Amazon FireTV…A Game Console?

It would appear so. In addition to the vast array of streaming services the recently announced FireTV will have in order to compete with the likes of Apple TV/Chromecast/Roku, the FireTV console will play games as well. What these games are or how they will be delivered hasn’t been specified yet, but such developers as Disney and EA have been touted. Some games, playable with an Amazon designed controller, (they nailed the offset stick placement) will be available for under two dollars while thousands will be available for free.

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To me, this indicates that the console won’t see a plethora of triple A Titles and powerhouses Microsoft and Sony don’t have a lot to worry about, for now. The low price indicates an aim towards smaller indie and mobile games, similar to the ones already available to via Android and IOS.

FireTV is said to retail for around $100, while the controller will cost you another $40.

For more details, see the following Gizmodo articles:

http://gizmodo.com/amazons-fire-tv-everything-you-need-to-know-1556889628

Better, but still not enough…

Beginning April 1, Hitman Absolution will be available through Xbox Games with Gold. Hitman is a Square Enix title, one of my favorite publishers, and I missed it when it was originally released, so I’ll definitely be picking it up. Hitman Absolution was released in 2012, so it’s not exactly a new title.

On April 16, Hitman Absolution will be replaced with Deadlight, an XBLA title also from 2012. While it was well received, like Hitman, Deadlight is over a year old not exactly at the top of anyone’s radar.

Microsoft continues to fall behind in comparison to the titles being released via Son’s Playstation Plus. In January, Sony made Bioshock Infinite available for free to Playstation Plus subscribers. Bioshock Infinite is barely a year old and is largely considered to be one of the best games released last year. Among the titles being released this month via Playstation plus, is Batman: Arkham City.

I’d be interested in seeing the numbers behind the Games with Gold program to see how many downloads are actually being made. At any rate, Microsoft should consider opening up the safe and letting go of the few exclusives they still have. Give us Halo 4, or at least Halo Reach, and Gears of War Judgment. Or if not some new games, then start dishing out some of the older fan favorites like Crackdown or Left 4 Dead.

Step it up Microsoft. You’re not winning this fight and if you don’t start making some moves soon, the ref is going to call it.

This War of Mine…

I won’t try to claim that I’m so well versed in gaming culture that nothing is beyond my field of vision.  Things pop up on my radar unexpectedly all the time from sources I’ve never heard of before.  Such is the case with This War of Mine, a new title coming this year from 11 Bit Studios.  They’ve not made any games that I’ve ever played or even heard of for that matter, so they’re new to me, but the trailer for This War of Mine was certainly enough to grab my attention: http://www.11bitstudios.com/games/16/this-war-of-mine

“This War Of Mine is a game that provides an experience of war seen from an entirely new angle. For the very first time you do not play as an elite soldier, rather a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city. During the day snipers outside stop you from leaving your refuge, so you need to focus on maintaining your hideout. At night you get a chance to scavenge nearby locations for items that will help you stay alive.

Make life-and-death decisions driven by your conscience. Try to protect everybody from your shelter or sacrifice some of them to endure the hardships. During war, there are no good or bad decisions; there is only survival. The sooner you realize that, the better.”

Needless to say, they’re certainly on my radar now and I’ll be watching This War of Mine, very closely.

GONE HOME to Make Console Debut Late 2014

I usually don’t buy multiple copies of a game across various platforms, but I probably will for Gone Home. This game was amazing. It deserves all the praise it receives.

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Source: FullBright Source: FullBright

Majesco’s indie-oriented publisher, Midnight City announced March 10 that they will be supporting the release of Gone Home on consoles coming late 2014.

The first-person “story exploration” game follows Kaitlin Greenbriar when she returns to her family home after a year away to find everyone gone and no clear reason why. As Kaitlin, the player begins to search the family stead in an attempt to understand, exploring each of the home’s many nooks and crannies as the player learns who they are and why they’re gone.

Fullbright Company‘s Gone Home was heralded by many reviewers and gamers as 2013’s PC Game of the Year, often praised for its clever and fresh story-telling experience. No definitive date or platforms have yet been given.

Source: Midnight City Twitter

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News!!! — 3/6/14

Two pieces of news today.

Screen Gem, the studio responsible for the Resident Evil films, has its sights set on The Last of Us.  Sam Raimi is involved as a producer at this point, though I wouldn’t be surprised if ended up directing as well.  Neil Druckmann, the Creative Director for the game, will pen the screenplay with Raimi and his Ghost House Pictures company.

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Personally, I don’t think the Last of Us needs a movie.  It accomplishes the goal of telling it’s story better than many films.  While I have some faith in Raimi and it’s good that people who worked on the game will be involved, I would worry the film might fail to capture the essence of what the game was able to accomplish.  And really at this point, perhaps even more so than any other game, a film adaptation is just redundant.  I’ve already been incredibly moved by that story.  Why do I need to see it again.  The film isn’t for me, of course.  It’s merely an attempt to make money by creating a product that can be sold to an audience that doesn’t play video games.

In other Sony related news, Jack Tretton, President of Sony America, is stepping down, with his last day on the job being March 31.  You can read the official press release here: http://m.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jack-tretton-to-step-down-as-president-and-ceo-of-sony-computer-entertainment-america-248876781.html  Shawn Layden, executive vice president and COO of Sony Network Entertainment International will take his place.

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“Working at SCEA for the past 19 years has been the most rewarding experience of my career,” said Tretton. “Although I will deeply miss the talented team at SCEA and the passion demonstrated every day by our fans, I’m very excited about starting the next chapter of my career. I want to thank the employees, partners and customers for their tireless commitment to the PlayStation brand and, of course, to our fans who have pushed us to new heights of innovation and entertainment over the past two decades. I leave PlayStation in a position of considerable strength and the future will only get brighter for PlayStation Nation.”

News Round-UP – 3/4/2014

An official launch trailer was released today for Titanfall. Mech carnage and parkour galore.  Titanfall will be released next Tuesday (March 11) for Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PC.

Rocksteady has released a dazzling new trailer for their third and final installment in their Batman series; Batman Arkham Knight. This looks amazing and while I can’t wait to learn more about the game and to actually play it, I’m excited to see what Rocksteady does next after Batman. Perhaps an original title, or the long rumored TMNT game. One can dream.

The long awaited Goat Simulator has a release date, of April 1. Created by Coffee Stain Studios, Goat Simulator is as much a viral internet joke than anything else, though given the nature of the internet, this game certainly has the chance to become larger than it was ever intended to be. If it hasn’t already.  On the other hand, if you’ve ever woken up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat with the burning desire to discover what it must be like to exist as a Goat, now you can live out that fantasy.

South Park: The Stick of Truth and Episode Two of the Walking Dead Season Two, are both out this week. So stop reading this and go play something.

Today if you’re in North America.

Today on PS3 & PC, tomorrow for 360 and IOS.