 | Canceled Star Wars games revealed Sep 27th 2013, 23:38 New report reveals cross-platform multiplayer game Smuggler, FarmVille-esque Outpost, and iOS game Death Star. 
In the wake of LucasArts' closure earlier this year, new details on canceled Star Wars projects have come to light. Kotaku reports today, citing a number of sources familiar with the matter, that the studio canned multiple games in a variety of genres. One of the projects was Smuggler, a cross-platform multiplayer game that was reportedly going to allow users to play as a customizable character within the Star Wars universe, "smuggling and trading between Facebook, tablets, and consoles." Another reportedly canceled game was Outpost, a Star Wars version of Zynga's popular social game FarmVille, allowing players to build empires. A third game--Death Star for iOS--was to put players in control of the Empire's iconic hulking space ship, though no other details were provided. In addition to canceled games, LucasArts was reportedly planning to launch its own spin on Electronic Arts' download service Origin. This LucasArts-owned network was said to be planned as a means to help the studio distribute Star Wars games and assist in the completion of in-app purchases. One source said this service was scheduled to launch alongside Star Wars: First Assault, the previously revealed multiplayer-focused online game, which would have included a microtransaction store of some kind. These games were all connected as part of a larger LucasArts ecosystem before being canceled, people with knowledge of the matter said. Cancellations are not atypical in the industry, but LucasArts reportedly canceled games that were nearly completed. For example, Kotaku reports that Death Star and Outpost had already gone through QA testing when they were canned. "Projects get canceled all the time," one source said. "You'd hope that your process can identify problem projects before they're finished." Also in the report, it was revealed that a Day of the Tentacle remake was in development. Though it was supposedly never officially greenlit, one person familiar with the game said it was 80 percent complete. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | EA and CLC to pay $40 million in student-athlete settlement - Report Sep 27th 2013, 23:32 New York Times report reveals sum of high-profile settlement announced this week. 
The Electronic Arts and Collegiate Licensing Company settlement deal announced yesterday for former college players amounts to $40 million, according to a new report from The New York Times. Michael Hausfeld, a lawyer for the players, confirmed the $40 million figure to The New York Times, but said he was not sure how the money would be divided. "We have to come up with a plan of distribution, and that's what we are working on now," Hausfeld said. The settlement deal is expected to affect more than 100,000 current and former college players who have appeared in EA-produced basketball and football games. Representative for Electronic Arts and the Collegiate Licensing Company declined to comment today when approached by The New York Times. Following the settlement announcement yesterday, EA Sports canceled its 2014 next-generation college football game and said the company is evaluating its options for the future of the brand. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Xbox One worldwide tour kicks off next month Sep 27th 2013, 23:30 Microsoft to bring console to gamers in 75 countries across the world ahead of launch beginning next month. 
Microsoft will commence a worldwide pre-launch Xbox One tour beginning next month, the company announced today after details of the plan leaked out. Beginning October 1 through the end of the year, the Xbox team will visit over 75 cities around the world to demo the Xbox One and let fans get hands-on ahead of launch on November 22. The "Area One" tour will allow people in the United States, Canada, and Europe to go hands-on with the Xbox One and games like Forza Motorsport 5, Ryse: Son of Rome, and Dead Rising 3. All events are open only to those 18 or older. The "Area One" cities include Philadelphia (October 3-6), Paris (October 10-13), Toronto (October 10-13), Chicago (October 17-20), Vienna (October 17-20), Atlanta (October 24-27), Dallas (October 31-November 3), Berlin (October 31-November 3), Phoenix (November 7-November 10), San Francisco (November 14-November 17), Dublin (November 14-November 17), Los Angeles (November 21), and London (November 21-24). The second component of the pre-launch Xbox One tour is called "Test Drive." As part of this effort, Microsoft will bring the Xbox One and launch titles to festivals, university campuses, and retail centers to allow people to try out the new console ahead of launch. Microsoft will visit over 175 "Test Drive" locations in all, including Boston, Chicago, Green Bay, Tampa, and Seattle. Some of the destinations include Northeastern University, the Mall of America, and various NFL stadiums. Check out the Xbox One tour website for a full list of dates and locations. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Call of Duty: Ghosts to be featured at MLG Championship Columbus Sep 27th 2013, 19:00 November's Ohio eSports event will feature Infinity Ward's latest first-person shooter; tournament to be played on Xbox 360. 
The MLG Championship in Columbus, Ohio, from November 22 to 24 will feature the first-ever Call of Duty: Ghosts tournament. MLG has run Call of Duty: Black Ops II at its championship events this year. The event will be played on Xbox 360. 108 teams will compete in Columbus for $50,000 in prizes, with the winners taking home $20,000. 96 teams will compete in the Open Bracket, while 12 teams will start from the Championship Bracket. MLG Anaheim Call of Duty Champions Complexity will look to defend their title, moving from Black Ops II to Ghosts. General admission spectator passes are now available for purchase, and competitor passes will be on sale September 30 at 5 p.m. EST. Previously, MLG revealed that Dota 2 would be featured at the event, also with a $50,000 prize pool. Featured teams include The International 3 Champions and runner-up Alliance and Na'Vi, China superstar team DK, and Evil Geniuses from North America. "Featuring Dota has been a goal for years and we are so excited that it's finally happening," MLG Executive Vice President Adam Apicella told GameSpot. "Valve has done such an incredible job creating Dota 2 and fostering the community with events like the International, we knew we had to introduce the game to the MLG community in a way that complimented their efforts. We worked closely with Valve, monitored the exceptional gameplay by teams around the globe, and conducted a ton of research to build our Fall league structure." GameSpot eSports will be at the event providing live coverage all weekend long. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Microsoft buying iPhones for $200 credit Sep 27th 2013, 18:43 As part of new promotion, Xbox maker to pay a minimum of $200 for "gently used" iPhone 4s or iPhone 5 smartphones. 
Microsoft is not only buying iPads, but now also iPhones, the Xbox maker has announced. The company has launched a new promotion where consumers can bring in a "gently used" iPhone 4s or iPhone 5 to receive a minimum $200 gift card to the Microsoft Store. The promotion began today and will run through November 3. It is available at select Microsoft retail stores in the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Canada, but not online. To be eligible for trade-in, the devices must include a power cord and not be password protected. Customers are permitted to trade in one unit only. Microsoft began buying iPads earlier this month, giving out the same $200 credit for "gently used" iPad 2, 3, and 4 units. That promotion expires October 27. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Batman: Arkham Origins Wii U $10 less than console counterparts Sep 27th 2013, 18:41 Warner Bros. confirms multiplayer-free version of upcoming Batman game will sell for $50, compared to $60 on Xbox 360 and PS3. 
The Wii U version of Batman: Arkham Origins--which does not include multiplayer--will sell for $50, compared to $60 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Kotaku confirmed the news with a Warner Bros. representative today. The Wii U version of Batman: Arkham Origins will include the same single-player campaign developed by WB Games Montreal. In addition, Wii U owners can purchase the recently announced season pass, which includes a downloadable single-player expansion, among other things. The PC version of Batman: Arkham Origins will also sell for $50. The multiplayer mode for Batman: Arkham Origins is called Invisible Predator Online and was developed by Brink studio Splash Damage. Warner Bros. has yet to explain why the Wii U was passed over for the game mode. The game mode supports eight players divided into three groups: three thugs from Joker's gang taking on three members of Bane's group, while Batman and Robin attempt to take out members of both criminal groups. Batman: Arkham Origins, a prequel to the main storyline, launches on October 25 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, and Wii U. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions are not in development. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
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