GeekwithEnvy

Console

Playstation 4 Details and Quick Thoughts

by Leave a Comment

Dual Shock 4 Controller
Dual Shock 4 for the Sony Playstation 4

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “leave them wanting more” but the Playstation 4 announcement from Sony was lacking pretty much everything. Fortunately, we did get a little bit of information about the new console. So here is a quick breakdown of what we learned about the Playstation 4.

-The Playstation 4 is designed like a gaming PC and will feature a custom x86 CPU, custom PC graphics hardware that utilizes GDDR 5 (very fast memory), 8GB of Unified Memory, and of course a hard drive. All of these hardware choices were made in order to make it as developer friendly as possible, unlike the PS3 which is notoriously difficult to program for.

PS4GraphicsDemo
A rendering showing off the graphics capabilities of the Playstation 4.

-The new console will allow you to pause and instantly resume gameplay without having to wait for the console to boot up. It will go directly where you left off, much like sleep mode for your computer. This is a great feature and I can’t wait to see it in action.

-The new PS4 Controller has a touch pad and offers up a share button that quickly uploads your best or worst gameplay moments to social media. The new controller does feature a 3.5 mm headphone jack which confirms earlier rumors. There is an additional stereo camera system that will work with the Dual Shock 4 for added interaction with your favorite games; it reminds me of a larger version of the Wii(U) sensor bar. The top of the Dual Shock 4 has a light on top of it which looks similar to the  PS Move controller, this is what the camera system uses to track the controllers motion.

-The PS4 will be coming “Holiday 2013”

Unfortunately, that’s about all we know for right now and we never actually got to see the console it self. I don’t want to completely trash the new console and I know it hasn’t even been released yet, but I have to admit that I’m not blown away with the PS4. It feels a lot like a PS3.5 and not a PS4. The hardware is solid and it looks like it’s going to be the most powerful console this generation but it’s still missing that “WOW” factor. We will just have to wait for more details from Sony.

 

 

Mobile Gaming Has Come Along Way but the TV is Getting Lonely

by Leave a Comment

Gaming on mobile has never been better and it has inspired many small time developers around the world. The mobile app market is unique in that it’s probably one of the easiest ways to get your game in front of millions of users. iOS and Android are exploding with millions of apps and many of them were created by the average joe without any major support from a large corporation. With the rise is mobile gaming popularity, thanks in part to better mobile performance, many of us desire a bit more from our favorite mobile games.

Can we do any better? Well, it turns out that we can. Let’s bring this uber, developer friendly environment to the big screen. That’s exactly what  Julie Uhrman was thinking when she started OUYA, a company that’s creating a console that’s mission is to “open up the last closed gaming platform- the TV”. OUYA got major support through Kickstarter and became one of the most successful Kickstarter projects to date.

Main Kickstarter OUYA

OUYA Console
OUYA Console

This console brings the Android OS to the television and it will open the doors for developers to begin creating content for the big screen on an open platform. It’s very affordable at just $99 and all of the games will be free-to-try. OUYA is compact and elegant, it also comes with a nice looking controller. Another cool feature of the OUYA console is that it can be easily hacked, in fact it’s encouraged. Not a hardware guy ? Maybe you’re looking to develop? You can start now, the OUYA  software development kit is already available for download.

 

Specifications:

  • Tegra3 quad-core processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 8GB of internal flash storage
  • HDMI connection to the TV, with support for up to 1080p HD
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth LE 4.0
  • USB 2.0 (one)
  • Wireless controller with standard controls (two analog sticks, d-pad, eight action buttons, a system button), a touchpad
  • Android Jelly Bean
  • Ethernet

 

Halo 4

by Leave a Comment

Halo 4Mankind’s greatest hero makes a return in this lastest installment of the Halo franchise.

Halo 4 is set about 5 years after the events of “Halo 3”. Master Chief and Cortana are back together and discover that an ancient evil is threatening to destroy all of mankind.

This release will mark the beginning of a new game series being named “The Reclaimer Saga”, which has the Masterchief dealing with personal demons and extreme challenges in a darker story deeply tied to Master Chief himself.

The Campaign promises to be thrilling, action packed and to have and overall faster pace as you face a new class of super advanced enemies known as the Prometheans.
New combat tactics and interactive story elements should make for a great campaign experience.

Multiplayer in Halo 4 revolve around the UNSC Infinity, the largest star ship in the UNSC fleet. From here, you will be able to build a custom Spartan super soldier and progress your multiplayer career which will be set firmly in Halo lore. As you continue on, certain choices you make in game will affect your appearance, weapons and role on the battlefield.The Story of the Infinity will eventually intersect with the Halo 4 campaign and then continue with a new episodic storyline named Spartan Ops.

Halo 4 will come with all the goodies we would come to expect from a new installment including new multiplayer modes,weapons and a new armor modification system.
Players will be able to customize their characters by tweaking combat enhancements that will aid their style of play.

With new visually stunning graphics and a new soundtrack from producer and composer Neil Davidge, you should really feel like your part of an epic journey.
Halo 4 Will be available in the U.S on November 6, 2012 and will come in two editions, Standard Edition for $59.99 and Limited Edition for $99.99.