The Verge - Gaming Posts

Xbox One games will require internet 'spot checks', but Microsoft won't charge to authenticate used games

2013-05-24T23:02:04Z

Does the Xbox One actually require an internet connection? Will used game buyers or sellers have to pay an extra fee? Microsoft hasn't made it clear, but a report at Polygon now claims that the answers are "yes" and "no" respectively. According to the publication's sources, Xbox One games will phone home to Microsoft servers on a regular basis to verify that their users own the games. If you buy a used title, however, Polygon claims that you won't have to pay Microsoft for a fresh license to the game.

Simply popping in the game disc and installing it will reportedly establish lawful ownership as far as Microsoft's servers are concerned. When you install the game on your Xbox One, you'll be deauthenticating it on the previous owner's...

Xbox One could allow remote play over Skype, Siri-like voice conversations with Kinect

2013-05-24T16:13:40Z

With the first phase of Microsoft's Xbox One reveal complete, the company now looks ahead to E3 where it plans to give gamers a more thorough look at the upcoming console. Polygon is today reporting that there are two major features of Xbox One that weren't shown off in Redmond this week: Skype-based remote play and the new Kinect's ability to initiate two-way conversations with users. According to the report, the Siri-like feature will enable Xbox One players to carry on back-and-forth dialogues with Kinect. The console will speak up when it notices an unfamiliar player in the room, for example, requesting a new user's name before automatically setting up their local profile. We've previously reported on Xbox One's vastly improved...

Four elements, four buttons: 'Element4l' is a fun, atmospheric shape-shifter

2013-05-24T15:42:05Z

In the first level of Element4l, I died 28 times before making it to the end. It's not because the enemies are particularly tough (there aren't any), or the action is too fast paced (it's pretty relaxed), but because the game's unique control scheme is just so different. And death, it seems, is a great teacher. Unlike most games, Element4I doesn't give you direct control over your character; instead, you can only move the little guy by changing states. Turning into an air bubble will send you floating upward, for instance, while switching to a rock will have you plummeting back down to the ground. It takes awhile to get used to — and even once you do the game is incredibly challenging. But when everything goes right, it's immensely...

Sony and Lego research leads to DualShock-controlled minibots

2013-05-24T12:48:45Z

Worried it might lose younger block-buying customers to video games and computers, Lego has teamed up with Sony to bring the two closer together. PCWorld reports that researchers at Sony's Computer Science Laboratories in Tokyo have already started working on a number of experimental Lego products — including DualShock-controlled robots and camera-mounted figures. While Lego's main business remains construction focused, the company is experimenting with new prototypes to stay ahead of the curve, even if it has no firm plans to release any commercial products.

Microsoft targets 25 million more Xbox 360 sales, 'huge announcement' planned for E3

2013-05-24T11:51:04Z

Microsoft believes it can sell 25 million more Xbox 360s despite announcing the console's successor, the Xbox One, earlier this week. The Xbox 360 launched back in 2005, and has sold an estimated 77.2 million to date. Growth has slowed significantly in recent months (despite the console outselling the PS3 in the US for over two years straight), and it only sold 1.3 million last quarter. Speaking to the UK's Official Xbox Magazine, Interactive Entertainment Business Senior VP Yusuf Mehdi said that Microsoft is aiming to sell the additional consoles over the next five years.

Sony newspaper ad confirms PlayStation 4 UK launch in 2013

2013-05-24T09:52:44Z

Sony has confirmed it will release the PlayStation 4 in the UK by the end of the year. In a full-page advert in British newspaper Metro, the company teased the launch of its next-generation console by featuring its new DualShock 4 controller and the message "coming 2013." Today's announcement suggests it will embark on a worldwide launch during the holiday season, instead of limiting an initial release to US and Japanese markets like in previous years.

Microsoft explains Xbox One cloud gaming in an effort to justify online requirement

2013-05-24T08:06:24Z

Microsoft created confusion over its Xbox One online requirement this week, but fresh details are emerging that offer an insight into why the next-generation console needs an internet connection. Microsoft is increasing its number of Xbox Live servers to 300,000, up from only 500 at launch and 15,000 today. The servers will help power a lot of the new Xbox dashboard features, but they'll also be a core part of Microsoft's cloud gaming plans.

The software giant didn't discuss these plans in detail during the Xbox One unveiling earlier this week, but an Ars Technica interview with General Manager of Redmond Game Studios and Platforms Matt Booty sheds some light on the 300,000-server cloud architecture. Part of the server setup will be...

Microsoft Xbox 360 does not infringe Motorola patents, rules ITC

2013-05-23T22:23:12Z

The International Trade Commission has ruled that Microsoft did not infringe upon any Motorola Mobility patents with the Xbox 360. The decision represents the end of an investigation that stretches back to 2010. Motorola Mobility contended that Microsoft had infringed upon several of its patents with the device, which led to the ITC issuing a preliminary ruling in April of last year that sided with Motorola on four different patents.

However, in the legal back-and-forth all but one of the patents had since been chipped away — some found to be invalid, while Motorola itself requesting others be pulled from the proceedings. In March an ITC administrative law judge ruled that the asserted claims of the one remaining patent had actually n...

Future proofing: Xbox One to support 3D and 4K content

2013-05-23T20:02:03Z

The Xbox One is a next-generation console, and as such, it's built with some future proofing in mind. It can do things you're not quite ready for just yet, such as play back 4K resolution games, movies, and TV. And it'll support 3D visuals too, despite the fact that 3D in the home has yet to catch in any meaningful way when it comes to TV, movies, or games. Microsoft noted that the new console would support 4K at the Xbox One launch event on Monday, but 3D support was kept under wraps until Xbox spokesman Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb mentioned it in a Wednesday Yahoo chat session.

Live-action 'Destiny' trailer is an early glimpse at Bungie's new universe

2013-05-23T17:42:02Z

Bungie first unveiled its upcoming sci-fi epic Destiny earlier this year, but we've yet to see the Halo follow-up in action. That's still true with the release of the game's first trailer, which is a combination of live-action and CG, but with no actual gameplay. As Variety reports, the trailer was directed by Jon Favreau, the director behind the first two Iron Man films. While the new trailer doesn't provide any more insight into how the game will play, it's still nice to see all of that beautiful artwork in motion. You can expect to see the first gameplay footage of Destiny on June 10th at Sony's E3 press conference.