With 2K's NBA 2K16 having three different cover stars this year, EA's competing game, NBA Live 16, will have just one. Fortunately, it's someone arguably capable of doing the job of three basketball players: Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook.
The reigning NBA All-Star Game MVP and regular season scoring champion makes his video game cover debut with Live 16, which we've yet to hear any real details about. EA plans to unveil the game next week during its E3 press conference, scheduled for 1 PM PT on Monday, June 15.
The NBA Live series has struggled in recent years while the 2K games have generally been regarded as the best basketball sims on the market. It's perhaps fitting, then, that Live would put Westbrook on the cover following a season in which he had to put his team on his shoulders with teammate Kevin Durant injured. Although the Thunder didn't make the playoffs, Westbrook did post some unreal stats.
Whatever happens with Live 16, EA has already guaranteed that NBA Live 17 will be developed. Prior to a statement the company made last year, that couldn't be safely assumed, as EA has canceled a pair of basketball games (NBA Elite 11 and NBA Live 13) in recent years and outright skipped 2011 in order to play catch-up.
Given Retro's history with the series, and the intense demand for it, fans are speculating that a new Metroid game from the studio may be announced at E3.
On the one hand, the tease doesn't fit the the Metroid series, but on the other it could be a veiled reference to a new mechanic.
Retro Studios' most recent games have been Donkey Kong Country Returns and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. The tease could also be for a third game in that series.
Another speculative guesses--and the one that seems most apt--is a new Drill Dozer, a game previously developed by Pokemon studio Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance.
Nintendo's E3 press conference will take place on June 16. For a complete list of times, check out our E3 press conference schedule.
For more on the show and GameSpot's coverage plans for it, check out the video below.
Amazon is currently running a limited-time lightning discount on Xbox One that is among the best deals we've seen, but you have less than three hours to take advantage.
The Xbox One deluxe bundle consists of the Assassin's Creed system (which comes with copies of Black Flag and Unity), a 12-month Xbox Live Gold membership, and a Turtle Beach Ear Force XO headset for $350.
That's the same price the system with the Assassin's Creed games normally costs on its own, while Xbox Live is rarely discounted far below $40. The headset, meanwhile, currently retails for $64 at Amazon. Combined, that's a bundle with upwards of $450's worth of stuff.
The deal is available until 1:10 PM PT, and only a limited number are available (although, as of this writing, only 3 percent have been claimed).
Keep in mind, this is the 500 GB model Xbox One that comes without Kinect. The newly announced 1 TB system will soon be available for $400, although both models allow you to connect an external hard drive for additional storage.
Black Ops III for last-generation consoles will include the game's three main modes: campaign, multiplayer, and zombies. However, there will be some differences compared to the current-generation and PC editions.
One example is that campaign co-op will be limited to two players, compared to four on current-generation systems and PC. In addition, the Black Ops III multiplayer beta will be available only for new machines and computers. Some "other features and functionality" will be missing, Activision says, noting that more information about this will be shared later.
After the Call of Duty website was updated to let players link their Nintendo accounts, some thought Black Ops III might be coming to the Wii U. But this is not the case, as Activision also confirmed today that a Wii U edition of Black Ops III is not planned.
This year's installment in the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise, Black Ops III, will feature the likeness of NFL star Marshawn Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks, it was announced today.
The news comes by way of ESPN The Magazine, which, for the first time, is running a competitive gaming edition called "The eSports Issue" this month. It will feature a story called "The Whole Game is Beast Mode" written by Sam Alipour about how Lynch got involved with the game.
You can read that story right here. In it, we learn Lynch plays the role of a mercenary.
"Marshawn Lynch is the perfect match for Call of Duty," Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg said. "I mean, he's a guy who fills stadiums, crushes competitors, and has a Beast Mode. What could be more CoD than that?"
We followed up with Activision for more details and were told a further announcement regarding Lynch's involvement with Black Ops III will be made soon.
ESPN The Magazine's gaming edition will also contain a feature about YouTube gaming star PewDiePie, a profile of South Korean gaming prodigy "Faker," and a story about why one woman refuses to abandon video games in the wake of increased harassment.
Also featured in the issue are accounts from NBA star Kevin Durant and the NFL's Patrick Peterson about why they love video games so much.
We recently put together a visual history of Nintendo's 3DS system, but what does the future hold for Nintendo's popular handheld? Nintendo of America president and COO Reggie Fils-Aime answered some of our questions in the email Q&A below. Read on for Reggie's thoughts about what's helped Nintendo retain its dominance in the handheld market as well as what to look forward to on 3DS during Nintendo's E3 presentation next week.
You've had a long history with Nintendo. How would you characterize the 3DS' success compared to previous handhelds Nintendo has released?
Reggie Fils-Aime: Actually, my history with Nintendo largely encompasses only two of our handheld systems. One of my first jobs was helping launch the Nintendo DS in 2004. That seems like a long time ago, but I think it speaks well to Nintendo's history of continually supporting our portable platforms with compelling games--the fact that the company has had only two handheld lines over a dozen years.
I really resist cross-generation comparisons, because things change quite a bit over time. For example, our 3DS line includes a glasses-free 3D display and now Amiibo support--things that simply weren't possible previously. Every platform has to prosper in its own time, and I think Nintendo 3DS is doing just that.
But as with every previous portable platform, Nintendo's development teams are creating incredible on-the-go experiences that can't be found elsewhere.
The 3DS had a slower start compared to previous Nintendo handhelds. What was the turning point for the system? Was it the price drop, or the games library finally catching up?
We don't believe that the central dynamic of the video game market is changing--namely, "software sells hardware." Of course, there are early adopters who will buy the shiny new thing in any category. But game system installed bases are built on people deciding, "I've GOT to play those games!"
Are you happy with where the entire 3DS family is right now? Where do you think you're strong? And what areas will you continue to focus on and improve in the coming months/years?
Based on consumer response, I think our current hardware lineup meets the needs of a lot of different types of players.
To date, nearly 60 Nintendo 3DS titles have an 80 or higher rating on Metacritic, proving that not only does our hardware lineup meet the needs of players, but that there is a diverse range of quality software waiting to be explored.
Nintendo's had great success with bringing over classic games from its home consoles to the 3DS. Without giving your hand away on specific titles, is there anything you can say Nintendo's plans are for bringing more of these classics over? Does fan demand play a part in Nintendo's decision-making process at all?
Nintendo fans are very vocal, and like any company, we pay attention to what people are saying. But I think it's helpful to repeat what we've said before. The only way to truly surprise someone is to deliver something unexpected. That's really written into our corporate DNA.
So moving forward, I guess it's safe to say people can look forward to a combination of things they've always wanted…and things they never even thought of wanting.
Looking at the 3DS itself, we've seen some big partnerships recently with established Japanese developers (Monster Hunter, Bravely Default, Mario and Sonic, etc.), but what's your assessment of Nintendo's Western third-party support? Are you still courting developers such as Ubisoft and EA?
As you know, our independent developer program is robust and growing. And conversations with third-party publishers are constant.
The only way to truly surprise someone is to deliver something unexpected. That's really written into our corporate DNA.
Plus, many great indie titles have also arrived on Nintendo 3DS, from Moon Chronicles to Mighty Switch Force to SteamWorld Dig to Woah Dave!, all of which are available on our "Humble Nindie Bundle." [Editor's Note: This sale runs through 11AM PT on June 9] And our teams are constantly looking for ways to increase options for developers, like working with Unity to support the New Nintendo 3DS XL.
When Nintendo releases a game, it's played by millions, but a mobile game from Nintendo could end up being played by billions. It feels like recent free-to-start titles on 3DS are testing the waters for future initiatives in the mobile space, is that the case? Or is it, conversely, more about finding different models that mimic mobile and could potentially work on 3DS?
Mr. Iwata has addressed this topic previously, and I suspect he will again in the future.
I love my New 3DS XL, and it's a system I would've bought regardless, but I'm also jealous of the amazing, swappable covers for the regular New 3DS. What drove the decision to only release one version of the New 3DS in the US, and is there a chance we'll ever get a regular one?
We made the decision that we felt was best in keeping with the needs of our user base at the time.
Speaking of New 3DS, do you see an issue with games that only work on the New 3DS potentially confusing the audience?
Nintendo takes great care in communicating product features to our consumers. Product packaging and marketing materials are also very clear. We're confident that consumers are savvy enough to differentiate.
Our fan base has also proven very adept at discerning between the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo 3DS models, and the games available for each. I've got no reason to think that won't continue.
Final question, there are a lot of great games coming up for the 3DS; this summer are you going to be playing something that's already out or do you think your time will be taken up by one of the upcoming games? I guess that's a roundabout way of asking what your "summer vacation" game is going to be!
A big benefit of my job is the early hands-on access I get. Right now, I am loving Chibi-Robo!: Zip Lash. This is another great example of Nintendo's ability to create a side-scrolling, re-traversal adventure. And there are other 3DS games that we will be announcing at E3 that I have been having fun with. Stay tuned!
Whether you're playing Halo 5: Guardians alone or with others, the campaign will see you accompanied by three Spartans that can be controlled by other players or take commands from you.
The Master Chief's companions are members of Blue Team, according to Game Informer. Blue Team has traditionally been led by the Master Chief and is comprised of three others Spartans (Linda, Kelly, and Fred) who have been present in the overall Halo canon, but were never featured in the games themselves.
These characters will appear during cutscenes, rather than simply being partners in combat who disappear any time the story is being advanced. When playing on your own, you'll be able to give these characters commands. Alternatively, you can have co-op players assume control of them, with each one having their own distinct loadout.
The portion of Halo 5's campaign that focuses on Spartan Locke will see him accompanied by a group as well, in this case Fireteam Osiris. They're tasked with tracking down the Master Chief and killing him or bringing him back after he and Blue Team are said to have gone AWOL. Locke's story is featured in the Halo: Nightfall series, and has been further expanded in the ongoing Hunt the Truth podcast.
Update: Oculus VR founder Palmer Luckey has commented on the Reddit thread, stating that the images are just placeholders and do not indicate the final model. He did not comment on the validity of the guide, however, so it's unclear what is finalized. We will continue to cover Oculus news as becomes available this week.
It looks like the final model of the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset has leaked. After a couple years of development, and several iterations of developer kits, the Rift seems to have a finished design, according to images found in the Oculus website's code by Reddit user explogeek.
Users discovered a full pre-order guide for the Rift. Last month, the company released its recommended PC specifications for the Rift, noting that the headset would require a good PC. This guide corroborates this statement, but it also notes the minimum specs for the headset:
4 GB RAM
Nvidia 9800 or AMD 4870 graphics card with 1 GB dedicated RAM
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU or 2.4 GHz AMD Phenom 9850 Quad Core CPU
65 GB HDD
Among the additions to the headset include built-in earphones, which will rest on the user's ears while the headset is on. It's not clear at the moment whether those can be removed and replaced with a better pair, something that many users will want to do.
The headset also includes a remote for navigation according to the images. The remote has a trackpad similar to that shown on Valve's new Steam controller, as well as a back button. Clearly this remote is meant for simple tasks only, and will be supplanted by a gamepad or other input device if the user is playing games.
This leak most likely comes ahead of an announcement of the final model of the Rift at the Oculus event on June 11. As this is a leak, the details are still subject to change. Some of the guide also looks unfinished, so keep an eye on GameSpot for any more news of the Rift when it becomes available later this week.
As suspected, the new Mirror's Edge game currently in development at Battlefield developer DICE has now been given the name Mirror's Edge: Catalyst. It was first suggested that this would be the game's name following teases on social media and a listing on a European intellectual property site earlier this week.
She also talked about how Catalyst will build upon the foundation of the 2008 original, which she said didn't go as far as it could have.
"The first game had a lot of promise," Jansson said. "It was unlike anything else in terms of the gameplay and style--it had a unique soul. But as much as we loved that game, we knew it could be more. So that's what we have set out to do as we introduce Mirror's Edge to a new generation."
Jansson went on to say that the team at DICE has spent a good amount of time "re-evaluating every aspect" of the original so as to ensure the follow-up is not perceived as a simple sequel.
"This is not a sequel, this is not Mirror's Edge 2," she said. "We have landed on a vision that honors the first game--pushing the boundaries of first-person movement and diving deeper into the story behind our heroine Faith--but also brings a lot of great new, interesting gameplay and features to the experience for our players."
The first trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part II has arrived.
It has just about everything you'd expect from the conclusion to the blockbuster series.
Jennifer Lawrence gives speeches and shows off her archery skills, President Snow continues to be a jerk, and the familiar whistle theme is played at the end.
Mockingjay - Part 2 opens in theaters November 20. What do you think of the trailer? Let us know in the comments below.
This console, which will also be available in Japan, sports a nice red-and-black color scheme, also featuring gold accents. This is inspired by Snake's Bionic Arm, Sony explains.
The special edition PS4 console will be accompanied by a metallic grey DualShock 4 controller, which is based on Snake's handgun. Both the console and the controller also feature the Diamond Dogs emblem.
What's more, anyone who buys this package will receive a special "Day 1 Edition" of The Phantom Pain, which includes "bonus downloadable content," though it was not named outright.
Alongside the spiffy-looking red-and-black PS4, Sony will also ship a system bundle that comes with a regular black console and the Day 1 Edition of the stealth-action game. Both will be available on September 1, which is The Phantom Pain's official worldwide release date.
Konami has not announced either bundle for a release in the United States.
GameSpot editor Peter Brown recently got to play a chunk of The Phantom Pain. You can read his thoughts in this just-published preview.
He shared the news today on Twitter, further explaining in a statement to Eurogamer that he's leaving to take on a new challenge. "Life is short, and the ideas keep growing," he said.
Avellone was a founding member of Obsidian in 2003. He came to Obsidian from Black Isle, where he worked on Fallout 2 and many other role-playing games.
Most recently, he was the creative director/chief creative officer/co-owner of Obsidian.
2007's The Simpsons Movie was generally well-received and made a lot of money, but don't expect a sequel to happen soon. Speaking with Variety, executive producer Al Jean talked about the strain producing the movie put on the show and why you shouldn't hold your breath for another film.
"The movie was such a time-intensive operation; it pulled a lot away from the show," Jean said. "I would rather end the show whenever that happens before doing another movie. It's unlikely there'll be another Simpsons feature while the show is being produced."
Jean's comments follow those from another Simpsons executive producer, James L. Brooks, who said last year in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that Fox was interested in making a sequel. However, he explained that producing The Simpsons Movie was a "murderous" process and not one that he was interested to jump back into right away.
Variety's interview with Jean also touches on which celebrity he would like to see guest star on the show, as so many others have.
"Sadly, we would have wanted Neil Armstrong and J.D. Salinger but they both passed away. I keep saying Sandy Koufax but I've never gotten a call," he said.
Microsoft has published this week's list of deals for Xbox Live Gold subscribers, with games like Sunset Overdrive, a range of EA Sports titles, and more on sale, this week only.
Everything on sale this week requires an Xbox Live Gold subscription. All deals are good for one week, through June 15.
The first of June's free Games With Gold Xbox titles are also now available.
Are you picking anything up this week? Let us know in the comments below.
Sword Coast Legends, a role-playing game set in the Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms universe developed by n-Space and Digital Extremes, is coming to consoles.
The game will launch "late 2015" for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, while the PC, Mac, and Linux versions are scheduled to arrive on September 8.
Sword Coast Legends director Dan Tudge said fans "clamored" for a console release following the game's showing at the Game Developers Conference earlier this year.
"So we circled back and figured out how to do it without compromising our vision for PC gamers," he explained. "This addition to our existing PC, Mac, and Linux versions ensures gamers will be able to have that classic D&D experience whenever, wherever, and however they want."
Sword Coast Legends aims to offer the "most true-to-form representation of classic tabletop adventuring ever" for a cooperative multiplayer game.
It has a "complex storyline," party-based gameplay, a variety of monsters to fight, and a soundtrack by Dragon Age and Fallout composer Inon Zur. Developers say they also have plans to support the game after launch with "robust" add-on content.
For a closer look at Sword Coast Legends, check out some screenshots in the gallery below.
Microsoft has announced it will be releasing the Xbox Wireless Adapter this fall, allowing its Xbox One controller to be used on PCs without being tethered via USB.
According to the platform holder the device allows Xbox One controllers to be supported wirelessly on all PCs, laptops, and devices running Windows 10.
"We are happy to announce that starting this fall, you'll be able to purchase the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows to enjoy the freedom and convenience of the wireless controller on Windows 10 PCs, laptops, and tablets," it said.
When approached for clarification, a Microsoft representative reiterated that the Xbox Wireless Adapter was for "Windows 10 PCs, laptops, and tablets to enable the same gaming experience you're used to on Xbox One," indicating previous versions of the operating system are not supported.
The Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows will be available for $24.99. It can also be purchased in a bundle with the Xbox One Wireless Controller for $79.95.
Although Microsoft has not announced pricing for territories outside of United States, it has said the device and the bundle will be "sold in most markets where Xbox accessories are currently available."
Asked whether international releases would fall in the same window, Microsoft said "more details on exact timing will be announced later this year."
It must be noted that the new Xbox Wireless Adapter will not work with wireless Xbox 360 controllers.
Microsoft announcements come ahead of its E3 press conferences on June 15. Take a look at our full E3 press conference schedule for further timing details.
For more on the show and GameSpot's coverage plans for it, check out the video below.
Wedbush Securites analyst Michael Pachter has said Microsoft and Sony are unlikely to announce price drops for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 at E3.
Speaking in an investor note, Pachter offered his expectations for the upcoming conference, saying he believes Microsoft will offer more compelling bundles instead of dropping the price of its console.
"We do not expect price cuts for the Xbox One or PlayStation 4," he said. "We do not expect Microsoft to permanently cut the price of the Xbox One without Kinect from $399, instead focusing on compelling bundles with first- and third-party content, with some of the applicable games included as free pack-ins."
"Although the price of the Xbox One has been discounted by $50 for much of 2015, we believe that the price will revert back to $399 by the time that the holidays arrive, particularly if sales pick up," he continued.
Pachter believes Sony will use a similar strategy, as it has seen success with this model thus far and, according to Pachter, the PS4 continues to outsell the Xbox One, giving Sony little incentive to drop the price.
Cheaper prices for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, however, may be announced. Pachter continued on to say drops of around $50 for the last-generation consoles are "long overdue."
Microsoft and Sony are both holding E3 press conferences on June 15. Take a look at our full E3 press conference schedule for further timing details.
For more on the show and GameSpot's coverage plans for it, check out the video below.
Confirming earlier reports, Microsoft on Tuesday officially announced a 1TB Xbox One and a new controller.
"Since Xbox One launched, one of the most frequent requests from fans is to add more storage to their consoles and today we're delivering," Microsoft said.
The console, which will sell for $400 and does not include a Kinect camera, comes with a new matte finish and a free copy of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. What's more, it not only features more internal storage, but also an extra USB 3.0 drive. It launches at retailers on June 16.
Also included in the package is a new Xbox One controller, which, as rumored, will feature a 3.5mm stereo headset jack. With a headset plugged in, users will be able to adjust headset volume, mic monitoring, and voice and game audio balance by way of the Xbox One's settings menu.
"We've also improved the quality of audio coming through the controller and increased the maximum audio volume on headsets used with this controller, based on fan feedback," Microsoft said.
All current controller accessories will be compatible with the new Xbox One controller.
It's not just audio tweaks, however, as the new Xbox One controller's bumpers have been "fine-tuned...for a more consistent performance anywhere along the full surface of the bumper." What's more, you will no longer need to connect your controller through USB to receive updates, as the new input now supports wireless firmware updates.
The new Xbox One controller will be available through the 1TB Xbox One bundle and by itself in black or a new camouflage design.
In the UK, the new 1TB Xbox and controller will retail for £349.99 and will be shipping "immediately," to be available in stores tomorrow. It seems that the new version of the console will be exclusively sold at Game for a limited period. Standard 500GB models, meanwhile, will now retail for £299.99.
I loved Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes. Despite only having one location to explore and a small handful of missions to undertake, I played the game for nearly 20 hours. The open format of Ground Zeroes allowed me to approach missions from numerous angles, leading to new and unexpected challenges. I could test my stealth abilities or wreak havoc on Camp Omega with explosives, or a mix of the two if I was in the mood. Even though I wasn't seeing new locations or learning more about Big Boss's downfall, I was learning how to be a better super soldier every time I booted up the game.
Of course, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that Ground Zeroes left me hungry for more. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Ground Zeroes' much bigger brother, has long loomed overhead. I've waited patiently to continue where I left Big Boss at the end of Ground Zeroes, careening into the ocean in a helicopter. A few weeks ago, my chance arrived. I had two days to play The Phantom Pain at Konami's Los Angeles studio, and though that sounds like a lot of time, I was shocked to see that I had only scratched the surface of the game by the end of day two. There's a lot I'd like to talk about, but for obvious reasons, I can't get into the specifics about the story, characters, or missions, lest I ruin any surprises.
Given these restrictions, I'd like to give you a taste of my experience in Afghanistan, the first of The Phantom Pain's massive, open world maps. According to Kojima, The Phantom Pain is 200 times bigger than Camp Omega and Ground Zeroes, and I'd estimate that Afghanistan alone is as big as 50 Camp Omegas. As you might imagine, there's a lot that you can get into when exploring an area that big. Here are a few of the many activities you can engage in during your tenure in the Afghan desert.
Ride on Horseback
If you were to travel on foot in The Phantom Pain from one end of Afghanistan to the other, you would likely need 45 minutes, if not more. It's covered in large mountains and valleys, meaning that there's no such thing as a straight shot. Lucky for you, you've got access to a fast and reliable horse. With a whistle, it appears in a matter of seconds, regardless of where you are and where you may have last dismounted.
The horse is animated exceptionally well, giving The Witcher 3's horse a run for its money. The bob of the camera and dust in the air goes a long way to communicate the feel of galloping. When you come up to the top of a hill and see enemies you didn't expect on the other side, it's easy to reign it in, but if you want to feel like a boss (sorry), you can hide from your enemy's view by hanging off to the side as the horse slowly trots through enemy territory. When you're in the clear, saddle up and charge onwards.
Partake in Tactical Narcotic Action
The Phantom Pain has a day/night cycle that impacts enemy locations and behaviors. In certain circumstances, the cover of darkness is invaluable. Rather than wait for the clock to do its thing, you can smoke your Phantom Cigar, powered by mind altering substances, to quickly pass the time. This tool is incredibly useful, but I wonder: is giving drugs to a coma survivor really the best idea?
Fight Bears
Wildlife is common in Afghanistan, especially herds of goats, but on one special occasion, I was face to face with a bear. The next thing I knew, I was fighting that bear and losing spectacularly. I ultimately died, but I had to give it another go. I found it again and I did my best to fend him off, but he was relentless. Though I probably could have taken it out with well-placed C4 or a shotgun, I opted for the non-lethal approach. It ultimately took 10 tranquilizer darts to bring him down, by my count. Having already used the Fulton recovery system to send goats back to Mother Base, I tried to do the same with the bear, but it failed to lift off. I needed to upgrade my Fulton recovery system, and while I didn't have time to do that during the event at Konami, you better believe I'll make it a priority when the game comes out, especially if I can eventually ride the bear into battle. That probably won't happen, but a guy can dream!
Recruit (Kidnap) Soldiers
In order to rebuild Mother Base, a soldiers' haven run by Big Boss, you need capable people to oversee the base's multiple research divisions. Not one to ask for volunteers, you increase membership to your group by forcibly capturing soldiers from the field. It's easier than you might think: knock a soldier out, and use your Fulton recovery system--modeled after real military equipment--to send them back to Mother Base via air balloon. Once they arrive at Mother Base, they'll be sorted into groups based on their strengths in various skills, though you can manually assign them, if you wish. You can even learn how to interpret foreign languages if you Fulton a soldier that's multilingual, which can give you a major tactical advantage. I recovered goats as well, but I'm not sure that they're good for much on an offshore military base. Mutton, anyone?
Listen to Your Walkman
For some unexplained reason, The Phantom Pain abandons the use of the codec, a video calling device used in pretty much every Metal Gear game. You can ping Mother Base to gain some light intel, but the only way to recreate the odd, sprawling conversations that used to take place during codec calls is by listening to cassettes of conversations between Big Boss, Ocelot, and Master Miller.
You can also use your Walkman to listen to tapes that have been confiscated behind enemy lines. Sometimes these are fruitful, giving you insight into enemy movements, but you also come across tapes with licensed music, circa 1984. These can be used to provide background music and ease tension during stressful missions. You can also blast music from a helicopter and swoop into battle, if you like. There are also tapes in the world that are difficult to categorize, such as the one I found under a building, with audio of a soldier struggling to go to the bathroom. It's vulgar, random, and very Metal Gear.
Hijack Outposts
Small enemy outposts dot the Afghan countryside, and while they present unexpected challenges if you happen to stumble into one by accident, they're also opportunities to gain an advantage down the road. You capture outposts by taking out guards, either by killing or subduing them, and once you've gained control, enemies at nearby bases will be incapable of calling in reinforcements, at least until enough time has passed for someone to notice their outpost was hijacked. If you take out radar and communication relay devices, such as satellite dishes, you can also unlock new landing zones for helicopters. These are super helpful because missions are only complete after you exit a large perimeter known as a hot zone and get into a helicopter. If you have to book it across mountain ranges to get to the nearest landing zone, you may end up encountering new batches of enemies that threaten your escape, so it behooves you to capture outposts when heading into a mission to ensure a quick and painless getaway.
Search for Diamonds
It's important to keep an eye out for certain plants and materials in order to provide for your team back at Mother Base, but once in a while, you stumble upon rough diamonds, which net you a lot of credits, or GMP, which you need to upgrade and unlock new gear. These valuable gems are often hidden where you least expect them. Keep an eye out for tiny glimmers in the environment!
Cosplay as a Chicken
If you happen to fail a mission multiple times in row, the game will offer you a chicken hat, which makes you less visible to enemies. It may make your life easier, but you also look ridiculous. Rightfully so, soldiers that see you will laugh at you, rather than treat you as a threat. This will work a couple of times before the effect wears off, but your pride may never recover.
Go Cardboard Box Sledding
Cardboard boxes are a mainstay of Metal Gear, allowing you to hide from your enemies in plain sight by appearing as a generic box. The Phantom Pain lets you do more than hide and sneak; you can pop out of cardboard box from the front or the top, either to escape from or to surprise an enemy. You can even upgrade your cardboard box with large decals, such as a woman in a bikini or with the image of the enemy's commanding officer to distract unsuspecting soldiers
My favorite moment with a cardboard box was a bit of a happy mistake. I was sneaking on the top of a hill when an enemy approached me unexpectedly. I furiously tried to dive out of the box, but rather than leave it behind me, the box came with, and I proceeded to sled down the hill while still inside it. I'm not sure if this was a glitch, but it felt totally normal, and given Hideo Kojima's love of goofy moments, I wouldn't put it past him to take advantage of every creative opportunity he finds.
I Wish I Could Say More
I would love to talk at length about Big Boss, Master Miller, and Ocelot as characters, but I'm not allowed to. I interacted with Quiet, the silent, barely-clad sniper, on more than one occasion, but Konami would have my head if I went into any more detail than that. There were so many unexpected moments that left me agasp that I simply can't talk about.
Afghanistan is one of several locales in the game, and I walked away amazed that it took me so long to get through the main missions there, let alone the side op missions, many of which fell by the wayside as I tried to get through as much of the story as possible. I had a lot of questions going into the event, and while some were answered, there are so many more that cropped up. The Phantom Pain is unlike any other Metal Gear game I've ever played, and I can't wait to finish what I started.
Square Enix is developing a new entry in its Front Mission series, according to a new report.
Siliconera states that a new game is in development at Square Enix's Japanese studio, with former Armored Core producer Toshifumi Nabeshima on the project.
Front Mission was conceived as a narrative-driven strategy game but, over the years, has changed in significant ways. Some entries in the series have stayed true to its strategy roots while others, such as Front Mission Evolved, have been closer to the traditional mech-based shooter experience. The series has remained dormant since 2010.
Square Enix has not yet officially revealed a new Front Mission. As a result, it is unclear what type of game this will be. The company is hosting its own press conference at E3 on June 16, so it may be that the title is announced there.
Square Enix has not hosted a media briefing at E3 since 2012, where it showcased its next-gen Luminous Engine for the first time. This has led to speculation that it plans to make big announcements and show off new games.
"Four million RPG fans spending their hard-earned money on our game is a sign that we did something right," CD Projekt Red co-founder and joint CEO Marcin Iwinski said in an open letter.
That sales number certainly sounds impressive, but CD Projekt Red did not say if four million copies sold is in line with the developer's internal projections and expectations for the game
CD Projekt Red continues to support The Witcher 3 with patches and free DLC. Two major, paid expansions are coming to the game, the first of which--Hearts of Stone--will launch in October.
Looking beyond those expansions, CD Projekt Red has said that, although The Witcher 3 is the final entry in Geralt's story, it may not be the final installment in the series. The possibility of a follow-up now seems even more likely with The Witcher 3 getting off to a hot start.
Capcom has confirmed resolution and frame rate details for Dragon's Dogma Online, the next entry in the role-playing game series due out this year for PlayStation consoles and PC.
The PC edition is also capable of reaching 1080p/60fps, provided your computer is beefy enough. Check out the charts at the bottom of this post for more.
As you can see in the graphics comparison video below, the PS4 edition clearly looks sharper and more fluid than the PS3 version.
Dragon's Dogma Online also supports cross-platform play, allowing gamers on console and PC to team up to slay dragons and go on quests together.
The role-playing game is slated to launch on August 31 in Japan. Capcom has not said if Dragon's Dogma Online will also be released in the west.
Quantum Break, the Xbox One exclusive from Alan Wake developer Remedy Entertainment, will not be at E3, a senior exec at the studio has confirmed.
Speaking in a YouTube video, Sam Lake, the studio's chief creative officer--and the face of Max Payne--discussed Remedy's upcoming 20th anniversary.
Lake went on to say Gamescom would be the next time we see new Quantum Break material.
"We were at Gamescom last year with Quantum Break and had great fun. We'll be there again this year ... releasing new material," he said. "We have a theatre where every one of you is welcome to check us out and see the new explosive Quantum Break demo."
Although Lake provided a strong indication that nothing new from the game would be shown at E3, it may be that the game will still show up in some capacity. GameSpot has contacted Microsoft for clarification.
Microsoft previously said it will have a major presence at Gamescom in Germany this August, and promised a breadth of content as significant as what we'll see at E3.
"We should have as much new content at Gamescom as we will at E3," Xbox boss Phil Spencer said at the time, suggesting Quantum Break is one of the games that will be more prominently featured at Gamescom.
Quantum Break is a third-person shooter in which an experiment has caused time to start collapsing. The game's protagonists are given the ability to manipulate time, which they must do to escape a corporation hunting them.
Quantum Break was announced as a trans-media experience. Along with the video game, Remedy and Microsoft are also going to be releasing a live-action show. The game tells the story of the heroes while the show clues us in on the villains.
Quantum Break was previously set to launch in 2015 but, following a delay, is now slated to arrive next year.
GOG.com's DRM-Free Summer Sale rolls on today with a new "Deal Overload" promotion, featuring loads of discounted games and the arrival of two new franchises from Telltale Games.
First up, people who might have missed out on deals that have now expired (the sale has been running since last week), may be happy to learn that all 650+ games and 20 bundles are back on sale.
But this promotion only lasts for 24 hours, ending June 10 at 4:59 AM PDT / 7:59 AM EDT. Head to GOG.com to see all the deals.
Another piece of GOG news today is that Telltale Games franchises The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us are now available through the site--and at massive discounts.
The first and second seasons, as well as the 400 Days add-on, are available at 75 percent off. This means you can get completely caught up for under $14. As for The Wolf Among Us, season one (the only season released so far) is also available for 75 percent off, available for $6.29.
What's more, GOG's Deal Overload promotion includes a 48-hour giveaway (ending June 11), where everyone can get a free copy of strategy game Battle Realms.
If you decide to partake in the sale, you'll get free games depending on how much you spend. Spend $1 to unlock a free copy of SimCity 2000 ($1), $20 for Stalker: Clear Sky; or $50 for Xenonauts.
Wargaming, developer and publisher of World of Tanks, has announced it is rebooting classic PC strategy series Masters of Orion.
Accredited with being a pioneer of the Explore, Expand, Exploit, and Exterminate (4X) genre, Masters of Orion was first released in 1993 for MS-DOS and Mac. The game tasks player with using politics or force to lead a chosen race to galactic dominance.
Development duties for the reboot have been handed to NGD Studios, the Argentina-based outfit behind Bunch of Heroes and Regnum Online, "with key members from the original title's team" also involved.
Wargaming is promising enhanced visuals that will "breathe new life into the vast galaxy available to explore and conquer, as well as give new personality to the many races which call it home."
Other key features include "a revamped user interface, an orchestral score from the original game's composer, voiceovers by well-known actors, new user tutorials, and more."
"Master of Orion is a game that brings Wargaming truly back to its roots, not only as a company but also in how it influenced my personal interest in both games and making them," said Wargaming CEO Victor Kislyi.
"The series' iconic gameplay has stood the test of time and working with NGD Studios to bring the series back to life is a truly exciting moment for the team."
"While we've made many improvements overall to the game, we're confident that its classic and addictive gameplay will appeal to gamers no matter if they played the game years ago or are now just experiencing it for the very first time."
Take a look at the first Masters of Orion screenshots in the gallery below.
Half-Life and Steam developer Valve is "not exhibiting" at E3 next week, the company has confirmed.
A Valve representative told GamesBeat that the company is not taking meetings at E3 for any of its upcoming products, which would include the ViveVR headset it's working on with HTC.
What's more, GamesBeat points out that Valve is--so far at least--not listed as a participant in the inaugural PC Gaming Show at E3, which will be held the evening of June 16.
So don't expect a Half-Life 3 announcement. But you probably already knew that.
Historically, Valve has never had much of a presence at E3. In 2010, Gabe Newell appeared during Sony's briefing to talk about Portal 2, but the company hasn't done much, at least publicly, since.
Though it may not have any announcements to make at E3 itself, Valve may still have some news around E3. The company's annual Summer Sale is rumored to begin June 11 and run through June 20.
E3 2015 will take place June 16-18. For more on the show and our plans for it, check out the video below.
The long-awaited console edition of Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls Online finally launches today, June 9, but the MMORPG's release on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 isn't going as smoothly as it could be.
In North America and Europe, players are reporting log-in issues on NeoGAF and TESO forums. For anyone who wanted to jump right it at midnight when the game launched, this is a big bummer.
Thankfully, Bethesda is on the case, saying in a post on Twitter that it's currently readying a fix.
We're working to fix an issue affecting #ESOTU console logins on NA and EU. Keep an eye on this thread for updates: http://t.co/1mply44M3A
MMOs are still somewhat new territory for consoles, so some level of growing pains are probably to be expected. We'll continue to monitor this story as it develops.
Have you experienced any log-in issues? Let us know in the comments below.
The Elder Scrolls Online was originally released in April 2014 for PC--read our review here. The console edition was delayed multiple times before its release today across both platforms.
The Elder Scrolls Online is now called Tamriel Unlimited, and no longer requires a monthly subscription. However, it's not a free-to-play game entirely, as you still need to pay a one-time fee to get started.
The game will be available across Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Pricing was not announced, but the digital edition sells for $20, so something in that area would seem likely.
Note that this is not a bundle that includes The New Order and The Old Blood, only The Old Blood. But The Old Blood is a standalone game, so you don't need a copy of The New Order to play it.
Here's the story for The Old Blood, boiled down to its key points, courtesy of Bethesda.
"The year is 1946 and the Nazis are on the brink of winning World War II. In an effort to turn the tide in the allies' favor, B.J. Blazkowicz must embark on an epic, two-part mission deep within Bavaria…"
As rumored, the next major Destiny expansion is called The Taken King and will launch on September 15. That's according to Kotaku, which obtained marketing material for the expansion and also corroborated the details with other, unnamed sources. The expansion will reportedly cost $40, which is twice the cost of Destiny's two previous expansions, The Dark Below and House of Wolves.
Among other things, The Taken King is said to offer a new subclass for Destiny's three classes. A new elemental super ability is also supposedly on the way.
Per Kotaku: "An electrical storm for Warlocks (arc); a gravity bow for Hunters (void); and a flaming hammer for Titans (solar). Hardcore Destiny players will notice that each of these abilities revolves around the element each respective class lacks today."
The Taken King will also have a new raid in which players fight against Oryx, the father of Crota, according to the leak. The expansion is also expected to include new multiplayer maps, more Strikes, and more.
Publisher Activision previously referred to a new Destiny expansion coming this fall as the game's biggest ever. The Taken King would be the first Destiny expansion offered outside of the game's DLC pass.
Bayonetta, Wonderful 101, and Metal Gear Rising developer Platinum Games will reveal an unannounced new title at E3.
According to IGN, the title is not Xbox One exclusive Scalebound, and is instead something the studio has never shown before.
Scalebound was announced during Microsoft's press conference at E3 2014. Project director Hideki Kamiya said it is unlike anything the studio has made before and aims to "create new gameplay," among other things.
"The one thing that I will say is that up until this point in my career, and up until this point in Platinum Games' history, we've never made a game like Scalebound," Kamiya said. "What I'm trying to do with Scalebound is create a very different kind of game than what I've created up until this point. We're trying to create new gameplay, and that is a challenge for me personally."
Kamiya said the Xbox One should help Platinum in its effort to make Scalebound a visually impressive experience.
"We've never tried to do something photo-real or something more realistic with that touch," he said. "But it's always been something I've wanted to try. Now having that opportunity has been both difficult but interesting. And the power of the machine is helping there. It's definitely something Platinum Games has wanted to try, and now we're getting our chance to do it, which is cool."
Platinum's creative producer, JP Kellams, added that it was an "important step" in Platinum's legacy to work with a Western publisher such as Microsoft. He went on to say that Microsoft believes in Platinum's vision for Scalebound, and that the companies have a "really open relationship."
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