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By 22 February 2013 | Categories: news

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PS4 console design not finished, no backwards compatibility with PS3 titles

This week Sony finally announced its next generation gaming console - the PlayStation 4 (PS4) - which boast improved processing and graphics power, as well as deeper social gaming capabilities and second-screen features.

What Sony did not reveal was the look of the new console and according to Gamespot, this was due to its final hardware not being finished. Sony president of Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida, stated in a discussion with Gamespot that if Sony did show off a console at the announcement event this week, that this would not have been reflective of the final look of the unit, since its design is yet to be finalised.

Furthermore, Yoshida revealed to Engadget that the PS4 will not be able to play any of the PlayStation 3’s PSN games, due to the PS4’s new x86 architecture signalling being a radical departure from the current console’s Cell Processor, PowerPC setup. Sony does plan on making certain titles playable “in some form” down the line though, via digital versions downloadable over the cloud.
 
For a behind-the-scenes explanation of the PS4, take a look at the video below.
 

 
Crysis 3 blasts its way onto local FPS arena

After what seems to have been an eternity, Crysis 3, has finally become available at retail stores across South Africa for a recommended retail price R600 for the HD console versions and R400 for Windows PC. FPS fans will now be able to don the signature Nanosuit, getting to explore jaw-dropping vistas thanks to the latest version of developer Crytek’s CryENGINE (whilst their GPUs cry out for mercy).        

Check out the final video within the 7 Wonders of Crysis 3 cinematic video series, produced by filmmaker Albert Hughes (From Hell,  Dead Presidents) posted below. This video, entitled End of Days, shows protagonist Prophet utilising all the power of the Nanosuit to stop the threat of the CELL Corporation and the alien Ceph, in order to, you guessed it, prevent the end of days.
 
 
New DLC to have a massive effect on Mass Effect 3 players

The final chapter of Commander Shepard’s heroic saga is on the gaming horizon, as BioWare and Electronic Arts has declassified info surrounding two new downloadable content packs for Mass Effect 3. This DLC sees a single-player pack dubbed Mass Effect 3: Citadel and the multiplayer content called Mass Effect 3: Reckoning becoming available in the next few weeks.

On 26 February, Reckoning will be available to download for free, providing players with access to new characters, weapons and upgrades that gamers can utilise in the war against the Reapers. Citadel will be released on 5 March and will be the final single player DLC pack for Mass Effect 3. This pack will enable gamers to explore and discover new locations across the vast, deep-space station whilst also having the chance to reconnect with a few of their favourite characters from all three of the Mass Effect games.
 

Irrational Games announces DLC content for Bioshock Infinite

Living up to its name somewhat, no fewer than three pieces of downloadable content (DLC) is in the works for the long awaited and finally forthcoming Bioshock Infinite. According to Irrational Games, the add-on packs will provide hours of additional gameplay and continue the player’s journey in the sky-city of Columbia with new stories, characters, abilities and weapons.

Additionally, the company announced that players who buy the BioShock Infinite Season Pass will also receive the Early Bird Special Packat no extra cost.This bonus pack contains four pieces of exclusive gear, a Machine Gun Damage Upgrade, a Pistol Damage Upgrade, a gold skin for both weapons and five Infusion bottles that allow players to increase their health, their shield durability or their ability to use Vigors by increasing the quantity of Salts they can carry.

The season pass will be available when the game launches towards the end of March, for $20 (R160) or 1 600 Microsoft points.
 

Just Add Water confirms it is developing for PS4

Amid the flurry of announcements that attended this week’s PS4 announcement, Just Add Water has confirmed on its blog that it is indeed, working on a game for Sony’s next console.

Just Add Water, the developers behind the Oddworld franchise, which includes Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD, Abe's Oddysee New 'N' Tasty, hinted that the company has been quietly amassing its forces for, well something mysterious.

On its blog, the company explained that it has doubled in size as well as upgraded to bigger offices. While details of the actual game weren’t announced at this point, the developers promised it would be “worth the wait.”

New demos now available for Wii U and 3DS

Both Nintendo’s consoles, the Wii U and the 3DS, have been graced with a number of freely available demos, just in time for the weekend. On the Wii U, players can download the Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Demo and Trine 2 Director’s Cut.

Finally, one of our most anticipated games for the 3DS, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate, has also received its own demo.

In essence, those with both consoles will be able to submerge themselves into demos of a role playing game, platform-puzzler, and an action title this weekend. The better news is that these are all available for South African users of the Nintendo eShop in South Africa as well.

For a brief overview and reminder of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate, hit (or slash) the video to follow. 

Contributions by Hanleigh Daniels. 

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