SEGA of America is excited to present a new action-packed trailer from Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, the fast-paced Sonic racing game for the Wii and the PlayStation 2.
Play the ultimate in racing games on tracks where gravity is no obstacle thanks to the unique new gravity control moves. Explore beautiful new environments, uncover alternate routes, turn walls into tracks, and find speed boosts that make you unbeatable. Filled with heart-stopping action, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity also features a series of high-speed vehicles that evolve through gameplay to offer gamers the most intense racing experience ever. Take on friends using the multiplayer modes or conquer the tracks on your own using the addictive single-player game.
According to Cancer Research UK, cigarette smoking is responsible for 30 per cent of cancer deaths per year in the developed world. In Britain in 2005, that would have equated to 46,000 deaths. What's the next most dangerous societal ill? Researchers from the University of Michigan say violent videogames and films.
According to Reuters, a new University of Michigan concludes that exposure to violence as depicted in TV, film and videogames "raises the risk of aggressive behaviour in adults and young viewers and poses a serious threat to public health."
This is the latest research in a string of work that looks into the impact of violent video games on the impressionable young minds of gamers. Last year, the University of Missouri-Columbia published research saying there is a causal link between computer games and violence, not merely a simple association.
In the most recent bit of research, L. Rowell Huesmann and his colleague Brad Bushman point out that this exposure -- what they call "virtual violence" from either in shoot-em-up video games or slasher films -- leads to aggressive tendencies, particularly on children and teens. The researchers looked at more than 50 years of violent films, TV shows and video games.
For society's benefit, we can only hope Huesmann and Bushman will be taken off the streets and locked up now that they've concluded their studies.
Fellow users of DCEmu, what do you think? Do videogames cause people to commit crimes? Or is this all just a bunch of hogswash?
"Losing a job you've held for over 11 years in an abrupt manner is shocking, yes."
While the above quote should perhaps win Jeff Gerstmann the 'understatement of the year' award, the former Gamespot editorial director is still staying silent about the specifics surrounding his recent firing (citing the previously mentioned "legal reasons," among others). He has, however, told Joystiq that he still stands behind his controversial review of Kane & Lynch.
"I stand behind my work, regardless of where I do it," Gerstmann told Joystiq in an e-mail. "If there was content that I felt I couldn't support, it wouldn't see the light of day." Gerstmann did not comment specifically on the edits made to his text review of Kane & Lynch, or the site's removal of the video review, but he did support the editing process in general. "If factual errors are made, I have no problem owning up to that error, correcting it, noting that a correction has been made, and feeling like an idiot for making the mistake in the first place," he said.
Gerstmann also directly addressed the somewhat pernicious rumor that he did not complete Kane & Lynch before he finished his review. "A reviewer's Xbox Live Gamercard is rarely a good place to look for answers about how much that reviewer has (or hasn't) played a game," he said. "For the record, I saw both endings in Kane & Lynch before writing about it."
As for his future plans, Gerstmann seems to be keeping his options open. "I'm not really sure what I want to do next," he said. "This whole situation has left me with a lot to think about. While this sort of clean break would be an acceptable time to think about trying game development, I feel like I still have more to say and do on the editorial side of the fence, too."
Surprisingly, the experience doesn't seem to have soured Gerstmann on video game journalism as a whole. "Despite the number of people who are taking these rumors ... to mean that game writing is ethically bankrupt, I don't feel that's the case," he said. "Either way, I'm currently keeping my options open and have been in contact with interesting people on both sides."
The Golden Compass is an epic action adventure game that immerses you in the magical parallel world of the $150 millionbudgeted film from New Line Cinema, the studio behind The Lord of the Rings trilogy. With its AAA cast, including Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig (the new James Bond), the story follows Lyra’s heroic journey from the safety of her home to the dangerous wonders of the North. Armed only with a truth-telling compass, and accompanied by a giant armored polar bear named Iorek, the game takes you on a journey of adventure, exploration, collaboration and discovery.
features
Be an Assassin: Master the skills, tactics, and weapons of history’s deadliest and most secretive clan of warriors.
Realistic and responsive environments: Crowds react to your moves and will either help or hinder you on your quests.
Action with a new dimension – total freedom: Eliminate your targets wherever, whenever, and however. Stalk your prey through richly detailed, historically accurate, open-ended environments.
Relive the epic times of the Crusades: Assassin’s Creed immerses you in the realistic and historical Holy Land of the 12th century, featuring life-like graphics, ambience, and the subtle, yet detailed nuances of a living world.
Intense action rooted in reality: Experience heavy action blended with fluid and precise animations. Use a wide range of medieval weapons, and face your enemies in realistic swordfight duels.
Next-gen gameplay: The proprietary engine developed from the ground up for the next-gen console allows organic game design featuring open gameplay, intuitive control scheme, realistic interaction with environment, and a fluid, yet sharp, combat mechanic.
description
Assassin’s Creed is the next-gen game developed by Ubisoft Montreal that will redefine the action genre. While other games claim to be next-gen with impressive graphics and physics, Assassin’s Creed merges technology, game design, theme, and emotions into a world where you instigate chaos and become a vulnerable, yet powerful, agent of change.
The setting is 1191 AD. The Third Crusade is tearing the Holy Land apart. You, Altair, intend to stop the hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict.
You are an Assassin, a warrior shrouded in secrecy and feared for your ruthlessness. Your actions can throw your immediate environment into chaos, and your existence will shape events during this pivotal moment in history.
This rare Limited Edition package features a number of bonus materials for fans of the game. Packed inside a special tin box, the Limited Edition features a figurine of lead hero Altair, a set of Penny Arcade comics, a Mini-strategy guide, Assassin-themed short films, and additional Assassin's Creed videos (including: making-of, trailers, developer diaries, interviews, etc.)
features
pages: 144
Platform: Sony PlayStation 3 and X-Box 360
Rock on: Tips on how to excel on hammer-ons, pull-offs, strum bar mechanics, lower fret buttons, and more that will maximize your skill on drums, bass, guitar, and vocals!
Rock hard: Strategy to maximize your “Overdrive” and dominate on multipliers.
Hit that note!: Detailed breakdown of each song highlighting the areas that need practice.
Bonus Content: Behind-the-scenes developer interviews, the making of the game, and inside strategies from creators at Harmonix!
features
Platform: Nintendo DS, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PlayStation Portable, WII and X-Box 360
Pages: 208
Poster: Huge pullout movie poster.
Excerpts: Excerpts from "The Golden Compass" novel written by Philip Pullman.
Interviews: Revealing interviews with Philip Pullman and the cast from the The Golden Compass movie.
Maps: Detailed labeled maps pinpoint places of interest, collectables, and secrets.
The Movie: Excerpts directly from The Golden Compass movie.
A fact sheet on the newly-live Activision Blizzard web site seems to have announced the forthcoming release of Call of Duty 5 and Guitar Hero IV - both titles that have previously not been mentioned.
The fact sheet, which lists various strengths on both Activision and Vivendi also refers to a "new Tony Hawk", "James Bond", "new Marvel titles" and an "entry into racing with Bizarre."
An Activision spokesperson declined to comment or confirm any of the titles, although it's unlikely any of them will come as a major shock given the success of the franchises involved.
No additional details on possible release dates or information about the games' contents were revealed on the site.
Square Enix has unveiled its lineup for this year's Jump Festa. This year's installment of the annual December event sponsored by the folks that publish the Jump series of comics will be held at the Makhuari Messe just outside Tokyo on 12/22 and 12/23.
Those who make it to the Square Enix booth, usually the largest booth amongst game publishers, can look forward to the following:
Dragon Quest Monsters Battle Road (arcade): Game will be playable at 100 yen per play. No limited edition cards are planned. A tournament will be held for elementary school kids on the 22nd and kid/parent pairs on the 23rd.
Dragon Quest IV (NDS): Special data to be distributed to those with DS systems and a copy of the game. Make sure you've advanced to the 5th chapter.
Final Fantasy IV (NDS): Playable
Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon (WII): Video-only.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (WII WARE): Video-only
Final Fantasy Dissidia (PSP): New trailer in Closed Mega Theater
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (NDS): New trailer in Closed Mega Theater
Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep (PSP): New trailer in Closed Mega Theater
Kingdom Hearts Coded (Mobile): New trailer in Closed Mega Theater
Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII (PS3/Mobile): New trailers in Closed Mega Theater
Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete (Blu-ray): Video in Closed Mega Theater
Star Ocean First Departure (PSP): Video-only
Front Mission 2089 Border of Madness (NDS): Video-only
There doesn't seem to be too much in the way of playable product in there, but the video footage in the closed, and tightly patrolled, theater should make this a worthwhile event. Look forward to coverage later this month!
Fabrice Pierre-Elien, Ubisoft's business development manager, has told GamesIndustry.biz that he sees the development of new intellectual property as crucial for the company, but that creating additional franchises can help to improve the quality of games.
"Just to churn out sequel after sequel, we have done that in the past as well, and we are still very keen on establishing franchises - but we take the time in between those sequels to make the best possible game, not just another title of which the previous edition was out twelve months ago," he said.
"The more franchises you have, the more time you can take to make sure the next one is as good as it can be."
Talking in an exclusive interview in the build-up to GDC Lyon and Game Connection, Pierre-Elien added that the creation of new IP was crucial, but that the company didn't have to just rely on its internal studios to work on that area.
"One of our corporate goals is to create new IP, and we've been very successful in launching some of them in the past few years. It's something we're very keen on, at a global corporate level," he said.
"So our studios are creating new IPs, we're also creating new IP with excellent partners - we feel it's important to have some fresh air in the portfolio."
GDC Lyon and Game Connection are taking place this week at the Centre de Congres in Lyon, France. The full interview with Fabrice Pierre-Elien is available now.
Sony has reassured us that Warhawk booster pack Operation: Omega Dawn will be out worldwide before Christmas.
It backs up comments made by game director Dylan Jobe on the US PlayStation blog, where he revealed the new content was undergoing testing before it could be given its solid December date.
He also spilled the beans on the USD 7.99 price tag, although its European equivalent is yet to be determined.
Operation: Omega Dawn adds a night-time Omega Factory battlefield with six layouts, plus a snazzy dropship to fly troops and a vehicle around in.
Pop over to the PlayStation blog for a few snaps of the new scenario.
Ubisoft has released a patch for the PS3 version of Assassin's Creed in order to tackle some of its crippling bugs.
You can get your hands on it right now, and it should prevent niggles like random loading stalls and game freezes.
However, not everybody over on the official forums seemed to be content, with many reporting the same problems as before.
Unfortunately Ubisoft was unable to offer any further comment over plans for future fixes.
Assassin's Creed was released in November and turned out to be a bit of a one-trick pony, although it happily went on to trounce opposition like Mario Galaxy in sales.
Pop over to our Assassin's Creed gamepage for our review and comparison with the 360 version.
After a tricky last few months for Sony analysts seem to largely agree that the company is set for happier times in the near future.
Sales of general consumer electronics, including Bravia TVs and Cybershot cameras, are up, and confidence is high following some company restructuring and a significant recent investment from Dubai.
Now sales of the PlayStation 3 are also looking much healthier, prompting analyst Hiroshi Kamide from KBC Securities to say that Sony is "making up lost ground," according to a report on CNN Money.
"Going forward another 12 months or so I'm sure we'll see better titles turning up as well. I wouldn't say Sony's back on form and everything is going to be OK now but it feels like the proper launch [for the PS3] this year."
And Macquarie Security's David Gibson added, "It's certainly a sign that the momentum of the PS3 business is improving.
"The PS3 and the games business is past the worst in terms of financial losses and the sales momentum is improving because of the price cut and the new model."
Last week Sony's share price rose 11 per cent on the back of increased confidence and the encouraging PlayStation 3 sales.
- Official Dual Shock 3 wireless controller
- Connects via bluetooth (wireless) or USB (wired)
- Lithium Ion rechargeable battery pack built-in
- Play & Charge technology: Recharge battery pack when connecting via USB
The HDfury Gamer Edition is HDMI to VGA cable, all in one. For example you can connect your Playstation 3 via the HDMI port to a hi resolution VGA screen with it.
Advantages of the Gamer Edition of HDfury are as follow:
- World's First and Only One PLUG and PLAY solution !
- HDMI straight to VGA ! All in One Cable !
- HD gaming on PS3/Elite, Blu-Ray/HD-DVD and DVD playback up to 1080p !
- It transforms any RGB display into a HDCP compliant device.
- HDfury solves the BLACK SCREEN issue on Playstation 3 !
- Affordable pricing to compete with the cost of Components cable + VGA box commonly used by gamers till now to connect their PS3/Elite or any others HDMI sources to a not-HDCP compliant analog display.
- Outstanding and Unbeatable quality for the money (absolutely no competition with VGA box, it will make any VGA box looks like a toy from the dollar shop! See our reviews section on HDfury.com !)
- Allow DVD playback with upscaling up to 1080p on PS3/Elite or any others HDMI source.
Since the screen uses most of the space, the guitar doesn't have its usual controller. Instead, Cyberpyrot--who did the mod--added a magnetic switch under the body so he could use a magnetic pic to play the guitar. Cyberpyrot told that "yeah, it plays better but unfortunately I don't."
The touchscreen itself mirrors the action on the TV and something else: it allows you to control the whammy bar by sweeping your fingers across the screen.
The mod took "about 3 days to make, and it wasn't really expensive: $108 for Guitar Hero III, $77 for the LCD, $44 for the touch panel and about $30 for miscellaneous items."
According to Cyberpyrot, the next phase is to "add optics to the guitar so it can play itself," getting perfect scores and probably opening a breach in the time-space continuum which will destroy the Universe.
Well an extremely curious move by Divineo/Supreme Factory who were indeed raided by Nintendo/Hong kong Police and had countless modchips/flash carts and Money took off them, they have today fired one back at Nintendo, heres the press release:
Supreme Factory Limited Announcement: Nintendo Ordered by the Hong Kong High
Court to Remove Press Release from Its Website
HONG KONG, Dec. 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- On 22 October 2007, Nintendo of America Inc ("Nintendo") issued a press release, which was wrong insofar as it may have suggested that a final, substantive judgment on intellectual property right infringement has been handed down by the Court against Supreme Factory Limited ("Supreme"), on its website www.nintendo.com and publicised it to popular gaming sites. In the proceedings before the High Court Supreme seeks to overturn the pre-trial injunctions and will vigorously oppose the Nintendo's claims that they have infringed its intellectual property rights. Supreme has already managed to obtain an order from the High Court to unfreeze a significant amount of money to allow Supreme to meet its ordinary and proper business expenses in respect of product which is not the subject of the proceedings. The Press Release was correct insofar as it reported that the Hong Kong High Court had granted certain pre-trial injunctive relief, allowing Nintendo representatives to search the premises of Supreme in Hong Kong. The search
was for items which Nintendo alleges breach its intellectual property rights in the Nintendo DS and Wii systems. The Court also ordered that certain of Supreme's assets be frozen. On 2 November 2007 the Hong Kong High Court ordered Nintendo to remove the Press Release from its website. In issuing the Press Release Nintendo had breached an implied undertaking not to use information and/or documentation obtained as a result of a search order carried out on Supreme's premises except for the purposes of the proceeding. On 19 November 2007, the High Court further ordered Nintendo to disclose to Supreme the names and contact details of all persons or organisations to whom Nintendo (or anyone acting on its behalf and/or anyone under its control) has provided the Press Release.
Yeah, the NES PC is old hat, but if you just can't find the time to create one for yourself, why not pay some diligent soul for their hard work rather than living another month without one? Available via eBay, this finely crafted piece of art won't crank through any of the latest PC titles, but it comes with plenty of horsepower (and peripherals) to handle all the emulation you can stand. Granted, Americans will have to fork over additional coinage to have it shipped in from France, but flooring a room full of nerds at your forthcoming holiday bash will most certainly make it worthwhile.
EA's Need for Speed ProStreet is on top of the German charts according to sales data released by Media-Control GfK International.
During the week ended November 25, the latest game in the Need for Speed franchise took first, second, and fifth place on Germany's charts, with the PS2 version beating out the PC and PS3 versions.
The PC version of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and the Wii's Super Mario Galaxy were also in the top five, at number three and four respectively.
The complete Top 10 list is as follows:
1. Need for Speed ProStreet (PS2)
2. Need for Speed ProStreet (PC)
3. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC)
4. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
5. Need for Speed ProStreet (PS3)
6. Crysis (PC)
7. High School Musical - Sing It (PS2)
8. Dr. Kawashima's Gehirn-Jogging (DS)
9. Dr. Kawashima: Mehr Gehirn-Jogging (DS)
10. Die Siedler (DS)
Sony Computer Entertainment America CEO Jack Tretton says that while there were "missteps" in the PlayStation 3's first year, "19 exclusives" for Christmas and the promise of games like Metal Gear Solid 4 and Final Fantasy XIII are a reason to be positive.
"I don't think there's any question that there were missteps, but I don't think anybody is being honest with you if they say that the first year of any platform goes perfectly according to plan," Tretton told MSNBC.
"I think the biggest miss for us was the launch, in that we had easily a million consumers in North America alone that wanted to get their hands on a PlayStation 3 ... and we had roughly 200,000 units to take advantage of that demand. ... I think that that was probably the biggest disappointment for the first year."
Tretton also countered the suggestion that Sony has been charged as "arrogant toward its fans".
"I don't know that we were ever considered arrogant by consumers," he said. "I think the arrogant claims came from the press and bloggers more than true consumers. ... I think the arrogance claim comes with a leadership position and being unwilling to admit that you're failing.
"And anybody who's been through media training or been with the press isn't going to get on a soapbox and talk about their failures. If that gets construed as arrogance, then I guess that's a risk you have to take."
But Tretton couldn't resists a sideswipe at Microsoft's promotion of Xbox Live. "Another thing that I think really strikes a chord with PS3 consumers is that we're giving them everything they need, in the box, day one," he said.
"Our competition talked about the fact that they want to offer consumers a choice, but then they make it clearly apparent that if you really want to have the full gaming experience, you need to go out and invest a lot more money than you originally thought you were."
Sony's recent price cut had the desired effect on sales, with a strong post-Thanksgiving performance in the US.
For somewhere in the region of four quid you'll be able to pick up Warhawk DLC/expansion Omega Dawn this month, and here's 10 screenshots from the content update.
Omega Dawn includes five new maps and one new vehicle - the KT-424 Combat Dropship, which can hold seven soldiers, a pilot and a vehicle. Plus, there's a rather meaty cannon on the top of it, so you can already tell it's going to shake up existing maps and game modes quite significantly.
Sony's said the new maps will support all game modes and you can use Omega Dawn's new Dropship on all existing levels. And if you haven't already check out the review for the original game.
A survey of 4000 parents across the UK, France, Germany and Italy has concluded that 75 per cent of respondents were concerned about the content in videogames that their children played.
Additionally 43 per cent claimed they were unaware of any ratings system in place, despite the PEGI system in place across Europe, and the BBFC in the UK, while 44 per cent believed that time spent playing should be limited to one hour per day.
The survey, carried out on behalf of Microsoft, is the latest research to highlight concerns over the use of videogames by children, despite the number of 18-rated titles available only making up a small percentage of games released.
It also went on to find that an average of 63 per cent of children played games on their own, without any kind of supervision, although most parents claimed that they identified and selected the most appropriate games for their children to play.
ELSPA set up the Askaboutgames web site to try and better inform parents about the content of videogames, and how to judge whether or not a game is suitable.
And in the UK Dr Tanya Byron is currently leading a government review into the subject of how children relate to videogames and the internet, the findings of which are due in the first half of 2008.
THQ's WWE Smackdown! Vs. RAW 2008 continues to top the charts in Spain according to sales data released by Media-Control GfK International.
The PS2 version of the game was in first place, with the PSP version coming in at number six.
Recent releases Assassin's Creed, Super Mario Galaxy, and Need for Speed ProStreet charted at number two, four, and five, respectively, but could not overcome Smackdown's continuing popularity.
Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, which has also been on the charts for some time, remained in the third spot.
The complete Top 10 list is as follows:
1. WWE Smackdown! Vs. RAW 2008 (PS2)
2. Assassin's Creed (PS3)
3. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (PS2)
4. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
5. Need for Speed ProStreet (PS3)
6. WWE Smackdown! Vs. RAW 2008 (PSP)
7. Mas Brain Training (DS)
8. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3)
9. Imagina Ser Mama (DS)
10. DragonBall Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (PS2)
Ageing rock lords Metallica will consider airing their new single as a downloadable track for Rock Band.
According to MTV Entertainment boss Paul DeGooyer the group has already signed the dotted line for Rock Band involvement, and the single might be a particular coup, although there is no indication of name, date or cost. If it does happen, it should fall in line with current individual song pricing of USD 1.99.
"There are a couple of things we've committed to, one of them with Metallica for example," DeGooyer told Rocky Mountain News. "They've reserved the right to give us their first single from their new album for the game."
Metallica have sold more than 90 million records worldwide, so says the BBC, and are considered by many to be one of the pioneers of thrash metal. They're kind of a big deal.
Rock Band is due out in Europe on 360, PS3 and PS2 in the first quarter of next year.
The Blu-ray Disc Assn. is touting a new milestone passed over the Black Friday shopping period, noting that player sales since launch reached 2.7 million units through Nov. 24.
The 2.7 million sold is a clear achievement over the HD DVD side, which pushed its installment base to 750,000 units following widespread holiday retail sales, notably including $99-priced players at Wal-Mart and Best Buy.
According to the BD camp, total BD disc sales in the U.S. since launch topped 4 million units in November, about the same time HD DVD software sales passed just 2.5 million units.
According to Media Control Gfk International figures cited by BDA, BD movies control 73% of the European market, outselling HD DVD by a three-to-one margin, and BD holds a 95% share of the high-def recorder market in Japan. http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6509196.html
It's been the rallying cry of Sony fanboys from the beginning. Things might be bad right now, but you just wait until Metal Gear Solid 4. Then we'll see the PlayStation 3 rise up to conquer, just like the PS2 did, and you'll all be sorry for doubting it.
But will we really? There's a very good argument that Metal Gear's release won't make the blindest bit of difference to the PS3's fortunes as a format, however good it turns out to be (and there's every chance that it will be brilliant). The reason? Things just don't work that way any more.
The industry has changed a lot since Metal Gear Solid became a killer app for the PSone. It's changed almost beyond recognition in just the last twelve months in fact. Two major differences separate the way things are now from the way thing were then: The cost of making games and the kind of people who play them.
L.A.'s Deutsch landed the $150 million PlayStation account, signifying the end of SCEA's long-running partnership with TBWA/Chiat/Day, SCEA announced Monday.
SCEA said that Deutsch's campaign will be emerging next year.
Outspoken director Michael Bay has once again posted a note on his website in regards to the format war, this time calling out Microsoft. He pointed out, similar to what many insiders have been saying for a while, that Microsoft was only trying to destroy both formats in order to usher in digital downloads. Mr. Bay called Blu-ray the "superior" format and hinted that Microsoft was behind the now infamous Paramount payoff.
Below is the full post:
What you don't understand is corporate politics. Microsoft wants both formats to fail so they can be heroes and make the world move to digital downloads. That is the dirty secret no one is talking about. That is why Microsoft is handing out $100 million dollar checks to studios just embrace the HD DVD and not the leading, and superior Blu Ray. They want confusion in the market until they perfect the digital downloads. Time will tell and you will see the truth.
For two organizations that claim to have the same interests in mind, one would think the ESRB and NIMF would get along just fine. But the two organizations who place parents and children on a pedestal are butting heads once again.
Following the release of this year's annual Video Game Report Card, in which NIMF gave the games industry a lukewarm "C" overall, ESRB president Patricia Vance defended strides made in the ratings system and parental awareness.
She said in a statement she appreciates the praise given to the ESRB in the report (the ESRB received a "B"), but added, "...In many significant ways, this year's NIMF Report Card contradicts recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) findings related to parents' awareness, use and satisfaction with ESRB ratings, as well as retailer support of the ratings."
Vance noted how the FTC found in a recent study that 87 percent of parents were satisfied with the ESRB ratings and found them helpful.
NIMF accused the ESRB of mishandling Manhunt 2, a game that the ESRB initially rated "adults only," essentially barring the title from release in a public controversy. Developer Rockstar censored the intense violence that had been flagged, and achieved a less restrictive "mature" rating for the game months after the game was originally scheduled for release.
However, the PSP version of Manhunt 2 still contained violent content, although it was only made accessible by users who hacked into the handheld. NIMF in effect said the "ratings process has not kept up with technological advances."
Vance added in her response, "NIMF exhibits a significant lack of understanding of and, as a result, grossly misrepresents the facts surrounding last month's hack into pirated versions of Manhunt 2.
"...At a time of year when parents are looking for helpful guidance about video games, this year's Report Card does little more than sow unwarranted doubt about effective tools like ESRB ratings."
Nintendo's Wii was the most searched-for product in November, according to a survey of British online shoppers, reports Reuters. DS came in just behind at the second most searched for product.
The survey was done by online search analyst Hitwise who pointed out the obvious that Wii was well ahead of rivals such as Xbox 360. It didn't even mention PS3.
In third place were Ugg boots (ask your daughter or sister because your mum really should have grown up by now). They're "chunky sheepskin boots" worn by celebs such as Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Kylie Minogue.
Highest traditional Christmas toy was Lego with those awful Bratz dolls at five. iPhone came in sixth and iPod ranked seventh. Been around the block Barbie was the eighth most searched product, followed by the iPod Nano and... the Xbox 360!
They must have stopped searching after that because there was no 11 or 12.
The ten most dangerous games, as called by US group National Institute on Media and the Family, have been revealed. Though it's probably a little too late for the Christmas spending frenzy that's already in full swing.
The list has been designed to help parents decide what games are appropriate for their children, just in case they can't see the massive 'M For Mature' rating on the box.
"There's an endless stream of new games that will never be suitable for children," said Rep. Betty McCollum. That's because adults like games too.
The report also took a pop at retailers, mums and dads and us, citing "growing complacency" among game retailers, parents and the gaming industry on ratings and enforcing them. Sounds a bit like panic fire.
"Unfortunately, we're seeing some steps backwards," said institute president David Walsh. You're not helping.
But the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) stepped up as official defenders of the faith. "At a time of year when parents are looking for helpful guidance about video games, this year's report card does little more than sow unwarranted doubt about effective tools like ESRB ratings," said ESRB president Patricia Vance.
All ten games are indeed rated M-rated. They are:
Assassin's Creed
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Conan
The Darkness
Clive Barker's Jericho
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
Manhunt 2
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
John Woo Presents Stranglehold
Timeshift
Just for fun, what game's the picture from, seen here?
Criterion and EA are giving Burnout fans an early Christmas present; a Burnout Paradise demo arriving on either PS3 or Xbox 360 (or both!) next week.
The demo's imminent arrival was signalled by a countdown timer on the developer's official website, ticking down to Thursday, December 13 - a regular PlayStation Store update date.
You'd assume then that with that considered and the fact that the PS3 is the lead platform for Burnout, PS3 owners won't have to wait longer to give the crash-em-up a spin.
Going by the free-roaming nature of Paradise, we reckon the demo's going to be good'en (and come in at a massive file size as well).
We got to go hands-on with new instalment last week and it's looking fantastic. More on that next week, but for now check out our recent interview with the game's producer Nick Channon.
A national watchdog group that monitors the impact of media on minors gave the videogame industry a grade of "C" this year and also took parents and retailers to task for largely failing to keep Mature-rated games out of the hands of children.
The twelfth-annual MediaWise Video Game Report Card, issued by the National Institute on Media and the Family, docked the gaming industry for marketing adult games to children, which it called "a disgustingly familiar practice." The Institute also criticized Nintendo and Rockstar for producing a Manhunt 2-themed blood-splattered Wii; knocked game companies for failing to "disclose when games are stolen from their facilities and leaked onto the Internet;" and slammed developers Eidos and Rockstar, who it says "dredged the well of poor taste" with Kane & Lynch and Manhunt 2.
The group commended the Entertainment Software Ratings Board for its efforts to educate parents about the game rating system but urged the board to do much more to extend its reach and engage with government groups.
An interactive Harris Poll conducted by the Institute found that 52 percent of parents claim to use the ESRB rating system but that 72 percent know little or nothing about the rating system overall, and many could not identify the meanings of specific ratings like AO (Adults Only) and EC (Early Childhood).
To test the rate of mature game sales to minors, the Institute conducted a sting operation which found that underage, undercover shoppers were able to buy M-rated games nearly 50 percent of the time. That's an increase over the Institute's findings in 2006, according to the report.
In a statement, the ESRB today refuted the Institute's findings that parents are either unaware of or unsure of the videogame ratings system.
"In many significant ways, this year's NIMF Report Card contradicts recent Federal Trade Commission findings related to parents' awareness, use and satisfaction with ESRB ratings, as well as retailer support of the ratings," said ESRB president Patricia Vance. "In addition, NIMF exhibits a significant lack of understanding of and, as a result, grossly misrepresents the facts surrounding last month's hack into pirated versions of Manhunt 2, a game rated for ages 17 and older that carried prominent and explicit warnings to consumers about its violent content. At a time of year when parents are looking for helpful guidance about video games, this year's Report Card does little more than sow unwarranted doubt about effective tools like ESRB ratings"
A recent Federal Trade Commission study found that unaccompanied minors have been having less and less success buying M-rated games since 2000. According to the FTC, 85 percent of kids were able to buy such games in 2000 – that number decreased to 78 percent in 2001, 69 percent in 2003 and 42 percent in 2006.
The Institute's answer to what it sees as the problems of parental ignorance, apathy and confusion toward videogame ratings is to migrate toward a universal U.S. media rating system that would encompass games, music, film and television. Of the six recommendations included in the group's report, a universal ratings system is at the top.
"The advantage is, parents would have a clear understanding. Right now it's a big bowl of alphabet soup," said Institute spokesman Blois Olson in an interview with IGN. "Parents are deluged with these messages. It's one thing for TV shows, it's another for film – we're in an age where, in many homes, it's all one medium. If [media companies'] goal is convergence, than a universal ratings system is needed."
A universal media rating system has been suggested in the past, but individual media segments have remained steadfastly committed to their own systems. The Institute also called for a change to the ESRB's practice or rating games based solely on content playable by legal means. So if hackers can illegally gain access to mature content in a game, the ESRB should rate that game as Mature, according to the Institute.
"Ultimately, the market needs to decide, parents need to decide, and we need to have confidence that the system is going to work," said Olson.
This is the first year the Institute gave the overall videogame industry a separate rating. Last year, the group gave separate grades to console manufacturers (A), retailer policies (B), large retailer enforcement (A), specialty retailer enforcement (F), ratings education (B) and parental involvement (Incomplete).
This year, despite their apparent lack of understanding of videogame ratings, parents received a C, ratings education received a B-, the ESRB received a C+, and retailer rankings ranged from B to F.
Aside from its plea for a universal rating system, the Institute had no recommendations for the game industry as a whole, focusing its attention mainly on retailers, parents and consumers.
While responding to a question about firmware updates, Peter Dille, Sony's Senior VP of Marketing, wandered onto the topic of in-game XMB himself:
"As far as in-game XMB access, we know it's a feature that's important to our consumers. Because PS3 packs so much advanced technology 'under the hood,' it takes some time to implement major, new functionalities, but we are working hard on addressing this feature, as well as continually expand the capabilities and functionalities of PS3."
That PlayStation Blog never seems to take a break, eh? This morning, Associate Producer on Folklore Eric Fong popped in to spill the beans about add-on packs for his baby. Two packs will be coming this month and packing costumes, new Folk and additional quests to drive you wild.
The first pack -- "The Kidnapped Folk" -- is set during the original story, includes a new outfit for Ellen, contains a new cannonball-attack Folk called Maximillian and has you taking Ellen and Keats on quests to recapture a kidnapped Folk and regain the trust of Brumbear's soldiers.
"Bottom of the Sea," the second downloadable pack, has Damona requesting a "mysterious item" from under the sea. The mission takes place in the Endless Corridor and completes one of the missions started in the first pack. "Sea" also gives you a body suit for Keats that's somehow related to anime and the new Folk Phutcampus.
No release date for the packs was announced -- although Fong said it would be this month -- but we do know you'll be able to pick the content up for $3.99 a set or $5.99 for both.
Dylan Cuthbert, president and executive producer of Q-Games Ltd., posted on the PlayStation Blog this afternoon and announced PixelJunk Monsters -- a real-time strategy game from the creators of PixelJunk Racers.
"So one thing I really wanted to do with Monsters is take the simple RTS concept of building and researching and having base defenses (a concept that has been used in Warcraft tower-defense mods and more recently in its Flash incarnations) and wrap it all in a completely different style and mode of gameplay that the Japanese public (and hopefully the West too, of course!) would really get into," Cuthbert wrote.
PixelJunk Monsters won't be controlled by the traditional RTS roving cursor; instead, Cuthbert said the team opted to for "a cute character." Players will roam the levels as a "little defender-of-the-forests type chap" and collect money while building defensive towers. The monsters you run into during the battles will occasionally drop gems that you can use to create and upgrade towers.
You can even dance in front of the towers. The longer you dance, the more powerful the towers become.
The game will feature 20 different stages that Cuthbert called "unique and addictive to play." There will be online rankings -- broken up for cooperative and single-player -- and hand-drawn 2D art instead of 3D modeled graphics.
PixelJunk Monsters will be available on the PlayStation Network in January.
Welcome to this week's Games & Toys update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days.
It's been another incredible week for gamers across the globe in this year's Christmas rush. The most popular releases have one again been published for Xbox360™, including Sega's Virtua Fighter 5 Live Arena (Japanese / Asia / Korean), Lost Odyssey (Asia / Japanese) and Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom (Korean Regular / Limited Edition).
For PlayStation3™ we've got the Asia version of Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed and the US release version of Time Crisis 4 with Guncon 3, while No More Heroes and Wii Fit have been the most demanded Wii™ releases.
On the handheld side, Tales of Innocence, Arkanoid DS (also available with Paddle Controller) and Geometry Wars: Galaxies for Nintendo DS™ as well as the Japanese editions of Silent Hill Zero and Minna no Golf Portable 2 (Japanese / Asia) have been selling well.
As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week, followed by a quick preview of what is expected to be hot in the coming week.
Xbox360™:
Assassin's Creed Limited Edition US US$ 79.90
Bee Movie Game ASIA US$ 44.90
Conan JPN US$ 64.90
Final Fantasy XI: Vana'diel Collection 2008 US US$ 49.90
Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess US US$ 34.90
Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom KOR US$ 59.90
Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom [Limited Edition] KOR US$ 99.90
Lost Odyssey JPN US$ 64.90
Lost Odyssey ASIA US$ 49.90
Momotaro Densetsu 16 Gold JPN US$ 59.90
Virtua Fighter 5 Live Arena JPN US$ 69.90
Virtua Fighter 5 Live Arena ASIA US$ 49.90
Virtua Fighter 5 Live Arena Stick JPN US$ 79.90
Virtua Fighter 5 Live Arena [Limited Edition] KOR US$ 89.90
Viva Pinata: Party Animals / Atsumare! Viva Pinata - Let's Party JPN US$ 49.90
PlayStation3™:
Assassin's Creed ASIA US$ 59.90
Assassin's Creed Limited Edition US US$ 79.90
Conan JPN US$ 64.90
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men ASIA US$ 59.90
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End JPN US$ 59.90
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End [Premium Box] JPN US$ 129.90
Time Crisis 4 with Guncon 3 US US$ 109.90
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune / Uncharted: El Dorado no Hihou JPN US$ 59.90
Vantage USB Headset JPN US$ 38.90
Nintendo Wii™:
Alvin & the Chipmunks US US$ 49.90
Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity US US$ 44.90
Cranium Kabookii US US$ 49.90
Cruis'n US US$ 34.90
Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey JPN US$ 59.90
Doraemon Wii: Himitsu Douguou Ketteisen! JPN US$ 59.90
Game Party US US$ 24.90
Haneru no Tobira Wii: Kirigirissu JPN US$ 39.90
History Channel: Battle for the Pacific US US$ 44.90
Minna de Asobou de! Namco Carnival JPN US$ 49.90
Monster Jam US US$ 49.90
No More Heroes JPN US$ 64.90
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords US US$ 34.90
Rabbids Party Returns / Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 JPN US$ 59.90
Tamagotchi no Furifuri Kagekidan JPN US$ 49.90
Wii Fit (w/ Wii Board) JPN US$ 189.90
PlayStation2™:
Alvin & the Chipmunks US US$ 44.90
Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey JPN US$ 59.90
Final Fantasy XI: Vana'diel Collection 2008 US US$ 49.90
Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess US US$ 34.90
Finalist (Princess Soft Collection) JPN US$ 34.90
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories JPN US$ 39.90
Iinazuke (Princess Soft Collection) JPN US$ 34.90
Mahjong Haoh: Battle Royal (Mycom Best) JPN US$ 19.90
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End JPN US$ 59.90
Popcap Greatest Hits Volume 1 US US$ 24.90
Ryu ga Gotoku (PlayStation2 the Best Reprint) JPN US$ 19.90
Ryu ga Gotoku 2 (PlayStation2 the Best) JPN US$ 19.90
SD Gundam G Generation Spirits KOR US$ 64.90
Shoukan Shoujo: Elemental Girl Calling JPN US$ 64.90
Shoukan Shoujo: Elemental Girl Calling [DX Pack] JPN N/A
WWE Smackdown Vs. RAW 2008 KOR US$ 59.90
Yu-Gi-Oh Dual Monsters GX: Tag Force Evolution JPN US$ 64.90
Nintendo DS™:
Alvin & the Chipmunks US US$ 34.90
Arkanoid DS JPN US$ 39.90
Arkanoid DS (w/ Paddle Controller) JPN US$ 49.90
Boku to Sim no Machi: Resort ni Genki o Torimodosou! JPN US$ 48.90
Boogie US US$ 34.90
Doko Demo Raku Raku! DS Kakeibo (Special Price) JPN US$ 29.90
Geometry Wars: Galaxies US US$ 34.90
Gintama: Gin-Oh Quest JPN US$ 48.90
Haneru no Tobira DS: Tanshuku Tetsudou no Yoru JPN US$ 29.90
Juushinden: Ultimate Beast Battlers JPN US$ 58.90
K-1 World GP JPN US$ 48.90
Kokoro wo Yasumeru Otona no Nurie DS 2 JPN US$ 39.90
Maru Kaite DonDon Oboeru: Kyoui no Tsugawa Shiki Kanji Kioku Jutsu - Kiso Gakushuu Hen JPN US$ 39.90
Master of Illusion US US$ 39.90
Nep League DS JPN US$ 39.90
Paddle Controller DS (Black) JPN US$ 19.90
Paddle Controller DS (Pink) JPN US$ 19.90
Paddle Controller DS (Silver) JPN US$ 19.90
Paddle Controller DS (White) JPN US$ 19.90
Pororon! Dokomodake DS JPN US$ 48.90
Power Pro Kun Pocket 10 JPN US$ 48.90
Silicon Cover Portable (Black) JPN US$ 9.90
Silicon Cover Portable (White) JPN US$ 9.90
Tales of Innocence JPN US$ 58.90
Tales of Innocence DS Lite Accessory Set JPN US$ 14.90
Tomodachi Tsukurou! Mahou no Koukan Nikki JPN US$ 39.90
Touch Pen Leash DS Lite (Brown) JPN US$ 4.99
Touch Pen Leash DS Lite (Melon) JPN US$ 4.99
Touch Pen Leash DS Lite (Mint) JPN US$ 4.99
Touch Pen Leash DS Lite (Orange) JPN US$ 4.99
Touch Pen Leash DS Lite (Peach) JPN US$ 4.99
Yozemi no Center Shoujun Series: Eigo Hen JPN US$ 39.90
Sony PSP™:
Chronicle of Dungeon Maker II JPN US$ 48.90
Chronicle of Dungeon Maker II ASIA US$ 42.90
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories JPN US$ 48.90
Mahjong Haoh Portable: Dankyuu Battle JPN US$ 39.90
Minna no Golf Portable 2 ASIA US$ 42.90
Minna no Golf Portable 2 JPN US$ 48.90
Silent Hill Zero JPN US$ 48.90
Silent Hill Zero [Konamistyle Edition w/ Crystal Art Butcher] JPN US$ 69.90
Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida. JPN US$ 39.90
PC Games:
Alvin & the Chipmunks US US$ 24.90
Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess (DVD-ROM) US US$ 34.90
Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus (DVD-ROM) US US$ 44.90
Soldier of Fortune: Payback ASIA US$ 34.90
Unreal Tournament III US US$ 49.90
Guides & Magazines:
Arcadia Magazine [January 2008] JPN US$ 12.90
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker Official Strategy Guide US US$ 16.90
Famitsu Wave DVD [January 2008] JPN US$ 16.50
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings Signature Series Guide US US$ 17.90
Rock Band: Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 9.90
The Golden Compass: Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 Signature Series Guide US US$ 17.90
Toys & More:
ATM-FX1 Calamity Dog (blue version) Zerberus VR-Maxima Action Figure JPN US$ 149.90
Blacklist Crows X Worst Rustride Collection No.1 Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Teru Fujikawa with Zephyr JPN N/A
Capcom Girls Collection 1/6 Scale Prepainted PCV Statue - Poison (Street Fighter) N/A
Detroit Metal City (DMC) ToyFull Trading Figure JPN US$ 3.90
Devil May Cry 3 NoScale ArtFx Statue - Dante JPN US$ 64.90
Diamond & Pearl Pokemon Pocket Monster Collection Mini Figure Set 2 JPN US$ 34.90
Doraemon Dancing Christmas Plush (Closed Mouth Vers.) JPN US$ 16.90
Doraemon Dancing Christmas Plush (Open Mouth Vers.) JPN US$ 16.90
Duel Maid - Girl's Weapons Mini Trading Figure JPN US$ 7.90
Evangelion 1.0 You are (not alone) - PVC figure set: Asuka Langley Soryu JPN US$ 13.90
Evangelion 1.0 You are (not alone) - PVC figure set: Rei Ayanami JPN US$ 13.90
Excellent Model No. 47 - Claymore 1/8 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure: Clare JPN N/A
Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Potion with Trading Arts Mini Figure JPN US$ 16.90
Fist of The North Star Collection Vol. 5 - Pre-Painted PVC Figure: No.11 Kenshirou JPN N/A
Fist of The North Star Collection Vol. 5 - Pre-Painted PVC Figure: No.12 Kaiser JPN N/A
Fist of The North Star Collection Vol. 5 - Pre-Painted PVC Figure: No.13 Kaiou JPN N/A
Miraroma 1/7 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Seihouin Erika JPN US$ 59.90
Moetan Collection Box - Pre-Painted Tading Figure JPN US$ 4.90
Moeyo! Akibajin Blog 1/8 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Fie Tan JPN US$ 19.90
Nintendo DS Character Touch Pen Super Mario Bros. JPN US$ 3.90
Nohohon Pikachu X'mas Version US$ 9.90
Range Murata PSE Products No.6 1/8 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Ribbon Style JPN US$ 29.90
Revoltech Danboard Action Figure JPN US$ 19.90
Rozen Maiden Traumend Pre-Painted Figure: Hinaichigo JPN US$ 59.90
Rozen Maiden Traumend Pre-Painted Figure: Souseiseki JPN US$ 59.90
Rozen Maiden Traumend Pre-Painted Figure: Suigintou JPN US$ 59.90
SR Lineage 2 The Chaotic Throne Figure Collection Gashapon JPN US$ 3.49
SR Shooting Game Historica Figure Collection Gashapon JPN US$ 3.49
Sekirei - 1/7 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Matsu JPN US$ 69.90
Sengoku Basara 2: Chosokabe Motochika Prepainted PVC Figure with voice JPN US$ 39.90
Shining Wind 1/8 Scale Prepainted PVC Statue: Zechti Ein JPN N/A
The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass Figure Collection Gashapon JPN US$ 2.99
The Legend of Zelda Stuffed Toy: Link (Medium) JPN US$ 19.90
The Legend of Zelda Stuffed Toy: Link (Small) JPN US$ 12.90
Yotsuba 1/8 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure: Fuka Ayase (School Uniform Vers.) JPN N/A
Zoids Command Blade Liger 1/72 Plastic Model Kit JPN N/A
Video Game related Soundtracks:
20th Anniversary Rockman 1- 6 Rock Arrange Ver. JPN US$ 29.90
Guilty Gear 2 Overture Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 31.90
Initial D Fourth Stage Music Complete Box [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 129.90
Neoromance Trillion Wonder Winter JPN US$ 28.90
Shin Sangoku Musou 5 Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 30.90
Tsuki No Akari -Final Fantasy 4 Ai No Theme- [CD+DVD] JPN US$ 14.90
VitaminX Character CD: Diamond Disc - Tsubasa & Hajime JPN US$ 19.90
Yamasa 40Th Anniversary Tracks [Limited Pressing] JPN US$ 23.90
Here is a preview of what is expected to be hot next week, including eastasiasoft's highly anticipated PC shoot'em up Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer.
Xbox360™:
Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom ASIA US$ 49.90
Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom [First Print Limited Edition] JPN US$ 64.90
Smash Court Tennis 3 ASIA US$ 44.90
Smash Court Tennis 3 JPN US$ 64.90
The Castle of Shikigami III / Shikigami No Shiro III JPN US$ 59.90
Nintendo Wii™:
Chocobo's Dungeon: Toki Wasure No Meikyuu JPN US$ 64.90
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams / NiGHTS: Hoshi Furu Yoru no Monogatari JPN US$ 64.90
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams / NiGHTS: Hoshi Furu Yoru no Monogatari [Segadirect Deluxe Pack] JPN US$ 95.00
Soul Calibur Legends JPN US$ 64.90
The Castle of Shikigami III / Shikigami No Shiro III JPN US$ 59.90
PlayStation3™:
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue ASIA US$ 44.90
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue JPN US$ 49.90
PC Games:
Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer [First Print Limited Edition] ASIA US$ 49.90
Shin Megami Tensei Online: Imagine JPN US$ 49.90
The PlayStation 3 exclusive sequel Yakuza 3 will be winging its way onto Japanese store shelves from March 6, 2008, SEGA of Japan announced today during a dedicated press event.
The company also took the time to wet our appetites a little more by revealing a couple of new details on the title, such as the fact the games storyline will be narrated by fellow radio DJ and Pride announcer, Kei Grant. Importers should also take note, as the games price was also nailed down at JYP 7,080 (roughly USD 75)
Fellow Samurai aficionados will also be pleased to know that the games creators are looking to rekindle interest in this seemingly unappreciated period of Japanese history, with Producer Toshihiro Nagoshi stating:
“I personally love Japan, but I've gotten this strange feeling of late, a feeling of loneliness. I wanted to produce something in response to this, so I changed the time frame from the modern period to the historical period.”
There’s no word on when North America or Europe will see the title (that is, if it’s even planned for release in the west, where Yakuza 2 has yet to reach) but details are expected soon.
Speaking to CNet Japan, Wada suggested that only Microsoft is putting the message out to consumers that its next-gen console, Xbox 360, is a games machine. He said that consumers are viewing the Wii as a plaything, while Sony is leaving the public confused as to whether its PS3 is a media-hub or a games console.
"The Wii is the antithesis of the Xbox 360. It's strictly for hardcore gamers. The attachment rate for the Xbox 360 is much higher than for the Wii. People who buy the 360 really like games," he said. "I think the current trend is that most people aren't buying the Wii as a game machine, but as a toy... It seems that Sony isn't sure what it wants to do. Is it making high-end electronics or a game console for gamers? I want them to clearly define their console."
A survey released today by Hill & Knowlton finds 60 percent of adult Americans agreeing that the government should regulate the sale of mature videogames. A small majority of respondents (51 percent) said the government should regulate mature media in general. This would seem to reveal that adults are more worried about videogames than they are other media such as movies or music.
Of those surveyed with children in their household, 54 percent believe violent or mature content will affect a child's behavior.
Survey respondents who identify as gamers are split on whether or not the government should regulate violent content in games, with 44 percent saying yes to regulation and 47 percent saying no. As to whether or not the sale of M-rated games should be regulated, 55 percent said yes.
"While the industry is reinventing itself by broadening the content and the category, society still tends to view gamers as one-dimensional," said Joe Paluska, Director, Hill & Knowlton's Worldwide Technology Practice. "The industry's reputation centers on mature content due to the sensational nature of the content and subsequent publicity. As a result, our survey suggests that there's an appetite for more government oversight even among the maturing Atari Generation who now have children."
The survey was conducted between September 17 and 19, 2007, and polled 1,147 adults.
Update:
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has released a statement to GameDaily condemning Hill & Knowlton's survey. There is apparently more to this study than the researcher is letting on. Hill & Knowlton originally contacted the ESA with the results last summer as part of some sort of business proposal. The data released today is incomplete, the ESA says.
Here follows the complete statement from the ESA:
"Today, Hill & Knowlton released the findings of research it conducted on the American public's views about the computer and video game industry. According to the agency's findings, a majority of respondents believe that the government should regulate the sale of mature content video games.
We understand that parents have concerns about mature content getting into the hands of children and we are working to help make sure that does not happen. To achieve this important goal, the ESA strongly supports a variety of efforts aimed at educating parents and retailers and allowing them to control mature content. We support the ESRB, which is the nation's leading rating system working to educate and empower parents with game information. We have also worked within the industry to ensure that password protected, robust parental controls are included in all new video game consoles sold. In addition, we work with retailers to encourage the enforcement of policies that prohibit the sale of mature games to minors.
The research released today was conducted by Hill & Knowlton for a proposal the agency made to the ESA this summer, but only a portion of it was released publicly now. Hill & Knowlton's decision to release these findings was both unprofessional and unethical and its timing is questionable. The research was done this summer and only performed in an effort to help Hill & Knowlton win our business. In addition, the release of only part of the findings paints an inaccurate picture of the entertainment software industry. The other research conducted by agency but not released showed:
More than two-thirds of 18-34 year olds currently play video games
Less than 1 in 5 Americans think playing video games is a negative way to spend time with friends and family
More than half of families think that video games are a positive way to spend time together
Educational video games are perceived to provide more learning than TV or DVDs"
Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com, has been making predictions about TV technology issues for several years with an incredible rate of success.
For instance, Swanni was the first to say Voom's satellite TV service would fail; that Apple TV would be a bust; and that Interactive TV programs would never reach a mass audience in the United States.
With 750,000 HD DVD players and nearly 3 million Blu-ray players in homes, many analysts say both high-def disc formats will stay in business in 2008 and the years beyond. But Swann predicts that the Blu-ray forces, led by Sony and HD DVD's backers, led by Toshiba and Microsoft, will reach a compromise on a single format next
