Gaming - Page 1174

Capcom Vancouver's Dead Rising 3 will feature multiple endings, and post-game roaming according to producer Mike Jones. Jones told the Official Xbox Magazine UK the news, stating that Dead Rising 3 will take place over six days within the game world.

Decisions that players make in these six days will allow for more play as well as multiple, different endings. Jones added: "Previous Dead Risings would always have modes like the Overtime mode, where you get to discover the truth behind everything that's been going on. So there's not just the six days, we're going beyond that if you make the right story decisions. So it's not like choose-your-own-adventure crazy infinite endings, there's a finite amount, but they all [correspond to] meaningful story decisions that you make as you play through."

Dead Rising 3 is set for a holidays 2013 release on the Xbox One, which launches on November 22 in select countries.

Microsoft will release the Xbox One on November 22 to certain countries around the world, but before then the Redmond-based giant is going on an 'apology tour' in the hope of drumming up more sales for its next-gen console.

During a presentation at the GameStop Expo in Las Vegas to promote the Xbox One last week, Xbox Live programming director Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb took questions from the crowd for 30 uninterrupted minutes. This might not sound like a lot, but it's a refreshing take on dealing with consumers directly, instead of taking specific questions, or not answering the hard ones.

Microsoft didn't put on a huge show, there were no videos, huge demonstrations or celebrity appearances, just Major Nelson answering questions regarding Microsoft's next-gen console. Hryb said when asked about how Microsoft would win back customers: "Look, at Xbox, we really care about the community. We're very focused on what is right for gamers. Everybody at Xbox is a gamer. It's not like we just show up, do our work and go home. We want to make this the best game system that you are going to own for the next 10 years."

Nintendo isn't in the best position right now, facing low sales on its 'next-gen' Wii U console. But the Japanese company is about to face an entire new world of hurt once the next-gen consoles from Sony and Microsoft launch in the coming weeks and months.

Now we have Atari founder Nolan Bushnell rubbing salt in the wound during an interview with the BBC, saying that Nintendo was left in a "very difficult position" and could be on a "path to irrelevance." Games analysts are currently drawing parallels between the two companies, comparing the Atari Jaguar console from 1993, and the Nintendo Wii U.

He had quite a lot to say: "I don't think handheld game-only devices make sense anymore. Not when you have an iPod or an Android microtablet. When it comes to the console market, I think the market is truncating. Nintendo always had a soft spot for young people - they sort of did the 12-and-under pretty well, and the other guys did the 12-and-over. And now I think the other [consoles] are good enough on those things, and the rush to upgrade from the 12-and-under is not nearly as important."

Today, Microsoft announced the official release date for its upcoming Xbox One console. November 22 is the magical "day one" on which the next-gen console will hit retail shelves across the US and 13 other countries. It is unclear as to why Microsoft chose such a late date, and many thought that Redmond would launch before Sony launches the PS4 on November 15.

Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, UK, and the USA will all get the Xbox One on November 22. The rest of the world will see a slow roll out beginning in 2014, but no date has been given on which countries will get the console next. Have you pre-ordered an Xbox One,or will you be heading to the store on November 22 to fight the crowds? Let me know in the comments.

Microsoft is in the news today for at least half of the right reasons, where the Redmond-based software giant just acquired Nokia's Devices and Services Division. This news on the other hand, is all about its IllumiRoom technology.

It looks like the proof-of-concept technology won't be making it to the consumer market, as it has been deemed too expensive. The let down happened during Gamescom 2013, where Xbox One director of product planning Albert Penello said that he wouldn't expect gamers to see IllumiRoom. He said that it was awesome if you're in the lab and have Microsoft money to have it all setup, but this would cost thousands of dollars for the average consumer to set it up.

While it wouldn't sell in the millions, there would still be some high-end gamers that would kill for this technology. Kinect isn't really the expensive part either, it's mostly the investment that needs to be put into the projector setup. Boo.

Seriously Microsoft, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to sell the PlayStation 4, or are you trying to sell your own console? Because this latest news isn't helping you.

Microsoft spokesperson Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb has said that the Xbox One, at launch, will not support external storage. He was responding to a PAX Prime attendees question, where he explained that Microsoft plans to allow Xbox One users to use external HDDs if they need more space, but this feature will not be working at launch.

He said: "The Xbox One will ship with the 500 GB hard drive, all of them have that. The future plan is for definitely to support external storage much like we do on the Xbox 360. My understanding is that feature will not be there at launch, because the team is working on some other things, but it definitely is on the list. I don't know when it will come in though."

The always-listening Xbox One is already capable of this, but the PlayStation 4 will also be able to do voice commands through its PlayStation Camera. Sony confirmed the news, telling Polygon: "Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm that PlayStation Camera allows for voice recognition and we will look forward to sharing more details in the lead up to the launch of PlayStation 4 on November 29."

At GameStop Expo 2013, SCEA's group manager of retail training and advocacy, Sean Coleman, outlined the PS4's features, which included a quick overview of the PlayStation Camera's abilities. With YouTube user 'lex1020' with the video above, describing the camera as "From navigational voice commands to facial recognition, the PlayStation Camera adds incredible innovation to your gaming."

Coleman added: "When you add the PlayStation camera into the mix, the pair works together to expand upon system features and enhance your PlayStation 4 experience. The new stereoscopic lenses track your body movements in games or even recognize your face easier system navigation."

Sony announced during its PAX Prime 2013 panel a new division of the company dubbed Third-Party Production, which is a new division that will work on porting and localizing games for the PS4, PS3 and Vita.

The division was founded as a result of the Borderlands 2 port for the Vita, with former lead producer at LucasArts and executive producer on the now-defunct Star Wars 1313 coming on-board to run the operation. Most people will skip past this news, but this is a gigantic step for the Japanese giant. This means that we might see more games that don't come to US shores, released in the US and vica versa.

It also means that the portable gaming device, the PS Vita, will see more games released on it, which is definitely not a bad thing.

PAX PRIME 2013 - We got our first chance to take a look at the Omni Virtuix, a new virtual reality item designed to be used in conjunction with the Oculus Rift VR headset. Combining the two really takes you into the game and into another world. There are still a few bugs to be worked out, but the premise of the device is pretty awesome.

The system requires special shoes, or shoe attachments, a kinect sensor, sensors, and the Virtuix itself. Right now, your motion is just tracked as controller inputs, so you can theoretically map your walking to any key you want and type by walking. At $499, the system could be combined with the Oculus Rift and the entire VR set would set you back less than $1000. Could this get gamers into better shape?

This is something I might have skipped, because I didn't know about it until now. But the upcoming next-generation console from Sony is capable of auto-downloading your games after you've purchased them from another platform.

The capable platforms include the PS Vita or your smartphone, where after you've purchased a game using your smartphone for example, the PlayStation 4 will wake up and start downloading your game digitally. A very awesome feature. After the PS4 is finished downloading your game, it will go back to sleep.

This auto-downloading feature is great for those who might buy a game once they get to work, wanting to play it when they get home, so they can whip their smartphone out, make the purchase, knowing their PS4 has woken up from its slumber, downloaded the game and has it ready to go when they get home. Nice work, Sony.

Grand Theft Auto V is oh-so-close to being released, and during an exclusive look at the open-world game's soundtrack by Rolling Stone, Ivan Pavlovich, soundtrack supervisor, said that the soundtrack in GTA V is the biggest its done, with around "20 movies worth of score."

Pavlovich added: "We approached the radio stations as the musical soundscape [you experience] as you fly into L.A. One of the things we've never done in a GTA game before is a pop station; exploring that made so much sense in the context of L.A." GTA V's soundtrack is somewhat unique, too, as it's the first in the series to have its own score created by Rockstar.

EA has some hot property, there's no denying it, but going into the future they're going to be rotating its three main shooters, according to President of EA Labels, Frank Gibeau, during an interview with CVG.

These three shooters are Battlefield, Titanfall and Battlefront, but EA will be doing things a little differently from now. EA were alternating between its Battlefield and Medal of Honor franchises, but now that Medal of Honor is all but dead, the way EA are doing things will change. Back in January, EA were forced to state that it was "taking Medal of Honor out of rotation" for the forseeable future.

Gibeau told CVG: "The shooter rotation we think about now is Battlefield, Titanfall and Battlefront, and so we like those three brands going forward. We're working out how we're going to line that up because that's what you'll see from us."

Grand Theft Auto V is nearly here, but before the 720p (or lower) title reaches current generation consoles (can you hear my disappointment yet?) Rockstar Games has taken to its website to detail the Special and Collector's Editions of GTA V.

Both editions will include more weapons, outfits, custom characters and more. Both the Special and Collector's Edition will include the addition of the .50 Caliber Pistol, the Bullpup Shotgun and melee weapon, the Hammer. Buyers will also receive a 20% discount in GTA V's stores and an additional outfit for the three protagonists in GTA V.

The Collector's Edition is a little more special, including custom characters from Grand Theft Auto Online, as well as GTA IV's Niko Bellic, as well as Claud and Misty from GTA III. Collector's Edition buyers will also receive the CarbonRS sports bike and open frame 1930s style hotrod, the Hotknife.

We already know that Diablo III has been experimented with on consoles, but it looks like the upcoming expansion for the game, Reaper of Souls, could hit the consoles, too.

Diablo III will be released on consoles on September 3, but there are those who are wondering if the expansion will be released onto consoles, too. During an interview with Polygon, game director Josh Mosquiera teased that this might just happen. He said: "We've got Diablo 3 on PC, we released it and then a small team splintered off to work on Diablo for the current consoles. Now the team's really focused on Reaper of Souls for PC. So if you look at the past, you can probably infer what the future might bring."

One of the biggest releases of the year is nearly upon us: Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V. But, over the last couple of days, there has been some controversy over the open-world title about to break sales records.

Leaks of gameplay and story details made their way to the Internet, all from a file in the European PlayStation Store's digital pre-order download of the game, forcing Sony and Rockstar to both make announcements regarding the leak. PlayStation Social Media Manager, Sid Shuman, said that the pre-order file has since been removed, and has apologized to "Rockstar and GTA fans across the world who were exposed to the spoiler content."

Rockstar also made a statement, on a Rockstar Newswire post, where it was "deeply disappointed by leaks and spoilers being spread in advance of the game's launch. GTA5 represents years of hard work by many people across the world, and we all couldn't be more excited to finally share it with you properly this September 17."

Before the new year rings in, Sony's next-generation console, the PlayStation 4, will have seen 33 titles. These 33 games will be a mix of first- and third-party games, as well as these titles being a mix of physical and digital titles.

What about post-launch? Sony Worldwide Studios' president, Shuhei Yoshida, has said he's confident that the post-launch stall of last-generation consoles won't be repeated and that Sony is pushing for a developer-friendly approach this time around. Yoshida spoke with Polygon during Gamescom, pointing out that the indie community in particular is cranking along well, with a slew of original games and ports that will keep the PS4 library growing.

He said: "We started preparing for the Gamescom press conference after we finished E3, and at that point, we had no idea what we'd be able to announce from these smaller teams. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I was informed by our third party teams that this was the lineup of games we had prepared. I was like, 'Oh! That's amazing."

The Metro series of games has been popular for publisher Deep Silver, who has revealed that they will continue developing more games in the series. Deep Silver recently acquired the rights to Metro from THQ earlier in the year for $5.9 million.

During an interview with Joystiq, Deep Silver CEO, Dr. Klemens Kundratitz said: "I'm very glad we acquired that brand. While it launched in a very dry space in the gaming calendar this year, it still got a lot of attention. Our ambition is to absolutely continue with that brand."

Deep Silver will need to acquire the rights from Dmitry Glukhovsky, who wrote the series of Metro novels, in order to continue with a sequel to Metro: Last Light. Kundratitz said this shouldn't be too hard, as Glukhovsky is a huge fan of the games, and has enjoyed contributing to them. Kundratitz also added: "He has been very positive contributing to the last game. I think he can play an active role for whatever comes in the future."

According to ZeniMax Online Studios' general manager, Matt Firor, The Elder Scrolls Online will require a $14.99 monthly subscription fee. Firor added: "We'll talk about further discounts, etc. later, but for now, we are very happy to finally announce our model. It's very simple - you pay once per month after the first 30 days and the entire game is available to you."

Firor did say that ZeniMax would offer up discounts if gamers purchase multiple months at a time, and the developer will be supporting game time cards. The ZeniMax GM also said that the decision to require a "flat fee for continued, unlimited access" would allow the developer to remove "sacrifices" that other pricing models would've forced them to do. Firor continued:

If you've been waiting for the first expansion to Diablo III to drop, Gamescom 2013 is the time for the announcement. The first expansion for Diablo III has been dubbed "Reaper of Souls."

Reaper of Souls will introduce a bunch of new content, including a new act, a new character, two new games modes (Nephalem trials and Loot runs) and a continuation of Diablo III's story arc that goes deeper into Diablo's mythos. Reaper of Souls chronicles the twisted fate of Malthael, who is an Archangel who fell from his position as the Archangel of Wisdom from the Angiris Council, who is a powerful sect that rules the high heavens.

The new character in Reaper of Souls is the Crusader, which looks like a mix between Diablo II's Paladin and Diablo III's Barbarian classes. The Crusaders are heavily armed and have stacks of armor, and should come with some nifty abilities. The description of the Crusader states they will reap "heavy, heavy damage."

Crytek has announced a next-gen CryEngine, which is an evolution of their top-tier graphics engine. Crytek has taken this launch with a different attitude, offering commercial game licensees with up-to-date access to the latest features that CryEngine has to offer.

The new CryEngine has support for current and next generation platforms, including the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC and the most surprising of all: Nintendo's Wii U. This is a surprising move, considering EA won't be releasing any Frostbite-powered games on Nintendo's 'next-gen' console. Hopefully Wii U-based developers will jump onto using the new CryEngine, and fast.