Category: Games and Gaming

Next Xbox comes today, Here is the Roundup!

The next Microsoft Xbox is going to be announced in a few hours and we know quite a lot of things about it so far (or at least we think).

The Xbox (next) should carry on Microsoft’s legacy of the gaming industry as it has from the beginning. The Xbox became an icon of the gaming industry the minute it landed, quickly becoming the most popular gaming console, due to the sheer volume of gamer available on it. Microsoft Studios’ dedication in creating exclusive titles, also had a big role to play here.

Price of the Next Xbox

While most consoles debut around the US $ 499 price mark, we expect the next Xbox to be the same. Microsoft in the U.S., offers the Xbox 360 on subsidy and has tried to work out similar strategies with their sales in India with no real subsidy offers.

What real package deals may is unknown, but it appears that Microsoft realizes that the biggest market for games cannot afford Rs. 25000 consoles outright.

Release Cycle and Branding

While many rumored names for the next Xbox are floating around, the Xbox Infinity the Xbox ultimate, etc. The most probable name is going to be Xbox 8 ( due to a trademark filed by Microsoft), which could also tie in with the specs of the hardware below. On the flip side Microsoft could simply call it Xbox or if they were to follow in Apple’s footsteps the “New Xbox” or the “Next Xbox”.

The new gaming console from Microsoft is expected to clash with Sony’s rivaling Playstation, when both will be available around the Christmas holiday season of 2013.

Hardware and Specifications

Apart from major aesthetic changes, the new Xbox will also get a hardware overhaul. Starting with the 64-bit, 8-core, 1.6GHz processor made by AMD with x86 architecture and 8GB of DDR3 RAM vs the existing 3-core 3.6GHz processor and 512 MB or RAM. The previous architecture was based on PowerPC so the GHz change will actually be better. The GPU is an 800 MHz DirectX 11.x, and will be accompanied by custom hardware for Xbox-specific tasks vs the existing 500MHz GPU. The new hardware will also have a traditional ethernet port, an optical Blu-Ray disc drive( even though rumors pointed to diskless systems, this is a way to curb piracy) , a default 500GB SATA 2 HDD, USB 3.0 ports, and HDMI out and in ports for Full HD/ maybe even 4K video.

New Xbox Controller

Many are expecting a Kinect overhaul, and some rumors have pointed to a controller less console ( which in all entirety would be a failure). The new controller is expected to be smaller and more ergonomic. It is also rumored that the new Xbox controller will have an additional set of buttons to enhance the gamers experience. The Kinect sensor is expected to come bundled with the hardware, along with a better optical recognition system which would be able to respond more accurately to movements.

The Handheld controllers are expected to come with rechargeable and replaceable batteries out of the box, to one up on Playstation’s rechargeable but irreplaceable batteries.

The new Hardware, along with controllers and Kinect have been with Game developers for a while now, but since each unit is tightly packed, coded and covered in stripes, not a lot has leaked out from design perspective.

TV or Gaming Console (or Both?)

Microsoft’s Nancy Hellens – a former boss at US TV station CBS has been brought on to spearhead new TV-esque entertainment experiences. Uk based, Lift London is working on new gaming experiences, Microsoft Soho Studios has already put out interactive TV-like games based on Sesame Street and Discovery Channel. Now well a lot of heat around different types of TV’s systems is in place, Microsoft could bundle these features into the new Xbox and make the package a lot worth for the owner. Replacing the likes of recoding boxes and streaming accessories.

A move along such lines would also replace devices, like Nexus Q or even Apple TV from living rooms.

Microsoft has already clarified that the launch will be for the hardware and not for the games, which would be announced possibly at E3, but expect at least a few titles to show up for a wonderful preview.

May 21, 2013
Sony’s New Playstation 4 Teaser Reveals Console Appearance

After the Sony’s Playstation 4 event concluded, questions immediately blew up social media asking what the console actually looks like. We have our first glimpses of the console today, thanks to an officially released teaser by Sony.

The timing of the tease is no surprise, with Microsoft set to reveal its own next-generation Xbox tomorrow at its campus in Redmond, Washington.

Sony will present its E3 event on June 10 at 6 p.m. Pacific time. At that point, we will likely see the PlayStation 4 in the flesh along with some new games and features.

The video, seen below, shows off bits and pieces of the console in quick video cuts. You’re able to see the logo, various ports, and other portions of the device that help you form a general idea of what the Playstation 4 will look like.

Sony will be shipping the PlayStation 4 with an eight-core 64-bit processor based off AMD’s “Jaguar” processor line. Though x86 cores are the brunt of the new console’s might, Sony stated at its event that another low-power core will be bundled in, as well. The additional processor exists not to help with games directly but instead to process tasks in the background.

Sony states that the PlayStation 4 graphics chip, which is derived from existing Radeon technology and integrated into the Jaguar processor die, can push 1.84 TFLOPS. That number puts the power of the GPU roughly on par with a Radeon HD 7850 video card.

Sony has also packed in eight gigabytes of RAM, an absolutely massive increase over the 512MB found in the PlayStation 3. And the RAM is high-speed GDDR5, which will let Sony maximize the system’s data pipe.

[youtube id=”QjXU1anoC5Y” width=”100%” height=”300px”]

[DigitalTrends]

May 20, 2013
Upcoming Xbox 720 To Utilize Microsoft IllumiRoom Projection Technology?

Microsoft’s Illumiroom could play a role in the future of the next-generation Xbox, according to a new preview video released ahead of this week’s CHI 2013 event which promises to reveal more technical details about this proof-of-concept system.

IllumiRoom is a wide-angle projector that’s situated on your coffee table, pointed at your big-screen TV. The current prototype has a Kinect strapped to the projector, but the final version will have a Kinect sensor built in. The built-in Kinect uses an automatic calibration process to captures the color and geometry (shape, depth) of the wall behind and furniture around your TV.

Then you hook the IllumiRoom up to your next-generation Xbox (wirelessly), and watch in awe as peripheral projection takes you to new levels of game immersion.

The video goes on to state that the new technology “can extend the gaming content out of your TV, creating a truly immersive experience. Or we can selectively show game elements, like explosions, or make it snow in our living room.”

Microsoft will have had to have got permission from Valve to include their game in the demo, so it suggests they’ve already been shopping the technology around to developers in order to get them interested in supporting it.

Entirely self-calibrating and theoretically working in any room containing the next-generation Xbox, Microsoft realises that, like with Kinect, there may be issues with the technology.

“While there are many unanswered questions regarding peripheral projected illusions, we hope we have demonstrated that they are worth answering.”

[youtube id=”0qyM5kRU-KM” width=”100%” height=”300px”]

[The Verge]

April 29, 2013
Microsoft and Airtel launch Xbox 360 combo offer

Airtel and Microsoft have tied up to deliver a unique set of offers to prospective buyers of Airtel connections and Xbox 360 consoles, or even owners of both or either. In the form of Airtel broadband and free Xbox LIVE gold memberships. The offer is valid in Delhi, NCR, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore till June 30.

Up for grabs for new owners is a Xbox 360 4GB Kinect model with an Airtel Broadband connection for Rs 15,500. The new buyers will get 10 free Xbox 360 games, a 12 month membership of Xbox LIVE gold and up to Rs 4,888 off on the Airtel broadband connection.

Consumers can now enjoy a smooth Xbox LIVE entertainment experience which includes the best multi-player action that Xbox is so well known for on an Airtel broadband” – Microsoft Corporation India Business Group Lead (Interactive Entertainment Business) Anshu Mor said.

Interestingly, Existing Xbox 360 owners who buy a new Airtel broadband connection will get Rs 4,888 off and a three month membership for Xbox LIVE gold. But if you already have an Airtel connection and buy a new Xbox 360 you will get 10 free games and a 12 month membership for Xbox LIVE gold worth Rs 10,699, along with savings of Rs 4,888 on an Airtel Broadband upgrade.

We are confident that our-tie up with Microsoft… deliver a much-awaited and enhanced experience for gaming lovers”- Bharti Airtel CEO (Homes and Office) Najib Khan said.

April 25, 2013
Razer To Honour Unauthorized 90% Off Coupon Code

According to a statement issued by the gaming hardware maker’s CEO, Min-Liang Tan, an unauthorized coupon code for 90% off any order placed through Razer’s online store leaked online, resulting in a flood of new orders with deep discounts. While the company says it’s within legal boundaries to invalidate the orders, Razer will honor the discount, allowing users to apply the 90% discount to one product in their order.

The executive said in a post on Facebook that the coupon code was generated by a third party to test their shopping cart system and inadvertently left in the system. The UK Razerzone store had to be shut down for a bit until they figured out what was going on.

“While we have the option of cancelling the orders legally, we’ve always had a customer comes first policy at Razer,” said Tan, “and in respect of this incident, we have decided to honor the orders that were placed using the unauthorized code by Razer fans buying single products for their own use.”

Tan goes on to explain that doing so will “likely cost us an insane amount of losses” and that Razer won’t be honoring all orders, as some people attempted to buy multiple units of the same item.

“For orders in the multiples of units for a single product, we will still give each an opportunity to purchase one item of each product ordered at the 90% off discount but not for multiple units of the same product,” he explains. “Our focus is on doing the right thing for our fans, the gamers and the community, not for resellers or users to profit from this. That’s not gaming, that’s not our deal.”

He cautions that it could take weeks — and maybe months in some cases — to fulfill all the orders, as a number of items purchased during the rush were already on back-order.

Way to go Razer!

April 20, 2013
Xbox Live Outage Forces Gamers Offline During Peak Weekend Hours

The Xbox Live gaming and entertainment platform suffered a major outage for several hours on Saturday, rendering significant elements of the console useless.

Gamers were unable to sign into their accounts so were unable to engage in multiplayer action, or access the suite of entertainment apps that are tied to Xbox Live subscriptions (i.e. Netflix, YouTube, etc.).

In a statement provided to Game Informer, a Microsoft representative informed that the outage was due to routine maintenance. Some individuals had claimed that hacking brought the service down yesterday. But Microsoft assured that this is false.

For the most part, Microsoft has addressed the issue and users are now able to sign in to the service, though some lingering issues remain. For example, Microsoft says users may experience “difficulties” creating new or accessing existing Minecraft game saves, and listening to music via Last.fm is spotty. In both cases, Microsoft says it’s working on a fix.

In the meantime, these problems underscore why gamers take issue with the concept of an always-on console. It’s been rumored that the Xbox 720 (Durango) will feature an always-on Internet requirement, and Microsoft has yet to confirm or deny if the rumors are true. In cases where Microsoft is having problems on its end, an always-on requirement could render the console unusable.

With Xbox Live outages not exactly a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence, where would this leave gamers every time the company has problems with the online portion of its service?

[Game Informer]

April 15, 2013
Mozilla, Epic Games Team Up To Bring Unreal Engine 3 To The Web

For the longest time, HTML5 was far behind Flash in terms of game development as it didn’t offer a native experience. Mozilla and others have been bridging that gap over the last year, however, and the non-profit’s latest move inspires more hope that HTML5 can deliver native gaming experiences sooner rather than later.

Mozilla and Epic Games announced at GDC that Unreal Engine 3 is now available to HTML5 developers. This was made possible through Mozilla’s work in developing “a highly-optimized version of JavaScript” that allows game developers to bring graphically intensive content to the Web.

Epic had already ported the engine to Flash and there have been a few other attempts at building or porting a 3D game engine to JavaScript, but nothing approaching the size and scope of Unreal Engine.

Epic’s port is based on a very new piece of technology, asm.js and the OdinMonkey JavaScript engine module for Firefox. In essence, asm.js enables code that’s been automatically ported to JavaScript from C/C++ to run almost as fast as the same code compiled as a native app. OdinMonkey adds support for asm.js, which is a subset of the JavaScript spec, to Firefox.

With Firefox OS and the Firefox Marketplace launching later this year, this is a significant win for Mozilla. No, the porting of Unreal Engine 3 doesn’t mean that Mass Effect 3 is going to find its way onto sub-Rs 6000/- Firefox phones, but it does mean that mobile hits like Infinity Blade and Dungeon Defenders will. It should also mean that we’ll see more developers offering up browser-friendly versions of their mobile hits — particularly if the porting process is relatively painless and offers an additional revenue stream.

March 28, 2013
PS4 Blu-Ray Drive Is 3x Than PS3’s, Features Boosted Storage Sub-System

The Game Developers Conference in San Francisco is well under way, with some details on Sony’s upcoming next-gen console, the PlayStation 4. Sony Senior Staff Engineer Chris Norden went into greater technical detail on some of the PlayStation 4’s underlying hardware.

Contrary to rumors stating that Sony would abandon the numbering structure for its next-gen console, the next PlayStation will, indeed, be called the PlayStation 4.

PS4’s Blu-Ray drive is three times faster than the current PS3 drive, Norden confirmed. Keeping in mind that the PS3 is equipped with 2x BD drive capable of reading Blu-ray discs at up to 9MB/s speed. The three times faster solution is a 6x BD drive that can read discs at up to 27MB/s, which should be enough not only for modern games, but also for next-generation 4K video discs, assuming that they are Blu-ray or compatible with the drive (or use the same 405nm wavelength as BD).

He added that the hard drive in every console will be “very large” and that real names can be used within PS4’s friend system, subject to the players’ approval. PS4’s social functionality will also allow for more than 100 friends, the current limit on PS3.

PS4’s Eye motion camera comes with a tilt sensor so it can tell when a player is facing in the wrong direction, or if the camera itself has fallen off of your TV stand (or wherever you choose to place it).

Norton explained that PS4s memory outperforms the DDR3 you can find in many high-end PCs, and that its 8GB of GDDR5 RAM offers developers “Crazy high bandwidth”. Simplicity was also key, said Norton.

“If you’re coming from the PS3 you’re probably quite used to the headache of having to split memory architecture, you can’t quite use all of it, the speeds are really wacky on some of it – we don’t have that with PS4. It’s eight gigs, it’s there, it’s easy,” he said.

“You’re getting some really amazing memory with PS4 and we’re really excited about it.”

Other hardware related improvements that the engineer mentioned are all-digital buttons and sticks on the DualShock 4 controller, ability to charge the controller while the console is off as well as a mono headset in every PlayStation 4 box.

[Engadget]

March 28, 2013
Kinect for Windows SDK March 18 Update To Bring Kinect Fusion With It

Microsoft is expected to release Kinect for Windows SDK 1.7 this Monday, March 18th, and the SDK brings with it the long awaited Kinect Fusion.

Microsoft announced two new gestures for Kinect for Windows, the PC-specific version of its Kinect interface. Within the new Windows for Kinect 1.7 SDK are two new gestures: the “push” or “click” gesture, and a closed-fist gesture for scrolling and panning a screen.

Bob Heddle, Director of Kinect for Windows at Microsoft states users can expect “push-to-press buttons, grip-to-pan capabilities, and support for smart ways to accomodate multiple users and two-person interactions,” Engadget reports.

Perhaps most importantly, SDK version 1.7 will include “Kinect Fusion,” Microsoft’s at-home 3D modeling solution that allows the Kinect to capture and fabricate real-time 3D models of people and objects. We first saw Kinect Fusion in action way back in August of 2011, when the concept surfaced as a Microsoft Research project.

“Kinect for Windows SDK 1.7 will be made available this coming Monday, March 18. This is our most significant update to the SDK since we released the first version a little over a year ago, and I can’t wait to see what businesses and developers do with the new features and enhancements. On Monday, developers will be able to download the SDK, developer toolkit, and the new and improved Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) from our website,” Microsoft stated in an official blog post.

Bob Heddle, Director, Kinect for Windows at Microsoft, said that these “Kinect Interactions” (as the gestures are called) came about because Microsoft notices that many developers were using the Kinect for core UI functions much more than Microsoft originally expected. Microsoft wanted to standardize those gestures so developers could focus on the unique parts of their apps.

The company will also make code samples for its open-source channel, the Kinect for Windows development site (CodePlex)

[Engadget]

March 17, 2013
Nvidia Announces PhysX And APEX Support For AMD-Powered PS4

Nvidia Corp. on Thursday announced support for Sony Computer Entertainment’s PlayStation 4 with the popular Nvidia PhysX and Nvidia APEX software development kits (SDKs). While Sony PS4 will not use Nvidia’s chips, it will still rely on development software designed by Nvidia.

PhysX and APEX technologies are used by developers for collision detection and simulation of rigid bodies, clothing, fluids, particle systems etc on pretty much every current platform. Nvidia PhysX and APEX technologies are designed to run on a variety of CPU architectures and can be accelerated by any modern Nvidia GPU, GeForce 8-series or higher.

[quote]Mike Skolones, product manager for the PhysX at Nvidia, said: Great physics technology is essential for delivering a better gaming experience and multiplatform support is critical for developers. With PhysX and APEX support for PlayStation 4, customers can look forward to better games.[/quote]

Both PhysX and APEX are already integrated into a handful of games. NVIDIA boasts that PhysX alone is featured in more than 150 games, and is used by over 10,000 developers. Some games that are taking advantage of NVIDIA’s technologies include Borderlands 2, the Batman Arkham series, Mirror’s Edge, and Metro 2033.

The Sony PlayStation 4 is based on a semi-custom AMD Fusion system-on-chip that integrates eight AMD x86 Jaguar cores, custom AMD Radeon HD core with unified array of 18 AMD GCN-like compute units (1152 stream processors which collectively generate 1.84TFLOPS of computer power that can freely be applied to graphics, simulation tasks, or some mixture of the two), various special-purpose hardware blocks as well as multi-channel GDDR5 memory controller.

The PS4 will come with 8GB of unified GDDR5 memory sub-system (with 176GB/s bandwidth) for both CPU and GPU as well as large-capacity hard disk drive. Sony PS4 will be equipped with Blu-ray disc drive capable of reading BDs at 6x and DVDs at 8x speeds, USB 3.0 connectivity in addition to a proprietary aux port, Gigabit Ethernet port, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR wireless technology as well as HDMI, optical and analog outputs. The new system will also utilize new DualShock 4 game controller with integrated touchpad as well as better motion sensing thanks to new PS4 Eye tracking cameras.

March 8, 2013
Microsoft Expected To Reveal Xbox 720 in April

Following Sony’s PlayStation 4 announcement earlier this week, Microsoft is said to announce the next-generation Xbox console at a media event in April, according to publication Computer and Video Games.

Sony’s “surprise” PlayStation 4 announcement earlier this week reportedly caught Microsoft off guard at first, according to one Sony senior official that asked not to be named. The person in question said they definitely ruffled some feathers which seems likely considering most expected the two companies to announce their next generation consoles at E3 later this year.

Further evidence supporting Microsoft’s decision to host a one-off event is the fact that Ustechs, a company that has worked with Microsoft in the past on other media briefings, recently registered the domain XboxEvent.com.

Leaks for the Xbox 720 (codenamed Durango) have indicated it will feature some serious power internally. An 8-core 1.6GHz processor, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, an 800MHz graphics card, a 6x Blu-ray drive, USB 3.0, and gigabit Ethernet are rumoured to be included.

Microsoft is also said to include a new Kinect sensor that will include not only better tracking results for large rooms, but will ship with the console by default.

At its media event, Sony wasn’t able to show the actual hardware for its PlayStation 4, and only detailed a few specs, the new UI, and controller with touchpad. It’s not known if Microsoft will show off the Xbox design at its event. Leaks haven’t pointed to what the design will look like as of yet.

Baird Equity Research last month said the next-generation Xbox will be sold for $350-$400 in the autumn, right in time for the Christmas shopping season that’s sure to bring a slew of sales to the company.

[Pocket-Lint]

February 23, 2013
Sony To Release ‘Smart Glass’ Like PlayStation App For Android & iOS

And shortly after the event, it added to the day’s announcements by unveiling its official PlayStation mobile application. The app, which will land on both iOS and Android, will expand PS4 gameplay by offering a ‘second screen’ experience…

Here’s Sony’s press release on the app :

[quote]“A new application from SCE called “PlayStation®App” will enable iPhone, iPad, and Android based smartphones and tablets to become second screens. Once installed on these devices, users can, for example, see maps on their second screens when playing an adventure game, purchase PS4 games while away from home and download it directly to the console at home, or remotely watch other gamers playing on their devices.”[/quote]

Sony boasted that the PS4 will feature integration with third-party services, phones, and tablets that will allow players on mobile devices to view gameplay videos and challenge friends in head-to-head play.

There will be no actual gaming available on the app, rather it’s meant to be a companion for the consolem kinda like the Smart Glass app. The PlayStation Vita, however, has gained a “Remote Play” feature that allows gamers to pull PS4 games from their TV and play them on the 5-inch device.

It is currently unknown if the app will be similar to Microsoft’s Smart Glass Xbox app that allows users to view the stats of other gamers. Sony has yet to announce a release date, but the console is scheduled to arrive during the 2013 holiday season.

The PlayStation 4 was the highlight of Sony’s media event, with a PC-style architecture, an eight-core x86 processor and 8GB of RAM, the new Dualshock 4 controller with touchpad and new social layers for a better gaming experience.

February 21, 2013
Sony Launches The PlayStation 4, Yet We Don’t Know What It Looks Like

Sony has officially lifted the lid off the PlayStation 4 during its New York City event today, showing that it wasn’t just gathering journos, developers, and the watching world for the biggest practical joke ever.

The console, which Sony didn’t show once during the 2-hour gathering, should arrive by holiday time 2013. It marks the first major system introduction from the Japan-based company since the PlayStation 3 was launched in 2006.

News.com.au sums up the much hyped PlayStation 4 event perfectly, it was like hosting a gala wedding and not inviting the bride.

[quote]Not surprisingly, Microsoft’s Xbox Live programming director Larry Hryb was quick to mock the Sony event. “Announce a console without actually showing a console? That’s one approach,” he tweeted. [/quote]

However, we do know SOMETHING about the PS4.

With under-the bonnet power considerably in excess of that of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, it will usher in a new breed of games with startlingly lifelike graphics, set in virtual worlds that operate in a much more believable manner than the current crop. But it will not have that ground to itself: Microsoft is applying the finishing touches to a successor for its Xbox 360 which, it is believed, it will unveil at the E3 Show in Los Angeles in June. That, too, is likely to go on sale this Christmas, unleashing a titanic battle for living room supremacy between Sony and Microsoft.

The console owns an eight core, x86-64 AMD Jaguar CPU.

It houses 8GB of GDDR5 unified high-speed memory, and a “highly advanced” PC GPU with “remarkable longterm potential.”

That processor, also made by AMD and referred to as a “next-generation Radeon based graphics engine” in a post-conference press release, boasts 18 compute units that together produce 1.84 teraflops of processing power.

We’ll also see Blu-ray and DVD support in the PS4, along with HDMI, Analog-AV, and optical digital output.

Sony has inserted a secondary chip completely dedicated to uploading and downloading titles, regardless of whether the system is on or off.

Using Gaikai’s technology, a company which they bought in 2012, to provide backwards compatibility gives the PlayStation 4 an economic edge, too: it means that costly backwards-compatibility chips can be dispensed with, making it cheaper to manufacture.

PlayStation Cloud will let gamers stream games from former PlayStation consoles, including the PS1, PS2 and PS3 to their shiny new Sony PS4 over their home broadband connection, using integrated Gaikai tech.

With Gaikai, the lion’s share of the game processing will take place server-side, rather than within the Sony PS4 console itself, but your PS3 disks will not be compatible with the PS4.

We’ve also been introduced to the all-new DualShock 4, a touchpad-packing controller especially designed for the new system.

The PS4 DualShock 4 controller features two sticks, four triggers, a directional pad, plus triangle, cross, circle, and square buttons, just like a classic PlayStation controller.

But it also has a touchpad across its face, and a PlayStation Move-like “light bar” across the top. The start and select buttons have been moved to the sides to make room for the touchpad, and the DualShock 4 also features a “share” button next to the triggers and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The touchpad can be used for touch interactions and doubtless other processes that have yet to be revealed or imagined, while the color-changing light bar allows the controller to interact with the PS4’s evolution of the PlayStation Eye, presumably for motion and pointing controls.

The PlayStation controller hasn’t changed much over the years, from the original PS1 DualShock to the PS3’s Sixaxis and DualShock 3 controllers.

The PS4’s DualShock 4 controller is both a huge departure from that formula and more of the same.

No pricing details were revealed at the event, so all we’ve got to go on are various rumours from before the launch – but it might be that Sony has a price point of around $400 in mind for the US release. That translates to around Rs 22,000.

With the PlayStation 4’s incorporation of cloud gaming and power, Sony appears to have launched a convincing first salvo in the impending console showdown with Microsoft. Final pricing, a launch date and the console’s physical design, along with a firm line-up of launch games will surely emerge at the E3 Show in June, along with Microsoft’s rival console. This Christmas could be the most exciting one ever, as far as gamers are concerned.

Sony posted a couple of videos on YouTube for the PS4, check them out below :

[TechRadar]

February 21, 2013
Microsoft Crowns The Ultimate Gamer of India, Gives Away 24 K Gold Plated Xbox 360 Console As Prize

Amitesh Deshpande receiving the grand prize from Mr Mor, Business Group Lead – Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd

Five Champions from across India. Five action packed games. Eight hours of continuous gaming. The atmosphere electric, the brawls rough. And finally, one prevailed to be crowned the king of Xfriends- The Ultimate Gaming Challenge.

After months of relentless gaming across seven separate blockbuster titles on Xbox Live such as FIFA 13, Resident Evil 6, Halo 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and more, five national champions emerged. Yesterday, these champions took on each other in rounds of brutal battles to find the best amongst them. Xbox lovers and gamers across India took part in the Ultimate Xfriends gaming championship- the ultimate gaming competition on Xbox LIVE that pits gamers against each other. ‘Ultimate Xfriends’ , launched in September 2012- sought the best gamers across Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and India – the guys who’ll do whatever it takes to win. And they did do whatever it takes.

The grand prize, a 24 K Gold plated Xbox 360 console

At the thrilling grand finale of Xfriends, held at the FoG (Federation of Gamers) lounge in Delhi, the search for India’s best gamer finally ended. Amitesh Deshpande –who went head to head with five other really tough national competitors – took home a mega prize of an exclusive 24 K gold plated Xbox 360 console and the title of Ultimate Gaming Champion in India.

[quote]Battle weary but ecstatic about his win, Amitesh Deshpande said, “It’s awesome to be a winner and that too for a competition like this which got me playing against India’s best gamers on Xbox Live. It has been a tough fight, which made it all the more exciting to win against such good competitors. As Xbox Live lets me take my Xbox 360 online anytime, it’s the place for players (like me) to hang out and hone our/their gaming skills. I really hope Microsoft and Xbox bring us these events regularly. ”[/quote]

Anshu Mor, Business Group Lead – Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. said, ” These are some of the most exciting gamers one can find anywhere in Asia, in fact across the world. The level of competition seen here today is very, very impressive; the place is absolutely buzzing with their energy. To see them compete so fiercely, all for the love of gaming on Xbox, is very thrilling, exciting and inspiring for us. Moreover, the competitors have come from cities as far away as Trivandrum, Chhattisgarh, Raipur, etc. making it all the more special for us.”

We managed to talk to Mr. Mor about Microsofts plans ahead, stay tuned to know more!

February 9, 2013
Temple Run 2 Downloaded Record 50 Million Times in Less than Two Weeks

Temple Run 2, the mobile infinite runner, has surpassed 50 million downloads in just 13 days. This breaks a record established by Angry Birds Space, which went on to achieve the coveted 50 million downloads milestone in 35 days.

The game was launched on January 17 on iOS, and arrived in the Google Play Store on January 24, proving one of the most popular mobile titles out there very fast.

[quote]Temple Run has evolved into something so much bigger than us,” said Keith Shepherd, co-founder of parent company Imangi. “The game has performed beyond our wildest dreams, and we are thrilled that gamers and fans have embraced Temple Run 2 in such a short period of time.”[/quote]

The original Temple Run saw 170 million total downloads during its tenure. Christmas downloads were explosive for the first version, seeing 2.5 million on Christmas day alone.

The Temple Run franchise was created by a husband-and-wife development team Keith Shepherd and Natalia Luckyanova in Raleigh, North Carolina. The studio has since added a team of additional developers.

Temple Run 2 is available on iTunes and Google Play now as a free download but, as with the first game, there are plenty of in-app purchasing options to buy coins and gems in order to enhance the game in a more speedy fashion.

We expect 100 million downloads to be here quick.

February 1, 2013