When the Xbox 360 first launched, everybody needed to get Geometry Wars. The easy twin-stick shooter from Bizarre Creations was addictive, challenging and looked better on an HD screen than nearly anything on the time. Sony and Housemarque responded to Geometry Wars with Super Stardust HD at the PS3, but it’s next title for the PS4 would be the title that at last appears like a next-gen Geometry Wars.

In a post at the PlayStation Blog today, Sony and Housemarque shared a few of the details behind PS4 launch title Resogun. It’s a twin-stick horizontal shooter in a global composed entirely of voxels, or little geometric squares. The team says building a global out of nothing but squares was quite a challenge, but they’re comfortable with the top results.

You can take a look at a behind the curtain video below:

In the identical blog post, we’re treated to a second trailer that shows off the worlds that you’ll see in Resogun. The team says that every one the worlds are based off of Greek and Roman mythology and take design cues from the stories of which they’re in keeping with.

Resogun would be available at the PS4 on November 15. It will likely be a free download for PlayStation Plus subscribers.

[Image: PlayStation Blog]

For the past few weeks, Sony was marketing next week’s PS4 launch with a campaign called #4ThePlayers. The ads to this point was mostly desirous about stoking nostalgia for the PlayStation brand, but today’s ad is a bit different.

In a brand new ad that’s obviously meant to move viral, Sony references Street Fighter II in a place for a service called Hadouken Cab. It’s actually a beautiful witty piece of entertainment, but is there a deeper meaning behind it?

Kotaku notes that the ad combined with the website tie-in point to something Street Fighter related coming to the PS4. Capcom did only recently announce Ultra Street Fighter IV for PS3 and Xbox 360, but could the publisher have a PS4 version inside the works to boot? This ad seems to suggest that it can be something like that. It wouldn’t be the primary fighting game from the present generation to get a next gen touch up.

As of now, however, the best Capcom game announced for next-gen consoles is the free-to-play Deep Down. That one is unique to the PS4, and that exclusivity may carry over to whatever Street Fighter project Capcom has within the works.

[Image: sonyplaystation/YouTube]

Today, one week faraway from the launch of Sony’s PlayStation 4, is the day that Microsoft has chosen to release a boatload of latest details about its upcoming Xbox One console. Microsoft today has already announced its streaming app lineup, released an in-depth study the Xbox One user interface, and announced that Xbox One demo kiosks are available in at Microsoft Stores within the U.S.

Now, Microsoft has revealed that Xbox One owners who also sign up for Xbox Live Gold gets free Skype calling well into next year.

Skype announced the deal over at its blog, where it’s stated that each one Xbox Live Gold members who buy and Xbox One gets free group video demands six months. As well, those members can even get 100 free worldwide Skype calling minutes for mobile and landline calls during that point.

To get the free calling, Xbox Live Gold members should redeem the offer via the Skype app on Xbox One by March 31, 2014. The offer is accessible to at least one Skype account and one Xbox Live account at a time.

Skype calling was prominently featured within the 12-minute Xbox One demonstration posted by Microsoft this morning. The corporate has designed the console such that gamers (or whomever else might likely be using the console) can switch to Skype on-the-fly and with voice commands:

Last week, Sony answered every possible question it is easy to possibly have concerning the PS4 in an exhaustive FAQ. Among each of the details, we learned some good things and a few bad stuff about Sony’s next console. Now it’s Microsoft’s turn to do the identical.

This morning, Microsoft posted a 12 minute long video walkthrough of the Xbox One system. Here is our first real have a look at the recent console’s dashboard and all the features with the intention to be available to gamers on day one.

Here’s the official description:

Marc Whitten and Yusuf Mehdi walk through a comprehensive demo of Xbox One, including instant switching, biometric sign-in, Live TV, Skype, game DVR, OneGuide and more.

It’s very encouraging to look a live demo of the Xbox One’s UI, especially after hearing some troubling rumors about its performance. Sony has only shown off the UI once so it’s a bit disconcerting that we’re just a week far from its launch without seeing a live demo like this. Here’s hoping Sony will show something like this next week.

[Image: xbox/YouTube]

Just yesterday, Sony revealed all the video streaming apps so we can launch with the PlayStation 4 next week. The list includes major brands which include Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Instant.

Today, Microsoft has countered with its own list of streaming video apps so that it will be coming to the Xbox One. Microsoft wasn’t explicit in saying that the announced apps would be available at launch. Instead, the corporate declared them the “first wave” of apps coming between launch day of November 22 and spring 2014.

Given Microsoft’s early positioning of the Xbox One as an all-around entertainment device, it isn’t surprising that the Xbox One may have more video streaming apps than the PlayStation 4. In reality, the quote accompanying today’s app announcement shows that Microsoft remains very devoted to making the Xbox one an “all-in-one” front room solution:

“We got down to make Xbox One the all-in-one games and entertainment hub on your home. The only system that gives the most efficient games next to the right entertainment experiences and apps,” said Marc Whitten, Xbox chief product officer. “Along with offering a stellar app portfolio from around the globe, Xbox One takes the next move by offering them in a fashion it truly is seamless and straightforward to apply.”

Like the PlayStation 4, the Xbox One within the U.S. could have the entire major video streaming services day-one, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant, VUDU, Crackle, and Redbox Instant. Where the PS4 has the NBA and NHL, the Xbox could have an NFL streaming app, ESPN, and Univision Deportes.

In addition to these services, the Xbox One can have a wide range of niche streaming apps. CWTV, FOX NOW, FVNOW, Machinima, MUZU TV, Target Ticket, TED, Verizon FiOS, and Twitch will all have their very own apps at the new console. HBO GO was also listed, but is labeled as “coming soon,” implying that it may well miss this “first wave” of apps.

Also, in case watching TV is just too boring, Microsoft has expanded its gaming achievements to the area of video. Xbox One owners can now “achieve badges or rewards for the media they consume.”

Other countries where the Xbox One will launch before next summer even have their very own list of obtainable apps. The united kingdom, as an example, could have options including 4oD, blinkbox, and insist 5. The total list for every country is also seen on Microsoft’s announcement page.

The Xbox One and PS4 could have many differences, but they as a minimum have something in common – both consoles would require an afternoon one update. These updates will install the newest OS on each console and enable some of the features which have been touted since E3. With that being said, will these consoles function without the day one update?

We don’t learn about the PS4 yet, but Microsoft’s Albert Penello told Engadget that your fresh Xbox One goes to wish that day one update. He says that the console “will be capable to do little or no without taking the day one update.” To further push how mandatory here’s, he says “it’s not gonna be really an optional thing.”

So, let’s just say that squirrels chew throughout the cable that delivers Internet for your house and you’re absolute to be without Internet for per week. Where does that leave your Xbox One? Penello didn’t go into specifics, but he did say that it wouldn’t be capable to play games. In spite of the fact that you acquire a physical disc at a shop, it still wouldn’t be capable to play it without that day one update. Briefly, you better hope that those squirrels hold off on chewing through your cables until you download that update.

So, what concerning the PS4? Will it a minimum of play games in case you can’t download its day one patch? Unfortunately, that was one question not covered by Sony’s exhaustive FAQ from last week. We’ve reached out to Sony for comment and should update if and once we hear back.

Even if the PS4 permits you to play games without the update, you’re still going to have an inferior system without it. Up to Sony and Microsoft tout that their systems are offline friendly, we’re now within the age of the connected game console. You’re going to want the net in some capacity to totally enjoy these consoles and that’s what these day one updates are for.

[Image: Xbox Wire]

With the launch of Sony’s PlayStation 4 now one week away, it appears that Microsoft is taking the chance to remove a few of the spotlight with a number of late announcements for the Xbox One. Already today Microsoft announced the “first wave” of video streaming apps coming to the Xbox One and released a protracted, comprehensive video showcasing the console’s user interface.

Now, Microsoft has announced that gamers in major U.S. and Canadian cities can get their hands on an Xbox One demo starting today. All Microsoft Stores around the U.S. and Canada now have an Xbox One demo kiosk featuring Forza Motorsport 5. There are currently greater than 70 Microsoft Stores inside the U.S.

Microsoft stated that the demos could be available for 2 weeks during store hours from today until the Xbox One’s November 22 release date. Presumably, the demos would even be available after the launch of the console.

Sony announced back in October that PlayStation 4 demo kiosks will soon be showing up in retail stores. GameStop, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart stores should soon see PS4 demos across North America.

In addition to the demos, Microsoft is running a Forza-branded sweepstakes from its stores. Anyone who tries out the Xbox One in a Microsoft Store would be entered into the competition. The grand prize is a Forza-branded front room gaming set-up, including a playseat, sound bar, racing wheel, and $2,000 toward the acquisition of a TV.

We’re just a week far from the launch of the PS4, but Sony still has some surprises in store in the event you are buying the console through the launch window.

Sony announced today that each PS4 sold will include three vouchers that supply gamers a raffle to take a look at out among the services which can be integral to the PlayStation 4 experience. Very similar to its current PS3 bundles, every PS4 will include a free 30 day trial of PlayStation Plus. At the PS4, this can net you the facility to play online, access to free games and regular discounts on PSN games.

The second voucher is a free 30 day trial to Sony’s Music Unlimited program. Because the PS4 won’t support DLNA or MP3 playback out of the box, here is your only option to take heed to music at the console. Just be sure you cancel before your free 30 days are up or you’ll turn out like me with an unexpected charge of $10 in your account.

The final and arguably best voucher is for $10 to spend at the PSN. Sure, it’s not really enough to shop for an entire game, but that’s $10 off any game bought at the PSN. For those who happened to pick out up a PS3 copy of a game coming to next-gen consoles, you can too use that $10 credit to upgrade to the PS4 version at no extra cost.

So, how long is that this promotion going to last? Sony only says that it’s available “for a limited time only.” My best guess is that it’ll be available as a launch window promotion so that you can most likely expect to determine it last for a minimum of the primary six months of the console’s lifecycle.

Now we just play the waiting game to look what Microsoft has to present people who buy an Xbox One at launch. We already know that day one buyers gets big day one branded hardware, but I wouldn’t complain if the corporate decided to throw in a free month of Xbox Live or a number of free movie downloads.

[Image: PlayStation Blog]

At E3 in June, Sony revealed that the fellows at Avalanche Studios – the developers behind Just Cause 2 – were engaged on a Mad Max game for current and next gen consoles. The very concept of an open-world Mad Max game with the destruction of Just Cause 2 was cause for celebration, but we didn’t actually get to peer numerous gameplay footage. Well, here’s 2 minutes of it.

JohnDio over on the /r/gamernews sub-reddit points us to a video that was uploaded last month featuring some off-screen gameplay from Mad Max. The footage was shot at Igromir Expo, a Russian gaming convention that came about on October 3-6. The footage is absolutely not of the best quality, but it’s all we’ve until Avalanche or Warner Bros. Games choose to show more official gameplay.

Check it out:

At this point, the sport looks lots like Just Cause 2 just far less colorful. In every other situation, that could be some degree of derision, but it’s acceptable in terms of Mad Max. The developers appear to have nailed the post-apocalyptic atmosphere of the universe quite well.

As for the gameplay, it’s probably going to want just a little work. Granted, the above demo only shows us 2 minutes of footage, but it’s nothing in comparison to the heavily scripted gameplay trailer we saw about a months ago.

Mad Max is currently scheduled to be released in 2014 for the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC.

[Image: zoneofgamesru/YouTube]

Back in September, Nintendo announced that it was bringing an HD version of its Wii Sports title to the Wii U as a digital download. If you’ve been hankering to come again into the arena of Wii Sports since then, you may finally accomplish that today.

Nintendo announced today that Wii Sports Club is now available at the Nintendo eShop for Wii U. Whilst you might imagine that Wii Sports Club is merely an HD remake of Wii Sports, it goes a piece deeper than that. For starters, the sport is now online enabled so players can compete with others from world wide. It also encourages players to hitch clubs and compete against other clubs to earn points.

In another strange twist that differentiates Wii Sports Club from its predecessor, the sport can not come as an entire package. Instead, players should buy each sport separately for $10 each. Players may additionally choose to buy an afternoon pass for any sport for a discounted price. For now, only Tennis and Bowling are available in, but Boxing, Baseball and Golf can be available soon.

As for the alternative major release at the Wii U eShop, Two Tribes has released an HD remake of its first actual game – Toki Tori. The puzzle/platformer’s sequel – Toki Tori 2 – launched at the eShop earlier this year, and fans of that title will now manage to experience the sport that started all of it.

Moving onto the 3DS eShop, the sole new title is truly a game from last year. Nintendo says that child Icarus: Uprising – the primary new title inside the franchise in over twenty years – is finally at the eShop. The sport has lots of charm and is pretty fun to play when you get past its awkward controls.

Moving onto the Virtual Console, we’re treated to an extraordinary simultaneous release of the similar game on both the Wii U and 3DS. Wario’s Woods – the classic NES puzzle game – is obtainable to download on both platforms. Unfortunately, Nintendo doesn’t have a cross buy policy so buying the sport on one platform doesn’t will let you have it at the other. It’s a true shame, but Nintendo recently said in an interview that it’s going to consider such an option if there has been “enough demand from developers.”

As for the alternative releases, here’s the whole list:

On a last note, Atlus says that two of its titles at the 3DS eShop – Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan and Code of Princess – can be $10 off from November 11 through November 18.

[Image: Nintendo]