Namco Bandai released STAR TREK The Video Game a few days ago, and we have some let’s play footage for you.
The footage was taken from the Xbox 360 version of the game. And look out for glitches!
Here is the first hour or so of gameplay:
And here is the space battle level:
And don’t forget to check out our review here.
STAR TREK The Video Game is available now on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.
Have you played it? Tell us what you think by leaving a comment below.
Do you carry a laptop around with you? Then you will probably need a laptop bag, so we took a look at the linear laptop should bag from STM for you.
A north-south bag for a commute of any direction. Multiple pockets to manage the necessities of your digital day, the linear holds and carries your laptop in stylish protection. Designed for most 15″ laptops, the linear also works great with a tablet or iPad tucked in the front slip pocket. Finally a minimalist shoulder bag for your entire digital day.
From the website:
Founded in 1998 just outside Sydney, Australia in the famous suburb of Bondi Beach, our mission was, and still remains; to come up with a more comfortable, secure and stylish means of transporting your digital gear. Today, STM makes a variety of laptop bags, packs, fitted tablet and phone cases. All designed to make life a bit more worry free.
*Soft-lined laptop section surrounded in high density padding for ultimate protection
*Comfortable and adjustable shoulder strap for the long haul
*Front slip pocket big enough for a 10″ tablet/iPad or notebook
*Front organisation pocket for keys, cards, pen, etc.
*Reflective tab for night time visibility
*Soft-lined zip pocket for phone, sunnies, camera, etc.
*Luggage pass-through for wheeled bag
*Designed to fit most 15″ laptops
main material(s): 300D velocity poly
lining: 200D water resistant polyester (laptop: 200g brushed nylex)
device space: 9.8 x 14.3 x 0.9 in / 24.9 x 36.4 x 2.4 cm
outer dimensions: 11 x 15.7 x 3.1 in / 28 x 40 x 8 cm
capacity: 915.4 cu in / 15 L
weight: 1.1 lb / 0.5 kg
And even with my MacBook Pro in the bag, there is still plenty of room for other things.
There are different sizes of linear bag from STM, for this review we had the medium, which can fit most 15” screens, and in my case that was an Apple MacBook Pro 15”. It also comes in Black and Grey.
The first thing I noticed was that the bag looked quite small, I thought that I would never be able to get everything in there I needed, and I am happy to admit that I was wrong.
There are multiple pockets in the bag, for everything from pens, to USB drives, to paperwork and chargers. Or as STM say, your “sunnies”, but given that I will be using the bag mostly in the UK, something tells me I won’t be needed my sunnies that much! The pockets are padded so anything you carry in the bag should be protected from everyday knocks.
The bag is very well made and is incredibly light weight. There is nothing worse that having a bag that already weighs a fair bit before you even put anything in it! Now to be fair, because of the size of the bag, you are not likely to be carrying lots of things around in it, but for most everyday tasks this will suit you perfectly.
Adjusting the should strap was simple and felt comfortable (it has some padding to help there), even after several hours of carrying it around.
The clips that hold the front flap in place are secure and easy to open and close, and the design of the clip means that it is pretty hard to trap some skin in the clips, and believe me I have done that a few times with other bags, and it hurts!
The bag offers a lot of protection, and I felt that my MacBook Pro, and the other items I was carrying were very well protected. I even had the occasional knock and everything was fine.
The linear laptop shoulder bag in medium retails for around $70.
If you are looking for a stylish, light weight shoulder bag that protects your stuff just as it deserves to be protected then you definitely take a long look at the linear laptop shoulder bag from STM.
Do you have a MacBook Air and wish you had more ports? Well now you can have more ports, including an Ethernet port with the LandingZone 2.0 PRO docking station, and here is our review.
LandingZone PRO is an attractive and simple to use secure docking station for the MacBook Air. You can return from traveling with your computer and simply snap it into the LandingZone on your desk and enjoy the benefits of a complete desktop workstation.
Your lightweight MacBook Air just got a whole lot more powerful with this stylish docking stations. Turn your MacBook Air into a fully functional desktop system. No need to plug in cables each time you connect. Leave your cables plugged in. This full PRO version brings you, a powered 4-port USB hub and Ethernet, plus a Security Slot. This device works with the 13-inch and 11-inch MacBook Air models released in mid-1212 (Model A1465 and A1466)
From their website:
LandingZone is a small Silicon Valley company with big ideas. They develop unique accessories for Apple users. LandingZone is a slim and sleek docking and locking solution developed for the MacBook Air to dock in a simple, yet elegant way.
• Sleek & lightweight
• Single step docking & undocking
• Makes your MacBook Air lockable
• Brings Ethernet functionality to your desktop
• Use with MacBook Air’s lid opened or closed
• Connect a monitor, hard drive, printer, smart phone, tablet, etc.
• Use at home, office, or while you travel
This device works with the 13-inch and 11-inch MacBook Air models released 2010 until mid-2012 (Model A1465 and A1466)
Security Slot : Now you can lock your valuable MacBook Air with any standard Kensington Laptop Lock (sold separately).
USB 3.0 Hub with 4 ports : Built-in powered USB Hub with 4 USB ports that you can use to connect printers, storage devices, drawing tablet, iPhone, iPad, etc.
High-speed charging : Supports high-speed charging of iPhone, iPad and iPod on the left-side wing port.
Gigabit Ethernet port : Brings full Ethernet functionality to the MacBook Air!
Mini DisplayPort : Connect an external monitor. Also works with Apple Thunderbolt Display model # A1407.
MagSafe 2 Power Pass-through : Pass-through port allows you to use your MacBook Air’s original power supply.
Power Adapter : Powers the USB Hub so you can connect multiple gadgets or devices that require a powered USB connection, such as printers or certain USB hard drives.
Status Indicator Light : Shows you if your MacBook Air is running without having to open the lid.
Travel Clip : Keeps the Landing Zone’s Lever closed for easy travel.
The box, which is extremely well packaged, contains the docking station, manuals, and a power plug with three options pin connectors for use depending on where in the world you are.
After removing the travel clip, fitting your MacBook Air into the docking station is fairly simply. You place your Air into it, line up the edges and then push the handle back into place.
If you want to use your Air’s power supply you need to slot that into place on the docking station before you fit the Air.
And when the Air is docked you have access to all the ports.
When powered up, there is a light that illuminates to show that power is getting through – remember that you need power in order for the various ports to function.
I can’t tell you the number of times I needed an extra port or two when using my MacBook Air, especially when I am away at events, such as CES. The LandingZone 2.0 PRO docking station solves all of those problems in a simple and lightweight package.
I first saw LandingZone 2.0 PRO at CES this year, and I remember saying to them at the time that I had to have one, and I am so glad I managed to get my hands on one as its great.
Using it is as simple as fitting your Air into it and plugging it in. There is even a small travel clip that is used to hold it all in place when moving around, and that was a very smart move.
When docked, the Air is actually at a very comfortable angle for typing, and I found myself able to type for longer periods of time without my hands becoming tired. It also aids with ventilation, and anyone who has ever used an Air knows it can get pretty hot!
And when you register it on LandingZone’s website, you also get a free app called unDock which adds a simple but critical piece of functionality to your Mac—an “Eject All” shortcut, which is very useful and again saves time and effort.
The retail price of the LandingZone 2.0 Pro docking station is $199.99 and you can buy it from the LandingZone website or from Amazon below (they stock both the 13” and the 11” versions).
All in all this is a great piece of kit and a must have addition for anyone who owns a MacBook Air. Having additional ports, including a Gigabit Ethernet port really enhances the Air and as mentioned earlier, the typing angle really helps for a more comfortable usage experience.
You can learn more from the Landing Zone website.
The FrameShift mini stand supports the iPad Mini and the iPhone 5, and we got one to try out, so here is our Two Minute review.
The adjustable support lets you view your iPad mini or iPhone 5 at any angle and folds for traveling using only your hands, no tools required. The friction hinge ensures it will stay at the angle you set until you change it and won’t come loose over time. Long lasting, durable military grade rubber holds it securely in place without scratching.
From their website:
We make accessories for iPhones and other mobile devices. Based in Menlo Park, California, Insanely Great Products, Inc. was created to design and build great products in America. We start with sheets of acrylic, steel and aluminum and design, cut, bend, etch and assemble by hand each item we sell. As we grow, we plan to expand into other product areas that take advantage of our experience with American made tools like Epilog lasers and materials like local woods, steel, aluminum and acrylic.
If you have an iPad mini or an iPhone 5 there may be times you want, or need to have it sitting on a desk, for example if you are using FaceTime, and this is where the FrameShift comes in. You just put it on a flat surface, set the angle you want and then just place your device in it – simple! Then when you are finished you can either leave it for next time, or fold it back up. I found that it worked very well on both my iPad mini and iPhone 5 and it both portrait and landscape modes.
The FrameShift is designed and handcrafted in California by DARWINmachine. Units are custom fabricated and shipped within 2 weeks of order and the build quality is excellent The rubber padding works very well and protects your device for marks and scratches and they also help to keep the FrameShift in place.
Available in aluminium anodized red or grey with a jitterbug finish, the FrameShift retails for $79.00.
The FrameShift is a great little stand, and it’s very lightweight so you can carry it around with you and use it in a variety of locations. I would highly recommend it to anyone, I just wish it was that little bit cheaper as some might be put off by the price for such a simple stand! It’s now a permanent fixture on my desk.
You can learn more from the Insanely Great Productions website.
Disney Mobile Games released a major update and new version of two of its most popular games.
These include a new world, Cherry Mountains, for Monster’s, Inc. Run; as well as Toy Story: Smash It! Lost Episode, a free version of their hit game Toy Story: Smash It!. Details include:
Are you going to play them? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
Acer recently released their Aspire S7 Ultrabook, and we managed to get our hands on one for a review.
From their website:
Acer designs environmentally friendly products and, with its vendors, has established a green supply chain. The brand’s PC-centric product offering includes notebook and desktop PCs, servers and storage, LCD monitors, projectors, and smartphones and tablets. Sub-brands include the consumer-focused Aspire series, and commercial sector TravelMate and Veriton series.
Below are the specifications listed on Acer’s website, however you should note the review unit we had was a Core i5.
The box contains the S7, a power supply, a carry case, manuals, a display adaptor and a mouse.
Watch the official trailer for BEYOND: Two Souls, debuted LIVE at Tribeca Film Festival. Witness the powerful storytelling and performances that earned BEYOND the first Official Selection by Tribeca Film Festival for a PlayStation exclusive video game.
Here is the official trailer:
From the visionary mind of David Cage, director of the award-winning Heavy Rain™, comes the most powerfully emotional experience on PlayStation® 3. A singularly unique psychological action thriller delivered by A-list Hollywood performances, BEYOND: Two Souls™ takes you on a thrilling journey across the globe as you play out the remarkable life of Jodie Holmes.
Born with a connection to a mysterious entity with incredible powers, Jodie was different. In an adventure spanning 15 years of her life, your actions will determine Jodie’s fate as she faces extraordinary challenges, danger, and heart wrenching loss on a journey to discover the truth of who she is. Beyond promises an emotionally-charged journey unlike any video game before.
• Dive into a gripping and unpredictable psychological action thriller starring Academy Award-nominees Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe.
• Explore stunning and varied settings across the world in an epic journey through 15 years of a character’s life.
• Control Jodie and an invisible entity through spectacular action sequences and puzzles with unique controls.
• Experience cutting-edge technology from Quantic Dream in one of the best-looking games ever seen on the PlayStation 3.
BEYOND: Two Souls is due for release on October 10th 2013 on PS3.
CCP Games, has announced that DUST 514 will launch on May 14, 2013. The groundbreaking, free-to-play first-person-shooter launches on PlayStation 3, and players can join the war for galactic supremacy with the ease of a free download.
As with CCP’s first game, EVE Online, launch is only the beginning of the voyage with DUST 514. Gamers can look forward to an ever-progressing game, built on the experience CCP has gathered over the past decade, as new features and upgrades are rolled out for years to come. The way to victory is now open to any intergalactic mercenary with the guns and grit to accept the challenge.
“Reaching this point has required many years, hundreds of CCP employees, and the engagement of millions of players who contributed fantastic feedback during the beta process,” said Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP. “Now we start the real journey, which, decades from now, we will look back on with astonishment at all we accomplished. The EVE Universe will outlive us all.”
With the launch of DUST 514, the struggle for interstellar dominance in New Eden escalates as DUST mercenaries forge their path to glory. The power to topple empires will be in the hands of all who choose to seize it. The game’s massive battlegrounds, deadly weapons, and futuristic vehicles form the foundation of the deep first-person shooter action that awaits, while unrivaled customization options allow players to shape their strategic advantage, tactical edge, and combat style with cunning and skill.
DUST 514 is also fully integrated with New Eden, the notorious setting of EVE Online, a massive game universe that recently surpassed a half-million subscribers worldwide. As DUST players wage war in this first-person shooter at unprecedented scale, the outcome of each ground battle impacts the persistent universe, shifting the tide of war for legions of participants. Mercenaries can gain the advantage by coordinating with starship pilots in EVE Online, calling in devastating orbital strikes against opposing squads. The fortunes of DUST 514 players will rise and fall as they align themselves with like-minded warriors to make their mark across the EVE Universe.
Highlights of what players will experience in DUST 514 include:
· Massive Persistent Universe: Wage war on the surfaces of far-flung planets with countless environmental combinations.
· Planetary Conquest: Marshal your forces in a continuous, ever-changing battle to conquer the worlds of New Eden and control their resources.
· Large-scale Warfare: Vie for control of unique sci-fi battlefields with up to 32 players in simultaneous combat.
· Endless Customization: Create custom mercenaries with lethal dropsuits, skills and weapons.
· Vehicles On-demand: Acquire, outfit and deploy heavily armed and armored vehicles, on land and in the skies.
· Social Sandbox: Build a formidable corporation with thousands of players as you seize the opportunities and bounties that come with galactic conflict.
· Connected Experience: For the first time ever, join forces in a cross-platform gaming experience with the immortal starship pilots of EVE Online to conquer New Eden, one skirmish at a time.
On May 14, the uprising of DUST 514’s mercenaries begins and their impact will leave New Eden forever altered.
And don’t forget to check out the interview with Jon Lander who is the Executive Producer of EVE Online we did at Eurogamer Expo last September:
Are you going to play DUST 514? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
CCP Games, announced today that they have entered into a creative partnership with filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur and his production company to bring the EVE Universe to television screens worldwide.
The new television series will take its inspiration from the millions of people who have left their mark on the EVE Universe via stories submitted to the website http://truestories.eveonline.com. Kormákur’s creative team, in collaboration with CCP, will create an original concept and storyline set in the EVE Universe, a future history of rival societies trapped beyond a wormhole in a dystopian sci-fi world.
Baltasar Kormákur has been making movies of all genres for more than a decade and his films consistently garner both critical and commercial success. He started 2012 by topping the US box office with Contraband, starring Mark Wahlberg. Contraband was based on his Icelandic film Reykjavik Rotterdam, which Kormákur starred in and produced. His latest Icelandic film, The Deep, was shortlisted for an academy award nomination in 2013 and won a record-breaking 11 Edda Awards, including Best Film and Best Director.
Currently Kormákur is in post-production of 2 Guns, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg, which Universal Pictures will release August 2, 2013. He is also directing the pilot episode of the HBO thriller The Missionary, starring Benjamin Walker, produced by Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, and Charles Randolph. Randolph is also the creator of The Missionary.
“The EVE universe is full of astounding stories of epic battles, daring heists, and gripping political intrigue, all of which will make for an amazing television series,” said Baltasar Kormákur. “The opportunity to interact with the fans of the EVE Universe directly opens up all sorts of exciting possibilities.”
“The inhabitants of the notorious and beloved EVE Universe have ten years’ worth of dramatic stories to tell,” added Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP. “Our close collaboration with Baltasar and his creative team gives me confidence that we will capture EVE’s essence, inspiring millions of TV viewers with visions of humanity’s future.”
EVE Online (PC/Mac) is a captivating science-fiction game in which hundreds of thousands of players compete for riches, power, glory and adventure in a single universe. On June 4th, CCP will launch EVE Online: Odyssey, the 19th free expansion for EVE Online. The launch of Odyssey comes as CCP celebrates the game’s tenth consecutive year of player growth, having passed the 500,000 worldwide subscriber mark in March. More information about EVE Online can be found at www.eveonline.com.
CCP recently announced that DUST 514 will launch on May 14th. DUST 514 brings intense infantry combat, large-scale warfare and deep character advancement to the PlayStation 3 in an exclusive, free-to-play, massively multiplayer shooter. Set in, and integrated with, the massive universe of EVE Online, players wage war in this first-person shooter, where a single victory could prove the crushing blow to a galactic empire of thousands of online gamers. More information about DUST 514 can be found at www.dust514.com.
And don’t forget to check out the interview with Jon Lander who is the Executive Producer of EVE Online we did at Eurogamer Expo last September:
CCP Games, today announced EVE: The Second Decade Collector’s Edition, a limited-edition box set containing numerous unique items to commemorate ten years of EVE Online and the continuing evolution of the EVE Universe to include DUST 514.
EVE: The Second Decade Collector’s Edition contains a series of exclusive, collectible items specially crafted for the EVE Online enthusiast and celebrating the game’s tenth anniversary, including:
· Into the Second Decade, a 190-page, richly illustrated hardcover book commemorating the first 10 years of the EVE Universe. Into the Second Decade details the initial release of EVE Online, and chronicles its growth through the game’s numerous free expansions, the community events that helped define the experience, and the launch of DUST 514.
· “Rifter” USB hub, a four-port USB hub modeled on an iconic EVE Online ship.
· EVE Symphony CD, a live performance of the signature EVE soundtrack by the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, recorded in Reykjavik during EVE Fanfest 2013.
· The Danger Game board game, an English-language adaptation of the popular Icelandic board game. Created by a fledgling CCP in 1998, The Danger Game (Icelandic: Hættuspil) helped fund development of the original EVE Online release.
EVE: The Second Decade Collector’s Edition also contains one-time-use codes for unique in-game items for both EVE Online and CCP’s newest title, DUST 514, a free-to-play massively multiplayer online first-person shooter for the PlayStation 3, set in the same universe as EVE Online.
The in-game items include:
· The “Golden Pod,” an exclusive skin for the iconic capsule (EVE Online).
· A “Gnosis” Blueprint, a five-run blueprint of the 10th anniversary Gnosis, the Society of Conscious Thought battlecruiser (EVE Online).
· The “Time Capsule,” a selection of collectible items based on classic EVE lore as well as memorable moments over the first decade (EVE Online).
· A new skin for the Amarr Magnate frigate (EVE Online).
· A selection of exclusive male and female clothing items and accessories to dress your pilot in style (EVE Online)
· Powerful weapons and a collection of “Templar” dropsuits for (DUST 514).
The box set will also include a “Mystery Code” that will grant owners special, but currently secret, benefits related to future CCP products and events.
In addition to the items above, players who pre-purchase EVE: The Second Decade Collector’s Edition will receive two powerful in-game items: the “Nefantar Thrasher,” a glass cannon-style destroyer for EVE Online, and the Amarr Templar Drop Uplink, a spawn beacon for DUST 514 that requires no special skill-training to deploy or use.
And don’t forget to check out the interview with Jon Lander who is the Executive Producer of EVE Online we did at Eurogamer Expo last September:
Are you going to get this Collector’s Edition? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
Sly and his motley crew of brains, brawn and beauty are back! Developed by Sanzaru Games, the nifty folks who lovingly nurtured the previous titles in the Sly saga into glorious HD. Have their past practices put them in good stead of creating an all new Cooper adventure after a seemingly interminably long wait in development?
Good Timing?
Having recently played the original in it’s updated HD form, I came into this with memories of a PS2 game that, albeit looking spectacular in it’s higher resolution, played like a PS2 game. Unfortunately for Sly, PS3 games have evolved in terms of gameplay mechanics, graphical fidelity and innovation. Regrettably, Thieves In Time, hasn’t quite paid attention to this curve and as a result, some of the design choices are questionable in this regard.
Old style platforming being reminiscent of the good ol’ days of Crash Bandicoot is both a blessing and a curse. At first eliciting happy childhood memories of rushing home to play Crash’s most recent adventure with friends and family. Sly Cooper’s latest, ultimately dashes those as the realisation starkly hits home that you have in fact played all this before; if you did pick up any of the HD trilogy, this feeling will emerge sooner rather than later.
Is Jumping Fun?
That’s not to say it can’t be entertaining however, jumping, sneaking, thieving and battling generalissimo-esque tigers in puzzle type boss fights can be fun. There are, as usual, different playable characters with Bently, Murray and Sly’s ancestors all bringing different performances to spread the varying playstyles. Murray, who for some reason the voice actor reminds me Biff from Back to the Future, is the general combat nut. Proficient at bopping the anthropomorphic foes on the head and shaking coins and treasures out of them. Bently, the geeky turtle, is the brains of the operation; his missions tend to involve hacking mini-games in the guise of old side-scrolling shooters and top down navigation puzzles. Protagonist Sly’s sections are a mixture of stealth, platforming and boss battles; his ancestors are mostly similar, bar a slight change in movesets. Over the course of the game, different costumes can be acquired via plot progression and can assist in getting some of the many collectibles on offer.
Whilst the list of things may seem extensive, it does inevitably get a little repetitive. The game holds much promise in the earlier stages, offering characters, upgrades and a sandbox style area to muck about in between missions. As expansive as it seems, it turns out there is not much to actually explore for, a number of collectibles and that’s about it!
The story is generic, but about what you would expect for a game like this, it’s fun, has it’s moments but that’s not why you’ll purchase this. The voice acting does the job, all sounding as you remember. The script can awkwardly be a little hammy with jokes ripped straight out of the 90’s with characterisation to match. This part, I assume, was intentional on Sanzaru’s part as at least it fits in with the others tone of light heartedness.
Minigames come up several times; these, ironically are the highlights of the game in terms of humour. Taking cues from rhythm based games, these can require a deft finger to complete flawlessly. Seeing Murray dance in a Geisha outfit to a crowd of rowdy bulls is priceless. However it’s nothing compared to a certain montage scene with an aptly hilarious trophy to match!
Tricky?
Inevitably the basic puzzles and platforming sections are on the lesser side of evil in terms of difficulty. Aimed at a younger audience, this is undoubtedly good news. For the more experienced gamer, the one who played the originals when they came out, the lack of a challenge can be a little disappointing. The puzzles rarely involve much more than pushing blocks in a certain order; the stealth sections, although punishable with instant failure are fairly forgiving in terns of what you can get away with. Upgrades are purchasable through the ‘Thiefnet’ making your adventure through time a little easier. Better combo’s to make your Murray more intimidating, a silenced stealth takedown to make enemy clearing with Sly a breeze and homing bombs make traversing with Bently a wholly less disastrous affair.
The one thing that really tones the difficulty down is the horrendously over eager helping guide at the start of each section. It’s not like there are many different things you could be doing either. The ‘jobs’ are ludicrously linear, offering very little room for exploration aside the odd collectible tucked away in a cranny. Yet the game insists you look upon the route and listen, often to Bently, explaining how you must follow the undeviating path which lies ahead.
Anything Else?
Graphically, stunning! The artwork is great and the arresting visual style works wonders combined. Animations on each character are aptly suitable and fit the stylised tone of the game well. The sound effects and voice acting perform their role adequately enough without offering too much. The music is well chosen and fits well with the whole thievery and heist theme.
A few nice things worth mentioning would be the incorporation of the PS Vita and it’s features. Not only do you automatically get the Vita version with the game via cross-buy but you can also use cross-saves and utilise the nifty rear touchpad to help search for treasures whilst playing on PS3.
Recommend?
Trophies are fun and varied, collectibles demand several runs and you can replay the missions until your heart’s content. Load times can be a little long but nothing too serious, in terms of glitches and crashes, touch wood, it’s been flawless so far. Aimed at the youngsters, but playable by all if you can stomach the ‘last gen’ feel. For the 10 hours it takes to complete, you could probably double that if you wish to see and do everything on offer. What with the feel of it in comparison to the earlier games in the series, you could probably take your pick between this and the HD Trilogy and you wouldn’t steer too far wrong.
There isn’t much to hamper your fun with the racoon and pals save for the fact it plays a little too much like a PS2 game than I would like. It lacks in innovation what it endeavours to make up for in humour, charm and memories; to be honest that’s not a bad trade off.
Borderlands 2 publisher 2K Games will not have a booth on the show floor at this summer’s E3. The news comes as a surprise given the studio’s busy release schedule, which includes more content for the bestselling shooter, as well as new releases The Bureau: XCOM Declassified and Civilization V: Brave New World.
2K Games parent company Take-Two Interactive will have a presence at the expo, although this will be limited to a meeting room on the upper concourse level.
“We can confirm that Take-Two Interactive Software is participating in E3 2013,” a Take-Two representative told Joystiq.
“We are going to have a meeting room in the upper concourse level and we’ll be doing some business meetings as we usually do. 2K is not participating.”
It is yet to be confirmed whether fellow Take-Two subsidiary RockStar Games will be making an appearance at this year’s E3.
BlackBerry’s Q10 smartphone has gone on sale in the UK at Selfridges stores that sells out in 90 minutes. Model and actress Lily Cole has teamed up with the retailer to showcase the physical keyboard-equipped device, posing for a photoshoot with the phone in-hand.
Lily Cole showcases the BlackBerry Q10 at Selfridges
“I’ve always been a fan of BlackBerry and am excited to use the new Q10. I travel a lot and the BlackBerry keyboard helps me keep on top of work and emails. I’ve even written articles on my BlackBerry,” said Cole.
The BlackBerry Q10 is the second handset to come with the BB10 operating system pre-installed, following the launch of the flagship Z10 in early February.
Powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor with 2GB of RAM, the Q10 sports BlackBerry’s signature QWERTY keyboard and a 3.1-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen.
Other features include an 8-megapixel camera, 16GB of on-board storage and 4G support.
The BlackBerry Q10 is available from Selfridges stores in London, Birmingham and Manchester from today (April 26). The handset goes on general sale on Monday (April 29).
The Next Xbox is to have revamped social networking, Achievements, anti-piracy checks and video-sharing capabilities, according to a report. Polygon cites sources saying that Microsoft’s upcoming console will enable users to capture video highlights of their gameplay and share them directly through networks like Facebook.
The new Xbox will apparently be able to record gameplay like a DVR, meaning players can go back and select highlights.
Alternatively, there will be a setting which causes the console to automatically record when certain in-game events take place, such as collecting a specific Achievement. The auto-capture is said to be only available on next-gen games.
The recordings can then be uploaded directly from the console to social sites like YouTube.
Microsoft is also said to be planning to make Xbox Live function more like other social networks such as Twitter – with no caps on the number of friends a person can have – and a change to the way you add friends – with people being able to follow one another like on Twitter, instead of there only being two-way friendships.
The sources claim as well that it will be possible to add Achievements after a game’s launch without needing to add DLC. In addition, users will be able to tie Achievements to broader events such as a weekend challenge or communal goal, like contributing a specific number of kills to the bigger goal of 10,000 kills over one weekend.
Furthermore, companies will apparently be able to create cross-title Achievements, such as awarding points for finishing the first chapter in two unrelated games published by that company.
In relation to cross-platform Achievements, gamers will be able to earn these by playing a game on the new Xbox and then using a companion app or website, or perhaps even by playing a specific game such as a prequel, on the Xbox 360.
Regarding rumours of an always-on requirement, the report adds that digital rights management and anti-piracy checks will be conducted through an internet connection, but that publishers will be able to choose whether this is done through one-time authentication or a constant connection.
This week Microsoft announced that it would reveal its new console on May 21.
The announcement suggested that the reveal will be for the console and services, and won’t show the full line-up of games until E3 in June.
Other reported features for the new Xbox include Kinect 2.0, 3D technology and the long-rumoured Xbox TV.
