Xbox

XCOM Enemy Unknown iPad

Editorials, Game Diary

Why I Want a $60 Game for My iPad … and Why You Should Too

Way back in 2009, I was lamenting the insulting cheapness of App Store games, and also the destructive ‘race for the bottom’ in terms of mobile game pricing. At the time we were seeing big game companies struggle due to the large budgets of ‘AAA’ games requiring massive sales volumes, and that dictating choices made in terms of franchises to pursue and so on. Over the last few years, Indie games have exploded, and they have shown that for a much smaller budget a game can still deliver a high-quality experience. And yet on the iPad we are still getting an…

Microsoft Pulls a 180 on XBOX One DRM

Editorials, Game Diary

Microsoft Does a 180 on Xbox One DRM, but At What Cost?

There are two elements to every pitch – the idea and the delivery. There is also the context of the surrounding world at the time of the pitch, the mind frame of those receiving the pitch, and the competitiveness of the landscape. That said, there is fairly widespread agreement that Microsoft got everything wrong with the initial introduction and E3 pitch for its upcoming Xbox One console. It was so bad that Sony ‘won’ simply by not being Microsoft, and Nintendo got loads of attention by declaring ‘we’re all about games’ – something that ended up sounding all but revolutionary…

Wrapping Up E3 - Promising Video Game Consoles and Games Were Plentiful

Events, Game Diary

Wrapping Up E3 – Promising Video Game Consoles and Games Were Plentiful

This year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) at the Los Angeles Convention Center (June 11 through 13) featured endless announcements about highly anticipated gaming entertainment, which hopes to increase the video game market’s size and profitability later this year…just in time for the holidays. While there we saw numerous presentations and got to see an assortment of new and upcoming hardware. As mentioned in Michael Anderson’s recent article regarding the PC role in console gaming, both are important. Nintendo got even more added control by not issuing a live presentation yet enjoying their regular “booth” presence at the show. Microsoft and Sony…

XBONE Running Windows 7

Game Diary, News

Apparently the Future of Consoles IS PC Gaming?!?

Everyone who has followed the E3 game conference for more than a year knows the basics – new hardware is introduced, and hot new awesome looking games are trotted out just to demonstrate how hot and awesome everything will be once it all ships. In years past some of this was done by way of screenshots and trailers … but those became known as ‘bullshots’, because it became immediately clear that none of it was actually real game screens or footage. More recently the bullshots moved to E3 product demos, in which product managers showing off games would take their…

Amazon Orders

Gear Bits

Can You Remember Your First Ever Order from Amazon?

Do you order items from Amazon? If so, do you remember your very first order ever? I couldn’t have told you on a bet, but the other day I found out that it is possible to look back and see every order that you’ve ever made. If you sign into your account and go to Your Account/Your Orders, you’ll see your orders from the past six months. But if you go into the drop down menu on the upper right corner, you’ll have the option to go back to the very first year you ordered, and once in, you can easily navigate to…

PlayStation 4 vs. Xbox One, Round 2

Editorials, Game Diary

PlayStation 4 vs. Xbox One, Round 2

After getting a good look at the PlayStation 4 plus more information and a better view of the Xbox One at E3, consumers can make more informed decisions leading up to the upcoming holiday release of both next-gen consoles. The biggest element, as usual, is price with the PS4 coming in at $399 – $100 less than Xbox One. Sony has learned from the past when the PlayStation 3 was originally priced at $599— $100 higher than Xbox 360. Microsoft has usually hit the price points well avoiding these issues that Sony (PS3) and Nintendo (3DS) endured. Now, our favorite here…

Microsoft Presentation Summary - E3 2013

Game Diary, News

Microsoft Presentation Summary – E3 2013

Microsoft revealed the release date and price for the Xbox One at this year’s presentation at E3- November 2013 and $499. The Xbox One Day One Edition is now on sale on Amazon and GameStop (all as special bundles with games). Microsoft has hit the price points well so far while avoiding snafus like Nintendo (3DS) and Sony, which originally priced the PlayStation at $599…$100 higher than the Xbox 360. The special editions and different bundles might offset any sticker shock. Xbox One hardware will not be compatible with Xbox 360 games. The “always on” Internet connection status will be…

Sony 2013 E3 Presentation Summary - Winning?

Events, Game Diary, News

Sony 2013 E3 Presentation Summary – Winning?

All eyes were on Sony last night to see how they would counter Microsoft’s earlier presentation, particularly regarding the new PlayStation 4 console versus the Xbox One. Sony began their presentation with the usual pomp and circumstance to get the crowd pumped up then concentrated on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita (125 games and counting since its launch). Game announcements for the PlayStation Vita, the “companion for PS4”, included a remaster God of War HD 1 & 2, Final Fantasy 10 and 10-2, Flower, Dead Nation. Other upcoming PlayStation Vita titles include:

Here Come the E3 2013 Games!

Events, Game Diary, News

Here Come the E3 2013 Games!

Now to concentrate on the main content at the 2013 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) – the games! Microsoft has plenty of new Xbox One launch games coming before the end of the year including Ryse, the racing sequel Forza Motorsport 5 and Quantum Break, a sci-fi action game that will release at the same time as the television series. Sony will have their PlayStation 4 launch games in full force including the racing game sequel Gran Turismo 6, action shooter Killzone: Shadow Fall (set 30 years after Killzone 3), the action adventure filled Knack featuring an advanced robot as the…

Nintendo Presentation Summary at E3 2013 - Overshadowed by Xbox and PlayStation?

Events, Game Diary, News

Nintendo Presentation Summary at E3 2013 – Overshadowed by Xbox and PlayStation?

Nintendo concentrated on boosting their game library, especially for the Wii U console and handheld 3DS console, in their annual E3 presentation (pre-recorded) this year (they still have their regular large display area). Players can get their own taste of E3 by taking advantage of Nintendo’s partnership with Best Buy. Select stores will off advanced playable demo versions of Super Mario 3D World, Mario Kart 8, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD and Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tropical Freeze on Wednesday, June 12 at 4-8 p.m. local times and 1-5 p.m. local time on Saturday, June 15.

Sony Used Game Instructions

Editorials, Game Diary

Sony Thumps Microsoft on Key Hardcore Gaming Weaknesses in Two Videos

Mike Siebenaler will be giving us a thorough look at all of the E3 presentations in the coming days, but as a primarily PC gamer sitting on the sidelines I had a couple of observations on what would draw me in or push me away from the new consoles. When Microsoft announced the XBOX One, there were many concerns from hardcore gamers about used games, indie developers, backwards compatibility and more. Since then we have learned more from Microsoft … some good, some not so good. But in the context of used games and online requirements, Microsoft has said that…

Deus Ex The Fall

Game Diary, Gear Bits, News

Deus Ex: The Fall Announced, Bringing Classic Franchise to iOS Devices!

The history of the Deus Ex goes back to the PC-only release of the 2000 cyberpunk story-based action-RPG shooter hybrid from Warren Spector and ION Storm (a PS2 port came in 2002). To say that the game was groundbreaking doesn’t begin to cover it … the combination of elements from various genres were each done extremely well – so shooter fans loved it, RPG fans loved it, adventure-story fans loved it, graphics fans loved it and so on. In fact:

Saints Row IV Collector's Edition Announcement

Game Diary, News

Saints Row IV Collector’s Edition Announcement

Get your late summer action now! The Saints Row IV Collector’s Edition: the Super Dangerous Wub Wub Edition is now available for preorder on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 at all participating North American retailers in limited quantities. This collector’s edition is listed at a MSP of $99.99 and will officially release with the standard version (PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360) and Commander in Chief Edition (PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360) on August 20, 2013. The Saints Row IV Collector’s Edition: the Super Dangerous Wub Wub Edition will include a 12 inch Dub Step gun replica that will deliver…

E3 2013 Schedule of Company Presentation Overviews

Game Diary, News

E3 2013 Schedule of Company Presentation Overviews

NOTE: This collaborative article was co-written with our special correspondent Wayne Beck. This year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) will bring more details about the highly anticipated new consoles from Sony and Microsoft, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, while Nintendo looks to bolster their WiiU game library. The used game market, high-profile games, and independent sleep hits will also be on our radar. The main festivities of the E3 show occur on-site in California on Tuesday, June 11 (noon to 6 p.m.), June 12 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and Thursday June 13 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Here are…

Xbox One - What about Gaming?

Editorials, Game Diary

XBOX One Fallout – No XBOX or X360 Games, No Indies, No Used Games, and More

Well, THAT didn’t take long! In fewer than a dozen hours the XBOX One reveal went from being exciting … to a disappointment. Over at GameIndustry.biz they are already calling the reveal of the XBOX One an ‘awful start’, and discussing how Microsoft needs to redeem itself at E3. Of course, leave it to Ctrl-Alt-Del to joke about how Sony hasn’t even figured out how to assemble their new console yet! Rather than pontificate on that sort of stuff, I wanted to address 5 areas of concern to me as a PC gamer:

Popcornflix Partnership Enhances Digital Movie Xbox 360 Application

Game Diary, News

Popcornflix Partnership Enhances Digital Movie Xbox 360 Application

The popcorn keeps expanding at the Popcornflix movie streaming service, as Unicorn Media, a leading Internet video solutions provider, announced partnerships with Cypress and Screen Media Ventures, LLC for expanding the free Popcornflix app on Xbox LIVE (gold subscribers).  Popcornflix also owns and distributes its own content via iOS and Android apps, Roku, connected TVs and online for free. Screen Media Ventures, LLC developed and owns Popcornflix. Cypress, in conjunction with Screen Media Ventures, developed the Popcornflix Xbox LIVE app using CypressX, Cypress is a digital agency that creates apps that provide interactive experiences across mobile platforms and gaming consoles….

Microsoft's Xbox One Initial Presentation - Technology That Will Step Behind the Curtain and Let You Take Center Stage

Game Diary, News

Microsoft’s Xbox One Initial Presentation – Technology That Will Step Behind the Curtain and Let You Take Center Stage

“The beginning of truly intelligent TV”… “A huge day for all entertainment”… These are some of the memorable quotes from today’s Microsoft Xbox announcement presentation, which included two female media executives sharing the stage, military dogs in the next Call of Duty game, Steven Spielberg, exclusive sport partnerships, and, mostly importantly, the “All in One” Xbox One system – technology that will step behind the curtain and let you take center stage. I felt this presentation was about smart media integration and expanding consumer offerings more than actual information beyond improved computer power/processing. The big hardware setup innovation was having…

mickeywars

Game Diary, News

Disturbance in the Force as EA Gets License to Make Star Wars Games!

Taking top prize of a consumer poll two years in a row is something most companies would dream of … unless you are EA, and the poll is ‘Worst Company in America’. That’s right, EA made history by capturing the title an unprecedented two years in a row. How? Trashing beloved franchises, over-enthusiastic nickel-and-diming via DLC, and psychologist and analyst enhanced extortion through freemium games (yes, they actually have behavior-analyst teams designing games to get you to spend $100 over time on something you wouldn’t pay $5 for upfront!). So imagine the excitement of the gaming community when the most…

Pizza Hut Delivery Application Released on Xbox 360 ... Really?

Editorials, Game Diary

Pizza Hut Delivery Application Released on Xbox 360 … Really?

I recently saw an article from USA Today on a new “Create Your Pizza App” Xbox 360 app that lets users order food from Pizza Hut right from this game console. This free app includes the full Pizza Hut menu. The app caught my interest while the justification for the app was laughable to me. A different way of doing the same thing. Each app element was socially constructed based on our experience…how we relate to the elements individually or collectively. There are many social factors working here. Overall, pizza delivery is something many people use it and I don’t…