Author Archives: Chris Morris

When are the next consoles coming?

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Historically, gamers get new consoles every five or six years. Like cell phones, game systems have a planned obsolescence — and each subsequent generation offers eye-popping new features that reinvigorate sales.

But as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 start to get a bit long in the tooth, neither Microsoft nor Sony has uttered a word about their plans for new systems. And while Nintendo’s Wii U will hit stores next year, there’s a considerable amount of debate over whether that machine is truly “next gen.”

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Google TV tries again

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The first iteration of Google TV fell flat. It was, at its core, a good idea that was marred by poor execution and mismanagement. Now the search giant is ready to give it another go.

Starting Sunday, Google will roll out a software update to existing owners that’s meant to serve as a reboot of the service. The update will bring a new interface as well as selected apps from the Android Marketplace – but it will also bring a lot of baggage and hurdles from the existing service (most notably the lack of any support from the major networks).

The latest iTV whispers

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The rumor mill is, somewhat predictably, in overdrive about an Apple-built television set these days, following mention of it in Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs. And some of what’s being talked about is pretty fascinating – assuming it’s not just an elaborate game of telephone.

The latest suggestion is that the set, collectively dubbed iTV, will feature extensive voice control that’s run by Siri, the intelligent assistant that’s the star of the iPhone 4S.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog

John Belushi, Dick Clark to appear in social game

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John Belushi played several memorable roles in his too-short life: Blues Brother, killer bee, samurai short-order cook, frat house legend.

But he never played a character in a video game.

Social game maker Entertainment Games is changing that, as the man many remember as Bluto has been revived as a playable avatar in ‘Retro World’, a free-to-play game that lets players walk in the shoes of their favorite celebrity icons.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

PBS to air Jobs retrospective

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As Walter Isaacson’s fascinating biography of late Apple CEO Steve Jobs continues to dominate best seller lists, PBS is offering its own take on the tech and new media mogul.

“Steve Jobs – One Last Thing” will premiere on the network Nov. 2 (10pm ET), featuring interviews with a number of people who knew him well.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog

App Review: Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots

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Scoff all you want at the fact that this app is a blatant marketing ploy; you still have to give developer Halfbrick credit for making Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots worth the money. The gameplay is just as fun as it was in the original, and the new Bandito mode — which pits players against 12 random challenges — is a fun new gameplay style. Like the original, you can unlock new blades, but there aren’t many. And the actual Puss in Boots elements feel very tacked on. That doesn’t detract from the game, though. It’s still as fun as it was — only this time, it comes with some heavy commercial elements.

Read more at Common Sense Media

Game Review: Dance Central 2

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Even if you have the grace of a spastic camel, you can’t help but have fun with Dance Central 2. The game is forgiving for beginners, challenging for experts, and features a terrific lineup of songs (ranging from Lady Gaga to Justin Bieber to Usher to Sir Mix-a-lot). This year’s inclusion of co-op and multiplayer challenge modes adds more depth to the game and is guaranteed to make it more of a party standard.

The game introduces plenty of new moves and is loaded with 44 new songs. Players of the original game can import that game’s original 32 songs in as well for 400 Microsoft points (about $5). The original Dance Central was a must-have game last year. This sequel is miles ahead of its predecessor — and could well be the best Kinect game on the market.

Read more at Common Sense Media

Former Lucasfilm exec departs HP after 8 months

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Richard Kerris, the former chief technical officer of Lucasfilm who hopped over to Hewlett-Packard in February, is on the move again.

Kerris, who was head of worldwide developer relations at the Silicon Valley firm, “has decided to leave HP to pursue an opportunity outside of the company, effective immediately,” according to a company spokesperson.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog