For something that got next to no buzz just a few weeks ago, seems to have broken the Internet in some situations. The Cryptic Studio's sure fire hit Star Trek Online, an MMO aimed at pleasing Trekkie's world-wide is now in Open Beta testing for the next two weeks.
From now until about January 26th users lucky enough to get an open Beta Key, will boldy go where noone has gone before after downling 8 gb of data over the course of about a day or so depending on your internet connection and the loads on the servers.
So what does open beta mean exactly? Well, it's intended to do a high end test of the servers and see how much it can actually handle. Given that MMOs have serious a dependancy on viable and stable servers it makes sense for companies to test like this before they officially launch the game. This also give prospective buyers a chance to really get a feel for the game, and want more.
This blogger won't be playing as soon as he gets home from work though because he has a long wait for the download to finish. Well... time to set a course.
Star Trek Online Open Beta Started Today!
PlayStation Update Alert
- Data Transfer Utility
This utility will allow users who either purchase an additional or new PlayStation 3 and want to transfer their data from the old console to another (obviously if their PS3 is not broken). - Mini Games
PlayStation Portable owners who have games from the Mini collection (such as Tetris) will now be able to play the Mini Titles on the PS3. All these people (including myself) will need to do is download the games onto the PS3. --- woohoo, Tetris on the big screen! Apparently though, you'll need to wait for the adapted version before you can download the game to work on your PS3.
Christmas gaming - under a tree near you.
So, I am certain there are a lot of households like mine. Typically, there are at least 3 video games sitting under our tree during the holiday season, and it's certainly no different this year. From games like Ratchet & Clank Futre: Crack in Time (PS3) to Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympics (Wii) just to name a few, along with a few kid friendly PSP titles like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and even at this point in time a $20 PlayStation Network prepay card.
So right now... what is the most likely title under the Christmas tree. What are the top selling games right now as of November 28th?
1) Wii Sports (Wii)**
2) New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
3) Wii Fit Plus (Wii)
4) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (X-Box 360)
5) Wii Sports Resort (Wii)**
6) Assasin's Creed II (X-Box 360)
7) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3)
Okay, so here's the thing. Wii Sports is bundled with the Wii, at least it was until recently when Nintendo started shipping their consoles with Wii Sports Resort, but that's okay - because it's still a really fun game.
Killer Canadian Deals!
Hello Video game enthusiasts! If you have a few games on your christmas list this year, now is the time to get outta your house despite the 40 cm of snow that fell this weekend (in Alberta) and head over to your nearest Best Buy or Futureshop location to take advantage of a few great deals:
BUY 2 GET 1 FREE
Where: Best Buy AND Futureshop
Both Big Electronics retailers are offering the BUY 2 GET 1 Free deal on all Console and handheld (Wii, PS3, PSP, DS, X-Box 360) games (up to $69.99) This is a fantastic deal for shoppers who are buying lots of games. Think about it, you're giving and receiving with this deal!
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and Wheel
Price: $69.99 (Save $30)
Where: Futureshop
This deal hooks you up with the Intec Racing Wheel for the PS3 and a copy of the recent Greatest Hits addition "Gran Turismo 5: Prologue"
*Also, other Greatest Hits games come bundled with a Dual Shock 3 controller for $59.99 - so if you're in need of an extra controller, now for a limited time you can get a free greatest hits game out of the deal.
Those are the big deals of the week... so make your way out there and get yourself hooked up.
NHL 10 Third Jersey Code
So, now that the code is open to the public, Gamers finally got full access to the game that costs for around $60. I was happy to finally enter this code into the NHL 10 Code from the main menu and get a closer look at the jerseys.
Let's Try to Sue: Round whatever...
Looks like Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are "in trouble" again with yet another Patent dispute. This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Nintendo, Sony & Microsoft are always being accused of Patent Infringement by little companies who come up with ideas but never proceed with them. So let's take a look at the latest one, that was reported by various sources this week, in the inagural "Let's Try to Sue" article.
In one Corner, we have three heavy-weight companies. Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony. Companies who have been utilizing wireless technology for several years now and are big names in the electronics world. In the corner opposite, is Eleven Engineering. a relatively small company based out of Edmonton, Alberta Canada - the same home as Companies like Bioware. Their accusation:
Eleven said it owns US patents 6,238,289; 6,346,047 and 6,684,062 - entitled Radio Frequency Game Controller, Radio Frequency Remote Game Controller and Wireless Game Control System.
Eleven alleges that the technology to which they own patents is being infringed by Sony Computer Entertainment's PlayStation 3, Nintendo's Wii, and Microsoft's X-Box 360. According to a statement released by Eleven Egineering Microsoft has even acknowledged the Patents in their business dealings.
"Even after receiving the actual notice of the asserted patents and its applicability to its business, Microsoft has failed to take necessary steps to avoid infringement of the asserted patents. Instead, Microsoft has continued to infringe the asserted patents in an objectively reckless manner," the filing says.
Eleven Engineering wants the case to go in front of a jury to claim damages against the three companies listed in the lawsuit.
My Opinion:
I have absolutely no background in law or legal proceedings, but if I was to be a member of such a Jury I would immediately push to have all charges dropped, and perhaps even award Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo for damages and time. The reason for this is, The X-Box 360 has been out for four years, the Wii and PS3 both out for just over 3 years. Why is it that these companies pop out of nowhere and claim that their technology is being used illegally? Patents are crap. Anyone can file a patent as long as they show how something works, they don't necessarily have to produce what they patent so if you have half a brain and can draw diagrams and understand how things work then you could become rich doing next to nothing.
Unfortunately, my Logical sense has a different side: since we don't have the full details, it's difficult to ascertain who is going to prevail in this matter. If Eleven Engineering does have working devices that function the same way the controllers on the Consoles work, and can prove it was developed prior then fine, but I would think that for anything to go ahead, Eleven should actually be manufacturing components or the technology too if they want to benefit from it.
But what do I know?
It only does entertainment.
Here's yet another "It only does" Commercial from the folks at Sony, now if we could get that deal in Canada!
Boom to the Power of Boom!
