We’re entering a world of mainstream 64-bit computing — whether we like it or not. Just weeks after Adobe started requiring 64-bit Macs for CS6, DICE’s Rendering Architect Johan Andersson has warned that some of his company’s 2013 games using the Frostbite engine will need the extra bits as a matter of course. In other words, it won’t matter if you have a quad Core i7 gaming PC of death should the software be inadequate; if you’re still running a 32-bit copy of Windows 7 come the new year, you won’t be playing. The developer points to memory as the main culprit, as going 64-bit guarantees full access to 4GB or more of RAM as well as better virtual addressing. Andersson sees it as a prime opportunity to upgrade to Windows 8, although 64-bit Vista and 7 (and presumably OS X, if and when Mac versions exist) will be dandy. Just be prepared to upgrade that Windows XP PC a lot sooner than Microsoft’s 2014 support cutoff if you’re planning to run the next Battlefield or Mirror’s Edge.
Now that NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 690 is shipping through some vendors, gamers have been wondering if it’s worth the wallet-busting $999 to get those higher frame rates. Surprisingly, the answer is “yes.” As AnandTech notes, the GTX 690 is often almost as fast or faster than a pair of GTX 680s working together in SLI mode, only using less power and running at cooler and quieter power levels through those two 28-nanometer Kepler chips.
Across multiple reviewers, though, the GTX 690 was sometimes slower than two Radeon HD 7970 boards using CrossFire. HotHardware and others found that it’s definitely the graphics card of choice for Batman: Arkham City enthusiasts: problems with AMD’s CrossFire mode leave a dual Radeon HD 7970 setup running at just half the frame rate of its NVIDIA-made challenger.
Caveats? There are still some worries beyond the price tag, as the twin Radeon cards are as much as three times faster at general-purpose computing tasks than the latest and greatest GeForce. PC Perspective likewise warns that fans of joining three displays together for some 3D Vision Surround action will still take a big frame rate hit when they put the 3D glasses on.
Still, the GTX 690 looks to be tops if you’re looking to get the fastest single-card gaming on Earth, and as Legit Reviews adds, that trivalent chromium-plated aluminum makes it one of the “better looking” cards, to boot.
Razer looks to be the latest getting into the Diablo III-themed peripheral game with a special version of the Naga Hex, even if it won’t mention the click-and-slash title by name. The Wraith Red edition keeps the same six mechanically-driven side buttons as the original, but drapes the top shell and lights in an infernal red. It’s otherwise functionally similar to the Razer-green Naga Hex we had mixed feelings about last month. Gamers who like what it offers don’t have to wait for Blizzard’s action role-playing game to show, as it’s shipping now in the US for $80 and should be ready for the rest of the world by the end of the spring.
It helps to be free on the fastest-growing mobile platform, but that shouldn’t draw all the attention away from Rovio’s latest announcement. It’s space-based reinvention of Angry Birds has now topped 50 million downloads in under 35 days, breaking its (and presumably everyone else’s) record for mobile game downloads. In Rovios’s own way, it recently thanked eager gamers for their consistent support by slathering ten additional levels on both the iOS and Android version last week.
Granted, we hope to see a new Xbox before 2014, but if NVIDIA has its way, mobile devices will have enough graphical prowess to surpass the current generation of gaming consoles by that time. The company brought the smackdown today with a chart that combines both historical and projected data, and while we don’t recall NVIDIA exiting the desktop market in 2010, it reinforces the idea that smartphones and tablets of the future may stand as thoroughly enviable gaming devices — provided that developers are willing to create enough visuals to make these things sing.
Canadian modder Brent Smith has managed to connect an aging exercise bike to Nintendo’s perennial racer. Naturally, there’s some Arduino involvement, but the whole setup plugs directly into an original SNES console — no emulation necessary. Power-ups are accessed with a button in the center of the exercise bike’s handles, each of which has a directional button for steering, while the pedals function as the acceleration button, accurate to one sixth of a rotation. According to Smith, “it’s a lot harder than it looks” — and we believe him. Watch his test-drive kart plow off-track in the video demo after the break. Read more…
Automation, the game that allows players to build their own car company from the ground up, has made a big step forward by releasing a engine-builder demo. Those who have already pre-ordered the game can download a preview of the designer right now by heading over to the Camshaft Software site, while the rest of the world gets to wait until April 22. So far, the glimpse is limited to four-cylinder applications, though players can tweak nearly every aspect of the four-pot’s design. Block, crank and head material are all up for grabs as are intake, exhaust and fuel design and cam profile.
The company was kind enough to slide us an early copy of the demo filled with tutorial videos explaining the intricacies of each engine system. While incredibly involved, the program seems to be a great way to expand one’s knowledge by eeking ever-better horsepower out of an engine. Though all of the options can be a bit overwhelming, even for those of us with grease under our fingernails, Automation offers clear explanations on each variable. Hit the jump for a quick video and the press release, and be sure to check out the game’s site on the 22nd for your own free demo.
Adobe has already hinted at its plans for Flash Player 11.2, but today, those plans finally became official. The company formally announced both 11.2 and AIR 3.2 this morning, reaffirming its commitment to browser-based gaming.
With 11.2, Adobe is bringing support for mouse-lock, right and middle click events, and multi-threaded video decoding. The software also supports 2D and 3D graphics at speeds of up to 60 frames per second, and, when running on Windows machines, will automatically update itself in the background. As for AIR 3.2, it now supports Stage3D graphics on both iOS and Android, promising “jaw-dropping visuals” with monstrously fast GPU rendering. A new partnership with Unity, meanwhile, will allow developers to easily upload 3D games to Flash Player, as part of its premium features package.
Devs will be able to use these higher-tiered features for free until their apps accrue $50,000 in revenue. Once they do, they’ll have to siphon off 9 percent of their earnings to Adobe, though these conditions only go into effect as of August 1st. (AIR 3.2 apps are exempt from this charge.) For more details on the new releases, check out the source links below, or the explanatory video after the break. Read more…
In its opening weekend (give or take a day or two) Rovio’s space-based reinvention has picked up more than 10 million downloads. Presumably assisted by its freebie status on Android devices, Rovio’s self-congratulatory tweet didn’t give a breakdown across platforms. While we’re now assured that a Windows Phone version will join the intergalactic fight, Rovio doesn’t appear to need the help.
Rejoice, casual gamers — Angry Birds Space has landed! Rovio’s latest game — which we recently took for a spin on Samsung’s Galaxy Note LTE at SXSW — frees itself from the earth’s gravitational pull to explore the final frontier. We’ve gathered download links to all the major platforms below for your epic birds vs. pigs entertainment. Aren’t space physics fun?
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