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Here's a closer look at the white PS4
It's like the other one, but white. The controller is also white.
Everything Nintendo did (and didn't) announce at its digital E3 event
Nintendo once told us that if it didn't change, it "might die," but we never expected the company to turn into a puppet show. It happened anyway: Nintendo's digital E3 event was hosted by Robot Chicken-sourced figures, complete with a demanding audience of stop-motion fans. We've got to give Nintendo credit -- this is certainly a new approach to handling E3. What did the company actually announce, though? Lots of things: including a new, open-world Zelda game, a little bit of NFC wizardry and even a game starring Toad. After the event closed, Nintendo dropped a few more announcements from a "Nintendo Minute" event on the E3 show floor. Miss the show? You can rewatch it in its entirety here, or simply read on for Engadget's full run-down.
Xbox at E3 2014: an interview with the head of Xbox, Phil Spencer
Yesterday wasn't the first time Phil Spencer took an E3 stage for Microsoft to talk Xbox, but it was his first time as the head of Microsoft's Xbox division. After taking over for Marc Whitten back in March, Spencer's been on a charm offensive. His focus was clear at yesterday's show: games, all games. Forget about last year's coming out for Xbox One as an "entertainment" platform -- yesterday's focus was all games, all the time. The 90-minute show was divided cleanly in half between games coming this year and games arriving in 2015 and beyond. It was, in short, an impressive display of the Xbox One's gaming prowess over anything else. "I want the content to be the star," Spencer told us. So, that aside, we wanted him to give us more on the other stuff that the Xbox One does: media streaming, voice control, Windows 8 and television. And hey, what's Microsoft doing to compete with Sony's Project Morpheus VR headset, not to mention the Oculus Rift?
All the games from Sony's PlayStation event at E3 2014
Sony's E3 event didn't end until 11PM ET last night. So, just as we did with the Xbox titles revealed at E3, we're going to round up all the future games heading to Sony's various consoles. It'll basically be a condensed version of our Sony liveblog, with an extra helping of trailers and without the excitable prose of Ben Gilbert, who was up way past his bedtime.
There's a new 'Doom' coming and you can see it right here
You like fighting crazy demon-robot hybrids, right? Boy do we have some news for you: video of the new Doom surfaced today. There isn't much to see at the moment aside from some smoke and grisly Hell-flesh, but there should be more details at id's Quakecon show in Texas this year. If you can't make it to The Lone Star state, though, we've embedded a teaser trailer for the game just after the jump.
Nintendo teases 'Mario Maker' for creating custom Mario levels on Wii U
We had a feeling Nintendo was going to announce something called "Mario Maker," a game that allows you to create your own levels in Super Mario Brothers -- after all, Nintendo Enthusiast found a poster for the damn thing in the company's E3 booth. Indeed, Nintendo just teased it in a press event, though it only provided a scant few details. In a series of screenshots, we saw someone creating custom levels, with the help of the Wii U's included stylus. Though you can design the level using old-school 8-bit graphics, as in the screenshot above, you can also go with the sort of modern look found in Mario's newer titles. No word on exact release date, except that it will hit North America and Europe sometime in 2015.
'Super Smash Bros.' for Wii U lets you bring toys (and yourself) into the game
Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U isn't just leaning on your nostalgia to clinch a sale; it also has a few technological tricks up its sleeve. Nintendo's latest brawler will let you bring the characters from its NFC-based toys (now known as Amiibo) into the game by tapping them on the Wii U's gamepad. They can fight alongside you or in your place, and they'll gain abilities as they level up. Other titles (including Mario Kart 8, Mario Party 10 and Yoshi's Woolly World) should support Amiibo in the future, as well. If you'd rather introduce your own persona, though, you can. Super Smash Bros. has an option to add your Mii, giving it both a character class as well as a handful of special moves.
Open-world 'Zelda' game heading to Wii U in 2015
Last year, Zelda tastemaker Eiji Aonuma told us that he wanted to give players more freedom. "I want them to be able to explore more." Back then, he was talking about A Link Between Worlds; today Nintendo is talking about the franchise's first game designed natively for the Wii U. Taking the screen during Nintendo's Digital Event at E3, Aonuma showed a deep, lush landscape and pointed to the horizon. "You can even reach those mountains in the distance if you walk far enough." It's the first truly open-world Zelda game.
'Star Fox' sets course for Wii U along with smaller projects from Miyamoto
Sure, Star Fox hasn't seen a home console game of his own since the GameCube, but Nintendo has different plans for the Wii U. Time's let word slip that the Big N is releasing a game starring the anthropomorphic space canine. While there aren't many details just yet, players will use the GamePad's motion controls to aim and fire, while controlling their ship Arwing with thumbsticks. And yes, it'll still be able to transform into the land tank. In addition to the tried-and-true roving fortress, Nintendo's baked in a new helicopter-like craft. The aircraft's movements can be controlled by one player, while another takes control of shooting enemies or directing a small robot that drops down and blasts things independently.
Watch Nintendo's E3 'Digital Event' right here!
Hey! Nintendo's annual not quite E3 event is kicking off at 9 AM PT (12 PM ET). As usual the company isn't holding an in-the-flesh press event. So, why don't you follow along with us and watch a stream of the company's big gaming announcements (we'll be watching right along with you). Mario Kart already out of the way, maybe we'll get word on some of our other favorite Nintendo franchises. (Zelda or Donkey Kong, anybody?) Only one way to find out. Click on through past the break to watch a Twitch stream of the "Digital Event" or just check back with us throughout the day as we bring you all the latest E3 news.
'Uncharted 4: A Thief's End' coming to PlayStation 4 in 2015
You knew a new Uncharted was coming to the PlayStation 4 -- it was inevitable, really. And tonight at E3, Sony just capped off its E3 press event with a teaser trailer of Naughty Dog's next title in the franchise: Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. We didn't get much beyond a short scene of the series' hero Nathan Drake waking up bruised and walking through a jungle, but judging by the game's title, this could also be the last we ever see of Drake. Take note, the snippet of footage Sony showed was apparently captured directly from the PS4, so prepare for some absolutely gorgeous visuals. Expect to see the next-gen title arrive sometime in 2015.
'Grand Theft Auto V' is coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC
If you've long suspected that Grand Theft Auto V would reach next-gen consoles and the PC, you were on the mark -- Sony and Rockstar have confirmed that the open-world crime saga is coming to the PlayStation 4, PC and Xbox One this fall. Moreover, any progress you've made in Grand Theft Auto Online on the PS3 or Xbox 360 carries over to its next-gen equivalents. How nice is that? In a blog post, Rockstar says the upgraded versions will have "across-the-board graphical and technical improvements to deliver a stunning new level of detail. Increased draw distances, finer texture details, denser traffic, and enhanced resolutions." That's not all though, since the gameplay will have all the new features added since the originals released, and extra tweaks to things like weather, damage, wildlife and more. Check out a brief clip of the new version after the break (look at all that traffic!).
Sony's new PlayStation Network TV show 'Powers' hits in December, free on PS Plus
We'd heard that Sony signed up Brian Michael Bendis' comic series Powers for an original TV show, and tonight it confirmed that at its E3 2014 event. With Bendis on stage, we saw some concept art and found out from Andrew House that the series will arrive in December on the PlayStation Network. If you're not already familiar, it's based on a detective investigating cases that involve individuals with superhuman abilities. Everyone in the US can watch the first ep for free on their PlayStation devices, while PS Plus subscribers can watch the entire series at no extra charge. Check out the unveil and concept art in the video embedded after the break.
Vita TV becomes PlayStation TV in the US, Europe and Canada for $99 this fall
The Vita TV is coming to America! It's just going to get a bit of an identity change first. Now the micro-console will be called PlayStation TV for North American and European audiences. The good news is that it will only be $99, while still giving you access to the library of PS Now games and the ability to remotely access titles on your local network. As we learned in our review, it's not a perfect device, but it's clear that Sony is investing in the platform... so there could be some significant improvements on the horizon. You'll be able to pick up the newly christened PlayStation TV this fall either as a standalone unit, or as part of a bundle with a DualShock 3 controller, 8GB memory card, an HDMI cable and a voucher for Lego: The Movie Videogame. Though, honestly, we assume if you're in the market for this streaming-only console, you have most of those things already.
Sony's PlayStation Now beta opens to all PS4 owners on July 31st
While its E3 presser has mostly been about specific games like Little Big Planet 3 and Destiny, Sony has just given us a bit of good news about its game streaming service, PlayStation Now. Starting July 31st, all gamers in the US and Canada (excluding Hawaii and Alaska) will be able to join a full public beta of PS Now, assuming they have a PS4. PlayStation 3, Vita and "select" Sony TV owners (meaning you need the right TV model and a DualShock 3 controller to pair with it) will also be getting beta access shortly thereafter. Update: Sony has pushed out a press release with pricing information for some of the service's games. There will be over 100 titles available, all for rent at prices between $2.99 and $19.99 available for varying periods of time. Subscription-style access is still off in the future, as is a "pilot service" for compatible Bravia TVs, or access in Asia and Europe.
Sony's next update for Playroom will bring custom AR broadcast sets
Sony's odd augmented reality demo/broadcasting tool, Playroom, is getting some new features. At its E3 2014 event, Sony announced the PlayStation app would be updated with custom broadcast sets, just in time for the addition of YouTube. That could help your trip to broadcast stardom, unless you choose to take a slightly less savory approach to content, which helped get the app banned from Twitch. Update: For a better look at what's in store, check out the trailer for "Set Maker" embedded after the break.
YouTube headed to PlayStation 4 'later this year,' adds one-click sharing
Sony Computer Entertainment's new head, Shawn Layden, confirmed that YouTube is on its way to the PlayStation 4 this fall. Layden tossed out a few stats about the PS4's social reach with gamers, citing the over 95 percent of PSN-connected consoles and heavy use of the DualShock 4's Share button -- it's been pressed over 220 million times. To enhance the ease with which gamers can share via social, the dedicated YouTube app will allow for easy video uploads with a click of the Share button. If you prefer to watch, then that's alright too, since the app will be just like the one launched on PS3 that lets you easily browse videos and channels. Layden also followed up on last year's promise that PS4 gamers would be able to join a friend's broadcast session, saying that interactive ability will be added to PS4 soon.
The adventure game classic 'Grim Fandango' is coming to PS4 and PS Vita
Just because LucasArts as an active game studio is no more doesn't mean that some of its original franchises are going the way of the dodo -- far from it. Double Fine's Tim Schafer has revealed at Sony's E3 event that the classic 1998 adventure game Grim Fandango will be re-released on the PlayStation 4 and PS Vita. Details of the remake aren't available just yet, but it's safe to presume that some visual upgrades are coming to Manny's journey through the Mexican Land of the Dead. Update: Double Fine has confirmed via Twitter that the remake is also coming to PC, Mac and Linux platforms.
PS4 owners will be able to play 'FarCry 4' with friends who don't own the game
Looking forward to playing FarCry 4 with your friends? Sony says if you buy it for the PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 3, you'll only need one copy between you. Taking the stage at the company's E3 2014 PlayStation event, Sony VP of developer relations Adam Boyes explained that folks playing the game on PSN would be able to invite their friends to play with them even if they don't own the game. How is this possible? Boyes didn't say, exactly, but it sounds like an ideal use case for PlayStation Now -- Sony's Gaikai-sourced cloud-streaming service. Sony doesn't say how many of your friends you can share this gratis multiplayer experience with, but as a Sony-exclusive feature, it's a pretty killer draw for folks on the fence about what platform to buy for.
Sony announces 'LittleBigPlanet 3' with loads of new characters and abilities
You know you want it. We don't even have to ask, and Sony is delivering! LittleBigPlanet 3 is coming. The most immediately notable change is the slew of new characters, like the quadrupedal Oddsock and the flying Swoop. Flying is an obvious new trick, but there's also the ability to wall jump and a larger character that can shove obstacles out of the way and generally hurl his girth around the level. The idea is that multiple characters can cooperate to extend the world of LittleBigPlanet in interesting ways. And don't worry, if you and your friends have invested countless hours crafting levels for the first two titles, they'll actually be playable in the newest installment -- complete with automatically upscaled graphics! There are also all sorts of great new mechanics and beautiful new graphics to enjoy. Though, you'll have to be patient, LittleBigPlanet 3 won't hit the PlayStation 4 until the holiday season.
