Microsoft is "over-delivering value" with the Xbox One – Mattrick
Microsoft has defended the Xbox One’s price, claiming that the console will be better value than any competing devices on the market.
The company's interactive entertainment business president Don Mattrick told Bloomberg TV that the console’s US$499 price tag was “a lower number than some of the analysts had forecast".
"We're over-delivering value against other choices I think consumers can get, said Mattrick.
“Any modern product these days… [AU$499] isn't a ridiculous price point. We're delivering thousands of dollars of value to people, and I think they're going to love it when they use it."
The Xbox One’s device integration (Kinect and Smartglass) along with services like Skype and Twitch TV would set it apart, Mattrick added.
Remote Play, cross-game chat built-in on PS4
All PlayStation 4 games will support Remote Play on the Vita because the function is baked into the console, Sony has announced.
"On PlayStation 4 , it just happens. You just make a PS4 game, it supports Remote Play," Sony Worldwide Studios head Shuhei Yoshida told Engadget.
"The single biggest issue, why there are not many PlayStation 3 games that support Remote Play, was that it was optional – the system didn't do much.
State of Decay sequel likely as game crosses half million sold mark
Although State of Decay is the fastest-selling original game in Xbox Live Arcade history, developer Undead Labs is still waiting for its sequel to be given the go-ahead by IP holder Microsoft.
An open world zombie sandbox title, State of Decay has sold over half a million copies since its launch on June 5, with half those sales occurring within its first two days on the market. That makes it the fastest-selling XBLA original game in the platform's history.
The proposed follow-up, codenamed Class4, would be an MMO according to Undead Labs.
IO Interactive halves staff to refocus on Hitman
Almost half of IO Interactive’s staff have lost their jobs as a result of the studio cancelling all development not related to its Hitman IP.
The job losses have seen three-year production director Hannes Seifert named as the new studio head.
"We are making significant changes at IO Interactive as we align our business against a changing and challenging market," said an IO spokesperson.
Dota 2 will be out in early August
Dota 2 will launch proper in early August, Valve has confirmed.
Speaking with Gamespot, Valve VP of marketing Doug Lombardi said that the full game would be available before this year's The International championship, which begins on August 7.
The International’s top prize is US$1 million, and this will be the tournament’s third year.
New CD Projekt Red studio will focus on smaller premium titles
The Witcher developer CD Projekt Red is opening a new studio in Poland that will work exclusively on small, premium quality titles.
The studio will open next month in Kraków, and will house 20 employees.
"As we informed in our strategy outlook some time ago, aside from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077, the studio aims to develop two smaller (approximately 20 hours of gameplay) premium quality titles,” said CDPR managing director Adam Badowski.
Wicked Paradise is a virtual sex game for Oculus Rift
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Well it was only a matter of time: a virtual sex game has been announced for Oculus Rift.
The game, Wicked Paradise, is described by its creators as “the world’s first fully immersive Erotic Virtual Reality Adventure Game specifically designed to make use of the amazing capabilities of the Oculus Rift”.
“Instead of watching an erotic movie or reading an erotic book in which the main character has exciting sexual adventures, you become that character!”
Kickstarter roundup – week of June 17
We missed a week because of E3, but the Kickstarter Roundup is back! Below are a handful of games that in the past fortnight have been added to Kickstarter, hit their funding goal, or failed miserably on the popular crowdfunding site.
Recently Funded Battle Tails!Xbox Live's new reputation system will affect matchmaking
Xbox Live's new Smart Match system will take a player’s reputation into account when populating lobbies, Microsoft has announced.
As detailed in a post by Xbox Live's Michael Dunn on Major Nelson’s blog, players with bad reputations will only be matched with equally disruptive gamers.
However, players headed towards this low reputation level would see many different alerts before their matchmaking was altered, said Dunn.
Warfighter studio Danger Close dismantled by EA
Medal of Honor studio Danger Close has been disbanded, EA has confirmed.
EA's Patrick Söderlund told Eurogamer that those working at the studio had moved to other projects.
"Danger Close as it was doesn't exist anymore," he said.
Tuesday 18 June
Microsoft is "over-delivering value" with the Xbox One – Mattrick
State of Decay sequel likely as game crosses half million sold mark
Wicked Paradise is a virtual sex game for Oculus Rift
Monday 17 June
Civilization V: Brave New World - Featurette 4: World Congress & Diplomacy video
Shorter production cycles, Xbox Live brought Sunset Overdrive to XO
Sunday 16 June
Friday 14 June
E3: Xbox One online checks will require “kilobytes, not megabytes”
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