Welcome to the middle of the week. Let’s get you through it with these tasty treats we like to call brain food.

Next-generation

Contrary to comments by an EA exec claiming that the Xbox One and PS4 are “a generation ahead of the highest end PC”, Epic’s VP has said otherwise. Mark Rein said: “The article said ‘highest-end PCs currently available’ which isn’t even close to true, it’s miles away from true. They are “architecturally” more advanced but performance levels aren’t as good. Maybe that’s what he meant?” Look, I really don’t care anymore, I just want to know I can play my games on the damn things please. [via CVG]

Blockbuster has announced that the pre-orders for the Xbox One has broken their pre-order record. They’re not actually saying how many pre-orders have been received leaving a cynical old grump to wonder if this is just PR BS. The retailer’s head of games, James Morton, said in a statement published on MCV: “We are delighted by the huge number of pre-orders that we have received so far for the new Microsoft console… With Sony releasing the PS4 in the near future, the next few months are going to be an exciting time for our staff and customers at Blockbuster and we can’t wait to hear more details from both Sony and Microsoft at the E3 Expo next month.”

Concerns over privacy issues based on the suggestion that the new Kinect will always be on have been addressed by Microsoft. According to a Microsoft rep talking to Kotaku “Yes, you can turn the system completely off. This would use no power and turn everything off. We are designing the new Kinect with simple, easy methods to customize privacy settings, provide clear notifications and meaningful privacy choices for how data will be used, stored and shared.”

Microsoft has pledged support to indie developers on the Xbox One. Xbox boss Don Mattrick said to Kotaku that “there’s no way we’re going to build a box that doesn’t support” indie studios. “We’re going to have an independent creator program. We’re going to sponsor it. We’re going to give people tools. We’re going to give more information.”

Mad Catz is – surprise, surprise – developing peripherals for the Xbox One. The PR blurb says: “We are eagerly looking forward to the upcoming launch of the Xbox One and excited about the opportunity to develop a range of innovative products to support the platform. The launch of the Xbox One adds a new revenue stream and the enhanced performance of the Xbox One opens up additional scope for innovation. Today’s announcement demonstrates our continued support of Microsoft’s console and entertainment business and is part of our long-term strategy to bring innovative products to passionate gamers.”

Current generation

Naughty Dog has announced that The Last of Us will be supplemented by three DLC packs post release. The DLC packs will comprise one single-player expansion, and two multiplayer packs. A Season Pass will be available offering a discounted way to get all future DLC. The Season Pass will cost $19.99, and comes with Day 1 bonuses, including increased crafting and healing speed, a 9mm reload speed upgrade, a rifle clip capacity upgrade, and an exclusive 90 minute “Making of The Last of Us” documentary.

New images for Crysis 3 appear to be hinting at upcoming DLC. The new images (tweeted by the official Twitter account for the game) follow a few days after Xbox 360 Achievements outed a fresh batch of Crysis 3 Achievements for supposedly unannounced DLC.

Some gameplay footage and screenshots for Borderlands 2‘s ‘Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep’ DLC has emerged via AllGamesBeta. Go check it out now. Or later. Or whenever you have time.

Tecmo Koei has announced that Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate will be released for Xbox 360 and PS3 on 3 September. You can assume that is the US release date, and that Europe will see the game on 6 September.

Sony are planning to stream their E3 press conference on 10 June via the Vita. Asked if it will be possible to view the event on the Vita, European PlayStation Blog manager Fred Dutton said: “We’re finalising plans now, but yes, you will be able to watch the show somewhere, somehow on your Vita.”

Blizzard has announced it will be working on its unannounced MMO, codenamed ‘Titan’, with a view to releasing it, but not before 2016. The game is undergoing “large design and technology changes”. [via CVG]

Videos

A new video for The Bureau XCOM Declassified features 2K Marin’s Alyssa Finlay providing commentary over new gameplay footage.