Nintendo Unveil 3D Handheld
Nintendo has announced their latest potable console: the 3DS (working title). A truly new handheld rather than a DS spinoff, the 3DS promises users a 3 dimensional game experience without 3D glasses as well as backwards compatibility with the all DS prodicts.
Since the 3DS will be compatible with the entire range of DS software, we can assume that it will have two cameras, a D-Pad as well as a DS expansion slot. However, the method by which the handheld console will create three dimensional effect is completely unknown at this time. True glasses-free 3D is extremely expensive to manufacture, and Nintendo's last generation of hardware clearly demonstrates their commitment to economy. It's likely that a built-in motion sensor and/or camera support will create the illusion of 3D by rotating the level in response to moving the console. However, it is clear that the Nintendo hardware will require a serious revamp to cope with the increased processor demand.
According to the press release, the 3DS will be released in the next financial year (some time between April 2010 and March 2011) and will make its debut at E3. If anyone can make a viable 3D handheld, it's Nintendo! [Kotaku]
Natal to require Four Metres of Floorspace
Microsoft's upcoming motion capture peripheral promises to revolutionise the way we play games... but it's definitely going to revolutionise a few living rooms. In an Q&A session with the Natal Team , a few worrying details of Natal's space requirements were let slip.
To be precise, you’ll want to clear an area extending at least 4 meters (a little more than 13 feet) away from the television. That’s the back edge of the space to be taken into account by the Natal sensors.
At least four metres? Hopefully this is just a recommended suggestion rather than a minimum distance... otherwise, I'm going to need to move house! Or my sofa, at least.
However, some good news did leak out of the session. Controllers can be used simultaneously with motion capture- allowing fine manipulation as well as large scale movement. This should permit a wider range of games to feature the hardware- and provide developers another alternative to fully-handsfree input. [TechFlash]
Games Promote Hatred, Racism, Sexism... says Alan Titchmarsh
Our sister site, Bitterwallet, occasionally ventures into our territory- and they've found a hilarious clip from the Alan Titchmarsh show where three clueless idiots blame videogaming for, essentially, everything. You'll laugh, you'll cry... and if you can watch the clip in its entirity without hurling your laptop across the room then you're a bigger man than I am.
Videogames promote hatred, racism, sexism
Alan Titchmarsh and Kelvin MacKenzie (former editor of the Sun) laid into video gaming's perceived glamorisation of racism and hatred... which is ironic considering that Kelvin is a documented racist himself. Or a "Racist Idiot", according to Duncan Ballantyne. Maybe he's been playing too much GTA? [TVScoop via Bitterwallet]
