Joystiq

Rumor: Next Xbox 'Durango' specs leak

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 17:15:00 EST

As E3 and the expected announcements of new consoles from Sony and Microsoft draw ever closer, website VGleaks has posted what it claims are specs for the next Xbox. Codenamed Durango, Microsoft's new console will contain an AMD-provided CPU with 8 cores running at 1.6GHz apiece alongside 8GB of DDR3 RAM. The machine will also use a GPU running at 800MHz, and feature a built-in hard drive. The structure reportedly draws from AMD's cost- and power-efficient "Jaguar" designs aimed at the laptop and tablet market.

Durango will also include a "high-fidelity" natural user interface (NUI) sensor. This would suggest that the console has some kind of built-in Kinect functionality, though the inclusion of a dedicated Kinect port seems to indicate that Kinect peripherals will still be available. Also of interest is the capacity for HDMI input, which Digital Foundry speculates could be used for recording or importing video from external sources like cable boxes and personal cameras.

DF offers up some more context for the leak as well, noting that there could be a significant performance gap between the new Xbox and Sony's next PlayStation, specifically with regards to its graphics processor. That's based on the blueprints and specs, mind you - we won't be convinced until we see competing real-time demos of that ballroom dancing scene from Final Fantasy VIII.

Rumor: Next Xbox 'Durango' specs leak originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jan 2013 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Raven job listings suggest next-gen game in the works

David Hinkle — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:30:00 EST

The last shooter Raven Software shipped was 2010's Singularity and since then the outfit has mostly helped out on Call of Duty DLC. But some job listings over on the developer's site suggest a new game is in the works, potentially for next-generation consoles.

Raven is looking for a senior lighting artist and senior environment artist to help out on "an exciting next generation title," the developer's job listing section shows. Another open job mentions an established team working on a first-person shooter right now, though there's no indication that these two projects are related in any way.

Raven job listings suggest next-gen game in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gibeau: EA planning '3 to 5 new IPs' for next generation of consoles

David Hinkle — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:40:00 EST

President of EA labels Frank Gibeau is confident about the next generation of consoles. He thinks EA is a master of transition, even though he admits the publisher made a few missteps at the start of this generation. This year will see "a big investment" from EA in technologies aimed at the next series of consoles, and the publisher already has a handful of new IPs in the works.

"We've already started three-to-five new intellectual properties that we're going to launch in that first 24 months on the new-gen," Gibeau tells Bloomberg in the video interview above. Gibeau admits that while technology is a big part of it, the process begins with the game and building out from there. "What I think what you have to first do is start with the technology and the hardware that is coming out - what it does really, really well - and understand what's gonna drive innovation there. You start from the game out and you build enough games and enough diversity in your brands to come out with a really strong portfolio that you can sustain for multiple years."

As for EA's strength during transition, Gibeau argues "EA has nailed about four of its five transitions" so far. "We had a bit of a rocky start on 360 and PS3, but we're number one publisher on those consoles. It took us a few years to come back on it, but we learned a lot from that transition and what went wrong, and we're applying that learning to make it right this time." Gibeau concludes that the jump from standard definition to high-definition, and consoles going from being unconnected boxes to online portals for gamers made this last transition tricky, but he's confident EA won't make the same mistakes again.

Gibeau: EA planning '3 to 5 new IPs' for next generation of consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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id Software hiring for next-generation console game

JC Fletcher — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST

id Software is preparing to create something on next generation consoles - something with a user interface, which narrows it down to any software of any kind. Luckily, the UI Programmer job listing that reveals this information also states id is specifically working on "an unannounced game on future-generation consoles."

As superannuation (who spotted the listing) points out, the listing calls for "Familiarity with id Software games, characters, brands and universes," which suggests the new game may be part of one of id's existing franchises: Wolfenstein, Doom, Quake, Rage, or ... Commander Keen. Probably not that one.

id Software hiring for next-generation console game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diablo 3 updated with Retina display support for 'next generation' MacBook Pro

Xav de Matos — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST

Apple revealed the "next generation" of its MacBook Pro laptops this afternoon, along with a refresh of its current line of Pro products. One particular standout of the Nvidia Kepler-powered Pro: Apple's decision to use its gorgeous Retina display, as revealed during the company's Worldwide Developers Conference keynote.

Like the last iPad refresh, however, applications and games will have to be updated to utilize the new Retina screen. During his keynote, Apple's Phil Schiller revealed Diablo 3, Blizzard's latest addiction, will be updated for the upcoming laptop model.

The new MacBook Pro line begins shipping today, but if you wanna get your hands on that fancy new Retina display, you'll be shelling out a minimum of $2,200. Blizzard has yet to reveal when the game will be updated for use with the new display, but we'll be sure to ask. For information on models and pricing, and everything else during Apple's WWDC, check out Engadget's ongoing live blog.

Diablo 3 updated with Retina display support for 'next generation' MacBook Pro originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wii U lead isn't important, contends Sony's Rohde

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:30:00 EST

Sony isn't talking next-gen at this year's E3. Nor is Microsoft. Nintendo's Wii U, however, got its big debut this week, and the console is planned for a holiday 2012 launch. As we learned in the last hardware generation and the generation before that, being the first out of the gate in terms of launching hardware can mean the difference between first and third place. SCEA Senior VP of Product Development and worldwide studios Scott Rohde, however, isn't worried about the potential for Wii U to lead the next hardware generation due to its launch lead.

"Not at all. That's the simple answer," he told Joystiq in an interview this week. "In very similar fashion to the way I'm talking about game development," he said, referencing Sony's hands-off approach to internal game development. "We have a very strong vision in what we believe we're gonna do for the next generation. And we're not talking about it at all yet," he added with a smile.

"The reality is let's build a great machine. And we'll talk about it then." With Unreal Engine 4 getting a big debut recently, and it being held up as the harbinger of the next hardware generation, we expect we'll be hearing from both Sony about that potentially "great machine" not too long from now.

Wii U lead isn't important, contends Sony's Rohde originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Human Element is Robotoki's first game, slated for 2015

David Hinkle — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:31:00 EST

Robert Bowling's new outfit Robotoki has revealed its first project and ... it's a zombie game. Human Element revolves around survivors in the zombie apocalypse. Players must choose from three different classes (Action, Intelligence and Stealth) and three different identity profiles: Survive Alone, Survive with a Partner and Survive with a Young Child.

"Their greatest strength is the fear that [zombies] instill in us, the survivors, that unreasonable fear. Unreasonable fear that leads us to do unreasonable things to survive," Bowling told Game Informer. "How you choose to start in the world will determine how you can engage and impacts the scenarios you will be presented with on a physical and morality level."

Don't expect to play Human Element anytime soon, though. Human Element is slated to launch in 2015 for next-generation consoles, mobile, tablets and PC. Game Informer's July issue has a four-page spread on Bowling and Human Element.

Human Element is Robotoki's first game, slated for 2015 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubisoft expects next-gen consoles to integrate 'item based model'

JC Fletcher — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:30:00 EST

Ubisoft likely knows more about the next generation of consoles than we all do, thanks to working on games for them and stuff, and it sees them going in a social gaming-oriented direction. The company's earnings release features an outlook for the next year, in which Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expects to see an increase of 25-61% in operating income.

Beyond that, Guillemot expects growth due to two trends: first, "the forthcoming arrival of the next generation of consoles which will be increasingly connected and will strongly boost the market thanks to a new qualitative leap and the integration of social games benefits and the item based model," and free-to-play games.

The "item based model" sounds like a trend bleeding over from free-to-play games, in which games are sold for free (or cheap) and microtransactions bring in revenue through the sale of in-game items. We have seen this outside of the free-to-play world in this generation, in the form of costume sales and the occasional weapon unlock; however, if Guillemot expects it to be a significant source of income on consoles, it's likely to be even more emphasized in the next generation.

Ubisoft expects next-gen consoles to integrate 'item based model' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA spending $80 million on next-gen development over next year

David Hinkle — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:47:00 EST

According to EA's results for fiscal 2012, the period from April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012, it's been a good year. The publisher saw growth across many sectors, but perhaps most surprising was talk of investing $80 million in development of games for "Gen4 console systems" over the next 12 months, EA's fiscal 2013.

It speaks to not only when we could potentially get our hands on some new hardware, but is potentially indicative of how much cash a major publisher will need in order to produce games for the next generation of AAA blockbusters. $80 million for one "Samaritan" seems like par for the course, right? That's how much we imagine it'll cost to produce one game in Superfuture 2013.

EA spending $80 million on next-gen development over next year originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2012 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative Assembly's untitled Alien project aimed at next-gen too

David Hinkle — Fri, 04 May 2012 23:00:00 EST

The Creative Assembly has revealed that its Aliens game, which has been known to be in production since last year, is expected to pounce on next-generation PlayBoxes, in addition to current systems. We'd like to imagine it's kinda like the scary little mouth hiding inside of the bigger, scarier mouth.

"The successful applicant will be working on a AAA multi-platform title on current and future generation consoles set in the Alien universe," the job listing for a programmer read. Now, we know what you're thinking: Wii U, right? Sure, let's not rule it out, but the wording specifically calls out experience in Xbox 360, PS3 and PC development.

You may best recognize The Creative Assembly from its work on Sega's Total War series of real-time strategy games.

Creative Assembly's untitled Alien project aimed at next-gen too originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Harmonix prepping 'unique motion-gaming IP' ... with storylines

David Hinkle — Thu, 03 May 2012 22:15:00 EST

We thought Harmonix had its hands full with Rock Band Blitz, but the Cambridge-based developer may also be preparing a new IP - and for the next generation of consoles. According to several different job listings, the developer is looking for narrative, content and level designers, and one software engineer to help out with "a unique motion-gaming IP."

"Harmonix seeks an accomplished Narrative Designer to incorporate creative story lines into gameplay on a unique motion-gaming IP," reads just one of the positions discovered by Supererogatory. This particular gig is a 12-month contract position, while the others make mention of a "music-based motion-gaming IP" and seem to be for more established positions.

A narrative-driven, rhythm-based motion game? Sounds a lot like one of our favorite games ever. [Wait, surely you meant this? - Ed.]

Rumor: Harmonix prepping 'unique motion-gaming IP' ... with storylines originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 May 2012 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ready at Dawn on going from handheld to next-gen, and getting away from GoW

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:45:00 EST

Ready at Dawn is known for having crafted two excellent God of War games for PSP, as well as assisting in their porting to the PlayStation 3. Unfortunately for Ready at Dawn, the company isn't known for much else - an issue that co-founder and CEO Ru Weerasuriya aims to fix by setting a new direction for his studio.

"When it came to really decide what we wanted to do next, I think most of the guys internally just wanted to do something that, in some ways, we had built this company for. It's taken us time to get there and we've wanted to do new IP, we've been working on it for a while, and we felt the time was right and it was just the perfect alignment of everything that was happening," Weerasuriya told GamesIndustry International.

Which isn't to say the team never considered resting on its laurels and crafting yet another portable God of War, this time for the Vita. "It's an idea that was floated as far as what could happen on the Vita. And especially with a platform like that, we were enticed I think by the prospect of doing something on that platform, but it just didn't align with what we wanted," Weerasuriya said. He'd still love for Sony to do such a project ("There's so much potential for it!"), but for the first time in four-plus years, his studio isn't working on Kratos' next portable game.

Ready at Dawn on going from handheld to next-gen, and getting away from GoW originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ubisoft on Xbox 720 projects for 2012, 'major' Sony dev shifting to PS4

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST

And the rumors just keep flying. The latest comes by way of Edge, which reports that Ubisoft is currently working on projects for Microsoft's next console using "target boxes" designed to emulate the system's projected specifications. Supposedly, these boxes contain components provided by Microsoft, with actual development kits expected to be in the hands of studios by the end of the year. According to Edge, a 2012 launch for the console remains likely.

Meanwhile, the site also reports that a "major Sony-owned studio" is no longer working on PlayStation 3 development, fully shifting its resources to the next iteration (we're going to go out on a limb and call it the PlayStation 4). Furthermore, said studio has apparently been "involved in the development process of the graphics technology" used in the upcoming console.

Now what Sony game could possibly need more graphical horsepower? Oh, wait.

Report: Ubisoft on Xbox 720 projects for 2012, 'major' Sony dev shifting to PS4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Next Xbox slated for 2013

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:15:00 EST

With Nintendo revealing its Wii U console at E3 2011, many speculated that Microsoft would be pressured to unveil the next Xbox at the next E3 in 2012. According to Develop sources, we might have to wait a little bit longer, until 2013 to be precise. The site reports that various sources "from processor chip manufacturers to middleware firms" are expecting an E3 2013 reveal of the console, followed by a launch later in the year, though it could be as far away as early 2014.

Apparently Lionhead is busy working on a project named "Fable Next," for the new console, which certainly doen't seem like a stretch. It also gels with a report earlier this month about Alan Wake 2 and other next gen projects. Furthermore, Develop believes that Epic will unveil a new Unreal Engine before 2014, the date recently predicted by CEO Tim Sweeney. Finally, sources still seem to believe that EA is already in possession of development tools for the next Xbox, despite the publisher claiming otherwise.

Our prediction? The Xbox 1080 will be announced by Microsoft next week. The unit will feature an integrated Kinect sensor and will support PlayStation 4 emulation using a heavily modified version of Bleem.

Rumor: Next Xbox slated for 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square Enix job listing reveals preparation for 'next generation platforms'

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST

Sony may have a 10 year plan for PS3, and Microsoft may be extending the life of the 360 with Project Natal -- heck, even Nintendo has repeatedly stated it's sticking with the Wii -- but Square Enix is reading between the lines and gearing up for the next generation of gaming regardless. IGN spotted a listing over at the official Square Enix website that seeks a variety of technical positions "in anticipation of the appearance of next generation platforms."

From 3D graphics core programmers to technical artists (and pretty much everything in between), the new hires will be charged with development of a "new generation game engine development project" -- presumably the next iteration of the company's Crystal Tools game engine. Square notes the intention of this early development as "for competing beyond the level of the world's powerful developers," though we should note that you kinda sorta have to move to Tokyo if you're interested in applying for such a lofty position. Oh, yeah, and you should probably be able to speak Japanese.

[Via IGN]

Square Enix job listing reveals preparation for 'next generation platforms' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubisoft preparing for next console generation

JC Fletcher — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST

During yesterday's financial results conference call, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot mentioned that his company had already begun preparing for the next set of consoles. Does this mean that Ubisoft has been shown the plans of the hardware developers? Probably not! It's preparing with money.

"We need to get ready for the future generation of consoles," Guillemot told investors. "In the next few years, there will be new home and handheld consoles, and if you don't invest... you will not be able to cope with both [the existing and new generation consoles]."

We can only imagine how difficult it must be for Ubisoft to predict how the next generation will look. Right now, judging by the current generation, the company doesn't know what kind of media games will be stored on, whether there will be any media, or even how many screens its handheld games will occupy. It doesn't know how many years into the PS3's "ten-year plan" Sony will introduce the PS4, and there's basically no predicting what Nintendo's next device will look like, nor whether it will be more appropriate to put Tom Clancy sequels or Petz sequels on it.

Ubisoft preparing for next console generation originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today in Joystiq: May 1, 2008

Ross Miller — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:59:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

Do you remember this cover? It was the premiere issue of Next Generation magazine from January 1995. Joystiq reader David has scanned in the cover art of every issue between then and January 2002 and thrown them on Flickr. He's also selling them, if you care to see what's on the second pages. Check out the highlights for today:

Joystiquery
Joyswag: Win Grand Theft Auto IV on your platform of choice
Off the Grid: The new roommates
X3F Week in Review: April 25, 2008 - May 1, 2008

News
PS3 Burnout Paradise gets cartography update
Hudson US president resigns post
Infogrames buying Atari outright for $11 million
Turbine secures $40 million investment
Activision CEO says US economy could cause console price drop
Capcom embraces Mega Man's 'milking,' asks for full Mega Man games list
Blizzard acquires Diablo3.com, nothing to see (yet)
Whip it real good, Lego Indiana Jones site now live
Clover staff credits cut from Okami Wii, original director 'shocked'
GTA IV could become Xbox Live's top game
BBFC defends against PEGI supporters
Penny Arcade Adventures: Episode One is gold, due out 'later this quarter' for $20
Tecmo Bowl Kickoff lands on DS this fall
Report: Only 11% of Wii games score above 80%
Qmotions to bring 'active gaming' controllers to Xbox 360
Rock Band creators make the 2008 Time 100 list
Playable MGS1 flashbacks in MGS4, teases trailer
PSN Thursday: Echochrome and Canadian equality
Activision not attending E3 2008
New Street Fighter IV screens punch out classic bosses
New Street Fighter IV screens punch out classic bosses

Rumors & Speculation
Rumor: Layoffs at THQ's Rainbow Studios and Sandblast Games

Culture & Community
R-Type Command to include R-9 collectible
Miyamoto voted 'Your' Time Person of the Year
Adam Sessler and Jack Thompson debate GTA on NPR

Today in Joystiq: May 1, 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 May 2008 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 cancelled for next year and beyond [update 4]

Conrad Quilty-Harper — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, E3, Business

[Update 4: The ESA has issued a press release addressing the situation. Read more here.]

Next-Gen has the scoop: Doug Lowenstein, the president of the Entertainment Software Association is expected to announce within the next 48 hours that E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the definitive video games show, has been cancelled. Industry sources have told Next-Gen that the reasoning behind this move is primarily one of cost versus return. Publishers aren't getting the media attention that they expect from the large amounts of cash that they're putting down to exhibit at the show.

Apparently publishers believe that the multi-million dollar budgets allocated to E3 would be better used on smaller, specific shows where publishers get all the limelight. There's the possibility of a smaller show taking place in May next year, but as Next-Gen puts it, "it's clear that the days of an industry event attended by all the major publishers, spending big money, are gone."

Check out our commentary on the cancellation at the continued link below.

Continue reading E3 cancelled for next year and beyond [update 4]

E3 cancelled for next year and beyond [update 4] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Jul 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The next generation of controllers in Lego

Conrad Quilty-Harper — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 05:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Peripherals

Nathan Sawaya, a professional Lego builder (yeah, they have those) has put his Lego mind to the next-generation of games consoles. Like he says "with E3 coming up, I built some video game controllers! Yay!" He must have started these models a while ago, because he hasn't made a Revolution controller model. Once you're over at his site, make sure to check out his mad-lib from a general video game fanboy:

"The greatest video game ever would be called Super Invading Combat [insert plural noun] from Mars Championship 2006! It would be fun to control the [insert noun] as it fights all of the [insert adjective] bad guys. My favorite level would let you [insert verb] a car all over [insert place]. You could also earn [insert plural noun] if you didn't [insert verb] [insert plural noun] [insert conjunction] [insert prepositional phrase]! Wouldn't that have [insert past participle]!"

Sounds like a cool game.

The next generation of controllers in Lego originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Apr 2006 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation 3 spring launch is "impossible"

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 3, Business

Namco Bandai president Takeo Takasu has gone public with his knowledge, or lack thereof, of the PS3's launch date. Takasu told Bloomberg, "Without any announcements so far, the spring release is impossible." In response, Sony issued a vague rebuttal, stating, "Nothing has changed with our plans."

But if Namco Bandai, a company that helped boost the PlayStation brand in the past, is still in the dark, then it's safe to assume (as recent certification setbacks have implied) that the PS3 will not launch in Japan within the next few months. But Takasu isn't necessarily concerned, just as long as Sony's next-gen console hits retail by the winter ~~shopping~~ holiday season.

[Thanks, The1 & gaminghobo]

PlayStation 3 spring launch is "impossible" originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Mar 2006 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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