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The Nexus Player: Google's Intel Powered Media+Gaming Device

Today Google dropped the news of a new Android powered device called "Nexus Player." After looking at it i've concluded it's some of the best tech news i've heard in quite some time. Basically the Nexus Player sports a quad-core Intel Atom 1.8GHZ chip, 802.11ac, HDMI out & remote for $99. You can also buy an XBox 360 styled controller for $40. The Nexus Player runs a version of Android configured for TV and also supports the incredible Chromecast protocol, which enables you to stream video directly to it from a Chrome tab or Chomecast powered app. Google is taking a pretty big leap into the realm of TV and this device seems to be pretty awesome.

Why Does This... Read All Today Google dropped the news of a new Android powered device called "Nexus Player." After looking at it i've concluded it's some of the best tech news i've heard in quite some time. Basically the Nexus Player sports a quad-core Intel Atom 1.8GHZ chip, 802.11ac, HDMI out & remote for $99. You can also buy an XBox 360 styled controller for $40. The Nexus Player runs a version of Android configured for TV and also supports the incredible Chromecast protocol, which enables you to stream video directly to it from a Chrome tab or Chomecast powered app. Google is taking a pretty big leap into the realm of TV and this device seems to be pretty awesome.

Why Does This Matter? Isn't This Just The Amazon Fire TV Or Roku?

Sort of, but in my estimation is this actually much more interesting on a few fronts.

Google devices are typically more open than other devices. Want an Android app not available in the marketplace on a Nexus device? Install the .apk. Want to do that on the Fire TV, Roku or Apple TV? Time to hack that device! The ability to install apps to certain Android devices allowed the Humble Bundle to do awesome stuff like Android Bundles. Could we see Android TV bundles in the future with Steam, Android and Android TV ports of awesome games? I really hope so.

Nexus player sports an Intel Atom chip, which is basically a version of the same processor in your PC. It's not as powerful, sure, but it's a nice start and could allow... ahem Steam, cough to port a version to it. In a world where Google could choose a lower cost and power draw ARM chip, Intel is an interesting choice.

The fact that Ouya was one of the most successful Kickstarter projects proves that there is a demand for a cheap livingroom device that is open, hackable, small and allows anyone the ability to publish a game to it. Google entering this domain might give game developers another way to reach more fans.

Eventually these kinds of devices will become more integrated into our TV's and it's interesting to see them resemble a regular PC in terms of hardware. In a talk Gabe gave a year ago at Dice, he outlined how early Steam Machines would cost a few hundred dollars and eventually cost only $99 and then zero as Steam is integrated directly into your TV. After seeing what Google is doing here, his words seem to be right on the money.

What do you think, is the Nexus Player cool or just another step top box relegated to the "meh" pile?

http://www.google.com/nexus/player/

Travis Admin wrote on 10/17/2014 at 02:59am

It seems to be a big step forward. It seems like the best bang for your buck for a set top device. I have a smart tv and have almost all my streaming needs covered there. The DLNA sucks on it but my PS3 picks up the slack. The only thing it's missing is Steam in-home streaming. I have an old PC running Ubuntu connected to the TV as well and I can stream games there, but it isn't always stellar. There's a delay that I can't quite pin down.

Anyway, yeah if Valve can update their android app to support a full client on this device that can handle in-home streaming I think it would be an insta-buy for me.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/17/2014 at 03:15am

I don't think if Steam comes, and it might not, that will be the sealing point for me about this. The PS3 hasn't been cutting the mustard for me in terms of media consumption in a few areas. It's power draw is abysmal and when it's on it sounds like a Jet engine in flight using Netflix. It doesn't support as many video formats as i'd like from videos streaming over my NAS. I'd prefer more apps and the ability to stream video to it. THAT SAID it still plays PS3 games, Bluray and DVD so I keep it around for that.

BUT I am looking for a device to handle all the NAS video I can toss at it+chromecast+apps+some games. This seems to be the magic. I bought a nice TV when getting it to be "smart" meant a ton more money. In the end I am glad I didn't go that direction because those interfaces are somewhat clunky and depending on the vendor, aren't updated too often.

Travis Admin wrote on 10/17/2014 at 03:32am

Yeah the filetype support isn't great on the PS3 for DLNA streaming (which tells you how abysmal the filetype support is on my TV). When I run into one of those files, I have the absolutely stellar PS3 Media Server which I can fire up on any Windows/Mac/Linux PC and it transcodes it on the fly to a format the PS3 can handle.

But then, that involves a separate device. And that old PC sitting next to the TV can play them anyway, with XBMC or VLC or whatever else I want to throw at it.

Really, it comes down to Steam streaming. If I didn't care about the ability to play Steam games on my couch I think I'd buy this in a heartbeat. But I'm going to want something there that can do that, and whatever fills that role will also fill the roles the Nexus Player would.

I will add that Vizio's smart TV line uses a Yahoo! app store that's actually not bad at all, and the apps are updated frequently. The Amazon Prime streaming app was terrible when we first got it, but they've updated it to be much nicer. I'd like the ability to install VLC on it though.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/17/2014 at 04:00am

No kidding? I hadn't heard that about Vizio and it sounds like a really cool thing. How long have you had your TV?

Travis Admin wrote on 10/17/2014 at 07:29pm

About 6 months I guess. We got it with our tax refund check and we did that in March, because we're procrastinators.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/18/2014 at 01:21am

Nice I've had our current for about 3 years.

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Why Do Japanese Games Tell You Characters' Blood Types?

Why do some game manuals tell you a character's blood type along with the expected name, height and age? Watch for the significance of blood types in Japanese games and the blood types of the cast of Street Fighter, Resident Evil and Final Fantasy, mostly.

Seeing Blood Type in games like Super Street Fighter 2 was something I never really paid attention to. I never questioned why it was there. It just was. But know I know that there is an actual reason for it. Surprising and interesting.

GOG is Giving Away Aliens vs. Predator

GOG is testing it's new multiplayer platform and to test it out is giving away copies of Aliens vs. Predator Classic 2000. They are giving away keys in batches for a limited time, so hop on it and get to playing :)

http://www.gog.com/galaxy

The Game Genie Reviews Ghostbusters on Sega Genesis

YouTube sensation MichaelBtheGameGenie drops a timely review of Ghostbusters on Sega Genesis. This is a great review of the Ghostbusters Sega Genesis game but is also a good reason to post anything Halloween related.

Why Does Mario's Jump Feel So Awesome?

Jamin brought up a really interesting point in this episode of Game/Show. Humans aren't very good jumpers but that doesn't stop us from building games with really cool jump mechanics. Jamin covers some history of game jumping and tries to answer the question if Mario's crazy jump ability effected any video games that came afterward? Spoiler alert, apparently it did.

Star Wars Battle Pod Is a New Arcade Cabinet

Coming to an arcade near you, the Star Wars Battle Pod looks to be a great experience. Kotaku got to sit down and play with the Battle Pod and you can see the video above where they head into the Death Star trenches in a pretty epic dogfight with Imperial forces. This is the first Star Wars arcade cabinet in quite some time and I can't wait to check it out in person.

Shovel Knight Is Now On Linux

Shovel Knight was finally ported to Linux on Steam and as such I downloaded to check it out. I found absolutely no issues running the game and had fun coming back to this platforming shoveler. I expect many more content updates from Yacht Club Games as they decided to release the main game on Windows and then bring the extra Kickstarter game rewards in subsequent updates. If you are looking for an amazing retro platforming experience with shoveling, you should get this game.

Enjoy The Sweet Music and Imagery Of Gameboy Start Screens

I know. It's been a dream gamers have had for quite some time. To be able to sit down and watch all the Gameboy start screens in one go has been the "holy grail" of many gamers. Our wait is over as YouTube sensation NicksplosionFX has cut up all the Gameboy start screens and edited them down to a little under three hours.

Dragon Age: Origins Free on EA Origin

http://i1-news.softpedia-static.com/images/news2/Bioware-Developing-Ati-Eyefinity-Compatibility-For-Dragon-Age-Origins-2.jpg

If you haven't picked up Dragon Age: Origins yet, this is your chance to get it right now from EA for free on Origin. Dragon Age: Origin was BioWare's spiritual successor to Neverwinter Nights and features some really excellent storytelling.

If you are looking for an epic RPG that will keep you entertained for hours, you should get this.

https://www.origin.com/en-us/store/free-games/on-the-house

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/09/2014 at 03:05am

Thanks! I have the Ultimate Edition for the PS3, but didn't get very far with it. It seems Bejeweled 3 is also free. =)

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/09/2014 at 03:09am

This is kind of exciting. I was thinking of trying out the PC version of the game, now that my PC is awesome. I'm also addicted to Bejeweled!!!

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/10/2014 at 11:21pm

I need to try out Bejeweled 3. I've played the first, but I wonder what the third game adds to the formula?

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/11/2014 at 02:03am

The third adds quite a few new game modes. It's *REALLY* awesome!!!! You should get it!!! Let me know how to connect to you on Origin, so I can add you to my friend's list. Thanks for sharing the news about the free games. I wish they would send out an email when they do this.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/11/2014 at 10:11pm

Ha! I have collected all the badges in Bejeweled 3. That game is fun! Anyway, Jon, there are 4 main game modes, each has it's own "secret" mode, too, so in total there are 8 game modes. Zen mode is the endless one, it was created to help players relax with music and such. It's secret mode is Butterflies, where you have to clear butterfly gems before they reach the top and get caught by the spider. There's also a Poker game mode, mining, freeze, sand, and classic. Hm, I seem to be forgetting one. Anyway, it's a great game, I'm glad I got it for free!

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/11/2014 at 10:12pm

Ah, the one I forget is Quest mode, where you have to complete certain challenges that use all modes.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/12/2014 at 03:00am

Oh, well apparently I only completed the first set of badges. Once you do them, you have more challenges to do to get higher level badges. I guess that's good because I'm not tired of the game yet. =)

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/16/2014 at 11:03pm

Ugh, I've been playing Lightning Mode lately because of the of the higher level badges requires you to get 750,000 points in that mode. It's tough! Some how I managed to get about 110,000 less than I need.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 10/17/2014 at 11:08pm

Yes! I did it! I got over 750,000 points in a Lightning game! I got the Blazing Speed bonus three times in that round. Phew! There are still more badges for me to work on.

As for Dragon Age: Origins, I played it for a few minutes. I'll get back to it eventually. I'm currently working on Bejeweled 3 and Super Smash Bros. (3DS) challenges. It will be interesting to play Dragon Age: Origins some more. Maybe after I finish it on the PC, I'll do the same on the PS3 since I have the Ultimate Edition for it.

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Duck Hunt High Scores, IndieGameCon & Starship Rubicon

I spent this last Saturday at the Eugene IndieGameCon doing a split Cheerful Ghost and Starship Rubicon booth. Since Starship Rubicon is the first game Cheerful Ghost is publishing it makes sense to show the game at a booth together and this was the first time we did it. It's one thing having a table at an event for a video game community but it's something very different to show off a game. I was also really excited to see people responding well to the build of the game we had to show. After the first few people ran into a steep difficulty wall, Wick balanced the game and everyone that came afterward had a bit easier go of things. Some people did very well, some... Read All I spent this last Saturday at the Eugene IndieGameCon doing a split Cheerful Ghost and Starship Rubicon booth. Since Starship Rubicon is the first game Cheerful Ghost is publishing it makes sense to show the game at a booth together and this was the first time we did it. It's one thing having a table at an event for a video game community but it's something very different to show off a game. I was also really excited to see people responding well to the build of the game we had to show. After the first few people ran into a steep difficulty wall, Wick balanced the game and everyone that came afterward had a bit easier go of things. Some people did very well, some people died quickly but nearly all the people that played it had fun.

Wick and I have boothed at a lot of Portland events and really enjoy doing it even if each event doesn't get a huge turn out. I wasn't sure what kind of audience to expect as IndieGameCon was in Eugene Oregon and I am not too familiar with the video game scene there. That said, the event was packed all day long with people very excited to play all manner of games shown. I had to get out of the way as the crowd around the game was too thick for me to be as close to the table as I wanted to be. If you are into the Indie Game scene in Oregon, IndieGameCon should be on your list as one of the events you need to be part of and I want to thank Ted Brown for letting us be part of it.

Later that evening Wick and I headed to the after party at a local club called the Shoryuken League. It's a retro arcade bar that has a few cool arcade games. Wick and I started playing a few fighting games but the highlight game of the evening, for me, was Duck Hunt. I am happy to admit, I spent a lot of time playing Duck Hunt as a kid and specifically the clay shooting portion of the game. I finished the night with a high score of 566,500 which isn't anything to be ashamed of and by the time I left wasn't surpassed. I went over to the Twin Galaxies high score page for Duck Hunt and whereas the high score is for two ducks mode, if I have more time and will I might try and get in on that action.

I also want to give a special shoutout to one of my friends Nic Biondi and his game Hard Lander. Nic is still adding awesome stuff to Hard Lander and each time he shows it the people that play it have more and more fun. Hard Lander is a physics based multiplayer space ship game that is absolutely off the hook crazy fun in multiplayer with friends. Some people had so much fun they camped out playing the game for hours and screamed in excitement when something crazy happened(I know because I heard them on the other side of the room). Hard Lander is on Steam Greenlight right now and is something the world needs so upvote it on Steam.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=279815737

View the full Imgur album of the event here as well as images to prove my Duck Hunt high score:

http://imgur.com/a/ZWpxS#13

http://indiegamecon.com/