iPhone It In: Orbital
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.
Part of that’s the game’s simple concept — a “cannon” continually pans left and right at the bottom of the play field, and tapping the screen fires a projectile. It ricochets off the top and sides of the screen based on your aim, then expands until it touches the edges or another sphere. Each of these orbs in space starts with three “hit points;” hit it that many times and it explodes. So, the goal is to ricochet your shots in a way that they hit multiple orbs and create longer and longer destruction combos — all while avoiding the game-ending mistake of your shot going off the bottom of the screen.
Oh, and then there’s Gravity Mode.
Gallery: Orbital
Play The Who’s Super Bowl halftime performance in Rock Band [update]
![who2410 Play The Whos Super Bowl halftime performance in Rock Band [update]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/02/who2410.jpg "Play The Whos Super Bowl halftime performance in Rock Band [update]")
[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.
On Sunday, February 7, The Who will play a 15-song medley during the Super Bowl’s halftime show, and Rock Band will feature that same medley as a $2 download the same day (on Xbox 360 and Wii, anyway — the PS3 version will arrive later). The identities of the songs contained in the medley will be unknown until the Super Bowl performance, but, really, they’re all good.
Yeaahhhhhhhhh!
[Update: We mistakenly identified the "S-mashup" as consisting of the 15 songs listed in the press release. It is actually a medley of unannounced songs. We apologize for the error.]
![feedlogo Play The Whos Super Bowl halftime performance in Rock Band [update]](http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif "Play The Whos Super Bowl halftime performance in Rock Band [update]")
Play The Who’s Super Bowl halftime performance in Rock Band [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Harmonix requests licensing from Timbaland, other non-rock stars
The rhythm-based games developer has apparently filed for several hip-hop and rap song licenses, indicating something a bit funkier and perhaps a bit fresher is in the works. Scripts may be flipped. We really don’t know.
Here are the requested tracks (via Royalty Network):
- “Ante Up” by M.O.P.
- “Evacuate the Dancefloor” by Cascada
- “Say Aah” by Trey Songz
- “The Way I Are” by Timbaland feat D.O.E.
As you can tell, these tracks aren’t really known for their rocking and/or rolling, so it’s not the usual Rock Band fare. Wanton speculation would suggest that Harmonix is working on an extension of its franchise into the hip-hop, R&B and rap segments — a possible answer to Activision’s DJ Hero?
[Via Destructoid] Read more…
New Hori arcade sticks are large
But what do said nerds get for their money, besides obvious proof that they’ve spent a lot? An enormous controller patterned after the control panel in Taito’s Vewlix arcade cabinet — the cabinet used for Street Fighter IV machines. It comes equipped with arcade-standard Sanwa buttons and joystick, and features a flip-up panel for wiring access and extra button storage (in case you want to remove some to create an authentic button layout for a particular game).
Importer Play-Asia will carry both versions of the VLX, but currently has no pricing information. Expect to pay a lot for shipping, on account of the bigness.
New Hori arcade sticks are large originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Forza 3 director on 60fps, Gran Turismo 5
VG247 has posted an interview with Forza Motorsport 3 director, Dan Greenwalt. Perhaps the most interesting bit is Greenwalt’s explanation of why developer Turn 10 was so intent on making the game run at 60 frames per second. According to Greenwalt, racers that run at 30fps have “visual shuttering artifacts,” which developers are forced to cover up with motion blur. This, he said, takes up GPU resources for other features. Beyond that, he noted that the 60fps benchmark was essential to the “feel” of the game and the responsive nature of the controls. “I’m sure you would get a similar response from Infinity Ward regarding Call of Duty,” said Greenwalt.
When asked what he thought about Gran Turismo 5, and whether he was looking forward to it, Greenwalt said that “all good game developers look at what their competitors are doing.” He stated that he has been “a long-time fan” of the series, though he added, “At this point, after so many missed releases, it’s nearly impossible to say what GT5 will be or when it will ship.” That said, Greenwalt believes that Gran Turismo 5 will be “a good racing game.” Not exactly “No game competes with us,” is it?
The interview also covers some interesting statistics, like the fact that players have driven over 1.1 billion miles in online Forza 3 races. Check out the full interview for more stats and insights on the game’s development.
Forza 3 director on 60fps, Gran Turismo 5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Rock Band Weekly: Megadeth’s ‘Rust in Peace,’ The Who mashed-up
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. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
