Super Mario Run will be free-to-start, just like Rusty’s Real Deal Baseball

When Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto took the stage at Apple’s iPhone 7 reveal last week, he announced that Super Mario Run would come to the App Store at a set price.

Well, sort of, as we’ve learned.

Nintendo’s taking the same approach with Super Mario Run that they did with games likeRusty’s Real Deal Baseball (which I adored) on the Nintendo 3DS. It’ll be free-to-start.

Super Mario Run will be free to download, as Shigeru Miyamoto explained this to IGN. But what you get when you snag the free version isn’t the full game.

“The basic goal is to give people a sample of what the gameplay will be so that they can get a sense of what they’ll experience when they get the full game…”

Once you sample those levels, you’ll have the option to buy the full game at a single price through an in-app-purchase. Here’s Miyamoto on that decision.

“But of course one of the reasons that we want to offer the game for a set price is so that parents who are buying it for their kids can know that ‘I’ve bought the game and now my kids can play it as much as they want and there’s not going to be additional costs associated with that.’ But obviously I think between the world tour single player mode and clearing all those levels, plus the kingdom mode, plus the battle mode, you’re going to want the full experience because it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Remember: just because you see that free download button for Super Mario Run, the whole game isn’t free. If you want to take the plumber on his first full mobile adventure, you’ll have to cough up some coins. The good news is that you’ll only cough them up once. At least, that’s the case for now.

SOURCE IGN

The PS4 Pro was created to keep players from migrating to PC, says Sony boss

After the official reveal of the PlayStation 4 Pro last week in New York, gaming and tech sites around the world have been asking sort of the same question: who was this system made for?

It sounds like a loaded question that suggests the PS4 Pro is pointless. It isn’t. We understand what it does and recognize that the games look good on it if the proper display is in place. It’s just such a minor bump in capabilities that one has to wonder who, exactly, Sony had in mind when they created the machine.

We have an answer! At least, it’s the public answer that Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Andrew House was willing to share with The Guardian. Sony’s created the PS4 Pro to serve pre-existing PS4 owners. Here’s House.

“There’s a dip mid-console lifecycle where the players who want the very best graphical experience will start to migrate to PC, because that’s obviously where it’s to be had…

…We wanted to keep those people within our eco-system by giving them the very best and very highest [performance quality].”

It’s the PS4 “Please Don’t Leave, We’ll Do Better,” basically. Doesn’t have as nice a ring to it as PS4 Pro, does it?

Will the PS4 Pro be enough to keep you Sony-exclusive, dear gamer?

SOURCE THE GUARDIAN

VIA POLYGON

Pokémon GO buddy update is on the way, Niantic details latest patch

Niantic has submitted the latest update for Pokémon GO, version 1.7.0 on iOS and 0.37.0 on Android. This update will deliver the highly anticipated Buddy system which will allow players to get candies and improve a favorite Pokémon faster than others.

The Buddy system and other details for the patch are now available, via Niantic.

Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.37.0 for Android and 1.7.0 for iOS devices. Below are some release notes and comments from our development team.

• Implemented Buddy Pokémon: Trainers will now be able to choose one of their Pokémon to be their buddy. A Trainer can earn Candy for their Buddy Pokémon by walking a certain distance.

• Made it easier to select smaller Pokémon on the screen.

• Fixed an issue where Eggs would sometimes hatch without displaying the animation.

• Improved performance reliability when a device switches networks to no longer cause the application to hang or stop updating.

• Pokémon GO Plus support

• Minor text fixes.

We continue to focus on eliminating bots and scrapers from Pokémon GO. Rooted or jailbroken devices are not supported by Pokémon GO. Remember to download Pokémon GO from the official Google Play Store or iTunes App Store only.

No specific date has been set for this Pokémon GO update, but keep an eye out for it before the end of the week.

source SILICONERA

Kickstart this genius electric keyboard with a modular design

There are modular smartphones, modular smartwatches and even modular powerstrips. So why not a modular keyboard? Now there is one, or at least there could be if this Kickstarter project succeeds.

Kombos isn’t just a modular keyboard. It’s the ultimate portable keyboard, offering a unique adaptable design and a few other perks that could make it a must-have product for tech-savvy musicians.

Kombos was developed by a group of music enthusiasts in Atlanta, Georgia determined to make a portable electric keyboard that didn’t come with any sacrifices. Normally, musicians have to choose between a tiny limited keyboard that fits in your bag or a full keyboard that’s a pain to lug around. With Kombos they get the best of both worlds.

In its simplest form, Kombos comes in two pieces, there’s one module with 12 keys and a second with 13. They connect using a smart pin design that easily snaps into place to create a 25-key keyboard. From there you can add additional 12-key modules, sliding them in between the base units to expand the setup. Kombos supports a few different combinations, maxing out at 61 keys total.

The base modules feature the extra controls and outputs you’d expect so you’re not missing out on other features for the sake of modularity. Kombos is compatible with desktop computers and Android/iOS devices. It offers Bluetooth support for connecting directly to your wireless headphones or speaker. It also packs a rechargeable 8-hour battery so you can use it wherever you go.

You can pre-order that basic 25-key setup for as little as $139 on Kickstarter (down from the planned $199 market price). If you want more modules you can also pay $199 for 37 keys in three modules, $249 for 49 keys in four modules, or $299 for 61 keys in five modules. All orders should be ready to ship by March 2017, though delays are always possible when you decide to support a crowd-funded gadget.

                                

SOURCE KICKSTARTER

Amazon’s VR plans could include movies and games, job listing reveals

Rumor has it Amazon is gearing up for a push into virtual reality, and a new job listing reveals just how ambitious the company’s plans may be. It looks like the internet giant could be eyeing VR gaming and even augmented reality, along with more straightforward immersive videos.

The job listing, which was spotted by Variety, details a new position titled “Virtual Reality Experience Development Executive.” Amazon is looking for a highly qualified candidate with experience in filmmaking or video game development, suggesting the company could be interested in creating VR video games. It also mentions plans to create “innovative mixed reality experiences,” which could potentially run on augmented reality devices like the Microsoft HoloLens.

Variety previously reported that Amazon is working on a virtual reality app similar to the one launched by Hulu, which lets you watch both traditional and 360-degree videos in an immersive environment. The company’s also allegedly working to secure VR content ahead of an official launch, but that may just be the tip of the iceberg. Whatever Amazon is planning it still appears to be staffing up for the new endeavor, so it could be a while before we see anything officially announced.

SOURCE AMAZON JOB LISTING (LINKEDIN)

Pokémon GO pulls in over $200 million in its first month, seven times Candy Crush Soda Saga

 

For all the flack that Pokémon GO has been getting recently, it’s still doing exceptionally well on the mobile market. Analytics firm Sensor Tower has put the games’ earnings at a staggering $200 million in its first month of availability.

That $200 million dominates other popular free-to-play games, including Candy CrushSoda Saga, which brought in $30 million in its first month. Supercell’s Clash Royale, the previous record holder for fastest app to reach 10 million downloads, made roughly $125 million in its first month.

The two were neck and neck until Pokémon GO was released in Japan. As you’ll clearly see in the graph below, the country is still in love with this franchise.

The sky’s the limit with Pokémon GO. Keep on climbin’!

SOURCE SENSOR TOWER

Resident Evil Zero Remaster is a success at 1.1 million copies sold

While busily trying to get its Resident Evil franchise back on its feet and recreate in the footsteps that Silent Hills was supposed to take, Capcom has trained up its latest squad of developers by having them remaster some of the franchise’s most popular titles. Financial success dedicated to holding the company over was another big part of it, too.

Resident Evil Zero Remaster has repeated the success of the previous remaster, becoming a decent sized success in its own right. Capcom has confirmed that the remaster released in January has sold 1.1 million copies to date, just shy of the Resident Evil Remaster which sold 1.25 million.

However, Resident Evil Zero was a game that many had forgotten about or neglected to mention over the years. Stuck on the Nintendo GameCube, it passed out of all knowledge and legend while the franchise took on another direction to follow Resident Evil 4. To see it see such a resurgence with a new audience, even though I’m not that big a fan of it, pleases me.

I’m glad that those who enjoy a franchise will still seek out the older entries and see where its roots come from.

Resident Evil Zero Remaster is available through the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC.

source:  GEMATSU

This is the GoPro Karma drone, rumor says

GoPro is working on developing a drone named Karma, that much is already known. What hasn’t been known, however, is what it will look like. Someone recently published an image of the alleged drone to Reddit, though the post has mysteriously vanished, but not before Konrad Iturbe was able to grab it.

Konrad published the image to his Twitter feed. His Twitter profile suggests he’s a “GoPro addict,” which might suggest he’s also quick to jump the gun on an exciting rumor. Or maybe he knows something we don’t know. In any case, the drone looks like it attaches easily to a Hero4 camera, allowing videographers to take to the skies with their actioncameras.

GoPro will need to show why consumers should buy this drones over others, like the DJIPhantom 4, for example. This image doesn’t provide any hint toward that strategy and, frankly, I’m not sure I buy this rumor.

SOURCE MASHABLE, TWITTER

Rise of the Tomb Raider PS4 Release Date Confirmed, Has PlayStation VR Support

New version of game will be available on Xbox One and PC too.

                          

Square Enix has announced Rise of the Tomb Raider will launch on PlayStation 4 on October 11 in a new 20 Year Celebration edition. This version of the game will feature "a completely new story chapter entitled Blood Ties."

In addition to this, it will have new co-op Endurance gameplay, PlayStation VR support for the new Blood Ties chapter, all previously released DLC, extra outfits, weapons, and Expedition Cards. A limited edition art book will also be included.

All this content will be available for free to Xbox One and PC to players that own the season pass. This, however, won't include VR support. The season pass will be updated to include this content going forward.

A season pass does not exist for PS4 as all the extra content is included in the new version of the game.

"[Crystal Dynamics] is celebrating with all Tomb Raider fans, thanking them for being on Lara's 20 year journey with us," said Scot Amos, co-head of the studio. "The team has packed in surprises, new story, and the top-requested special features into this 20 Year Celebration edition.

"Blood Ties, a new premium DLC, beckons players to explore Croft Manor in a new story mode; then defend it against a zombie invasion in Lara's Nightmare. When Lara's uncle contests ownership of the Manor, Lara must explore the estate to find proof that she is the rightful heir, or lose her birthright and father's secrets for good.

"Players can then test their zombie-killing skills in the replayable Lara's Nightmare mode: a haunted Croft Manor where players have new challenges and must rid the Manor of an evil presence."

According to a press release, the PlayStation VR support lets players "unlock the mysteries of Croft Manor in first-person, while the new co-op Endurance mode lets fans team-up in the wilderness.

"Two players must team up to survive the harsh elements by day, as well as lethal threats from enemies by night. Fire takes fuel, food restores health, and every resource must be hunted, collected, or crafted. Battle to the top of the leaderboards, as others try to beat your longest survival run."

To celebrate the history of Tomb Raider, a re-envisoned version of the cold-weather outfit and the Hailstorm pistol Lara used in Tomb Raider 3 will be available in the mode. A classic Lara card pack will let players play as various iterations of the character from over the years, including the original Lara model that started it all in 1996.

Finally, the game will have a new Extreme Survivor difficulty: "This new difficulty level takes the toughness of Survivor and ratchets it up several notches starting with all checkpoints being stripped out of the game. The only way to save the game is forage enough resources to light campfires."

Take a look at the infographic below to see everything included in the Rise of the Tomb Raider 20 Year Celebration release.

                          

Pokémon GO will soon let businesses sponsor locations

In the augmented reality world of Pokémon GO, businesses large and small will soon have the ability to sponsor locations. This is something developer Niantic did with their previous AR game, Ingress.

In Pokémon GO, sponsors would be charged every time someone playing the game visits the locale they’ve sponsored. That, basically, counts as an augmented reality ad impression, and it’s how Niantic hopes to create an additional revenue stream.

Niantic Chief Executive John Hanke spoke with Financial Times about the upcoming addition.

“There is a second component to our business model at Niantic, which is this concept of sponsored locations…”

The first component, of course, is the current PokéCoins system of microtransactions. The app has seen success with that, too.

Are you still playing Pokémon GO? It achieved the milestone of becoming the biggest mobile game in U.S. history  just days ago.

SOURCE FT (PAY WALL)

Seagate unveils 10TB BarraCuda Pro desktop drive

Seagate on Tuesday unveiled a portfolio of 10TB drives built for NAS, surveillance systems and, of course, a new BarraCuda Pro drive for home PC users. The company said its goal was to deliver a beefy hard drive at an affordable price point, and it promises this drive delivers.

The BarraCuda Pro 10TB desktop drive spins at 7200rpm, slower than some might prefer but not bad given the huge capacity, and offers built-in power-saving features. Before today, Seagate’s 3.5-inch BarraCuda HDD selection included 50GB, 1TB, 2TB, 3TB, 4TB, 6TB and 8TB options, so customers who needed more space had to look to Seagate’s enterprise-focused 10TB drives, which were introduced in April. Now that helium technology is trickling into the more consumer-friendly drive.

The new BarraCuda Pro, which joins new IronWolf and SkyHawk entries for small businesses and surveillance systems, respectively, will launch from retailers such as NewEgg with a $535 MSRP, according to AnandTech.

SOURCE SEAGATE