| Pachter: Xbox One $400, PS4 $350 Jun 3rd 2013, 15:30 Analyst Michael Pachter estimates prices for upcoming consoles from Microsoft and Sony, says Nintendo must have strong E3 showing. 
Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter has weighed in on what he believes the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will sell for when they both launch later this year. In a note to investors obtained by Games Industry International, Pachter said he believes the Xbox One will retail for $400, while the PlayStation 4 will debut at $350. Pachter's pricing estimations are based on bill of materials figures of $275 for the PS4 and $325 for the Xbox One. Though Pachter believes the Xbox One will be the more expensive console at launch, he also predicts that Microsoft may offer a subsidized model, available at a lower price when consumers agree to a subscription plan. "We believe the ability to watch live TV from a cable, telco, or satellite set-top box through Xbox One could entice an MSO to drive subscriptions through a subsidised box in exchange for a multi-year contract," Pachter said. "The 'always connected' requirement for the Xbox One likely means that a broadband connection will be required, suggesting to us that ISPs may have an incentive to offer a subsidy as well." GameStop chief financial officer Rob Lloyd said last month during a post-earnings financial call that the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are likely to be less expensive at launch than their predecessors. The Xbox 360 launched in 2005 for $300/$400, while the PlayStation 3 debuted in 2006 for $500/$600. Regarding Nintendo and the struggling Wii U, Pachter said the company must use its scaled down 2013 Electronic Entertainment Expo showing to prove to consumers that compelling games are coming for the system. "Nintendo risks losing additional share to its console competitors if the quality and volume of content available for Wii U does not pick up markedly in the near-term," he said. "In addition, if the Wii U's popularity does not improve by the end of the year, many third-party publishers may pass on producing games for the console. We note that EA recently announced that it had no Wii U games in development, and it remains a possibility that the publisher will abandon the platform entirely," he added. "Should other third parties follow EA's lead, the Wii U could be relegated to a first-party-only platform." Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
|  | Future Halo to boast 'revolutionary multiplayer experiences' Jun 3rd 2013, 14:53 343 Industries hiring designer to develop groundbreaking multiplayer modes and features for an upcoming entry in series. 
Halo developer 343 Industries is looking to take multiplayer to new heights. A recent job advertisement at the studio calls for a multiplayer designer who will design and develop "revolutionary multiplayer experiences" for an upcoming Halo game. This game was not named, though Halo 5 and Halo 6 have been previously confirmed as part of the Reclaimer Trilogy. Microsoft also has confirmed Halo Bootcamp, though this project is not connected to the Reclaimer Trilogy or the Xbox One. The successful applicant will contribute to the design and development of multiplayer features and create all-new multiplayer game modes using 343's internal scripting engine. A desirable candidate should have "extensive" competitive multiplayer experience from past Halo titles and at least one shipped AAA title that features their work in multiplayer. This person should also have experience creating multiplayer experiences from design to execution. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Plants vs. Zombies 2 launching July 18 Jun 3rd 2013, 14:23 Sequel from PopCap Games arriving next month exclusively on iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch as free download. 
Plants vs. Zombies 2 will launch exclusively on iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch on July 18 as a free download, developer PopCap Games announced today. Previously, the game was expected to arrive sometime in July. According to the game's official description, Plants vs. Zombies 2 has been designed "from the ground up" as a live service. The game will feature new worlds, levels, plants, zombies, and ways to play--including a time travel mechanic. Plants vs. Zombies 2 for Apple devices includes touch-screen powerups that will allow players to interact with zombies directly, PopCap said. According to PopCap, every zombie and every level in the Plants vs. Zombies 2 gameworld is playable for free. At the same time, players will also be able to purchase unspecified upgrades and other in-game items, though specific pricing details were not given. Plants vs. Zombies 2 will launch exclusively for Apple devices, but PopCap teased that it has "lots of plans underway" to bring the game to other platforms. "We will be launching first exclusively with Apple but we have lots of plans underway! More news will follow! PvZ has always been a game that we want to bring to everyone… and we will," the company said. The original Plants vs. Zombies launched in 2009 for PC and Mac and later spread to a number of platforms, including Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and Nintendo DS. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Microsoft considering major restructuring - Report Jun 3rd 2013, 13:30 Sources say technology giant to reorganize with focus on devices and services; Xbox boss Don Mattrick could see duties expanded. 
Microsoft is currently considering a major restructuring effort that will see the technology giant double down on devices and services, sources have told The Wall Street Journal's AllThingsD. The sources said details pertaining to the rumored organizational shift are still being discussed and "could change substantially." However, noted Windows blogger Paul Thurrott also believes this rumor to be true. As part of the new organizational structure, several current executives could reportedly move into "more prominent" roles, including current Xbox boss Don Mattrick. It was not mentioned how Mattrick's duties would be expanded or how the potential changes could affect his day-to-date duties of running Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment business. The rumored organizational shift, in addition to solidifying Microsoft as a devices and services business, aims to simplify the company's management. AllThingsD described Microsoft's set-up as "convoluted." How Microsoft's marquee product, Windows, fits into the possible reorganization is unclear. Microsoft recently announced its next-generation console, the Xbox One. The company believes that the system's entertainment capabilities will help it--along with other future generation consoles--reach record industry sales. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | World of Warcraft film begins shooting in 2014 Jun 3rd 2013, 12:29 Producer Charles Roven says movie based on Blizzard's MMO expected to begin shooting early next year. 
The upcoming World of Warcraft feature film will begin shooting early next year, producer Charles Roven has told SlashFilm. "First quarter 2014 we're going to shoot that movie," Roven said. "We're moving forward; obviously Legendary is making that film and I'm having a great time with [director Duncan Jones]." The film's plot--written by Blood Diamond and K-PAX scribe Charles Leavitt-- is being kept "under wraps." A past report pegged the film's budget as "north of $100 million." The World of Warcraft film has not been without controversy. Spider-Man director Sam Raimi--who was at one point pegged to direct the film--claimed in March that Blizzard Entertainment mismanaged the film. Chief creative officer at the game company Rob Pardo fired back, saying at the time, "I don't want to create controversy, but there are two sides to every story…" World of Warcraft the game had 8.3 million subscribers at the end of March. Its most recent expansion was Mists of Pandaria, which launched in September. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Path of Exile updates open beta with new content this June Jun 3rd 2013, 10:08 Free-to-play action RPG's update also adds in new high-tier currency, leagues, and challenges. 
Developer Grinding Gear Games has announced a new update to its free-to-play action RPG Path of Exile that is scheduled for June 5. The new content update will include two four-month leagues: Anarchy and Onslaught. The leagues will run from June 8 to October 8 and will add in new challenges. The Anarchy league will add in a new enemy type called the rogue exile that can use player character skills and items. Onslaught league will increase the attack, casting, and movement speeds of regular enemies. Challenges will also be included for players to master whatever league they choose. Players will need to complete tasks before the league reaches its expiry date (such as killing 13 rogue exiles and reaching level 60 on each character class). The game's new update will also tweak monster damage and player character skills. Players can now do a free full reset of their passive skills once per player character. The update will also introduced a new high-tier currency item called the eternal orb. When used on an item, these orbs will create an imprint of that item's property so that it can be used at a later time. The full patch notes are on the official forum post. Check out GameSpot for more information on the game. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate going free-to-play in Japan Jun 3rd 2013, 09:42 Free version of 3D-fighting game to include majority of single-player modes and online mode; four characters only available. 
Tecmo Koei has announced it will be releasing Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate as a free-to-play game for the PS3 in Japan alongside the paid version of the title. According to an interview with Team Ninja head Yosuke Hayashi on Famitsu (via NeoGAF), the single-player mode, non-DLC outfits and stages will be free. Players will need to pay 1,500 yen ($15) for the game's full story mode. There will be four characters playable in this version: Kasumi, Ayane, Hayate and Hayabusa. The rest of the game's characters can be purchased at 400 yen ($4) each. The publisher will allow players to check out unlocked characters for a few days as a free trial. The game's online mode will be free. Players on the F2P version can fight against those who have the retail version. They can also transfer Dead Or Alive 5 save files and DLC costumes bought from the first version of the game. There will not be a limitation as to how many games a free-to-play user can play per day. For more information on Dead or Alive 5, check out GameSpot's review of the game. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Tales of Symphonia Chronicles slated for early 2014 on PS3 Jun 3rd 2013, 09:14 Collection to feature HD remastered versions of Tales of Symphonia and Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World. 
Namco Bandai has announced a release window for Tales of Symphonia Chronicles for North America: the compilation will be out sometime in early 2014. Announced at this year's Tales of Festival event in Japan, the PS3 collection will feature HD remastered versions of the first Tales of Symphonia and its sequel, Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World. New content includes newly-illustrated cut-ins during Mystic Artes moves and new outfits for the game's party members. Gamers in Japan will be able to buy different editions in the region. The Lalabit Market edition will include five "Chibi Kyun Chara" figures of the game's main characters, a novel detailing the game's past events, and a case box illustrated by animation studio Ufotable. The Famitsu DX pack will have four artwork posters. The former pack costs 9,980 yen ($100), while the latter costs 7,980 yen ($80). Tales of Symphonia was released in 2004 for the GameCube, while its sequel was out in 2008. Both games were praised for its fast-paced battle system. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
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