Fully Charged: Next Apple TV to support games, Middle-Earth built in video game, buy a 3D printed Sad Keanu

Home / News / Fully Charged: Next Apple TV to support games, Middle-Earth built in video game, buy a 3D printed Sad Keanu

Rumour: Next Apple TV will have full game support

Is Apple about to dip its toe into the murky waters of home gaming? A report at 9to5Mac says it is, and that the next Apple TV hardware will feature a revamped, iOS-based operating system and support for new types of content – games being the biggest one.

The report speculates that Apple TV will be developed into a more app-friendly device, possibly with its own Game Store and support for new methods of input control (likely iPhones and iPod Touches).

It also claims that the new Apple TV is heading for launch in the first half of 2014, so stay tuned for more rumblings in the near future.

[Source: 9to5Mac]

Middle-Earth modelled in “planet simulator” Outerra

Outerra is a simulator that recreates entire planets in insanely detailed 3D by using fractal algorithms to generate textures as you zoom down close to the surface. And now one user has made Lord of the Rings geeks’ weeks by using Outerra to model the whole of Tolkien’s Middle-Earth.

Pictures of the creation (which is based off Tolkien’s extensive collection of hand-drawn maps of the fantasy world) appeared on Reddit yesterday, and we’d suggest you browse the comment thread for more information on individual areas.

Oh, and if you have Oculus Rift you can actually go for a virtual stroll inside the world. Which means that Boromir was wrong: one can simply walk into Mordor.

[Source: Reddit]

Sad Keanu meme immortalised in 3D printed action figure

Fans of internet culture: cast your minds back to 2010 and you may remember the “Sad Keanu” meme, an image macro based on paparazzi photos of the Matrix actor looking a bit glum whilst eating a sandwich on a park bench. Well, three and a bit years later you can now 3D print your own stunningly accurate (albeit miniature) version of sullen Reeves thanks to Japanese toy builder idk. For US$45 (£27), Shapeways will 3D print you a little morose Keanu that you can perch on your shelf. Whoa.

[Source: Kotaku]

Elder Scrolls Online’s stellar voice cast revealed

Bethesda Softworks has posted a new video revealing the voice cast of its upcoming Elder Scrolls Online MMO – and it’s a real star-packed doozy.

Actors playing roles in the game include John Cleese, Kate Beckinsale, Michael Gambon, Bill Nighy and Alfred Molina. Veterans of previous Elder Scrolls games like Lynda Carter and Malcolm McDowell have also returned.

Watch the video for interviews with them all.

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Tech journalism's answer to The Littlest Hobo, I've written for a host of titles and lived in three different countries in my 15 years-plus as a freelancer. But I've always come back home to Stuff eventually, where I specialise in writing about cameras, streaming services and being tragically addicted to Destiny.