Playstation 4 System Update 2.03 Released December 3, 2014

A required system update for the PS4 was released earlier today. The new software, version 2.03, listed unspecific information about what it changed, altered or fixed in the PS4, merely citing that it improves system stability.

Typically, the PS4 will automatically start to download the most recent software update in the background and will notify you when it is completed, but I’ve found that it’s much faster to simply run the system software update feature manually from the PS4’s settings menu. If you are already running version 2.02, the 2.03 update is slightly over 200MB.

You must install the most recent system update to use the Playstation Network.

Batman: Arkham Knight Ace Chemicals Infiltration Trailer Part 2 December 1, 2014

As promised, Rocksteady Studios has released the second part of the Ace Chemicals infiltration trailer for Batman: Arkham Knight. Just take a look at what the new Batmobile can do.

The final part of the trailer will premiere at this year’s Playstation Experience conference and on the Official Playstation Website on December 6th at 10AM PST.

Batman: Arkham Knight is coming June 2015 to the Xbox One and Playstation 4.

The Raven Episode 1 Free Through Games With Gold December 1, 2014

The Xbox Live Arcade title The Raven will have its first episode free for all Xbox Live Gold members starting today. That means gold members will be able to download the first episode completely free right now until December 15th, 2014.

As with all Xbox 360 games redeemed through Games With Gold, any users who downloads a participating game will never lose access to it, even if their Xbox Live Gold account expires.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection Content Update 4 Patch Notes November 27, 2014

A promised update for Halo: The Master Chief Collection has just been released. The patch weighs in at only 500 MB or so and mostly addresses issues with multiplayer matchmaking, but other fixes were included as well.

Here are the complete patch notes:

Matchmaking

Made improvements to the way the matchmaking system handles player matching
Made improvements to the team selection process to improve team balancing
Made an update to the party system to improve searching with parties (2+ players)
Made further improvements to how matchmaking progress is communicated to the player
Made an update to ensure that players do not enter a non-joinable state after searching for a match
Made an update to ensure that the “Game Session” UI does not persist after leaving a matchmaking lobby
Resolved a variety of incorrectly displayed matchmaking prompts
Improved matchmaking roster presentation during team creation phase to remove roster flickering
Corrected a “connecting to host” message that incorrectly displayed during the matchmaking searching phase
Made an update to ensure that FFA players do not appear as if they are on the red team in the pre-game lobby

Party, Lobby, and Custom Games

Made an update to ensure that custom game settings persist between matches
Made an update to ensure that player’s player emblems load correctly when returning to lobby
Made an update to improve nameplate and emblem display
Improved the display of emblems in the “Games Session Details” screen
Made improvements to parties to ensure that parties are merged when the host joins another player and “brings party”
Made an update to improve party stability after completing a matchmaking game
Made an update to ensure that players are joinable after playing a matchmaking game

Stability

Made a variety of updates to improve UI stability
Resolved stability issues that occurred while viewing medals in “Player Details”
Made an update to prevent stability issues caused by controller disconnects
Made an update to improve post-game-carnage-report stability
Made an update to address in-game stability for Halo 2
Improved matchmaking stability while searching with parties (2+ players)
Addressed a crash that could occur after searching in the Halo 2: Anniversary Rumble playlist
Resolved a variety of miscellaneous stability issues to improve overall performance

Achievements

Made an update to ensure that the “Zealot” achievement is unlockable

343 Industries has promised more content updates are on the way if this isn’t able to fix all the game’s issues. Personally I haven’t been able to test it myself yet.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection is out now for the Xbox One.

National Nintendo StreetPass Weekend on Thanksgiving Weekend November 26, 2014

After the success of hosting StreetPass Weekend this past Halloween, Nintendo announced that they will be hosting another National StreetPass Weekend all Thanksgiving weekend! The best part is it starts today!

StreetPass Weekend allows Nintendo 3DS players to download and swap StreetPass tags with random 3DS players from all across the country at any Nintendo Zone location. The StreetPass tags you earn can then help you in StreetPass compatible 3DS titles like Find Mii and Monster Manor, and help you earn achievements!

You might have to download the latest firmware to your Nintendo handheld before you can join in the fun, but you can do that on site. Just make sure your device’s WiFi is enabled. Nintendo Zone locations can typically be found in Starbucks, McDonald’s, Best Buy and Barnes and Noble locations, on top of Nintendo World Headquarters in NYC.

National StreetPass Weekend will go from November 26th-November 30th.

Bonnie Ross Responds to Halo: The Master Chief Collection’s Issues November 25, 2014

Since Halo: The Master Chief Collection launched, it has been plagued by several issues especially wait times during online matchmaking. While the recent content update and server side maintenance have improved the online issues since the game launched, players are still experiencing problems.

Bonnie Ross, one of the head honchos of the Microsoft Halo Team, has actually posted a comprehensive article detailing the current state of the game as well as their future plans to fix the games.

You can read the entire article here but there are two or three really important points. The first is that 343’s priority right now is to fix the game and that will require for them to continue to deliver content updates as well as server patches on their end. Another content update is in testing right now and Microsoft plans to release it later this week.

The other important thing that Bonnie Ross mentioned is compensation to players who have had to deal with the game’s issues since launch. Right now all priority on 343 has been to stabilize the game, she said that after the game is finished they will discuss how they will reward their customers for dealing with the game’s launch issues.

Me, I just want the achievements I earned on day one to finally unlock.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection is out now for the Xbox One.

Batman: Arkham Knight Ace Chemicals Trailer Part 1 November 24, 2014

Game developer Rocksteady Studios have had a huge winning streak with the Batman: Arkham Asylum series. Considered to be some of the best superhero video games ever made when they were released, Batman: Arkham Asylum has seen one prequel and one sequel launch over the past few years. But Rocksteady’s story is not over and it has all been building up to this, Batman: Arkham Knight.

We haven’t seen very much from the game since E3 2014, but today the guys at Rocksteady released this gameplay trailer of a single game mission which they promise is just the first part of a longer video. Take a look at what Batman will be able to do when he is able to send in his car.

The next part will be released on December 1st.

Batman: Arkham Knight is coming June 2015 to the Xbox One and PS4.

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD Cinema Trailer November 23, 2014

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a game trailer previewed at my local cinema, but I can’t think of a game franchise more worthy of that honor than Final Fantasy.  The entire franchise has based itself on its cinematic presentation since the 32-bit era, and boasts some of the best music in the history of video games.  With the HD version of Final Fantasy Type-0 just a few months away from release, what better time to bring a trailer worthy of being displayed on the big screen?  Don’t worry, while it will be shown to a wide audience, Square Enix has stated that this trailer was made specifically for the fans.

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is coming March 2015 to the Xbox One and Playstation 4.

Super Smash Bros for Wii U Unboxing November 21, 2014

Since its release on the Nintendo 64, the Super Smash Bros franchise has always been a staple of Nintendo’s hardware alongside other franchises like Mario Kart and Mario Party. Now the game is out on the Wii U and it is poised to be the Wii U’s newest killer app.

On the morning of its release, Maniac takes a look at what is in the game’s box for all of you.

Super Smash Bros is out now for Wii U.

Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer November 20, 2014

Just in time for the midnight launch of the the third generation Pokémon remakes Pokémon Alpha Sapphire and Pokémon Omega Ruby, The Pokémon Company have released this animated trailer. The trailer provides more than just a glimpse into the Pokémon world, new players will get a good look at all of the new Mega Evolved Pokémon that are going to be offered in this game.

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire is coming November 21st, 2014 to the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS.