A new Firmware update for the Nintendo Wii has been released, specifically System Menu version 3.4. In the update, the following changes have been made:
- Enhanced parental controls
- USB Keyboard support for Mii channel added
- System functions improvement (Improved SD card read/write speed, Improved disc reading)
- Twilight Hack version 0.1 BETA1 cannot be copied to the console.
Sadly, the update also removes any illegal saves (i.e. Twilight Hack) and any other homebrew channels you may have on your Nintendo Wii.
To quote: It's recommended that you do not update your Wii through Nintendo, as it disables some homebrew (DVDx, PatchMii, Twilight Hack). Recent reports suggest System Menu 3.4 removes all custom channels.
It is suggested that you disable your Wii from the Internet as their network service privacy policy has been updated so that they now have the right to auto-update your system without notification.
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MotorStorm: Pacific Rift's Game Director Nigel Kershaw has shared some online play tips today over at the PS Blog as follows:
There’s a few different ways of experiencing Pacific Rift online, here’s the low down and some tips -
Matchmaking We wanted to ensure that players could find another game quickly, but also that once they got into a game they didn’t have to rely on the host to get the race started. There are two options when matchmaking: Ranked or Casual. Ranked pitches you against players of a similar skill level whilst Casual will put you up against anyone and everyone.
Matchmaking will, quite simply, group players together who are looking for a game, pick a Ticket for them (a race setup) and get them into a race as quickly as possible. And don’t worry, if you don’t like the Ticket that is randomly chosen for you - it’s possible to veto it (if you get a majority vote).
WildTangent Chief Executive Alex St. John never fails to amuse, entertain and stir the pot. And that was certainly the case during his 45 minute talk at the Casual Connect game conference in Seattle today.
St. John, who has built WildTangent into the one of the bigger online gaming networks over the past 10 years, made the bold prediction that video game consoles will be "extinct" by 2020.
He started his talk with an image of Moses on the screen and this rapid-fire comment:
I am going to make some outrageous claims today. And then I will attempt to substantiate them. Feel free to disagree with me. Just remember, that I am right.
St. John called the console business an "extremely fragile business" which has been subject to major collapses over the years:
We are looking at the last generation of consoles right now. I am going to predict to you that the PS3, the Wii and the X-box are the last generation of consoles t... More »
Tech support is going mass market, moving out of the office and into homes as the proliferation of gadgetry in the average house makes a geek contact essential.
Tesco is currently trialling its recently acquired PC Guys service in several branches of the supermarket.
And a host of other companies are springing up, promising to troubleshoot all those IT niggles from the comfort of your home.
BBC News spent time with three of the more established services - The Geek Squad, The Tech Guys and BT's Home IT Visit service - in an effort to learn what people are using such services for and how the firms measure up.
If someone needs a plumber or a mechanic there are some basic professional qualifications they can measure them against and, although there are plenty of qualifications available to IT workers, there is no one recognised standard.
With so many independent firms offering home IT support, this could be a problem, sa... More »
Although a bit pricey (Virtual 44" Screen is $249.95, Virtual 62" Screen is $349.95, "PC Only" is $399.95), would this be the next-gen for extreme gamers?
From the Web site: Vuzix iWear is a stunningly impressive range of face-furniture that allows you to watch whatever you like whenever you like, in the privacy of your own... erm, head.
Simply slip on these lightweight cyber-shades and prepare to be totally blown away by a fully immersive audiovisual assault. That's right, we said audiovisual because these slimline shades even boast integrated (but removable) earphones.
Video, additional details and pics available linked above.
If Microsoft follows the same schedule it did last year, the Spring system update for the Xbox 360 should be right around the corner.
Today, an alleged and wholly unconfirmed list of changes included in the "Q2 2008" update was sent to us, supposedly forwarded from an internal source. The full list features about 80 new feature additions, tweaks and changes but was purported to be incomplete and subject to change.
Some are simply interesting as curiosities, such as an option to purchase Xbox Live memberships for charities and the addition of a Media section for audio delivered through feeds, such as podcasts. Others sound more feature robust, such as Windows Live Mail integration and an expanded "Inside Xbox" with news, weather, entertainment, help and community features.
Perhaps the most interesting additions are "Calibration options for motion sensor devices" for the Dashboard and "Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device... More »
After a federal judge awarded the MPAA a summary judgment against former BitTorrent tracker TorrentSpy late last year, the only question left was how much it would end up costing TorrentSpy's admins.
We've got our answer, and it comes in the form of a staggering $110 million damage award, or $30,000 in statutory damages for each of the nearly 3,700 files in the MPAA's complaint.
The MPAA announced the award in a press release (PDF) earlier today.
"This substantial money judgment sends a strong message about the illegality of these sites," said Dan Glickman, Chairman and CEO of the MPAA. "The demise of TorrentSpy is a clear victory for the studios and demonstrates that such pirate sites will not be allowed to continue to operate without facing relentless litigation by copyright holders."
Rockstar sent out an email this evening to all those in the UK scheduled to receive their copies of GTA IV this week, asking them to provide information on which platform they’d prefer to play on and their online IDs.
The email’s published in full below:
Hi there,
The good news is we are planning to send out your copy of GTA IV tomorrow, Wednesday 23rd April, to be with you first thing on Thursday 24th, so the wait is almost over.
In order for us to do that, could you:
- Let us know which format you would prefer to receive the game on?
- Let us know your Gamertag, if the answer to the above is Xbox 360 or your PSN On Line ID if the answer is PS3.
Why we need to know.
Xbox 360 Version
We need your Gamertag because Microsoft will be helping Rockstar Games monitor access to the online modes up to release date. Because of this, we will need to add your Gamertag to the app... More »
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