Gadgets and Video Games

I’m what you’d consider a pretty hardcore iPhone gamer (I know, does not compute ). I probably have 30 games on my phone, and that’s whittled down to my personal “best of the best.” Near the top of that list is Orbital , a game that, like Canabalt , I can play anytime, anywhere I get the urge. Although unlike any of the other quick pick-up games I own, Orbital has a tendency to make me forget what I was doing, find somewhere comfy to plop and play for … a really embarrassingly long time

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iPhone It In: Orbital

It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since we discovered how hilarious it was to lock a Sim in a doorless room with nothing but ovens to keep him company, but there it is: The Sims franchise has turned 10 years old today. The press release announcing the series’ first decade also reveals that the franchise has sold 125 million units lifetime-to-date, which is an impressive figure — especially when you consider EA is only reporting the PC franchise numbers. That figure doesn’t include console ports.

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The Sims franchise celebrates 10th anniversary today

Hey, Rock Band aficionados! Are you ready to spend your hard-earned Microsoft Points, Wii Points or good old-fashioned cash money on tracks which you’ll never be able to play without injuring your tender, fragile metacarpals? Brace your bones — the Music Store is about to get a healthy dose of Megadeth , in the form of the outfit’s 1990 album “Rust in Peace.” Or, as it’s more commonly known, “The one with ‘ Hangar 18 ‘ on it.” The nine-track album will be available for $14.99 (1200 , bundle not available on Wii), and can also be purchased piecemeal for $1.99 (160 , 200 Wii Points) per track. In addition, the Who’s “Super Bowl S-mashup” medley will be made available on Sunday after the big game for $1.99 (160 , 200 Wii Points). Check out all the songs included in next week’s update after the jump. Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: Megadeth’s ‘Rust in Peace,’ The Who mashed-up Rock Band Weekly: Megadeth’s ‘Rust in Peace,’ The Who mashed-up originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:30:00 EST.

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Rock Band Weekly: Megadeth’s ‘Rust in Peace,’ The Who mashed-up

[ Image credit: bloomsberries ] Despite PopCap ’s claim to appeal the original ruling of the lawsuit between it and MumboJumbo , a judge has awarded another $2.7 million to MumboJumbo citing “legal fees,” according to Develop . 193rd Civil District Court Judge Carl Ginsberg ruled earlier this week that PopCap would be burdened with the amount (which includes $525,000 in “post-verdict appeals”), making the total sum that MumboJumbo receives $7.3 million.

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PopCap loses another $2.7m to MumboJumbo

Konami announced yesterday that Upper Deck had been forced to settle with the company after allegedly printing hundreds of thousands of faked Yu-Gi-Oh! cards in China and bringing them stateside. On any other day, this news would just be kind of funny, but it’s elevated by attorney for Upper Deck Richard Howell who said “At this point, Upper Deck doesn’t have a lot of Life Points. We’re talking about behavior that, from a defense attorney’s standpoint, I can’t defend and I am not going to defend. I’m here defending a counterfeiter.

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Like a mean cousin, Upper Deck steals Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! cards

Sydney, NSW/Australia – CoreMelt today announced there is only only 4 days left in their Show Us Your Pixels Competition. Get into the running to win over $25000 in prizes! Submissions will be accepted until end of business on the 8th February 2010. Winners will be chosen on Feb 10th 2009. The Grand Prize winner will be chosen randomly from the five best entrants in each category of entrant.

Prizes include:
* Orangutan Adventure Trek to Sumatra
* AJA Kona LHi Board
* Euphonix MC Transport Controller
* Crumpler bags
* Red Lightning HD Monitor Pro
* Artbeats Video Packs
* Final Cut Studio 2009
* Final Cut Express
* Digital Juice Packs
* Creative Cow packs
* motionVFX templates
* Many more!

Competition Categories

Best existing work:
Work previously created for a commercial or spec project using CoreMelt plugins.

Best student work:
Work created by a current student in Digital Media, Motion Graphics or Editing using CoreMelt plugins.

Best rainforest themed work:
For creation of a new piece on the theme of Rainforest Rescue’s projects. CoreMelt and Rainforest rescue will provide stills and video footage that can be used in this category. During this period CoreMelt will contribute 10 percent of its gross sales to Rainforest Rescue with a minimum offering of $7000.

Entrants to the competition agree to allow CoreMelt to use all video footage submitted for promotional purposes and to allow Rainforest Rescue to use any photography or video footage shot on the Trek. Entries which use ArtBeats clips may be used by ArtBeats for promotional purposes. No purchase is necessary, entrants may use the free trial version of our software to create an entry.

Sponsors include:
Crumpler
Euphonix
Toolfarm
Digital Heaven
fxphd
AJA
Artbeats
Creative Cow
Red Lightning Software
Motionworks
motionVFX
Digital Juice
+ more

About Rainforest Rescue:
Rainforest Rescue is a not-for-profit organisation that has been protecting and restoring rainforests in Australia and internationally since 1998 by providing opportunities for individuals and businesses to Protect Rainforests Forever. Their projects re-establish rainforests through planting, maintenance and restoration programs, as well as purchasing and protecting high conservation value rainforest and preserving its biodiversity.

The Fine Print:
Entrants to the contest agree to allow CoreMelt to use all video footage submitted for promotional purposes and to allow Rainforest Rescue to use any photography or video footage shot on the Trek. You do not need to own a copy of our plugins, entrants may use the trial version of our software to create an entry. The contest will be open to residents of Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada and the European Union. In the event the first place cannot take the Sumatran Trek for any reason the amount will be donated to Rainforest Rescue.

CoreMelt
Show Us Your Pixels
Rainforest Rescue
Submit Your Entry
Terms and Conditions

CoreMelt are designers of cutting edge, GPU accelerated plugins for Motion Graphics Artists and Video Editors using Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express, Apple Motion, and After Effects CS3/CS4. With over 15 years of combined industry experience, we know what effects artists need and want. Copyright 2009 CoreMelt. All Rights Reserved. Apple Final Cut Studio and Apple Motion, are registered trademarks of Apple Computer in the U.S. and/or other countries. Trademarks of Rainforest Rescue and sponsors are the property of sponsors and used with permission. All trademarks are owned by their respective companies.

Hori has finally revealed details about the mysterious giant arcade stick it had on display at Tokyo Game Show. The Real Arcade Pro Premium VLX series will be released in Japan this March in Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, for

UK-based Kuju Entertainment has confirmed to Develop the closure of its Manila studio and the integration of another studio into its Zo

You know Gamer , right? That movie with a pasty-faced kid controlling human prisoners in a future game? Well, it turns out that the film almost ended up as a Grand Theft Auto joint. According to a recent interview with co-writer/director Mark Neveldine, “We [Neveldine and co-writer Brian Taylor] actually were going to be hired to write GTA

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Why a Grand Theft Auto movie hasn’t gotten off the ground (yet)

[ NFL ] If you want to play a bunch of songs by The Who in Rock Band in a manner that satisfies your minute attention span, and do so soon , MTV and Harmonix just made an announcement that will delight you (however briefly). Alternately, you’re going to be thrilled if you want to capture some Super Bowl magic in your living room.

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Play The Who’s Super Bowl halftime performance in Rock Band [update]