EA is Working on a Mobile Version of Frostbite
Even though EA won’t be bringing their Frostbite Engine to Wii U – apparently in either its second-generation or third-generation incarnations – the company is hard at work on a mobile version of Frostbite. Named “Frostbite Go,” the tablet and phone-based engine will bring “true Frostbite experiences to all major mobile platforms.”
That makes Nintendo consoles basically the only major gaming platforms in existence for which Frostbite won’t be supported. I guess there’s the Android-based OUYA, too.
OUYA Retail Launch Delayed to June 25
The OUYA Company has announced delayed the retail launch of its new Android-based console from June 4 to June 25. The reasoning for the delay is due to higher demand than expected. In order to reach as many gamers and retailers as possible at launch, they have shifted the date by three weeks to develop and ship more consoles.
OUYA has also announced it has secured $15 million in funding from new investors. These investments will allow OUYA to increase production and continue providing game developer support.
Bethesda, Resident Evil Creator Team Up to Make “The Evil Within”
Yesterday we learned that the mysterious ‘vine’ clips that have been circulating are a preview of “Project Kwei,” a new game from Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami. The project was unveiled today as a new survival horror game called The Evil Within, which Mikami promises will provide fans with “the perfect blend of horror and action.”
A live action trailer was revealed for The Evil Within, and you can catch it by clicking below. Be advised that this trailer is not for the faint of heart. If The Evil Within is anything like this first glimpse, we’re in for a truly horror-fueled experience.
New Game Listed on Kickstarter From Metroid Prime Level Designer
More and more games are popping up on Kickstarter everyday, many trying to replicate the monster success that Shovel Knight and other funding projects have achieved. One of the games aiming to accomplish this feat was announced today by Sunbreak Games, who can boast of their claim to the former level designer from Metroid Prime.
Read on to find out what the game is about and how close the studio is to reaching their goal…
OUYA Launches in the English-Speaking World on June 4 For $99
OUYA’s final retail release date and price have been set: it’ll be heading to stores across the U.S., U.K., and Canada beginning on June 4 with a MSRP of $99. Of course, that’s just the English-speaking world – we still don’t know when it’ll hit other territories.
The little console’s had a surprisingly speedy path to completion since it was first funded via Kickstarter last year. If you’re interested in tracking its history, you can check out everything we’ve ever written about OUYA by clicking here.
GameStop Funding Android Gaming Console GameStick
GameStick, a new affordable Android gaming console, has recently acquired the attention of GameStop. The retailer has signed on as an investor of the project, allowing each GameStick to come with pre-loaded games: Shadowgun and Smash Cops.
Playjam, the parent company of GameStick, has recently opened pre-orders for the console at $79.99 for both the console and controller, and accessories such as a wireless charger and protective case. You can learn more details about the pre-orders here. You can find the press release announcing more partnerships after the jump.
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Nintendo Plans for Miiverse to be Available on Smartphones and 3DS This April
Nintendo’s preparing to take Miiverse multi-platform alongside its other improvements to the overall user experience this spring. Smartphone and PC versions of the gaming-driven social platform have been talked about for almost a year, but according to GDC speaker and Miiverse producer Kiyoshi Mizuki, they’re targeting an April or May release for the expanded service.
The expansion will also include Nintendo 3DS, though not all of the features available on Wii U will be supported. In addition, many older titles released before the network ever existed won’t be able to take advantage of Miiverse functions.
New Kickstarter Project From the Creators of Ecco the Dolphin
The creators of Ecco the Dolphin have just launched a new Kickstarter project for their new underwater adventure game called The Big Blue. They have a goal of $665,000 by April 29.
The Big Blue is set millions of years into the future, humans are extinct and there is only the ocean and its creatures left. In the game you can explore the ocean, go on quests, solve action puzzles and collect and spawn life forms. You can control all of the creatures and you can control many at once. You will also be able to breed and multiply some creatures to serve different types of purposes.
Click below to find out more about Big Blue and to watch the Kickstarter video pitch.
OUYA Will Support NES, SNES, and N64 Emulators at Launch
Really, everybody should have seen this coming. OUYA’s ship date is just a few days away, and it’s already confirmed that multiple Nintendo emulators will be available at the system’s launch, including EMUya (NES), SuperGNES (SNES), and Mupen64Plus (N64). That’s bad news for Nintendo and other publishers who are hoping to make use of those games as a source of revenue via their own official emulation channels. Because where there are unofficial emulators, there will be pirates.
UPDATE: Kotaku reports that OUYA representatives have told them that the official policy on emulation is:
“OUYA will accept emulators as long as they adhere to our content guidelines and are not submitted with any games. Meaning, if they have games they would be breaking our IP infringement guidelines. They would have to have a legitimate license to the IP to submit content. Also the content would have to come in an .apk. We only accept .apks – ROM’s won’t be available / accepted in the OUYA store.”
Sony Explains Why Remote Play is on Vita, Not Smartphones
The PlayStation 4 is focusing on new play options, and one of the most interesting new features is Remote Play. Through Remote Play, Sony plans to make every PlayStation 4 game playable on Vita, mirroring the Nintendo Wii U’s ability to stream games to its GamePad.
We also know that Sony is placing a big emphasis on social interactions and smartphone integrated gaming. Much like Microsoft’s SmartGlass, a PlayStation 4 app will connect Sony’s upcoming consoles with smartphones and tablets. So given the widespread popularity of phones and tablets versus the relatively small install base of the Vita, why is Remote Play not compatible with smart devices?
iOS Version of Duke Nukem II is Coming Soon
Fans of the Duke Nukem franchise can relish in the news today that there will a release of the 1993 Duke Nukem II on the iOS platform. 3D Realms and Interceptor Entertainment announced the port today for Apple products, but made no mention of an Android or Windows port.
This version of Duke Nukem II will include 32 levels, new artwork and music, saving and loading functionality, and complete full screen support. In addition replays and the ability of users to track progress online in leader boards as well as scores.
Duke Nukem II will release in April and will cost players $2.
Source: Gamespot
OUYA Won’t Have Support for All Online Features at Launch
OUYA’s retail release is about three months away, and the company has confirmed that while online play will be available at launch, some other features like friends list, achievements, and voice chat won’t. OUYA founder Julie Uhrman says that they’re working on it, but it won’t be available until “sometime this year.”
That means even the console’s initial Kickstarter backers are going to have to pony up the extra $50 for new controllers if they want to enjoy multiplayer.
