The Sheng is an ancient Chinese musical instrument whose origins date back to around 1,100 BC. They are still made and played today but it seems that very few people know about them outside of China. However, it may just gain traction based on how perfectly it plays the Super Mario Bros. theme. I know Koji Kendo composed the SMB soundtrack using pianos but the sheng is just too perfect at this.
Category Archives: Games
King Withdraws Candy Trademark Application but Nothing Really Changes
King, the company behind the infamous Candy Crush Saga game, has announced that they will no longer attempt to get a trademark on the word “candy.”
The move to trademark such a common word was met with controversy in the gaming industry as many felt that King was trying to kill any competition. However, King’s move has nothing to do with a change of heart about trademarking candy but how they’re going about defending their candy trademark.
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Critics Corner: Thief
The only thing more dangerous for a game developer and publisher than a sequel to a recent hit is a sequel or reboot of a classic game from yesteryear. It is a guarantee that not everyone will be happy with the results. Whether you’re making the next edition of an annual franchise, the second part of an uber popular trilogy or rebooting a classic from over a decade ago, you’re going to piss someone off. It’s just a matter of how many people are happy.
And that bring me to this week’s release of Thief. Some critics really liked it despite its flaws. One critic already gave it a spot on his top 10 games of 2014 list. Many considered it sort of “meh” while a few absolutely hated it. We’re used to opinions running the gambit with the truth lying somewhere in the middle. I’m not sure that applies to a 60-point spread in review scores.
So here’s what the critics thought of the rebooted Thief.
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Xbox One Gets Its First Price Cut
Given that it’s lagging behind in the console war by an estimated 1.7 million units after three months of sales, it was only a matter of time before Microsoft tried something to close the gap. I don’t think, however, that anyone expected them to try a price cut so soon.
To gain competitive ground with the PlayStation Four, Microsoft UK announced a £30 price cut to £399 for the Xbox One and that Titanfall Xbox One console bundles would be available at no extra charge above the base price.
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Sony to Reveal Virtual Reality Headset as PS4 Remains in Short Supply
A few interesting news tidbits about Sony crossed my desk this weekend that I thought some of you might be interested in. Sony is pressing ahead with its interest in VR headsets. Rather than join forces with Oculus Rift, they’re making their own VR headset for the PS4 and we can expect to see it next month. Meanwhile, if you don’t already have a console for that headset, don’t expect to get your hands on one for another couple of months as the PS4 remains in short supply.
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Here’s Final Fantasy VII’s Boss Battle Music Played by 16 Floppy Disc Drives
MrSolidSnake745 on YouTube is famous for recreating famous pieces of music using eight floppy disc drives. Chances are you’ve seen at least one of his videos, be it this one or his Ghostbusters theme or What is Love. In his latest video, he doubles the number of floppy drives he typically uses to play Final Fantasy VII’s boss music, Those Who Fight Further.
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Titanfall Beta Impressions: Pilots and Rockets and Mechs, Oh My
One of the most hotly anticipated games of 2014 just wrapped up its beta testing period. For the majority of interested gamers, this was their first chance to play the heavily hyped and critically acclaimed Titanfall.
I somehow managed to get into the beta despite the fact that I rather detest multiplayer in first-person shooters. Granted, that’s mostly a function of my being terrible at FPSs. Single-player campaigns, like BioShock, I’m fine. Throw me into something like Planetside 2 and I’ll be into a sub-0.1 K/D ratio. Could Titanfall convert me from FPS neophyte to another shooter junkie? No but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t still fun.
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King Files for $500 Million IPO
Little things like trademark disputes, intellectual property law abuse and being a frontrunner for The Consumerist’s worst company in America poll doesn’t stop the progress train.
King Digital, the company behind Candy Crush Saga, filed an application with the SEC for an Initial Public Offering of shares on the New York Stock Exchange.
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Irrational Games is Shutting Down, Cutting Most Staff
The developer of such legendary games as System Shock 2, BioShock and BioShock Infinite will be all but shutting its doors after the release of the upcoming BioShock Infinite DLC, Burial At Sea: Part 2.
Irrational Games boss Ken Levine announced that the developer would be letting go all but about 15 staff members as it transitions from a big triple-A studio to smaller endeavor for Take-Two Interactive.
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Titanfall Data Miners Uncover New Game Modes and Maps for Full Release
When the internet is excited about something, people are going to find a way to find out more about it. Yesterday, intrepid data miner and NeoGAF user, RazorUK, discovered two new multiplayer game modes not seen in the beta, a number of new weapons and perks for both pilots and titans, and 12 new maps that will be available in the game at launch.
et geekera 