HEARTLESS

According to a patent application recently uncovered, Microsoft's Kinect will recognize American Sign Language well enough that those who "speak" sign language will be able to navigate menus, enter text, and even participate in chats in real time.

Even more amazing, the device will apparently be finely tuned enough to recognize lip motions and recognize what is being "said" by those who can't speak. Here's the example from the patent:

"For example, when the user kills another user's character, that victorious, though speechless, user would be able to tell the other user that he had been 'PWNED'. In another embodiment, a user may be able to speak or make the facial motions corresponding to speaking words. The system may then parse those facial motions to determine the user's intended words and process them according to the context under which they were inputted to the system."

Actual lip-reading has been over-promised by movies and TV for many years, so I doubt that the Kinect will "really" be able to tell what a person is saying just by "looking" at him and her -- your lips don't move distincitvely enough to really be readable by anyone, without the aid of the sounds you're making as well. But American Sign Language should be easier for Kinect to understand.. .in fact, I'll bet a computer understanding ASL is "easier" than a computer understanding and/or translating speech.

A side note: Kinect will be able to count your freakin' toes. From the patent application:

"[Within the skeletal mapping system] a variety of joints and bones are identified: each hand, each forearm, each elbow, each bicep, each shoulder, each hip, each thigh, each knee, each foreleg, each foot, the head, the torso, the top and bottom of the spine, and the waist. Where more points are tracked, additional features may be identified, such as the bones and joints of the fingers or toes, or individual features of the face, such as the nose and eyes."

This may not prove to be a boon to hardcore gamers, but as technology, Kinect is very impressive. The thing will apparently know where you're looking.

Crystal Dynamics plans to support everyone’s favorite tomb raider beyond the upcoming release of the downloadable LARA CROFT AND THE GUARDIAN OF LIGHT in the form of five DLC packs.

All of the packs will be released by the end of the year, and be downloadable for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC versions of the game. As for the packs themselves, the first three will include new puzzles, “exploration and combat experiences,” and new explorable areas, and the last two will introduce new skins of “some other well-known videogame characters.”

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light releases on 360 August 18 as part of the Xbox Live Arcade’s Summer of Arcade for 1200 Microsoft Points, and will receive an update on September 28, when the game hits PlayStation Network and Steam, that will add two-player online co-op, leaderboard support, and voice chat.

No word yet on the pricing or exact release date for the DLC packs.

PlayStation 3 owners who’ve always wanted to be (virtual) gangsters, and have access to an exclusive batch of downloadable content, will have their chance when 2K Games’ Mafia II and THE BETRAYAL OF JIMMY, free DLC get made on August 24 2010 (USA).

Not all videogames are perfect; that's a given. However, it seems extra disappointing when a game has potential, but it's utterly wasted. As I checked the gameplay and video, I found out, ARC RISE FANTASIA is a game with a solid foundation, but unfortunately, it's weighed down by anime cliches and horrible voice acting. Well some reviewers said that:-

"Arc Rise Fantasia is a true test of patience. The new Japanese role-playing game isn't overly long or all that difficult. No, rather than challenge the player with tough combat Arc Rise Fantasia tests their tolerance for fanboy foolishness. The game is rife with cliché. From the game's scrappy, unproven (but ultimately chosen) protagonist to its utterly predictable menagerie of enemy creatures it is as if Arc Rise Fantasia was created in a total vacuum of imagination."

Ok, so it's not all flowers and candy, but there are some redeeming things about Arc Rise Fantasia that JRPG fans will enjoy.

Rating : 3/5

Today, we learned that a patent filed by Microsoft for Kinect's technology includes the ability to understand American Sign Language and read lips. The patent gives the example of a user being able to tell another player he's been "pwned" non-verbally, just by mouthing the word.

Some reader comments highlights the often vast gulf between the possibilities for a technology and what the technology actually delivers..

I can see this now:

Kinect: Your opponent would like to let you know that you have been ponied.
Player: No PWNED!
Kinect: Phoned.
Player: PWNED!!!
Kinect: oh...table?

Okay, it probably won't work great... but a guy can dream, right?

RED DEAD REDEMPTION

Rockstar Games announced today that the Legends and Killers Pack, the first of Four upcoming Batches of downloadable content for Red Dead Redemption, will be released on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live August 10.it includes nine new multiplayer map locations, eight multiplayer characters from Red Dead Revolver, the new tomahawk projectile, new challenges, and new achievements/trophies.

CRYSIS 2

Electronic Arts revealed during an investor conference call today that Crytek’s futuristic shooter Crysis 2

will now be released in early 2011.

The tech-pushing shooter was previously expected to release this fall, but EA will now bring the game to market sometime between January and March. EA explained during the investor call that the decision to push the release was made to give Crytek more time to polish the game and because Q4 2011 served as a more attractive release window for the game.

NEED FOR SPEED: SHIFT 2

Electronic Arts plans to release a sequel to their 2009 racing hit Need For Speed: Shift in early 2011, the publisher revealed in their Q1 financial report released today.Don't hold your breath, but EA will be holding a press conference during Gamescom in Germany next month, so perhaps more Shift 2 details aren't too far off.