E3 Running Live Diary (Electronic Arts Press Conference)

After Xbox revealed over twenty new games and more console details, Electronic Arts steps into the light at E3.  Expect tons of sports games and hopefully a few surprises.  Maybe some news from Lucas Arts? or from Bioware?  Cross your fingers.  Keep refreshing!

• Conference called "The Download."  Eleven new games will be profiled for the PS4 and Xbox One.  Here is your link.
• Game #1: Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warefare created by Popcap.  Newer version of a mobile game that is coming first to Xbox One and then PS4.  Developers start off by showing us the new survival mode.  Game developers are controlling plants and shooting zombies.  This is as silly as it sounds.  The Catcus character is the sniper who shoots needles.  The first "boss" zombie they face is a disco zombie who repeatably dances and spins as he attacks.  Next "boss" we have is a giant zombie and then one that looks like Frankenstein.  They also announced Peggle 2. Pretty cool how they have classes depicted by different plants.  Close quarters, sniper, assault and more.
• Game #2: Titanfall by Respawn Entertainment.  As profiled at the Xbox One press conference, we are now receiving a more in depth look at the game.  Developers are speaking directly about their experience of making the game and providing an explanation to the game's universe.  Mech's are extension of your character.  "Titan vs Titan (Mech vs Mech) could be its own game while so could the wall running, pilot vs pilot combat."  Multiplayer driven story campaign.
• Descriptions of the newest programs and technologies utilized by EA.  EA's IGNITE engine as well as DICE's FROSTBITE 3.  Lots of money poured into these engines.
• Game #11 (apparently): Star Wars: Battlefront just made a cameo on screen using the Frostbite engine.  Yes.  No gameplay shown... Just a short cutscene with what appeared to be the Battle of Hoth.  Here is the video.
• Game #3: Need for Speed: Rivals is the ultimate rivalry between racers and police.  Graphics look good but no where near those of Forza.  Different audience I suppose.  Tablet integration allows a heads up display of the track and environment ahead, kind of like a GPS.  Multiplayer allows racers to go head to head with police in the ultimate showdown.  Need for Speed, the movie is now being shown.  The drug dealer guy from Breaking Bad stars in the movie.  Sorry, I forgot his name, good actor though.  Hopefully this movie doesn't ruin his career.  Judging by the comments on our live stream, no one cares and everyone wants to see Battlefront.
• Game #4: Dragon Age: Inquisition by Bioware. "The Next Generation of RPGs." The clip, entitled "Fires Above," is being shown now.  Graphics are pretty good.  Looks like a new direction and feeling for Dragon Age, just my opinion though.
• Head of EA Sports is now taking the stage.  All games powered by EA IGNITE engine.  AI's will have human like intelligence, arenas will be more real
• Game #5: NBA Live 14 finally makes a comeback.  After years of being terrible and overshadowed by 2k Sports NBA franchise.  They will have a time competing with them.  Kyrie Irving is now on stage after a short poem by a very electric speaker.  Tell us Kyrie, "why is dribbling so important to your game?"  Jesus EA, please... That's something that will be mocked immediately and for years to come.  Speaking about dribbling, the BounceTek technology incorporated in NBA Live.  Couldn't exactly tell you what it does.  Has to do with stylize play more to how each NBA player actually plays.  NBA Live will be a new experience every time you pick up the controller with constant updates on player status and more.
• Game #6: Madden 14 - 25th anniversary.  More technology such as Player Sense that enables quicker reactions that make gameplay more realistic.  "War in the Trenches" represents a new dedication to linemen in the new Madden.  Unit coordination and more realistic blitz packages.  Just showed a visor on Marshawn Lynch's helmet (BEAST MODE) that looked very cool.  Adrian Peterson is your cover guy.  Let's hope he doesn't have a terrible year.  Not going to lie, it still doesn't look much different than years past.
• Game #7: FIFA 14 continues the biggest blockbuster in the EA Sports empire.  Barcelona players are discussing their passion for the game.  Impressive list.  For some reason, Drake is now on stage.  I'm certainly confused.  He's talking about his passion for soccer and FIFA.  I'm glad we get to know Drake's thoughts on the EA development team and how hard they work.  "Living Stadiums" feature will enable players to feel how stadiums affect gameplay.  Better precision movement features, more realistic technique from AI's and more.  Looks just as good.  Living stadium feature could be a game changer when I choose my team.  Fully playable version at E3 this week.  That's a nice touch.
• Game #8: UFC announcer on stage with Jon Paul Jones, Benson Henderson and Dana White.  EA announcing partnership with "fastest growing sport in the world" and their new game UFC. Realistic fighting techniques and more.  Now playing a trailer to promote the game praising fighting as the first real sport.  Releasing in Spring 2014, it will be interesting to see how the game will incorporate the Kinect.  That would be pretty hilarious if you had teenagers vigorously air punching their TV while rolling on the floor.
• Game #9:  Battlefield 4 is back after its introduction at the Xbox One press conference.  Let's reiterate, 64 player battles on consoles.  No longer will PC gamers hold that over console gamers' heads.  Multiplayer demo being shown on the map entitled "Shanghai."  Map appears to actually be the city of Shanghai as players fly in on a helicopter between buildings.  Commander feature allows you to broadcast to all players on your team.  Tablet integration enables you to give orders and see the enemy kind of like a UAV.  Vehicular combat looks smooth.  The guy playing on the tablet just launched artillery on the enemy.  This could add an entirely new dimension to my workdays.  The squad playing, who was in a large skyscraper, had to jump out as it collapsed.  Skyscrapers are apparently collapse-able.  Couple that with blowing up roads to stop tanks and more.  Destructible environments seem to have taken a step forward.
• Game #10: Mirrors Edge 2 coming from the DICE team.  Short gameplay clip shown as Faith runs around and kicks ass.
• They said eleven games so I will just include Battlefront in that list.  Overall, lots of gameplay shown which I am happy about.  Sports games look more of the same but Titanfall, Battlefield 4 and a short clip from Battlefront stole the show.  Battlefront is trending on Twitter ahead of all these other games they actually showed.  The crowd went ballistic for the video which is linked above.  Battlefront being displayed alone made EA's conference a success in my eyes.  More later when Station 1621 presents its wrap up post.  Sony and other conferences are still to come so check back to the station often.

E3 Running Live Diary (Xbox Press Conference)

The Electronic Entertainment Expo is finally here.  Sit back and watch the future unfold.  Station 1621 will be  giving a live recap of events and announcements as they unfold.  The Xbox team is set to begin their press conference soon.  HERE WE GO.

• Xbox One is set to release in November this year.  (Statement from Rare team)
• New Kinect Sports and Kinect Sports Rivals announced.  Jet ski racing!! Soccer!! and tons of more activities utilizing the new Kinect.
• Xbox One press conference is beginning now: watch here.
• Microsoft opens by showing Metal Gear Solid V by Kojima.  Looks pretty good.  Interesting choice to start the show. First time Metal Gear will be on Xbox.
• NEW XBOX 360 THAT LOOKS SIMILAR TO THE XBOX ONE. Available now.
• Xbox Live Gold Members, new and old, will receive 2 free games each month up until the release of the Xbox One.  First two free games include Assassin's Creed II and Halo 3.  They have doubled the offer made by Playstation.  This is why the competitive market works. Fable 3 can be downloaded for free as of now.
• Gold Account sharing.  You can share services on your Gold account such as multiplayer with other friends and accounts.
• World of Tanks for Xbox 360.  Actually looks fun.  This is the type of indie games Xbox's marketplace needs to separate itself from the competition.
• Max game by Press Play entertainment.  Can't really tell you more.. It's a kids game.
• Dark Souls II announced for Xbox 360.  Doesn't seem to offer much.
• All Xbox One games from here on out.
• Ryse: Son of Rome.  Pitched as a new franchise for Xbox. Gameplay looks like Assassin's Creed.  Just showed your character instructing a Phalanx formation.  Pretty cool.  Not sure if this makes sense but it feels like a Call of Duty game.  AC mechanics with Call of Duty feel.  Very interesting.  Made by Crytek.  Available at Xbox One release.
• Killer Instinct is back! Available only for Xbox One.
• Sunset Overdrive. Made by Insomniac. A stylized open world shooter. Will post link on it later.  Worth discussing.
• Forza 5.  They have a real prototype Mclaren on stage right now.  Someone please jump in it and try to drive off....  Focusing on how Forza will utilize the cloud.  They call a new program that tracks your driving style a "Drivatar."  Recreates your driving style in all aspects.  How you draft, where you usually are on the track, speed, pretty much everything.  Uses your Drivatar to make AI's in the game more realistic.  The game, per usual, looks amazing.
• Quick poll on FC_Wars shows that gamers have been slightly impressed so far.  (Small sample).
• Minecraft sighting!
• Quantum Break by Remedy.  More on this later.  Utilized freezing time, physics, err whatever, as a concept.
• Project Spark is Microsoft's independent game development program.  It is not complicated at all.  May require Smartglass... Uncertain though.  They are presenting a program that can be utilized by everyone.  Games can be created for Xbox Marketplace.  More on this later for sure.  The possibilities seem endless.  Very creative app. 
• Now speaking about how Smartglass aids in your game playing experience.  Using Ryse as an example.  Smartglass shows you recommended tips, leaderboards, and helps you match up into games.
• Upload Studio.  Xbox uploads videos into the cloud to share with all your friends.  You also can stream directly to Twitch.  Essentially my capture card is now worthless.  Awesome.  But seriously, I find this to be a game changer personally.  Twitch just scored huge with this.  People will be streaming their games across the world more frequently and in greater numbers.
• NO MORE MICROSOFT POINTS!
• Crimson Dragon.  New game where you appear to take flight with your own dragon.
• Dead Rising 3. Open world zombie game.  Good series to continue on the Xbox One.
• Witcher 3: Wild Hunt continues on the Xbox One as well.
• Smartglass is really being pushed with all these games.  Managing inventories, calling in airstrikes for single player games and more.  Tablets are becoming more and more incorporated.
• Battlefield 4 and their Frostbite 3 engine have taken the stage.  Showing gameplay at 60 FPS.   No sound though so they started the video over.  Is Sony sabotaging Microsoft's show? Sound has returned.  Showing a scene where missiles are destroying an aircraft carrier with you inside.  Firefights ensuing everywhere on board as planes are dropping into the ocean.  Very visually striking.  Map Pack is an Xbox One exclusive.
• Below, a new game that reminds me of Zelda.  Interesting.
• Microsoft is investing in five new game studios to produce AAA titles.
• They just showed Master Chief walking across the desert in a robe, cloth thing.  He was holding Cortana's chip like a DOG tag necklace. Here is the video.
• Now showing Halo on Xbox One. Dedicated servers.
• Titanfall from Respawn Entertainment.  Mech battle game with some good on foot FPS.  Really cool movement with crazy jet packing free running.  I actually really enjoyed the art style and visuals but some I watched the reveal with stated it look too much like a combination of Halo and COD.  Not enough differentiation.
• Xbox One will be $499.
• New reputation and rating system for players on the new Xbox Live (source).  Hopes to actually be effectively against trouble makers and cheaters.  The one that exists now doesn't work at all.
• That's it for the Xbox One reveal at E3.  Stay tuned later for more including Sony's reveal!  Station 1621 will be doing write ups for the big games coming out as more information comes available.

Station 1621's E3 Coverage

Christmas is almost here folks.  Starting tomorrow, Station 1621 will have a live running diary of all the events and information you need about E3.  Keep the refresh button at the ready for information will be dropping fast and often.  You can also follow me on Twitter @Boneill1621 for even more up to date information.  Let's hope the next week or so gives a clearer picture about where the video game industry is heading.  See you soon.

-1621

P.S.

Live streaming Sedulous Squad's Halo 4 matches tonight at 6 PM eastern over at the Twitch channel.  Come check it out!

Xbox One, the Future of Gaming or Just Another Console? (Part Three)

The Xbox One Reveal

This is the final installment of a three part series following Microsoft's transition from the original Xbox, to the 360 and now the Xbox One.  Knowing Microsoft's past, can we predict the future success or failure of the Xbox One?  And how will Microsoft's past experiences play a role in the business and technological decisions behind the Xbox One?  These are the questions that we seek to understand as we piece together Microsoft's past consoles with the first few weeks of news about the Xbox One.  **Station 1621... reporting in...** 

On May 21st, 2013, Microsoft took the first big step in showing the public the future of the Xbox brand.  Their new console, the Xbox One, was revealed to anxious consumers across the globe in an informational but lackluster live reveal.  Putting to rest the countless internet rumors, the name "Xbox One" was chosen to express the device's "all-in-one" home entertainment capability.  Marc Whitten, a Microsoft executive, stated that the latest installment of the Xbox will "change everything."  While we can safely say, as seen in parts one and two of Station 1621's review of Microsoft's past consoles, the Xbox and Xbox 360 effectively pushed the video game industry forward in many ways no one could expect.  From just the sampling of information we have from the Xbox One reveal, is this a valid claim for Microsoft to be making? Or is Microsoft's future within the console industry at jeopardy?  These are the questions we must excavate out of the information presented forward by Microsoft at this time.

As we here at Station 1621 have expressed multiple times, the confusion surrounding the Xbox One is vast.  The live reveal on May 21st focused mainly on the newest capabilities of the console and left many questions about always online requirements, developer programming, used games and the new games coming to the system unanswered.  The technical specifications match those of Xbox One's competition, the Playstation 4, and can be found in the Station 1621 archive here.  The Xbox One's ground breaking new entertainment advancements include:

• Blu-Ray Player (Finally!)
• HDMI-In Port - Enables users to integrate the Xbox One with their TV watching experience.  For example, a person could bring up their fantasy football team while watching the Bengals play the Steelers on live TV.
• New controller with over 40 new design innovations including "impulse triggers" which give vibrating feedback into your figure tips.
• A completely redesigned Kinect with infra-red technology that can sense players in the dark and even check their pulse.
• Cloud system to store games, videos, music, pictures and more.  This is very interesting as many games will in part run on the console and within the cloud.  This will free up space for you to be playing a game and surfing the internet at the same time.
• Updated UI, reminiscent of Windows 8.
• 300,000 dedicated servers for Xbox Live (that is a ton for those who don't know) 

Xbox One's integrated TV guide

While these new features seem very cool, the Xbox One reveal fell short when conveying the types of games that will be played on the new console.  Questions about whether used games will be playable and possible new gaming titles fell wayside to a conference strictly about new entertainment features.  The content of the Xbox One reveal contrasts greatly to the PS4 reveal which, as you could guess, focused strictly on new games and how they will look on the new console.  While many questions will be answered at E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) on June 11th-13th, gamers are left to speculate at the vagueness of the Xbox One's gaming capabilities.  The online backlash of the Xbox One reveal was immediate with many hardcore gamers arguing that the Xbox One's focus on entertainment features reveals Microsoft's greater plan to no longer cater to the hardcore gamer.  Google any major gaming website's forums and you will see an unbelievable amount of vitriol spitted at Microsoft's new gaming console.  While some of the criticism is fair since Microsoft has been so confusing on many points about the Xbox One, much of the criticism stems directly from the fear that the dedicated console gamer is being forgotten in Microsoft's new system.

While many have tried to persuade me that this is the case, I tend to take a different approach when trying to uncover Microsoft's true intentions behind the Xbox One.  When comparing both the Xbox One reveal and the PS4 reveal, it is clear the Xbox is focusing on an all encompassing entertainment system while the PS4 focuses on a fully capably next-gen gaming console.  Please note the italics because its imperative that you understand the differences between these entities.  The Xbox One, from its first reveal, presents itself as a PC that you plug into your TV.  Running three different operating systems including an Xbox OS, a Windows 8 type OS and an OS that communicates between both, the Xbox One thinks and acts like a computer.  Like the original Xbox and the Xbox 360, the Xbox One was designed to allow developers to more easily cross-platform their games and apps from the PC to the Xbox.  In the past, this ease in development allowed the Xbox to separate itself from the Playstation 4; however, in the case of the Xbox One, I see this as a move to not only compete with Sony's PS4 but to take on both Apple and Google's stranglehold on the tablet and mobile markets.

The Xbox One and the Xbox brand, represent Microsoft's only product that is currently dominating a market share.  As Microsoft's tablets, app store and mobile phones flounder at the hands of Apple's iOS and Google's Android, Microsoft is coming to realize that they can't mirror the business moves made by Apple and Google and expect to obtain a share of the growing tablet/mobile market.  There are a myriad of reasons for why Windows based tablets and phones aren't taking off but it is clear that consumers require a thriving app market from their mobile devices.  While the Windows Store hit over 50,000 apps for tablets a couple of months ago, any realistic person knows that apps are first developed for Apple and Google products before Windows.  This fact alone places Windows at a disadvantage and makes it impossible for them to make up any ground within the tablet and phone world.  Without any of their other products catching on, the Xbox brand represents Microsoft's one shining accomplishment outside of the personal computer and operating system world.  Microsoft is using their latest console system to pave a path of potential growth into  a different market untouched (yet!!) by the likes of Apple and Google.

What does the iPod have to do with the Xbox One?

Let my try to explain this potential growth path by citing an example more familiar with consumers around the world: the iPod.  Released in 2001, the iPod marked Apple's first step into the downloadable music age that they dominate today.  Coming from a personal computer background, Apple took a huge risk in creating the iPod.  This risk lead the company to seize control of developing technology and utilize it to give people their music library in the palm of their hand (pretty crazy in 2001).  As the popularity of the iPod grew, so too did Apple's ambitions.  Apple stepped their foot into the mobile phone market with the iPhone and recreated a line of laptops with their newly designed Macbooks.  As more and more success came to Apple, they pushed the technological envelope and ultimately revolutionized the tablet market we know today.  The iPad would not have been possible without Apple taking a leap of faith with the iPod over twelve years ago.  The iPod paved a path for an unprecedented amount of growth for Apple and lead to many of the devices, both iOS products and others, we use today.

The Xbox is, or has to be, Microsoft's iPod.  Over the past ten years, Microsoft has controlled the console gaming industry while losing ground in other areas of entertainment.  While profitable, Microsoft must now take risks with their Xbox brand in order to seize any market shares in the mobile platform and home entertainment fields.  The Xbox One can help Microsoft better themselves in the tablet and phone market as it is has a large population using it each day.  Because of this (as they do now), game developers will create a flurry of new games and apps for the Xbox Live marketplace.  The Xbox One is set up so that these new games and apps will then be able to be cross-platformed into the Windows app store.  This will generate the much need app market support that defines whether or not an OS is successful in the tablets and phones people use every day.  With tablet integration a high priority for the Xbox One, this will hopefully at least spark people's interest in owning a Windows tablet or phone as the app store because more and more filled.   This of course all hinges on the fact of whether or not Microsoft can market this plan well enough.  If looking at the past history of the Xbox reveals anything, its that Microsoft isn't afraid to pour money into something that produces very little return.  The Xbox One being a viable means to help push Microsoft's tablet market is just one of the many markets it seeks to explore.

In addition to supporting Microsoft's tablet market, the Xbox One will place Microsoft in direct competition with TV devices such as Apple and Google TV.  These devices seek to enhance the home entertainment/television experience by coupling TV viewing with other Apple and Google devices.  These type of devices explain why the Xbox One reveal spent a ton of time explaining how the new Xbox can be connected to a cable or satellite box.  Microsoft is forging a new path into how TV and other entertainment is suppose to be viewed within the family living room.  The Xbox One's TV function is a statement, not just to gamers, but to the entire consumer electronic world that they are here to push the technological envelope themselves on a standard that hasn't been changed in some time.

The Xbox One isn't simply a gaming console but more of an entertainment system a person should compliment their TV and living room experience with.  This doesn't take away from the fact that the new Xbox will undoubtedly be amazing for playing games on.  It will mirror the experience players will have on the Playstation 4, if not surpass it, because of the possibilities presented by the new Kinect system and the added integration to all Windows based devices.  If Microsoft simply created a gaming console, they would be under utilizing many of the products they have already produced.  In fact, if they had created a system that only plays games, I do not believe the Xbox brand would survive.  The console video game business model, in its current state, is broken.  AAA games (big budget, big development team etc.) are becoming less and less frequent due to the little returns game studios are seeing from their products.  The most profitable realm of gaming right now is low budget games created for mobile devices.  Knowing this, why would any company base an entire console system on something that may or may not make money?  It's foolish.

The Xbox One is Microsoft's attempt to bridge the gap between a game console and a PC that you use with your TV.  With added functionality for cloud computing, tablets and more, the Xbox One presents Microsoft's best shot at bettering themselves within the other core electronic device areas.  While it is a giant risk to abandon a business model that works such as the Xbox 360, like Apple's iPod, it is a necessary decision in order to push the medium of console video gaming forward.  Within the next ten years, game consoles may even become obsolete as all of their functions will be stored within the cloud.  The Xbox One is the first step towards a future where the lines, once forged between your electronic devices, are blurred.  This console isn't just the future of gaming but represents the inevitable future for all electronic devices.

I know many of my friends are upset at all the added functions the Xbox One has presented.  They feel Microsoft has abandoned the console gamer and only cares about the pockets of those who have never even played a video game.  I understand, I do, but I take comfort in one fact: the Xbox One is Microsoft's only growth path available to them right now and they will pour a tremendous amount of resources into the system to make it work.  The company can't afford to neglect the strongest support base of their most popular device.  The Xbox One will be a great device to play games on and will serve as an entertainment hub for TV, music, online streaming and more.  As E3 approaches, we will get a better idea about how the games will look on the Xbox One and much of the information we don't know now should be filled in.  Keep checking back to Station 1621 as we will be reporting in all of the data relevant for you.

Station 1621's Mass Effect playthrough will continue this afternoon at 1 PM after a slight hiatus.  Check it out here.

As always, see you starside.

-1621

**Transmission terminated**

Halo 4 Title Update Released Today

As of this morning, 343 has released a huge title update for Halo 4 that will effect multiplayer gameplay at every level.  These changes mostly stem from community demands to make gameplay more balanced.  The changes are listed here as provided by The Halo Council.

Battle Rifle

• The Battle Rifle damage has been increased. The Battle Rifle is now capable of killing in four bursts. 
• The Battle Rifle rate of fire has been slightly decreased. 
• The Battle Rifle red reticle range (range at which auto-aim benefits kick in) has been decreased. 
• Two bursts from a Battle Rifle followed by a melee will now kill an opponent (2-shot melee).

Covenant Carbine

• The Carbine damage has been increased. The Carbine is now capable of killing in seven rounds. 
• The Carbine accuracy has been increased (projectile spread decrease). 
• The Carbine red reticle range has been decreased. 

LightRifle

• The LightRifle zoomed rate of fire has been increased. 
• The LightRifle un-zoomed rate of fire has been slightly decreased. 
• The LightRifle red reticle range has been increased to match the updated DMR range. 

DMR

• The DMR red reticle range has been slightly decreased. 

Assault Rifle

• The Assault Rifle damage has been slightly increased. The Assault Rifle now kills in three less rounds. 
• The Assault Rifle auto-aim angle has been reduced. 
• The Assault Rifle projectile spread has been decreased. 

Storm Rifle

• The Storm Rifle damage has been increased. The Storm Rifle now kills in three less rounds. 
• The Storm Rifle auto-aim angle has been reduced. 
• The Storm Rifle projectile spread has been decreased. 

Suppressor

• The Suppressor damage has been increased. The Suppressor now kills in three less rounds. 
• The Suppressor auto-aim angle has been reduced. 
• The Suppressor projectile spread has been decreased. 

SAW

• The SAW’s damage has been increased to maintain double the damage-per-second of the Assault Rifle. 

Magnum

• The damage has been slightly increased. The Magnum is still capable of killing in six rounds. 

Warthog & Mantis

• The damage has been increased on both the Mantis and Warthog Chain Gun. 

Movement Speed

• Movement speed has been increased from 100% to 110% – this change will NOT apply to Lightning Flag in Action Sack. 

Overshield

• The Overshield is now has a double layer by default rather than a single layer. 

As you can see, the changes are extensive.  After playing several Infinity Slayer matches, the BR has become the weapon to use on smaller maps (at least for now).  The light rifle outmatches the DMR at extreme distances while the DMR is still pretty useful in every scenario.  It will be interesting to see a couple weeks from now the number of people using the different weapons.  Will everyone return to the DMR in order to utilize its versatility? Or will there be true balance between all the weapons? In my opinion, the game seems much more balanced now that 343 has released this update.  It has a Halo 3 feel and combat definitely moves a ton faster. I think this was a good move by 343 and I must give them credit for finally listening to the community and providing us with a more balanced game.

See you on the virtual battlefield.

-1621

Follow Forerunner Conflict Halo 4 Matches Tonight

If you're bored tonight, follow some live Halo 4 matches in the ongoing conflict between the REDD and BLUE armies at fcwars.net.  Follow the action at Station 1621's Live Stream and fellow community member Bl4yze's Live Stream.  Hope to see you out there!


-1621

PS4 and Xbox One Comparison

Check out this infographic placing the PS4 against the Xbox One.  These are based on current statements from both Sony and Microsoft respectively.  Contrary to what many forums and message boards state, the systems are much closer than many believe. (Credit PC Magazine)  The clear mistake here is their will most definitely be a subscription fee for Xbox Live.  I'm also not convinced Sony can last without a subscription fee.  The services Microsoft is turning out are far superior than anything offered on the Playstation Network. Then again, whether hardcore gamers want those features is an entirely different question.

Station 1621 is live streaming our Mass Effect one playthrough now! Check it out on the station's twitch channel.