Valve’s ‘Steam Box’ Console Is Real, Says Gabe Newell

symbolset writes “The Verge is reporting that the Steam Console we discussed in November is a real thing. Gabe Newell said it will be a locked down platform for the living room. The source is a Kotaku interview with Newell at the Video Game Awards. Newell said, ‘Well certainly our hardware will be a very controlled environment.

via: games.slashdot.org

• Chat is now on chatroll, alternatively there is the IRC.
• Social sites pictured links has been refined to be smaller and better.
• Points Ranks has been increased with several ones:

1. #Newbie (0)
2. #Junior (20)
3. #Beginner (500)
4. #Intermediate (2000)
5. #Advanced (6000)
6. #King (15000)
7. #Beyond Standard! (28000)

• Google Chrome‘s Frame now works on frontend and backend (Only non-subscriber users can see the backend)
• Embed things that can be seen in posts that doesn’t require a advanced editor by posting the URL to generate the embed content is now usable in comments!
• Lite version of the website is now a emergency forums in case of site hosting problems.

That’s it. 🙂

Escapist News Wrap: Planetside 2 Hates Cheaters and Pizza Hut Hates Taste

Staff Twitter Susan Arendt @AshleyEsqueda @russpitts Ok, but we have to have the green convertible. Susan Arendt This job has let me meet so many people who’ve improved my life in so many ways, great and small. I really am so lucky. Andy Chalk I’m gonna have to take the rest of the day off.

via: www.escapistmagazine.com

Google to start charging new users for its Apps for Business service

Google has announced that its Apps for Business suite is not longer free for new subscribers. Google lovers who plan to use the platform for their business needs better listen up. The search engine giant announced on Friday that users will no longer be able to sign up for Google Apps free of charge.

via: www.digitaltrends.com

Did Metal Gear Solid 5 Just Get Secretly Announced?

Kotaku editor-in-chief Stephen Totilo is out in L.A. for the Spike Video Game Awards. And he’s dug up some evidence that appears to support the theory that the mysterious Phantom Pain game is in fact another Metal Gear title.

via: kotaku.com

2012 Spike Video Game Awards Winners List

Our full thoughts on the Spike Video Game Awards winners are still to come, but in the meantime enjoy the entire list of nominees and, more importantly, winners below: Game of the Year Assassin’s Creed 3 Dishonored Journey Mass Effect 3 *The Walking Dead* Studio of the Year Gearbox Software 343 Industries Arkane Studios *Telltale Games* Best Xbox…

via: gamerant.com

007 Legends developer forced to make significant amount of redundancies

UPDATED: GoldenEye Reloaded and 007 Legends developer Eurocom is set to be hit by a significant amount of job losses. According to GamesIndustry International, the struggling studio is expected to be reduced in size by the end of the day. Eurocom is perhaps best known for its work on Activision’s James Bond games.

via: www.vg247.com

Why Apple stores are raking in bags full of cash, and no one can dupe the formula

Apple’s stores are leading the retail industry in revenue per square foot, and none of its competitors seem to be able to crack the code. Apple’s retail stores are practically holy sites to company’s legions of dedicated fans, but as it turns out, they’re also the envy of the retail world.

via: www.digitaltrends.com
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Nintendo’s Wii U may be an attractive device for Japanese RPG fans

This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer. I didn’t manage to get a Wii U over the weekend.

via: www.joystiq.com