Friday, January 10, 2014

News::The DeanBeat: Does Valve know what its doing with Steam Machines?

Valve is normally a company with many secrets. But company CEO Gabe Newell held a press conference this week at the 2014 International CES and then appeared on stage at the keynote speech of Intel chief executive Brian Krzanich all to talk about Steam Machines, living room machines for gamers. The announcement was impressive, but it exposed a lot of contradictions that arise when you create a new gaming platform at a time when it is very hard to break away from other ecosystems and create something from scratch.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432689/the-deanbeat-does-valve-know-what-its-doing-with-steam-machines

News::5 Reasons To Be Excited For Alien: Isolation

WC - The Alien has had quite a rough time throughout its now over 30 year career. The creature made a huge impact on the world with the release of Ridley Scotts sci-fi horror masterpiece Alien in 1979. Not only did it introduce audiences to one of the most terrifying and uniquely designed creatures ever created, but it influenced the aesthetics and atmosphere of countless science fiction films to come. The franchise continued to deliver cinematic excellence with the 1986 sequel Aliens, directed by the king of the world himself James Cameron. Aliens gave audiences a different experience, focusing more on intense action, while also exploring Ellen Ripley in a more personal way. The Alien franchise was on a roll at this point, ingraining itself into the public consciousness as one of the best science fiction franchises around.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432705/5-reasons-to-be-excited-for-alien-isolation

News::Cross-Play For War Thunder Still Planned; PS4 Version Only Getting Prettier Over Time

Our exclusive interview with Gaijin Entertainment about War Thunder: Cross-Play, a tablet version, the super-secret World War Mode and a lot more!



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432704/cross-play-for-war-thunder-still-planned-ps4-version-only-getting-prettier-over-time

News::NASCAR '14 Gets Some New Screenshots, Pre-order Bonuses and a Release Date

NASCAR '14 Gets Some New Screenshots, Pre-order Bonuses and a Release Date



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432196/nascar-14-gets-some-new-screenshots-pre-order-bonuses-and-a-release-date

News::CES 2014: Rampage Jackson Doesn't Like CoD: Ghosts: Messed Up

MMA fighter Quinton Rampage Jackson says Call of Duty: Ghosts messed up in an interview with GamerFitNations Antwand Pearman at CES 2014.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432655/ces-2014-rampage-jackson-doesnt-like-cod-ghosts-messed-up

News::Ultimate Naruto Review (DotMMO)

DotMMO writes:"Ultimate Naruto is yet another free-to-play, browser-based MMORPG. Of course, its a little different from the rest of them right off the bat because its got a powerful franchise attached to it. Naruto is a huge force in the world of manga and anime. Theres a pretty decent collection of Naruto video games out there too, but this is its first foray into the world of free-to-play."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432462/ultimate-naruto-review-dotmmo

News::Konami Confirms Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance's Always-Online Bug, Working On A Fix

Konami has confirmed that this always-online issue is a bug and not an additional DRM.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432416/konami-confirms-metal-gear-rising-revengeances-always-online-bug-working-on-a-fix

News::MXGP: The Official Motocross Videogame Receives UK Release Date

Developers PQube and Milestone announced that MXGP: The Official Motocross Videogame will be available in the UK on March 28th 2014.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432652/mxgp-the-official-motocross-videogame-receives-uk-release-date

News::Thief Is Making A Muted And Stealthy Comeback | eGamer

Its been a full decade since last we saw a Thief game release but the fourth game in the series, simply titled Thief to signify itself as a moderate reboot, promises to reboot the series. The question is, do we want the series to leap out of the shadows or would it be better off fading away gracefully? The game has had an slightly uneven development, with plenty of backtracking on decisions and features but it has also failed to look all too great. Oh dear. Let's see what's what and you can decide for yourself whether this game intrigues you.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432507/thief-is-making-a-muted-and-stealthy-comeback-egamer

News::Even Joe Rogan Thinks the Oculus Rift is Going to Change Everything

GR said, "The popular comedian is absolutely smitten with the Oculus experience."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432397/even-joe-rogan-thinks-the-oculus-rift-is-going-to-change-everything

News::The Patch #34

The Patch Discusses Steam Machines



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432383/the-patch-34

News::Team Fortress 2 and Dota 2 Update Details

SteamFirst: Two of Valves most popular titles just received an update as of yesterday evening. Interested in what changes you may fine next time you log onto the servers?



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432634/team-fortress-2-and-dota-2-update-details

News::Grand Theft Auto V, The Last of Us among GDC Award Nominees

UBM, the organizers of the Game Developers' Conference, have released the nominees for the fourteenth annual Game Developer's Choice Awards. The full list, provided below, features five nominees for each award, as well as a number of honorable mentions highlighting more of the year's notable works.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432607/grand-theft-auto-v-the-last-of-us-among-gdc-award-nominees

News::Battlefield 4- Paracel Storm Map Tips

Bill Lavoy (Prima Games): Much like Siege of Shanghai, Paracel Storm became a showcase for Battlefield 4 prior to its official release. Looking back, there really isn't a better map to demonstrate the all out war that DICE was aiming for. Whether you enjoy boats, flying or simply dominating the game as infantry, Paracel Storm is a great map to get your fix. Today, we're going to give you some tips to help you take your game to the next level, no matter what play style you prefer.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432633/battlefield-4-paracel-storm-map-tips

News::All The Joy Of The Legend Of Zelda In One Plunderphonic Masterpiece

News::Dreamfall Chapters: The Longest Journey Gameplay Footage Is Here

Red Thread Games are making progress on Dreamfall Chapters: The Longest Journey, and this week, they shared a new 30-minute video of the game, featuring commentary by design director Martin Bruusgaard and creative director Ragnar Tørnquist.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432428/dreamfall-chapters-the-longest-journey-gameplay-footage-is-here

News::Dune II Review: The Grandfather of RTS In Your Browser

Dune II, considered the original RTS game, is now free to play in your browser. How does the decades old gameplay hold up?



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432427/dune-ii-review-the-grandfather-of-rts-in-your-browser

News::Razer's Project Christine // CES 2014 // Modular PC with a subscription plan [video]

We talk to Razer about their newly announced Project Christine. What does Razer think a desktop PC will be? We are very interested in the upgrade program and the modular based building. What do you think the pricing will be? What might the ups and downs be of a product like this?



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432439/razers-project-christine-ces-2014-modular-pc-with-a-subscription-plan-video

News::Snapshot Still in Development Despite Long Hibernation

Retro Affect revealed that the PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 3 editions of the retro puzzle-platformer Snapshot are still in development.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432437/snapshot-still-in-development-despite-long-hibernation

News::Techland: Dying Lights Movement Makes Going Back To Other Games Very Difficult

Dylan Z of iGR writes: "Weve seen, and know, plenty about Techlands upcoming title Dying Light. The free-running game mechanic, dynamic day/night cycle, and visceral melee combat make the title one of my most anticipated games of 2014. I recently had the chance to talk to Dying Light Producer, Tymon Smektala about the project at length."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432662/techland-dying-lights-movement-makes-going-back-to-other-games-very-difficult

News::Project CARS Interview: How Slightly Mad Studios Are Taking Racing Games To An All New Level

GamingBolt recently spoke to creative director Andy Tudor about Project CARS especially pertaining to its shift from current-gent to next gen consoles, how it will differentiate itself from its competition and advancing the genre as a whole.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432642/project-cars-interview-how-slightly-mad-studios-are-taking-racing-games-to-an-all-new-level

News::Maia Preview | The Indie Mine

Maia is an indie colony building & management simulation game by Simon Roth inspired by classic god games and 70s sci-fi for Windows PC, Mac, & Linux.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432582/maia-preview-the-indie-mine

News::Meeting With Cultists In DayZ Is The Last Thing I Want To Experience

News::Dungeon Of The Endless Video Preview: A Hardcore Sci-Fi Stunner [Dealspwn]

Dealspwn presents live Dungeon Of The Endless gameplay to show off the basic systems and initial impressions. Dealspwn writes: "Dungeon Of The Endless may only be in early access, but Amplitude Studios' genre hybrid already looks beautiful and plays beautifully. Halfway between a roguelike and a dungeon defence game, you'll lead a team of heroes though procedurally-generated levels, exploring and gradually uncovering unpredictable environments full of traps and deadly creatures. However, you'll also have to defend a crystal to stay alive: a power generator that lets you transform the dungeon into a powerful fortification bristling with turrets and defences. Constantly changing pace and hitting you where you least expect, this is very much more than the sum of its already-impressive RPG, roguelike, strategy and defensive parts; including elements we'd only traditionally expect from 4X games. Well, they did develop Endless Space after all."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432593/dungeon-of-the-endless-video-preview-a-hardcore-sci-fi-stunner-dealspwn

News::First Titanfall gameplay had 7v7 battles, player cap "isn't a tech limitation"

OXM's Edwin writes: "I attempted to put controversy about Titanfall's 12 player cap to bed earlier in the week, but what can one lowly blogger do to assuage the internet's passion? Perhaps these excerpts from our latest chat with Respawn Entertainment will do the job."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432640/first-titanfall-gameplay-had-7v7-battles-player-cap-isnt-a-tech-limitation

News::Heroes of the Storm - 16 Characters Confirmed

While being at BlizzCon in late 2013, GameFronts Dan OHalloran has managed to take a picture of Heroes of the Storm characters. However, the image doesnt show the full list of heroes that will be featured in Heroes of the Storm with The Witch Doctor from Diablo III and Abathur from the StarCraft series has already been added to the list



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432632/heroes-of-the-storm-16-characters-confirmed

News::Hitman: Cancelled Or Delayed, IO Interactive Still Handling the Project

Hitman fans expected to see another addition to the popular series, but now developers at Square Enix Montreal are out of the picture. Will the adventures of Agent 47 continue?



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432426/hitman-cancelled-or-delayed-io-interactive-still-handling-the-project

News::Phoenix Down 21.0 - Binary Domain

Phoenix Down is hosted by Drew Leachman and Matt Quinn. Each segment focuses on an older game the duo decides upon with another member of the ZTGD crew or special guest. They play through and discuss the mechanics and how well it holds up today. It is the ultimate in backlog elimination. The guys shout voice commands and befriend French robots. Hosts: Drew Leachman Matt Quinn



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432599/phoenix-down-21-0-binary-domain

News::Get Even becomes the first game to use real-world scanning tech to create lifelike environments

The Farm 51's Get Even becomes the first game , which makes use of a Polish piece of technology called "Thorskan". The tech is used to scan real-life environments and recreate them in 3D. The game is currently development for PS4, Xbox One and PC with a tentative 2015 launch window.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1431959/get-even-becomes-the-first-game-to-use-real-world-scanning-tech-to-create-lifelike-environments

News::ChristCenteredGamer Mionix Naos 7000 review

If you're looking for a smooth gaming mousing experience, look no further than the Mionix Naos 7000. It's totally customizable and super responsive in fast paced FPS games. The price isn't bad compared to other high end gaming mice out there. The retail price is $79.99 which is ten dollars cheaper than the 8200 DPI laser sensor edition.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432601/christcenteredgamer-mionix-naos-7000-review

News::[GameSkinny] 2013 Mod of the Year Picks

Gameskinny looks at 5 particular mods that pumpkin spiced up the year.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1431377/gameskinny-2013-mod-of-the-year-picks

News::That Robocop mobile game is out now on iOS, for free


A mobile tie-in for the new Robocop movie is happening, and it launched today on the iOS App Store. It's free-to-play, but Android users will have to wait until January 15th to pick it up. The funny thing is, as much as you'd expect it to be terrible, it's actually a decent cover shooter in the same style as Virtua Cop.


It's very simplistic and basically consists of touch the right side of the screen to "pop out" of cover and aim, but it gets the job done. It's just loaded with currency based IAP (in-app-purchases) and an energy system. In other words -- if all of the microtransactions were stripped, I would probably buy it for a dollar.


Robocop [Apple]


That Robocop mobile game is out now on iOS, for free screenshot






via destructoid http://www.destructoid.com/that-robocop-mobile-game-is-out-now-on-ios-for-free-268753.phtml

News::Steam Machines unlikely to make “any impact at all” in 2014 – is Valve playing the long game?


Overpriced, underwhelming to look at and destined to cater for a small niche, the Steam Machines unveiled at CES are unlikely to make any impact on the current console race when they launch later this year.


That was the message from industry analysts this week after Valve unveiled the first wave of custom PCs built for SteamOS and its unorthodox controller. These Steam Machines’ pricing and the multitude of hardware models and configurations will make Valve’s plan to bring Steam into the living room rather difficult, says Games Investor co-founder Nick Gibson. “Despite making a big noise unveiling 13 Steam Machines at CES, Valve has yet to shed any significant light on what their strategy is or provide any compelling reasons for consumers to consider these devices over a console or a Windows PC,” Gibson tells us. “At this stage it is difficult to see Steam Machines having any impact at all on either console or Windows-based PC sales.”


IHS Technology’s director and head of games Piers Harding-Rolls agreed, saying: “While the ambition of Valve is to broaden the audience for its Steam community and games distribution platform, the high cost of the current collection of Steam machine prototypes means that this ambition is likely to be significantly undermined.


“We do not currently see Steam machines as a significant competitor to the latest games consoles or a viable alternative for the mainstream consumer.”



Alienware’s Steam Machine is one of 13 models unveiled this week at CES 2014.



Perhaps Valve is playing a different game entirely, then. Always keen to paint itself as a company which places players at its heart, its intention is not to take on PS4 and Xbox One – it is to carve out its own niche, says Newzoo CEO Peter Warman. “Valve is a completely different company to Sony and Microsoft – they do not think about unit sales,” says Warman. “They focus on making games, services and now hardware that they, as game enthusiasts, would love to see in the market. Analysts will criticize the price of their hardware and initial sales but Valve will not care. As long as the gamers that go for their box get everything they want – most importantly freedom.”


CEO of GamesAnalytics Chris Wright echoes these thoughts. “The Steam Machines target the niche player and are aimed at the ultra high end,” he says. “The winner will be the company that builds the best ecosystem that gives players access to the games they want in the simplest way.”


And yet it’s difficult to picture who might be interested in actually buying one of these boxes, says IHS’ Piers Harding-Rolls, who outlined that proposed player base as “a very small sub-segment of existing Steam users.” He’s more positive on the subject of Valve Steam controller, expecting sales of the pad to be “robust.”


It’s unlikely Valve will kickstart a console revolution when these Steam Machines arrive later this year, then, but over a longer timespan, their prospects could improve, adds Harding-Rolls. “As components become cheaper and console-graphic beating devices reach pricing parity with the PS4 and Xbox One, IHS expects the value proposition of Steam machines to increase.


“Steam machines could be a greater challenge to consoles by 2016 – much will depend on the commitment of PC manufacturers at this stage and the impact of relatively entrenched console platforms. Other industry disruptions may also occur, specifically within the streaming sector, which may strengthen the proposition of Steam OS machines still further during the next three years.”


Ultimately, Harding-Rolls suggests, this first flurry of hardware could be little more than a testbed for Valve’s own Steambox. “A Valve-designed and branded Steam OS PC could arrive at a later date, once the market is established and its hardware partners have done their work,” he tells us. “We expect Valve to build a much stronger commercial understanding of its proposition using user data from the first generation of third-party Steam machines. With this deeper understanding, the greater brand pull of Valve, its ability to develop exclusives for its own platform and its ability to offset narrow hardware margins with content sales could make the company a more formidable competitor to the incumbent consoles than the currently announced PC hardware partners.”


The post Steam Machines unlikely to make “any impact at all” in 2014 – is Valve playing the long game? appeared first on Edge Online.






via Edge Online http://www.edge-online.com/news/steam-machines-unlikely-to-make-any-impact-at-all-in-2014-is-valve-playing-the-long-game/

News::Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 - New Screenshots

Konami has released a new set of screenshots for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432027/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2-new-screenshots

News::Stardock and Oxide Give a Peek at Stunning New Engine

"Sins of a Solar Empire and Galactic Civilizations publisher Stardock are helping fund a new engine from a small studio called Oxide. We got a glimpse of the engine at CES, and it only made us more excited for the future."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432387/stardock-and-oxide-give-a-peek-at-stunning-new-engine

News::Aura Kingdom Review (MMOGoer)

MMOGoer writes: "Developed by Taiwan-based X-Legend and published by Aeria Games, Aura Kingdom is a free to play anime-inspired MMORPG. It went through a 2-week closed beta and a stress test, and finally entered its open beta test on January 6, 2014."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432544/aura-kingdom-review-mmogoer

News::Project CARS Visuals Put Every Other Racing Game To Shame, New Screenshots

Slightly Mad Studios has released a new set of screenshots for Project CARS, displaying visuals that are far beyond what its competitors are offering.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432560/project-cars-visuals-put-every-other-racing-game-to-shame-new-screenshots

News::Your Complete Winter 2014 Anime Guide

News::MAGFest = WIN is chiptuney goodness for your ears

This past weekend in Maryland's National Harbor, around 1,500 like-minded individuals gathered for the 12th annual Music and Gaming Festival, AKA MAGFest. This was only my second year attending, but man it was a blast. Tons of games, events, panels, and of course, videogame music.


This year, there was a huge chiptune representation at the festival, and to commemorate it, Chiptunes = WIN released an exclusive compilation featuring the artists performing at MAGfest 12. The album, MAGFest = WIN , released at a listening party at MAGfest, features exclusive mixes from some of my favorite artists such as Danimal Cannon, RobotSexMusic, and fellow Baltimorean Inverse Phase.


As always, it's an excellent representation of some of the best artists in the scene, and worth your ear time, especially as it's expertly mastered by DJ Cutman. If you weren't able to make it to the 'fest this year, just Colossus scream while listening to this awesome compilation.


MAGFest = WIN is chiptuney goodness for your ears screenshot


Read more...



via destructoid http://www.destructoid.com/magfest-win-is-chiptuney-goodness-for-your-ears-268749.phtml

News::Is The Evil Within Resident Evils Biggest Nightmare?

Grainger Games takes a look at Shinji Mikami's The Evil Within, and how the game could be the survival horror to scare Capcom's Resident Evil into submission.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432119/is-the-evil-within-resident-evils-biggest-nightmare

News::Supergiants Transistor Shaping Up to Be Unforgettable Experience | Interview

OnlySP: Early in 2013, the public at PAX East got its first look at Transistor, the next game from Bastion developer Supergiant Games. Now, almost a year later, Transistor is looking more and more like a full game, said Greg Kasavin, writer and designer for Supergiant.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432168/supergiants-transistor-shaping-up-to-be-unforgettable-experience-interview

News::Dungeons of the Endless Preview - Doors of Doom | Gamer Horizon

You never know what could be behind closed doors, but in Dungeon of the Endless, you need to worry about previously opened doors as well.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432219/dungeons-of-the-endless-preview-doors-of-doom-gamer-horizon

News::Today on Steam: Torchlight II Free Weekend, Metal Gear Rising Revengeance and more

SteamFirst: I am back to share more about the happenings on Steam today. Have a look below at what is available now, sales and free weekends. Torchlight II Free Weekend Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Monsters & Munitions early access



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432239/today-on-steam-torchlight-ii-free-weekend-metal-gear-rising-revengeance-and-more

News::Batman: Arkham Origins Multiplayer Update For PC and Console

Batman: Arkham Origins Multiplayer update for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 offers better matchmaking! PC received several fixes and voice chat!



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432267/batman-arkham-origins-multiplayer-update-for-pc-and-console

News::Philosophy of Video Games - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The opening sequences of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim arent exactly Imperial propaganda material. The player has been kidnapped alongside members of the Stormcloaks, a revolutionary faction, and an Empire bigwig decides that the best policy is execute now, ask questions later, despite the player being conspicuously absent from her naughty list. Although the Imperial with a mediaeval clipboard sympathises, the player is soon face-to-blade with a rather large axe; but before said axe is introduced to the players neck, the person wielding it is distracted by an altogether unfriendly dragon, who has turned up to rain fire on the Empires parade. Still, the player escapes the chopping block; it seems that even clouds hiding dragons behind them have silver linings.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432297/philosophy-of-video-games-the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim

News::Bigger Is Not Always Better; Why Titanfalls 6v6 Player Cap Is Actually A Good Thing

Nerdacy: Respawn Entertainment's Microsoft exclusive, Titanfall, has a player cap at 6v6 and that's a good thing! We need to stop playing the numbers game, it gets nowhere.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432300/bigger-is-not-always-better-why-titanfalls-6v6-player-cap-is-actually-a-good-thing

News::New Years resolutions for the games industry

16BitKings - "Having already done the most clichéd New Years resolution imaginable (joining the gym), I thought Id help out the gaming industry with some ideas for resolutions of their own. Honourable mentions include stop adding quick time events and release/make Half-Life 3."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432329/new-years-resolutions-for-the-games-industry

News::Fallout 4: Fact and Fiction

What is fact and what is fiction? Are the casting documents actually real? Is the email really hinting to a December 1, 2014 announcement or to a more recent January 12, 2014 one? What is fact and what is fiction? It can only be speculated at this point. Right? Maybe ...



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432338/fallout-4-fact-and-fiction

News::Konami's Cox talks Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, next-gen possibilities

After a recent behind-closed-doors hands on session with the upcoming action game Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 from Konami, Lead Game Producer Dave Cox took some time out of his busy schedule to chat about the game with News10's Game Guy Barry White.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1432378/konamis-cox-talks-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2-next-gen-possibilities

News::You Got Your Magical Girls in my Earth Defense Force!