Cloud in Final Fantasy VII. Realistic hair? No. Iconic hair? HECK YES.
Oh my pretty hair. Remember Cloud? You know that blond spiky headed anime guy from Final Fantasy VII? Of course you know exactly who he is even if you never played FF7. If there is something that gives a video game character well… “character”, it is their hair.
The hair technology in videogames has changed dramatically but has not kept up with advancements in other important game mechanics such us A.I., Physics, Face-Enhancement features ala “LA Noire”, etc. Just to name a few. Why is this? Because it’s SO freakin’ hard to render hair in real time! That’s why!
Current-gen Lara Croft Tomb Raider 2013 hair on the left vs next-gen on the right.
As should be obvious, the PC has the edge in this videogame hair technology as of right now over consoles (and probably always will). But could this be something that next gen consoles can acquire and do so successfully in comparison to the power of PC technology to render hair? Will the Xbox 720 or the PS4 be able to compete in the videogame hair-rendering department? Well, we’ll just need to wait and find out (and won’t have to wait long, the Xbox 720 will get revealed in TWO DAYS).
TressFX developed by AMD is a technology that allows the hair on a character to render in real time and gives you an immersive experience that’s very lifelike… However this technology is only available on the PC version of games.
If you have a PC copy of the new Tomb Raider 2013 for example, and have plenty of PC horse power (such as an AMD Radeon HD 4870 or better or NVIDIA GeForce 480 GTX or better) you can select this realistic TressFX hair-rendering feature in the Options Menu to really see the difference that realistic hair makes to Lara Croft in Tomb Raider 2013 and to characters in videogames. Females in particular really shine with realistic hair.
This what hair in videogames of the future (next-gen) will look like!
And what better example than to see this realistic hair on than Lara Croft herself? See realistic videogame hair in action in the video below, which compares Lara Croft’s Tomb Raider 2013 normal hair with the TressFX hair via in-game gameplay footage of both side-by-side.
Also here is the “Fermi Hair Demo” by Nvidia. Brought to you by the DX11 tessellation and the GeForce GTX 400 series video cards that allow you to realistically simulate and render interactive hair in real-time. Check it out!
– Thanks to “FreedomJay” for contributing this article!
Here are all the main human characters in Pikmin 3!
Pikmin 3 was the definite highlight of the Nintendo Direct May 17th 2013 video conference, and Nintendo CEO and President Satoru Iwata showcased a bunch of new details about the game. He also revealed that the Pikmin 3 release date in Europe will be on July 26 2013. It hits America a week or so later on August 4 2013.
First of all, the three playable human characters that replace Captain Olimar and Louie from Pikmin 1 and Pikmin 2 were revealed and named. They are: Brittany (pink-colored) (the first and only female), Alph (blue-colored) and Captain Charlie (the green-colored leader). In the game you can control all three characters at once and can switch between them at will. This greatly expands your ability to multi-task and accomplish many different things at once and expands on the strategic gameplay of Pikmin exponentially.
Nintendo revealed that the new humans crash land on the planet (seemingly in separate places initially as well). This is where they meet the Pikmin, and discover that the land contains nutritious fruit scattered about. Their mission is now to collect food, specifically Fruit, so that they can survive as they explore the rest of the planet. However their ultimate goal is to send back the fruit seeds extracted from the Fruit they’ve collected to the starving people on their homeplanet of Koppai. That way they can make their home planet bloom with new food resources thanks to the many Seeds they’ve found. One of the fruits shown was a giant strawberry.
The puzzles in Pikmin 3 will also be more elaborate and complex than before, with new puzzles around every bend. For example to drop the strawberry from it’s branch, you’ll need to throw enough Pikmin at it in order to pull the Strawberry down to the ground. While on the planet, they employ the use of the planet’s native Pikmin creatures to help them carry their newfound Fruit back to base and help them defeat the enemies that they encounter along the way.
The game even features an all-new mechanic (and collection feature?) where the Fruit found can be turned into juice after the seeds are extracted from it. The astronauts need the juice in order to keep them alive… Or something like that. It sounds like you cannot continue if you run out of juice. And there are many different juices to collect (and possibly combine?) as shown in the video.
Like in previous Pikmin games, you have a limited-amount of time to explore the planet during the daylight hours, and you must successfully get all your Pikmin into your spaceship at home base before nightfall, or your Pikmin will be eaten.
Pikmin 3 however is much more accessible to newcomers than previous games and you can choose to replay any day again or revert to the beginning of the day if you feel like you could do better.
There is no limitation in terms of the days and the time you have to explore them, time only runs out for that day. Making it less frustrating than previous games and more steamlined, but just as deep. The more you play, the better you’ll get at mastering the game and becoming more efficient in Pikmin management, learning the lay of the land, and beating it in a quicker time with less lost Pikmin.
As in past games, players will also be challenged to beat the game with a quicker time and with less lossed Pikmin and the like (hopefully with in-game Achievements to unlock too). So challenging your own score and the score of others will definitely be a fun competitive aspect of Pikmin 3. It’s unknown at this time whether or not Pikmin 3 will include online play or online leaderboards, but it will support MiiVerse, so you will be able to share your high scores with friends and strangers in that way at least, and likely tap into tips and comments from other players at specific points if you want.
View the video above yourself to see all the new details as explained by Iwata.
In addition to the new Rock Pikmin (gray) and Winged Pikmin (Pink), players will also have a number of new strategic ways to play and control the game.
You can use the GamePad, which is called the “KopPad” in the game, to see a map of the entire land that you’ve explored so far. The KopPad helps you to easily locate all three of your characters as well as see a detailed lay of the land and what exactly your Pikmin are up to. This allows you to more easily manage your Pikmin and accomplish several goals at once. Be it breaking down a wall, defeating an enemy, sprouting new Pikmin to grow your ranks or carrying important items back to base. You can even use the touchscreen on the GamePad to draw paths for your characters and Pikmin to go.
If you desire, Pikmin 3 supports Off-TV Play, allowing you to play Pikmin 3 entirely on the GamePad. Controller-wise, you also have many different control schemes to choose from, each of which offers different unique ways to play and ease-of-use for different aspects.
The main and preferred method from Nintendo’s standpoint is to play using the Wii Remote & Nunchuck, which allows you to easily point your Pikmin using the Wiimote pointer, and throw them using motion control. However you can also play using just the GamePad, or just the WiiU Pro Controller, or a combination of those controllers plus the GamePad.
You can even use the WiiU Gamepad as a sort of monitor, by propping it up on the GamePad Stand and keeping it next to your TV instead of holding it. Which is a cool and welcome feature.
We’ll still learn more about Pikmin 3 as it’s release date approaches, including details on the Challenge Mode and multiplayer modes in the next Nintendo Direct closer to E3 2013.
I can’t wait for this game! It looks absolutely amazing and you can tell that Nintendo has really, really expanded on the gameplay and the fun that Pikmin offers, with a much deeper gameplay system using the three characters, more Pikmin to collect and use, a much larger world and many more things to collect and unlock. Hopefully Pikmin 3′s rep will grow exponentially with this release and turn it into a bonafide system seller, AAA Nintendo franchise. Previously it was kinda/sorta niche, but I think it’s came into it’s own now with this third installment. Much like GTA3 did compared to the very niche and less-played previous GTA games.
The Wonderful 101 will be released exclusively for WiiU on September 15th 2013 in America and in Europe a month earlier on August 23rd.
This title has been long-awaited and was one of the first games revealed for the WiiU, being developed by Platinum Games, the makers of Beyonetta, MadWorld, Okami and other critically acclaimed, artistic titles. It was originally supposed to hit at launch, but was eventually delayed beyond the launch window to the end of Summer, and now into the Fall for America.
The gameplay looks awesome!
A very cool new logo was revealed for the game which you can see above. Check out the trailer too if you haven’t seen it before! The Wonderful 101 is somewhat similar to Pikmin, but like previous Platinum Games GameCube title Viewtiful Joe (made by the guys who went on to form Platinum back when they worked for Capcom); The Wonderful 101 has an interesting Superhero theme and vibe, where you control an entire group of superheroes! Over 100 of them, as the title suggests. They then combine their powers to take down enormous foes and pull off super attacks!
It looks pretty awesome, and is definitely an interesting, unique title to add to the growing WiiU library of hits and AAA titles. Now let’s hope it sells well!
New Super Luigi U will be hitting physical stores as a WiiU packaged product on August 25th for $30, for those players who want to play the game but don’t yet own (or already sold, or don’t have online access) their copy of New Super Mario Bros. U.
If that’s the case, then you’ll definitely want to think about picking up the full retail version!
This version of the game will be exactly the same as the digital version, but it will cost $10 more and will come in a snazzy, green-colored Wii U retail box that’s been Luigi-branded and includes a physical instruction book, case and disc, instead of simply being a digital DLC product.
Of course, you can still download the game if you own New Super Mario Bros. U when it releases as downloadable content on June 20th. If you go the DLC route, you’ll only pay $20 to get New Super Luigi U, which re-imagines all 82 levels of the game with harder difficulty and has you playing as Luigi! It even adds a new playable character in Nabbit… Who cannot be hurt by enemies! Although Nabbit cannot pick up power-ups either…
The new Nabbit playable character in NSLU!
This new Nabbit character will definitely be a cool option for those players who want to play co-op with a less-experienced player, or a younger family member who won’t have to worry about getting hit if they play as Nabbit. All of these new announcements are to celebrate the “Year of Luigi” in 2013, which is definitely getting a boon with Luigi getting another all-new retail boxed game with this announcement (to add to the already-released “Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon” for 3DS).
It’s worth noting that the retail New Super Luigi U will be released in America on August 25th, but Europe gets it way earlier on July 26th. While Europe will get the digital version on July 20th.
I think this is really cool to see DLC released as a physical product in New Super Luigi U. I dig the fancy new box and I’ll definitely be picking this up to have a physical copy. It’s also worth noting that the physical copy version IS a standalone product and does NOT require New Super Mario Bros. U to play the new Luigi version. Huzzah!
Looks like love is blooming on the ice if you ask me.
Mario & Sonic 4 at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games has been announced for WiiU at the Nintendo Direct conference today. This is the 4th game in the Mario & Sonic series that started on the Wii back in 2007. However this marks the first next-generation title in the series and the first time that the series has been upgraded to HD graphics thanks to the power of the WiiU.
Strangely, they did not announce Mario & Sonic At the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games (official title) for the 3DS, only the WiiU. However I’d be surprised if the title didn’t also hit the 3DS. Maybe we’ll hear confirmation at E3.
Mario & Sonic 1 was called “Mario & Sonic At the Olympic Games” (Wii, DS 2007), Mario & Sonic 2 was called “Mario & Sonic At the Olympic Winter Games” (Wii, DS 2009) and Mario & Sonic 3 was called “Mario & Sonic At the London 2012 Olympic Games” (Wii, 3DS 2011).
No release date was given for Mario & Sonic 4, but it will assumedly release this holiday ahead of the start of the 2014 Winter Olympics on February 7th 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
There was a fun point in the announcement video where Nintendo President Satoru Iwata pointed out where Sochi was located on a map of the world. And that the location is surprisingly warm for Russia, which is known for it’s cold weather.
Here is a video comparing Mario & Sonic Wii to Mario & Sonic WiiU. As you can see, the graphics are nearly identical, just cleaner, sharper looking.
Lots of gameplay footage was shown off of the game including all-new and returning Olympic events that you can play with as either Sonic or Mario characters. New events include Curling and Snowboard Slope Racing, and you will use the GamePad in a number of games (using the touchscreen and getting a different view on the action that’s happening on the TV). Although you can also play with a Wii Remote & Nunchuck. One cool looking Biathlon event combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting, and has players Skiing on the TV then having to switch to the GamePad to shoot targets with the Rifle.
If you liked the previous games in the series, which only received average reviews and are simple mini-game collections, then this game will surely satisfy.
This announcement follows the announcement of Sonic Lost World for WiiU/3DS.
What are Lara Croft’s 2013 Top Ten Moments of Tomb Raider 2013 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)? This video gives you a look at them.
I absolutely can’t wait to play this game. It looks so amazing IMHO. I was hoping I’d be able to get my hands on a review copy, but no such luck. So I’ll have to play it some time at a later date. I hope the game sold extremely well, it deserves it IMHO. I think the developers went in a unique and fresh direction from what I’ve seen.
Deep dark little secret of mine. I’ve NEVER played a Tomb Raider game! :O *hides in closet* I’M SO ASHAMED! One day I will play all of them. I’ve always wanted too and back in the day before I was a multi-console-gamer I used to watch my cousin play the Tomb Raider games.
Ghosts: Call of Duty or COD: Ghosts will be released on November 5th 2013 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC, as well as next-generation systems (which most likely means Xbox 720 and PS4. WiiU was not specifically mentioned. Does that mean the game is skipping WiiU? God let’s hope not…. If that happens it is a major, major blow to Nintendo’s next-gen system).
The newest installment in the ever-loved, ever-hated, ever-popular, phenom of a FPS series is being developed by Infinity Ward, who was responsible for the Modern Warfare series. It is not being developed by Treyarch, who is responsible for the Black Ops series. This thus continues the tradition of switching off between the two developers for the yearly COD installments.
Call of Duty: Ghosts (the official title) will feature an all-new storyline with all-new characters, a next-generation engine (for both current and next-gen consoles) and an all-new setting; although more details will be forthcoming as we speed ever-closer to E3 2013.
Activision promises that COD: Ghosts features “a riveting all-new gameplay experience built on an entirely new story, setting and cast of characters, all powered by a new, next generation Call of Duty engine that redefines the series for the next generation.”
“Everyone was expecting us to make Modern Warfare 4, which would have been the safe thing to do,” said Infinity Ward executive producer Mark Rubin, “but we’re not resting on our laurels. We saw the console transition as the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter for Call of Duty. So we’re building a new sub-brand, a new engine, and a lot of new ideas and experiences for our players. We can’t wait to share them with our community.”
“Infinity Ward set the gold standard for first-person action for a generation, and they’re going to do it again with Call of Duty: Ghosts,” said Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg. “Ghosts delivers an all-new story, all-new characters, an all-new Call of Duty world, all powered by a next generation Call of Duty engine, which is a leap forward for the franchise. Infinity Ward is going all-in to create the next generation of Call of Duty worthy of the world’s greatest fans.”
Although COD: Ghosts is not a console-exclusive entry, Activision has already stated that the game WILL be shown for the Next-Xbox (Xbox 720?) on May 21st when Microsoft fully reveals and announced their new, next-gen console. So Call of Duty fans won’t have long to wait! Don’t forget to check out the official COD Ghosts Box Art.
Woohoo! Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Graphics Mod! The way it was originally meant to be… many, many years ago!
It takes a giant company *cough* Gearbox *cough* to ruin one of PC gamings most iconic characters and one of the most recognizable gaming icons in history. While Duke Nukem Forever was released by Gearbox in 2011, it was not what most of us old school gamers expected it to be. And even though I didn’t get that awesome feeling playing it, it still felt good to, FINALLY, play the real deal. Maybe because it was a Duke Nukem game and we had been waiting… forever. Literally, for it to appear.
However now thanks to Gambini and the guys at Mod Database, we can get that old feeling back!
Just seeing all those old school graphics and classic gameplay takes me back to the good old days when I started PC gaming. Thank God for modders that take the time to clean up the mess, take charge and get to work on creating awesome stuff like this for us to enjoy. Feel the love baby! Kick ass and chew bubblegum!
The 2001 trailer on the left, the mod on the right.
– Thanks to “FreedomJay” for contributing this article! Expect a review of the mod soon!
Vin Diesal with Dwayen The Rock Johnson from the Fast 6 movie cast photoshoot. Paul Walker and Tyrese Gibson are also part of the group. I love seeing Vin and The Rock together. :D
Here is a trailer for Fast Six.
Fast & Furious 6 will be released on May 24th 2013!
Metro: Last Light is nearly upon us, and this video explores the Weapons and Inventory in the upcoming atmospheric First-Person Horror Shooter.
This includes a look at the unique equipment and brutal, hand-made weaponry every Ranger needs to survive the perils of the Metro, this chapter also teaches you how to use light as an ally (or even as a potential weapon) as well as detailing Metro’s infamous bullet-driven economy and gun trading and customization mechanic.
