Hasta La Gadget!

Ubisoft announced in February its once Wii U exclusive Rayman Legends was not only receiving a lengthy delay from it’s original release date of February 26 to sometime in September, but that it was also no longer going to be exclusive, instead also seeing a release on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. To make up for this upsetting news to Wii U owners, Ubisoft announced it would be making a completely exclusive Rayman Legends challenge mode in April completely for free. Today, Ubisoft is announcing some more details as to what it’ll include.

The upcoming second demo for Rayman Legends will include four levels, with one of them being completely exclusive to the Wii U called “Murfy’s Dungeon.” The demo will feature the game’s newly introduced online challenge mode which will continually update itself with new daily and weekly challenges, with each challenge including its own set of leaderboards. The new demo is said to be coming in “late-April,” which we hope doesn’t mean April 30th as we definitely need our Rayman fix sooner rather than later.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Xbox 720 Will Be Able To Take Control Of TV And Set Top Box, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Spotted On Torrent Sites After Ubisoft Uplay Service Hack,

Nintendo’s Wii U has been experiencing quite the slow start as it has sell at least over 100,000 units after the holiday season. January’s sales were predicted to be around 55,000 units, while February wasn’t any better with only 64,000 units sold. Considering no major “must have” games were released in March, we’re pretty sure the Wii U won’t be celebrating a milestone month.

Nintendo took the offensive at PAX East this past weekend by informing the gaming community gathered there why they should pick up a Wii U through handouts titled “Why Wii U?” The handout includes a rather long laundry list of reasons why it’s a better console when compared to the Wii, which was a rather strange choice as Nintendo is pretty much shooting itself in the foot with this list. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Bioshock Infinite Audio Mode For Pulse Elite Edition Headset, Ubisoft Reveals Details About Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Special Edition Boxes,

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.

Can we all just stop the nonsense, please? I’ve been sitting here for weeks now, waiting to hear from Nintendo that it’s ready to make major changes with the Wii U. And time and again, I’m left with the company scoffing at such a suggestion. The Wii U will be just fine, Nintendo says. And it’s about time we all believe it.

Well, Nintendo, we don’t believe it.

After a sub-par launch, we’ve watched the Wii U collected dust on store shelves across the U.S. Developers, while trying to stay nice about it, are obviously starting to become concerned that the console won’t hack it. And all Nintendo president Satoru Iwata can do is apologize for not delivering better results in the fourth quarter.

Huh?

Now, I’ll freely admit that I’ve never run a major company and I’m sure there will be an awful lot of Nintendo fans lined up to tell me that I don’t know anything about running a game business, but it’s about time the company and all of its supporters hear the truth: without some major changes, the Wii U is doomed.

What Nintendo needs to do first is cut the price of the Wii U. Yes, I know that the company will likely post lower-than-expected financial results over the next year or so because of the reduced price, but at least some customers will jump at the chance to buy the cheaper device. And as history has shown, the more hardware that makes its way into consumer homes, the stronger the software library. And when a stronger software library comes along, a more successful platform results.

“Nintendo is looking down the barrel of a major, major threat”

Nintendo is looking down the barrel of a major, major threat. Sony is planning to launch a PlayStation 4 later this year that will come with far more firepower than its device. The Xbox 360’s successor, unofficially known as the Xbox 720, will take advantage of the momentum its predecessor has passed on. By all measure, the Wii U’s competition is looking to have a better chance of succeeding than Nintendo’s console.

Of course, don’t tell Nintendo fans that; they’re still clinging to the Wii’s success. Nintendo fans say that the Wii was doubted by nearly everyone, and after it had some time to attract customers, it was an outright success.

However, I think those people tend to be suffering from revisionist history. The Wii was doubted by many, but after it was actually shown off to consumers before its launch, demand skyrocketed. And the console wasn’t readily available to customers for years. In other words, the Wii is an entirely different beast. And it’s one that cannot – and should not – be compared to the Wii U.

Aside from a price cut, I’m not sure there’s much else Nintendo can do but hope that things turn around. The Wii U is being ignored, casual gamers couldn’t care less, and parents – the true Wii U buyers – are looking at the price tag and laughing at Nintendo for even thinking it would pay that much for what is essentially an HD Wii.

It’s unfortunate, but I’m starting to wonder if this is the beginning of the end for Nintendo’s console business.

Stop the Nonsense, Nintendo: The Wii U Needs Help – And Now is written by Don Reisinger & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

A few weeks ago, EA executive Blake Jorgensen raised a few eyebrows as he believes the next generation of video games will bring on another rise in costs to make new games cost $69. It seems he isn’t entirely alone in his way of thinking as gaming analyst Michael Pachter also believes a rise in video game prices should also be expected when the next generation of consoles is released.

Pachter spoke at the SXSW gaming conference with GameTrailers’ Geoff Keighley live-tweeting his lecture. During his presentation, Pachter shared a prediction of game prices to occur in the next generation of video game consoles saying “PS4 and next Xbox games will likely cost 70 dollars, 10 dollars more than current gen.”

Considering how Pachter said the next Xbox will outsell the PlayStation 4 and Wii U without even knowing the final specs for the PS4 and next Xbox, we think you should take this news with a grain of salt, especially since he also isn’t an official video games industry source. We just hope video game publishers don’t get the crazy idea of raising the prices for their games as we’re sure many of you already feel $60 for a new game is pretty high.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: StarCraft 2: Heart Of The Swarm Has Gone Live!, Leaked Star Wars Game Might Be Star Wars: Battlefront 3 Predecessor,