Category: Gamespot

  • Xbox 360 to Support 2TB External Hard Drives

    Xbox 360 to Support 2TB External Hard Drives

    Microsoft is preparing to deploy an Xbox 360 upgrade that will allow the console to support external hard drives with a capacity as big as two Terabytes.

    Presently, the size limit for Xbox 360 external hard drives is 32GB. However, that theoretically can double to 64GB, because the console can connect to two external drives simultaneously. With this new update, that means the total possible external hard-drive capacity has ballooned to four Terabytes.

    Writing on the ‘Major Nelson’ blog, Xbox executive Larry Hryb said that the console update would arrive “later in the year”. Preview members, however, can try the new feature straight away.

    In March, Microsoft revealed that its Xbox One preview program–which allows participants to beta test new system-wide features–has expanded to the Xbox 360.

    In November, the Xbox 360 will mark its tenth year on the market. The system has sold 83 million units worldwide.

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  • Destiny Patch 1.1.2 Detailed by Bungie

    Bungie has detailed several new features and gameplay changes that will be added to Destiny via the upcoming 1.1.2 patch.

    Key among them is a new approach to ammo drops in the Crucible multiplayer mode. Speaking on the Destiny website, Crucible designer Kevin Yanes said that Special and Heavy ammo drops will be more limited resources to help balance matches.

    “Special Ammo will spawn less frequently, it will take longer to pick up, there will be less crates located on the map, and the bricks you find will provide you with less ammo,” he explained.

    For Heavy ammo, players will no longer have the option to camp near supplies and retrieve them when necessary. Instead, Heavy ammo will despawn if not picked up within a period of time.

    “The main thing we wanted to prevent in terms of Heavy Ammo was players trying to buffer their supply by sitting within range of a brick without picking it up,” Yanes added.

    “This hurts your ability to anticipate when heavy ammo would be in play during a match. By introducing despawn conditions, we’re ensuring that players will have to acquire ammo when it becomes available, or risk losing it all together.”

    Meanwhile, the update will also include a safeguard that is hoped will prevent players from accidentally deleting their hard-earned items and weapons. With the new update, players can “lock” their items by highlighting them and pressing the right thumb-stick.

    “One recurring story we keep seeing involves Legendary and Exotic gear getting accidentally dismantled by errant pets and over-enthusiastic children,” said UI engineer Daniel Hanson.

    “We decided to empower players to protect their precious gear with Item Locking.”

    Along with the Crucible changes and Item Lock feature, Bungie is also introducing more ways for players to express themselves. With the 1.1.2 update, players will now be free to wear any of their helmets in the Tower social space.

    Artist Andrew Davis explains: “The design team came to us wondering if we could give players the option to show off their sweet helmets while running around the Tower. We all agreed that it’s important to give players every opportunity to show off the cool gear they’ve earned. It turned out to be a fairly quick UI task to turn helmets on in the Tower. Our engineers banged out the code for it in short order. All we had to do was figure out where to put the menu option. A number of locations in the UI were discussed. Character screen? Details screen? We decided that the Settings menu was the most obvious and easiest place to control this new feature.”

    Bungie has yet to share a release date for the 1.1.2 update, but says it will be able to share the information “very soon.”

    The developer will also announce the release date for Destiny‘s next expansion–House of Wolves–later in April.

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  • Skylanders-Style LEGO Game Leaks

    Skylanders-Style LEGO Game Leaks

    Piling on to previous rumors, the first details about Warner Bros.’ rumored Skylanders-style LEGO game emerged today on Reddit. According to this post, the name of the game is LEGO Dimensions.

    A Starter Pack will reportedly include the game, a Toy Pad (what sounds like a Portal of Power from Skylanders), three LEGO minifigures (Batman, Gandalf, and Wyldstyle), and a LEGO Batmobile car.

    The game’s reported official description is just the best:

    “When a mysterious and powerful vortex suddenly appears in various LEGO worlds, different characters from DC Comics, Lord of the Rings, and the LEGO Movie are swept away. To save their friends, Batman, Gandalf, and Wyldstyle bravely jump into the vortex to rescue their friends and fight to save all of LEGO humanity.”

    Players will journey through “unexpected worlds” and partner with “unexpected allies” in their effort to defeat the nefarious Lord Vortech. The game won’t be limited to Batman, Gandalf, and Wyldstyle, as its description also references Back to the Future characters, along with Wonder Woman and Ninjago.

    “Get ready to break the rules, because the only rule with LEGO Dimensions is that there are no rules,” reads a line from the description. This matches up with the teaser campaign that Warner Bros. has been running this week. See below.

    3 Days. We’re looking for someone to share in an adventure. #BreakTheRules pic.twitter.com/uI2m7vKXmT

    — The Hobbit (@TheHobbitMovie) April 6, 2015

    Bear in mind that Warner Bros. has not yet officially announced LEGO Dimensions. The company has teased that some kind of announcement is coming today, April 9, so we may be getting official details soon.

    Other popular “toys-to-life” games include Disney Infinity and Nintendo’s Amiibo.

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  • GTA 5 PC's Extensive Graphics Options Revealed

    GTA 5 PC's Extensive Graphics Options Revealed

    With less than a week to go before Grand Theft Auto V‘s long-awaited release for PC, developer Rockstar Games has now revealed the open-world title’s extensive graphics options.

    As you can see in the images embedded in this post, GTA V for PC has two settings for visuals: Graphics and Advanced Graphics. Players can toggle all manner of settings, including the overall resolution, aspect ratio, population density (and variety), distance scaling, and lots more.

    You can even determine how nice-looking you want water and grass to be in the game. GTA V for PC also allows players to tweak keyboard/mouse settings and set key bindings, among other things.

    GTA V launches for PC arrives worldwide on April 14. The digital version of the game is available now to pre-load from the Rockstar Warehouse and Steam, while the physical PC edition may ship on seven discs.

    For lots more on the PC edition of GTA V, check out GameSpot’s new interview with Rockstar North. You can also watch this video to learn lots more about the game’s new editor and director mode.

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  • Oscar-Nominated Film Producer Played Uncharted 4 and Totally Loved It

    Oscar-Nominated Film Producer Played Uncharted 4 and Totally Loved It

    Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End has received some glowing new praise…from a prominent film producer.

    Oscar-nominated producer Megan Ellison (Zero Dark Thirty, American Hustle, Her) recently visited Naughty Dog’s offices to play the upcoming PlayStation 4 game.

    She was quite pleased, and says that–like the rest of us–she’s eager to play the game early next year.

    Just left @Naughty_Dog where I got to play a little UNCHARTED 4. Gorgeous gameplay. Epic worlds. I cannot wait for full immersion next year.

    — Megan Ellison (@meganeellison) April 8, 2015

    A Thief’s End co-director Neil Druckmann also tweeted about Ellison’s visit to the studio.

    Glad you dug it. Awesome meeting y’all. https://t.co/6cHkkhuJrK

    — Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) April 8, 2015

    Originally scheduled to launch this year, Naughty Dog recently delayed A Thief’s End to spring 2016. The few extra months of development time will help the studio realize the game’s full potential, Druckmann and his directing partner Bruce Straley said last month.

    In addition to A Thief’s End the game, an Uncharted movie is in the works. Most recently, we learned that Jurassic World‘s Chris Pratt passed on playing Nathan Drake in the movie, while The Hurt Locker writer Mark Boal has come aboard to work on the screenplay.

    Via: DualShockers

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  • "Gratuitious Violence" Blocks Postal from Google Play, Dev Says

    "Gratuitious Violence" Blocks Postal from Google Play, Dev Says

    A port of 1997’s ultra-violent game Postal has been rejected by Google for publishing on Google Play due to its “gratuitous violence.”

    That’s according to the game’s developer, Running With Scissors, which explained the matter in its forums. The forums are currently unavailable, but Eurogamer was able to capture the following message.

    “It seems we have hit a bit of a snag,” the developer said. “Unfortunately, it appears Postal has been rejected from Google Play due to it containing ‘gratuitous violence.’”

    The developer said blocking Postal but not other violent games such as Grand Theft Auto represents something of a double standard.

    RT: POSTAL was rejected by @googleplay due to GRATUITOUS VIOLENCE, yet they sell the entire GTA series #whatyearisit pic.twitter.com/pKrFY63gIy

    — RunningWithScissors (@RWSPOSTAL) April 7, 2015

    Sex and murder of hookers in GTA3 is less violent then POSTAL 1? #censorship #whatyearisit @GooglePlay pic.twitter.com/T1e1de2vmD

    — RunningWithScissors (@RWSPOSTAL) April 8, 2015

    Although it appears Postal won’t come to Google Play, the biggest Android app store, Running With Scissors said it plans to release the game through other means, including Amazon and the Humble Store.

    According to Google’s own publishing rules, while apps that feature “graphic violence” are permissible, apps that include “gratuitous real violence” are not. We’ve followed up with Google, asking for additional insight into why Postal was rejected. We’ll update this post with anything we might hear back.

    “We immediately filed an appeal and that was rejected,” Running With Scissors told Eurogamer about the initial decision. “Trying now to speak to an actual human being with a f***ing brain.”

    In other Postal news, Running With Scissors plans to launch a new expansion for Postal 2–Paradise Lost–on April 17.

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  • Square Enix Teases "Secret" Announcement

    Square Enix Teases "Secret" Announcement

    Final Fantasy publisher Square Enix just announced a new game this week–Deus Ex: Mankind Divided–but the Japanese company is gearing up to reveal another project very soon.

    The company has launched a new teaser website for a “secret” project. The website’s URL is: “http://www.jp.square-enix.com/secret/.“

    As DualShockers discovered, clicking the Facebook or Twitter sharing buttons on the page reveal that Square Enix is planning to announce the project on Monday, April 13. A message that reads, “Square Enix New Project. NEXT 2015.04.13,” pops up when you click those sharing options.

    Another mystery is a message printed on the website itself, containing the letters “S A R” and the numbers “0 1 0 1.” As DualShockers points out, these numbers and letters could be part of the title or a message that Square Enix plans to fill out in the lead-up to the official announcement next week.

    No other details about Square Enix’s “secret” project are available, including its genre, platforms, or release date, among other things. Check back with GameSpot on Monday to see what it turns out to be.

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  • Mortal Kombat X Requires 1.8GB Day-One Patch

    Mortal Kombat X Requires 1.8GB Day-One Patch

    Publisher Warner Bros has lined up a day-one patch for its upcoming fighting game, Mortal Kombat X, which enhances online stability and multiplayer invite options.

    Information on the update, which will be mandatory for those who want to connect the game online, has arrived due to one player receiving their copy ahead of release date.

    A Reddit user, going by the name “Abudiix”, said the day-one patch apparently makes many of the game’s challenges more difficult. The user added that in-game currency awards have been reduced significantly, explaining: “My friend used to get 2,500 coins on a boss fight now he gets 200 on the same boss fight after the update.”

    Meanwhile, the update is also said to expand the size of The Krypt, which is a warehouse-sized area filled with coffins that can be opened for in-game currency. Each coffin, once opened, provides the player with items such as concept art, videos, and even hidden special moves.

    Mortal Kombat X launches April 14 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3editions, however, have been delayed.

    Click on the images below to view in full-screen

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  • Mario Kart 8 200cc Video Shows Just How Fast It Gets

    Nintendo has published a trio of Mario Kart 8 videos showcasing how much faster the Wii U game plays in its new 200cc mode.

    The first video, below, offers a side-by-side comparison of the Piranha Plant Pipeway course in 150cc (previously the fastest speed) and 200cc. As the footage demonstrates, the maximum distance from ramp jumps is notably longer, while the high-speed momentum also allows racers to cut corners on rougher surfaces. Previously inaccessible feats are now achievable too, such as jumping above the entire arch placed within the final third of the track.

    New ways to approach courses appear to be a key design theme with the new speed, as shown with the next video, Grumble Volcano. Mario is shown cutting past the final stretch of the course by leaping across a vast pool of lava. The footage also illustrates how advanced players will need to be more accustomed with the break button.

    The final video, of the Dolphin Shoals track, shows how racers can fly across long stretches of the course by combining ramp-jumps with each kart’s attached glider.

    Mario Kart 8’s 200cc mode is expected to go live on April 23. The update will be free.

    Meanwhile, the second of the game’s two premium DLC packs will release on the same day. For $8, the DLC pack offers three new racers (Isabelle, Villager, and Dry Bowser), four vehicles, and eight courses, including the Animal Crossing course that changes seasons periodically.

    Alongside the new DLC, Mario Kart 8 is adding support for nine Amiibo compatible Mii racing suits, including one for Mega Man and Pac-Man.

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  • Harry Potter Star in Talks for GTA Movie Lead — Report

    Harry Potter Star in Talks for GTA Movie Lead — Report

    Image credit: Gage Skidmore

    Daniel Radcliffe, the actor known around the world for his leading role in the Harry Potter series of films, is in talks for the lead role in an upcoming BBC production about the making of Grand Theft Auto.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, Radcliffe is in talks to play Sam Houser, the co-founder and president of Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games.

    The report also says that the movie will, at least in part, focus on the controversy between Rockstar Games and the anti-video game lawyer Jack Thompson, who often cited the Grand Theft Auto games as one of the worst examples of violent video games’ negative impact on society.

    The BBC GTA show is being produced as part of a wider initiative called “Make it Digital,” which is described as a “major UK-wide initiative to inspire a new generation to get creative with coding, programming, and digital technology.”

    The latest entry in the GTA series is Grand Theft Auto V, which originally launched in September 2013 and has sold more than 45 million copies. The game is sure to see a significant bump in sales when it releases on PC April 14.

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