Cliff Bleszinski says the public reaction to the Sony and Microsoft press conferences at E3 are premature, arguing that the former was simply playing a PR game.
Many who watched the show claimed that Sony had “won” E3 due to its declaration that the PlayStation 4 would not have any restrictions on used games.
Bleszinski not only doubts that Sony doesn’t have some anti-used tricks tucked away, but says the used game market is undermining the $60 triple-A model.
“I’d bet Sony has some similar stuff up their sleeves they’re just playing on the internet outrage for free PR,” said Bleszinski over Twitter.
“You cannot have game and marketing budgets this high while also having used and rental games existing. The numbers do NOT work people.”
Bleszinski started his career at Epic Games, where he rose through the ranks to become one of the industry’s most recognisable faces and as the creator of Gears of War, Bleszinski knows the cost of modern triple-A games are astronomical.
“The visual fidelity and feature sets we expect from games now come with sky high costs,” he explained.
“Assassin’s Creed games are made by thousands of devs.”
According to Bleszinski, this means consumers should be prepared for more than just the death of used games, but should expect physical media to be replaced by new distribution and business models.
“This is why you’re seeing free-to-play and microtransactions everywhere,” he concluded.
There is a brand new number one this week with the PlayStation exclusive, The Last Of Us which was released on Friday. Animal Crossing: New Leaf came in at number two, unable to beat the popularity of The Last Of Us. Rugby Challenge 2: Lions Tour Edition also came out this week and debuted at number twelve. Finally, with the announcement of the DLC at E3 last week, The Walking Dead by Telltale Games also made a welcome return to the top 20, coming back in at number seventeen.
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2013 UKIE Ltd
These charts cannot be reproduced either in print or online without obtaining permission from Ukie. If you wish to reproduce the charts in print or online, please contact david.smith@ukie.org.uk for the appropriate license.
Top job opportunity for Train2Game students with raw talent who want to join a London based indie that is going places.
A friend of Train2Game is looking for a C++ coder to work in Soho for a contract which runs until January that could then become permanent.
The details of the job can be found below, if you are interested contact harry@swanpr.co.uk and he will put you in contact with the studio.
Role Purpose
Looking for a skilled and experienced Server Developer to join a small, creative, indie team working in Soho London.
Team/Department Mission
This role is part of a larger team creating games and entertainment services influenced by changing consumer consumption and emerging business models. Part of its purpose will be to showcase functionality of specific platforms but the primary goal is to establish new entertainment franchises. The ethos of this team is to be distinctive, deliberate and disruptive. It has large ambitions.
Key Accountabilities
Develop and maintain software services to support gameplay, data sharing, and title instrumentation.
Develop and maintain client (game) side library’s to interface with server/cloud hosted services.
Work with IT infrastructure engineers to onboard and maintain services.
Affect gameplay engineers to ensure game supports synchronous, remote multiplayer modes.
Implement game state synchronization.
Understand and refine game & customer behaviour requirements by working with non-engineering disciplines.
Implement in-game telemetry and reporting mechanism.
Understand and create data storage and reporting system to deliver relevant game & customer behaviour reports to non-engineering disciplines.
Affect IT infrastructure decisions to support the above.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Requirements
Have shipped something really cool that is networked/online/connected to a cloud or datacentre
– could be a AAA game or an indie game or both,
– could be a streaming service, peer-to-peer BitTorrent-like system, anything web-service on the backend. It just needs to demonstrate that you can design and implement web services in a game-like environment
Have good understanding of caching, queuing, naming, and data structures, especially how they’re key to making backend systems work
Have designed and implemented working modules (ie cache server, proxy server, leaderboards, authentication, chat systems)
Experienced, willing and eager to work with cloud platforms and services. You’ve got to have a bit of sys-admin in you!
Proficient in Java, C++, C#, Node.js or whatever language you need to get the job done well
Very strong problem-solving skills.
Personal Attributes/Interpersonal Skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Outgoing and pro-active personality who thrives on working within a team.
Self-motivated with a drive for excellence.
If you are interested in applying for the position then email Harry at Harry@Swanpr.co.uk
At the biggest gaming convention in the world, E3, Sony have finally given their first look at the PlayStation 4.
The console was revealed to the world and it reminded me of the hugely popular PlayStation 2. With the same black colouring that all the Sony consoles have had and a parallelogram shape, the machine was more attractive than the Xbox One. This was the first of many “One-Ups” Sony performed over Microsoft.
The second came when it was announced that the PlayStation 4 will not force DRM restriction around used games. The clear message was that there were no changes to the way used games and lending games to your friends will be changed at all.
Sony has confirmed that you’ll need to subscribe to PS Plus in order to play PS4 games online. Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida explained that the PS Plus subscription covers the cost of Sony’s massive server-side investments for PS4. Currently a year’s subscription costs £39.99, though it’s yet to be confirmed how much it’ll cost on PS4. Those who already have a PS Plus subscription will have their subscription carried over and your subscription will cover your PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and your PS Vita.
If you do choose to subscribe to PS Plus not only will you be able to play your games online but Sony are also giving one free PS4 game a month, starting with Evolution Studio’s, Driveclub from launch.
Sony also confirmed that it’s new console will be region-free! So no longer will you have to worry so much about your favourite games, or even the console, being cheaper in America.
Speaking of cheaper I will finish off this round up of the console with the price that was announced.
The Sony PlayStation 4 will cost you £349 in the UK, coming in at £80 cheaper than the Xbox One.
E3 has begun and the first subject I will report on from the event is the Xbox E3 Conference which was on at 5:30pm GMT, yesterday.
The event began with an incredibly stunning trailer for Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain, featuring the voice of Kiefer Sutherland. The trailer displayed incredibly beautiful graphics using the Xbox One system and they are truly jaw dropping. The game play its self looks big, epic and is open world. This new adventure of snake uses interesting stealth mechanics and action to achieve your goals.
It was a beautiful start to the conference.
The rest of the conference was full of the new stunning games for the Xbox One for all audiences and fans.
There was another old favourite game returning to console market, Killer Instinct, the beat-em-up game published by Rare and Nintendo that was made popular in 1994, released as an Arcade machine, then later ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Killer instinct was displayed on stage by Double Helix Games, the creators of the reboot.
Games for the younger audience were also displayed. Minecraft: Xbox One Edition looked beautiful some how. I have no idea how the Xbox One has made simple blocks beautiful but they managed it!
One of the more interesting looking games and mechanics was that of Project Spark. You create the game world using the Kinect Voice Recognition, saying phrases such as “Woodland” and the land would be covered in Woodland. You can then go through and shape the world in a way you see fit and give inanimate objects intelligence to fill many roles. The possibilities are truly endless for the game.
Forza 5 was shown at the event and this was one of the most intelligent features I have ever seen in a game. With their feature known as “Drivatar” as you play the game, it will learn what you do and how you race, with what it learns, when you are not playing the game, your friends and people around the world can use your Drivatar to race against. In a way, there is no AI to race against, instead you race against people matched to your level so there is always a challenge through out the game. It is an incredible idea.
With it being an Xbox conference there was of course a few first person shooters.
Battlefield 4 was shown and looked absolutely beautiful, with incredible action and an exciting pace. They didn’t display any multiplayer game play however.
There was also a teaser trailer for the next Halo game that completely blew me away. As I sat there watching the trailer, trying to work out what I was seeing I was shocked and excited to see the Master Chief unveiled, that was one of the best moments of it for me.
There was several other games mentioned through the conference.
The Xbox it’s self was announced to be very heavily integrated with the Smartglass app. Using it from keeping an eye on other players stats to displaying the user interface.
The price was the biggest downfall of the console however. In the UK the console will be £429. A price many aren’t sure is worth it.
The UK top 20 charts were released yesterday with only a couple of new additions. People didn’t forget Remember Me coming out and it entered the charts at number three, unable to shift Grid 2 which is number one for a second week. This week also saw the return of a recently lost friend in the charts with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Legendary Edition being released and entering the charts at number four.
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2013 UKIE Ltd
These charts cannot be reproduced either in print or online without obtaining permission from Ukie. If you wish to reproduce the charts in print or online, please contact david.smith@ukie.org.uk for the appropriate license.
Microsoft has released a website detailing how the Xbox One will handle its online connection, second-hand games, and the all-new Kinect.
Microsoft calls the Xbox One a “modern, connected device,” and means every word of it: the console needs an online connection every 24 hours.
“With Xbox One you can game offline for up to 24 hours on your primary console, or one hour if you are logged on to a separate console accessing your library. Offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection, but you can still watch live TV and enjoy Blu-ray and DVD movies,” reads the page explaining the console’s online features.
“While a persistent connection is not required, Xbox One is designed to verify if system, application or game updates are needed and to see if you have acquired new games, or resold, traded in, or given your game to a friend. Games that are designed to take advantage of the cloud may require a connection.”
Once games are installed from either a retail disc or Xbox Live purchase, that game will be available at any time in the cloud. Microsoft says that “discs will continue to be a great way to install your games quickly,” pointing to the retail disc as merely a delivery system for the game license and code. Xbox One lets up to ten family members log in and play a shared library of games on the console, so specific family members won’t need their own game license. The system will allow trade, trade-in, and resell Xbox One games, but only if game publishers allow it.
“We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers. Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games,” says the game license page.
“Xbox One is designed so game publishers can enable you to give your disc-based games to your friends. There are no fees charged as part of these transfers. There are two requirements: you can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days and each game can only be given once.”
Finally, Microsoft tackles the updated Kinect, which has led to privacy concerns in some consumers. Though some games may require Kinect functionality, the peripheral can be turned off, even in the Xbox One’s standby mode.
“If you don’t want the Kinect sensor on while playing games or enjoying your entertainment, you can pause Kinect. To turn off your Xbox One, just say ‘Xbox Off.’ When the system is off, it’s only listening for the single voice command — ‘Xbox On,’ and you can even turn that feature off too,” says the Kinect portion of the site.
“You will determine how responsive and personalized your Xbox One is to you and your family during setup. The system will navigate you through key privacy options, like automatic or manual sign in, privacy settings, and clear notifications about how data is used. When Xbox One is on and you’re simply having a conversation in your living room, your conversation is not being recorded or uploaded.”
Microsoft has answered a ton of questions for consumers and the media, but those answers may not be the ones we were hoping to hear.
A new Halo game is being added to the franchise, this time for the mobile market. The game will be released in July.
Halo: Spartan Assault is a top-down shooter built for mobiles and tablets, with the iconic sights and sounds you would expect from a Halo title.
Spartan Assault however is only available for Windows Phone 8 and tablets such as the Surface. Dan Ayoub, the executive producer for publishing at 343, explains that the purpose here is to drive interest in these Microsoft platforms, which is pretty honest and straightforward of him.
Whether or not it’ll make you buy one of those cool Nokia phones, Spartan Assault is nevertheless a high quality experience when it rolls under your thumbs. Though it plays like it was born in the 16-bit era of top-down shooters, the presentation is excellent.
Ayoub said that his team’s main goal was to, as he puts it, “un-tether Halo”.
“We had to let it be something that you can take with you wherever you go. But we also had to make the right Halo game, we couldn’t just copy and paste the experience onto mobiles and tablets.
“We also wanted to change the dialogue about what’s possible on mobiles. A lot of people have preconceptions about what a mobile game is. They think it’s not going to look great and it’s not going to sound great. We wanted to crush those perceptions.”
The biggest achievement is the controls. Those familiar with using virtual analogues on touch-screens will notice how, due to the lack of resistance, thumbs will naturally glide away from the analogues. Spartan Assault, however, features virtual sticks that follow your thumbs, meaning that control remains on the tip of your fingers.
It’s not perfect but it’s as close as any mobile developer has come.
Other elements are more traditional. Set within a narrative that bridges the gap between Halo 3 and 4, in Spartan Assault players will command an UNSC Infinity Spartan who is limited to two weapons, an assortment of grenades and a trusty melee attack. Enemies come in waves and shields need to be recharged before the next burst of action.
Other parts are entirely new. There will be microtransactions for certain upgrades and new weapons. The game saves to the cloud, meaning you can start on mobile and continue on tablet or desktop.
The game’s 25 levels will take about several hours to get though, and certain milestones will unlock Achievements on Halo 4. This being a mobile game, post-release content is already planned, with weekly challenges in place and content add-ons penciled in.
Series custodian 343 Industries has partnered with Netherlands studio Vanguard Games to build this, which in itself is interesting as that studio was co-founded by Martin de Ronde – the man who helped establish Killzone outfit Guerrilla.
“We are a team of console developers learning a new space, so we had to unlearn things really quickly,” says Ayoub.
While it’s been a challenge for those console developers to un-think their approach to a project, what they have brought to the mobile games space is encouraging. This is an attractive, light-weight version of Halo for both commuters and hardcore fans of the series.
Lionhead started off the day by teasing a HD remake of the original Fable for Xbox 360.
The British studio released a video, simply titled ‘Fable Teaser Trailer’, and also embedded it in a blog post titled ‘An Exciting Teaser to Start the Day’, which simply read, “Here’s a sneak peak at a little something we’ve been working on…”
Microsoft has confirmed that the new game from Lionhead Studios will be Fable Anniversary, a HD remake of the original Fable for Xbox 360 including The Lost Chapters, added Achievements, SmartGlass integration, leaderboards, new UI, and a full 1080p HD visual update.
Other new features confirmed for the release include a new lighting system that utilises Unreal 3 to render the lighting, a new facial animation system, new cutscene animations, plus updated textures, models, particle effects, save system and more.
Ted Timmins, the lead designer on the game, calls it “The game that Fable fans have been demanding for years.” He also explained that the new Achievements will try to do something a little different: “Fable has always been about choice and consequence, so we’re trying to put that into our Achievements.”
Interestingly, Timmins revealed Microsoft’s intent to support Xbox 360 into the next-gen following the release of the Xbox One, saying “Obviously the Xbox 360 isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It’s very important, to all of us, that we carry on delivering on it.”
Fable Anniversary is currently slated for a 2013 Holiday release on Xbox 360 only.
You can enjoy the teaser trailer that started the buzz, below:
Cliff Bleszinski says the public reaction to the Sony and Microsoft press conferences at E3 are premature, arguing that the former was simply playing a PR game.
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