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June 20, 2013
So it seems this time round DICE and EA have decided to partner up with Microsoft instead of Sony to offer timed exclusivity to the new Xbox One.
Battlefield 4 players will be able to get a map pack, named the Second Assault earlier than on any other console. We've already seen this kind of model on previous games, including Battlefield 3, a game that had timed exclusivity for the PlayStation 3.
Whilst this doesn't really strike up much of an issue (every console will have access to the maps at some point) it does bring up the need for a discussion on publishers and their attempts to turn every developer's actions into a bunch of cash.
Publishers have been strict on developers, forcing them to include day one DLC, season passes and exclusive deals for specific platforms. This can be an unsavory experience for us gamers, and makes us feel like nothing more than consumers of a product instead of gamers of a game that’s been developed by a passionate
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June 19, 2013
Microsoft may have announced their new console this year, but it seems that they aren't giving up on the current generation console, the Xbox 360, just yet, and to prove it, the company has announced a new Xbox 360 model.So, after starting with the clunky Vanilla model back in 2005, Xbox then moved to the multi-tiered system with the Pro, Arcade, and the Elite, and then went to redesigning the whole package in a much smoother and a whole lot quieter Xbox 360 Slim.
The new Xbox 360 Slim is perfect for me, but it seems Microsoft still want to release yet another round of the console.
This time round, their console resembles the Xbox One a little whilst still remaining the curved edges and front plates we're so used to seeing on every 360 model to date.
The new console also seems to be pretty cheap to- you'll be able to get the new Xbox 'E' for just 129.99 Euros in the UK. (around $200 in the US.)
If you haven't got an Xbox 360, this
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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 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 08, 2013
You may be wondering how we could make such a claim before the new Xbox console is even out, and with gamers shouting the walls of the internet down with their rage-filled cries of shock at the new Xbox, it would sound like a crazy claim to even think about making. However, Microsoft must be on the right track despite what many have been thinking.
Blockbuster has recently reported that the Xbox One has received more preorders than any other preorder in the history of Blockbuster (around 24 years). What this says at face value; many families and gamers alike seem to dig the home-media combo that is the Xbox One, and two, the Xbox One now caters for what the average consumer feels the need to have in their household.
If the Xbox One was released ten years, ago, I doubt it would reach this many pre-orders, but as we become more and more connected, Microsoft's direction with the Xbox One does actually make sense.
Perhaps the console isn't as game-centric
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June 07, 2013
With news from Microsoft about the whole used games fiasco, there's no doubt that we're all a little worried that Sony will take a similar route with the PlayStation 4. Many gamers and PlayStation fans took to twitter to hash tag the phrase #PS4NoDRM, which stands for PlayStation 4 no Digital Rights Management.
As you can guess, many gamers do not want Sony to make any more restrictions on the way we play games, especially when it comes to selling, buying and trading used video games.
So far we haven't got a straight-up answer from Sony about the issue, but instead, we have the president of Sony, Shuhei Yoshida, trolling everybody involved.
How did he do this? With this tweet-
"Death Ray Manta" coming to PlayStation Vita! #DRMPSVita http://www.inquisitr.com/678568/death-ray-manta-blasting-its-way-to-playstation-vita/
Whilst this doesn't
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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 04, 2013
There's nothing like a bit of a public trolling to reignite the fires of the console war. At least in Sony's eyes that is. Hours before the launch event for the Xbox One, Sony took to Twitter to poke fun at the Xbox and promote their new PlayStation 4 with a new Youtube video.
The tweet that was posted on the official PlayStation Europe twitter page said 'Also - If you haven't seen our #PS4 teaser video, where have you been?! As it's a slow news day... here it is: http://bit.ly/12oYGG7'
The link sends the reader to a new Youtube video showing quick glimpses of the new PlayStation 4. Due to all of the added photo and screen effects, it's hard to make out what the PS4 actually looks like. It is however nice to see Sony showing something of their new console.
Microsoft's Larry Hryb similarly poked fun at Sony at their reveal earlier in the year by saying "Announce a console without actually showing a console? That's one approach."
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June 03, 2013
As the release date for Battlefield 4 draws closer, we are hearing more and more about the different versions and DLC the game will include.
For those in the UK, GAME has recently struck a deal with EA and DICE to release a Battlefield 4 exclusive deluxe edition that comes with a bunch of downloadable content.
The deluxe edition will cost 64.99 (Pounds) for both PS3 and Xbox 360, and will include the previously announced China Rising DLC pack, among other things.
The extra bonuses will include currently unannounced in-game content, Battlefield 4, and a Battlefield 4 steel book cover.
The DLC will also be available for purchase for those who order the standard version. Currently there is no information on whether a US alternative to the deluxe edition will make it to retail.
Battlefield 4 will make it to Xbox 360 and PS3 on October 29th, with an Xbox One and PS4 release following afterwards.