New Nintendo's console details

We haven't seen a new gaming console in a while and it was expected to get one from Nintendo first. 2006 was a long time ago in computing/electronics world...


What do we know about new console? In June we should see working prototype at E3 in Los Angeles. 


"Nintendo Co., Ltd. has decided to launch in 2012 a system to succeed Wii, which the company has sold 86.01 million units on a consolidated shipment basis between its launch in 2006 and the end of March 2011," the company said in a statement. "We will show a playable model of the new system and announce more specifications at the E3 Expo, which will be held June 7-9, 2011, in Los Angeles."
From Ars Techica.


There are some hardware specifications leaked and according to news in various sources new system will have:

• 8GB of internal, flash-based storage
• 25GB optical discs
• IBM 3 core CPU
• AMD graphics card
• Support for high definition graphics
• Touch screen on controler
• Streaming technology (console to controller or TV)

What else we can expect? More CPU power than PS 3 or Xbox 360. I don't think they will focus much on 3D as DS 3D is out but the Nintendo itself is saying that 3D TVs are not widespread enough yet. It will have 3D capabilities built in. In terms of controlers Wiimote was the first one and it was great. Now Playstation has Move and Xbox has Kinect. I would not expect anything revolutionary here but you never know.

Hopefully Nintendo will make some new games designed from ground up to support HD graphics. I don't think anyone would enjoy playing low polygon character and other geometry on full LED HD TV.

Time will tell and it may be soon. It is only 33 days until E3.

Burning Tide - first official custom map for Starcraft II

I guess every player of Starcraft had a go at creating maps. It is tempting to have the same tool Blizzard is using to make their maps and see how your map compares to official ones. Sometimes (or often) it leads to disappointment and realization of how much work it takes to make a good map. By good map I consider layout, access routes, resources and aesthetics. I still have to try making a map in new editor for Starcraft II and see how long it will take me to abandon my hope.

On the other hand, some people are creating really good maps that are fun to play and look and feel like a product rather than an exercise in editor.

Therefore it is a big news that Blizzard has published this custom map. The map is taking the idea from Devil's Playground mission and bringing it up to a multiplayer level. Here is official description:

Featuring timed lava surges and collectable mineral caches, Burning Tide is a 3v3 map that combines several thematic elements from the epic single-player campaign mission "Devil's Playground." Like the campaign mission, the goal of this game is greed, and the first team to reach the specified resource total wins! Players hoping to achieve victory on this map will need to work together, carefully managing their team's unit production and safeguarding their vulnerable workers as they defend against enemy forces.

Here is how it looks.

I haven't played it yet but it obviously takes resource collection strategy to a new level. Workforce generation   and it's protection is a key for this map. Air force seems like a key player...

Fiat 500 in Gran Turismo 5

In my previous post about GT 5 I have mentioned Fiat 500. Now we have a video (not an official one but still good enough) showing race at  Piazza Del Campo.

If you haven't seen interior of Fiat 500 you will have an opportunity here. Dashboard is equipped with basics only - speedometer, flip switches for lights and an ashtray. Compare the original dahsboard with the Zastava I used to drive.

Fiat 500

Zastava 750

Speed is a typical for this car - about 60 km/h.



I will enjoy driving this little car in GT 5 even it will be mostly frustrating (what else can you expect from 500 cc engine?).

Official list of features in Gran Turismo 5

At GamesCom we saw more features of GT 5 including a new track, karts and new cars. Now Playstation Blog and GranTurismo.com sites have an official announcement of features.

Features announced are:

• A and B Spec modes
• Car dealers and Used car dealers
• My Lounge
• Course Maker
• Kart racing

A and B Spec modes

A Spec is standard mode we all know and love. Here you are behind the wheel and racing on all courses. In B Spec mode you are the team manager. As a manager you will have to analyse races, pick the best driver for a race and train them.

 

My Lounge

If you would rather have your friends only in the race then this is the place for you. In My Lounge you can set up your own race event with a track of your choice, your rules and let your mates to join. Up to 16 player can join a race in My Lounge. 

Course Maker

This  is an exciting new feature. As described in my last post it does not gives you full freedom but it still should be quite interesting. Tracks are created by by choosing a scene and then specify length of track, number of corners, sharpness, loop track or point to point, etc. Process is a bit more elaborated and this is one of the features I'll be interested to try. Of course, tracks you create can be shared with other people.

Here are few screenshots of garage and tune shop.

To me it looks like it worth the wait for GT 5.

New GT 5 screenshots

There are new screenshots posted on the web but I would like to share few of my favourites here.

Lamborghini Miura was one of my favourite die cast models when I was kid. I'm glad to see it in the game.

When I was old enough to drive I got to drive my dad's car - Zastava 850 De Lux. That was built in Yugoslavia and it was based on Fiat 500 but it was "beefed up" to whole 850 cc. This is how it looked.

Below is the original Fiat 500 in GT 5.

Some classic muscle cars.

Another Lambo

And some kart cars to finish off.

Brief GamesCon 2010 update

GamesCon is on and there are few updates that sparked my interest, again.


Firstly, there are news about Diablo III. Diablo III realm was quiet for a while and now we have some videos showing new features. Namely, the video shows Artisan. Artisan is an advanced blacksmith that will work for you. New and interesting features about artisans are:

• They can level up
• they can create sockets in any weapon
• when crafting an item(s) random special ability is added

Socketing of legendary items is very nice but I'm sure it would cost you an arm and a leg. To help you get some materials you can now salvage items you collect. Salvaged materials can be then used by an artisan. This could be a good way to get to better items faster.

Here is a video showing features of Artisan

While we are on the subject of RPG games, Torchlight II is announced. It has all loved features from the first one (random dungeons, simplicity, etc) and the one that was missing - multiplayer. Here is the trailer for it.







And now something completely different!


Cars. Lots of cars. Of course this means Gran Toursimo 5. There are lots of videos for GT 5 from GamesCon and most of the good ones are on GTPlanet web site. Some of the highlights from the news so far:

• Karting video now available
• More info on track editor
• Monza gameplay video
• Nascar at Monza gameplay
• Interview with Yamauchi

News about karting in GT 5 surfaced not too long ago (about 1-2 months I think) but there wasn't much out there. Now we can see how it actually looks. It does support usual views like in standard cars and this looks like a fun category.

For track editor we know it will not be a full blown "free to do whatever you like" style editor. The reason is simple - it would be too complex (and probably would take another year to implement). Actually, this could be a good thing. The way it will work (if it does not get sacked or changed) is like this

The course maker allows players to select certain set parameters to create a track. A theme can be selected, with the Belgian High Fens or Toscana two examples, and the individual track sectors are then defined.

Sectors are edited individually, with frequency of curves, sharpness of corners, degree of topography and banking angle are set with a series of sliders. 

As expected, on every big gaming event we see more details about tracks, UI changes and cars. This time round we see the Monza track. Here is how it looks.



For Nascar race on same track you'll have to go here due to bandwidth issue at present.


If you like interviews then here is another short one. For me most interesting bits are below.

Given the time, money, space and resources, which fantasy Gran Turismo track would you create in the real world?

Kazunori was visibly awed by this question and spent nearly a minute thinking of an answer. “Deep Forest”, he said. I countered with “Trial Mountain?”.

Both are classic tracks and it would be nice if that Japanese company is actually going to build it.

More news and videos should be coming in. Let's hope we will see more details about Diablo III.

Starcraft II - full version

Yesterday I got an early Father's Day present from my son and daughter - Starcraft II game. This was 4 weeks in advance and it made me a very, very happy. Thank you very much once again!

Over last week I spent free time playing Starcraft on guest account (I wrote a short post about that earlier) and I have to say that 7 hours is not much. In those 7 hours I have finished 5 missions.

I choose to play single player campaign rather than jump straight into multiplayer because I wanted to see how did Blizzard developed the storyline, integrated game interface (deck, laboratory, armoury areas) and see how engaging they are. Missions so far were not too difficult, I tried to achieve a goal using only units intended for these missions. The only one that gave me some trouble is "The great train robbery" mission. I had to stop playing it first time when my 7 hours of guest pass expired. Yesterday I was quite keen to finish (or retry) this mission and maybe after 15 minutes of play my internet connection got lost. The problem with this is that Starcraft then does not store/post your achievements on-line (I think this includes finishing the mission) so I stopped playing it for a night. Tonight I'll restart this mission and hope not to loose internet connection again.

Maybe I'll remember to take a few screenshots during the game. If I do you'll find them here.