PlayStation
- The PlayStation 4 slim releases September 15 for $299 and is slimmer, lighter, and more energy efficient than the current revision (which is more energy efficient than the launch model).
- The PlayStation Neo has an official name—PlayStation Pro. The system launches for $399 on November 10 and has over double the graphics power of the current PS4. We have more details including photos here.
- Also launching is a new Dualshock 4 controller with support for extra low latency over a USB connection, a redesigned PlayStation Camera, and a new Sony Platinum wireless headset with 7.1 virtual surround sound powered by SIE 3D audio technology, and a new vertical stand for both the PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro
- Sony announced every current PS4 will gain HDR capability for games and video content through a firmware update next week. This is most likely the big 4.00 release that went into beta a couple weeks ago.
- Every PlayStation VR will ship witth a demo disc for gamers to try out eight different titles for the headset.
- Bethesda announced mods will not be coming to Skyrim or Fallout 4 on PS4 because Sony doesn’t approve game mods on their platform
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Xbox
- A NES emulator called Nesbox is currently in certification process for Xbox one. It will most likely definitely get turned down.
- Microsoft is unshaken by the announcement of PS4 Pro, says they still have the technical edge. This may be true. We’ll see if team Xbox can make 6 Teraflops a reality (I’m sure they can).
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Nintendo
- Here’s something I don’t think anyone saw coming. During the Apple keynote Shigeru Miyamoto took to the stage along with Bill Trinen to announce Super Mario Run, a sidescrolling runner debuting on iOS in December and later coming to Android. The title will be free to download, but the entire game will have to be purchased at an undetermined price (I’m guessing around $5). Thank god there are no nagging micro transactions. It’s also being developed by the members of the Super Mario team. We did a write up with the details and the Times caught up with Miyamoto to ask him some questions.
- Nintendo confirmed the upcoming release of Super Mario Run has put a delay on the mobile versions of Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem to a timeframe of “before March 2017”. Tristan is understandably pissed, but in my opinion those franchises wouldn’t make kids flock to the upcoming NX.
- Mario Strikers Charged is out on the Wii U eShop for $19.99. Unfortunately this release drops the excellent online multiplayer from the original and instead can be played solo or with up to four players locally.
- Both Nintendo and DeNa shares rose to almost 20% before settling down at around 11% after news of a Mario game on mobile broke out.
- According to an article on IGN, Miyamoto had the following to say regarding bringing amiibo to smartphones; “There’s nothing we can announce today but It’s certainly an area we’re interested in. And today Apple announced some new news about their NFC technology.” Bringing amiibo to iOS and Android woud be huge.
- The AM2R (Another Metroid 2 Remake) Project has officially been ended after NoA take down request issued.
- The next collaboration for Miitomo will include Kirby
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Industry News
- With the success of Pokémon GO, developer Niantic has confirmed they are working on other games not pertaining to Pokémon
- In a move that is sure to make the Pokémon GO Plus even less relevant, Niantic took to the stage at Apple’s press event to announce Pokémon GO is (sensibly) coming to Apple Watch some time this year. Now that’s enough to sway me to come back in my quest to be the very best.
- If you still do want Pokémon GO Plus it’ll be available September 16 and is compatible with iPhone 5 running iOS 8 and up as well as an Android phone running Android 4.4 and up with Bluetooth Smart (Bluetooth 4.0) and 2GB of RAM.
- In a new YouTube video Heart Machine announced both the Wii U and Vita versions of Hyper Light Drifter have been cancelled. The Wii U port is no more because YoYo Games, the developer of the GameMaker engine powering HLD, couldn’t get it running on Nintendo’s platform. Even though they promised Heart Machine back in 2013 it would be possible. As for Vita, it appears the engine simply demands too much from the little handheld. Those who chose either Wii U or Vita can switch their platform of choice or request a refund. But please, don’t take it out on Hear Machine Games. Hyper Light Drifter is pretty frickin’ awesome.
- VR Headset sales have nearly halted with Vive growth in August peaking at 0.3%. Oculus August Peak was 0.1%. Maybe PlayStation VR will be the Trojan horse for mainstream VR? It’ll likely be a slow burn over time.
- DOOM is getting a free update in the future to add classic deathmatch mode along with private matches. Bethesda said a livestream will take place on September 13 at 2:00PM EST to go over the details.
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Rumors
- According to The Wall Street Journal, NX is set for a reveal early October. OUT WITH IT ALREADY NINTENDO! <3
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