Video game development

Video game hacks straight into US surveillance storm

Agence France-PresseJune 12, 2013 22:30

A video game with a protagonist who controls the world around him by hacking into systems is generating growing buzz, for its eerie parallels with the current storm about US surveillance. Games typically use weapons ranging from guns and swords to zappers to special powers to defeat enemies, overcome obstacles or simply score points, and hundreds are on display at the E3 gaming industry conference in Los Angeles.

Sony eyes long game despite console launch triumph

Agence France-PresseJune 11, 2013 22:41

Sony insisted Tuesday that the game console war is far from won, despite its PR launch triumph over Microsoft this week, as gamers scrambled to get their hands on the next generation devices. Developers and fans swarmed onto the Japanese and US giants' stands at the E3 gaming industry mega-conference in Los Angeles, a day after Sony's Playstation 4 (PS4) and Microsoft's Xbox One were unveiled in public for the first time.

Sony pulls back curtain on new PS4 console

Agence France-PresseJune 11, 2013 03:40

Sony on Monday provided the world the first look at its new PlayStation 4 console, promising to combine its film, music, television and game strengths in a powerhouse home entertainment box. Sony Computer Entertainment president Andrew House touted the next-generation videogame consoles as being built for the future while, at the same time, saying the company was remaining true to the new console's predecessor, the PlayStation 3.

CORRECTED: Sony pulls back curtain on new PS4 console

Agence France-PresseJune 11, 2013 02:30

Aaron Paul, Drake promote next-generation Electronic Arts video games at E3

The Canadian PressJune 10, 2013 19:31

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Drake and Aaron Paul are bringing some star power to the Electronic Entertainment Expo. The rapper and the "Breaking Bad" co-star appeared on stage Monday at Electronic Arts' E3 presentation to promote games from the video game publisher. Drake hyped the next edition of the soccer simulator "FIFA 14," while Paul teased the racing game "Need for Speed: Rivals." Paul, who is starring in a film based on the pedal-pumping "Need for Speed" series set for release next spring, arrived on stage in the custom Ford Mustang his character drives in the film.

States with the biggest changes in jobless aid applications, and some reasons, at a glance

The Canadian PressMay 30, 2013 11:17

More Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, though the level of applications is still consistent with steady hiring. Weekly applications rose 10,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 354,000. The four-week average rose 6,750 to 347,250, the third straight gain. The average fell to a five-year low earlier this month. Here are the states with the biggest changes in applications. The state data are for the week ended May 18, one week behind the national data: States with the biggest increases: South Carolina: Up 1,263, due to layoffs in manufacturing

First episode of 'What Remains' debuts 'The Last of Us' homage

Agence France-PresseMay 28, 2013 14:18

Coming in at not much under 20 minutes, the debut episode of web series "What Remains" is inspired by upcoming video game "The Last of Us," which is in turn based on the real life "zombie ant" parasitic fungus Cordyceps Unilateralis. The unofficial tribute, produced by Manifest Film, follows David and Alex, two survivors of a fungal apocalypse that has seen cities ravaged by overgrown plant life and any remaining humans scavenging for tools and nutrition. Others, the infected, have been turned into drones whose purpose is to pass on their spores to the untouched.

First episode of 'What Remains' debuts 'The Last of Us' homage

Agence France-PresseMay 28, 2013 14:18

First episode of 'What Remains' debuts 'The Last of Us' homage

Agence France-PresseMay 28, 2013 14:17

'Minecraft' studio gives 'Scrolls' June release and trailer

Agence France-PresseMay 28, 2013 01:15

"Scrolls," the sophomore effort from "Minecraft" developer Mojang, will be released for Windows and Mac OS X on June 3, with a launch trailer to whet appetites until then. Card games and board games meet in "Scrolls" as players deploy small armies on a compact, hex-based battlefield; each has a deck of scrolls to draw upon and various resources to spend. The runaway success of "Minecraft" provided creator Markus Persson with both the funds and the necessity to set up a studio under the Mojang moniker.