Video: Inside tech for 'Assassin's Creed III'

I'm not sure video game players need more incentive to check out Assassin's Creed III. Between its setting during the American Revolution, delightful use of muskets and naval warfare, the action title from Ubisoft has made a strong impression thus far.In case you need more convincing, the publisher has launched a fresh trailer taking viewers through the world of Assassin's Creed III and its AnvilNext technology.The game launches Oct. 30 for PC,...

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Customer losses, high retention costs hit Leap Wireless

By Sayantani GhoshMon Aug 6, 2012 7:43pm EDT n">(Reuters) - Leap Wireless International Inc's quarterly revenue missed Wall Street estimates as more customers defected and average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) at the low-cost mobile services provider fell for the first time in seven quarters.Shares of the company, which focuses on cost-conscious customers and competes with MetroPCS Communications Inc, fell 15 percent in trading after the bell.The company said customer retention programs did not work out as well as expected and came at a higher-than-anticipated...

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Photos: Here's how 'Doom 3' looks in HD

Want a taste of what the classic first-person shooter Doom 3 will look like with a high-definition makeover?Publisher Bethesda Softworks has released some fresh images featuring Doom 3: BFG Edition, which launches Oct. 16 for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.Along with HD visuals, the re-release includes a "Lost Mission" consisting of seven levels, support for Achievements and Trophies as well as 3-D, plus the expansion Resurrection of Evil and original...

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Mini Minis in athletics cause big branding stir

By Karolos GrohmannLONDON | Tue Aug 7, 2012 11:19am EDT LONDON (Reuters) - Remote-controlled miniatures of Mini cars whizzing around the athletics stadium to shuttle javelins, discus and hammers back to the athletes have triggered branding questions at what are strictly ad-free Olympic venues at the London Games.The International Olympic Committee ensures adverts or logos of products are not visible in the fields of play in line with its Olympic Charter despite sponsors paying hundreds of millions of dollars to be associated with the Games.The...

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Disinformation flies in Syria's growing cyber war

Members of Free Syrian Army, who defected from the regular army, are seen in Kafranbel, near Idlib Syria July 28, 2012. Credit: Reuters/Shaam News Network/HandoutBy Peter Apps, Political Risk CorrespondentLONDON | Tue Aug 7, 2012 2:11pm EDT LONDON (Reuters) - On Sunday, it was a hijacked Reuters Twitter feed trying to create the impression of a rebel collapse in Aleppo. On Monday, it was another account purporting to be a Russian diplomat announcing...

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Video: First look at Black Ops II multiplayer

Video game players have heard plenty about the single-player campaign for Call of Duty: Black Ops II, but what most fans of the first-person shooter really care about is the popular multiplayer mode.Activision and studio Treyarch have released a video with the first glimpse at multiplayer, which features a host of fresh pieces of gear.Among some of the new items we spotted:-- The "Guardian Suppress," a turret that seems to emit heat to slow enemies...

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Judge in Google, Oracle case seeks names of paid reporters, bloggers

A photo of the Google Inc. logo is shown on a computer screen in San Francisco, California July 16, 2009. Credit: Reuters/Robert GalbraithBy Alexei OreskovicSAN FRANCISCO | Wed Aug 8, 2012 12:38am EDT SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google Inc and Oracle Corp's copyright and patent battle took a strange twist on Tuesday, after a judge ordered the companies to disclose the names of journalists, bloggers and other commentators on their payrolls.U.S. District...

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Analysis: EBay lures big retailers in Amazon battle

By Alistair Barr and Dhanya SkariachanTue Aug 7, 2012 5:46pm EDT n">(Reuters) - EBay Inc, once a scrappy auction site for mom and pop sellers, is enticing some of the world's largest retailers by arguing it can help them compete better against e-commerce leader Amazon.com Inc.EBay Chief Executive John Donahoe and other executives have been telling retailers that Amazon is their enemy, while eBay is a friend because, unlike Amazon, it holds no inventory.Amazon buys products wholesale, stores them in inventory and sells them to consumers at higher...

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'Temple Run' tops 100 million downloads

The hit mobile game Temple Run has reached another huge milestone: 100 million downloads.In a statement released Thursday, Imangi Studios revealed the game has hosted over 10 billion sessions since it arrived in Apple's App Store a year ago today."We never imagined that the game we were making and loved would be so well received around the world," said Keith Shepherd, co-founder of Imangi Studios, in a statement.More than 68 million downloads have...

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Facebook opens doors to real-money gambling in Britain

In this photo illustration, a Facebook logo on a computer screen is seen through a magnifying glass held by a woman in Bern May 19, 2012. Picture taken May 19, 2012. Credit: Reuters/Thomas HodelBy Alexei OreskovicSAN FRANCISCO | Tue Aug 7, 2012 2:40pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Facebook Inc will allow users in Britain to wager real money on its service, opening its doors to gambling for the first time as revenue growth slows at the world's No....

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'LittleBigPlanet Karting' arrives in November

The adorable burlap star of the PlayStation 3 series LittleBigPlanet will kick off his first driving adventure this November.Sony says the upcoming racing title LittleBigPlanet Karting will launch on the console Nov. 6.The game will feature all the elements of previous LittleBigPlanet titles, most notably the ability to create and share levels. However, as the name suggests, it will have a stronger racing focus.Sony announced the game in March,...

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Acer CEO wants a rethink by Microsoft: FT

A man's hand is seen on an Acer logo as he pastes a poster below at a computer mart in Taipei April 23, 2008. Credit: Reuters/Nicky LohLONDON | Mon Aug 6, 2012 7:46pm EDT LONDON (Reuters) - Taiwanese computer maker Acer has urged Microsoft Corp to reconsider its planned venture into the tablet market, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.Acer Chairman and Chief Executive J.T. Wang, said Microsoft's plans to launch its own "Surface" tablet in...

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Apple, Google bid on Kodak patents: report

Kodak World Headquarters is pictured in Rochester, New York January 19, 2012. Credit: Reuters/Adam FensterView the original article h...

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Former Apple designer says Samsung phones looked similar

A customer looks at the screen of an iPad in an Apple store in central Prague, October 6, 2011. Credit: Reuters/Petr JosekBy Edwin ChanSAN JOSE, California | Tue Aug 7, 2012 6:30pm EDT SAN JOSE, California (Reuters) - The focus of Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics courtroom battle shifted to the iPhone's iconic display on Tuesday, as the U.S. company called on a former employee and award-winning graphic designer to back up claims that Samsung gadgets...

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Launch Pad: Some signs of video game life

Maybe it's not one of those blockbuster weeks video game players are used to witnessing, but at least it's something.Choices are few, but there are some intriguing options on the digital space.Here's a look at what's new in video games this week.Retail games launching Aug. 7Persona 4 ArenaPublisher: AtlusPlatform(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Details: Fighting game based on the series of role-playing titles features key characters from Persona 3 and...

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Apple won't include YouTube app in new mobile software

Attendees sit in front of an Apple logo during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2012 in San Francisco, California June 11, 2012. Credit: Reuters/Stephen LamBy Alexei OreskovicSAN FRANCISCO | Tue Aug 7, 2012 12:59pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Inc's new version of its iPhone and iPad software will not include a pre-loaded app for Google Inc's popular video website, YouTube, Apple said on Monday.It was the latest sign of the growing...

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Video: Five minutes with 'Resident Evil 6'

It appears video game players will have a fourth character to blast zombies with in the upcoming action title Resident Evil 6.A video released by publisher Capcom features Ada Wong, who has made appearances in Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 4 and Operation Raccoon City.Wong's adventure is available once players complete the campaigns starring Chris Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy and Jake Muller. Among the new gadgets players will use include a crossbow...

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'Mass Effect 3' expansion 'Leviathan' revealed

BioWare will launch an expansion later this summer of the single-player campaign featured in its outer space epic Mass Effect 3.The download, Leviathan, will be available for $10 on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.According to a post on BioWare's blog, Commander Shepard and his squad search for the Leviathan, a mysterious being rumored to have the power to destroy the Reapers, an alien machine race invading Earth.The expansion will open up new areas...

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'God of War,' 'inFamous' collections unveiled

Sony has introduced a pair of collections launching later this month based on the PlayStation franchises God of War and inFamous.Both packages will launch for $29.99 on Aug. 28, the same day as a previously announced compilation based on the action series Ratchet & Clank.The God of War Saga will feature all three console titles, two more titles originally launched on PlayStation Portable, extra bonus content and a one-month voucher for PlayStation...

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EA sues Zynga, cites copyright infringement

Electronic Arts is suing Zynga citing copyright infringement, claiming the social gaming giant copied one of their games.According to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in California, EA alleges Zynga's new Facebook game The Ville is an "unmistakable copy" of The Sims Social."The similarities go well beyond any superficial resemblance," says Lucy Bradshaw, general manager of EA's Maxis label, the creators of The Sims Social. "Zynga's design...

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