Sony Computer Enertainment America has trademarked two apparent PlayStation 4 advertisment slogans ahead of E3 and what you can only assume will be a very expensive PlayStation 4 advertising initiative.

The first slogan spotted by PSLS is: “The Best Place to Play”. The second is “Push the Boundaries of Play”. Sony it would seem are really pushing the PS4 as a games console first and foremost.

The slogan “Greatness Awaits” was already trademarked by Sony a few weeks back. E3 happens in less than 3 weeks. Hopefully Sony will bring some of this “greatness” with them with further PS4 reveals.

A couple of additional nuggets of information in relation to Xbox One and Kinect 2.0 have emerged via Polygon.

Apparently, Kinect 2.0 can communicate and talk to you directly, for two-way conversations. For example, the system can verbally welcome you and can ask persons in the room it does not know or recognise to identify themselves so their identity can be remembered by the hardware. Apparently its something akin to Siri on iPhone. The voice may not be available at launch, but it is believed that it can and/or will be patched in at a later date.

Xbox One will also feature remote play.If you’re struggling in your game of choice, you can contact a friend via Skype who can use his controller on his/her end to take over your game and help you complete the job on hand. Sony’s PlayStation 4 also allows for something very similar.

Thanks to Polygon.

Dead Island developers Techland has announced a new Warner. Bros published first-person, action survival horror video game in Dying Light for PS4, Xbox One, PS3, PC and Xbox 360.

It’s an FPS with “a portentous day-night cycle set in a vast open world.”

During the day, players will traverse an expansive urban environment overrun by a vicious outbreak, scavenging the world for supplies and crafting weapons to defend against the growing infected population. At night, the hunter becomes the hunted, as the infected become aggressive and more dangerous. Most frightening are the predators which only appear after sundown. Players must use everything in their power to survive until the morning’s first light.

“We are excited to partner with Techland on Dying Light, which is an original gaming experience for next-generation consoles,” said Kevin Kebodeaux, Senior Vice President, Sales and Operations, Americas, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The partnership with Techland allows us to combine their successful development capabilities with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s one-of-a-kind publishing expertise to deliver on this title.”

“The next-gen technology allows us to create a truly dynamic open world that features a game-changing day-night cycle,” said Pawe Marchewka, CEO of Techland. “Inventive free running mechanics also allow for nearly unrestricted exploration and weapon-crafting to further enhance the action survival experience.

The game does not have a release date as of yet.

Here’s a feature set for the title -

• Survive the Night – During the day, players roam free and scavenge for supplies and weapons. But at night, the world undergoes a deadly transformation: the hunter becomes the hunted as the infected grow more aggressive and numerous, and something far more sinister awakens to stalk its prey.

• Free Running Movement – Whether tracking prey or escaping predators, Dying Light lets players swiftly navigate the world by seamlessly leaping between buildings, grappling up walls and pouncing on unsuspecting enemies.

• Welcome to the Quarantine – Dying Light is set in a vast open world, delivering expansive and varied environments, a wide variety of enemy classes and a hopeless tale of survival where resources are scarce and the infected are not the only threat.

• Brutal Melee and Ranged Combat – get up-close using a variety of light and heavy weapons including knives, bats, axes, sledgehammers and more exotic weaponry or utilize guns and other firepower to take down enemies from a distance.

• Choose Your Play Style – Dying Light features four playable characters that can be fully customized and upgraded to match any play style.

• Craft Your Weapon – Why use a wrench when you can use a wrench wrapped in electrified barb wire? Dying Light’s sizeable crafting system enables players to create a slew of new, more potent weapons and equipment, as well as specialized ammunition.

• Breathtaking Visuals and Gameplay – Dying Light is the first game powered by Chrome Engine 6, a cutting edge incarnation of Techland’s proprietary technology, designed from the ground up for the new console generation, DirectX 11 and other advanced solutions.

A report over on MCV suggests that Microsoft has already thoroughly explained and detailed the nature of their pre-owned fee system and will continue to allow retailers to sell pre-owned games at a price they see fit, that is however not before both Microsoft and the game’s publisher takes a cut from the re-sale.

This, according to the site, is how it would work in a potential scenario:

“A gamer walks into a retailer and hands over the game they wish to sell. This will only be possible at retailers who have agreed to Microsoft’s T&Cs and more importantly integrated Microsoft’s cloud-based Azure pre-owned system into its own.

The game is then registered as having been traded-in on Microsoft’s system. The consumer who handed it over will subsequently see the game wiped from their account – hence the until now ambiguous claim from Phil Harrison that the Xbox One would have to ‘check in’ to Microsoft’s servers every 24 hours.

The retailer can then sell the pre-owned game at whatever price they like, although as part of the system the publisher of the title in question will automatically receive a percentage cut of the sale. As will Microsoft. The retailer will pocket the rest.”

In addition, ConsoleDeals is suggesting that retailers may well take in some 10% from each Xbox One pre-owned sale, a significant decrease on the current generation and that activation of pre-owned Xbox One games on your console may cost around £35. That’s just over €40.

Microsoft told  MCV, “We know there is some confusion around used games on Xbox One and wanted to provide a bit of clarification on exactly what we’ve confirmed.

“While there have been many potential scenarios discussed, we have only confirmed that we designed Xbox One to enable our customers to trade in and resell games at retail. Beyond that, we have not confirmed any specific scenarios.

“Another piece of clarification around playing games at a friend’s house – should you choose to play your game at your friend’s house, there is no fee to play that game while you are signed in to your profile.”

An advert in this morning’s Metro newspaper appears to confirm the PS4 will ship this holiday in Europe.

Spotted by CVG, the advert boldly states the console will release later this year, and although an exact date is still currently unknown, any confirmation on a window/date is welcome.

The adverts carried the following caption:

“Now is the time. The world’s greatest players are going to entertain, create and amaze on the ultimate stage. This year a new generation will push the boundaries of play and share in moments of wonder. This year players will become legends. PS4. Coming 2013.”

Sony recently released a teaser video for the console, which can be seen here.

EA is hiring for a senior designer to work on brand new next-gen Star Wars title.

The position, available at the Visceral Games studios, confirms the firm is working towards a next-gen Star Wars video game as they seek out an “experienced” designer to lead the studio as it’s in the “earliest concepting phase of game development.” EA recently signed an exclusive deal with Disney for the rights to develop Star Wars games, so the news shouldn’t come as a major shock.

The recent closure of LucasArts saw the rather promising Star Wars 1313 canned, and with its fate currently unknown, some suggest EA might have snagged it from the jaws of oblivion.

Perhaps E3 will reveal all?

Thanks, Superannuation.

Microsoft has revealed what the game cases for Xbox One titles will look like.

Revealed yesterday, via Major Nelson‘s blog, the game cases feature a trimmed down look with a green casing, and a grey spine.

The first title to be shown with the new design is Turn 10′s Forza 5, check it out below.

Microsoft has confirmed the Xbox One has a non-replaceable 500GB internal HDD under its hood.

While the idea of the memory that cannot be replaced sounding a little terrifying to some, especially considering you’ll have to install your games, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

In the same breath, the firm has also revealed that the system will support external memory, via USB 3.0, which can be used for everything the internal memory is allocating for. In otherwords, if you’re low on memory, an external hard drive will bolster your space.

Xbox One releases later this year.

Thanks, Engadget

EA has released the first screens for Need for Speed: Rivals.

The title, announced yesterday, is currently in development by Ghost Games in collaboration with Criterion. Hitting the PC, Xbox 360 and the PS3 November the 19th, the title will then go on to release on the PS4 and the Xbox One later this year.

Check out the screens below and tell us what you think.

Warner Bros. Games has released the first look at the EU box art for Batman: Arkham Origins.

The box art was revealed earlier this week and confirmed Deathstroke to be a playable character – via the challenge rooms. Check out the below, then, in case you missed it, hit this link for the full length CG trailer that appeared online recently.

Batman: Arkham Origins releases this October.

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn finnnnnnnnnnnnnnnally arrives on PS3 and PC this August 27th and Square-Enix has revealed the game’s box art and detailed its pre-order incentives and collector’s edition.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce the release date of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.” said Producer/Director Naoki Yoshida. “It has been a long road from the game’s inception to the beta, but thanks to your fervent support and invaluable feedback, the world of Eorzea will soon complete its journey of rebirth.”

He added, “We have endeavoured to make the game affordable so that adventurers will be able to experience the vibrant world of Eorzea. We have also prepared a collector’s edition version of the game, which includes a veritable assortment of premium items. The new adventure begins on 27th August, 2013. I hope to see you all then!”

Here’s everything you need to know about the Collector’s Edition and pre-order incentives, as well as EU and US packshots -

Pre-order incentives

As well as the Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn game disc, fans who pre-order the standard or Collector’s Edition of the game will receive the following exclusive in-game content:

• Early Access: Access the game servers ahead of the official launch. Get your head start and make your mark in the realm of Eorzea!

• Cait Sith Doll Minion: On sabbatical from Shinra Inc. and looking for adventure, Cait Sith will join your party as a non-combat pet.

• Mog Cap: Show your love of Final Fantasy and strut around the world of Eorzea in this Moogle themed hat. Kupo!

• Collector’s box designed by Yoshitaka Amano, legendary Final Fantasy artist

• 80-page “Art of Eorzea” hardcover art book featuring never-before-seen concept art

• “The Waning of the Sixth Sun,” a special bonus video disc that takes a cinematic look at the events that led up to the realm being reborn

• “Sounds of Eorzea” album that features musical scores by renowned Final Fantasy series composers

• Five collectable character art cards

• A Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn-branded security token to secure user accounts

• In-game bonus items: Helm of Light, Baby Behemoth Minion, Coeurl Mount and Behemoth Barding

SEGA’s Sonic: Lost World just got a new teaser image, revealing the silhouettes of any number of probable new characters.

From what we can observe of the above imge, there’s no character in there that we are already aware of in the Sonic Universe.

We’re expecting to SEGA and Nintendo to reveal more info on Lost World before the month is out.

The game is exclusive to Nintendo formats and will release on 3DS and Wii U.

Bungie has released a new live-action CG trailer to their would-be multiplatform space epic Destiny.

The trailer explains the law of the “jungle” and cuts to some pretty tasty space based warfare. People in the future also apparently still read paper books – which is great.

The trailer goes on to confirm that the very first gameplay footage of Destiny will be revealed at Sony’s E3 presser for PlayStation 4 on June 10th.

Catch the trailer below. What’ ya think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS1BM9XRgvw

A listing for Mirror’s Edge 2, a would-be sequel to DICE’s popular cult original, has appeared on Amazon Germany.

The listing includes some really tame placeholder box art, and has the game billed for an Xbox 360 release.

DICE are working on something non-Battlefield 4 related. Mirror’s Edge 2 for E3 2013? That would be pretty awesome.

Thanks AGB.

EA has announced Need for Speed: Rivals.

Confirmed to be in development by Ghost Games, a new studio within the publisher, the game will ship this November for the Xbox One and the PS4.

According to the publisher, Rivals will see gamers take on the role of a racer, or a cop, with each offering up a set of “high stakes challenges, rewards and consequences.”

As a racer, we’re told, the goal is to become infamous for taking risks behind the wheel and capturing your most intense escapes on video for the world to see. Whereas the cops see players work together as part of a team in pursuit of racers, earning prominence and rising in the ranks of the Police Force with every bust.

Powered by Frostbite 3.0, Ghost games will collaborate with Criterion on Rivals and offer:

• Next-Gen Racing – Redview County is brought to life with stunning, next-generation detail
• Need for Speed Network Powered by Autolog – Gamers can compare stats and challenge their friends anytime, anywhere and then easily share their accomplishments with both friends and rivals.
• Personalization – Drivers customize their ride with fresh paintjobs, custom license plates, liveries decals and rims, as well as performance upgrades.
• Pursuit and Evasion Tech – White-knuckle racing explodes with 11 upgradeable gadgets including turbo boosts, jammers and EMPs for racers, and shockwaves, roadblocks and helicopters for cops.

EA have already started pre-order going with exclusive access to content for the game – check that out here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLWNp1Y9-Zs