Square Enix plans second Canadian studio to prepare for next gen

http://www.next-gen.biz/news/square-enix-preparing-for-new-consoles

Yet another signal that the new gen of console is on the way, Square Enix has indicated its intention to open a second studio in Canada (location of its recently acquired 'Eidos' studio).  SE cites the reason for the new studio as an effort to arm itself with 'more attention and more staff' that SE claims it will need to support the upcoming generation of console.  Now such a move is not done blindly.  Not only does it suggest that SE knows something about the next generation, it may also indicate that they have seen some of the tech already.  Oh! To be a fly on the wall!  Watch for those insider rumours at E3.

Playstation Chief promotion to Head of Sony indicates new gen soon

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-20041468-92.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

Sony has hinted that Playstation Chief Kazuo Hirai has been nodded as the successor to current head Sony CEO Howard Stringer.

Although a restructuring at Sony is planned, this move indicates that a logical break-point in SCE's business has been reached and could indicate that the new Playstation generation is close on the horizon.

Whomever takes up the position in Hirai's case will no doubt be putting his (or her) brand on operations - and such a change can only indicate that the next phase of business is now beginning.  Look for very strong hints from Sony about a new console sometime towards Christmas this year. (the hint, not the console)  My bets are on ComicCon 2011 as Sony will not want to draw attention away from the PS3 at E3. (I still have strong feelings that Microsoft will want to steal the show at E3 with a new console announcement)  No doubt, the rumours will start far earlier than that once SCE has its new head in place - if the hint arrives, expect the PS4 12-18 months afterward.

Crytek bypasses EA Online Pass

Link: http://www.planetxbox360.com/article_13080/Crysis_2_Wont_Be_Using_EAs_Online_Pass_Multiplayer_Feature

Planet Xbox 360 reports that Crytek will not adopt EA's 'Online Pass' - a secondary 'charge' that can apply if you buy any of EA's games second-hand and wish to play online.  This has been largely controversial for Xbox 360 gamers as they already pay for Gold service. 

Crytek, however, is not playing ball.  Personally, it's nice to see a revolt against this scheme (albeit a mini-revolt) but I would much rather see studios adopt an approach similiar to that of Bioware or Ubisoft where content was made available for free if you bought the game new.  It's much more ethical and sustainable to offer incentives for new purchases rather than restrict access to those gamers who have chosen to buy their used games legitimately.  

Gamers who buy used are doing so because they are seeking a less expensive product.  Habitual purchasers will rarely buy new unless it is a title they really want it.  If gamers know they're going to get screwed buying used, even though no money goes to the studio's pocket; surely it is better for that gamer to have bought the game and offer the studio a chance to sell more DLC rather than guide that gamer to a path of piracy.

When studios finally admit to themselves (as the music industry was forced to) that punishing consumers for buying goods doesn't work.  Charging high prices or forcing consumers to down a specific path only gives cause to pursue illegitimate means of obtaining what they want.  Instead, embrace the used game market and think of better ways to entice your consumers to spend their pennies.  Don't forget: many gamers who buy sequels (brand new) to a franchise become familiar with it through a used purchase.  This isn't because they're cheap, they just don't see the point of investing full value into a game they may not want...nor should they. 

10 Hacks that make the Kinect a Killer Controller

Check this article at Wired - they've scrounged the hack blog and come up with some pretty neat (and bizarre) uses for the Kinect controller.

My favourite is the 'Extreme Booby Jiggling' hack - no doubt millions of guys want a hand and bouncing their own virtual boobs LOL!

The Xbox 360 has 12 months of viability left

Forget 2008, 2009 and 2010...

2011 is the year for Playstation!!! (yawn)

No really it is!!! (is it really???)

 

 

 

 

Actually - yes.

It is.

Sony is set to completely dominate 2011 for gaming with the introduction of two new mobile gaming devices (one of which is, by spec, definitely more powerful than the 360 - and this would be signifigant if you could connect it to an HD television)

In addition, there are a number of Playstation pedigree titles in the works for release this year that WILL drive sales unlike previous hype releases.   Sony has also lived up to promise to keep PSN free for multiplayer gaming and basic services - and is increasing their line-up of online content every quarter.  

Meanwhile, Microsoft has increased fees while actually decreasing services.  Xbox Primetime is now certified dead (1vs100, etc) and much of the new 'content' being introduced appears to be convoluted options centering around Kinect that no one - apart from Microsoft evangelists - seem to want.

Third party support for Microsoft is as strong as always but the 360 is now starting to show its age.  This doesn't necessarily put PS3 much higher although studios are now focusing most effort on the PS3 and it's cell advantages meaning that we are finally seeing the true potential of the machine itself. 

So back to the 360.  Slightly less powerful.  Losing the 'special relationship' it once had with third-party studios.  First party development is pretty much limited to over-hyped, intermittent releases.  It's own brand, Microsoft, once renknowned for spinning multiple plates at once has now undergone yet another executive management shuffle and is focusing 150% attention on their Windows Mobile platform which, oddly, seems to be getting the bulk of Xbox attention among other things.

Yup - the 'ole 360 still plugs away, but the writing is now finally on the wall.

Will this year's E3 be the unveiling of Microsoft's next offering?

If not - I dare say that we are looking at the twilight of Xbox gaming this year.  Under current progress/strategy, the 360 will begin to lose massive marketshare in the spring as the industry shifts attention to newer technology.  If Microsoft fails to fill the gap and introduce their next trick pony (meaning an announcement at E3 and a debut at Christmas this year/Q1 2012) - then there is a real chance that the Xbox division will collapse in on itself.

3DS already hacked - NGP already in trouble

Bitgamer has reported that hackers have broken the 3DS copy-protection in less than 24 hours meaning that Nintendo's new darling just became the new software piracy sweetheart.  Now while many will say that this is 'bad' - few remember that piracy was largely what contributed to Sony's success with the original Playstation (x).  This news will only boost hardware sales for Nintendo (even if software is looking somewhat in doubt) and furthermore, it can only hurt sales for Sony's upcoming and uncompromising NGP.

Ultimately, regardless of what the propaganda states, copy protection actually inhibits hardware sales.  Ethics and justice aside, piracy has always been a contributing factor and a key component influencing hardware sales since the dawn of the first 'record-at-home' device.  Cassette tape players were popular not because of their sound quality, but because of their ability to retain someone else's music for your own at the cost of a blank cassette and a little time.

The only way Sony can combat this development is to release AAA titles immediately - and lots of them (upon NGP's release of course).  The problem is: by the time NGP makes it to shelves, Nintendo will have already dominated marketshare and taken everyone's money....again.

It's not looking good for Sony's latest handheld.  Let's hope the Xperia Play can win back some business for them.