November 2012

Xbox “720” Rumors Spill Out As Xbox World Nears It’s End

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Joshua Rust

One of the many unfortunate things in this industry is that we see many developers, publishers, and even gaming industry media outlets being shut down year after year. It seems like that number is on the rise even more so here recently. Such is the fate of the people at Xbox World. So first I would like to say our thoughts go out to all that are affected over there. We wish them luck in finding new jobs swiftly.

There’s really not a decent way to break away from the above paragraph to get this next part. So, in spite of the closure…one thing that has been unveiled is new rumored details on the next-gen Xbox console. In the article of the magazine Xbox World states that the next console will simply be called “Xbox”. Not Durango, Xbox 720, or whatever else you may have heard…just Xbox. Personally, I think it fits. I don’t like the idea of “720” and Microsoft can’t go with Xbox 3 as it would create the illusion that the PS4 was a higher number so it would be better. Which, that’s not to say that the PS4 won’t be better, but that’s an argument for another time.

More details that are given in the last issue are the next-generation Kinect 2.0, it will use Blu-ray discs and feature directional audio, a TV output AND input, ‘innovative controller’ and  Augmented Reality glasses according to CVG. As well as 8GB of RAM and “four hardware cores, each divided into four logical cores”.

Here is a mock-up that was designed from Xbox World by gathering leaks from Microsoft and some industry insiders as to what the Xbox could potentially look like.

 

“We built ours with the same glossy face and patented VapourMG magnesium alloy Microsoft uses for its Surface tablet, and modeled the silver band after its new ‘Wedge’ touch keyboard and flexible Arc Touch mouse. The future will be black, sharp and curved.” Editor in chief Dan Dawkins told CVG: “Xbox World has been at the cutting edge of Durango coverage for over 12 months. Unless something really dramatic changes, everything we reveal in our penultimate issue will be revealed long before E3 in June.”

One thing I have to say is I hate it when Microsoft, Sony, & Nintendo state they have “innovative controllers”. I don’t think you can improve the Xbox 360 controller (or the PS3 either). But again, this is all rumor as of now and without having trying the controller out I can’t really speculate to much.

So, what do you all think about all of this? Blu-ray was a definite must and this Augmented Reality should be interesting…if it proves to be true.

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Borderlands 2 DLC #2 Says Hello To Mr. Torgue

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Joshua Rust

Just confirmed via Mr. Torgue’s Twitter account, it appears that the next DLC installment for the ever popular Borderlands 2 will hit marketplaces next week on November 20th! Just in time for my Thanksgiving holiday break, on yeah. I guess I know what I will be playing.

Leaked just nearly a month ago was “Torgue’s Campaign Of Carnage”. Strangely enough, there’s not much information on what this “Campaign of Carnage” actually is. It almost sounds like Mad Moxxi’s Underdome from the name of the DLC, but I highly doubt it’s anything like that because if you look at the trophy list (scroll to the bottom) for the PS3 version, it doesn’t seem like that is the case.

Either way, I expect new details about this mystery DLC to be out very soon as it only has a few day left before it releases. If you have been living in a skag pile and haven’t picked up Borderlands 2 yet because you don’t think it’s worth your money then check out our review. Maybe that will sway you into picking up this awesome game!

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Grand Theft Auto: Vice City removed from Steam

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Broken Joysticks

For those of you  that have not yet purchased Grand Theft Auto: Vice City off of Steam, there is now an unfortunate happenstance that’s likely to prevent you from playing the role of Tommy Vercetti for an undetermined amount of time. The reported block came from none other than Sony Music Entertainment, who cited licensing misuse on Michael Jackson’s ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Something’ found on the Vice City Fever 105 station. Rockstar has claimed that they are currently in the process of making the game available once again on Steam, as soon as this problem is fixed.

Fortunately, if you have already purchased and downloaded Vice City to begin with, you can still re-download and install it at any time, this removal only prevents any future buyers of the game at this point. Needless to say, it is an utter disappointment for the RIAA to once again step up and ruin not only music licensing in video games, but digital distribution as well.

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Wii U Does Not Support Achievements

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Jason Bassett

Thinking of signing up and start raking up achievements? Not so fast there. Nintendo does not currently support a universe achievement feature in the Wii U. Jeremiah Slaczka, the creative director and co-founder of the studio 5TH Cell posted on the popular video game forum NeoGAF earlier this week. In the post, he makes mention that the Nintendo Wii U will not be supporting a universal achievement system on the Wii U saying:

Scribblenauts Unlimited loosely has them in the form of ‘Global Starite Shards’ which is like a giant checklist of global things to spawn and do in the game that aren’t area specific.

What does this mean for the achievements on the Wii U? Basically, if a developer wants to have achievements in their game, they would have to code the achievements in the game itself and not via the Wii U. Some games already do this type of system like Ubisoft’s U Play where players can rake up achievements and even unlock cool stuff inside of each game that Ubisoft makes.

Will there by an achievement system soon? That’s hard to tell. Nintendo could always add the feature in later like Sony did with it’s User Trophy system. Don’t forget, however, Nintendo does reward players that do buy software for their systems with the Nintendo Club Rewards program.

Be on the lookout tomorrow for an exclusive hands-on with the Wii U and on Sunday morning, I will be unboxing the system when I get mine.

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Episode 5 Of Telltales’ The Walking Dead Hits Next Week!

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Joshua Rust

The Walking Dead

Telltale has announced today that the finale of it’s five part episodic game will hit marketplaces next week! Subtitled “No Time Left”, it will be available November 20 on the PlayStation Network in North America. As well as November 21 in the EU alongside Xbox, PC, Mac, and iOS versions.

Oddly enough, no mention of the Xbox 360 version for North America was detailed. But one would have to assume that it will come out November 20th as well. Again: assume.

I’ve played the first three episodes so far and I have loved every one of them even more that the last one that was released. I’ve been waiting for Episode 5 to release so I can just go through it all without the suspense of waiting. Telltale has also hinted around about there being a “Season 2” to this as well. I hope so, these games are amazing (especially for a point-n-click).

Anyone planning on picking this up next week? If so, what have you thought of the series so far?

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GTA V Trailer 2 Thoughts and Breakdown

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Jesse Lord

So by now hopefully you’ve seen the amazing Trailer 2 for GTA V.  Here is a run-down of my analysis of it, some predictions based on what I’ve seen, and any differences between this one and the official announcement trailer shown earlier this year.

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The trailer opens with shots of the opulent neighborhood that Michael, one of the series’ three protagonists, lives in – and from there it’s simply a whirlwind of clips and shots, giving you an idea of just what kind of a ride you’re in for.  Here are some bulleted observations:Read More

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007 Legends | Review

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Jason Bassett

I have been a big fan of the 007 franchise since the days of Goldeneye (both the movie and the game). I haven’t missed one in theaters since Die Another Day and I have loved the countless old-time 007 movies to this day; The Man with the Golden Gun is my favorite. When Activision announced that they were going to be making a game out of some of the old favorites and Die Another Day, I was really excited to see where they would take this game and its routes. Apparently, Activision and Eurocom seemed to forget what James Bond was all about.Read More

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Hotline Miami | Review

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Broken Joysticks

First impressions are often deal-breakers for so many, especially for those that look for the next video game to play. It can seem quite obvious that when anyone looks at a single glance at a screenshot for Dennation Games’ Hotline Miami, they see a pixelated 2D top down game that seems to take place inside a decently detailed building layout that also takes place in an ever-color-changing gradient. From a basic perspective, it’s not enough to win over an audience; that is until you see the game for what it truly is and discover that it’s more than looks that make it an indie gem.

Read More

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Satoru Iwata Unboxes the Nintendo Wii U

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Jason Bassett


As a bonus, late last week, Nintendo’s Satoru Iwata unboxed the Wii U to the delight of many others. Jokingly, he often compared himself to a shopping channel host. As a person who has unboxed things on camera before, let me say: he’s right….

Anyway, check out the unboxing for yourself here:

[youtube id=”ECqpc6Ses4s” width=”600″ height=”350″]

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The Silky Smooth Wii U Discs

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Jason Bassett

Today is actually a pretty landmark day for the Nintendo Wii U. Especially for it’s game lineup. Today is the first day some of the games became available in stores for players to buy. This is really cool. One of the games is the smash hit: Assassins Creed III. I managed to pick one up today and it’s the standard Wii U box that we have all been seeing in the last couple of months.

Well some of the people picked up their Wii U games, they were treated to a rather unexpected surprise. The Wii U discs are kind of…smooth. If you happened to pick up one of the games on sale today, you will notice the very side of the disc to be a bit smoother than most other discs. The outside of the disc contains a beveled edge that smooths the games discs out.

While we’re not sure why Nintendo manufacturers are making discs like this, all we know is…they are REALLY REALLY smooth. After holding my copy of Assassin’s Creed III today, the beveled edge gives it a much smoother, yet thinner surface than the Xbox 360 or the Playstation 3 discs. It’s also worth noting tbat the bottom of the discs kind of look like a Blu-Ray discs, even though we are told that they are NOT Blu-Ray discs.

An interesting turn of events for Nintendo and the discs that will play in the Wii U.

 

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You Got My Mass Effect 2 In Your Black Ops II!

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Seung Lee

Retail PC copies of the highly anticipated Call of Duty: Black Ops II come with second installation discs. That may seem perfectly normal, but these discs seem to contain data for BioWare’s Mass Effect 2. People everywhere, from Steam to Reddit, have been talking about this issue. There’s even a video on YouTube showcasing the huge blunder. PC players aren’t completely out of luck, however, because the game can still be installed (albeit, very slowly) with a Steam key that comes with each copy.

One has to wonder though–how, exactly, do you go about making such a careless mistake like this? Check out the YouTube video here (warning: there’s excessive profanity).

 

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Game Informer’s GTA V Impressions Video

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Jesse Lord

I’m almost drooling as I contemplate the fact that a new GTA V video is coming out in less than twenty-four hours!  I can’t stand it.  While I’m sitting over here trying to calm myself down, why don’t you all go ahead and check out this almost-half-hour video where Game Informer reps that got to see GTA V in action talk through their impressions.

[youtube id=”2LwzlQ7vZLQ” width=”600″ height=”338″]

And keep your eyes peeled for the new trailer, set to debut tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM EST.  It’s going to be a good day.

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