leading gaming peripheral makers, Razer has come up with their brand new gaming handset exclusively for Xbox 360®. Now, greedy gamers like us, got the perfect gaming headset in the form of Razer Chimaera 5.1. The company claims that the headset supports 5.1 Channel Dolby® for surround sound .Xbox fanboys can enjoy uninterrupted gaming sessions without worrying about battery life. Teammates can now connect 4 Razer base stations at the same point of time for power packed gaming sessions. Expect this headset to be available by April 2011 @ US $199.99 / EU €199.99. The only negative I found is the non-availability for PS3, after all the company can’t ignore 47.9 million strong ps3 gamers.

Some of the highlights of Razer Chimaera 5.1

• 5.1 Channel Dolby® surround sound
• 5.8 GHz interference-free wireless headset (up to 33ft / 10m receiving range)
• Docking base station for audio processing, recharging and advanced controls
• Connect up to 4 base stations for dedicated lag-free team communications
• Adjustable circumaural ear cups for optimal sound isolation and comfort
• Independent audio and microphone controls on the ear cups
• Flexible microphone boom and detachable Xbox LIVE communication cable
• Up to 8 hours rechargeable battery life
• Digital optical connection for superior sound quality
• PC compatible

What do you think about Razer Chimaera 5.1? Give us your feedback.