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.
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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Samsung Unveils the New Flagship Galaxy S5 Smartphone
With Apple releasing the slightly improved iPhone 5S last fall, the door was open for Samsung to make a big splash with their flagship Galaxy series. Instead, the S5 pulls a 5S and just makes a few incremental improvements over the much-loved Galaxy S4 smartphone. Still, it’s an impressive piece of kit.
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Comic Book Pull List for February 26, 2014
For this week’s pull list, I think that we should take a look at a trio of one-shots and a couple of continuing series. For the DC fans, Lois Lane gets her own family-focused adventure in Superman: Lois Lane #1. The off-screen reboot/reimagining of Robocop continues in another comic with Robocop: Beta. And The Lone Gunmen crossover with Optimus Prime and company in The X-Files: Conspiracy – Transformers.
If you’re looking for regular series, the second of six Firefly comics is out this week with the release of Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #2. And the Fantastic Four get a reboot in Fantastic Four #1.
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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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Heroes Returns to NBC in 2015
Remember Heroes? Wasn’t that a pretty cool season of television? Sure, it dragged a bit at points but, on the whole, it always seemed fairly interesting and compelling. That 2006-07 season was a ratings and critical hit.
Then the second season of the show dropped and things very quickly stopped making any sense. When the show stopped being interesting, the people stopped watching and the critics stopped caring. The show slowly bled viewers until it was mercifully killed by NBC following its fourth season.
However, NBC execs are so desperate to shore up a network that’s competing with Univision for 4th in ratings any time The Voice isn’t on that they’re going back to the well. NBC announced that they’re reviving Heroes for a 13-episode miniseries called Heroes Reborn and bringing back creator Tim Kring to helm it.
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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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Netflix Paying Comcast for More “Direct Access” to Customers
Well, it looks like the first internet service provider to blink on net neutrality isn’t Verizon but Comcast. Comcast announced a deal with Netflix that allows Comcast customers more direct access to Netflix servers. However, the Wall Street Journal reports that Netflix is paying for that more direct access to their customers.
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Apple Reveals Major Security Flaw in Their Operating Systems
Last Friday, Apple revealed that they had discovered a critical security flaw in their software that left iOS users susceptible to “man-in-the-middle” attacks that would allow hackers to impersonate and intercept supposedly secure information that you were attempting to transmit to supposedly secure websites.
et geekera 