Trouble ahead? 4G LTE Kindle Fire doesn’t yet have FCC approval for sale

Kindle Fire HD

Amazon is marketing its new 4G LTE Kindle Fire HD tablet despite the fact that it hasn't yet received approval from the Federal Communications Commission. The situation has been described as unusual by attorneys and analysts familiar with the FCC's procedures.

You’d hope Amazon knows exactly what it’s doing, but the fact that it announced its new high-end 4G LTE Kindle Fire HD tablet before receiving approval for sale from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) will strike some as a little odd, and has been described as unusual by attorneys and analysts with knowledge of the FCC’s procedures .

The FCC tests all new wireless communication devices to discover if they interfere with other signals. Once cleared, the product is allowed to go on sale. According to a Reuters report on Thursday, Amazon has yet to get the green light, despite promising to ship the product on November 20.

The report said that a confirmation email from the e-commerce giant in response to a pre-order for the 8.9-inch 4G LTE Kindle Fire HD said: “We will send you an email asking you to confirm your pre-order of Kindle Fire when it is approved for sale by the Federal Communications Commission.”

Speaking to Reuters about the situation, John Jackson, a wireless analyst at CCS Insight, said, “I can’t think of an instance where a device has been offered by a US carrier or an independent retailer that has not had FCC approval yet.”

Charles Golvin, a wireless analyst at Forrester Research, suggests that failure to get FCC approval prior putting the device on the market can probably be put down to Amazon’s lack of experience with wireless products.

It’s not just the selling of the device which is prohibited prior to FCC approval – marketing is also banned, unless a disclaimer is included in the promotional material.

Amazon is, however, clear about the situation with its new high-end tablet, stating on its website, “The 4G device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.”

Mitchell Lazarus of law firm Fletcher told Reuters that in most cases companies with new wireless communication products go through the procedures with the FCC “so they don’t have to make these awkward disclaimers.”

It’s being suggested that approval may be taking a little longer than usual as the 4G wireless modem being used in Amazon’s tablet is of a new type, whereas many gadgets sent to the FCC for approval contain modems used in products previously passed by the FCC, and so go through the process more quickly.

The other Kindle Fires announced by Amazon on Thursday are Wi-Fi only devices and are fit for sale.

If the FCC does find some serious issues with Amazon’s priciest Kindle Fire, the company will have limited time to sort it out before the holiday season kicks off. Failure to have it on the shelves by then would be hugely damaging for the Seatlle-based company as it attempts to increase its share of a market still dominated by Apple with its popular iPad tablet. 


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Motorola 2011-2012 Devices Should Get Jelly Bean, or $100 if the Device Can’t

Recently, Mobile Magazine reported that Motorola had plans to bring Jelly Bean to every device possible that was made in 2011 or later. While this was enough to get somewhat excited about, the biggest news was that Motorola promised that if it couldn’t bring Jelly Bean to your 2011-2012 Motorola device it would instead give you an $100 credit towards a new Motorola device.

Not a whole lot of details about the program were announced at first, and it seemed likely that the program wouldn’t start to roll out for quite a while. That being said, Motorola now has a website that has gone live with the deal.
Wait, but how do you know if your phone will eventually get Jelly Bean or not? For the moment, no official list on which devices will and won’t get Android 4.1 exists. Instead, the site allows you to sign up for information about how to update your device or how to claim the rebate if your device isn’t getting the upgrade.

The master list of device upgrades will likely surface sometime this year, though. Keep in mind that this ‘rebate’ isn’t a cash offer. Instead you can either get a gift card, carrier credit or possibly a cash equivalent of Motorola’s choice- though this would likely be a dollar amount that is less than $100.

To be perfectly honest, I think this is a brilliant move on Motorola and Google’s part. It shows a clear commitment to bringing the best that Android has to offer to all of Motorola’s offerings going forward.
What do you think?



Source : mobilemag[dot]com

PC features, preorder bonuses revealed for XCOM: Enemy Unknown

XCOM: Enemy Unknown, one of our most anticipated PC games of the year, is officially available for preorder at various online outfits, including Steam, which is spicing things up with a unique bonus system. These days, it's common for companies to reward customers with extras for buying games before they launch. This is usually a straightforward affair: pony up and you'll get something along the lines of special weapons, characters, cosmetics, concept art, a soundtrack or other goodies.

Instead of offering a flat bonus, Steam has gamified the process with tiered rewards that the community can collectively unlock by purchasing XCOM. As of writing, nearly enough people have preordered the game to unlock the first reward, an "Elite Soldier Pack" that includes a classic XCOM solider inspired by X-COM: UFO Defense, as well as two aesthetic upgrades: complete control over the color and tint of all armor sets, and "soldier deco packs" which provide several visual tweaks to armor suits.

 

The second tier will earn preorder customers three exclusive XCOM-themed Team Fortress 2 items: a flattop haircut-styled hat  ("The Crafty Hair"), an alien head hat ("Area 451"), and a special pin ("The Vigilant Pin"). The third and final reward tier is simply a free copy of Firaxis' Civilization V (it's giftable in case you already have it). It's unclear how many preorders are required to unlock these perks (the first one has reached 87% in under two days), but the community has until October 9 when the game releases.

With the launch only a few weeks away, 2K and Firaxis have revealed XCOM's system requirements. At minimum, the game calls for a 2GHz dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 20GB of storage space, a DirectX-compatible sound chip and a GeForce 8600 GT or Radeon HD 2600XT with 256MB of video memory. However, the developers recommend that you play with at least a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo or 2.7GHz Athlon X2, 4GB of RAM and a GeForce 9000 or Radeon HD 3000 series graphics card with 512MB of memory.

Set on modern-day Earth, players control the commander of a top-secret military organization known as the XCOM Project, which is tasked with addressing a hostile global alien invasion. Unlike the XCOM shooter being developed at 2K Marin, Enemy Unknown stays true to the franchise's strategic roots. In fact, it's said to be a reimagining of 1994's X-COM: UFO Defense, and considering Firaxis' reputation when it comes to strategy games (namely Sid Meier's titles), Enemy Unknown seems to be in good hands.

Along with fancier visuals such as higher-res textures and greater zoom levels, PC gamers will enjoy various gameplay benefits over the console version of Enemy Unknown. "There's more upfront information," according to lead designer Jake Solomon. "The game isn't tile based, but when you’re playing it [with a] mouse and keyboard it's just irritating as hell to play a tactical game without a grid. We actually ended up overlaying a grid on the PC version of the game," he explained.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown gameplay walkthrough with lead designer Jake Solomon

PC players will also be able to take advantage of the grid in what Firaxis calls Enemy Unknown's "tactical view." "It's really minor," Solomon said, "but when you hold down the right mouse button it'll lay a grid over the entire world, which is kind of nice for flanking and determining line of sight and things like that. And in the PC version you can mouse over the alien heads and the camera will scroll to them, but it'll also tell you everybody’s two hit percentages just right there on that first screen."


Source : techspot[dot]com

Report: iPhone 5 will have international LTE support

Report: iPhone 5 will have international LTE support

Apple's LTE is going global

The Apple iPhone 5 may support LTE globally, allowing users to jump from country to country and continent to continent without losing their lightening fast connectivity.

This is according to a recent report, with sources telling the Wall Street Journal the device can pick up on LTE in places like the U.S., Europe and Asia.

While this is exciting in terms of connectivity and speed, the sources also said not every carrier will offer the service.

Showdown at the LTE corral

Apple needs to watch itself, however, as Samsung has threatened to sue if the Cupertino releases an LTE device.

Samsung holds 819 LTE patents and while the iPad 3 has LTE connectivity, the Korean company seems to be lying in wait for the iPhone 5, likely as payback for the $1.05 billion in damages it's supposed to pay Apple in lawsuit damages.

Apple has picked up several hundred LTE patents (434, to be exact) over the last year to cover itself against Samsung's potent patents, but that doesn't guarantee Samsung won't engage in a long, drawn out court battle with their rival.

TechRadar will have live coverage of Apple's Sept. 12 event from San Francisco, where we expect the iPhone 5 to make its prodigious debut.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Sources: two lower end Nokia Windows Phone 8s are coming

Sources: two lower end Nokia Windows Phone 8s are coming

Lower than the 820?

With the launch of its first two Windows Phone 8 handsets earlier this week - the Lumia 920 and 820 - Nokia's been riding a roller coaster of positive reviews and lowered expectations.

Perhaps the introduction of another pair Windows Phone 8 smartphones, this time on the shallower end of the spectrum, will peak consumers interest even higher and send naysayers packing.

Sources talking to The Verge said the Finnish carrier is planning two such phones, the "Zeal" and "Flame."

The Zeal, first learned about Tuesday, is pegged to fall somewhere in the middle of Nokia's Lumia offings.

It'll reportedly measure 4.3 inches and pack a 1.0GHz dual-core processor. According to the sources, the Zeal will have a Zune-inspired design and fit into Nokia's standard unibody frame.

A microSD slot, 512MB of RAM and 8GB of storage are the only other specs available now for the phone.

Expect to see Nokia launch its zealous mid-ranger in early 2013.

Not a one off

Seemingly stuck on coupling its Windows Phone 8 handsets, The Verge learned Friday another low-spec phone, the Flame, could come early next year as well.

This one should reach 4-inch in length and it too will have a 1.0GHz dual-core processor with 512MB of RAM.

However, it differs from the Zeal - so far at least - as it looks like it features a 5MP camera and has 4GB of storage.

Sources say the Flame may get an optional microSD card boost and to fall into the Lumia 610 and 710's price ranges.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Samsung OS a viable option, Verizon CEO says

Samsung OS a viable option, Verizon CEO says

Bada bing, bada boom (credit: Samsung)

Samsung has the potential to be a strong No. 3 in the mobile operating system race, at least in the eyes of Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam.

During an investor conference call Friday, he painted the Korean electronics giant as a "dark horse" that could rival Apple iOS and Google Android.

Currently, Samsung's smartphones run either the Android OS or Windows Phone OS.

But by marrying its hardware expertise with new software, McAdam said, the company would free itself from relying on partners like Google and Microsoft.

It's a possibility…

The good news for Samsung is that it wouldn't have to start from scratch. The company has a working smartphone OS called Bada, which runs the Samsung Wave 3 and a few other devices available outside of the U.S.

McAdam didn't extend his speculation by saying whether or not he saw Bada leading this "dark horse" candidate to the No. 3 position.

However, he did cite the Apple vs. Samsung lawsuit verdict as another reason he believes Samsung could go down this path of independence, according to CNET.

Last month, a jury awarded Apple $1.049 billion, ruling that Samsung infringed upon several of the Cupertino company's patents. Appeals and an injunction hearing await.

Microsoft, Blackberry have potential, too

While McAdam referred to Samsung as the "potential elephant in the room," he did take a minute to visit the entire zoo of mobile OS manufacturers.

After all, Microsoft and RIM are two Verizon partners still vying for that No. 3 position that Samsung isn't even fully going after yet.

"What I like about Microsoft, it's not tied to one piece of hardware," he said of the Windows Phone operating system.

So far, Verizon has four phones running either the Windows 7 or 7.5 OS and McAdam said that he's excited about their products.

Likewise, he's not counting out RIM's BlackBerry line. Earlier this week, a Verizon executive said the carrier plans to sell BlackBerry 10 sometime this year.

It's unclear if Samsung will ever enter the fray with a renewed commitment to Bada or a newer operating system.

However, the company has enough electronics (from phones, to tablets, to HDTVs) that could support a mobile OS. Most importantly, Samsung seem to have the backing of at least one top carrier's CEO.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Neither Treyarch or Infinity Ward are making Call of Duty Black Ops: Declassified for PS Vita

call of duty black ops 2

Who's making Call of Duty Black Ops: Declassified? Not Infinity Ward, makers of Modern Warfare, and not Treyarch, makers of Black Ops.

Activision wants everyone, from the lowliest nerd to the highest spending shareholder in the company, to know that it is the publisher behind Call of Duty. Call of Duty: Black Ops is the best-selling video game of all time? That was us! We’re all Call of Duty, all the time, us Activision folk. Unless you’re talking about Call of Duty Black Ops: Declassified for PlayStation Vita. That might not be us.

That seemed to be the message at least when the first PS Vita version of the popular shooter series made its debut during Sony’s press conference at Gamescom in August. Activision was very quiet about the game, especially after the tepid response the first trailer received from press and fans. In fact, Activision wasn’t even clear on who is making it.

Not Treyarch and not Infinity Ward, says CVG. Neither of the studios responsible for Call of Duty’s annual HD console releases has worked on the Vita game. John Rafacz of Treyarch said his said hasn’t “been involved with the Vita version.” Rough!

Who is making the game? Nihilistic, an independent studio in California. Call of Duty obsessed Vita owners might want to dial back their excitement for the game even more considering Nihilistic’s most recent output. Its last game was Resistance: Burning Skies for PS Vita, a shooter built to showcase the handheld’s horsepower and capabilities as a platform for FPS games. It was instead a ramshackle series of boring levels and tacked on touch screen features.

Activision hasn’t totally separated itself from Call of Duty Black Ops: Declassified. “Activision is the publisher, but we also have a partnership with Sony to bundle Declassified with the PlayStation Vita.” Translation: We’re sort of publishing, but Sony’s publishing it more than us!

The concern here is not just the poor quality of Declassified based on footage of the game. Yes, the footage is especially rough since the game is due out in just over a month. The real problem is the amount of money that Sony no doubt spent to get Activision to commit the brand to Vita at all. Activision has been reticent to publish on either Sony or Nintendo’s handhelds in recent years, recognizing that the devoted portable gaming market is contracting on a nearly daily basis. If Sony spent big to get Activision to just loan out the Call of Duty name, it’s not getting very much for its money.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

NPD Group: Video game sales down 20 percent in the US

The downward spiral continues for the US video game market as sales of software, hardware and accessories were down for the ninth consecutive month. Research firm NPD Group reports that overall sales dropped 20 percent in August to $515.6 million, down from $647.2 million last year – a seemingly accurate estimate seeing as the number of gamers dropped by nearly 12 million since the same time last year.

The hardware sector suffered the most, dropping 39 percent year over year to just $150.6 million. The long lifecycles of today’s consoles and the number of gamers opting to play on tablets, smartphones and social networking sites are the primary factors that led to declining sales, according to NPD Group analyst Anita Frazier.

Core gamers, described as those that buy titles for console games, typically spend 35 percent more than others. For example, the average gamer spent $48 on a physical game and $16 on a digital title over the past three months. Core gamers shelled out $65 for a physical game on average. As you can see, core gamers are viewed as vital to the industry’s long-term success.

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 was the most popular console for the 20th consecutive month, although at this point the system (as well as those from competitors) is beginning to show its age. Frazier agrees, noting that it would be great to have new systems breathe life into the ecosystem. That breath of fresh air is expected to begin later this year when Nintendo launches the Wii U.


Source : techspot[dot]com

Apple ditching Siri processor provider

Apple ditching Siri processor provider

Is Apple switching up Siri?

Siri voice control may become a bit more robust and stretch it legs in the near future, according to an announcement from digital signal processing company Audience.

Apple uses Audience noise suppression technology, called earSmart, in the iPhone 4S to boost Siri's signal processing abilities. It's believed to be one of the reasons the voice command software was only available on the iPhone 4S.

But it looks like Siri won't need the extra hand moving forward.

In an investors’ statement, Audience said it believes Apple won't include the company's processors in future iPhones.

“Audience now believes that it is unlikely that [Apple] will enable Audience's processor IP in its next generation mobile phone,” the statement read.

“Audience is not aware of any intended changes by [Apple] to its use of Audience's processors or processor IP in prior generations of [Apple's] mobile phones.”

Siri grows up

Nothing Earth shattering, but this could foreshadow what's to come in Siri's future.

For starters, it could mean Siri's finally ready to shed its beta status, even though the digital assistant launch just under a year ago.

This might also be good news for users who own an iPhone older than the 4S. If Siri's voice recondition software becomes more robust it won't have to rely on the newest mobile chips.

Previously, Apple said the 4S with its A5 processor was the only iPhone with enough horsepower to run Siri. However, a developer has ported Siri to an iPhone 4 without many problems, and many hack enabled it on older devices.

This is all reading the tea leaves though. Last time we heard about Siri coming to older devices, Apple said it had 'no plans' to do so. Yet the company has promised to bring Siri to the iPad 3 when iOS 6 rolls out in the fall.

We'll be sure to know more about Apple's plans for the future at its September 12 press conference, where it's rumored that the tech giant will announce the iPhone 5.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Digital Blend: Kickstarter’s ‘Year of the Game,’ PS Vita homebrew, and Rovio’s Bad Piggies

Welcome to Digital Blend, your one-stop-shop for coverage and recommendations of all things relating to mobile gaming, digital marketplaces, and indie titles (for the week ending September 9).

Welcome back to Digital Blend, our weekly look at the world of downloadable video gaming that exists at the fringes of the mainstream. That means we look at the hottest new mobile game releases, downloadable content drops on consoles and PCs, indie darlings that deserve your love and attention, and the best gaming values under $20.

Keep your comments and feedback coming. We want to hear from you! Did you try something you read about here and enjoy it? Is there a particular game you think we’ve overlooked or news you want to share? Any questions you are dying to ask? Let us know! Your thoughts, feedback, suggestions and (constructive!) criticism are welcome, either in the comments section below or directed at yours truly on Twitter, @geminibros.

Making headlines…

* Kickstarter knows where its audience is. The crowd-funding website has officially declared 2012 the “Year of the Game,” with seven of the website’s 11 million-plus earners relating in some way to video games. The figure also means that games account for the most money pledged out of any other category on the site, amounting to a total of roughly $50 million in crowd-sourced dollars. Kickstarter launched in 2009; in the time between then and the start of 2012, video game projects ranked as the eighth most funded category on the site. The numbers  this year catapult games up to the second most funded position.  For more on how the numbers break down, including the percentage of successfully funded game projects, check out Francis’ full report.

call of juarez xbla psn* Techland is prepping what appears to be a bit of a series reboot for Call of Juarez, with Ubisoft announcing a return to the original Wild West setting for the next game in the series, Call of Juarez: Gunslinger. Rather than picking up on earlier stories, Gunslinger blends fact and fiction, putting players in the shoes of an Old West bounty hunter in search of real-life outlaws like Billy the Kid and Butch Cassidy. Gunslinger will be released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC platforms as a downloadable game sometime in early 2013. Check out Anthony’s post to learn more about the game.

* Early adopters of Sony’s PlayStation Vita are getting restless, what with the relatively small launch and post-launch library that’s been coming together since the handheld hit U.S. stores in February 2012. The slow burn has left enterprising programs with plenty of free time to work on circumventing the closed system for the purposes of running homebrew software. Hacker Yifan Lu discovered a Vita exploit that’s allowed him to develop the very first homebrew loader for the handheld, which is itself based on an early loader for Sony’s widely hacked PlayStation Portable. The core mindset behind homebrew development is noble in its aim to open up closed software platforms for homegrown development projects. Unfortunately, homebrew is often synonymous with piracy, which is why Sony is constantly working to shut down the exploits that hackers take advantage of. Lu insists that his goals with the Vita loader are for homebrew development only, but it’s definitely a sticky situation. For more, check out Anthony’s report.

angry birds 2* Rovio struck gold in a huge way with Angry Birds, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that the company’s just-announced new franchise is really more of an outgrowth of its already established universe. Bad Piggies aims to turn to tables on those angry, angry birds, tasking players with building an assortment of vehicles that will carry the future pork products (mmmm… bacon) to the bird eggs that they’d so like to feast upon. Rovio hopes that this dramatic shift away from the “fling birds at structures to knock them down” gameplay of its previous hit will help establish Bad Piggies as a new franchise unto itself, rather than as a sequel.

* Valve definitely has the right idea with Steam Greenlight, a crowd-sourcing initiative that offers Steam users the opportunity to throw their support behind any of the various indie projects that are vying for a highly coveted spot in Valve’s online store. Greenlight is going through some growing pains, however. In the early days of the new service, a number of supposed indie developers posted “projects” that largely amounted to community trolling, offensive stuff like a 9/11 simulator. While a separate dialogue is starting to develop about what is and isn’t okay for Steam in the wake of a planned erotic game’s removal, Valve implemented a $100 posting fee to cut down on the fraudulent projects going up on Greenlight. The company is also looking to streamline how Steam users engage with Greenlight by offering personalized lists based on each person’s interests.

Top buys for the week…

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 - GulchCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 — Collection 4: Final Assault :: Xbox 360 :: 1,200 MS Points

Activision’s inaugural year for “Call of Duty Elite” is officially over with the end of Modern Warfare 3‘s DLC content season this week. The new pack, a timed exclusive for Xbox 360, is all about the multiplayer, offering five new locations for players to frag and be fragged in. You’ll run through an abandoned mining town in Gulch, blow up the Jersey Shore in Boardwalk, rampage through New Orleans’ French Quarter in Parish, negotiate an oil rig’s catwalks in Offshore, and creep your way through a rotting ship’s graveyard in Decommission. As usual, this content will eventually come to PlayStation 3 and PC platforms, likely sometime in October.

Mark of the NinjaMark of the Ninja :: Xbox 360 :: 1,200 MS Points

Klei Entertainment’s Mark of the Ninja is, hands-down, the very best that this week has to offer in downloadable gaming. The 2D side-scrolling stealth game is very nearly perfect, sending players on a series of multi-path missions in full ninja garb. Don’t let the 2D presentation — which is beautiful and hand-drawn, by the way — put you off. You’ll be presented with a wide array of options as you progress through the game, not just in the routes you can follow but also in how your ninja’s skills and gear improve. Wrapping around the whole thing is a well-told story that will have you exploring some thought-provoking themes by the time its final moments play out.

Avengers Initiative :: iOS :: $6.99

There’s always a temptation to rag on movie-licensed video game given the rocky history that exists between the two mediums, but the currently iOS-excluisve Avengers Initiative (it’s headed to Android as well) is one of the rare exceptions. Marvel Entertainment is planning this one as an episodic series, with the now-released first episode focusing entirely on Bruce Banner’s green-skinned alter-ego, the Hulk. The gameplay is essentially a cruder take on Infinity Blade, but the experience is enhanced by sweet visuals, character customization, and the promise of more Marvel action to come.

Skyrim DLCThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim – Hearthfire DLC :: Xbox 360 :: 400 MS Points

I’m not gonna lie: Skyrim‘s second piece of downloadable content — the final timed-exclusive for Xbox 360 — pretty much amounts to House Armor. You can build a house. Or more than one house. You can upgrade your house(s). You can send your spouse to live in that house, and you can then take your domestic life a step further by adopting a child. There’s 50GS worth of Achievements to be had here, but don’t expect any kind of questline. And bring gold. Houses ain’t cheap, you know? Hearthfire isn’t for everyone, but it’s a neat addition to Bethesda’s vibrant world for those who really want to leave more of a personal mark in it.

Super HexagonSuper Hexagon :: iOS :: $0.99

Every week there’s some new time-chomping mobile game that threatens to consume your life with its “just one more go”-friendly setup and destroy your phone with its “blink and you fail” gameplay. This week, that game is Super Hexagon, from VVVVVV creator Terry Cavanagh. The new game is much simpler than the gravity-powered platformer that precedes it. Players simply guide their little, triangle-shaped avatar around the perimeter of an inner hexagon as larger shapes shrink inward. The idea is always to have your triangle positioned so it can pass through the lone open area on the shrinking hex. It’s frankly much easier to grok by watching the thing in motion than reading a text description, so why don’t you go ahead and check out the trailer.

Zen Pinball 2 :: PSN :: FREE

Let’s be clear first: Zen Pinball 2 is technically free to download, but you’ll have to actually buy individual tables or table packs in order to fully enjoy it. Non-pack tables can be played for free, but there’s a time limit dictating how long you can play before you’re kicked back to the main menu. Pricing on tables starts at $2.50, and packs go up as high as $9.99. Any tables you might have owned previously in the original Zen Pinball can be imported, and everything is cross-platform-friendly, meaning you can play on both your PlayStation 3 and your PS Vita.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Rumored HTC One X+ specs leak on Twitter

Rumored HTC One X+ specs leak on Twitter

Specs out of the bag for another HTC phone (credit: Football4PDA)

Though the HTC One X+ hasn't officially been announced yet, that hasn't stopped a healthy dose of details on the phone from spilling.

Last month, a possible benchmark for the One X+ was discovered on NenaMark's website, leading many to believe HTC was about to announce a successor to their flagship One X smartphone.

Now a new leak has revealed the supposed hardware details of the One X's slightly beefier brother.

An anonymous developer divulged the details in a rather cluttered tweet, which came complete with all the pertinent information about HTC's rumored device.

Same size, better processor

As originally reported, the One X+ will apparently use a nVidia Tegra 3 processor, though it won't be just any old 1.7GHz chip.

Believed to be included with the One X+ is a new Tegra 3+ AP37 1.6GHz quad-core / 1.7GHz single-core processor.

Like the original One X, this updated version will come with 1GB RAM and 32GB ROM, as well as an identical 1800mAH battery.

Additionally, the tweet suggests the One X+ will use Android 4.1.1: Jelly Bean, as was originally revealed in the NenaMark benchmarking.

Unfortunately, the leak didn't reveal which service provider will be carrying the device.

HTC will be hosting an event on September 19, where we may learn more about this rumored phone, along with their "unique" tablet, or even the HTC Proto.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Building a better wheel: Crytek details Crysis 3

Crysis 3 Liberty Dome

We speak with Crytek developer and Crysis 3 producer, Mike Read, about the upcoming game, and we look back on the hits and misses of Crysis 2.

With just five months to go until it is released, Crysis 3 has managed to fly somewhat under the radar. Its predecessor was released just last year, and with the cornucopia of other first-person shooters on the market and due out later this year, it is easy for a game like this to get overlooked. At least for the moment.

With a relatively soft release schedule for February of next year (at least so far), you can expect that the interest will heat up and by the time this game is released. It will be white hot. The Crysis series may not have the name recognition that Call of Duty or the Battlefield franchises enjoy, but to those that have experienced the series firsthand, you can be sure the third offering has their attention.  

Crytek is known for its technologically sophisticated games. We recently spoke with them about the engine they are using, the phenomenal CryENGINE 3, and how the future of gaming is constantly changing. The developer has excelled at pushing games and gaming systems to their limits.  The original Crysis still laughs in the face of weaker PCs, and Crysis 2 offered more than a few jaw dropping scenes of beauty and awe. To the gamers out there that appreciate this level of technical excellence, you can be sure that Crysis 3 will have their attention.  

We spoke with Crysis 3 producer Mike Read about what to expect from the upcoming Crysis 3, as well as where Crysis 2 got it right, and where their dreams and the current technology diverged.

Mike ReadWhat can you tell me about Crysis 3?

Mike Read: Crysis 3 takes place more than 20 years after the events of Crysis 2. The CELL corporation has become a world superpower and now controls the global energy resources. Over all the major cities worldwide, they have built these massive domes which now cover them. Crysis 3 takes place in the dome which we refer to as the Liberty Dome, which is the one that covers New York City. Within this dome is a broken down city that has managed to help flourish an environment which we like to refer to as an Urban Jungle.

In Crysis 3, you’ll be playing as a well-known Crysis character called Prophet, which some might remember from the previous Crysis series. Prophet is on a mission and is being driven by something he doesn’t quite understand: visions of the end of the world and the destruction of mankind. He will stop at nothing to reach his goal and that includes removing anything that stands in his way.

Was it developed as a PC game then ported over, or was it developed simultaneously on consoles as well? 

MR: Crysis 3 is being developed simultaneously on PC, Xbox, and PS3. The development of Crysis 2 put us in a good position and taught us a lot of lessons, so that we are now able to do this reliably and effectively.

Sequels are always expected to be bigger and better than their predecessors. So how will Crysis 3 improve upon Crysis 2?

MR: Of course, but we aren’t out to reinvent the wheel, but rather to build a better one. We took a lot out of what we learned from Crysis 1 and Crysis 2 and incorporated that into what we are going to deliver for Crysis 3 – things like art, design, content, story, AI, etc. There are countless tweaks that have been made to all the systems, but everything will still feel very much like a Crysis game.

Story is probably one of the bigger ones that has changed as well, and we think that fans that really want to immerse themselves in this aspect of the game are in for a treat this time around. You will see a lot more depth and interactions with the characters, which is something we had always caught some flak about in the past, so this time we’ve taken a different focus from its predecessors with the help of Steven Hall who has been at the core of the writing for Crysis 3. The story should help to answer some of those burning questions we get on the Crysis universe as well!

Crysis 3The bow has been highlighted quite a bit so far. What attracted you to featuring a bow?

MR: The bow was something that just fit really well into the “hunter” theme we were focusing on in Crysis 3. We wanted to offer a weapon that provided more tactical depth by offering different ammunition types for different gameplay purposes. We combined this with our bow design and got an immensely powerful and versatile weapon for the player that is so satisfying and rewarding to use, that we simply had to push it further and put it at the center of the gunplay in Crysis 3.

Looking back on Crysis 2, what were you most proud of?

MR: There are so many things that were crowning achievements and hard challenges that made Crysis 2 a great project. I would say the top one was being able to bring the Crysis brand to console players. There were some enormous walls we encountered in doing this, but it’s really paid off for us in the long-term for our tech; both for our internal projects and what we are able to offer CryENGINE licensees.

crysis 2 nanosuitWere there any things you wish had come out better?

MR: In my opinion, the Nanosuit upgrade system could have used some more attention. It ended up in a bare bones form that was a little too simplistic from what we wanted to achieve in the final delivery of Crysis 2. In Crysis 3, we have put a fairly large focus on that to turn the system into something with more depth. We’ll be moving away from the collection of Nanocatalysts and turning to a new pickup system to unlock these powers. You’ll also be able to create many more combinations than you had been able to do in the previous Crysis games. My favorite part about this is the ability to create customized combinations which can be switched on the fly.

Was there anything you excluded you wished you could have added? Why was it nixed?

MR: The AI responses to Nanosuit tactics is something that never quite made it to a point we were happy with. For instance, having multiple alert levels for CELL members who find themselves in combat versus the Nanosuit and the ways that they respond to it. From feeling safe, alerted, scared, or panicked. These would go a long way to provide the level of immersiveness we want to provide for the player. AI behavior is always one of the most challenging things we do when making a game and for Crysis 3 we are really aiming high to take this to a whole new level. As we get closer to release, we’ll be talking in more detail about this system.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

FedEx preparing for 'surge volume' Sept. 21-24, hinting at iPhone 5 release date

FedEx preparing for 'surge volume' Sept. 21-24, hinting at iPhone 5 release date

The shadow for the "12" looks conspicuously like a "5"

A FedEx insider has released an internal memo that provides yet another hint of a Sept. 21 new iPhone 5 release date.

The memo describes as "surge volume" that'll take place Sept. 21-24, exactly when the new iPhone 5 release is rumored to be taking place.

The FedEx communiqué instructs employees that training classes previously scheduled during the period starting Sept. 21 have been postponed to Nov., just as similar internal communications from Verizon and AT&T recently forbade employees from taking holidays during that week.

The ban on vacations and postponement of scheduled activities could indicate these companies are expecting to move high product volumes during that time.

All in all, a Sept. 21 iPhone 5 release date is looking more and more likely.

And so it begins

The Sept. 21 iPhone 5 release date was initially rumored back in July, when the Apple event taking place on Sept. 12 first came to light.

That event has since been confirmed by Apple - the Cupertino tech giant sent out an invite recently with the words "It's almost here. 12."

The shadow for that "12" looks conspicuously like a big "5," removing any room for doubt as to what's being announced at the Sept. 12 event.

Another site, GottaBeMobile, claimed on Friday that "a trusted source" has also confirmed the Sept. 21 iPhone 5 release date.

What to expect from the iPhone 5 announcement

iPhone 5 rumors have been flying for months, with the latest claiming that the new iPhone won't be the only new Apple product in the spotlight on Sept. 12.

In fact, two or three new iPods could be introduced alongside the iPhone 5.

Other recent rumors indicate that the iPhone 5 will have a larger, 16x9 4-inch screen and a bigger battery to compensate for it.

No matter what, there're only five days left to take in all these iPhone 5 rumors, so enjoy it while it lasts.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Flipboard now an in-magazine shopping destination for Levi’s clothing

levis flipboard

Flipboard announces its partnership with Levi's to kick start its foray into m-commerce. Users can now purchase clothing from within the app.

For years now, reader apps have slugged along with an advertising business model that hasn’t exactly been lucrative. With the debut of Flipboard’s new social shopping catalogue, however, its e-commerce strategy could break ground for the experimentation of new business models among reader apps.

Piggybacking on New York Fashion Week, which is in full bloom for the Spring/Summer 2013 line, Flipboard has announced “The New Levi’s Collection.” Flipboard, in conjunction with Levi’s, will sell the clothing brand’s fall season fashion for both men and women. In other words, the magazine-style reader is now a shopping platform — one where users can easily purchase what they see from within the app’s new Style category, found in the Content Guide.

In magazine fashion, the Style category will be accompanied by images uploaded using Instagram, curated articles by Levi’s staffers, and a behind-the-scenes look of the “insider’s view of life at Levi’s.” Flipboard calls the experience Catalogue 2.0, as it offers a shopping experience that’s completely restricted to Flipboard, a mobile-only application.

Flipboard is not the first magazine-like app to have tackled m-commerce. Publishers were once scrambling to figure out how to offer a compelling tablet-based magazine that consumers would be willing to purchase, despite offering similar content in its print publication. In 2010 Marie Claire and ELLE magazines, both, owned by Hearst, were among the first magazine app in the iTunes App Store with an m-commerce solution that integrated a shopping platform within the reading experience.

There isn’t much to lose for both Flipboard and Levi’s now that the technology platform has already been developed. Flipboard most likely takes a commission for every sale made, similar to a drop shipping solution, and (of course) every purchase request notifies Levi’s to ship out the appropriate product.

This strategy could get the folks at Zite, Pulse, News.me, and other mobile readers thinking about supplementing their revenue with an m-commerce business model, and we couldn’t blame them. M-commerce is one of the fastest growing subsets within e-commerce.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Weekend game deals: 75% off Trine, Crysis, Far Cry series, more

In coordination with the launch of Trine 2's first piece of DLC this week, Steam has steeply discounted the series with both titles and the new add-on collectively priced at only $8.74. Many of last week's bundle deals have carried over, with considerable savings on a Crysis collection, a BioShock and Spec Ops: The Line pack, as well as GTA IV/L.A. Noire and Max Payne 3 combos. You'll also find solid deals on Mass Effect 3, The Darkness II, Batman: AA, as well as various Assassin's Creed and Tom Clancy titles. Oh, and although it's not listed, a Guest poster has drawn our attention to G2Play, which offers a Dark Souls Steam key for only $22.86 (~42% off).

Steam
83 Crysis Collection $17.49 (75% off)
86 Crysis 2 Maximum Edition $9.99 (75% off)
85 Trine Complect Collection $8.74 (75% off) 
85 Trine 2 $3.74 (75% off)
85 Frozenbyte Collection $9.99 (75% off)
42 Ship Simulator Extremes $4.99 (75% off)
70  Age of Empires DLC: Steam Starter Pack $9.99 (50% off)
Blacklight: Retribution - Sniper Kit $7.49 (50% off)
War of the Immortals - Starter Pack $4.99 (67% off)
More...

Amazon Digital
89 Mass Effect 3 Digital Deluxe Version $19.99 (60% off)
86 BioShock 1 & 2 + Spec Ops: The Line $19.99 (78% off)
81 Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning $15.99 (60% off)
66 Disney Kids and Family Pack $8.99 (94% off)
89 Dead Space Dual Pack $7.99 (80% off)
85 GTA IV + Max Payne 3 $29.99 (67% off)
86  L.A. Noire Complete + Max Payne 3 $29.99 (67% off)
79 The Darkness II $9.99 (80% off)
83 Borderlands GotY $14.99 (50% off)
50 Final Fantasy XI: Ultimate Collection Abyssea Edition $9.99 (50% off)
71 Spore Ultimate Digital Collection $11.99 (60% off)
88 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 $9.99 (50% off)
82  Call of Duty: Black Ops $19.99 (50% off)
77 Split Second $4.00 (80% off)
80 Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga $5.99 (85% off)
58 Binary Domain $10.00 (75% off)
50 The Stronghold Collection $9.99 (50% off)
X-COM: Collection $3.75 (75% off)
More...

GameStop
70 Homefront $13.39 (33% off)
69 Warhammer 40k Dawn of War Collection $16.99 (66% off)
74 Majesty 2 Collection $6.79 (66% off)
Company of Heroes: Gold Edition $20.09 (33% off)
Heroes of Might and Magic V $4.99 (50% off)
More...

GamersGate
90 Batman: Arkham Asylum GotY $4.99 (75% off)
76 Hearts of Iron 3 Collection $7.49 (75% off)
79 King Arthur Collection $7.49 (70% off)
The Kings' Crusade Collection $5.99 (70% off)
Stardrone $2.99 (85% off)
More...

GameFly
71 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 $2.49 (75% off)
81 Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction $4.99 (75% off)
78 From Dust $3.75 (75% off)
79  R.U.S.E. $4.99 (75% off)
89  Assassin's Creed II Deluxe Edition $4.99 (75% off)
88 Assassin's Creed Brotherhood $9.99 (50% off)
76  Assassin's Creed Revalations $14.99 (50% off)
81 Bulletstorm $5.00 (75% off)
44 Stronghold 3 Gold $19.99 (50% off)
Far Cry $2.49 (75% off)
Far Cry 2 Fortune's Edition $2.49 (75% off)
More...

Green Man Gaming
66  Alter Ego $3.99 (60% off)
69  Still Life 2 $7.99 (60% off)
Still Life $3.99 (60% off)
Air Conflicts: Secret Wars $7.99 (60% off)
Death Road $5.99 (60% off)
Post Mortem $3.99 (60% off)
Syberia $3.99 (60% off)
Syberia 2 $3.99 (60% off)
The Rockin' Dead $3.99 (60% off)
More...

GOG
50% off point-and-click titles


Source : techspot[dot]com

HTC 8X leaks suggest specs and date

HTC 8X leaks suggest specs and date

Mighty fine looking phone...on paper (credit: @Football4PDA)

We now have a better idea of what to expect from one of HTC's first Windows Phone 8 device, with a leaked spec sheet detailing the HTC 8X's internals.

The HTC 8X, previously known by its code-name HTC Accord, will have a 4.3-inch display capable of 720p resolution.

It will run on a dual-core 1.2GHz processor with 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, NFC support, Beats audio, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Wi-Fi, GPS, and a micro USB port.

The 8MP rear camera will come equipped with an f2.0 28mm lens, auto focus, and LED flash. The front camera will pack an "ultra-wide angle" lens, which will surprisingly enable it to record 1080p HD video.

A November launch?

The leak comes courtesy of twitter tipster Football4PDA, who previously leaked the HTC 8X's name by posting shots from the handset's quick guide manual.

Meanwhile, another leak today may have revealed when to expect the HTC 8X to arrive with carriers. Site TmoNews uncovered T-Mobile's release calendar, using the HTC Accord code-name to mark a Nov. 14 release date.

The HTC 8X is supposedly the mid-range of three rumored Windows Phone 8 devices from the manufacturer, with the other two code-named Rio and Zenith.

We'll know more about all three handsets when HTC's Sept. 19 event rolls around, where the company is also expected to unveil a new Android tablet.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Best Windows Phone Games

best windows phone games mobile smartphone

Microsoft might be a distant third in the mobile race, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of fun, addicting games for the Windows Phone. Check out our roundup of Best Windows Phone games.

It’s not often that one can say Microsoft is an underdog. The company is one of the largest in the world and easily the most notable name in personal computing. But when it comes to the mobile phone market, Microsoft has yet to make a noticeable dent. After some tough attempts at breaking in, they may have finally found a nice niche with the Windows Phone. The operating system still isn’t knocking on iOS or Android’s door, but it has picked up dedicated user base. Keeping fans in the fickle phone market can be tough, but Microsoft have kept their users happy. Perhaps a great selection of games for those on the go have helped. Here’s some of our favorite games for Windows Phones.

angry birds icon windows phone 7 gameAngry Birds ($1)

What is a list of great mobile games without Angry Birds? While it might be an obvious choice, it’s that way for a reason. Angry Birds is undoubtably one of the most fun and addictive games that you can house on your handset. Load up some flying feathered friends and send them for a ride as you try to topple the fortresses of pigs that have stolen precious eggs. It’s about as much of a classic as one can get in the young world of mobile games, but none of its original appeal has worn off.

angry birds screenshot windows phone 7 game

fruit ninja icon windows phone 7 gameFruit Ninja ($1)

Every warrior has to start somewhere — you can’t just go out and start breaking boards and cinderblocks on day one. There’s no better way to work your way up to unleashing your inner kung-fu than with Fruit Ninja. The concept is silly and the construct is simple, but don’t be surprised if you fire up this game at the start of a commute and you go a few extra stops just to keep playing. Fruit of all sorts comes flying across the screen and its your job to chop it up as fast as possible, launching juice in all directions. If only making fruit salad was this fun.

fruit ninja screenshot windows phone 7 game

little acorns icon windows phone 7 game appLittle Acorns ($3)

There are few things more determined than a squirrel that wants to protect its stash of nuts. Little Acorns gives you the chance to help out a furry friend by guiding him through 80 levels in attempts to prepare for winter. Little Acorns channels the gameplay of classic platformer mechanics and the undeniable appeal of an adorable squirrel to create a game experience that is tough to put down. How can you not help the little guy get ready for the oncoming cold? Especially when it’s so fun.

little acorns screenshot windows phone 7 game app

pool pro online 3 windows phone 7 app gamePool Pro Online 3 ($3)

Pool is a game that has been around for generations, ever since the cavemen used sticks to hit rocks into holes in the ground. While that information is completely unfounded, here’s something that is true: Pool Pro Online 3 is a blast. It takes the familiar game of pocket billiards and really emphasizes the “pocket” part by putting it on your phone. Then it cranks up the competition with online play against friends or strangers. Work your way up the leader boards to prove you’re a true pool shark.

pool pro online screenshot windows phone 7 game app

feed me oil icon windows phone 7 game appFeed Me Oil ($1)

One occasionally has to wonder just way oil tycoons make so much money for just happening across the strange black liquid. If Feed Me Oil gives any insight into what a oil worker has to deal with on a daily basis, whatever they make isn’t enough. The game presents a weird world where the ground is alive with crazy creatures that crave crude oil. You’ll have to direct the black gold from a broken pipe to the mouths of these odd little characters. Use the tools provided, but mostly use your brain to make it through this quirky puzzler.

feed me oil screenshot windows phone 7 game app

istunt 2 icon windows phone 7 game appiStunt 2 ($3)

Watching extreme sports events can often make one tempted to attempt the action they see on screen. Save yourself the embarrassment of performing a flurry of face plants by getting iStunt 2. The game takes you to the virtual slopes and puts you in control of a snowboarder that is more than capable of pulling off the most insane of in-air moves. With a great physics engine, awesome action, and game bolstering boosts, iStunt 2 has all the excitement of sliding down the slope with none of the dangers of having a piece of plastic strapped to your feet.

istunt 2 screenshot windows phone 7 game app

tiki towers icon windows phone 7 game appTiki Towers ($3)

Visit any zoo and take a look at the monkeys. They are fascinating creatures for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s because how close their actions mirror our own and sometimes it’s because they fling around inappropriate items. The monkeys in Tiki Towers are a little more sophisticated than that. These primates have built some bamboo-based creations to help them navigate some puzzling and tough terrain in hopes of discovering lost treasure. Play through 45 levels across 5 islands as you help the monkeys achieve their ultimate goal.

tiki towers screenshot windows phone 7 game app

zombies!!! icon windows phone 7 app gameZombies!!! ($5)

The idea of a zombie apocalypse has become a bit marginalized by its overuse in pop culture. One can’t take a trip to the movie theater, flip channels, of walk into a trendy t-shirt shop without seeing something referencing zombies. But don’t let the over-saturation fool you, the threat is out there. Nothing makes it more apparent than Zombies!!!, a game that puts you right in the middle of an undead uprising. Fight through infested territories as you try to survive the onslaught of corpses. It’s a blast and great training for the day the inevitable real life infection spreads.

zombies!!! screenshot windows phone 7 game app


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

New Intel chips coming as sales outlook takes a hit

New Intel chips coming as sales outlook takes a hit

Can the chipmaker turn things around with new processors?

Intel is one of the top chipmakers in the world, but according to analysts' predictions and the Santa Clara, Calif. company's own financial outlook, things are not looking up in the PC business.

Reuters reports that at least eight analysts have shared bad tidings for Intel, with poor economies in major markets (Europe, the US and China) and increasing demand for mobile devices (versus desktops/laptops) to blame.

A report from Gartner in July claimed that PC sales had fallen flat for the seventh quarter in a row during the second half of 2012.

And another analyst, Citigroup's Glen Yeung, told CNBC on Friday that "the worst third quarter in the history of PCs" is right around the corner.

"I would point out that this is the first time ever that Microsoft has changed operating systems, and it's not just PCs," Yeung said. "This time, there's a tablet involved, there's a smartphone involved."

Intel's negative outlook

Intel's lowered its own third-quarter revenue estimate, citing "weaker than expected demand in a challenging macroeconomic environment."

Intel rolled back its estimates by a full eight percent, a figure Reuters claims is "much more severe than expected."

And Intel's shares have fallen 11 percent since the end of April.

Blame poor economies all you want, but the fact is that Intel has fallen behind in the processor arms race, losing ground to chipmakers like Qualcomm in the mobile arena.

With forecasts so low, what can Intel do to bolster its fortunes?

Lean on Microsoft

Intel is looking forward to Microsoft's impending Windows 8 launch with hope in its heart and dollar signs where its eyes should be.

Intel's Ivy Bridge chip successor "Haswell" is expected to be introduced for the 2013 holiday season, and as TechRadar has pointed out in the past, Haswell chips are estimated to consume half the power of current processors.

That makes them a huge draw for energy-conscious customers and those craving better battery life.

Meanwhile, Intel's current Ivy Bridge architecture will power Windows 8 PCs in the fall.

Any number of those factors could combine to sell some PCs in the next year or so. In fact, Intel's counting on it.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Building a better wheel; Crytek details Crysis 3

Crysis 3 Liberty Dome

We speak with Crytek developer and Crysis 3 producer, Mike Read, about the upcoming game, and we look back on the hits and misses of Crysis 2.

With just five months to go until it is released, Crysis 3 has managed to fly somewhat under the radar. Its predecessor was released just last year, and with the cornucopia of other first-person shooters on the market and due out later this year, it is easy for a game like this to get overlooked. At least for the moment.

With a relatively soft release schedule for February of next year (at least so far), you can expect that the interest will heat up and by the time this game is released. It will be white hot. The Crysis series may not have the name recognition that Call of Duty or the Battlefield franchises enjoy, but to those that have experienced the series firsthand, you can be sure the third offering has their attention.  

Crytek is known for its technologically sophisticated games. We recently spoke with them about the engine they are using, the phenomenal CryENGINE 3, and how the future of gaming is constantly changing. The developer has excelled at pushing games and gaming systems to their limits.  The original Crysis still laughs in the face of weaker PCs, and Crysis 2 offered more than a few jaw dropping scenes of beauty and awe. To the gamers out there that appreciate this level of technical excellence, you can be sure that Crysis 3 will have their attention.  

We spoke with Crysis 3 producer Mike Read about what to expect from the upcoming Crysis 3, as well as where Crysis 2 got it right, and where their dreams and the current technology diverged.

Mike ReadWhat can you tell me about Crysis 3?

Mike Read: Crysis 3 takes place more than 20 years after the events of Crysis 2. The CELL corporation has become a world superpower and now controls the global energy resources. Over all the major cities worldwide, they have built these massive domes which now cover them. Crysis 3 takes place in the dome which we refer to as the Liberty Dome, which is the one that covers New York City. Within this dome is a broken down city that has managed to help flourish an environment which we like to refer to as an Urban Jungle.

In Crysis 3, you’ll be playing as a well-known Crysis character called Prophet, which some might remember from the previous Crysis series. Prophet is on a mission and is being driven by something he doesn’t quite understand: visions of the end of the world and the destruction of mankind. He will stop at nothing to reach his goal and that includes removing anything that stands in his way.

Was it developed as a PC game then ported over, or was it developed simultaneously on consoles as well? 

MR: Crysis 3 is being developed simultaneously on PC, Xbox, and PS3. The development of Crysis 2 put us in a good position and taught us a lot of lessons, so that we are now able to do this reliably and effectively.

Sequels are always expected to be bigger and better than their predecessors. So how will Crysis 3 improve upon Crysis 2?

MR: Of course, but we aren’t out to reinvent the wheel, but rather to build a better one. We took a lot out of what we learned from Crysis 1 and Crysis 2 and incorporated that into what we are going to deliver for Crysis 3 – things like art, design, content, story, AI, etc. There are countless tweaks that have been made to all the systems, but everything will still feel very much like a Crysis game.

Story is probably one of the bigger ones that has changed as well, and we think that fans that really want to immerse themselves in this aspect of the game are in for a treat this time around. You will see a lot more depth and interactions with the characters, which is something we had always caught some flak about in the past, so this time we’ve taken a different focus from its predecessors with the help of Steven Hall who has been at the core of the writing for Crysis 3. The story should help to answer some of those burning questions we get on the Crysis universe as well!

Crysis 3The bow has been highlighted quite a bit so far. What attracted you to featuring a bow?

MR: The bow was something that just fit really well into the “hunter” theme we were focusing on in Crysis 3. We wanted to offer a weapon that provided more tactical depth by offering different ammunition types for different gameplay purposes. We combined this with our bow design and got an immensely powerful and versatile weapon for the player that is so satisfying and rewarding to use, that we simply had to push it further and put it at the center of the gunplay in Crysis 3.

Looking back on Crysis 2, what were you most proud of?

MR: There are so many things that were crowning achievements and hard challenges that made Crysis 2 a great project. I would say the top one was being able to bring the Crysis brand to console players. There were some enormous walls we encountered in doing this, but it’s really paid off for us in the long-term for our tech; both for our internal projects and what we are able to offer CryENGINE licensees.

crysis 2 nanosuitWere there any things you wish had come out better?

MR: In my opinion, the Nanosuit upgrade system could have used some more attention. It ended up in a bare bones form that was a little too simplistic from what we wanted to achieve in the final delivery of Crysis 2. In Crysis 3, we have put a fairly large focus on that to turn the system into something with more depth. We’ll be moving away from the collection of Nanocatalysts and turning to a new pickup system to unlock these powers. You’ll also be able to create many more combinations than you had been able to do in the previous Crysis games. My favorite part about this is the ability to create customized combinations which can be switched on the fly.

Was there anything you excluded you wished you could have added? Why was it nixed?

MR: The AI responses to Nanosuit tactics is something that never quite made it to a point we were happy with. For instance, having multiple alert levels for CELL members who find themselves in combat versus the Nanosuit and the ways that they respond to it. From feeling safe, alerted, scared, or panicked. These would go a long way to provide the level of immersiveness we want to provide for the player. AI behavior is always one of the most challenging things we do when making a game and for Crysis 3 we are really aiming high to take this to a whole new level. As we get closer to release, we’ll be talking in more detail about this system.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

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