LG is more serious about TV gaming than many of its rivals, and it’s proving that today by rolling out Ubitus’ GameNow service to Smart TVs in the US. The cloud gaming portal streams a mix of mostly console-grade titles, such as Devil May Cry 4 and Dead Rising 2; it also includes free trials and support for a handful of gamepads. A free beta is available now, and the two companies are shooting for a full-fledged launch sometime in the “near future.” While it’s unlikely that GameNow will replace a PS4 or Xbox One for truly demanding players, we’ll take the wider game library any day.
Finally, the PS4’s menacing-looking box has been revealed. More importantly, however, Sony clearly aimed for the Xbox One‘s throat during its E3 press conference — especially with software, services and a cheaper retail price. Alongside a friendly policy toward used games and epic title reveals for the PS4, Sony introduced a new PS3 bundle for the fall and more. Get you fix of all the stories from the event by clicking past the break for our full roundup.
Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.
At tonight’s pre-E3 press conference, Sony finally showed off the physical hardware for the PS4. Sure, we already know a whole lot about the next-gen PlayStation’s specs and capabilities, but it’s always nice to have a piece of actual hardware to ogle.
Compared to the black box that is Microsoft’s Xbox One, Sony’s black box has a little more character, with sloping lines when viewed from the side. It can also be set on a flat surface or stood up vertically.
It’s got two front-mounted USB ports, and the back of the console has only an HDMI out, digital optical out, Ethernet, and an Aux connector, which is presumably used for the PlayStation Eye/Move camera accessory (which is unclear if it is or isn’t included in the base price.)
In addition to showing off its hardware, Sony spent a little time addressing the media aspects of the PS4. Obviously, the system will have access to Sony’s extensive collection of music, movies and television programming for download or rental. In addition, they will be offering subscription-based streamed music and video services.
Of course as Sony reiterated tonight, it’s all about the games and they stated that they have over 30 PS4 titles currently in development within their own studios, with 20 launching within the first year. 12 of these titles are brand new IP. Including 3rd party developers, Sony says that over 150 games are already in development for PS4, with 100 titles due within one year of launch.
One of the most controversial aspects of the Xbox One is its complicated policies on rentals and lending games. Well, you’ll be thrilled to know that Sony has no such plans for the PS4. They confirmed tonight that the console will fully support selling and loaning out disc-based games, and there is no online requirement for disc-based games either (except for online play, of course.) This announcement resulted in the very first standing ovation of E3 2013. Take that, Microsoft!
Also of note is that existing PlayStation Plus memberships will carry over to PS4, meaning that a single membership will cover PS4, PS3 and PS Vita. In addition, PS4 members will get access to their own Instant Game Collection, which includes Driveclub PS Plus edition at launch, plus one free title each month.
Sony didn’t talk too much about its cloud-based gaming features it acquired from Gaikai, but did say it won’t be ready until 2014, and will offer PS4 and PS3 users access to a library of “critically-acclaimed” PS3 games – so you’ll get at least minimal backwards compatibility this way. PS Vita users will be able to take advantage of the service down the road as well.
Of course, the big shocker of the night was that Sony announced that the PS4 will sell for a full $100 less than the Xbox One. At launch this holiday season, the PS4 will sell for $399(USD), €399(EUR), and £349(UK). Despite having announced some pretty great looking games earlier, it looks like Microsoft is going to have a tall hill to climb against the PS4.
Hot on the heels of refreshing its X51 gaming desktop, Dell is sharing the news gamers have really been waiting for. The company just unveiled some fresh Alienware laptops, complete with a new look and even a new naming scheme: Alienware 14, 17 and 18. As you’d expect, they step up to Haswell processors, the latest NVIDIA graphics and 802.11ac on some models, but the real story is that they’ve received a serious makeover, the first in six years. For starters, Dell ditched the ol’ plastic body and moved to a metal chassis with an aluminum lid and magnesium alloy chassis. As befits an Alienware, there are LEDs aplenty, including lights around the edges and a touchpad that fully lights up. And though the alien logo on the lid always glowed, that color is now customizable like other zones on the laptop. Speaking of the keyboard, you get 10 color zones on the 17 / 18 and five on the 14, and it promises improved travel, too, thanks to some retooled key caps. Dell also added Klipsch speakers, backed by Dolby Audio Theater. On a more practical note, the vents have moved to the back edge, as far as possible from gamers’ hands. All told, it’s a nicer design, but if you were expecting these guys to be thinner or lighter, you’re going to be disappointed: the dimensions haven’t really budged.
Moving on to performance, Dell added some macro keys on the larger models, with the 18 supporting up to nine, and the 17 allowing for four. All come standard with a quad-core Core i7 processor, though they won’t each be configurable with the same range of CPUs. 750GB of HDD storage is the minimum, and SSDs will be available too. On the 14, in particular, you can add up to three HDDs, while the two larger notebooks have room for four. Graphics-wise, NVIDIA’s GTX 765M (2GB) is standard on the 17 and 18, while the 14 starts with a 1GB 750M. And on the 18 you get two GPUs by default, in an SLI setup. The Alienware 17 and 18 come with 802.11ac WiFi, while the 14 packs a Killer Wireless-N 1202 radio. As for displays, they’re all IPS screens (non-touch), and while 1080p is offered on all, it’s only standard on the 18 (the 14, in particular, starts with 1,366 x 768, blech). They’re all available now, with starting prices pegged at $1,199 for the 14, $1,499 for the 17 and $2,099 for the 18. A Core i5 version of the 14 is also on the way, and will start around $1,099. Hopefully we’ll review one of these soon, but until then have a look at some hands-on photos, a detailed spec table and a trio of promo videos, all embedded after the break.
In May, Turtle Beach shouted from the hilltops that it snagged Microsoft’s blessing to craft Xbox One headsets, and now it’s ready to show off the actual hardware. Based on the outfit’s Seven Series, the pair of XO Ear Force cans will be available at the console’s launch and feature 3.5mm jacks, detachable boom mics and deliver surround sound through wired connections to controller adapters. At $149, the XO Seven boasts a “premium finish,” on-ear cups with noise-isolating memory foam cushions, interchangeable speaker plates and a breakaway cable with an in-line mic for use with mobile devices. Liberating $99 from your wallet, however, will net you the more budget-friendly XO Four, which can also be used with devices outfitted with 3.5mm ports.
Bringing other platforms into the mix, Turtle Beach unveiled a trio of Call of Duty: Ghosts-branded headsets, but remained mum on pricing. The wireless Ear Force Phantom boasts dual-band WiFi, rechargeable batteries and compatibility with the Xbox 360, PS3 and mobile devices. The wired Spectre and Shadow are presumably less pricey, and play nice with PC and Mac as well. Sure, E3 may be a video game bonanza, but comic fans are getting some love with an Ear Force Seven headset embellished with Marvel branding, a red accent and swappable speaker covers with different characters.
Well, it pays to stick around a launch venue as the cleanup crews begin to roll out. We just caught a glimpse of Sony’s brand new PlayStation 4 following the company’s press event tonight, and it’s really quite stunning. We were only able to view the console from a right angle, but we did manage to make out a dark black glossy finish up top, with a gray matte panel just below. It’s difficult to judge depth from the side, but from this front view at least, we definitely liked what we saw.
A small silver PlayStation logo is positioned towards the bottom of the glossy panel, representing the only branding visible from this side of the device. There’s a Sony logo on the left side as well, as you can see in our gallery below. It’s really quite a sleek design, so even though you may opt to toss the console away in a cabinet, it’ll look just fine sitting out, too. Unfortunately Sony staffers ushered us out after snapping this shot, so that’s all we’ve got for now. We’ll be hitting up the company’s booth bright and early tomorrow morning, though, and you better believe we’ll be back to share our full hands-on impressions then.
The Electronic Entertainment Expo’s pre-show press day is almost over, but there’s still one more thing we have to do: put Sony’s E3 presentation into context. Take a moment to let Joystiq and Engadget bend your ear about Sony’s announcements, the bombs it dropped on Microsoft, and what it all means for this console generation and the rest of E3. Hit the break to join our intrepid livebloggers in action.
Update: The stream is over — but stay tuned, we’ll be uploading an archived version of the wrap-up for your viewing pleasure later tonight.
Let’s say you’re excited about the Xbox One… so excited, in fact, that you’re okay with spending $499 on it before you’ve even touched the gamepad. Microsoft wants to accommodate you: buy a system quickly enough and you’ll get the limited Day One Edition. While the core system won’t change, you’ll get to flaunt your early adopter status through both a slightly customized controller and a special Xbox Live achievement. Microsoft is also offering a matching (though separate) Xbox Live 12-month Gold pass that bundles an exclusive Killer Instinct character. If those rarities are enough to encourage an early purchase, you can reserve one through Microsoft and other retailers. Let’s just hope that there aren’t too many launch day quirks.
Just hours after Microsoft’s presentation at E3 2013, home to a market point and additional presentation of the Xbox One, Sony came out to reveal their heat. With the Xbox One priced at a cool $499 in the USA, Sony’s announcement of the PlayStation 4 price at $399 USD sent the crowd howling, literally. This
Though the game itself will be cross-platform, hitting the PC and Xbox One as well, the Sony PlayStation 4′s E3 2013 keynote event played host to the first full-length preview of the game Destiny. This game promises to be an epic presentation of first-person approaches to a massive multiplayer universe, shown this week to be
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