Electronic Arts' Chief Operating Officer Peter Moore has responded to the company's commanding wins (losses?) in The Consumerist's "Worst Company in America" online poll to say EA will do better, while standing strong on a couple issues it refuses to take heat over.
"Let me cut to the chase: it appears EA is going to 'win.' Like the Yankees, Lakers and Manchester United, EA is one of those organizations that is defined by both a legacy of success, and a legion of critics," wrote Moore in an official post on the EA site. "Are we really the 'Worst Company in America?' I'll be the first to admit that we've made plenty of mistakes."
He continued, "These include server shut downs too early, games that didn't meet expectations, missteps on new pricing models and most recently, severely fumbling the launch of SimCity. We owe gamers better performance than this."
I've posted this before, but it's so good, here it is again: a super-simple explanation of why differential gears are necessary in cars and how they work.
"Almost all the complaints from the Verge review, and from my own testing, are fixable. There are no deal breakers here unless everyone drops the ball and stops fixing the issues. The hardware is powerful for the price. The UI is easy to understand, and should only get better as features are added. There is no reason the OUYA can't become a great media box with strong gaming features.""These are the first units going out to customers, and developers have only begun to explore the space. If the system still has these issues in June, then it’s time to get out the torches and pitchforks."
1. First and the most important: thank you everybody for your donations. We now have enough to secure our servers for the next two months or so. You can donate using Flattr or using bitcoins: 1JMYDeTaJHvfL6stbvwNdbY8zVqWfEnucU.
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We only have that much time during the day to spare on this project, and we would prefer to spend it making The Old Reader more reliable or implementing new features, not removing duplicate feature requests or explaining how to create a folder.
We are focused on making everything work for the vast number of users and feeds, for now this is our top priority.
3. We could really use some help on the Ruby on Rails front. If you have experience engineering medium-size websites, and you’d like to become a part of our small team, please, drop us a line to hello@theoldreader.com. If you have any other suggestions about how you can help us, feel free to email us as well. Or just spread the word, that’d be much appreciated.
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Exciting news! You probably heard about it on the team’s Kickstarter page already. But if not, go there and check it out. Manami Matsumae, composer of Mega Man, is a signed Koopa Soundworks composer and is working on several projects with us. So, we hooked her up with a game! Shovel Knight is her first non-Japanese game to work on.
Although Koopa Soundworks is a music label that focuses on producing music albums, we are also trying to bridge the apparent gap between Japanese composers and non-Japanese teams — especially independent ones, those with no language skills or a clear path to work with them.
Shovel Knight will be composed by Jake ‘virt’ Kaufman, while Manami is contributing two tracks to the game. Shovel Knight, as the team said before, is going to have authentic 8-bit chiptunes. But that’s not all: they’re going to extend the 8-bit sound to using the VRC6 abilities; that’s 3 extra sound channels in addition to what you usually hear on a NES game. “The [VRC6] chip contained support for 3 extra sound channels (two square waves and one sawtooth wave). It was used in Akumajou Densetsu (the Japanese version of Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse), while the western version used the MMC5 from Nintendo.”
The team has yet to decide which tracks should Manami compose, but here’s a hypothetical rundown of the process:
The team will design an area. Enemies, level design, colors, stage gimmicks, and everything in between.
The team provides us, Koopa Soundworks, with all the necessary documents to give to Manami. This includes screens, notes, composition notes (“we want it mellow”; “we want it fast-paced”), and so on.
We put everything in a nice, printed document (translated to Japanese) and give it by hand to Manami. Crazy, huh? We will sit down with her and even give extended direct instructions.
Manami does her magic, and everyone lives happily ever after.
So, that’s really exciting! We got Manami to finally work with a Western developer, and hopefully this opens up a lot of doors to everyone: us, developers, and composers. There’s no secret mission here: We simply want to resurrect our favorite living legends — be it on music albums or video games.
Things you could (and should!) do:
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Arashiyama, or “Storm Mountain”, is one of Japan’s designated Historic Sites and can be found on the western edge of Kyoto. The district features Shinto shrines, natural parks, and a stunning walk that winds through its bamboo forest. Take some time to explore even more of Arashiyama’s beauty through photos from others who have visited.
Following a Copa Libertadores group-stage match between Ronaldinho's Atletico-MG and Argentine side Arsenal de Sarandi, the Argentines were upset. Atletico-MG beat them 5-2 for the second time in this round, but instead of focusing their anger on them, Arsenal turned to the match officials. After the final whistle, the local riot police formed a shield around the officials comprised of their bodies, their weapons and actual shields.
So with the officials out of reach, the Arsenal players redirected their fury in the most misguided way yet and decided to go after the riot cops. Some light shoving between the two sides was escalated by a player who tried to kick one of the officers. When that didn't work, he kicked at ball at them and that got a reaction. The cops moved forward as the players moved back, yet they still postured as if they wanted to brawl. Another player attempted a kick and they all moved back again. A second group of riot police came from behind the players and that made them panic and start a skirmish.
Growing tired of this nonsense, a few riot cops raised their pellet shotguns to show they weren't messing around and that's when a few mature members of each side tried to calm things down. The yelling and posturing continued, but on the whole, the situation could've easily ended up far worse than it was.
After scoring the opening away goal in Barcelona's 2-2 Champions League quarterfinal first leg draw against PSG, Lionel Messi was unable to play in the second half of the match due to a hamstring injury. The prospect of the record four-time Ballon d'Or winner and holder of every hyper-specific scoring record statisticians have so far been able to discover being out of action for any length of time has prompted FIFA to consider canceling football at all levels until the game's beloved shining beacon can grace the pitch once again. Governments around the world are also advising citizens to stockpile YouTube clips of Messi's skills until further notice.
Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, would like to take this opportunity to inform everyone with a vote for this year's Ballon d'Or that his hamstrings are in perfect working order...
Microsoft is preparing to name its "Windows Blue" upgrade as Windows 8.1. ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley first unveiled the name, but The Verge has confirmed with its own sources that Microsoft will name Windows 8.1 as the upgrade to Windows 8. The upgrade will include a number of improvements to the operating system that are not usually distributed in Service Packs. Windows 8.1 will mark a new approach to Windows upgrades and updates, bringing future version changes on a yearly basis.
Microsoft will release its first Windows 8.1 public preview at its Build developer conference in late June. The software maker opened up registration for the conference today, and tickets are expected to sell out fast. Windows 8.1 will be part of the agenda, but Microsoft is also expected to detail further changes across its software and services at Build. Xbox, Windows Phone, and Windows Server are also slated to be part of Build 2013.
Pixar is diving into its back catalog of beloved characters for a new movie set to hit theaters November 25, 2015. Finding Dory, the sequel to 2003's Oscar-winning Finding Nemo, will center on the loquacious, memory-deficient Blue Tang fish supporting character voiced by Ellen DeGeneres. The story will focus on reuniting Dory, who was seen swimming alone in the original film, with her loved ones. DeGeneres will return as the voice of Dory and Andrew Stanton will resume directing duties. Albert Brooks was previously confirmed back onboard, too, reprising his role as the voice of Marlin.
"I have waited for this day for a long, long, long, long, long, long time," DeGeneres said in a Disney / Pixar press release today. "I’m not mad it took this long. I know the people at Pixar were busy creating Toy Story 16. But the time they took was worth it. The script is fantastic. And it has everything I loved about the first one: it’s got a lot of heart, it’s really funny, and the best part is — it’s got a lot more Dory."
"I know the people at Pixar were busy creating Toy Story 16. But the time they took was worth it."
Aside from the obvious narrative potential for a sequel, the new film makes good businesses sense: Finding Nemo won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2004 and remains the fourth-highest grossing animated movie in the world (without adjusting for inflation). Lately, Pixar has been cranking out iterations of its most successful movies: besides the sequels Cars 2 and Toy Story 2 and 3, the prequel Monsters University will hit theaters this summer. Let's hope that Pixar can find enough new material to make Finding Dory feel fresh and original, rather than treading the same stagnant water.
FIFA finally settled on a goal-line technology system that will be used at this summer's Confederations Cup, and if all goes well, next summer's World Cup. The German GoalControl system (demonstrated in the video above with an overly dramatic soundtrack) does not require any modifications to goals, nets or balls and uses high-speed cameras. When a goal is scored, the referee's watch vibrates. So even if he's not paying attention at all, we shouldn't have a repeat of the Frank Lampard disallowed goal against Germany in 2010.
The GoalControl-4D system works with 14 high-speed cameras (7 per goal) around the pitch at the stadium roof/catwalk. The cameras are connected to a powerful image processing computer system which tracks the movement of all objects on the pitch and filters out the players, referees and all disturbing objects. The remaining object is the ball and the system knows its three dimensional x-, y- and z-position with a precision of a few millimeters in the coordinate system of the pitch. When the ball passes the goal line, the system sends a vibration- and optical signal to the officals´watches. Of course, all camera images of such goal event, and also of all near-goal events, are stored and can be replayed anytime.
According to the AP, GoalControl owner Dirk Broichhausen says the system will cost $260,000 per stadium to install, and $3,900 per match to operate -- considerable sums that could determine just how widespread the use of goal-line tech becomes in the near future. Perhaps some of those costs could be offset by renting out vibrating watches like the one the referees will wear to fans in attendance. That could be fun.
thatgamecompany is probably the last group of folks we expect these shenanigans from; They're always so artsy and sincere! But there must be a few yuksters around Sony's studio in Santa Monica, because the studio created this faux trailer for April Fool's Day, threatening to invade the serene landscape of Journey with some raucous Rocket Death Match DLC.
Then again, maybe it makes sense. Getting vaporized with an across-the-map rocket shot in Halo might not be the same kind of emotion that we felt at the end of Journey, but they can both be pretty tearful experiences.
This clip is a few months old, but it's never too late to give some instruction on the art of free kick stupidity.
When SC Fürstenfeldbruck conceded a dead ball to SC Weiz in an Austrian lower league match, a chap named Kevin Steiner stepped up with the hope of getting his name on the scoresheet. In front of him, for no apparent reason, was a teammate and an opponent kneeling down.
Were the players attempting to completely block the goalkeeper's view of the ball? Or trying to prevent a low driving shot? Perhaps they were planning an elaborate original trick to be preserved for the ages and celebrated on YouTube? Maybe they were just pooped from all that standing up, jogging around and kicking.
It turns out they were just making it extremely easy for one of them to get hit very hard in the face.
When Amazon launched its Cloud Drive app for Mac and Windows back in May, we noted that a lack of proper file syncing prevented the service from becoming a full-blown Dropbox and SkyDrive replacement. The company has today addressed that shortcoming with the introduction of a file synchronization folder that will let you access your documents, music, and photos across multiple computers. Amazon's implementation closely resembles what we've seen from rival platforms; files placed in the specified folder are automatically uploaded to the web and will also be synced with any other computers you install Cloud Drive on. As before, Cloud Drive users receive five gigabytes of storage for free, so if you're not deeply entrenched in someone else's cloud, Amazon's offering could be worth another look.
Publisher Electronic Arts has a new chief executive officer.
The company announced late on Sunday night that it is bringing in Adam Boyes, formerly vice president of publisher relations at Sony Computer Entertainment America, to run its operations as CEO.
Boyes worked at EA many years earlier as a tester before moving on to a producer role at Capcom. He later started his own consulting company before his position with Sony.
“We’re happy to have Adam back in the fold as EA’s new CEO,” EA executive chairmansaid Larry Probst said in a statement. “His skill and vision as an executive and his experience in our industry have earned him the respect of our employees and shareholders.”
Boyes represents an opportunity for EA to lay out a fresh new vision for antsy shareholders who weren’t happy with the publisher’s performance under previous CEO John Riccitiello.
“Leading EA has always been my dream job and I am truly honored that Larry and the Board have given me this opportunity,” said Boyes. “This is an extremely well-run company driven by outstanding studio and publishing teams. They’ve also made strategic investments in new platforms and markets that will help extend EA’s industry leadership in the years ahead.”
This story is still developing. Update for more.
Filed under: GamesGamesBeat 2013 is our fifth annual conference on disruption in the video game market. You'll get 360-degree perspectives from top gaming executives, developers, and analysts on what’s to come in the industry. Our theme this year is “The Battle Royal.” Check out full event details here, and grab your early-bird tickets here!
It appears the storm of controversy over Tesla Motors' Model S that followed a negative New York Times review hasn't done much to harm Elon Musk's electric car startup. The company today announced that it sold 4,750 vehicles in February versus the 4,500 predicted, and as such now expects to become fully profitable for the first time ever this quarter. "Profitability is what makes a company real," said Musk. "Tesla is here to stay and keep fighting for the electric car revolution."
40-kWh model to come with capped 60-kWh battery
Tesla also said today that the entry-level Model S with a smaller, 40-kWh battery will not go into production, since only four percent of customers have opted for it over the 60-kWh and 85-kWh models. Those customers will now receive a 60-kWh version that has had its range artificially capped at the 160-mile limit of the planned 40 kWh battery, though the car will still benefit from improved speed and acceleration and can be "upgraded" to the 60-kWh range at a later date. Tesla hasn't said how much this will cost, but since the price gap between the two models was supposed to be $10,000, that sounds like it could be one of the more expensive software updates we've come across.
AS Roma legend Francesco Totti celebrates his 20th year in Serie A on Thursday. To put that in perspective, fellow club legend and Rome native Daniele De Rossi was nine years old when Totti made his top-flight debut on March 28th 1993 at Brescia. Stephan El Shaarawy, meanwhile, was exactly five months old.
As you can see above, the man widely considered Roma's greatest player of all time may not have mastered English in his 36 years (he should probably work on the way he asks for a "large Coke" or he may get something he's not expecting), but he has commanded the respect of his peers and rivals alike.
To commemorate 20 years of loyal service with the Giallorossi, Juventus goalkeeper and former Italy national team colleague Gigi Buffon has written Totti a heartfelt congratulatory letter. Football Italia has the translation:
Dear Francesco, you have made Italian football history.
Twenty years in Serie A, what an achievement… I still have the image of your first goal in my mind, it was a Roma-Foggia tie.
We’re friends, you know how much I care about you. We started together with the Under-15 side, we had some splendid years together in the national team and we continue to meet as opponents in Serie A.
You often score against me (10 times to be precise, that’s how many goals you have netted) like a champion who has forgotten our friendship…
Then, at the final whistle, there are smiles between us again, like when I saved a penalty that I feared you would chip – it saddened me that was you.
We are from a fortunate generation. It’s true that every season after the age of 30 is worth seven, but you seem to go back in time instead of ageing.
You’ve written the history of Italian football, with the present and the future – you are a player who can not be doubted.
And, for me, you’ll always be an Azzurro. An embrace from your friend, Gigi.
It's a lovely sentiment from Buffon, and his theory about all seasons after the age of 30 being worth seven is intriguing — apparently it works like dog years after that milestone. Using that logic, this is actually Totti's 56th Serie A season!
The Roma captain's most recent goal against Buffon will be fresh in the goalkeeper's memory, as it was a golazo during their last meeting at the Stadio Olimpico in February. Let's take a look-see...
Running on a "single off-the-shelf Nvidia GTX 680". Nice.
Epic Games, the maker of highly-regarded franchises like Gears of War and Infinity Blade, is probably equally well-known for its Unreal Engine. While Unreal Engine 3 still looks great, it's starting to show its age a bit — so Epic has finally given the gaming world a look at Unreal Engine 4. According to Polygon, the company is giving a closed-doors demo of Infiltrator, the first tech demo running Unreal Engine 4 at the 2013 Game Developers Conference. Judging from the screenshots Polygon posted, it's a pretty impressive step forward, and the hardware requirements aren't even that outrageous. Epic VP Mark Rein tweeted earlier that the demo was running in real time on a "single off-the-shelf Nvidia GTX 680." While Unreal Engine 4 has been in development for a long time, it's looking like it'll be ready for prime-time on the next-generation consoles. Unfortunately, there's no word yet on when we might see games with Epic's new engine — for now, this video will have to do.
Rather than describe the intricate detail with which Kojima Productions' Fox Engine renders Big Boss dragging himself around on the floor, you can just see for yourself.
You'll also hear the surprise Kiefer Sutherland voice work and Garbage soundtrack behind the GDC trailer for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
Update: Konami has not yet confirmed if this is Kiefer Sutherland we're hearing in the trailer, or if it's the best Kiefer Sutherland impersonator we've ever heard.
Update 2: Contrary to what Kojima said during the GDC panel today, Konami has confirmed with Joystiq that Ground Zeroes and Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain are indeed separate games.
Electronic Arts' Chief Operating Officer Peter Moore has responded to the company's commanding wins (losses?) in The Consumerist's "Worst Company in America" online poll to say EA will do better, while standing strong on a couple issues it refuses to take heat over.
EA responds to 'Worst Company in America' poll: 'We can do better. We will do better.' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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