Hasta La Gadget!

EA’s Battlefield 4 will be released this fall where it’s expected to be released onto the PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and possibly next-generation consoles that don’t include the Wii U, which has many long-time fans giddy with excitement. To help further fan these flames, EA released a new 17 minute gameplay video of Battlefield 4 in action, which we knew you would want to see for yourself.

With Battlefield 4, its developer, DICE, is looking to finally deliver a single-player experience that Battlefield fans would actually want to play instead of it being an optional feature to their multiplayer experience. That’s why they’re taking the best of what its multiplayer experience and putting it into the single player campaign. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain Announced With New Trailer, Temple Run Makes Its Long-Awaited Debut On Windows Phone,

It looks like another classic is heading to the PlayStation Vita. Jak and Daxter, a fan favorite and a nostalgic game from the days of the PlayStation 2, has just received an ESRB rating for the PS Vita. While there still isn’t any official confirmation that the Jak and Daxter Collection will be heading to the PlayStation Vita, the ESRB rating should be a dead giveaway.

Jak and Daxter was first released on the PlayStation 2 way back on December 3rd, 2001. The game received positive reviews from a variety of critics and became an instant success. Following the launch of the first game, 5 additional games were produced for the franchise, as well as the Jak and Daxter Collection (the remastered version of Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, Jak II, and Jak 3, for the PlayStation 3).

As we know, Sony loves to remaster old games in order to grant gamers a trip down memory lane (as well as make quick and easy money). They’ve remastered a bunch of games so far, including the first two God of Wars, ICO, Shadow of Colossus, the Devil May Cry series, and a whole bunch more. These games were remastered in 720p anti-aliased graphics and play at 60 frames per seconds. They are all also compatible with PlayStation’s trophy system.

The Jak and Daxter Collection for the PS Vita should be very similar to its PlayStation 3 counterpart. It will keep the main storylines and core aspects in Jak I, Jak II, and Jak 3, but will feature smoother and higher quality graphics, as well as much smoother gameplay. The games will also include support for the PlayStation Network Trophy system. Considering that the game has already been rated, it shouldn’t be too long now before the game hits the stores.

[via IGN]

Jak and Daxter Collection en route to the PS Vita is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Sony Computer Entertainment and Unity Technologies have announced that they have formed a strategic partnership. The partnership focuses on the Unity multi-platform engine and development tools. The strategic partnership between these two companies kicked off on March 15 of this year.

The partnership will see Sony offer Unity for PlayStation to provide an optimized development environment that works for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation Mobile. Sony says that PlayStation platform development tools will be ruled out starting this fall. Developers with a license agreement from Sony for the PlayStation SDK will be able to build and deploy what Sony calls entertainment experiences for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita without spending as much resources on complicated programming processes.

The Unity for PlayStation system will allow developers to port games to each of the Sony gaming offerings without having to rewrite code from scratch. Using Unity developers will also be able to bring IP to dedicated console systems like the PlayStation Vita and still allow gamers to take advantage of the unique features of each platform such as root touchpads, dual analog sticks, front and rear cameras, and motion sensors.

The system will also allow developers to create games for PlayStation Mobile without having to use an additional PlayStation Mobile SDK. Sony says it will also enable developers using Unity to create games for future cloud services that will be delivered by Sony Computer Entertainment by utilizing Unity for PlayStation. Games developed using the new platform will be available via the PlayStation Store and developers will be able to integrate PlayStation Network features into their games using the platform such as trophy functionality.

[via Unity]

Sony Computer Entertainment announces Unity for PlayStation is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Sony’s teasing something over on its Facebook page. It looks like a red, round thing that pops open. It might reveal a PS4 disc tray or, more likely, the hole you plug your MP3 player into in order to get the party started. Or, even less thrillingly, it might be an Easter egg. A joke. A stupid, rubbish joke, that we’ve just fallen for. What do you think? Thing or no thing? [Facebook] More »

Let me say this loud and clear: any game console that tries to block used games will fail. And I, along with other gamers, will be happy to see it.

Over the last year or so, we’ve been hearing rumors that Microsoft’s next console, currently codenamed Durango, could ban used games. Microsoft, of course, hasn’t said anything on the matter, deciding instead to keep its plans close to the vest until it finally has the chance to unveil the device to the world. But the steady drumbeat of claims that the console won’t support used games is concerning.

The video game industry can’t stand used games. Gamers run out to buy a new title and before long, turn around and sell it back to their local game retailer, like Gamestop, to get back some of their cash. In many cases, those gamers then put the credit towards another game.

For gamers and Gamestop, it’s a great model that works exceedingly well. But the game developers have a real issue with used titles.

See, after a game is sold back to a company like Gamestop, there’s no way for the developers to generate cash off the secondary sale. That means that all of their hard work can’t be profited on, and retailers can double-dip on the games they’re investing in.

“I’ll be the first to admit that I think the system is flawed.”

I’ll be the first to admit that I think the system is flawed. I know of several developers that can’t stand the thought of used-game sales and I totally understand why they have those feelings. Revenue sharing on used-game sales really is unfair. And it’s something that the industry should not – and perhaps, cannot – overlook; it needs to be fixed.

That said, used games have a place in today’s console space. Used games are cheaper, which makes it easier for gamers to enjoy the entertainment they so desire. For many people around the world, spending $60 on a video game is impossible when bills need to be paid and kids need to be fed. But buying a title for, say, half the price, isn’t such a bad deal.

Used games, let’s not forget, have also done wonders for the online services Sony and Microsoft offer. The more used games that customers buy, the more people playing titles online. And thus, revenue across the industry goes up. It’s a win-win.

And yet, the steady drumbeat of claims that Microsoft might do away with used-game playing in the next Xbox grows louder by the day. If it’s true – and let’s be clear, we’re not sure if it is – that would mean Microsoft’s console would be the only next-generation hardware to not allow for used titles. What’s worse, it would be the first console in history to not support such a key part of the game-buying experience.

“if Microsoft does not support used games in its next console, I will not buy the hardware.”

I can say unequivocally that if Microsoft does not support used games in its next console, I will not buy the hardware. And I have a feeling there are thousands, if not millions, of gamers who will stand alongside me.

Look, I’m all for giving developers the proper compensation for what they’ve created. And I, too, think the used-game market is hurting developers. But not allowing used games isn’t the answer; stopping retailers from taking advantage of gamers and developers is.

Banning Used Games Is A Deal-Breaker is written by Don Reisinger & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.