The Biggest Stories Of The Week (September 14, 2013)

Before next week's one-two punch of Grand Theft Auto V and the Tokyo Game Show, why not look back on some of this week's biggest news. Whether it's hardware or software you're most interested in, it was an exciting week.

Sony steals the spotlight with the Vita TV and questions about gameplay capture on the PlayStation 4.

We covered Sony extensively this week. It started off overnight on Monday with the company's pre-TGS press conference. In addition to the Japanese PlayStation 4 release date (surprisingly on February 22, 2014), we were introduced to the Vita TV. The device is a living room microconsole that will cost approximately $100. It's only been announced for Japan and other Asian markets, but we suspect it might arrive on our shores next year. 

Sony's selling point in Japan is that the device plays select Vita games, PSP titles, and Vita-capable PSN games  on the television. The Vita TV will also feature the Vita handheld's ability to access PlayStation 4 content via remote play. You can read more on the Vita TV and my thoughts on how Sony can make the device a hit here in North America.

Sony was also in the news because of its lack of clarity around how the PlayStation 4 will handle external capture devices. The concern from the YouTube community is that the PlayStation 3's HDMI output is encoded with high-definition digital content protection (HDCP). YouTubers got around that this generation by grabbing video and audio through the AV port. The PlayStation 4 won't have one of those, and the company hasn't committed to removing HDCP. This could be a big issue for YouTubers and for Sony. Find out why in a lengthy opinion piece on the subject.

Microsoft's 360 library has a giant, first-party shaped hole this fall.

Microsoft had a quieter week, but news yesterday that Fable Anniversary will miss its fall 2013 release is troublesome. The company doesn't have any first-party titles on tap for the Xbox 360 this holiday season.

Last week, Microsoft pledged to support the Xbox 360 for another three years. Chief marketing and strategy officer Yusuf Mehdi stated that the publisher plans to ship another 100 games on Xbox 360. Unfortunately, it won't be publishing any of them this fall, during the first crucial overlap season with the Xbox One. 

Certainly the focus is on the new console, but it's hard to reconcile three more years of support with an absence of new games coming from first-party studios this fall. Here's hoping that this is just a hiccup and that those planning to hold off on upgrading from 360 to Xbox One aren't left in the lurch.

Quick Hits

• EVE Online's lead designer has joined Riot to work on League of Legends.
• A rumor indicates that the next Tales game might be called "Zestiria."
• Call of Duty: Ghosts is on track to be the most pre-ordered game of 2013.
• Sony is releasing a new Vita model in Japan.
• New details have emerged about the setting and story of Capcom's Deep Down.
• The Final Fantasy XIV beta for PS4 will begin in 2014.
• Activision has hired a lobbying firm related to a Senate bill that would fund a study on video game violence.
• A new NPD report evidences the growing importance of mobile gaming among young people.
• Klei's Incognita is now available for paid alpha access.
• Former Epic Games president Mike Capps has joined the board of Quantum Break developer Remedy.
• Steam is getting a family sharing program, not entirely unlike what Microsoft was planning for the Xbox One.
• The SEC is investigating the Rhode Island loan made to 38 Studios.
• You can get early hands-on time with the Xbox One.
• Another Activision shareholder is suing over the deal that freed the publisher from parent Vivendi.
• Blitz Games has closed its doors after 23 years.
• The Fullbright Company's Gone Home has sold over 50,000 copies.
• Fable Anniversary has been delayed until February 2014.
• Web series Mortal Kombat: Legacy II has a new trailer.
• Video Games Live has met its Kickstarter goal, ensuring that there will be a third album.
• 3D Realms has dropped its royalty suit against Gearbox Software over Duke Nukem Forever.

Previews and Reviews

• October Cover - Call of Duty: Ghosts
  • Post-Modern: Inside The Development History Of Call Of Duty: Ghosts
  • Ghosts, Dogs, And Fish: The Story Behind The Memes

• Lego Minifigs Online (Preview)
• Daylight (Preview)
• Star Wars Pinball: Balance of the Force (Preview)
• Beyond: Two Souls (Preview)
• Scribblenauts Unmasked (Preview)
• Grand Theft Auto Online Hands-On (Preview)

• Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs (Review)
• Call of Duty: Strike Team (Review)
• Puppeteer (Review)
• Killzone; Mercenary (Review)
• NHL 14 (Review)
• Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix (Review)
• The Wonderful 101 (Review)
• Firefall (Not a Review)

Announcements and Release Dates

• Wayforward has launched a Kickstarter for a new Shantae game.
• Grasshopper has announced a new game called Lily Bergamo for PlayStation 4.
• Ubisoft has announced Assassin's Creed: Liberation HD for Xbox 360 and PS3, and Assassin's Creed: Pirates for phones and tablets.
• Ubisoft has also announced a new UbiArt Framework game called Valiant Hearts: The Great War.
• A new Rayman endless runner, Rayman Fiesta, was announced.
• Infinity Blade III was announced and given a September 20, 2013, release date.
• A new Theatrhythm title was announced.
• A sequel to the NES beat-em-up River City Ransom has arrived on Kickstarter.
• Final Fantasy Agito is coming back, but this time as a mobile title.
• Atlus' AquaPazza gets a November 19, 2013, release date.
• Lemmings Touch is coming to the PlayStation Vita.
• The Gamestick Android microconsole will be arriving on October 29, 2013.
• Dishonored is getting a Game of the Year edition in October.
• Rune Factory 4 will be released on October 1, 2013.
• First-person horror-themed adventure game Montague's Mount is coming to PC, Mac, and Linux on October 9.