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http://auth.gamespot.com/ Gamespot's Everything Feed! News, Reviews, Videos. Exploding with content? You bet. en-us Sat, 31 May 2014 05:25:14 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/far-cry-10th-anniversary-retrospective/1100-6420000/ <p style="">Crysis may be the series that we most associate with developer Crytek, but it was Far Cry that put it on the map. The original Far Cry was a visual marvel, featuring a vast and gorgeous tropical island to explore, but it was more than just pretty. It was also a highly immersive game that made getting lost in its world both tense and joyous as it introduced elements that were more and more removed from the reality we know.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">While some new Far Cry adventures would make their way to consoles packaged with the original game, it wasn't until 2008 that a proper sequel arrived, courtesy of Ubisoft Montreal. The game met with mixed reactions, but it found a passionate audience that loved its African setting and weapon degradation. Far Cry 3 met with wider acclaim, but it's the original game that has proven most important, providing a foundation not just for the Far Cry series itself, but for Crysis and its sequels as well.</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6417805" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6417805/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><h3 dir="ltr">Daniel Hindes</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">The thing I most fondly remember from my tropical vacation in the first Far Cry was the only thing that was excised from the series' later installments: its tone. Protagonist Jack Carver's bright orange Hawaiian shirt was a constant reminder of Far Cry's playful origins. This was a first-person shooter that didn't care about the evils of arms smuggling, or about the definition of insanity. It cared about saturating you with its colorful, open levels, and keeping you on your toes with what were, at the time, some of the most intelligent enemies I've ever seen in a shooter. These mercenaries actually used the jungle for cover, creeping behind plants and--get this--<em>not</em> shooting at you until they had snuck right up behind you for a kill shot. I can't remember a time in a game since then that an enemy has surprised me like that.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Of course, what's not surprising now is Crytek's desire to change up the enemy roster halfway through, such as the introduction of Crysis' aliens, or here, mutated apes. Once I started fighting these trigens in a volcanic caldera, I checked out. But until that point, Far Cry was a pure and refreshing shooter about bright colors, big guns, and loud shirts.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Kevin VanOrd</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">There comes a "Holy crap!" moment just minutes into Far Cry when the sight of your lush island prison is revealed to you for the first time. It's one of the most stunning sights I've ever witnessed in a game, and at the time, I couldn't believe my eyes. How could a game look this incredible? What was in store for me in this violent paradise?</p><blockquote data-size="large" data-align="left"><p dir="ltr" style="">I couldn't believe my eyes. How could a game look this incredible?</p></blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="">It was the best birthday present I could imagine, and the game arrived only a week after the awesome Unreal Tournament 2004. My time was split between both games afterward--Far Cry for its single-player thrills, and UT 2004 for the continuing excitement of onslaught matches. Far Cry was my personal jewel, however. I can still envision the heightened tropical ambience when swimming underwater, surrounded by impossibly vibrant fish and perfect round bubbles. I can still remember the opening cutscene, which begins with a rewind shot depicting floating flotsam reassembling itself into a sailboat. I still remember using the different rendering options, which let you change the look of the entire game. If you grabbed the recently released HD version (called Far Cry Classic), try turning on the cartoon setting, which makes the game look rather like Borderlands.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Crytek moved on to Crysis, and Ubisoft now handles the Far Cry franchise, and while both Far Cry sequels were great on their own terms, I miss the <em>Island of Doctor Moreau</em> vibe of the original. The series tastes best with a touch of the unnatural.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Shaun McInnis</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">My experience with the original Far Cry requires a little bit of backstory. Back in 2004, I was a sophomore at the University of Washington. In between reading stacks of 18th-century English novels and trying to convince myself that dirt-cheap beer wasn't so bad once you got used to it--college is a weird place--I somehow still managed to find time for video games. So here I was, browsing reviews on a little website called GameSpot.com, in search of that one game I should check out next. And that's when I saw it: Far Cry.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">It was a review done by former GameSpot editor Jason Ocampo. I mention that because one year prior, I shared an English literature class with him and had absolutely no idea he went on to write about video games for a living. And that's what grabbed my attention. Yes, Far Cry looked great, but my PC at the time was a feeble Dell laptop--I was a console gamer back then. But seeing someone I had taken a class with was just too weird for me. I had to see what this game was about.</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6092077" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6092077/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p dir="ltr" style="">I'm glad I did, because that game was really something else. Even on my sad little laptop, Far Cry's jungle environment was amazing. The way prowling through lush foliage made you feel like a predator stalking its prey, the freedom with which you could approach enemies, the way everything just felt so reactive--it was one of the first games I could remember where I really felt like I was using the world around me as a weapon.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">And it's a series that I still love to this day. Even as Crytek has moved on to different projects, I still enjoy the legacy that studio created. I'm just happy that a wild coincidence convinced me to take a shot on it in the first place.</p> Fri, 30 May 2014 19:42:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/far-cry-10th-anniversary-retrospective/1100-6420000/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/the-nba2k14-samsung-galaxy-s5-challenge-console-fi/2300-6419054/ Join us as we broadcast the Console Finals for The NBA2K14 Samsung Galaxy S5 Challenge! Fri, 30 May 2014 19:02:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/the-nba2k14-samsung-galaxy-s5-challenge-console-fi/2300-6419054/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/xbox-live-free-games-with-gold-for-june-includes-d/2300-6419053/ For the one-year anniversary of Games with Gold, Xbox Live subscribers get three free Xbox 360 games and two Xbox One games. Fri, 30 May 2014 18:10:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/xbox-live-free-games-with-gold-for-june-includes-d/2300-6419053/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-top-5-watch-dogs-record-breaking-sales-the/2300-6419037/ Everything you want to know about Battlefield Hardline, The Order: 1886, games you can pick up for your Xbox One this year, and Watch Dogs' super success. Fri, 30 May 2014 16:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-top-5-watch-dogs-record-breaking-sales-the/2300-6419037/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-update-report-ps4-exclusive-project-beast-/2300-6419046/ Leaked video shows a game that bears a striking resemblance to From Software's popular Souls games. Fri, 30 May 2014 15:40:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-update-report-ps4-exclusive-project-beast-/2300-6419046/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-graphics-comparison-side-by-side/1100-6419991/ <p style=""> </p><p style=""> </p><p style="">People should mind their Ps and Qs, but video game enthusiasts can be quite passionate about their Ps in particular. Ubisoft caused quite the kerfuffle when Watch Dogs neared release and it was clear that the released game's visuals didn't quite live up to the promise of its early screens and trailers. Just how different <em>are</em> the various versions of this hacking-focused open-world game? If you're on the fence about which version to buy, watch the above video, and check the screens below.</p><p style=""> </p><p style=""> </p><p style=""> </p><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545860-boat2_ps4_1.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545861-boat2_xboxone_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545860,1300-2545861" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545860-boat2_ps4_1.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545861-boat2_xboxone_1.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545860-boat2_ps4_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545860" ><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545860-boat2_ps4_1.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545861-boat2_xboxone_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545861" ><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545861-boat2_xboxone_1.jpg"></a><figcaption>PS4 vs. Xbox One</figcaption></figure><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545862-owlmotel_ps4_1.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545863-owlmotelatnight_pc.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545862,1300-2545863" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545862-owlmotel_ps4_1.jpg,http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545863-owlmotelatnight_pc.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545862-owlmotel_ps4_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545862" ><img src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545862-owlmotel_ps4_1.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545863-owlmotelatnight_pc.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545863" ><img src="http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545863-owlmotelatnight_pc.jpg"></a><figcaption>PS4 vs. PC</figcaption></figure><p style=""> </p><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545865-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545866-watchdogs_xbox360_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545865,1300-2545866" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545865-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg,http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545866-watchdogs_xbox360_1.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545865-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545865" ><img src="http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545865-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545866-watchdogs_xbox360_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545866" ><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545866-watchdogs_xbox360_1.jpg"></a><figcaption>PS3 vs. X360</figcaption></figure><p style=""> </p><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545873-baseball+stadiumpc.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545874-xboxone_bar_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545873,1300-2545874" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545873-baseball+stadiumpc.jpg,http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545874-xboxone_bar_1.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545873-baseball+stadiumpc.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545873" ><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545873-baseball+stadiumpc.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545874-xboxone_bar_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545874" ><img src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545874-xboxone_bar_1.jpg"></a><figcaption>PC vs. Xbox One</figcaption></figure><p style=""> </p><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545875-nighttime+wet+concrete_pc.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545876-nighttime_ps4_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545875,1300-2545876" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545875-nighttime+wet+concrete_pc.jpg,http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545876-nighttime_ps4_1.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545875-nighttime+wet+concrete_pc.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545875" ><img src="http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545875-nighttime+wet+concrete_pc.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545876-nighttime_ps4_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545876" ><img src="http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545876-nighttime_ps4_1.jpg"></a><figcaption>PC vs. PS4</figcaption></figure><p style=""> </p><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545915-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545917-watchdogs_ps4_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545915,1300-2545917" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545915-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545917-watchdogs_ps4_1.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545915-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545915" ><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545915-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545917-watchdogs_ps4_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545917" ><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545917-watchdogs_ps4_1.jpg"></a><figcaption>PS3 vs. PS4</figcaption></figure><p style=""> </p><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545974-watchdogs_xbox360_2.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545975-watchdogs_xboxone_2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545974,1300-2545975" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545974-watchdogs_xbox360_2.jpg,http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545975-watchdogs_xboxone_2.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545974-watchdogs_xbox360_2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545974" ><img src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545974-watchdogs_xbox360_2.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545975-watchdogs_xboxone_2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545975" ><img src="http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545975-watchdogs_xboxone_2.jpg"></a><figcaption>X360 vs. Xbox One</figcaption></figure><p style=""> </p> Fri, 30 May 2014 15:07:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-graphics-comparison-side-by-side/1100-6419991/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-easter-egg-features-gangsta-rapping-trout/1100-6419999/ <div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6419047" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6419047/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style=""> </p><p style=""> </p><p style=""><em>Warning: This video contains NSFW language. (Or maybe just use headphones.)</em></p><p dir="ltr" style="">Just days after release, a funny <a href="/watch-dogs/" data-ref-id="false">Watch Dogs</a> Easter egg featuring a gangsta-rapping trout has been discovered. As detailed in the video above (first found by the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZvh5l_sp-g" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Watch Dogs Central YouTube account</a>), when you "hack" the Singing Trout, it begins to rap about what it's like to be a fish in Chicago.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The results are hilarious. It's obviously a spoof on the popular "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mouth-Billy-Bass-Singing-Sensation/dp/B003HLAX6U" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Big Mouth Billy Bass</a>" animatronic prop that was all the rage in the early 2000s. Who knows what other secrets Watch Dogs has in store for us.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Watch Dogs launched on Tuesday across Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC, with a <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-for-wii-u-definitely-not-canceled/1100-6418164/" data-ref-id="1100-6418164">Wii U version to follow</a>. It quickly became <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-becomes-fastest-selling-game-in-ubisoft-s-history/1100-6419933/" data-ref-id="1100-6419933">Ubisoft's fastest-selling game of all time</a>. No hard sales numbers have been released so far, but Ubisoft expects it to sell <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-to-sell-around-6-million-units/1100-6411643/" data-ref-id="1100-6411643">over 6 million units </a>in its lifetime--that's<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-to-sell-around-6-million-units/1100-6411643/" data-ref-id="1100-6411643"> the same figure the original Assassin's Creed did in 2007</a>. American conservative TV and radio host Glenn Beck recently <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/glenn-beck-criticizes-watch-dogs-for-promoting-hacking-what-the-heck-is-wrong-with-us/1100-6419977/" data-ref-id="1100-6419977">criticized the game for promoting hacking</a>.</p><p style="">For more on Watch Dogs, check out <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/watch-dogs-review/1900-6415770/" data-ref-id="1900-6415770">GameSpot's review</a> and <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-review-roundup/1100-6419892/" data-ref-id="1100-6419892">what other critics are saying</a>.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 30 May 2014 14:30:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-easter-egg-features-gangsta-rapping-trout/1100-6419999/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-pc-patch-on-the-way-as-nvidia-and-amd-quarrel/1100-6419996/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2545940-watch+dogs.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545940" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2545940-watch+dogs.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545940"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/123/1239113/2545940-watch+dogs.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style="">Uplay issues aside, there have been numerous reports regarding performance issues with the PC version of <a href="/watch-dogs/" data-ref-id="false">Watch Dogs</a>, particularly from users with AMD hardware. Fortunately, a patch is in the works that should improve things--but in the meantime, it's sparked a heated discussion between graphics card makers AMD and Nvidia.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Watch Dogs graphics technical director Sebastien Viard has sent out a series of tweets briefly explaining what could be causing the performance issues and offering recommendations for dealing with them. "Watch Dogs can use 3+ GB of RAM on [next-gen] consoles for graphics, your PC GPU needs enough VRAM for ultra options due to the lack of unified mem[ory]," he wrote in one <a href="https://twitter.com/SebViard/status/472030606420115458" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">tweet</a>. For those with problems, he <a href="https://twitter.com/SebViard/status/472030638254870529" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">suggested</a>, "If you experience lag/stutter on a fast PC, try to lower one of those settings to reduce the GPU VRAM usage: texture quality, AA, resolution."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"Making an open world run on [next-gen] &amp; [current-gen] consoles + supporting PC is an incredibly complex task, the team did a fantastic job. Congrats guys!" he <a href="https://twitter.com/SebViard/status/472032520306196480" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">continued</a>, before <a href="https://twitter.com/SebViard/status/472036622171930624" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">revealing</a> work is underway on a patch: "[O]ur PC prog[rammer]s are also currently working on a patch to improve your experience thanks to your reports, stay tuned."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Watch Dogs quickly became the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-becomes-fastest-selling-game-in-ubisoft-s-history/1100-6419933/" data-ref-id="1100-6419933">fastest-selling game</a> in publisher Ubisoft's history when it was released this week, although the game's launch was mired for many because of myriad technical issues. Some players had trouble <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-suffering-from-login-issues-and-more-on-launch-day/1100-6419894/" data-ref-id="1100-6419894">downloading their preorders</a> from the PlayStation Store, while others were unable to <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/uplay-services-on-xbox-live-struggling-with-watch-dogs-other-ubisoft-games/1100-6419949/" data-ref-id="1100-6419949">log in to Uplay</a> (which on PC meant locking them out of the game altogether). The Uplay issues even extended to games other than Watch Dogs, affecting titles like <a href="/trials-fusion/" data-ref-id="false">Trials Fusion</a> and <a href="/assassins-creed-iv-black-flag/" data-ref-id="false">Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag</a>.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The game's performance issues on PC caused AMD to speak out this week, as the company took aim at Nvidia's GameWorks, a toolset developers can use when building their games (Watch Dogs being one such game).</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"Gameworks represents a clear and present threat to gamers by deliberately crippling performance on AMD products (40% of the market) to widen the margin in favor of NVIDIA products," AMD's Robert Hallock told <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2014/05/26/why-watch-dogs-is-bad-news-for-amd-users-and-potentially-the-entire-pc-gaming-ecosystem/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Forbes</a>. "Participation in the Gameworks program often precludes the developer from accepting AMD suggestions that would improve performance directly in the game code--the most desirable form of optimization."</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6418987" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6418987/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p dir="ltr" style="">Hallock went on to claim Nvidia had stopped publicly sharing Direct3D code samples on its website, stating AMD takes an opposite approach when working with developers. "Our work with game developers is founded concretely in open, sharable code, all of which we make available on our developer portal," he said.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Specifically regarding Watch Dogs, Hallock said AMD had "very limited time with the title and [we've] been able to implement some respectable performance improvements thanks to the skill of our driver engineers. Careful performance analysis with a variety of internal tools have allowed us to profile this title, despite deliberate obfuscation attempts, to improve the experience for users."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Nvidia has responded to AMD's allegations, denying much of what it had to say. Speaking with <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2014/05/28/nvidia-fires-back-the-truth-about-gameworks-amd-optimization-and-watch-dogs/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Forbes</a>, Nvidia's Cem Cebenoyan stated there's nothing in GameWorks that deliberately harms AMD performance. He also denied AMD's assertion that using GameWorks means developers can't accept AMD suggestions.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"I've heard that before from AMD and it's a little mysterious to me. We don't and we never have restricted anyone from getting access as part of our agreements. Not with Watch Dogs and not with any other titles," he said. "Our agreements focus on interesting things we're going to do together to improve the experience for all PC gamers and of course for Nvidia customers. We don't have anything in there restricting anyone from accessing source code or binaries. Developers are free to give builds out to whoever they want. It's their product."</p><p style="">This all comes down to a 'he said, she said' situation between the two companies, which have been bitter rivals for years. Both companies released updated drivers this week that include enhancements for Watch Dogs.</p><p style=""><em>If you're playing the PC version of Watch Dogs, what has your experience been like? Let us know in the comments below.</em></p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Chris Pereira is a freelance writer for GameSpot, and you can follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSmokingManX" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Twitter @TheSmokingManX</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><em><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com</strong></em></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 30 May 2014 14:18:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-pc-patch-on-the-way-as-nvidia-and-amd-quarrel/1100-6419996/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/levar-burton-wants-to-bring-reading-rainbow-to-xbox-and-playstation/1100-6419997/ <p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">Actor LeVar Burton wants to bring his <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/readingrainbow/bring-reading-rainbow-back-for-every-child-everywh" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">upcoming Reading Rainbow project </a>to a host of new platforms, including gaming consoles like Xbox and PlayStation systems. For that to happen, though, funding for the <em>Star Trek</em> actor's newly launched Kickstarter campaign needs to reach $5 million.</p><figure data-align="left" data-size="small" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2545946-readingrainbow.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545946" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2545946-readingrainbow.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545946"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_small/1179/11799911/2545946-readingrainbow.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">Right now, the campaign stands at $2.8 million from more than 64,000 backers. "Let's do this, ya'll. I'll see you later. But you don't have to take my word for it," Burton<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/readingrainbow/bring-reading-rainbow-back-for-every-child-everywh/posts" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> said in a Kickstarter video update </a>today. The campaign ends on Wednesday, July 2.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Burton's new Reading Rainbow project was originally announced as a web application only, but after considering comments and suggestions, it was decided that to be "accessible to more kids and families," the initiative would also need to expand to new platforms.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">In addition to the unspecified Xbox and PlayStation consoles, if the $5 million stretch goal is met, the new Reading Rainbow program will be released for mobile devices, as well as over-the-top boxes like AppleTV, Roku, and Kindle Fire TV.</p><p style="">Burton's overall ambition for his new Reading Rainbow initiative is to bring the program to "every child, everywhere." The service will include an "unlimited library" of books and video field trips for "today's digitally connected kids." He's calling on people who grew up with <em>Reading Rainbow</em> to help fund the new Kickstarter to support the children of the next generation.</p><p style=""><em>Reading Rainbow</em> went off the air in 2009. It originally aired on PBS and Burton was its host and producer. </p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 30 May 2014 14:05:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/levar-burton-wants-to-bring-reading-rainbow-to-xbox-and-playstation/1100-6419997/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/a-fun-foursome-free-games-friday-may-30-2014/1100-6419995/ <p style="">Welcome to Free Games Friday, our weekly look at games, demos, and betas that you can enjoy without your bank balance taking a hit. This week's recommendations include a MOBA of sorts that has just made the jump to PC after debuting on Xbox 360, a multiplayer shooter that's free to download this week only, and a fast-paced action game with a killer aesthetic. We've also got another giveaway for you this week: A free airship for use in the recent free-to-play Steam release Aerena: Clash of Champions.</p><p style="">Check out the video below for more details and be sure to let us know what you think of this week's selection in the comments.</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6419044" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6419044/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p dir="ltr" style="">Check out the links below to find all of the games mentioned in this week's show.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><a href="https://www.origin.com/en-us/store/buy/battlefield-3/pc-download/base-game/standard-edition" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Battlefield 3</a></p><p dir="ltr" style=""><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bill-killem/id657693698?mt=8" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Bill Killem</a></p><p dir="ltr" style=""><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/246280/?snr=1_702_4_" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Happy Wars - Early Access</a></p><p dir="ltr" style=""><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/247830/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"><span>Aerena: Clash of Champions</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style=""><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/aerenagiveaway/" data-ref-id="false">Aerena: Clash of Champions Airship Giveaway</a></p> Fri, 30 May 2014 13:57:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/a-fun-foursome-free-games-friday-may-30-2014/1100-6419995/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gangster-rapping-salmon-watch-dogs/2300-6419047/ This salmon in Watch Dogs will smack your eggs raw. Fri, 30 May 2014 13:51:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gangster-rapping-salmon-watch-dogs/2300-6419047/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/aerena-clash-of-champions-exclusive-bombshell-giveaway/1100-6419940/ <p style="">We're giving away codes for an exclusive ship for ÆRENA: Clash of Champions. The Bombshell is a new ship being offered for the first time, here on GameSpot.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">ÆRENA: Clash of Champions aims to be an alternative to the pressures of other MOBAs. Featuring tactical combat that pits two players and their teams of champions head-to-head in a unique Ætherpunk setting.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">So what are you waiting for? Everyone can go grab a code! Just enter your email address below to receive a code for your ship while supplies last.</p><div data-embed-type="html"><div id="woobox-root"> </div><script type="text/javascript">/* <![CDATA[ */ (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//woobox.com/js/plugins/woo.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'woobox-sdk')); // ]]></script><div class="woobox-offer" data-offer="kbgocv"> </div></div><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p style="">How to redeem:</p><p style="">1. <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/247830/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Install ÆRENA: Clash of Champions</a> on Steam for PC or Mac.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">2. In Steam, click "+Add Game" and select "Activate a Product on Steam."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">3. Enter your code into the appropriate field.</p><p style="">4. Start ÆRENA: Clash of Champions and The Bombshell will be available.</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6418710" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6418710/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style=""> </p> Fri, 30 May 2014 13:45:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/aerena-clash-of-champions-exclusive-bombshell-giveaway/1100-6419940/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-dlc-out-now-for-xbox-one-s-ryse-son-of-rome/1100-6419994/ <div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6416290" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6416290/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">Racing game <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-racer-forza-5-gets-new-dlc/1100-6419980/" data-ref-id="1100-6419980">Forza Motorsport 5 </a>is not the only high-profile Xbox One game to receive a new expansion today. Microsoft today released the Morituri Pack for Xbox One launch title <a href="/ryse-son-of-rome/" data-ref-id="false">Ryse: Son of Rome</a>, an $8 expansion (included with the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ryse-son-of-rome-season-pass-revealed/1100-6415913/" data-ref-id="1100-6415913">game's DLC pass</a>) that introduces new content like more arenas.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The Morituri Pack features three new arenas for Ryse: Son of Rome's Gladiator mode: Beacon, False Gods, and Revolution. Two new arenas for Survival mode--Sulfur River and The Forbidden Forest--are also included with the expansion. Five additional arenas "optimized" for the game's Solo Mode are packed into the Morituri Pack for Ryse: Son of Rome. These are Market and Garden, as well as the aforesaid Beacon, Revolution, and False Gods maps.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Alongside the release of the Morituri Pack today, Microsoft reminded players that there are a total of nine Easter eggs hidden inside Ryse: Son of Rome--six in the campaign and three in Gladiator mode. So far, players have only discovered five, Microsoft said. To help you find the last four, Microsoft released step-by-step directions (below) explaining how to do so.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">If you're successful, you can record your discovery and send a OneDrive link to Xbox Live's Major Nelson at <a href="mailto:major@xbox.com" rel="nofollow">major@xbox.com</a> with "Ryse Easter Eggs" in the subject line. On Monday, June 2, Major Nelson will officially announce the locations of the remaining Easter eggs and include your name in the announcement if you were one of the first to find them.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><em>1. In the campaign level "The Wrath of the Nemesis," there's a Scorpio in a tower that can be used to shoot many things. Enemies. Pillars. Statues. Firing a few volleys at them will reacquaint you with a familiar face, but not at all like you're expecting.</em></p><p dir="ltr" style=""><em>2. Hurling a pilum in the water may seem like a waste of lethal weaponry, but if you happen to do it one time too many underneath a certain bridge in the campaign level "Pax Romana," you will summon a surprise guest.</em></p><p dir="ltr" style=""><em>3. There's a courthouse with an open roof in the campaign level "Pax Romana" where your pilum can arrange a shocking introduction. Get reckless with them and see what happens.</em></p><p style=""><em>4. Good things come to those who wait in the campaign level "The Son of Rome." Once you reach the courtyard, duck behind a curtain and hang out on the steps on the other side for a bit. Keep your eyes on the nearby balcony. Makes you wonder how they got up there, right?</em></p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 30 May 2014 13:36:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-dlc-out-now-for-xbox-one-s-ryse-son-of-rome/1100-6419994/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rise-of-nations-re-release-lands-in-june-following-microsoft-acquisition/1100-6419993/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2545871-4850112598-ss_14.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545871" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2545871-4850112598-ss_14.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545871"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/123/1239113/2545871-4850112598-ss_14.jpg"></a></figure><p style="">Real-time-strategy game <a href="/rise-of-nations-gold-edition/" data-ref-id="false">Rise of Nations</a> will be re-released next month with improved graphics and new features by Microsoft, which announced today that it has acquired the rights to the franchise.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Known as Rise of Nations: Extended Edition, the re-release includes both the original Rise of Nations and its expansion, <a href="/rise-of-nations/" data-ref-id="false">Thrones and Patriots</a>. It will be available exclusively through Steam and makes use of Steamworks for multiplayer. It supports achievements, trading cards, and cloud saves, as well Twitch integration so that players can stream their matches online.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Extended Edition will see the game's graphics improved--water and textures have been identified specifically as areas of improvement, and full-screen anti-aliasing has been added. However, as the screenshots above and below demonstrate, Extended Edition doesn't look like a modern game. Instead, the visual overhaul seems to be roughly on par with that of the recent HD re-releases of fellow Microsoft RTS games <a href="/age-of-empires-ii-hd-edition/" data-ref-id="false">Age of Empires II</a> and <a href="/age-of-mythology/" data-ref-id="false">Age of Mythology</a>.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">A specific release date was not announced; Extended Edition will simply be coming sometime in June. It'll cost $20 upon release, although a 20% discount for preorders on <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/287450/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Steam</a> brings that down to $16 (or $48 for a four-pack).</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2545872-0786473285-ss_58.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545872" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2545872-0786473285-ss_58.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545872"><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/123/1239113/2545872-0786473285-ss_58.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style="">This release is made possible because Microsoft has acquired the rights to the Rise of Nations franchise, which were sold off to an unknown party last year as part of the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/38-studios-auction-finds-no-buyer-for-amalur-mmo-kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-sequel/1100-6416719/" data-ref-id="1100-6416719">38 Studios auction</a>. Rise of Nations was originally released for computer back in 2003 and was followed a year later by Thrones and Patriots. (It also eventually spawned a fantasy spin-off, <a href="/rise-of-nations-rise-of-legends/" data-ref-id="false">Rise of Legends</a>, in 2006.) Developed by the now-defunct Big Huge Games, the RTS takes players through the different eras of civilization as they attempt to conquer their enemies.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Despite the RTS genre not being as prolific as it once was, Microsoft was recently <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-seeking-dev-to-make-game-in-well-loved-strategy-series/1100-6419490/" data-ref-id="1100-6419490">looking to hire someone</a> to work on a "new AAA title within an established and well-loved strategy game franchise." There was speculation that it could either be Age of Empires or <a href="/halo-wars/" data-ref-id="false">Halo Wars</a>, but Rise of Nations was also a possibility, given that it was published by Microsoft Game Studios. However, considering the opening was published only a month ago and was for a "AAA" game (which hardly screams "re-release"), it seems likely that listing has nothing to do with this release.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Chris Pereira is a freelance writer for GameSpot, and you can follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSmokingManX" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Twitter @TheSmokingManX</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com</em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 30 May 2014 13:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rise-of-nations-re-release-lands-in-june-following-microsoft-acquisition/1100-6419993/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-announces-e3-schedule/1100-6419992/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2545869-xboxe3plans.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545869" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2545869-xboxe3plans.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545869"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2545869-xboxe3plans.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">Microsoft today released a detailed schedule of its plans for E3 2014, which is now <em>less than two weeks away</em>. In addition to the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/e3/" data-ref-id="false">company's main press conference the morning of Monday, June 9</a>, Microsoft will hold a special pre-E3 event on June 8, a "Green Carpet" event the day of, a post-show event, and more.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Below is a roundup of what Microsoft has in store for E3 2014.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Microsoft Store Pre-E3 Event (Sunday, June 8 from 1-3 PM, line opens at 11 a.m.)</strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="">Attend Microsoft's event at the <a href="http://www.westfield.com/centurycity/stores/all-stores/us-microsoft-store/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Century City Microsoft Store </a>and enter a raffle to be one of 100 people selected to attend Microsoft's E3 press conference and a post-show event. While you're at the store, you can play ID@Xbox games, though none were named outright.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Pre-Show/Green Carpet (Monday, June 9 at 9 a.m.)</strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="">This pre-show event includes "sneak previews" and interviews with developers and "celebrity fans" as they walk the "green carpet" at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. Microsoft will stream this event live at Xbox.com and Xbox Live.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Xbox: E3 Briefing Post Show (Monday, June 9 at 11:15 a.m.)</strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="">Following Microsoft's press conference, the company plans to host a live event where Xbox leaders and developers will talk about what was just announced and answer questions from Twitter and the live audience itself. Speakers include Head of Xbox Phil Spencer, ID@Xbox chief Chris Charla, Microsoft marketing executive Yusuf Mehdi, 343 Industries boss Bonnie Ross, and Insomniac Games CEO Ted Price.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Sunset Overdrive Event at Century City Microsoft Store hosted by Major Nelson (Wednesday, June 11 from 6 to 9pm)</strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="">Visit the Century City Microsoft Store to go hands-on with <a href="/sunset-overdrive/" data-ref-id="false">Sunset Overdrive</a> and even try a sample of "<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/in-xbox-one-exclusive-sunset-overdrive-energy-drinks-are-evil/1100-6419496/" data-ref-id="1100-6419496">Overcharge Delirium XT</a>," the fictional energy drink from the game. Attendees can also meet Insomniac developers and Xbox Live's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>ID@Xbox on Twitch Stream (Tuesday through Thursday during E3 show hours)</strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="">Microsoft will broadcast gameplay for ID@Xbox titles through Twitch, and developers will also stop by to talk with viewers. The company will also showcase other games at the Twitch booth. A full broadcast schedule will be published at the beginning of E3 week, so sometime around June 9.</p><p style="">For more on E3, check out <a href="http://gamespot.com/e3/" data-ref-id="false">GameSpot's roundup of everything you need to know about the show</a>.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 30 May 2014 12:44:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-announces-e3-schedule/1100-6419992/

http://auth.gamespot.com/ Gamespot's Everything Feed! News, Reviews, Videos. Exploding with content? You bet. en-us Sat, 31 May 2014 05:25:14 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/far-cry-10th-anniversary-retrospective/1100-6420000/ <p style="">Crysis may be the series that we most associate with developer Crytek, but it was Far Cry that put it on the map. The original Far Cry was a visual marvel, featuring a vast and gorgeous tropical island to explore, but it was more than just pretty. It was also a highly immersive game that made getting lost in its world both tense and joyous as it introduced elements that were more and more removed from the reality we know.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">While some new Far Cry adventures would make their way to consoles packaged with the original game, it wasn't until 2008 that a proper sequel arrived, courtesy of Ubisoft Montreal. The game met with mixed reactions, but it found a passionate audience that loved its African setting and weapon degradation. Far Cry 3 met with wider acclaim, but it's the original game that has proven most important, providing a foundation not just for the Far Cry series itself, but for Crysis and its sequels as well.</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6417805" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6417805/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><h3 dir="ltr">Daniel Hindes</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">The thing I most fondly remember from my tropical vacation in the first Far Cry was the only thing that was excised from the series' later installments: its tone. Protagonist Jack Carver's bright orange Hawaiian shirt was a constant reminder of Far Cry's playful origins. This was a first-person shooter that didn't care about the evils of arms smuggling, or about the definition of insanity. It cared about saturating you with its colorful, open levels, and keeping you on your toes with what were, at the time, some of the most intelligent enemies I've ever seen in a shooter. These mercenaries actually used the jungle for cover, creeping behind plants and--get this--<em>not</em> shooting at you until they had snuck right up behind you for a kill shot. I can't remember a time in a game since then that an enemy has surprised me like that.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Of course, what's not surprising now is Crytek's desire to change up the enemy roster halfway through, such as the introduction of Crysis' aliens, or here, mutated apes. Once I started fighting these trigens in a volcanic caldera, I checked out. But until that point, Far Cry was a pure and refreshing shooter about bright colors, big guns, and loud shirts.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Kevin VanOrd</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">There comes a "Holy crap!" moment just minutes into Far Cry when the sight of your lush island prison is revealed to you for the first time. It's one of the most stunning sights I've ever witnessed in a game, and at the time, I couldn't believe my eyes. How could a game look this incredible? What was in store for me in this violent paradise?</p><blockquote data-size="large" data-align="left"><p dir="ltr" style="">I couldn't believe my eyes. How could a game look this incredible?</p></blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="">It was the best birthday present I could imagine, and the game arrived only a week after the awesome Unreal Tournament 2004. My time was split between both games afterward--Far Cry for its single-player thrills, and UT 2004 for the continuing excitement of onslaught matches. Far Cry was my personal jewel, however. I can still envision the heightened tropical ambience when swimming underwater, surrounded by impossibly vibrant fish and perfect round bubbles. I can still remember the opening cutscene, which begins with a rewind shot depicting floating flotsam reassembling itself into a sailboat. I still remember using the different rendering options, which let you change the look of the entire game. If you grabbed the recently released HD version (called Far Cry Classic), try turning on the cartoon setting, which makes the game look rather like Borderlands.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Crytek moved on to Crysis, and Ubisoft now handles the Far Cry franchise, and while both Far Cry sequels were great on their own terms, I miss the <em>Island of Doctor Moreau</em> vibe of the original. The series tastes best with a touch of the unnatural.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Shaun McInnis</h3><p dir="ltr" style="">My experience with the original Far Cry requires a little bit of backstory. Back in 2004, I was a sophomore at the University of Washington. In between reading stacks of 18th-century English novels and trying to convince myself that dirt-cheap beer wasn't so bad once you got used to it--college is a weird place--I somehow still managed to find time for video games. So here I was, browsing reviews on a little website called GameSpot.com, in search of that one game I should check out next. And that's when I saw it: Far Cry.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">It was a review done by former GameSpot editor Jason Ocampo. I mention that because one year prior, I shared an English literature class with him and had absolutely no idea he went on to write about video games for a living. And that's what grabbed my attention. Yes, Far Cry looked great, but my PC at the time was a feeble Dell laptop--I was a console gamer back then. But seeing someone I had taken a class with was just too weird for me. I had to see what this game was about.</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6092077" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6092077/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p dir="ltr" style="">I'm glad I did, because that game was really something else. Even on my sad little laptop, Far Cry's jungle environment was amazing. The way prowling through lush foliage made you feel like a predator stalking its prey, the freedom with which you could approach enemies, the way everything just felt so reactive--it was one of the first games I could remember where I really felt like I was using the world around me as a weapon.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">And it's a series that I still love to this day. Even as Crytek has moved on to different projects, I still enjoy the legacy that studio created. I'm just happy that a wild coincidence convinced me to take a shot on it in the first place.</p> Fri, 30 May 2014 19:42:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/far-cry-10th-anniversary-retrospective/1100-6420000/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/the-nba2k14-samsung-galaxy-s5-challenge-console-fi/2300-6419054/ Join us as we broadcast the Console Finals for The NBA2K14 Samsung Galaxy S5 Challenge! Fri, 30 May 2014 19:02:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/the-nba2k14-samsung-galaxy-s5-challenge-console-fi/2300-6419054/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/xbox-live-free-games-with-gold-for-june-includes-d/2300-6419053/ For the one-year anniversary of Games with Gold, Xbox Live subscribers get three free Xbox 360 games and two Xbox One games. Fri, 30 May 2014 18:10:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/xbox-live-free-games-with-gold-for-june-includes-d/2300-6419053/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-top-5-watch-dogs-record-breaking-sales-the/2300-6419037/ Everything you want to know about Battlefield Hardline, The Order: 1886, games you can pick up for your Xbox One this year, and Watch Dogs' super success. Fri, 30 May 2014 16:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-top-5-watch-dogs-record-breaking-sales-the/2300-6419037/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-update-report-ps4-exclusive-project-beast-/2300-6419046/ Leaked video shows a game that bears a striking resemblance to From Software's popular Souls games. Fri, 30 May 2014 15:40:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gs-news-update-report-ps4-exclusive-project-beast-/2300-6419046/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-graphics-comparison-side-by-side/1100-6419991/ <p style=""> </p><p style=""> </p><p style="">People should mind their Ps and Qs, but video game enthusiasts can be quite passionate about their Ps in particular. Ubisoft caused quite the kerfuffle when Watch Dogs neared release and it was clear that the released game's visuals didn't quite live up to the promise of its early screens and trailers. Just how different <em>are</em> the various versions of this hacking-focused open-world game? If you're on the fence about which version to buy, watch the above video, and check the screens below.</p><p style=""> </p><p style=""> </p><p style=""> </p><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545860-boat2_ps4_1.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545861-boat2_xboxone_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545860,1300-2545861" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545860-boat2_ps4_1.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545861-boat2_xboxone_1.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545860-boat2_ps4_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545860" ><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545860-boat2_ps4_1.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545861-boat2_xboxone_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545861" ><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545861-boat2_xboxone_1.jpg"></a><figcaption>PS4 vs. Xbox One</figcaption></figure><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545862-owlmotel_ps4_1.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545863-owlmotelatnight_pc.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545862,1300-2545863" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545862-owlmotel_ps4_1.jpg,http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545863-owlmotelatnight_pc.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545862-owlmotel_ps4_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545862" ><img src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545862-owlmotel_ps4_1.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545863-owlmotelatnight_pc.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545863" ><img src="http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545863-owlmotelatnight_pc.jpg"></a><figcaption>PS4 vs. PC</figcaption></figure><p style=""> </p><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545865-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545866-watchdogs_xbox360_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545865,1300-2545866" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545865-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg,http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545866-watchdogs_xbox360_1.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545865-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545865" ><img src="http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545865-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545866-watchdogs_xbox360_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545866" ><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545866-watchdogs_xbox360_1.jpg"></a><figcaption>PS3 vs. X360</figcaption></figure><p style=""> </p><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545873-baseball+stadiumpc.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545874-xboxone_bar_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545873,1300-2545874" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545873-baseball+stadiumpc.jpg,http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545874-xboxone_bar_1.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545873-baseball+stadiumpc.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545873" ><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545873-baseball+stadiumpc.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545874-xboxone_bar_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545874" ><img src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545874-xboxone_bar_1.jpg"></a><figcaption>PC vs. Xbox One</figcaption></figure><p style=""> </p><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545875-nighttime+wet+concrete_pc.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545876-nighttime_ps4_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545875,1300-2545876" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545875-nighttime+wet+concrete_pc.jpg,http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545876-nighttime_ps4_1.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545875-nighttime+wet+concrete_pc.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545875" ><img src="http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545875-nighttime+wet+concrete_pc.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545876-nighttime_ps4_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545876" ><img src="http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545876-nighttime_ps4_1.jpg"></a><figcaption>PC vs. PS4</figcaption></figure><p style=""> </p><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545915-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545917-watchdogs_ps4_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545915,1300-2545917" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545915-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545917-watchdogs_ps4_1.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545915-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545915" ><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545915-watchdogs_ps3_1.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545917-watchdogs_ps4_1.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545917" ><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545917-watchdogs_ps4_1.jpg"></a><figcaption>PS3 vs. PS4</figcaption></figure><p style=""> </p><figure data-embed-type="comparison" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545974-watchdogs_xbox360_2.jpg,http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545975-watchdogs_xboxone_2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545974,1300-2545975" data-size="large" data-resize-urls="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545974-watchdogs_xbox360_2.jpg,http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545975-watchdogs_xboxone_2.jpg" data-resized="" data-resize-url=""><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545974-watchdogs_xbox360_2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545974" ><img src="http://static3.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545974-watchdogs_xbox360_2.jpg"></a><a href="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1526/15260234/2545975-watchdogs_xboxone_2.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545975" ><img src="http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1526/15260234/2545975-watchdogs_xboxone_2.jpg"></a><figcaption>X360 vs. Xbox One</figcaption></figure><p style=""> </p> Fri, 30 May 2014 15:07:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-graphics-comparison-side-by-side/1100-6419991/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-easter-egg-features-gangsta-rapping-trout/1100-6419999/ <div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6419047" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6419047/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style=""> </p><p style=""> </p><p style=""><em>Warning: This video contains NSFW language. (Or maybe just use headphones.)</em></p><p dir="ltr" style="">Just days after release, a funny <a href="/watch-dogs/" data-ref-id="false">Watch Dogs</a> Easter egg featuring a gangsta-rapping trout has been discovered. As detailed in the video above (first found by the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZvh5l_sp-g" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Watch Dogs Central YouTube account</a>), when you "hack" the Singing Trout, it begins to rap about what it's like to be a fish in Chicago.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The results are hilarious. It's obviously a spoof on the popular "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mouth-Billy-Bass-Singing-Sensation/dp/B003HLAX6U" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Big Mouth Billy Bass</a>" animatronic prop that was all the rage in the early 2000s. Who knows what other secrets Watch Dogs has in store for us.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Watch Dogs launched on Tuesday across Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC, with a <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-for-wii-u-definitely-not-canceled/1100-6418164/" data-ref-id="1100-6418164">Wii U version to follow</a>. It quickly became <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-becomes-fastest-selling-game-in-ubisoft-s-history/1100-6419933/" data-ref-id="1100-6419933">Ubisoft's fastest-selling game of all time</a>. No hard sales numbers have been released so far, but Ubisoft expects it to sell <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-to-sell-around-6-million-units/1100-6411643/" data-ref-id="1100-6411643">over 6 million units </a>in its lifetime--that's<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-to-sell-around-6-million-units/1100-6411643/" data-ref-id="1100-6411643"> the same figure the original Assassin's Creed did in 2007</a>. American conservative TV and radio host Glenn Beck recently <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/glenn-beck-criticizes-watch-dogs-for-promoting-hacking-what-the-heck-is-wrong-with-us/1100-6419977/" data-ref-id="1100-6419977">criticized the game for promoting hacking</a>.</p><p style="">For more on Watch Dogs, check out <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/watch-dogs-review/1900-6415770/" data-ref-id="1900-6415770">GameSpot's review</a> and <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-review-roundup/1100-6419892/" data-ref-id="1100-6419892">what other critics are saying</a>.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 30 May 2014 14:30:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-easter-egg-features-gangsta-rapping-trout/1100-6419999/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-pc-patch-on-the-way-as-nvidia-and-amd-quarrel/1100-6419996/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2545940-watch+dogs.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545940" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2545940-watch+dogs.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545940"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/123/1239113/2545940-watch+dogs.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style="">Uplay issues aside, there have been numerous reports regarding performance issues with the PC version of <a href="/watch-dogs/" data-ref-id="false">Watch Dogs</a>, particularly from users with AMD hardware. Fortunately, a patch is in the works that should improve things--but in the meantime, it's sparked a heated discussion between graphics card makers AMD and Nvidia.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Watch Dogs graphics technical director Sebastien Viard has sent out a series of tweets briefly explaining what could be causing the performance issues and offering recommendations for dealing with them. "Watch Dogs can use 3+ GB of RAM on [next-gen] consoles for graphics, your PC GPU needs enough VRAM for ultra options due to the lack of unified mem[ory]," he wrote in one <a href="https://twitter.com/SebViard/status/472030606420115458" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">tweet</a>. For those with problems, he <a href="https://twitter.com/SebViard/status/472030638254870529" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">suggested</a>, "If you experience lag/stutter on a fast PC, try to lower one of those settings to reduce the GPU VRAM usage: texture quality, AA, resolution."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"Making an open world run on [next-gen] &amp; [current-gen] consoles + supporting PC is an incredibly complex task, the team did a fantastic job. Congrats guys!" he <a href="https://twitter.com/SebViard/status/472032520306196480" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">continued</a>, before <a href="https://twitter.com/SebViard/status/472036622171930624" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">revealing</a> work is underway on a patch: "[O]ur PC prog[rammer]s are also currently working on a patch to improve your experience thanks to your reports, stay tuned."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Watch Dogs quickly became the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-becomes-fastest-selling-game-in-ubisoft-s-history/1100-6419933/" data-ref-id="1100-6419933">fastest-selling game</a> in publisher Ubisoft's history when it was released this week, although the game's launch was mired for many because of myriad technical issues. Some players had trouble <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-suffering-from-login-issues-and-more-on-launch-day/1100-6419894/" data-ref-id="1100-6419894">downloading their preorders</a> from the PlayStation Store, while others were unable to <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/uplay-services-on-xbox-live-struggling-with-watch-dogs-other-ubisoft-games/1100-6419949/" data-ref-id="1100-6419949">log in to Uplay</a> (which on PC meant locking them out of the game altogether). The Uplay issues even extended to games other than Watch Dogs, affecting titles like <a href="/trials-fusion/" data-ref-id="false">Trials Fusion</a> and <a href="/assassins-creed-iv-black-flag/" data-ref-id="false">Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag</a>.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The game's performance issues on PC caused AMD to speak out this week, as the company took aim at Nvidia's GameWorks, a toolset developers can use when building their games (Watch Dogs being one such game).</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"Gameworks represents a clear and present threat to gamers by deliberately crippling performance on AMD products (40% of the market) to widen the margin in favor of NVIDIA products," AMD's Robert Hallock told <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2014/05/26/why-watch-dogs-is-bad-news-for-amd-users-and-potentially-the-entire-pc-gaming-ecosystem/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Forbes</a>. "Participation in the Gameworks program often precludes the developer from accepting AMD suggestions that would improve performance directly in the game code--the most desirable form of optimization."</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6418987" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6418987/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p dir="ltr" style="">Hallock went on to claim Nvidia had stopped publicly sharing Direct3D code samples on its website, stating AMD takes an opposite approach when working with developers. "Our work with game developers is founded concretely in open, sharable code, all of which we make available on our developer portal," he said.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Specifically regarding Watch Dogs, Hallock said AMD had "very limited time with the title and [we've] been able to implement some respectable performance improvements thanks to the skill of our driver engineers. Careful performance analysis with a variety of internal tools have allowed us to profile this title, despite deliberate obfuscation attempts, to improve the experience for users."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Nvidia has responded to AMD's allegations, denying much of what it had to say. Speaking with <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2014/05/28/nvidia-fires-back-the-truth-about-gameworks-amd-optimization-and-watch-dogs/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Forbes</a>, Nvidia's Cem Cebenoyan stated there's nothing in GameWorks that deliberately harms AMD performance. He also denied AMD's assertion that using GameWorks means developers can't accept AMD suggestions.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">"I've heard that before from AMD and it's a little mysterious to me. We don't and we never have restricted anyone from getting access as part of our agreements. Not with Watch Dogs and not with any other titles," he said. "Our agreements focus on interesting things we're going to do together to improve the experience for all PC gamers and of course for Nvidia customers. We don't have anything in there restricting anyone from accessing source code or binaries. Developers are free to give builds out to whoever they want. It's their product."</p><p style="">This all comes down to a 'he said, she said' situation between the two companies, which have been bitter rivals for years. Both companies released updated drivers this week that include enhancements for Watch Dogs.</p><p style=""><em>If you're playing the PC version of Watch Dogs, what has your experience been like? Let us know in the comments below.</em></p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Chris Pereira is a freelance writer for GameSpot, and you can follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSmokingManX" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Twitter @TheSmokingManX</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><em><strong>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com</strong></em></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 30 May 2014 14:18:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-pc-patch-on-the-way-as-nvidia-and-amd-quarrel/1100-6419996/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/levar-burton-wants-to-bring-reading-rainbow-to-xbox-and-playstation/1100-6419997/ <p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">Actor LeVar Burton wants to bring his <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/readingrainbow/bring-reading-rainbow-back-for-every-child-everywh" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">upcoming Reading Rainbow project </a>to a host of new platforms, including gaming consoles like Xbox and PlayStation systems. For that to happen, though, funding for the <em>Star Trek</em> actor's newly launched Kickstarter campaign needs to reach $5 million.</p><figure data-align="left" data-size="small" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2545946-readingrainbow.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545946" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2545946-readingrainbow.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545946"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_small/1179/11799911/2545946-readingrainbow.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">Right now, the campaign stands at $2.8 million from more than 64,000 backers. "Let's do this, ya'll. I'll see you later. But you don't have to take my word for it," Burton<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/readingrainbow/bring-reading-rainbow-back-for-every-child-everywh/posts" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> said in a Kickstarter video update </a>today. The campaign ends on Wednesday, July 2.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Burton's new Reading Rainbow project was originally announced as a web application only, but after considering comments and suggestions, it was decided that to be "accessible to more kids and families," the initiative would also need to expand to new platforms.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">In addition to the unspecified Xbox and PlayStation consoles, if the $5 million stretch goal is met, the new Reading Rainbow program will be released for mobile devices, as well as over-the-top boxes like AppleTV, Roku, and Kindle Fire TV.</p><p style="">Burton's overall ambition for his new Reading Rainbow initiative is to bring the program to "every child, everywhere." The service will include an "unlimited library" of books and video field trips for "today's digitally connected kids." He's calling on people who grew up with <em>Reading Rainbow</em> to help fund the new Kickstarter to support the children of the next generation.</p><p style=""><em>Reading Rainbow</em> went off the air in 2009. It originally aired on PBS and Burton was its host and producer. </p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 30 May 2014 14:05:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/levar-burton-wants-to-bring-reading-rainbow-to-xbox-and-playstation/1100-6419997/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/a-fun-foursome-free-games-friday-may-30-2014/1100-6419995/ <p style="">Welcome to Free Games Friday, our weekly look at games, demos, and betas that you can enjoy without your bank balance taking a hit. This week's recommendations include a MOBA of sorts that has just made the jump to PC after debuting on Xbox 360, a multiplayer shooter that's free to download this week only, and a fast-paced action game with a killer aesthetic. We've also got another giveaway for you this week: A free airship for use in the recent free-to-play Steam release Aerena: Clash of Champions.</p><p style="">Check out the video below for more details and be sure to let us know what you think of this week's selection in the comments.</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6419044" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6419044/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p dir="ltr" style="">Check out the links below to find all of the games mentioned in this week's show.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><a href="https://www.origin.com/en-us/store/buy/battlefield-3/pc-download/base-game/standard-edition" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Battlefield 3</a></p><p dir="ltr" style=""><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bill-killem/id657693698?mt=8" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Bill Killem</a></p><p dir="ltr" style=""><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/246280/?snr=1_702_4_" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Happy Wars - Early Access</a></p><p dir="ltr" style=""><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/247830/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"><span>Aerena: Clash of Champions</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style=""><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/aerenagiveaway/" data-ref-id="false">Aerena: Clash of Champions Airship Giveaway</a></p> Fri, 30 May 2014 13:57:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/a-fun-foursome-free-games-friday-may-30-2014/1100-6419995/ http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gangster-rapping-salmon-watch-dogs/2300-6419047/ This salmon in Watch Dogs will smack your eggs raw. Fri, 30 May 2014 13:51:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gangster-rapping-salmon-watch-dogs/2300-6419047/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/aerena-clash-of-champions-exclusive-bombshell-giveaway/1100-6419940/ <p style="">We're giving away codes for an exclusive ship for ÆRENA: Clash of Champions. The Bombshell is a new ship being offered for the first time, here on GameSpot.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">ÆRENA: Clash of Champions aims to be an alternative to the pressures of other MOBAs. Featuring tactical combat that pits two players and their teams of champions head-to-head in a unique Ætherpunk setting.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">So what are you waiting for? Everyone can go grab a code! Just enter your email address below to receive a code for your ship while supplies last.</p><div data-embed-type="html"><div id="woobox-root"> </div><script type="text/javascript">/* <![CDATA[ */ (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//woobox.com/js/plugins/woo.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'woobox-sdk')); // ]]></script><div class="woobox-offer" data-offer="kbgocv"> </div></div><p dir="ltr" style=""> </p><p style="">How to redeem:</p><p style="">1. <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/247830/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Install ÆRENA: Clash of Champions</a> on Steam for PC or Mac.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">2. In Steam, click "+Add Game" and select "Activate a Product on Steam."</p><p dir="ltr" style="">3. Enter your code into the appropriate field.</p><p style="">4. Start ÆRENA: Clash of Champions and The Bombshell will be available.</p><div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6418710" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6418710/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style=""> </p> Fri, 30 May 2014 13:45:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/aerena-clash-of-champions-exclusive-bombshell-giveaway/1100-6419940/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-dlc-out-now-for-xbox-one-s-ryse-son-of-rome/1100-6419994/ <div data-embed-type="video" data-ref-id="2300-6416290" data-width="100%" data-height="100%"><iframe src="/videos/embed/6416290/" width="100%" height="100%" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">Racing game <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-racer-forza-5-gets-new-dlc/1100-6419980/" data-ref-id="1100-6419980">Forza Motorsport 5 </a>is not the only high-profile Xbox One game to receive a new expansion today. Microsoft today released the Morituri Pack for Xbox One launch title <a href="/ryse-son-of-rome/" data-ref-id="false">Ryse: Son of Rome</a>, an $8 expansion (included with the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ryse-son-of-rome-season-pass-revealed/1100-6415913/" data-ref-id="1100-6415913">game's DLC pass</a>) that introduces new content like more arenas.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">The Morituri Pack features three new arenas for Ryse: Son of Rome's Gladiator mode: Beacon, False Gods, and Revolution. Two new arenas for Survival mode--Sulfur River and The Forbidden Forest--are also included with the expansion. Five additional arenas "optimized" for the game's Solo Mode are packed into the Morituri Pack for Ryse: Son of Rome. These are Market and Garden, as well as the aforesaid Beacon, Revolution, and False Gods maps.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Alongside the release of the Morituri Pack today, Microsoft reminded players that there are a total of nine Easter eggs hidden inside Ryse: Son of Rome--six in the campaign and three in Gladiator mode. So far, players have only discovered five, Microsoft said. To help you find the last four, Microsoft released step-by-step directions (below) explaining how to do so.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">If you're successful, you can record your discovery and send a OneDrive link to Xbox Live's Major Nelson at <a href="mailto:major@xbox.com" rel="nofollow">major@xbox.com</a> with "Ryse Easter Eggs" in the subject line. On Monday, June 2, Major Nelson will officially announce the locations of the remaining Easter eggs and include your name in the announcement if you were one of the first to find them.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><em>1. In the campaign level "The Wrath of the Nemesis," there's a Scorpio in a tower that can be used to shoot many things. Enemies. Pillars. Statues. Firing a few volleys at them will reacquaint you with a familiar face, but not at all like you're expecting.</em></p><p dir="ltr" style=""><em>2. Hurling a pilum in the water may seem like a waste of lethal weaponry, but if you happen to do it one time too many underneath a certain bridge in the campaign level "Pax Romana," you will summon a surprise guest.</em></p><p dir="ltr" style=""><em>3. There's a courthouse with an open roof in the campaign level "Pax Romana" where your pilum can arrange a shocking introduction. Get reckless with them and see what happens.</em></p><p style=""><em>4. Good things come to those who wait in the campaign level "The Son of Rome." Once you reach the courtyard, duck behind a curtain and hang out on the steps on the other side for a bit. Keep your eyes on the nearby balcony. Makes you wonder how they got up there, right?</em></p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 30 May 2014 13:36:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-dlc-out-now-for-xbox-one-s-ryse-son-of-rome/1100-6419994/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rise-of-nations-re-release-lands-in-june-following-microsoft-acquisition/1100-6419993/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2545871-4850112598-ss_14.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545871" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2545871-4850112598-ss_14.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545871"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/123/1239113/2545871-4850112598-ss_14.jpg"></a></figure><p style="">Real-time-strategy game <a href="/rise-of-nations-gold-edition/" data-ref-id="false">Rise of Nations</a> will be re-released next month with improved graphics and new features by Microsoft, which announced today that it has acquired the rights to the franchise.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Known as Rise of Nations: Extended Edition, the re-release includes both the original Rise of Nations and its expansion, <a href="/rise-of-nations/" data-ref-id="false">Thrones and Patriots</a>. It will be available exclusively through Steam and makes use of Steamworks for multiplayer. It supports achievements, trading cards, and cloud saves, as well Twitch integration so that players can stream their matches online.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Extended Edition will see the game's graphics improved--water and textures have been identified specifically as areas of improvement, and full-screen anti-aliasing has been added. However, as the screenshots above and below demonstrate, Extended Edition doesn't look like a modern game. Instead, the visual overhaul seems to be roughly on par with that of the recent HD re-releases of fellow Microsoft RTS games <a href="/age-of-empires-ii-hd-edition/" data-ref-id="false">Age of Empires II</a> and <a href="/age-of-mythology/" data-ref-id="false">Age of Mythology</a>.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">A specific release date was not announced; Extended Edition will simply be coming sometime in June. It'll cost $20 upon release, although a 20% discount for preorders on <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/287450/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Steam</a> brings that down to $16 (or $48 for a four-pack).</p><figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2545872-0786473285-ss_58.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545872" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/123/1239113/2545872-0786473285-ss_58.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545872"><img src="http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/123/1239113/2545872-0786473285-ss_58.jpg"></a></figure><p dir="ltr" style="">This release is made possible because Microsoft has acquired the rights to the Rise of Nations franchise, which were sold off to an unknown party last year as part of the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/38-studios-auction-finds-no-buyer-for-amalur-mmo-kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-sequel/1100-6416719/" data-ref-id="1100-6416719">38 Studios auction</a>. Rise of Nations was originally released for computer back in 2003 and was followed a year later by Thrones and Patriots. (It also eventually spawned a fantasy spin-off, <a href="/rise-of-nations-rise-of-legends/" data-ref-id="false">Rise of Legends</a>, in 2006.) Developed by the now-defunct Big Huge Games, the RTS takes players through the different eras of civilization as they attempt to conquer their enemies.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Despite the RTS genre not being as prolific as it once was, Microsoft was recently <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-seeking-dev-to-make-game-in-well-loved-strategy-series/1100-6419490/" data-ref-id="1100-6419490">looking to hire someone</a> to work on a "new AAA title within an established and well-loved strategy game franchise." There was speculation that it could either be Age of Empires or <a href="/halo-wars/" data-ref-id="false">Halo Wars</a>, but Rise of Nations was also a possibility, given that it was published by Microsoft Game Studios. However, considering the opening was published only a month ago and was for a "AAA" game (which hardly screams "re-release"), it seems likely that listing has nothing to do with this release.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Chris Pereira is a freelance writer for GameSpot, and you can follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSmokingManX" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Twitter @TheSmokingManX</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com</em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 30 May 2014 13:00:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rise-of-nations-re-release-lands-in-june-following-microsoft-acquisition/1100-6419993/ http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-announces-e3-schedule/1100-6419992/ <figure data-align="center" data-size="large" data-img-src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2545869-xboxe3plans.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545869" data-resize-url="" data-resized="" data-embed-type="image"><a href="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/1179/11799911/2545869-xboxe3plans.jpg" data-ref-id="1300-2545869"><img src="http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/ignore_jpg_scale_super/1179/11799911/2545869-xboxe3plans.jpg"></a></figure><p style=""> </p><p dir="ltr" style="">Microsoft today released a detailed schedule of its plans for E3 2014, which is now <em>less than two weeks away</em>. In addition to the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/e3/" data-ref-id="false">company's main press conference the morning of Monday, June 9</a>, Microsoft will hold a special pre-E3 event on June 8, a "Green Carpet" event the day of, a post-show event, and more.</p><p dir="ltr" style="">Below is a roundup of what Microsoft has in store for E3 2014.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Microsoft Store Pre-E3 Event (Sunday, June 8 from 1-3 PM, line opens at 11 a.m.)</strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="">Attend Microsoft's event at the <a href="http://www.westfield.com/centurycity/stores/all-stores/us-microsoft-store/" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false">Century City Microsoft Store </a>and enter a raffle to be one of 100 people selected to attend Microsoft's E3 press conference and a post-show event. While you're at the store, you can play ID@Xbox games, though none were named outright.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Pre-Show/Green Carpet (Monday, June 9 at 9 a.m.)</strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="">This pre-show event includes "sneak previews" and interviews with developers and "celebrity fans" as they walk the "green carpet" at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. Microsoft will stream this event live at Xbox.com and Xbox Live.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Xbox: E3 Briefing Post Show (Monday, June 9 at 11:15 a.m.)</strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="">Following Microsoft's press conference, the company plans to host a live event where Xbox leaders and developers will talk about what was just announced and answer questions from Twitter and the live audience itself. Speakers include Head of Xbox Phil Spencer, ID@Xbox chief Chris Charla, Microsoft marketing executive Yusuf Mehdi, 343 Industries boss Bonnie Ross, and Insomniac Games CEO Ted Price.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>Sunset Overdrive Event at Century City Microsoft Store hosted by Major Nelson (Wednesday, June 11 from 6 to 9pm)</strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="">Visit the Century City Microsoft Store to go hands-on with <a href="/sunset-overdrive/" data-ref-id="false">Sunset Overdrive</a> and even try a sample of "<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/articles/in-xbox-one-exclusive-sunset-overdrive-energy-drinks-are-evil/1100-6419496/" data-ref-id="1100-6419496">Overcharge Delirium XT</a>," the fictional energy drink from the game. Attendees can also meet Insomniac developers and Xbox Live's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb.</p><p dir="ltr" style=""><strong>ID@Xbox on Twitch Stream (Tuesday through Thursday during E3 show hours)</strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="">Microsoft will broadcast gameplay for ID@Xbox titles through Twitch, and developers will also stop by to talk with viewers. The company will also showcase other games at the Twitch booth. A full broadcast schedule will be published at the beginning of E3 week, so sometime around June 9.</p><p style="">For more on E3, check out <a href="http://gamespot.com/e3/" data-ref-id="false">GameSpot's roundup of everything you need to know about the show</a>.</p><table data-max-width="true"><thead><tr><th scope="col"><em>Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on<a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMakuch" rel="nofollow" data-ref-id="false"> Twitter @EddieMakuch</a></em></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email <a href="mailto:news@gamespot.com" rel="nofollow">news@gamespot.com</a></em></strong></td></tr></tbody></table> Fri, 30 May 2014 12:44:00 -0700 http://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-announces-e3-schedule/1100-6419992/

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