Games

The debate around video game violence and whether it leads to actual violence has once again come to the fore this year since the Obama administration asked for funding to study the matter. A study by researchers at the University of Connecticut isn't trying to answer that particular thorny question, but it has uncovered a noteworthy component to the level of aggression gamers display when playing.

The study monitored 148 participants as they played Quake 3 Revolution on PlayStation 2. They battled opponents that either looked closely human or characters that looked like inhuman monsters. The gamers were surveyed afterward. The study found that fighting human targets increased both verbal aggression and aggressive thoughts. The research was just published in the journal Mass Communication and Society.… Read more

The wait is over. Microsoft's new console is called the Xbox One, and it will be a machine that will wear many hats. But what did we learn about the games?

First off, Microsoft tells CNET that the Xbox One will not be backward compatible with any previous Xbox game. Xbox One games will also need to be fully installed, and if the install disc is used on another console, there will be a small fee for doing so. We don't have a lot of the details beyond that, but fears of anti-used-game tactics have officially been realized. … Read more

Microsoft unveiled its long-awaited new game and entertainment console today, the Xbox One.

The third generation of Microsoft's console, the Xbox One integrates an advanced technical architecture with an all-new design meant to give users a personalized experience that responds almost instantly to their voice and gesture commands.

The new console, black and sleek with a horizontal slit across its center and a modern Xbox logo, features 5 billion transistors, 8GB of RAM, USB 3.0, Wi-Fi direct, a Blu-Ray drive, and a native 64-bit architecture. In addition, it has a 1080P HD RGB camera and an all-new game … Read more

Microsoft and 343 Industries have recruited film director Steven Spielberg in the creation of a new Halo live-action TV series.

The companies announced the new series during their Xbox One unveil event today.

Spielberg presumably will produce the new show in conjunction with Halo developer 343 Industries. Halo, the popular franchise that has anchored Xbox for years, used to be developed by Bungie Studios. Microsoft did not specify what Spielberg's role would be.

Though Spielberg was not able to attend Microsoft's Xbox One event in Redmond, Wash., he appeared on screen, noting that the Halo franchise is "… Read more

Will gamers bite at a Wii U console that costs $239 instead of $299?

Target is now selling Nintendo's diminutive console at a 20 percent discount off the full retail amount. The $239.99 price is for the 8GB white version of the console; the 32GB black version will still run Target customers the full $349.99.

Target's price may mark a new low for the basic edition of the Wii U. Most retailers charge the full $299.99. Amazon offers a small discount, selling it for $279.

Target's discount may be in order as sales of … Read more

Microsoft's next Xbox is already in production, and will start shipping in large numbers in the third quarter, according to a recent report.

The sometimes spotty DigiTimes on Monday reported that Microsoft has already started producing the next version of its Xbox in "small volumes," but has already placed orders for "mass shipments" of the device to kick off in the third quarter, and reach their peak in the fourth quarter. DigiTimes is basing its claims on conversations it had with members of Microsoft's supply chain.

Microsoft is holding a big Xbox event today … Read more

Microsoft is holding its special next-generation Xbox event Tuesday, and you'll be able to get your full dose of the news right here.

The press conference, where Microsoft says it will unveil the next generation of its popular games and entertainment console, kicks off at 10 a.m. Pacific on Tuesday, May 21. CNET's Jay Greene, James Martin, and I will be bringing you the news live from Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Wash.

You can tune in to the live blog and pre-show here:

As … Read more

A former Grand Theft Auto producer at Rockstar Games thinks that the next, next generation in consoles won't have three hardware makers competing for your dollars.

Speaking to Games Industry in an interview published on Monday, Jeremy Pope said the economics of the console market make no sense for there to be three hardware companies competing after the next round of consoles launch.

"It's going to be very challenging for Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo," said Pope, who is currently running a mobile startup he founded called Rally Games. "I wouldn't be surprised if we … Read more

Batman: Arkham Origins, as the name suggests, is a prequel for the other two Arkham games, set a couple of years before Batman: Arkham Asylum.

Although Origins is being made by WB Montreal rather than Rocksteady, the original studio did advise Warner Bros.' in-house team on elements of the game engine and mechanics.

Warner Bros. has said that while the combat system hasn't been greatly altered, players can expect new enemies, requiring new tactics. This very brief teaser trailer introduces Deathstroke as at least one of the villains Batman will face during the game. … Read more