Xbox One Announced May 21, 2013

No, this is not a repeat from the year 2000, Microsoft has just announced the third Xbox console, and it is called quite simply, Xbox One.  The new device will sport an impressive hardware spec sheet including 8GB RAM, integrated WiFi, a Blu-Ray Disc drive, USB 3.0, and HDMI connectivity.

Xbox One will come standard with an entirely redesigned controller.  At first, it looks a lot like the Xbox 360’s controller, as it has the same basic shape, but it has a lot of improvements with it under the hood.  First off, they improved the D-Pad, which was one of the biggest complaints of the 360’s controller.  They also improved the controller’s rumble feature, which Microsoft is referring to as HD rumble.  Microsoft also completely changed the controller’s connectivity standards to improve latency.  The new controller will have at least a 15% latency improvement over the 360’s controller.  Xbox One’s controller will not have a speaker.

The console will also come standard with an entirely new Xbox Kinect.  To start off, the new Kinect features a 1080p camera, which can be used with Skype.  You will also be able to turn the Xbox One off and on strictly by your voice.  If you prefer to play your games in the dark, the new Kinect has night vision.  The new Kinect also has improved voice and facial recognition, the console will be able to recognize you immediately when you step in front of the Kinect or speak, and log you in when the system turns on.  Yes, you will be able to turn the Xbox One on and off with your voice.

For people who prefer to watch TV, it will include an internal cable box which you will be able to enable seamlessly by voice or gesture.  This will allow players to seamlessly navigate between television, movies, and gameplay, without the need to change the inputs on your HDTV.  For those who prefer digital cable, Xbox One provides a voice controlled interactive TV guide.

Finally, like the PS4 has promised, the Xbox One has the ability to record your gameplay to the console.

Xbox One is coming later this year.  Stay tuned to this space for more information about Microsoft’s latest console.

Wii U 3.0.1 U Update Released May 21, 2013

Nintendo has released a small update to the Wii U’s operating system today.  According to their released patch notes, which you can read here, the update brings some software compatibility and system stability fixes to the Wii U.

The update will start downloading automatically in the background the next time you start your Wii U.  Once the download has completed, it will install automatically after the Wii U has been restarted.

Reminder: Next Generation Xbox Reveal at 1PM Today May 21, 2013

Just a quick reminder for everyone.  Microsoft is hosting a major event today at 1PM, which they are referring to as the Xbox Reveal.  They promise to announce the next generation of Xbox at this event, which will likely be a successor to the successful Xbox 360 console.

The event will air at 1PM EST on Xbox Live, Xbox.com and will be broadcast on TV on the Spike TV Channel.  The event is currently scheduled to only last one hour.  If you plan to watch it on your Xbox 360, be sure to download the Xbox Live Media Event app from the Xbox Dashboard to stream the event.  GameTrailers.TV will have a half-hour follow up immediately after the event on Spike TV.

Batman: Arkham Origins Official Trailer May 20, 2013

The first full trailer for Batman: Arkham Origins has hit the web!  A prequel to 2011’s Batman: Arkham City, players will once again jump into the shoes of the Caped Crusader himself, Batman, as he tries to bring down several dangerous villains on Christmas Eve.

Where does he get those wonderful toys?  From the looks of it, Batman won’t be battling random thugs in this prequel, the trailer confirms that Deathstroke, Black Mask and Deadshot will be villains in the game.  The trailer also confirms that, like Catwoman was in Arkham City, Deathstroke will be playable in Arkham Origins to those who preorder the game.

Batman: Arkham Origins is coming worldwide October 25th, 2013 to the Xbox 360, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, PC, and PS3.

Penny-Arcade Adventures Episode 3 Free Today May 20, 2013

To celebrate the upcoming release of Penny-Arcade Adventures: On the Rain Slick Precipice of Darkness Episode 4 on June 6th, the gang at Penny-Arcade are giving away codes to the STEAM version of Episode 3 today, or until their codes run out.  The game continues the Penny-Arcade Adventure series, which places the main and supporting characters from the classic webcomic into a steampunk era.  Tycho and Gabe are members of a private detective agency which specializes in investigating otherworldly events.

You will need the STEAM software and a valid STEAM account to play, which you can download here.  Codes for Episode 3 can be obtained here.  Get ’em while they’re hot!

Game Boys: The Animated Series Coming to DVD May 16, 2013

One of my favorite movies released exclusively through the internet was the comedy, Game Boys.  The movie was written and directed by Brad Jones, better known to the internet as The Cinema Snob.  The film was about a bunch of slackers in their mid-twenties who obsessed with playing the classic games from their childhood, no matter how bad.  To cheer up their friend after he suffers a bad breakup, they plan to have a classic gaming party featuring a very controversial game many of us would prefer not to talk about, just to see if it can be beaten.

Recently, Brad has brought back Game Boys as an animated series, which uses many of the voice actors of the original series along with all new animation.  Its a great series for those who wanted to see what all the characters are up to after the events of the movie.  So far we’ve seen how they play poker, talk to their girlfriends, and camp.  Trust me, its nothing like what you’d expect.  All of the original actors reprise their roles, with the exception of Bianca Queen, who sadly couldn’t lend her voice due to issues with distance.

After the release of the third episode, Brad Jones has announced that he plans to release the series in the form of a DVD which he will sell on the site for around $10 US.  There’s currently no ETA on the DVD’s release, but Brad plans to include special features, including Bianca Queen’s original audio for the third episode.  Here’s to hoping he includes the original movie with it.

If you want, you can watch the latest episodes, as well as the original movie on thecinemasnob.com.

The Starship Damrey Out Now May 16, 2013

Nintendo made a lot of announcements for the new games they would be personally developing for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in the last Nintendo Direct video, but that wasn’t all they showed, they also showed some of the more unique games being produced by Level-5.  One of the games that stood out to me was the game The Starship Damrey, which looked like a science-fiction horror game from days gone by.

A year ago, I remember watching the Happy Video Game Nerd’s review of the game Enemy Zero, which was a Sega Saturn exclusive science-fiction horror game.  Having never played Enemy Zero myself, there was just something about The Starship Damrey which reminded me of it, and made me interested to learn more about it.

Well, I didn’t have to wait very long.  The Starship Damrey is out now exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS.  Take a look at the game’s latest trailer!

The game is currently download only.  You can buy it for $7.99 US through the Nintendo eShop.  Keep in mind, it takes up around 859 Blocks of space.