Microsoft backpedals on Xbox One used game, always online statements
Microsoft has stated that comments made today by its own employees about the Xbox One's always-online and used games functions were just “potential scenarios” rather than facts.
Regarding used games, Microsoft had told Wired earlier today that if an Xbox One game disc was used with an Xbox Live account it wasn’t registered to, the player would be given the option to pay a fee and install the game from the disc.
Microsoft vice president Phil Harrison then told Eurogamer that a second hand market would exist.
“We will have a solution that we will talk about in very short order about how previously played games can be traded between players,” he said.
That was also the line of the official Xbox One site: “We are designing Xbox One to enable customers to trade in and resell games. We’ll have more details to share later.”
Ryse an Xbox One exclusive, launch title
Ancient Rome first-person hack ‘n’ slash Ryse is an Xbox One exclusive, Crytek has announced.
It will also be a launch title for Microsoft’s new system.
Announced during E3 2010, Ryse was described as "Microsoft's new Gears of War/Halo mega launch title".
Here are all the games confirmed for the Xbox One so far
A number of developers have confirmed games they have in development for the Xbox One.
Microsoft Game Studios has plans for more than 15 exclusive games in the console's first year, eight of which are brand new franchises.
One of these games is Forza Motorsport 5, which will be a launch title.
The new Kinect is always listening, can detect heartbeats
The new Xbox will always be listening to you, even when it's switched off.
Xbox One comes bundled with a new version of Microsoft’s Kinect peripheral, and this must be connected to the console for the console to function.
Moreover, the console is able to be powered on with a voice command – that is, it’s always listening.
Arkham Origins has its Batman and Joker
Warner Bros. has revealed which actors lend their voices to the leads in the upcoming Batman: Arkham Origins.
Roger Craig Smith is Batman, while Troy Baker will tackle the Joker.
Smith has previously voiced Assassin's Creed’s Ezio Auditore and Resident Evil’s Chris Redfield.
Next-gen console sales will be the highest yet - Microsoft
One day ahead of its next Xbox reveal, Microsoft has shared some statistics that it says show console gaming has not yet peaked.
According to data from various research firms that has been aggregated by Microsoft, the number of next generation consoles sold (an estimated 385 million) will be 28 per cent higher than current gen figures.
Further, console gaming is the leading source of revenue in gaming, scooping up US$27 billion (AU$27.5 billion) of the US$65 billion (AU$66.2 billion) that is apparently spent on gaming worldwide (42 per cent).
Xbox One: not always online, plays used games, no back compat
1
The Xbox One will not have to be connected to the Internet all the time, Microsoft has confirmed.
In a Q&A on its official site, the company wrote: “No, it does not have to be always connected, but Xbox One does require a connection to the Internet.”
“We’re designing Xbox One to be your all-in-one entertainment system that is connected to the cloud and always ready. We are also designing it so you can play games and watch Blu-ray movies and live TV if you lose your connection.”
However, Microsoft was encouraging console owners to be connected, as that “makes every experience better and more accessible”.
A constant connection would allow for persistent game worlds, automatic updates, cloud save access any time, multiplayer modes, and a custom home screen, it said.
Dyack responds to mismanagement allegations in bid to save Eternals Kickstarter
Precursor Games chief creative officer Denis Dyack has taken to YouTube to defend his past actions in a bid to save Precursor’s Shadow of the Eternals Kickstarter campaign.
A week in, the game’s Kickstarter has raised just 16 per cent of its US$1,350,000 goal, with Dyack’s involvement commonly cited as the factor that is keeping pledges away.
Dyack was the target of a number of scathing allegations last year in a Kotaku piece that sought to document the troubled development of the critically panned X-Men: Destiny at Silicon Knights.
A Syndicate Wars reboot could be coming to Kickstarter
A YouTube video from a developer called 5Lives Studio appears to be teasing a Kickstarter campaign for a Syndicate Wars reboot.
Syndicate Wars is the acclaimed third game in the much-loved Syndicate series. It was released on PC in 1996, and on PlayStation the following year.
Text from the video reads: “In 1996 this man [face obscured] created a Bullfrog masterpiece. In 2013, with your help, we will redefine the genre.”
Kickstarter roundup – week of May 20
Below are a handful of games that in the past week have been added to Kickstarter, hit their funding goal, or failed miserably on the popular crowdfunding site.
As a rule, we generally don't report on games that seek or attract less than US$50,000, and a game's appearance here should not be taken as a recommendation. Remember to back projects wisely – you know, just like everyone did with the Ouya.
Recently FundedWii U "crap", Nintendo "Walking Dead" – EA engineer
An EA employee has tweeted some fairly pointed comments about the Wii U, only days after his company confirmed that it had no games planned for Nintendo's console.
In a series of since-deleted tweets, EA senior software engineer Bob Summerwill was fairly undiplomatic towards the young device.
"The Wii U is crap,” Summerwill began.
Kingdoms of Amalur, Demon's Souls, Rayman Legends headline June PlayStation Plus
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, Demon’s Souls, and Ico and Shadow of the Colossus HD are all coming to PlayStation Plus, Sony has announced.
Reckoning is a quality RPG that developer 38 Studios attempted to make into an MMO before it rather conspicuously ran out of money.
Demon’s Souls is an excellent and tough action-RPG that serves as a spiritual predecessor to Dark Souls.
Ubisoft had a great financial year thanks to Far Cry 3 and Assassin’s Creed III
Sales of Far Cry 3 and Assassin’s Creed III sent Ubisoft profits soaring in the last financial year, the company has revealed.
Last week the French publisher and developer announced that it shipped 12 million copies of Assassin’s Creed III and six million of Far Cry 3 on its way to sales of €1.256 billion (AU$1.65 billion) and an operating income of €100.3 million (AU$131.73 million).
That meant overall revenue was up 18.3% from the 2012 financial year, and Ubisoft stock rose about 10 per cent as a result.
Ouya will be available to demo in a carpark during E3
Ouya has announced it will be demoing its upcoming console in a parking lot directly across from E3 for the duration of that conference.
According to a press release sent out to developers by Ouya head of developer relations Kellee Santiago, the company’s setup will include everything required for game makers to “put on a killer game demo" during the E3 conference, which runs from June 12-14.
“Ouya’s E3 location will be 100 per cent open to the public – no credentials required!” said Santiago.
“Invite friends, family – hell, invite anyone 'cuz they're all welcome!”
The Ouya will be available for purchase from select retailers in Canada, the US, and the UK from June 25.
News Index
Subscribe
Don't miss a thing - get the top gaming stories delivered to your inbox every day.
