Gaming News - Page 1854

Microsoft's next-generation console is not only long overdue, but has been rumored for a while now that it be unveiled at E3 2012. But, now we have the product logo in a trailer for Hugh Jackman's upcoming sci-fi robot fighting movie, Real Steel. The Xbox 720 logo is seen during a futuristic scene set in a sports arena, where it is a digital banner ad alongside other popular brands such as Cafillac, Budweiser and Coca Cola.

Microsoft has previously stated that the life-cycle of the current Xbox 360 would be 10 years, but we all know it needs to be much sooner than that. Considering that Real Steel takes place in 2020, it would make the next-generation console only five years old, and with a 10 year life-cycle, this would make sense. The fact that the logo is there at all, puts some validity to the rumors of not just a next-gen console from Microsoft, but to the name "Xbox 720".

I don't particular like the name, as it would seem as if it were held back to 1280x720p output, something like "Xbox Next" would be great. Ditch the numbers, but ditching the numbers would confuse the masses too... however, it has worked for Nintendo.

It was just yesterday I was posting about the negatively reviewed, RAGE from id Software, but today is another day and there are some things you can fix if you'd like to read below. RAGE suffers from tearing, massive texture pop-in, and just a total lack of graphical options to tweak and adjust. For the once great id Software to fall to their knees for some of that console pie... it's just very, sad.

But, if you've picked up the title and want to get things running smoother, there are some things you can do. First of all, if you're an AMD Radeon user, you can grab the latest RAGE-optimized Radeon drivers here. If you're an NVIDIA user, you can grab the green team Battlefield 3 driver (which also optimizes RAGE) if you click here.

There is no developer console by default, but if you'd like one... right click on RAGE in your library on Steam, click properties and select the launch options, then add "+set com_allowconsole 1" in the box. Note: This will take away your ability to gain achievements. Then, by pressing the tilde key like usual, the console can be launched. From the console you can then type "listcvars" or "listcmds" to see everything you're able to tweak.

Valve did promise to release free downloadable content for Portal 2 and have followed through with that promise today by releasing the new gear for Portal 2 across all platforms, PC, Mac, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The new DLC is called "Peer Review" and continues the co-op story as players navigate P-Body and Atlas through a fresh set of test chambers, which would have been constructed by the ever-so-evil AI, GLaDOS. The DLC also contains a single-player and co-op "Challenge Mode", as well as leaderboards to compare Challenge Mode scores with your friends.

There were a fair amount of complains with how short the campaign was in Portal 2, but this update (as well as future DLC) should help the community continue their fanboy love for Valve and Portal. Despite the complaints about the length of the game, the user score on Metacritic has actually improved over the last few months and the game has reportedly sold over two million copies. The fresh DLC is readily available and is free of charged on all supported platforms, even the PS3 and Xbox 360.

On top of the free DLC, Valve have also sliced Portal 2's price in half with a single copy of Portal 2 now available for just $14.99 and two-pack for just $27.49. A bundle pack of Portal 1 and 2 is going for a crazy $17.49, so if you haven't gotten yourself into Portal, now is a great time to do so!

NVIDIA are set to host the upcoming GeForce LAN 6 Gaming Event which will have a few celebrities included, such as NVIDIA CEO and can-of-whoop-ass-tattoo man himself, Jen-Hsun Huang as well as Battlefield 3's Lead Designer and Visual Architect, Johan Andersson who will be at GeForce LAN 6 to talk about the "making of" Battlefield 3. There will be plenty of contests, workshops and other goodies for attendees.

GeForce LAN 6 will be held between October 14 - 16, 2011 on the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet, in Alameda, California and will feature 48 hours of non-stop PC gaming, fun contests, amazing prizes and special stage presentations. For those who can't make it, NVIDIA will post video footage from the event on GeForceLAN.com.

NVIDIA CEO, Jen-Hsun Huang will open the even on Friday, October 14th at 6:00pm PT, providing an inside perspective on the exciting future of PC gaming. Andersson on the other hand, will share rare, behind-the-scenes info on the making of Battlefield 3. Throughout the event, gaming and technology companies will showcase their latest gear, and host insightful workshops to help gamers gear up their rigs for the ultimate gaming experience.

Four years of hype, all gone in a single day. Most reviews have not been that great for id Software's latest FPS offering, with reviews mixed at best. Most agree that Rage fails to deliver the goods, with most reviews saying its a shallow, corridor shooter with gaping craters in its story, dialog, quests and mechanics. Ars Technica does not hold back saying Rage is "creatively and mechanically bankrupt, it feels like a group of people had to create a game because they were under contract, not because they honestly enjoyed any aspect of their own creation".

Joystiq is just as harsh, being quoted:

RAGE is pretty at times, but it's not enough to paint over the truth -- that id's labor feels like a scaffolding for a game of bolder ideas, ideas which, for whatever reason, aren't realized. And the game that is there just isn't enough to compete with other, better shooters we've seen this year.

Battlelog is currently experiencing a love/hate relationship with gamers - some love it, some hate it. But the below trailer shows that there's more to Battlelog than just a server browser and front end. Battlelog expands on the franchise's history of stats tracking, combining it with new social networking features that look like they're ripped right out of Facebook. Another major benefit of Battlelog is that its free, absolutely free. Where the competition (Call of Duty) charges a monthly charge to use the "Elite" service.

Battlelog displays so many options its hard to list them all here, but stand-out displays show different stats on weapons, accuracy, awards, time spent on weapons, win/loss ratios, you're able to comment on games after you've played them (great feature!) which makes Battlelog a serious addition to the Battlefield 3 universe. Battlelog can be used on not only the PC, but consoles and even mobile devices.

Leaderboards can also be looked at, and you can option it so your leaderboard only shows your friends - so you can see who really rules the Battlefield. DICE have supplied the tools to expand the franchise itself, and keep users constantly trying to out-do each other.

A leaked e-mail from PayPal employees of all places reveals that Microsoft is planning to launch the new Xbox dashboard come November 15. November 15 marks the 10-year anniversary since the original Xbox launched back in 2001. The memo asks PayPal employees to test the new dashboard ahead of the Nov 15 launch. I bet you're wondering why PayPal employees are being selected for testing. Remember Microsoft added PayPal payment options in Xbox Live back in May, allowing users to buy Gold memberships, games and Microsoft Points using PayPal.

Previous dashboard updates went live in November in previous years (2008 and 2010), which would make this rumor quite the possibility. Also coinciding with the 10-year anniversary really makes this diamond in the rough another strong possibility. The planned update is set to allow users to browser content faster and use the Kinect motion-sensing device to navigate and interfact with the dashboard. The growing library of content is pushing the update which indicates that Microsoft is committed to the user experience on the Xbox 360.

New features are set to include game invites that don't expire as well as Bing integration. Visually, the new layout mimics the look of the Windows Phone 7 UI, the same interface that Windows 8 will sport. Microsoft has also confirmed Xbox Live integration in Windows 8, but has been scarce with more details.

For those who pre-ordered Battlefield 3, you (like me) have enjoyed the beta for a couple of days now. But, if you have yet to have pre-ordered and would like to try-before-you-buy, well now is your chance. Battlefield 3's multiplayer beta is now open to all, on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. There is no registration requirement, you just download the beta from Xbox Live, PSN or if you're on the PC, EA's Origin service.

The beta features the map, Operation Metro, and features the game type, Rush where one team must attack two M-Com stations while a defending team tries to prevent them. The map features 4 full unlocked areas that allow up to 32 players to duke it out at once. It clocks it at around 3.9GB for the PC version. The beta lasts for just a week and a half, ending on October 10. You'll have to sit in a pool of your own tears afterwards, right up until the games full release on October 25 in the US and October 28 in Europe.

Before you download it, you might want to download some new graphics drivers too. AMD users, click here. NVIDIA users, you'll need this link.

I don't understand the point of this, and it crosses some very questionable lines for Activision, but to steal Battlefield 3's thunder; it requires thinking outside the square. Activision have teamed up with Pepsi and have announced a promotion called "Rank Up XP". What Rank Up XP offers is, whatever Pepsi products you buy, Mountain Dew and Doritos, players can redeem codes found in the packaging for Double XP time in Modern Warfare 3. A 20 oz gets you 15 minutes whilst a 12 pack gets you 45, and so on.

No, I'm not kidding around. The problem with this is, the XP in Call of Duty is a form of currency. Currency in the game buys you weapons, perks, attackments, killstreaks and so on. For a game that is already over-priced, a re-hash of the older titles, no new graphics engine or technologies built in, charging for the "Elite" service, on top of your monthly Xbox Live membership (PSN is free), this is just a step in the direction of overboard.

Activision are willing to exploit fans even [more] through this promotion. Considering that Activision sold $360,000,000 worth of copies in 24 hours of the last COD title... do they really need to cash in with this type of exploitation? What do you think?

L.A. Noire has enjoyed much success on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, but now PC gamers will be able to get their hands dirty in the 1940s-based crime drama adventure game. L.A. Noire is headed to PCs in November with US gamers being able to grab it on November 8 and it's released in Europe on November 11, for $49.99. No word on the Mac edition yet, but Mac-based users will be able to access the game via OnLive.

It's received a name change also, now dubbed L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition, the package includes all of the downloadable content previously released on consoles. It also includes support for NVIDIA's 3D Vision and will be controllable with either a mouse and keyboard, or a gamepad. System requirement wise, it's not too bad:

· Operating System: Windows 7 / Windows Vista Service Pack 1 / Windows XP Service Pack 3 / OnLive for PC or Mac