Mereja

Author: Zach Walton

  • Virtual Reality Brings Your Public Execution To The Living Room

    The Oculus Rift is pretty awesome. Even a charming old lady thinks so as it allowed her to visit the Tuscan countryside without leaving her kitchen. It was only a matter of time, however, before somebody made something a bit more menacing, and the results are hilarious.

    Three developers in the span of a few days created a mini-game called Disunion – The Guillotine Simulator. As the name suggests, it’s a first person simulation of having your head chopped off. It only has visual and auditory feedback for now, but the demonstrators make sure to deliver a light karate chop to the neck for an added effect. As expected, the results are hilarious.

    Disunion – The guillotine simulator from André Berlemont on Vimeo.

    It will be interesting to see what developers come up with next on the Oculus Rift. Virtual reality has the potential to finally catch on this year, and short demos like this make me confident that we’ll start seeing some really unique experiences later down the road.

    [h/t: Kotaku]

  • Nintendo Working To Bring Smartphone Apps To Wii U [Rumor]

    The Wii U’s controller has a touch screen that seems like it was made for the simple touch-controlled games that populate smartphones. The only problem is getting those games on the system. Nintendo may be working to address that issue if recent rumors are to be believed.

    Anonymous sources speaking to The Japan Times say that Nintendo is working on conversion software that would help smartphone developers easily port their titles to the Wii U. The push is part of a larger focus on getting more software on the system to help boost console sales.

    If true, the push for smartphone titles falls into line with Nintendo’s recent initiative to get indies on its platform. It can’t readily rely on traditional game publishers to provide a steady stream of games for the system so it has to rely on these indies to bring a number of unique experiences to the console.

    Such a move begs the question – will people buy a Wii U to play games that they can already play on a smartphone or tablet? Nintendo apparently thinks they will. It’s a sharp change of course for the company as it has previously derided smartphone games as devaluing games.

    Software certainly sells hardware, but will smartphone games do the trick? Maybe not, but Nintendo also has a strong first-party lineup of software coming out later this year. There’s even talk of a new 3D Mario game coming out in October. Such a release, combined with Pikmin 3, Wind Waker HD and others, could potentially see Nintendo selling more than its fair share of units this holiday season.

    Of course, Nintendo will have to watch out for the likes of Sony, and possibly even Microsoft, as both will be appealing to indies as well. Sony has been especially aggressive in this area, and even chose to highlight an indie game at its PS4 reveal event. Nintendo may have to start getting that aggressive about indie titles if it wants to bring the best the indie development scene has to offer to the Wii U.

    [h/t: ZDNet]

  • The Liberator Is The First Fully 3D Printed Gun

    Defense Distributed, Cody Wilson’s controversial startup that aims to create the first fully 3D printed gun, has finally achieved its goal. In a video released over the weekend, Wilson shows off a test firing of the Liberator.

    The Liberator doesn’t look all that impressive or intimidating, but it’s not meant to. It’s meant to fire bullets, and the above video demonstrates that it does just that. According to Forbes, the Liberator is made entirely out of ABS plastic except for a nail used as the firing pin. The gun also contains a small stip of steel so as not to run afoul of the Undetectable Firearms Act.

    What may have some people concerned, however, is that not every Liberator will include this strip of steel. Wilson has already published the blueprints for the Liberator at Defcad so anybody with a 3D printer can now print a handgun. The Liberator’s blueprints also include multiple barrels so the gun can fire different calibers of ammunition.

    With that in mind, the Liberator is going to make some people rather uncomfortable. Senators are probably going to draft legislation that’s intended to stop the creation of 3D printed weapons, and may even target 3D printers themselves. Even if that did happen, it really wouldn’t do anything as the blueprint is now on the Internet. It will be incredibly hard, if not impossible, to keep the Liberator out of 3D printer/gunsmith enthusiasts’ hands.

    It should be noted that the Liberator in its current form isn’t going to start arming every man, woman and child with their own handgun. For starters, the gun is still incredibly fragile. A separate Forbes report that covered the initial firing test says that the gun exploded upon an attempt to fire a rifle cartridge. Even when firing compatible bullets, the gun can only fire one round at a time.

    Still, this is a big step forward for Defense Distributed and 3D printing. Something that many, myself included, thought was years away is now here, albeit in a limited form. It will be interesting to see where Wilson and Defense Distributed do next.

  • So Uh… Snoop Dogg Got His Own Game And Here’s The Trailer

    It’s usually a bad thing when rappers get a game based on their musical persona. 50 Cent Bulletproof is widely regarded as one of the worst games ever made, and its sequel is known as one of the most unintentionally funny games ever made. Now Snoop Dogg Lion is trying his hand at the whole video game thing.

    In Way of the Dogg, our protagonist, America Jones, finds himself with a dead girlfriend or something. Vowing revenge, he seeks training from Snoop Dogg at his mystical temple. What follows is a rhythm combat game where players hit buttons in time with Snoop’s classic beats.

    While Way of the Dogg is a rhythm fighter, some are going to make the comparison to Shaq Fu. The good news is that Snoop’s new game can’t be anywhere near as bad as Shaq Fu. The bad news is that it will probably still be a lousy game, as most licensed games are.

    Way of the Dogg is coming to the PS3, Xbox 360, Android and iOS sometime in the near future.

  • Firefox OS Simulator 3.0 Moves From Preview To Stable Release

    In March, Firefox released a preview of the latest Firefox OS Simulator. Some developers may not have jumped on board for fear of it being an unstable preview build, but that fear is no longer valid as the stable build is now live.

    Mozilla announced this week that Firefox OS Simulator version 3.0 is now available to all as a stable release. The original preview from March added features like push to device, rotation simulation, basic geolocation API simulation, manifest validation and more. The new stable build includes all of the above features, plus some new ones:

  • Keyboard shortcut to repackage/reinstall/restart the current app – drastically improving workflow speed, especially for packaged apps
  • Significantly reduced download/installation size of the Firefox OS Simulator
  • Faster start time (partly due to above with smaller size)
  • Much newer versions of Firefox OS and Gaia
  • General bug fixes, making it more functional and reliable
  • OS-standard ways in the menu to close the Simulator, with corresponding keyboard shortcuts (Alt + F4 on Windows, Cmd + Q on Mac, Ctrl + Q on Linux)

    • With this new release, Mozilla has also decided to revamp its Firefox OS Simulator documentation. You can take a look at that here. While you’re at it, you should also check out the Firefox OS Simulator walkthrough example for some tips and tricks.

    If you have yet to start developing for Firefox OS, you can grab the latest stable build of the Simulator at the Firefox add-ons Web site.

  • Researchers Bring Us Closer To The Cyborg Future With A Bionic Ear

    Work on growing organs is progressing smoothly, but slowly, thanks to the help of 3D printers. That same technology has now enabled scientists to create entire external body parts, like ears.

    Phys.org reports that researchers at Princeton University have created a 3D printed ear made out of biogel. The ear contains a small antenna that’s able to pick up radio waves, and hear stereo sound when two are combined. What makes this particular feat more interesting is that the researchers were able to merge the electronic antenna with the biogel tissue in a way that’s at least somewhat natural.

    “In general, there are mechanical and thermal challenges with interfacing electronic materials with biological materials,” said Michael McAlpine, an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton and the lead researcher. “Previously, researchers have suggested some strategies to tailor the electronics so that this merger is less awkward. That typically happens between a 2D sheet of electronics and a surface of the tissue. However, our work suggests a new approach — to build and grow the biology up with the electronics synergistically and in a 3D interwoven format.”

    This isn’t the first time that external body parts have been made with a 3D printer. Earlier this year, we brought you the story of the two designers that made a functioning hand for a boy born without one with the use of a 3D printer.

    The difference between the two is that the hand was merely a prosthetic. Princeton’s bionic ear belongs to the rising trend of smart prosthetics, or artificial body parts that can replicate the function of the original. In this case, the electronics in the ear would allow one to hear again. It could also be used to enhance hearing by allowing humans to pick up radio signals without the use of additional hardware.

    If you want to read more about Princeton’s research, check out the study at Nano Letters.

    [Image: Frank Wojciechowski]

  • Shadow Of The Eternals Wants To Drag Players Back Into Eternal Darkness

    Before Silicon Knights became the butt end of a very sad joke, the developer made one of the most critically acclaimed games on the Gamecube. Enteral Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem is still remembered to this day as one of the best games for the console, and one of the best horror games ever made. Talk of a sequel has been floating around for years, but now it seems like it may actually happen.

    IGN posted a teaser trailer today for a game called Shadow of the Eternals. If the title wasn’t enough of a hint, the teaser outright says that the game is being made by the team behind Eternal Darkness. The studio attached to the project is called Precursor Games though, perhaps as way to distance itself from the bad reputation Silicon Knights has built up for itself over the past few years.

    According to Kotaku, Silicon Knights president Denis Dyack is on board with the spiritual sequel. There’s some cause for alarm as Dyack does not have the best reputation in the industry anymore either, but it might be worth it to give this new game the benefit of the doubt.

    Besides, the folks at Silicon Knights Precursor Games know that this is likely their last shot at actually being relevant in the industry again. Now it has to convince everybody to support the game when it launches a crowdfunding campaign, presumably via Kickstarter, on Monday.

  • Staples Becomes The First Major Retail Store To Sell 3D Printers

    3D printers are still very much intended for industry professionals or hobbyists. That’s going to change within the next five years though, and Staples has decided to get a head start.

    3ders reports that Staples will start offering 3D Systems’ Cube 3D printer at physical store locations by the end of June. If you can’t wait, you can buy the Cube through Staple’s online store today for the relatively low price of $1,299.

    “Staples is excited to bring the power of 3D printing to our customers, by being the first major U.S. retailer to announce the availability of this innovative technology that lets you create fully formed objects in your home or small business,” said Mike Edwards, Staples executive vice president, merchandising.

    Now this is actually a pretty big deal. Before today’s announcement, those looking for 3D printers had to buy them straight from the manufacturer. Retailers were probably cautious about stocking 3D printers because the high price ensures the technology will be a niche product for at least the next few years. With Staples throwing its support behind it, we might see other retailers stocking 3D printers, including cheaper models.

    The Cube from Staples comes with all the benefits of buying one from 3D Systems. In other words, you get to choose your color, including green and pink printers. There’s a wide selection of plastic cartridges, including the more unique materials, as well.

  • Here’s An Inside Look At PS4 Development From The Watch Dogs Studio

    Since its reveal in February, Sony has been somewhat quiet on the PS4 front. There have been a number of game announcements for the console, but we never got a good look at what it’s like to make games for the console.

    Sony is obviously hoping to dispel some of the mystery with a new video series – “Conversations with Creators.” The debut episode pulls aside the development team of Watch Dogs to talk about how the team at Ubisoft is bringing the game to the PS4.

    The gameplay on show is nothing new, but it’s interesting to see how Ubisoft is working closely with Sony to make Watch Dogs extra special on the PS4. Part of that is accomplished thanks to the Share button, which the developers shower mountains of love on.

    Despite the focus on the PS4, Watch Dogs is also being developed for pretty much every other HD platform under the sun. Ubisoft says the game will be out on the PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC and the next Xbox later this year.

  • Nintendo Plans To Revive The Wii U By October With New Mario Game [Rumor]

    The Wii U is in a spot of trouble. What is Nintendo going to do about it? Well, not much at the moment. The company has delayed many of its biggest titles into the latter half of the year, and that was entirely intentional according to a new rumor.

    CVG reports that retailers in the UK are saying that Nintendo held back many of its biggest titles into the latter half of the year for a revival of sorts. In other words, Nintendo plans to release a number of high-profile games later this year to renew interest in the console. One of those games is reported to be the new 3D Mario game that Satoru Iwata promised back in January, with retailers saying it will be out by October.

    Aside from a new Mario game, the report says that Nintendo intentionally held back Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101 and Wii Fit U to help populate the latter half of this year with more Wii U game releases. There are some that refute that claim, and Iwata himself said the games were delayed after developers were taken off of games like Pikmin 3 to help finish launch games like Nintendo Land.

    Of course, the Wii U already has a number of titles that range from pretty good to fantastic. What’s stopping Nintendo from marketing the console based on those titles alone? The report says that Nintendo executives wanted to wait until all of the problems with the hardware and software, including long loading times, were sorted out. The Spring update helped to reduce said loading times, and a planned Summer update will decrease those loading times even more. Nintendo is expected to start marketing the Wii U in earnest after the Summer update.

    A statement from Nintendo UK said just as much:

    “From July onwards we will launch a succession of Wii U titles and we will promote these extensively until the end of the year. Marketing activity will include TV, print, online and PR as well as comprehensive experiential and social media campaigns”.

    The Nintendo faithful had better hope the company start marketing the Wii U sooner rather than later. The next PlayStation and Xbox are expected to launch in November of this year. Nintendo’s console will soon look outdated compared to the competition so it needs to prove that the Wii U, much like the Wii, is capable of providing those unique experiences that you just can’t find anywhere else. Super Mario Galaxy succeeded in that mission on the Wii in 2007, and a new 3D Mario game on the Wii U could do just the same this year.

  • Tor UK Finds That DRM May Not Be Necessary After All

    DRM, or digital rights management, isn’t well-liked among consumers. More often than not, it punishes legitimate consumers while doing nothing to stop piracy. Most legacy content industries still insist that DRM is needed to stop piracy, but is it really needed?

    Last year, Tor Books UK went completely DRM free. At the time, the publisher said that it was removing DRM from its e-books because it was a “constant annoyance” to its customers. It also said that DRM prevented customers “from using legitimately purchased e-books in perfectly legal ways, like moving the from one kind of e-reader to another.”

    It’s been a year since Tor Books removed DRM from its products. Did the publisher suddenly see a sharp increase in piracy? Is the company finding that its business is failing because of its move? Will publishers that still insist on DRM look at them and say “Told you so” while sporting a malicious grin?

    In all actuality, none of the above occurred as removing DRM has had no discernable effect on the publisher. Tor UK’s Editorial Director Julie Crisp said just as much in a blog post this week:

    As it is, we’ve seen no discernible increase in piracy on any of our titles, despite them being DRM-free for nearly a year.

    Crisp never outright says that sales increased when Tor UK removed DRM, but she does say that it has endeared readers and authors to the publisher:

    The move has been a hugely positive one for us, it’s helped establish Tor and Tor UK as an imprint that listens to its readers and authors when they approach us with a mutual concern—and for that we’ve gained an amazing amount of support and loyalty from the community.

    Of course, some publishers will argue that Tor’s experience with ditching DRM is the exception. They’ll argue that DRM is necessary to stop piracy, but we already know that DRM does nothing to stop piracy. Instead, in the words of Charles Stross, DRM is a “monopoly” that reduces readers’ freedom while hampering competition.

    Even with Tor’s evidence, DRM will still be used for many years to come. Legacy industries refuse to even entertain the idea that DRM may be negatively affecting legitimate customers opting instead to continue beating the anti-piracy war drums.

    [h/t: TechDirt]

  • Will The Next Xbox Be Called The Xbox Fusion?

    It’s pretty much a given that the next Xbox won’t be called the Xbox 720. As for the actual name, we just don’t know yet. Some have speculated that it would be called the Xbox 8 or Xbox Infinity, but a recent domain name grab from Microsoft points to an entirely different name.

    Fusible reports that Microsoft has registered multiple domains for the name “Xbox Fusion.” Now, Microsoft registers a lot of Xbox-themed domains, but what sets this one apart is the sheer number of domains it has registered. Aside from XboxFusion.com, there’s also an XboxFusion.info, XboxFusion.biz, XboxFusion.co.uk and more.

    The previous rumored name for the next Xbox was Xbox 8. That name came about after Microsoft grabbed a couple of Xbox 8-related domains from a Chinese cybersquatter in July of last year. In that case, however, Microsoft only obtained Xbox8.us and Xbox8.org. The Xbox8.com domain is still owned by somebody in China thus making the XboxFusion name that much more likely.

    Some may gawk at the name Xbox Fusion for being silly, but it really does sum up what Microsoft is seemingly attempting with its next home console. It’s no secret that Microsoft wants to take over the living room with its Xbox brand, and all the rumors we’ve heard thus far point to Microsoft fusing the world of console gaming with that of living room entertainment. That strategy is most apparent in the rumor that says the next Xbox will have an HDMI-in to route a cable box through. Doing so would provide an Xbox overlay on top of your TV setup so consumers would never have to leave the Xbox experience.

    Of course, all of this could be wrong. Microsoft may be acquiring these domains for the inevitable reveal of Fuzion Frenzy 3 for the next Xbox.

  • Nook Inks Deal With Google To Add Google Play To Its Nook HD Tablets

    If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

    The Wall Street Journal reports that Barnes & Noble has entered into a partnership with Google to bring the Google Play store to the company’s line of Nook HD and HD+ tablets. The addition of Google Play will bring over 700,000 apps to the Nook platform – a huge upgrade from the 10,000 or so apps currently available in the Nook store.

    So, what convinced Nook to start playing nice with Google? Barnes & Noble CEO William Lynch says that Nook’s poor holiday sales told him that consumers don’t want an e-reader that’s also a tablet. Instead, consumers want a multi-purpose tablet that can double as an e-reader. Amazon had already adapted to this change in consumer focus when it killed off multiple e-readers last year and focused almost exclusively on its Kindle Fire HD line.

    Of course, it’s better late than never, and Nook is in a position where it needs all the help it can get. Barnes & Noble can now advertise that it has the Google Play store and all of its apps – something that Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD does not have. Of course, some consumers prefer the Kindle Fire HD for its curated app store experience so it will be interesting to see if a mostly unregulated app store will be much of a draw.

    Current Nook HD and HD+ owners will get Google Play in an OTA update today. The update will also bring all the other Google services that Android tablet owners have come to expect, like Google Chrome, Gmail, YouTube and Google Maps.

  • Is Google Getting Into Game Development?

    Google likes to dabble in a little bit of everything, but it has largely stayed out of game development. It helps developers make games for Android and Google+, but it doesn’t actually make games itself. That all may be changing soon.

    TechCrunch reports that Noah Falstein, the game designer behind arcade classic Sinistar, had updated his LinkedIn profile to say he was now the “Chief Game Designer” at Google. An even earlier version of the page listed the same position, but at something called “Android Play Studio.”

    I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a game development studio to me. It could be that Google is starting to get serious about game development by either making its own games, or creating tools to help others more easily make games for Android. By hiring Falstein, it adds a lot of credibility to the studio as well.

    It’s speculated that Falstein could even be working with Google’s Niantic Labs, the secretive part of the company that released Ingress last year. I would hesitate to call it a “game,” but it is another entry in the increasingly popular world of augmented reality experiences. Falstein could be working on complimentary experiences for Android to bring more AR games to the device.

    Of course, all of this is simply speculation for now. All we know is that Google has hired Falstein for some unknown reason. It might not even be for games. I would be surprised if it wasn’t though.

    [Image: Flickr/Georgina Goodlander]

  • Time Warner CEO Says Standalone HBO GO Not Coming Anytime Soon

    Fans of HBO programming have called on the network to make a standalone streaming service for quite a while now. The initial response from the network said it was impossible, but a little hope came in March when the network’s CEO said that it might offer a standalone service if it could “make the math work.”

    Unfortunately for fans of HBO, the network doesn’t get to call all the shots. The network is owned by Time Warner, and its CEO, Jeff Bewkes, says that a standalone streaming service just isn’t happening. He told Deadline that they would do it if it was “in [their] economic best interest.” He further elaborated by saying that the potential market for such a service isn’t yet big enough in the U.S.

    In short, Time Warner is ignoring the rising trend of cable cutters opting instead to pretend that it’s not a market worth investing in. It’s a strategy that will work out over the short term, but data suggests that cable subscriptions are quickly becoming obsolete as more people look to services like Netflix and Hulu for content consumption.

    It’s a fact that HBO will have to follow suit sooner or later. The problem for it is that competitors, like Netflix, are now creating content that rivals the kind of quality content that HBO offers. That strategy has already paid off for Netflix as its latest earnings report revealed that it now has about half a million more subscribers than HBO. That gap may widen even more as series like Arrested Development and Orange Is The New Black start airing on the service.

    It will be interesting to see what happens when HBO finally does get with the times. The network must lament the fact that Game of Thrones is the most pirated content on the Web, but its lack of a standalone streaming services leaves many fans with no choice. Netflix recently found that piracy rates over BitTorrent go down when it introduces its instant streaming service in countries, and it’s a given that the HBO would see a similar reduction in piracy if only it offered a standalone service.

    You’re never going to see that reduction in piracy, however, until Time Warner realizes that its potential market in the US are all those who are pirating Game of Thrones for lack of a better option.

    [h/t: BGR]

  • Spies Vs. Mercs Multiplayer Mode Revealed For Splinter Cell: Blacklist

    Ever since Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, the stealth franchise has been known for stellar multiplayer. There have been a few missteps in subsequent entries, but the latest entry in the franchise looks to bring some fresh ideas to multiplayer.

    In a new trailer released by IGN today, Ubisoft revealed Spies vs. Mercs to be the new multiplayer mode in Splinter Cell: Blacklist. As the name implies, the new mode will have players taking on the role of spies trying to steal data while those playing as the mercenaries attempt to take them down. It looks similar to Sneaking Mission, a mode of play in Metal Gear Online, that pit one player as Snake against 12 soldiers.

    It will be interesting to see how this multiplayer mode works in the Wii U version of Blacklist. Ubisoft has already revealed that it will have unique Gamepad integration, and a gameplay mode like this could make for rather interesting gameplay when combined with the Gamepad.

    Splinter Cell: Blacklist launches August 20 for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U and PC.

  • Travel To Coldharbour In Latest Elder Scrolls Online Trailer

    With Skyrim officially wrapped up, players might find themselves yearning for more adventures in Tamriel sooner rather than later. The Elder Scrolls Online might just scratch that particular itch when it launches later this year.

    in the latest trailer for the MMO, the game’s producers reveal that the Daedric Lord Molag Bal is the key antagonist throughout the game’s main storyline. In fact, he steals the player’s character’s soul at the beginning, and players must fight to get it back. The quest will see players traveling to Coldharbour – the oblivion plane belonging to Molag Bal.

    All of this certainly looks nice, but the real challenge will be convincing fans of Bethesda’s sprawling first-person RPGs to give The Elder Scrolls Online a shot. MMOs, especially those that are subscription based, are not exactly in vogue anymore. Still, Besthesda and Zenimax Online could knock it out of the park by creating an MMO that can last more than a few months before going free-to-play.

    We’ll probably get a firm release date at E3, but The Elder Scrolls Online is still set for launch later this year.

  • Will Google Glass Have A Place In Sports Broadcasting?

    Google Glass can do a lot of things, but can it be used in sports?

    Google Glass Explorer Joseph Lallouz might have answered that very question this week when he wore Glass to his hockey game. What follows is six minutes of first-person hockey that feels all too real and incredibly immersive.

    Now, Glass has no chance of replacing traditional sports broadcasting, but it would be an incredible compliment. Just imagine a broadcast of a football game switching to a live feed from the players as the game starts. Even better, people watching the game could switch between players to get whatever view they desire.

    Google Glass has a lot of potential, but the controlled demos from Google haven’t really sold me on Glass entirely. Watching a hockey game from the perspective of a player has.

    [h/t: Reddit]

  • Reddit For Google Glass Is Now Ready To Assault Your Eyeball With Cat Pictures

    Google Glass seems like it was built for Reddit. Google’s wearable computers are perfect for capturing the spontaneous moments in life, and then sharing those moments with the fine folks of Reddit.

    Members of the Google Glass Explorers program can now start bragging about having glass on Reddit thanks to the tireless work of Malcolm Nguyen. His app, Reddit Timeline, brings pretty much all the capabilities of Reddit to Google Glass. Here’s what Glass users can expect from the app:

  • Top 25 post from your FrontPage within a bundle updated every hour.
  • Upvote/Downvote
  • Share to Reddit
  • Comment Threading
  • Read aloud comments
  • Reply to comment

    • By using the touchpad on Glass, users will be able to swipe through the top posts. From there, they can upvote and downvote content. Accompanying text is overlaid on images in an easily readable font.

    Consumers aren’t going to get Google Glass for a while still, but it’s pretty much a given that a Reddit app will be incredibly popular once it does launch to the public. Nguyen is just getting a headstart on the competition.

    [h/t: Living Thru Glass]

  • Rayman Legends Finds The Eye Of The Tiger In Latest Trailer

    Eye of the Tiger has been an inspiration to Starbucks fans everywhere since its first appearance in Rocky III. Now the song has taken on a decidedly different tone in the upcoming Rayman Legends.

    Players will be visiting a variety of different worlds in Rayman Legends, and one of those worlds happens to be inspired by Mexico’s Day of the Dead. In the latest trailer for the title, skeleton mariachi bands perform a rousing rendition of Eye of the Tiger with their own unique flair:

    Rayman Legends may have been delayed until September, but Wii U owners can at least play the Rayman Legends Challenges App until then. It may be only be a small taste of the full game, but it’s an excellent taste.

    Rayman Legends launches on September 3 for the Wii U, Xbox 360 and PS3.