Author Archives: Chris Morris

Expect Microsoft to focus on more than games at E3

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Granted, E3 is a video game trade show, but in between all the talk about Kinect and “Gears of War 3” at its pre-show press conference this year, expect Microsoft to have plenty to say about the non-gaming world.

The Xbox 360 has been a leader in general entertainment among the major consoles – but other devices, particularly Sony’s PlayStation 3, have been playing a good game of catch up. A recent statement by the company’s VP of corporate communications, however, indicates the company is hoping to ready to jump back out in front.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog

E3 through the years

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Even if you’re just a casual fan of video games, the E3 video game extravaganza is a truly exciting time of the year. It’s Christmas in July! Or, more often, May! Or, recently, June! Ok, so the moving dates ruin the analogy, but it’s a festive time nonetheless that always brings a flood of gaming news. And every year, there’s one story that tops all the others.

Here’s a look back at the show stealing moments of the past 16 years.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

PlayStation Network to open later this week

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The ever-creeping deadline to get the PlayStation Network fully operational has crept a little further out – but the company says it’s now confident everything will be up and running by the end of the week.

Sony, in a blog posting, said Monday that it expects to have its online service fully operational by the end of the week. That’s a few days later than the previous vow to have it up and running by the end of the day – and more than a week later than it told developer partners it hoped to have the PlayStation Store operational again.

Read more at Yahoo! Games

PBS hackers threaten to target Sony

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Just days after hacking the PBS servers, the hacker group that calls itself LulzSec says its is turning its attentions to Sony.

The group, which also claims responsibility for an attack on Sony’s BMG Website in Japan over a week ago, said via Twitter that it was “working on another Sony operation” – adding “this is the beginning of the end for Sony.”

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog

Analysis: What Long-Term Impact Could COD: Elite bring?

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Gamasutra editor-at-large Chris Morris examines Activision’s move to bring a subscription option toCall of Duty players, and how the decision could hint at a wider subscription strategy at the publisher.

So now it’s official. The long-awaited (and, in some cases, long-feared) subscription service for Call of Duty is a reality. And while players pore through the previews and press release to determine exactly what Elite entails, I’m finding it a lot more interesting to look further down the road.

Make no mistake, Elite is a bold move by Activision – and one that could ultimately change the way the industry operates when it comes to user communities and digital add-ons.

Read more at Gamasutra

Everything you need to know about Call of Duty: Elite

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The long-rumored subscription service tied to the hit Call of Duty franchise is finally reality. And that has some gamers worried and confused.

Activision has formally unveiled Call of Duty: Elite, a premium service that adds a social layer and exclusive content – along with a monthly fee – to the popular shooter. But the addition of that fee and the features the publisher have discussed have muddied the waters a bit around the franchise. Here are some answers to some of the biggest questions:

Read more at Yahoo! Games

Activision Finds New Way to Monetize ‘Call of Duty’

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“Call of Duty” might be the best selling franchise in the video game industry, but Activision-Blizzard is looking to double down on its earnings potential.

The company has unveiled a subscription-based online service called “Call of Duty: Elite” that will provide extra content for players, including map packs and social network functionality for players.

Read more at CNBC.com

Christina Aguilera, classic game fanatic

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She’s sold more than 50 million albums throughout her career, has appeared on countless magazine covers, and currently works as a judge on “The Voice,” one of the hottest new shows on television.

But if you really want to get Christina Aguilera’s competitive juices flowing, challenge her to a game of Galaga.

Read more at Yahoo! Games