Videogame News Thread

[Kane Knight]

The sad truth about THQ going under is that nobody is going to change business as usual.

Of course, WWE games sell no matter what, so there's no need to change.

However, I think this could also be rephrased as "suck it, Darksiders fans."

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) According to Activision, they are planning on releasing fewer licensed-based games this year with the official reason due to the company currently restructuring its finances. 30 employees were also announced to be getting laid off as a result.
http://www.destructoid.com/activision-expects-to-have-fewer-licensed-games-this-year-246100.phtml

3) More footage of Obsidian Entertainment's cancelled Aliens game recently appeared online with gameplay being shown.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/xbox_360/gameplay-footage-of-obsidians-cancelled-aliens-rpg/

4) Sony currently rewarding select North American PSN users with a $5 or $10 voucher gift useable for future PSN purchases. The gift expires on March 5 while Europe appears to not be included in the giveaway.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/rumor-sony-awarding-long-time-playstation-fans-10-over-psn

[Drakul]

I'm now expecting Zelda news today. Nintendo have just this minute added a Zelda development community to Miiverse and they only add communities when they are about to be used.
No one but devs can post in it.
Possibly WW related.

[Kalyx triaD]

I heard they added it because there was some demand, nothing more. But who knows.

[Drakul]

That's the general Zelda community. They added a dev community within that that only the people who work on Zelda can post in.

[Kalyx triaD]

Interesting, then.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

WWE's next game, now running under the 2K Sports label, will indeed be called 'WWE 2k14'. As suspected 2K will allow Yukes to do the heavy lifting, while 2K themselves will supervise THQ's old branch that usually handled the localization and 'WWE-ing' of the product (specifically Visual Concepts who are often on point). It will also launch in the usual Fall time frame. I believe they are on that shit as we speak, and may have something to show next E3.

So there you have it, WWE 2k14.

Yeah, they're talking about merging Yukes with Visual Concepts too, so it will be the next gen versions before we even start seeing what creative direction 2k take the game.

[Kane Knight]

"Creative" being used loosely.

[Sepholio]

No mention of the PS4 reveal? you guys are getting lax.

[Sepholio]

wait nvm, just noticed the orbis topic right below this one. WOOOOOOOOOO

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) Update to Drakul's post about new Zelda stuff being added to the Miiverse as Nintendo announces both the Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages are being added to the 3DS eShop. The announcement was part of today's Nintendo Direct show.
http://www.destructoid.com/zelda-oracle-of-seasons-ages-coming-to-eshop-update--246209.phtml

2) CD Projekt RED announces The Witcher 3 will be arriving on the PS4 and next Xbox when its released next year alongside the PC version.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/the-witcher-3-confirmed-for-playstation-4-and-next-xbox/

3) The Wii version of Retro City Rampage will arrive on February 28 and includes the original prototype version as a freebie as well as a reduced price tag of $10. Steam will also get the original prototype version for free on the same date as well as a temporary price drop from now till February 28.
http://www.destructoid.com/retro-city-rampage-wii-out-feb-28-includes-prototype-rom-246271.phtml

4) Amazon currently holding a "Farewell to February" PC sale with over 850 games going on sale and discounts going as high as 75% off.
http://www.destructoid.com/crazy-amazon-sale-on-over-850-pc-games-246134.phtml

[Kane Knight]

Wouldn't mind grabbing Dead Space 1 and 2, save for the warnings about SecuRom.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) Recent domain purchases by Microsoft suggest they might be debuting the next Xbox in April as part of their own special event show.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/xboxevent-com-domain-registered-rumors-suggest-april/

2) During an interview with VGS47, Hideo Kojima announces more spin-offs in the Metal Gear Solid series could become a possibility in the future with at least one involving The Boss being teased.
http://www.destructoid.com/more-metal-gear-spin-offs-may-be-on-the-way-246393.phtml

3) Microsoft announces they will be holding a "Xbox Ultimate Game Sale" starting on February 26th and lasting till March 4. The sale will include 60 games from the "Games On Demand" service and discounts going as high as 75% off with a few getting a special 85% discount.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/xbox-live-ultimate-game-sale-discounting-over-60-titles/

4) According to both the screenwriter and director for the Deus Ex film project, the film itself will not be loosely based on any game in the series and instead is being treated as a cyberpunk type film. The film will be taking actual inspiration from the films of Looper, District 9, and Inception.
http://www.destructoid.com/deus-ex-movie-won-t-be-a-videogame-movie-246425.phtml

[ClockShot]

Sounds like a disaster in the works for this Deus Ex flick.

Just use Human Revolution as a blueprint and make us all happy.

[Blitz]

I've been playing the Amazing Spider Man movie tie in game released last year. I enjoy the gameplay enough, but it has to have the most cringeworthy script and acting I've seen in a long while. Spidey is straight up obnoxious and I actually feel ok with dying because it shuts him up for a second.

[Emperor Smeat]

EA announces they have laid off employees at several of their studios while Visceral Montreal (Army of Two Devil’s Cartel co-developer) has been shut down.

EA Montreal will be taking over all of the projects Visceral Montreal was usually in charge of while also becoming EA's main studio for developing mobile games now.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/21/ea-hit-by-layoffs?abthid=5128263b4dea3526550000a5

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) More complains have been leveled against Gearbox with this time involving the Wii U version of Aliens Colonial Marines. According to testers from Sega, Gearbox also lied about the status of this version and have found out its even more broken than the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions.
http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Aliens-Colonial-Marines-Wii-U-Version-Worst-Says-Sega-Tester-52659.html

2) A writer from Telltale Games teases the company might be releasing more Walking Dead chapters in the near future as part of the lead up to the release of the second season for the game.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/walking-dead-dev-mentions-pre-season-2-content/

3) Square Enix confirms Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX will be released in both Europe and North America for the PS3 although no release date was announced as of yet.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/square-enix-confirms-kingdom-hearts-hd-15-remix-west

4) Another patent from Sony was recently discovered with the idea of using loading times to detect if a game copy is legit or pirated. According to the patent, normal loading problems will not trigger a false positive and only collects user information if a pirated copy was actually detected.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/another-sony-anti-piracy-patent-has-been-discovered

[Heisenberg]

I wish Telltale would do more Back To The Future episodes. Pretty good series.

[Kalyx triaD]

My newest blog calls for coolers heads with the latest rumor of 'NexBox' locking games to one console. Chillax, people. (http://kalyxtriad.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/next-gen-xbox-console-locking-games-maybe-so-what/)

[Kane Knight]

You choose this point to call for calmer heads amidst wild speculation?

[Kalyx triaD]

Oh yes, it can certainly get worse.

[Kane Knight]

It can get worse, but at this point you're suggesting closing the barn door after Denis Leary's already wearing the jacket.

[Kalyx triaD]

Rescue Me, then.

[Kane Knight]

Come on. Come on.

[Kalyx triaD]

I'm here all night.

...:(

[#BROKEN Hasney]

AMD has announced hair physics technology

http://blogs.amd.com/play/tressfx/

Uses DirectCompute so should be doable on NVidia cards too, unless they're locking it like they did with PhysX.

http://blogs.amd.com/play/files/2013/02/tress_before_after3.jpg

[Kalyx triaD]

Because when I blast zombies or thwart alien invasions; I need to know my bangs hold up as realistically as possible.

[Kane Knight]

Because when I blast zombies or thwart alien invasions; I need to know my bangs hold up as realistically as possible.

As retarded as it is, people have been bitching about hair since CG became a thing.

[Kalyx triaD]

Wonder what Agent 47 thinks about this.

[Kane Knight]

Maybe his eyebrows will move more realistically.

But seriously, turd-polishing is pretty much all gaming does these days.

[Kane Knight]

Plus, think about how much immersion bangs management will add to your average game.

[Fignuts]

FINALLY

[DaveBrawl]

Plus, think about how much immersion bangs management will add to your average game.
15 more minutes in the SVR CAW system.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) Based on a leaked promotional poster, the next Assassin's Creed game will be called "Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag" and takes places in the Caribbean Islands. The new main character was also leaked to be the grandfather of Connor from AC III.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/assassins-creed-4-black-flag-gets-leaked-screenshot-poster

2) Epic Games announces Gears of War Judgement will have a Season Pass which will cost $20, offers a 20% discount on all DLC, and some extra multiplayer-related goodies.
http://www.destructoid.com/gears-of-war-judgement-will-have-a-season-pass-247053.phtml

3) Sony is currently holding a special PSN promotion involving getting $10 back in credit for spending $50 or more on the PS Store. The offer started today and lasts till April 1st.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/get-10-for-every-50-spent-on-psn-until-april/

4) Microsoft's "Xbox Live Ultimate Game Sale" started today with the first batch of games from the On Demand service revealed for today's discount. A new batch of games will be revealed every day until the sale ends on March 4th.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/microsoft-offering-additional-xbox-live-ultimate-game-sale-items-for-great-prices/

[Drakul]

I just checked the Ultimate Game Sale out and Virtua Fighter 5 is listed as being about £5 but, when you actually click it, it's £2.69. Glitch?

[ClockShot]

Hmmmm.

I'm just dreaming, but I hope this new Assassins' Creed game got some traces of Sid Meier's Pirates in it. That might get me hooked into buying it.

But right now, I'm gonna pass it up.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I just checked the Ultimate Game Sale out and Virtua Fighter 5 is listed as being about £5 but, when you actually click it, it's £2.69. Glitch?

It's listed as $4.99 here, which would be an accurate conversion.

[DaveBrawl]

Bought Dirt 2 strictly to drive the trophy trucks and Power Wagon. Apparently I never learn about buying racing games and then playing them once or twice before I tire of them...like Forza Horizon. At least this one was only $5.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

EA and MS allegedly have some kind of partnership that they'll reveal at their console reveal.

Assuming timed-exclusive DLC. Can't see EA leaving all that Playstation money on the table with actual game exclusives unless MS have paid them a metric buttload.

[Kalyx triaD]

DLC exclusive to one console is very stupid.

[Drakul]

Bought VF5. Can't see myself being any good at it.

[Kalyx triaD]

So why...?

[drave]

Bought VF5. Can't see myself being any good at it.


Same, but it's fun as hell :cool:

[Emperor Smeat]

EA and MS allegedly have some kind of partnership that they'll reveal at their console reveal.

Assuming timed-exclusive DLC. Can't see EA leaving all that Playstation money on the table with actual game exclusives unless MS have paid them a metric buttload.

If its not DLC, probably something involving Origin becoming a major part of the next XBL or at least as a favored status.

EA tried the same with Nintendo but got pissed off when Nintendo declined. Also got upset with Nintendo having Valve help them with the new eShop.

[Drakul]

So why...?

Why what?

Why did I buy it? Because it was under £3 and I had considered buying it for much more in the past.

Why do I not think I'll be any good? Because it's likely more technical than I'm used to. You know I'm not a technical fighter by any stretch of the word. It's a whole new world to me, more or less, so we'll see how I do.

[Kalyx triaD]

I can't be arsed to bring up old complaints about Virtua Fighter, let's leave it at I don't like it. Actually I asked why in the sense that you didn't seem interested, but now that you cleared that up I get it.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

1000 player Bomberman, anyone?

http://bombermine.com/

My word.

[Drakul]

I tried to go on the site when I saw it on Kotaku but it wouldn't work.

[Kalyx triaD]

Crazy.

[RoXer]

1000 player Bomberman, anyone?

http://bombermine.com/

My word.

holy crap

[Fignuts]

I remember when I first got Xbox live, bomber an live was all I played.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) According to EA, the addition of micro-transactions in Dead Space 3 was the start of a larger plan for all games developed and published by the company to contain micro-transactions.
http://www.destructoid.com/ea-plans-a-future-of-microtransactions-update--247138.phtml

2) According to Masahiro Sakurai, a recent arm injury he sustained might cause the development of the next Smash Bros game to be delayed soon. He is currently having serious problems using a keyboard and controller.
http://www.destructoid.com/sakurai-s-injury-impacting-next-smash-bros-development-247178.phtml

3) A recent trademark by Square Enix could indicate either a new game in the Deus Ex series might be in development soon or reveal the official name for the upcoming Deus Ex film.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/square-enix-files-new-deus-ex-trademark

4) 343 Industries teases the future of the Halo series might involve more non-FPS games and less focus on Master Chief in order to develop new arcs in the series storyline.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/future-of-halo-may-shift-focus-away-from-master-chief/

[Tommy Gunn]

What the hell is a micro-transaction anyhow? Paying for stuff in-game with real money without having to go to the PSN/Xbox Live store?

[LoDownM]

For the most part, yes. It's more for free to play games like Planetside 2, Dust 514 though, not for games you pay 60 bucks for. Hope this "idea" completely fails, but I know it won't, people are lazy and will pay to unlock something rather than actually playing the game to unlock it.

[Kane Knight]

There's no future guesswork. It's succeeded.

[ClockShot]

Anybody here getting Sim City next week?

[Drakul]

I'd love to but the combination of Securom (which puts me off a game, instantly) and my PC being unable to handle modern games makes it a no for me :(.
Wish they'd release the game on Wii U or something. Not a watered down or gimmick version. An identical version to the PC.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Anybody here getting Sim City next week?

Loved the beta, but EA are trying to charge out of the ass for it.

They've made the always-online stuff kind of make sense, so I'm not fussed with that like I am with Ubi stuff. But £45 is hilarious.

EDIT: Just seen it for £30. Chanting that I'm going to Amsterdam to stop me impulse buying.

[Blitz]

http://www.destructoid.com/ul/247241-/ACBFkeyart-620x.jpg

[Blitz]

More reveals on March 4th, apparently.

[Blitz]

I think they missed an opportunity by not having the game be about Assassins in the 80s punk scene, but that's me.

[DaveBrawl]

An AC game where you play as Billy Idol would actually be pretty great.

[Kalyx triaD]

Still waiting on the eventual modern setting AC which will cross over with Splinter Cell somehow.

[drave]

Still waiting on the eventual modern setting AC which will cross over with Splinter Cell somehow.

Was just thinking "Modern day AC = stealth FPS/TPS game"

:y:

[LoDownM]

Anybody here getting Sim City next week?

It looks fun, but I don't want other people in my SimCity.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

It looks fun, but I don't want other people in my SimCity.

You can turn that off and just have a private one.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) Sony announces Grand Turismo 6 will only be developed for the PS3 and won't have a PS4 version.
http://www.destructoid.com/gran-turismo-6-is-a-game-for-the-playstation-3--247302.phtml

2) Capcom rumored to be showcasing about nine games with two of the games being previously unannounced projects during next month's PAX East expo.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-capcom-revealing-two-unannounced-games-at-pax-east/

3) Avalanche Studios once again teasing their next project could be Just Cause 3 after their CEO released a new teaser image. Another rumor stated these images might be related to a possible Mad Max game instead.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/rumor-avalanche-ceo-teases-something-could-be-just-cause-3

4) Sony has sold another headquarters building with this time their Tokyo HQ building being sold for around $1.2 billion. The sale is part of a current plan by Sony to generate massive amounts of cash to help offset their massive debts and financial losses from the past several years.
http://www.destructoid.com/sony-sells-their-tokyo-hq-building-for-1-2-billion-247286.phtml

[Kalyx triaD]

Who the fuck thinks Avalanche is making a Mad Max game rather than Just Cause 3? Who actually? What the fuck.

[Kalyx triaD]

While I always thought and still think Cliffy B a hack; his latest rant (http://dudehugespeaks.tumblr.com/post/44243746261/nickels-dimes-and-quarters) is both 'epic' and parallel to my own rants about gamers. He's still a pretentious frog but for a week or so I'll consider him my brother.

[Emperor Smeat]

Who the fuck thinks Avalanche is making a Mad Max game rather than Just Cause 3? Who actually? What the fuck.

Bunch of rumors the past few years hinting they might be developing the game after Just Cause 2 was done. Would be based around the 3rd film I think and not the cancelled 4th film since someone else is actually making that into a game.

[Kane Knight]

While I always thought and still think Cliffy B a hack; his latest rant (http://dudehugespeaks.tumblr.com/post/44243746261/nickels-dimes-and-quarters) is both 'epic' and parallel to my own rants about gamers. He's still a pretentious frog but for a week or so I'll consider him my brother.

Considering he's all over the place, I'm not sure what particularly you agree with there. However, the beginning (first several paragraphs) is utterly retarded, and even I feel the need to point out the obvious about Steam v Origin to him.

I can't believe you're that retarded, Kal. I really can't. This is "epic" only in the sense that it's long and in desperate need of editing.

Much like LotR, really.

[ClockShot]

Who the fuck thinks Avalanche is making a Mad Max game rather than Just Cause 3? Who actually? What the fuck.

There is a Mad Max remake in post production slated for a 2014 release.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

"im sick of the hate on EA"

I bet this fuckwad is trying to get a job.

[Kalyx triaD]

The retard fight between Steam and Origin aside, his main thesis is the culture of gamers feeling like companies are doing anything different than McDonalds running Happy Meal commercials during Saturday morning cartoons.

But yeah it could have been shorter. Sure.

[Kalyx triaD]

"im sick of the hate on EA"

I bet this fuckwad is trying to get a job.

Fuck that, he's been much more entertaining not making another shit game.

[Kane Knight]

The retard fight between Steam and Origin aside, his main thesis is the culture of gamers feeling like companies are doing anything different than McDonalds running Happy Meal commercials during Saturday morning cartoons.

But yeah it could have been shorter. Sure.

Yeah, except they kinda are and that's the problem.

I know gamers are generally man-children with no real-world experience, but this guy has had a job and ostensibly lived outside his mom's basement. He really should know better. He's making this stance at a time where game manufacturers are fighting for special snowflake privileges above and beyond what other industries have.

Hell, first sale doctrine alone would make your Cliffs Notes version of his point sound stupid.

[Kane Knight]

Actually, McDonalds is a pretty shitty example, too. While they are profit driven, they're also pretty up-front about their actions.

The whole "companies are supposed to make money" is the sort of mouth-breathing shit I'd expect from James Steele or Sarah Palin.

[Kalyx triaD]

Well they are, but don't let that be some end-all conclusion of mine. I do know of the bullshit they get into, but I don't pretend I have no choice but to be victimized. In SFxT I am against DLC Gems because of what that means to the metagame. I have never purchased DLC Gems. Capcom doesn't get my money. Unfortunately, for all the posturing people made over the deal, they are starting to spread like wildfire. I've run into a few players using them. Similar elements will be back in future Capcom fighters, I assume.

And that's it right there; companies do shady things, but people buy them anyway. If your biggest complainers are a small cabal of players while the rest are fine and dandy spending money on you, what would YOU honestly do? So it's not some 'companies exist to make money' for me, it's how gamers forgot about how much power they have. We killed Turok. We killed Siphon Filter. We killed the new Medal of Honor. We didn't like them so we killed them with our wallets.

Nobody sees it that way, though.

[Tommy Gunn]

I've been enjoying Skyrim on PS3 lately, but started to wonder, do you think they'll release it again on the next consoles in ultra-high-res? Kind of to match it to how it looks on high-end PCs at the moment. It'd be like a GOTY package or something with all the DLC, and the load times reduced to nothing.

[Kalyx triaD]

Doubt it.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

They're probably too busy preparing FallOut 4 for the next gen systems.

[drave]

Well they are, but don't let that be some end-all conclusion of mine. I do know of the bullshit they get into, but I don't pretend I have no choice but to be victimized. In SFxT I am against DLC Gems because of what that means to the metagame. I have never purchased DLC Gems. Capcom doesn't get my money. Unfortunately, for all the posturing people made over the deal, they are starting to spread like wildfire. I've run into a few players using them. Similar elements will be back in future Capcom fighters, I assume.

And that's it right there; companies do shady things, but people buy them anyway. If your biggest complainers are a small cabal of players while the rest are fine and dandy spending money on you, what would YOU honestly do? So it's not some 'companies exist to make money' for me, it's how gamers forgot about how much power they have. We killed Turok. We killed Siphon Filter. We killed the new Medal of Honor. We didn't like them so we killed them with our wallets.

Nobody sees it that way, though.

Damn shame about the franchises you named, all were great IMO. Too many people stuck on the "annual blockbusters" now, like CoD, and what will be Battlefield and apparently Assassins Creed too.

Sad that Medal of Honor was killed, that was the first WW II shooter I had ever played.

[Kalyx triaD]

Turok 2 and Goldeneye had a big hand in making love FPS games, before it got way crowded anyway.

[LoDownM]

I don't think gamers killed Turok, I think every game since the N64 games being bad killed it.

[Kalyx triaD]

Games being bad doesn't factor as much as sales. There's a lot of bad games that are still kicking because somehow they convinced people to keep buying it. Conversely, there's some great games that are commercial flops - signing their death warrant. Sales are the end all, even beyond quality of the game.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) LucasArts currently rumored to have delayed the development of Star Wars 1313 and now very likely to miss its planned late 2013 release window.
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/02/28/rumor-lucasarts-has-stopped-work-on-star-wars-1313.aspx

2) According to an accidental leak by Ubisoft themselves, Assassin's Creed 4 is expected to be released on October 29, 2013 and will also include the next Xbox and PS4 as platforms for the game.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/assassins-creed-iv-black-flag-release-date-leaked-coming-to-next-gen-consoles/

3) GameFly announces they have laid off roughly 15% of their staff as part of their current plan to put a greater focus on providing digital distribution services.
http://www.destructoid.com/gamefly-lays-off-employees-focuses-on-software-247348.phtml

4) As part of EA's plan for more micro-transactions in their games, the iOS/Android free-to-play game of Real Racing 3 contains roughly $500 worth of paying content. The game was also discovered to be very restrictive to play to the point it semi-forces money to be spent in order to make the game playable.
http://www.destructoid.com/real-racing-3-infuriates-with-500-of-microtransactions-247411.phtml

[Kalyx triaD]

RIP Real Racing 3. Deal with the devil and all that.

[Kane Knight]

If your biggest complainers are a small cabal of players while the rest are fine and dandy spending money on you, what would YOU honestly do?


Or if you're Angry Joe, both.

[Kalyx triaD]

Hate that guy, thought maybe I should watch an entire video to be sure.

[Kane Knight]

I game him a shot because he's so well-liked by the CA crew and everything, but he's shit. Admittedly, I do watch the occasional video where I think he's going to lose his shit. As a (completely retarded) Capcom fanboy, he will suck their dicks and then complain that they screwed him again.

[LoDownM]

He's the worst member of TGS imo.

[Kalyx triaD]

Now I wanna see if I could any notable spazz outs.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to a recent rumor, Yu Suzuki might considering using Kickstarter to help fund a potential Shemue 3 project.

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/03/03/french-reporter-says-yu-suzuki-hasn-39-t-ruled-out-shenmue-3-kickstarter.aspx

[Kalyx triaD]

That is so sad.

[drave]

I had fun with Shenmue xD

I need to protect my honor! but first it's time to pet this kitty, go to the arcade, drive a forklift, go on a date, eat, give the kitty a new box b/c now it's raining and then I can mebbe do some training

[Drakul]

Watched Game Grumps play Shenmue and, even with the comedy commentery, I still thought the game looked pretty dull.

I'm sure, at the time of release, it was amazing but it doesn't look like it held up.

[Kalyx triaD]

Shenmue is an unrecognized successor to a lot of stuff we see all the time in games, particular open-world sandbox games with varying degrees of side activities to do outside of the main narrative.

Really, though, people wanna finish the damn story.

[Kalyx triaD]

Latest blog (http://kalyxtriad.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/battlefield-3-a-standard-for-dlc-microtransactions/) makes a case for why Battlefield 3 handled DLC and microtransactions better than many franchises this console generation. Thanks for reading/skimming.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) Update to Square Enix trademarking a new Deus Ex name as it was revealed to be for the upcoming film from CBS Films.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/update-square-enix-files-new-deus-ex-trademark-movie

2) According to a new trailer released by Epic Games, Gears of War Judgement will contain an unlockable campaign called "Aftermath" and deals with what Cole and Bard were doing at the end of Gear of War 3.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/gears-of-war-judgment-contains-a-second-campaign-titled-aftermath/

3) According to reports, co-founder Jason West has left Respawn Entertainment with the unofficial reason being related to family issues. West and Vince Zampella were the co-founders of Infinity Ward before their split with Activision a few years ago.
http://www.giantbomb.com/articles/jason-west-has-left-respawn-entertainment/1100-4594

[#BROKEN Hasney]

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/images/13/mar/simline.jpg

[LoDownM]

Retarded, a wait time to play a single player game. Good job EA.

[Fignuts]

Yeah fuck perpetually online games.

[Kalyx triaD]

That is really bad.

[Drakul]

I'm waiting for this kind of thing to completely infect console gaming aswell.

[Kalyx triaD]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H9VClRhU404?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Poit]

Retarded, a wait time to play a single player game. Good job EA.

It's not a single player game.

[Fignuts]

Yes there is an option to play a single player game, unconnected to other players cities, but you need to be online even for that.

[Fignuts]

Jesus Christ at that fat guy though.

[Poit]

Yes there is an option to play a single player game, unconnected to other players cities, but you need to be online even for that.

Which makes it a multiplayer game that you're choosing to play alone - like playing solo in an MMO.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Looking at the reviews, solo seems the only way I'd play it because the cities are so tiny that I'd want to build up the entire region by myself.

Hate the design decision anyway. Have to be online even with a solo region because the server is doing some of the calculation. Then cities have to be tiny so the game will run on some old mans PC. I'm betting the server does so little on a private game that a server emulator comes out soon.

[Poit]

I wouldn't be surprised if cooperative play was required for topping the challenge leaderboards, but otherwise, yeah, I don't want to particularly play with other people. Except for the global market thingy.

Once the launch problems are sorted out, my boyfriend and I are going to work on a region together. And wow, there are a lot of launch problems. It reminds me of when WoW launched.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

These Sim City bugs are getting hilarious now. This poor dude just had this happen and because there's no terraforming, he's essentially boned

http://i.imgur.com/CbRnT9p.jpg

[Drakul]

From what I've heard, the launch of Sim City has been a disaster.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

EA have tweeted that if you can't get on a server, try a different one!

Which would be great and all, but if you've started a city, you can't transfer it over to a different server. It stays on the same one.

[Disturbed316]

Jesus, that guys voice is ridiculous.

[drave]

I sincerely hope this trend of "always online" dies horribly in the worst fire ever. First with Diablo III and now this. If there is EVER an option for "single player" in a game, it should NOT require online connectivity. Otherwise, don't advertise as single player.

[LoDownM]

Sorry Poit, this isn't a multiplayer game, it is a single player game with the option of co-operative play, like Diablo 3. EA calling it "multiplayer" is just them trying to justify always on DRM.

[Kane Knight]

It's not a single player game.

He's got a point. It's not like this was marketed as a single-player experience.

[drave]

He's got a point. It's not like this was marketed as a single-player experience.

Along with many of the cosmetic changes (such as up-to-date 3D graphics), SimCity uses the new GlassBox engine. "We try to build what you would expect to see, and that's the game," explains system architect Andrew Willmott, meaning that visual effects such as traffic, economic troubles, and pollution will be more obvious. Two other new features are a multiplayer component and finite resources

Maxis Development Team on SimCity (Reddit)". Reddit. March 10, 2012. Wasn't marketed as MP either, simply said it was a "component".

Although the Senior VP at Maxis did say this about the DRM issue Dec 10 (reddit again), 2012:

Lucy Bradshaw, Maxis Senior Vice President, in which she defended the always-online component with the comment that "real cities do not exist in a bubble; they share a region and affect one another." She goes on to say that increased connectivity to neighboring cities allows for a better experience, allowing for better trade and wider scale effects such as crime and pollution to keep synchronized across the region.


Because ActiBlizzard proved that always online DRM works well against "bots" hacks, or otherwise non-mentioned piracy/illegal engineering of the software :|

[Fignuts]

Why is there no terraforming? That's retarded.

[drave]

Why is there no terraforming? That's retarded.

Because it is "too violent" and games cause people to go nuts and kill other people.

Seriously, wait a few weeks. The DRM will be found to have been USELESS and there will be some awesome mods (if it even takes that long).

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Because it is "too violent" and games cause people to go nuts and kill other people.

Seriously, wait a few weeks. The DRM will be found to have been USELESS and there will be some awesome mods (if it even takes that long).

It is actually doing shit on the server, so they'll need to fully emulate that. They still haven't done it for Diablo 3 yet. At least not fully.

[drave]

Not FULLY, but functional none the less.

Either way, hiding behind DRM as the main reason for required online connectivity is complete bullshit.

[Fignuts]

Far Cry 3 patch is out, that lets you reset outposts.

[Poit]

Maxis Development Team on SimCity (Reddit)". Reddit. March 10, 2012. Wasn't marketed as MP either, simply said it was a "component".

Like how MMOs have a multiplayer component?

Sorry Poit, this isn't a multiplayer game, it is a single player game with the option of co-operative play, like Diablo 3. EA calling it "multiplayer" is just them trying to justify always on DRM.

Is there any evidence to suggest that the multiplayer is just a justification for the DRM?

[drave]

Like how MMOs have a multiplayer component?



Is there any evidence to suggest that the multiplayer is just a justification for the DRM?

MMO? What, pray-tell, does MMO stand for? Massive MULTIPLAYER ONLINE. K, do I need to go further, or are you the only one that bought the Sim City MMO?

Also, their justification for DRM is for micro-transactions AND anti-piracy. It has been proven that DRM does NOTHING to combat piracy, especially in titles that have a huge role in the gaming world, like the name "sim City". Bottom line: It doesn't matter WHAT their justification would be for making it always online. It is simple enough to connect an individual user account to said server WHEN they authenticate.

Say, there is a button to click "Multiplayer". THEN the system tries to connect to the server, blah blah blah. The problem THAT brings into play is when the games system files are able to be viewed/deciphered/etc.. That data can then be used for reverse engineering opening the doors for piracy and cheats.

If DRM is to be implemented in a game that has a "single player" mode, it should have zero impact on the user unless they choose to participate in the multiplayer mode.


Sadly, it has become all about the $$$$. That is good, because they need to make money, but not at the cost of alienating the single player user base.

[Poit]

I actually do think this new game is like a SimCity MMO.

Because ActiBlizzard proved that always online DRM works well against "bots" hacks, or otherwise non-mentioned piracy/illegal engineering of the software :|

It has been proven that DRM does NOTHING to combat piracy, especially in titles that have a huge role in the gaming world, like the name "sim City".

You confuse me.

[drave]

I actually do think this new game is like a SimCity MMO.





You confuse me.

Sorry, instead of :| I will use /sarcasm next time.

And you may think it is an MMO, as many others as well. It was not marketed as an MMO, and was also stated that multiplayer was a PIECE of the entire puzzle, not the puzzle itself.

MMO =/= RTS.

[Kane Knight]

drave's just pissed he didn't read the box before he bought it.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) Telltale Games announce Season 2 of The Walking Dead has a release date of Fall 2013 and extra Season 1 content will be released in the near future.
http://www.destructoid.com/the-walking-dead-season-2-looking-at-fall-2014-release-247930.phtml

2) The boss of Valve, Gabe Newell, announces prototype versions of the Steam Box will start to arrive within the next 3 to 4 months and will be available to the public.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/valve-to-give-out-steam-box-prototypes-in-three-to-four-months/

3) Capcom announces Lost Planet 3's release date has been pushed back with the new date of June 25 for North America and June 28 for Europe.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/lost-planet-3-has-official-release-date-and-introduces-story

4) EA claims they made a mistake by stating all future EA games will contain microstrancations and now are claiming to only mean the feature will be supported but not necessarily used. They did reiterate all mobile games will use the feature because they are all "free-to-play" games.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/not-every-future-ea-title-will-have-microtransactions-corrects-cfo/

5) Edios Montreal officially debuts Thief 4 with details including the game being a reboot of the series, a planned 2014 release date, and will be released on both PC and next gen consoles.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/thief-reboot-revealed-for-ps4-pc-and-other-next-gen-consoles/

Bonus) Some recent speculation and theories involving EA's exclusive partnership with Microsoft for the next Xbox might involve Origin becoming the basis of the next version of XBLA.

[drave]

Don't like the game :)

I just think it sucks for people that will be affected by the requirement. I actually see Poit's point and how many people will view it the same way as an MMO-esque game.

[drave]

Hope the last bit about EA/Origin and XBL does not see the light of day.

[Poit]

Sorry, instead of :| I will use /sarcasm next time.

And you may think it is an MMO, as many others as well. It was not marketed as an MMO, and was also stated that multiplayer was a PIECE of the entire puzzle, not the puzzle itself.

MMO =/= RTS.

Heh, I wasn't sure if the :| meant sarcasm or disapproval.

While the multiplayer is indeed just part of the game, it is a heavily-marketed and central part of the game. I mean, when you start playing (after the landing screen), the first thing you see is the interface to join an existing public region.

In a couple days, the post-launch issues will be resolved. Then, hopefully, people will start realizing that the always-online thing does actually have some benefits. For instance, if offline regions were a thing, then there would be people with offline regions complaining that they should be on the leaderboard, but aren't because they weren't online.

Granted, sandbox regions aren't eligible for leaderboards, so it would be nice if those could be made offline. Or perhaps you could tick a checkbox to say "I want to play offline, and I understand that I won't get achievements or qualify for leaderboards". I wonder how much of a performance hit it would be for the server-side processing to be done locally.

[drave]

That's exactly it...

It would be LESS taxing on their side of things, more taxing on the user. However, it then comes down to meeting minimum requirements that are printed on the box, since you wouldn't need to worry about being connected.

They are out for any lil $$$ they can get (which is fine, they are a business). If, for example, my ISP was down because the wind blew the wrong way, no game for j0o! Just so many reasons that a user may not have a connection at any given point that could keep them from playing. Or, if EA decides to shut down the servers for the game, you have a neat paperweight :)

I hope it does work well and people enjoy what they paid for. I just hope that this trend does not continue and DEFINITELY hope it does not hit consoles.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

If the ISP goes down more than likely your power went down too so you couldn't play anyways.

[Kane Knight]

If the ISP goes down more than likely your power went down too so you couldn't play anyways.

You've never been on Comcast, I see.

[drave]

You've never been on Comcast, I see.

I am on Comcast, so I confer with you here, as much as I may not like it.


Even if the power goes out, one can still wardrive and get on another wireless connection :)

[Kane Knight]

Heh, I wasn't sure if the :| meant sarcasm or disapproval.

While the multiplayer is indeed just part of the game, it is a heavily-marketed and central part of the game. I mean, when you start playing (after the landing screen), the first thing you see is the interface to join an existing public region.

In a couple days, the post-launch issues will be resolved. Then, hopefully, people will start realizing that the always-online thing does actually have some benefits. For instance, if offline regions were a thing, then there would be people with offline regions complaining that they should be on the leaderboard, but aren't because they weren't online.

Granted, sandbox regions aren't eligible for leaderboards, so it would be nice if those could be made offline. Or perhaps you could tick a checkbox to say "I want to play offline, and I understand that I won't get achievements or qualify for leaderboards". I wonder how much of a performance hit it would be for the server-side processing to be done locally.

the amusing thing is that this really ought to be the default state.

The other amusing thing is that they're disabling shit like leaderboards, currently, which means the forced online element will have even less meaning to people who aren't intent on playing with others.

It looks like they really screwed the pooch on this one.

[Kalyx triaD]

I really hate it when the easiest things go overlooked or under-valued. So many issues could be solved if people just cover their bases. Gonna call it the 'Key Hook' effect. Oh you keep losing your keys? Get a key hook for your wall, dumbass.

[Kane Knight]

Good enough name as any for the phenomenon, I suppose.

I mean, seriously, at this point in time who couldn't see this one coming?

[Kalyx triaD]

EA. And famously Ubisoft once upon a time.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily News - SimCity Edition
1) EA pledging to be adding more servers for SimCity over the next couple of days to help alleviate the long queues and connection problems.
http://www.destructoid.com/ea-will-be-adding-more-simcity-servers-over-next-two-days-248029.phtml

2) EA also announces they are disabling non-essential features (achievements, leaderboards, etc) as a temporary way to help reduce server issues for the time being.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/simcity-sadness/

3) Amazon has pulled the game from their store with the official reason being due to EA's servers being too unstable for the game. They will start reselling the game once those issues are fixed.
http://www.destructoid.com/amazon-has-pulled-simcity-from-its-store-248072.phtml

4) While EA is claiming to offer refunds for the game, people are claiming those refunds ends up generating bans from Origin due to the chargeback being issued.
http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/13275/article/sim-city-ea-refuses-refunds-threatens-customer-with-origin-bans/
https://twitter.com/OriginInsider/status/309783718321590273

[Kalyx triaD]

What's fucked up is how people will forget the very next month and will not have a problem pre-ordering the next SimCity.

[Kane Knight]

The whole "ban" thing appears to originate (no pun intended) from a gy threatening to stop payment.

Even that seems like dubious grounds for a ban, but it's a lot less stupid than the prior.

What's fucked up is how people will forget the very next month and will not have a problem pre-ordering the next SimCity.

Next SimCity? They've probably already pre-ordered whichever the next always online game is. Because pattern recognition? What the fuck is that?

[ClockShot]

Sim City news edition?

Slow news day or something, Smelly?

[Emperor Smeat]

Somewhat. There was a lot more notable SimCity news than regular non-thread worthy news that I could find for today.

Probably the biggest non-SimCity news would be EA managing to snag the lead designer of Watch Dogs and Far Cry 3 away from Ubisoft.
http://www.destructoid.com/watch-dogs-loses-its-lead-game-designer-to-ea-247947.phtml

[Kalyx triaD]

Whoop-dee-do for EA.

Pretty much can't wait for Japan centric game news come E3 and TGS, and anything from Nintendo.

[Poit]

The other amusing thing is that they're disabling shit like leaderboards, currently, which means the forced online element will have even less meaning to people who aren't intent on playing with others.

The leaderboards aren't really important yet, because the first leaderboard challenge doesn't start for another... 12 days, I think?

What I'm more irritated about is the disabling of achievements and cheetah speed.

[drave]

Daily News - SimCity Edition
1) EA pledging to be adding more servers for SimCity over the next couple of days to help alleviate the long queues and connection problems.
http://www.destructoid.com/ea-will-be-adding-more-simcity-servers-over-next-two-days-248029.phtml

2) EA also announces they are disabling non-essential features (achievements, leaderboards, etc) as a temporary way to help reduce server issues for the time being.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/simcity-sadness/

3) Amazon has pulled the game from their store with the official reason being due to EA's servers being too unstable for the game. They will start reselling the game once those issues are fixed.
http://www.destructoid.com/amazon-has-pulled-simcity-from-its-store-248072.phtml

4) While EA is claiming to offer refunds for the game, people are claiming those refunds ends up generating bans from Origin due to the chargeback being issued.
http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/13275/article/sim-city-ea-refuses-refunds-threatens-customer-with-origin-bans/
https://twitter.com/OriginInsider/status/309783718321590273

EA does it again. Sad too, they have some great games, but always fuck up the delivery. The Strike Series on the 32bit systems come to mind (Desert, Jungle and Urban Strike; good delivery, good times)

What's fucked up is how people will forget the very next month and will not have a problem pre-ordering the next SimCity.

Exactly. And this sucks because the industry giants will continue with this methodology.

Whoop-dee-do for EA.

Pretty much can't wait for Japan centric game news come E3 and TGS, and anything from Nintendo.

This!

The leaderboards aren't really important yet, because the first leaderboard challenge doesn't start for another... 12 days, I think?

What I'm more irritated about is the disabling of achievements and cheetah speed.

The leaderboards will be useless anyway. There will be massive exploits in order to be at the top, everyone will end up with the same "max" in whatever categories they have, and it will all be for naught anyhoo. But yay anti-drm online only policy, amirite? :shifty:

[Kalyx triaD]

Football player rants at EA over SimCity (https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/03/08/test-headline.aspx).

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily News:
1) More SimCity news involving EA telling people to stop promoting the game, EA's PR claiming the reason the servers are crashing is because people are having "too much fun", and EA officially not offering refunds on Origin.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/ea-asks-affiliates-to-stop-actively-promoting-the-game/
http://www.destructoid.com/ea-simcity-s-broken-because-it-s-just-too-much-fun--248186.phtml
http://www.destructoid.com/no-simcity-refunds-on-origin-248135.phtml

2) Nasdaq has issued a stock delisting warning to Majesco with the demands of they must improve their stock value to the $1 minimum within the next 180 days. Majesco's stock value has been hovering between the 50 cents to 60 cents range for the past month.
http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/7/4077038/majesco-at-risk-of-being-delisted-from-nasdaq?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

3) Microsoft has quietly discontinued offering the Xbox Live Gold Family Pack which gave a year of Xbox Live Gold for up to 4 accounts per console for the price of $100.
http://www.destructoid.com/microsoft-quietly-cancels-the-xbox-live-family-pack-248141.phtml

4) A recent episode of the PBS "Inventor" series dealt with Ralph Baer who is considered as the "father of video games" due to his work with the Odyssey.
http://www.destructoid.com/pay-your-respects-to-the-father-of-videogames-248119.phtml

[#BROKEN Hasney]

EA are giving a free game to anyone who has SimCity now. Guess they really have to.

I ended up getting it for £10 and played for 5 hours hours without issue yesterday and it is fantastic when it works... But I'm in a queue this morning.

[Kalyx triaD]

You showed them.

[Kane Knight]

Since there was so much in this thread about SimCity, here's some more Jim Sterling.

<embed src="http://cdn2.escapistmagazine.com/media/global/movies/player/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.12.swf" flashvars="config=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/config/6978-568ee0c59c278407d7d510810b743047.js%3Fplayer_version%3D2.5%26embed%3D1" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" wmode="opaque" height="391" width="650">The Escapist (http://www.escapistmagazine.com) : Jimquisition (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/jimquisition) : SimShitty (http://www.tpww.net/videos/view/jimquisition/6978-SimShitty)

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) While Valve stated there won't be a standard price for the Steam Box, the first confirmed version of the console will cost about $1000 and is being made by Xi3.
http://www.destructoid.com/first-steam-box-priced-at-1-000-248385.phtml

2) According to a recent rumor, more teases regarding to a potential new game in the Crash Bandicoot series appeared and could tease a release on the Wii U, Xbox 360, and the PS3 (or PS4).
http://mynintendonews.com/2013/03/10/new-crash-bandicoot-game-coming-to-wii-u/

3) The debut of Battlefield 4 could be occurring later this month during the Game Developers Conference (GDC) based on some teases from EA.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-ea-holding-event-during-gdc-potential-battlefield-4-reveal/

4) According to sources with Kotaku, a downloadable prequel to Star Wars Battlefront III called "Star Wars First Assault" is currently in development although a strong possibility it may not be released due to current status of LucasArts. It is also rumored if the game is released and sells well, Disney and/or LucasArts might approve Star Wars Battlefront III to be developed next.
http://www.destructoid.com/downloadable-predecessor-to-battlefront-iii-in-the-works-248397.phtml
http://kotaku.com/5989910/leaked-star-wars-game-is-predecessor-to-battlefront-iii-source-says

[Kane Knight]

Xi3's piston, which was announced quite a while back, isn't really "the steam box" so much as "a steam box."

Didn't Nerd Jesus himself confirm that?

[Emperor Smeat]

Think its only been recently that the actual prices have been announced with Xi3 being the first.

Before that it was mostly speculation or people theorizing how much the initial Steam Boxes would cost.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Daily News:
1) More SimCity news involving EA telling people to stop promoting the game, EA's PR claiming the reason the servers are crashing is because people are having "too much fun", and EA officially not offering refunds on Origin.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/ea-asks-affiliates-to-stop-actively-promoting-the-game/
http://www.destructoid.com/ea-simcity-s-broken-because-it-s-just-too-much-fun--248186.phtml
http://www.destructoid.com/no-simcity-refunds-on-origin-248135.phtml



Hahhaha it's failed because it's a success. Nice EA logic.

[Kane Knight]

Hahhaha it's failed because it's a success. Nice EA logic.

Well, the main problem is insufficient server "space," isn't it?

[VSG]

Battlefront 3 is another game I would really love to be a good one.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) Update to Xi3's "Steam Box" as Valve states the "Piston" is not an approved version of the Steam Box nor do they have any current ties with the company to allow them to use the Steam Box name.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/steam-spells-out-there-piston-involvement
http://www.destructoid.com/valve-distances-itself-from-xi3-and-the-piston-248483.phtml

2) According to several Sony Store locations, Sony has unofficially discontinued the 3G model of the PS Vita with the handheld currently being sold for $200 ($100 discount) at most of those stores.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/discounted-ps-vita-3g-spotted-at-select-sony-stores/

3) The ESRB has changed several rules in regards to trailers for M-rated games with the changes being similar to how R-rated films are shown to the general public. The rules also remove the requirement for age gates as long as the trailers are approved by the ESRB before being shown online.
http://www.giantbomb.com/articles/esrb-changes-rules-for-marketing-mature-rated-vide/1100-4602/

4) Activision announces a micro-transaction system for Call of Duty Black Ops II will arrive tomorrow with the Xbox 360 version to be the first to have the new service.
http://www.destructoid.com/microtransactions-coming-to-call-of-duty-black-ops-ii-248467.phtml

[Kalyx triaD]

Activision doing things in a shockingly subtle way.

[Kane Knight]

Daily Gaming News:
1) Update to Xi3's "Steam Box" as Valve states the "Piston" is not an approved version of the Steam Box nor do they have any current ties with the company to allow them to use the Steam Box name.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/steam-spells-out-there-piston-involvement
http://www.destructoid.com/valve-distances-itself-from-xi3-and-the-piston-248483.phtml

Xi3's piston, which was announced quite a while back, isn't really "the steam box" so much as "a steam box."

Didn't Nerd Jesus himself confirm that?

Huh.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Would you not need a PC for the steambox? It is basically for people without the ability to hook the computer into a TV?

[Kane Knight]

Would you not need a PC for the steambox? It is basically for people without the ability to hook the computer into a TV?

"Steambox" as a Valve invention is designed to be optimised for family convenience with yet-unknown functionality. "Steambox" as a general term is a PC built around big-picture mode by a third party which may lack the bells and whistles (if any).

The steambox is the PC. It's just a specialised one designed for people who aren't PC people. Kind of like Macs, except for casual gamers instead of yuppy douchebags.

I'm explaining this from the assumption that you think the "steambox" is a peripheral of some sort.

[Kalyx triaD]

It's a console for PC gamers who hate consoles.

[Fignuts]

I saw one in pc gamer for 6,500.

[Kalyx triaD]

GET IT

[Fignuts]

Is anyone getting darkstalkers?

[Kalyx triaD]

Not interested.

Pretty heavy into SoulCalibur V and Street Fighter x Tekken for my fighting fix, and Tekken Tag 2 will soon make a comeback for us. I'll certainly give a next-gen Darkstalkers a try when it comes around, but I don't have any emotional or casual interest in the series enough to get older titles.

[dronepool]

Kind of like Macs, except for casual gamers instead of yuppy douchebags.


I love my Macbook Pro and my Macbook from 2007.

:love:

Macs do run better and have a MUCH better working OS but yeah- they are luxury computers.

[Extreme Angle]

I'd want one purely to play my Steam Games somewhere other than my Workplace.
A couch, a big tv and a controller is way more relaxing than mouse and keyboard.

[Kane Knight]

I'd want one purely to play my Steam Games somewhere other than my Workplace.
A couch, a big tv and a controller is way more relaxing than mouse and keyboard.

If only you could add a controller to your PC and hook it up to your TV somehow.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) Another update to the Xi3-Valve "Steam Box" news as the CEO of Xi3 denies Valve's recent claims of not having any relations to his company. He claims the "Piston" was only created due to Valve's involvement with the project.
http://www.destructoid.com/xi3-ceo-says-valve-asked-him-to-build-the-piston-console-248540.phtml

2) Ron Gilbert, creator of The Cave, announces he has left Double Fine studio.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/ron-gilbert-leaves-double-fine

3) CD Projekt Red announces they are currently planning and developing several online multiplayer features for Cyberpunk 2077 although no actual details were revealed.
http://www.destructoid.com/cyberpunk-2077-will-have-multiplayer-features--248573.phtml

[Extreme Angle]

If only you could add a controller to your PC and hook it up to your TV somehow.

If only there was a smaller case which didn't cost a bomb. so there wasn't a mammoth in my living room...

If only there was a pc which at the press of the power button, launched up Big Picture Mode...

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) According to the lead content manager for Assassin's Creed IV, Ubisoft is currently using 7 studios to help develop the game with each studio responsible for a specific gameplay feature.
http://www.destructoid.com/seven-different-studios-working-on-assassin-s-creed-iv-248626.phtml

2) Update to Star Wars First Assault news as gameplay footage from an early build of the game was recently leaked online.
http://kotaku.com/5990366/leaked-footage-of-star-wars-newest-take-on-battlefield-and-call-of-duty

3) Nintendo has lost a recent US court case against a former Sony employee over claims of patent infringement in regards to glasses-free 3D technology used in the 3DS. Nintendo argued the tech they used came from Sharp's patent (who also became the manufacturer of the screens) and did not use key features from Seijiro Tomita's own patent as the lawsuit claimed.
http://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-must-pay-30m-due-to-3d-patent-infringement-248612.phtml

4) The debate regarding violent video games might be restarting soon after a Washington teen blames video games as the main reason why he murdered his parents with GTA and hearing "voices" in his head as the motivation for the crime. Also claimed the crime was due to his parents taking away his electronic devices because he was playing them almost non-stop that even caused himself to be concerned about it.
http://www.destructoid.com/teen-shoots-parents-with-pistol-blames-violent-games-248661.phtml

[Drakul]

He was playing extremely violent games too much and had a mental problem anyway. What's there to study?

Too much of anything is bad for you. That's why it's called "too much". If he watched too much Saw and heard voices, would they start studying violent movies? Most likely not.

[LoDownM]

No he's right. Even though the kid is obviously crazy, people and the media are going to look past that fact and blame "the video games." And using your example, even if the kid blamed the Saw franchise and hearing voices, that fact probably wouldn't ever get mentioned after the first day because "zomg video games were found in his house, clearly the reason!"

[dronepool]

I'll just go and post this....



Columbine: Whose Fault Is It?

by Marilyn Manson

It is sad to think that the first few people on earth needed no books, movies, games or music to inspire cold-blooded murder. The day that Cain bashed his brother Abel's brains in, the only motivation he needed was his own human disposition to violence. Whether you interpret the Bible as literature or as the final word of whatever God may be, Christianity has given us an image of death and sexuality that we have based our culture around. A half-naked dead man hangs in most homes and around our necks, and we have just taken that for granted all our lives. Is it a symbol of hope or hopelessness? The world's most famous murder-suicide was also the birth of the death icon -- the blueprint for celebrity. Unfortunately, for all of their inspiring morality, nowhere in the Gospels is intelligence praised as a virtue.

A lot of people forget or never realize that I started my band as a criticism of these very issues of despair and hypocrisy. The name Marilyn Manson has never celebrated the sad fact that America puts killers on the cover of Time magazine, giving them as much notoriety as our favorite movie stars. From Jesse James to Charles Manson, the media, since their inception, have turned criminals into folk heroes. They just created two new ones when they plastered those dipshits Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris' pictures on the front of every newspaper. Don't be surprised if every kid who gets pushed around has two new idols.


We applaud the creation of a bomb whose sole purpose is to destroy all of mankind, and we grow up watching our president's brains splattered all over Texas. Times have not become more violent. They have just become more televised. Does anyone think the Civil War was the least bit civil? If television had existed, you could be sure they would have been there to cover it, or maybe even participate in it, like their violent car chase of Princess Di. Disgusting vultures looking for corpses, exploiting, fucking, filming and serving it up for our hungry appetites in a gluttonous display of endless human stupidity.


When it comes down to who's to blame for the high school murders in Littleton, Colorado, throw a rock and you'll hit someone who's guilty. We're the people who sit back and tolerate children owning guns, and we're the ones who tune in and watch the up-to-the-minute details of what they do with them. I think it's terrible when anyone dies, especially if it is someone you know and love. But what is more offensive is that when these tragedies happen, most people don't really care any more than they would about the season finale of Friends or The Real World. I was dumbfounded as I watched the media snake right in, not missing a teardrop, interviewing the parents of dead children, televising the funerals. Then came the witch hunt.


Man's greatest fear is chaos. It was unthinkable that these kids did not have a simple black-and-white reason for their actions. And so a scapegoat was needed. I remember hearing the initial reports from Littleton, that Harris and Klebold were wearing makeup and were dressed like Marilyn Manson, whom they obviously must worship, since they were dressed in black. Of course, speculation snowballed into making me the poster boy for everything that is bad in the world. These two idiots weren't wearing makeup, and they weren't dressed like me or like goths. Since Middle America has not heard of the music they did listen to (KMFDM and Rammstein, among others), the media picked something they thought was similar.


Responsible journalists have reported with less publicity that Harris and Klebold were not Marilyn Manson fans -- that they even disliked my music. Even if they were fans, that gives them no excuse, nor does it mean that music is to blame. Did we look for James Huberty's inspiration when he gunned down people at McDonald's? What did Timothy McVeigh like to watch? What about David Koresh, Jim Jones? Do you think entertainment inspired Kip Kinkel, or should we blame the fact that his father bought him the guns he used in the Springfield, Oregon, murders? What inspires Bill Clinton to blow people up in Kosovo? Was it something that Monica Lewinsky said to him? Isn't killing just killing, regardless if it's in Vietnam or Jonesboro, Arkansas? Why do we justify one, just because it seems to be for the right reasons? Should there ever be a right reason? If a kid is old enough to drive a car or buy a gun, isn't he old enough to be held personally responsible for what he does with his car or gun? Or if he's a teenager, should someone else be blamed because he isn't as enlightened as an eighteen-year-old?


America loves to find an icon to hang its guilt on. But, admittedly, I have assumed the role of Antichrist; I am the Nineties voice of individuality, and people tend to associate anyone who looks and behaves differently with illegal or immoral activity. Deep down, most adults hate people who go against the grain. It's comical that people are naive enough to have forgotten Elvis, Jim Morrison and Ozzy so quickly. All of them were subjected to the same age-old arguments, scrutiny and prejudice. I wrote a song called "Lunchbox," and some journalists have interpreted it as a song about guns. Ironically, the song is about being picked on and fighting back with my Kiss lunch box, which I used as a weapon on the playground. In 1979, metal lunch boxes were banned because they were considered dangerous weapons in the hands of delinquents. I also wrote a song called "Get Your Gunn." The title is spelled with two n's because the song was a reaction to the murder of Dr. David Gunn, who was killed in Florida by pro-life activists while I was living there. That was the ultimate hypocrisy I witnessed growing up: that these people killed someone in the name of being "pro-life."


The somewhat positive messages of these songs are usually the ones that sensationalists misinterpret as promoting the very things I am decrying. Right now, everyone is thinking of how they can prevent things like Littleton. How do you prevent AIDS, world war, depression, car crashes? We live in a free country, but with that freedom there is a burden of personal responsibility. Rather than teaching a child what is moral and immoral, right and wrong, we first and foremost can establish what the laws that govern us are. You can always escape hell by not believing in it, but you cannot escape death and you cannot escape prison.


It is no wonder that kids are growing up more cynical; they have a lot of information in front of them. They can see that they are living in a world that's made of bullshit. In the past, there was always the idea that you could turn and run and start something better. But now America has become one big mall, and because of the Internet and all of the technology we have, there's nowhere to run. People are the same everywhere. Sometimes music, movies and books are the only things that let us feel like someone else feels like we do. I've always tried to let people know it's OK, or better, if you don't fit into the program. Use your imagination -- if some geek from Ohio can become something, why can't anyone else with the willpower and creativity?


I chose not to jump into the media frenzy and defend myself, though I was begged to be on every single TV show in existence. I didn't want to contribute to these fame-seeking journalists and opportunists looking to fill their churches or to get elected because of their self-righteous finger-pointing. They want to blame entertainment? Isn't religion the first real entertainment? People dress up in costumes, sing songs and dedicate themselves in eternal fandom. Everyone will agree that nothing was more entertaining than Clinton shooting off his prick and then his bombs in true political form. And the news -- that's obvious. So is entertainment to blame? I'd like media commentators to ask themselves, because their coverage of the event was some of the most gruesome entertainment any of us have seen.


I think that the National Rifle Association is far too powerful to take on, so most people choose Doom, The Basketball Diaries or yours truly. This kind of controversy does not help me sell records or tickets, and I wouldn't want it to. I'm a controversial artist, one who dares to have an opinion and bothers to create music and videos that challenge people's ideas in a world that is watered-down and hollow. In my work I examine the America we live in, and I've always tried to show people that the devil we blame our atrocities on is really just each one of us. So don't expect the end of the world to come one day out of the blue -- it's been happening every day for a long time.


MARILYN MANSON
(May 28, 1999)

Posted May 28, 1999 12:00 AM

[Kalyx triaD]

Pac-Man made me a crack fiend.

[Kane Knight]

If only there was a smaller case which didn't cost a bomb. so there wasn't a mammoth in my living room...

If only there was a pc which at the press of the power button, launched up Big Picture Mode...

So you're a retard switching it from capacity to use on a TV to convenience.

Gotcha.

[Kane Knight]

I'm not following this Piston shit too closely (in part because the idea of a consolised PC strikes me as the worst of both worlds), but have they even announced a single press boot of Big Picture?

[ClockShot]

If it ain't gun control, it's violent video games. And vice versa. Newtown opened up one big pandora's box.

This is just the Halo 3 kid all over again.

[Kalyx triaD]

So you're a retard switching it from capacity to use on a TV to convenience.

Gotcha.


Unnecessary. Don't shoot the rabbit eating your berry garden with a rocket launcher. Waste of good berries.

[Extreme Angle]

So you're a retard switching it from capacity to use on a TV to convenience.

Gotcha.


Yup.

[Kane Knight]

Unnecessary. Don't shoot the rabbit eating your berry garden with a rocket launcher. Waste of good berries.

honestly, it was mostly surprise. I don't remember EA being as phenomenally stupid as he's demonstrated on this topic and the whole EA and crash topics, for that matter.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) According to the NPD, the Xbox 360 and Dead Space 3 ended up being the best selling console and game for the month of February. Hardware sales managed to rise compared to last month but are 25% lower compared to last year.
http://www.destructoid.com/npd-hardware-rose-in-feb-overall-sales-still-poop-248732.phtml

2) Assassin's Creed Rising Phoenix currently rumored to be another Assassin's Creed spin-off title for the PS Vita with a release date of October 10.
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/03/15/spanish-retailer-leaks-assassins-creed-rising-phoenix-is-ps-vita-spin-off.aspx

3) Supposed box art for Battlefield 4 was recently leaked along with rumors of a teaser trailer expected to arrive later today. EA has confirmed the game will officially debut on March 26.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-battlefield-4-box-art-shot-surfaces-teaser-trailer-releasing-later-today/
http://www.destructoid.com/battlefield-4-will-be-revealed-later-this-month-248812.phtml

4) According to recent trademark news, Nintendo was granted another trademark extension for the Eternal Darkness IP with the trademark being applied on December of last year.
http://www.gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=198171

[Kalyx triaD]

honestly, it was mostly surprise. I don't remember EA being as phenomenally stupid as he's demonstrated on this topic and the whole EA and crash topics, for that matter.

Well that I get.

[Kalyx triaD]

Daily Gaming News:
1) According to the NPD, the Xbox 360 and Dead Space 3 ended up being the best selling console and game for the month of February. Hardware sales managed to rise compared to last month but are 25% lower compared to last year.
http://www.destructoid.com/npd-hardware-rose-in-feb-overall-sales-still-poop-248732.phtml

That would be worth noting if it was a Fall release. I bet I'd have the best taco stand in Nowhere, USA in a post-apocalyptic era.

[Kane Knight]

That would be worth noting if it was a Fall release. I bet I'd have the best taco stand in Nowhere, USA in a post-apocalyptic era.

"We're up 25% from last year, too."

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) According to EA, SimCity has managed to sell about 1.1 million copies since launch. The list of games available for the free game offer was also recently revealed along with the offer lasting until March 30.
http://www.destructoid.com/simcity-has-sold-over-1-million-copies-since-launch-249017.phtml
http://www.destructoid.com/ea-s-free-games-for-simcity-players-includes-simcity-4-249002.phtml

2) John Riccitiello, announces he has resigned as the CEO of EA with the move due to the poor financial performance of both EA's stocks and big name projects since mid-to-late 2011.
http://www.destructoid.com/john-riccitiello-steps-down-as-electronic-arts-ceo-249028.phtml

3) Even though Thief 4 will be a reboot of the series, Edios Montreal stated the game still allows non-lethal play-thoroughs to be possible and is part of the several gameplay styles being planned for the game.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/new-thief-permits-non-lethal-play-throughs/

4) Microsoft reiterates once again they have zero plans to released Halo games on Steam nor making PC versions of Halo 3 (and Halo 4).
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/microsoft-no-plans-for-halo-on-steam-or-pc-version-of-halo-3/

[Kane Knight]

Damn Micro$oft.

[Kane Knight]

Did I do that right?

[Kalyx triaD]

You could settle for M$.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) Update to the Xbox Entertainment Awards as Microsoft has suspended the contest due to hackers being able to get access to roughly 3000 accounts from those who had voted before it was pulled down.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/alert-day-xbox-entertainment-awards-voting-and-they%E2%80%99re-hacked

2) According to developer Dontnod Entertainment, the studio had a hard time trying to find a publisher for Remember Me due to the majority of the publishers did not want the main character to be a female.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/dev-says-publishers-opposed-remember-mes-female-protagonist/

3) The developer for Super Meat Boy claims the push for DRM is more harmful than fighting piracy for gaming due to his reasons involving the large amounts of money wasted on DRM and its track record of hurting legit customers more than pirates on a disproportionate scale.
http://www.destructoid.com/super-meat-boy-dev-says-drm-is-more-dangerous-than-piracy-249054.phtml

4) EA will be defending its crown as the "worst company in America" after The Consumerist has released the brackets for this year's tournament.
http://consumerist.com/2013/03/18/here-are-your-contestants-for-the-2013-worst-company-in-america-tournament/

[ClockShot]

I think Carnival might knock them off this year.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

If Halo is not on Steam by the middle of 2014, I will be very shocked. Not only the database entries in Steam itself but it's also got an entry in the latest AMD drivers too.

There's speculation that MS might leverage Steam for some rudimentary backwards compatibility as the next XBox will be x86 and based on DirectX. There's nothing in the hardware that would make it difficult, but I'd be shocked if MS didn't use their own platform for that rather than Steam.

But if they're porting the greatest hits of the 360 to x86 for BC purposes, it would make sense to get some extra cash on another platform that isn't a threat to their business too.

[Kalyx triaD]

Is there a demand for a Halo game for Steam? Seems strange to me.

[VSG]

I would buy it if only for the mods.

[Kalyx triaD]

It's unlikely Microsoft would allow a mod kit for Halo, it would undermine a fairly key feature of the last few games.

[Kane Knight]

I think Carnival might knock them off this year.

Last time they were up against banks that nearly killed the country. Never underestimate the power of butthurt gamers in large numbers.


2) According to developer Dontnod Entertainment, the studio had a hard time trying to find a publisher for Remember Me due to the majority of the publishers did not want the main character to be a female.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/dev-says-publishers-opposed-remember-mes-female-protagonist/

Sexism in gaming? Now I've seen everything!

Is there a demand for a Halo game for Steam? Seems strange to me.

PC fans are retarded. They resent games being exclusive to something other than the PC, but then proceed to shit on it when they get it.

They will likely hem and haw and petition for Halo 3/4 then whine that it's for "console scrubs," because that's how neckbeards roll.

[Kalyx triaD]

That's exactly what was on my mind. The PC gamer attitude is prevalent enough for a 'PC Master Race' meme to develop. They see console games as overly simplified, inferior things - but petition for specifically console created games to appear on their platform. Then they complain that x-console game plays and operates like a console game. And don't get me started on how companies have data supporting that certain games and franchises would literally be wasteful to port to a PC versus what they'd gain after the fact.

Tekken producer Harada noted on Twitter that there is no gain in porting Tekken to PC and the Tekken community loses their fucking minds like he's on some Cliffy B 'talking out ass' thing. He wasn't and isn't. C'mon, kiddies.

[Kane Knight]

The best thing about the "PC Gamer Master Race" meme is that it originated in mocking PC elitism. So I just amuse myself with that.

Gamers in general are falsely entitled and lack self-awareness. It seems like PC gamers tend to have even more of it.

And yeah, it doesn't make sense to port some games. I like the butthurt behind controller optimised games existing on the PC after people begged, pleaded and threw tantrums to get it there. If I developed for a game like that, I'd close shop.

Which is kind of a shame. There's less and less reason to buy a console, so if I could get my "consolised" games on PC as well, I'd probably never buy another console.

[Kalyx triaD]

Life is poetic like that.

[Kane Knight]

Life is a boat.

[Kalyx triaD]

Little League's Yale giving his spin on Metal Gear Solid. Can you identify the kid-ified characters?

http://24.media.tumblr.com/5753907fd4058e7d4e83cd6bfcdd19da/tumblr_mjvp2vB3fY1qdeazoo1_1280.jpg

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) Namco teasing Tekken X Street Fighter might be cancelled for the Xbox 360 and PS3 in favor of being released only for next gen consoles.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/tekken-x-street-fighter-expecting-next-gen-platform-release

2) A recent batch of rumors involving the Next Xbox include having a "massive" hard drive, no ability to play from actual discs (only used for installing), and requires an "Always On" internet connection.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-next-xbox-games-will-run-from-hard-drive-disc-play-not-supported/

3) According to recent rumors, Final Fantasy Versus XIII has been renamed as Final Fantasy XV and is a PS4 exclusive due to Sony joining as co-developers for the game.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-final-fantasy-versus-xiii-renamed-final-fantasy-xv-now-a-ps4-exclusive/

4) Microsoft announces the Xbox Live Spring Sale starts next week and lasts till April 2nd. Square Enix is currently having their own Spring sale from now till March 27 involving a 25% discount on retail games and a 50% discount for digital games.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/xbox-live-spring-sale-kicks-off-next-week/
http://www.destructoid.com/square-enix-has-a-big-spring-sale-going-on-right-now-249175.phtml

[Kane Knight]

I thought Squeenix's sale already ended.

[VSG]

Big sale on Origin going on this week. Too bad Origin is shit on PC.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) DICE announces a free in-game dog tag for Battlefield 3 is available for anyone who visits the Battlefield 4 teaser website while also teasing sea battles will be a feature in BF 4.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/battlefield-4-teaser-site-goes-live-offers-free-dog-tag-for-bf3-players/
http://www.destructoid.com/battlefield-4-teaser-trailer-teases-sea-battles-249281.phtml

2) According to Capcom Unity, Capcom vs SNK 2 is planned to be released for PSN next month with the release date to be decided by Sony.
http://www.destructoid.com/capcom-vs-snk-2-could-be-coming-as-soon-as-this-april-249222.phtml

3) Valve has recently launched a new service for Steam called "Early Access" which allows games to be purchased and playable while they are still in development.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/play-games-still-in-development-through-steams-early-access/

[Kalyx triaD]

That B4 teaser trailer was ass.

CvS2 as a straight port is not what people are asking for.

Early Access is a bad idea, if not a punchline in the making (in regard to most games being unfinished when they release anyway).

[Drakul]

Capcom is rereleasing Ducktales. It'll be called Ducktales:Remastered.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) According to Bioware, switching Star Wars The Old Republic from a paid to a free-to-play model has been a huge success with over 2 million new subscribers gained since its relaunch.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/over-2-million-accounts-created-since-star-wars-the-old-republic-f2p-switch/

2) Capcom is denying reports of a new Mega Man game being in development although they did tease they are still considering making one in the future.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/pax-new-mega-man-game-development-says-capcom

3) According to rumors, the next Call of Duty game will be called "Call of Duty: Ghosts" and will only be available for next-gen consoles. Other rumored details include dynamic loading screens, the movement system has been tweaked a lot, Spec Ops is being dropped, and takes place in a near future setting.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-call-of-duty-ghosts-is-next-game-next-gen-only-release-details/

[Kane Knight]

I seriously doubt we're seeing a next-gen only Call of Duty this early on.

Though it might well promote the sale of next-gen consoles.

[Kane Knight]

Odds on Capcom trolling the userbase?

[Kalyx triaD]

Pretty fucking high.

[Blitz]

3) According to rumors, the next Call of Duty game will be called "Call of Duty: Ghosts" and will only be available for next-gen consoles. Other rumored details include dynamic loading screens, the movement system has been tweaked a lot, Spec Ops is being dropped, and takes place in a near future setting.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-call-of-duty-ghosts-is-next-game-next-gen-only-release-details/
Right.

[Drakul]

Grant Kirkhope playing games he composed music for with Egoraptor & Jontron. Some cool little titbits of information about the making of the games and the music. A lot of it is just generally chat, though. Strong language.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t70l-9n1rCQ?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Kane Knight]

Anything noteworthy in the Steam Indie sale?

The list is long, rife with repeats, and random if you go back to it.

[Kane Knight]

Technically, I can already name a bunch of noteworthy games. Just wondering if anything else pops up.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) According to a recent rumor, DICE is expanding who can join the upcoming Battlefield 4 open beta to include those with Battlefield Premium subscriptions. Previously it was promised only those who pre-ordered MoH Warfighter would get access to the beta.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-battlefield-4-beta-open-to-all-battlefield-3-premium-subscribers/

2) Double Fine's Kickstarter project was debuted during [AX East over the weekend and is named "Broken Age."
http://www.screwattack.com/news/pax-double-fine-adventure-has-finally-been-revealed

3) CD Projekt Red is planning on releasing 4-5 games between 2014-2016 with at least two of the projects being smaller titles to go along with The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 as their top priority within the timeframe.
http://www.destructoid.com/cd-projekt-red-s-extremely-busy-future-249476.phtml

4) The developer of Fez and recent Sony-exlucive Indie developer, Phil Fish, has recently ranted on Twitter claiming the Vita is perfect while claiming both the DS and 3DS are "BS" handhelds. Among his list of claims include no DS/3DS game ever worthy of using 2 screens, the Vita's back panel not being a gimmick, and anyone buying Nintendo handhelds having actual mental problems.
http://www.destructoid.com/fez-creator-thinks-ds-and-3ds-are-bullsh-t-249467.phtml

[Kalyx triaD]

Phil Fish needs to slow down...

[Ultra Mantis]

Phil Fish is just a massive douchenozzle, it would be more like news if he wasn't being obnoxious and short sighted.

[Kane Knight]

Phil Fish is just a massive douchenozzle, it would be more like news if he wasn't being obnoxious and short sighted.

At the same time, being a douchenozzle is why he gets attention. Because being a dickweed makes you an icon.

[Poit]

Anything noteworthy in the Steam Indie sale?

The list is long, rife with repeats, and random if you go back to it.

I forgot to get Antichamber during its release sale, so I bought it last night.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) The president of Square-Enix, Yoichi Wada, announces he will be resigning from the company after it is expected the company will post a loss of around $138 million for this fiscal year. The biggest source for the loss was their recent restructuring plans which cost them around $106 million.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/square-enix-president-yoichi-wada-steps-down
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/square-enix-president-yoichi-wada-to-resign/

2) Also revealed by Square-Enix was the news of the Tomb Raider reboot, Hitman Absolution, and Sleeping Dogs all failed to meet their sales expectations and prevent a financial loss from being posted for this fiscal year. Square-Enix blamed the North American market for the slow sales compared to other regions.
http://www.destructoid.com/tomb-raider-hitman-sleeping-dogs-all-failed-square-enix-249692.phtml

3) Tecmo Koei announces they have split up Team Ninja into two smaller development groups although no official reason was given for the split.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/tecmo-koei-splits-team-ninja-into-two-separate-dev-groups/

[LoDownM]

How the fuck are games that sold 3.4(TR) and 3.6(Hitman) million copies a fucking failure? Oh right, anything that doesn't get CoD's sales figures is a huge flop.

[Kane Knight]

How the fuck are games that sold 3.4(TR) and 3.6(Hitman) million copies a fucking failure? Anything that doesn't get CoD's sa.... Oh right, anything that doesn't get CoD's sales figures is a huge flop.

Oh. It was rhetorical.

But yeah. I'm surprised they were expecting more than the sales Sleeping Dogs got. Nearly 2 million is awesome for a new franchise.

[LoDownM]

Yes it is.

Maybe if they stopped putting out terrible FF13 sequels and a rushed MMO, they wouldn't be hurting so bad.

[Kane Knight]

Yes it is.

Maybe if they stopped putting out terrible FF13 sequels and a rushed MMO, they wouldn't be hurting so bad.

Come to think of it, FFXIII2 didn't sell much better than Sleeping Dogs. Maybe they should take that as a sign.

[drave]

And they are remaking HD versions of FFX and FFX-II

Instead of FFX - II, they should remake FFVII in HD, it would sell waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better.

[Poit]

Square Enix already sells FF7 as a digital download for PC. Are there really that many people who care about an HD remake, but don't want to bother with installing mods to update the graphics?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Konami are showing off all the features of the FOX Engine at GDC at the moment and it looks damn impressive. Slaps the pants off of anything that Epic have show off with Unreal so far.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) Similar to Valve having a new service for Steam that allows people to pay and play unfinished games still in development, Sony states they are considering doing the same for the PS4, PS Vita, PS mobile devices, and PS3.
http://www.destructoid.com/sony-is-open-to-having-paid-alphas-on-playstation-4-249719.phtml

2) Former employees from Crystal Dynamics, Criterion, Atari, and EA Visceral Melbourne studios have formed a new studio called Space Dust.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/visceral-crystal-dynamics-criterion-and-atari-devs-form-space-dust-studios/

3) While Epic Games stated Warzone mode would not be included in Gears of War Judgmenet, it was recently discovered the mode is actually located on the game's disc. To help defuse the potential negative backlash, an employee from the studio explained how to unlock the mode and play it for free.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/warzone-mode-discovered-on-gears-of-war-judgment-disc/

[Kalyx triaD]

Betting it's real time as well.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Betting it's real time as well.

They said that the entire MGSV trailer was real-time. The talk was really interesting too, although quite a bit did to over my head.

[Kane Knight]

Square Enix already sells FF7 as a digital download for PC. Are there really that many people who care about an HD remake, but don't want to bother with installing mods to update the graphics?

Most people don't give a shit about the PC as a gaming platform period.

[Poit]

Really? I'd be interested to see the proportions there.

[Kalyx triaD]

I'd expound on that by talking about the types of gamers being courted between console and PC games, but that would be a very long discussion.

[Kane Knight]

Really? I'd be interested to see the proportions there.

Thank God there's no accountability within the PC market, eh?

[Kane Knight]

I'd expound on that by talking about the types of gamers being courted between console and PC games, but that would be a very long discussion.

Dudebros v neckbeards?

[Kalyx triaD]

They are one in the same, just different languages.

[VSG]

Most people don't give a shit about the PC as a gaming platform period.

lol

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Anything that doesn't get CoD's sa....

Oh. It was rhetorical.

But yeah. I'm surprised they were expecting more than the sales Sleeping Dogs got. Nearly 2 million is awesome for a new franchise.

Sleeping Dogs isn't really fully a new series. It's the True Crime series just without the name.

[Kane Knight]

lol

I'm sorry, VSG's right. If you count browser games, it's a pretty comical statement.

Sleeping Dogs isn't really fully a new series. It's the True Crime series just without the name.

True Crime was a name tacked on to an existing game in this case. It was never a True Crime game in any sense other than hoping the name would draw attention. Considering that it was dropped, I doubt this was a major factor.

[drave]

Square Enix already sells FF7 as a digital download for PC. Are there really that many people who care about an HD remake, but don't want to bother with installing mods to update the graphics?


Yes. People have asked for a VII remix since PS2 hit the markets. It is (arguably) the most popular and widely recognized installment of the entire series. It would break records, I would imagine.

[Emperor Smeat]

Daily Gaming News:
1) Batman: Arkham Origins is currently rumored to be getting released for both current and next gen consoles later this year.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-batman-arkham-origins-coming-to-current-and-next-gen-consoles-this-year/

2) While Crytek themselves have stated they have no interest in buying the Darksiders series, their US branch (Crytek USA) has announced they will make a bid for the IP when the next THQ auction occurs.
http://www.destructoid.com/crytek-usa-plans-to-buy-the-darksiders-license-249890.phtml

3) EA claims DRM is a failed strategy to use in gaming although once again took no blame for the SimCity mess stating they had no role in the game's development nor the idea to use DRM.
http://www.destructoid.com/ea-drm-is-a-failed-dead-end-strategy-249891.phtml

[Kane Knight]

3) EA claims DRM is a failed strategy to use in gaming although once again took no blame for the SimCity mess stating they had no role in the game's development nor the idea to use DRM.
http://www.destructoid.com/ea-drm-is-a-failed-dead-end-strategy-249891.phtml


I'm not even going to read the article, though I'm assuming it actually covered what the EA exec actually said.

You know, where he actually defended SimCity's always online and the like as a "service" rather than DRM, defended the practice in SimCity. This is kind of a big difference, as it means EA probably won't turn over a new leaf so much as try and rebrand DRM "services."

[Kane Knight]

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-03-27-ea-drm-is-a-failed-dead-end-strategy

Speaking to GamesIndustry International at GDC this week, Gibeau commented, "That's not the reality; I was involved in all the meetings. DRM was never even brought up once. You don't build an MMO because you're thinking of DRM - you're building a massively multiplayer experience, that's what you're building."
Not only was DRM not a topic of internal discussion at EA, Gibeau said, but the executive also made it very clear that DRM is simply not an option for publishers anymore.


Yeah, so basically SimCity doesn't have DRM. And it's also an MMO.

[Kalyx triaD]

Calling it an MMO would be the wise thing to do, then you have a much more manageable case of "SimCity was never a multiplayer game" and such. Then comes AE on why they wanted SimCity to go that route. Either way it's easier than trying to defend DRM.