Ubisoft confirms Watch Dogs resolution and FPS for next gen consoles

Excited for the Watch Dogs release this May 27? Awesome. Getting the next-gen version? Well, you better sit down for this, Ubisoft confirms the resolution and fps for both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. 

It was weird enough that no word was given earlier on  the specs with a game already a few weeks away. But Ubisoft has finally confirmed that Watch Dogs will run in 900p on PlayStation 4 and 792p on Xbox One, with both version of the game running at 30 fps.

Is this an issue? Not really, resolution and Frames Per Second is only a small chunk of what makes a game. But when we see advertising seen below, people will start flipping tables. Oh Sony...

Image source: EuroGamer

But they have taken back their claims of the game running on 60 FPS and on 1080p resolution. With all this confusion to make the game sell, it's about time Ubisoft has given the official word.

Watch Dogs launches on May 27 on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC. The Wii U version of the game is still coming but will be released on a later date.

Is it disappointing to see it not run on 60FPS? Will that affect your buying decision? Or the resolution? Sound off on the comments below.

[Source: Gamespot]

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes released early in the Philippines

Just like the previous Metal Gear Solid games, we go bonkers when it's close to release day. The prequel to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is planned for a March 18 release but folks over in the Philippines was able to get the game as early as March 14. Why? Heck, if only I had the answer to that one. 

On March 14, Datablitz, considered as the go-to place to get your original video games, announced on their Facebook that Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes was now available for purchase.

While everybody was ecstatic that the latest Metal Gear Solid game is now out, we wondered how it was released almost a week before release.

Games One Gadget, or also known as iTech, also announced the game is now on sale in their branches on the same day.

WHATS THE BIG DEAL??

I'm sure you're wondering at this point what's the big deal? Yes, it's a good thing we get the game a week earlier than the rest of the world, but did they  really break the street date(Release date)? That's not good for the game industry taking the Philippines seriously.

Products always have marketing strategies and they have a reason a specific product will be released on a given date. Let's say Konami isn't happy with official retails breaking release dates, they wouldn't be that excited to do any future business here. This isn't the first time, and it probably won't be that big of a deal, but this would provide a bad image for the community here. If they do have permission to release a game that early from the publishers and developers, awesome, but what if they didn't? These kinds of moves from retailers can ruin the possibility of having video game developers or publishers ever considering the Philippines a possible location to market their games locally. Simply giving them problems like breaking street dates won't make us good friends with them in the long run. Wouldn't it be awesome to have launch parties from the developers/publishers or proper pre-order incentives, yes?

Maybe it was done to maximize sales -  Releasing the product before any official review of the game was released would provide a higher payout since everybody's purchase decision is based on the publisher's marketing and their love of the franchise, not from first-hand experience from other players/reviewers.

Another point is -- It's very erratic on how video games are released in the Philippines. We sometimes get games earlier than others, sometimes a week late, or we get it on the said date with the rest of the world. So where can we get definite information? Release date was the best reference point, but it looks like that can't be the definite source now thanks to this.

When the game was available(March 14) in official stores, no review of the game was released, the game is not even released in Japan and the rest of the world, and the digital copy of the game is not yet available on Xbox Live and PSN. You can't even use the online features or redeem your DLC code because it's not even out. Kotaku just reported that the game was even delayed in Austrailia and New Zealand.

Datablitz's Facebook post on their pre-orders even promotes the known release date.

There's no definite answer to how Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes was released. We asked Datablitz through Facebook but it was a longshot since I doubt their community manager would bother giving an answer. Worth a try.

That, and I asked  when the Xbox 360 version will be available because it is currently only available on PS3 and PS4.

Nothing to worry about? This is a game that's only around 2 hours long anyways.  Or do you have a theory to why we we're special enough to get the game before the rest of the world?  Sound off on the comments below.

PlayStation 4 Launch Event Philippines

The PlayStation 4 has officially launched in the Philippines! Celebrated with a 2 day launch event at Glorietta 2 on the 14th and 15th of January 2014 with a bunch of games that you can try out in their open exhibit area.

I missed out on the launch program but got there in time for the first Celebrity Showdown where they were playing Just Dance (one of the newer ones). While everyone was distracted by the dancing of celebrities that I didn't know, I went in and played about everything that was there.

On PS4, I got to try out Knack, and played with some of the AR bots in the Playroom. I also got to try out the PSVita TV. They were running God Eater, Dragon's Crown and Gundam Breaker on the exhibit floor as well as Muramasa Rebirth on the stage. The PSVita TV uses a white Dual-Shock 3 controller and emulates the front touchscreen by clicking down on the right analog stick and pressing either L1 or L2 to simulate tapping.

They also had a few PSVita 2000s on display. I got to try out Tear Away and Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z. The PSVita 2000 may have downgraded their screens from OLEDs back to LCD but god damn do those LCDs look good. Everything was very crisp and clear and I did not notice any ghosting while I was playing. It feels great in the hand too. The smaller size and lighter weight is very noticeable and a welcome change compared to the original PSVita models.

I also got to experience the Personal 3D Viewer, Sony's answer to the Oculus Rift. Got to play the PS4 version of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag and Killzone: Shadowfall on it. Too bad none of the games that had hooked up to it had 3D support. It was very underwhelming.

Aside from that, they also had 2 PS3s running what I think was Gran Turismo 6 and a few PS4s running NBA 2k14.

We uploaded a ton of photos of the event on our Facebook page so check it out!

Things to look forward to entering 2014

We are now on the final days of 2013. A great year for video games indeed thanks to the amazing games released as well as the debut of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. We are entering a new era, but where do we go from here? To be honest, it's hard to tell how 2014 will shape up. how does the next generation lineup look like after March? Will early PlayStation 4 and Xbox One owners have games to buy during the 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2014? Or will this be Nintendo's year to get things rolling for the Wii U? So many questions, but here's a couple of things to look forward to once we hit 2014.

Wii U and it's 1st party titles

Let's face it. The Wii U isn't doing so well. Sales for the unit hasn't even hit 1M and the games isn't coming in batches as we hoped for a 1-year-old console. But we can't count the Wii U just yet. I believe this is Nintendo's year to make something happen to their next generation unit. Don't forget, their big first party titles are planned for this year - Super Smash Bros. Wii U, The new Zelda game (Footage yet to be revealed but confirmed to be in development since console launch), Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Mario Kart 8, and Bayonetta 2. But 1st party titles isn't enough to get the Wii U back in the spotlight, but it's definitely a good start to give it a sign of life to those looking for a new console to dabble with.

Third party support, which was widely promoted after the reveal of the Wii U, shows a big decline as it enters its first year. Ubisoft's exclusive title for the Wii U - ZombiU, didn't do well in sales but was considered a good game. But big publishers look at the numbers to consider a sequel and it looks like it won't happen anytime soon. That kind of result makes third party's hesitate in bringing their big games to the Wii U. Solution? Sell more units, build a player base. But of course it's easier said than done. Maybe a name change? The conversation during stores explaining parents the difference between the Wii and the Wii U must be a nightmare for any clerk working in a video game store. So much work needs to be done. Get to it Nintendo.

Titanfall, that is all. 

Is it that great of a game? Well, the folks that have played it have nothing but good things to say about this FPS Mech/soldier multiplayer game. This is also one of the titles trying something different. I'm not talking about the fluid switch from FPS shooter to mech shooter. I'm talking about Respawn Entertainment blending in their single player campaign with their multiplayer component. A very interesting concept and a perfect way to somewhat erase a mode most people ignore with multiplayer shooters nowadays but retain a sense of story and character progression. How will it fair from start to finish? We'll have to see when it hits shelves on March for Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PC. You have never seen Titanfall in action? Just watch the video below will ya?

SteamOS and Steam Machines

PlayStation 4 and Xbox One sure got most of the attention this year, but people should remember Valve made a big move by announcing the Steam Machines, Valve's console planned to your already crowded living room. It's just  not just one console being produced by Valve, thus it being called Steam Machines. Various hardware companies will be making different varieties of Valve's console, capable of running their Linux-based Operating System called the SteamOS. The big idea is simply bringing your huge Steam library into your living room to enjoy. With a keyboard and mouse? Well, not really. They also announced a Steam controller that is trying something...different.

A controller without joysticks. Check out the controller in action below. It's built so that games like Civilization V or other games built for keyboard and mouse won't be neglected once Steam hits your living room. It's hard to describe and explain how it would work. But the demonstration shows that the controller is capable of working well with Real-Time Strategy games and First Person Shooter games.

With how it looks, I'm not a fan of the design but you never know, it might be those products that will grow on you the more you use it...or not.

The future of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Great start for Sony and Microsoft's new consoles. In just one day, they were able to surpass the 1 million units sold mark. So what's next? To release as much games as possible in their units. Last thing you want is your new unit being turned on once a month. There are tons of games planned for 2014 like Ubisoft's Watch Dogs and CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Titanfall and Quantum Break for Xbox One, and inFamous: Second Son and The Order: 1886 for the PS4. But  how does the lineup look like during the second half of 2014? It's still unknown what Sony and Microsoft has planned but be sure to tune in E3 2014 because it's going to be an all out war. A new Uncharted was announced exclusive to the PS4 and we still need more information on the next Halo title planned for the Xbox One. If there's one thing I hope to see in 2014, it's newer franchises. 2014 will be just as exciting as 2013, and it just makes me all giddy just thinking about it.

PS3 and Xbox 360 still alive and kicking

Sure, next-gen is now upon us and technically the PS4 and Xbox One is now current generation while the PS3 and Xbox 360 is now previous generation. But don't set aside your prevous consoles just yet. There are a couple of titles to look forward to entering 2014. If you still want to give Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIII series a chance, Lightning Returns is out in Japan but  the western version will be hitting stores February 11. Dark Souls 2, the sequel to the tough but amazing action RPG is for PS3 and Xbox 360 and is launching on March 11.

If you can't wait to play Titanfall but can't afford to make the upgrade on your PC or even making the jump to the Xbox One, it is also being released on the Xbox 360 on March 11. There's also Persona 5, which was recently announced by Atlus, exclusive to the PS3 and is planned for release at the end of 2014. The next in the Tales of series was also recently announced - Tales of Zesteria, which is also a PS3 exclusive, planned for a worldwide release in 2014. Oh, and of course, Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes the prologue to Metal Gear Solid V planned for release on March 18 on PS3, Xbox 360, and next-gen consoles. All of that, plus all the yearly titles like Call of Duty or Assassin's Creed is enough to keep your current consoles active in 2014.

What are you most excited for entering 2014? Sound off in the comments below. And just in case we miss the chance - Happy New Year to everybody! Hope you all have a good one.

A Pinoy Buyer's Guide to Playstation 4

It's been more than a month since the Playstation 4 was officially launched in North America. Here in the Philippines, pre-orders were already available for the US Launch Editions of the PS4 and the prices are ranging from Php 28,000 - Php 33,000 depending on which store they pre-ordered. That is almost double the retail price of USD 399 (Php 17,800). Some had their units shipped here from the US by their relatives, or ordered online via Amazon or GameStop. On December 17, Playstation 4 officially launched in South East Asian region. Most of the stores here in the Philippines already started to release PS4 units and accessories yesterday and are only available for those who pre-ordered. Some stores offer walk-in buyers, like EYO in Greenhills. The prices of the units are much closer to the SRP when the Playstation 4 Official Launch here in the Philippines was announced. See the price list I gathered below.

Sony Philippines Official PS4 Launch - January 14, 2014 *Pre-order - 50% downpayment, with extended 1 year warranty and free premium items

• Playstation 4 unit with DS4 - Php 24,999
• Playstation 4 unit with DS4 and Camera bundle - Php 26,999
• Playstation 4 unit with DS4 and Killzone Shadow Fall Bundle - Php 26,899
• Playstation 4 unit with DS4 and Battlefield 4 Bundle - Php 27,399

For more info visit: Sony Philippines PS4 Pre-order page

Unofficial Playstation 4 Price List *Prices may change depending on the store owners. We will try to update the prices and add more stores.

Playstation 4 Unit with Dualshock 4 and Mono Headset Datablitz - Php 24,595 GameOneGadget / i-Tech - Php 24,595 Toy Kingdom - Php 26,500 AstroPlus - Php 26,500

Playstation 4 with Camera Bundle Datablitz - Php 26,595 GameOneGadget / i-Tech - Php 26,595

Playstation 4 Killzone: Shadow Fall Bundle Datablitz - Php 26,595 GameOneGadget / i-Tech - Php 26,595

Playstation 4 Accessories

Dualshock 4 Controller

Jet Black Datablitz - Php 3,100 GameOneGadget / i-Tech - Php 3,100 Gameline / Game Gizmo - Php 2,895 Magma Red Datablitz - Php 3,295 GameOneGadget / i-Tech - Php 3,295 Gameline / Game Gizmo - Php 2,995 Wave Blue Datablitz - Php 3,295 GameOneGadget / i-Tech - Php 3,295 Gameline / Game Gizmo - Php 2,995

PS4 Camera Datablitz - Php 3,195 Gameline / Game Gizmo - Php 3,195

PS4 Stand Datablitz - Php 1,495 GameOneGadget / i-Tech - Php 1,495

Dualshock 4 Charging Station Datablitz - Php 1,950 GameOneGadget / i-Tech - Php 1,950 Gameline / Game Gizmo - Php 2,595

Store Links: Datablitz GameOneGadget / i-Tech Gameline / Game Gizmo

*If you have information where the PS4 is already available, or updates on the prices mentioned above. Please comment below.