Nintendo Wii U Controller Gets NFC Technology

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Nintendo has announced that there will be NFC technology will be incorporated into the Wii U’s controller. This will allow the controller to read and write data wirelessly in a similar way to the ‘Portal of Power’ reading device for Skylanders action figures and could also be used as a way to pay for online purchases with a compatible bank and credit cards.

“By installing this functionality, it will become possible to create cards and figurines that can electronically read and write data via non-contact NFC and to expand the new play format in the video game world,” Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told investors. “Adoption of this functionality will enable various other possibilities such as using it as a means of making micro-payments.”

Source: Official Nintendo Magazine

EverQuest Joining Free-To-Play Fold

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Sony Online entertainment has announced that their seminal MMORPG EverQuest is going free-to-play. The game launched in 1997 and has had 18 expansions and “countless content updates.”

“With the move to free-to-play, players will continue to enjoy the EQ experience they know and love, only now they have the power to choose a model that caters to their play style,” said SOE in the announcement. “Through the new free-to-play model, players will have the options of non-recurring vs. recurring subscriptions, Free vs. Silver memberships, item unlockers, and many more. Additionally, all players (both old and new) will be given brand new items via a ‘Welcome Pack.’”

Find out more about how the F2P services will work at everquest.station.sony.com/free.

Steam Gets Mobile

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Valve has announced that Steam will have a mobile version and it is in beta right now. The app can be used for Steam chat, general information on elements of steam and the ability to browse Steam offerings.

“The Steam app comes from many direct requests from our customers,” said Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve. “Seeing which of your friends are online and playing a game, sending quick messages, looking at screenshots for an upcoming game, or catching a sale – these are all features customers have requested. Mobile is changing way people interact, play games and consume media, and the Steam app is part of our commitment to meet customer demands and expand the service functionality of Steam to make it richer and more accessible for everyone.”

The Steam app will be available for free on Android and iOS.

Google’s Power Pushes More Towards FairSearch.org

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Google is often accused of anti-competitive practices, and FairSearch.org is broadening its membership as a result. They have now added adMarketplace, an ad net that delivers pay-per-click inventory to marketers and the Paris-based online shopping platform Twenga, and the online marketing tool provider ShopCity.com.

The group has launched an ad campaign this work that is designed to show how much control over what Google has online. Running in print and online in Washington, D.C., and Silicon Valley, the ads mock Google’s new “Good to Know” Web safety campaign.

“Google has a monopoly on the search business, but the question is how they leverage the search business to monopolize their other businesses,” said James Hill, CEO of adMarketplace. “We have agencies that are dying for an alternative.”

Hill pointed to tactics Google uses to push out competition, including paying publishers 80 percent of revenue share per click compared to the market standard of 60 percent. “Google can artificially raise rates. A level playing field does not exist,” Hill said.

Source: AdWeek

Get The Reem!

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On the official Facebook page for UFC Undisputed, fans that ‘Like’ the page will be able to be sent a token code on or around the launch of the game via e-mail to download UFC heavyweight number one contender Alistair Overeem. Fans can also review Alistair’s fight history and information on the tab to learn more about his background and fighting style.

Street Fighter X Tekken: PS3 Exclusive Characters go Bonkers

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It’s been known for a while that Street Fighter X Tekken on PS3 and PS Vita would get Cole from InFamous and the Sony cat mascots Kuro and Toro. Now, however it’s been revealed that it will also have Pac-Man piloting a robot version of Mokujin and weirdest of all, a version of Mega Man based around the first game’s American box art.

Kindle Fire Lights Up Android Tablets

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Strategy Analytics asserts that the number of tablet computer shipments increased from 10.7 million units to 26.8 million units year-over-year for the final quarter of 2011. While Apple sold 15.4 million iPads, Android saw its share increase from 29 percent to 39 percent during that period, due in large part to the Kindle Fire, which is believed to be 40 percent of all Android tablets.

“Amazon takes the focus away from the device and operating system, emphasizing content, a differentiated consumer experience and commerce,” added Flurry’s VP of Marketing, Peter Farago. “For its launch, it lined up key content such as Facebook and Angry Birds, as well as offering Amazon Prime, its own streaming TV and movie service.”

Amazon’s Kindle Fire has an advantage over the Samsung Galaxy Tab that results in 2.5 times more paid downloads. “Upon launching the Kindle Fire, consumers must either link to their Amazon account or enter credit card information,” added Farago. “This makes the user base 100 percent payment enabled.”

Source: blog.flurry.com