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Insert Quarter: Inside the (Probable) Failure of Apple TV
Insert Quarter is our showcase for some of the best and most interesting writing about video games on the Internet.
Frustration gripped stock market analysts and game journalists alike as Apple seemed to be uninterested in producing an Apple TV set-top box that could play console-style games. For years, members from each group argued that a gaming-capable microconsole from Apple would be a massive hit. Some went so far as to claim it could possibly topple the console market served by Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.
These same predictions were spread far and wide when Apple released their revamped Apple TV microconsole last year. With full controller support and a wide array of console-quality titles, the new Apple TV seemed destined for big sales and wide acceptance. But along the way, something happened that made the Apple TV more irrelevant than ever.
With developers dropping support for the device in droves (including Disney Infinity 3.0, the biggest game available at the Apple TV’s launch), Ars Technica’s Kyle Orland thinks the microconsole may never find an audience:
But momentum certainly isn’t on Apple’s side as far as that argument goes. Back in September, in an overall bearish analysis of Apple TV’s gaming potential, I gamely offered that “for a parent with a young child begging to get into the Disney Infinity universe… an Apple TV with its intuitive remote, its suite of easy-to-use media apps, its relatively low $150 price, and its familiar Apple name could look more appealing than the likes of the Xbox One or the PS4.” So far, it seems that even that limited use case has failed to make much of an impact in the marketplace.
The full article is available for your perusal at Ars Technica.
Posted in Insert Quarter, Mobile
Indie Megabooth will showcase 87 games at PAX East 2016
The Indie Megabooth has announced they’ll provide space on the PAX East show floor for more than 80 developers during this year’s convention.
The PAX East 2016 lineup includes 87 titles, and several of them have previously appeared in our twice-yearly Best of PAX roundup. This year’s PAXpocalypse alumni include 20XX from Batterystaple Games (PAX East 2015), Refactor from NextGen Pants (PAX East 2014), Scale from Cubeheart Games (PAX Prime 2013), and Tumblestone from The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild (PAX East 2014 again). Graceful Explosion Machine, a semi-sequel to Vertex Pop’s We Are Doomed (a PAX Prime 2013 selection) also has a spot in the Indie Megabooth’s Minibooth this year.
Personally, I’m also a huge fan of single-stick shooter Deathstate and heady puzzler Gnog, so be sure to check those two out if you’re attending this year’s PAX East convention, which will be held April 22nd through the 24th.
A complete list of titles included in the PAX East 2016 Indie Megabooth is available after the break. And more information on every one of those games can be found at the group’s official website. (more…)
Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged 20XX, Graceful Explosion Machine, PAX East 2016, Refactor, Tabletop Games, Tumblestone
Square Enix will release a Final Fantasy XV pinball game for mobile devices soon
Square Enix’s epic Final Fantasy XV “Uncovered” event took place a few hours ago, and we’ve got a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get right to it…
The final piece of the Final Fantasy XV transmedia experience is Justice Monsters Five, a pinball game for mobile devices (iOS, Android, and Windows 10).
According to Square Enix, Justice Monsters Five is the favorite pastime of Final Fantasy XV’s main character, Noctis. In fact, he loves Justice Monsters Five so much that Final Fantasy XV players will even be able to man the flippers themselves during breaks in the RPG’s story on the PS4 and Xbox One. In the middle of a war, Noctis somehow finds time for pinball.
Thankfully, in the real world, the mobile version of Justice Monsters Five won’t require players to dodge a warzone. The pinball game will “combine role-playing elements with some of the franchise’s most iconic monsters” and the first trailer has been embedded above.
Nintendo’s Miitomo app will be available on March 31
Nintendo has announced that their communication app, Miitomo, will be available to download exclusively for iOS and Android devices beginning this Thursday, March 31. Miitomo is Nintendo’s first smartphone app, and it’s already been downloaded more than a million time in Japan, where it was released this weekend. Players will be able to use the app to create “conversation starters” with their friends using Miis:
Once their Mii is ready, users can add friends who already have the app in person, or by linking the app with their existing Facebook or Twitter accounts. After that step is complete, it’s time to answer some questions! Miitomo creates conversations and turns discussions into a form of play by prompting users to answer all kinds of fun questions. How would you define your fashion style? What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? If you were given ten grand to spend in one day, what would you do? The answers get shared among friends, sparking interesting conversations – part of the fun is discovering unexpected facts about your friends. When users hear how their friends responded to questions, they can give answers a “heart” or a written or picture comment.
Miitomo’s release will coincide with the North American launch of Nintendo’s brand new Nintendo Account service and the My Nintendo rewards program. Players can even get a head start on the My Nintendo program and receive bonus Platinum Points if they pre-register for Miitomo at Miitomo.com. Alternately, Nintendo fans can just pre-register for a Nintendo Account at Accounts.Nintendo.com to also receive the Platinum Points:
Aiming to be much more than a standard rewards program, My Nintendo is a comprehensive service that rewards users for interacting with Nintendo products and services in a variety of ways. Miitomo users who link the app to their Nintendo Account will be able to take advantage of My Nintendo to enhance their experience. Platinum Points can be earned by interacting with Nintendo apps and services, including Miitomo. Gold Points are earned when purchasing digital versions of games from Nintendo.com or Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Both Platinum and Gold Points can be redeemed for rewards like games, download content, in-app items and eShop discount coupons.
Finally, Nintendo will relaunch the eShop this Thursday on Nintendo.com with enhanced search options for the more than 2,000 titles available through the digital storefront.
Here are the finalists for the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016
The Strong Museum has announced the finalists competing for a spot in the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016.
The Legend of Zelda, Minecraft, The Oregon Trail, Pokemon Red and Blue, The Sims, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Space Invaders were all nominated last year, but ultimately weren’t selected by the Hall of Fame’s international committee. They’ll get another shot in 2016, alongside Elite, Final Fantasy, John Madden Football, Nurburgring, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Street Figher II, and Tomb Raider.
Any and all of these titles would be worthy of enshrinement in the World Video Game Hall of Fame, but only a handful of titles will make the final cut when the inductees are announced on May 5 at 10:30 AM (Eastern Time).
If you’re unfamiliar with any of these classic games, a quick rundown of all 15 titles (provided by The Strong) is available after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, Mobile, News, PC, PS2, PS3, PS4, Retro, Vita, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged Minecraft, Space Invaders, Street Fighter II, The Legend of Zelda, Tomb Raider (1996), World Video Game Hall of Fame
Nordic Games plans to release four massive RPGs in the next two years
Nordic Games has updated their release calendar for the next two years and it includes a quartet of new RPGs in addition to a few games we already knew about (The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 for mobile/Wii U, Battle Worlds: Kronos for PC/PS4/Xbox One, MX vs ATV Supercross Encore for Xbox One, and Aquanox Deep Descent for PC/PS4/Xbox One).
The publisher is referring to their upcoming RPG slate as the “Big Four” and it includes a mix of sequels and original properties. This year, Nordic will release multi-generational saga The Guild 3 and RTS/RPG hybrid Spellforce 3 exclusively for the PC. And next year, they plan to launch the action RPG ELEX and the traditional JRPG-styled Battle Chasers: Nightwar for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
More information about Nordic’s “Big Four” can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS4, Wii U, Xbox One
Tagged Battle Chasers: Nightwar, ELEX, SpellForce 3
Minecraft: Story Mode’s final chapter will be available next week; 3 bonus episodes will launch later this year
Telltale Games has announced that Minecraft: Story Mode‘s tale will come to an end next week with “Order Up,” the game’s fifth and final episode… though fans should get ready for more adventures with Jesse and friends. Later this year, the developer plans to launch a three-episode miniseries following the further Adventures of the New Order of the Stone. Unlike the standalone The Walking Dead: Michonne, these bonus episodes will be released as add-on content for Story Mode.
But first, let’s look at the upcoming finale:
In the upcoming Episode 5, on a tip from Ivor, Jesse and friends head to an abandoned temple holding mysterious treasures. Ambushed by former Ocelot Aiden and his crew, our heroes find themselves in an entirely new world: Sky City! As they explore, the Order finds that resources are at a premium, and nothing but ‘The Void’ exists below the known world. When Aiden convinces Sky City’s ruler that the New Order of the Stone are up to no good, you’ll need to make some tough choices to clear your name, and keep Aiden from destroying an innocent world.
Minecraft: Story Mode – Order Up will be available to download for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on March 29. Unfortunately, a release date for the episode’s Wii U launch wasn’t announced.
Telltale reconfirms that The Walking Dead Season 3 will be released this year
We say it all the time, but Telltale Games really does have a lot on their plate. From The Walking Dead: Michonne to Minecraft: Story Mode to Batman, and beyond, the team probably has a dozen games in various stages of development. But it looks like one of those games is still on track for a 2016 launch.
Speaking to Mashable, Telltale’s CEO, Kevin Bruner, confirmed that The Walking Dead Season 3 will make its debut later this year. According to the executive, Telltale is working very hard to make Season 3 appeal to new players, as well as returning fans:
“How do we go back and make sure all Walking Dead fans can get in while still keeping all of our storylines going? I think where we’re landing with the story for Season 3 does a really good job of both of those things.
“It allows people who maybe haven’t played [the first two seasons] to come in and get up to speed really quickly. But it definitely respects, honors and facilitates all of the various end points that Season 2 had.”
Telltale plans to shamble into this year’s San Diego Comic-Con with the first details of The Walking Dead Season 3, so we definitely shouldn’t expect to see it before the Summer. For now, you’ll have to be satisfied with the second episode of The Walking Dead: Michonne, which will be released on March 29.
Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Comic-Con 2016, The Walking Dead: A New Frontier