Hardware

The position, advertised on Valve's job site, explains: "For years, Valve has been all about writing software that provides great gameplay experiences. Now we're developing hardware to enhance those experiences, and you can be a key part of making that happen." More >

Wii U will be released in the United States on November 18, and one week later in Japan, according to reports. The claim comes from Wii U Daily, which cites an internal email circulated to staff of Media Land, a videogame retailer in Tokyo's Akihabara district. More >

Anonymous developers have poured scorn on Wii U's technical capabilities, saying Nintendo's upcoming console is less powerful than Microsoft and Sony's current-gen systems. Speaking to Gamesindustry.biz, devs queued up to say that Wii U just wasn't up to the graphical standard of Xbox 360 and PS3. More >

Microsoft's Xbox 360 successor will require a constant connection to the internet in a bid to combat piracy, according to reports. VG247 sources claim that Microsoft has "fully detailed" its new console to select thirdparties, with a view to launching in time for Christmas 2013. As previous reports have claimed, the console will use Blu-ray discs. More >

Sony will have a new console, dubbed Orbis, on shelves before the end of next year, according to reports. The claim comes from Kotaku, who has been told by what it describes as "a reliable source who has shared correct information with us before" that the console will be released in time for the 2013 holiday season. More >

US retail chain GameStop has poured cold water on claims that Microsoft's Xbox 360 successor will somehow prevent used games from being played. In January, a Kotaku report claimed that Microsoft's next console would use Blu-Ray discs and feature "some sort of anti-used game system". Speaking during an investor call yesterday, CEO Paul Raines said Microsoft should be wary of thwarting pre-owned games because trade-in credit does much to stimulate sales of new releases. More >

Valve has said that reports it is to announce its entry into the console hardware market this year are wide of the mark, saying it is "a long way from shipping any sort of hardware." Speaking to Kotaku, marketing director Doug Lombardi said that recent reports claiming Valve would unveil hardware which would place Steam "at the centre of an open gaming universe", similar to Google's Android, at GDC or E3 this year were incorrect - but left the door open for the company to do so in future. More >

Raspberry Pi, the $25 PC that it is hoped will give rise to a new generation of programmers, launched this morning, and sold out within hours. Gamesindustry.biz reports that demand for the low-spec PC, which launched in the UK priced at just £22, brought down its stockists' websites. Premier Farnell limited sales to one per customer, while RS Components is building systems to order. More >

Unreal Engine 4 will be revealed later this year, Mark Rein has confirmed, with the Epic Games vice-president saying people will be "shocked" when they see what the company's next-gen tech has to offer. Speaking at last week's DICE Summit in Las Vegas as reported by Loud-Mouthed Gamers, Rein said that UE4 was already up and running on "systems I can't talk about by name." More >

A designer at Saints Row: The Third developer Volition has welcomed reports that Microsoft's Xbox 360 successor will include some kind of anti-used game system, saying such a measure would be "a fantastic change for our business." Writing on AltDevBlogADay, design director Jameson Durall says that online passes work, and welcomes Sony's announcement that digital versions of PS Vita games will cost less than at retail. He reserves special praise, however, for Microsoft's reported intent to block pre-owned games at hardware level. More >

Microsoft has poured cold water on reports that it is to unveil the Xbox 360 successor at E3 in June. Speaking to Le Point, reported by Develop, Microsoft France marketing director Cedrick Delmax said: "I am not convinced things will happen this year. Xbox 360's cycle is not at all finished. More >

Sony has announced an improved bundle in a bid to boost US demand for PlayStation Vita ahead of its launch next month. Gamespot reports that a limited-time offer will give those buying a $300 Vita with 3G support an 8GB memory card, which retails for $30, as well as 250MB of data through AT&T;, and a free download of a PSN game. The standard $300 3G Vita does not come with a memory card, which is required to play several of the launch titles including Uncharted: Golden Abyss. More >