Category: Gamespot

In September, researchers at Villanova University and Rutgers University published the results of an in-depth study that suggested violent video games do not lead to increases in real-world violent behavior. Now, a pair of follow-up studies from Stetson University researcher Christopher Ferguson have reached the same general conclusion, finding that there is no evidence for a link between video game or movie violence and real-world violent behavior.

In fact, as reported by Medical Daily, Ferguson’s studies found that the rise in popularity of violent video games was actually related to a decrease in youth violence.

For his first study, Ferguson measured homicide rates from 1920 to 2005 against the frequency and graphic nature of violence in popular movies. A “slight” link between violent movies and murder rates was found during the mid-20th century, but the connection lessened in the 1990s, a period when movie violence was linked with fewer homicides overall.

The second study focused on video game violence. Ferguson looked at Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) data for games released between 1996 and 2011 as well as federal youth crime data for the same period. What he found was that violent video game consumption was “strongly” correlated with declines in the instances of youth violence.

This downward correlation is likely related to “chance,” and should not be taken as an indication that playing violent video games can lead to a safer world, Ferguson said.

“Society has a limited amount of resources and attention to devote to the problem of reducing crime,” Ferguson said in a statement. “There is a risk that identifying the wrong problem, such as media violence, may distract society from more pressing concerns such as poverty, education, and vocational disparities and mental health. This research may help society focus on issues that really matter and avoid devoting unnecessary resources to the pursuit of moral agendas with little practical value.”

Ferguson’s study was published in the Journal of Communication.

For further reading on the subject of violence in games and its effect on society, you can read GameSpot’s interview with Villanova professor Patrick Markey.

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The Division developer Massive Entertainment has responded to the suggestion that the studio may need to “downgrade” the game’s graphics from PC for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions. In an interview with Open World Games [YouTube], Massive’s Martin Hulberg said the term “downgrade” doesn’t accurately encapsulate how the studio is approaching development on The Division.

“Downgrading is a weird term to use,” he said. “Obviously, we want to make a game that looks the best it can on its respective format, so Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. So I think the term downgrade is a bit confusing and weird because we’re trying to get the most out of every machine we use. So Xbox gets its attention, PlayStation gets its attention, and PC of course will be able to cram it up a bit more depending on the hardware you have.”

Asked if Massive was planning to have all versions of The Division feature the same specifications (i.e. 1080p or 60fps), Hultberg said every iteration of the game will be treated individually.

“We address every console, every platform as its own version,” he said. “So we try to stay away from the thing where you go for the least common denominator and everybody suffers for it. We want to make a good experience on all respective formats.”

Also in the interview, Hultberg teased that Ubisoft may allow gamers to play The Division ahead of its release next year through an alpha or beta.

“We have a long experience in doing online games dating back to Ground Control and World In Conflict,” he said. “And I think the chance to involve people to do tests is very important. I suspect we will release more details on the possibilities for public tests later on.”

The Division officially launches sometime in 2015. If you have not been blown away by the game yet, there is a possible explanation for that. “[The Division is] a very ambitious game. We are saving many of the most interesting parts for later,” Ubisoft Massive managing director David Polfeldt told GameSpot in June. “We have a lot of interesting things in the game that were not shown [at E3]. So there’s a lot to come.”

In addition, Ubisoft recently said that The Division is aiming to offer “endless gameplay.”

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Microsoft’s official Xbox One stereo headset can now be had for $50 on Amazon, a markdown of $10 from what the headset is selling for in Microsoft’s own store right now.

If you’re in the market for something flashier, the special-edition Armed Forces version of the Xbox One stereo headset sells for $60 on Amazon and $70 through Microsoft’s site.

The Xbox One stereo headset originally sold for $80 (and $90 for the Armed Forces version), though Microsoft has since cut the price.

The headset features an over-the-ear design, including breathable fabric ear cups. It also sports a boom microphone that can fold up when you’re not using it. The Xbox One stereo headset is also fairly light, weighing just 9 ounces.

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Ubisoft and Edge Shave Gel have revealed a partnership where if you buy shaving cream you’ll receive in-game content for next week’s Assassin’s Creed Unity.

Specially marked cans of Edge Shave Gel will come with codes to download an in-game sword, armor, and a hood. You can see depictions of this content in the image above, shared on Facebook.

So much for No-Shave November…

Assassin’s Creed Unity launches November 11 or Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Another game, Assassin’s Creed Rogue, will also be released that day, but only for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

For more on Assassin’s Creed Unity, check out GameSpot’s previous coverage.

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Microsoft has now published this week’s Xbox Live deals for Xbox One and Xbox 360, offering deep discounts on games such as Thief, Murdered: Soul Suspect, and various Sonic titles.

The markdowns listed below are valid through November 10. Also, you will need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to get the games at their discounted prices.

Xbox One:

• D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die – $10 (normally $15)
• Murdered: Soul Suspect – $25 (normally $50)
• Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments – $40 (normally $60)
• Thief – $20 (normally $40)

Xbox 360:

• Deus Ex: Human Revolution – $4.04 (normally $15)
• Murdered: Soul Suspect – $18 (normally $40)
• Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 – $5 (normally $10)
• Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 – $7.49 (normally $15)
• Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed – $15 (normally $30)
• Sonic Adventure 2 – $5 (normally $10)
• Sonic & Sega Racing – $10 (normally $20)
• Sonic Generations – $10 (normally $20)
• Sonic the Hedgehog – $2.50 (normally $5)
• Thief – $18 – (normally $40)

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Though a third entry in the Just Cause series remains unannounced, the evidence of its existence continues to mount. The latest findings come in the form of four alleged screenshots taken from the Xbox One version of the game, which surfaced in the Xbox-Underground forums recently.

The images appear to show main character Rico, and an overview of what looks like an island. The screenshot above also seems to suggest that the game might have microtransactions in some form–not an uncommon thing for major games today.

A source reportedly close to the game verified to Eurogamer that the image above is indeed from Just Cause 3, explaining that it shows off the game’s “Black Market.” The source went on to claim that, at one time, the PC version was planned to be entirely free-to-play while the console versions would be paid games supported by microtransactions.

However, Eurogamer says “the plan changed and this may no longer be the case.”

Representatives for Just Cause developer Avalanche Studios and publisher Square Enix declined to comment when approached by Eurogamer.

Avalanche boss Christofer Sundberg said previously that microtransactions are simply part of the new generation of games, though he wants to make sure gamers are treated fairly.

“Microtransactions, subscriptions, and other biz models will be the next generation of games. It is that simple,” he said on Twitter last year. He later expanded on the thought, stating that “greed never works.”

“We’ll never compromise on quality or sell our souls for a quick buck,” Sundberg added. “Things are changing and we need to adapt.”

The announcement of a third Just Cause game would come as little surprise. After all, Square Enix registered a Just Cause 3 domain name earlier this year. Avalanche has also previously released some blurry teaser images of what appeared to be a new Just Cause game last February.

Avalanche is also developing a Mad Max game based on the movie series that was recently delayed to 2015, and a game based on a comic book series that isn’t Superman.

Check out the four rumored Just Cause 3 screenshots in the image gallery below.

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THIS POST CONTAINS POTENTIAL SPOILERS ABOUT HALO 5: GUARDIANS

A cutscene reportedly from 2015’s Xbox One game Halo 5: Guardians has leaked ahead of schedule.

Via NeoGAF, the cutscene you see below shows off new character Agent Locke (who will play a prominent role in the game), as well as an updated character model for the Arbiter.

The cutscene itself is supposedly included with next week’s Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and is meant to tease some of the plot for next year’s Halo 5: Guardians.

The video reportedly stems from a Twitch stream of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Someone who supposedly watched the stream reports on Reddit that the streamer never meant to show the new cutscene, which might explain why the video ends so abruptly.

The Master Chief Collection launches on November 11 exclusively for Xbox One. For more on the title, check out GameSpot’s previous coverage.

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The PlayStation 4 version of upcoming open-world game Grand Theft Auto V will include its own unique and exclusive functionality in the form of special DualShock 4 features. Gizmodo recently got to play the game on PS4 and shed some light on the new features, listed below.

• Access GTA Online’s interaction menu by holding the DualShock 4’s touch-pad
• Phone calls and police radio sounds will emit from the DualShock 4’s speaker
• Swipe the touch-pad up or down to change weapons
• Swipe the touch-pad left or right to change the radio station
• The DualShock 4 light bar will flash red and blue when you have a Wanted level

It is unclear if the Xbox One or PC versions will have any features unique to those platforms.

Though the PS4 version of GTA V will have a range of DualShock 4 features, all three iterations of the game for new platforms are getting the newly confirmed first-person mode. This new way to play, available with a single button press, lets you see the world of Los Santos and Blaine County from an entirely new perspective–which has a major impact on the game, Rockstar says.

The new first-person mode is in addition to the long list of improvements coming to GTA V on Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Others include better graphics (1080p on PS4 and Xbox One; 4K support on PC), enhanced draw distances, denser traffic, more wildlife, and lots more.

GTA V launches for Xbox One and PS4 on November 18, while the PC version is coming in January 2015. For more, check out GameSpot’s previous coverage of GTA V.

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The Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC versions of Grand Theft Auto V will feature a first-person mode, Rockstar Games confirmed today. This new way to play was previously rumored.

“It’s a very intense, in-your-face experience… literally,” animation director Rob Nelson told IGN. “Obviously, we felt like one of the most compelling things you could do to make an experience people have had before feel different was the new first-person mode.”

Nelson said Rockstar has “always” been interested in making a first-person mode for GTA V, but this was not possible for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions due to technical reasons.

What makes first-person mode feel so unique in GTA V is that it allows you to experience the world of Los Santos and Blaine County–places you probably already know well–from a completely new perspective.

“You’re eye-level, down with the people on the street, and as you walk past them, you see them sort of look at you out of the corner of their eye,” Nelson said. “All of this stuff existed in the game before–lots of little details.”

The shift from third-person to first-person required a significant amount of development work, Nelson said.

“You have to change pretty much everything,” he explained. “I mean, if you want to do it right. We have a very solid third-person animation system, but you don’t just put the camera down there and expect to see the guns, aim, and shoot. All those animations are new when you switch to first-person, because it all has to be animated to the camera, to make it feel like a proper first-person experience that I think people would expect. All the timings have to be re-evaluated.”

Rockstar has gone to great lengths to update GTA V’s world with a first-person perspective in mind. For instance, when you sit down in a car, you’ll see that everything on your car’s dashboard works–the speedometer and rev counter are just two examples. Displays will even show the name of the radio station and song you’re listening to–and your character will bob his head to the music. This level of deep detail is featured on every car, boat, and plane in GTA V.

In addition, if you’re riding a bike or a helicopter, your character will put on a helmet, which will in turn limit your field of view and suppress ambient noises just like it would in real life.

On top of the first-person mode option, GTA V for Xbox One, PS4, and PC features a long list of improvements, including better visuals, enhanced draw distances, more wildlife, and denser traffic, among other things. In addition, your Grand Theft Auto Online characters from Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 will carry forward to any of the new platforms.

GTA V launches for Xbox One and PS4 on November 18, while the PC version will be released in January 2015. For more, check out GameSpot’s previous coverage.

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