addon | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Tue, 01 Mar 2016 16:04:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png addon | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Microsoft is thinking about hardware upgrades for Xbox One https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/console-desktop-pc/matthew-wilson/microsoft-is-thinking-about-hardware-upgrades-for-xbox-one/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/console-desktop-pc/matthew-wilson/microsoft-is-thinking-about-hardware-upgrades-for-xbox-one/#comments Tue, 01 Mar 2016 16:04:27 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=285727 It is no secret that the Xbox One suffered a bit in terms of hardware, with most games limited to 30 frames per second at even sub-1080p resolutions in some cases. However, Microsoft could be looking to change that over time with hardware upgrades rather than the generational leaps we are used to when consoles …

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It is no secret that the Xbox One suffered a bit in terms of hardware, with most games limited to 30 frames per second at even sub-1080p resolutions in some cases. However, Microsoft could be looking to change that over time with hardware upgrades rather than the generational leaps we are used to when consoles are concerned.

Recently at a Xbox press event, Phil Spencer spoke to Polygon about supporting future games with the Universal App platform, which will allow games to be played across devices and be backwards compatible with future hardware.

xboxcontrollers

“When you look at the console space, I believe we will see more hardware innovation in the console space than we've ever seen. You'll actually see us come out with new hardware capability during a generation allowing the same games to run backward and forward compatible because we have a Universal Windows Application running on top of the Universal Windows Platform that allows us to focus more and more on hardware innovation without invalidating the games that run on that platform.”

“We can effectively feel a little bit more like we see on PC, where I can still go back and run my old Doom and Quake games that I used to play years ago.”

Essentially, Xbox One owners could potentially be offered hardware upgrade add-ons, rather than a brand new console. However, the Xbox chief was still quite vague about future plans and didn't outright confirm or announce anything so for now, it just seems to be something that Microsoft is considering.

KitGuru Says: Incremental hardware upgrades could make more sense for consoles this generation in particular as games are already struggling to hit 30 frames per second at 1080p. However, at that point, consoles just essentially become PCs so Microsoft would need to have price to performance ratio on its side to tempt people. 

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Splitting up quest text in WoW makes it much more readable https://www.kitguru.net/professional/development/jon-martindale/splitting-up-quest-text-in-wow-makes-it-much-more-readable/ https://www.kitguru.net/professional/development/jon-martindale/splitting-up-quest-text-in-wow-makes-it-much-more-readable/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2015 08:03:26 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=265602 Nobody likes reading walls of text, which is why here at KitGuru we try to split it up, throw in pictures, videos and funny captions to keep you entertained while we cram all of the information we can into your eyeballs. It turns out that same principle of breaking up the text works in games …

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Nobody likes reading walls of text, which is why here at KitGuru we try to split it up, throw in pictures, videos and funny captions to keep you entertained while we cram all of the information we can into your eyeballs. It turns out that same principle of breaking up the text works in games like World of Warcraft too, as a recently released addon called “Storyline,” is proving popular, for making the walls of quest text that much more readable.

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Funny caption.

With Storyline, players are transported from their 3D world to a back and forth conversation page, where dialogue is split up into more natural sentences, rather than the player character being talked at for several minutes of exposition. It combines that with animated models of the characters taking part in the conversation, with effects and actions that are in tune with what they're actually talking about.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYlof4IstuY']

The idea for all this is to help those that find it difficult to sit through reading big chunks of text, actually understand what it is they're doing in the game. Too often in WoW – and in other MMOs and RPGs – the quest text is an afterthought. Go here, kill this, grab that, save them and return. That's the usual gist of things, but if players do get into the idea of what they're actually doing, it can be much more immersive.

That's what Storyline aims to make happen.

Developed by two players, KajiSensei & @EllypseCelwe, the addon does have a few known issues, including 3D models that fill the entire frame, the fact that some quests automatically turn themselves in and you can't always see quest rewards before accepting… but it's coming along well otherwise.

So far it's proved a very popular add-on, with many players saying they find it a much more enjoyable way to quest in WoW now that they actually know what they're doing.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Do you guys read quest text in games? I always start off with good intentions, but as I play a game more, I tend to read it less and less. 

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Do we always look backwards to go forwards with design? https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/harrison/do-we-always-look-backwards-to-go-forwards-with-design/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/harrison/do-we-always-look-backwards-to-go-forwards-with-design/#respond Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:34:32 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=130844 With CeBIT a distant memory, all eyes in the tech world are now focused on Computex 2013, Taiwan's technology show case for everything that's good and right in the world of IT. Looking at the early emailers about what we will be on at the event, KitGuru has noticed something about design and wonders, “Do …

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With CeBIT a distant memory, all eyes in the tech world are now focused on Computex 2013, Taiwan's technology show case for everything that's good and right in the world of IT. Looking at the early emailers about what we will be on at the event, KitGuru has noticed something about design and wonders, “Do we always look back to go forward?”

Is there any such thing as a new idea in design?

It's a profound question. Especially when we live in a world dominated by a global army of lawyers and litigators who are on 24-hour standby to swear black-is-in-fact-blue about the originality of their client's latest gizmo.

The Apple case against Samsung is an interesting one indeed. With every trekkie on the planet certain that Kirk was using a tablet PC back in 1966, it's hard to understand where the battle comes from.

When BMW launched its highly popular roadster series of cars (Z4 etc), it was actually listening to an echo of its own designs from decades past.

When it comes to audio, anything that combines iPhones/Pads/Pods with vacuum tubes is looking backwards to go forward. Here's a quick look at one of the latest designs, due to debut at Computex:-

Add-On-iConcertino-R-KitGuru

Presumably, by the start of June, there will be Thunderbolts and Lightning etc as well.

This is exactly the kind of design that KitGuru has been receiving in its collective inbox from audio manufacturers in Taiwan. Specifically a company called Add-On Tech.

If that name isn't familiar to you, maybe the giants behind it will be.

In the late 1800s, two German companies battled for wireless supremacy: AEG on one side and Braun Siemens on the other. In 1903, they came together at the behest of Kaiser Wilhelm II and so Telefunken was formed. Today, Telefunken is the underlying driver for Add-On, proving that a Germany/Oriental axis of audio alliance can be a force to be reckoned within the world of high-end AV.

Here's one of their older, more established designs. Telefunky eh?

Add-On-i-concertino-R-KitGuru

KitGuru says: We can't wait to see the latest products from Add-On in Taiwan. More than anything, we're keen to see if they sound as good as they look. Without meaning to put down the new-age-mainland-Chinese brands that have come up in the last 5-15 years, the Telefunken Add-On partnership is a lot more interesting.

Comment below, in the KitGuru forums or join us over on Facebook.

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