New Zelda coming to 3DS, set in SNES game world
Link will return in a handheld adventure set for release later this year. The game will be a sequel to the 1991 SNES title A Link to the Past, returning to the traditional top-down perspective of the old games.
Straight from the mouth of president of Nintendo America, Reggie Fils-Aime, the game is said to “reinvigorate the 2D world of the past” utilising the depth of the 3DS’s screen. While the game takes place in the same same game world as the SNES title, it will feature all new dungeons and introduce new puzzle features.
One such mechanic, as seen in the trailer, is Link’s ability to become a sketch on the wall, allowing navigation around the space to discover new pathways and routes.
From the looks of it, the new title is going to be much more focused on puzzles and platforming than previous titles, with the trailer showing off some of the obstacles you can run in to.
Mirror’s Edge for Oculus Rift induces vertigo in hundreds
Possibly one of the most terrifying games to play on the device, first-person rooftop free-runner Mirror’s Edge has been modded for play on the 3D virtual reality headset Oculus rift.
It’s a pretty terrifying concept and it’s not something I’d ever like to try. Given the headset has been described as like “like doing acid” by reporters, missing a jump and falling fifty stories to your death doesn’t sound particularly appealing. Unless you like that kind of thing. If you’re a bit weird.
The Oculus Rift was unveiled in 2012, and is currently shipping ‘development kits’ – mainly to people who aren’t developments. The project raised $2.4 million on kickstarter, promising the first true, immersive virtual reality experience in the form of a in low latency head tracking and 110-degree field of view.
For 300 USD, you too can experience the gut-wrenching terror of plummeting to your death.
Computer programmed to learn to play NES games, exploits bugs in cartridges
Want the satisfaction of seeing the end credits roll, but don’t want to have the challenge of actually completing games?
No?
Well neither does Tom Murphy, even if his evolutionary algorithm, playfun, can teach a computer to play Super Mario. His new algorithm is more of an impressive feat of computer science, proving that it can be done, even if not providing a practical use.
Starting with a program that would simply mash buttons randomly, Murphy evolved his algorithm to become more and more proficient at playing NES games, specifically Super Mario. The algorithm works best when dealing with side-scrolling platformers, where there is clear progression in linear space.
Not only does Murphy’s algorithm play through games much further than the runs he uses to ‘train’ the program, but it also manages to find and exploit bugs. For example, did you know that mario can stomp goombas in mid air, as long as he is travelling downwards? Well, playfun does.
For a more detailed explanation and examples of the algorithm applied to other games, watch the video above.
Marcus Beard
exeposedev 