GTA Online Stats Reveal Over 33 Million Players in 224 Countries

The stats also reveal GTA Online players own a combined total 422 million vehicles and almost 342 million weapons. It also notes that across the 11 free updates since GTA Online’s launch the team has added 1,207 new items to the game, including a dozen weapons, another dozen new apartments, 37 vehicles, and over 900 new clothing items. Rockstar has sent its thanks to the GTA Online players that have made the game what it is today and has reiterated it will have news of the highly-anticipated launch of online heists “very soon.” Online heists will be available for all four consoles as the first GTA Online Update to happen after the game launches on PS4 and Xbox One.

Sony Announces Vue, a Cloud-Based TV Service

Sony Network Entertainment International and Sony Computer Entertainment has today unveiled PlayStation Vue, a new cloud-based TV service that Sony will debut on PS4 and PS3 before bringing to iPad as well as other Sony and non-Sony devices. PlayStation Vue will allow subscribers to access live TV and on-demand content without a cable or satellite service. Catch-up and on-demand TV will be offered, and the past three days of popular programming will be available without the need to schedule recordings. Sony has several networks lined up for PlayStation Vue, including CBS, Discovery Communications, Fox, NBCUniversal, Scripps Networks Interactive, and Viacom. Disney and Time Warner are notable omissions from Sony’s initial list of networks but Sony executives told The New York Times the company is in “active discussions” with other partners.
The final subscription cost for PlayStation Vue was not part of the announcement but it will be offered on a month-to-month basis with no contracts and no penalties for cancellation.
PlayStation Vue will begin with an invite-only beta preview during November “for select PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 owners” and a progressive rollout of the service will begin in New York, followed by Chicago, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. PlayStation Vue will initially offer around 75 channels per market during the beta, including local broadcast stations.

Planetside 2 Dev is Aiming for 1080p/60FPS on PS4, Beta still happening in ’14

Planetside 2’s creative director Matt Higby says the team is aiming for 1080p, 60 frames per second, and that the beta will still arrive in 2014.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Higby says the PS4 version of Planetside 2 isn’t going to be a simple, straight-forward port of the PC version that released in November of 2012.

“As much as it sounds like we’re blowing smoke, we’re working hard to release a game that feels like a full-on console experience and not just like a port,” says Higby.

“So it’s taken us quite a long time to re-jigger our user interface and our controls. There’s a lot that needs to get done.”

By Wesley CopelandPlanetside 2’s creative director Matt Higby says the team is aiming for 1080p, 60 frames per second, and that the beta will still arrive in 2014. Speaking to Eurogamer, Higby says the PS4 version of Planetside 2 isn’t going to be a simple, straight-forward port of the PC version that released in November of 2012.

“As much as it sounds like we’re blowing smoke, we’re working hard to release a game that feels like a full-on console experience and not just like a port,” says Higby.

“So it’s taken us quite a long time to re-jigger our user interface and our controls. There’s a lot that needs to get done.”

Higby goes on to note that while the PS4 version currently runs at 1080p, SOE is “still trying to shoot for 60fps.” One of the main issues holding Planetside 2 back is the PS4’s CPU, which due to a high volume of on-screen activity, is lowering the framerate to below 60.

“So, generally when your frame-rates are low, it’s a CPU problem, not a GPU problem. And that’s where we’re optimising right now, to get our CPU running faster so the game is running at a more consistent frame-rate on the PS4.
“We’re trying to get a solid frame-rate. So if we go to 30 it’ll be because we want to maintain a completely solid 30fps. But that’s the optimisation we’re working on right now. And we’re still grinding on it.”
As for the PS4 beta of Planetside 2, Higby reckons that’s still on track for a 2014 release, although there isn’t an official date as of yet.

Bungie Details Destiny’s Iron Banner 2.0, New Opt-In Team Chat

In its latest Weekly Update, Bungie details all of the changes rolling out with Iron Banner 2.0 in a new blog post and reveals that the beta for a new voice chat channel for matchmade games will arrive next week.The first of several Destiny updates scheduled for the month will hit November 17. Destiny Update 1.0.3 will introduce a Beta test for a new feature that will offer access to an opt-in voice channel shared by other players met via Matchmaking.Destiny already offers the option to communicate teammates in a pre-formed party with Fireteam Chat. The new Team Chat option will include Matchmaking teammates and Fireteam members who make the same selection. “As a trial step into a more vocal world,” Team Chat will be available in any matchmade activity such as Strikes and in team-based Crucible matches.

New voice chat beta coming next week for matchmade teams.

By Jenna Pitcher In its latest Weekly Update, Bungie details all of the changes rolling out with Iron Banner 2.0 in a new blog post and reveals that the beta for a new voice chat channel for matchmade games will arrive next week. The first of several Destiny updates scheduled for the month will hit November 17. Destiny Update 1.0.3 will introduce a Beta test for a new feature that will offer access to an opt-in voice channel shared by other players met via Matchmaking. Destiny already offers the option to communicate teammates in a pre-formed party with Fireteam Chat. The new Team Chat option will include Matchmaking teammates and Fireteam members who make the same selection. “As a trial step into a more vocal world,” Team Chat will be available in any matchmade activity such as Strikes and in team-based Crucible matches. The new option is detailed in full on the official Bungie blog.
Bungie also outlined the changes players can expect with Iron Banner 2.0. Lord Saladin is also slated to return to the Tower by the end of next week, if all goes well and “next Destiny Updates stick their landing.” The “new, improved, and exceedingly dangerous”

Iron Banner features:

• Power. Does. Matter! (no, really)
• Only players Level 20 and above can lead a Fireteam
• Players below Level 20 can accompany more powerful friends
• Players within 3 Levels can be competitive with each other
• Your DEFENSE rating affects how you take damage
• Wear your best (highest rated) armor
• Players out of your league will seem like a Boss
• Your ATTACK rating affects how you inflict damage
• Equip your best (highest rated) weapons
• Lower-level players wielding fully-upgraded weapons should still be considered a very credible threat!
• Claim victory to gain reputation.
• Lord Saladin now has five ranks to obtain through victory
• Your previous Iron Banner rank has been preserved
• The Tempered buff is a twelve-hour boost in reputation gains
• Activate Tempered later during the event to catch up faster
• Acquire exclusive Iron Banner rewards.
• Increase your Rank to unlock better gear
• Reforge weapons to reset progression with new perks
• Earn gauntlets and boots to move you closer to Level 30
• See Lord Saladin for details!
• Quitters never win.
• Reputation gains are only awarded only to the winners
• Defeat grants a token to be redeemed after a future win
• You can carry up to five Iron Medallions at any time
• Partial reputation gains are earned instantly upon victory
• Strike while the Iron is hot.
• Your reputation will be reset at the conclusion of this Iron Banner
• Like any competitive activity, each new event is a chance to regain your standing

That’s all for now. Hope you all enjoy your weekend.
– Audible Silence