Because of COURSE they do

Fans are petitioning Microsoft to bring back the restrictive DRM policies previously planned for the Xbox One, asking for a return to ??online check-ins and demolished ownership rights. Elsewhere, dogs around the world are asking owners to buy them tighter collars.

"This was to be the future of entertainment," writes campaign leader Dave Fontenot. "A new wave of gaming where you could buy games digitally, then trade, share or sell those digital licenses. Essentially, it was Steam for X??box. But consumers were uninformed, and railed against it, and it was taken away because Sony took advantage of consumers uncertainty.

"We want this back. It ??can't be all or nothing, there must be a compromise."

The sudden pushback against Microsoft's shocking policy reversal has been interesting, with people suddenly swarming from the woodwork to defend the ??original Xbox One. Weird how, as soon as something goes away, there magically appears an army of those who loved the thing. Human nature, I suppose. 

In any case, I'd find it hilarious if this thing gained ground. Not that Microsoft would appear so p??ublicly weak as to re-reverse its decision, but I'm amused by so people declaring the Xbox One was the "future" when platform holders have?? continually struggled to handle the "present."

Where did Microsoft get all this sudden blind trust from people?

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Oh, come ON!

PS Vita is region-free. PS4 is going to be region-free. Xbox One will be region-free as well. Sony understands that when it comes to t??oday's consumable media, we live in a border-??less world. Microsoft is just trying to ride Sony's draft, but the benefit to gamers is the same. The message is clear: the fewer barriers between us and our games, the better.

Nintendo doesn't get that message.

Nintendo fans are understandably upset and have recently begun campaigning to effect a change in Nintendo's regional policies. But before the campaign, before even Microsoft's heel face turn, IGN's Richard George met with Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata at E3 and inquired about his company's insiste??nce on?? region-locking both the 3DS and Wii U. The response was no different than what we've heard a million times before.

"From some people's perspective, it might seem lik?e a kind of restriction. However, we hope people can appreciate the fact that we're selling our products worldwide. There are many different regions around the world, and each region has its own cultural acceptance and legal restrictions, as well as different age ratings. There are always things that we're required to do in each different region, which may go counter to the idea that players around the world want the freedom to play whatever they want."

But as I said, this was all discussed three weeks ago, before Nintendo became the odd man out in the console manufacturer trio. Perhaps all the heat Microsoft bore, along with the massive fan petition -- more than 17,000 signatures as of this writing -- ha?d some small impact.

If they did, Nintendo is putting on quite the poker face. Case in point, a Nintendo of America rep responded to Barrel Roll Gaming yesterday w??ith the statement: "Nintendo has no plans to remove region locking from our system?s. By taking this approach, Nintendo is able to include parental controls and ensure compliance with regional standards and rating systems."

I think we are asking Nintendo the wrong questions. Instead of asking Iwata and crew about why they are implementing region-locking today, we ought ??to be asking why they seemingly had no problem with it in t?he past.

So N?intendo home consoles have always had regional restrictions, but not Nintendo portables! Every handheld right up until the DSi could play games from literally anywhere without any hassle whatsoever. And in the case of the DSi, only specific "DSi-enhanced" games were gated while the rest of the library would continue to work.

Remember Jump Super Stars and Jump Ultimate Stars, the Nintendo-published DS fighters that pitted manga characters from Dragon Ball, One Piece, Fist of the North Star, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Rurouni Kenshin, and more against one another? Those gained a hefty cult following outside of Japan. I bet you anything that Nintendo w?ould have loved to work out a proper localization had the various characters not been licensed by fifty bazillion different companies out West.

What about Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, the cheer squad rhythm game from the studio that made Gitaroo Man? Nintendo noticed its popularity amongst importers and decided to greenlight an original Western entry, Elite Beat Agents.

What about the Rhythm Heaven series, which has consistently seen worldwide release following the positive reception of the original from both Japanese and Western press? Former Destructoid editor Colette Bennett was a huge fan of Rhythm Tengoku on GBA, and she and current EiC Dale North even wrote an import review of the DS sequel long before it was confirmed for wider relea??se.

And don't even get me started on Mother 3.

Nintendo knows the allure of import games, which is why the Wii Virtual Console showcased the odd import from time to time. Dracula X: Rondo of Blood, DoReMi Fantasy, Monster World IV -- all had been hotly anticipated and were welcomed with open arms once they finally arrived. And Sin and Punishment? performed so well that it directly resulted in a Wii sequel!

What's truly bizarre is that Nintendo is pushing towards greater interaction between regions yet while simultaneously acting like there exists an impenetrable wall. It came as a complete shock to me the first time I took my 3DS to PAX ??East and StreetPassed people from the all ov??er the world. Not only are the different countries marked in the Mii Plaza, icons for the region-specific game they had been most recently playing would display as well.

How dickish is it that you can see a Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney icon on your screen, yet you can't actually play Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney on your device? What a tease!

How come two people, one from the States and one from the UK, can play Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate together online, yet their ?discs won't run on the other's Wii U? How does that make any sense? It's the same game! Both copies are directly communicating with one another! It's not like one person is on a Wii U and the other is a PS3; it's the same damn console!

Nintendo's excuse is that it's trying to comply with regional laws and ratings bodies. So how is it that Sony and Microsoft don't seem to be having any such compliance issue? Hell, they didn't have any issues with the PS3 or 360, which left the decision to region-lock individual games up to publishers. In PS3's case, that resulted in all of one region-locked title in its entire library!

The only excus??e I can think of is that certain regions like Australia that charge exorbitant prices would then be forced to compete with cheaper import options. To which I ask, uhhhhh, who's problem is that? Lower your prices, you greedy bastards! Welcome to the global market! Get compet??itive or get lost!

There is no excuse.

Nintendo's President Discusses Region Locking [IGN via GoNintendo]

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Makes total sense

From our time at this year's E3, we've noticed that a number of studios have become quite enamored with the concept of "second-screen gaming" -- the use of a device such as a smartphone or tablet to interact with a console game in some fashion. No company seems to have embraced this more than Ubisoft, which will provide companion apps for Assassin's Creed IV, The Division, Watch Dogs, and The Crew.

"I'm convinced it's the future," stated Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot in an interview with Game??sIndustry International. "What I like in second-screen play is its accessibility, which means different types of people can play. Those who don't know how to play with the [controller] or don't like to play with it can use to?uch. So that's the first good element.

"The second one is it gives you an opport?unity to play from outside the home with your friends who are playing f?rom their homes. So I'm in an airport, and I can play with my friends using my iPad if I have a good connection. We think this is going to open lots of new possibilities to the industry, and to the type of gameplay that can occur."

Although unable to leave the vicinity of the console for true mobile play, the Wii U GamePad was conceived for just these kinds of asynchronous experiences. And according to Ubisoft Quebec managing director Nicolas Rioux, who is overseeing development of these companion apps, it was the company's work on Assassin's Creed III that inspired this second-screen initiative.

"With Assassin's Creed III, we were involved on the Wii U version," Rioux expl?ained. "The Wii?? U was kind of the pioneer of the connected tablet interface. This gave us some ideas for the first iteration of tablets connected with console games."

This is the kind of can-do attitude that will inspire other studios to really explore the possibilities of the GamePad. This ??is precisely why the Wii U was built the way it was, and I am excited to see Ubisoft incorporate these ideas into its Wii U builds. So what's the plan, Mr.? Rioux?

"It's not confirmed yet, but if it's?? possible to do it and it makes sense, yes we will provide some kind?? of experience on the Wii U. Our focus is on the new generation of Microsoft and Sony consoles."

...

...

So let me see if I understand this correctly: The PS4 and Xbox One will respectively cost $399 and $499 at retail and will require a separate mobile device to make use of second-screen functions. Meanwhile, the Wii U comes bundled with a cont??roller that has a built-in 6.2" touchscreen, a feature that hasn't been properly exploited but would be ideal for the kinds of experiences Ubisoft is planning.

But while second-screen play is a good fit for PS4 and Xbox One, it will only be incorporated into Wii U titl??es if it "makes sense." The machine that comes bundled with a tablet-like controller in every si??ngle box doesn't automatically fit into plans for tablet-specific applications.

The excuse in the past was that studios were wary of developing for the Wii U because they would rather make something "unique" that plays to the strengths of the GamePad than bother with a straight port or otherwise traditional software. Now Ubisoft is on the cusp of just such a unique union of TV and mobile -- a union, I must remind you, that was born out of the company's work on the Wii U build of Assassin's Creed III -- yet the Wii U is no longer a priority because? the features don't "make sen??se."

Did I get that right? Did I read that correctly? Because if so, that's some fucking shit.

Register Ubisoft "convinced" second-scre??en gaming is "the future" [GamesIndusty International via NeoGAF]

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Preview in Official Nintendo Magazine adds more fuel to the fire

Prior to the Xbox One unveiling, Activision said that it had no news concerning Call of Duty: Ghosts on next-gen platforms, in response to a question about a Wii U version. Then PS4 and Xbox One versions were confirmed, yet Wii U was once again left out of the loop for the sake of "mystery." Later, Ghosts producer Mark Rubin clarified that he couldn't clarify the existence of a Wii U build.

Now here comes British publication Official Nintendo Magazine with a full-page spread about Ghosts on Wii U. Furthermore, the story states that Infinity Ward, which has typically handed off porting duties of its Call of Duty games to Treyarch, is handling the Wii U?? version in-house. Is this really real confirmation? I don't see why ONM would just guess at this, even though it makes zero sense for the game to skip the platform.

Call of Duty: Ghosts on Wii U has become the Schrödinger's cat of the Fall software lineup -- depending on who you ask, it exists and doesn't ??exist at the same time. And I can't see how this confusion is doing anyone any favors. If Activision was so afraid of getting a poor return, why not just do what most other developers are doing and drop Wii U plans entirely? Because as it stands, even if a Wii U version were confirmed tomorrow, all the focus has already been placed on the other platforms. How can we trust Activision to give just as much exposure to an afterthought?

Call of Duty: Ghosts Confirmed for Wii U? [Wii U And Mii via GoNintendo]

The post Is Call of Duty: Ghosts coming to Wii U or not? appeared first on Destructoid.

Mattrick ... you've got to stop

Microsoft's Don Mattrick is at it again, defending Xbox One in such a way that ensure I'll never get a vacation if he keeps it up. This time, Lil' Donny claims the Xbox One is cheap at $499, with Microsoft being ??way too generous ?with its offer.

"It's a lower number than some of the analysts had forecasted," he told Bloomberg, when asked about the price.  "We're over-delivering value against other choices I think consumers can get. Any modern product these days you look at it [and] $499 isn't a ridic??ulous price? point. We're delivering thousands of dollars of value to people, so I think they're going to love it when they use it."

He added that Microsoft is "really making the living room your center of fun for your family,"?? because before Xbox One cam?e along, our family used the f*cking bathroom. ;

Once again, Microsoft seems to be jumping into every single hole Sony dug in 2005. All we need is for them to take rumble out of the Xbox One controller and call it a "last-gen feature," and we can complete o??ur score cards!

Microsoft's ??Mattrick Defends Xbox One's $499 Price [Bloomberg, via GameSpot]

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Around and around we go

At the Bristol Games Hub in South West England, Eidos president Ian Livingstone doled out lessons to both industry newcomers and industry vets. But it was his choice words to Kyoto giant Nintendo that raised eyebro??ws.

"Nintendo should have their IP on every platform," Livingstone said, repeating the same ??"Nintendo should go third party" mantra we've heard ad nauseam over the past decade. "Otherwise a whole generation of young people will miss out on their games."

Oh yes, please think of the children who wouldn't be able to experience the magic of Mario, even though nothing is stopping them from buying Nintendo hardware. This song and da?nce has long gotten tired. Where is the evidence that Nintendo could be more successful by becoming a third-party publisher? I could go down the big li?st of reasons why such a move makes zero sense, but we've gone over this so, so, so many times. If it hasn't sunk in by now, there's no point discussing further.

Perhaps Eidos should lead by example and put its IP on Nintendo platforms. Oh, I forgot about the two-year late Deus Ex: Human Revolution port. Eidos totally has its bases covered.

Ian Livingstone: Nintendo risks losing an entir??e generation unless ??it works on other platforms [PocketGamer.biz via NeoGAF]

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EVOLUTION

A few months ago, Chinese developer PunchBox Studios unleashed upon the Asian market Contra: Evolution, an iOS remake of the original NES classic that adds touch controls, in-app purchases, and high-definition graphics. Konami saw f?it to bring the title out West, thus it appeared on the US App Store yesterday.

Since this sounded like the best idea in the world, I decided to pay ??the paltry $0.99 and give it a quick whirl.

After an exhaustive three-minute session, I've condensed my thoughts into th?e following review:

FUCK.

NO.

The post Know what’s a great idea? A Contra remake for iOS appeared first on Destructoid.

Inferior version confirmed

999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors was without question my favorite game of 2010. The sequel, Virtue's Last Reward, was pretty great as well, but the original was simply without equal. I r??ecommend it to anyone I can, holding it as an example of videogame storyt?elling done right.

Today, developer Spike-Chunsoft released an iOS port for Japan. I'm typically not against ports of DS adventure games to iOS -- touch-only controls are quite appropriate for the genre -- but I absolutely cannot recommend this version. Sure, the quality of the art and music were buffed, and there's now a flowchart like in Virtue's Last Reward so you don't have to restart from the beginning every time you clear a story branch. O??h, and the escape-the-room segments have been removed.

That's right. The actual gameplay was completely excised.

The escape sections didn't just offer a break from the text, they were a crucial element in the overall narrative. The impact of the story is lessened without any real interaction. Most of all, the amazing twist climax is completely ruined if you aren't in a cert??ain frame of mind, which is only possible if you've constantly been engaged in puzzle solving across two screens.

There's no word on whether 999 will appear on Western App Stores, but if it does, stay far away. The original was a shining example of using the DS' unique features to craft an u??nforgettable experience. This neutered version simply doesn't deserve your time or money.

Nine Hours, Nin?e Persons, Nine Doors Smart Sound?? Novel [iTunes via NeoGAF]

The post 999 on iOS lacks any actual gameplay appeared first on Destructoid.

STOP TALKING!

Like the Amy's Baking Company episode of Kitchen Nightmares, the Xbox One saga just keeps getting worse because no one at Micro??soft seems to know when to ?shut up.

Echoing Sony's claim around PS3's launch that controller rumble was "last-gen," Microsoft head of interactive entertainment business, Don Mattrick, told The Wall Street Journal, "If you're backwards compatible, you're really backwards." This of course is a reference to Xbox One's inability ??to play Xbox 360 software, a feature which Mattrick insists only 5% of consumers would make use of anyway. But according to social media research firm Fizziology, that figure is closer to 12%.

As awkward as it may be, at least the PS4 will have cloud-based backwards compatibility. Microsoft isn't even planning on doing that. Who wants to live in the past, right? Better keep that 360 plugged in if?? you want access to all your current content.

Microsoft and Sony Diverge on Gaming 'Cloud' [The Wall Street Journal via NeoGAF]

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Time to collect the Mario tax!

The last time we heard about a major game publisher slapping the wrists of innocent YouTube channel operators, it was SEGA forcing the removal of videos that so much as breathed word of the Shining Force series. Whatever reason a company has for punishing fans who merely want ??to share love for their favorites games, I'm ?not buying it.

Now it's Nintendo with a shifty look in its eyes. Let's Player Zack Scott has taken to reddit, revealing that Nintendo is in the process of taking ownership of his gameplay videos, starting with LPs of Super Mario 3D Land. It's not a complete takedown as was the case with SEGA, rather an action taken via YouTube's Content ID system to redirect ad revenue to Nintendo's pockets instead of the video creator's. It's not an isolated event, either -- several other YouTubers have also confirmed claims against their own Mario-related game footage.

You could make the argument that content creators shouldn't expect to earn revenue from footage of a game they can't personally claim legal ownership of. But as Scott expressed in a follow-up post on Facebook, LPs offer a?? blend of entertaining commentary and helpful guidance that could even inspire interest where previously the??re was none. The success of these videos relies on the talent and likeability of the authors almost as much as on the game itself, sometimes more so.

Over on GameFront, a Nintendo rep explains that as part of its push into social media, the compan??y registered copyrighted content in the YouTube database. "For most fan videos this will not result in any changes," the rep explains, "however, for those videos featuring Nintendo-owned content, such as images or audio of a certain length,  adverts will now appear at the beginning, next to or at the end of the clips.

"We continually want our fans to enjoy sharing Nintendo content on YouTube, and that is why, unlike other entertainment companies, we have chosen not to block people ??using our intellectual property." See? You can still produce anything you like! Nintendo will just keep the money you ought to be earning for itself. That is unbelievably ballsy.

The only videos being claimed thus far are recent releases -- Super Mario 3D Land, New Super Mario Bros. 2, New Super Mario Bros. U, and Mario Kart 7. Nintendo is specifically targeting newer titles still in wide availability. If the company was genuinely concerned about such content sharing,? it should ?be going after everyone. By being so selective, it's almost as though Nintendo feels threatened that people would watch these then decide they don't need to buy the game anymore. Non-interactive footage is hardly a valid substitute for hands-on play, so any suggestion to the contrary is absurd.

There is a silver lining, though. It seems that Nintendo genuinely wants fans to continue making LPs and related content without fear of serious repercussions. These content claims suddenly appeared out of nowhere and caught people off guard; I merely hope t??hese LPers and Nintendo can sort this mess soon.

Nintendo is?? mass "claiming" gameplay videos on YouTube [reddit]
??Nintendo Flexing Copyright Clout on YouTube Let’s?? Play Channels [GameFront]

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Director spews bullshit about DRM-locked system

[Update: Microsoft has since apologized for Orth's statements. Deal with it.]

Rumors that the Next Xbox will be restricted by the same always-online requirement that has crippled several major PC releases of late has not exactly been met with applause from prospective customers. One man, however -- Microsoft Studios creative director Adam Orth -- doesn't see why anybody could have an issue with a DRM Box. 

"Sorry, I don't get the drama around having an 'always on' console," Orth proclaimed on Twitter. "Every device?? now is 'always on'. That's the world we live in. #dealwithit."

He followed his churlish contempt with some sarcastic false equivalence, glossing over the many stated problems with a poten??tial always-on console to focus on a simplified -- utterly foolish -- ??set of comparisons.

"Sometimes the electricity goes out. I will not purchase a vacuum cleaner. The mobile reception in the area I live in is spotty and unreli??able. I will not buy a? mobile phone."

When his comments were taken to task by BioWare's Manveer Heir, who pointed out the embarrassing issues faced by Diablo III and SimCity at launch, Orth got even more derisive. Heir mentioned America's less-than-consistent bro??adband coverage, and how users in areas such as Janesville, WI or Backsburg, VA would have a rough time dealing with a console that ?required a constant connection.

His response? 

"Why on Earth would I live there?"

Wow.

His comments were seized upon by NeoGAF commenters, who took him to task in their usual merciless way. Aside from making comments on things ??Microsoft has been staunchly refusing to comment on, he was taken to task for his general snotty attitude and derogatory comments toward those who don't live in cities blessed with non-shit broadband. Some have taken his combative defense of the idea as a strong hint that Microsoft will, indeed, force Next Xbox users to stay onl?ine -- an absolutely absurd hypothetical plan that banks on broadband infrastructures around the world improving immeasurably in an incredibly short time. 

Detective-GAF also found a comment from an experienced developer following the issue, posting a line from Nikolai Mohilchock, who said: "Given that legally I cannot confirm or deny if this information is true, nor can I comment on rumor or speculation, all I can say is be sure to pay your ISP bills.??"

In response to the online battering, both Orth (who likes to be called Sweet Billy) and Heir downplayed the nature of their discussion, the latter saying: "Don't read too much into our back & forth ... All those tweets you are seeing about th??e city being superior. That's him just trolling me. And I fell for it. Don't bust his balls on that." Unfortunately for Orth, it was way too late for that, and his comments were damning even without the "trolling" about cities. 

In the wake of the shitstorm started by his statements, Orth has now protected his Twitter account, hiding further commentary from public view. Once again, this is little more than a case of locking the door after the horse has bolted, but there you go. 

A number of industry members, most notably David Jaffe, have rallied to Orth's defense, asking members of NeoGAF and other communities to stop giving Orth a pummeling and insisting he's "one of the good guys." While that might be t?rue (unconfirmed), and while he's pro?bably suffering some disproportionate retribution, what he said to begin with was impressively, jaw-droppingly ignorant, and he does deserve to have such poisonous, anti-consumer rhetoric counteracted. He's going to have to "deal with it" for a while.

The privileged attitude of "deal with it," seems to be one held by many members of the mainstream publishing industry, and more and more customers are getting sick of it. As the console market spirals ever haphazardly toward a crash, I feel people like Orth will learn exactly what happens when consumers en masse begin to learn they don't actually have to deal with any of this? bullshit, and go looking for entertainment elsewhere. When the majo??r companies fall to their knees after trying to shave the sheep one too many times, I wonder if they'll be able to "deal with it."

On the subject of an always-online, DRM-gated console, I think Michael Hartman of Frogdice Inc. sums it up perfectly:

"I hope the entire next gen is 'always on DRM.' I love anything AAA does to make it easier for us indies to sell our g?ames."

Deal with it.

The post Microsoft man on always-online consoles: ‘Deal with it’ appeared first on Destructoid.

Really? I mean, REALLY!?

Network execs will go to some disgusting lengths to separate parents and their money. Just slap the logo of a popular cartoon on any ol' crap and a kid will foam at the mouth until mommy and daddy break down and give in to the child's demands. I remember those ass-backwards Ninja Turtles figures I used to own, like Slam Dunkin' Don and Raph, The Space Cadet, and I'm mystified as to why my parents never slapped the ?stupid out of me.

But this... ugggggh! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!? The action figures based on the Ruby-Spears Mega Man cartoon were fine and dandy, but at what point were Mega Man-branded bow and arrow sets a good idea? He is a robot. He has a gun for an arm. When in the show did he ever use a bow? It makes zero sense! This is the kind of ?sh*t you'd expect to be a Chinese knock-off, but it's actually a fully licensed product!

I love seeing the show's tagline stamped across the top: "Superhero of the 21st Century." This is totally what I'm picturing when I think "warrior robot from the future." And the worst part? Because I collect Mega Man crap, I'm now sort of obligated to track one of these things down and buy it, and that makes m??e furiou?s because... just... I mean... c'mon!

I found this in a box in my basement. Does an??yone ?remember Megaman using a Bow and Arrow? [reddit via The Mega Man Network]

The post This is the dumbest Mega Man toy I have ever seen appeared first on Destructoid.

Strike one, Sony

[Update: Sony has confirmed to Dale North that it has the ability to honor your PSN purchases through its cloud service. If it chooses to, it can give you everything back in streaming form. Of course, it's not said it will -- and if it doesn't after saying this, it'll open itself up to major criticism. Gotta hope Sony does ??the decent thi?ng.

Right n?ow, the line is that Sony remain?s undecided on the issue.]

In news that is sure to encourage grimacing and facepalming, Sony has confirmed purchases made on the PlayStation Network will not carry over from PS3 to PS4. Same goes for your game saves, too. For Christ's sake, Sony ... you just couldn't resist gunning for some bad PR. 

Shuhei Yoshida told a roundtable (including our own Dale North) the PS4's innards are too different from the PS3, and the company is trying to avoid draining the system's power with emulation. Although plans are being looked into to get PS3 games playable in some f??orm on t??he system, it appears anything you do right now on the PS3 will remain bound there. 

Exp??ect PS3 games to be available for streaming on the system at som??e point in time. Whether we'll be paying for the privilege or not remains to be seen. 

So ... great. Just great. Guess it was asking too much to get through the week without something like this.

The post PSN purchases will not carry over to PS4 (Update) appeared first on Destructoid.

Sleaze meets sleaze to have a sleazy little baby

The Sun loves to talk about how dangerous those violent videogames are, and frequently runs stories vilifying interactive entertainment for inspiring crime and teaching the youth of Britain all sorts of terrible things. Still, that won't stop it from running pictures of a naked lady in the name of advertising Crysis 3. 

This tabloid's love of basica?lly-porn-that-somehow-isn't-porn has been a long-standing hypocrisy every time it tries to play the moral guardian, but things get extra delicious when its love of the scant is used to promote the very videogames it demonizes. Not that Electronic Arts is off the hook, either -- it makes itself look like a mainstream doormat by cuddling up to a half-baked "news" rag with a firmly established anti-game agenda. 

The woman, as a matter of general information, is Ashley Roberts, a judge on one of the dozens of "people performing a thing in a contrived thing" TV shows Britain has. As there's no way of running this story without a picture of her, but no way to criticize the picture without subsequently being a hyp?ocrite, I have plastered a great big Ekans over her nuddy regions. I've also added a Skitty in the corner, for fashion's sake. 

Long story short -- the Sun's a load of two-faced drivel, Electronic Arts? should have more respect for its games than t?his, and Ekans is still the best Pokemon.

The post EA ?+ Tabloid = Half-naked woman in Crysis 3 bodypaint appeared first on Destructoid.

Junk mail of an entirely different flavor

We certainly get sent all manner of weird tat and nonsense in our role as semi-professional videogame jesters, and sometimes it's just ridiculous enough to achieve the desired effect and get a post. Here's 505 Games, literally sending me rubbish to promote Terraria's XBLA/PSN release.

It's a game about crafting stuff from stuff, so what better way to promote the console po??rt than with a box full of pebbles and a rubber pickaxe? To the marketing department, it's a savvy and cute idea. To me, it's a box of stones I?? now have to deal with. Well played, 505. Well played.

Game's out in Spring. Now if you'll excuse me, my ??hands are covered in grit and stone dust. My job is so beautifully ridiculous. 

The post Terrar?ia celebrates XBLA/PSN release by sending p??ebbles appeared first on Destructoid.

The carnival of stupid continues

Ubisoft allegedly understands your outrage over the Rayman Legends multi-platform news and is ready and willing to soothe the pain with... a brand new demo! And not just any demo -- like the original demo, this one will be also be exclusive to the Wii U! See? That's two exclusives for the platform! How thoughtful!

This is just... no... this is not how you handle... why!? It's as if the company is completely missing the point as to why the fans are upset. You have a game. Development has finished. There is nothing stopping you from releasing it now aside from the fact that you'd rather disregard the efforts of the Ubisoft Montpellier dev team to get the title ready for the spring just so you can make sure 360 and PS3 owners don't feel left out.

You've already wasted time and money with the seven-month delay. Might as well waste even more time and money with a demo that nobody asked for. But at least it's exclusive!

[Thanks, RJ!]

The post Dry your tears! New Wii ??U-only Rayman Legends demo coming appeared first on Destructoid.

Consider yourself relieved of duty, Private Nerdlinger!

Before this generation, there was only one type of person who played videogames -- geeks. Ubisoft had to cater to these subhuman specimens of societal failure, and Ubisoft loathed every mournful second of every miserable day. At least, that's wh??at I like to imagine when I hear h?ow happy Ubisoft is that gaming's not just for us lot these days. 

"We are at a n?ew start in the industry, a moment where gaming is no longer just for geeks," explaine??d managing director Xavier Poix. "We have consoles like the Wii to thank for that, and the rise in mobile gaming. It's all leading towards interconnectivity. What will you do on your phone in the future will impact what you do on your console back home, and so on.

"There will be different applications for different devices. You've got a ?new toy to play with, and for the first time you need to think differently. It's hard to achieve but it's the best moment??."

Geeks, lay down your arms, turn in your badges, and return to your loved ones (by loved ones we obviously mean your alphabetized sock drawer). You did your thing, you pitched in your effort, and thanks to all your hard work, Ubisoft can stand on its own two legs now. It ?doesn't need you anymore, so rest. Rest that weary, freshly noogied head. You f*cking geeks.

Wii U message hard ?to convey says Ubisoft studio head [GameSpot via GoNintendo]

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It's the Wii all over again

Remember when Kojima Productions' Yuji Korekado said that Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance wasn't coming to the Wii U because the GamePad is some mystical artifact whose secrets the gods themselves can't unlock? Well, a recent comment from PlatinumGames writer / translator JP Kellam has shifted the possibility of a Wii U port from "no ch?ance" to "fat chance."

In a response to a fan's query about a Wii U version, Kellam said, "[Konami] would have to see demand for it and bring us the request to port." To me, that sounds like Platinum is quite willing to bring Rising on over -- it's already working on two Wii U exclusives after all -- b??ut Konami has the final say on if and when that happens. The only way the publisher will reconsider its position is if fans beg on their hands and knees for scrap??s from the royal banquet hall.

What is Konami waiting for? Of course the user base is small; the damn machine just came out in November! Now is the time to cultivate demand by actually announcing games. How the hell do you think any brand new console builds an audience if not with co?ncerted efforts from studios who want to establish an early presence in the hopes of being rewarded for their investment, if not right away then after a year or ??so once the platform has taken root?

Is anyone else sensing a repeat of the general attitude towards the Wii? Remember all those ass-backwards "tests" th??at companies like Capcom would do -- rel??easing a low-budget spin-off from a fifth-string studio with no marketing whatsoever and using its success to determine whether to develop another low-budget spin-off from a fifth-string studio with no marketing whatsoever? It seems like now they're just skipping the "test" phase entirely and praying that all the work gets done for them. Because who has time and money to think more than a couple of weeks ahead?

I am sick of this halfhearted attitude regarding Nintendo platforms. If this is the kind of bullshit we can expect going forward,? you can bet that the Wii U will be ??a third-party wasteland on a scale grander than the Wii. Grow some balls, people.

JP Kellams [Twitter via NeoGAF]

The post No Metal Gea??r Rising on Wii U until Konami s??ees demand appeared first on Destructoid.

Idiot moron says something idiotically moronic

Many politicians will heavily imply that videogames are far more lethal than weapons designed to be lethal, but U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander has taken the idiot ball and ran for the hills with it clasped in his gnarled talons. He straight up said that games pose? a greater threat than any firearm. 

"I think videogames [sic] is a bigger problem ?than guns, because videogames affects [sic] people," he said. "But the First Amendment limits what we can do about videogames and the Second Amendment to the Constitution limits what we can do about guns."

The Republican Senator -- a longtime ally of the pro-gun set -- had nothing else to say on the matter. He didn't seem to think it was important to say how, in his own slurred words, "videogames affects people," nor did he see fit to suggest how a gun being shot at somebody doesn't affect people.

Instead, he did what most idiot politicians do when talking about games, he just dribbled some baseless shit out of his slack, scabrous mouth because making socially irresponsible claim??s is apparently acceptable behavior. 

Frankly, I think benighted, mercenary politicians are a bigger problem than games or guns, but sadly they never seem to be in the spotlight when this subject ?comes up. 

U.S. Senator Lamar Al??exander: Guns don't kill people, video games do [Daily Kos]

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Southington SOS claims victory in defeat

Southington SOS, the group that had planned to physically destroy "violent" videogames in order to save the world from guns, has decided to?? back down and cancel the ??event. Claiming it had achieved what it wanted to, the group attempted to save face while backing down. 

"We succeeded in our program," spokesman Dick Fortunato told Polygon. "Our mission was to create strong awareness in Southington for?? parents and families and citizens and children. And we accomplis??hed that. Our other objective was to promote discussion of violent video games and media with children and with the families at the home. And we've accomplished that in spades.

"So we deemed it became unnecessary to have th??e physical return on Saturday of violent g??ames. Also because it would create an unnecessary amount of logistical details for us."

Seems like they realized it was a dumb idea and are now playing it up as some sort of victory, which is pretty much the American way of dealing with failure. In any case, the Witch Trials are on hold for another day, at least in one Connecticut town. Seems we'll have to wait for another brave soul to destroy those games and end the very real shaman curse of gun violence. 

Connecticut town cancels plan to collect and destroy vi??olent video games [Polygon]

The post Connecticut town cancels game destruction plans appeared first on Destructoid.

Welcome to New Salem

In the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting, yet more rudderless speculators have seized upon the opportunity to blame violent videogames, because that'll always be easier than trying to solve actual problems. So it is that one town's off??ering to physically destroy the things.

Polygon reports that SouthingtonSOS, a gro??up dedicated to organizing help during times of crisis,?? has planned the destructive spectacle for January 12. Children are being invited to bring their games to the symbolic execution, where they can be exchanged for local restaurant coupons. Carelessly pass the buck for dangerous crimes, and get some free chicken strips out of it. What scamp could resist!?

"The group's action is not intended to be construed as statement declaring that violent video games were the cause of the shocking violence in Newtown on December 14th," said the group, before contradicting itself. "Rather, SouthingtonSOS is saying is that ?there is ample evidence that violent video games, along with violent media of all kinds, including TV and Movies portraying story after stor?y showing a continuous stream of violence and killing, has contributed to increasing aggressiveness, fear, anxiety and is desensitizing our children to acts of violence including bullying.

"Social and political commentators, as well as elected officials including the president, are attributing violent crime to many factors including ?inadequate gun control laws, a culture of violence and a recreational culture of ?violence."

Once again, there was no mention of the news media, or other forms of grief pornography, that go beyond what games and movies to in order to portray story after story revolving around real violent crimes, and glorifying real violent criminals. Something tells me, if I showed up with some FOX News and CNN tapes, SouthingtonSOS wouldn't be snapping those in two and to??ssing them in a big pile destined for the furnace. 

And what kind of message is this sending to kids, anyway? If you don't like something, your first action should be to destroy it? Wonderful message, that. Let's not encourage creativity, or work together to build something in the aftermath of a tragedy. Let's break shit. Let's burn stuff. ??The answer to destruction is more destruction, obviously. AMERICA, BITCHES!

But no, these guys are?? probably right. Maybe videogames actuall??y have malevolent hexes woven into their code, and when we finally destroy the last one, the curse shall be lifted and schizophrenia will suddenly be cured, while guns turn to dust and crumble in the hands of anybody not using them to kill terrorists (because guns are smart like that). 

Fucking dicks. 

C?onnecticut town holds drive to coll?ect and destroy violent video games [Polygon] [Image]

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When did Sega start hating fans?

Over the past few days, Sega has been forcing YouTube users to remove uploaded videos of the Sega Saturn RPG Shining Force III lest their entire channels get shut down. While this is not an altogether uncommon practice for a company trying to protect its IP, the fact that ?Sega is targeting just specific content is rather curious. In any case, it's pretty damn heartless.

The likely reason for this action is that a new PSP installment in the Shining series, Shining Ark, will launch in Japan in February, thus Sega is afraid that consumers searching YouTube for trailers will find old gameplay footage instead and confuse the two. By extension, even videos of Shining the Holy Ark, another Saturn-era tit?le, are being targeted because of?? the similar name.

Many YouTube channels have already been hit, including that of popular game critic TotalBiscuit, who has since removed all Sega content from his page out of disgust. No type of content was spared -- Let's Plays, walkthroughs, and random gameplay clips all got flagged. Hell, even videos of fans just talking about the Shining series with no accompanying game ?footage whatsoever a??re apparently copyright violations!

Remember earlier this year when the Internet took a stand against SOPA / PIPA? This was the kind of nonsense we were fighting against. This is unbelievably bad form. It makes no sense either, because why are just the Saturn Shining games catching most of the heat? Why isn't?? Sega going after the whole pie? If you are going ?to be a dick, don't stop in mid-f*ck.

The post Sega forcing removal of Shi?ni??ng Force videos on YouTube appeared first on Destructoid.

What?

In a statement that may cause the weaker-minded to crumble into a pile of insane confusion, Gogogic CEO Jonas Antonsson has declared that solo gaming experiences are nothing but a gimmick and not what games are supposed to be. What? What?

"The single player mechanic is a gimmick -- games are meant to be played with others and it doesn't matter if it's in-person or online," he told [a]listdaily. "The first games were designed as multiplayer experiences, but when comp?uter and console games became a thing ??there was a need to construct an antagonist and/or a protagonist for commercial purposes. You couldn't depend on people coming together to have a synchronous experience over a game. That would have simply stifled sales.

?"And since there was no reasonable way to connect people in other ways -- th?e arcade was the only serious attempt -- it became an industry need to project the game as the other player. Playing a game is a multiplayer activity and can easily be seen as such when you watch young toddlers play by themselves. They invent someone to play with, someone that they talk to and interact with."

The things th??at go without saying are the most fun to say, so say them I shall. This guy's out of his bloody mind and I'm going to rebuke him, point by point. 

• Just because something happened first, that doesn't make subsequent additions/mutations/directions a gimmick. The first movies were silent, that doesn't make dialog fucking gimmicky. 
• A gimmick is a quirky feature designed to stand out from the competition. Since all home console games moved toward single-player experiences out of necessity, they weren't putting in something weird to stand out. It wasn't a gimmick -- it was an industry-wide shift to meet demand and work with what systems were capable of at the time. 
• By the logic presented in the argument, anything designed for commercial purposes is a gimmick. That means everything that exists to be sold, apparently, is a gimmick. This is obviously not true, because it's fucking demented. 
• Toddlers? Toddlers sit around in their own shit and think ghosts are real. Are we really using them to demonstrate how the world should work?
• Toddlers?
• Fucking toddlers?
• Really?

In his defense, Antonsson did say that single-player games could still exist (we have his permission, thank Christ) but that they have to be designed well and appeal to gamers ... which ... should be true of all games, surely? He also said single-player games shouldn't exist just because they're supposed to be single-player experiences, even though he said that they're supposed to be multiplayer experiences, which I guess means multiplayer games don't have to be good ... is his ... what he means to say there ... is ... huh?

Owls? Why are there owls in my shoes?

Trying to understand that guy's point is making me ?go peculiar.&n??bsp;

Videogames is owls.

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Gamers make out like bandits thanks to error

Electronic Arts was offering a $20 voucher in exchange for the comp??letion of a survey this weekend. A fair enough trade, until gamers worked out that EA hadn't thought things through properly, and left open several loopholes through which pe??ople gained tons of free games. 

It was first deduced that the voucher could be obtained by anybody, regardless of whether or not they undertook the survey. To make matters worse, users could get two discount codes by applying through EA's website and Origin itself. That's before it got really bad -- when it was?? discovered that, by deleting one's cookies, a person could get an unlimited number of codes, allowing them to basically download almost every $20 game EA had, for free. 

And download they did. Reddit and Overclockers spread the word, and soon users walked away with thousands of digital goods under their virtual arms. The only games spared were those released within the month, Valve titles, and The Old Republic, as they were ineligible from the start.

It was suggested that EA might punish users who took advantage of t??his, but it's since been revealed that the publisher has written off the loss and will honor all purchases. Pretty cool, though I have to wonder how many folks are being shitcanned for this rather immense flub.

The post EA accidentally gives away thousands of PC games appeared first on Destructoid.

Moon Money economy still strong

With talk of Microsoft Points being phased out of Windows 8, because they're dumb, people were hoping the pretend coins would eventually be? phased out of Xbox Live, because they're dumb. However, Microsoft has said that MS Points would continue to be used. Because they're dumb. 

"Microsoft Points continue to be the currency for purchasing content for the Xbox 360 console," the company told The Verge. 

If Microsoft is as committed to turning the Xbox into the go-to entertainment hub it seems to want to be, then MS Points need phasing out. They're an unnecessa??ry step that turns the idea of instant purchasing into something less-than-instant. Oh, and they're dumb. Dumb dumb dumb. 

The post Microsoft committed to ????Microsoft Points on Xbox Live appeared first on Destructoid.

WoW players cannot politics!

Maine State Senate democratic candidate Colleen Lachowicz has been slammed by the Republicans for a violent history of assassination, poisoning, and dickpunching. In World of Warcraft. For crying out loud.

Maine Republicans have set up one amazingly desperate attack site, gathering Lachowicz's online history and using her World of Warcraft habits as proof that she shouldn't be considered fit for office. According to the site, "In Colleen’s online fantasy world, she gets away?? with crude, vicious?? and violent comments like the ones below. Maine needs a State Senator that lives in the real world, not in Colleen’s fantasy world."

The site is made up of posts taking Colleen's descriptions of her WoW games and using them to paint her as a dangerous socialist sociopath. In just two days, it's amassed a very comprehensive collection of posts -- some of which do detail non-game things she was probably unwise to say, with many others taking her gaming discussions out of context. The base suggestion is that WoW makes you u??nfit for office because gamers are reme?dial fantasists.

There you go. If you play games, you can't be a politician. Man, that site's going to look gloriously stupid when the next generation of game-playing people become the majority of ??public officials.

World of Warcraft hobby sparks US political row [BBC, thanks Wesley!]

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Silliness abounds!

[Update: So this actually IS for a game called Box! Open Me, not the Vita in its entirety. My derp. Still, it's no l?ess weird and confusing, so there you go. Weeeeeird.]

Sony Japan unleashed a new PlayStation Vita commercial that failed to showcase ??the system's capabilities -- choosing weirdness and obscurity over actual videogames or features. With 121 Dislikes to 12??4 Likes on Youtube, it's safe to say folks aren't 100% behind it. 

As the Vita struggles to make a serious mark in the portable gaming space, Sony's love of artsy advertising probably isn't going to help things. It certainly won't help the "GOTZ NO GAMEZ" reputation, what with it refusing to show any. 

Still, feel free to check out two very sil?ly minutes. 

[Thanks, Bo!]

The post Sony confuses with ridiculous PS Vita commercial appeared first on Destructoid.

So much tasty rage

DmC: Devil May Cry is easily one of the most controversial releases in a good long time.? Although a large section of the fanbase has been slowly won over by Capcom and Ninja Theory's promotion, there is still a highly dedicated percentage willing to remind everybody how bad the game is. 

The latest trailer, released this past week, is no different. As usually, we have done JOURNALISM to get to the root of the matter?? and pull out the most important reactio??ns. This time around, using the PlayStation-uploaded Youtube version of the trailer, we find a core of enthusiastic fans repeatedly commenting on the video, either to defend or attack it. 

??As you might expect, wise words and meaningful criticisms?? are shared. 

"I threw up a little" - killerschemetterling

"This is an abortion, not a sequel." - Longcawk

">Vorgil in a fedora OH GOD, THE FUCK UPS JUST KEEP ON COMING. I'll never play this game, but I swear, it's already provided me with more hours of entertainment then most." - Canadish

"FYI I played the demo at Comic Con and the gameplay was fucking horrible. Its more than the fact that Donte looks like a douchey punk rocker rapist based on Tameem Antoniades' look. It's more than the fact that the story and dialogue are worse than fanfiction. It's the fact that the gameplay looks fucking boring, repetitive, and slow. It's a downgrade from the combat in DMC3 & 4, and panders WAY too much to casual gamers. That's why it's shit. Now quit being a deluded fanboy you stupid cunt." - IEATFOOOOD

"Oh god. It's everything bad about Devil May Cry, amplified and drenched in crappy hardcore music and Hot Topic "style." Forget about updating DMC, this is the most late 90s/ early 00s thing ever in the worst ways. I keep expecting Fred Durst and ICP to pop out and start a 'dope rap battle'" - Clichedisdain

"I LIKE HOW MUFUCKAS GET ON HERE & TRY TO CONVINCE PEOPLE INTO NOT BUYIN THIS GAME, IF U THINKVTHIS GAME LOOKS NICE BY ALL MEANS PURCHASE IT." - neji361style

"AS FAR AS THE STORY YEAH ITS DEVIATED FROM THE ORIGINAL BUT THAT ONLY MAKES SENSE ITS ANOTHER UNIVERSE & WE DONT KNOW THE FULL STORY YET" - neji361style

"OK SO THE FRAMERATE IS REDUCED TO 30fps BUT BECAUSE OF THAT WE GET AN INTERACTIVE ENVIORMENT & PLATFORMING 2 FEATURES PAST DMC's LACKED" - neji361style

"& BY NOW IF U STILL DONT LIKE DmC STOP WATCHIN THE NEW TRAILERS ITS POINTLESS TO KEEP WATCHIN TRAILERS & COMMENT ON A GAME U DONT INTEND TO BUY" - neji361style

"'You've never played a good game in your life if you think this looks like anything but generic garbage." - TheWeegeeToast

"NopeNopeNopeNopeNopeNopeNopeNo­peNope I DO NOT ACCEPT THIS NEW DMC!!! Fuck that shit ‎(ﾉಥ益ಥ）ﾉ ┻━┻" - XDarkClericX18

"hahahaah yeah yeah dont cry little pussy..dmc 4 it really SUCKKS that stupid idiot of nero.." i am stronger whit my arm blablabls" ahahahah" - Mega1andrea1

"Good gamers can judge games from footage and trailers without playing it. If you think this looks good you're just a bad gamer." - TheWeegeeToast

"No, you are NOT Dante. You are an angsty teenage poser." - 8ferrary8

"Why would anyone want to play as this game's Virgil? He looks like an even bigger tool than the new Dante. On top of making them both look like Amerishit they actually had the nerve to give him a douchy fedora. It's absolutely pathetic." - TheWeegyToast

"20 dollar dlc. calling it" - zyonhunter

"Fedora's are only worn by hipster faggots." - IEATFOOOOD

"It's because this game is being made by Ninja Theory, a group of complete fucking amateur game developers who haven't made a single good and memorable game. I played the demo. I KNOW that it will be dogshit. And FYI DMC3 & 4 were directed by Hideaki Itsuno and were great games. Kamiya only directed the first game. And before you try to say that Itsuno is helping to work on the game, he barely had any involvement since he was dedicated to making Dragon's Dogma. But by all means, enjoy wasting $60" - IEATFOOOOD

"Haters gonna hate, all because he doesn't have weeaboo-tastic long white hair you're gonna miss out on what looks like an awesome game._" - Czarewich

The post What gamers say about DmC: Devil May Cry’s latest trailer appeared first on Destructoid.

I don't have to repeat myself, do I? You already know how I feel about Rockman Xover, so???? let's skip that dance and move on to analyzing the trailer above.

Hmmm... a minute-long trailer with all of four seconds of in-game footage. Way to make?? an impression.

I love how the first 20 seconds is a brief retrospective of how far Mega Man has come. It's almost as though Capcom is saying that everything else has been building up to this very moment. Here! Now! Us!

As for how the game actually plays, we'll have to wait for some hands-on impressions. But if those four amazing seconds are anything to go by, it'll? be about as exciting as watching wood rot.

TGS Trailer for Rockm??an Xover Celebrates 25 Ye??ars of Rockman [The Mega Man Network]
Rockman Xover Tokyo Game Show Trailer [Protodude's Rockman Corner]

The post TGS: Yep, the Ro?ckma??n Xover trailer is really something appeared first on Destructoid.

"That's Our Capcom! Coming soon to ABC Family!"

Capcom is notorious for its printing errors and spelling gaffes. If it's not using watermarked images for its slip covers, it's failing to run a simple spell check on in-game dialog. But nothing made me chuckle quite like how the official Mega Man 10 homepage used assets from a fan game. Gotta love those amateur web designers who spend five seconds on Google as opposed to taking the time to acquire the official materials from ??within their own damn company.

Along that line, if you head over to Capcom's site, click on the Game Catalog tab, and search for Nintendo DS titles, You'll notice that Ace Attorney: Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations doesn't display the correct box art. Instead, it displays a box for something called Trials after Justice, which turns out to be -- you guessed ??it -?- a fan game!

In the MM10 example, the fan game was at one point also called "Mega Man 10," so you could give whoever made the goof the benefit of the doubt. But the two Ace Attorney games don't even have the same friggin' title! How lazy can you get? And five bucks says that, just like the MM10 case, the AA mistake will never be corrected.

[via NeoGAF]

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