DCEmu Homebrew Emulation & Theme Park News
DCEmu Featured News Articles
by Published on April 15th, 2012 22:20- Categories:
- DCEmu
Cliff Bleszinski also says he wants the consoles always-connected to the Internet
Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski recentlysaid at PAX East that he wants future consoles to have astounding graphics. He joins the chorus of voices calling for significantly more powerful next-gen consoles, including CD Projekt artist Marek Ziemak who wants true-to-life animation.
"Face-melting graphics," said Bleszinski. "I really want our next-generation consoles to pass what I call the 'Mom Test.' So that if you were to show this console and games to your mom, she would be like, 'Wow, that clearly looks better than your last console,' and it's an essential step that needs to be taken by both Sony and Microsoft."
The idea of consoles that are constantly connected to the Internet is a somewhat controversial idea, but Bleszinski is in favor of it. "Always-connected consoles that basically require an Internet connection. So that I can just wake up in the morning and say, 'Oh a new demo has been downloaded on my hard drive, so I can check it out'," he said, adding. "As well as considering streaming gaming from the cloud, which would be very nice."
Despite the recent cancellation of the Gears of War Kinect project, Bleszinski is still intrigued by motion controls. "The other things I want to see are gesture-based controls," he said. "I think Kinect is quite cool, and I'm a big fan of using Kinect to control movies with Netflix. Maybe it will be built-in [to a future generation Xbox], maybe it won't. We'll have to see what actually comes out of that."
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...t-gen-consoles
...by Published on April 15th, 2012 22:19- Categories:
- PS3 News
Sony and Kaz Hirai have plenty to think about when it comes to overhauling the company's strategy at all levels. On the gaming front, the company has to prepare for next-gen during a time when it's about to suffer its worst loss in history. It's certainly a fine line to walk.
RW Baird analyst Colin Sebastian recently commented to GamesIndustry International that the first step for Sony ought to be a price cut on its existing PS3, which has been consistently outsold in the US by Microsoft's Xbox 360. This echoes the sentiment of Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter, who earlier this week noted that we're likely to see price drops by E3.
"Sony is in a tough position. In many areas of their business, they are losing share, such as TVs and computers, and their challenges are well known in gaming. The need to invest in a significant upgrade cycle for Orbis/PS4 comes at a awkward time for Sony, but to remain competitive longer term in games, we think there needs to be another price reduction on the PS3, and then be first to market with a next generation console," said Sebastian.
Beyond the pure focus on games, it's clear that Sony will need to do an even better job securing broad entertainment options for those in the gaming demographic. Microsoft, Apple and Google are all going to make that a tough battle.
"The battle for the living room is only going to get more competitive with an Apple television and a bunch of Google/Android powered TVs coming to market - Sony needs to act quickly," warned Sebastian.
The good news is that Sony seems to be aware of this and its PlayStation Network will be a key pillar for the company. This is now a services oriented industry. Xbox Live has been, without a doubt, the biggest bullet in Microsoft's chamber and how Sony chooses to evolve PSN going forward could very well determine the company's fate.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...in-competitive
...by Published on April 15th, 2012 22:16- Categories:
- Apple iPad,
- Apple iPhone
A class-action suit against Apple over free-to-play apps that trick children into making in-app purchases is proceeding to trial
Last year, a federal judge in California consolidated a number of class-action lawsuits from parents who alleged that Apple incorrectly listed apps as free-to-play, only to have children rack up immense bills for digital purchases. These parents have found $100+ iTunes account bills due to these so-called "bait apps".
An Apple user normally has to enter a password to buy items in-game, but Apple previously allowed a 15-minute window after the initial purchase, during which players can make in-app purchases without entering a password. This window allowed children to rack up huge bills on their parents' iTunes accounts in a short period of time, prompting Apple to later remove the 15-minute window.
Apple filed to have the consolidated class-action suits dismissed, but last week U.S. District Judge Edward Davila upheld the original claims against Apple.
"Contrary to Apple's argument, Plaintiffs have alleged with specificity which misrepresentations they were exposed to, their reliance on those misrepresentations, and the resulting harm. Plaintiffs pled specific facts that Apple "actively advertis[ed], market[ed] and promot[ed] its bait Apps as 'free' or nominal ," Judge Davila stated.
Now Apple must dispute the claims, with the company expected to file its defense on May 24.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...play-bait-apps
...by Published on April 15th, 2012 22:13- Categories:
- DCEmu
Speculation is rife that the next generation of consoles will be focused on download titles, and Ubisoft says it is laying the groundwork now for a new digital strategy to match.
When asked about the rise of simultaneous boxed product and download releases, the publisher’s VP of digital Chris Early said Ubisoft was paying close attention to sales of games on Vita – which are available via PSN at the same time as retail.
“We’re going to have to wait and see where the platform holders go with the next generation,” he told MCV.
“But publishers can already form a strategy around how they approach a market where digital versions are available on the same day and date as retail ones.
“We’re starting to figure out our strategy now. We’re getting some good precursors with Vita and PlayStation 3, which means that however it changes in the future, we’ll be in a position to take advantage of that.”
However, the Ubisoft exec remained doubtful whether a generation of consoles where downloads take precedence over retail is feasible in the current market.
“I think we have to be able to service our players wherever they happen to be,” he explained.
“Even in the US, there are pockets where connectivity is poor, so expecting someone there to download a 1GB or 2GB game would take them hours and hours. Can we push that? I don’t think the infrastructure’s there yet.
“There’s a bunch of other factors to be considered: are you going to enable the same types of pre-order packages? What if someone wants a collector’s edition that comes with extra goodies as well as the game?”
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ubiso...onsoles/094387 ...by Published on April 15th, 2012 21:52- Categories:
- Xbox 360 News
EA will air the latest trailer for upcoming shooter Medal of Honor: Warfighter at next week’s MCV Awards.
The new Medal of Honor is due out on October 23rd and will continue the success laid down by the 2010 title of the same name.
Having made a name for itself with its stunning recreations of key scenes and dramas from WWII, Danger Close’s reinvention saw the battlefield switched to modern day Afghanistan.
“Inspired by actual events across the globe and written by real Tier 1 Operators while deployed overseas, follow the global Warfighters as they are asked to take on a real terror threat, PETN,” EA said.
“Powered by the Frostbite 2 Engine.??For more information about the Global Operators and the Most Authentic Shooter to date, visit the official site.”
This year's MCV Awards ceremony takes place on Thursday, April 19th at the Lancaster London Hotel. The 2012 gathering marks the 10th Anniversary of the event, with a special night planned to celebrate the trade's successes both in this year and during the last 10.
63 different companies from across the games industry are nominated for prizes at this year’s MCV Industry Excellence Awards.
Activision leads the pack with 11 nominations - five for its break-out kids' hit Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure.
EA closely follows with 10 nominations, including nods for EA Origin, Battlefield and FIFA 12.
Elsewhere big hitters like SCE UK and Bethesda take nine nominations each, with seven nods each for Ubisoft and Microsoft, and six for Warner Bros.
But from physical retail to digital distribution, via publishers and peripherals brands, the nominated firms come across the trade, with other nominations also going to GameStop, Insert Coin, Mind Candy, Turtle Beach and 505 Games.
Green Man Gaming, NCsoft, ShopTo and OPM are amongst the firms to lend their names to the event.
Online retailer ShopTo.net has signed up as disco and bar partner for the evening, while digital retailer Green Man Gaming is an event partner. Recruiters OPM Repsonse will be present as goody bag partner, and MMO specialist NCsoft has agreed to sponsor the Digital Distribution Team award.
Nintendo is the exclusive partner for the Retail category.
More than 60 games industry firms have already signed up to attend this year’s MCV Awards on Thursday, April 19th.
These range from publishers such as Activision Blizzard to distributors such as Gem.
More details can be found on the MCV Awards 2012 microsite.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/medal...-awards/094393 ...by Published on April 15th, 2012 21:48- Categories:
- DCEmu
New NPD data has spilt out since their initial March 2012 reportcame in just yesterday.
Several new bits and figures have been passed on to Joystiq by an NPD source—specifically numbers on units sold for a handful of titles released during the sales period.
Total Mass Effect 3 sales for its launch month of March were 1.3m units across Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. That figure covers purely new physical retail sales, which means no digitally distributed product on PC or PS3 is counted.
While the NPD doesn't publicly share sales breakdowns by platform, Microsoft executive Aaron Greenberg did share that 360 moved 943,000 units in the month for the title.
After catching wind of the updated NPD info, EA weighed in.
"We think the monthly NPD reports are a very poor indicator of the industry's performance given the proportion of digital sales – including digital downloads via Origin, DLC, mobile and social games and much more – that are not captured in their reports," John Reseburg of EA's corporate communications stated. "Taking these reports as an accurate snapshot of the industry today is a dangerous assumption."
The NPD also brought to light Kid Icarus: Uprising numbers, stating the 3DS title sold approximately 140,000 copies in the US in March.
“In a list of the top 10 SKU's for the month (as opposed to top titles as listed here), 3DS Kid Icarus: Uprising would have been among the top selling individual SKU's for the month of March,” analyst Anita Frazier reported.
The 3DS debut was on sale for just eight days of the sales period.
Additionally, NPD shared that February release Resident Evil: Revelations sold around 122,000 in March.
Last and in this case unfortunately least, Binary Domain (Sega’s sci-fi shooter which launched February 28th) only sold 20,000 copies last month.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/more-...figures/094408 ...by Published on April 15th, 2012 21:46- Categories:
- PS3 News
OpCapita's new-look, slimmed-down GAME is back in bed with EA.
Like most other publishers, EA had cut ties with GAME prior to administration after failing to agree to a reduced payment proposal put forward by the then troubled retailer.
SSX was the last EA title to hit GAME shelves, meaning that the retailer was unable to offer chart hits such as Mass Effect 3 and FIFA Street.
But now key EA titles are available online with an expected return of stock in-stores next week.
Yesterday MCV revealed that Nintendo had once again agreed terms with GAME.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ea-re...e-train/094462 ...by Published on April 15th, 2012 21:45- Categories:
- Nintendo 3DS News
Sports highlights have arrived on the 3DS via the Nintendo Zone.
Owners who connect to a Nintendo Zone location will be able to access football, basketball, and baseball videos through Fox Soccer, NBA Digital, and MLB.com.
Offerings will be updated weekly with new video packages, top 10 plays, and weekly round-ups. Players will also have the ability to view 3D images of the sporting events, and save them.
"Nintendo 3DS owners will now get access to their favorite sports content at thousands of Nintendo Zone locations across the country," stated Nintendo of America’s director of strategic partnerships Zach Fountain. "With video highlights, weekly recaps and exclusive 3D collectible images, fans can connect with their sports passion as they carry their Nintendo 3DS."
Nintendo Zone refers to a smattering of special wifi access points in restaurants, airports, malls, and other public areas. The service launched in 2011 and has playable demos, coupons, trivia, information, and television episodes to offer as well as the just added sports portion.
Nintendo previously explored the sports landscape years ago with the Seattle Mariners "Fan Network" on the Nintendo DS.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ninte...hlights/094463 ...by Published on April 15th, 2012 21:44- Categories:
- Playstation Vita News
The PS Vita version of Beatshapers’ arcade action title StarDrone Extreme will arrive this Tuesday in North America.
The game (originally slated to be a Vita launch title) landed for Vita owners in Europe earlier this month.
The title is to feature crossplay with the PS3 version, so players can transfer saves through the cloud—allowing owners to exchange current progress between the handheld and console versions. TheUS Playstation Blog also confirms the PS3 version’s update should coincide with the Vita release.
StarDrone Extreme for the Vita will be available on PSN Tuesday, April 17th for $3.99.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/stard...is-week/094464
...by Published on April 15th, 2012 21:43- Categories:
- DCEmu
The US videogame market declined 25 per cent year on year last month, according to data released by NPD Group.
Total spend on new hardware, software and accessories at US retail came to $1.1 billion, a decline of $370 million from the previous year. The biggest decline was in hardware sales, which fell 35 per cent; software sales fell by a quarter and accessories were down 8 per cent.
Mass Effect 3 was the best-selling game of the month, outselling its predecessor Mass Effect 2's first-month sales by two copies to one - little surprise given that it's the first game in the series to be released simultaneously for all platforms.
NPD analyst Anita Frazier admitted it was "a disappointing month, and first quarter, for new physical retail sales" but added it "wasn't entirely unexpected given guidance we've seen from several sources." Xbox 360 was the most popular hardware for an eighth consecutive month.
http://www.edge-online.com/news/npd-...ines-us-retail ...- Search DCEmu
- Advert 3
News Categories
- Links of Interest
Sony Consoles News
- Nintendo Consoles News
- Sega Consoles News
- Apple & Android News
- Xbox Consoles News
- Open Source Consoles News
DCEmu News Archive
- Advert
- Retro Consoles News
- PC News
- Latest DCEmu News
- DCEmu Network Sites
-
Menu 
Forum Stats
- What is the DCEmu Homebrew & Gaming Network
Catherine: Full Body’s English translation for the Vita