Dubai is a crazy enough place in the real world, but in Spec Ops: The Line, its insanity is taken to new levels. Not only do players have the cluster of ostentatious skyscrapers and opulence of the once great city in this game world thrown at them, but with the factions of murderous bandits and impoverished innocents still littering the sandy landscape -- it's a lot to deal with.
Nintendo recently unveiled its 3DS handheld, and Super Mario Bros. creator Shigeru Miyamoto is hard at work on the next evolution of virtual pets, Nintendogs + Cats, for the system. While the core mechanics remain the same, players will interact with their pets in full 3-D. We had a chance to sit with Miyamoto to see what he thinks of 3-D gaming, the iPhone and the possibility of bringing a track editor to the Mario Kart franchise.
We knew the 3DS was coming. It was announced a while ago, but we didn't expect so many games to be available. How long have you been working on the technology?
Nintendo's been researching 3-D games for over 20 years. The first time we started looking at 3D with an LCD screen was during the GameCube days. We've continued to experiment with it since then, particularly implementing it into the 3DS. That's something we've been working on for the past three years.
With games, what's the ratio of Nintendo first party to third party? It seems like some of them are remakes, such as Star Fox. How many are new and updated experiences? When we first launched Nintendo DS, the touch screen became a new innovative face for gaming, and we spent a lot of time creating things that were probably different from the standard games that you've seen, games that are more like books or Brain Training type games. But with Nintendo 3DS, and specifically with the ability to create 3-D visuals, we're finding that, in addition to creating new game ideas, the 3-D visuals really do a lot for past experiences. It'll be a blend. We'll see remakes that take advantage of the 3-D, but we'll also work on new ideas as well.
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It's not getting the attention of some of the louder games at the show, which is a shame, but boy, the closer NBA Jam gets to completion the better it looks. More »
"I have to use my words carefully -- you'll have to check with Microsoft for further information," began Alex Verrey, Mad Catz global PR manager, in an interview with Joystiq today, "but it's Mad Catz's understanding that Microsoft are exiting the wheel market. So, Microsoft are no longer going to be producing their first-party wireless wheel for 360." (We've contacted Microsoft for further details.)
Of course, this revelation follows Mad Catz's E3 announcement of its own "Mad Catz Wireless Racing Wheel" (pictured) for Xbox 360, designed by its Saitek division (also known as the Mad Catz UK-based R&D group). Saitek is Mad Catz's "pro gaming" brand and specializes in simulation equipment. "We tried very hard to make it not look or feel like a toy," explained Verrey. "It's got a real industrial design."
The Mad Catz wheel is licensed to use the same wireless technology employed in first-party Xbox 360 peripherals and is estimated to operate some 40 hours off of three AA batteries. The wheel has "tiptronic" gear shift paddles in the back, but also includes an interchangeable gear shift that can be secured to either side of the base, as well as an accelerator and brake pedal attachment. Additionally, the package includes a desk mount and lap-rest supports.
The Mad Catz Wireless Racing Wheel is expected to be released "before the holiday season" this year and won't be tied to a specific racing game or franchise, confirmed Verrey. It will retail for $130.
I've played multiple fitness games this week at E3. If you had told me I'd be spending my time doing that a few years ago, I'd have laughed at you and called you crazy. Yet, here we are with this little camera called Kinect which just happens to be the new haven for fitness and family fun games.
The game will be released for the 3 big boys (MS, Sony, Nintendo) on January 1st. THQ also said that it would be more combative and would utilize the motion controls in a similar vein as Wii Fit or EA Sports Active.
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