Take-Two did not disclose financial terms of the deal or other details, such as when the film would be released. The company is the target of a $2 billion takeover bid by rival game publisher Electronic Arts Inc.
Released last August for Microsoft Corp's Xbox 360 game console, "BioShock" won praise for its complex story, haunting art deco atmosphere and creepy characters such as Big Daddies and Little Sisters.
"BioShock" has sold more than 2 million copies and Take-Two is working on a sequel.
The "BioShock" movie deal is the latest sign of the growing importance of video games in popular culture.



You can read more here. >> Pirates maker to turn BioShock game into film

Evochron Renegades version 1.508 is now available for download and includes the improvements and fixes listed below. This update is required to retain multiplayer compatibility as it is not compatible with earlier versions. The installer also works as an updating program for older versions of the game. It can be downloaded at: http://multiplayer.home.att.net/evochron_renegades.exe

The game's official website is at: Freeform Space Combat / Trader and Mercenary Simulator (PC Space-Sim) - Evochron Renegades (more details about this update are available in the news section at the website).

Version 1.508 offers the following improvements, fixes, and changes:

• New faction system added to ship/system reputations, economies, and contract system (see below).
• Science crew members now indicate when hidden containers are in a sector and aid in mining efficiency.
• Solar array cleaning contracts, visibility improved and per panel accuracy improved in multiplayer.
• Text message displayed when player is destroyed due to object collisions or self-destructing.
• Radio chatter can now have multiple custom voice types (see the customizing kit for details).
• Multiplayer clan ID's are now displayed in the new faction box on the target detail MFD.
• Improved planetary cities with a building specific collision avoidance system added.
• Excessive gravity field repelling effect near planetary polar regions corrected.
• Keyboard control for the 'free look' panning cockpit view option added.
• Velocity indicator now reflects adjusted value for gravity from stations.
• Tractor beam effect visibility for other ships improved in multiplayer.
• Water added to several planets in the game's universe.
• Loading bar added to multiplayer connection process
• Potential cause for new inventory warping corrected.

Additional details on the game's new faction based reputation system is available here: StarWraith 3D Games Forum

The game's customizing and modification kit can be downloaded at: http://www.starwraith.com/evochronrenegadeskit.zip It provides information and several sample files that can be used to customize the game's graphics, sound, music, and text. The customizing kit has also been updated to include information on the new custom radio chatter options.

The steps today takes the form of the following:

• Resetting the entire Gamerscore for an account to zero
• The account will be unable to regain all previously obtained achievements and Gamerscore, however, the players will have the ability to gain future Achievements by earning them fairly, like the majority of the Xbox LIVE community does.
• The account will be clearly labeled as a cheater for the community to view on xbox.com. You can see an example here. In dash, the personal view of the gamercard will be labeled as well.

Xbox LIVE remains committed to keeping the service free of cheating in order to maintain a fair and level playing field for everyone.

To read more about Gamerscore corrections read the FAQ on Xbox.com

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is an update to Windows Vista that addresses feedback from our customers. In addition to previously released updates, SP1 will contain changes focused on addressing specific reliability, performance, and compatibility issues; supporting new types of hardware; and adding support for several emerging standards. SP1 also will continue to make it easier for IT administrators to deploy and manage Windows Vista. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone version can be installed on systems with any of the following language versions: English (US), French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional).

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NVIDIA , the world leader in visual computing technologies and the inventor of the GPU, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire AGEIA Technologies, Inc., the industry leader in gaming physics technology. AGEIA's PhysX software is widely adopted with more than 140 PhysX-based games shipping or in development on Sony Playstation 3, Microsoft XBOX 360, Nintendo Wii and Gaming PCs. AGEIA physics software is pervasive with over 10,000 registered and active users of the PhysX SDK.

"The AGEIA team is world class, and is passionate about the same thing we are -- creating the most amazing and captivating game experiences," stated Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO of NVIDIA. "By combining the teams that created the world's most pervasive GPU and physics engine brands, we can now bring GeForce(R)-accelerated PhysX to hundreds of millions of gamers around the world."

"NVIDIA is the perfect fit for us. They have the world's best parallel computing technology and are the thought leaders in GPUs and gaming. We are united by a common culture based on a passion for innovating and driving the consumer experience," said Manju Hegde, co-founder and CEO of AGEIA.

Like graphics, physics processing is made up of millions of parallel computations. The NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) 8800GT GPU, with its 128 processors, can process parallel applications up to two orders of magnitude faster than a dual or quad-core CPU.

"The computer industry is moving towards a heterogeneous computing model, combining a flexible CPU and a massively parallel processor like the GPU to perform computationally intensive applications like real-time computer graphics," continued Mr. Huang. "NVIDIA's CUDA(TM) technology, which is rapidly becoming the most pervasive parallel programming environment in history, broadens the parallel processing world to hundreds of applications desperate for a giant step in computational performance. Applications such as physics, computer vision, and video/image processing are enabled through CUDA and heterogeneous computing."

The TrackIR consists of two pieces of hardware, the first is a set of reflectors that clips onto a hat or headphones, and the second is a USB device that tracks the reflectors. Also included is a CD-ROM with drivers and a utility that allows you to make adjustments to the TrackIR settings based on game profiles.

Set Up: First I installed the CD and plugged in the device to my USB port. Next I opened the TrackIR application and performed a Game List update. Now that Jumpgate was in the list, I launched Jumpgate and the device worked first try. I did have some problems with the device being too sensitive, however the TrackIR software allows you to customize it just the way you want. This was probably the easiest set up I have ever had for game related hardware.

Ease of Use: The TrackIR is very easy to use. Simply plug it in, launch the TrackIR Application, and then launch your game. There are multiple ways to view the tracking in the TrackIR so it is very easy to set up the device if you need to customize the settings.

What it does: Depending on the game, you have have up to six ways of motion, which really allows you to immerse yourself in the game. In Jumpgate you can only look 90 degrees left, right, and up. In other games like Nascar 2003, you can use all axis which allows you to really "look around" which is a very cool feeling.

Complaints: None with the Hardware, so for its been great. I did notice one time that the heat of my CRT monitor had caused the TrackIR to get very hot which kept it from working. When I moved it farther forward on the monitor away from the heat vents the problem went away. The only real complaint I have is the implementation in Jumpgate, I really wish you could look over your shoulder like in some of the other games I tried, and also the inability to look down seems weird when the in ship cockpit graphics are turned off.

Would I recommend this product? Absolutely! Its a great piece of gaming technology and it really adds to the game....not to mentions frees up your HAT switch for other functions

YouTube - TrackIR in Jumpgate

I would like to thank JoystickRequired.com and Natural Point for giving me this opportunity to review the TrackIR.

BioShock v1.1 PC Patch Available
12 / 04 / 2007

Upgrade BioShock to v1.1 with this patch.*
v1.1 Patch - Worldwide Retail (27MB)
v1.1 Patch - USK German and English (27MB)

*If you purchased a digital distribution copy of BioShock (i.e. from Direct2Drive, Steam, or other), do NOT install this patch. Please go to the site you downloaded BioShock from to receive a version of this patch modified to work with your version.
Changes:

• Added compatibility with Matrox TripleHead2Go - Allows Bioshock users to play in Surround Gaming Mode across 3 screens simultaneously
• Added rendering support for TripleHead2Go
• Added the following plasmids and gene tonics: Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom 2, Eve Saver, Machine Buster, Machine Buster 2, Vending Expert, Vending Expert 2
• Added an Option to disable the Vita-Chambers for added difficulty.
• Changed behavior of subtitles so that inappropriate queuing is improved
• Added support for a walk toggle keybind
• Added Horizontal FOV Lock option
• Atlas VO volume increased for German releases

Fixes:

• Re-added the Human Inferno tonic which was missing from the retail release.
• Fixed mouse acceleration issues
• Fixed issue of subtitles not clearing correctly on occasion
• Fix for a potential situation in Fort Frolic where taking a picture of Cobb is impossible if his body gets stuck behind a fallen pillar
• Fixed subtitle timings to more accurately match the on screen audio
• Fixed issue causing stuttering audio when using Windows Vista
• Fixed issue with characters squirming and wiggling after death
• Fixed blood decals and other projectors not showing up on ATI hardware
• The "Use Creative EAX Audio" option is now greyed out when EAX-capable hardware is not present
• Fixed audio issues stemming from having a Speaker Setting in Windows that was invalid for the current sound card
• Fixed reserved keys not functioning properly when keys are unbound
• Fixed multiple cases of keys not allowing a rebind
• Removed erroneous "Reload" binding in a no-weapons context
• Fixed incorrect Training Message concerning bots who are friendly to enemy AIs
• Fixed incorrect Training Message when shooting a Mimic
• Fixed refresh rate being locked at 60hz in DX10 mode
• Fixed VSync disabling in DX10 mode

The two firms are hoping that their different strengths will combine to form a business which is powerful on every gaming platform and in every territory. Blizzard is strong in Asia, where its Starcraft series has proved hugely popular.

Starcraft, a strategy game first released in 1998, is played by millions of South Koreans in gaming cyber-cafes, and by professional gamers on television.

Activision has developed a presence on all three new generation game consoles - Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii - with franchises such as Spider-Man and X-Men.

The games software industry has been through turbulent years, with companies changing ownership and going in and out of business in rapid succession.

Activision was formed in 1979 and went through bankruptcy and a series of alliances and mergers before becoming successful.

Blizzard had been through a number of owners before ending up in the hands of Vivendi in 1998.

NetDevil today announces the launch of the much anticipated, next-generation FPS game Warmonger, Operation: Downtown Destruction. Available now for free download, Warmonger pushes the limits of destruction technology where game environments can be shaped and manipulated by players at will. Taking full advantage of AGEIA’s PhysX card combined with Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 3 (UE3), the powerful game mechanics combine high performance action and stunning fluid and cloth effects that reflect the cutting edge of gaming visuals and physics today. NetDevil Release info