wars

Crave giveaway: Guild Wars 2 Collector's Edition

Congrats to Marvin P. of Missoula, Mont., for winning a MyCharge Portable Power Bank 6000 in last week's giveaway.

Are you a massive fan of massively multiplayer online role-playing games? Then you'll massively like this week's prize, a Guild Wars 2 Collector's Edition, plus five Digital Edition access codes you can share with friends. Say goodbye to your free time, folks.

The fantasy MMO, released in late August, takes place in Tyria, "an endlessly intriguing place, stuffed with mystery and adventure, gifting you with gorgeous sights and personal stories that etch themselves into your memory," according to a review from our sister site GameSpot. … Read more

Scary 'Star Wars' rumor: Disney to resurrect Darth Vader?

Ever since Disney bought Lucasfilm, the rumors surrounding a new "Star Wars" film have been flying around like a whole herd of speeder bikes through the forest of Endor. One of the latest is that Disney is looking to bring Darth Vader back from the very final-looking death he had in "Return of the Jedi."

As far as rumors go, it's harder to get more unsubstantiated than this one. The source is from British tabloid site Express.co.uk. The article quotes "industry insiders" as saying Disney plans to have Darth Vader return to play a significant role in a new trilogy.… Read more

The 404 1,163: Where we just can't be friends (podcast)

Find a stick to bite down on during today's show, because we're learning more than we ever wanted about the band Nickelback -- how they became Internet pariahs, why they've sold 50 million records, and the stomach-churning origin of their name.

We'll also review a new documentary about disappearing glaciers and climate control, question the value of Internet ads and the new "four second rule," and prove that the new flagship Apple store in Palo Alto, Calif., is just too darn loud.… Read more

See Wes Anderson's 'Star Wars: Episode VII' audition tape

Conan O'Brien recently had a little fun on "Conan" trying to envision what one notable director's interpretation of the recently announced "Star Wars: Episode VII" might look like. The director in question? Wes Anderson. I think you can tell where this one is going...

Han still shoots first! The tongue-in-cheek sketch was posted to YouTube by Team Coco, who comments: "Mos Eisley has never looked so cozy and artisanal." … Read more

'Little Miss Sunshine' writer to pen new 'Star Wars' film

It looks like the next "Star Wars" movie might get completed faster than it took to construct the second Death Star.

Disney and Lucasfilm have chosen Michael Arndt to write the screenplay for "Star Wars: Episode VII," the long-awaited follow-up to the 1983 epic "Return of the Jedi." … Read more

Angry Birds Star Wars tops App Store chart in 2.5 hours

The Force is strong with Rovio.

The Finnish company behind the Angry Birds franchise said today in a blog post that its latest offering, Angry Birds Star Wars, rose to the top of Apple's U.S. app store in two and a half hours -- breaking its own records.

The game launched yesterday to positive critical reviews and remains the top paid app in Apple's App Store today.

Angry Birds Star Wars represents the latest in an increasingly large franchise of similar games that continue to be popular with consumers. Rovio has done a good job extending the … Read more

Limits of using Square at Starbucks

Thursday's CNET Update has a tall order:

Today's tech news roundup explains how to pay with Square Wallet at Starbucks and how it's different from the Starbucks app. Small businesses have been taking hands-free payments with Square Wallet for several months. But Starbucks, which recently invested in Square, is still requiring you to scan your phone screen at checkout. Also in today's show:

- Pinterest users can finally pin in private. Users can create three "Secret Boards" for personal use, or to share with select users.

- Amazon uncorked its wine store, delivering to … Read more

Star Wars: The Old Republic free to play Nov. 15

Star Wars: The Old Republic has been given a free-to-play date, meaning that from next week on, gamers will be able to get their Jedi jollies without forking over a single penny.

The game's free mode goes live on November 15, Videogamer reports, and lets you play through the game up to level 50.

You won't get every aspect of the game for free though -- click here for a full list of which midi-chlorian-soaked features you can get for nothing, and which ones will cost you real-life galactic credits.

Read more of "Star Wars MMO free on 15 November as WoW enjoys boost" at Crave UK.… Read more

Strap on your lightsaber: Angry Birds Star Wars launches for 99 cents

One of the most anticipated mobile games this year is launching today.

Angry Birds Star Wars is available today across a wide array of platforms, including iOS, Android, Mac, PC, and Windows Phone. As one might expect, given the name, the title melds elements from Angry Birds with the "Star Wars" universe.

The title, which is available for 99 cents in Apple's App Store, puts gamers in control of Rebel Birds fighting Imperial Pigs. The game lets players use the Force, hack away with a lightsaber, and take on Pigtroopers as they fight to take down Darth … Read more

Could 'Star Wars: Episode VII' feel like 'Return of the Jediatrics'?

Some would consider Disney's announcement of acquiring Lucasfilm (and the "Star Wars" franchise) for a little over $4 billion epic enough as is. Disney stunned sci-fi fans further with the additional announcement that Star Wars: Episode VII would arrive in 2015, causing many to wonder who would direct the movie, and more importantly, who would star in it.

It might take awhile to find out who the actors in "Episode VII" will be, but at least we know that the most cantankerous of the bunch, Harrison Ford, is onboard with participating in the highly anticipated follow-up to "Return of the Jedi," according to Entertainment Weekly. … Read more