Just when the members of the Blu-ray Disc Association were settling down to enjoy the fruits of victory, another challenger has entered the ring -- oh wait, it's just NME, makers of VMD, so it's really more like "remained in the ring and basically ignored." The company just issued a press release saying "All indications are that VMD can fill the void left by HD DVD," and that "The way is now clear for VMD to be embraced by the industry." We suppose that's true -- the Asian bootlegging industry really hasn't weighed in with a format choice yet, has it? In any event, VMD players have apparently been shipping to the US for a month now, so all you HD DVD fans out there looking to back yet another losing horse can probably find one -- start at the shadiest retailer you can think of, and then move downwards.
features
Platform: Sony PlayStation 3 and X-Box 360
Pages: 176
Co-op strategy: Whether human or AI, you'll always have a partner. Prima details how to take advantage of the integral cooperative play.
Maps: The world's hot spots are confusing places. Prima's guide has the recon to keep you on task and safe.
Equipment Customization: Shotgun or sub-machine gun? Laser sight or rifle stock? You want the right tool for the job and Prima can give you the intel on what gear will serve you best.
Battle-tested tactics
Tips to make the most of Aggro and the full range of tactics at your disposal
Stats on all weapons and upgrades
Preview of the Army of Two: Dirty Money graphic novel
description
Prima has the intel you need to fight hard, stay strong, and cash in.
features
Platform: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, WII, X-Box and X-Box 360
Pages: 656
features
This strategy guide features a comprehensive walkthrough of the entire single player campaign.
In-depth area maps.
Detailed information on vehicles, weapons and additional equipment.
Expert multiplayer strategies.
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3
Pages: 144
features
Famitsu Wave Magazine
Japan's No.1 selling video game magazine
Check out all the latest game news every month
Includes a DVD disc featuring latest game footage
description
The Famitsu Wave is Japan's No.1 selling video game magazine. It features all the latest video game news and pictures from Japan's upcoming video games.
Each magazine includes a DVD disc with video game footage. The DVD disc is NTSC Region 2 encoded.
30 Days of Night (~Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, ...) US US$ 38.96
Dragon Tiger Gate (~Donnie Yen, Nicolas Tse, ...) HK US$ 27.90
Ice Age HK US$ 27.90
Independence Day (~Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, ...) HK US$ 31.90
Initial D (~Jay Chou, Anthony Wong, ...) US US$ 29.95
Perfect Blue Blu-Ray (~Junko Iwao, Rika Matsumoto, ...) JPN US$ 56.90
Perfect Blue Blu-Ray [Limited Edition] (~Junko Iwao, Rika Matsumoto, ...) JPN US$ 84.90
Sakura No Michi JPN US$ 37.90
The Rundown (~The Rock, Seann William Scott, ...) HK US$ 27.90
To Kill A King (~Tim Roth, Dougray Scott, ...) US US$ 29.98
Tsai Chin In Concert Hong Kong 2007 Karaoke (~Tsai Chin) HK US$ 39.90
When SCEA released God of War II last year, the game's instruction manual teased the soon to be released PSP entry, God of War: Chains of Olympus. Now it's the PSP's turn to toy with your emotions, as the manual for the on-the-go Kratos quest fires back with a tease of the PlayStation 3 chapter. IGN has photographic evidence of the PS3 sequel teaser ad which opts not to put a release window on the thing, merely announcing that it's "coming soon."
Considering rumors are pointing to a 2009 ship date for God of War III and Sony has a habit of showing these games a year (or more) in advance, we'd say that if you want a Kratos fix in 2008, it's probably going to be on UMD.
Petroglyph's Creative Director Adam Isgreen is an RTS veteran, having worked on loads of Command & Conquers and, more recently, Universe at War. But he isn't worried that RTS titles making their way to consoles will in some way dilute the experience. In fact, he believes just the opposite:
...you could look at the transition of RTS from PC to console as "dumbing down" of the genre, but really that's completely inaccurate. The evolution of RTS from PC to console is all about re-discovering the core fun of the genre while stripping away the redundancy, over-complication, and bloat that has been attaching itself to RTS games over the years.
He continues:
If anything, I'm glad that console is becoming dominant for gaming because it's going to force some evolution on a genre that has been fairly static for quite some time. We need to grow the RTS market and bring in new players, not isolate it further into eventual niche obscurity.
The only problem is that while all of that sounds great in theory, the practice of running an RTS without a mouse a keyboard hasn't worked out so great yet.
Which is exactly why we all need Halo Wars to be really, really good.
We know, we're getting tired of Apple Blu-ray rumors as well -- they're right up there with refreshed Cinema Displays in terms of rumor persistence -- but until Steve and the gang actually shove a drive into a machine we're stuck with them. The latest says that Apple is actively pressing Sony for slot-loading BD-R drives but quality control issues are gumming up the plan. Reportedly, this latest ho-hum MacBook Pro refresh was to feature BD-R drives, but all Sony could muster up were Blu-ray / DVD±RW drives, which Apple refused. That seems a little odd, frankly -- now that the format war is over and the competition's already shipping mid-range laptops with slot-load BD-R drives, you'd think Apple would want to cash in that Blu-ray Disc Association membership card with whoever can supply the drives. As always, we'll see when we see -- it's gotta happen sometime, right?
We know that most of you haven't read an instruction manual since the days of Gyromite -- not that we can judge you. Aside from the occasional steamy Sonic the Hedgehog fanfiction, we try to avoid video game literature as well. Lucky for us, IGN recently cracked the narrow spine of the God of War: Chains of Olympus instruction manual and discovered this treat on the back cover -- an advertisement for a new God of War game for the PS3, presumably the third chapter in the series.
While the series' tremendous sales success and God of War II's cliffhanger ending didn't leave much room for doubt that the threequel was on it's way, we didn't think we'd be hearing from our good pal Kratos so "soon" after the release of Chains. Ah, well; no rest for the familicidal, as they say.
Spotted this over at gp32x.com and thought it would interest many of our coders from many homebrew scenes, heres the post from Mr Lou
Hello fellow game-developers
I'm writing you because I'm creating a site at www.indiegamemusic.com which I plan to become a link between indie game developers and musicians. This letter is an invitation to you as an indie game-developer, to participate in the design phase with your suggestions and ideas so that the site will end up being something you would like to use.
The idea
In short, I want to make it easy for the indie game-developers (you) to find good music for your games, free for freeware games and cheap for resale. A few steps I have in mind so far, is that you
* go to indiegamemusic.com
* click "Search", and input your search criteria
* listen to results and find contact information to the artist
Your search criterias may be
* a specific format (mmf, midi, mod, xm, s3m, mp3, ogg etc)
* a specific license (free for freeware? available for non-exclusive resale? available for exclusive resale?)
* max file size
* style
* category (music, sound-scape, sound-effect, loop part)
* max channels or polyphony
* max price
* maybe preferred bpm
So... That's the idea. What do you think? If this sounds like an interesting project to you, feel free to participate with ideas and feedback at mr_lou@vip.cybercity.dk
Some of the things I'd like some feedback about is
* how should payment happen? Paypal? Bank-transfer? Game-developer contacting artist and agreeing their own method of payment?
* what stuff would you like to be able to search for? are there some of the above mentioned search criterias you don't need? why?
* what formats are you mostly interested in, and why?a
* and of course: do you think you'd use such a tool like IndieGameMusic.com?
Sony's PS Eye-based motion-tracking system that uses head movements as game controls, and which was recently shown at GDC, was merely a tech demo. This means it is unlikely to be coming to a shop near you soon.
A Sony representative told SPOnG this morning, "We have no details on the tracking software. As far as I'm aware it was developed by someone at SCEA and was shown at GDC as a technical demo of what is possible with the PS3 and PS Eye."
If 2006 was the year of the Xbox 360 and 2007 was the year of the Wii, 2008 is shaping up to be PlayStation 3's turn in the spotlight, as it stokes demand in the $19 billion computer gaming industry with some hotly awaited game titles.
Nintendo's Wii outsold Sony's more expensive PS3 console 4-to-1 in Japan this month, but the PS3's maiden victory over the Wii last November showed that under the right conditions, the tables could turn.
Exclusive PS3 titles like puzzle-solving, community-based game "LittleBigPlanet", production improvements that will give Sony room to cut prices, and the recent victory of its Blu-ray technology in the high-definition DVD format war, should drive demand for the games console.
"2008 will be a turning year for the PS3," said iSuppli analyst Pamela Tufegdzic. "Sony is offering a better forthcoming software pipeline with blockbuster titles like "Gran Turismo 5", which will boost PS3 sales this year."
By:Nikole
I'm going to do my best to leave me opinions out of this and make it as unbiased as I can, because I mostly want your opinions on the matter.
I was reading an article on bingegamer.net. The author Allison Boyer was discussing her experiences while playing XBL. She complains that she doesn't like using her mic due to the fact that she has a woman's voice, as most women do. The problem with having a woman's voice you ask? You get comments like these:
"Ooo, your voice sounds sexy, Ooo, I'll protect you baby, Ooo, you up for some fun?
She says that while playing she will either get killed non-stop by guys thinking its funny to kill a girl or be protected by players who think its chivalrous to keep her from harms way. The bottom line being: "I'm a girl. I like to play video games. STOP RUINING IT FOR ME."
There, a simple painless little article stating how this girl felt she was being harassed and treated differently on live. Hardly breaking news or any kind of oddity. But the part that strikes me is the comments she received. The article went up today and there are already 50+ comments, the majority of which being negative and involving the world kitchen and/or sammiches. [Guys get some new jokes!!!]
* "-Get back to the kitchen" x9000!!!!
* -"grow some balls "
* "Get over it. You know the nature of how online play is on xbox live and PSN. You know what to expect. All that one can do in your position is endure it. You can't change anything by writing a piece crying about how annoying people are towards you when you play online. I get irritated at the idiots who only know how to swear all day and talk over the mic just to hear themselves say something in the game. But I don't care that much to write a cry me a river style article. If I want to play online then that is what I have to expect. It is the "nature" of playing a game online."
* -"The irony in this article is amazing. The jerks pick on you because you act like a little girl, in fact you ARE a little girl (no i don't care about your real age, someone who cries about the ean people on the internet is as naive as a 8 years old). Instead of whining you should understand that xboxlive is full of morons and the fact that you're a girl is just one more reason to add to a countless list for acting like a complete idiot. I hope you're just a troll playing the old "EHI AIMMA GRRRL GAMER!!!" card for some easy baiting. In that case it was a pleasure to feed you. tl;dr Cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it."
* -"Don't wear your mic or turn on mute. Seriously, why so many words for a non-issue? And I'm really sure the fellas are waiting in lines to tap your sh--, sister"
* -"Cute arguement, but one article on the next isn't anything more then a gossip. I appologize but no ones going to look at this and change their ways for it, ethier way it was clevar and I got a few laughs out of it."
* -"WAHHH. Like any woman, all you can f------ do is bitch. Grow some f------ ovaries, and either kill the m----------- trying to kill/protect you, or, hey, tell them to f--- off. Jesus christ, do you honestly expect the internet to feel sorry for you? Why? Because you have a f------ hole between your legs? GTFO, you stupid, worthless, hypocritical c----. Seriously. Just get the f--- off the internet right now. You belong in the kitchen anyways."
I'm gonna avoid bitching about the obvious idiots she has to deal with. I don't see how this will ever change for xbl or anywhere on the internet as long as people can hide behind the anonymity of the internet.
Am I the only one that thinks this is ridiculous?
And guys, is this how you really are and how you really view girls?
Does talking about these issues actually bring about change for the better?
Is there really anything that can be done to stop stupidity on the internet?
In a little over two weeks Armored Core For Answer will be released in Japan on both PS3 and 360. The publicity campaign the game has received has been pretty thorough, as From Software utilised the whole Web 2.0 approach by having Japanese bloggers espouse the game's virtues (something Famitsu has got in the act on with their crazy 360 blogger, Jamzy). Even the redoubtable Toshifumi Nabeshima, essentially regarded as the father of Armored Core by the Japanese fanbase, has done the rounds online pimping the game as best he can.
Features-wise, it's all a bit over the top still as For Answer comes across as being like Shadow of the Colossus but with guns and robots (traveling at 2000 km/h, obviously). A few things have fallen by the wayside though, namely the transformable AC's but other things like Dolby 5.1 in-game and full online co-op have partly made up for that (though there's always the possibility that Famitsu initially misquoted the whole transformation aspect, as a lot of the Arms Forts do transform into different modes rather than the AC's themselves).
One of the more interesting aspects of the game's production though is the use of Isaku Okabe as a military adviser (he recently did something similar for the truly excellent Gundam 00). Again, From Software didn't miss a trick and they had him put in front of a camera and explain the nitty gritty military aspects of the game.
For those that want to catch up with the deluge of materials that have been unleashed online, then the official site is a good port of call as is the Armored Core Wiki (the Next Reports are especially worth a gander). GameTrailers has also leeched the movies from the official site if you have trouble streaming them. All we need to do now is wait for the Western release and the subsequent reviews undertaken by gamers that have had their hands replaced with flippers.
It's been more than a year since the accidental shooting of 18-year-old Peyton Strickland by Cpl. Christopher Long, a deputy of New Hanover County, N.C., during a raid of Strickland's rented home in early December, 2006. The sheriff's Emergency Response Team was serving a warrant for Strickland's arrest in connection with his suspected involvement in two PS3's being stolen from a University of North Carolina Wilmington student. Long mistook the sounds of his own team using a battering ram for gunshots, and opened fire on the unarmed teenager.
Long was not charged with a crime, but the Strickland family recently received a small amount of closure on the matter -- a $2.45 million settlement from New Hanover County, and a public apology from Sheriff Sid Causey, who admitted that Long "made a mistake as to the existence of a deadly threat".
The Strickland family will put the $2.45 million into a charitable foundation to provide need-based scholarships and other grants. "The Stricklands were not interested in money," said Strickland family representative Joyce Fitzpatrick. "That cannot bring their son back."
It's not much of a shocker to learn the latest (and final) installment in the Metal Gear Solid series is a sizable one -- MGS games have a history of being big (and beautiful). However, a recent interview with series creator Hideo Kojima revealed a startling fact about MGS4 -- Kojima complained that a few features had to be cut from the game so it would fit on a Blu-ray disc. As format fanatics already know, that means the game takes up nearly 50 gigabytes of space.
If true, this is bad news for anyone who hoped to see anthropomorphic cow-bots on the 360 (unless that data was divided between about five dual-layer DVDs), but it could also mean a painfully long installation time for PS3 owners as well. We can only imagine that 49 of those gigabytes are taken up by thousands of variations on just three lines of dialogue -- "Snake? SNAKE? SNAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE!?"
Already widely considered the most authentic baseball game available, MLB 08 THE SHOW is set to provide fans with the most realistic baseball experience to date with innovations such as a more immersive Road to The Show mode, enabling gamers to play both offense and defense from the created player's perspective.
Fall of Liberty will take players to new battlegrounds in World War II ?ones born from a changed moment in history that led to the Nazi invasion of 1950s America. Presenting this scenario as a powerful and realistically crafted alternate history, Fall of Liberty will deliver an explosive action experience in a world where famous real-world locations appear startlingly different under Nazi occupation.
Research company iSuppli has stated its belief that Sony will push through another price cut for the PlayStation 3 at some point during this year, leading up to a big Christmas for the console.
Analyst Pamela Tufegdzic told Reuters: "We anticipate Sony will have another price slash on the PS3 this year, and come Christmas, consumers who originally bought the Wii will likely purchase the PS3."
Following on from predictions last month around a strong performance for the console this year Tufegdzic reiterated that "2008 will be a turning year for the PS3 - Sony is offering a better forthcoming software pipeline with blockbuster titles like Gran Turismo 5, which will boost PS3 sales this year."
Currently Sony loses money on each console sold due to high manufacturing costs, although that's not an unusual move by hardware companies in order to get as high an installed base as possible and sell more software.
However, Sony has stated that it expects manufacturing costs to fall below sales prices this year, a move which might prompt the company to ponder a price point change.
Sony has finally whisked over its list of PlayStation Store updates for last Thursday. Well, "list" is a bit strong.
For those with a PS3 it consists of two trailers - one for Haze and one for Conflict: Denied Ops.
Meanwhile, those with a PSP can get the final WipEout downloadable content pack plus a video of Patapon.
Actually interesting is the Go!Messenger service for the handheld that was included in a firmware update and should now be on your CrossMediaBar (XMB).
This lets you chit-chat with friends when you're near a wireless broadband connection. If you have a camera, then you can send voice and video messages too.
We saw this coming. The prices of older PS3 models (20 and 60GB versions) have doubled in Japan as their PS2 backwards compatibility feature becomes a sexy object of desire.
The PS2 backwards compatibility of earlier PS3s was scrapped in the more recent 40GB SKU as part of Sony's effort to reduce production costs.
Now, fearing that PS2-playing consoles may become somewhat of a niche, desperate gamers are snapping up consoles for up to twice their typical value.
20GB consoles, which previously sold for around 15,000 Yen in Japan have been marked up as much as 40,000 in some second-hand shops. The same shops are also giving premium cash back to those willing to sell off their full-fat consoles, according to Hobby Blog.
We're holding onto our 60GB consoles like precious babies.
As a passenger of Oceanic flight 815, you survived the crash and find yourself on an uncharted island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. As you begin to unravel mysteries of the island, you begin to discover secrets of your own. You will have to understand your past mistakes in order to survive and find your way home
38 percent of gamers are female, according to a report by the Entertainment Software Association, sourced by CNN technology.
According to the ESA, girl gamers spend 7.4 hours a week playing games, in-between hiding every television remote and moaning that we've left the toilet seat up.
Studies and sales data have shown that women are more likely to play casual handheld games such as the DS, along with "social games" like The Sims, where women apparently make up more than 55 percent of players (and not just because you can cook and clean!! Sorry, we had to).
"Women are out there in significant numbers playing MMOs, action games, first-person shooters," said Sony Online Entertainment marketing lady Torrie Dorrell. "What is lacking in the equation are women behind these games."
Despite the fancy new figures pointing to the amount of women playing games, they represent just under 12 percent of the industry, according to the International Game Developers Association.
Courtney Simmons, another PR women at SOE, said she wants to see "more women making games," and, "making more games that women want to play."
The MMO developer isn't sitting idly on its dream either; to help balance the sex equation it's setup G.I.R.L., Gamers In Real Life, a scholarship program to attract more young women to careers in game development.
"There is a lack of understanding about how women play," said Simmons, adding that she believes that women are being "gamed down to."
What about Jade Raymond? She makes games for girls, right? Stabbing Knights with throwing knives is wicked.
Videogames allow the simulation of rape, and are the cause of real-life murders, according to one MP in a parliamentary debate on Friday.
Members of Parliament attended the debate to discuss the merits of a Private Member's Bill on violence in films and videogames, and decide if it would receive a Second Reading.
The Bill seeks to reform the BBFC in order to make it "accountable to Parliament and the public in a way that should encourage a return to more responsible decisions," in the words of its sponsor, Julian Brazier, Conservative member for Canterbury.
He was supported by Keith Vaz, Labour member for Leicester East, who has a long-standing connection with the violence issue following his stance on the murder of Stefan Pakeerah in 2004 in which he cited Rockstar's Manhunt as an inspiration - and he brought that particular example to light once again.
"As the House knows, my concerns about these issues arise from the brutal killing of Stefan Pakeerah, a 14-year-old Leicester schoolboy who was murdered in a savage attack in which he received 50 blows with a claw hammer - an attack that mirrored exactly a scene in the videogame Manhunt," he told the debate.
"I was not the first to say that; Giselle Pakeerah, his parent, has from the very beginning maintained and strongly believed that the fact that Warren Leblanc had a copy of Manhunt and that other children were looking at those scenes of violence led to the attack on Stefan."
The Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, Margaret Hodge, later pointed out that there had been no evidence to support Mr Vaz's ongoing claims.
"They may have made that statement, but the rationale for the statement is less clear," she said. "The game was discovered not in Warren Leblanc's possession but in the victim's possession.
"It does not feature the use of a hammer, and it was not considered by the police to be a contributory factor. No such connection was ever suggested in court.
"Indeed, the prosecution and defence barristers insisted in court that the video game had played no part in the killing. It was reported that Leblanc was motivated by fear of a gang to which he owed money."
Mr Vaz, who complained in part of his speech that proponents of his argument have been "pilloried in the press that is sponsored by the videogames industry," went on to discuss the differences between films and videogames.
"That is quite simple: videogames are different because they are interactive," he said. "People who are watching a film at the cinema cannot participate in what is happening on the screen, or if they do they are removed from the cinema.
"However, someone sitting at a computer playing a videogame, or someone with one of those small devices that young people have these days, the name of which I forget…PlayStations or PSPs, something of that kind…Well, whatever they are called, when people play these things, they can interact.
"They can shoot people; they can kill people," he said, before adding: "As the honourable gentleman said, they can rape women," referring to Mr Brazier's earlier comments on films - not videogames - which appear to glorify the act.
Ed Vaizey, Conservative member for Wantage, questioned that last point later on - addressing Mr Brazier as Mr Vaz had left already -"I checked the point with the BBFC and found it to be completely unaware of any such videogame," he said.
"Is the honourable gentleman aware of any videogame that has as its intention the carrying out of rape or that allows the game player to carry out such an act? The BBFC and I are unaware of any such game."
Mr Brazier replied that he was unable to comment on "the rape in games issue".
Following the session, which lasted almost five hours and ended before proceedings had been completed, the vote on whether or not the Bill will proceed to a Second Reading will now take place when the debate resumes on Friday, when Ms Hodge will complete her response to the various remarks made during the first session, including those belonging to Mr Vaz.
As well as a CMS Select Committee investigation into the effects of violence on the internet and in videogames, the Byron Report set up by the Prime Minister is due to report before the end of this month.
Talks of an in-game XMB are so frequent that we've got a keyboard macro dedicated to the phrase, but the waiting will finally be over this summer, according to SCEE big shot Ray Maguire.
Speaking to MCV of his glee at PS3 having reached 1 million sales faster than both the PSOne and PS2, Maguire said: "Our momentum will continue with the introduction of in-game communication in the summer, firmware update 2.4 and the strongest line-up of games through our third party partners and our own studios."
In-game XMB access is a must because at the moment you can't access your friends list during a game, which is nothing short of madness.
But the gem in that statement - the imminent arrival of "in-game communication", should rectify these issues and the confirmation of a "summer" release helps to nail down the previously vague "2008" promise.
We wonder what other goodies will be in Firmware 2.4, and we also wonder when we became such firmware geeks. Read our huge '10 Steps to Perfect PS3 Firmware' feature to see what we mean.
SEGA Superstars Tennis is a game that brings together some of the most treasured and well known characters from the SEGA universe, in some of the most unusual courts and outrageous settings ever imagined.
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.
PSW got one thing right, and that's our collective: Huh? The UK magazine would have us believe that Crytek's "hard-worked" code monkeys have confirmed -- "in many interviews" -- that Crysis is coming to PS3 later this year. Not true. But we can count this latest report as another adherent of the 'Crysis 1.5' theory, which here evolves into rumor of a hybrid-port that combines aspects of the original PC Crysis and its sequel into "almost 50% new game." Assuming that a Crysis-brand product will eventually land on PS3 (what else is the console version of CryEngine 2 good for?), we'd be curious to know how much of the alleged 'newness' would translate into better gameplay. Are we really talking Crysis 1.5 -- or just Crysis Lite? (Remember, Far Cry's leap to console had plenty of 'new,' just not any better.)
The time-honored tradition of stodgy men arguing over things they know nothing about continued in England during last Friday's game censorship debate in the House of Commons, with MP Keith Vaz showing us how it's done while speaking in defense of Julian Brazier's bill to add a censorship level above the British Board of Film Classification. In comparing the interactivity of video games to movies, Vaz unleashed this little gem:
However, someone sitting at a computer playing a video game, or someone with one of those small devices that young people have these days, the name of which I forget-- [Interruption.] PlayStations or PSPs, something of that kind.
"Well, whatever they are called, when people play these things, they can interact. They can shoot people; they can kill people. As the honourable Gentleman said, they can rape women."
The gentleman he is referring to is the bill's author Julian Brazier, though being completely off-base when quoting someone else doesn't excuse you from being off-base in the first place. The man can barely remember what these horribly offensive rape-machines are. When you have to struggle to remember what you were talking about in the first place it's probably a good indicator that you should sit down and shut up.
Luckily for British gamers, the House isn't completely full of uninformed idiots. Conservative MP Edward Vaizey actually took the time to check this claim out with the BBFC.
"Is the honourable Gentleman aware of any video game that has as its intention the carrying out of rape or that allows the game player to carry out such an act? The BBFC and I are unaware of any such game."
Look? Sense! What could the bill's author counter sense with, but more nonsense?
"I cannot comment on the rape in games issue, but I can tell the House what Stefan Pakeerah's father said after Warren Leblanc had murdered his son. He said that "Manhunt" is a game using weapons like hammers and knives...The object of Manhunt is not just to go out and kill people. It's a point-scoring game where you increase your score depending on how violent the killing is. That explains why Stefan's murder was as horrific as it was."
Aha! While I cannot comment on games that allow you to rape women as I know of none, look at this puppet on my other hand! It is a murderous puppet, with a hammer in hand! A video game puppet! Take that!
Taken, and rebutted by Minister of State Margaret Hodge, who explained that not only was the game found to have played no part in the murder, it was the victim who owned the game and not the attacker.
Perhaps the real story here isn't that Mr. Vaz decided to claim erroneously that video games let you rape women, but rather the fact the the House of Commons debates had people present with enough sense to challenge the claim. Good show!
Woe be the PC game developer these days, as various reports put piracy rates in the U.S. at approximately 70-85%.
Pirates?! I'm supposed to be fighting a hydra!
It's no wonder that Epic Games is dumping PC games for the greener pastures of console gaming: piracy rates for the U.S. market alone are hovering around 80%!
And beyond the U.S., the piracy picture becomes even larger and more menacing -- especially if you're an independent developer without "Madden-sized advertising budget," said THQ Director of Creative Management Michael Fitch, who laid out his case against piracy and hardware manufactures in an epic rant at the Quarter to Three forums.
In the post, Fitch attacked pirates, the PC software security model and everything in between. In Europe, he said, piracy rates approach 90%. In Asia, those figures are "off the charts."
"I didn't believe [the data] at first. It seemed way too high. Then I saw that Bioshock was selling 5 to 1 on console vs. PC. And Call of Duty 4 was selling 10 to 1. These are hardcore games, shooters, classic PC audience stuff. Given the difference in install base, I can't believe that there's that big of a difference in who played these games, but I guess there can be in who actually payed for them," Fitch said.
These are hard numbers for any PC developer to ignore, and from the tone of Fitch's message board rant the other day, things are likely to get much worse before they get better. Or should that be "if" they get better?
The Oscars were a non-event this year for Sony -the studio took home only one gold statue-but Sir Howard Stringer was in town with plenty to celebrate. The globe-trotting Sony Corporation chief was fresh off his company's triumph in the high stakes, high-definition video player wars.
On February 19, Stringer was en route from Tokyo to London to attending a movie premiere and then a party for his 66th birthday when Toshiba held a press conference announcing that it would stop producing its less expensive, Microsoft-backed HD DVD players and would cede the battle to Sony-led Blu Ray.
It was somehow fitting that Sir Howard's next stop on his world tour would be Hollywood, because it was here that the Blu Ray battle was ultimately won-Toshiba only threw in the towel after the Warner Brothers studio decided last month to stop releasing its DVDs in both formats and to go exclusively with Blu Ray.
The victory was not only crucial to proving Stringer's strategy of showing that Sony's entertainment, electronics and games businesses could work together but - perhaps more critically-helped exorcise the ghosts of its failed Betamax video tape format that has haunted the halls at Sony for two decades. "I was a pain in the ass on this," Stringer told me. "Because of the Betamax experience, we made it clear to everyone that this was a Sony corporate mission."
Indeed, the pathos behind the Betamax saga can't be overstated. The early years of Sony's ownership of the Columbia movie studio in the early 1990s were legendarily disastrous and held up as the ultimate clash of cultures.
Brian Roberts, now the head of America's giant cable company Comcast, recently recounted to Stringer his first visit to Sony as part of a US cable industry group. Then Sony chief Akio Morita grew enraged when asked whether he was unhappy with buying Columbia, which had resulted in a $3.2-billion write-down in 1994. "You Americans don't understand." Morita shot back.
"We clearly had the best product with Betamax-but Hollywood picked VHS." In an email, Roberts recounted the encounter as very un-Japanese in its emotion. "And I vividly remember, with fire in his eyes what he said next: 'That will never happen to Sony again."
Fast forward a decade or so to 2005, when Sir Howard was the surprise choice to lead troubled Sony as its first non-Japanese CEO. Here was a former journalist and media executive who moved easily in Hollywood circles.
Sony had already taken the huge gamble of deciding to build a Blu Ray player inside its PlayStation 3 game console, which was a big factor in getting the big studios Disney and Fox to commit exclusively to it. (The idea was that such a move would help the technology gain consumer acceptance and provide consumers a bargain way to buy a Blu Ray player since a PS3 alone was less than half the price of the first Blu Ray players).
The only problem was that by building a new, unproven technology into a highly-anticipated game unit led to the kinds of production delays and cost increases that were hobbling Sony.
The PS3 came out in late 2006 to a mixed reception, and, initially, no one was sure whether anyone who bought one really cared whether it came with a newfangled video player. And, unlike the advent of video-cassette recorders which were first introduced to let people record their favorite TV shows, the progress form regular standard to high definition represented a leap in picture quality, but not in how people actually consumed entertainment.
Of course, any new product lives or dies by its relationship with retailers and its appeal to consumers. Stringer contends that Blu Ray was a better, more advanced technology with more storage capability that would come in handy down the road. HD DVD had the advantage of cheaper players and mighty backers from the get-go. The result was that sales of high-def video players came a steady trickle, with most consumers not wanting to commit to a format that might end up quickly obsolete.
It's now clear, though, that the biggest factor behind Sony's success was its efforts to get as many of Stringer's Hollywood mogul pals as possible to commit and stay exclusively to Blu Ray. And, he said with a laugh: "Nobody does anybody a favor in this town."
When it began selling the players nearly two years ago, Sony had signed on Walt Disney and Fox, and later wooed Lion's Gate and secured the library of MGM by leading a consortium to buy that studio. That left Warner Brothers, Paramount and Dreamworks (which subsequently merged) and NBC Universal to win over. The latter was exclusively supporting HD DVD from the get-go, while Viacom-owned Paramount/Dreamworks jolted Sony last August and announced it would no longer release discs in both formats and was going with HD DVD.
Both camps knew that Warner Brothers was planning to make a decision about whether to continue supporting dueling formats by the end of 2007. If it went with HD DVD, the stalemate would have gone on for years-or worse, other studios might have followed its lead. Before Warner's announcement, Blu-Ray had about 46pc of the market for new releases exclusively, while HD-DVD had around 24pc. Warner, which released movies in both formats, represented about 20pc of the market in DVDs last year.
What was clear going into the last quarter of the year was that consumer confusion over which format to buy was holding sales of next-generation DVD players back at a time when the DVD market overall was running out of steam, and with it an important source of studio profits.
Sony went into high gear. The avuncular Sir Howard worked the phones with top executives at Warner Brothers and its owner, Time Warner (which also owns Fortune, where I work). To jump start use of the PS3 as a low-cost movie player, it began throwing in free Blu Ray discs of Sony flicks like Talledega Nights with new PS3s. Also, newer versions of the PS3 released last year began to include remote controls to bolster the device's appeal to home cineastes. Sony made sure to put a few extra billboards touting Blu Ray strategically around Tinseltown where key execs would see them.
Never mind the Hollywood ending, Sir Howard can only imagine how much bigger the headlines would have been had Sony come out on the losing side again. And he acknowledges that he still has a marketing challenge ahead convincing consumers that they need a HD player to go with their fancy new high-def displays.
Indeed, no sooner was the format contest decided that critics were wondering if people will just hold out for a next-generation video of HD video on demand that bypasses video players entirely. Asked if he might offer trade-ins for the 1 million people who have bought soon-to-be-obsolete HD DVD gadgets, Stringer grimaces. "Steady," he jokes: "If I have any more success, I'll be bankrupt."
After escaping from the political intrigue behind the battle of Sekigahara, Miyamoto Musashi, the strongest swordsman of Japan gave up his sword and identity and hid himself under the facade of Kiryuu Kazumanosuke, a hit man who owned an establishment called Tatsuya in Kyoto, Gion. Gion is an entertainment district where the rich and powerful buy sexual favors from the poor and powerless.
One day a girl, Haruka, came to Kiryuu with the job request “please kill Miyamoto Musashi for me.” and at her request Kiryuu journeyed to find his impostor and to reveal the secrets behind the battle of Sekigahara.
From Sekigahara, Gion to Funajima, bridging the gap between the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi and the current hit man Kiryuu, the game takes its players through an epic plot filled with action, rivalry, sexual desire and political intrigue.
Over in Japan today sees the release of the first Satin Silver PS3 in the 40GB Option, its bundled with the game Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan and priced at Price: US$ 499.90 (~253.79 GBP)
Over in Japan today sees the release of the first Satin Silver PS3 in the 40GB Option, its bundled with the game Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan and priced at Price: US$ 499.90 (~253.79 GBP)
Sony UK told Eurogamer today that it has nothing to say about reports its American friends have been showing off a PS3 video store to retailers.
Kotaku, which was bang on with its other reports from the Destination PlayStation conference that brought us news of the Metal Gear Solid 4 release date and bundle, reports that the video store was shown off at the same time.
Apparently Sony Pictures-owned films are included, it uses a similar interface to SingStar PS3's SingStore, and North America will be first to see it.
If it does launch, it will give Microsoft something to think about; at the moment Xbox Live Video Marketplace rides alone across the money-coloured waters of downloadable film and TV rentals, delivering the likes of Outbreak and Analyze This to whoever has the hard disk space.
After a year undercover, Sony has finally broken its silence on its PS3 instalment of SOCOM, though it looks like you'll have to buy a magazine to get the full story.
The next issues of US mag EGM apparently has the full blow-out on Confrontation, which will be available as a download on PSN, as well as traditional retail means.
"The dev team is really excited that the world can finally see some of their hard work," posted design director David Seymour on the PS Blog.
"This has also been a huge relief to SealTeam-6, who has the unenviable job of telling SOCOM's huge, hungry fan base every week that: a) yes we are still working on the game, and b) no, there is no new information we can share at this time."
No new info without mag purchase then, but Dave did offer description on the two released screenshots:
"[The first screenshot] is indeed Crossroads, the most fan-requested SOCOM map. This shot is taken from our new OTS camera, but the player is backed up into a wall here so it might look a bit confusing. This is the right in front of the SEAL spawn, looking down the street in the direction of the warehouse.
"[The second] is a brand new map, which has a 16 player core area and an expanded footprint for 32 player matches. This ruined shopping center is a great sniping location, and is a hotly contested control point in our internal sessions."
Strong debuts from four new releases have failed to shift Sega's Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games from the top of the Chart Track All Formats top ten.
Ubisoft's Lost: The Videogame enters the top ten at three, just ahead of THQ's first-person shooter Frontlines: Fuel of War at four.
Microsoft's long-awaited Xbox 360 RPG Lost Odyssey breaks into the charts at six, while Electronic Arts' mega-franchise The Sims hits the number ten spot with the latest expansion pack, The Sims 2: Freetime.
DS Lite hardware sales were also up this week by 24 per cent, thanks to a boost from the white DS bundled with Nintendo's Brain Training software, with the original Dr Kawashima's Brain Training sitting at the top of the DS charts for the 41st time since release.
The full top ten follows:
1. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
2. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training
3. Lost: The Videogame
4. Frontlines: Fuel of War
5. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
6. Lost Odyssey
7. More Brain Training from Dr Kawashima
8. FIFA Street 3
9. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
10. The Sims 2: Freetime
Army of Two throws gamers into hot spots ripped from current day headlines where they will utilize unique two-man strategies and tactics while seamlessly transitioning between playing with intelligent Partner AI (PAI) and a live player. When one man is not enough, it will take an army of two to fight through war, political turmoil and a conspiracy so vast it threatens the entire world.
UK retailers are looking forward to continued growth in 2008, with GTA IV leading the way.
"We expect the market to continue to grow based on increase availability of hardware, publishers spreading their release schedule across the year and product innovation," Patrick Kelly, Zavvi's head of games, told GamesIndustry.biz.
"The expectation is that publishers will continue to push the capabilities of next generation hardware and we’ll see some outstanding games during 2008," remarked Play.com's head games buyer, Gian Luzio.
Marc Dean, the home entertainment buyer for Morrisons, agreed.
"We expect developers and publishers to continue broadening the market with more family and mass market products," he said.
Although the retailers think that 2008 will see family/social gaming take a larger slice of the pie - with titles such as Wii Fit and Rock Band - they all agreed that the biggest release of the year will be Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV.
Despite some analysts predicting that the PlayStation is poised to have a bright year, the retailers didn't see an end to the "console wars" any time soon.
"The release schedule for 2008 is looking strong for all three formats and pre-orders for cross platform titles such as GTA IV and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed suggest a very level playing field," Luzio said.
"It's unlikely that the console battle will be won or lost in the space of a year."
"I really hope that PS3 comes through for us - it has not peaked as we expected," admitted tgrav.com's Matt Holland.
"However, with more titles launching on the format and some fabulous peripherals I am hopeful that with Sony's support we can deliver some great numbers for them."
"I'm sure Sony are delighted with recent announcements regarding Blu-ray versus HD DVD, but that is only one aspect of the console battle," said Tim Ellis, head of games for HMV.
"Consumers are lucky to have three strong home console propositions with their own USPs and I'm sure we'll still be debating what's best in a year's time."
The complete interview with representatives from various UK retailers can be read here.
Previous rumour reports of the PlayStation Network getting a huge overhaul in April would appear true as SCEA's director of product development confirms: "you will see a pretty big change in the PlayStation Network in the early part of April.
The rumour emerged from a retailer-only presentation, in which Sony was said to have unveiled plans to give the PlayStation Network a makeover, as well as demonstrating a new Video Store.
Sony has since remained cagey on the subject, however SCEA's John Hight has told Gamasutra: "We give [Sony's PSN team] a lot of feedback based on how our customers are reacting to things, and I think you will see a pretty big change in the PlayStation Network in the early part of April, where we roll out some new interface stuff largely based on customer feedback."
Hight held back on exactly what these changes would entail, but did tease: "Simplification, cutting down on the number of mouse clicks, making it easier to find stuff that you want to find... that's kind of an outgrowth of us having more content now, so we have to make sure that you can get at it easily."
It's like our favorite old-school commercial: "Mr. Owl, how many Playstation 3s does it take to simulate a collision between two black holes?" Apparently, the answer is 16.
A group at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth hopes to use a cluster of 16 PS3s to run the simulation, specifically looking at the properties of the gravity waves emitted by the collision. The cluster -- nicknamed the PS3 Gravity Grid -- was built with a partial donation from Sony, who must like watching really big stuff collide as much as we do.
Similar simulations have been run before (most notably by NASA), but this marks the first time the super-calculation has been performed using a game console. Like our colleagues as PS3 Fanboy, we admit that most of the technical jargon presented here is way over our heads. We're sure some of you will "get it," though, and not just resort to Tootsie Roll references.
Nintendo will once again look upon the Spanish and German software sales charts with satisfaction as its platforms accounted for the top four places in both charts, and 15 of the combined top ten lists as well.
Few of the titles will come as any surprise, with Spain dominated by Wii Play, Mario & Sonic at the Olympics and the Brain Training titles, with Call of Duty 4 and Unreal Tournament 3 marking the only non-Nintendo platform entries in the top ten.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi, Big Brain Academy and Triiviial - all for the Wii - completed the top ten for the week ending February 24 according to data compiled by Media-Control GfK International.
Meanwhile in Germany, Mario & Sonic took top spot for the DS, with the Brain Training titles in second and third, and Prof Kageyama's Maths Training in fourth.
Call of Duty 4 was fifth, with Wii Play and Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings in sixth and seventh. World of Warcraft, along with the Burning Crusade expansion, and Super Mario Galaxy finished the list.
The full charts are as follows:
Spain
1. Wii Play (Wii)
2. Mario & Sonic at the Olympics (DS)
3. More Brain Training (DS)
4. Mario & Sonic at the Olympics (Wii)
5. Call of Duty 4 (PS3)
6. Brain Training (DS)
7. Unreal Tournament 3 (PS3)
8. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi (Wii)
9. Big Brain Academy (Wii)
10. Triiviial (Wii)
Germany
1. Mario & Sonic at the Olympics (DS)
2. More Brain Training (DS)
3. Brain Training (DS)
4. Prof Kageyama's Maths Training (DS)
5. Call of Duty 4 (PC)
6. Wii Play (Wii)
7. Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings (DS)
8. World of Warcraft (PC)
9. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (PC)
10. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
A massive haul of around 30,000 counterfeit DVDs, CDs and Wii Playstation discs worth around £500,000 have been seized.
They were destined for car boot sales around Staffordshire and the Black Country.
The raid was carried out at the regular Cocksparrow Lane sale at Huntington near Cannock last Sunday.
The operation involved Trading Standards officers and police.
Three people were arrested and have been questioned and three vehicles impounded by police on suspicion they were involved in the distribution of counterfeit goods.
The £500,000 haul included fake Wii Playstation discs and many DVD films which have yet to be released at the cinema.
Several thousand cigarettes and a quantity of rolling tobacco was also seized.
Councillor Carol Dean, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities said: “We need to get the message out there that it is not acceptable to sell these counterfeit goods and that there is a real risk of being caught.
“It is important for consumers to think about the consequences of buying counterfeit products as this can really affect local businesses who struggle to compete with counterfeiters who sell products that legitimate businesses are unable to - such as unreleased films.”
Similar operations are set to take place in the county in future months.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is set to meet the mother of Stefan Pakeerah, a 14 year-old whose murder in 2004 sparked a row about Rockstar's videogame Manhunt.
Despite repeated evidence showing that the perpetrator of the crime, 17 year-old Warren Leblanc, was not in possession of the game, and despite prosecution and defence lawyers - as well as the police - pouring scorn on the link, the Prime Minister is going to discuss violent videogames with Giselle Pakeerah today, according to the Leicester Mercury.
The move follows ill-advised comments made last Friday in a Parliamentary debate by Leicester East MP Keith Vaz - a long-time critic of one of the most popular entertainment pastimes for a wide cross-section of the population - as rape-simulators.
This allegation was shot down by Conservative MP Ed Vaizey, who pointed out that neither he, nor the BBFC, had ever encountered such a game.
And Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, Margaret Hodge, dismissed links between the Pakeerah murder and Manhunt: "They may have made that statement, but the rationale for the statement is less clear," she said.
"The game was discovered not in Warren Leblanc's possession but in the victim's possession. It does not feature the use of a hammer, and it was not considered by the police to be a contributory factor.
"No such connection was ever suggested in court. Indeed, the prosecution and defence barristers insisted in court that the videogame had played no part in the killing. It was reported that Leblanc was motivated by fear of a gang to which he owed money."
The Byron Report, due later this month, and the CMS Select Committee are both investigating the effects of internet and videogame violence.
Both Keith Vaz and colleague Julian Brazier are set to meet the Prime Minister later today to discuss tougher regulations for videogames.
But Gundam Musou Special for the PS2 is crowned the new number 1
Gundam Musou Special for the PlayStation 2 went straight in at number one in the Japanese software chart for the sales week ending March 2, according to data from Media Create, although Nintendo platforms accounted for seven of the top ten titles.
It sold around 150,000 copies, twice the number that the number one game sold last week - although that title was Super Smash Bros Brawl, which has now been out for some time, and is expected to break the 1.5 million sales mark by the end of March.
Wii Fit took third place, breezing past 1.6 million sales in the process, while the second new entry of the week, Soma Bringer for the Nintendo DS, was in fourth.
Some moderately good news for Microsoft took the form of Xbox 360 music title The Idolmaster: Live for You, which sold 44,000 copies on its first week on the chart, while the previous week's number two, Etrian Odyssey II: The Royal Grail, fell to number six.
Musou Orochi for the PlayStation Portable, Harvest Moon: Shining Sun and Friends for the DS, and Wii Sports and Winning Eleven Play Maker 2008 for the Wii finished up the top ten.
The highest PlayStation 3 title was Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, falling from number seven to number 17.
The full top ten is as follows:
1. Gundam Musou Special (PS2)
2. Super Smash Bros Brawl (Wii)
3. Wii Fit (Wii)
4. Soma Bringer (DS)
5. The Idolmaster: Live for You (360)
6. Etrian Odyssey II: The Royal Grail (DS)
7. Musou Orochi (PSP)
8. Harvest Moon: Shining Sun and Friends (DS)
9. Wii Sports (Wii)
10. Winning Eleven Play Maker 2008 (Wii)
We're not terrifically interested in paying top dollar for what is tantamount to a glorified demo, so we aren't that excited for the April 17 release of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. But, as Gary Coleman taught us, it takes diff'rent strokes to move the world, so far be it from us to withhold the torrent of GT5P news we were bombarded with this morning.
In addition to a full car and track list (which you can find after the break) we learned the North American version will include a Drift Mode, the ability to tune your car, two-player split screen racing and a new set of race events. It's still not enough to justify the $40 price tag for us, but if you're a fan, it sounds like it could be a bargain.
Vehicle Roster
Acura NSX '91
Alfa Romeo 147 TI 2.0 TWIN SPARK '06
Alfa Romeo Brera Sky Window 3.2 JTS Q4 '06
Amuse S2000 GT1 Turbo
Amuse/Opera Performance Gran Turismo 350Z RS
Art Morrison Corvette'60
Aston Martin DB9 Coupe '06
Audi R8 4.2 FSI R tronic '07
Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro '07
Blitz Dunlop ER34 '07
BMW 135i Coupe '07
BMW 135tii '08
BMW M3 Coupe '07
BMW Z4 '03
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C6) Tuned Car
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 '06
Citroen C4 Coupe 2.0VTS '06
Clio Renault Sport V6 24V Tuned Car
Daihatsu Copen Active Top '02
Daihatsu OFC-1 '07
Dodge Viper GTS
Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe
Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Tuned Car
Ferrari 512BB '76
Ferrari 599 '06
Ferrari F40 '92
Ferrari F430 '06
Ford Focus ST '06
Ford GT '05
Ford GT Tuned Car
Ford Mustang V8 GT Coupe Premium '07
Honda Integra TYPE R '04
Honda NSX Type R '02
Jaguar XK Coupe '06
Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione '91
Lexus IS F '07
Lexus IS F Tuned Car
Lotus Elise 111R '04
Lotus Elise 111R Tuned Car
Lotus Elise '96
Lotus Elise Tuned Car
Mazda Atenza Sport (2007 Tokyo Motor Show reference exhibit)
Mazda RX-7 (FD) Special Tuned Car
Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD) '02
Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD) Tuned Car
Mazda RX-8 Type S '03
Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG '02
Mine's BNR34 Skyline GT-R N1 base '06
Mini Cooper-S '06
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR '05
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Premium Package '07
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Tuned Car
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR Tuned Car
Nissan Fairlady Z Version S '07
Nissan GT-R '07
Nissan GT-R Proto '05
Nissan Skyline Coupe (V36) Tuned Car
Nissan Skyline Coupe 370GT Type SP '07
Nissan Skyline Coupe Concept '07
Nissan Skyline GT-R V-spec II Nur '02
Nissan Skyline Sedan 350GT Type SP '06
Peugeot 207GTI '07
Peugeot 307cc Premium AVN '04
RE Amemiya FD3S RX-7
Renault Clio Renault Sport V6 24V '00
Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI spec C Type RA '05
Subaru Impreza WRX STI (18inch BBS Wheel Option) '07
Suzuki Cappuccino '95
Suzuki Cappuccino Tuned Car
Suzuki Cervo SR '07
Suzuki Swift Sport '07
Suzuki Swift Sport Tuned Car
TVR Tamora '02
TVR Tuscan Speed 6 '00
Volkswagen Golf GTI '01
Volkswagen Golf V GTI '05
Track List
Suzuka Circuit
Eiger Nordwand
Fuji Speedway
London City Track
Daytona International Speedway
High Speed Ring
Welcome to this week's Games & Toys update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days.
Several exciting games have been published this week. Get ready to set off to war in the chaotic worlds of Frontlines: Fuel of War and Army of Two [Xbox360™ and PlayStation3™] where a person needs to have both wits and battle skills to survive.
The Japanese and Asian versions of the third installment in the Yakuza series Ryuu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (a.k.a Yakuza 3) for PlayStation3™ have also been published. Taking the players back to the Edo period where the samurai spirit flourishes, this game provides an engaging plot, superb graphics and exciting action.
Aside from war and action games, MLB 08: The Show, the most authentic baseball game also came out this week on PlayStation3™. For people of all ages who enjoy stylistic graphics and excellent game play along with adorable characters, Patapon on Sony PSP™ is for you.
Last but not least, Nintendo Wii Collection Super Mario Galaxy Keychain Gashapon and Nintendo Super Mario Bros. Mascot 2 Keychain Gashapon came out under the toys section this week, and as if that is not enough to sate every Mario fan's thirst Super Mario Galaxy Original Soundtrack has been released along with them.
As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week, followed by a quick preview of what is expected to be hot next week.
Xbox360™:
Army of Two ASIA US$ 44.90
Frontlines: Fuel of War ASIA US$ 49.90
LOST: Via Domus US US$ 64.90
Riot Act / Crackdown (Platinum Collection) JPN US$ 34.90
Saints Row (Platinum Collection) JPN US$ 34.90
Senko no Ronde Rev.X (Platinum Collection) JPN US$ 34.90
Super Star Karaoke KOR US$ 69.90
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas (Platinum Collection) JPN US$ 34.90
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty US US$ 64.90
Xbox 360 Arcade Console JPN US$ 299.90
PlayStation3™:
Army of Two ASIA US$ 49.90
Dual Shock 3 (Satin Silver) JPN US$ 59.90
Frontlines: Fuel of War US US$ 64.90
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (w/Guitar) JPN US$ 129.90
LOST: Via Domus US US$ 64.90
Lost Planet: Extreme Condition US US$ 44.90
MLB 08: The Show US US$ 64.90
PlayStation3 Console (HDD 40GB Model) Satin Silver - 110V JPN US$ 429.00
Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! ASIA US$ 64.90
Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! JPN US$ 74.90
Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (w/ PlayStation3 Console 40GB Satin Silver) JPN US$ 499.90
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty US US$ 64.90
Nintendo Wii™:
Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None US US$ 34.90
Destroy All Humans! Big Willy Unleashed US US$ 49.90
Family Jockey JPN US$ 54.90
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption JPN US$ 64.90
Minna no Joushiki Ryoku TV JPN US$ 49.90
Nobunaga no Yabou: Kakushin with Power-Up Kit JPN US$ 95.00
Nobunaga no Yabou: Kakushin with Power-Up Kit (w/ Sangokushi XI) JPN US$ 139.90
Playground: Kouen de Asobou! JPN US$ 39.90
Sega Bass Fishing US US$ 34.90
PlayStation2™:
Amekoushi no Kan (The Best Price) JPN US$ 34.90
Aria: The Natural (Alchemist Best Collection) JPN US$ 34.90
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (w/Guitar) JPN US$ 129.90
Hisshou Pachinko*Pachi-Slot Kouryoku Series Vol. 10 (Special Price Edition) JPN US$ 34.90
Hisshou Pachinko*Pachi-Slot Kouryoku Series Vol. 5: CR Neon Genesis Evangelion Sekandoinpakuto & Pachislot Neon Genesis Evangelion (Special Price Edition) JPN US$ 34.90
MLB 08: The Show US US$ 44.90
Naraku no Shiro JPN US$ 64.90
Nobunaga no Yabou: Kakushin with Power-Up Kit JPN US$ 95.00
Nobunaga no Yabou: Kakushin with Power-Up Kit (w/ Sangokushi XI) JPN US$ 139.90
Nintendo DS™:
Bomberman Portable (Hudson the Best) JPN US$ 29.90
Brain Assist US US$ 24.90
Bratz: Super Babyz US US$ 34.90
Bubble Bobble: Double Shot US US$ 24.90
Doraemon Waku Waku DS Lite Accessory Set JPN US$ 16.90
Doraemon: Nobita to Midori no Kyojinden DS JPN US$ 48.90
Eiken-Ou: 2-Kyuuhen JPN US$ 39.90
Hana to Taiyou to Ame to JPN US$ 48.90
Hello Kitty Pouch (Enamel Pink) JPN US$ 17.90
Hello Kitty Pouch (Enamel Red) JPN US$ 17.90
Jigsaw Puzzle DS: DS de Meguru Sekai Isan no Tabi JPN US$ 29.90
Naruto: Ninja Destiny US US$ 34.90
Petz Wild Animals: Tigerz US US$ 34.90
Sony PSP™:
Blokus Portable: Steambot Championship US US$ 24.90
Bomberman Portable (Hudson the Best) JPN US$ 29.90
Coded Soul: Uke Keigareshi Idea ASIA US$ 42.90
Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable (Ultimate Hits) ASIA US$ 24.90
Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable (Ultimate Hits) JPN US$ 29.90
Dungeon Explorer: Warrior of Ancient Arts US US$ 34.90
MLB 08: The Show US US$ 44.90
Patapon US US$ 24.90
The Brave One JPN US$ 14.90
The Invasion JPN US$ 14.90
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (Ultimate Hits) ASIA US$ 24.90
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (Ultimate Hits) JPN US$ 29.90
PC and MAC™:
Frontlines: Fuel of War (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 39.90
Frontlines: Fuel of War Collector's Edition (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 59.90
Lost: Via Domus (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 34.90
Pro Soccer Club o Tsukurou! Online Beginner's Package JPN US$ 24.90
Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific ASIA US$ 34.90
The Sims 2 FreeTime ASIA US$ 29.90
The Typing of the Dead II JPN US$ 59.90
The Typing of the Dead II [W Pack] JPN US$ 69.90
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty (DVD-ROM) US US$ 44.90
Toys and More:
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official Black Jersey (Size L) JPN US$ 42.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official Black Jersey (Size M) JPN N/A
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official Black Jersey (Size XL) JPN US$ 42.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official Black T-Shirt (Size L) JPN US$ 29.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official Black T-Shirt (Size M) JPN US$ 29.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official Black T-Shirt (Size S) JPN US$ 29.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official Black T-Shirt (Size XL) JPN N/A
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official Black Windbreaker JPN US$ 49.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official Red Jersey (Size L) JPN US$ 42.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official Red Jersey (Size M) JPN US$ 42.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official Red T-Shirt (Size L) JPN US$ 29.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official Red T-Shirt (Size M) JPN US$ 29.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official Red T-Shirt (Size XL) JPN US$ 29.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official White T-Shirt (Size L) JPN US$ 29.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official White T-Shirt (Size M) JPN US$ 29.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official White T-Shirt (Size S) JPN US$ 29.90
20th Anniversary Rockman - Official White T-Shirt (Size XL) JPN US$ 29.90
20th Anniversary Rockman Art File JPN US$ 16.90
20th Anniversary Rockman Clear Folder Set JPN US$ 14.90
20th Anniversary Rockman Keychain Gashapon JPN US$ 6.99
20th Anniversary Rockman Towel Scarf JPN N/A
Armored Core 1/72 Scale Pre-Painted Model Kit: Crest CR-C75U2 (Delta Version) JPN US$ 42.49
Dragon Ball Collection Vol. 1 Soft Vinyl Figure: Chi Chi JPN US$ 9.90
Dragon Ball Collection Vol. 1 Soft Vinyl Figure: Kame Sennin JPN US$ 9.90
Dragon Ball Collection Vol. 1 Soft Vinyl Figure: Son Gokou JPN US$ 9.90
Dragon Ball DX 3 Non Scale Pre-Painted Soft Vinyl Figure: Chaoz JPN US$ 16.90
Dragon Ball DX 3 Non Scale Pre-Painted Soft Vinyl Figure: Mr. Popo JPN US$ 16.90
Dragon Ball DX 3 Non Scale Pre-Painted Soft Vinyl Figure: Son Gokou JPN US$ 16.90
Fraulein Revoltech Series No. 003 - Neon Genesis Evangelion Pre-Painted Figure: Asuka Langley JPN N/A
Gundam Mini Figure Selection Plus 10 Non Scale Candy Toy JPN US$ 4.49
Kanon 1/8 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Sawatari Makoto JPN N/A
Kinnikuman 29th Anniversary Vol. 1 Figure JPN US$ 9.90
Kinnikuman 29th Anniversary Vol. 2 Figure JPN US$ 9.90
Koro Koro Collection Bakuretsu Tenshi Non Scale Pre-Painted Gashapon JPN US$ 2.90
Melty Blood Series III 1/8 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Akiha Toono JPN N/A
Monster Hunter Big Sword Trading Card (Repackaged Version) JPN US$ 19.90
Monster Hunter Hammer Trading Card (Repackaged Version) JPN US$ 19.90
Monster Hunter Lance Trading Card (Repackaged Version) JPN US$ 19.90
Monster Hunter Sword In One Hand Trading Card (Repackaged Version) JPN US$ 19.90
Nintendo Super Mario Bros. Mascot 2 Keychain Gashapon JPN US$ 1.90
Nintendo Wii Collection Super Mario Galaxy Keychain Gashapon JPN US$ 2.90
Quiz Magic Academy 1/8 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Aloe & CPU Shalon JPN US$ 54.90
Revoltech Series No. 025 - Transformers Non Scale Pre-Painted PVC Action Figure: Megatron (Re-run) JPN US$ 19.90
Screen Battles SB-03 Transformers Movie Desert Attack Figure set JPN US$ 29.90
Screen Battles SB-04 Transformers Movie Capture of Bumblebee Figure set JPN US$ 29.90
Super Black Jack High Grade Non Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure: Rio (Black Dealer Version) JPN N/A
Super Black Jack High Grade Non Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure: Rio (Red Dealer Version) JPN US$ 16.90
The Movie All Spark Power - Transformers Pre-Painted Figure: MA-20 Arcee (Black Version) JPN N/A
The Movie All Spark Power - Transformers Pre-Painted Figure: MD-23 Stockcade JPN US$ 24.90
Variabl Action Genesis Climber Mospeada Non Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Mospeada Ray Type JPN N/A
Variabl Action Genesis Climber Mospeada Non Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Mospeada Stick Type JPN N/A
Magazine and Game Guide:
Arcadia Magazine [April 2008] JPN N/A
Army of Two: Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
Biohazard the Umbrella Chronicles: Art of Arts JPN US$ 19.90
Codes & Cheats Spring 2008: Prima Games Code Book US US$ 9.90
Digimon Championship DS Official Capture Book JPN US$ 16.90
Famitsu Wave DVD [April 2008] JPN US$ 16.50
Frontlines: Fuel of War Official Strategy Guide US US$ 16.90
Harvest Moon Rune Factory 2 Final Perfect Guide JPN US$ 23.90
L: The Prologue to Death Note - Rasen no Wana Official Capture Book JPN US$ 16.90
La Corda d'Oro 2 Perfect Setting Sourcebook JPN US$ 37.90
Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes Anecdote Script JPN US$ 19.90
Suzumiya Haruhi no Tomadoi Official Fan Book JPN US$ 24.90
Tales of Destiny Perfect Guide JPN US$ 21.90
The Sims 2 FreeTime: Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
Yggdra Union Complete Tour Guide JPN US$ 29.90
Video Game Soundtracks:
Alice / Again (~A.G.E) JPN US$ 11.90
Alice / Again [CD+DVD Limited Edition] (~A.G.E) JPN US$ 17.90
Bleach Beat Collection 3rd Session: 06 Szayelaporro Granz JPN US$ 9.90
Hamatte Sabotte Oh My Ga! / Nantettatte Densetsu (Lucky Star Intro/Outro Theme Song) JPN US$ 11.90
Last Escort 2 Shinya No Amai Toge Original Suondtrack JPN US$ 29.90
Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 17.90
Super Mario Galaxy Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 29.90
The Idolm@ster Master Live 01 JPN US$ 19.90
Those of you who prefer Silver over White and Black will be happy that today in Japan sees the release of Satin Silver Playstation 3 and also Satin Silver Dual Shock 3 Controllers:
Dual Shock 3 (Satin Silver)
features
Official Dual Shock 3 wireless controller
Connects via bluetooth (wireless) or USB (wired)
Lithium Ion rechargeable battery pack built-in
Play & Charge technology: Recharge battery pack when connecting via USB
Given the finality of the format war, we can't say we're totally shocked to hear that Samsung will be pulling the plug on its recently announced BD-UP5500 HD DVD / Blu-ray combo player, but still, it's not good news for folks planning to pick it up for kicks (or watching their library of HD DVDs). Interestingly enough, Sammy had already planned to axe its current flagship hybrid player -- the BD-UP5000 -- this May, just months after it went on sale and began taking heat for not meeting expectations. On the plus side, the firm's latest BD-only player was a real gem, so hopefully we'll see lots more where that came from in the future. Oh, and if you're weeping this very moment at the thought of never getting to see one in person, feel free to click here and live vicariously through us.
We warned you that one reason to hold off on boarding the Blu train is that movies released in the past year without sweet BD-Live interactive features might be re-released. A lot of them. Today, we got first confirmation of this from Fox, which told us it'll be re-releasing Alien Vs. Predator later this year with a suite of new interactive features. And that's just the beginning.
Sony Pictures is also reaching in with both hands, though they're "not 100 percent sure [they're] going back on every disc" and will be looking at "different ways [they] can allow people to connect to a BD-Live site" for stuff that's already come out sans the BD Launcher. But they haven't figured that second part out yet.
To be fair, of all the Blu-ray studios, Fox is currently the most pumped about the interactive aspect—a big reason they helped build Blu along with Sony and friends. What Fox is adding doesn't make this a crap double dip, either: It's a multiplayer game woven into the film that you play as it progresses, attacking and killing other players in hopefully the most genuine film interaction to date. Not only do you upload your own avatar, it'll stay in memory and reappear when you buy future AVP titles. Sven Davison, Fox's VP of Worldwide Product Development and Production, said nothing he's seen on HD DVD has come close to this.
Davison also said Fox was looking at three other major franchises for a heavy interactive component. But other studios probably aren't going to be as scrupulous, because they primarily see interactivity as "icing on the cake" rather than potatoes to the 1080p-and-uncompressed-audio meat.
This of course opens the door for nearly everything already on BD to be double-dipped in the coming year—especially in cases like Warner's, since that studio has already launched more interactive versions of movies on HD DVD while simultaneously putting out lower-featured editions on BD. Would this have happened if the 2.0 spec had been mandatory from the start?
D3Publisher has told Eurogamer that the PS3 "Entitlement" system in Dark Sector is a one off.
It was responding to a rather premature announcement of the Xbox 360 Achievements for the game, which were listed alongside identical PS3 rewards called "Entitlements".
Developer Digital Extremes had been working on this from the outset as a way to reward you for your hard work, according to a spokesperson for the publisher, but it is a system restricted to Dark Sector and not one you will see in other PS3 titles.
Dark Sector is due out in April with a demo likely to appear around that time.
The Achievements / Entitlements can be found below. They total 700, which is bizarre.
Earlier today, SouthPeak Games announced that Edge of Twilight, Fuzzyeyes' upcoming action title that uses Unreal Engine 3, will be released in 2009 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. Set in a steampunk inspired world where day and night no longer exist, players take on the role of Lex, a bounty hunter trapped between the conflict of two different civilizations.
"We are very excited to help bring Fuzzyeyes' creative vision to life. The team spent a lot of time developing a comprehensive story to give the universe a history and purpose, which can change based on the players' interaction within the world," said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak. Wei-Yao Lu, CEO of Fuzzyeyes, agreed, stating, "It is energizing to see our unique vision take shape. We are bringing some unusual ideas to the table and so far we couldn't be happier with the results. Gamers should look forward to 2009!"
We'll have more on Edge of Twilight as it becomes available.
The three ages of Sony are as follows; in no particular order.
Firstly, there is Imperious Sony. It’s a majestic, arrogant, successful company with a 50 percent-plus hardware share. It expects absolute fealty from third parties and from the media. Criticism is dealt with harshly and severely. This is not-terribly-nice Sony and we lived with it from about 1997 until 2005. (Hey fellow suffering industry brothers and sisters, we should all get together and write an upsetting biographical account of those terrible years.)
Then there is Pathetic Sony. This is the company we have been working with this past 18 months. It’s doing a crappy job but doesn’t really know how to behave in an appropriately humble manner. It is suffering from a debilitating loss of power and is full of self-doubt, manifest in slightly absurd proclamations of calm.
Finally, there is the Sony that we like and need. It has good products. It generates demand for those products. It has a smart sense of the market in terms of pricing. It makes great games. Its people are accessible and believable. It deals with the rest of us in a way that makes us all feel pally. That was Sony from 1994 to 1997 and, I’m very happy to say, it’s returned to us; as of January 2008 when HD-DVD obligingly ****ed itself out of existence.
I am in San Francisco to reaquaint with former Sega man Scott Steinberg; now VP of product marketing at SCEA. He’s been in the biz forever; right there in the filthy trenches of 1990s Sega. Man, he must have some stories to tell.
Alas, we only have 30 minutes so brandy-by-the-fire reminiscing of those old battles must wait another day. We’re here to look forward to PlayStation 3’s shiny future.
Famitsu has released the all-time software and hardware numbers for the ‘next-gen’ consoles, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and the Xbox 360 in Japan.
Wii - 5,366,963
1. Wii Sports - Nintendo - 2,750,365
2. Wii Play - Nintendo - 2,198,039
3. Wii Fit - Nintendo - 1,450,509
4. Super Smash Brothers X - Nintendo - 1,247,632
5. Mario Party 8 - Nintendo - 1,181,118
6. Super Mario Galaxy - Nintendo - 872,463
7. Made in Wario Wii - Nintendo - 568,623
8. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess - Nintendo - 552,476
9. Mario & Sonic at Olympics - Nintendo - 510,465
10. Super Paper Mario - Nintendo - 505,491
Sony Electronics CEO Stan Glasgow has said in an interview in New York that the PlayStation network is definitely going to spread into "many other" Sony products.
Quick bit of context here as to just who is saying this, Mr Glasgow is president and chief operating officer of Sony Electronics Inc (that's worth $11 billion to Sony in the United States).
According to Gizmondo, Glasgow stated that:
"The company is "working very hard" on an answer to Apple TV, though it all seems to center around a Blu-ray player one way or another, and doesn't necessarily rely on the ill-fated Bravia Internet Video Link.
"Sony is "working on many other avenues to deliver downloaded content," like the PlayStation Network which will be "spread that over the next year or so to many other products of Sony."
These other products must be on top of the PSP and PlayStation 3 and could, therefore, include Sony's Bravia TVs (now that the Internet Video Link is dead in the water). It could, of course, also include the Vaio range... and what about the robot animals? We jest.
Whatever it includes, it will certainly be part of the $299 (£150) Blu-ray (not PlayStation) player we will see in 2008 (£100 versions are coming in 2009). "I don't think $200 is going to happen this year. Next year $200 could happen. We'll be at a $300 rate this year. $299 will happen this year", said Glasgow.
He also made mention - albeit incredibly ambiguous mention - of the future of PlayStation. We're going to quote him here - and then we are going to wait for the news aggregators to fill with "PlayStation 4 due in 2008 says Sony Top Guy!"
What Glasgow actually says is, "...there's going to be continual evolvement in the PlayStation line", which is equivalent to saying, "In order to live, we really ought to retain our breathing/lung synergy".
The Famitsu Marketing Data Service sent out its monthly report on videogame sales in Japan. It collected data from January 28th to February 24th. Although Nintendo is still performing extremely well, especially considering Super Smash Bros. Brawl's placement as the number one selling game (with over one million copies sold), Sony hardware and software sales are still notable.
Between the aforementioned dates, Sony pushed 89,131 PS3 units and 38,648 PS2s. Perhaps most surprising is the popularity of the PSP last month, which sold 223,570 units -- just under the DS Lite sales. This gave the PSP a 24 percent market share for hardware sales, only trumped by the DS Lite's 24.8 percent and the Wii's 35.7 percent.
In terms of software sales, Wii titles clearly were the highlight of last month, though Sony's platforms still pushed a fair number. The PS3's cumulative software sales for last month clocked in at 470,100 units, while PSP and the PS2 software came in at 309,400 and 407, 800 units, respectively. Once again, the PSP and its library seem to be performing nicely and PS2 software sales almost match those of the PS3.
Lastly, we see several PlayStation titles in the top 20 best selling games of last month. Included among them are Devil May Cry 4, Tales of Destiny: Director's Cut, Disgaea 3, Assassin's Creed, Warriors Orochi and Monster Hunter Freedom 2.
Rockstar has confirmed to videogaming247 that the originator of this story claiming the 360 version of GTA IV is "superior" to the PS3 outing is not Rockstar North's Neil Corbett.
"Regarding the [story]," said a Rockstar spokesperson. "I can confirm that this is not Neil Corbett from Rockstar North that has been posting on rllmuk."
Everybody clamoring for a cheap Blu-ray player now that the format war is over might wanna bide their time with a sweet DVD upconverter--the $200-player Blu-ray cavalry is at least a year away, according to Sony Electronics CEO Stan Glasgow, who we talked to today in New York. "I don't think $200 is going to happen this year. Next year $200 could happen. We'll be at a $300 rate this year. $299 will happen this year."
No cheap Chinese-made players will be flooding the market to push it down either, not until the BDA decides to license the tech to them, and Glasgow implied it's gonna be a while before that happens. Anyone else wants a license? Sure. But not them, in part it was indicated, because of piracy concerns. Not that the price matters too much right now, since Sony is "struggling to keep up with the demand."
The mighty morphin' PS3 SKU--from 60GB to 40GB, backward-compatible or not--isn't going to stop shape-shifting. When asked "Will there also be another PlayStation with Blu-ray built-in? Glasgow answered that "there's going to be continual evolvement in the PlayStation line" before talking about feature upgrades with software.
A press release for Play.com's Live event revealed that Lego Indiana Jones, slated to be playable at the event, is coming to retail channels on June 6. Eurogamer has confirmed the date with the ever-reliable "Top Secret Games Industry Source" and, frankly, we're happy for our European readers who don't have to wait for the usual long delay between North American release (coming June 3).
The June 6 date reportedly applies to all platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii and DS. Eurogamer's source also noted that Lego Batman is coming later this year.
The latest console sales in Japan are in and a change in the first 3 rankings are to been seen today:
Playstation Portable: 73,706
Nintendo Wii: 64,535
Nintendo DS Lite: 51,922
Playstation 3: 13,520
Playstation 2: 10,986
Xbox 360: 2,282
PSP sales shoot past both the Wii (increase roughly 1,000) and the DS Lite (up 1,800) by a staggering 20,300 units. The PS3 (up about 500), PS2 (up about 1,300) and Xbox 360 (down 281) stay in the previous positions as last week and the week before and so on....
We've heard nothing on the Getaway since 2006's Game Developer Conference. And two years with no news usually means a canned game, but Sony has broken its silence just in time.
The good news is that it's still very much in development, or so says screenplay writer Katie Ellwood.
The demo shown at GDC '06, featuring a scene in Piccadilly Circus in central London, looked so good (see here) that Sony had to move the camera around in real-time to abolish suspicion that it was all fake.
"The Next Gen of consoles have liberated us in other ways," says Ellwood. "There are wider possibilities to use that processing power and tell a story during the game play," she said, talking of the creativity generally afforded by the more advanced consoles.
"We can stream a wider variety of dialogue and animations to progress the story and characterisation rather than breaking the flow of the game play for a cutscene. If games are about immersion, then we are now about to deepen that immersion," commented Ellwood.
Speaking more specifically about Getaway PS3, she revealed that Sony is "talking to production houses about a movie for the third game in the Getaway series."
Ellwood explains: "The story and game script for this one is very exciting, as is the writer we have on board. I'm afraid I can't give any further information, other than to say: watch this space."
But when will it be out? Elwood gave no hints, but it doesn't seem like it'll hit its 2008 release as originally tipped. Still, that's probably a good thing, what with that little game known as GTA coming out this year...
If you're a Guitar Hero III fan, this week's PSN update is for you, with a new track pack - titled 'no doubt - now available for £3.99.
If you're not into virtual guitar strumming, however, it's another lacklustre week on the PSN front. A flOW update and another video for WipEout HD are the highlights - although we've seen enough WipEout trailers to last a lifetime and we're just wondering when Sony will actually release the game.
Here's the full list:
Packs
Flow Expansion Pack SCEE £1.99
Guitar Hero 3 - No Doubt - Track Pack dlc Activision UK LTD £3.99
Video
Uncharted DJ Shadow SCEE Free
WipEout HD SCEE Free
The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles Trailer Bethesda Softworks Free
Almost Famous The Extended Cut (~Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, ...) JPN US$ 47.90
Bruce Springsteen With The Sessions Band Live In Dublin (~Bruce Springsteen) JPN US$ 56.90
Harry Potter And The Chamber of Secrets (~Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, ...) JPN US$ 37.90
Hitman [Unrated Edition] (~Timothy Olyphant, Olga Kurylenko, ...) HK US$ 31.90
I, Robot (~Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, ...) HK US$ 31.90
The Brave One JPN US$ 47.90
The Invasion JPN US$ 47.90
TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles JPN US$ 47.90
Tsai Chin Concert Hall Golden Voice 2007 (~Tsai Chin) HK US$ 27.90
Yuming Spectacle Shangrila 3 A Dream of a Dolphin (~Yumi Matsutoya) JPN US$ 64.90
Major League Baseball 2K8 returns to the diamond with the most complete MLB experience available on every major video game console. Revolutionizing your control of the 5 tools in baseball are brand new pitching, fielding and baserunning controls and completely overhauled batting interface. Featuring a totally unique trading card mode, robust Minor League system, all-new Signature Style animations for 2008, and more, Major League Baseball 2K8 brings a new level of fun to the virtual baseball world.
The US versions of 2k Sport's Major League Baseball 2K8 for Xbox360™, PlayStation3™, Nintendo Wii™, PlayStation2™ and Sony PSP™ systems are in stock today.
Over a year (yeah, really) after this thing was originally announced, Nyko has finally slid the final piece in place in order to offer up the rumbling, bumbling Zero Wireless PS3 controller to end users. Granted, the version hitting shelves as we speak does include rumble, but since you've waited this long, you're probably better off getting the real deal when it lands in April -- for $5 less. Still, those who actually prefer 3rd party kit can look forward to being $59.99 poorer and receiving 25 hours of play on a full charge, LED-backlit buttons, "heat-dissipating aluminum panels (saywha?)," and your choice of black, white or silver.
We can only assume that Blu-ray's victory in the format war pushed this particular Briton over the edge and made him truly believe that the PS3 is in fact "the best console ever made" -- his words, not ours. Quite frankly, we're not sure exactly how much alcohol was involved in making this decision, but we're going to assume that it's just a matter of time before he gets three more to one-up this fellow.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is taking an experimental approach to embedding digital copies of its movies on DVD, including offering a half-dozen catalog titles exclusively through Wal-Mart and two DVD premieres to the entire market.
Since late last month, Wal-Mart has been exclusively offering six Sony catalog titles that come loaded with a digital copy for playback on the PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3 and the PC. The embedded copies—within Blood & Chocolate, Bobby Z, The Contractor, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and Wind Chill—all expire within three to six months of going on sale at Wal-Mart. Additionally, titles may be offered widely at retail after 30 to 60 days. Wal-Mart has priced the discs at $13.72.
In order to enjoy these copies, buyers register online using an individual code that is included in the DVD. That registration will notify people about whether the file has timed out or not. Sony reserves the right to extend the life of the file at any time.
One possible benefit to a short-view copy is the ability to curb rampant file-sharing or copyright infringement.
In January, Sony also offered a copy embedded in the two-disc special edition of Resident Evil: Extinction exclusively at Wal-Mart.
At the same time, Sony is marketing digital copies on the DVD premieres Hero Wanted and Diamond Dogs, both due April 29. The digital files on these titles appear not to expire after a limited time.
Sony is unique among studios testing digital copy in its use of catalog and DVD premiere titles. Warner Home Video and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment are plugging files into major new releases, including March 18 release I Am Legend and April 15 release Juno, respectively.
Sony also is the only studio so far to steer those files to play on Sony gaming consoles. Plus, it is pioneering the placement of limited-view files.
“We are testing the whole concept right now,” said Lexine Wong, Sony senior executive VP of worldwide marketing. “There are space requirements to include files, so we’re choosing titles that don’t feature a lot of bonus features [in order to fit copies]. Also, we’re choosing titles that would resonate with customers that like PSP, with [action] titles like Diamond Dogs and Hero Wanted.”
Sony is additionally angling for a one-two punch using digital copy to elevate both the value of DVDs and the PSP. Although a hit for gaming, the PSP has struggled as a movie playback device. Sony is the only major studio releasing new film content for the PSP, which is produced by sister unit Sony Computer Entertainment. MTV also has licensed certain TV programs for the console.
To watch a Sony copy on PSP, people insert the DVD into their computer and transfer the file onto a memory stick. That drive device is then plugged into the PSP, which stores the movie file for playback. It is a similar process to watch the copy on the PS3.
Already, Sony is buoyed by the results of its experimentation. Although it was not offered everywhere, Resident Evil generated 30,000 copy transfers from the DVD.
“We are really excited, where the [copy] concept is letting us manage the convergence between packaged media and digital downloads,” said Wong. “This is added value.”
nikkelitous posted this rather informative article for those who cant understand why the PS3 hasnt been hacked fully yet:
"Why isn't the PS3 broken already?” We hear this every day. Someone somewhere thinks they can write a better media player with HD support. A guy wants to release his game but needs the RSX for the amazing graphics it can generate. Why can't we just tear open the PS3 solder a few wires and be done with it? The answer is both simpler and more complicated than you might expect.
The PSP, the Wii, even the Xbox 360 have all been hacked and can run homebrew applications so everybody thinks "the PS3 should be just as easy.” The PS3 in some ways is as easy, in fact easier. No other console let you install Linux and run anything you want to. Sure Linux on the PS3 is great. You can write your own code and use it. You have the largest collection of applications anywhere (thats right, WAY more than Windows). It's all free (or at a very low cost).
But it's limited. You can't touch the RSX (The very powerful graphics chip in the PS3), you can't use the full hard drive, and nothing is really optimized for the PS3's fantastic Cell processor, this means that what should be fast and easy tends to be slow and cumbersome. In fact, DVD playing which can be done on any modern computer is a monumental task in PS3 Linux.
The major problem is that the PS3 isn't any other console. The PS3 is different in many huge and terrifying ways. First, lets compare the PS3. I know you may think "Why compare the PS3 to the PSP? Why not the 360 or the Wii? The answer is simple, the PSP is another Sony product and if we can break one Sony product why not another? The PSP is hacked, it's true. In fact, it was hacked almost as soon as it was released!
Why? Because the PSP didn't have any security protections in the first version: Thats right! It essentially ran anything that you put on it. You could install any program from day 1 (Mind you, no programs existed at the outset, but in time they became common.)
Now you may say "But they added security in the next version and that was hacked very quickly”. I agree with you here, the PSP now has a very powerful security system, but like the Greeks, we had people inside. Once a system is hacked and understood, very little can be used to continue to protect it. In other words, the moment the PSP was uncovered and investigated any future security measures would be trivial to remove and disarm. This proved true and to this day we have each version of the PSP firmware hacked and able to run homebrew within a few weeks.
Now, the Wii, homebrew for the Wii has been slower than expected, not because it's incredibly difficult to do, but because most developers don't see a reason. The Wii has been hacked, but it's almost exclusively used to play copied games.
Most homebrew, in fact, runs in the gamecube emulator built into the Wii. The only reason that developers were interested ing the Wii at all is the controller. Once the controller was found to be connectible to any computer (and even to the PS3) developers lost interest.
"But the Wii has still been hacked, lack of interest isn't an excuse for the PS3 being difficult”. That's true, it isn't, but there is a valid excuse. The Wii isn't a full upgrade of all the technologies in the GameCube, in fact, it's almost identical except for a few upgrades. The GameCube has been hacked for a long time and with the Wii being so similar it was a trivial matter to map out the exact differences.
"The 360” some may cry out "it's on par with the PS3 and has been hacked as well.” It's true, several hacks for the 360 exist, and some of them are actually monumentally difficult and fascinating. The first hack is rather simple actually. The 360 uses standard DVD disks for it's games. This means that duplicators exist widely for the 360s media, it also meant that people understand it very well. Sadly, the 360 was broken first by simply fooling the DVD drive to bypass all checks to ensure that a game wasn't copied.
Again it came from lack of security on the original version of the console. The DVD drive was easily put into "debug” mode and forced to reveal all it's secrets. Later versions of the console have rectified this with a newer drive. This hack is simply not possible for the PS3 because it's not using a DVD drive it's using a custom Blu-ray drive, we can't simply copy the disks, and we don't know enough about the firmware on the drive to accomplish a "debug mode” even if it's on there.
This wasn't the only hack to hit the 360. Momentarily vulnerable kernels have happened twice, where a bug in the firmware enabled homebrew to be run, each time, though, Microsoft closed the hole in the next version (which was usually released before the hack was really publicized). This is possible for the PS3, but we haven't yet found one of those bugs.
Remember: Only 2 of all the updates the 360 has had have been broken, all the others are still secure.
Only recently has the "timing” or "ultimate” attack on the 360 come to fruition. By counting the time it takes for the 360 to crash when confronted with code which is not valid the "hash” of a particular set of data can be found. This enables you to move back to one of the older firmwares and hack your 360. However, you are still unable to access the xbox live service until you return to a higher version.
Mind you, this hack is INCREDIBLY difficult to do and requires a specially designed mod-chip and several hours for your 360 to reset repeatedly until you can downgrade putting this hack well above the average user. (To the 360 hackers, I am sorry for simplifying your brilliant hack so much, but this article isn't just to sceners, it's to everyone.)
"It's still a hack.” Well thats true, the 360 IS hacked. And it will probably only get further hacked as time goes on. But you must remember, the 360 was out for a full year longer than the PS3 and it has less security than the PS3 (which actually has a special "police” program running constantly to ensure that the PS3 remains secure). More time and less security mean that it's easier to break open.
"Well, fine then, when can we expect a PS3 hack?” Thats a good question but it's very hard to answer. You see, we have many expert hackers trying to break open the PS3 and eventually they will, the problem is that there are many groups of hackers who aren't communicating or sharing information. This means that many hackers are repeating work that another hacker has already done, or that may be useless due to information that another group may have discovered.
While many groups have claimed hacks, none have actually provided any proof, instead we get videos like the recent ICE video and we get excuses. They may very well have incredibly valuable information, but none of it is shared so it's hard to get anything out of it. Paradox may have a loader but no way of running it on the latest PS3 firmware, while another group may have a hack enabling code to be run on the latest firmware, but nothing to run on it.
"Why aren't they sharing?” Typically, the reason they don't want to share is glory. They want to be "first” they want to be "best” they want to be the Dark Alex or DVD Jon or Arnezami of the PS3. They want first dibs and for that, we all suffer. While each group has different skills, I don't think that any scene group is really better than any other.
I think that any group stands an equal chance of finding that hole, because like stumbling around blindly after a treasure, someone is bound to stub their toe on it eventually. But if all groups were to work together, we could pinpoint the treasure, and the beauty of this treasure, is that every PS3 owner wins.
Breathe in deep and you can catch a waft of GTA IV in the air - it's closing in fast.
But in the meantime, Rockstar's playing keepy-uppy with the hype machine and released 15 new screenshots, one of which is so amazingly cool we're seriously considering using it to ice our drinks. We'll leave you to guess which one it is...
Two new mini-trailers can also be seen on this here page in our video player.
Anyway, April 29 is that all-important date. Toward the end of last month we sneaked into Rockstar HQ for a two-hour hands-on session with the sequel - read our in-depth follow-up report here.
PC title The Sims 2: FreeTime went straight into the number one slot in the German chart, and Pro Evolution Soccer for the PlayStation Portable has hit the top of the Spanish chart, according to data from Media-Control GfK International for the sales week ending March 2.
The new entries broke Nintendo's usual dominance of the European charts which has seen various DS or Wii titles take the top slots and bulk out the majority of the two top ten lists for most of this calendar year.
In Germany Mario & Sonic for the DS was pushed into second, followed by Brain Training and another new entry, Frontlines: Fuel of War.
More Brain Training was fifth, followed by Maths Training and Call of Duty 4.
New Super Mario Bros, Wii Play and World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade rounded out the top ten.
Meanwhile in Spain Wii Play followed Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, while Lost Odyssey was another new entry in third.
More Brain Training, Mario & Sonic for the DS and The Sims 2: FreeTime took fourth to sixth places respectively, while Mario & Sonic for the Wii was seventh.
Brain Training, Call of Duty 4 and FIFA 08 for the PlayStation 2 completed the top ten list.
The full charts are as follows:
Germany
1. The Sims 2: FreeTime (PC)
2. Mario & Sonic at the Olympics (DS)
3. Brain Training (DS)
4. Frontlines: Fuel of War (PC)
5. More Brain Training (DS)
6. Maths Training (DS)
7. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC)
8. New Super Mario Bros (DS)
9. Wii Play (Wii)
10. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (PC)
Spain
1. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (PSP)
2. Wii Play (Wii)
3. Lost Odyssey (360)
4. More Brain Training (DS)
5. Mario & Sonic at the Olympics (DS)
6. The Sims 2: FreeTime (PC)
7. Mario & Sonic at the Olympics (Wii)
8. Brain Training (DS)
9. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3)
10. FIFA 08 (PS2)
Major League Baseball?2K8 returns to the diamond with the most complete MLB?experience available on every major video game console. Revolutionizing your control of the 5 tools in baseball are brand new pitching, fielding and baserunning controls and completely overhauled batting interface. Featuring a totally unique trading card mode, robust Minor League?system, all-new Signature Style?animations for 2008, and more, Major League Baseball?2K8 brings a new level of fun to the virtual baseball world.
New from SuccessHK and With Worldwide Shipping. (only Company to ship to Europe)
Official Dual Shock 3 wireless controller
Connects via bluetooth (wireless) or USB (wired)
Lithium Ion rechargeable battery pack built-in
Play & Charge technology: Recharge battery pack when connecting via USB
Never go into battle alone! EA's new next-gen boutique development studio is changing the face of how people will play games. Delivering a groundbreaking strategic 3rd person co-op shooter unparalleled in the action genre, EA Montreal's ARMY OF TWO™ focuses on gameplay centered around TWO man missions, TWO man strategies, TWO man tactics and a TWO man advantage
Today, the United States is awarding an unprecedented number of contracts to Private Military Corporations (PMC) in an effort to maintain its presence worldwide. Since the Vietnam War, this number has increase ten fold and is only rising. As the clear cut flow of the chain of command blurs and the military responsibilities of a nation slipping out of its own control, it is getting hard to tell who really holds the power.
The Pro Evolution Soccer™2008 Official Guide & Coaching DVD is the definitive PES 2008 collector’s item offering a coaching DVD and a complete Piggyback guide in one product. The 168-page guide complement gives the reader increased focus on screenshots, integrating these in diagrams to demonstrate moves and tactics. The guide also covers chapters on Master League, Team & Player Guide, Tactics & Strategies as well as a Coaching Manual.
In the face of Microsoft's Xbox 360 price reduction, Sony will be feeling pressured to drop the price of its home console to continue recent sales momentum, according to analyst firm Strategy Analytics.
However, as with other industry experts, the company believes Sony is likely to wait until later in the year before cutting the price of the PlayStation 3 in Europe.
"Sony will be nervous that the PS3's recent sales surge may fizzle out now that the premium Xbox 360 undercuts the PS3 by GBP 40, and the cheapest Xbox model is almost half the price of the PS3," commented principle analyst David Mercer.
"Sony will be scrutinising the daily sales reports, but will probably try to hold out until later in the year before making its next price move," he said.
Following Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division making a profit in the last two quarters, Mercer said that the company must continue to cut manufacturing costs to sustain profit.
"Microsoft must continue to drive cost out of console manufacturing in order to sustain these improvements in financial performance," he said.
The sequel to hit PS3 racer MotorStorm will feature monster trucks, according to the latest edition of Official PlayStation Magazine.
Scans of the relevant article appearing on the Internet claim a new trailer is about to be released. We're told to "keep an eye out for the way unseated drives try to dodge cartwheeling vehicles", observe "how a truck plows through a wooden structure" and take note of "the addition of water hazards".
Apparently more players will be able to compete in online races and yep, you'll have the option to drive monster trucks.
As previously reported, the MotorStorm sequel is set on a tropical island and is said to be looking lush. An official title has yet to be announced, and there's no word on a release date - but expect more news very soon.
Sony has announced that Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be released on Blu-ray and PSN at the end of the month.
The Blu-ray version will retail for GBP 24.99 in silly old shops from 28th March - a Friday (and not a Wednesday as Sony originally stated).
But those of you with PSN can get it a day earlier on Thursday 27th March, when the weekly update will include a downloadable version of the game.
"PSN and Blu-ray prices are the same," a Sony spokesperson told Eurogamer.
Also available on 28th March, if you haven't even got a PS3, is a bundle including the 40GB version of the console and the Blu-ray game for GBP 299.99.
GT5 Prologue is a mini Gran Turismo 5 featuring 71 cars, 1080p visuals, online racing for up to 16 players and a "Gran Turismo TV" channel through PSN which keeps you up to date with global motorsport.
As Sony states, "The complete Gran Turismo 5 launches in 2009", but in the meantime this ought to keep you busy, with our own Rob Fahey devouring the Japanese version gratefully earlier this year.
How important are graphics in the scheme of game design? Do they trump audio? Level design? Gameplay? Peer pressure probably dictates that we downplay the importance of graphics, but the impact of eye candy cannot be understated. Anyone believing differently need only take a cursory glance at comments made by readers in reaction to news that NIS America would bring the third game in its popular console strategy franchise Disgaea to the PlayStation 3 this August.
The reactions were made not to the game's release date, but rather to the title's appearance, which despite calling Sony's latest console home, look very much the part of a last gen release. Recently we caught up with the publisher's marketing coordinator Jack Niida, and asked him a number of questions about the game, including just what's the deal with Disgaea 3's lack of visual fidelity.
"It's simply because PS2 lacks the processing power and memory capacity to support Disgaea 3," Jack told us. "PS2 could not load the same amount of data on to memory and process it like the PS3; therefore, we decided to develop it for the next-gen platform." He added that "the character sprites for Disgaea 3 take 3~4 times the amount of labor to create compared to Disgaea 2," and the team is "doing our best to improve the sprites."
While you mull over that justification, and decided if it's enough of a reason to continue to look forward to Disgaea 3's release this fall, look for our complete interview with NIS America later this week.
ELPSA's own CTU, the Anti-Piracy Unit has struck again, by capturing and sentencing a Welshman for producing and selling copied games. When will they learn that you just don't mess with the APU?
Codename "Operation Buzzard" (we told you they were badass) saw the capture of a 46-year-old man, nicknamed the Welsh Games Barron (by us), who has now been sentenced for four years imprisonment for his dirty game copying deeds.
Upon hearing of the Cullen's shady dealings, ELPSA's black helicopters descended on West Hollywood... erm, we mean Coed Mawr market in Flintshire, where the Cullen's ran a stall with a massive banner that said 'The DVD man - for all your top quality DVDs at rock bottom prices'.
Cullen and his 25-year-old daughter were charging £5 each for the illegal games as well as offering three for £10 or seven for £20 (you just don't get deals like that at GameStation).
A series of coordinated raids seized equipment used in the manufacture of illegally copied games and large quantities of counterfeit goods.
When it was discovered that the Barron, the cheeky git, had claimed nearly £69,000 in Income Support despite often flying first class to Thailand, the feds got really pissed and imposed a further £190,000 confiscation order.
And if he doesn't pay it within six months? Another three years in the nick. Have that.
His daughter was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, 150 hours unpaid work and 50 lashes (we made one of those up).
Michael Rawlinson, managing director of ELSPA, commented: "ELSPA would like to thank everyone involved with Operation Buzzard for their work and helping to protect local traders and the general community from the effects of pirated goods.
"The simple fact about piracy of video games, music and films is that it is illegal and punishable by fines, Community Service and jail sentences. No matter which way you look at counterfeiting it is nothing more than theft. Counterfeiters are only out for one thing: money. And because of this consumers who buy counterfeit games have no recourse under law for faulty goods."
Electronic Arts' new IP Army of Two has knocked Sega's Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games off the top of the UK All Formats charts.
Army of Two is the first new property to take the number one spot in 2008, as sales of Sega's sports game drop by 32 per cent.
Sixty six per cent of sales for the EA game are on the Xbox 360, with the remaining 34 per cent on Sony's PlayStation 3.
There are two other new entries in the top ten this week – Rockstar's Bully: Scholarship Edition from Mad Doc at number four and Relic's Warhammer: 40,000 Dawn of War Soulstorm at number eight.
The only top ten title to have increased it sales this week is Midway's Game Party on Wii, up from number 13 to number seven.
The other two new entries in the top forty are THQ's MX Vs ATV Unleashed at 18 and Koei's Dynasty Warriors 6 at 19.
The full All Formats top ten follows:
1. Army of Two
2. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
3. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training
4. Bully: Scholarship Edition
5. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
6. Frontlines: Fuel of War
7. Game Party
8. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Soulstorm
9. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
10. Lost: The Videogame
SEGA has told Eurogamer that the release date for PS3 and Xbox 360 title Condemned 2: Bloodshot has slipped to 4th April.
It follows similar news from last week that saw the brutal first-person action title slip from mid to late March.
Bloodshot pops you in the tattered boots of Ethan Thomas, the returning special agent who has fallen on hard times since the end of the first game. But the authorities need his underground contacts and unique approach to hunt some serial killers. So back to work he goes.
He smells, but will enjoy more complex hand-to-hand combat and better investigation mechanics this time around. There's also lots of multiplayer modes to get stuck into which, among other things, impressed us when we went hands-on with it recently.
When it comes to the music/rhythm genre, Harmonix' Greg LoPiccolo doesn't think developers will be limited to releasing new songs every year but can continue to evolve the gameplay.
"Our problem is more like choosing between the different opportunities that we want to pursue," he told GamesIndustry.biz. "There are a couple of specific directions that we'd like to go."
One of the directions LoPiccolo spoke of was the ability for users to create their own music.
"We would like to make it possible for people to introduce their own music into the Rock Band ecosystem, which is a pretty complicated topic.
"It isn't easy to achieve - there are IP issues, ratings issues, and so forth. So there are a lot of things to work through to get that to work, but that seems like a natural direction for the franchise to move.
"We'd love to have it be a vehicle for people to be able to express themselves in terms of creating their own music and bringing it to a wider audience."
LoPiccolo is also interested in providing more personal self-expression within the constraints of the Rock Band game.
"Right now, the game does a really good job in bonding players together. That emotional feeling you get if you are in a band and you are succeeding is really powerful and we're very pleased that it worked as well as it did," he explained.
"But we think there is a lot more potential for personal self-expression within that envelope. You can see just little bits and pieces of it - there are drum fills, rock endings.
"There are ways for people to play distinctive roles and express themselves, but only a tiny fraction of the overall experience. We see a lot of potential for expanding that."
The VP of product development for Harmonix thinks that the music selection will evolve into a spectrum of purchasing opportunities over time - similar to the way consumers purchase songs via iTunes or entire CDs at retail.
LoPiccolo also acknowledged that they have been getting a lot of requests for expanding the instruments to include a keyboard.
"Who knows? It may happen one day. It is actually conceptually pretty difficult to build in.
"Most consoles are set up for four peripherals, not five, which means you have to drop something. Which means that the song offering is more complicated.
"You know, it is a big commitment. And then the question is, are there enough rock songs with compelling keyboard parts to make it worthwhile? And maybe the answer is yes, but we've been pretty busy and we haven't really gotten there yet."
The complete interview with Greg LoPiccolo can be read here.
With everyone eager to see what Sony might have in the pipeline for the PSN overhaul confirmed for April, every 14-year-old prankster with Photoshop skills in the land looks to be trying to fool the internet. Here's one of the first.
The image below, sent to Kotaku by an anonymous "developer, claims to be yet another first glimpse at the new store.
It all looks very slick, but as Kotaku points out, inaccuracies in minor branding details such as the spelling of "Little Big Planet" (which should be LittleBigPlanet) and "Playstation Store" (officially PLAYSTATION Store) surely exposes it as a fake?
SCEA's director of product development has already said on the record that the new PSN will be about simplification, "cutting down on the number of mouse clicks, making it easier to find stuff that you want to find... that's kind of an outgrowth of us having more content now, so we have to make sure that you can get at it easily."
The April issue of US video game magazine Game Informer features the first information on Obsidian Entertainment's upcoming action RPG Alpha Protocol. The game is in development for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC and SEGA currently has the game pegged for a spring 2009 release.
According to a poster on the Obsidian forums who's already got hold of the magazine, the game is set in the modern day and features plenty of espionage-focused action in the same vein as James Bond, Jason Bourne and Jack Bauer.
Players will take control of Michael Thornton, a fully trained but rookie operative whose world is turned upside down when a mission goes badly wrong and he is forced work off the grid.
The battle system is said to borrow elements from Mass Effect, with an emphasis on real-time gun play and high-tech gadgetry. The action will play out in a third-person perspective.
The player will also have 10 skills and 10 ranks for each, including enhancements to shooting accuracy and improvements in the way the character can judge situations. The Mass Effect similarities keep coming, with a deep dialog system promised that relies on the player dictating their character's tone in a conversation, such as cool, suave, brash and impatient.
It's a large game too, with missions taking place in countries across the globe. The magazine also promises plenty of subplots involving women - think James Bond.
Alpha Protocol is still around a year from release, but it's already sounding like one to look out for in 2009.
SEGA Superstars Tennis is a game that brings together some of the most treasured and well known characters from the SEGA universe, in some of the most unusual courts and outrageous settings ever imagined.
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.
We know Metal Gear Solid 4 is going for the gritty realistic look, but they may have overdone it with the green hue a little in these shots.
It may look like the whole game is set under a sea of jasmine tea, but we've all seen the game in motion (here, if you're one of the few that hasn't) and it looks incredible.
One shot also shows how the new little RC robots will be of assistance to Snake. The program he's watching looks boring though. We'd have some Takeshi's Castle on the go.
June 12 is the official release date in both US and UK.
"In the US, I think it will be close all year, with 360 outselling PS3 most months due to its lower price points (at least as long as it remains lower priced)," Pachter told videogaming247. "Sony gains a huge competitive advantage when HD monitor sales pick up at holiday, as I expect retailers to push PS3 as a Blu-ray player to anyone buying an HD monitor. By year-end, I
think PS3 will outsell the 360 in the US by a little.
"PS3 will likely outsell the 360 in Europe by 20-40 percent, and will kill 360 in Japan."
With the highly-anticipated title Grand Theft Auto IV due for release late next month, Wedbush Morgan has said that it expects the game to sell over nine million units during the fiscal year, and that Take-Two is likely to ship six million of those in the first week of sale.
The analyst predicts the game will be responsible for around USD 450 million of Take-Two's expected USD USD 1.073 billion publishing revenue this year, generating USD 135 million of the company's operating profit.
But the expected success of the title does not compensate for the poor portfolio of titles for 2008 and 2009, says Wedbush's Michael Pachter, as Take-Two fails to produce timely sequels to its popular franchises, and delays key releases.
"As we look at Take-Two's line-up, we see GTA IV, and several games that look much like Take-Two games from past years," commented Pachter.
"We are fans of Midnight Club, but question the decision to delay the game's launch into the competitive Burnout and Need for Speed window as ill-advised. We also note that the Q4 2008 launch of Midnight Club will mark three and-a-half years between versions of the game, highlighting Take-Two’s failure to "sequelise" its key franchises on a regular basis."
Pachter pointed out that of Take-Two's touted franchises, the last Max Payne game was released in late 2003, Red Dead Revolver in May 2004 and Mafia in January 2004.
"Unless management surprises us, sequels to these key franchises will require five or more years of development," he said, noting that Max Payne 2 isn't due for release until 2009.
The analyst also remains unimpressed with other titles already announced by Take-Two, including Top Spin 3, Don King Presents: Prizefighter and Carnival Games: Mini Golf. "These games appear to us like the Manhunt, BIGS, All-Pro Football, Ghost Rider and Fantastic Four games of last year, when the company generated a net operating loss of more than USD 100 million," he said.
On the subject of the EA's proposal to acquire Take-Two, Pachter expects a resolution before the publisher's AGM on April 10, possibly even before the end of the month.
"We expect that in order to save face, Take-Two management will withdraw its demand that any discussions wait until after the launch of GTA IV, and we think that management will engage in discussions with EA," he said.
"We think that EA prefers to complete a friendly deal, and think that it is possible that Take-Two management can convince EA of the extent to which EA may have undervalued Take-Two shares, and believe that as a conciliatory gesture, EA management may be prepared to increase its likely USD 26 offer to somewhere close to USD 27."
"Again, we think investors will jump at the offer," he concluded.
Quantic Dream has opened up about its PS3 exclusive Heavy Rain.
According to a piece in Dutch magazine Chief (translated by Kotaku), the game will focus around four characters who have landed in extraordinary situations.
The main theme will be about a father's love for his son, which ties in with the "much more personal" approach studio boss David Cage is after.
You will also see and interpret the world through each character and their perceptions of what is right and wrong.
"I believe heavily in moral choices. I'm going to use them a lot," Cage promised. "They're not about being good or bad, but about finding the right balance."
Heavy Rain will be set in a city, but Cage is reluctant to make it free roaming in a similar vein to something like Grand Theft Auto. The key is to control the story, apparently, although he wants "big sets" and heavily populated areas to play a part.
Visually it will be unique, apparently, and Cage expects we will be "surprised"; internal feedback from Sony is said to be "great".
There're no concrete details on gameplay, but he suggests Heavy Rain will expand upon the ideas used in previous project Fahrenheit.
Heavy Rain was shown originally at E3 2006 in a technical demo titled The Casting, which presented what was possible with virtual acting on the PS3.
David Cage said in interviews around the time that Heavy Rain would be a film noire-style thriller with mature themes, and no supernatural nonsense.
Dates of autumn 2008 were bandied around back then, but nothing has been heard since.
Sony was unavailable for comment at time of writing.
Fahrenheit was released in 2005 and earned hearty praise from Eurogamer for its involving storyline and forward-thinking. Kristan called it the most thoughtful piece of videogaming he had played in a long time.
Chalk this up to rumor, but according to at least one PS Home beta tester's account page, Sony's closed beta will be ending on 5/15/08. This date in itself means little. But it could mean that Sony might begin an open beta—or just launch Home once and for all—sometime not so long after that date. Either way, we wouldn't hold our breathe for Home to magically appear any time soon in a firmware update...especially since 2.4, expected this summer, has not been rumored to contain Home.
Emergent Game Technologies have announced that more than fifty PlayStation 3 game development studios have downloaded Gamebryo since its debut on PS3 DevNet on February 17.
The Gamebryo game development platform is downloadable in its full version for evaluation, prototyping and game creation.
"Emergent has done some real breakthrough work in creating technology that streamlines development, supports multiple genres and puts creative control back into the hands of PS3 development teams," said Emergent CEO Geoffrey Selzer.
"Gamebryo represents a refreshing, new approach to game development – one that brings to bare a flexible, modular, foundational platform that easily integrates with a studio’s proprietary technology, is consistent with current game developers' work flow, and maximizes SPUs of PS3.
"This empowers game developers to make their own creative mark with each title in any genre."
Gamebryo ships with 3,500 pages of fully indexed, searchable documentation, and developers who download it from PS3 DevNet will have access to the Emergent technical support team with representatives located in North America, Europe and Asia.
Gamebryo has been used in more than 200 games titles including The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and the Fallout 3 and Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning.
Though reviews haven't been consistently kind, most critics seem to label Army of Two's cooperative, fist-pounding gameplay as the best reason to start shooting. The promise of leaving a bloody terrorist trail with a buddy-in-arms does come with one caveat though: The members of your army can't have an ocean between them. Army of Two's online modes are restricted according to region, with the US, European and Asian versions unable to exchange so much as a salutation, let alone a barrage of bullets.
Consequently, we spoke to EA Montreal's Reid Schneider, senior producer on Army of Two, in the hopes of learning more about the decision to introduce a territorial lockout across Xbox Live and PSN. While the explanation is unlikely to dissolve your disappointment (not to mention that of Claus, your Swedish best friend), it does spring from EA's belief to do what was best for its game. We don't believe it was the best decision for modern, borderless gamers, but Schneider assured us that the developer is "actively looking into" retooling the game in the future. "We are looking to find a way where we can do it," said Schneider," and not expose users to super slow connections..."
According to Schneider, said super slow connections are what prompted the region blocking. Using a deterministic (peer-to-peer) network model enables the game's synchronized gameplay animation, but requires parity on both systems. If a slow connection is thrown into the mix, "the person with the worst connection brings down the whole group to his/her worst connection level," explained Schneider. "While not generally a problem for COOP (since most people play coop with friends) when playing in Versus mode 3 people can be highly adversely affected by one player with a bad connection. We use the region lock to minimize the likelihood of this occurring."
The game's Asian version is an entirely different beast. Due to territory requirements, players of that particular version can't shoot the bodies that are inevitably strewn across the battlefield. As was the case with the initial release of Insomniac's Resistance: Fall of Man, us sick and disgusting Westerners weren't deprived of this "feature." Schneider noted that having one version of the game with bullet-proof corpses talking to one that didn't "would result in a de-sync in the simulation and ultimately the game would fail."
We can't say these explanations will come as much as an appeasement to gamers -- especially not with the likes of Halo 3 and Gears of War lodged in the same genre -- but with American foreign policy growing more insular every day, who really wants to game with other countries anyway?
A little earlier than expected, it's time to cease the speculative chatter and grit teeth ready for some 100% official MotorStorm 2 infofactment. First things first though: you might want to cast your eyes below and check out the very first teaser trailer for Evolution Studio's forthcoming racing follow-up.
Down it bit more. Good, finished? Now stop your scowling – yes, it's a CGI target render. Let's not forget though, after the spluttering internet screams following the notoriously not-in-game E3 2005 MotorStorm trailer, Evolution came commendably close to realizing its ambition with the final code. What can be ascertained so far then is that MotorStorm 2 will be a lot less brown than its predecessor, sprawling across a verdant tropical Pacific island setting far removed from the dusty bowl of Monument Valley. Alongside thick foliage, Sony promises a huge variety in environmental hazards, citing mountainous peaks, flowing rivers, volcanic clouds, lava and - yep - mud. In fact, the game will feature 16 multi-route tracks in total.
Sony has officially silenced rumour mouths too, revealing that monster trucks are a definite addition to the vehicle roster, offering an excessively muscular new challenge for players looking to crush their way through the field - and over opponents. Speaking of which, MotorStorm 2 will indeed feature a four-player split-screen mode, alongside online play for up to 16 players.
Beyond Sony's fistful of revelations, we can only turn to the trailer, speculative hat back on bonce. Of particular interest are those seemingly destructible environments. Witness the moment a monster truck deftly clips and collapses a wooden tower, creating a brand new obstacle duly responsible for the demise of a chasing car and pendulous female biker. If that moment's any indication of Evolution's ambitions for the game, colour us tangerine with excitement.
MotorStorm 2 is due to hit PS3 this coming autumn (or fall, if you prefer) and we'll have more on the game just as soon as we've packed the sun lotion and a spare pair of pants, in case of skid marks.
Just as every cloud has a silver lining, every drop in stock value hides within it an opportunity for profit. At least that's what the Wall Street Journal seems to be saying with an article that argues the precipitous 26% drop in Sony stock this year could actually be an opportunity for bargain hunters.
The Journal was heartened by the Sony video game unit's quarterly profit over the holidays -- its first in two years -- and sees increasing demand for the PS3 as a good reason to buy low in anticipation of selling high. Sony itself predicts sales of 9.5 million PS3s this year, and the Journal cites analysts predicting a whopping 14 million systems sold in '09. Pretty optimistic, considering the company only moved 3.6 million units in 2007, but with things looking up for the troubled system, it could happen.
Sony has confirmed that Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, an extended taster for Polyphony's latest serving of car porn, will squeal into European stores at the end of March.
It'll be debuting on the PlayStation Network on March 27, and snaking its way to retail on March 28, both versions weighing in at £24.99. Launching the same day as the Blu-ray iteration will be a new PlayStation 3 bundle, with £299.99 netting you a 40GB console complete with a copy of the game.
From details revealed earlier this month, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be feature-heavy, including 60 cars and six tracks. Polyphony has even been kind enough to throw in a few of episodes of testosterone-fest Top Gear too. Have a little click this way for a a list of all to expect come the end of March.
In what's bound to be one of the most bizarre trade-in deals ever, EB Games in Canada is offering a unique deal for customers who pre-order the PS3 FPS Haze: they can return it a week later for a full refund.
The deal, as seen on their website, states that customers who pre-order the Ubisoft game will be able to pick it up on the release date and play it for a full week, then be able to sell the used game back to EB for full retail price. The deal only applies if the game, case and manual are kept in good condition, and if the game is returned within a week of purchase.
If we were Sony or Ubisoft, we would be less than thrilled with this promotion, which seems to suggest that Haze is only worth a week's investment of time. Then again, a sale is a sale, and maybe more Canadians will be tempted to purchase the title, if they know ahead of time that they don't have to keep it.
Activision is gearing up to release Kung Fu Panda, a comedy cartoon martial arts adventure based on the film of the game name, in May.
You play as Po the Panda on a mission to become a Dragon Warrior. You journey with the Furious Five; Monkey, Tigress, Viper, Mantis and Crane, to battle against the inevitable super-evil dude, Tai Lung.
It may not feature a moody ninja that slices off the limbs of his foes, but it does have "kung fu awesomeness" and "bodacious humour" according to Activision. Though it sounds like the release was penned by Bill and Ted.
The game will pack 13 levels, as well as co-op and versus multiplayer modes and will be available for all formats and then some (PS3, 360, PC, DS, Wii and PS2, but not the NES or Atari 2600, unfortunately).
Protect your valuable Playstation 3 against dust, scratches and dirt with Dragon Guard Skin specially designed for PS3.
Comes with cleaning cloth to clean console before applying, and with small paper card applicator for perfect installation with no bubble.
Microsoft's latest European Xbox 360 price cut has put Sony under renewed pressure to slash the cost of its PlayStation 3 console, according to Strategy Analytics.
"Sony will be nervous that the PS3's recent sales surge may fizzle out now that the premium Xbox 360 undercuts the PS3 by £40, and the cheapest Xbox model is almost half the price of a PS3," said Mercer.
"Sony will be scrutinizing the daily sales reports, but will probably try to hold out until later in the year before making its next price move."
Good news for those of you who plan to make the switch to Blu-ray DVDs: Warner Brothers has announced that several films will be released in a special book-like edition, including Harry Potter. HighDefDigest.com reports:
...the studio will kick off a new line of deluxe next-gen releases geared towards the collector's market. Sure to please film buffs, the slate of ten releases will wrap the high-def picture and sound in a handsomely bound volume containing rare and never-before-seen archival material.
We're not yet sure which Potter films will be re-released, nor what "archival material" they will include. However, we'll keep you updated. Thanks to Matt for the tip!
The NPD Group has released new data from its "Entertainment Trends in America" report, which the firm plans to make available to clients later this spring. According to the data based on a sample of more than 10,000 U.S. consumers, while the video game industry saw retail revenue triple in growth in 2007, hardcore gamers (defined as those who played video games daily or several times each week) actually spent most of their entertainment budgets on non-gaming entertainment.
"These consumers remain more likely to buy a DVD or CD, than they are to purchase a new video game. In fact, 58 percent had purchased a new DVD in the past six months, 46 percent bought a CD, and 43 percent purchased a game for a console," NPD stated.
Kotaku has unearthed a new trademark filed by SEGA, indicating that the company is working on a new game in the Sonic franchise.
Sonic Unleashed is described in the trademark filing as "video game software" so there's high confidence that it's the title for a new game, but that's all the info we've got right now.
SEGA is currently unable to offer any form of comment.
What do you think the new game could be? The next game for Xbox 360 and PS3, another Wii game in the style of Secret Rings, maybe a new handheld game. Let us know in the comments section below.
Sony has today released version firmware version 2.17 for the Playstation 3. You can download it from the website for your region or from your console in Network Update under Settings. It's nothing special though, here is the quote extract from the UK site shown below:
Main features in system software update version 2.17
The operating stability of some PLAYSTATION 3 format software has been improved.
KOEI is keeping quiet about the future of Fatal Inertia on PS3 despite the game receiving a rating from the American Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). "E10+" in case you care.
The game is listed as "Fatal Inertia EX", suggesting that reports late last year that the PS3 version would be an improvement over the lacklustre 360 release did point to additional work of some form.
At the time, KOEI said the game was "in development for 2008", but the publisher would not be drawn on any further details when we rang up this morning.
As you will remember from our Fatal Inertia Xbox 360 review (probably, maybe), the game is an Unreal Engine 3-based racer built around flying cars ala WipEout, in which you dart around canyons and over oceans, among other open tracks, blasting each other with weapons.
If the PS3 version can take care of some of the issues that got in Fatal Inertia's way, then it might be worth investigating. We'll let you know when we find out more.
Sony has released a detialed Q&A that grills Colin Berry, lead designer, about the team, the game and various other things to - like getting Slayer into the soundtrack! Worth a look if you're a fan.
How many people do you have working on WipEout HD?
Colin Berry: We started with a very small team in spring 2007 of around six people. We are now up to around 25 or 30 to ensure the final code delivers all the great media feedback we've had so far following E3 and the Leipzig Games Convention.
Is there anyone who's worked on all the WipEout games since the start of the franchise?
Berry: There are a couple of people yes, an Artist (Darren Douglas) and a Producer (Paul Tweedle) who started out by QA'ing the first WipEout!
What was the one thing the team wanted to change/or introduce most for WipEout HD?
Berry: We wanted to provide a good solid online experience for a television based WipEout game. We see online play as a big feature in HD. Also 60 frames per second full 1080p was a day one priority. We also wanted to make it a great addition to PS Store by offering it as a downloadable title.
How long has it taken to make WipEout a full HD game for PS3?
Berry: We started work on the artwork around about February 2007 and the code around April, so just under a year.
Would it be fair to consider HD as a port? Apart from 1080p visuals and 60 frames per second animations, what makes it different to Pure and Pulse?
Berry: Firstly people should not underestimate the changes that 60 frames per second and 1080p visuals make to the game. Sure the environments are taken from the PSP versions initially but so much work has gone into hi-resing them up, every building model, and every texture. The game looks so much richer.
All the ships are new hi-res models with hi-res texturing and improved lighting too, so the visual changes are dramatically enhanced. The game also has a sleeker new HD front end, the handling model has been refined to fit the Sixaxis controller also the collision system has been improved. Then of course there is online multiplayer which fair enough appears in WipEout Pulse but it is great fun. Playing WipEout against other people on a big TV, it is a lot of fun.
In some terms its easy to say 'it is a port' but that is something of a disservice, the game has had an overhaul and a freshen up in many little ways which combined give it a strong identity and make it a solid game in its own right. We certainly don't regard it as a port.
Then of course there is downloadable content, which depending on what we settle on, can further push the WipEout HD experience. We are hoping the initial release of HD will be a starting point.
Sony has announced plans to hold a Gran Turismo 5 Prologue tournament, with time trials set to take place at venues across the UK.
Entrants will be tasked with setting the fastest time over two laps on the London circuit. The fastest driver from each region will win a PlayStation 3 and a copy of GT 5 Prologue.
Other prizes will include GT5-branded racing helmets, Nike trainers, hoodies and keyrings. What no lanyards? Even if you're rubbish, you'll be entered in a prize draw just for taking part.
The fastest three regional winners will get to race each other in the final, and the GT5 Prologue UK Champion will be crowned at the launch event in London on 27th March - the same day the game comes out on PSN. The top prize has yet to be announced. Probably a massive telly or a real car or an Xbox 360. Probably not the last two.
Sony Computer Entertainment has announced that Sony Online Entertainment will now report to Kazuo Hirai under a new company structure designed to address the growth of the online gaming market.
SOE, based in San Diego, California, is currently part of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
"I am excited to be able to work with SOE even more closely, as online games and services become a more integral part of the PS3 entertainment experience," Hirai said.
"This new structure will allow us to take full advantage of the extensive breadth of expertise of the two companies and increase our range of exciting entertainment offerings to our consumers."
Under the new structure, SOE will continue to develop its games for the PC and the PlayStation 3, while SOE President John Smedley will report to Hirai effective April 1.
"We are thrilled to become a part of the incredible team that has made PlayStation 3 the premier platform for next generation online gaming," Smedley said.
"This move is going to broaden our capabilities and expand the development of our products into new and exciting directions."
Gibson Guitar has alleged that Activision's Guitar Hero videogames infringe one of the company's patents, causing Activision to file a lawsuit asking a court to find the claim invalid.
According to a Reuters report, Gibson made the claim in a letter sent to Activision in January. It has a 1999 patent for technology to simulate a musical performance.
"Based on our preliminary analysis, the Guitar Hero software (including any expansion packs) and the guitar controller provided by Activision being used as a musical instrument (packaged with the software or sold standalone) are covered by the ... patent," the letter read in part.
"Gibson requests that Activision obtain a license under Gibson's ... patent or halt sales of any version of the Guitar Hero game software."
Activision is already involved in a dispute with Harmonix over alleged royalties due over Guitar Hero III.
Gibson has been a high-profile partner in the Guitar Hero videogames, as Activision has licensed the rights to model its controllers on Gibson guitars - not to mention using the likenesses of such guitars in the game.
"Gibson is a good partner, and we have a great deal of respect for them," said Activision general counsel George Rose.
"We disagree with the applicability of their patent and would like a legal determination on this."
Activision has therefore filed a suit asking the US District Court for Central California to declare Gibson's patent invalid and to bar it from seeking damages. The company alleges that Gibson had granted an "implied license" by waiting three years to raise its claim.
The Guitar Hero franchise has sold more than 14 million units in North America and raked in more than USD 1 billion since its debut in 2005.
Three fresh songs for Guitar Hero III are all the PlayStation Store has to offer this week, disappointingly.
These are wrapped up in a Modern Metal Track Pack - the same one Live and US PSN had last week - and will cost GBP 3.99.
Inside is "Almost Easy" by Avenged Sevenfold, "The Arsonist" by Thrice, and "Hole in the Earth" by The Deftones.
Or you can watch a trailer for Elefunk, a puzzle game being readied for PSN. It makes you build bridges and then test their resilience by putting elephants on them, because what else would you use?
We like elephants; did you know that the largest elephant ever recorded was over four meters tall (shoulder height) and weighed roughly 12 tons? That's 146 times heavier than me. Fatty.
The only other offering for PS3 is a PixelJunk Monsters theme.
Those of you on the PSP Store, on the other hand, can get trailers for Ape Quest and God of War: Chains of Olympus, which is really rather good, as we told you in our review.
Or you can decorate your handheld with a Warriors Orochi wallpaper. Which is hardly an elephant.
A new Soul Calibur IV character has been unveiled in the pages of Famitsu magazine.
As reported by QJ.net she's a lady named Scheherazade, presumably after her out of the Arabian Nights. (Probably not that version. Wait, surely they can't mean the John Leslie?) Scans reveal she comes equipped with a thin sword and some suitably tight clothes.
The article also has a picture of Maxi as he appears in SCIV, complete with nunchuks, plus returning favourites Kilik and Xianghua.
Soul Calibur IV is out this summer on PS3 and Xbox 360. If you can't wait that long, why not head to this weekend's Play.com Live event, where it will be playable.
Use your Playstation 2 wired guitar controller on your Playstation 3 with this plug and play adapter, compatible with all Guitar Hero games. Supports up to 4 players!
Late last month, we actually posed the question of buying a Blu-ray player now (being that the format war is over and all), or waiting things out until prices sink and Profile 2.0 players flood the market. Aside from the PlayStation 3 -- which is actually priced fairly reasonably if you were in the hunt for a new console anyway -- it seems as though HD DVD's exit has actually caused Blu-ray player prices to creep back upwards. Granted, this is about as far from surprising as it gets -- after all, it's nothing short of supply and demand working its magic. Still, it wasn't too long ago that we saw Toshiba actively putting pressure on the Blu camp to reduce prices in order to stay competitive, and now that said pressure has vanished, stickers on the whole have headed north. Ah well, it's not like the consumer didn't ask for this, um, right?
Welcome to this week's games news update. Since the toys section have been removed from the games update and takes up a separate one all for itself, from this week onwards, this news update is to be dedicated to games and games alone.
Many exciting games have been published this week. This includes the largest scale fight which every gamer is eagerly waiting for, the US version of Super Smash Bros. Brawl is in stock. Meet your favorite characters, fight with them and defeat the evil together. Along with the game, Super Smash Bros. Brawl Prima Official Game Guide is also available at Play-Asia.com.
Another popular title released this week is the God of War: Chains of Olympus that delves into Greek mythology and the question of self sacrifice and redemption. God of War: Chains of Olympus Official Strategy Guide is also available at the event of the player losing themselves in this mythological world.
Silent Hill: Origins conjures a world of horrors such that only the fittest may survive. Face the terror in this game and find out about the deepest, darkest secrets that have been plaguing the hero Travis Gradys since childhood.
To those who wishes to step away from the combat and horror, Play-Asia.com brings you the sports game Major League Baseball 2K8 to your PlayStation3™, and a funny retelling of everyone's worst high school nightmare, Bully: Scholarship Edition [Xbox360™ and Nintendo Wii™].
As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week, followed by a quick preview of what is expected to be hot next week.
Xbox360™:
Army of Two US US$ 64.90
Bully: Scholarship Edition US US$ 54.90
Cabela's Big Game Hunter ASIA US$ 44.90
History Channel: Battle for the Pacific ASIA US$ 44.90
Major League Baseball 2K8 US US$ 64.90
SKATE JPN US$ 64.90
Soldier of Fortune: Payback ASIA US$ 44.90
Super Star Karaoke KOR US$ 69.90
PlayStation3™:
Army of Two US US$ 64.90
Major League Baseball 2K8 US US$ 64.90
SKATE JPN US$ 64.90
Winning Post 7 Maximum 2008 JPN US$ 68.90
Nintendo Wii™:
Baroque for Wii JPN US$ 64.90
Bully: Scholarship Edition US US$ 54.90
Major League Baseball 2K8 US US$ 59.90
Ninja Reflex US US$ 44.90
Super Smash Bros. Brawl US US$ 59.90
Transformers: The Game JPN US$ 59.90
Winning Post 7 Maximum 2008 JPN US$ 64.90
PlayStation2™:
12Riven: The Psi-Climinal of Integral JPN US$ 64.90
12Riven: The Psi-Climinal of Integral [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 89.90
DDRMAX2 Dance Dance Revolution (Greatest Hits) US US$ 24.90
Daito Giken Koushiki Pachi-Slot Simulator: Shin Yoshimune JPN US$ 49.90
Dance Dance Revolution Extreme (Greatest Hits) US US$ 24.90
Kenka Banchou 2: Full Throttle (PlayStation2 the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Major League Baseball 2K8 US US$ 34.90
Neon Genesis Evangelion Battle Orchestra (Broccoli Best Quality) JPN US$ 34.90
Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection US US$ 24.90
Silent Hill: Origins US US$ 34.90
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw Superstar Series US US$ 34.90
Winning Post 7 Maximum 2008 JPN US$ 64.90
Nintendo DS™:
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare JPN US$ 48.90
Card File 12 (Chocolate) JPN US$ 6.99
Card File 12 (Lime) JPN US$ 6.99
Card File 12 (Mint) JPN US$ 6.99
Card File 12 (Sesame) JPN US$ 6.99
Card File 12 (Strawberry) JPN US$ 6.99
Chicken Hunter US US$ 24.90
Cleaner Cloth DS Lite (Lime) JPN US$ 5.99
Cleaner Cloth DS Lite (Melon) JPN US$ 5.99
Cleaner Cloth DS Lite (Mint) JPN US$ 5.99
Cleaner Cloth DS Lite (Mocca) JPN US$ 5.99
Cleaner Cloth DS Lite (Strawberry) JPN US$ 5.99
Contra: Dual Spirits JPN US$ 48.90
DS Bimoji Training JPN US$ 39.90
Duel Love: Koisuru Otome wa Shouri no Joshin JPN US$ 52.90
Eco Creatures: Save the Forest US US$ 34.90
Edo Bunka Rekishi Kentei DS JPN US$ 39.90
Hayate no Gotoku! Ojousama Produce Daisakusen Boku Iro ni Somare! Gakkou-Hen JPN US$ 58.90
Hayate no Gotoku! Ojousama Produce Daisakusen Boku Iro ni Somare! Oyashiki-Hen JPN US$ 58.90
Imagine: Figure Skater US US$ 34.90
Kage Densetsu: The Legend of Kage 2 JPN US$ 39.90
Kantan! Tanoshii! Okashi Navi DS JPN US$ 39.90
Koinu no Heya JPN US$ 48.90
Let's Ride: Friends Forever US US$ 34.90
Mahou ni Kakeraete JPN US$ 48.90
Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer US US$ 34.90
Ninja Reflex US US$ 34.90
Petz Bunnyz US US$ 34.90
Shibou Nenshou Keikaku: YaseTore!! DS JPN US$ 39.90
Shugo Chara! 3-tsu no Tamagoto Koisuru Joker JPN US$ 48.90
Simple DS Series Vol. 33: The Crossword & Kanji Puzzle JPN US$ 28.90
Simple DS Series Vol. 34: The Haisha JPN US$ 28.90
Touch Pen Leash DS Lite (Black) JPN US$ 4.99
Touch Pen Leash DS Lite (White) JPN US$ 4.99
Yu-Gi-Oh GX: Spirit Summoner (Konami the Best) JPN US$ 29.90
Sony PSP™:
Chessmaster: The Art of Learning ASIA US$ 29.90
Dead Head Fred ASIA US$ 32.90
Easy Pouch Portable (Black) JPN US$ 6.99
Easy Pouch Portable (Silver) JPN US$ 6.99
FlatOut: Head On ASIA US$ 34.90
God of War: Chains of Olympus US US$ 44.90
Inner Pouch Portable (Camouflage Gray) JPN US$ 7.99
Inner Pouch Portable (Camouflage) JPN US$ 7.99
Major League Baseball 2K8 US US$ 34.90
Parodius Portable (Konami the Best) JPN US$ 29.90
Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection US US$ 24.90
Salamander Portable (Konami the Best) JPN US$ 29.90
The Brave One JPN US$ 14.90
The Invasion JPN US$ 14.90
Twinbee Portable (Konami the Best) JPN US$ 29.90 Game Guides:
Bully: Scholarship Edition Signature Series Guide US US$ 19.90
F-Zero GX US US$ 15.90
God of War: Chains of Olympus Official Strategy Guide US US$ 19.90
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008: Official Guide and DVD US US$ 19.90
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
Tales of Innocence Perfect Guide JPN US$ 27.90
Calendars & Books:
DevaShard: At First Light Hong Kong US$ 6.99
Luna Sea Comeback Live Documentary Foto Booklet JPN US$ 49.90
School Calendar 2008/2009: Arashi JPN N/A
School Calendar 2008/2009: Hey!Say!Jump JPN US$ 29.90
School Calendar 2008/2009: Johnny's Jr. JPN US$ 29.90
School Calendar 2008/2009: Kanjyani8 JPN US$ 29.90
School Calendar 2008/2009: Kat-Tun JPN N/A
School Calendar 2008/2009: NEWS JPN N/A
School Calendar 2008/2009: Tackey & Tsubasa JPN US$ 29.90
Video Game Soundtracks:
Sana-molle Collection JPN US$ 36.90
Toshihiro Nagoshi's Yakuza juggernaut steamrolled Super Smash Bros. Brawl this week, keeping it from reclaiming the number one spot and putting a PlayStation 3 title at the top of the Media Create charts. With such an impressive debut, we wouldn't be surprised to see Yakuza 3 Kenzan! retain first place next week and give a big, big boost to PS3 hardware sales. With the PSP topping last week's hardware charts, could we see the PSP and the PS3 outselling Nintendo hardware in Japan? Doubtful, but we'll know in a few hours if the console world is about to spin off its axis.
Oh, look! Wii Sports has sold nearly 3 million copies in Japan! Should be there by next month anyway. For the rest of the software showdown make the jump.
01. Yakuza 3 Kenzan! (PS3) - 181,000 / NEW
02. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) - 50,000 / 1,408,000
03. Wii Fit (Wii) - 49,000 / 1,659,000
04. Gundam Musou Special (PS2) - 39,000 / 189,000
05. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii) - 32,000 / NEW
06. Wii Sports (Wii) - 19,000 / 2,838,000
07. Soma Bringer (DS) - 17,000 / 68,000
08. Doraemon: Nobita to Midori no Kyojinden DS (DS) - 17,000 / NEW
09. Musou Orochi (PSP) - 16,000 / 87,000
10. Minna no Joushiki Ryoku TV (Wii) - 14,000 / NEW
11. Harvest Moon: Kira Kira Taiyou to Nakama Tachi (DS)
12. Wii Play (Wii)
13. Etrian Odyssey II: Shoou no Seihai (DS)
14. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (PSP)
15. Family Ski (Wii)
16. Nobunaga's Ambition: Kakushin with Power-Up Kit (PS2)
17. Mario Party DS (DS)
18. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (DS)
19. Winning Eleven Play Maker 2008 (Wii)
20. Akagawa Jirou Mystery: Yasoukyoku (DS)
21. Gekihou-Han Keroro Gunsou 3: Action! Tenkuu Daibouken de Arimasu! (DS)
22. Mario Kart DS (DS)
23. Taiko Drum Master DS (DS)
24. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
25. Animal Crossing Wild World (DS)
26. World Soccer Winning Eleven: Ubiquitous Evolution 2008 (PSP)
27. Lost Planet: Extreme Condition (PS3)
28. Yakuza 2 (PS2)
29. Zaidan Houjin Nippon Kanji Nouryoku Kentei Kyoukai Koushiki Soft: 250-Mannin no KanKen (DS)
30. Tokimeki Memorial: Girl's Side 2nd Season (DS)
You know a few days back, when we've said that Sega and Obsidian Entertainment are working on a Bond-style RPG? Well, it turns out they are and both Sega and Obsidian have officially confirmed it. It's an espionage themed action RPG and you'll be playing as a young rogue - agent Michael Thornton.
“Alpha Protocol blends Obsidian’s knack for intricate stories, engrossing characters, and significant character advancement with fast-paced modern combat. Alpha Protocol embraces everything we enjoy about making RPGs from a fresh perspective. We are confident our talented staff at Obsidian will enable us to deliver this exciting RPG experience,” said Obsidian CEO Feargus Urquhart.
They're calling the game Alpha Protocol and are preparing it for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms. Apparently, it's slated for a 2009 launch.
Another week passes and another update for console sales in Japan are in with the change in the first 3 ranks:
Nintendo Wii: 57,068
Playstation Portable: 53,924
NintendoDS Lite: 48,658
Playstation 3: 21,008
Playstation 2: 10,429
Xbox 360: 2,891
PSP slides by roughly 19,800 into second place while the Wii tops it despite taking a 7,500 drop. The DS lite sinks further by around 3,300. PS3 see a rise by 6,500, PS2 dips 500 and the Xbox 360 up by 9, virtually no different to last week's reading.
Following the earlier news that Video Appeals Committee had reaffirmed its decision regarding the release of Manhunt 2, and the BBFC's admission that further action on its part was likely to yield realistic results, Rockstar is now working towards a new release date for the title in the UK.
"We are pleased that the VAC has reaffirmed its decision recognizing that Manhunt 2 is well within the bounds established by other 18-plus rated entertainment," a company statement read.
"Rockstar Games is committed to making great interactive entertainment, while also marketing our products responsibly and supporting an effective rating system."
The version of the game to be released in the UK has been confirmed as the same one currently available in the US under a Mature rating - the version which was rejected by the BBFC the second time around.
A Rockstar spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz that due to the news of the VAC's decision only breaking earlier today, no official decision had yet been made on a release date, but discussions were expected to take place shortly.
UK stores have not taken delivery of stock in anticipation of any decision, so the title will not hit the shelves immediately.
NPD's US hardware sales figures for the month of February have revealed Nintendo is winning, you will be shocked and stunned to hear.
More than 587,000 DS units were shifted during the month - that's more than twice the number of PSPs sold (243,000).
The Wii was in second place with 432,000 units shifted. The PlayStation 2 outsold its big brother with more than 351,000 units snapped up compared to the PS3's 280,000. Xbox 360 was in fifth place, racking up sales of 254,000 consoles.
But Microsoft will have been cheered up by news that the two best-selling games of the month, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Devil May Cry 4, were both on Xbox 360. Wii Play came in at No. 3 followed by the PS3 version of DMC4.
In fifth place was Guitar Hero III for Wii, while the PS2 version made it to No. 9. Mario & Sonic at the Olympics DS was at six, followed by more Xbox 360 games - Lost Odyssey and Turok - at seven and eight. The Xbox 360 version of Rock Band rounded off the chart at No. 10.
See, said Microsoft, everyone likes us really, pointing out that USD 332 million was spent on Xbox 360 games and consoles during February - compared to USD 283 million on Wii and USD 235 million on PS3. And besides, the company claimed, again, stock shortages meant it didn't have enough machines to sell.
The number of Americans who own an Xbox 360 has now reached 9.6 million. The figure for Wii stands at 8.1 million while for PS3 it's 3.8 million - though it's worth remembering that Microsoft's console had a head start.
People are buying more games for 360, all the same; the attach rate is now 7.2 games per console, nearly double the rate for Nintendo and Sony's machines.
Who cares, said Sony, we sold 10 per cent more consoles than you, and year-on-year sales growth is up 120 per cent. According to bossman Jack Tretton, "Consumers are recognising the tremendous value of PS3 and we believe that Blu-ray becoming the high-def format of choice was the tipping point for many consumers."
He reckons the release of titles like Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, Metal Gear Solid 4 and Grand Theft Auto IV will make this "the year for PS3".
Hahaha whatever said Nintendo, having kicked both Sony and Microsoft's faces off in no uncertain terms. "Our momentum has not let up since the holidays and we expect it to continue throughout the year," observed Nintendo of America exec Cammie Dunaway.
"We have the industry's strongest line-up of games for everyone from core to casual gamers." And the strongest lineup of gold bars, diamond rings and luxury yachts, of course.
If your Friday needed a boost, we've got one for you -- we have possible multiplayer details on Grand Theft Auto IV.
It seems our neighbors to the east -- PSM Spain -- got their paws on the title's 15 multiplayer modes and are ready to tell all. According to a translation on GTA4.net, online supports 16 players each with their own customized character -- race, sex, hair and clothing are up for grabs.
Bourne Conspiracy developer High Moon has joined the growing list of development studios admitting to having problems working with Unreal Engine on the PlayStation 3.
In an interview with Gamasutra, High Moon VP Paul O'Connor was asked whether developing The Bourne Conspiracy across multiple platforms was difficult.
He replied, "We needed a lot of support on Unreal to make it run on the PlayStation 3. We got caught in the same crunch as everybody else when [Epic] finalized Gears [Of War], so that definitely slowed down the PS3 support at the time."
Other companies who have experienced trouble with the engine includes Too Human developers Silicon Knights, who are currently engaged in a legal battle with Epic over breach of contract.
Dark Sector director Steve Sinclair also expressed difficulties in using the engine, who reportedly told Australian website Gameplayer that "A lot of promises were made about the Unreal 3 engine, particularly on PS3.
"But as we see now, the time frames haven't been met and now a lot of games using it are being held up." Dark Sector developer Digital Extremes later said its comments were taken out of context.
features
Multiplayer Mayhem! Condemned 2 is taking mulitplayer online to the next level with an intense focus on hand to hand and weapons of opportunity. Riddled with strategy from both the experts at Prima and the creators of the game this guide will have everything you need to acheive total multiplayer domination.
Maps of every level! Whether it be single player or multi player the Prima guide will have the map you need. Complete with labled secrets, pick ups, events, and multiplayer tips.
Complete Walkthrough! Pick your way through crime scenes and the underground easily with our detailed, step-by-step walkthrough.
Secrets, Weapons, Enemies (oh my)! Hidden items, detailed weapon tables, and stats and strats for every enemy. Prima has what you need.
Pages: 176
Platform: PlayStation3, X-Box360
Coinciding with the new film, Sega has scheduled the release of the movie tie-in game, The Incredible Hulk, for June 2008 on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS, PS2 and PC.
The game will feature moments from the film, as well as additional plotlines and characters drawn from the Marvel universe.
Taking control of the Hulk himself, players can smash through anything in their paths and even use the debris as weaponry. According to Sega, damage is persistent and gamers can use it to gain access to otherwise unreachable areas.
Like the Spiderman games, the Manhattan skyline plays a major part in the gameplay as the Hulk can traverse skyscrapers like a greener, angrier (and more agile) version of King Kong.
Sega also promises that the game will reference other Marvel comics and include a wealth of sub-quests and mini games.
With each release of the Iron Man Video Game trailer (today being the third version of it), things are looking better for the metal head. SEGA released the new trailer for the upcoming game to accompany the upcoming movie in May 2008. Iron Man The Video Game will be available on the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, DS, PSP and PCs.
See the latest Iron Man video game trailer (as of 3/14/08) below. Added 21 screens below, taken from the higher-res video!
Sony has released its own comments following the release of February's NPD sales figures, noting a 120 percent year over year increase in PS3 sales and the continued strength of its PlayStation 2.
The PlayStation Portable also saw a 38 percent jump in year over year sales. Sony says its PlayStation 2 sold "more software units than any other console on the market" for the third consecutive month.
Its PlayStation Network has seen growth as well, with more than 3.3 million current users and 56 million life-to-date downloads. Sony says that in February there were 6.3 million downloads, just shy of the holiday-high 6.6 million in December.
Said SCEA president and CEO Jack Tretton, “Consumers are recognizing the tremendous value of PS3 and we believe that Blu-ray becoming the high-def format of choice was the tipping point for many consumers. With monster titles like Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and Grand Theft Auto IV launching in April and Metal Gear Solid 4 in June, we’re demonstrating this is the year for PS3.”
Dubbed ‘the man who knows too much', their insider teases us with some of the latest PlayStation murmurings:
* In game XMB will be coming, however not for a few months yet.
* He tells us to expect a ‘big' announcement involving Home, including information about ‘trophies' or achievements "to rival the Xbox live system".
* A sequel for a popular Xbox 360 title will be ‘received' soon, and that it will be making its first appearance on the PS3, he also states this isn't Lost Planet.
New from SuccessHK and with Full Worldwide Shipping
With the Pro Evolution Soccer series renowned for its fluid, realistic gameplay, the new game builds on the implementation of Teamvision with additional key advances. As with previous releases since its inception in 1996, the ball is again treated as a separate entity, with the timing of shots entirely down to the player, while the new AI ensures that defenders work to close down space and block efforts on goal. Similarly, distribution of passes works along the same lines, with players using the space available to them to switch the ball. Close control has also been enhanced with more control when dribbling the ball, and a number of subtle moves added to bypass defenders and move the ball into space.
Overview : IMPORTANT NOTE: You must enable remote start to enable the power ON feature of this device. Currently, you must pair a PSP device with your PS3 before the remote start option can be enabled. So, you must obtain a PSP (or borrow one temporarily) to enable the power ON feature. However, the power OFF feature will work without remote start mode enabled.
The PS3IR+PWR (Patent Pending) looks exactly like the PS3IRX1 and it runs an upgraded version of the same firmware. I have added the circuit necessary to simulate front panel touch events to allow for turning the PS3 ON and OFF. With this unit, the standard Sony DVD Power IR code can now be used to toggle the PS3 power ON/OFF.
A small sticker must be applied over the front panel [0/1] touch key area. This sticker is connected to the device with a tiny black wire. The sticker has the same [0/1] graphic and matches the color and texture of the original front panel as much as possible. This area can still be touched to manually turn the PS3 ON and OFF. No modification of the PS3 is needed. The sticker can be removed later if desired.
This device accepts PS2 and Sony DVD compatible IR commands and converts them to PS3 game controller key presses via USB.
Plug it in and... It just works!
For best results, program your universal remote control for PS2 mode and/or Sony DVD mode.
Features
Use your universal remote on the PlayStation 3
Turns ON/OFF your PlayStation 3
No need for Bluetooth remote, uses IR
Plug and...use!
No modification needed
Quality/Usability : Having reviewed the normal PS3IR that is just an adapter, I thought I'd give the "enhanced" version a try. I will be using my Logitech Harmony Advanced Remote which helps me eliminate the amount of remotes laying around. Unfortunately, the PlayStation 3 failed to help the cause. The PS3 does not use infrared (IR) but instead, uses bluetooth. If you are using a IR universal remote, there are different methods of using it.
Sony released their own DVD remote for the PlayStation 2 (model SCHP-10150). When the PS2 first launched, the DVD remote included a IR receiver. As newer PS2's were released, the IR was built in and the dongle was no longer being packaged in. For those that is able to find one or still have the original PS2 DVD remote, you can use IR receiver and a PS2 to PS3 controller adapter, since the PS3 doesnt have PS2 controller port.
Another option is to buy a 3rd party DVD remote that uses IR such as Nyko's Blu-Wave Infrared Remote but you spent all that money for a IR receiver and a remote you wont be using? Unfortunately, none of these options gives you the ability to turn on or off your PlayStation 3 from the comfort of your couch or bed.
Like the PS3IRX1, the PS3IR+PWR is a IR dongle or receiver that connects to the USB port of your PS3 and allows you to use your universal remote but is connected to a sticker that goes over the [0/1] power button on the PS3. As mentioned above, I tested this nifty device with my Logitech Harmony Advanced Remote. To set up the PS3IRX1, simply plug it into any of the USB ports on the front of the PlayStation 3.
Setup is the same as the PS3IRX1. To setup the Logitech Harmony Remote, I simply connected the remote to my computer. Set up an "Activity" and "Device" and chose "Sony PlayStation 2". The reason I didnt choose Sony PlayStation 3 is since the universal remote does not use Bluetooth, choosing the PS3 wouldnt work and even Logitech says that the remote would not work. Choosing the PS2 also gives that message but ignore this message as their database is a bit outdated. If you are using a more complex and advanced controller, you are able to enter HEX codes to your controller.
Choosing the PS3 instead of the PS2 only caused problems since none of the buttons really worked for me. Choosing the PS2, all the buttons were mapped. FF, RR, Chapter Skips, Play, Pause, Menu, etc. all worked without problems. What makes the PS3IR+PWR is its special feature. Yes! The ability to turn on and off your PS3. Other 3rd party remotes whether it be universal or dedicated PS3 remotes dont have the ability to power on and off your PS3 unless its Sony's Bluetooth Remote. This "hack" does not require any modding, soldering, tools and does not void your warranty. Well, I lied. The only "tool" you need is a Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP). Its as crucial as your universal remote as it is needed to help you remotely start your PlayStation 3.
To setup your PlayStation3 for remote power on/off, you must go to the Settings Menu > Remote Play Settings > and register your Sony PSP. I know not everyone has a PSP but you have to know at least one friend or family who owns one. If you dont have access to a PSP, you can try and rent a PSP from Blockbuster or any store that offers this type of service. As mentioned above, you'll need the PSP to enable the Remote Start function. Once the PSP has been registered, turn on the Remote Start setting from the same menu as above and the Remote Start setup is complete.
You're not done yet. That was just the easy part. Now its time for the hardware modification. This mod requires you to place a piece of copper over the PS3 control panel. Simply stick the larger copper piece over the [0/1] power button on the PlayStation3 and rub it. You'll see an indentation of the [0/1] on the copper. This is where it can get a little frustrating even though it looks easy. Take the thing piece of copper that is attached to the PS3IRX1 via wires and place half of it over the large copper piece that you applied to the PS3 previously. So instead of touching the [0/1] panel to turn it ON/OFF, the information is sent from the remote to the PS3IRX1, through the wires and a slight charge onto the copper pieces which tricks it into thinking it was touched. If for whatever reason you are unable to power ON/OFF your PS3 with the remote start, re-adjust the thin copper piece.
Conclusion : Overall, the PS3IR+PWR IR with Power ON/OFF is a great product. Installation is very easy, does not require any modification or tools. It doesnt even void your warranty. Setting up your universal remote is very easy and will work. Have problems or questions? The support that AVSForums as well as from Mike Muecke (owner/designer), provide excellent customer support. People are willing to help, give tips and Mike is there every step of the way until you get your problems fixed.
Like the PS3IRX1 which is priced at $35.00, the PS3IR+PWR IR is priced at $50.00 and is a bit pricey considering you can get a PS3 Bluetooth Remote for $25.00 and even as low as $20.00. Hopefully, the price will go down. Even at $40, I think it would be more reasonable.
XCMlive Multi-Console Component Cable V3 let you connect all your consoles with only 1 cable via component output: Xbox, Xbox 360, Wii, Playstation 2, Playstation 3 and now the PSP Slim and Lite.
Beside, it is a true HIGH QUALITY cable, shielded to ensure a perfect signal to your screen.
features
Rise Through the Ranks of The Club™. As one of eight fighters, blast your way through five single player game modes including: Sprint, Time Attack, Survivor, Siege, and Run the Gauntlet.
Earn Respect Online. Shoot your way to the top of the leader boards in over eight cut-throat multiplayer modes. You will face-off with 7 real-time opponents online or battle with your friends offline in 4-player split-screen action modes.
The Club™ is Global. Battle in eight unique real-world locations from around the globe, including war-torn cities, abandoned factories, steel mills and many more.
Extreme Gun Battles in Hazardous Environments. A motion blur camera system intensifies the adrenaline rush in both open range and close quarter firefights. Destroy and manipulate objects in the environment to your advantage.
Build up the highest score. A unique score-based accumulation system creates even more competition among players; the faster, more efficient and accurate that you are, the more points you will earn to unlock weapons, characters and maps.
Select from an Arsenal of Weaponry. There are 17 high-powered assault weapons to choose from and customize, including Automatic Weapons, Sniper Rifles, High Caliber Pistols, Sub Machine Guns, Mounted Weapons, and many more.
Each Character has a Story to Tell. Choose from eight different characters to rise through the ranks of The Club™ and uncover each person’s true motives and intentions.
description
The Club™, created by critically acclaimed developer Bizarre Creations, is a new breed of third-person shooter, combining fast-paced run and gun gameplay, destructive environments, and lethal weapons. You will fight to survive in a shadowy underground blood-sport controlled by a faceless, obscenely wealthy and influential elite who place their bets on who will survive as the blood-bath ensues before them. Take control of up to eight uniquely trained killers motivated by greed, driven by pure insane bloodlust, and hell bent on earning respect on a global level.
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is set to weigh in at 1870MB on PlayStation Network when it goes on sale next Thursday, 27th March.
That's how big the game was when we downloaded it to put together our exclusive review of the PAL version, and Sony has confirmed to Eurogamer that it will be the same when the game goes live on the PlayStation 3 Store.
1.9GB isn't exactly huge, especially given that PS3 games can take advantage of Blu-ray's 50GB if they choose, so how do they do that?
One way Prologue reduces its footprint is by leaving cinematics on the server until you choose to download them from GT TV. You can choose to download the opening movie at any time, and when you finish Event series you're told that you can now download the end movie from the in-game high-definition TV download page.
According to a Sony spokesperson, both movies will be included on the Blu-ray disc version of the game.
Playing through the European version of Prologue also gave us a chance to check out some of its new features, like the Quick Tune mode.
New to the PAL release, Quick Tune is unlocked when you finish C, B and A-class races in Event mode, and lets you adjust tons of car settings before each race, giving you a performance-points score based on the balance you strike.
You can also store up different configurations to switch between in real-time during races. These configs can be assigned to buttons on the Sixaxis or Driving Force GT steering wheel.
For those of you who care, the options you can adjust using Quick Tune are: power, weight, tyre, aerodynamics, ride height, spring rate, damper, toe angle, camber angle, brake balance, traction control, max turning angle, ABS, torque balance and gear ratios. The Quick Tune page also shows you graphs of power/torque and gear ratio to help you see what you're doing.
Advanced players can also opt for Professional physics rather than Standard, as they could in the Japanese release, while other assists (for correcting oversteer and preventing skidding) are offered along with the traditional driving line, which now benefits from displaying target speeds over the far end of red braking sections to help you work out exactly when to reapply acceleration.
For more on all that, check out our Gran Turismo 5 Prologue PAL review. The game's due out on PSN on 27th March and at retail on 28th March.
President of Sony Online Entertainment John Smedley has suggested that the PS3 can one day host an MMO game to rival the popularity of World Of Warcraft.
The news comes after Sony announced that it was restructuring, with PlayStation president Kaz Hirai taking control of SOE.
MCV interpreted the move as a statement of intent that Sony will target the MMO market with PS3.
Smedley wasasked if the industry would ever see a console MMO that could compete with Warcraft. Speaking to GameDaily, he said:
"I absolutely do [think we'll see that], and in fact I think by having a stable platform where every customer has an online capable box is a huge, huge potential advantage in building an MMO because you've already got an online userbase.
“It's a massive advantage over the PC and we don't have to worry about graphics cards or things like that. It's going to be very big. Console online gaming in general I think is going to be one of the next huge phases of growth in the online gaming space."
Capcom has explained that it would be too costly and take too long to get a SSFII Turbo HD Remix beta running on PS3.
For now, only those of you with an Xbox 360 will be invited to participate after you buy Commando 3 from Live Arcade.
"We are resource constrained. This project already has gone over the original budget," explained Christian Svensson, Capcom business development boss, on the official forums.
"We wanted to do a beta to test the new network features, but even if it were possible for Sony to do, it would require three submissions (US, Europe, Asia/Japan) to reach the same global audience we can with Microsoft in a single test and global submission."
"We treat the PS3 extremely seriously. To date, we are still the only third party publisher doing cross platform, simultaneous digital releases. Believe it or not, this is not easy and to suggest we aren't treating the PS3 as important would be ignorant of what we're doing for it," he added.
Svensson went on to say that even if it could be done it would have pushed the release back a few months, which he expects you would not have liked.
The results of the 360 test should also help the PS3 version, as there is "code parity across the two".
"Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 will be an excellent title on PS3. The lack of a bonus beta doesn't make it not worth its asking price," Svensson reassured us.
Commando 3 will cost 800 Points in Xbox 360 and will grant you access to the SSFII Turbo HD Remix beta shortly after downloading for around eight weeks.
Rockstar has revealed that the final Grand Theft Auto IV trailer will be released on March 27.
In the updates section of its official GTA IV website, Rockstar has posted updates on the goodies we should expect in the coming weeks, revealing that "Good Lord, What Are You Doing?" aka "Everyone's a Rat" will be out on March 27.
According to the developer's scribbles, there'll also be new music and screenshots appearing on the site this Thursday.
We've no idea what the trailer will contain (surely they're bored of shouty cut-scenes by now?), but it launches very closely to the time multiplayer hands-on reports are expected, so maybe we'll see some of that.
You can read the first details on the online modes - which leaked onto the net this past Friday - here.
With more than a week to go until it's released, the number of PAL pre-orders for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue has topped 1 million.
That's according to GeekPulp, which got the info from Dave Hine and Paul Gunn of SCE New Zealand.
It's the first time a PS3 title has racked up 1 million sales, and thereby achieved Platinum status, before it's even released.
Sony UK has yet to confirm the figure. However it has been announced that more than 48 million games in the Gran Turismo series have now been sold - "almost 50 million", in fact, if you read the latest press release.
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be released via PlayStation Network on Thursday 27th March, and will be in shops the following day.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games has returned to the top of the UK all formats chart, according to the latest data from Chart-Track for the week ending March 15.
The title, which was number one for three consecutive weeks, and has been in the top four since the Nintendo DS release in January, pushed last week's number one - Army of Two from Electronic Arts - down to number two.
Bully: Scholarship Edition moved up one place to number three, swapping places with Brain Training which fell to fourth.
Call of Duty 4 remained in fifth place while Carnival: Funfair Games from Take-Two jumped up ten places on the previous week into sixth place.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock was also a big climber, moving up from 20 the previous week to seventh place, while Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 gained one place in eighth.
Cooking Mama 2 and the evergreen FIFA 08 rounded off the top ten.
The full all formats charts is as follows:
1. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
2. Army of Two
3. Bully: Scholarship Edition
4. Brain Training
5. Call of Duty 4
6. Carnival: Funfair Games
7. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
8. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
9. Cooking Mama 2
10. FIFA 08
Konami promised a special PlayStation 3 for the Japanese release of Metal Gear Solid 4, and that's exactly what the Japanese market will be getting. The latest issue of Famitsu reveals that the PS3 model that's set to be bundled with the game as part of the Japanese Premium Pack is an original steel color, referred to in Japanese as "Hagane." The set also includes a like-colored controller.
In addition to the bundle, Famitsu also got the first word on Japanese pricing for all versions of MGS4, due for Japanese release on 6/12. The game's standard edition, which includes MGS4 and the Metal Gear Online Starter Pack, will retail for 8,800 yen, putting it at the higher end of PS3 titles. For reference, major third party PS3 titles like Ninja Gaiden Sigma and Virtua Fighter 5 cost 7,800 yen at their release. On the PS2, major releases like Dragon Quest VIII or Final Fantasy XII were priced at around 8,800 yen, although Metal Gear Solid 3 was priced at 6,980 yen, more in line with standard PS2 releases of its time.
Fans who want bonus content will, of course, have to pay extra. The game's Special Edition, which adds a special color-label blu-ray video disc to the normal edition will sell for 9,800 yen. The Premium Pack hardware bundle includes all the content from the Special Edition along with the PS3 and controller detailed above and will go for 51,800 yen. All prices here include sales tax.
We currently don't have specifics on the internals of the hardware bundle's PS3 unit. Looking at the price, the package costs about 3,000 yen more than the cost of a 40 gigabyte PS3 and the MGS4 Special Edition, so we're wondering if there's more to the package than meets the eye, especially considering that the latest PS3 hardware bundle for Yakuza 3 actually represented a price of a couple of thousand yen over purchasing the hardware separately from the game.
More should be revealed later this week as Konami formally unveils the MGS4 packages to the Japanese press.
As the PSOne games on PSN drought continues on this side of the planet, Japan's Famitsu magazine has revealed that the original Metal Gear Solid will be hitting the PSN in spring for play on PS3 and PSP.
MGS was, in case you lived in the Himalayas at the time, one of the best games on the PSone - a platform-defining title upon which the whole modern MGS craze was built. Its arrival on the PSN would be sweet as f***.
But there is, unsurprisingly, no mention of the game coming to the UK PSN Store. We're badgering Sony UK as we type...
We now have the XCM 1080P VGA Box for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, and PSP Slim in stock! The XCM VGA Box is a true universal VGA box compatible with the new generation consoles on todays market (Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii and PSP Slim & Lite) and also with Xbox. Compatible with both PAL and NTSC system, it only requires a USB slot for power. Its easy to install also, just plug and play installation will give you Ypbpr input with all consoles, now with a 1080p resolution!
It's been rumoured before, but following comments from a Sony Music Publishing executive it looks as if there's a genuine possibility that Activision and Sony may come together to produce a Beatles tinged version of Guitar Hero.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Martin N. Bandier of Sony/ATV – the company who owns the copyrights to the Beatles back catalogue – admitted that, "It's something we have talked about and would like to pursue." Previously the use and distribution of Beatles songs has been famously guarded, with no presence online on iTunes or other download services, but this has recently relaxed suggesting that a Guitar Hero Beatles Pack is a very real possibility.
Activision has already announced an Aerosmith themed Guitar Hero, to be released this coming June.
Sony UK has issued a statement regarding the allegedly leaked list of PlayStation Network titles and release dates that's been doing the rounds on the Internet.
The list's most interesting highlights include something called Ratchet: Quest for Booty, which could be downloadable content for R&C PS3 or a PSN title in its own right. All manner of good stuff is promised for April, including new Lair, Super Stardust and WarHawk packs, plus a trailer for Resistance 2.
Something called The Last Guy also appears on the list, while a July release date is given for PlayStation Home.
Sony is declining to outright confirm or deny whether the list is genuine. However, the statement issued by the company certainly implies that while the document has come from SCEE, the information on it is subject to change.
"Internal working documents naturally have proposed dates against titles, but these change frequently and dates are not confirmed until issued as part of a press release or formal announcement," the statement reads. "The same applies to titles of games, which may be working titles or placeholders subject to later confirmation.
"As a result, no weight should be given to titles or dates that appear in this document, other than to those which have already been formally confirmed."
There's no point asking them just what Quest for Booty or The Last Guy are either: "We will not be commenting on any title mentioned that has not already been confirmed and/or given an official launch date." Ah well.
Infinity Ward has revealed that the next Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare patch for PS3 will finally be arriving this week.
"I'm thinking you'll be able to enjoy all the new features as soon as the next few days," said communications director Robert Bowling on his blog. "But I'll update you with I have a firm answer on that."
As for what you can expect from the patch, it sounds exactly like the last Xbox 360 update, with new kill cams and minor balancing tweaks.
One thing PS3 owners can rejoice about is the long awaited addition of a mute feature, so annoying online players can finally be silenced in-game and in matchmaking lobbies. Thank goodness for that.
Activision also revealed the first DLC map pack this week, which includes four new maps and will be available - for Xbox 360 at least - next month. There's currently no word on when (or if) the PS3 lot can expect it.
The PAL version of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will feature the red Ferrari Formula 1 car that Kimi Raikkononen drove to world championship victory last year.
The Scuderia Ferrari F2007 will appear in the Ferrari dealership in the game for two million game credits and the first official shots of it in action are below.
If you're thinking that using an F1 car in a race against normal cars is outright cheating, you'd be right - it's so fast Sony dubs it "God Mode within Gran Turismo".
We expect the 2.4 litre 90-degree V8 engine (no, we didn't paste that from Sony's site to make it seem like we know loads about the car) and the turning ability of a go-kart, the F2007 will make mincemeat of any other car in the game.
Want ultra violence? How about this: a muscle-bound brute being sliced in half and their innards on show. Nasty.
Well, The Creative Assembly's Viking Battle for Asgard has been described as a "visceral wave of slaughter" after all. It appears that was no lie.
Anyway, you can see this gruesome gore and further blood-spattered delights in new screenshots from the game that we've uploaded. We hope Battle for Asgard's as good as it's promising to be. It's out on PS3 and Xbox 360 at the end of the month.
Armored Core: For Answer is a high speed mecha action game that combines political and economic strife with all-out warfare. To bring you the most exhilarating gaming experience and to imprint the grand tragedy of war into your hearts, it utilizes the full graphical and audio capacity of your third generation consoles. Go to war with your very own customized mecha and take on opponents that are kilometers in size!
Decades after nations disintegrated, the world is turned into a massive ruin, companies that rule the world with their economic power built their sanctuary in the only unpolluted realm: the skies. But even this paradise falls as the war escalates on Earth beneath it, and no one is able to escape from their turmoils.
What are you fighting for? The future? To protect your loved ones? To destroy your enemies? The nation?
Open your eyes to the truth, for the answer exists only within you.
Ninja Theory has said its next title is original IP and definitely not a sequel to the Sony-owned Heavenly Sword.
The UK developer made it crystal clear to GamesIndustry.biz, explaining that it had already signed a publisher for its fresh Xbox 360 and PS3 project.
However, one one similarity it will have its continued focus on film production techniques. Co-founder Nina Kristensen even revealed Ninja Theory is considering creating a CGI film to accompany the new game.
"We're certainly targeting a triple-A blockbuster, with two and a half years in production - a big game that builds on our core strengths of story-telling, cinematics and combat. But we're actually looking at something in addition to that - we're considering opportunities in creating a CGI movie using the game engine alongside the game itself," Kristensen told GamesIndustry.biz.
"The game's certainly the most important thing, and we haven't decided for sure to do this, but it's something we're looking at. It's an interesting idea."
Nina Theory worked closely with Hollywood rubber-face Andy Serkis on Heavenly Sword, who oversaw motion capture and directed the cinematics.
Mission Impossible 3 and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon audio specialist Play It By Ear provided the foley sound work.
"If you want to make something that's really high-end, really engaging, if you get the best talent from the movie industry and you're able to integrate effectively into the game you're going to end up with the best possible results," continued Kristensen.
"There's a lot of these relationships that we intend to maintain going forward into our new game."
Heavenly Sword was released last September and picked up considerable applause for its cinematic cut-scenes and dramatic direction.
Ubisoft has told CVG that the official stance on Haze remains that it's exclusive to PS3 "for now", in response to recent reports that the FPS will never come to 360.
Stories on the 'net today report that unnamed Ubisoft spokespersons attending the Play.com Live event in Wembley Stadium, London, over the weekend confirmed that the nectar-fuelled shooter will only ever appear on PS3.
But Ubisoft has told us that the game is "exclusive on PS3 for now". The "for now" part is what leads to 'timed exclusive' speculation.
It was originally expected for PS3, 360 and PC, but later shifted to lead on PS3, with other formats thought to follow. Ubisoft has never outright confirmed that it will be a permanent PS3 exclusive.
Maybe it's waiting to see how well it does on Sony's console first.
SEGA of America, Inc. today shipped SEGA Superstars Tennis to stores in North America. Featuring several of the most recognized SEGA video game characters smashing it up on the most outrageously designed tennis environments, SEGA Superstars Tennis is now available on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, the Wii home video game system and Nintendo DS.
Developed by Sumo Digital, makers of Virtua Tennis 3, SEGA Superstars Tennis combines responsive, pick-up-and-play controls with fantastic tennis action to deliver an exhilarating and entertaining experience. Each of the 16 SEGA characters has their specialty in speed, power, control, spin, and all-around ability, as well their own unique Superstar power. Each Superstar power pays tribute to the unique characteristics of each character; from Sonic The Hedgehog's Super Sonic transformation, the trail of banana peels left by AiAi from Super Monkey Ball and even the dancing power of Amigo's floating maracas from Samba De Amigo, players will be captivated by the over-the-top atmosphere experienced in SEGA Superstars Tennis.
All this exciting tennis action is played out on over-the-top tennis courts inspired by a host of different SEGA worlds. These include Green Hill Zone from Sonic The Hedgehog, Advanced Arena from Super Monkey Ball and many more. Each of these theme park-like tennis venues exudes energetic charm and marvelous style that will delight gamers of all ages.
In addition to the fun-filled experience, SEGA Superstars Tennis features a host of unlockable content ranging from archives of classic SEGA soundtrack music and addicting mini-games that take tennis to new hilarious levels. Whether it's smashing tennis balls into a horde of hungry zombies in the House of the Dead-inspired Curien Mansion or hitting groundstrokes to help guide "ChuChu" mice in Chu Chu Rocket, up to four players can compete in these comical mini-games. Hidden features will be revealed as players complete different tournament and mission games in the "Planet Superstars" mode.
SEGA Superstars Tennis is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) by the ESRB and is priced at $49.99 for the Xbox 360, the PlayStation 3 system and Wii, $39.99 for the PlayStation 2, and $29.99 for Nintendo DS.
Following on from yesterday's two gameplay videos from Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 - which you can view here if you missed them - we've now got 13 screenshots from the sequel's multiplayer component.
Once you're down viewing that lot, you can read a review of the game here to discover how it's turned out. Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 is out on PS3 and Xbox 360 this Friday.
Developer Bizarre Creations has joined the growing chorus of calls for the UK government to introduce industry tax credits to ease the pressure on domestic talent.
"The UK has always been, and still is, a real hotbed of talent, producing some of the world's best selling games across many genres and formats. But it's getting harder and harder to be a developer or publisher in the UK, as increasing costs and global competition mean that everyone's under great financial pressure," the developer said in a statement on its website.
Explaining that the "stressful" economic conditions in the UK played a major role in its decision to become part of Activision, Bizarre said it supported the efforts of UK bodies TIGA and ELPSA in attempting to secure tax credits through discourse with the government, and threw its support behind UK citizens petitioning the government for the introduction of industry incentives.
"As the years have gone by, many studios have struggled and had to close, and different gaming studios have had to find their own ways to deal with this pressure. It was a big part of the reason that Bizarre chose to become part of the Activision family - in order to guarantee security to our employees, and security to our future games in this difficult climate. But even as part of a large publisher, without active government support of our industry, developing or publishing games in the UK is still stressful with current economic conditions.
"The problem has been compounded recently by some foreign government tax breaks and financial incentives given to studios and/or publishers who set up or operate in their countries. Many publishers have already taken advantage of financial incentives and moved, bought or set up development studios overseas, and UK talent (both experienced, and new graduates) is being tempted away. Of course, the games industry is a truly global marketplace, but undercutting incentives like this are extremely damaging to the UK games industry as a whole.
"That's why we fully support the recent actions from TIGA, ELPSA, and others in asking the UK government to offer the same tax credits to British developers, and continue to keep our local industry competitive with those overseas. We also fully support a recent petition to Gordon Brown asking directly for these tax credits to be introduced here."
The petition referred to currently has 1,744 signatures, and can be found here.
SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that Condemned 2: Bloodshot has shipped to retailers and is now available on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. Also available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Condemned 2: Bloodshot, the next chapter in the horrifying series that began with the award-winning and critically acclaimed Condemned: Criminal Origins, is a first-person action thriller that will immerse players back into a universe of unimaginable psychological terror.
Condemned 2: Bloodshot follows Ethan Thomas, and his inner demons, in a string of gruesome murders where players must use their deductive skills and brute force to track down sadistic serial killers. The game features all-new fighting mechanics and high-tech forensics tools, giving players the resources they need to unravel the mysteries and cope with every disturbing event. Developed by the renowned Monolith Productions, creators of the original Condemned game, Condemned 2: Bloodshot also introduces a variety of thrilling online multiplayer modes, delivering the most brutal hand-to-hand combat experience the first-person genre has ever seen.
Condemned 2: Bloodshot carries a suggested retail price of $59.95 and is rated "M" for "Mature."
A total of 80 people got together yesterday to set the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of games characters.
Sonic, Crash, Yoshi, Lara etc. etc. etc. met up on the Millennium bridge in London. The gathering included 30 children from Argyle Primary School, Kings Cross who all dressed up as Super Mario.
"I have had a great day, I have met all my favourite characters," one said. "The best one is Tails from Sonic." Truly inner London education is in a sorry state.
Vivendi representative Catherine Channon turned up to show her support for the event and true dedication to public relations by dressing up as Spyro. "It was a great idea by the folks over at Guinness, but when you get that many game characters together things are always going to get a bit heated," she observed.
Channon declined to comment directly on rumours Spyro was forced to break up a fight between Yoshi and the wolf out of Digimon on top of a bus.
The record will appear in the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2009. The 2008 edition is on sale now and is the best book I have ever read in my life. Any appearance of my name in the credits is purely coincidental. It's available on Amazon for just GBP 6.75, which works out at less than 3p per page for goodness' sake.
Many games use the current gen consoles to make pretty pictures, but Fracture is "one of the few games" that really pushes the hardware on a gameplay front, LucasArts has told CVG.
Fracture features an innovative Terrain Deformation system that allows players to use various unique weapons and tools to bend, warp and deform the ground below their feet. This, says LucasArts, was a challenge to get working, and pushes the high-performance consoles to their limits.
"We are really pushing the limits of what the Xbox 360 and PS3 can do with Fracture," the developer told us.
"While a lot of games are pushing the limits of what can be done visually in games, we also wanted to push gameplay to levels that literally could not be done on the previous generation of hardware," it added.
"To put it simply, Fracture is one of the few games that really takes advantage of all of the processing power of the new consoles."
Bold words, but how will the final game measure up? Check out a preview here, and look out for the full Q&A later today.
Environmental campaign body Greenpeace has once again slammed Nintendo for its policies on toxic chemicals and recycling.
In Greenpeace's latest Guide to Greener Electronics, which ranks the 18 top manufacturers of PCs, mobile phones, TVs and games consoles according to their policies on tackling environmental waste, Nintendo remains bottom of the pile, having been the first brand to score a zero out of ten when it was first included in the guide back in November 2007.
In the latest guide Nintendo scored eight zeros across nine categories related to the use of toxic chemicals and recycling. "Nintendo only gets 0.3 due to an indication that it does have a chemicals management policy," said Greenpeace, which urged the company to clean up its act by by eliminating hazardous substances in its products and recycling them responsibly once they become obsolete.
"Nintendo remains the odd one out of the 18 companies in the Guide, without any public timelines to eliminate the worst toxic chemicals or a global recycling policy for the millions of products it sells every year. If Nintendo has better policies why not make them public like the other 17 companies in the Guide?
"We have requested information from Nintendo head offices several times and sent it the ranking in advance but have received no response.
"Among Nintendo's competitors Microsoft [ranked sixteenth] improved its score to 4.7, mainly by bringing forwards its deadline to 2010 for eliminating toxic PVC and BFR's. Sony [ranked fourth] remains the leading console maker on 7.3, but it has yet to introduce any green innovation in the PlayStation."
You can read more about Greenpeace's efforts to get the hardware makers to tackle environmental waste on its Clash of the Consoles website.
An inevitable videogame tying in with the forthcoming second Narnia movie Prince Caspian is on the way, and here we have new screenshots from the project.
Due out June 20, Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Capsian is in development at Traveller's Tales (for PS3, Xbox 360, PC, PS2 and Wii), which did the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe videogame.
It combines action-adventure with puzzle solving, features over 20 playable characters - including Prince Caspian, obviously - and drop-in/drop-out co-op play for two.
After 30 years of hurt, which never stopped us dreaming, Sony Europe has released PAIN on PlayStation Network for GBP 4.99.
As you will know if you've read our PAIN import review, it's a game about throwing things into a cityscape to get points.
In addition to the main game, you can download seven extra packs, six of which cost GBP 0.69 and one of which is free. There are Scurv Dogg, Muffy, Santa, Hung Lo, Ginger, Cookie and Fun With Explosives packs, and the last one is the freebie.
Also on the PS3 Store this week is a Stranglehold pack for GBP 9.99, which is presumably the multiplayer maps that popped up on Xbox Live in January.
Sony has also uploaded the MotorStorm 2 trailer to the PS3 Store, while the PSP Store for PC gets the FlatOut: Head On demo and four more Warriors Orochi wallpapers.
Sony has confirmed that a firmware update, version 2.20, to release in late March, will upgrade the PS3's Blu-ray movie playback capabilities to the new Profile 2.0 standard.
What does this gobbledegook mean? The biggest new feature of Profile 2.0 is BD-Live, which adds interactive features such as downloadable video content, ringtones, games and more to Blu-ray film discs.
The first films with BD-Live features are scheduled for release next month. BD-Live Titles apparently give you access to "a variety of downloadable content, including bonus scenes, shorts, trailers, subtitles, ringtones that can be sent to mobile phones, images, and more."
Sony says you can also look forward to playing "interactive movie-based games [that] can pit players who are sitting in the same room, or are across the world and online, against each other."
The update will also add the ability to easily transfer music and photo media to be passed directly back and forth between the PS3 and PSP.
Here's a checklist of other features to be added in firmware 2.20 which, on the not-so-positive side, doesn't contain in-game messaging:
"Resume play" will enable PS3 to start playing a BD and DVD video at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed.
"Audio Output Device" will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3.
PS3's Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser's view speed will be improved.
DivX and WMV format videos that are larger than 2GB will be playable.
"Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback.
EA has sneakily released a beefy patch to address problems with The Orange Box on PS3.
The 1.10 update is 128 MB, and unhelpfully has no associated documentation to outline the changes.
Early reports suggest friends not appearing on lists and certain accounts not connecting to the EA servers should no longer be a problem.
Orange Box PS3 owners have publicly complained for a while over the framerate and connection issues as well as slow loading times.
Valve does not develop PS3 versions of its games internally but outsources them to a third-party. It has said this is the model it will follow for the foreseeable future.
Can you tell us what else the patch has addressed, Eurogamer reader? You can have an Easter egg as a reward.
SCEA producer, Takau Imasaki, has confirmed that Gran Turismo 5 Prologue's online mode will see updates in the future that'll add in-game voice chat and private race options to the package.
Although the game will allow for 16 players to race against each other when it launches in Europe on PSN on March 27, the online gameplay set-up options are thin on the ground.
You can only join Sony-created servers with pre-set scenarios - you can't set any gameplay options for yourself. But Imasaki promises that more options will be available - just not in time for launch.
"Private races with buddies and in-game chat are all in the works... but will not be ready from day one," Imasaki told posters on the official PlayStation blog. "Will keep you posted on the progress!" he added.
And so the package that more cynical critics call "just a demo" gets even larger.
Rock Band keeps rocking the downloadable content market as Harmonix announced today the game has sold over 6 million songs in just over three months. The title has set the bar for DLC with fresh weekly content and the last update we had about sales numbers stated that Rock Band had sold 2.5 million pieces of DLC around mid-January. We've placed a master list of all the songs available on Rock Band after the break.
Although we'll probably never get a straight answer, it would be nice to find out how much of an impact the new Rock Band music store is expected to make on sales. Having all that DLC available from directly inside the game, rather than making potential customers wander through the virtual aisles of the Xbox Marketplace or PlayStation Store, should make some noticeable difference.
You may remember last week reading about a Canadian EB promotion that would allow you to buy Haze, play it for a week and then return it to the store for full credit. It's a great promotion, but we're not sure it makes a lot of dollars and sense for Ubisoft. That's probably a good clue as to why we're sadly reporting that the deal is no more.
MTV was told by Ubisoft that "there had been a miscommunication between the publisher's Canadian arm and the EB Games retail chain in Canada." You know, the offer seems pretty self-explanatory to us, we're not sure how a miscommunication could have happened.
EB Games: Wait, so you want us to give people full price back if they return the game within a week? Ubisoft: Absolutely.
EB Games hangs up. Ubisoft: Oh, and by full price we mean $30. Hello? Are you still there?
[Update: Reader Duggy promptly pointed out that this ad is still on the EB Canada website [at the time of posting]. So, what does that mean? We're trying to find out.]
Epic will unleash a huge bug-stomping patch for the PS3 version of Unreal Tournament III on March 27.
As well as crushing a list of bugs and glitches as long as your arm, it will make the Euro and US versions of the game cross compatible on the online multiplayer side.
The update will be beamed out via PSN and you'll be prompted to download the it upon starting the game as of March 27.
Here's a full list of the changes to be made to both the US and Euro versions:
US VERSION
Made compatible with Euro version (both are patched to the same level)
Fixed reversed ping sorting in server browser
Fixed some rare crashes (shutting down, saving with low HD space, AI, etc)
Fixed a client crash while connecting to server while server it switching maps
Minor rewordings of various messages
Fixed mutator mods to not be always loaded, only load mutators when needed
Added mod import verification for inter-mod package name conflicts
Fixed weapon/effect sorting in DM-Gateway snow
Fixed extraneous "Player" entries in campaign scoreboard
Fixed some getting stuck and outside the world bugs
No longer display "Player is on red/blue" messages in campaign
Fixed a Torlan bot pathing bug
Fix for too many custom characters causing texture corruption
Keyboard jump now does Smart Jump
Fix for tilt controlling player sometimes
Removed Warfare Score Limit of 0 in UI
Disabled 3d sound positioning on mission briefing sounds
Fixed exploits with ViewNextPlayer in rare cases
Fixed some HUD positioning bugs
Fixed a Darkwalker AI bug
Fixed some teleporter timing bugs
Fixed low-bandwidth, large player count connectivity
EURO AND US
Mods now on root of memory device, can download easier from PS3 web browser
Fixed VOIP quality issues
Fixed some headset connection issues
Added support for full character mods (heads/premade whole characters)
No longer need to reboot after importing a character mod to see it in menus
DLC no longer acts like a user mod (being listed in MyContent and causing disable mod crash dialog)
Fix for bootup and import slowdown with many mods installed
Add a VOIP icon when VOIP is active (button held down)
Fixes for corrupted the auto-mod-download cache
Fix for flickering auto-download text
Fix for getting stuck in multiplayer menu if you get in before gamespy connects
Fixed a mod problem with switching between mod and shipping maps with clients teleporting randomly
Fixed a mod problem with multiple gametype mods installed, only first one imported would work
Fixed Leviathan deploy icon
Bots now respect players feigning death (depending on bot skill level)
Codemasters has said it plans to release HEI$T on PC, PS3 and 360 this summer.
The publisher unveiled the fresh date to Videogaming247, after having previously promised to release the title last Christmas.
HEI$T is a third-person action game that involves robbing banks in San Francisco 1969.
The challenge is to create and execute a plan without being caught, naturally. You'll begin by focusing on small targets, but as you gather a better team with better equipment and know-how, you'll start pinching the biggest and fattest purses in the land.
Codemasters predicts there will be plenty of car chases and action to keep you on the edge of your seat, too.
Media Molecule has assured those excited about LittleBigPlanet that it's coming along very nicely, thank you.
A post on the studio's website reads, "We've been slaving away pushing LittleBigPlanet towards the Alpha stage of its development cycle. Basically this means all the cool stuff we said will be in there should be playable, even if it isn't pretty enough to release.
"The game seems to change every day at the moment and it is very exciting to be able to sit down and play what feels more and more like a complete experience."
So when will we get to sit down and play it? September was the last we heard. In the meantime, there are plenty of previews, videos and screenshots on the gamepage.
The first trailer for Codemasters Race Driver: GRID has appeared online, and you can view it by clicking once on our much-loved video player just to the right of these words. It's like a family member to us.
Due for release in June 2008, Race Driver: GRID continues the popular racing game series and will be the first title in the franchise to appear on the current generation of consoles, coming to PS3, Xbox 360, PC and, er, Nintendo DS.
A disclaimer confirms at the beginning of the trailer that the footage is actual gameplay footage, and for good reason - it looks absolutely incredible.
Our personal favourite track has to be the neon-lit streets of Japan. Go. Watch. Now.
The first game in the Assassin’s Creed franchise is set in 1191 AD, when the Third Crusade was tearing the Holy Land apart. Shrouded in secrecy and feared for their ruthlessness, the Assassins intend to stop the hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict. Players, assuming the role of the main character Altair, will have the power to throw their immediate environment into chaos and to shape events during this pivotal moment in history.
Collectible Altair Figure(x1)
Mini Strategy Guide(x1)
Penny Arcade Comics(x1)
Assassin's Creed US version(x1)
Welcome to this week's Games update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days
As mentioned in last week's preview, many interesting games have been released this week. We bring you the exciting first person shooter The House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return [US, Japanese and with Zapper] versions for Nintendo Wii™. With the Wii Zapper in hand, feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins as you defeat the zombies that are charging toward you.
This is an exciting week for fans of sci-fi, robots and mecha. Armored Core: For Answer [Xbox360™ and PlayStation3™] versions are released. Find out the reason for going to war as you challenge and defeat some of the largest and most carefully designed mecha in gaming history.
Dramatic Dungeon: Sakura Taisen [standard and limited edition] is another game that combines an engaging plot, charming characters and mecha, but instead of taking place in the futuristic world, it sets stage in Taisho Japan. Experience some exhilirating mecha fights and witness the elegance of Japanese theatrical arts in this renowned game.
Stepping away from the horror and mecha combats, we bring you Pokemon Ranger: Batonnage to your Nintendo DS™. Capture pokemon by your stylus, adventure with these beloved creatures and save the world from the clutches of darkness in this fun game. We also have the comical sports game Chou Nekketsu Koukou Kunio-Kun Dodge Ball Bu where you defeat the evil through a game of dodge ball.
As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week, followed by a quick preview of what is expected to be hot next week.
Xbox360™:
Armored Core: For Answer JPN US$ 64.90
Army of Two JPN US$ 64.90
Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII JPN US$ 64.90
Cabela's Big Game Hunter ASIA US$ 44.90
Condemned 2: Bloodshot US US$ 64.90
Need for Speed: Pro Street JPN US$ 64.90
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 US US$ 59.90
Ratatouille (Platinum Hits) US US$ 24.90
Sengoku Musou 2 with Moushouden JPN US$ 72.90
Sengoku Musou 2 with Moushouden ASIA US$ 64.90
Spider-Man 3 JPN US$ 59.90
The Club ASIA US$ 49.90
PlayStation3™:
Armored Core: For Answer ASIA US$ 59.90
Armored Core: For Answer JPN US$ 64.90
Army of Two JPN US$ 64.90
Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII JPN US$ 64.90
FolksSoul: Ushinawareta Denshou / Folklore (PlayStation3 the Best) JPN US$ 38.90
FolksSoul: Ushinawareta Denshou / Folklore (PlayStation3 the Best) ASIA US$ 34.90
Mobile Suit Gundam: Target in Sight (PlayStation3 the Best) JPN US$ 38.90
PS2 Controller to PS3/PC System Convert Cable V2 US$ 8.90
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 US US$ 59.90
Resistance: Fall of Man (PlayStation3 the Best) ASIA US$ 34.90
Resistance: Fall of Man (PlayStation3 the Best) JPN US$ 38.90
Ridge Racer 7 (PlayStation3 the Best) JPN US$ 38.90
Ridge Racer 7 (PlayStation3 the Best) ASIA US$ 34.90
The Club ASIA US$ 49.90
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 ASIA US$ 59.90 Nintendo Wii™:
Bomberman Land Wii (Hudson the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Deca Sporta JPN US$ 59.90
The House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return US US$ 34.90
The House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return JPN US$ 49.90
The House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return (w/ Wii Zapper) JPN US$ 69.90
PlayStation2™:
Buzz Jr. Robo Jam US US$ 34.90
Buzz Jr. Robo Jam (w/ Buzzers) US US$ 49.90
Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz US US$ 34.90
Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz (w/ Buzzers) US US$ 49.90
Kamiwaza (Acquire the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 US US$ 34.90
Ratatouille (Greatest Hits) US US$ 24.90
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters US US$ 34.90
The Godfather (EA:SY! 1980) JPN US$ 24.90
Nintendo DS™:
Bakousou Dekotora Densetsu Black JPN US$ 48.90
Bangai-O Spirits JPN US$ 48.90
Chou Nekketsu Koukou Kunio-Kun Dodge Ball Bu JPN US$ 39.90
Crayon Shin-Chan: Arashi o Yobu Cinema Land JPN US$ 48.90
Disney Friends US US$ 34.90
Dramatic Dungeon: Sakura Taisen JPN US$ 48.90
Dramatic Dungeon: Sakura Taisen [Allstar Pack] JPN US$ 79.90
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles - Ring of Fates US US$ 44.90
Kachou Shima Kousaku DS: Dekiru Otoko no Love & Success JPN US$ 39.90
Kekkaishi: Koru Nogirou Shuurai JPN US$ 48.90
Nanostray 2 US US$ 34.90
Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword JPN US$ 48.90
Pokemon Ranger: Batonnage JPN US$ 48.90
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 US US$ 34.90
Puchi Eva: Evangelion @ Game JPN US$ 48.90
Rosario to Vampire JPN US$ 48.90
SimCity DS 2: Kodaikara Mirai e Tsudzukumachi JPN US$ 48.90
Spider-Man 3 JPN US$ 48.90
Time Hollow: Uwareta Kako o Motome JPN US$ 48.90
Ys DS JPN US$ 48.90
Ys II DS JPN US$ 48.90
Zoo Tycoon 2 JPN US$ 48.90
Sony PSP™:
Biohazard III JPN US$ 37.90
Biohazard Trilogy Box JPN US$ 56.90
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (English language Version) ASIA US$ 44.90
FlatOut: Head On US US$ 34.90
Hannspree Ten Kate Honda: SBK-07 Superbike World Championship US US$ 24.90
Need for Speed: Pro Street JPN US$ 48.90
PSP Microphone JPN US$ 29.90
PSP Microphone (Twin Pack) JPN US$ 49.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Battery Pack (2200mAh) (Ceramic White) JPN US$ 54.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Battery Pack (2200mAh) (Ice Silver) JPN US$ 54.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Battery Pack (2200mAh) (Piano Black) JPN US$ 54.90
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 US US$ 34.90
Shock Protector Advance 2in1 (Charcoal Black) US$ 4.90
Shock Protector Advance 2in1 (Milky White) US$ 4.90
Tales of Rebirth JPN US$ 48.90
Tales of Rebirth ASIA US$ 42.90
Tales of Rebirth KOR US$ 49.90
Wild Arms XF US US$ 44.90
echochrome: Mugen Kairou JPN US$ 39.90
echochrome: Mugen Kairou ASIA US$ 42.90
PC and MAC™:
Pro Yakyuu Team o Tsukurou! Online Beginner's Package JPN US$ 24.90
Puyo Puyo Fever (Revised Price Edition) JPN US$ 29.90
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War Soulstorm ASIA US$ 39.90
Game Guides:
Basara Style Vol.6 JPN US$ 19.90
Condemned 2: Bloodshot: Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
Dragon Quest IV: Michibikareshi Monotachi Lead Book DS JPN US$ 14.90
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Fuuketsu no Grimoire Official Complete Guide JPN US$ 23.90
Oideyo Dobutsu no Mori The Complete Guide JPN US$ 18.90
School Days L x H Visual Guide Book JPN US$ 36.90
Shin Sangoku Musou 5 Complete Guide A JPN US$ 26.90
Shining Force EXA Final Complete Guide JPN US$ 26.90
Star Ocean: The First Departure Final Guide JPN US$ 26.90
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2: Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
Tsuyo Kiss: Mighty Heart Visual Guide Book JPN US$ 36.90
Winning Post 7 Maximum 2008 Guide JPN US$ 23.90
Video Game Soundtracks
Armored Core: For Answer Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 21.90
Neo Angelique - Sincerely JPN US$ 29.90
Space Invaders Extreme Audio Cluster JPN US$ 24.90
The Black Mages II -The Skies Above- (~The Black Mages) JPN US$ 21.90
The Black Mages III Darkness and Starlight (~The Black Mages) JPN US$ 26.90
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. So J-Pop, Anime and Movie fans, be sure to look out for that one!
Here is a preview of what are expected to be hot next week:
Xbox360™:
Raiden Fighters Aces JPN US$ 64.90
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 US US$ 64.90
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 [Limited Edition] US US$ 74.90
PlayStation3™:
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 US US$ 64.90
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 [Limited Edition] US US$ 74.90
PlayStation2™:
Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch - Lost Colors JPN US$ 64.90
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus JPN US$ 59.90
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus (Append Edition) JPN US$ 19.90
Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection US US$ 34.90
Neo Angelique Full Voice JPN US$ 39.90
Neo Angelique Full Voice [Premium Box] JPN US$ 59.90
Neo Angelique Full Voice [Super Premium Box] JPN US$ 79.90
Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 32: Phantasy Star Complete Collection JPN US$ 28.90
Silent Hill: Origins KOR US$ 39.90
Nintendo DS™:
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 JPN US$ 48.90
Sony PSP™:
Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch - Lost Colors JPN US$ 48.90
Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch - Lost Colors (Special Edition) JPN US$ 69.90
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G JPN N/A
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G Hunter Pack (w/ PSP-2000 Slim & Lite Console) JPN N/A
PC and MAC™:
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 (DVD-ROM) US US$ 59.90
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 – the sequel to the award-winning next-generation first-person shooter – returns to Sin City. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is your last chance to rescue America’s sexiest city from an escalating terrorist siege that will force you into heart-pounding action from beginning to end. The best are back and this time winner takes all.
Recipient of numerous awards, including 2006 Best First Person Shooter and Best Online Game, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 will push the top-selling franchise to new heights with new gameplay features and groundbreaking co-op and multiplayer modes.
The Asian version of UBI Soft's most awaited first person shooting game Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 for [Xbox360™ and PlayStation3™] is in stock today, available for US$ 54.90 only.
Xbox360™
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 ASIA US$ 54.90
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 US US$ 64.90
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 [Limited Edition] US US$ 74.90
PlayStation3™
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 ASIA US$ 59.90
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 US US$ 64.90
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 [Limited Edition] US US$ 74.90
PC and MAC™
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 (DVD-ROM) US US$ 59.90
Game Guide
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2: Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
The US versions of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 [Xbox360™ and PlayStation3™] will arrive after the Easter Holidays and the PC and MAC™ version will be released in April.
Last week's Japanese software chart champ Yakuza 3 Kenzan! was knocked down by Nintendo's latest training game, showing that the stylus is mightier than the sword. DS Bimoji Training brings calligraphy skill assessment to the Nintendo DS, giving Nintendo the number one spot for the week of March 10 to 16. Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Wii Fit continue to float near the top, as few newcomers with capable star power debut on the list.
Oh, and for the record, 12Riven: The Psi-Climinal of Integral, after the jump, is not a typo on my part.
01. DS Bimoji Training (DS) - 66,000 / NEW
02. Yakuza 3 Kenzan! (PS3) - 46,000 / 227,000
03. Wii Fit (Wii) - 45,000 / 1,704,000
04. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) - 41,000 / 1,449,000
05. Gundam Musou Special (PS2) - 24,000 / 213,000
06. Shugo Chara! 3-tsu no Tamagoto Koisuru Joker (DS) - 20,000 / NEW
07. Daito Giken Koushiki Pachi-Slot Simulator: Shin Yoshimune (PS2) - 18,000 / NEW
08. Wii Sports (Wii) - 17,000 / 2,855,000
09. Harvest Moon: Kira Kira Taiyou to Nakama Tachi (DS) - 11,000 / 93,000
10. Wii Play (Wii) - 11,000 / 2,271,000
11. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii)
12. Musou Orochi (PSP)
13. 12Riven: The Psi-Climinal of Integral (PS2)
14. Minna no Joushiki Ryoku TV (Wii)
15. Soma Bringer (DS)
16. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (PSP)
17. Doraemon: Nobita to Midori no Kyojinden DS (DS)
18. Hayate no Gotoku! Ojousama Produce Daisakusen Boku Iro ni Somare! Oyashiki-Hen (DS)
19. Hayate no Gotoku! Ojousama Produce Daisakusen Boku Iro ni Somare! Gakkou-Hen (DS)
20. Mario Party DS (DS)
21. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (DS)
22. Mario Kart DS (DS)
23. Etrian Odyssey II: Shoou no Seihai (DS)
24. Taiko Drum Master DS (DS)
25. Winning Post 7 Maximum 2008 (PS2)
26. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
27. Duel Love: Koisuru Otome wa Shouri no Megami (DS)
28. Winning Eleven Play Maker 2008 (Wii)
29. We Ski (Wii)
30. Akagawa Jirou Mystery: Yasoukyoku (DS)
Three cast members of the upcoming Iron Man feature film will also lend their acting talents to the game tie-in, Marvel and SEGA announced today.
Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark), Terence Howard (Jim Rhodes) and Shaun Toub (Yinsen) will all reprise their on-screen roles for the Iron Man game, due out on May 2, 2008, to coincide with the film's release.
Although Downey, Howard and Toub have signed on to act in the Iron Man game, some of the film's highest-profile stars have opted out. Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges were not mentioned in a news release as being part of the game.
Developed by Secret Level, published by SEGA and based on the Marvel comics and film, Iron Man is a third-person action shooter for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Nintendo DS and PC.
Using the advanced technology in Iron Man's suits of armor, gamers can take advantage of the wide array of high-impact weapons to strategically annihilate any enemy force standing in their way. Before tackling open battlefields, players can customize their armor suit as they encounter more enemies and fight in epic battles.
You'd think the BBFC's official unbanning of an edited version of Manhunt 2 would officially end the battle over the game's release. You'd be wrong though, as Kent Online reports that Kent MP Julian Brazier is working to introduce a "public appeals process" to overturn BBFC decisions, like the one that paved the way for Manhunt 2's release.
Brazier's Private Members Bill to reform the BBFC was discussed and eventually stopped in Parliament late last month, but that hasn't stopped Brazier from trying to revive its political chances. Brazier insists that the eventual decision to release Manhunt 2 "shows once again that the BBFC and its appeals system do not meet the concerns of the public" and that "the public wants a significant tightening up in this vital area." Earlier this month, Brazier accompanied Gordon Brown in a meeting with Giselle Pakeerah, a mother who believes the original Manhunt contributed to her son's murder.
Apparently, 2008 is the year of the PS3. After what most consider a very shaky first year, the media is abuzz with a comeback for the company that was once king of consoles. EGM's March issue proudly proclaims on its cover that it's "The Revenge of the PS3". EDGE's December issue was entitled "The Empire Strikes Back" and even Joystiq's PS3 Fanboy has given us 10 reasons why the PS3 is back in the swing of things. Some analysts have proclaimed that the PS3 will do at least as well as the 360 in 2008, and others have the PS3 edging out the 360 by 2010 or even the Wii by 2011. Clearly, everyone is pointing to 2008 being a turning point of sorts for the Cell-powered beast. But is it actually true?
Let's focus on, at least initially, Sony's battle against the 360. Certainly, the PS3 has a lot of things going for it. Blu-ray has officially won the next-gen DVD war; upcoming games, such as Metal Gear Solid 4, Killzone 2, and LittleBigPlanet show tremendous potential; and it has seemingly found a price point that people are willing to pay (as they did originally for the 360). In the US, at least so far this year, Sony has managed to outsell the 360 according to January and February NPD figures. But will it be enough?
January's NPD results had the PS3 topping the 360 by 39k, a reversal from the previous month's 400k advantage for the 360, while February showed a 26k advantages over the 360. At this rate, using numbers from VGChartz, the PS3 would need nearly 18 years to overtake the 360 in the US. If this didn't look bad enough, Microsoft also claims that it's had supply shortages for its console early this year. If true, Sony has an even steeper hill to climb assuming Microsoft can work out these "shortages."
Sony has to rely on other opportunities that present themselves this year. Certainly, its Blu-Ray win is one thing that it hopes will generate momentum. Unfortunately, so far, people haven't looked like they're in a hurry to buy the PS3 now that Blu-Ray has won. From January to February, after Warner Bros. effectively ended the format war, the PS3's sales only went up 4%, while 360's sales went up 11%. Perhaps since the format war wasn't officially over yet the news hadn't taken effect yet. It could also take some time before clarity in the HD disc market actually trickles into the console market, particularly if this old survey is still an indication of people's knowledge of the PS3's Blu-Ray capabilities. While the PS3's perception on this has probably improved, Sony also likely realized that it needed to continue to increase awareness of movie-playback capability. The fact that a Spider-Man 3 Blu-Ray was being packaged in with PS3's over the holiday period is certainly an expression of that, as is the "Movie Pack", which comes with 3 movies, that is going to be made available in Europe very soon (and I'm actually surprised something like it isn't going to be marketed in the US as well). Assuming Blu-Ray gains in popularity, it could certainly accelerate the PS3's adoption at least until Blu-ray players hit a mass-market price, after which, most people looking for a way to play Blu-ray movies will probably opt for the standalone player. For this very reason, I'm not confident that the PS3's inclusion of Blu-ray will help it narrow the gap with the 360.
If not Blu-ray, then perhaps the games will help propel Sony into the lead? After all, Halo 3 moved quite a bit of hardware last year, so couldn't MGS4, Killzone 2, LittleBigPlanet, and Gran Turismo 5, among others, do the same for the PS3? No doubt, there is a lot of hype behind those titles, but unfortunately for Sony, they're no Halos. Granted, nothing else really is, but they're no Marios, Brawls, or Mario Karts either. Hell, Gears of War sold nearly as many copies as MGS3, MGS3: Subsistence, and Killzone combined at a time when the PS2's base was substantially larger than the 360's currently. As much praise as the MGS series has received, they don't have an extremely wide appeal. LittleBigPlanet, obviously as a new property, is completely untested and it is hard to tell whether it will reach the PS3's current demographic, as it seems more in tune to Nintendo's. Gran Turismo may be, surprisingly, the strongest property here; its last outing selling nearly 9 million copies, but again, with a 100+ million installed base. None of this is to say that PS3 owners shouldn't be celebrating these game releases, but as properties, they have not proven to be "killer apps". Easily, Sony's biggest games from the last generation were the Grand Theft Autos, all of which sold more than 11 million copies each, and whose newest installment is a multi-platform game with exclusive content going to the 360. Despite the strength of its lineup and without an exclusive like GTA, Sony may not have a killer app.
Sony is, for its part though, playing it smart with the properties it has by creating what are likely to be fairly popular and lucrative bundles for both MGS4 and Gran Turismo 5 (in Europe anyway). While I'm sure that MGS4 will sell fairly well by itself to the hardcore PS3 crowd, packaging a well-known exclusive name with a PS3 could help less hardcore fence sitters decide that it's the system they want, particularly in a year with no Halos on its closest competition. Still, while the 360 doesn't have a Halo, it does still have some high-profile games coming out. If Microsoft is able to market exclusive games like Gears of War 2, Fable 2, and Too Human effectively, it may well be able to counter the impact of the PS3's new games, particularly if the games fail to impress as Lair and Heavenly Sword did. Even with positive reviews, there's still no guarantee that they'll sell as well as "killer apps" are expected to, as Ratchet and Clank Future and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune demonstrated. If the games still don't sell well, it's unlikely they'll drastically improve the PS3's sales. Sony's going to need quite a bit of positive buzz around its system and these games if they hope to make up its nearly 7M unit deficit to the 360 in the US. I'm not sure I see it happening by 2010, 2011, or at all.
Which brings us to an interesting possibility: can the PS3 take 3rd place in the US but overtake the 360 in the world market? There may be an opening for Sony here. As we all know, the 360 has sold abysmally in Japan. Sony has already sold about 1.4M more PS3's than Microsoft has 360s, and this trend will probably continue, if not accelerate. If we simply take the average sales of the consoles on a monthly basis from the time of their release, the PS3 would net roughly 5M consoles alone from Japan. In Europe, the PS3 is closing fast and is about 500k consoles behind the 360. Indeed, Sony expects to overtake the 360 in Europe this summer. Projecting in a similar manner as before, surprisingly, the PS3 nets another 5M against the 360 over 3 years from Europe and other PAL regions. The PS3's strength in Europe and Japan could very well offset its weakness in North America, but if the 360 can retain its strength in the US, it will be pretty close in the worldwide numbers. Obviously, over even more time it looks quite possible that the PS3 will surpass the 360's worldwide numbers.
As for catching the Wii like some analysts have suggested? Considering the Wii has so far more than doubled the sales of the PS3 in nearly every region in the same time frame (slightly less than double in Europe), has consistently been selling out at least in the US every month it's been available, and continues to dominate in sales around the world every month, this seems exceedingly hard to believe. Certainly, sales are not static and the Wii could slow down as the PS3 speeds up, but starting almost 12M units down with no real signs that it can outsell the Wii, it would take a serious stumble by Nintendo to lose its lead here. By my calculations, over 3 years, the PS3 would need to net over 300k units per month to catch Nintendo now. We've seen no precedent for this yet, and even with new games coming out for the PS3, it seems unlikely that the momentum would shift so drastically in its direction. I would think that for Sony, just gaining parity with weekly Wii sales would be considered a huge success at this point, let alone surpassing its sales by a few hundred thousand units.
So, is this the "Year of the PS3"? Perhaps as a gamer, as the system seems to have many of the "big exclusives" this year. As far as its sales, things are a bit more mixed. While the PS3 is likely to overtake the 360 in Europe, it still looks unlikely that its situation will change in US, even with the success of Blu-ray and a potentially strong software lineup. Still, the trend in sales worldwide looks like it could settle comfortably in second place. Ironically, before the 360 launched, everyone considered whether a console could succeed on a worldwide scale without succeeding in the all-important Japanese market. To some extent, it looked like the US would be big enough to determine its success. But that was apparently only part of the question. The other part is whether a console that performs marginally in the US can actually compete at the worldwide level (at least for second place). Seemingly, Sony is set to demonstrate that the answer is yes.
When Gran Turismo 5 Prologue launches, it won't let you create private races for just you and your buddies. Nor will it let you indulge in a spot of in-game voice chat. But don't despair, because that stuff's coming later, with these two features (and, most likely, more) to be added to the game in future updates. Certainly sets a new benchmark for those who think games these days are shipping unfinished, but then adding features late is better than never adding them at all. I guess.
We've seen scans, but they were small. And the colours looked a bit off, didn't look very "steely". Here, then, are some proper shots of the "Steel" edition of the PS3, which will be available as part of the Japanese Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle. Looks...well, like gun-metal, really. Highly appropriate.
The battle for weekly first place hardware showings in Japan went back to Sony this week, with the PSP outselling the Wii one more time. With just a few thousand sales setting them apart, however, the contest is almost a dead heat. DS Fever seems to have cooled a bit over the past few weeks, with the handheld resting quietly in third, presumably waiting to strike back before the end of the year. Quiet times on the hardware front make us look forward to new marquee releases. Until then...
PSP - 57,651
Wii - 55,845
Nintendo DS - 53,266
PlayStation 3 - 14,934
PlayStation 2 - 9,930
Xbox 360 - 1,744
In an adapted version of the Harry Potter video game, players lift boulders and throw lightning bolts using only their minds. Just as physical movement changed the interface of gaming with Nintendo's Wii, the power of the mind may be the next big thing in video games. And it may come soon. Emotiv, a company based in San Francisco, says its mind-control headsets will be on shelves later this year, along with a host of novel "biofeedback" games developed by its partners. Several other companies — including EmSense in Monterey, California; NeuroSky in San Jose, California; and Hitachi in Tokyo — are also developing technology to detect players brainwaves and use them in next-gen video games.
SEGA of America, Inc. has announced that a playable demo for Condemned 2: Bloodshot, the next chapter in the terrifying series, is now available for download on the PlayStation Network.
The demo is taken from mid-way through the first level and gives players an opportunity to get to grips with Ethan Thomas, the former Serial Crimes Unit investigator, in his crusade to discover just what is going on in the sinister world around him.
Condemned 2: Bloodshot follows Ethan Thomas, and his inner demons, in a string of gruesome murders where players must use their deductive skills and brute force to track down sadistic serial killers. The game features all-new fighting mechanics and high-tech forensics tools, giving players the resources they need to unravel the mysteries and cope with every disturbing event. Developed by the renowned Monolith Productions, creators of the original Condemned game, Condemned 2: Bloodshot also introduces a variety of thrilling online multiplayer modes, delivering the most brutal hand-to-hand combat experience the first-person genre has ever seen.
Now available on Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, Condemned 2: Bloodshot carries a suggested retail price of $59.95 and is rated "M" for "Mature." For more information, please visit: www.condemnedgame.com.
Fans of Sony's popular militaristic FPS series are probably already keen to the fact that the upcoming May issue of EGM will blow the doors off of the highly secretive next installment, SOCOM Confrontation. 1UP recently added to the meager pile of info for the game in the form of a correction for their ink-and-paper counterpart -- the list of Special Forces organizations featured in the game is apparently incorrect in EGM's upcoming feature.
As it stands right now, clan-bound players can join up with and enjoy the unique equipment options made available from five different, actual military units: U.S.'s Navy SEALs, U.K.'s Special Air Service (SAS), Germany's Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), Spain's Unidad de Operaciones Especiales (UOE), and France's 1er Régiment Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine (1er RPIMa). We're sure this will make for some realistic, intense firefights -- still, we wish there were more eccentric units we could sign our digital soldiers up with, like the Michigan Militia, or McHale's Navy (the Tom Arnold remake regiment, of course).
Yes, Europe, you pay too much for games. I feel your pain. If your purse-strings are pinched too tightly to allow for full-price gaming, though, you'll be interested to know that SCEE have announced some price-cuts for some of their older PS3 games. No mention of whether or not this constitutes the PS3 debut of the European "Platinum" range, but looking at the list of titles, I'd wager that's a "yes".
Eight titles will have their prices cut to €40 sometime soon (only date we have is "fall"). They are:
- Resistance
- Genji
- F1
- MotorStorm
- Heavenly Sword
- Lair
- Folklore
- Ridge Racer 7
The U.S. International Trade Commission is reportedly looking into patent infringement allegations related to Blu-ray disc players and other products, and has included Sony in its investigation.
According to Reuters, the Commission has said its investigation encompasses "short-wavelength light-emitting diodes and laser diodes used in such electronics as handheld mobile devices, traffic lights and high-definition DVD players."
The investigation was reportedly precipitated by a complaint filed in February by Gertrude Neumark Rothschild, a Columbia University Professor Emeritus, who says that a variety of U.S. imports infringe on her patent and should be blocked. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=17967
A few days ago a much-needed mysterious Orange Box patch was released via the Playstation network, but nobody knew what was changed. PS3Fanboy managed to get a hold of the changelog for Valve’s game compilation.
When The Orange Box was released a few weeks after the PC and Xbox 360 version of the game, it suffered from pretty bad frame drops. Unfortunately that hasn’t been fixed (yet), but there are quite a bit of improvements in the multiplayer portion of Team Fortress 2. Here is the full list of changes:
Fixed a graphical issue whereby a player would have the explosion effect left on the end of their Rocket Launcher when attempting to Rocket Jump.
Fixed a memory leak to improve single-player stability.
Fixed an issue whereby the players name would not appear on the Stats comparison screen.
We have fixed an issue that would cause the vote tallies to disappear when you viewed the scoreboard between rounds.
Fixed an online server issue.
Fixed an issue that caused a crash when a player that wasn’t in Division 1 entered your Leaderboards.
Fixed an issue with players not always being added to the ‘Players Met’ menu on the XMB.
Fixed a bug where a player viewing a friend without an EA account would have an empty entry in the friend’s Leaderboard.
Fixed an issue where it was not possible to connect to the EA servers if you had more than 30 friends.
Does this patch inspire you to give Team Fortress 2 another try?
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So as you can see, the patch only affects TF2. Nothing for Half-lifes framerate issue's yet. Although, i havent bumped into any yet.
Earlier this month it was revealed that SEGA put down a new trademark for Sonic Unleashed, what looked like a new installment in the Sonic franchise. While there has yet to be any official announcement some sneaky forum fellas seemed to have stumbled upon a "SEGA ftp" and leaked a boatload of screens, and also a trailer on YouTube.
According to their website, much of Ubisoft's technical support staff has taken this weekend off in observation of Good Friday and Easter. That's all well and good -- but perhaps, when they aren't draining Cadbury eggs or enjoying fine roasted hams, just one of them could take the time to Google their latest release, Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, and discover that a good portion of the console gaming world is ready to swear off all things Clancy.
Our tip box has exploded with complaints from owners of the PS3 version of the game -- apparently, a majority of those who try to play online either can't connect or have to suffer staggering amounts of lag. We'd expect a bandwidth epidemic such as this to be patched post-haste -- we guess Ubisoft didn't anticipate we'd actually want to play their game on the first weekend of Eastertide. What, did they think those terrorists would hunt themselves?
Sony announced last week it plans to release new firmware for its PlayStation 3 video game console. The new update will expose new capabilities in the PS3's Blu-ray Disc player.
The free update for PS3 users in North America was to be posted by the weekend.
Blu-ray Disc is the heir apparent to the crown of high-definition optical media formats. The format battled against HD DVD, which manufacturer Toshiba recently discontinued.
The updated firmware enables Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0, or BD-Live, to be supported on the PS3. BD-Live enables Blu-ray Disc makers to incorporate additional interactive features including downloadable video content, ringtones, games and more.
The firmware also exposes "Portable Copy," which enables PS3 users to copy a standard-definition version of the Blu-ray movie to a PlayStation Portable (PSP). You can transfer music and photo playlists from the PS3 to the PSP and use the PSP as a remote control for music playback using "Remote Play." DivX and WMV playback functionality has been improved, along with new Internet browser settings and additional AV settings.
Nothing beats that straight-from-the-oven firmware smell, and Sony just hit the internet with its PS3 2.20 firmware update goodness. The big win here is BD-Live interactive Blu-ray compatibility (Blu-ray 2.0), but there are some other minor tweaks as well, mostly multimedia and web browsing related. Unfortunately, portable copy didn't make the cut, but there's always 2.30, right?
Okay, so we dutifully updated our PS3 software to version 2.20, and took it for a quick spin. Granted, the removal of portable copy from the release lowered our expectations, but we really wanted to see what BD-Live is all about. During the install, we got a dialog to "... allow Internet connection from BDs" that got our attention. Hello, BD-Live! The number of discs with BD-Live content makes for slim pickings, but we popped in a copy of "War." Based on what we've seen, you can strike this title off the Profile 2.0 list -- despite what we'd heard before about this being a BD-Live title, we didn't notice any special extras on our updated PS3. We uncovered the BD-Live enabled version of "Yakuza Fighter." It's without a doubt, the lamest game ever to grace our PS3: you set a sequence of moves and then pit your sequence against the other player. Once you're done, your scores and moves can be kept associated with your online profile for future fights. Think "scripted rock-paper-scissors" here. Even more disappointing is that we found it impossible to get the "Resume play" function to work with this title. The feature did work just fine on other discs, however, and is a welcome addition to our fragmented lifestyle. We'll hold off on a verdict until more BD-Live content becomes available, meanwhile perhaps we'll try to grab a copy of the other BD-Live disc, Saw IV, and see if the BD-Live Easter Egg hunt yawn-fest continues.
30 companies to be investigated for use of short-wavelength LEDs and laser diodes
The US International Trade Commission announced that it would be investigating 30 companies, including Sony, with regard to alleged patent infringements.
According to Reuters, the ITC is acting upon a complaint filed in February by Columbia University Professor Emeritus Gertrude Neumark Rothschild.
Rothschild, who is seeking to block imports into the US of a range of products, apparently owns a patent on her method of producing wide band-gap semiconductors for LEDs and laser diodes in the blue and ultraviolet end of the light spectrum.
Products such as handheld mobile devices, traffic lights and high-definition DVD players use short-wavelength, light-emitting diodes and laser diodes.
"Dr. Rothschild made a seminal breakthrough in the production of the blue and ultraviolet LEDs that are essential to a wide variety of consumer electronics products today," said Albert Jacobs Jr, an attorney representing Rothschild.
"She richly deserves both scientific as well as commercial recognition for her work."
Along with Sony, the ITC announcement said that it would be investigating Hitachi, Motorola, Toshiba, Samsung Group, Pioneer, Sharp, Nokia, LG Electronics Inc. and Panasonic product maker Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.
It looks like players in both Japan and Europe will be getting a leg up on building decks and strategies for the upcoming expansion to Sony and Wizard's of the Coast's Eye of Judgment, as the game will not make its previously announced March 27th released in North America. If we had to guess, this probably can be traced to some sort of printing error with the cards, though Sony hasn't specified for the delay, nor a new North American release date, with a post on the official PlayStation blog saying only to "stay tuned."
As previously mentioned, the expansion will require not only the original game but also the purchase of a download from the PlayStation Store (for new character models and effects we assume), though Sony adds that this download will be kept out of North American players' hands until the cards eventually make their fashionably late debut. Until that time, enjoy the expansion's latest trailer, and imagine yourself playing the game through the magic of self delusion.
This isn't the first time this has happened, but it's certainly becoming a worrying trend: many British retailers are already pricing the PS3 version of GTAIV higher than the 360 version, despite Rockstar not having yet announced an official rrp. WH Smiths will be selling the PS3 version for £45 and the 360 version for £40, while mega-retailers GAME and GameStation have said they also expect the PS3 version to sell for more. So PS3 owners pay more for the game, while 360 owners get the promise of DLC and free MS points upon pre-order? Oh dear.
Weekly Special: Sony Computer Entertainment's Untold Legends™ Dark Kingdom™ for Playstation3™ at US$ 18.90 only - offer valid for 1 week
From the publisher: Untold Legends™ Dark Kingdom™ will set the standard for next-gen RPGs through never-before-seen graphics delivered in true high-definition and all-new action-RPG combat featuring physics-based gameplay. Immerse yourself in a truly epic fantasy adventure that comes to life through engaging storylines and action-packed battles filled with heart-pounding combat, magical spells and brilliant SFX. Dark Kingdom will feature online gameplay and expanded online game options through the PLAYSTATION®3 Computer Entertainment System’s online service. Prepare to experience the next generation of console gaming. Prepare to experience Dark Kingdom. Let the MADNESS begin….
Sony Computer Entertainment's region free US version of Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom for PlayStation3™ is now available at a bargain price of US$ 18.90 only.
Here's a very interesting article from the Kotaku website:
First Tiny Look At Linger In Shadows, A Mysterious Real Time PlayStation 3 Demo
German site 4Sceners.de published this weekend the first captured images of a demo for a mysterious commercial product known as Linger In Shadows, created by demoscene group Plastic. Details are virtually nonexistent on Linger In Shadows, a title Sony Computer Entertainment trademarked in November of last year. Members of the Plastic team said of the demo, which was shown at the Breakpoint 2008 gathering this weekend, that it would be released publicly on the PlayStation 3, possibly as a graphical showcase for the system, but that it was not a game in the conventional sense.
Other Breakpoint attendees teased via the Pouet.net forums that it would be somehow playable and that Linger In Shadows was one of multiple demoscene projects commissioned by Sony. We're looking into it further to learn more about the project.
In December 2007, the action game Rockman celebrated its 20th anniversary. This art book consists of illustrations from both the first Rockman series and its subsequent Rockman X series. It is an extravagant collection of 40+ colored cover illustrations from various publications. Aside from cover illustrations, pictures that were never published for the public are gathered and printed in this artbook as well. The book is edited by Rockman's producer Keiji Inafune and the established manga artist Ariga Hitoshi. It is a must have for every Rockman fan.
R20 Rockman & Rockman X Official Complete Works is in stock today and available at Play-Asia.com at US$ 39.90 only.
features
BRUTAL IN-YOUR-FACE COMBAT with brand new vicious combo attacks and over-the-top finishing moves. Bare-fisted combat, grappling, bone breaking and neck snapping - whatever it takes to disable the enemies.
ONLINE GAMING for up to eight players with three unique modes for both Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Never before has the Condemned universe supported online action!
A BAD-ASS ARSENAL now totally expanded to include items taken straight from the environment. Tire irons, bricks, toilet seats, antlers, flaming 2x4s, mannequin arms and mop buckets, just to name a few. Pick your punishment!
MASSIVE GUNPLAY made possible by powerful projectile-based weapons like the sub-machine gun, crossbow, shotgun, 9MM handgun, and .45 caliber pistol.
OWN YOUR INVESTIGATION with an inventive approach to solving crime scenes naturally sewn into the action. You will be rewarded with unlockable weapons and achievements along the way.
GRITTY REALISTIC ENVIRONMENTS with secondary objectives and multiple path solutions so that players never get bored. Atmospheric elements and chilling ambiance that will make every player cringe at every turn.
SMART AND DEVIOUS ENEMIES featuring highly realistic AI behavior -- befriend them, and they just might fight on your side.
description
Condemned 2: Bloodshot™ ratchets up the bone-crushing brutality of the popular psychological thriller with an all-new fighting system and for the first time, online multiplayer modes. As Ethan Thomas, the unstable and disgraced Serial Crimes Unit investigator, you will face horrifying enemies and endless heart-stopping surprises in the shadows of a strange and sinister world. Utilize a new set of high-tech forensic tools and fight off violent enemies on the perilous hunt for your missing partner. You'll need to use anything and everything in the environment to survive as you unravels the mysteries shrouding the city in darkness. Condemned 2: Bloodshot is set to horrify the masses in 2008.
features
New Shot System – Check out the new shot system and see if you have the skills to take your golf score lower. The new shot system offers a high risk to reward ratio and gives players the ability to hit the ball farther and straighter, but also penalizes more on mistimed shots.
Online Action – Customize a tournament and square off with up to 50 of your closest friends, or swing into the lobby and interact with others while customizing your personal avatar with more than 300 options.
Crazy Characters & Caddies – Select one of 15 different playable characters all with their own distinct look, attributes and quirky characteristics. Six entertaining caddies wait to guide you through the open fairways and the tenacious rough.
Larger Courses & Environments – Strategically play your next shot while taking into account the neighboring holes. Larger playable environments let you play your errant tee shot from a neighboring hole, or if it makes sense take aim at a different fairway and use it as a shortcut.
6 Immaculate Courses – Play wherever golf is played. In the mountains, on the desert, along the coast or in the woods.
A Variety of Golf Outings - Multiple single player and multi-player modes of play including VS, Training, Tournament, Stroke, Match Play and more.
Downloadable Content – In between rounds, head to the PLAYSTATION®Store to download exciting content including characters, courses, clubs, clothing and other golf swag.
description
The Most Fun You'll Ever Have In Golf
Slip on the golf shoes, step out on the course and tee it up on the PLAYSTATION®3 with Hot Shots Golf® Out Of Bounds. Rip a 300 yard drive down the middle the fairway or go pin hunting on those tricky par 3s. No mulligans needed as Hot Shots Golf® Out of Bounds is all about having fun and enjoying the most entertaining and over the top golfing experience imaginable. So come on, step up and give it your best shot.
features
Compete online head-to-head games, or enter your own American Idol tournament online with multiplayer support for up to 8 players
Download new characters, outfits, and expand your karaoke library of music with downloadable songs
Multiple offline & online game modes: Quickplay, American Idol, Battle, Practice
40 all-new hit songs from classic hits to recent chart-topping hits including music featured on the show
New motion capture animation and high resolution character models of Simon, Paula & Randy, and deeper interaction among judges (arguing, interrupting, etc)
Rock out on various stages and all-new settings each with new dynamic lighting and special effects
New un-lockable video content from the American Idol TV series
New crowd system with expanded functionality
Improved quality of camera angles for a more accurate recreation of the actual show
Requires a PlayStation®3 compatible USB headset or microphone (Included)
description
Step into the spotlight and become and idol. Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore delivers the most realistic recreation of the American Idol experience with an all-new next generation game engine and 40 smash hits from the 70's, 80's, and 90's and today. Grab the mics and challenge your friends to find out who will be the next superstar and face the music as Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson critique your performances. Millions share the dream. Now you can live it!
features
Zany SEGA Characters with Superstar Abilities - Each of the 16 characters has their own superstar alter-ego, which gives them the winning edge on the court.
Ten Fantastical Themed Courts - Guest umpires will supervise the action on a wide variety of colorful courts, from Sonic's lush Green Hill Zone to Ulala's galactic Space Channel 5 world, just to name a couple.
Four Action-Packed Tournaments - As you slice your way through the competitive tournaments, you will unlock loads of bonus content.
Classic Soundtrack - Faithfully recreated in full Dolby Digital 5.1, treasured SEGA tunes will entertain SEGA fans new and old.
description
Sixteen fan-favorite SEGA® characters from Sonic to NiGHTS are serving up non-stop fun in SEGA Superstars Tennis™. Multiple madcap mini-games will keep the party rolling and up to four friends can challenge each other in tournaments, exhibitions and unlockable special events. With hilarious cameos and comical guest umpires from SEGA's rich gaming history, this fun-filled tennis party is guaranteed to be a smashing good time for the whole family!
features
Ubisoft Montreal Returns – Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is back in the hands of Ubisoft’s Montreal studio, creators of the award-winning and highly acclaimed Rainbow Six Vegas, to ensure that ending to the Vegas story is one you’ll never forget.
More Vegas – Sin City is back and bigger than before. Explore all new Vegas hot spots as the environment changes from dusk to bright daylight to dawn, creating a visual experience that is as challenging as it is breathtaking.
More Multiplayer – The highly acclaimed multiplayer mode in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas has been upgraded to include 11 new, smaller maps that force more intense face-offs, 2 new adversarial modes, more rewards, and easier access to matches using the improved and intuitive matchmaking system.
Unprecedented Customizable Experience – Create your own identity that stays the same in both single player and multiplayer modes and progresses as you do. Reap the benefits of your single player rewards in multiplayer and vice versa.
Vastly Improved Co-op mode – Turn single player mode into co-op mode at any time, just by jumping into the game. Now your friend can jump into your single player game and help you without any change to the story. Single player maps and storyline were created with co-op in mind, which means every map has multiple entry points and the story is the same.
Improved AI – AI is more challenging than ever. Now, the terrorists are equipped with thermal vision, night vision, and shields – not to mention a multitude of varying reactions – all of which are guaranteed to give you a new playing experience every time you go into battle.
New Weapons and Armor – Take down the terrorists more effectively using 11 new weapons. New camouflage, clothing and gear allow you to take customization to the next level.
description
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 – the sequel to the award-winning next-generation first-person shooter – returns to Sin City. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is your last chance to rescue America’s sexiest city from an escalating terrorist siege that will force you into heart-pounding action from beginning to end. The best are back and this time winner takes all.
Recipient of numerous awards, including 2006 Best First Person Shooter and Best Online Game, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 will push the top-selling franchise to new heights with new gameplay features and groundbreaking co-op and multiplayer modes.
Those PEGI ratings are one again teasing PS3 owners with another PSone classic that'll probably take a year to arrive on the PlayStation Store; platforming gem Klonoa: Door to Phantomile.
Originally developed and published by Namco, the pseudo 3D platformer donned a cutesy look and a furry cat-like animal as the lead character, but you had to be some sort of platform master ninja to get through it because it was nails.
The only problem was that, while the Japanese snapped it up, no one in the west seemed to give a damn despite rave reviews.
You won't overlook it when in eventually hits PSN though, will you?
After unveiling the cars and tracks for its upcoming too-good-to-be-a-demo PS3 racer, it seems only fitting that Sony let us know what kind of music we can expect to bop our heads too while navigating the twisty corners of GT5 Prologue. According to Sony, the North American version of the 'real driving simulator' will include "a dozen exclusive singles," including an "exclusive remix" of Weezer's song "Automatic" from the band's upcoming album.
In addition, the game, which drops next month as both a download and full retail release, will feature a new version of Polyphony Digital's Masahiro Andoh's series theme song, "Moon Over the Castle." Seventeen international musical numbers from such names as Goose and Nittoku Inoue are also included, giving us plenty of tunes to listen to while failing to pass that license test for the umpteenth time.
Last Friday, Dylan Jobe announced the winning Warhawk designs from the Paint and Insignia Contest. 18 different Warhawk designs and 44 insignias were selected from the numerous submissions, and were shown on the official PlayStation Blog. These were also highlighted in a new trailer that showcased the new gameplay elements of the 1.3 patch, including the bio-field generator and the field wrench, which should be coming out on April 2nd.
Jobe also mentioned that the upcoming booster pack, Operation Broken Mirror is "basically done but hasn't gone gold yet," and stated that an announcement will be coming soon. Creatively, Jobe tossed in a quick teaser for the game in the form of a digital jigsaw puzzle, which appeared to be a snow map.
We'll have more on Warhawk as soon as it becomes available.
The SingStar team has revealed that each back catalogue song has to be re-cleared before it can be offered as a download on the PS3 SingStore, hence the slight delay.
"We have had to re-process all of the tracks for PlayStation 3 and this in turn means we have to start a brand new clearance procedure," the developer explained to "semi-official" blog ThreeSpeech.
"We are, however, ready to release them to the store as soon as each track has been cleared for use. As soon as each track is approved we'll have them in the Store as quickly as we can."
The studio also shed some light on the lack of movie songs on offer; apparently licensing the videos that contain actors is an "added complexity", but there are hopes this will get easier in time.
Perhaps Sony has a master plan, such as aliens.
So far there have been two batches of recycled songs added to the SingStore. Tom says he spent about 15 quid on fresh tracks over the weekend.
But which did he buy, Eurogamer reader? Use track list one and track list two to help you guess. Winners will get beans.
Hi, everyone. When you turn on your PS3 today, you’ll be greeted with the newest system software update, v2.20. We gave you the heads up last week on what the new firmware would deliver, and, as promised, we have Eric Lempel back on camera to walk through a demo of some the new features. Also, to set the record straight, Blu-ray Portable Copy was never a part of this firmware update, and the feature isn’t related to BD-LIVE. We know a lot of you are excited about the ability to take a copy of a BD movie with you on the go on your PSP, so we’ll keep you posted on any developments with this cool feature in the future.
Konami has to like its chances on the success of Metal Gear Solid 4, if the quick sell out of the "steel" edition PlayStation 3 are any indication. The Konamistyle web site, which handles all manner of Konami brand stuff, is already sold out of the limited edition 40GB console. It's going for 51,800 yen ($517 US) and should be available at other retailers soon, but the allotment given to Konami's own store has been quickly depleted. Don't worry though, collectors. You'll still be able to get Hori's useless and garish DualShock 3 charging station in "steel" at your leisure.
That Resident Evil 5 footage Capcom promised for some time this week made it into the new issue of Famitsu as planned. Here's a report on what the Japanese are getting in this week's issue of their biggest games publication.
Rather than a new trailer, the DVD provides just a few minutes of off-screen footage of the game being played in the background of an interview with producer Jun Takeuchi. In addition to the gameplay sequences, the DVD also provides a glimpse at some of the development tools being used to create the models for the game.
Six months back when they shared information on the game, says Takeuchi as part of the interview, the basics of the game's visual quality were set. Since then, Capcom has been focusing on situational aspects of the graphics.
Takeuchi's major talking point for this interview is the importance of light and shadow in the game. This is actually an area he has discussed heavily in past interviews.
Light and shadow have always played a role in Resident Evil, he notes. However, past titles have featured these areas as themes in the scenario, with only abstract appearance in the game. In RE5, they're portrayed realistically, with the abstract ar
