Archive for February, 2009

Japan to Start Intelligent Buildings

– February 10, 2009Posted in: Gadgets, News, Tech

Image Belongs to Tech On

Through the joint effort of Shimizu Corp and Yaskawa Electronic Corp, the “Smart Showroom” debuted in Japan and it may be the precursor to the Intelligent building. Combining infrastructure technology and the Yaskawa “smart guide” robot the intelligent building will interact with any individual who may enter it, using the smart guide robot as a greeter/guide.

The “Smart Showroom” utilizes infrastructure technology to prompt the “Smart Guide” robot when an Individual enters the room. From there the robot will greet, guide, and assist individuals with speech commands.

The smart showroom is the first step in the interactive building. The concept is to have multiple robots with multiple roles all controlled by a central hub, that recognizes each robot individually. Eventually we may very well have robots that will not only greet and guide, but also take the role of guards and cleaners as well.

Source

Tags: Ai, Artifical Inteligence, infrastructure, Intellegent Buildings, Japan, Shimizu Corp, The Smart Showroom, Yaskawa Electronic Corp

Dead Rising 2 Confirmed

acoleman

– February 9, 2009Posted in: Gaming, Industry News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360

We had a good feeling about that leaked trailer on Friday and it looks like we were on to something. Capcom confirmed that the leaked trailer was legit and that Dead Rising 2 will be released on multiple platforms. Although we didn’t get a release date today from Capcom they have stated that the game is on the way and that it will be the best Zombie fun you’ve ever had (Hamster ball included)!

Here is what Capcom had to say about the plot “Dead Rising 2 is set several years after the infamous zombie invasion of Willamette. Unfortunately, the zombie virus was not contained at the conclusion of Dead Rising, spreading unchecked throughout the United States and Dead Rising 2 depicts a country where zombie outbreaks continue to strike.”

Capcom said that we can be expecting a lot more info on Dead Rising soon, but until then rest assured Dead Rising 2 is on the way and it will be released for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

Source

Tags: Capcom Confirms Dead Rising, Hamsterball, Hamsterball Dead Rising 2, Las Vegas Dead Rising 2

The Dead Rising 2 Trailer…Maybe?

acoleman

– February 6, 2009Posted in: Industry News, PC, PS3, Rumor, Video, Xbox 360

I can’t think of a better way to finish out the week then with a possible leaked trailer.

The Internet is buzzing today with what could quite possibly be the trailer for Dead Rising 2. A shaky cam style video of what looks like a leaked trailer popped up on YouTube today and it just may be legit. The trailer looks like a Las Vegas setting for the sequel just without all the gambling and fun (due to the Zombies).

Blue Castle is currently developing Dead Rising 2 and there is no release date yet, but if this trailer is legit we may be getting one soon.

Tags: Blue Castle, Capcom, Dead Rising 2, Dead Rising 2 in Las Vegas, Dead Rising 2 in VEgas, Dead Rising 2 Las Vegas, Dead Rising 2 trailer

Bionic Commando Confirmed for May

acoleman

– February 5, 2009Posted in: Gaming, Industry News, PS3, Xbox 360

Today after a great deal of whispers and murmuring Bionic Commando was confirmed by Capcom for release this year. Fans of the classic NES game can expect the next gen jump from this franchise in May 2009. Capcom also confirmed that Bionic Commando will be released for PS3, Xbox 360, and a PC version will follow shortly after.

The reason Capcom finally announced the release date was because of the rumors that were beginning to spread about it. They stated on their blog today “There’s been lots of rumors and speculation going around about when Bionic Commando is actually coming out.”

In case you don’t know Bionic Commando will follow the story of Nathan “Rad” Spencer who has been sentenced to execution for a false crime, but is spared do to the extraordinary circumstances of a terrorist attack. After an experimental weapon devastates an entire city, Rad is reinstated for the obvious advantage of his bionic arm and is dispatched by the feds to go break the terrorist stronghold that has taken control of the city.

Be ready to start swinging from buildings, tossing cars, and throwing terrorists around like rag dolls; because bionic commando will be here in May.

Source

Tags: Bionic Commando, Bionic Commando Release Date, Capcom, Grin, Nathan "Rad" Spencer, Nathan Radd Spencer, Platforming

Left 4 Dead Expansion Pack Coming In Spring

acoleman

– February 5, 2009Posted in: Action, Industry News, PC, Xbox 360

It has been awhile since it was mentioned but with our anticipation at its peek the Left 4 Dead DLC has finally been announced. The DLC titled “Survival Pack” will include a new multi-player mode titled “Survival,” and will also include 2 campaigns for versus mode. Wait a sec take a breath, don’t pass out from the shear joy yet! There is more! A Critics Choice Edition of Left 4 Dead will be hitting retail stores in the Spring as well and it will feature all the DLC that was previously released.

If you are a PC gamer you will also be getting a little nugget of joy from Valve as well, in the form of an SDK that will also be dropping in the spring (or as I call it Christmas pt. 2) and will be free of charge.

Go ahead and celebrate but we advise you to close the door to your office before you start doing cartwheels.

Tags: Critics Choice Edition, Left 4 Dead DLC, LEft 4 Dead Survival Pack, Left a Dead Expansion Pack, Left for Dead DLC, SDK, Survival, Survival Pack

EA Suffers $641 Million Dollar Loss

acoleman

– February 3, 2009Posted in: Gaming, Industry News

Today EA officially announced it’s third quarter financial results, and boy do they look bad. EA revealed a total loss of $641 million in it’s third quarter and has announced that they will be cutting costs as a result. 12 Electronic Arts facilities are closing down and roughly 11% of it’s employees are going to be laid off. They will also be pushing back the release of few major titles including The Sims 3.

As you may have guessed EA has been crushed by these third quarter results, as they were expecting better. “Our holiday quarter came in below our expectations and we have significantly reduced our financial outlook for fiscal 2009, a clear disappointment,” said John Riccitiello, Chief Executive Officer. “We delivered on game quality and innovation in calendar 2008, with 13 titles rated 80 or above — more than any third-party publisher. We expect to build on this great quality record in the year ahead while delivering more profitability.”

I personally am surprised by this news as EA has been one of the strongest publishers of 2008. Left 4 Dead, Mirrors Edge, Dead Space are just a few of the titles they have put out last year.

Source

Tags: EA, EA 641 Million, EA 641 million Loss, EA Layoffs, Elctronic Arts

Nasa and Google Launch Google Mars

acoleman

– February 3, 2009Posted in: News, PC, Tech

Google and NASA have announced that you and me and anyone with a personal computer can now get a 3D glimpse of everyone’s favorite little red planet. The new feature of Google Earth, Google Mars will feature 3D High res images of Mars and allow you to explore its highest mountains and its lowest canyons.

Not only will Google Mars allow any average individual to learn more about the planet, it will also be a great resource for scientists as well. NASA has been quoted as saying “Besides providing a rich, immersive 3D view of Mars that will aid public understanding of Mars science, the new mode, Google Mars 3D, also gives researchers a platform for sharing data similar to what Google Earth provides for Earth scientists.”

Google Mars will also allow you to get a first person view of the planet from the perspective of the Mars rovers and allow you to plot virtual routes.

Source

Tags: Google Earth, High Res Google Mars, mars, Mars Goggle Mars, mars in high res, Nasa and Google, Nasa Google Mars

2009 to be a Bigger Better E3

acoleman

– February 2, 2009Posted in: Gaming, Industry News

After the huge let down of last years expo, E3 09 will be returning to the popular venue of previous years. Expected to have a much larger attendance than last year – E3 2009 is gaining momentum and is gearing up to be the most popular expo in recent years.

Capping at an attendance 0f 70,000 in 2005, The Elctronic Entertainment Expo has seen a steady decline in attendance since, due to unpopular venue changes in recent years. For instance, the tight attendance restrictions since 2005, moving the expo in 06 to Santa Monica, and the greatest offense of all, the banning of the booth babes. All of these decisions brought about a huge falling out of developers not attending last year’s expo including Bethesda, Activision, and Warner Bros.

This year’s E3 will be loosening up the attendance policy from an invite only to registration only. All of the developers minus NCsoft will be returning, and to the joy of thousands of drooling gawkers, so are the booth babes. It seems the expo will be returning to its former glory as the ESA CEO Michael D. Gallagher has been quoted as saying“The 2009 E3 Expo will be the preeminent North American computer and video game event!”

I am personally elated to hear that the ESA is going to have the venue of previous years, it seems this year’s E3 will be the best we have had in awhile.

Source