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June 22, 2013
As technology evolves, there are some steps that are needed to move the masses forward. For example, we went from video and cassette tapes to CDs and DVDs, and before that we had vinyl. We're currently seeing a shift from DVD to Blu-ray as well, and now, on top of that, a lot of the world has started to move to 'HD only.'
This is certainly the case when regarding the PlayStation 4- the next gen console will only have HDMI adaptively, so if you want to make the most of it, you'll need an HD capable TV.
Luckily though, if you've bought a TV in the last 6 or 7 years it's more than likely your TV already has HDMI input, and if it doesn't perhaps it's time for you to update your living room a little.
Although it's not confirmed, it wouldn't surprise me if the Xbox One had the same connection options. We also don't know yet whether you'll be able to use an adapter, and if you can, what quality will be reached by using such equipment.
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June 17, 2013
A lot of grumbles and groans have been directed at Microsoft for forcing users to buy the Kinect 2.0 sensor when buying an Xbox One. One reason for this is privacy- amongst talk about the NSA snooping data and Microsoft having an online connection, there's a reason to be concerned- but the other reason is much more consumer-based, and this comes down to price.
This is one of the reasons Shuhei Yoshida of Sony decided not to include their camera with the PS4, saying that "Rather than forcing every user to buy the camera, I think it's better to to allow a separate purchase just for those that will enjoy it. Selling the camera separately means that the main console can be more affordable."
Yoshida also believes that making the camera mandatory is a bad choice right now as it is a medium that many have yet to adapt to- "I believe, and this is personal opinion, that for a technology to gain universal acceptance a certain degree of maturity
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June 15, 2013
If you have been persuaded to not get an Xbox One as a result of the E3 press conferences or what you have read online, you might not be the only one.
Amazon recently asked their consumers to vote on one simple thing: Would you prefer an Xbox One or a PlayStation 4? The results that followed were staggering, and it showed that the most vocal gamers are choosing the PlayStation's next console, the PS4 over the Xbox One. While the results of the survey may not pan out as poorly for Microsoft as it may appear, it cannot be a good thing for Microsoft to see.
The vote ended with a huge 38,984 votes for the PS4, and just 2,162 votes for the Xbox One. The PS4 received close to 20 times the amount of votes the Xbox One did.
It will be interesting to see what changes Microsoft might make in their policies to respond to the negative press or what new reveals they might have to settle consumer worries.
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June 15, 2013
Thanks to Reddit user IceBreak, we now have a huge confirmed list of all of the titles available to the PlayStation 4 at launch. Some will be ported over from PC, others will be available on other platforms such as the Xbox One or older generation consoles, and some will be exclusive to the PlayStation 4.
Luckily, IceBreak listed them in a format that's easy to tell what's what, and we've made it even easier so you can check what exclusives the PS4 has, as well as what other titles will be coming at a glance.
Console Exclusives:
Super Stardust (Untitled)
Hohokum
inFAMOUS: Second Son
Killzone: Shadow Fall
Knack
Doki-Doki Universe [Free-to-Play]
DriveClub
Destiny of SpiritsPC Ports:
DC Universe Online [Free-to-Play]
Blacklight: Retribution [Free-to-Play]
Daylight
Carmageddon: Reincarnation
Planetside 2 [Free-to-Play]
Primal Carnage: -
June 10, 2013
Whilst the Sony E3 press release, a place where we'll see the PlayStation 4 in all its glory for the first time is only just later today, we thought it'd be worth looking at a fan made concept design of the PlayStation 4. The Reddit user took lots of screens of the teaser video to help piece together what he thinks the PlayStation 4 may end up looking like.
The Reddit user went onto describing his design, saying that "I rendered these a few weeks ago but didn't have the time to post these until now. Was finishing my bachelor in Graphic Design."
The Reddit user got inspiration from Albino-Zebra's rendering and decided to have a shot at himself for the PlayStation 4.
He then took inspiration from other renders and the teaser video to make his own, using plenty of ideas to fuel his imagination.
Overall, the design looks like a more squared out version of the PlayStation 3, with a nice strip of cobalt blue going through the middle of the design.
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June 10, 2013
Whilst you should always take an analyst's word with a pinch of salt, their estimates on prices are usually well thought out. Investment firm Wedbush Morgan has made some comments on the pricing and production costs of both next-gen consoles, with Michael Pachter, analyst for the company, stating that the PlayStation 4 will retail in the United States for $349.
He also stated that the Xbox One could retail for $399, and that production costs for each individual Xbox is $325. The PlayStation 4 is also similarly priced with a production cost of $275.
If these stats are true, there's no denying that these prices are quite fair on the customer considering the high production costs, however, Michael Pachter has been wrong in the past, like many analysts.
Pachter also talked about possible subscription methods for the Xbox. This would make sense - Microsoft has already tried such plans for the Xbox 360 in the US.
"We believe
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June 05, 2013
The above words aren't my own, but are instead the words of Craig Davidson, the head of global marketing at Microsoft. He believes that at this year's E3, Microsoft will put up a show capable of kicking Sony and their PlayStation 4 in the dust...already.
However, after Microsoft disappointed gamers by revealing a huge amount of sports, sports, sports and TV on the Xbox One, there is no doubt that many gamers are looking to the PlayStation 4 instead.
Perhaps Microsoft can woo the crowd at E3, but with the non-gaming related media content, pay-to-play second hand gaming, worse hardware than the PS4 and bundled Kinect 2.0 sensor that will only raise the cost of the overall price, Microsoft have dug themselves a hole that's going to be very hard to get out of.
There's no doubt that both Sony and Microsoft will be trying to get the most attention at E3, but to be honest, right now it's much too hard to work out who will come out on top at the end of this
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June 02, 2013
Amazon's German site has recently posted a listing for Mirror's Edge 2, a game that carries on from the first back in 2008, and hasn't yet been confirmed or announced by EA.
The page didn't show any information on the game and lacked a release date, as well as using placeholder box art for the product image. Back in November 2012, EA Easy general manager Ben Cousins did confirm the Mirrors Edge 2 was under development, stating on Twitter that "It is general knowledge in the Stockholm dev scene that Mirror's Edge 2 is in production at DICE."
However, there hasn't been any information on the title since.
Seeing as E3 is now just around the corner, it'd make sense that the 3D action FPS platformer may make its announcement at E3 and will be revealed for PlayStation 4 and Xbox 360.
More information on what the new game will include is currently unknown, and seeing as the last game was released in 2008, and in 2009 for a PC port of the game, I have a feeling DICE
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June 01, 2013
Although some details are still under wraps about the Xbox One, Microsoft did share a few details about the achievement system, saying that the system has had some fundamental changes to the way it works and how players interact with their achievements.
Unlike with the Xbox 360, achievements won't be tied down to games, and whilst there are likely to be game-specific achievements, it sounds as if you'll be able to progress with achievements across multiple games.
It could be possible that some games can contribute to achievements like '1,000 total headshots' but I can imagine most of these achievements to be things like '50 total hours played' or '25 games played.'
Players will also be able to upload and share footage of their games and achievement progress, similarly to the PlayStation 4's new share feature that was revealed earlier this year.
Currently details are a bit sparse, but it's likely we'll hear more about the new dynamic achievement system soon.
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May 27, 2013
A lot of PC MMO developers have considered moving their titles to next gen consoles. We already know the popular free FPS Blacklight: Retribution will make it to PS4, and rumors have been going around about Planetside 2 hitting console as well.
This early on in the next generation of console it's hard to tell what will actually hit the console and what won't so it's refreshing to see that War Thunder, a free arcade World War 2 flight MMO by Gaijin Entertainment, will make its debut to PlayStation 4 sometime in Holiday 2013.
The game will offer a free experience similar to the PC version, although the game will have 'more intuitive controls' thanks to Sony's Dual Shock 4 controller.
"We're convinced that our cooperation with Sony will not only make the War Thunder franchise better, but it will give our fans a new level of gaming experience that will figuratively blown their mind," Said Kirill Yudintse,