This year's theme strikes a particular chord. You see, we get loads of games using Havok physics. But it's all eye candy!
Yet when we criticised the underuse of physics in Max Payne 2, our comments system was overloaded with people complaining "look at the pretty ragdolls! the boxes FALL OVER!"
People don't seem to realise that so much more is possible with Havok technology - and as long as they don't realise, game developers will continue to be lazy
/.ed - looks like we overloaded MySQL, will be back up in 15 mins or so hopefully.
Full text follows:
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SCEI has announced the product specifications for its handheld system, the Playstation Portable (PSP), also known as the GCG (Giant Cheese Grater) and the OTO, but you don't want to know what that one means.
The PSP is scheduled to be launched in Japan in the end of 2004, followed by the North American and European launches in the spring of 2005 - another delay for Europe and America.
PSP comes in a black colour, with a 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD centered in a stylish design. The dimensions are 170mm x 74mm x 23mm with a weight of 260g. The screen displays full 16.77 million colour on a 480 x 272 pixel high-resolution screen. It comes complete with the basic functions of a portable player such as built-in stereo speakers, exterior headphone connector, brightness control and sound mode selection. The key layout is a familiar Sony one, with the 4 trademark Playstation buttons, an analogue d-pad, L and R shoulder buttons and a small analogue stick to the left. There are also brightness control buttons, oddly enough. A lithium ion battery provides the power, which gives ten hours to games or 2.5 hours to films.
So as you can see, it is small and light, and so will fit in your hands - and yet the screen is an impressive 4.3 inches, and considerable higher resolution than the new Nintendo DS. Batteries are built in to the device, with a charge point. Indeed connectivity seems a large focus of the device, with USB 2, Infra Red, WiFi LAN (although the older 11Mbit/s spec). No mention of Bluetooth is made, suggesting that WiFi will fill the gap for linkup gaming. A remote control is mentioned, although we're unaware of the use - perhaps media playback via the Memory Stick Duo slot. A headphone jack is a welcome addition for people who were burnt by that lack of one on the Gameboy Advance SP.
Online gaming is possible by connecting multiple PSPs to each other directly via the wireless network. In addition, software and data can be downloaded through a USB or wireless network onto a Memory Stick.
The disc system is Sony's proprietary UMD, with 1.8GB of dual layer DVD style storage (red laser is being used, rather than BluRay). Discs weigh in at a dinky 10 grams. Rather disturbingly, "Region Code" is mentioned - will this be the first mainstream handheld to lock games to a specific region? This would go against their earlier statement in an interview that the machine would "Probably be region-free". Also, 128Bit Key AES encryption for the media and individual ID for the unit would suggest a tough job for pirates, in addition to the proprietary Universal Media Disk format (so not very universal, then!).
Sony has big ambitions in the peripheral market for the PSP with all manner of addons planned, including an external battery pack, a stand, a microphone and a case. Several devices are being showen communicating with the PSP at Sony's E3 stand, noticeably a GPS system.
At the moment, we can only wait for more info, but below are shots of the front and back of the device, a picture with hands for scale (the image on the screen is simulated), and a mock up of the Gran Turismo 4 game and box - likely to be one of the console's launch titles.
Finally, Sony has released a list of developers supporting the machine. It's rather long, containing around 100 developers including all the big Japanese, American and Brtish players.
Sorry to pimp ourselves out yet again, but over at Gamers Europe News, we're working flat out to bring you the digest of all the latest news coming out of LA. Seriously, my keyboard is taking a major beating at the moment:)
Such is the life of a games journalist. It's harder than you think.
At our school, although we are unfortunately a 99% m$ shop, we run all our stuff through a p166 running linux as a gateway. We actually have a cisco 2600 provided by the council, but as they refuse to give us admin access to it, we bypassed it.
Now, at the time of blaster we were absolutely fine. No infections. Yet the idiots in many other schools managed to saturate our shared net connection (fibre!) for 2 solid weeks!
So rather than chucking that old p166, use it for something useful. Don't trust Mr. Cisco provided by the council to work just fine protecting your 2K server - do it yourself.
Seriously, I think one solution would be to fork it altogther, call it something non-offensive like "Accuro-paint-o-tron" (except more snappy) and write those missing features.
Then offer to backport them back to the GIMP. Keep it friendly, see what happens.
"The illusion comes afterwards, when you ask 'why me?' and 'what if?' when you look back, see the braches, like a pruned bonsai tree, or a forked lightning. "
MP2 was cinematic, but not well written by any stretch.
Yeah, but the point is with linux you can take any of these 'corporate distros', fork them and you have your own grass roots distro. This is the wonder of the GPL, which means that unless we begin to rely on proprietary code for the linux experience (eg. non-OS file managers), Linux will always be free software, not in the hands of a corporation.
Sam Houser, president of Rockstar, back when he was a teen. (SW London) I popped around a year back to visit his dad and was astounded by what he'd gone on to do (I was playing GTA3 at the time). His dad was wearing a Rockstar Biker Jacket, and gave me a rockstar tshirt that I'm wearing right at the moment:)
in real life who could be described as black hat. He showed me exploit code for the ASN1 exploit (this was remote shell code) about a week before the Microsoft patch was release. He said it was big news in his community.
From what i could see, it was very tight C code which compiled and worked on the winxp test machine (his own), so I guess it was authentic.
Didn't George Bush say they had attempted to buy significant amounts of mirrors from African Nations, with which they were planning to coat important buildings;)
Slashdot Mirror
the first to say "Fuck".
I mean, talk about a stab in the back.
It's been exhausting covering it, especially when you get slashdotted half way through!
Still, at least I get a rest from E3 action until e3 2005, which is scheduled for May 18-20 2005
That you can pull it apart?
If the bond on this stuff is so very very strong, then what advantages does it lend over, say, epoxy?
This year's theme strikes a particular chord. You see, we get loads of games using Havok physics. But it's all eye candy!
Yet when we criticised the underuse of physics in Max Payne 2, our comments system was overloaded with people complaining "look at the pretty ragdolls! the boxes FALL OVER!"
People don't seem to realise that so much more is possible with Havok technology - and as long as they don't realise, game developers will continue to be lazy
Part of the team effort that just brought it down I guess :)
As Mark said, we love it really :)
:)
See my other reply for the text of the post, and an explanation of what happened.
Unfortunately, our server admin isn't around at the moment, so we can't switch to either of the backup DB servers - you'll just have to wait
/.ed - looks like we overloaded MySQL, will be back up in 15 mins or so hopefully.
Full text follows:
---
SCEI has announced the product specifications for its handheld system, the Playstation Portable (PSP), also known as the GCG (Giant Cheese Grater) and the OTO, but you don't want to know what that one means.
The PSP is scheduled to be launched in Japan in the end of 2004, followed by the North American and European launches in the spring of 2005 - another delay for Europe and America.
PSP comes in a black colour, with a 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD centered in a stylish design. The dimensions are 170mm x 74mm x 23mm with a weight of 260g. The screen displays full 16.77 million colour on a 480 x 272 pixel high-resolution screen. It comes complete with the basic functions of a portable player such as built-in stereo speakers, exterior headphone connector, brightness control and sound mode selection. The key layout is a familiar Sony one, with the 4 trademark Playstation buttons, an analogue d-pad, L and R shoulder buttons and a small analogue stick to the left. There are also brightness control buttons, oddly enough. A lithium ion battery provides the power, which gives ten hours to games or 2.5 hours to films.
So as you can see, it is small and light, and so will fit in your hands - and yet the screen is an impressive 4.3 inches, and considerable higher resolution than the new Nintendo DS. Batteries are built in to the device, with a charge point. Indeed connectivity seems a large focus of the device, with USB 2, Infra Red, WiFi LAN (although the older 11Mbit/s spec). No mention of Bluetooth is made, suggesting that WiFi will fill the gap for linkup gaming. A remote control is mentioned, although we're unaware of the use - perhaps media playback via the Memory Stick Duo slot. A headphone jack is a welcome addition for people who were burnt by that lack of one on the Gameboy Advance SP.
Online gaming is possible by connecting multiple PSPs to each other directly via the wireless network. In addition, software and data can be downloaded through a USB or wireless network onto a Memory Stick.
The disc system is Sony's proprietary UMD, with 1.8GB of dual layer DVD style storage (red laser is being used, rather than BluRay). Discs weigh in at a dinky 10 grams. Rather disturbingly, "Region Code" is mentioned - will this be the first mainstream handheld to lock games to a specific region? This would go against their earlier statement in an interview that the machine would "Probably be region-free". Also, 128Bit Key AES encryption for the media and individual ID for the unit would suggest a tough job for pirates, in addition to the proprietary Universal Media Disk format (so not very universal, then!).
Sony has big ambitions in the peripheral market for the PSP with all manner of addons planned, including an external battery pack, a stand, a microphone and a case. Several devices are being showen communicating with the PSP at Sony's E3 stand, noticeably a GPS system.
At the moment, we can only wait for more info, but below are shots of the front and back of the device, a picture with hands for scale (the image on the screen is simulated), and a mock up of the Gran Turismo 4 game and box - likely to be one of the console's launch titles.
Finally, Sony has released a list of developers supporting the machine. It's rather long, containing around 100 developers including all the big Japanese, American and Brtish players.
Sorry to pimp ourselves out yet again, but over at Gamers Europe News, we're working flat out to bring you the digest of all the latest news coming out of LA. Seriously, my keyboard is taking a major beating at the moment :)
Such is the life of a games journalist. It's harder than you think.
For more info on the PSP, including a look at the specs in depth, we've done an article over at GE.
Sony PSP Specs Information
Close examination of the specs seems to suggest some odd things - most importantly, it looks like Sony will be implementing region codes after all.
(I had submitted this article, but it looks like with this one FPed, my one will get lost)
Preach brother.
At our school, although we are unfortunately a 99% m$ shop, we run all our stuff through a p166 running linux as a gateway. We actually have a cisco 2600 provided by the council, but as they refuse to give us admin access to it, we bypassed it.
Now, at the time of blaster we were absolutely fine. No infections. Yet the idiots in many other schools managed to saturate our shared net connection (fibre!) for 2 solid weeks!
So rather than chucking that old p166, use it for something useful. Don't trust Mr. Cisco provided by the council to work just fine protecting your 2K server - do it yourself.
So many people moan.
Seriously, I think one solution would be to fork it altogther, call it something non-offensive like "Accuro-paint-o-tron" (except more snappy) and write those missing features.
Then offer to backport them back to the GIMP. Keep it friendly, see what happens.
The name is fucking weird though...
RH 7.2.
We've been using Fedora Legacy for ages now with yum, absolutely flawless. Patchwise it's pretty bulletproof.
who burst out laughing at this line in the game.
"The illusion comes afterwards, when you ask 'why me?' and 'what if?' when you look back, see the braches, like a pruned bonsai tree, or a forked lightning. "
MP2 was cinematic, but not well written by any stretch.
Yeah, but the point is with linux you can take any of these 'corporate distros', fork them and you have your own grass roots distro. This is the wonder of the GPL, which means that unless we begin to rely on proprietary code for the linux experience (eg. non-OS file managers), Linux will always be free software, not in the hands of a corporation.
Sam Houser, president of Rockstar, back when he was a teen. (SW London) I popped around a year back to visit his dad and was astounded by what he'd gone on to do (I was playing GTA3 at the time). His dad was wearing a Rockstar Biker Jacket, and gave me a rockstar tshirt that I'm wearing right at the moment :)
Nice people
No NES on Palm?
BOO! - NES, SMS, GG and Turbografx16 - sure it's for PalmOS 5.x so it won't actually work on a Palm V... And it's not OSS.
But there was an OSS GB emulator for PalmOS 4 if i remember right.
Sony Clies (almost every model) have ultra-easy to replace rechargable battery packs. It's handy :)
Yeah, it has ;)
in real life who could be described as black hat. He showed me exploit code for the ASN1 exploit (this was remote shell code) about a week before the Microsoft patch was release. He said it was big news in his community.
From what i could see, it was very tight C code which compiled and worked on the winxp test machine (his own), so I guess it was authentic.
Damn straight we can :)
Yeah, the DMCA being a great example of "concrete legal machinery".
:)
Sometimes, things work better than the US
to 200GB of data on my hard drive right here.
/coat
So they paid oracle 45m$ to get arrested 8.5m times?
Yep, just strip the CSS with your favourite DeCSS app, then burn it :)
When electric cars become widespread, we'll all be fucked!
had already planned defenses against this.
;)
Didn't George Bush say they had attempted to buy significant amounts of mirrors from African Nations, with which they were planning to coat important buildings