A love of bands and dance drew Anais Riley to Beat Saber, a rhythm-based VR game released in 2018. Her gameplay videos and livestreams have attracted a significant online following.
A love of bands and dance drew Anais Riley to Beat Saber, a rhythm-based VR game released in 2018. Her gameplay videos and livestreams have attracted a significant online following. ( Supplied: Anais Riley )
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ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Yes Boone
Eora/Sydney-based rising star Yes Boone brings us into his world on new track 'Modern Life'. Loading We're saying hell yes to this feel-good mix from an Unearthed artist we reckon you'll love if you're a fan of acts like Four Tet and Jamie as Boone, you make have caught Sydney-via-Adelaide based producer and DJ Yes Boone tearing it up at festivals like Ability Fest and Wildlands or on support for Crooked Colours an EP on the way later this year, he's already dropped some stellar singles that we've been loving including 'library' and most recently 'Modern Life'. Utilizing samples, Yes Boone creates a sonic storyline full of grooves and big dancefloor nrg – check it out here:Clocking in for his first ever Friday Mix set, he's bringing us 24 minutes of classic club bangers, ranging from funk-fuelled disco to French house, along with a couple of unreleased cuts from his own archives. Don't miss it!
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Inside downfall of iconic Sydney theme park
It was meant to be Sydney's answer to Disneyland – a neon-lit, multi-level temple to gaming glory that promised to bring the future of entertainment Down Under in the late 90s. But by 2000, Sega World had pulled the plug. Now, more than two decades on, former employees have reflected on the ambitious indoor theme park that opened with a bang but quietly fizzled out just a few years later. Sega World Sydney was a short-lived icon of 90s optimism, housed inside Darling Harbour's Pavilion building with a rumoured price tag of over $80 million. Its colourful corridors, virtual reality (VR) simulators, parades and under-18 dance parties were a far cry from Luna Park's rickety charm. Instead, Sega was supposed to be a cutting-edge 'high-tech adventure playground' backed by Sega's global gaming empire. Featuring nine rides and simulators, a bustling food court, live entertainment and over 200 arcade games, it seemed that Sega World had something for everyone – big or small. It was officially launched on March 18 in 1997 by Michael Knight, the Minister at the time responsible for the Sydney Olympic Games and the bustling Darling Harbour precinct. 'They were anticipating huge crowds coming to Sydney and Sega World for the Olympics,' former staff member Andrew said in an interview with Sega fanatic DrScottnik. 'They didn't get they wanted and they weren't making any money,' he added. A big bet that didn't pay off The park was a joint venture between Japanese gaming giant Sega and Sydney Harbour casino developer Jacfun. They poured millions into the project, banking on Olympic tourism and the growing popularity of video games. Instead, ticket sales dwindled despite desperate initiatives such as free entry and free rides. 'We tried various schemes to make people come including free entry, buy passes as you go or buy a ticket at the gate which covered everything. We also tried making games completely free,' said ex-staffer Peter. 'But I guess ultimately, the interest wasn't there.' By early 2000 – just months after the Olympics – Sega had quietly pulled out of the operation, leaving the theme park to gather dust. Not even an auction to sell off the contents of the park in 2001 was able to draw a crowd, with a few hundred-odd punters gathering to pick up arcade games for bargain prices. Jacfun managed to keep the lights on at the site for another three years but by 2003, the dream was officially over. Today, there's little sign that Sega World ever existed at all. Gone, but not forgotten 'I can vividly remember going into the control room and saying, 'Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, Sega world is closed for this evening,' for the very last time,' former manager Jonathon recalled. For many others, Sega World remains a brightly-coloured memory of their childhood. 'My favourite place was shut down for reasons as a kid for reasons that I just couldn't understand,' said ex-visitor Nick. 'It brought us all so much joy and memories. I always remember this as the beginning of the end for that area of the city. For me, the city has never been the same after that,' he said. An online fandom of Sega Sydney lovers still exists, with X accounts dedicated to keeping the memory alive. On eBay, you can even score the iconic Sonic swipe access pass for $277. Many other nostalgic 90s babies weighed in on the clip, sharing their fond memories of the park. 'I went there on my first big Sydney trip. Monorail, aquarium, National Museum and Sega world! Was absolutely ecstatic!,' said one. 'What a nostalgia trip, I think I almost bankrupt my parents by begging to be taken there every school holidays back in the day,' said another. 'I went there as a kid and made friends with another kid after checking out the 3D/4D VR simulation. A few months later he ended up moving away. Fast forward 25 years, he was the best man at my wedding – I'll always have a huge soft spot for Sega World because of that,' shared a third.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Gamers get hold of Nintendo's hotly awaited Switch 2
Gamers on Thursday finally got their hands on Nintendo's new Switch 2 console, which could score record early sales for the Japanese "Super Mario" creator. Featuring a bigger screen and more processing power, the device is an upgrade to the Switch, which became a global phenomenon with hit games such as "Animal Crossing". The original Switch has sold 152 million units since its 2017 release, making it the third best-selling console ever. At a Tokyo electronics store on Thursday morning, Nintendo fans -- including 24-year-old Lei Wang, a recent graduate from China -- queued to collect their devices. He had been "shocked" to win a pre-order lottery, as none of his friends had been selected. "It's basically just me who got picked... so I don't really want to say anything" to them, he laughed. Shinichi Sekiguchi, 31, said he was so excited he forgot to bring his phone, while 33-year-old Kuro said she had taken a day off work to play with her new device. "The improved graphics and the ability to play with a larger group -- I think that's a big deal," she said. Serkan Toto from Tokyo consultancy Kantan Games said he "would not be surprised to see Switch 2 breaking sales records in the next weeks and months". In Japan, Nintendo's online store had 2.2 million pre-order applications for the Switch 2 -- an "insane number the industry has never seen before", Toto told AFP. - Worth the price? - The Switch 2 has eight times the memory of the first Switch, and its controllers, which attach with magnets, can also be used like a desktop computer mouse. New functions allowing users to chat as they play online and temporarily share games with friends could also be a big draw for young audiences used to watching game streamers. Nintendo has its work cut out to match the overall success of the original, however. Challenges include uncertainty over US trade tariffs and whether it can convince enough people to pay the high price for its new device. The Switch 2 costs $449.99 in the United States, more than the original's launch price of $299.99. Both are hybrid consoles which can connect to a TV or be played on the go. New Switch 2 games such as "Donkey Kong Bananza" and "Mario Kart World" -- which allow players to go exploring off-grid -- are also more expensive than existing titles. "After playing it, I think it's worth the price," 24-year-old aspiring filmmaker Steven Paterno told AFP at a Nintendo launch event in New York City. "I loved the original Switch, but I had to admit the Switch 2 really tops it." - Cancelled pre-orders - Retailers in the United States, Europe and other major markets are gearing up for a rush of excited fans, with some stores opening at midnight to welcome them. "I'm very excited to pick it up at midnight," 22-year-old graduate Angel Caceres said at the New York launch event. "I'm going to be very tired after that." Supply pressures have forced some retailers to cancel orders, with Britain's Game saying it is "working hard to reinstate as many affected pre-orders as possible". Nintendo forecasts it will ship 15 million Switch 2 consoles in the current financial year, roughly equal to the original console in the same period after its release. The Switch 2 "is priced relatively high" compared to its predecessor, the company's president Shuntaro Furukawa said at a financial results briefing in May. So it "will not be easy" to keep initial momentum going, he warned. While Nintendo is diversifying into theme parks and hit movies, around 90 percent of its revenue still comes from the Switch business, analysts say.
