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The Biggest Stories Of The Week (May 25, 2013)
Did you miss any of the big stories this week? Want to find out how the pieces fit together? You're in the right place. This week's big story was the reveal of the Xbox One (and almost everyone else just got out of the way of that freight train).
The Xbox One, follow-up PR, and the rage of a million core gamers
We've extensively covered this week's Xbox One news (you can see every story we published in our Xbox One Reveal Headquarters), but I want to draw your attention to a couple of key pieces.
- There is still a great deal of confusion swirling around two key issues: used games (though we have a new statement from Major Nelson)and the console's connectivity requirements.
- Our editors shared thoughts in print, and on this week's GI Show.
- I wrote a lengthy opinion piece that broke down the successes and failures of Tuesday's reveal (hint: the big mistakes happened in one-on-one interviews after the presentation).
There's a lot of information right now on the hardware, Kinect 2.0 (with a new report suggesting additional functionality), the controller, the television functions, and more. We are still waiting on the thing that most of you are probably interested in: games. We've been told that Microsoft is working on 15 exclusives in the first 12 months, and we've known since the reveal date was announced that this week was about platform and services. E3 is where we'll be seeing the good stuff. This could be the first time in years that Microsoft doesn't disappoint with its keynote. A press conference light on Usher and creepy kids and heavy on new game announcements would go a long way to winning back the core segment of the market.
More news on Nintendo's E3 Plans
Bad news for us, good news for you. This is going to make coverage tricky, but on the first day of E3 (Tuesday June 11), Nintendo will be presenting its next Direct program at 7 AM Pacific. This week, company president Satoru Iwata teased a new Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and 3D Mario title. We're hopeful we'll have hands-on with those when we visit the booth later that morning.
Previews and Reviews:
- The Joker Appears In Batman: Arkham Origins Hands-on Preview
- Unfolding The Tactile World Of Tearaway (Preview)
- Techland Discusses Differences Between Dead Island & Dying Light (Preview)
- Football Heroes Preview: Arcade Sports Makes A Fourth Quarter Comeback
- Resident Evil: Revelations Review
- Call Of Juarez: Gunslinger Review
- Star Command Review – An Exercise In Multitasking
- Not A Review: Neverwinter
Quick Hits
- Deathstroke will be playable in Batman: Arkham Origins (though it's not clear exactly how yet). Also, you should definitely check out the first trailer.
- Current Precursor Games chief creative officer and former Silicon Knights CEO issued a video message designed to defuse some of the allegations made against him and his former company.
- Sony has teased the design of its PlayStation 4 hardware, promising a first look at the console at the company's E3 keynote on Monday June 10.
- The disabled SimCity features are back.
- A new Iam8bit art show is slated for next month. The exhibit will focus on art inspired by the games of the 1980s.
- The first live-action Destiny trailer has been released. We'll see real gameplay at Sony's E3 keynote.
- Square Enix America CEO Mike Fischer has departed the company.
- You can enter to have your name and profile included in Ubisoft's Watch Dogs.
- We had a chance to interview Erik Caponi, Lead Narrative Designer, of 2K Marin's The Bureau: XCOM Declassfied. We also interviewed Hideo Baba, Producer of Tales of Xilla.
Announcements and Release Dates
- Sony has announced Freedom Wars for the Vita. Currently, a release is planned for Japan, with no confirmation of the title coming to our shores.
- Crytek's Ryse is stepping back into the spotlight as an exclusive for Xbox One.
- Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition is coming to PC this summer.
- A new, next-generation Need for Speed title has been announced.
- Epic Mickey 2 is coming to Vita next month.
- Ninja Theory's next game, Fightback, is coming to iOS and the Google Play store.
- Hello Games' Joe Danger series is coming to PC later this year.
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