Razer Edge gaming tablet starts at $1,000

Today at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show, peripheral maker Razer renamed its Windows 8 "Project Fiona" gaming tablet simply "Edge." In addition to giving the device a new name, Razer revealed specifications, pricing, and timing information for a base model and a Pro version.

The base version, which will retail for $1000, runs on Windows 8 and includes a 10.1 inch touchscreen, an Intel Core i5 chip, a NVIDIA GT 640M GPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 64GB solid state drive. The $1,300 Pro model features a faster Core i7 chip, 8GB of RAM, and either 128GB or 256GB SSD.
Both versions include a front-facing 2MP high-definition camera and will be available sometime during Q1 (January-March 2013).
Various peripherals for the Razer Edge will also be available upon launch later this year. Most relevant to gamers is the Gamepad controller, which is now an optional feature for the device. This add-on (pictured above) features two controllers with backlit action buttons and analog sticks. This peripheral will retail for $250.
Other peripherals available for the Razer Edge are a keyboard dock ($200), docking station ($100) , extended battery pack ($50), and a 65 watt power adapter ($50).

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Warner Bros. among interested THQ bidders

Warner Bros. is one of five strategic buyers investigating a potential purchase of bankrupt publisher THQ, according to a report fromDistressed Debt Investing.

Reporting from inside a United States Bankruptcy Court hearing yesterday, DDI wrote in a series of tweets that THQ banker Sam Greene (of Centerview) testified five buyers are in "active due diligence" to pursue a purchase of THQ. The other parties were not named.

Greene also reportedly stated those potential buyers are interested in purchasing individual THQ properties, not the company's entire portfolio. This has been a sticking point in the sale process, as THQ is reportedly not interested in selling off individual properties.

Earlier this week, United States Trustee Roberta DeAngelis along with THQ creditors objected to the short timetable for the sale, saying the window of 30 days would put a cap on the number of potential bids. The creditors also took issue with THQ's intent to sell its franchises as a total package, instead of on a game-by-game basis.

An unnamed bondholder reportedly said during the hearing that THQ "didn't give enough information for [strategic buyers] to value individual titles." Warner Bros. legal representation said the company has a team in place "ready to complete due diligence if more time is allowed."

Judge Mary Walrath did not approve the bidding procedures, according to DDI, and instructed all parties to "work out their issues" over the weekend. A new hearing is set for Monday, January 7.

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Tomb Raider

Next year's Tomb Raider reboot will not be a single-player-only affair. Crystal Dynamics global brand director Karl Stewart recently revealed viaTwitter that the game will in fact ship with a multiplayer mode.

This was first speculated when United Kingdom retailer GAME listed multiplayer as a major feature for Tomb Raider. The details have since been removed, but it wassuggested that players would be able to control Lara's shipmates or Yamatai scavengers in a variety of modes.

First details on Tomb Raider's multiplayer mode will be revealed in Official Xbox Magazine's January issue, due to subscribers this week.

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StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm beta expanded

Blizzard Entertainment has expanded the beta for StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. Those who preordered a digital copy of the real-time strategy game on or before December 18 are now able to try out the game ahead of its scheduled release next year.

Gamers who digitally preordered StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm after December 18 will be added into the beta on a weekly basis. All can download the game's beta client, but only those whose accounts have been flagged for access will be able to log in.

Blizzard also noted that certain retailers, including Amazon, are offering preorder beta key codes for Heart of the Swarm. The company suggested players should check with these retailers for more information.

Heart of the Swarm is due March 12, 2013 at $40. A Collector's Edition that will include a behind-the-scenes DVD and Blu-ray disc, a soundtrack CD, a 144-page art book, and a Zerg Rush mousepad will also be available.

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Assassin's Creed

Assassin's Creed publisher Ubisoft is reportedly one of the top candidates interested in purchasing THQ's assets, following the company's bankruptcy filing this week. Sources have told MCV that the French publisher has shown interest in buying THQ's wholly-owned studios and franchises.

THQ's internal studios include Relic Entertainment, Volition, THQ Montreal, and Vigil Games. Some of the companies biggest properties are Saints Row, Red Faction, Homefront, Metro, and Company of Heroes.

This is not the first time Ubisoft has publicly acknowledged interest in THQ's properties. Last month, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said, "They have good things. We are always interested in good brands. For sure, it's something we can consider, but I can't tell you more."

MCV's sources say Ubisoft has held "lengthy discussions" with THQ to get a deal done. One of the main sticking points in the negotiations, according to the sources, is that of price. Ubisoft is reportedly interested in a "bargain buy," and will hold out until THQ decides to sell specific properties instead of a total package.

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War Z creator apologizes for controversy

Outspoken The War Z creator Sergey Titov has apologized for the game's controversial launch (and subsequent de-listing from Steam) earlier this month. In an open letter to the community, Titov said developer Hammerpoint Interactive "failed to effectively communicate" its plans for the new zombie survival game, which led to some "very negative feedback" from members of the community.


"I became arrogant and blinded by the early success and quick growth of The War Z, our increasing number of players, numbers we were getting from surveys, etc., and I chose not to notice the concerns and questions raised by these members of the game community as well as others," Titov said. "This failure is entirely on my shoulders and if anything I owe thanks to that vocal minority and admit that I should have paid attention sooner. I chose instead to concentrate on the bigger picture: my dream of turning The War Z from being a game developed by a small indie team into a large online venture, instead of addressing small things first and staying focused on the game issues."

Titov further noted that the events of the past week were "especially humbling." He said the past cannot be changed, but promised the same mistakes will not be made in the future.

"I was too focused on how great we are and how a small independent team got their first game to over 700,000 users in a two-month period," Titov said. "Though that is something to be very proud of, allowing that to overshadow the existing community and their satisfaction was poor judgment."

Titov explained that community management and moderation for The War Z fell short. He said Hammerpoint relied too heavily on forum moderators, whose primary directive was to punish those who broke rules, he said, instead of engaging the community and guiding conversations toward constructive discussion. Additionally, Titov said there was not enough attention paid to talking about upcoming War Z features or appropriate dialogue through social networks.

"There wasn’t enough presence of the development team on forums; there wasn’t enough updates on development of upcoming features. We failed to communicate our position and messaging on the outside platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and various online websites, and when we did this we chose to rely more on arrogance rather than being humble and trying to understand why people were saying negative things," he said.

The solution to the community management and moderation problems, Titov said, is an overhaul of Hammerpoint's community management procedures and rules. "We’re going to reevaluate publishing and marketing team performance, and I will make sure that Hammerpoint Interactive developers will have a much stronger voice when it comes to community management."

Titov also shared that one of his proposed ideas to engage the community further is to invite 10 players from around to the world to visit the Hammerpoint offices in Los Angeles, California. There, these gamers would meet the development team, get a look at in-development features, and addresses concerns, wishes, and other thoughts.

Lastly, Titov clarified that the current version of The War Z is titled "Foundation Release," which is a "first-stage" release used as a foundation to build on top of.

"I do believe that we aren’t even close to uncovering the true potential for The War Z, and I hope that in the coming year, we’ll be able to regain trust from people who were alienated by our actions and we’ll be able to move forward and grow the game together," Titov said.

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