GeekwithEnvy

Richard Vincenti Jr

Sony’s Big Event is Tomorrow

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Sony_logo

Well it’s been a few weeks since we heard about Sony’s big event, which is to take place tomorrow February 20th. Everyone is expecting to see the Playstation 4 and hopefully lots and lots of details.

We are obviously expecting the system to feature a cool new look along with enhanced graphics and processing power but a few other rumored features are expected to take the spotlight. One new feature we’re hoping to see is the ability to stream games. The gaming industry is slowly moving in this direction and I can clearly see why. The benefits of streaming a video game to a device are huge. For starters, it allows for advanced games with complex graphics to be played on simple devices like smartphones and tablets without the need for major processing power.

All of the work is done by the server, the device is merely a shell with a screen and some basic components.  It will also ensure that all users experience the same level of quality when playing a particular title. Developers will only have to make one version of their game for one platform and yet it will work on any device.

It’s not all good however. Streaming video games could eventually lead to the demise of the used game business. This is good for developers but bad for consumers, and not to mention businesses that rely on used games to make a profit.

Many rumors also talked about the exclusion of an optical drive but this seems unlikely as streaming and downloading full game content is just getting started. Another issue with an all-digital game system is the fact that many of us still lack enough bandwidth in our home internet connection to provide a reasonable and enjoyable experience.

We should also expect to see an improved social experience along with new control features like a possible touch screen on the new PS4 controller. Hopefully there will be some clarification on how backwards-compatibility will work, if at all. We may also see a price reduction on the Playstation Vita and hopefully the price on the new PS4. (expecting $350-$400)

We will provide updates tomorrow as soon as we can get them and process them, so check back with us to find out more!

StarCraft Universe an Incredibly Awesome Mod

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StarCraft Universe is now available to play! SC Universe has come along way and it’s looking pretty awesome. This Mod originally got a lot of attention from Blizzard due to it’s initial name, “World of StarCraft”. The name upset the folks over at Blizzard quite a bit. Ryan Winzell, who created the Mod, was originally thought to have created the Mod using methods other than the tool set offered by Blizzard Entertainment, and Blizz was looking to throw down the iron hammer on the project. Eventually, things were straightened out and it was found that the Mod was legit. Finally, it was allowed to exist but with a name change.

It looks like a ton of effort went into this project and I can’t wait to see it grow into something even better. It’s not often that you fool a large gaming company into thinking you’ve made your own full fledged version of their game.

You can get all of the mod details including screenshots and videos at their official mod site.

Harrison Ford To Comeback as Han Solo?

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Han Solo

If you haven’t already heard, there’s a chance that Harrison Ford may show up in “Star Wars: Episode VII”. This report came from Umberto “El Mayimbe” Gonzalez who mentioned it on Fox News Latino. The Idea is quite interesting to say the least and definitely a surprise to fans of the franchise.

If Han Solo does make it into the film it would be interesting to see how he is incorporated into the storyline. It’s quite obvious that Harrison Ford is a bit older, age 70, and that would clearly change the time timeframe in which his character would exist. Another question that comes up is whether or not he will show up as a cameo or a complete character with full involvement in the story. Either way, if he does jump onboard, many wonder if Ford finally get the chance to have Han Solo killed off? In an older interview with ABC, Ford talks about how he always thought that Solo should have died in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Who knows, maybe he will do the film just for that.

Nothing of course is official and if there was any deal in the works it would take some time before everything is finalized. One thing is for sure and that is we are getting more Star Wars and hopefully we are in for a treat.

Picture of Playstation 4 Controller Shows Up

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Possible Playstation 4 controller
Picture of a Possible Playstation 4 Controller (Source:Digital Foundry)

As we get closer and closer to February 20th, the date that Sony plans on announcing something special in New York, the Playstation 4 rumors continue to pop up all over the web.

An image has recently popped up that apparently shows the new Dual Shock controller for the Playstation 4. The image clearly shows a headphone jack located in the center of the bottom of the controller along with a new analog stick that looks to be slightly recessed. We kept hearing about a touchscreen or touchpad on the new PS4 controller and it seems to be pictured here in place of the start and select buttons.

This is one of the best looking controllers I have seen so far and hopefully it’s pretty close to the real thing, if it isn’t already the real thing. One small issue I have with the Playstation controller that I am hoping will be changed in the new Dual Shock is the left analog stick location. I believe it should be swapped with the d-pad, much like how the Xbox controller is set up. This image comes form Digital Foundry.

More than 1000 Injured After Meteorite Explodes Over Russia

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It’s not often a large meteorite comes flying through our atmosphere and it’s even more rare to see one fall within a populated area, but that’s exactly what happened in Chelyabinsk Russia. The meteorite sped across the sky at 19 miles per second in a ball of fire as it broke apart high up in the air. The incredible speed of the meteorite caused a large sonic boom that did significant damage to windows and even some buildings just before a large piece of the once 10 ton meteorite landed in a nearby lake. Over a thousand people were injured, mostly due to broken glass.

This does bring attention to the fact that we are essentially helpless when it comes to space rocks hitting Earth. Although we are getting better at detecting near Earth objects, it’s crucial that we continue to research ways in which to protect ourselves. As for now, we will just have to hope that if anything is headed our way that it hits an unpopulated area. The good news is that, although at times it may not seem like it but the Earth is largely unpopulated and there are vast regions of land and ocean where meteorites are far more likely to land. It’s also likely that meteorites, like the one that fell in Chelyabinsk, have fallen many times before but were never seen by anyone.

This has all happened just as 2012 DA14, a much larger meteorite than the one that just hit Russia, was on track to come within just 17,500 miles of Earth. That distance puts 2012 DA14 within the geosynchronous ring of our planet and that means it’s closer to Earth than many of our satellites. Experts say that 2012 DA14 is in no way a part of the meteorite that landed today, it’s purely a coincidence. 2012 DA14 has already passed Earth by this time and is actually heading away from our planet. This is a good thing considering that id 2012 DA14 were to land on Earth it would cause massive localized damage.