Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The entire World of Warcraft being recreated with Minecraft blocks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/the-entire-world-of-warcraft-being-recreated-with-minecraft-bloc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/the-entire-world-of-warcraft-being-recreated-with-minecraft-bloc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/the-entire-world-of-warcraft-being-recreated-with-minecraft-bloc/#comments 0We all have goals in life -- some of us work for our families, some seek money and fame, and some work for a greater good. Minecraft forum user Rumsey's chosen path is to recreate the entire World of Warcraft inside the indie sandbox hit, Minecraft. And as you can see above, he's doing pretty well -- the entire continent of Kalimdor (including the new zones from the Cataclysm expansion) is almost done, and he's well on his way to doing the rest, including all of the instances and dungeons.

Rumsey came up with some custom software to put it all together, which basically translates the current maps of WoW over to the measurements of Minecraft blocks. Rumsey is trying to keep Minecraft's "1 yard to 1 block" ratio, though that means he has to balance WoW's detail with Minecraft's inherent blockiness (and Minecraft's height limit of 128 blocks has required mods to make some of WoW's tallest features work). Still, what's been created so far is certainly recognizable as Azeroth.

Now if we can only get StarCraft, Crafting Mama, CrimeCraft, GemCraft, and macaroni and cheese in this project somehow.

JoystiqThe entire World of Warcraft being recreated with Minecraft blocks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>azerothbuildingcomputercraftfansmapsMinecraftpcresolutionworld-of-warcraftWed, 08 Feb 2012 20:08:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Steam Guard now available to all Steam users]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/psa-steam-guard-now-available-to-all-steam-users/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/psa-steam-guard-now-available-to-all-steam-users/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/psa-steam-guard-now-available-to-all-steam-users/#comments The Steam Guard system (which uses identity tech to warn you when anyone tries to log in to your Steam account from a different computer) is now available for all users, according to the official website. Previously, it was only being tested by certain users (including Gabe Newell, who even posted his password online during GDC), but now anyone with a Steam account can give it a try.

To use the service, you just need to update Steam to the latest version, make sure you have a verified email associated with your account, then just restart Steam. Then, any time you log in from a new computer, Steam will send an email with a code that you'll need to enter to use the service. If you get an email for a computer you didn't log in from, someone else is trying to access your account. Pretty easy -- now no one will be able to play with your Torchlight characters but you.

JoystiqPSA: Steam Guard now available to all Steam users originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computeridentityintelpcsteamsteam-guardThu, 17 Mar 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Working 16-bit computer built inside Minecraft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/working-16-bit-computer-built-inside-minecraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/working-16-bit-computer-built-inside-minecraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/working-16-bit-computer-built-inside-minecraft/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sure, lots of players are building memories and geek tributes in the incredibly popular indie sandbox game Minecraft, but here's something actually functional: a working 16-bit ALU (arithmetic logic unit) designed entirely in the game. The "wires" are made from Redstone, a unit in the game that can carry a fiery charge. So to calculate numbers, creator "theinternetftw" just lights torches representing binary numbers on one end, and then waits to see which torches (representing binary digits) light up on the other; giving him the mathematical answer he's looking for. Crazy? Yes. Nerdy? Very. Awesome? Indeed.

All the hard work must have been worth it -- theinternetftw has been posting about the project on Reddit and reportedly got a job offer out of it. But he's not done yet: He wants to add some memory to the computer and even make it "Hack" compatible, which means it would compile and run actual code (albeit very, very slowly). Said Minecraft creator Markus Persson via Twitter last night, "I saw the ALU, and I wet myself! Seriously, I got a hose and wet myself. With pee."

Continue reading Working 16-bit computer built inside Minecraft

JoystiqWorking 16-bit computer built inside Minecraft originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alucomputercomputer-scienceMinecraftnotchpcsandboxThu, 30 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Space 2 back on track for PC release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/dead-space-2-back-on-track-for-pc-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/dead-space-2-back-on-track-for-pc-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/12/dead-space-2-back-on-track-for-pc-release/#comments There was a bit of confusion following the release of EA's Q3 2010 investor's report, which seemed to omit a mention of a PC version of Visceral Games' next deep space horror-surgery title, Dead Space 2. The most definite answer EA could give us back in February about its intentions to bring the game to our compy was, "A PC SKU is under consideration." Now, after three months of heartfelt consideration, EA has come to a decision: Yes, fine, you can have Dead Space 2 on PC.

Those weren't EA's exact words, mind you -- rather, yesterday's Q4 2010 investor's report simply mentioned the game will launch on consoles, handhelds and PC. EA later confirmed via Tweet that the PC listing was legit, and not some kind of sick, twisted act of schadenfreude executed against personal computer enthusiasts.

JoystiqDead Space 2 back on track for PC release originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 May 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computerdead-spacedead-space-2eaElectronic-Artsplatformvisceral-gamesWed, 12 May 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 firmware update 3.30 makes PC remote play VAIO-ble]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/27/ps3-firmware-update-3-30-makes-pc-remote-play-vaio-ble/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/27/ps3-firmware-update-3-30-makes-pc-remote-play-vaio-ble/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/27/ps3-firmware-update-3-30-makes-pc-remote-play-vaio-ble/#comments Most folks don't know that PS3 Firmware Update 3.30 didn't just prep the system for 3D support, renovate the Trophy section, and totally crash user's lengthy Dragon Age: Origins sessions. It also added a tab under the "Remote Play" section of the XMB - an unassuming option simply labeled "PC."

The notes accompanying the update confirm that "future models of the VAIO PC" will be able to access certain titles on the PSN, though the full capacity of said access is unknown. The notes mentioned that further details on the VAIO's Remote Playability will be announced on Sony's website next month. Until then, you can keep on playing your PSN games on your PS3, just like you always have, since the dawn of time, you caveman.

[Via Videogamer]

JoystiqPS3 firmware update 3.30 makes PC remote play VAIO-ble originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computerps3-firmwareps3-firmware-3.30psnremote-playsonystreamingvaioTue, 27 Apr 2010 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@PAX: One million billion computers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/05/seen-pax-one-million-billion-computers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/05/seen-pax-one-million-billion-computers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/05/seen-pax-one-million-billion-computers/#comments
To a non-PC gamer, the sixth floor of the Seattle Convention Center is currently filled with an impossible number of computers, all playing a number of dirty keyboard-and-mouse-controlled games, and all linked together in a nebulous Local Area Network. Their users are strange and otherworldly, and their ranks are unexpectedly strong.

To hardcore PC gamers, the sixth floor of the Seattle Convention Center is currently a vast, luminous sea of infinite pleasure.

JoystiqSeen@PAX: One million billion computers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computerlanpaxpax-2009pcpc-gamingSat, 05 Sep 2009 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii PC solves the problem of Wii being too small, quiet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/wii-pc-solves-the-problem-of-wii-being-too-small-quiet/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/wii-pc-solves-the-problem-of-wii-being-too-small-quiet/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/wii-pc-solves-the-problem-of-wii-being-too-small-quiet/#commentsFiled under: ,


Modder rareemotionz performed some big-time science and made a beautiful hybrid Wii-PC thing. Well, actually it's just a Wii crammed into a high-end PC's case, but the case matches the Wii nicely. The Wii is connected to the PC's video out via a GameBridge device, making it possible to switch over the display to the Wii in Windows. Despite labeling this creation as both the ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE and HANDS DOWN THE BEST OUT!! in custom PCs, rareemotionz has seen fit to let his beloved contraption out into the wild on eBay.

We could see such a convergence device being of use to Wiimote-ologists like our own Mike Sylvester, who spend enough time going between the computer and the system to benefit from a merged unit. We also see this unit as proof that the Wii really does look like an internal disc drive. Look, there it is as an internal disc drive!

[Via GameSniped]

JoystiqWii PC solves the problem of Wii being too small, quiet originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computerebaypcFri, 08 Feb 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fan-made Charles Barkley RPG sees full release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/fan-made-charles-barkley-rpg-sees-full-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/fan-made-charles-barkley-rpg-sees-full-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/fan-made-charles-barkley-rpg-sees-full-release/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


You've read the fan fiction. You've speculated on the endless message board threads. You've played the demo over and over and over. Now, the day you've been waiting for is finally here. The full release of Tales of Game's Barkley: Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden is now available for download.

We hope you've cleared the rest of your 2008, because the epic story of post-cyberpocalypse Neo New York in the wake of the great B-Ball purge of 2041 threatens to own the entirety of your existence for some time. We can't wait to find out the true nature of the chaos dunk and discover what the press release calls "a cavalcade of easter eggs, ranging from the mysterious to the unique." Hopefully by the time we're done finding them all, we'll be nearing the release of the implied second chapter of "the Hoopz Barkley SaGa." Hit the download link and check out the below trailer while you join us in waiting with bated breath.

Continue reading Fan-made Charles Barkley RPG sees full release

JoystiqFan-made Charles Barkley RPG sees full release originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b-ballbarkleybasketballcharles-barkleycomputerindieindpendentPCshutupandjamgaidenTue, 22 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Big damn NES controller is really a big damn PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/big-damn-nes-controller-is-really-a-big-damn-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/big-damn-nes-controller-is-really-a-big-damn-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/big-damn-nes-controller-is-really-a-big-damn-pc/#commentsFiled under:


We may have seen a giant NES controller that can actually be used to play the system, but some Swedish students have just given us an entirely new reason to want such an oversized object in our homes. This time, the giant controller is being used as a case mod for a working PC.

The students put this together for 1500 Kronor (about $300 USD), so we imagine that the specs aren't all too great, but it's still over 9,000 times cooler than anything we've ever done. Nerd your way past the break to see more pics of this giant wonder.

Continue reading Big damn NES controller is really a big damn PC

JoystiqBig damn NES controller is really a big damn PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>case-modcomputernesnes-controllernescontrollerpcWed, 12 Dec 2007 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[HP Blackbird 002 PC springs from nest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/05/hp-blackbird-002-pc-springs-from-nest/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/05/hp-blackbird-002-pc-springs-from-nest/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/05/hp-blackbird-002-pc-springs-from-nest/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As previously leaked, HP has just launched its Blackbird 002 PC, the first team-produced product between HP and previously acquired VoodooPC. This high-end computer fits in the question mark of HP's food product pyramid, one step below the VoodooPC luxury treatment.

The Blackbird 002 is a customizable, built to order system that offers customers a choice of Intel or AMD motherboards and processors. Options from graphics rivals ATI and Nvidia are also available. Buyers even pick between Vista and XP.

HP touts the user-upgradeable design as a main selling point; PCI cards, drives, and other parts can be swapped without tools, and the wiring elegantly runs though the back of the aluminum case to avoid tangles.

Gallery: HP Blackbird 002

Continue reading HP Blackbird 002 PC springs from nest

JoystiqHP Blackbird 002 PC springs from nest originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackbirdblackbird002computerhpoverclockpcvoodoopcWed, 05 Sep 2007 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Now you're playing with Windows]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/15/now-youre-playing-with-windows/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/15/now-youre-playing-with-windows/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/15/now-youre-playing-with-windows/#commentsFiled under:


This Akihabara store display contains a Super Famicom that has been gutted and turned into a Windows PC. We already love the idea of making boring, ugly things like computers look less boring and ugly by cramming them inside game consoles. But what really makes this mod a winner is the custom label on the hollowed-out cartridge.

The fact that it actually appears to run Windows XP is the hilarious icing on the cake. Oh! Maybe it's really Windows Vista, but made to look like XP! You know, in keeping with the retro-camouflage theme!

[Via Gizmodo]

JoystiqNow you're playing with Windows originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computerpcsnessuperfamicomwindowsWed, 15 Aug 2007 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: The others]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/29/ds-daily-the-others/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/29/ds-daily-the-others/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/29/ds-daily-the-others/#commentsFiled under:

If you're here, you probably own a DS. You may also own a Wii. But what else do you have sitting around the house? Gaming PC? Other consoles or handhelds? What do you not own that you'd like to have?

JoystiqDS Daily: The others originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Jul 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computerps2ps3pspwiixbox360Sun, 29 Jul 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Scratch teaches game programming, commenting etiquette]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/scratch-teaches-game-programming-commenting-etiquette/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/scratch-teaches-game-programming-commenting-etiquette/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/scratch-teaches-game-programming-commenting-etiquette/#commentsFiled under: ,


We here at Joystiq are big proponents of teaching via video games. That's why we were happy to stumble across Scratch, a super simple programming language created by researchers at MIT. Using an incredibly intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Scratch gives you all the tools you need to make simple interactive Java applets, complete with graphics and sound, without any advanced programming knowledge.

How easy is it? To find out, we put together the simple program shown above. It took about an hour, and that's without even reading the FAQ or watching the handy instructional movies. In fact, the biggest time expenditure was coming up with comments that would actually be useful and helpful to our readers. Like we said, we're big proponents of teaching via video games.

[Via The Tech Savvy Educator]

JoystiqScratch teaches game programming, commenting etiquette originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 May 2007 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computereducationedugamingjavaMITPCprogrammingscratchThu, 17 May 2007 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Viewing PSP games on a computer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/13/viewing-psp-games-on-a-computer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/13/viewing-psp-games-on-a-computer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/13/viewing-psp-games-on-a-computer/#commentsFiled under:

There seems to be an increasing number of ways of playing PSP games on things other than a PSP. Firstly, there's the experimental "Potemkin" emulator. Another option appears to be a homebrew program called RemoteJoy. Tested with Dark_Alex's 3.40 OE firmware, this program lets you see and control your PSP through your computer by connecting a USB cable from the handheld to the computer. There's a much-too-complicated series of instructions available for you to peruse, but as seen by the video above, the results look certainly worth it.

[Via Engadget]

[Update: A Windows version is available, and confirmed to be working. Thanks, schuyler!]

JoystiqViewing PSP games on a computer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 May 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computerhomebrewpcpspremotejoySun, 13 May 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NY Times on PC game biz rebound]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/ny-times-on-pc-game-biz-rebound/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/ny-times-on-pc-game-biz-rebound/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/ny-times-on-pc-game-biz-rebound/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

For an industry that has been purported to be "dying" in some form or another for the past two decades or so, PC gaming has remained a remarkably consistent niche in the overall games business. The New York Times today takes a look at a recent upturn in the PC games market, partially fueled by the phenomenal success of World of Warcraft and the imitators it has spawned.

Don't cancel your console development plans yet, though. While domestic PC game sales were up 48 percent to $203 million in the first two months of 2007, the PC market was still dwarfed by the $990 million spent on console games during the same period. And while efforts like Games for Windows and HP's gaming initiative are likely to help attract attention to computer games, it's hard to match the focused marketing muscle of the big three console makers. So while PC gaming may not be dying, it's not exactly threatening to take over the country, either. The rest of the world, on the other hand ...

JoystiqNY Times on PC game biz rebound originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computerdellgames for windowsGamesForWindowsgamingHPmicrosoftMMOonlinePCwindowsworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftMon, 23 Apr 2007 12:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony considers incentives for commercial PS3 use]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/sony-considers-incentives-for-commercial-ps3-use/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/sony-considers-incentives-for-commercial-ps3-use/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/11/sony-considers-incentives-for-commercial-ps3-use/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tired of wasting all those idle PS3 clock cycles curing diseases for the benefit of all humanity? Wish you could sell off your extra processing power for prizes and free stuff instead? Sony knows how you feel, and is reportedly looking into a program that would let you do just that.

Sony Computer Entertainment CTO Masa Chatani told the Financial Times that they are in discussions with a number of companies interested in using the parallel processing power of the PS3 network for their own research. Chatani realizes users might be hesitant to simply loan out use of their $600 living room computer to a commercial enterprise, so the company is considering offering incentives such as free products to users who would aid in such research.

This sounds like a win-win-win situation to us: Sony gets a new revenue stream; small companies get their research done relatively cheaply; and PS3 owners get free stuff. Of course, every PS3 running one of these commercial projects is one less project running the potentially life-saving Folding@Home. OK, so maybe it's win-win-win-lose. Still, three out of four ain't bad.

JoystiqSony considers incentives for commercial PS3 use originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Apr 2007 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancercommercialcomputerfinancial timesFinancialTimesfoldingfolding at homeFoldingAtHomeincentivesnetworkparallelprocessingPS3Wed, 11 Apr 2007 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Students get their lessons from a PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/students-get-their-lessons-from-a-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/students-get-their-lessons-from-a-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/students-get-their-lessons-from-a-psp/#commentsFiled under: ,

Children at a secondary school in Birmingham, UK will soon receive a variety of tailor-made lessons via PlayStation Portable. Teachers have been trained how to use the PSP to watch videos, download pictures, and play their own podcasts. The trial begins just after Easter and will continue through the end of the year. If the experiment is a success plans are to extend it to more schools in the area.

Think students will start sneaking games into class? The teachers disagree, saying it would be "very obvious if anyone tried to load games onto them". They're right. It's hard to sit through long load times without breaking furniture.

JoystiqStudents get their lessons from a PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Mar 2007 07:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computerlearningpspsonyThu, 29 Mar 2007 07:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: PC games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/23/wii-warm-up-pc-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/23/wii-warm-up-pc-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/23/wii-warm-up-pc-games/#commentsFiled under: ,

Every week, the Virtually Overlooked column seems to lead naturally into a topic of discussion. This week, since we talked about a delightful freeware game, we're thinking about PC games in general.

Let's say our wishes come true and Cave Story becomes a Virtual Console download. The floodgates would be open for classic PC games to make their way to the Wii. It's not that far fetched-- Japan's getting MSX computer games. What would you want to play? We'll give everyone Doom as a freebie. That'll be ported to the Wii somehow, by someone. Doom on any piece of electronics is an inevitability.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: PC games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cavestorycomputerdoomnintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiipcpcgameswiiwwuFri, 23 Mar 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers working on Cell processor supercomputer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/05/researchers-working-on-cell-processor-supercomputer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/05/researchers-working-on-cell-processor-supercomputer/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/05/researchers-working-on-cell-processor-supercomputer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

For years, Sony and IBM have talked up the power of the Cell processor that's at the core of of every PS3. Now, some University of Illinois researchers are working on finally unlocking that power for the next generation of highly parallel supercomputers.

The Illinois News-Gazette has a report on the efforts of user interface experts Marc Snir, Laxmikant Kale and David Kunzman, who say that a computer with a cluster of Cell chips could offer 50 times the performance of a similar sized PC. Squeezing out that performance is no small task, though -- Kale admits "it's going to be a challenge to program it."

Despite the team's inside access to Cell technology and tools, the N-G article ends with a joking complaint that the team members "haven't received a PlayStation 3 yet, either." Hey, if you want one that badly, just go to your local store, guys.

JoystiqResearchers working on Cell processor supercomputer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellcell processorCellProcessorcomputerillinoisPCpowerprocessingprocessorps3researchuniversity of illinoisUniversityOfIllinoisMon, 05 Feb 2007 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption to be released in late '07?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/19/super-mario-galaxy-and-metroid-prime-3-corruption-to-be-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/19/super-mario-galaxy-and-metroid-prime-3-corruption-to-be-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/19/super-mario-galaxy-and-metroid-prime-3-corruption-to-be-release/#commentsFiled under:

So far away...Le sigh. There was a point, if we here at the Fanboy offices can remember correctly, that both Super Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption were both possible launch titles. Now, according to some whispers over at CVG, neither title will be released (along with the eternally delayed Zelda: Phantom Hourglass) until the holiday season of 2007.

Patience is a good thing, and we're more than willing to wait until both of these quadruple-A titles are as shiny as can be. Still, unless Super Smash Bros: Brawl can make it out either in summer or even earlier (something we highly doubt), Nintendo is going to be going quite some time without a big first-party title. Memories of the typical Gamecube release schedule are coming to mind, but alas ... at least we've got the Virtual Console to keep us busy...

[via Joystiq]

JoystiqSuper Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption to be released in late '07? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Dec 2006 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007ChristmasComputerCorruptionGalaxyHolidayHourrglassLateLegendMarioMetroidPhantomPrimeSuperVideo GamesVideoGamesZeldaTue, 19 Dec 2006 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Air drumming with the Wii remote]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/07/air-drumming-with-the-wii-remote/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/07/air-drumming-with-the-wii-remote/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/07/air-drumming-with-the-wii-remote/#commentsFiled under: ,

Based solely on internet videos, you might think Wii owners were more interested in hacking their remote for PC use than actually using it to play Wii games. First the guys at WiiLi.org demonstrated the remote's use as a PC mouse. Then someone rigged up the remote to play a half-assed game of Half-Life 2. And now we get video of a totally awesome air drumming simulator using the remote.

The drumming setup uses a program to convert Wii remote motions into keyboard presses, which are then converted into drum sounds by a separate program. We're impressed by how intuitive and responsive the setup seems to be, even though we think the whole thing would get old after about five minutes. What this needs is some sort of structure -- a set of rules and goals to guide the user's experience and make it more fun. Almost like a drum machine game. Are you listening, Nintendo/hacking community?

[Thanks Brian, Via digg]

Continue reading Air drumming with the Wii remote

JoystiqAir drumming with the Wii remote originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Dec 2006 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computerdrumhackPCremotewiiThu, 07 Dec 2006 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Legendary computer scientist Alan Kotok has died]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/legendary-computer-scientist-alan-kotok-has-died/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/legendary-computer-scientist-alan-kotok-has-died/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/legendary-computer-scientist-alan-kotok-has-died/#commentsFiled under: ,

Alan Kotok, a pioneer that helped create the first video game, SpaceWar! on the PDP-1, and helped the joystick, this site's namesake, become an icon of video gaming passed away peacefully in his sleep over the U.S. Memorial Day weekend.

His help in creating Spacewar! was invaluable, although not necessarily conventional. In one memorable incident, Alan forced Steve Russel (the main author of Spacewar!) to get his act together by calling up the maker of the PDP-1 to get some math routines required to write movement code for the game. Once he'd received the code he slammed down the tape on Steve's desk (who was widely known by the nickname "slug") and said "Here you are Russel. Now what's your excuse?" Steve got the point and went on to finish Spacewar!

Had Alan not taken the initiative like he did, the entire history of video games could have turned out differently. A man called Nolan Bushnell was later inspired by Spacewar! to try and make video games accessible to everyone: he eventually went on to found a little company called Atari. There's nothing to say that games wouldn't be as popular as they are today had Alan not given Steve Russel the kick up the arse he needed, but it certainly makes you think.

Another of Kotok's achievements was working with John McCarthy of Stanford to create the first computer program that could credibly play chess. The program, which could look at 1100 positions per second, took part in an international competition with a USSR chess program in 1966. The match took nine months to complete!

Alan is survived by his three children and one grandchild. His wife, Judie, passed away last year. Rest in peace, Alan.

Update: see comments.

JoystiqLegendary computer scientist Alan Kotok has died originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jun 2006 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan KotokAlanKotokAtariChessComputerJoystickNolan BushnellNolanBushnellPDP-1RIPSpacewar!Steve RusselSteveRusselUSSRFri, 02 Jun 2006 19:30:00 EST