Zuma’s Revenge Now Free Through Origin On The House July 7, 2015
Posted by Maniac in Game News.add a comment
Just a friendly notice to anyone interested in puzzle games this summer, the PopCap puzzle game Zuma’s Revenge is now free to all Origin customers on the PC and Mac through EA’s download service. To get the game, you only need to have the Origin client installed on your computer (which is free to download) and an Origin account (which is free to set up).
As with all games released through Origin’s On the House promotion, the game will continue to remain free in your Origin account forever, even after you’ve deleted the game.
REMINDER: You Can Play All Playstation 1 Discs on All Playstation 3 Systems July 3, 2015
Posted by Maniac in Game News, Site News.add a comment
As we go into the July 4th Weekend here in the US, I wanted to remind old school gamers who still have PlayStation 1 game discs collecting dust that they can play their PS1 discs on their PlayStation 3 systems.
The reason why I’m bringing this up is because I was watching a Twitch stream of a Final Fantasy game several weeks ago, and one of the users on the stream lamented the fact that he had so many good PS1 games on disc, but he didn’t want to go through the hassle of bringing his PS1 out of storage to play it. When I told him that he could play his PS1 discs without much issue on his PS3 he simply didn’t believe me, even though I was able to successfully play PS1 discs on a myriad of different PlayStation 3 models up to that point.
Now I know that a lot of PS3 owners think that only the original model PS3s can play PlayStation 1 games, but that is not the case. You can usually tell a first generation PS3 by the fact that it uses a original case design, denoted by four USB ports on its front and “FAT” style casing, but in actuality, what makes those units special is not that they can play PS1 games, but the fact that they can play PS2 games. I’ve tested PS1 games on as many model PS3 units as I could find, that includes not only the original model “Fat” PS3 systems, but also the second generation “slim” models, and the new “super slim” models which feature a sliding top for its Blu-Ray Disc drive, and I’ve been able to play PS1 games on all of them.
You’re probably wondering if you can play PS1 games on your PS3, how can you create a save game if the PS3 has no slots for PS1 Memory Cards? Well, you can create virtual PS1 Memory Cards on your PS3’s Hard Drive. Just create a virtual PS1 Memory Card from the PS3’s XMB menu, and assign it to Slot 1 by pushing the Triangle button once you have the Memory Card highlighted. You can have a maximum of two virtual Memory Cards assigned to virtual slots (because the PS1 only had two Memory Card slots), but as far as I can tell you can create all the virtual PS1 Memory Cards you want until your PS3’s Hard Drive becomes completely full. As long as a Memory Card has been assigned a slot, it will automatically be loaded when you play your PS1 game.
If you would prefer to use your own PS1 Memory Card’s data, Sony did manufacture a Memory Card adapter for the PlayStation 3 several years ago. The adapter will accept any PS1 or PS2 Memory Card, and while it was not designed to actively save or load any data during gameplay, the adapter will allow you to copy all of the data on the card to the PS3’s Hard Drive using your Dual Shock 3’s USB charging cable. Sony isn’t making these adapters anymore, so finding one may be a bit difficult if you don’t already have one, but you could probably find them at a secondhand game store or just borrow a friend’s adapter.
By default, the PS3 will have a feature called “image smoothing” enabled while playing PS1 games, but if you have graphical issues while playing, you can disable that feature by pushing the PlayStation button on your PS3 controller. Don’t worry too much about image quality, the PS3 will upsample PS1 games to 1080p. Some PS1 games (including Final Fantasy VII) may not be compatible with the Dual Shock 3’s analog controllers, but some PS1 games are. If you’re having issues controlling a PS1 game that you know supports the analog stick, you can also tweak your analog stick’s analog/digital settings .by pushing the PlayStation button on the Dual Shock 3. If your game supports rumble and you have a rumble equipped PS3 controller, you should notice rumble will work seamlessly.
iOS 8.4 Released June 30, 2015
Posted by Maniac in Game News.add a comment
Apple has just released a major update for any personal devices running iOS 8. iOS 8.4 includes, among minor bug fixes, a major update to the iOS Music app, enabling access to the new Apple Music service.
iTunes users who update to iOS 8.4 are eligible for a free three month trial of the Apple Music service.
The Sprint Season 2 Now Online June 24, 2015
Posted by Maniac in Game News.add a comment
A documentary series showcasing the ongoing development of the upcoming Xbox One exclusive game Halo 5: Guardians has just released its second season online.
The first season of The Sprint focused on the difficult process to get the game ready for game’s multiplayer beta test. This season focuses the road to E3 2015, and all the difficulties in getting the game ready for the world’s biggest trade show. That not only includes showing the difficult process of game development, but also the amazing work that goes into the game’s digital actor performance. That alone makes this series worth watching.
While you can watch the entire series on your PC or Xbox One console using the Halo Channel app, 343 Industries and Microsoft were good enough to release the entire season online for all to see. Enjoy.
Halo 5: Guardians is coming October, 2015 exclusively to the Xbox One.
Sunset Overdrive DLC Goodies Being Distributed on Xbox Live June 23, 2015
Posted by Maniac in Game News.add a comment
If you’ve ever played the Xbox One exclusive game Sunset Overdrive before Monday, check your Xbox Live messages on your console right now.
Microsoft is distributing download codes for some free DLC to anyone who has played Sunset Overdrive. That includes anyone who may have downloaded the game and played it during a free Xbox Live weekend or anyone who borrowed the game and played a friend’s copy.
If you are an eligible player and want to see if you’ve got the content, just check your private messages on your Xbox One, and you should find a free download code for the content in one of your messages. Thankfully, Microsoft offers anyone with a valid download code in their Xbox Live messages the option to automatically redeem it without having to manually re-input the code. The DLC codes unlock some exclusive clothing and weapon options in the game.
Sunset Overdrive is out now exclusively on the Xbox One.
Batman: Arkham Knight Launch Trailer June 22, 2015
Posted by Maniac in Game News.add a comment
The highly anticipated multiplatform title Batman: Arkham Knight launches tonight at midnight. To celebrate the release, the game’s developers just released this awesome launch trailer.
Just be aware, if you didn’t want to know who Batman would be fighting in this game, or what allies of his would be helping him, you might want to give this a miss. Never forget the game’s tag line, this is how the Batman dies.
Batman: Arkham Knight launches tomorrow on the PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
Halo 5 Warzone E3 2015 Hololens Experience June 19, 2015
Posted by Maniac in Game News.add a comment
The guys over at Microsoft and 343 Industries paired up to do something pretty special at this year’s E3. Before players would get the chance to preview Halo 5‘s Warzone gameplay, they would get the chance to walk a set they enhanced with the Microsoft Hololens. Take a look and see for yourself what these things can do.
Talk about immersive. I have no idea how they could use this technology outside of the E3 event, but it sure works well for projecting 3D objects in real space.
Halo 5: Guardians is coming October 2015 exclusively to the Xbox One.
World of Final Fantasy Announced June 16, 2015
Posted by Maniac in Game News.add a comment
Last night, Sony showed the first trailer for this all new Final Fantasy title, called World of Final Fantasy, just before premiering the trailer for Final Fantasy VII Remake. We don’t really know that much about this title just yet, but Square Enix showed the trailer again earlier today at their E3 Press Event and gave some further information about the title. The game’s director said that this game is intended to be the type of game that will have a broad appeal across gaming. They promise this game can be enjoyed by adults and their children as well as RPG fans from all levels of experience.
World of Final Fantasy is coming to PS4 and Vita in 2016.
Final Fantasy Portal App Announced June 16, 2015
Posted by Maniac in Game News.add a comment
Earlier today during the Square Enix E3 2015 Press Event, Square Enix showed off several new games and apps they plan to release on mobile platforms alongside the games they plan to release on PC and Consoles. One of the most interesting announcements they made for mobile today was the announcement of the Final Fantasy Portal app.
In the app, you’ll be able to research Final Fantasy information and lore to your heart’s content. You’ll also be able to play the fan favorite minigame Triple Triad, which debuted in Final Fantasy VIII. Square Enix promises that the hub will also be a place where you will be able to unlock exclusive content for future games, but did not give further details about that.
Final Fantasy Portal is coming to iOS and Android Devices free of charge.
Square Enix E3 2015 Press Conference June 16, 2015
Posted by Maniac in Game News.add a comment
For those of you that might have missed it, here’s the complete stream of Square Enix’s E3 2015 Press Event.
It has been a while since Square Enix has hosted an E3 Press Event but I must say they made a great decision to have one this year. During the event they show Just Cause 3, the newest Tomb Raider, Hitman, and Deus Ex games, and of course Kingdom Hearts III. Give it a watch.
