3 million Xbox Ones, 4.2 million PlayStation 4s sold in 2013
Monday, Microsoft announced that the Xbox One sold 3 million units across 13 different countries in 2013. That's 3 million units in fiveweeks. Astounding number, isn't it? After all, that extra million is on top of the 2 million Xbox Ones the company sold in the console's first eight days. Quite an accomplishment, no?
However, just as Sony was wont to do in 2013, demonstrated by their E3 debut of the system in which Sony not only undercut the Xbox One's price point, but also poked fun at Microsoft's DRM policy, they swept the rug from under Microsoft and stole some of their thunder. At Sony's CES keynote yesterday, the company announced that it sold 4.2 million PS4s in the final six weeks of 2013.
In case you're wondering, Nintendo has sold 3.92 million Wii Us as of October 2013 since its launch in November 2012. They just can't catch a break, can they?
With both the PS4 and Xbox One yet to launch in Japan, as I noted recently, expect that number to increase exponentially during the first quarter of 2014. If you're a visual person, IGN has a few bar graphs comparing the PS4, Xbox One, and Wii U against one another, as well as lifetime and launch sales of the PS3, 360, and Wii.
[via IGN]
PlayStation Now to stream old PlayStation games to PS4, PS Vita
When Sony bought Gakai back in the summer of 2011, it was always assumed that they would use the cloud service to stream PS3 games for the upcoming PlayStation 4. Today, the Japanese company confirmed their plans with their announcement of PlayStation Now. Currently, PS3 games are confirmed to be a part of the service, allowing PS4 owners to stream PS3 games to the PS3, PS4, PS Vita, and select Bravia TVs with additional devices planned for the future. PS2 and PS1 games are also rumored to be available through PlayStation Now, although the official press release hasn't addressed their availability. A beta run for the service is set to begin at the end of the month with a roll out scheduled for the summer.
There are no details as to how the service will function, but Sony has noted that a subscription plan is in the works for gamers to choose from an assortment of games, as well as the ability to stream individual titles. There's no word on whether or not gamers who already own copies of the game will have access to them or have to pay a fee (much like the PS3 to PS4 upgrade service). One thing's for sure: it won't be long before us PS4 owners can get rid of our PS3s collecting dust.
[via PlayStation Blog]
[Video] Michael Bay succumbs to stage fright at CES
We've all had our moments where we shrink in the spotlight in some capacity. However, when you're an illustrious Hollywood director, you would think the spotlight would be the least of your problems. Unfortunately for Michael Bay, he discovered his stage fright at the worst moment. During Samsung's press conference yesterday as part of this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the Transformers director fumbled with his lines, eventually getting frustrated to the point where he walked off stage awkwardly.
Following the abrupt appearance, Bay turned to his website to address the situation, chalking everything up to a teleprompter error:
Wow! I just embarrassed myself at CES – I was about to speak for Samsung for this awesome Curved 105-inch UHD TV. I rarely lend my name to any products, but this one is just stellar. I got so excited to talk, that I skipped over the Exec VP’s intro line and then the teleprompter got lost. Then the prompter went up and down – then I walked off. I guess live shows aren’t my thing.
But I’m doing a special curved screen experience with Samsung and Transformers 4 footage that will be traveling around the world.
Michael
I bet the huge reveal would have involved the 105" TV turning into the next Decepticon. Thanks for ruining the moment, Michael!
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[via IGN]
Nintendo forced to pay percentage of future 3DS sales to another company
Nintendo fits into weirdly into the video game spectrum. On the one hand, their first-party titles (Zelda, Super Mario Bros., etc.) perform critically well to solid sales; on the other, the dwindling third-party support hasn't helped bring the company's latest console, Wii U, to the forefront of next generation gaming as the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. However, while the Wii U continues to underperform and underwhelm, the company's hardware side has been consistently salvaged thanks to amazing sales of the Nintendo 3DS.
As of October 2013, close to 35 million units have been shipped worldwide with no real signs of slowing down. Unfortunately, a percentage of future 3DS sales will go towards another company thanks to a patent claim. Kotaku states that Tomita's patented camera technology that creates 3D images from the system's cameras. Nintendo will be forced to pay 1.82% of every unit sold to Tomita going forward. It's a small percentage, but considering the current MSRP for the 3DS is at $190 and the growth of future 3DS sales, that price will add up.
[via Kotaku]
New film stills for Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Talk about winter, right guys?! I think I'm going to be making a ton of terrible winter puns/jokes for the rest of the week. Luckily, these hot new stills from the upcoming Captain America: The Winter Soldier have been released. Featuring the tag team duo of Captain America (Chris Evans) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), The Winter Soldier takes place months after The Avengers where the two superheroes find themselves embroiled in a government conspiracy, capped with an assassination plot from newcomer, the titular Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan).
Check out the film stills below! Hopefully they'll keep you warm until the film's released into theaters on April 4th.
[Weekend Box Office] Frozen heats up the box office
With temperatures plunging across the country, it's only fitting that Disney's latest animated film, Frozen, topped the box office this weekend. With a return of $20.7m, five weeks after its theatrical release. As I've said before, the power of the animated family film always triumphs at the box office. In second is the Paranormal Activity spin-off, The Marked Ones, with $18.2m in its first weekend. Desolation of Smaug rounds out the Top 3 with a $16.2m weekend. You can read the rest of the weekend box office numbers below.
1. Frozen - $20,722,000
2. Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones - $18,200,000
3. The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug - $16,250,000
4. The Wolf of Wall Street - $13,400,000
5. American Hustle - $13,200,000
6. Anchorman 2 - $11,100,000
7. Saving Mr. Banks - $9,057,000
8. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - $8,200,000
9. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - $7,400,000
10. Grudge Match - $5,410,000
[via Rentrak]
Vines now viewable on browsers
With a quick show of hands, how many of you have actively used Instagram on a web browser? Nobody, right? With Vine's popularity growing, it was only a matter of time before they brought their talents to a bigger screen. As of today, your favorite six-second clip platform can now be shared with your friends without a smartphone through Vine's new website platform.
By visiting Vine's new website, you can easily see your Vine timeline, as well as your own personal profile. However, much like Instagram's browser website, you can't upload any content. Aspiring Vine artists can feel comfortable knowing they can easily share their profiles with a dedicated URL instead of linking to videos individually or having to re-upload them to a more convenient video service like YouTube.
In addition, a "TV mode" option is available for users viewing the Vine site to expand the video clips into full-screen mode. Why anybody would want to do this for six second-long clips is beyond me, but whatever floats your boat. If Vine truly wants to take the next step in growing their product, they should introduce playlists allowing viewers to watch multiple clips back to back. Imagine the level of creativity going into expanding upon the six second limit while still adhering to that same timeframe. The possibilities!
[via Vine]
Super Bowl XLVIII will stream for free on Fox Sports Go
With billions of dollars in generated revenue, the Super Bowl is consistently the largest televised event of the year. With the rise of streaming and declining necessity for a large screen TV, the NFL has been exploring streaming options for past Super Bowls to huge success. Not one to skip the bandwagon, Fox Sports will also be offering a streaming option for Super Bowl XLVIII.
Select TV subscribers will be able to stream both the Super Bowl and all NFC playoff games through Fox Sports' own Fox Sports Go for free depending on your cable or satellite provider. However, the options are limited, as only AT&T U-Verse, Midcontinent Connections, Optimum, SuddenLink, WOW!, and Xfinity subscribers are the only ones currently eligible for this offer - sorry DirecTV users.
[via Engadget]