http://auth.gamespot.com/ Gamespot's Everything Feed! News, Reviews, Videos. Exploding with content? You bet. en-us Fri, 11 Jul 2014 07:37:07 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/quick-look-mousecraft/2300-6420143/ Watch extended gameplay footage from MouseCraft featuring the Giant Bomb crew. Fri, 11 Jul 2014 06:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/quick-look-mousecraft/2300-6420143/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/dragon-age-inquisition-hands-on-preview/2300-6420161/ After getting hands-on with Dragon Age: Inquisition and speaking with Cameron Lee of BioWare, Kevin VanOrd and Tom McShea share their early impressions of this expansive, beautiful addition to the series. Fri, 11 Jul 2014 06:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/dragon-age-inquisition-hands-on-preview/2300-6420161/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-super-smash-bros-character-reveal-coming-next-/1100-6421048/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1197/11970954/2567929-smash_jun13.jpeg" data-ref-id="1300-2567929" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1197/11970954/2567929-smash_jun13.jpeg" data-ref-id="1300-2567929"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1197/11970954/2567929-smash_jun13.jpeg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">The roster for this year's <a href="/super-smash-bros-for-wii-u/" data-ref-id="false">Super Smash Bros.</a> game for 3DS and Wii U is not complete just yet. Nintendo <a href="http://www.smashbros.com/us/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">announced today on the game's website</a> that it will reveal a new character for the game on Monday, July 14.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai <a href="https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAACAADRUqGG_w5Nyg" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">explained on Miiverse</a> that instead of revealing the new character through something like Nintendo Direct (which are often pre-recorded), Nintendo will <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzwF2kmNF8E" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">live-stream the unveiling</a>. It will take place Monday, July 14, at 7 a.m. PDT.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"Looks like we're nearing the bottom of the stash of new challenger videos that we've made," Sakurai wrote. "Like always, we put a lot of effort into it, so I hope you'll enjoy watching it live."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">It is unclear if by "new" Nintendo means a character who appeared in a past Smash Bros. game but is only going to be confirmed for the new title, or if "new" means a character who is making an appearance for the first time in the series. We'll find out on Monday.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The current roster for the new Super Smash Bros. game for Wii U and 3DS is listed below, with characters new to the series in bold.</p><ol><li dir="ltr"><strong>Pac-Man</strong></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Palutena</strong></li><li dir="ltr">Ike</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Mii Fighters</strong></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Greninja</strong></li><li dir="ltr">Charizard</li><li dir="ltr">Yoshi</li><li dir="ltr">Sheik</li><li dir="ltr">Zero Suit Samus</li><li dir="ltr">Diddy Kong</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Little Mac</strong></li><li dir="ltr">Lucario</li><li dir="ltr">King Dedede</li><li dir="ltr">Zelda</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Rosaline & Luma</strong></li><li dir="ltr">Marth</li><li dir="ltr">Sonic</li><li dir="ltr">Toon Link</li><li dir="ltr">Peach</li><li dir="ltr">Luigi</li><li dir="ltr">Pikmin & Olimar</li><li dir="ltr">Mario</li><li dir="ltr">Donkey Kong</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Villager</strong></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Mega Man</strong></li><li dir="ltr">Link</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Wii Fit Trainer</strong></li><li dir="ltr">Samus</li><li dir="ltr">Kirby</li><li dir="ltr">Fox</li><li dir="ltr">Pikachu</li><li dir="ltr">Bowser</li><li>Pit</li></ol><p style="">Super Smash Bros. for 3DS launches <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-super-smash-bros-3ds-pushed-back-wii-u-coming-this-holiday/1100-6420319/" data-ref-id="1100-6420319">October 3</a>, while the Wii U version is scheduled to arrive sometime this holiday.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>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></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 11 Jul 2014 05:37:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-super-smash-bros-character-reveal-coming-next-/1100-6421048/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-vs-ps4-resolution-microsoft-challenges-yo/1100-6421047/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2590753-xboxplaystation.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590753" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2590753-xboxplaystation.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590753"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2590753-xboxplaystation.jpg"></a></figure><p style="">Microsoft has yet again weighed in on the 1080p/60fps debate that is circling around the Xbox One. UK marketing executive Harvey Eagle says in a new interview that gamers would be challenged to see the differences in resolution and frame rate for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 games on a 60-inch or smaller TV.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"If you put third-party games side-by-side that are running at slightly different resolutions or frame rates, then unless you are using a screen that's more than 60 inches big, I defy you to really see the difference," Eagle told <a href="http://www.computerandvideogames.com/471047/resolutiongate-a-perception-challenge-that-must-be-fixed-says-xbox-exec/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">CVG</a>. "I personally struggle to see the difference."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Though Eagle maintains that he doesn't really see the difference, he did acknowledge that the widely held belief that Sony's PlayStation 4 is a more powerful console than the Xbox One is a challenge that Microsoft needs to overcome.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"I think it's a perception challenge, absolutely," Eagle said. "It's important, certainly. It's something the media has certainly picked up on. If that leads to the perception that one machine is more powerful than another, then it's important, and we're trying to allow developers to bring games to Xbox One at the highest resolution and frame rate as possible."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">There has been <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/diablo-3-for-xbox-one-could-hit-1080p-someday-than/1100-6420971/" data-ref-id="1100-6420971">no shortage of examples </a>of high-profile multiplatform games running in higher resolution on PS4 than Xbox One, but it may not always be this way. One way that Microsoft is tackling this issue is through the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-xbox-one-update-boosts-console-gpu-power/1100-6420097/" data-ref-id="1100-6420097">recent Xbox One June SDK</a>, which boosts console GPU power, Eagle said. "There is some GPU power that can be allocated to Kinect that we're now freeing up for developers if they want to increase the fidelity of their games," he explained. "I want to point out though that this is absolutely up to the developer on how they deploy the power."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">If over time more Xbox One games run in 1080p/60fps and PS4 titles continue to hit that mark, what then will separate the competing platforms? According to Eagle, one way the Xbox One will stand out is through exclusive content. Some examples he gave were games like like <a href="/sunset-overdrive/" data-ref-id="false">Sunset Overdrive</a>, <a href="/ori-and-the-blind-forest/" data-ref-id="false">Ori and the Blind Forest</a>, and <a href="/the-master-chief-collection/" data-ref-id="false">Halo: The Master Chief Collection</a>. Eagle added that Microsoft needs to ensure that it's relationship with third-parties remains healthy.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"The next thing you have to do is make sure all the third-parties are partnering on your platform, and try if you can to either make those exclusive to Xbox or coming first to Xbox," he said.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Other differentiating factors for the Xbox One, Eagle said, include Microsoft's ID@Xbox program for indie games, voice and motion control through Kinect, and Xbox Live. "We believe it's the best place to play games with your friends, and I would argue it still is today," he said.</p><p style="">Microsoft <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">started selling a Kinect-free Xbox One bundle in June</a>, and the company plans to offer the camera technology by itself later this year. Eagle said, "standalone Kinect will be out before Christmas, but we aren't yet ready to announce price or release date details."</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>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></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 11 Jul 2014 05:08:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-vs-ps4-resolution-microsoft-challenges-yo/1100-6421047/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/final-fantasy-explorers-launching-for-3ds-this-win/1100-6421046/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2590745-explorers.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590745" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2590745-explorers.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590745"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2590745-explorers.jpg"></a></figure><p style="">Today during a <a href="http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nintendo_direct/20140711/index.html" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">special third-party Nintendo Direct video presentation</a>, the company showed off upcoming role-playing game <a href="/final-fantasy-explorers/" data-ref-id="false">Final Fantasy Explorers</a> and announced that the 3DS game will launch this winter in Japan.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">This morning's Nintendo Direct was broadcast in Japanese, and there was no mention of a release window for Final Fantasy Explorers in the West. In fact, the game has not even been confirmed for a release outside of Japan, though it <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-enix-trademarks-final-fantasy-explorers-for-u-s-and-europe/1100-6420687/" data-ref-id="1100-6420687">sounds like that will indeed be the case</a>.</p><p style="">Final Fantasy Explorers was originally announced last month. The multiplayer action RPG will let you play as one of several different characters, including the Black Mage, White Mage, Knight, and Monk. Players can choose from a number of different weapons, and Summons--including Ifrit--will also be available in Final Fantasy Explorers.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>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></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 11 Jul 2014 04:45:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/final-fantasy-explorers-launching-for-3ds-this-win/1100-6421046/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-pirates-free-this-week-on-iphone-a/1100-6421043/ <div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6416330" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6416330/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style="">This week, you can play the life of a pirate without paying anything because Ubisoft has made <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/assassin-s-creed-pirates/" data-ref-id="false">Assassin's Creed Pirates</a> free on iOS. The game's all about naval warfare, requiring you to upgrade your ship, recruit new crew members, and fight enemy ships.</p><p style="">Alongside it going free, Ubisoft also released the fourth content update for the game. Ubisoft has periodically released these free updates since the game's launch. This one adds in a new area, La Isla de la Juventud, in which you must take down a fortress and liberate the slaves trapped within.</p><p style="">Although it is only completely free on iOS devices, the game can also be played on Android for $5, and a free demo can be played through a web browser.<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mobile-game-assassin-s-creed-pirates-out-today/1100-6416559/" data-ref-id="1100-6416559"> It launched last fall</a> and the developer claims it has "breathtaking" visuals due to an all-new mobile engine. You can decide for yourself if the graphics are good by watching the trailer above. </p><p style="">As for the main series on consoles, Ubisoft is currently developing <a href="/assassins-creed-unity/" data-ref-id="false">Assassin's Creed Unity</a> for the <a href="/ps4/" data-ref-id="false">PlayStation 4</a>, <a href="/xbox-one/" data-ref-id="false">Xbox One</a>, and <a href="/pc/" data-ref-id="false">PC</a>. You can check out <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-will-assassin-s-creed-unity-retain-the-spirit-of-altair/1100-6420288/" data-ref-id="1100-6420288">our preview of the game here</a>. <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-xbox-360-ps3-players-havent-been-f/1100-6421031/" data-ref-id="1100-6421031">Ubisoft also stated today</a> that we'll soon be hearing more about the company's plans for the <a href="/xbox-360/" data-ref-id="false">Xbox 360</a> and <a href="/ps3/" data-ref-id="false">PlayStation 3</a>. <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/report-2014-s-other-assassin-s-creed-game-will-let-you-play-as-a-templar/1100-6418593/" data-ref-id="1100-6418593">Rumors abound </a>that Ubisoft is working on a follow-up to last year's <a href="/assassins-creed-iv-black-flag/" data-ref-id="false">Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag</a> for the last-gen systems.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Alex Newhouse is an editorial intern at GameSpot, and you can follow him on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/alexbnewhouse" rel="nofollow">Twitter @alexbnewhouse</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><em><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com</strong></em></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 10 Jul 2014 17:24:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-pirates-free-this-week-on-iphone-a/1100-6421043/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/quick-look-divinity-original-sin/2300-6420163/ Watch extended gameplay footage from Divinity: Original Sin featuring the Giant Bomb crew. Thu, 10 Jul 2014 17:02:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/quick-look-divinity-original-sin/2300-6420163/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/alien-isolation-preorder-bonus-missions-reunites-c/1100-6420995/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2589199-alien.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2589199" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2589199-alien.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2589199"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2589199-alien.jpg"></a></figure><p style="">UPDATE: Responding to questions about the availability of this character skin pack for those who don't preorder the game, Sega confirmed via the official <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlienIsolation/photos/a.1435414806690496.1073741828.1408213046077339/1520461401519169/?type=1&theater" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Alien Isolation Facebook page</a> that both Crew Expendable and Last Survivor will be available to everyone post-release and not limited exclusively to preorders.</p><p style="">The full statement follows below:</p><blockquote><p style="">It's genuinely been great to see the reaction to The Crew Expendable and Last Survivor pre-order bonus content we announced yesterday and how excited you all are to re-experience those classic scenes from the original movie with our Alien. It's been absolutely amazing for us at the Studio.</p><p style="">However, some of you have been asking if the two pieces of content are only available through pre-order or if we'll be releasing them at a later date as well.</p><p style="">So, I can confirm today that we do plan to release both Crew Expendable and Last Survivor at a later date and we'll have more details for you guys on that shortly.</p></blockquote><p style=""><em>The original story appears below:</em></p><p style="">Sega today announced that the preorder bonuses for upcoming sci-fi game <a href="/alien-isolation/" data-ref-id="false">Alien: Isolation</a>, the first of which are a pair of mission packs that reunite the cast of Ridley's Scott's beloved 1979 movie, <em>Alien</em>. The content features the voices and likenesses of the movie's actors, including Sigourney Weaver (Ellen RIpley), Tom Skerritt (Dallas), Veronica Cartwright (Lambert), Harry Dean Stanton (Brett), Yaphet Kotto (Parker), and Ian Holm (Ash).</p><p dir="ltr" style="">All preorders for Alien: Isolation will be upgraded to the Nostromo Edition, which includes these two mission packs, called "Crew Expendable." In the content, you can play as one of surviving crewmembers (Ellen, Dallas, or Parker) as you explore the Nostromo ship. is possible that this DLC will be sold separately down the road, but right now, Sega is saying the only way to get it is to preorder the game.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"Working with the original cast has been an incredible experience," Alien: Isolation creative director Alistair Hope said in a statement. "It was important to us to have the key original cast members reprise their roles in order to perfectly capture the atmosphere of the movie. For some of the original cast, this is their first appearance in an Alien video game. Seeing them reprise those roles after 35 years was an unforgettable experience."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Further, people in North America who preorder Alien Isolation at GameStop and in Europe at "select retailers" will receive an expansion called "Last Survivor." This content takes place as Ripley attempts to escape on the Narcissus spaceship. "On hearing the screams of Lambert and Parker, players must navigate their way back down through the Nostromo in order to activate the self-destruct sequence, before retracing their steps back to the Narcissus shuttle and their escape," Sega says.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Alien: Isolation, in development at <a href="/total-war-rome-ii/" data-ref-id="false">Total War </a>developer The Creative Assembly, launches on <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/alien-isolation-launches-oct-7/1100-6418639/" data-ref-id="1100-6418639">October 7</a> (a <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/october-just-got-even-busier-thanks-to-project-spa/1100-6420977/" data-ref-id="1100-6420977">busy, busy day for new releases</a>) for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC. A virtual reality demo for the game was on display at E3, but this was<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/upcoming-horror-game-alien-isolations-vr-demo-was-/1100-6420947/" data-ref-id="1100-6420947"> just a prototype</a>, Sega said.</p><p style=""> </p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>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></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 10 Jul 2014 16:19:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/alien-isolation-preorder-bonus-missions-reunites-c/1100-6420995/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/payday-2-developer-posted-a-countdown-and-some-str/1100-6421042/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1539/15391776/2590484-screen+shot+2014-07-10+at+3.28.47+pm.png" data-ref-id="1300-2590484" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1539/15391776/2590484-screen+shot+2014-07-10+at+3.28.47+pm.png" data-ref-id="1300-2590484"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1539/15391776/2590484-screen+shot+2014-07-10+at+3.28.47+pm.png"></a></figure><p style="">Overkill Software, developer of first-person heist game <a href="/payday-2/" data-ref-id="false">Payday 2</a>, posted a countdown <a href="http://overkillsoftware.com/whatsnext/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">on its website</a> with some interesting sounds to accompany it. The timer says "Day 01" and is set to expire 34 days from now. Notably, that date is the anniversary of the release of Payday 2.</p><p style="">There's an animated image behind the countdown timer, which shows a wall and some sunlight shining through blinds. A radiator stands in the bottom corner. There's a light switch and a door to the right. A vent is visible on the top left of the screen. Occasionally, something passes through the light source and the sunlight flickers.</p><p style="">When you load into the page, the sound of a ticking clock starts playing, then a record or radio program begins. Two people then talk about a personal trainer, a gym, and oxymorons. At the end, you can hear footsteps and a door opening and closing. There doesn't seem to be any meaning behind it.</p><p style="">Other than that, all that appears on the page are buttons that lead to the developer's Facebook and Twitter accounts.</p><p style="">It's not known if the countdown timer has anything to do with Payday 2. Overkill recently announced <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/payday-2-brings-more-cops-versus-robbers-shooting-to-xbox-one-and-ps4/1100-6420441/" data-ref-id="1100-6420441">Xbox One and PlayStation 4 enhanced versions</a> of the game last month, but the developer hasn't said anything about how far along in the development cycle it is. Payday 2 DLC also launched in June, so Overkill could be teasing new content coming in August. Of course, the developer could be working on something completely different. Keep an eye on GameSpot for more news as it emerges.</p><p style="">Can you make anything of the timer or the audio? What do you want Overkill to do next? Let us know in the comments!</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Alex Newhouse is an editorial intern at GameSpot, and you can follow him on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/alexbnewhouse" rel="nofollow">Twitter @alexbnewhouse</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><em><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com<br /></strong></em></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 10 Jul 2014 16:06:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/payday-2-developer-posted-a-countdown-and-some-str/1100-6421042/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-sony-sells-100m-consoles-kim-kardashian-ga/2300-6420160/ Microsoft promises they'll stick with Xbox, a Kim Kardashian mobile game may be set to make the dev a fortune, and how successful has Watch Dogs been? Thu, 10 Jul 2014 16:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-sony-sells-100m-consoles-kim-kardashian-ga/2300-6420160/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/2014-razer-blade-with-gtx-870m-review/1100-6421010/ <p style="">Razer's new Blade is a beautiful and powerful gaming laptop. Its aluminum, unibody design is alluring and a definite step above the competition. At less than five pounds in weight, and only 0.7 inches thick, it's as portable as you could hope for a gaming laptop to be. It's decked out with a new, high-res, QHD+ multi-touch screen, and an Nvidia GTX 870M GPU, but these improvements aren't without consequence: the introductory price of the new Blade is $400 more than the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/razer-blade-review/1100-6411024/" data-ref-id="1100-6411024">2013 model</a> was at launch.</p><p style="">For a product that's already pricier than the competition, the price increase raises some alarms. As you'd expect, the GTX 870M is a notably stronger GPU than last year's GTX 765M, and the new display is extremely sharp, doubling as a touch panel, but does an expected GPU upgrade and an over-the-top display justify the lofty asking price? Let's take a look.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590563-vlcsnap-00001a.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590563" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590563-vlcsnap-00001a.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590563"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1406/14063904/2590563-vlcsnap-00001a.jpg"></a></figure><h2 dir="ltr">Design</h2><p dir="ltr" style="">If you put the new Blade next to last year's model, you might have a hard time telling the two apart. Superficially, the only difference is that the new Blade is slightly thicker at 0.7 inches compared to 0.66 inches, which is so minor that you'd never notice unless someone told you. At 4.7 pounds, it's also light, and in the world of gaming laptops, remarkably portable. Razer's bright green accents and the logo on the lid stand out, but the Blade's understated and sleek in every other way. In other words, it won't make you feel like a kid with an overpriced, oversized toy when using it in public. For what it's worth, there is a downside to the aluminum chassis: it transfers heat so well that it's impossible to keep the Blade on your lap while gaming or watching (decoding) HD videos. Is it a tradeoff? Sure, but it's not a deal breaker.</p><figure data-align="right" data-size="medium" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590397-vlcsnap-00003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590397" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590397-vlcsnap-00003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590397"><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_medium/1406/14063904/2590397-vlcsnap-00003.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style="">There's nothing worse than a laptop with a poorly designed keyboard and a finicky touchpad, but you'd never say either of those things about the Blade. The keyboard's chiclet-style keys feel great, and they're perfectly spaced. It's easy to draw comparisons to the keys on a MacBook Pro, which is a good thing. The touchpad is also worthy of praise, with a smooth and responsive surface that works well with Windows 8's multi-touch gestures, presenting no issues whatsoever during our tests. The buttons below the trackpad aren't as pleasing, being narrow and mushy, but they still get the job done.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Looking at the inputs on the side of the Blade, nothing's changed since last year. On the left side, there's a power-supply connection, two USB 3.0 ports, a 3.5mm microphone/headphone combo port, and on the other, an HDMI port and one more USB 3.0 connection. It's a shame that there isn't an ethernet port, but there is a built in 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-fi radio, at least, and support for Bluetooth 4.0.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Specs</h2><p dir="ltr" style="">Apart from the GPU, this year's Blade is nearly identical on the inside to last year's model. It has the same processor, a quad-core Intel Core i7-4702HQ at 2.2 GHz (3.2 GHz turbo), and the same RAM configuration, with 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3 memory. Given the added cost of the new Blade, and the fact that the display goes above and beyond the call of duty, it would have been great to see more RAM and a faster CPU next to the GPU. As it stands, the current arrangement is strong enough given modern specification requirements for games, but a laptop this expensive is a long term investment for a lot of people, and it's worth considering the limitations you might face in the years to come.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590404-vlcsnap-00004.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590404" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590404-vlcsnap-00004.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590404"><img src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1406/14063904/2590404-vlcsnap-00004.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">For the new GPU, Razer's gone for the fresh Nvidia 870M with 3GB of GDDR5 VRAM on board. It's a decent step up from last year's 765M, which sported 2GB of GDDR5 memory, and slower clock speeds all around.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Spec</th><th scope="col">GTX 870M</th><th scope="col">GTX 765M</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Clock Speed</td><td>941 MHz</td><td>797 MHz</td></tr><tr><td>GDDR5 VRAM</td><td>3,072 MB</td><td>2,048 MB</td></tr><tr><td>Memory Bus</td><td>192 bit</td><td>128 bit</td></tr><tr><td>Memory Clock Speed</td><td>5,000 MHz</td><td>4,008 MHz</td></tr><tr><td>Pixel Rate</td><td>26.3 GPixel/sec.</td><td>12.8 GPixel/sec.</td></tr><tr><td>Texture Rate</td><td>80.5 GTexel/s</td><td>51 GTexel/s</td></tr><tr><td>CUDA Cores</td><td>1,344</td><td>768</td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="">The 870M outperforms the 765M in every case, but this added performance comes at a cost. The 870M draws 100w of power, where last year's 765M only needed 75W, and given that Razer's using the same battery as last year, the new Blade won't last as long on the go. When you push the GPU to its limits, the Blade will typically last just over an hour in our experience, although this can be extended a bit with conservative graphic settings. Otherwise, expect three to four hours of battery life during non-gaming sessions.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Display</h2><p dir="ltr" style="">The display on last year's Blade had a maximum resolution of 1600x900. Given the physical dimensions, it was adequate, but not impressive. This time around, the opposite is true. Razer went all out, and opted for a 3200x1800 QHD+ display with ten-point multi-touch capabilities. It's a magnificent screen that produces vibrant colors in any light, and it's contents remain visible from every angle shy of 90 degrees.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590411-vlcsnap-00005.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590411" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590411-vlcsnap-00005.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590411"><img src="http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1406/14063904/2590411-vlcsnap-00005.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style="">The Blade's screen is impressive on many levels, but it's also a tad superfluous. Yes, the pixel density and resolution are admirable, and the multi-touch capabilities potentially useful, but are these specs necessary for a gaming laptop? Considering that the new Blade costs 20% more than the last year's did at launch, and the display is undoubtedly a major contributor, the answer must be "no." A 1080p or 1440p display would have been perfectly acceptable, and it's not clear why a gaming laptop needs a touch panel. It's a display that's easy to appreciate, but it's over-the-top features come at a cost.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">There's also the fact that you won't likely play any of your game's at the Blade's native resolution, given that it would be far too taxing on any gaming PC if you're aiming for decent graphics settings and frame rates, let alone on the Blade. As such, that means you'll have to deal with some minor inconveniences. For one, some applications, including EA's Origin, don't scale correctly, but more importantly, when you try to play a game at 1080p, you're treated to a small in-game display in the middle of a black screen. The solution is simple; set the desktop resolution to match the game you're going to play. You could always leave your desktop resolution at 1920x1080 to avoid this hassle, but then everything in Windows is slightly larger than it should be.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Performance</h2><p dir="ltr" style="">For a thin gaming laptop, the Blade handles demanding games, including <a href="/watch-dogs/" data-ref-id="false">Watch Dogs</a>, admirably. You're best off aiming for high or very high graphics presets, but that's if you're chasing 60 frames per second. If you're OK with 30 frames per second, you can eek a few more graphical flourishes out of the Blade's hardware. You can find other laptops that offer better performance for less money, but you ultimately sacrifice portability and build quality, the importance of which shouldn't be underestimated. That aside, you won't be disappointed by the Blade's general performance. You won't be able to play every game with ultra settings, but you can get close in most cases.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590412-vlcsnap-00006.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590412" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590412-vlcsnap-00006.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590412"><img src="http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1406/14063904/2590412-vlcsnap-00006.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Game</th><th scope="col">Settings (all @1080p)</th><th scope="col">Average FPS</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bioshock Infinite</td><td>DirectX 11 Ultra preset</td><td>65</td></tr><tr><td>Metro: Last Light</td><td>DirectX 11, Very High preset, 16x AF, Motion Blur</td><td>46</td></tr><tr><td>Tomb Raider</td><td>High preset (TressFX off)</td><td>74</td></tr><tr><td>Watch Dogs</td><td>High preset, MHBAO</td><td>36</td></tr><tr><td>Battlefield 4</td><td>High</td><td>64</td></tr></tbody></table><h2 dir="ltr">Verdict</h2><p dir="ltr" style="">The Blade that Razer supplied for our review is the 256GB model, which costs $2,399 before taxes. The base model, with a 128GB solid state drive, gets off the ground at $2,199, and the high-end model, with 512GB, costs $2,699. The Blade is definitely a premium, high-end laptop. It's easy to balk at its price tag, but when the Blade's in your hands, it's hard not to fall in love with it. It's sleek, portable, and powerful enough to keep any PC gamer on-the-go in a good mood.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">If you can't afford the power of this year's Blade, you can still fetch the previous model, at a discount, for $1,700 on Razer's site. But, if you've got money to spend, there's no gaming laptop that I would recommend more than the new Blade. It's not going to win price/performance comparisons, but it has the competition beat when it comes to design, and even though the screen is a luxury feature that hardly anyone asked for, it's technically one of the best screens that you can find on a laptop.</p> Thu, 10 Jul 2014 14:14:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/2014-razer-blade-with-gtx-870m-review/1100-6421010/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-president-says-studio-will-do-better-to-c/1100-6421039/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2590390-draenor.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590390" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2590390-draenor.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590390"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2590390-draenor.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style="">In response to a fan's letter pointing out a lack of diversity in the company's games, including promotional material for <a href="/world-of-warcraft-warlords-of-draenor/" data-ref-id="false">World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor</a>, Blizzard Entertainment president Mike Morhaime has responded (via <a href="http://wow.joystiq.com/2014/07/09/mike-morhaime-apologizes-for-lack-of-diversity-in-blizzard-games/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">WoW Insider</a>) by pledging that the company will do better in the future to create "more diverse heroes."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"We know that actions speak louder than words, so we are challenging ourselves to draw from more diverse voices within and outside of the company and create more diverse heroes and content," Morhaime<a href="http://starcunning.tumblr.com/post/91222937564/re-an-open-letter-to-mike-morhaime" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> said </a>in response to a <a href="http://starcunning.tumblr.com/post/90774227279/an-open-letter-to-mike-morhaime" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">well-stated piece of criticism </a>from a fan going by the name of starcunning. "We are also actively looking at our story development and other processes to ensure that our values are fully represented. We've always believed that positive, lasting change comes from examination, discussion, and iteration, and this applies as much to story as to gameplay. There is no reason why inclusivity should come at the expense of an amazing game experience."</p><blockquote data-align="left"><p dir="ltr" style="">"This will be an ongoing process for us--it's likely that we will make mistakes again in the future, but we will continue to listen, learn, and grow" -- Mike Morhaime</p></blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="">Morhaime adds, "There have been times when we've been seen or painted as being uninterested in hearing feedback or making changes. I want to be clear that this goes against the philosophies and core values on which Blizzard has been built and continues to operate. We will always listen, and we will always work hard to make games that appeal to as many people as possible."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">He went on to make it clear that Blizzard is always open to feedback and is willing to engage in discussions to help the company improve. He also acknowledged that there might be rocky times ahead. "This will be an ongoing process for us--it's likely that we will make mistakes again in the future," he said. "But we will continue to listen, learn, and grow. We care very much about what you think and what you're getting out of our games, and we're committed to reflecting our core values in our words as well as our actions."</p><p style="">Blizzard most recently found itself in hot water over diversity issues when <a href="/heroes-of-the-storm/" data-ref-id="false">Heroes of the Storm </a>developer Dustin Browder, in response to a question about the way in which some video games "sex up" female characters, <a href="http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/11/22/blizzard-on-heroes-of-the-storm-female-designs-in-mobas/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">said</a>, "We're not running for president." Browder <a href="http://us.battle.net/heroes/en/blog/11751531/on-character-design" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">since apologized</a>, saying that, "This is a serious topic and I don't want anyone to think that I, or anyone else at Blizzard, is insensitive about how we portray our characters."</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>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></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 10 Jul 2014 13:30:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-president-says-studio-will-do-better-to-c/1100-6421039/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/alien-isolation-pre-order-trailer/2300-6420157/ Take a look at this trailer for Alien: Isolation to see what bonus content you'll receive when you pre-order the game. Thu, 10 Jul 2014 12:05:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/alien-isolation-pre-order-trailer/2300-6420157/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/aim-down-sights-kevin-spacey-goes-full-soze-in-lat/2300-6420146/ Bricey is back to school Dan in the ways of The Ripper, and we get a look at some of the incredible new performance capture in Advanced Warfare. Plus: Community! Feedback! Prizes! Produced in partnership with Activision. Thu, 10 Jul 2014 11:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/aim-down-sights-kevin-spacey-goes-full-soze-in-lat/2300-6420146/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/the-red-solstice-multiplayer-gameplay/2300-6420139/ Watch a squad take on all sorts of mutants with shotguns, flame throwers and long range weapons. Thu, 10 Jul 2014 09:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/the-red-solstice-multiplayer-gameplay/2300-6420139/
http://auth.gamespot.com/ Gamespot's Everything Feed! News, Reviews, Videos. Exploding with content? You bet. en-us Fri, 11 Jul 2014 07:37:07 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/quick-look-mousecraft/2300-6420143/ Watch extended gameplay footage from MouseCraft featuring the Giant Bomb crew. Fri, 11 Jul 2014 06:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/quick-look-mousecraft/2300-6420143/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/dragon-age-inquisition-hands-on-preview/2300-6420161/ After getting hands-on with Dragon Age: Inquisition and speaking with Cameron Lee of BioWare, Kevin VanOrd and Tom McShea share their early impressions of this expansive, beautiful addition to the series. Fri, 11 Jul 2014 06:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/dragon-age-inquisition-hands-on-preview/2300-6420161/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-super-smash-bros-character-reveal-coming-next-/1100-6421048/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1197/11970954/2567929-smash_jun13.jpeg" data-ref-id="1300-2567929" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1197/11970954/2567929-smash_jun13.jpeg" data-ref-id="1300-2567929"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1197/11970954/2567929-smash_jun13.jpeg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">The roster for this year's <a href="/super-smash-bros-for-wii-u/" data-ref-id="false">Super Smash Bros.</a> game for 3DS and Wii U is not complete just yet. Nintendo <a href="http://www.smashbros.com/us/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">announced today on the game's website</a> that it will reveal a new character for the game on Monday, July 14.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai <a href="https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAACAADRUqGG_w5Nyg" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">explained on Miiverse</a> that instead of revealing the new character through something like Nintendo Direct (which are often pre-recorded), Nintendo will <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzwF2kmNF8E" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">live-stream the unveiling</a>. It will take place Monday, July 14, at 7 a.m. PDT.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"Looks like we're nearing the bottom of the stash of new challenger videos that we've made," Sakurai wrote. "Like always, we put a lot of effort into it, so I hope you'll enjoy watching it live."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">It is unclear if by "new" Nintendo means a character who appeared in a past Smash Bros. game but is only going to be confirmed for the new title, or if "new" means a character who is making an appearance for the first time in the series. We'll find out on Monday.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The current roster for the new Super Smash Bros. game for Wii U and 3DS is listed below, with characters new to the series in bold.</p><ol><li dir="ltr"><strong>Pac-Man</strong></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Palutena</strong></li><li dir="ltr">Ike</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Mii Fighters</strong></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Greninja</strong></li><li dir="ltr">Charizard</li><li dir="ltr">Yoshi</li><li dir="ltr">Sheik</li><li dir="ltr">Zero Suit Samus</li><li dir="ltr">Diddy Kong</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Little Mac</strong></li><li dir="ltr">Lucario</li><li dir="ltr">King Dedede</li><li dir="ltr">Zelda</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Rosaline & Luma</strong></li><li dir="ltr">Marth</li><li dir="ltr">Sonic</li><li dir="ltr">Toon Link</li><li dir="ltr">Peach</li><li dir="ltr">Luigi</li><li dir="ltr">Pikmin & Olimar</li><li dir="ltr">Mario</li><li dir="ltr">Donkey Kong</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Villager</strong></li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Mega Man</strong></li><li dir="ltr">Link</li><li dir="ltr"><strong>Wii Fit Trainer</strong></li><li dir="ltr">Samus</li><li dir="ltr">Kirby</li><li dir="ltr">Fox</li><li dir="ltr">Pikachu</li><li dir="ltr">Bowser</li><li>Pit</li></ol><p style="">Super Smash Bros. for 3DS launches <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-super-smash-bros-3ds-pushed-back-wii-u-coming-this-holiday/1100-6420319/" data-ref-id="1100-6420319">October 3</a>, while the Wii U version is scheduled to arrive sometime this holiday.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>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></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 11 Jul 2014 05:37:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-super-smash-bros-character-reveal-coming-next-/1100-6421048/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-vs-ps4-resolution-microsoft-challenges-yo/1100-6421047/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2590753-xboxplaystation.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590753" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2590753-xboxplaystation.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590753"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2590753-xboxplaystation.jpg"></a></figure><p style="">Microsoft has yet again weighed in on the 1080p/60fps debate that is circling around the Xbox One. UK marketing executive Harvey Eagle says in a new interview that gamers would be challenged to see the differences in resolution and frame rate for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 games on a 60-inch or smaller TV.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"If you put third-party games side-by-side that are running at slightly different resolutions or frame rates, then unless you are using a screen that's more than 60 inches big, I defy you to really see the difference," Eagle told <a href="http://www.computerandvideogames.com/471047/resolutiongate-a-perception-challenge-that-must-be-fixed-says-xbox-exec/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">CVG</a>. "I personally struggle to see the difference."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Though Eagle maintains that he doesn't really see the difference, he did acknowledge that the widely held belief that Sony's PlayStation 4 is a more powerful console than the Xbox One is a challenge that Microsoft needs to overcome.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"I think it's a perception challenge, absolutely," Eagle said. "It's important, certainly. It's something the media has certainly picked up on. If that leads to the perception that one machine is more powerful than another, then it's important, and we're trying to allow developers to bring games to Xbox One at the highest resolution and frame rate as possible."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">There has been <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/diablo-3-for-xbox-one-could-hit-1080p-someday-than/1100-6420971/" data-ref-id="1100-6420971">no shortage of examples </a>of high-profile multiplatform games running in higher resolution on PS4 than Xbox One, but it may not always be this way. One way that Microsoft is tackling this issue is through the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-xbox-one-update-boosts-console-gpu-power/1100-6420097/" data-ref-id="1100-6420097">recent Xbox One June SDK</a>, which boosts console GPU power, Eagle said. "There is some GPU power that can be allocated to Kinect that we're now freeing up for developers if they want to increase the fidelity of their games," he explained. "I want to point out though that this is absolutely up to the developer on how they deploy the power."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">If over time more Xbox One games run in 1080p/60fps and PS4 titles continue to hit that mark, what then will separate the competing platforms? According to Eagle, one way the Xbox One will stand out is through exclusive content. Some examples he gave were games like like <a href="/sunset-overdrive/" data-ref-id="false">Sunset Overdrive</a>, <a href="/ori-and-the-blind-forest/" data-ref-id="false">Ori and the Blind Forest</a>, and <a href="/the-master-chief-collection/" data-ref-id="false">Halo: The Master Chief Collection</a>. Eagle added that Microsoft needs to ensure that it's relationship with third-parties remains healthy.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"The next thing you have to do is make sure all the third-parties are partnering on your platform, and try if you can to either make those exclusive to Xbox or coming first to Xbox," he said.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Other differentiating factors for the Xbox One, Eagle said, include Microsoft's ID@Xbox program for indie games, voice and motion control through Kinect, and Xbox Live. "We believe it's the best place to play games with your friends, and I would argue it still is today," he said.</p><p style="">Microsoft <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">started selling a Kinect-free Xbox One bundle in June</a>, and the company plans to offer the camera technology by itself later this year. Eagle said, "standalone Kinect will be out before Christmas, but we aren't yet ready to announce price or release date details."</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>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></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 11 Jul 2014 05:08:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-vs-ps4-resolution-microsoft-challenges-yo/1100-6421047/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/final-fantasy-explorers-launching-for-3ds-this-win/1100-6421046/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2590745-explorers.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590745" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2590745-explorers.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590745"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2590745-explorers.jpg"></a></figure><p style="">Today during a <a href="http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nintendo_direct/20140711/index.html" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">special third-party Nintendo Direct video presentation</a>, the company showed off upcoming role-playing game <a href="/final-fantasy-explorers/" data-ref-id="false">Final Fantasy Explorers</a> and announced that the 3DS game will launch this winter in Japan.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">This morning's Nintendo Direct was broadcast in Japanese, and there was no mention of a release window for Final Fantasy Explorers in the West. In fact, the game has not even been confirmed for a release outside of Japan, though it <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/square-enix-trademarks-final-fantasy-explorers-for-u-s-and-europe/1100-6420687/" data-ref-id="1100-6420687">sounds like that will indeed be the case</a>.</p><p style="">Final Fantasy Explorers was originally announced last month. The multiplayer action RPG will let you play as one of several different characters, including the Black Mage, White Mage, Knight, and Monk. Players can choose from a number of different weapons, and Summons--including Ifrit--will also be available in Final Fantasy Explorers.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>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></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 11 Jul 2014 04:45:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/final-fantasy-explorers-launching-for-3ds-this-win/1100-6421046/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-pirates-free-this-week-on-iphone-a/1100-6421043/ <div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6416330" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6416330/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style="">This week, you can play the life of a pirate without paying anything because Ubisoft has made <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/assassin-s-creed-pirates/" data-ref-id="false">Assassin's Creed Pirates</a> free on iOS. The game's all about naval warfare, requiring you to upgrade your ship, recruit new crew members, and fight enemy ships.</p><p style="">Alongside it going free, Ubisoft also released the fourth content update for the game. Ubisoft has periodically released these free updates since the game's launch. This one adds in a new area, La Isla de la Juventud, in which you must take down a fortress and liberate the slaves trapped within.</p><p style="">Although it is only completely free on iOS devices, the game can also be played on Android for $5, and a free demo can be played through a web browser.<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mobile-game-assassin-s-creed-pirates-out-today/1100-6416559/" data-ref-id="1100-6416559"> It launched last fall</a> and the developer claims it has "breathtaking" visuals due to an all-new mobile engine. You can decide for yourself if the graphics are good by watching the trailer above. </p><p style="">As for the main series on consoles, Ubisoft is currently developing <a href="/assassins-creed-unity/" data-ref-id="false">Assassin's Creed Unity</a> for the <a href="/ps4/" data-ref-id="false">PlayStation 4</a>, <a href="/xbox-one/" data-ref-id="false">Xbox One</a>, and <a href="/pc/" data-ref-id="false">PC</a>. You can check out <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-will-assassin-s-creed-unity-retain-the-spirit-of-altair/1100-6420288/" data-ref-id="1100-6420288">our preview of the game here</a>. <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-xbox-360-ps3-players-havent-been-f/1100-6421031/" data-ref-id="1100-6421031">Ubisoft also stated today</a> that we'll soon be hearing more about the company's plans for the <a href="/xbox-360/" data-ref-id="false">Xbox 360</a> and <a href="/ps3/" data-ref-id="false">PlayStation 3</a>. <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/report-2014-s-other-assassin-s-creed-game-will-let-you-play-as-a-templar/1100-6418593/" data-ref-id="1100-6418593">Rumors abound </a>that Ubisoft is working on a follow-up to last year's <a href="/assassins-creed-iv-black-flag/" data-ref-id="false">Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag</a> for the last-gen systems.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Alex Newhouse is an editorial intern at GameSpot, and you can follow him on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/alexbnewhouse" rel="nofollow">Twitter @alexbnewhouse</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><em><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com</strong></em></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 10 Jul 2014 17:24:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-pirates-free-this-week-on-iphone-a/1100-6421043/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/quick-look-divinity-original-sin/2300-6420163/ Watch extended gameplay footage from Divinity: Original Sin featuring the Giant Bomb crew. Thu, 10 Jul 2014 17:02:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/quick-look-divinity-original-sin/2300-6420163/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/alien-isolation-preorder-bonus-missions-reunites-c/1100-6420995/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2589199-alien.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2589199" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2589199-alien.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2589199"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2589199-alien.jpg"></a></figure><p style="">UPDATE: Responding to questions about the availability of this character skin pack for those who don't preorder the game, Sega confirmed via the official <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlienIsolation/photos/a.1435414806690496.1073741828.1408213046077339/1520461401519169/?type=1&theater" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Alien Isolation Facebook page</a> that both Crew Expendable and Last Survivor will be available to everyone post-release and not limited exclusively to preorders.</p><p style="">The full statement follows below:</p><blockquote><p style="">It's genuinely been great to see the reaction to The Crew Expendable and Last Survivor pre-order bonus content we announced yesterday and how excited you all are to re-experience those classic scenes from the original movie with our Alien. It's been absolutely amazing for us at the Studio.</p><p style="">However, some of you have been asking if the two pieces of content are only available through pre-order or if we'll be releasing them at a later date as well.</p><p style="">So, I can confirm today that we do plan to release both Crew Expendable and Last Survivor at a later date and we'll have more details for you guys on that shortly.</p></blockquote><p style=""><em>The original story appears below:</em></p><p style="">Sega today announced that the preorder bonuses for upcoming sci-fi game <a href="/alien-isolation/" data-ref-id="false">Alien: Isolation</a>, the first of which are a pair of mission packs that reunite the cast of Ridley's Scott's beloved 1979 movie, <em>Alien</em>. The content features the voices and likenesses of the movie's actors, including Sigourney Weaver (Ellen RIpley), Tom Skerritt (Dallas), Veronica Cartwright (Lambert), Harry Dean Stanton (Brett), Yaphet Kotto (Parker), and Ian Holm (Ash).</p><p dir="ltr" style="">All preorders for Alien: Isolation will be upgraded to the Nostromo Edition, which includes these two mission packs, called "Crew Expendable." In the content, you can play as one of surviving crewmembers (Ellen, Dallas, or Parker) as you explore the Nostromo ship. is possible that this DLC will be sold separately down the road, but right now, Sega is saying the only way to get it is to preorder the game.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"Working with the original cast has been an incredible experience," Alien: Isolation creative director Alistair Hope said in a statement. "It was important to us to have the key original cast members reprise their roles in order to perfectly capture the atmosphere of the movie. For some of the original cast, this is their first appearance in an Alien video game. Seeing them reprise those roles after 35 years was an unforgettable experience."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Further, people in North America who preorder Alien Isolation at GameStop and in Europe at "select retailers" will receive an expansion called "Last Survivor." This content takes place as Ripley attempts to escape on the Narcissus spaceship. "On hearing the screams of Lambert and Parker, players must navigate their way back down through the Nostromo in order to activate the self-destruct sequence, before retracing their steps back to the Narcissus shuttle and their escape," Sega says.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Alien: Isolation, in development at <a href="/total-war-rome-ii/" data-ref-id="false">Total War </a>developer The Creative Assembly, launches on <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/alien-isolation-launches-oct-7/1100-6418639/" data-ref-id="1100-6418639">October 7</a> (a <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/october-just-got-even-busier-thanks-to-project-spa/1100-6420977/" data-ref-id="1100-6420977">busy, busy day for new releases</a>) for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC. A virtual reality demo for the game was on display at E3, but this was<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/upcoming-horror-game-alien-isolations-vr-demo-was-/1100-6420947/" data-ref-id="1100-6420947"> just a prototype</a>, Sega said.</p><p style=""> </p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>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></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 10 Jul 2014 16:19:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/alien-isolation-preorder-bonus-missions-reunites-c/1100-6420995/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/payday-2-developer-posted-a-countdown-and-some-str/1100-6421042/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1539/15391776/2590484-screen+shot+2014-07-10+at+3.28.47+pm.png" data-ref-id="1300-2590484" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1539/15391776/2590484-screen+shot+2014-07-10+at+3.28.47+pm.png" data-ref-id="1300-2590484"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1539/15391776/2590484-screen+shot+2014-07-10+at+3.28.47+pm.png"></a></figure><p style="">Overkill Software, developer of first-person heist game <a href="/payday-2/" data-ref-id="false">Payday 2</a>, posted a countdown <a href="http://overkillsoftware.com/whatsnext/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">on its website</a> with some interesting sounds to accompany it. The timer says "Day 01" and is set to expire 34 days from now. Notably, that date is the anniversary of the release of Payday 2.</p><p style="">There's an animated image behind the countdown timer, which shows a wall and some sunlight shining through blinds. A radiator stands in the bottom corner. There's a light switch and a door to the right. A vent is visible on the top left of the screen. Occasionally, something passes through the light source and the sunlight flickers.</p><p style="">When you load into the page, the sound of a ticking clock starts playing, then a record or radio program begins. Two people then talk about a personal trainer, a gym, and oxymorons. At the end, you can hear footsteps and a door opening and closing. There doesn't seem to be any meaning behind it.</p><p style="">Other than that, all that appears on the page are buttons that lead to the developer's Facebook and Twitter accounts.</p><p style="">It's not known if the countdown timer has anything to do with Payday 2. Overkill recently announced <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/payday-2-brings-more-cops-versus-robbers-shooting-to-xbox-one-and-ps4/1100-6420441/" data-ref-id="1100-6420441">Xbox One and PlayStation 4 enhanced versions</a> of the game last month, but the developer hasn't said anything about how far along in the development cycle it is. Payday 2 DLC also launched in June, so Overkill could be teasing new content coming in August. Of course, the developer could be working on something completely different. Keep an eye on GameSpot for more news as it emerges.</p><p style="">Can you make anything of the timer or the audio? What do you want Overkill to do next? Let us know in the comments!</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Alex Newhouse is an editorial intern at GameSpot, and you can follow him on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/alexbnewhouse" rel="nofollow">Twitter @alexbnewhouse</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><em><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com<br /></strong></em></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 10 Jul 2014 16:06:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/payday-2-developer-posted-a-countdown-and-some-str/1100-6421042/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-sony-sells-100m-consoles-kim-kardashian-ga/2300-6420160/ Microsoft promises they'll stick with Xbox, a Kim Kardashian mobile game may be set to make the dev a fortune, and how successful has Watch Dogs been? Thu, 10 Jul 2014 16:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-sony-sells-100m-consoles-kim-kardashian-ga/2300-6420160/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/2014-razer-blade-with-gtx-870m-review/1100-6421010/ <p style="">Razer's new Blade is a beautiful and powerful gaming laptop. Its aluminum, unibody design is alluring and a definite step above the competition. At less than five pounds in weight, and only 0.7 inches thick, it's as portable as you could hope for a gaming laptop to be. It's decked out with a new, high-res, QHD+ multi-touch screen, and an Nvidia GTX 870M GPU, but these improvements aren't without consequence: the introductory price of the new Blade is $400 more than the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/razer-blade-review/1100-6411024/" data-ref-id="1100-6411024">2013 model</a> was at launch.</p><p style="">For a product that's already pricier than the competition, the price increase raises some alarms. As you'd expect, the GTX 870M is a notably stronger GPU than last year's GTX 765M, and the new display is extremely sharp, doubling as a touch panel, but does an expected GPU upgrade and an over-the-top display justify the lofty asking price? Let's take a look.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590563-vlcsnap-00001a.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590563" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590563-vlcsnap-00001a.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590563"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1406/14063904/2590563-vlcsnap-00001a.jpg"></a></figure><h2 dir="ltr">Design</h2><p dir="ltr" style="">If you put the new Blade next to last year's model, you might have a hard time telling the two apart. Superficially, the only difference is that the new Blade is slightly thicker at 0.7 inches compared to 0.66 inches, which is so minor that you'd never notice unless someone told you. At 4.7 pounds, it's also light, and in the world of gaming laptops, remarkably portable. Razer's bright green accents and the logo on the lid stand out, but the Blade's understated and sleek in every other way. In other words, it won't make you feel like a kid with an overpriced, oversized toy when using it in public. For what it's worth, there is a downside to the aluminum chassis: it transfers heat so well that it's impossible to keep the Blade on your lap while gaming or watching (decoding) HD videos. Is it a tradeoff? Sure, but it's not a deal breaker.</p><figure data-align="right" data-size="medium" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590397-vlcsnap-00003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590397" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590397-vlcsnap-00003.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590397"><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_medium/1406/14063904/2590397-vlcsnap-00003.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style="">There's nothing worse than a laptop with a poorly designed keyboard and a finicky touchpad, but you'd never say either of those things about the Blade. The keyboard's chiclet-style keys feel great, and they're perfectly spaced. It's easy to draw comparisons to the keys on a MacBook Pro, which is a good thing. The touchpad is also worthy of praise, with a smooth and responsive surface that works well with Windows 8's multi-touch gestures, presenting no issues whatsoever during our tests. The buttons below the trackpad aren't as pleasing, being narrow and mushy, but they still get the job done.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Looking at the inputs on the side of the Blade, nothing's changed since last year. On the left side, there's a power-supply connection, two USB 3.0 ports, a 3.5mm microphone/headphone combo port, and on the other, an HDMI port and one more USB 3.0 connection. It's a shame that there isn't an ethernet port, but there is a built in 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-fi radio, at least, and support for Bluetooth 4.0.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Specs</h2><p dir="ltr" style="">Apart from the GPU, this year's Blade is nearly identical on the inside to last year's model. It has the same processor, a quad-core Intel Core i7-4702HQ at 2.2 GHz (3.2 GHz turbo), and the same RAM configuration, with 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3 memory. Given the added cost of the new Blade, and the fact that the display goes above and beyond the call of duty, it would have been great to see more RAM and a faster CPU next to the GPU. As it stands, the current arrangement is strong enough given modern specification requirements for games, but a laptop this expensive is a long term investment for a lot of people, and it's worth considering the limitations you might face in the years to come.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590404-vlcsnap-00004.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590404" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590404-vlcsnap-00004.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590404"><img src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1406/14063904/2590404-vlcsnap-00004.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">For the new GPU, Razer's gone for the fresh Nvidia 870M with 3GB of GDDR5 VRAM on board. It's a decent step up from last year's 765M, which sported 2GB of GDDR5 memory, and slower clock speeds all around.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Spec</th><th scope="col">GTX 870M</th><th scope="col">GTX 765M</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Clock Speed</td><td>941 MHz</td><td>797 MHz</td></tr><tr><td>GDDR5 VRAM</td><td>3,072 MB</td><td>2,048 MB</td></tr><tr><td>Memory Bus</td><td>192 bit</td><td>128 bit</td></tr><tr><td>Memory Clock Speed</td><td>5,000 MHz</td><td>4,008 MHz</td></tr><tr><td>Pixel Rate</td><td>26.3 GPixel/sec.</td><td>12.8 GPixel/sec.</td></tr><tr><td>Texture Rate</td><td>80.5 GTexel/s</td><td>51 GTexel/s</td></tr><tr><td>CUDA Cores</td><td>1,344</td><td>768</td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="">The 870M outperforms the 765M in every case, but this added performance comes at a cost. The 870M draws 100w of power, where last year's 765M only needed 75W, and given that Razer's using the same battery as last year, the new Blade won't last as long on the go. When you push the GPU to its limits, the Blade will typically last just over an hour in our experience, although this can be extended a bit with conservative graphic settings. Otherwise, expect three to four hours of battery life during non-gaming sessions.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Display</h2><p dir="ltr" style="">The display on last year's Blade had a maximum resolution of 1600x900. Given the physical dimensions, it was adequate, but not impressive. This time around, the opposite is true. Razer went all out, and opted for a 3200x1800 QHD+ display with ten-point multi-touch capabilities. It's a magnificent screen that produces vibrant colors in any light, and it's contents remain visible from every angle shy of 90 degrees.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590411-vlcsnap-00005.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590411" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590411-vlcsnap-00005.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590411"><img src="http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1406/14063904/2590411-vlcsnap-00005.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style="">The Blade's screen is impressive on many levels, but it's also a tad superfluous. Yes, the pixel density and resolution are admirable, and the multi-touch capabilities potentially useful, but are these specs necessary for a gaming laptop? Considering that the new Blade costs 20% more than the last year's did at launch, and the display is undoubtedly a major contributor, the answer must be "no." A 1080p or 1440p display would have been perfectly acceptable, and it's not clear why a gaming laptop needs a touch panel. It's a display that's easy to appreciate, but it's over-the-top features come at a cost.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">There's also the fact that you won't likely play any of your game's at the Blade's native resolution, given that it would be far too taxing on any gaming PC if you're aiming for decent graphics settings and frame rates, let alone on the Blade. As such, that means you'll have to deal with some minor inconveniences. For one, some applications, including EA's Origin, don't scale correctly, but more importantly, when you try to play a game at 1080p, you're treated to a small in-game display in the middle of a black screen. The solution is simple; set the desktop resolution to match the game you're going to play. You could always leave your desktop resolution at 1920x1080 to avoid this hassle, but then everything in Windows is slightly larger than it should be.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Performance</h2><p dir="ltr" style="">For a thin gaming laptop, the Blade handles demanding games, including <a href="/watch-dogs/" data-ref-id="false">Watch Dogs</a>, admirably. You're best off aiming for high or very high graphics presets, but that's if you're chasing 60 frames per second. If you're OK with 30 frames per second, you can eek a few more graphical flourishes out of the Blade's hardware. You can find other laptops that offer better performance for less money, but you ultimately sacrifice portability and build quality, the importance of which shouldn't be underestimated. That aside, you won't be disappointed by the Blade's general performance. You won't be able to play every game with ultra settings, but you can get close in most cases.</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590412-vlcsnap-00006.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590412" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1406/14063904/2590412-vlcsnap-00006.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590412"><img src="http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1406/14063904/2590412-vlcsnap-00006.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col">Game</th><th scope="col">Settings (all @1080p)</th><th scope="col">Average FPS</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bioshock Infinite</td><td>DirectX 11 Ultra preset</td><td>65</td></tr><tr><td>Metro: Last Light</td><td>DirectX 11, Very High preset, 16x AF, Motion Blur</td><td>46</td></tr><tr><td>Tomb Raider</td><td>High preset (TressFX off)</td><td>74</td></tr><tr><td>Watch Dogs</td><td>High preset, MHBAO</td><td>36</td></tr><tr><td>Battlefield 4</td><td>High</td><td>64</td></tr></tbody></table><h2 dir="ltr">Verdict</h2><p dir="ltr" style="">The Blade that Razer supplied for our review is the 256GB model, which costs $2,399 before taxes. The base model, with a 128GB solid state drive, gets off the ground at $2,199, and the high-end model, with 512GB, costs $2,699. The Blade is definitely a premium, high-end laptop. It's easy to balk at its price tag, but when the Blade's in your hands, it's hard not to fall in love with it. It's sleek, portable, and powerful enough to keep any PC gamer on-the-go in a good mood.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">If you can't afford the power of this year's Blade, you can still fetch the previous model, at a discount, for $1,700 on Razer's site. But, if you've got money to spend, there's no gaming laptop that I would recommend more than the new Blade. It's not going to win price/performance comparisons, but it has the competition beat when it comes to design, and even though the screen is a luxury feature that hardly anyone asked for, it's technically one of the best screens that you can find on a laptop.</p> Thu, 10 Jul 2014 14:14:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/2014-razer-blade-with-gtx-870m-review/1100-6421010/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-president-says-studio-will-do-better-to-c/1100-6421039/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2590390-draenor.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590390" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2590390-draenor.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2590390"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2590390-draenor.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style="">In response to a fan's letter pointing out a lack of diversity in the company's games, including promotional material for <a href="/world-of-warcraft-warlords-of-draenor/" data-ref-id="false">World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor</a>, Blizzard Entertainment president Mike Morhaime has responded (via <a href="http://wow.joystiq.com/2014/07/09/mike-morhaime-apologizes-for-lack-of-diversity-in-blizzard-games/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">WoW Insider</a>) by pledging that the company will do better in the future to create "more diverse heroes."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"We know that actions speak louder than words, so we are challenging ourselves to draw from more diverse voices within and outside of the company and create more diverse heroes and content," Morhaime<a href="http://starcunning.tumblr.com/post/91222937564/re-an-open-letter-to-mike-morhaime" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> said </a>in response to a <a href="http://starcunning.tumblr.com/post/90774227279/an-open-letter-to-mike-morhaime" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">well-stated piece of criticism </a>from a fan going by the name of starcunning. "We are also actively looking at our story development and other processes to ensure that our values are fully represented. We've always believed that positive, lasting change comes from examination, discussion, and iteration, and this applies as much to story as to gameplay. There is no reason why inclusivity should come at the expense of an amazing game experience."</p><blockquote data-align="left"><p dir="ltr" style="">"This will be an ongoing process for us--it's likely that we will make mistakes again in the future, but we will continue to listen, learn, and grow" -- Mike Morhaime</p></blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="">Morhaime adds, "There have been times when we've been seen or painted as being uninterested in hearing feedback or making changes. I want to be clear that this goes against the philosophies and core values on which Blizzard has been built and continues to operate. We will always listen, and we will always work hard to make games that appeal to as many people as possible."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">He went on to make it clear that Blizzard is always open to feedback and is willing to engage in discussions to help the company improve. He also acknowledged that there might be rocky times ahead. "This will be an ongoing process for us--it's likely that we will make mistakes again in the future," he said. "But we will continue to listen, learn, and grow. We care very much about what you think and what you're getting out of our games, and we're committed to reflecting our core values in our words as well as our actions."</p><p style="">Blizzard most recently found itself in hot water over diversity issues when <a href="/heroes-of-the-storm/" data-ref-id="false">Heroes of the Storm </a>developer Dustin Browder, in response to a question about the way in which some video games "sex up" female characters, <a href="http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/11/22/blizzard-on-heroes-of-the-storm-female-designs-in-mobas/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">said</a>, "We're not running for president." Browder <a href="http://us.battle.net/heroes/en/blog/11751531/on-character-design" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">since apologized</a>, saying that, "This is a serious topic and I don't want anyone to think that I, or anyone else at Blizzard, is insensitive about how we portray our characters."</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>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></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Thu, 10 Jul 2014 13:30:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-president-says-studio-will-do-better-to-c/1100-6421039/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/alien-isolation-pre-order-trailer/2300-6420157/ Take a look at this trailer for Alien: Isolation to see what bonus content you'll receive when you pre-order the game. Thu, 10 Jul 2014 12:05:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/alien-isolation-pre-order-trailer/2300-6420157/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/aim-down-sights-kevin-spacey-goes-full-soze-in-lat/2300-6420146/ Bricey is back to school Dan in the ways of The Ripper, and we get a look at some of the incredible new performance capture in Advanced Warfare. Plus: Community! Feedback! Prizes! Produced in partnership with Activision. Thu, 10 Jul 2014 11:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/aim-down-sights-kevin-spacey-goes-full-soze-in-lat/2300-6420146/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/the-red-solstice-multiplayer-gameplay/2300-6420139/ Watch a squad take on all sorts of mutants with shotguns, flame throwers and long range weapons. Thu, 10 Jul 2014 09:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/the-red-solstice-multiplayer-gameplay/2300-6420139/
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