Category Archives: Articles
“Anonymous Xbox engineer” explains DRM/Check-in/Kinect policies UPDATE: Bunk
***Update: As figured, the “information” is bunk. The engineer doesn’t exist. Too bad really. It would have been so nice.***
There have been a lot of discussions about the Xbox One and the policies that Microsoft has implemented in regards to their newest console. DRM restrictions, 24 hour online check-in, and privacy issues with their “always-on” Kinect have raised questions and had fans clamoring for answers. Since this information was announced, Microsoft has stonewalled criticism and ignored questions presented to the developer. Now it appears as if one of their developers is tired of the misconceptions and has spoken out. Without having this information confirmed by Microsoft, all we can say that if it is true, it will definitely boost sales. If not, well, we’ll have to see where Microsoft is actually taking us.
Xbox One will be successful even if you don’t want it to be
Microsoft has caused a stir recently with the plans for Xbox One. At E3 they did everything right; they showed games, new IP’s, some interesting new features and snagged some timed exclusives to convince gamers that the Xbox One is for them. But their whole E3 event was overshadowed by previous revelations like strict DRM and Kinect intruding on privacy.
The big question: Who won E3?
The biggest question that always comes out about E3 is “Who stole the show?” While it’s fun to discuss this with your buddies over XBL, PSN, or over a beer, the debate always gets fairly heated. It’s a very large scale, open-ended question that sometimes results in confused opinions and hate-laced rants. Millions of gamers watched the broadcasted conferences, demo streams, and interviews, but a vast majority of gamers rely on answering that big question. While it is very opinion-based, one thing is certain, a report based on who exactly won E3 can lead to larger sways in sales from mob mentality.
From bad to worse: How Microsoft is digging their own grave
I’m unsure how Microsoft could have made their situation at E3 worse, but they pulled it off. A comment made by Microsoft rep Don Mattrick, recently hit the internet to overwhelming shock from Xbox fans. Responding to questions from Gametrailers, Don Mattrick addressed the concern about the console needing to connect to the internet at least once every 24 hours.
Final Fantasy XV revealed
Final Fantasy verses XIII was announced for the PS3 and presumed dead. And the community laid it to rest. But from its ashes rises the trailer for Final Fantasy XV.
Infamous Second Son trailer shows off some story
New inFAMOUS trailer shown at Sony’s E3 press conference.
New Knack trailer shown at E3
Knack, the new game from the guys at SCE Studio Japan, was revealed at Sony’s E3 press conference with its explosive new trailer that shows off new forms for Knack to fight in.
Kingdom Hearts 3 is real
It’s happened. It’s finally happened. The long seven years of pain all Kingdom Hearts have endured has finally paid off. It was officially announced at the Sony press conference at E3 that Kingdom Hearts 3 is in development for both PS4 and Xbox One.
Next-gen pricing: European extortion
It’s not uncommon to see higher prices in Europe compared to the United States. This is fairly standard in most areas due to higher import/export costs and higher tax rates. Video games are no exception to the rule and routinely can be at least $10-$15 more per title. Console costs are usually higher as well, but these are relatively slim numbers for the most part, in the area of $30-$40 USD. With the announcement of the next-gen console pricing, the minor gap in price has become a gigantic chasm of which most gamers will likely balk at diving into.
Sony will not impose DRM onto gamers with PS4
Sony has revealed their plans for DRM on PS4 and its good news for gamers. The plan is that there is no plan for DRM. It’s the polar opposite to Microsoft’s extreme DRM policies employed for the Xbox One.
Where is Beyond Good & Evil 2?
Back in 2003, Ubisoft gave the world Beyond Good and Evil, where you played as the reporter Jade as she tries to cover a planet-wide alien conspiracy. Though the game didn’t meet the sales that it had expected, the game received critical acclaim and since then has become a cult classic, with people calling it a game to play before you die. So with this much talk, rumors went around about a sequel to Beyond Good and Evil. Years went by and people asked the question many times. Eventually in 2008, Ubisoft announced that Beyond Good and Evil 2 was in development. The fans went crazy. Finally the game they had wanted for years was coming and, even though a date wasn’t given, they were happy. So here we are, five years later from its announcement and four years on from it’s first and currently only trailer. There is one question on everyone’s minds: Where the hell is Beyond Good and Evil 2?
Xbox One: What this means for gamers
With the recent news coming forth clarifying Microsoft’s policies regarding the Xbox One, the outcry from the gaming community has escalated to a fervor. There have been many controversial instances in gaming history, but none have seen the sort of discussion the Xbox One has caused over the past 24 hours. Rumors not only were substantiated in some cases, but some came in actually worse.
Microsoft responds to licensing, privacy, and connectivity concerns
After the Microsoft press conference revealing the Xbox One, gamers took note that very few questions had been answered in regards to the rumors that had been circulating the internet for months. Disjointed interviews after that conference held no enlightenment as there were conflicting reports each time a new interview surfaced, even if the interview was with the same person. Even more concerning, were some of the rumors that began to surface because of the press conference. Rumors such as the Kinect being always on and able to detect voice and player movements might lead to recorded and uploaded conversations, and the invasion of privacy that implied. Ultimately the press and fans alike came away with more headaches than reliable facts. Yesterday, Microsoft addressed several of the more common rumors.
MoreConsole speculates on the mysterious Halo Spartan Assault tidbit
Microsoft raised many eyebrows with their claim of several site domains all regarding an intriguing summation of “Halo Spartan Assault.” Could this just be a possible future idea, just as Microsoft already having registered Halo 7, 8, and 9 domains as well? MoreConsole breaks it down.
343 is hiring designer for “revolutionary multiplayer experiences” on upcoming Halo title
With the huge success of the Halo franchise, each game ramps it up in innovation from it’s predecessors. Now, it looks as if 343 wants to raise the bar once again.
Japanese games for the western Otaku (and everyone else)
Japanese culture has slowly grown bigger across the world. Anime has become a well known form of entertainment by many, and the amount of people becoming part of the anime culture is increasing rapidly every day. As more and more people become anime addicts, they soon turn to video games to gain their fix of all that is wonderful in anime.
But what games best appeal to both anime fans and the general public? Furthermore, what Japanese games can people outside of Japan play in English? Well we here at Gaming Capacity have worked day and night to create a list of games that the hardcore Otaku and the casual player can both equally enjoy.
Placeholder pricing: Why it shouldn’t sway you
Following the next-gen console reveals, dozens of sites put out placeholder prices on their site for reserve pages, allowing customers to view their page and entice them to pre-order with their company. With the fiasco of the pricing issue the PS3 had at launch, you can be sure that Sony will be pricing it’s newest console to coincide with Microsoft’s. Unfortunately people took one look at those prices and ran for the hills. Here’s why basing your purchase on a placeholder is a bad idea.
“Enough TV. Let’s game!” Microsoft confirms E3 is about the games
With massive criticism on Microsoft for showing relatively little about games during their console reveal, the company reaffirmed their previous statement about E3 being where the games are.
EA cuts online passes for existing games
Recently, EA stated that they would be discontinuing their online pass programs, much to the relief of gamers. Now, they are taking it one step further by eliminating online passes from their existing games as well.
GameStop: Xbox One & PS4 will be less expensive at launch than predecessors
American game retailer GameStop’s chief financial officer Rob Lloyd claims that the PS4 and Xbox One will be cheaper at launch than their predecessors in 2005.
Xbox One leaked pricing and release date
Retailer Zavvi may have inadvertently leaked the price and release date of the next gen Xbox One console.
Video Games: The Movie seeks Kickstarter funding
When people hear “Video games” and “movie” in the same sentence, it usually send them running for the hills with visions of DOOM and Prince of Persia in their head. What if there was something more? Something more factual based? This is Video Games: The Movie.
EA to “discontinue” online passes
One of the most controversial issues in online gaming is the requirement of online passes from certain companies. The idea is that gamers who purchase a new title will be given an online pass, while used buyers are required to purchase one before being allowed to play online. This was a push to promote sales of new games rather than waiting for a cheaper, used price. Publishers don’t receive any money from a used title so to make up for that lack of cash coming in, online passes were setup. One large company, Electronic Arts, is abandoning this practice.
GC’s bit added on: Guns don’t kill people! Gamers do!
The recent reveal of Vice President Joe Biden’s statement about taxing violent media, specifically violent video games, has most people stumped. Since the tragedy of the Newtwon elementary school shooting, media outlets and politicians have attempted to push blame onto game makers and gamers that they are potentially killers who haven’t yet moved from controllers to AK-47s. Unsurprisingly, this legislation has many scratching their heads. Of course, the idea is that if the government can force a tax on video games, this leaves gamers too broke to buy guns or ammunition.
“Durango” won’t require internet connection to function
For months, even years, the gaming community has been apprehensive about each new console that debuts. The rumors about a console needing to be permanently connected to the net have been circulating gaming and tech sites for the past year. A new Microsoft inter-department email obtained by ars technica looks to finally be putting the “always online” rumor to rest.
13 year old slashes friends neck. Police say video games a “factor”.
-Clydebank, Scotland. Police officers attributed violent video games to an attack on a 14 year old who was assaulted by his 13 year old friend. The two had met online while playing the mature rated title Gears of War 3, and had a falling out a few months later resulting in name calling over Xbox Live messages.
E3 and Conferences
E3 is the world’s premier trade show for computer and video games and related products. Tens of thousands of professionals will experience the future of interactive entertainment. The most influential people leading the most innovative companies in the industry attend E3 to see groundbreaking new technologies and never-before-seen products for computers, video game consoles, handheld systems, mobile and social, and the Internet.
Gearbox/Sega in court to battle a lawsuit over false advertisement on Aliens: CM
The dismal attempt of Gearbox and Sega to develop an Aliens game has come back to bite them in the ass. The two companies are now defendants in a class action lawsuit for falsely advertising the quality of the game using commercials stating “Actual Gameplay Footage”. The problem? The “actual” footage never made it to the game. What was released instead was a much lower graphic standard and glitchy gameplay during the exact same sequences as was seen in the trailers.
Gears of War movie back in business
Since the rumor of a Gears of War movie hit the stage back in 2009, fans were hoping to see the game come to life on the big screen. Originally set for a 2010 launch, the talks fell apart due to “creative differences” and the movie was shelved. Now, it looks like the film might just make it to reality.
Sony double its annual profit forecast to $403
It seems the only way is up for Sony, after years of losing money they are now on a more optimistic path.
