Author - Jerry Paxton

Apple’s iPad Mini Announced

2012/10/23
Jerry Paxton
News

SAN JOSE, California―October 23, 2012―Apple® today introduced iPad® mini, a completely new iPad design that is 23 percent thinner and 53 percent lighter than the third generation iPad. The new iPad mini features a stunning 7.9-inch Multi-Touch™ display, FaceTime® HD and iSight® cameras, ultrafast wireless performance¹ and an incredible 10 hours of battery life²―every inch an iPad, yet in a revolutionary design you can hold in one hand. Apple today also announced the fourth generation iPad featuring a gorgeous 9.7-inch Retina™ display, new Apple-designed A6X chip, FaceTime HD camera and ultrafast wireless performance. Both iPad mini and fourth generation iPad come with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features.

“iPad mini is every inch an iPad. With its gorgeous 7.9-inch display, iPad mini features the same number of pixels as the original iPad and iPad 2, so you can run more than 275,000 apps designed specifically for iPad,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPad mini is as thin as a pencil and as light as a pad of paper, yet packs a fast A5 chip, FaceTime HD and 5 megapixel iSight cameras and ultrafast wireless―all while delivering up to 10 hours of battery life.”

iPad mini comes in a beautiful new aluminum and glass design that is just 7.2 mm thin and weighs only 0.68 pounds. The 7.9-inch Multi-Touch display delivers the same iPad experience users have come to expect, in a design that has 35 percent more screen real estate than 7-inch tablets and up to an astonishing 67 percent more usable viewing area when browsing the web. The dual-core A5 chip delivers responsive graphics and a fast, fluid Multi-Touch experience, while still providing all-day battery life.

iPad mini features a front-facing FaceTime HD camera and a 5 megapixel iSight camera on the back with advanced optics for taking sharp still pictures and recording full 1080p HD video. The iSight camera includes video image stabilization and both cameras feature backside illumination to let users capture great pictures in low light. iPad mini also allows easy sharing of photos with friends and family using iCloud’s Shared Photo Streams.

iPad mini features dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi support for speeds up to 150 Mbps,³ which is twice the Wi-Fi performance compared to previous iPad models. iPad mini is available in Wi-Fi + Cellular models which are world-ready with built-in support for ultrafast wireless standards, including LTE¹ and DC-HSDPA, so you can browse, download and stream content fast from wherever you are. iPad mini data plans will be available with no contract so you can simply sign up and activate service directly from your iPad.⁴ The Personal Hotspot feature means you can share a fast cellular data connection via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB with up to five other devices such as MacBook® Pro, iPod touch® or another iPad.⁵

The new fourth generation iPad features the amazing 9.7-inch Retina display and includes a new Apple-designed A6X chip that delivers up to twice the CPU performance and up to twice the graphics performance of the A5X chip, all while delivering an incredible 10 hours of battery life in the same thin and light iPad design. Other new features include a FaceTime HD camera, twice the Wi-Fi performance when compared to previous iPad models and support for additional LTE carriers worldwide.⁶

iPad mini and fourth generation iPad both feature support for the Lightning™ connector that is smaller, smarter and more durable than the 30-pin connector. Lightning connector accessories are available to support cameras, SD cards and VGA or HDMI digital video.⁷ Existing iPad Smart Covers and the iPad Smart Case are compatible with fourth generation iPad, and new polyurethane Smart Covers custom-designed for iPad mini are available in pink, green, blue, light gray, dark gray and (PRODUCT) RED for $39.

iPad runs over 700,000 apps available on the App Store℠, including more than 275,000 apps designed specifically for iPad, from a wide range of categories including books, games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. iPad also supports the more than 5,000 newspapers and magazines offered in Newsstand and the more than 1.5 million books available on the iBookstore℠. The iTunes Store® puts the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store at your fingertips with a catalog of over 26 million songs, over 190,000 TV episodes and over 45,000 films. The new iBooks® app for iPad lets users read ebooks in over 40 languages. iBooks also lets users experience an entirely new kind of ebook that’s dynamic, engaging and truly interactive. Ebooks created with Apple’s new iBooks Author offer gorgeous, fullscreen ebooks with interactive animations, diagrams, photos, videos, custom fonts, mathematical expressions and much more.

Pricing & Availability
iPad mini with Wi-Fi models will be available in black & slate or white & silver on Friday, November 2, for a suggested retail price of $329 (US) for the 16GB model, $429 (US) for the 32GB model and $529 (US) for the 64GB model. The fourth generation iPad with Wi-Fi models will also be available on Friday, November 2, in black or white for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model and $699 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad mini and the fourth generation iPad will be sold through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores, and select Apple Authorized Resellers in the US, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

iPad mini with Wi-Fi + Cellular and fourth generation iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular will start shipping a couple of weeks after the Wi-Fi models, beginning in the US on AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. iPad mini with Wi-Fi + Cellular will be offered for a suggested retail price of $459 (US) for the 16GB model, $559 (US) for the 32GB model and $659 (US) for the 64GB model. Fourth generation iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular for AT&T, Sprint and Verizon will be offered for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. Additionally, iPad 2 is available at $399 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi model and just $529 (US) for the 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G model where they are sold now.

Customers can begin pre-ordering all models of iPad mini and all models of the fourth generation iPad on Friday, October 26 through the Apple Online Store in the US, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

¹LTE is available through select carriers. Network speeds are dependent on carrier networks. Check with your carrier for details.
²Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.
³Based on theoretical speeds, actual speeds may vary.
⁴Only available on some carriers.
⁵Personal Hotspot requires supporting data plan. Customers should check with their carrier for availability.
⁶LTE is available through select carriers.
⁷Sold separately.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

Spacetime Releases Updates to their Legend Game Series

2012/10/22
Jerry Paxton
News

Spacetime Studios has announced some cool new holiday updates for Star Legends and Dark Legends, in addition to the new expansion for Pocket Legends. Checkout information on each of the game updates below!

Pocket Legends

PL players’ latest expansion is titled Blacksmoke Mountain.  In this adventure, characters will journey to the burnt slopes of Blacksmoke Mountain and descend into the fiery bowls of the underworld to confront lava beasts and an iconic fantasy threat: a Dragon.

Also includes:

  • Level cap increase to 76
  • New adventure areas
  • New quests
  • New gear
  • New drops

With this expansion Spacetime has also included a new promo code which grants the Fire Ward Horns vanity item.  Promo code: underworldwarrior

Star Legends

A new Holo-ween quest line has been introduced that send players across the galaxy on a spooky adventure.   Players can try on many different costume looks for their characters including cowls, cloaks, robes and gowns of invisibility which can be found by defeating boss monsters (Level 26 and up.)

Players who complete the 2012 Holo-ween quest line have a chance of seeing the mysterious wraith menacing the verdant fields of Tarasa Colony on STS-25. Who is he? Where did he come from? Better question – what does he drop as loot?  When the season is gone, the Wraith will move-on.

Dark Legends

DL players can join the frightful fun in the new Dark Harvest event.  Ghosts will have an increased presence in the haunted game world, with special orange ghosts carrying unique Dark Harvest costumes and loot.  Players can dress their vampire up in ghoulish fashions pulled from their favorite horror films.

Razer Introduces Four New Surfaces

2012/10/22
Jerry Paxton
News

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Oct. 22, 2012 – RazerTM, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, today launched its new 2013/2014 lineup of mouse mats: the Razer Invicta, Razer Manticor, Razer Destructor 2 and Razer Megasoma 2. These mats were engineered with new construction methods to provide an unprecedented level of finish, and were treated with all-new performance-boosting sensor-reactive surface coatings, selected after extensive research into the most precise and responsive treatments and materials.

“Most gaming mouse mat companies today fill their boxes with marketing jargon and slap an image of a pro-gamer on the side of the package; however, designing a true gaming surface requires in-depth knowledge of mousing sensor technologies, extensive testing and validation by professional gamers,” said Min-Liang Tan, CEO of Razer.  “For the first time ever, we are letting gamers in on the design process of a Razer gaming mouse mat, and sharing the inside track on how our industry leading user interface technology and experience allows us to design the very best gaming surfaces in the world.”

All Razer surfaces are optimized for optical, laser and dual-sensor mouse tracking performance, and they are put through rigorous qualitative processes, including mouse sensor lift-off, acceleration and precision tests.  Robot arms move mice across the mats, monitoring the devices to ensure surface textures meet Razer’s strict requirements for precise glide and control.

Razer also offers an unfair gaming advantage by allowing users to optimally calibrate their Razer gaming mouse to mouse mat.  Through Razer Synapse 2.0, a pioneering cloud-based software, the user’s gaming mouse will record the mat’s specific texture and details in order to enhance mouse responsiveness and in-game accuracy.

In conjunction with the launch of these four new mouse mats, Razer is also presenting a making-of video that delves into the design, technology and craftsmanship of the incredible Razer Invicta.  Interested parties may watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdaMfLoatGs or learn more about the science behind Razer surfaces at www.razerzone.com/scienceofsurfaces.

Razer Invicta – Versatility of Choice

The Razer Invicta offers gamers a choice between ultra-fast mousing speed and meticulous control, all on one mat.  Users are able to flip between a slick-smooth surface and a rough one to get the exact play style to match a game, whether it requires accurate headshots or twitch gameplay.

Razer Manticor – The Smoothest Glide Yet

The Razer Manticor is uniquely stamped and sandblasted out of a single sheet of aircraft-grade aluminum to offer the smoothest, most effortless glide under one’s gaming mouse.

Razer Destructor 2 – Maximum Precision and Feel

The Razer Destructor 2 builds on the success of its predecessor by delivering enhanced, ultra-precise mouse tracking with an all-new sensor-reactive surface coating. It offers optimal reflective quality for next-gen sensors, while its proprietary micro-textures provide a more comfortable mousing experience.

Razer Megasoma 2 – Soft Touch, Hard Control

The Razer Megasoma 2’s highly stable silicon surface is a revolution of engineering, bringing together the consistent precision of a hard mat, with the exquisite comfort of a soft one.

Making Of Video

Images

Anarchy Reigns Finally Gets US Release Date

2012/10/20
Jerry Paxton
News

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON— October 19, 2012 —SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd. are pleased to announce their groundbreaking multiplayer brawler, Anarchy Reigns, will launch on January 8 and 11, 2013, respectively, for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

Developed by a talented team from the critically-acclaimed studio, PlatinumGames, Anarchy Reigns delivers over-the-top close combat, set in a massively open and fantastical world in a bleak, mutant-filled future. Watch iconic characters from the PlatinumGames stable duking it out in a series of vibrant arenas that could only have been thought up by Japan’s critically acclaimed studio. Up to 16 players can take part in multiplayer matches over a variety of game modes; engage in all-out Battle Royale destruction, co-operate with your friends and vanquish hordes of monsters in Survival mode or test your sportsmanship over a few rounds of Deathball! With an MSRP of £19.99/€24.99/$29.99, Anarchy Reigns is a high quality game that is competitively priced for the value-conscious consumer.

“SEGA is hugely proud of the work PlatinumGames has put in to creating a videogame with such a unique and engaging vision” commented Jurgen Post, COO of SEGA Europe Ltd. “Gamers will soon be able to experience the full adrenaline rush that comes from competing in explosive multiplayer matches of Anarchy Reigns.”

“Focusing on online play with Anarchy Reigns presented a new challenge for us here at PlatinumGames,” added Atsushi Inaba, Executive Director/Producer at Platinum Games. “Very few games fall under its genre of a melee-based online multiplayer brawler, so I think we’ve been able to supply a new kind of excitement that you can’t find anywhere else. While some time has passed since its Japan release, I look forward to having gamers in North America and Europe enjoy the Anarchy!”

For more information on Anarchy Reigns, please visit http://www.sega.com/ and http://platinumgames.com/. For press assets, please visit www.sega-press.com; for more news, follow SEGA on Twitter @SEGA or “like” us on Facebook.

Some New NASCAR The Game: Inside Line Screenshots

2012/10/19
Jerry Paxton
News

Here are some new screenshots from the upcoming NASCAR The Game: Inside Line from Activision and Eutechnyx. The game is due out on November 6, 2012 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii.

Screenshots

Stronghold HD Gets November Release

2012/10/19
Jerry Paxton
News

London, UK – 19th October 2012 – Strategy fans and retro gamers rejoice, Firefly Studios has just announced Stronghold HD and Stronghold Crusader HD. Stronghold HD and Stronghold Crusader HD update the classic castle building games from Firefly Studios with high definition graphics and the ability to view an entire battlefield on a single screen. Due to popular demand, the medieval strategy games have been remastered to support resolutions up to 2560×1600. Also featured is the new HD battlefield view, which allows players to zoom out and play in real-time with the entire map on one screen. Players can advance on the castle gates while flanking the enemy from behind, feign retreat and lead their foes into a deadly trap or just sit back and watch the destruction unfold.

Stronghold HD tasks players with 21 missions and four renegade lords to defeat. Missions range from breaking sieges and capturing enemy castles to raising gold and holding off enemy attacks, with the ultimate goal of reuniting medieval England. Also featured is an economic campaign, with missions revolving around gathering resources and building weapons within a time limit. Stronghold Crusader HD shifts from Europe to the Middle East during the First, Second and Third Crusades. This fan favourite sequel to the original Stronghold introduces fiendish AI opponents, new units, new characters, 4 historical campaigns and over 100 unique skirmish missions. Stronghold Crusader HD comes packaged with content from both the Stronghold Warchest and Stronghold Crusader Extreme, including an increased unit cap of 10,000, new missions and special Tactical Powers.

Stronghold and Stronghold Crusader were released in 2001 and 2002 to critical acclaim and commercial success. Over the years the Stronghold series grown to become one of the most enduring RTS franchises in gaming, with series sales of more than 6 million and a recent successful foray into the free to play MMO genre with Stronghold Kingdoms.

Stronghold HD and Stronghold Crusader HD are set for digital release on GOG, Amazon, GetGames and other notable online retailers on 1st November 2012.

More news and information on Stronghold HD and Stronghold Crusader HD can be found at www.fireflyworlds.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fireflystudiosand on Twitter @fireflyworlds.