Molyneux Skeptical Of The Second Screen

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Nintendo’s Wii U is launching into a competitive environment where tablet computers are increasingly popular gaming devices. 22Cans founder Peter Molyneux is excited but somewhat skeptical of the appeal of the Wii U and Microsoft’s SmartGlass.

“The thing about the SmartGlass is that the tablet is a thing that you have with you all the time. Now, in that sense, I understand completely as a consumer and I’m excited to see what these guys do with it. But I do have a problem with it. I now have a screen in front of me on my lap and a screen up on the wall that I’m looking at. Which one should I be looking at Should I be looking up at the big screen and down, or at my lap and up Should I be checking down on my lap every few seconds What’s going to incentivize me to move my eyes from the wall to my lap — said Molyneux. “I think what people do when they have multiple screens is something very simple. They will listen to the big screen whilst distracting themselves on the small screen. That’s not what SmartGlass and Wii U are talking about. They’re talking about producing an entertainment experience that you’re engrossed in.”

“The psychology of making a game is hard enough because plasma screens are so big now. It’s hard enough to get the player to move their eyes from the center of the screen to the borders,” he added. “Getting people to move their eyes from the screen down to their laps is incredibly hard. There has to be some huge motivational thing like the words coming up, ‘Look at your GamePad now.’ If you’re going to do that, from a design perspective that sounds a bit clumsy and complex.”

Molyneux is skeptical of the mainstream appeal of the Wii U, not only in a tactile gameplay sense but also in price. “I struggle to see anything amazing coming out of Nintendo. There are a few, ‘Oh, that’s smart,’ but there’s nothing that makes me rush out as a consumer to buy the new device. I’ll give you a great example of how tech should be used. It’s what Nintendo did with the Wii when it first came out. They introduced motion control. They were one of the first companies to introduce motion control and they had a fantastic Wii Sports Game. As soon as I picked up the controller and started waving it around, I got it. I already understood it. But I’m not sure there’s a same sort of application out there for Wii U. I think to myself, ‘Well, what’s the reason to get it ‘” he said.

Source: IGN

Zynga Defines Innovation Differently

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Zynga has been accused by many (and sued by a few) of directly copying certain game design elements. According to Zynga CEO Mark Pincus, the company’s philosophy is to mix “proven” features with new elements and won’t be defined by what others think about Zynga’s practices.

“For us, innovation is about making games more accessible, more social, more fun, and more free — giving you more value for your time and money,” Pincus said. “We don’t define innovation by whether or not our Words With Friends game looks different enough from Scrabble. We think it’s an innovative game because it’s connected tens of millions of people together.”

Source: BusinessInsider.com

Zynga Reveals Latest Mid-Core Title From November Software

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November Software announced that it is working on a new mid-core title called Battlestone. Originally called Golden Arrow, the game will be the first for the company to launch after being acquired by Zynga in Spring 2012.

“In January 2011, we formed November Software to bring console gaming experiences to mobile by using our expertise from working at LucasArts on games like Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 1 and 2,” said November Software’s Szymon Swistun. “The first step we took towards this goal was to build our own cross-platform 3D engine from the ground up. We focused on delivering high-quality 60 fps capability on mobile, fast workflows, and on-demand content streaming. After we created our homegrown tech, we went through several game concepts before rallying around a new take on action combat for mobile, code-named (at the time) Golden Arrow.”

Battlefield 3 Premium Hits 2 Million Subscribers

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Electronic Arts has announced that the Battlefield 3 Premium program has been purchased by 2 million people. To celebrate this milestone, the company is offering Battlefield 1942 for free through Origin on PC.

“When we launched Battlefield 1942 ten years ago, we had lofty ambitions to create a first-person shooter that would push the boundaries of innovation, creativity and design,” said DICE VP and general manager Karl Magnus Troedsson. “We evolved the FPS gameplay by introducing the world to all-out warfare via land, air and sea.”

Battlefield 1942 is available for free through March 1, 2013. To pick it up at Store.Origin.com.

Gears Of War: Judgment Pre-Order Starts

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Those who pre-order Gears of War: Judgment at participating retailers will receive an exclusive weapon: the Classic Hammerburst. Along with this in-game multiplayer weapon, there will also be retailer-specific content announced at a later time.

“The Classic Hammerburst was the standard-issue assault rifle of the Locust Army during their E-Day onslaught. Highly accurate with a six-round burst, the Classic Hammerburst helped give the Locust a decisive advantage,” posted Larry Hryb. “Additional incentives will be available from participating retailers in the coming weeks, including exclusive multiplayer character skins Young Marcus, Young Dom, Anya and Alex Brand. Please visit Xbox.com and your favorite game retailer’s site for more information, and stay tuned in the coming months for more news on “Gears of War: Judgment.”

22Cans Pleads For Money, Understanding From Fans

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22Cans has been overwhelmed by demand for its Android and iOS game Curiosity. Still struggling with a stable monetization platform, the company has launched a new way for users to donate.

“We are a small independent developer and due to popular demand we now offer the option for kind people to donate, so that we can make Curiosity the best possible experience it can be,” said the company. “However big or small the donation; it will really help us make Curiosity better.”

Source: 22cans.com

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Euro Limited Edition, Pre-Orders Detailed

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The Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Limited Edition in Europe will feature a 30cm figurine of cyborg agent Raiden, plus a DLC code to access the White Armour in-game, which gives players an increased capacity to carry life-recovery items. There will be only 25,000 Limited Edition units will be released in Europe priced at 99 Euro and will be available exclusively at Zavvi in the U.K.

For those that pre-order at GAME, they will receive a steelbook with a Raiden illustration by character concept artist Yoji Shinkawa and unlocks the Inferno Armour DLC, which increases the number of throwing weapons Raiden can carry. Independent retailers will have steelbook featuring a render of Raiden and a DLC code for the character’s Commando Armour, which lets him access an increased number of projectile weapons.

Borderlands 2 – Claptrap Web Series Season 2

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An all-new season of Claptrap episodes kicks off with a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the production of Borderlands 2. This video contains SHiFT codes for a Golden Key in Borderlands 2 — make sure you have annotations enabled in order to see them!

The Elder Scrolls Online – An Introduction

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Check out our first video of The Elder Scrolls Online—a documentary-style introduction to the game, presented by members of The Elder Scrolls Online Development Team. This video covers the basics of ESO, including a first look at the game’s Elder Scrolls-style combat system, massive PvP battles, Megaserver technology, exploration-based content, and much more.