Monthly Archives: October 2015
App Store Update: October 15
Every day hundreds of new apps make their debut on the App Store, and hundreds more are updated or reduced in price. We have sifted through the noise and highlighted those select few that might be worth your attention.
Note: The prices and deals compiled below are accurate at the time we published this story, but all are subject to change.
Minecraft: Story Mode – ($4.99 for Episode 1; $14.99 for All Episodes Coming in the Future)
From our Review of Episode 1: Minecraft: Story Mode is a pleasant, family-friendly adventure that very quickly won me over and kept me invested in its twists and turns. The drama might not be as heightened as something like The Walking Dead, but I still found myself surprisingly invested in the choices I had to make about my companions, undeveloped as they may be, and smiling at the Minecrafty in-jokes. Sparse interactivity and a lack of commitment to explaining this world and its inhabitants hold Episode 1 back, but I’m still absorbed in my story, and eager to find out what happens next.
New Fallout Shelter Update Announced
A new update is available for Fallout Shelter that adds a new gameplay mode, new features, cloud saving, extra tools, and more.
If you've found that your vault is no longer providing a challenge, the new Survival Mode can refresh your game, while a statistics page has been added to the Vault Dweller's Survival Guide to help you run your vault more efficiently.
As for the raider jerks who keep trying to invade your vault? Your dwellers can now scavenge equipment off their dead bodies. Nice!
Bethesda Game Studios also teases a "mysterious individual" you may spot in your vault, with a bottle cap reward offered for positive identification.
The new update also adds Russian language support, makes the tutorial skippable, and introduces the long-awaited cloud saving so you can play your vault across any of your devices. Finally, exclusive to the iPhone version is new legendary character Piper from the upcoming Fallout 4 as well as five free lunchboxes.
Star Wars-Themed Shower Heads Feature Vader, R2-D2
Ahead of Star Wars: The Force Awakens' impending release, a fresh batch of Star Wars-themed merchandise has been unveiled, and this time it's in the form of shower accessories.
Both R2-D2 and Darth Vader shower heads are available for purchase at Bed Bath & Beyond (via ToyLand). The Vader version is priced at $30, while the R2-D2 option comes in a few bucks cheaper at $25.
EA: ‘Highly Likely’ Battlefield Support Studio Will Make New Game
DICE Los Angeles has lived as a support studio at Electronic Arts since it was founded in 2013, but it’s "highly likely" we’ll see the studio leading its own projects soon, EA Studios Executive Vice President Patrick Soderlund told IGN.
"When you start something new, sometimes it's actually good for them to test the waters, try a couple of explanation packs," Soderlund told IGN. "You've got to have a good idea for a great game before you can make a game, and that takes time."
Visceral worked on Battlefield 4 expansions to learn the Frostbite Engine tools before it had its own idea in Battlefield Hardline, for example. DICE LA may be on a similar track as the current manager of Battlefield 4.
Ant-Man’s Antony Pop! Rides Figure Revealed
Funko has revealed the latest addition to its lineup of Marvel-themed Pop! Rides figures, and this time Ant-Man and his trusty steed Antony are getting some love.
That's right, Scott Lang sits atop his carpenter ant sidekick on this cute new toy. Give him a look below.
The "Ant-Man and Ant-Thony" Pop Vinyl set is priced at $30 USD and available for pre-order right now. The figure will be available sometime in December, just in time for the holidays, according to Marvel Toy News.
Hansel and Gretel 2 Reportedly Scrapped for TV Series
Paramount has reportedly scrapped a film sequel to Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, and is instead making a cable series through Paramount TV.
According to Deadline, MGM is a partner and Gary Sanchez will produce.
Gemma Arterton and Jeremy Renner in Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
The original film in 2013 didn't do that well domestically, but it made over $200 million at the worldwide box office, sparking a sequel. However, it is thought that a TV series could be more profitable for Paramount.
Steam Link Photo Gallery
Steam Machines are perfect for gamers who want a PC in a console form factor. However, if you don't want to drop hundreds or thousands of dollars on a Steam Machine, and already have a gaming PC, you can stream your PC games to your TV using the Steam Link.
This $50 diminutive box lets you mirror your PC games to your TV. Audio on your PC is muted and streamed through your TV's speakers and you'll be controlling Steam via its Big Picture mode.
See the Steam Controller Close Up
The Steam Controller is finally here. Valve's forray into the living room hinges on how well the Steam Controller works for playing PC games on the TV. With its dual haptic-feedback touch pads mixed with traditional buttons, Valve hopes the Steam Controller can play any game you throw at it.
Be sure to check out our first impressions of the Steam Controller. In the meantime, enjoy these photos and check out the size difference between the Steam and Xbox One controllers. While you're at it, check out our photo gallery of the Steam Link too.
Alienware Alpha Steam Machine Photo Gallery
Dell has one of the first Steam Machines available and we have it in the office for testing. The Alienware Alpha is a small form-factor PC that runs SteamOS, Valve's own gaming-focused operating system.
The box is quite small, and packs pretty high-end components. Our version has an Intel Core i7, 8GB of RAM, and a custom Nvidia GPU that has the equivalent power of a GTX 860M. If you already have a gaming PC, check out the $50 Steam Link. It will allow you to stream your PC games to your TV over your home network.
We'll have a full review soon but in the meantime, check out the photo gallery of the Alienware Alpha below.
What You Need to Know About Steam Machines
After many delays, Valve’s attempt to infiltrate the living room is finally launching November 10th. Valve wants PC gamers to have the flexibility and convenience of console gaming and is releasing a slew of new products, including the Steam Machine (in partnership with companies like Alienware and Digital Storm), to make that happen. But what exactly is a Steam Machine?
