http://auth.gamespot.com/ Gamespot's Everything Feed! News, Reviews, Videos. Exploding with content? You bet. en-us Fri, 23 May 2014 00:57:39 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/tropico-5-review/2300-6418939/ Tropico 5's irreverent wit and smooth difficulty curve make governing your own banana republic an easy and enjoyable experience. Thu, 22 May 2014 17:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/tropico-5-review/2300-6418939/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/super-smash-bros-wii-u-will-use-nfc/1100-6419826/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2539318-0918550932-25273.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539318" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2539318-0918550932-25273.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539318"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1534/15343359/2539318-0918550932-25273.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p style="">According to French website <a href="http://www.lefigaro.fr/secteur/high-tech/2014/05/22/01007-20140522ARTFIG00230-mario-kart-8-va-relancer-les-ventes-de-la-wii-u.php" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="01007-20140522">Le Figaro</a>. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is going to take advantage of the system's NFC system.</p><p style="">It's not clear from the quote whether this will involve some kind of tie-in with the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/update-nintendo-to-integrate-skylanders-like-figurines-with-wii-u-and-3ds/1100-6419497/" data-ref-id="1100-6419497">recently announced NFP figurine system</a> or some new functionality. </p><p style="">The forum <a href="http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=823474" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Neogaf</a> dug up the article originally, and a <a href="https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lefigaro.fr%2Fsecteur%2Fhigh-tech%2F2014%2F05%2F22%2F01007-20140522ARTFIG00230-mario-kart-8-va-relancer-les-ventes-de-la-wii-u.php&edit-text=&act=url" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Google translate</a> of the text reveals the interesting quote from Stephan Bole, managing director of Nintendo France: "The NFC will be used in the Wii U version of Super Smash Bros."</p><p style="">Outside of Pokemon, Smash Bros. would be the next best way to incorporate collectible Nintendo figurines. We'll likely get <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/e3/" data-ref-id="false">full details on what this means at E3</a>, but what do you think of the potential mash-up? Is the possibliity of adding a new characters via NFC a plus? Let us know in the comments below!</p><table data-max-width="true"><tbody><tr><td><p style=""><strong>Justin Haywald is a senior editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/JustinHaywald" rel="nofollow"> Twitter @JustinHaywald</a></strong></p><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table><p style=""> </p><p style=""> </p> Thu, 22 May 2014 16:55:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/super-smash-bros-wii-u-will-use-nfc/1100-6419826/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/amplitude-hits-funding-goal-coming-to-ps3-and-ps4/1100-6419825/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2539303-3003592440-0acb4.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539303" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2539303-3003592440-0acb4.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539303"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1534/15343359/2539303-3003592440-0acb4.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p style="">It may have seemed a little touch-and-go, but with less than 24 hours left to go, the Harmonix-developed music game Amplitude has met it's $775,000 funding goal.</p><p style="">If you were on the fence, you can still <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/harmonix/amplitude" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">contribute to the game's Kickstarter</a>. </p><p style="">So who are the bands that will be contributing music to the game? In addition to the Harmonix originals, the Kickstarter page revealed the following bands:</p><ul><li><a href="http://anamanaguchi.com/%20" rel="nofollow">Anamanaguchi</a> (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World)</li><li><a href="http://c418.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">C418</a> (Minecraft)</li><li><a href="http://dbsoundworks.com/%20" rel="nofollow">Danny Baranowsky</a> (Super Meat Boy, Canabalt)</li><li><a href="http://www.freezepop.net/news/" rel="nofollow">Freezepop</a> (FreQuency, Amplitude)</li><li><a href="http://www.jimguthrie.org/" rel="nofollow">Jim Guthrie</a> (Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP)</li><li><a href="http://symbionproject.com/" rel="nofollow">Kasson Crooker</a> (FreQuency, Amplitude, Symbion Project)</li><li><a href="http://www.georgeandjonathan.com/#1" rel="nofollow">George & Jonathan</a></li></ul><table data-max-width="true"><tbody><tr><td><p style=""><strong>Justin Haywald is a senior editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/JustinHaywald" rel="nofollow"> Twitter @JustinHaywald</a> Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 22 May 2014 16:48:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/amplitude-hits-funding-goal-coming-to-ps3-and-ps4/1100-6419825/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-wars-tie-fighter-20th-anniversary-retrospective/1100-6419819/ <p style="">The Star Wars movies are an excellent source of inspiration for game developers, and indeed, there have been dozens of games across the spectrum of genres since the original, <i>Episode IV: A New Hope</i>, hit the silver screen in 1977.</p><p style="">Thanks to games such as 1990's <a href="/wing-commander/" data-ref-id="false">Wing Commander</a>, the popularity of space combat sims spiked in the early '90s, and the Star Wars flight sims on PC are remembered as some of the very best of the day. <a href="/x-wing-collectors-series/" data-ref-id="false">X-Wing </a>kicked things off in 1993, but it was 1994's <a href="/star-wars-tie-fighter/" data-ref-id="false">TIE Fighter</a> that moved the genre forward. LucasArts capitalized on the storage capacity and rising availability of CD-ROM drives, and after players fought for the familiar rebel forces in X-Wing, TIE Fighter gave them a refreshing glimpse through the eyes of the Galactic Empire.</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW2K0Cf00aM" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FiW2K0Cf00aM%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed&wmode=opaque&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DiW2K0Cf00aM&image=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FiW2K0Cf00aM%2Fhqdefault.jpg&key=6efca6e5ad9640f180f14146a0bc1392&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtube" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style="">Given that it's Video Game History Month at GameSpot, and TIE Fighter's 20th Anniversary is coming up, now's the perfect time to recollect what made it such a landmark game for the genre, not to mention one of the best games ever set in the Star Wars universe, space-sim or otherwise.</p><h3><strong>Carolyn Petit</strong></h3><p style="">In 1993, Star Wars: X-Wing was released. It was the best space combat simulator ever made, and not just because it let you live the dream of flying an X-Wing in the Star Wars universe, though that was certainly part of it. No hollow cash-in on the Star Wars license, the game made the most of the universe, throwing you into all kinds of gripping and believable combat scenarios rising out of the ongoing conflict between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance. It also looked amazing, using polygonal models for spacecraft unlike most of its contemporaries. Seeing a TIE Fighter fly apart in pieces when you blasted it offered a sense of satisfaction that the non-polygonal graphics of the rival Wing Commander series just couldn't match. And the emphasis on power management--having to decide how much energy to allocate to lasers, shields, and engines--made your victories about more than just your skill in a dogfight.</p><p style="">X-Wing's excellence only made it that much more astounding when its sequel, TIE Fighter, somehow managed to improve upon it. But what I found most fascinating about TIE Fighter wasn't the improved gameplay or the great mission design or the shaded graphics. It was the way that the game made me think about the empire, and about portrayals of villainy in general, in a new way. In the Star Wars films, the empire is evil to the core. But TIE Fighter let you see the empire from a new perspective. The game didn't make you feel like a bad person doing bad things, but like a pilot who might reasonably have believed that what he was doing was in the galaxy's best interests.</p><p style="">Now, some 20 years later, it's extremely common for games to let you choose to be good or evil, but more often than not, I find that such choices lack any subtlety or nuance. Typically you end up feeling like either a paragon of virtue or a caricature of evil. TIE Fighter dared to put you on the side of the "bad guys" long before most games ventured into such territory, and it explored moral ambiguity better than most games that have come since. You weren't out to crush the forces of good. You were just trying to maintain order in a chaotic galaxy. Playing TIE Fighter didn't change my feeling that the empire was an evil entity. In fact, the power of its propaganda only made the empire a more terrifying regime in my eyes. And I never saw the individual cogs in its machine--the deluded stormtroopers and TIE Fighter pilots and other rank-and-file officers--quite the same way again.</p><blockquote data-align="center" data-size="large"><p style="">TIE Fighter dared to put you on the side of the "bad guys" long before most games ventured into such territory.</p></blockquote><h3><strong>Randolph Ramsay</strong></h3><p style="">X-Wing may have had you flying for the good guys, but TIE Fighter was always the cooler game for a variety of reasons. Despite using the same engine as X-Wing, TIE Fighter was hands-down the best looking, featuring impressive details on ships both small and large. It also had a 3D model of the ship you were currently targeting right in the middle of your cockpit console, which rotated depending on your angle to your opponent. Not to overstate it, but that was pretty mind-blowing for me at the time. The game also boasted an impressive array of ships to fly in and against, giving TIE Fighter an excellent variety of space dogfighting experiences.</p><p style="">But by far the most indelible thing for me was those missions piloting a standard TIE Fighter. After flying ships with shields in X-Wing, suddenly being thrust into the midst of battle without any external protection was wholly intimidating. Each mission I flew in the TIE fighter was white-knuckle, and I can still feel the thrill of having survived many intense battles, not fully aware of how exactly I managed to avoid being blown to bits. If I were a superstitious Jedi, I'd say the Force was guiding my hand. But I wasn't. I was on the dark side, and I loved it.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2539158-tiefight.png" data-ref-id="1300-2539158" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2539158-tiefight.png" data-ref-id="1300-2539158"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1406/14063904/2539158-tiefight.png"></a><figcaption>Space pirates should know better than to mess with the Empire!</figcaption></figure><p style=""><strong>Peter Brown</strong></p><p style="">I wasn't around for the theatrical release of the original Star Wars trilogy, but I grew up watching the movies from the comfort of my parents' basement on a regular basis. I reveled in Luke's transformation from an eager young farmer into a plucky, adventurous rebel, and yearned for the sort of excitement embodied in scenes like the speeder bike chase in <i>Return of the Jedi</i>.</p><p style="">I loved the tense conflicts that brought acts to an exciting head. Of course, lightsaber battles are the most iconic, but for as much joy as I got out of watching two Jedi clash, mano a mano, I was doubly drawn into the heated battles between X-Wings and TIE Fighters. This was partially due to my affinity for spacecraft design, but I think what really struck me was that piloting fighter craft was something I could theoretically do. Not just anybody could become a mystical warrior, but pilots were average people with daring and quick reflexes. That could be me.</p><p style="">For a time, I lived out this fantasy in LucasArts' space-combat sim X-Wing, but its sequel, TIE Fighter, was the more impressive and captivating game. The CD-ROM version of TIE Fighter came with enhanced, high-resolution graphics (640x480), and new voice-overs that added to my sense of immersion. Granted, nowadays these elements are less impressive, but at the time, TIE Fighter was all I needed to feel like a space pilot in the Star Wars universe, and ultimately, it's the game that I credit with my current love of space combat games.</p> Thu, 22 May 2014 16:06:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-wars-tie-fighter-20th-anniversary-retrospective/1100-6419819/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-metro-redux-will-be-1080p-on-ps4-no-fallou/2300-6418936/ Bethesda say their next big announcement is still a ways off, The Metro series is getting an overhaul for PS4/Xbox One/PC, and new Zelda game screenshots! Thu, 22 May 2014 16:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-metro-redux-will-be-1080p-on-ps4-no-fallou/2300-6418936/ http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tropico-5-review/1900-6415769/ <p style="">Everything is just one big joke on the island of Tropico. Your research team is incompetent, your diplomat is a snob, and your radio DJ is absolutely shameless. But that's OK, because both Tropico 5 and its digital inhabitants don't take anything too seriously. This management sim wraps its irreverent wit around some easily approachable mechanics that smartly grow in complexity as you move through the ages and become more familiar with your new role as El Presidente.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2539275-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still002.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539275" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2539275-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still002.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539275"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/949/9490474/2539275-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still002.jpg"></a><figcaption>Mission objectives help guide your island to prosperity.</figcaption></figure><p style="">I'm getting ahead of myself, since you're not actually El Presidente in the beginning. Instead, Tropico 5 starts you off as a lowly governor in the Victorian era under the service of the Crown. From these humble beginnings, you must guide your people through World War II, the Cold War, and beyond. Each age brings with it a new set of challenges because your tiny island nation is sandwiched between the world's rotating superpowers. But as your trusted advisors say, it is your will alone that is holding Tropico together, and that means doing anything and everything necessary to stay in office, whether it's rigging the next election or putting down civilian riots. After all, you're doing this for the good of the people, and your Swiss bank account.</p><p style="">Throughout the ages, your advisors take excellent care of making sure Tropico 5 is easy to pick up and enjoy, whether you're familiar with this series' long history or not. You start in the Victorian era, where Lord Oaksworth, emissary to the Crown, guides you through building your first resource-gathering structures. These assignments are always couched in some harebrained scheme the king has cooked up back home, such as requesting that you build a logging camp so the king can complete his underwater palace.</p><p style="">These missions to build certain structures or complete certain tasks continue throughout the game, and as you grow and define the style of your nation, they can be accepted or ignored as needed. In the beginning, you're just trying to stay in the black and keep your people happy, but as you advance through the eras, you may wish to shape your island into a high-end tourist trap or become the world's leading producer of cigars and rum. The types of missions selected for you are different each time you play and together they try to shape your island towards a certain style, but the game is also flexible enough for you to strike your own path as well.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2539276-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539276" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2539276-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539276"><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/949/9490474/2539276-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still003.jpg"></a><figcaption>Your most trusted advisor, Penultimo, always knows how to make a problem go away. </figcaption></figure><p style="">However, each mission carries with it some sort of political consequence. Usually it's a trade-off between appeasing one faction on the island and angering another, such as siding with the Crown over the revolutionaries, or later the Axis supporters over the Allied supporters. You don't have to please all of the people all of the time; you just have to stay in power. Forever. Virtually every choice you make--from the buildings you build to the people you trade with--has some sort of impact on your standing with the island's various factions. Molding popular opinion to your advantage is an enjoyable and ever-changing challenge that grows in complexity as you move through the ages and more factions are introduced.</p><p style="">But while this game's simple mission design is there to reel you in, it's Tropico 5's sense of humor that baits the hook. From the wording of your island's constitution to the musings of your radio DJ, this game's irreverent streak touches every aspect of the island. And in its own way, this devil-may-care attitude is fitting for Tropico 5 since the game isn't concerned with breaking down every little bit of minutia for you. It gives you just enough information to make an informed decision without leaving you lost in a maze of submenus.</p><p style="">Consider your budget. In Tropico 5, you're not earning money at a constant rate; rather, it comes in large lump sums when your trade ships arrive at port. And when you have that huge influx of cash burning a hole in your pocket, it's hard not to blow it all right away on new structures and other island improvements. Your citizens will love you for it, but you'll also be putting yourself back in crippling debt. Now, were I an egocentric island dictator in this goofy parody of real life, then I, too, would likely spend beyond my means when the time was ripe and then sweat it out during the off-season. Tropico 5 is full of little design touches--like how your money is doled out--that help reinforce its fiction that you are, frankly, a buffoon.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2539277-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still001.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539277" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2539277-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still001.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539277"><img src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/949/9490474/2539277-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still001.jpg"></a><figcaption>Tropico 5 lets you take a real hands-on approach to governing the people.</figcaption></figure><p style="">There is a lot to enjoy on the sandy beaches of Tropico 5. Whether you're playing alone or with up to three others online, the game strikes a good balance between style and substance that is easy to digest for all types of strategy fans. The constant power struggle between the game's various factions--both internal and abroad--creates an ever-changing challenge for you to manage as El Presidente, whether through force or appeasement. And while the rest of the world tears itself apart with World War-this and Cold War-that, the simple-minded Tropicans are there to kick their feet up and take it easy for all us sinners.</p> Thu, 22 May 2014 15:53:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tropico-5-review/1900-6415769/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-seeing-greater-interest-in-xbox-one-since-price-drop-announcement/1100-6419824/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2539222-nokinectxboxone.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539222" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2539222-nokinectxboxone.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539222"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2539222-nokinectxboxone.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">It's only been a nine days since <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/399-xbox-one-without-kinect-launching-in-june/1100-6419601/" data-ref-id="1100-6419601">Microsoft announced a price cut for the Xbox One</a>, but retailer GameStop is already benefiting from the announcement. During a post-earnings financial call today, GameStop president Tony Bartel said the company is seeing "stronger demand" for the Xbox One since last week.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"I definitely think we're already seeing in our stores with our reservation program as well as dialogue with PowerUp Rewards [members that] there's a stronger demand as a result of the price drop," Bartel said. "The good news for us is... we'll sell a lot more units."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"And that means there will be more [Xbox One] units out there to put software on," Bartel went on to say. This is particularly noteworthy because GameStop's margins are better for software than they are for hardware.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The new $399 Xbox One, which doesn't come with Kinect,<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/399-xbox-one-without-kinect-launching-in-june/1100-6419601/" data-ref-id="1100-6419601"> launches June 9</a>. We'll have a better understanding of just how meaningful the price cut was for GameStop's fortunes later this year when GameStop reports earnings for its fiscal second quarter.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">It's not only GameStop that's positive about the Xbox One price cut. Both <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ubisoft-extremely-happy-about-xbox-one-price-cut-says-it-s-a-great-move/1100-6419663/" data-ref-id="1100-6419663">Assassin's Creed publisher Ubisoft </a>and <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-parent-company-pleased-with-xbox-one-price-cut/1100-6419682/" data-ref-id="1100-6419682">Grand Theft Auto parent company Take-Two </a>think the move <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-parent-company-pleased-with-xbox-one-price-cut/1100-6419682/" data-ref-id="1100-6419682">is a good thing</a>, as it should help more Xbox One units enter the market.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Also during the call, an analyst asked if GameStop's business has seen any kind of meaningful impact as a result of <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/wal-mart-taking-on-gamestop-will-soon-accept-video-game-trade-ins/1100-6418369/" data-ref-id="1100-6418369">megaretailer Wal-Mart entering the used game space in March</a>. CEO Paul Raines said competitors have emerged in the past and GameStop has always remained king of the secondhand market. This is no different for Wal-Mart, he said.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"We are in Texas so I have to say it's not our first rodeo," Raines said. "We have not seen any impact from our competitors entering the used space. I would encourage you to go do some trades at all of our competitors, because I think all of them are in the trade business. We have a deep knowledge of how execution looks at all of those competitors and we do not have any impact from them."</p><p style="">GameStop recorded revenue of <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-made-68m-in-profit-in-the-past-three-months-up-24-over-last-year/1100-6419820/" data-ref-id="1100-6419820">$2 billion for the quarter ended May 3</a>, and hauled in a profit of<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-made-68m-in-profit-in-the-past-three-months-up-24-over-last-year/1100-6419820/" data-ref-id="1100-6419820"> $68 million</a> thanks in part to strong sales of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 22 May 2014 15:29:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-seeing-greater-interest-in-xbox-one-since-price-drop-announcement/1100-6419824/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-says-ps4-unlike-their-previous-consoles-is-already-contributing-profit/1100-6419822/ <div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6418380" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6418380/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style="">Speaking today at a corporate strategy meeting, Sony president Kaz Hirai said that the PlayStation 4 is "already contributing a profit on a hardware unit basis."</p><p style="">Reported by Japanese site <a href="http://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140522_649764.html" rel="nofollow" data-mce-href="http://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140522_649764.html">AV Watch</a> (via <a href="http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=823567" rel="nofollow" data-mce-href="http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=823567">NeoGaf</a>), a Sony representative provided GameSpot a translation for one of Hirai's most interesting statements from the meeting. "From a profitability perspective," Hirai said, "PS4 is also already contributing profit on a hardware unit basis, establishing a very different business framework from that of previous platform businesses." It's a slightly roundabout quote, but that statement essentially says that the PS4 is already profitable, unlike previous console generations that are typically sold at a loss for their first few years.</p><p style="">This lines up with earlier comments from Sony prior to the PS4's launch that they did not expect their current-gen console to <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-not-expecting-ps3-like-losses-for-ps4/1100-6412760/" data-mce-href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-not-expecting-ps3-like-losses-for-ps4/1100-6412760/">"generate losses like they did for the PS3."</a></p><p style="">While the strategy meeting focused on Sony's business as a whole, Hirai also mentioned that over half of PS4 owners subscribe to the PlayStation Plus service, which <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/at-least-2-1-million-playstation-4-owners-have-playstation-plus-sony-says/1100-6417596/" data-ref-id="1100-6417596" data-mce-href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/at-least-2-1-million-playstation-4-owners-have-playstation-plus-sony-says/1100-6417596/">lines up with previous projections earlier this year</a>. Sony recently opened up <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/at-least-2-1-million-playstation-4-owners-have-playstation-plus-sony-says/1100-6417596/" data-ref-id="1100-6417596" data-mce-href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/at-least-2-1-million-playstation-4-owners-have-playstation-plus-sony-says/1100-6417596/">beta invitations for the PlayStation Now game streaming service to PlayStation 4 </a>owners, and <a href="http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201405/14-054E/" rel="nofollow" data-mce-href="http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201405/14-054E/">Hirai noted that </a><a href="http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201405/14-054E/" rel="nofollow" data-mce-href="http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201405/14-054E/">Sony plans</a> to "introduce a new, cloud-based television service within the calendar year 2014."</p><p style="">According to the AV Watch article (as translated by GameSpot), Hirai said that, given the success of both hardware sales and network services, "The PS4 is likely to generate more revenue than PS2."</p><p style="">As of April, Sony announced that the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-reports-7-million-playstation-4-consoles-sold-worldwide/1100-6419044/" data-ref-id="1100-6419044" data-mce-href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-reports-7-million-playstation-4-consoles-sold-worldwide/1100-6419044/">PlayStation 4 had sold over 7 million consoles</a>, though we'll likely hear even more about the system and what Sony's plans for <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/e3/" data-mce-href="http://www.gamespot.com/e3/">further audience expansion at this year's E3</a>.</p><table data-max-width="true" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td><p style=""><strong>Justin Haywald is a senior editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/JustinHaywald" rel="nofollow" data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/JustinHaywald"> Twitter @JustinHaywald</a></strong></p><p style=""><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow" data-mce-href="mailto:news@gamespot.com">news@gamespot.com</a></strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style=""><br /></p> Thu, 22 May 2014 15:16:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-says-ps4-unlike-their-previous-consoles-is-already-contributing-profit/1100-6419822/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-update-release-dates-for-evolve-and-minecr/2300-6418929/ Microsoft and Sony's current-gen systems are getting a few more exciting games this year with confirmed release date windows for both Evolve and Minecraft. Thu, 22 May 2014 14:04:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-update-release-dates-for-evolve-and-minecr/2300-6418929/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-made-68m-in-profit-in-the-past-three-months-up-24-over-last-year/1100-6419820/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2539171-gamestopstorenew.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539171" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2539171-gamestopstorenew.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539171"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2539171-gamestopstorenew.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">GameStop reported earnings today for the quarter ended May 3, and it was good news for the Grapevine, Texas video game giant. The retailer posted $2 billion in revenue, up 7 percent compared to the $1.87 billion it hauled in last year. Profit for the quarter was $68 million, a healthy increase of 24.5 percent compared to last year's net earnings of $54.6 million.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Continued strong worldwide sales of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 was the "primary" driver of GameStop's performance in the quarter. The company's new hardware category surged 81.1 percent compared to this time last year. In addition, GameStop says that combined Xbox One and PS4 sales in the US from November until April were more than double than sales of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 over the same period of time. That's good news for GameStop.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">GameStop's digital business also grew during the quarter, rising 9.5 percent thanks to the sale of digital items for the Xbox One and PS4, as well as "substantial" international PC sales. The retailer's mobile electronics category was also on the up, rising 100 percent year-over-year thanks to revenue from GameStop's new <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-moving-beyond-games-preparing-for-the-future/1100-6419193/" data-ref-id="1100-6419193">offshoot brands Spring Mobile and Simply Mac</a>.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">It wasn't all good news for GameStop, though, as new software sales fell 20.4 percent due to fewer AAA titles launching in the quarter compared to last year, GameStop said. Despite the contraction in new software sales, GameStop's pre-owned business jumped 5.3 percent year-over-year. This growth was attributed to gamers heading to GameStop to trade in their wares to upgrade to new consoles, the retailer said.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"I am pleased to report solid financial and operational results in the first quarter. The next-gen console business is meeting our targets, our digital properties continue to grow and our new tech brands segment is positively contributing to our profitability," GameStop CEO Paul Raines said in a statement.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">GameStop's fortunes are only going to improve next quarter and into the full year, the company said. For the next quarter, GameStop expects comparable store sales to range from +12 percent to +19 percent year-over-year. And for the full year, GameStop says it expects comparable store sales to grow in the range of +6 percent to +12 percent.</p><p style="">GameStop will hold an earnings call today at 5 p.m. EDT to discuss these results and analyst analyst and media questions. Check back later for more.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 22 May 2014 13:22:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-made-68m-in-profit-in-the-past-three-months-up-24-over-last-year/1100-6419820/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/wolfenstein-3d-in-wolfenstein-the-new-order/2300-6418931/ Find out what BJ Blazkowicz dreams of in this gameplay clip from Wolfenstein: The New Order on the PC (GeForce GTX 680). Thu, 22 May 2014 12:55:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/wolfenstein-3d-in-wolfenstein-the-new-order/2300-6418931/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/reality-check-what-is-the-biggest-game-in-the-worl/2300-6418928/ What is the biggest game in the world? Minecraft? League Of Legends? Super Mario Bros? Cam tries to find an answer in this weeks Reality Check. Thu, 22 May 2014 12:54:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/reality-check-what-is-the-biggest-game-in-the-worl/2300-6418928/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/video-games-are-the-most-fascinating-medium-ever-created-david-cage-says/1100-6419818/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/original/mig/2/3/0/7/1952307-673021_20120604_014.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1952307" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/original/mig/2/3/0/7/1952307-673021_20120604_014.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1952307"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/mig/2/3/0/7/1952307-673021_20120604_014.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">According to David Cage, head of <a href="/heavy-rain/" data-ref-id="false">Heavy Rain</a> and <a href="/beyond-two-souls/" data-ref-id="false">Beyond: Two Souls</a> developer Quantic Dream, video games are the most fascinating medium ever created. The latest issue of <em>Play</em> magazine (via <a href="http://www.nowgamer.com/news/2404093/games_nowhere_near_film_says_david_cage.html" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">NowGamer</a>) features an interview with the industry veteran, who says, "At the moment, we use video games as a toy, but they have the potential to be meaningful."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"By far, video games are the most fascinating medium that mankind has ever created. They have the power to make you think in ways that films and books have not achieved," he added.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Cage and Quantic Dream are <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/quantic-dreams-ps4-game-very-very-different-says-cage/1100-6415014/" data-ref-id="1100-6415014">currently working on a mystery PlayStation 4 game</a>, and it sounds like Cage is thinking about a whole new way to tell a story for this project.</p><blockquote data-align="left"><p dir="ltr" style="">"Even if it means being some kind of alien to the game industry. I want to experiment and try new ideas" -- David Cage</p></blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="">"So my goal over the past years has been to develop a new approach to narrative," he said. "Instead of thinking of a 2D script, like a film, which moves through just time and space, I've tried to develop a 3D script that operates through time, space, and interactivity."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"I try to provide interesting interactive experiences and at the same time learn how to make them better," Cage added. "Even if it means being some kind of alien to the game industry. I want to experiment and try new ideas. I have criticisms of myself, things that I wish I could have done differently or better, but I rarely have regrets. I'm trying to understand this new language we have to tell interactive stories."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Don't expect this new PS4 game to focus on a gun-toting hero, however.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"See, our industry has defined interactivity as performing physical actions, like shooting or jumping, in loops. So, for many people, my games are not real video games because they don't fit into this restrictive idea of interactivity. My characters don't carry guns or shoot every person they meet," Cage said. "They lead normal lives and do mundane things. They have emotions and relationships. This, to me, is what interactivity is about--creating real empathy between a player and their character. But games are a conservative industry. It's hard to convince hardcore players to accept these new kinds of interactivity."</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/mig/5/7/0/9/1555709-933123_20100817_009.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1555709" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/mig/5/7/0/9/1555709-933123_20100817_009.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1555709"><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/mig/5/7/0/9/1555709-933123_20100817_009.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">Though advancements have been made, storytelling and character development in games still has a ways to go to catch up to movies, according to Cage.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"My opinion is that we have nothing in games that gets anywhere near to a good film in terms of narrative or characterization. Games focus on simple themes and target a teenage audience," Cage said. "They could become meaningful. They could have the power to move a larger audience. But it would take new paradigms, a shift to privileging meaning over action and a lot more power given to talented people for that to happen."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Cage isn't confident that this will ever happen, though, at least not in his lifetime.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"The more things go on, the more I doubt things will change. To be honest, we are very few people in the world thinking this way. Maybe incremental changes, step by step, could make a difference, but I will probably be dead by the time it happens."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Despite Cage's apparent negativity, he says he's not going to give up. He also stressed that just because he wants to create "meaningful" games, it doesn't mean this should be the only type of game out there.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"This work is always fascinating, always challenging. I still think there should be games for all, games for different people who have different expectations. I wish I could learn and work faster, and have more courage to do more crazy things. Game after game, I try to explore boundaries. I believe you could make a very unique experience by doing an interactive Shakespeare play. So, although there is strong resistance from the games industry when it comes to considering different creative directions, I love lost causes. It's probably my romantic French side. "</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><em>What do you make of Cage's comments? Let us know in the comments below!</em></p><p style=""> </p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 22 May 2014 12:42:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/video-games-are-the-most-fascinating-medium-ever-created-david-cage-says/1100-6419818/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/witcher-2-out-now-for-linux-is-80-off-on-steam/1100-6419817/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2538702-witcher2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2538702" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2538702-witcher2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2538702"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2538702-witcher2.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">CD Projekt Red today released a Linux version of 2011's <a href="/the-witcher-2-assassins-of-kings/" data-ref-id="false">The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings</a> and is currently offering the game, as well as the <a href="/the-witcher/" data-ref-id="false">original Witcher</a>, for a hefty 80% off discount.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">That means you can get The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings for Windows, Mac, or Linux for $4, and the original Witcher (Windows and Mac only) for $2. <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/20920/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">The deal</a> expires on Saturday, May 24. The system requirements for the Linux version of The Witcher 2 are listed below.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The next Witcher game is <a href="/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt/" data-ref-id="false">The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt</a>, which launches across Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC in <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-witcher-3-delayed-to-february-2015-for-xbox-one-ps4-and-pc/1100-6418237/" data-ref-id="1100-6418237">February 2015</a>.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><ins><strong>Minimum:</strong></ins></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>OS:</strong> Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, SteamOS</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Processor:</strong> Intel Core 2 Duo</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Memory:</strong> 4GB RAM</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Graphics card:</strong> GeForce 9800 GT 512MB (Radeon graphics cards are not supported, nor are Intel integrated graphics chipsets)</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Hard drive:</strong> 25GB</li></ul><p dir="ltr" style=""><ins><strong>Recommended:</strong></ins></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>OS:</strong> Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, SteamOS</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Processor:</strong> Quad Core Intel</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Memory:</strong> 4 GB RAM</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Graphics card:</strong> GeForce GT 640 1GB</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Hard drive:</strong> 25GB</li></ul><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 22 May 2014 11:51:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/witcher-2-out-now-for-linux-is-80-off-on-steam/1100-6419817/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/report-samsung-making-vr-headset-plans-to-beat-oculus-and-sony-to-market/1100-6419816/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2538657-samsung5.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2538657" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2538657-samsung5.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2538657"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2538657-samsung5.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">The mobile division of technology giant Samsung is working on a virtual reality device that will be announced this year, sources with knowledge of the matter told technology blog <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/22/samsung-vr-headset/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Engadget</a>, which also recently <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-getting-master-chief-halo-collection-games-1-4-report/1100-6419703/" data-ref-id="1100-6419703">revealed the Halo: Master Chief Collection</a>.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The tipsters said that unnamed developers already have prototype versions of the headset, which are reportedly powered by Galaxy devices. The final consumer model, on the other hand, is believed to run on a next-generation Galaxy smartphone and/or tablet.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Samsung's rumored virtual reality device is said to mirror the Oculus Rift or <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-announces-ps4-virtual-reality-initiative-project-morpheus/1100-6418391/" data-ref-id="1100-6418391">Sony's Project Morpheus</a> in form factor. It's believed to have an OLED screen that is as good or better than the latest Oculus Rift development kit. What's unclear, however, is how the headset will sync up with your phone or tablet, and if it will require a separate camera to track depth, as both the Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus do.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">According to the Engadget report, Samsung is not only aiming to beat the Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus headsets to market, but also to sell their device for less than the competition. What's the purpose of Samsung's virtual reality device? According to Engadget's sources, it's being made to support Android games, though a list of titles is not available.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Samsung said: "Samsung doesn't comment on rumor and speculation."</p><p style="">It's worth noting that <a href="http://www.edge-online.com/news/oculus-rift-aiming-for-2014-release-consoles-not-a-focus-but-mobile/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Oculus Rift for almost a year now has been talking about its ambition to bring virtual reality support to mobile devices</a>, though it remains unclear how this will work. Facebook purchased Oculus VR, maker of Oculus Rift, earlier this year <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/facebook-buys-oculus-rift-company-in-a-massive-deal-worth-an-estimated-2-billion/1100-6418540/" data-ref-id="1100-6418540">for $2 billion</a>.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 22 May 2014 10:54:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/report-samsung-making-vr-headset-plans-to-beat-oculus-and-sony-to-market/1100-6419816/
http://auth.gamespot.com/ Gamespot's Everything Feed! News, Reviews, Videos. Exploding with content? You bet. en-us Fri, 23 May 2014 00:57:39 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/tropico-5-review/2300-6418939/ Tropico 5's irreverent wit and smooth difficulty curve make governing your own banana republic an easy and enjoyable experience. Thu, 22 May 2014 17:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/tropico-5-review/2300-6418939/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/super-smash-bros-wii-u-will-use-nfc/1100-6419826/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2539318-0918550932-25273.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539318" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2539318-0918550932-25273.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539318"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1534/15343359/2539318-0918550932-25273.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p style="">According to French website <a href="http://www.lefigaro.fr/secteur/high-tech/2014/05/22/01007-20140522ARTFIG00230-mario-kart-8-va-relancer-les-ventes-de-la-wii-u.php" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="01007-20140522">Le Figaro</a>. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is going to take advantage of the system's NFC system.</p><p style="">It's not clear from the quote whether this will involve some kind of tie-in with the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/update-nintendo-to-integrate-skylanders-like-figurines-with-wii-u-and-3ds/1100-6419497/" data-ref-id="1100-6419497">recently announced NFP figurine system</a> or some new functionality. </p><p style="">The forum <a href="http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=823474" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Neogaf</a> dug up the article originally, and a <a href="https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lefigaro.fr%2Fsecteur%2Fhigh-tech%2F2014%2F05%2F22%2F01007-20140522ARTFIG00230-mario-kart-8-va-relancer-les-ventes-de-la-wii-u.php&edit-text=&act=url" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Google translate</a> of the text reveals the interesting quote from Stephan Bole, managing director of Nintendo France: "The NFC will be used in the Wii U version of Super Smash Bros."</p><p style="">Outside of Pokemon, Smash Bros. would be the next best way to incorporate collectible Nintendo figurines. We'll likely get <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/e3/" data-ref-id="false">full details on what this means at E3</a>, but what do you think of the potential mash-up? Is the possibliity of adding a new characters via NFC a plus? Let us know in the comments below!</p><table data-max-width="true"><tbody><tr><td><p style=""><strong>Justin Haywald is a senior editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/JustinHaywald" rel="nofollow"> Twitter @JustinHaywald</a></strong></p><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table><p style=""> </p><p style=""> </p> Thu, 22 May 2014 16:55:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/super-smash-bros-wii-u-will-use-nfc/1100-6419826/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/amplitude-hits-funding-goal-coming-to-ps3-and-ps4/1100-6419825/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2539303-3003592440-0acb4.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539303" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2539303-3003592440-0acb4.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539303"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1534/15343359/2539303-3003592440-0acb4.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p style="">It may have seemed a little touch-and-go, but with less than 24 hours left to go, the Harmonix-developed music game Amplitude has met it's $775,000 funding goal.</p><p style="">If you were on the fence, you can still <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/harmonix/amplitude" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">contribute to the game's Kickstarter</a>. </p><p style="">So who are the bands that will be contributing music to the game? In addition to the Harmonix originals, the Kickstarter page revealed the following bands:</p><ul><li><a href="http://anamanaguchi.com/%20" rel="nofollow">Anamanaguchi</a> (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World)</li><li><a href="http://c418.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">C418</a> (Minecraft)</li><li><a href="http://dbsoundworks.com/%20" rel="nofollow">Danny Baranowsky</a> (Super Meat Boy, Canabalt)</li><li><a href="http://www.freezepop.net/news/" rel="nofollow">Freezepop</a> (FreQuency, Amplitude)</li><li><a href="http://www.jimguthrie.org/" rel="nofollow">Jim Guthrie</a> (Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP)</li><li><a href="http://symbionproject.com/" rel="nofollow">Kasson Crooker</a> (FreQuency, Amplitude, Symbion Project)</li><li><a href="http://www.georgeandjonathan.com/#1" rel="nofollow">George & Jonathan</a></li></ul><table data-max-width="true"><tbody><tr><td><p style=""><strong>Justin Haywald is a senior editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/JustinHaywald" rel="nofollow"> Twitter @JustinHaywald</a> Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 22 May 2014 16:48:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/amplitude-hits-funding-goal-coming-to-ps3-and-ps4/1100-6419825/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-wars-tie-fighter-20th-anniversary-retrospective/1100-6419819/ <p style="">The Star Wars movies are an excellent source of inspiration for game developers, and indeed, there have been dozens of games across the spectrum of genres since the original, <i>Episode IV: A New Hope</i>, hit the silver screen in 1977.</p><p style="">Thanks to games such as 1990's <a href="/wing-commander/" data-ref-id="false">Wing Commander</a>, the popularity of space combat sims spiked in the early '90s, and the Star Wars flight sims on PC are remembered as some of the very best of the day. <a href="/x-wing-collectors-series/" data-ref-id="false">X-Wing </a>kicked things off in 1993, but it was 1994's <a href="/star-wars-tie-fighter/" data-ref-id="false">TIE Fighter</a> that moved the genre forward. LucasArts capitalized on the storage capacity and rising availability of CD-ROM drives, and after players fought for the familiar rebel forces in X-Wing, TIE Fighter gave them a refreshing glimpse through the eyes of the Galactic Empire.</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW2K0Cf00aM" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FiW2K0Cf00aM%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed&wmode=opaque&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DiW2K0Cf00aM&image=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FiW2K0Cf00aM%2Fhqdefault.jpg&key=6efca6e5ad9640f180f14146a0bc1392&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtube" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style="">Given that it's Video Game History Month at GameSpot, and TIE Fighter's 20th Anniversary is coming up, now's the perfect time to recollect what made it such a landmark game for the genre, not to mention one of the best games ever set in the Star Wars universe, space-sim or otherwise.</p><h3><strong>Carolyn Petit</strong></h3><p style="">In 1993, Star Wars: X-Wing was released. It was the best space combat simulator ever made, and not just because it let you live the dream of flying an X-Wing in the Star Wars universe, though that was certainly part of it. No hollow cash-in on the Star Wars license, the game made the most of the universe, throwing you into all kinds of gripping and believable combat scenarios rising out of the ongoing conflict between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance. It also looked amazing, using polygonal models for spacecraft unlike most of its contemporaries. Seeing a TIE Fighter fly apart in pieces when you blasted it offered a sense of satisfaction that the non-polygonal graphics of the rival Wing Commander series just couldn't match. And the emphasis on power management--having to decide how much energy to allocate to lasers, shields, and engines--made your victories about more than just your skill in a dogfight.</p><p style="">X-Wing's excellence only made it that much more astounding when its sequel, TIE Fighter, somehow managed to improve upon it. But what I found most fascinating about TIE Fighter wasn't the improved gameplay or the great mission design or the shaded graphics. It was the way that the game made me think about the empire, and about portrayals of villainy in general, in a new way. In the Star Wars films, the empire is evil to the core. But TIE Fighter let you see the empire from a new perspective. The game didn't make you feel like a bad person doing bad things, but like a pilot who might reasonably have believed that what he was doing was in the galaxy's best interests.</p><p style="">Now, some 20 years later, it's extremely common for games to let you choose to be good or evil, but more often than not, I find that such choices lack any subtlety or nuance. Typically you end up feeling like either a paragon of virtue or a caricature of evil. TIE Fighter dared to put you on the side of the "bad guys" long before most games ventured into such territory, and it explored moral ambiguity better than most games that have come since. You weren't out to crush the forces of good. You were just trying to maintain order in a chaotic galaxy. Playing TIE Fighter didn't change my feeling that the empire was an evil entity. In fact, the power of its propaganda only made the empire a more terrifying regime in my eyes. And I never saw the individual cogs in its machine--the deluded stormtroopers and TIE Fighter pilots and other rank-and-file officers--quite the same way again.</p><blockquote data-align="center" data-size="large"><p style="">TIE Fighter dared to put you on the side of the "bad guys" long before most games ventured into such territory.</p></blockquote><h3><strong>Randolph Ramsay</strong></h3><p style="">X-Wing may have had you flying for the good guys, but TIE Fighter was always the cooler game for a variety of reasons. Despite using the same engine as X-Wing, TIE Fighter was hands-down the best looking, featuring impressive details on ships both small and large. It also had a 3D model of the ship you were currently targeting right in the middle of your cockpit console, which rotated depending on your angle to your opponent. Not to overstate it, but that was pretty mind-blowing for me at the time. The game also boasted an impressive array of ships to fly in and against, giving TIE Fighter an excellent variety of space dogfighting experiences.</p><p style="">But by far the most indelible thing for me was those missions piloting a standard TIE Fighter. After flying ships with shields in X-Wing, suddenly being thrust into the midst of battle without any external protection was wholly intimidating. Each mission I flew in the TIE fighter was white-knuckle, and I can still feel the thrill of having survived many intense battles, not fully aware of how exactly I managed to avoid being blown to bits. If I were a superstitious Jedi, I'd say the Force was guiding my hand. But I wasn't. I was on the dark side, and I loved it.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2539158-tiefight.png" data-ref-id="1300-2539158" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2539158-tiefight.png" data-ref-id="1300-2539158"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1406/14063904/2539158-tiefight.png"></a><figcaption>Space pirates should know better than to mess with the Empire!</figcaption></figure><p style=""><strong>Peter Brown</strong></p><p style="">I wasn't around for the theatrical release of the original Star Wars trilogy, but I grew up watching the movies from the comfort of my parents' basement on a regular basis. I reveled in Luke's transformation from an eager young farmer into a plucky, adventurous rebel, and yearned for the sort of excitement embodied in scenes like the speeder bike chase in <i>Return of the Jedi</i>.</p><p style="">I loved the tense conflicts that brought acts to an exciting head. Of course, lightsaber battles are the most iconic, but for as much joy as I got out of watching two Jedi clash, mano a mano, I was doubly drawn into the heated battles between X-Wings and TIE Fighters. This was partially due to my affinity for spacecraft design, but I think what really struck me was that piloting fighter craft was something I could theoretically do. Not just anybody could become a mystical warrior, but pilots were average people with daring and quick reflexes. That could be me.</p><p style="">For a time, I lived out this fantasy in LucasArts' space-combat sim X-Wing, but its sequel, TIE Fighter, was the more impressive and captivating game. The CD-ROM version of TIE Fighter came with enhanced, high-resolution graphics (640x480), and new voice-overs that added to my sense of immersion. Granted, nowadays these elements are less impressive, but at the time, TIE Fighter was all I needed to feel like a space pilot in the Star Wars universe, and ultimately, it's the game that I credit with my current love of space combat games.</p> Thu, 22 May 2014 16:06:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-wars-tie-fighter-20th-anniversary-retrospective/1100-6419819/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-metro-redux-will-be-1080p-on-ps4-no-fallou/2300-6418936/ Bethesda say their next big announcement is still a ways off, The Metro series is getting an overhaul for PS4/Xbox One/PC, and new Zelda game screenshots! Thu, 22 May 2014 16:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-metro-redux-will-be-1080p-on-ps4-no-fallou/2300-6418936/ http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tropico-5-review/1900-6415769/ <p style="">Everything is just one big joke on the island of Tropico. Your research team is incompetent, your diplomat is a snob, and your radio DJ is absolutely shameless. But that's OK, because both Tropico 5 and its digital inhabitants don't take anything too seriously. This management sim wraps its irreverent wit around some easily approachable mechanics that smartly grow in complexity as you move through the ages and become more familiar with your new role as El Presidente.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2539275-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still002.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539275" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2539275-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still002.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539275"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/949/9490474/2539275-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still002.jpg"></a><figcaption>Mission objectives help guide your island to prosperity.</figcaption></figure><p style="">I'm getting ahead of myself, since you're not actually El Presidente in the beginning. Instead, Tropico 5 starts you off as a lowly governor in the Victorian era under the service of the Crown. From these humble beginnings, you must guide your people through World War II, the Cold War, and beyond. Each age brings with it a new set of challenges because your tiny island nation is sandwiched between the world's rotating superpowers. But as your trusted advisors say, it is your will alone that is holding Tropico together, and that means doing anything and everything necessary to stay in office, whether it's rigging the next election or putting down civilian riots. After all, you're doing this for the good of the people, and your Swiss bank account.</p><p style="">Throughout the ages, your advisors take excellent care of making sure Tropico 5 is easy to pick up and enjoy, whether you're familiar with this series' long history or not. You start in the Victorian era, where Lord Oaksworth, emissary to the Crown, guides you through building your first resource-gathering structures. These assignments are always couched in some harebrained scheme the king has cooked up back home, such as requesting that you build a logging camp so the king can complete his underwater palace.</p><p style="">These missions to build certain structures or complete certain tasks continue throughout the game, and as you grow and define the style of your nation, they can be accepted or ignored as needed. In the beginning, you're just trying to stay in the black and keep your people happy, but as you advance through the eras, you may wish to shape your island into a high-end tourist trap or become the world's leading producer of cigars and rum. The types of missions selected for you are different each time you play and together they try to shape your island towards a certain style, but the game is also flexible enough for you to strike your own path as well.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2539276-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539276" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2539276-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539276"><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/949/9490474/2539276-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still003.jpg"></a><figcaption>Your most trusted advisor, Penultimo, always knows how to make a problem go away. </figcaption></figure><p style="">However, each mission carries with it some sort of political consequence. Usually it's a trade-off between appeasing one faction on the island and angering another, such as siding with the Crown over the revolutionaries, or later the Axis supporters over the Allied supporters. You don't have to please all of the people all of the time; you just have to stay in power. Forever. Virtually every choice you make--from the buildings you build to the people you trade with--has some sort of impact on your standing with the island's various factions. Molding popular opinion to your advantage is an enjoyable and ever-changing challenge that grows in complexity as you move through the ages and more factions are introduced.</p><p style="">But while this game's simple mission design is there to reel you in, it's Tropico 5's sense of humor that baits the hook. From the wording of your island's constitution to the musings of your radio DJ, this game's irreverent streak touches every aspect of the island. And in its own way, this devil-may-care attitude is fitting for Tropico 5 since the game isn't concerned with breaking down every little bit of minutia for you. It gives you just enough information to make an informed decision without leaving you lost in a maze of submenus.</p><p style="">Consider your budget. In Tropico 5, you're not earning money at a constant rate; rather, it comes in large lump sums when your trade ships arrive at port. And when you have that huge influx of cash burning a hole in your pocket, it's hard not to blow it all right away on new structures and other island improvements. Your citizens will love you for it, but you'll also be putting yourself back in crippling debt. Now, were I an egocentric island dictator in this goofy parody of real life, then I, too, would likely spend beyond my means when the time was ripe and then sweat it out during the off-season. Tropico 5 is full of little design touches--like how your money is doled out--that help reinforce its fiction that you are, frankly, a buffoon.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2539277-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still001.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539277" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2539277-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still001.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539277"><img src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/949/9490474/2539277-tropico5_gameplay_with_music.avi.still001.jpg"></a><figcaption>Tropico 5 lets you take a real hands-on approach to governing the people.</figcaption></figure><p style="">There is a lot to enjoy on the sandy beaches of Tropico 5. Whether you're playing alone or with up to three others online, the game strikes a good balance between style and substance that is easy to digest for all types of strategy fans. The constant power struggle between the game's various factions--both internal and abroad--creates an ever-changing challenge for you to manage as El Presidente, whether through force or appeasement. And while the rest of the world tears itself apart with World War-this and Cold War-that, the simple-minded Tropicans are there to kick their feet up and take it easy for all us sinners.</p> Thu, 22 May 2014 15:53:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tropico-5-review/1900-6415769/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-seeing-greater-interest-in-xbox-one-since-price-drop-announcement/1100-6419824/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2539222-nokinectxboxone.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539222" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2539222-nokinectxboxone.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539222"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2539222-nokinectxboxone.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">It's only been a nine days since <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/399-xbox-one-without-kinect-launching-in-june/1100-6419601/" data-ref-id="1100-6419601">Microsoft announced a price cut for the Xbox One</a>, but retailer GameStop is already benefiting from the announcement. During a post-earnings financial call today, GameStop president Tony Bartel said the company is seeing "stronger demand" for the Xbox One since last week.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"I definitely think we're already seeing in our stores with our reservation program as well as dialogue with PowerUp Rewards [members that] there's a stronger demand as a result of the price drop," Bartel said. "The good news for us is... we'll sell a lot more units."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"And that means there will be more [Xbox One] units out there to put software on," Bartel went on to say. This is particularly noteworthy because GameStop's margins are better for software than they are for hardware.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The new $399 Xbox One, which doesn't come with Kinect,<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/399-xbox-one-without-kinect-launching-in-june/1100-6419601/" data-ref-id="1100-6419601"> launches June 9</a>. We'll have a better understanding of just how meaningful the price cut was for GameStop's fortunes later this year when GameStop reports earnings for its fiscal second quarter.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">It's not only GameStop that's positive about the Xbox One price cut. Both <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ubisoft-extremely-happy-about-xbox-one-price-cut-says-it-s-a-great-move/1100-6419663/" data-ref-id="1100-6419663">Assassin's Creed publisher Ubisoft </a>and <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-parent-company-pleased-with-xbox-one-price-cut/1100-6419682/" data-ref-id="1100-6419682">Grand Theft Auto parent company Take-Two </a>think the move <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-parent-company-pleased-with-xbox-one-price-cut/1100-6419682/" data-ref-id="1100-6419682">is a good thing</a>, as it should help more Xbox One units enter the market.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Also during the call, an analyst asked if GameStop's business has seen any kind of meaningful impact as a result of <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/wal-mart-taking-on-gamestop-will-soon-accept-video-game-trade-ins/1100-6418369/" data-ref-id="1100-6418369">megaretailer Wal-Mart entering the used game space in March</a>. CEO Paul Raines said competitors have emerged in the past and GameStop has always remained king of the secondhand market. This is no different for Wal-Mart, he said.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"We are in Texas so I have to say it's not our first rodeo," Raines said. "We have not seen any impact from our competitors entering the used space. I would encourage you to go do some trades at all of our competitors, because I think all of them are in the trade business. We have a deep knowledge of how execution looks at all of those competitors and we do not have any impact from them."</p><p style="">GameStop recorded revenue of <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-made-68m-in-profit-in-the-past-three-months-up-24-over-last-year/1100-6419820/" data-ref-id="1100-6419820">$2 billion for the quarter ended May 3</a>, and hauled in a profit of<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-made-68m-in-profit-in-the-past-three-months-up-24-over-last-year/1100-6419820/" data-ref-id="1100-6419820"> $68 million</a> thanks in part to strong sales of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 22 May 2014 15:29:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-seeing-greater-interest-in-xbox-one-since-price-drop-announcement/1100-6419824/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-says-ps4-unlike-their-previous-consoles-is-already-contributing-profit/1100-6419822/ <div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6418380" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6418380/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style="">Speaking today at a corporate strategy meeting, Sony president Kaz Hirai said that the PlayStation 4 is "already contributing a profit on a hardware unit basis."</p><p style="">Reported by Japanese site <a href="http://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140522_649764.html" rel="nofollow" data-mce-href="http://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140522_649764.html">AV Watch</a> (via <a href="http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=823567" rel="nofollow" data-mce-href="http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=823567">NeoGaf</a>), a Sony representative provided GameSpot a translation for one of Hirai's most interesting statements from the meeting. "From a profitability perspective," Hirai said, "PS4 is also already contributing profit on a hardware unit basis, establishing a very different business framework from that of previous platform businesses." It's a slightly roundabout quote, but that statement essentially says that the PS4 is already profitable, unlike previous console generations that are typically sold at a loss for their first few years.</p><p style="">This lines up with earlier comments from Sony prior to the PS4's launch that they did not expect their current-gen console to <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-not-expecting-ps3-like-losses-for-ps4/1100-6412760/" data-mce-href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-not-expecting-ps3-like-losses-for-ps4/1100-6412760/">"generate losses like they did for the PS3."</a></p><p style="">While the strategy meeting focused on Sony's business as a whole, Hirai also mentioned that over half of PS4 owners subscribe to the PlayStation Plus service, which <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/at-least-2-1-million-playstation-4-owners-have-playstation-plus-sony-says/1100-6417596/" data-ref-id="1100-6417596" data-mce-href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/at-least-2-1-million-playstation-4-owners-have-playstation-plus-sony-says/1100-6417596/">lines up with previous projections earlier this year</a>. Sony recently opened up <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/at-least-2-1-million-playstation-4-owners-have-playstation-plus-sony-says/1100-6417596/" data-ref-id="1100-6417596" data-mce-href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/at-least-2-1-million-playstation-4-owners-have-playstation-plus-sony-says/1100-6417596/">beta invitations for the PlayStation Now game streaming service to PlayStation 4 </a>owners, and <a href="http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201405/14-054E/" rel="nofollow" data-mce-href="http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201405/14-054E/">Hirai noted that </a><a href="http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201405/14-054E/" rel="nofollow" data-mce-href="http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201405/14-054E/">Sony plans</a> to "introduce a new, cloud-based television service within the calendar year 2014."</p><p style="">According to the AV Watch article (as translated by GameSpot), Hirai said that, given the success of both hardware sales and network services, "The PS4 is likely to generate more revenue than PS2."</p><p style="">As of April, Sony announced that the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-reports-7-million-playstation-4-consoles-sold-worldwide/1100-6419044/" data-ref-id="1100-6419044" data-mce-href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-reports-7-million-playstation-4-consoles-sold-worldwide/1100-6419044/">PlayStation 4 had sold over 7 million consoles</a>, though we'll likely hear even more about the system and what Sony's plans for <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/e3/" data-mce-href="http://www.gamespot.com/e3/">further audience expansion at this year's E3</a>.</p><table data-max-width="true" class="mceItemTable"><tbody><tr><td><p style=""><strong>Justin Haywald is a senior editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/JustinHaywald" rel="nofollow" data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/JustinHaywald"> Twitter @JustinHaywald</a></strong></p><p style=""><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow" data-mce-href="mailto:news@gamespot.com">news@gamespot.com</a></strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style=""><br /></p> Thu, 22 May 2014 15:16:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-says-ps4-unlike-their-previous-consoles-is-already-contributing-profit/1100-6419822/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-update-release-dates-for-evolve-and-minecr/2300-6418929/ Microsoft and Sony's current-gen systems are getting a few more exciting games this year with confirmed release date windows for both Evolve and Minecraft. Thu, 22 May 2014 14:04:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-update-release-dates-for-evolve-and-minecr/2300-6418929/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-made-68m-in-profit-in-the-past-three-months-up-24-over-last-year/1100-6419820/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2539171-gamestopstorenew.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539171" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2539171-gamestopstorenew.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2539171"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2539171-gamestopstorenew.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">GameStop reported earnings today for the quarter ended May 3, and it was good news for the Grapevine, Texas video game giant. The retailer posted $2 billion in revenue, up 7 percent compared to the $1.87 billion it hauled in last year. Profit for the quarter was $68 million, a healthy increase of 24.5 percent compared to last year's net earnings of $54.6 million.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Continued strong worldwide sales of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 was the "primary" driver of GameStop's performance in the quarter. The company's new hardware category surged 81.1 percent compared to this time last year. In addition, GameStop says that combined Xbox One and PS4 sales in the US from November until April were more than double than sales of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 over the same period of time. That's good news for GameStop.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">GameStop's digital business also grew during the quarter, rising 9.5 percent thanks to the sale of digital items for the Xbox One and PS4, as well as "substantial" international PC sales. The retailer's mobile electronics category was also on the up, rising 100 percent year-over-year thanks to revenue from GameStop's new <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-moving-beyond-games-preparing-for-the-future/1100-6419193/" data-ref-id="1100-6419193">offshoot brands Spring Mobile and Simply Mac</a>.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">It wasn't all good news for GameStop, though, as new software sales fell 20.4 percent due to fewer AAA titles launching in the quarter compared to last year, GameStop said. Despite the contraction in new software sales, GameStop's pre-owned business jumped 5.3 percent year-over-year. This growth was attributed to gamers heading to GameStop to trade in their wares to upgrade to new consoles, the retailer said.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"I am pleased to report solid financial and operational results in the first quarter. The next-gen console business is meeting our targets, our digital properties continue to grow and our new tech brands segment is positively contributing to our profitability," GameStop CEO Paul Raines said in a statement.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">GameStop's fortunes are only going to improve next quarter and into the full year, the company said. For the next quarter, GameStop expects comparable store sales to range from +12 percent to +19 percent year-over-year. And for the full year, GameStop says it expects comparable store sales to grow in the range of +6 percent to +12 percent.</p><p style="">GameStop will hold an earnings call today at 5 p.m. EDT to discuss these results and analyst analyst and media questions. Check back later for more.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 22 May 2014 13:22:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-made-68m-in-profit-in-the-past-three-months-up-24-over-last-year/1100-6419820/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/wolfenstein-3d-in-wolfenstein-the-new-order/2300-6418931/ Find out what BJ Blazkowicz dreams of in this gameplay clip from Wolfenstein: The New Order on the PC (GeForce GTX 680). Thu, 22 May 2014 12:55:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/wolfenstein-3d-in-wolfenstein-the-new-order/2300-6418931/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/reality-check-what-is-the-biggest-game-in-the-worl/2300-6418928/ What is the biggest game in the world? Minecraft? League Of Legends? Super Mario Bros? Cam tries to find an answer in this weeks Reality Check. Thu, 22 May 2014 12:54:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/reality-check-what-is-the-biggest-game-in-the-worl/2300-6418928/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/video-games-are-the-most-fascinating-medium-ever-created-david-cage-says/1100-6419818/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/original/mig/2/3/0/7/1952307-673021_20120604_014.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1952307" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/original/mig/2/3/0/7/1952307-673021_20120604_014.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1952307"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/mig/2/3/0/7/1952307-673021_20120604_014.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">According to David Cage, head of <a href="/heavy-rain/" data-ref-id="false">Heavy Rain</a> and <a href="/beyond-two-souls/" data-ref-id="false">Beyond: Two Souls</a> developer Quantic Dream, video games are the most fascinating medium ever created. The latest issue of <em>Play</em> magazine (via <a href="http://www.nowgamer.com/news/2404093/games_nowhere_near_film_says_david_cage.html" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">NowGamer</a>) features an interview with the industry veteran, who says, "At the moment, we use video games as a toy, but they have the potential to be meaningful."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"By far, video games are the most fascinating medium that mankind has ever created. They have the power to make you think in ways that films and books have not achieved," he added.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Cage and Quantic Dream are <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/quantic-dreams-ps4-game-very-very-different-says-cage/1100-6415014/" data-ref-id="1100-6415014">currently working on a mystery PlayStation 4 game</a>, and it sounds like Cage is thinking about a whole new way to tell a story for this project.</p><blockquote data-align="left"><p dir="ltr" style="">"Even if it means being some kind of alien to the game industry. I want to experiment and try new ideas" -- David Cage</p></blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="">"So my goal over the past years has been to develop a new approach to narrative," he said. "Instead of thinking of a 2D script, like a film, which moves through just time and space, I've tried to develop a 3D script that operates through time, space, and interactivity."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"I try to provide interesting interactive experiences and at the same time learn how to make them better," Cage added. "Even if it means being some kind of alien to the game industry. I want to experiment and try new ideas. I have criticisms of myself, things that I wish I could have done differently or better, but I rarely have regrets. I'm trying to understand this new language we have to tell interactive stories."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Don't expect this new PS4 game to focus on a gun-toting hero, however.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"See, our industry has defined interactivity as performing physical actions, like shooting or jumping, in loops. So, for many people, my games are not real video games because they don't fit into this restrictive idea of interactivity. My characters don't carry guns or shoot every person they meet," Cage said. "They lead normal lives and do mundane things. They have emotions and relationships. This, to me, is what interactivity is about--creating real empathy between a player and their character. But games are a conservative industry. It's hard to convince hardcore players to accept these new kinds of interactivity."</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/mig/5/7/0/9/1555709-933123_20100817_009.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1555709" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/mig/5/7/0/9/1555709-933123_20100817_009.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-1555709"><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/mig/5/7/0/9/1555709-933123_20100817_009.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">Though advancements have been made, storytelling and character development in games still has a ways to go to catch up to movies, according to Cage.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"My opinion is that we have nothing in games that gets anywhere near to a good film in terms of narrative or characterization. Games focus on simple themes and target a teenage audience," Cage said. "They could become meaningful. They could have the power to move a larger audience. But it would take new paradigms, a shift to privileging meaning over action and a lot more power given to talented people for that to happen."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Cage isn't confident that this will ever happen, though, at least not in his lifetime.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"The more things go on, the more I doubt things will change. To be honest, we are very few people in the world thinking this way. Maybe incremental changes, step by step, could make a difference, but I will probably be dead by the time it happens."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Despite Cage's apparent negativity, he says he's not going to give up. He also stressed that just because he wants to create "meaningful" games, it doesn't mean this should be the only type of game out there.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"This work is always fascinating, always challenging. I still think there should be games for all, games for different people who have different expectations. I wish I could learn and work faster, and have more courage to do more crazy things. Game after game, I try to explore boundaries. I believe you could make a very unique experience by doing an interactive Shakespeare play. So, although there is strong resistance from the games industry when it comes to considering different creative directions, I love lost causes. It's probably my romantic French side. "</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><em>What do you make of Cage's comments? Let us know in the comments below!</em></p><p style=""> </p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 22 May 2014 12:42:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/video-games-are-the-most-fascinating-medium-ever-created-david-cage-says/1100-6419818/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/witcher-2-out-now-for-linux-is-80-off-on-steam/1100-6419817/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2538702-witcher2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2538702" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2538702-witcher2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2538702"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2538702-witcher2.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">CD Projekt Red today released a Linux version of 2011's <a href="/the-witcher-2-assassins-of-kings/" data-ref-id="false">The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings</a> and is currently offering the game, as well as the <a href="/the-witcher/" data-ref-id="false">original Witcher</a>, for a hefty 80% off discount.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">That means you can get The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings for Windows, Mac, or Linux for $4, and the original Witcher (Windows and Mac only) for $2. <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/20920/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">The deal</a> expires on Saturday, May 24. The system requirements for the Linux version of The Witcher 2 are listed below.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The next Witcher game is <a href="/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt/" data-ref-id="false">The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt</a>, which launches across Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC in <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-witcher-3-delayed-to-february-2015-for-xbox-one-ps4-and-pc/1100-6418237/" data-ref-id="1100-6418237">February 2015</a>.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><ins><strong>Minimum:</strong></ins></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>OS:</strong> Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, SteamOS</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Processor:</strong> Intel Core 2 Duo</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Memory:</strong> 4GB RAM</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Graphics card:</strong> GeForce 9800 GT 512MB (Radeon graphics cards are not supported, nor are Intel integrated graphics chipsets)</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Hard drive:</strong> 25GB</li></ul><p dir="ltr" style=""><ins><strong>Recommended:</strong></ins></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><strong>OS:</strong> Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, SteamOS</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Processor:</strong> Quad Core Intel</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Memory:</strong> 4 GB RAM</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Graphics card:</strong> GeForce GT 640 1GB</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Hard drive:</strong> 25GB</li></ul><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 22 May 2014 11:51:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/witcher-2-out-now-for-linux-is-80-off-on-steam/1100-6419817/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/report-samsung-making-vr-headset-plans-to-beat-oculus-and-sony-to-market/1100-6419816/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2538657-samsung5.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2538657" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2538657-samsung5.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2538657"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2538657-samsung5.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">The mobile division of technology giant Samsung is working on a virtual reality device that will be announced this year, sources with knowledge of the matter told technology blog <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/22/samsung-vr-headset/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Engadget</a>, which also recently <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-getting-master-chief-halo-collection-games-1-4-report/1100-6419703/" data-ref-id="1100-6419703">revealed the Halo: Master Chief Collection</a>.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The tipsters said that unnamed developers already have prototype versions of the headset, which are reportedly powered by Galaxy devices. The final consumer model, on the other hand, is believed to run on a next-generation Galaxy smartphone and/or tablet.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Samsung's rumored virtual reality device is said to mirror the Oculus Rift or <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-announces-ps4-virtual-reality-initiative-project-morpheus/1100-6418391/" data-ref-id="1100-6418391">Sony's Project Morpheus</a> in form factor. It's believed to have an OLED screen that is as good or better than the latest Oculus Rift development kit. What's unclear, however, is how the headset will sync up with your phone or tablet, and if it will require a separate camera to track depth, as both the Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus do.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">According to the Engadget report, Samsung is not only aiming to beat the Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus headsets to market, but also to sell their device for less than the competition. What's the purpose of Samsung's virtual reality device? According to Engadget's sources, it's being made to support Android games, though a list of titles is not available.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Samsung said: "Samsung doesn't comment on rumor and speculation."</p><p style="">It's worth noting that <a href="http://www.edge-online.com/news/oculus-rift-aiming-for-2014-release-consoles-not-a-focus-but-mobile/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Oculus Rift for almost a year now has been talking about its ambition to bring virtual reality support to mobile devices</a>, though it remains unclear how this will work. Facebook purchased Oculus VR, maker of Oculus Rift, earlier this year <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/facebook-buys-oculus-rift-company-in-a-massive-deal-worth-an-estimated-2-billion/1100-6418540/" data-ref-id="1100-6418540">for $2 billion</a>.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 22 May 2014 10:54:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/report-samsung-making-vr-headset-plans-to-beat-oculus-and-sony-to-market/1100-6419816/
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