News::BuzzFeed's Apple Watch app is a needy virtual pet

When you install an Apple Watch companion app, you typically expect something that reflects the experience you get on your iPhone. News on your phone means news on your wrist, for instance. That's definitely not the case for BuzzFeed's app, though -- instead, you're treated to nothing less than a Tamagotchi-style virtual pet. Install it and you'll have to keep a gem-like critter happy by traveling, eating pizza, listening to music on its couch and otherwise hanging out. The experience will seem more than a little familiar if you had one of these digital pets as a kid (read: it may get annoying over time), but it's at least easier to deal with on a watch than it is hanging off your keychain. And let's face it, this is probably going to be more entertaining than scrolling through GIF-heavy list articles on a tiny screen.

Via: MobileSyrup

Source: App Store

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News::What's on your HDTV: 'Minority Report', 'FIFA 16', 'CSI' series finale

Now that the Emmy Awards have wrapped up (and HBO walked away with a ton of them), it's time for the fall TV season to kick off properly. Minority Report debuts on Fox in just a few hours, returning us to the world of the 2002 movie, after the pre-cogs have been released. Also back tonight is CBS' Scorpion, in case you want to see more "hacking" on TV, and of course Castle. Tomorrow night Limitless follows Minority Report's movie-to-TV footsteps, where it's joined by The Muppets series premiere. On Sunday, the original CSI is wrapping up its run after 15 seasons and three spin-offs, but first we're curious to see if Heroes Reborn can recapture the (initial) magic of the original show. Gamers of course have Blood Bowl II to enjoy, along with FIFA 16 and Penarium. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed)

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News::Sony rolls out 'Dungeon Defenders 2' as a paid alpha on PS4

Dungeon Defenders 2 will be free when it launches as a full game on PlayStation 4, but fans who want to play it as soon as possible, pre-alpha bugs and all, can pay for the privilege starting next week. The pre-alpha version of Dungeon Defenders 2 -- that's a version that the developers are still building -- will be available for purchase on PS4 on September 29th in three packages: $15, $25 and $75. These are three bundles offering different in-game goodies for die-hard (or simply curious) fans, and they're identical to the ones offered on Steam Early Access.

Source: PlayStation Blog

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News::'Blood Bowl 2' gets medieval on the football field

Sony has debuted Blood Bowl 2's launch trailer ahead of the game's impending release on September 22nd. As with its Sega-based spiritual predecessor, Mutant League Football, BB2 allows players to control a ragtag team of orcs, humans, elves, goblins, trolls and other fantastical beings -- each with their own special abilities. And while the basic goal of the game is the same as the Madden franchise ("usually the team with the most points wins the game," the famed coach/sportscaster once quipped), brutality isn't just allowed; it's strongly encouraged. I mean, who needs to tackle when you can run down that running back with a spiked steamroller or flatten a tight end with a flying body slam? The game will be available on PS4, XBone and PC.

Source: Sony PlayStation (YouTube)

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News::Old-school game cartridges are coming to your smartphone

There have been many attempts at bringing classic gaming to smartphones, but they all lack the most visceral part of the experience: the satisfying ka-chunk of plugging a cartridge into your console. You might get that vibe back if Japanese startup Beatrobo has its way. It's launching the Pico Cassette, a game cartridge that you plug into your phone's headphone jack. Unlike the vintage carts of yore, though, these don't actually hold games -- instead, they transmit an inaudible tone that unlocks content you've downloaded. No, it's not just a nostalgic approach to anti-piracy measures. The technology also enables saved games that sync across multiple devices, so the cartridge will feel more like your unique copy than a mere dongle.

Via: The Next Web, The Verge

Source: Pico Cassette (translated)

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News::The 'Monument Valley' team has created a dream of a VR game

It's a tough act to follow, selling over 2 million copies of your first game in a single year. That's the task that Ustwo, the British developer behind the award-winning Monument Valley, was facing as it started work on its latest effort Land's End, a virtual reality adventure game created exclusively for Samsung's Gear VR headset. Going from building a game for mobile to one that will only run on a specific accessory for a handful of Samsung phones is a bold move. And as the studio's lead designer and technical director explain, it wasn't even their initial plan.

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News::Lost 'Sonic' arcade game will soon be playable

Even the most diehard Sonic The Hedgehog fan could be forgiven for missing out on playing Waku Waku Sonic Patrol Car. The 1991 arcade game was released exclusively in Japan for small kids, placed within a car-shaped cabinet that was big enough for junior and their adult minder. Thankfully, the title, which had been thought lost for the better part of two decades, has now been found. If you're prepared to wait a little longer, then the game will be available on the MAME arcade emulator along a forthcoming software update.

Via: Kotaku

Source: Sonic Retro, MAMEWorld, GitHub

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