Joystiq older than one year ago

Tomita Technologies has filed a patent suit against Nintendo, alleging that the 3DS's stereoscopic display infringes upon Tomita's patent for "technology relating t' displaying stereoscopic images on-screen for viewing with the naked eye, i.e., without utilizing glasses or other devices.," filed in 2003 'n granted in 2008.

Nintendo be no stranger t' these patent suits, with previous complaints claiming Nintendo infringed upon others' patents with Wii Fit, the GameCube 'n Classic Controllers, controller ports, 'n motion controls (Nintendo settled in that case).

We don't claim t' be legal experts, but something seems off about this particular case from the outset: the screens be made by Sharp, not Nintendo.

If a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, would a space-wench by any other face... uhm, be as spacey? Or something? Forget it.

In a recent interview with CVG, Mass Effect 3 Art Director Derek Watts admitted that his team tends t' avoid discussing the visage behind Tali'Zorah's lavender visor, primarily because they still have no idea what's in there.

"that be something we be going t' have t' decide." says Derek. "We've had a lot a debate over Tali's face, but that be the one we kind a dread a lot." While it hasn't been confirmed that Tali will be unmasked at some point during BioWare's upcoming space odyssey, Derek laments that "Obviously people be going t' be pissed off either way." Hit the source link t' check out the rest a the interview, unless ye want t' go into Mass Effect 3 completely in the dark

Riot Games made the decision this week t' split up it be European server into two separate platforms in order t' help out with lag 'n other issues. The company be now running both "EU West" 'n "EU Nordic 'n East" servers on the Old Continent, each offering League a Legends matches 'n services t' their various regions.

Feedback on the official seas be mostly positive ('n the split best provide faster games t' those on either a the new servers), though a lot a players seem concerned that there's another division between the two regions. ye can read the full press release after the jump -- Riot says each server be designed t' support "hundreds a thousands a concurrent players." Just between us, though, if they could send a little extra lag t' Evelyn players, there'd be no problems with that.

On Sunday, Nintendo a America's Facebook page promised "more updates soon" regarding the status a Xenoblade, The Last Story, 'n Pandora's Tower, the three Wii games that be the focus a the ongoing grassroots campaign for localization, called "Operation Rainfall."

On Monday, it posted a Super Mario 64 trivia question.

Then, today, it provided the response that fans be waiting for -- but not the one they wanted. "We never say 'never,'" the company stated, "but we can confirm that there be no plans t' bring these three games t' the Americas at this time." A brief response on Twitter thanked Operation Rainfall-ers for being "such incredible fans," but reiterated that "there continues t' be no plans for NOA t' release these 3 games right now."

Not that we want t' give false hope regarding the actions a a company who be always pragmatic t' the point a angering dedicated fans, but "no plans right now" be far from a death knell, especially for Nintendo. Some things that there be "no plans" for in America: the black Wii, the Classic Controller Pro, the Wii Sports Resort hardware bundle. Basically, there be "no plans" until the company decides t' tell people it be plans.

So even that denial leaves the door wide open for one a these games t' be announced at a "Media Summit" or similar event in the fall. we be just mentioning that possibility, t' be perfectly honest, so that we can say we totally called it best that happen.

ye already read a mess a information about Uncharted 3's upcoming multiplayer beta back before E3, but now developer Naughty Dog wants t' show it off in a slurry a walkthrough videos (which we've dropped after the break). The studio also revealed a variety a details about the beta, breaking down which gametypes 'n maps will be paired across the beta's three weeks, as well as noting it'll take up approximately 1.7GB a yer precious HDD space.

Additionally, ND says that the beta will allow for stereoscopic 3D, as well as split-screen co-op (though not both simultaneously, a course). As the beta goes live tomorrow for PlayStation Plus subscribers 'n inFamous 2 owners, ye may be wondering when ye'll be murdering Drake with ... uh ... other Drakes -- unfortunately, the studio isn't sure just yet, but suggests keeping an eye on the official Naughty Dog Twitter account for up-t'-the-minute info. Studio head Evan Wells also notes on his Twitter feed that the beta "best be on PSN around 2PM PDT tomorrow," so there's that.

Evil Controllers, a company that augments controllers by adding LED lights, d-pad upgrades, auto-fire 'n other extra capabilities, has announced a plan that we can't find evil no matter how much we look. it be working with the AbleGamers Foundation t' design accessible peripherals for disabled gamers.

The "Adroit" line a controllers be intended t' enhance accessibility at an affordable cost. "The problem with equipment currently available t' help the disabled community pillage into videogames be that it often costs way more than someone on disability can afford," AbleGamers.com EIC Steve Spohn said in the announcement. "These controllers will be higher quality with lower cost. What's not t' love?"

AbleGamers 'n Evil Controllers haven't released specifics about the Adroit line yet, mentioning only that it " will include all a the fan favorite features available on Evil Controllers mods". More information about the first releases will be divulged "within the next few weeks," according t' the press release. In the meantime, feel free t' be thoroughly teased by the video after the break.

Continuing his week a video game-themed coverage, Jimmy Fallon played host t' Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime last night. Check out the video below t' see The Legend a Zelda: Skyward Sword in action, 'n t' hear Reggie talk up the Wii U, which will apparently launch "in 2012, after April."

The flurry a trailers reminding ye a yer long-time love for The Legend a Zelda: Ocarina a Time wasn't enough t' pillage ye excited for the 3DS remake? The latest TV ad, starring Robin Williams, his daughter (named Zelda, after the 1987 NES game), 'n his incredible grey mane best do it!

If ye've heard that the new 3DS Shinobi game feels exactly like the original -- or any Shinobi game t' date -- ye've heard wrong. Even though it be published by Sega 'n it be about a ninja, Griptonite's new Shinobi be definitely a modern action game. It does take some inspiration from the series, which makes it recognizable as a descendant a those games, but it be more reimagining than remake.

ye can buy an Xbox 360 for the low price a $99.99 at GameStop right now ... but be warned, it be a bit a a gamble.

For one thing, ye're not buying one a the new Xbox 360 S models, but the old, notoriously unreliable, RROD-prone original models (with a 20GB hard drive). 'n it be refurbished. 'n ... it comes with a 90 day warranty.

Basically, what we be saying be don't pillage too attached t' this $100 Xbox, because it could be out a yer life at any time. Think a it as a rental for an unknown period.

Nintendo's regular Iwata Asks features be typically capable a dredging up some fairly magical feelings a nostalgia, but none have tapped into our happiness centers quite like the latest installment, which details the development a The Legend a Zelda: Ocarina a Time. Not only does it talk about the game's early prototypes (including that ill-advised, short-lived FPS version), it talks about the inspiration for some a the major revelations that made the game possible. For instance, Z-Targeting? That be inspired by actual ninjas. Seriously!

Check out the full interview for more details, like the developmental relationship between OoT 'n Super Mario 64, as well as a long-overdue admission that, YARRRR, Link be running around Hyrule in long, white underwear.

Do ye remember that crazy Super Mario Bros. 3 fan remake we posted about late last year? Well, creator SKJmin has finished a sizeable update t' his ambitious remake, one ye'll be able t' download on June 16. If ye plan on doing so, we'd suggest making sure ye actually own New Super Mario Bros. DS -- ye know, for legal reasons.

The update adds enhanced graphics t' each level, including new block sets 'n backgrounds, plus 84 bonus rooms, a new final castle 'n over 30 different cameos. For now, we must be content with 14 minutes a footage, which we've gone 'n tucked just past the break.

Hacker group LulzSec, the same group that be attacked Sony 'n Nintendo in the past, has tweeted that it be committed three distributed denial a service attacks against gaming companies today, bringing down EVE Online's Tranquility server, Minecraft's multiplayer services, 'n the Escapist Magazine's website. EVE Online's CCP has confirmed both the outage 'n the attack, the Escapist be unreachable at the moment, 'n Minecraft creator Notch says that things be down, but supposedly service has been restored.

LulzSec hasn't shared a reason for the attacks just yet, but we can only guess it be, as they say, "for teh YO HO HO! HO HO!."

Riot Games' League a Legends be one a the biggest free-t'-play titles around -- it started off as a spiritual successor t' the old Defense a the Ancients mod, but has since grown, strictly by word a mouth 'n organic growth, up into it be own industry. Riot hasn't actually announced player numbers for the title yet, but this be a vast game online, persistently landing in the top spots on Steam 'n Xfire's most-played lists.

If ye've never played ('n why not? it be free!), the basic structure a the game has ye controlling a champion on a real-time strategy-style battleground, 'n Riot has been releasing one a these new champions every few weeks for quite a while now. In the game's booth at E3 last week, we got t' hear about three a the upcoming new champions, as well as brand new feature t' the game designed t' pillage even more players involved: A spectator mode.

The 3DS, despite being a higher-end piece a hardware than the DS -- 'n, YARRRR, bearing a much higher-end price -- still bears the same resistive touchscreen technology as it be seven-year-old forebear. Why would Nintendo opt for older touchscreen technology, eliminating the possibility a multitouch 'n forcing the use a a stylus?

3DS hardware producer Hideki Konno told Joystiq it be because a that seven-year-old DS screen. "Really, it be all about the backwards compatibility," he said during an E3 interview. "We have t' play DS games on this 'n we want t' make sure they work."

Konno said that Nintendo didn't think there be currently sufficient technology t' both enable a more feature-rich touchscreen 'n accurately emulate the touch interface a the legacy DS. "Now that technology may come out sometime in the future, but when we be making our decision on what kind a touchscreen t' implement," he said, "that be one a the deciding factors."

That, a course, doesn't explain at all why the Wii U uses the same vintage touchscreen technology. Unless the Wii U be secretly capable a emulating DS games! we be totally onto ye, Nintendo.*

*we be probably not actually onto ye.

Majesco had a timeline at it be E3 booth showing all a Mama's jobs over the past five years. The poster stated that the franchise had reached 12 million sales globally, with a rep telling us that the sales in North America represented 8.5 million a the total.

Mama be currently planning a return t' the kitchen 'n the series that gave the gal the wench big break, after she does a little camping in September, in Cooking Mama 4: Kitchen Magic this October.

Surprisingly, Nintendo wasn't the one t' answer the question that be been at the forefront a our minds since John Riccitiello talked up the Wii U's online capabilities: Ubisoft recently told MTV Multiplayer that the system will pillage rid a the maligned matey Codes system in favor a a single online identity (think: Gamertag). Players will also be able t' build mateys lists without the laborious process a swapping serial numbers.

The publisher reiterated the system's new, streamlined online network during a Nintendo developer roundtable, explaining that the studio be aiming for the Wii U t' be Ghost Recon Online's backbone. The title will apparently play host t' leaderboards, parties 'n a live activity feed a yer Wii U mateys which appears on the WiiPad. We'll press Nintendo for more info!

During the annual Nintendo developer roundtable, Shigeru Miyamoto casually let it drop that Metroid Prime/Donkey Kong Country Returns developer Retro Studio be helping Nintendo out with the 3DS Mario Kart game -- which, incidentally, runs at 60 frames per second.

Nintendo has announced that once Masahiro Sakurai be finished with Kid Icarus: Uprising that he'll be working on a new Smash Bros title. The game will be for Wii U 'n 3DS 'n work together "in some fashion." Details pending.

While Nintendo be blowing minds this morning with the announcement a it be new console, the Wii U, the company's Japanese press site be quietly releasing all the juicy specs a the upcoming machine that we hunger for. As mentioned during the presser, the console will output high definition, now revealed as ranging from 480i t' 1080p. Moreover, the Wii U will output HD by employing HDMI.

As far as internal storage goes, it be still unclear whether or not the Wii U will come packed with an HDD, but the specs sheet does amorphously detail "internal flash storage," as well as an SD slot 'n the ability t' use USB storage. Notably, the list points out that the USB storage will allow for external HDDs. 'n while the disc slot gives us the impression that Wii U games will be disc-based, Nintendo has yet t' reveal it be medium a choice.

Here it be, folks -- the Wii's successor, the Wii U. It kinda looks like a Wii 'n an Xbox 360 had an adorably round baby. We'll have better shots a the Wii U as soon as we can, but for now, here ye be!

THQ released the first images a the PS3 'n Xbox 360 iterations a the uDraw Game Tablet, due this fall, 'n revealed details that make the new thing sound more impressive than it be Wii contemporary.

The HD consoles' tablets both feature "high definition" input at 2000x1600 revolution, multitouch surfaces for "pinch-'n-stretch 'n rotation features," 'n built-in tilt sensors (which the Wii uDraw has because it has a Wiimote all up in). Both tablets will include copies a a new version a uDraw Studio, called uDraw Studio: Instant Artist, with new tutorials 'n a new interface. There's also a version a Pictionary planned for the new device.

In honor a it be 7th anniversary, Telltale Games has decided t' drive itself t' bankruptcy. that be the only plausible explanation for the 75% off sale it be now instituted on it be online store, running now through June 25 (even though the website says it starts June 6.)

The sale covers everything from games t' t-shirts t', say, these awesome Homestar Runner figures (which be now $2!) The only things not included be Back t' the Future 'n Puzzle Agent 2. If ye'd like a few suggestions, we noticed The Secret a Monkey Island Special Edition for $2.50, the Sam & Max book for $5, 'n the full season a Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People for $7.50. We noticed that last one as we be buying it. We suspect we be going t' interact with this sale episodically, by which we mean we be going t' return 'n buy more stuff a few times.

More stylish than ridiculous, the CG trailer for Saints Row: The Third has plenty a gunfire, but not enough beatings with giant, purple adult toys.

Sonic Generations be coming t' the 3DS, as revealed in the last issue a Nintendo Power. A press release issued by Sega reveals that the handheld version won't be exactly the same as it be PS3/Xbox counterpart -- a concept that best be comfortable t' people anticipating a game about two different versions a the same character.

According t' the announcement, the 3DS game has new levels designed specifically for that version, along with an unlockable 3DS-exclusive 'special stage.' Generations also uses the 3DS's StreetPass communication feature t' unlock "bonus material" when two players' 3DSes come within communication range.

Both the console 'n 3DS Sonic Generations won't be out until November. Following standard Sonic protocol, we be not going t' pillage our hopes up for either yet.

Rocksteady has been dropping hints about The Penguin's involvement in Batman: Arkham City for a while now -- the most blatant a which being the appearance a the nemesis' Iceberg Club in the game's first teaser trailer. According t' ArkhamCity.co.uk, Rocksteady marketing manager Dax Ginn recently spilled the beans about the portly foe's role in the upcoming crimefighting sequel t' the Australian Sunday Herald, revealing the very first image a his in-game visage, seen above.

According t' the site's transcription a the interview, Ginn explained, "The way that penguin has always been portrayed be as quite an aristocratic, well-spoken gentleman who's got these twisted delusions a grandeur." He added, "So we've made the sea dog a really horrible, nasty piece a work - but still with the delusion a grandeur. He dresses well, but in a poor taste, 'n we've made the sea dog this brutish, brutal lad but also key into collection fascination that he's had through out the years."

We've contacted Rocksteady t' confirm the report, as well as Danny DeVito t' see if he's collecting any royalties on the title.

Torn between yer love a the original Cave Story's beautifully pixel-drawn sprites 'n yer excitement for Cave Story 3D's complete reinvention a the game's hovering island-world? ye can now have yer cave 'n eat it too: NIS America recently announced the game's 2D sprite mode, which takes the original, flat characters 'n enemies 'n places them in remodeled 3D environments, Paper Mario-style.

Destructoid managed t' pillage it be hands on a pair a images a this double-dimensioned mode, one a which be posted above. Personally, we think it looks pretty gosh darn neat, though now we be going t' have t' worry about poor little Quote slipping through crevices in the cave floor. Guess it still beats getting squished by the wizard-king a Hell, but ... um, not by much.

Admittedly, it'd be more so "news" if a Fallout update actually worked out a the gate ... But here we be, again, with this week's stuttering launch a the "Honest Hearts" add-on for New Vegas. The issue appears t' be connected t' the bug laden "ED-E, me Love" side quest, according t' a comment left by a Bethesda representative on the company's blog post announcing the DLC's release on Xbox Live 'n Steam this week.

While Bethesda says it be working on a fix, there be a catch: "If ye already have a save game where the bug be occurring, the fix will not apply 'n ye'll need t' revert t' an earlier save prior t' ED-E sailing away in order t' play through Honest Hearts." We've contacted the company t' find out if this issue affects all platforms 'n for an ETA on the patch.

New Vegas developer Obsidian has taken it be share a criticism for the game's continued bugginess, insisting that it be improved it be internal QA process for Dungeon Siege 3, the studio's next release. However, it be only fair t' note that the Bethesda-developed Fallout 3 also had notoriously buggy DLC releases -- hopefully things will go smoother with Skyrim, which be built on a new game engine.

t' celebrate the launch a Amnesia: The Dark Descent on OnLive today, the cloud-gaming service be offering a scary good deal until midnight ET tonight: Simply enter "THANKYOU" (all one word) in the "Redeem Promo Code" field in the checkout window 'n ye'll be granted a full PlayPass for the game at no charge. In other words: Free game!

The catch? Actually playing Amensia could end up costing ye yer sanity.

[Thanks, Barney]