EA plans to release 10-15 next-gen games during console transition period

Posted on February 13, 2013 by John Scalzo

electronicartslogoBlake Jorgensen, the Chief Financial Officer at Electronic Arts, told the crowd at this year’s Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference that EA plans to have 10-15 next-generation games ready to go during the PS3-Xbox 360/PS4-Xbox 720 “transition period.”

But don’t worry, if you don’t plan on purchasing a next-generation console (for whatever reason), Jorgensen confirmed that the majority of EA’s output would be available on “generation-three” consoles (that’s the PS3 and Xbox 360) because they’re a slave to the sports schedules:

“An important thing to remember is that next-gen consoles will most likely not be backwards compatible,” [Jorgensen] explained. “And if you [play] multiplayer on a game, you’ll most likely not be able to play with someone on a different generation. And so if you’re a FIFA player, and the soccer season’s starting in August, and all your friends are playing FIFA, you’re going to want to be on the same box that they’re on.”

Further details of these 10-15 titles were unavailable, but we know for a fact that EA internal studios DICE and Criterion are hard at work on next-generation games.

[Source: Polygon]

Posted in News | Tagged , ,

GameStop says 60% of customers will skip next-gen consoles that block used games

Posted on February 13, 2013 by John Scalzo

gamestoplogo

Rob Lloyd, GameStop’s Chief Financial Officer, has some strong for any consolemaker considering a used game lockout system for their next-generation console.

Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference, Lloyd told the assembled crowd that the retailer recently conducted a poll of their customers and found that 60% would refuse to purchase a console that disallowed used games. Someone who says that consumers demand to be able to play used games, who also happens to be the CFO of GameStop, can be considered a bit of a biased source. But something tells me their research doesn’t stray too far from reality.

“Consumers want the ability to play pre-owned games, they want portability in their games; they want to play physical games. And to not have those things would be a substantial reason for them not to purchase a new console,” Lloyd said.

He was also quoted as saying, “Sony has said publicly that they don’t intend to block used games on its next console.” That’s news to me, but I’d like to believe it’s true.

Hopefully we’ll find out next Wednesday.

[Source: VG247]

Posted in News | Tagged ,

XBLA Today: Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Decade Duels Plus

Posted on February 13, 2013 by John Scalzo

yugiohdecadeplus-header

Another Yu-Gi-Oh! game has made its way to the Xbox Live Arcade as Konami released Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Decade Duels Plus today. The game has been priced at 800 Microsoft Points ($10) and additional card packs are available to download for 160 Microsoft Points ($2) apiece.

Here’s what Yu-Gi-Oh! fans can expect from Decade Duels Plus:

Based on the popular Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s animated TV series Includes the latest cards from the official Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Trading Card Game Complete against the most popular Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s characters during the finals Battle through Single player or compete in 4 player tag duels with text and voice chat ability.

Includes 3 Modes of Play:
Rank Match – Compete against Yu-Gi-Oh! fans of the same rank and ability.
Quick Match – Jump right into the action and compete against any Yu-Gi-Oh! fan.
Custom Match – Battle your friends and completely customize the rules of play

Posted in News, Xbox 360 |

Deadpool breaks the fourth wall this Summer

Posted on February 13, 2013 by John Scalzo

deadpool-summerAccording to an ad found in at least one of last week’s new comic books, High Moon’s Deadpool game will be released for the PS3 and Xbox 360 this Summer. Previously, publisher Activision would only say that the game was coming in 2013.

Consider this news tentative for now as Activision has made no official announcements about Deadpool’s release date and the online retailers of the world (including GameStop and Amazon) have yet to update the game’s listing.

[Source: Deadpool Bugle]

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Skyrim: Dragonborn, Persona 4: Arena, Twisted Metal, TM Black, more added to PS Store

Posted on February 13, 2013 by John Scalzo

persona4arenalogoWelcome to your weekly update of the PlayStation Store. This week…

  • Bethesda has finally added the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim expansion, Dragonborn, to the store.
  • Atlus has added the Persona fighting game spinoff, Persona 4: Arena.
  • Konami has added another Yu-Gi-Oh! game, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Decade Duels Plus.
  • The top-down shooter Alien Breed is available as a PSN/Vita Cross-Buy game.
  • Twisted Metal (PSone) and Twisted Metal: Black (PS2) have been added to the Classics section.

A few other games were also added to the PlayStation Store this week and you can read all about them after the break. A full list of this week’s new game add-ons can be found at the PlayStation Blog.

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in News, PS3, Vita | Tagged ,

Halo 4: Spartan Ops Episode 8 Review: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Troy Matsumiya

halo4spartanops610-header

The latest episode of Halo 4 Spartan Ops has a tough act to follow, since Episode 7 was a tight, thrilling package that finally delivered the promised blend of action, intensity and story integration. While Episode 8 isn’t bad, it unfortunately pales in comparison.

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in Reviews, Top Story, Xbox 360 | Tagged

CoD: Black Ops II Revolution map pack coming to PC, PS3 on February 28

Posted on February 12, 2013 by John Scalzo

The first Call of Duty: Black Ops II map pack, Revolution, was added to the Xbox Live Marketplace on January 29. As expected, Activision has confirmed that the DLC will be made available for PC and PS3 players a month later.

The Revolution pack will be added to the PlayStation Store and PC download services on February 28. Activision didn’t announce a price, but it’s a safe assumption it’ll carry the same $15 pricetag as the Xbox 360 version.

The Revolution pack adds four new multiplayer maps (“Grind,” “Hydro,” “Downhill,” and “Mirage”), a new Zombies map (“Die Rise”), and a new Zombies gametype (“Turned”) where players can play as the shambling undead.

A Wii U release date for Revolution was not announced, but the DLC is expected to be made available for Nintendo’s newest systems soon.

Posted in News, PC, PS3 | Tagged

Nicalis picks up Kickstarter project The 90s Arcade Racer

Posted on February 12, 2013 by John Scalzo

Nicalis is well known for bringing VVVVVV, NightSky, and Cave Story to Nintendo platforms over the past three years. And they’re likely going to to continue their goodwill streak with their first Wii U project, The 90s Arcade Racer.

The 90s Arcade Racer started life as a Kickstarter project that was originally headed to the three PC platforms (Windows, Mac, and Linux). Nicalis stepped in and offered to back the developer, Antonis Pelekanos, with additional resources and the ability to publish the game on iOS and Android devices as well as the Wii U eShop.

As you can see from the trailer above, The 90s Arcade Racer takes its cues from the classics of the 90s arcade including Daytona USA, Sega Super GT, and Indy 500.

Blending the best bits of those three games together, The 90s Arcade Racer will include stock cars, supercars, and open-wheel racers in a game that features three tracks and “a nice blend between reality and fantasy. All while keeping with the 90s theme.”

The 90s Arcade Racer is expected to be available in November or December of this year.

Posted in Mobile, News, PC, Wii U | Tagged