Gamescom 2013 has give us yet another round of punches between Sony and Microsoft, each trying to convince us that they are the next-gen king. Meanwhile, Nintendo stands in the corner looking sad. And from his mighty tower, Paul looks down on all of them with a jaded eye…

Tech/Hardware News:

Steve Ballmer announces retirement plans

Get your ‘Champagne Gold’ iPhone 5.

John Carmack joins Oculus VR as CTO

Wine-like emulator “Darling” runs OS X apps under Linux

Google & Microsoft have a lovers tiff over YouTube app.

Pirate Bay Browser released. Even in the Google Play Store.

Gaming News:

Microsoft Dreamcast 2

• Major Nelson’s Xbox One unboxing reveals headset included after all (of course!)

• Marc Whitten reveals Xbox One WILL work without Kinect

• Europe gets a free digital copy of Fifa 14 with every pre-order.

• 50 games listed for the console.

• ID@Xbox for developer self publishing revealed.

• Northern Europe, Russia won’t get Xbox One in 2013

Sony

• PS4 launching in the US on Nov 15th and Europe on Nov 29th.

• Remote play on the Vita demonstrated with Assassin’s Creed IV.

• Minecraft comes to PS4 at launch and PS3 and Vita later.

• $199 PS3 with no HD, 12GB flash.

• Sony apologise for GTAV story leaks.

• Hard life for Sony execs at game conferences.

PC

• nVidia & Ubisoft partner up for PC games.

• Infinity Wards says COD Ghosts on PC looks the best.

• PC gaming hardware not in decline like the overall industry.

• Games for Windows Marketplace to close.

• Origin Humble Bundle on last three days of sale.

• IGN concerned about BF4 on PS4.

Nintendo

• Pathetic quarterly Wii U sales of 160,000 units

Need for Speed Rivals runs at 30fps.

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