Nvidia Feeds Android 6.0 Marshmallow to Shield Android TV, Adds Vulkan API

Mmm, Marshmallow!

Nvidia updated its Shield tablet to Android 6.0 Marshmallow earlier in the month, and now it’s doing the same for its Shield Android TV device via an over-the-air (OTA) roll out, the company announced this week.

Marshmallow alone brings several enhancements to Shield Android TV, though the update also includes some other feature upgrades. They include:

• Upgradable storage and home screen customization
• Quick access to the power menu on the home screen by long pressing the “Back” button
• Seamless switching between surround sound and headset audio in Netflix app
• Wireless support for SHIELD controller when charging via USB, including headset audio and voice search
• Improved color support for YUV 4:2:0 video playback
• Option to set 1080p 60Hz resolution on Ultra HD TVs
• Option to set RGB Full Range via Settings > HDMI > Dynamic Range
• Improved support for Denon receivers and CEC volume control for more audio receivers

In addition to all that, Nvidia is rolling out fully conformant Vulkan drivers to its Shield Android TV platform. That makes it the first Android consumer platform to ship with support for the Vulkan API, which gives developers low-level access to CPU and GPU resources.

The update is a little over 800MB.

source: technobuffalo

Ubisoft Disputes EA Trademark for "Ghost" [UPDATE]

[UPDATE] A NeoGAF forum member has discovered that EA has withdrawn its trademark application for "Ghost." However, it is unclear what impact this may have on EA's Ghost Games, the developer of Need for Speed. We will update this post with new information as we learn more.

The original story is below.

Ubisoft has taken issue with the fact that Electronic Arts sought to trademark "Ghost" for its new studio over claims and concerns that it would "cause confusion" with Ubisoft's Ghost Recon franchise.

As spotted by a NeoGAF user, Ubisoft filed a notice of opposition against EA on January 29 over the company's two trademark applications for the word "Ghost." These are serial numbers: 86568852, 86568854. Ghost Games is the name of the EA-owned Need for Speed developer based in Sweden that put out the new Need for Speed game in November.

In fact, Ubisoft began its action against EA last summer, only just now publishing its official notice of opposition. In the notice, Ubisoft points out that it has used its Ghost Recon trademark since at least as early as 2001, while EA filed its initial trademark applications for Ghost in March 2015.

Ubisoft is referred to as "Opposers" in the document, while EA is known as "Applicant." Here's a particularly noteworthy section from the notice of opposition:

"Applicant's Mark so resembles Opposers' GHOST RECON marks alleged herein as to be likely, when used in connection with the goods and services identified in the Applications, to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive. Consumers are likely to believe, mistakenly, that the goods and services Applicant offers under Applicant’s Mark are provided, sponsored, endorsed, or approved by Opposers, or are in some way affiliated, connected, or associated with Opposers, all to the detriment of Opposers. Registration of Applicant's Mark, therefore, should be refused under 15 U.S.C. §§ 1052(d) and 1063."

EA apparently has until March 9 to respond to Ubisoft's claims, while the trial schedule--should there be a trial--is outlined below.

source: gamespot

Disgaea launches on Steam with bugs and glitches, NipponIchi is fixing it

NipponIchi’s hilarious strategy RPG Disgaea: Hour of Darkness is available now on Steam. However, reports are pouring in from fans and gaming publications alike that it is riddled with crashes, performance issues, graphical glitches, and framerate problems.

You know, the whole nine yards with any botched PC launch these days.

In a situation very similar to Tales of Symphonia a few months back, Disgaea’s Steam page has been blasted with polarizing reviews with the hardcore forgiving fans balancing out those who demand it to be fixed. Currently, 375 out of 526 reviewers recommend the game as is, so it is not without its supporters who are just happy it’s there.

Still, the backlash has been loud enough to garner a response from NipponIchi, whose tone comes off as a little peeved with some of the accusations made by fans.

We spent a total of ten months on researching and developing this game for PC users, two months of which were spent on rigorous testing. However, we have been made aware of the fact that some of our customers have been experiencing issues when playing the game.

According to the research we have done, it seems as if most of the issues are graphics related.

Right now, we at NISA and NIS are trying to gather as much information from all over the world as possible in order to pinpoint what is causing these problems.

Whether it gets fixed soon or not, we should be pleased about the greater presence of JRPGs on Steam in general. However, I’m not sure how many launch controversies,looking at you too Final Fantasy XIII, the crowd is willing to endure.

If we want the PC to be a safe home for the genre in the future, we need launches to be smoother. It’s no different than the AAA crowd.

SOURCE: STEAM