Sources say Microsoft to reveal trimmed down Xbox system with "flattened" controllers at media briefing next week.

During Microsoft's next-generation reveal event next week, the company will show off a "smaller and denser" Xbox console, as well as redesigned controllers. That's according to sources speaking with The Verge, who described the new controller design as "flattened."

The "smaller and denser" Xbox console is reportedly the rumored third generation Xbox 360 console that will be "significantly less expensive" than current models. According to Windows blogger Paul Thurrott, this console is codenamed "Stingray."

Details regarding the form factor of the Xbox 720 have not been divulged.

Unlike the PlayStation 4's DualShock 4 controller, no images of Xbox 720 controllers have leaked of yet.

In addition, The Verge has heard from sources that Microsoft will release an Xbox 360 dashboard update this summer in preparation for the next-generation Xbox. Part of the update will be a refreshed user interface, complete with smaller Live Tiles, similar to those that will be found in the upcoming Windows 8.1 update.

Another purpose of the update, according to the sources, is to ensure Xbox 360 owners can upgrade to the next Xbox and continue to interact with the friends on the past platform using beacons, achievements, and messaging.

The update is also said to kill off the controversial Microsoft Points system, replacing it with gift card and real-world currency alternatives. This was rumored earlier this week.

The site understands that a public beta for the Xbox 360 update will be available in late June or early July before a full release in August.

A Microsoft representative told GameSpot, "We're excited to share more about the new generation of games, TV, and entertainment on May 21, but have nothing further to share at this time."

Microsoft's Xbox 720 event takes place Tuesday, May 21 at 10 a.m. EDT. GameSpot will have full coverage of the event as it happens.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated the rumored "smaller and denser" Xbox console was the Xbox 720. GameSpot regrets the error.

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Realistic PlayStation 4 racer shown off in new close-up screenshots.

Eight new screenshots of MotorStorm developer Evolution Studios' DriveClub have emerged.

The close-up screenshots (via All Games Beta) of the PlayStation 4 exclusive racer show off the game's car models, lighting engine, and cockpit views. Multiple car types are featured, and manufacturers Audi and Mercedes Benz are prominently displayed.

DriveClub was unveiled alongside the PlayStation 4 in February. The game's aim, according to Evolution Studios, is to make a realistic, connected racer with multiplayer and asynchronous play.

DriveClub currently has no release date. Sony this week announced its other realism-focused racer, Gran Turismo 6, for the PlayStation 3--but hinted to GameSpot that there are already plans in place to bring it to PlayStation 4 in the future.

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Trion Worlds confirms job cuts as part of company reorganization, says 80 percent layoff figure "definitely exaggerated"; development on Rift, future titles unaffected.

[UPDATE] Following the publication of this story, a Trion Worlds representative confirmed the cuts as part of a company reorganization. Development on Rift and the studio's other games is unaffected moving forward.

The representative also pointed out that the 80 percent layoff figure is "definitely exaggerated."

"To best position Trion in a rapidly changing industry, we have reorganized our teams and are expanding our free to play offering," the Trion Worlds representative said. "With Defiance, we delivered a great game that more than one million gamers registered to play and continue to enjoy.

"As we progress from launch to ongoing development of the game, we are adjusting our staffing levels to deliver new content and improved features," the statement goes on. "Rift, and our other titles in development, were unaffected by these changes. We are very much looking forward to the free to play release of Rift and are excited by the other new titles currently in development."

The original story follows below

Defiance developer Trion Worlds enacted a round of major layoffs today, according to sources speaking with IGN. The site has heard that as much as 80 percent of the company has been let go.

The bulk of the layoffs reportedly came at Trion Worlds' San Diego, California outfit, where Defiance is in development. A source added that senior leaders may not receive severance packages due to "undelivered services."

The layoff rumors come a week after SyFy ordered a second season of Defiance the TV show and Trion Worlds laid out extensive downloadable content plans for the game.

Defiance has more than 1 million registered players.

Trion Worlds also has US offices in Redwood Shores, California and Austin, Texas. In addition, the company operates a studio in London, England.

Trion Worlds could not be reached for comment at press time.

In addition to Defiance, Trion Worlds is currently developing End of Nations and fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game Rift, which will go free-to-play next month. The company is also co-developing Warface with Crytek.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Upcoming action game collection coming to Nintendo's latest console in Japan this summer; no word on Western release.

Today during a Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo announced (via Polygon) that the Yakuza 1 & 2 HD bundle is coming to Wii U in Japan on August 8. As its name suggests, the collection packs in the first two installments in the PlayStation 2-era action-crime series.

No mention was made of a release for the Yakuza 1 & 2 HD bundle in North America or Europe.

Polygon reports that a trailer for the bundle was shown, displaying upscaled graphics and Wii U-exclusive features. Players can use the GamePad to navigate the game's streets and monitor their characters.

For more on the games within the bundle, check out GameSpot's reviews of the original Yakuza and Yakuza 2.

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Hideo Kojima reveals Revengeance coming to the PC, though release date, features are unknown.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is coming to the PC, series creator Hideo Kojima announced during a recent podcast (via Joystiq).

News of the port was later confirmed by Platinum Games creative producer Jean Pierre Kellams over Twitter.

No further information about the PC version of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance was divulged and a Konami representative was not immediately available to comment.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance launched for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in February. Developer Platinum Games previously stated that it is interested in making games for the PC and publishing them through Valve's Steam downloadable games service.

For more on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, check out GameSpot's review.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Dust: An Elysian Tail scampers onto Steam May 24 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 May 2013 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Upcoming action game collection coming to Nintendo's latest console in Japan this summer; no word on Western release.

Today during a Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo announced (via Polygon) that the Yakuza 1 & 2 HD bundle is coming to Wii U in Japan on August 8. As its name suggests, the collection packs in the first two installments in the PlayStation 2-era action-crime series.

No mention was made of a release for the Yakuza 1 & 2 HD bundle in North America or Europe.

Polygon reports that a trailer for the bundle was shown, displaying upscaled graphics and Wii U-exclusive features. Players can use the GamePad to navigate the game's streets and monitor their characters.

For more on the games within the bundle, check out GameSpot's reviews of the original Yakuza and Yakuza 2.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Team Fortress 2 'Robotic Boogaloo' update tangos with Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 May 2013 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Dungeon Defenders 2 begins character profiles with 'Man and Machine' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 May 2013 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Before deleting tweets, senior engineer at Electronic Arts blasts struggling platform, saying "Nintendo are still operating like it's 1990."

One Electronic Arts developer has taken to Twitter to sound off on the struggling Wii U. As spotted by IGN, EA senior software engineer and architect Bob Summerwill did not hold back when expressing his feelings for the platform.

"The Wii U is crap," Summerwill said, before deleting that tweet and all others. "Less powerful than an Xbox 360. Poor online/store. Weird tablet. Nintendo are walking dead at this point."

"Sony, MS, Apple, Google all following the same playbook," he added. "Standard, powerful, hardware, with focus on software and services."

Summerwill suggested that Nintendo should have exited the hardware business and instead shopped around its major titles to Microsoft and Sony.

"Nintendo are still operating like it's 1990," he said. "They should have 'done a Sega' and offered Mario/Zelda as PS4/Durango exclusives. Instead they make this awful console. Just stop it! Just make great games!"

Summerwill has worked at EA in a number of technical roles since 1999.

His comments came a day after EA confirmed that after releasing four games for Wii U, the publisher has no new titles in development for the system. By comparison EA supported the original Wii throughout its lifespan with 78 total games.

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Sony pushes PlayStation3-exclusive bundle from June to July, reveals $50 price tag for comprehensive compilation pack.

Gamers looking to pick up the comprehensive Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection are going to have to wait a little longer.

Sony announced today the PlayStation 3-exclusive bundle will launch July 9 for $50. Previously, the collection was scheduled to launch in June. No reason for the delay was provided.

The Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection will be released to mark the franchise's 25th anniversary. The bundle includes Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: HD Edition, Metal Gear Solid 3: HD Edition (including the original MSX versions of the first two games), Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD Edition, Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions, and Metal Gear Solid 4: Trophy Edition.

On top of the games, the compilation pack will also include two Ashley Wood digital graphic novels for Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2.

Upcoming Metal Gear Solid games include Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes. Release dates for both games have not been announced.

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Nintendo reveals standalone version of Luigi-themed New Super Mario Bros. U DLC coming to stores this summer for $30; content alone will be available June 20 for $20.

A packaged standalone version of the Super Luigi U downloadable content for New Super Mario Bros. U will launch in North America at retail on August 25, Nintendo announced today.

Gamers will not need New Super Mario Bros. U to play New Super Luigi U, which will cost $30.

Those who own a copy of New Super Mario Bros. U already can pick up the Super Luigi U DLC when it launches through the Wii U eShop on June 20 for $20.

The news came during the latest Nintendo Direct today, where Nintendo president Satoru Iwata showed a new gameplay trailer for the content. He also revealed that Nabbit, a creature from New Super Mario Bros. U, will be a playable character in the content.

Nintendo announced the Luigi-themed DLC in February, calling it "large-scale" and "similar to the development of full software." It features updated versions of the first game's 82 courses with Luigi leading the way, instead of Mario.

The news comes a day after Nintendo revealed that New Super Mario Bros. U, a Wii U launch title, has now sold 770,000 units in the United States alone. It is a sequel to the original Wii's New Super Mario Bros. Wii, which has sold close to 28 million units life-to-date.

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Nintendo announced this morning that several of its unreleased Wii U games will be playable at 100 Best Buy stores across the U.S. and Canada during the week of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in June.

E3 is gaming's biggest event, but these days Nintendo is more interested in interacting directly with fans thank courting larger crowds and the media.

That's evident in the company's Nintendo Direct videos, a series of live streamed presentations that anyone can watch online.

Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime announced the partnership with Best Buy during today's Nintendo Direct.

Stomping the middle man

Fils-Aime didn't reveal what games will be playable at Best Buy stores, and it's unknown what new games Nintendo will be showing off at E3.

"This year we're making E3 for the people," he said. "We want to make sure you get the chance to try our games as well."

The Mario maker announced in April that it will not hold a traditional press conference during the expo, instead hosting more low-key demos for press.

With Nintendo game demos coming to Best Buy stores as well, it seems press and fans will be getting the same E3 experience for once, at least where Nintendo is concerned. The Best Buy demos, by the way, kick off June 10.

During today's Nintendo Direct Video Nintendo Global President Satoru Iwata revealed new games like Sonic: Lost World and Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games as well as release dates for The Wonderful 101 and Super Luigi U.

Trion Worlds confirms job cuts as part of company reorganization, says 80 percent layoff figure "definitely exaggerated"; development on Rift, future titles unaffected.

[UPDATE] Following the publication of this story, a Trion Worlds representative confirmed the cuts as part of a company reorganization. Development on Rift and the studio's other games is unaffected moving forward.

The representative also pointed out that the 80 percent layoff figure is "definitely exaggerated."

"To best position Trion in a rapidly changing industry, we have reorganized our teams and are expanding our free to play offering," the Trion Worlds representative said. "With Defiance, we delivered a great game that more than one million gamers registered to play and continue to enjoy.

"As we progress from launch to ongoing development of the game, we are adjusting our staffing levels to deliver new content and improved features," the statement goes on. "Rift, and our other titles in development, were unaffected by these changes. We are very much looking forward to the free to play release of Rift and are excited by the other new titles currently in development."

The original story follows below

Defiance developer Trion Worlds enacted a round of major layoffs today, according to sources speaking with IGN. The site has heard that as much as 80 percent of the company has been let go.

The bulk of the layoffs reportedly came at Trion Worlds' San Diego, California outfit, where Defiance is in development. A source added that senior leaders may not receive severance packages due to "undelivered services."

The layoff rumors come a week after SyFy ordered a second season of Defiance the TV show and Trion Worlds laid out extensive downloadable content plans for the game.

Defiance has more than 1 million registered players.

Trion Worlds also has US offices in Redwood Shores, California and Austin, Texas. In addition, the company operates a studio in London, England.

Trion Worlds could not be reached for comment at press time.

In addition to Defiance, Trion Worlds is currently developing End of Nations and fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game Rift, which will go free-to-play next month. The company is also co-developing Warface with Crytek.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

No More Heroes, Killer Is Dead studio owner says Japanese developers need to remember why they make games in the first place.

Japanese developers must go "back to basics" if they are to return to prominence, according to GungHo Online Entertainment president Kazuki Morishita. Speaking with Gamasutra, Morishita said Japanese studios need to focus on making "good games."

"Let's say that Japanese games are in their darkest times right now. There's no way to go but up, if that's the case," Morishita said. "In terms of making games, I think Japanese developers need to go back to basics about why they make games in the first place, which is to make good games."

GungHo Online Entertainment recently acquired No More Heroes and Shadows of the Damned developer Grasshopper Manufacture. The studio is currently working on Killer Is Dead, a multiplatform action game helmed by studio boss Goichi "Suda51" Suda.

Morishita is not the first Japanese developer to speak out on the current state of the industry in the region. Mega Man and Dead Rising designer Keiji Inafune said last month that Japanese studios are beginning to become aware of the "problem," but still have a ways to go.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Hideo Kojima reveals Revengeance coming to the PC, though release date, features are unknown.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is coming to the PC, series creator Hideo Kojima announced during a recent podcast (via Joystiq).

News of the port was later confirmed by Platinum Games creative producer Jean Pierre Kellams over Twitter.

No further information about the PC version of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance was divulged and a Konami representative was not immediately available to comment.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance launched for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in February. Developer Platinum Games previously stated that it is interested in making games for the PC and publishing them through Valve's Steam downloadable games service.

For more on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, check out GameSpot's review.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Report: Remastered Final Fantasy VIII coming to PC in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 May 2013 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.