Subacuatic released on ZX Spectrum 128

Posted By: wraggster

News via http://www.retroactionmagazine.com/

The second podcast from Racketboy has been released. This time the podcast features interviews with both Mark Turnell and Eugene Jarvis, familiar names from the retrogaming scene. Both men also worked together on Smash TV, which is featured in Racketboy's "Together Retro" for this month. Podcast content:

Show Outline
(Smash TV soundtrack excerpt)
Dave’s Intro
Interview – Mark Turmell
(Smash TV soundtrack excerpt)
Interview – Eugene Jarvis
Dave’s Outro
(John Parr – “Running Away With You”- The Running Man Soundtrack)
Weblink: http://www.racketboy.com/retro/podca...episode-2.html

0 comments - Last Comment By wraggster

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

Posted By: wraggster

We're going to make it rain bullets this weekend, playing through both Left 4 Dead 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, shooting (almost) everything in sight. It may the shootin'-est Saturday and Sunday ever!

Being a huge fan of the first Left 4 Dead, I'm dying to stop working and play the thing, kill me some Southern fried zombies. Of course, any questions you have that would like addressed in an upcoming review, let me know in the comments or shoot me an e-mail. The same for Modern Warfare 2, folks.

I'll probably have to brush up on my Call of Duty 4, just to make sure I'm remembering the multiplayer experience for proper comparison, but even I'm not sure I can take this much gunplay in a 48 hour period.

How about you? What's your game plan for the weekend?

http://kotaku.com/5398891/what-are-y...g-this-weekend

8 comments - Last Comment By mike_jmg

Global Game Sales Down 6%

Posted By: wraggster

While the worst of it seems to be behind us, 2009 will still be remembered as the year of the global economic crisis. And when people are in times of economic crisis, well, they buy less video games.

A joint report issued by Enterbrain, the NPD Group and GfK Chart-Track has revealed that video game sales across the world's three largest markets (the US, Japan & UK) are down 6% in 2009's third quarter compared to the same time last year.

The breakdown? Sales are down 9% in the US, and a whopping 19% in the United Kingdom. Japan, however, bucks the trend, with game sales up 15% year-on-year. Thanks, Dragon Quest IX!

http://kotaku.com/5398326/global-game-sales-down-6

0 comments - Last Comment By wraggster

PSPgo propels handheld to Japan hardware lead

Posted By: wraggster

Sony's PSPgo sold 29,000 units in its first week on sale in Japan to push the PlayStation Portable platform above its rivals, according to the latest sales data from Media Create for the week ending November 1.

Combined with other PSP sales the Sony handheld shifter just over 64,000 units in that week, ahead of the Nintendo DS on 44,400 - with the latter breaking the 3 million barrier for calendar 2009.

The PlayStation 3 meanwhile sold 36,000 units, the Wii 29,000 and the Xbox 360 6000 in a week which saw most platforms increase their numbers.

However, if platform types were split out into their editions, the Nintendo DSi would sit top with 37,500 in sales, ahead of the PS3 and PSP, with the PSPgo fourth and Wii fifth.

The full list is as follows:

1. PlayStation Portable: 64,020
2. Nintendo DS: 44,419
3. PlayStation 3: 36,061
4. Nintendo Wii: 28,888
5. Xbox 360: 6047
6. PlayStation 2: 1966

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-hardware-lead

0 comments - Last Comment By wraggster

Bayonetta bosses Japanese software chart

Posted By: wraggster

SEGA's Bayonetta title has taken the software chart in Japan by storm, taking the number one and number seven spots in its first week on sale, according to the latest data from Media Create.

First place went to the PlayStation 3 edition of the game, which sold just over 135,000 units, while the Xbox 360 version clocked up almost 65,000 units in the same time frame - a very strong performance for the Microsoft platform, relative to installed base.

Meanwhile a host of other new entries saw some rejuvenation in the region, with Final Fantasy Gaiden: 4 Warriors of Light from Square Enix taking second place on 114,000 units and Tekken 6 entering in third, selling 103,000.

Other new entries included Persona 3 Portable in fourth and Super Robot Taisen NEO in tenth place.

Meanwhile Pokemon Heartgold/Soulsilver is on course to break the 3 million barrier in the next couple of weeks, while Wii Fit Plus should pass 1 million in a similar time frame.

The full top ten is as follows:

1. Bayonetta (SEGA): 135,242
2. Final Fantasy Gaiden: 4 Warriors of Light (Square Enix): 114,714
3. Tekken 6 (Namco Bandai): 103,105
4. Persona 3 Portable (Atlus): 94,287
5. Pokemon Heartgold/Soulsilver (Pokemon Co): 87,594
6. Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo): 81,427
7. Bayonetta (SEGA): 64,325
8. Tomodachi Collection (Nintendo): 53,159
9. Inazuma Eleven 2: Threat of the Invaders (Level 5): 41,437
10. Super Robot Taisen NEO (Namco Bandai): 26,559

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...software-chart

0 comments - Last Comment By wraggster

COBEX – Cruising on Broadway Extra released

Posted By: wraggster

News via http://www.retroactionmagazine.com/r...extra-released

TCK has released COBEX (Cruising on Broadway Extra), a remake of the classic 1983 ZX Spectrum Cruising on Broadway game. A simple, but addictive, game where the player has to race around sections colouring grid lines, while avoiding the enemy chasers. The game is freely available to download, but do consider donating a small amount as you'll be able to take part in the online high-score board shenanigans. The Windows compatible game, as well as more details, can be found at TCK's web pages. (Thanks to IndieGames.com for the news.)

Weblink: http://www.tcksoft.co.uk/downloads/r...roadway-extra/

0 comments - Last Comment By wraggster

Review: WaterField Designs Suede Jacket Cell Phone Case

Posted By: bandit

WaterField Designs Suede Jacket Cell Phone Case
Manufacturer: WaterField Designs
Site: Buy from WaterField Designs
Price: $9.00 (no pocket) / $13 (with pocket)

Overview : Keep 'em Together. It doesn't get any thinner than this! This Ultrasuede® slipcase prevents scratches on your cell phone. The elasticity of the pocket keeps it flat when empty and stretchy enough to hold your bluetooth or earbuds safely. Low profile slides easily into your shirt or jeans pocket. Comes in three sizes for a perfect fit on your Apple iPhone 3G/3GS, Samsung Instinct, HTC Touch Diamond, HTC Touch Pro, LG Dare, Blackberry Bold 9000, Blackberry Tour 9630, Blackberry Storm 9530/9550/9520, Blackberry Curve 8310/8320/8330, Palm Pre, Sony Ericsson Xperia X1, Nokia E71 or the Google Android G1. Available with or without the new pocket.

Suede Jacket Cell Phone Cases

• Available in multiple sizes:
• Apple iPhone 3G or 3GS / 2.5" x 4.6" / Size 30
• BlackBerry Bold / 4.5" x 2.6" x 0.6" / Size 51
• Blackberry Curve / 4.2" x 2.4" x 0.6" / Size 50
• Blackberry Storm / 4.4" x 2.5" x 0.6" / Size 52
• Google Android G1 / custom fit / Size 80
• HTC Touch Diamond / 4" x 2.0" x 0.6" / Size 65
• HTC Touch Pro / 4.1" x 2.2" x 0.5" / Size 70
• LG Dare / 4.1" x 2.2" x 0.5" / Size 70
• LG Dare Extended Battery / 4.1" x 2.2" x 0.5" / Size 71
• Nokia E71 / 4.49" x 2.24" x 0.39" / Size 60
• Palm Pre / 3.9" x 2.3" x 0.67" / Size 71
• Samsung Instinct / 4.6" x 2.2" x 0.5" / Size 60
• Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 / 4.4" x 2.1" x 0.7" / Size 80

Quality/Usability : This review is different from our usual reviews. As you can see, this has nothing to do with games but still has to do with electronics. Everyone these days carries a cellphone. Some prefer less bulk and rather go commando (phone naked with no protection) while others want 360° protection to keep that device minty clean and scratch free. So here is an alternative that adds barely no bulk and protection at the same time...

Having purchased a SEIDIO Innocase II and Innocase Holster for my Blackberry Tour, there may be times where I didnt feel like carrying my holster but wanted the slight protection for my screen. Even though I have a Clarivue Screen Protector on my screen since day one, I just don't like any screens on any of my phones to be exposed. I purchased a cheap soft drawstring pouch on eBay but it was a tight fit and I was barely able to close the pouch. I happened to stumble upon the WaterField Designs Suede Jacket Cell Phone case. The cell phone case is made out of a soft, scratch-free microfiber: Ultrasuede™. Ultrasuede is a completely synthetic material. The suede is smooth as you expect and would not damage or scratch your phone/screen.

The suede jacket I received was size 51 for the Blackberry Bold 9000. A naked Blackberry Bold will fit perfectly inside the suede jacket (sorry no pics). However, if you have a Blackberry Bold with SEIDIO Innocase, it won't fit. A Blackberry Tour 9630 with SEIDIO Innocase is a perfect fit (just a wee bit snug). A naked Tour would be slightly loose inside the case. Of course, a naked Blackberry Curve 8330 would be a little loose inside the jacket as well.


For an additional charge of $4, you can add a pocket. The pocket is sewed onto the suede and is made of neoprene/spandex type material. This pocket stretches and allows you to insert your credit card, drivers license, money, business cards and other items. I was able to fit 11 cards with the ability to add more if I needed but who really has 11+ credit cards? Of course, adding this much will definitely add bulk. You can even use this pocket to store your stereo headset, handsfree headset, spare battery...pretty much anything you can think of that is small enough to fit.


Conclusion : Overall, the WaterField Designs Suede Jacket Cell Phone Case is a wonderful case. It protects your phone from scratches and minor bumps. Not only does it protect your phone, but you can also use it to clean your screen. Unlike the suede made from animals, this suede is 100% spot and machine washable. It would be nice if WaterField Designs included a drawstring on the opening and can be used as a universal case for other cellphones, accessories or other electronics like MP3.

PROS:

• Very affordable
• Protects phone from scratches and minor bumps
• Also able to clean screens
• Washable
• Optional pocket can store other items

CONS:

• No drawstring
• Different sizes for different devices. Not universal.

0 comments - Last Comment By bandit

What Game Made You Cry The Most?

Posted By: wraggster

Japan's Oricon Life polled 500 men between the ages of teen and 40-something about which games have made them cry the most and complied a list of the top five. Weepy drumroll please...

5. Mother 2
4. Clannad
3. Final Fantasy VII
2. Dragon Quest V
1. Final Fantasy X

What about you? What game made you bawl your flaccid heart out?

http://kotaku.com/5397628/what-game-...u-cry-the-most

17 comments - Last Comment By armyStrong

Dragon Quest IX is Q3 global best-seller

Posted By: wraggster

Dragon Quest IX was the global best-selling videogame, selling 3.93 million units in the three months to the end of September this year, according to new data released by the NPD, GfK Chart-Track and Enterbrain alliance.

Wii Sports Resort was second on 3.0 million, while Madden NFL 10 was third with 2.6 million. Pokemon Heartgold/Soulsilver and Halo 3: ODST rounded out the top five on 2.1 million and 1.8 million respectively.

Both Dragon Quest and Pokemon titles have only been released in Japan so far, so all sales have come from that region alone.

By comparison Wii Sports Resort sold 1.7 million units in the US, 841,000 in Japan and 465,000 in the UK.

The vast majority of Madden sales were, unsurprisingly, in the US, with just 30,000 of the total from the UK.

The full list is as follows:

1. Dragon Quest IX: 3,925,000
2. Wii Sports Resort: 3,014,000
3. Madden NFL 10: 2,612,000
4. Pokemon Heartgold/Soulsilver: 2,068,000
5. Halo 3: ODST: 1,847,000

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...al-best-seller

0 comments - Last Comment By wraggster

HMV unveils vision of retail's future

Posted By: wraggster

CEO Simon Fox puts plan put in place for firm to become 'entertainment hub'
Those who enthusiastically condemned the High Street to history at London Games Conference were wide of the mark: Because entertainment retailers aren't actually reliant on boxed product to survive.
That was the view from HMV this week, as the retail firm unveiled a revolutionary strategy to ensure it is still thriving in a decade’s time.
CEO Simon Fox – speaking after the company had launched its first cinema in Wimbledon, London – told MCV that the firm was not moving away from recorded product, but that "it is moving away from us”.
“I am very optimistic that the HMV brand will still be represented on our High Streets in ten years’ time,” said Fox.
“Our stores will have been transformed away from being one-dimensional retail outlets, selling just packaged media, and are more likely to be entertainment hubs in a much wider sense, catering to a broad range of demands and offering access to music, film and games in all its forms – including a greater focus on the live experience. Such hubs will work in tandem with our music and other live venues.”

Fox’s confident comments come after luminaries of games’ digital distribution sector predicted the death of games retail as we know it at LGC last week.
However, Fox told MCV that there was one area of physical product was still growing at HMV – its pre-owned Re/Play division.
“Given that games content probably hasn’t had the same depth of more recent years, Re/Play has bit of a bonus,” he said. “The added-value it gives customers in these recessionary times has gone down well.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/36354/HMV-...retails-future

0 comments - Last Comment By wraggster