News

Compulsion Games Finds A Publisher For Contrast

Mike Futter — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:11:24 GMT

Today is a good day for console puzzle/platformer fans. Focus Home Interactive has announced that it will be publishing Contrast for PC, Xbox Live Arcade, and Playstation Network.

Contrast, which we've recently previewed, is set in the 1920s and is inspired by vaudeville performances. Players will alternate between 2D and 3D perspectives to move between a two different worlds, one bright and colorful, the other a shadowy realm.

Contrast will arrive in late 2013.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Grid 2 Sets World's Record For The Most Expensive Collector's Edition

Kyle Hilliard — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:10:00 GMT

The collector's edition of Grid 2, the Mono Edition, will be $190,000 and will include a real car.

There's only going to be one and it's going to be for PlayStation 3. If you have an Xbox 360 and want this edition, don't worry – the Mono Edition comes with a PlayStation 3. Along with a a 170mph BAC Mono supercar, a copy of Grid 2, and PlayStation 3, you will also get a tour of the BAC factory, a racing suit, gloves, a helmet, and boots.

European citizens can head here to pre-order the Mono Edition, but if you live in North America you will have to send an e-mail to sale [at] bac-mono.com and convince them to ship the vehicle overseas.

Unfortunately, the Mono Edition will not include any additional pre-order DLC. For more on Grid 2, head here to check out our extensive preview.

Head to page two to see the full press release.

Grab All Of The Capcom Arcade Cabinet Titles In One Simplified Bundle

Kyle Hilliard — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:24:19 GMT

Capcom's Arcade Cabinet is a virtual platform that Capcom has used to release classic arcade titles pack by pack over the past few months on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. All of the titles have released now, so Capcom has gathered all the games in one bundle.

You can grab all 17 games on either Xbox Live or on the PlayStation Network for $29.99. Here's the full list of games:

Black Tiger
Avengers
1943: The Battle of Midway
Ghosts n Goblins
Gun.Smoke
Section Z
Side Arms
Legendary Wings
Trojan
Commando
The Speed Rumbler
Exed Exes (Savage Bees)
1942
SonSon
Pirate Ship Higemaru
1943 Kai
1943 Vulgus

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Report: Xbox One Will Talk Back, Allow Friends To Play For You

Mike Futter — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:58:00 GMT

A new report from Polygon reveals a couple of Kinect features Microsoft hasn't previously disclosed about its new console.

According to the report, Kinect will recognize when someone new enters the room, and check against saved profiles. If it doesn't know the person yet, it will ask the newcomer to identify himself/herself. The Xbox One will have a voice, but that function might not be ready to roll at launch.

Furthermore, gamers will be able to enlist the assistance of friends when playing games. Via the integrated Skype chat, players can cede control to friend. How this will impact achievements is, as of yet, unknown.

We've reached out to Microsoft for comment.

[Source: Polygon]

Take A Peek At Payday 2's Live-Action Web Series

Jeff Cork — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:13:00 GMT

Publisher 505 Games is launching a Payday 2 web series next week, and you can get an early look at it right now. The clip shows four antiheroes – Dallas, Hoxton, Wolf, and Chains – as they get ready to unleash a large-scale series of heists.

The series is being directed by Demian Lichtenstein (3,000 Miles to Graceland), who's also directing a feature-length Payday movie. In the web series, the foursome are going wild in Washington D.C. for as-yet-unknown reasons.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

The first Payday had some great ideas, though they were poorly implemented. If the sequel can deliver the thrills that heist movies have for decades, we could have something special on our hands. Check at our preview for an in-depth look at the game, which includes some of the ways Overkill is addressing previous issues.

Look for Payday 2 on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 this August.

Joe Danger Aims To Thrill On PC

Jeff Cork — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:17:00 GMT

Hello Games has announced that its high-flying hero, Joe Danger, will be making the leap over to PC in 2013. Until now, the only way that players could enjoy his death-defying antics was by playing his games on PS3, Xbox 360, or mobile devices.

"For the PC version of JD, we’ve had a lot of fun," writes Hello Games' founder, Sean Murray. "We’ve added a bunch of new content for both games – some new levels for a start. There’s lots of graphics settings, as well as controller, mouse and keyboard support. Full Steam Big Picture Mode (I was just playing 1080 with 16xAA on my TV – looks soooo nice). We’ve added ghost recording to both Joe Danger and Joe Danger 2 and integrated it with Steam, so you can compete with people right in the game."

Murray says the PC versions are more than simple ports of the first game and its sequel. "Especially for PC, there just seems so many games where you can’t use a mouse in the UI, or even change the graphics settings. Drives me crazy!"

The game adds mouse support to the level editor and also has full Steamworks integration. Look for it later this year.

Ninja Theory's Fightback Coming To Mobile Platforms

Mike Futter — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:26:22 GMT

Chillingo has announced that it will be publishing a new mobile title from DmC Devil May Cry studio Ninja Theory. Fightback will be coming to iOS and Android this summer.

We reported earlier this morning that Ninja Theory had trademarked the name "Fightback" earlier this month and that a related URL (fightbackgame.com) had also been scooped up. It turns out the title is a free-to-play action title that derives its aesthetic from the neon 80s. Ninja Theory's first mobile title will be on display for media at E3.

The full press release follows on page two.

Ninja Theory Teases On Twitter, Trademarks 'Fightback'

Mike Futter — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:32:00 GMT

Yesterday, Ninja Theory cryptically teased an announcement for today. Alone, it didn't seem particularly newsworthy, but new information has caught our attention.

The studio most recently responsible for this years DmC Devil May Cry has a new trademark that might be the title of its next project. "Fightback" is registered for "interactive entertainment software, computer games software, video games programs" and a host of other items that would give Ninja Theory the opportunity to create tie-in merchandise.

Additionally, a domain name that seems related, fightbackgame.com, has been registered. The WhoIs results indicate that the domain was secured by proxy, so there is no concrete way to tie the two together. This isn't the first time Ninja Theory has dropped hints recently, but we suspect we might know something tangible later today.

Update: Chillingo and Ninja Theory have revealed that Fightback is a mobile title. More information and first screenshot here.

[Source: Gamechup]

Major Nelson Posts Picture Of Xbox One Game Box

Matt Helgeson — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:02:00 GMT

Microsoft's official Xbox blogger has released a picture of how Xbox One game boxes will look - using Forza 5 as an example.

The picture is above. It's a slightly sleeker look than the 360 game box. It's interesting that the trademark Xbox green - which is largely absent from the Xbox One console itself - returns in the boxes.

[Source: Major Nelson]

Microsoft Files Complaint Over XboxOne.com Domain

Matt Helgeson — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:25:00 GMT

Despite filing multiple domain registrations that were thought to be for its next-gen console, it turns out that Micrsoft doesn't actually own the right to two prominent Xbox One domains.

The report comes via Fusible, which does very good reporting on domain name filings. According to WhoIs.com, someone residing in the United Kingdom holds the domains xboxone.com and xboxone.net.

Microsoft has filed a complaint with the National Arbitration Forum over the domains, hoping to secure control of them. Interestingly, Microsoft had filed for many Xbox related domain names, particularly a slew of them related to the name "Xbox Fusion," leading many to believe that was the name of the company's next console. As it turned out, that was not the case.

[Source: Fusible]

Turtle Beach To Manufacture Headsets For Xbox One

Matt Helgeson — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:31:00 GMT

Today, video game peripheral company Turtle Beach that it will be releasing a line of gaming headsets for Microsoft’s Xbox One console.

“In Turtle Beach we have a partner that can help Microsoft deliver world class gaming audio experiences to our customers,” said Turtle Beach’s director of strategic alliances Branden Powell. “Turtle Beach has consistently innovated in wireless, surround sound, and other features and we are looking forward to working with them.”

This is significant in a couple of ways. One, we’ve received confirmation from Microsoft that the company will not be packing in a Communicator headset in with the Xbox One, as it did with the Xbox 360 (this is presumably because the unit comes with a next-generation Kinect sensor bar in the box). So, any Xbox One owners who want a headset for online multiplayer will have to be out shopping for an aftermarket headset -- making this a potentially much more lucrative market for Turtle Beach than the 360 was.

Secondly, Microsoft told Game Informer that the new Xbox controller features a “high speed data port” which will allow for new peripherals to be used -- including stereo headsets -- through the controller. Let’s hope Turtle Beach is looking at that functionality.

Full press release on next page

Super Replay T-Shirt Contest Winners: Ninja Gaiden/Luigi's Mansion

Dan Ryckert — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:21:00 GMT

In the last couple of months, we've wrapped up our Super Replays of both Ninja Gaiden and Luigi's Mansion. As is tradition around these parts, we threw out the call for t-shirt designs for a contest for each of them. We've picked our winners, and you can check them out below:

Ninja Gaiden winner: Matt Ford

Luigi's Mansion winner: Connor Linton

Both of them will win a prize from the Game Informer vault. Click on to see a few runners-up.

Pre-Order FIFA 14 & Get Gold

Matthew Kato — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:24:00 GMT

EA Sports has just announced the current-gen pre-order bonus for FIFA 14, and it will give you more than a leg up on your Ultimate Team in the game.

Pre-ordering a current-gen version of the game (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC) will get you 24 Ultimate Team gold packs doled out once a week for 24 weeks. The packs will consist of 12 cards each, and be the usual mix of players, contracts, a rare item, etc. In the Ultimate Team mode you collect cards for players and other items in order to build a team that you then play in the game against the AI or online.

No word as to what the pre-order bonus(es) for the next-gen versions of the game might be, although EA says you will be able to pre-order them soon. The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of the game will come out sometime in the next year, and the Xbox One edition features unspecified exclusive Ultimate Team content.

For a brief look at some behind-the-scenes footage of the next-gen versions using EA's Ignite engine (and Messi talking!), take a look at this trio of trailers. To find out about some of FIFA 14's features, here are the early details.

FIFA 14 for the current-gen platforms comes out on September 24.

New Kinect For Windows Coming In 2014

Joe Juba — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:16:00 GMT

A new version of Kinect is included with every Xbox One. Microsoft's other version of Kinect – the one focused on computing and business applications – is also in development. Kinect for Windows uses the same technological foundation as the Xbox One's Kinect, and is slated to release next year.

On the Kinect for Windows blog, Microsoft outlined some of the features of the PC-based version of Kinect. The highlights include a color camera, a noise-reducing microphone, improved skeletal tracking, and an infrared sensor that improves detection in less-than-ideal lighting. Of course, a lot of these features sound familiar to what gamers are getting, but with greater emphasis on real-world application.

For more on Microsoft's motion-sensing strategy, read about how the company is going all-in with Kinect for Xbox One.

[Source: Kinect for Windows Blog]

Get Your Name And Profile In Ubisoft's Watch Dogs

Mike Futter — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:31:00 GMT

Ubisoft is giving fans a chance to get their names and pertinent details in its upcoming open-world action title, Watch Dogs. You need accounts with both Facebook and Uplay to participate before you can get started.

Once you're in, all you need to is enter your name, birthdate, occupation, and three facts about yourself. This is your opportunity to be creative, so have fun.

Ubisoft will be choosing 30 participants at random from around the world to be included as pedestrians in the game. Find out if you've been chosen on November 19, 2013, when Watch Dogs arrives for PC, Wii U, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions are coming, also.

Enter for your chance to win here, and be sure to check out our recent preview.