Generation Next Gadgets

OnLive is set to launch its “cloud-based” video game service in June, as the closely watched start-up looks to challenge home console heavyweights with the promise of on-demand gaming.
OnLive will roll out to PC and Mac users in the United States on June 17, charging customers $14.95 a month for instant access to games from publishers including Electronic Arts Inc, Ubisoft Entertainment SA and THQ Inc. Users will pay to rent or buy titles through OnLive, but game prices were not announced. A packaged new release generally costs around $60. OnLive Chief Executive Steve Perlman said the service was going to be “disruptive” to the game industry in general and to home console makers Nintendo Co Ltd, Microsoft Corp and Sony Corp in particular. He said OnLive will help publishers by combating software piracy, reducing sales of used titles and improving margins, which are lower on packaged software than they are for titles distributed digitally. “You’re able to deliver games directly from the publisher now to the consumer,” Perlman said at the Game Developers Conference on Wednesday. “People have no patience; they want something now.” “OnLive will deliver games run from the so-called “cloud,” meaning they are stored remotely on servers, rather than locally on a PC or a console. It promises lag-free access to games that can be played on nearly any personal computer or television.
OnLive was under stealth development for seven years, and was formally introduced a year ago to much fanfare. Although some question whether the technology will work as promised, if it does, analysts said the service could indeed pose a challenge to console makers. OnLive has data centres around the U.S. filled with servers to handle user demand. Perlman declined to say when the service might roll out to other markets such as Europe. Perlman is well-known in Silicon Valley. He helped launch WebTV, which Microsoft bought in 1997. OnLive’s financial backers include AT&T Inc Media Holdings Inc, Lauder Partners, Time Warner Inc unit Warner Bros, Autodesk Inc and Maverick Capital.

After Criterion’s ballistic FPS Black, there hasn’t been a first person shooter that lets you destroy pretty much everything with reckless abandon. But all that’s about to change with Bodycount, a brand new FPS from Codemasters (and some of the guys who actually worked on Black).
Experience the intense thrill of close-quarters combat in a shreddable world as Bodycount blasts outrageous fire-fights and ferocious action from both barrels.  Become a powerful combat asset green-lighted to eliminate enemies known only as ‘Targets’ on behalf of the ‘Network’, ensnared in a clandestine global power struggle that rages away from the headlines and under the cover of conventional war zones.
This exhilarating shooter drops players into chaotic areas of operations equipped with a mouth-watering selection of contemporary weapons to tear through environments and enemies, chaining kills, earning power ups and building up a bullet meter to unleash devastating air strikes on enemies.
Bodycount will release for the Xbox360 and PS3 sometime in 2011.

Good
The most cinematic battles in the history of gaming
Is the best looking game on the planet
Terrific production values
Intense boss battles
Pretty much the best action game ever made

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Sony Corp has unveiled its new motion-controlled video game system, pitching it to both casual and hard-core gamers alike, as the company looks to ride one of the hottest trends in gaming. The new system will help Sony keep pace with rivals Nintendo Co Ltd, which pioneered gesture-based gaming, and Microsoft Corp, which is launching its system later this year.
Sony’s new PlayStation “Move” controller is used with its Eye gaming webcam, translating users’ motions into actions within games on the PlaySation 3 (PS3) console. Move, which resembles a TV remote with a colorful ball stuck on the end, will be available as part of a package this fall for less than $100, Sony said at a media event on Wednesday. The company said 36 third-party developers and publishers are supporting the Move platform. In fiscal 2010, Sony will release more than 20 games that are dedicated to or supported by the system. Nintendo’s Wii kicked off the craze for motion-controlled gaming, making the console and active games such as “Wii Fit” and “Wii Sports Resort” into huge hits with casual gamers. Microsoft has already unveiled the Natal body-gesturing gaming system for its Xbox 360 console, which the company plans to have in stores for the holidays.
Jack Tretton, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment of America, said in an interview that motion control expands the market opportunity for the PS3 to new consumers, and said the company hopes to siphon off some Wii users. “We clearly want to speak to the 34 million people who already own a Playstation 3, then I think we offer a great opportunity to graduate from the Wii to the Playstation 3,” Trettton said. Sony said Move is especially precise, with every twitch and punch registering accurately in games ranging from casual titles for kids to fighting and swashbuckling swordplay games. Sony said the accuracy of its motion-based gaming means it will also appeal to more hard-core gamers, generally younger men, who are the backbone of the $50 billion gaming industry.

Good
Trophy kills are extremely cool looking
Multiplayer is entertaining

Bad
Clunk Controls
Weak and high retarded AI
Repetitive gameplay
Bland plot

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Last week EA released their much anticipated shooter Battlefield Bad Company 2 to rabid fans the world over but to their dismay they’ve been given a broken product.
This entire weekend there were hundreds if not thousands of disappointed customers who couldn’t play online across the PS3, Xbox360 and PC. While this problem wasn’t that severe on consoles, it was terribly widespread on PCs with players not being able to connect to servers or being kicked from EA servers constantly.
This is highly ironic since none of these issues were present in the Beta released last month. Also this is really shameful on DICE’s part who portrayed themselves as PC benefactors during the whole Modern Warfare 2 lack of dedicated servers debacle. At least IW didn’t release a broken product huh?

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Good
Fairly simple layout

Bad
Takes forever to load
Cars are unimaginative
Control is awkward
Physics are awkward
Graphics could have been much better
Most of the background is weird
 
On one hand I’m proud to say that we’ve finally got a bit of the gaming germ into the Indian community. On the other hand, I wish there were slightly better games we could actually develop. It seems like there’s a bit of a lack of imagination that’s sprouting its ugly head and although there’s tremendous potential I don’t think we’re just there yet.

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Good
Rock Solid Visuals
Hell’s Rendition is badass
Enjoyable Combat

Bad
Feels a bit too much like God of War
Platforming sucks
Can get pretty tedious towards the end

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Good
Great Optimization
Well written script
Great mini-games (mining/hacking)
Well tuned action

Bad
Underwhelming end
Predictable plot

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Good
Outrageous Story and Characters
Great Action and Pacing
Mini-games

Bad
Some moments will just fly over your head
Graphical glitches

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