Xbox One U-turn could hand console market to Apple and Google, Darling argues

August 4th, 2013, 18:23 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft should have been stronger in its argument for the Xbox One’s former digital features, Codemasters founder David Darling has stated.
In fact, Darling goes as far as to argue that Microsoft insistence on tying Xbox One to physical media may hand Apple and Google the chance to ‘win’ the living room games battle.
"I don't think Microsoft sold it in the right way – they weren't strong enough,” Darling told Games Industry. “I don't think they should have had a physical drive on Xbox One – it's like having a dead body handcuffed to you. It's dragging along this dead body and it's going to slow them down. They've let the market pull them back but I think that was a mistake.
“The price of console games has to drop otherwise they will not be competitive with Apple and Google. The industry will definitely move in that direction, and I think it will move very quickly. There's no point in distributing physical media when the internet exists.
"They've given Apple and Google a chance to get into the living room – they'll come along with new machines and take over the market."
Darling added that he’s aware a potential loss of physical games media would result in closures and job losses but argues that such losses are unavoidable in an increasingly digital world.
"Unfortunately, you're talking about people's livelihoods and careers," he added. "At Codemasters we had salespeople and warehouse people, and their jobs depended on boxed games – if you don't have physical stock then they don't have a job.
“The shift towards digital is going to mean people losing their jobs and changing careers, but at some stage we have to say we don't need these people anymore. Those who resist are like the Luddites from the 1800s – we have a loom which does all of this stuff automatically so we don't need workers doing it by hand.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/xbox-...argues/0119602

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QuakeCon 2013: Carmack On Next-Gen Console Hardware

August 2nd, 2013, 23:28 Posted By: wraggster

QuakeCon 2013 is running full tilt. John Carmack kicked off his speech by addressing the 'elephant in the room,' discussing the arrival of a new console generation to a crowd of attendees at the largely PC-focused event. He's optimistic about the coming console cycle, commenting that it's 'obviously going to be a good thing for gamers, developers, and an excellent thing for AMD.' John said he hasn't run quite enough tests on the hardware for the two consoles, but said they're both 'very close, and very good.' In his traditional long talk (), Carmack also commented on Microsoft's always-on Kinect, its recently reversed DRM policies for the upcoming Xbox One, the death of optical media, and the state of handheld gaming.

http://games.slashdot.org/story/13/0...nsole-hardware

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Final Xbox One devkits land with developers

August 2nd, 2013, 23:11 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft tweaks GPU up from 800mhz to 853mhz as it finalises its hardware plans

The final devkits for the Xbox One have made there way to developers, says Xbox corporate VP Marc Whitten.
In a podcast with Microsoft’s Larry Hryb, Marc Whitten said the computing giant was close to finalising all the specs and features for its next-gen console as the launch date approaches.

One change recently implemented since its E3 showing is to the graphics processing unit. The firm has upped the clock speed of the GPU from 800mhz to 853mhz.
Whitten added that the tweak was an example of how the firm was getting closer to realising the final performance level of the hardware and making sure it has “a great product for developers to build great games against”.
“This is the time where developers have the final devkits in their hands, and they’re really working closely with us and how things have come together,” he said.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...ith-developers

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Xbox Enforcement United adds user moderation to Xbox Live

August 2nd, 2013, 01:41 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has announced a new Xbox Live beta program tentatively called Xbox Enforcement United, which lets members of the Xbox Live community help moderate the service.
Xbox Live has always had a user feedback system, but Microsoft says the new Enforcement United program is there to "give you a sense of ownership on the service".
"Members who join the Enforcement United beta will participate by providing their opinions on whether particular content, initially Gamertags, violate the Xbox Live Code of Conduct," explains Microsoft.
"These decisions from participants feed into an algorithm our team developed. That algorithm takes several factors into account like how many participants believe there had been a violation and how reliably those individual members' historical decisions aligned with the general consensus. The system can then determine whether or not to apply an enforcement action like requiring a Gamertag change, or if the complaint should be escalated for one of our enforcers to review more closely."
The announcement comes after Xbox Live program manager Micheal Dunn said earlier today that Xbox One's Reputation system will rely on user feedback in order to categorise gamers based on their behavior online.
According to Dunn, "the new model will take all of the feedback from a player's online flow, put it in the system with a crazy algorithm we created and validated with an MSR PhD to make sure things are fair for everyone."
Microsoft says the new Enforcement United system is smart enough to avoid manipulation from any one individual. "We have built in a series of carefully designed controls so no individual participant can wield unchecked power over another. The system will also continually calibrate itself to understand how reliable the data is and the sources it comes from," it said.
The Xbox Enforcement United beta kicked off today, and you can sign up here. Also launched today is a new Xbox Community Level website, where Xbox Live users can apparently "earn rewards and recognition for contributing to the Xbox Live community through programs like the Enforcement United beta and the long-standing Xbox Live Ambassadors."

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...-to-xbox-live/

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CoD: Ghosts pre-orders 'well below' Black Ops 2 due to platform uncertainty

August 2nd, 2013, 01:40 Posted By: wraggster

Pre-orders for Call of Duty: Ghosts are "well below" that of last year's Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 owing to 'hesitation' caused by the looming console transition.
Activision Publishing president Epic Hirshberg said in an earnings call today, "As one might expect in this console transition year, pre-orders for Call of Duty: Ghosts are well below the record-setting pace set by Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 last year."
While no figures were disclosed, Hirshberg went on to say the company's "quantitative consumer research" indicates that "hesitation amongst past CoD pre-orderers is primarily due to not knowing which platform they'll be playing on, which is natural at this time in the console transition."
On the positive side, Hirshberg note, "Ghosts pre-orders are over double those of Call of Duty: Black Ops, which is the last time we launched a new sub-brand for the franchise."
He went on to assure that the company has in place "the most aggressive marketing, retail, and digital programs in the history of the franchise" for this year's entry, which is set to arrive on Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, PC and Wii U.
Despite the dip in pre-orders for the next CoD, momentum for the franchise appears as strong as ever, with Hirshberg highlighting that Call of Duty's digital sales in Q2 2013 (ended June 30) broke records, growing "over 100 per cent year-on-year".
Black ops 2 sales during the quarter also exceeded Modern Warfare 3 sales during the same period the prior year.
Activision has confirmed a Call of Duty: Ghosts release date of November 5 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. The game will be a launch title for Xbox One and PS4.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...m-uncertainty/

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Crackdown and Dead Rising 2 next up in Games With Gold

August 2nd, 2013, 00:28 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has named the two games that will feature this month in Xbox 360’s Games With Gold offer.
As of today, Microsoft’s hugely popular (and arguably never bettered) Crackdown will be offered to free for Xbox Gold members. Then from August 16^th Capcom’s Dead Rising 2 and its digital prologue Dead Rising 2: Case Zero will become available.
Current freebie Assassin’s Creed 2 will remain free until August 15^th.
The previous games to feature in games With Gold are Defense Grid: Awakening and Fable 3. Halo 3 is due to be added to the roster at some point.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/crack...h-gold/0119494

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This is how Xbox One will help you avoid the trolls

August 2nd, 2013, 00:27 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has offered more details on its troll-avoiding Reputation system that will be used on Xbox One.
Feedback on players has been streamlined to be more direct and ultimately group players into one of just three categories – Green (Good Player), Yellow (Needs Improvement) or Red (Avoid Me).
This categorisation will be added to a player’s gamer card. The default setting will of course be Green and only players that have attracted negative feedback will see any deviation from that.
Players will receive “many different alerts” if they are at risk from slipping from Yellow to Red.
Furthermore, those with a rubbish Reputation will find that their feedback on other gamers is of decreased importance.
“The new model will take all of the feedback from a player’s online flow, put it in the system with a crazy algorithm we created and validated with an MSR PhD to make sure things are fair for everyone,” Xbox Live program manager Michael Dunn explained.
“The algorithm is sophisticated and won’t penalize you for a few bad reports. Even good players might receive a few player feedback reports each month and that is OK. The algorithm weighs the data collected so if a dozen people suddenly reporting a single user, the system will look at a variety of factors before docking their reputation.
“We’ll verify if those people actually played in an online game with the person reported – if not, all of those player’s feedback won’t matter as much as a single person who spent 15 minutes playing with the reported person. The system also looks at the reputation of the person reporting and the alleged offender, frequency of reports from a single user and a number of other factors.
“This system will continue to evolve and get better as we track the feedback we get from players and titles, plus add more consequences for the jerks. It also helps us match you with other gamers like you. Of course, the system will be as good as you make it, so all you need to do is report the players that are abusive, cheating or causing mayhem and their reputation will reflect that.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/this-...trolls/0119498

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World of Tanks 'will lead free-to-play charge on console'

August 2nd, 2013, 00:21 Posted By: wraggster

The Xbox 360 version of World of Tanks will be a free-to-play experience the console industry has never seen before, says developer Wargaming.
The firm announced its plans to bring the smash hit PC title to Xbox 360 at E3 in June.
And Wargaming’s senior product marketing manager Pat Alvardo says quality is the most important thing when creating a free game, something rival free-to-play consoles games have lacked.
“In terms of free-to-play on console, there aren’t a lot of experiences yet that are at the quality that World of Tanks is at,” he told MCV. “We are really bringing a triple-A, free-to-play game to the platform.
“There are other companies doing free-to-play on console. But there’s not a lot of people in the business doing it like this. The industry is changing, people are trying to adapt to how consumers want content, and this is a great way of doing that."
World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition is out later this year.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/world...onsole/0119505

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Turn 10: Xbox One cloud can boost AI processing by 600%

August 1st, 2013, 23:38 Posted By: wraggster

Tech enables developers to free up hardware processing space for graphics and audio

Cloud technology on the Xbox One can increase AI processing power by up to 600 per cent, claims the studio manager of Forza 5 developer Turn 10.
Speaking to OXM, Alan Hartman said developers were able to free up more of the console’s hardware for graphics and audio processing, and offload some aspects, such as the game’s AI, to the cloud.

He added that this added extra power to a system that was already more powerful than what the studio had used before.
"When you've got a learning neural network, more computing power is nothing but helpful,” said Hartman.
“Because what you're able to do is process a lot more information, and you don't have to do it in realtime on the box. And that frees up more of the box to be doing graphics or audio or other computational areas.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...cessing-by-600

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Introducing the CronusMAX. The world's most powerful gaming controller accessory.

August 1st, 2013, 13:41 Posted By: wraggster

We bought a bunch of these Cronus-X devices from a retailer and have reprogrammed them ourselves with our own custom firmware to make them MUCH more powerful than the standard (and more expensive) retail version. We've also developed a new set of software tools and there are even more features in development right now that we provided as FREE software updates !
For more information, updates and downloads join our CronusMAX Support Forums
If you love gaming, the CronusMAX will blow you away. So……What does it do?
The CronusMAX has FOUR major categories:
[h=2]#1 Cross-over Gaming
#2 Precision Mouse & Keyboard Control
#3 Fully Modded Controller – No Soldering/Wires/Chips !
#4 Macro Programming – Imagine 88 Ultra Hit "Killer Instinct" combo with the press of a button[/h]
[h=1]#1 Cross-over Gaming[/h]The CronusMAX is the first ever cross-compatibility gaming add-on ever created for video game industry. Simply put, it allows you to use your favorite gaming controller on virtually any console you want. Love your Xbox 360 controller but have to use Playstation 3 at your buddy's house? or how about you want to use your PS3 Six-Axis Controller on your Windows PC? Not a problem. Just plug in the CronusMAX, sync your controller, and you are ready to go. No setup. No hassle. Just play!
Our unique device opens up a whole new world of gaming for you. Gone are the days when you are restricted to using uncomfortable controllers because of the system you are playing on.
Features include:

• Works on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and any Windows-based PC
• You can even use a Wii controller on your Xbox 360 or PS3.
• Or how about an Xbox 360 controller on a PS3 AND a keyboard AND a mouse ?
• Lag-free. Instant response every time
• Remap your buttons to any custom configuration
• No installation necessary. Simply plug-and-play.

[h=1]#2 Precision Mouse & Keyboard Control[/h]There are many "mouse and keyboard" console adapters on the market today, so, what makes CronusMAX so different? The answer is simple: precision. Making a high precision device (like a mouse) work well in a game that was designed for controller thumbsticks is a very hard problem. All console shooters have different levels of "aim-assist" that makes them playable using a controller. If done incorrectly, adapting a mouse to these games will result in aiming that feels jerky, unresponsive, and detached. CronusMAX takes this mouse tracking information to the next level using it's unique "MAXaim" technology.
Through MAXaim, CronusMAX is able to provide unparalleled mouse precision unachievable by any other gaming adapter available. The problem is simple: when the mouse moves, equivalent reticle movement on the screen should occur (i.e. 1-to-1 movement). This is the obvious result that all PC-gamers expect. But, before the creation of MAXaim was not possible on consoles. Every console shooter has its own unique aiming system that governs how the game controls and feels to the gamer. Every game is different as they all have different stick dead-zones and geometries, variable sensitivity and acceleration regions, asymmetric sensitivity, non-linear movement, and more. Be cautious of any console mouse adapter that claims "PC-feel" without talking about how it solves all these challenges.
CronusMAX's simplicity and flexibility is also second-to-none. It's philosophy is to empower the gamer without bombarding them with unneeded complexity. It’s quick and easy to set up your preferred gaming environment. Even more, it will actually give you real-time feedback to help you find your optimal settings. For the most hard core gamer, CronusMAX offers an insane amount of capabilities, without any kind of soldering or extra hardware to install to the controller – it's the first truly ultimate all-in-one wireless controller modding device.
CronusMAX enables a gamer to choose input devices that suits them best whether at a desk or on a couch in the living room. Mix and match different devices for your optimal playing style.
Features Include:

• Next-generation console input adapter
• Game on your Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 using your favorite PC gaming-grade hardware
• Supports both desktop and living room gaming styles
• Unsurpassed in-game 1-to-1 feel thanks to advanced MAXaim technology
• Simple configuration
• Real-time feedback to guide you to your optimal settings
• Bonus Feature: Ability to remap PC grade Joypads and gamepads !
• Note: A Windows-PC is required while using the keyboard & mouse together

[h=1]#3 Fully Modded Controller – No Soldering/Wires/Chips ![/h]The CronusMAX really is the ultimate solution to all of your controller modding needs. It allows you to implement powerful mod capabilities to your controller WITHOUT the need to add additional chips or wires to the hardware. This means it will work with your controller RIGHT NOW giving you a fully modded controller with no installation necessary. There is absolutely no need to make changes or modifications to your Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 controller – this has never been done before. This innovative new technology isn't available anywhere else on the market. With a full selection of mods at your fingertips, CronusMAX is perfect for the gamer looking to add an extra edge to their game.
Features include:

• Wireless state of the art modification technology
• Millions of mod configurations – No Combo Limit !
• No lag time (tested to 1.2 milliseconds)
• No chips, wires, or other hardware installation required
• No soldering or opening the controller – Plug and Play !
• Fully loaded with ALL major mod packs
• Support for all console games (i.e. COD series, Battlefield Series, Mortal Kombat, Madden, FIFA, GTA, Tiger Woods and many more!)
• Stores memory for up to 9 of your favorite games. Button on the CronusMAX allows you to switch between game slots
• 100% undetectable online
• Custom software for mapping the controllers buttons
• Complete button layout configuration
• User friendly menu system using controller LEDs
• Works with both Xbox 360 and PS3
• Does NOT void controller warranty
• Bluetooth dongle required (Sold Separately)The CronusMAX has 12 different mod class with up to 53 selectable mods allowing for millions of mod combinations giving you a fully modded controller with no installation necessary. You can choose and combine one mod from each class for a total of 12 active mods at the SAME TIME. This means you can make combinations such a burst fire added to rapidfire resulting in an exclusive "automatic burstfire" mode. This mode can be optimized by adjusting the number of bullets fired per burst as well as the time between bursts. For additional optimization, you can add the "scope enable" mod which will allow your "automatic burstfire" to be activated only when the ADS scope is in use.

Combination examples include (but are not limited to):

PLEASE NOTE: These are only examples. You do not have to use the combinations in this manner. You can experiment and use whatever combinations suit your playing style best. The possibilities are endless!
With the exclusive "press sensitivity" feature, you can assign two different mods to one single button for combinations like:


PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to use your Xbox 360 controller wirelessly on your PS3 you will need to purchase the Microsoft Wireless Receiver. Without it, you can only use a wired Xbox 360 controller with the PS3. An Xbox 360 wired controller is also required for the initial setup on an Xbox 360. Also, due to how the CronusMAX communicates with the controller, the headset port is used so you will not be able to use a chatpad or headsets that plug into the controller itself. So, any headset that can connect directly to the console either wired or wireless can work as long as it does not plug in to the CronusMAX, or controller being supported by the CronusMAX at that current time.
[h=1]Available Mod Packs[/h]

• Battlefield Cheat Pack MSRP +$19.95 (CronusMAX INCLUDED FREE!)
• Black Ops 2 CheatPack (Optimized for Black Ops 2) MSRP +$14.95 (CronusMAX INCLUDED FREE!)
• Call of Duty Cheat Pack (all COD games) MSRP +$19.95 (CronusMAX INCLUDED FREE!)
• God of War Cheat Pack MSRP +$9.95 (CronusMAX INCLUDED FREE!)
• Gran Turismo 5 Cheat Pack MSRP +$9.95 (CronusMAX INCLUDED FREE!)
• Mortal Kombat 9 Finalizations Cheat Pack MSRP +$14.95 (CronusMAX INCLUDED FREE!)
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour Cheat Pack MSRP +$9.95 (CronusMAX INCLUDED FREE!)

[h=3]All CronusMAX devices are fully loaded with ALL mod packs. There are no extra fees !
WE WILL ALSO BE PROVIDING FREE MOD PACKS FOR LIFE – WE WILL NEVER CHARGE EXTRA FOR A MOD PACK !!
[/h][h=1]#4 Macro Programming[/h]What is a macro? A macro is a sequence of button presses, d-pad movements, and joystick movements. Create any move or combo you can imagine for your Xbox 360 or PS3 controller using the CronusMAX Macro editing software.
What game is the Macro Controller compatible with? This controller is compatible with every game ever made, thanks to our the state of the art technology in CronusMAX. A Macro can do ANY glitch, move, or combination available on any controller anywhere.
Don't want to build your own macros? You don't have to. Visit the our Macro Library to download ready-made macros for your favorite games. Call of Duty? Got you covered. EA Sports games? Done. RPG's? Yup. Fighting games? Well, let's just say that this controller is the bad guy's worst nightmare.

http://team-xecuter.com/

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LTU2 Firmware & PCB Launches August 5th !

August 1st, 2013, 13:40 Posted By: wraggster

After a long, hard development we are happy to finally announce that the new LTU2 PCB is shipping to all major retailers on August 5th. Due to the custom nature of the board we have been able to manufacture at a greatly reduced cost compared to the LTU v1 PCB (which is no longer available to purchase). You can now buy an LTU2 for only $49.95 !



There are two versions of PCB: Liteon DG-16D5S & Hitachi DL10N
You can also expect a new Jungle Flasher and a new LTU2 fw from C4E.
Official Product Description for retailers:
Do you have a faulty Liteon DG-16D5S or Hitachi DLN10N DVD in your Xbox 360? Are you swapping your drive to another console and are unable to program your firmware due to write protection being enabled?Team Xecuter have designed new versions of LTU2 PCB for both Liteon DG-16D5S & Hitachi DLN10N.As with the DG-16D4S, the SPI is also locked on these drives (in addition to the firmware being encrypted), so this replacement PCB allows for the user to unlock and re-lock the SPI at will, and offers full ability to write your own firmware to the drive including your own drive key so you are able to replace your DVD drive if it becomes faulty without having to send it away for expensive repairs.
The Liteon DG-16D5S LTU2 & Hitachi DL10N Unlocked Replacement PCB has been manufactured so it is much cheaper than the original LTU PCB – get them while they are available they will be hot sellers !

• Fits all versions of Liteon DG-16D5S (Red Liteon Version)
• Fits all versions of Hitachi DL10N (Blue Hitachi Version)
• Supports the latest LTU2 fw
• Easily programmable using the X360USB PRO V1 or V2 (Update to the latest firmware v20.1)
• Compatible with professional power adapters such as the X360USB PRO V2, CK3 Pro & CK3 Mini
• Requires the latest Jungle Flasher & J-Runner
• C4E's new LTU2 (LT Ultimate v2) firmware now allows booting of any Liteon or Hitachi based system without any previous firmware dump (inc the DG-16D5s 1175/1532 and Hitachi 0500/0502 firmwares) – all you need is the DVD Key and FCRT.bin which can be extracted using RGH or DGX methods.
• Includes solderless quick install adapter
• Includes external SPI unlock/lock switch
• Includes external vendor switch
• Includes heatsink for drive controller IC
• Every board has a unique serial number which can be checked at serial.xecuter.com
• Note: Due to how the custom chipset has had to be designed there is no CD-R support.

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Microsoft confirms Xbox One adaptor for Xbox 360 headsets

August 1st, 2013, 01:13 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has confirmed that it will release an Xbox 360 headset adaptor for use with Xbox One.The company previously announced that it had changed the audio input port to a proprietary jack for its upcoming console, a move which leaves current headsets incompatible. The company then said that it was "working to develop" an adaptor."We will have an adapter that allows current gaming headsets to work," Microsoft marketing exec Albert Penello confirmed on Twitter (thanks, X360A).The device will be sold separately from Xbox One consoles, Penello added. "It's an accessory," he described.Alternatively you could buy a shiny new Xbox One headset. These will also be sold separately.Microsoft isn't including a headset with Xbox One as you can use the included Kinect sensor to chat instead, the company previously reasoned.PlayStation 4 continues to use the standard headphone jack in the console, and comes with a standard mono earpiece in the box.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...x-360-headsets

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Xbox Live Gold's next free games: Crackdown and Dead Rising 2

August 1st, 2013, 00:56 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has confirmed the next round of free games that Xbox Live Gold subscribers can download in August.
Firstly, from August 1 until August 15, paid subscribers can download the acclaimed Crackdown for free.This open-world action game from the now-defunct Realtime Worlds was described as 'Grand Theft Auto with superheroes' when it was released back in February 2007.
Then, from August 16 to August 31, both Dead Rising 2 and its prequelDead Rising 2: Case Zero will be available for free.
Dead Rising 2 was released in September 2010 and was praised for its constant action and the numerous ways players could dispose of its never-ending zombie horde.
In June, Microsoft announced the 'Games with Gold' bonus system for Xbox Live members - a service that rivals Sony's PlayStation Plus in terms of benefits for paid subscribers.
Once downloaded for free, customers keep the games forever, whether or not they unsubscribe from Gold or the offer period expires.
The current game for Gold members is Assassin's Creed II, but it will only remain free until the end of today (July 31).

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...dead-rising-2/

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Star Wars: Battlefront release date window is 'summer 2015'

August 1st, 2013, 00:46 Posted By: wraggster

EA's new Star Wars: Battlefront game is "most likely" to launch in summer 2015.

So said EA CFO Blake Jorgensen during a shareholders meeting today.

In a rundown of EA's upcoming major releases, Jorgensen said that the DICE-developed shooter "will most likely come out around the same time as the Star Wars movies start to come out, probably in the summer of '15".


That would cast the game's launch around the same time as the first entry of the new Star War trilogy, which was put into production following Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012.

Nothing but confirmation of its development and a small teaser trailer has been revealed of EA rendition of Star Wars: Battlefront.

The game is in development at DICE's core Stockholm studio with "veteran" Battlefield developers at the helm, exec VP of the EA Games label Patrick Söderlund confirmed to CVG recently.

As well as the Sweden-headquartered outfit, Visceral Games and BioWare are also set to develop Star Wars games following the recent agreement of a multi-year deal between EA with Disney.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...s-summer-2015/

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Xbox brings laughter to all ages with Comedy Central and Nickelodeon

July 31st, 2013, 23:21 Posted By: wraggster

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Xbox One designed to be left switched on for ten years - report

July 31st, 2013, 21:42 Posted By: wraggster

Forget ‘always on’ meaning always connected to the internet – the Xbox One is designed to be, literally, always turned on.
In fact, a new report suggests that Microsoft’s No.1 priority when designing the machine was to create something with complete reliability that could be left switched on for the entirety of its ten-year lifecycle.
Furthermore, Eurogamer reports that Microsoft deemed that the console must be near-silent, too, so as to earn its place in the living room. This, it is said, is the reason behind the machine’s girth – heart dissipation is essential.
Heat, of course, was the heartless killer of early Xbox 360 machines.
So notorious was the Red Ring of Death that it still haunts Microsoft today (not least because of the $1m bill it footed as a result) and has shaped the company’s desire to produce a super-reliable console this time around.
Development sources have confirmed that early versions of Xbox One are very quiet indeed except when under the most strenuous of loads. This will be very welcome if you remember the noise generated by the earliest versions of both the Xbox 360 and PS3.
The site adds that Microsoft will use Gamescom to get across the benefits offered by being able to resume a game instantly from the moment you left it – some within the company felt this message has not yet been sufficiently conveyed.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/xbox-...report/0119438

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Codemasters drops online passes for F1 2013

July 31st, 2013, 21:41 Posted By: wraggster

Upcoming racer F1 2013 will not require users to input online passes, MCV can reveal.
Codemasters first introduced online passes into its games in 2011. It’s not yet known whether this is the end to online passes in all Codemasters titles, although with all and sundry now distancing themselves from the practice that seems likely.
“We recently reviewed the VIP Pass activation system and took the decision not to include it in either F1 2013 and F1 2013: Classic Edition,” a Codemasters spokesperson told MCV.
“Players will not be required to activate multiplayer functionality via a VIP Pass code and we have no plans to replace the pass with an alternative paid-for activation system in the game when it launches this October.”
Both versions of F1 2013 will be released on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC on October 4^th.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/codem...1-2013/0119439

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Microsoft details Smart Match for Xbox One

July 31st, 2013, 20:59 Posted By: wraggster

Matchmaking to pair players based on skill, language, reputation, age and gameplay style

Microsoft has provided further details on its completely reengineered matchmaking system for the Xbox One.
Teasing the features on the Xbox News Wire, the firm said Smart Match would pair players based on skill, language, reputation, age and specific gameplay style.

The reputation mode will be based on social standing. Microsoft’s Michael Dunn previously explained that the criteria is designed to create real consequences for players who consistently show bad behaviour, exposing their reputation for other users to see.
“Sometimes it’s hard for strangers to know what “polite” means with different social norms and backgrounds, and even harder when you aren’t in the same room face to face with someone,” he said.
“You have few social cues to rely on, and typically a stranger sees no real reason to listen to your complaint about their behaviour. We all care a lot about behaviour on Xbox Live and player feedback options in Xbox One allows you to help educate those who don’t seem to follow good social gaming norms. We simplified the feedback mechanism also to be less of a “survey” and more direct feedback options, even linking things in like block or mute player actions into the feedback model.”

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...h-for-Xbox-One

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Download GTA 4 for $10 on Xbox Live

July 31st, 2013, 01:32 Posted By: wraggster

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Microsoft details Xbox One's matchmaking system Smart Match

July 31st, 2013, 01:16 Posted By: wraggster

Microsoft has revealed several details about how Xbox One's matchmaking system, Smart Match, will improve the generally tedious process of getting a multiplayer game going.Could Nate Johnson have found his arch-nemesis? Or best friend? Maybe both?

Its most notably improvement is that it lets you leave the lobby while it searches for a match. "With Smart Match, you can do whatever you want while Xbox One finds your perfect match," noted Xbox Live senior product marketing manager Mike Lavin on the official Microsoft Blog. This means you can play one game while Smart Match sets up another - a bit like Disneyland's Flash Pass system. Additionally, you can watch TV, browse the internet, or muck about with various apps while your match is being set up.Better yet, Smart Match will notify you when a game is ready, so you don't need to keep flipping back to some lobby, anxiously awaiting a match that may take several more minutes to get set up. "Once Xbox One is done finding your perfect match, it will prompt you with a simple toast - no matter where you are or what you're doing - so you can jump straight into playing," Lavin explained.Aside from minimising time spent in lobbies, Smart Match will somewhat eerily monitor every aspect of a player's behaviour to find their perfect match. No longer will we have to set up Illuminati-like networks to kidnap our adversaries and slowclap our way into a duel with them while ominously saying, "At last we meet." Instead, Smart Match will use "advanced algorithms to pair players based on skill, language, and now reputation." It will also take age and even gameplay style into account. The advanced party system will go beyond those you already knew ala the Xbox 360, and will allow players to share their stats with fellow Xbox Live users.One one hand, I really like the idea of being able to do other things on my TV while I wait for a match to begin. Currently I - like most people, I'm assuming - muck about on my phone glancing at the screen every two seconds thinking, "c'mon already! Join my game!" On the other hand, with all these distraction it could take ages to get a game going because people might get too invested in their waiting time activities. "Hold on. Let me just finish this round of [insert game here]" is a phrase I suspect we'll hear a lot of once this system is implemented. Still, I can't argue with the option to use the TV for everything else, and if we can't keep our wandering attention spans in check at the behest of our fellow players then we'll have no one to blame but ourselves.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...em-smart-match

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