SwedBear • Comments
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The quest for Shadow of the Colossus' last secret
Introducing the secret seekers and their eight-year quest
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Sid Meier's cultural victory
"If there's anything in reality that's not fun, we will change it."
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Microsoft cautious on Windows 8 success: "we realise that change takes time"
Luckily there is a lot of nice start-menu apps now that do a good job. There's always room for third-party developers to come in and fix Microsoft's oversights :). Reply 0
I guess I just have different opinions on when to use the downvote-feature compare to some others. To me it should be used when people are trolling, being rude etc. but not when you simply disagree since it isn't really fun when peoples opinions get hidden. the discussions get a bit one-sided that way. Reply +5
To some extend you can tailor the Metro-GUI to your liking. I also do not use much of the apps there so I removed most of them and simply put up icons for the apps that I normally use from the start meny and group them.
This for me has made the Metro GUI more of a big start menu where I can see all my main apps at once. True, you could pin apps to the start menu in Win7 above all the folders so its just another way of doing the same.
I think MS should have made it an option right from the start to go to Metro or desktop and to have the start-button or not. that would have saved them a lot of bad press. At the same time I guess they thought it would risk making it a feature few used like Mission Control in OSX which I don't know many Mac users actually use (I don't and none of my 10-15 friends with Macs).
I think it is good if they eat the humble pie and accept they were wrong to push so hard for the Metro GUI. Reply 0
The Metro GUI does really work well on touchscreens though.
What they need to fix is the abysmal Windows Store though. I'm not talking about the app-selection but the GUI. Going into subcategories and getting those horrible small icons is crap. App discovery really sucks compared to APP-store and Google Play. There are nice touches like how easy it is to find out which of your apps is not installed on one of your computers and install them all at once but the GUi really IMHO needs a lot of work. Reply +8
Wreck-It Ralph movie review
I had no high hopes about the movie but it surprised me. Reply +1
Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes review
Double Fine's accidentally-released iOS game now officially available
Yes, IOS has a lot more games but the downside to that is discovery is harder. It doesn't matter if there is a big userbase if people can't find your game among all the other thousand games.
Android on the other hand has the issue of having so many devices and os-versions so it takes more effort to make sure the game runs well on as many devices as possible.
That said, it does look like slowly more and more games are indeed released both on Android and IOS so more and more publishers see the benefit to reach as many users as possible. Reply -1
iPad mini review
I still think IOS is starting to look tired. Row after row of icons .... a lacking notification-area .... I wish they tried to evolve the interface a bit. I much prefer the Android flexibility where I can just put up a row of icons and folders but also Widgets etc. which adds a lot to the experience (all IMHO of course). And the notification-area on Android is soooooo much better.
One addition to Android in 4.2 that to me will make a lot of difference is the ability to have user-accounts. My kids borrow my N7 and iPad all the time (even though they have their own iPad2) and to be able to set up an account for them with limited app availability will be soooo nice.
While I understand why the need to keep the aspect ratio, I still do not like the 4:3 aspect-ratio. 16:9/16:10 still in my book is far more useful for a 7"-tablet whether it is for reading, watching movies or playing games. For web surfing 4:3 offers a bit more space so if surfing is your main attraction then iPad Mini works fine. I think the Nexus 7 works fine for browsing too but you get a bit less visible site. Safari is still much smoother on many pages though when scrolling. Google should work on that.
The screen of the Mini is actually pretty nice, a bit brighter than the Nexus 7. But of course the Nexus 7 screen is very nice AND the extra resolution is noticable, for example when reading books or surfing the web. The thin bezel actually is a bit of a problem for me. I know Apple have some sort of trickery back to ignore thumbs but I ran into a few games, for example Tiny Wings HD where my thumb at the side blocked pressing stuff in the middle. Speaking of which, I also had issues with having to press buttons in the App Stores twice or three times just to start downloading stuff. It felt as the screen was not registering presses as good as the other iPads or the NExus 7. I need more time to see if this is a common issue or I just was unlucky.
While the Mini might have more raw power than the Nexus 7 I haven't really found many games that run poorly on the Nexus 7. And finally Android is getting a lot of apps and games so even while IOS have the upper hand in my opinion you will be able to get hold of tons of great apps and games regardless what you choose.
As for build-quality. Google had issues with some Nexus 7 screens at the beginning but my two N7's neither have the problem. I actually do not see a big difference in build quality. I have the black iPad Mini and while it looks nice with the black back-side it already have attracted a lot of fingerprints. The rubberized backside of the N7 is to me much nicer and also helps the grip.
The iPad Mini is a nice pad and I am actually considering selling my iPad3 (even though the screen is nice - a Nexus 10 will replace it) and just keep the iPad Mini as my "IOS"-fix. I still rate the N7 higher though and for once it feels like Apple has been chasing Google/Android instead of the other way around (on tablets that is). Reply +56
Anonymous threatens to burn Zynga on Guy Fawkes Night
Lynch-mobs is something that we left in the dark ages and it should stay there.
As have been said Anonymous is not really a defined group so there is nothing saying that "this" Anonymous group is the same as the "Anonymous group" that attacked Swedish websites or the same as the group that has helped Wikileaks. In fact, there were reports of some older Anonymous getting pissed at the ones using the name for the attack at Swedish websites.
Vaarna: I am always stunned and sad that there still are people who treat companies as some sort of evil entities. I guess that watching to many movies are to blame. Reply +1
Notch refuses to certify Minecraft for Windows 8
Yes, if you want to have Live Tiles or get your app into the Metro GUI then you have to go through the store but nothing is stopping you from just letting you app/game work as before and still get that icon into the Metro GUI. or did I just dream up that Guild War 2 has an icon for me to click on and start the game or Charles Proxy having an icon there?
Sure, it would be nice if Win8 ARM was as open as Android but I think it is a bit sad to see people yelling about the sky falling down just because Microsoft is choosing to let its mobile version of Win8 work as iOS does and curating apps/games.
Every time a Windows version is coming out people are running around claiming that Microsoft is doing this or that to stop people from running programs. Before Vista came out people claimed you would not be able to watch ripped videos. And I've lost count how many times people claimed that Microsoft would stop open-source software from being installed. And so far it hasn't happened.
But I guess we'll see. As long as you are able to install games and apps from outside the store I do not see any risk of the platform being locked down. And I think even Microsoft understands it would mean it shot itself in the foot as the openess of the plattform is what has made it thrive. Reply +12
I run the final version (Technet sub) on both a laptop (rMBP in Bootcamp) and now on a proper desktop I built for it and I'm having no issues what-so-ever installing games etc. that hasn't been certified and even have their icons in the "Metro"-GUI.
Yes, if you want to get into the Win8 store I guess they want to certify to both make sure that it works as a Metro app (and on the ARM, version? or can that be separate) as well as get a cut but it is not like they are stopping you from getting programs from any other source?
What is the difference from the Mac App Store? Or Google Play? or AppStore (well, I guess on iOS it is a true closed system).
You could see Microsoft as the LAST company getting into the app store business after the others so throwing a hissy fit feels a bit unfair towards MS, especially since they so far have NOT made any comments about closing Windows 8 from installing programs from outside the store. If any company would do that I would expect Apple to be first.
As for Win8 ARM devices I see no difference from any other mobile stores.
I guess right now it is "cool" to hate Win8 and go after it. I'm still not sure why people get so upset. I've grown used to the Metro UI and actually like it as a replacement for the start meny as I have all the important programs there (people seem to forget you can customize it) as well as nice live tiles with info I want to see at a glance (a reason I also like Widgets in Android) but when I need/want to be in the regular desktop it is a click away. When working I usually am in that view and then the difference towards Win7 superficially isn't that big. I do like the new nice features in the US though in Win8, like the nice window showing transfer speed with a graph when copying or the ribbon gui in windows.
I still use Steam in Win8, I still install regular games and apps, I still can play games - so why are so many seeing Win8 as a step towards Microsoft closing Windows? I just don't get it. Reply +13
Gran Turismo 6 on PS4? Yamauchi "aiming for the latest technology"
CSR Racing dev defends controversial in-app purchases
Even if they allowed you to pay upfront it would not matter as the whole game modell would still be geared towards getting you to pay to get forward.
People say "just don't play these games " but the problem is that I see this popping up in game after game afte game, even game you pay for. "Buy 500 coins". "Buy 500 crystals". If the game had a perfect difficulty curve where you earn just enough coin/crystal/whatever during gameplay so that you can slowly improve your character/car/etc. then these "buy xxx" would not be successful. So the developer will automatically make sure that it is just a bit to tedious to grind to earn stuff so that you give up and give the $1.99 for some coins and then later do it again and again.
A perfect example is the game Strikefleet Omega. I really like the game. You have big spaceships and defend against attackers. At first you feel you can earn enough coins/stars to upgrade and buy new ships. But then suddenly the ships start costing another currency, one which is extremely hard to get hold of in the game. So to keep buying new ships/upgrading you either have to play a 1000 years or pay ...
I'm tired of this development ... I don't want to feel nickled and dimed in every game. I want to feel that I can progress in the game without either having to spend tons of time to grind or money to upgrade. But right now I can't help to feel that more and more games are doing this ....
But as it has been said - as long as people are paying and supporting this model it is here to stay. I've decided not to do it but I feel I'm in a minority. The idea that this might be the future of gaming makes me sad ... Reply +9
What happens when you're disconnected from Diablo 3 servers
While I have an connection 99% of the time at home I was actually planning on putting this on my laptop so I could play it during some longer trips this summer, trips where I frequently won't have a connection. But I guess it means I will have to play another game instead.
My collegue at work just showed me his copy and was so happy, at least until I told him about the DRM. He had completely missed that and also had planned to put it on his laptop. Reply 0
Vita being outsold by PSP and Wii in Europe
Police Warfare Kickstarter cancelled
Actually - I wouldn't say it stays in Escrow even as nothing is drawn from your credit card until the Kickstarter attempt has succeeded. So the money is not reserved in advanced, at least that is not what has happened in the Kickstarter-projects I have funded. Reply +3
HTC One X Review
I have the OneX and the screen is not insensitive, it certainly does not run out of battery in 5 hours unless you sit and play or watch movies 5 hours straight (I watched Tintin over hTC Watch and that 1.45min movie drained about 20% or so of my battery) so something is seriously wrong with it. It sounds like you might have a bad app draining the battery.
As for the messaging app: true, it does set the size to medium after a restart of the phone. It's either a bug or a design choice. You do realize there are other messaging-apps you can get if you do not like hTC's?
I can't compare to the Galaxy Note (will lend my mothers this weekend) but overall my OneX is faster than my Galaxy Nexus in many tasks. Reply 0
I love the screen. yes it is big but I'm having a hard time going back to 4.3" and smaller these days. Together with the higher resolution I think it looks brilliant.
the camera IMHO is great to. I compared it to my GN taking photos with both at the same place and time and the OneX have much nicer quality. While I didnt really want to take a lot of photos with my GN I've now taken a ton of photos of my kids while out and playing and they all look very nice.
As for batterylife - I've found it to be adequate. I do a lot of things during the day, surfing, reading Kindle books, checking mail, listening to spotify and so far it has always been able to last from morning (7 am) to 7-8 evening when I get home with battery to spare.
My own experience with smartphones, iPhones/Android/WinPhone, is that you need to charge them all in the evening anyway so as long that it last me until evening I'm good. BTW - it is nice that it really does not need a lot of battery when idling. A few times I forgot to charge it during the night and it has just dropped a few % during the night.
The screen does need battery and unless you turn down the brightness a bit you will run out in 4-5 hours but in my experience that is the case with basically any smartphone these days.
I'm really loving the phone - to me it is the best Android-phone I've had so far (I've had HTC Magic, Acer Liquid, HTC DHD, Nexus One, Samsung galaxy, LG Optimux X2, Samsung Galaxy S2, Galaxy Nexus and of course a few iPhones) - in fact, to me it is the best phone I've had of all brands and OS'es. Reply +3
App of the Day: Cafeteria Nipponica
the racing game also is fun ... as is the footy game ... damn - I really am a Kairosoft Junkie. Probably not a good idea to start playing this then ... Reply +6
New iPad Review
The screen probably is nice but I thought I would be much more blown away. And this is looking at games that take advantage of the new screen.
Thing is - I also have a Asus Transformer Prime and I honestly cannot see what the new iPad has over it except for the higher res screen that I for now do not really need. Oh, and of course a better selection of apps and games. And considering my prime and my Galaxy Nexus is filled with games and apps (yes, contrary to Eurogamer's opinion that there are no games for Android i think it now has a decent to good selection) it's not like the Prime is useless on that area.
My biggest gripe though with the iPad 3 is that Apple still is holding on to the tired grid of icons. in my very own humble opinion iOS is feeling tired and in desperate need of an update. think iPad3 with its screen and widget support .... I guess I will have to look at the new high res Prime for that.
Oh, and as for USB. I really miss it on my iPad and I use it often on my Prime. Reply +1
Angry Birds Space sees incredible early success
I'm extremely happy they released a premium version for android without ads. although the HD-version is a bit of a rip-off as it just adds support for 1024x800 (.. or was it 1280x800 ...) but really does not make the game look any better on my Prime (had to test so I got all 3 versions installed. I think the "regular" version looks just as good as the "HD" version.
The only reason I can think they already are readying a HD-version for android is to have a separate version to upgrade for the 1920xXXX-tablets coming out soon.
As for the game. Love it. Nice twist on the old formula. Reply +1
Happy Action Theater Review
Valve announces Steam smartphone app
I definitely could see them start offering games etc. directly from the app and at the same time tie it into the whole steam-network with chat, leaderboards etc. Reply +3