Wednesday, May 13, 2015

The latest News from GameSpot News On 05/14/2015

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The latest News from GameSpot

In the 05/14/2015 edition:

Gaming Deals: $350 PS4 Last of Us Bundle, More Big PC Game Sales

By Chris Pereira on May 14, 2015 12:05 am

Today's best deal comes from eBay, which is offering the Last of Us Remastered PS4 bundle for $350.

Green Man Gaming has kicked off a big PC game sale to celebrate its fifth birthday. Among the highlights are Deus Ex: Human Revolution for $4, Hitman Absolution's Elite Edition for $5, and Tropico 5 for $10.

Meanwhile, The Humble Store has a big spring sale that will see new PC game deals introduced every day over the next two weeks. Currently, you can get The Vanishing of Ethan Carter for $8, Luftrausers for $2.49, Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition for $7.49, and much more.

Best Buy is offering a free Turtle Beach XO One headset with the purchase of an Xbox One. That's a $70-$80 headset you're getting for free with the $350 Assassin's Creed and Halo Master Chief Collection bundles.

You can preorder a number of games through Dell--Splatoon, The Elder Scrolls Online, and Batman: Arkham Knight--and receive a $15 Dell gift card.

Monument Valley is $1 right now on both iOS and Android.

Below you'll find the rest of today's best deals divided by platform:

PlayStation 4

EBay has seller-refurbished PS4s for $324.

Preorder the Batman: Arkham Knight PS4 bundle at Dell and get three free months of PlayStation Plus and a $25 Dell gift card. Additionally, you can bring the price down from $420 to $400 by using the promo code: 6980X63DCJNXSP

Buy a PS4 (including the Last of Us Remastered bundle) and get a free copy of Destiny at Best Buy.

My Best Buy Gamers Club members can save $10 on Bloodborne or MLB 15 right now. Combined with the 20 percent discount that Gamers Club Unlocked members get, that brings either game's price down to $40.

Other PS4 game deals:

PlayStation Plus' free games for May are now available and include Guacamelee, Murasaki Baby, Hohokum, The Unfinished Swan, and more.

Xbox One

Walmart is offering the Halo Master Chief Collection Xbox One bundle with a free second controller for $349.

You can also buy a year of Xbox Live Gold on eBay for $39.

Best Buy will take $20 off the price of a one-year Xbox Live Gold membership when you buy any Xbox 360 or Xbox One.

Microsoft's latest Deals With Gold promotion is on, discounting a handful of Xbox One and Xbox 360 games. You can check out all the deals here.

Other Xbox One game deals:

May's free Games With Gold games are now available on Xbox One and Xbox 360 and include CastleStorm and Mafia II.

PC

Buy a GeForce GTX 980 or GTX 970 and you'll get free copies of The Witcher 3 and Batman: Arkham Knight.

The newest Humble Bundle features Paradox games. Paying any price gets you games like Magicka and Knights of Pen and Paper, while paying $15 or more also gets you Europa Universalis IV, Crusader Kings II, and more. Alternatively, check out the new Humble Weekly Bundle.

Ultima VIII: Gold Edition is free on Origin.

Other PC game deals:

Wii U

If you don't mind a refurbished system, Nintendo's online store has a Wii U bundle with Nintendo Land for $200, or Nintendo Land and Super Mario 3D World for $225.

3DS

Walmart is offering a New 3DS XL bundle with Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and your choice of select Amiibo figurines for $229. Alternatively, the retailer has a New 3DS XL bundle with your choice of select games and a Pokemon figurine for $229-$237. Eligible games include Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, Code Name: Steam, and quite a few more.

PS Vita

Amazon is selling the Wi-Fi PlayStation Vita for $170.

Hardware

Amazon prices are accurate as of publishing, but can fluctuate occasionally throughout the day.

GameSpot's gaming deals posts always highlight the best deals we can find regardless of retailer. We also occasionally use retailer affiliate links, which means that purchasing goods through those links helps support all the great content (including the deals posts) you find for free here on the site.


Destiny Update Bug Discovered, Impact on House of Wolves Release Unclear

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 11:32 pm

With just a few more days to go before Destiny's next expansion, House of Wolves, arrives on May 19, developer Bungie has discovered a "late-breaking technical" issue related to update 1.2.0. It remains to be seen if this issue will impact House of Wolves' scheduled release next week.

"I've spoken with the finest minds at Bungie about Update 1.2.0 just moments ago. They're working to correct a late-breaking technical issue that would have impacted the way the game launches for a large portion of you," Bungie community manager David "Deej" Dague said in a post on Bungie's website.

"Progress is being made."

Update 1.2.0 was released last week, but it won't be activated until later. The update features a long list of changes including major tweaks to Commendations and more.

Dague went on to pledge that he'll update the community every day until the issue is sorted out.

"We'll be sharing new details on the deployment schedule that leads to House of Wolves as soon as they become facts," he explained. "At the very least, you'll hear from me once a day about this. Hang in there, and thank you for your patience."

For lots more on House of Wolves--which introduces a Gears of War-style arena mode, a new 3v3 Crucible variant, and more--check out GameSpot's roundup of everything you need to know.


Nintendo's E3 Briefing Scheduled for Same Day and Time as Square Enix's

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 09:22 pm

Nintendo on Wednesday announced its plans for E3 2015, which kicks off next month in Los Angeles. The company made the announcement through a funny YouTube video. Watch it below.

The most important bit is that Nintendo's E3 briefing--a digital event, compared to the live, in-person briefings from other companies--will take place on Tuesday, June 16, starting at 9 AM PDT. That's Nintendo's usual day and time, but this year, it's also the exact same date and time as Square Enix's briefing.

We already know that Nintendo won't talk about NX, smartphone games, or its quality of life initiatives at E3. According to Nintendo, viewers of the company's E3 event "will be treated to detailed information about the various games and experiences Nintendo has in store for its systems."

Nintendo's E3 plans for 2015 also includes the return of its "E3 Treehouse Live" stage show, where the company will feature games and guest appearances from the show floor. What's more, Nintendo and Best Buy have teamed up to allow shoppers to play Wii U game Mario Maker in stores the week of E3.

Anyone who visits participating Best Buy stores can play Mario Maker on the following dates:

  • June 17 -- 4-9 PM
  • June 20 -- Noon-5 PM

Finally, Nintendo announced that it's reviving the long-dormant Nintendo World Championship event this year on Sunday, June 14 in Los Angeles. Qualifying competitions open May 30 at Best Buy stores. Winners of regional events, along with "competitors chosen by Nintendo," will battle it out in Los Angeles on June 14 at the Nokia Theatre as part of a multi-round competition. One player will ultimately be crowned champion in the first Nintendo World Championship since 1990.

If you're in Los Angeles, you can attend the tournament in person, while it will also be streamed online.

E3 2015 Press Conference Schedule

Sunday, June 14

  • Bethesda - 6:30 PM PDT

Monday, June 15

  • Microsoft - 9 AM PDT (expected)
  • Electronic Arts - 1 PM PDT
  • Ubisoft - 3 PM PDT
  • Sony - 6 PM PDT (expected)

Tuesday, June 16

  • Square Enix - 9 AM PDT
  • Nintendo - 9 AM PDT
  • PC Gaming Show - 5 PM PDT

Minecraft Tops YouTube's 10 Biggest Games

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 09:03 pm

To celebrate what it's calling Let's Play day, online video giant YouTube on Wednesday announced the ten biggest games of all-time on the decade-old site, based on time watched.

Despite being a relative newcomer, Minecraft topped the list, beating out other household names like Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, FIFA, and The Sims.

Minecraft's dominance isn't all that surprising, given that the sandbox game has frequented YouTube popularity charts before. In 2014, Minecraft was searched on YouTube more often than Beyonce or Taylor Swift.

Check out the top ten list below, but note that YouTube didn't provide any details on how wide the gap is between titles in terms of watchtime.

  1. Minecraft
  2. Grand Theft Auto (series)
  3. League of Legends
  4. Call of Duty (series)
  5. FIFA (series)
  6. Garry's Mod
  7. The Sims (series)
  8. Five Nights at Freddy's (series)
  9. Puzzles & Dragon
  10. Dota 2

YouTube also announced today that Let's Play videos, like the ones PewDiePie releases for his 36.5 million subscribers, have together generated "billions of hours of watchtime" to date.


Ratchet & Clank Movie Cast Is Surprisingly Good

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 08:23 pm

[UPDATE] We now know the roles Paul Giamatti, John Goodman, and Sylvester Stallone--among others--will play in the upcoming movie. See below.

  • Paul Giamatti -- Chairman Drek
  • John Goodman -- Grimroth
  • Bella Thorne -- Cora
  • Rosario Dawson -- Elaris
  • Sylvester Stallone -- Victor

The original story is below

The voice cast for the upcoming animated Ratchet & Clank movie has been revealed.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, household names like Paul Giamatti, John Goodman, and Sylvester Stallone will star in the film, along with Rosario Dawson and Bella Thorne. Their roles have not been announced, however.

Meanwhile, Ratchet & Clank video game voice actors James Arnold Taylor (Ratchet), David Kaye (Clank), Armin Shimerman (Nefarious), and Jim Ward (Captain Qwark) will also lend their voices to the movie.

The Ratchet & Clank movie follows Ratchet and Clank as they attempt to thwart the plans of an evil alien named Chairman Drek.

"When the duo stumble upon a dangerous weapon capable of destroying entire planets, they must join forces with a team a group called The Galactic Rangers in order to save the galaxy," reads a line from the movie's description.

Presumably, Giamatti, Goodman, Stallone, Dawson, and Thorne will voice The Galactic Rangers.

Directing the Ratchet & Clank movie is Kevin Munroe, who directed 2007's TMNT. The film is being developed by production companies Rainmaker Entertainment and Blockade Entertainment, alongside PlayStation and Insomniac Games.

Insomniac will have a "hands-on role" in the film's production, screenplay, character development, and animation consulting. In addition, Ratchet & Clank writer T.J. Fixman--who has written every Ratchet & Clank game--will pen the script for the film.

The movie is scheduled to hit theaters in 2016.

In addition to the Ratchet & Clank movie, Insomniac has announced a new Ratchet & Clank game for PlayStation 4. It's a remake of the 2002 PlayStation 2 original, and will have "new visuals that rival the best PS4 games on the market."


Batman Arkham Knight's Anti-Gun Gadget Detailed

By Tamoor Hussain on May 13, 2015 08:05 pm

As part of its Spotlight series, Rocksteady has released details on The Disruptor, one of the gadgets players will have access to in Batman: Arkham Knight.

First seen in the All Who Follow trailer (below), The Disruptor is designed to "provide options that bolster Batman's ability to control engagements like never before."

The Disruptor's long-range scopes allow it to function much like a sniper rifle, but it can also be used up close.

The weapon has three charges per engagement. It can be used to jam enemy weapons as they fire at Batman, explode enemy weapons at the cost of two charges, rig weapon crates to shock enemies that try to arm themselves, and tag vehicles with tracking for Batmobile pursuits.

"The Disruptor provides Batman with greater tactical flexibility in any engagement before it even begins," Rocksteady explains on the official forums. "Before combat, the Disruptor can be used to jam the weapons of an opponent, buying Batman precious time to gain the advantage and land the first attack.

"In Predator scenarios, the Disruptor can be employed to target various enemy devices by rendering them inactive, or even turning them against their owners."

The Disruptor can be upgraded with additional charges and, at advanced levels, can be used to hack and disrupt turrets on Drone Tanks.

An Amazon listing for two versions of Batman: Arkham Knight was recently spotted. The first is just the standard version of the game, while the second is called the Comic Bundle, and features an in-game skin ("Batman First Appearance"), along with an exclusive, 25th anniversary version of an Grant Morrison's acclaimed graphic novel Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth.

However, this version will not include all the DLC contained in the game's $40 season pass, which sparked somewhat of a backlash from fans.


New 1080p Witcher 3 PS4 Gameplay Video Shows Off Huge Map

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 07:59 pm

Ahead of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's release next week, Sony has released a new 35-minute gameplay video for the RPG that shows off the massive game's map from end to end.

The video comes by way of the PlayStation Access channel.

Watch as they travel on foot, horseback, and boat from the South to the main city of Novigrad. In addition to the main world, there is an archipelago destination that you can visit only by boat.

The Witcher 3 launches May 19 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Reviews for the game came online yesterday, and GameSpot gave the RPG a perfect 10/10.

For more on The Witcher 3's map size, check out the images below.


Yooka-Laylee Passes $2.4 Million, Free DLC Stretch Goal Revealed

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 07:26 pm

The crowdfunding campaign for Yooka-Laylee, a spiritual successor to legendary N64 game Banjo-Kazooie, continues to soar.

It's now reached £1.5 million ($2.4 million), which is more than 894 percent of its original £175,000 ($275,000) target. The Yooka-Laylee crowdfunding campaign needed only 38 minutes to reach its initial target, going on to raise $1.5 million its its first 24 hours. The campaign still has 34 days left.

Developer Playtonic Games has also revealed a new stretch goal for Yooka-Laylee. Should the campaign hit £2 million ($3.1 million), the studio will release the game's first DLC pack free for all backers. Playtonic stressed that it won't even start developing this content until after the main game is finished and shipped.

If the Yooka-Laylee campaign receives even more monetary support, Playtonic will use those extra funds to "polish the game to the Nth degree."

Yooka-Laylee is a "buddy-duo" game in the vein of Banjo-Kazooie, but instead of a bear and a bird, it stars a chameleon and a bat. The game is being worked on by a number of Rare veterans who developed Banjo-Kazooie, and is due to launch in 2016 for PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Wii U.

You can secure a copy of Yooka-Laylee by pledging at least $15. Backing at that level gets you a copy of the PC version, while you'll need to pay around $22 to get a console copy.

Earlier this week, Playtonic revealed a new supporting character for Yooka-Laylee, a trouser snake named Trowzer.


Brock Lesnar Shows Up in Assassin's Creed Syndicate

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 07:02 pm

Professional wrestler Brock Lesnar has made his way into Assassin's Creed Syndicate. Concept art for Syndicate released this week reveals a character who bears a strong resemblance to the muscular man.

As discovered by people on Reddit and Kotaku, the character's general physique and back tattoo are a perfect match for Lesnar. What's more, he appears to be fighting two-time UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir.

So what's going on here?

It's possible Ubisoft used Lesnar and Mir as reference points. After all, this is concept art and there is no indication that these characters will be in the game itself when it arrives this fall. Or perhaps Lesnar and Mir are in the game as easter eggs; but if that is the case, Lesnar and Mir would probably have to agree to lend their likenesses to the game.

We've followed up with Ubisoft, asking for more information about this strange situation.

The Syndicate release date is set for October 23 across Xbox One and PlayStation 4, while the PC edition is slated for a general "fall" release. The game will not be released for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Ubisoft has confirmed.

For lots more on Syndicate, check out GameSpot's roundup of everything you need to know. A variety of screenshots are also available in the gallery below.


Life Is Strange Episode 3 Release Date Confirmed

By Tamoor Hussain on May 13, 2015 06:37 pm

Square Enix has confirmed Life is Strange: Episode 3 will be available from May 19. The third chapter in Dontnod Entertainment's episodic series is titled Chaos Theory.

"Max and Chloe's investigation into Rachel Amber's disappearance lead them to break into Blackwell Academy after dark to search for answers," reads the official synopsis. "Secrets will be uncovered and Max will find another use for her power."

Square Enix has also released a new screenshot for the episode, showing Max and Chloe trying to break into the office of Principal Wells. Take a look below.

Life is Strange launched on January 30 for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC. The series is scheduled to have five episodes. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's Life is Strange review.

Along with Ubisoft, Bethesda, and EA, Square Enix has announced it will host an E3 press conference for the first since 2012.

The company's in-development AAA projects include Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Final Fantasy XV, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and a new Hitman project. It is likely these games will show up at the press conference in some fashion, however this has not yet been official confirmed.


Ubisoft E3 Press Conference Slated for June 15

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 06:34 pm

Assassin's Creed and Far Cry publisher Ubisoft on Wednesday announced the first details for its E3 media briefing, confirming the event will take place on Monday, June 15, starting at 3 PM PDT.

The show will be held at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.

Ubisoft did not share any further details about what to expect from its press conference, but you can bet the company's marquee games like Assassin's Creed Syndicate, Rainbow Six: Siege, The Division, and this year's Just Dance title will be featured.

One game that won't be announced, however, is Ubisoft's mysterious new AAA game, which will instead be revealed sometime this fall.

Below is a breakdown of the expected E3 2015 press conference schedule. Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo have not announced their plans yet, so we've used historical data. Nintendo will announce its E3 plans today at 9 AM PDT / 12 Noon EDT / 5 PM UK, so check back soon for more.

E3 2015 Press Conference Schedule

Sunday, June 14

  • Bethesda - 6:30 PM PDT

Monday, June 15

  • Microsoft - 9 AM PDT (expected)
  • Electronic Arts - 1 PM PDT
  • Ubisoft - 3 PM PDT
  • Sony - 6 PM PDT (expected)

Tuesday, June 16

  • Square Enix - 9 AM PDT
  • Nintendo - 9 AM PDT (expected)
  • "PC Gaming Show" - 5 PM PDT

Payday Dev's Walking Dead Co-Op Shooter Coming to E3

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 06:07 pm

Payday series developer Overkill Software has announced that its upcoming co-op shooter based on Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead comic book series will have a significant showing at E3 next month.

"The upcoming weeks will be fully focused on our setup and planning for the E3 Expo in Los Angeles and to make sure it's the historical event we envision," parent company Starbreeze wrote on its website. "With a significant presence, our ambition is to showcase both Payday 2 and Overkill's The Walking Dead."

505 Games will publish Overkill's The Walking Dead (presumably still a working title), and the game will launch in 2016 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. The game, which we still don't know much about, has the potential to "duplicate, even eclipse" the success of Payday 2, 505 games said previously.

The Payday series has sold more than 9 million copies as of December 31, 2014, and Payday 2 single-handedly pulled Starbreeze out of a 15-year loss in six months.

Overkill's The Walking Dead aims to deliver a "completely new co-op experience" to the Walking Dead universe that will explore new characters and storylines. It's a co-op first-person shooter that will blend action, role-playing, survival, and stealth, according to its official description. As you could have guessed, you'll take on the role of survivors trying to not die in a post-apocalyptic world.

The game is being made with the blessing of Kirkman, who says he was certain from the first day he saw the project that it was the "co-op action game fans have been waiting for." It is also the result of a new "long-term" partnership between Starbreeze and Kirkman's Skybound Interactive company. This partnership will extend "into the next decade" and marks a new era for Starbreeze, the company said.

Overkill has also shared an image of a zombie bust being used in the production of its Walking Dead game.

Development on the Payday series will continue as Overkill works on its Walking Dead game. What's more, Overkill is preparing some "unprecedented crossovers" between Payday and The Walking Dead.

E3 2015 kicks off June 14. GameSpot will be reporting live from Los Angeles all week long.


Sounds Like The Division Will Get a Beta

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 05:41 pm

Ubisoft may hold a beta for its upcoming online shooter The Division, according to comments from chief executive Yves Guillemot. Speaking during a recent earnings briefing about the game's delay to 2016, Guillemot referenced alpha and beta periods for the game.

See his quote below with emphasis added.

"It's an RPG online game. So those games take more time to be completed," Guillemot explained about the delay.

"We want to make sure we have enough feedback from consumers from alpha and betas to polish it as much as possible before the launch. So that it comes to the market with the best experience possible."

That Ubisoft would offer an alpha/beta for The Division is not entirely unexpected. The company has a history of letting people play its games before release for the purposes of testing. What's more, fans on Reddit earlier this year discovered references to an alpha on The Division's website.

The Division was first scheduled to launch in 2014, a release window that an anonymous development source described as "laughable." In May 2014, Ubisoft delayed The Division to 2015, while the latest delay to 2016 was announced yesterday as part of Ubisoft's latest earnings report.

Revealed at E3 2013, The Division is a third-person shooter set in a post-apocalyptic New York. Ubisoft has said the title will feature an "unprecedented level of realism." Just last week, Ubisoft announced that a fourth studio had joined Ubisoft Massive to work on The Division.

For a closer look at The Division, which is in development for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC, check out some images in the gallery below.


Assassin's Creed Publisher Excited About VR, But Also Has Some Concerns

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 05:21 pm

With Valve's Vive VR headset launching this fall and the Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus devices coming in 2016, the virtual reality space is indeed heating up. One publisher excited about the technology is Assassin's Creed and Far Cry company Ubisoft.

Chief executive Yves Guillemot said during an earnings call this week that Ubisoft is excited about VR and even has multiple games in development. But he also explained why the company is somewhat concerned.

"We believe a lot in virtual reality because we see that it's really giving a chance for gamers to be more immersed in worlds and we are developing a certain number of games that are going to take advantage of these new possibilities," Guillemot said.

"What we are doing is working on the different brands we have to see how we can take advantage of those new possibilities but in making sure also that we don't suffer from what comes with it, which is the difficulty to play a long time with those games."

Overall, however, Guillemot said Ubisoft is "very bullish" about the potential of VR.

"We think it's going to bring more players to the universe of Ubisoft video games and we are going to come with our brands," he explained. "We'll have a few titles coming in the first year and we'll have regular games coming following that."

Though we now have release windows for the three major VR headsets (Vive VR this fall, Oculus in Q1 2016, and Morpheus in the first half of 2016), pricing information is being kept under lock and key. For its part, Oculus VR executive Nate Mitchell explained last week that the Rift will cost more than $200 but less than $1000.


No "Seamless Online Multiplayer" for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 Xbox 360/PS3

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 04:56 pm

As suspected, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Activision's upcoming skateboarding game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 will not have "seamless online multiplayer."

The publisher confirmed the news to VideoGamer on Wednesday.

The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of the game--which are priced at $60 compared to $40 for the last-gen versions--use the "seamless online multiplayer" feature to allow players to jump in and out of online sessions with friends and other players.

There are both competitive and cooperative aspects to multiplayer, including the ability to complete missions and level up the character you use online and offline.

It was suspected that the last-generation versions of Pro Skater 5 wouldn't have the online mode last week, when numerous retailer listings showed "seamless online multiplayer" as a feature only for the Xbox One and PS4 versions.

Activision did not offer any kind of explanation regarding why the previous-generation versions of Pro Skater 5 don't include the online mode. It also remains to be seen if there will be any further differences between the current- and last-gen versions outside of, presumably, the visuals.

Pro Skater 5 is being developed by Robomodo, the developer of Tony Hawk Ride, Shred, and Pro Skater HD, as well as Disruptive Games. The game will launch this year, but a release date has yet to be announced; Activision says that will be "shared in the upcoming weeks."


Uncharted 4 Dev Flaunts New Milestone in Face Animation

By Tamoor Hussain on May 13, 2015 04:19 pm

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End developer Naughty Dog has discussed the improvements made to its facial animation systems since Uncharted 3 and The Last of Us, saying that face models now animate with "between 300 and 500 bones."

In an interview with GamesTM , writer Josh Scherr contextualised the improvements by comparing them to previous Uncharted games and The Last of Us, which he said used "about 90 and 100 'bones' in their faces."

"We've completely revamped our facial animation systems," he said. "Think about that, how detailed Joel and Elli's pained facial expressions were, how well the game captured the respective actors ... Now, the faces have anywhere between 300 and 500 bones."

"[This] lets us emote more, with all the 'bones' we can put onto [faces] - you pan round the camera to look at Nate's face when he's climbing and you see him grimacing and all this kind of stuff ... we're pushing detail on a macro and micro level that I think people are really going to respond to," added lead designer Ricky Cambier.

Unlike previous Naughty Dog titles, for which "some of the animations might have been sample at 10 or 15 frames per second to save memory," which code would then interpolate to run at 30 frames per second in-game, the new tech can "afford to record [animations] at 30 frames per second so that [they] look that much smoother."

Speaking about the visual fidelity of other PS4 exclusives, Cambier said Killzone: Shadow Fall was "pretty damn impressive looking for a launch title," while The Order: 1886 is "one of the best looking games [he's] seen on any system ever," but says developers are still in early days with Sony's latest console.

"If you look at the first Uncharted and how that looked versus how The Last of Us looked ... I have difficulty fathoming that we'll have that kind of graphical leap in the next several years. The reality is, we probably will as we learn the systems better, so it's all up from here, and that's exciting."

Naughty Dog has said it is targeting 60fps for Uncharted 4, but the studio won't push the PlayStation 4 game that far if it compromises the overall experience. According to director Bruce Straley, the Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - Gameplay Demo was locked at 30fps, though the game is now achieving a higher frame rate.

In March, Sony delayed the Uncharted 4 release date until Spring 2016. Take a look below for a gallery of up-close shots of Uncharted 4's characters.

Click to view in fullscreen


Yoshi's Woolly World Screenshots Are Like a Warm Blanket

By Tamoor Hussain on May 13, 2015 03:04 pm

Nintendo has release a selection of new screenshots for its upcoming Wii U platformer Yoshi's Woolly World and, predictably, they're adorable.

The screenshots show the unbearably cute Nintendo character adventuring in a colourful knitted world. Take a look below.

Considered by many as a spiritual sequel to Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Mario's little green companion will once again be able to swallow enemies. However, instead of just producing eggs to throw, Yoshi produces little balls of yarn which have a number of platforming applications.

Nintendo has announced a series of new Amiibo for Yoshi's Woolly World. Three figures, all which have the knitted look, will be available, each spawning a second Yoshi when used on the Wii U's NFC reader. The Yoshi Amiibo will be available in green, blue, and pink.

Nintendo is expected to announce its plans for E3 2015 today at 9 AM PDT / 12 Noon EDT. The company has already said it won't be talking about NX, smartphone games, or its quality of life experiences at E3.

Click the image to view in fullscreen


PS2 Classic Dragon Quest VIII Announced For 3DS in Japan

By Tamoor Hussain on May 13, 2015 01:52 pm

Acclaimed Japanese role-playing game Dragon Quest VIII will be released on Nintendo 3DS, Square Enix has announced.

According to a translation by Gematsu, the 3DS re-release has currently only been confirmed for Japan, and is expected for release on August 27. GameSpot has contacted Square Enix to inquire about a Western release.

For the 3DS version, Square Enix has created a new scenario in which Garuda, a female thief, and Morrie, who some may recognise from Dragon Quest: Monster Battle Road, join as new characters.

Additionally, StreetPass functionality has been introduced, along with more voice acting and an orchestral soundtrack.

A number of pre-order bonuses, depending on where the game has been purchased, have been announced for the Japanese release. They are:

  • Square Enix e-Store – "Candy Cane" (weapon for Yangus) – A mysterious spear that will absolutely cause damage and is even effective on metallic monsters.
  • Amazon.co.jp – Healie T-Shirt (armor for everyone) – A mysterious shirt that recovers HP little by little as you walk.
  • Aeon – Healie Cap (helmet for everyone) – A hat that increases your dexterity and maximum HP.
  • Game Tsutaya – Golden Bamboo Spear (weapon for the protagonist) – An expensive spear made of pure gold. If you don't want it, you can sell it for 5,000 gold.
  • 7-Eleven – Lucky Pendant (accessory for everyone) – A magic pendant that makes it easier to dodge enemy attacks.
  • Yodobashi Camera – Metal Slime Tray (shield for everyone) – A metal tray that slightly defends against magic attacks.

Known outside of Japan as Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, the game was developed by Level-5, a studio which as achieved success with the Professor Layton, Inazuma Eleven, and Yo-kai Watch series.

Dragon Quest VIII first came to North American PlayStation 2s in November 2005, eventually reaching Europe and Australia in April 2006.

Square Enix has announced it will host its own dedicated press conference at E3 2015, something it has not done at E3 since 2012, where it showcased its next-gen Luminous Engine for the first time.

The company's current AAA projects include Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Final Fantasy XV, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and a new Hitman project. It is likely these games will feature prominently at the briefing, but as of yet it is not known if Square Enix will announced any new projects.


Fire Emblem If Ditches Weapon Durability, Adds New Difficulty Mode

By Chris Pereira on May 13, 2015 03:50 am

The new Fire Emblem for 3DS, tentatively titled Fire Emblem If, ditches the weapon durability system seen in Fire Emblem: Awakening and also introduces new difficulty settings for those seeking less of a challenge.

These details come courtesy of Japanese publication Famitsu (as translated by Siliconera). Durability presented an additional tactical consideration in Awakening, as players could opt to conserve their best weapons and spells by choosing to use lesser options. With a limited number of inventory slots, though, durability could be a real hindrance at times. That won't be an issue in the future, as Fire Emblem If does away with the system altogether.

Another change in If is the addition of a new, easier Phoenix difficulty mode. In addition to the returning Casual mode that disables permadeath and revives any slain units after completing a map, Phoenix takes things a step further by reviving dead units after each turn. That may sound as if it does away with any semblance of difficulty, but keep in mind that Black Kingdom--one of the two versions of If--presents additional challenges by limiting available experience and money, as well as by introducing additional victory conditions.

Other details of note include the fact that the protagonist's class is called either Dark Prince or Dark Princess (depending upon your choice of gender when customizing the character) and a new type of ability, Dragon Pulse, that has been added for certain characters. Dragon Pulses can affect the level itself; examples of this include flattening mountains and summoning earthquakes.

Fire Emblem If was first revealed during a Nintendo Direct back in January. As we've since learned, it will be available in two separate versions (at least in Japan): White Kingdom and Black Kingdom. Each represents a complete story with its own unique gameplay wrinkles. A bundle with both will be available, or players will be able to buy one and then download the other as DLC.

If is due out in Japan in June; it will then come to North America and Europe in 2016, though exactly how the two versions will be packaged (and what they will be called) remains to be seen.


Helldivers Free Expansion Out Today, Adds New Enemies, Objectives, Levels

By Chris Pereira on May 13, 2015 02:22 am

A major expansion for PlayStation-exclusive co-op shooter Helldivers, Turning Up the Heat, is now available for free.

Developer Arrowhead games began showcasing its additions last week, and has since outlined everything the update offers. There are three new objectives, six new trophies, and three new enemies, including one that deploys an energy wall you and your bullets can't pass through.

The level cap has been bumped up from 25 to 27, and with that increase, there is a new outfit and a new perk (Strong Arm, which lets you throw things further) to earn. Finally, there's a new environment type in volcanic planets, which provide yet another way for players to die with their lava-spewing vents.

Alongside this free content, Arrowhead is offering four new DLC packs, each consisting of a new weapon, outfit, and stratagem. One of these, the Specialist Pack, is being offered in a bundle with the game itself for the standard price of $20 for a limited time, or is available on its own for $3. The other three packs can also be had individually for $3 each, or in a bundle for $6.

The full details on all four DLC packs follow below, with descriptions courtesy of Arrowhead.

Specialist Pack

  • The Specialist Uniform (Helmet, Armor, and Cape).
  • LAS-12 Tanto: An ultra-compact laser SMG with extremely limited range. The short focused beam is very powerful to compensate for the short engagement envelope.
  • Close Air Support: An Eagle delivers a powerful strafing run followed by a pair of anti-tank missiles. Effective at damaging almost all targets, it does however have the drawback of being slightly unpredictable.

Demolitionist Pack

  • The Demolitionist Uniform (Helmet, Armor, and Cape).
  • MG-105 Stalwart: A light machine gun based on the AR-19 Liberator. It's very powerful when used in sustained fire, but the initial recoil is often hard to handle resulting in unpredictable spread.
  • REC-6 Demolisher: A remote Explosive Charge capable of destroying both objectives and heavily armored enemies. The user can decide when to detonate the charge by pressing the detonator. Often referred to as a Satchel Charge.

Hazard Ops Pack

  • The Hazard Ops Uniform (Helmet, Armor, and Cape).
  • AR-14D Paragon: A heavy semi-automatic rifle firing rounds similar to the AR-20L Justice, but without the penetrating capabilities. Instead the rounds are hollowed out and filled with a neurotoxin causing targets hit to become slow and sluggish.
  • TOX-13 Avenger: A high-pressure liquid projection weapon similar to the FLAM-40 Incinerator. Instead of projecting flaming napalm, this weapon sprays a very potent neurotoxin resulting in slow movements and irreversible brain damage.

Pilot Pack

  • The Pilot Uniform (Helmet, Armor, and Cape).
  • AC-5 Arc Shotgun: A further development of the Arc technology, the AC-5 fires a wide, short-range cone and damages everything covered by the static discharge. The charge up is much faster than the original Arc Thrower but the discharge is not quite as powerful.
  • EXO-48 Obsidian: A powerful exosuit with two double autocannons. The firepower contained in this walking monstrosity annihilates light and medium infantry, and the two magazines allows for both maximum firepower or conserving ammunition. The only downside to this mech is its distinct lack of anti-tank capabilities.

This Witcher 3 Cosplay Is Excellent

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 02:15 am

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt introduces an intriguing magical character named Ciri, who is playable for portions of the game. Now, someone has cosplayed as the white-haired woman, and did a good enough job to catch the attention of developer CD Projekt Red.

The Polish developer shared Galina Zhukovskaia's impressive photos through its Facebook page today.

Zhukovskaia totally nails Ciri's look, from her distinct hair to the scar on her cheek.

You can see all the photos in the gallery below. Looking for more Witcher cosplay? Check out this gender-bending "Geraltina" cosplay from last week.

The Witcher 3 launches May 19 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. GameSpot critic Kevin VanOrd scored the game a perfect 10/10. With that high praise, the RPG becomes the ninth game in GameSpot history to receive a perfect score.

For more on The Witcher 3's critical reception, check out what other critics are saying.


Star Wars, Battlefield Hardline Dev Hit With "Small" Number of Layoffs

By Chris Pereira on May 13, 2015 01:37 am

Visceral Games has been hit with layoffs that parent company Electronic Arts describes as "a small staffing change."

Asked about the layoffs, which were first reported by Game Informer, an EA spokesperson told GameSpot, "We made a small staffing change in our Visceral studio today to support the needs of the studio's two current development priorities: content for Battlefield Hardline Premium and an unannounced Star Wars project. We are working to ensure the smoothest transition possible for the impacted employees."

Visceral is the developer behind the Dead Space series, as well as the recently released Battlefield Hardline and an in-development Star Wars game.

The latter project is being worked on by former Uncharted creative director Amy Hennig, as well Todd Stashwick, an Uncharted 4 actor who has since been replaced by Naughty Dog. EA confirmed to GameSpot that both individuals remain with Visceral, as does Scott Probst, who took over as general manager following the departure of former GM Steve Papoutsis last month.

EA last week described itself as being "very happy" with sales of Hardline, though it declined to offer any specifics. Producer Zach Mumbach did, however, acknowledge on a recent podcast that player counts have "tailed off" on PC since launch. He also shared some details about Hardline's first DLC pack.

As for the Star Wars game, EA has yet to reveal any official details, and as the statement above demonstrates, it continues to refer to it only as "an unannounced Star Wars project." It's rumored to be an open-world game, but with DICE's Star Wars: Battlefront on tap for later this year, it's unlikely we'll be hearing about it anytime soon.


Madden 16 Cover Vote Down to Gronk and Odell Beckham Jr.

By Eddie Makuch on May 13, 2015 01:10 am

Madden fans don't have much longer to wait to find out which athlete will grace the cover of Madden NFL 16. The cover vote is down to two finalists: New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Odell Beckham Jr, the ridiculously talented wide receiver for the New York Giants.

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown were eliminated in the first round of voting.

If Gronk doesn't win the cover, maybe Activision will put him in the next Guitar Hero

You can cast your vote for Gronkowski or Beckham Jr. on ESPN starting tomorrow, May 13, at 9 AM EDT.

Voting closes at 5 PM PDT, and the winner will be revealed live on the 6 PM EDT edition of SportsCenter. Gronkowski and Beckham Jr. will make appearances on various ESPN shows throughout the day to make their case.

Given Gronkowski's exuberant lifestyle, we can only imagine how he'll attempt to rally fans to vote for him. Then again, superstitious Patriots fans--fearing the Madden Curse--may not want Gronkowski to take the cover. After all, with Tom Brady suspended for the first few games of the upcoming season, the team can't afford to lose Gronk, too.

Developed by EA Tiburon in Orlando, Florida, Madden NFL 16 will launch on August 25 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, as well as last-generation consoles like the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.


Batman: Arkham Knight Gets "Serious Edition" With Free Graphic Novel

By Chris Pereira on May 13, 2015 01:01 am

WB Games will offer a special collector's edition of Batman: Arkham Knight, it was revealed today.

The Amazon listing for Arkham Knight shows two separate editions: the standard game and something called the Comic Bundle. Clicking on this reveals the image below for what is actually called the Serious Edition.

This $70 bundle consists of the game itself, an in-game skin ("Batman First Appearance"), and an exclusive, 25th anniversary version of an acclaimed Batman graphic novel first published in 1989, Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth. What isn't included is the extensive amount of DLC included in the game's $40 season pass that sparked somewhat of a backlash from fans.

WB Games has yet to officially announce this version, but based on the Amazon listing, it will only be available for Xbox One and PS4 versions of the game. Arkham Knight is due out on PC alongside both consoles on June 23.

We've contacted WB for more information and will report back with anything we learn.


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