VentureBeat » Jeff Grubb

Some independent game stores may not carry used Xbox One games

Jeffrey Grubb — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:31:14 +0000

A rumor is swirling today that Microsoft will permit retailers like GameStop to sell used Xbox One games, but the manufacturer will take a cut of each second-hand sale.

An alleged retail source told U.K. industry site MCV that when a customer brings in a used game, the retailer must check that disc in with Microsoft’s Azure cloud system. That check would wipe it from the previous gamer’s account. Then once the retailer sells the game to a new customer, Microsoft takes an automatic cut of the sale. Another rumor, this time from Eurogamer, suggests Microsoft will institute a flat fee that the retailer will have to pay. This will enable Microsoft to control the price of used games, since it’ll have to be higher than the fee.

We’ve reached out to Microsoft, which pointed us to this post from its spokesperson Larry “Major Nelson” Hyrb:

The ability to trade in and resell games is important to gamers and to Xbox. Xbox One is designed to support the trade in and resale of games. Reports about our policies for trade in and resale are inaccurate and incomplete. We will disclose more information in the near future.

Which rumors are inaccurate, and which are incomplete? Microsoft still won’t say. That left us to contact GameStop, which refused to comment.

At this point, nothing is confirmed, but we reached out to some independent gaming stores to see how something like this might affect them. It turns out that at least a few are ready to drop second-hand Xbox One games from their shelves if the reported Microsoft fee is too steep.

“We would still carry new Xbox One games, but probably not used because the demand for them would probably drop significantly,” David Lyon told GamesBeat. Lyon manages Ultimate Video Game Connection in Columbus, Ohio. “If they were going to charge a [large fee], it would eliminate [the margin] on used sales.”

Again, Microsoft won’t say if any fee exists. Other stores will try to play ball with the company first to see if they can make it work.

“If it’s still profitable for us, then we’ll still try to carry used games,” Toun Keovichitch, the manager at GameTrader in Portland, Ore., told GamesBeat. “If it’s not worth it, then we might discontinue it. “

If it does work, Ultimate Video Game Connection expects a move like this would demolish trade prices.

“Take a game like Injustice, which just came out a few weeks ago, we generally give people $30 in trade for that,” said Lyon. “If the fee was anywhere near that price, we’d only be able to give $5 or maybe $10 in trade.”

Likewise, GameTrader is frightened that it could go from making $10 to $15 for a used-game sale to making $2 to $3.

This is assuming that either of these small businesses could implement Microsoft’s Azure cloud-verification tool into their computer systems. If that requires a software or hardware overhaul, both GameTrader and UVGC might bow out before they even have to start dealing with the fee.

“It would be very difficult to implement into our business,” said Lyon. “We’re a family-owned store. It would be difficult to build something new into our current system.”

That left both Lyon and Keovichitch thinking that they would suggest Sony’s new hardware to their customers.

“I would definitely push them toward the PlayStation 4,” said Keovichitch. “Working at a used-games store, it’s really hard to feel positive about the Xbox One with these rumors about this used-game policy. People want to own stuff.”

Lyon echoed that sentiment, saying: “If Microsoft does confirm the fee, I would suggest PlayStation 4.”

For now, Microsoft still isn’t giving details of its policies. Meanwhile, gamers are growing anxious, and small retailers like the GameTrader and UVGC are starting to recommend PS4 over Xbox One. Maybe Microsoft is confident this won’t be a problem, but it sure looks like one right now.

Top image via GameStop

Filed under: Games

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Developer of Apple-banned Endgame: Syria takes on the Drug War in NarcoGuerra

Jeffrey Grubb — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:19:28 +0000

The global War on Drugs is the four-decade-long policy of many Western governments, including the U.S. and Mexico, to stamp out the supply of narcotics. Now, developer Auroch Digital from GameTheNews.net is exploring the conflict with a new title for iOS, Android, PC, and Mac.

NarcoGuerra is a strategy title that puts players in the role of the Mexican government. Using mechanics similar to the board game Risk, you must try to find and destroy drug cartels in a never-ending battle.

“We’ve built a simulation based on our research about the reality of the War on Drugs,” NarcoGuerra lead designer Tomas Rawlings told GamesBeat. “[The game shows] how corruption and street price ebb and flow with police actions. It’s up to the player from there [to decide] what they get out of the game, but most gamers I come across are smart people. I think they’ll figure out that to win this war to have to understand it’s not a war in any conventional sense at all.”

Rawlings previously produced strategy title Endgame: Syria that used game mechanics to explore that nation’s civil war. Endgame: Syria drew some criticism for using real-life current events in a game, and Apple blocked its release on the iOS App Store. The studio was able to get it back on the App Store after removing the references to real places and governments. Rawlings feels that this is an unfair double standard.

“In reflecting the world around us a singer might write a song, a filmmaker produces a documentary, and a journalist writes an article. As games developers we express our interests via games,” said Rawlings. ”Just because our form of expression is through games, this doesn’t mean we take the subject any less seriously. This game aims to engage players in the issue and get them to think about why this war is still going on despite the billions [of dollars] spent on it.”

NarcoGuerra costs 99 cents. It is the first time GameTheNews is charging for one of its titles, and that’s because the group feels it is a premium experience.

“The game is the biggest ‘newsgame’ we’ve created, which has taken a lot of time, effort, and expense,” said Rawlings. “All news organizations have to make income to pay staff — we’re no different in that respect.”

This isn’t the first time video games have looked at the War on Drugs, but Rawlings feels it’s the first time an interactive title is investigating it with any nuance.

“Games have covered this area a lot but never in a deeper sense that just good versus bad,” he said. “For example, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has the Favela level, but we don’t ask why is this fighting going us — we just point and shoot. We wanted to delve a bit deeper into the why and a strategy game makes a great frame to do this.”

In fact, just in making this game, Rawlings said he learned many things about the Drug War that he wasn’t previously aware of.

“I assumed the solution was going to be in tackling consumption and not production and trafficking,” the designer told us. “But it turns out that consumption per person hasn’t really changed that much. I also learned how violent and damaging this situation is for so many people. Albert Einstein said insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Rawlings believes that by experiencing the decision making themselves, gamers might get a better understanding that the War on Drugs requires a fresh infusion of ideas.

Filed under: Games

DmC: Devil May Cry developer working on beat-em-up for iOS and Android

Jeffrey Grubb — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:11:01 +0000

One of gaming’s rising studios is partnering with mobile publisher Chilllingo to release a new action title on smartphones and tablets.

Ninja Theory, the developer responsible for DmC: Devil May Cry, is producing a side-scrolling brawler with 3D visuals for iOS and Android called Fightback, according to a Chillingo blog. The title is free-to-play and looks to capture the spirit of ’80s action movies. It’s just a shame they couldn’t get the Roadhouse license.

“Chillingo is very excited to collaborate with such a talented, critically acclaimed studio to help shape their first title for the mobile market,” Chillingo chief operating officer Ed Rumley said in a statement. “Our team is working closely with Ninja Theory to ensure Fightback delivers a phenomenal experience for mobile and tablet devices.”

Chillingo has a larger roster of core and casual games for mobile devices. It’s focused primarily on iOS, but it is slowly expanding its Android offerings. Ninja Theory, on the other hand, is a team of console veterans. In addition to DmC, the studio also produced action-adventure title Enslaved: Odyssey to the West (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC) and character-action game Heavenly Sword (PS3).

“Mobile and tablet gaming is a phenomenon that we just couldn’t ignore as a studio and we’re very proud to be working with one of the industry’s heavy-weights on bringing Fightback to market,” Ninja Theory product manager Dominic Matthews said. “Ninja Theory has always strived for the highest production values and that absolutely remains the case in this exciting new space.”

Critics and gamers, even those that don’t love Ninja Theory games, admit the developer is capable of producing high-quality visuals and design. That’s a rare occurrence in mobile titles and is something that could set Fightback apart.

Filed under: Games

Craziest special edition ever? $190K Grid 2 bundle comes with … a car

Jeffrey Grubb — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:23:49 +0000

The tradition of preorder special-edition packaging in video games is often absurd. In February, we collected a bunch of games that sold for more than $200 and included items like leather jackets and night-vision goggles. Not one of those — not even Capcom’s $1,300 Resident Evil 6 Premium Edition — cost anywhere near what developer Codemasters is charging for its new special edition.

That studio revealed Grid 2: Mono Edition for PlayStation 3 that retails for nearly $190,000, as first spotted by Eurogamer. How could it possibly cost that much? Well, it comes with the game, a PlayStation 3 — and a sports car.

Yes, Codemasters is bundling a car, the BAC Mono Roadster, with its newest racing title. Codemasters branded the car and a driving jumpsuit with the Grid 2 logo. It then threw in a console and a game and slapped that massive price tag on the package. The car itself only costs $153,888 at retail, so you’ll definitely pay a bit extra to get that Grid 2 paint job.

Grid 2 hits PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on May 28.

The Mono Edition is exclusive to European markets, so U.S. gamers will have to travel or make some calls to retailers on that continent if they want to secure this insane special edition.

Filed under: Games

Xbox One troubles University of Michigan’s video game archivist

Jeffrey Grubb — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:13:59 +0000

Earlier this week, Microsoft introduced the next generation of its Xbox gaming platform. The Xbox One is a powerful PC-like box that taps into the company’s cloud infrastructure to help run its games. Microsoft claims the cloud will make the system better over time as it moves more of the processing load to remote servers, but it may also cause a headache for gaming historians.

That cloud functionality may eventually cause nearly every game on Xbox One to stop working correctly if (or when) Microsoft shuts down its servers. This jeopardizes the preservation of every game on the new hardware, according to University of Michigan video game archivist David Carter.

“While we don’t have many details yet, what I’ve read so far gives me cause for concern as to how we’ll be able to work with the new system in the Computer & Video Game Archive,” Carter wrote in a blog. “As far as offloading gameplay to the cloud and requiring an Internet connection to function, this offers a challenge that is in many ways similar to dealing with massively multiplayer online role-playing games like World of Warcraft.”

Archivists like Carter have long struggled to replicate the online aspects of games like WOW and even Microsoft first-person-shooter Halo 2.

“There is a history of manufacturers not supporting their old gaming platforms,” said Carter. “[Like] in 2010, when Microsoft stopped supporting the original Xbox on Xbox Live. If you want to play Halo 2 online multiplayer on your Xbox — sorry, you can’t. And that’s for a game that’s less than 10 years old.”

Carter points out that gamers can grab any system from 30 years ago and plug them into a compatible television and start playing without issue.

“[That's true] even for companies that are long defunct,” said Carter. “Will the same be true in even 10 years for games for Xbox One?”

The archivist also expressed concern regarding Microsoft’s plans for digital-rights management. Xbox One may have the capability to restrict used-game sales, but the company isn’t providing details at this time.

“We’ve been dealing with this sort of thing with PC-based games for several years now, and I’m sure we’ll deal with it,” said Carter. “But it doesn’t fill me with warm, fuzzy feelings.”

Carter wrote that he’ll wait to get more information from Microsoft before deciding how to handle Xbox One games. As of now, it seems clear that Xbox One will make his job a lot more difficult than when he was just responsible for the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Filed under: Games

PSA: Xbox Live was not hacked today

Jeffrey Grubb — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:54:04 +0000

Earlier tonight, a hacker named Reckz0r claimed that he hacked Xbox Live. Reckz0r posted a list of emails and passwords online supposedly from Xbox Live users. That isn’t the case.

We contacted Microsoft and the company assured us that it is aware of the hacking claims and that they are completely fabricated.

“Xbox Live has not been hacked,” a Microsoft spokesperson told GamesBeat. “Microsoft can confirm that there has been no breach to the security of our Xbox Live service.”

Xbox Live OWNED! – pastebin.com/zEjieFtr (48 Million Users EXPOSED)—
(@Reckz0r) May 23, 2013

That doesn’t mean that these emails and passwords are fake; although, they probably are. As usual, this is probably a good reminder to change your login credentials often and to not use the same password for multiple accounts.

Filed under: Games, Security

Zynga unleashes Gauntlet-like Battlestone on iOS

Jeffrey Grubb — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:09:27 +0000

Arcade-action brawlers like Gauntlet are a nearly forgotten relic of gaming’s past. Games like Guantlet Legends, a four-player mindless button mashing adventure, don’t make a lot of sense on consoles or PC anymore — and arcades barely exist.

Enter Zynga Mobile with Battlestone. This new title looks to capture the feel of those arcade classics on mobile devices. It’s available for free now on the iOS App Store. Zynga will also release it soon on Google Play for Android.

In Battlestone, players take control of an archer, a warrior, or a number of other iconic range and melee characters. Gamers must then see grind and level those heroes throughout a fantasy adventure.

While Battlestone is taking inspiration from arcade games, the developer built its controls from the ground up for mobile. That means intuitive touch controls.

“With Battlestone, we set out to create a truly awesome arcade action combat experience on mobile, and we believe we’ve achieved just that,” reads a post on Zynga’s blog. “It’s the type of game that anyone can pick up and try their hand at with controls that feel intuitive and responsive. Players can defeat enemies and bosses with a simple swipe of the finger. Selecting multiple targets strings together over-the-top attack combinations to fend off hordes of enemies.”

As with Gauntlet, Battlestone is probably more fun with friends. For that, Zynga is offering a player-versus-player multiplayer mode that will let gamers show off against one another.

Filed under: Games

Destiny looks like Star Wars, Halo, and World of Warcraft in its newest trailer

Jeffrey Grubb — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:24:04 +0000

Before this moment in time, desolate planets, The Jungle Book, and Breaking Bad‘s Gustavo Fring weren’t often lumped together. That’s no longer the case thanks to developer Bungie.

The studio released a new CG trailer for its upcoming shooter Destiny. This video starts with actor Giancarlo Esposito, who played Fring on AMC’s Breaking Bad, reading The Jungle Book to a child. Esposito emphasizes a particular passage that illustrates the strength in numbers wolves get from their pack. This is all intercut with cinematic action sequences of armored fighters battling on harsh planets.

The video ends with a tease the Bungie will debut the game in action on June 1o at Sony’s press event during the Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show. Destiny is due out on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 in 2014.

Filed under: Games

Super Stardust HD developer working on spiritual successor for PlayStation 4

Jeffrey Grubb — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:19:13 +0000

Developers used to dump dual-stick shooters on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 by the truckload. That fad definitely fizzled out, and I think it’s because studios realized they couldn’t outdo Super Stardust HD on PlayStation 3 or Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 on Xbox 360.

The new systems, however, give studios another chance to dominate this twitch-based genre, and one of the masters is promising to return.

Developer Housemarque, the Finish studio that produced Super Stardust HD, revealed today that it will create a spiritual successor to Super Stardust. Housemarque plans to release the title exclusively on PlayStation 4.

“We are super-excited to be working on Sony’s next-gen hardware,” Housemarque’s chief Ilari Kuittinen said in a statement. “The platform’s performances are enabling us to do things that wouldn’t be possible otherwise and we truly believe that better technology can lead to better gameplay. The more tools and resources we have at our disposal, the better.”

Super Stardust HD is know for its fast-paced shooting gameplay and for its colorful graphics with thousands of on-screen particle effects. Players would have to fire their way through waves of obstacles on a tiny 360-degree sphere. Kuittinen wants to take that basic design to the next level on PS4.

“Think of Super Stardust HD at the time,” said Kuittinen. “PlayStation 3 gave us the opportunity to populate the game with thousands of interactive objects and implement the game’s famous spherical gameplay. Today, we can take advantage of the architecture of PlayStation 4 to create incredible visuals with direct impact on the way the new game feels.”

Housemarque didn’t announce any release details, but it did mention that it is also working on another PS4 project. The studio said it will provide more information on both titles in the coming months.

Filed under: Games

This is what a $150 Grand Theft Auto V: Collector’s Edition looks like

Jeffrey Grubb — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:58:18 +0000

Grand Theft Auto V is only a few months away from release. In September, we will get the chance to head to Los Santos for all the car-jacking fun we could ask for.

Today, developer Rockstar revealed that you don’t have to pay just $60 for Grand Theft Auto V. For $80, you can grab a Special Edition version of the game. For a whopping $150, you can get the Collector’s Edition.

For those 18-to-34 year-old gamers with disposable income, here is what comes in the Special Edition:

Grand Theft Auto V game in collectible SteelBook case with exclusive art.
Poster-sized blueprint map of Los Santos.
In-game boost that will approve the regeneration time of the special-ability meter.
Trials mode for the stunt plane.
Bonus in-game outfits, tattoos, and more.
Additional weapons including pistol, shotgun, and hammer.

The Collector’s Edition includes all of the above and the following:

GTA V branded security-deposit bag and key.
GTA V Los Santos branded ball cap
Classic GTA characters in GTA Online
Unique in-game vehicles and garage property

Both of these special releases will accompany the standard GTA V game on Sept. 17 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. They are available for preorder now.

Filed under: Games

G.I. Joe: Battleground looks to capture the cartoon in a modern mobile game

Jeffrey Grubb — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:17:49 +0000

The real American heroes are back, and we’re not talking about the pair of big-budget action films. Social publisher DeNA is developing an original game that captures the style of the 1980s cartoon series.

G.I. Joe: Battleground is an adventure/role-playing game for iOS and Android due out this summer. DeNA wants to capture the spirit of the cartoon by staying true to the personality of the characters and designing missions that echo the plot of the animated series.

And you aren’t stuck playing as the good guys.

“In G.I. Joe: Battleground, we’re gonna let gamers play both factions,” G.I. Joe: Battleground producer David Phan told GamesBeat. “They can create the teams that they want in terms of heroes or villains — and players can mix up their teams to have heroes and villains working together.”

Players will take their squads of elite fighters on missions around the world to fight either Cobra or Joe. Each agent has different skills and stats that will greatly affect the outcome of the quest. The combat is automatic and plays out based on the team players select and the items they equip. Successful missions will earn players loot and experience. Players will also capture new team members.

DeNA is designing the game with an action-figure vibe. It wants players to get excited when they encounter rare and iconic characters. Defeating them means adding them to a collection that they can then play with, just like many of us did as kids.

“Battleground is made by G.I. Joe fans for G.I. Joe fans,” said Phan. “I’m the biggest Joe fan on the team. We’re excited to get this out to the public.”

Finally, the team also plans to implement the famous G.I. Joe public-service announcements that followed many of the show’s episodes. Right now they are focusing on the game, but Phan says they plan to put a lot of effort into that because they know how important that is to Joe fans.

Gamers can register for G.I. Joe Battleground now at GIjoebattleground.com. The game won’t go live until later this year, but signing up early will get players access to a rare character.

Filed under: Games

DeNA developing Dungeons & Dragons: Arena of War for mobile based on ‘D&D Next’

Jeffrey Grubb — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:00:01 +0000

Comb your dwarf beard and clean your elf ears, because mobile publisher DeNA is working with Wizards of the Coast to bring a new role-playing game based on Dungeons & Dragons to iOS and Android.

Dungeons & Dragons: Arena of War is a “battle-RPG” that has players picking their legendary characters to take on quests solo or online with other gamers. It uses the Forgotten Realms setting as a backdrop, but it has nothing to do with the upcoming Neverwinter game in development for PC.

Developer DeNA Santiago is combining the Dungeons & Dragons rule set (based on the upcoming 5th generation, codenamed D&D Next for now) with modern mechanics like massive in-game events and multiplayer competitions.

Fans can sign up now to register for the games Android and iOS release at DNDArenaofwar.com, which grants players access to a rare power in the free-to-play title. DeNA expects to release the game this summer.

“Arena of War is a free-to-play, turn-based battle-RPG,” DeNA Santiago head developer Tiburcio De la Carcova told GamesBeat. “It has a very strong social component. You can play and interact with your friends.”

De la Carcova told us that the team is making every effort to optimize the play experience for mobile devices. This is a fully 3D adventure game, so DeNA wants it to appeal to real gamers. At the same time, it doesn’t want to frustrate players with difficult or unfriendly controls.

“We didn’t try to replicate the PC experience,” said De la Carcova. “We made it a unique experience for mobile devices, and we think we came up with a real novel way to play.”

That means a lot of taping, swiping, and other finger gestures to control the onscreen action.

Despite the new controls, De la Carcova wants to bring the classic feeling of D&D to mobile. He is designing the game to lower the barrier of entry to the beloved series.

“I don’t think there is a D&D game in the mobile arena that captures the classic elements,” he said. “And this one isn’t just about the classic D&D rules — it is also about adapting those elements for mobile.”

This is a free-to-play game, but that doesn’t necessarily mean players will start with underpowered characters. Gamers can choose from 16 classes, but DeNA plans to expand that in the future.

After that, it’s all about doing quests with a party of other characters. The A.I. can control those roles, or players can team up with their friends online.

Filed under: Games

Top Eleven developer trumpets the social soccer game’s impressive growth

Jeffrey Grubb — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:48:36 +0000

Soccer is one of the world’s most popular sports, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that a mobile title based on the game has established a large, dedicated fan base.

Today, developer Nordeus is celebrating the three-year anniversary of its soccer-management title, Top Eleven. It puts players in control of a major soccer club on Facebook, Android, and iOS. As the manager, players will make all the decisions that lead to a winning team.

“I think the ability for the users to take the game wherever they are — on smartphones or on Facebook and have continuous gameplay — that is driving a lot of our success,” Nordeus head of strategic partnerships Assaf Vaknin told GamesBeat. “We know how to use Facebook and the social graph — I don’t want to say we’re aggressive — but we know how to put [Top Eleven] out there in a visible way for users to connect with their friends.”

That strategy is paying off. Top Eleven has over 40 million registered users. It’s retained over a quarter of those for 11 million monthly active users. More than that, Vaknin pointed out that the title is one of the top-five highest-grossing apps in over 53 countries on both iOS and Android.

Vaknin believes Top Eleven’s focus on authenticity is helping it stick with players.

“We try our best to keep it as real as possible,” said Vaknin. “We work hard to come up with crazy cool features that will get the players engaged and that has shown in terms of our overall numbers — in terms of retention, and a 40 percent DAU-to-MAU ratio.”

Nordeus also landed a huge celebrity endorsement deal in March when it tapped Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho to act as the face of Top Eleven. Additionally, the studio worked with Real Mardrid, Liverpool, Arsenal, AC Milan, and more to bring in authentically licensed items for players to purchase and customize their teams.

Top Eleven is available for free on Android, iOS, and Facebook.

Filed under: Games

Xbox One vs. PlayStation 4: A battle for next-gen supremacy

Jeffrey Grubb — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:46:16 +0000

Nothing can stop the next-gen hype train now that Microsoft and Sony have both unveiled their new home consoles. Sony showed off its PlayStation 4 in February, and Microsoft did the same yesterday with its Xbox One. We now know the basics about each device, and that gives us a chance to look at each system to decide which one is best prepared to win over gamers’ hearts this holiday and beyond.

First, let’s get some basics out of the way. We don’t know the price. We barely know about the games. Each company, and their partners, will certainly show more at the Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show in early June. Until then, we’re simply working from the visions that Microsoft and Sony attempted to establish with their announcements.

Analyst Jesse Divinch, the vice president of insights at industry-analysis firm EEDAR, thinks it’s too early to tell.

“It’s always difficult to determine winners and losers off of highly choreographed presentations, but from other experiences, it is too close of a call to say one presentation was better than the other,” said Divinch. “From EEDAR’s view point, both were successful in demonstrating their platform’s core experience, and we believe that both Microsoft and Sony will realize market success at launch and through 2017. It’s too early to predict who will have a larger market share, but we are confident in saying that both will be profitable and viable platforms for third-party developers.”

Let’s look at the facts and then you can decide.

Hardware separated at birth

Microsoft has already lifted the curtain on the design for its new box. The PlayStation 4′s aesthetics are still under wraps. That doesn’t really matter, because gamers know that true beauty comes from within.

When it comes to internals, these two consoles are nearly identical. That’s because both are using the same AMD Jaguar accelerated processing unit that combines the computational and the graphical processing on to a single, streamlined chip.

The Xbox One collection.

Both systems have eight cores running at around 1.6GHz, with 4MB of L2 cache. Things don’t diverge significantly until we look at the system memory. Again, both systems have 8GB of RAM, but the PS4 uses the speedier GDDR5 memory that can stream data at 5,500MHz, while Xbox One’s DDR3 RAM tops out at 2,133MHz.

That translates into a huge difference in the amount of memory each system can move at any one time. That gives the PlayStation 4 a clear edge in raw computing power – but it’s not as simple as that. Microsoft specifically designed Xbox One to offload computation into the fabled cloud.

“There are a growing number of transistors in the cloud that you can move the [computational] loads onto,” Microsoft software expert Boyd Multerer said in during an Xbox One panel. “I think it’s an inflection point. So — over time — your box gets more powerful. We move loads into the cloud to free up resources on the box.”

The idea is that Microsoft will continually get better at handling certain kinds of computations (artificial intelligence, for example) on its servers. This will open up One’s local hardware so it can process more detailed visuals and other kinds of data.

That’s the plan, anyhow. It is up to game developers to follow through with that.

Meanwhile, Sony’s Gaikai cloud service might be able to do the same thing, but it looks like it is attempting to unload entire game demos into the cloud rather than piecemeal portions each title.

In the end, these two machines are a pair of powerful PC-based gaming rigs that should produce high-quality graphics.

Gaming or multimedia features

If PlayStation 4 is a slightly more powerful Xbox One — or Xbox One is a slightly slower PlayStation 4 — then what separates these devices?

The answer to that question is features: software, social capabilities, and more. These two companies presented varying takes on what a gaming console is. In fact, Microsoft made a big stride toward leaving behind the notion that Xbox is a gaming brand.

According to Microsoft, Xbox One is an all-in-one multimedia powerhouse. It will control your TV and your sports. It will connect you with your family with 1080p Skype calls. The software company is using its core competency, Windows, to flesh out Xbox One’s features. It wants to do everything you consider entertainment — and while that might include games, it also includes a whole slate of other things as well.

To power all of this, Xbox One uses a “touch of windows,” as VentureBeat gadget guy Devindra Hardawar puts it, to quickly switch between live TV, applications, and games. The result is a speedy operating system that didn’t hesitate to immediately gratify the onstage presenter’s every need during Microsoft’s event.

Sony, on the other hand, focused the PlayStation 4 on games. Likewise, nearly all of its features attempt to improve the playing experience. Right at the top of that list is a new Share button on the DualShock 4 controller.

This is the company’s one-step solution to broadcasting livestreams of gameplay to websites like Ustream. It also enables players to send brag clips to friends and to social media sites like Twitter.

All of that doesn’t mean Sony won’t have a vast multimedia strategy for PlayStation 4, but it’s clear it thinks the key to success — at least at first — is through the heart of its core gaming audience.

The many unknowns

Then we have the controversies. If one thing set apart the PlayStation 4 announcement from the Xbox One announcement, it was that Sony was able to avoid upsetting fans while Microsoft inadvertently threw some rocks at a monster closet full of angry gamers.

Right now, we don’t know how Microsoft’s new console will handle used games. We don’t know the details of its online requirement. The company says the Xbox One requires the Internet, but it won’t detail what that means. It says it is designing the system to allow trade-in games, but it won’t tell us what that means, either.

On all of these hot-button issues, Microsoft first gave a confusing swarm of contradictory answers before falling back on one company line: “All policy decisions are still being finalized.”

Sony is better off, but not by much. Following its February event, the company stated that PS4 doesn’t require a constant Internet connection. The used games issue is far more muddled.

Sony worldwide studio head Shuhei Yoshida told Eurogamer that “used games can play on PS4.” When pressed on the issue, however, Sony told Game Informer: “We are just now announcing the basic vision and strategy for PS4, and we’ll have more information to share regarding used games later this year.”

That is a very ominous response. How hard is it to share a vision where all used games work all of the time? For Microsoft and Sony, apparently it is very difficult.

These unknowns are only a problem for now. It’s possible both companies will fully explain everything and we will happily greet the answers — or we’ll have something very specific to complain about.

So, who’s winning?

This is a pretty silly question. It depends on who you ask and what you want from a big box that sits alongside your television. Gamers are clearly excited with Sony’s laser-focused vision on core gaming experiences. Microsoft seems equally confident that it can conquer the world with nothing but Call of Duty: Ghosts (a multiplatform game) and some video functionality.

That might appeal to an audience outside of core gamer circles. But ask Nintendo how that strategy works out in the end.

Filed under: Games

Happy Cloud announces $4.25M funding round and new chief executive

Jeffrey Grubb — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:03:52 +0000

Before you can play in the cloud, you must first break the cloud — or at least build up a solid infrastructure to utilize it.

That’s the specialty of Happy Cloud, a cloud-gaming firm that today announced the closure of a $4.25 million funding round. Avalon Ventures led the latest investment along with Jesselson Capital and Shaman Ventures. Happy Cloud’s funding total is now at $7 million.

The company also introduced Tamir Buchler, an e-commerce veteran, as its new chief executive officer.

“Happy Cloud adds unparalleled value to the gaming ecosystem by eliminating barriers to entry and giving users what they want,” Buchler noted. “By offering free on-demand access to the best high-end games, we can bring new gamers on board, increase conversions and keep gamers engaged. Happy Cloud is a scalable solution that can effect change in the same way iTunes and Netflix have transformed media consumption by offering seamless, instant access.”

Happy Cloud provides server-based distribution to PC, console, and Android game publishers. It will use this latest infusion of cash to expand its games-on-demand service.

“We are excited to have Tamir Buchler on board,” said Michael Jesselson of Jesselson Capital. “He has strong leadership skills and has a proven track record of driving revenue growth for consumer-facing platforms.”

Filed under: Cloud, Deals, Games

Deal with it: Xbox One requires an Internet connection

Jeffrey Grubb — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:13:03 +0000

Microsoft’s next-generation console, Xbox One, won’t function if you don’t connect it to the Internet.

Following Microsoft’s big reveal event today, the company posted a series of answers to questions that many people were asking. The first issue the company addressed is the console’s Internet requirement.

“No, [Xbox One] does not have to be always connected, but Xbox One does require a connection to the Internet,” reads the FAQ. “We’re designing Xbox One to be your all-in-one entertainment system that is connected to the cloud and always ready. We are also designing it so you can play games and watch Blu-ray movies and live TV if you lose your connection.”

The wording of that answer is broad but telling. Xbox One can lose its online connection, but it requires one to function. They are “designing” it so you can still play your games if you lose your connection — something that the Xbox 360 is already capable of.

The FAQ goes on to say that the Internet requirement enables Xbox One to access the cloud to make games better.

“The cloud makes every experience better and more accessible,” the FAQ continues. “Because Xbox One is powered by the cloud, your games have more power available to create new gameplay, persistent worlds, and deeper experiences. Your games and entertainment are stored and saved in the cloud, so you can access them anytime from any Xbox One. Start a game, movie, or TV show on one console and finish exactly where you left off on another.”

We’ve repeatedly contacted Microsoft and asked its executives to clarify if this means Xbox One needs a connection to start single-player games.

“We cannot go into these specifics as we haven’t made any announcements about that yet,” a Microsoft spokesperson told me.

Immediately following the Xbox One event, Spike TV’s Geoff Keighley asked Microsoft’s Xbox president Don Mattrick if the system requires an “always-on” connection for single-player games.

“No, you don’t always have to be connected,” Mattrick told Keighley. “But for a lot of things, like multiplayer gaming and for streaming content from the Internet, you’re going to need an Internet connection. That’s the world we live in.”

Keighley accepted this answer saying: “So gamers can calm down?”

“Gamers can calm down,” said Mattrick. “We got you covered.”

Only Mattrick was very careful in his wording. He emphasized “always” in his response, which suggests an Internet connection is necessary to run a single-player game, but the game will still work if that connection is lost temporarily.

Kotaku seemed to confirm that today when reporting that Microsoft corporate vice president Phil Harrison said that Xbox One requires players to connect once every 24 hours in order to function.

We asked Microsoft about that, and again, the company told us that its hasn’t announced any specifics, so we don’t know if that is true or what would happen after that 24-hour period.

And that’s the problem. Microsoft isn’t telling us anything. It thinks it can control the message about its exciting new box, but it’s left us worried and confused.

Finally, we asked Microsoft about the 30 percent of Xbox 360 owners who haven’t connected their devices to the Internet, according to a study by industry tracking firm IDC.

“The vast majority of our Xbox 360 owners have Internet in their homes, and we’ve built this platform to take advantage of the tremendous benefits of a connected device,” a spokesperson told us.

Or — in the words of a former Xbox employee — deal with it.

Filed under: Games

Your Xbox Live Arcade games don’t work on Xbox One

Jeffrey Grubb — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:37:53 +0000

Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One console today. It’s a next-gen multimedia hub that will play games, TV, and movies in one seamless experience. Xbox Live, the Xbox name, and your Gamertag will all transition to the new hardware, but you’re going to have to leave some things behind … like Super Meat Boy.

The company confirmed today that the Xbox One isn’t backward compatible with the 360. That means the Xbox 360 games you own won’t work on the new device, but it also means that those digital Xbox Live Arcade games you purchased won’t migrate to the next system.

@JeffGrubb Xbox One was built to play an entirely new generation of games, it is not backwards compatible. xbx.lv/XBOFAQ ^JD—
Xbox Support (@XboxSupport1) May 21, 2013

Those digital goods are forever stuck in the Xbox 360 ecosystem unless Microsoft and other publishers make an effort to port the old games to the new hardware. In fact, Microsoft is doing away with the separate Xbox Marketplace channels on Xbox One.

“As the Xbox Live ecosystem continues to grow, the wide assortment of digital games offered through Xbox Live Indie Games, Xbox Live Arcade, and On Demand channels have evolved to one convenient destination for downloading games [on Xbox One],” a Microsoft spokesperson told GamesBeat. “Gamers are better able to discover titles, enabling them to find the games that best fit their needs and play styles. Additionally, Xbox One keeps track of your preferences and helps you discover new games with a smart recommendation system. We will continue to maintain the separate Xbox Live game channels on Xbox 360.”

Xbox One uses a PC architecture that is very different from the 360. In order to add support for those games, Microsoft would have to include 360 hardware inside every Xbox One. That would increase the price on a unit that already includes a console, a controller, and a Kinect motion camera.

Filed under: Games

Xbox One trailer roundup: See the system, games, and more

Jeffrey Grubb — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:59:38 +0000

This morning, Microsoft presented Xbox One to the world. It’s an all-in-one entertainment device that plays games, television, and more.

As part of today’s event, we have a ton of new trailers, including a first look at the system and next-gen Xbox games. Below you’ll find the first look at the console, its features, and its specs. We also have the first look at next-gen games like Call of Duty: Ghosts, Forza Motorsport 5, and Madden NFL 25.

For more information about today’s announcements, check our Xbox One hub page or our roundup of all available Xbox One information.

Now, go ahead and gorge on the Xbox One’s visual delights:

Xbox One unveil

Xbox One features

Xbox One specs

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Forza Motorsport 5

EA Sports Ignite games

Quantum Break

Steven Spielberg — Halo: The Television Series

Filed under: Games

Microsoft: ‘No fee to install’ borrowed games (updated)

Jeffrey Grubb — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:21:08 +0000

Updated at 4:24 p.m. Pacific with Major Nelson’s comment.

Microsoft is contradicting itself about how used games will work on the newly announced Xbox One console. A company executive is saying one thing and the official Xbox Support account on Twitter is claiming the exact opposite. Things are messy right now.

We asked Microsoft directly what it plans for used games on Xbox One. A company spokesperson parroted an answer that is currently available on the Xbox One frequently asked questions page on Xbox.com.

“We are designing the Xbox One to enable customers to trade in and resell games,” a Microsoft spokesperson told GamesBeat. “We’ll have more details to share later.”

Following the Xbox One presentation, tech website Wired posted a story in which a Microsoft representative claims gamers have to pay a fee to activate used games on a second account.

Now, the Xbox Support account on Twitter is telling gamers that “there is no fee to install” games.

@PaulMitchell80 Great question! Again, there is no fee to install the game. Your friend will not pay a fee. ^BA—
Xbox Support (1-5) (@XboxSupport) May 21, 2013

The support team specifically cited an example where a friend borrows a hard copy of a game. That friend will not have to pay a fee, according to Microsoft.

A fee of some sort is still in the cards, according to Microsoft corporate vice president Phil Harrison.

“You can purchase a game in two ways,” Harrison told Eurogamer. “You can purchase it from a retail store or you can download it. So the act of putting the bits on the hard drive — the Xbox One doesn’t really know or care what method the bits got into the machine. If it was from a disc or downloaded from Xbox Live, but obviously the users will then have to purchase that content.”

This suggests that every user will have to purchase a license to play any game, which is then installed on the Xbox One’s hard drive.

“What I think people are now confusing is the purchasing of content in the first instance with the ability to trade and resell the previously played games,” said Harrison. “We have a solution for that and we will be announcing exactly how that works in due course.”

The aforementioned Xbox Support account on Twitter said that Harrison is wrong in his characterization of the “fee.”

@Daramanz That information is not accurate at this time. Sorry for any confusion. ^BA—
Xbox Support (1-5) (@XboxSupport) May 21, 2013

If you’re confused now, don’t feel bad — we all are.

Microsoft spokesperson Major Nelson later tried to clarify the situation on his blog:

We know there is some confusion around used games on Xbox One, and [we] wanted to provide a bit of clarification on exactly what we’ve confirmed today. While there have been many potential scenarios discussed, today we have only confirmed that we designed Xbox One to enable our customers to trade in and resell games at retail.

Beyond that, we have not confirmed any specific scenarios.

Another piece of clarification around playing games at a friend’s house — should you choose to play your game at your friend’s house, there is no fee to play that game while you are signed in to your profile.

Major Nelson is apparently walking back just about everything Harrison and Xbox Support said today. He wouldn’t confirm that you could avoid paying a few if you borrow a game from a friend.

The issue here is that the license for each game is seemingly tied to a single Xbox Live account. How that license will transfer beyond that is still up in the air, and it’s something that Microsoft needs to reveal in detail.

Electronic Arts recently ended its Online Pass program, which charged gamers $10 to activate certain features in used games. It’s possible that move relates to whatever designs Microsoft has in store for the second-hand market.

Filed under: Games

Everything you need to know about the Xbox One (so far)

Jeffrey Grubb — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:47:10 +0000

The mad scientists at Microsoft have finished building their next-gen creation and finally unveiled it to the world today. It’s a multimedia powerhouse that is ready to go head-to-head with Sony’s PlayStation 4. The Internet is buzzing with a confusing mess of details, so we decided to gather together everything we know about the Xbox One and post it below.

We cover everything in this post, but you can get expanded coverage on everything from our Xbox One hub page here.

The basics

The Xbox One is Microsoft’s all-in-one living-room device. In fact, Microsoft confirmed it called the new system “Xbox One” because it is supposed to be the one device people will need for their entertainment. That means video games are just one small piece of its capabilities.

Basic info:

Price: Microsoft didn’t specify
Release: “Later this year”
No backward compatibility
Requires Kinect
Single-player games don’t require an always-online connection
Used games will work but may require a fee
Xbox Live is back
Gamertags will transfer
Friend-list limit raised to 1,000

Questions we still have:

What happens to Xbox Live Arcade purchases?
Do used games work?
Is there a fee for used games?
How much is that fee, and what does it get us?

We’re working to answer all of these questions, and we’ll post the answers here as we find them.

Technical capabilities

Microsoft’s Xbox uses an accelerated processing unit, or APU, from AMD that combines the CPU and GPU on a single chip for increased performance. This is nearly identical to what the PS4 is running.

Xbox technical specifications:

64-bit architecture
8GB of RAM
USB 3.0
5 billion transistors
Blu-ray disc drive
500 GB hard drive
HDMI Out/In
Ethernet and Wi-Fi

You can read our detailed breakdown of Xbox One’s capabilities in our story that goes under the hood here.

The controller

Over the last seven years, the Xbox 360 controller slowly became an industry standard for console shooters. That standard will continue with some minor tweaks and improvements.

Here are list of features for the new controller:

Fundamentally the same as the Xbox 360 controller
Deep groves on thumb sticks
Impulse triggers
Wi-Fi radio
“Precision” direction pad
Integrated battery compartment

This is a natural evolution of the last controller. It’s not as packed with features as Nintendo or Sony’s gamepads (both of those have touch inputs), but it should please anyone who is used to Microsoft’s design.

The new Kinect

Along with the Xbox One, Microsoft is also introducing a next-generation Kinect motion sensor. The new console will require this new device to operate. That means this 3D camera and microphone is almost certainly included with every console.

The new Kinect’s features:

1080p camera
Wide-view lens
Skype support
Can sense rotation of wrist and shoulder
Detects weight distribution
Capability to read heart-beat rate

Kinect is also a central part of Microsoft’s media experience. Xbox One owners can command the Xbox to switch from games to a movie instantly with their voice. Hand gestures will also enable people to pinch and zoom multiple apps that are all running simultaneously on the Xbox One.

Xbox Live

Xbox Live will continue on Xbox One. Microsoft confirmed that your Xbox Live accounts will transfer to the new system. If you have Xbox Gold on Xbox 360, then you already have the service on Xbox One as well.

Likewise, player achievements and gamerscore will transfer to the new system.

The company also confirmed on Twitter that it is upping the friend limit from a measly 100 to 1,000.

The multimedia features

Microsoft spent much of its presentation focusing on how the Xbox One integrates with television and movies. The company obviously wants to own entertainment delivery in the living room.

With the Xbox One, TV viewers can use their voice to turn their systems on. From there, they can change the channel by saying “Watch SyFy,” and the Xbox One will tune to SyFy. It does this by connecting a cable or satellite box into the One through HDMI In.

These features also integrates with unique viewing experiences from the NFL and a new Halo television series exclusive to Xbox Live.

The Games: Call of Duty: Ghosts

Microsoft didn’t reveal a ton of new games. This event definitely positioned the Xbox One as something more than a gaming console. Despite that, we did get a look at a few new games.

Here are the confirmed titles for Xbox One:

Microsoft and other publishers will show more games at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June. Except announcements from Ubisoft and more.

Filed under: Games

Xbox One does not have Xbox 360 backward compatibility

Jeffrey Grubb — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:16:12 +0000

For more on the Xbox One reveal, check out our complete coverage.

Microsoft revealed its next-gen Xbox One today, and we are discovering new details about the powerful device.

After the event, Microsoft corporate vice president of Xbox Live Marc Whitten told The Verge that the Xbox One will not work with Xbox 360 games. It will support 450 original Xbox games through emulation.

We’ve contacted Microsoft to ask if it plans to sell Xbox 360 games through a digital store and what will happen to digital purchases including Xbox Live Arcade games. The company has not yet responded to our request, but we will update with any new information.

Sony’s PlayStation 4 has almost the identical problem. Like the Xbox One, it is using a new architecture compared to its predecessor that prevents PlayStation 3 games, including PlayStation Network titles, from working on the next-gen console.

Filed under: Games

EA Sports announces Madden, FIFA, UFC, and NBA games for Xbox One

Jeffrey Grubb — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:46:35 +0000

Microsoft announced the Xbox One and the first games it confirmed for the new system were four titles from EA Sports.

Electronic Arts sports division revealed FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, NBA Live 14, and UFC are all in the works for the Xbox One. The publisher is using a new graphics engine, called Ignite, that EA claims will bring in a new sense of realism.

“Today marks the beginning of a broad strategic partnership between EA and Microsoft,” EA Sports executive vice president Andrew Wilson said. “We share a common vision with Microsoft that games should be intelligent, dynamic, connected, rich with emotion, and — most importantly — fun.”

Wilson went on to promise that all four games will fundamentally change the way people play.

“Ignite was designed specifically to blur the line between real and virtual, ” he said. “Sports are just as much about your head as they are about your feet or hands. We built new technology that allows players to make decisions with four times more calculations per second.”

The increased graphics power of the Xbox One helps EA Sports show more of the playing field at any one time. This should give players more context during the game or match.

EA went on to show a sizzler reel of its four announced games. It didn’t have much gameplay, but the animation is smooth. We’ve included a gallery below:

For more, check out of complete coverage of the Xbox One reveal and our livestream and liveblog.

Filed under: Games

Meet the new Xbox One controller

Jeffrey Grubb — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:15:11 +0000

The Xbox One is real. Microsoft’s next-generation system also has a new controller that looks very familiar.

Xbox One comes with a dual-analog gamepad that has nearly an identical layout to the Xbox 360 joystick. That makes a lot of sense, since many consider that controller as the industry standard.

“The Xbox One controller is updated with over 40 design innovations,” Xbox Live vice president Marc Whitten said. “It features updated ergonomics and an integrated battery compartment that just fits better for gamers of all ages.”

Xbox One’s controller is actually slightly different in its shell and edges. It has sharper angles in its design, and the thumb-sticks have a deep groove. Finally, the direction pad is now a plus rather than the hated circular pad from the 360.

For more on the Xbox One, check out our complete coverage or our liveblog and livestream.

Filed under: Games

Nintendo issues another patch for Wii U

Jeffrey Grubb — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:15:59 +0000

While Sony and Microsoft are battling for next-gen buzz, Nintendo is working on improving its “next gen” Wii U.

The Japanese publisher released an update for the Wii U today. It is a minor patch of the April update that improved performance and loading times. System update 3.01, according to Nintendo, will make the Wii U system more stable. Nintendo also notes that it will improve “compatibility with certain software.”

As usual, Nintendo warns users that this update could take an hour or more to download and install. Unplugging or powering down the console in that time could brick the system — so don’t do that.

Nintendo’s Wii U is struggling to find an audience, but the company is hoping to turn that around starting with the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo in early June. At that trade show, the publisher will start detailing the new Smash Bros., a fresh 3D Mario, and an updated Mario Kart for its latest home console. Those important titles should help the console sell to core Nintendo fans.

Filed under: Games

Skullgirls getting arcade port in Japan

Jeffrey Grubb — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:38:52 +0000

Fighting games are a strong niche. Nothing exemplifies the dedication of that audience like 2D brawler Skullgirls. That title raised a gigantic sum through crowdfunding to pay for the development of its downloadable characters. Now, developer Lab Zero Games is creating an arcade version of Skullgirls for the core Japanese market.

A Japanese arcade release document reveals that Skullgirls will invade gaming parlors in that country later this year. Skullgirls lead developer Peter Bartholow confirmed the arcade version on gaming message board NeoGAF.

“We are stupidly excited for this just because I can’t think of a single other non-Japanese dev that can say they have a game out in Japanese arcades,” wrote Bartholow. “[We see this] more as a marketing opportunity for the property and other versions than something [we] intend to make a lot of money on.”

Bartholow says the arcade cabinet is due out “as soon as possible.” It will receive the new characters, which his team is working on right now, through network updates.

“We’re still working a lot of this stuff out,” he said. ” We’re not doing the port ourselves — a Japanese developer is.”

Bartholow could not confirm which developer is handing the port.

Skullgirls is an Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network (and soon PC) title that pits a cast of two-dimensional female fighters against one another. In March, Lab Zero raised over $800,000 to continue development on the expansion characters for the title through crowdfunding site IndieGoGo. It was the fastest-funded game-related project in the history of that platform.

Filed under: Games

U.S. version of Animal Crossing: New Leaf has Twitter and Tumblr support

Jeffrey Grubb — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:04:28 +0000

Nintendo’s social-media strategy is strange. On the Wii U, the company has the Miiverse, where gamers can discuss certain titles and franchises. The 3DS is still without that social network, but two of its games can send images to Twitter and Tumblr using a Japanese web app.

This app doesn’t have an English-language equivalent, but that doesn’t prevent it from functioning with the North American 3DS. I’ve already used it to send a few Animal Crossing screenshots to Twitter and Tumblr, and it works very well. In fact, the public can test it out now.

From you 3DS web browser, go to i.nintendo.net. It’s all in Japanese, so if you don’t read that language, you’ll have to kinda follow the image prompts to sign in with your Twitter or Tumblr accounts. From that point, you can select any image from your 3DS camera folder to send to those websites.

The result will look like this:

This is how I #GoRedWings #AnimalCrossing http://t.co/aQ6SBi1S9A—
Jeff Grubb (@JeffGrubb) May 18, 2013

We’ve contacted Nintendo to ask if it will update the service in English in time for Animal Crossing: New Leaf’s release June 9, and we will update this post with its comment.

This Nintendo service can only share images stored in the 3DS folder. That means pictures you take with your 3DS and games that support in-game screenshots. So far, only Animal Crossing and life-simulator Tomadachi Collection support that functionality.

We’ll have a full review of Animal Crossing: New Leaf for the 3DS on June 4.

Filed under: Games

New Star Wars Rebels animated series is better for gaming than The Clone Wars cartoon

Jeffrey Grubb — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:54:26 +0000

The Disney era of Star Wars is moving forward at point-five past lightspeed. Episode VII is due out in 2015, a standalone film will follow in 2016, and Electronic Arts is working on a few new games — and now we are learning the details of the new animated series from Lucasfilm Animation.

Walt Disney revealed today that The Clone Wars studio is developing a new series set between the events of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope called Star Wars Rebels. A one-hour special broadcast will premiere on Disney Channel in the fall of 2014 followed by a full series on Disney XD.

In a video interview, executive producer Dave Filoni confirmed his studio will work in the visual language of the classic trilogy and from the beloved concept art of the late Ralph McQuarrie, who designed much of the Star Wars universe.

Rebels provides Disney and Electronic Arts with an opportunity to recapture an older audience while simultaneously delighting young fans that loved the previous animated show. That is something The Clone Wars struggled with.

Disney was smart to bring the Star Wars television universe under its full control. Star Wars: The Clone Wars on Cartoon Network was one of the most successful shows on that channel. It also produced a number of merchandising opportunities that included toys, books, and — of course — video games.

Since 2008, LucasArts released four games based on The Clone Wars:

Star Wars: The Clone Wars — Lightsaber Duels for the Wii
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — Jedi Alliance for DS
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — Republic Heroes for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PC, PS2, DS, PSP
Clone Wars Adventures for PC and Mac

Those titles all targeted a young audience who consider The Clone Wars the premier Star Wars property. That could change with Star Wars Rebels.

Rebels is specifically abandoning the characters and style of the prequel trilogy. A return to X-wings and the Rebellion against the Empire should endear this new series to older Star Wars fans — that, in turn, should help improve the quality of the games.

The problem with The Clone Wars was that LucasArts knew it was producing products for a young crowd. That led to limited budgets because, for some reason, publishers believe children are less discerning.

The return to the classic trilogy means, potentially, a bigger audience that includes 20- to 40-year-old core gamers looking for a Star Wars fix. The question now is how Disney and Electronic Arts plans to tackle licensed Rebels games.

EA holds the exclusive rights to produce Star Wars games on consoles and PC. The publisher already revealed that its Battlefield developer DICE and Dead Space studio Visceral are working on Star Wars titles. It’s likely that at least one of those games will end up as a tie-in for the 2015 Episode VII film, but that leaves the other one open to any number of possibilities.

An exclusive agreement like the one EA made to secure the Star Wars license costs big bucks. To maximize its returns, the publisher is probably looking for low-risk opportunities. A Star Wars Rebels adaptation is a safe a bet because of its aforementioned potential appeal to older fans — but also because of its source material and the tie-in marketing with the show.

That’s a cocktail that The Clone Wars didn’t have, and one that could lead to better games for young and old fans of the sci-fi franchise.

Filed under: Games

Sony shows off fuzzy PlayStation 4 console in teaser video

Jeffrey Grubb — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:32:32 +0000

In February, Sony Computer Entertainment revealed its PlayStation 4 video game console — only it didn’t reveal the actual hardware. Now, the publisher is teasing the system’s design in a new video where it promises to finally lift the curtain at the Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show in early June.

Sony’s PlayStation YouTube channel just launched the following video which shows a fuzzy black monolith intercut with less fuzzy images that show the PlayStation logo, some exhaust vents, and the number “4.”

Sony will present its E3 event on June 10 at 6 p.m. Pacific time. At that point, we will likely see the PlayStation 4 in the flesh along with some new games and features.

As for the hardware, it’s impossible to make any final judgments about the aesthetic design from this video, but the teaser images sure do look like a gaming console.

GamesBeat is attending the June 10 press event, and we’ll have more information and images at that time.

Filed under: Games

Call in sick: Plants vs. Zombies Adventures is out now

Jeffrey Grubb — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:09:02 +0000

Developer PopCap is a master of delightfully colorful and deviously addictive games, and it just launched its newest title on Facebook.

Plants vs. Zombies Adventures is available to play now on Facebook. It is a free-to-play social game that combines the tower-defense elements of the original title with some new town-building mechanics — and I just spent 20 minutes playing it instead of writing this post.

This is PopCap’s second Plants vs. Zombies game. The developer launched the original in 2009 for PC. It later released it on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, Nintendo DS, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, Mac, and more.

PopCap is also working on a separate Plants vs. Zombies 2: It’s About Time that will more closely follow the mechanics of the original game. The studio plans to release that game in June.

Filed under: Games, Social

Nintendo promises to ‘discuss’ new Smash Bros., 3D Mario, and Mario Kart before E3

Jeffrey Grubb — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:42:03 +0000

The Nintendo Wii U is struggling. The Xbox 360 continues to outsell it every month and some third-party publishers have already decided to halt development of new games for the device in favor of the new Microsoft and Sony hardware.

Nintendo, as usual, still has its big first-party games to rely on, and that’s what it plans to do this E3. In a tweet on Friday, the company revealed that it will discuss the new Super Smash Bros., 3D Mario, and Mario Kart games for Wii U during its next Nintendo Direct livestreaming presentation.

https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/335416341957844992

Nintendo will air that episode before the start of the Electronic Entertainment Expo trade show in Los Angeles in early June. It is forgoing a major press event in favor of this direct-to-consumer approach. The company also plans to bring some of its games to Best Buy retail locations this summer around the country so that consumers can try the titles.

The Wii U continues to suffer a dearth of new games. Many of Nintendo’s planned “launch-window titles,” like Pikmin 3, still haven’t made it to consumers.

Filed under: Games