Hasta La Gadget!

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.

It’s time again for the most wild and crazy blast of do-anything gaming madness with the next chapter of the franchise: Saints Row IV. The idea that this game series would continue was doused last year as the original owner of the title THQ was kicked in the gut and closed shop – as it turns out, the developers behind the series survived, and being purchased by none other than Koch Media in the time between then and now, Volition will once again be allowing us into their collective wild and crazy mind environment. The teaser for Saint’s Row IV was revealed today.

What you’re working with here in the newest chapter in the Saint’s Row franchise is another look at the go-anywhere and do-anything universe the public first fell in love with in the game known as Grand Theft Auto III. Open-run blast-anything and ride-everything returns here with Saint’s Row IV and we couldn’t be more pumped up about it. Have a peek at the first teaser trailer right this minute!

This game has been teased as taking place everywhere “from the Crack House to the White House” with no less than “ball-busting” excellence from start to finish. As you’ll see here, this game is ready to allow you to ride a car through town, murder your way through enemies galore, and fly. Fly right through the sky if you want – go for it!

The release of this game is set for some time inside August of 2013. At the moment it’s looking like a PC-certain release with current-generation consoles on deck. This means we’ll likely see Saint’s Row IV on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 – no word yet on PlayStation 4 or Xbox 720 action as yet. Stay tuned for more!

[via DeepSilverHQ]

Saint’s Row IV unleashed: open-playground madness on tap! is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Now that The Last of Us’ release date has been pushed back to June 14, the demo Sony promised would be available early to God of War: Ascension owners is needed now more than ever. God of War: Ascension has officially been released today, and we’re sure a good majority of you are wondering when you could access the demo for The Last of Us.

Naughty Dog revealed the date when the demo for The Last of Us will be accessible to God of War: Ascension owners, which will be made available on May 31. This should give you a two weeks to spend with the demo before the game’s actual release.

As for the rest of you who own a PlayStation 3 and could care less about Kratos and his adventures, neither Naughty Dog nor Sony announced when the demo would be released on the PlayStation Network, but seeing how the God of War: Ascension early-access demo will be available two weeks before the game’s release, we’re sure Sony is planning either a week prior or week of release for the demo.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2 Will Microtransaction Xbox 360 Players, Nintendo Sells 88,000 Wii U Units In February [Analyst],

We know playing online multiplayer or being able to shop on your favorite video game console’s marketplace is something we all like to do on a regular basis, but there comes a time in every game console’s life where it just needs to unwind and have some time to itself in order to get itself ready for days, weeks and months of regular service.

Today, Sony’s PSN will be taken down for a good chunk of the day starting at 11:00 a.m. ET to 10:00 p.m. ET for a scheduled maintenance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be able to enjoy some Black Ops II multiplayer if you were hoping for some post-work shenanigans. Sony says if you’ve connected to the PlayStation Network within the past few days, you shouldn’t experience an outage, that is, unless you do experience an outage, then you’ll be out of luck for the rest of the day like the rest of us.

On days like this, it’s best to think of alternatives, like playing single-player games. If you absolutely need to play some kind of multiplayer game today, might we suggest a good board game?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Mass Effect 3: Citadel DLC Highlighted In New Trailer, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Headed For PS4,

Ubisoft made a teaser for its “world premiere trailer” for the next game in the Assassin’s Creed series, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. The world premiere was supposed to take place on Monday, but unfortunately for Ubisoft, the trailer was leaked prematurely. The trailer was leaked through GameRadar’s YouTube channel, and taken down soon afterwards, but to Ubisoft’s horror, many more copies of the videos took its place.

The protagonist of this game is Captain Edward Kenway, an infamous pirate able to “clear the deck of a Spanish galleon like it were nothing”. The trailer shows Kenway in action as he’s able to assassinate almost an entire ship with ease, and able to commit murder in public without anyone (except his new mistress) batting an eye. To many loyal Assassin’s Creed fans, this game will be another welcome addition to the group, while to others, it just seems like Ubisoft is milking the Assassin’s Creed franchise for all it’s worth.

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag will be available for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and the PC. It will also be available for the next-gen consoles whenever they come out, so those of you willing to wait, you can purchase the game for your future PlayStation 4 or Xbox 720. You are able to pre-order the game now, and if you do, you’ll get a limited edition poster created by cartoonist Todd McFarlane.

It looks like Ubisoft can go ahead and cancel that “World Premiere Trailer” website they had designed and prettied up all for Assassin’s Creed IV. Besides getting a sneak peak at the game, and finding out its official release date is October 29th, there isn’t much else we know yet about the game. It is rumored that Assassin’s Creed IV will be taking place in either Jamaica, Bahamas, Cuba, Mexico, or England.

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag trailer prematurely leaked is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.