The next generation Xbox (Xbox 720 maybe) codenamed Durango is expected to be an impressive gaming console. The latest rumors suggest that the machine is going to be a powerhouse, but will also be a big blow to the used games market.

According to VG247, Microsoft is planning to release the Xbox 360 successor during Christmas 2013, which is also rumored to be the launch timing for the PlayStation 4/Orbis, and the new console will feature either four or six core processors. It will also boast two GPUs that will be as fast as “two PCs taped together” and a built-in Kinect sensor.

The new rumor also suggests that the Durango will arrive with a Blu-ray drive. We are a bit doubtful about that info as we heard a lot of reports earlier that suggested the company was thinking about moving its content delivery to digital download only.

But what will be the most alarming info for many is that the Durango will require an internet connection at all times while it is being used. That move is most probably for combating used game sales. A mandatory internet connection could mean that there will be a requirement to authenticate discs and lock them to user accounts, and this would restrict the resale of games; if there are any discs that is.

But, of course, none of this should be taken without a pinch of salt. Do let us know whether you will be interested in the new Xbox if it comes with the above said features, and stay tuned for updates.

[ Source ]

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We all love the 80s and 90s, and it’s always great when something from that era comes back alive, isn’t it? What’s coming this time around is a new handheld version of a console, the Neo Geo. It has been confirmed that the Neo Geo X is coming in Q2 of 2012.

Retro games often lose their lustre, you go back 5 or 10 years later with a hope of reigniting that once lost flame, only to be left thinking, meh. It was better before. We are pretty sure that the arrival of the Neo Geo X — which will be shipping with classic Neo Geo titles on board — is going to give you a similar unsatisfied feeling.

The upcoming console will be coming equipped with a 3.5 inch LCD screen, SD card expansion, an A/V output, stereo speakers and a headphone port. Yes, a headphone port. You will be able to enjoy 20 licensed built in games (check out the titles below) and it is said to be priced “in a more affordable manner”, although it is not, unfortunately. In fact, despite what the marketers say, the Neo Geo people are going to be laughing all the way to the bank, if anyone buys it that is.

According to available info, the console has been confirmed for UK and US and it will come with a redonkulous price tag of around £500 (close to $800 USD!). That’s quite a small fortune for taking a trip down memory lane. But we know that some people might find the new handheld priceless. And those people can keep it in the closet next to the unopened Luke Skywalker action figure box while everyone else is playing real games on iPad and Android tablets.

But wait, there’s more. The new Turrican-inspired 2D shooter game named Gunlord is also coming for the Neo Geo and Dreamcast; the cartridge will cost around $570, what, did you think all the games were going to be free?

Of course, some might ask why the developers didn’t make the game for PC. Devin Coldewey over at Techcrunch has all the answers: “For the same reason some people still choose to write their novels on a typewriter, or paint with real brushes, or put their album out on vinyl. ” Or something.

Incase you have thousands of dollars burning a hole in your pocket, probably the same pocket of those Levi red tab jeans you bought in 1987 and are wearing now, then these Neo Geo X games may interest you:

Art Of Fighting, Baseball Stars, Cyber Lip, Fatal Fury, Fatal Fury Special, Football Frenzy, King Of The Monsters, Last Resort, League Bowling, Magician Lord, Metal Slug, Mutation Nation, Nam 1975, Samurai Shodown, Sengoku, Super Sidekicks, The King Of Fighters’94, The Ultimate 11, Top Players Golf, World Heroes.

The post Neo Geo X Gaming Console to Cost More Than an iPad and Android Tablet Combined appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Remember the Panasonic 3DO? The original Panasonic gaming console that lasted only three years from its 1993 release until its demise in ’96 was the perfect example of poorly executed next-gen 32-bit thinking in a time of 16-bit gaming.

Now, Panasonic’s new Jungle cloud-based handheld console has achieved an even shorter lifespan: It’s been cancelled before ever making its market debut, surviving a total of 4 months as a concept since its announcement in October.

The company released a website and a teaser video last fall, featuring a black biped rabbity thing as a mascot for their online gaming platform.

In a statement, Panasonic says they’ve ”decided to suspend further development due to changes in the market and in our own strategic direction,” as the project seems to be at odds with President Fumio Ohtsubo’s strategy of pursuing growth in areas like environmental technology and healthcare.

So what will become of the new U.S. subsidiary Panasonic Cloud Entertainment? Assumably the company will be dismantled and the employees out of work.

My only question is, does this technically count as a gap on the game designers’ resumes?

[Reuters]

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