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Nintendo confirms new console will launch this year, controller gets NFC function
In its Third Quarter financial results briefing, Nintendo has revealed new details about its plans for the upcoming next-generation console, the Wii U.
It has been confirmed the company is planning to showcase the final format and discuss the details of the new hardware at E3 2012, which will be held in Los Angeles in June this year. Nintendo can confirm that they will launch the Wii U in Japan, the U.S., Europe and Australia in time for the year-end sales season.
"For the launch of new hardware, it is, of course, regarded as a sort of requisite not to miss the critical year-end sales season. The company is aiming to firmly complete the development of the entire system and prepare sufficient software so that the Wii U will be at its best at the time of the launch. Needless to say, we have learned a bitter lesson from the launch of the Nintendo 3DS," said Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo.
The Wii U controller will also have a NFC (Near Field Communication) function. By installing this functionality, it will become possible to create cards and figurines that can electronically read and write data via noncontact NFC. Adoption of this functionality will enable various other possibilities such as using it as a means of making micropayments.
Finally, the company announced The Nintendo Network – a service which will cover the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U. The new system is set to bring the digital offerings of the console up to industry standards – including personal accounts per console instead of friend codes, ability to have a marketplace to sell DLC and digital titles, etc.
Nintendo also shared sales data, with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 leading the market throughout last year. The Wii and Sony’s PS3 had similar sales throughout 2011, but the Wii gained an edge for the total sales according to estimates.
Indie Hit Sells 1.3M Copies, New Free Magick Available
NEW YORK – January 27, 2012 – Paradox Interactive and Arrowhead Game Studios today announced that smash hit indie game Magicka has reached the one year mark and that the core game has sold 1.3 million copies to date, proving that obliteration of your friends by “accidental” typos is more fun than a lightning bolt to the face.
That is, unless it’s a lightning bolt to your friend’s face in which case it’s 10 out of 10 on the fun scale. Magicka: Vietnam has also gone on to sell more than 500,000 copies and various DLC available for the Magicka universe has been downloaded over 4 million times.
To mark the occasion, the developers have cooked up a new Magick that will be free for all bathrobe wearing adventurers; the Confuse spell.
Or wait, perhaps I’m confused and the devs said I was going to dress in a bathrobe and they’d cook me. No, wait a second… devs don’t cook people, goblins do. So does that mean the developers are goblins? I’m so confused, who cast this spell on me?! In any case, it’s confusing yet impressive that a small studio of goblins—I mean developers, were able to create such a successful game. We’re not complaining, and we hope you aren’t either, or else we’ll cook you!
And since this is a Magicka press release, we’d like to shamelessly plug the next Magicka expansion, The Other Side of the Coin. In this latest addition to the Magicka universe, slated for release later this spring, wizards will trade in their hats and robes for black capes with giant 70’s collars as they take on the role of the “bad guys” by controlling Alucart the vampire and commanding his legion of necromancers.
The PlanetSide 2 team got together to create and publish a brand new video podcast that shines the spotlight on Nanite Systems Vehicles. Matt Higby talked with Game Designer Kevin Moyer and Senior Art Director Tramell Isaac about vehicles including the Sunderer, the Lightening, the Liberator, and the Galaxy. Enjoy!
After originally stating that En Masse would refrain from commentary regarding the TERA lawsuit filed by NCSoft, Publishing Vice President Chris Lee has been quoted on the official forums summarily dismissing the allegations…and saying that the company would refrain from further commentary.
"We are disappointed that NCsoft is attempting to mar the launch of TERA. Unfortunately we can't discuss much publicly due to the sensitivity of legal actions, but we do outright reject the NCsoft claims, and we are going to do everything in our power to defend and protect ourselves.
To all our supporters who have been anticipating the arrival of TERA – please know that this situation has no impact on our continuing efforts to realize the vision we have for our game. We are committed to making TERA awesome and delivering the game to you on time on May 1. Thank you for your patience and support."
Bethesda Softworks and id Software have updated RAGE HD, the iOS version of their 2011 shooter RAGE, to version 2.0. The update includes some new features, improved functionality and two brand new episodes; Kraken and Aqueduct.
The full update list reads:
New Mutant Bash Store with IAP
First In App Purchase is Episode Pack 1: E04 Kraken & E05 Aqueduct
More new content coming soon to the Mutant Bash Store!
Higher resolution player model and weapon models
Compiled under the iOS 5 SDK, compatible with iOS 5.x
Video support for the HDMI output cable
Refined video support for the VGA and component cables under iOS 5
New RAGE ® Trailer
Performance enhancements & a massive list of Bug Fixes
The new episodes, Kraken and Aqueduct, are available as in-app purchases for just $0.99. If you haven't picked the game up yet, it is available for $1.99. Check it out on id Software's website for more information at http://www.idsoftware.com/.
This weekend (hopefully, don't hold me to it) we will be adding a full affiliate page to the website selling game time cards and even full codes for MMO's
PLEASE if you are purchsing game time, buy it through the link on the website and it will help us grow and expand to give you more content!
A rumor making the rounds today is Microsoft will phase out its Microsoft Points currency by year's end, in favor of real currency. According to InsideMobileApps, the change will affect Windows Phone, the Zune Marketplace and Xbox Live.
The site claims "a source" provided the information and notes that mobile developers with Microsoft publishing agreements are being told to plan their upcoming downloadable content and in-app purchases in accordance with the change. Finally, customers with Microsoft Point balances at the time of conversion will have it switched to the their local currency.
Two developers we spoke to who are working on Windows Phone 7 and Xbox Live content told us they hadn't heard anything about such a conversion. However, both noted that sometimes Microsoft doesn't tell them about major changes until it becomes need to know. They also hadn't heard whispers about the conversion until we contacted them.
Checking in with Microsoft, a company spokesperson told us: "We do not comment on rumor or speculation."
Update: Microsoft Switzerland has reportedly told Gbase.de that the rumor is not true. The Google translation is a bit confusing, but it roughly translates: "We can not confirm these rumors – we are currently satisfied with the current Xbox Live Business model."
It's not really a followup to the Neo Geo Pocket, but it is a portable device with a bunch of Neo Geo games on it. Currently known only as "Neo Geo Portable Device" (not the product's final name), the handheld is a bit bigger than an iPhone and comes packing two gigs of storage, plenty of buttons, a 4.3 inch screen, SD card slot, headphone jack and an A/V out jack, according to Japanese site Famicom Plaza.
And, thanks to official SNK licensing, it comes pre-loaded with 20 Neo Geo titles — North American versions, no less — including classics like Metal Slug, Fatal Fury Special, Sengoku, King of the Monsters, Magician Lord and more. Famicom Plaza provided no details as to when or where the device will be released.
That's assuming the product is real at all, of course. The select button above is labeled "menu" in a different picture, for example, which seems a bit odd. We've contacted SNK to confirm the device's existence.
Sources confirm fall 2013 release, detail graphics processing power.
The next Xbox will ship to retailers in late October or early November of next year with six times the processing power of the Xbox 360, sources close to the project have told IGN.
Following initial reports from tech blogs Fudzilla and SemiAccurate, our sources have confirmed that mass production of the system's GPU will indeed begin by the end of 2012 but will not, however, be based on AMD's 7000 series Southern Islands GPU. Instead, the processor will be derived from the 6000 series, which was introduced last year. More specifically, it will be akin to the Radeon HD 6670, which offers support for DirectX11, multidisplay output, 3D and 1080p HD output. The chip currently has a market price of upwards of $79.99.
In real terms, the Xbox 720's raw graphics processing power is expected to be six times that of the Xbox 360 and will yield 20-percent greater performance than Nintendo's forthcoming console, the Wii U.
Developers are likely to receive development kits based on the system's final configuration in August. Projected pricing for the console was not provided.
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. Jan 18, 2012 – THQ Inc. today announced the second downloadable content pack for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is scheduled to release for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Playstation®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC on 24th January (US) / 25th January (EU).
The premium add-on pack called The Dreadnought, adds a new multiplayer mode called Dreadnought Assault where both teams battle to capture a central location on the map and the winners spawn a player controlled Dreadnought. The Dreadnought is armed with an Assault Cannon / Auto Cannon, a Meltagun and a Power Fist / Power Claw and must capture points across the map to score points for their team. Once the Dreadnought is destroyed a new spawn point will appear.
The Dreadnought DLC also includes three new multiplayer maps Desolation, Dome Mechanicus and Chem Refinery, as well as new achievements / trophies and has a suggested cost of 800 Microsoft Points / US$9.99.
In addition to the premium add-on content all players of Space Marine will receive a new multiplayer Capture and Control Mode for free. Playable on all the game’s multiplayer maps, this team based mode challenges players to capture and defend locations around the map to score points.
Jim Huntley, Vice President of Global Brand Management commented, “Fans of Space Marine have been asking for vehicles for a while so we are delighted to be bringing the iconic Dreadnought and Chaos Dreadnought to consoles for the first time in this DLC content.”
Alongside this add-on content THQ will be releasing two new player skins for sale on the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network, Playstation® Network and STEAM. Players will be able to purchase unique Iron Hands and Death Guard skin packs for a suggested price of 240 Microsoft Points / US$2.99 each.
The Space Marine DLC content is scheduled to be available to purchase on Xbox 360, Playstation®3 and Windows PC on 25th January(US) / 25th January (EU).
