A Harmonix representative has confirmed the US retail price and release date for their upcoming Rock Band game.
Online retailer Amazon.com recently changed the listing of the game to reflect a price of USD 169.99 [£83] for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game, with a release date of November 23. According to a GameSpot story, a Harmonix representative confirmed that Amazon's information was correct.
The Xbox 360 and PS3 bundles include a wired drum kit, guitar, and microphone along with a copy of the game. The 360 Stratocaster guitar controller will be wired, and the bundle will include a USB hub. The PS3 Stratocaster guitar will be wireless.
The PS2 version will sell for USD 159.99, and won't be available until December 10 according to the Harmonix spokesperson. The game and instruments will also be sold separately.
Calls to Harmonix were not immediately returned.
UPDATE: An EA public relations manager has confirmed that the date and price were reported correctly. No word yet on an official UK release date or price.
One anonymous respectable industry veteran told GameDaily BIZ that his company has been referring to the PS3 as the 'PS3DO' for some time now. The 3DO, introduced by EA founder Trip Hawkins back in 1993, sported cutting-edge tech for its time. A steep price ($699) and a lack of any real "killer apps" didn't allow the platform to live out the 32-bit era, however. By 1996 it was officially dead. 3DO's marketing even promoted the platform not as a video game console but more as a high-end audio/visual product. Sound familiar?
But is the comparison to 3DO fair? David Cole of market research firm DFC Intelligence certainly doesn't think so.
"I don't think there is any comparison at all to the PS3 and 3DO," he said. "The main argument would be that they were both priced high at launch. But 3DO was a startup company with a different business model to license their platform to hardware manufacturers who could really have cared less about promoting the platform. They also didn't have software support and thus they didn't have games to drive the platform. With no games, a shoestring marketing budget and no consumer base to start with it sold less than a million units in the time it was on the market."
Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter agrees. "It's a pretty stupid (and unfair) comparison," he said. "3DO was a new platform, no brand ID, not compatible with legacy software, and with no first or third party support. The PS3 has a great brand, a loyal customer base, is generally backward compatible, has a ton of third party support, and an ever-increasing number of good first party titles. I hope the industry veteran was kidding. If he was serious, he's a fool."
Future US has announced that it will be publishing PlayStation: The Official Magazine under an agreement with SCEA.
The new magazine will debut in November, with former PSM editor-in-chief Rob Smith at the helm.
Future plc currently publishes the Official Sony PlayStation Magazine in the UK and licenses it in other countries. It expects an initial circulation of 300,000 copies, with 13 issues printed each year.
"We're very excited to be working with a group that is nearly as passionate about our brand as we are ourselves and we look forward to working with Future on many innovative ideas they have to create a best in class enthusiast publication," said Peter Dille, SCEA's senior VP of marketing and PlayStation Network.
The original Official PlayStation Magazine was published in the US by Ziff-Davis from September 1997 until January 2007. It was the first gaming magazine to include a demo disk.
Metal Gear franchise creator Kojima said at the E3 Media and Business Summit in July that the hotly anticipate PlayStation 3 title Metal Gear Solid 4 would be the last Metal Gear game that he is directly involved with.
But in a recent phone interview with Next Gen, Konami Digital Entertainment's new marketing VP Anthony Crouts said otherwise.
"I'm sure he's never going to let go of Metal Gear Solid-trust me. [Snake's] a big character, so as a franchise I think he'll always hold it near and dear to his heart.
"In one capacity or another, he will always be involved in the Metal Gear franchise."
This wouldn't be the first time that Kojima has said any one Metal Gear game would be his last. The celebrated developer most recently said the same thing about 2004's Metal Gear Solid 3.
The future of Metal Gear's famed protagonist Solid Snake is also in question, as trailers depict a character on the emotional and physical brink.
N'gai Croal reports that Sony will start selling a $40 version of Warhawk in stories later this month. The $40 version, matching the price of the download-only version available on the Playstation Network, won't come with the Jabra Bluetooth packed in that comes with the $60 version of the game.
The $40 version will go on sale starting Oct. 10, according to GamStop, but Sony reps were only able to confirm the price and not the date to Croal. This could be a new pricing strategy for Sony, though I think it would make more sense in the future to release both a bundle and a non-bundle at stores on the same day rather than waiting to start selling the game-only version at stores.
In the meantime, you can see what Sony has done: the company has focused on reducing the cost of building the PS3 while also closely watching how sales of lower-priced units are doing. The time is ripe for a new PS3 model to hit the scene, and we strongly believe that the company is about to launch a $399 PS3 in time for the holiday season. We've been hearing rumors to this effect for some time, but now the evidence of a new PlayStation 3 configuration is almost undeniable: an FCC filing details a new model number for the system.
What this new model number means is impossible to know for sure; the FCC filing leaves out pictures to "avoid premature release of sensitive information prior to marketing or release of the product to the public." The product description tells us that there is no difference in the wireless configuration, CPU, or Bluetooth aspects of this new PlayStation 3. The information that details the differences has been conveniently left out of the released paperwork, for the aforementioned reason.
We also have a date to pin this information to: our sources tell us that the $399 PlayStation 3 hardware will launch on, or before, November 16. We're confident in this information, as our sources in this area have always given us accurate information in the past. The "sensitive information" in the FCC filing will go public 45 days from September 4, unless something changes.
Sony Corp., the world's second-biggest maker of consumer electronics, raised 320 billion yen ($2.8 billion) in its insurance unit's initial public offering, Japan's biggest this year.
A total of 800,000 Sony Financial Holdings Inc. shares were sold at 400,000 yen each, Tokyo-based Sony said today.
Sony sold the shares at the top end of its range, spurring demand by reducing the price from an original reference level of 415,000 yen, after losses in the U.S. subprime-mortgage market triggered a global rout in stocks. Proceeds from the share sale of Sony Financial, the biggest profit contributor after consumer electronics, will help Sony increase production of Bravia televisions and fund the money-losing PlayStation unit.
The value of the computer game market in Japan, at 292.8 billion yen, was 21.7 percent higher in the fiscal first half to September than a year before, largely because of the success of Nintendo Co Ltd's Nintendo DS, magazine publisher Enterbrain said.
Sales of Nintendo's Wii and Sony (NYSE:SNE) Computer Entertainment Inc's PlayStation Portable 3 (PSP3) also helped the market expand, Enterbrain said.
Enterbrain conducted a survey of the market between March 26 and Sept 23.
The hardware market expanded by 33.5 percent to 138.3 billion yen and the software market increased by 12.8 percent to 154.5 billion yen, Enterbrain said in a written statement.
In the hardware market, Nintendo sold 3.478 million Nintendo DSs and Nintendo DS Lites in the fiscal first half and Sony Corp unit Sony Computer Entertainment sold 1.07 million PSP-1000s and PSP-2000s.
In the software market, Nintendo sold 819,237 sets of Mario Party 8 for the Wii and 789,091 sets of one of the series of the Legend of Zelda game for the Nintendo DS, Enterbrain said.
The always popular Michael Pachter offered up the opinion last week that LittleBigPlanet may be the title the PlayStation 3 needs to have breakout success. In a report pointing out failings on Microsoft and Sony's part to appeal to 'family gamers', Pachter said:
"After seeing LittleBigPlanet at TGS, I believe it could be a console mover. The game is really innovative, and I think it adds a family element that is so far missing from both the Xbox 360 and the PS3. If they can accompany that game's launch with a price cut (or a lower priced SKU), I think we'll see a spike in sales."
The game is really innovate, and I'm looking forward to it a bunch ... but I think I agree with the folks at Ars when they say the pricetag is still too high to appeal to family gamers.
Although SCEA continues to remain tight-lipped, retailer documents have been leaked showing a new 40GB PlayStation 3 on its way to the US.
An Engadget story purports to show documents from Best Buy listing the new 40GB console at a retail price of USD 399.99. The documents suggest that the console will be available in early November, packaged with the Spider-Man 3 movie on Blu-ray disc.
Best Buy has a policy of not commenting on pricing rumours.
Last week, Sony filed documents with the FCC on a product designated CECHG01, leading many to believe that they are on the verge of releasing a new model PlayStation 3. The model numbers for the 60GB and 80GB PlayStation 3 consoles are CECHA01 and CECH01, respectively.
Many analysts have already stated that they believe Sony will drop the price or release a cheaper version of the PS3 before the upcoming holiday season, and some were surprised that no announcement was made at the recent Tokyo Game Show.
Halo 3 has claimed the number one spot in the UK all-format charts, in a strong week for new releases.
However, it is not the fastest-selling game in UK history, as many had expected. According to Chart Track, that record still belongs to Rockstar's 2004 release Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, with Halo 3 second.
Chart Track also stated that Halo 3 had doubled sales of 360 hardware to the highest level this year.
EA Sports' multiformat football update, FIFA 08, entered the chart in second place behind Microsoft's Xbox 360 blockbuster. Last week's top two - Tiger Woods 08 and MySims - claimed fourth and third places respectively for EA.
Other new entries in the top 10 were Juiced 2 at 5, and Sega Rally at 7. EA's new skateboarding franchise Skate just missed out, debuting at number 11. Activision's Enemy Territory: Quake Wars also failed to make the top 10, entering at 16.
The remainder of places in the top 10 were taken by Nintendo (with More Brain Training, Super Paper Mario and Wii Play) and Activision's Transformers licence.
THQ's Ratatouille did not fare so well, entering the chart at 39. However, the Pixar film on which it is based has yet to be released in the UK.
As well as the 360 itself, there was one other notable beneficiary of the Halo effect: Microsoft's racing sim Forza Motorsport 2, which soared 22 places, from 35 to 13.
GamePro France is reporting that Sony has plans for a "big bang" announcement set for Oct. 12. While rumors and speculation have been filling message boards across the internet, we feel safe to say this announcement will probably focus on the mysterious 40GB PlayStation 3.
Sony's recent FCC filing over the alleged 40GB PS3 has gotten us all focusing on the wrong issues. Why do we constantly look at the one feature of the PS3 that consumers can most easily change (the swappable hard drive) to define an SKU?
* It draws less current; Now only rated 3A down from the previous 3.2A
* Bluetooth is the same version as before, however the Antenna gain is increased on Antenna1 from 0.21dBi (max) in the original 60Gb, up to 3.83dBi (max) in the new SKU. Antenna2 also sees an increase, from 4.13dBi (max) up to 4,92 dBi (max).
* WLAN is still 802.11b/g, however there is a difference in Antenna gain too. ANT0 is now 0.69dBi from 0.10dBi previously, and ANT1 is now -0.26dBi from 0.91dBi.
* The controller used in the test had the model number of the original launch Sixaxis, not the Dual Shock 3.
Sony has announced that sales of Blu-ray titles in Europe are exceeding sales of HD DVD titles by a factor of 4-to-1. This decisive lead has forced studios such as Universum Film (Germany) and Studio Canal (France) to plan Blu-ray releases for this important Q4.
A video projector including Wii connection cable but also compatible with any video source (any console, DVD player etc.) to play or watch movie in sharp definition on any wall/screen. Compatible with PAL/NSTC format, universal power adapter to use anywhere, high resolution... it includes all the features you expected, and comes with a low price tag!
Specifications & extra information
- Projection size: 12 to 80 inches
- Projection distance: 1.1 to 5.5 yards (1 to 5 meters)
- Compatible with PAL/NTSC
- Universal 100/240V adapter with power plug adapter (Europe/USA)
- Resolution 960 * 234
- 8-120 ANSI Lumens
- Lamp type: 50W, 1000 hours
- Compatible with iPod Video
- Smart design and compact size
- Special for Wii console use (AV cable included)
- Sharp picture, low lux, high resolution
- Compatible with any A/V (Audio/Video) signal output port
- Mega power amplifier and stereo speakers built-in
- Built-in contrast, color, brightness and volume adjust function
- Compatible with various systems like Playstation 3, Playstation 2, Xbox 360,
Xbox, Gamecube, DVD player, MP4 player etc
Celebrating a successful introduction with the launch of NBA ’07 on the PLAYSTATION®3, Sony Computer Entertainment America’s San Diego Studio introduced a next-generation basketball experience that delivered smooth, ultra-realistic basketball action. For the first time in any console sports title, NBA ’07 incorporated true 1080p high definition at 60 frames per second (fps) to provide detailed, lifelike graphics and the most engaging gameplay available. This year, NBA ’08 continues to improve on this next-gen hoops formula by further pushing the graphical envelope as well as adding a host of new features and innovative gameplay functionality.
features
The Heavenly Sword – The Heavenly Sword itself can transform into three distinct weapons, each with its own accompanying fighting stance used by Nariko to vary combat styles.
The Combat Engine – The combat engine can scale up from sophisticated one-on-one encounters to one-on-many, where enemies employ intelligent squad-based dynamics, right up to combat against battalions pushing real-time gameplay and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to unprecedented new levels.
Physics-Based Combat – The physics-based combat allows players to sweep debris against opponents, kick tables to halt an oncoming surge of fighters, smash the enemy into the scenery, or throw bodies into other enemies using “aftertouch” controls.
Wide range of Objects & Weaponry – Heavenly Sword provides a wide range of objects & weaponry including rapid fire crossbows and massively damaging bazookas.
Creative in-game Cinematography – Coupled with real-time story evolvement and amazing set-pieces, Heavenly Sword feels like a blockbuster action movie that takes combat gameplay to new heights.
PLAYSTATION®3 – Greater processing power on the PS3 enables more immersive visuals and sound effects in Heavenly Sword, heightening the character performance and combat within the stunningly beautiful environments.
description
Emotionally charged, stunningly beautiful, and delivering unprecedented dramatic character performance, Heavenly Sword™ showcases the power of PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. A dramatic tale of revenge sees Nariko, a fiery red-haired heroine, embark on a quest for vengeance against an invading King and his army. The story builds around the ancient Heavenly Sword, which once belonged to a powerful deity. It can never be wielded by a mortal without it slowly but inevitably draining their life-force.
When the invading King (played by Andy Serkis) destroys the warrior clan that guards the Heavenly Sword, the clan leader’s daughter, Nariko, takes up the sword in a desperate fight for survival. Nariko must now pay the ultimate price as she embarks on one last mission of vengeance against the King and his army before her life is finally and irreparably overtaken by the omnipotent Heavenly Sword…
Thanks to a helpful tipster, we have a couple of Best Buy documents showing a $399 Playstation 3 with 40GB disk and Spiderman 3 (yes, Blu-ray) bundle with an "In Stock Date" of October 28. However, the more important "Street Date" field is unfortunately empty at the moment. While the docs look legit and don't seem to be Photoshopped, they can still be faked easily enough. So we did a quick lookup on the UPC code and sure enough, while the details are masked, the manufacturer is listed as "Sony Computer Entertainment of America."
Sony Corp. will design chips with Infineon Technologies AG to reduce development costs at its consumer electronics division, the world's second largest.
Sony and Infineon's Qimonda AG will own equal stakes in a Tokyo-based venture that will design DRAM chips that speed up data processing in cameras and mobile phones, the companies said today in a statement. Elpida Memory Inc., a Sony supplier, fell on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on concern it will lose orders.
The agreement will help Tokyo-based Sony reduce costs as Chief Executive Officer Howard Stringer overhauls the chip operations to raise overall profitability to the highest this decade. The semiconductor unit, which makes processors for PlayStation 3 game consoles, posted a 10 billion yen ($86 million) loss last year.
Epic's VP Mark Rein has given an official response regarding the now possible Unreal Tournament 3 delay. You can read his response below:
"As a public company, Midway felt an obligation to its shareholders to let them know about the possibility of a delay. But our goal is still to get the PS3 version of UT3 in stores before the end of 2007. However, we will only ship it once it's ready and is the best game we can deliver. The PC version is still on track for a November release."
Last week, one of GameDaily BIZ's sources close to Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) informed us that there had recently been a "breach of security" in Sony's PlayStation Network (PSN). Our source indicated that one of SCEA's employees was actually tricked over the phone into giving out this important access to the network.
Kimberly Otzman, Corporate Communications, explained, "Just to clarify, there has been no hacking or electronic breach to any of SCEA's electronic security systems. An as-yet-unidentified PSN user impersonating an SCEA IT employee apparently called customer service agents in order to gain unauthorized access to two PSN user accounts not belonging to the imposter. The unauthorized accessing of the two accounts was discovered immediately after it took place, the unauthorized access was disabled, and the account-holders were notified."
We had a blast at the Tokyo Game Show playing Toy Home, Sony's surprise PS3 racing game. But the big question was, who was behind the title? It turns out that the SIXAXIS compatible toy racer is being developed by none-other-than Game Republic, the studio formed by former Capcom producer Yoshiki Okamoto and recently responsible for Folklore.
Famitsu got Okamoto to share a few comments on Toy Home and other titles during an interview conducted at TGS. According to Okamoto, Toy Home will be released to Japan exclusively as a download title. In addition to SIXAXIS support for steering (see see our TGS preview for more), the game will support rumble. Okamoto says that players should look forward to some heavy shake when they drift their toy vehicles.
Game Republic has been making games primarily for the PS3 of late, but the studio is definitely not all Sony. Okamoto says the Xbox 360 title he's been talking about for two years now is still in the works. He describes being able to develop this game as fulfilling a dream. While it's been a long time in the coming, this is the game he's shifted his focus to following the development of Folklore, so hopefully the wait won't be too long.
Okamoto also expressed interest in the Wii. However, he believes that you can't make a game where players are swinging the Wiimote around over a full 30 hours of play time. Instead, he suggests something where you play in 30 minute segments, like a mission-based title, or a serial manga where you read one short episode a day.
Toy Home will be Game Republic's next release. While release outside of Japan has yet to be announced, players with Japanese PlayStation Store accounts will be able to make the download this Winter.
The much-rumoured reduce-priced 40GB PS3 will hit stores in Italy on October 10 for €399 - roughly £277.
That's word from Italian trade magazine, Gamestore, who reveals that the cut-price console will also be available in a two-game package for €499 (£346).
So the big question is where's the UK cut? Sony UK says "no comment", although we remain hopeful that a similar cut is in the pipeline.
Sources have previously told CVG that the new model will launch here at £299.
It is also rumoured that as well as a smaller hard drive, the new console will come without backwards compatibility and fewer USB ports, although that's yet to be confirmed.
When the game is on the line and the ball is in your hands, what will you do? Will you penetrate, drive the lane and rise above the rim for a monster dunk, or find an opening on the perimeter and sink a game-winning three? Take control of the game with a full arsenal to win the one-on-one match-up from every spot on the floor with NBA LIVE 08.
Providing an unrivaled level of authenticity to the sport, NBA LIVE 08 introduces hot spots, where real NBA shot data is used to illuminate the locations on the floor where your players are most effective. Couple this with all-new signature go-to Moves that capture the essence of the NBA's best, and you can now play the game on a console like you see it from the stands.
Pass the ball inside and rule down low with 'own the paint' post play. String together combos of fakes and shots to fool your defender into committing and create space for the game-defining bucket.
On the perimeter, in the paint, and with unparalleled depth, dominate with your go-to move with NBA LIVE 08.
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.
Halo 3 continues its world domination by taking the top stop in Japan after selling 59,000 units in its first week of release. Not as good as its UK total of 466,000 but still MS should be happy considering how much trouble the 360 is having in Japan.
Halo 3 is one of six new entries in the top ten, as Sony's consoles software sales sees a resurgence after months of Nintendo domination.
Capcom has said that its focus on software development for Sony products will now shift to titles for the PlayStation 3.
Previously, Capcom has dedicated the majority of its efforts on PlayStation 2 games. But according to a report by Jiji Press, the publisher now intends to develop more PlayStation 3 titles from next year.
Company president Haruhiro Tsujimoto has also said that the publisher will continue to develop multiplatform titles in order to maximise profits.
Capcom has already brought a number of successful new IPs to market via the Xbox 360, with both Lost Planet: Extreme Condition and Dead Rising becoming big sellers in Japan, the US and Europe.
According to a trade media outlet in Italy, several retailers in the territory have confirmed details of the rumoured new PlayStation 3 SKU.
The new product will allegedly be released on October 10 in Italy, with a retail price of EUR 399 (GBP 276, USD 563).
The unit will feature a 40GB hard drive, two USB slots, but have no provision for PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility.
While the industry anticipates an announcement from the Corporation soon regarding the PlayStation 3 in Europe, no details have yet been confirmed, and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe won't be commenting until any announcement is made.
This week Sony has added a quartet of demos to the European PlayStation Store, as well as a pair wallpapers and a batch of trailers.
Jericho leads the playable foursome, followed by Stuntman: Ignition, Bladestorm and Skate tasters, while trailers look like numerous GRAW 2 bits and bobs and a look at shooter Haze in action. Elsewhere you can expect to pretty things up with new Blast Factor and flOw wallpapers.
Cast a quick glance across the pond to the US and you will see they were treated to Go! Sports Ski for USD 2.99, as well as demos for The Simpsons and Bladestorm.
They also got tutorial videos for NBA 08 and Eye of Judgement, interview footage with Haze developer Free Radical, behind the scenes footage for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, and Tekkonkinkreet and Surf's Up trailers.
Eurogamer TV has plenty more than that, pop pickers.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts, in association with PC World, is inviting the UK public to vote for their favourite games.
The inaugural PC World Gamers' Award, to be presented at BAFTA's 2007 Video Games Awards, is the only game to be voted for by the public at this year's ceremony taking place on Tuesday 23 October at Battersea Evolution in Battersea Park, London.
The list of finalists is as follows:
Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training (DS) (Nintendo/Nintendo)
FIFA 07 (PS2) (EA Canada/Electronic Arts)
Football Manager 2007 (PC) (Sports Interactive/SEGA)
Gears of War (Xbox 360) (Epic Games/Microsoft)
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (PSP) (Rockstar Leeds/Take Two)
Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3) (Insomniac/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe)
Wii Play (Wii) (Nintendo/Nintendo)
The public can vote for the award here. Each eligible voter will be entered into a drawing to win prizes including four pairs of tickets to the Awards show, a day at EA's development studios, a PS3, an Xbox 360, a DS lite, the top 10 chart games, and 3 Pyramat wireless gaming chairs.
"The great thing about the PC World Gamers' Award shortlist is that it reflects the real diversity of games being played by the public," said Hilary Bevan Jones, chairman of the Academy, "and I am sure everyone will look forward to tuning in to watch the ceremony on November 4 at 11pm on E4 to see which one is victorious."
The Academy will recognise excellence in Artistic Achievement, Technical Achievement, Gameplay, Innovation, Original Score, Use of Audio, and Story and Character as well as achievements in the genres of Action and Adventure, Casual, Multiplayer, Sports, Strategy and Simulation in addition to Best Game.
"We are extremely proud to be once again associated with these great awards, and this year as headline sponsor," said Chris McShane, head of trading for PC World.
"Working within the gaming industry is extremely exciting and this year's awards will show the best of the industry’s talent – may the best games win!"
Hitachi has developed a prototype four layer Blu-Ray disc capable of holding 100GB of data.
While companies such as TDK and Panasonic have previously mooted 100GB discs, they have always needed a specially developed optical head in the player to read the disc.
Hitachi, however, claims to have used a standard Blu-Ray drive optical head that's only slightly modified to allow it to read and write data across the four 25GB layers. It's believed this will only require a firmware update to make existing drives compatible. http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/126871/h...uray-disc.html
Reports of people having trouble with the new BD+ copy protection are starting to surface. The movies in question are Fox's Blu-ray releases of "The Day After Tomorrow" and "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer."
BD+ is an extra layer of copy protection. With it, Sony should be able to change the keys used to unlock it. In short, this means that if a BD+ disc is hacked and copied, Sony can change the keys that secure future discs from being copied.
Here is what we know so far:
Some Samsung players may be unable to play the discs, but a firmware upgrade should be available or in works. However, other people say they will not play on the latest firmware from the company. Panasonic players will play the discs but load times are high. Again, Playstation 3 seems to be the safest bet when it come to Blu-ray. It seems to play BD+ without problems.
Sony Europe has categorically denied to Eurogamer that it has a press conference scheduled for next week.
Rumours erupted yesterday that the platform holder had a "Big Bang" meeting planned for next Friday, which speculation suggested could be about a new 40GB PS3 model.
However, a spokesperson for Sony told us it has not announced anything and has nothing of the sort planned. http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=84613
That pig in the first screenshot below is no-one's bacon. You can 'mental' in his eyes. He'll easily kill your whole family. That's what we reckon.
These are the latest shots of Tekken 6, by the way. It all looks very shiny and nice, if a little lacking in fine detail compared to the lush Virtua Fighter 5.
We'll be well up for some PS3-worthy Tekken though - anything to save us from making do with the PSP graphics of Tekken 5 every time we fancy taking Law out for a ruckus on our shiny PS3.
Slap your eyeballs into action for four new screenshots from Condemned 2: Bloodshot, which come from the PS3 version of the game. We're not exactly blown away by the shots nor feeling shivers of joy flowing down our collective spines , but make up your own mind.
In the sequel - which is also in development for Xbox 360 - you jump back into the shoes of Ethan Thomas, former Serial Crimes Unit investigator who's been called back to duty to track down his missing partner and to investigate more serial killer nastiness.
We're not usually ones for card-based videogames, but the technology used in The Eye of Judgement has itself grabbed our interest, and we've got videos to show you why.
Sony's card game uses the PlayStation Eye - the PS3 equivalent of the EyeToy - to track the placement of real game cards on a playing mat on your table.
When you place the card down the PS3 reads the special coding on it and summons the corresponding monster on the screen.
We thought it a nice touch that it can identify the cards' facing direction and place the monster the right way - something that plays a fundamental part of the gameplay, as you can see in the gameplay video below, in which we take on the computer.
Yet, even though the game itself is a relatively static, grid-based card game, the tracking tech of this set-up gets even more impressive. The software actually has the ability to accurately track the movement of cards in real-time, and shift the on-screen 3D monster as though it were standing on the card itself.
This doesn't just include movement over a 2D plain, but full 3D motion tracking, meaning if you move the card close to the camera the PS3 makes the monster bigger as it gets closer to the screen. It even tracks the tilt of the card, so tipping it left or right rotates the monster on-screen (until you tilt that card too far and the Eye can't read it).
So in essence you're holding that monster in your hand and can manipulate it in full 3D. That's truly amazing stuff and, with that kind of tracking technology, Sony could come up with some truly amazing gameplay mechanics in future PS3 titles. Especially considering how well the camera can merge interactive in-game objects with real-life scenery.
You could have advanced puzzle games that use real-life manipulation of objects, or Sony could make marked cards that you place around your room so that the PS3 can detect surfaces and objects for, umm... some sort of physics-based game or something (we'll leave the creative ideas to developers).
Check out the video captioned 'EyeToy-ing around' to see the impressive camera tech at work as we use TEoJ's Card Profile mode to demonstrate it's tracking abilities.
The game's intro cinematic is pretty nice too, so we threw a video of that in here for good measure. Dive in...
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men isn't even out the Eidos front door yet but the company has revealed a sequel is already in production.
It sees major potential in the series too, MCV reporting that Eidos is pumping more cash into marketing the game than it's ever done with any game in the Tomb Raider series.
Jane Cavanagh, CEO of Eidos parent company SCi, said SCi believes Kane & Lynch has the potential to be a franchise for adults that is respected and loved in the same way as Hitman.
"We've already got Kane & Lynch 2 in production, which just goes to show the belief we have in it as a long-term franchise", Cavanagh added.
Developed by Hitman studio IO Interactive, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men is out on November 23 on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
Your poker skills will be put to the ultimate test by over 30 of the world's top poker champions
Phil Hellmuth, Chris Ferguson, and Mike Matusow will teach you their tips and tricks in a poker school setting
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Build your bankroll at all the favorite locations of previous years such as Harrah's New Orleans, Grand Tunica, Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino and new this year, the hottest poker rooms of the Las Vegas strip!
ESRB Rated RP for Rating Pending
SuccessHK has today dropped the price of the new 80GB Playstation 3 down to USD 519.35 (£254)
A saving of £146/$260 for those of us in the UK. The UK is still stuck with the 60GB versions at the moment.
All PS3 Games are worldwide Region Free as are most Blueray Films. Buying a HK PS3 will lose PS2/Ps1 compatability but for the price it may be worth it..
SuccessHK do ship worldwide so good news for importers, but make sure you ship airmail and ask for the box to be marked as sample
EA's decided it's time to open up a bit on Burnout Paradise this week. Not only did it release eight new screenshots from the game yesterday, it's sent out another eight new shots into the interweb wild today.
Take a look. The screenshots show the Carson GT Concept.
Burnout Paradise is out on PS3 and Xbox 360 next year.
You might or might not know, but I will be leaving home (Ireland) to go travel the world for a year (Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and Japan). And so I will not be about the running the site no were near as much, if at all.
I have been with the DCEmu team from the very start, and I have loved every minute of it ( bar the really crap times, but lets not talk about that).
So I wanted to reward all the thousand of visitors/ members of DCEmu with a prizes give away! (Xbox 360 owners only, sorry)
Whats up for grabs? 2 Xbox Live Arcade games, Joust and Robotron!
How do I enter? Simple just post in this thread (you have to be a member to post, but signing up is free) Your top 5 Xbox 360 games. The winner will be picked randomly, duplicate posted/entry's will be disqualified!
I will pick 2 winners randomly Sunday night/ Monday GMT.
Plagued by initial production issues, extremely high manufacturing costs and excessive retail price, PlayStation 3 from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is even less successful than heavily-criticized Nintendo GameCube. At least, in the first ten months of sales Nintendo GameCube was sold in larger quantities than Sony PS3.
According to data from NPD, based on the first ten months of availability, the troubled PlayStation 3 sold 22% less than the Nintendo GameCube for the same period, reports GamePro web-site. In the first ten months of availability about 2.12 million Nintendo GameCube were bought by end-users, whereas only 1.742 million Sony PlayStation 3 gaming machines were sold in from November ’06 to September ’07.
Nintendo GameCube was released in November 2001 and sold in 21.6 million quantity worldwide, below sales of Microsoft Xbox, which reached 24 million, and five times less compared to Sony PlayStation 2.
Sony PlayStation 3 is currently available at $599 in the U.S., the price-point that is widely considered to be too high. Despite of the fact that Sony’s PS3 comes with built-in Blu-ray drive and features high-quality graphics games, the price is believed to be one of the major factors that keep gamers away from PlayStation 3. By contrast, Nintendo’s GameCube could offer neither DVD playback, nor high-quality graphics, nor unique motion-sensitive game controller, like that of Nintendo Wii.
Sony PlayStation 3 console is based on the Cell processor developed by IBM, Sony and Toshiba, the RSX graphics chip by Nvidia Corp., wireless network and Bluetooth connectivity and is equipped with Blu-ray optical disk drive. There are several versions of the consoles available around the world with 60GB or 80GB hard disk drives and variable compatibility with PlayStation 1/2 games. In the U.S. PlayStation 3 80GB is sold for $599, whereas the hard-to-find 60GB model retails for $499.
Sony has dropped the price of the 60GB PlayStation 3 to GBP 349 and introduced an "entry level" 40GB model to retail at GBP 299.
The repositioned prices will come into effect on October 10, with the new 60GB "value pack" including two first-party games for the GBP 349 asking price, along with a single controller.
It takes the place of the current Sony GBP 425 bundle, which included the console, two first-party games and an extra Sixaxis controller.
At the lower price point is the new 40GB model which only features two USB ports rather than four, and loses the multi-memory card slot and backwards compatibility with the PlayStation 2 back catalogue.
Sony says that it has introduced the two new offerings following "feedback from thousands of existing PS3 owners as well as research into future potential PS3 owners."
"As we approach our first PlayStation Christmas, it is satisfying to be able to offer UK consumers the choice of two PlayStation 3 packages both now representing remarkable value," commented Ray Maguire, MD of SCEUK.
"We have a brand new 40 GB machine that represents an excellent entry point into the world of high definition games and movies, and we have the fully featured 60GB machine being offered with two next-generation gaming experiences at a highly competitive price."
David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe added: "The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next-generation PS3 owners."
A full interview with Ray Maguire, where he discusses the new price points in detail, dismisses any comparisons with Microsoft's Xbox 360 pricing, and the problems of early adoption, can be read on GamesIndustry.biz on Monday.
Imagine Publishing has announced that it is merging its PlayStation Magazine, PSU3, with Play, effective immediately.
Acording to a press release, the decision was made after examining the magazine market, which "has not seen the significant growth shown by Xbox 360 titles." Imagine does not see the PlayStation magazine market improving in the short to medium term.
"The fact is that the PlayStation market is at an all-time low and this has been reflected in the sales of PlayStation magazines," said Nick Jones, editor of Imagine's PlayStation titles.
"With a lower than expected PlayStation 3 installed user base, no price reduction of the hardware, and few triple-A games until much later next year, we have taken the decision to merge PSU3 with Play and focus on our most long-standing games brands and also our new launches."
UK-based Imagine Publishing, formed in 2005, publishes 20 magazines and 20 websites in the videogames, computing, entertainment, and photography markets.
The consolidation comes only days after Future announced that they would be publishing an official PlayStation magazine in the US.
In Japan, console hardware sales stand as follows:
PSP: 102,809
DS Lite: 72,895
Wii: 24,143
PS3: 13,105
PS2: 12,980
Xbox 360: 5,215
Game Boy Micro: 229
Gamecube: 73
Game Boy Advance SP: 49
Game Boy Advance original: 41
DS original: 30
The PSP has seen a major drop by about 175,00 from last reading but still in the lead. DS Lite increases slightly by 2,000, Wii drops 845, PS3 and PS2 rises by some 1,000 each. Xbox 360 also rises by 3,500 and Gamecube by 43.
Figures released by GfK Australia show Nintendo's DS console enjoying a healthy lead over its rivals in the hardware stakes.
According to a report on GameSpot, the numbers, which represent total sales for the third financial quarter, put DS sales at 139, 483, bringing the total install base for Australia to 730,076.
The next best quarterly performance, from Sony's PlayStation 2, was less than half the DS figure, shifting 66,228 - although the PS2 install base dwarfs the other consoles' total numbers put together.
Nintendo's other piece of hardware, the Wii, was in third place, with the Xbox 360 in fourth, the PlayStation Portable in fifth and the PlayStation 3 in sixth position.
Here are the numbers in full:
1. Nintendo DS: 139,483 (730,076 total)
2. PlayStation 2: 66,228 (2,118,646 total)
3. Nintendo Wii: 61,027 (167,899 total)
4. Xbox 360: 40,467 (222,136 total)
5. PlayStation Portable: 28,374 (222,136 total)
6. PlayStation 3: 27,533 (82,261 total)
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced details of its exciting new PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) model that will launch throughout the SCEE territories on 10th October 2007 at the highly attractive price of €399.
Providing an incredibly appealing entry point to the world of High Definition gaming and entertainment for the holiday season, the new PS3 brings the next generation of interactive home entertainment to homes all across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australasia.
Along with an ever expanding line-up of PS3 titles (a total of 65 titles tracking across all genres by Christmas), the new PS3 is equipped with a 40GB HDD and includes all the features central to the High Definition entertainment experience; true next generation gameplay, stunning High Definition Blu-ray Disc™ movies, SIXAXIS™ wireless controller, Wi-Fi and HDMI connectivity, all powered by the Cell Broadband Engine™, the digital heart of PS3.
As with the 60GB PS3, the new PS3 features upgradeable firmware allowing new features and functionality to be added to the system as time progresses. A recent firmware update, for example, enabled PS3 to upscale DVD's played on the system to full 1080P High Definition.
The introduction of the new PS3 has been determined following user feedback from thousands of existing PS3 owners as well as research into future potential PS3 owners. The new model features two USB 2.0 ports rather than four and no longer includes the multi memory card port.
The new model is no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation®2 titles, reflecting both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles (a total of 65 titles across all genres by Christmas).
The existing Starter Pack*, comprising a 60GB PS3 with extensive backwards compatibility, an additional SIXAXIS wireless controller and two first party titles will be reduced in price to €499. Remaining on sale while stocks last, the 60GB model represents outstanding value for the keen gamer wishing to upgrade to the High Definition capabilities of PS3.
"The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next generation of PS3 owners," said David Reeves, President of SCEE. "It has allowed us to deliver an extremely advanced, yet incredibly affordable High Definition gaming and entertainment system, configured to the needs of the next generation of European PS3 owners. PS3 has always been the device of choice for the discerning gamer and entertainment seeker, and the new PS3 is more than ever the perfect High Definition entertainment system.
*In the UK and Ireland, the Starter Pack will be replaced by a separate in-store promotion on the 60GB PS3.
The UK price is GBP 349 for the 60GB and GBP 299 for the 40GB version.
* HiHD: Sony and PS3 detractors dismiss Blu-ray is just another proprietary Sony format that will not succeed any better than previous Sony proprietary CE formats dating back to Betamax.
* HIRAI: In our eyes, we wanted to provide developers with the absolute biggest canvas on which to create their games. We could have gone with the 9 GBs of DVD or the 30 GBs of data on an HD DVD, but why would we, when we had 50 GBs of data on the Blu-ray Disc? I think its success as a delivery vehicle for games has already been proven. As for movies, I think it (is) really hard for any studio or retailer to ignore the fact that there are already millions of Blu-ray players in the world in the form of PS3. That is the kind of installed base DVD only dreamed of when it launched and before we debuted PlayStation®2.
* HiHD: What are the primary erroneous points of information/misconceptions out there in blogger-land about PS3 in general and vs Xbox?
* HIRAI: I have heard many people say our competitors' systems are just as powerful as PS3. That simply is not true. No other next-generation entertainment system pushes the envelope on advanced technology like PS3. I have heard people say that a high-capacity game delivery vehicle like Blu-ray isn't necessary in a next-generation computer entertainment system. You just can't expect that the 9 GBs of storage capacity found on today's DVDs are going to have enough space to hold tomorrow's games. Developers have already pushed the DVD to its limits in terms of space used. We had games like ‘Resistance: Fall of Man' coming in 16 GBs at launch. That game simply wouldn't be possible on any other system without using multiple discs. There is no doubt in my mind that you need more capacity on discs for truly next-generation gaming, and Blu-ray gives us that space.
The wireless Guitar Hero III guitars for PlayStation 3 will not work seemlessly with the console's Bluetooth technology, instead requiring a dongle that plugs into the USB ports. On the plus side, as noted by Wired's Chris Kohler, is that the dongles are modeled after guitar picks. Much more appealing than a boring, black brick.
Rock Band's wireless PS3 guitar also showed up recently in an FCC filing with a mysterious (albeit less attractive) dongle solution, which presumably will ship with the final product. Maybe by then, however, the Harmonix gang will pretty their dongle up.
According to the November 2007 issue # 76 of the Official Xbox Magazine Sony has secured the next Grand Theft Auto, which would be number 7 in the series, to be a true exclusive to the Playstation 3.
"Rockstar really wanted to make a game that you can truly only do on PS3, harnessing the power of the Cell and Blu-ray disc and this deal lets them do just that" as said by Sony's Michael Shorrock in a statement to the press. " We handed Rockstar a signed blank check because we were short sighted enough to let Grand Theft Auto's exclusivity get away from us. Oops!"
Looks like the Xbox fans may be out of luck when it come to the next installment of Grand Theft Auto. If they do release a 360 version it sounds like it would have to be on multiple dvd discs if the game truly takes advantage of Blu-ray.
One thing is for sure. This will be interesting to watch play out. Stay tuned!
As most or some have seen or read, I started a page for DCEmu on MySpace. If you havent already, request to be a friend!
With that, I bring you...DCEmu on Facebook! So if you're already registered with Facebook, add us to your friends list! If not, what are you waiting for? Register with Facebook today and add us!
You can search for us by typing in "Dcemu Networks" or by email dcemu.facebook[@]gmail.com (remove brackets).
*UPDATE*
Everyone should have a DS right? Well, I'm throwing up a contest. To help with DCEmu Reviews replace their Xbox360, whoever REQUESTS an invite for the Video Game Community application (Goozex) and adds the application to their Facebook between Oct. 7-13, will be eligible for the contest. I will post the names who has added the application and is eligible for the drawing. If you dont see your name but have added the application, let me know and I will see what can be done.
So what is the prize? SuperCard DS ONE. Of course, this is ONLY if DCEmu Reviews wins the Xbox360. If DCEmu Reviews does not win, contest is null and voided. So if you havent received an invite, request one either through Facebook or email us at dcemu.facebook[@]gmail.com.
So all you have to do is request a invite, add the application to your Facebook and you're automatically entered into the drawing!
This new model does not contain the PS2 chip and will not feature backwards compatibility through software emulation either. SCEE said this reflects "both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles (a total of 65 titles across all genres by Christmas)."
GameDaily BIZ also contacted SCEE spokesman Nick Sharples who told us, "We have made clear on many occasions that our priority is on developing innovative new features and services for PS3 and not on backwards compatibility. The 40GB model no longer contains any elements of the PS2 chip set which powered backwards compatibility in previous models, and is therefore only compatible with PS one titles." http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=17683
In the UK and Ireland, a Value Pack consisting of a 60GB PS3 with extensive backwards compatibility and two first party titles will be on sale at a price of €499 (£349). Remaining on sale while stocks last, the 60GB model represents outstanding value for the keen gamer wishing to upgrade to the High Definition capabilities of PS3. Once stocks are exhausted the new 40GB model will be the only one available in the SCEE territories. http://uk.playstation.com/ps3/news/a...r-seen-before/
As Sony ships its new model PlayStation 3 to stores for launch this Wednesday, UK managing director Ray Maguire has told GamesIndustry.biz that the new SKU is a natural evolution and the company always had plans to offer a cheaper product.
But he also admitted that he could understand that PlayStation 3 early adopters might feel cheated for buying the console earlier in the year when it commanded a luxury GBP 425 price point.
"I think it's natural to feel that way, of course it is," said Maguire, in an exclusive interview published today.
"The difference between our industry and many other industries is that if you're selling cars or houses the price goes up steadily. Consumer electronics only goes one way and that's downwards."
Maguire, who describes himself as an early adopter of new technology, said that the reward for paying premium prices is the ability to experience technology ahead of the mass market.
"One thing is common amongst the entire market for consumer electronics and that is that there are early adopters like myself who will spend GBP 10,000 on a plasma TV that is worth GBP 3000 within three years. That's the way the market goes
"What do they get for that? They get six months of enjoyment of the product before anybody else gets that ability to play those games," he said.
He also said that the introduction of a new 40GB model was the next step for Sony, as it lowers prices to tempt new consumers to the PlayStation 3 experience, but denied there is confusion with different models in different regions.
"As products evolve the offerings change because they have to adapt to the needs of the consumers but I don't think it's been particularly confusing in six months to go from stand alone, to a bundled proposition into a low price entry level model," he said.
"We also have to remember that consumers don't search around the world for different configurations. We are a global company but we have to act locally as well."
The full interview with Ray Maguire can be read today.
The Church of England wants BAFTA to pull Sony's PS3 game Resistance: Fall of Man from this month's British Academy Video Games Awards.
The Dean of Manchester Cathedral, the Very Rev Rogers Govender, says he had pleaded to BAFTA to remove the PS3 title from the awards, following earlier outrage at its depiction of Manchester Cathedral.
"There was disgust at the virtual desecration of Manchester Cathedral," he told The Guardian newspaper.
"I plead with BAFTA to send a signal to the industry and to Sony and withdraw Resistance: Fall of Man from the nominations."
After the initial outrage last June, Prime Minister Tony Blair said in parliament that corporations like Sony should take responsibility for their content and be sensitive to social feelings.
According to The Guardian, a spokesperson for the Church has said that the nomination is a further insult following the furore, and that the bad publicity has only helped boost sales for Sony.
"We had to resort to legal advice to get Sony to a meeting and the row... helped sales."
"The game has been nominated because of how well it's done in the charts. This nomination is like rubbing salt in the wounds," said the spokesperson.
Resistance: Fall of Man has been nominated for the PC World Gamers' Award, a category based on Chart Track sales data. The award will be voted for by the general public ahead of the BAFTA's, which take place October 23.
The BBFC has again rejected Rockstar's Manhunt 2 despite the developer making cuts to the game after it was initially banned back in June.
The ESRB in the US has recently granted the game an M rating, clearing it for release in North America, but UK censors have decided that the content is still unsuitable for sale in the region.
"We recognise that the distributor has made changes to the game, but we do not consider that these go far enough to address our concerns about the original version," offered David Cooke, director of the BBFC.
"The impact of the revisions on the bleakness and callousness of tone, or the essential nature of the gameplay, is clearly insufficient.
"There has been a reduction in the visual detail in some of the 'execution kills', but in others they retain their original visceral and casually sadistic nature," he said.
The BBFC said that any attempt to appeal the decision was now in the hands of Rockstar publisher Take 2.
Naughty Dog co-president Evan Wells has said that Uncharted: Drake's Fortune will probably be released here in early December, with a demo due out before launch.
Speaking on the comments section of his latest official Sony blog update, Wells wrote: "In regards to the UK release date, I believe its December 7th. We're doing simultaneous localisation in 13 languages...and should be released in all territories within 3 weeks of each other."
In answer to queries about the demo, he said: "Yes, we will be creating a downloadable demo for the PSN. We don't have a final date on when it will be up, but it will be before our release date." By that he presumably means the US release date of 20th November.
Even more heart-lifting was one of Wells' later comments, where he thanked everyone for chipping in to the discussion before explaining that - having read arguments about including 1080i support - the team had gone away and added it on top of the native 720p support. "[i]t was brought to my attention the number of people who had HDTVs but would not be able to experience Uncharted in high-def," he told the audience. "So we immediately went to work and I'm pleased to announce here, for the first time, that we have now implemented 1080 support!" He went on to say that the game runs at 30 frames-per-second.
FIFA 08 and Halo 3 took seven of the top ten sales slots in Spain last week, according to the latest sales data from Media-Control GfK International.
EA's football title took first, third, eighth and tenth with various platform versions, while Xbox 360-exclusive Halo 3 bagged slots for each of its three game editions.
The Platinum PlayStation 2 version of WWE Smackdown remained in the charts for yet another week, while My Sims for the Nintendo DS and Heavenly Sword for the PlayStation 3 were the only other titles to make the chart.
The full top ten is as follows:
1. FIFA 08 (PS2)
2. Halo 3 (X360)
3. FIFA 08 (PS3)
4. Halo 3: Limited Edition (X360)
5. WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2007 Platinum (PS2)
6. My Sims (DS)
7. Heavenly Sword (PS3)
8. FIFA 08 (PSP)
9. Halo 3: Legendary Edition (X360)
10. FIFA 08 (X360)
It's been a good sales week for Electronic Arts in Germany, as the company notched up half of the top ten best-selling titles in the country, according to the latest charts from Media-Control GfK International.
FIFA 08 proved the most popular game of the week, with the PlayStation 2 and PC versions taking the top tow places, and the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 editions stealing fifth and sixth as well.
Halo 3 was third, while the latest Settlers title was fourth.
The full top ten breakdown is as follows:
1. FIFA 08 (PS2)
2. FIFA 08 (PC)
3. Halo 3 (X360)
4. The Settlers: Rise of an Empire (PC)
5. FIFA 08 (PS3)
6. FIFA 08 (X360)
7. Halo 3: Limited Edition (X360)
8. Enemy Territory: Quake Wars (PC)
9. The Sims 2: Bon Voyage! (PC)
10. Dr Kawashima: More Brain Training (DS)
The publisher believes that changes suggested by the BBFC in order to classify the game are "unacceptable" and that the appeal against the game's effective ban will continue.
The statement in full:
"We are continuing to appeal the British Board of Film Classification's decision to deny the edited version of Manhunt 2 an 18-plus certificate and thereby ban its release in the United Kingdom."
"The changes necessary in order to publish the game in Britain are unacceptable to us and represent a setback for video games."
"The BBFC allows adults the freedom to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in movies and we think adults should be similarly allowed to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in video games, such as Manhunt 2."
No specific date has yet been set for the appeal decision.
Add The Hollywood Reporter to the list of sources reporting that a 40GB PS3 is on the way to the US in November.
Citing an industry source, and a buyer for a major game retailer, The Hollywood Reporter notes that the new PS3 model will have fewer features than the current model, with only two USB ports instead of four, and eliminating the backwards compatibility with the PS2 and PS One.
The new model will retail for USD $399.99 [£196].
Last week, rumours surfaced about the new 40GB SKU, with documents from US retailer Best Buy apparently confirming the USD $399.99 price and early November release date.
The Hollywood Reporter story does not mention whether or not the new PS3 will be bundled with a Blu-ray disc of Spider-man 3, which the Best Buy document purported to show.
The latest news of a cheaper PlayStation 3 console coming to North America follows the official announcement of a 40GB PS3 being released in Europe.
SCEA has yet to officially confirm the release of the new console.
Valve Software's Orange Box launches on PC via Steam this week, with the Xbox 360 - and PC retail - version out October 19.
But meanwhile, PS3 gamers are being left to twiddle thumbs while waiting for a confirmed release date.
Retailers are suggesting November 16 or November 23, but according to EA a precise release date has yet to be nailed down.
The publisher is still listing the release date for the PS3 version as TBA in its schedule. It's probably waiting to hear from Valve...
Previously, it was confirmed that the PS3 version of Orange Box would be out a few weeks later than the PC and Xbox 360 outings, but a lack of exact date is officially worrying.
Is it going to slip into 2008?
Orange Box on PS3 is being looked after by EA rather than Valve Software.
In case you need reminding, Orange Box includes Half-Life 2, HL2: Episode One and Episode Two, Portal and Team Fortress 2. And it's going to be awesome. Look for our review later this week.
SCEA has announced the formation of an in-game advertising business unit.
The company has hired Darlene Kinder, former vice president of publishing for Adscape Media, to lead the new unit as the director of network advertising.
"Darlene has an ideal blend of experience within the videogame industry, including in-game advertising, making her a perfect fit for this newly created position," said Phil Rosenberg, senior vice president of sales and business development.
"She will be tasked with the important role of working closely with our internal teams as well as our third-party publishers and external advertising agencies to develop business and marketing strategies for our newly formed online advertising group."
In addition to Adscape Media, Kinder previously worked for Nintendo, IREM America, Data East, and 3dfx Interactive.
The new business unit follows SCEA's prior announcement that it was working with The Nielsen Company to measure game network advertising.
Although the in-game advertising unit will be responsible for incorporating advertising across all PlayStation platforms, its emphasis will be on PlayStation Home, which "will present opportunities for SCEA to deliver dynamic, relevant advertisements in game."
"SCEA will depict brands in various forms within the game, where users would expect to see them in real life on billboards and posters, on shopping bags and soda cans and on images of TV screens," the company said.
Rumors have surfaced stating that Sony may have yet another PS3 SKU on the way. According to QJ.net, Sony has registered a new model labeled CECHG06 (160GB PS3), similar to the 40GB PS3's CECHG01.
Here are the rumored specs:
* Code: CECHG06 (SPECIFICATION)
* Sony PlayStation 3
* 160GB 2.5 SATA 5400rpm HDD
* CELL Broadband Engine (65nm process) @ 3.2ghz
* PPU x1, SPE x8
* RSX GPU (65nm process) @ 550mhz
* Blu-ray Optical Disc Drive @ 2x
* Memory Card Reader- Memory Stick Duo, Compact Flash, Secure Digital
* 6x USB 2.0 ports
* 2x HDMI 1.3 ports
* 3x Gigabit ethernet ports
* DUALSHOCK 3 controller
Sony has clarified that the only Satin Silver we will be seeing on the 40GB PS3 is the front detail, instead of the shiny chrome finish that it has on the 60GB version. Official word is quoted below:
"Both 40 and 60GB models are in shiny black, but the 60 has a shiny, chrome like strip and detailing whilst the 40 uses a satin silver detailing. If you look at the pictures on the Press Centre you can see the subtle differences."
Here are images of the new PlayStation 3 40GB that was rumored and than confirmed. This seems to be the actual retail product that you'll find on store shelves.
Sony has announced further price cuts for the PlayStation 3 in Japan, as well as the introduction of the 40GB model to the region.
The 40GB unit, which lacks backwards compatibility, memory card slots and some USB ports, will actually sell for less than the 20GB unit in the region.
The 20GB model will now retail for JPY 44,980 [£189], down from JPY 49,980 [£211], effective from October 17.
The 40GB model will sell for JPY 39,980 [£168] when it's introduced to the market on November 11.
The 60GB model, which currently retails for around JPY 60,000 [£252], will drop to JPY 54,980 [£231].
Sony initiated a change in its PAL PS3 business plan late last week by introducing a new 40GB model to market and dropping the price of the 60GB unit.
It then emerged yesterday that the 60GB unit would actually be discontinued as soon as all current stocks were sold, leaving only the lower spec SKU on the market.
The newly revealed 40GB PlayStation 3 will be available in Ceramic White for Japanese customers, as well as the standard black model, SCEJ has revealed.
Priced at JPY 39,980 [£168], the new model PlayStation 3 will go on sale November 11 in the region. A White DualShock 3 controller will also go on sale for JPY 5500 [£23] separately.
Earlier today, Sony Japan announced further price cuts for the 60GB and 20GB PlayStation 3 units, ahead of the busy Christmas retail period.
Images of the white Playstation 3 at Computer and Video Games here
GamesIndustry.biz has learned that Sony Computer Entertainment America is developing at least seven new PlayStation Portable games for download via the PlayStation Store.
The service – currently only available to PlayStation 3 users – is due to launch for the PSP and PC next year and will offer users an alternative portfolio of titles to those currently available on UMD game discs.
Sony will offer multiple content to PSP users via the PlayStation Store, including original games, classic PSone titles, demos for UMD-based and downloadable games, additional content for released games and TV content such as trailers, behind-the-scenes clips and interviews.
A source close to SCEA has revealed that three action games, two music-based games, one racing title and a shooting game are being developed internally.
Downloadable games for the handheld will be between one half and one third of the size of the average UMD title, offering between two and ten hours of gameplay.
Sony is currently courting third-party PSP publishers for the PlayStation Store, which offers a better return on investment for the publisher and format holder as it completely cuts out retail partners.
As well as the new PSP titles in development, SCEA will also be offering 13 classic PSone games for the handheld during 2008, all of which are currently available on the PS3 service.
PSP content can be accessed, purchased and downloaded from the users' local PlayStation Store to the handheld via a wireless hotspot.
It can also be accessed by a PlayStation Network account on a PC with a USB cable, but no content will be stored on the PC.
The PC service is due to launch this winter in the US, and the PSP service set for later in 2008.
At last month's Tokyo Game Show Kaz Hirai revealed that PSP users would be able to browse and purchase content from the PlayStation Store via a PC, rather than using the PS3, as had previously been the case.
He also said that sign-ups to the PlayStation Network on PS3 had so far passed over 2.7 million users.
A release date for SingStar on the PlayStation 3 is currently up in the air as Sony continues to test downloadable content and community features for the next-gen version of one of its most popular social gaming franchises.
Although reviews have started to appear in the specialist press, a spokesperson for Sony has told GamesIndustry.biz that the game needs further testing, and would not be drawn on any specific release period.
"We want to ensure that consumers have the best possible experience when playing SingStar on PlayStation 3.
"We are therefore taking extra time to test the downloadable content and community features of SingStar to ensure that it is as rich, simple and accessible a SingStar experience as possible," said the company.
Sony's official PlayStation 3 website lists a release period for the game as between July and September 2007, while online retailers suggest October or late November.
Other sources have suggested there may be issues with the games licensed content, and that the title is finished but awaiting clearance by legal departments.
GamesIndustry.biz understands that promotional copies of the game – which work on any retail PlayStation 3 – have been sent out to journalists but do not allow access to online features via the PlayStation Network.
Over ten SingStar titles have appeared on the PlayStation 2 since it was first released three years ago.
The PS3 version is seen as one of the central titles in Sony's online network initiatives, along with community and social gaming application Home, and Media Molecule's innovative platformer LittleBigPlanet.
At last month's Tokyo Game Show, Sony said it was delaying the launch of Home until Spring 2008.
Sony Australia is following SCEE's lead by phasing out the 60GB PlayStation 3 in the region – but it won't be cutting the price to help shift stock.
Instead the current offer of the 60GB unit with two free games and an extra controller will remain in stores until depleted, while the 40GB model will be introduced on October 11 for AUD 699.95.
According to Sony Australia's Michael Ephraim, the 60GB model is already in short supply in the region.
"There are very limited stocks," he told GameSpot. "I would say 20 – 30 per cent of retail stores have them in stock right now."
"That was always part of our plan to transition smoothly to a new SKU," he added.
Ephraim said that he expects the new lower-spec unit to help double the installed base of the PlayStation 3 in Australia, which currently stands at over 80,000 units.
"We think that with the price reduction, we're going to come very close if not exceed doubling that number by the end of the year," he said.
Sony initiated a change in its PAL PS3 business plan late last week by introducing a new 40GB model to market and dropping the price of the 60GB unit.
It then emerged yesterday that the 60GB unit would actually be discontinued as soon as all current stocks were sold, leaving only the lower spec SKU on the market.
Rockstar has said it will continue fight against the Manhunt 2 ban, describing the BBFC's refusal to grant the game a certificate as "unacceptable".
"We are continuing to appeal the British Board of Film Classification's decision to deny the edited version of Manhunt 2 an 18-plus certificate and thereby ban its release in the United Kingdom," the company said in a statement.
"The changes necessary in order to publish the game in Britain are unacceptable to us and represent a setback for videogames."
As announced yesterday, the BBFC is standing by its initial decision to refuse Manhunt 2 a certificate. That's despite changes made by Rockstar to the game in a bid to meet the ratings board's requirements.
The publisher's statement concluded, "The BBFC allows adults the freedom to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in movies and we think adults should be similarly allowed to decide for themselves when it comes to horror in videogames, such as Manhunt 2."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has promised to unveil plans of a new review into video games on Tuesday, while saying again that he is not interested in censoring the media.
At a press conference at 10 Downing Street Monday, Brown was asked to deliver a message to the makers of video games.
"Where there is pornographic or violent material any parent is going to be concerned about the impact, and any parent wants the reassurance that everything possible is being done when they can't see in almost every occasion the point at which their son or their daughter is watching some of these internet materials either through a telephone or through other media of communication, they want reassurance that we are doing everything in our power.
"Now I think we have got to look at this as a society. I hope this is one of the areas where there can be common ground between all parties. I am not interested in censorship at all, but I think we do need rules governing some aspects of the internet and videos where children are involved and the whole purpose of this review would be to draw on the advice of all sources so that we can look at this in a sensible way.
"This is a challenge of modern society as a result of the explosive development of the internet, new forms of media, multimedia forms of communication. And of course at an earlier age than ever before children have access to all these materials and I think every parent here, but every parent in the country would be concerned that we do what we can. So we will set up this review, we will announce the details of it tomorrow and I hope that from the media itself there will be large numbers of people who will want to be involved in this exercise."
A full transcript of Gordon Brown's press conference can be viewed here.
As Sony ships its new model PlayStation 3 to stores for launch this Wednesday, UK managing director Ray Maguire has told GamesIndustry.biz that the new SKU is a natural evolution and the company always had plans to offer a cheaper product.
But he also admitted that he could understand that PlayStation 3 early adopters might feel cheated for buying the console earlier in the year when it commanded a luxury GBP 425 price point.
"I think it's natural to feel that way, of course it is," said Maguire, in an exclusive interview published today.
"The difference between our industry and many other industries is that if you're selling cars or houses the price goes up steadily. Consumer electronics only goes one way and that's downwards."
Sony Australia will not be introducing a PlayStation 3 price cut but it is following Sony Europe's example by discontinuing the 60GB PS3 and introducing a 40GB console to market.
Following the announcement of the much speculated 40GB hard drive version of the PlayStation 3 in Europe, Sony officials in Japan have also announced a similar model, albeit with an optional new white color design for both console and controller.
The version sold in Japan appears to be functionally identical [to the EU 40GB], but with an optional new "ceramic white" color that has not been confirmed for Europe.
According to consumer website GameSpot, the new hardware model will be launched in Japan on November 11th for a price of ¥39,980 ($341). This is the same day that the new force feedback equipped DualShock 3 controller is due to go on sale, and the first anniversary of the console in Japan.
On October 17th the price of the 20GB and 60GB versions, which are both still sold in Japan, will also be reduced. The 20GB model, which retains backwards compatibility, will drop in price by ¥5,000 ($43) to ¥44,980 (£384). The 60GB version will also see its price fall by the same amount to ¥54,980 ($469). The first 200,000 consoles sold after this date will also receive a free copy of the Spider-Man 3 on Blu-ray.
Free Record Shop, the Netherlands's largest home entertainment retailer, has announced that they have officially endorsed Blu-ray as the successor to DVD. Since Blu-ray has launched in the Netherlands, it has outsold HD DVD on an average of 4-to-1, showing business owners that the buying public is demanding high definition content, and they want that content on Blu-ray.
A new report out of The Hollywood Reporter says SCEA will be following Europe's lead, announcing a $399 40GB PS3 for November 2.
Citing unnamed industry sources who corroborated the November 2 launch date for the new model, the report said SCEA has been telling retailers to clear out existing PS3 inventory.
Last week, SCE Europe announced a 40GB PS3 at a lower price point than current offerings, as the company readies for another critical holiday season against hardware rivals Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360.
The e-setter is a device for people who can easy set up the screen on their TV, some people may have 2 or more TV at home, when they want to move the PS3 to play on another TV, they may find there has no picture on another TV ,it is because the output resolution is different on each TV so they can't get the picture, they have to set the PS3 back to original setting on their current TV before move to another TV, apart from that setting the output of PS3 is so complicated, almost take half hour to do so ,the e-setter is a device for you to set up the output resolution easily, people just need to switch a buttons and get the easy set up in few seconds
PS3 is more wanted than either Wii or Xbox 360, according to the latest Top 20 Most Wanted list, a weekly compilation of the hottest items as listed by CNET users.
The PlayStation 3 60GB model, soon to be a thing of the past, came in at number eleven for the week of October 7. Wii came in three slots lower at the fourteen spot. Xbox 360 did make the cut.
This whole backwards-compatibility thing on the new 40GB PS3 is a pinch confusing. Why, exactly, can't the new model run PS2 games when the old one could? Tired of asking questions of the night, I instead asked SCEE.
"The 40GB model, to be launched in Europe on 10th October, is a new model and is not equipped with any of the semi conductors from the PS2, and backwards compatibility would therefore have to be achieved by software emulation alone. The sheer numbers of PS2 titles available, together with the increased complexity of using a software only solution for each and every title means that to ensure accurate software emulation for the majority would be technically challenging, time consuming and costly. As we have mentioned on several occasions, our engineering resources are now focused on developing new and innovative features and services for the PS3 and, as a result the 40GB model does not have backwards compatibility with PS2 titles."
Capcom has said that the high development costs of working on the PlayStation 3 are the reason the publisher is moving its latest Monster Hunter title to the Nintendo Wii.
Previous Monster Hunter games were Sony exclusives for the PS2 and PSP, and the company has enjoyed considerable success with the franchise clocking up sales of over 4.5 million units.
"Due to high development cost of titles for PS3, we have decided to switch the platform to which we release our Monster Hunter 3 title," said Katsuhiko Ichii, Capcom's managing corporate officer, according to Thompson Financial.
Capcom revealed Monster Hunter 3 for the Wii at a recent Nintendo press briefing, although it had originally said the game would appear on the PlayStation 3.
The publisher said earlier this month that it was now shifting its development strategy for Sony products to the PlayStation 3, where previously it had dedicated the majority of its efforts on the PlayStation 2.
As of today Sony's revamped RRPs have come into play for PlayStation 3. The 40GB PS3 is now on sale for £299 and the original 60GB model now has a new asking price of £349, which comes with two first-party games. Once the 60GB's gone, that's it. Sony's phasing that one out.
But rather than the new price point coming in with a bang, it seems to have tip-toed in through the back door without anyone noticing.
While pondering around a HMV store in central London late last night, a CVG reader snapped the HMV guy ripping the £425 stickers off the PS3 boxes.
He wasn't even doing it very well, as you can clearly see he's torn the box where the collectable sticker used to be on the now collectable 60GB PS3 box.
See for yourself with these pictures straight from the scene. And god bless the mobile phone.
Sony's model naming is just the worst and most confusing one they could have possibly come up with. They might have done this on purpose ... but well, that doesn't solve the problem.
Not only do they name their models with the HDD size - which makes no sense at all as the HDD is upgradeable with any laptop HDD - but even consoles with same HDD aren't the same across regions.
So I propose a new model naming ...
v1: no flashcard ports, 4x usb, GS+EE+RDRAM PS2 HW (like the NTSC/J and NTSC/U 20gb)
v2: flashcard ports, 4x usb, GS+EE+RDRAM PS2 HW (like the NTSC/J and NTSC/U 60gb)
v3: flashcard ports, 4x usb, GS PS2 HW (like the PAL 60GB and NTSC/U 80gb)
v4: no flashcard ports, 2x usb, no PS2 HW (like the NTSC/J, (NTSC/U) and PAL 40GB)
I guess v1 and v2 could be seen as one version as the motherboard is the same ... so maybe they should be named v1.0 and v1.1?
Let me know what you think of the proposed naming...
The HDMI SWITCHER is a HDMI HUB that allows you to connect your console or dvd player to a tv and easily switch from a device to another with a simple remote control press.
Specifications & extra information
- Approved by HDMI ATC lab
- Fully supports 1080P HDTV
- HDCP Compliant
- Supports DTS, Dolby 7.1 Channel Audio
- GOLD PLATED CONNECTORS
- IR Remote control
- Expand 4HDMI sources on your HDTV device
- Amplifier & Equalizer function enables longer HDMI cables
- Plug & Play, installs in seconds
- RoHS compliant
- 110v-240v auto switching power supply
- HDMI CABLE INCLUDED
With just under a fortnight to go before folks go a-grabbin' for Sony's PlayStation Eye, a Senior Producer for SCEA has come forward with a few more lingering details about the peripheral. For starters, Sony apparently has plans to integrate the device into other upcoming titles such as SingStar, which will enable users to "make their own personalized music videos to share with family and friends online." Additionally, the EyeCreate software -- which will allow individuals to "save, edit and share PlayStation Eye videos, photos and audio clips" through their PS3 -- will be available as a free download on the PlayStation Store. Finally, those not interested in the bundled Eye of Judgment game can opt for a standalone unit on October 23rd, which is set to ring up at $39.99.
In an interview with EDGE Magazine, Valve's Gabe Newell didn't mince words when it came to his dislike of the PS3.
"I think [PS3 is] a waste of everybody's time," he said. "Investing in the Cell, investing in the SPE gives you no long-term benefits."
"There's nothing there that you're going to apply to anything else. You're not going to gain anything except a hatred of the architecture they've created. I don't think they're going to make money off their box. I don't think it's a good solution," he continued.
Newell has criticised Sony's console in the past, once referring to it as "a total disaster on so many levels."
Nevertheless, Valve's The Orange Box, recently released for the PC and Xbox 360, will soon appear on the PS3.
"I think the people who have The Orange Box on the PS3 are going to be happy with their game experience," Newell said.
"We've done the PC and 360 versions here and EA has a team doing the PS3 version – and they'll make the PS3 version a good product; EA got the job done in putting a lot of people with PS3 experience on the project.
"But I think it's harder to get it to the same standard as the 360 and PC versions."
This week's European PlayStation Store line-up remains typically elusive, but US gamers (or users of the US Store) can look forward to the release of Everyday Shooter.
Created by a chap called Jonathan Mak, Everyday Shooter is described as "an album of games exploring the expressive power of abstract shooters".
The musical connection is more than a metaphor too - in a superficially similar way to games like Rez or Lumines, Everyday Shooter incorporates sound effects prompted by player movement into the game's jangly guitar soundtrack.
It's already won awards - and in fact it was its dominance at the Independent Games Festival in March that led to Sony taking an interest. You can read how the whole thing came about over on Sony's official US blog, where senior producer Rusty Buchert charts its path to PSN.
Ubisoft's next Prince of Persia game will be a prequel to existing games in the series and will mark the start of a new trilogy.
Well that's according to rumour that's hit the interweb, anyway. Blog Surfer Girl Reviews (them again?) claims that the game is subtitled Ghosts of the Past and even has what it claims are two screenshots from a very early build.
It goes on to say that the new PoP is in development for PS3, Wii, Xbox 360 and PC and is due out in the latter half of 2008 - and that the second title in the new trilogy will arrive in 2009.
On top of that, the blog claims that the darker tone of the last two Prince of Persia games is being ditched for Ghosts of the Past "in favor a fantastical cross between The Sands of Time, Ico and Zelda."
We phoned Ubisoft to get a response to all this is. "We don't comment on rumours", a spokesperson for the publisher said.
According to an interview with MeriStation.com, Europe Sony VP James Armstrong made a major announcement over a possible Sony/Konami bundle that just might have something to do with the most anticipated PS3 game in the short history of the platform. Here's the quote from the Spanish site, autotranslated roughly:
I am going to advance something to you; yes, we are working in pack of PlayStation 3 that includes Metal Gear 4 Solid and the new DualShock. We want that it is in the street before Easter and that is our fight at the moment.
An MGS4 bundle sounds like an absolutely wonderful and completely obvious way to sell some PS3s. But isn't it an odd circumstance when we've heard so many differing viewpoints from so many differing Sony execs for so long that we don't believe it until the information is on press release?
We've seen plenty of unnecessary mods in the past, but this latest creation from PlayStation.com forum member Dragonpower certainly ranks among the more superfluous, with it boasting just enough excess to make up for its lack of common sense.
Apparently, Dragonpower found that his PS3 just wasn't cool enough for his taste, so he got drilling and strung some tubes filled with liquid coolant through the console, with a couple of extra fans thrown in for good measure. That seems to have resulted in a temperature of just 32ºC (or 90ºF) under a heavy load, with the console itself said to be "almost dead silent." Dragonpower apparently still sees more room for "improvement," however, as he says this mod is still in progress.
With Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock on Xbox 360 and Wii, you simply turn on the machine, sync the guitar and start to rock. On PlayStation 3, however, there's the bizarre addition of a USB wireless dongle, despite the hardware featuring wireless Bluetooth technology in the box -- it's how the Sixaxis connects without a cord. When no one would comment on the additional wireless accessory during a Guitar Hero press event a few weeks back, 1UP contacted Red Octane for an explanation on why the PS3 version needed the additional step.
"For the PS3 guitar, we're using our own 2.4ghz wireless solution. Our products require considerable time for certification and testing to perfect both our software & hardware, so this was the most effective way for us to bring a high quality wireless solution for PS3 this holiday," said Red Octane VP of Hardware Lee Guinchard.
Right, but why? The wireless capabilities of PS3 and Wii are both Bluetooth-based. The Wii version doesn't require a separate dongle -- it simply hooks into the Wiimote and hijacks the existing signal -- so why are developers swapping Sony's own wireless solutions for their own? Red Octane spokesperson Bryan Lam told 1UP it's because Sony's tools only work for the Sixaxis at the moment. In order for Guitar Hero 3 to hit day-and-date with the other versions, Red Octane was forced to develop their own wireless solution. Nintendo, on the other hand, had everything ready to roll, allowing Red Octane's guitar to simply ride on the existing Bluetooth technology found in the Wii.
This afternoon, I cruised on up to the Insomniac Games office for a last minute look at Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction for the PLAYSTATION 3. Having missed out on the game's DualShock 3 support in the Tokyo Game Show demo and well aware (read: right pissed) at the release "lag" that meant most North Americans won't have access to the PS3's rumbling afterthought, I was curious about support for the "ShockAxis" for the domestic release. Short answer? It's looking good.
Here's the deal: while Sony won't officially support an imported Japanese DualShock 3, games like Ratchet & Clank Future will. The game was listed as DualShock 3 ready in the official "List Of PS3 Games That Support The DualShock 3" without requiring a software update, but I wanted to be sure.
Not many sites other than our own Network sites are worthy enough of a Network Posting on all our sites but PDroms the Archive for tons of homebrew roms no other site covers is invaluable, heres a list of homebrew rom downloads to whet your appetite:
Atari 2600 | Atari 5200 | Coleco Vision | Gameboy | Gameboy Advance | Game Gear | Genesis | GP32 | IntelliVision | Master System | Neo Geo Pocket | Nintendo Entertainment System | Pokemon Mini | Super Nintendo Entertainment System | Virtual Boy | Wonderswan
So as you can see lots of Free and Legal Homebrew Roms and its also ran by a Decent Webmaster who is well liked and respected by the Homebrew Community.
Welcome to this week's Games & Toys update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days.
Popular sellers this week have been the multi platform soccer release FIFA Soccer 08, Operation Darkness for Xbox360™ and Arcana Heart for PlayStation2™.
The most popular handheld game releases have been Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow for PSP™ and Spyro: The Eternal Night for Nintendo DS™ (both US version releases).
As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week,
Xbox360™:
Crash of the Titans ASIA US$ 44.90
FIFA Soccer 08 ASIA US$ 44.90
FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage US US$ 49.90
Half-Life 2: The Orange Box ASIA US$ 49.90
NBA 2K8 US US$ 59.90
NBA Live 08 US US$ 59.90
Operation Darkness JPN US$ 64.90
Project Gotham Racing 4 JPN US$ 64.90
Project Gotham Racing 4 US US$ 59.90
Project Gotham Racing 4 [First Print Limited Edition] JPN US$ 69.90
Spider-Man: Friend or Foe US US$ 49.90
The Bigs ASIA US$ 44.90
Xbox 360 Elite JPN N/A
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller (Black) JPN N/A
Xbox Live Points - Halo 3 (1,600 points) ASIA US$ 20.90
PlayStation3™:
FIFA Soccer 08 ASIA US$ 49.90
Lair ASIA US$ 59.90
NBA 08 ASIA US$ 59.90
NBA 2K8 US US$ 64.90
NBA Live 08 US US$ 64.90
Rise from Lair JPN US$ 59.90
SKATE ASIA US$ 49.90
The Godfather: The Don's Edition JPN US$ 64.90
World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets US US$ 49.90
Nintendo Wii™:
Crash of the Titans US US$ 49.90
Hot Wheels: Beat That US US$ 49.90
Spider-Man: Friend or Foe US US$ 49.90
PlayStation2™:
Arabians Lost: The Engagement on Desert JPN US$ 64.90
Arcana Heart JPN US$ 59.90
Arcana Heart Real Arcade Pro Stick N/A
Capcom Classics Collection (Best Price) JPN US$ 19.90
Colorful Aquarium: My Little Mermaid JPN US$ 64.90
Colorful Aquarium: My Little Mermaid [Limited Edition] JPN N/A
Dance Dance Revolution: SuperNova 2 Bundle US US$ 69.90
Idol Janshi Suchie-Pai 4 JPN US$ 64.90
Idol Janshi Suchie-Pai 4 [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 79.90
Jackass: The Game US US$ 34.90
Jissen Pachi-Slot Hisshouhou! Hokuto no Ken 2 JPN US$ 49.90
Monster Hunter G (PlayStation2 the Best) JPN US$ 19.90
NBA 2K8 US US$ 34.90
NBA Live 08 US US$ 44.90
Nintendo DS™:
Crash of the Titans US US$ 34.90
DS Nishimura Kyotaro Suspense Shin Tantei Series: Kyoto Atami Zekkai no Kotou - Satsui no Wana JPN US$ 39.90
Koukou Juken: Eitango Get Through 1900 - Eitan Zamurai DS JPN US$ 39.90
Namco Museum DS JPN US$ 39.90
Osumitsuki Series: Matsuda Tadanori Onsen Kyouju Kanshuu - Zengoku DokoDemo Onsen Techou JPN US$ 48.90
Osumitsuki Series: Shokusai Roman Katei Dedekiru! Chomeijin - Yuumei Ryourinin no Original Recipe JPN US$ 39.90
Otona no DS Mystery II: Idzumi Jiken Fair JPN US$ 48.90
Oubunsha Deru-Jun: Koumin DS JPN US$ 39.90
Oubunsha Deru-Jun: Sansuu DS JPN US$ 39.90
Spider-Man: Friend or Foe US US$ 34.90
Tashiten: Tashite 10 ni Suru Monogatari JPN US$ 48.90
The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night US US$ 34.90
Sony PSP™:
FIFA Soccer 08 ASIA US$ 42.90
Jackass: The Game US US$ 34.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Battery Pack ASIA US$ 39.90
Spider-Man: Friend or Foe US US$ 39.90
Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow US US$ 39.90
PC Games:
Enemy Teritory Quake Wars (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 29.90
Enemy Territory Quake Wars Limited Collector's Edition (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 52.90
FIFA 08 (DVD ROM) ASIA US$ 36.90
Gadget Trial (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 17.90
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition ASIA US$ 47.90
The Settlers - Rise Of An Empire (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 39.90
The Settlers - Rise Of An Empire Limited Edition ASIA US$ 49.90
World of Warcraft Battlechest US US$ 44.90
Toys & More:
Armored Core Interior Y01-Tellus 1/72 Fine Scale Model Kit JPN US$ 32.90
Brighter than Dawning Blue: Estel Freesia 1/8 Scale PVC Figure JPN US$ 39.90
Fist of The North Star Episode 4 Return of Savior Non Scale Pre-Painted Figure: Collection No.10 - Solia JPN US$ 9.99
Fist of The North Star Episode 4 Return of Savior Non Scale Pre-Painted Figure: Collection No.8 - Kenshiro JPN US$ 9.99
Fist of The North Star Episode 4 Return of Savior Non Scale Pre-Painted Figure: Collection No.9 - Falco JPN US$ 9.99
G-Shock Transformers - Cybertron Convoy Model JPN N/A
G-Shock Transformers - Destron Megatron Model JPN N/A
Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix: Hermione Granger 12inch Prepainted Sound Button Figure US$ 29.90
Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix: Ron Weasley 12inch Prepainted Sound ButtonFigure US$ 29.90
Pokemon 10th Anniversary Pocket Monsters Collection Set JPN N/A
Pokemon Pocket Monsters Battle Scenes Collection Mini Figure: Darkrai JPN US$ 2.90
Pokemon Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl Collection PVC Mini Figure: MC-65 Kricketune JPN US$ 2.90
Pokemon Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl Collection PVC Mini Figure: MC-92 Berobelt JPN US$ 2.90
SR Aria The Natural Figure Collection Gashapon JPN US$ 3.49
SR Elemental Monster Figure Collection Gashapon JPN US$ 3.49
The Pocket Monster Pokemon Mini Rubber Figure: Hikozaru JPN US$ 3.90
The Pocket Monster Pokemon Mini Rubber Figure: Naetoru JPN US$ 3.90
The Pocket Monster Pokemon Mini Rubber Figure: Pikachu JPN N/A
The Pocket Monster Pokemon Mini Rubber Figure: Pocchama JPN US$ 3.90
To Heart 2 Another Days 1/8 Scale PVC Figure: Harumi Kouno JPN US$ 39.90
Utawarerumono: Urutori 1/8 Scale PVC Figure JPN US$ 49.90
Video Game related Movies:
Mushihimesama Futari Official DVD JPN US$ 69.90
Video Game related Soundtracks:
Ar Tonelico 2 Sekai Ni Hibiku Shojo Tachi No Sozoshi Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 31.90
Bakumatsu Renka Karyu Kenshi Den Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 27.90
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 36.90
R-Type Tactics Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 27.90
VitaminX Character CD: Silver Disc - Shojiro Kinugasa & Ginji Katsuragi & Masateru Sanada JPN US$ 19.90
Next-Gen speaks with six games industry analysts who weigh in on the potential impact of the rumored $399 40GB US PlayStation 3.
The six analysts that we spoke with all agreed that the rumored $399 40GB PS3 for the US would facilitate an up-tick in PS3 sales this holiday, but to varying degrees.
Industry analysis mainstay Michael Pachter with Wedbush Morgan suggests that with each price drop, PS3 will be able to sustain higher monthly sales. He predicts as much as a 50 percent increase in US PS3 hardware sales if the console drops to $399.
Billy Pidgeon with IDC isn't as confident in PS3 sales. "I don't expect major uptake on PS3 this holiday," he says. "Xbox 360 needs to make the most of this holiday and build up the base, but Nintendo could move more Wii consoles than the others combined."
Lazard Capital Markets' Colin Sebastian believes that there will be a "meaningful up-tick" in sales once a cheaper 40GB model is introduced, but a less-expensive console from Sony will have to be backed by a stronger third-party developer strategy.
Janco Partners' Mike Hickey says Sony can only do what it can with what it's got this holiday. "We don't think there is really anything Sony can do beyond a dramatic price cut and a verbal outcry for PS3 Blu-ray buyers to turn the tide of their dismal holiday sales outlook relative to the Xbox 360," he says rather bleakly. "[From a software standpoint,] consumers seem to be struggling with the ‘why pay considerably more for considerably less?' purchasing dilemma. We are increasingly less confident Sony will show anything remotely remarkable on the PS3 for this holiday."
Spanish gaming site MeriStation have published an interview with James Armstrong, who's CEO of Sony Spain. While chatting, Armstrong revealed that the new 40GB PS3 will ship with updated firmware which will improve the PS3's DVD playback quality.
I've just published a new website dedicated on teaching "newbs" how to solder onto the various electronic components you'll find inside various video gaming consoles including pads, via points, ic legs and resistors. If you're new at soldering or just want some general tips and tricks check it out.
Nintendo's handheld is the best-selling hardware in Japan for the week ended October 7, overtaking Sony's PSP, according to data from Media Create.
Sales of the DS were up over 14,000 units to 87,535, while PSP sales dropped by almost 16,000 units to 86,895.
There's been less demand for Nintendo's Wii home console, with sales down by over 3000 units to 20,704 and the PlayStation 3 has also suffered with sales dropping to 10,446 units.
Reflecting Halo 3's drop in the software charts, sales of the Xbox 360 were at 1547, while the GameBoy Advance sold 242 units and the GameCube 109.
BioWare has said it currently has no plans to bring Mass Effect to PS3 in the wake of news hitting on EA snapping up the developer.
"Our focus is pure and simple; it's to deliver the best game possible for our fans with Mass Effect, and that's an Xbox 360 exclusive. Microsoft's a great partner... and they've really helped build the value of the product and we're proud to work with them", BioWare's Ray Muzyka has told GameDaily Biz.
It emerged in the early hours of this morning that EA has bought both BioWare and Pandemic Studios. The news left us gob-smacked.
Speaking further about Mass Effect, BioWare's Greg Zeschuk reaffirmed that it'll be a trilogy, reminding the world that the developer's been on the record in the past as saying it wants the three games to be on Xbox 360.
However, while the developer says there's currently no plan to pursue Mass Effect on PS3, Zeschuk added that BioWare "can't predict the future".
Talking generally about the buyout, Ray Muzyka said, "We're going to continue to drive the craft that you've come to expect from BioWare's games, and we're going to continue to innovate - each game better than the last."
It's been revealed the version of Manhunt 2 that the British Board of Film Classification turned down earlier this week in the UK, is exactly the same as the revised edition that's been granted a mature rating by the ESRB in North America.
This revelation comes from UK trade magazine MCV during an interview with BBFC spokeswoman Sue Clark. She defends the board's decision saying that the organisation isn't any tougher on videogames than it is on movies. "Manhunt 2 is the second game we have rejected in 23 years. I'd hardly call that draconian," she said.
Clark also responded to Rockstar's criticisms that the decision was 'unacceptable' and that adults should be able to make decisions for themselves. "DVD companies don't complain when we reject their products. The creator of the Struggle In Bondage didn't get up in arms. Manhunt 2 went beyond our guidelines when it came to gross violence and we had a public duty to reject it," she added.
Rockstar must now wait to hear a decision from the Video Appeals Committee, which will decide whether or not the game can be released in the UK.
Details are admittedly scant on this one, but after Don Eklund, executive VP of advanced technologies for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, got done praising the growth of high-definition movies at HDTV DisplaySearch, he also mentioned that the PlayStation 3 was due a firmware update. More specifically, he noted that the PS3 "is expected to soon offer a firmware upgrade to boost its Blu-ray interactivity functionality," but unfortunately, he failed to elaborate. One could hope that the update would bring along at least some of the niceties waiting in Profile 1.1, but until we get clarification (or are surprised by the actual release), we'll leave the speculating to you.
Normally, the news that a study into the dangerousness of WiFi signals was to take place would provoke groans of disappointment from these pages: however, the British Government's statement that such a study is going to take place is a somewhat calming development. The Health Protection Agency, the group tasked with staging the study, will aim for the study to be "systematic" -- alternatively meaning "final," "definitive," and "complete" -- with all areas of potential dangerousness being investigated, with the opening remarks from the chief executive of the agency including affirmations that no evidence has previously been found that 2.4GHz WiFi frequencies cause danger. Schools will not turn off their routers while the study takes place, and the results are expected to be "reassuring." Sanity has won this battle it seems.
Despite recent announcements of a lower-priced PS3 being released in Japan and Europe, Sony has not yet confirmed that a similar model will be sold in the US.
Nevertheless, the assumption is that such a console will be made available in early November, supported by internal documents obtained from a US retailer showing the new SKU as well as documents Sony filed with the FCC on a new product with a model designation similar to those of the existing PS3 consoles.
The Hollywood Reporter became the latest to join the rumour mill, recently reporting that both an industry source and a retail buyer expect the new system to be released on November 2.
So, with all the chatter, why hasn't SCEA admitted the existence of the new model?
"These rolling announcements suggest to me that Sony has an inventory control problem, with too many unsold 60GB units out there, and they don't want to have to cut the price to clear them," Wedbush Morgan securities analyst Michael Pachter told GamesIndustry.biz.
Pachter thinks that Sony will either wait to announce the 40GB model after the 60GB units have been cleared out, or else it will "accept reality and bundle [the 60GB with] a game and an extra controller for USD 499.99, giving consumers some value for their money."
As with other analysts, Pachter does expect the price reduction to significantly drive sales volume. He estimates that the PS3 sell-though may pick up 50 per cent for every hundred dollars in price reduction.
Pachter doesn't believe the loss of backwards compatibility will be an issue.
"I don't think most people who waited this long care enough about backwards compatibility to affect their decision either way," he said.
Nintendo has already publicly stated that the Wii will once again be in short supply this holiday season. Might that encourage Wii-less consumers to purchase a PS3 instead?
"In my view, the typical Wii buyer is either someone who would not have otherwise bought a [games console] but was intrigued by the Wii, or is someone who fully intends to buy a PS3 or 360 eventually, when price or software support is sufficient to prompt them to do so," explained Pachter.
Well, it looks like that CECHG01 model PlayStation 3 wasn't the only one that the FCC got to spend a bit of time with recently, with the hereto unheard of CECHH01 model now also finding its way into a couple of more recent filings with the commission.
While we can't say for sure what's what, that model number is certainly more than a tad similar to the recently revealed 40GB CECHH00 model announced for Japan, which would seem to suggest that this one can't be all that different. Additionally, from what little info we could glean online (see link below), it appears that this particular model packs a "new board" and, most likely, two USB ports instead of the usual four. More on this as we get it.
Free Radical's always bashed the right nerve with its TimeSplitters FPS series, which is why we're all over Haze like a rash.
New screenshots, including snaps of the shooter's co-op mode, are on this page and demanding your attention.
Haze is set in a near-future where the government has outsourced military operations to private multinational corporations. You play Jake Carpenter, a soldier who works for the Mantel Corporation who has access to high-tech vehicles, kick-ass weapons and performance enhancing bio-medical support.
Free Radical director David Doak has said previously that one of the developer's key goals with the game is "to make people think" in addition to "pushing the bar with gameplay and presentation".
He explained, "...in Haze we're trying to examine more the feeling of the soldier. If you're fighting in a war, you need to somehow justify your actions, so in Haze we actually cause the player to question that to some extent".
Currently, Haze has only been officially confirmed as a PS3 release this year. Expect more versions in 2008.
According to a report from Mainichi Interactive, Hirokazu Hamamura, president of Famitsu publisher Enterbrain, painted a bright picture for Nintendo in his annual industry forecast, announced at a seminar held in Tokyo on the 12th.
The coming years will see big things for the DS and related parties, predicts Hamamura. He expects the DS to cross the 30 million shipment mark in 2009. Echoing past statements made in his weekly column in Famitsu, he also believes that Dragon Quest IX could see a series' record five million sales.
It's not all good news for Nintendo, though. Hamamura noted that the Wii hasn't seen a second big hit at the level of Wii Sports, and cited figures that suggest 67% of Wii owners haven't used the system of late. However, he admitted that Wii Fit is drawing attention, and added that it's possible that more games make the platform switch akin to Monster Hunter 3.
Regarding the PS3, Hamamura believes that the release of a 40,000 yen model will at last mark the system's arrival at the starting line for a games machine. However, he cautions that there's no guarantee of continued exclusivity for Final Fantasy XIII and Metal Gear Solid 4. In the case of their going multiplatform, he believes the key to Sony's success will be its self produced titles like Gran Turismo 5.
SEGA announced that SEGA Rally Revo, the first title developed by the newly formed SEGA Racing Studio for the PS3, Xbox 360, PSP and PC, has shipped to retail. The game offers you wide selection of 4WD, 2WD and Classic vehicles that react differently depending upon the racing surface, a vast variety of fully deformable environments and surfaces from littered gravel tracks, all weather tarmac roads, to snow driven trails and a smart AI which will take into account lots of factors to adapt its driving style.
We hate to bring the internet's game of conclusion hopscotch to an end, but the rain of truth threatens to wash those chalk outlines away and... we're not really sure what we thinking with that opening. Regardless, a Sony representative has told us that, despite internet murmurs latching onto the "Version 2.0" nomenclature, the recent update to the PSN End User License Agreement has no "bearing or affiliation with any future firmware upgrades." If the fabled Firmware 2.0 does somehow show up at the end of the month, coincidence will apparently be the one to blame.
Going into effect on October 30th, the updated EULA (probably not pronounced "EWW-LAH") is merely paving the legal way for upcoming PSN functionality, Home features and upcoming games that might tempt players to share online content considered "racially, ethnically, religiously, or sexually offensive, libelous, defaming, threatening, bullying or stalking."
Battle monsters and creatures and ultimately collect their powers. As players harvest these powers, they in turn can use them against other monsters in battle, thus getting stronger with each monster they capture.
Play as both characters, Ellen and Keats, and watch as their separate tales intertwine. Each character has specific talents and gameplay styles: Keats uses traditional direct attacks while Ellen uses strategic methods to trap her enemies.
From the colorful Fairies to dark Spirits, each creature is painstakingly designed to inspire wonder and amazement.
Much like pulling fish out of the water with a fishing pole, the PLAYSTATION? SIXAXIS?wireless controller lets players literally “shake?their enemies into submission and “yank?their powers from them.
Design custom Folklore dungeons and share with players online. Populate your levels with creatures you collect during your single player campaign!
Redefining Rally: High-speed next-gen racing on a wide variety of surface types, all within environments from exotic locations around the world.
Groundbreaking GeoDeformation? Proprietary technology creates fully deformable environments and surfaces, ensuring that the race experience changes on every lap.
Fully-Licensed Vehicles: Customizable 4WD, 2WD and Classic vehicles including the Subaru Impreza, Ford Focus, Audi Quattro, Lancia Stratos and Toyota Celica.
Competition: Advanced AI plus online and offline multiplayer for up to six people ensure a healthy level of competition for drivers of any standard.
features
pages: 144
Platform: Nintendo DS, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation Portable, WII and X-Box 360
Park Manager 101 — Be the best theme park manager possible with management tips from the experts.
Parts is Parts — Know which pieces of the rides do what with a complete and comprehensive encyclopedia of components for your rides.
Ridethrough — An easy to follow walkthrough of all the missions will help you to succeed in the fast paced world of amusement park manager.
My Park Is Better Then Yours — Multiplayer strategies to undo your friends and win all the cotton candy.
PlayStation 3 hardware sales jumped 178 per cent last week with the introduction of two new SKUs, helping the system record its third highest week since launch in the UK.
Data supplied to GamesIndustry.biz reveals that although Sony's console enjoyed a considerable sales boost, Nintendo's DS was still the best-selling hardware system in the UK, followed by the Wii and then the PS3, with the Xbox 360 behind its home console rival.
Two new PS3 models were introduced to market last Wednesday. A 40GB model with less functions has gone on sale for GBP 299, and the 60GB model has been reduced to GBP 349, bundled with two free first-party games.
PS3 software has also enjoyed a resurgence, with Resistance: Fall of Man climbing the all-formats charts from 22 to eight, Heavenly Sword re-entering the top 40 at number 14, MotorStorm moving from 22 to 18, and Formula 1: Championship Edition also back in the official charts at number 24.
Sony's PlayStation Eye, essentially the follow-up to EyeToy, will hit the UK on November 7.
It comes bundled with EyeCreate - on Blu-ray disc - software which allows you to create and personalise your own videos (purchasers of Eye of Judgement can still download a free version of EyeCreate on PSN from October 25).
PlayStation Eye, which has been designed for PS3, will set you back £24.99.
A Game of the Year Edition of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for PS3 finally allows owners of Sony's console to romp around in expansion pack Shivering Isles.
The GOTY version additionally features previously released download content Knights of the Nine.
However, for some reason the recently released content Fighter's Stronghold - available now for PC and Xbox 360 Oblivion, and a 10.3MB file - has not been included.
Maybe it'll appear in the Game of Next Year Edition. Badumtish.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition is out for PS3 in December.
Sony is still working on plans to distribute music and video via the PlayStation Network, with a possibility of such efforts coming to fruition early next year.
Speaking in an interview with The Financial Times, Sony chief executive Sir Howard Stringer talked about building a software infrastructure to distribute video and music.
"That is a Japanese and American combined effort to build a platform around a common software architecture to distribute video via the PlayStation Network into the [PSP handhelds] and beyond," he said.
"We are trying to get our devices to talk to each other efficiently. PlayStation Network should migrate from gadget to gadget. But initially it starts with PlayStation devices and then to TV and beyond. That's the goal."
While no specific dates were announced, Stringer did say "We won't know how effective [the effort] is until early next year."
Sony has already announced a television tuner and recorder device, as well as PSP video/voice chat software, for the UK and some European markets.
Microsoft launched a video download marketplace via Xbox Live in the US in November 2006.
Electronic Arts' FIFA 08 remains at number one in the UK all-formats charts this week, reflecting the success it enjoys elsewhere in Europe.
Microsoft's Xbox 360 racer Project Gotham Racing 4 makes a strong debut at number two, nudging another format exclusive, Halo 3, to three.
THQ's movie tie-in Ratatouille jumps up the charts from eight to four as it piggybacks the building momentum for the well-received Disney/Pixar film
EA's MySims for the Wii and the multiformat Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 are at five and six, respectively, while THQ's Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights drops from number three to seven.
Sony's Resistance: Fall of Man climbs back into the top ten at eight, while Nintendo's Wii Play and Dr Kawashima's Brain Training finish off the top ten at nine and ten, respectively.
The only other new entry in the charts this week is Vivendi's Crash of the Titans at 19.
The new price and SKU for the PlayStation 3 seems to have helped improve software sales for Sony, with Heavenly Sword re-entering the top 40 at 14 and MotorStorm climbing from 23 to 18.
It's been a while since we've had a bit of (supposed) GTA IV leakage, but now US site GamerNode has piped up with new details apparently originating at a PlayStation event in Toronto.
The PlayStation Holiday Preview Event (as they're calling it) apparently had Rockstar drop a few more GTA details while showcasing Manhunt 2 to Canadian punters.
Supposedly Rockstar is aiming for support for up to 16 players in the fourth instalment's online multiplayer mode, which should excite anyone who's played the excellent wi-fi deathmatch in any of the PSP versions.
Supposedly the developer has also been busy testing various plots and even considered having the entire game world unlocked from the beginning. But that goes against the series' tradition of having you unlock districts through story progression.
Rockstar wasn't able to comment on the info when we picked up the phone, but we reckon it's probably safe to assume there'll be an ample number of players supported in GTA IV anyway. It's out in Q1, if you'd forgotten.
Ah, Target. The home of so many broken street dates. Just days after letting the Xbox 360 Arcade slip out of its doors early, the retailer is apparently proving that the 40GB PlayStation 3 is indeed coming to America -- and for $399.99, no less. Reportedly, the system is all set to "officially" be released here on October 28th, and while we've no way of confirming, we're hearing that it may be bundled with the upcoming Spider-Man 3 flick, too.
Following a price cut to the existing 60GB PS3 from £425 to £350, and the introduction to market of a 40GB PS3 for £299, Sony's next-gen console has enjoyed it's third best weekly hardware sales since launching in the UK in March, reports MCV.
According to sales data monitor Chart Track, week-on-week PS3 hardware sales rose by 178 percent. While individual unit sales were not announced, the weekly sales total is the highest since the first two weeks following the console's launch.
The PS3 innards? Fantastic. The outer shell? Hrm. As a straight up piece of hardware, the PS3 is impressive. That glossy dust-collecting Victorian waffle iron-shaped shell isn't. Though! Sony was trying to do something different than you typical game console. Just listen to Sony designer Teiyu Goto explain it:
For PLAYSTATION®3, we employed a curvilinear and glossy surface. This shape and material is rarely used for conventional electronic appliances. It is different from VCRs, DVD players (whose widths are usually 430 mm), or gaming systems. It represents a completely new concept.
There is a reason, you know, that shape and that material aren't used in conventional appliances.
The hunt for 3D graphics access from homebrew/linux ("Other OS") on the PS3 goes on and the guys over at ps2dev.org have made significant progress recently after IronPeter managed to blit the push buffer from user land using fifo control registers.
Talking as part of an in-depth interview published on Gamasutra today, Kojima Productions' Ryan Payton has revealed that there are over 200 developers working to complete Metal Gear Solid 4 for PlayStation 3, also commenting on the game's use of DualShock 3.
"But the game is definitely under a lot of pressure, because the way things are turning out, this could be the first "must have" PlayStation 3 title on store shelves. Or, if not the first, then the second or the third. So, in that sense, there's a lot relying on it. People at Sony know that, and we've got literally 200 guys working on this title, day and night, making sure that it's perfect."
"This will be the premiere DualShock 3 supporting game coming out within the next six months. Gran Turismo 5 is, I'm sure, going to be impressive, but we've got some things that I can't talk about that people are going to really dig." http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=15859
Well, it looks like that CECHG01 model PlayStation 3 wasn't the only one that the FCC got to spend a bit of time with recently, with the hereto unheard of CECHH01 model now also finding its way into a couple of more recent filings with the commission. While we can't say for sure what's what, that model number is certainly more than a tad similar to the recently revealed 40GB CECHH00 model announced for Japan, which would seem to suggest that this one can't be all that different. http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/15/p...-fcc/#comments
Resistance: Fall of Man 2 is being "tentatively" prepared for launch next November, relocating the World War II-era alien-bashing action to American locations like San Francisco and Chicago as the Chimera invasion hits US shores. Beats Grimsby and Hull...
Sergeant Nathan Hale, star of the original game, will allegedly return - though not necessarily in the leading role. Multiplayer matches are said to feature vehicles, including three brand new aircraft. Even better, there's a cliffhanger ending that sets up a third title in the series.
A sequel's hardly surprising given Insomniac's history-bending battler was one of PS3's better games at launch, though this infoburst certainly ain't official.
No, it comes courtesy of our new favourite industry tipster, the memorably named Surfer Girl Reviews Star Wars blog.
You may it remember from such revelations such as LA Noire being too big for Xbox 360...
Skate anything you can see!
Sneak into spots only you can find - use ladders, ledges and wires to skate secret spots, find rooftop ledges, secret pools and hidden sewer tunnels
Avoid security guards who will toss you out of the choice locations.
Use skate checking on jerks that get in your way
Compete in races and impress skaters!
SuccessHK has today dropped the price of the new 80GB Playstation 3 down to USD 497.10 (£244)
That is a massive saving over the reduced 60GB price in the UK at £350 and cheaper than the 40GB at £250
All PS3 Games are worldwide Region Free as are most Blueray Films. Buying a HK PS3 will lose PS2/Ps1 compatability but for the price it may be worth it..
SuccessHK do ship worldwide so good news for importers, but make sure you ship airmail and ask for the box to be marked as sample
Sony has revealed that it will be treating you to an episodic comedy series of games for PS3 called Rat Race.
It is being developed by Super-Ego Games to be available from the PlayStation Store, and features voices from real life funny people who have appeared in South Park, Flight of the Concords, Sex and the City, My Name is Earl, Ugly Betty, Comedy Central and more.
The story is based around the dysfunctional office of a company called BiggCo, where employees are all larger than life characters: the outrageously hot PR [staff writer - Ed], the jobs-worth who is focused on getting you fired, and a mad research scientist who spends too much time with his monkey.
You simply have to make it through the day, calling on all sorts of on-the-job-acquired talents like stealing, eavesdropping and sneaking to help you along the way.
For Super-Ego co-founder Greg Easley the aim is to make you feel part of your favourite telly sitcom, although that "doesn't do it justice".
The first episode is expected to be available in the US this winter.
We are still waiting for Sony Europe to tell us if and when we can expect it here.
NCsoft's director of product development believes Home's fortunes are dependent on PlayStation 3's installed base, and not the other way around.
Thomas Bidaux told GamesIndustry.biz that Home is "very interesting", but he believes it will "remain quite limited" unless it offers something significant beyond customisation of avatars.
He is also unconvinced that it will encourage take-up of the console. "One of the limitations is linked to the PlayStation 3 - so the success of Home is 100 per cent tied to the PS3's penetration into the market," he said.
"I don't think you can say you will sell more PS3s because of Home, but if the PS3 had the right penetration in the market, then yes - Home will be very interesting."
Bidaux also made the point that Sony's history of keeping a console on the market for a significant length of time, and its strength as a hardware company, were critical to
NCsoft's decision to partner with the company on a range of games.
"[Y]ou don't want to roll out an MMO and make it obsolete because of a new platform a year after that," he pointed out. "You want to have your MMO for many, many, many years - as many as possible."
"So the PlayStation 3 is a good platform for us, and we assume it's going to be around for quite a long time. Early adopters, and the early days - we don't really worry too much at that point."
Bidaux also acknowledged that both Sony and Microsoft's hardware strategies are "valid" and "interesting" in their own ways, and agreed that people probably get a bit carried away trying to compare them.
The full exclusive GamesIndustry.biz interview is available now.
The simExchange, an online prediction market for videogames, has released its latest report estimating September sales of USD 630 million [£310m], up 41 per cent year over year.
Analyst Jesse Divnich believes that Nintendo's Wii will be the top-selling console, moving approximately 485,000 units despite the release of Halo 3. Microsoft's Xbox 360 sales will be close, however, at an estimated 423,000 units sold.
Sony's PlayStation 3 is estimated to have sold 164,000 units in September.
In the portable market, simExchange has the PSP selling 284,000 units compared to sales of 501,000 Nintendo DS handhelds. Divinich believes that the introduction of the PSP "lite" is growing the portables market, but is not cannibalizing DS sales.
Halo 3 is, of course, the best-selling title of September, with an estimated 2,980,000 copies sold. Other Xbox 360 titles with notable sales in September include Bioshock, Madden NFL 08, and Stranglehold.
Nintendo's Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is estimated to have sold 267,000 copies in September.
Heavenly Sword was the PS3's top-selling title, with an estimated 182,000 copies sold, compared to 96,000 copies of Lair. In Divnich's analysis, PS3 exclusive titles do not move hardware.
For October, The simExchange is predicting software sales of USD 554 million, which would be a 50 per cent increase from 2006.
People have already made up their mind regarding the console they are going to buy this holiday season, says Divnich, and they will be buying the Wii.
"There is no cost effective strategy that either Sony or Microsoft could implement this late in the season to change the minds of the consumers," he wrote in his report.
Gamers, developers, and investors trade stock on the simExchange market to predict how well games will sell. Unit sales forecasts are taken from this trading, not from an individual analyst employing conventional means of forecasting.
Although Sierra has yet to own up to it, Tim Schafer and Double Fine Productions have finally taken the wraps off their next game in the pages of US magazine Game Informer. Its name is Brütal Legend.
It's a game that pays homage to the ancient and mysterious forces of rock, and puts you in the biker-boots of Eddie Riggs, probably the best roadie in the world.
After fate takes a weird turn for him you will be slung into a fantasy world where even the air you breathe is inspired by metal history, and soon only your knowledge of a good old roadie rampage can save the day.
Brütal Legend is a third-person action game for PS3 and 360, and stars the vocal talents of Tenacious D man Jack Black. It will be published by Sierra Entertainment and has a tentative release date of 2008.
Tim Schafer and his Double Fine Productions are the brains behind our 2005 game of the year Psychonauts. To say we are excited about this would be as obvious as blaming your friend for your fart.
Jamie found a story about a inexpensive supercomputer being used by an astrophysicist to research gravity waves. The interesting bit is that the system is built using 8 PS3s. Since nobody is actually playing games on the system, it makes sense to use them for research projects like this, but I really wonder now what is defining 'Supercomputer'... I mean, a hundred PS3s sure, but 8? I think we are de-valuing the meaning of the word 'super'
Those of you who still own a working NES will have to take extra special care of it from now on. Nintendo have announced they’re no longer offering support for the old favourite.
The report, first noticed by Arcade Renaissance, also says that Nintendo have plans to start winding down support for the Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Gameboy, and Gameboy Pocket consoles in the future.
We're not quite sure what 'support' means, would Nintendo have still repaired your NES if asked up till recently? However, with the huge number of emulators and retro compilations available, not to mention download services like the Wii's Virtual Console and Xbox Live Marketplace, there's still plenty of ways to enjoy the massive back catalogue of old-school titles from all those consoles.
We'd love to hear from you if you still own an ancient console; do you ever actually get it out and use it? I have to admit my old Spectrum +2 remains safely packed away in the loft.
Sony Computer Entertainment America has finally confirmed the new 40GB PlayStation 3 for the US, and plans to release it on November 2 for USD 400.
The move follows hot on the heels of GamesIndustry's report on the situation earlier in the week, and will coincide with a 17 per cent price cut for the existing 80GB unit, which drops from USD 600 down to USD 500.
The announcement was made by SCEA president Jack Tretton and reported by Reuters, and follows similar strategies already revealed in Europe and Japan.
The new 40GB unit drops backwards compatibility with PS2 titles, something Tretton justified by calling it a "secondary consideration", believing the PlayStation 3 should now focus on its own catalogue.
Last week saw the third highest sales week for the PlayStation 3 in the UK since launch, after the 40GB model and accompanying price cut for the 60GB unit entered the market.
It also prompted a boost in PS3 titles across the all formats chart, with many old faces re-entering in strong positions.
Sony has unloaded more cardboard boxes full of content onto the PlayStation Store.
The first one was stuffed with PSone games, each costing GBP 3.49. Inside was CTR: Crash Team Racing, Everybody's Golf 2 and Syphon Filter 3.
Our next parcel was much smaller, containing just one lonely Dynasty Warriors: Gundam demo. But you can always supplement that with a solitary trailer for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, which talks about the inspiration behind the game.
Elsewhere are two free wallpapers for Lair: one for bad dragons and one for good dragons - his and hers, if you like.
But nowhere could we find that elusive Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 demo. What a pest.
Following rumours last month that Sony would sell its processor chip manufacturing facilities to Toshiba, the company has announced that it will enter into a joint venture instead.
The agreement, which should be completed by the end of March according to a report by Bloomberg, will see the transfer of manufacturing facilities to Toshiba, while manufacturing will come under the control of the Sony-Toshiba joint venture.
Sale of the facilities to Toshiba is expected to raise JPY 100 billion (USD 858 million), and the Sony share price had climbed 0.6 per cent by the close of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
The move also follows Sony's announcement earlier in the month about its partnership with Infineon Technologies on the production of DRAM chips.
So you should already know that Sony has officially made similar moves in the US to what we saw in the UK regarding PS3's price and specs.
Speaking about the move in the Wall Street Journal, US Sony boss Jack Tretton said, "While we were incredibly excited about the technology in PS3 and while it was future-proofed to some degree, it was a bit ahead of its time. The downside of all that technology was the price we had to offer it to consumer at retail. We knew $599 [£293] was going to be a challenge for some people based on traditional videogame pricing."
The comments reflect somewhat of a turnaround. At launch Sony stood by its company line that the console wasn't expensive considering what you were getting inside the box.
The Wall Street Journal also reports that during the interview Tretton "conceded that removing that capability, along with a few other features, isn't dramatically reducing Sony's cost of manufacturing the console but will instead encourage buyers of the entry-level PlayStation 3 to purchase more games designed specifically for the new system."
Sony's own research apparently showed that compatibility with PlayStation 2 games isn't likely to be missed by customers, who should already own the older system.
Sony's PlayStation 3 title Lair has entered the Japanese software chart at number 7, selling 22,000 units in its first week of release, according to the latest data from Media Create.
Top of the chart for the sales week ending October 14 was DS title Nishimura Kyotarou Suspense Detective Series: Deadly Intent, another new entry, that sold 61,000 copies.
Project Gotham Racing 4 entered the chart at number 25, and was the only Xbox 360 title to feature in the top 30, following Halo 3's earlier positive showing.
The full top ten is as follows:
01. DS Nishimura Kyotarou Suspense Detective Series: Deadly Intent (DS)
02. Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Meteor (PS2)
03. Gundam Battle Chronicle (PSP)
04. Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon: Time Expedition Party (DS)
05. Arcana Heart (PS2)
06. Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon: Shadow Expedition Party (DS)
07. Lair (PS3)
08. Archaic Sealed Heat (DS)
09. Kanji Test 2 (DS)
10. Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (DS)
Capcom's shooter Lost Planet is heading to PS3 early next year, says word that's sneaked out onto the interweb.
According to that word, the PS3 edition features all the download content released for the original Xbox 360 version of the game, in addition to bonus multiplayer characters - Frank West (Dead Rising), Mega Man and Jo from Lost Planet - that were released for Lost Planet on PC.
Speaking of multiplayer, it's expected that on PS3 16 players will be able to shoot each other in the face online.
Lost Planet's an all-out, sci-fi action-blaster that finds you battling aliens and other enemies in adverse environments.
The big announcement Capcom has been counting down to was none other than the unveiling of Street Fighter IV.
It came in the form of a single cinematic trailer, though, so no specific platforms, gameplay details or dates are known at the moment.
In the video - now showing on Eurogamer TV - we meet the familiar and grizzled expressions of Ryu and Ken, who are still trying to use the same array of moves to beat each other up - only one is like Ben Stiller and the other Owen Wilson.
The action is shot in a stylised watercolour-inspired montage, and shows the red and white-clad karate heroes pulling out dragon punches, fireballs and annoying kicks that block you in a corner and stop you from getting back up. Don't get me started on M. Bison, he made me smash my SNES pad.
It could all just be a rather artistic introduction to the fourth instalment in a 2D fighting series, of course, or it might be an indication that the action is about to go 3D. No one knows, yet. But we will be here to tell you when we do.
Until then, head over to Eurogamer TV to see the very first trailer for Street Fighter IV, right here.
So Folklore? A good game with great SixAxis controls that's been well received all round? Well I never. What next, rumble?
According to PSW's review, "It's a game with high production values throughout, and although the game can easily be split into two main strands - netherworld sections and those which have you running around Lemrick - the visual quality on offer and the range of creatures makes the game a delight, despite things being rather linear."
Sony has released a new TV ad for the game that's better than most we've seen of late. Crank up the sound for the spine-tingling, spooky sounds and spookier finale.
Don't expect to see this on your tellies before the 9pm watershed. Parents (and the Daily Mail) would love it!
Capcom is resurrecting classic Bionic Commando in a new game in development for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
Bionic Commando first appeared in the late 1980s. The 2D, side-scrolling action-platformer starred a weapon-toting lead character who also happened to sport a bionic arm that acted like a grappling hook which allowed him to navigate around levels.
The new title, simply called Bionic Commando, retains the 'grappling hook' gameplay but beefs it up with players able to use the bionic arm to fling large objects at opponents and batter them with it at close range.
Here's the scoop on the plot from Capcom: "Bionic Commando features Nathan Spencer (voiced by former lead singer of Faith No More, Mike Patton), a government operative who represents the ultimate fusion of man and machine. After distinguishing himself in a fierce conflict against the Imperials, Spencer is betrayed and falsely imprisoned by the very people he unquestioningly served.
"Three years later, on the day he is due to be executed for his supposed crimes, an experimental weapon detonates in Ascension City, unleashing an immensely powerful earthquake coupled with a radiation shockwave that leaves the city in ruins, wiping out its populace. Military intelligence suggests that a large terrorist search force has moved in and occupied Ascension City, but as yet their motives remain unclear.
"With the terrain in ruins and the terrorists in control of Ascension City's air defences the FSA has only one option open to them - the reactivation of Nathan Spencer."
Capcom promises that the city in ruins provides an "engaging environment of towering buildings, suspended roadways and monorails, deep canyons and sheer rock faces that allow gamers to traverse each area via multiple routes using swinging, rappeling, climbing and wall-walking techniques."
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) today announced plans to introduce a new 40GB model of its PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system.
Beginning November 2nd, to further enhance the HD entertainment experience, the new 40GB PS3 model will come bundled with the blockbuster movie Spider-Man(TM) 3 Blu-ray Disc(TM) (BD) from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, and will be available in North America for a suggested retail price of $399 (USD/CND). The company also announced that effective immediately, the current 80GB PS3 model will be available in North America for $499 (USD/CND), $100 below the original launch price.
"We're pleased to offer the consumer a lower price point without sacrificing the core technology components that make PS3 the most advanced high-definition entertainment system available. Every PS3 comes with a Blu-ray drive, HDMI output, an integrated Wi-Fi connection, Cell Broadband Engine and a built-in hard-drive," said Jack Tretton, President and CEO, SCEA.
"This holiday season we'll be able to offer attractive retail pricing with a broad portfolio of outstanding games including Ratchet & Clank(R) Future: Tools of Destruction(TM), THE EYE OF JUDGMENT(TM), Uncharted: Drake's Fortune(TM), Heavenly Sword(TM), Call of Duty(R) 4: Modern Warfare, Assassin's Creed(TM), Haze(TM) and RockBand(TM)."
The new 40GB PS3 will no longer play PlayStation(R)2 titles, reflecting the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles. Consumers looking for backwards compatibility can take advantage of the limited PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility of the 80GB PS3.
SuccessHK already sell with worldwide shipping the 80GB PS3 for USD 497.10 (£244)
This post in the PlayStation forums claims that Sony Customer Service told the owner of a bricked PS3 that plugging his console into a surge protector had voided his warranty, and that he'd have to pay $150 to have the unit repaired.
This sounded pretty unlikely to us, so we contacted Sony and were told that, no, plugging your PS3 into a surge protector does not void your warranty. Duh. Ok, they didn't actually say "Duh," but it was clearly implied.
Guerrilla Games gave a nod to the Blu-ray camp, saying the graphics and level of detail found in the game could only be done with large storage space. "It is not a luxury to have Blu-ray, but rather a necessity, as compression only gets you so far. I mean, the level that we showed at E3 and Leipzig topped out around 2GB! Also having the CELL and SPUs means we can offload all of our physics processing to an SPU, or process AI using the SPU's." We're excited to hear more about the game, especially a solid release date. However, we don't expect it to come out anytime soon -- we want them to relax and craft an excellent gaming experience for us. http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2007/10/16/...ty-not-luxury/
This unit fits snuggly within any Windows-based machine lookin' for a 5.25-inch optical drive, and it has no problems burning dual-layer BD-Rs at a furious (ahem) 4x pace. Additionally, you'll find a SATA interface along with backup software bundled in, and just in case you're not working exclusively with BD-R, it can also toast BD-RE at 2x, DVD±R at 16x, DVD±R DL at 8x, DVD-RW at 6x, CD-R at 40x and CD-RW at 24x.
Retro Gaming with Racketboy has up a feature looking at the best modern 2D games out there, all on the PlayStation 2. He highlights the best of every genre, from the modern classic RPG/beat-em-up Odin Sphere to the timeless beauty that is the Metal Slug series.
"Disgaea: Hour of Darkness & Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories: Disgaea greatly resembles other strategy RPGs. Its isometric perspective, 3D battlefields, and nice-looking 2D characters are clearly reminiscent of most other games of this type, and on first impression, so is the game's turn-based combat system. However, you'll soon realize that this game actually plays very differently. The gameplay itself is, in a word, weird."
Welcome to this week's Games & Toys update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days.
It's been a great release week, with a variety of hot new games published in Japan, Asia and the US. Popular releases this week have been Beautiful Katamari Damacy and Spider-Man: Friend or Foe for Xbox360™, the US release version of Folklore for PS3™ and Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast for Nintendo Wii™.
Interesting multi platform releases have been Tony Hawk's Proving Ground (Xbox360™, PlayStation3™ and others) and of course SEGA Rally Revo (PS3™ / Xbox360™ / PSP™).
For PlayStation2™ we've got World Heroes Gorgeous. The most interesting handheld game releases have been Touch Detective 2 1/2 and Bleach: The Blade of Fate for Nintendo DS™ as well as Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions and Pump It Up Zero Portable for PSP™.
As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week,
Xbox360™:
Beautiful Katamari Damacy JPN US$ 59.90
Beautiful Katamari Damacy ASIA US$ 44.90
FIFA Soccer 08 US US$ 59.90
Half-Life 2: The Orange Box US US$ 59.90
Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal US US$ 44.90
SEGA Rally Revo US US$ 59.90
Spider-Man: Friend or Foe ASIA US$ 44.90
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground ASIA US$ 49.90
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller (Blue) US US$ 49.90
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller (Pink) US US$ 49.90
Zoids Alternative JPN US$ 64.90
PlayStation3™:
FIFA Soccer 08 US US$ 64.90
Folklore US US$ 64.90
SEGA Rally Revo US US$ 64.90
Spider-Man 3 JPN US$ 64.90
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground US US$ 64.90
Warhawk US US$ 44.90
Nintendo Wii™:
Bleach: Shattered Blade US US$ 49.90
Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast US US$ 49.90
FIFA Soccer 08 US US$ 49.90
Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal US US$ 44.90
MLB Power Pros US US$ 44.90
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground US US$ 49.90
PlayStation2™:
FIFA Soccer 08 US US$ 49.90
Galaxy Angel II: Mugen Kairou no Kagi JPN US$ 69.90
Galaxy Angel II: Mugen Kairou no Kagi [Deluxe Pack] JPN N/A
Galaxy Angel II: Mugen Kairou no Kagi [Zettai Mugen no Ishizue Set] JPN US$ 129.90
Grim Grimoire KOR US$ 49.90
Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal US US$ 34.90
MLB Power Pros US US$ 34.90
My Home o Tsukurou 2! Easy Design (Best Collection) JPN US$ 34.90
Palais de Reine JPN US$ 64.90
Seaman 2: Peking Genjin Ikusei Kit JPN US$ 64.90
Seaman 2: Peking Genjin Ikusei Kit (w/Microphone) JPN US$ 89.90
Spider-Man 3 JPN US$ 64.90
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground US US$ 44.90
World Heroes Gorgeous JPN US$ 49.90
Zero no Tsukaima (Best Collection) JPN US$ 34.90
Nintendo DS™:
Banushi Life Game: Winners Circle JPN US$ 48.90
Bleach: The Blade of Fate US US$ 34.90
DS Bungaku Zenshuu JPN US$ 29.90
FIFA Soccer 08 US US$ 34.90
Flipper Critters US US$ 24.90
Gouma Reifu Den Izuna (Good Price) JPN US$ 24.90
Keiba Navi: Uma no Suke 2 JPN US$ 54.90
Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck US US$ 34.90
Math Play US US$ 24.90
Oshare na Koinu DS JPN US$ 48.90
Saeki Chizu Shiki Yumemihada: Dream Skincare JPN US$ 44.90
Sansuu Puzzle de Migaku: Gakken Otona no Shikou Sense JPN US$ 39.90
Selection Pack DS Lite (Black) JPN US$ 14.90
Selection Pack DS Lite (Light Blue) JPN US$ 14.90
Selection Pack DS Lite (Light Pink) JPN US$ 14.90
Selection Pack DS Lite (White Gray) JPN US$ 14.90
Sonic Rush Adventure JPN US$ 48.90
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground US US$ 34.90
Touch Detective 2 1/2 US US$ 34.90
Sony PSP™:
Crash of the Titans US US$ 39.90
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII KOR US$ 58.90
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions US US$ 42.90
Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights US US$ 39.90
NBA 08 ASIA US$ 39.90
NBA Live 08 ASIA US$ 42.90
Pump It Up Zero Portable KOR US$ 39.90
Riviera: Yakusoku no Chi Special Edition JPN US$ 29.90
SEGA Rally Revo US US$ 39.90
Spider-Man 3 JPN US$ 37.90
Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron ASIA US$ 39.90
Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron US US$ 39.90
PC Games:
1914 Shells Of Fury ASIA US$ 30.90
Blitzkrieg 2 Liberation (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 34.90
CSI 4: Hard Evidence (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 31.90
Ducati World Championship (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 30.90
Falling Stars ASIA US$ 29.90
Fantasy Earth: Zero Armdedion JPN US$ 39.90
Gods: Lands Of Infinity - Special Edition ASIA US$ 30.90
Making History: The Calm And The Storm ASIA US$ 30.90
Scrabble 2007 Edition ASIA US$ 31.90
Theatre of War (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 32.90
Guide Books:
Project Gotham Racing 4 Official Strategy Guide US US$ 17.90
The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night US US$ 16.90
Thrillville: Off the Rails Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 16.90
Toys & More:
God of War Action Figure: Kratos 13" (Push Button Sound) US$ 29.90
Neon Genesis Evangelion Extra Rei Ayanami Collection Figure Ver. 2: Cat Ear Dress Version JPN US$ 19.90
Neon Genesis Evangelion Extra Rei Ayanami Collection Figure Ver. 2: Swimming Suit Version JPN US$ 19.90
Nintendo DS Pop-up Card Case Phone Strap Part 2 JPN US$ 2.49
Real Action Heroes Death Note - Misa Amane 1/6 Scale Figure JPN N/A
Shining Wind 1/7 Scale Painted PVC Figure - Kureha JPN N/A
Street Fighter II Pre-painted PVC Figure - Chun-Li JPN US$ 54.90
Super Mario Bros. Yoshi Island Screen Cleaner Phone Strap Gashapon JPN US$ 2.49
Super Mario DX Doll JPN US$ 19.90
Okay, in Japan the state of play for console hardware sales in Japan are as follows:
Nintendo DS Lite: 78,746
Playstation Portable: 59,584
Wii: 20,575
Playstation 3: 12,365
Playstation 2: 10,181
Xbox 360 6,161
Game Boy Advance SP: 127
Gamecube: 79
Game Boy Micro: 60
DS lite in the lead for a second time, PSP experiences a further drop from last week, the Wii sees really slow sales and PS3/PS2 stays as usual around the 10,000s.
The ability to play PS2 games is not the primary driver for the PS3's business, says Peter Dille.
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, SCEA's senior vice president of marketing and PlayStation network defended the changes made to the new 40GB unit that was finally confirmed for the US market.
"We've been hearing loud and clear that price is more of a primary concern to consumers," Dille explained.
"We know that getting down to USD 399 will open up the PlayStation marketplace to a much broader swath of consumers that we had been at, at either USD 499 or 599."
The new 40GB PS3 eliminates the graphics synthesizer chip which allowed prior versions of the console to play PS2 software.
When asked why the company didn't eliminate Wi-Fi instead as a cost savings, keeping the chip for PS2 backwards compatibility, Dille said there was a good reason for that decision.
"[W]e'll be rolling out more and more features that take advantage of the connectivity between the PSP and the PS3, and Wi-Fi is really essential to that experience," he explained.
"We've got some cool things you can do today with Wi-Fi, but there are also a lot more on the horizon that will help people understand why we left Wi-Fi in."
While Dille recognized that consumers still value the PS2 software catalog, he pointed out that Sony is still supporting and selling the older system.
"If you take the USD 129 plus the USD 399 that the PS3 is being sold for today, you are still getting into the game for less than the USD 599 price we launched at."
Dille noted that Sony will reach ten years in the PS2's life cycle, with continuing third-party support, in sharp contrast to the way its competition handled their prior generation of hardware.
"Again, we know from our research that backwards compatibility is more important to some people than others," he explained.
"In practice, once you get the PS3 home, the ability to play games in high-definition is more what [consumers] are interested in than their back catalog of PS2 games."
The complete interview with Peter Dille can be read here.
Sony Japan has said it will be releasing a free demo for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue on its regional Store this Saturday, 20th October.
That means all you have to do to is pop a fake beard and moustache on a new account and pretend you are Japanese so you can get hold of it.
Inside it are seven cars from the game that you can roar around one Suzuka Circuit: 2009 Nissan GT-R, 2008 Mazda Atneza (zoom zoom), 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi, 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR, 2008 Daihatsu OFC-1, and 2009 BMW 134i Coupe.
Despite not knowing what most of that means, we can tell you it is very pretty, and you will need to download the demo before it disappears on 11th November.
The full version of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is due out on the Japanese Store in December.
However, the European release date of the game is still treading unknown waters, as is the whereabouts of our demo. But we should be able to update you as soon as Sony UK gets back to us.
Sony's plans to clear the channel of 60GB PS3s appear to be well on course following the unit's recent price cut.
As reported earlier this week, the recent price cut to the 60GB PS3 and the introduction of an entry-level 40GB unit saw weekly PlayStation 3 sales jump 178 percent.
According to sales monitor ChartTrack, sales of the 60GB model accounted for 89 percent of PS3 sales last week.
"PS3 went up by 178 percent over the previous week, which puts it third in terms of overall hardware sold behind DS Lite and Wii," ChartTrack director Dorian Bloch told MCV. "It was PS3's biggest week since weeks one and two in March."
"As expected, everyone's buying the 60GB PS3 as it is such a bargain - the split is about 89 percent to 11 percent in the 60GB console's favor."
While deals vary from store to store, leading retailer GAME is currently offering the 60GB PS3 with two first party titles for £350. In comparison, the company is selling the 40GB unit with two pre-selected titles for £330, or with one game for £310.
Here's something you don't see very often: a game's producer telling retailers it's okay to sell something ahead of its official release date since they already have it in stock.
You may recall that Sony originally intended Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction should go on sale from 23rd October in the USA, but subsequently had to drop it a week, pitching an official release date of 30th October.
"Well, due to some unexpected quickness at the factory, a vast majority of retailers have already received the game," Greg Phillips, SCEA's line producer, writes on the official US Sony blog. "With that, some retailers are choosing to release the game next week instead of waiting until the 30th, which we are all too happy to allow."
Meanwhile, over here in Europe, retailers are pointing to a 9th November date for Ratchet & Clank, which seems to be pretty reliable.
The NPD Group has released its report for US September software sales showing Halo 3 at number one.
Despite being released at the end of the month, Halo 3 took the top position with 3.3 million units sold.
That number is about 12 times the number of units sold as the second game on the chart, Wii Play, which sold 282,000 units.
In fact, Halo 3 sold twice as many copies as the nine other games in the top ten chart combined.
Nintendo had four of the top ten best-selling titles in September, including The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass at number three (224,000 sold), Metroid Prime 3: Corruption at number seven (167,000 sold), and Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day at number nine (141,000 sold).
Madden NFL 08 remained on the charts, with the PS2 version selling 205,000 copies, ahead of 173,000 copies for the Xbox 360 version. Those numbers were good enough for the fourth and sixth position, respectively.
New to the chart this month was EA's Skate for the Xbox 360, in fifth place with 175,000 sold.
Bioshock was in eighth place, selling 150,000 units, and Heavenly Sword, the only PS3 title to make the charts, rounded out the top ten with 139,000 units sold.
In terms of console sales, Microsoft sold more than 528,000 consoles, a 50 per cent increase for the month.
Nintendo, meanwhile, sold 501,000 Wii consoles, with Sony selling 119,000 PS3 systems.
Devil May Cry 4 will land in shops for PS3 and Xbox 360 next February, with the PC version "following at a later date" says Capcom.
In a nutshell all you need to know is that Devil May Cry 4 comes from the mind of the producer of the original Devil May Cry and Resident Evil 4. And that's a good CV in our book.
We got our hands on the game a while back and yelled: "Grabbing the pad out of the Capcom representative's hands, we leaped straight into the action in that cathedral-looking level that you will have seen in trailers and was struck instantly by how amazing it looks.
"The environmental detail is incredible, with pin-sharp textures wrapped around the lush world that stretched into the distance. It looks amazing in 1080p."
Do we still think the same? Of course we do.
Take a look at the new trailer on the left in both 'short' and 'long' versions.
EA's Gerhard Florin has said he wants to see one single gaming platform rather than a handful of incompatible consoles.
Talking with the BBC about the difficulties of developing for multiple systems, he said that within around 15 years we could see a dedicated platform that would play everything.
"We want an open, standard platform which is much easier than having five which are not compatible," Florin told the BBC.
"You don't need an Xbox 360, PS3 or Wii - the consumer won't even realise the platform it is being played on."
Florin feels that hardware could take the shape of the increasingly powerful set-top boxes that can already handle HD streams and provide access to the Internet.
But he said it is also important that everything stays open and that no one puts up a "walled garden", a closed monopoly on the service where everything has to be published by the owner - much like the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.
It's a double treat on Xbox Live Arcade this week with the arrival of Q Entertainment's Every Extend Extra Extreme and the long, long awaited XBLA version of Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe.
Mizuguchi's effort is more than likely heading to PlayStation 3 at some point, but according to Bitmap Brothers' John Phillips, a PSN port of Speedball II game is likely on the way as well.
"That could be on the cards," said Phillips, after we quizzed him on the likelihood of Speedball II making it to Sony's download service as well.
"I think [services like XBLA and PSN are] great. It shows that you can have great games that don't require the team size and development times of the full-price retail market. As the cost of development is lower we will over the next few years see a great many fantastic games on these formats."
By the looks of it then, it could be a case of PS3 owners not feeling left out for much longer. Next though, Bitmap Brothers are working on Chaos Engine, says Phillips.
Speedball II: Brutal Duluxe is on Xbox Live Arcade now for 800 Microsoft Points (£6.80)
Keeping our PS3 controllers charged is such a pain that we always have to plug it in whenever we're watching Blu-ray movies. Pelican's Charge and Store eliminates lazy charging syndrome by providing both a charger and a stand, so you can keep your gaming area organized at the same time. The retail price is $29 [£14], which isn't too bad since it juices two controllers at the same time—and seeing how short the included PS3 charge cable is, it'll save you a number of treks across the living room as well.
In an interview with Newsweek, Sony America CEO Jack Tretton explains why the 40GB PS3's lack of backwards compatibility with such simple math, it's hard to argue. Tretton breaks down the math all fancy like and makes intelligible that which we've been missing this whole time. The old 60GB PS3 with full BC was $600. The new 40GB PS3 with no PS2 BC is $400. By adding the cost of a PS2 at $129, the total for the two consoles is $529 ($70 less than the original 60GB price). Tretton says, "I've got two machines that do everything the same machine did a year ago at $599. So it's hard for me to see that as a negative for the consumer." That may be some fantastic spin, but at least it's not a lie. Of course, the math would be easier to swallow if the 60GB wasn't really $500, and if said consumer hadn't come to depend on the PS3's upscaling of old games. http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/18/tr...3-ps2-old-ps3/
Immediately after SCEA officially announced the new 40GB model for $399, GameDaily BIZ got on the phone with Senior Vice President of Marketing Peter Dille. He expects the new price point to make a huge impact. We also discussed controlling leaks, backwards compatibility, Blu-ray momentum and more.
* PD: I haven't seen the September data yet and obviously it won't reflect any of the momentum that we have with this announcement. But to answer your question, we expect tremendous acceleration in the PS3 business following this move; it's why we're doing it. And bear in mind that this isn't just a price reduction based on slow sales. We've engineered a new hardware unit to get to this lower price point. But again, I think it's also important to bear in mind that this new 40GB maintains all the core functionality of the PS3 experience. In other words, we don't have models some of which have a hard drive and some of which don't or some that have Blu-ray and some that don't. Every PS3, no matter what model you have, has Cell technology, has a Blu-ray drive built in, features Wi-Fi, free online gaming; that core experience remains unchanged.
And we expect that $399 opens up the PS3 experience to a whole new audience of people... there's basically a $50 price gap between the $399 unit and the 360's closest comparable unit. And for $50 more you get Blu-ray, you get PS3's free online gaming vs. paying a subscription with a monthly fee. Out of the box, I think the pendulum swings in the PlayStation's favor. What I can tell you, although we won't make predictions on how many we can sell week one, what I can point to is that in the U.K. when they made the introduction of their 40GB their business was up more than 170 percent, right out of the gate.
Price is a significant component here, but the other thing we're very excited about is our lineup of games. We feel we have a great holiday lineup. That combined with the [new price] I think really opens up the PS3 to a very broad audience.
* BIZ: Well, I'm very curious to see how November and December turn out with this new price point.
* PD: November is going to be a great month. We'll have a full month of sales for the 40GB; we'll have Ratchet out in the marketplace, which is just a beautiful game; Uncharted will be out a little later in November; sales of Warhawk and Heavenly Sword are still going strong; Folklore was just released. Again, we've got this very broad portfolio of games to hit the many different gaming tastes, and we think that's going to be significant, as well as the ability to play Blu-ray movies and to tap into all the multimedia functionality that the PS3 offers. We think the holidays is going to be when all this stuff is going to really kick into high gear. http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/fe...d=17834&page=2
If you have any guides and tutorials for PS3, Wii, Xbox360, PSP, Nintendo DS, GP2X, GBA, Gamecube, PS2, Xbox, Gizmondo, Iphone, iPod, Tapwave Zodiac, GP32, Dreamcast, Sega Saturn and others, then we want them
Overview : Easily control the next generation of home entertainment with the Blue-Wave Remote from Nyko. The Blu Wave allows you to easily control the playback of Blu-Ray movies, DVDs and CDs on the PlayStation 3 console. Utilizing infrared technology, the Blue Wave can navigate system and movie menus, skip chapters or tracks, pause and play a movie or music and replicate other PlayStation 3 controller functionality from up to 25 feet away. The compact USB IR receiver plugs into any open USB port for easy set up requiring no complicate software, pairing or programming. The Blue Wave is powered by 2 AA batteries (included).
Features :
Control playback of Blu-Ray movies, DVDs and CDs
IR technology allows for control up to 25 feet away
Easily navigate movie and system menus
Compact USB dongle, no set up or pairing needed
Powered by 2 AAA batteries (included)
Quality/Usability : The PlayStation 3 has a built-in Blu-Ray DVD player but in order to use the menus and to control the PS3, you'll either have to use the SIXAXIS controller or Sony's Blu-Ray DVD Remote, both of which work with the PlayStation 3 via bluetooth. Like always, there will always be cheaper alternatives from 3rd party manufacturers such as the Nyko BluWave Infrared Remote, which retails for just $20.
The Blu-Wave includes a USB dongle, which acts as a infrared receiver and the Blu-Wave infrared remote. To match the PS3's look and to be consistent, the Blu-Wave is black with silver outlining. Included are two AAA batteries which are included. The remote itself feels very good in the hands. The remote is exactly like the PlayStation 3 SIXAXIS controller but without the motion and with a remote design. Along with the standard PS3 controllers such as square, triangle, X and circle, Nyko added some shortcuts for easier access such as fast-fowards, rewind, play, pause, display, chapter advance and many more simlar to that of what you would find on a DVD remote.
Setup is fairly easy. Simply just plug in the dongle into any of the consoles USB ports. The moment you plug it in, it should work immediately. Just like you would with a PC plug-n-play. The Blu-Wave remote worked perfectly both with DVD and Blu-Ray movies. All features worked perfectly but I did notice that while existing to the PS3's menu, there was a slight delay or lag. This doesnt happen with the SIXAXIS controller.
I was informed that since Nyko uses a proprietary code, that if you have a universal remote, you can set that remote to work with the PS3 and the infrared dongle. This will eliminate having an extra remote laying around. It would have been nice if the remote allowed you to turn ON and OFF the PlayStation 3 but you cant.
Conclusion : Overall, the Nyko Blu-Wave Infrared Remote works great and as it should. It would of been nice if the remote was able to turn ON and OFF the PlayStation 3 and be able to eject discs. The ability to use a universal remote with the dongle to eliminate having an extra remote laying around is great.
Overview : A 5 in 1 video selector: 4 HDMI and 1 DVI input with 1 HDMI and 1 DVI output. Also features a unique extra audio plug and socket to connect to a loudspeaker.
Play any HDMI or DVI source at 1080p on your compatible TV or PC with this plug and play selector with unique features like being able to connect to an amplifier and extra speakers for perfect sound matching the quality of the image, or the included DVI-HDMI converter.
Features :
Input: 4 * HDMI, 1 * DVI
Output: 1 * HDMI, 1 * DVI
DVI-HDMI converter included
Easy to set up
Compatible with HD Televisions
Compatible with VGA/PC screens
Audio socket to connect to amplifier/extra speakers
1080p resolution
Quality/Usability : The XCM HDMI/DVI Crossover Selector is designed to allow you to toggle between four (4) HDMI and one (1) DVI. If you havent noticed, as more and more devices such as HDTV's, HD cable, satellite boxes, DVD players (Blu-Ray and HD-DVD), they are now incorporating HDMI and DVI. As more people get into high def, they will have more and more devices but are only limited to a certain amount of inputs on their devices.
The selector is made of durable plastic. The top of the Crossover Selector has five switches (4-HDMI, 1-DVI). On the right and left side is a HDMI IN and Left and Right Audio IN. The front has two HDMI IN and L & R Audio IN as well as a DVI IN and L & R Audio IN. The back has a DC IN to plug the AC adapter into and a HDMI OUT and L & R Audio OUT. This is connected to your TV/monitor.
Setup is plug-and-play. Simply plug in the cables, select the port and you're good to go! If you have more than one device that uses DVI, you can also use those DVI devices so as long you use the appropriate adapter. If your monitor uses DVI, the Crossover Selector comes with a DVI to HDMI adapter so you can connect it to the device. When a device is in use, an LED is lit up to let you know which one is in use.
Testing with a Sony PlayStation 3, XBox 360 Elite and HD-DVD Player and a Dell PC that uses DVI, all devices switched without a problem. I did not notice any quality downgrade. Even upconverted DVDs worked without a problem. What makes the Crossover Selector stand out from some of the HDMI selectors is that you are able to connect audio cables to the selector.
Connecting to TV
Conclusion : Overall, the XCM HDMI/DVI Crossover Selector worked flawlessly. The ability to connect audio cables to the selector and to a home theater system is a big plus in our books. It would have been nice if it included a remote that lets you switch between the devices instead of having to manually switch to the device you want to use. Those who live in the US or outside of Europe will need to power adapter converter that will fit their outlet. The included power plug has three prongs.
Sony, meanwhile, sold only 119,400 PlayStation 3s and 215,000 PlayStation 2s. Clearly, that's why Sony had to make the move to launch the 40-gigabyte console at $399. That should help put Sony back in the game, but I very much doubt that the former leader of the industry will move out of third place.
One piece of news that came out this week was that Sony pleaded with third-party developers not to abandon its struggling platform. That change in attitude is a marked difference compared to the arrogance of past years. The argument is that the PS 3 will show its strength as developers learn how to make games for it. But developers know they can staff four or five Wii teams with the same number of people it takes to make one PS 3 game. We may have a glut of Wii games soon, but that's not as bad as not having enough games on the PS 3.
Though some of the kinks are still being worked out, when someone finishes work on a mod and clicks "export to PS3" it becomes a file they can host on their own, submit it to a fan website, on simply pass along the file to their friends. Players then download the files onto a PS3 compatible memory stick of their choice and load it into the game. Alternatively, the modifications can be hosted on a dedicated server and when a player someone logs onto that server, the files automatically download to the PS3 hard drive. Server hosts can flick a switch forcing people to download the information off a separate website, rather than hogging server bandwidth, but it's an option. Whether it will function within the PS3's own web browser isn't yet known.
The US Dollar, it's not looking so hot right now. Something about people not being sensible when purchasing property. End result is that a lot of foreign markets are seeing some issues when it comes to pricing. Like Canada! The mighty Canadian dollar has recently pulled level with the US dollar, meaning one Canadian dollar gets you...one US dollar. Pity game prices don't reflect that: most games and hardware in Canada are still accounting for the old exchange rate. Which means Canadians be gettin' ripped off by about 5-10%.
Enter Sony. They've just lowered the price of both PSN downloads and the PS3 itself to match the new exchange rate, with the Canadian pricing for all PS3 models now matching those in the US ($399 for the 40GB, $499 for the 80GB). Which is great, great news for Canadians, and a brilliant PR move by both SCEA and SCE Canada.
EA's head of international publishing made some interesting comments on what he'd like to see in the future of gaming. 'We want an open, standard platform which is much easier than having five which are not compatible.' While the rest of his comments imply that he simply meant 'one' platform instead of removing development licenses, it is an interesting concept. This is obviously a move designed to cut their development time and costs. But could this have other implications - like easier homebrew development for consoles?
EGM's Quartermann whispers that Sega is quietly working on a new Skies of Arcadia game. The sky pirate RPG first appeared on the Dreamcast, then was revamped for a GameCube release. Not very many people got to play either version, more's the pity--those ship-to-ship battles in the sky were awesome.
We've heard a lot of rumors lately, but this might be the one I most desperately want to come true.
SEGA has confirmed that the developer Secret Level is continuing work on the upcoming PS3 and Xbox 360 version of Golden Axe and that the game would be ready for release by late 2008.
The concern was that rumors were circulating that the PS3 version of the next-gen Golden Axe was dropped and the SEGA was going to make it an exclusive game to the Xbox 360.
This is not the case though as SEGA has come out and stated that Golden Axe is still in development on both the PS3 and Xbox 360.
The game that everybody is talking about at the moment that has the fun factor has to be Sonic & Mario at the Olympics Games, which will be released on November 23rd. Having Mario in the same game as everyone’s favorite Sega character Sonic is a great idea, which is why there are already plans for the next game called Sega Superstars Tennis and will be released early in 2008.
Joystiq have said that unlike Sonic & Mario at the Olympics Games which will only be available on the Nintendo Wii and DS, Sega Superstars Tennis will be on those two consoles and also the Sony Playstation 3, the PS2 and also the Microsoft Xbox 360. The game is much like Mario Tennis, but the difference is that it has Sonic instead.
With Sony's decision to drop the price of the Playstation 3 to a far more affordable level, I believe the company will enjoy a significant surge in sales this holiday season. And while I have some issues with the upcoming catalog of games (it's a bit weak), it's strong enough to justify people spending their cash on the device.
As I mentioned above, the Wii will have a strong holiday season. Along those lines, the Wii will probably be sold out for much of the season and people will be standing in line once again. And for all of those who weren't able to pick up a Wii, the Playstation 3 will be the next logical choice.
Think about it: you're standing in line for a Wii and you're told it's sold out. Knowing all too well that your kids want a new video game console, the affordable Playstation 3 is sitting there for the taking. So, in a rush to get holiday shopping over with, you ask for the Sony console.
Now, will all Sony sales end up this way? Not a chance. In fact, you can probably expect a significant growth in sales from the price drop alone. But it certainly won't hurt that the Wii will be sold out again and the PS3 will not, will it?
Sony made the right move because, well, it had to at this point. Expect to see Sony surging in the numbers.
Overall Sony Playstation 3 outlook: moderate to strong
Keep your console running in an ideal environment with the Intercooler for PlayStation 3. The Intercooler’s patented technology insures steady and improved air flow away from the console keeping your investment running in an ideal environment. The Intercooler clips on easily to the back of the console, no tools required. Featuring a pass through power connector the Intercooler is powered by the PS3, and requires no additional wires or batteries. A variable fan speed potentiometer allows users to choose a fan speed that works for them while the compact design allows for vertical or horizontal placement of the PS3 making it ideal for any home theatre set-up.
- Fan Cooling System:
Push hot air away from the system for a cooler gaming setup
- Easy Installation:
Easily snaps onto the back of the console. No internal modification needed
- Universal:
Works with the PS3 in vertical or horizontal position and fits easily into entertainment centres
- Variable Fan Speed Controller:
Control the speed and noise level of all 5 fans with the integrated potentiometer
Rockstar parent Take Two Interactive has released a statement concerning the recent leakage of Manhunt 2 to the internet.
Back in early September we reported that a version of Manhunt was cracked by hackers and leaked to the internet. Question was though, where did it comes from? Seems like Sony was to blame and not Rockstar.
According to Game Politics, the following statement has been released by Take Two:
"Take Two Interactive confirmed that a former employee of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has acknowledged his responsibility for the unauthorised online distribution of an unrated play-test version of Manhunt 2 submitted for the European PAL PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system."
Electronic Arts' FIFA 08 is the best selling game in Germany and Spain, according to the latest data from Media Control GfK International.
FIFA 08 is at positions one, two and five in the Spanish charts, on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and PSP respectively, and in Germany EA scores the first, fourth and fifth positions on PS2, PC and PS3.
First-party Nintendo titles continue to sell well across Europe, with both Brain Training and Pokemon Diamond in the top tens, while Microsoft's Halo 3 is also performing admirably in the regions.
The top ten best-selling games for Spain and Germany follow:
Spain, week ended October 14:
1. FIFA 08 (PS2)
2. FIFA 08 (PS3)
3. My Sims (DS)
4. WWE Smackdown! vs. RAW 2007 Platinum (PS2)
5. FIFA 08 (PSP)
6. More Brain Training (DS)
7. Halo 3 (Xbox 360)
8. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)
9. Pokemon Diamond (DS)
10. Heavenly Sword (PS3)
Germany, week ended October 7:
1. FIFA 08 (PS2)
2. The Settlers (PC)
3. Command and Conquer: Tiberium Wars (PC)
4. FIFA 08 (PC)
5. FIFA 08 (PS3)
6. More Brain Training (DS)
7. Pokemon Diamond (DS)
8. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)
9. World of Warcraft (PC)
10. Halo 3 (Xbox 360)
Sony has revealed details of two patches it's working on for the popular multiplayer PS3 airborne shooter, Warhawk.
According game director Dylan Jobe, "We've been working on a lot of fixes, server-side updates and client patches. Because let's face it, while the team and I were really happy with our launch and players around the globe were having a blast playing, there were some problems that players encountered once we rolled the game out to the masses (stats, connection issues, etc). I'm not going to sugar coat that with a strawberry-flavored, pink, PR candy shell - it's the truth.
"All of that said, we've been hard at work to address the big issues that our Warhawk community currently is experiencing. We have already addressed the majority of our stats-related issues with the deployment of a few server-side updates. These were updates that we rolled out 'on our end' without any of the players having to download an actual Warhawk patch. These updates also fixed many of the connection issues. But not all."
Remaining updates will be delivered as a downloadable patch. "The first update, the v1.1 patch, addresses the critical issues with stats and connectivity. Those two points were the focus of this patch and while they may seem small, they had a huge impact on our player base," explained Jobe.
With repositioned hardware prices now in place and the traditional flood of new software hitting stores over the coming weeks, leading High Street specialist Gamestation has told GamesIndustry.biz that it expects this season to be the “biggest Christmas ever”.
With a wide selection of home and handheld hardware covering multiple price points, and multiple software titles from all the leading publishers, not even shake-ups or supply problems with the home consoles is likely to dampen consumer spending.
"It's going to be the strongest Christmas ever, the biggest Christmas ever," commented Jeremy Gerkin, joint MD of Gamestation.
"We've got the PS3 in two different sizes, the Wii – availability might be a little bit difficult so people are getting them in early – the 360 and the Elite 360, and then the DS. So from a hardware perspective it's by far the best year ever. And there's a really exciting line-up of games as well," he said.
There may be continued problems with the supply of the Wii, but Gerkin believes that the market is still interested in Nintendo's console a year after the initial release.
"It's doing all it can to produce the Wii as quick as it can," he said. "It's been amazing how they've managed to keep the interest in it. A year after release and as soon as we get them we sell them.
"We haven't got a situation where we've got them and we're stuck with them for six months. They come in an go out on the same day. When it first came out we wondered if Nintendo could keep the interest going but they have certainly managed it. It's an amazing job," he added.
Gerkin was speaking during the weekend of the opening of the company's second biggest store in Hull, where customers were queuing the night before to take advantage of special offers that included Xbox 360 hardware for GBP 99.99, and new releases Legend of Zelda :Phantom Hourglass and Sega Rally for the PS3 for just GBP 9.99.
But it's not just the retailer's limited offers that are tempting gamers to part with their cash in the run up to Christmas. Sony's recent price drop of its 60GB PlayStation 3 has had a very positive effect on sales of the console.
"If anything it's demonstrated what good value the 60GB version is," said Gerkin. "What we expected initially was that we were going to sell a boat load of 40GB models but that's not what has happened.
"Customers have walked in and seen the GBP 279 price and then seen that the GBP 349 price is exceptional value. By bringing out a cheaper model it's improved the sales of the higher-priced model. It's great for the industry because it's another format for people to get behind," he added.
Although Gamestation is currently caught up in a messy investigation by the Competition Commission over GAME's acquisition of the business, Gerkin said that the company is focusing purely on the the upcoming sales season.
"It's business as usual. We know what's going on with the monopoly's investigation but we're focusing on Christmas and concentrating on delivering big numbers," he said.
Despite the FIFA Street series only receiving a mediocre reception to date EA has chosen to plough ahead and deliver a third game in the football-for-rude-boys series.
A first trailer from FIFA Street 3 is viewable now in our video player on the right. Watch in awe - or, like us, in our chairs - as Ronaldinho pulls off some ball tricks and, for some reason, a bit of dancing. It also shows the new art style for the sequel.
FIFA Street's all about over-exaggerated tricks and non-realism in five-a-side footie on the, er, streets. The new game is supposed to feature a revised control system making it easier to pull off OTT moves.
We'll have a hands-on report with you soon.
FIFA Street 3 is in development for Xbox 360 and PS3.
On 10 October Sony introduced the £299 40 GB PS3 and simultaneously dropped the price of the 60 GB model to £349. Almost immediately sales rose, by nearly 178 per cent according to figures from Chart reported by MCV.
The influx of new PS3 owners had an effect on game sales too, with three exclusive games - Heavenly Sword, MotorStorm and Resistance: Fall Of Man - storming back up the charts.
More PS3 were sold last week than at any time since two weeks after launch, MCV said. That's quite a turnaround for a console that a month ago had its worst sales week ever.
Live another life in another world, create and play any character you can imagine
An all-new combat and magic system brings first person role-playing to a new level of intensity
Groundbreaking AI system gives characters full 24/7 schedules
New lands to explore in the Shivering Isles expansion
Challenging new foes, hideous insects, Flesh Atronachs, skeletal Shambles, amphibeous Grummites and more
features
A revolutionary new way to use the PS3 system, based on traditional trading card games and given a new dimension in 3D by next-generation technology.
Developed in collaboration with Hasbro and its Wizards of the Coast subsidiary that produces MAGIC: THE GATHERING.
Four ways to play - player vs. PS3, player vs. player offline, player vs. player online, PS3 vs. PS3 using players own deck.
High Definition 3D animated characters and vehicles come to life seamlessly into the on camera view of your tabletop.
THE EYE OF JUDGMENT will be bundled with PLAYSTATION Eye, 9 Fields mat, stand, a starter deck of 30 cards, and a booster pack of 8 cards. More than 100 different characters and spells will be offered via additional booster packs and pre-constructed decks, available at major retail chains.
description
Sony Computer Entertainment introduces a new concept in trading card games with THE EYE OF JUDGMENT™ developed exclusively for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Utilizing Hasbro® and its Wizards of the Coast subsidiary’s trading card expertise, the immense power of the PS3® system, and the PLAYSTATION®Eye, Sony’s groundbreaking next-generation USB camera for PS3, THE EYE OF JUDGMENT provides a visually stunning experience that adds a third dimension to the trading card game genre.
Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, JAPAN Studio, THE EYE OF JUDGMENT presents a new style of gameplay where collectable trading cards, embedded with a CyberCode, are brought to life in the 3D game through use of the innovative PLAYSTATION Eye. Players compete by selecting a card and placing the coded card in front of the PLAYSTATION Eye for their respective creatures to come to life and battle on screen. Players take turns placing cards as they jostle for control; the winner is the first player to conquer five of the nine squares of the “9 Fields” battle mat. The gamers task is to conquer the board by deploying their cards more skillfully than their opponent.
Players have four ways to play THE EYE OF JUDGMENT, single player against their PS3, against an opponent in two-player mode, against an opponent online, or letting the PS3 play out a round with the cards the player owns. THE EYE OF JUDGMENT comes with a starter deck of 30 character and spell cards manufactured by Hasbro. Pre-constructed decks and booster packs, sold separately in stores, can be purchased to strategically build the perfect deck using the 110 cards unique cards available.
features
pages: 352
Platform: PC, Sony PlayStation 3 and X-Box 360
Multiplayer Strategy: Attack and defend strategies for every map, detailed strategy for each load-out, and tricks to dismantling the most difficult opponent.
Labeled Maps: Detailed maps showing every pathway, all available equipment/weapons, every puzzle, and hidden item.
Walkthroughs: Step-by-step strategies to defeating the toughest enemies and the most complicated puzzle.
Art Section: Art section dedicated to showcasing all of the beautiful artwork fans of the series have come to love.
Nintendo along with Hong Kong authorities have cracked down on a piracy operation with a raid that yielded 10,000 game copying devices.
Described as a "global distribution operation" for illegal copying devices and mod chips used for pirating DS and Wii games, authorities raided Supreme Factory Limited's facilities on October 8 this year.
The raid lasted for three days, turning up pirating devices that enable users to upload DS games to the Internet for distribution and mod chips to play illegitimate Wii discs.
The raid was made in conjunction with the Hong Kong High Court, which intervened to prohibit involved companies from further distribution of piracy-related products. The court also ordered that company assets be frozen.
Sony will continue to expand upon the media functions of the PS3. According to the report, "within a month, a software upgrade will improve the PS3's interface for music stored and played through the system." However, we don't have any further specifics. Patrick Seybold from SCEA emphasizes that "we haven't made any specific announcements on upcoming firmware." Could enhanced music be a part of the now-mystical 2.0 firmware update?
Brakken has posted an informative update on todays news about the Divineo raid in China:
Supreme Factory in Hong Kong was raided last week confirming what my sources knew was a front for Divineo owned and operated by Max Louarn. Divineo is also known to run various subsidiaries including Team Cyclops, DMS Technologies and **********.com. Divineo is also connected to the Epsilon PSP Team, Viper GC, HD Loader and the Undiluted Platinum PSP modchip.
"The search also turned up volumes of documents reflecting the scope of the operation. The Supreme Factory Limited has ties to a French company, Divineo SARL, and its principal, Max Louarn, who are also named in the legal action initiated by Nintendo. The High Court prohibited the companies from further distribution of the devices and from disposing a portion of their assets worldwide, and ordered that such assets be frozen pending outcome of the legal proceedings." - Source: Here
Some of us in the scene were aware that Divineo was going to be taken out considering facts such as the ICE Raids in the USA which served as a warning to modchip distributors and used as information gathering and the recent raids in Russia (which are undocumented/confirmed at the moment) so this comes as no surprise.
I was personally informed earlier last week that Divineo's China Divineo had been raided, but the only proof I could find was the fact that all Nintendo and Sony console modification products had been removed from Divineo's website. I had waited until it was made public to go forth with the information.
Max Louarn the owner of Divineo and ********** was recently sued and to my knowledge is a wanted criminal in the USA and along with a few other guilty parties owes over $9 million in damages to them. Additionally, back in 1994 Max Louarn was busted by the USA Secret Service for being the ringleader in a telephone card fraud scheme. Max has also recently threatened to sue me over my personal Blog.
Recent legislation in the USA named the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA) prohibits the use of devices which circumvent copy protection forthe purpose of making illegal copies of digital media is what has brought on these raids.
Sadly, while modchips do allow software piracy they also offer amateur developers a chance to create software for a video game system they legally purchased and own. The companies that produce these gaming consoles such as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP currently have a monopoly over it's development process and requires you to pay tens of thousands of dollars to create your own software for these platforms.
The Law in the books is like saying you can buy a car, but you can't add custom tire rims to it - as a car can be used to drive yourself to work (legal) or to run over your neighbors dog (illegal). That's where the legal use of modchips and development units come into play - they allow you for less then a hundred dollars to develop software for these consoles and at least some companies such as Microsoft look the other way when it comes to the use of modchips on their video gaming consoles for "homebrew" development.
There was a bit of legislation that was introduced which would amend the DMCA to allow people who own digital media to create backup copies of it for archival and protective purposes.
"(F) The prohibition contained in subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a person by reason of that person’s engaging in a non-infringing use of any of the 6 classes of copyrighted works set forth in the determination of the 2 Librarian of Congress in Docket No. RM 2005-11, as published as a final rule by the Copyright Office, Library of 4 Congress, effective November 27, 2006..."
If you read paragraph "A" of section 12-01 of the DMCA, it's fairly clear that no circumvention means no circumvention. "No person shall circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title." - Source: Here
Sadly, this amendment is currently stuck in the legal system. If it were to become part of the legislation it would not only legalize modchips, but once again allow consumers to make backups of the valuable media they have invested time and money in.
TehSkeen in no way condones, endorses and/or encourages using modchips and/or backup devices to illegally copy digital media, but we do however disagree with the DMCA, support the amendment and believe in the power of the homebrew community.
With Divineo's assets being frozen and their various distributing warehouses being busted no one is sure if they will be able to stay in business or who will be paying the bills for his other ventures including **********.
EA's Army of Two, originally planned for a November release, has been delayed until early 2008.
"Army of Two has potential to become a lasting EA franchise -- so getting the first title right is essential," Frank Gibeau, head of EA Games, said in a statement.
The company said it needed time to "polish" the co-op shooter, which is being programmed for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter expected the game to earn approximately USD 54 million in revenue during EA's third quarter.
"It's an important game for them if they hope to establish it as a franchise," Pachter told Reuters.
We remember the first time we saw the camera swoop in behind the ship in WipEout 2097 for the first time. "OMFG" were the words shouted from our young mouths.
The thunder cracks and the rain pours down as the realistically echoing robo-voice counts down from three to one. "GO" he says, the Prodigy music kicked in and we found ourselves in control of a technical masterpiece for that era of gaming.
11 years later and our PS3 is pumping out the slick high-res graphics of WipEout HD, and we know you want to see it. So we recorded a video of the Anulpha Pass track in full-screen for you to admire its silky smooth beauty.
Then we just couldn't resist getting out our old favourite and running them side-by-side, just for nostalgia's sake. Surprisingly, it's still bloody good to play, even after all these years.
The ships in WipEout HD definitely handle far tighter than in 2097 - they don't swing about as much, but there are actually certain little things that we prefer about the old game.
Wall collision is one of the main things. In the old game you can scrape the wall and lose relatively no speed at all, and the scraping sound made by your ship's body as it rubs the wall - the sound of you pushing your aircraft to the very edge of a bend at high speed - is strangely satisfying.
But in the new game, any contact with the wall at all, no matter how slight, slows your ship down to an almost instant halt - not very pleasing at all.
The music in 2097 is better, too, and the overall echoing atmosphere is still brilliant.
Sega's Football Manager 2008 has entered the UK's all-formats chart at number one this week, knocking EA's FIFA 08 off the top spot.
Accounting for 38 per cent of all PC titles sold in the past week, Sports Interactive's management sim is Sega's first multiformat number one title since last year's version of the popular football franchise.
With FIFA 08 at number two this week, EA's generous packing of Valve's The Orange Box makes a strong debut at number three considering it's only currently on two formats – PC and Xbox 360 – with the console version accounting for 77 per cent of sales.
The other big new release entering the charts this week is Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for DS at number four, nudging Halo 3 down the charts to number five.
Microsoft's Project Gotham Racing 4 also drops down the charts from two to six, as does THQ's movie tie-in Ratatouille at seven and EA's Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 at eight.
Sony's first-party PS3 shooter Resistance: Fall of Man is at nine this week, with Vivendi's Crash of the Titans climbing the charts from 19 to ten.
Other new entries in the top forty are Disney's High School Musical: Making the Cut! at 18 and Take 2's Carnival: Funfair Games for the Wii at 25.
In a recent article Nolan Bushnell laments the current state of gaming, stating that modern games are nothing more than a "race to the bottom" resulting in complete and utter trash. In order to combat what he sees as the downward spiral in game quality he continues to work on his new dining experience uWink that features tabletop games and a "reasonably priced meal". RPS weighs in on the subject arguing that, while the unhealthy obsession with Halo 3 might be a bit misplaced, there are plenty of gems to be found amidst the flotsam and jetsam.
Atari founder Nolan Bushnell thinks modern games are rubbish. If he's talking about the ones with dropships in, we're with him.
"Video games today are a race to the bottom. They are pure, unadulterated trash and I'm sad for that," he told Electronic Design. Oh wait, that's it. Sound-bite, then.
The article itself is about Bushnell's current venture - the uWink family restaurants where you can play tabletop games, talk to hated family members and eat. There's one in Woodland Hills, California, and he seems pretty chuffed with it. And himself.
"I am the luckiest guy to be able to continue to innovate and create games and toys. Throughout the years, I added a technical twist to everything I did. I interpreted technology for the masses and it feels good," he explained. To be fair he was a bit of a wizard.
Sadly he doesn't add anything to his description of modern games, but he does tell us all about his personal favourite game, Breakout. "It is one of the games that everyone loved," he says. "It was very satisfying to play.
"It was like breaking down walls. And it was a metaphor. The world is better when you break down walls. Walls separate people. The more inclusive we can be, the better we can be as a species."
Yes, except the walls were at the top, and you generally got impatient with it and ended up bouncing the ball through gaps to smash the walls from the other side. Other than that, correct.
Writing in his games blog, Takahashi states that Sony has abandoned the "arrogance of past years" following weaker than expected sales of its next-gen system. The platform holder has reportedly told developers that the PS3 will be a success, suggesting it's just a slow burner.
"One piece of news that came out this week was that Sony pleaded with third-party developers not to abandon its struggling platform... The argument is that the PS3 will show its strength as developers learn how to make games for it.
"But developers know they can staff four or five Wii teams with the same number of people it takes to make one PS3 game. We may have a glut of Wii games soon, but that's not as bad as not having enough games on the PS3."
Takahashi's comments follow the recent release of NPD sales statistics for September. The numbers showed that Sony sold only 119,400 PS3s during the month, in comparison to the Xbox 360 and Wii which both shifted more than 500k units at retail.
While Sony labeled September "a strong month for the PlayStation brand," Takahashi feels that the system's lack of killer software means more hard times lay ahead for the company's games division.
"Sony managed to crack the top ten finally with a PS3 title, Heavenly Sword. But beyond Ratchet & Clank, it's unclear what is going to be a big seller for the company this season."
Even though Transformers director Michael Bay backed down after bitching about Paramount's choice of HD DVD over Blu-ray for all forthcoming home videos including Transformers, he couldn't hold his tongue for long. He told USA Today that he's pissed about the format war in general, adding specifically:
"As a director, my critical eye is that Blu-ray is where my money is."
He also says the best-selling DVD release of Transformers was "not as good as it could have been." Apparently somebody must've got up on the wrong side of the bed.
Im sure most of you who are big gaming fans will know that last October at this very time of the year Lik Sang a vastly popular online store and big supporter of the Homebrew community was closed down. Due to many Sony lawsuits.
Fast forward a year and Divineo who somehow got past a 9 Million Dollar fine in the USA have now been raided and assets frozen. Does this spell the end of Divineo and its stores which also include the Maxthingy website.
To lose a big site who sell flash carts and modchips that are used for homebrew means that the pirates have again spoiled it for the rest of us.
Is it time for hackers and emulation fans to leave these consoles behind and concentrate on consoles that embrace homebrew ?
Wow just spotted news of this tonight and its most impressive. A new handheld from China that boasts Nes, Snes, Genesis, Sega Master System, Gameboy, GBA and NeoGeo emulation on it from the start.
2GB VERSION + 2GB SD CARD = 4GB Unit Price: $149.00
The JXD 301 has a LTPS TFT (Low Temperature Polysilicon Thin Film Transistor) screen, which allows for better screen performance than most other players. It can also play a large number of audio and video file types, most importantly RM/RMVB, which is growing in use due to is high compression/hi quality ratio, it also allows for FLV playback allowing users to download off sites like You Tube and watch the videos directly on this player. One of the nicest features is its ability to play NES, SNES, SMD, GBC, GBA and Neo Geo games.
Package Contents:
2GB 3.0" LTPS TFT (4GB Pack: 2GB JXD 301 + 2GB SD Card)
USB cable
Headphones
English Manual
Carrying case
2 Pin Wall Charger
CD with drivers and software
12 Month Warranty
FEATURES:
Processor: ADI Blackfin 533 - 600MHz
Screen: 3.0" LTPS TFT, capable of displaying 16 million colors with a aspect ratio of 4:3
Supported Audio Codecs: MP3, WMA (32K ~ 320Kbps), APE, FLAC
Supported Video Codecs: RM/RMVB, AVI (XVid), FLV, MPG, MPEG, DAT
Equalizer: BBE, SRS, 10 Custom EQ and 7 Pre-set EQ
Frequency Response: 20HZ~20KHZ , 0dB± 3dB
Games: NES, SNES, Sega Mega Drive, Game Boy Classic, Game Boy Advanced and Neo Geo Emulator
File Viewing: GIF, BMP, JPG, TXT
Lyrics: LRC
Voice Recording: (WAV) Sampling Rate: 8kHz-320kHz
Input and Output: 5PIN USB, Dual 3.5mm stereo earphone output.
Language Support: Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, English
Battery: 1000mAH
Playtime: 15hrs audio, 5-6hrs video.
Expansion Slot: SD slot capable of supporting up to 4GB
Flash Memory Capacity: 2GB
Interface: USB 2.0 HI-SPEED
Built in loud speaker
Easy to use Graphical User Interface
USB Storage Function
Firmware Upgradable
via Gizmodo
According to Shacknews, the latest PS3 software update, v1.94, will add support for the upcoming DualShock3 rumble controller. The update will also include Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, the first PS3 game to take advantage of DualShock3. Apparently the rumble feature can be toggled by pressing the PS button in the middle of the controller and selecting it via the options screen. Unfortunately those of us in the US and Europe won't be able to take advantage of this new/old functionality until this spring, when the DualShock3 is released to the masses (outside of Japan of course.)
Manchester Cathedral has "forgiven" Sony for using a replica of the holy building in PS3 shooter Resistance: Fall of Man.
The format holder outraged religious leaders earlier this year for using a mock-up of the interior of the Church in the hit first-person shooter.
But now, after failing to win an award at last night's BAFTA awards, the Very Reverend Rogers Govender has decided to put the incident in the past - even though Sony refuses to accept it has done wrong.
"I think some important lessons have been learnt," said the Dean of Manchester, speaking to the BBC. "So we forgive Sony for what they have done, even though they still believe they have done no wrong."
"In an industry that is breaking new frontiers, it is important that long held traditions of film and television are maintained. These traditions include having courtesy, respecting the dignity of your subject, and admitting when mistakes have been made," he said.
"In so many ways Sony have failed to live up to these standards by disrespecting people of faith and the victims of gun crime in Manchester," he added.
He also added that visits to the Cathedral have increased since the controversy hit the news headlines.
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction may have landed in some US stores this week, putting it a little bit ahead of schedule, but it also arrives with a bug that can potentially stop you playing it. Whoops.
What happens is that during the pre-game set-up procedure, when it copies files to the hard disk, it, er, sometimes refuses to copy files to the hard disk, claiming that there is insufficient space to do so, even though there is.
"With specific amounts of free space on your drive, you may see a screen that tells you have insufficient space to create game data even though there is plenty of free space on your drive," Insomniac Games' James Stevenson told Shacknews, probably a bit sheepishly. "When this occurs, either delete or add about 500MB of data to your hard drive and the problem will go away."
Stuck for ideas on how to do that? You could always download a demo. Or delete a few videos. Trailers, I expect - and not your "special" videos, eh? There is also the possibility of deleting the Ratchet & Clank demo, unless you never worked out how to make a US PSN account, in which case you don't have it, because it isn't on the European Store because we're not worth it.
Look out for our Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction review in the coming days! Or you could try out the demo except wait we've done that one. The full game is due out here on 9th November.
Good old Sony (via Three Speech) has taken a moment to nail down exactly when it's remaining 2007 releases will be hitting shelves.
October's almost over and Sony will be seeing out the month with it's PlayStation Eye card game, The Eye of Judgement, hitting shelves on 26 Oct.
You've got a double serving coming on November 9, with both Lair (finally) and Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction making their way to stores.
Naughty Dog will unleash its handy work in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune on December 7, with SingStar PS3 to follow sometime that month, although Sony is still pondering the exact date.
It's been confirmed that the latest PlayStation 3 firmware update (to version 1.94) adds support for the forthcoming rumble-enabled DualShock 3 - though it's not available for download yet.
The update is being bundled with Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (the first PS3 game to support rumble), which is due to arrive in the shops on November 9.
Those of us who already have copies of the game (a bit of willy waving there for you) will know that by pressing the PS button, the DualShock 3's vibration can be toggled on and off from the in-game controller setting menu. Riveting stuff.
Sony's planning to ship out the new pad in Japan this November, with a US and European release bizarrely planned for next year.
Don't wait around for your rumble; import a controller, we say.
Polyphony Digital has signed a deal with BBC Worldwide to let you watch Top Gear on your PS3.
You will be able to enjoy up to 40 episodes of the motoring show using the new Gran Turismo TV channel, which will launch on the PlayStation Network sometime next year and feature all the goings-on from the world of cars.
The BBC has also given the go-ahead for the famous test-track from the show to be replicated in Gran Turismo 5, so you can pop on some slightly bizarre music and thrash all sorts of expensive creations around the track just like the enigmatic Stig.
"We're sure that players will be as thrilled as we are when they get the chance to put their own driving skills to the test on the Top Gear Test Track in GT5, as well as enjoying classic episodes of Top Gear via GT TV," said Kazunori Yamauchi, end boss at developer Polyphony Digital.
Unfortunately Gran Turismo 5 still looks to be a long way off in Europe, with only a tentative date of July 2008 mentioned for Japan so far.
But those of you eagerly awaiting it will be pleased to know that a demo for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is now on the Japanese PlayStation Store, and all you have to do to get hold of it is create a mock account for the region and begin downloading. But be quick, it will disappear forever on 11th November.
Following last night's glitzy and glamorous BAFTA Video Games Awards, trembling fists across the globe grip shiny new gongs, courtesy of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts' second annual celebration of creative excellence in the games industry.
No mantle piece is more threatened with permanent displacement than Nintendo's though, with the company skipping away from the event with a staggering six awards - all for Wii Sports. In fact, the popular family pasttime secured wins under the following categories: Casual, Gameplay, Innovation, Mulitplayer, Sports, plus Strategy and Simulation. Speaking to IGN, Nintendo said of the accolades, "We are very honoured and proud to have been recognised in this way by the Academy".
However, it wasn't empty hands for everyone else. In fact, homegrown UK developer Realtime Worlds got its mitts on two awards for Crackdown - best Action and Adventure title and best Use of Sound. Elsewhere, Okami scored a much deserved slap on the back in the Artistic Achievement and Best Score categories, while God of War 2 attempted to maintain its angry exterior in the face of jubilation as it took home awards for best Story and Character, plus best Technical Achievement.
Finally, Best Game of the night went to 2K's superb Bioshock and the only public-voted category, The PC World Gamers' Award, shook its bucket of recognition in the general direction of Sports Interactive's Football Manager 2007.
For the full rundown of nominees and eventual winners (listed in bold), check here.
We're currently trashing our way through Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. It's good stuff, but you'll have to wait a little longer for our final verdict. What we can tell you though is that it looks frickin' stunning. Come see...
This is what PS3 games are supposed to look like - detail oozes from every crevice in the game's environments, from the leaves, trees and bushes in the impressively-lit jungles levels, to the high-res textures in the dungeon interiors.
Bushes and long grass move as you wade through them (unlike most games with their ghost vegetation that you can walk through as if it weren't there). And the sunshine gleams realistically through the leaves, casting impressive shadows on the ground and the moving characters.
The voice acting is quality, too. The combination of a well-acted script and stunning visuals makes the cut scenes a pleasure to watch. It really does feel like you're watching a film at times. And these cut scenes are rendered in real-time, too.
So, we've got five movies for you. We were only going to do a couple but the game looks so damn good we couldn't stop hitting the record button. They're from levels early into the game though - so as not to spoil things for you.
The first video is the opening scene on Drake's boat, where you can check out the shooting and hand-to-hand combat mechanics as we fight off money-hungry pirates (the modern kind).
The second video is the proceeding cut scene, which looks amazing, then in the third video we explore a jungle path and have a jump around. Watch out for the fluid animation as Drake walks over the rocks and clambers up platforms.
Next up is a tomb interior where you'll see how the game makes great use of the environments for some rewarding puzzle-solving action. And finally we thought we'd show you a very Indiana Jones-like action scene that got our hearts pumping when we first saw it. Skip that last one if you don't want the surprise ruined.
The game's due out in December, but we'll be uploading more videos and impressions in coming weeks, so keep an eye on us. If you haven't already, check our previous hands-on write up.
In its Q3 2007 call to analysts, video rental service Netflix said that it would consider delivering movies to its subscribers via internet-connected HD-DVD and Blu-ray devices, which include the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Said Netflix president, CEO and Board chairman Reed Hastings as recorded by financial site Seeking Alpha, "In terms of enabling the viewing of online content on the television screen, we are exploring a variety of options, including Internet connected, high definition DVD players, internet connected game consoles, and dedicated internet set tops, with a variety of partners, trying to understand the best ways to provide inexpensive viewing of online content on the television."
Square Enix has reinstated its "Return Home to Vana'diel" campaign, urging Final Fantasy XI players who dropped their online accounts to rejoin the community in time for the release of the multiplatform MMO's fourth expansion pack in November.
Customers who deleted their Content IDs or PlayOnline accounts are now able to rejoin their fellow adventurers in the world of Vana'diel as the Wings of the Goddess expansion ships on Nov. 20.
Square Enix held its first Return Home to Vana'diel event in North America in 2005.
Uniting players in North America, Europe and Japan, FFXI is the first massively-multiplayer online roleplaying game capable of simultaneous communication across multiple platforms: PlayStation 2, PC and Xbox 360. Now in its fifth year of service, the game has a community of more than 500,000 subscribers and more than 1.7 million player characters worldwide.
The Return Home to Vana'diel campaign will run until Feb. 29, 2008.
Sony Corporation has announced its financial results for the second fiscal quarter of 2007, showing an overall revenue growth year-on-year of 12.3 per cent.
However, while the Corporation made an operating profit of JPY 90.5 billion (USD 787 million) during the quarter, up from a loss of JPY 20.8 billion (USD 182 million) last year, the games division's losses doubled in the same period.
Although revenues, largely down to the sales of the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Portable Slim and Lite, jumped 43 per cent to JPY 243 billion (USD 2.1 billion), last year's operating loss of JPT 43.5 billion (USD 381 million) more than doubled to JPY 96.7 billion (USD 841 million).
Sony attributed the loss primarily to "the strategic pricing of PS3 at points lower than its production cost and the increase in PS3-related inventory write-downs recorded during the current quarter compared to the same quarter of the previous year."
That inventory value now stands at JPY 248 billion (USD 2.2 billion), up 31 per cent on last year, and the result of the "build-up of finished goods inventory following the introduction of the PS3 platform in Japan, North America and Europe."
Additionally, while sales of the PlayStation 3 have now hit 1.31 million units globally during the last quarter, with PS3 software sales reaching 10.3 million units, sales of PlayStation 2 hardware is down four per cent year-on-year, with PS2 software unit sales falling by around a quarter.
The PSP is still going strong, with over half a million units sold this quarter than in the same period last year, although software sales for the handheld dropped by around five per cent in that time.
Naughty Dog and Sony will release a playable demo for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune "sometime mid-November" according to AI and animation programmer Christian Gyrling.
Speaking in the comments section of a Sony US blog post (picked up on by Kotaku) about the process of creating the game's characters, Gyrling responded to questions on the subject matter-of-factly:
"A demo will be available in the PlayStation Store sometime mid November. I don't know the exact date as of now."
That would tally with what Naughty Dog's Evan Wells said in the same setting earlier this month: that the team would be creating a demo for PSN and expected it to be released before the US version of the game, which is currently on the chart for 20th November. We should expect to see it here on 7th December, as confirmed by semi-official UK blog Three Speech yesterday.
The latest Motorstorm update should now be available for European PS3 owners, which adds full DualShock 3 support for the off-road racer. Finally!
This is according to a posting on the Official PlayStation Community forums, which says Version 3.0 brings a number of new features and fixes, including support for rumbling SixAxis.
Other features in the patch include sensitivity settings for SixAxis control schemes (if anybody uses them...) and a new "Gloating Index", whatever that is.
The full list of tweaks and twists is as follows:
* Added vibration support for DUALSHOCK 3 controller with adjustable sensitivity settings.
* Grid order has been randomised for first race in any online lobby.
* Finishing positions in your last race now determine your starting grid position in the next race within the same online lobby.
* On-screen indicator has been added to show whether voice comms are issuing from TV or headset - As before, please press and hold L1 (R1 if using control scheme 'B') to toggle headset output through TV or Headset.
* Sensitivity Settings for SIXAXIS Motion Sensor control have been added.
* 'Gloating Index' has been added to the Stats card - The Gloating index gives guidance as to a racer's online prowess. It takes into account the number of people you've beaten in each race and the number of people that have beaten you. Use the gloating index to spot the players to beat in each race! Try and rank your Gloating Index up to the perfect '10'!
* Several causes for an occasional snagging issue which would destroy vehicles on suspension impact have been addressed.
* Further fixes to prevent the occasional statistics reset issue have been applied.
* Fixed an occasional issue with inaccuracies in Eliminator finishing results.
* Fixed an issue where winners leaving Eliminator before race completed could cause issues for other players in lobby.
Epic Games' Mark Rein says it's "too early to know" whether Unreal Tournament 3 will hit PS3 this year.
Rein was speaking to Eurogamer via email in light of Australian distribution reports that the PC version is set for mid-November but won't be joined by its console sibling until 2008.
Midway yesterday confirmed that the PC version is down for release in mid-November, although it couldn't be completely specific about the release date.
The publisher recently advised investors that the highly anticipated first-person shooter might miss the pre-Christmas release window and slip to 2008, with Rein later adding that the company had felt obliged to alert investors to the possibility despite a reasonable probability of getting it done this year.
Phew, very exciting eh? For more on UT3, check out our PC and PS3 gamepages, or hook yourself up to the recent beta demo and draw your own conclusions.
An Xbox 360 version is also planned, but will arrive after PC and PS3 due to an exclusivity arrangement with Sony.
Rockstar's Manhunt 2 could release in the UK, but as a digital download, it's emerged.
It's all to do with a legal loophole in the UK's 1984 Video Recordings Act, which only covers physical products. An age-certification rating is apparently not required for online digital downloads.
Manhunt 2 has been refused age-certification twice by the BBFC. Following the original refusal, Rockstar submitted a revised version of the game but not enough was done in the eyes of the classification body.
However, while the release of Manhunt 2 is theoretically possible, we very much doubt the console companies would allow a game without to BBFC rating to grace their machines.
And of course, how the hell would you get the digital download onto PS2 and Wii anyway?
Rock Band's US release will be supported by a community minded relaunch for the game's official website - www.rockband.com - to help encourage the game's early buyers to play together.
Speaking to GameSpot, developer Harmonix explained that the website would include leaderboards, personalised band pages, blogs, forums and a classified ads section so Lennons can find their McCartneys.
The news comes as the developer reveals that it has moved up the game's release date by three days so that everyone can get hold of it in time for the US Thanksgiving holiday. PS3 and 360 versions will now hit on 20th November across the pond.
The game isn't due out here until early 2008, sadly, but those of you with big wallets and PS3s (actually, one necessitates the other anyway) can always consider the import option thanks to the PS3's region-free Blu-ray game playback.
That's if you're happy to stump up hefty import duties and delivery fees, of course - at least at launch, the only bundles available will be the USD 169.99 [£83] packages including drums, microphone and lead and bass guitars.
A 'businessman' who traded under the name Mr Modchips has become only the second person in the UK to be convicted for distributing and selling chipped consoles.
39 year-old Higgs was found guilty of 26 offences: three counts of advertising, supplying and selling modification chips designed to enable people to play illegally copied games on their consoles, 12 counts of possessing 19 chipped games consoles and another 11 counts of possessing Executor modchips for Microsoft consoles, as well as Viper GC chips for Nintendo systems. He was cleared of a further four counts of possessing chipped consoles.
The jury at his trial voted unanimously against Higgs, whose lawyers requested leave to appeal which was granted by the Judge. A date for the appeal hearing has yet to be set.
In an interview published in the latest Edge magazine, Maguire states: "by the time [Edge] goes to press we'll be at around about 500,000 PS3 sales in the UK, and through Christmas we'll take that well through the million mark".
Elsewhere in the interview, Maguire is positive about another thorny PS3 problem - games. He believes that "we're in the period of crossover now, where people will start to develop on PS3 as the lead [platform] if they're multiformat", as opposed to the current tradition where the majority of multiplatform games begin life as Xbox 360 developments.
Sony said Thursday that quarterly operating losses for its games unit had more than doubled, but that it hoped the division would break even or better in the second half of the financial year.
During the quarter Sony sold 1.31 million PlayStation 3s and 10.3 million PS3 software units globally. The ageing PS2 notched up 3.28 million sales and 38 million game sales, while the company also shifted 2.58 million units of its handheld PSP console and 12.6 million games for the system.
The company feels it is still on track to sell 11 million PlayStation 3s during the current financial year.
The games division losses weren't enough to stop Sony posting a quarterly operating profit across its full business however. Overall Sony's quarterly operating profit reached 90.5 billion yen, compared to a loss of 20.83 billion during the same period last year. Growth was largely driven by strong LCD TV, camera and camcorder sales.
Yesterday, we talked a bit about Blacksite: Area 51 and the missing online features in the PlayStation 3 version. Since that story ran, an insider contacted us to say the PS3 version's problems may run deeper than a lack of voice chat.
"The PS3 version is experiencing issues and missed deadlines," he tells us. The insider also notes Midway's unhappiness with these issues; the PS3 demo and launch will likely end up being delayed as a result.
"Midway isn't happy at all about the progress, and it's a story I've heard over and over this year across the industry when it comes to the PS3 and cross-platform titles," the insider states.
Sony Corp.'s new 40GB Playstation 3 sold out in advanced orders at retailer Amazon.com on Tues.
The new 40GB model, which includes a Blu-ray disc drive, built-in Wi-Fi, a wireless controller, and a copy of Spider-Man 3 on Blu-ray disc, will sell for $399 on Nov. 2.
Amazon began offering the product over the weekend following an announcement of the new product early last week.
Sony Computer Entertainment went a bit nutty recently at the US Patent and Trademark Office, with its European division registering new trademarks for unannounced software under the names Ember, SkyBlue, Carriage Return, Race Day, and Strings Attached. These registrants coincide with a number of products already released or announced, including PlayStation Network and PlayStation Eye games Snakeball, Operation Creature Feature, Super Rub'A'Dub and Super Stardust. Unfortunately, the descriptions of the goods and services for each, including helpful hints like "computer games apparatus adapted for use with an external display screen or monitor" don't hint at what these products may be.
The company's Japanese division also recently added a new trademark, known as the Broadcasting Engine. The trademark info hints less at a software release, instead covering hardware bases on cellular phones, computer mice, video cameras, dvd players, video game machines, set-top boxes and vending machines. This is intermixed with multiple mentions of downloadable media, like music, movies, television programs and video games.
Welcome to this week's Games & Toys update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days.
Top selling next gen console releases this week have been Thrillville: Off the Rails for Xbox360™, Imabi Kisou and The Eye of Judgment (Asia / Japanese) as well as Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party (Regular / With Dancing Mat), Ghost Squad (Regular / With Wii Zapper) and Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (US / Japanese) for Nintendo Wii™.
For PlayStation2™ we've got Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 31: Dennou Senki Virtual On and Banpresto's Ar tonelico II: Sekai ni Hibiku Shoujo Tachi no Souzoushi.
Demanded handheld releases this week have been the English language Asia Edition of Konami's Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles for PSP™, along with the Nintendo DS™ top sellers Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Fuuketsu no Grimoire, World Soccer Winning Eleven DS: Goal x Goal! (Japanese), Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations and Mega Man ZX Advent (both US versions).
An interesting misc. product release this week has been Square-Enix / Suntory's Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Potion canned softdrink. Make sure to give it a try...
As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week,
Xbox360™:
Beautiful Katamari US US$ 44.90
Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War ASIA US$ 64.90
Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War JPN US$ 69.90
Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War [Premium Box] JPN US$ 95.00
Thrillville: Off the Rails US US$ 49.90
Thrillville: Off the Rails ASIA US$ 44.90
PlayStation3™:
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Game of the Year Edition) US US$ 64.90
Imabi Kisou JPN US$ 64.90
Logicool Cordless Media Board Pro JPN US$ 99.90
Need for Speed: Carbon (EA Best Hits) JPN US$ 34.90
The Eye of Judgment JPN US$ 89.90
The Eye of Judgment ASIA US$ 84.90
Nintendo Wii™:
Dance Dance Revolution Controller JPN US$ 49.90
Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party JPN US$ 59.90
Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party (w/ Dancing Mat) JPN US$ 69.90
EA Playground US US$ 49.90
Ghost Squad JPN US$ 49.90
Ghost Squad (w/ Wii Zapper) JPN US$ 59.90
Gintama: Banji Oku Chuubu JPN US$ 59.90
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core US US$ 44.90
Mercury Meltdown Revolution US US$ 29.90
Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis US US$ 44.90
Simple Wii Series Vol. 1: The Minna de Kart Race JPN US$ 29.90
Simple Wii Series Vol. 2: The Minna de Bass Tsuri Taikai JPN US$ 29.90
The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night US US$ 49.90
Thrillville: Off the Rails US US$ 49.90
Victorious Boxers: Revolution US US$ 44.90
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure US US$ 44.90
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure / Takarjima Z: Barbaros no Hihou JPN US$ 59.90
PlayStation2™:
Ar tonelico II: Sekai ni Hibiku Shoujo Tachi no Souzoushi JPN US$ 64.90
Baldr Bullet: Equilibrium JPN US$ 64.90
Baldr Bullet: Equilibrium [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 95.00
Bleach: Blade Battles (PlayStation2 the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Bleach: Hanatareshi Yabou (PlayStation2 the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Bleach: Selected Soul (PlayStation2 the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Colorful Aquarium: My Little Mermaid JPN US$ 64.90
Colorful Aquarium: My Little Mermaid [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 79.90
Dragon Ball Z Sparking! Meteor KOR US$ 59.90
God of War II: The End Begins JPN US$ 64.90
Itsuka, Todoku, Ano Sora ni JPN US$ 64.90
Itsuka, Todoku, Ano Sora ni [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 79.90
Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn!! Let's Ansatsu!? Nerawareta 10 Daime! JPN US$ 64.90
Need for Speed Carbon (EA Best Hits) JPN US$ 34.90
Nettai Teikiatsu Otome JPN US$ 64.90
Nettai Teikiatsu Otome [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 79.90
Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 31: Dennou Senki Virtual On JPN US$ 28.90
Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 31: Dennou Senki Virtual On [Segadirect Super DX Pack] JPN N/A
Taka Reet Ura Mahjong Retsuden: Mukoubushi JPN US$ 49.90
Volleyball World Cup: Venus Evolution JPN US$ 64.90
Nintendo DS™:
Abashii Narugami Gakuen Toshi Densetsu Tantei Kyoku JPN US$ 39.90
CSI: Dark Motives ASIA US$ 34.90
Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch JPN US$ 48.90
Crossword DS + Sekai 1-Shuu Cross JPN US$ 29.90
DS Card Block Mixed Pack JPN US$ 7.90
DS Card Block White Pack JPN US$ 7.90
Disney Princess: Magical Jewels US US$ 34.90
Dungeon Maker: Mahou no Shovel to Chiisa na Yuusha JPN US$ 48.90
EA Playground US US$ 34.90
ESSE Kakeibo DS JPN US$ 39.90
Eigo o Taberu Fushigi na Ikimono Marsh JPN US$ 48.90
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Fuuketsu no Grimoire JPN US$ 48.90
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Fuuketsu no Grimoire Accessory Set JPN US$ 17.90
Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes A Day US US$ 24.90
Hannah Montanna: Music Jam US US$ 34.90
Hard Cover DS Lite (Metallic Skin) JPN US$ 9.90
Horsez: Farm Adventures ASIA US$ 34.90
Illust Logic DS + Colorful Logic JPN US$ 29.90
Iria no Sora, UFO no Natsu I&II Complete Pack JPN US$ 59.90
Iria no Sora, UFO no Natsu II JPN US$ 34.90
Mahjong Quest Expeditions US US$ 24.90
Mainichi Happy! Ayakouji Kimimaro no Life Kit JPN US$ 39.90
Mega Man ZX Advent US US$ 29.90
Mensetsu no Tatsujin: Tenshoku-Hen JPN US$ 39.90
Pet Vet ASIA US$ 34.90
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations US US$ 29.90
Power Rangers: Super Legends US US$ 34.90
Prism: Light the Way US US$ 34.90
Real Football 2008 ASIA US$ 39.90
Sekai no Shougi JPN US$ 39.90
Simple DS Series Vol. 24: The Sensha JPN US$ 28.90
Simple DS Series Vol. 25: The Koushounin JPN US$ 28.90
Smart Pouch Lite 6 (Black) JPN US$ 8.99
Smart Pouch Lite 6 (Blue) JPN US$ 8.99
Smart Pouch Lite 6 (Navy) JPN US$ 8.99
Smart Pouch Lite 6 (Pink) JPN US$ 8.99
Smart Pouch Lite 6 (White) JPN US$ 8.99
Smart Pouch Lite 6 (Yellow) JPN US$ 8.99
Stereo Earphone DS (Black) JPN US$ 12.90
Stereo Earphone DS (Blue) JPN US$ 12.90
Stereo Earphone DS (Pink) JPN US$ 12.90
Stereo Earphone DS (White) JPN US$ 12.90
Sugar Bunnies DS: Yume no Sweets Koubou JPN US$ 48.90
Tantei Kibukawa Ryosuke Jiken Dan: The Masquerade Lullaby (Genki the Best) JPN US$ 29.90
Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann JPN US$ 58.90
The Frogman Show: DS Datte, Shouganaijanai. JPN US$ 48.90
Thrillville: Off the Rails ASIA US$ 34.90
Totally Spies!: 3 Secret Agents ASIA US$ 34.90
World Soccer Winning Eleven DS: Goal x Goal! JPN US$ 39.90
Sony PSP™:
Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (English language Version) ASIA US$ 39.90
Kaitou Apricot Portable JPN US$ 58.90
Need for Speed Carbon (EA Best Hits) JPN US$ 29.90
SWAT: Target Liberty US US$ 39.90
Thrillville: Off the Rails ASIA US$ 39.90
PC Games:
Company of Heroes (Game of the Year Edition) (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 26.90
Heroes of Might & Magic V: Gold Edition (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 49.90
Heroes of Might & Magic V: Tribes of the East (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 34.90
Moto GP 07 (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 34.90
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Complete (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 45.90
Guide Books:
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions Official Strategy Guide US US$ 16.90
Half-Life 2: The Orange Box Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
Toys & More:
Fate/Hollow Ataraxia No-Scale Prepainted PVC Figure - Hetare Sakura Nendoroid JPN US$ 34.90
Final Fantasy Plush Doll: Chocobo (Black Mage Version) JPN US$ 24.90
Final Fantasy Plush Doll: Chocobo (Santa Claus Version) JPN US$ 24.90
Final Fantasy Plush Doll: Chocobo (White Mage Version) JPN US$ 24.90
Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Potion (canned softdrink) JPN US$ 6.90
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Master Piece Arts - Cloud Strife 1/4 Cold Cast Statue JPN N/A
Gensou Senki Ru/Li/Lu/Ra 1/8 Scale Painted PVC Figure - Izulha (Golden Maiden Ver.) JPN N/A
Gun x Sword 1/8 Scale Painted PVC Figure - Fasarina JPN N/A
Kanon 1/8 Scale Painted PVC Figure - Ayu JPN US$ 57.90
Kirby Plush Doll (standing medium size) JPN N/A
Mario Party Plush Doll: Mario (Extra large) JPN US$ 139.90
Mario Party Plush Doll: Yoshi (Extra large) JPN US$ 139.90
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Figure Collection Gashapon JPN US$ 2.90
Okusama Wa Maho Shojo 1/7 Scale Painted PVC Figure - Asaba Ureshiko JPN US$ 54.90
Puyo Puyo Fever 2 Plush Toy: Blue Puyo (small) JPN US$ 9.90
Puyo Puyo Fever 2 Plush Toy: Green Puyo (small) JPN US$ 9.90
Puyo Puyo Fever 2 Plush Toy: Pink Puyo (small) JPN US$ 9.90
Puyo Puyo Fever 2 Plush Toy: Purple Puyo (small) JPN US$ 9.90
Puyo Puyo Fever 2 Plush Toy: Red Puyo (small) JPN US$ 9.90
Puyo Puyo Fever 2 Plush Toy: Yellow Puyo (small) JPN US$ 9.90
Revoltech Griffon Series No. 20 - The Mobile Police Patlabor Pre-Painted Action Figure JPN US$ 19.90
Shining Wind 1/8 Scale Prepainted PVC Statue: Clalaclan Philias JPN N/A
Utawarerumono 1/8 Scale Prepainted PVC Statue: Kamyu JPN US$ 49.90
Weapons Set for Final Fantasy Play Arts JPN US$ 31.90
Video Game releated DVD releases:
Togeki '07 Super Battle DVD Vol.1 Guilty Gear XX Accent Core JPN US$ 39.90
Togeki '07 Super Battle DVD Vol.2 Melty Blood Act Cadenza ver.B JPN US$ 39.90
Togeki '07 Super Battle DVD Vol.3 Arcana Heart Full! JPN US$ 39.90
Video Game related Soundtracks:
Angel Profile Original Drama CD - Boys, Be Ambitious! JPN US$ 28.90
Baldr Bullet: Equilibrium Theme Song JPN US$ 11.90
Blizzard Love (Galaxy Angel II Mugen Kairo no Kagi Heroine Outro Theme) JPN US$ 8.90
Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 38.90
Dragon Quest (Played by Quintet) Part.II JPN US$ 28.90
Dramatic CD Collection VitaminX Love Vitamin Nemurihime Scramble JPN US$ 29.90
Fantastic Shimasho (Galaxy Angel II Mugen Kairo no Kagi Heroine Outro Theme) JPN US$ 8.90
Gray Zone wo Uchinuite (Galaxy Angel II Mugen Kairo no Kagi Heroine Outro Theme) JPN US$ 8.90
Izayoi Seigi (Galaxy Angel II Mugen Kairo no Kagi Heroine Outro Theme) JPN US$ 8.90
Jalalala Love (Galaxy Angel II Mugen Kairo no Kagi Heroine Outro Theme) JPN US$ 8.90
Kashinami Ryuseigun (Galaxy Angel II Mugen Kairo no Kagi Heroine Outro Theme) JPN US$ 8.90
Kiss on the cheek (Galaxy Angel II Mugen Kairo no Kagi Heroine Outro Theme) JPN US$ 8.90
Limelight (Galaxy Angel II Mugen Kairo no Kagi Heroine Outro Theme) JPN US$ 8.90
Magic Paradise (Galaxy Angel II Mugen Kairo no Kagi Heroine Outro Theme) JPN US$ 8.90
Odin Sphere Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 31.90
Radio DJCD Naruto Radio Shippujinrai 1 JPN US$ 24.90
Setsunasa wo Koete (Galaxy Angel II Mugen Kairo no Kagi Heroine Outro Theme) JPN US$ 8.90
Windows Game Hoshifull - Seido Gakuen Tenmon Dokokai - Original Soundtrack Starry Tear JPN US$ 28.90
Sony has updated the PlayStation 3 Store with five new downloadable games, a pair of overdue demos and downloadable content for Folklore and MotorStorm.
Crikey eh? Games-wise, you've got the hotly ripped Pixeljunk Racers (GBP 4.99), Aqua Vita (GBP 1.99), EyeCreate (free), Operation Creature Feature (GBP 3.49) and Trials of Topoq (GBP 3.49).
As for demos, there's the Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction demo, finally, for those of you too scared to make fake US Store accounts, along with Tony Hawk's Proving Ground.
On top of that, there's a "Kidnapped Folk" pack for Folklore (GBP 1.99), and a "Halloween Livery" for MotorStorm (free), along with trailers for Tekken 5 Online, Toy Home, Midnight Club: Los Angeles, Metal Gear Online and Eye of Judgement.
Oh, and there are film trailers for Courage Under Fire, Beowulf, Stardust, Planet of the Apes, Men of Honor and Alien vs Predator, too.
The current state of hardware sales in Japan are as follows:
Nintendo DS Lite: 70,608
Playstation Portable: 58,669
Wii: 24,932
Playstation 3: 17,130
Playstation 2: 10,281
Xbox 360: 3,011
Game Boy Advance SP: 130
Game Boy Micro: 118
Gamecube: 48
Game Boy Advance: 22
DS Lite drops roughly by 7,100, PSP increases by 900, Wii up 4,357, PS3 up about 5,000, PS2 up 100, GBA up 3, GBM up 58 and GC down 31.
The word 'innovation' and Nintendo have always gone hand-in-hand, so it comes as no surprise that Nintendo Wii has just scooped The Innovation of the Year 2007 - sponsored by T3 award.
Ultra-advance aliens were clearly on the brain when Nintendo's tech guys came up with the crazy tools that are the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers, which topped PS3, the Halo 3 Beta, Direct X 10 and Xbox Live Arcade for the award.
Having been a runaway success since the say it hit shelves, there'd have been a riot in the streets if this award had gone to anyone else, we bet.
Sega's Seaman 2 has entered the Japanese software chart at number one, based on sales for the week ending October 21, selling 33,000 copies.
There were three other new entries in the top ten, including Beautiful Katamari for the Xbox 360 in seventh, which split the two Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon titles.
The Nintendo DS dominated the entire top 30, with the other new entries - DS Literature Collection at number two and Racehorse Owner Life Game at number ten both on that platform.
The full top ten software chart is as follows:
1. Seaman 2 (PS2)
2. DS Literature Collection (DS)
3. Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Meteor (PS2)
4. DS Nishimura Kyotarou Suspense Detective Series: Deadly Intent (DS)
5. Gundam Battle Chronicle (PSP)
6. Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon: Time Expedition Party (DS)
7. Beautiful Katamari (X360)
8. Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon: Shadow Expedition Party (DS)
9. Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (DS)
10. Racehorse Owner Life Game: Winner's Circle (DS)
Sony Corporation, which released its latest financial results yesterday, saw its share prices rise as a result of strong revenues - but that was without any help from the company's games division.
As reported yesterday the section responsible for the PlayStation operation saw losses double from the same period last year, but strong performances from Bravia LCD televisions and Cyber-Shot cameras saw a 21 per cent increase on the Electronics' divison sales and operating revenue, and a massive 1,232 per cent jump in operating income.
This meant that despite continuing difficulties principally associated with the cost of manufacturing PlayStation 3 consoles, investors were happy to back Sony.
At the close of the Tokyo Stock Exchange this morning the company's share price had jumped nine per cent on the previous day, standing at JPY 5560 (USD 48.6).
However, that's still a far cry from Nintendo's share price, which was actually down three per cent by the close, but still stood at JPY 67,800 (USD 592) - although Sony has over seven times more issued shares than Nintendo.
Ubisoft has announced that Assassin's Creed is gold and will be released on 16th November for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
In a short missive to the press, Ubi stated that the stealth action game, which plunges players into a ruthless 12th century Holy Land and tasks them with eliminating key figures, will be rated 15 by the BBFC.
"We've been working very hard for nearly four years to make Assassin's Creed a reality and now there is a confirmed date when players will get to experience the results of our efforts," said producer Jade Raymond, who will be in London on Saturday to show it off.
"This is a huge event for the team. Our biggest reward will be everyone having a lot of good, solid fun."
For more on Assassin's Creed, check out our E3 first impressions. Or, you can read about a forumite's exclusive trip to Ubisoft Montreal to play the game, or pop along to Fuse 07 next week for a live gameplay demo.
However, as Raymond herself said recently, an actual downloadable demo won't be happening, so you'll have to hang about for our review if you want to know more. Watch out for that as the official release date approaches.
Insomniac has said once again that it will consider putting multiplayer back in Ratchet & Clank one day, even though you won't be seeing it in the new PS3 version.
"[W]e were kind of disappointed to find that less than 5 percent of players actually played [multiplayer online] who actually played the game for both Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal and Deadlocked," creative director Brian Allgeier told MTV News.
"And so, in looking at Ratchet & Clank: Future, we thought, well we could spend 30 percent of our resources on multiplayer, but that would take 30 percent away from the single-player experience."
However, Allgeier also told MTV the team would like to "go down that road again someday", echoing what Insomniac's Ryan Schneider told Eurogamer in September, that we might see Ratchet & Clank in a multiplayer capacity again "one day".
Elsewhere in the MTV chat, it's revealed that Ratchet & Clank Future will link up to PSP game Secret Agent Clank "in some secret, undisclosed way", although it's also said that the game won't link up to PS3's Home service or, fairly obviously, Resistance: Fall of Man.
For more on Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, check out our first impressions. Our review should be up soon too, and helpfully the PS3 demo is now up on the European Store as well as the US one.
PS3-owning fans of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion keen to see what happens on those fabled Shivering Isles without forking out for the Game Of The Year edition will finally get the chance to do so next month, as Bethesda Softworks has announced plans to release a retail PS3 version of the expansion on 20th November.
Or at least, they have in the States. For now, the developer is unable to comment on the expansion's fate in Europe. "When we have more to announce for Europe, we'll let people know," a staffer explained on the Bethesda blog post comment thread relating to the US announcement.
That means that if you want to experience Shivering Isles, the only confirmed way of doing so over here (besides importing - and we couldn't tell you whether save-games will be compatible) is to buy the Game Of The Year edition, which includes the full game and Shivering Isles along with the Knights of the Nine downloadable content. Ubisoft will be distributing that - they said earlier this month that it will be out in December, although some retailers list it for the middle of next month.
Still, with the expansion's European fate still seemingly to be decided, there is hope, so you might want to hold out. Bethesda has also previously said on its blog that it is looking at the possibility of getting Shivering Isles out via PlayStation Network, which would undoubtedly prove to be a better option for most players.
British company StreamMyGame have an idea. That idea is to turn PC games into an IP "game stream", which they claim:
...enables users to post hypertext links to their games on the site, which can then be played remotely by other visitors to site who click on the links.
Well hello there, world of tomorrow. Right now the plan's in its infancy, and they're only working with PC games running remotely through XP or Vista. But by the end of the year they say a Linux version of their tech will be available. If you need us to spell it out, that means, hypothetically, anyone with Linux installed on their PS3 could stream a PC game and play it via their PS3's USB keyboard and mouse.
Admittedly the science behind this is a little much for our console-addled brains, but there's a full explanation of the tech here if you're up for it. We're sure the technology, as it exists right now, might not be up to the job. We also suspect there'll be a legal obstacle or three standing in their way once game publishers find out. But hey, the concept itself, it's a nifty one.
An informed UK reader sends word of the Playstation 3's 2.0 firmware release, which he says is supposed to hit on Oct. 30. While the source appears to be genuine, I am a little doubtful of the timing since 1.94 seems to be just hitting now with copies of Ratchet and Clank, so take this, as you should all rumors, with a grain of salt.
Chief among the updates is the inclusion of cross media bar customization, a separate Playstation Network category, music and photo playlists and the ability to turn your PS3 on and off with PSP Remote Play. Hit the jump for the full break down of what we're told will be coming in this rather robust update.
PLAYSTATION 3 System Software update version 2.00
Schedule: 30 October 2007[JST]
Main features of PS3 version 2.00
Turn your PS3 on and off with PSP Remote play
A new PLAYSTATION Network category
A TV Category for those who install PlayTV into their HDD (SCEE only).
Playlist for Music & Photo
Content group for Video & Game
XMB customization (Custom theme & background color setting): This will come with one alternative custome theme. Addition generic themes will be available for download via www.playstation.com with game title themes to follow on Nov 20th, distributed via the Store (PS/PC). The cost of the game themes haven't been decided yet. Guidelines for users to create their own Custom Themes will be distributed via www.playstation.com shortly after the firmware hits.
Information Board: This will be shown in the top right of the screen and include news feeds from Playstation.com as well as store updates. The board came be set to ticker mode, list mode, details mode or disabled.
Trend Micro Web Security for PS3™ internet browser: This is a parental lock for website viewing that will initially be free but that Trend Micro will later charge for.
SEGA of America, Inc. today released details for Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus for the Xbox 360, Playstation 2 and for PC. Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus is an expansion to the epic sci-fi action role-playing game, Phantasy Star Universe, and will be available on November 20, 2007. The Xbox Live download will be available for 1600 Microsoft Points/$20 USD and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and PC versions will be available at retailers across North America for $39.95 USD.
Whether tackling quests online with a party of up to six adventurers, or fighting through the next chapters of the exciting online story missions from the original game, Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus enables gamers to experience the wonders of the Gurhal System through the eyes of a personalized avatar. The expansion pack allows gamers to experience an even richer and more varied Phantasy Star experience. Players will explore exciting new levels, such as the Ruins of Old Rozenom City and the subterranean Granigs Mines, where they will encounter new and more powerful enemy types and bosses, and master additional versatile class types.
The expansion further enriches the online Phantasy Star Universe experience with newly created and enhanced gameplay and customization features. Players can commune in new and expanded lobby areas filled with colorful decorations and music, including the new Casino Voloyal where roulette and slots can earn players special casino-only items. Character and weapon customization is even deeper with the introduction of new weapon types, armor, Photon Arts, and clothing. Also, each Guardian’s individual Room is upgraded with far greater options for customization.
Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus continues the exciting single-player action-RPG storyline as a new Human Fundamentalist group, known as the Illuminus, disrupts the peaceful Gurhal System throwing the Gurhal Government into chaos. Using their custom-made Guardian, players embark upon a series of missions where they will meet familiar characters like Ethan Waber from Episode 1 and others including GUARDIAN instructor Laia Martinez from Episode 2.
Since its introduction in 1988, Phantasy Star has revolutionized the RPG genre by creating new standards through innovative gameplay, as well as being the first console RPG to offer an online experience in Phantasy Star Online. This new installment also expands the popular online adventure of its predecessor and continues the quest for peace in the Gurhal System.
Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus is rated “T” by the ESRB. Online play requires a subscription, for more detailed information, please go to the official website at www.phantasystaruniverse.com. Please note that the Xbox 360 download requires the original Phantasy Star Universe game.
A former developer at Harmonix, the team behind the hotly anticipated Rock Band, had some choice words against Sony's PS3 in his personal blog. His outrage comes as the most recent in many public outcries against Sony's next generation machine. He tackles so-called "misconceptions" that PS3 fans seem to have. Firstly, he says that the graphics capabilities of the machine have been misconstrued. "Fill rate is one of the primary ways to measure graphics performance - in essence, it's a number describing how many pixel operations you can perform. The fill rate on the PS3 is significantly slower than on the 360, meaning that games either have to run at lower resolution or use simpler shader effects to achieve the same performance ... And I'm not talking about small differences here, we're talking roughly half the pixel pushing power."
In regards to Blu-ray, the developer criticized the lower read speeds of the medium. "Great for watching movies, but not so great for games. Getting data off the Blu-ray drive takes about twice as long as it does to get the same data off the 360's DVD drive. That translates into longer load times."
Gamespot is reporting that the Electronic Consumers Association (ECA) has picked its first legal fight since vowing to step up lobbying efforts. The organization is going head-to-head with the Electronic Software Association (ESA), a long-time backer of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), by coming out in favor of H.R. 1201 (also known as the Fair Use Act of 2007).
"If it became law, the Fair Use Act would create a variety of exemptions to the DMCA's prohibitions on circumventing anti-piracy measures. The Fair Use Act would make it legal to bypass anti-piracy measures in a handful of situations, for personal archiving; for researching, critiquing, or reporting on works of substantial public interest (if that is the sole reason for the circumvention); or to skip commercial or personally objectionable content. It would also create an exemption in copyright law for people who make and distribute equipment used to bypass copyright protection (like modchips), provided the device 'is capable of substantial, commercially significant non-infringing use.'"
Gamepark have today released what they hope will get homebrew and amateur developers buzzing and entice many games and ports from the Nintendo DS over to the GP2X with the release of the GP2X F-200 with the main new selling feature being the Touchscreen and its availability in white.
Heres the full details on this newly revised console.
features
Color: White
All new touch screen interface
New and improved 8-way digital pad
Comes with various games built-in: Blocked, GhostPix, Cavestory, Phishy, Ruck-Man, SQdef
5 new game titles available at launch
Multi-tasking functionality: enjoy music while reading e-books or browsing photos
3.5 inch LCD screen with 320*240 (30 frames) resolution
Simple and convenient e-book viewer
Size: 134.6x82.9x29.6 mm
Weight: 161g (without battery)
The GP2X F200 is on sale at Play Asia for US$ 169.90 (~82.71 GBP)
For those who dont know there are hundreds of Games, Applications and Emulators for the Console all available at GP2X News.
Sony has announced that it expects losses at its videogame unit to double for the year ended March 2008, from JPY 50 billion (303.5 million) to over JPY 100 billion (EUR 609 million).
According to a report by Reuters, a spokesperson for Sony said although the firm will see massive losses in the games department, the general electronics business will see an operating profit margin of five per cent by the end of the fiscal year, one per cent above targets.
Sony announced its financial results for the second quarter last Thursday, showing an overall revenue growth year-on-year of 12.3 per cent and an operating profit of JPY 90.5 billion (EUR 549.3 million).
The Eye of Judgement can scan fake cards produced by colour printers, as those of you with fraudulent tendencies have found out.
It comes off the back of Sony incorporating numerous anti-piracy measures like special inks into its card creation, presumably so it could make lots of money from booster packs and additional decks sold in shops.
However, keen-eyed Kotaku decided to try a copy of a card using a bog-standard printer and found that it behaved exactly as its paid-for counterpart. Whoops.
Booster Packs currently retail for around GBP 2.49 and additional decks sell for GBP 9.99. We are waiting to hear back from Sony about how it will go about sorting this all out.
The Eye of Judgement was released here last Friday and comes bundled with the PlayStation Eye for GBP 59.99. You use the new hardware to scan your fancy cards into the game and battle your opponents for control of a grid.
And while the arrival of counterfeit cards may give cheaters a much more juicy selection of units, it won't fundamentally break the game.
Keita Takahashi used his keynote at this weekend's GameCity festival to show off an early demo of his new PlayStation 3 game Nobi Nobi Boy.
He handed three controllers out to the audience, who then stretched Nobi Nobi's erm, body, to flick pigs, chickens, a dog and a small selection of other animals around a flat plane.
With no sound or detailed background it was left to Takahashi's ridiculously cute characters to hold the attention, which they did with ease, as the fawned-over designer himself stated; "It is impossible to explain what is funny about a pig riding on a boy."
Answering questions from the audience didn't reveal much more about the project either. What do you do, what's the point of the game? "I can't tell you yet". Is the game set in a zoo? "That's confidential". Can you eat humans? "That would be a good idea."
"What's funny about it is I haven't managed to explain it to anybody yet, not even my boss," he added.
So the three Nobi Nobi Boys bent, stretched and spun around the space, as little animals trotted about grinning. One or two were gobbled up, travelled through the belly and shat out the other end. The audience giggled, captivated by the mumbling, bare-footed Takahashi.
What inspired the creation of Nobi Nobi Boy? Oh you know, the same things that no doubt pushed CliffyB to make Gears of War - walking in the park, the dog lead stretching in and out, and collecting Miffy stickers.
Takahashi also took the opportunity to raise the point that videogames aren't that important compared to more significant global concerns - pollution, war, poverty, that sort of thing.
Other, less serious points raised by Takahashi in no particular order: he's growing a plant that will creep down to his neighbours apartment i
