Monthly Archives: December 2015
NASA’s Using PlayStation VR to Learn How to Operate Robots in Space
NASA has sent humanoid-like robots to space in the past and they've proven to be incredibly useful. The problem, however, is controlling those robots while still on Earth, and that's proving to be a bit difficult at the moment.
Enter Sony's PlayStation VR hardware, which NASA is currently using as it tries to figure out a better way to control their robots, but this time with human input. As reported by Road to VR, NASA worked with Sony to create a VR demo called Mighty Morphenaut, which was developed to simulate what it's like for NASA's Robonaut 2 and the challenges it faces while in space.
How Will Batman and Superman Change in 2016?
DC readers can look forward to big changes for both the Batman and Superman franchises in March 2016. Both characters will be returning to a more traditional status quo, with Bruce Wayne donning the mantle of Batman once again and Superman's powers and costume being restored.
These changes were revealed in the solicitations for Batman #50 and Superman #50, both of which will be shipping in March.
Batman #50 cover by Greg Capullo
Dark Knight III Sells Big in November
It was a hard-fought battle, but ultimately The Dark Knight III and its dozens of variant covers emerged the victor when it came to November's comic book sales. The Dark Knight III: The Master Race was the best-selling comic of last month (according to Diamond Comics) with an estimated 440,234 copies sold. Star Wars: Vader Down #1 followed with an estimated 384,969 copies sold.
Both of those issues rank among the best-selling comics of 2015, though January's Star Wars #1 still remains the year's top seller with an estimated 985,976 copies sold.
Apocalypse Wars Offers a Grim, Familiar Future for the X-Men
Marvel.com has just revealed the structure of Apocalypse Wars, the next event to spread across all three of its major X-Men titles.
It begins in Extraordinary X-Men #8, with Storm leading the primary X-Men team on a time-travel adventure. Time travel was a key factor in Age of Apocalypse, so this hearkens back to that classic story.
Outlander: Season 2 Casts Roger Wakefield
Outlander: Season 2 has found its Roger Wakefield in Scottish actor Richard Rankin, Starz has announced. Mild spoilers follow for those who have not read the books.
Rankin will play the "intelligent kindhearted, and charming" older version of Reverend Wakefield's adopted son who Outlander fans will remember from Season 1.
Richard Rankin
Roger's parents died in World War II, leaving him in the care of Rev. Wakefield and housekeeper Mrs. Graham. In the show's second season, however, he's all grown up and now a history-obsessed professor at Oxford.
Out This Week: Fantastic Four, Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star
With so many new games and movies coming out, it can be hard to keep up. Lucky for you, IGN is here to help with a weekly round-up of the biggest releases each and every week. Check out the latest releases for this week, and be sure to come back next Monday for a new update.
Note: The prices and deals compiled below are accurate at the time we published this story, but all are subject to change.
Celebrities Band Together to End Negative Stereotypes of Gaming
Twin Galaxies, an organization that tracks world records and other achievements by gamers around the globe, has just launched the #Right2Game Campaign, a movement aimed at breaking down negative stereotypes surrounding video games.
According to the company's newly launched Indiegogo campaign: "Twin Galaxies is on a mission to elevate gamers and their achievements, and to further popularize the notion that avid gaming is a worthwhile, socially acceptable, and important activity that’s deserving of more understanding and support."
In order to accomplish these goals, Twin Galaxies plans on launching a social media network specifically for gamers, expanding their current platform for tracking world records, creating a global ranking and statistics database for gamers and their accomplishments, and hosting a 24/7 gamer-centric network that broadcasts charity live streams, tournaments, and more.
Lost/The 100 Writer Working on Xena Reboot
NBC's new Xena series has found its writer in Lost alum Javier Grillo-Marxuach.
According to Deadline, Grillo-Marxuach is on board to write the script and will executive produce alongside original series producers Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi.
In addition to having worked on the first two season of Lost, Grillo-Marxuach created The Middleman and is currently working on The 100, which enters its third season this coming January.
Gabe Newell Simulator Enters Full Release
If you've ever wanted to experience first-hand what it's like to not release Half-Life 3, you're in luck. Gabe Newell Simulator is now out of early access and released version 1.0 today.
The game is split into two halves, to better show the duality of man. On the one side, the simulation explores the life of the man known as GabeN as he manages the day-to-day operations of Valve software.
From fighting against other software companies, to wearing a modified Half-Life HEV suit, to deciding the ultimate fate of Half-Life 3, the game looks to be a reasonable approximation of what we all imagine GabeN's life is really like.
John Romero Shares Super Mario Bros. 3 Demo for PC
To celebrate Commander Keen's 25-year anniversary, id Software co-founder John Romero has shared the demo that started it all for the platforming series.
Romero and company actually created a PC demo version of Super Mario Bros. 3 in 1990, which they reportedly pitched to Nintendo. However, Nintendo said no, so the team utilized the side-scrolling tech created for the demo to power Commander Keen.