A new version of the PlayStation 4 dev kit is currently being distributed to developers with the final version expected next year, according to a new report.

Anonymous sources have reportedly told VG247 that new versions of the Orbis kit are winging their way to developers, replete with Blu-ray support and housed in the humble cases of normal PCs.

This is apparently the second iteration of the dev kit; the first, which appeared earlier this year, was in essence just a graphics card, while this version is now a "modified PC". The report asserts that the next update will come in January, when it'll be close to final specifications, with the ultimate version landing with devs next summer.

The shipping of the Orbis kit apparently follows a series of meetings held by Sony in the US this week, where the company explained what the machine was designed to do and how to get the most out of it. Interestingly, at these meetings it's been claimed that Sony didn't refer to the machine as "the PlayStation 4" at all, instead opting to use the "Orbis" title at all times.

The dev kits are apparently based on the AMD’s A10 APU series and come with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM, as well as the Blu-ray drive already mentioned and a 256GB hard drive as standard. This is to ensure that the console will be able to run 1080p60 games in 3D.

The Orbis kits have both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, as well as HDMI out slots; so pretty much exactly what you'd expect to find on your current PlayStation 3. However, the big reported difference comes with the UI, which has been designed to be more fluid and allow extensive navigation anywhere on the system simply by pressing the PS button mid-game. This was demoed to the assembled masses by purchasing DLC from the PS Store without quitting the game.

No details were leaked about the system's controller. IGN reached out to Sony for comment, but were told the company "doesn't comment on rumour and speculation."

If you're looking for more info on the Orbis, we've dissected the reported components that make up the dev kit before, as well as what it could mean for Sony's prospects in the next generation of consoles.

Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Editorial Assistant and lifelong PlayStation owner. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on IGN and on Twitter.

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Downloadable content is headed to the PC version of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. Ubisoft has announced that all content packs will be available on PC beginning today with the release of the Arctic Strike Map Pack.

PC players will also have the option to purchase a Season pass for $24.99 that will give them a $10 discount off the total price of upcoming downloadable content. The Season Pass is available now on Ubisoft's site and “includes all-new playable maps and game modes, extra weapons for Ghosts and Bodark units, additional Uplay achievements and more.”

Arctic Strike was previously released on consoles in July and adds new multiplayer maps, a new multiplayer mode, a new Guerrilla mode co-op map and six additional weapons. The console versions of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier previously received additional content in the Raven Strike Pack in September and the Khyber Strike Pack earlier this month. Release windows for PC versions of those packs haven’t been revealed, but we’ve reached out to Ubisoft and will update this story with any additional info we receive.

For more on Future Soldier, read our Ghost Recon: Future Soldier review and Ghost Recon: Future Soldier wiki guide.

Andrew Goldfarb is IGN’s associate news editor. Keep up with pictures of the latest food he’s been eating by following @garfep on Twitter or garfep on IGN.

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We already knew that the PlayStation 3 version of Assassin’s Creed III would be getting exclusive missions, but now, thanks to the PlayStation Blog, we know the exact nature of those missions. It just so happens that they revolve around the most infamous traitor in American history, Benedict Arnold.

As the Blog explains, “Benedict Arnold’s secret plot to betray West Point and sabotage the American Revolution earned him the ultimate mark of infamy: a name that will forevermore be synonymous with deceit and treachery.” And the four mission arc surrounding him, exclusive to PS3, deals with this “most reviled turncoat.”

The missions start “with a special request from George Washington” having to do with bringing to light the very plot at West Point Benedict Arnold was so heavily involved in. “Across four missions, Connor will flush out Loyalist spies and work undercover for Benedict Arnold, culminating in a full-blown assault on West Point that Connor must halt at all costs.”

Assassin’s Creed III’s scriptwriter, Matt Turner, has promised this story arc to be more realistic than the alternate history take of The Tyranny of King Washington, including actual dialogue thought to have been spoken by Arnold and those around him.

Colin Moriarty is an IGN PlayStation editor. You can follow him on Twitter and IGN and learn just how sad the life of a New York Islanders and New York Jets fan can be.

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TechCrunch reviewer MG Siegler calls OS X Mountain Lion “definitely the most polished and robust version of OS X yet,” adding: “If you liked Lion, you’ll love Mountain Lion.” Noting its “surprisingly good” app compatibility, Siegler touts the usefulness of many of the new features in Mountain Lion, including Notifications (“probably the best new feature”), Documents in the Cloud, and “the apps that have been ported over from iOS: Reminders, Notes, and Messages.” He concludes: “It’s hard to imagine how Apple will further refine OS X from here.”
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