Gaming - Page 950

Square Enix today dropped a huge wave of Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age screenshots, showing off twenty-one different scenes in full HD.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age isn't just a full HD remastering of the original PS2 classic, but also features the Zodiac Job System, which was previously exclusive to Japan. This system brings 12 new jobs for players to customize their characters and teams with, offering a new dimension of combat.

The 2006 RPG has been spruced up for modern PS4 consoles, featuring fully remastered 1080p visuals and soundtrack, support for 7.1 surround-sound, drastically improved loading times, new in-game modes, and more. The game may also hit 1080p 60FPS performance to boot.

Gaming console news headlines are being dominated by Microsoft's upcoming Project Scorpio console, but that doesn't mean that Sony isn't getting some love - with news that The Surge has gone gold, and that it'll run at higher framerates and resolutions on the PS4 Pro.

The Surge will have PS4 Pro enhancements that let gamers choose between dynamic 4K 30FPS, or performance mode with 1080p 60FPS, something that will arrive with a launch day update. HDR abilities will be added post-launch in a follow-up patch. On the normal PS4, The Surge will run at 1080p, while the Xbox One will handle the game at 900p.

What is The Surge? The developer explains: "The Surge is a game with an unusually honest approach to its design. Although it unapologetically uses Dark Souls as its primary source of inspiration, The Surge is filled with an array of new features that build upon an impressive foundation. If it can keep the impressive atmosphere, brutal combat and intriguing inventory manageable, The Surge might make an admiral series in its own right".

EA affirms that Star Wars: Battlefront 2 will deliver everything fans have been asking for since the original game, but what about server browsers on PC?

Battlefront 2 looks to be larger than life--certainly larger than its predecessor--with a ton of promises, including a new class system, an overhauled progression system, tons of new maps across three eras, a multitude of heroes that've all been balanced properly, 20 vs 20 ground-based battles, offline co-op/split-screen, galactic interstellar combat, and a fully-fledged singleplayer campaign. Now we can confirm that Battlefront 2 will feature dedicated servers...but don't hold out much hope on a server browser on PC.

After being asked if Battlefront 2 would be P2P-based without dedicated servers and server browsers on PC, DICE's Dennis Brannvall confirmed dedicated servers are in. "We have dedicated servers [in Battlefront 2], like always," Brannvall said.

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 will have a fully fleshed-out singleplayer campaign that takes players to the Dark Side of the Force, showing what the fall of the Galactic Empire was like for Imperial soldiers.

EA affirms that Battlefront 2's campaign story will be everything fans have wanted. The story appears to be a dynamic interweaving tale that spans the 30 years from Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, and centers around Iden Versio, an Imperial Commander who witnessed the fall of the Empire and helped rebuild the pieces to make The First Order.

The story itself was made by EA's Motive studio, and Spec Ops: The Line's Walt Williams as well as ex-IGN editor Mitch Dyer have penned the plot. EA promises Battlefront 2's story will be "emotionally gripping" and feature "revenge, betrayal, and redemption."

Microsoft has tailor-made the entirety of its new 4K ready Project Scorpio console, from its highly customized hardware components like the Scorpio Engine silicon, to the software pipeline and toolsets that enable efficient game performance scaling--everything has been custom-fit in the best way possible. All the resources are synergized, and nothing is wasted--not even power. Now the company reveals how its achieved this efficiency, and it all stems from the foundation of all systems: the motherboard.

Project Scorpio's tight power efficiency is achieved thanks to the Hovis Method, a digital power delivery system infused onto the console's motherboard that fine-tunes each console's voltage. Every single chip is a little bit different, and Microsoft knows that no two Project Scorpio SoCs will be exactly the same; different chips and mass-produced parts can result in different power draws across the board, which can disrupt the system's delicate balance. The Hovis Method was employed to custom-tune each system's power settings so that there's no power wasted, and no extra heat (this gives us a very big clue that Project Scorpio will indeed be quite small).

"To maximize performance and minimize power consumption, Project Scorpio uses the Hovis Method, a cutting edge digital power delivery system that custom tunes each console's voltage," Microsoft says.

I fully expect EA to offer early access trials for all of its big-name games, and Battlefront 2 is the latest: EA and Origin Access subscribers will get to try DICE's new Battlefront shooter eight days before its release.

Battlefront 2 is scheduled to launch November 17, 2017 on all platforms, but EA Access subscribers on Xbox One and Origin Access members on PC actually get to try it as early as November 8, 2017. Naturally PS4 owners are locked out of the deal since Sony has barred EA Access from its console. EA hasn't confirmed how beefy the First Access Trial will be, but we expect it to be similar to Mass Effect: Andromeda's by offering a set amount of playtime. No info on a public or closed beta test has been revealed, but expect that info at EA Play in June.

"Try Star Wars Battlefront II starting November 9 when you join EA Access on Xbox One or Origin Access on PC. Your progress carries over to the full game if you decide to buy," EA confirmed. So we should have to download the full game for the trial just like with Mass Effect: Andromeda to ensure our data carries over. We don't know how big Battlefront 2 is just yet, but the PSN listing says "minimum 50GB of save data," so that could be the base install size.

EA today announced Battlefront 2, revealing tons of details including an "emotionally gripping" campaign that connects the original trilogy to the expanded universe, full-on galactic space combat, and tons of new heroes and maps across all three of the franchise's eras.

We've collected an array of new Battlefront 2 screenshots from across the net, and can confirm that Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones' Kamino planet will be one of the in-game maps, and Jango Fett should be one of the un-announced new heroes.

Here's what we know about Battlefront 2 so far:

EA's new Battlefront 2 sequel will retain the original game's 20 vs 20 multiplayer mode, this time with galactic in-space dogfighting.

While DICE and EA have yet to reveal specific details about Battlefront 2's 40-player mode, including which maps and vehicles will be featured, we should see the mode transcend across all three Star Wars eras--prequel Clone Wars timeline, original trilogy, and the expanded universe--with battles from each specific era.

UPDATE: The official Microsoft Store listing for Battlefront 2 says the game has "in-app purchases," strongly hinting the game will have microtransactions as I predicted.

DICE today confirmed that Battlefront 2 won't have a season pass, and EA has "something different in mind" to keep gamers playing longer without fragmenting the community. Does that mean microtransactions are coming?

Publishers like EA and Ubisoft have very typical business models when it comes to online-based multiplayer games: strategic releases of paid DLC content to engage the community, and microtransactions to ensure recurrent player spending keeps things profitable. If a game doesn't go with paid DLC or season passes, it usually goes with microtransactions instead. EA has no stranger to "MTX" (microtransactions), and makes a huge portion of its money through in-game purchases in games like FIFA and Madden.

Electronic Arts today revealed Battlefront 2's official reveal trailer as part of the Star Wars: Celebration, showing off story elements and multiplayer teasers.

As we reported in our original coverage, Battlefront 2 will feature a multitude of eras and heroes across "all three eras" of the Star Wars timeline: prequel, classic universe, and expanded universe.

The game's main campaign, however, will be told through the eyes of an Imperial special forces commander named Iden Versio, and takes place in the expanded universe. The story itself takes place 30 years between the end of Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and Episode VII: The Force Awakens, and players will "avenge the Emperor" and rebuild the Galactic Empire, possibly forming the first seeds of Episode VII's The First Order.

Nintendo has confirmed its new Switch console-hybrid system has sold 906,000 units in the United States, culminating an estimated sales earnings of $271.8 million and smashing new sales milestones. But what about total global Switch sales? Analysts predict the Switch has not only met Nintendo's original target, but exceeded it by 300,000 units.

Before the Switch launched, Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima affirmed the company expects to sell at least 2 million consoles across the globe in March alone. According to Ace Research Institute analyst Hideki Yasuda, total worldwide Switch sales should be around 2.3 million units sold. If this data is accurate, Nintendo exceeded its target by 15%, or 300,000 Switch consoles.

Read Also: Nintendo Switch Review - The future of gaming

Nintendo's new Switch console-handheld hybrid system has smashes even more sales records, and the Japanese console-maker now recognizes the Switch as the fastest-selling console in Nintendo's history.

Nintendo has confirmed that its new transforming console sold and impressive 906,000 units in the United States in March. This data means Nintendo has earned $271.8 million on Switch consoles from the U.S. alone in a one-month period! These sales figures propel the Switch as the best-selling console for launch month sales in the United States, and total global sales are predicted to be well north of Nintendo's original 2 million Switch sales target.

Zelda: Breath of the Wild also saw record-smashing sales across both Wii U and the Switch, and is now recognized as the fastest-selling Zelda game of all time in a one-month period in the United States, with a total of 1.3 million copies sold. Interestingly enough, Nintendo sold more copies of Breath of the Wild's Switch port than it sold actual Nintendo Switch consoles! This means the Switch's attach rate exceeds 100%, which is a massive feat to say the least.

Guerrilla Games built one of the best-looking PS4 games with Horizon Zero Dawn, with the graphics earning the praise of The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog.

Naughty Dog's Creative Director, Neil Druckmann, said that Horizon Zero Dawn has set a new bar for graphics on the PS4 and PS4 Pro. Druckmann said it wasn't just the visuals in Horizon Zero Dawn, but the open-world that Guerrilla created, and he hopes to beat the visuals in Naughty Dog's upcoming The Last of Us Part II.

Druckmann said: "The graphics are staggering. I don't even think of it as graphics because I'm in the woods. I'm in this overgrown environment, and I'm like, "How are they getting so much foliage, such density in an open-world game. You better believe I'm going to my team, and I'm saying like, "Okay. This is the bar now. It's awesome. We're super excited for you guys, we know how hard you worked on this game".

Hey Nintendo...it's time to release a JoyCon with a full D-pad.

I really like my Nintendo Switch console, but I've recognized a glaring problem with its left JoyCon controller: the split D-pad. I absolutely understand the reason why the D-pad is split (so you can detach the controllers, hand one to a friend, and play games with anyone on-the-go), but it's time to sell a JoyCon variant with a full D-pad. The lack of a simple D-pad restricts what kinds of games that not only show up on the Nintendo Switch, but those that can be played comfortably in handheld mode.

But right now, Nintendo can get away with its JoyCon sticks; even the four NeoGeo fighting games typically use analog-stick style gamepads, unlike traditional fighting games that use D-pads, so it's not a problem.

AMD might've accidentally confirmed one of Microsoft's biggest E3 reveals: Halo 3 on PC.

According to AllGamesDelta, AMD briefly showed an image from Halo 3 at its Ryzen 5 event in Korea. We've found this exact image on Google, and it's indeed Halo 3...however it appears to be a wallpaper mock-up and possibly not an official image.

SEGA's highly anticipated Yakuza Kiwami HD remake will release in the west on August 29, 2017 exclusively on Sony's PlayStation 4 console.

Yakuza Kiwami is a built-from-scratch remake of the first Yakuza game that launched on PS2 some 12 years ago. SEGA has painstakingly upgraded the old-school original to modern day graphics and performance on PS4, and Yakuza Kiwami features all new HD assets, exclusive Japanese voice over audio re-recorded by the original game's cast, and a massive overhaul to in-game performance to hit 1080p 60FPS on PS4.

SEGA will release digital and physical versions of Yakuza Kiwami for $29.99, and a limited run of pre-orders will be upgraded to a special SteelBook case with commemorative artwork. Check below for the full press release straight from SEGA.

In a not-so-surprising move, Microsoft officially confirms that its new 4K-ready Project Scorpio console will be unveiled at E3 2017.

We've suspected for a while that Project Scorpio would be showcased at E3 2017, and Microsoft has hinted it left and right, but it's still great to get an actual confirmation. Xbox division head Phil Spencer declares that Microsoft will showcase Project Scorpio's finalized console form, price point, and an array of native 4K HDR games during the company's E3 2017 media briefing on Sunday, June 11 starting at 2PM PST/ 5PM EST.

"I'm proud of the progress made with Project Scorpio and what it will mean for the creators who fuel the passion of gamers around the world," Spencer writes on an Xbox Wire post. "On behalf of everyone at Team Xbox, thank you for your continued passion and support. We're excited to unveil Project Scorpio and the amazing game experiences it powers at E3 this June."

Nintendo today confirmed that it won't be making any more NES Mini consoles in 2017, and once the system is sold out, retailers won't get any new shipments.

The NES Classic Edition (aka NES Mini) first hit store shelves November 11, 2016, and Nintendo has officially ceased yearly production of the limited edition console after just six months of availability. I have to wonder if Nintendo made this decision due to the rampant piracy surrounding the console, as gamers have successfully hacked their mini NES consoles to fully expand a massive library of games that weren't originally on the system.

"Throughout April, NOA territories will receive the last shipments of Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition systems for this year," a Nintendo rep told Polygon. "We encourage anyone interested in obtaining this system to check with retail outlets regarding availability. We understand that it has been difficult for many consumers to find a system, and for that we apologize. We have paid close attention to consumer feedback, and we greatly appreciate the incredible level of consumer interest and support for this product."

Nintendo and Sega showcase new Sonic Forces and Sonic Mania footage in yesterday's Nintendo Direct.

The Sonic Forces footage showed some interesting tidbits, revealing two different timelines: a dystopian modern world on the verge of destruction by Eggman's monstrous robots, and the stylish and colorful classic world we know and love. The Modern Sonic portions of the game are action-based 3D sequences, whereas the Classic Sonic section heralds to the old-school platformer we grew up with on the Sega Genesis. Both Modern and Classic Sonics will team up to fight Eggman in the Modern world.

Also...who is that "mysterious new ally"? Many speculate it could be Bubsy...but it surely couldn't be. Right?

Bandai Namco today teased a brand new project, showing a cryptic animated teaser clip and an altered version of a slogan we all know and love.

The clip itself is an "original animation inspired by a new title in development at Bandai Namco Entertainment," and isn't an actual cinematic sequence from the game itself. Based on the slogan "Prepare to Dine," it's possible that From Software has something to do with the game. Perhaps this is an early teaser for the hugely anticipated Bloodborne 2? The game has a very interesting post-apocalyptic modern setting, so if it is a From Software game, it'll be interesting to see them mix modern tech with their distinct fantasy lore.

"BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. invites players to whet their appetite and #PrepareToDine with a quick taste of an upcoming title set for an official announcement on April 20, 2017," a Bandai Namco PR rep told us.