There are sure a lot of "best of lists" coming out of the woodwork now since the year is beginning to come to a close. And not surprisingly, many of the lists read basically the same. Many of the games that are on those lists are definitely must play games (Super Mario Galaxy, Call of Duty 4, The Orange Box), but whatever happened to the other games that were fantastic throughout the year like World in Conflict, Persona 3, or Lunar Knights to name a few. With just an avalanche of triple A titles hitting us at the end of the year, many excellent games were overshadowed by the sheer amount of press coverage and excellent PR campaigns that were given to those games that were at the top of those 2007 lists. So here are the games that are the ones that have been forgotten because they came out early in the year or worse, never got the credit that they deserved in the first place.
The PS3 games in the list:
03) Super Stardust HD (Playstation 3)
16) Virtua Tennis 3 (PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Sony PSP)
A new version of TVersity Media Server has been released. TVersity allows you to stream pretty much any media (music/pictures and video) format to your PS3 (with on-the-fly transconding if required) from a Windows PC.
What's new/fixed:
* Transcoding
o Transcoding configuration can now be done on the file/folder/url level, in which case it wil supersede the system wide settings.
* Customizable Menus
o It is now possible to set the menus to be organized by folders only, this is in additon to the default menu organization and the custom one.
* Devices
o Turn off transcoding of AVI/DIVX (version 4 or higher) for the Sony PS3 (Divx3 is still transcoded) since firmware 2.1 can play them natively.
o AVI/Divx that do not play natively can still be manually configured to be transcoded. This for examples solves the PS3 problem with Divx files larger than 2 Gb.
* Bug Fixes
o Do not register a Windows shell context menu command for files (since it gets invoked when double clicking on file types that have no other handlers). The context menu command for folders is still kept since it has no undesirable side effects.
A tool has been released on ps3hax.net to read the PS3 NAND chip with the Infectus chip:
This tool is used to interleave, then byteswaps both dumps of the PS3 NAND.
Upon completion, it creates a 'user readable' file.
This file is then scanned by the tool, and the flash files are extracted to a folder.
This folder is named PS3Nand-XXX.XXXX, where XXX.XXXX is the SDK Version magic in the flash (usually the version number of the firmware)
.B .A usually works, however in some cases .A .B order is required.
The tool was made by mainman, assisted by the PS3News.com Developers!
The Playstation 3 has had enough bad press this year but it is the most powerful console of this generation and the very good games are starting to arrive, on the homebrew front the PS3 has linux but real homebrew fans want something more than Linux, with that in mind heres a question for PS3 fans!
What are your Hopes for the Playstation 3 both in Homebrew and the Commercial Arena ?
A playable demo of Yakuza 3, the latest (PS3-exclusive) edition of Sega's Japanese gangster-themed brawler will be hitting the Japanese PSN as soon as this month, reports suggest.
After two games set in the glitzy lights of present day Tokyo, the third game takes the series back in time to the 17 century, with samurai running around with swords, slicing faces off and stuff, as you do. Sounds awesome.
The demo is expected to arrive on PSN "mid-January", according to "wholesale" sources, coutesy of Google translations of Gamefront.
Sega is, however yet to officially confirm the demo's release date. The full game is out in Japan on March 6. Don't expect a UK release to follow until late '08 at the earliest.
Did you get what you wanted for Christmas? That's a shame. But Sony was looking out for you - sneaking a 1.7GB-shaped demo of The Club under the celebratory bristles of the PlayStation Network tree with the sort of festive love and care glaringly absent from other elements of this boringly appointed sentence.
You lot have been getting your teeth into it already, with uiruki summing up Bizarre Creations' first attempt at a shoot-'em-up as "a driving game mixed in with Tony Hawk-style trickery" in feel. "Technically, it is excellent. The graphics are extremely solid and pretty, with the PS3 never missing a beat at 30fps. Perhaps a little jaggy, but very clear," he adds, saving me some work. "I not like this game at all," NatAttack offers in a cutting riposte.
The full version of The Club is due out on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC on 8th February, and there's a bundle of previews, videos and other assorted attention-grabbers on its gamepage.
Also on PlayStation Network over the only week off we ever get was a Super Stardust HD demo, giving you the opportunity to find out whether you agree with Rich Leadbetter that it's "an absolute star, the jewel in the crown of the PlayStation Store and quite possibly the best purists' shooter to appear on console since the legendary Geometry Wars". He was very cross that it didn't make it into the Top 50, you know.
Finally, the PSN update also included a demo of another downloadable game, Snakeball, which Dan Whitehead quite liked, revealing that yes it is a bit like the mobile phone game.
Seeing as tomorrow is Thursday, expect more PSN update news in the near future. Everyday Shooter plz.
Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed has finished 2007 at the top of the UK's all formats charts with a drop of only 7 per cent in sales.
Electronic Arts' FIFA 08 missed out on the top spot by around 1000 sales, for the week ended December 31.
The Christmas number one, Activision's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, has slipped down the charts to number three with a 37 per cent decline in sales.
Sales of EA's The Simpsons Game fell by 24 per cent as it dropped one place to number four, while Need for Speed Pro Street stays at number five, with sales down 23 per cent.
The only game in the top ten to see sales increase for the period was Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, as the game moved up the charts from number 13 to number six.
THQ's WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2008 is at seven, Nintendo's More Brain Training is at eight, Activision's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock at nine and Sega's The Golden Compass enters the top ten at ten.
The latest sales charts for Spain and Germany show strong support for the Nintendo platforms, with DS titles Dr Kawashima's Brain Training and More Brain Training coming in the top two in both countries.
The charts, compiled by Media-Control GfK International for the sales week ending December 23, also show Nintendo featuring in all top five positions in Germany, and eight of the top ten in Spain.
Wii Play, Super Mario Galaxy and Mario & Sonic at the Olympics rounded out the German top five, with Need for Speed Pro Street, FIFA 08 and High School Musical taking the next three places for the PlayStation 2.
The only other format represented was Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare for the Xbox 360 - meaning that neither Sony's nor Microsoft's next-gen platforms were represented at all.
That was also true in Spain, although WWE Smackdown! vs Raw 2008 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 were third and fourth on the PS2.
The rest of the top ten was all Nintendo, however, with four more DS titles and two Wii games.
The full charts are as follows:
Germany
1. More Brain Training with Dr Kawashima (DS)
2. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)
3. Wii Play (Wii)
4. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
5. Mario & Sonic at the Olympics (Wii)
6. Need for Speed Pro Street (PS2)
7. FIFA 08 (PS2)
8. High School Musical: Sing It (PS2)
9. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC)
10. New Super Mario Bros (DS)
Spain
1. More Brain Training with Dr Kawashima (DS)
2. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)
3. WWE Smackdown! vs Raw 2008 (PS2)
4. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (PS2)
5. Eye Training (DS)
6. Wii Play (Wii)
7. Mario Party DS (DS)
8. Triiviial (Wii)
9. Imagine Babyz (DS)
10. Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
Criterion's Alex Ward has responded to feedback on the recent Burnout Paradise demo defending certain elements that have come under fire.
"Everyone breathe, relax, and remember, it's only a demo - we think we made the best demo released all year - you don't see many other games getting an online enabled demo up on both systems before launch," the outspoken developer wrote in a Christmas message.
Some of the response to the demo has focused on the lack of a retry button once you fail a task (something we pointed out earlier this year), changes to Crash mode and the size of Paradise City itself.
"The lack of retry really isn't an issue," says Ward. "You may disagree, but we don't feel it is and retry would have introduced loading into the game, which we didn't want to do." As for comments on Crash, he's less sympathetic. "Hmm, again, none of you have played it yet... It's not Crash Mode, it never was - it never could be. There was no way we would have created a linear and limited experience in a massively open game that is about freedom, expression and seamless play. Again, try it for yourself and make up your own mind. Don't let the internet do it for you."
Turn your living room into a state of the art arcade arena! Join operatives Giorgio and Evan to investigate and prevent a top secret weapon from falling into the hands of international terrorists.
The latest and most advanced title in the popular Time Crisis series is now arriving on the PS3. Time Crisis 4 delivers the first and only arcade style interactive first-person shooter (FPS) gaming experience on the next gen console with HD quality graphics. Superior to its arcade counterpart, Time Crisis 4 is reborn with additional new free roaming FPS stages along with a new and improved Guncon. In addition to future downloadable content, Time Crisis 4 brings a fresh new look that will carry the series into the next generation.
via WorthPlaying (There are many screens for every platform, click now!)
SEGA Superstars Tennis has over 15 playable SEGA idols including Sonic the Hedgehog, AiAi from Super Monkeyball fame, Ulala of Space Channel 5 and Amigo from Samba De Amigo. In addition to their own unique attributes, each character will also come equipped with their own superstar tennis skills, putting a whole new spin on each match played!
Exhibition mode offers the chance to challenge Sonic, or the character or your choice, to a match on one of many courts, including Sonic’s home court of Green Hill Zone, or Amigo’s Carnival Park court. Wherever you play there will be a host of SEGA celebrities cheering you on from courtside and by partaking in crazy doubles matches with your choice of partner, you could end up playing against some pretty unusual couples! Prove your SEGA hero is the shining star of SEGA Superstars Tennis by collecting silverware in the Tournament Mode. There will also be the opportunity to unlock a host of exciting extras which will be announced in the near future!
Complementing the Exhibition and Tournament modes, there will also be new and innovative ways of enjoying some of SEGA’s classic titles, plus platform exclusive ways to play the game, including online modes for X360 and PS3 versions!
“SEGA Superstars Tennis has the potential to be one of the most fun and accessible sports games ever.” commented Gary Knight, European Marketing Director. “The fantastic Sumo Digital team has had access to a wealth of SEGA IP and you’ll be surprised at the gaming icons that will be making an appearance!”
Available on the PS3, PS2, X360, NDS, and Wii, SEGA Superstars Tennis will release in early 2008.
How many times over the past few months have you heard that "the worst is over" and the chances of the high-def format war finally coming to a close were increasing by the day? If you haven't heard it at least once, you're probably not reading the right stories.
But with all that going on, the war is officially a quagmire for both sides and the chances of getting out of this quickly are diminishing at an astounding rate. Consider this: as it stands, the Blu-ray camp commands roughly 49 percent DVD market share, while HD DVD is trailing slightly behind. To make matters worse, some reports suggest HD DVD may be gaining strength, although most buyers are sitting out.
So what's really going on with this war? Is there an end in sight? Even better, is there a solution in sight that can finally put this to rest? If you ask me, I think this could be over in a month if the Blu-ray camp follows three steps.
Step 1: Warner
Step 2: Slash prices on all players
Step 3: Get in contact with HD DVD's supporters and inform them of the bad news
PS3 is the best-seller in Q4 videogames category as sales leap by 24 per cent
The PlayStation 3 was one of the big winners in the last quarter of 2007 for Play.com as the company reported a 24 per cent jump in sales over the previous year.
Sony's flagship console was the best-selling item in the videogames category, followed by Assassin's Creed and Mario & Sonic at the Olympics - although it's not clear if this was measured by sales volume or total sales value.
The most searched for product on the site was the Nintendo Wii, followed by the terms "games console" and "Transformers" - the DVD of the latter was the site's top-selling item in December.
The company also revealed that on its peak trading day, Monday December 3, it processed an average of 700 orders every minute - up from 422 the previous year.
Jersey-based Play.com sells a variety of goods online, and CEO Simon Perree stated that this blend was one of the company's major assets.
"Despite the worry about tightening of the purse strings and the credit crunch, Christmas on Play.com has been a big success and sales have been outstanding," he said.
"A combination of good prices and availability of must have product across DVD, CDs, books and videogames, gadgets and electronics has proved a winning formula."
Following the successful digital release of Tomb Raider Anniversary over Xbox Live, Crystal Dynamics' Riley Cooper has told GamesIndustry.biz that Sony's PlayStation Network should offer more flexibility for delivering future titles.
Anniversary was originally developed for PlayStation 2, with publisher Eidos offering the title to Xbox 360 users via Xbox Live Marketplace by splitting the game into episodic chunks.
But Cooper, lead designer on Anniversary, believes that Sony's PlayStation Network could prove to be the better service for developers looking to bypass retail and deliver full games to users, as it doesn't have as many constraints as Microsoft's service.
"I'm very, very interested in digital distribution and the potential it has," said Cooper, speaking during GDC Lyon last month. "PlayStation Network is extremely interesting because it's a more flexible space."
"We made an in-road with Anniversary on 360, and it was a full game essentially, but Microsoft is only slowly increasing requirements and opening up the constraints of Xbox Live. It's been a slow process, whereas PSN hasn't been restricted by size, they've just done Warhawk for example."
Riley believes that digital distribution of console games that were only previously available via retail is inevitable, and that technology barriers are being chipped away at an impressive rate.
"In a long enough time line it's inevitable so at the moment it's just a matter of how fast. Within this console generation we're already seeing huge uptake in that direction. Xbox Live continues to get press and the limits are being expanded, Tomb Raider Anniversary was a huge expansion of those limits," he said.
"The additional downloadable content for titles like Guitar Hero is making a lot of money. As well as that, digital distribution isn't just about how to get a game but how to stimulate communities after the game has been released. Once users have bought into the IP you can continue to keep that community alive and get revenue from it," he added.
Welcome to this week's Games & Toys update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days.
Following the busy Christmas season, the year has as usually started very slow, this time with just one new Japanese video game release. Japanese suppliers are on their New Year holidays, closing down for the first week of the year. Just like every year, we are trying to keep additional buffers on hot selling items but there are unavoidably slight delays for items that are not in stock until suppliers return back to work coming week.
Here is a quick summary of what's been new in stock this week, followed by a quick preview of what is expected next week.
Nintendo DS™:
Rune Factory 2 JPN US$ 48.90
Books & Magazines:
Arcadia Magazine [February 2008] JPN US$ 12.90
Famitsu Wave DVD [February 2008] JPN US$ 16.50
Xbox 360 Achievements: Unlocked US US$ 9.99
Toys & More:
.hack//Sign Lovable Collection Vol. 2 Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Black Rose JPN US$ 12.49
.hack//Sign Lovable Collection Vol. 2 Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Sabaru JPN US$ 12.49
Armored Troops Votoms 1/12 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure: Brutishdog & Fyana JPN US$ 179.90
Bleach Characters 5 Non Scale Pre-Painted PVC Trading Figure JPN US$ 5.90
Burst Angel 1/8 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Sei JPN US$ 29.90
Burst Angel 1/8 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Sei (Limited Version) JPN US$ 29.90
Creator's Labo #015 Neon Genesis Evangelion 1/6 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Rei Ayanami JPN US$ 59.90
Dragon Ball Z Non Scale Pre-Painted Gashapon: Neo Super-soldier of Legend Version JPN US$ 5.90
Dragon Quest Chapter of Heaven Vol.1 Collection - Pre-Painted PVC Trading Figure JPN US$ 4.90
Eushully's Meishoku no Reiki 1/6 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Silfietta Luashia JPN US$ 74.90
Feyenoord Rotterdam 14 Pre-Painted Mini Figure: Shinji Ono JPN US$ 9.90
Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Play Arts Pre-Painted Action Figure: Sephiroth JPN US$ 38.90
Final Fantasy X Play Arts Pre-Painted Action Figure: Tidus JPN US$ 38.90
Gradius Sky Girls 1/60 Scale Model-Kit: Vic Viper (Sky Girls Version) JPN US$ 39.90
Hamburger SV 32 Pre-Painted Mini Figure: Naohiro Takahara JPN US$ 9.90
Ikkitousen 1/6 Scale Pre-Painted Figure: Ryomou Shimei JPN US$ 59.90
Ikkitousen 1/7 Scale Painted Figure: Ryomou Shimei (Black Nurse Ver.) JPN N/A
Ikkitousen Scale 1/7 Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Kanu Gothic Lolita Dress (Black Version) JPN US$ 49.90
Ikkitousen Scale 1/8 Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Sonsaku Hakufu Maid Fighter (Black Version) JPN US$ 49.90
Kasutama P Yoake Mae yori Ruri Iro na Non Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Estel Freesia JPN US$ 64.90
Kasutama P Yoake Mae yori Ruri Iro na Non Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Feena Fam Earthlight JPN US$ 74.90
MM Train No.44 Pre-Painted Gashapon JPN US$ 1.90
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS 1/6 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Takamachi Nanoha JPN US$ 159.90
Masterpiece of Shunya Yamashita 1/7 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Shoko-San (Repainted Version) JPN US$ 59.90
Neon Genesis Evangelion 1/7 Scale Metallic Pre-Painted Action Figure: EVA-00 Prototype JPN US$ 19.90
Neon Genesis Evangelion 1/7 Scale Metallic Pre-Painted Action Figure: EVA-01 Test Type JPN US$ 19.90
Neon Genesis Evangelion 1/7 Scale Metallic Pre-Painted Action Figure: EVA-02 Production Model JPN US$ 19.90
Raki Suta Collection Non Scale Pre-Painted PVC Trading Figure JPN N/A
Robot Mini Figure Collection Vol.1 Pre-Painted Trading Figure JPN US$ 3.49
SIF EX The Onee Chanbara 1/6 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Aya (Special color Ver) JPN US$ 54.90
SR Super Sea Story Figure Collection Gashapon JPN US$ 3.49
Sake Cellar Tour Cup Series Non Scale Pre-Painted Trading Figure JPN US$ 2.90
Samurai Spirits: Iroha 1/6 Scale Prepainted PVC Figure JPN US$ 59.90
Sound Pot Yamanote & Osaka Loop Line Gashapon JPN US$ 2.90
Tokustsu Daihyakka Gamera Pre-Painted Mini Figure Collection Trading Figure JPN US$ 1.90
Unisonshift Collection Pre-Painted PVC Trading Figure JPN US$ 4.90
Zero no Tsukaima - 1/8 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Louise (Kneeling ver.) JPN N/A
Zoids Command Geno Saurer 1/72 Plastic Model Kit JPN N/A
Video Game Soundtracks:
Guilty Gear 2 Overture Original Soundtrack Vol.2 JPN US$ 27.90
Honeycoming - One More Chime! JPN US$ 29.90
A separate Video/Music update containing Japanese releases from this week, including new Anime, J-Pop and Movie releases will follow prior end of the week.
It's going to remain relatively calm next week, with just eight new releases in Japan, most of them budget reprints. Expected to be among the better selling releases are Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn! Dream Hyper Battle! Wii for Nintendo Wii™ and the Asian release version of Wipeout Pulse for PSP™.
Lots of good things come out of Hong Kong like John Woo and Bruce Lee cinema and rumours that Sony is planning a monthly subscription for its PC PlayStation Store.
These high-kicked into news chops after PlayStation Asia whipped a poll onto its site to gauge interest in a number of areas.
When asking what you found most appealing as an offer on the Store it suggested a monthly subscription plan to grant unlimited PSP game downloads and possibly Kung Fu although I am not sure I can say that and now face unemployment for the second time this week.
Sony UK offered no comment about it and suggested there was little more than information-gathering behind it all.
Below you will find what is apparently the first ever screenshot of Insomniac's upcoming Resistance 2.
Yes, it looks like total arse, but that's because it is reported to be a shot taken from a very early beta version of the from April or May last year - hence the lack of lighting, shadows or textures.
Even if this is a real shot, it really doesn't give you any insight into what the game will actually look like, because the final product with all the effects turned on will look worlds better.
Which begs the question what good it is leaking a grubby screenshot from nine-month-old beta code?
The release date for Radical Design's delayed PS3 shooter, Haze, is as cloudy as the game's title. But is could be out this month, according to Sony's official site.
The official US PlayStation page lists Haze for a January 15 launch, despite the fact that no-one - not even Ubisoft UK (who declined to comment) - seems to know exactly when the game will hit shelves.
Haze was originally planned for a November 2007 release, before being pushed back first to December, then back further into early 2008.
As it stands, the official line is that it'll be out during Q1 this year, so either way you've not got long to wait. That is if it doesn't slip again..
Ubisoft has announced that Far Cry 2, the follow-up to 2004's hit PC game, will also be coming to the Xbox 360 and PS3.
The first game, developed by Crysis, perfected an open-end approach to first-person games and won itself many fans in the process. Ubisoft Montreal has now taken over the reins for the sequel, and it looks to be equally impressive, taking the player on a sandbox tour of the savannahs of Africa via a eye-popping graphics engine.
The PC version is due to hit towards the end of Q1 2008, with the console versions slated for release somewhere in the vague time-line of the fiscal year 2008-2009.
New details have emerged about fresh-faced Swedish developer Avalanche's Just Cause 2, the follow-up to the well-received sandbox game that earnt itself an 8.8 score from our reviewers last year.
In an interview with PSW magazine, the game's lead designer Peter Johansson stated: "We identified the key areas we wanted to improve for Just Cause 2. We wanted to make better use of our huge game world, enhance the stunts, improve the combat and reward exploration more." What's more, the original's setting on the island San Esperitio has been ditched in favour of a tropical paradise in South East Asia, but retains its charismatic lead Rico Rodriguez.
Of particular interest is the bold move to ditch the peripheral activities that often form the backbone of the majority of sandbox games, with Johansson claiming: "We've ditched the concept of side-missions." A brave move, but maybe one that's necessary to differentiate the title in an already over-crowded market.
The game will be fully next-gen - unlike the last entry which straddled the generational divide - and is expected on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.
Recent activity on Valve's Steam forums is pointing towards an imminent patch that should go some way towards remedying the numerous flaws evident in the PS3 version of The Orange Box.
While the game was widely heralded as one of the games of 2007, that wasn't necessarily the case for those opting to play on the PS3. Having had to wait a number of weeks for what is widely acknowledged as a broken port of one of the biggest bargains of recent times, PS3 owners were subjected to below-par frame-rates across the Half-Life games, alongside extended loading times in Portal and broken matchmaking facilities in Team Fortress 2.
These flaws led to IGN giving the PS3 port a score of 8.4, which although respectable paled to the 9.5 awarded to the PC and Xbox 360 versions. Fortunately, the game's original developer Valve is looking to cement its reputation as one of the more considerate presences in gaming, opening up a thread on its forums for PS3 owners to air their grievances and suggest possible tweaks.
It's still unclear when we can expect a patch and EA, responsible for the games PS3 port and publishing, was unable to offer confirmation or a concrete timeframe. We'll bring you more as soon as we get it.
The UT III mod cooker - a tool to turn PC mods into PS3-compatible mods - could be released as early as next week in an update.
Rein brought the good news in a brief progress report: "We're very close to releasing an update to the Unreal Engine 3 editor, that comes with the PC version of UT3, that will allow UT3 mod-makers to cook their mods into the required PS3 format.
"We've been doing some internal testing and we're hoping to expand to a wider group tomorrow or Friday. If all goes well then we should see the update released next week which is what I expect will happen."
Rein assures fans that the cooking system is already up and running smoothly, pointing out: "we put out a few mods before Christmas and people seem to be playing them," on the official forums. Testing is underway on simply applying the update, he explains.
Then watch out for the rush of converted mods moments after the update hits.
THQ will be making a videogame version of Pixar's latest offering, WALL•E, and should be releasing it this summer to coincide with the launch of the film.
Well, Heavy Iron Studios, which is part of THQ, will be the ones actually making it, and those clever men and women will be assembling it for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, DS, PSP, PC, Mac and mobile.
WALL•E is the typically comedic Pixar tale of the last robot on earth, who seems to have been left to run around doing what he's meant for while humanity's scarpered, and what happens when he bands together with some malfunctioning fellow robots on a journey across the universe to do something and so on.
The game features ten worlds, with storyline, characters and locations from the film, plus some new bits, and head-to-head multiplayer challenges. It all adds up to a "fast-paced adventure game" according to THQ.
Fire up those ovens and roll out the dough! Epic VP Mark Rein says he expects an update to the Unreal Engine 3 editor will be released next week, allowing Unreal Tournament 3 mod-makers to cook their PC mods into PS3-formatted delicacies. Some broader testing is necessary before the update's release, but Rein assures us that "the process works," given it was used to cook DM-Shrine, which was served to PS3 players free of charge a few weeks ago. Nothing like free food, eh – but are those PC chefs any good?
Still not convinced Burnout Paradise was "THE best demo released" last year? Criterion has rubbed some grease on frontman Alex Ward's heaping helping of self-praise by doubling the maximum number of online players (from 4 to 8) and adding 13 new Freeburn Challenges. So does this mean that Burnout is now the best demo of 2008? Quick! Somebody give these guys an award!
(Note: The multiplayer boost will take effect on servers between today and Jan. 14th. The demo is available on PSN and Xbox Live.)
News from Play Asia of this weeks Blueray Film Releases:
Heres the listing
Da Vinci Code (~Tom Hanks) US US$ 38.96
Love Is Born 4th Anniversary 2007 At Hibiya-Yagai Ongaku-Do On 9th Of September 2007 [tentative] (~Ai Otsuka) JPN US$ 57.90
Resident Evil US US$ 28.95
Resident Evil 1-3 US US$ 89.95
Resident Evil: Extinction US US$ 38.96
Shoot 'em Up US US$ 35.99
The Prestige JPN US$ 46.90
War US US$ 39.99
While some developers have been critical of PS3's complex architecture (yes, Gabe Newell from Valve, we're pointing at you) many more are praising the power and potential of the machine.
"The amount of action we're able to put on the screen at 60 frames per second dwarfs what we were able to do a year ago at 30 frames per second," claims Insomniac's (Resistance, Ratchet) Chief Creative Officer Brian Hastings, "What's most exciting is I think we'll see just as big a leap from our second generation engine to our third as we did from first to second."
Fallout 3's Executive Producer Todd Howard - from Oblivion developer Bethesda - understands that PS3 "has more than enough power. No single game is using it all yet - not even close". Back at E3 in July ‘07, Mercenaries 2 Lead Designer Scott Warner claimed their game was only using 30% of PS3's power - while EA's Chief Visual Officer Glenn Entis claimed their launch games like Fight Night 3 only tapped 20%. The figures sound hokum, but it wasn't until five years into PS2's life cycle that games tapped even 90% of its power - a statistic measured by Sony's Performance Analyser tools, yet to be released on PS3.
It's all a bit slow on the PAL PlayStation Store this week after last week's surprise addition of The Club in demo form, with just a Folklore add-on called Fear In The Night (side-quests, new folk, new costume) and a Devil May Cry 4 trailer to get excited about, according to our diligent forum spies.
Across the pond there is depth, but a lack of excitement - Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock benefits from downloadable content launched on Xbox Live before Christmas, Rock Band gets its usual weekly update, there are some more cars for Need For Speed ProStreet (most at USD 2.49) and a demo of NFL Tour '09.
Meanwhile, the PSP Store for PC appears to be barren on both sides of the Atlantic, so unless Sony has something 11th hour in store (so to speak), you're in for a quiet weekend. Or at least one involving things you've already bought, like the excellent Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, or perhaps the under-loved Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction.
Good news for Sega fans: the UK release date for NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams has been confirmed as Jan. 18, so anyone looking to spend some leftover Christmas money has just two weeks to wait (see our preview for a quick look).
The release date for Condemned 2 has also been set in stone, arriving on our shores on the 14th March for the PS3 and Xbox 360. The 'Bloodshot' tagline has also been dropped.
Here's Sega's full list for the next couple of months:
Jan. 25
Phantasy Star Ambition of the Illuminus, PC, PS2
Universe at War: Earth Assault, PC
Jan. 18
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, Wii
Ghost Squad, Wii
Feb. 8
The Club, PS3, PC, Xbox 360
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, DS
Feb. 14
Condemned 2, Xbox 360, PS3
Feb. 22
Sonic Riders Zero Gravity, PS2, Wii
Feb. 29
Bleach, DS, Wii
March 7
Universe at War: Earth Assault, Xbox 360
March 28
Sega Superstars Tennis, Wii, PS3, DS, PS2, Xbox 360
Viking: Battle of Asgard, PS3, Xbox 360
Epic Games hopes to release a patch that will allow PC users to package their Unreal Tournament III modifications and add-on levels for use on PlayStation 3 next week.
"We've been doing some internal testing and we're hoping to expand to a wider group tomorrow or Friday," Epic vice president Mark Rein wrote on the game's official forum. "If all goes well then we should see the update released next week which is what I expect will happen."
The PC version of UT3 comes with a fully functioning game editor based on Unreal Engine 3, and while the PS3 game does not include this, the aim is to ensure compatibility with content produced on the PC.
"Obviously the process works, as we put out a few mods before Christmas and people seem to be playing them, but it is the update to the editor that we're testing."
Meanwhile, UT3 modification website www.ut3mod.com claims to have come up with a way for people to download PS3 mods for Unreal Tournament III from within their PS3 web-browser - something that until now had been thought impossible.
Official instructions for transferring mods to the PS3 involve a PC, a Memory Stick, holy water and a pentangle of salt.
For more on the PS3 version of Unreal Tournament III, check out our Unreal Tournament III PS3 import review.
Those of you who have imported the Xbox 360 version of Rock Band will be interested to learn that the US Official Xbox Magazine is cover-mounting a trio of exclusive add-on songs later this month.
The February 2008 issue, which goes on sale (sorry, "hits newsstands") on 15th January, includes Freezepop's "Sprøde", Bang Camaro's "Rock Rebellion" and Count Zero's "Shake", all of which can be installed to the hard disk for easy future access.
Joystiq has tracked down YouTube vids for a couple of them, and speculates that if discs can be used to stuff the hard disk with new content then Harmonix/MTV could potentially offer retail expansion discs along these lines. It certainly doesn't sound like it's outside the realms of possibility.
The game's creators have already established themselves as keen proponents of add-on content, having released over a dozen single-song downloads and several track packs on both Xbox Live and PlayStation Network since the game's late-November US launch.
For more on Rock Band, which is due out on PS3 and Xbox 360 in Europe in Q1 2008, check out our Rock Band import review.
ony's great white hope - the quite wonderful looking LittleBigPlanet - looks nearer to finding its way into our homes, with Sony insiders confirming they are working to get the game out in the UK for this September.
The game - which was unveiled to universal applause at last year's Games Developer Conference - is currently being developed by British company Media Molecule. It is one of the highest profile exponents of a new generation of games placing an emphasis on creativity, giving players a blank canvas to explore co-operatively and making full use of the PlayStation Network to deliver patches and user generated content. It's continued to impress at subsequent outings at E3 and the Tokyo Game Show, and if it manages to realise its lofty ambitions it could well prove to be Sony's killer app.
The September release date may be a little later than many had hoped - initial mummurings suggested the first quarter of this year - but at least it gives us something to look forward to towards the end of the year. As soon as more concrete details emerge, we'll be sure to let you know.
In response to consumer demand, Warner Bros. Entertainment will release its high-definition DVD titles exclusively in the Blu-ray disc format beginning later this year, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. and Kevin Tsujihara, President, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group.
"Warner Bros.' move to exclusively release in the Blu-ray disc format is a strategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to give consumers what they want," said Meyer. "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers."
Warner Home Video will continue to release its titles in standard DVD format and Blu-ray. After a short window following their standard DVD and Blu-ray releases, all new titles will continue to be released in HD DVD until the end of May 2008.
"Warner Bros. has produced in both high-definition formats in an effort to provide consumer choice, foster mainstream adoption and drive down hardware prices," said Jeff Bewkes, President and Chief Executive Officer, Time Warner Inc., the parent company of Warner Bros. Entertainment. "Today's decision by Warner Bros. to distribute in a single format comes at the right time and is the best decision both for consumers and Time Warner."
"A two-format landscape has led to consumer confusion and indifference toward high definition, which has kept the technology from reaching mass adoption and becoming the important revenue stream that it can be for the industry," said Tsujihara. "Consumers have clearly chosen Blu-ray, and we believe that recognizing this preference is the right step in making this great home entertainment experience accessible to the widest possible audience. Warner Bros. has worked very closely with the Toshiba Corporation in promoting high definition media and we have enormous respect for their efforts. We look forward to working with them on other projects in the future.
We knew this wouldn't take long -- just like when Paramount made the switch to HD DVD, rumors are swirling that a sum of $500 Million was involved in the decision to make the switch. The rumor goes on to say that Fox's allegiance to Blu-ray was a factor as well, but when it refused to defect from the Blu camp and accepted an undisclosed amount, Warner had no choice; because at this point, without another studio going red it would've only put the war into more of a stalemate than it already was. Of course, Warner tells the story a little differently, and on a recent conference call when asked about any "compensation" Kevin Tsujihara, president, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group said that it "was not a bidding war" and that it really came down to Q4 sales, specifically in the International markets -- then he wanted to know if we had any idea where they could collect the $500 Million. Ultimately, Warner wanted to try and give consumers a reason to get off the fence.
As for the remaining five months, although there will be a delay in the release of Warner HD DVD titles in comparison to the Blu-ray releases, the specifics haven't been worked out just yet, and the decision has also not been made to stop production of current HD DVD titles -- but the retailers will have a say in that one. We closed the call with the most pertinent question of all, "Where's the Matrix on Blu-ray?" to which the answer was, as soon as they work out the details of BD Java and PIP.
The NY Times reports: In addition to Apple, Warner Brothers is now going to throw its weight behind the Blu-ray format for high-definition disks. Warner has been the only major studio to publish its movies in both Blu-ray and HD DVD formats. Today, the studio announced that from now on, it would only issue movies in Blu-ray. Richard Greenfield, the media analyst with Pali Research, wrote that this marks the end of the format wars: "We expect HD DVD to 'die' a quick death."
Warner Home Entertainment President Kevin Tsujihara says the studio took no pay-offs to exclusively back Blu-ray.
In a post-announcement conference call, Tsujihara flatly denied rumors that studio had accepted anywhere from 250M to $500M in exchange for dropping its HD DVD format support.
According to the exec, Warner's sole motivation in dropping its HD DVD format support was to ensure growth of the "category" and the long-term health of the industry.
As if anyone expected anything different, New Line confirmed with Variety Magazine that it'll follow Warner to the Blu-ray promise land. While this is a no brainer considering the relationship between Warner and New Line, (also owned by Time Warner, just like Engadget) other studios remain up in the air. When, and if, Universal makes the switch as well is any ones guess, but at this point we doubt many would expect otherwise. But, as we've learned in the last few days, anything's possible, but the idea of having one HD format to adopt is something even most members of the red camp can get behind.
Well another studio down. Maybe I was right? Blu ray is just better. HD will die a slow death. It's what I predicted a year ago. Now with Warner's down for the count with Blu Ray. That makes it easier for Wal-Mart to push Blu Ray. And whatever Wal-Mart pushes - wins. Hd better start giving out those $120 million dollars checks to stay alive. Maybe they can give me some so I can give it to my Make-A-Wish charity, just to shut me up. Have faith people Transformers will come out in Blu-ray one day!
Without comparable numbers from the other two console manufacturers, you'll have to consider these numbers from Sony in a vacuum of sorts. Nevertheless, regardless of the console horse race, Sony's got plenty to be proud of: 1.2m PS3 consoles sold since Black Friday; 1.4m PSP systems (unsurprising to anyone who had difficulty tracking one down this holiday); and 1.3m PS2 systems. That's a total of 3.9m PlayStation consoles sold in less than two months and, with the recent Blu-ray news, we suspect PS3 sales may trend upwards.
While Microsoft touted their total Xbox 360 sales numbers last week, we'll have to wait another week and a half before we get specific NPD numbers for December. But sales like these, regardless of the relative strength of the competition, means at least one thing: there's 3.9m game consoles living in happy homes and that's good news for everyone.
Those of you with sneaky eyes will have noticed two fresh samplers for Yakuza 3 on the Japanese PlayStation Store.
The game is called Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 in those reaches of the world and you can get at it by creating a Japanese account claiming you live there and enjoy it very much.
According to our cherished forum-goer disc, the first and biggest of the two is a narrative taster at 960MB. Here you can amble around the city fetching some bits and pieces for quests, as well as draw a picture to unlock a new finishing move. You should also get into a couple of scrapes and enjoy some swanky cut-scenes.
The other demo is collection of mini-games: one has you trying to win the affection of a Geisha, another riding on horseback while shooting things and avoiding obstacles, while the last focuses on arena combat against a varied range of opponents.
So far Yakuza 3 is only confirmed for Japan, although SEGA recently confirmed the second game in the series would make its way to the US.
Meanwhile, us Europeans have only been treated to the first third-person action title, missing out on the other two due to poor western sales.
Pop over to our Yakuza 3 gamepage for a spattering of videos, or slice into our Yakuza 1 review to see what's what.
Sony's Kaz Hirai has said that the company hopes the next fiscal year will see the PlayStation 3 console business achieve a profit.
Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Hirai said that profitability in the 2008 financial year was not a definite commitment, but something the company was striving for.
"We want to get to the positive side of the equation as quickly as possible," commented Hirai, reports Reuters.
"The next fiscal year starts in April and if we can try to achieve that in the next fiscal year that would be a great thing. We are going through the budgets right now.
"That (profitability) is not a definite commitment, but that is what I would like to try to shoot for," he said.
Sony has just announced sales figures for the PlayStation 3 during the US holiday period reached 1.2 million, although the machine is still being out-sold by Sony's own PlayStation 2 and PSP consoles.
Production costs for the PlayStation 3 are falling noted Hirai, with the recently introduced 40GB model requiring less components than the higher end 60GB and 80GB models.
"Component costs are coming down, and the number of components... we are seeing a reduction.
"The 40 GB PlayStation 3 obviously has fewer components, and uses less power, which means that components required to dissipate heat, for example, can be smaller, so there is some cost reduction there," he added.
Sony says more MotorStorm tracks will populate the PlayStation Store this month, and we're convinced.
The first new course is Eagle's Nest, which takes place on a narrow and treacherous winding circuit high up some place or another, where easing your opponents over the edge is a primary tactic.
The other is a less fiddly affair called Diamondback Speedway, a natural desert bowl with banked corners, a sinkhole, and scary tunnel.
Like other packs it will lighten your wallet by GBP 3.49, which is about half as much as a ticket to the cinema in Brighton and twice as much as something else.
Square Enix has today announced details of its schedule for the fresh end of 2008, with Final Fantasy I and II on the PSP and Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings on the DS both being given firm street dates.
Details of the release dates for other UK-bound Square Enix titles are somewhat more vague, with DS titles Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates and The World Ends With You due as the leaves begin to sprout, while we can expect Odin Sphere on PS2 and Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker on DS sometime before said leaves turn brown.
The full list follows:
8 February 2008
Final Fantasy I & Final Fantasy II (PSP)
15 February 2008
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings (Nintendo DS)
Spring 2008
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates (Nintendo DS)
The World Ends With You (Nintendo DS)
Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (Nintendo Wii)
If you're anxiously awaiting new original titles for the PlayStation Network, Sony is bringing in help to satisfy your needs.
Today, Sony Online Entertainment announced that it has selected Gamebryo, the Emergent Elements engine used in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Fallout 3, to create some upcoming PSN titles. Sony described the partnership in a release as a way to bring developers the tools they need to create games faster than ever before.
"Gamebryo gives us a great deal of flexibility in creating downloadable titles for the PlayStation Network," said Shalom Mann, SOE senior vice president. "The codebase provides an solid foundation for our downloadable games framework that allows us to bring a variety of different types of games to the PlayStation Network in a fraction of the time had we coded the base engine ourselves."
The first SOE games using the Gamebryo engine are set to launch before February's Game Developers Conference and are described as being based on "gameshow IPs."
The concept of copying a lower-resolution version of a film from a packaged media disc to a portable device is not new--in fact, late last year, Fox and Warner released the first standard definition titles to offer this capability (on Live Free, Die Hard and Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix, respectively).
Sony today demonstrated the next level of disc copying. At the company's booth at CES, Sony demonstrated how you could put a Blu-ray Disc movie into a Playstation 3 and copy the film to a Playstation Portable or a Memory Stick. "This way, you can have a portable copy you can take with you," explains David Bishop, president of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
"There was always the promise of greater interactivity. You'll see that coming in the new year," Bishop added. In addition to the PSP copying example, Sony also demonstrated how you could download ring tones and new content to a BD Live player, using Men in Black as the example.
BD Live is proving to be a big catchphrase at the show: Panasonic announced its BD Live player yesterday, Fox showcased an early version of its Alien vs. Predator multiplayer game at the Blu-ray Disc Association's booth, and Sony showed its interactive Men in Black trivia game. The game was being played by two people in two locations on a Playstation 3.
Nintendo ended 2007 on a high across mainland Europe, with DS titles topping the Spanish chart and Wii games heading the German list for software sales in the week ending December 30.
According to the data from Media-Control GfK International, More Brain Training and the original Brain Training took the top two places in Spain, followed by Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 for the PlayStation 2.
Super Mario Galaxy was fourth while WWE Smackdown! vs Raw 2008 took fifth place, with Assassin's Creed for the PlayStation 3 in sixth. Other PS2 and DS titles rounded off the top ten.
Meanwhile in Germany Super Mario Galaxy was top, followed by Mario & Sonic at the Olympics, with More Brain Training in third.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare took fourth place, with the original Brain Training and New Super Mario Bros in fifth and sixth respectively.
The full charts are as follows:
Spain
1. More Brain Training with Dr Kawashima (DS)
2. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)
3. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (PS2)
4. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
5. WWE Smackdown! vs Raw 2008 (PS2)
6. Assassin's Creed (PS3)
7. SingStar Latino (PS2)
8. Imagine Babyz (DS)
9. Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
10. FIFA 08 (PS2)
Germany
1. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
2. Mario & Sonic at the Olympics (Wii)
3. More Brain Training with Dr Kawashima (DS)
4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC)
5. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)
6. New Super Mario Bros (DS)
7. Need for Speed ProStreet (PS2)
8. SingStar: Apres Ski (PS2)
9. Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
10. FIFA 08 (PS2)
Paramount Pictures has shot down reports that it is to follow Warner Bros. Entertainment and ditch the HD DVD format in favour of Blu-ray.
It emerged at the weekend that Warner Bros. Entertainment will release its high-definition DVD titles exclusively on Blu-ray starting later this year.
Perhaps a case of Chinese whispers, this was followed by news that Paramount Pictures is poised to follow suit. However, the company has denied this is on the cards.
"Paramount's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format", a spokeswoman for Paramount said earlier today, reports Bloomberg.
Just as well really. HD DVD would have been sent reeling from that double-whammy.
Square Enix' president Yoichi Wada thinks that Europe has great potential for growth and wants his company to be stronger in that market.
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Wada noted that the Japanese market is currently quite weak when it comes to games for core gamers, whereas the Eurppean and American markets are growing at enormous speed for core games.
While eyeing the western market, he recognised that regarding Europe as just one block could lead to fatal mistakes.
"Each country in Europe can be different in two things. Firstly, cultural background: for example in France, Japanese animation and manga are very popular, therefore they have a cultural background where overtly Japanese character design is highly appreciated," he said.
"Secondly, we have to consider their views on technology in general: how the people of a particular country regard networked systems, and if they're prepared to look at it as a means of fun."
Yoichi Wada acknowledged that other large Japanese publishers are targeting western markets very aggressively - acquiring and establishing western studios and signing western games.
"We would like to develop a strategy to equal the moves made by Sega and Capcom, or maybe exceed them," he said.
"Mergers and acquisitions is not necessarily our main method, but obviously it has to be deemed as one of the main strategy options. If we were to look for a place in the top three in the global games industry, obviously we would have to consider it seriously."
The entire interview with Yoichi Wada can be read here.
An eager tipster sent in a pic and some info on what appears to be some sort of PS3 clone called "Winner" – think Vii meets PS3. While the Vii concentrated on mimicking (horribly, but still) the Wii's feature set, the Winner is all about mimicking the PS3's myriad media functionalities. That means a photo player, karaoke functions, SDHC for media storage. But it's all about the (really crappy) games, right? Winner is going to be packing 2D and 3D graphics with online and motion sensing features (note the totally not-a-Wiimote controller). How much would you expect to pay for the privilege? Did you say $600? No! Did you say $400? No! How does $120-150 sound? At that bargain basement price, these things are really going to go fast; good thing they're promising 3 million consoles for the Japanese and North American markets.
For the second year in a row, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has honoured Nintendo with an Emmy Award for excellence in engineering creativity.
The Academy recognised the Wii for its innovative motion-sensing controls and the Nintendo DS for its touch-screen control scheme and distinctive dual-screen display.
Atari and Mattel were also honoured alongside the DS for Handheld Game Device Display Screen Innovation, for the Lynx (Atari) and Football and Auto Race (Mattel).
The awards were presented in Las Vegas at the 59th annual Technological and Engineering Emmy Awards on January 7. This is the second year that the awards show was held during the International CES.
"The pioneering interfaces for Wii and Nintendo DS reflect our long tradition of seeking new ways to enhance the gaming experience for users at every level," said Don James, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of operations.
"We're grateful for this award and thank the academy for honoring us a second time."
Last year, Nintendo received an Emmy for the development of the D-pad and Sony was recognised for the XMB (Cross media bar) and DualShock controller.
Other game-related 2008 Emmy award winners included:
Development of MMO graphical role playing games:
Sony Online Entertainment for Everquest
Blizzard for World of Warcraft
AOL/Time Warner, Stormfront, Ubisoft and TSR-Wizards of the Coast for Neverwinter Nights
User Generated Content/Game Modification:
EA for Pinball Construction
Id Software for Quake
Linden Labs for Second Life
At the Sony booth, they are showcasing two new prototype BD-Live players. The Sapphire 3 and 4 will both be Profile 2.0. Sony also has indicated that the PS3 will get a BD-Live upgrade sometime in the future.
--Sony has shored up the problems in its electronics, and will concentrate in 2008 on bringing more video content to its devices and improving its software, said CEO Sir Howard Stringer.
One of the first examples of this strategy will be an expansion of the PlayStation Network. The network now is mostly used by gamers. Sony wants to turn it into a platform to deliver video, too. Sony will hold a press conference in two months to discuss changes to the PlayStation 3.
--Stringer wouldn't directly comment on whether the Blu-ray consortium paid money to Warner to put its movies exclusively on Blu-ray. Stringer said Warner saw the value of the format but dodged discussing financial terms. "I think you are going to have to take that announcement at face value," he said.
--Sony is also looking at incorporating its Cell processor, which currently sits inside of the PlayStation3, in other products. Cell is particularly good at manipulating video streams. The company even held a contest among engineers to design new applications. However, Sony didn't put a firm date on when some of these devices might come out or what they might be.
--The PlayStation 2 will become the device that Sony will use to take on the Nintendo Wii. Titles like Guitar Hero have sold well with PlayStation 2 and consumers can expect to see more casual games and non-core gamer games coming out, said Kaz Hirai, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment, which oversees video consoles.
It's no secret that Sony was subsidizing your PlayStation 3 experience to the tune of some several hundred dollars per console and it should come as no surprise that they're not looking to do so forever. While those numbers have undoubtedly come down since the console's late '06 launch, PlayStation head honcho Kaz Hirai told a CES audience that they're looking "to get to the positive side of the equation as quickly as possible" (read: make money). While we let out a collective "Duh," Kaz clarifies that they're hoping fiscal '08 will be the year of profitability. The biggest cost offenders they'll need to address: those pricey Cell and RSX chips. And to think, one day, they'll crunch the whole beast down into a tiny, affordable, and profitable package.
