| Next Xbox will not require Internet connection - Report May 6th 2013, 16:01 Leaked internal Microsoft memo for next-gen platform states system will be "tolerant of today's Internet." 
Numerous reports have claimed Microsoft's next Xbox will require an Internet connection to function, but these assertions are false, according to an internal Microsoft memo obtained by Ars Technica. "Durango is designed to deliver the future of entertainment while engineered to be tolerant of today's Internet," reads a line from the memo, reportedly sent to all full-time staffers working on the next Xbox. "There are a number of scenarios that our users expect to work without an Internet connection, and those should 'just work' regardless of their current connection status," it goes on. "Those include, but are not limited to: playing a Blu-ray disc, watching live TV, and yes playing a single-player game." It is not clear when the memo was sent to developers. A Microsoft representative told GameSpot, "We're excited to share more about the new generation of games, TV, and entertainment on May 21, but have nothing further to share at this time." Most recently, noted Windows blogger Paul Thurrott claimed the Xbox 720 will require an Internet connection to function, but suggested that the feature "isn't as Draconian as many seem to believe." Microsoft is widely believed to formally unveil its next Xbox during an intimate event at the company's headquarters in Redmond, Washington on May 21. This announcement will "mark the beginning of a new generation of games, TV, and entertainment." The event will be streamed through Xbox.com, Xbox Live, and Spike TV in the United States and Canada. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
|  | The Sims 4 launching in 2014 May 6th 2013, 15:26 Electronic Arts reveals next entry in series coming to PC and Mac next year. 
Electronic Arts today announced The Sims 4, coming to PC and Mac in 2014. Series creator and EA subsidiary Maxis is developing the game. No further details about The Sims 4 were divulged, though EA said additional information about the game will be revealed later today. The simulation game series has sold over 150 million units life-to-date. The Sims 4 is a follow-up to 2009's The Sims 3. That game originally launched for PC and Mac before later coming to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and DS. It is not clear if The Sims 4 will remain exclusive to PC and Mac. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | ACIV: Black Flag to be 'more open and free than ever before' May 6th 2013, 15:04 Ubisoft lead scriptwriter teases that gamers will have numerous options in upcoming pirate-themed action game. 
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag will set new series standards for player freedom, according to Ubisoft lead scriptwriter Darby McDevitt. Speaking with Polygon, the writer teased that gameplay in the pirate-themed title has been designed to be "more open and free than ever before." This tallies with Ubisoft's previously expressed ambition to make Black Flag a bigger, wider world that has learned lessons from past installments in the series. McDevitt also revealed new details about Black Flag protagonist Edward Kenway. He explained that Kenway is a married man (who also spends times with "not-so-special women") with a goal of proving himself to be a "man of quality." "Edward Kenway is a raucous and bawdy chap," McDevitt said. "But he's also a married man, and one of his primary motivation in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is to get rich and prove himself a ‘man of quality' to his family and betters. So there is a special woman in Edward's life, but there are also other not-so-special women as well." Black Flag launches October 29 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, and Wii U. The game is also in development for next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 4. A release for Microsoft's next Xbox has not been confirmed yet. For more on Black Flag, check out GameSpot's previous coverage. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Devs create Oculus Rift guillotine simulator May 6th 2013, 14:17 Independent developers create virtual depiction of execution by decapitation during recent game jam. 
A group of developers have created a guillotine simulator using the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. As demonstrated in the video below (via Kotaku), players bend over as if they were to be executed by decapitation as they watch a blade fall and their virtual head roll around on the ground. The simulator was made in two days during the recent Exile Game Jam by Erkki Trummal, André Berlemont, and Morten Brunbjerg. It is not clear if the developers are shopping the demo around of if it was made simply as an exploration of the Oculus Rift technology. The Oculus Rift is a 3D virtual reality headset, with screens for each eye offering large viewing angles. The headset's sensors support low-latency head tracking, allowing users to move their heads to actually look around the game's world with supposedly little in-game delay. The headset was a runaway success on Kickstarter, rocketing past its original $250,000 funding target and ending last year with more than $2.4 million from 9,500 backers. Development kits are shipping now, though retail kits have not been dated yet. For more, check out GameSpot's interview with Oculus designer Palmer Luckey. [ Watch Video ] Disunion - The guillotine simulator from André Berlemont on Vimeo. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Pacific Rim game revealed May 6th 2013, 13:16 Australian ratings board reveals new tie-in based on Guillermo del Toro's upcoming action flick; reportedly in development at Yuke's. 
Guillermo del Toro's world of Pacific Rim may extend beyond the big screen. A game tie-in has been revealed by a rating from Australia's Office of Film and Literature Classification (via VG247). WWE developer Yuke's is listed as the developer for the Pacific Rim game. The Japanese studio is no stranger to tie-in games, as the outfit was also behind Real Steel for Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, based on the Hugh Jackman film of the same name. A NeoGAF forum member has posted several screenshots from the Pacific Rim game, as well as a packshot suggesting the title will release on digital platforms like XBLA and PSN. Pacific Rim the movie details a near-future conflict between human-controlled robots and hulking monsters who have risen from the oceans. It is del Toro's first directed film since 2008's Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. According to the screenshots at NeoGAF, the Pacific Rim game will also follow this formula. In the images, monsters and robots are shown battling in a number of environments. Pacific Rim the movie launches July 12. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Nintendo modding Wii U to run smartphone apps? May 6th 2013, 12:44 Mario maker reportedly looking to smartphone games to help platform return to profitability by offering "professional-use conversion software" to developers. 
In an effort to return the Wii U to profitability, Nintendo is attempting to modify the hardware so it can run smartphone applications, inside sources have told Japan Times (via GameSpot sister site ZDNET). Nintendo has reportedly offered "professional-use conversion software" to application developers as a means to bring their games to Wii U. These sources said Nintendo hopes smartphone software will lead to a jolt in system sales. A Nintendo representative was not immediately available to comment. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata last month laid out a three-pronged plan to return the Wii U to profitability and smartphone app support was not part of it. In addition, Nintendo has for a long time steered clear of smartphone games and apps. During a recent analyst presentation, however, Iwata highlighted a new Nintendo strategy that may introduce additional digital offerings, potentially apps. "We will not simply change our existing packaged software distribution channel. Rather, we might have many other types of business models in addition to packaged software," he said at the time. "For example, we might see more games that are similar to free-to-play games, games that cost much less or games that require a monthly subscription fee." "Digitalization allows for greater flexibility, whereby having more ways to make payments, both software developers and consumers have more options," he added. "And Nintendo 3DS and Wii U have flexible systems to handle such trends, so it is now a question of putting these ideas into action. I can definitely say that Nintendo will make new offers that go well beyond simply replacing packaged software with digital software." It is no secret that Wii U sales have struggled. Nintendo has sold 400,000 units worldwide this year and 3.45 million systems since launch, missing sales targets. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Documentary on industry sexism fully funded May 6th 2013, 12:06 "GTFO: A Film About Women In Gaming" reaches $20,000 funding target on Kickstarter; four days remain for extra funds. 
The documentary about sexism in games--GTFO: A Film About Women In Gaming--has reached its $20,000 funding target through Kickstarter. At press time, funding stands at $23,381 from 853 backers. Funding closes May 10. "Thanks to all the generous backers out there, we were fully funded as of last night! Thank you to everyone who pledged and spread the word! From $1 to $500, all of you made a difference," New York City-based filmmaker Shannon Sun-Higginson said in a statement. "I'm excited to get this project really going." The purpose of the film, Sun-Higginson explained last month, is to bring to light the "harassment of women in video games." It will reveal the experiences of women in the gaming industry "both good and bad," and also to lay out steps that can be taken to "change the environment for the better." GTFO: A Film About Women In Gaming will feature interviews with gamers, bloggers, scholars, developers, and "experts." The movie is expected to launch by March 2014. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen makes strong debut in Japan May 6th 2013, 08:19 Re-release of 2012 RPG sells 125,363 units on the week of April 22. 
Capcom's re-release of Dragon's Dogma, subtitled Dark Arisen, has made a good first impression in Japan. According to a recent update of the Media Creates sales chart for the week of April 22, the PS3 version of the game was at second place with 125,363 units sold. The Xbox 360 version was at 13th place with 9,483 units sold. The title that beat Capcom's RPG for the first place spot was Friend Collection: New Life for the 3DS, which sold 144,903 units. Also worth noting is the debut of two Western titles in the region. The PS3 version of Tomb Raider was at fourth place with 35,250 units sold, while the PS3 version of BioShock Infinite was at the 10th spot with 15,747 units sold. The top 10 list for the week of April 22 is below: Rank / Title / Publisher / System / Sales Units
1. Friend Collection: New Life / Nintendo / 3DS / 144,903
2. Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen / Capcom / PS3 / 125,363
3. Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon / Nintendo / 3DS / 38,884
4. Tomb Raider / Square Enix / PS3 / 35,250
5. Steins;Gate: Senkei Kousoku no Phonogram / 5pb. / PS3 / 34,292
6. Animal Crossing: New Leaf / Nintendo / 3DS / 31,711
7. PhotoKano Kiss / Kadokawa Games / PS Vita / 30,172
8. Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon Portable / Kadokawa Games / PSP / 26,030
9. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 / Namco Bandai / PS3 / 17,836
10. BioShock Infinite / Take-Two Interactive Japan / PS3 / 15,747 Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Share function to be limited on PS4 games - Report May 6th 2013, 08:00 Developers will be able to prevent parts of PlayStation 4 games from being shared says Shuhei Yoshida. 
Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida has revealed that developers will have the option to limit the ‘Share‘ function on PlayStation 4 games. In an interview with Japanese site 4Gamer (via Edge), Yoshida explained that gamers may have restrictions placed on the footage they wish to upload via the Share function. ‘There will be parts of a game that the maker does not want people to be able to see. For example, on Vita, developers can in certain scenes disable the feature that lets users take a screenshot, and (the Share function) will have a similar mechanism. The creator may not want to make video of the final boss sharable, for instance.‘ He said. The Share button is a new feature that will be introduced on the PlayStation 4 controller. It will allow PS4 owners to upload video footage and screenshots from their game to social networking sites. Yoshida also discussed making the PS4 friendlier for third-party developers to make games for, saying there is reduced focus on cramming the console with top-of-the-line hardware. Sony has confirmed the PS4 will launch this holiday season, but has not announced region-specific availability or pricing for the next-generation platform. The console will allegedly have the strongest launch software launch lineup in PlayStation history. For more information on the PS4, check out GameSpot‘s latest coverage. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
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