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Destiny tops PS4 downloads in 2014
Bungie's Destiny topped the PlayStation Store's PS4 best-sellers list for all of 2014, Sony revealed today. The store's top sellers on the current-generation console don't include many surprises; Grand Theft Auto 5 took the second spot, followed by Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Minecraft and The Last of Us Remastered to round out the top five. GTA 5 was the most purchased PS4 game in the month of December. As for PS3 games, Minecraft led all purchases on the system in 2014 on the PS Store, followed by GTA 5, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Destiny and Battlefield 4. Likewise, the list of top-selling PS4 and PS3 add-ons are a mix of Destiny, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Call of Duty: Ghosts DLC for the most part; Battlefield 4 Premium and The Last of Us' Left Behind DLC swooped in to the third spot in the PS4 and PS3 lists, respectively. Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment was the highest-selling game last year on the PlayStation Store for Vita. The Bandai Namco RPG was trailed on the handheld system by Minecraft, Killzone: Mercenary, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z and Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster. [Image: Activision]
We're paying for broken games, and it's unacceptable
There was a time when you bought a game, pulled it out of the box, popped it into your device of choice, and that was it. In today's video game industry, however, a single game isn't even the end product. Now we have downloadable content and expansion packs – and don't forget to buy the season pass so you get it all for a nominal discount. Never mind just pre-ordering your games either, now we can pre-load them, guaranteeing access the very second a game becomes available. And the pre-order bonuses, bestowing us with trivial costumes or weapons, or maybe even some extra levels that will inevitably be sold after launch, despite being billed as pre-order "exclusives." Even without these premium additions, the game you bring home isn't the static creative work it once was. Developers and publishers are free to update their games now, patching out unforeseen problems or even adding fan-requested improvements. It's good that issues can be resolved, but the darker side of this is the now infamous "Day 1 Patch." These crucial updates are applied on launch day, providing fixes so last-minute that they couldn't make it onto the discs before they were pressed (or even onto the downloadable code, for that matter). The implication of the Day 1 Patch, of course, is that the game in the box, or sitting in your Steam download queue, isn't actually finished. The troubling part, as 2014 has proven, is that even after you've applied that patch, you can still wind up with a broken game. Not only that, but if the marketing has done its job, you have a broken game for which you have already purchased additional content. Maybe you paid a little extra for a special edition. You're a savvy shopper, so you saved five bucks on future DLC with a season pass. In today's climate, it's easy to plunk down $100 on a game before you've played a single minute of it. If said game doesn't work, all you've got is a fancy SteelBook case, a useless download token for DLC and maybe a plastic tchotchke for your desk. And that's assuming you didn't pre-order digitally, in which case all you have is a broken game and no hope of a refund.
DICE promises more Battlefield 4 DLC, surveys classic maps
Battlefield 4 developer DICE doesn't know when to stop Battlefieldin', as the game's latest map pack "Final Stand" won't be the last piece of content for the first-person shooter. "With Battlefield 4 Final Stand released, we hope and believe that you will enjoy it together with the rest of the game for a long time," the developer wrote in a blog this week. "However, there is one thing we want to assure you: There is more content coming for Battlefield 4." While DICE did not specify what it had in store for further DLC, it did acknowledge the "many requests of re-creating classic Battlefield maps within the Battlefield 4 universe." The developer opened a poll to the public to see which maps from the previous games in the series would be most popular among fans, available here. The next entry in the series, Visceral Games' Battlefield Hardline, was delayed to March 17, 2015. [Image: EA]
Battlefield 4 Premium members make a Final Stand next week
Battlefield 4 Premium members will receive the game's final map pack, the appropriately-titled "Final Stand," on November 18, publisher EA has revealed. The DLC, which features the weaponized wintry wonderlands of Russia, will contain four maps, detailed below. Operation Whiteout is a mostly-outdoors fragfest, with a harsh blizzard rolling across the tundra. Hammerhead lets players fight across a submarine base, while Hangar 21 sets the war in a secret military base. Giants of Karelia takes place in a rural village and is the only map of the pack not bathed in snow, instead featuring a lush, green landscape. As many of these maps feature secret military installations ridden with prototype technology, there are new weapons, weapon add-ons, gadgets and vehicles to try out. If you look close enough, you might even spot some references to the technology and factions that would come to dominate the wars of Battlefield 2142. As usual, Battlefield 4 Premium members will receive the content two weeks before non-Premium players. [Image: EA]
Second chance for a week-long free Battlefield 4 trip on Origin
If you missed it the first time, EA PC portal Origin is offering a week's worth of free Battlefield 4 game time once more. EA didn't say how long this second-time-around offer will be available for, just as the publisher didn't for Titanfall back in August. For the record, you can still test-drive Respawn's mechs for 48 hours - the offer's not gone away - so read into that what you will. If you claimed your Game Time the first go around, sorry, there are no do-overs. As before, your 7 days or 168 hours or 10,080 minutes or 604,800 sec... sorry, got a bit carried away there. So, your week of Battlefielding won't start until the moment you launch the game. Just remember, it's not a week of in-game time, but of real-world time. So once you start the game, 7 days later or 168 hours later or... Let's just end this here by noting EA's extra incentive is double XP between November 6-10 for everybody, including Game Time newbies. Also, your XP and all your other progress carries over into the full game if you choose to buy it. [Image: EA]
Battlefield 4 class action lawsuit dismissed on 'puffery'
No, not puffinry. Puffery. A class action lawsuit levied against Electronic Arts for allegedly misleading investors over the performance of Battlefield 4 was dismissed this week, with U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Judge Susan Illston labeling the publisher's promises as pre-release "puffery," rather than intentionally misleading hype. The lawsuit was filed late last year, accusing Electronic Arts of misrepresenting "the development and sales of the Company's Battlefield 4 video game and the game's impact on EA's revenue and projects moving forward." Battlefield 4 suffered numerous issues upon its launch in November, leaving many players unable to access its online multiplayer component. Fixes arrived months after the game's initial release, leading EA CEO Andrew Wilson to later describe the debacle as "unacceptable." EA argued that its pre-release statements had no direct bearing on the plaintiffs' decisions to purchase company stock. In addition, the publisher noted that five of the eight company-issued statements labeled as misleading in the suit were made after plaintiffs had already purchased EA stock. "Defendant [CFO Blake] Jorgensen's Oct. 29, 2013 statement comparing 'BF4' to a World Series ace pitcher is puffery," Judge Illston wrote. "Defendant Wilson's Oct. 29, 2013 statement explaining that EA 'worked more closely with Microsoft and Sony throughout the entire process' resulting in a 'launch slate of games that are the best transition games that I've ever seen come out of this company' is an inactionable opinion, as well as a vague statement of corporate optimism." Illston's response does not represent a total dismissal of the case. Lead plaintiffs Ryan Kelly and Louis Mastro must revise their statements by November 3 to continue the suit. [Image: Getty]
Joystiq Weekly: Vib-ribbon launches, Driveclub Review, RE: Revelations 2 preview and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. "Better eight years late than never," PlayStation Network users probably said during this week's return of Vib-ribbon. Sure, we're not exactly in drought season, but what's stopping you from impulsively bailing on 2014's release calendar to revisit a 1999 cult classic? Beyond money and life's responsibilities, anyway. If Vib-ribbon is fair game for a 2014 appearance, can we go ahead and get our hopes for comparably-unlikely surprises? Sure, StarCraft: Ghost's indefinitely-on-hold status is probably irreversible at this point, but if Blizzard felt like continuing development in secret for years and launching it without warning, we wouldn't be upset. Valve, you're more than welcome to do the same with fresh installments in the Half Life or Left 4 Dead series. There was more to this week than feeble wishes though, including resolution news for Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Assassin's Creed: Unity, reviews for Driveclub and Neverending Nightmares, and previews for AC: Unity and Resident Evil: Revelations 2. All those and more are tidied up for you after the break!
DICE producer admits Battlefield 4 woes damaged fan trust
Almost a full year after its launch, DICE LA producer David Sirland has admitted that the glitches that long plagued Battlefield 4 damaged the public's perception of what was once a highlight of the first-person shooter genre. "I can absolutely say that we lost [player] trust in the game's launch and the early parts of the year," Sirland told Gamespot. "We still probably have a lot of players who won't trust us to deliver a stable launch or a stable game." Like EA CEO Andrew Wilson, Sirland is quick to offer assurances that Battlefield 4's woes were an isolated issue that will not be repeated: "I am certain that [Battlefield 4's problematic debut] won't be repeated because we've changed the way we work." Sirland offers few specifics, but key to this shift is a new transparency in the Battlefield development process while more attention is being paid to fan input. Whether that holds true or not remains to be seen. Specifically, it remains to be seen once EA launches Battlefield: Hardline, an open-world cops and robbers shooter now slated to appear at some point in 2015. According to Ian Milham, creative director at developer Visceral Games, unlike Battlefield 4, this one will actually work. [Image: EA]
Rejoice! Visceral says Battlefield Hardline 'will work' at launch
Battlefield Hardline will operate as expected at launch, according to Ian Milham, creative director at Visceral Games. "What you're basically asking is, 'Is your game going to work?' And the answer is yes, it's gonna work," Milham told Game Revolution. The statement follows a rough launch for the last game game in the series, DICE's Battlefield 4, which suffered months of connectivity issues after its October 2013 arrival. That led to multiple law firms alleging that publisher EA issued "materially false and misleading statements" regarding Battlefield 4's playability. When a CEO like EA's Andrew Wilson publicly deems a game's launch as "unacceptable," questions about the next game's stability will certainly come up.
Battlefield 4 makes a Final Stand in its fifth DLC map pack
After nearly a year of players gunning one another down within the expansive maps of Battlefield 4, publisher EA and developer DICE have revealed the game's final DLC map pack, aptly titled "Final Stand." Featuring four maps set within the Russian arctic, Final Stand doesn't just grant players new surroundings in which to shoot things, it also offers players new toys. Especially notable are the map pack's "secret prototype weapons and vehicles," including a combat pick up railgun and a hovering tank. Unfortunately, along with the trailer seen below the break, that's all the information EA is currently willing to share on Final Stand. As with previous Battlefield 4 DLC map packs we expect Battlefield Premium subscribers to receive Final Stand two weeks before it comes available to the public, but so far EA has yet to mention when the DLC might appear. Expect more news on the DLC maps and weaponry to come in the "weeks ahead." [Image: EA]
September's Battlefield 4 update strengthens its core
The next update for Battlefield 4 is targeted for September, and focuses on core gameplay improvements, Dice revealed this week. Soldier movement in the game is being tweaked so it "closely matches the one in Battlefield 3, but without compromising the visual fidelity." Dice said the changes will make it easier to escape "undesirable firefights." The update will also clean up and "de-clutter" the game's HUD to "only show what is important." This will involve giving players more options to select what they want to see on the screen in battle. The developer also focused on tuning vehicle and weapon balance and making revives easier to use. For instance, when reviving other players, a sound effect will play when the defribrillator paddles are fully charged. Dice also made improvements to the Rush, Obliteration, Obliteration Competitive, Capture the Flag and Carrier Assault game modes. Remember, those that don't have Battlefield 4 yet can play the game for free for one week through Origin. [Image: EA]
Play Battlefield 4 free through Origin for one week
Origin is offering Battlefield 4 for free on a limited basis as part of its Game Time program. Players who want to dive into the PC game have until next Thursday, August 14 to add it to their libraries on the game distribution platform. The one-week, full game trial won't begin until players download the game for the first time, so there's no rush to play it immediately before next Thursday. EA first announced the Origin Game Time program in June. It kicked the free trial service off with Titanfall, which was free to play for 48 hours. Battlefield 4 isn't the only game that's free for Origin users, as Wing Commander 3 is free for players to download until September 2. Unlike Battlefield 4, the space combat game is the latest in Origin's "On the House" games that stay in your library at no extra cost. [Image: EA]
EU PSN Summer Sale slashes prices on Battlefield 4, FIFA 14
The annual PSN Summer Sale has begun in Europe, with an initial offering of discounted new-generation EA games and a massive list of cut-rate PlayStation 3 releases. PlayStation 4 owners can pick up the previously £55 Battlefield 4 for £30, while FIFA 14 falls to £35. NBA Live 14, Madden NFL 25 and Need for Speed Rivals are all discounted to £30, and all DLC released for each of these EA games is likewise on sale. PlayStation 3 owners reap the lion's share of discounts this year. Battlefield 4 falls from £60 to £20, Doom 3 BFG Edition is available for £16 and Dragon Age: Origins has been reduced to £6.49. PlayStation Plus subscribers will see extended discounts on certain games, such as Lego Marvel Superheroes which falls to £20 and classic PlayStation 2 platformer Maximo vs The Army of Zin, which can now be downloaded from PSN for £2.89. For a full rundown of Sony's initial wave of Summer discounts, visit the European PlayStation.blog, but keep in mind that these deals are only available for a limited time. Sony has a new slate of discounts planned to replace this list on August 20. [Image: EA]
Xbox Deals With Gold delivers discounted Battlefield 4 DLC
Battlefield series die-hards can pick up an arsenal of discounted DLC this week through Microsoft's Deals with Gold promotion, which currently offers a 33 percent discount on Battlefield 4's Premium membership, China Rising, Second Assault, Naval Strike, and Ultimate Shortcut Bundle add-ons for the Xbox One and Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 Games on Demand versions of Madden NFL 25, FIFA 14, and NHL 14 are half-off this week for Gold members, and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil is available for 70 percent off its regular price. Xbox Live Silver members, meanwhile, can pick up a copy of SpikySnail's liquid puzzler The Splatters for 50 percent off through next week. [Image: EA DICE]
EA unveils Xbox One subscription service, EA Access [update]
Following the success of Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus, EA has unveiled its own Xbox One-exclusive subscription service dubbed EA Access. Those who spend $5 per month (or $30 per year) on an EA Access subscription will be granted free, all-you-can-play access to the publisher's biggest Xbox One games, including Battlefield 4, Peggle 2, FIFA 14 and Madden NFL 25. EA plans to add to this selection of games over time, and according to a Game Informer tweet, the publisher has "no plans" to remove content in the future. In addition to the gratis games, EA Access members receive 10 percent discounts on all of EA's digital Xbox One content and are granted access to big EA releases up to five days prior to their official debut. Keep in mind, there are caveats to this promotion. EA describes that early access as a "a limited trial," and not access to the full game. Further, according to the fine print, Titanfall is "excluded from all EA Access features," and given the service's mention of unlimited online play, it stands to reason that an Xbox Live Gold subscription is required for full use of EA Access. If your interest is still piqued, you can find everything you need to enroll in EA Access at the program's official website. Update: A representative from EA has contacted us to clarify the Xbox Live Gold requirements of EA Access. "To your inference in the last paragraph that an Xbox Live Gold subscription is required for full use, I wanted to clarify: Any Xbox One gamer can join EA Access and take advantage of the benefits of membership. In order to connect to multiplayer gameplay on the Xbox One platform you will need a subscription to Xbox Gold." [Image: EA]
Battlefield Hardline's story makes good cops bad cops
We can't uphold or defy the law in Battlefield: Hardline until 2015, but thanks to San Diego Comic-Con, we can get a sense of what will unfold in its single-player content right now. According to Polygon's report, Hardline's story follows a pair of straight-shooting cops as they're set up by another group. As a result of being framed, they land in prison, faced with fighting their way out before settling the score with the people who put them there. Polygon notes a video shown to panel attendees depicted urban environments, as well as a scene following Hardline's lead cops as they storm a cocaine warehouse in a desert-like area. A crime lord named Roark owns the facility, and given his profession and choice of locale, we can't imagine he's receptive of any stop-ins from local law enforcement. Eugene Byrd (Bones), Kelly Hu (Arrow) and Benito Martinez (The Shield) will have significant roles in Hardline's story, with Mark Rolston (The Departed) playing Roark. Wendy Calhoun, co-producer of Justified, is serving as a narrative consultant, with The West Wing editor Bill Johnson working as Hardline's performance director. [Image: EA]
Battlefield 4 bares Dragon's Teeth in DLC launch trailer
If your first reaction to the trailer for Battlefield 4's Dragon's Teeth DLC is something like, "An RPG seems overkill for taking out an unmanned vehicle droid thing," then you've never attempted to use a tank in Battlefield to pull off a headshot.
Battlefest starts this weekend with bonus Battlefield 4 XP
Just in time for the July 15 debut of Battlefield 4's Dragon's Teeth DLC, EA kicks off Battlefest, a month-long promotion designed to reward those loyal virtual soldiers who've stuck with the shooter despite its infamous track record. Battlefest begins on July 12 with a two-day, double experience point bonus for all players. From there, EA will offer new content on a weekly basis, including free camo unlocks and Community Missions that force players to work together to reach a formidable goal. Assuming players complete the mission, everyone who logged into Battlefield 4 during the event will receive a free Gold Battlepack. Finally, EA is launching a month-long stunt competition. If you've got awesome footage of ramping a motorbike off a pile of rubble into a helicopter like some poorly planned Die Hard sequel, send it in to EA. The top three most impressive clips will be awarded what EA calls, "a massive prize." [Image: EA]
Battlefield 4 grows Dragon's Teeth on July 15
Following recent rumors, we can now confirm that the Battlefield 4 DLC dubbed "Dragon's Teeth" will arrive on July 15. According to EA's official confirmation notice, Dragon's Teeth will offer players five new weapons, a new gadget dubbed the "Ballistic Shield," and something called the "R.A.W.R." that the publisher describes as a "a remote controlled ground vehicle armed to the teeth." Additionally, Dragon's Teeth adds the new Chain Link gametype, a modification of the series-mainstay Conquest which asks players to link capture points to win. Most crucially, Dragon's Teeth introduces four new maps that invite players to shoot one another amidst the concrete splendor of urban Chinese life. Keep in mind, that July 15 release date is only valid for members of the Battlefield 4 Premium service. Those who haven't spent the cash to purchase all of the game's DLC and a handful of exclusive bonuses will need to wait until July 29 to explore Dragon's Teeth. Like past DLC offerings, Dragon's Teeth will bear a $15 price tag. [Image: EA]
Battlefield 4 Premium members may bare Dragon's Teeth July 15
Battlefield 4 Premium members might get their next bite of content on July 15 with Dragon's Teeth, judging by a since-deleted tweet that was screencaptured by MP1ST. The tweet was from Origin's main account and mentioned a July 15 access date in its promotion for purchasing Battlefield 4 Premium for 20 percent off. Since the Battefield website mentions a two week-headstart with Dragon's Teeth for Premium subscribers, that would place the next expansion at a July 29 general release for everyone else. It's possible that the release date-specific tweet was pulled to be replaced with a more vague, sale-promoting message, but it'd still be smart to keep excitement down until an announcement sticks. [Image: EA]
