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['A Slower Speed of Light' is an open-source game on special relativity from MIT Game Lab]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/09/a-slower-speed-of-light-is-an-open-source-game-on-special-rela/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/09/a-slower-speed-of-light-is-an-open-source-game-on-special-rela/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/09/a-slower-speed-of-light-is-an-open-source-game-on-special-rela/#comments
The behavior of light may seem static and uninteresting (it's bright and fast, we get it), but there's actually an incredible amount of science going on that we generally don't experience during our normal lives.

A Slower Speed of Light, a new open-source game for PC and OSX from MIT Game Lab, explores the more intricate and interesting behaviors of light in a "relativistic game engine." As players collect objects, the speed of light is slowed and players are able to experience phenomena such as the Doppler effect, time dilation and the Lorentz transformation, among others.

While the open-source aspects of this project are not yet available, the plan is to release the game's Unity3D-based engine as OpenRelativity sometime in 2013. For now, the game itself can be downloaded here.

Gallery: A Slower Speed of Light

Joystiq'A Slower Speed of Light' is an open-source game on special relativity from MIT Game Lab originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Nov 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-slower-speed-of-lightclassical-physicsdoppler-effectfaster-than-lightlightLorentz-transformationmacmit-game-labopen-sourcepcphysicsrelativityspecial-relativitytime-dilationFri, 09 Nov 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Snapshot: Waveform (PC)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/snapshot-waveform-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/snapshot-waveform-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/snapshot-waveform-pc/#comments There are so many games out there we couldn't possibly review them all. Welcome to Snapshot, where we tell you about games that might fall outside our usual coverage but are still something we think you should know about. Today: Waveform for PC.


The games industry has entered a tense period of existence, with all the trash talk, petition-signing and next-gen jitters compounding into a nice, industry-wide hemiplegic migraine. We need something to soothe our psyches without boring our minds, a game that straddles the boundaries of "peaceful" and "challenging." That game just might be Waveform.

Waveform offers a polished, pretty glimpse into the life of a light wave as it travels from Pluto to the sun, dodging dark matter and collecting light particles along the way. Players control the sine wave itself, straightening, elongating and bunching it up to guide the piece of light into the path of delicious particles, without crashing into any space trash.

The endearing pomf pomf pomf of consumed light particles satisfies the senses like a far-away fireworks show, and the entire experience is ridiculously calming -- until the Singularity appears.

Continue reading Snapshot: Waveform (PC)

JoystiqSnapshot: Waveform (PC) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Eden-IndustriesIndielightpcRyan-VandendycksnapshotwaveformWed, 28 Mar 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Space Extraction 'glow worms' offer unlimited light, arm cramps]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/05/dead-space-extraction-glow-worms-offer-unlimited-light-arm-cr/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/05/dead-space-extraction-glow-worms-offer-unlimited-light-arm-cr/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/05/dead-space-extraction-glow-worms-offer-unlimited-light-arm-cr/#comments Ammunition is not the only scarcity in Dead Space Extraction. In fact, flashlights seem even more difficult to come by, as miners on Aegis 7 are left to keep their wits about them basked in the comforting greenish hue of a "glow worm." The game's equivalent of glow sticks, glow worms offer an unlimited source of light that must be recharged by shaking the Wii remote.

As mentioned following our recent time with the game, the mechanic, which is described in greater detail on EA's Dead Space blog, certainly ups the scare factor. Still, we can't help but wonder if -- after 10 or so hours of vigorous shaking -- these glow worms will leave us clutching our arms, reeling from a wholly different kind of strategic dismemberment.

JoystiqDead Space Extraction 'glow worms' offer unlimited light, arm cramps originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 May 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-spacedead-space-extractioneaelectronic-artsglow-wormlightnecromorphssurvival-horrorTue, 05 May 2009 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The DS Life: Light the Way]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/the-ds-life-light-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/the-ds-life-light-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/06/the-ds-life-light-the-way/#commentsFiled under: ,



Despite the title, this post has nothing to do with Prism: Light the Way, one of the DS's most interesting but overlooked puzzlers. Circuit City has the game on sale for $9.99 this week, though, so you should totally look into picking it up anyway!

For this week's edition of The DS Life, we'll look at several images taken from photographer Patrick Brosset's collection of light painting shots, long-exposure photos taken with streaks of light drawn over the scene. What does this creative technique have to do with the Nintendo DS or gaming? Join us past the break to find out!

Continue reading The DS Life: Light the Way

JoystiqThe DS Life: Light the Way originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>circuit-cityeidosikeakirbylightlight-paintinglight-the-wayPatrick-Brossetprismspace-invaderstaitoWed, 06 Aug 2008 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: The glow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/13/wii-warm-up-the-glow/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/13/wii-warm-up-the-glow/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/13/wii-warm-up-the-glow/#commentsFiled under:


We're all familiar with the pulsating blue glow that tells us we've got a message. Some of us find it futuristic, others creepy (it's like it's breathing or something.) How do you react to the Wii's alerts? Do you check your messages immediately, thinking that this will be the time it's important, or do you prefer to leave the pretty blue light on as long as possible?

Also, do you ever send messages to your friends' Wiis just to turn their blinky light on? We have, on occasion, for a friend who does the same for us! It's blinky, you see. The light blinks.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: The glow originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluelightTue, 13 Nov 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Wiimote charger has underbody neon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/new-wii-charger-has-underbody-neon/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/new-wii-charger-has-underbody-neon/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/new-wii-charger-has-underbody-neon/#commentsFiled under:



The most obvious feature of PEGA's Blue Light Stand is the blue light, which is for the Wii owner who, maybe, hasn't gotten enough attention for the fact that they own a Wii. Or, alternately, for people who frequently trip over their systems in the dark.

However, the classy, functional blue light is not the only feature of this stand! It stores your Wiimote and recharges batteries through the Wii's USB connection. It also has a cooling fan built in! We haven't heard if anyone's having heat issues, but it happens to all the other consoles, so it's entirely possible.

Looking at it kind of makes us want to install a subwoofer or a rear spoiler on our system. Unfortunately, we haven't heard of any Wii-size spoilers, and we also don't have any retail information for this stand yet, so we can't tell you where to buy one.

JoystiqNew Wiimote charger has underbody neon originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 20:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluelightlightnintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiipegastandusbwiiFri, 06 Apr 2007 20:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Mesmerizing PSP disc tray mod shines light]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/13/mesmerizing-psp-disc-tray-mod-shines-light/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/13/mesmerizing-psp-disc-tray-mod-shines-light/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/13/mesmerizing-psp-disc-tray-mod-shines-light/#commentsFiled under:



Psyberjock from DCemu has put together an impressive looking modification for the UMD disc tray. Apparently, this transformation took 30 hours of work and quite possibly a post-graduate degree in mechanics:

"I probably won't make a how-to. Considering the difficulty level of this mod, if you can't figure it out yourself, you'll probably just break your PSP or UMD tray."

It looks awesome, and I do want to know how to do this. Unfortunately, considering how I have the Brain Age of a 60 year old, it probably won't do me much good.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqMesmerizing PSP disc tray mod shines light originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dcemudiscglowhacklightmodmodificationpsyberjocktrayMon, 13 Nov 2006 20:05:00 EST<![CDATA[How-to: Make your PSP shoulder buttons light up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/01/how-to-make-your-psp-shoulder-buttons-light-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/01/how-to-make-your-psp-shoulder-buttons-light-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/01/how-to-make-your-psp-shoulder-buttons-light-up/#commentsFiled under: ,


It seems like you guys didn't like Engadget's analog stick makeover. Maybe you'll like this detailed guide to making light-up shoulder buttons instead. Everett, the modder, explains his reasoning quite eloquently: "Sony decided to make the PSP shoulder buttons transparent, leaving modders an excellent opportunity to make the device look way cooler with lighting."

I have to admit, the idea does sound pretty enticing: seeing your PSP shoulder buttons light up every time you press them. Cheesy? Maybe. Cool. Hellz yeah. It won't be easy to get these lights into your system, but Everett does a fantastic job of explaining how to rip open your PSP. If you're a bit too afraid of exposing your system's innards, you can actually request Everett to mod your system for you. For money, of course.

[Via PSP Hacks]

JoystiqHow-to: Make your PSP shoulder buttons light up originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Nov 2006 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>everetthackhow-tolightmodmoddermodificationshouldershoulder buttonsShoulderButtonsWed, 01 Nov 2006 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo: sunlight is no big deal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/13/nintendo-sunlight-is-no-big-deal/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/13/nintendo-sunlight-is-no-big-deal/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/13/nintendo-sunlight-is-no-big-deal/#commentsFiled under: ,


Do you remember our earlier story where a NYC Event attendee claimed that sunlight interfered with the console? Turns out, sunlight isn't that big of a deal. 1UP recently asked Nintendo about the issue and received the following statement from a company representative, who was not named:

"Our testing thus far shows no great risk of light interference when playing a game that relies on the pointer and sensor bar."

Still worried? Reassured by the comfortable embrace of mother Nintendo?

[Thanks Erich!]

JoystiqNintendo: sunlight is no big deal originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Oct 2006 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lightnintendonintendowiisensorsensorbarsunlightwiimotewooFri, 13 Oct 2006 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo Fusion Tour begins, no one listens to the music]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/28/nintendo-fusion-tour-begins-no-one-listens-to-the-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/28/nintendo-fusion-tour-begins-no-one-listens-to-the-music/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/28/nintendo-fusion-tour-begins-no-one-listens-to-the-music/#commentsFiled under: ,

Emo kidsTruth be told, if you're headed off to one of the Nintendo Fusion Tour in numerous locations around the country, you're probably not heading there for the music. Hawthorne Heights and Relient K may excite the plebian youth, but not seasoned and impossibly articulate gamers such as ourselves. No, we are drawn to higher forms of art and diversion. Like, you know, pretending to hula hoop to earn a green checkmark on a bright screen.

In any case, the NFT kicked off with its opening act in Columbus, Ohio last night, and we've got some early impressions of the event. Wii and DS units galore, but nothing Earth-shattering, save perhaps for the mysterious disappearance of the glowing blue light from the propietary slot-loading DVD drive. It's a rather disturbing absence, as that remains on the coolest aesthetic features of the console. Is it gone for good? Read the full impressions after the jump.

JoystiqNintendo Fusion Tour begins, no one listens to the music originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlueColumbusFall out BoyFallOutBoyFusionGlowHawthorne HeightsHawthorneHeightsImpressionsLightOhioRelient KRelientKSlot-loadingTourThu, 28 Sep 2006 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The DS Lite is "smaller than a brick"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/12/the-ds-lite-is-smaller-than-a-brick/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/12/the-ds-lite-is-smaller-than-a-brick/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/12/the-ds-lite-is-smaller-than-a-brick/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Arstechnica has posted a comprehensive five page review of the DS Lite, with a large portion dedicated to comparisons with the DS Phat. This isn't the first review of the DS Lite, but it could possibly be the most well thought out. Here are the key points of the review:

The screens
  • Greater viewing angle - "it's now possible to watch someone else playing the system and actually see the screen"
  • Brighter - "the upgraded screen may be worth the price of an upgrade alone"
  • Dead pixels - "my unit has a stuck pixel on the top screen"
  • Flimsy? - "the bottom screen seems to be floating in the system case, not held down tight like the DS [Phat]"
The feel
  • Lighter - "the system is lighter, making it easier for me to cradle it using the tips of my fingers"
  • Buttons - "The D-pad is a touch smaller... and a bit less satisfying in the click department" although "the buttons on both DS products are a little bit on the small side"
  • Central microphone "makes games that use voice recognition easier to play."
The battery
  • Six hours usually, although "it's not hard to get eight hours of battery life as long as you don't continually keep the system on its brightest setting."
The overall feeling from the review is that if you're a DS virgin and have been mulling a purchase, now is the time to jump in. If, however, you're a DS Phat owner and haven't decided whether it's worth trading in for the updated hardware, the suggestion from this review is go for it. "If you're a casual gamer or a hardcore fan who takes your portable everywhere, you'll like the way your games play and look on the DS Lite".

JoystiqThe DS Lite is "smaller than a brick" originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Jun 2006 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArsArs TechnicaArsTechnicaBatteryDSDS LiteDS PhatDsLiteDsPhatLightNintendo DSNintendoDsReviewMon, 12 Jun 2006 17:25:00 EST