Plusses and Partnerships

By now, I'm sure you've all heard about Google+.  Some of you may even be on it.  If you are, be sure to add me to your circles - binary phoenix at gmail dot com (you know what to do with that). If you're not, don't ask me for an invite - Google turned them off, so I don't have any to give you.  As soon as they're active again I'll let you know.

So, here's what I like about Google+:  Circles.  I like the ability to split people into "friends," "acquaintences" and "following" and choose to post things only to one group.  For instance, I can share family pictures to only my friends, while sharing a blog post to everyone.  Yes, I know that Facebook has this capability with the locked post option, but going through and creating groups at this point on Facebook would be really difficult and annoying.  I have neither the time or inclination, honestly.  Google+ is letting me build it this way from the ground up. I also love the fact that Google doesn't have games, so I don't have to see my friends posting 5,000 times a day about their games (and that's after having blocked the posts from the games themselves).  I know they'll be there eventually. And finally hangouts.  I love the idea of being able to group video chat with friends or family easily.  Since many of my friends and all of my extended family live quite far away, this is a great option to have.

Here's what I don't like about it.  there's no one on it yet.  Seriously, it's ridiculous.  There are all these really cool features that I can't really test out because honestly, there aren't enough people on Google+ yet to give me a good feel for how they'll work.  Seriously Google, open up the invites already and let people on to the service.  In the meantime, I'll just keep smiling at this:

Yay.

The other thing everyone was buzzing about yesterday was Facebook's new video chat partnership with Skype.  It's totally awesome, because it integrates my largest social network with one of my most used apps, but - it doesn't allow for group video chat.  Apparently Mark Zuckerberg missed the memo that social media is all about connecting and sharing with ALL YOUR FRIENDS AT ONCE.  Plus, they missed the opportunity to announce the cool new feature BEFORE Google unveiled Google+.  I can imagine he's kicking himself about that right now.  If they had gotten the news out first, it may have seen like less of a move to keep up with Google's new social network.  For those who do want to chat with their groups, Facebook is also releasing the group chat feature to general users, so that you don't have to create a new group just because you want to chat with 4 or 5 friends at once, but it's not video - just regular chat.  Facebook fail.  They could have done so much more than they did, considering Zuckerberg's speech was about how Facebook is now all about innovation, since they've already gotten the user base.  Google+ is focusing on innovation first, and while it seems slow right now, I guarantee they'll get the user base once invites open up.  Everyone that I know on Google+ likes it much more than Facebook - maybe specifically because it's not overloaded with business and brands trying to sell themselves in a new advertising forum.  Only time will tell.

GeoHotz Is Working for Facebook

Two months ago George Hotz was ordered by a California court to never again publish secret codes used by Sony.  Now, he’s reporting on his Facebook page that he’s been working as a software engineer for Facebook since May 9.

This news is actually not all that surprising.  Many hackers join corporate payrolls after being caught, using their skills to help companies improve network security and develop and test new software.  After losing his battle against Sony in April, it makes sense that Hotz might want to get out of the hacking business for awhile.

While some have raised their eyebrows at this move by Facebook, Hotz isn’t the first hacker Facebook has hired.  Christ Putnam joined their ranks after building several Facebook worms.  Now that they have recently confirmed that they are working on a new iPad app, who better to hire to help develop it than the guy who made a name for himself hacking Apple’s iDevices?

E3 Coverage - WiiU Announcement Trailer

Okay, I know I promised Sony stuff, but I HAVE to get this out to you guys now.  Check out Nintendo's new console and revolutionary new controller - the WiiU

Some highlights

*HD graphics on both the big screen and controller screen
*Controller screen is a full 6.2 inches
*Dual analog sticks
*Dual shock capability
*Touch Screen
*Accelerometer and Gyroscope in the controller allows for motion controll
*Video Chat and web browsing on the crontroller - controller has a camera, mic and speakers of it's own.
*Compatable with the Wii Balance Board
*Compatable with the Wii Zapper


Some promises made:
*Darksiders 2 at launch of the WiiU
*Super Smash Brothers coming to WiiU

and maybe the biggest thing: EA Games took the stage to announce their new partnership with Nintendo for the WiiU

E3 Coverage - Ubisoft Press Conference

Hey folks, I know it's a bit late, but I'm going to get you everything from Ubisoft and Sony's press cons out this morning!  We're starting off with Ubisoft.

Ubisoft is celebrating 25 years in gaming, and their press conference was filled with some pretty corny "flashbacks."  In spite of the bad jokes, it was still a good show, though.  They kicked things off with Rayman Origins:

Then, after some corny gamer pick up lines they presented Driver San Francisco:

And the SURPRISE OF THE SHOW:  FarCry 3.

Then they showed us the irreverent Brothers in Arms: Furious 4:

Adventures of TinTin The Unicorn:

and the incredible looking Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Solder

Announced along with the trailer is that the game will include a totally customizable weapons system dubbed "gunsmith" and the launch of a totally free companion FPS Ghost Recon Online.  If you're interested you should head on over to Ubisoft's website to sign up for the open beta right now.

Track mania 2 was next:

Followed by this totally hilarious looking party game only for Kinect, Raving Rabbits: Alive and Kicking:

Just Dance 3 is coming to all platforms, and they touched on Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2.  Then they showed us Rocksmith, which is essentially Guitar Hero with a real guitar:

And finally, what we had all been waiting for; Assassin's Creed: Revelations.

I hope you're all enjoying the E3 coverage so far.  Sony is up next and it is MASSIVE so please be patient with me.

E3 Coverage - Electronic Arts Press Conference

Here's what we have from the EA press conference at E3:

Mass Effect 3:

The reapers have arrived and Earth is taken.  It's up to Shepard to get it back.  As promised, for long-time fans of the Mass Effect series, all previous decisions will affect the outcome in this game.  The combat will be intense, and the scale is absolutely huge.  The game will release March 6, 2011.

Need For Speed The Run:

Need for Speed: The Run is a high stakes cross-country race that for the first time in the franchise gets you out of the car for on-foot action sequences.  The game will feature interactive Autolog use in-game, and interactive video sequences.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Sad to say we didn't really get any new information on this game, just confirmation that it's going to be epic, and you're going to get to choose sides.

SSX:


SSX is going to be a truly massive, open world gaming experience.  The game will allow you to visit literally every major mountain range on the PLANET.  There will be three gameplay modes: Trick It, Race It, and Survive It.  The game will release in January of 2012.

FIFA 12:


FIFA 12 comes with a brand new gaming engine.  It's new features include tactical defending, precision dribbling, and a new player impact engine delivering real-world physicality to the game.  Players will now suffer real-world injuries.  The game will also come with EA's new "virtual league" EA Sports Football Club.  The online support features real-world driven challenges and events where players can connect and compete cross-platform at no charge.  No release date yet, as the game is "barely alpha".

Madden NFL 12


Am I the only one that finds it absolutely hilarious that the slogan for Madden 12 was "True to the game," when there is *no* game this year? At any rate the new Madden will feature a new collision system and defensive AI along with dynamic performance (are you confident when things go wrong?).  How you handle a situation might affect your team's performance in the game.  There will also be new online features.  The game releases August 30, 2011.

The Sims Social:


It's The Sims, only on Facebook.  Now you'll be able to interact with your friends in their Sims worlds, and yours.  Fans of the franchise have been asking for this for years, so it's nice to see them finally getting it.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning


Reckoning is an open-world RPG that features storytelling from R.A. Salvatore, art by Todd McFarlane, and game design from Ken Rolston.  Those are some HUGE names and from the looks of the trailer, the game is going to live up to everything those names lead you to expect.

Overstrike:


In Overstrike you will play a team of 4 elite agents using fringe-tech gadgets on a mission to stop a shadowy organisation from taking over the world.  The game will be multi-platform capable, and full of sarcastic humor, which you all know that I love.

Battlefield 3:


Last but certainly not least, EA showed off the new Battlefield 3.  With the new Frostbite 2 gameplay engine the game features a single and multiplayer experience available nowhere else.  With cinematic quality graphics and totally immersive audio, I can't wait to get my hands on this game.  There is a new online feature dubbed BattleLog which will let you create a friends' list, feature real time stats, and will be 100% free.  The game will feature a multi-platform open beta test in September, and the full release goes live on October 25.

Halo 4 Release Trailer

E3 Coverage - Microsoft Press Conference

Microsoft gave an amazing press conference today, focusing on new releases, nearly all of them Kinect compatible.  While I expected the Kinect heavy lineup, I was blown away by some of what was presented.

Modern Warfare 3:

The demo they showed was an underwater sub mission.  I've been disappointed with the last few CoD titles, but I have to say this one does look epic.  I'm happy that we're going to be back in modern times with incredibly realistic graphics.  Call of Duty MW3 DLC will be available FIRST on Xbox 360.  Look for this one releasing November 8th, 2011.

Tomb Raider:

The game features a 21 year old Lara Croft in the situation that makes her the Tomb Raider we all know and love.  Shipwrecked and held captive, Lara has to use her survival instincts to free herself.  The game is 3rd person and is intense and visceral.  The game will feature open environments and exploration as well.  Release will be sometime in Q4 2012.

Tom Clancy Ghost Recon Future Soldier:

The main focus during this demo was on the full Kinect compatibility in the gameplay with body tracking being used even for motion and firing.  Close your fist to fire, open it to stop firing and the gun points according to where your body turns.  The graphics are just as good as what was featured in the MW3 demo and this looks to be an intensely immersive gaming experience.  Weapons will be totally customizable for each situation, right down to the inner parts.  Players can choose to have the game customize them automatically, or do the customization themselves.  No release date was announced, however it was announced that ALL future Tom Clancy titles will be fully Kinect compatible.

Gears of War 3:

Horde mode is BACK, baby, and Ice T has reunited Body Count to do a song about it.  Jicinto has fallen, and your ragtag group is now floating on the ocean aboard a huge ship.  They're being chased by a giant infected and extremely pissed off Leviathan.  They touted this as being the "best, most polished Gears of War title yet," giving us all something to look forward to.

Fable The Journey:

The end of Albion is coming, and now, all that matters is the journey itself.  Heroes are no longer born but made, and once again that is your role.  Again fully Kinect compatible I was thrilled to see during the demo the spell action where you actually physically "charge" and "throw" your spells at enemies.  This is coming sometime in 2012.

Forza Motorsports 4:

This game will feature Kinect voice and head tracking, monthly expansions, and up to 16 player multiplayer on Xbox Live.  There will also be Xbox Live car clubs where you can show off your customized cars.  This game will have something for the casual fans as well as hardcore racing gamers.  Look for it October 11, 2011.

RYSE:

This totally new game is a first person totally Kinect compatible RPG taking place during the fall of the Roman Empire.  Use your body to fight, swing your sword and move through the world in what looks to be a fantastically immersive experience.  Even during the demo control looked smooth, without the lag that sometimes occurs with Kinect motion control.

Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition:

The classic Halo has been remade and remastered with enhanced and updated multiplayer maps and online coop.  7 classic multiplayer maps as well as a fully remastered campaign.  This one is coming November 15th.

Kinect Sports Season 2:

This game will feature golf, darts, tennis, baseball, football, and skiing.  The golf game allows you to use voice commands in order to change clubs, and you can now use a totally natural swing, just like you would on the golf course.  The football app allows you to voice call plays, and features multiplayer coop.

Mass Effect 3:

As the rumors predicted, Mass Effect 3 will feature Kinect support to provide a more immersive experience.  Instead of using the controller to select your conversation options, you will now be able to use Kinect voice support to speak the lines yourself.  You will also be able to use voice commands during combat to tell your team members when to move up, hold position or regroup.  Earth has been taken and Commander Shepard has to get it back.  Coming in Q1 2012.

Kinect Star Wars:

Fight as a Jedi on Tatooine, Corouscant, Endor, and other worlds from the movies.  Want Kinect control of your lightsaber? You got it.  Want Kinect capability for force push ability? You got it!  This may be the ultimate game for Star Wars fans.

Minecraft:

That's right, I said Minecraft.  The incredibly popular PC game that lets you build your own world and explore worlds built by your friends is coming to console, exclusively on the Xbox 360 this winter.

Dance Central 2:

One of the most exciting features of the new Dance Central is the simultaneous multiplayer dance off , and the inclusion of a new campaign mode.  All Dance Central 1 songs will be able to be imported into the new game, making more than 100 songs available for play at the release.

Kinect Funlabs:

Kinect Funlabs will let you explore the best of community created programs for the Kinect.  This is going LIVE TODAY, so be sure to check it out.  Apps that use facial and body scanning to truly make YOU the avatar, a finger tracking program that lets you create totally 3D art, and object capture that allows you to create a virtual version of any object.

Microsoft also announced some new features coming to Xbox Live.  This year, Microsoft will be introducing 10 times more partnerships including Bing voice search which will search libraries in Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Microsoft Entertainment and Music catalogs to bring you the content that you want.  Even more exciting is the fact that this year Microsoft will be bringing live TV including news, sports and local channels.

Finally, I'll wrap it up with Microsoft's biggest surprise - a new TRILOGY coming to Xbox 360:

That, my friends is a screen shot from the announcement trailer of Halo 4.  And they did announce it as a new TRILOGY.

Happy gaming!  Come back for more coverage later this evening.