The marketing campaign was brilliant. Nobody knew for sure what would be shown, but at the same time everybody knew PS4 would be revealed. Did that make sense? No, and that was the beauty of the rival marketing Sony managed to create. And in essence, this is how the year has been, hasn’t it? Dominated by next-gen news and the release of next-generation machines. But there was another console in the wild, one that saw a ton of controversy even before it was revealed — with a culmination of the worst press a videogames console had ever amassed happening at E3. The Xbox One.

After the reveal of PS4, Microsoft followed suit — and has been following Sony since, with a May 21st reveal of Xbox One. That TV TV TV TV TV reveal was a realization of what rumors had predicted for months — that Xbox One would be built around TV applications, and would feature some consumer-unfriendly DRM features that would prevent gamers from lending their games to friends, and owners of said console would need to have the machine connected to the internet in order to play games — even offline ones. The backlash was heavy, forcing Microsoft to do something few companies had ever managed: a complete 180 of policies for a product that was already set in stone — and was in the making for years.

Don Mattrick left for Zynga, DRM was gone — and Microsoft was — and has been on a mission ever since to reposition Xbox One by painting a picture of a product that is more consumer-friendly than was lead to believe. The struggle continues, though,  and that’s because of many reasons. Firstly, the PS4 is about 50 percent more powerful than Xbox One and that power is being put to use early — most multiplatform games are rendering at 1080p and 60fps on PS4, while Xbox One only manages 720p and 60fps. And then there’s Kinect, a peripheral Microsoft built around Xbox One — meaning the console is way less appealing without it, but yet regarded as being a drag on the console’s price and widely accused of being a window for the NSA  into people’s living rooms. Launch results? PS4 leading Xbox One in both software and hardware sales in every territory.

That’s been the year. Yes, big games were still released: The Last of Us from Naughty Dog, Bioshock: Infinite from 2K Games, Tearaway from Media Molecule and Grand Theft Auto V from you know who.

Grand Theft Auto V, by the way, is one of the fastest and bestselling games of all time, shattering all sorts of records and beating even the juggernaut Call of Duty in sales this year — and by a wide margin, too.

But like I said earlier, 2013 was dominated by the release of PS4 and Xbox One, and all the news related to the new consoles. I’m just thankful that both launched without the world burning up in flames, if you know what I mean. No massive console failures and no RROD repeats.

Looking at the year ahead, I’m expecting 2014 to be groundbreaking on the games front as developers become more acquainted with the new hardware — and new opportunities of gameplay enhancements are realized. I’m also looking forward to see how the much-touted social features of both consoles — Twitch, Twitter, Facebook and U-Stream integration takes off.

It was a fun year indeed, and one the industry will not forget anytime soon. In fact I’d wager it was one of the most exciting years in videogames history, brought to us by the simultaneous launches of PS4 and Xbox One just one week apart.  It’s also great to see the consoles flying off store shelves as its vindication that the industry is stronger than ever, and flies in the face of the naysayers, who claim that mobile gaming would perma-kill the console industry. No, analysts, I’m NOT going to enjoy playing The Last of Us on a Nexus or iPad, and I’m not ready for some FPS, visually-stunning action on some smartphone, tablet with a controller, or any other kind of gimmick that’s being thrown at me. Just no.

Here’s to a great year incoming with loads of new games to play. Games that hopefully take advantage of the new hardware set before them. Oh, and we can’t forget Valve’s Steam Box that’s to be released early next year. And one can’t have a year in review without mentioning Nintendo, its successful 3DS and flailing Wii U. Nintendo must think hard and long about its future in the console business.

What was your favorite moment of 2013, gaming-wise? Let me know in the comments below! My last post for this year will be on Monday. Cheers everybody!!!

A combination of retail and downloadable titles, these 33 titles add themselves to the impressive total of 180 games in development for the Playstation 4 currently. If you were worried about its library, you no longer have to.

Listing the titles, I’m going to discern the retail from downloadable releases. All boxed releases will also be available as digital downloads on the Playstation Network.

The retail games are:

1. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
2. Battlefield 4
3. DriveClub
4. Just Dance 2014
5. Killzone: Shadow Fall
6. Call of Duty: Ghosts
7. FIFA 14
8. Knack
9. LEGO Marvel Superheroes
10. Madden NFL 25
11. NBA 2K14
12. NBA Live 14
13. Need for Speed: Rivals
14. Skylanders: Swap Force
15. Watch_Dogs

Now, the download-only titles:

1. Basement Crawl
2. Blacklight: Retribution
3. Contrast
4. CounterSpy
5. DC Universe Online
6. Doki-Doki Universe
7. Flower
8. Hohokum
9. Minecraft
10. N++
11. Pinball Arcade
12. Planetside 2
13. Pool Nation Extreme
14. Resogun
15. Super Motherload
16. Tiny Brains
17. WarFrame

War Thunder

Are you excited about any of these titles? Sony has secured the console’s future, having unannounced Naughty Dog and Sony Santa Monica games in queue.

According to the post on the website celebrating the reveal of the game at GDC, Battlefield 4 will be released on October 29th, 2013 for Xbox 360. Of course, by then the next Xbox should already be unveiled, but the website obviously made no mention of it.

Here’s a screengrab, courtesy AGB:

For more Battlefield 4 details, check out this post.

The game will now feature 64 player multiplayer maps on PS4 and Xbox 720, and will run at 60 frames per second (FPS). The new game will also be easier to start up, as EA makes an aggressive move to “steal” COD players.

Battlefield 4 will support video playback and sharing (PS4′s share button will come in handy), and of course DICE is also preparing DLC for the game. No surprise there.

This time in multiplayer, the game will feature three factions: Russia, China and the United States. Female Soldiers can now be deployed.

Battlefield 4 is now using 80 percent of Frostbite 2, whereas Battlefield 3 only managed 30-40 percent.

The story, once again, will be set in Modern times, and since the multiplayer will include China, we suspect the single player story might tell the tale of a massive war with the prolific nation.

This rumor comes to us by way of NeoGaf, via Chinese games news website Chiphell. The latter website got the juicy bits from EA Chinese employees who took part in EA’s “internal Battlefield 4 conference”.

Gaming will be amazing in 2013, as the last hurrah of current generation games will go out with a bang. Think God of War: Ascension, Bioshock: Infinite, The Last Of Us, Tomb Raider, Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Metro: Last Light, Crysis 3 and Gears of War: Judgement. All massive games, all releasing in the first quarter of 2013.

Alas, pockets are crying!

In the second quarter leading up to the June, 2013, where E3 happens, everything turns to next generation. Sony and Microsoft will be jockeying to become number 1 from the get-go, so expect a lot of advertising from the two giants. Your hearts and minds are at stake!

Games Thirst in 2013

We’ll continue to be awesome and become even better at what we do. Lots in store on the venture front, so stick and stay here. Also, tell your friends about the site! Invite them to come visit and be part of one of gaming’s best communities!

This weekend I’ll be chilling. That is all. What about you guys? Any new years resolution? And how do you feel about what’s about to happen in gaming, more pointedly the next generation. Are you excited?

Have a blessed weekend, GT!

Big Games Come Early

Do you realize that every big game that’s already been announced will be released in the first half of 2013? Have a look at this IGN list and you’ll notice something very strange. Why is it that Bioshock Infinite, God of War: Ascension, Tomb Raider, Metro: Last Light, Gears of War: Judgement and other big titles are releasing in or around March, 2013? It’s almost insanity, and it’s something publishers would otherwise stay away from. The thing is they simply can’t; because once mid-May hits, all the talk will be about Sony and Microsoft’s new consoles. Alas, that’s all people seems to be talking about these days.

Xbox 720 – “And It’s On”

It’s no secret, folks. 2013 is the year Microsoft lets loose its next big thing: the next Xbox. It’s not even a rumor any longer, as the firm itself has already sent live a countdown clock leading up to E3, with a quote that reads: “And it’s on”.

Developers are already hard at work on new titles for the platform and they’ll want to showcase these games by midyear to build enough hype… And once E3 2013 rolls around, no one will be talking about PS3 and Xbox 360 and the games they offer, doesn’t matter how good said games may be. It’ll be Xbox 720 and…

PS4 

Sony isn’t about to allow Microsoft to get the edge again by releasing PS4 in 2014. In fact numerous rumors have pinned down the console to be released even before Microsoft’s Xbox 720, as Sony tries to regain its dominance in the industry. On it’s behalf, major first-party developers have been forging games, we believe, like Killzone 4, Uncharted 4, inFamous 3, a new LittleBigPlanet title, and other major titles for the platform.

Again, nobody will be talking about PS3 then.

Steam Box

Valve confirmed to Kotaku at the VGAs that they too are readying hardware to make PC gaming more accessible through Televisions, a venture that sure has Microsoft and Sony thinking.

Imagine playing PC games, in all their glory, easily on your TV. That, in essence, is what Valve’s Steam Box is.

Ouya

Ouya will be available before any of the consoles, and while it doesn’t represent a threat to Sony and Microsoft , it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out. and who will be buying the Android-based console. If its Kickstarter success is anything to go by, Ouya just might be a winner.

But you can expect the year to become even more exciting once next-gen titles start showing up. As of now, we know about…

Star Wars 1313

Watch Dogs

Star Wars 1313 and Watch Dogs are just two titles we already know, and have seen, that are surely next-gen offerings. But you can bet your bottom dollar that all major developers are working on PS4/Xbox 720 games.

Here Are The Obvious Ones

Battlefield 4

New Call of Duty

Uncharted 4

Killzone 4

Assassin’s Creed Next Gen

Gran Turismo 6

New Forza

New Gears of War

New Final Fantasy

New Crysis

New Halo (Halo Infinity?)

Oh yeah, and that Game From Respawn.

Expect most of these titles to at least be announced later this year, with some, like Battlefield 4 and the next Call of Duty becoming available this fall.

So 2013 is the year gamers should pay the closest attention to the industry, because I’m not sure when else we’ll see another like it.

New Breakthroughs

From what we’re hearing, don’t expect Sony and Microsoft’s machines to simply be more powerful; but expect new ways of playing, as Sony goes heavy with its Virtual Reality technology, and Microsoft beefs up motion play with Kinect 2, allowing you to take full control of not only your game, but your entire living room with simple gestures.

Expect more depth in games, as developers make good use of the tools at their disposal, resulting in better AI, more life-like visuals, in-depth stories, longer gameplay – all accounting for an overall better gaming experience.

Games Thirst will be there to watch as it unfolds, and cover the full thing, bringing our community breaking news, videos, previews, reviews, rumors, quick quenchers and more, all while having some of the best “Thirsty Conversations” anywhere.

Brace yourself, friends. 2013 will be a memorable year.

Survey participants are asked to rate their interest in the “possibility for a friend to join the game in order to help me at any time during the solo mode”.

Amongst the many responses, you’d find: “Not interested”, “Nice to have” and “Must-have”.

The survey also asked how likely you are to buy the new game if it was to be released in 2013.

Thanks, TGL.

The developers also believe that Microsoft’s new console will once again lead the sales battle for the next five years, however they gave the most damning verdict to Nintendo’s Wii U. 63% of developers said the Wii U would be the most challenging platform to create games for:

“We won’t be working on Wii U due to these complexities,” said one developer, while another questioned the ability to port games unique to Wii U to other platforms.

Microsoft, according to this report, is once again choosing the route of making its next Xbox a PC dressed in a pretty box, a move that worked extremely well for Xbox 360, and although we don’t know why it’s more difficult to build games for Sony’s upcoming console, it seems as if the company from the land of the rising sun has once more opted to be different, and although this is not a bad thing, we fear for Sony’s survival, because if it botches PS4′s launch. Game over.

The last time supposed specs of PS4 was leaked, many questioned whether Sony’s strategy was a viable one, especially since the rumor claimed PS4 wouldn’t play PS3 games, and would include some kind of used game-blocking technology.

These specs, if you choose to believe them, are what will be under the hood of PS4:

– An “advanced Cell processor” equipped with “10GB of working memory.”

– Backwards compatibility is included: “The aim is older PS discs without problems.”

The stat sheet even includes a release window, pinning the console down for a Q4 2013 release.

Previously:

Back in late March, Kotaku said it’d gotten much of PS4′s internals from a trusted source, here’s what it said:

It’s codename Orbis, and a reveal could be just months away, however a 2013 holiday release is already in order.

According to Kotaku, “the details in this story come from a reliable source who is not authorized to talk publicly about next-gen hardware but has shared correct information with us before.”

Meanwhile, when reached for comment, a Sony spokesperson told the site the firm does not comment on rumor and speculation.

Orbis

In Latin, the word Orbis means circle, or ring, or even orbit – not nothing to grab clues from, but like Kotaku pointed out, considering that PS Vita was also derived from Latin, literally meaning “Life”, Orbis isn’t too far fetched. I personally like the sound of it.

Combine circle and life, you get the circle of life. Maybe, just maybe, PS Vita is an integral part of PS4 Orbis.

Infact, if you visit orbis.scedev.net, you’ll see this PlayStation screen:

Specs

– AMD x64 CPU

– AMD Southern Islands GPU

According to the source, “the PS4′s GPU in particular will be capable of displaying Orbis games at a resolution of up to 4096×2160, which is far in excess of the needs of most current HDTV sets. It’ll also be capable of playing 3D games in 1080p (the PS3 could only safely manage 3D at 720p).”

2013

“Select” developers have been receiving developer kits since the beginning of 2012, and revised and improved versions were given at GDC, and finalized betas will be sent our at the end of this year.

That being the case, developers should have ample time to get ready their games for a holiday 2013 release, (sometime in November, just like PS3 back in 2006). It will also be the PS3′s seventh year on the market.

Won’t Run PS3 Games

Orbis won’t be able to play PS3 games, says the Kotaku source, and Sony has no plans to make the console backwards compatible on already available PS3 games, either.

Used Games Are Dead On Orbis’ Arrival

Many sources have informed Kotaku that Orbis will have some kind of used games-blocking feature. Here’s how the main source says it’ll work:

“New games for the system will be available one of two ways, either on a Blu-Ray disc or as a PSN download (yes, even full retail titles). If you buy the disc, it must be locked to a single PSN account, after which you can play the game, save the whole thing to your HDD, or peg it as “downloaded” in your account history and be free to download it at a later date.”

You’ll also need to be online to even start up the games, so PSN account and internet access are paramount.

“If you then decide to trade that disc in, the pre-owned customer picking it up will be limited in what they can do.”

It’s not clear how exactly things will work for the person buying the used games, what features they’ll be locked out of, and what will be made available, but according to the source, “used games will be limited to a trial mode or some other form of content restriction, with consumers having to pay a fee to unlock/register the full game.”

Earlier in the week, Epic Games said it had seen the specs of both PS3 and 360, and concluded that the consoles weren’t ready for primetime.

Earlier reports stated that in order to make the required payment, the firm deferred payroll and let go of all contract and temporary staff. The report also said the check handed over to the state bounced, but it seems to have cleared now.

“It’s time for them to go out and get private capital funding,” said governor Chafee. “That’s the deal. It’s a generous deal, but stick to it.

“I want to make sure we’re doing everything possible to make sure 38 doesn’t fail. We’re in deep. There’s not going to be any money from the state. They’re not coming here for easy money.”

Chafee said he knew the loan was a risky move on the state’s part due to the capital it takes to start a new gaming studio, but the rewards outweighed the risks when the deal was signed due to what a “huge success” it would have been for Rhode Island, providing 38 Studios had done well.

“I said from the beginning that it was a risky enterprise,” he told the press. “Again, these are the ramifications of being in a risky business.”

The next loan payment of $2.6 million, which is a debt service payment, is due to the state is due on November 1. The firm will them owe $12.6 million in full annual debt service in 2013.

This year, we will build on that Xbox 360 momentum. With “Halo 4,” “Forza Horizon,” “Fable: The Journey,” and other great Kinect games on the way, our 2012 Xbox lineup is our strongest ever. This year, we will deliver more TV, music, and movie experiences for Xbox 360-as we’ll make it even easier to find and control your all entertainment. And this year, Xbox games, music, and video are coming to Windows 8 so people can enjoy their Xbox entertainment wherever they go.” – Microsoft to press.

MCV was told the information by an informant under the “strictest NDA” it’s ever signed, and goes on to add that although the console will rid itself of discs, it will offer “compatibility with some sort of interchangeable solid-state card storage”.

Once again, the trade site is predicting a 2013 launch but isn’t 100 percent sure if an E3 reveal in June will happen, although, according to the site, it still can.

On the rumor, MS had nothing to say, instead the firm released this statement:

“Xbox 360 has found new ways to extend its lifecycle like introducing the world to controller-free experiences with Kinect and re-inventing the console with a new dashboard and new entertainment content partnerships. We are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the lifecycle convention.”

Ubisoft’s announced Rainbow Six: Patriots, a title that’s to see a 2013 release, and one, according to a press release, will see a “dynamic single-player storyline” being told by multiple characters.

Rainbow Six: Patriots is being developed by Ubisoft Montreal, with help from Ubisoft Toronto and Ubisoft Red Storm. The game’s taking “an exciting new direction” according to Ubisoft creative director David Sears. He said, “This adds an unprecedented level of humanity that will make Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots an extremely tense and immersive experience.”

Here’s the press release:

TERRORISM HITS HOME IN TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW 6 PATRIOTS VIDEO GAME FROM UBISOFT

Best-Selling Shooter Franchise Returns with Gripping New Storyline, Missions and Multiplayer Experience

London, UK – November 3, 2011 – Today, Ubisoft announced the development of the latest edition in its best-selling Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 franchise, Rainbow 6 Patriots. Developed by Ubisoft Montreal with the support of Ubisoft Toronto and Ubisoft Red Storm, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots revolves around a dynamic single-player storyline that captures the reality of modern-day terrorism and allows players to experience it from multiple characters’ perspectives. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots is due for release on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC in 2013.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 franchise has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and has been hailed as one of the best first-person shooter series of all time. The games are known for depicting high-tech counter-terrorist operations set within the Tom Clancy’s game world. With Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots, Ubisoft is building upon the success of the franchise while also taking it in a bold new direction.

“Terrorism has evolved, and so has Rainbow 6. In Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots, all the team play, tactics, and realism that fans of the series love have been coupled with an exciting new narrative direction,” said David Sears, creative director at Ubisoft. “This adds an unprecedented level of humanity that will make Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots an extremely tense and immersive experience.”

In Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots, Team Rainbow faces a new and very real threat called the “True Patriots,” a highly-trained, well-organized revolutionary group that claim the American government is irrevocably corrupted by greedy politicians and corporate special interests. The True Patriots will do whatever it takes to reclaim their country. Playing as Rainbow, players will face critical scenarios that will require them to make tough ethical decisions in order to stop this new breed of terrorists.

In addition to the immersive single-player storyline, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots will introduce a huge variety of new innovative co-op and multi-player experiences. Players will be rewarded for working as a team and mastering the game’s new features that enhance communication and tactical execution between teammates. Success will come from a mix of split-second decision making and working to coordinate attacks against the enemy.

Additional details on Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots can be found in an exclusive cover story in the Christmas issue of Official Xbox Magazine, available 30th November.

Indeed, the next bona fide Fable title will come in 2013, if OXM’s to be believed.

According to the magazine, we should, “Look for the Fable cycle to continue with a proper, controller-based Fable IV in 2013, says The Ball.”

The next Fable game will be Journey, the Kinect-only title to be released next year.

Thanks, LoudMouthGamers.