Gamespot's Site Mashup

Gamespot's Site MashupPokemon Gets Its Own Dedicated iTunes HubCrytek's FPS Warface Hits Steam, Dev Promises New Content Every DayScore a Custom Bruce Lee PS4 from Mike TysonU-S-A-! GTA 5 Gets Special 4th of July UpdateEscape Dead Island - Announcement TrailerNew Underworld Game in the Works for PC, Dev Promises Not to "Mess With" Original FormulaThere's a New Dead Island, and This Time it's a Stealth GameAnother Dead Island Announced, but This One's Exclusive to Last GenPS4 vs. Xbox One Battle Means Gamers Win, Sony SaysUS Government Approves Call of Duty-Esque ExosuitWWE 2K15 - Cover Announcement TrailerDragon Age Inquisition's Dorian Character is "Legitimately Gay," BioWare saysNew TMNT Game for 3DS Launching This Summer Alongside The MovieRedbox: Publishers Now Understand Importance of RentalsRedbox Not Worried About Streaming Eating Away At Rental Business

http://auth.gamespot.com/ Gamespot's Everything Feed! News, Reviews, Videos. Exploding with content? You bet. en-us Tue, 01 Jul 2014 08:41:55 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-gets-its-own-dedicated-itunes-hub/1100-6420850/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583405-pok%C3%A9mon+the+series_xy+screenshot+2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583405" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583405-pok%C3%A9mon+the+series_xy+screenshot+2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583405"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2583405-pok%C3%A9mon+the+series_xy+screenshot+2.jpg"></a></figure>The Pokémon Company announced today that it has launched a special dedicated Pokémon hub on iTunes, providing users with a "one-stop destination" for all-things Pokémon. You can visit the hub at <a href="http://search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZContentLink.woa/wa/link?path=Pokemon" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">iTunes.com/Pokemon</a>.There you'll find animated Pokémon episodes and specials, official Pokémon apps like <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-tv-app-hits-ios-android/1100-6403862/" data-ref-id="1100-6403862"> Pokémon TV </a>and <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/official-pokedex-ios-app-released/1100-6401330/" data-ref-id="1100-6401330">Pokedex</a>, as well as <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/10-pokemon-x-y-music-collection-hits-itunes/1100-6416140/" data-ref-id="1100-6416140">Pokémon video game music</a>.To mark the launch of the dedicated Pokémon iTunes page, The Pokémon Company has released new episodes from the latest season of Pokémon the Series: XY, as well as the four-part Pokemon Origins animated show. You can download them on iTunes now.The Pokémon Company says new episodes in the XY series will be added to iTunes.com/Pokemon on a weekly basis.Earlier this week, The Pokémon Company <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-concert-series-begins-touring-in-august/1100-6420829/" data-ref-id="1100-6420829">announced details for this summer's Pokemon concert series</a>, which begins with a show in Washington, D.C. in August. The next major Pokémon games are <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-ruby-sapphire-remakes-coming-to-3ds-this-year/1100-6419483/" data-ref-id="1100-6419483">Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire</a>, remakes of the originals. They launch exclusively for 3DS on <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-pokemon-omega-ruby-alpha-sapphire-launching-november-21/1100-6420325/" data-ref-id="1100-6420325">November 21</a>. <table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 01 Jul 2014 08:15:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-gets-its-own-dedicated-itunes-hub/1100-6420850/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/crytek-s-fps-warface-hits-steam-dev-promises-new-content-every-day/1100-6420849/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/original/mig/8/3/3/7/2018337-640106_20121112_007.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2018337" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/original/mig/8/3/3/7/2018337-640106_20121112_007.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2018337"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/mig/8/3/3/7/2018337-640106_20121112_007.jpg"></a></figure>Amid <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/report-30-staff-have-left-crytek-uk-since-2011-morale-is-low/1100-6420697/" data-ref-id="1100-6420697">claims about Crytek's reported rocky financial stability</a>, the developer<a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/291480" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> today released</a> its free-to-play first-person shooter <a href="/warface/" data-ref-id="false">Warface </a>on Valve's PC digital distribution platform Steam.The game is <a href="https://www.warface.com/en" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">already available through Crytek's own Gface client for PC</a>, as well as <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/crytek-s-free-to-play-warface-hits-xbox-360-today-but-it-s-not-exactly-free/1100-6417542/" data-ref-id="1100-6417542">Xbox 360</a>. Just like those versions, Warface on Steam includes daily new missions and other regular content releases as a means to "keep everyone returning to the front line," Crytek says.Warface is available on Steam in North America, Europe, Turkey, Australia, and New Zealand. It's been localized into English, French, German, Turkish, and Polish."Bringing Warface to Steam paves the way for a new audience to discover the game's engrossing cooperative and competitive action; completely for free," Warface franchise director Hasit Zala said in a statement. "As well as putting the power of CryEngine to work, Warface draws on Crytek's FPS expertise to ensure players are immersed in the heat of battle--whether they're jumping in for a quick game with friends or dedicating more time to the game's extensive multiplayer modes."Warface includes four soldier classes (Rifleman, Sniper, Engineer, Medic), and lets you either play team-based co-op missions or take part in head-to-head skirmishes in the Versus mode. Crytek has also published the Warface Steam PC specs, which you can see below.The release of Warface on Steam comes as reports of <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/report-30-staff-have-left-crytek-uk-since-2011-morale-is-low/1100-6420697/" data-ref-id="1100-6420697">supposedly tough times at Crytek</a> have bubbled to the surface. According to media reports, morale at the studio is "low," and in some cases, Crytek has apparently failed to pay employees on time.In addition to Warface, Crytek's offices around the world are working on 2015 Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC shooter <a href="/homefront-the-revolution/" data-ref-id="false">Homefront: The Revolution</a>, and PC games <a href="/hunt-horrors-of-the-gilded-age/" data-ref-id="false">Hunt: Horrors of the Gilded Age</a> and <a href="/arena-of-fate/" data-ref-id="false">Arena of Fate</a>. One game that is reportedly not in development at Crytek is a sequel to Xbox One launch title <a href="/ryse-son-of-rome/" data-ref-id="false">Ryse: Son of Rome</a>. This game was <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/report-30-staff-have-left-crytek-uk-since-2011-morale-is-low/1100-6420697/" data-ref-id="1100-6420697">supposedly canceled recently</a>.<ins>Crytek PC system requirements: </ins>Minimum:<ul><li>OS: Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8</li><li>Processor: Intel Dual-Core 2 GHz or AMD Dual-Core 2 GHz</li><li>Memory: 2 GB RAM</li><li>Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 or AMD ATI Radeon 3650</li><li>DirectX: Version 9.0c</li><li>Network: Broadband Internet connection</li><li>Hard Drive: 6 GB available space</li><li>Sound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card with latest drivers</li></ul>Recommended: <ul><li>OS: Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8</li><li>Processor: Intel Dual-Core 2.6 GHz or AMD Dual-Core 2.6 GHz</li><li>Memory: 2 GB RAM</li><li>Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT or better, AMD Radeon 3870 or better</li><li>DirectX: Version 9.0c</li><li>Network: Broadband Internet connection</li><li>Hard Drive: 6 GB available space</li><li>Sound Card: DirectX Compatible Sound Card with latest drivers</li></ul><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 01 Jul 2014 07:37:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/crytek-s-fps-warface-hits-steam-dev-promises-new-content-every-day/1100-6420849/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/score-a-custom-bruce-lee-ps4-from-mike-tyson/1100-6420848/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583350-ps4tyson.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583350" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583350-ps4tyson.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583350"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2583350-ps4tyson.jpg"></a></figure>The PlayStation 4 is currently only offered in jet black, but you can own a special yellow and black system if you win a giveaway held by former famous boxer Mike Tyson.According to a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/miketyson/photos/a.1438249793112836.1073741828.1436354686635680/1440437166227432/?type=1&permPage=1" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">post on Tyson's Facebook page</a>, the special console celebrates <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/bruce-lee-s-daughter-doesn-t-have-time-for-ea-sports-ufc-haters/1100-6418879/" data-ref-id="1100-6418879">Bruce Lee's inclusion in recent MMA game EA Sports UFC</a>. The system features a black stripe and a silhouette of Lee, as well as a matching yellow and black DualShock 4 controller.As <a href="http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/mike-tyson-giving-away-cool-bruce-lee-themed-ps4-ea-sports-ufc/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Attack of the Fanboy </a>points out, Lee wore yellow and black colors in the 1978 movie Game of Death. To win the console, you need to Like, Comment, or Share <a href="https://www.facebook.com/miketyson/photos/a.1438249793112836.1073741828.1436354686635680/1440437166227432/?type=1&permPage=1" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">this image</a>. Tyson will pick a winner, presumably at random, "in a few days."Though the PS4 is currently only available in jet black, Sony will officially introduce a "<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-450-white-ps4-destiny-bundle-arriving-september-9/1100-6420272/" data-ref-id="1100-6420272">Glacier White"</a> system in September with the special <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-450-white-ps4-destiny-bundle-arriving-september-9/1100-6420272/" data-ref-id="1100-6420272">$450 Destiny PS4 bundle</a>. <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/blue-ps4-controller-coming-to-united-states-this-fall-no-word-on-magma-red/1100-6420717/" data-ref-id="1100-6420717">New DualShock 4 colors </a>are also coming to the United States later this year.EA Sports UFC launched on <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-sports-ufc-coming-june-17/1100-6418803/" data-ref-id="1100-6418803">June 17 for Xbox One and PS4</a>. For more, check out <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ea-sports-ufc-review/1900-6415802/" data-ref-id="1900-6415802">GameSpot's review</a> and <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-sports-ufc-review-roundup/1100-6420765/" data-ref-id="1100-6420765">what other critics are saying</a>.<table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 01 Jul 2014 06:56:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/score-a-custom-bruce-lee-ps4-from-mike-tyson/1100-6420848/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/u-s-a-gta-5-gets-special-4th-of-july-update/1100-6420847/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583343-gtausa.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583343" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583343-gtausa.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583343"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2583343-gtausa.jpg"></a></figure> Ahead of the 4th of July holiday on Friday, Rockstar Games today <a href="http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/52270/The-GTA-Online-Independence-Day-Special-Available-Starting" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">released </a>a USA-themed update for <a href="/reviews/grand-theft-auto-online-review/1900-6415473/" data-ref-id="1900-6415473">Grand Theft Auto Online</a>, the multiplayer mode for <a href="/grand-theft-auto-v/" data-ref-id="false">Grand Theft Auto V</a>.The Independence Day Special update, available now on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, includes an "overabundance of patriotic flare." There's a new "Made in the U.S.A." t-shirt, as well as a mullet hairstyle and even masks featuring some of this "great nation's most fearsome and majestic creatures."You'll also find new "star-spangled" vehicles include the Sovereign motorcycle and the massive Liberator monster truck. New guns available from Ammu-Nation include the Musket and the Firework Rocket Launcher. In addition, there's seven new properties available for purchase and fireworks to set off. You can also visit Pleasure Pier to ride the Ferris Whale and the Leviathan Roller Coaster.Sounds like a pretty great holiday to me.<figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583341-america.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583341" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583341-america.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583341"><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2583341-america.jpg"></a></figure> The content included with the Independence Day Special update will be available to redeem for a limited time only; Rockstar says this content will expire sometime in mid-July. Rockstar will also hold a special four-day Independence Day Weekend Event in GTA Online. Details about this will be announced tomorrow.The GTA Online 4th of July update also includes various game tuning updates and various other adjustments, including the arrival of the On Call Matchmaking feature. This allows you to accept a Job invite while continuing to play in Freemode. This should reduce the time you spend doing nothing as you wait for the Job to start. You can see a full list of fixes and updates included with today's patch at the <a href="https://support.rockstargames.com/hc/en-us/articles/203519067" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Rockstar Support page</a>.In other USA news, the United States men's national soccer team<a href="http://www.cbssports.com/world-cup/eye-on-world-cup/24599443/fifa-world-cup-usa-vs-belgium-preview" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> takes on Belgium in the knock-out stage of the 2014 World Cup today at 4 p.m. EDT</a>.<table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 01 Jul 2014 06:30:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/u-s-a-gta-5-gets-special-4th-of-july-update/1100-6420847/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/escape-dead-island-announcement-trailer/2300-6420005/ Take your first look at Escape Dead Island. Tue, 01 Jul 2014 06:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/escape-dead-island-announcement-trailer/2300-6420005/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-underworld-game-in-the-works-for-pc-dev-promises-not-to-mess-with-original-formula/1100-6420836/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581507-otherside.png" data-ref-id="1300-2581507" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581507-otherside.png" data-ref-id="1300-2581507"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2581507-otherside.png"></a></figure> The influential 1990s RPG series <a href="/ultima-underworld-the-stygian-abyss/" data-ref-id="false">Ultima Underworld</a> is making a comeback.Paul Neurath, who co-founded original Underworld developer Looking Glass Studios (<a href="/thief-1989/" data-ref-id="false">Thief</a>, <a href="/system-shock/" data-ref-id="false">System Shock</a>) and most recently worked at the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/zynga-shuts-down-boston-studio-cuts-5-percent-of-total-workforce/1100-6398752/" data-ref-id="1100-6398752">now-shuttered Zynga Boston</a>, today announced the creation of Boston-based indie studio OtherSide Entertainment.The studio has secured the rights to make new games in the beloved Underworld RPG series, and today revealed Underworld Ascension. A brand new game in development for PC, the game aims to "revitalize" the fantasy genre in the same way that the original game did back in 1992.Details are light so far on the game (there's no art yet or concrete gameplay details), but we were able to catch up with Neurath to talk about what he has in mind for the game.Why is now the right time for Underworld to return?Paul Neurath: Underworld has been fallow for two decades, isn't that long enough!A lot has changed since 1992 in the RPG space; how are you designing Underworld Ascension for the modern RPG fan?PN: We've just gotten underway on the Underworld reboot, so we have a ways to go before reaching a fleshed out design. The team has played many of the modern RPGs; worked on some of them too. So we think we have a good sense of where the genre has evolved over the years, and where there is room for further innovation. We're definitely going to get the franchise up to date, then push into new territory.What are some of your overarching ambitions for Underworld Ascension?PN: More than anything, bring the franchise roaring back and more vital than it ever was. We'd like the game to connect with the fans who have fond memories of the originals, but also draw in a new fans.The original Underworld games have a special place in many RPG fans' hearts; how are you planning to push the franchise forward while also retaining the essence of what makes it unique?Some of us worked on the originals and so they hold a special place in our hearts. Also, there was a much done well in the originals that we don't want to mess with. Beyond the now dated visuals, the games hold up surprising well all these years later. the same time, we are explore areas where we can extend the original experience in new ways, and hopefully ways that will feel like natural extensions of the original games, but will make for an evolved experience.What stage of development is Underworld Ascension in now and when are you planning to release it?PN: Just got underway a few weeks ago, so still in concept phase. Don't have a release date as yet. We'll keep you updated.What platforms are you looking at for Underworld Ascension?PN: PC for sure. Still sorting out other potential platforms.OtherSide Entertainment also today provided game industry testimonials for the Underworld franchise, including comments from former key people at Looking Glass Studios like Richard Garriott and Warren Spector.Ultima creator Richard Garriot: "For those of us lifelong gamers that go back to the early days the Underworld franchise, created by Paul Neurath, represents a watershed event on what an immersive 3D true role-playing game can be like. In these days, where we are seeing many of these greats return, I personally am as excited about Underworld as any game I can imagine."BioShock creator Ken Levine: "Underworld had a transformative effect on my understanding of what games were. It was the first time I ever felt 'inside' of an imaginary world. It was the game that primed all of my creative ambitions."Wing Commander creator Chris Roberts:"Ultima Underworld was truly revolutionary for its time--it was the first fully 3D textured first person game. As such it influenced pretty much all first person 3D games that came afterwards and could be truly called the granddaddy of first person role-playing games."Original Ultima Underworld Producer Warren Spector:"As Producer on the original Ultima Underworld games, I'll never forget the first time I saw a working prototype of the game--I felt as if the world had just changed. As the first fully-textured, real-time, first-person game, Underworld paved the way for every other first-person game that followed. If that doesn't qualify as 'changing the world', I don't know what does!"<table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 01 Jul 2014 06:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-underworld-game-in-the-works-for-pc-dev-promises-not-to-mess-with-original-formula/1100-6420836/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/there-s-a-new-dead-island-and-this-time-it-s-a-stealth-game/1100-6420840/ Deep breath. Clear mind. Deep breath. Clear mind. Deep breath. Clear mind.This was Cliff Carlo's mantra throughout my demo of Escape Dead Island. Poor Carlo, the game's protagonist, has not been well ever since he washed up on a tropical, zombie-infested island in the Banoi archipelago. His entire reality is breaking down around him, to the point where Carlo and I are both having trouble separating fact from fiction. The result is a baffling narrative construct designed to keep you in orbit around a single, burning question: Is this real? The zombies are still a concern, sure, but the real battle in Escape Dead Island takes place inside your own mind.<div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6420005" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6420005/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div>Escape Dead Island joins publisher Deep Silver's growing stable of Dead Island games, including <a href="/articles/e3-2014-dead-island-2-is-a-less-serious-more-carefree-form-of-zombie-bashing/1100-6420417/" data-ref-id="1100-6420417">Dead Island 2</a>, which was announced during Sony's E3 2014 press conference, and <a href="/dead-island-epidemic/" data-ref-id="false">Dead Island: Epidemic</a>, the MOBA currently in closed beta. Compared to the original Dead Island, Escape is defined more by what it lacks. There's less of an emphasis on combat, there are no role-playing elements or multiplayer modes, and your hero isn't immune to the zombie virus.<blockquote data-size="medium" data-align="right">The result is a baffling narrative construct designed to keep you in orbit around a single, burning question: Is this real?</blockquote>Because of this vulnerability, all of my zombie encounters required a touch of stealth to be successful. At one point, I was exploring an overrun office complex where any phone I approached would instantly start ringing (the game enjoyed throwing weird little curveballs like this). Gradually I figured out that I could use this to my advantage by triggering specific phones in order to lead zombies away. After that, I'd circle around and impale them through the skull with a screwdriver.Of course, not every enemy encounter in the game will require such precision. Escape will have boss encounters. It will have special zombies. However, if you think you will be able to wrestle down a half-dozen infected with a lead pipe and a go-get-'em attitude, think again. Outside of combat, Escape features Metroid-style exploration. This means certain tools you collect--such as some rope or a club--will let you access previously inaccessible areas, though I was unable to get a sense of how much backtracking would be involved.Toward the end of my demo, Escape decided to ratchet up the crazy. My entire goal up to that point had been to reach the beach and reunite with my companions. However, when I arrived at the beach, my companions were nowhere to be found. Instead, I was greeted by a hail of metal shipping containers that fell from the sky and (possibly) crushed my hero to death. In the next scene, I awoke inside a similar container on a makeshift bed. My companions insisted I had been unconscious since the shipwreck; however, I still retained all the items I had collected previously--a fact that unsettled both my hero and his companions.<figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2582164-01072014_edi_announcement04.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2582164" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/949/9490474/2582164-01072014_edi_announcement04.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2582164"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/949/9490474/2582164-01072014_edi_announcement04.jpg"></a><figcaption>Deep breath. Clear mind. Deep breath. Clear mind. Deep breath. Clear mind.</figcaption></figure>With all this talk of insanity and sneak-attacking zombies, I would be remiss not to mention one of my favorite aspects of the Escape Dead Island demo: photography. That's right. Escape is taking a page from <a href="/dead-rising/" data-ref-id="false">Dead Rising</a>'s book by letting you snap photos of your surroundings. These photos are one of the game's many collectables and are explained away as collecting evidence against those who engineered this outbreak. You can put your own inner shutterbug to work when Escape Dead Island is released later this year on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and digitally on PC. Tue, 01 Jul 2014 06:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/there-s-a-new-dead-island-and-this-time-it-s-a-stealth-game/1100-6420840/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/another-dead-island-announced-but-this-one-s-exclusive-to-last-gen/1100-6420843/ <div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6420005" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6420005/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div> The trailer may not provide many explanations, but like the previous games in the series, you can assume that the game is sett on an island teeming with the dead (undead?). But in a surprising twist, this more stylized take will only come to last-gen systems: Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. Due out later this year and coming in at the budget price of $39.99, Escape is completely separate from Deep Silver's other Dead Island projects. Just to make sure you've got things straight, Dead Island 2 is the more mainstream sequel slated for Xbox One, PS4, and PC (which we <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/dead-island-2/">checked out at E3 earlier this year</a>). And Deep Silver's also working on the MOBA <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/dead-island-epidemic/">Dead Island: Epidemic</a> For even more details on the game, and a few hints as to what the cryptic trailer has in store, read our hands-on preview of the game wherein we <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/there-s-a-new-dead-island-and-this-time-it-s-a-stealth-game/1100-6420840/">experiment with the game's stealth elements</a>.<figure data-embed-type="gallery" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2583059-01072014_edi_announcement01.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2583060-01072014_edi_announcement02.jpg,http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2583061-01072014_edi_announcement03.jpg,http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2583062-01072014_edi_announcement04.jpg,http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2583063-01072014_edi_announcement05.jpg,http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2583064-01072014_edi_announcement06.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583059,1300-2583060,1300-2583061,1300-2583062,1300-2583063,1300-2583064" data-resize-urls="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/square_avatar/1534/15343359/2583059-01072014_edi_announcement01.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/square_avatar/1534/15343359/2583060-01072014_edi_announcement02.jpg,http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/square_avatar/1534/15343359/2583061-01072014_edi_announcement03.jpg,http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/square_avatar/1534/15343359/2583062-01072014_edi_announcement04.jpg,http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/square_avatar/1534/15343359/2583063-01072014_edi_announcement05.jpg,http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/square_avatar/1534/15343359/2583064-01072014_edi_announcement06.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2583059-01072014_edi_announcement01.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583059" ><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/square_avatar/1534/15343359/2583059-01072014_edi_announcement01.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2583060-01072014_edi_announcement02.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583060" ><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/square_avatar/1534/15343359/2583060-01072014_edi_announcement02.jpg"></a><a href="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2583061-01072014_edi_announcement03.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583061" ><img src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/square_avatar/1534/15343359/2583061-01072014_edi_announcement03.jpg"></a><a href="http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2583062-01072014_edi_announcement04.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583062" ><img src="http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/square_avatar/1534/15343359/2583062-01072014_edi_announcement04.jpg"></a><a href="http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2583063-01072014_edi_announcement05.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583063" ><img src="http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/square_avatar/1534/15343359/2583063-01072014_edi_announcement05.jpg"></a><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1534/15343359/2583064-01072014_edi_announcement06.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583064" ><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/square_avatar/1534/15343359/2583064-01072014_edi_announcement06.jpg"></a></figure> <table data-max-width="true"><tbody><tr><td>Justin Haywald is a senior editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/JustinHaywald" rel="nofollow"> Twitter @JustinHaywald</a>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 01 Jul 2014 06:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/another-dead-island-announced-but-this-one-s-exclusive-to-last-gen/1100-6420843/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4-vs-xbox-one-battle-means-gamers-win-sony-says/1100-6420846/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583309-xboxplaystation.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583309" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583309-xboxplaystation.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583309"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2583309-xboxplaystation.jpg"></a></figure>The PlayStation 4 vs. Xbox One battle is a good thing for gamers because it pushes each company to focus more intently on serving players, according to Sony worldwide studios executive Shuhei Yoshida. "Competition really pushes everyone--Microsoft and us--to do better," Yoshida <a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-07-01-shuhei-yoshida-pays-tribute-to-phil-spencer" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="2014-07">told Eurogamer</a>. "I think in the end the consumers will win."Yoshida's comments today follow those of Electronic Arts COO Peter Moore, who recently said that the game industry <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-expecting-great-fight-between-xbox-one-and-ps4-this-holiday/1100-6420822/" data-ref-id="1100-6420822">thrives on the Sony vs. Microsoft battle</a>. He also said the industry overall stands to benefit if Microsoft and Nintendo can <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-reports-7-million-playstation-4-consoles-sold-worldwide/1100-6419044/" data-ref-id="1100-6419044">catch up to Sony</a>, because a runaway leader can have a "reverse effect" on the business.<blockquote data-align="left">"Personally, I was expecting that at some point in the future [that Microsoft would] unbundle Kinect, but I wasn't expecting it this early" -- Shuhei Yoshida</blockquote>Also in Eurogamer's interview with Yoshida, the longtime PlayStation boss commented on Microsoft's <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/399-xbox-one-without-kinect-launching-in-june/1100-6419601/" data-ref-id="1100-6419601">high-profile decision to remove Kinect from Xbox One bundles</a>, thereby<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-399-xbox-one-out-now-xbox-360-sales-rise-to-84-million/1100-6420231/" data-ref-id="1100-6420231"> lowering the price to $399</a>--the same price as the PS4. He said, <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-remembers-dancing-high-fiving-when-microsoft-announced-500-xbox-one/1100-6420701/" data-ref-id="1100-6420701">like another PlayStation boss before him</a>, that Microsoft would make this change eventually, but admitted that he was surprised by just how quickly Microsoft made the move."Some media people totally believed they should have done it earlier, but some other media people thought it was a unique selling point," Yoshida said. "Personally, I was expecting that at some point in the future they'd unbundle Kinect, but I wasn't expecting it this early. My interpretation was the management change had really helped them to reset and re-sync everything. And since then they've been consistent."Yoshida also sung the praises of new Head of Xbox Phil Spencer, lauding him for the way in which he presented Microsoft's platform relative to past Xbox executives. "It was very interesting," Yoshida said about Microsoft's E3 showing. "The attitude was great, like from Phil Spencer. I read and listened to his interviews, and he's a reasonably smart guy, compared to some other people who used to say some unbelievable things."It's possible that Yoshida is referencing some of the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-if-youre-backwards-compatible-youre-really-backwards/1100-6408741/" data-ref-id="1100-6408741">controversial comments </a>made by former Xbox executive Don Mattrick. He<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/don-mattrick-leaving-microsoft-for-zynga/1100-6410944/" data-ref-id="1100-6410944"> left Microsoft a year ago this month</a> and now works at social game studio Zynga.<table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 01 Jul 2014 05:42:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4-vs-xbox-one-battle-means-gamers-win-sony-says/1100-6420846/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/us-government-approves-call-of-duty-esque-exosuit/1100-6420845/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583297-rewalk.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583297" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583297-rewalk.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583297"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2583297-rewalk.jpg"></a></figure>Some of what this fall's <a href="/call-of-duty-advanced-warfare/" data-ref-id="false">Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare</a> predicted would happen in the future is actually becoming a reality. The United States government's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now <a href="http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm402970.htm" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">approved</a> a Call of Duty-style exoskeleton that aims to help paraplegics walk again, and Sledgehammer Games has applauded the move."Research for the exoskeleton design in Call of Duty: ‪Advanced Warfare‬ began at our studio nearly three years ago. The team started seeing the advancements in prosthetics, both for military and civilian application, and imagined how this technology could aid the Tier 1 soldier of the future," Sledgehammer <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sledgehammergames/posts/10152161827401497" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">wrote on its Facebook page</a>. "FDA approval of the exoskeleton is a big step towards further development of the exoskeleton."The FDA's approval of the<a href="http://rewalk.com/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> ReWalk</a> exoskeleton means it is now available for the general consumer. The technology features a series of motorized joins at the knees and hips to help people walk again. The user wears a backpack that contains a power supply, and a wireless remote worn on the wrist allows you to command ReWalk to stand up, sit down, or walk."Innovative devices such as ReWalk go a long way towards helping individuals with spinal cord injuries gain some mobility," FDA director Christy Foreman said in a <a href="http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm402970.htm" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">statement</a>. "Along with physical therapy, training and assistance from a caregiver, these individuals may be able to use these devices to walk again in their homes and in their communities."For more on the ReWalk exoskeleton, check out the video below from GameSpot sister company CBS News, In Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, which launches<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/tons-of-call-of-duty-advanced-warfare-details-emerge/1100-6419415/" data-ref-id="1100-6419415"> November 4 for consoles and PC</a>, players wear an exosuit that gives them super-abilities like serious strength, increased dexterity, and more. You can <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-call-of-duty-advanced-warfare-trailer-shows-off-technology-and-gadgets/1100-6420709/" data-ref-id="1100-6420709">see more about the exosuit and the game's other future tech in this video</a>.<div data-embed-type="html"><embed src="http://www.cbsnews.com/common/video/cbsnews_player.swf" height="279" width="425" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" /></div> <table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 01 Jul 2014 05:05:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/us-government-approves-call-of-duty-esque-exosuit/1100-6420845/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/wwe-2k15-cover-announcement-trailer/2300-6420001/ Take a look at the cover announcement trailer for WWE 2K15, where it is revealed that John Cena will be on the cover for the latest iteration in the franchise. Tue, 01 Jul 2014 05:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/wwe-2k15-cover-announcement-trailer/2300-6420001/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-age-inquisition-s-dorian-character-is-legitimately-gay-bioware-says/1100-6420844/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583288-dorian.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583288" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2583288-dorian.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2583288"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2583288-dorian.jpg"></a></figure>BioWare has revealed the latest party member for upcoming role-playing game <a href="/dragon-age-inquisition/" data-ref-id="false">Dragon Age: Inquisition</a>. A moustached mage named Dorian, he is the first "legitimately gay" character BioWare lead series writer David Gaider has ever written and he's already drumming up some controversy."It added an interesting dimension to his backstory, considering he comes from a place where 'perfection' is the face that every mage puts on and anything that smacks of deviancy is shameful and meant to be hidden," Gaider said in a <a href="http://www.dragonage.com/#!/en_US/news/character-profile-dorian?utm_campaign=da-social-global-ic-tw-social-global-ic-tw-dorianprofile-img-site-ramp&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&sourceid=da-social-global-ic-tw-social-global-ic-tw-dorianprofile-img-site-ramp&cid=23001&ts=1403913456465" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">post on the Dragon Age website</a>. "Dorian's refusal to play along with that façade is seen as stubborn and pointless by his family, which has contributed to his status as a pariah.""I suppose this aspect of Dorian will make him controversial in some corners, but I was glad to include it," he added. "It made writing Dorian a very personal experience for me, and I'm hopeful that will make him seem like a fully realized character to fans in the end."<blockquote data-align="left">"I suppose this aspect of Dorian will make him controversial in some corners, but I was glad to include it" -- David Gaider</blockquote>In this post on the Dragon Age Inquisition website, Gaider initially referred to Dorian as "fully gay," which led <a href="https://twitter.com/davidgaider/status/482638104130375681" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">some level of criticism</a> over this label. He has since <a href="https://twitter.com/davidgaider/status/482638104130375681" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">apologized</a>, explaining that he meant to say "legitimately" gay, in that Dorian<a href="https://twitter.com/davidgaider/status/483614506405208070" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> will only romance men</a>. "I was trying to be clear--many people consider the bi characters we've done to be 'gay,'" Gaider said.Another fan suggested that "fully gay" and "legitimately gay" have the same connotations, but Gaider <a href="https://twitter.com/davidgaider/status/483805260972974082" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">doesn't see it that way</a>. "Many would say, 'No, it's not.' But fair enough--I did not intend to comment on bisexuality, and will leave it at that," Gaider said.Here's how Gaiden sums up who Dorian is and what he's all about:"Dorian is smart--perhaps too smart for his own good, really. He was raised in a society where both intelligence and wit are prized, where advancing yourself socially means outmaneuvering your peers, and he does so quite well… or, at least, he would if he didn't see through it all. That's left him rather jaded and sarcastic, naturally."As for his abilities, Gaider writes that Dorian has "powerful elemental spells" at his disposal, along with spells involving the control of spirit and the dead.Dragon Age Inquisition launches <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-age-inquisition-release-date-announced-new-gameplay-trailer-sets-up-the-story/1100-6419128/" data-ref-id="1100-6419128">October 7</a> for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC. For more, check out <a href="/dragon-age-inquisition/" data-ref-id="false">GameSpot's previous coverage</a>.<table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 01 Jul 2014 04:39:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-age-inquisition-s-dorian-character-is-legitimately-gay-bioware-says/1100-6420844/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-tmnt-game-for-3ds-launching-this-summer-alongside-the-movie/1100-6420834/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581484-tmnt.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2581484" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581484-tmnt.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2581484"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2581484-tmnt.jpg"></a></figure> Activision today announced a new <a href="/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/" data-ref-id="false">Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</a> game for the 3DS, which will launch this summer alongside the new movie from director Jonathan Liebesman and starring Megan Fox. The new game is simply titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, just like the movie.<figure data-align="left" data-size="small" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581491-tmnt3ds.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2581491" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581491-tmnt3ds.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2581491"><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_small/1179/11799911/2581491-tmnt3ds.jpg"></a></figure> In the new TMNT game, you can play as Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello, and you're able to swap between the four fighters at will (though there is no co-op). They each have their own special skills; Raphael has brute strength, while Michelangelo is super quick, for example. The game is described as having "fast-moving hack-and-slash gameplay." Your powers will grow through new abilities that you'll unlock by gaining new levels. You can also craft weapons at the Turtle's Lair using materials you collect during gameplay.TMNT launches this summer only on 3DS. The game was developed by <a href="http://www.magicpockets.com/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Magic Pockets</a>, the developer behind <a href="http://www.activision.com/games/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-kids-page" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">last fall's TMNT game for Xbox 360, Wii, and 3DS</a>. The studio also developed <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/house-dead-overkill-lost-reels/id619501403?mt=8" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">House of the Dead Overkill: The Lost Reels </a>and <a href="/the-sims-medieval/" data-ref-id="false">The Sims Medieval </a>for iOS.Here's how Activision sets up the story for the new TMNT game: "Mad genius Baxter Stockman's mutant and robotic horrors have teamed up with the shadowy armies of the Foot Clan to terrorize New York City, and only Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello can protect its subways, sewers, rooftops and streets from their devastating campaign."As for the new TMNT movie, it hits theaters on August 8.<table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 01 Jul 2014 04:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-tmnt-game-for-3ds-launching-this-summer-alongside-the-movie/1100-6420834/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/redbox-publishers-now-understand-importance-of-rentals/1100-6420830/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581397-redbox1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2581397" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581397-redbox1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2581397"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2581397-redbox1.jpg"></a></figure>You might think that video game rentals hurt publishers like Activision or Electronic Arts because if you can rent a game, why buy it? But the reality is rentals--including those sold by kiosk-based rental company Redbox--actually add incremental revenue for publishers. That's according to Redbox director of video games Ryan Calnan, who shared some new data with GameSpot recently.Redbox launched its video game rental program in the summer of 2011, and recently commissioned a survey by Interpret to track user engagement. According to this study, 50 percent of Redbox customers will only buy a game if they can try it first. "That was a big number to have come across," Calnan said. "We've been talking to our customers for the last couple of years, and that's the aggregate result that we got."Depending on the game, Redbox reports a 20-50 percent conversion rate from rental to sale, Calnan said. This is an "extremely healthy" figure that is "good for the industry," he said.<figure data-align="left" data-size="small" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581399-redboxkiosk.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2581399" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581399-redboxkiosk.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2581399"><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_small/1179/11799911/2581399-redboxkiosk.jpg"></a></figure> "So what we're seeing is publishers supporting the notion of the recreational gamer bringing incremental revenue to the publishers and that this trial is leading to a conversion," Calnan explained. "Very importantly, with that marketing reach that Redbox has, Redbox has become a very powerful information source to these customers. And Redbox is able to keep these customers engaged and keep the industry very healthy because of it."According to Calnan, publishers see the value in Redbox's reach--after all, the company has some 36,000 kiosks across the United States in high-volume places like grocery stores and gas stations. But not only does Redbox have thousands of physical kiosks by which it can reach customers, the company also has an email database of 33 million people, 4.5 million people on its SMS text list, 24 million Redbox app users, and 5.5 million fans on Facebook.It's these relationships that allow Redbox to deliver "hyper-targeted relevant information" to customers, Calnan says. And it's why publishers want to work with Redbox, he argues.He called out a pair of publisher relationships that were particularly impactful in the past year, the first of which was with Deep Silver to promote open-world action game <a href="/saints-row-iv/" data-ref-id="false">Saints Row IV</a>. Calnan says Deep Silver came to Redbox because they knew the rental company could help the game reach a wider audience. The two-month week marketing plan included putting stickers on Redbox kiosks ("the best billboard you can possibly imagine," Calnan says), as well as sending out game details and review scores over email and text. According to Calnan, it worked."Redbox and Deep Silver believe that the program they put together with Redbox was instrumental in the success of Saints Row IV both at Redbox and at retail sales," he said.Redbox also partnered with Square Enix to offer a similar program for <a href="/thief/" data-ref-id="false">Thief </a>with similar results. "Thief has been a stellar success story at Redbox in 2014," Calnan said. He's also hopeful that more publishers will jump on board in the future, pointing out that, "[Redbox has] direct relationships with all the publishers" and could offer similar marketing programs in the future.To go deeper on Redbox's unique role in the gaming industry, we also spoke with Calnan about what kind of impact <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/redbox-not-worried-about-streaming-eating-away-at-rental-business/1100-6420832/" data-ref-id="1100-6420832">streaming services like PlayStation Now might have on Redbox's business</a> and when we can expect to see <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/redbox-not-worried-about-streaming-eating-away-at-rental-business/1100-6420832/" data-ref-id="1100-6420832">Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Wii U games</a> in kiosks around the country.<table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 01 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/redbox-publishers-now-understand-importance-of-rentals/1100-6420830/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/redbox-not-worried-about-streaming-eating-away-at-rental-business/1100-6420832/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581447-redbox1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2581447" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581447-redbox1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2581447"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2581447-redbox1.jpg"></a></figure>Kiosk-based movie and game rental company Redbox is not worried about streaming services like <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-playstation-now-open-beta-launches-on-ps4-july-31/1100-6420289/" data-ref-id="1100-6420289">PlayStation Now</a> or the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-shows-prototype-of-cloud-powered-streaming-game-service-report/1100-6415053/" data-ref-id="1100-6415053">secret tech demo Microsoft is working on</a> impacting its business. That's because, according to Redbox director of video games Ryan Calnan, people still prefer physical discs. And even if streaming does become mainstream, both can live together in peace, he argues."I don't see [streaming] as a challenge," Calnan told us. "I think that both can live side-by-side. We're expanding the edges of gaming, and I think that customer is very much attached to that physical product still."Calnan added, "There's obviously this emotional relationship to the physical disc." Indeed, a recent NPD Group study found that <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/report-majority-of-core-gamers-in-the-us-prefer-discs-over-digital/1100-6419625/" data-ref-id="1100-6419625">74 percent of American gamers</a> would choose a physical copy of a game over a digital unit if pricing was the same.<blockquote data-align="left">"There's obviously this emotional relationship to the physical disc" -- Ryan Calnan</blockquote>When PlayStation Now was originally announced in January during the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamestop-shares-plummet-after-sony-announces-playstation-now/1100-6416991/" data-ref-id="1100-6416991">shares of retailer GameStop tumbled</a>, though they have since rebounded.Also during our interview with Calnan, we quizzed him about when we might see Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Wii U games in Redbox kiosks nationwide. He said Redbox has already launched a pilot program in 10 markets (Denver, Seattle, Chicago, and Atlanta are a few), and the response has been positive."We are testing new-generation product in select markets. We're encouraged by our success so far where we've been testing this product," Calnan said. "We're excited to be rolling this product out over a period of time as our customers transition from the current gen over to the new-generation systems."While the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 have shown positive signs right out of the gate in the test regions, the same can't be said for the Wii U, Calnan said."We've been very happy with the success of Xbox One and PS4; I think we've had a little bit slower [uptake] on the Wii U, much like the retail marketplace," Calnan said. It's no secret that <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/wii-u-sales-slow-to-a-crawl-as-nintendo-posts-457-million-loss/1100-6419475/" data-ref-id="1100-6419475">the Wii U has struggled</a>, but Nintendo <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-wii-u-on-the-brink-of-success-no-plans-to-drop-the-gamepad/1100-6420610/" data-ref-id="1100-6420610">sees better times ahead</a>, thanks in part to the release of marquee titles like<a href="/mario-kart-8/" data-ref-id="false"> Mario Kart 8</a> last month and mascot brawler <a href="/super-smash-bros-for-wii-u/" data-ref-id="false">Super Smash Bros. </a>this fall.<figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581454-redbox2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2581454" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2581454-redbox2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2581454"><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_small/1179/11799911/2581454-redbox2.jpg"></a></figure>So when will Xbox One, PS4, and Wii U games be rolled out to a wider market at Redbox? Right now, it simply makes more business sense to keep the kiosks stuffed with last-generation games because the install base is so much larger than it is for current-generation systems. But Calnan expects that, over time, this will shift."For us, it's about adoption to that [new-generation console]," Calnan said. "We obviously have an incredible base of customers that already own the [last-generation consoles] and we're just waiting as they transition over. But we want to make sure that we can offer the current-gen product to all those customers who have not yet transferred over."Redbox rolled out its video game rental program in 2011, and the company has <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/redbox-publishers-now-understand-importance-of-rentals/1100-6420830/" data-ref-id="1100-6420830">no plans to slow down anytime soon</a>. Why is it that Redbox has found success where others haven't? According to Calnan, Redbox hits two major notes better than anyone else out there: convenience and price."You don't have to make a dedicated trip to find a Redbox. If you're going to pick up milk and bread or you're putting gas in your car, Redbox is there," Calnan said. "And that really gives the opportunity to go ahead and try out the product. A dedicated trip is obviously something where you have to think, 'Oh, I've got to go out and do this.' Redbox is on the way, and very, very convenient because of that. And that $2/day to try out a game, it's a pretty compelling argument for somebody who may not know everything about the latest title that's come out and wants to try it out."<table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Tue, 01 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/redbox-not-worried-about-streaming-eating-away-at-rental-business/1100-6420832/

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