The Wii U has broken through the 10 million units sold worldwide, according to figures released by Nintendo earlier today.
The console, which went on sale in November 2012, managed to sell 470,000 units in the three months between April-June 2015, 40,000 lower than Nintendo’s projections, but still enough to take lifetime sales to 10.01m.
The Wii U console is has sold well in the Americas where it has sold 4.85m units, with Japan accounting for 2.48m. Other territories, including Europe, contribute a combined 2.68m.
Nintendo expects to sell 3.4m consoles worldwide during its current financial year, which runs from April 2015 to March 2016.
The average Wii U owner has six games and collectively they purchased over 4.5 million titles for the Wii U in the last quarter. Elsewhere, sales of all 3DS models surpassed 2 million, while Wii customers continue to buy up games, with 1.1 million bought during the past three months.
PS4, meanwhile, stands at over 22.3m sales, despite launching one year later. Microsoft hasn’t updated its Xbox One sales figures since November, when it revealed it had shipped almost 10m consoles.
Details on Nintendo’s next console, the Nintendo NX, are due to be revealed in 2016.
PAX Australia this year will feature an entire space dedicated to the rise of the independent game developers.
A celebration of innovation, PAX Rising has been specifically created to feature the best of the Australian and New Zealand development scene, a selection of exciting international independent games, and the six winners of the prestigious PAX Aus Indie Showcase.
“The strength of the PAX Aus indie community amazed us last year and served as inspiration for the PAX Rising umbrella,” said Penny Arcade President, Robert Khoo. “Our dream is to roll the area out across all of our shows, with the ambition being what you’ll see in Melbourne.”
PAX around the world has always demonstrated a commitment to presenting the most unusual and worthy independent games, and now PAX Rising takes it to the next level with over 70 developers at PAX Aus in the one dedicated, collaborative space.
This includes the six winners of the PAX Aus Indie Showcase, the annual competition that highlights the best of the Australian & New Zealand development scene. This year’s winners will be featured in the PAX Rising area and are listed below:
Hollow Knight is a 2D action-adventure game with an emphasis on traditional 2D animation and skillful gameplay. Journey to Hallownest, a vast and ancient underground kingdom inhabited by a bizarre collection of insects and monsters.
Players will forge their own path as they explore ruined cities, forests of fungus, temples of bone and other fantastic lands, all on their way to uncovering an ancient mystery.
Hacknet is a terminal-driven hacking game with competitive multiplayer, a fully internally-consistent network simulation and a realistic interface. It follows the story of recently deceased hacker “Bit”, whose death may not be the ‘accident’ the media reports.
You stand in for no one, as most games have you do – play for yourself, make your own decisions, and see the world react – if you’re leaving a trace that is. Hacknet has no protagonist, other than the person using it. Don’t be reckless though – it’s more real than you think.
Werewolf dodgeball in a top-down arena! Lupinball is a hectic contest of firing bright power shots at your opponents while avoiding theirs. Power shots never stop flying around, continually bouncing off walls and shields until they kill an opponent unlucky or careless enough to be in its way.
As you can imagine, the arena gets much more chaotic and dangerous as the round continues, so stay focused and keep moving (and shooting)!
Armed with Wings: Rearmed is a 2D action/puzzle platformer set in the dark and dilapidated world of Black Mist. Players control a capable hero and cunning eagle, travelling through various lands and fortresses that challenge the player’s ability to solve puzzles, engage enemies and traverse platforms.
Agent A is a spy themed puzzle game for Smartphones, Tablets and erm, Shoephones?! Your mission (should you choose to accept of course) is to infiltrate enemy spy Ruby La Rouge’s secret hideaway and catch her!
Uncover a stylish 60s themed world full of hidden contraptions and clever logic based puzzles. Oh and do be careful, Miss La Rouge has a taste for dismissing agents such as yourself!
Death Squared is a game about learning how to not obliterate your companion as you navigate a set of environments that are mechanically mapped to you in surprisingly unhelpful ways.
It builds an immediate need for communication, coordination, and collective problem solving.
Are you headed to PAX Australia?
If you’re planning on going to PAX Aus this year we’d love to know what you’re looking forward to the most, let us know in the comments below. We’ve also got our PAX Australia survival guide if you’re looking for tips on how to make the most of the event.
PAX Aus will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 30 October to 1 November, 2015.
Single day passes and 3 day international passes are still available and can be purchased only through the PAX Aus website: www.paxaustralia.com.au/registration.
For our first ever ‘Poll of the Week‘, Non-Fiction Gaming is turning its eye on some famous Treasure Hunters. Who out of these four would make Indiana Jones proud?
Well, what are you waiting for? This Vote belongs in a museum!
VOTE!
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.
Captain Toad Treasure Tracker
Captain Toad is a character who first appears in Super Mario Galaxy. A red Toad dressed with an oversized backpack and a headlamp, he is the leader of the Toad Brigade, a group of Toads that provides help to Mario in Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 (in these games, he is referred to as the Toad Brigade Captain).
Captain Toad earns his own starring role in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, which revolves around a tale of the hard-working Toad going out of his way to stop a massive bird from taking away both his treasure and his friend Toadette.
Spyro the Dragon
Spyro is known for being courageous, headstrong, eager and arrogant. He has an immutable sense of heroism, friendliness, and has a fiery personality.
Gems (known as Treasure in Spyro the Dragon and also called Dragon Treasure in Enter the Dragonfly) are the signature collectible in the Spyro the Dragon franchise and can be found in nearly every realm of every game. Gems act as the currency of the Spyro universe.
Nathan Drake
Nathan “Nate” Drake (born Nathan Morgan) is the main protagonist and playable character of the Uncharted series. A professional treasure hunter, Nate is described as a “deep-sea salvage expert and action-pro.”
Since childhood, Nate has held the belief that he is descended from the famous English explorer Sir Francis Drake.
Lara Croft
Lara Croft is a British archaeologist and Tomb Raider. After surviving a Plane Crash at the age of 21, Lara becomes bored with the stifling atmosphere of British aristocracy, Lara left her pampered life for a life of adventure and mystery, uncovering many powerful relics, and stopping several conspiracies that threatened the world.
You can let us know what you chose and why in the comments below.
If you’ve got a suggestion for a Poll, let us know in the comments. As we’re just finding out feet with this we’d love some input!
JCU, NTU and NUS become the latest partners in OSVR’s Academia Program to contribute to research portal aimed at aiding in industry development
Organizers of Open Source Virtual Reality (OSVR), a platform designed to set an open standard for virtual reality devices, today announced the launch of a research portal on the OSVR Website. Led by OSVR’s academic partners, the research can be accessed by developers, enthusiasts and anyone with an interest in virtual reality.
Among the academia partners blazing the way forward are Singapore institutions, James Cook University, National University of Singapore’s Keio-NUS CUTE (Connective Ubiquitous Technology for Embodiments) Centre and Nanyang Technological University’s Multi-Platform Game Innovation Centre (MAGIC).
As part of the OSVR Academia Program, the three universities will be provided with hardware development kits (HDKs) and related support for use in their research labs.
“Creating an open platform to exchange knowledge and learnings of both commercial and academic partners will drive the entire industry forward with an open knowledge base through which the exchange of crucial learnings can be done,” says Christopher Mitchell, senior product marketing manager at Razer. “We are still in somewhat unchartered territory with virtual reality, and it is through collaboration that we can solve problems and push the envelope of virtual reality technology to make it a mass market success.”
The resources available at the portal’s launch will cover the following categories with more anticipated:
Virtual Reality -General VR design principles and technology
Augmented Reality – Effective real world application of AR
Game Design – Observations and insights into effective game design for VR/AR
Peripheral Optimization –Guidelines and best practices when designing interaction and interfaces around industry peripherals
Algorithms – Optimizing the design and logic of VR/AR software technology.
VR in Education –Enhancing education with virtual reality
CONTRIBUTE RESEARCH
Anybody interested in contributing can submit his or her whitepaper for publishing on the VR research portal. If selected, you will have the opportunity to tap on the entire OSVR base of 155 partners covering aspects of the industry ranging from VR peripherals, content production, simulation engines, consultation, technology providing and academia to further your research.
To explore all currently available whitepapers or submit research, interested parties may visit: www.osvr.com/research
NEW ACADEMIA PARTNERS:
The 13 latest additions to the overall count of 49 academia supporters:
Arizona Laboratory for Immersive Visualization Environments, University of Arizona, has a 4-sided CAVE which utilizes the Unity game engine as their main display software in the immersive environment. They are exploring OSVR as a means to provide single users a way to collaborate and share the immersive CAVE experience from remote locations using their own head mounted displays.
COSMIAC (The Configurable Space Microsystems Innovations and Applications Center promotes STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and uses OSVR for educational purposes as it spans multiple engineering disciplines for both software and hardware modification.
JCU Singapore (registered as James Cook Australia Institute of Higher Learning in Singapore) is fully owned by James Cook University Australia and is ranked in the top 4% of universities in the world. JCU Singapore is also the host of the first permanent museum entirely dedicated to the history of video and computer games in South East Asia.
Keio-NUS CUTE (Connective Ubiquitous Technology for Embodiments) center is a joint collaboration between National University of Singapore (NUS) and Keio University, Japan. It is partially funded by a grant from the National Research Foundation (NRF) administrated through the Media Development Authority (MDA) of Singapore. Operations of the Center commenced on 1 April 2009. The main objective of setting up the center is to collaborate on fundamental research in the general area of Interactive Digital Media targeted at addressing the future of interactive, social and communication media. They use OSVR in their medical training and simulations and in their scientific studies on the role of physical movement and learning.
Multi-Platform Game Innovation Centre (MAGIC) in Nanyang Technological University (NTU) aims to champion games technology and related research to translate scientific ideas into technological products and services for the Studios of the Future in the media and entertainment industry.
Poznań Supercomputing and Networking Center focuses on providing computing power, networking services, research and development facilities for next generation computer networks, modern applications, portals, parallel and distributed computing as well as network and system security, integration and implementation of scientific research results via developing services for public administration, healthcare, education and other social areas.
SRH University Heidelberg is one of the oldest and largest private campus universities in Germany. For four decades, the SRH University Heidelberg has been among the most renowned German universities, with a close network of businesses and institutes of higher education worldwide. By establishing a unique study course focusing on virtual worlds and end-user application of “Virtual Realities” already in 2010, the SRH University Heidelberg anticipated current trends ahead of time.
Stefan cel Mare, University of Suceava develops new technologies that can be used worldwide by other universities or companies. They see the potential in virtual reality and like that OSVR is a big community and are pleased to be a part of it.
The Virtual Reality Laboratory of SeAMK – Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences – is a laboratory of the School of Technology, reserved for the research, project works and final theses of engineering students of Automation, Information Technology, Construction and Mechanical Engineering. The VR lab is equipped with state of the art technology in Virtual Reality. The aim of adaptation of OSVR is to enhance and broaden the technology research field of the lab. Future OSVR projects will be mainly targeted in architecture, construction, robotics, factory automation, 3D design and 3D gaming technologies
University of Bologna, Italy facilitated the development of GLOVR a hand interface specifically designed for VR applications. The idea behind it is to free players from the constraints imposed by traditional controllers. GLOVR features a dynamic gesture detection unit and a natural language interface to allow the user to communicate with an AI system. OSVR provides expanded compatibility allowing GLOVR to be tested with a wide range of software and accompanying peripherals.
University of Georgia is the oldest state-chartered university in the United States, and recently launch the youngest College of Engineering in the United States.
University of Kentucky is a land-grant institution with over 20,000 resident and commuter students on our main campus. The Department of Electrical Engineering has over 200 undergraduate and graduate students.
Virtual Neuroscience lab in the University of Tartu, Estonia aims to combine computational neuroscience and experimental psychology with virtual reality to enhance experiences. OSVR helps to contribute to their research by being open source allowing them to share their work.
ABOUT OSVR:
OSVR is a software platform designed to set an open standard for virtual reality input devices, games and output to provide the best possible VR game experience. Supported by industry leaders, the OSVR framework unites developers and gamers alike under a single platform. Plug in. Play Everything.
Bethesda announced today that Fallout Shelter will be available worldwide for free on Google Play for Android devices on August 13th.
The game will also include all-new updates including the introduction of Mr. Handy – the ultimate robotic companion – as a premium reward. Use him to collect resources inside your Vault, send him into the wasteland to collect loot, or defend your Vault from creatures and disasters, including new threats like Deathclaw invasions and Molerat infestations. This update will also be available on iOS on the same day.
Fallout Shelter is a post-nuclear strategy and simulation experience that puts you in control of a state-of-the-art underground Vault. Build the perfect Vault from a variety of rooms, oversee your very own thriving community of Vault Dwellers, and protect them from the dangers of the Wasteland.
Following its release in June on the Apple App Store, Fallout Shelter achieved global success as the top downloaded game in 48 countries and the top downloaded app of any kind in 25 countries following its release.
During E3 2015 Fallout Shelterreceived praise from some of the industry’s leading outlets, earning ‘Game of the Week’ from Touch Arcade and nominations for ‘Biggest Surprise’ from IGN and ‘Best Handled/Mobile Game’ from the official Game Critics Awards.
Bethesda announced the Fallout Anthology today leading up to the release of Fallout 4. A PC-only collection of the previous Fallout games that comes in a container that looks like a mini-nuke. It will be out at the end of September for $49.99.
What the announcement wasn’t clear on was who could order this collection. From the Bethesda store page it seems this is only open to US customers currently.
We all know that it’s the villains that make a great Batman game, so who are they? Well here’s a list of my Top 3 from Batman: Arkham Knight.
Batman: Arkham Knight is out now, with many players already cruising around Gotham in the Batmobile or gliding about rooftops as “the Caped Crusader.”
Here are the top villains from Batman’s ‘Rogues Gallery’ that make an appearance in Arkham Knight. If you haven’t played the game yet, there may be spoilers beyond this point.
(Spoiler Warning)
3. The Riddler
He’s been trying to become Batman’s superior ever since “the World’s Greatest Detective” first donned the cowl, and in Arkham Knight he still isn’t, but he comes close.
This is because usually his threats are just that, however this time he seems to have snapped due to years of being bested mentally by the Bat. It turns out that this time he has captured Catwoman and is using her as bait to once again force Batman to solve his puzzles.
2. Scarecrow
Number two on my list because he is the game’s main antagonist, and because of the epic first-person opening scene.
Scarecrow looks way scarier here than in his earlier Arkham Asylum costume, with many suggesting that he looks the way he does due to his run in with Killer Croc. He was presumed dead after those events, however after an Arkham City riddle-teaser I had high hopes of a return.
His encounters are just as eerie as the original games, which is why I really like him as a Batman villain, made better with great voice acting from John Noble.
1. The Joker
An obvious choice for number one, however even though Joker is dead and buried (well cremated), Mark Hamill’s version of the Dark Knight’s arch-nemesis lives on.
A mixture of Batman being exposed to fear toxin and The Joker injecting him with his blood has resulted in the Clown Prince of Crime making a comeback, almost literally, in Arkham Knight.
Joker appears to Batman in various places such as rooftops, inside vents, and when you complete various quests. He continuously makes remarks about Oracle, Talia Al Ghul, the other villains and Batman losing his sanity, all while Robin tries to find a cure. Personally I love the fact that he is included in some way; it wouldn’t be a Batman game without him.
Who would be your top villans in Batman Arkham Knight?
The rest of the game’s evil cast are great; the Arkham Knight, Firefly, Two-Face etc. but these three are my stand-out guys, and why the Arkham games are really worth playing.
The Mortal Kombat X Tremor Bundle DLC heralds the return of the Black Dragon ninja and Kano’s disciple Tremor.
Tremor makes his first appearance in a Mortal Kombat game since Mortal Kombat: Special Forces (2000) and marks the first time Tremor is fully playable. The Tremor DLC bundle includes the Klassic Skins Pack 2 with three new character skins including Quan Chi, Jax and Kung Lao.
Earlier this year we discussed why Mortal Kombat X‘s roster editions are the best yet and are keen to see if Tremor follows this trend. Warner Bros also revealed today, the FREE Klassic Fatalities Pack 2 with fatalities for Mileena, Kitana, Kung Lao and Jax.
Tremor and the Klassic Skins Pack 2 are the final components of the Mortal Kombat X Kombat Pack, providing fans with Mortal Kombat X DLC for $44.95. Players who already own the Kombat Pack will be able to download Tremor and the Klassic Skins Pack 2 starting Tuesday, July 22.
If you’re interested in seeing the Black Dragon or have forgotten what Tremor even looked like, you can watch as he crushes his opponent in the new Mortal Kombat X: Tremor Official Trailer below.
The Tremor Bundle, which includes both Tremor and the Klassic Skins Pack 2, will be available for players to purchase beginning Tuesday, July 28 for $11.95. Players wishing to purchase Tremor or the Klassic Skins Pack 2 a la carte will also be able to do so beginning July 29. Tremor will be sold separately for $7.55 and the Klassic Skins Pack 2, including the three new skins, will be sold separately for $5.95.
The Klassic Fatalities Pack 2, including the four new fatalities, will be available beginning July 22 as a free download on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Marketplace and Steam.
Razer to send Asian Fans to League of Legends Championships in Europe
League of Legends fans in Asia will stand the chance to win the opportunity to meet and greet with Team Razer LoL eSports athletes.
The Razer LoL Worlds 2015 Golden Ticket Competition.
Razer will provide three contest winners with transportation from his or her home country in Asia Pacific to the League of Legends World Championship (LoL) Semi-Finals in Belgium and the Finals in Germany, along with accommodations, Razer gear and quality time with Team Razer professional LoL players.
Anyone with proof of residence in Asia Pacific who purchases a Razer product between July 15, 2015 and September 30, 2015 may enter The Razer LoL Worlds 2015 Golden Ticket Competition.
WHY: Razer wants to provide gamers with the best possible gaming experience they can have, whether it’s playing or cheering-on the world’s best players. The LoL World Championship Finals is the biggest event of the year for the game’s fans and something that many people around Asia Pacific dream to attend. Razer will provide something special for these devotees that they will never forget.
Today Bethesda Softworks released a new trailer and revealed the first details on The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited’s first DLC game pack, Imperial City.
Imperial City will be available on August 31st for PC/MAC, on September 15th for Xbox One, and on September 16th for PlayStation 4. Imperial City is included with an active ESO Plus membership or will be available for 2,500 crowns via the ESOTU Crown Store.
The Imperial City, the heart of the Cyrodiilic Empire, has fallen to Daedric Prince Molag Bal and now all three alliances must battle not only against the Daedric forces, but each other.
Imperial City, the first DLC game pack for The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, adds hours of additional gameplay featuring new areas, quests, enemies, and exclusive items for those adventuring on their own, in small groups, or with hundreds of others.
New PVE and PVP Content
Featuring six distinct Imperial Districts, battle against the forces of Molag Bal as well as the other Alliances.
Additional Dungeons
The extensive Imperial Sewers network offers new PVP and PVE challenges for small groups of adventurers, while White-Gold Tower and Imperial Prison challenge PVE adventurers with Normal and Veteran versions.
New Quests, Enemies, and Characters
Whether participating in massive PVP battles in the Imperial Districts, or adventuring in one of the new dungeons, players will be introduced to new quests and enemies, including the Xivkyn.
Addition of New Currency, Weapons, and Armor
Fight the forces of Molag Bal to plunder Tel Var Stones, a new form of currency you can use for exclusive Veteran Rank 16 weapons and armor, or search for new Treasure Vaults containing other rare finds.
Imperial City-Exclusive Collectibles and Items
Exploring Imperial City or visiting the Crown Store will reward the player with a host of new collectibles including pets, mounts, costumes, and polymorphs!
