Most Recent: News

Microsoft announces new price for Kinect sensor in US

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Andrew Rainnie

Microsoft has announced that the Xbox 360 Kinect sensor will now be available for the permanently reduced price of $109.99 in the US. The peripheral previously sold for $149.99. Latin America and Asia will also see a similar reduction, while Australia and New Zealand will have to wait until October 4th to receive their Kinect price drop.

The company, rather bizarelly, has decided to shun gamers in Japan and Europe by not offering them a similar price reduction. The announcement was presumably made to gear up the Kinect sensor for a Christmas war with Nintendo’s new Wii U system. But seeing as the price is just $10 shy of the magical $99, which the Kinect was available for at most retailers last holiday season, it seems like Microsoft missed their chance at causing a stir.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 |

Nintendo Power will shut down this December

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Andrew Rainnie

Living in an age of instantaneous and free information has brought with it an unparalleled level of enlightenment across the globe, but it does have a downside… and its victims… namely, the hard copy press. Yesterday, Nintendo announced that their long-running official magazine, Nintendo Power, would be hanging up its joypad with its December 2012 issue.

The house of Mario released the following statement concerning the magazine, which was originally published in-house by Nintendo before they gave the rights to Future Publishing’s US arm in 2007:

Nintendo can confirm that Future US will end the production of Nintendo Power magazine with the last issue slated for December 2012. For Nintendo Power subscription inquiries, please visit nintendopower.com/customerservice.

The demise of Nintendo Power comes only after a year after another high profile gaming magazine, GamePro, was forced to close after its new quarterly format was poorly received. And as we languish in our nostalgia of excitedly reading gaming magazines and adorning our walls with their posters, we wish the employees of Nintendo Power the best with whatever the future holds for them.

[Source: Kotaku]

Posted in 3DS, DS, Etcetera, News, Wii |

Nintendo holding Wii U press event on September 13

Posted on August 22, 2012 by John Scalzo

Since it’s splashy appearance at this year’s E3 Expo, Nintendo has been mostly quiet about the Wii U. That looks to change next month as the company has announced they’re holding a special Wii U media event on September 13.

Sadly, the Big N didn’t come right out and say that the price and a launch date would be revealed during this event. But Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime did say that he plans to discuss “more about how the Wii U will change the future of gaming and entertainment.”

What else could Nintendo possibly have to share besides A) when we’ll get to play it and B) how much it’ll cost to take it home?

Looking back at the Wii’s launch window, there’s reason to be hopeful that Nintendo will announce the release window and/or the price next month. Back in 2006, Nintendo announced the Wii’s price and launch date on September 14. Hmm…

[Source: GameSpot]

Posted in News, Wii U |

Daily Scoop: August 22, 2012 – Encounters!

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Nicole Kline

A new Dungeons and Dragons Encounter season begins tonight! We go deep into the Underdark to Menzoberranzan, where drow wait with their mystery and intrigue. Intrigue us, foul creatures! We demand it. I’ll be one of the Dungeon Masters this season, which is exciting and terrifying at the same time. The last time I tried to DM was when I was a teenager playing second edition. I didn’t want to have to do the math for the weight of carrying rations, so I made the priest in the group pray for a Sizzler to appear whenever they got hungry.

True story.

Anyway, nothing really in the way of deals today. I mean, you can troll Amazon for bonus offers and discounts and stuff like I do every day, or you can spend your life donating to awesome Kickstarters instead. You have the power.

Just one little t-shirt for you today, folks! (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

XBLA Today: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure HD

Posted on August 22, 2012 by John Scalzo

The Summer of Arcade is over, but that didn’t stop two new releases from being added to the Xbox Live Arcade today.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive can be purchased for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15) and adds a ton of new game modes to the classic team-based shooter series:

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive expands on the classic team-based action gameplay that it pioneered when it first launched 12 years ago. Featuring a massive arsenal of over 45 weapons, loads of maps, new game modes, new visuals, leaderboards, and over 165 awards to be earned. CS:GO is a must-have tactical shooter. So what are you waiting for? Come join your friends online and GO GO GO!

Also available this week is JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure HD, a high definition re-release of the PSone/Dreamcast-era fighter from Capcom. It’s available to download for 1600 Microsoft Points ($20):

The legendary JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is now in HD with network support! This is the kind of quality JoJo fans have been raving about!

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Kick back with three more Grand Theft Auto V screenshots

Posted on August 22, 2012 by John Scalzo

Just like they said they would, Rockstar has released three more screenshots from Grand Theft Auto V. Whereas Monday’s images showed all the way you can get around Los Santos, today’s screens are all about slowing down and enjoying life. Specifically… dirtbiking, tennis, and skydiving.

You can view all the screenshots for yourself after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Sony adds 17 games to PS Store including Counter-Strike GO, Dust 514 beta, more

Posted on August 22, 2012 by John Scalzo

Yesterday’s PlayStation Store update marked the final week of Sony’s PSN Play promotion. As promised, the publisher added Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to their download service. But they also added a few other games as well. Exactly how many did they add? How does 17 sound? Oh, and a closed beta too.

Ready? Here goes…

Two PS3 Full Games (Michael Jackson: The Experience and Transformers: Fall of Cybertron)… Nine PSN Games (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Way of the Samurai 4, Metal Gear Solid 2 HD, Metal Gear Solid 3 HD, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure HD, Deep Black, Retro/Grade, Crazy Strike Bowling, and Legasista)… Two PS Vita Games (Metal Gear Solid 2 HD and Metal Gear Solid 3 HD)… One PS2 Classic (GunGrave Overdose)… and Three PS Minis (Top Trumps NBA All Stars, Chopper I, and The Next Space).

And that’s not counting the launch of the Dust 514 closed beta, which began yesterday for PlayStation Plus members.

More information on all of these games can be found after the break. Or you can visit the PlayStation Blog for a rundown of this week’s new game add-ons. (more…)

Posted in News, PS3, PSP, Vita | Tagged , , , ,

Diablo I and II creator has social media fight with Blizzard devs

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Nicole Kline

David Brevik, creator of Diablo and Diablo II, expressed some of his feelings on Diablo III to IncGamers during Gamescom.

“I have very mixed emotions about it. On one hand I am sad that people haven’t enjoyed Diablo because it’s a love, a passion, and it’s obvious people still have a giant love and passion for Diablo… That makes me feel great.

I am sad because people are outraged and… some of the decisions they have made are not the decisions I would make, and there have been changes in philosophy and that hasn’t gone over very well…

I am also a little happy… I hate to say, [but] it shows that the people that were involved in Diablo really did matter, and so I am happy that it has come to light that how talented that group was, how unique and special… when the people leave the game changes, and it shows how critical people are in this industry.”

So basically, to me, what he’s saying is: they made some design choices I wouldn’t have, and people are upset, and while that is a bummer, I am actually sort of pleased, because it means that what I built, and what I made, was important and meant something. Right? General idea?

Well, some of the Diablo III devs were pretty hurt over it, and had a public exchange via Facebook (which was captured by Reddit). Click the image above to enlarge it and cringe a bunch.

Since this argument needed more social media avenues, former Diablo II producer Mark Kern jumped in on Twitter: “Gotta say, that Jay Wilson, never having been at Blizzard for D1 and D2 and never having met Dave Brevik, has no place to say what he did. Dave Brevik created 2 genre-busting, award winning, world-loved Diablo games. Jay Wilson has done ____ with Diablo 3. Fill in the blanks. Blizzard arrogance has reached new heights.”

Facebook and Twitter have made it easier than ever for people to stick their feet directly into their mouths. Do not pass go, do not reach Paragon level.

[Source: IGN]

Posted in News, PC | Tagged