What must Japanese developers do to return to prominence?  According to one studio president, they just need to get “back to the basics” of making good games

 The special reveal event for Microsoft’s next Xbox is just a few days away, and, according to one company rep, it will be quite a show.

 Will voice recognition be one of the many new features we’ll get to look forward to once the PlayStation 4 ships?  It’s possible, and a recent job listing could be a clue as to the feature’s future existence.

The poor Wii U keeps taking hits, and this time an EA employee offers his opinion as to why the console is so “crappy.”  As for a console that we hope is anything but crappy, the Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox will be revealed next week, and its special event could showcase a more streamlined console from the company.

 Do you own a Wii U?  If so, don’t expect to play any upcoming EA titles for it in the near future, as they simply don’t exist.  Also, Nintendo needs a boost to overcome its dry spell, and it’s looking at user-created YouTube videos as a way to do so.

 Video game piracy is a problem, but just how big is it?  According to a newly released study, it’s not quite as bad as some companies make it out to be.

 As usual, there’s plenty to talk about regarding upcoming releases.  Payday 2 is coming later this year, and when it is released, you’ll have multiple ways to purchase it.  Also, there’s a new Pac-Man game on the horizon that should be plenty of fun for fans of the franchise.

 Video games are expensive enough nowadays, but could some of them begin to cost even more in the near future due to taxes on violent content?  It’s a possibility, and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden says that such taxes would be easy to implement.

You can indulge in plenty of thievery with your friends thanks to the arrival of Monaco: What’s Yours is Mine on the Xbox Live Arcade.  Speaking of XBLA, former Epic Games designer Cliff Bleszinksi had some less than favorable things to say about the online service from Microsoft.

It comes as no surprise that next-gen consoles are expected to provide an amplified gaming experience.  In the case of the PlayStation 4, Ubisoft believes that you’ll see the best Assassin’s Creed yet when Black Flag is released, and they have a video to prove it.

What will it take for the Wii U to get out of its slump?  Can Nintendo’s HD console rebound?  Q-Games president Dylan Cuthbert offered his thoughts on the topic in a recent interview.

If you are a fan of controversial games, there’s an old one headed to the PlayStation Network next week in the form of Manhunt.  Also, there may be something big and amazing in store for the PS Vita according to a recent tease from one Sony employee.

Will Sony use “Greatness Awaits” as the official slogan to market the PlayStation 4?  If one leaked commercial script is any indication, the company just might do so.

As the anticipation for next-gen consoles from Microsoft and Sony build, we are starting to get plenty of opinions from industry insiders on what to expect.  What about the Wii U though?  Does it belong in the next-gen discussion?  According to one CEO, it doesn’t.

A recent study took a look at teens’ reactions to violent video games and found that they had desensitizing effects on players.  Also, in terms of PSN downloads for April, Guacamelee was the top dog.

 What will Microsoft’s upcoming next-gen console carry as its official name?  The Xbox 720?  The Next Xbox?  According to one source - neither, as it claims that the Xbox Infinity will be the name of choice.

Sony is feeling pretty confident about the upcoming launch of its next-gen PlayStation 4 console, but they’re not the only ones that feel that way, as some of Ubisoft’s camp is hyped as well.

Activision has announced that World of Warcraft’s subscriber base is down, but that still hasn’t stopped it from holding the title of the world’s top subscription-based MMORPG.

Activision just revealed its earnings for the first quarter of 2013, and while they exceeded expectations, the company has multiple concerns for the second half of the year.

Wolfenstein: The New Order will be limited to single-player mode and be on the lookout for an important Gran Turismo reveal in one week.