Top Three Things Microsoft Must Achieve at Xbox Infinity Event

Just so there's no red-ringed death sentence.

No More Wii U Games in Development at EA

It's in the game... just not Nintendo's.

Will Call of Duty: Ghosts Reinvigorate the Franchise?

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Top Three Things Microsoft Must Achieve at Xbox Infinity Event


Gamers aren't the only ones that have May 21, 2013 circled on their calendars -- just ask Microsoft's PR department. They've probably burned through dozens of red Sharpies in anticipation by now.

While it's hasn't been a complete PR nightmare, Microsoft has to be bursting at the seams to reveal the next Xbox just so they can stop having to play coy with their damage control after months of criticism about Xbox Infinity's 'always on,' anti-second hand gaming measures. Despite their change of heart on the matter, Microsoft still finds themselves on the wrong end of publicity, turning what was supposed to be a simple next-gen console reveal into a dire opportunity to win back the fans in which they've soured.

Needless to say, there's a lot riding on Microsoft's upcoming Xbox Event, so what should they do?

1. Keep Kinect-ivity Tasteful


Not everyone feels like flailing in front of a camera, and not everyone feels like telling their Xbox Infinity what to do. But, with reports claiming that Microsoft will fully integrate the Kinect 2.0 with their next home console, we might not have a choice... and neither will developers.

Perhaps choice is what kept the original Kinect from truly taking off with the Xbox 360. Despite its respectable sales, the fact that Kinect was an optional accessory steered many big name developers away from spending too much time designing functionality around it. It simply wasn't worth the manpower if it was a feature that only a small percentage of gamers would utilize. Now that Kinect will be an integral part of the Xbox Infinity, that will have to change.

The concern I have is that Microsoft is so fixated on making the Kinect a big deal that they'll make its use mandatory from key developers -- not only by strong-arming studios to make it a pivotal feature in their software, but forcing developers to alter the premise of their creative vision to cater to it. That's especially dangerous when you consider the rumored resurgence of third-party exclusives. Spook enough developers into making Kinect functionality a must-have and they might take their talents elsewhere.

That being said, it's imperative that Kinect 2.0's influence be meaningful, yet tasteful. Microsoft can't get too carried away with it, because the more they try to shove it down our throats, the more likely we are to throw it up. Gross.

2. Keep the Core at Your Core


Never bite the hand that feeds you. Core gamers are the lifeblood of video games -- sticking around through thick and thin, never wavering on loyalty and support, unlike mainstream gamers that pick and choose when to jump in and when to get the hell out.

If Nintendo's recent struggles are indicative of anything, it's that video game fads are more like flashes in the pan than lightning in a bottle. So, it's better to design a console that doesn't target that audience than to do it and get burned later. Core gamers are the safer bet, and hopefully Microsoft has designed the Xbox Infinity with that in mind.

If they managed to keep their priorities in check, Xbox Infinity's debut should be very game-eccentric, with lots of stage demonstrations, exclusivity announcements and a comfortably core hardware design. The less we hear about social networking, Netflix and connectivity, the more time Microsoft will have to indulge their biggest supporters.

3. Shut Down the 'Always On' Concerns Once and For All


Oh, hey! There's an elephant in the room. It's called 'always on,' and it's bulldozing through every one of Microsoft's pretty little office cubicles with reckless abandonment. It might be a good idea to stop ignoring it.

Microsoft has had some trouble prying this thorn out of their side as of late, despite confirming that consumers can, in fact, play their games offline. But even with their apparent backpedaling on the matter, we still don't have a full explanation of how second-hand games will be affected. Will Xbox Infinity titles be tethered to our Xbox Live accounts, or will things stay the same as they've always been? A lot of consumer purchases depend on that answer.

No matter how good the exclusives are, no matter how great everything else about the Xbox Infinity sounds, Microsoft will put their success in jeopardy if even the slightest trace of their 'always on' premise rears its head. So, the hope is that Microsoft will put that concept to rest -- at least until they can come up with a less player punishing solution.

No More Wii U Games in Development from EA



Chances are, if there's a device that can run video games, EA will develop for it... just as long as the name of the console isn't Wii U.

After yanking multiplatform titles like Madden, FIFA and Battlefield from this year's Wii U lineup, Electronic Arts finally confirmed to various sources -- including Joystiq -- that they have no plans for any upcoming Wii U software at this time.

It's no secret that Nintendo is having a turbulent run with the Wii U thus far, and it's only gotten worse in recent months. Michael Pachter of Wedbush reported that the Wii U sold a disappointing 55,000 units in the month of April, making it all the more challenging for third-party developers and publishers to turn a profit on their software.



Despite EA's spotty reputation, losing their support is a major blow to Nintendo and quite possibly a kiss of death for their struggling home console. Other big name developers could be influenced by EA's exit and follow suit, leaving Nintendo on their own to fuel the Wii U with meaningful software.

Should that worst case scenario become reality, it's entirely possible that Nintendo will have to make a difficult decision on the future of their console. Nintendo could sit the rest of this console generation out and focus exclusively on the wildly successful 3DS, but the financial losses they'll face from Wii U's failure may be too much to recover from.

Calling the Wii U the next Sega Dreamcast isn't as hyperbolic as one would think. This might be the beginning of the end.

Electronic Arts Puts an End to Online Passes

If it wasn't already evident from Microsoft's 'always on' backpedaling with the Xbox Infinity, second-hand gaming will remain alive and well with Wednesday's news from Electronic Arts.

According to The Verge, EA will officially rid all future titles of online passes, a hotly debated form of DRM that prevented players with used copies of their games from having full access to all on-disc content.

In the last few years, certain modes, features and even online multiplayer would be blocked at EA's discretion to dissuade fans from purchasing pre-owned versions of their games in order to make a profit they would otherwise lose, since stores like GameStop and Best Buy do not send portions of those sales to developers or publishers.



As much as it must pain them to have to do it, EA had no other choice if they wanted to repair their image. After the highly controversial online issues with this year's SimCity and being voted as the worst company in America for a second straight year, it was clear that they'd have to do something to save face. Consider this a goodwill gesture.

Such a bold move from as noteworthy of a brand as EA could inspire other developers and publishers to follow suit, but it is not yet known whether other companies will follow in EA's footsteps or dream up another workaround to their second-hand gaming woes.

Nevertheless, this is a monumental win for the budget-oriented sect of the gaming community, and it'll be interesting to see how this announcement affects the outlook of next-gen gaming.

New Gran Turismo 6 Trailer



Don't go thinking that the PlayStation 4's holiday release means that it's time for the PS3 to waive the white flag -- it'll be waiving a checkered flag later this year when Polyphony Digital releases Gran Turismo 6 later this year.

Take a look at Gran Turismo 6's new announcement trailer below!

Microsoft to Discontinue Virtual Currency With Xbox Infinity



The old saying "you get what you pay for" doesn't make much sense when spending currency to get virtual currency, does it? Well, thankfully Microsoft finally realized that.

The Verge is reporting that Microsoft will be replacing 'Microsoft Points' with regular currency and a new gift card system similar to what Apple has done with iTunes. Credit and debit card usage will still be supported.

This news comes after a generation's worth of scrutiny directed at Microsoft for forcing gamers to jump through an extra hoop to purchase digital content, as well as forcing players to purchase points in pre-determined amounts that were typically just under or just over what they needed.

In recent years, Microsoft slowly moved away from MS Points by offering Games on Demand for real currency in order to become a worthy alternative to disc-based games.

It's likely that this shift to real currency will be announced at Microsoft's upcoming Xbox event on May 21st, where the Xbox Infinity will be shown to the public for the first time.

Thief Reboot Gets New Subtitle, First Look at Garrett

Running a Google search on the word 'thief' might not help you find exactly what you're looking for, especially if you're digging for information about Square Enix's reboot of the classic stealth series. If that was absolutely crippling your internet experience, worry no more.

On Tuesday, Square Enix revealed a first glimpse at series protagonist, Garrett, as well as a new subtitle for their upcoming Thief game, which is now entitled Thief: What's Yours is Mine.

For those of you who may not know what Thief: What's Yours is Mine is all about, check out this excerpt from Square Enix's announcement.
"Into this shadowy world steps Garrett the Master Thief in a first-person adventure featuring intelligent design that allows players to take full control, with freedom to choose how they approach and overcome each challenge and forge their own path through the game."
Thief: What's Yours is Mine is scheduled for a 2014 release on PC and PlayStation 4, with an Xbox Infinity version sure to follow. Check back with TheCoverSystem for more news on Thief's hotly anticipated reboot as it arrives!

Image of PlayStation 4 Console Leaked?

What you're looking at could very well be a target render for the Sony PlayStation 4's console design -- "could" being the key word.

We've seen our share of fan mock-ups in our time, but this image might be a taste of the real thing after the gaming community spotted what appears to be a leaked E3 2013 teaser trailer for the PlayStation 4 on Monday.

The 44 second video certainly has all the makings of a standard Sony trailer in rough draft form, showing quick cuts of the console along with rapid fire shots of various people whose eyes glow with Sony's iconic face buttons. Is this the trailer we'll be watching next month, or is this another fake that we'll have long forgotten by next month? You be the judge.



If this teaser proves to be legitimate, then Sony fans are about to have a very sexy console on their hands, which is a win in and of itself. Stay tuned to TheCoverSystem for more updates about this potential leak.

Written by: Marco Strzeszynski