Gaming Guide is on the move!

GOOD news - my gaming blog has become so successful that it is now off on its travels!

Due to its popularity, my blog has now been given a new home - and a new name Games and Gizmos - thanks to Trinity Mirror, on the Loughborough Echo website.

The new blog - http://blogs.loughboroughecho.net/gamesandgizmos/- will continue to deliver all the latest games and gadget news, previews and reviews from the high-tech world.

So don't delay - add it to your favourites, join the RSS feed and keep on reading - and thanks for all your support!

Nikon photo app come to the iPhone in Europe

NIKON is bringing its hugely popular ‘Learn & Explore’ photography application to iPhone customers in Europe.

Aimed at photographers of all skill levels, the ‘Learn & Explore’ application offers quick, easy on-the-go access to a world of photography information and editorial content, including images, video lectures, audio commentary and a glossary of photography terms.

Whether you are looking for education, motivation or inspiration, the new tool offers photography information at your fingertips; perfect for those who want to learn and improve whilst out in the field. If you are on holiday and want advice on getting the most from your travel pictures, you can instantly access an article from a Nikon expert, watch a tutorial video, listen to audio tips, or flick through examples of stunning travel photography. Or if you are attending a wedding and want to make sure you are choosing the right aperture or shutter speed for the conditions, you can check information about the recommended settings. Whatever the occasion and whatever skill level you have, the ‘Learn & Explore’ application can help make sure you get the most from your photography.

”The Learn & Explore application has already proved a big hit in the US, and we’re sure it will be just as popular in Europe,” commented Birgitta Olson, General Manager of Marketing Communications at Nikon Europe. “We know better than anyone that photography is an ‘in-the-moment’ activity, and that capturing the perfect image sometimes needs on-the-spot help. It is fantastic that we can now give photo enthusiasts access to Nikon's educational resources right in the palm of their hand and hope it will give people further encouragement and support to learn photography on their own terms.”

Improve your knowledge with iMinds

iMinds short-form non-fiction audiobooks and eBooks were created because we really believed that we can all be smarter... And that we just needed to make general knowledge acquisition suit our lifestyles and devices.

iTunes customers around the world have felt the same with iMinds amassing a staggering 150+ iTunes Top 10s as well as Number One chart positions in countries as diverse as the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Italy and France. True to its aim of promoting a broad base of General Knowledge ?x2013; iMinds has held Number One chart positions in categories ranging from History to Travel & Adventure, Arts to Religion and Science to Sport.. Truly dominating the non-fiction categories. And not to forget our Juniors products which have collected over 50 chart positions around the globe since launching in late October 2009.

iMinds has also received critical acclaim with media reviews including Time, Mashable, LA Times, Vogue, The Financial Times, Sky News and The Australian.

With a current catalogue of over 180 eight minute general knowledge audiobooks, brought together with the highest production values, this has been called the future of general knowledge acquisition: an entertaining audio encyclopedia for the iPod generation.

Insight into Blacklight: Tango Down

IGNITION Entertainment has revealed the first insight into the back story, setting and weapons of their upcoming multiplayer-focused first-person-shooter Blacklight: Tango Down, currently in development at Zombie Studios.

Blacklight Tango Down is a fully featured Unreal Engine 3.0-powered game set to release this summer exclusively through Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Store, and through digital distribution channels on PC, making it one of the most advanced games ever released solely through downloadable channels.

Blacklight: Tango Down is set in the near future and revolves around a special operations military group called “Blacklight.” Blacklight is the SECDEF’s (Secretary of Defense’s) personal direct action team comprised entirely of “Tier One Assets.” These elite soldiers are extraordinary operators recruited from all branches of special operations, including Combat Applications Group (Delta), SF, DEVGRU (SEAL), RANGER, and CIA MSP. All combatants are hand-selected and trained specifically to be equipped to deal with fast-moving, ambiguous and unstructured situations. This is the player’s role in the game.

Blacklight: Tango Down’s near-future setting is not that different from our own time and will appear hauntingly familiar to gamers but also distant enough to be surprising and unsettling. It is a universe that has been overtaken by the exploding speed of technological progress and is left suffering from the unbridled failures that those advances create.

The technological overbuild has created a bleak environment which has transformed once vibrant and familiar cityscapes into dark and endless virtual billboards and danger zones. An ongoing viral epidemic ravages society and the military’s drive to control and use the virus as a weapon has only created more devastating strains. Civilians and governments struggle through ongoing unrest. Order can only be imposed through force and fear.

The military’s attempts to weaponize the virus has lead to what some call “Q-Fever” or SIV (Sentient Insanity Virus) and the people it infects are known as SIVs. The virus destroys a person’s humanity, transforming them into frightening creatures that are less capable of utilizing tools but are far more aggressive and impervious to pain.

Blacklight: Tango Down is set in a universe that is based in Science Fact, not Science Fiction. The future combat technologies and weapons featured in the game are based on the bleeding-edge military developments and breakthroughs of today. Whereas currently, in our real world, these items may exist only in the laboratory or in conceptual designs, in Blacklight: Tango Down, these advanced military tools are deployed mainstream and make up the military reality of the game.

This “science fact” equipment includes exciting new future weapons and support systems, like EMP grenades that disable opponents’ electronic visors, Digi-Grenades that distort the optics of enemies, reactive body armor and widely customizable weapons. The most iconic piece of Blacklight technology is the “Hyper Reality Visor,” a head piece that uses its own electronic pulse and nearby electro-magnetic fields to render the world in a new way, allowing soldiers to see what is otherwise invisible.

Digg on the iPhone

DIGG is the latest to join the app revolution.

In a release to its followers, it says:

"We realize that many Diggers are often on the go and want to take Digg along for the ride, so we're excited to announce not one, but TWO new apps for your mobile devices. Whether you're in Boston or Bangladesh, Digg is now always at your fingertips.

Digg iPhone App-

	Browse the latest Digg stories, search for the topics you care about, and even save stories to read later...the official Digg iPhone app lets you join in the curation by Digging and burying right from your phone. And to help get the word out, we're giving away a custom Digg-branded iPad every day through April 7th.

Digg Android App - For those of you using Android devices, we've got something for you too! We just launched the Digg Android app that also gives you the power of Digg even when you're away from your computer. Just like the iPhone app, you can Digg and bury stories, read the top comments, and unique to Android phones, it also supports landscape mode. Because it works with an in-app browser, you can easily pan around and zoom in and out of content.

These are just a few of the things we're working on in the mobile space. If you don't have an iPhone or Android device, you can always use our current mobile site - m.digg.com - which is optimized to work on any mobile browser. We're also making quite a few improvements and iterations to both the iPhone and Android apps in the coming weeks, many drawing off some of the changes we're working on for Digg.com, so stay tuned and be sure to let us know what you think!

PlayStation Store update, April 1

IT IS PlayStation Store update time again - and there are some interesting surprises in there for UK gamers today, including an addition to the fantastic Heavy Rain.

Here's the full list:

PlayStation Store via PS3

Special Offers (PSP content also available via PSP and Media Go)

(Available until the 15th of April)

• Outrun Arcade Online (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £5.25/€6.59)
• Gunstar Heroes (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
• TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
• Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X – Russian Falcons Pack (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
• Tom Clancy’s End War Escalation Expansion Pack (was – £7.99/€9.99 now – £3.99/€4.99)
• Dynogems (mini) (was – £2.49/€2.99 now – £1.74/€1.99)
• Driver 76 (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
• Asphalt: Urban GT 2 (PSP) (was – £11.99/€14.99 now – £6.29/€7.99)
• Mawaskes Puzzle (PSP) (was – £15.99/€19.99 now – £8.69/€10.99)
• Cover Girl (PSP) (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)

PSP Favourites (also available via PSP and Media Go)

(Available until the 15th of April)

• LittleBigPlanet (was – £19.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
• Gran Turismo (was – £19.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
• Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (was – £19.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
• MotorStorm: Arctic Edge (was – £19.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
• Ghostbusters (was – £14.99/€24.99 now – £9.99/€12.99)
• God of War: Chains of Olympus (was – £14.99/€19.99 now – £7.99/€9.99)
• FIFA 10 (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (was – £29.99/€34.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
• Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (was – £13.99/€17.99 now – £8.69/€10.99)
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (was – £13.99/€17.99 now – £8.69/€10.99)
• Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
• Tekken 6 (was – £31.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• F1 2009 (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
• Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron (was £31.99/€39.99 now £15.99€19.99)
• Need for Speed: Shift (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey (was – £29.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
• Colin McRae DiRT 2 (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £11.99/€14.99)
• Beaterator (was – £23.99/€29.99 now – £7.19/€8.99)
• Football Manager Handheld 2010 (was – £29.99/€34.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)

Permanent Price Reductions

• Inferno Pool (was – £6.29/€7.99 now – £2.39/€2.99)
• FIFA 09(PSP) (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• Need for Speed: Pro Street(PSP) (was – £17.99/€21.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10(PSP) (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• Madden NFL 10(PSP) (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• NBA Live 10(PSP) (was – £29.99/€39.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• Burnout Dominator(PSP) (was – £17.99/€21.99 now – £15.99/€19.99)
• Marvel Super Hero Squad(PSP) (was – £29.99/€34.99 now – £13.99/€17.99)
• WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2010(PSP) (was – £31.99/€39.99 now – £23.99/€29.99)

Downloadable Games

• Namco Museum Essentials (£7.99/€9.99)
  Rating: PEGI 7
  Availability: All locales

Pre-order Game Bundle

• Sam and Max: The Devil’s Playhouse (£17.99/€21.99)
  (This bundle allows you to pre-order all five episodes, which will be delivered via PlayStation Store monthly. This pre-order also allows you to purchase the bundle at a lower introductory price)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: All locales

Game Bundle

• Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rainslick Precipice of Darkness
  Episodes One and Two Bundle (£11.99/€14.99)
  Rating: PEGI 18
  Availability: Not available in Russia

Demo

• Namco Museum Essentials Demo (free)
  Rating: PEGI 7
  Availability: All locales

minis

• Hammer Wars (£2.49/€2.99)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: Not available in Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland

Add-On Game Content

• Heavy Rain – Chronicle One: The Taxidermist (£3.19/€3.99)
  Rating: PEGI 18
  Availability: All locales
• Army of Two: The 40th Day – Chapters of Deceit (£6.29/€7.99)
  Rating: PEGI 18
  Availability: Not available in Germany, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates
• Dragon Age: Origins –
  Feastday Combo Pack (free)
  Feastday Gifts (free)
  Feastday Pranks (free)
  Rating: PEGI 18
  Availability: All locales
• LittleBigPlanet – Fragrances Costume Pack (free)
  Rating: PEGI 7
  Availability: All locales
• Dante’s Inferno – Godlike Pack (£2.39/€2.99)
  Rating: PEGI 18
  Availability: Not available in Russia
• Sonic & SEGA Allstars Racing –
  Metal Sonic & Death Egg Zone (£4.79/€5.99)
  Ryu Forklift Character Pack (£3.99/€4.99)
  Rating: PEGI 7
  Availability: All locales
• Dragon Ball: Raging Blast – Ultimate Warriors Pack 3 (free)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: All locales
  Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce – Additional Quests 3 (free)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: All locales
• EyePet -
  Easter Styling Pack (£2.39/€2.99)
  Lucky Dip Styling Pack 12 (free)
  Rating: PEGI 3
  Availability: All locales
• DJ Hero – Jay Z/Eminem Mix Pack (£6.29/€7.99)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: Not available in Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates
• Rock Band -
  Axis – Bold as Love (Album) by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (£9.99/€14.99)
  (contains the following tracks which are also sold separately)
  Ain’t No Telling (£0.99/€1.49)
  Bold As Love (£0.99/€1.49)
  Castles Made Of Sand (£0.99/€1.49)
  If 6 Was 9 (£0.99/€1.49)
  Little Miss Lover (£0.99/€1.49)
  Little Wing (£0.99/€1.49)
  One Rainy Wish (£0.99/€1.49)
  She’s So Fine (£0.99/€1.49)
  Spanish Castle Magic (£0.99/€1.49)
  Up From The Skies (£0.99/€1.49)
  Valleys Of Neptune (£0.99/€1.49)
  Wait Until Tomorrow (£0.99/€1.49)
  You Got Me Floatin’ (£0.99/€1.49)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: Not available in Czech Republic, Greece, Luxembourg, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and UAE
• Guitar Hero 5 -
  Lynyrd Skynyrd Track Pack (£4.39/€5.49)
  (contains the following tracks which are also sold separately)
  Freebird (£1.59/€1.99)
  Gimme Three Steps (£1.59/€1.99)
  Simple Man (£1.59/€1.99)
  Rating: PEGI 12
  Availability: Not available in Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates
• Karaoke Revolution –
  Heart Of Glass (£0.79/€0.99)
  I Will Survive (£0.79/€0.99)
  Irreplaceable (£0.79/€0.99)
  Killing Me Softly With His Song (£0.79/€0.99)
  Kiss Me (£0.79/€0.99)
  Me And Bobby McGee (£0.79/€0.99)
  Stand By Your Man (£0.79/€0.99)
  You Can’t Hurry Love (£0.79/€0.99)
  Rating: PEGI 7
  Availability: All locales

Videos

• Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Launch Trailer
• Battlefield: Bad Company 2 TV Trailer
• Brink Official Trailer
• Kane and Lynch 2 Welcome to Shanghai Trailer
• Patchwork Heroes Warship Attack Trailer

Dynamic Themes

• Warhawk Dynamic Theme (£1.59/€1.99)

Themes

• Patchwork Heroes City Theme

Gaming news with a new iPhone app

THEVOLUTION Network is launching THEVOLUTION iPhone application as part of its next-gen gaming repertoire. The application takes its place next to the ever-popular gaming sites by Thevolution Network including ps3thevolution.com, nesthevolution.com and 360thevolution.com.

THEVOLUTION app allows gamers access to daily industry news plus industry events such as E3 and ComiCon. Users can read game reviews, watch game trailers, listen to a weekly podcast by gaming insider Derrick Smith and share the latest news and game reviews with friends and family via Email.