NCSoft invests big in new studio from Blizzard, Relic, and Sony Online veterans

Gaming has a new developer that is looking to make a big entrance into the free-to-play market.

Molten Games comprises former Blizzard, Relic, and Sony Online developers. It?s working on a new, unannounced free-to-play game with triple-A production values. Korean publisher NCSoft, which publishes popular games like Guild Wars 2, made a multimillion dollar equity investment in Molten but is leaving the development decisions and all ownership rights to Molten.

?We really liked how a lot of startups are coming up and offering opportunities for developers to join a company that enables them to control their intellectual property and have ownership over the company,? Molten vice president of creative development Blaine Smith told GamesBeat. ?We wanted to do something a little different where we went out and sought an equity investment ? where the initial investment isn?t just funding our [first game project] but it is also funding the company.?

Molten and NCSoft aren?t disclosing the size of the investment or how much equity NCSoft now holds in Molten.

The studio also isn?t revealing any details about its first game. All it will say is that the project isn?t a massively multiplayer online role-playing game like World of Warcraft or a multiplayer online-battle-arena title like League of Legends.

?Molten Games has assembled a wildly talented and experienced team, and we?absolutely believe they will create and run an amazing new game experience,? NCSoft chief executive Taek Jin Kim said. ?They?re setting the bar high for themselves, with a?strong desire to shake up the online gaming space by creating something new and unique in our industry.?

Molten Games chief product officer Paul Della Bitta managed the global e-sports team at Blizzard, and the company says it understands the value of competitive gaming.

?We?re all competitors here at the studio,? said Smith. ?Whatever the game is, if it has a competitive element, it usually finds its way into our hands and we love to take a look at it. Competition and e-sports ? all of that stuff ? we?re gearing our game toward that [audience].?

If that sounds like Molten is taking notice of the success that games like League of Legends and Dota 2 are having, that?s because it is. After reiterating that Molten isn?t working on a MOBA, the developers confirmed that they took some inspiration from some of the world?s biggest free-to-play games.

?We feel that there are a lot of opportunities ? and there are a lot of MOBAs coming out right now,? said Della Bitta. ?We just felt like that space is too competitive, but there are a lot of opportunities in a lot of gameplay styles that lend themselves to a similar free-to-play business model.?

Smith went on to explain that Molten wants to enter the free-to-play space with a triple-A product. He elaborated on what ?triple-A? means to Molten.

?Triple-A is a high-quality bar. It?s a $60 game. It?s a complete experience,? he said. ?I think very few free-to-play games hit the bar that we want to hit. Our game experience should feel complete. It should feel polished to players.?

Smith and Della Bitta promised to debut more details about Molten?s first title in the near future. For now, it just wants to make its presence known and that it is working with NCSoft on a free-to-play game that has a budget comparable to that of a major console release. Molten?s leadership is confident that it can convince gamers to invest their time and money just as they convinced NCSoft that it is working on something special.

Source: http://venturebeat.feedsportal.com/c/34021/f/617406/s/2f1af1cd/sc/27/l/0Lventurebeat0N0C20A130C0A70C240Cncsoft0Einvests0Ebig0Ein0Enew0Estudio0Efrom0Eblizzard0Erelic0Eand0Esony0Eonline0Eveterans0C/story01.htm

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Samsung Galaxy Folder is a clamshell-shaped Android smartphone for Korea

IntoMobile writes, The clamshell form factor is pretty much dead with most of us opting for all-touchscreen devices, instead. There are some folks who still love this concept and for them Samsung will unveil Galaxy Folder, an Android-powered flip phone. This device, however, may not come to the West and could easily be available only in South Korea. Aside from boasting the traditional T9 phone keypad, this phone will also come with a smallish WVGA screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor, LTE connectivity support and a specially design UI. And that?s about all we have at this stage ? no pricing?

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Folder is a clamshell-shaped Android smartphone for Korea at IntoMobile

Source: http://mobilitybeat.com/intomobile/122200/samsung-galaxy-folder-is-a-clamshell-shaped-android-smartphone-for-korea/

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Israel condemns EU move on settlements

JERUSALEM (AP) ? Israel condemned new guidelines by the European Union on Tuesday which ban EU funding and cooperation with Israeli institutions situated in territory captured by the Jewish state in the 1967 Mideast war.

In order to obtain EU funding from 2014, Israeli projects will be required to sign on to a clause stipulating they operate within the country's pre-1967 borders and not in east Jerusalem, the West Bank or Golan Heights.

The clause is a powerful endorsement by the EU of the Palestinian demand that its future borders be based on the pre-1967 lines. The Palestinians are demanding that Israel stop building Jewish settlements in the West Bank as a condition for the resumption of peace talks which collapsed in 2008.

Israel says talks should restart without preconditions and that all core issues should be resolved through dialogue. It has frequently called on the Palestinians to resume peace talks.

Israel's deputy foreign minister Zeev Elkin called the EU decision a "very significant and worrying move."

"It certainly doesn't add to the atmosphere of peace talks. On the contrary, it fuels the Palestinian refusal to return to the negotiation table," he said Tuesday.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is back in the region this week for consultations on his attempts to restart negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. He is not scheduled to visit Israel or the Palestinian territories but is set to meet with Palestinian Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan Tuesday evening.

A spokesman for the European delegation in Tel Aviv said a "territorial applicability clause" will feature in agreements between Israel and the EU from 2014. "Israeli entities situated in the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem will not be eligible for EU funding," he said.

He emphasized that the guidelines would not affect Israel's private sector or companies but rather bodies like research centers or NGOs.

Many Israelis object to withdrawing from the West Bank or parts of east Jerusalem because the areas carry deep religious significance for devout Jews who consider it their biblical homeland.

Another concern is that violent groups could fill the vacuum if Israel withdraws from areas under its control, as was the case in the Gaza Strip where the Islamic militant group Hamas took over after Israel pulled out in 2005.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/israel-condemns-eu-move-settlements-090743131.html

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Speaker event: Fostering innovation's connection to gardening | IT ...

My apartment in downtown Toronto is in the midst of dense commercial buildings and I never imagined it?d be a suitable place to do any gardening. My only outdoor space is a small landing, about 20 square feet, that is only meant to be used as a fire escape leading out the back door. For a long time it was left grungy and unappealing ? but this summer my girlfriend and I turned the situation around.

I bought some green turf from Canadian Tire that gave the appearance of grass and cut it to fit the landing area, covering up the rusted metal slats. We cleaned the area and placed some planters along railings and in a window sill that hosts a healthy herb garden. There are potted flowering vines on the landing and window sill that are slowly making their way up twine guides and covering the brick and metal with bright green leaves. Now it?s a pleasure to stand out there and barbeque, plus harvest fresh herbs for cooking and to give away to friends and family.

With the help of nature, we turned a formerly dead space into a livable space that?s full of life. That?s what innovation can do for an economy ? it transforms the useless into the useful, it reinvigorates market activity where stagnation once took hold. It?s a creative idea, even esoteric, and it?s one Cindy Gordon will be exploring tomorrow at the first event in AcceleratorU?s summer speaker series.

Join us:?What does innovation and a healthy garden have in common?

Use code ?soi13? for 50% off!

A part of the Summer of Innovation, the speaker series will be moderated by myself on behalf of IT World Canada. Kicking off as the featured speaker of tomorrow?s event, Gordon is the CEO and founder of Helix Commerce International Inc. and involved in a number of entrepreneur activities. She?s the co-founder of AccerleratorU, a co-founder at a crowdfunding software platform that?s just been adopted by the City of Waterloo, and has a long history of driving organizational transformation at enterprises like CIBC and Research in Motion.

Please join us tomorrow at noon at the IBM Innovation Center in Markham, Ont. Here are some of the questions Cindy will be exploring:

1. What does innovation have to do with nature?

2. What are the seeds that are needed to nurture innovation?

3. Why does innovative grow on the edges of nature vs the center of nature?

4. What do social networks have to do with root systems?

5. What are the weeds that impact innovation?

Source: http://www.itbusiness.ca/news/speaker-event-fostering-innovations-connection-to-gardening/38016

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Google Maps For iPad Download Available: App Update Brings Full Tablet Experience To iOS Users [REPORT]

Google Maps for iPad?is now available to download for?iOS?users who weren't quite impressed with?Apple's version. While Apple's tablet was able to run the app before, Google Maps for iPad now includes a full-screen experience as opposed to a blown-up version of the mobile app. The update is also available for iPhones and iPod Touches, arriving with slight interface tweaks. It's possible that Google Maps for iPad?may give up your locational whereabouts to the government, but G-Maps is so good that it's a chance we're willing to take.

Follow Us

Google announced numerous?changes to their Maps?application?at their I/O 2013 conference back in May. Among others, Maps is due to receive underwater and indoor views for the world around us as well as UI?improvements. The iOS update still doesn't include sought after Android maps features,?such as offline viewing. Though?Engadget does point out an easter egg?where users can type in "Ok maps" into the search box and save the maps currently in view.

What do you think of the Google Maps for iPad update? Let us know in the comments!

Recommended?Reading

Google Maps For Android Update With New Interface, Tighter Zagat Integration [VIDEO]

Indoor Google Maps For Android: Australia Added To List Of 8 Other Countries For Indoor Mapping Service App

Google Maps For iPhone App Updated: What Changes Will 1.1 Bring to iOS?

For tips, complaints and observations on all things digital, email us at tips [at] idigitaltimes.com

? 2012 iDigitalTimes All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Source: http://www.idigitaltimes.com/articles/18884/20130717/google-maps-ipad-download-iphone-app-update.htm

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Hi guys. :D

Hiya. :D
I would like to introduce myself.
I am a GM looking to start some role plays here. Or join some. :) I would love it if you would be interested in checking out my ideas. I have an idea for starting a RP where the characters play as different mythological gods, their own custom Prehistoric gods (Such as the T-Rex/Neanderthal god, etcetera), or even members of the Cthulhu Mythos! :D
I have also noticed that there is some kind of character minimum for this thread. Why is that?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/5gI6nEQ_lx4/viewtopic.php

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Sports Report for Tuesday, 7-16-2013 - WLBG

Real Radio 860 WLBG Sports Report: 7-16-13

Welcome this is your Real Radio 860 WLBG sports for a Tuesday and it?s brought to you by Presbyterian College Athletics? Well football season will be here before you know it and PC will open up on the road at Wake Forest on Thursday night, August 29^th?. That is only 44 days away? Don?t you think it is time to think about getting your season tickets for Blue Hose football? Blue reserved chair-back seats season tickets are only $75 each while bench reserved seats are $54 each? You can call the ticket office at 864-833-8240 or click on the following to link to the PC webpage where you will find more information: 2013 PC Season Football Ticket Information
Local:

• Irmo 9 ? Laurens 7? The Laurens Little League 11 Year Old All-Stars Team bid for a state championship came to an end last night as Irmo defeated them 9-7 in a game that went back and forth all night up in Easley? The teams were tied 7 all going into the top of the 6^th inning when Irmo took the lead on a 2 run homer by a player that had already hit two home runs in the game? Laurens then just could not get the needed hits in the bottom of the 6^th inning to tie or take the lead? Steve Foster did have a homerun for Laurens in the game? Congratulations to the team for a great effort in the series.?

Braves:

• Well as most all?baseball fans know, the Braves and all other teams were off last night as they break for the MLB All-Star Game tonight up in New York? By the way a reminder that the game can be seen on FOX tonight with pre-game coverage starting at 7:30? The league that wins the game will have home-field advantage for the World Series this October
• Also you may remember that Braves closer Craig Kimbrel was the only Brave selected for tonight?s All-Star Game until the fans voted Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman into the final spot on the NL roster last Thursday marking his first appearance in the mid-summer classic? On Saturday Freeman injured his thumb and will not be able to play so the Braves catcher Brian McCann was selected as his replacement on the roster? This marks McCann?s 7^th appearance in the on the all-star roster and he was the MVP of the game in 2010 when he delivered a game-winning double for the NL.

Greenville Drive: Well the Drive and the Savannah Sand Gnats finally got to play a complete game of baseball yesterday after all the rain down on the coast of Georgia over the weekend.

• Drive 2 ? Gnats 1? In the first game yesterday which was the completion of a game suspended due to weather back on Saturday, the Drive took a 2-1 win over the Savannah by scoring a a run in the top of the 9^th inning to break a 1-1 tie? Savannah loaded the bases with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9^th but were unable to get the tying or winning run across the plate.
• Gnats 7 ? Drive 4 ?. In the regularly scheduled game last night, Savannah bounced back and took a 7-4 win over the Drive? The Drive lead 3-1 going into the bottom of the 6^th when Savannah scored 3 runs to go up 4-3 then added 2 more in the 7^th and 1 in the 8^th.? The Drive are not scheduled to play again until tomorrow night when they start a week long home stand with the Ashville Tourist being the team in at Flour Field? Just wondering if they might stay on the coast and try to make one or both of the games rained out in Savannah.

This & That:

• The SEC Media Days: The SEC has their Media Days for football starting today out Hoover? South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier as well as Connor Shaw, Bruce Ellington and Jadeveon?Clowney are scheduled to appear tomorrow just before 4:00 pm? Always interesting to hear what the ?Old Ball Coach? has to say at these events?. Click on the following link to see the complete schedule for 3-day event and quotes after each team speaks: 2013 SEC Football Media Days Schedule and Quotes?
• And finally, its only 45 days until the start of high school football season on August 30^th when Laurens will travel to BHP and Clinton will go to Gaffney. The night before PC will open their season at Wake Forest.?

Community Interest:?

Clinton YMCA:

• Tennis Camp? Clinton High School Coach Clovis Simmons will be conducting a tennis camp at the Clinton YMCA for youth 4 and up on