| Half-Life 2: Episode 4 Return to Ravenholm screens surface Jan 14th 2013, 15:12 Images from Dishonored developer Arkane Studios' canceled Half-Life game emerge. 
Screenshots from Dishonored developer Arkane Studios' Half-Life 2: Episode 4--or Return to Ravenholm--have surfaced. ValveTime has posted a batch of images it claims are verified and stem from development in 2006 and 2007. The images show off series-familiar environments and art style. Notably, a HUD element called "Absorption" is present in the screenshots, though it is not clear what this could mean. This is not the first time Arkane's Half-Life game Return to Ravenholm has been discussed. A year ago, Valve writer Marc Laidlaw told LambdaGeneration that such a project was in development at the studio. He said some ideas were discussed between Valve and Arkane, but ultimately the project was scuttled. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
|  | PS4, Xbox 720 announcements in March? Jan 14th 2013, 13:49 Sony and Microsoft reportedly planning Apple-style press conferences to reveal next-gen consoles around GDC in late March. Official word on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox 720 may only be months away. A Game Informer report (via Videogamer) states Sony and Microsoft are planning "special Apple-style press conferences" to officially announce their next-generation systems "near the Game Developers Conference," which runs March 25-29 this year in San Francisco. "E3 in June may be the industry's biggest event, but both companies want to give their systems their own limelight," the report reads. "That doesn't mean E3 won't be without its surprises. Next-gen games will be announced at the convention in preparation for the systems' release at the end of the year." The magazine also speculates that Sony may be planning to release the PS4 ahead of Microsoft's Xbox 720, or whatever the system may be called. This was also predicted by Robert W. Baird analyst Colin Sebastian in a note delivered to investors today. "We hear that Sony in particular is determined not to come out last this time like the PlayStation 3 did this generation, so we'll have to see how soon it can get the PlayStation 4 out the door, and whether Microsoft is motivated to prevent this from happening," the report goes on. Sebastian's note today suggested Sony had encountered PS4 production snags that could keep the system from shipping as scheduled, though he admitted these concerns could be overblown. Whatever the case, the previous suggestion is that both the PS4 and Xbox 720 will be on store shelves late this year. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Xbox 720, PS4 could start at $350, says analyst Jan 14th 2013, 13:41 Robert W. Baird industry watcher predicts next-gen console prices, believes "lackluster" Wii U launch and holiday sales a concern. According to one analyst, the cost of entry for next-generation consoles will be lower than prior system launches. Robert W. Baird industry watcher Colin Sebastian issued a note to investors today, predicting the Xbox 720 and PlayStation 4 could debut at $350-$400. The Xbox 360 launched in 2005 at $400, with the PlayStation 3 debuting in 2006 beginning at $500. Sebastian's estimations are based on conversations with a range of game developers and distributors held last week during the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show. Sebastian explained that these conversations yielded "interesting takeaways with respect to next-generation game development and more broadly, the intensifying battle for the living room." Sebastian also predicted that the Xbox 720 and PS4 will be built using existing "off-the-shelf" high-end PC components. Other features may include a hybrid physical-digital distribution model, "enhanced" voice controls and motion sensing, as well as "broad multimedia capabilities." What's more, Sebastian estimates that the PC-based architecture of the new consoles will carry a range of advantages, the first of which is a shorter learning curve for developers compared to existing technology. In addition, this will allow developers to more easily build online services and capabilities, including free-to-play and subscriptions. Regarding the PS4 specifically, Baird said some production snags may limit the console's launch quantities or timing. According to field checks, these production issues could negatively affect the console's launch, though Baird said these snags are "not necessarily fatal, or even unusual." As for when the Xbox 720 and PS4 may be announced, Sebastian believes Sony and Microsoft will hold dedicated events prior to the 2013 Electronic Entertainment Expo (June 11-13, 2013) to finally unveil these machines. If all goes to Sebastian's prediction, Sony and Microsoft will hype the consoles during E3 2013 itself before shipping the systems to retail during October and November, respectively. This timetable is in line with previous predictions. Also in Sebastian's note to investors today, the analyst said Nintendo may be facing an uphill battle with its recently launched Wii U. He predicted that Nintendo will shift to a "niche category," and is concerned that the console will lack broad appeal beyond the dedicated fans. He said following the Wii U's "lackluster" launch and holiday sales (the Wii U did not outsell the 2006 original Wii during the period), Nintendo must release major first-party games, including the rumored Wii U Zelda title. This would be the only way to "retain the support of key third-party developers and reduce marketshare loss." In the bleakest of scenarios, Sebastian said Nintendo would be forced to lower the Wii U price point earlier than it would like and even give consideration to releasing first-party titles--like Mario and Donkey Kong--on other platforms. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Killing Day still alive? Jan 14th 2013, 12:39 New Ubisoft trademark application suggests long-dormant shooter could still see release. 
Rumors of Killing Day's death may be exaggerated. A new Ubisoft trademark application for the game (spotted by PlayStationLifestyle) suggests the publisher may be keen to revive it. Announced at the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Killing Day's existence to date has been limited to just one trailer (below). This trailer indicated the game would be a flashy first-person shooter featuring a tattooed gangster. No release date was ever given to Killing Day and its death seemed apparent until Ubisoft filed an additional trademark application for it in May 2009. The latest trademark application for Killing Day was filed earlier this month on January 4. A Ubisoft representative was not immediately available to comment. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | UK Chart: FIFA 13 hangs on at the top, Anarchy Reigns enters at 16 Jan 14th 2013, 10:06 Top 5 remains exactly the same as last week, while Anarchy Reigns is the top 40's only new entry. 
FIFA 13 has retained the top spot in the UK games charts for the second week of 2013, making it the sixth time EA's immensely popular football (or "soccer" for those in the US) has snatched No. 1 since its release last September. The rest of the top 5 remains the same as last week: Far Cry 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Hitman: Absolution and Need for Speed: Most Wanted. There's a new entry in the charts this week courtesy of Platinum Games' Anarchy Reigns, which entered the charts in sixteenth place. Sega released the game at a budget price in the UK, with retailers selling the game for £19.99 or less. The Top 10 UK All-Format Ukie Games Charts, compiled by GfK Chart-Track for the week ending January 5, 2013: 1. FIFA 13
2. Far Cry 3
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops II
4. Hitman: Absolution
5. Need for Speed: Most Wanted
6. Halo 4
7. Just Dance 4
8. Forza Horizon
9. LEGO The Lord of the Rings
10. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
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