Joystiq

Microsoft releases 22 Kinect for Windows open source samplers

David Hinkle — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

PC developers looking to fiddle around with Microsoft's Kinect peripheral just got a big gimme. Microsoft has released 22 different samples of Kinect for Windows code under an open source licensing agreement, meaning you're free to tinker away to your heart's content - just don't try to pass it off as your own.

What makes this different than the previously widely available software development kit? Microsoft says it has issued these samples for the sake of convenience, allowing fledgling flailers access to bite-sized segments designed for specific functionality and lessons that don't require a lengthy download of the full SDK. Convenient.

Kinect for Windows officially launched on February 1, available now for a suggested retail price of $250 - though some retailers like Amazon and Newegg have it listed on the lower side of $200.

Microsoft releases 22 Kinect for Windows open source samplers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Trendy offering real money for best Dungeon Defenders maps

Mike Schramm — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:45:00 EST

Trendy Entertainment, the dev behind Dungeon Defenders, is looking to beef up the offerings from that game's free development kit. It's holding a contest, in which it's giving away some real money and prize packs for the best maps made for the game.

To enter, all you have to do is put a map together for the tower defense RPG (here's a guide.) Submit your map to Trendy by June 21, and if it wins both a public vote and a judges' vote you can walk away with $1000, and even get your map included in the game.

The full rules and requirements are over on Trendy's forums. Those of us without any design skills at all will just sit here quietly waiting to see what you put together. Don't mind us.

Trendy offering real money for best Dungeon Defenders maps originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumor: new Microsoft console dev kits at EA [update: EA disagrees]

JC Fletcher — Fri, 06 May 2011 13:35:00 EST

According to an unnamed source speaking to Develop, development kits for a new Microsoft console are in the offices of one of EA's studios. The source, which does not work for either EA or Microsoft, had no specific information about the hardware except that it came in a PC shell and was shipped to EA last month.

That little information is actually enough to rule out the updated Xbox 360 dev kits revealed last month, since those come in Xbox-shaped cases. The source believes ("but did not have certain information," Develop disclaims) the new console will launch at the end of 2012, which would put it in direct competition with the Wii successor, and, if true, would make an E3 reveal seem likely (again, to compete with the new Nintendo console).

However, a Eurogamer source responded to this Develop article to note that a new Microsoft console probably won't be revealed at E3.

Update: EA's director of corporate communications, Jeff Brown, told IGN that the story was "a total fabrication -- 100 percent not true."

Rumor: new Microsoft console dev kits at EA [update: EA disagrees] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 May 2011 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Xbox Development Kit is cheaper, way cuter

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST

Microsoft has begun offering developers great and small a new model of the Xbox 360 development kit, pictured above. The new hardware's got a lot to offer game studios -- it's got an undisclosed boost in RAM, larger hard drive, built-in flash memory and a less bulky frame than its predecessor. Its most appealing bonus? According to the kit's press release announcement, the new hardware will come at a "significantly reduced price from its predecessor."

Wait, no, that's not its most appealing bonus. We're pretty sure the aspect that's gonna lead companies to snatch up as many of these new kits as they can is how darn adorable it is. Look at him! He's so tiny. And he's got an equally adorable, optional Sidecar attachment, which enables debugging and emulation! Oh, just look! It's like he's giving it a piggy-back ride.

New Xbox Development Kit is cheaper, way cuter originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony cuts PS3 dev kit price in half

Scott Jon Siegel — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Business

In an attempt to further diversify the Playstation 3's library of games, Sony has announced a dramatic price cut for the console's software development kit. The Playstation 3 Reference Tool will now be made available to new developers for $10,250 USD, or €7,500 EUR. This is nearly half of what the SDK has previously cost developers.

Sony has also announced plans to further cut the cost of the development kit once more studios have adopted the format. On the surface, it's clear that Sony's struggling to earn new developers for their console, and hopes that incentives like a reduced entry fee for development will bring new blood to the system. On the other hand, decreased developer costs are good for everyone, so we'll eagerly wait to see where this takes the PS3 in the coming months.

Sony cuts PS3 dev kit price in half originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments