News::Intense music game 'Thumper' is a PlayStation VR launch title

Chalk up one more game available day and date alongside PlayStation VR. Drool has revealed that Thumper, its PSVR "rhythm hell" music title, will launch in sync with the headset on October 13th at a reasonable $20 price. As the developers put it, this isn't just a 2D game with virtual reality slapped on top. While regular TV gaming is an option, Thumper is built to create an "overwhelming sense of speed" when you're wearing PSVR. In short: if you take breaks, it may be less about VR queasiness and more about needing a respite from the game's relentless pace.

Source: PlayStation Blog, Iam8bit

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News::PS Plus members get free early access to 'Paragon' on July 5th

In more Games That Aren't Overwatch news, Epic Studios is offering PlayStation Plus members a $20 Starter Pack for its hero brawler Paragon for free. That includes early access to the game over a month before the open beta launches on August 16.

Source: Epic Games blog

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News::Last PlayStation VR pre-orders start on June 30th

Did you miss out on the first round of PlayStation VR pre-orders, but remain determined to get Sony's virtual reality headset on launch day? You have one last (official) chance to make it happen. Sony has reiterated that its final wave of American PSVR pre-orders starts on June 30th at 10AM Eastern, when you can snag the PS4 wearable through GameStop's website. The company is promising that stores will have units on release should you miss out, but let's be honest -- if you're an early adopter, you probably don't want to risk going VR-free come October 13th.

Source: PlayStation Blog

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News::Delays plague PlayStation 4 'Fallout 4' mod update

If you were looking to further explore Fallout 4's modding community as a PlayStation 4 owner, unfortunately you're going to have to wait a little longer. Bethesda has announced a delay to the PS4 Mods Beta, and hasn't yet given an ETA on when we can expect to see them become available.

Via: Destructoid

Source: Twitter

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News::NFL legend Jim Brown settles 'Madden' lawsuit with EA

Nearly eight years after Jim Brown sued EA over the use of his likeness in Madden 09, the two parties are finally settling the case. According to Hagens Berman, the law firm that represents the legendary NFL running back, Brown, 80, will receive a $600,000 compensation from the video game maker in exchange for a dismissal and release of his claims. Back in 2008 the former Cleveland Browns player said EA had asked to feature him in the popular football franchise, but he declined the request.

Via: ESPN

Source: Hagens Berman

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News::The PlayStation 4 revisited: Small improvements for a solid system

Engadget is re-reviewing the current generation of game consoles, each of which has benefited from major firmware updates, price drops and an improved selection of games. We've already revisited the Xbox One, and now it's the PlayStation 4's turn. Though we've raised the score from 83 to 86, you can still find our original PS4 review here, if you're curious to read what we said at launch.

The PlayStation 4 has outsold its closest competition, the Xbox One, for most of the time since the two systems launched in November 2013. In fact, according to recently released sales figures Sony has moved some 40 million units over the past two years. Based on the company's earnings reports, those sales have helped keep Sony afloat -- even after the console's price dropped from $400 to $350.

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News::'Oddworld' creator on how customer feedback changed gaming

When Lorne Lanning released Abe's Oddysee, the 1997 hit PlayStation and PC platformer, "most people didn't know what 'www' meant." 19 years later, the world has changed, and the videogame industry with it.

Abe's Oddysee was the first title set in Oddworld, a fictional universe that Lanning has devoted his career to. He followed it up the next year with a sequel, Abe's Exodus, released Munch's Oddysee in 2001, and Stranger's Wrath in 2005. During this time, the internet developed significantly, but developers had yet to learn how to use it to their advantage.

Lanning and I sat on the floor of a busy conference center, surrounded by developers, fans, other journalists and "terrible, terrible live music." We were supposed to meet to chat about Soulstorm, a follow-up to 2014's Abe's Oddysee remake New 'n' Tasty. Sadly, we're stuck talking around that piece of news, as just a week before our meeting the decision was made to delay the formal unveiling of the game. Luckily, Lanning is nothing if not loquacious, and instead we talk about the changing state of the industry over the past two decades.

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News::Students can get a free Xbox One with a Surface Pro 4

With a new, slimmer Xbox One waiting in the wings, Microsoft is doing everything in its power to get rid of the older model. The original Xbox One is already down to $299, and starting today students can get it for free when they buy a Surface Pro 4 in the US. As the Verge reports, you'll need to step into a retail store to take advantage of the deal -- it runs until August 14th and will be sold as a $300 discount on the pair's combined price. "So basically a free Xbox One with the purchase of a Surface Pro 4," Terry Myerson, head of Windows and devices at Microsoft confirmed.

Source: The Verge

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News::AMD's Radeon RX 480 is the new king of budget video cards

Instead of trying to build the biggest and most powerful video card on the market, AMD aimed at the low end for the Radeon RX 480. But that doesn't make it any less exciting than NVIDIA's recent powerhouse GeForce GTX 1080 and 1070 cards. AMD's pitch for the RX 480 is simple: It's a $200 card that's VR-ready. That's huge, especially since the current batch of GPUs that meet minimum VR specs cost around $350 today. I'll admit, I was skeptical when AMD announced the RX 480 at Computex last month. But after putting one through its paces over the past few days, I feel like Han Solo in The Force Awakens. It's true. All of it.

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News::Solve an FMV mystery with 'Her Story' on Android

It took a year, but Her Story, Sam Barlow's mystery game, has been ported to Android. Her Story is a full-motion video game where you're tasked with piecing together a story through watching short excerpts of interviews. The only mechanic you have at your disposal is a search tool, which lets you bring up clips that contain certain words or phrases. There are hundreds of clips to search through, and by the end of the game you'll have unravelled a fantastic story.

Her Story won many accolades, including the coveted Aaron Souppouris award for Favourite Video Game of 2015. Less prestigious organizations like the BAFTA Game Awards also recognized the game, handing out three prizes for best debut game, best mobile game, and game innovation. It's available from Google Play for $2.99, which is a couple of dollars less than its price on iOS.

Source: Sam Barlow (Google Play)

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News::Abduct four pals for couch co-op in PS4's 'Alienation'

What's better than mowing down (virtual) alien hordes with a buddy sitting right next to you? When it comes to video games, not much. That's why the fine Finnish folks at developer Housemarque are adding local co-op to the top-down, xenophobic shooter Alienation next week. Come July 5th, up to four players can join in on the same-screen mayhem according to a post on the studio's blog. That's not all either, because the update also brings in a competitive play system dubbed "leagues," and a pair of crushing new difficulty levels for the folks who could probably play the game with their eyes shut by now.

Source: Housemarque

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News::'The Banner Saga 2' is making its PS4 debut earlier than expected

The Banner Saga was a gorgeous tactical role-playing game with some of the most attractive art around, akin to that of a great-looking animated movie. Its sequel The Banner Saga 2 was planned originally for a July 26th release, but porting team Shiny Shoe is ahead of schedule, so instead it's actually coming out next Tuesday, July 5th.

Source: PlayStation Blog

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News::Valve's mobile version of Steam finally hits Windows Phone

Steam hasn't forgotten about the remaining Windows Phone faithful. It just seemed that way, with folks on Android and iOS getting a mobile app way back in 2012. The Windows Store listing says that you'll be able to use Stream Guard's authentication system, trade and sell items, keep an eye on the game marketplace and remote download and install games to your PC via the application. Just in time for this year's summer sale; how about that?

Via: Steam Community

Source: Windows Store

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