CrunchGear |  |
- Daily Crunch: Augmented Reality Edition
- Netflix Gets Into The Original Content Game, Buys Upcoming Show For A Rumored $100m
- Don’t Take Our Word For It: Get iOS Game Scores From Metacritic
- Koribo Leira: The Perfect HTPC Keyboard?
- Cute Pixelated Camera Decals For Your Wallz
- Yeah, I Could Rock That: AMD’s 5×1 Eyefinity Setup Looks Sick
- Your Daily Well-Designed Ceramic Stove
- Netflix Streaming Still Beating The Pants Off Apple And All Comers
- Netflix App For Android Hijacked From The LG Revolution, Leaked To The Internets
- Unboxing and Hands-on Gallery: The HTC Arrive for Sprint
- Scion Creates New Community Website For Owners To Meet, Plan Drag Races, And Pick Up Chicks
- Tech Companies Come Out In Force For Japan Relief
- Zune Team: Chill Out About The Zune’s Death
- Facebook Bans Mark Zuckerberg Action Figure
- Dragon Age II Metacritic User Reviews Padded By BioWare Employees
- AutoTech Video Review: Infiniti QX56
- Nyko Releases Intercooler STS Cooling System For Xbox 360 Slim
- Nasa Extends Deal With Russian Space Program, Will Continue To Sit In Buck Seat Until 2016
- Total Refinement: Total War: Shogun 2
- Vudu Now Streaming On Sony’s 2011 Blu-ray Player Lineup
| Daily Crunch: Augmented Reality Edition Posted: 16 Mar 2011 12:00 AM PDT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Netflix Gets Into The Original Content Game, Buys Upcoming Show For A Rumored $100m Posted: 15 Mar 2011 08:05 PM PDT
Deadline Hollywood reports that Netflix successfully outbid HBO and AMC for the rights to House Of Cards, an adaptation of the successful 1990 British miniseries. The show reportedly stars Academy Award winning actor Kevin Spacey, who we know isn't cheap, and David Fincher, who is hotter than ever following the success of The Social Network. Netflix purportedly put $100 million up front to get the show and even ordered up two seasons for a total of 26 episodes (nearly $4 million per episode) all without seeing a pilot. The original (and the books it is based on) promise to provide enough material to adapt. [Update: The WSJ reports that "a person familiar with Netflix's plans" says the amount will likely be far less than this, but did not give a figure. $100m is certainly a lot, but aggregate costs for a 50-episode show with two A-list Hollywood types at the helm isn't really that crazy, especially considering the material and how Netflix would want to make a splash.] For the longest time, Netflix has built itself on providing easy-access content to users at a low price. Netflix never opted to pay high prices for new movies right after release. This news is a radical change and pretty ballsy on Netflix’s part – but it's so crazy it just might work. Think of it like picking up the next Sopranos, only exclusively on Netflix, and Boom! profit. Subscriber rates will explode, so long as it's the right series. The trick, as premium networks will tell you, is picking the series. House Of Cards has pedigree, but the caprices of TV audiences are difficult to predict. It's probable that Netflix has just been waiting for the right series on which to spend a bit of its huge mountain of cash. And committing without seeing a pilot — a rare move in the TV industry — means they're serious. And you can bet that this won’t be the last show they buy, assuming it isn’t a huge flop. More recently, Netflix has been striking deals with networks like Starz and CBS to stream TV shows and movies. And $1 billion for a five-year deal with Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM to stream their content. But will they be as willing to deal with a direct competitor? If Netflix is successful at taking viewers from traditional premium media (HBO, Cinemax, Showtime) they could really shake up the industry. Imagine a scenario where TV viewers could easily cut the cord and still get new up-to-date quality content. All it would take is one of the many Netflix streaming boxes available.
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| Don’t Take Our Word For It: Get iOS Game Scores From Metacritic Posted: 15 Mar 2011 06:39 PM PDT
I assure you I am neither of those things.
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| Koribo Leira: The Perfect HTPC Keyboard? Posted: 15 Mar 2011 06:00 PM PDT
This sucker has it all. Multi-touch trackpad on the right side, a cluster of play control buttons on the left — even plain old channel up/down controls! Sure, it’s not much of a looker, but let’s be honest. If you wanted a cool-looking home theater setup, you’d go with a Boxee Box. But no, you’re running Windows XP off a five-year-old HP box in the closet. You’re proud of it, and you should be. Anyway, I can’t think of a more fitting way to control your OGG/MKV collection. Tech-Reviews and Neoseeker have reviews for you. They cost around $50 if you can find one. [via PC Perspective]
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| Cute Pixelated Camera Decals For Your Wallz Posted: 15 Mar 2011 05:30 PM PDT
I saw these little pixel-art cameras from Bill Brown a few weeks ago when they were making the rounds, but didn’t see much to them in the way of practical applications. I stand by that assessment. But now they’re available in physical form, as you can order a bunch of them as little wall decals. Are you, or do you know, a photographer with an interest in the twee and pixelated? Step right up. There are a ton of cameras to choose from, though unfortunately they come in pre-selected packs, so you can’t just represent Nikon or what have you. That said, you can choose between 30 small (3-5″ wide) or 10 large (~9″ wide) — the sets cost $36 or $40 for the “medium format” large set. Cute. Get your hipster photog significant other a set of these, they’ll love ‘em. [via PetaPixel]
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| Yeah, I Could Rock That: AMD’s 5×1 Eyefinity Setup Looks Sick Posted: 15 Mar 2011 05:00 PM PDT
Check out the video here. I’d probably get sick playing Dirt like that.
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| Your Daily Well-Designed Ceramic Stove Posted: 15 Mar 2011 04:20 PM PDT
These sexy Stack ceramic stoves were put together by Adriano Design for La Castellamonte, and while not many of us here in Seattle use pellets and wood to heat our home, these efficient, space-age designs would look great next to our CB2 couches and Wallpaper magazines. Hey, you asked for it. You got it. StoveCrunch is here to stay!
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| Netflix Streaming Still Beating The Pants Off Apple And All Comers Posted: 15 Mar 2011 03:45 PM PDT
So, Apple does a lot of things right. The Apple TV and iTunes combo offers an “it just works” environment that many people seem to like. So why are they having trouble getting their video content out? Recent market research from the NPD group shows that Apple’s iTunes video delivery is in a three-way tie for third place at only 4% market share, while Netflix is way ahead at 61% and Comcast is second at 8%. Apple has been in the video business since 2006; in 2008, they began to offer rentals, which seemed to help somewhat; and in 2010, iTunes started to carry $0.99 TV shows rentals. This recipe should have their numbers a bit higher than 4%, right — given their dominance in the music sector? Just as iTunes and Apple TV make for a convenient way to sync media across the network for people who own them, it’s also much more convenient to use Netflix on one of the many streaming devices out there. This of course is due to Netflix’s expansion into streaming boxes like Boxee and Roku, and offering playback on all three of the big gaming systems. They still do physical rentals, but that is declining in favor of streaming. What’s even more interesting is that Netflix streaming doesn’t even have the best selection of movies, but people love it anyways. The survey found that customers know iTunes has more up-to-date content, but the convenience of Netflix ranked highest in terms of “overall shopping experience” and “value for price paid.” Once again, it’s the convenience. It doesn’t make sense for someone to buy an Apple TV if they own any game system at all, even after Apple lowered the price to $99. In order for Apple to be successful, they need to have it make sense for someone to use the iTunes Store, and that won’t happen unless they open it up to more devices, just as Netflix did. But I think we all know that’s not likely to happen.
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| Netflix App For Android Hijacked From The LG Revolution, Leaked To The Internets Posted: 15 Mar 2011 03:14 PM PDT
The LG Revolution isn’t even available yet, but some crazy resourceful lads have already managed to get a full dump of the handset’s innards. As we showed you (before anyone else!) back at Mobile World Congress, the LG Revolution just happens to be the only handset with the Netflix app on it right now — but now that the system dump is in the wild, the hacker-type crowds have ripped it out to be shared with everyone. Alas, there’s a bit of bad news.
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| Unboxing and Hands-on Gallery: The HTC Arrive for Sprint Posted: 15 Mar 2011 03:10 PM PDT
Well well well, lookie here. In just 5 days, Sprint’s first Windows Phone 7 handset, the HTC Arrive, will… erm, arrive. Thanks to a surprise visit from Mr. FedEx this morning, though, we’ve got one a bit early. I’ll be taking it through the paces over the next few days, and should have a few review up in time for the launch — but in the mean time, be sure to check out our unboxing and hands-on gallery below. (Oh, and for those wanting to hear our impressions so far, I’ve only got one: Oh my God, this keyboard seems nice.)
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| Scion Creates New Community Website For Owners To Meet, Plan Drag Races, And Pick Up Chicks Posted: 15 Mar 2011 02:30 PM PDT
Scion owners not only get the chance to fully customize their new cars, but also share in the experience online in a new Scion community website. In addition to the website, there is also a mobile app for iPhone (Android soon) that syncs data from the mobile app into the community. The community is a place, similar to other fan pages, where owners can share experiences and enthusiasm for the brand. I wonder if, like other social apps, it would be good at picking up chics? "The designers and developers at Cie Studios did an excellent job creating an online community and app that helps owners get the most out of the Scion experience while also providing a venue where they can express their enthusiasm and creativity,” said Amanda Lomont, Scion’s interactive manager. It’s neat concept for a company looking to stay hip with the young folk, but can’t say others haven’t already done the same.
Scion Owners Have New Ways to Connect on Website Redesigned by Cie Studios Updated ScionOwners.com Helps Build Brand Loyalty by Providing Improved User Experience and Streamlined Access to Expanded Site Features OMMA Global "The designers and developers at Cie Studios did an excellent job creating an online community and app that helps owners get the most out of the Scion experience while also providing a venue where they can express their enthusiasm and creativity." Accordingly, Scion owners who visit www.scionowners.com will find it much easier and faster to plug in to the Scion owner community, according to Amanda Lomont, Scion interactive manager. The redesigned website features streamlined user profiles, improved forums, exclusive Scion "Insider" news and a new "Owner Tools" section available only to registered Scion owners. Owners can share maintenance tips, photos of their vehicles, and even plan local events with other Scion owners. "In redesigning scionowners.com, we wanted to provide a faster, easier way for our owners to navigate the site and be able to interact with other Scion enthusiasts in their local communities and around the country," said Lomont. "The designers and developers at Cie Studios did an excellent job creating an online community and app that helps owners get the most out of the Scion experience while also providing a venue where they can express their enthusiasm and creativity." "The biggest challenge in designing any branded online community is that it needs to reflect the look and feel of the brand with every click without coming across in a heavy-handed way as a marketing site," said Jennifer Walter, vice president of Production at Cie Studios. "We wanted users to feel good about having chosen to become a Scion owner, and to feel that their wise decision is reinforced at every turn by the manufacturer and dealer. We believe we've accomplished that goal while also providing a fun place for owners to share the passion they have for these unique vehicles."
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| Tech Companies Come Out In Force For Japan Relief Posted: 15 Mar 2011 01:30 PM PDT Companies across the tech world are doing their best to help Japan recover following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. That’s in addition to the general outpouring of support shown to Japan by other, "non-tech" people and organizations. With that in mind, I’ve taken a few moments to round-up some of the efforts I’ve spotted online that aim to make a little bit easier for the people of Japan. MapQuest’s recently launched, crowd-sourced maps service is up and running in Japan, and the idea is for people on the ground to affix it with helpful labels along the lines of "road’s out here" or "clinic located here." The hope is that the crowd-sourced maps will be fleshed out to the extent that they can be given to government officials, the Red Cross and other charities, etc. to help them plan their relief efforts. MapQuest has worked with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency to ensure that the maps on the site accurately reflect the damage caused by the tsunami. Google, too, has a number of links that point to relevant sites and agencies, including a handy Google Checkout Red Cross donation box. The MMO Eve Online, which we discussed at some length several months ago, also has rather novel program called Plex for Good: Japan. What it does is give players a quick and easy way to convert plex (the in-game currency) into real world currency and then have it donated to various relief organizations. Players have donated some $63,000 via the program so far, and it’s in effect until March 31. Both Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and Time Warner Cable have said that calls to Japan will be free for the next few weeks. A number of Japanese video game publishers, including Nintendo, Sega, and Sony have committed to donate several million dollars toward relief efforts. Those are a few items I’ve found with just some quick searching here and there. If you know of any other sort of "tech response" to the crisis feel free to leave it in the comments, or send it to either of our tip lines.
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| Zune Team: Chill Out About The Zune’s Death Posted: 15 Mar 2011 12:42 PM PDT
So, clear enough, right? Yes, but also just unclear enough for us to continue with our original understanding of the Zune’s “death”: no new dedicated Zune hardware is likely, and the service itself will be integrated into a larger suite of media management tools, probably a big unified one for rollout around the time the big Nokia push happens. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but it’s sad considering how solid the Zune HD and subscription services are. But thanks to Dave for setting the record a little straighter. [via Engadget]
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| Facebook Bans Mark Zuckerberg Action Figure Posted: 15 Mar 2011 12:04 PM PDT
The figures went for $69 bucks – a bit much for a statuette of some rich dude – but they were obviously all in fun and I doubt that Facebook is planning a huge executive action figure push this Christmas. However, MIC is now no longer allowed to sell the figures and even received a C&D from a Beijing law firm:
If you thought you could still grab one, you’re out of luck. MIC’s lawyers made them say “The figurine is discontinued, and will not appear on Earth anymore.” They did not, however, mention potential moves to outer space.
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| Dragon Age II Metacritic User Reviews Padded By BioWare Employees Posted: 15 Mar 2011 11:45 AM PDT
Yet more evidence that applying a number score to a work of art, be it a movie, a novel, or a video game, is a complete waste of everyone’s time. Well, unless you’re the publisher of that work of art, or otherwise stand to benefit from being able to say, "The critics agree: it’s a ten out of ten!" People associated with BioWare have been caught (if "caught" is the right word) giving Dragon Age II user scores of 10/10 at Metacritic. I suppose this isn’t as serious as when Belkin was caught paying people to give its products good Amazon reviews, but it something about it doesn’t sit right. A Reddit user discovered a 10/10 Dragon Age II Metacritic user review written by someone with the handle Avanost. A couple of keystrokes later, thanks to mighty Google, revealed Avanost as BioWare employee Chris Hoban. Another 10/10 user review was written by BioWare social network (read: message board) mod. Both reviews have since been removed. No, this isn’t exactly the break-in at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, but it’s worth discussing for a moment. EA, Dragon Age II’s publisher, told Kotaku that this isn’t a big deal at all, and that people vote-up their stuff all the time. It happens in the Oscars and it happens in presidential elections. (In fact, I could have sworn that it was considered uncouth to vote yourself as a presidential candidate. Then again, it was also considered uncouth to openly campaign for yourself, as you can read about in Shelby Foote’s books about the American Civil War.) But while it may not be a big deal, it certainly betrays some sort of expectation I’d have as an everyday person reading up on the game. The problem with Metacritic is that it’s completely useless. People who like something, in this case, Dragon Age II, give it a 10/10 while saying things like TOTALLY AWESOME BUY EIGHT COPIES. And people who dislike it give it a 0/10 with TRASH ON WHEELS BIOWARE SHOULD BE ASHAMED. There’s no nuance, no substance. It’s the equivalent of yelling into a bullhorn at a bullhorn factory. The point of a review isn’t to come up with a number, but to discuss the merits of the item in question. Who doesn’t laugh when they see a site give a game a fraction of a score, like an 8.2? What could that extra two-tenths represent? Why not an 8.3, or an 8.4? Why is it all that much better than an 8.1? Maybe if we get past this obsession with with labeling this or that work of art with all powerful number we won’t see such sillines.
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| AutoTech Video Review: Infiniti QX56 Posted: 15 Mar 2011 10:30 AM PDT The Infiniti QX56 is the motoring equivalent of a scrumptious wedding cake: big and tall, classy, and oh so delicious. As the embedded video explores, the QX56 is a massive vehicle that knows how to handle itself while presenting the driver with a competent dash cluster and infotainment system The in-vehicle technology isn’t over done. It’s not loaded to the chassis with gadgets or crazy one-off functions. It’s subtle technology done right. In this episode of AutoTech I take the $71,000 Infiniti QX56 through the empty streets of Flint, MI while waxing on about this and that. If nothing else, click through for the beats of Freeway by Spinnaface. It’s really the best part of the video. Well, the truck is nice, too.
This isn’t our first Infiniti. We drove the high-strung M37S back in November 2010 and the two share much of the same interior design and electronics. The center stack shares the same button layout and the UI on the main screen is the same. This SUV is a rolling electronic fun house. It’s clear that Infiniti likes buttons. There are — no joking — 92 buttons and/or dials within the QX56 driver’s reach not including the two stalks mounted on the steering column. The 2011 Cadillac Escalde only has 62 buttons. The M37S shared this love of controls, but the larger surface area in the SUV counterpart effectively counters the overloaded feeling. Besides, they all have a task and I’d much rather have more buttons that a multilevel touchscreen menu. As much as the QX56 is loaded with technology, it’s not on the same level as some similarly-priced Audis or BMWs. That should be fine with most owners. The QX56 is about quiet but helpful gadgets and not overloading the driver with silly extras. The QX56 isn’t for everyone. It’s huge. This is not a truck you buy to save on gas. I saw around 11mpg during my testing week. That’s horrible. It counters the bad gas mileage with 22-inch wheels and a high stance allows the vehicle to traverse nearly any urban obstacle — like a flowerbed at the mall or another soccer mom’s Prius. Then the $71k price sort of puts the QX56 in the ridiculous price point category. But as I state in the vehicle, if you need a go-anywhere vehicle with a good amount of tech, this is a great bet.       
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| Nyko Releases Intercooler STS Cooling System For Xbox 360 Slim Posted: 15 Mar 2011 10:28 AM PDT
We haven’t heard about too many heat issues with the new slim Xbox 360, but for those who run the console 24/7 it may be worth looking into a cooling system. Nyko just recently announced their Intercooler STS system made exclusively for the slim Xbox. Thankfully, the system is smart and only runs when it needs to, keeping noise levels down. Power comes from USB and it looks like the unit blends nicely with the Xbox. Price is $19.99, available now. Press Release LOS ANGELES – March 15, 2010 Number one third-party console accessories manufacturer Nyko Technologies® today announced the launch of the Intercooler STS, the brand new cooling system for the Xbox 360 Slim. Utilizing Nyko's cutting edge TempSmart™ technology to keep the console running at an optimal temperature, the Intercooler STS increases airflow away from the Xbox 360. This allows the console to perform in a cooler, better ventilated environment; ideal for cramped entertainment centers. The Intercooler STS has an MSRP of $19.99 and is available in stores and online now. The Intercooler STS requires no internal modification of the console, and blends seamlessly with the sleek aesthetics of the redesigned Xbox 360. Nyko's TempSmart technology automatically powers on the Intercooler's fans when needed, and continues to cool the console even after the system has been powered down, until an ideal ambient temperature has been reached. The device is powered via USB port, requiring no batteries or AC adapters and providing a clean and easy installation. The slick new “scoop” design blends seamlessly with the design of the Xbox 360 S console and works in both the horizontal and vertical positions. Intercooler STS features: Fan Cooling System – Significantly increase the airflow away from the console providing an optimal environment for the Xbox 360 S. The Intercooler STS is black and chrome to match the Xbox 360 S, and is available for an MSRP of $19.99. Connect with Nyko for a chance to win exciting Nyko prizes on Twitter @nykotech or on Facebook. About Nyko Technologies, Inc.
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| Nasa Extends Deal With Russian Space Program, Will Continue To Sit In Buck Seat Until 2016 Posted: 15 Mar 2011 10:00 AM PDT
The good news: Nasa will still be able to travel to the International Space Station, bringing to it vital supplies and very possibly chocolate cookies. The bad news—I guess you can call this bad news—is that Nasa will only be able to do so hitching a ride on board Russian spacecraft. Budgets are a tricky business. Nasa says that it will continue to tag-teaming with the Russians at least through 2016. Twelve such missions are currently penciled in. Nasa also says that it does, indeed, plan to return to good ol’ American spaceships at some point in some capacity this year, but they’ll be of the commercial variety.
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| Total Refinement: Total War: Shogun 2 Posted: 15 Mar 2011 09:30 AM PDT
Make no mistake about it: Total War: Shogun 2, available today at fine retailers, both real and digital, is the Total War experience perfected. A tighter, more focused experience all around, Shogun 2 puts you in control of one of nine different clans in 16th century Japan, scheming and warring your way to Kyoto, the home of the ruling shogunate. Will you cover your daimyo in glory, or will your dreams of ruling Japan end in a shameful display? You've done yourself a disservice if you haven't played a Total War game in recent years. Gameplay consists of two phases: a turn-based (each turn here lasts one season [Winter, Spring, etc.], bringing the total number of turns per year to four) campaign map à la Sid Meier's Civilization that sees you scrambling for resources, researching technology down two tech trees (Bushido for warfare-related items and Way of Chi for economic and other non-warfare related items), establishing trade routes, and negotiating diplomatic agreements with your rivals; and real-time military clashes between armies and navies that are completely under your control: infantry over here, cavalry over there, missiles in support, etc. It's quite fun.
Developed by The Creative Assembly, Total War: Shogun 2 (Sega has switched around the word order—it's not called Shogun 2: Total War in the vein of Rome: Total War or Empire: Total War— with this release in order to better establish "Total War" as a brand name) takes place during the Sengoku period of Japanese history, which is to say it takes place in the time of the samurai. And I think we can all agree that samurai armor is the best-looking armor in all of human history. Nothing else even comes close. The goal of Shogun 2 is simple: to establish your clan as the country's ruling shogunate. Actually accomplishing that goal is another matter entirely. I've been playing the game for the past several days now, but only the single-player mode. It's sorta difficult to play a multi-player game when the only people who have it are a handful folks from this or that magazine or Web site. Being confined to the main islands of Japan (though you can establish trade routes with off-map groups like Korea or China), the campaign map is necessarily smaller than it was in Napoleon: Total War and Empire: Total War. (Empire was almost too big for its own good in retrospect.) But just because the map is physically smaller doesn't mean there's not a lot going on. There's 25 separate provinces, and each of these provinces, once under your control, can be built up as you see fit: do you want to create a military stronghold, with samurai schools, war horse stables, and a military port to create a seaworthy navy, or do you want the province to be a money maker with trade ships, rice exchanges, and merchant guilds? Don't forget to throw in a few sake dens, gambling halls, and Buddhist temples in order to keep the population happy and productive, and to offset the influence of those pesky European missionaries who infiltrate via advanced commercial ports, trying to convert your provinces to Christianity. You don't want a rebellion on your hands! The game looks fantastic. That's a meaningless phrase until you see the improvements made since last year's Napoleon: Total War. Look at the detail in the Samurai armor versus my poor old French chasseur from Napoleon: Total War. This is how it looks without Direct X 11, by the way. (A forthcoming patch will bring DX11 support. The Creative Assembly and Sega wanted to take a few extra turns, if you will, polishing the DX11 experience without delaying the release of the game.) The attention to detail throughout is something else. Cherry blossom petals flutter through the air during springtime battles (battles can take place in any of the four seasons); loading screens and unit cards alongside the bottom of the screen look like watercolor paintings; the "fog of war," now resembling a felt pen map, obscuring undiscovered provinces peels away as your army or navy approaches, receding again if your army or navy passes by; there's a familiar "crunch" sound when your armies march on snow during the wintertime; short videos play when your ninja attempts to assassinate a rival daimyo or general, or sabotage the castle gates; an in-game encyclopedia provides all the info you could ever want on the game's various buildings and units; water actually looks like water! Naturally this kind of detail means you'll need a pretty powerful computer to play the game at the highest settings. (The Total War games are notorious for their high system requirements.) I played with every setting set to Ultra and with 4X AA. I have a Radeon 5970 running the 11.4 preview drivers and an Intel Core i7 860 OC'd to 3.8GHz, and while there's some jitter during the campaign map (just as there was with Napoleon: Total War), battles run as smooth as you like, hovering in the 50 to low 60 fps range. Presumably upcoming patches and GPU driver optimizations will improve performance further still. Probably the biggest critique of the Total War games has been of its A.I. You know, enemy cavalry running straight into your bayonets (or era equivalent), that sort of thing. I don't think you'll find that type of happening as often here. I recall a small battle where I thought I'd be clever by sending my bowmen on top of a hill a little bit forward and to the left of the main enemy line. I was thinking, "Oh, I'll just walk up this hill, get set up, then rain down a storm of arrows." Yeah, the patently didn't happen. As soon as my bowmen were about halfway up the hill the enemy's cavalry ran up the opposite side, then proceeded to cut my bowmen down like a couple of jerks. I'm reasonably confident that in past Total War games I would have at least been able to open fire before they sent anyone my way. There was another time where I decided to send my cavalry off to the side of the main battle line, where they'd wait for the enemy to approach my line of infantry, then go in and flank them. A fine plan, sure, until the enemy instead walked forward a little bit, then opened fire with their bowmen on my poor cavalry. Once, I had my entire fleet (let's call it eight ships made up of bow ships and medium-sized bune) surround a European gunboat in a particularly fun battle, and where did it get me? Absolutely nowhere, as the gunboat repelled no less than four boarding attempts.
Is the A.I. perfect? No, probably not, but I don't think it's as poor as it had been in previous games. (I remember playing the Battle of Bunker Hill in Empire: Total War and scratching my head as to why the British kept walking up the hill despite the fact that I was raining bullets down on them. You'd think they'd try to walk around or something…) Your expectations may vary, of course, but I played on normal difficulty and didn't think I was waltzing my way to victory. One thing that was odd: there's no separate battle and campaign difficult slider this time around. That means you can't, say, have the campaign difficulty set to normal and the battle difficulty set to hard (which I believe is a fairly common setting, judging by various forums and whatnot). OK, this is getting a little long. The fact is if you've ever even halfway liked a Total War game in the past then it's pretty much guaranteed you'll be keen on Shogun 2. At the same time, if you never liked the series in the past you're probably not going to like this—and that's despite the fact that the default campaign advice bubble pops up entirely too frequently on the default setting, presumably in an effort to ease players into the game—if only because, as stated before, the game represents the complete refinement of the Total War formula. Anyhow, the launch trailer follows.
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| Vudu Now Streaming On Sony’s 2011 Blu-ray Player Lineup Posted: 15 Mar 2011 09:00 AM PDT
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MIC Gadget can’t get a break. After being C&Ded for selling 
Sony’s latest connected Blu-ray players just got a nice upgrade in the form of | You are subscribed to email updates from CrunchGear To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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