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Tag: PS4

  • Need For Speed Rivals Wants To Reinvent Multiplayer With AllDrive

    Ever since Burnout Paradise, Criterion and EA have been experimenting with the idea of seamlessly integrating multiplayer into racing games. There was still a disconnect, however, as players would have to open a small menu to find a multiplayer game. With the latest Need for Speed title, that menu has been replaced by something much more ambitious.

    EA revealed today that Need for Speed Rivals will feature a new multiplayer matchmaking system called AllDrive. No longer will you have to stop, open up a menu and search for a multiplayer match. With AllDrive turned on, every race has the potential to become a multiplayer session. The feature has been worked into every event so everything from head-to-head races to pursuit events can end up with players facing off against other real players from all over the world.

    So, what about those who just really hate people and would prefer to play the traditional single player campaign alone? According to Polygon, there will be an option to turn AllDrive completely off and just race against AI opponents for the entirety of the game. If you want to be a bit more open, you can also set AllDrive to only match you up against those on your friends list.

    Need for Speed Rivals will be available on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC on November 22.

    [Image: EA in the UK/YouTube]

  • DriveClub Is The Latest Next-Gen Launch Title To Be Delayed

    Developing for next-gen consoles is hard. That’s presumably the reason why Ubisoft decided to delay Watch Dogs into next Spring. It also may be why Sony is making the difficult decision to delay one of its much hyped launch titles.

    Shuhei Yoshida, President, SCE Worldwide Studios, took to the PlayStation Blog today to announce that Evolution Studios’ DriveClub has been delayed until early 2014. He doesn’t offer much of a reason behind the delay, only that “the team requires more time in order to deliver on their vision.”

    Wait a minute – wasn’t DriveClub supposed to be available for free at launch for PlayStation Plus members? It was indeed, and the free version of the game will still be available to Plus members when the game launches early next year. For now, Sony will be offering Contrast for free alongside Resogun as part of PlayStation Plus’ launch on the PS4.

    So, what is this Contrast game that’s replacing DriveClub? It’s a puzzle-platformer from Compulsion Games that puts the players in the shoes of a detective named Dawn. She can move freely throughout the world in 3D, but can also become a silhouette in the background. Upon doing so, the game transitions into a 2D platformer where the player uses shadows as platforms.

    Here’s a trailer:

    As an added bonus to make up for the DriveClub delay, Sony will be offering all PlayStation Plus members full access to Killzone: Shadow Fall’s multiplayer on December 28-29.

    While game delays are always disappointing, it’s to be expected around the launch of a new console. The only unusual thing about the DriveClub and Watch Dogs delay is just how close they were to launch. Delays are usually announced months in advance – not weeks. Still, we can only hope that these are the only delays we’ll see as we move closer to the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One.

    [Image: PlayStation/YouTube]

  • Battlefield 4 Gets A Minute-Long TV Spot

    Battlefield 4 Gets A Minute-Long TV Spot

    Video game TV spots are rarely over 30 seconds long. Air time is super expensive after all. That doesn’t matter to EA though as it wants its latest shooter, Battlefield 4, to finally beat Call of Duty this holiday season.

    EA revealed its Battlefield 4 TV spot today, and it’s a little different. Unlike Activision’s hilarious colonoscopy ad for Call of Duty: Ghosts, EA decided to gather Battlefield focus group testers to talk about their experience with the game. It’s a refreshing take on the video game ad as it focuses on what it’s like to actually play the game instead of the usual method of making a film trailer.

    If you prefer your ads to be a bit more traditional, check out some of the recent gameplay trailers for DICE’s latest shooter. As expected, it’s all very impressive.

    Battlefield 4 launches October 29 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. It will be out on November 15 for PS4 and November 22 for the Xbox One. The Xbox 360 and Xbox One versions will be getting timed exclusive DLC.

    [Image: eavision/YouTube]

  • Infamous: Second Son Gets Limited, Collector’s Editions

    Infamous: Second Son Gets Limited, Collector’s Editions

    One of the most anticipated PS4 launch window titles is Sucker Punch’s Infamous: Second Son. The title, set after the events of Infamous 2, stars a new protagonist with the power to control fire. Now, the game won’t be out until next year, but Sony is hoping you’ll run off to pre-order the game today as it has just revealed Limited and Collector’s Editions for the title.

    Sony announced today that all pre-orders for Infamous: Second Son will be upgraded to the Limited Edition. This version of the game will include a premium foil cover and a DLC expansion called Cole’s Legacy. The DLC will allow players to experience the events between Infamous 2 and Infamous: Second Son to discover what really happened. Upon completion of the DLC, you’ll receive Cole’s jacket to use in-game.

    For those who want to spend a bit more on Infamous: Second Son, the Collector’s Edition may be just the thing you need. The set includes alternative cover artwork, a replica of Delsin’s beanie, a set of 8 pins from Delsin’s in-game vest, an official DUP patch, vinyl decals and an exclusive in-game vest. Oh, and don’t worry, this set also includes the exclusive pre-order Cole’s Legacy DLC.

    Here’s what it looks like:

    Infamous: Second Son Gets A Collector's Edition

    You can pre-order the Limited and Collector’s Editions starting today, but Sony has yet to provide a date or price for the game. All we know is that the Collector’s Edition will be in very short supply so you might want to grab it now before it’s gone forever. Besides, you can’t put a price on a nice beanie like that.

    UPDATE: Sony didn’t list a price for the Collector’s Edition in its blog post, but Amazon has it listed for $80. It may be a placeholder price, but it sounds accurate to me.

    [Images: PlayStation Blog]

  • PlayStation 4 Demo Kiosks Might Just Be Coming To A Store Near You

    Does anybody ever play games at demo kiosks anymore? Anytime I walk into a GameStop, the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U demo kiosks just sit alone in a corner looking all mopey and sad. Well, Sony apparently still finds value in them.

    Sony announced today that PS4 demo kiosks are now shipping to retailers across the nation. You can find the kiosks in Sony Style stores this week, but they’ll soon show up at Target, Walmart, Best Buy, GameStop and more as we inch ever closer to the PS4’s November 15 launch. Sony promises that there will be thousands of demo kiosks around the country before November 15 for gamers to try out some of the PS4’s retail and digital titles.

    So, what games will be available at these demo kiosks? Sony says that Knack, Octodad: Dadliest Catch, FIFA 14, Contrast, Super Motherload and Pinball Arcade will all be playable. This is important as it may actually be the first time that an indie title has been on a retail demo kiosk, and it’s even more surprising that Sony choose an abstract game like Octodad to highlight the PS4 launch. I’m not complaining though as Octodad: Dadliest Catch is one of the most charming indie games to ever exist.

    If you want to find a PS4 demo kiosk near you, just hit up Sony’s friendly store locator. There’s probably not one near you just yet (unless you live near a Sony Style store), but there should be at least one in the coming weeks.

    [Image: PlayStation Blog]

  • Some Of Sony’s Best PS3 Games Are Coming To The PS4

    Over the life of the PS3, Sony’s own studios have created a lot of great digital content for the system. Developers like thatgamecompany in particular have made Sony’s console the place to get highly original games that could be classified as works of art. Now those games and some others will be making their way to Sony’s new console.

    Sony Santa Monica announced today that the studio will be porting four of the best games currently available for the PS3 and Vita to the PS4. Those games are Flower, flOw, Escape Plan and Sound Shapes. Both Flower and Sound Shapes will launch with the PS4 on November 15, flOw will launch on the PS4 and PS Vita on November 19 and Escape Plan will hit the PS4 on November 29.

    The main benefit of this upgrade will be most apparent to games like Flower and Escape Plan. They won’t look any better per se, but the games will now run at 60FPS in 1080p.

    So, what if you already own these games? Sony is making them fully compatible with the cross buy system. For example, you will find Flower already available to download for your PS4 and PS Vita on November 15 if you bought the game when it originally hit the PS3 in 2009.

    The unintended side effect of this announcement is that it opens the floodgates to what I like to call “Super HD remakes.” In essence, I feel that the push to remaster PS2-era games in HD this generation will carry over to the next with developers remastering current-gen era games on the PS4 and Xbox One at a full 60 FPS and 1080p visuals.

    Granted, I wouldn’t say no to seeing some of this generation’s best looking, but perhaps technically lacking games, reborn on the PS4 and Xbox One. With the increase in power, some games that struggled to run on current gen systems would be buttery smooth. Let’s just hope it doesn’t become a cheap way to milk more money out of consumers with an inferior product

    [Image: PlayStation/YouTube]

  • Here’s A New Assassin’s Creed IV Trailer To Take Your Mind Off The Watch Dogs Delay

    Did you hear? Ubisoft’s ambitious open-world title, Watch Dogs, has been delayed until Spring 2014. The delay has definitely put a damper on many gamers’ next-gen plans, but hey, at least Ubisoft has another next-gen open-world game ready for the holidays.

    Ubisoft released another Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag trailer that explores the story behind the game’s central protagonist – Edward Kenway. If you’re expecting more information regarding the game’s plot, you’re going to be disappointed. The trailer only cares to highlight Kenway’s early career as a pirate, and then his transformation into an assassin.

    Like most story trailers, it doesn’t really focus on the most important part of the Assassin’s Creed titles – the gameplay. While the story definitely looks interesting, you’re bound to be more impressed by the numerous gameplay trailers that have been shared thus far. That’s where the franchise shines, and Black Flag appears to bring the franchise back into the good graces of fans after the disappointing Assassin’s Creed III.

    Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag will be released on October 29 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U. The PC version will be released on November 19, the PS4 version will be released on November 15 and the Xbox One version will be released on November 22.

    [Image: ubisoft/YouTube]

  • Watch Dogs Delayed Until Spring 2014 On All Platforms

    Since its E3 2012 unveiling, Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs has been the next-gen game to watch. Not only did it show what next-gen consoles were capable of visually, but it also showed us a new style of gameplay that was radically different from anything we’d ever seen before. Now those next-gen ambitions have been put on hold as even the mighty Watch Dogs has shown that it’s not immune to the last minute delay.

    Ubisoft announced today on its blog that Watch Dogs has been delayed until spring 2014 on all platforms. That means even the current-gen versions of Watch Dogs on the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U won’t make it in time for the holidays.

    So, why was Watch Dogs, a game that was scheduled to launch in a mere four weeks, delayed at the last minute? Ubisoft says it’s all about making sure the game lives up to all the hype:

    We know a lot of you are probably wondering: Why now? We struggled with whether we would delay the game. But from the beginning, we have adopted the attitude that we will not compromise on quality. As we got closer to release, as all the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place in our last push before completion, it became clear to us that we needed to take the extra time to polish and fine tune each detail so we can deliver a truly memorable and exceptional experience.

    This is undoubtedly a major bummer to all the gamers who had pre-ordered Watch Dogs for the PS4 and Xbox One. The good news is that there’s plenty more games coming at launch for both consoles to keep you satiated. In fact, Ubisoft’s other open world next-gen launch title, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, is still slated to launch alongside each next gen console. It’s certainly no near-futuristic Chicago, but a pirate adventure is the only open world game you’re going to get on next gen consoles this year.

    Oh, and if you happened to pre-order one of those PS4 or Xbox One bundles that came with Watch Dogs, you might want to read Kotaku’s report on the fate of your bundle

    [Image: Ubisoft/YouTube]

  • Here’s The First PlayStation 4 TV Spot (And It’s A Musical)

    We’re now officially only one month away from the launch of the PlayStation 4 on November 15. Now it’s time for Sony to start revving up the marketing machine despite the fact that launch PS4 units have been sold out for months now. That’s not going to stop Sony from getting the word out though, especially when that word is expressed through song.

    In the first PlayStation 4 TV spot, Sony continues its marketing trend of having normal, everyday gamers taking on the extraordinary roles within their games. In this ad, our two gamers hop and skip across three games – The Elder Scrolls Online, DriveClub and Killzone: Shadow Fall.

    In short, it’s a pretty good ad. The singing could have been better, but hey, Sony is highlighting the fact that most gamers are just normal dudes who can’t afford proper singing lessons. It’s much better if we can relate to them, right? After all, I would feel a little intimidated if Sony was selling the PS4 with the voices of opera singers.

    While The Elder Scrolls Online won’t be a PS4 launch title, the other two titles on show in the above ad are. If you want to know what else is launching with the PS4, check out this handy list. There’s quite a few to choose from and I can only hope Sony makes another musical ad inspired by some of the other launch games, like Watch Dogs.

    [Image: PlayStation/YouTube]

  • Kingdom Hearts III Gameplay Debuts At D23 Expo

    At E3, Square Enix announced that Kingdom Hearts III was finally in development for the PS4 and Xbox One. The announcement was accompanied by a trailer that was pre-rendered target footage of what they wanted to achieve with the new title. Now Square Enix has released a new trailer at D23 Expo Japan that shows the first real gameplay footage.

    In this first gameplay trailer, you can see that the combat has become decidedly more cinematic. Thankfully, it looks like they ditched the “Press Triangle to Win” mechanic that was so prevalent in Kingdom Hearts II. Instead, it looks like the cinematic actions that were once reserved only for finishing moves appear to be the norm in the latest title, and that’s only a good thing.

    It should also be noted that the team seems to be playing around with what the keyblade can actually do. Instead of just getting new keyblades that change its appearance, Sora can instead transform the keyblade into two guns for ranged attacks. There will undoubtedly be other forms available as well.

    It goes without saying, but all of the above footage is incredibly early. I really do hope we get something like that in the final product though. I was especially fond of the Rock Titan fight while riding the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction. In fact, it almost looks like we might actually get a Walt Disney Land or World level, and that would be just swell.

    Oh, and if you’re new to this whole Kingdom Hearts business, Square Enix has you covered. It released Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX last month, and will be releasing Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX on the PS3 next year. Both titles have all the information you need to realize that the story makes absolutely no sense.

    [Image: PlayStation/YouTube]

  • Teaser Trailer For ‘Amazing Spider-Man 2’ Game Hits at NYC Comic-Con

    The video game movie tie-in industry is littered with failed attempts to capitalize on a popular movie; and by failed, I mean the games that usually tie-in to movies are hastily thrown together and easily forgotten. In other words, the games are bad. For a perfect example of this, check out J.J. Abrams reacting to the critical failure that was Star Trek: The Video Game. Without doing any research whatsoever, I’ll still say it’s easier to name the successful movie tie-in video games than it is cataloging all the failures.

    In a world where Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher’s Bay and Goldeneye for the Nintendo 64 are still the standard, it’s easy to see that particular niche has failed to live up to its potential.

    With that in mind, please use cautious optimism when reacting to the teaser trailer for the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man 2 movie tie-in game, which actually comes out before the movie does. The trailer doesn’t reveal much about the game, but then again, that’s why they call it a teaser:


    According to VG247.com, ASM2 will again feature the free-roaming-via-web-slinging around Manhattan, which sounds like a good enough reason to play in and of itself. Further details include a behavior gauge that monitors Spidey’s fight against New York’s criminal element:

    The game also contains the “Hero or Menace” system, which incentivizes Super Hero behavior by rewarding the web-slinger’s crime-fighting efforts, and adds consequences for letting criminality fester.

    As indicated, the game is expected to be released shortly before the movie, giving players something of a leg up concerning the sequel’s plot. Activision is planning an across-the-board release, as well. The includes both versions of the PlayStation (3 and 4) and the Xbox (360 and One); the WiiU, and for the PC.

    [Lead image courtesy of The Amazing Spider-Man Game’s Facebook page]

  • Call Of Duty: Ghosts TV Spot Makes Colonoscopies Funny

    The colonoscopy is an unfortunately reality for men over the age of 40. The actual practice is not funny at all, but it can be when combined with sound effects.

    In the TV spot for Call of Duty: Ghosts, a number of people regale their tales of heroism and combat in everyday situations. It’s a decidedly different take on the idea of everybody being a soldier that was seen in last year’s TV spot for Call of Duty: Black Ops II. While it may lack the star power of Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis, it makes up for it with one word – “Faboom.”

    Check it out:

    Besides making light of a preventative medical practice, Call of Duty: Ghosts boasts a number of improvements, including better support for clans and dedicated servers on all platforms.

    Call of Duty: Ghosts launches Nov. 5 for Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Wii U. It will also be available on November 15 for the PS4 and November 22 for the Xbox One.

    [Image: Xbox/YouTube]

  • Capcom’s Strider Sequel Gets A New Trailer

    Capcom’s Strider Sequel Gets A New Trailer

    Capcom surprised everyone earlier this year at San Diego Comic-Con when it revealed that a sequel to Strider was in the works. Excitement soon gave to way to skepticism, however, as it’s been over a decade since the last game in the series was released. It didn’t help matters either when Capcom revealed that Double Helix Games was developing it.

    Despite this initial skepticism, the latest trailer for the game does a nice job of convincing gamers that this new Strider is the real deal. All fans could ever want from a new Strider game is here and then some. The visuals seem to be getting it just right as well.

    Strider will be released in early 2014 for the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC. The game will be skipping the Wii U for now, but the development team has said it’s certainly a possibility if the demand is there. If the current petition asking for a Wii U version of Strider is any indication, you might not want to get your hopes up.

    [Image: PlayStation/YouTube]

  • Mark Cerny Talks PS4, Knack And Indie Games

    Mark Cerny, the lead system architect on the PS4, is one of the most delightful people in the industry. That’s almost entirely due to the passion he displays for the PlayStation platform and gaming as a whole whenever he talks.

    In this latest interview with Game Informer, Cerny retreads his work on the PS4 from the original concept to where they are today. It’s not all old info, however, as he reveals the reason behind Sony going with an 8-core CPU. In short, most developers said they worked best with quad or octa-core CPUs.

    He also discusses his role on Knack as a creative director. He drew upon his years of working with Naughty Dog and Insomniac to make what he calls a Crash Bandicoot for the 21st century. He doesn’t see Knack becoming a mascot for the PS4, however, as he feels that we’re past the point where consoles had to sell themselves on the strength of any one mascot.

    On a final note, he touches upon the current indie scene and how it differs from the indie games in the 80s. He finds that indie games today are a labor of love whereas independent developers in the 80s were given three months to push out a game. He also says that he would love to work with a smaller team on a small PS4 project once Knack is wrapped up.

    [Image:
    [h/t: Gamasutra]

  • GameStop CEO Thinks The Console Cycle Will Get Shorter

    For years, the console cycle was predictable. Nintendo, Sony and whoever else would release a console, wait five years and then release a new one. This past generation, however, has completely destroyed that concept with a console cycle that has lasted eight years. Some may feel that long console cycles will now be the norm, but GameStop’s CEO doesn’t see it that way.

    CNET recently had a chance to chat with GameStop CEO Paul Raines about the upcoming console shift to the PS4 and Xbox One. He predicted that we’ll see the successors to the PS4 and Xbox One sooner rather than later. In fact, he says that new consoles must come out a “greater frequency” if they want to remain relevant in the home.

    It’s an interesting concept, but an expensive one. Consoles cost a lot of money to make, and releasing one every two to three years instead of the established five to seven would make little financial sense. Manufacturers like Apple, Samsung and others can iterate on their devices yearly thanks to their ability to sell the devices at a huge mark up above the actual cost. Game consoles on the other hand are almost always sold at a loss at launch, and make up for it with software sales. If game consoles went for biannual iterations, the software sales just wouldn’t be there to prop up the hardware losses.

    All of this just makes the recent revelation of Steam machines far more desirable to those looking for a AAA gaming experience in the living room. With a Steam machine, you pay a high upfront cost for top-of-the-line hardware, and then you can continually upgrade said hardware over the years as new components are released.

    This PC-centric approach to console gaming may actually be what the future holds for Microsoft and Sony. It’s been suggested by some industry figures and analysts that this upcoming generation will be the last – at least in a traditional sense. The cost of producing customized game hardware has now gotten to a point where it only makes sense for Sony, Microsoft and others to build and sell PCs that consumers can then upgrade as they see fit.

    We can save that discussion for the future though. For now, the PS4 and Xbox One will be launching next month to at least a million preorders for the former. Raines says that’s going to translate to supply shortages. That’s only healthy for the industry, and GameStop in particular, as the retailer makes about $1 billion a year in console sales. With this latest generation, it’s expecting to see a sizable bump in revenue thanks to the pent up demand for new consoles.

    [Image: Wikimedia Commons]

  • Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition Heading To PS4, PS Vita And PC

    Injustice: Gods Among Us was hailed as one of the best fighting games of the year when it was released on the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U back in April. Now the DC fighter is making the jump to three more platforms next month complete with all of its DLC.

    WB Games announced today that Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition will hit the PS4, PS Vita and PC next month. This version of the game includes everything that was in the base game plus all the DLC. The DLC includes all costumes and the six playable characters that were released post launch – Lobo, Martian Manhunter, Batgirl, General Zod, Zatanna and Scorpion.

    While the game will hit the PS4, PS Vita and PC next month, the PlayStation Blog post announcing the news focused exclusively on the Vita version. It’s being developed by the team at Armature Studios – the same team responsible for this month’s Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate. The developers say that the Vita version will retain all the features of the PS3 version, including 60 FPS gameplay. On top of that, it will also add Vita specific features like local ad-hoc multiplayer and touch controls for Story Mode and S.T.A.R. Labs missions.

    As for the PS4 and PC versions, the only news we have on them is that they’re coming in November. VG247 reports that the PS4 version will launch on November 29 alongside the European launch of the PS4. It’s not known yet if the same holds true for the U.S. PS4 launch on November 15. As for the PC release, it will be available at some point in November as well.

    Oh, and those gamers who only have a PS3 or Xbox 360 aren’t being left out. The Ultimate Edition will be available on those platforms next month as well.

    UPDATE: IGN reports that Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition will launch on PS4, PS Vita, PS3, Xbox 360 and PC on November 12 in North America.

    [Image: PlayStation Blog Europe]

  • This Is What The Next Generation Of Madden NFL Will Look Like

    At the launch of the Xbox 360, Madden NFL 06 for Microsoft’s newest console was considered inferior to its PS2/Xbox counterparts. EA is working hard to make sure they don’t repeat that mistake with Madden NFL 25 for Xbox One and PS4.

    In a new trailer released today, EA is showing off what Madden NFL 25 will look like on next-gen consoles. The game is powered by EA’ new IGNITE engine that promises unprecedented realism in EA’s sports games, like Madden and FIFA. Does it deliver on that promise? Check out the trailer below and see for yourself:

    So, what do you think? Will Madden NFL 25 change the game of simulated football forever? Or will it just be a graphical upgrade with no real substance? That was the problem with Madden NFL 06 on the Xbox 360 – it offered a minor graphical upgrade while skimping out on the features. If Madden NFL 25 can deliver on the graphics and gameplay, football fans just might find that shelling out the extra money for a next-gen console this holiday season is worth it.

    Madden NFL 25 is already available on the PS3 and Xbox 360. It will launch on November 15 for the PS4 and November 22 for the Xbox One.

    [Image: Xbox/YouTube]

  • Raise Money For Charity, Get Free PlayStation Games

    We’re now officially in the holiday season, and that means people are rushing out to buy the latest and greatest toys and gadgets for friends and loved ones. It’s important to remember, however, that there are other people out there this holiday season who need your support more than your friend needs that new video game. If only there was a way to kill two birds with one stone, right?

    Sony announced today that it has the stone you’re looking for with its holiday partnership with Extra Life, a charity that encourages gamers to give money to children’s hospitals. Not to be mistaken with Penny Arcade’s Child’s Play, this charity exclusively deals with cash donations and that’s what Sony wants out of gamers this year.

    Of course, it’d be a little boring if all Sony wanted was your money. Instead, the folks at PlayStation are challenging gamers to raise money for Extra Life with lots of prizes at stake. Here’s how it all works – participants will sign up with Extra Life under the PlayStation promotion. From there, participants will encourage friends and family to donate in their name. At the end of the competition, prizes will be handed out based upon how much a person raised.

    Here’s what you can get:

    Raise Money For Charity, Get Free PlayStation Games

    You have until November 3 to raise as much money as you can. You can also join a team to increase your chances of raising the largest amount of money.

    If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you can join the movement here. If you’re already a member of Extra Life, you can switch over to the PlayStation Movement here.

    [Image: PlayStation/YouTube]

  • A PS4/PS Vita Bundle May One Day Happen

    Never in the history of game consoles has a hardware manufacturer bundled a home console with a handheld device. Sure, home consoles can interact with handhelds in limited ways, but they’ve always been sold as separate experiences. Sony may be rethinking that unspoken rule.

    Official PlayStation Magazine U.K. recently had a chance to sit down with Sony UK boss Fergal Gara to talk about a potential PS4/PS Vita combo. The good news is that it’s something Sony is now considering. The bad news is that there probably won’t be such a bundle at launch.

    So, what was the moment that made Sony consider bundling its hardware together? At Gamescom, it showed off the remote play functionality of the PS Vita by playing the PS4 version of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag on the device. That functionality alone received such a positive reaction that Sony is now looking into ways to market the PS4 and PS Vita as complementary devices.

    Of course, you shouldn’t expect a combo pack anytime soon. Sony will continue selling them separately for now, and it will probably remain that way until Sony can sell both a PS4 and a Vita in the same box for less than $500. That being said, Gara says that it would be incredibly easy to slap a PS4 and PS Vita into the same box and ship it to retail. He concludes by saying any future bundle would be constructed in a way that’s best for their retail partners.

    It’s not exactly a confirmation or denial, but it certainly does appear that Sony is taking this idea very seriously. That’s only a good thing as remote play could become one of the strongest selling points for the Vita and the upcoming Vita TV. The ability to stream full console titles to a handheld device via an Internet connection isn’t exactly a novel idea, but it looks like the PS4/PS Vita combo nails the execution better than any of its predecessors. There’s real value in that, and Sony will no doubt pursue that in future marketing and/or bundles.

    [Image: PlayStation/YouTube]

  • PS4, Xbox One Component Shipments Flowing

    Pre-orders for next-generation consoles are higher than any console launch in history, and both Microsoft and Sony have ramped up production to keep up with demand.

    A DigiTimes report today states that shipments of components for both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are expected to “boom” throughout the holiday quarter. The report’s unnamed “Taiwan-based supply chain makers” are quoted as saying that high pre-orders for next-gen consoles have surprised even Sony and Microsoft, and the manufacturers have been pressuring component makers to deliver since the second quarter of 2013.

    Reportedly, the original plan was for component shipments to increase slowly over August and September before hitting their peak in October. However, DigiTimes’ sources state that pressure from Sony and Microsoft has resulted in increased shipments and that component shipments already peaked sometime in September. Peak shipment volumes are predicted to be sustained throughout the fourth quarter of 2013 and possibly beyond.

    Sony recently announced that it already has over 1 million PlayStation 4 pre-orders. Microsoft has not discusses pre-order estimates, but is presumably doing well in at least the North American market. Microsoft has packed-in EA Sports’ FIFA 14 with pre-ordered Xbox One consoles in Europe to boost its numbers in that market. Rumors this summer held that the Xbox One was seeing manufacturing delays over poor yields of some components. Both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are expected to sell out of available stock on their respective launch days.

  • Sniper Elite 3 Announcement Trailer Teases 2014 Release

    While Rebellion Development’s Sniper Elite series may not resonate on the same level as a Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty title, the title shows a great deal of potential, especially if the developers would ever allow players some open world freedom with their sniping. The knock against the Sniper Elite series is that it possesses some great gameplay features, but the scenarios surrounding them lack the imagination required to take the title to tentpole status. Words like “generic” and “unconnected” have been used in describing the second installment.

    However, recent announcements may provide a reason for hope. According to their latest press release, the concept of an open world will be introduced into the third entry into the Sniper Elite series (not counting the Nazi Zombies spinoff):

    “We’re very excited to be working with 505 Games again on a sequel that will build on the highly successful Sniper Elite V2. We”ve got some great ideas to improve on what we did before and feedback from fans has been invaluable. Sniper Elite V2 was just the beginning of what we want to do with the franchise, there are things we didn’t have time to do before that we can really look at featuring this time. We want to focus on making this latest incarnation of Sniper Elite more of a sandbox game but also build on the awesome X-Ray Kill Cam and the atmospheric World War II setting. We’re looking forward to seeing what Sniper Elite fans and gamers in general make of the latest chapter in the story,” said Jason Kingsley, CEO, Rebellion.

    The idea of sneaking around in World War 2 Europe, hunting targets of interest while moving in and out of burnt out buildings across the European countryside isn’t a bad one at all. Here’s hoping Rebellion and 505 can pull it off. Because the announcement trailer is more of a tease and due to its cinematic nature, none of this open world is shown.

    Sniper Elite 3 will be coming to gamers in 2014 for all current and next gen game systems.

    [Lead image courtesy GameTrailers.com]