Bryan Singer (X-Men, X2) makes his long awaited return to fun action films with Jack the Giant Slayer. Here he brings us an all new spin on the classic Jack and the Beanstalk story that looks to have plenty of action and adventure as Jack tries to save the woman he loves as well as the kingdom from the giants. Delayed for the years, the film is finally getting ready to hit theaters in all its giant-killing glory, and the latest trailer doesn't do anything to change the fact.
Enjoy the trailer, and be on the lookout for giant fun when Jack the Giant Slayer descends the beanstalk into theaters March 1, 2013!
If there's one thing Nintendo missed during the original Wii days it was capitalizing on direct console bundles, much like Microsoft and Sony released all the time. It looks like the Big N is looking to fix this right away with the first dedicated Wii U bundle featuring Ubisoft's hit ZombiU for those who prefer their games darker - and with more traditional controllers.
It's actually a pretty decent bundle as it comes packed with a black 32GB Wii U console, GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, as well as a copy of Ubisoft's ZombiU game on disc. NintendoLand, the previous bundled-in game, is still included as a digital download. All this hardcore action can be yours for all for $389.99, which is a big $70 savings over picking up the added goodies individually (ZombiU = $60, Pro Controller = $50).
While it's a bit funny to include a Pro Controller with a game so obviously designed to showcase the touchscreen capabilities of the GamePad, those looking to use more traditional controls probably won't mind (at least for other games). All this and more when the ZombiU Wii U Bundles stumbles into retailers everywhere on February 17th.
OK, so when Valve finally brought their beloved Steam storefront to anxious Mac users there was much rejoicing. But what about all those lovely EA-published titles, especially those stripped from Valve's drip, and only available for EA's propriety Origin game service? Well, it looks like EA's got your cross-platform number as Origin is finally available for all you Apple fans. Mostly, anyway.
Origins is now available on your capable Mac machine (OS X 10.6.8 minimum running a Intel Core 2 Duo processor), and to celebrate there's even a timed-sale for Simtastic 13th Anniversary Sale. The selection of games is a bit narrower than its Windows cousin (games include Dragon Age 2, Batman: Arkham City GOTY Edition, LEGO Harry Potter, and The Sims 3), but this isn't any different than what's happening in the Steam world. And, like Steam, 'select games' purchased on your Mac profile are available on Windows, and vice-versa (once they become available, of course).
For more info on getting EA's Origin service running on your Mac check out the official site right HERE!
Things change quickly, and in this age of shrinking sales it's unlikely that anything not first-party will remain exclusive for long. So goes Rayman Legends, the highly anticipated sequel to the cult smash hit Rayman Origins. While Ubisoft's upcoming platforming sequel was originally supposed to be exclusive to Nintendo's Wii U console, it was also supposed to be a Wii U launch title, too. It looks like the exclusivity will remain, but only for a few months.
It looks like Ubisoft is sharing the fun with Xbox 360 and PS3 users, too, as users of those "last-generation" consoles can snag a copy of Rayman's further antics this September, a mere six months after Nintendo fans get first crack at it. Given how closely tied the Wii U version is to the console's unique GamePad, it will be interesting to see how Ubisoft can squeeze the game onto controllers without fancy touchscreens and gyroscopes... I guess we'll find out when Rayman Legends hits the Xbox 360 and PS3 later this year!
One of the more curious Android-derivative tablets announced last year was the Wikipad, whose claim to fame was its detachable ‘pad' that gave the 10" tablet true console-style controls. Even GameSpot, having previously dipped their toes into the Android tablet market, promised their support for the $499 gaming tablet. It was also scheduled to launch last October, but was pulled at the last minute for what was then vague reasons and allusions to refining the hybrid for mass consumption.
Three months later meet Wikipad 2.0 - smaller, sleeker, and a whole lot cheaper. While the guts seem to be largely the same (rumors have the Tegra 3 heart bumping to Tegra 4), the screen is now a friendlier 7" while the fabled ‘pad' has seen a slight redesign to match. But the biggest change lay with the price - it's now just $249, which may or may not seem a lowered-priced option once this thing finally hits retail shelves.
Such is the fast-changing world of Android-powered gaming, where tech and software change daily and there just doesn't seem to be a general consensus on, well, anything. Wikipad's website is big on boasting, but that's how these stories usually play out. Let's see if they can match the hyperbole with substance when the new, improved Wikipad is slated to arrive - barring any further redesigns and delays - possibly later this year.
Hot on the heels of other streaming services such as Netflix and and Amazon, Redbox will bring their app to the Xbox 360 called Redbox Instant. While there isn't a set date for the service debut yet, beta testing is slated to begin soon with participants will receive unique codes via e-mail to access the app in the Xbox Marketplace.
And while the Xbox will be the first console to carry the streaming service, Redbox is hoping to have Instant working on as many consoles and platforms as it can, further competing with Netflix and Amazon. It should be interesting to see how this all 'plays' out. Thanks to Wired!
The Android-powered OUYA console made waves last year after a smashingly successful campaign on Kickstarter to help crowd-fund its way onto retail shelves. Now that it's gotten an official launch frame it'll be interesting to see if OUYA's 2013 debut, along with fellow crowd-sourced Android-powered game console, could mean a pretty big year for open-sourced home entertainment, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The OUYA micro-console will begins selling this June at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Gamestop. And while OUYA is planning to keep it's super-low $99 price-tag - there's a catch. While the base box will only set you back $99, if you actually want to play the thing than you'll have to pony up an additional $50 for one of its touchpad-enabled controllers, effectively jacking the true price up to $150. That's Xbox 360 territory, and possibly PS3 domain (if Sony drops the price after launching the rumored PS4).
Apart from a reworked version of Final Fantasy 3, there's little word on true 'exclusives' for the hardware yet, but I imagine we'll be hearing plenty more as the launch date approaches. Perhaps we'll hear more at this summer's E3? With so many new consoles popping up, it could be a big one, folks.
One of the most frustrating things about Microsoft's otherwise great online service, it's requirement to have a paid Xbox Live Gold subscription to enjoy what are essentially free services elsewhere, gets a little less frustrating this weekend as Microsoft and Netflix are letting everyone enjoy a 'free' weekend of online video streaming. So says Major Nelson.
Timed to help promote Netflix's new original show House of Cards, the free weekend lets anyone with an internet connection and subscription to Netflix watch all 13 episodes of the show, or any of the thousands of television and movie choices, starting today (February 1st) and running right through the end of SuperBowl Weekend (February 3rd). Couple this with a free 30-day trial subscription and you've got yourselves an online addiction in the making!
For the record, House of Cards, the new political thriller starring Kevin Spacey and directed by David Fincher (at least for the first two episodes), is pretty great, so if you've yet to join Netflix this is as good a time as any. If Xbox watching isn't your thing, remember you can always watch on your PS3, Wii, Wii U, 3DS, PS Vita, iOS, Android, or just about every other device under the sun - without limit - all the time.