Gamertell

You’ve heard of the “uncanny valley” that is, the fact that the more realistic computer-generated graphics become, the more disturbing their flaws (i.e. the best animated humans look very creepy and weird). Now, an excellent editorial at Gamasutra examines the “graphics plateau” - the point where graphics are basically “good enough” and all anyone cares about is gameplay. Writer Brandon Sheffield thinks we’re there already. He cites the crazy popularity of underpowered machines (like the Wii and even the DS), and the PS2’s continued success, along with the ubiquity of mobile gaming in Japan, as reasons supporting this.

What do you think? Are graphics now at the point where we no longer need the uber-machines to be satisfied? Or are simpler games just in fashion due to demographic reasons? An argument could certainly be made either way, but Sheffield’s piece is well worth a look whichever side you’re on.

Read [Gamasutra]

With the start of the 2008 Olympics nearing, the world’s eyes are turning toward Beijing for big displays of sportsmanship and brotherhood to unite the world. While the other nation’s teams are preparing in their own ways, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has created a private training facility for the American representatives to not only help them prepare in a familiar way but also to give them a little taste of home. Yes, that means videogames, too.

So far the USOC has spent more than $3 million and at peak operating hours has up to 500 staffers working help American athletes train and unwind. It has all the supplies the athletes would need to stay in peak physical and…

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Blacksite: Area 51 is one of the first games to question why we are forcing ourselves into such a bad situation. While it does it in a way that doesn’t entirely follow the true political reality, the message is quite clear that America might be completely screwed.

There’s a lot to take in. From the war on terror to war in America’s own streets this game mocks the politics of fear. Sure, the game is beautiful even without the blatant political insults to presidential administrations past and present. There’s just something about the war in Iraq ending to fight a domestic threat that makes it even more intriguing…

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Initially, StreamMyGame allowed users with Windows or Linux systems to play PC games on the PS3. And people who would be able to do it downloaded the free program from StreamMyGame and rejoiced. Now StreamMyGame has a new software that allows people to use a PS3 SIXAXIS controller to play PC games.

The StreamMyGame PS3 player and SIXAXIS pairing tool are free downloads. Once everything is installed, there is configuration option which allows users to set PC game controls to buttons on the SIXAXIS. Also, the program will let you set the SIXAXIS to work by being connected to the PC with a USB cable, or use it wirelessly with Bluetooth.

Click through to watch a video from StreamMyGame showing how to set up the program and set up SIXAXIS…

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If you’ve been wondering what extra goodies are included in the PS3 version of Eternal Sonata, then look no further. Namco Bandai issued a new press release during E3 detailing the changes to the RPG originally released on the Xbox 360. Eternal Sonata is a Japanese RPG starring Frederic Chopin’s, a 19th century composer, adventures in a dream world while he lies on his deathbed in the real world.

Owners of the Xbox 360 version of Eternal Sonata should be jealous. The PS3 version features two new playable characters, Serenade and Crescendo. It also adds new outfits for all of the existing characters and additional songs to the soundtrack. If cosmetic changes aren’t your thing, then perhaps new dungeons, some extra quests and extra endings would please you.

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Id Software’s first-person shooter Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is now available for $60 on the Xbox 360 and PS3. The game was already available for the PC and has received rave reviews and several awards. The Xbox 360 version has been developed by Nerve Software while Underground Development is behind the PS3 version of this action-packed title set in the Quake Universe.

Published by Activision, the game is set in the year 2065 and is the extension of the…

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All you air guitarists can continue to pamper your musical dreams and fantasies in grand style as Activision has heralded the Guitar Hero game. The game titled Guitar Hero World Tour was announced on May 22, 2008, in a press release and it will come stuffed to the hilt with several new additions.

The release heavily plugs revamped guitar among other additions but it drops a bombshell with the promise of downloadable content (DLC) for the Wii version of the Guitar Hero World Tour.

The game will feature recordings from the eminent likes of Linking Park, Van Helen and…

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According to a report at 1up.com, highly anticipated fighter Soul Calibur IV has just received a street date: July 29, 2008. Also announced were the contents of the $79.99 limited edition pack, which include an art book, a t-shirt, and some “exclusive downloadable content”. Exactly what that content will entail is still up in the air (new characters? arenas?).

Xbox 360 and PS3 owners will be able to brawl with the extended roster of fighters (including Yoda and Darth Vader from Star Wars) this summer. I haven’t personally gotten into a Soul Calibur game since the series’ second installment (which famously featured a different special character in each edition), but I’m more than a little curious to see what the addition of fighters from a galaxy far away will do for the title.

Read [1up]

Product: Sony Dualshock 4 Wireless Controller for the Playstation 3 (aka Dualshock 3, Dualshock 3 Sixaxis)
Price: $54.99
Rating: Two thumbs up; 90/100; A-; **** out of 5
Pros: Looks, feels and moves just like the previous PS3 wireless controller.
Cons: No USB cable. Slightly heavier than previous controller. Slight smell of burning plastic either shows signs of newness or faulty design.
Overall: Works well, feels great and definitely worth it for those who need that little extra sensory feedback when they play.

Finally admitting something as small and seemingly silly as game controller wobbling is important to gamers, Sony has released the Dualshock 3 wireless controller for the PS3.

The controller looks, feels and operates exactly the same as the PS3 Sixaxis controller, which is also pretty damn close to the Dualshock 2 PS2 controller (without the cable, of course).

Click through for the full review…

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The Playstation 3 had yet another firmware update again over the weekend, one which didn’t add any new features but does promise better support for online games. Version 2.17 of the firmware’s purpose is to help online PS3 titles run better than they previously did. If you’re one of the gamers who doesn’t take their console online, then this isn’t a crucial update for your system.

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