Daily Scoop: May 22, 2013 – Triumphant return

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Nicole Kline

Well, it’s been a crazy week, but things are finally slowing down! Saturday was GameLoop Philly, then Sunday was a surprise 80th birthday party for my grandmom, and Monday I was on a panel about video game writing with Chris Grant, Amanda Lange, and William Stallwood! It was amazing, but I am now amazingly tired. It’s time to get back to playing video games again! Oh, and moving into my new apartment, which feels like it’s taking an eternity. I can’t wait until it’s all finished!

Today’s deal is the new Humble Weekly Bundle, featuring Alan Wake. If you opt for the Collector’s Edition, you get extra content, including “special episodes ‘The Signal’ and ‘The Writer’ as well as developer commentary videos, an illustrated PDF book, and soundtrack.” These bundles only work on Windows, and you’ve only got seven days to buy it. Scoop it up!

Also, those awesome Penny Arcade Monaco prints are finally for sale! Go buy them all!

Lots of great t-shirts available today!

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Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

XBLA Today: Call of Juarez: Gunslinger

Posted on May 22, 2013 by John Scalzo

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With the Xbox One out in the open, it’s easy to let your thoughts drift to the next generation and away from the Xbox 360. But then you’d be ignoring today’s addition to the Xbox Live Arcade: Call of Juarez: Gunslinger.

Developed by Techland, Gunslinger brings the series back to the wild west after 2011’s Call of Juarez: The Cartel jumped to the modern day. It can be yours for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15), pardner.

From the dust of a gold mine to the dirt of a saloon, Call of Juarez: Gunslinger is a real homage to the Wild West tales. Live the epic journey of a ruthless bounty hunter onto the trail of the West’s most notorious outlaws. Blurring the lines between man and myth, this adventure made of memorable encounters unveils the untold truth behind some of the greatest legends of the Old West.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Crytek’s Ryse will make its Xbox One debut at E3 2013

Posted on May 22, 2013 by John Scalzo

ryse-e32013Ryse, Crytek’s Kinect-exclusive game of Roman combat, was first revealed at E3 2011. In the two years since, almost nothing new about the game has been revealed. But this morning, Crytek updated the Ryse placeholder page on their website, confirming that the game has made the jump to the Xbox One.

Fight As A Solider. Lead As A General. Rise As A Legend.

This image actually gives us a ton of new information about Ryse, such as the fact that it’s no longer Kinect-exclusive. The game is now played mainly with a controller with Kinect enhancements. The Latin phrase on the page, “Filius Romae Venit MMXIII,” also tells us that the game is more than likely a launch title. The literal English translation is “The Son Came to Rome in 2013.”

Finally, the countdown clock at the bottom of the image expires in “XIX,” or 19, days. Microsoft’s E3 Press Conference will take place on June 10, exactly 19 days from now. So prepare to learn more about Ryse at E3.

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Xbox One won’t be backwards compatible with Xbox 360/XBLA games

Posted on May 22, 2013 by John Scalzo

xboxone-logoThis news is disappointing, but not exactly surprising. Microsoft has confirmed (via an FAQ on Xbox.com) that the Xbox One will not include backwards compatibility support for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade games:

Q: Will Xbox One be backward compatible with my existing games?
A: Xbox One hardware is not compatible with Xbox 360 games. We designed Xbox One to play an entirely new generation of games—games that are architected to take full advantage of state-of-the-art processors and the infinite power of the cloud. We care very much about the investment you have made in Xbox 360 and will continue to support it with a pipeline of new games and new apps well into the future.

However, one part of your Xbox 360 identity will transfer over to the Xbox One. Your Gamertag (and all associated Achievements) will be supported across both systems. Since your Gamertag is linked between the Xbox 360 and Xbox One, that means you’ll only need one Xbox Live Gold subscription for both systems as well.

Posted in News, Xbox One |

Watch Dogs, AssCreed IV, Thief, Destiny, Battlefield 4 “announced” for Xbox One

Posted on May 22, 2013 by John Scalzo

xboxone-logoWhen is a game announcement not a game announcement? When that game was announced weeks, or even months, ago for a console that we didn’t know the name of. But with Microsoft’s unveiling of the Xbox One, a few multiplatform titles that we all knew were in development for it can be officially “announced.”

Ubisoft will have two titles available for the Xbox One launch: Watch Dogs and Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. The French publisher plans to release at least four additional games for the Xbox One during the system’s first year.

“The next generation of consoles will reinvigorate our industry and make it possible for us to deliver incredible new entertainment to gamers,” said Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our teams are using the innovations in connectivity, immersion and social gaming included in Xbox One to create original and memorable next-gen gaming experiences.”

Bungie has always loved the Xbox platform, so it’s not surprising that they’ve confirmed that Destiny will be released for the Xbox One. A release date was not announced. Square Enix and Eidos Montreal will sneak onto the Xbox One in 2014 with Thief. The stealth title will also make an appearance at this year’s E3 Expo.

“The team at Eidos Montreal is thrilled to confirm that Thief is coming to Xbox One. The next generation of home consoles allow us to create the best and the most immersive Thief game ever. The feedback we have received so far is simply amazing and we can’t wait to show more of Thief at E3 this year” said Stephane D’Astous, the General Manager of Eidos Montreal.

Finally, Battlefield 4 will challenge the latest Call of Duty during the Xbox One launch. More Xbox One titles will surely be announced in the lead-up to this year’s E3 Expo.

Posted in News, Xbox One | Tagged , , , , , ,

RE Revelations, Call of Juarez: Gunslinger, Ratchet: Deadlocked, more added to PS Store

Posted on May 22, 2013 by John Scalzo

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After we spent the day oohing and aahing over Microsoft’s new Xbox One console, Sony did the same thing they do every Tuesday: updated the PlayStation Store.

This week’s offerings include the high definition re-release of Resident Evil Revelations, NIS America’s Mugen Souls, the illegal street racing of Fast & Furious: Showdown, and the old west shootouts of Call of Juarez: Gunslinger.

Vita owners will be able to finally play Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault (it’s available as a PSN Cross-Buy title too) or they can embrace their inner men’s room attendant with Men’s Room Mayhem.

And speaking of Ratchet, Ratchet: Deadlocked is now available on the PSN. No Vita version though.

More information on this week’s releases can be found after the break and the full list of this week’s new game add-ons can be found at the PlayStation Blog.

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Posted in News, PS3, Vita | Tagged ,

Xbox One Trailer: Call of Duty: Ghosts

Posted on May 21, 2013 by John Scalzo

The Call of Duty: Ghosts experience won’t be that different whether you play it on the PC, PS3, Xbox 360, or Xbox One. But if you do decide to upgrade to a next-generation system, it’s going to be a whole lot prettier. You can check out the trailer Activision’s Eric Hirshberg brought to the “Next Xbox Reveal” above, or you can watch the behind-the-scenes development video with Infinity Ward after the break.

Of course, I recommend watching both.

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Posted in News, Xbox One | Tagged ,

Xbox One Trailer: Forza Motorsport 5

Posted on May 21, 2013 by John Scalzo

Microsoft didn’t have many games to show off at their “Next Xbox Reveal,” but what they lacked in quantity they certainly made up for in quality. Forza Motorsport 5‘s debut trailer is a truly impressive bit of “car porn.”

Forza Motorsport 5 will be an Xbox One launch game when Microsoft releases their next console later this year.

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