Video Game News & Discussion 2009-2017

[Snowy_Stampede]

From EPN

[size=6]SingStar Coming to PlayStation 4[/size]

[quote]SCE London’s communal karaoke music series SingStar is coming to PlayStation 4 later this year, game director Chris Bruce announced today in a post on the PlayStation Blog.

Bruce also announced that a SingStar companion app for smartphones and tablet devices is also in the works and will be compatible with both PS3 and PS4 versions of the game. Little else is known about the app beyond that it will allow players to build personal playlists.

In addition to the PS4 version and companion app, London Studios is working on improvements to the social experience of Singstar by implementing ways to upload performances to Twitter or Facebook directly to the game.

The SingStar director promised “more details over the coming months” in future posts to the PlayStation Blog. The last entry in the series to grace North America was 2010′s SingStar Dance. SingStar: Back to the 80s launched exclusively in Europe in 2011. Both games were PS3-only.
[/quote]

[size=6]Fire Emblem’s Ike Joins Super Smash Bros.[/size]

Fire Emblem’s Ike has been confirmed as the latest character to join the Super Smash Bros. roster on 3DS and Wii U.

Series creator Masahiro Sakurai revealed the information in his latest Miiverse post. “Ike, the swordsman of magnificent strength, joins the battle. Strike down your foes with his powerful smash attack,” he wrote.

“For this game, Ike’s design is based on the hero that appears in Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn,” Sakurai added. “His sword deals heavy damage in Smash Bros., so this design suits him very well! Rest assured, he can use Aether as well.”

Super Smash Bros. is currently scheduled to release this summer on 3DS and in the winter for Wii U.

[celestial_being]

Hopefully new ssb will feature all prior franchise characters as well as these new ones. The roster in these games has always been fairly small so taking out characters hurts. That’s a big part of why I didn’t really adopt Brawl and reverted to Melee.

Though it doesn’t much matter as I have no access to the latest Nintendo consoles. Nintendo ought to see the light and put this on Steam

[Snowy_Stampede]

As stated I added an image of Ike under the SB headline.

[size=16]Star Wars: Attack Squadrons Canceled[/size]

spoiler

[quote]Area 52′s upcoming free-to-play 16-player space combat game Star Wars: Attack Squadrons has been canceled, the developer has announced.

The developer revealed the information on its official site, stating that development was being ceased so that the team could focus on “other Star Wars game experiences.” The dog fighting game was announced back in December and entered open beta in January. It was set to feature three modes (Free For All, Team Dogfight, and Base Defense) and offer players 100s of customization options for “iconic Star Wars ships.”

“We want to thank all of the fans who participated in the closed beta of Star Wars: Attack Squadrons,” the developer wrote. “After much consideration, we have decided to cease development so that we can focus on other

Star Wars game experiences. We truly appreciate the time you spent engaging in the beta.”
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[size=16]Warcraft Movie Wraps Production[/size]

spoiler

[quote]World of Warcraft movie adaptation director Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code) has announced that the final day of filming is now complete.

“Final day on Warcraft now officially… wrapped!! Off to bed for 3 hours before a meeting in the AM. Goodnight/good morning twitter,” he wrote on Twitter.

The film will focus on the origins of the conflict between humans and orcs, and is due to hit theaters on March 11, 2016. Originally the film was set to release on December 18, 2015, but was pushed back, presumably to avoid Star Wars: Episode VII.

The cast includes Ben Foster (3:10 to Yuma, X-Men: The Last Stand), Paula Patton (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol), and Dominic Cooper (Captain America: The First Avenger, Need for Speed).
[/quote]

[size=16]The Order: 1886 Delayed[/size]

spoiler

[quote]You’re going to have to wait to play one of the biggest games for the PS4.

Sony and developer Ready At Dawn have delayed The Order: 1886 until early 2015. The game was first announced last year when the PS4 was first unveiled, with a launch expected sometime this year. The team says they need more time to finish the game, and deliver the truly next-gen experience that they promised.

The Order: 1886 takes place in an alternate history version of Victorian London, with humans battling dangerous creatures that lurk in the dark. The gameplay is meant to blend seamlessly with the cutscenes, which means the characters and environments will maintain a constant cinematic quality while you’re playing. Ready At Dawn has released a new gameplay video (see above), and more new details on the game will be announced at E3 next month.[/quote]

[size=16]The Evil Within Delayed Until October[/size]

spoiler

[quote]Shinji Mikami and Tango Gameworks’ The Evil Within will no longer meet its original August release date, and will now launch in October, publisher Bethesda has announced.

The game was originally set to hit PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC on August 26, but will now be available from October 21 in North America and October 24 in Europe.

A statement from Bethesda reads: “Shinji Mikami and his team at Tango Gameworks have asked for additional time to further balance and refine the game in order to deliver the polished, terrifying pure survival horror experience they set out to create.”

To apologize for this delay, Bethesda has released a new trailer that features ordinary people being scared, terrified, and generally unnerved while playing the game.
[/quote]

[size=20]Lego Batman 3 Announced[/size]

spoiler

[quote]Batman and the rest of the DC heroes are heading into space in their next Lego game.

Warner Bros. and TT Games have announced Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. It’s coming to every major console along with the PC, making this the first next-gen Lego Batman adventure. It’ll be available this fall, and make sure you watch today’s episode of EP Daily, because we’ll be hearing from game director Arthur Parsons.

In LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, the Caped Crusader joins forces with the super heroes of the DC Comics Universe and blasts off to outer space to stop the evil Brainiac from destroying Earth. Using the power of the Lantern Rings, Brainiac shrinks worlds to add to his twisted collection of miniature cities from across the universe. Now the greatest super heroes and the most cunning villains must unite and journey to different Lantern Worlds to collect the Lantern Rings and stop Brainiac before it’s too late.

Players will unlock more than 150 unique characters from the DC Comics universe, including members of the Justice League and LEGO big figures such as Killer Croc, Solomon Grundy and many more. Fans of all ages will be able to control their favourite heroes and villains with new gadgets and abilities. Brainiac’s mind controlling abilities and the power of the Lantern rings bring unexpected twists to the classic characters’ personalities.
[/quote]

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham teaser trailer

[Snowy_Stampede]

From EPN

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/battlefield-hardline-officially-announced/[size=6]Battlefield Hardline Officially Announced[/size]

[quote]Following a pesky leak earlier today, EA has officially announced the next game in the Battlefield series.

It’s called Battlefield Hardline, and will take the action away from foreign wars and instead focus on the war on crime and the battle between cops and criminals at home. The developers hope this will take the franchise in a new direction, with plenty of twists and turns for both the single player and multiplayer.

Development is being handled by Visceral Games, the same studio behind the Dead Space series and one of the three upcoming Star Wars games from EA. This will be their first time working on a Battlefield game, and they’re getting backup support from series creator DICE.

Battlefield Hardline will deploy this fall. More details on the game will be announced at E3 on June 9.
[/quote]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/valves-steam-machine-and-controller-pushed-back-to-2015/[size=6]Steam Machine and Controller Delayed[/size]

[quote]In a recent post on the Steam Universe community page, Valve has revealed that its Steam Machine and controller are unlikely to make a 2014 release.

According to Valve’s Eric Hope, a wireless prototype of the controller is currently undergoing “live playtests, with everyone from industry professionals to die-hard gamers to casual gamers.” However, while the testing is generating “a ton of useful feedback,” it’s also keeping Valve pretty busy. “Realistically, we’re now looking at a release window of 2015, not 2014,” Hope said.

“Obviously we’re just as eager as you are to get a Steam Machine in your hands,” he added. “But our number one priority is making sure that when you do, you’ll be getting the best gaming experience possible. We hope you’ll be patient with us while we get there. Until then, we’ll continue to post updates as we have more stories to share.”

Whether this delay will also affect the 14 other companies who are working on Steam Machines of their own is unknown at this time.
[/quote]

[LadyOfWicca]

Newsflash: Microsoft announces Xbox One release date, price for Japan

Newsflash: Microsoft announces Xbox One release date, price for Japan

It’s official! The Sony PlayStation is coming to China

It's official! The Sony PlayStation is coming to China

[LadyOfWicca]

Samurai Warriors Hits The Horse Racing Track In Derby Warriors

*By Spencer . May 26, 2014 . 1:35am

Tecmo Koei sets up all kinds of Warriors collaborations in Japan like a 7 Up costume and a crossover with convenience store chain Lawson. So, Derby Warriors, a mashup of Samurai Warriors 4 with a horse racing game, really isn’t that strange, especially considering Tecmo Koei used to develop horse racing games like Championship Jockey.

Derby Warriors is a browser game where you pick a general and mow down enemies running at you. Yukimura Sanada, Nobunaga Oda, Oichi, and Shingen Takeda are immediately available as playable characters.

The Japan Racing Association worked with Tecmo Koei to create Derby Warriors as a promotion for the upcoming Japan Derby. Curious? You can play Derby Warriors right here: http://derbymuso.jp/*

(source: http://www.siliconera.com/2014/05/26/samurai-warriors-hits-horse-racing-track-derby-warriors/)

[Snowy_Stampede]

From EPN

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/pushmo-world-announced/[size=6]Pushmo World Announced for Wii U[/size]

[quote]The popular Pushmo puzzle series is jumping onto consoles for the first time.

Nintendo has announced Pushmo World, the first game in the series built for the Wii U. Like the original Pushmo and its sequel Crashmo for the 3DS, Pushmo World will once again see players pushing, pulling, and climbing blocks in order to solve puzzles. You’ll also be able to create your own puzzles using a set of built-in tools known as Pushmo Studio, and then share your creations with friends using an online hub known as World Pushmo Fair. New levels created by the developers will also be added over time.

Pushmo World will be available to download from the eShop on June 19, and set you back $10.
[/quote]

Video: http://youtu.be/EuU8-hTDBdg (audio in Japanese)

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/bethesda-announces-battlecry/[size=6]Bethesda Announces BattleCry[/size]

[quote]We’re all still waiting for Fallout 4, but Bethesda Softworks has something else to deliver in the meantime.

The publisher has announced a 32-person team combat game called BattleCry, the first project to come out their appropriately named subsidiary BattleCry Studios. Like the Fallout series, the new game takes place in an alternate timeline that branched off from our own in the 20th century, with the powerful empires of WWI still surviving after banning gunpowder. That means there won’t be any guns in the game, so the combat is instead based around visceral melee and sword combat.

BattleCry will land on the PC next year.[/quote]

BATTLECRY - Reveal Trailer (Content Warning)

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel – Handsome Jack Teaser

[quote]The latest trailer for 2K Australia and Gearbox Software’s upcoming Borderlands middle child revs up the first wave of half-sane Handsome Jack rants to come.

First announced just before PAX East 2014 last month, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, as the title in no unquestioning way communicates, is set before the events of Borderlands 2 and after the original Borderlands. Exiled on the Hyperion moon base orbiting Pandora, Handsome Jack employs Athena, Wilhelm, Nisha, and Claptrap. In the case of the very playable Claptrap, the game’s POV will be low-slung accordingly.

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel launches later this year on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.
[/quote]

[Snowy_Stampede]

From EPN:

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/quantum-break-will-launch-in-2015/[size=6]Quantum Break Will Launch in 2015[/size]

[quote]Don’t expect to play one of the biggest games for the Xbox One this year.

Remedy Entertainment has announced that Quantum Break will launch in 2015. They haven’t named a precise release date, but the good news is that some new gameplay footage has been revealed in the video above. Quantum Break gives players the ability to bend and warp time, which will give you plenty of new ways to take on your enemies. Remedy and Microsoft are also producing an original series based on the game that will premiere on Xbox Live next year, and they promise fans will discover unique content within the game by watching the show.

A better look at Quantum Break will be shown off at Gamescom this August. That means Quantum Break will be skipping E3 this year, but the good news is that Microsoft will still have plenty of other big games to show off at the event, most notably, Halo 5: Guardians.
[/quote]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/plants-vs-zombies-garden-warfare-coming-to-ps3-ps4-vita-in-august/[size=6]Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare Coming to PS3, PS4, Vita[/size]

[quote]Following a teasing tweet yesterday, EA has announced that Popcap Games’ shooter Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare will be coming to Sony’s platforms in August.

The game will be available from August 19 on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Vita. The Vita version supports remote play with PlayStation 4, and can be used for split-screen co-op and Boss Mode (also compatible with iOS devices).

All of Garden Warfare’s previously released DLC on Xbox 360 and Xbox One will be included on the disc.[/quote]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/sonic-boom-cast-expands-with-new-female-friend-sticks-the-jungle-badger/[size=6]Sonic Boom Gets New Character[/size]

[quote]Sonic Boom will introduce new character to Sonic’s gang: Sticks, the “jungle badger,” Sega announced today.

“Sticks is a significant addition to the Sonic Boom universe and the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, “chief content officer of all-things Sonic Hiroyuki Miyazaki said in a press release. “She brings a quirky personality and perspective to the team dynamic, and we look forward to sharing this energetic and funny new character with the world.”

Sticks will be voiced by Nika Futterman, whose previous voice acting roles include Vendra Prog in Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus, Asajj Ventress in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and Adam Lyon in My Gym Partner’s a Monkey. Her character will appear across all Sonic Boom properties, including the upcoming 3DS and Wii U games.

Big Red Button Entertainment, a studio consisting of former Naughty Dog, Heavy Iron, Luxo Flux, andHigh Impact veterans, is developing the Wii U version of Sonic Boom, while the 3DS game is being handled by Sanzaru Games is handling the 3DS version.
[/quote]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/sunset-overdrive-weapons-video-shows-off-record-flinging-and-tnt-teddys/[size=6]Sunset Overdrive - Weapons[/size]

[quote]Insomniac Games has released a new video for its colorful, soda-fueled shooter Sunset Overdrive that takes a look at a couple of the weapons players will be getting their hands on.

First up is “High Fidelity.” This weapon fires vinyl records that will randomly ricochet off enemies, allowing it to hit multiple targets. Also, if that wasn’t cool enough, if you get your “Style” level high enough the records that it shoots will turn gold.

The second weapon showcased is the TNTeddy. Basically, someone got a teddy bear, strapped some TNT to it, and then loaded it into a launcher. The result is one explosive projectile, with a generous blast radius, capable of taking out multiple enemies.

This video follows one released last week that takes a closer look at the game’s Amp system.

Sunset Overdrive will be available later this year exclusively on Xbox One.
[/quote]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/mighty-no-9-wip-gameplay-video-shows-mighty-no-2-no-5-stages-and-boss-battles/[size=6]New Gameplay Footage from Mighty No. 9[/size]

[quote]Creator Keiji Inafune and his team at Comcept today released new work-in-progress gameplay footage of Mighty No. 9 that shows off two of the game’s stages and two boss fights.

The video (seen above) shows portions of No. 2 and No. 5′s respective stages and the boss battles with the bots themselves. Mighty No. 2 is a water-and-iced theme machine whose stage reflects that chilly aesthetic, while Mighty No. 5 is a more military model, equipped with a gatling gun for one arm, a spike launcher on the other, and a militaristic red-and-green, heavily armored design. No. 5′s stage looks like a factory of some sorts where other military grade mechanical warriors are produced.

According to the Kickstarter estimate, Inafune and Comcept hope to get Might No. 9 in players’ hands by the end of spring 2015. The title is set to launch on every platform under the sun: Windows PC, Mac OS X, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PS Vita, Wii U, and 3DS.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy producer Tim Carter is working on a live action adaptation of Mighty No. 9, and you can learn more about that by watching our exclusive interview.
[/quote]

Mighty No. 9: Work-in-Progress Gameplay Footage

(click headlines for more videos)

[Snowy_Stampede]

From EPN

http://epn.tv/all/spotlight/mortal-kombat-x-announced/[size=6]Mortal Kombat X Announced[/size]

[quote]Get over here! NetherRealm Studios has finally announced something we all knew was coming: the next-gen Mortal Kombat game.

It’s titled Mortal Kombat X, being the tenth game in the main series, and promises to use next-gen technology to combine unparalleled cinematic presentation with more dynamic gameplay than ever before.

Mortal Kombat X will enter the ring in 2015.
[/quote]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/homefront-the-revolution-announced/[size=6]Homefront: The Revolution Announced[/size]

[quote]Gamers should prepare for another invasion by North Korea.

Crytek has announced Homefront: The Revolution, a sequel to the 2011 shooter from defunct developer Kaos Studios. Crytek bought the rights to the franchise when THQ went under last year, and they promise that their sequel will build and improve upon the concepts in the first game.

The story takes place after the events of the first game, with the continental U.S. still occupied by North Korea. Players will get to take the role of an oppressed citizen in Philadelphia who rises to become a revolutionary leader, and you’ll need to improvise using makeshift weapons and guerilla tactics. Crytek UK game designer Fasahat Salim says that it’s a relief to go back to the basics and make a game with a main character who doesn’t have a high tech nanosuit at his disposal.

Homefront: The Revolution will be open world, with players having more freedom than in a liner game. You’ll be able to recruit other revolutionaries, establish bases and safehouses, capture and customize weapons, and even build your own improvised weapons. The world around you will react based on how much trouble you’re causing, and there will also be dynamic weather changes and day and night cycles.

Crytek hasn’t said if there will be any multiplayer in the game, but we do know that there will be support for 4 player co-op.

Homefront: The Revolution will be available on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC in 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1ctdXLoffA
Homefront: The Revolution Announce Trailer
http://youtu.be/x1ctdXLoffA
[/quote]

http://epn.tv/all/spotlight/forza-horizon-2-announced/[size=6]Forza Horizon 2 Announced[/size]

[quote]Get ready for more racing action from Microsoft. Microsoft has announced Forza Horizon 2, a sequel to the 2012 spin-off of the main Forza series.

It’s in development for both the Xbox One and 360, and like the first Forza Horizon game, it will have a more arcade-feel than the other Forza games. The setting this time around will be Southern Europe, and this is the first Forza game to include a dynamic weather system. Development is being handled primarily by Playground Games, the same studio behind the first Forza Horizon, with input from franchise creator Turn 10 Studios.

Forza Horizon 2 will cross the finish line this fall.
[/quote]

[Snowy_Stampede]

If the Wii U finds a floor with this title, that’s a good sign and more importantly… ABOUT DAMN TIME!

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/mario-kart-8-fastestselling-wii-u-game-ever-with-12-million-sold/[size=6]Mario Kart 8 Fastest-Selling Wii U Game[/size]

[quote]Nintendo has announced that Mario Kart 8 is now the fastest-selling Wii U game of all time, moving more than 1.2 million copies in its first three days of availability.

Those impressive numbers also mean that Mario Kart 8 is the fastest-selling game of 2014 so far, outdoing the first-week performance of juggernauts like Titanfall and inFamous: Second Son in a single weekend.

This success may prove to be a much needed shot in the arm for the Wii U, which has struggled to find a wide audience. In a statement, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime expresses a similar optimism. “The early response to Mario Kart 8 demonstrates that the best days for Wii U are still ahead,” he said.
[/quote]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/iphone-games-getting-better/[size=6]Console Games Coming to iOS
[/size][spoiler]

[quote]Gaming is about to get a lot better on the iPhone and iPad.

As part of today’s big unveiling of iOS 8, Apple announced a new graphics technology for iOS devices called Metal. It allows game makers to squeeze the maximum performance out of the A7 chip, which Apple says will allow them to create mobile games that rival their console counterparts. It also allows developers to port full console games to mobile, and the first title that was shown off was Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, using EA’s Frostbite engine.

If that doesn’t impress you, Epic Games also showed off a tech demo called Zen Garden, which runs on the iPad in real-time from the Unreal Engine 4. Zen Garden will be available in the App Store for free when iOS 8 launches this fall. Along with EA and Epic, other developers like Crytek and Unity have also begun working with Metal.

You can watch Apple’s full iOS 8 keynote by clicking here. The portion about Metal comes in at the 97-minute mark.
[/quote]

[/spoiler]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/batman-arkham-knight-officially-delayed/[size=6]Batman: Arkham Knight Delayed to 2015[/size]

[quote]You’re going to have to wait a lot longer to jump behind the wheel of the Batmobile.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has confirmed rumours that Batman: Arkham Knight is being delayed. It was slated to arrive this October, but will now land on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC in 2015. Developer Rocksteady Studios says they need more time to ensure the quality of the game, and make it as good as Bat-fans are expecting. The good news is that there’s a fancy new trailer that you can watch above.

Arkham Knight is the first in the series built from the ground up for the PS4 and Xbox One, and there will be plenty of new features that make use of next-gen technology. This is also the first in the Arkham series to let players take control of the Batmobile, which opens up a whole new set of gameplay and combat possibilities.

Watch our interview with Rocksteady’s Dax Ginn about all the new gameplay features by clicking here.

The delay doesn’t mean there won’t be a new Batman game to play this year. Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham will take the blocky superhero action to outer space this fall.
[/quote]

Official Batman: Arkham Knight – Batmobile Battle Mode Reveal

[Series5Ranger]

For those of us who are Star Citizen Backers:

Arena Commander Launched! - Roberts Space Industries | Follow the development...

[size=6]Arena Commander v0.8 (The Dog Fighting Module) is live![/size]

Greetings Citizens!

We are very happy to finally share with you the first public build of Arena Commander!

The build we are releasing today is what we’re calling Version 0.8. You can download it by either updating your existing Hangar through the launcher or by accessing the Star Citizen Download page. V0.8 will give every qualified backer access to the Vanduul Swarm and Freeflight modes and includes the ability to fly the Aurora, 300i and Hornet. If you haven’t pledged for one of these ships, we’ll give you a loaner that is the closest in class to what you fly; we want everyone with Alpha access (or an Arena Commander pass) to get their first taste of spaceflight!

WARNING: the updated version of the Star Citizen launcher will replace the USER folder when it patches. If you have any saved screenshots or other content, please move them before downloading Arena Commander.

Arena Commander V0.8 also includes multiplayer functionality for the Battle Royale and Team modes. These modes will be available for a small number of players today. As we hunt down lag and synch issues and spin up servers, we will open these modes up to more and more players in the coming weeks.

Remember: V0.8 is just the beginning. It’s the start of a hard push for the development team as we head towards V0.9 and finally V1.0, at which point Arena Commander will be ‘feature complete’ with the modes, maps and options promised at PAX. By the time V1.0 drops, we aim for the entire community to have access to the multiplayer game modes!

As we move forward to Version 0.9, we will focus on adding the following improvements:

Improved client and multiplayer server stability
General performance optimizations and fixes for hardware specific issues discovered during community testing
Audio improvements with additional SFX, music, mix, and improvements to the dynamic music system
Improvements to the HUD to better differentiate the manufacturers, improve ITTS, and add mouse control functionality
Additional character animations to add immersion to the cockpit and resolve outstanding animation issues
Further flight model upgrades to better handle unique thruster power combinations and refine the control of each ship
Additional ship, weapon, item, and thruster tuning to improve the balance of Arena Commander based on community testing
New multiplayer game mode for public testing along with AI improvements and updates to Vanduul Swarm.
Hangar bug fixing along with enhanced visuals and animations.
Cockpit polish with improved damage effects and more dynamic lighting that responds to gameplay events and ship status.
Some additional weapons and items for use with Arena Commander.
Update player breathing sound effects and responses to incoming impulses and g-forces

Extras

I’m also excited to announce that we’ve created some special extras to go with Arena Commander. Click here to check out the Arena Commander manual, which teaches you how to play the game and gets you further into the Star Citizen ‘verse. There’s also a cool new trailer available below! And stay tuned: the manual and other content will be updated as the game evolves.
Testing Arena Commander

It’s been a longer wait than many of you would have liked, and the team and I share your impatience as we all wanted to have this in your hands a lot sooner. I can assure you though, it has not been from lack of effort or focus. A significant portion of our world-wide teams have been working around the clock to finish off the first set of features and get the build stabilized enough that we feel comfortable in releasing it to a wider testing pool.

I have heard the sentiment from portions of the community that indicate a desire to have the build in their hands sooner in order to help with testing efforts. The team and I appreciate the eagerness to help out, but I want to take a few minutes to explain why we have been following our present course.

Normally in game development you have staged testing. When you have a build that already has far more issues and instability than can be easily fixed, it’s inefficient to open it up for quality assurance testing as you consume a lot of extra management and team bandwidth sifting through the issues, many of which will already be known and be duplicates of previously reported issues, or issues the team just can’t get to because there are higher priority problems that have to be addressed first. Once the build becomes more stable and has most of the intended features in place, you then open it up to full QA to really hammer on it and find issues that aren’t immediately obvious or provide gameplay feedback now that the game isn’t crashing every five minutes.

Remember: you ARE our full QA department! Thus far, we’ve been testing Arena Commander with a team of seven dedicated QA testers (plus anyone else in the company with time to dogfight.) We’re releasing today because we feel the game is at a point where it’s stable enough to go out to a wider audience. That’s not because it’s done, but because it’s ready for testing on a bigger scale. There are still plenty of known issues we’re working and there are likely many you will discover that we haven’t seen yet. What you play today will crash, it will have slowdowns, installation issues and other problems.

You can help make sure we get this right by reporting your bugs on the forums. We’ve added two new bug reporting forums, one for the single player modes and one for multiplayer (visible only to users with access to those modes.) I’m including the list of known bugs at the bottom of this post so you know what we’re already tracking internally. These are the issues we know about but don’t consider big enough to block the release. We’re working to fix them right now, and then we need to know what you’re running into! Don’t just report crashes and animation errors, though; let us know in the general Arena Commander area what you think of the flight model, how you’d improve balance and so on. You’re helping to build this game!

Please post everything to the forums; the Customer Support team isn’t able to assist with Arena Commander bugs with you at this time (remember, this is pre-alpha!) We’re working on expanding this process, too: the team at Turbulent is building an external bug tracking system; in future builds, you’ll be able to submit bugs that will go right to the team instead of via the forums!
The Future of Open Development

Your part in testing Arena Commander is the heart of what I think makes the approach to how we are building Star Citizen so strong for the long term health and fun of the game. We are deliberately sharing the game at a much earlier stage than any traditional AAA game and also much earlier than a lot of other crowd funded games. We want to get aspects of the game, even if they only represent one facet, into the hands of the people who made this game possible in the first place. These builds are early enough that the feedback from people who love this genre so much they’ve been willing to put their money up way in advance of getting the finished product can be actioned on, allowing us to build a better, more stable game in the long run.

So I encourage you all to have patience and if there is something that you like or don’t like, voice your opinion on the forums. I can’t promise we will act on every comment but like all things with Star Citizen we actively listen to the community’s feedback, both positive and negative, and then act on the issues that resonate with us. You just don’t get this opportunity in the traditional publisher model when a Beta release is really a pre-release marketing ploy!

We are deliberately making our development process much more open and transparent. This is why we started the monthly reports from the numerous studios working on the game. There are now more than 250 people working on all aspects of the game of which Arena Commander is only one facet. The level of ambition with Star Citizen is unprecedented in the independent world and has only been made possible by your commitment and excitement. Not everything will go smoothly or on time, as a project of this size and complexity will always present unforeseen issues, which is why we have been endeavoring to share information with you that anyone in the traditional publishing model would not. The dates that we shared are a good example of this.

As soon as we had an internal target that we were hopeful of making, we shared it with you, with the caveat “if everything goes according to plan.” In ordinary development, such dates would never be shared with the public. Publishers take these dates from their teams and build in large lead times. And even then, unforeseen issues can still arise that cause further delays. But we view you, the community, as part of the team. We know how keen you are to get your hands on Arena Commander and so we’ve decided to share our current projections with you.

My question to you is: should we continue to do this? I’m given pause not by internal cricisim from frustrated backers who really just want to get into space (which we completely understand!) but by sensationalistic headlines that imply we’re not working hard or that the game is some sort of scam. I can assure you that the whole team is committed to making the best game possible, so it is disheartening when our attempts at transparency are used against us to paint a negative picture of this amazing project.

Since we’re a community driven game, I’m going to leave it up to you whether you want the same level of visibility with regards to dates (knowing that they are estimates and are subject to change) or would rather just be given hard, long-term dates like a publisher. If you choose the former, we’ll just have to put the word “TENTATIVE” in caps for the benefit of everyone that doesn’t follow the project as closely as all you. You can vote to decide in the poll below!
Take Off!

I hope you all enjoy Arena Commander V0.8. I’m very proud of what the team has achieved with all of their hard work. Despite being pre-alpha and a build that’s earlier than anything I’ve ever shared with the public before, I think it looks spectacular and that it’s a great foundation to build on. There will be many updates over the coming months adding features and content — We’re going to be adding in all the ships you pledged for… and plenty you haven’t seen yet. There will be new game modes, environments and equipment. We’re going to work on performance, stability and improve the technology: the loading screens you see today won’t be present in the finished game!

For now, though, enjoy your first taste of space combat in Star Citizen’s developing world; I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Together we will follow our collective dream: to build the BDSSE!

— Chris Roberts

[Snowy_Stampede]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/watch-dogs-breaks-4-million-units-sold-within-first-week-of-launch/[size=6]Watch Dogs Sells 4 Million in First Week[/size]

[quote]Within the first week of its launch last week on May 27, Watch Dogs has sold over 4 million copies, making it the best-selling new IP at launch within the videogame industry, Ubisoft announced today.

According to Ubisoft, these sales numbers also make Watch Dogs the companies best-selling gaming during launch week.

“With such strong sales momentum and positive feedback from gamers, Watch Dogs has positioned itself as the must-have game of the moment,” Ubisoft senior vice president of sales and marketing Tony Key said in a clearly prepared statement posted to the Ubiblog. “We’re really proud of this achievement, and are confident that the Watch Dogs brand has a promising future.”

In other words, rest assured: Watch Dogs 2 is a thing that’s happening.

Watch Dogs launched across Windows PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, and Xbox 360 last week. The Wii U version is still in the works, and is currently the development team’s primary focus.
[/quote]

Wow. Well done. :ohmy:

[Snowy_Stampede]

From EPN

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/dark-souls-ii-dlc-trilogy-announced/[size=6]Dark Souls II DLC Trilogy Announced[/size]

[quote]Dark Souls II is getting three separate batches of downloadable content.

Known as The Lost Crowns trilogy, the packs give players a new story campaign that will take them to unexplored locations filled with deadly new foes, diabolic challenges, and fearsome bosses. The first chapter, titled Crown of the Sunken King, will be available on the PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 starting July 22. The second pack, titled Crown of the Old Iron King, lands on August 26, followed by the final pack, Crown of the Ivory King, on September 24. You can get all three of them as part of the $25 Season Pass, or for $10 each by themselves.

Crown of the Sunken King, the first chapter in the trilogy, sends players on a journey to reclaim the crowns that Drangleic’s King Vendrick once owned. Crown of the Sunken King features an entirely different world within the Dark Souls II universe, where stepped pyramids span a vast underground cavern. It is said that one of the ancient crowns lay buried deep within these dark caverns; but surely such a valued item cannot sit unguarded. Players that seek adversity and glory will be rewarded with a crown that holds the strength of lords from times long past.
[/quote]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/tetris-ultimate-announced-for-ps4-xbox-one-and-pc/[size=6]Tetris Ultimate Announced for Next-Gen[/size]

[quote]Tetris Ultimate is coming to PS4 and Xbox One this summer, just in time for the series’ 30th anniversary, and PC this fall, Ubisoft announced today.

According to a post on the Ubiblog, Tetris Ultimate will feature six game modes: Marathon, Battle, Power-Up Battle, Ultra, Endless, and Spirit, all playable with up to four participants. The exact details behind each mode, of course, have yet to be revealed, though Ubisoft promised more details to come out of E3 next week and for a teaser trailer to show up before then.

Ubisoft will hold their E3 2014 press conference on June 9 at 3 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET). Aisha Tyler will once more host the media briefing. On Monday, June 10, Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov will be at the Ubisoft booth in South Hall demonstrating Tetris Ultimate from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET.
[/quote]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/hohokum-floating-its-way-over-to-ps4-ps3-and-ps-vita-august-12/[size=6]Hohokum Arrives August 12[/size]

[quote]Hohokum will arrive on PS4, PS3, and PS Vita August 12, developer Honeyslug Games announced today.

Brightly colored and full of British quirk, Hohokum was designed to forego conventional gameplay mechanics and systems in order to instead focus on exploring a vivid, wildly imaginative world that in some ways evokes a very Adventure Time sense (at least, to me). As The Long Mover, players carve their way through the 2D world while letting denizens climb aboard you and ride along on the adventure.

“For the first few years [of Hohokum’s development] it was a side-project, something we worked on between other things, or when inspirations truck,” co-creator and designer Ricky Haggett described in a post on the PlayStation Blog. “We didn’t have a clear mechanic ‘hook’ when starting out, more an overall sense of wanting to make a game that was relaxing and evoked a particular sense of free-form play. Over time this approach allowed the game we have today to emerge organically. I’m not sure we could have done it any other way.”

For more on Honeyslug’s design process behind Hohokum, check out the behind-the-scenes video above.

Sony and Honeyslug first unveiled Hohokum during E3 last year.[/quote]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/borderlands-the-presequel-puts-on-its-dancing-shoes-and-offers-an-official-release-date-in-this-trailer/[size=6]Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Lands Oct 14[/size]

[quote]2K Games has released a new trailer for Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel that features a nice little dance party on the moon. Oh, and it also confirms the game’s official release date.

Vault Hunters will be heading to the moon on October 14 in North America and October 17 in Europe on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, the trailer confirms. The trailer also shows off some of the enemies, vehicles, and weapons that you will encounter on the moon. Also there’s that dance off created by Harmonix that I mentioned earlier.

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is set between the events of the original Borderlands and Borderlands 2, and sees players take control of four new characters who are working for the villainous Handsome Jack.

Pre-ordering the game will net you the Shock Drop Slaughter Pit bonus content that sees players engaging in “intense zero atmosphere combat against the fiercest enemies Pandora’s moon has to offer.”

“Survive the battle and you’ll be feared and respected by the few left alive…not to mention the experience and gear you’ll earn,” the publisher added.
[/quote]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/metal-gear-solid-movie-moves-forward/[size=6]Metal Gear Solid Movie Moves Forward[/size]

[quote]It looks like Solid Snake has found a mission commander to help him on his long journey to cinemas.

Deadline reports that The Kings of Summer director Jordan Vogt-Roberts is in talks to helm the big screen adaptation of the Metal Gear Solid franchise. This is the first time word has surfaced about a filmmaker being attached to the project, which has been in development for many years. The film is being produced by Avi Arad, best known for bringing Spider-Man to the big screen. Game creator Hideo Kojima is also involved with the project.

So why has it taken so long for a Metal Gear movie to get made? Deadline claims that it took the studio a long time to figure out how to tell the story, which shouldn’t surprise anyone given how convoluted the games can be. It looks like the movie will be based on the relatively simple story of the first Metal Gear Solid game, with Snake infiltrating a nuclear weapons facility that’s been taken over by a rogue group of special forces operatives.

There’s no word yet on when the Metal Gear Solid movie will hit theatres. The next game, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, will hopefully sneak out next year.
[/quote]

Most notably Crunchyroll is finally coming.

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/twitter-vine-hbo-go-and-42-other-apps-coming-to-xbox-this-year/[size=6]Xbox One Getting 42 New Apps[/size]

[quote]Microsoft has announced that 45 entertainment apps, including Twitter, Vine, and HBO GO, will be coming to Xbox 360 and Xbox One by the end of this year.

Apps such as optimized-for-TV Twitter integration, Vine, HBO GO, ShowTime Anytime, Comedy Central, and Major League Gaming (MLG) are set to launch on Xbox 360 and Xbox One, taking the total number of apps available worldwide on Xbox to 225.

“Xbox fans are spending more time than ever on the console, spending more than five hours a day on Xbox One,” said Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President, Devices and Studios at Microsoft. “Today as we announce new commitments from dozens of our partners, including deep integration with experiences like Twitter and Vine, we hit an important milestone in our journey to deliver unique experiences on Xbox. We’re thrilled to break new ground in social TV experiences like we’re doing with Twitter on Xbox One.”

In the U.S. the Xbox One Twitter app will be directly integrated into the console’s TV experience, offering the ability to see live tweets while you are watching a show. “People turn to Twitter every day to enjoy and engage in the real-time conversations about their favorite TV shows,” said Jana Messerschmidt, VP Business Development and Platform at Twitter.

“We’re enhancing that experience on the Xbox One with a unique Watch with Twitter integration. It will now be easier to discover what shows are trending in real-time on Twitter, tune-in and follow the conversation right from within the Xbox One interface. We are excited to work with the Xbox One team and continue to deliver unique entertainment experiences.”

A full list of the apps coming to Xbox 360 and Xbox One can be found below:
•Antena 3. Xbox One: ES
•ChiliTV. Xbox One: IT
•Comedy Central. Xbox One: US
•Crunchyroll. Xbox One: AU, AT, BR, CA, DE, ES, FR, IE, IT, MX, NZ, UK, US
•ENCORE Play. Xbox One: US
•EPIX. Xbox One: US
•Filmbox Live. Xbox 360: AR, AU, AT, BE, BR, CA, CL, CO, CZ, DK, FI, FR, DE, GR, HK, HU, IN, IE, IL, IT, JP, MX, NL, NZ, NO, PL, PT, RU, SA, SG, SK, ZA, KR, ES, SE, CH, TW, TR, AE, UK, US
•Fox Play. Xbox One: MX, BR. Xbox 360: MX, BR, AR, CO, CH
•Frightflix. Xbox One: US
•FXNOW. Xbox 360: US
•Gol TV. Xbox One: ES
•GoPro. Xbox One: US, CA, MX, UK, FR, DE, IT, ES, AU, BR, AT, NZ, IR
•HBO GO. Xbox One: US: Xbox 360: MX, BR, AR, CO, CH
•iHeartRadio. Xbox One: US
•Infinity. Xbox One: IT
•IVI. Xbox 360: RU
•KDrama. Xbox One: AU, AT, BR, CA, DE, ES, FR, IE, IT, MX, NZ, UK, US. Xbox 360: AR, AU, AT, BE, BR, CA, CL, CO, CZ, DK, FI, FR, DE, GR, HK, HU, IN, IE, IL, IT, MX, NL, NZ, NO, PL, PT, RU, SA, SG, SK, ZA, ES, SE, CH, TW, TR, AE, UK, US
•maxdome. Xbox One: AT, DE
•MLG. Xbox One: US, UK, CA, AU
•MOVIEPLEX Play. Xbox One: US
•MTV. Xbox One: US
•NBA. Xbox One: AT, AU, BR, CA, FR, DE, IE, IT, MX, ES, NZ, UK, US
•NHL. Xbox One: US, CA, MX, UK, FR, DE, IT, ES, AU, BR, AT, NZ, IR. Xbox 360: US, CA, MX, UK, FR, DE, IT, ES, JP, AU, BR, NL, SE, RU, TW, PL, IN, HK, TR, BE, AT, NZ, SA, AR, NO, CH, SG, ZA, IR, DK, CO, CL, FI, CZ, HU, IL, GR, PT, SK
•Now TV. Xbox One: UK
•Picturebox. Xbox 360: UK
•Popcornflix. Xbox One: US
•ShowTime Anytime. Xbox 360: US
•Sky News. Xbox One: UK, IE, US, CA. Xbox 360: UK, IE, US, CA
•Sky Online. Xbox One: IT
•STARZ Play. Xbox One: US
•STV. Xbox 360: UK
•Syfy Now. Xbox One: US
•Target Ticket. Xbox One: US
•TuneIn. Xbox One: US, CA, MX, UK, FR, DE, IT, ES, AU, BR, AT, NZ, IR
•TV2. Xbox 360: DK
•Twitter. Xbox One: US
•USA Now. Xbox One: US
•VEO. Xbox One: MX. Xbox 360: MX
•Vevo. Xbox One: CA, US, AU, FR, DE, IR, BR,ES, IT, UK, NZ
•VH1. Xbox One: US
•Vine. Xbox One: US
•WATCH ABC. Xbox 360: US
•WATCH Disney Channel. Xbox 360: US
•WATCH Disney Junior. Xbox 360: US
•WATCH Disney XD. Xbox 360: US
•Watchever. Xbox One: DE
[/quote]

(click headlines for videos)

[celestial_being]

After the incredibly lame Creature Slaughter Dome preorder (took so long to get to that, by the time you got there, it was insanely easy and short) I’m not really swayed by the pre-order bonus.

If one of the new playable characters is indeed the Sheriff of Lynchwood then that would be pretty awesome from a dub-fan perspective. I still hear that Wilhelm is going to be a character, which is going to be lame in a Lawrence of Arabia/Halo: Reach way.

I just hope that they enable global, capless level scaling on the first playthrough.

[Snowy_Stampede]

From EPN

[size=16]Xbox One Controller Now Works on PC[/size]

spoiler

[quote]After months of promises, Microsoft has finally released PC drivers for the Xbox One controller, meaning that the controller can now be used with any PC game that supports Xbox 360 controllers.

“We know our fans have wanted PC compatibility, and we know they wanted to be able to use the Xbox One controller with the same games and applications they have been playing with using the Xbox 360 controller,” Microsoft’s Major Nelson wrote.

“We can’t wait for them to play their favorite PC games with what we consider the best controller ever made and we’re excited for fans to experience the improved D-pad, redesigned battery compartment, new comfortable design and offset analog sticks.”

The drivers will be released as part of an upcoming Windows update, but you can download them early from Major Nelson’s blog here.[/quote]

[size=16]The Witcher III Arrives February 24[/size]

spoiler

[quote]The Witcher III will arrive on next-gen consoles and PC February 24, 2015, developer CD Projekt Red announced today alongside a pair of videos.

One of those videos, seen above, is a shiny new E3 2014 trailer. Enjoy. The other is an unboxing video of the game’s Collector’s Edition.

Said Collector’s Edition, as shown in the video above, contains a statue of Geralt battling a griffin, a Witcher medallion, a 200-page artbook, a steelbook of some sorts, and of course the game itself. According to its listing on GameStop, it’ll run for $149.99.

The Witcher III: Wild Hunt will only grace PC, PS4, and Xbox One.[/quote]

[size=16]Loadout Coming to PS4[/size]

spoiler

[quote]Edge of Reality has announced that its insane free-to-play shooter Loadout is bringing its billions of different weapon combinations to PlayStation 4 as a console exclusive.

Loadout is a fast-paced competitive multiplayer title that focuses on weapon creation and customization, character progression, and over the top death animations. The game allows players to create billions of different weapon combinations using 100s of component parts, and then share them with their allies.

“Giant death beam? We’ve got it covered. Bouncy Tesla balls? Sure. Laser-guided cluster-bomb rockets? Hey, we’re not here to judge,” said creative director Mark Nau on the PlayStation Blog.

“Putting a visually unique game like Loadout on PS4 is a treat for us,” Nau added. “The sprawling levels and bombastic characters look as glorious and murderable as ever! When you shoot someone in Loadout, you know it and they know it: limbs and heads sever, gaping holes display the delightfully shiny organs within, and flesh burns to a well-done crisp. The lavish animation and art will be right at home on PS4.”

The game launched for PC in January and has already attracted over 3 million players.[/quote]

[size=16]First Gameplay from Madden NFL 15[/size]

spoiler

[quote]EA Sports has unveiled the first gameplay footage from Madden NFL 15 in a new teaser trailer. It’s not much, but does give us an idea of just how good the game will look. This is the first in the series built first for the Xbox One and PS4, although there will still be versions released for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

Madden NFL 15 will launch August 26. More details on the game will be announced at E3 next week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUiBJy150rg
Madden 15 Gameplay | Official Trailer
http://youtu.be/nUiBJy150rg
[/quote]

[size=16]Fantasia: Music Evolved Arrives October 21[/size]

spoiler

[quote]Harmonix has confirmed that Fantasia: Music Evolved will be available on Xbox 360 and Xbox One October 21, the developer also revealed a new area and six new songs for the game.

The Neighborhood is one of Fantasia’s hubs that allow you to access the game’s songs and generally just mess about with the environment. This are starts off as a 2D urban city, but by interacting with billboards, rooftops, trains, and more, players can use music and magic to unleash a colorful and vibrant 3D world.

In The Neighborhood players will play through several songs to help being the environment to life including The Who - “The Real Me,” M.I.A. - “Galang,” Police - “Message in a Bottle,” Drake - “Take Care,” Tchaikovsky - “The Nutcracker Medley,” and Depeche Mode - “Enjoy the Silence.”
[/quote]

[size=16]Shovel Knight Arrives June 26[/size]

spoiler

[quote]Yacht Club Games‘ retro-tastic 8-bit platformer Shovel Knight will launch on 3DS, Wii U, and PC through Steam June 26, the developer announced on the game’s Kickstarter page.

Shovel Knight and its mash-up of Mega Man and DuckTales game mechanics was originally slated to arrive on Nintendo’s consoles and Steam March 31. According to the post, the team has “official word from Nintendo and Steam” about the release date, so unlike the March release, which was bumped back to gain a few more weeks of fine-tuning, this one seems pretty definitive.

“We’ve worked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for more than a year to bring this game to you; we’re extremely proud of the result, and we hope you love it just as much as we do,” reads the post. “We hit some snags along the way and we’re sorry that we couldn’t deliver it sooner, but, hopefully, it will prove more than worth the wait!”

Those keen on playing Shovel Knight on PC can pre-order the game now through Yacht Club Games’ official website. The standard version goes for $15, while a Deluxe edition that comes with a PDF manual and art book is available for $25.
[/quote]

[size=16]Don’t Starve Coming to PlayStation Vita[/size]

spoiler

[quote]Don’t Starve‘s particular blend of roguelike and survival elements are coming Sony’s handheld platform under the banner of Giant Edition, developer Klei Entertainment announced today.

Don’t Starve: Giant Edition will include, of course, the original Don’t Starve as well as all the updates released for the PC and PS4 versions. And as the new title suggests, the PS Vita version will also come with the Reign of Giants expansion, which adds new biomes, seasonal changes, and new creatures, including giants.

According to Klei’s community manager Corey Rollins, the company is navigating “the final steps” involved with bringing Reign of Giants to PS4, promising an update on that front “soon.”

Don’t Starve debuted on consoles earlier this year on PS4.[/quote]

Battlefield Hardline: Into the Jungle

[details=spoiler]The new game takes the action away from foreign wars and instead focuses on the war on crime and the battle between cops and criminals at home. Developer Visceral Games hopes this will take the franchise in a new direction, with plenty of twists and turns for both the single player and multiplayer. The urban environments mean they have to change the way they’re designing the multiplayer maps, with massive skyscrapers to scale, civilians to avoid, and plenty of vehicles to jump into.

Battlefield Hardline will hit the streets this Fall.[/details]

Yes! The Shovel Knight news I’ve been waiting for. :cheer: Still I can’t believe delayed “a few weeks” meant 3 months from it’s original intended release date. :dry:

[LadyOfWicca]

Sony Tops Nintendo in Game System Sales for 1st Time in 8 Years

*posted on 2014-06-06 19:30 EDT

But both companies report lower worldwide sales with rise of smartphones

Sony Computer Entertainment reported the highest worldwide sales of game systems (home consoles and portable systems combined) in the industry for the fiscal year ending in March 2014. It topped Nintendo for the first time in eight years. However, both companies reported lower game system sales compared to the previous year, in part due to the spread of smartphones.

For the fiscal year ending in March 2014, Sony Computer Entertainment reported 18.7 million game systems (including PlayStation 4 and PS Vita) sold worldwide. However, that represents a 20% drop compared to the previous year. The PlayStation 4 launched in the United States and other countries last November, and it sold almost 7 million systems worldwide by March.

Nintendo reported 16.31 million game systems sold, a 31% drop compared to the year before. The Nintendo 3DS fell in sales, and the new Wii U underperformed. Microsoft reported 11.6 million game systems sold, a 16% increase. Microsoft launched the Xbox One in November in the United States and other countries.

Sony had not been the industry leader in game system sales since the fiscal year ending in March 2006. Shortly thereafter, PlayStation 3 sales fell below expectations, while the Nintendo Wii and DS gave Sony stiff competition.

The financial news service Nikkei projects that Sony will maintain its top position in the current fiscal year ending in March 2015, thanks to continuing PlayStation 4 sales and slumping Nintendo sales.*

(source: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-06-06/sony-tops-nintendo-in-game-system-sales-for-1st-time-in-8-years/.75291)

[Snowy_Stampede]

That’s why the success of E3 2014 is critically important for Nintendo this year. If they don’t pull out all the stops, the house the Mario will continue to be the house of financial pain.

The console wars sure keep things entertaining. Same with handhelds.

[celestial_being]

Wow. I just played Payday 2: The Heist. This game is pretty awkward as the skills that you need to beat a mission can only be obtained by beating a mission. It also lacks the Borderlands mechanic of “downed” people getting themselves up, which honestly should be in every game with a downed mechanic at this point.

So my character walked past a rent-a-cop in an alley, why does that prompt the police to send in helicopters with guys in full-on body armor and SWAT repelling from rooftops? lols

[fillet]

I made it to another room on Dead Space 3, and while I thought it was a triumph I immediately regretted it; side-mission sounded cool, I thought I was good for all of two hallways

[Snowy_Stampede]

From EPN

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/halo-5s-new-spartan-is-agent-locke-will-be-the-focus-of-the-halo-nightfall-series/[size=6]New Details on Halo 5: Guardians[/size]

[quote]The new spartan posed opposite Master Chief as though a reflection in Halo 5: Guardian‘s key art is one named Agent Locke, 343 Industries studio head Bonnie Ross told Eurogamer during E3.

This new Spartan, whose armor seems a tad more advanced than Chief’s Spartan-II Mjolnir armor (perhaps Spartan-V, or some hybrid of Spartan tech and alien tech) will have his origins explored in the Ridley Scott, produced digital series Halo Nightfall. This, according to Ross, is meant to give characters foundational knowledge of Locke, who will serve a “key role” in Halo 5.

Halo Nightfall will be among Halo: The Master Chief Collection‘s extras. The Master Chief Collection, which launches November 11 on Xbox One, combines all four core Halo titles, 1 through 4, in remastered form running in 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second.
[/quote]

http://epn.tv/all/type-of/news/littlebigplanet-3-is-also-coming-to-playstation-3/[size=6]LittleBigPlanet 3 Also coming to PS3[/size]

[quote]When LittleBigPlanet 3 was officially announced last week at E3 it was thought that the game would be a PlayStation 4 exclusive, but that isn’t the case, according to community co-ordinator Steven Isbell.

Isbell revealed on Twitter that the game will also be coming to PlayStation 3. “LBP3 will also be available on PS3. We will have more news on that later,” he wrote on Twitter.

The game features more depth than ever before and a new tool for Sackboy to use called the “Pumpinator,” which allows him to blow air to move and spin objects. As well as this new tool, Sackboy will be joined by three friends. First there’s Oddsock, who has the ability to wall jump, and is much faster than Sackboy. Next is Toggle, who has super strength, allowing him to move blocks, and can also switch between being big and super small. Finally, there’s Swoop, who can fly and carry other characters to higher ground.

LittleBigPlanet 3 is set to launch this November.
[/quote]