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Nintendo: two Wii U Gamepads will work on one system (update 2: but at a cost - and now with video)
Nintendo broke a few hearts when it initially said the Wii U would only support one of its unique Gamepads. Much to our delight, the company just said in its live keynote that the final console will support two. As such, it'll be possible to have truly equal two-player games instead of relegating a friend to the old-fashioned Wii remote and Nunchuk. Of course, how much that extra Gamepad will cost we have yet to know -- along with whether or not it'll be possible to have strictly Gamepad-to-Gamepad titles that skip the TV entirely. We expect to find out soon. Update: In a follow-up, Nintendo Japan has posted on Twitter that there's a price to pay if two Gamepads are active. Frame rates drop to about 30 fps if two are active; any games that really want that extra controller won't be quite as glass-smooth. On the upside, it's possible to switch one off with a smooth transition; there won't be a need for theatrics just to switch to a solo game. Update 2: Nintendo has put out a video tour of the Gamepad that you can check out after the break.
Nintendo Wii U will offer Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube and Amazon Video, second-screen experiences promised
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata himself may have dropped word of Netflix support on the Wii U last year, but the company's now fully confirmed that and a whole lot more during its E3 keynote today. In addition to Netflix, the console's streaming video options will include Hulu Plus, YouTube and Amazon Video. Unfortunately, the company didn't delve much into specifics beyond that, but it did confirm in a press release that it's working with those companies on video services that will "take advantage of the integrated second-screen experience." It's also clear that Nintendo is putting a much bigger emphasis on video and entertainment on the Wii U than it did on the original Wii -- "Games, Social, Entertainment" are the key words, as it puts it.
OnLive's E3 blowout includes new games, easy in-browser access, MultiView and LG's Google TV
OnLive launched in the summer of 2010 streaming games to PCs or Macs, and now two years later it has returned to E3 feeling pretty good about the state of cloud gaming and its place in it. Among a series of announcements going out are news that it will be demonstrating gaming on smart TVs for the first time on LG's G2 Google TVs with support for up to four universal OnLive controllers at once. The Google TV viewer app has been out, although OnLive gaming has been closely tied to Vizio's upcoming Google TV models in the past while LG showed off Gaikai access at CES. It's not available on retail units yet, but is expected to be added in a software update, with an eye towards adding support for Cinema 3D gaming later on. At the same time it's rolling out an update to its in-browser gaming clients that lets publishers and retailers launch players into games without creating a login. Finally, we've got the new OnLive MultiView feature that lets players see the video stream of another player without exiting their own session. As suggested in the press release (all are included after the break), it can let you check in on a friend's game as it happens, or even see from a teammate's perspective during a co-op match. That feature is currently in closed beta and is set to launch later this year, read on for all the details about what OnLive is up to and a list of games coming soon that includes Darksiders II, Civilization V: Gods and Kings and more.
Live from Nintendo's E3 2012 keynote!
Nintendo has a new console up its sleeve and it just can't wait to show it to you. Of course, we've already seen plenty on the Wii U, and Nintendo saw fit to steal its own thunder with a pre-pre-show livestream, but that's no matter. Surely there's more good stuff to see, and we can't wait to bring it to ya. June 5, 2012 12:00 PM EDT
Peter Molyneux reveals first game from his new studio: Curiosity coming to iOS and PC
Peter Molyneux has revealed what he's been up to since he left Lionhead. At E3, he paid a visit to Spike TV, bringing with him several screens from his upcoming title, Curiosity. He didn't give away much on what we can expect from 22 Cans' first effort, although we'd hazard a guess at something "conceptual." It's set to arrive on PC and iOS in around six weeks and Molyneux was showing off those stills from his iPad. Hit up the source for the full -- but brief -- interview.
We're liveblogging Nintendo's E3 2012 keynote at 12PM ET!
This is it, the last of the big three -- and, quite arguably, the most eagerly anticipated. After all, while Microsoft and Sony had next to nothing to show us in the way of hardware, Nintendo is slated to go into depth about its forthcoming Wii U console. And while the sentiment that this event is a total make or break for the company is couched in a bit of hyperbole, Nintendo's certainly got a lot to lose coming off of a fairly rough year. This party gets started at noon ET, and you can follow along right here. June 5, 2012 12:00 PM EDT
Nyko's Power Grip Pro gets cozy with the Nintendo 3DS, comfortably extends mobile gaming sessions
Looking to get a bit more longevity out of your 3DS gaming sessions before needing to recharge? If so, Nyko is looking to oblige with its Power Grip Pro case for the aforementioned Nintendo handheld. The outfit boasts that the peripheral will triple your battery life alongside the added functionality of an analog slider control. As you might expect, the unit sports a comfy ergonomic design that should keep you and your device quite cozy. Of course, we'll be the judge of that ourselves when we give the Power Grip Pro the hands-on treatment later this week. No word on pricing yet, but the accessory is slated hit shelves this October -- in plenty of time to snag one for the holiday season. For a look at the kit when from another angle (closed for transport), head on past the break.
Astro Gaming's A50 wireless headset: the A40 and Mixamp 5.8 become one for $300
Turtle Beach may have acquired the MLG-endorsement crown that Astro Gaming used to solely hold for its headsets, but it's no matter as Astro has something else up its sleeve: the A50 wireless headset. Announced here at E3, the A50 is essentially the result of embedding the Mixamp 5.8's wireless chops into its flagship A40, finally sparing users of any pesky wiring and external beltpacks. Naturally, the stereo headset is compatible with Xbox 360, PS3 and computers, and it features Dolby virtual 7.1 surround sound -- not to mention Astro's signature game and voice chat mixing control (built into the earcup) so you can dial your game audio in the way you want. The A50 sports an internal battery that recharges over USB and a stand is included for storage that also houses its Mixamp 5.8 TX-esque wireless transmitter. That transmitter can also send sound to multiple A50s, although there is currently no word on exactly how many. Notably, the headset uses KleerNet lossless audio technology (a newer version of what's in 50 Cent's cans) and you'll have a choice between three EQ presets to shape overall voicing of the sound -- both firsts for Astro. The A50 is slated to hit shelves soon priced at $300, and we'll be sure to bring you our impressions as once we check it out here on the show floor. For now, you'll find a closeup of the headset itself after the break. Update: Per some confusion in the comments, those with Xbox 360s will need to connect a cable from the headset to a controller for chat functionality on the console.
Microsoft SmartGlass hands-on
Sure today's Microsoft E3 keynote was jam-packed full of high octane explosions, but the biggest excitement from the hardware-free event was arguably SmartGlass, a new technology from Redmond that promises to help to bring together users' diverse array of screens. When it was initially leaked ahead of the event, SmartGlass looked to largely be a somewhat straightforward AirPlay competitor. Judging by Microsoft's flashy demo video, however, the company is clearly looking to build it into its own beast all together. Thankfully, we got to play with it a bit -- albeit for a very short amount of time, given the fairly early state of the technology. Let's start thing off by clarifying a big question surrounding the somewhat enigmatic demo that we saw at today's event: yes, SmartGlass gives developers the potential to turn smartphones and tablets into a controller for the Xbox 360. As suspected, it will likely be integrated into more casual games -- after all, we shudder at the thought of controlling, say, Halo 4 using just a touchscreen. As is the nature of the product, the company isn't letting the details flow too freely here, but in a demo we saw of the technology tonight, a Microsoft rep name-dropped a title called Home Run Stars -- a baseball game, as you've likely already gathered from the fairly straightforward name. We didn't get to see the game in action, but the rep mentioned a gameplay scenario in which one player uses the Kinect to bat and the other pitches with the touchscreen -- again, not too dissimilar from the kind of dual-screen gaming we've seen with the Wii U thus far. And you can also invert that game play, if you so choose, pitching on the Kinect and batting with a tablet or smartphone. Thing is, Microsoft is looking to make this whole process open for developers. As the rep put it, "what we've done is create a platform." In other words, Redmond is putting forward the tools here and letting the content developers play around, to come up with their own functionality based on SmartGlass.%Gallery-156997%
Sony reveals $40 PlayStation Move Racing Wheel for LittleBigPlanet Karting and more
We didn't spot it on stage during the pre-E3 2012 press conference, but Sony's PlayStation Blog is showing off a new PS Move Racing Wheel on the way. This framework apparently fits around the Move, featuring different grip styles with twist throttles and paddle shifters depending on what kind of racing you'd like to do. The "precise motion tracking" afforded by the Move appears to be targeted at titles like the upcoming LittleBigPlanet Karting, but it's hard to see how this will be real wheel, or even controller, alternative for serious gamers. It certainly seems to be fair competition for Microsoft's Wireless Speed Wheel that was introduced last year or the Nintendo Wii Wheel, but frankly we're surprised that's a battle anyone else wanted to be in. Either way, we expect to get our hands on it this week before it hits stores this fall for $39.99. %Gallery-156981%
Sony's Wonderbook is PS Move-augmented reading, launches with J.K. Rowling's 'Book of Spells'
If you were wondering what Sony planned next for the PS Move, the answer is apparently... books. Just displayed at its pre-E3 press conference, Wonderbooks will let users turn physical books into the best pop-up adventure of all time. As seen in the presentation, it could project images onto the book, letting users peer own dark tunnels, cast spells or even dodge a flying dragon that escaped from the pages. On the downside, the task looked a bit complicated for the target audience, requiring them to manipulate the book, look at their TV to see the effects and wave a wand with their other hand. There was a bit of a demo fail during the presentation, we'll see if things work more smoothly when we get some hands-on time tomorrow. The first PlayStation 3 Wonderbook title available is by none other than Harry Potter writer JK Rowling, who brings the Book of Spells for muggles to try their hands at Hogwart's best-known incantations. One other book was also mentioned, Diggs Nightcrawler. Check out our liveblog for all of the details. Update: Check after the break for two new trailers from the PlayStation.Blog, one for Wonderbook in general and another specifically for Book of Spells.
HTC officially a maker of PlayStation certified handsets, PlayStation Suite is now PlayStation Mobile
Thought Sony's E3 2012 presser would be about a next-gen console? Well, sorry to disappoint you, but that doesn't mean there's no news on the PlayStation front, as Sony's just informed the world that the PlayStation Suite has been renamed PlayStation Mobile. Not only that, but it's opening PS Mobile to third-party Android manufacturers, and as was rumored, HTC is the first handset maker not named Sony to get certified -- meaning that you'll soon be able to get your PlayStation on using the Taiwanese outfit's hardware. Unfortunately, we don't know when HTC will debut its first such handset, nor when other Android makers will get in on the action, but it's nice to see Sony finally start to share the gaming love.%Gallery-156968%
Sony announces white PS Vita bundle with Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
Still not sold on the PlayStation Vita? Then Sony's hoping that it's latest bundle will be more to your liking. In addition to the just-announced Assassin's Creed III: Liberation game, it packs a limited edition "crystal white" PS Vita (WiFi only), along with a 4GB memory card. Unfortunately, you'll still have a bit of a wait before you can get your hands on it, with the bundle only set to hit stores on October 30th (coinciding with the game's release). No word on a price for it just yet, nor is there any word on the white PS Vita being sold separately. Not to be left out, the PlayStation 3 is also getting an Assassin's Creed III bundle of its own, which includes the game and some exclusive DLC -- no price for it either, though.
Sony is bringing Hulu Plus, Crackle to PlayStation Vita
Sony's pre-E3 press conference is underway and the company just announced the PS Vita would get a couple of new video apps soon in Hulu Plus and Crackle. The Vita YouTube app was announced previously, but it looks like this is just the start of Sony expanding its Entertainment Network from the PS3 to the handheld. There's no word yet on exactly when they will arrive, but keep an eye on our liveblog for all the details as they're revealed.
Engadget and Joystiq's pre-event broadcast from E3 - Sony
There's plenty of anticipation for Sony's pre-show event at E3, which is just about to get underway. If you happened to miss our live broadcast of keynote predictions, just hop the break where you'll find a bit of insight from our very own Tim Stevens and Ludwig Kietzmann of Joystiq.
Live from Sony's E3 2012 keynote!
The Playstation 3 is getting a little long in the tooth and the Vita isn't exactly breaking sales records. Could E3 2012 be the show where the former gets a successor and the latter a price cut? The answers are, in-order: probably not and possibly so. Care to find out? Join us at the time below when Sony will reveal all. June 4, 2012 9:00 PM EDT
Xbox SmartGlass: did Microsoft just render the Wii U controller obsolete?
One surefire way to make sure your company gets out in front of the E3 buzz? Launch a pre-pre-E3 press conference, of course. Nintendo was already set up to kick off the show on Tuesday, getting the party started according to tradition with an early morning press conference ahead of show floor opening. As it has in the past, the gaming giant was scheduled to be the third of the big three, unveiling its wares a day after Sony and Microsoft had their moments to shine. For 2012, the company made an unorthodox play, opting for a small broadcast event the Sunday afternoon ahead of the show, with Nintendo president Satoru Iwata standing alone in an unassuming wood-paneled room, giving yet another sneak peak into the world of the Wii U. Popular opinion has positioned E3 2012 as a make-or-break proposition for the company. Nintendo's had an unprecedentedly rough year, with a continually eroding sense of excitement around its aging Wii console and a lukewarm reception greeting the 3DS. And with mobile competition nabbing pretty sizable chunks from the company's casual offerings, Nintendo needs to remind people what the console can bring that handsets can't. In earnest, Iwata offered up a smattering of additional details on the Wii U, with a finalized layout for the system's tablet-esque controller, the introduction of Miiverse social functionality and the promise of a bit of mobile device compatibility.
Nikkei: Nintendo Wii U to sell for around 30,000 yen, or just under $400
We'll still have to wait a bit longer for some official word from Nintendo, but Japan's Nikkei news agency is reporting today that Nintendo's Wii U console is expected to sell for "around" 30,000 yen when it makes its debut later this year. That translates to roughly $380 US dollars, although chances are the official US price will be something other than a direct yen-to-dollar conversion. What's more, Nikkei is also reporting that Nintendo will show off a number of new non-gaming features for the console at E3 this week, including e-books and karaoke (complete with a 10,000 song library), and even the ability to use the Wii U as a car navigation device (just the controller, presumably). Needless to say, we'll be covering tomorrow's keynote live to bring you any of those details as they're announced.
Nintendo may have supersized 3DS with 4.3-inch screen in store for E3, Mario never looked bigger (update: Nintendo response)
Nintendo might have more up its E3 sleeve than just final Wii U hardware and a boatload of franchise games. According to Nikkei, the Japanese console legend is readying a version of the 3DS with a big 4.3-inch main display. That's smaller than on some smartphones we've seen, but a more than substantial jump from the 3.5-inch original. We might not even have long to wait: the trade paper claims that this biggest of all Nintendo handhelds could be ready as soon as the summer, just in time to squeak in some vacation playtime (and prepare us for Luigi's Mansion 2). As always, rumors such as these aren't guaranteed roadmaps; don't be surprised if we just see a regular-sized 3DS in plaid instead. If the plans are real, however, expect the DSi XL to develop feelings of inadequacy. Update: Nintendo has been irked enough by the claims to issue a response, although it's non-committal in what it's denying: it says there's a "number of mistakes" in an article that's "entirely speculation," but it won't say what's wrong and is careful to stress that it hasn't unveiled anything yet. We'll add an extra grain of salt to the rumor, but we won't completely rule it out.
Engadget and Joystiq broadcasting live at E3 - Microsoft
Sure, there's the liveblog of Microsoft's pre-show event, but we want to give you more, more, more. How do you like it? Tune in to find out. We'll be broadcasting live from outside Microsoft's pre-E3 Media Event with special guests from Joystiq, giving you in-depth discussions of what to expect and what it means. This is the place to catch it. So, click on through and tune in!
