NINTENDO OF AMERICA REPORTS HISTORIC SALES WEEK
November 28, 2007
REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 27, 2007 - In the first week of the 2007 holiday shopping season, Nintendo of America has sold more Nintendo products than at any other time in its history. This includes more than 653,000 Nintendo DS™ portable video game systems, 350,000 Wii™ home systems and millions of games and accessories throughout the United States - and the season is just getting started.
Nintendo DS set a new all-time sales record for Thanksgiving week, eclipsing the previous mark of 600,000 Game Boy® Advance systems sold during the same period in the United States in 2005. Nintendo DS remains on track to be the top-selling video game system of 2007.
Nintendo’s 350,000 Wii systems represent the highest one-week U.S. sales total outside of its launch week one year ago. Wii has been dubbed the must-have gift of the 2007 holiday season and has been placed at the top of numerous gift lists. Nintendo has repeatedly increased its shipments and its fiscal-year sales forecast for Wii in an attempt to meet soaring demand. Wii reached 5 million sold in the United States faster than any video game system in history, after only 12 months of availability there.
Both Wii and Nintendo DS have continued their yearlong momentum into the holidays without altering their prices. And both remain attractive values for shoppers: Wii has an MSRP of $249.99, while Nintendo DS has an MSRP of $129.99.
“As shoppers look for ways to maximize their limited holiday spending money, they turn to gifts that can be used by the entire family,” says George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. “Wii and Nintendo DS offer something for every member of the family. They’re the most fun video game experiences at the most affordable price.”
With higher gas prices and fuel costs, and the lukewarm expectations for the 2007 holiday shopping season, Wii and Nintendo DS might be just what Santa ordered: Thirty-five percent of consumers said they plan to spend less than they did last year, according to a survey conducted by Opinion Research Corp. for the Consumer Federation of America and the Credit Union National Association. Similarly, a USA Today/Gallup Poll showed that 25 percent of Americans expect to spend less on gifts this year than they did in 2006.
Note that the internal Nintendo of America numbers referenced in this release represent sales from Sunday, Nov. 18, through Saturday, Nov. 24.
Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.
World’s First Nuclear Radiation-Blocking Fabric Receives New Patents
November 28, 2007
MIAMI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ronald DeMeo, MD, MBA, president and chief executive officer with Radiation Shield Technologies (RST), today announced the company’s acquisition of Russia and Singapore patents for Demron, the world’s first nuclear radiation-blocking fabric. Demron will be exhibited during the National Institute of Justice’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Conference, which takes place Wednesday, Nov. 28 – Friday, Nov. 30, at the Harbor Beach Marriott, 3030 Holiday Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Booth number: 28.
At the conference, Mr. DeMeo will deliver a presentation titled: “Anti-Nuclear Protection: New Technologies for Protection against Dirty Bombs” at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 30, in room A.
Demron is an advanced radiopaque nano-polymeric compound fused between layers of fabric and manufactured into several lightweight, nuclear-blocking garments. Demron is used in full-body nuclear, biological, and nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) suits, tactical anti-nuclear vests, high-energy nuclear suppression blankets, medical X-ray vests and aprons.
“Demron is a liquid metal that feels like fabric and is cool to the touch,” said DeMeo, the surgeon who developed Demron. “It’s the world’s only full-body radiation protection fabric that shields against X-ray and low-energy Gamma emissions while providing full anti-chemical and biological protection. Demron is a lead-free, toxin-free, and PVC-free nuclear-blocking material that allows heat dissipation and resists chemical permeation and cracks.”
Numerous universities and government laboratories have confirmed Demron’s ability to block radiation. Demron has several U.S. patents.
Added DeMeo: “Demron is receiving extensive recognition in the United States, and we expect the Singapore and Russia patents will enable us to expand Demron’s market potential.”
Demron suits are made from a unique nanotechnology that surpasses the current NBC suits, which provide limited protection against radioactive particulate sources.
EA Announces the Winner of the 2007 EA SPORTS Craftsman NASCAR Challenge
November 28, 2007
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced the winner of the 2007 EA SPORTS™ Craftsman NASCAR® Challenge, Brandon Coppinger. After five intense rounds of virtual racing at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, Coppinger beat out his competitors and won the $10,000 Grand Prize and bragging rights as the #1 NASCAR 08 video game player in the country.
The 2007 EA SPORTS Craftsman NASCAR Challenge encompassed in-store and online tournaments across 11 U.S. cities, offering gamers and NASCAR® fans from across the country the opportunity to compete against some of the best. Last weekend the semi-finalists from the online and in-store qualifying rounds were flown to Miami to compete in a virtual head-to-head racing competition at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, November 18, and Brandon Coppinger emerged victorious.
“I’ve been playing video games since the first Nintendo came out, probably when I was about five years old, and the NASCAR Challenge has given me the chance to compete against the best,” said 2007 EA SPORTS Craftsman NASCAR Challenge winner, Brandon Coppinger. “After all my practice, I’m excited to be named number one and of course to be bringing home 10,000 bucks! I can’t wait to repeat my success again next year.”
Brandon Coppinger, a 21 year-old college student from Goodlettsville, TN, combines his love of NASCAR with his love of video games. Growing up, he went to countless NASCAR events and has transferred that passion into video games. He loves the challenge of playing NASCAR® 08 and competes against his friends on all the tracks that the game offers. He plans to apply the $10,000 prize money towards the purchase of a real-life Legends Car so that he can race at the Nashville Fairgrounds. Coppinger, who hopes to become a sportscaster one day, was especially thrilled that the 2007 EA SPORTS Craftsman NASCAR Challenge was announced by ESPN host Brent Musberger.
The 2007 EA SPORTS Craftsman NASCAR Challenge Finals took place during the Ford 400, the season-ending NASCAR® NEXTEL Cup Series event in which Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart (the NASCAR 08 cover athlete) and other celebrated NASCAR drivers raced at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. On the same day that Jimmie Johnson was awarded the 2007 NEXTEL Cup, Brandon Coppinger was named EA’s #1 NASCAR 08 player in the country.
“This year was the debut of the new EA SPORTS NASCAR Challenge, and we’re thrilled it was such a huge success,” said Brian Movalson, EA SPORTS Marketing Director. “We were fortunate enough to host the finals at Homestead-Miami Speedway in conjunction with the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and it was even more exciting to see our sixteen finalists share the NASCAR experience with the real race car drivers they look up to.”
“The virtual racing we saw at Homestead-Miami Speedway was a dramatic show and a microcosm of what it takes to compete and win in NASCAR—commitment, passion, practice, nerves of steel, and as Brandon Coppinger demonstrated, patience and consistency on the race track,” said Blake Davidson, Managing Director of Licensed Products at NASCAR. “We want to congratulate EA SPORTS and Craftsman for pulling off an exciting and competitive tournament, as well as all the competitors who participated.”
The EA SPORTS NASCAR Challenge is one of four Challenges from the EA SPORTS Challenge Series that also included regional tournament competitions for Madden NFL 08, NBA LIVE 08 and NCAA® Football 08, and have been taking place across North America over the last four months. For more information about the 2007 EA SPORTS Craftsman NASCAR Challenge please visit: www.easportsracing.com/challenge or www.craftsman.com/nascarchallenge.
Spam Arrest LLC Wins Lawsuit against Hormel over SPAM Trademark
November 28, 2007
SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Spam Arrest LLC, which provides the popular SPAM ARREST software and services to eliminate email spam, finally won its five year legal battle against Hormel.
Hormel filed suit against Spam Arrest in 2002 before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (Number: 92042134), the federal administrative court charged with overseeing the national trademark office, alleging canned meat consumers would confuse the SPAM ARREST trademark with the notorious SPAM mark.
This week, a panel of three judges found that Hormel’s trademark may be famous, but “that fame does not extend to computer software for filtering spam.” The 63 page decision noted that the SPAM ARREST trademark is “different in connotation and commercial impression” than Hormel’s.
Hormel filed dozens of similar actions against other companies using the term “spam” in connection with email, including Yahoo! (Number – 91120897), Earthlink (Number 91116405), and Google’s Postini subsidiary (Number 91166098). Most of those cases settled in favor of Hormel or were suspended pending the outcome of the Spam Arrest matter.
“Hormel retained several high priced expert witnesses in an effort to deprive Spam Arrest of its lawful use of the trademark,” said Derek A. Newman of Newman & Newman, lead counsel for Spam Arrest. “Spam Arrest successfully overcame that testimony, and now Spam Arrest is not only the first company other than Hormel to achieve a federal trademark registration with the term ‘spam,’ but also first to prevail against the processed food giant.”
“We are thrilled the court affirmed our right to continue using the SPAM ARREST trademark to identify the best spam elimination software available,” added Brian Cartmell, CEO of Spam Arrest. “Spam Arrest made a decision that we would not be bullied. Consumers are smarter than to confuse us with the source for meat called spam.”
HDTV Deals from Tiger Direct
November 26, 2007
This Mitsubishi WD-C657 65″ 1080p DLP high-definition widescreen television has many special features that make it the perfect center of your home entertainment system.
This Mitsubishi HDTV uses Texas Instruments Digital Light Processing™ technology for rear-projection TVs to create the picture you see on screen. All images are displayed at 1080p. The TV uses Plush 1080p to convert lower-resolution signals to 1080p for display. The TV can also accept 1080p original signals and maintain them at 1080p through all processing until displayed.
Enjoy a full theatrical experience in the comfort of your home. View pictures as film directors intended them. Digital TV broadcasts, DVDs and newer video game consoles support this widescreen format.
This widescreen Mitsubishi HDTV has an internal HDTV tuner able to receive both over-the-air HDTV broadcasts (received via an antenna) and non-scrambled digital cable broadcasts, including non-scrambled HDTV cable programming.
- Specifications:
- Display Area: 65″
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Signal Compatibility: 1080p, 480i, 480p, 1080i, 720p
- Input Video Signal: ATSC, NTSC
- Speakers: 2
- Inputs: XGA, PC, Audio, HDMI In, VGA
- Outputs: RCA Audio
- Power Consumption: 275W
- Unit Dimensions (WxHxD): 58.2″ x 39.5″ x 15.3″
- Unit Weight: 76 lbs.
SAVE $200 - FREE SHIPPING - Mitsubishi 65″ DLP HDTV 1080p 16:9 1920×1080p $1599.99 (US)
LG 32LB9D LCD TV
The LG 32LB9D has True 178º viewing angle with consistent contrast and color - even while viewing at the most extreme angles. It’s Super IPS Technology Reduces common distortion and blurring caused by fast motion video and also provides one of the industry’s widest viewing angles. It also includes LG Simplink, which provides convenient control of other LG SimpLink products using the existing HDMI connection.
LG’S Exclusive XD Engine
Six distinct processes contribute to picture improvement. LG’s XD Engine® takes the low resolution of analog signals to near HD levels by improving brightness, contrast, detail and enhancing color as well as reducing signal noise. This total solution results in cinema-like high resolution images.
- Specifications:
- Display Area: 32″
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Contrast Ratio: 10000:1
- Resolution: 1366 x 768
- Signal Compatibility: 720p
- Input Video Signal: ATSC, QAM, NTSC
- Speakers: 2
- Inputs: S-Video, Audio, Component In, RGB, HDMI In, Composite Video In, PC Audio In, RF Input, Remote Control In (IR)
- Outputs: Optical Digital Audio, Coaxial Digital Audio
- Dimensions With Stand: 31.7″ x 24.2″ x 11.2″
- Unit Dimensions (WxHxD): 31.7″ x 21.4″ x 3.1″
- Unit Weight: 32.6 lbs.
FREE SHIPPING - LG 32LB9D LCD TV 32″ 720p 10000:1 HDMI 16:9 1366×768 $699.99 (US)
Westinghouse LVM-37w1 LCD Display
With 37 inches of pure HD entertainment, you’ll have trouble deciding what to do on it next. The Westinghouse 37″ 1080p monitor is a true 1080p monitor, combining leading-edge technology with stylish design, to deliver the ultimate in entertainment enjoyment. The LVM-37w1 is ideal for all viewing environments, with greater versatility than plasma, especially for daytime viewing. Designed to be future-proof, this big 1080p monitor is equipped with 6 HD connections. If you’re into maximum entertainment, it’s the only display that should be connected to your HD cable box, satellite or multimedia PC.
- Specifications:
- Display Area: 37″
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Signal Compatibility: 1080p, 480i, 480p, 1080i, 720p
- Input Video Signal: PC, HD, NTSC
- Speakers: 2
- Inputs: S-Video, Audio, Composite, PC Audio In, HDCP, VGA
- Outputs: Audio
- Dimensions With Stand: 36.6″ x 28.5″ x 8.4″
- Unit Dimensions (WxHxD): 36.6″ x 23.” x 4.5″
- Unit Weight: 56. lbs.
Westinghouse LVM-37w1 LCD Display - 37″ 1080p HDMI 16:9 1000:1 1920×1080 (No Tuner) $699.99 (US)
Let’s Get This Party Started!
November 23, 2007
The newest edition in the Mario Party franchise is Mario Party DS. This game supports up to four players via local wi-fi (single cartridge download play) in a multitude of modes. There is a also a single player mode that you have to go through to unlock all of the boards.
So, how does it stack up? Is it worth buying? I’m going to cover the basics of the game and let the final decision reside with you.
Story Mode (1 player)
Something has fallen from the sky and broken into a pieces. It is up to Mario and friends to find all five pieces of the star crystal and put the broken crystal back together again.
The game begins with King Bowser inviting Mario and friends to his castle for a feast. While there everyone is shrunk down to the size of miniature dolls. It is now up to you to battle your way through five game boards to acquire all five pieces of of the Star Crystal.
After you win each game you will go one to a boss mini-game. Win the mini-game and you will be awarded a piece of the star crystal and move on to the next board.
Story mode is single player only so you have to win each game to fight the boss and proceed. The final board is not available until you complete story mode.
You will also earn Party Points for playing the game. These points provide you with items for your gallery and that’s about it. Once you complete story mode you will also earn a badge for the character you played as.
Party Mode (1 to 4 players)
In party mode game play is much as you would expect from the Mario Party line of games. One player takes the role of host and all other players download the game via DS download play.
What is very nice about party mode is that the host can not begin a mini-game until all players have read the mini-game rules. I have had problems in the past where the player on controller one hits the “play game” button before all players are ready.
Party mode plays much as you would expect with Battle Royale, Tag Battle and Duel Battle modes.
Mini-Game Mode (1 to 4 players)
Don’t feel like playing on the board but you just want to get in some mini-games? Mini-Game mode is just the thing for you. Between Free Play, Step It Up, Battle Cup, Score Scuffle, Boss Bash and Rocket Rascals you will be able to get in some quick mini-game action without having to worry about getting stars.
Puzzle Mode (1 to 2 Players)
Play six puzzle-action games, which include five classics from previous Mario Party games. This mode also includes the new touch-controlled Triangle Twisters, which has two play modes. In Frenzy Mode, players clear the field by twisting triangles so they connect with those of the same color. In Focus Mode, they twist them to build complex shapes, like turtles and pinwheels.
Gallery
As you accumulate party points from game play (single player only) you will be awarded prizes that go in your gallery. Unlike in previous games you do not spend points in a store. Instead, as you reach preset point levels prizes will be awarded to you. Prizes will also be awarded based on game play goals.
So, how does it play?
A common complaint of the Mario Party games is that you can’t skip over animations and that the game can drag while waiting for animations to complete. It’s great fun when you first see the animations but, after the 500th play you would rather skip over the 30 second animation of a character being eaten by a plant. You still can not skip animations but the characters do appear to be moving faster on the game boards.
The mini-games all make excellent use of the DS. Some use the stylus while others capitalize on the dual screen format. There are even some games that use the touch screen as a pad of buttons. Rather than push A or B you will be tapping on buttons that appear on the lower screen.
Each of the five game boards offers a different brand of fun:
Wiggler’s Garden: This is the first board you will encounter in story mode and it is also the easiest. This board takes place in a huge garden and the boss is a piranha plant. Stars cost 20 coins and the star space moves every time someone buys a star.
Toadette’s Music Room: The second board takes place in a music room. Stars are purchased from musical notes that appear on the board. The price starts at five coins and maxes out at 30 coins before reseting back to five. Every time a star is purchased the music spot moves. A Hammer Bros. is the board boss.
DK’s Stone Statue: While making his way to Bowser’s castle DK ran afoul of Dry Bones and was turned into a garden statue. It is up to Mario and friends to win the board and defeat Dry bones to save DK. The star space never moves on this board and you can buy as many as you can afford at 20 coins each.
Kamek’s Library: The magical library of Kamek is your next stop in your quest. There are magical teleportation spaces that will teleport you between the two boards. Stars are hidden inside one of three magic jars on the board. One jar has a star, one eats you up and another gives you coins. all jars cost 10 coins to open. When you gain a star all jars go away and three new jars appear on the board.
Bowser’s Pinball Machine: The final board takes place inside Bowser’s castle. Stars cost 20 coins and the star space moves every time you buy one. After beating the board you take on Bowser, defeat him and you win the story mode.
When preparing to play you can assign players up to three bonus stars and COM players can be set to easy, normal or hard. Completing story mode unlocks expert difficulty for COM players.
For characters you can use: Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Toad, Peach, Daisy and Yoshi.
What’s New?
Every Mario Party game released has a few changes made in the item selection available, this game is no different. As well as purchasable items there are also hexes you can acquire to place on board spaces.
Among items there are old standbys such as double, triple and halfway dice. You can also purchase a warp block and a star pipe, both of which teleport you prior to rolling your dice for movement. You can also purchase a snag bag that will allow you to steal an item from another player. The block sensor helps you find hidden blocks (full of coins) and the grab bag is an item that holds three items inside of it; star pipe, block sensor and a triple dice set.
Hexes are something new in Mario Party DS. These can not be purchased in a store but can be acquired by passing over certain spaces. When you use these you place them on a space on the board. When someone steps on them they are activated.
- 10 coin hex: steal 10 coins from an opponent
- 20 coin hex: steal 20 coins from an opponent
- coin swap hex: swap coins with an opponent
- 1 star hex: steal one star from an opponent
- 2 star hex: steal two stars from an opponent
- space swap hex: swap your board location with an opponent
- star block: creates a block that can be hit for 1 to 3 stars
- coin block: creates a coin block that can be hit for a lot of coins
If you land on a hex placed by you (except for the last two) you get some coins rather than the desired effect.
My Opinion
I am very happy with Mario Party DS. One thing that always bothered me about the Mario Party games is that when you play a mini-game everyone sees the same thing. With the mini-games being played on the DS screen only you get to see your screen.
The boards are fun and not too long. If you are not in the mood to play a full game you can play one of the mini-game modes and play as few as three mini-games at a time.
Not all is good in the game. The party points are fairly useless. You also do not earn any party points when playing in multi-player mode, which is the whole point of the game!
When playing with COM players you have to set them all to the same difficulty level. To do otherwise runs the risk of finding yourself in a 2 vs. 2 mini-game that you can not win because the difficulty translates into the speed at which the COM player presses buttons and you are stuck with the slow COM player!
One Laptop per Child Extends Give One Get One Program Through December 31
November 23, 2007
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–One Laptop per Child (OLPC), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing every child in the world access to new channels of learning, sharing and self-expression, is extending its recently launched Give One Get One program beyond the initial two-week limited time offer through December 31, 2007, in the USA and Canada. The extended period gives people more time to participate in this unique giving program and support the mission of One Laptop per Child.
On November 12, OLPC launched the Give One Get One program for individuals in the USA and Canada to support the OLPC Foundation by paying US$399 for two XO children’s laptops – the buyer gets one laptop and the other is given to a child in the developing world. The donated laptops will go to children in such countries as Afghanistan, Cambodia, Haiti, Mongolia and Rwanda.
“In the past 10 days, we’ve experienced an outpouring of support from the public that is truly gratifying and encouraging,” said Nicholas Negroponte, founder and chairman of One Laptop per Child. “Because so many people have asked for more time to participate either individually or in order to organize local and national groups to which they belong, we have decided to extend Give One Get One through the end of this year. During this extended period we will solicit input and transition to a program of giving only at the beginning of 2008. We want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to act upon the giving spirit of the holiday season.”
$200 of the Give One Get One contribution is tax deductible as a charitable donation. Give One Get One donors also get access to one year of complimentary T-Mobile HotSpot Wi-Fi access, which is available at more than 8,500 locations throughout the United States.
In addition, XO laptops can be purchased for educational purposes and in quantities of 100-999 at $299 each, 1000-9999 at $249 each, and 10,000 and up at $199 each.
To date, donations to the Give One Get One program have averaged US$2 million per day.
To learn more and participate in the Give One Get One program, go now to http://www.laptopgiving.org or call 1-877-70-LAPTOP (1-877-705-2786).
Nintendo releasing two themed DS Lites
November 20, 2007
REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 20, 2007 – Starting Nov. 23, Nintendo gives the holiday season a fresh blast of color with the launch of two special-edition Nintendo DS™ bundles. Each pairs a custom-color Nintendo DS system with one of the platform’s hottest titles. The new Gold edition comes with The Legend of Zelda®: Phantom Hourglass, while the Metallic Rose Nintendo DS comes with the “Best Friends” version of Nintendogs™.
“Nintendo DS remains the portable system of choice for gamers. Our new bundles will be collector’s items for current gamers while offering an attractive way for people new to video games to play with style,” says George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications.
According to information from the independent NPD Group, Nintendo DS sales in the United States:
- topped 458,000 in October.
- are nearly 4.5 million for 2007.
- exceed 13.6 million since the system launched three years ago on Nov. 21, 2004.
boasts 14 different million-unit sellers in North America, including Brain Age™: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day, Pokémon® Diamond Version, Pokémon® Pearl Version, Yoshi’s Island DS™, Pokémon® Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team, Big Brain Academy™, New Super Mario Bros.™, Animal Crossing®: Wild World, Mario Kart® DS, Super Mario® 64 DS and four versions of Nintendogs™.
The glimmering Gold edition of the Nintendo DS Lite shows the world your passion for excellence and grandeur, since it comes bundled with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass – the year’s biggest hand-held adventure game – and is emblazoned with the series’ signature Triforce logo. It’s a shiny nugget that any gamer – girl or guy – would be proud to show off.
For those looking for a different kind of dazzling color, the new pretty-in-pink Metallic Rose edition puts a futuristic sheen on your color scheme. It’s bundled with Nintendogs, the acclaimed puppy-interaction software that lets players select, train and play with their own canine companions. And the hardware comes accented with a distinctive pink puppy paw print.
I have been holding out on buying the new Zelda game on DS and this might be the crowbar that opens my wallet. I’m still using my old DS Phat but I don’t play that many GBA games anymore so moving to a DS Lite will not be bothersome at all (the DS Lite has a shallower game slot for GBA games).
You can buy the Nintendo DS Lite Game System with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass online for only $139.99 from the Shop at Home Television Network!
You can buy the Nintendo DS Lite Bundle with Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (Gold) online for only $159.99 from Buy.com.
You can buy the Nintendo DS Lite Zelda Gold Bundle online for $159.99 from newegg.com.
You can buy the 
from the Shop at Home Television Network for $139.99.
You can buy the Nintendo DS Lite Nintendogs Metallic Rose Bundle online from newegg.com for only $149.99.
You can buy the Nintendo DS Lite Bundle with Nintendogs: Best Friends (Metallic Rose) online from Buy.com for only $152.99.
Supplies are limited so do not be surprised if the lower priced one sells out.
AMD Introduces World’s First Comprehensive, Cutting-Edge PC Platform
November 19, 2007
SUNNYVALE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rewriting the rules for enthusiast computing, AMD (NYSE: AMD) today unveiled its new platform codenamed “Spider”, with the first true quad-core processor supporting scalable graphics for The Ultimate Visual Experience™. The AMD Spider platform combines the introduction of AMD Phenom™ quad-core processors, ATI Radeon™ HD 3800 Series graphics processors with Microsoft DirectX® 10.1 support, AMD 7-Series chipsets with CrossFireX™ and AMD OverDrive™ software. The AMD Spider platform is a major milestone on the path to Accelerated Computing, AMD’s vision for platform-level acceleration through co-processing.
“AMD is the only company committed to delivering The Ultimate Visual Experience across all the screens of your life,” said Dirk Meyer, president and COO, AMD. “The AMD Spider platform embodies our approach to platform-level innovation and delivers a highly-advanced, feature-rich enthusiast computing experience. Our commitment to energy-efficient design and manufacturing excellence drives an unprecedented performance-per-watt at an amazing price point, putting enthusiast-class platforms in reach for more users than ever before.”
AMD’s Spider platform advances enthusiast computing by delivering the most sophisticated multi-GPU enthusiast platform ever with ATI CrossFireX technology. The combination of the energy-efficient 55nm ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series of graphics processors and the increased system bandwidth of PCI Express® Generation 2.0 and HyperTransport™ 3.0 technology, provide optimal processing power for a scalable HD multi-GPU experience. AMD design and manufacturing innovation has enabled the AMD Spider platform to easily scale to three or four graphics processors and deliver a true gaming supercomputer.
“Falcon Northwest is particularly impressed with the quad ATI CrossFireX potential of the new AMD Spider platform,” said Kelt Reeves, president of Falcon Northwest. “Running four graphics boards in one system has been a dream of gamers, but could be a nightmare for a system builder to get all those graphics cards proper airflow. The cohesive nature of the Spider platform design allows the AMD 7-Series chipset, high-performing AMD Phenom quad-core processor, and the already cool and quiet ATI Radeon HD 3800 graphics cards to all be placed for maximum airflow and cooling. AMD has made massive multi-GPU performance easy to build, and affordable.”
HD Technology Leadership
AMD is delivering the only platform that boasts major next-generation, industry-standard technologies to provide unparalleled bandwidth and balance in the delivery of next-generation HD content. With HyperTransport 3.0 technology, AMD Phenom processors have more system bandwidth than ever before with up to 14.4 GB/second of high bandwidth I/O. When combined with the additional bandwidth of AMD PCI Express 2.0 chipsets and graphics processors, the AMD Spider platform enjoys maximum bandwidth to support smooth 1080P video playback, enhanced multi-GPU and high-speed disk and network interfaces. With the only true quad-core processor and infrastructure flexibility with AM2+ socket, AMD processors are designed to be compatible with future 65nm and 45nm AMD Phenom processors to deliver key performance gains.
Video enthusiasts can enjoy best-in-class HD entertainment on AMD Spider platforms with the addition of the powerful visual processing capabilities of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series. Striking image quality and power-efficient playback are made possible through the ATI Avivo™ HD video engine and the Unified Video Decoder (UVD). The addition of UVD ensures exceptional platform efficiency and image quality in HD-DVD and Blu-ray decoding for both H.264 and VC-1 specifications. Big screen gaming and entertainment is also made easy with enhanced HDMI connectivity with integrated HDCP and audio for HDMI video.
Scalable Platform Performance
AMD’s Spider platform offers a new class of enthusiast platform scalability, with multiple upgrade options to increase performance and boost compatibility with configurations that can deliver an estimated two teraflops(1) of desktop processing power by harnessing four graphics processors. The multi-core design of AMD Phenom quad-core processors, based on Direct Connect Architecture, features an integrated memory controller designed to support memory speeds up to DDR2 1066(2), 128-bit floating point units and AMD’s Balanced Smart Cache for rapid access to memory, with a shared L3 cache for leading-edge performance on multi-threaded software.
The AMD 7-Series chipsets introduce the world to the latest ATI CrossFireX technology, a new class of scalable multi-GPU performance, supporting three or four ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series graphics processors for unparalleled upgradeability and DirectX 10.1 performance with the industry’s only tri- and quad-GPU solution for Microsoft Windows Vista®. AMD 7-Series chipsets support up to four graphics processors and 42 PCI Express lanes, enabling maximum performance and upgradeability for gamers and PC enthusiasts. AMD 7-Series chipsets can deliver the ultimate in personalized enthusiast platform performance with AMD OverDrive(3) software, the industry’s most powerful and intuitive Windows operating system-based performance tuning utility. Through a simple Windows operating system-based interface, AMD OverDrive software can satisfy the needs of a wide range of performance-oriented users from enthusiast overclockers to mainstream gamers(3). In addition, AMD AutoXpress™ settings can increase your system performance when combined with enthusiast memory modules, ATI Radeon graphics, as well as AMD Phenom quad-core processors.
“AMD has a long history of delivering compelling hardware innovations so that consumers and enthusiasts can enjoy new experiences and take full advantage of the capabilities that our products including Windows Vista deliver,” said John Schappert, corporate vice president of LIVE Software and Services at Microsoft. “The AMD Spider platform adds a new dimension to AMD’s excellence in driving platform robustness and scalability, designed to deliver the utmost in upgradeability and performance with the new tri- and quad-GPU solution for Windows Vista.”
Energy Efficiency
High-performing, energy-efficient AMD Spider platforms provide industry leading platform performance-per-watt, combining energy-efficient AMD Phenom quad-core processors for an improved computing experience, low power 65nm enthusiast AMD 7-Series chipsets, and low-power, high-performance 55nm ATI Radeon HD 3800 graphics. The AMD Spider platform also includes an unprecedented list of computing technology firsts and focus on power consumption, including: ATI PowerPlay™, Cool’n’Quiet™ 2.0 technology, Microsoft DirectX 10.1 support, HyperTransport 3.0 technology and PCI Express 2.0.
In a new initiative to measure real-world processor power consumption, AMD surveyed consumer and commercial users to understand precise usage patterns. AMD measured power consumption for these usage patterns and has found that AMD Phenom processors with Cool’n’Quiet 2.0 technology rated at 95W TDP can consume an average power of 32W for consumers and 29W for commercial users (4). For more information on the power consumption of AMD processors and platforms visit www.amd.com/coolnquiet.
Enhanced features include AMD CoolCore™ technology, support for split power plane motherboard designs and the ability to set independent core frequencies. The AMD 7-Series chipsets are designed using 65nm process technology, a first for chipsets. With a TDP of approximately 10-12 watts, the 7-Series chipset offers world-class energy efficiency, allowing users to focus resources on processing performance. With a flawless transition to 55nm process technology, the ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series can deliver more than two times the performance-per-watt over the previous generation of AMD graphics products. In addition, ATI PowerPlay for the desktop allows for automatic power state adjustments for increased GPU efficiency when under moderate load or idle. All of these features contribute to better power optimization by enabling more efficient performance, lower power consumption, and quiet operation.
“In today’s PC market there is escalating consumer demand for multi-core performance and enriching HD media experiences,” said Toni Duboise, senior analyst with Current Analysis West. “Platforms with enhanced performance features and improvements in performance-per-watt and energy efficiency, such as AMD’s Spider platform, are a big benefit to customers.”
Availability and pricing
AMD Phenom processors 9600 (2.3GHz) and 9500 (2.2GHz) are now available for $283 and $251 respectively in 1,000-unit pricing. The ATI Radeon HD 3850 with 256MB of GDDR3 memory begins at US $179 MSRP and the ATI Radeon HD 3870 with 512MB GDDR4 memory from US $219 MSRP, available from AMD’s selected graphics products partners. For processor pricing details, please visit www.amd.com/pricing. For press collateral pertaining to AMD Spider and its components including product specifications and availability, videos, images and partner support, please visit www.amd.com/spider/presskit.
Buzz! The Mega Oh-Christ-Not-A-Game-Show-Game Quiz
November 18, 2007
I am going to admit right off the bat that I am a bit biased against Buzz! The Mega Quiz. Why? Because I think game show video games are retarded. Every single one I’ve ever played bored me to suicide (I got better) and they’re usually crap. So understand that when I was sent a copy of Buzz! to review I started thinking up some really sarcastic, abusive things to say (it’s what I do, man) about it. I’m typing this to put the rest of the review into perspective for you.
Got it? Good.
Buzz! The Mega Quiz is a new PlayStation 2 game that involves lots of trivia questions (something like 5,000) presented in a game show format. The disk itself comes in the standard PS2 packaging (you know how it goes), but then the box is packaged in with four controllers that are used for the game. That’s right, Buzz! has its own controllers and quite frankly I was initially dismayed by them. They seem rather flimsy considering most PS2 gamers I know tend to be “controller flingers”. Factor that in with the occasional drops, moose rampages, or stomping toddlers and I could see the controllers breaking easily. They feel rather cheap. But… but… in the game’s defense I imagine that it’d cost way too much to package the game with uber-durable controllers, especially when it’s just a game show game. Would you dish out $80 for a PS2 game show game? I didn’t think so. I’d rather spend that cash on a cheap hooker but then again I think STDs are funny. Moving on… Apparently you can buy another set of controllers (they plug into the little USB port thing on the front of the PS2) in order to have up to eight people playing the game. We only played with four people for the review test runs, so I’m not sure how the “eight people” thing would work as far as “too motherfucking confusing” goes. Maybe it’s more fun? I dunno.
As you can see, I was already expecting The Buzz to suck. Then again, I’m a pessimistic prick with a chip on my shoulder, so I tend to expect every game to suck. Games have to prove themselves to me. So does Buzz! do that? The short answer: Piss off, read the long answer. Anyway, we plugged in the controllers and booted up the game. You start out by choosing the difficulty and length of the game followed by making an avatar of yourself based on limited choices of characters; you choose a character and then choose the outfit they wear. Like I said, it’s limited but there’s enough characters to choose from that we didn’t find it oppressive or anything. The characters are so zany that we got a few good laughs just out of that. Unfortunately for me there’s not a decent punk rocker avatar. Why does this game hate Freedom Punk Rock? Well, besides the fact that punk rockers are all assholes. But that’s neither here nor there. I am what I eat.
After naming your avatar the game begins. I was pleased to see that there wasn’t a cuss filter on the naming process. Apparently Tipper Gore isn’t as awesome as she thinks. I was able to name my avatar “AssFace” and not have a horde of angry Liberals banging on my door. Sweet. It’s especially awesome that you get to see your name pop up on a big screen behind the avatars, so stupid names like I choose are even funnier (to me) because of this.
The game play is very simple. A rather amusing (and psychotic) host bounces around the screen like he just pounded an eight-ball by himself while you get asked all sorts of trivia questions from various categories. There’s the standard “click the buzzer before your opponents do” stuff, but they also spice things up by asking questions under wonky conditions, such as having to arrange answers properly (utilizing the five button controller rather nicely) before your homies do while being timed. In other words they spice up how the questions get answered, breaking up the monotony of the standard “click and answer” style we know from Jeopardy (unless you live under a rock).
The graphics are cartoony but decent as far as PS2 games go. We didn’t hit any frame-rate drops despite all of the effects bouncing around on the screen (it’s a really tacky game show with lots of flashing lights, bad music, and an annoying host… so awesome). There’s some flashy effects and of course there’s a big-chested, small-waisted assistant in addition to Buzz, and graphically they’re effective. You won’t be wowed by the visual presentation but it does its job.
I really wanted this review to be a sarcastic bitch-fest, but I actually like the game. Weird. If you slap a memory card into your Playstation the game will make sure that you don’t get the same questions too often (nice feature), so the replay factor is pretty darned high. But what makes the game a blast is the group fun factor. I played the game with my girlfriend, my mother, and my brother, and we laughed our asses off. You really need to experience the game with people that are fun to play with and won’t take anything too seriously.
I’m pretty sure Buzz! The Mega Quiz would make an awesome drinking game as well, but since I don’t drink (I’m a big enough asshole already) I can’t tell you how hardcore it’d be. But I can tell you that we had as much fun playing this game as we do when we all get together and play Wii Sports or any other group-play Wii game. I give Buzz! The Mega Quiz an 8 out of 10. No really! I liked it that much. This is the type of game you break out when your in-laws are over because it’s a fun multiplayer game that deserves some credit. If only the controllers weren’t so flimsy…
Pros:
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Fun. And isn’t this what matters?
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Replay value… I mean Christ, 5,000 questions will take a while to go through completely.
Cons:
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What happens when you do go through all 5,000? Ugh.
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Cheap controllers.
This post was written by our resident Video Game Punk: GrimJesta.
