The news seems to be getting better and better for the PlayStation 3 in terms of game titles in 2009. Possibly joining the list of games is the popular Xbox/PC zombie shooter Left 4 Dead.
EA is known for releasing game titles on multiple platforms; however, some would say that this is just wishful thinking. With that being said, you make the call. HMV has a link where you can preorder for a June 5, 2009 release.
Whether this is fact or fiction remains to be seen. I guess we will just have to wait until June to find out.
Forget your laptop stand and hideously mismatched secondary display, because Samsung's Lapfit series offers external LCD monitors that will match your laptop beautifully. The Lapfit External Display, which coordinates with the design of Samsung's latest laptops and comes in 19- and 22-inch versions, connects to your notebook, considerably enlarging your workable display area.
(Credit:
Samsung Korea)
The pair of low-profile, wide-screen monitors, the LD190G (19-inch) and LD220G (22-inch), sit at the height of your typical laptop and have adjustable tilt angles from 10-30 degrees. Both monitors offer 1,360x768 pixel resolution (16:9 aspect ratio), 4ms response time, and a 20,000:1 dynamic-contrast ratio.
There's nothing groundbreaking about these monitors, but their USB 2.0 graphic connectivity and low power usage is a nice boon. We'd recommend a notebook with a beefy graphics card to go along with this if you want to take full advantage of the features.
The 22-inch LD220G will purportedly see a March release in Korea, with a retail price of $215, while the 19-inch LD190G will sell for $165. No announcements were made about a U.S. release.
So, is anyone hoping to chuck their laptop stand in exchange for one of these?
On this week's installment of the Digital City podcast, we discuss Christian Bale rant remixes, Windows 7 security problems, PlayStation 3 pain, and a gaming boot camp for moms.
Also of interest -- photos and video from the annual New York Comic Con!
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Few places, outside of perhaps CES and E3, illustrate the overlapping Venn diagram of technology, video games, and popular culture better than the New York Comic Con (or the much larger, but unrelated San Diego Comic-Con). Not just for comic book geeks any more, the show is a catch-all of video games (new and vintage), comics, toys and collectibles, movies, and, of course, incessant marketing toward the mostly male, mostly young adult audience.
It's interesting to note that much of the floor space was given over to hosting video game demos and showcases from companies such as EA, Atari, and Activision. While not quite recession-proof, game companies are perhaps the last holdout that can afford massive amounts of expensive convention center floor space. Also big--the comic/video game/movie pop-culture full-court press called Watchmen.
We braved the nerdy waters of this annual show--held at NYC's Jacob Javitz convention center--to bring you this photo gallery, as well as a few video highlights, shot with a Creative Vado HD camera. Click on to see it all.
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(Credit:
1UP)
Ah, February 14, love is in the air...well, maybe not for everyone, but it's Valentine's Day nonetheless: the day loved ones do things together, or at least should, like download the Little Big Planet Valentine's Day pack from the PlayStation Network.
Media Molecule has put together a Valentine's Day theme pack. In addition to their McLovin SackBoy costume, the theme pack comes equipped with a full array of stickers and decorations that will surely inspire some wild and crazy creations. So go on, create that ultimate Valentine's Day level or object for your chosen SackBoy or SackGirl, and be sure to also show it off on the LittleBigWorkshop.
Also available for download is the Groundhog Day costume from the PS Store. but hurry as this may be your only chance before it's gone forever.
(Credit:
Capcom)
Are you a huge fan of the Street Fighter franchise? Well, if you are, Los Angeles is the place for you. When Capcom hosts the Street Fighter 4 launch event and 20 years of Street Fighter history. Straight from Capcom Unity here are the details:
The where:
The Geffen Contemporary at the Museum of Contemporary Art
152 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
The when: Thursday, February 12th, 2009, from 8 pm-12 midnight.
The who: You! Yes, you. And your squirrelly cousin. And his best friend. On February 12, any friend of Street Fighter is a friend of ours, and is welcome at the party.
The how: You sign up for the party by dropping an e-mail to sfevent@capcom.com and await your RSVP!
The what: So what's happening? If a roomful of SFIV isn't enough to keep you smiling, we've also got:
-Producer Yoshinori Ono on hand for autographs
-Live performance by The Knux
-Live performance by Supreme Soul from America's Best Dance Crew
-Live performance by DJ QBert
-Customized fitted caps by Estate LA (www.estatela.com)
-Customized etching by Coveroo (www.coveroo.com)
-Customized sketches by Udon artists
-Street Fighter Club Room: If you missed us in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, here's your chance to relive the magic
-Screening of the new Street Fighter anime The Ties That Bind
-Old-school arcade cabinets redesigned and reinterpreted by artists and fashion labels
And last but not least, your chance to win a retail copy of Street Fighter IV a week before it hits stores!
Yes my friends, it's a good time to be a Street Fighter, so come one, come all, and join us for a very special night of face-punching goodness!
On this week's installment of the Digital City podcast, we discuss we discuss the dangers of being a Web celebrity, a possible new iPhone, traffic throttling from your ISP, the DTV transition, and read some listener mail (again about Joey's PlayStation fanboyism).
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Tampa authorities will utilize Microsoft's Surface touch-screen device, along with other technologies, as part of Super Bowl Sunday security, according to Ars Technica.
For well over a year now, more than 60 federal, state, regional, local, and municipal authorities have been working with the E-Sponder technology partnership to plan security details for Super Bowl XLIII, one of the only major sporting events that receives national security status.
Beginning this week and continuing past the final game whistle, E-Sponder will connect on-site and remote authorities, allowing them to remotely track all activities in real time with mapping, as well as 3D displays, two-way radio integration, and immediate communication.
Together with Infusion Development's Falcon Eye technology, the Tampa Incident Command staff will use the E-Sponder portal to visualize all aspects of Super Bowl goings-on.
The Microsoft Surface device will display a Microsoft Virtual Earth map of the entire region, tracking events and incidents in real time using its large display and multi-user, multitouch, and interactive capabilities, and also allowing it to communicate with remote devices and PCs.
With a quick hand gesture, the map can zoom in and display a 3D image of the city, including detailed views of buildings and streets and real-time resource tracking.
A recent job posting by Activision (found on Gamasutra) is advertising for an "Art Services Screenshot Associate." In the description, it lists how "typical end use will include screenshots for editorial, packaging, advertising, manuals and more, as needed." One of the listed duties is to perform "advanced retouching of screenshots and teach skills to others as needed."
(Credit:
Gamepro)
"Bullshot"--a hybrid of screenshot and bullsh*t--is a term used for a screenshot that's been altered through Photoshop to appear a little snazzier than it actually is. Things will become a little crisper, more saturated, or are just plain altered to make a game look better than it is.
Every once in a while, a video game publisher will be outed for producing doctored screenshots of a popular title, but soon all is forgotten after the game is released. Previous games to flaunt doctored images include Killzone 2, Red Steel, and Madden '06.
IGN explains in its coverage, "It isn't any secret that many publishers touch up screenshots before sending them out to the public. If a game doesn't look snazzy enough in its current form, digital artists can make sure you and I don't get the wrong idea about an upcoming game."
So apply now, and become a professional bullshot artist.
One of the biggest titles to hit the Xbox 360, Mass Effect, may see its sequels on the PlayStation 3. With Electronic Art's purchase of BioWare, the developer of Mass Effect, and EA's history of not limiting itself to one platform, it's kind of a no-brainer. Especially once you throw in a poor economy where every sale counts.
According to the Web site OnAxis, Michael Pachter, Managing Director of Entertainment Software and Retail Research at Wedbush Morgan Securities, said he believes that Mass Effect will not remain an Xbox 360 exclusive.
Speaking with a panel of others on Gametrailer's show Bonus Round, Pachter commented, "Trust me, Electronic Arts, when they threw out the number 300 million...that is multiplatform, that is not 360 only." And when asked if Mass Effect 2 will come to the PS3, he said, "It has to, has to. And you know, I wouldn't be shocked if Mass Effect 1 came to PS3."
An EA rep responded saying, "The rumor regarding Mass Effect being developed for PS3 is inaccurate," which isn't exactly a denial.
Former radio DJ turned
journalist Dan Ackerman grew up in the Bronx and now lives in
Manhattan. He’s covered music, technology, and video games for
more than 10 years. His latest album, Tales Out of Night School
is available now. 
Joseph Kaminski,
when not juggling the dual demands of parenthood and HD gaming, is a
life-long Manhattanite and can be found testing the latest tech in
CNET’s Lab. 
Julie Rivera grew up
and currently resides in Brooklyn. When she's not deejaying,
bartending, or fixing gadgets for friends on the outside, you'll find
her testing, troubleshooting and developing benchmarks for laptops in
the "fish bowl" known as CNET Labs. 
Scott Stein, CNET's
newest laptops editor, was born in Queens and grew up a Long Islander -
and is now raising a kid in NYC. In addition to covering games and
tech, writing screenplays, and performing improv in seedy downtown
establishments, he's also a die-hard, season-ticket-holding Jets fan.
