Gamertell

Using a game with a rather bland name, THX Ltd. is at CES 2008 showing off its 7.1 stereo goodness with the first title to include Neural-THX Surround.

The game, titled Prototype, is being developed by Radical Entertainment and is expected to be available Fall 2008 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. It will feature a shapeshifter and open-ended free roam elements similar to Grand Theft Auto.

Neural-THX Surround is a 7.1 audio format developed with Neural Audio Corp. that will require gamers to add two more speakers to the back of their family rooms. The added speakerage is meant to create a truly 360-degree audio experience, although it does mean you’ll need too look for a new 7.1 audio receiver. According to the THX press release, ‘an estimated 70 percent of new audio-video receivers, from companies such as Sony, Pioneer, Yamaha, Onkyo, Integra, Denon, Marantz, Inkel and Sherwood. Neural-THX Surround AV receivers are being shipped in more than 25 countries worldwide.“

For those who forgot, THX was founded by George Lucas of Howard the Duck fame as a result of a need for better sound for his little Star Wars project.

Read [Destructoid] Site [THX] Site [Sierra] Site [Neural Audio] Site [Neural Sound]

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Clive Thompson had an excellent editorial yesterday on the Wired blog  about horror videogames delivering better thrills than recent horror films. His argument touched on the fact that games are inherently subjective (ie. you are the one in danger, as opposed to vicariously watching a character on a screen be in danger) along with Hollywood’s recent propensity for gore over suspense (Saw, Hostel, etc. aren’t very big on subtlety).

It’s a great read but Thompson only touches briefly on one of the most crucial elements of creating a successful horror experience in either a game or a film -  sound design. Sound is everything when it comes to…

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Our favorite Japanese import site, J-List (J-Box), has a set of teardrop shaped keychains (or phone bangles if you dig that sorta thing) for sale. The set contains eight tiny sound devices, each packaged in a tiny gumball machine shaped plastic ball (aka capsule or gashapon shell) with a small paper sheet, pictured below.

Each device features its own color, sound and graphic borrowed from the classic Super Mario Bros. game. You play it by pressing the big button on the flatter side of the keychain. A truly cool item to have in your pocket.

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