Category Archives: Technology
GTA V Pre-Order Bonuses announced
All pre-orders get access to the blimp.
The Special Edition of the game offers you this.
The Collectors Edition offers you the most content and is expected to cost the most.
These pre-orders are expected to be made available later today (May 23, 2013).
New Need for Speed picture hits the web.
EA teased the upcoming next gen Need for Speed today on its facebook page. Need for Speed is expected to be revealed at E3 along with looks at Battlefield 4 and the EA Sports titles revealed at the Xbox One reveal.
The E3 before E3 even hits; the Xbox One reveal: The Day After
Yesterday was a great day for gamers, it was like having an E3 before E3 even hits. To put this comment in perspective lets focus on what gamers even go to or watch E3 for. The easy and short answer is this, new games, new info on already announced games, and just to get a good feel for games that weren’t on their radar. A lot of overall hype for games being generated because of this event. Well lets get back to the original point here, what was yesterday? Essentially a mini one hour E3 that features Microsoft and them only. What it was if you want to look at it was hour one of a two hour E3 press event just on different days.
And quite frankly if hour two is anything like hour one Microsoft is in trouble because that was brutally boring. I love sports, and I love the fact that EA Sports had a spot in the conference. However in terms of what EA showed, there was nothing notable that stood out outside of announcing the Ignite Engine and that sounds great on paper, however what was shown wasn’t enough to really get excited or discouraged about (despite what comments you might read around the internet which has been hard on NBA Live to this point from what I have observed).
The whole all in one device idea was a little out there too, if it is going to be a pain to set up I think most people would not even bother using this feature, it isn’t like it is going to be forced onto the player like the Kinect 2.0 for example though that shouldn’t be to big of an issue this time around, it feels more like it belongs as opposed to being forced into games like the first Kinect.
If you look at yesterday’s conference it was more of the entertainment side of things and not much about gaming. I feel like in terms of gaming the event failed to produce much hype. It was Microsoft’s opportunity to take a hold of the spotlight and build on it with E3 and they really just failed on all fronts on that.
I never discussed the design yesterday, but is it me, or does the Xbox One kind of remind you of a boxy version of the Playstation 3 but only on a smaller scale and less gloss? I mean I like the design but it doesn’t come out at you like some fan made renderings I have seen in the past and said “now this is a cool design”. In terms of the controller, it looks nice, I think it will take a little getting used to having the silver circle at the top of the controller as opposed to in the middle between what used to be the Back and Start buttons on the 360 controller which I favor even though I am exclusively a PS3 guy now that I traded in my Xbox 360 last year. But back to the Xbox One controller, I think that controller can be a nice addition to future designs of the Xbox, I think it nails it, and now you won’t hit the silver button instead of start or back when that was the original intent.
I don’t want to sound like I hate Microsoft or the Xbox because I actually like both, but I am here to offer an opinion and so far as of almost a day later, I am not that keen on what was shown at the Xbox unveil, I feel like Sony nailed their press conference in late February with the PS4, mainly because they revealed a lot of games and details about the PS4 whereas Microsoft dropped the ball in terms of exciting the gaming community, as a whole Xbox One looks like a great package with a lot of potential, but in terms of games, it is hard to even tell at this point without seeing more since a lot of these games were revealed via trailers.
Come E3 we will see a lot more of both consoles, and we can really start to get excited about the next wave of consoles which will be out just short of a half of a year later, which is fine because at that point we’ll get a blast of refreshing new games for the current generation consoles including Grand Theft Auto V.
Press Release for EA Sports’ new Ignite Engine (Updated: Trailer and Logo added)
NEW EA SPORTS IGNITE ENGINE TO POWER EA SPORTS GAMES ON NEXT GENERATION CONSOLES
Madden NFL 25, FIFA 14, NBA LIVE 14 and EA SPORTS UFC to Launch Within Next 12 Months
Electronic Arts Inc. announced today that it has developed EA SPORTS™ IGNITE (see the trailer here, if embedded video doesn’t work), a new game engine that will power EA SPORTS games on Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PlayStation®4. (Check out the blog and three more videos here) Fueled by EA SPORTS IGNITE, EA SPORTS games will be alive with players who think, move, and behave like real athletes and dynamic living worlds, transforming the way people play and experience games on next gen consoles. Created with the EA SPORTS IGNITE engine, Madden NFL 25, FIFA 14, NBA LIVE 14, and EA SPORTS™ UFC, will each launch within the next 12 months.
EA SPORTS IGNITE blends new technology with the best rendering, run-time physics, animation, intelligence, locomotion, and online systems from across EA into one powerful, new engine. Athletes will possess human-like intelligence for advanced decision-making, players will have the agility required to change speeds and directions with true athletic motion, and living worlds will make the game experience as rich and dynamic as real-world stadiums and arenas.
“Through years of investment and innovation, we have built technology across EA SPORTS to create a game engine that will deliver stunning accuracy, realism and experiences that we previously could only dream about,” said Andrew Wilson, Executive Vice President and Head of EA SPORTS. “With EA SPORTS IGNITE and the power of next generation consoles, our games will come alive—with more authenticity, more emotion, more connectivity, and more fun.”
Athletes in EA SPORTS next gen games will be able to make intelligent decisions with human-like reaction times. EA SPORTS IGNITE computes four times more calculations per second than previous consoles, unlocking nearly infinite potential for how players think, and enabling them to make more difficult decisions faster. Players are alive with contextual awareness and instincts—thinking, anticipating, and reacting—just like real athletes, and players are conscious of their environment. In FIFA 14, for example, a player’s sense of urgency increases as the match draws on and a goal is needed, rushing to take a free kick, corner, or goal-kick if time is running down.
EA SPORTS IGNITE will deliver the dynamic movements and biomechanics of the world’s best athletes. With 10 times more animation depth and detail than previous consoles, and thousands of new sport-specific animations to drive new locomotion systems, players now plant, pivot and cut, quickly change speeds, and shift momentum with the agility and explosiveness of superstar athletes.
EA SPORTS games for the next generation will have stunning accuracy and visuals. By creating living worlds, the in-game environment is now as dynamic as real-world stadiums and arenas that change throughout a match. For the first time ever, 3D crowds and dynamic sidelines will impact the experience, and rich sports atmospheres will change organically based on the progress of a match. Player actions will change depending on the situation, and crowds will have an expectation of how a game is likely to play out, and react accordingly.
Madden NFL 25, FIFA 14, EA SPORTS UFC and NBA LIVE 14, will release worldwide within the next 12 months on Xbox One and the PlayStation 4, and will be available for pre-order soon. Madden NFL 25 will release in North America on August 27 and worldwide on August 30 on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. FIFA 14 will also be available on the Xbox 360, PlayStation3, PC and additional platforms. The release date has not yet been announced.
Xbox One Impressions
First off let me apologize for not getting this up sooner, I had to leave for a doctors appointment as soon as the show ended so I could get this up any sooner.
Anyway my impression of Microsoft’s unveil is favorable, I liked what I saw from them at first I was a little underwhelmed but as I thought about it after the show I warmed up to the idea of an all in one system that allows us to change channels, surf the web and so forth. I just hope it isn’t too complex to set up.
EA Sports also made an appearance briefly showing off Madden 25, NBA Live 14, FIFA and UFC with next generation and it looked pretty good, the small glimpses were not enough to show off the graphics or even gameplay for any of the games. But the Ignite Engine sounds very promising, it emphasizes smarter AI, better crowds, and more realistic visuals.
One thing that might tick off EA Sports customers is that it appears that FIFA Ultimate Team will be a Xbox One exclusive according to Andrew Wilson. On that subject I have to say that I hope that if the EA Sports games go exclusive for any mode it is just Ultimate Team and not things like the newly unveiled Connected Franchise or Owner mode for Madden 25 and beyond. This could be a huge problem if the EA, Microsoft love fest includes more game modes.
In terms of games this unveil did not have much, however I enjoyed two games in particular, Quantum Break, and Call of Duty: Ghosts. Quantum Break is a game that no one has any info on but it looks amazing visually as it should on the next generation consoles at this point. Quantum Break will be an Xbox One exclusive.
Call of Duty had an inside look at how the game was made, one of the things I liked was that you have your own dog that you can use to sniff out bombs and other stuff in the field. The game is also expected to be on current gen and next gen consoles as well as the PC.
Overall I was impressed with Microsoft today, I didn’t expect the console to have the power to do so much as an all in one device, I admit that is pretty impressive, it makes the console great as an all around device. However I think if Microsoft prices it to be more than the PS4 it can be a terrible mistake on their part.
What did you think of the conference? What games impressed you?
Assassins Creed IV and Watch Dogs top the list of 6 games coming to Xbox One in first 12 months (Ubisoft sent us over 2 new screens)
Watch Dogs
Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag
Publisher Plans to Deliver At Least Six Next-Gen Games for Xbox One During the System’s First 12 Months
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — May 21, 2013 — Today, following the announcement of Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Ubisoft revealed that two of its most highly-anticipated titles – Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag and Watch Dogs – will be available on the platform later this year. Ubisoft also announced that these titles will be among at least six next-gen games released for Xbox One in the system’s first year.
“The next generation of consoles will reinvigorate our industry and make it possible for us to deliver incredible new entertainment to gamers,” said Yves Guillemot, co-founder and chief executive officer, Ubisoft. “Our teams are using the innovations in connectivity, immersion and social gaming included in Xbox One to create original and memorable next-gen gaming experiences.”
In addition to Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag and Watch Dogs, Ubisoft will deliver a mix of new episodes of existing franchises, new IPs and digital titles for Xbox One within the system’s first 12 months on the market. More information about the lineup of games planned for the new system will be available during Ubisoft’s press conference at E3.
About Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag:
Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag tells the story of Edward Kenway, a young British man with a thirst for danger and adventure, who falls from privateering for the Royal Navy into piracy as the war between the major Empires comes to an end. Set at the dawn of the 18th Century, the game features some of the most infamous pirates in history, such as Blackbeard and Charles Vane, and takes players on a journey throughout the West Indies during a turbulent and violent period of time later to become known as the Golden Age of Pirates. Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag features a vast open world with more than 50 navigable locations. Combat combines the weaponry of the Assassin’s Order with armaments of the era, and rewards both daring and stealth. And the series’ acclaimed multiplayer experience is more varied and ruthless than ever in Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag.
About Watch Dogs
In Watch Dogs, players will be immersed in a living, breathing and fully connected recreation of Chicago. Players will assume the role of Aiden Pearce, a new type of vigilante who, with the help of his smartphone, will use his ability to hack into Chicago’s central operating system (ctOS) and control almost every element of the city. Aiden will be able to tap into the city’s omnipresent security cameras, download personal information to locate a target, control systems such as traffic lights or public transportation to stop a chase, and more. The city of Chicago is now the ultimate weapon. Fans can stay connected to Watch Dogs by visiting the official website, Facebook page and Twitter account.
About Ubisoft
Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher, and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified lineup of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 26 countries and has sales in more than 55 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. For the 2012-13 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,256 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
© 2013 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Assassin’s Creed, Black Flag, Watch Dogs, Ubisoft, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries.
Xbox One unveiled
Here is a look at the new Xbox One by Microsoft. I will have a recap of what was announced later on.
Opinions?
CALL OF JUAREZ® GUNSLINGER RELEASES WEDNESDAY MAY 22, 2013 (Includes 1 video and 10 screens)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — May 20th, 2013 – Ubisoft announces that Call of Juarez® Gunslinger will be available on Wednesday, May 22nd, for $14.99 as a downloadable console title and on PC through digital distribution channels. There are just two days left before Silas Greaves starts dispensing his own justice in the old Wild West.
Call of Juarez® Gunslinger is a real homage to the Wild West tales and era. Players will live the epic journey of Silas Greaves, a ruthless bounty hunter who spent his life on the trail of the West’s most notorious outlaws. Now it is Silas’ time to tell his story, which is linked to the history of the Wild West era: a mix of myths and historical facts.
Made of memorable encounters with some of the West’s most notorious names such as Billy the Kid, Pat Garret, Jesse James and Butch Cassidy, the game blurs the lines between man and myth. Call of Juarez® Gunslinger lets players live the greatest legends of the Old West.
Video:
WARNING: Blood and mild language in this video.
Screens:
Madden 25 blogs for Connected Franchise and Owner Mode released; Hands off Impressions (Updated with Small Screens)
Video:
Blogs:
http://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/news/article/connected-franchise
http://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/news/article/owner-mode
Impressions:
I really like what I see here, I wasn’t overly impressed with anything here, some decent changes, but nothing great. A bogus Madden 25 Anniversary edition of the game on Amazon didn’t help me get excited either. But today’s blogs definitely get me ready for a little Madden 25, and it is mainly because of one reason, the multi-player is back. That was one thing about Madden 13 that drove my ape[crap] about Madden 13, I couldn’t play it with my brother in multi-player, when in Madden 12 and all the others I could. I don’t know what portion of Madden 25 allows you to control all 32 teams but I do hope it is Connected Franchise AND Owner mode and not just one of them.
As I said earlier I am excited for the new menu’s I hope that it makes the mode more functional, because last years game was a giant mess, screen after screen and not being able to find half of the stuff you need to run the team properly. And the lack of a coaching strategy screen during the season was also confusing and really sloppy on Madden 13’s part. I guess they patched that in later on but I was already onto other games at that point, once you lose me I am not likely to come back, and Madden 13 lost my interest real quick.
Another thing that puzzled me was the the mid season contract extensions really ticked me off, I mean that never happens during a season, pre-season? Sure, but not during the season unless your the likes of Darrelle Revis, Maurice Jones-Drew or Chris Johnson but not mid season, it makes no sense. I think Madden tried to push the contracts part of it instead of sitting back and letting that get taken care of itself.
Here is a list of features that will come to Madden 25:
- Full 32 team control
- Imported Draft Classes
- A league Transactions Log
- New Commissioner Tools for Online Connected Franchise (at least this is how I read it from the blog)
As I said I love these additions, I think they make Madden from having me feel kind of low about Madden 25 to fairly excited about it. I might wait for the next gen consoles to get it though, either way if I pick up a copy I will review it with a critical eye because I was so disappointed last year.
What do you think? Please comment below.
ELECTROSPORTS 