Eurogamer:

PlayStation 4 may well be based on PC hardware, then, but based on these first impressions, it feels like much more of a console – a pure gaming thoroughbred – than its predecessor.

CVG:

Fears that console gaming would buck and bend to the whims of the fickle casual market have proven false – this system is absolutely built for core gamers. And yet, for those expecting to see something that definitively turns a corner, you won’t find it here just yet.

This post will be updated once more reviews are released.

The console is out on Friday in the U.S., and November 29th in Europe.

I think it looks really good. He might have actually nailed it… Of course the real thing, when revealed at E3 2013, will be prettier, sexier, and more glossy. But this is a darn good final product considering we he had to work with.

Via Reddit.

According to the Xi3 Corporation, the hardware being showed off is “a development stage system optimized for computer gameplay on large high-definition television monitors”.

The hardware will be housed in a  Xi3 Modular Computer chassis (seen immediately below), and will support both Steam and the platform’s Big Picture mode.

The hardware will be on demonstration at Valve’s CES stations all this week, where the firm is expected to talk more about the tech. Xi3 Corporation received an investment from Valve to create the SteamBox, it has been revealed.

Said Xi3 president Jason A. Sullivan:

This new development stage product will allow users to take full-advantage of their large high-definition TV displays for an amazing computer game experience.

As a result, this new system could provide access to thousands of gaming titles through an integrated system that exceeds the capabilities of leading game consoles, but can fit in the palm of your hand.

This, as just yesterday Nvidia unveiled its new portable console dubbed Project SHIELD. Expect a crowded year for consoles, folks.

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.

The game owned the charts, selling 159,592 copies.

Here’s the full software chart for the period. Life-to-date sales are in parentheses:

1. [PSV] Hatsune Miku Project Diva f (Sega, 08/30/12) – 159,592 (New)
2. [3DS] Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers (Atlus, 08/30/12) – 69,365 (New)
3. [3DS] Senran Kagura Burst: Guren no Shoujotachi (Marvelous AQL, 08/30/12) – 69,084 (New)
4. [3DS] New Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo, 07/28/12) – 56,061 (1,037,205)
5. [PS3] Hyperdimension Neptunia V (New)
6. [PSP] Mobile Suit Gundam Age: Universe Accel / Cosmic Drive (Namco Bandai, 08/30/12) – 35,903 (New)
7. [PS3] Sengoku Basara HD Collection (Capcom, 08/30/12) – 35, 690 (New)
8. [NDS] Pokemon Black 2 / White 2 (Pokemon Co., 06/23/12) – 29,186 (2,707,600)
9. [PS3] AquaPazza: AquaPlus Dream Match (Aqua Plus, 08/30/12) – 20,935 (New)
10. [Wii] Dragon Quest X (Square Enix, 08/02/12) – 16,360 (526,735)
11. [3DS] Tousouchuu: Shijou Saikyou no Hunter-Tachi Kara Nigekire! (Namco Bandai, 07/05/12) – 15,689 (109,939)
12. [PSP] Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenyaku Romantan – Kansen (Namco Bandai, 08/30/12) – 15,178 (New)
13. [3DS] Mem>Taiko Drum Master: Chibi Dragon and the Mysterious Orb (Namco Bandai, 07/12/12) – 11,278 (189,006)
14. [Wii] Just Dance Wii 2 (Nintendo, 07/26/12) – 10,587 (159,712)
15. [3DS] Demon Training (Nintendo, 07/28/12) – 10,569 (138,690)
16. [3DS] Kobitodzukan: Kobito Kansatsu Set (Nippon Columbia, 07/26/12) – 9,825 (78,608)
17. [WII] Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo, 11/11/10) – 8,231 (1,060,107)
18. [PSP] Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai (5pb., 08/30/12) – 7,666 (New)
19. [PSP] Genroh (Idea Factory, 08/30/12) – 6,397 (New)
20. [Wii] Kirby’s Dream Collection: Special Edition (Nintendo, 07/19/12)- 6,305 (193,265)

Here’s the hardware chart for the same period. Last week’s sales are in parentheses:

PSV – 50,070 (10,880)
3DS LL – 44,951 (41,901)
3DS – 29,342 (29,472)
PS3 – 12,433 (11,896)
PSP – 10,266 (9,499)
Wii – 8,680 (8,810)
PS2 – 1,098 (1,157)
360 – 875 (863)
DSi LL – 803 (870)
DSi – 685 (672)

Thanks, VG247, Gematsu.

That’s what the executive said while speaking to GTTV in an E3 2012 interview, adding that if a company can build a better machine, it’ll come out a bit later.

“I think, if you look back at history we’ve never been first, we’ve never been cheapest, it’s about being best,” Tretton replied when asked if Sony intends to be first this time around, especially after the Xbox 360′s one year lead. “And I think if you can build a better machine and it’s gonna come out a little bit later, that’s better than rushing something to market that’s gonna run out of gas for the long term. I think, ideally, in a perfect world, you want the best machine that ships first, that’s the cheapest. But the number one goal is to have the best machine, and that’s what we’re always focused on.”

According to recent rumors, both Xbox 720 and PS4 will be released next year. The question is, who’ll be first out the door, and will it be long enough to even give a solid advantage to the early bird?

Next year’s E3 will be one of the best in recent history.

That’s what he said while speaking to Time in recent interview, adding that the lower price of Wii will give it legs, helping it reach an “expanded demographic”.

“The consumer buying Wii hardware today is going to be a different consumer than the one who will be buying Wii U in the future,” said fils-Aime. “This is the first holiday that the Wii is available at $149.99 or below, so its an expanded demographic we’re reaching. These are consumers who have heard about Wii for the past couple years,but at $199 or $249 it was economically out of their reach.

We haven’t announced pricing for Wii U, but you can definitely expect that pricing is going to be different and that the games are going to be different. We do believe that Wii and Wii U will coexist for some time. As we drive the install base of Wii, we’re really setting people up to take their gaming library and be able to transfer it over to Wii U.”

Thanks, GI.

Sony’s confirmed that there’s a new PS3 model coming that will be lighter, and consumes less energy. That’s after rumor broke over the weekend when the new model showed up on a Japanese website. More details below the break.

The new CECH-3000B model of PS3 will feature a 320Gb HDD and a lower power consumption from 230 watts in the present model to 200 watts in the new one. It weighs in at 2.6kg and costs Â¥34,980. There’s also a 160Gb that will come bundled with Tales of Xillia when it launches in Japan on September 8th for Â¥37,980.

Sony will ship the new PS3 this month, and already it’s sent live a new website specifically for the console.

Sega EVP of marketing Alan Pritchard has made the slip of the century in unveiling what’s quite possible the release date of Wii U, and it’s coming sooner than “wii” think.

It was in an interview with Gamestop that Pritchard gave away the date, when he was asked by the site if Sonic Generations was coming to the platform.

“The timing just doesn’t work,” Pritchard uttered.

“Generations releases this November, and the Wii U is coming out next spring/summer. I think one of the things we don’t have to do, or reduce where possible, is we don’t want to port games. I think if there’s going to be a Sonic game for the Wii U, it needs to be built from the ground up.

It’s more likely that it would be a separate stand-alone installment or in conjunction with a multiplatform release in the future. But to bring out Generations on a platform six or eight months after we release PS3, 360, and 3DS probably won’t be the best strategy.”

As for Nintendo, the firm only gave us a 2012 release window, so this is the first solid date we’ve received thus far. Sega announced last week that Aliens: Colonial Marines from Gearbox would be on Wii U.

While Nintendo has already dived face first into the eighth generation of gaming, and Microsoft looking to take the plunge soon, PlayStation boss Kaz Hirai said PS3 is “growing with the times” and will continue to do some.

“One of the things that we always talked about is the 10-year life cycle,” Hirai told The Guardian. “When we launched the PS3 back in 2006, one of the questions I kept getting asked was why we were putting so much technology into a piece of equipment that was basically a games console. At the time, I said we were looking at a 10-year life cycle. We wanted to make sure we could adapt as new technology was brought on board. A lot of people at the time said that while it all sounded great, they didn’t believe it.

The plain fact is, the PS3 has grown with the times. The most recent example was the firmware upgrade for all of the PS3s to be 3D compatible, which is something no other console could do. And to this day, there’s still a lot more headroom left in the PS3. That, again, is a function of the initial investments we made, both in terms of technology as well as financial investments for the components.

You probably hear a lot things about the PS3, but one thing you won’t hear is that it’s slipping behind the times.”

Hirai went on to say whether or not PS3 is profitable is a “moot point”, because Sony’s in the entertainment business and not hardware.

“We look at the totality between hardware, software and peripherals and whether it’s profitable as a platform,” he added. “Having said that – because everyone is so interested – yes, we are profitable on the PS3 hardware and we’ll continue to be profitable on the PS3 hardware… Whether we’re profitable or not in the hardware alone, that doesn’t really address the bigger picture.”

Iwata’s told the press what Wii U price will likely be, and you simply won’t believe it.

Speaking to Nikkei, (converted by Bloomberg), Iwata said that the Wii U will “likely” cost Â¥20,000, which equates to $250.

If you can remember, when Wii was released in the U.S., it was sold for $250.

In an interview with GTTV, NoA boss Reggie Fils-Aime told Geoff Keighley that Wii U would represent “great value”, value that will also be “competitive”.

It’ll launch in 2012 – we believe late 2012.

There are some similarities between Wii U and PS Vita if you combined the latter with PS3, and because of it, SCE Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida believes it’ll cause PS Vita devs to experiment with the handheld console even more.

That’s what he said while speaking to Develop at E3, adding it was very interesting the route Nintendo’s taken with its latest console.

“It is very interesting the ways that Nintendo went with Wii U, and I was surprised it wasn’t exactly as it had been rumored,” he said.

“Already people are starting to ask about linking Vita and PS3 to do something similar, in terms of using two screens, and having controls on the screen.

That’s very interesting, and we will have to experiment.”

He also confirmed that what Nintendo demoed yesterday was already being explored on PS Vita and PS3.

“Lots of the things that developers of Vita games are doing, as you may have seen, is experimenting with connectivities between Vita and PS3.

… The Wipeout [2048] team came up with their cross play ideas, and the other Vita teams have come up with ways of playing with two systems.

It’s just a matter of time, as we provide the SDKs to developers so they can make use of both PS3 and Vita, and they might come up with something interesting.”

Some of PS Vita games already include cross-platform play, one of them being Wipeout 2048.

Just like the days of PS3 Slim, when all sorts of mock-up images were hitting the internet on what seemed to be a daily basis, the cycle for Project Cafe has commenced. See how terrible the first one looks below the break.

According to EEDAR analyst Jessie Divnich, speaking to NowGamer, “[Wii's] successor’s name will not include the word ‘Wii’. He argued that with Wii, Nintendo had driven the hardcore gamers adrift, and it would be too hard to get them back with a console named after it.

The analyst had no clue how much the new console would cost, but being that it’ll be more powerful than PS3 and Xbox 360, he predicted the range $299 to $349.

More rumors have surfaced concerning specs, with The Kyoto Report claiming Nintendo development teams are working on “tracking systems and head-mounted stereoscopic displays”.

Elsewhere on the web, ugly mock-ups are already surfacing. Per Kotaku, via 4Chan, the first image has landed. See it blow:

We’ll keep you posted as more develops.

Thanks, VG247.

Following the February games industry figures released by NPD, Sony’s responded, this time releasing figures. The firm said it’s sold more than 50 million PS3s, and as of April 3rd, over 8 million Move Controllers.

The company’s proud of the numbers, and once again spoke of its exclusive lineup as one of the key points moving forward this year, and that sales and growth will only increase.

As for Move, the peripheral launched in September 2010 in North America, Europe and Asia, and in October 2010 in Japan. The motion controller is supported by 155 games as of March 24th. Sony also made known the amount of PS3 games supporting stereoscopic 3D, and that number is 89.

A grand total of 480 million units of PS3 software has been sold globally since launch, and there are over 75 million registered PSN accounts in 59 “countries and regions” around the world.