Tekflux

EA CEO John Riccitiello interview on Fox Business Network

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:36:00 +0000

Talks about gaming in a recession and other topics such as digital distribution and EA's acquisition of BioWare.

CoD: Modern Warfare 2 for PC? Don't bother.

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:23:00 +0000

Fuck that. Don't even bother. I'm not going to waste my money on Modern Warfare 2 for the PC.

Increased price, no dedicated servers, decreased player count, no console commands, no say in who hosts the games, among other complaints.

Amazing how all of this has only come to light in the last few weeks leading up to launch. So much for all that hype, that bubble has since been burst.

I'll save my money for games like Left 4 Dead 2, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, etc.

Just for clarification, my ire is split between Infinity Ward and Activision.

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Patch and DLC Released

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:11:00 +0000

Codemasters have released the patch/DLC for Operation Flashpoint. It includes the new DLC as well as numerous bug fixes. Hit the link for places to download.
The 'Skirmish' DLC features four new multiplayer maps and two new Fire Team Engagement (FTE) missions featuring both solo and four player co-operative play. Hunt down SAM launchers hidden in the sprawling complex of 'Lumberyard' and assault dug in PLA forces and fight room to room in 'White Fang', two tense new 'Infiltration' multiplayer maps. 'Annihilation' multiplayer maps pitch armour and infantry against each other in rolling battles across a valley in 'Stomping Grounds' and in 'Force Dispersal' military bases separated by a strategic hill become a close-quarters killing ground.

New FTE missions include 'All Round Defence', which places gamers in control of air support and attack helicopters as they defend a fortified complex against relentless waves of PLA. In 'Uphill Struggle' players must capture a bunker under heavy fire from hillside reinforcements. Gamers can also recon the entire 220 km² island of Skira alone or co-operatively in a range of vehicles at day or night in 'Island Tour.'

Shacknews has the release notes:
* The game now displays the version number on the front end.
* Video can now be captured with the software FRAPS.
* When using the Mission Editor, if the player clicks off the game in order to move an object in the mission editor, the game will now not loses focus.
* Gameplay online
o Lag issues reduced for 32 players pvp.
o The Client and Host shooting are now synchronised. The client will no longer empty a magazine into a player and not killing him.
o In an online game, the mines are now correctly synchronised. The player can place mines on the ground with no problems.
o The weapon will now continue working if the player spam the fire button and the change fire rate button.
o The Players will now position correctly when re-spawned inside a vehicle.
o Clients are now able to enter vehicles with no problem.
* All sniper rifles will now have a sway effect.
* When a building is destroyed any corpses that are within the building are removed, so they are not floating in the air.
* The inventory UI from the crate or corpse can now be opened correctly when the player is standing at distance.
* A rare online crash bug has been fixed when the Client is assaulting the fuel depot towards the end of the mission Bleeding Edge.
* If the fireteams are following orders and then the player select an ROE order on all fireteams including themselves the orders will now be spread across all fireteams.
* On a Pvp game, the counter will now count correctly when the settings are restricted to no re-spawns.
* Games via a private server and password are now correctly protected. The players will now require the password to join the game.
* The mouse wheel will now respond to the input control if the player enters a vehicle and continues to switch positions using mouse wheel.
* The player can now change weapon with number keys while in a vehicle.
* The player can now scroll the list of names in the lobby using the middle wheel.
* The reloading time is now correct when the player is going prone straight after firing a SMAW or Queen Bee weapons.
* The chat box will not overlap on 800x600 resolution.
* In the polish SKU, the apostrophe key is now translated correctly when changing keyboard configuration in the Front end.
* When exiting the credits, the heading will not transition twice.
* The game has been modified to only use the original data to prevent cheating or hacking by modifying the configuration files.
* Added script command OFP:setAIConfigPropertyValue to allow mission designers to override the AI configuration values found in the global AIConfig.xml file in user generated missions only.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Launch Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Anyone else notice the scene from space?

NVIDIA x86 Rumor Roundup

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:55:00 +0000

Yet another rumor of Nvidia developing a x86 processor. I certainly don't doubt it, with the troubles Nvidia has with Intel over licensing and AMD doing much more of their own chipset stuff, it's a bit tough for Nvidia and their chipset department.

Would at the very least be an interesting development if Nvidia did make a x86 processor. (Although there are also those rumors of an Nvidia/VIA partnership or Nvidia buying VIA as well...if only that partnership beared fruit, I'd have loved to get a VIA Nano + Nvidia ION netbook...)

Anyways, for further reading on the rumor, I'll refer you to everyone else.

Nvidia Hires Former Transmeta Engineers to Develop x86 Microprocessor – Analyst.
Are new rumors of an NVIDIA x86 CPU plausible?
Rumor: Nvidia Assembling x86 Team
Nvidia x86 processor rumors resurface

Prince of Persia Movie Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:26:00 +0000

Wow, a video game to movie adaptation that is actually looking pretty good? Say it ain't so!

Check it out for yourself, I think it looks pretty decent.

For a higher res version of the trailer, go to Game Trailers.

Left 4 Dead 2 Easter Eggs

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:17:00 +0000

Haha, good songs.

Video Games | Left 4 Dead 2 | Easter Egg: New Jonathan Coulton Song HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Video Games | Left 4 Dead 2 | Easter Egg: New Jonathan Coulton Song

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising DLC Upgrade Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:12:00 +0000

New trailer from Codemasters for the free PC DLC that will be released tomorrow.

Video Games | Operation Flashpoint: DR | Euro DLC Upgrade Trailer HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Review Roundup

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:11:00 +0000

AMD released a new revision to the Phenom II lineup, the Phenom II X4 965. Enjoy the reading.

Lost Circuits
Hot Hardware
Benchmark Reviews
Overclockers Club
InsideHW
Bit-Tech
AMD Zone
FiringSquad
Guru3D
Neoseeker
PureOC

Left 4 Dead 2 demo impressions

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:59:00 +0000

Well now that the demo for Left 4 Dead 2 is out and after playing through it a few times I have a few thoughts on it.

I think first and foremost, I'll count myself in the 'Why wasn't this DLC or an expansion pack?" camp. That's pretty much my main negative against L4D2, so I won't really list anymore since the rest are basically minor quibbles.

Just like the first Left 4 Dead, the gameplay is basically the same fun zombie slaying goodness. You still have your typical pistol/shotgun/rifle combination at it's base, plus a few extra perks thrown in (though which I haven't seen in the demo, the incendiary rounds for instance).

The game doesn't look too much different than Left 4 Dead, other than the change of scenery and new character/weapon models. The biggest difference is the new gore system and boy is it awesome. Hacking zombie heads off with the machete or blowing off limbs and having the zombies still come running towards you is a welcome addition to the game.

Some of the new items are interesting. I've been following Left 4 Dead 2's development fairly closely and I don't remember seeing these two items mentioned: the Boomer Bile and the Shock Paddles. It's still too early to determine what kind of strategy the bile will provide and the shock paddles are actually a nice addition, though you obviously have a trade off with not having a medkit.

Short demo! So yeah, I figure I'll just end this in saying that the demo is quite short and isn't really representative of the whole game (not even one versus level fot the demo?!) There's obviously more to see when the game is finally released. I personally think the best part about Left 4 Dead is the versus mode and I absolutely cannot wait to play L4D2's versus mode. New infected, new maps, new strategies to uncover. It's going to be a blast.

And that concludes my semi-coherent impressions of the Left 4 Dead 2 demo.

Shattered Horizon Zero Gravity Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:48:00 +0000

Shattered Horizon is 10% off if you pre-order from Steam making it $17.99.

AMD Radeon 5850 Price Increase

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:18:00 +0000

Due to overwhelming demand AMD is increasing the price of the popular HD5850 by $20. That means most cards in the future will be at least $300 (USD). Though I wouldn't be surprised to see prices go even higher (same with the HD5870) with the lack of supply, like what we saw when Nvidia's 8800GT was released.

Not to mention TSMC's 40nm yield issues.

New Feature: Retweet and Facebook Share!

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:15:00 +0000

You can now share content from Tekflux with your friends by Tweeting or sharing posts on Facebook, now with just a simple click.

Might end up changing to smaller profile buttons, but that decision will be made at a later time.

Windows 7 market share jumps 40% in first week

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:19:00 +0000

Woohoo, go Windows 7. Seems the stigma of Vista is finally gone.
For the week after Microsoft launched Windows 7 on Oct. 22, the new operating system's share averaged 2.66%, a jump of more than 39% over the 1.91% average for the part of October prior to its retail release.

Windows 7's peak of 3.48% on Saturday, Oct. 31, represented an even larger 82% increase over the average of Oct. 1 through Oct. 22. For the month, Windows 7 finished with a market share of 2.15%, up 41% over the 1.52% for September. The numbers from Net Applications mean that about one in every 44 personal computers was running Windows 7 last month.

Via - Computer World

Just Cause 2 No Ordinary World Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:57:00 +0000

Just Cause 2 is looking fantastic.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Limited Edition Unveiled and Release Date

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:51:00 +0000

EA and DICE have said that Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is getting a limited edition and what it consists of, including 6 unlocks.

Four vehicle warfare unlocks

· Improved Vehicle Armor – An up-armor package is mounted on all vehicle types, decreasing the effect of both explosive and penetrating warheads, significantly improving vehicle survivability.

· Supreme Vehicle Firepower – Additional weapon packages are mounted for the driver of all armored vehicles, greatly expanding the range of targets the vehicle can successfully engage and destroy.

· Vehicle Motion Sensor – Use this electronics warfare package to locate enemy units in direct proximity to the vehicle.

· Tracer Dart Pistol – This magnetic dart attaches to any vehicle surface, allowing squad members to track, lock on, and fire rockets onto moving targets even beyond line of sight.

Two classic Battlefield 1943™ weapons

· M1A1 Submachine Gun – Reliable but heavy this classic weapon is a powerful force in the hands of any Battlefield veteran.

· M1911 Pistol – Highly customized M1911 are favored for its dependability and the power of its large .45 caliber round.

The Limited Edition of Bad Company 2, as well as the standard version, will be available March 2nd, 2010 for North America and March 5th, 2010 for Europe.

To clear up any confusion on the limited edition, they also posted a FAQ about it.
Limited Edition FAQ

Do I have to pay extra for the Limited Edition? No, it's the same price as the Standard Edition, just limited in quantity.

Do I have to reserve / pre-order to get the Limited Edition? No, but that's the safest way to ensure you get one since there will be a limited supply.

Can I get the unlocks featured in the Limited Edition if I miss out and can only get the Standard Edition? Yes, won't have the same day 1 advantage. You'll have to play through game and get the unlocks the standard way.

Where can I get the Limited Edition? We intend to sell it at as many retailers as possible, but it depends on where you live and how much your retailer wants to stock up. Once they're sold out, only the Standard Edition will be available.

Why don't I see the Limited Edition showing up at my favorite online retailer? It's up in some place like EA.com and will start to appear everywhere else. This is a busy time of the year and retailers are working hard to get this in place and it will be available both online and in-store.

Is the Limited Edition available on all three platforms? Yes: PC, PS3 and X360.

Will there be a Beta or Demo before the game comes out? Stay tuned to the blog or follow us on Twitter for future developments on all things Battlefield Bad Company 2.

EVGA Co-Op dual-gpu card reveiled

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:08:00 +0000

For the last week or so there's been a rumor of a dual-GPU coming from EVGA that wasn't identical GPU's, but instead two separate GPU's. Much speculation lead to something having to do with PhysX and lo-and-behold that's what it is.

The new card pairs a GTX 275 for graphics with a GTS 250 (G92) for PhysX processing.

No word on availability (other than through EVGA) but the price is set, per EVGA, at $349.99.

For more information go to EVGA's site.

Another H1N1 Scare, Clogged Tubes

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:32:00 +0000

Once again, another scare involving the H1N1 "Swine Flu" Virus. This time it's about our favorite tubes we call the internet.

Yes, apparently the Feds are worried that the amount of people getting on the internet from staying home, such as kids watching YouTube or playing Halo, could possibly overwhelm networks. (If Micheal Jackson's death couldn't do it, I don't know what will)

Have no fear though. The government apparently doesn't know whether it is prepared to deal with, what I think to be, an unlikely event. Though I also have to ask, what business does the government have with the networks?

The Department of Homeland Security is in charge of communications networks during times of national emergency. But it doesn't have a strategy to deal with overloaded Internet networks -- an essential resource to keep the economy humming, and residents informed and connected during a pandemic, the GAO said. Furthermore, the DHS hasn't coordinated with agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission to create guidelines for how telecom, cable and satellite providers can minimize congestion.

At any rate, it doesn't appear that our Internet Service Providers even know what to do, since in many circumstances what options they do have would violate customers contracts.

An Internet service provider could decide to slow all connections in a certain neighborhood, but then that network operator would be violating contracts with customers, according to the report.

"Private Internet providers have limited ability to prioritize traffic or take other actions that could assist critical tele-workers. Some actions, such as reducing customers' transmission speeds or blocking popular Web sites, could negatively impact e-commerce and require government authorization," the GAO report said.

Heh, I'd rather have my ISP violate my contract for a short duration than have more government control and oversight of those series of tubes. I still don't really see this happening though, but I could be wrong. Micheal Jackson's death didn't even cause the internet to meltdown!! Time will tell.

Via - Washington Post

Borderlands Launch Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:11:00 +0000

I still need to go pick up a copy myself. Or maybe just get it from Steam.

Video Games | Borderlands | Launch Trailer HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

RIAA Likes Net Neutrality

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:54:00 +0000

Why am I not surprised?

Of course they'd support government oversight of the internet. What a fantastic way to combat piracy!

We're encouraged by the Chairman’s comments regarding the treatment of illegal content, and along with our partners in the music community we look forward to working with the FCC to evaluate and determine appropriate ways to preserve the highest-quality Internet experience possible while maximizing the ability of the legitimate online entertainment marketplace to achieve its full potential.

As DSL Reports says, it's not surprising with the amount of RIAA employees at the DoJ.

Via - DSLReports

For some more information on net neutrality, I recommend Reason Magazine: Net Neutrality: A Brief Primer, Net Neutrality: Battle of the Corporate Titans, Defending the Internet from Rascals and FCC Chairmen, and The Internet's New Enforcer

Firefox gains 30 million new users!

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:18:00 +0000

The number two web browser, Firefox, continues to gain in momentum, especially against Internet Explorer.

Over the past eight weeks, Mozilla has seen an average increase of 10 million daily users, from approximately 103 million to 113 million. That translates to a total of approximately 330 million monthly users .

"It's amazing to have 330 million users," said Nitot. "That's the size of the population of the USA."

Hopefully Firefox continues it's growth. It's my second most used browser, behind Google's Chrome. Though I have every browser installed as well. (IE8, Opera 10 and Safari)

Via - ZDNet

DICE still loves PC Gamers

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:29:00 +0000

Now I'm not registered, nor do I post, at many game or dev sites, but that doesn't mean I don't occasionally browse and read them. So this morning I come across a post by a dev in reply to a console player about PC vs console features.

Now, the reasons the PC platform are getting seemingly “better” features in the game are a result of DICE ignoring the PC user base for the past 3-4 years and this is a homage to the PC platform, and also because it’s a lot of things that PC users simply deserve. If you have played games on the PC for the last ten years you would know what I’m talking about, otherwise I won’t even try to explain...

I can't even recall how many hours I spent playing the Battlefield games, especially Battlefield 2. Glad to see Bad Company 2 coming to PC as well. Was a bit disappointed when it was confirmed the first Bad Company was console only.

Last but not least, the PC platform is usually expected to put up with a lot more “crap” compared to consoles. While consoles may get the game on a certain date, PC users typically have to wait much longer for the same game, but in turn, they get the game for a lower price because there are no licensing fees like consoles have, and typically they get a few more perks thrown in compared to consoles just for good measure. PC customers are a much tougher crowd then consoles are so we have to appeal to them in as many ways as possible, but why not? They deserve it after having a steady history of constantly getting the shaft. Also on a side note, If it wasn’t for the PC platform you wouldn’t be playing the game on consoles right now.

He's got that right. Nothing much to add to that. Looking forward to Bad Company 2. Battlefield Bad Company 2 should be out in March 2010. I'll be waiting.

Bioshock 2: Siren Alley Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:16:00 +0000

Bioshock 2 is looking fantastic. Can't wait to try the multiplayer.

R.U.S.E - Strategy Comes to Multi-Touch

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Strategy games and multi-touch looks like a match made in heaven.

Left 4 Dead 2: Zombie Survival Guide trailer

noreply@blogger.com (modnar) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:10:00 +0000

Kill all son's of bitches right?

Up Close and Personal [Flickr]

LunchboX3904 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:27:21 PDT

LunchboX3904 posted a photo:

Lines and Shadows [Flickr]

LunchboX3904 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:27:19 PDT

LunchboX3904 posted a photo:

Chillin in the Sun [Flickr]

LunchboX3904 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:27:18 PDT

LunchboX3904 posted a photo: