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http://auth.gamespot.com/ Gamespot's Everything Feed! News, Reviews, Videos. Exploding with content? You bet. en-us Tue, 13 May 2014 22:33:36 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/xbox-one-drops-the-kinect-the-lobby/2300-6418793/ Justin, Danny and Chris talk about why Microsoft made the decision to drop the price of the Xbox One before E3, and the effect it will have on sales. Tue, 13 May 2014 19:53:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/xbox-one-drops-the-kinect-the-lobby/2300-6418793/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/transistor-demo-with-greg-kasavin-the-lobby/2300-6418791/ Former GameSpot editor turned games developer Greg Kasavin demos Transistor a week ahead of release on PlayStation 4 and PC. Tue, 13 May 2014 19:40:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/transistor-demo-with-greg-kasavin-the-lobby/2300-6418791/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/thief-the-dark-project-is-still-fantastic-the-lobb/2300-6418790/ Greg Kasavin remembers the 1998 classic Thief: The Dark Project as part of GameSpot's Videogame History Month. Tue, 13 May 2014 18:05:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/thief-the-dark-project-is-still-fantastic-the-lobb/2300-6418790/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/toejam-earl-in-panic-on-funkotron-gameplay-multipl/2300-6418787/ Chris and Mary get funky with it by chucking jars as hard as they can at children and berating naked men in cardboard boxes as they play ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron for the Sega Genesis. Tue, 13 May 2014 17:52:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/toejam-earl-in-panic-on-funkotron-gameplay-multipl/2300-6418787/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/bound-by-flame-not-bras-the-lobby/2300-6418788/ Kevin Vanord explains why Bound By Flame got a score of 4, then talks about the wardrobe choices for characters. Tue, 13 May 2014 17:38:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/bound-by-flame-not-bras-the-lobby/2300-6418788/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-games-you-can-t-play-without-kinect/1100-6419615/ <div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6418783" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6418783/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style="">Microsoft <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/399-xbox-one-without-kinect-launching-in-june/1100-6419601/" data-ref-id="1100-6419601">announced a price drop for the Xbox One today</a>, but that comes at the expense of the Kinect. Love it or hate it, there are some games and features you can only experience with the camera accessory.</p><p style="">Here are the games that are completely unplayable without Kinect:</p><ul><li><a href="/kinect-sports-rivals/" data-ref-id="false">Kinect Sports Rivals</a></li><li><a href="/just-dance-2014/" data-ref-id="false">Just Dance 2014</a></li><li><a href="/xbox-fitness/" data-ref-id="false">Xbox Fitness</a></li><li><a href="/zumba-fitness-world-party/" data-ref-id="false">Zumba Fitness World Party</a></li><li><a href="/fighter-within/" data-ref-id="false">Fighter Within</a></li></ul><p style="">Upcoming games that will likely be unplayable:</p><ul><li><a href="/fantasia-music-evolved/" data-ref-id="false">Fantasia: Music Evolved</a></li><li>The inevitable<a href="/dance-central/" data-ref-id="false"> Dance Central</a> game from Harmonix (which Yusuf Medhi seemed to confirm in an interview earlier today).</li></ul><p style="">And here are some of the games that make use of Kinect, but you can still play with a standard controller:</p><ul><li><a href="/angry-birds-star-wars/" data-ref-id="false">Angry Birds Star Wars</a></li><li><a href="/assassins-creed-iv-black-flag/" data-ref-id="false">Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag</a></li><li><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/battlefield-4/" data-ref-id="false">Battlefield 4</a></li><li><a href="/call-of-duty-ghosts/" data-ref-id="false">Call of Duty: Ghosts</a></li><li><a href="/crimson-dragon/" data-ref-id="false">Crimson Dragon</a></li><li><a href="/dead-rising-3/" data-ref-id="false">Dead Rising 3</a></li><li><a href="/fable-legends/" data-ref-id="false">Fable Legends</a></li><li><a href="/fifa-14/" data-ref-id="false">FIFA 14</a></li><li><a href="/forza-motorsport-5/" data-ref-id="false">Forza Motorsport 5</a></li><li><a href="/killer-instinct/" data-ref-id="false">Killer Instinct</a></li><li><a href="/madden-nfl-25/" data-ref-id="false">Madden NFL 25</a></li><li><a href="/nba-2k14/" data-ref-id="false">NBA 2K14</a></li><li><a href="/need-for-speed-rivals/" data-ref-id="false">Need for Speed: Rivals</a></li><li><a href="/peggle-2/" data-ref-id="false">Peggle 2</a></li><li><a href="/plants-vs-zombies-garden-warfare/" data-ref-id="false">Plants vs. Zombie: Garden Warfare</a></li><li><a href="/ryse-son-of-rome/" data-ref-id="false">Ryse: Son of Rome</a></li><li><a href="/thief/" data-ref-id="false">Thief</a></li><li><a href="/tomb-raider/" data-ref-id="false">Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition</a></li><li><a href="/zoo-tycoon/" data-ref-id="false">Zoo Tycoon</a></li></ul><p style="">For more on how the Xbox One price drop will effect the console war, check out our <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-price-drop-how-will-this-affect-the-console-war/1100-6419613/" data-ref-id="1100-6419613">editorial feature</a>.</p><p style=""> </p><table data-max-width="true"><tbody><tr><td><p style=""><strong>Justin Haywald is a senior editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/JustinHaywald" rel="nofollow"> Twitter @JustinHaywald</a></strong></p><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 13 May 2014 17:30:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-games-you-can-t-play-without-kinect/1100-6419615/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/wasteland-2-early-access-review/1100-6419545/ <p style=""><i>GameSpot's early access reviews evaluate unfinished games that are nonetheless available for purchase by the public. While the games in question are not considered finished by their creators, you may still devote money, time, and bandwidth for the privilege of playing them before they are complete. The review below critiques a work in progress, and represents a snapshot of the game at the time of the review's publication.</i></p><p style="">Any discussion of Wasteland must begin with its legacy. The first game was one of those truly seminal works. The eponymous setting and morbid humor stand among the best, and they've been adapted and canonized in the annals of game history. Over 25 years later, Wasteland 2 seeks to pick up where its predecessor left off. As one of the first games to receive huge support through crowd funding and one of the first to hit Steam's early access program, Wasteland 2 can't avoid being caught between its origins and its 21st-century funding and distribution. Thankfully, it deftly manages to balance everything and is one of the best postapocalyptic role-playing games to emerge in a long time--and it's not even finished yet.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2526734-0001.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2526734" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2526734-0001.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2526734"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/416/4161502/2526734-0001.jpg"></a><figcaption>Combat is turn-based and tactical, and it works really well.</figcaption></figure><p style="">Taking place some 15 years after the first game, Wasteland 2 is set in the same irradiated version of the American Southwest as the 1988 original. Many of the choices and quests from the first game are referenced as either plot points or Easter eggs. The game borrows heavily from the formula of the original: you begin as a team of four potential recruits to the Rangers, a group of paramilitary police officers looking to reorganize and protect the wasteland that what once was Southern Arizona. This team is yours to mold, but you'll want to put a lot of care and effort into it. Most levels are cramped but loaded with an insane number of things to discover, and to access every area, you need a well-balanced team that can handle anything that's thrown its way.</p><p style="">When creating my party, I was excited to see that I could accurately role-play as myself. I picked "American Indian" for my race and "Indigenous" as my religion. That detail goes beyond just picking a few cosmetic options and setting off for adventure, though. You're encouraged to write a backstory for yourself and your characters, and while it may be a bit much to hope that the game could parse that information and use it later, the option calls to mind the pen-and-paper RPGs that inspired the original Wasteland. Information as apparently insignificant as whether or not your characters are smokers, and what brand of cigarettes they prefer, have actual consequence. You shouldn't, however, get too cavalier when building your party, unless you're looking for an additional challenge. Wasteland 2's structure encourages extreme specialization. Points that you can allocate to skills are few and far between, and trying to create a jack-of-all-trades usually results in a character that can't do anything particularly well, especially in the late game. Instead, Wasteland 2 wants you to make characters distinct so that they mutually rely on one another. While that system drives home party cohesion with severe consequences for death, I wish the dialogue system were implemented so that side characters got more attention from time to time; individual party members' personalities are typically overshadowed by the character you designate as your primary conversationalist. </p><blockquote data-align="left"><p style="">Wasteland 2 is one of the best postapocalyptic role-playing games to emerge in a long time--and it's not even finished yet.</p></blockquote><p style="">While Wasteland 2 might be too rigid to allow you to actually play a role in exactly the way you want, nearly everything else is extremely well executed. Most of the areas and towns you'll explore are small, which may initially seem like a problem, but there's a lot more going on than you'd suspect at first glance. Nearly every screen in the game has something interesting in it, from hidden safes to secret caves, and most people will not be able to see everything on a first playthrough. Again, that might come off as a problem--forcing you to play more than once, and artificially padding the length--but most of the things you miss aren't necessary. Instead, they're there to help make the world feel whole. You won't miss them, but they are surprisingly important. <a href="/reviews/shadowrun-dragonfall-review/1900-6415692/" data-ref-id="1900-6415692">Shadowrun: Dragonfall</a> (Wasteland's closest recent analogue) suffered from a lack of extras; it was a big game but felt cramped because it was possible to see absolutely everything in every level. The loot system here reinforces the sense of scale. Most items are useless, but many have their own back stories and mythologies surrounding them, while others give you access to entirely new areas. Such specific details go a long way towards making the world feel organic, much in the same way that the thousands of useless wheels of cheese and brooms in an Elder Scrolls game helps bring its world to life.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2526737-0002.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2526737" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2526737-0002.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2526737"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/416/4161502/2526737-0002.jpg"></a><figcaption>Wandering around in the wastes can lead to some great loot and fun times, but if you mess around too much, people solve their own problems and aren't too happy about it.</figcaption></figure><p style="">Supporting that sense of a deep world is a fluid application of typical RPG character classes. You can train almost any character in any skill, but again, some forethought can help quite a bit. If you have a character you want to specialize in melee combat, you probably want to make sure he has a decent speed stat so he can maneuver around the battlefield effectively. While you're doing that, making him a combat medic and a surgeon might not be a bad idea either. If any party member gets into trouble, he can move off the front lines and heal the victim before he bleeds out. That combination of skills is rare in most games, where melee combat and healing would be split between two different characters. There are a lot of skills you need on your journey, though, and if you want to have someone who can repair machines, handle computers, pick locks, crack open safes, and wield a sniper rifle--all skills you'd expect in a classic rogue--you can't level him up well enough to use him effectively. </p><p style="">There are a lot of raiders and bandits out in the wild, and combat encounters are random. When a hostile group approaches, you have the option to either attack head-on or make a skill check to lose them. If you stand and fight, you often face three to ten bandits on a variety of different minimaps. From here, the game becomes a lot more tactical. Each of your characters has a set number of action points to spend per turn on attacking, healing, changing stances, using items, or moving around. Some maps have extensive cover you can use to help avoid damage, while others favor a quicker, more brutal approach. Either way, consequences for failure are extremely high. Most party members can't stand up to more than a few solid hits. Some enemies can also inflict nasty status effects, which require special medical attention. If your team members take too much damage, they fall unconscious and begin steadily losing health until they are treated. If you fail to get them fixed up in time, they die and are lost permanently. Unfortunately, treating another character in battle is hard to pull off properly, even if you're properly prepared. Battlefield surgery uses up a large number of action points and almost guarantees your surgeon will be vulnerable to further attack. Much like XCOM before it, Wasteland 2 encourages careful combat. Nothing here is technically difficult, but it can be punishing if you're reckless. The narrative also supports that omnipresent sense of care and urgency.</p><figure data-align="right" data-size="medium" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2526738-0003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2526738" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2526738-0003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2526738"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_medium/416/4161502/2526738-0003.jpg"></a><figcaption>Wasteland 2 isn't much to look at, but it's got everything else in spades.</figcaption></figure><p style="">After the introductory sequence, the world opens up a bit. You have several main objectives, but provided your team is strong enough, you can break off and do whatever you like. If you faff about long enough, you receive some radio reports that some of the places you were supposed to help are being overrun. Wait a bit longer, and they'll be lost completely. Wasteland 2 is perfectly willing to let you have whatever fun you'd like, but there are also consequences for inaction. You enter the fray during a tumultuous time, rife with political drama and suffering from scarce resources. Whether you answer that call and choose to help secure the Rangers as a salient political force in the region or let the last vestiges of humanity slip closer to extinction is up to you. Either way, Wasteland's writing is its foundation. A palpable sense of humor is communicated both through dialogue and an ever-present printer that curtly summarizes your actions both in and out of combat, and it shines through the melodrama. In much the same way that Fallout's over-the-top violence ultimately reinforces its grand thesis on warfare, Wasteland 2's absurdist comedy helps the entire journey feel more comfortable and relatable. It gives the impression that everyone has adopted a distant affect to deal with the dismal circumstances.</p><p style="">Wasteland 2 isn't complete, but I thoroughly enjoyed my journey. There are a few small issues here and there, like the fact that when you're fighting unarmed, you can't attack diagonally adjacent tiles, but they're minor compared to the rest of the experience. I was skeptical about the idea of making a sequel to a 26-year-old game. From the perspective of a contemporary audience, the original Wasteland isn't just old; it's almost unplayable. Wasteland 2 spectacularly balances the older style of classic PC RPGs and more modern sensibilities. Combat moves surprisingly quickly, and the world feels remarkably alive. This is not a game that I would have ever expected to work as well as it does, but what's here already is far more substantial than most full retail releases.</p><table data-max-width="true"><tbody><tr><td><p style=""><strong>What's There?</strong></p></td><td><p style=""><em><strong>There's a ton of content already. Most players can expect 30 hours at least, though the goal is to have at least 50 hours of gameplay for the final launch.</strong></em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p style=""><strong>What's to Come?</strong></p></td><td><p style=""><em><strong>The main quest is largely complete. Based on developer blog posts, it seems that the coming additions will be fixes and extras.</strong></em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p style=""><strong>What Does it Cost?</strong></p></td><td><p style=""><strong><em>Currently $60. The developers have repeatedly said that Wasteland 2 will be cheaper at retail, and the high cost now is primarily to balance early access against Kickstarter backer rewards. If you're pining for a new open-world RPG, this is a great buy. Otherwise, wait for the final release.</em></strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p style=""><strong>When Will it Be Finished?</strong></p></td><td><p style=""><strong><em>At the time of writing, there has been no retail release date announced, but the developer blog says we should expect to hear of one by the end of the month.</em></strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p style=""><strong>What's the Verdict?</strong></p></td><td><p style=""><em><strong>Despite a few frustrating bugs and the need for some areas to be cleaned up, Wasteland 2 is essentially finished. This is a rich, creative world packed with things to do and places to explore. Good luck out there in the wastes.</strong></em></p><p style=""> </p></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 13 May 2014 16:21:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/wasteland-2-early-access-review/1100-6419545/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-price-drop-how-will-this-affect-the-console-war/1100-6419613/ <p style="">Microsoft announced a <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/399-xbox-one-without-kinect-launching-in-june/1100-6419601/" data-ref-id="1100-6419601">$399 version of the Xbox One sans Kinect</a> today--bringing it in line with the current sales frontrunner PlayStation 4. And even without an Xbox Live Gold membership, Xbox owners will finally be able to <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-removes-xbox-one-and-xbox-360-gold-paywall-for-netflix-hulu-and-more/1100-6419590/" data-ref-id="1100-6419590">access entertainment apps like Netflix and Hulu.</a></p><p style="">The comments for those stories, and our<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-boss-talks-price-drop-says-e3-will-be-all-about-games/1100-6419604/" data-ref-id="1100-6419604"> interview with Xbox boss Yusuf Mehdi</a>, are a minefield of dissenting opinions, and the GameSpot offices are no different. Was this the right move for Microsoft and will it be enough to give them the edge on the PS4?</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6418779" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6418779/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><h3 dir="ltr">Edward Makuch - Fan Dialogue</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">The unbundling of Xbox One with Kinect is not only meaningful because it brings the system on par with Sony's PlayStation 4 from a price perspective but also because it shows Microsoft is continuing to listen to fans. Not that you needed a reason to doubt Microsoft's willingness to do so. The unbundling of Kinect is the second dramatic reversal for the Xbox One in under a year, following the company's decision to<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-changing-xbox-one-policies/1100-6410472/"> do away with many controversial policies last summer</a> after fans spoke out in protest.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">When I asked Microsoft's Albert Penello in August 2013 if he thought the Xbox One's then-$100 price premium over the PS4 would be a deal-breaker for some, he<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-xbox-one-is-worth-100-more-than-playstation-4/1100-6413908/"> shrugged his shoulders and said no</a>. What a different--and encouraging--narrative we're hearing today. Today's news should help Xbox One sales pick up, and it couldn't come sooner. At<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-ships-1-2-million-to-retailers-during-2014-s-first-quarter/1100-6419194/"> 5 million units shipped</a>, the Xbox One is lagging behind<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-reports-7-million-playstation-4-consoles-sold-worldwide/1100-6419044/"> the PS4 (7 million)</a> and the<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/wii-u-sales-reach-6-17-million-as-nintendo-reveals-best-selling-games-to-date/1100-6419486/"> Wii U (6.17 million)</a> in the worldwide sales race. If Microsoft's E3 2014 showing next month is strong (and they<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-boss-talks-price-drop-says-e3-will-be-all-about-games/1100-6419604/"> say it will be</a>), it, coupled with the price drop, might serve as a one-two punch that could turn the tides in the battle for the living room.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Kevin VanOrd - The True Value of the Xbox</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">I've often said this about games, but it applies to consoles, consumer electronics, and most other products as well: "value" is more than just how much something costs. For instance, when shopping for a new television, I'm not looking for the least expensive television--I'm shopping for the best value based on my perception of what's important. Does it have 3D capabilities? What's the refresh rate? Does it have built-in support for YouTube, Netflix, and so forth? What other features does it have, and how do they improve my viewing experience? If I perceive additional value, I don't mind spending a little bit more.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Microsoft's problem is not price--it's value. You can, of course, improve an object's value by reducing its price, but from the very beginning, Microsoft impressed upon us that Kinect was a vital part of the Xbox One experience, but they did so without assigning any real value to the Kinect. It's difficult to convince the average consumer that the ability to speak to a console or navigate an interface without a controller is a substantial improvement over using a gamepad or a remote control. In fact, Kinect's reputation for fiddly, imprecise controls had likely convinced consumers that the new Kinect wasn't worth the trouble.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2528642-4298376340-25167.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528642" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2528642-4298376340-25167.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528642"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1534/15343359/2528642-4298376340-25167.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style="">That meant that it was up to the games to give value to the Kinect. And I think we all know how well that's gone.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Considering the upcoming Kinect-less Xbox One sells for $100 less, it's now impossible not to see the Kinect as the sole reason for the console's premium price--and it's impossible not to assume that Kinect was so unimportant to Microsoft that it reversed course in a matter of months. Now the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One share a price, it's up to Microsoft to convince a skeptical public that it offers the better value, something it never did when Kinect was included. Given the company's mixed messaging, which was apparent from the moment the Xbox One was announced, I'm not sure Microsoft is up for the challenge, though that's a story for another day.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Thomas Mc Shea - Losing its Uniqueness</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">What is Microsoft's vision for the Xbox One? If you had asked me this question a year ago, I would have answered that it was a console designed to be everything to everyone, a walled-garden entertainment box that could seamlessly switch between every piece of software we use on a daily basis. But now? Now that Microsoft has pushed Kinect to the wayside and pulled a U-turn on their always-connected ideals? Now the Xbox One doesn't have an identity.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">I appreciate when companies listen to the needs of consumers, and chopping $100 off the price of the console is certainly a good thing. However, I do wonder what their long-term strategy is. We know that the PlayStation 4 is designed to play the most technically advanced games outside of the PC with tons of independent fare, and we know the Wii U offers a family-friendly oasis with a controller that offers much more flexibility than we're used to. After Microsoft has turned their back on everything that separated the Xbox One from its competitors, though, it seems like a ship without a captain.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">I expect Microsoft to gain traction in the short term because price drops open a door previously locked to the money-conscious public. But how long can that excitement last? Without a strong vision shaping what the Xbox One is, Microsoft is going to keep fighting for relevance as they struggle to define what a next-generation system should be.</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6418205" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6418205/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><h3 dir="ltr">Justin Haywald - On the Right Track</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">I've <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-can-the-xbox-one-catch-up-to-the-ps4/1100-6419163/" data-ref-id="1100-6419163">discussed the importance of price for the Xbox One before</a>, and giving Microsoft's console price parity is not only great news for consumers, it's a necessary move to keep the Xbox One going. Considering the Kinect had the potential for creating experiences you wouldn't be able to have on other systems, it's a little sad the peripheral has to be cut. But we really haven't seen anything that made having the Kinect necessary, and it was ultimately just hurting the Xbox One price point.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">More interesting is that this announcement is coming pre-E3. This is a bombshell, center-stage announcement, and Microsoft is getting it out of the way well ahead of their press conferences in a few weeks. What that seems to say is that not only is their show going to focus on games (not on hardware or <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-reveals-programs-for-xbox-original-tv-programming/1100-6419255/" data-ref-id="1100-6419255">their Xbox-exclusive entertainment properties</a>), but that Microsoft feels the games they have to announce are more than enough to dominate the show on their own.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">I hope that Microsoft continues to incentivize developers to use the Kinect tech in unique ways and that they can turn around the perception that it's not a worthwhile investment. Regardless, these are the kinds of sweeping changes Microsoft needed to enact to make sure that they stand a chance at beating the PS4. Now, what do Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony have in store for E3? I can't remember the last time I was this excited for the show.</p><table data-max-width="true"><tbody><tr><td><em>You've read our thoughts, now let us know what you think in the comments below. Is this the announcement that's finally going to get the Xbox One ahead of the PS4?</em></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 13 May 2014 16:14:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-price-drop-how-will-this-affect-the-console-war/1100-6419613/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-xbox-one-price-drop-399-no-kinect-netflix-/2300-6418783/ HUGE Microsoft news including a cheaper, Kinect-less Xbox One bundle, Xbox One Games With Gold launching, and some Xbox Live Gold restrictions removed! Tue, 13 May 2014 16:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-xbox-one-price-drop-399-no-kinect-netflix-/2300-6418783/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-everything-you-need-to-know/1100-6419584/ <p style=""> </p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2527908-future.png" data-ref-id="1300-2527908" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2527908-future.png" data-ref-id="1300-2527908"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2527908-future.png"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">The 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo is now just four weeks away. To help you prepare for what promises to be a busy and news-heavy event, we've compiled a roundup of dates and times for the main press conferences and other events happening during this year's show.</p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>What:</strong> E3 2014</h3><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Where:</strong> Los Angeles Convention Center. Los Angeles, California</h3><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Dates:</strong> <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/e3/" data-ref-id="false">June 10-12</a></h3><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Press Conferences </strong>(Watch them all live on GameSpot!)<strong>:</strong></h3><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Monday June 9</strong></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-s-e3-briefing-takes-place-june-9-what-are-you-hoping-is-announced/1100-6419449/" data-ref-id="1100-6419449">Microsoft </a>- 9:30 a.m. PDT</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-dates-its-e3-2014-press-conference-for-june-9/1100-6418911/" data-ref-id="1100-6418911">Electronic Arts </a>- 12 noon PDT</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassin-s-creed-publisher-ubisoft-announces-when-it-will-hold-its-annual-e3-presentation/1100-6418990/" data-ref-id="1100-6418990">Ubisoft</a> - 3 p.m. PDT</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-playstation-e3-2014-press-conference-dated-for-june-9-6pm/1100-6419546/" data-ref-id="1100-6419546">Sony</a> - 6 p.m. PDT</li></ul><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Tuesday, June 10 </strong></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-will-again-forgo-a-traditional-e3-press-conference/1100-6419283/" data-ref-id="1100-6419283">Nintendo </a>- 9 a.m. PDT</li></ul><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Other Events Happening During E3:</strong></h3><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Super Smash Bros Invitational</strong> - 16 of the top Super Smash Bros. players will compete at the Nokia Theatre in LA playing <a href="/super-smash-bros-for-wii-u/" data-ref-id="false">Super Smash Bros.</a> for Wii U. This event will be streamed.</p><p style=""><strong>Nintendo Treehouse</strong> - Special booth on the E3 show floor that promises "in-depth" game demos. Will be streamed all day June 10-12.</p><p style=""><strong>Microsoft </strong>- The company is planning "<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-s-e3-briefing-takes-place-june-9-what-are-you-hoping-is-announced/1100-6419449/" data-ref-id="1100-6419449">a number of fan-centric events</a>" for people not only Los Angeles, but also those watching from their homes. More details will be announced as E3 2014 draws closer.</p><h3><strong>List Of Confirmed Exhibitors:</strong></h3><ul><li dir="ltr">2weGames Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">3DC.com</li><li dir="ltr">505 Games</li><li dir="ltr">Activision Publishing</li><li dir="ltr">Akamai Technologies, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Aksys Games</li><li dir="ltr">Alienware</li><li dir="ltr">American Expresses OPEN</li><li dir="ltr">A-ONESOFT LLC</li><li dir="ltr">App Annie</li><li dir="ltr">Astro Gaming</li><li dir="ltr">Atlus U.S.A., Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Bandai Namco Games America</li><li dir="ltr">Beacon Studio</li><li dir="ltr">Behaviour Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">Bethesda</li><li dir="ltr">Bigben Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">Boogio</li><li dir="ltr">BRI-America Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Brady Games</li><li dir="ltr">Capcom USA Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">CCP Games</li><li dir="ltr">CD Projekt Red</li><li dir="ltr">China Mobile Games and Entertainment Group</li><li dir="ltr">China Universal Press &amp; Publication Co. Ltd</li><li dir="ltr">CI Games</li><li dir="ltr">Cozmo</li><li dir="ltr">Creative Mind Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">Crytek</li><li dir="ltr">Curse</li><li dir="ltr">Daedalic Entertainment</li><li dir="ltr">Deep Silver</li><li dir="ltr">Digital Hearts USA Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Disney Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">dreamGEAR</li><li dir="ltr">DTS</li><li dir="ltr">DXRACER USA LLC</li><li dir="ltr">EEDAR</li><li dir="ltr">Electronic Arts</li><li dir="ltr">En Masse Entertainment</li><li dir="ltr">Epic Games, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Ever App Ltd</li><li dir="ltr">Exeo Entertainment, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Extra Life</li><li dir="ltr">EZ Games Distribution, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Fiksu</li><li dir="ltr">Flying Wild Hog</li><li dir="ltr">Focus Home Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">Four Lights</li><li dir="ltr">Fresvii</li><li dir="ltr">Frontier Developments</li><li dir="ltr">Future US</li><li dir="ltr">Gaijin Entertainment</li><li dir="ltr">Game Developers Conference</li><li dir="ltr">Game Insight</li><li dir="ltr">Game Informer</li><li dir="ltr">Game Insight</li><li dir="ltr">Game Scope</li><li dir="ltr">Gamechurch.com</li><li dir="ltr">GamerHawk</li><li dir="ltr">Gameloft</li><li dir="ltr">GameSpot</li><li dir="ltr">Gameworld Distributors</li><li dir="ltr">Gaming Grids Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Gioteck</li><li dir="ltr">GlobalStep</li><li dir="ltr">Greybox</li><li dir="ltr">GungHo Online Entertainment</li><li dir="ltr">Hewlett-Packard</li><li dir="ltr">Hong Kong Trade Development Council</li><li dir="ltr">Hori USA, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Hyperkin, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">iEnergizer Limited</li><li dir="ltr">IGDA</li><li dir="ltr">IGN</li><li dir="ltr">Immerz, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">InComm</li><li dir="ltr">IndieCade</li><li dir="ltr">Innex, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">InnoGames</li><li dir="ltr">Kabam, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Kemco</li><li dir="ltr">Key Code Media</li><li dir="ltr">KOG</li><li dir="ltr">Konami</li><li dir="ltr">Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency</li><li dir="ltr">Kuung GamesLaserTagPro</li><li dir="ltr">LATAM Games</li><li dir="ltr">Little Orbit</li><li dir="ltr">Logitech Gaming</li><li dir="ltr">Machinima</li><li dir="ltr">Mad Catz Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Mattel Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Maximum Games</li><li dir="ltr">Mecca Electronics, Inc</li><li dir="ltr">Microsoft</li><li dir="ltr">Monoprice</li><li dir="ltr">Multiplayer.it</li><li dir="ltr">My.com</li><li dir="ltr">Natec-Genesis</li><li dir="ltr">Natsume Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">nDreams Ltd</li><li dir="ltr">Neo Arena Inc</li><li dir="ltr">NetEase Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Nintendo of America</li><li dir="ltr">Noitom Technology</li><li dir="ltr">Nuri Studio</li><li dir="ltr">Nvidia</li><li dir="ltr">Nyko Technologies</li><li dir="ltr">Oculus VR</li><li dir="ltr">OnLive</li><li dir="ltr">Orbbec Co</li><li dir="ltr">Paradox Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">PearlAbyss Corp.</li><li dir="ltr">Perfect World Entertainment</li><li dir="ltr">Performance Designed Products</li><li dir="ltr">Phonejoy</li><li dir="ltr">Pioneer Distributors</li><li dir="ltr">Platronics</li><li dir="ltr">Playkey</li><li dir="ltr">Playseat</li><li dir="ltr">Polk</li><li dir="ltr">Polygon</li><li dir="ltr">Prima Games</li><li dir="ltr">Pro vs. GIJoe</li><li dir="ltr">Protect A Game</li><li dir="ltr">Qualcomm</li><li dir="ltr">R.D.S. Industries</li><li dir="ltr">Razer</li><li dir="ltr">ReliableCoders</li><li dir="ltr">Rizing Games</li><li dir="ltr">Royal Electronics</li><li dir="ltr">Sega of America</li><li dir="ltr">Sensus</li><li dir="ltr">Silicon Image</li><li dir="ltr">Snail Games USA</li><li dir="ltr">Solutions 2 GO</li><li dir="ltr">Sony Computer Entertainment America</li><li dir="ltr">Sony Computer Entertainment Europe</li><li dir="ltr">Square Enix</li><li dir="ltr">SteelSeries</li><li dir="ltr">Straker Translations</li><li dir="ltr">Studio Can-G</li><li dir="ltr">Studio Noir</li><li dir="ltr">Sunflex USA LLC</li><li dir="ltr">Syba Multimedia, Inc/ GamesterGear</li><li dir="ltr">Take-Two InteractiveTechland</li><li dir="ltr">TellTale Games</li><li dir="ltr">Tencent America</li><li dir="ltr">The Get-Well Gamers Foundation</li><li dir="ltr">Turtle Beach</li><li dir="ltr">Twitch</li><li dir="ltr">Ubisoft</li><li dir="ltr">Ubitus</li><li dir="ltr">UCC Distributing Inc</li><li dir="ltr">UOL BoaCompra</li><li dir="ltr">Video Game Voters Network</li><li dir="ltr">Videogame History Museum</li><li dir="ltr">Virtuix</li><li dir="ltr">Virtuos</li><li dir="ltr">Visual Shower</li><li dir="ltr">Vivid Games</li><li dir="ltr">Wargaming</li><li dir="ltr">Warner Bros. Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">Webroot</li><li dir="ltr">Wikia</li><li dir="ltr">Wizards of the Coast</li><li dir="ltr">World Int'l Trading</li><li dir="ltr">Xaviant</li><li dir="ltr">X-Games Inc</li><li dir="ltr">XPEC Entertainment Inc</li><li dir="ltr">XSEED Games</li><li dir="ltr">Zynga</li></ul> Tue, 13 May 2014 15:50:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-everything-you-need-to-know/1100-6419584/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/diablo-3-s-latest-patch-toughens-up-crusaders-hands-out-more-gold/1100-6419612/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2528632-diablo+3.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528632" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2528632-diablo+3.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528632"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/123/1239113/2528632-diablo+3.jpg"></a></figure><p style="">The latest patch for <a href="/diablo-iii/" data-ref-id="false">Diablo III</a>, bringing the game up to version 2.0.5, introduces a wide range of changes to all classes, including making the Crusader--the class added in the Reaper of Souls expansion--both tougher and capable of doing more damage.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Each of the six classes have been modified, some more extensively than others. The Crusader, which is intended to be the game's toughest class, has finally had its damage reduction perk increased from 15% to 30%, matching that of the Monk and Barbarian. Meanwhile, many of the damage-dealing abilities the class has now do more damage. The Crusader's passive abilities have also been reworked, as the patch notes state, "Rather than try to simply change numbers on existing passives we've tried to provide interesting and compelling choices."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The <a href="http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/14138344/patch-205-now-live-5-13-2014" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">list of changes</a> for five of the game's six classes (the Demon Hunter being the exception) note that a number of runes are having their damage types changed. "To better support character builds based on a specific damage type we are changing the damage type of a few select runes," the patch notes read. "This is an ongoing goal - additional changes may be made in the future to any of our classes to make damage types an interesting consideration for character building."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">In addition to removing the 300% cap on items and Paragon Points, Blizzard is also changing the way Gold Find bonuses work. "Gold Find on items will now stack multiplicatively with the Gold Find bonus provided from game difficulty," Blizzard said. In effect, this will "significantly" increase the amount of gold found by players on higher difficulties, which is demonstrated with the following example: "Suppose you are playing on Master (+200% Gold Find) and have 50% Gold Find awarded from items. A pile of gold drops that would normally be 50 gold. Your Difficulty bonus increases the 50 gold to 150 gold. Your 50% Gold Find will now increase the 150 gold to 225 gold."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Perhaps best of all, one of the game's single most annoying (albeit ultimately unimportant) issues will be resolved by reducing a certain NPC's chatter while in town: "Tyrael will now chat about his poor eating habits with less frequency."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The full list of patch notes can be found on <a href="http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/14138344/patch-205-now-live-5-13-2014" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Blizzard's website</a>. But be aware if you try to play, there are reports of the game crashing following the patch's release, particularly when entering Nephalem Rifts, so it may be wise to avoid those for the time being.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Chris Pereira is a freelance writer for GameSpot, and you can follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSmokingManX" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Twitter @TheSmokingManX</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><em><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com</strong></em></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 13 May 2014 15:20:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/diablo-3-s-latest-patch-toughens-up-crusaders-hands-out-more-gold/1100-6419612/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/guild-wars-2-coming-to-china-on-may-15-at-10-18-a-m-yes-it-s-that-specific/1100-6419611/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2528629-welcomechina.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528629" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2528629-welcomechina.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528629"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2528629-welcomechina.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">PC MMO <a href="/guild-wars-2/" data-ref-id="false">Guild Wars 2</a> will launch in China on May 15 at 10:18 a.m. local time. That's the most specific (non-midnight) release date we've ever seen, but it's for a good reason. Developer ArenaNet notes that the number 8 is known in Chinese culture to be lucky. As for the 10 a.m. part, an ArenaNet representative told GameSpot that this specific timing comes down to late morning traditionally being a good time to launch MMOs in China.</p><p style="">ArenaNet has partnered with Chinese game publisher KongZhong to release Guild Wars 2 in China. Just like in North America, the Chinese version of the MMO will be available as a one-time purchase with no subscription fee. This is particularly noteworthy, ArenaNet says, because a <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/guild-wars-2-isn-t-free-to-play-or-subscription-based-in-china-and-that-s-pretty-rare/1100-6418025/" data-ref-id="1100-6418025">great number of MMOs released in China are subscription-based</a>.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Studio co-founder Mike O'Brien said in a statement that ArenaNet and KongZhong have been working together for 18 months on the Chinese version of Guild Wars 2. "Finally, we're ready to open our arms and join with China as one global community," he said.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Part of the process of bringing Guild Wars 2 to China involved translating millions of words, dubbing tens of thousands of voice over lines, and refitting hundreds of game features and systems, ArenaNet said.</p><p style="">The Chinese and Western versions of Guild Wars 2 will have the same content releases. ArenaNet notes that beginning with next week's Festival of the Four Winds update, the developer will synchronize content releases for China to receive content "within days" of release in the West.</p><p style="">For more on Guild Wars 2, which has <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/guild-wars-ii-sales-climb-to-35-million/1100-6413775/" data-ref-id="1100-6413775">sold over 3.5 million copies</a>, be sure to read <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/guild-wars-2-review/1900-6396275/" data-ref-id="1900-6396275">GameSpot's review</a>.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 13 May 2014 14:55:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/guild-wars-2-coming-to-china-on-may-15-at-10-18-a-m-yes-it-s-that-specific/1100-6419611/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-update-watch-dogs-runs-at-900p-on-ps4-792p/2300-6418781/ Ubisoft clarifies exactly how their game will look on next-gen systems, saying development time was spent improving the gameplay. Tue, 13 May 2014 14:37:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-update-watch-dogs-runs-at-900p-on-ps4-792p/2300-6418781/ http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-3-in-harm-s-way-/1900-6415759/ <p style="">How far is this going to go? This is the question I kept asking myself during In Harm's Way, the third episode of the second season of Telltale Games' adventure series The Walking Dead. While the entire franchise has asked increasingly stressful moral questions about what you have to be willing to do to survive in a world of zombies and madmen always looking out for number one, the latest chapter takes you into such extreme, nihilistic territory that I started to worry about Clementine's soul, not just her skin.</p><p style="">In Harm's Way is one of the more pensive episodes of the season when it comes to exploring character motivation, although there is enough action--especially in the chaotic, bloody conclusion--that it's not exactly <em>My Dinner With Andre</em>. The story picks up right where it left off the last time around, with your band of plucky survivors led by Clem and Kenny in the clutches of the evil Bill Carver, commandant of a group that has set up shop in a very well-stocked former Lowe's, er, Howe's home improvement store. This gang has loads of food and supplies in their makeshift fortress, but also loads of automatic weapons and a dictatorial nutcase at the helm who, as we saw in the last episode, thinks nothing of killing anyone who doesn't agree with him.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2528503-0001.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528503" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2528503-0001.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528503"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/416/4161502/2528503-0001.jpg"></a><figcaption>Clementine is still resourceful. Give her nothing more than a flathead screwdriver and say goodnight, zombie horde.</figcaption></figure><p style="">As in the season's earlier episodes, and during most of last season, the plot revolves around Clem continually asking herself how far she is willing to go to help out her fellow survivors. Carver runs the Howe's like a prison camp, but there is no Sgt. Schultz for comic relief. This penitentiary comes complete with forced work details that include looking after walling out the undead and growing vegetables for food. You're placed into many situations where you decide how you're going to treat everyone else. Do you play nice and try to help out others who lack your intestinal fortitude? Or do you do your own thing and risk putting your pals in, you know, harm's way?</p><p style="">Gameplay is on the thin side, with little happening aside from a handful of action moves, but the many dialogue and motivation choices make for strong characterization and story development. Helping other people is the focus of most moral dilemmas, but choosing to do so almost always backfires to the point where someone is maimed or killed. Every personal problem brought me back to the scene in which a dog attacks Clem for a can of food--even if she tries to share it with the initially docile mutt--in an earlier episode. "No good deed goes unpunished" might as well be the subtitle for the whole series.</p><figure data-align="left" data-size="medium" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2528504-0002.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528504" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2528504-0002.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528504"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_medium/416/4161502/2528504-0002.jpg"></a><figcaption>In Harm's Way doesn't shy away from violence.</figcaption></figure><p style="">Here, the apparently docile mutt in question is Clem's new friend Sarah, who's still not adapting well to life on the run from zombies. There are many occasions when you can help her, ignore her, or tell her plainly that she's got to toughen up to survive. I always tried to help her out, to preserve some of Clem's fading empathy, while all along knowing that at some point Sarah was likely going to bite me, too.</p><p style="">The primary drawback with the storytelling is the black/white nature of most characters. Sarah is an annoying whiner; Kenny is devolving back to the old cattiness that made me want to see him dead by the second episode of the first season; and Luke is the earnest young guy who would be the member of the boy band that you would want to take home to meet mom. Others in the supporting cast are barely there. I can't even remember the names of the pregnant woman and the doctor. There is a real danger that characters are becoming too dispensable outside of a core group of two or three. You know Clem is going to make it, along with one or two of her closest companions, but beyond that, everyone might as well be wearing a red shirt and beaming down with Captain Kirk. Carver may be the weakest point. He's a murderous tyrant so openly monstrous that it's impossible to understand how he's still alive. There is this assumption that he's seen as a necessary evil, the bad guy needed to battle the even worse bad guys and monsters just outside the door. But he's really more of a grizzled tough-guy caricature spouting off Ayn Rand-style nonsense. A guy like this would have been shot in the head by one of his henchmen long ago.</p><figure data-align="right" data-size="medium" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2528506-0003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528506" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2528506-0003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528506"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_medium/416/4161502/2528506-0003.jpg"></a><figcaption>Yeah, this is gonna end well.</figcaption></figure><p style="">Still, even the melodrama mostly works in In Harm's Way. The focus on Clem kept me invested, because even though I saw through some of the supporting cast, I was always concerned about her humanity, which was clearly being chipped away with every choice she made. The episode culminates by involving Clem with the most horrifying and explicit murder in the series so far. You are given a choice here, though. You can stay and watch the atrocity, which is then shown in gruesome detail, right down to the last swing of the crowbar, culminating in a scene so vicious that I was reminded of the torture scene from <a href="/grand-theft-auto-v/" data-ref-id="false">Grand Theft Auto V</a>. Or you can leave and preserve a modicum of Clem's ability to relate to other human beings. I stayed and watched. Even after playing the nice guy throughout the entire episode, I had to stick around out of a perverse need to rubberneck...and, of course, to see just how far the game would go in depicting what was about to happen. If the world ever recovers, Clem is going to have a lot to share with her shrink.</p><p style="">Telltale Games' zombie extravaganza is continuing to prove that it is every bit the equal of the Robert Kirkman comics, and superior to the AMC TV show. In Harm's Way is a gameplay-light setup episode that mostly positions the characters for the conclusion of this season, but it also descends to new depths while exploring just how far Clementine and her allies are willing to go to stay alive. It's all sad and lonely and suicidally hopeless. But good luck trying to turn away.</p> Tue, 13 May 2014 14:26:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-3-in-harm-s-way-/1900-6415759/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rockstar-games-to-release-a-ps4-xbox-one-game-by-march-2015/1100-6419610/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2528549-rockstar.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528549" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2528549-rockstar.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528549"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2528549-rockstar.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">Rockstar Games, the subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive responsible for games like <a href="/grand-theft-auto-v/" data-ref-id="false">Grand Theft Auto V</a>, <a href="/red-dead-redemption/" data-ref-id="false">Red Dead Redemption</a>, and <a href="/l-a-noire/" data-ref-id="false">L.A. Noire</a>, will release a game for "next-gen" consoles during the company's current fiscal year. That means this game, presumably for Xbox One and/or PlayStation 4, will be released sometime before March 31, 2015.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Unfortunately, no other details about what this project could be were made available today. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said during a <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-5-ships-33-million-copies-as-take-two-posts-record-annual-profit/1100-6419609/" data-ref-id="1100-6419609">post-earnings financial call</a> that he is "very excited about what [Rockstar Games] have in store for next-gen systems."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Could one of these projects be announced at E3 2014 next month? Historically, Rockstar Games does not attend the annual trade show, but Take-Two management didn't specifically say no when asked by an analyst today.</p><p style="">"At this point, Rockstar has not announced that they're going to be attending E3," Take-Two president Karl Slatoff said.</p><p style="">According to Take-Two, the Rockstar Games label will make up 45 percent of the company's total revenue in the coming year, which assumes the release of a major title. Robert W. Baird analyst Colin Sebastian <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/analyst-expects-gtav-on-xbox-one-ps4-in-2014/1100-6414677/" data-ref-id="1100-6414677">believes GTA V will come to Xbox One and PS4 in 2014</a>, but of course this is unconfirmed.</p><p style="">Take-Two posted <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-5-ships-33-million-copies-as-take-two-posts-record-annual-profit/1100-6419609/" data-ref-id="1100-6419609">record profit of over $500 million</a> for its fiscal year ended March 31, helped by the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-v-sales-reach-1-billion-in-three-days/1100-6414762/" data-ref-id="1100-6414762">massive success of GTA V</a>, the company announced today.</p><p style=""> </p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 13 May 2014 14:09:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rockstar-games-to-release-a-ps4-xbox-one-game-by-march-2015/1100-6419610/

http://auth.gamespot.com/ Gamespot's Everything Feed! News, Reviews, Videos. Exploding with content? You bet. en-us Tue, 13 May 2014 22:33:36 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/xbox-one-drops-the-kinect-the-lobby/2300-6418793/ Justin, Danny and Chris talk about why Microsoft made the decision to drop the price of the Xbox One before E3, and the effect it will have on sales. Tue, 13 May 2014 19:53:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/xbox-one-drops-the-kinect-the-lobby/2300-6418793/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/transistor-demo-with-greg-kasavin-the-lobby/2300-6418791/ Former GameSpot editor turned games developer Greg Kasavin demos Transistor a week ahead of release on PlayStation 4 and PC. Tue, 13 May 2014 19:40:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/transistor-demo-with-greg-kasavin-the-lobby/2300-6418791/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/thief-the-dark-project-is-still-fantastic-the-lobb/2300-6418790/ Greg Kasavin remembers the 1998 classic Thief: The Dark Project as part of GameSpot's Videogame History Month. Tue, 13 May 2014 18:05:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/thief-the-dark-project-is-still-fantastic-the-lobb/2300-6418790/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/toejam-earl-in-panic-on-funkotron-gameplay-multipl/2300-6418787/ Chris and Mary get funky with it by chucking jars as hard as they can at children and berating naked men in cardboard boxes as they play ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron for the Sega Genesis. Tue, 13 May 2014 17:52:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/toejam-earl-in-panic-on-funkotron-gameplay-multipl/2300-6418787/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/bound-by-flame-not-bras-the-lobby/2300-6418788/ Kevin Vanord explains why Bound By Flame got a score of 4, then talks about the wardrobe choices for characters. Tue, 13 May 2014 17:38:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/bound-by-flame-not-bras-the-lobby/2300-6418788/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-games-you-can-t-play-without-kinect/1100-6419615/ <div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6418783" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6418783/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style="">Microsoft <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/399-xbox-one-without-kinect-launching-in-june/1100-6419601/" data-ref-id="1100-6419601">announced a price drop for the Xbox One today</a>, but that comes at the expense of the Kinect. Love it or hate it, there are some games and features you can only experience with the camera accessory.</p><p style="">Here are the games that are completely unplayable without Kinect:</p><ul><li><a href="/kinect-sports-rivals/" data-ref-id="false">Kinect Sports Rivals</a></li><li><a href="/just-dance-2014/" data-ref-id="false">Just Dance 2014</a></li><li><a href="/xbox-fitness/" data-ref-id="false">Xbox Fitness</a></li><li><a href="/zumba-fitness-world-party/" data-ref-id="false">Zumba Fitness World Party</a></li><li><a href="/fighter-within/" data-ref-id="false">Fighter Within</a></li></ul><p style="">Upcoming games that will likely be unplayable:</p><ul><li><a href="/fantasia-music-evolved/" data-ref-id="false">Fantasia: Music Evolved</a></li><li>The inevitable<a href="/dance-central/" data-ref-id="false"> Dance Central</a> game from Harmonix (which Yusuf Medhi seemed to confirm in an interview earlier today).</li></ul><p style="">And here are some of the games that make use of Kinect, but you can still play with a standard controller:</p><ul><li><a href="/angry-birds-star-wars/" data-ref-id="false">Angry Birds Star Wars</a></li><li><a href="/assassins-creed-iv-black-flag/" data-ref-id="false">Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag</a></li><li><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/battlefield-4/" data-ref-id="false">Battlefield 4</a></li><li><a href="/call-of-duty-ghosts/" data-ref-id="false">Call of Duty: Ghosts</a></li><li><a href="/crimson-dragon/" data-ref-id="false">Crimson Dragon</a></li><li><a href="/dead-rising-3/" data-ref-id="false">Dead Rising 3</a></li><li><a href="/fable-legends/" data-ref-id="false">Fable Legends</a></li><li><a href="/fifa-14/" data-ref-id="false">FIFA 14</a></li><li><a href="/forza-motorsport-5/" data-ref-id="false">Forza Motorsport 5</a></li><li><a href="/killer-instinct/" data-ref-id="false">Killer Instinct</a></li><li><a href="/madden-nfl-25/" data-ref-id="false">Madden NFL 25</a></li><li><a href="/nba-2k14/" data-ref-id="false">NBA 2K14</a></li><li><a href="/need-for-speed-rivals/" data-ref-id="false">Need for Speed: Rivals</a></li><li><a href="/peggle-2/" data-ref-id="false">Peggle 2</a></li><li><a href="/plants-vs-zombies-garden-warfare/" data-ref-id="false">Plants vs. Zombie: Garden Warfare</a></li><li><a href="/ryse-son-of-rome/" data-ref-id="false">Ryse: Son of Rome</a></li><li><a href="/thief/" data-ref-id="false">Thief</a></li><li><a href="/tomb-raider/" data-ref-id="false">Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition</a></li><li><a href="/zoo-tycoon/" data-ref-id="false">Zoo Tycoon</a></li></ul><p style="">For more on how the Xbox One price drop will effect the console war, check out our <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-price-drop-how-will-this-affect-the-console-war/1100-6419613/" data-ref-id="1100-6419613">editorial feature</a>.</p><p style=""> </p><table data-max-width="true"><tbody><tr><td><p style=""><strong>Justin Haywald is a senior editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/JustinHaywald" rel="nofollow"> Twitter @JustinHaywald</a></strong></p><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 13 May 2014 17:30:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-games-you-can-t-play-without-kinect/1100-6419615/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/wasteland-2-early-access-review/1100-6419545/ <p style=""><i>GameSpot's early access reviews evaluate unfinished games that are nonetheless available for purchase by the public. While the games in question are not considered finished by their creators, you may still devote money, time, and bandwidth for the privilege of playing them before they are complete. The review below critiques a work in progress, and represents a snapshot of the game at the time of the review's publication.</i></p><p style="">Any discussion of Wasteland must begin with its legacy. The first game was one of those truly seminal works. The eponymous setting and morbid humor stand among the best, and they've been adapted and canonized in the annals of game history. Over 25 years later, Wasteland 2 seeks to pick up where its predecessor left off. As one of the first games to receive huge support through crowd funding and one of the first to hit Steam's early access program, Wasteland 2 can't avoid being caught between its origins and its 21st-century funding and distribution. Thankfully, it deftly manages to balance everything and is one of the best postapocalyptic role-playing games to emerge in a long time--and it's not even finished yet.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2526734-0001.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2526734" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2526734-0001.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2526734"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/416/4161502/2526734-0001.jpg"></a><figcaption>Combat is turn-based and tactical, and it works really well.</figcaption></figure><p style="">Taking place some 15 years after the first game, Wasteland 2 is set in the same irradiated version of the American Southwest as the 1988 original. Many of the choices and quests from the first game are referenced as either plot points or Easter eggs. The game borrows heavily from the formula of the original: you begin as a team of four potential recruits to the Rangers, a group of paramilitary police officers looking to reorganize and protect the wasteland that what once was Southern Arizona. This team is yours to mold, but you'll want to put a lot of care and effort into it. Most levels are cramped but loaded with an insane number of things to discover, and to access every area, you need a well-balanced team that can handle anything that's thrown its way.</p><p style="">When creating my party, I was excited to see that I could accurately role-play as myself. I picked "American Indian" for my race and "Indigenous" as my religion. That detail goes beyond just picking a few cosmetic options and setting off for adventure, though. You're encouraged to write a backstory for yourself and your characters, and while it may be a bit much to hope that the game could parse that information and use it later, the option calls to mind the pen-and-paper RPGs that inspired the original Wasteland. Information as apparently insignificant as whether or not your characters are smokers, and what brand of cigarettes they prefer, have actual consequence. You shouldn't, however, get too cavalier when building your party, unless you're looking for an additional challenge. Wasteland 2's structure encourages extreme specialization. Points that you can allocate to skills are few and far between, and trying to create a jack-of-all-trades usually results in a character that can't do anything particularly well, especially in the late game. Instead, Wasteland 2 wants you to make characters distinct so that they mutually rely on one another. While that system drives home party cohesion with severe consequences for death, I wish the dialogue system were implemented so that side characters got more attention from time to time; individual party members' personalities are typically overshadowed by the character you designate as your primary conversationalist. </p><blockquote data-align="left"><p style="">Wasteland 2 is one of the best postapocalyptic role-playing games to emerge in a long time--and it's not even finished yet.</p></blockquote><p style="">While Wasteland 2 might be too rigid to allow you to actually play a role in exactly the way you want, nearly everything else is extremely well executed. Most of the areas and towns you'll explore are small, which may initially seem like a problem, but there's a lot more going on than you'd suspect at first glance. Nearly every screen in the game has something interesting in it, from hidden safes to secret caves, and most people will not be able to see everything on a first playthrough. Again, that might come off as a problem--forcing you to play more than once, and artificially padding the length--but most of the things you miss aren't necessary. Instead, they're there to help make the world feel whole. You won't miss them, but they are surprisingly important. <a href="/reviews/shadowrun-dragonfall-review/1900-6415692/" data-ref-id="1900-6415692">Shadowrun: Dragonfall</a> (Wasteland's closest recent analogue) suffered from a lack of extras; it was a big game but felt cramped because it was possible to see absolutely everything in every level. The loot system here reinforces the sense of scale. Most items are useless, but many have their own back stories and mythologies surrounding them, while others give you access to entirely new areas. Such specific details go a long way towards making the world feel organic, much in the same way that the thousands of useless wheels of cheese and brooms in an Elder Scrolls game helps bring its world to life.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2526737-0002.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2526737" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2526737-0002.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2526737"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/416/4161502/2526737-0002.jpg"></a><figcaption>Wandering around in the wastes can lead to some great loot and fun times, but if you mess around too much, people solve their own problems and aren't too happy about it.</figcaption></figure><p style="">Supporting that sense of a deep world is a fluid application of typical RPG character classes. You can train almost any character in any skill, but again, some forethought can help quite a bit. If you have a character you want to specialize in melee combat, you probably want to make sure he has a decent speed stat so he can maneuver around the battlefield effectively. While you're doing that, making him a combat medic and a surgeon might not be a bad idea either. If any party member gets into trouble, he can move off the front lines and heal the victim before he bleeds out. That combination of skills is rare in most games, where melee combat and healing would be split between two different characters. There are a lot of skills you need on your journey, though, and if you want to have someone who can repair machines, handle computers, pick locks, crack open safes, and wield a sniper rifle--all skills you'd expect in a classic rogue--you can't level him up well enough to use him effectively. </p><p style="">There are a lot of raiders and bandits out in the wild, and combat encounters are random. When a hostile group approaches, you have the option to either attack head-on or make a skill check to lose them. If you stand and fight, you often face three to ten bandits on a variety of different minimaps. From here, the game becomes a lot more tactical. Each of your characters has a set number of action points to spend per turn on attacking, healing, changing stances, using items, or moving around. Some maps have extensive cover you can use to help avoid damage, while others favor a quicker, more brutal approach. Either way, consequences for failure are extremely high. Most party members can't stand up to more than a few solid hits. Some enemies can also inflict nasty status effects, which require special medical attention. If your team members take too much damage, they fall unconscious and begin steadily losing health until they are treated. If you fail to get them fixed up in time, they die and are lost permanently. Unfortunately, treating another character in battle is hard to pull off properly, even if you're properly prepared. Battlefield surgery uses up a large number of action points and almost guarantees your surgeon will be vulnerable to further attack. Much like XCOM before it, Wasteland 2 encourages careful combat. Nothing here is technically difficult, but it can be punishing if you're reckless. The narrative also supports that omnipresent sense of care and urgency.</p><figure data-align="right" data-size="medium" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2526738-0003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2526738" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2526738-0003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2526738"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_medium/416/4161502/2526738-0003.jpg"></a><figcaption>Wasteland 2 isn't much to look at, but it's got everything else in spades.</figcaption></figure><p style="">After the introductory sequence, the world opens up a bit. You have several main objectives, but provided your team is strong enough, you can break off and do whatever you like. If you faff about long enough, you receive some radio reports that some of the places you were supposed to help are being overrun. Wait a bit longer, and they'll be lost completely. Wasteland 2 is perfectly willing to let you have whatever fun you'd like, but there are also consequences for inaction. You enter the fray during a tumultuous time, rife with political drama and suffering from scarce resources. Whether you answer that call and choose to help secure the Rangers as a salient political force in the region or let the last vestiges of humanity slip closer to extinction is up to you. Either way, Wasteland's writing is its foundation. A palpable sense of humor is communicated both through dialogue and an ever-present printer that curtly summarizes your actions both in and out of combat, and it shines through the melodrama. In much the same way that Fallout's over-the-top violence ultimately reinforces its grand thesis on warfare, Wasteland 2's absurdist comedy helps the entire journey feel more comfortable and relatable. It gives the impression that everyone has adopted a distant affect to deal with the dismal circumstances.</p><p style="">Wasteland 2 isn't complete, but I thoroughly enjoyed my journey. There are a few small issues here and there, like the fact that when you're fighting unarmed, you can't attack diagonally adjacent tiles, but they're minor compared to the rest of the experience. I was skeptical about the idea of making a sequel to a 26-year-old game. From the perspective of a contemporary audience, the original Wasteland isn't just old; it's almost unplayable. Wasteland 2 spectacularly balances the older style of classic PC RPGs and more modern sensibilities. Combat moves surprisingly quickly, and the world feels remarkably alive. This is not a game that I would have ever expected to work as well as it does, but what's here already is far more substantial than most full retail releases.</p><table data-max-width="true"><tbody><tr><td><p style=""><strong>What's There?</strong></p></td><td><p style=""><em><strong>There's a ton of content already. Most players can expect 30 hours at least, though the goal is to have at least 50 hours of gameplay for the final launch.</strong></em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p style=""><strong>What's to Come?</strong></p></td><td><p style=""><em><strong>The main quest is largely complete. Based on developer blog posts, it seems that the coming additions will be fixes and extras.</strong></em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p style=""><strong>What Does it Cost?</strong></p></td><td><p style=""><strong><em>Currently $60. The developers have repeatedly said that Wasteland 2 will be cheaper at retail, and the high cost now is primarily to balance early access against Kickstarter backer rewards. If you're pining for a new open-world RPG, this is a great buy. Otherwise, wait for the final release.</em></strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p style=""><strong>When Will it Be Finished?</strong></p></td><td><p style=""><strong><em>At the time of writing, there has been no retail release date announced, but the developer blog says we should expect to hear of one by the end of the month.</em></strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p style=""><strong>What's the Verdict?</strong></p></td><td><p style=""><em><strong>Despite a few frustrating bugs and the need for some areas to be cleaned up, Wasteland 2 is essentially finished. This is a rich, creative world packed with things to do and places to explore. Good luck out there in the wastes.</strong></em></p><p style=""> </p></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 13 May 2014 16:21:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/wasteland-2-early-access-review/1100-6419545/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-price-drop-how-will-this-affect-the-console-war/1100-6419613/ <p style="">Microsoft announced a <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/399-xbox-one-without-kinect-launching-in-june/1100-6419601/" data-ref-id="1100-6419601">$399 version of the Xbox One sans Kinect</a> today--bringing it in line with the current sales frontrunner PlayStation 4. And even without an Xbox Live Gold membership, Xbox owners will finally be able to <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-removes-xbox-one-and-xbox-360-gold-paywall-for-netflix-hulu-and-more/1100-6419590/" data-ref-id="1100-6419590">access entertainment apps like Netflix and Hulu.</a></p><p style="">The comments for those stories, and our<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-boss-talks-price-drop-says-e3-will-be-all-about-games/1100-6419604/" data-ref-id="1100-6419604"> interview with Xbox boss Yusuf Mehdi</a>, are a minefield of dissenting opinions, and the GameSpot offices are no different. Was this the right move for Microsoft and will it be enough to give them the edge on the PS4?</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6418779" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6418779/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><h3 dir="ltr">Edward Makuch - Fan Dialogue</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">The unbundling of Xbox One with Kinect is not only meaningful because it brings the system on par with Sony's PlayStation 4 from a price perspective but also because it shows Microsoft is continuing to listen to fans. Not that you needed a reason to doubt Microsoft's willingness to do so. The unbundling of Kinect is the second dramatic reversal for the Xbox One in under a year, following the company's decision to<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-changing-xbox-one-policies/1100-6410472/"> do away with many controversial policies last summer</a> after fans spoke out in protest.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">When I asked Microsoft's Albert Penello in August 2013 if he thought the Xbox One's then-$100 price premium over the PS4 would be a deal-breaker for some, he<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-xbox-one-is-worth-100-more-than-playstation-4/1100-6413908/"> shrugged his shoulders and said no</a>. What a different--and encouraging--narrative we're hearing today. Today's news should help Xbox One sales pick up, and it couldn't come sooner. At<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-ships-1-2-million-to-retailers-during-2014-s-first-quarter/1100-6419194/"> 5 million units shipped</a>, the Xbox One is lagging behind<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-reports-7-million-playstation-4-consoles-sold-worldwide/1100-6419044/"> the PS4 (7 million)</a> and the<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/wii-u-sales-reach-6-17-million-as-nintendo-reveals-best-selling-games-to-date/1100-6419486/"> Wii U (6.17 million)</a> in the worldwide sales race. If Microsoft's E3 2014 showing next month is strong (and they<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-boss-talks-price-drop-says-e3-will-be-all-about-games/1100-6419604/"> say it will be</a>), it, coupled with the price drop, might serve as a one-two punch that could turn the tides in the battle for the living room.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Kevin VanOrd - The True Value of the Xbox</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">I've often said this about games, but it applies to consoles, consumer electronics, and most other products as well: "value" is more than just how much something costs. For instance, when shopping for a new television, I'm not looking for the least expensive television--I'm shopping for the best value based on my perception of what's important. Does it have 3D capabilities? What's the refresh rate? Does it have built-in support for YouTube, Netflix, and so forth? What other features does it have, and how do they improve my viewing experience? If I perceive additional value, I don't mind spending a little bit more.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Microsoft's problem is not price--it's value. You can, of course, improve an object's value by reducing its price, but from the very beginning, Microsoft impressed upon us that Kinect was a vital part of the Xbox One experience, but they did so without assigning any real value to the Kinect. It's difficult to convince the average consumer that the ability to speak to a console or navigate an interface without a controller is a substantial improvement over using a gamepad or a remote control. In fact, Kinect's reputation for fiddly, imprecise controls had likely convinced consumers that the new Kinect wasn't worth the trouble.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2528642-4298376340-25167.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528642" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2528642-4298376340-25167.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528642"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1534/15343359/2528642-4298376340-25167.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style="">That meant that it was up to the games to give value to the Kinect. And I think we all know how well that's gone.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Considering the upcoming Kinect-less Xbox One sells for $100 less, it's now impossible not to see the Kinect as the sole reason for the console's premium price--and it's impossible not to assume that Kinect was so unimportant to Microsoft that it reversed course in a matter of months. Now the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One share a price, it's up to Microsoft to convince a skeptical public that it offers the better value, something it never did when Kinect was included. Given the company's mixed messaging, which was apparent from the moment the Xbox One was announced, I'm not sure Microsoft is up for the challenge, though that's a story for another day.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Thomas Mc Shea - Losing its Uniqueness</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">What is Microsoft's vision for the Xbox One? If you had asked me this question a year ago, I would have answered that it was a console designed to be everything to everyone, a walled-garden entertainment box that could seamlessly switch between every piece of software we use on a daily basis. But now? Now that Microsoft has pushed Kinect to the wayside and pulled a U-turn on their always-connected ideals? Now the Xbox One doesn't have an identity.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">I appreciate when companies listen to the needs of consumers, and chopping $100 off the price of the console is certainly a good thing. However, I do wonder what their long-term strategy is. We know that the PlayStation 4 is designed to play the most technically advanced games outside of the PC with tons of independent fare, and we know the Wii U offers a family-friendly oasis with a controller that offers much more flexibility than we're used to. After Microsoft has turned their back on everything that separated the Xbox One from its competitors, though, it seems like a ship without a captain.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">I expect Microsoft to gain traction in the short term because price drops open a door previously locked to the money-conscious public. But how long can that excitement last? Without a strong vision shaping what the Xbox One is, Microsoft is going to keep fighting for relevance as they struggle to define what a next-generation system should be.</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6418205" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6418205/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><h3 dir="ltr">Justin Haywald - On the Right Track</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">I've <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-can-the-xbox-one-catch-up-to-the-ps4/1100-6419163/" data-ref-id="1100-6419163">discussed the importance of price for the Xbox One before</a>, and giving Microsoft's console price parity is not only great news for consumers, it's a necessary move to keep the Xbox One going. Considering the Kinect had the potential for creating experiences you wouldn't be able to have on other systems, it's a little sad the peripheral has to be cut. But we really haven't seen anything that made having the Kinect necessary, and it was ultimately just hurting the Xbox One price point.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">More interesting is that this announcement is coming pre-E3. This is a bombshell, center-stage announcement, and Microsoft is getting it out of the way well ahead of their press conferences in a few weeks. What that seems to say is that not only is their show going to focus on games (not on hardware or <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-reveals-programs-for-xbox-original-tv-programming/1100-6419255/" data-ref-id="1100-6419255">their Xbox-exclusive entertainment properties</a>), but that Microsoft feels the games they have to announce are more than enough to dominate the show on their own.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">I hope that Microsoft continues to incentivize developers to use the Kinect tech in unique ways and that they can turn around the perception that it's not a worthwhile investment. Regardless, these are the kinds of sweeping changes Microsoft needed to enact to make sure that they stand a chance at beating the PS4. Now, what do Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony have in store for E3? I can't remember the last time I was this excited for the show.</p><table data-max-width="true"><tbody><tr><td><em>You've read our thoughts, now let us know what you think in the comments below. Is this the announcement that's finally going to get the Xbox One ahead of the PS4?</em></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 13 May 2014 16:14:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-price-drop-how-will-this-affect-the-console-war/1100-6419613/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-xbox-one-price-drop-399-no-kinect-netflix-/2300-6418783/ HUGE Microsoft news including a cheaper, Kinect-less Xbox One bundle, Xbox One Games With Gold launching, and some Xbox Live Gold restrictions removed! Tue, 13 May 2014 16:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-xbox-one-price-drop-399-no-kinect-netflix-/2300-6418783/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-everything-you-need-to-know/1100-6419584/ <p style=""> </p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2527908-future.png" data-ref-id="1300-2527908" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2527908-future.png" data-ref-id="1300-2527908"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2527908-future.png"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">The 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo is now just four weeks away. To help you prepare for what promises to be a busy and news-heavy event, we've compiled a roundup of dates and times for the main press conferences and other events happening during this year's show.</p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>What:</strong> E3 2014</h3><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Where:</strong> Los Angeles Convention Center. Los Angeles, California</h3><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Dates:</strong> <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/e3/" data-ref-id="false">June 10-12</a></h3><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Press Conferences </strong>(Watch them all live on GameSpot!)<strong>:</strong></h3><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Monday June 9</strong></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-s-e3-briefing-takes-place-june-9-what-are-you-hoping-is-announced/1100-6419449/" data-ref-id="1100-6419449">Microsoft </a>- 9:30 a.m. PDT</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-dates-its-e3-2014-press-conference-for-june-9/1100-6418911/" data-ref-id="1100-6418911">Electronic Arts </a>- 12 noon PDT</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassin-s-creed-publisher-ubisoft-announces-when-it-will-hold-its-annual-e3-presentation/1100-6418990/" data-ref-id="1100-6418990">Ubisoft</a> - 3 p.m. PDT</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-playstation-e3-2014-press-conference-dated-for-june-9-6pm/1100-6419546/" data-ref-id="1100-6419546">Sony</a> - 6 p.m. PDT</li></ul><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Tuesday, June 10 </strong></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-will-again-forgo-a-traditional-e3-press-conference/1100-6419283/" data-ref-id="1100-6419283">Nintendo </a>- 9 a.m. PDT</li></ul><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Other Events Happening During E3:</strong></h3><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Super Smash Bros Invitational</strong> - 16 of the top Super Smash Bros. players will compete at the Nokia Theatre in LA playing <a href="/super-smash-bros-for-wii-u/" data-ref-id="false">Super Smash Bros.</a> for Wii U. This event will be streamed.</p><p style=""><strong>Nintendo Treehouse</strong> - Special booth on the E3 show floor that promises "in-depth" game demos. Will be streamed all day June 10-12.</p><p style=""><strong>Microsoft </strong>- The company is planning "<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-s-e3-briefing-takes-place-june-9-what-are-you-hoping-is-announced/1100-6419449/" data-ref-id="1100-6419449">a number of fan-centric events</a>" for people not only Los Angeles, but also those watching from their homes. More details will be announced as E3 2014 draws closer.</p><h3><strong>List Of Confirmed Exhibitors:</strong></h3><ul><li dir="ltr">2weGames Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">3DC.com</li><li dir="ltr">505 Games</li><li dir="ltr">Activision Publishing</li><li dir="ltr">Akamai Technologies, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Aksys Games</li><li dir="ltr">Alienware</li><li dir="ltr">American Expresses OPEN</li><li dir="ltr">A-ONESOFT LLC</li><li dir="ltr">App Annie</li><li dir="ltr">Astro Gaming</li><li dir="ltr">Atlus U.S.A., Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Bandai Namco Games America</li><li dir="ltr">Beacon Studio</li><li dir="ltr">Behaviour Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">Bethesda</li><li dir="ltr">Bigben Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">Boogio</li><li dir="ltr">BRI-America Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Brady Games</li><li dir="ltr">Capcom USA Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">CCP Games</li><li dir="ltr">CD Projekt Red</li><li dir="ltr">China Mobile Games and Entertainment Group</li><li dir="ltr">China Universal Press &amp; Publication Co. Ltd</li><li dir="ltr">CI Games</li><li dir="ltr">Cozmo</li><li dir="ltr">Creative Mind Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">Crytek</li><li dir="ltr">Curse</li><li dir="ltr">Daedalic Entertainment</li><li dir="ltr">Deep Silver</li><li dir="ltr">Digital Hearts USA Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Disney Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">dreamGEAR</li><li dir="ltr">DTS</li><li dir="ltr">DXRACER USA LLC</li><li dir="ltr">EEDAR</li><li dir="ltr">Electronic Arts</li><li dir="ltr">En Masse Entertainment</li><li dir="ltr">Epic Games, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Ever App Ltd</li><li dir="ltr">Exeo Entertainment, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Extra Life</li><li dir="ltr">EZ Games Distribution, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Fiksu</li><li dir="ltr">Flying Wild Hog</li><li dir="ltr">Focus Home Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">Four Lights</li><li dir="ltr">Fresvii</li><li dir="ltr">Frontier Developments</li><li dir="ltr">Future US</li><li dir="ltr">Gaijin Entertainment</li><li dir="ltr">Game Developers Conference</li><li dir="ltr">Game Insight</li><li dir="ltr">Game Informer</li><li dir="ltr">Game Insight</li><li dir="ltr">Game Scope</li><li dir="ltr">Gamechurch.com</li><li dir="ltr">GamerHawk</li><li dir="ltr">Gameloft</li><li dir="ltr">GameSpot</li><li dir="ltr">Gameworld Distributors</li><li dir="ltr">Gaming Grids Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Gioteck</li><li dir="ltr">GlobalStep</li><li dir="ltr">Greybox</li><li dir="ltr">GungHo Online Entertainment</li><li dir="ltr">Hewlett-Packard</li><li dir="ltr">Hong Kong Trade Development Council</li><li dir="ltr">Hori USA, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Hyperkin, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">iEnergizer Limited</li><li dir="ltr">IGDA</li><li dir="ltr">IGN</li><li dir="ltr">Immerz, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">InComm</li><li dir="ltr">IndieCade</li><li dir="ltr">Innex, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">InnoGames</li><li dir="ltr">Kabam, Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Kemco</li><li dir="ltr">Key Code Media</li><li dir="ltr">KOG</li><li dir="ltr">Konami</li><li dir="ltr">Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency</li><li dir="ltr">Kuung GamesLaserTagPro</li><li dir="ltr">LATAM Games</li><li dir="ltr">Little Orbit</li><li dir="ltr">Logitech Gaming</li><li dir="ltr">Machinima</li><li dir="ltr">Mad Catz Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Mattel Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Maximum Games</li><li dir="ltr">Mecca Electronics, Inc</li><li dir="ltr">Microsoft</li><li dir="ltr">Monoprice</li><li dir="ltr">Multiplayer.it</li><li dir="ltr">My.com</li><li dir="ltr">Natec-Genesis</li><li dir="ltr">Natsume Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">nDreams Ltd</li><li dir="ltr">Neo Arena Inc</li><li dir="ltr">NetEase Inc.</li><li dir="ltr">Nintendo of America</li><li dir="ltr">Noitom Technology</li><li dir="ltr">Nuri Studio</li><li dir="ltr">Nvidia</li><li dir="ltr">Nyko Technologies</li><li dir="ltr">Oculus VR</li><li dir="ltr">OnLive</li><li dir="ltr">Orbbec Co</li><li dir="ltr">Paradox Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">PearlAbyss Corp.</li><li dir="ltr">Perfect World Entertainment</li><li dir="ltr">Performance Designed Products</li><li dir="ltr">Phonejoy</li><li dir="ltr">Pioneer Distributors</li><li dir="ltr">Platronics</li><li dir="ltr">Playkey</li><li dir="ltr">Playseat</li><li dir="ltr">Polk</li><li dir="ltr">Polygon</li><li dir="ltr">Prima Games</li><li dir="ltr">Pro vs. GIJoe</li><li dir="ltr">Protect A Game</li><li dir="ltr">Qualcomm</li><li dir="ltr">R.D.S. Industries</li><li dir="ltr">Razer</li><li dir="ltr">ReliableCoders</li><li dir="ltr">Rizing Games</li><li dir="ltr">Royal Electronics</li><li dir="ltr">Sega of America</li><li dir="ltr">Sensus</li><li dir="ltr">Silicon Image</li><li dir="ltr">Snail Games USA</li><li dir="ltr">Solutions 2 GO</li><li dir="ltr">Sony Computer Entertainment America</li><li dir="ltr">Sony Computer Entertainment Europe</li><li dir="ltr">Square Enix</li><li dir="ltr">SteelSeries</li><li dir="ltr">Straker Translations</li><li dir="ltr">Studio Can-G</li><li dir="ltr">Studio Noir</li><li dir="ltr">Sunflex USA LLC</li><li dir="ltr">Syba Multimedia, Inc/ GamesterGear</li><li dir="ltr">Take-Two InteractiveTechland</li><li dir="ltr">TellTale Games</li><li dir="ltr">Tencent America</li><li dir="ltr">The Get-Well Gamers Foundation</li><li dir="ltr">Turtle Beach</li><li dir="ltr">Twitch</li><li dir="ltr">Ubisoft</li><li dir="ltr">Ubitus</li><li dir="ltr">UCC Distributing Inc</li><li dir="ltr">UOL BoaCompra</li><li dir="ltr">Video Game Voters Network</li><li dir="ltr">Videogame History Museum</li><li dir="ltr">Virtuix</li><li dir="ltr">Virtuos</li><li dir="ltr">Visual Shower</li><li dir="ltr">Vivid Games</li><li dir="ltr">Wargaming</li><li dir="ltr">Warner Bros. Interactive</li><li dir="ltr">Webroot</li><li dir="ltr">Wikia</li><li dir="ltr">Wizards of the Coast</li><li dir="ltr">World Int'l Trading</li><li dir="ltr">Xaviant</li><li dir="ltr">X-Games Inc</li><li dir="ltr">XPEC Entertainment Inc</li><li dir="ltr">XSEED Games</li><li dir="ltr">Zynga</li></ul> Tue, 13 May 2014 15:50:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-everything-you-need-to-know/1100-6419584/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/diablo-3-s-latest-patch-toughens-up-crusaders-hands-out-more-gold/1100-6419612/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2528632-diablo+3.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528632" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2528632-diablo+3.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528632"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/123/1239113/2528632-diablo+3.jpg"></a></figure><p style="">The latest patch for <a href="/diablo-iii/" data-ref-id="false">Diablo III</a>, bringing the game up to version 2.0.5, introduces a wide range of changes to all classes, including making the Crusader--the class added in the Reaper of Souls expansion--both tougher and capable of doing more damage.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Each of the six classes have been modified, some more extensively than others. The Crusader, which is intended to be the game's toughest class, has finally had its damage reduction perk increased from 15% to 30%, matching that of the Monk and Barbarian. Meanwhile, many of the damage-dealing abilities the class has now do more damage. The Crusader's passive abilities have also been reworked, as the patch notes state, "Rather than try to simply change numbers on existing passives we've tried to provide interesting and compelling choices."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The <a href="http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/14138344/patch-205-now-live-5-13-2014" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">list of changes</a> for five of the game's six classes (the Demon Hunter being the exception) note that a number of runes are having their damage types changed. "To better support character builds based on a specific damage type we are changing the damage type of a few select runes," the patch notes read. "This is an ongoing goal - additional changes may be made in the future to any of our classes to make damage types an interesting consideration for character building."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">In addition to removing the 300% cap on items and Paragon Points, Blizzard is also changing the way Gold Find bonuses work. "Gold Find on items will now stack multiplicatively with the Gold Find bonus provided from game difficulty," Blizzard said. In effect, this will "significantly" increase the amount of gold found by players on higher difficulties, which is demonstrated with the following example: "Suppose you are playing on Master (+200% Gold Find) and have 50% Gold Find awarded from items. A pile of gold drops that would normally be 50 gold. Your Difficulty bonus increases the 50 gold to 150 gold. Your 50% Gold Find will now increase the 150 gold to 225 gold."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Perhaps best of all, one of the game's single most annoying (albeit ultimately unimportant) issues will be resolved by reducing a certain NPC's chatter while in town: "Tyrael will now chat about his poor eating habits with less frequency."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The full list of patch notes can be found on <a href="http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/14138344/patch-205-now-live-5-13-2014" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Blizzard's website</a>. But be aware if you try to play, there are reports of the game crashing following the patch's release, particularly when entering Nephalem Rifts, so it may be wise to avoid those for the time being.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Chris Pereira is a freelance writer for GameSpot, and you can follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSmokingManX" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Twitter @TheSmokingManX</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><em><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com</strong></em></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 13 May 2014 15:20:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/diablo-3-s-latest-patch-toughens-up-crusaders-hands-out-more-gold/1100-6419612/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/guild-wars-2-coming-to-china-on-may-15-at-10-18-a-m-yes-it-s-that-specific/1100-6419611/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2528629-welcomechina.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528629" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2528629-welcomechina.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528629"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2528629-welcomechina.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">PC MMO <a href="/guild-wars-2/" data-ref-id="false">Guild Wars 2</a> will launch in China on May 15 at 10:18 a.m. local time. That's the most specific (non-midnight) release date we've ever seen, but it's for a good reason. Developer ArenaNet notes that the number 8 is known in Chinese culture to be lucky. As for the 10 a.m. part, an ArenaNet representative told GameSpot that this specific timing comes down to late morning traditionally being a good time to launch MMOs in China.</p><p style="">ArenaNet has partnered with Chinese game publisher KongZhong to release Guild Wars 2 in China. Just like in North America, the Chinese version of the MMO will be available as a one-time purchase with no subscription fee. This is particularly noteworthy, ArenaNet says, because a <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/guild-wars-2-isn-t-free-to-play-or-subscription-based-in-china-and-that-s-pretty-rare/1100-6418025/" data-ref-id="1100-6418025">great number of MMOs released in China are subscription-based</a>.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Studio co-founder Mike O'Brien said in a statement that ArenaNet and KongZhong have been working together for 18 months on the Chinese version of Guild Wars 2. "Finally, we're ready to open our arms and join with China as one global community," he said.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Part of the process of bringing Guild Wars 2 to China involved translating millions of words, dubbing tens of thousands of voice over lines, and refitting hundreds of game features and systems, ArenaNet said.</p><p style="">The Chinese and Western versions of Guild Wars 2 will have the same content releases. ArenaNet notes that beginning with next week's Festival of the Four Winds update, the developer will synchronize content releases for China to receive content "within days" of release in the West.</p><p style="">For more on Guild Wars 2, which has <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/guild-wars-ii-sales-climb-to-35-million/1100-6413775/" data-ref-id="1100-6413775">sold over 3.5 million copies</a>, be sure to read <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/guild-wars-2-review/1900-6396275/" data-ref-id="1900-6396275">GameSpot's review</a>.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 13 May 2014 14:55:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/guild-wars-2-coming-to-china-on-may-15-at-10-18-a-m-yes-it-s-that-specific/1100-6419611/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-update-watch-dogs-runs-at-900p-on-ps4-792p/2300-6418781/ Ubisoft clarifies exactly how their game will look on next-gen systems, saying development time was spent improving the gameplay. Tue, 13 May 2014 14:37:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-update-watch-dogs-runs-at-900p-on-ps4-792p/2300-6418781/ http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-3-in-harm-s-way-/1900-6415759/ <p style="">How far is this going to go? This is the question I kept asking myself during In Harm's Way, the third episode of the second season of Telltale Games' adventure series The Walking Dead. While the entire franchise has asked increasingly stressful moral questions about what you have to be willing to do to survive in a world of zombies and madmen always looking out for number one, the latest chapter takes you into such extreme, nihilistic territory that I started to worry about Clementine's soul, not just her skin.</p><p style="">In Harm's Way is one of the more pensive episodes of the season when it comes to exploring character motivation, although there is enough action--especially in the chaotic, bloody conclusion--that it's not exactly <em>My Dinner With Andre</em>. The story picks up right where it left off the last time around, with your band of plucky survivors led by Clem and Kenny in the clutches of the evil Bill Carver, commandant of a group that has set up shop in a very well-stocked former Lowe's, er, Howe's home improvement store. This gang has loads of food and supplies in their makeshift fortress, but also loads of automatic weapons and a dictatorial nutcase at the helm who, as we saw in the last episode, thinks nothing of killing anyone who doesn't agree with him.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2528503-0001.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528503" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2528503-0001.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528503"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/416/4161502/2528503-0001.jpg"></a><figcaption>Clementine is still resourceful. Give her nothing more than a flathead screwdriver and say goodnight, zombie horde.</figcaption></figure><p style="">As in the season's earlier episodes, and during most of last season, the plot revolves around Clem continually asking herself how far she is willing to go to help out her fellow survivors. Carver runs the Howe's like a prison camp, but there is no Sgt. Schultz for comic relief. This penitentiary comes complete with forced work details that include looking after walling out the undead and growing vegetables for food. You're placed into many situations where you decide how you're going to treat everyone else. Do you play nice and try to help out others who lack your intestinal fortitude? Or do you do your own thing and risk putting your pals in, you know, harm's way?</p><p style="">Gameplay is on the thin side, with little happening aside from a handful of action moves, but the many dialogue and motivation choices make for strong characterization and story development. Helping other people is the focus of most moral dilemmas, but choosing to do so almost always backfires to the point where someone is maimed or killed. Every personal problem brought me back to the scene in which a dog attacks Clem for a can of food--even if she tries to share it with the initially docile mutt--in an earlier episode. "No good deed goes unpunished" might as well be the subtitle for the whole series.</p><figure data-align="left" data-size="medium" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2528504-0002.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528504" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2528504-0002.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528504"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_medium/416/4161502/2528504-0002.jpg"></a><figcaption>In Harm's Way doesn't shy away from violence.</figcaption></figure><p style="">Here, the apparently docile mutt in question is Clem's new friend Sarah, who's still not adapting well to life on the run from zombies. There are many occasions when you can help her, ignore her, or tell her plainly that she's got to toughen up to survive. I always tried to help her out, to preserve some of Clem's fading empathy, while all along knowing that at some point Sarah was likely going to bite me, too.</p><p style="">The primary drawback with the storytelling is the black/white nature of most characters. Sarah is an annoying whiner; Kenny is devolving back to the old cattiness that made me want to see him dead by the second episode of the first season; and Luke is the earnest young guy who would be the member of the boy band that you would want to take home to meet mom. Others in the supporting cast are barely there. I can't even remember the names of the pregnant woman and the doctor. There is a real danger that characters are becoming too dispensable outside of a core group of two or three. You know Clem is going to make it, along with one or two of her closest companions, but beyond that, everyone might as well be wearing a red shirt and beaming down with Captain Kirk. Carver may be the weakest point. He's a murderous tyrant so openly monstrous that it's impossible to understand how he's still alive. There is this assumption that he's seen as a necessary evil, the bad guy needed to battle the even worse bad guys and monsters just outside the door. But he's really more of a grizzled tough-guy caricature spouting off Ayn Rand-style nonsense. A guy like this would have been shot in the head by one of his henchmen long ago.</p><figure data-align="right" data-size="medium" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2528506-0003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528506" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/416/4161502/2528506-0003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528506"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_medium/416/4161502/2528506-0003.jpg"></a><figcaption>Yeah, this is gonna end well.</figcaption></figure><p style="">Still, even the melodrama mostly works in In Harm's Way. The focus on Clem kept me invested, because even though I saw through some of the supporting cast, I was always concerned about her humanity, which was clearly being chipped away with every choice she made. The episode culminates by involving Clem with the most horrifying and explicit murder in the series so far. You are given a choice here, though. You can stay and watch the atrocity, which is then shown in gruesome detail, right down to the last swing of the crowbar, culminating in a scene so vicious that I was reminded of the torture scene from <a href="/grand-theft-auto-v/" data-ref-id="false">Grand Theft Auto V</a>. Or you can leave and preserve a modicum of Clem's ability to relate to other human beings. I stayed and watched. Even after playing the nice guy throughout the entire episode, I had to stick around out of a perverse need to rubberneck...and, of course, to see just how far the game would go in depicting what was about to happen. If the world ever recovers, Clem is going to have a lot to share with her shrink.</p><p style="">Telltale Games' zombie extravaganza is continuing to prove that it is every bit the equal of the Robert Kirkman comics, and superior to the AMC TV show. In Harm's Way is a gameplay-light setup episode that mostly positions the characters for the conclusion of this season, but it also descends to new depths while exploring just how far Clementine and her allies are willing to go to stay alive. It's all sad and lonely and suicidally hopeless. But good luck trying to turn away.</p> Tue, 13 May 2014 14:26:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-3-in-harm-s-way-/1900-6415759/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rockstar-games-to-release-a-ps4-xbox-one-game-by-march-2015/1100-6419610/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2528549-rockstar.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528549" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2528549-rockstar.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2528549"><img src="http://static.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2528549-rockstar.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">Rockstar Games, the subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive responsible for games like <a href="/grand-theft-auto-v/" data-ref-id="false">Grand Theft Auto V</a>, <a href="/red-dead-redemption/" data-ref-id="false">Red Dead Redemption</a>, and <a href="/l-a-noire/" data-ref-id="false">L.A. Noire</a>, will release a game for "next-gen" consoles during the company's current fiscal year. That means this game, presumably for Xbox One and/or PlayStation 4, will be released sometime before March 31, 2015.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Unfortunately, no other details about what this project could be were made available today. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said during a <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-5-ships-33-million-copies-as-take-two-posts-record-annual-profit/1100-6419609/" data-ref-id="1100-6419609">post-earnings financial call</a> that he is "very excited about what [Rockstar Games] have in store for next-gen systems."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Could one of these projects be announced at E3 2014 next month? Historically, Rockstar Games does not attend the annual trade show, but Take-Two management didn't specifically say no when asked by an analyst today.</p><p style="">"At this point, Rockstar has not announced that they're going to be attending E3," Take-Two president Karl Slatoff said.</p><p style="">According to Take-Two, the Rockstar Games label will make up 45 percent of the company's total revenue in the coming year, which assumes the release of a major title. Robert W. Baird analyst Colin Sebastian <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/analyst-expects-gtav-on-xbox-one-ps4-in-2014/1100-6414677/" data-ref-id="1100-6414677">believes GTA V will come to Xbox One and PS4 in 2014</a>, but of course this is unconfirmed.</p><p style="">Take-Two posted <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-5-ships-33-million-copies-as-take-two-posts-record-annual-profit/1100-6419609/" data-ref-id="1100-6419609">record profit of over $500 million</a> for its fiscal year ended March 31, helped by the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-v-sales-reach-1-billion-in-three-days/1100-6414762/" data-ref-id="1100-6414762">massive success of GTA V</a>, the company announced today.</p><p style=""> </p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 13 May 2014 14:09:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rockstar-games-to-release-a-ps4-xbox-one-game-by-march-2015/1100-6419610/

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