NSA spied on Xbox Live, World of Warcraft players
With only 1% of Edward Snowden’s earth-shattering documents being published by The Guardian (with the worst yet to come, I’m sure), the true level at which the NSA tapped into our private lives might not ever be known. As illuminated by The Guardian today, one way in which the NSA protected our privacies was by creating sucker accounts on Xbox Live and World of Warcraft. Since 2008, the NSA and the United Kingdom’s GCHQ created Xbox Live, World of Warcraft, and Second Life accounts to scour for any illicit, terrorist plans.
So far, the documents released haven't indicated whether the NSA/GCHQ gamers came across any terrorist plots, but that's not to say none were found. According to the leaked documents, the operation grew so large that a "deconfliction group" was planned to ensure NSA and GCHQ agents weren't spying on fellow NSA and GCHQ agents. How does it make you feel knowing government money was spent funding agents who spent their days going on raids, tea bagging counter-terrorists, and flying around fake cities?
[via Engadget]
More than 6.5 million shares through the PlayStation 4 Share button
One of my favorite features of the PlayStation 4 is the ability to instantly share videos and images directly from the system. I haven't used it much, but it feels great knowing that I can easily share my NBA 2K14 dominance mere seconds after finishing a game, whether it's an image of my player posterizing Brook Lopez or bringing the Bucks back to defeat the Rockets down 13 with 2 minutes left to go in the 4th. With the PS4 selling over 2 million consoles since its North American release two weeks ago (following 1 million in its first 24 hours), the PS4 is definitely the console to have this holiday season.
Recently, Sony announced that more than 6.5 shared content has come through the PlayStation 4's Share button. Through the Share button, users can upload their screenshots or videos to either Twitter or Facebook, or they can easily stream live content through Twitch, a video service that supports live video game streams. While the editing options are limited through the native Share software, it poses easy access for gamers to simply share their content rather than having to own a capture card with all of the extra, third-party hardware and software that was once necessary.
If you have a PlayStation 4, share some of your memorable videos or images with us on either Twitter or Facebook so we can feature them on the site!
[via Destructoid]
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas will be ported to iOS, Android, and more
It hasn't even been four months since Grand Theft Auto V came out, yet Rockstar is already to put out another GTA game. However, it's not what you might think (...unless you read the headline). Yesterday, the studio announced their plans to release a port of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, arguably the best GTA game during the PS2 era, on mobile devices including iOS, Android, Kindles, and Windows Phones. Instead of a straight port of the PS2 version, Rockstar has opted to port a "remastered" version of the game featuring "remastered graphics including dynamic and detailed shadows, greater draw distance, an enriched color palette, plus enhanced character and car models," as well as an updated control scheme to reflect the nature of touch screens, controller support for those that simply can't be bothered with touch screen support, and a checkpoint system that wasn't in the original game.
It's interesting that Rockstar would port the game over to mobile devices rather than a handheld or digitally on the PS4 and Xbox One, but considering just how large the mobile gaming industry has grown over the past few years, you can understand their rationale behind the decision. Do any of you plan on picking GTA: San Andreas when it's available next month?
[via IGN]
Small percentage of Xbox Ones experiencing disc drive errors
I'm extremely biased towards the PlayStation 4 (and the three preceding PlayStations in the process), so it's safe to assume my heart skipped a beat when I found out early Xbox One consoles were experiencing defective disc drive errors. Sure, what matters are the video games and there shouldn't be a divide between Sony and Microsoft the same way there shouldn't be a divide between Democrats and Republicans. Still, chalk this one up for the good guys.
As seen in the video below, a notable number of Xbox One consoles make a crunchy, disarming sound when a disc is inserted. Following that, the console is unable to read the disc. It appears that no physical damage (i.e. scratches) is done to the discs, so it's most likely a hardware issue with the way the drive accepts the disc. Microsoft has admitted to the problem, stating "We're working directly with those affected to get a replacement console to them as soon as possible through our advance exchange program. Rest assured, we are taking care of our customers." Affected gamers are also eligible to receive a voucher for a free, digital version of select first-party games (Dead Rising 3, Forza Motorsport 5, Ryse: Son of Rome, and Zoo Tycoon).
After a year of missteps and confusion, it seems like Microsoft just can't catch a break. It's all just early adopter problems that will be resolved shortly, gamers... that is, when you jump ship and pick up a PS4.
[youtube id="lOPcMT5DHWY" mode="normal" align="center"]
[via Yahoo!, via Destructoid]
A Little Something Extra For Your iPhone Games
With the amount of iPhone games available, it is only natural that someone would try to make the experience better as if you were playing on an actual game console. That is where the Moga Ace Power Controller comes in to add a little more fun to the iPhone gaming experience. For $100, you'll get the same feel and controls of a gaming console everywhere you take your iPhone, and it's easily expandable so it can fit in your pocket or bag. The controller also acts as an extra battery pack, so it lets you keep charging as you play.
[Via Mogaanywhere]
How many PlayStation 4s were sold in its first 24 hours?
Considering the PlayStation 4 only launched in two regions (United States and Canada), it's an amazing, yet surprising accomplishment to find out that Sony sold more than 1 million PS4s in its first 24 hours. With the PS4's MSRP set at $400, that's a cool $400m the company made from Friday to Saturday alone. The international rollout will continue on the 29th in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil set to launch the the vaunted gaming console with releases spreading out further throughout the world until Japan releases the console in February.
With such a strong Day 1 showing, the PS4 has become Sony's fastest-selling console in history. It's no surprise the PS4 found early success, thanks in no small part to its public debut at this year's E3 where Sony CEO and president Jack Tretton praised the PS4's innovations and lambasted Microsoft's Xbox One policies. With a lower price tag, a clear-cut focus on gaming, and a variety of technical upgrades, both for consumers and developers, the PS4 has been predicted to take the throne back from Microsoft in this next generation of gaming.
However, Xbox One's day to shine is this Friday, so it'll be interesting to see how Microsoft's PR fumbles and policy backtracking will not only affect their early sales, but Sony's sales in the process. Unlike the PS4, the Xbox One will have a simultaneous launch in North America, Europe, Australia, Brazil, and Japan on Friday, so the numbers are practically guaranteed to top 1 million across all of the major regions.
Still, I doubt that the Xbox One will be able to match the PlayStation 4's amazing Day 1 sales. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some Spawn Beacons to set in Killzone: Shadow Fall.
[via The Verge]
PaRappa the Rapper rumored to return on PlayStation 4, PS Vita
PaRappa the Rapper is one of my favorite video game characters of all time. Alongside Mega Man and Sonic the Hedgehog, I have many fond memories spent with the paper-thin rapping ass rapper, despite the PaRappa the Rapper franchise launched relatively late back in 1997. To this day, I still hold PaRappa in the highest regard, illustrated in no small part by my PaRappa the Rapper-themed fantasy sports teams this season (Jump Kick Chop and Kick Punch Block). Despite an appearance in the Super Smash Bros.-esque PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, PaRappa has been noticeably absent from this generation of gaming. However, if rumors turn out to be true, the eternally optimistic MC will be returning sooner than later.
NeoGAF is a cesspool of gaming fanboys, extreme bias, and unrelenting trolls, but every once in awhile, a rumor crops up that actually carries some legitimacy. Like all good rumors, this one begins with somebody drinking with a PR person who spills a secret. In this case, it's PaRappa the Rapper's return in development by Little Big Planet creators, Media Molecule. Furthermore, PaRappa's re-emergence potentially represents a larger directive from Sony to bring back classic IPs.
With Sony set to make a huge announcement tomorrow ahead of the PlayStation 4's launch on Friday, could news of a new PaRappa game be the news? All I have to say about that is, "I gotta believe!"
[via NeoGAF]
[Video] Killzone: Shadow Fall launch trailer
Killzone 2 was one of my favorite PS3 games, not for its single-player campaign, but for its level-based multiplayer. In fact, I don't think I once bothered with the actual story. When Killzone 3 came out, I dove right into the multiplayer, but it wasn't the same. With the PS4 launching on Friday, Sony and Guerilla Games are releasing Killzone: Shadow Fall to demonstrate how powerful the next generation of gaming is on the new PlayStation. Gone are the series' iconic muted, dull colors, replaced by vibrant, radiant colors signifying not only the changing landscape of Helghast, but also the PS4's processing power. I can't speak on the game's story, but I know I'm gonna spend the majority of my weekend playing my ass off in some multiplayer.
Watch Killzone: Shadow Fall's launch trailer below.
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