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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."
