Games

News Pop! 11/13/06

By Eli Green
November 13, 2006 - 23:40

Welcome back for another week of News Pop!. This is a big week for us, and any other game related publication, as we will be witnessing the launch of a new console in North America by one manufacturer, Sony, and as another, Nintendo, hosts a preview event for its soon to be released console, which will be arriving only two days later. Speaking of Nintendo, that's how we'll be starting today's News Pop!.

DVD playing Wii to release in latter half of 2007

If any of you out there have been following the Wii DVD playback situation, you probably already know how complicated and confusing it has become. Between Nintendo saying that there could be DVD playback on the Wii, to saying it won't have any, to saying it will, but only in Japan some time in 2007, anybody can see how that could send even the most loyal Nintendo fan for a loop. Today, there is more news on the Wii's DVD playback capability, this time coming from Sonic, a leading digital media software company. Sonic announced today that Nintendo has chosen its Sonic CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator for use in “a future version” of the Wii. Nintendo apparently plans to release this version in the latter half of 2007. The CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator, other than being quite a mouthful to say, is a software based DVD playback engine that works on a variety of platforms. The Navigator essentially works like any other DVD playback software, allowing the full range of features and functions of regular DVD players to be used through the hardware running the software, with the exception of whatever hardware is not a part of the system the software is running. As far as we still know, the Wii doesn't have optical out, so the full 5.1 experience won't be available.

All these revelations make us wonder just how this will change the Wii. For instance, since the Navigator is software based, doesn't that mean it could be downloaded as a firmware upgrade for the Wii when it's ready? Or does this mean that the new version of the Wii will have optical out? Of course, these are just our thoughts and, currently, don't have any basis in reality or any confirmation. We'll just have to do some more digging and find out what we can. For more information on Sonic, you can check out www.sonic.com.

Verizon is going to make 50 people very happy

Verizon wants to promote its new PlayLinc online game messenger. So what better way to do that than by giving away one Alienware computer every day for the next 50 days? From today until December 29^th, Verizon will give away one Alienware Aurora 3500 computer, complete with a 17-inch flat panel display, to one lucky Verizon PlayLinc user each day. Verizon is calling it the 50 Aliens in 50 Days sweepstakes. The PlayLinc system is a free browser and messaging service which allows users to use free private servers to play games online while communicating with friends. Verizon says that customers of its FiOS Intern et Service will also have an added benefit from “ a super-high-speed fiber connection directly to their homes.” Here are some of PlayLinc's features:

• Free Private Servers: Gamers can set up and use high-speed private servers for free and invite only the people they want to play with. This makes PlayLinc perfect for novices just starting out, or for serious players who want a certain level of competition.

• VoIP Functionality: PlayLinc’s VoIP capability lets players talk directly to their friends, both in and out of a game. This helps teammates communicate during popular squad-based games or MMOs.

• AOL Instant Messenger™ Integration: PlayLinc lets players easily round-up and chat with friends on-screen with AOL Instant Messenger™.

While we can't vouch for the quality, or the speed of the service, the possibility of winning a new computer does have a nice ring to it. Who knows, maybe you'll be one of the lucky 50. For more information about PlayLinc, you can check out http://verizon.playlinc.com/index2.htm, and to find out how to enter the sweepstakes, go to http://www.verizon.net/50aliens. Good luck.

Ultima Online celebrates its 9^th Anniversary

EA announced the release of the Ultima Online 9^th Anniversary Collection today. The game, which has been credited for launching the MMORPG genre, we're talking pre-World of Warcraft here, has been played by thousands of people worldwide. The new collection features a large amount of content, including exclusive Crystal and Shadow housing sets and the entire content of the seven previous expansion packs. In addition to the new housing sets, the collection includes four servants for your command: A Tarot Card Reader to predict your future, a Herald to announce your presence, a Dealer to roll dice, and a Guide to make sure you never get lost. As an added bonus, new accounts get thirty free days of gameplay and people who buy the 9^th Anniversary Collection within the first thirty days of its release will be able to choose from nine bonus gifts from a selection of rare items from the histo ry of Ultima Online. The Ultima Online 9^th Anniversary Collection should be available for $19.99 USD and is rated T for Teen. For more information on the collection, you can check out http://www.uo.com/uo9.

Funcom begins pre-order campaign for AO expansion

Funcom's next addition to the Anarchy Online universe, Anarchy Online – Lost Eden will be available December 13^th and will only be available in a digital format. In order to prepare for the release of the new expansion, Funcom has begun a pre-order campaign, allowing people to reserve a download copy of the game and acquire an exclusive bonus, a personal battle-mech. Designed and engineered exclusively for those who pre-order, players on the Rubi-Ka battlefields can now wage player-versus-player war with devastating new powers! If you're big into the Anarchy Online frachise, this probably isn't a deal to miss. The pre-order is available for $29.95 USD online at the Funcom Shop at www.funcom.com. Just click the Shop button and it will take you there. For more information on the upcoming expansion, you can check out the Anarchy Online website at http://www.anarchy-online.com/content/game/losteden/.

News Pop! Archives:
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Last Updated: March 3, 2025 - 20:40