The first big convention of the year has started in Las Vegas, Nevada in the Consumer Electronics Show. Sony shot down a rumor, and will work with Taco Bell to give away new Vitas. Microsoft hasn’t shown off the successor to the X-Box, but has shown more applications for the Kinect. Also, Bethesda has won a lawsuit involving the Fallout franchise. And is there a Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 on the way?
New Kinect Applications
During Microsoft’s final Consumer Electronics Show keynote address, Microsoft demonstrated new applications for the Kinect, showing off integration with television programs. The demonstration included Sesame Street that showed a child interacting with the programming. Microsoft also revealed that the Kinect would also be available for Windows starting February 1, 2012. 200 companies have already signed on with Kinect for Windows apps, including Toyota, Mattell, American Express and more.
UFC on X-Box Live Free, Again…Hopefully
December 30, 2011 some X-Box Live users were promised UFC 141 (Lesnar vs Overeem) for free. Unfortunately problems arose, and the event was never available for X-Box Live users. To make amends Microsoft will offer this Saturday’s event UFC RIO: Aldo vs. Mendes, for free over Xbox Live. As was meant to be the case with UFC 141, the fight will not be available for purchase, and will be a free fight only available to those who had signed up for UFC 141. If you’re eligible to watch the fight, expect an email invite soon, if one hasn’t come already. Additionally, Microsoft is including a code for one free month of Xbox LIVE Gold with every invite along with their apologies.
Sony Will Not Announce The Next Playstation At E3
After a story rumored that the three major companies would be showing off the next generation of consoles at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Sony has officially bowed out. Sony’s Kaz Hirai answered a question about the PlayStation 4 showing up at this year’s E3. “Andy (House) is absolutely right in that we are not making any announcements at E3. I’ve always said a 10-year life cycle for PS3, and there is no reason to go away from that.”
Taco Bell is Giving Away Playstation Vitas
During the CES 2012, Sony has announced that they will be partnering with Taco Bell to give away new Playstation Vitas. The “Unlock the Box” promotion begins January 26 and runs until March 11. Every 15 minutes a new Vita will be given away along with a copy of Little Deviants game card, 4GB memory card and a choice of the following: ModNation Racers, LittleBigPlanet (at launch), or MLB 12 The Show (at launch).
To enter, go to Taco Bell, order the $5 box, enter the promotional code online. The second way to enter is by playing Taco Bell’s mobile app by battling their friends on Reality Fighters Dojo. The third opportunity is by entering an online contest that will encourage users to boast about what they’d be willing to do for a PS Vita. Consumer videos and images that are submitted will be placed in an online gallery where viewers can vote for the winners.
Bethesda Wins The Rights To The Fallout MMO
The two year legal battle between Bethesda and Interplay over the Fallout MMO is now over. The lawsuit began when Bethesda stopped Interplay’s production of a Fallout MMO, and sued them over a breech of contract. Prior to Fallout 3, Bethesda bought the rights to the Fallout IP from Interplay. Interplay still had the rights to the Fallout MMO and some merchandising rights. Bethesda felt Interplay violated the conditions of their contract and took them to court.
The court ruled in favor of Bethesda and now they own the rights to the Fallout MMO, and the contract between Bethesda and Interplay is now null and void. Bethesda’s parent company, Zenimax, will pay Interplay $2 million. Interplay has until the end of 2013 to continue selling Fallout Tactics, Fallout and Fallout 2, according to the settlement.
Activision Fuels The “Black Ops 2″ Rumor
In the final bit of news this week, Activision has purchased the rights to “blackops2.com”. This doesn’t necessarily mean Activision is going to release a sequel to Call of Duty: Black Ops, however that wouldn’t be surprising, considering their history. It could mean that Activision is simply protecting it’s property, because they have also purchased domains up to Black Ops 6.
So there’s the news this week, what did you think of the 2012 CES? Was there anything you have your eyes on? Will UFC 141 go off on X-Box Live without a hitch? Is Taco Bell’s new promotion going to make you go on a late night taco run? Now that Bethesda owns the rights to the Fallout MMO, will we actually see it? How do you feel about a sequel to CoD: Black Ops? Do you feel Black Ops 2 is on the way or is this Activision protecting it’s investment? Tell us how you feel about this week, and other things we may have missed in the comments section. Thanks for listening children, this is Three Dog (howls) and this was the New Gamer Nation Weekly News.