May 20, 2013 at 6:00 pm | 0 Comments

I’ve got some mad love for this Harley Quinn collectible

May 20, 2013 at 4:00 pm | 26 Comments

This F1 simulator will cost ya

February 27, 2013 at 12:30 pm | 14 Comments

EA’s pioneering “Single Identity”

Identity

I’ve never liked signing in to services, such as EA’s Origin or Ubisoft’s uPlay when I’m already signed in to something like Xbox Live or the PSN. EA may force our hands soon though with their new virtual online platform, which they’re calling “Single Identity.”

It’s a single backend system that will service all platforms on which EA games appear; consoles, PCs, mobile devices and social websites, allowing players to have a unified, cross platform friends list – along with other neat features like cloud saving between platforms.

EA will be able to use the service to save on data costs, track players’ habits more easily – as well as allow it to gather data to better market its games. EA is spying on you.

“Our strategic vision at EA is to create a single backend system so that we can truly embrace the secular trends in our industry that are creating massive growth for games,” EA’s Chief Technology office Rajat Taneja said to VentureBeat. “And we will be able to embrace all of the new business models that come with that.”

Before you get antsy, it could actually be a boon to gamers as it will allow to find each other, communicate and here’s the kicker – even start multiplayer sessions across platforms, in games that support it. With the PC, PlayStation 4 and next Xbox all using similar architecture, we could even see cross platform play in the next generation of consoles.

Tags: EA, Single Identity, the cloud

Author:Geoffrey Tim

I'm old, grumpy and more than just a little cynical. One day, I found myself in possession of a NES, and a copy of Super Mario Bros 3. It was that game that made me realise that games were more than just toys to idly while away time - they were capable of being masterpieces. I'm here now, looking for more of those masterpieces.

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http://twitter.com/SaveTheQueenIX umar bastra

As long as I’m not forced into anything. I don’t trust EA.Sneaky lil bastardians
Admiral Chief Erwin

Then we can settle it once and for all that PC gamers will WHOOOOP console gamers

Jokes aside, will be epic if they manage to pull the cross-platform play off!
- Jean du Toit
  
  Just remember the sword can cut both ways. The developers may decide to give console gamers a liberal dose of auto-aim to level the playing field. That means automatic, instant headshot, even if they’re only sort of facing in your direction.
  
  In other words, MASSIVE training wheels for the lower castes.
  
  Cross platform play just does not work. Period.
  Case Study: Shadowrun.
  - mornelithe
    
    Yeah, you can turn auto-aim off in many games. However, if it’s always on, then no way. It may be useful to console gamer’s, but it hinder’s the fluidity of PC controls. My friend had GTAIV on 360, and he’d turn auto-aim off on every MP he hosted. Was hilarious listening to the other players freak out.
Sir Captain Rincethis

Great, so when the service goes down, you can’t escape buy moving over onto a different platform. urgh. I know this is all ‘the way of the future’ but is it just me or does it really smack of ‘DO AS WE SAY MORTAL MAN/WOMAN!” mmm…
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

Sounds like a good idea. But I am wary of what this can lead to. This is a big step in the direction of forcing always on connections etc
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=715862632 Johan Troffel Fourie
  
  Yea, and forcing always on connections is their main agenda. We all know what EA’s true motives are by now. EA’s no longer the hero of the Desert Strike franchise from back in the day. They’ve become a greedy, no-soul corporation that’ll suck the soul out of everything it touches. /end rant
  
  PS: Fuck you EA.
  - Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
    
    Dude… Desert Strike… Now I feel nostalgic…. and old
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=715862632 Johan Troffel Fourie
      
      Oh and Urban Strike.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Matewis-Jubilai/100002325722170 Matewis Jubilai

Cross platform friends list…. The best thing about steam for me is that I can set my status to ‘offline’ .I used to despise that about battlenet where I couldnt do the same (is it even possible? perhaps I missed it). I just want to play some SCII by myself and not have to deal with ‘friends’ wanting to play multiplayer for which I then have to think up excuses. Some of us are little weirdos who like to play by ourselves, and occasionally rant on local gaming sites
http://twitter.com/mathuthe Mathias

Man, I’m not liking the future… Can’t they just improve grapchis, add party system to the PS, lose the ads on the Next-Box, and leave it as it is?
OVG

DATA CAPTURING. I called it.
Guest

So..Don’t you find it funny that, just recently EA had lay offs and now they PARTNERING with Microsoft? …. I smell a conspiracy!! Is EA having money problems???
http://twitter.com/DanielKeevy Daniel Keevy

Don’t they already have that? When I play Madden on the PS3 it links it to my account?