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Sony's 1TB PS4 priced at £350 in the UK
Sony will soon launch its 1TB PS4 in Europe and now, we've got a price-tag for the UK: £349.99. That's the same price as Microsoft's 1TB Xbox One, which should make an interesting head-to-head this autumn. To sweeten the deal, Sony will be bundling its PlayStation TV microconsole with the new, larger capacity PS4 for a limited time, meaning you can easily stream your games to another room. It's unclear, however, if this "Ultimate Player" will also include the revisions made to the 500GB PS4 in Japan. An internal redesign made that console 10 lighter and 8 percent more power efficient, which I'm sure PlayStation fans in Europe would appreciate too. Regardless, this is a hefty storage upgrade that should give you space for those free PS Plus games every month.
Sony drops PlayStation TV price to £45 in the UK
Sony's PlayStation 4 is selling incredibly well, but an early price drop suggests its smaller cousin isn't doing so hot in the UK. The PlayStation TV has always been a peculiar proposition, offering an easy way to play some, but not all PlayStation Vita, PSP and classic PSone games. Arguably its best feature is Remote Play, but £84.99 is a tough sell if you just want to stream PS4 games around the house. The mini-console has been available in the UK for a little over three months, but already Sony is dropping the price to £44.99.
Google I/O wrapup: Razer microconsole, Android TV
Google's I/O 2014 conference unveiled plenty of goodies for tech-heads and gadget lovers, including a few nuggets for all of the video game enthusiasts out there. Engadget helps us break it down:
Amazon Fire TV games include Minecraft, Asphalt 8, Sev Zero [Update: It's 'not a game console']
Amazon announced a slate of games for its Android-powered Amazon Fire TV content streaming device, revealing that Fire TV-specific versions of Mojang's Minecraft: Pocket Edition, Gameloft's Asphalt 8, and Telltale Games' The Walking Dead are due to launch for the platform shortly after its release. The company notes that gaming will serve as a "bonus" feature supplementing Fire TV's video and music streaming capabilities. Amazon additionally revealed Sev Zero, an internally developed, Fire TV-exclusive tower defense game that allows multiple players to join in using connected tablet devices. The company revealed that it has more than a dozen games in development at its newly formed Amazon Game Studios division, following up on its purchase of Killer Instinct developer Double Helix earlier this year. Amazon Fire TV will host "thousands" of games from publishers like Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, and Disney. Amazon will sell a Bluetooth controller separately at $40, confirming rumored designs. Games, on average, will cost less than $2 each, and will be available from an App Store-like marketplace. Amazon Fire TV launches today, and is priced at $99. Update: Amazon's Pete Larson told Engadget's Ben Gilbert that the Fire TV is "absolutely not a game console," emphasizing the device's content streaming functionality over its capabilities as a gaming platform. [Image: Engadget / Amazon]
Ouya Everywhere starts with Mad Catz's MOJO microconsole in spring
Ouya Everywhere aims to put Ouya games on other company's consoles, and it's kicking off that process this spring on MOJO, the Android microconsole from Mad Catz. MOJO launched in December, and one of its highlights is the eventual ability to stream PC games. Along with the Ouya news, MOJO is getting a price drop, from $250 to $200 in the US. Ouya currently has 680 games and 33,000 developers on board, and all of that – plus any coming content – will hit MOJO in the spring. Ouya founder Julie Uhrman announced Ouya Everywhere this week, adding that the company is thinking about building a Steam-esque PC application as well. "Up until now, the game console experience has been locked inside a box," Uhrman says in today's press release. "Together with the hardware veterans at Mad Catz, we end that. Today's announcement signifies the inception of a truly open platform where independent developers can bring their creations to the platforms where gamers actually play: everywhere." Or, for now: on another Android microconsole. [Image: Mad Catz]
Ouya now $59.99 for a limited time
If you're itching to join the Ouya revolution but haven't pulled the trigger at the Android microconsole's $99.99 price point, a coupon code issued today drops the unit's price to $59.99 with free shipping, marking its lowest price to date. Use the coupon code "calamity" after adding the $99 console to your cart at shop.ouya.tv and you'll get a $40 discount on a new Ouya, with free shipping. Note that if you plan to pay using PayPal, you'll first need to log in and reach the store's final confirmation screen before you're given the option to input the code. The Ouya earned over $8.5 million during its crowdfunding campaign last year, and now hosts a catalog of more than 500 free-to-try games. The discount code commemorates this week's launch of Killing Floor: Calamity, an Ouya-exclusive top-down shooter created by indie developer Tripwire Interactive.
Mad Catz MOJO console now on sale for $250, baby
Xbox One and PlayStation 4 a bit too bulky for your gaming tastes? Need something a bit smaller? Maybe even micro sized? Good news for you, because Mad Catz's Android-powered MOJO microconsole is now available, which means you can finally say you got your mojo without being accused of hyperbole or referencing a Mike Myers film. Yeah, baby! The MOJO features an NVIDIA Tegra 4 T40S 1.8GHz Processor and 2GB RAM. We were also aware back in October that the device would be capable of streaming games from a PC, though we weren't given details as to how that would work. If you want to find out and steal some MOJO for yourself, all you need is a "time machine" and a fat Scotsman $250 and the ability to order a unit from one of Mad Catz's partners.
GameStick delayed again, now launching against PS4
PlayJam's Android-powered GameStick console has had a few delays, and now it has one more. On its most recent release date, November 8, a GameStick representative confirmed to Engadget that the portable console is now scheduled to launch on November 15. That's not exactly going to be a slow day for the industry, considering the planned midnight launches for the PS4. Following the $647,658 success that was the GameStick's Kickstarter campaign, GameStop invested in the GameStick earlier this year. The retailer has changed its listing to reflect the last-minute delay, offering the GameStick for $79.99 on November 15. For reference, that's $20 less than Android family member Ouya's retail price.
Ouya Discover store now hosts over 500 games
The Ouya microconsole now hosts more than 500 downloadable games in its Discover storefront, founder Julie Uhrman announced today. Ouya reached the milestone shortly after announcing that the console has attracted more than 25,000 registered developers. All Discover store games are free to try, and if you want to keep a library of your favorites, Ouya will soon introduce external USB storage support in a forthcoming update. Uhrman recently revealed that an Ouya hardware revision is due to launch next year.
Ouya 2.0 launching next year, improved controller planned for current version
Ouya company founder Julie Uhrman revealed that the Android-powered microconsole will begin shipping with a redesigned controller later this year as work begins on a hardware revision due in 2014. The new controller will address many issues customers cited with the original model, offering textured thumbsticks, more responsive triggers, and face buttons that no longer become stuck in the peripheral's faceplate. The improved controller may be difficult to spot at retail, however, as Ouya packaging will not reflect whether the redesigned accessory is included. "The feel of the controller today is actually probably a lot better than in June," Uhrman told Polygon. "Our goal is to build a great controller. We wanted to build something that was ergonomic, that had great weight, that had a great feel, that offered developers a different way to develop games by including a touch pad in the design." Uhrman additionally states that an improved version of the Ouya console itself is set to launch next year, delivering on the company's promise to launch revised hardware annually. The new console will feature backward compatibility with existing marketplace games, though hardware specs and a release date were not announced.
Ouya retail presence expands to all Target locations
The Ouya's brick and mortar retail presence will grow to include 1,800 Target locations, Ouya founder Julie Uhrman told Polygon. While the Ouya has existed within Target stores for some time, its availability has been limited to select locations, rather than every location, as will be the case now. The Android microconsole's retail packaging has been spruced up to take advantage of its new-found exposure, Uhrman said. Target will push the device in its winter circular, through video adverts in its electronics departments and with special displays starting in December, though the Ouya's expanded availability goes into effect this month. Demo units are planned for early next year – Uhrman called production of the kiosks "incredibly expensive," a fact compounded by the necessity to design a wired controller for the system. In related news, Ouya is also in the process of negotiating availability at Wal-mart. "I would expect something, us to announce something with them soon," Uhrman said.
Mad Catz microconsole MOJO boots up pre-orders for $250, ships in December
Mad Catz's Android-based console MOJO is now available for pre-order. The system's price is now set at $249.99, and is expected to ship on December 10. Announced in June, MOJO separates itself from the likes of systems such as Ouya by allowing players to access games on the Google Play store. MOJO runs a stock version of Android and carries 16 GB of storage with a micro SD support for expandable storage up to 128 GB as well as a 1.8 GHz Tegra 4 processor. The console comes with a Mad Catz Ctrl-R bluetooth-enabled game pad, which includes a physical switch to change between three modes: Android controller, PC controller and mouse input.
GameStick Android microconsole launching October 29
GameStick manufacturer PlayJam announced a global retail release date of October 29 for its Android-powered, HDMI plug-in microconsole. PlayJam will wrap up its first production run later this month as it prepares to ship the console to Kickstarter backers. GameStick supporters are well acquainted with delays by now, as the console was originally set to launch in April. Production setbacks later pushed the platform's release date to August, then September. PlayJam assures that the project has now entered its final stages, and more than 5,000 units will soon be on their way to backers worldwide. The GameStick is priced at $79.99, and is available for pre-order at Amazon and GameStop.
Android microconsole GameStick hits retail on September 30
PlayJam's Kickstarter-funded Android game console GameStick will make its retail debut on September 30, Liliputing reports. The GameStick is a $79.99 package that includes a compact Bluetooth controller and an HDMI dongle, out-tinying its diminutive competitor Ouya. PlayJam secured additional funding from GameStop earlier this year, though subsequent delays pushed back the GameStick's planned April launch date. The GameStick is currently up for preorder at Amazon and GameStop.
OnLive Viewer comes to Google TV, full gameplay capability coming soon
If you aren't content streaming video games to your PC, MicroConsole, Android device or iPad, you're about to get another option: Google TV. Following the same slow rollout it used when it launched the cloud gaming service for Android devices, OnLive is launching OnLive viewer for Google TVs today. Not enough, fine, fine -- the streaming outfit is also demoing a full gameplay update for Google TV on the CES show floor, and promises that you'll be pwning newbs soon enough. Not a Google TV user? Onlive casually mentioned the service would be hitting Blu-Ray players and other set-top boxes soon as well. Read on to see for yourself, the press release awaits.
OnLive crosses the pond, lands in the UK September 22nd
OnLive's done pretty well here in the States, and we knew it would eventually venture across the ocean to merry old England. But, we didn't know exactly when it would bring its streaming services, MicroConsole and catalog of over 100 titles to the UK. Well, turns out it'll make the transatlantic trip on September 22nd, just in time for the 2011 Eurogamer Expo in London -- so there's just over a month to ready yourself for gaming-anywhere awesomeness. If you're among those interested in being the first of the Queen's subjects using the service that day, hit the source link below to sign up.
OnLive outs universal wireless controller, seamless Facebook integration and more -- we test the tablet experience on an HTC Flyer (video)
We told you that OnLive was coming to tablets, TVs, and other devices a while back, but perhaps you were vexed by the thought of controlling Duke Nukem via touchscreen or IR remote. Well, worry no more, as OnLive's made a Universal Wireless Controller to give you console controls on any OnLive-compatible device. The company's secret sauce lets it connect directly to your slate or smartphone, and there's also a USB dongle for use with PCs and non-Vizio TVs. We asked company CEO Steve Perlman what was in his wireless witches' brew, but all he would tell us is that the black magic isn't Bluetooth. We got to see the new controller in person, and there's no discernible difference between it and the one that comes with the MicroConsole -- they look the same and they play the same, plus the new gamepad has an 802.15.4 radio for backwards-compatiblity with the MicroConsole, too. Unfortunately, that dongle's not yet ready for prime time, but we're told that it'll be a "little bit bigger" than Logitech's tiny Unifying Receiver. When we went hands-on with the new controller, it was paired with the HTC Flyer. We'd been waiting to see OnLive's service on HTC's new tablet, and the experience didn't disappoint -- in our brief time with the device, gaming was as good on the Flyer as it is on a PC, with little lag and the same quality graphics. In addition to the Flyer and Vizio's VIA hardware, many more devices are set to join the OnLive family this year, though Steve wouldn't tell us who's manufacturing them. He did say that no matter what brand-name is on the front of the box, the company hopes to have 50 million Blu-ray players and 25 million internet TVs shipped with the service on board by the end of the year. To hit that goal, the company has partnered with Intel to bring streaming gameplay to devices with Atom CE4100 silicon starting this fall. Hot hardware not getting your gaming juices flowing? Well, how about some seamless integration with The Social Network? That's right, OnLive's been playing footsie with Facebook and will let users launch games directly from their profile pages. There's also automatic "Brag Clip" video uploads (to share your greatest gaming hits) and wall posts to let folks know when you start playing -- with accompanying links so they can watch or join in. All these new goodies will be on display at E3 next week, but if you're starving for more details right now, video and PR are after the break. Update: By the by, OnLive also revealed that it's launching in the UK this fall, and in about four days, you can get a signup code. %Gallery-125072%
Armageddon a free OnLive MicroConsole with Red Faction pre-order
A few months ago, THQ and OnLive partnered to give away free MicroConsole devices with pre-orders of Homefront. OnLive is launching another THQ promotion, and this one is arguably a better deal, because it doesn't include a copy of Homefront. From now through June 6, if you buy a "Full PlayPass" for Red Faction: Armageddon through OnLive, you'll get a free MicroConsole, allowing you to play streaming OnLive games on your TV -- and a free copy of Red Faction: Guerrilla. Eventually, you're going to end up with a pile of these MicroConsoles!
How would you change OnLive's MicroConsole game system?
The concept of a streaming console has been around for ages, and while Phantom Entertainment never could quite pull it off, the folks at OnLive seem to be onto something. 'Course, only time will tell if that "something" is a legitimate enough business to make sustainable, but at least it has moved well beyond the point of vaporware. Now that the MicroConsole has been raiding living rooms for a few months, we're curious to know your thoughts on things. Have you been able to try one out? Are you still reverting back to your conventional consoles? Are you pleased with OnLive's performance given your ho hum cable connection? Would you have inked deals with a few more game publishers before pushing it out? Go on and get really real down in comments below -- given the small size of the company, there's a better-than-average chance it'll be listening to what you have to say.
OnLive offering free MicroConsole with Homefront game purchase
Considering nabbing a $99 OnLive Game System to connect your TV to the company's game streaming cloud? Here's another thought -- pre-order THQ's Homefront on OnLive instead for $50, and get a voucher for a free MicroConsole (and a free game) in the bargain. That's the deal OnLive announced the other day, which runs through March 14th, though the fine print says supplies are limited, shipping costs extra, and you won't actually receive the hardware until after the deal expires no matter when you pre-order the game. We're not sure what it says for OnLive's ongoing viability that the company finds itself having to give hardware away for less than half its worth, but we won't look a gift horse in the mouth!
