Today during their E3 press conference, Microsoft revealed that they are planning on releasing the Halo: Master Chief Collection on November 11th. This release will contain Halo, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo 4 for the Xbox One. All of these games will be available right from the start on a single disc and players can even create custom playlists to play their favorite moments all in a row.
Halo 1 will be released in its HD version and Halo 2 will also be given a significant HD upgrade that will allow players to switch between the new HD visuals and the classic mode. Halo 2’s multiplayer will also be released with a graphical upgrade, but the gameplay mechanics themselves will be completely untouched. This means the game’s iconic multiplayer will be “exactly as it shipped ten years ago.” The company also revealed that anyone who pre-orders the Master Chief Collection will gain access to a Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta.
Today during Microsoft‘s E3 press conference it was revealed that some new DLC is heading for Dead Rising 3 and it is better than anything people could imagine. Not because of the gameplay perhaps, but because of everything it contains since this DLC, hilariously titled Super Ultra Dead Rising 3 Arcade Remix Hyper Edition EX Plus Alpha, contains four player online co-op, fan service costumes including outfits from Darkstalkers, Street Fighter, and more, as well as special powers.
To make this even better, apparently this DLC is available now, although I cannot find it at the moment on the Xbox Live store, so it will probably be available sometime later today for an unknown price.
Update: The DLC is now available for purchase through the Xbox One Marketplace and it is priced at $9.99 and is not tied to the Season Pass, meaning that even if you own the Season Pass for Dead Rising 3, you still need to pay $9.99 to obtain this DLC.
At Microsoft‘s Xbox E3 2014 Media Briefing, Turn 10 Studios Creative Director, Dan Greenawalt, took to the stage to make a couple significant announcements.
Firstly, the famous Nürburgring track is available right now, for free, for Forza Motorsport 5. It’s about time! The announcement trailer can be found directly below. Secondly, Forza Horizon 2 will be coming to Xbox One this September 30th, running at 30fps and 1080p. It will feature a dynamic weather system, a full day and night cycle, and over 200 vehicles to race within its Southern European backdrop. Also, Drivatar will be making the transition into the game to help create a suitably varied racing experience. The big E3 trailer shown on stage for Forza Horizon 2 is embedded at the bottom of this article. Check it out!
Forza Motorsport 5 – Nürburgring Announcement Trailer
Stay tuned to Capsule Computers for more E3 2014 coverage!
During Microsoft’s E3 press conference it was revealed that Turtle Rock and 2K‘s Evolve will be receiving content on the Xbox One before other consoles. This means that the Xbox One will have timed-exclusivity on all downloadable content for Evolve and the beta for the game will also be launching on the Xbox One sometime in the future.
There was also a short teaser trailer accompanying this announcement, however this trailer did not have any significant gameplay footage that we haven’t seen before thanks to some recently released gameplay trailers. Evolve is currently set to be released on October 21st.
To kick off their big E3 conference, Microsoft revealed some new gameplay footage for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and alongside this gameplay footage it has also been revealed that all DLC for Advanced Warfare will be coming to the Xbox One first. This is not new for the series, as most recent Call of Duty titles have had a one month timed-exclusivity to Xbox consoles before arriving on other platforms.
In the trailer which will likely appear on the site later, we are shown how far Activision and Sledgehammer games is really taking the “Advanced Warfare” aspect by introducing drop-pods, numerous mechanical enemies ranging from swarms of drones, walking tank-like creatures, beam weaponry, jump packs that allow for boosting alongside plenty of drama and some gore as shown above. Keep an eye out for it later on today.
Update: The nine minute long trailer including plenty of gameplay footage has now gone live and you can check it out in its entirety below.
Welcome to another episode of CC: Anime, Capsule Computers Anime Podcast! In our thirty fourth episode, the CC: Anime crew discuss the latest anime and manga news, Persona 4, Danganronpa, anime games of the PS Vita in general, the upcoming Kill La Kill dub and the number of episodes per release on the decline.
Cast: Kane Bugeja, Travis Bruno and Frank Inglese.
We hope you enjoy CC: Anime Episode 34, be sure to let us know what you think.
Prof. Dr. Hao Li is a true innovator within the industry, in fact, he was named in the ‘C-Suite Quaterly NextGen 10: Innovators under 40’ and the ‘World’s top 35 innovators under 35’ by MIT Technology Review! Li’s contributions have affected multiple fields under the computer science umbrella, with leading visual effects studios and radiation therapy manufacturers alike benefiting from his work. The former Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) Research Lead and current Assistant Professor, computer science department at University of Southern California (USC), made the trip to Sydney for a Vivid Ideas talk ‘On the Future of Digital Characters’.
As was to be expected, the large majority of attendees had ties to 3D, Animation or related specialties. Li began with an overview of the visual character creation process, which many gamers will be familiar with. Speaking on the amazing fidelity we are able to achieve in presenting lifelike models today, Li turned to EA DICE’s Frostbite 3 Engine, as showcased in Battlefield 4. But what Li has been attempting to do – and is making strides in – is facilitate the creation of digital content much faster and efficiently, ideally to the point of being virtually automatic. It’s actually a reality that is well-nigh, as opposed to being a 10 year goal. We’ve been privy to the processes of developers and filmmakers who utilise multi-view stereo to obtain a fully 3D data-set and recreation of a model. However, with those methods comes limitation, not the least of which are money-related. Microsoft took the first step towards democratizing this sort of technology with the release of the Kinect as a standalone peripheral for Windows back in February, 2011. The appropriation of real-time depth sensors for varied purposes, particularly since the Kinect’s launch, has been widely documented, although Li sees the implementation of such similar quality, but much more compact scanners in our laptops, tablets and even smartphones in the very near future.
Before that day comes to pass, we must look at the steps being taken in order to get there. You may have noticed in the header image (and promotional ads) that Li is holding a 3D printed model of himself. While the cost of buying a 3D printer is extremely high, although many companies are trying to change that, what Li is actually demonstrating is the user’s ability to capture the necessary data to enable such physical recreations, simply by using the Kinect or similar hardware. The problems with this approach are the inconveniences of capturing every side of the subject, the inconsistency of lighting and shading due to the subject’s movements and a certain quality ceiling. An effective model can be stitched together from these rigid scans nonetheless, but the digital uses for this information is most intriguing. In a collaboration with USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT), a software was developed that allows the automatic rigging (adding a skeleton) of a mesh made from that 3D data, which has clear implications for 3D animation pipelines.
Looking at film practices, James Cameron and his crew, while innovating on new technologies, still had to rely on marker-point motion-capture for Avatar, which is entirely non-ideal considering the added manual labor required to correct and animate nuances and in-between movements of the face where there are no markers. And before ILM introduced a new motion-capture suit/technology able to accurately capture motion outside, filmmakers could forget any ideas involving outdoor shoots. Li proceeded to present footage showing ILM tests predating the Kinect, whereby a stream of significantly higher-resolution data could be captured within a certain space using two machine-vision cameras and a video projector. But, the data was raw, unstructured and meaningless at that stage. This leads into Li’s main focuses in his research and experimentation: how to extract low-level information from raw data via correspondences, and how to analyse and detect semantics.
The talk becomes quite technical and, truly, the best way to understand all the details and processes is with visual aids. For those who were unable to attend, or simply unaware of the opportunity, Li’s own website is a fantastic resource, where he is generous in offering video links to numerous paper videos, succinct demonstrations, as well as the almost two-dozen journal and conference papers he has written, a free geometry processing application for Mac called BeNTO 3D, and even some older lecture materials. For those with a decided interest in digitizing the real world, or the applications of such technology in medicine, military (counter-terrorism in particular), SFX and other fields, you should really check it out at hao.li. Besides a sneak peek of a top secret prototype for effectively dealing with occlusion whilst maintaining consistent, unconstrained and high-quality facial performance capture, you’ll see practically everything we saw (sorry!). Gamers, don’t be surprised if he has a hand in bringing life-like hair, garment and facial performance capture to that upcoming next-gen game that will undoubtedly impress you beyond words.
Soon, taking a complete 3D image of yourself at the press of a button will be reality. Oh, and take one quick glance at his resume for instant inferiority syndrome…what have we done with our lives?!
It was only a few weeks ago that the brand-new “Persona 4″ anime series “The Golden Animation” was announced and today the official site has released the Japanese air date for the show. It has been listed to begin its broadcast on the 10th of July and will run as a part of the Summer anime season which is actually just around the corner.
The new series will detail the events of the recent remake “Persona 4 Golden” which added a new character to the story, a girl named Marie, as well as a great deal more insight into the TV World which took the main focus of the game. The cast of the original “Persona 4” anime will reprise their roles as their respective characters for “The Golden Animation” alongside Kana Hanazawa as the newly introduced Marie.
You may know Kana Hanazawa from her roles in “Psycho-Pass”, “Sket Dance”, “Zetman”, etc. The new “Persona 4” anime is just around the corner but unfortunately, as of right now, no digital distributors have picked up the license to it. Hopefully we’ll heard news of something like that soon.
It’s something we’ve been waiting for ever since “Persona 4 Arena Ultimax” was first announced and today ATLUS have finally gifted us with it; the official box art image of the game. Now as far as cover image designs go…this one would have to be the most epic of any I’ve seen up until this point of my life.
If you’ve yet to click the image above and check out the full picture than let me pose this question to you: Have you ever wanted to see a super sexy, super alpha, super manly and all around badass image of Persona 4 protagonist Yu Narukami? Well even if the answer is “no” it’s too bad because that’s exactly what we’ve been given.
NOW go and check the image above. I feel as though you’ll be pleasantly surprised. In all seriousness; the cover art is actually really cool and honestly suits the overall vibe of “Persona 4”. The game is set for a release on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in Japan on the 28th of August this year and for the West some time after that.
Don’t worry too much though, E3 is only a day away and ATLUS have already announced that “Persona 4 Arena Ultimax” will be one of the games they’ll be showcasing this year so expect to see more from it very soon!
Welcome, friends, to week ten/episode ten of the ongoing “Stardust Crusaders” anime impression series. Before we begin I have to issue quite a real “spoiler alert”. Episode ten seems to be where the story truly begins, with the majority of it being very serious rather than goofy which we all know is what “JJBA” likes to do.
“The Emperor And The Hanged Man Part 1”, unlike the episodes we’ve seen in the past, has a great deal of substance and a level of gravitas the likes of which we’ve never seen before. It is the beginning of a new sub-arc in the storyline and features a scene made to impact the audience so I ask that you go and watch the episode before reading my thoughts on it. You wouldn’t want to ruin it for yourself.
– Culture Shock –
Culture Shock
Jotaro, Joseph, Kakyoin, Avdul and Polnareff finally make it to Calcutta. The odd thing about it is most likely that they weren’t attacked along the way which proves that locomotive travel is the safest option if you’re ever being hunted. I’m not sure how accurate “Stardust Crusaders” is when it comes to it’s portrayal of other countries but as soon as the group arrive they’re swarmed with people looking to sell to them or steal from them, either way all they wanted was some foreign cash which may or may not be true of Calcutta. I’ve never been so I can’t comment.
They escape to a local restaurant for some peace, quiet and possibly some traditional Indian food to calm their nerves. The strange thing about the restaurant; Jotaro openly likes it…possibly the weirdest thing to have happened in this series as of this episode. Creeped out by a happy Jotaro, Polnareff decides to head to the bathroom to powder his nose or “take a crap” as some cultures say but there he finds nothing but trouble as he discovers a pig trying to escape through the bottom of the toilet bowl.
It’s a whole thing, better you watch the episode to see how truly strange this particular scene was. I don’t know whether or not Indian toilets are built over pig pens as a “waste management” strategy and, to be honest, I don’t think want to know. Unfortunately that’s not the most shocking thing Polnareff comes across in the toilet. While washing up in the basin he happens to catch something in the reflection of the mirror that makes his spine tingle.
– Reflections –
Reflections
Looking back at the window, he sees nothing. Maybe his head isn’t quite in the right place right now. Turning back around to wash up, he notices the strange figure again but it’s moving, no, climbing in through the window! Glancing back once again, he sees nothing but he needs to make a move, his life has been too dangerous up until this point to do nothing, something I was very impressed was written into this scene. He remembers Jotaro talking about a mirror-based “Stand” and quickly smashes the one above the basin. He runs back out to the table where he informs the rest of the group who look at him oddly despite being aware of the situation at hand.
Despite the silly start to the episode, the coming scenes were dealt with by the characters somewhat realistically which restores my faith in the writing of the series. I love the character of Jotaro but, for the most part, this series has just been episode after episode of nonsense and I was actually starting to get sick of it. Episode ten, this episode, brought me back. It gave me faith that this can be better than it’s predecessor. Polnareff knows, thanks to Rubber Soul from last week’s episode, that the man who killed his sister is the user of “Hanged Man”; a “Stand” only visible in reflections.
He dashes out of the restaurant in a panic, ready to find the man behind the murder but the streets are far too crowded. You could feel Polnareff’s heart rate start to build as he looked around for some sort of sign. Between the music and the high-grade animation, this seen was very compelling; a “Stardust Crusaders” character showing the slightest bit of emotion! We hadn’t seen this since Joseph’s lashing out all the way back in episode two. Regardless, it was quite the sight and a very good start to the impactful second half of the episode.
– Revenge: A Truly Selfish Act –
Revenge: A Truly Selfish Act
Polnareff sets out to go on a search for the man with the two right arms alone but the rest of the group, especially Avdul, greatly disagrees with his plan. The two get into a fairly heated argument when Avdul calls Polnareff out for being selfish after he exclaims that he’s only travelled with the group to fin the killer of his sister.
It’s understandable as to why Polnareff is feeling this way; he’s scared, he’s angry, he’s got a lot of pent up rage he needs to unload on “Hanged Man” and the one that is in his face right now is Avdul so he gets the brunt of it. Each of the two make fairly good points for both their sides and Avduls devotion to his new friends is clear when he explains that he doesn’t want Polnareff to fall in battle against this enemy, that it is safer to go as a team and that this is not the right way to go about it but Polnareff just wont listen.
Instead, he lashes out against the mystic, bringing up the time he ran away from DIO in fear rather than staying to fight. It’s amazing how “real” this scene got, I finally felt a sense of empathy while watching “Stardust Crusaders” and I can only assume the other watcher felt the same. More harsh words are thrown around and Polnareff storms off, hell bent on destroying the man who took his sister from him.
– The Emperor And The Hanged Man –
The Emperor And The Hanged Man
The audience is met with the sight of a beautiful sunset over an unnamed desert as a clearly foreign man and a local woman ride across the horizon on an elephant, which was somewhat of natural occurrence in India at the time. The man and woman express their love to each other though it is clear the man is simply saying what the woman wants to hear. After practically quoting a Bon Jovi song, the man rides off leaving the woman behind to wonder what her life could have been like if this mysterious man would have married her. The man, on the other hand, is thinking everything but that as he comes across a fellow drifter and the man you will all soon know as Centerfold.
Hol Horse (the man on the elephant) and Centerfold (the man with the two right hands) chat like friends, indicating they’ve met in the past and have probably hung out like at least a hundred times. A cobra attacks them at the perfect moment, allowing them both to show off their “Stand” abilities while also looking super cool. The two then decide to head off into Calcutta to finally do what the rest of DIO’s men couldn’t; kill the Joestars…and their friends.
– Something He Couldn’t See Coming –
Something He Couldn’t See Coming
Polnareff begins his search for the killer by asking locals about a man with two right hands but comes up dry until, well…until it starts to rain. No pun intended. With the short downpour comes the two men who will send the crew into a state of shock no culture could even get close to. We’re shown a glimpse of two people walking into town but by the time Polnareff turns around to look we’re met solely with Hol Horse basking in the glow of the sun who’s just wiped away the rain. Polnareff questions him, once again asking abou the man with the two right hands but this time with a little more aggression in his voice.
The two quickly get to a place of hostility; Hol Horse knows who Polnareff is and he knows he’s to be killed, Polnareff on the other hand…he’s suspectful but not fully aware of just who Hol Horse’s partner is. “The gun is mightier than the sword” exclaims Hol Horse in an attempt to bait Polnareff who’s already been separated from the group. Polnareff bites, he sends “Silver Chariot” to attack Hol Horse as the cowboy shoots at him. “Silver Chariot” seems fast enough to block a speeding bullet but now when that bullet can be manipulated to reach a target no matter what. The round zooms past “Silver Chariot” and heads straight for Polnareff who is saved by Avdul tackling him out of the way.
The bullet curves upwards and seemingly well out of lethal range. Avdul and Polnareff then have a “heart-to-heart” while we watch as the other group members scour the city to find the fight. Avdul confronts Hol Horse, ready to do battle alongside Polnareff who isn’t strong enough to do it on his own…big mistake. Using the puddle as a reflective surface, Centerfold dispatches “Hanged Man” and pierces Avduls back which takes diverts his attention as the bullet from earlier speeds back around through the air and hits Avdul right between the eyes. His death is instant and rocks Polnareff who watched as the whole thing happened.
This episode, even though it was always just a little different, took one hell of a turn with the death of Avdul. Kakyoin reaches the fight too late and is left only with the Avdul’s dying image. He runs to the body and even makes reference to a typical Shonen trope but the man is gone. He breaks down, unable to fully comprehend what just happened. Polnareff, on the other hand, sticks to his “tough guy” facade and blams Avdul for getting himself killed but his true emotions overwhelm him and the episode ends with Polnareff in tears. Not much more can be said about this episode apart from that it was the best we’ve seen so far. It was full of emotion, great animation and gravitas. It has restored my faith in the series but unfortunately it was done through the death of a main character.
Check out the “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders” anime on Crunchyroll and check out more episode impressions HERE.
Looking at film practices, James Cameron and his crew, while innovating on new technologies, still had to rely on marker-point motion-capture for Avatar, which is entirely non-ideal considering the added manual labor required to correct and animate nuances and in-between movements of the face where there are no markers. And before ILM introduced a new motion-capture suit/technology able to accurately capture motion outside, filmmakers could forget any ideas involving outdoor shoots. Li proceeded to present footage showing ILM tests predating the Kinect, whereby a stream of significantly higher-resolution data could be captured within a certain space using two machine-vision cameras and a video projector. But, the data was raw, unstructured and meaningless at that stage. This leads into Li’s main focuses in his research and experimentation: how to extract low-level information from raw data via correspondences, and how to analyse and detect semantics.
