See If the HTC Vive Can Run on Your Computer
If you're okay with the $800 price tag of the HTC Vive, but unsure whether or not your computer can run the hardware, Valve's new SteamVR Performance Test tool can determine that for you.
The SteamVR Performance Test, which you can launch directly from Steam, is a free benchmark tool that doesn't just let you know if your system is VR ready, but specifies which component you may need to upgrade to get the best experience with the HTC Vive.
New Mod Adds Various Star Wars Helmets to XCOM 2
A new mod has brought armor from a galaxy far, far away to XCOM 2.
Modder Platoon has added a number of new helmet options into the recently released strategy game, including ones replicating the designs of classic Stormtroopers, Republic Commandos, Mandalorian fighters, and First Order Stormtroopers from The Force Awakens.
Called Star Wars Helmets, the mod is currently available free on Steam Workshop for all owners of XCOM 2. Check them out in the gallery below.
McKinnon Talks Ghostbusters Suits
Ghostbusters actress Kate McKinnon recently praised filmmaker Paul Feig for using traditional jumpsuits in the upcoming reboot.
According to Vulture, McKinnon discussed the outfit at the Athena Film Festival, where she gave the Ghostbusters director the Leading Man Award. "We filmed
in Boston over the summer and the best part of the summer was getting to wear a jumpsuit," she said.
"I wore pants the whole time and my hair was up the whole time," she said. "Not one hair on my neck … It sounds like a small thing that I got to wear pants and have my hair up, but it’s actually a really big thing because we were playing scientists. Women playing scientists wearing jumpsuits, kind of ugly jumpsuits.
Crossbones Revealed for Captain America: Civil War
Empire's upcoming Captain America: Civil War issue not only features exclusive covers and the reveal that Sherlock's Martin Freeman will have a supporting role in the film, but also offers a first official look at HYDRA villain, Crossbones.
First appearing in Captain America #359 in 1989, the character might best be known for assassinating Cap in The Death of Captain America arc back in 2007.
The Walking Dead’s Jesus Marks a Big Shift for the Show
A new character has come to shake things up on The Walking Dead. Paul Rovia -- aka Jesus -- was introduced in Sunday's episode, "The Next World," and that title alone is enough of a hint that things are going to be changing for Rick & Co. in the near future.
After his big (and well-received) debut as Jesus, Tom Payne got on the phone to talk to me about being thrown in the deep end with his introduction episode. We also discussed how close this season will stick to what is coming up in Jesus's comics story, how excited the cast is about the introduction of Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan and whether the light-hearted tone of "The Next World" is going to be sticking around for a while.
Apple Answers Your Questions About FBI’s Backdoor Request
Apple and CEO Tim Cook are doubling down on their objection to the FBI's court order for an iPhone backdoor.
In a detailed FAQ, the tech giant answered some of the public's most common questions after Cook's letter about iPhone encryption made waves last week.
Complying with the FBI's court order would have "two important and dangerous implications," according to Apple. Firstly, it would have the company make an entirely new operating system for the government's use. The new OS would allow a passcode to be input electronically, which would make is easier to unlock an iPhone with "brute force" by "trying thousands or millions of combinations with the speed of a modern computer."
Final Fantasy Creator Teams Up With Bravely Default Developer
Bravely Default developer Silicon Studio is teaming up with Lost Odyssey creator Mistwalker to make a new game.
The co-developed project will be an original game with a new setting, according to the Japanese-language announcement.
Besides that, and whatever can be gleaned from a single piece of art, there are no more details at this point. Furthermore, Silicon and Mistwalker have given no window on when we can expect a name, style of game, or release date as yet.
Gematsu notes that the art included with the announcement is from 2009. It has since been used in relation to a planned console version of Mistwalker's mobile game Terra Battle. The site further states that Mistwalker will mostly handle the creative end of things, while using "Silicon Studio’s technological strength and long-term management power" to keep things on track.
NASA Could Get Us To Mars In 72 Hours
NASA knows a way to get humans to Mars in about a month, and to land unmanned probes in just three days.
In a NASA 360 video University of California Santa Barabara professor Philip Lubin describes the process of "photonic propulsion." It involves propelling objects with mass-free particles of light (photons). Basically, pushing spaceships with a great, big laser.
Lubin explains that the proposed system would require about the same amount of energy as the upcoming Space Launch System to get to "relativistic speeds." Which is to say speeds matching a significant percentage of the speed of light. In this case, 30 percent in about 10 minutes.
Halo 5 REQ Sales Bring Halo Championship Prize to $2.5 Million
Sales of Halo 5: Guardians' REQ packs have brought the Halo World Championship prize pool to $2.5 million.
REQ pack sales have generated at least $1.5 million in revenue for 343 Industries and Microsoft—likely more, as the company previously stated that only a portion would be added to the prize pool, which started at $1 million.
The prize pool has now been locked, and the top 16 teams will compete for their share of the $2.5 million.
Microsoft announced the "biggest individual prize pool in console esports history," a total prize of $1 million USD, for the first place team.
The Walking Dead’s Negan Gets an Origin Story
Fans of The Walking Dead villain Negan will be happy to know that the character's mysterious past will soon be revealed thanks to a spinoff comic book story.
The Negan origin story will be serialized in the new Image+ magazine, which makes its debut in May. Each of the first 12 issues of the magazine will feature a four-page chapter detailing Negan's rise to power in the world of the Walking Dead. This story will be handled by the same team behind the main Walking Dead comic - writer/creator Robert Kirkman and artist Charlie Adlard.
