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More Grist For The Rumour Mill

The Xbox One reveal event didn't manage to clear up many of the rumours we've been debating for months (and in fact made many more unclear), but Microsoft's strategy surrounding pre-owned games may be getting slightly less hazy. According to two new reports, Microsoft and game publishers will be guaranteed a cut from pre-owned retailers, but the activation fee for secondary licenses will cost the best part of £40.

In perhaps the least exciting headline and story I've ever editorialised on, Microsoft has revealed the box art for Forza Motorsport 5... and with it, what Xbox One game packaging will look like. Spoiler alert: it's green.

However, a suggestive Top Gear logo all but confirms another Clarkson collaboration, perhaps with some themed tracks, voiceovers and an appearance from The Stig. You can behold the stately image after the break.

"Now Is The Time"

Future's James Jarvis spotted a full-page advert in today's Metro, which makes no bones about Sony's console hitting British shores before year's end. We pretty much all figured this was happening anyway, but it's a relief to get official confirmation for European territories (since we usually receive the sharp end of any manufacturing delays). Firm details will likely be confirmed at E3 2013 during Sony's press conference on June 10th. [via MCV]

As far as I'm aware, Sony has also bought advertising space at this year's Champion's League final. Eyes peeled, footy fans.

Ubisoft Toronto have released a new developer diary for Splinter Cel: Blacklist that details two of the four cooperative modes on offer. Grimm's missions will focus on pure stealth, while CIA operative Isaac Briggs will develop as a character throughout multiplayer and singleplayer encounters. 14 maps were recently confirmed in a debut trailer.

Splinter Cell: Blacklist releases on August 22nd. Check out our Splinter Cell Blacklist preview for more intel.

Jagged Alliance: Flashback, a "reset" of the classic strategy franchise from Full Control Games, has managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat on Kickstarter. They managed to push over their $350,000 target within the last few hours of the campaign, meaning that development can start in earnest as soon as Space Hulk releases on iOS.

"It's Not A Good Portent For Gaming Goodness To Come"

Dealspwn.com has heard from several high-profile independent developers (including Cthulhu Saves The World creator Robert Boyd and ex-Insomniac weapon designer Nathan Fouts) who are worried about Microsoft's perceived focus on entertainment and lack of support for self-publishing indie developers following the Xbox One reveal event.

That said, they all also suggest that we won't know the whole story until June 10th.

Xbox 'One' may refer to the number of billions of consumers that Microsoft's newly-unveiled entertainment system plans to attract, if new comments from Microsoft Interactive Entertainment SVP Yusuf Mehdi are anything to go by.

Free-to-play cooperative PvE shooter Warframe has received another major update, which adds Dojos to hang out with your Space Samurai clan, alongside new maps, weapons, modifications and features. We've got the patch notes after the break.

Warframe is still technically in open beta, and thoroughly good fun despite a few rough edges and an economy based on paying to avoid some long crafting wait times. You can check it out (and play for free) on Steam - note that NVIDIA GeForce owners will benefit from (or be instantly blinded by) some ridiculous PhysX effects. I'll bring you some impressions, if not a full review, soon.

Joe Danger and Joe Danger 2, the excellent motorbike physics-based puzzle platformers from Hello Games, are both coming to Steam along with some extra content. "Joe is finally free of all that silly console exclusivity," apparently, which is good news for everyone with a Steam account.

An extended edition of competent Vita Monster Hunter-wannabe Ragnarok Odyssey has been confirmed for a European release on both PS3 and Vita this winter, courtesy of GungHo Online. It will include the original game , alongside a "host of new content," items, weapons and stages. Cross-platform play will allow PS3 and Vita players to cooperate on the same servers.

I praised the "wealth of addictive content and silky-smooth action RPG gameplay" in our 7/10 Ragnarok Odyssey review, so with luck, the ACE edition will make for an even more attractive proposition.

Project X Zone has received a trailer on the 3DS eShop, which gives us Europeans a chance to check out the SEGA, Capcom and Namco Bandai crossover SRPG.

Yes, you read that right. It's a Strategy RPG that features classic characters from decades of gaming history (everyone from Ryu to Dante, Frank West, Ulala and Jin Kazama). Though Project X Zone looks like a fighting game, it's actually a tactical experience with a real-time battle system designed by the developers behind Xenoblade Chronicles. So, erm, the demo might be worth a download, then.

Another demo will go release next month ahead of a summer release.

"Remedial Action May Be Taken"

Kinect 2 is a core part of the Xbox One experience; always-connected, always listening out for voice commands and always watching. However, a patent for the device suggests that it can also be used to monitor how many people are looking at a piece of content such as a video or TV show, so the copyright holder can set a maximum viewer restriction... followed by "remedial action" if it's exceeded.

The Witness, Jonathan Blow's latest indie title, was revealed as a timed PS4 exclusive at Sony's reveal event earlier this year. The developer behind Braid has now appeared in a new video explaining Sony's indie support, his creative freedom and a little more about the puzzler itself.

Codemasters Racing have revealed a one-off special edition for GRID 2 that can do 0-60 in 2.8 seconds.

The latest Destiny trailer may be a blend of live-action footage and CGI, but it does a decent job of finally giving us a feel for the mysterious cross-platform shooter's tone.

"As a Guardian of the City sets out on an epic, action-packed adventure to reclaim our Solar System, he recalls the moment when he was first taught the most important lesson of all -- The Law of the Jungle," reads the introductory blurb.

Destiny is currently set for a 2014 release on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. We'll learn more about it at Sony's E3 press conference on June 10th.

New Mario, Smash Bros & Mario Kart Titles Tipped

Nintendo has announced a global Nintendo Direct broadcast for 11th June at 15:00 GMT, which will replace their usual E3 press conference. They'll use this international platform to "provide updates about future Wii U games," and almost certainly unveil three heavy-hitting first party franchises. "We will discuss new Smash Bros., 3D Mario game, Mario Kart and other Wii U titles in our #NintendoDirectNA before the start of E3," reads a recent tweet from Nintendo Of America, which got us rather excited on Monday. No pressure, but this needs to deliver.

We'll look to host the presentation on-site, but you'll also be able to watch it on the Nintendo Direct website.

Frostbite 3-Powered Racer Revs Up In November

Need For Speed: Rivals has officially broken cover. The Ghost Games-developed racer is powered by Frostbite 3, allows players to choose between cops or street racers  and promises "the freedom to seamlessly go from single player to co-op to multiplayer."

As a cross-generation title, Need for Speed: Rivals will release on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in November, followed by PS4 and Xbox One versions when the consoles launch. We've got more details, screenshots and a teaser trailer below.

Dying Light To Have True Day/Night Cycle

Techland, the studio behind Dead Island and the recently-announced Hellraid, have revealed yet another first-person undead survival horror game. Dying Light will release on current-gen platforms, next-gen consoles and PC next year, offering a "vast" open world to explore and a dynamic day-night cycle.

More details and screens after the break.

A new cinematic trailer for Company Of Heroes 2 shows off some of the story cutscenes that intersperse the strategic gameplay. The Relic Entertainment-developed RTS will release on June 25th courtesy of new publisher SEGA.

Matt shares some more gameplay details in our Company Of Heroes 2 hands-on preview.

'We Hope People Weren't Confused About Games Still Being Absolutely Critical To Us'

Following the mixed reception surrounding the Xbox One reveal event (an understatement I'm keenly aware of), which dwelt on television, sports, sports television and fantasy football, Microsoft is keen to assure us that their new console will also play games. Xbox UK marketing director Harvey Eagle promises that the E3 presentation will unveil some of the "best experiences in gaming," and also confirm plenty of support for the Xbox 360 for "years to come."