games

LucasFilm pushes the boundaries with real-time rendering

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LucasFilm is working on a real-time rendering system that captures character movements on a soundstage and, in real-time, incorporates those movements in video. This is a remarkable achievement and, in my mind, carries significant implications for film and video game production.

As you watch the video, notice the convergence of technologies. At about :41, the director swaps out one character for another with the push of a button, while the video plays live. At 1:55, you get a real taste of the ability to capture subtle facial movements, transferring them to a live character. There’s so much more. Just watch.

Mac game maker looks for beta testers

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Virtual Programming, maker of Mac versions of commercial games like Supreme Commander 2 and X3: Terran Conflict, is on the prowl for beta testers. If you have what you think it takes, you can get in touch with them. You … Continued

Monkeybin apologizes for app marketing foul-up

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Credit where it’s due: the CEO of iOS game developer Monkeybin Studios has publicly apologized for a marketing foul-up that left a foul taste in some reviewer’s mouths. The company recently released a side-scrolling shooter called Jumpship Thrust Control 2. … Continued

Zynga IPO generates $1B

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Rachel Weber for Gamesindustry.biz: Zynga has raised $1 billion in its much anticipated IPO today, after offering its 100 million shares at $10 each. Zynga is the casual game developer behind Facebook hits like Farmville and Cityville. The company has … Continued

SportsPicker Mobile helps sports junkies make picks

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OHK Labs has announced the release of SportsPicker Mobile for iOS. The software is available for free download from the App Store. SportsPicker takes a page from fantasy sports leagues and online sports betting systems, giving your interest in sports … Continued

Microsoft’s Kinectimals game comes to iOS

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Kinectimals was a launch title for Microsoft’s Kinect motion-sensing peripheral for the Xbox 360, involving playful virtual pets you could interact with. Now it’s come to iOS, and it’s available for $2.99. Released as a universal app that runs natively … Continued

Feral to publish Tropico 3 for Mac on Jan. 26

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Feral Interactive announced Tuesday plans to publish the Macintosh version of Tropico 3: Gold Edition on Thursday, January 26, 2012. The game will be available for $34.99 and will be available for download from various sites including the Mac App … Continued

MinoMonsters brings Pokemon-style gaming to iOS

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If you have a Pokemon fan in the house, you might be interested in MinoMonsters — a new iPhone and iPod touch game that’s now available for download for 99 cents. It’s a turn-based monster battling game in which you … Continued

Help Judge Dredd fight zombies on iOS

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Fuse Powered Inc. and Rebellion have announced the release of Judge Dredd vs. Zombies, a new game based on the popular comic book character. It’s available for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad (it’s universal) for 99 cents. Judge Dredd … Continued

Marathon game trio repackaged with new game engine

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This news is sure to warm the hearts of many old-school Mac gamers: Bungie Software’s legendary first-person shooter Marathon series has been rebuilt using a new game engine and re-released for free. They’re available for Mac OS X, of course, … Continued

∞ Feral to release Tropico 3 for Mac in January

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Feral Interactive announced Tuesday plans to release Tropico 3: Gold Edition for the Mac in January, 2012. It will cost $34.99, available for download from the Mac App Store and other sources. Tropico 3: Gold Edition is a strategy-based city … Continued

∞ Batman: Arkham Asylum lands on Mac

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Feral Interactive announced the release Thursday of Batman: Arkham Asylum for the Mac. It’s available for $39.99 either for download through the Mac App Store and other services, or as a boxed product. Batman: Arkham Asylum is the award-winning stealth-based … Continued

∞ Pangea updates games for AirPlay

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Pangea Software has announced the release of updates to six of its iOS games to support AirPlay features in iOS 5. Bugdom 2, Cro Mag Rally, Nanosaur 2, Otto Matic, Quarters and Enigmo 2 now support the new capability. AirPlay … Continued

∞ FIFA Soccer 12 comes to the Mac

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Electronic Arts (EA) and TransGaming on Tuesday announced the release of FIFA Soccer 12 for the Mac – the first time the popular FIFA soccer (football) game has come to the Mac platform. It’s available for online purchase and download … Continued

∞ iPad gamers number 8 million +

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IndustryGamers: Market research firm Interpret has issued a new report “iPad Gamers: A Look at the Users of Gaming’s Shiny New Toy,” which Interpret says “demonstrates that Apple’s popular tablet computer is both drawing the attention of traditional console gamers and developing … Continued

∞ Valve's Portal game free until Sep. 20

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Valve has released its seminal action puzzle game Portal for Mac and PC for free until September 20, 2011. The game is available for download through Valve’s Steam download service. Portal was the first game from Valve to be published … Continued