PSN Today: CoD: Ghosts, Guided Fate Paradox, How to Survive, Final Exam, more

Posted on November 5, 2013 by John Scalzo

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Just as in the retail world, most publishers are staying far away from the PlayStation Store this week as Activision’s Call of Duty: Ghosts makes its digital debut today.

It will be joined on the PlayStation Network by Ben 10 Omniverse 2, the latest game to star the Cartoon Network star; The Guided Fate Paradox, the latest RPG from NIS America; Final Exam, a side-scrolling brawler set in the Obscure universe; and How to Survive, a zombie survival sim.

Two PSN/Vita Cross-Buy titles, the puzzle platformer A-Men 2 and the physics puzzler/tower defense mashup CastleStorm, round out this week’s update. Oh, and the inexplicably popular The Adventures of Cookie & Cream has been added to the PS2 Classics store.

More details about all of these titles can be found after the break and a 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 |

Daily Scoop: November 5, 2013 – Kigurumi edition

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Nicole Kline

It’s freezing outside, so I’ve been putting a lot of serious thought into getting myself a kigurumi, which is a Japanese pajama/cosplay type outfit. There are some really amazing ones out there, though I couldn’t find too many that fit the video game theme, other than Pikachu, of course!

But then I stumbled upon one that was a Portal turret, and I was instantly smitten. Looks like I know what I’m wearing to my next convention! And around the house. And maybe just, you know, all the time. Or, come to think of it, Anthony could wear that, and I could be Chell. You know, I’m starting to like this idea…

There aren’t really any great deals going on right now. In fact, everyone is having little tiny deals left and right, and teasing about their Black Friday sales. I’m so glad I don’t leave the house the day after Thanksgiving! I mean, other than to go somewhere and play Dungeons & Dragons, that is.

Anyway, let’s get serious and talk about t-shirts!

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Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Infinity Ward offers up another look at CoD: Ghosts’ Extinction Mode

Posted on November 5, 2013 by John Scalzo

Call of Duty: Ghosts is available in stores today (for the PC, PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360) and, as one last appetizer before the main course, Infinity Ward has released a new trailer for Extinction Mode dubbed “First Contact.” Watch as a squad of soldiers defends Earth against a slimy alien menace and then they… become an appetizer for the aliens. Whoops. Maybe the aliens can ask Kang and Kodos for some culinary tips.

The developers at Infinity Ward also sat down with GameSpot to deliver an extended look at Extinction Mode, which you can view after the break. And don’t forget, Call of Duty: Ghosts will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One later this month.

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Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One |

Microsoft will offer monthly Car Packs for Forza Motorsport 5

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Zackery Cote

forzamotorsport5-boxMicrosoft has announced that Forza Motorsport 5 will continue the franchise’s tradition of peerless post-release support. The game will receive new Car Packs every month that feature ten different cars each.

The first add-on, the LaFerrari Car Pack, will be released on November 22 alongside the game and the Xbox One console. Subsequent packs will be added to the Xbox Live Store in January through March during the first week of the month with additional packs planned for release later in 2014. But if you’re only interested in a particular car, don’t worry, Forza 5 owners will be able to purchase individual cars “a la carte.”

For those of you who are avid car fans and already know you’re going to want to test out every car available, you can pick up the Forza Motorsport 5 Car Pass. The Car Pass will give you access to the first six Car Packs for $49.99, or 18% cheaper than purchasing them individually.

[Source: Xbox Wire]

Posted in News, Xbox One | Tagged

Wii Mini (bundled with Mario Kart Wii) comes to US this month

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Zackery Cote

wiimini-2If you live in the US and have been wondering what to get for the holiday season, or if you’ve always been curious to see why the Wii was the best-selling video game console of the seventh generation, then your chance has finally arrived.

Nintendo has announced that the Wii Mini, previously only available in Canada and the UK, will be arriving in the United States this month. The Wii Mini is a more compact and affordable version of the Wii that is perfect for families or friends who want a more economic experience. The console features an awesome black-and-red color scheme, and is set for a retail price of $99.99.

Unlike the Wii, the Wii Mini has no Internet capabilities (which means no online play, no Virtual Console, and no WiiWare), but it can play every disc-based game in the extensive Wii library. To get new players started, the Wii Mini comes bundled with Mario Kart Wii, so families and friends can take advantage of the game’s great local multiplayer instantly.

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Sony will call up MLB 14: The Show in Spring 2014

Posted on November 5, 2013 by John Scalzo

Sony’s critically acclaimed baseball simulation series, MLB: The Show, will return in 2014 with its next entry (and first on the PS4): MLB 14: The Show. The game, which is scheduled for release sometime in the Spring, will also be available for the PS3 and Vita.

Naturally, the PS4 version of the game will enable the developers at Sony San Diego to create a more lifelike simulation. “The handcuffs and restraints have been taken off,” according to Game Designer/Community Manager Ramone Russell. But the next-generation system also allows Sony San Diego to add a Quick Counts mode for faster game lengths and year-to-year saves for Seasons, Franchises, and Road To The Show.

Fresh off his selection as Player of the Year at last night’s 2013 Player’s Choice Awards, Miguel Cabrera has been selected as the cover athlete for MLB 14: The Show. Cabrera has earned many awards and accolades in his 11-year career, but his greatest claim to fame is no doubt the Triple Crown he won in 2012. It was the first time a player had lead the league in home runs, batting average, and RBIs since 1967.

Posted in News, PS3, PS4, Vita | Tagged

Daily Scoop: November 4, 2013 – When did it get to be November???

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Nicole Kline

Holy disappearing year, y’all! Where did 2013 go??? It felt like it flew by in a crazy haze of video games, good and bad. Not that I’m complaining…!

The best deal going on right now is the Game Music Bundle, which I’ve mentioned before. It’s only got another day left, so go grab it while it’s still there!

Also, this is a terrific time to stock up on consoles and peripherals from this (now old) generation. There are lots of Dualshock 3s on sale right now on Amazon. Maybe it’s time I finally picked up that awesome gold one?

Looking for awesome t-shirts? Of course you are!

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Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

The AAA Game: Where It’s Been, Where It’s Going, and Did It Kill the Mid-Tier Game?

Posted on November 4, 2013 by John Scalzo

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An edited and updated version of this article is now available at Video Game Canon.

With a new generation of consoles almost upon us, there is the worry that the spiraling budgets and massive teams required to create AAA games is hurting the industry. But for all the hand-wringing about how the AAA game is detrimental to mid-size developers, no one can seem to agree on what exactly a AAA game is or when the AAA designation was even first used. In attempting to solve this etymological mystery, I found that the AAA designation shares much in common with Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s obscenity test from a 1964 case: “I know it when I see it.” But I also found out that “Will the AAA game survive?” is probably the wrong question to ask.

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Posted in Features, PC, PS3, PS4, Top Story, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One |