Rumor: Microsoft Launching $99 Xbox 360 model

According to The Verge, Microsoft is planning on launch a new, $99 Xbox 360 4GB model and Kinect bundle. However, this low price comes with one condition: a two year, $15/month subscription plan to go with it.

This plan will last, as mentioned, two years, and will give users access to Xbox Live Gold as well as "some additional streaming content from cable providers or sports package providers", suggesting possible support from Microsoft's current deals with Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, and sports affiliates like the MLB.

The subscription also has a cancellation fee if you wish to cancel it. The cost of this fee or how the cancellation would affect the service is still unknown however.

Microsoft, in response to the rumor, said there has been no announcement and that they do not comment on rumor and speculation.

The final cost of this Xbox, after two years, would be around $459. Currently, the same Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle, as well as two years of Xbox Live, equals out to around $420.


Source:  http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/2/2993600/99-xbox-360-kinect-subsidized-bundle

Original Deus Ex May Come to PSN

In their snooping around, it seems IGN has stumbled onto a PEGI rating for the original Deus Ex, which is slated for release on PS3. IGN speculates the game is likely the ported PS2 version intended for a PSN release, though they also say, "The release date for the new PS3 version is listed as May 1st..."

Unfortunately, the game no longer shows up on the PEGI website with the date listed by IGN. However, a screenshot of the rating can still be seen on the Siliconera website.

IGN rated the PS2 version of the game a 7.9. If this is the version we do see hit PSN, folks can expect "minor changes from the PC original, including new opening and closing cinematics, a simplified interface, and improved graphics."



Source:IGN, Siliconera

Rumor: Bayonetta 2 Cancelled

According to gaming website SPOnG, a sequel to Platinum Game's Bayonetta was at least in the pre-production stage but cancelled by publisher Sega who holds the rights to the intellectual property.

"A source familiar with the situation has told SPOnG that progress on the apparent Platinum Games sequel was halted. The game was to include a new character, in the form of a member of the US military," the site reported.

Sega, who has also published all other games developed by Platinum, would not confirm the rumor when questioned by Eurogamer, though SPOnG claims "It was feared that Platinum Games' projects - which have been critically well-received but have had little success commercially - would be at risk..."

When confronted by fans about a sequel, Platinum frontman Hideki Kamiya tweeted, "She'll be back if you believe so," offering about the only possible proof the game ever existed in the first place.

Source: SPOnG, Eurogamer

New 3DS Color Incoming

It's official: Nintendo hates me. If they didn't, they would have released this awesome color when the freaking system launched. Well, at least late adopters and gamers with money to burn can still enjoy the latest model 3DS slated for release May 20. The new "Midnight Purple" 3DS joins existing colors "Cosmo Black, Aqua Blue, Flame Red and Pearl Pink" the same day Mario Tennis Open (3DS) is scheduled to release. The new colored system will be priced the same as previous iterations: $169.99 (USD).


Source:  Nintendo

Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale Revealed

 After many rumors, leaks, and speculation, Sony has finally announced their multiplayer brawler, Playstation All-Stars Battle Royal.

The footage of the game (viewable at the source) shows off some of the characters, such as Fat Princess, Kratos from God of War, Colonel Radec from Killzone, PaRappa the Rapper, and Sly Cooper, among many others. Stages such as Hades from God of War, Sandover Village from Jak and Daxter, Metropolis from Ratchet and Clank, and Dreamscape from LittleBigPlanet were also shown.

Gameplay wise, it appears the game is not too far off from Nintendo's similar brawler franchise, Super Smash Bros., with key characters from Sony's franchises duking it out on a 2D battlefield. However, there are some differences. Unlike in Super Smash Bros. where you can fling a damaged opponent offscreen with almost any decently powerful. In the Playstation game, you need to fill an AP bar, that goes up to three levels. Each level produces a different attack of different power, with points only scoreable by these AP attacks.

As mentioned before, a video of the gameplay can be seen below, and more info will come with soon. However, it is currently announced for the Playstation 3, no Vita has been mentioned yet.

Source: http://www.gameinformer.com/games/playstation_all-stars_battle_royale/b/ps3/archive/2012/04/27/ps-all-stars-battle-royale-preview.aspx

Rayman Legends Confirmed for Wii U

 After the rumor earlier this week of a Rayman Origins sequel, we now have confirmation by an official trailer (showing off plenty of gameplay). The new game is titled Rayman Legends. And thus far it has been confirmed for the Nintendo Wii U and uses of some of the controller's tablet-like features. The game retains Origin's gameplay along with its hand drawn 2D visuals. Though the levels are now designed around mythical elements such as castles, dragons, and even Greek mythology. The game will support multiplayer with up to four people even online.

The Wii U's tablet serves as an extra display for the gameplay screen, but it also has a couple of other uses. First of all, you can slide your finger to move certain platforms ingame. Rayman Legends also seems to make use of the tablet in a way similar to something Skylanders Spyro's Adventure uses, the ability to place toy models on the tablet's screen and have them affect the game. The screen seems to act as a sort of portal like in Skylanders, the object you place on it "enters" the game. A woman is seen placing a heart object on the tablet and ingame it begins to rain down hearts onto Rayman and friends (perhaps a health powerup). A boy places a figurine of a Rabbid on the screen and suddenly there are Rabbids running around the game which you can even fight. The video ends with a teaser of a boy picking up a figure of a main character from the Assassin's Creed series as if to imply Rayman Legends will further break the fourth wall and involve other Ubisoft game series.

The trailer mentions the Wii U version has features exclusive to that version. This indicates the game will arrive on other platforms. No other systems were mentioned, though the same systems Origins arrived on are probably pretty good guesses (at least 360 and PS3). No release date either. This video was leaked earlier than intended apparently. More info can probably be expected from E3. Stay tuned! If the video is removed, check the source link below for another link.

Source:  http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=471932

PSOne Game Spotted on Vita Playstation Store

A copy of Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, a game for the original Playstation, has been spotted on the Vita's European Playstation Store, leading to speculation that support for Playstation One games will come soon.

In a post from NeoGAF, the game's icon on the LiveArea is shown and details on the game are also discussed.

The game won't boot as of yet, apparently loading the Vita's PSP emulator instead of a nonexistent PSOne emulator, leading many to believe that the game was wrongly labeled. However, it does have a dedicated LiveArea logo for Playstation games, meaning that it is to be officially supported.

Leading to this speculation, in response to a request on the status of PSOne games on the Vita, Sony Computer Entertainment boss Shuhei Yoshida said earlier this week that "Our engineers are working hard on it."

The game, while certainly not one of the noteworthy Playstation titles, is available on the PSN Store for Europe for £3.99 until/if it is taken down.