MacNN | gaming News

Microsoft cloud servers to work on inessential Xbox One processing

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:34:00 GMT

Microsoft will be using its new 300,000-server cloud system to help the <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/286335==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/05/21/instant.switching.between.apps.kinect.system.cloud.services/" rel='nofollow'>Xbox One</a> with game calculations. The cloud architecture will be performing "latency-insensitive computation" on beha...

Motorola versus Microsoft Xbox ITC complaint complete, MS victorious

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:55:00 GMT

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has completed its <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/286265==http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/04/23/motorola.gets.early.blow.against.microsoft/" rel='nofollow'>patent infringement investigation</a> against Microsoft. The ITC has declined to review a final initial remand determination issued by the presiding judge, e...

Microsoft updating Kinect for Windows motion sensor next year

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:59:00 GMT

Microsoft will be releasing an updated version of its <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/286252==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/03/17/object.scanning.and.refined.hand.gestures.in.new.sdk.version/" rel='nofollow'>Kinect for Windows</a> sensor next year. Following on from the launch of the <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/286253==http://www.electronis...

Unity makes mobile game development tools free for small developers

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:51:00 GMT

Unity has announced that its mobile game development tools are now <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/286090==http://blogs.unity3d.com/2013/05/21/putting-the-power-of-unity-in-the-hands-of-every-mobile-developer/" rel='nofollow'>free to use</a> for smaller developers. The Unity platform is popular amongst iOS and Android developers, but its creator previously charg...

MSI debuts AMD Richland processors in new gaming laptop line

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:56:00 GMT

Computer manufacturer <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/286082==http://www.msimobile.com/gaming/" rel='nofollow'>MSI Computer Corp</a>, products and solutions, unveils the new and refreshed GX70 and GX60, the world's first AMD Richland A10-5750M powered gaming laptops. The new processor also increases battery life and CPU performance in both the 15.6-inch and 17.3-...

Microsoft debuts Xbox One game console with TV, media focus

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:42:00 GMT

Microsoft has revealed its latest iteration of its Xbox game console at a <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/286048==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/04/24/next.microsoft.game.console.expected.to.be.revealed/" rel='nofollow'>media event</a>. The Xbox One, codenamed <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/286049==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/01/22/...

Live: Microsoft's Xbox reveal event

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:55:00 GMT

Microsoft is set to begin its Xbox event in Redmond, Washington. "A New Generation Revealed" is the theme for the gathering, suggesting the company will finally show its next-generation gaming console. Check out our <a href="http://www.electronista.com/live/">live page</a> at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern, for images and updates from the event....

Briefly: SwitchEasy cocoon for 13-inch rMBP, Gustav Line released

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:53:00 GMT

SwitchEasy is now offering a a version of its <a href="http://www.switcheasy.com/product/cocoon_MacBookPro13/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cocoon+MacBookPro13+newsletter&utm_source=SwitchEasy+Newsletter&utm_campaign=5c5453ebbd-cocoonô+for+MacBook+Pro+13î+newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1f2083e409-5c...

Sony teases PlayStation 4 hardware reveal with YouTube video

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:19:00 GMT

Sony has teased its upcoming game console, via a video uploaded to YouTube. The clip, which alternates between close-up shots and one zooming into what could be presumed to be the impending <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/285968==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/02/20/eight.core.amd.x86.processor.with.radeon.graphics.drive.the.console/" rel='nofollow'>PlayStation 4&...

Nintendo to preview Wii U games at Best Buys during E3

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:40:00 GMT

Struggling to drum up consumer interest in its <a href="http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/01/31/new.console.approaches.wii.sales.pre.holiday.slips.in.2013/">faltering Wii U console</a>, Japanese game maker Nintendo will show off forthcoming games in Best Buy stores while this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo is going on. Nintendo revealed the partner...

Study: tablets, smartphones rule mobile gaming; handhelds wane

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:05:00 GMT

A report by market analysts <a href="http://appannie.com/">App Annie</a> and <a href="vhttp://idc.com/">IDC</a> continue to show that mobile devices such as the iPhone or the Nexus 7 control a clear majority of mobile gaming interest and dollars spent on purchases, with portable handhelds fading rapidly. The <a href...

Briefly: Moshi Lightning Cables, Gangstar Rio and N.O.V.A 3 now free

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:44:00 GMT

Moshi has released its new line of <a href="http://store.moshimonde.com/lightning-usb-cable-black-326.html">Lightning cables</a> for Apple's latest iOS devices. Encased in aluminum, the 3.2 foot cables are fully certified for use with the iPhone 5, iPod touch (5th gen), iPod nano (7th gen), iPad (4th gen) and iPad mini. Moshi's USB Cable with Lightning is sold...

Nvidia opens Shield pre-orders three days early, prices at $349

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:58:00 GMT

Nvidia has opened up pre-orders for its handheld gaming device, three days earlier than anticipated. Orders for the <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/285832==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/05/08/tegra.4.scores.32000.points.on.antutu.benchmark/" rel='nofollow'>Nvidia Shield</a> have commenced through the Nvidia <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/28583...

Briefly: Google+ Hangouts SMS integration, Google+ Games closing

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:55:00 GMT

The new <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/285761==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/05/15/hangouts.conversations.to.carry.between.ios.android.web/" rel='nofollow'>Google+ Hangouts</a> app will soon have SMS integration, though this is likely to be only within Android. The Next Web <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/2...

Briefly: EA axing online passes, Microsoft ditching MS Points?

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:05:00 GMT

If a report at <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/285710==http://venturebeat.com/2013/05/15/ea-kills-its-controversial-online-pass-program/" rel='nofollow'>VentureBeat</a> is accurate, Electronic Arts has decided to rid itself of the reviled online pass. According to the report, the EA senior director of corporate communications ...

Steam adds 'card trading' functionality to certain games

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:45:00 GMT

Digital game marketplace <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/285696==http://store.steampowered.com/" rel='nofollow'>Steam</a> has added a new feature -- in-game Steam Trading Cards. Steam Trading Cards are virtual cards earned by playing games on Steam. Sets of cards can be turned into game badges and tradable Steam community items, including discounts on titles or d...

Google shows new tools, APIs, gaming framework to Android developers

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:51:00 GMT

Google has revealed some of the new tools available to developers on Android at its <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/285646==http://developers.google.com/io" rel='nofollow'>Google I/O</a> event. A number of new APIs have been introduced, along with the <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/285647==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/05/12/gaming.framework.f...

Microsoft rumored to cull Xbox Live Points currency, reveal at E3

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:16:00 GMT

Microsoft may be scrapping its Points virtual currency in favor of local currency pricing, according to a report. The <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/285632==http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/10/08/latest.beta.sees.xbox.video.app.default.to.credit.card/" rel='nofollow'>rumor</a>, which has surfaced a <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/285633==http://w...

Frostbite Go engine coming to iOS, Android

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:26:00 GMT

Games publisher EA is planning to bring the Frostbite engine to iOS and Android, according to the company's website. "One of our most exciting current projects is called Frostbite Go, a mobile division empowering EA game developers with Frostbite's proven excellent workflows and features to bring true Frostbite experiences to all major mobile platforms," the site's <A href="...

Google Play Services component update reveals more gaming code

Sun, 12 May 2013 20:00:00 GMT

Google may be revealing an entire gaming framework to developers at <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/285411==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/05/11/unified.messaging.service.could.be.formally.revealed.next.week/" rel='nofollow'>Google I/O</a> next week, based on newly-released data. The Google Play Services component for Android includes support for various...

Briefly: GOG expands Mac game catalog, NuGuard GripStand mini

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:58:00 GMT

Following its <a href="http://www.macnn.com/articles/13/04/24/total.count.of.os.x.compatible.games.climbs.to.134/">"Massive Mac Games Drop"</a> at the end of April, <a href="">GOG.com</a> has further expanded its Mac game catalog with 10 new titles. The new batch of games offers titles from various genres, and in...

Ouya receives $15M extra investment, sets retail release for June 25

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:05:00 GMT

The makers of <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/285245==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/02/07/ouya.to.get.annual.hardware.refreshes/" rel='nofollow'>Ouya</a>, the Android-based game console, has received extra funding from investors ahead of its launch. The additional outside investment has now allowed Ouya to set the date of the official <a href=&qu...

Briefly: Rhapsody, Scosche headphones, Humble Double Fine Bundle

Tue, 07 May 2013 22:04:00 GMT

Music service <a href="http://www.rhapsody.com">Rhapsody</a> has implemented a new "liner notes" feature, implementing the RIAA's "Give Fans the Credit" plan for including detailed production information with each digital song, including songwriters, background performers, producers and engineers involved in the production. The rollout, sch...

Briefly: Google Drive desktop sharing, Rovio game progress syncing

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:36:00 GMT

Google has <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GoogleDrive/posts/72FDua3Tr31">expanded the functionality</a> of its Google Drive desktop app to simplify the process of sharing documents. Thanks to the most recent update, Google Drive files can now be shared with others directly from a Mac or PC's file system by right clicking on the file. The update is curre...

GameStop to cease accepting PlayStation 2 trade-ins June 1

Tue, 07 May 2013 03:55:00 GMT

Years after it discontinued sales of similarly-aged Nintendo Gamecube and original Microsoft Xbox hardware and games, retailer Gamestop has announced that June 1 marks the end of trade-ins of PlayStation 2 games, accessories, and the console itself. Used and new game sales will continue in all locations, inventory depending, with existing stock expected to last for "several months" after...

Electronic Arts signs near-total Star Wars gaming license

Mon, 06 May 2013 23:43:00 GMT

The Walt Disney Company and developer <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/285013==http://www.ea.com/" rel='nofollow'>Electronic Arts</a> on Monday announced a new multi-year exclusive licensing agreement to develop and publish globally new games based on Star Wars characters and storylines for the "core gamer audience." ...

Google hires Noah Falstein as Chief Game Designer for Android

Fri, 03 May 2013 09:54:00 GMT

Google may be branching out into making <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/284824==http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/03/07/google.plus.may.unify.games.on.mobile.and.web/" rel='nofollow'>games</a>, after hiring a games industry veteran. Noah Falstein, designer of a number of games over his 23-year career, has been picked up by the search giant and given the tit...

Sony pushes new video detailing DualShock 4 controller for PS4

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Sony is continuing to whet gamer appetites for the impending launch of its <a href="http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/02/20/console.based.on.x86.architecture/">PlayStation 4</a>. However, rather than tease the yet to be revealed console, the Japanese gaming giant has returned its attention to the only hardware reveal of its PlayStation Meeting 2013 pseud...

Briefly: Pangea iOS games free for a day, iOS LEGO Batman

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:35:00 GMT

<a href="http://macnn.com/rd/284301==http://pangeasoft.net" rel='nofollow'>Pangea Software</a> announced today that for 24 hours <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/284302==https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/pangea-software-inc./id281736538" rel='nofollow'>its entire library</a> of its iOS games are completely free on the iOS App...

Briefly: Pangea iOS games free for a day, iOS Lego Batman

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:35:00 GMT

XCOM: Enemy Unknown Elite Edition ships for Mac

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:38:00 GMT

Firaxis, 2K Games, and Feral Interactive have launched a promised Mac port of XCOM: Enemy Unknown in the form of the <A href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/xcom-enemy-unknown-elite-edition/id594787538?mt=12">Elite Edition</a>. The download includes the content of the main game plus a soundtrack, desktop wallpapers, and three DLC add-ons: the Slingshot Pack,...

SimCity patched to 2.0, users decry worsening bugs plaguing game

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:46:00 GMT

Following the SimCity <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/284202==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/03/09/maxis.sim.city.server.problems.continue.ea.offers.free.game/" rel='nofollow'>server debacle</a> in early March, publisher Electronic Arts and developer Maxis promised to fix many of the problems with the troubled Game with a 2.0 patch. The patch was release...

Microsoft sends invitations to media for Xbox reveal event

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:10:00 GMT

Invitations sent to media for a product reveal at Microsoft's Xbox campus suggest that the company is close to unveiling its new <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/284168==http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/08/13/auction.by.leak.provider.sells.one.of.two.microsoft.dev.kits/" rel='nofollow'>game console</a>. The invitation, headed with the Xbox logo, alluding to...

Origin PC offers Radeon HD 7990 GPU for gaming enthusiast systems

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:05:00 GMT

<a href="http://macnn.com/rd/284100==http://www.originpc.com" rel='nofollow'>Origin PC</a> has announced the launch of the new AMD Radeon HD 7990 dual GPU graphics card for its line of enthusiast hardware. Powered by AMD's Graphics Core Next Architecture, the AMD Radeon HD 7990 features an astounding 8.6 billion transistors, 4,096 stream processors, 6GB DDR5 m...

GOG makes 'massive Mac games drop,' adds 22 titles to service

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:10:00 GMT

Digital games distributor <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/284116==http://www.gog.com/" rel='nofollow'>Good Old Games</a> has added 22 Mac OS X games to their 500+ game catalog. With this, which the company calls a <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/284117==http://www.gog.com/news/april_mac_game_update_22_new_additions" rel='nofollow'>"Massi...

Briefly: Google Street View updates, Razer Comms in beta

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:57:00 GMT

Google has added Street View coverage to areas of <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/284010==https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Chain+Bridge,+Budapest,+Ungarn&hl=de&ll=47.499414,19.045913&spn=0.001172,0.00283&sll=46.811339,8.920898&sspn=2.639226,5.817261&oq=chain+bridge+bu&hq=Chain+Bridge,+Budapest,+Ungarn&t=m&layer=c&am...

Briefly: Pizza Hut on Xbox Live, Razer Comms enters beta

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:38:00 GMT

Microsoft and Pizza Hut have created an app for the <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/284002==http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/12/06/canada.receives.french.language.video.channel.on.console/" rel='nofollow'>Xbox 360</a> that can be used to order pizza. Gamers in the US can download the app to the console, which allows for both controller and Kinect motion co...

Xbox Live launches app for Pizza Hut food delivery

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 02:30:00 GMT

A new <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283985==http://www.xbox.com/en-US/Live/" rel='nofollow'>Microsoft Xbox Live</a> app, scheduled to launch on April 23, will allow users of the gaming and media service to order Pizza Hut products directly from the Xbox 360 console. The new app gives customers access to the restaurant's entire menu, and features full Kinect int...

Briefly: Google Glass eye control, SmartGlass on Kindle Fire

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:54:00 GMT

Google may allow for users of <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283955==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/04/11/first.registrations.to.get.glass.by.google.developer.event/" rel='nofollow'>Glass</a> to use their eyes to control the headset. A user by the name of fodawim on Reddit <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283...

Logitech updates gaming software drivers, enhances Mac compatibility

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:30:00 GMT

As part of Logitech's <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283884==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/03/20/new.devices.tailored.for.comfort.and.extended.play.sessions/ " rel='nofollow'>rebranding initiative</a> for its gaming products, the company has revealed that the Logitech Gaming Software (LGS) has been updated to support Max OS X for the e...

Mobiplex reveals SwingTIP iOS golf swing calibration tool

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 04:37:00 GMT

Mobile sports performance evaluation developers <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283765==http://www.mobiplex.com" rel='nofollow'>Mobiplex</a> has announced the availability of the <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283766==http://www.swingtip.com" rel='nofollow'>SwingTIP ProView App</a>, the next generation of software that compleme...

Leak: Google creating Play framework for multiplayer games?

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:04:00 GMT

Google may be creating its own gaming platform, according to a report. The MyGlass companion app for <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283736==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/04/16/first.google.glass.headsets.leave.manufacturing/" rel='nofollow'>Google Glass</a> was found to contain a folder labeled "games" that held a number of files relating to ...

Nintendo shuttering nearly all of Wii console online channels

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 12:20:00 GMT

Despite the console still being available, Nintendo <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283344==http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/tiQImp7Oi97LiEyVqwDqL-eDnX6u9qjk" rel='nofollow'>has announced</a> it will shut down the larger part of the Wii's online abilities on June 28. Channels being discontinued are the Nintendo Channel, the News Channel, the Forecast Chann...

UK government investigates in-app purchases in games

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:44:00 GMT

A United Kingdom government department has launched an <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283238==http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/consumer-enforcement/consumer-enforcement-current/direct-exhortations/#.UWfk2rXvt8E" rel='nofollow'>investigation</a> into <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283239==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/03/22/may.be.in.response.to....

Ambrosia Software rebuffs claims it is going out of business [u]

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:15:00 GMT

(Updated with correction of Dominic Feira's employment status)<a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283213==http://www.ambrosiasw.com" rel='nofollow'>Ambrosia Software</a>, a long-time maker of Mac software stretching back to System 7, is not going out of business -- at least according to its founder and president, Andrew We...

EA confirms SimCity for Mac arriving June 11

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Electronic Arts, which has been embroiled in controversy over its <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283095==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/03/09/maxis.sim.city.server.problems.continue.ea.offers.free.game/" rel='nofollow'>botched launch</a> of SimCity for Windows and was recently named "Worst Company in America" for the <a href="http:...

Oculus Rift VR headset found highly repairable in teardown

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:29:00 GMT

The <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283038==http://www.oculusvr.com/" rel='nofollow'>Oculus Rift</a> virtual reality headset is reportedly easy to fix, after a recent teardown. The score of 9 out of 10 <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/283039==http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Oculus+Rift+Teardown/13682/1" rel='nofollow'>from</a> &am...

Rumor: Microsoft to provide next Xbox details on May 21st

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:11:00 GMT

Microsoft will reveal its follow-up to the Xbox 360 on May 21st, according to multiple reports. The console, codenamed <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/282806==http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/01/22/claimed.durango.system.architecture.makes.appearance/" rel='nofollow'>Durango</a>, is apparently scheduled to launch in "early November" and in theory...

Dell offers Alienware X51 gaming PC line with Ubuntu Linux

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:29:00 GMT

Dell's <a href="http://macnn.com/rd/282747==http://www.alienware.com/ubuntu/" rel='nofollow'>Alienware</a> venue for premium gaming PC's has revealed that it is making Ubuntu available on a line of compact desktop units. Alienware X51 customers can select from either Windows of Ubuntu when purchasing a new machine. Systems pre-loaded with Ubuntu Linux retail f...

Briefly: Borderlands 2 update, CheapAir iOS app released

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:30:00 GMT

Aspyr has released a new update for the Mac App Store version of <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=JWU6hEpoB3Q&subid=&offerid=146261.1&type=10&tmpid=3909&RD_PARM1=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fca%2Fapp%2Fborderlands-2%2Fid570316450%3Fmt%3D12">Borderlands 2</a>. In the latest release, players can ac...