EA teased hours ago that FIFA 14 would be one of the first Xbox One games, but it just used Microsoft's event to unveil a considerably wider slate. FIFA 14, NBA Live 14, Madden 25 and EA Sports UFC are all coming to the new console within the next 12 months. All of them are using a new engine, EA Sports Ignite, that has 10 times the animation detail, smarter artificial intelligence, 3D crowds, "living" sidelines and a daily dose of new content through Xbox Live. EA and Microsoft are getting cozier with the deal, too -- FIFA 14 Ultimate Team will be an Xbox exclusive. We'll have to wait for more detail about that game later this year, but it's safe to say that Microsoft won't be lacking for major sports titles during the Xbox One's vital first year.

Filed under: Gaming, Software, Microsoft

Comments

Sure, Mountain View may be bolstering its gaming efforts on mobile platforms and the web, but it's seen fit to give Google+ Games the pink slip. After June 30th, the game section on the titan's social network will go dark, but Page & Co. note that some titles will still be playable on other sites. Depending on developer support, folks who've turned hard-earned cash into in-game credits may still be able to spend unused coin during a grace period or when playing the same games through other websites. It's not entirely clear why Google is sunsetting the portal, but it could certainly be part of its grand plan to focus on fewer things.

Filed under: Gaming, Internet, Google

Comments

Source: Google

While Jordan Mechner's Karateka burst back onto the scene through its 2012 remake, that wasn't good enough for purists who really just wanted a port of the 1984 original. Consider their wish granted, as Karateka Classic is coming to both Android and iOS on May 16th. The release goes the extra distance to recreate much of the Apple II-based fighting experience, warts and all -- would-be warriors can even choose a monochrome screen palette or hear a floppy drive churning away. About the only concessions to modernity are touch control, playing tips and a Sands of Time-style rewind feature. At 99 cents, Karateka Classic is undoubtedly a cheap nostalgia trip... even if it does trigger that fear of birds we thought we'd cured ages ago.

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming

Comments

Source: Karateka

Heads up, folks, just go ahead and grab your wallet right now. That's because the latest Humble Bundle has arrived, and it includes a number of stellar titles from Double Fine. Here, you can name your own price for Costume Quest, Psychonauts and Stacking, and if you beat the average, you'll also score a copy of Brutal Legend. All payments of $1 or more will net you a Steam key for the games, which are available -- some for the first time -- on Windows, Mac and Linux. As a unique twist to the promotion, payments of $35 or more include early backer access to Broken Age, the crowd-funded game that was previously known as Double Fine Adventure. As always, you can allocate some (or all) of your payment to charity, which benefits the EFF and Child's Play. Click on through to the Humble Bundle and you'll find bonus incentives for doling out some cash.

Filed under: Gaming

Comments

Source: Humble Bundle

Come on, admit it: you've all secretly been longing for more Plants vs. Zombies action, right? Well fans, today's your lucky day. PopCap's just uploaded a YouTube video announcing that the sequel to its wildly successful game -- appropriately called Plants vs. Zombies 2: It's About Time -- will be launched this July. The company makes fun of itself in the video, which shows frustrated gamers yelling and asking for a sequel to the popular game. It's unclear which platform the new title will support at launch, but the original Plants vs. Zombies -- which is four years old now -- first appeared on Mac and PC in 2009 before making its way to PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, PS Vita, Chrome, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and even Bada (!). The game's success was likely one of the reasons EA acquired the company in 2011. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to find our Samsung Wave review unit so we can play Plants vs. Zombies on that long forgotten mobile OS. Hit the break for PopCap's video.

Filed under: Gaming, Mobile

Comments

Via: Joystiq

Source: PopCap (YouTube)

While we knew Nintendo was happy to hook up its newest consoles with smartphones, we thought that would only extend to social networking and shopping. Nope, it looks like the company is planning to go a step further, with a report from Japan Times suggesting that the games maker is offering high-level conversion software to app developers "so they can produce smartphone games that can be played on Wii U." A weak existing games library has been blamed for Nintendo's recent financial woes and the company is hoping the addition of some popular titles will offer enough of a reason to invest in a dedicated device. We just hope it's able to glean some fresh gaming gems -- the first Angry Birds title launched in 2009.

Filed under: Gaming, Nintendo

Comments

Via: ZDNet

Source: Japan Times