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Ubisoft and Sony Pictures team up to produce Watch Dogs movie
Gran Turismo's not the only game venturing into Hollywood, folks. Today at its Gamescom 2013 presser, Sony announced that it's teaming up with Ubisoft to produce a movie based upon the forthcoming next-gen game Watch Dogs. Sony Pictures will be collaborating with the publisher to make it happen, but unfortunately, other details about the movie are scarce, but we're sure the when, where, who and how will be revealed eventually. Stay tuned.
Sony Music Unlimited gets quick controls and in-game playback on PS4
We knew that Sony's Music Unlimited would be available on the PlayStation 4 on day one. What we didn't know, was that the company would be bringing a number of much-requested features to the streaming music app on its next-gen console. For one, you'll finally be able to listen to music while you play games -- a feature that was not only much-requested, but its absence was something of a head-scratcher. There are also new quick controls, which you can bring up by hitting the PS Home button, no matter where you are in the UI. So, even if you're not actually in the Music Unlimited app, you'll still be able to skip and pause tracks with just a couple of quick button presses.
Sony strikes broadband deals for PS4: Orange, T-Mobile, Virgin Media and more (updated)
Sony knows that high-speed internet access is vital to the PS4's success, but that level of service isn't always guaranteed in Europe. To solve this problem, the company is striking deals for PS4-friendly internet access with a slew of European providers. Ono, Orange, T-Mobile and Virgin Media are some of the first confirmed partners. Details of the partnerships are scarce at present, although the companies involved suggest that Sony's ISP agreements will at least cover bigger European countries like France, Germany, Spain and the UK. Update: Virgin Media adds that it's the only UK partner.
The Playroom to be pre-installed on every PS4 at launch
We just got word that Sony's tech demo, The Playroom, will be pre-installed on every PS4 at launch. It's essentially a bundle of demonstrations designed to show off the DualShock 4, the PS4 Eye and of course the console itself. For example, there's an air hockey game that gives you a feel of the controls, an interactive AR Bots demo that lets you play with tiny little robots using the DualShock's touchpad and accelerometer, plus a scenario where you can flick away those same bots using your hands in front of the Eye. If you have a Sony Xperia device lying around, you can also use the demo to see how it'll work with the next-gen console. For a more thorough walkthrough on The Playroom, have a peek at our hands-on of the PS4 controller and camera right here.
PlayStation 4 adds Twitch as livestreaming partner, service 'likely' available at launch
I share, you share, we all share video game video -- or, at least, that's the promise of the rapidly encroaching next generation of consoles. With Twitch now officially joining Sony's PS4 as an additional livestreaming partner, gamers will have one more option (the other being Ustream) to broadcast gameplay when they press that Share button. The announcement, made at this year's Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, positions Twitch advantageously on both Sony and Microsoft's warring black boxes as an inbuilt app, although the similarities may end there. As Matthew DiPietro, Twitch's VP of Marketing, explained to us, "The product itself and the feature set that will actually be available on both of the consoles is still a little bit up in the air because they're actively being produced right now... but the key sort of feature set is clear." So crucial elements like video broadcast and viewing, picture-in-picture and audio capture -- all basic functions currently enjoyed by the service's 600,000-strong user base -- will be de facto at launch. But does that mean Day One or when the app launches? "Most likely for PS4 that's Day One and we're working on that for Xbox One," DiPietro said, so there's no guarantee. But he was able to elaborate a little more on how search will work when the service goes live, adding that "[Discovery] will be a very similar experience to the Twitch website and Twitch mobile applications. You can browse by game, by channel [and] we're exploring ways to explore by genre." You'd think, then, that the ability to filter video via your friends list would also make the cut, but that sorting feature's not something users can expect initially. Rather, it's something DiPietro said could come at a later date. It's clear that Twitch's UI across both PS4 and Xbox One is still a work in progress, or "squishy" as DiPietro obliquely put it. But what's not clear is how users will select and launch the app, or if they'll even be able to set Twitch sharing as default -- he couldn't say more. And while Twitch is essentially free to use, it remains to be seen whether or not console access to its video sharing service will be put behind a pay wall à la PS Plus or Xbox Gold. "That's entirely up to Sony," he said, and by Sony's own very public E3 promise, a remote possibility. Although, as Microsoft's recently proven again and again, you can never say never.
Sony lands key deals for PS4 and PS Vita indie games: Rogue Legacy, Hotline Miami 2 and more
Sony has long argued that the PS4 and PS Vita are indie-friendly consoles, and it's backing up words with deeds at Gamescom. The company has landed a PS4 exclusive for the console version of Rogue Legacy. Both the PS4 and Vita are also getting a new version of The Binding of Isaac (called Rebirth), while a new N+ (N++) game is coming to PlayStation hardware. In a few cases, Sony will get first crack at some anticipated games -- a Hotline Miami sequel and Guns of Icarus Online will make their console debuts on the PS4 and PS Vita. If your tastes in games venture beyond the mainstream, Sony may have you covered for the foreseeable future.
Sony drops PlayStation Vita price to $199, confirms Fez and other indie games are on the way
It's not just PS4 news from Sony at its Gamescom keynote today, the company has also just confirmed a big bit of PlayStation Vita news: it's dropping the MSRP to $199. That price goes into effect tomorrow. Sony also says that it's dropping the cost of the memory cards for the device, although it's not offering specific prices for those just yet. What's more, the company has also confirmed that a slate of indie games are heading to the handheld console this year, including Fez, which will also be making its way to the PlayStation 4 -- again, further specifics will have to wait, but we'll bring you those as soon as we know them. Update: We've just received specifics about those memory card price drops. The 4GB unit is falling from $19.99 to $14.99; the 8GB from $29.99 to $19.99; the 16GB from $59.99 to $39.99; and the 32GB from $99.99 to $79.99.
Sony makes Gran Turismo movie official, GT 6 game to land on December 6
Remember those rumors about Sony making a movie based upon the famed Gran Turismo racing games? Well, today at Gamescom 2013, Sony has officially announced that said film project is in the works. Unfortunately, Sony's not telling us anything about the story itself (other than fast cars being featured), but we do know it'll be a "full length feature film." Kazunori Yamauchi, Polyphony Digital head is helping make it along with filmmakers Mike de Luca and Dana Brunetti. When will their masterpiece be ready for theaters? We don't know. What we do know, however, is that the latest iteration of the Gran Turismo gaming series, GT 6 will be making its debut on December 6th of this year.
Sony PlayStation Gamescom 2013 liveblog!
While Microsoft continues to trip over itself in the lead up to Xbox One, Sony's PlayStation 4 message is staying on target and sailing straight into gamers' good graces. And, after an undisputed win at E3 this year, there's little doubt Gamescom 2013 will slow Sony's roll, instead giving the company yet another opportunity to increase its already positive mindshare and deliver on next-gen promises (PS Vita Remote Play, anyone?). So, what can we expect from Sony's center stage spectacle today? The company will probably dive a bit deeper into the particulars of its indie strategy and, hopefully, announce a hard date on that PS4 holiday release -- which is what most of us care about, anyway. Beyond that, it's anyone's guess. So, hang tight, we'll be back with the blow-by-blow (and every gloriously awkward corporate potshot) right here at 9AM PST / 12PM EST.
Watch Sony's Gamescom 2013 press conference right here at 1PM ET
Don't worry if you couldn't justify a flight to Cologne for Sony's Gamescom 2013 press conference -- the company is streaming its European media event for everyone. Will Sony provide final PlayStation 4 launch details? Will there be new games and services? Come back at 1PM ET and you can find out through the live feed embedded below.
Overheard@Gamescom: 'It's best to do it naked'
Broken Rules founders Martin Pichlmair and Felix Bohatsch broke a Wii U dev kit while developing their console launch title, Chasing Aurora. They didn't mean to break it, and to help other indies avoid the same hardware hazard, they had advice for the audience at GDC Europe's Indie Summit: Develop naked. "Don't wear big, baggy pants while working with a dev kit," Pichlmair said. "There are wires everywhere in dev kits. Actually, it's best to do it naked." Broken Rules' next game, Secrets of Rætikon, is due out after September this year for PC, Mac and Linux – no dev kits involved.
Battlefield 4 beta launching in early October
Battlefield 4 has already gotten a bit of love at this year's Gamescom, being named as one of 23 Xbox One launch titles, but the shooter had even more time to shine as one of the titles that took center stage at EA's press event. At the top of the list of announcements for the FPS was a bit more specificity around when we're actually going to see the beta. The fall date that we got back in March has been narrowed down to early October, which should give you just about enough time to perfect your aim.
Start a FIFA 14 season on current-gen consoles and continue it easily on next-gen systems
During EA's press event at Gamescom 2013 in Cologne, the outfit revealed that FIFA 14 seasons that start on current-gen systems will easily be transported over to next-gen consoles when they arrive this fall. Saved seasons, FIFA Ultimate Teams, Virtual Pro and EA Sports Football Club info can all be carried to the shiny new Xbox One and PS4 as soon as that pre-order arrives or you'll able to nab one off the shelves. You'll be able to step foot on the pitch soon as the title launches around the globe next month.
EA launches Boss Mode for 'Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare' on Xbox One (video)
On top of showing off the new graphics for the upcoming Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare blockbuster, EA has announced a Boss Mode at its Gamescon 2013 liveblog, exclusively for the Xbox One. A trailer for the new feature showed a Svengali-like being controlling his zombie hordes while discussing plans for world domination, all with stunning in-engine graphics (see the video after the break). EA said you'll be able be able to use Boss Mode with SmartGlass and Kinect for the Xbox One when it arrives, mirroring an earlier Fighter Within announcement. Meanwhile, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare will debut on the Xbox One and Xbox 360 first, and pre-orders are now live for $30 on Origin, at the source.
EA Gamescom 2013 liveblog!
As one of the big three third-party publishers working on next-gen games, Electronic Arts is understandably making a big push at its annual Gamescom press event. Per usual, we'll be on the ground bringing you an enthralling liveblog straight from Cologne, Germany. Keep your eyes locked to this post and your browser refreshing feverishly, as the goings get going at 10AM EST.
Get your Electronic Arts and Sony PlayStation liveblogs here today, live from Germany
Haven't got your fill of all things next generation? Well, stay tuned because Gamescom 2013 promises to shed a little more light on the coming console war and we're bringing the news to you live. While Microsoft's shied away from throwing a full blown presser here in Cologne, Germany, rival Sony's still got some PlayStation 4 (and Vita) secrets to share with the world at 10AM PST / 1PM EST today. But let's not get ahead of ourselves: Electronic Arts is also doing it up properly for this Euro-centric industry tradeshow, hosting its own live event at 7AM PST / 10AM EST. You can catch all the news as it happens at the times below. 1PM EST to 2PM EST: Sony press briefing liveblog 10AM EST to 11AM EST: EA press briefing liveblog
Let's take a deeper look at Xbox One's next-gen Kinect (video)
While Gamescom hasn't technically started yet, Microsoft's troops have already arrived in Cologne. In fact, we've already been gifted some details about new titles, but we also managed to get a little more intimate with the new Kinect. You know, the one there's been all that fuss about. But if you do plan on using it, skidaddle past the break to see more about how it works.
Microsoft shows off next-gen Kinect motion and voice capture in Xbox One's Project Spark
Microsoft just flaunted some of Project Spark's gaming powers at Gamescom 2013 in Cologne: motion and voice capture. If you'll recall, the platform enables gamers to create their own digital spaces for games using the Xbox One's integrated Kinect sensor and the upcoming SmartGlass. Microsoft's Team Dakota group showed how to use facial capture, body motion capture and voice and sound to create animations, dialogue, cut scenes and more. You'll be able to try it yourself on Windows 8 at the end of October 2013, or by January 2014 for the Xbox One. Check the video after the jump to see the fruits of their labor, but maybe turn the volume down a hair. Just sayin'.
Microsoft announces 50-game Xbox One lineup, with more titles to come
Microsoft listed off a list of titles coming to Xbox One back at E3, but it's Gamescom time, folks, and that means we get to find out about quite a few more games coming to the console. As of August 19th, the number of Xbox One games has grown to 50, with titles that should appeal to almost any kind of gamer. Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, and FIFA 14 will be coming with exclusive Xbox content, joined by 19 other titles that are exclusive to Xbox or will be arriving first exclusively to Microsoft's console. Joining exclusives we already knew about like Killer Instinct and Forza Motorsport 5, are Powerstar Golf, Sunset Overdrive and D4, among others. Naturally, there's a whole host of other games coming to the One as well, but we'll let you peruse the full list over at the source link, so head on down to see what gaming goodness awaits in your next-gen future.
Oculus Rift's John Carmack working on mobile SDK support first, coming soon
Ever since Oculus Rift hired Doom co-creator and legendary game designer John Carmack as Chief Technology Officer a few weeks back, he's been hard at work on the Rift's SDK. "John likes to do what he likes to do," VP of product Nate Michell told attendees of an Oculus panel at GDC Europe this evening. "He's got a ridiculous amount of good ideas that he's working into the SDK. Especially around mobile, frankly," he added, coyly teasing an update to the Oculus SDK that's apparently coming sooner than later. Mitchell's speaking to the SDK's promised Android support, which company CEO Brendan Iribe revealed as a forthcoming goal in an interview earlier this year. When asked by a panel attendee when iOS support is coming, headset creator Palmer Luckey smilingly admitted, "It's Apple's fault!" Mitchell quickly jumped in, explaining that the Android platform is simply more open to peripherals like the Rift. We'll have more from Oculus as the week goes on, so keep an eye out for even more.
