Tag Archives: consoles
Neverwinter Nights gets crossplay with consoles
PlayStation 4 homebrew Linux running Pokemon
When looking at #consoles such as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One systems they are just PCs. Now some #hardware console-hacking group Fail0verflow have cracked the PlayStation 4 and loaded it up with a version of Linux, turning the PS4 into a real PC. Sony took on the PC-style architecture for the PS4 after some experimenting with exotic chips. And now that has come around, to the point where the console is running a desktop operating system, Gentoo.
Fail0verflow have also booted a Game Boy Advance emulator and a modded copy of Pokémon, entitled the “PlayStation Version.”
Check out the full demonstration below:
What is really interesting about the Game Boy emulator, Fail0verflow connected an actual Game Boy Advance to the PlayStation 4 to serve as the controller. Probably not the best way to play old portable games but it does shows that the hacking group has control over the PS4 system.
Getting this deep integration with the PS4 means that Fail0verflow have gathered a solid understanding of the consoles functionality. The group pointed out that any differences between the PS4 and a PC are “crazy”, are even “batshit crazy.” Going on to say that the engineers of semiconductor company Marvell Technology Group were “smoking some real good stuff” when designing the PlayStation 4’s southbridge chip.
Linux on a PlayStation is not really that crazy. Gamers will likely remember the PlayStation 3 launched with a feature called “OtherOS” that enabled anyone to load the system with Linux or another operating system. Sony later removed that feature, but there is community of homebrewers that kept it alive on their own.
What does this mean for Linux and gaming, further capability. Not only does this open doors for the community at large, it shows a further capability for Linux as a gaming OS. Believe it or not we see the direction Valve is aiming for and the possibilities using a stable operating system. And now with the coming of the Vulkan API, this will mark a further advance in the market, giving gamers the potential of having their own custom build, or rather, homebrew Steam Machines. Or custom built super consoles? It’s your choice.
Badland: Game of the Year Edition will be coming to Linux, Mac and Windows PC
The award-winning mobile hit Badland will launch for consoles and Steam as a Game of the Year Edition this spring. #Frogmind is primed to #release its luscious #puzzle #game onto a bevy of new platforms this spring. Badland: Game of the Year Edition has been redesigned for Linux, Mac, Windows PC, Xbox One, PS4, PS3, Vita, Wii U with Full HD visuals and expanded controls to make use of the analogue stick and triggers.
The new version promises over four times more content than the original did when it was launched, boasting over 15 hours and 100 levels of single-player story content and 100 co-op and 27 multiplayer deathmatch stages in a four player local multiplayer mode. The one-button control is gone, replaced with a system that uses the analog stick and triggers.
“It’s such a relief to finally be able to say ‘yes’ when fans ask if we’re ever bringing Badland to Steam and consoles,” said Frogmind CEO Johannes Vuorinen, one of the game’s two original creators. “Badland was designed as a console-quality tablet experience, and we’re working with our partners to take it even further, for a product that looks and feels very much at home both on consoles and Steam. As a small tight-knit studio committed to high production values, we’re certainly attempting to ‘punch above our weight’ and push what is possible in terms of independent publishing.”
Frogmind also revealed that it is working with two additional indie studios to help ensure an eight-platform launch. Blitworks, a studio behind bringing Fez, Spelunky and Bastion to new console platforms is helping on the console ports, and Trine creator Frozenbyte is helping with QA, publishing and marketing.
The game’s coming to Linux, Mac, Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, PS Vita, and PS3 in the spring.
'Costume Quest 2′ announced and ‘Gone Home’ To hit consoles this Year
Gone are the days of old when indie video game development was only seen as an interest for those who program, design or develop video games from their bedrooms and/or basements. Now, #indiegame #development is a certified alternative for even the biggest names in gaming simply looking for a way out of the traditional developer/publisher cycle.
But the scene is no longer home to just small teams seeking to do-it-themselves, but larger developers seeking more freedom and creativity when it comes to the games that they make – assuming a publisher is looking to play ball. That’s exactly why publisher Midnight City announced today that they would not only be partnering with Double Fine to develop Costume Quest 2, but will also be bringing indie darling Gone Home to home consoles in 2014.
There’s a good chance that few will be familiar with Midnight City (the indie branch of publisher Majesco Entertainment), but that’s clearly about to change, with Costume Quest 2 is one of the biggest games set to launch under the banner in the near future. Following on from the events of Costume Quest, the original game in the Double Fine series (which was published back in 2010 by the now defunct publisher, THQ), Costume Quest 2 will again see players battle through the suburb of Auburn Pines in a variety of costumes as brother/sister duo Wren and Reynold in an attempt to “protect Halloween from untold horrors, and grown-ups!”
Initial details are light on story (although it’s said to be “unmistakably Double Fine”), but players can expect even more costumes that allow them to “transform into giant super powered fantasy Hallowarriors” and take part in an upgraded battle system. The full list of supported platforms hasn’t been released, but the developers released a look at their moment of inspiration, set to release in time for Halloween 2014.
The next big name title that Midnight City has added to their roster is Gone Home, the self-published and critically acclaimed hit from The Fullbright Company, placing players into the role of a young woman exploring her vacant family home. The experience was certainly an experimental one, but one that PC gamers and critics latched onto nonetheless – leaving console gamers out of the conversation entirely.
Lead writer, designer and studio co-founder Steve Gaynor explained that console demand has been high for some time, but only now did a deal present itself to bring the indie hit into people’s living rooms:
“Ever since we released Gone Home on PC, we’ve had people asking us– ‘When’s it coming to console? We’ve been looking and looking for the right partner to help us, and finally after much searching, Midnight City fit the bill. They have a great understanding of what an indie needs, how to get the word out about the game, and help us get the best versions of the game possible to all those players that have been waiting patiently to experience Gone Home in their living rooms. Viva la Midnight City!”
There are also few details on exactly which “consoles” Gone Home will be released (although Gaynor’s comments about Sony and Microsoft’s indie support for next-gen seems to suggest that a PS4 release is more likely), the game will be out but a 2014 release date is confirmed.
The decision for both developers to announce a new publisher partnership may come as a bit of a surprise, considering Double Fine has found success with its crowd-funded Broken Age, and The Fullbright Company experienced massive success through self-publishing as well. That team’s motivations for bringing Gone Home to a larger audience are clear (as one of our favorite games of last year); but Double Fine must have secured an agreeable deal to craft yet another Halloween-themed experience.
It seems Midnight City is eschewing typical big publisher traits by employing just 5 employees, and focusing specifically on the growing market of indie titles (other games published by them include Double Dragon Neon and Videoball). It’s still early days for these partnerships, but Midnight City has certainly made themselves an interesting alternative to both self-publishing and large publishers like EA, Microsoft, Sony or Activision.
Which of these announcements are you more excited for? Are these games ones you’ll be adding to your collection later this year, or is it the ramifications this has for indie publishing that has your attention? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Costume Quest 2 will be released in 2014 for PC and consoles.
Gone Home will be released in 2014 for consoles.
Reblogged from: gamerant.com
Steam Machines: missed opportunity from Valve?
Steam Machines will run on SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system.
Last year Valve announced its own Linux-based operating system – #SteamOS – built for living room PC gaming, which would be supported by a variety of #manufacturers.
CES 2014 saw the first wave of Steam Machines, but with it came the feeling of missed opportunity from Valve – for now at least – to make PC gaming more accessible and possibly compete with consoles.
