Some of the biggest names in PC gaming joined together to announce the Open-Source Virtual Reality (OSVR) ecosystem at CES 2015. The device will serve as an open source ecosystem that will compliment existing projects like Oculus Rift and Vrvana’s Totem.
The ecosystem will be fully open source and contain hardware schematics, software APIs, and software plugins. The hardware design is meant to be affordable, yet high quality. This will give even the lowest budget indie studio or game design student a chance to build VR ready games. The software is designed to work with major engines like Unity and Unreal Engine, while being multi-platform friendly.
For the not so technically savvy, a OSVR Hacker Development Kit will be released in June 2015. Compared to Oculus Rift Development Kit #2’s price of $350 USD, the OSVR Hacker Development Kit will cost a paltry $199.99.
The device is being backed by major companies such as Intel, Razer, Unity, Unreal, Bosch, Sixense, and Leapmotion. All of these companies will be supporting the development of the OSVR project on all three fronts.
The average consumer will probably not interact much with the OSVR project directly, but is definitely the biggest winner with this announcement. OSVR will mean that more games will be able to support VR and possibly a larger variety of hardware options will be available beyond Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus.
Razer unveiled more information at CES 2015 on their previously announced micro-console running Android TV. Now known as the Razer Forge TV, the micro-console is actually part of a multi-peripheral ecosystem.
Razer Forge TV serves as the centre of the operation, running Google’s new Android TV on 16GBs of internal storage and a quad-core processor. The Razer Serval is the Bluetooth gaming controller designed to be the yin to Razer Forge TV’s yang. The design team is the same one that created the highly regarded Razer Sabertooth Xbox controller. Those who prefer the traditional mouse and keyboard will prefer the Razer Turret, which serves as a lap-based wireless gaming mouse, mouse tray, and keyboard.
Although Android games are fine and dandy, the vast majority of hard core games are found on the PC. That’s where the Razer Cortex: Stream software will come in. The streaming function will be added to Razer’s game launching software in spring 2015 and will add low latency PC game streaming over Wi-Fi and wired connections. The only requirement is that the game is compatible with DirectX 9.
The Razer Forge TV will cost $99.99 USD on its own or $149.99 USD when bundled with the Razer Serval. The Razer Serval will be priced at $79.99 USD and the Turret will cost $129.99 USD. The Razer Cortex: Stream will cost $39.99 USD on its own, but will come free with the Razer Forge TV bundle, Razer Serval, and the Razer Turret. All devices will be available in Q1 2015.
Razer tucked in a surprise this year at CES 2015. The sold out Razer Nabu Smart Band will be getting a budget oriented sibling. The one size fits all Razer Nabu X will have the same tracking, social, and notification abilities as the Razer Nabu. Instead of a full OLED screen, the Razer Nabu X will feature three coloured LEDs. The MSRP will be half of the Nabu at $49.99 USD.
The most interesting part of the Nabu X announcement is the promised release date of January 13 at the Razer Store and the worldwide release of Spring 2015. So far, Razer has only released an limited number of medium-large sized Razer Nabus in black to the public since its December 2, 2014 launch date. The device has been sold out in seconds to Razer Insiders in three pre-retail launch sales through December 2014. A full retail release of the full Razer Nabu product line has yet to be detailed beyond “soon.”
It is probably safe to assume the Nabu X release date will follow a similar format, as Razer is advertising a special price of $14.99 USD for Razer Insiders. More information on the retail availability will be announced on the official Razer Nabu X mini-site.
Turtle Beach is starting their 2015 with a giant bang this year. Their CES 2015 product line up has enough gear to fully equip a gamer.
Turtle Beach is adding a new top of the line wireless headset for their Xbox One offerings. The Elite 800X is the bigger, badder brother to the best selling Elite 500X headset. The Elite 800X features virtual 7.1 surround sound using DTS Headphone technology and active noise cancellation technology. Unlike the 500X, the 800X drops the microphone boom in favour of one built into the ear cups. The headset alsohas a magnetic charging stand, swappable speaker plates, and optional enrollment in Turtle Beach’s Elite Membership program.
Turtle Beach has not announced a MSRP for the Elite 800X headset, but it will be available at retail stores in spring 2015.
The more affordable Xbox One headsets in Turtle Beach’s line are also getting some attention in 2015.
The XO SEVEN Pro features new Superhuman Hearing technology that will improve directionality of important audio cues by increasing their volume. The ear cups feature replaceable speaker plats on the outside and memory foam padding on the inside. The headset comes with a removable microphone boom and a mobile adapter cable for use with PCs.
The major change from the old XO SEVEN is the new Ear Force Headset Audio Controller Plus. The device connects to your Xbox One controller and provides variable mic monitoring to help gamers hear themselves clearly even with the closed headset on their ears. The Ear Force Headset Audio Controller Plus also features several equalizer presets and environmental microphone presets.
The XO FOUR Stealth has the same features as the previous iteration, but includes the new Ear Force Headset Audio Controller Plus found in the new XO SEVEN Pro bundle.
No word from Turtle Beach on when these upgraded headsets will hit the market. It is probably safe to say they will have the same MSRP as the SKUs they are replacing.
It looks like China will continue to be the new frontier for gaming companies around the world in 2015. Turtle Beach announced their partnership with Call of Duty Online in China, which will result in a specially branded PC headset for the Chinese market. The Call of Duty Online PC Gaming Headset will launch in April 2015 in China along with several accessories already available in Germany.
Turtle Beach is making PC gaming their big focus in 2015. They brought a full line of PC peripherals to CES 2015.
The IMPACT 700 keyboard is a full sized mechanical keyboard featuring Cherry MX Brown keys. The smaller IMPACT 500 keyboard will feature a tenkeyless design and Cherry MX Blue mechanical switches. The budget oriented IMPACT 100 uses special key cap sleeves to replicate the feel of mechanical keys.
The Grip 500 is a full featured 7 button laser gaming mouse. The sensor is the well regarded Avago 9800 laser sensor. The equally popular Omron switches are used for the mouse buttons. The LEDs on the mouse are fully customizable, and complex macros can be loaded up on the onboard profiles.
The Grip 300 uses an Avago 3050 optical sensor but keeps the Omron switches. The mouse features only five mouse buttons, but is friendlier on the wallet.
Finally, Turtle Beach caps off their extensive CES 2015 announcement with two mouse pads. The TRACTION and the DRIFT are microfibre mouse pads available in a wide variety of sizes. The pads feature stitched edges to prevent fraying and an anti-slip rubber base.
No word on MSRP or release date for Turtle Beach’s PC offerings.
The R.A.T. ProX Gaming Mouse is the newest addition to the highly regarded R.A.T. line of gaming mice. The R.A.T. ProX takes the customization to the next level by being the first mouse to feature swappable sensors. Gamers can use choose between optical and laser Modular Sensor Units that can be upgraded as better units are released. The scroll wheel has also seen the same modular treatment, with customizable click force parts and mouse wheels available.
Mad Catz has redesigned the materials used in the R.A.T. ProX. A lighter magnesium alloy and new customizable parts to let gamers create a comfortable mouse that fits their unique hand and grip style. The R.A.T. ProX has no release date or MSRP.
Mad Catz announced a new headset for their Tritton line. The Tritton Swarm is a wireless Bluetooth headset designed for gamers on the go. The headset is the second Mad Catz product to feature the AM3D Surround sound technology that turns stereo signals into virtual surround sound. The same technology is found in F-16 Falcon fighter jets to alert pilots of incoming missiles.
Although primarily aimed at the mobile market, the headset is compatible with PC and consoles with a 3.5mm audio cable. Xbox One owners will need a special adapter to get their Swarm working with their console.
The Tritton Swarm is up for pre-order for $159.99 USD. The headset is expected to ship in March 2015.
Finally, the L.Y.NX. 9 Mobile Hybrid Controller for Android and PC is bringing the R.A.T.’s modular design philosophy to the controller. Gamers will be able to use a variety of parts with the Controller Brain to create a controller to meet their needs. A variety of parts like a QWERTY keyboard and a device holder can create the perfect set up for Android based smartphones, smart TVs, and tablets or Bluetooth enabled Windows devices.
The controller brain comes with a built in microphone and can be tweaked with an Android app. The buttons are designed to survive over a million presses.
The L.Y.NX. 9 will cost $329.99 USD and is available for pre-order. Like the Tritton Swarm, the L.Y.NX. 9 will ship in March 2015.
As part of the “we’re really sorry for the buggy release” apology, Ubisoft will be releasing Assassin’s Creed Unity – Dead Kings DLC for all Assassin’s Creed Unity owners next week.
The downloadable campaign takes Arno into the crypts under Saint Denis. The underground tunnels are the final resting place of France’s royalty and home to the Raiders. Players will gain a lantern and the Guillotine gun to aid their journey against this mysterious new enemy. The DLC’s weapons, equipment, and outfits will carry over to the base game.
Assassin’s Creed Unity – Dead Kings will be available for free for all owners of Assassin’s Creed Unity. Xbox One and Windows gamers will be able to play on January 13th, while PlayStation 4 owners will have to wait until January 14.
“Cyberpunk is what happens when you have a society that has the technology level of Star Trek… and is led by the likes of Gordon Gekko”
The above is a simple definition of generic cyberpunk settings by a friend of mine. It’s short. It’s sweet. It’s full of references to pop culture. What’s not to love?
Continuing on from this succinct explanation, one could easily suggest that the ‘high-tech, low-life’ dystopia of Cyberpunk is closer to reality than fiction. Consider that last year we marvelled at the scientific brilliance of the human race as the European Space Agency landed a spacecraft on a meteor passing Earth. All the while, however, Europe (and a lot of the world) was undergoing some of the toughest austerity measures since the last century. Many once prosperous nations are now dealing with high unemployment and poverty. It’s quite be easy to see the present ‘topia’ as more ‘dys’ and less ‘u’, with life becoming tough for many around the world.
As we are now, things are becoming pretty damn cyberpunk…
Now chummer, if you’re like me, you’re probably going to need a little practice to survive in this new world of murderous megacorps, novahot hackers, and cybered-up street samurai. To help with that, here’s a short list of some computer simulations you can check out to get better acquainted with the new ways of the world. True to cyberpunk form, all these games are ‘bleeding edge’ tech (early access) and without the official backing of a megacorp (indie). They all have their own merits which make them worthy of your notice, if not your hard earned cash at the current moment. So grab your trench coat and mirrorshades as I show you life on the streets…
Imagine Mission Impossible in the world of Blade Runner with X-COM mechanics and you’ll probably get something close to Invisible, Inc. It’s a turn-based, RPG, stealth, strategy game by Klei Entertainment. The player controls a select number of agents as they infiltrate various, procedurally-generated corporate offices and facilities. The game forces players to play cautiously but efficiently as they navigate through the building, stealing cash and corporate intelligence at every opportunity. You’ll be wracking your brain constantly as you try to weigh up each decision and find a solution to the constantly evolving puzzle of corporate infiltration. This game will help teach you the importance of keeping a low profile, greenhorn… which can make the difference between walking off with the cash and being wheeled down to the chop shop.
The title’s current build is polished enough that I can recommend in its current stage as a game which will be fun for those who enjoy strategy. You can find it on steam here.
As the spiritual successor to the original Syndicate series, and with a dev team which boasts some who worked on the aforementioned series, Satellite Reign has a legacy which many titles would kill to have. The gameplay appears to be staying true to its Syndicate roots with a top-down view and tactical gameplay with the player controlling a small number of agents as they aggressively engage with their targets. A new development is the introduction of ‘classes’, with each agent being given their own specialised abilities and equipment. From the looks of things, this will open up options for players with how to approach a situation but still keep things just as deadly. You’ll learn quickly that, in the sprawl, an itchy trigger finger is sometimes what determines who ices and who gets iced.
By the look of how things are developing, alongside an ambitious scope and design for simulating a futuristic city, 5 Lives Studios is well on their way to living up to up to the legacy of Syndicate. You can find it on steam here.
Combine the fantasy world of Tolkien with Gibson’s Neuromancer and you’ll end up with Shadowrun Online’s unique mix of fantasy and science fiction. The Shadowrun universe started out as a pen and paper RPG and is popular enough that it’s had several video game iterations made (with varying receptions). It’s a turn-based, MMORPG title which will aim to have collective player actions affect not only the world of the online game but also the pen and paper variant. At the current point in time, there is still a lot of work which Cliffhanger Productions needs to do to flesh out this game in many areas. The thing which intrigues me in this title, besides the Shadowrun universe itself, is the fact that you’ll be able to play through missions with friends. The lesson you’ll take from this is that no chummer runs the shadows alone and that knowing who to trust is a big part of surviving on the streets.
Now this is an entry for which I must provide a larger caveat for than the other two, largely as it is still very early in its development and therefore has the most uncertainty (but also potential!). What I have seen and read so far does intrigues me and justifies why earns it an entry here. You can find it on steam here.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a shortlist of cyberpunk titles to keep you on your toes in the coming year. Make sure your skills are sharp and your mono-katana sharper as we enter into this brave new world of possibility (and danger). If you’re looking for a full game to tide you over in the meanwhile, check out what we thought of Shadowrun Returns: Dragonfall and Metrocide. Either way choomba, I wish you the best of luck and nothing but milk runs in the New Year.
Overview Few slice-of-life can claim to have the longevity that Hidamari Sketch has enjoyed. Since the first season aired in 2007 four seasons of Hidamari Sketch and numerous specials have been produced and currently three of the four seasons have been released on Blu-ray in North America by Sentai Filmworks. Now while fans wait for the fourth season, the company has released Hidamari Sketch x SP. With these two OVAs now available on Blu-ray, should fans give this smaller release a chance?
Story Considering this is only a set of two episodes that takes place three seasons into a series, viewers should likely be familiar with Hidamari Sketch in some form to get the most of these OVAs. That being said, since Hidamari Sketch is a series that lacks any real story and is simply a slice-of-life series full of happy moments and warm feelings, even newcomers could always try and sample the series this way. Especially since the 4-koma nature of the source material means that everything is as light and fluffy as possible with plenty of jokes mixed in.
Hidamari Sketch x SP takes place after the new girls Nori and Nazuna were introduced in Hoshimittsu and although there are two OVAs, they are split into four days where all six girls go about their daily lives and spend their free time out of school. By jumping around to various days we see the girls visit an outdoor art museum where they examine the statues and try to match the strange poses while also attempting to analyze various paintings in the cutesy way that the series is known for.
Afterwards the focus shifts to the pool where Miyako, Nori, Yuno, and Nazuna mess around at the local pool with Yuno trying to learn how to float instead of simply sinking like a rock. Finally the first OVA closes out with a pajama party where Yuno ends up falling asleep first and the other girls sketch her sleeping.
This is par for the course with Hidamari Sketch and the focus on variety in these OVAs is a great little addition to the series as these simple activities end up being rather entertaining thanks to the personality of the girls and the various gags throughout each sequence that draw humor from everyday life.
The second OVA features the same amount of variety, though we do see a little extra here as Yuno and Miyako’s teacher is the butt of some jokes before the girls spend some time washing their curtains using a kiddie pool because why not. Later on the girls’ landlord appears to take all six of the girls out to an all you can eat buffet as a treat that helps add an extra element to the adorable cast.
As mentioned before, fans will enjoy these specials the most but thanks to the easy to identify personalities and the well-written character interactions, newcomers will easily find themselves enjoying the series’ brand of comedy. That being said, the relatively small amount of content in Hidamari Sketch x SP (less than 50 minutes total) may be something of an issue as the normal price for the release is over $20, but I can see many ignoring that in order to watch more of the endearing cast take part in various activities.
Visuals & Audio Anyone familiar with Hidamari Sketch or Shaft will know what to expect as Shaft has given these two OVAs the same stylistic treatment they have with the rest of the series. This means that all of the unique transition scenes and sense of style all remains in Hidamari Sketch x SP which is a great fit with the soft colors used throughout the release. The same can be said about the designs of the characters which remain as familiar as ever, including the extra-wide reaction faces that they make in humorous situations.
As with all of their other releases of Hidamari Sketch, Sentai Filmworks has released Hidamari Sketch x SP with only the Japanese voice track but at this point fans of the series are not only familiar with these voice actresses but will probably prefer it this way.
As far as the soundtrack goes, very little background music is used in these OVAs but any tracks that do appear are soft in tone and feel very fitting with the calming comedic nature of Hidamari Sketch. The opening theme for both OVAs is an upbeat song named “Kimagure, Jan-ken-pon” sung by the voice actresses for Yuno, Miyako, Hiro, and Sae set to an entertaining opening animation while the ending them is the calming “nora” by marble which once again is a perfect fit for the nature of Hidamari Sketch.
Extras This release of Hidamari Sketch x SP only features the bare minimum as far as bonus features are concerned as the only extras on the disc are the standard clean opening and ending theme, disc credits, and trailers for other Sentai Filmworks releases.
Overall Hidamari Sketch x SP remains a light and humorous series with a wonderful cast of characters that fans of the series will love. This release may be a bit small considering the standard price-tag, but the two OVAs that are included in Hidamari Sketch x SP are everything that fans of the series have fallen in love with and will definitely enjoy.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
It has been a tad over 12 months since Sony released the PlayStation 4 onto the market, and to say it has been a great year for the console would be an understatement. Over the past year, Sony have sold an incredible 18.4 million units. Not only that but 4.1 million of those consoles were sold over the recent holiday period. In addition to the truckloads of PS4 consoles having been sold, Sony have also announced that 10.9 million players have taken advantage of the PlayStation Plus service.
With sales numbers like those, it is easy to see why Sony Computer Entertainment have been quite happy this holiday season, and with a slew of new games coming out for the console like Bloodborne, Uncharted 4 and Street Fighter V it is a pretty safe bet that the good times will roll on.
Sentai Filmworks has just revealed the cast for the newly-produced English dub of Maid Sama!, to be released on January 27 on DVD and Blu-ray. Here is the cast list in its entirety:
Misaki – Monica Rial
Usui – David Matranga
Shirakawa – Leraldo Anzaldua
Sakura – Margaret McDonald
Shizuko – Kara Greenberg
Kurosaki – Corey Hartzog
Sarashina – Houston Hayes
Kanou – Tyler Galindo
Suzuna – Jad Saxton
Minako – Emily Neves
Honoka – Jennifer Gilbert
Erika – Kasi Hollowell
Subaru – Juliet Simmons
Aoi – Luci Christian
Kuuga – Blake Shepard
Kou – Jack Ivy
Yuuji – Luke Patterson
Igarashi – Andrew Love
Gonda – Johnny DeLaCerda
Iwakura – Matt Hune
Yukimura – Clint Bickham
Hagimoto – Greg Ayres
Nagisa – Beth Lazarou
Satsuki – Julia Krohn
Shintani – Santry Rush
Emily Neeves is also the director of this English dub. The series, animated by J.C. Staff, was originally released in North America by Sentai Filmworks on subtitled-only DVD in 2012.
Comcept has announced in a development video released on New Years Day that Mighty No. 9 is essentially completed. In the video, Inafune shares his excitement for the upcoming release of the platformer.
While the essential code is complete there is still a large amount of debugging and beta testing to come before the games full release in April. This only notes that the main development of Mighty No. 9 is done. Inafune followed up that the porting process has only just begun. This process can be expected to take a large amount of time due to the large number of platforms Mighty No. 9 is being released on. Some early footage can be seen in the development diary below, and here as well.
Mighty No. 9 was one of the more successful video game Kickstarter campaigns launched, going past 400% of it’s original goal. The Kickstarter campaign really showcased the demand for another tightly controlled action-platformer. While the demise of the Mega Man franchise is a bittersweet thought, it’s great to see Inafune continuing on with this spiritual successor.
As part of the “we’re really sorry for the buggy release” apology, 
