The Arcade Random Thoughts Thread

[jaxjaggywires]

Doesn't really need it's own thread, since it's just a rumor, but here's a somewhat interesting "leak" today...

Link

Leak: "Xbox Surface" gets detailed?



Microsoft is not having a good start to the week. Not long after the previous leak that detailed the next generation Xbox, a new document has been posted that describes "Xbox Surface". The tablet will come in the 7-inch class size with 1280x720 resolution, Bluetooth & Wi-Fi, and a host of other features that you can see in the image above.

The timing is interesting as Microsoft has a "major announcement" planned for later today, which Neowin will be at, where they could possibly show off a new tablet designed and developed by Microsoft. If the above information is true, this could be our best look yet at Microsoft's tablet strategy, that is if this product is the one that makes it to retail. Depending on the age of this information, products go through many revision cycles before hitting store shelves, so don't be surprised if we see a variation of the product described above.

Microsoft's event will kick off later this evening where it has the tech community in a fluster over what it will actually be announcing. While speculation has been all over the board, Microsoft has done a bang up job getting people talking about the announcement as we all try to take educated guesses as to what will be shown off.

Editor's Note: To clarify, this appears to be two devices: a 7.0-inch tablet and a "stationary computing device". Check the document carefully so you don't confuse the tablet specifications with those of the stationary device. Could this be the next Xbox?

[Swarley]

Picked up Dead Space 1 last night. Can't wait to play it again after I'm done with AC: Revelations.

Short-list of my next games to play:
Finish AC: Revelations
Dead Space 1
Alan Wake
Harley Quinn's Revenge DLC for Arkham City
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier

[Guest]

Picked up Dead Space 1 last night. Can't wait to play it again after I'm done with AC: Revelations.

Short-list of my next games to play:
Finish AC: Revelations
Dead Space 1
Alan Wake
Harley Quinn's Revenge DLC for Arkham City
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier

My game backlog is still about that size, and since I started The Old Republic again over the weekend, it's probably going to stay that way.

[JayDizzle]

[Swarley]

Alright, homework is done (fuck summer classes btw). It's time to jump back into AC: Revelations.

[JBauerisGod]

Been playing Mafia II the last couple of days. I just finished it today. Overall, I was quite disappointed with the game as the original Mafia was one of my favorite games last generation. Honestly I thought the game looked and played very last gen-ish. Plus, the story was somewhat convoluted and confusing.

[Twigg4075]

Been playing Mafia II the last couple of days. I just finished it today. Overall, I was quite disappointed with the game as the original Mafia was one of my favorite games last generation. Honestly I thought the game looked and played very last gen-ish. Plus, the story was somewhat convoluted and confusing.

I've heard that the PS3 version did look shitty. The Xbox version looked quite good IMO. I loved the game but really felt like they really wasted such an amazing looking open world with how linear the game was. Not really a single damn side mission.

[Bomberooski]

Downloaded some old PSP game last night off PSN for Vita. Monster Hunter looked like a major time suck. Graphics suck so far but I'll still give it a try on the handheld

[Swarley]

Frostbite 2 originally designed for next-gen

EA Games label boss Patrick Soderlund says what players see in Battlefield 3 is just the beginning of what game engine is capable of.

The Frostbite 2 game engine--the technology behind Battlefield 3 and Need for Speed: The Run--was originally designed to support next-generation games. Speaking to Gamasutra, EA Games label boss--and former DICE CEO--Patrick Soderlund said what gamers are seeing running on Frostbite 2 today is only just the beginning of what the engine is capable of.

"I'll be honest with you, Frostbite 2 was built for the next generation," he said. "That's how we started it. We had that in mind and we said, 'We're going to have to build something that can scale.' It doesn't mean that what you see in Battlefield 3 is the end state. That's the beginning; that's where we start and then we go forward. But we have a tech base that makes me feel really confident in how we're positioned for what's going to come in the future."

Soderlund went on to explain that outsourcing the Frostbite 2 game engine to Medal of Honor Warfighter studio Danger Close can only advance the technology.

"But if we now have the Danger Close guys working on things, they're making some things in Medal of Honor that you couldn't see in Battlefield, taking it a step further," he said. "So for us, they're not only using Frostbite, they're pushing it forward. And then our guys--the Frostbite team--takes the code and decides if these parts are going to get integrated back into the main branch, and then we can use it for more products."

On top of Medal of Honor Warfighter, BioWare's 2013-dated Command & Conquer: Generals 2 will be powered by the Frostbite 2 game engine. In March, Electronic Arts announced the formation of EA Gothenburg, a Swedish shop that would focus exclusively on Frostbite 2 projects.

[Maynard]

took a few screens of kingdom of amalur on the PC. this game is great. its a shame 38 banked everything on one games success because they really made a fantastic rpg. its got everything i want in an rpg...but it also has fantastic combat. i am playing a full on mage. the powers look so sweet. i want to play as a rogue and tank too so i can see how their abilities look on screen.

idk how i missed the boat on this game, but anyone else who didnt play it is missing out too

pics

 

[jms493]

I have KoA on xbox....have not opened it. I liked the demo. I got it cheap somewhere....I hope to get it someday.

[Guest]

IGN Forecasts: The Xbox 720 Launch Lineup

Saw a trailer of Watch Dogs on YouTube over the weekend. Looked very impressive. If you like games like Deus Ex: Human Revolution that have a high-tech storyline, this game is for you.

[padman59]

took a few screens of kingdom of amalur on the PC. this game is great. its a shame 38 banked everything on one games success because they really made a fantastic rpg. its got everything i want in an rpg...but it also has fantastic combat. i am playing a full on mage. the powers look so sweet. i want to play as a rogue and tank too so i can see how their abilities look on screen.

idk how i missed the boat on this game, but anyone else who didnt play it is missing out too

pics

 

I'm waiting to see if it's going to have a large discount during the Steam Summer Sale.

[Swarley]

So is anyone planning on getting The Amazing Spider-Man? I'm halfway interested, but not sure if I'm going to pick it up right away.

[Buzzman]

I took a break from Alan Wake right now and jumped back into Max Payne 3. Just about the only achievements I have left are rebeating the game on harder difficulties. I think I'll just do 1-2 missions a day and slowly get them instead of trying to rebeat the game again in one sitting like last time. I hate online achievements though. There is no way Im getting to rank 50 on that game.