Gaming - Page 1150

Rockstar is reportedly preparing to re-release Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for the Microsoft Xbox 360 soon, according to Xbox Achievements. The Xbox 360 version is no longer available to download, while the Sony PlayStation 3 version is still available.

October 26 is the 10-year anniversary of when GTA: San Andreas was released, so now would be a fitting time for a game re-launch. The game was originally released in October 2004 for the Sony PlayStation 2, and was later released for the Microsoft Xbox, PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows phones.

Meanwhile, Grand Theft Auto V will be released for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 next month, with a PC version set for a January 2015 release.

Sunset Overdrive hits the Xbox One as an exclusive to Microsoft's console on October 28, but days before its release, the developer behind the game has started talking about why they changed from running the game at 1080p, to 900p.

The downshift in resolution allowed the developer to have more on-screen action, as 1080p would've seen a reduction in on-screen mayhem as the frame rate would obviously drop. Creative Director with Insomniac Games, Marcus Smith, said: "Why would you want less action on screen? That's insanity. 900p works perfect for us. We spent a lot of time comparing and contrasting. We had it running at 1080p, we'd play it; we had it running at 900p, we'd play it and they didn't look considerably different. But the things that you could draw on screen were a lot more, and we wanted to draw a lot more on screen. More action, more better. Michael Bay would be very proud".

Another game where the 'next-gen' consoles, this time an Xbox One exclusive, is running the previous generation specs: 900p (or so) at 30FPS. I would've preferred to have heard they dropped to 720p and enabled AA, but bumping the frame rate up to a solid 60FPS.

Peripheral maker Satechi launched its Edge Wireless Gaming Mouse, designed for high-speed gaming along with traditional PC activities. The mouse supports 800, 1600, 2400 and 4000 DPI, with a 250Hz or 500Hz speed of transmission rate, and has four assigned LED colors depending on the DPI in use. The mouse is powered by two AA batteries and will automatically switch to sleep mode after five minutes of inactivity, with an estimated 36 months before batteries need to be changed.

Satechi also included a "Gaming Mode," powered by clicking the "Turbo Button," so users only have to click once instead of needing to double-click while gaming. The Satechi Edge Wireless Gaming Mouse has a $19.99 MSRP.

The gaming peripheral market has yielded countless products for PC gamers, though many of the wireless products are relatively expensive.

Ubisoft is now detailing its season pass for Far Cry 4, something that will cost $20 when the game launches next month. Far Cry 4's DLC will include an exclusive launch-day mission, a new PvP multiplayer mode, five missions with Hurk, and more. For $30, you'll receive:

It was only back in March that we reported there was a "beta" of Grand Theft Auto V floating around for the PC, fooling unsuspecting gamers into its phishing arms. Well, we're back again with another supposed beta for the game, this time, for the remastered version.

Rockstar Games, the developer behind GTA, has said on its "no beta" page (something that has been up since May 2013) "Please note: There is no pre-release 'beta' test for Grand Theft Auto V. If you see ads or solicitations to join a beta program, beware as this is likely some type of online phishing scam".

The re-release of Grand Theft Auto V will reach the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on November 18, with the PC version delayed a couple of months, with a release date of January 27, 2015. Grand Theft Auto Online will be included with GTA V on the PS4, Xbox One and PC when it launches, something that supports 30 players at once.

From Software's Bloodborne reportedly looks graphically stunning, serving as a Sony PlayStation 4 game console exclusive. When released to gamers, Bloodborne will reportedly run at 1080p/30fps, and will be released in North America on February 6, 2015.

"The way it looks; just off the charts to me," said Scott Rohde, PlayStation software product development head at Sony Worldwide Studios America. "It has, I've said this before... there's a certain, like, wetness to that game. I don't know what other word to use. It just feels like everything is dripping and oozing with whatever it is - it's water, it's blood, it's whatever it is; and it just looks gorgeous."

If Sony is so impressed with Bloodborne, it's possible it will be promoted during the PlayStation Experience event in December, especially as Sony prepares to promote some of its 2015 game title lineup.

It appears HBO GO will hit the Microsoft Xbox One in the near future, as pictures recently surfaced of the app being used on the Xbox One game console. It's an important step forward to HBO, which is moving away from just partnerships with cable and satellite providers, including plans to launch a standalone online streaming service in 2015.

Microsoft and Sony both are relying on apps and connected entertainment to keep console owners engaged - as content providers want to give consumers access to streaming TV episodes and movies on numerous devices. Earlier in the year, Microsoft announced 45 different entertainment apps will be introduced for the Xbox One, which will bring the total to more than 225 apps once they are all introduced.

Two US ad agency interns are creating quite the stir with their idea of throwing up a new crowdfunding campaign for Half-Life 3. The duo is looking for a total of $150,000 which they think will help push Valve over the edge and "get Valve to finish the game we've dreamed about for all these years".

The $150,000 won't be used to help Valve in any way, but it will instead be used for a massive marketing campaign targeted against Valve, and its employees, shouting from the rooftops: "WE WANT HALF-LIFE 3". At the time of writing, the campaign was a little short of its $150,000 target, with just $942 raised. The theory behind the campaign is that "we think that the fans aren't doing enough, we think that we've never truly been united in getting our voice heard". As for the tiered goal system, we have:

So it sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen, and even if Valve wanted to show off Half-Life 3, it's not going to be from a public-funded whinge campaign. What do you think about all of this?

Microsoft is positioning itself to launch the new Halo: Master Chief Collection on November 11 for its Xbox One console, and even though the game arrives on a Blu-ray jam-packed with 45GB of content, you'll still need a massive 20GB day-one download to get it working.

What comes in that wave of 20GB? Microsoft says "features and multiplayer content" for the game. The company explains: "From the start, our philosophy has been to give Halo fans the best possible experience and not compromise the quality or features of the collection. The result is that Halo: The Master Chief Collection will take up almost all of the usable space of a single Blu-ray (45 GB), and we will also issue a content update at launch that is estimated to be 20 GB".

Microsoft continued: "You'll be able to start playing Campaign and more as the content is installing, with some features and multiplayer content being added via the update. Yes, the update is large, but we weren't about to cut corners to save disc space. This ensures that you are getting every bit of Halo goodness we can fit in. Our work is not done, however, as we continue to tune, tweak and optimize the online experience to ensure a smooth multiplayer launch. This will continue right up until launch day".

Countless people were counting the days before Project Cars was released, which was meant to be before the end of the year, but the developer has delayed the game to March 17, 2015 in the US. Europeans will receive the game three days later on March 20, 2015.

The delay applies to the PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of the game, pushing it from its original release date of November 18, 2014. Slighty Mad Studios, the developer behind the game, and its publisher Bandai Namco said the reason behind the day was to shift it away from the crowded fall 2014 release window, providing them with more time to pump into development. Slightly Mad Studios' boss, Ian Bell, explained "Whilst a tough decision to make, the change in release date allows the game the greatest chance of success and visibility, and the opportunity to polish the game even further to the high standards that both ourselves and our community demand and expect".

Considering we have some big titles like Far Cry 4, Assassin's Creed: Unity and many more coming out in the next couple of months, along with games that have already been released like Alien: Isolation, Destiny, and more, this decision could be very beneficial to the game. That doesn't stop me from being disappointed to hear about yet another game being delayed, which feels like it's happened quite often in the last 1-2 years.

The Sony PlayStation 4 continued to dominate the North American console gaming market, outselling the Microsoft Xbox One in September. The PS4 has racked up nine consecutive months over the Xbox One, but Microsoft hopes its gaming bundles will help draw more interest leading into Christmas.

Console hardware sales increase 200 percent year-over-year, with prices dropping as the console battle continues to heat up.

Meanwhile, video game software struggled in September, even with the release of Activision's Destiny. It's worth noting that last October saw the release of Grand Theft Auto 5, which became an instant hit. Madden 15, Fifa 15, Super Smash Bros. and Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor rounded out the top five game titles in the month. Software sales were down 35 percent year-over-year, but digital video games delivered over the Internet were up 8.6 percent, up to $873 million.

Sony has shown off some new updates that are set to enter the PlayStation 4, with the PS4 interface itself being updated in a 2.0 system update. Part of the new update includes the ability of a USB Media Player, something that should be welcomed with warm arms.

Gamers can't transfer music to the PS4, but they'll be able to play MP3, MP4, M4A and 3GP files from a USB stick inserted into the PlayStation 4, as background music while they game. Sony is also amplifying the social interaction on the PS4, which will now suggest "players you may know", recommending PS4 users that your friends frequently game with. On top of that, if purchasing themes isn't something you're into, the new PS4 2.0 update will allow you to customize the background color of the PS4 interface.

The new update will also provide a feature to add a game to your library, instead of forcing you through the steps of cancelling that unwanted download. Continuously expanding gaming libraries will be easier to manage with the PS4 2.0 update, with improved filters to organize your game collection. The PS4's live broadcasting tool is also being reworked, providing gamers with more control for following broadcasts, searching for specific games, as well as archiving sessions.

The return of Killer Instinct has been well received, with Killer Instinct Season 2 nearly here. Iron Galaxy has teased the new lineup of Season 2, showing off a series of silhouettes.

Xbox Wire is reporting that Microsoft will introduce the new characters, where we can expect an "ancient Babylonian sorcerer, an avenging ghost, a battle-hardened war golem" and more. The entire cast from Season 1 is also being rebalanced, will learn new moves and some characters will also receive enhanced aerial combos.

Iron Galaxy will also be making some bigger changes to the game itself, something that will include a radical rehaul of the UI, progression system, and graphics. Killer Instinct Season 1 was running at 720p, but Season 2 will be running at 900p. Season 2 kicks off tomorrow, with two new playable characters: TJ Combo and Maya.

Ubisoft had a few of its staff visit a school to explain their work, with some truly interesting things revealed about the company who thinks 60FPS 'looks weird'. Someone asked the Ubisoft employees "what the hell happened with Watch Dogs", to which the Ubisoft employee, who was the 'Online Programmer' said that just before they release a game, they have to send a copy to console manufacturers, who tell them what to keep in the game, and what to take out.

But it gets better: the Game Architect said that they always try to aim for 60FPS, but due to "limitations", they have been settling at 30FPS for their latest games. He continued, saying that console makers are pressuring them into doing the same thing on PC. The Game Architect continued, saying that Ubisoft reuses as much code as possible, which could explain the similarities between a few of their games.

Someone else asked if the company was "aware of the negative responses of the recent decision to lock your games into 30FPS. If so, what do you think about that?". The Game Architect said that on consoles, and especially for something like Assassin's Creed: Unity, they have to choose between graphic fidelity and smoothness. 'timois', who made the thread on Reddit, said that "he implied that MS is making them lock the framerate on PC too".

Life for the older gaming consoles can be tough, but not in the sense they'll be used as containers to smuggle drugs. Older consoles were used as containers for smuggling cocaine, with four men arrested for allegedly smuggling thousands of grams of cocaine since Microsoft's first gaming console.

According to the investigation report, a pack of 1100 grams of cocaine worth over $100,000 was stashed inside an Xbox 360, and sent to a house in Reading, Pennsylvania. As investigations progressed, the police followed a vehicle where the suspects arrived in their home at Hancock Boulevard, with police raiding both houses after getting a search warrant, where they found a large amount of cocaine and even Xbox consoles, accessories and other parts.

The items are as follows:

It appears an Australian retailer has published details of the Microsoft Xbox One Assassin's Creed Unity bundle, which could be announced in the near future. Retailing for around $650 for the Australian market, the bundle includes a black 500GB Xbox One unit, Kinect, Assassin's Creed Unity and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. The bundle without a Kinect will cost around $521 but include the same console and games.

Microsoft hopes its gaming bundles will help draw interest from gamers ahead of the 2014 Christmas holiday shopping season - an important time for the company desperate to try to catch up to the Sony PlayStation 4. The company recently announced its Halo: The Master Chief bundle, but it won't be available to U.S. gamers, however.

A video of Firefly Online was spotted in YouTube which was showing off its 3D environment engine. The game is designed by Spark Plug Games, and the sneak peak shows a one-minute video of the derelict ship's environment.

The video doesn't show much, except a lot of running around an abandoned ship, but it does give a good look of the game, and the progress the designs have made so far. Firefly is an MMO where the series' cast will be present in the game. According to Andy Fore, the CEO of Quantum Mechanix Interactive who is the publisher for Firefly Online, this will not be a traditional MMO since Firefly wasn't a typical sci-fi show.

When you're a captain of a ship in the game, you will need to get crew members. The crew members are NPCs, but unlike typical NPCs, they have an independent control of their life, and have the ability to transfer to ships belonging to other captains, retaining memories, personality traits and even grudges. The relationship between the character and the NPC is based on loyalty. There isn't much information about the game's release, as the developer is being quiet, unlike other publishers. While it's too early to say if this game will be good, I am sure this will satisfy a lot of Firefly fans.

Oh, Ubisoft. The latest in a massive string of frame rate-related news, the Creative Director of Far Cry 4 has stepped forward to talk about Far Cry 4's frame rate on consoles. The upcoming adventure-based first-person shooter will be rendered at 1080p on the PS4, which is great and all, but it is locked at 30FPS, making it yet another Ubisoft title to be locked at the potato-powered frame rate. I'm sure that Ubisoft locked it at 30FPS, because we know that they think 60FPS "looks weird".

Alex Hutchinson, the Creative Director behind the game, replied to someone on Twitter who was asking "why not 1080p 60 fps", to which Hutchinson replied: "We'd have to simplify the art, have less people or events on screen or make other sacrifices". Someone else asked about the Xbox One version of the game, where Hutchinson said "We will announce all PC and console specs in crazy detail very soon: no point restricting it to Twitter. XBone looks great".

When it comes to the Xbox One version of Far Cry 4, versus the PlayStation 4 version, Hutchinson said he couldn't really tell a difference between the two. He said: "I would say identical but then some asshat would say a tree had one more leaf on xbone. So let's say I don't see a difference". It should be interesting to see what resolution Far Cry 4 is running at on the Xbox One, but judging from previous games on the PS4 running at 1080p, we should see Far Cry 4 on the Xbox One running at 900p, or possibly 1080p with some things dialed down to maintain that massive 30FPS frame rate.

Probably the strangest addition to a long-time team-player based first person shooter with a massive fan base, Valve has added a music-kit feature to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, where it replaces the in-game music with the listed music.

Once the music is equipped in-game for any scenario, you can share it with anyone and play in that particular selected action when it takes place. It also includes a feature where a special MVP anthem plays whenever you become the in-game MVP (Most Valuable Player). Scenarios include starting the round, planting bombs, diffusing bombs, shot dead and few more.

As of now, there are nine kits available via Steam market. One of these artists also made background music for games like Ghost Recon, Transformers: Age of Extinction, etc. Valve implemented this so that players can 'establish your identity', but I am sure a lot of people would like to see this feature let them choose the music that they want to play. In any case, some players seem to like this new addition. There have been few artists of these kits who have interacted with gamers as well in Reddit, and gamers can pitch in ideas or suggestions if they want to.

It's been a rollercoaster ride for Ubisoft over the last couple of months, starting with Ubisoft it wasn't going to port Assassin's Creed for Wii U, because it wasn't powerful enough unless they degrade the experience, which they do not intend to do.

Older reports have pointed out that Assassin's Creed Unity will be rendered at 900p with 30FPS lock for both Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Later, Ubisoft's World Level Design Director for Unity Nicolas Guerin stepped in, adding that the reason they didn't aim towards 60FPS was because it made the game look like a Hobbit's movie while 30 FPS can deliver 'cinematic' experience.

PC and PlayStation 4 gamers started expressing disappointment towards Ubisoft and their actions towards the gaming community. PlayStation 4 gamers were also not happy because despite having more horse power than Xbox One, their experience will not be better. As the result of the backlash of its previous comments, Ubisoft had to reply to extinguish the fire, or at least try. Through its company's blog post, communications manager Gary Steinman said that the company will not stifle the game experience, rather it will try to achieve its full potential.