Mom's Minute

Disney Infinity

If you have been anticipating the launch of Disney's Infinity video game platform, you may have to wait just a few months longer.  Disney has announced that Infinity's launch date has been postponed.  The system  was initially set to roll out in June, 2013; however, due to strategic and financial considerations, a new launch date was necessary.  The good news is Disney is not leaving us in the dark as to when the system will actually launch.  According to John Pleasants, co-president of Disney Interactive, the launch date for Disney Infinity has been moved to August 18, 2013.   

Disney Infinity Video Game System

Disney unveiled the Infinity platform back in January, 2013 as an earning source for the company. The system incorporates characters from multiple Disney films into the same video game.  The reason for the delay was to enable  Disney to possibly realize a profit as a result of the delayed launch time frame.

Bob Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Disney, has pledged that the company will make a profit this year.

Disney Infinity

Pleasants added that the delay of the release of the Infinity video game system will definitely impact the company's goal to achieve  profitability this year.

Sony reveals PlayStation 4 release date is holiday season, 2013.

Sony's PlayStation Press Event on February 20, 2013 began with promoting its history as well as discussing its mantra to "push the boundaries."  The press event included talk of the PS Vita to not only be the mobile device that it is, but plans are underway for the system to expand to living rooms as well.

Did you know the PlayStation 4 started production about 5 years ago, when the PlayStation 3 was first produced?  According to Mark Cerny, Lead Systems Architect, it's true.  The production for PlayStation 4 began just as the PlayStation 3 was launched. As the world of video games changed, so did the next generation system. Video game consoles used to have a single purpose -- a platform to play games -- but have evolved into being a lot more.

Here are some of the goals for the PlayStation 4 that were discussed during the event:

1.  Make sure nothing comes between the platform and the joy of playing games.

2.  Connect players to a larger experience

3.  Be a game creation for game creators. The system was designed with the video game developers in mind, as well as gamers. 

Some technical specifics about the system includes the architecture being charged by an X86 CPU, use of enhanced PC GPU for graphics, and the system currently has an 8 GB memory.

PlayStation 4 Controller

Sony had an actual PlayStation 4 controller at the press event and described it as having an enhanced rumble, touch pad, a stereo camera and a light bar that can be used to identify players. 

The controller also has a Share button for you to share gameplay live with friends.  Friends can also post comments on your gameplay.

Descriptions of the PlayStation 4 and the controller were followed by demos of video games that will be playable on the PlayStation 4.   The first game demo was for the video game Knack. 

Changes in the network itself was also discussed.  According to Sony, speed of response will be more immediate to reduce lag time, and you will be able to download games quickly in the background.  Additionally, digital video games can be played while the game is downloading.

According to Sony, the social aspect of playing games using the PlayStation 4 will be enhanced. If you like,  you will have the option to reveal your real name as a friend, instead of your online name.

You will be able to browse live video games being played.  Need help with a video game?  You  can choose to have your friend take over the controls and guide you through the gameplay.

There will also be an option  to transfer gameplay from the PS4 to the PS Vita.  In fact, Sony stated that the company's goals include making every PlayStation 4 video game playable on the PS Vita.

PlayStation cloud service was also discussed.

Developers described the gaming experience using the PlayStation 4 as being simple or "elegant." The developers described elegant as a balance between simulation and how deep and rich the gaming experience will be.  

The remainder of the Sony press event included trailers/demos from several PlayStation 4 video games including Killzone Shadow Fall, The Witness, Deep Down, Watch Dogs and Destiny.  Blizzard also announced that Diablo 3 will be available for play on the PlayStation 4.

Killzone Shadow Fall will be playable on the PlayStation  4.

The Witness, a PlayStation 4 video game, will consist of 25 hours of gameplay. 

Watch Dogs video game will be playable on the PlayStation 4.

Destiny, Halo 4's successor, closed out the Sony PlayStation 4 press event.

Sony ended the event with an announcement that Halo's 4 successor, Destiny is slated for play on the PlayStation 4.  There will also be special content of Destiny to be developed exclusively for the PlayStation 4.

Even though the PlayStation 4 system itself was not revealed during the press event, it was announced that the PlayStation 4 will be available during the holiday season 2013.

Destiny -- Halo 4's Successor Video Game Read more.

Watch Dogs to be a Next Gen Video Game? Read more

Xbox 720

Have you ever played the game where you whisper a sentence in someone's ear, and that person in turn whispers the "same" sentence in another person's ear. By the time the sentence reaches the last person, there is no similarity at all to the original sentence.  Is this where the rumor mill around the Xbox 720 is headed?

Before  Microsoft finally reveals information about the Xbox 720 -- including its release date and price, all kinds of rumors have been shared -- with no one knowing who's telling the truth and who is stretching it a bit.

The latest buzz is about the specific release date for the next generation Xbox 360, which has been dubbed the Xbox 720.  With the scraps of information Microsoft is throwing out, it is no wonder that people start to make suppositions and assumptions as to what is really the truth about the new system.

Xbox 720

To keep you in the know on the rumors -- The latest one is that the Xbox 720 will be released on or about October 29, 2013.  This rumor originates from the fact that Ubisoft plans to release Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag video game for the next generation systems.  It's easy to make this assumption, especially when the other rumor is that the Xbox 720 will be released during the Fall of 2013. Since October 29, 2013  is a fall date -- Wallah -- this is the magic date when the Xbox 720 will become available -- or not.

Xbox 720

But first there are some caveats to the rumor. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is being developed for all the other console systems, including the PC -- so it's possible that Microsoft will hold off on making this game available for the next generation Xbox 360.

Rumors will probably surface up to when Microsoft formally reveals the time frame the Xbox 720 will be available.

Hopefully Microsoft will put all the rumors to rest when it makes its announcements relative to the Xbox 720 during E3 2013 which is scheduled for June 11 - 13, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.

Destiny Video Game

The video game industry would not be as successful as it is if it was unable to come up with video game successors that may prove to be even more exciting, enticing and a draw to gamers than the video games' predecessors.   Towards that end, Bungie has announced that the successful franchise Halo's successor, "Destiny" is in the works. Bungie has a publishing partnership with Activision for this video game which will span 10 years and have numerous sequels.

Destiny video game

There are some similarities between Halo and Destiny.  The premise for both Halo and Destiny is science fiction, and involves humans fighting against alien threats who are trying to rid them of the universe. Regarding gameplay -- like Halo --  during Destiny's gameplay, you can join other players to fight against aliens.  The difference is that you will meet up with unlikely "strangers" who are not on your "friends list." 

There will be a traditional, competitive multiplayer mode as well as a well-crafted story campaign. You will venture from hub cities during gameplay to forgotten parts of earth and remote sections of other planets.

Additionally, Destiny will not be an MMO.  While the game may borrow some of the elements of an MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online), i.e.  open worlds, evolving stories, changing timelines, etc., Bungie is quick to say that Destiny is not an MMO.

Instead, Destiny is described as being more of a first-person shooter than an MMO.

Scene from Destiny video game

The overall atmosphere of Destiny may appear to be darker than that of Halo; however, there will be hope and hopeful times in the new universe.

Currently Destiny is slated to be playable on the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3.  Of course, this could change to include other video game platforms as well. Even though the rumored release date is October 6, 2013, a confirmed release date for the first video game in the Destiny series was unavailable at press time.

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag screen shot

Prior to Ubisoft's announcement scheduled for March 4, 2013 at 9:00 Pacific Standard Time, screen shots from the latest installment of the Assassin's Creed video game franchise have surfaced.  It is probably known that  there will be a new hero and storyline for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag; however screen shots were not available -- until now.

Video Game Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag screen shot

The new hero will be Haydem Kenway's father and Connor's grandfather, Captain Edward Kenway.  The setting will be in the Carribean, with travels and battles to other islands, such as Jamaica.

The time period will be the early 18th century when pirates roamed the high seas engaging in sea-faring action adventures.

Video game Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag cover art

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag will be playable on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, and Wii U.  There will be an additional 60 minute exclusive content for PlayStation 3 gamers. This game is also purported to be playable on the next-gen consoles when these systems are available. 

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag will be rated M for Mature and has a release date of October 29, 2013.