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Saints Row IV Box Is Very Chic, Very Purple

Volition and Deep Silver have revealed the box art for the upcoming Saints Row IV due to be released this August for the Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and PC.  I don't normally comment on box art just for the sake of commenting, but I have to share how much I like this image.  The protagonist character has climbed the political ranks to become the President of the United States by the time Saints Row IV opens, so it's a stylish choice to use the image of the character's purple suit on the box.  Normally these open world action games thrive on overuse of the stereotypical blue/orange color combination, so it's a breath of fresh air to see so much purple in this image.  It adds a distinctive flair that will help the game stand out on the already packed store shelf.  There's a bit of orange fire reflected in the sunglasses (and snapshots of the action to show some of the mayhem), but on the whole the image is nicely subdued.  I like it and wish that more publishers would follow suit (no pun intended).

Grand Theft Auto V Special, Collector Editions Revealed

Big blockbuster games come into this world as Special and Collector editions these days, so it's only natural that Rockstar's upcoming Grand Theft Auto V for the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 should do the same.  The PlayStation Blog is hyping the bonus versions of GTAV today by listing all of the extra stuff that comes with the game if you choose to pay more money.  There's some physical items and digital content available, but the prices are steep: $79.99 for the Special Edition and $149.99 for the GameStop-exclusive Collector Edition.  Preorders for any version (including the standard $59.99 edition) also include free access to the game's blimp.  Here's what that'll get you come September 17, 2013 with all of the marketing hyperbole stripped out:

• Special Edition includes:
  • Grand Theft Auto V in a steelbook case decorated with new artwork
  • Blueprint map of Los Santos and Blaine County
  • Downloadable content to activate stunt plane trials, special ability boosts, bonus outfits & tattoos, and additional weapons
• Collector Edition includes:
  • The aforementioned items and DLC
  • GTAV hat
  • Security deposit bag with key modeled after its in-game counterpart
  • Downloadable content to activate custom characters for the online portion of the game and unique vehicles & garage property

I love a good Special Edition, but I find it easier to talk myself into paying the extra money for properties I feel are a part of my pop cultural identity.  I also appreciate a solid displayable item.  The blueprint doesn't do much for me, but I do like the DLC options.  Maybe you could talk me into the Special Edition under the right set of circumstances, but I'll sit out the Collector Edition with its $150 price tag, thanks.  However, here's a little tip: if you don't mind waiting these things out, you can usually find Special and Collector Editions of games massively discounted a few weeks or months after release.  Today's $80 hot item is destined for tomorrow's $20 clearance sale if any stock remains.  You take your chances with that; after all, if these editions sell out right away, then you miss out, but I've scored some great deals with luck and patience.  It's a gamble and you do have to wait a few weeks to play the game, but it's worth the savings.

Weekly Poll: Meet Xbox One

Most of you turn to FAQ websites when you need assistance in a particularly stubborn video game.  I know I do.  GameFAQs continues to be my gold standard of basic help, although it takes a special level of patience ot wade through the parts of the site that aren't vetted for quality.  In an age where there are more games to play than free time in which to play them, it's unlikely that I'm playing the same game as my friends at the same time they are also playing it.  With the exception of must-experience blockbusters that everyone tends to explore on release, play sessions become staggered in this busy time.  Printed strategy guides are the gold standard of information, but their comparative high cost and physical storage requirement are a major drawback.  There's no one right way to ask for help, of course, and it's great to have options.  Just the same, I'll stick to GameFAQs for now.

Moving on, Microsoft has revealed its next generation console at long last.  The Xbox One is coming later this year.  I've already shared my take on the unveiling and initial pass of features and capabilities, but now I want to ask you what you think of the new machine.  Are you interested in the Xbox One?  Let's hear your thoughts.

Microsoft Reveals New Xbox One, Still Has Work To Do

Microsoft finally raised the curtain on its next generation video game console yesterday, revealing the new Xbox One to the world.  The console boasts much of what you'd expect from the next iteration of the Xbox product line, although it hides some nasty gotchas, restricts activities that we've all taken for granted when it comes to video game ownership, and based on yesterday's hour-long unveiling, is aiming to be more of a general living room entertainment box with an emphasis on watching television.  While Microsoft surely believes it has the next big thing on its hands, reaction in the gaming community has mostly ranged from tepid to sour.  This was probably not the reaction that Microsoft anticipated.  I can't speak for everyone else, but I know that as far as my needs are concerned, the Xbox One is not a console for me.  Nothing that I saw at yesterday's media event convinced me that I need to buy one, and while I hate to sound dismissive, nothing that the Xbox One will be able to do when it launches later this year compels me to buy it over the competition's offerings.

Doc Brown Explains Xbox One's Potential Scenarios

And now, a brief thought from my pal and occasional Power Button podcast co-host, Joey Davidson, regarding the Microsoft Xbox One.

I hope that Microsoft's official stance on rumors from here on out is that they're all "potential scenarios."

— Joey Davidson (@JoeyDavidson) May 22, 2013

It's almost like MS is Doc Brown and we're Marty McFly. The potential scenarios are what happens if we bring the old sports almanac home.

— Joey Davidson (@JoeyDavidson) May 22, 2013

Deathstroke DLC Coming To Batman: Arkham Origins

The more we learn about the upcoming Batman: Arkham Origins for the Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and PC, the more it seems to be running the same playbook as the previous Arkham games.  This is not necessarily a bad thing.  The challenge mode from the other two games in the series is returning for Origins, and like the other Arkham challenge modes, Origins will include different playable characters beyond just Batman.  Polygon reports on the Deathstroke downloadable expansion for challenge mode.

Deathstroke will be playable in Arkham Origins' challenge mode, a game type which, in previous series entries, tasks Batman (or other playable characters like Catwoman and Robin) with completing combat and stealth challenges to earn high scores and compete with their fellow players.

"Deathstroke will come complete with his own unique weapons and special moves, and will be playable in all challenge maps in the game, as well as two additional challenge maps that will be included with the pack," the DLC's press release announcement reads. "The pack will also contain two alternate Deathstroke character skins."

I don't really know that I need all of this.  I've mucked around with the other challenge modes in the series and never did much with them beyond exploring what they involved.  I don't like being told how to take down enemies, and isn't that type of freedom the whole point of the Arkham games?  To become Batman and do things just about however you like within the scope of the game?  Challenge mode restricts what I can accomplish and how I can accomplish it, and the addition of the extra playable characters released for a fee still feels like a needless cash grab to me.  Previous Arkham games allowed players to use Joker and Nightwing in the challenge modes, but not anywhere else, for instance.  Of course, maybe Deathstroke is playable in the game's story; after all, Catwoman was a small part of Arkham City's story and Robin was playable in the DLC epilogue.  Why go through all the trouble to create a playable Deathstroke (with alternate character skins, no less) and lock him into just one minor mode?  I would see what Deathstroke had to offer if I wound up with him (Amazon is giving away the DLC for free with preorders), but I wouldn't spend actual money on the DLC.  My interest is the story mode.  Everything else is just fluff.

Power Button Presents Kombo Breaker - Episode 22: Sprinkles and Blood Rain From the Sky

Classic episodes of Kombo Breaker are back this week with an extra 13% more me as panelist Joey Davidson skipped out on us to go on his honeymoon with his new wife when this episode was recorded.  Where's the commitment to the program, huh?  The original airdate of this episode is April 4, 2009.  We decided not to invite a guest to fill his seat, so tune in to hear me discuss my thoughts on Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, a tease of the then-embargoed The Godfather II (Electronic Arts sent over an early review copy; I wish I could tell you more, but EA made me an offer I can't refuse), a little about the Toy Cars of Burnout Paradise, Dan's reactions for the latest Call of Duty map pack, Brad's trip to the Game Developers Conference, skepticism of the then-newly announced OnLive service, Nintendo of America's official 2009 statement regarding the non-release of Mother 3 (which may as well be their current statement, too), the unrivaled success of Game Informer magazine, and, for some reason, television talk about Lost and 30 Rock.  Download this week's episode directly from PTB, listen with the player below, or subscribe via iTunes, and be sure to catch up on past episodes if you're joining us late. Remember that you can reach all three of us via , you can leave a message on the Power Button hotline by calling (720) 722-2781, and you can even follow all of us on Twitter at @PressTheButtons, @aubradley84, and @JoeyDavidson or for just podcast updates, @ThePowerButton.

Power Button Presents Kombo Breaker - Episode 22: Sprinkles and Blood Rain From the Sky

Microsoft Points On The Way Out

If you want to purchase digital content for Microsoft's Xbox 360, then you'll need to buy some of the company's own currency, Microsoft Points, with your real money.  Those points are then used to buy whatever content you desire.  The conversion rate between Points and actual money isn't a clean 1:1, unfortunately, so keeping track of how much money you're actually spending can be a bit of an issue compared to just pricing content out in dollars, pounds, yen, etc.  Competitor Nintendo ditched its own Points system used for the Wii and DSi with the coming of the Wii U and the 3DS, while Sony started its PlayStation Store with currency-based transactions already in place, so the time to retire Microsoft Points in the name of progress has been upon us for a while.  Now The Verge reports that it may actually happen.  Word has it that the next generation of Xbox will follow the competition's model by charging real money for content rather than Points.

Microsoft is killing off its Points system that's primarily used for its Xbox console. The death of Microsoft Points has been a long time coming, and follows Microsoft's move away from the virtual currency towards cash in Windows 8. Sources familiar with Microsoft's Xbox plans have revealed to The Verge that the software maker plans to replace Points with a new gift card system.

The gift card system will follow the familiar model in use by Apple with its iTunes cards, but customers can also spend money directly at the online marketplace with credit or debit cards.  I'm glad to hear that this change is coming.  While I've never purchased anything with Microsoft Points, it is frustrating to me that a major player in the industry is effectively hiding the true price of its content behind an alternative currency system where 1600 Points equals $20.00.  It's all a mind game; at a glance, a game that costs, say, $19.99 on the PlayStation Store costs 1600 Points on Xbox Live appears to be cheaper on the Xbox platform when they are actually the same price (plus one cent).  I was never happy with Nintendo's Points system either, but at least that ecosystem maintained a 1:1 conversion ratio.  Content should be priced in actual currency rather than points, coins, stars, zennies, or whatever other fake money that a company dreams up.  It's only fair to the customer.

Batgirl Coming To Injustice: Gods Among Us

The downloadable content train for Injustice: Gods Among Us rolls on as the second DLC character to be added to the game has been announced.  Joining last week's addition to the roster, Lobo, is Batgirl.  Thankfully, she appears to be her own distinct character and not just a suspiciously similar copy of Batman.  Check out the reveal trailer that shows her using smoke bombs to seemingly teleport around the battle arena, for instance.  Batman doesn't do that as part of his Injustice bag of tricks.  Also take note of her super attack in which she uses her grappling line to give Joker a bad day of his own.  She'll be available soon for $4.99 as an individual purchase or free as part of the $14.99 season pass.  Awesome Killing Joke Joker cabana wear costume sold separately.

Power Button - Episode 99: Talking About Voices

When it comes to discussing video games we often talk about characterization, settings, themes, art direction, music, gameplay, and business practices, but we don't spend near enough time praising the actors that give our favorite characters a voice.  That changes on this week's episode of Power Button in which Brad Hilderbrand and I kick around the notion that actors and their characters are inseparable and whether or not recasting a role changes a game for better or for worse.  We have great things to say about actors such as Nolan North, Tara Strong, Laura Bailey, Kevin Conroy, David Hayter, John DiMaggio, Mark Hamill, Jennifer Hale, Maurice LaMarche, Rob Paulsen, Camilla Luddington, and so many more.  Join us for an hour of talking about voices.  Download this week's episode directly from PTB, listen with the player below, or subscribe via iTunes, toss this RSS feed into your podcast aggregation software of choice, and be sure to catch up on past episodes if you're joining us late. Remember that you can reach us via , you can leave a message on the Power Button hotline by calling (720) 722-2781, and you can even follow us on Twitter at @PressTheButtons and @aubradley84, or for just podcast updates, @ThePowerButton.

Power Button - Episode 99: Talking About Voices