Now that Sonys E3 2013 press conference has come and gone, most details about the new console are out. We decided to bring all that information here to one spot. For your convenience, of course.

 

SPECIFICATIONS:

We learned many of the hardware specifications back in February when Sony first introduced us to the Playstation 4. Itll run on 8GB GDDR5, with an x86-64 AMD Jaguar, 8 core CPU, a 500 upgradeable hard drive, wireless connectivity with 802.11 b/g/n wi-fi and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and of course a HMDI port.

HOW MUCH IS IT?

If you been living under a rock since E3 started to try to get away  from all the craziness that is E3 or you just dont follow games closely like we do you might have missed what a big thing Sonys conference was when they announced the Playstation 4s price. The Playstation 4 comes to the US and Europe this holiday season for $399 399 and £349 respectively.

TRADE-INS, LENDING, AND DRM:

Unlike the Xbox One, the Playstation 4 will be a lot more traditional when it comes to the lending and reselling of its games. When a gamer buys a PS4 disc, they have the rights to use that disc, resell it, lend it to a friend or keep it forever, said CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America Jack Tretton. Tretton went on to say that you will not need to check-in every 24 hours Microsofts Xbox One will ping its consumers every 24 hours to make sure the owner of the game is still the same, so if you dont have an internet connection, youre pretty much screwed.

However, Sony does say that third-party publishers will have the final word on their games and if theyll carry out some form of DRM. Sony clarified this a bit in a response to Polygon.

Similar to PS3, we will not dictate the online used game strategy (the ability to play used games online) of its publishing partners, a Sony representative told Polygon. As announced last night, PS4 will not have any gating restrictions for used disc-based games. When a gamer buys a PS4 disc they have right to use that copy of the game, so they can trade-in the game at retail, sell it to another person, lend it to a friend, or keep it forever.

The roof almost came down during Sonys press conference

WHATS IN THE BOX?

As of right now Sony has shown us just one sku at $399. In this sku will come the Playstation 4 console, 1 Dual-Shock 4 controller, 1 HDMI cable, single ear mono headset, a USB 3.0 charging cable, power cord, BUT no Playstation Eye. If you want the camera its going to set you back $59 (£44 and 49) and if you want an extra Dual-Shock 4 controller itll also set you back another $59.

This differs from the Xbox One which comes with the Kinect 2.0. However, the Xbox One does not function without it.

When Watch Dogs was first introduced to us back at E3 2012, I quickly came to the conclusion that this was no ordinary game. What I was seeing from the games protagonist, Aiden Pearce and his apparent skillful ability to interact with and manipulate the technologies around him, I was hooked. I then started to realize how rich the texture and environment around this beautiful city looked and I wondered if this was running on some sort of high-end PC.

That thought fade quickly as I fell back into the transfixion the trailer was putting me in. As the trailer ended, I began to hear and read what other people around the web were saying and speculating, some had the same thoughts I had, thinking it was running on a high-end PC- even though it was played with a Xbox 360 remote. But others around the net made another point, a better one, one I fancied a lot more than my own.

Could this game be our first look at a next generation console game? At that point no one really knew, because Ubisoft didnt announce any type of platform, but here we sit almost a year later, now we know that yes indeed it is a next gen game for the Playstation 4 and the Xbox One - it is also being released on the PS3, Xbox 360, PC, and WiiU. It is currently scheduled to release on Nov. 19th in North America and on the 22nd in the UK.
In Ubisoft Montreals (Assassins Creed, Prince of Persia) Watch Dogs you take control of Aiden Pearce, a brilliant hacker and former thug. Pearces criminal past lead to a violent family tragedy that caused him to go on this journey to find the people who hurt him. According to Ubisoft ...youll be able to monitor and hack all who surround you while manipulating the citys systems to stop traffic lights, download personal information, turn off the electrical grid and more. Use the city of Chicago as your ultimate weapon and exact your own style of revenge. 

Multi-player:

Watch Dogs senior producer Dominic Guay says that they want to breach the walls between the single player and the multiplayer aspect of the game. Though much is still not known about the actual multiplayer itself and how itll play out, we do know that connectivity is a huge part of how players will interact with others online.

We want him to be able to go from single-player to multiplayer without having to go through a lobby, to menus, to various game settings.  Guay said talking about the seamless transition between single and multiplayer. We want the player to be surprised when he meets other players

Our mobile devices will also play a big role, We wanted the player to be able to connect to Watch Dogs even through his mobile, Guay said, Be able to play directly with people who are on their console, who are on their PlayStation 4, even if hes on the bus. Basically to be attached to our game world even when he steps out of the living room.

We expect to hear more from Guay and his development team on the multiplayer component of Watch Dogs at E3, stay tuned for more info.

I must say other than GTA V this is definitely one of my most anticipated games this year.

Microsoft has detailed some information regarding the licensing of your purchased disc-based-games and how loaning, sharing, and renting on the Xbox One will work.

In the days before E3 2013 in Los Angeles, California, Microsoft has posted some answers to questions many gamers have been concerned about since before the announcement of the Xbox One, one of these concerns is how gamers will be able to share and resell their games. In regards to this question Microsoft stated that, Today, some gamers choose to sell their old disc-based games back for cash and credit. We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers.  Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games.

All this sounded pretty good to me until I continued reading, and saw a statement  that said they from time to time, may change its policies, terms, products and services, which isnt bad, because some companies are constantly making changes to their policies anyway. What bothers me though is they said that, they may also cease to offer certain services or products.Cease what service and products? Disallow me to trade in my games, or charge me extra for buying a used game?

Microsoft, however, did say that they do not charge a fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games, but third-party publishers may opt in or out of supporting game resale and may set up business terms or transfer fees with retailers.

Only time will tell on this one What do you guys think? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: [ Microsoft ] [ TwoDashStash ]

Originally posted on TwoDashStash

Lets go ahead and put everything we know about the newly announced Xbox One into one place. Ill be focusing this article on the hardware itself, then on a later date, Ill take a closer look at the new UI and the improvements made to it.

"Xbox One wont allow for backwards compatibility with your older games"

Lets start with the HHD, we know that the Xbox One will ship with a 500GB internal NON-removable hard drive. However, according to Engadget youll be able to use the consoles 3.0 USB port as a source to connect an external storage device in which youll be able to add anything to, including games.

The console will run on 8 Core CPUs along with 8 gigabytes of memory. As mentioned above itll include USB 3.0 ports along with an HDMI IN/OUT ports, and for the first time on a Microsoft gaming console a Blu Ray optical drive.'

Microsoft's Xbox One Specs

 

You be able to connect online through an 802.11n connection with Wifi-Direct. According to some, youll now be able to have 1000 friends on your Xbox Live account.

[quote_left]"The console will run on 8 Core CPUs along with 8 gigabytes of memory"[/quote_left]Unfortunately it also seems that the Xbox One wont allow for backwards compatibility with your older games or your previously purchased Xbox Live Arcade games, "The system is based on a different core architecture, so back-compat doesn't really work from that perspective," Whitten told the Verge.

Restriction on used games was also reported by a few news outlets. Supposedly youll be able to resell and trade in games, but with a fee, we have not confirmed any specific scenarios." Fees, however, appear to be part of the plan said Major Nelson on his blog.

All Xbox One's Will Ship With A New Kinect

 

Microsoft also introduced the Kinect 2.0 and also noted that itll ship with all Xbox One consoles. The new Kinect features a 1080p, HD camera that captures video at 30 frames per second; a new, active-infrared capabilities; and new noise-isolating multi-microphone. According to Joystiq the new Kinect will be able to discern your heartbeat and know who is holding the controller.

Microsoft's Xbox One is set to release sometime this fall.

 

"Originally posted on my actual blog http://www.twodashstash.com" Back in 2010, 2k Marin introduced us to what at the time was an XCOM game based on a first person shooter perspective. But in the years since that announcement little was was heard of it, some even speculated that the game was thrown out, especially after the company went online and removed everything that was ever official announced. Well, the game didn't fade away or get thrown out, it became something completely new and different, it's now know as "The Bureau: XCOM Declassified"

 

"The Bureau: XCOM Declassified" is the origins story of the secret XCOM organization. The story take place in the 1960's when the first alien invasions occurred. Players will take control of the disturbed and alcoholic agent William Carter as he helps defend XCOM and the nation from the horrific alien invasion.

 

Declassified is a 3rd-person - squad based - tactical combat game. According to Morgan Gray - the creative director at 2k Marin - the reason he drifted away from the previously introduced first-person shooter was because of the lack team work and control the player had over that team. Gray says that even-though the original version of the game had "teammates" the fact that they were AI and you had little control over them, didn't make the game feel like it was an XCOM game.

 

 

The 3rd-person perspective makes more sense in terms of tactics, argued Gray, "...I can see myself, I can see my squad, I can see my enemies, I can see the layout of the land, I have all the information needed to attack my enemy..."

 

I am personally really excited about this game, I feel the team over at 2K Marin made the right decisions in coverting this game into something that will truly feel like an XCOM game.

 

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified is due out at the end of August, it'll be available on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.

 

Release Date: August 20, 2013Publisher: 2K GamesDeveloper: 2K Marin

the one and only Microsoft does it again. Like the powerhouse they are. They came out with a bang a big bang, and left with that same bang. So many lights, smoke machines, lasers, loud music, and most importantly usher. yeah about that.

It once again was predictable and unfortunately unentertaining. As expected they showed off the halo 4 demo and the all merciful call of duty black ops two demo, they threw in a little gears of war judgment, (which apparently has Baird as the protagonist) then they mixed in some kinect stuff (predictable) with new channels for example the NHL network, the NBA, Paramount pictures, and the Nickelodeon. same old boring stuff, right? sorry about coming off as a bit of a party pooper but that's expected when you don't provide me with something new.

But, there is something good that came out of that conference first and foremost and in my opinion by far the coolest thing to come out of the Microsoft E3 press conference was the smart glass, which I think has great potential. Keyword potential. IF done right, I think it can be a great tool. Especially in games, for example, I can use my iPad or iPhone as a map of the world I'm in, in the game instead of having to press start or select. Not to mention use it like some sort of codex, like the mass effect series already does with their iPad application. As far as the music and movie stuff go? WHATEVER.

I understand we are towards the end of this generation's lifespan. But, with that said the lack of new intellectual properties (more specifically first party) is killing me. I love my Halo and I love my gears of war, but Lord help me, go out on a limb like Sony did (the last of us) and bust out some crazy new IP. (I'M JUST DREAMING NOW).

With all my blabber the new South Park game is looking pretty sweet and the new tomb raider? hello. if I had to give the Microsoft press conference a grade I'd give it a C+ with the smart glass leading the way. And I know some of you think the smart glass idea is ridiculous, but I think if they work it the right way it could be something useful for all gamers.

I was just sitting here today playing "Batman Arkham Asylum" (Only my second play through) and i was thinking to myself, "OMG how in the hell am I going to handle all these darn games this fall"

If you haven't heard yet this year (2011) will probably go down in video game history as one of the best years yet. Uncharted 3, Mass Effect 3, Gears of War 3, Battlefield 3, COD Modern Warfare 3, Batman Arkham City, and Deus Ex: Human Revolution are just some of the great games coming out this fall.

Notice how almost all these games are the 3rd in the series?

Anyway, I enjoyed playing ALL of these games first few sequels, they were all great games and even though I am looking forward to all of these I am also looking forward to the new IP's releaseing soon too. I'm just wondering how in the hell am i gonna get to play and enjoy all of these. Sure their dates of release are all separated across the board, but I'm the type that likes taking my time to enjoy a game, playing all the side quests and finding all these easter eggs. I like going deep with these games. TWSS. "Yea, sure, just play the game, finish it off, no matter how long it takes, then go and buy the next game on your wish list". No! I guess you can call be a compulsive buyer but i generally like buying games the second they come out. And because I know i have the game in hand I'm going to want to play it.

I guess my fear is to be playing all these wonderful games at the same time and get lost in the mix with the story's and not enjoying it like I should. Anyone else feel as excited as I am with all these games coming out? And are you paranoid like I am? Or is it just me?

kill zone 3, Dragon age 2, Crysis2, Mortal Kombat, LA Noire, resistance 3, uncharted 3, gears of war3, ELDER SCROLLS V, mass effect 3, call of duty (if it does come out this year),Battlefield 3, The last Guardian, and of course Batman Arkham city.

All these games plus the announcement of the NGP and the launch of the Nintendo 3DS, this year is shaping up to be a great year for video games but not for my pocket. Of course that is if all these games hold their current release dates, which most likely they won't. Games like Mortal Kombat and Deus EX have already been kicked back. I don't think I ever been excited with this many games in a single year. Every year I get a game here and there that I'm really excited for. This year though omg there are so many games I'm looking forward to. And these are games that we have already heard of, what about the games that we haven't heard of? Games that haven't yet been announced, Just this week "dead island" was announced and even though it's a CGI trailer the game looks like it will be amazing. There is still E3 and the Tokyo game show and all the time in between those conventions. Will there be a new IP announced or another sequel to a great game? I don't know but I can't wait to see.

So after a few weeks of just sitting around and waiting for Gamefly to send my copy of God of War 2 game i just got up my ass and went on over to blockbuster. of course it wasnt in the selv. I was really in the mood for some GOW action. I just asked the blockbuster dude to check the return box and see if any1 returned a copy. After about 5 minutes of the dude searching walaaaa a copy, 1 single copy. :). Any ways my point is ask the damn guys that work there to check and see if any1 returned something that is not in stock and you wont have to be waiting to damn long to play a game or watch a movie you really want too. I'll have my review ofthe God of War 2 game later on in the week.

And boi waz it not worth it. What a waste of Q space on my gamefly account and waste of life playing. I wrote a review about it as i do for all games i finish. This is what i have o say about it

"When I first saw the preview for this game, I was ready to go get it and play. Well my friends, I was screwed over and rapped hard in the backside by this game. Don't be fooled like I was. The first 10 minutes was really fun and I had high hopes. When it hit that 11 minute mark I was in the !@#$%^&* stage. I'm going to make this as simple as possible. Game gets very repetitive. Same thing throughout the entire game. Fight big bug, kill big bug boss, and some snow pirates/NEVECS on the side. Then after that, do it all again for another 11 missions. The camera sometimes got really frustrating at times, especially when I was getting bounded by missiles or got stuck in a corner somewhere. When it comes to the graphics and the sound of the game they where pretty decent.

The story line is what got me. Am sure it got 98% of us out there. I'm still somewhat lost and trying to figureout what exactly was the point of everything I did in the game was for and WHY. They really did a great job putting the LOST in Lost Planet. As far as the online play goes its Meh. I unfortunately wouldn't even recommend this game for a rental, unless you want to see for your self how bad it really is. "

Sorry if i hurt anyones feelings but i just didnt enjoy the freaking game.