Next week Microsoft kicks off their month of Halo by finally releasing the chatpad messenger kit (includes chatpad and headset) and the Halo 3 wireless controllers with art designed by Todd McFarlane. The messenger kit will retail for $30 and the Halo 3 controllers will be $60. Microsoft will also start selling the Halo 3 wireless headset for $60 as well.
Oh chatpad, you will bring joy to the thousands of people out there that just can't use their voice to send a message, because as we all know, typing is such a faster form of communication than a simple voicemail. Actually, it's a nice deal for someone who may be vocal cord impaired or has completely lost their mind trying to type a message with the analog stick -- or lost their mind insisting to only type messages with the analog stick. It serves a purpose in the grand scheme ... unlike those stupid Wiimote add-ons.
From Monday 3rd September 10.00 UK, the Hidden Fronts Map Pack will join the Annex gametype and Multiplayer Map Pack 1 as another piece of free downloadable content for “Gears of War.”
In the Hidden Fronts Map Pack, players can clash for control of four dynamic areas, including Bullet Marsh, Garden, Process, and Subway:
Bullet Marsh
In this Kryll-infested swamp, an old generator still powers the area lights. A few stray bullets could easily knock out the generator, leaving combatants to fend for themselves against the Kryll.
Garden
This overgrown and crumbling conservatory still has a working fertilization and pesticide system. This system can pose a serious hazard to anyone who ventures into the greenhouse without first venting the air.
Process
Fight for control of this subterranean Imulsion processing plant, still active despite the cessation of the Pendulum wars.
Subway
Timgad 's Central Subway station used to serve as a central hub for commuters. Now the tunnels are crawling with Locust.
The Hidden Fronts Map Pack is available worldwide.
“Cyberball 2072” and “Fatal Fury Special” are coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade! Both titles will be available for download on Wednesday 5th September, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. UK. Additionally, four Xbox LIVE Arcade favourites will be available for half their regular price this weekend.
Rediscover the arcade classic game “Cyberball 2072” from Midway. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your team downfield for a touchdown. But watch out, the ball gets hot if you don't keep moving! Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn't go critical before you can score.
The third title in the “Fatal Fury” fighting game series from SNK Playmore makes its way onto Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday. Join Terry and Andy Bogard, Joe Higashi and 12 of the toughest titans in one of the biggest matches of the millennium. Set in Southtown, a fictitious American city, players must compete against the ruler of the underworld Wolfgang Krauzer.
Limited Time Xbox LIVE Arcade Price Drop
Celebrate this weekend by downloading four Arcade favourites for half the price! For the 48 hour period beginning at 12:00 a.m. UK on Sunday 2nd September (today) and continuing until 11: 59 p.m. UK on Monday 3rd September the following Xbox LIVE Arcade games will be available for half their usual price:
· “Small Arms” – 400 Microsoft Points (normally 800 Microsoft Points)
· “Zuma Deluxe”– 400 Microsoft Points (normally 800 Microsoft Points)
· “Gauntlet” – 200 Microsoft Points (normally 400 Microsoft Points)
· “Dig Dug” – 200 Microsoft Points (normally 400 Microsoft Points)
Capcom has unveiled its line-up for the upcoming Tokyo Game Show, taking place from 20th to 23rd September.
The majority of games on show will be for Nintendo platforms, although the listings show three new titles yet to be announced. Hopefully one of these will be Resident Evil 5, which we are hoping to play at the event.
Wii offerings will include We Love Golf, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, and the hugely promising adventure Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure. Mega Man Star Force 2 and Wantame Music Channel Doko Demo Style will be there for DS.
Elsewhere Devil May Cry 4 will be the headline act for PS3 and 360, with Sengoku Basara 2 HEROES aiming to prove there's still life in the ageing PS2.
We'll let you know as soon as the other games are named.
Nintendo's DS handheld scooped the top four positions in the Spanish chart, according to the most recent data available from GfK International.
There were no surprises in the top 10, with Pokemon, Brain Training, Ratatouille and some PlayStation 2 Platinum releases making up most of the places.
Only three of the ten were non-Nintendo platforms as the company continues to maintain its strong presence in European software sales, while the PC and Xbox 360 platforms were entirely unrepresented.
The PC edition of BioShock has entered the German software chart at number one, with the Xbox 360 version also slipping into the top 10 at number six, according to the latest information from GfK International.
The 2K title managed to disrupt an otherwise Nintendo-centric chart, with DS and Wii titles taking up almost all of the other positions – prevented only by continued strong sales of the World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade expansion.
Japanese top 20 includes just four non-Nintendo platform titles
Another successful week last week of software sales in Japan for Nintendo saw PlayStation platforms represented by just four titles in the top 20.
According to data from Media Create, three of those came in the top 10, including new number one Sengoku Musou: Moushouden.
However, the rest of the top 20 was entirely made up of titles for the DS or Wii, and there was just one PlayStation 3 title in the entire top 50 – Hot Shots Golf 5, at number 17.
There were once again no titles for the Xbox 360 in the chart last week.
The top ten in full:
1. Sengoku Musou 2: Moushouden (PS2)
2. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Rings of Fate (DS)
3. Pheonix Wright 3 (DS)
4. Mario Party 8 (Wii)
5. My Housekeeping Diary (DS)
6. Dragoneer's Aria (PSP)
7. SD Gundam: G Generation Cross Drive (DS)
8. J-League Winning Eleven 2007: Club Championship (PS2)
features
From the legendary creators of the Dynasty Warriors ® series, a new generation of Gundam legend is born. Experience the fast-paced excitement and epic, cinematic action of Dynasty Warriors on the futuristic battlegrounds of the rich Gundam universe!
Get in the cockpits of your favorite Mobile Suits, the ultimate weapons of war, and fight across a host of futuristic battlefields – both terrestrial and stellar – at lightning fast speed and rendered in high-definition graphics!
Live as a legendary hero: Play out the action of the rich Gundam universe spanning the Universal Century to the Future Century as any of your favorite heroes and villains!
Turn the tides of battle as you fight against impossible odds. Take on thousands of enemies attacking you at breakneck speed in signature Dynasty Warriors style gameplay.
Dive into a new epic mythology like never before: Explore and live adventures in the rich and detailed setting of the Gundam multi-verse from a myriad of perspectives.
Dynamic gameplay modes from proven franchises: Enjoy a variety of action-packed game modes: Official Mode; Original Mode; Versus Mode and more!
A galaxy of upgrade-able Mobiles Suits and characters! Choose your favorite characters and Mobile Suits from more than 6 different animated TV series based on the Gundam universe and strategically strengthen their power, skills, and abilities.
description
Powered by Omega Force, the legendary creators of Dynasty Warriors®, Dynasty Warriors:GUNDAM brings the fast-paced action-filled excitement and epic, cinematic gameplay experience of Dynasty Warriors to the futuristic battlegrounds of the rich Gundam universe.
Players can assume the roles of the legendary heroes and villains of their choice and get in the cockpits of their favorite Mobile Suits, the ultimate weapons of war, to fight across a host of battlefields of the future—both terrestrial and stellar–at a lightning fast speed! Put your ever-strengthening will and skill to the test to turn the tides of battles as you lead your army of Mobile Suits against impossible odds!
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Combat racing: In this brave new world of combat racing, gravity-defying machines are no longer confined to the speedways and stadiums of centuries past. In this grand spectacle of racing, the amphitheatre where drivers must prove their superiority is the untamed wilderness.
Fast-paced game play: Powered by the award-winning Unreal Engine 3 from Epic Games, Fatal Inertia boasts fast-paced single and online multiplayer experiences, eight racing series, six distinct racing environments, plus full racecraft customization.
description
In the middle of the twenty-second century, mankind's thirst for excitement has spawned an evolutionary sporting event that draws from the combined disciplines of rally racing, demolition derby, and high-performance aeronautics.
In Fatal Inertia, each craft is armed with a unique array of unconventional weapons that manipulate velocity, force, and even time. Explosive magnets that impact racecraft stability and rockets that can counter thrust and velocity are just some of the dangers drivers must face.
Through harsh environments spanning dense rainforests to immense glacier fields, and canyons of razor-sharp rock there is little room for error as drivers will reach speeds of over 500 mph. But Fatal Inertia is not merely a test of speed. The brave men and women who choose to compete must face the mental and physical punishment of low-altitude combat maneuvering.
features
The exclusive official MotoGP licensed game on the Xbox 360.
2007 MotoGP championship season: Featuring updated riders bikes and tracks to accurately recreate this year’s season.
Extreme mode: Play 17 street racing tracks and customize your bike.
16 player online races.
Recreates the spectacle and passion of attending a live MotoGP event.
On-line Pink Slip racing in Extreme Mode.
description
Experience the sheer passion, speed, excitement and spectacle of MotoGP, the most thrilling motor sport in the world! MotoGP’07 brings the excitement and energy of the fans and media into the game world like never before.
MotoGP '07 is the fifth game in the critically acclaimed MotoGP series and the definitive motorcycle racing game for the Xbox 360. Building on the success of MotoGP '06, the game focuses on expanding the atmosphere and depth of the series, capturing the passion, excitement and spectacle of the sport, as well as rounding out the whole experience into the most accomplished racing game on Xbox360.
features
You are the Stuntman - Feel the rush of pulling off the most breathtaking, death-defying stunts ever filmed
Intense Driving Action - Perfectly execute a series of dangerous, high-speed vehicle stunts through intense, precision driving
Build Your Career - Amp up the action by improvising reckless maneuvers during movie stunt runs to unlock bigger-budget movies and commercial jobs
Online Multiplayer - Steal stunts from rival stuntmen as you battle on the film sets or through custom built back-lot multiplayer arenas
Stunt Constructor - Devise your own insane stunt runs and challenge other stuntmen online to beat you at your own game
Unique Vehicles - Master your control of more than 25 unique vehicles, including exotic sports cars, motorcycles and hovercraft
Welcome to Hollywood - Showcase your skills in a wide variety of big-budget action films, commercial shoots and tournaments
description
Plunge into the adrenaline-fueled role of a Hollywood stunt driver in Stuntman: Ignition, and master the most breathtaking, death-defying vehicle-based stunts ever filmed. As the newest stuntman in Hollywood, you must rise to stardom by combining reckless maneuvering with perfect execution to unlock big-budget blockbusters and lucrative commercial deals. Create movie-magic in 6 uniquely-themed films on 36 different stunt runs with over 25 vehicles, or take the action online to challenge rival stuntman in the ultimate backlot showdown.
features
Epic RPGs are one of the hottest genres right now, and Two Worlds is the best of 2007’s batch. Its bigger and badder than Oblivion.
MMO gameplay! Up to 8 player co-op, side by side play allowing users to quest together to overcome more difficult tasks than playing alone.
Seamless transition from Indoor to Outdoor environments – no loading screens.
For the 1st time in the history of the genre, unique magic system allows the players to assemble their own magic spells.
6 Different mounts you can ride and fight from including horses, lizards, and beasts.
Hyper-realistic environments along with seasonal weather changes in the worlds.
Music composed by Grammy award winner Harold Faltermeyer (Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop)
A freedom of choice unseen in any other Role-Playing Game. The world comes to life, reacting and changing to decisions made by the player.
Open and unlimited character development. Players can experiment with different careers and even reverse their choices.
Spectacular and dynamic combat that combines intuitive controls, intense action, tactical challenges and movie-like visuals.
A deep and intuitive weapon upgrade and enchanting system.
Traps and snares are at the player's disposal, allowing them to weaken the enemy before closing in for the kill.
description
A fragile peace between the civilized races and the hordes is at stake. When the dwarven mining expedition discovered an ancient temple dedicated to an unnamed deity - all of the world's most powerful factions saw it as a possible clue to the place of Azriaal's burial ground. A silent war has now begun and it will soon ignite the fires that will lead to the holy crusade of the Orcs. However, the real danger lies somewhere else. A powerful force churns silently - weaving a secret plot of fear and destruction. In the end one of the Two Worlds will remain. It is up to you to save the world …or destroy it!
Exclusively for the Xbox 360 - The Virtua Fighter 5 Limited Edition Arcade Stick! Put the smack down on your friends in style with this, officially licensed and endorsed limited edition arcade stick.
features
Platform: PC, Sony PlayStation 3 and X-Box 360
Pages: 144
Killer Combos - Kill enemies while swinging from chandeliers, slide down hand rails and dive onto dinner carts, live every exciting moment of action from your favorite John Woo films.
Maps - Maps of all the levels make it easy to navigate your way through the mayhem and carnage.
Boss Strategies - Don't get stopped in a single boss battle, turn to the Prima guide for all the strategies you need to keep the story moving.
Tequila Bomb - Master Tequila's special devastating moves.
features
Platform: PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, WII and X-Box 360
Pages: 192
Environments: With fully intractable terrain, learn to leverage your environment to help give you the advantage or to take out troops in heavily fortified positions.
Secrets: Locations of all secrets, unlockables, & weapon/ammo locations.
Enemies: Tips and tricks to dismantling the most difficult troops while conserving ammo.
Equipment: Equipment tutorials to help you choose the right weapon for the right job.
Maps: Detailed maps will outline the best landing locations, objectives, sniper and ambush positions.
The consortium responsible for the HD-DVD format have named the Xbox 360 add-on as one of a handful of players that will experience a slight dip in price throughout mainland Europe.
The news was confirmed at the IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung) consumer electronics fair in Germany, where the new price was announced at EUR 179 - a 20 Euro saving on the original cost.
However, the announcement didn't come from Microsoft itself, which is yet to give its official take. That may include an update on the UK price, but, again, this is far from confirmed.
On the heels of a recently announced Conservative Party mini-manifesto on violent videogames, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has outlined plans for a public review of violent and sexual imagery in games.
According to the Daily Mirror, Brown promised to look again at banning violent videogames.
"I know... that parents are concerned about whether children are too exposed to harmful violence and sexual imagery in video computer games and on the internet," said Brown, "so as we launch the court consultation on our children's plan we will be looking at all the evidence on the effects of this material, whether we need new rules for the advertising and sale of these products to children and young people."
Mr. Brown intends to put the plans to a "Citizens' Jury" this week, in which members of the public will have a direct influence on policymaking, airing their views and offering suggestions.
Another "Citizens' Jury" on crime and gang warfare will follow next week.
Mr. Brown said that "It will look at how we can empower people to work with police to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour."
Square Enix has wheeled out a list of the titles it will be showing at the Tokyo Game Show later this month.
Among the line-up are lots of playable versions of its games, although headline acts Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII are shrouded in uncertainty - listed simply as "undecided".
The ninth and DS-exclusive instalment in the Dragon Quest series will be there, however, as will The Last Remnant - but sadly both only in trailer form.
We're still waiting to hear back from the European arm of the publisher for final confirmation on the Famitsu-produced list. Cast your eyeballs down a bit for the full banana.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates - Playable
Final Fantasy Tactics A2 - Trailer and Playable
Final Fantasy IV (DS) - Trailer and Playable
Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon - Trailer and Playable
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII - Trailer and Playable
Dragon Quest Monster Battle Road - Playable
Dragon Quest Monsters Joker- Playable
Slime Mori Mori Dragon Quest 2 - Playable
Dragon Quest IV - Playable and Trailer
The Last Remnant - Trailer
Dragon Quest IX - Trailer
Final Fantasy XI Online: Divine Soldiers of Atlanta - Trailer
Final Fantasy VII Advent Children: Complete - Trailer
Uh-Oh, it looks like Sony Computer Entertainment has another embarrassing PR situation on its hands; one of its employees has been caught editing the Halo 3 Wikipedia page.
As you can see by the cold, hard evidence on the right, the line "it won't look any better than Halo 2" was added to the entry by IP address 217.18.23.2, which leads straight to SCEE in Liverpool. Tsk, Tsk.
It's not the first company to be caught fiddling with Wikipedia entries either; last month EA was spotted tinkering with its own entry, removing references to the controversial business practices of founder Trip Hawkins.
Platform holders; for goodness sake go to a web café first.
The Tokyo Game Show is coming up, which means the rumour fires surrounding what we are and aren't going to see are already well aflame - the latest title under the crosshair being a sequel to Capcom's Dead Rising.
According to internet reports, the sequel will be making a brief appearance at the Japanese event later this month, alongside Capcom's already announced lineup of Devil May Cry 4 and others.
Interesting, the always reliable word on the net says that the second Zombie basher won't be exclusive to Xbox 360 either, which backs up Capcom's commitment to getting the most out of its franchises.
If they do make the sequel, lets hope it doesn't share the first's stupid, bloody useless save system (... and breath).
We're currently chasing Capcom for its own speculation, but we doubt we'll have much to give you. The show kicks off on September 20 - we'll see you there.
So we snagged ourselves an Xbox 360 Messenger Kit (aka Chatpad + Chatpad headset), unboxed the hell out of it, and here's what we think:
Blister packs suck. Microsoft, we're sick of 'em.
The Chatpad is a little difficult to get on and off, but once engaged it fits perfectly on the controller (duh), and feels like a seamless extension. Unfortunately there are two awkwardly placed screw holes on the underside, but you'll learn to ignore 'em.
Players with longer fingers may be annoyed, this thing kind of prevents finger-wraparound.
The keys are nice and tactile. And with the keyboard sounds the 360 makes in text entry you can be sure your typing is getting through. Still, thumb touch-typing on this is going to be almost out of the question for most, the thing is basically a straight up button grid.
The shift / caps / alt green and amber buttons were kind of wonky and took some getting used to. No big deal though.
It feels light at first, but after not too long it really starts to affect the balance of the controller, and could weigh you down a little. We suggest removing it when you don't need it.
The headset now has an inline mute / volume switch (with clip), so now you have move your hand off the controller mid-play to adjust the audio. Super lame.
The Chatpad headset can be used on the controller without the Chatpad, but why would you want to? The old style headset is more efficient (see above) and sounds just as good.
In fact, while we're on the topic, the original headset doesn't use those two data paddles either -- so we have no idea why they Chatpad didn't just skip bundling a second headset and instead include a port that could accept the original kind. We suspect this was to raise the consumer price of the package without raising Microsoft's cost much more. Either way, it's sucky.
Should you buy one? Well, $30 isn't really too crazy of a price for this thing, but we'd say if Microsoft releases a $20 version that doesn't come bundled with the new headset (and can use the old headset kind), yeah, plunk down. Otherwise, we have a feeling only completionists and heavy message senders will really need this thing.
Microsoft has sent a message to users on Xbox Live giving notice of scheduled downtime on Monday, reports Eurogamer.net.
The service will be taken down from 09:00 BST (UK) in order for maintenace to be performed, and will be up and running again at around 13:00.
Microsoft won't say what the maintenance is for, although signs point towards the annual autumn update. However, last year, the update was not applied until the end of October.
Unconfirmed reports hint the eventual Live update will include a parental timer, which will let you allocate and limit the amount of time selected users spend playing.
EA is declining to comment on rumours that Mercenaries 2: World in Flames has slipped into 2008.
Yesterday, reports claimed that Pandemic's open-world action game would miss its expected autumn/winter launch. EA has told Eurogamer.net that this is unconfirmed, but won't reveal whether the title will be out in time for Christmas.
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is in development for PS3, 360, PS2 and PC.
The original Mercenaries was released in 2005 for PS2 and Xbox. It was published by LucasArts. It is regarded as one of the most successful attempts to build on the open-world genre popularised by Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series.
If Mercenaries 2 does end up delayed, it will be in good company. Grand Theft Auto IV's release has also been postponed from late 2007 to 2008.
Rare has confirmed that it will not produce any further downloadable content for Xbox 360 title Viva Piñata, GamesIndustry.biz reports.
The Microsoft-owned developer made the comment on its own website in response to a question from a fan. Rare also said the Viva Piñata team is working on an alternative project.
"We aren't doing any downloadable content for Viva Piñata because we are much too busy doing something else," wrote a member of the Viva Piñata team in the Scribes column.
The revelation echoes comments made by Rare late last year. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, lead designer Gregg Mayles expressed scepticism about the value of producing downloadable content for Viva Piñata unless there was significant demand.
"The jury is still out," Mayles said at the time.
"It's almost pointless doing a huge amount of work at this point, because if it's not going to be successful you may as well put that effort into making a new game."
Viva Piñata has not been the mass market success Rare and Microsoft were hoping for. It sold poorly on its release in late 2006, failing to break into the UK all-formats top 40.
However, although the original release will not be supported with DLC, both developer and publisher are committed to developing the Viva Piñata brand further.
PC and Nintendo DS versions have been announced, along with a spin-off party game, Viva Piñata Party Animals, which is in development at Krome Studios.
At present it is unclear whether the "something else" being developed by the Viva Piñata team is an extension of the franchise or an all-new project.
It might be an annual update but it's still worth taking a look at the new features for Tiger Woods 08 in our handy little movies captured directly from the final game.
Are you one of those gamers who absolutely loves EA's Tiger Woods golf games but is always unsure about whether or not to buy the 'new' version every year? If you are, allow us to take some of that weight off your shoulders with these handy little movies of what's new for the 08 version.
First up is GamerNet, an impressive feature that connects you with the global Tiger Woods community and allows you to take part in various challenges to prove your worth. As you win you'll advance up the ranks of the world's best. See if you can count how many times Mr Overdub Man says EA Sports GamerNet.
You can also take a detailed look at the Photo Game Face mode, which, among more pressing matters like how to get your face in the game, walks you painfully through how to take a digital picture. It's one of the "best new features" says Mr Overdub Man.
Last but not least is something called Shot Confidence, which sounds like it needs an asbo. It basically stalks you right through the Career mode.
The movies were taken from the 360 version of the game, which is in shops now.
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.
Cool your Xbox 360 console for optimum gameplay during those all night gaming session with the improved version of the Thermostatic Cooling System! Just plug and cool (and play . Instant results! And with its auto temperature sensor, it only turns on when really needed.
A report released by casual gaming mecca PopCap Games indicates that white collar workers play games constantly throughout the day. The study indicates that as salaries and titles improve on the organizational chart, the amount of gameplaying in a given day increases substantially.
"Considering that the casual games market is around 200 million people, PopCap estimates that the executive crowd is very much into casual gaming, with about 80 million 'white collar' workers playing. 24 percent of the 'white collar' employees said they do play at work, and that number jumps up to 35 percent for CEOs, CFOs and other senior executives. 98 percent said that they play casual games at home too."
features
Experience the intensity of a cinematic, story-driven game with the freedom of NON-LINEAR missions in a free roaming FPS environment.
Start each mission with a fully interactive airdrop into enemy territory. Your landing spot can dramatically change the way each mission is played out.
Develop skills on your personalized weapon with field modifications that remain persistent throughout the entire game.
Utilizing the very latest technology to deliver truly believable humans within the gaming environment.
description
Medal of Honor Airborne™ is the latest video game from EA's acclaimed Medal of Honor franchise, credited with pioneering the WWII first-person shooter genre after its debut in 1999. This is the first game in the Medal of Honor™ series to be released on next generation platforms.
While building on the key tenets of the franchise including historical accuracy and authenticity, Medal of Honor Airborne is set to redefine the series by introducing players to an entirely new way of experiencing a WWII FPS - notably the fully interactive Airborne experience.
features
Platform: PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, WII and X-Box 360
Pages: 192
Environments: With fully intractable terrain, learn to leverage your environment to help give you the advantage or to take out troops in heavily fortified positions.
Secrets: Locations of all secrets, unlockables, & weapon/ammo locations.
Enemies: Tips and tricks to dismantling the most difficult troops while conserving ammo.
Equipment: Equipment tutorials to help you choose the right weapon for the right job.
Maps: Detailed maps will outline the best landing locations, objectives, sniper and ambush positions.
There was an exploit (it's been resolved), in the call of duty 4 beta. The public beta had 100k valid participants who qualified and were provided special tokens which allowed them to download the COD4 beta from marketplace.
There was an exploit that enabled valid beta participants to sign in with their accounts on a different machine, use their beta token and download the beta. The beta was then fully functional for any LIVE profile on that 2nd machine (even after the beta participant's account was removed). Approximately 23k consoles were used to take advantage of this exploit to illegitimately access the COD4 beta.
The exploit has been fixed to prevent any additional users from illegitimately accessing the COD4 beta.
The current POR is to issue a 24-hour console lockout that will prevent these 23k users from using their consoles to sign in to LIVE. These users will also receive a message in the dash with an explanation as to why their console has been locked out for 24 hours for violating the LIVE TOU [Terms of Use] and a warning that more severe actions may be taken if they attempt a similar action in the future (console could be banned permanently, etc.). Again, this is not a permanent console ban - it's more of a "slap on the wrist" and a warning to these 23k users who used this exploit
The Smooth As Silk full shells for Xbox 360 wireless controller have been colored using a special process that makes the surface extra smooth and very pleasant to use for gaming.
The green version comes in 4 versions: All smooth, all Halo (clear), top halo/bottom smooth, top smooth/bottom halo.
EA has bounced a new demo for NBA Live 08 onto the cheesy-smelling floor of Xbox Live.
It hits the scales at a trim 563MB, and will let you grow a few inches to see what EA has improved this year.
You might notice the better ball handling, for example, or enjoy the refined shooting and trick controls. But then there's always those new signature moves to pull off, or the better Live integration to try out - not to mention better looks and smarter physics.
It all sounds as though EA has learned from the rushed efforts it has produced for the last two years running, which have made it increasingly hard for us to recommend any but 2K's consistently well polished efforts.
NBA Live 08 is coming to 360, PS3, Wii, PS2 and PSP on 5th October. We'll let you know our thoughts closer to the time.
Heres this weeks list of releases from Import Store Play Asia
Xbox360™:
Blue Dragon US US$ 59.90
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam US US$ 59.90
Fatal Inertia ASIA US$ 59.90
Fatal Inertia JPN US$ 64.90
HORI Fighting Stick EX2 US US$ 79.90
Medal of Honor: Airborne ASIA US$ 44.90
MotoGP '07 ASIA US$ 44.90
MotoGP '07 US US$ 59.90
Stuntman: Ignition ASIA US$ 49.90
Stuntman: Ignition US US$ 59.90
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 US US$ 59.90
Two Worlds [Collector's Edition] US US$ 72.90
Xbox 360 Messenger Kit ASIA US$ 29.90
PlayStation3™:
Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War ASIA US$ 64.90
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam US US$ 64.90
Lair US US$ 64.90
Warhawk (w/ Bluetooth Headset) US US$ 64.90
Yamasa Digi World SP Pachislot Sengoku Musou JPN US$ 59.90
Nintendo Wii™:
Carnival Games US US$ 44.90
Shin Chuuka Taisen: Michael to Meimei no Bouken JPN US$ 59.90
PlayStation2™:
A.C.E. Another Century's Episode 3 The Final JPN US$ 68.90
Dear My Sun JPN US$ 64.90
Dear My Sun [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 89.90
EA Sports Rugby 08 JPN US$ 64.90
Final Fantasy XII International Zodiac Job System KOR US$ 59.90
God of War (Best Price) JPN US$ 19.90
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories JPN US$ 39.90
Wild Arms 5 10th Anniversary Edition US US$ 49.90
Will O' Wisp JPN US$ 64.90
Will O' Wisp [Limited Edition] JPN N/A
Nintendo DS™:
ATV: Thunder Ridge Riders / Monster Truck Mayhem US US$ 24.90
Adventure Pouch DS Lite (blue) JPN US$ 14.90
Adventure Pouch DS Lite (yellow) JPN US$ 14.90
Garfield's Nightmare US US$ 24.90
Hard Pouch DS Lite (pink) US$ 9.90
Hard Pouch DS Lite (silver) US$ 9.90
Hoshigami Remix: Ruining Blue Earth KOR US$ 49.90
Imagine: Happy Cooking ASIA US$ 34.90
Kidou Gekidan Haro Ichiza: Gundam Mahjong + Z: Sara ni Deki Ruyouni Nattana! JPN US$ 48.90
Mondai na Nihongo JPN US$ 39.90
Pet Alien: An Intergalactic Puzzlepalooza US US$ 24.90
Professional Fisherman's Tour: Northern Hemisphere US US$ 24.90
The Legend of Zelda Fabric Case (blue) JPN US$ 8.90
The Legend of Zelda Fabric Case (green) JPN US$ 8.90
The Wild West US US$ 24.90
Theta JPN US$ 39.90
Sony PSP™:
Blood Diamond JPN US$ 14.90
Dead Head Fred US US$ 39.90
Monster Hunter Freedom 2 US US$ 39.90
NHRA: Countdown to the Championship US US$ 24.90
Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes US US$ 39.90
PC Games:
Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 39.90
Guide Books:
John Woo presents Stranglehold: Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
Lair Signature Series Guide US US$ 17.90
Medal of Honor: Airborne Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
Toys & More:
Aliens 1/12 Scale Power Loader (Limited Version) JPN US$ 139.90
Aliens 1/12 Scale Power Loader (normal version) JPN US$ 139.90
Busou Shinki Pre-Painted PVC Figure: MMS Type Builder - Grapprap JPN US$ 25.90
Busou Shinki Pre-Painted PVC Figure: MMS Type Calf - Vitulus JPN US$ 36.90
Busou Shinki Pre-Painted PVC Figure: MMS Type Tiger - Tigris JPN US$ 36.90
Darkstalkers Painted PVC Figure: Felicia JPN US$ 64.90
Excellent Model Core Queen's Blade P-3 1/8 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Elina JPN US$ 52.90
Excellent Model Core Queen's Blade P-3 1/8 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Tomoe JPN N/A
Fate/Hollow Ataraxia 1/8 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Saber (High School Uniform Ver.) JPN US$ 72.90
G-Shock Watch Batman JPN US$ 139.00
G-Shock Watch Superman X JPN US$ 139.00
Garamon Monster Soft Vinyl Figure: Garamon (Green Version) JPN US$ 99.90
Garamon Monster Soft Vinyl Figure: Garamon (Regular Red Version) JPN US$ 99.90
Halo 3 - Master Chief ArtFX non scale prepainted statue JPN US$ 99.90
Ikkitousen: 1/7 Scale Painted Figure - Untyou Kanu (Adesugata Ver.) JPN N/A
Ikkitousen: 1/7 Scale Painted Figure - Untyou Kanu (Strawberry Milk Ver.) JPN US$ 64.90
Masterpiece of Shunya Yamashita No 1: Rudy 1/7 Scale Figure (HK Comic Fair Special Version) JPN US$ 54.90
Melty Blood Series II Painted PVC Figure: Ciel JPN US$ 54.90
Neon Genesis Evangelion Horror Summer Mini Display Figure JPN US$ 5.49
Nintendo DS Character Touch Pen Bomberman Version Gashapon JPN US$ 2.49
Rozen Maiden Non Scale Painted PVC Figure - Shinku JPN N/A
Shining Wind Trading Figure Collection JPN US$ 6.90
Street Fighter Action Figure: Gen (Blue) US$ 8.90
Street Fighter Action Figure: Gen (Green) US$ 8.90
The Art of Shunya Yamashita 1/7 Scale Pre-Painted Figure: Mirei San (HK Comic Fair 2007 Special) JPN US$ 64.90
Ultimate Action Neon Genesis Evangelion DX Figure (New Theater Version) JPN US$ 5.49
Whip X Nonoko - Nonoko: moon 1/6 Scale Figure JPN US$ 54.90
Video Game Soundtracks:
Etrian Odyssey Drama CD JPN US$ 31.90
Etrian Odyssey Super Arrange Version JPN US$ 29.90
Hiiro No Kakera Series Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 27.90
Neoromance Trillion Aromatic Autumn JPN US$ 28.90
Que Character Image Mini Album Vol.7 JPN US$ 19.90
Star Drops (Hoshifull Seito Gakuen Tenmon Dokokai Intro Theme) JPN US$ 11.90
Super Eurobeat presents Initial D Battle Stage 2 JPN US$ 32.90
Super Robot Taisen OG: Original Generations Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 36.90
Activision announced today that Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare multiplayer beta will launch via Xbox LIVE in the UK and Ireland on Friday 7th September. Users can visit www.cod4beta.co.uk for details on how to obtain their token and the opportunity to experience some of the maps and modes available in multiplayer before the game hits store shelves on November 9th
The beta came out in north america in August, but there was a bit of touble caused by an exploit.
Gordon Brown has pledged to work with the TV, advertising and games industries to reach a consensus on the issue of violence in the media and potentially introduce voluntary controls.
As reported by the Guardian, Brown was speaking at his monthly press conference. He stated, "Where there is pornographic or violent material, any parent is going to be concerned.
"This is not the Government telling people what they should do... This is society reaching a conclusion with all those people involved about what are the legitimate boundaries.
Brown continued, "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 think you need to review this with a large number of representative groups, from parents, from the different industries itself and from other areas of public life."
The Prime Minister's comments come just days after he announced the launch of a Government review which will focus on the way violence in the media affects children. It will be conducted by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The initial announcement raised concerns amongst gamers and the industry regarding potential censorship of videogames - but Brown's latest comments seem designed to allay these fears.
"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," he stated.
"This is not an area where you can proceed, in my view, without trying to establish both what the boundaries are and what is the consensus you can build around these boundaries."
That's right, you don't have to download the Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles expansion to play it on your Xbox 360, Bethesda today confirmed that the pack will be going to retail in October and will also include the Knights of the Nine content.
The retail disc will sell for $30, no word yet on whether they will be doing the same for the Playstation 3, though I'm told they are looking into options.
Bethesda also let us know that Prima is releasing a new nearly 500-page Game of the Year edition of their Oblivion Game Guide which will cover all of the content released to date.
PRESS RELEASE - Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Announces Sale of Joytech Video Game Accessories Subsidiary
New York, NY - September 7, 2007 - Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) today announced that it has sold substantially all of the assets of its wholly owned Joytech video game accessories subsidiary to Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ). The Joytech sale reflects Take-Two's previously announced plans to divest its non-core businesses.
"The sale of the Joytech assets is consistent with one of the key goals we established in our 100 Day Plan: to develop strategic alternatives for any operations that we determined to be outside our core publishing business," said Ben Feder, Take-Two's Chief Executive Officer. "We are particularly pleased that we accomplished this goal in a manner that will allow substantially all of our Joytech employees in the U.S. and U.K. to join Mad Catz, which is a highly respected provider of video game peripherals."
The Joytech sale is not expected to be material to Take-Two's financial results.
I personally like Joytech products more than Mad Catz. But good thing about this, Joytech products will now be featured on shelves in retail stores. Usually its Mad Catz, Pelican and Nyko taking up all the pegs on the wall or shelf space.
Chart-Track has released new statistics which show a 260 per cent week-on-week increase in UK sales for Microsoft's Xbox 360 in the UK - while the PSP has suffered its worst week of sales since launch.
As reported by MCV, the change in fortunes for both machines are down to hardware line-up changes.
In Xbox 360's case the sales spike coincided with the introduction of the new Elite model, and a price reduction for the existing Premium and Core versions.
Strong sales continued into a second week, falling by only 20 per cent.
The blame for the crash in PSP sales is attributed to retailers and consumers anticipating the imminent launch of the new Slim and Lite model of the handheld on September 14.
ChartTrack declined to supply specific sales figures for either Xbox 360 or PSP.
It seems like just yesterday when online functionality was a new, exotic feature that was far from required for most games. Now, it seems, online functionality is practically a must if a publisher wants to squeeze as much money as possible from a release. Reuters is reporting on a new study by research firm Electronic Entertainment Design and Research that shows, so far in this generation, console games that allow online play bring in nearly twice as much revenue as games that don't.
This isn't that surprising, considering mega-sellers like Madden, Gears of War, and Resistance are weighing on the online side. Would these same exact games make half the money without an online component? It's hard to say, but it's definitely a possibility, and one that should worry online-shy Nintendo. According to the study, only two percent of Wii games included an online component as of June 1, compared to 23 percent of PS3 games and a whopping 77 percent of Xbox 360 titles. That could translate to a lot of early revenue left on the table for the big N. Look, just make the Super Smash Bros. Brawl's online functionality relatively painless and all will be forgiven, all right?
features
Over-The-Top Action – Engage in 18 high-stakes missions where you will bomb bridges, steal secret weapons, destroy Zeppelins and more.
Fly Never Before Seen Aircraft – Pilot over 50 authentic planes and prototypes including the Gotha Go 229, DH Vampire F Mk 1, Me-163 “Komet”, Meteor and many more.
Unusual Experimental Weapons Get the advantage in combat by using experimental WWII weapons including High Velocity Cannons and TV-Guided missiles.
Exotic WWII Setting – Engage in epic battles in some of the world’s most captivating environments such as Cairo, the Himalayas, Moscow’s Red Square, Rome’s San Pietro’s Cathedral, the Swiss Alps and more.
Next-Gen Graphics – Experience improved depth of field, jaw-dropping cinematographic lightening and outstanding sound effects.
Fast Paced Multiplayer Action – Challenge up to 16 players in free-for-all, co-op and squad-based missions, including the all new Epic Battle and Capture the Flag modes.
Epic Boss Battles – For example, go up against a giant German Zeppelin over the pyramids of Cairo. Take out its nine gun turrets while you expose its vulnerable underbelly.
description
In this game, you are the leader of Operation Wildcard, an undercover and elite squad of pilots secretly created by the American government. Your mission is to sabotage and destroy the Third Reich’s evil plans to create a weapon of mass destruction. During this mission you and your team discover that the bad guys also have an elite team of their own. In an attempt to disarm the enemy, you engage in dramatic and movie-like spy missions in some of the world’s most exotic locations using experimental weapons and flying never-before-seen prototype aircraft.
They were once human but were infected and consequently resurrected by the T-Virus. A zombie will continue its search for food even with severed limbs or when missing the lower half of its body. The Labcoat Zombie Action Figure features ball-jointed neck and shoulders, swivel wrists and waist, and Crow and Severed Limb accessory. Note: photo is of unapproved production sample. Final figure may be different from item shown. Available exclusively at Transworld stores in the U.S. and all retailers overseas.
Manufactured by NECA and licensed by Capcom, the Resident Evil 2nd Anniversary Edition 7" Action Figure: Labcoat Zombie is in stock today, shipping at US$ 19.90 only.
A nine-year-old boy who saved his father's life by taking the wheel of a speeding big rig when his dad suffered a seizure and blacked out has finally gotten his wish.
When asked last month what kind of reward he would like for his bravery, Matty Lovo said he would like a new PlayStation.
When readers of the story suggested pitching in and buying the boy a PlayStation, his father, Matthew Lovo, initially declined to accept the offer while thanking the community for its generosity.
Eventually, after Sony called to donate one, Lovo Sr. agreed to accept it.
"We've seen this topic talked about as far away as the UK and all over the U.S. People like the story a lot," Lovo Sr. said.
The company presented Matty with the gift Wednesday evening at KGW.
"I'm gonna let my dad play this one. He needs to have a spin,” Matty said.
Matty said his real reward is that his father recovered after the seizure.
The incident occurred in Saint Helens, Ore., in August. A Good Samaritan who noticed a child at the wheel of the huge truck jumped out of his own car to help stop the vehicle.
TV parenting expert Tanya Byron is to head the inquiry into violent and sexual content in video games and other media, the BBC is reporting. The review was announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown earlier this week.
Byron presented the BBC TV shows 'The House of Tiny Tearaways' and 'Little Angels', but decided to end her career as a TV presenter earlier this year.
Byron will talk to parents and the entertainment industry about how better to protect children from unsuitable material. The inquiry will study the availability and prevalence of violent games and internet pornography in particular, and look at the effectiveness of existing laws.
"It is essential that parents and anyone involved in the care and development of young people are familiar with the material they will access and view - and of the potential and actual risks therein," said Byron.
Byron will report to the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
"It is not about stopping children having fun," said Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families. "It is about making sure they can do so safely."
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Brown said that the study would not lead to increased censorship.
The current hardware sales situation in Japan is listed below.
DS Lite: 94,339
Wii: 39,371
PSP: 22,196
PS3: 18,068
PS2: 14,280
Xbox 360: 1,635
Game Boy Micro: 263
Game Boy Advance SP: 195
Gamecube: 73
Game Boy Advance: 16
DS original: 0
Nintendo is on the top as usual but with reduced sales on all consoles compared to the last weeks' reading. PSP, PS2 and the Xbox 360 has also experienced a slight drop too. Only the PS3 has seen a slight increase roughly by some 1,600 units.
Microsoft is apparently making strong examples of anyone trying to sneak into the Halo 3 Epsilon test. The crackdown came to light when a 17-year-old Minnesotan who goes by the handle "Scar" posted a tale of woe on the forums of the Halo-focused modding site Se7ensins.com. His post was accompanied by a photo of his ban notice from Xbox Live, which expires on December 31, 9999 AD--some 7,447 years after the events in Halo are supposed to take place.
How did the eternal banhammer fall on Scar? "A friend said he got the Epsilon from a friend and offered me to glitch it onto my account with what you call the two-controller exploit," he told GameSpot. "I downloaded it from Marketplace and played it for maybe six hours or so all alone, in custom games and campaign. [Then] it would kick me offline every time i tried to play Epsilon. It wasn't until the next day when i signed on that I found out i got banned."
Despite being a self-described "achievement whore" with a GamerScore of over 61,000, Scar--who doesn't want his real name made public--has no plans to appeal his ban. "Other people i know that had this happen to them at the same time as me called support and had no luck," he rued. "I know of at least 10 others that downloaded it and got banned till 9999."
When asked for comment, reps for Microsoft said the company was not officially commenting on the 7,992 year bans. However, a source close to Bungie said the ban screen "looked legit," wryly adding, "Sorry, great, great, great, great, grandkids."
Always have an ample supply of battery power when you need it most. The Charge Station 360 gives gamers the power to always keep two Xbox 360 wireless controller battery packs charging at all times. The Charge Station includes the dual port charging base and two rechargeable battery packs. Easily plug the Charge Station into the wall to keep battery packs charged. It takes just 4 hours to fully charge 2 battery packs. LED charge indicator lights designate when each battery is fully charged. The high quality NiMH batteries are designed to work with Microsoft wireless controllers and each provide an average of 25 hours of additional play time. They can be recharged repeatedly eliminating the need for costly AA batteries.
Now for those not familiar the Iphone has already seen a mass of homebrew released for it including Nes Emulators, Frotz, Doom and MAME is being worked on.
With the worldwide popularity of the iPod and this much easier way to get homebrew on it coupled with the Touch Screen we could see a major homebrew scene in the making. Interesting times ahead.
Apple News will have all the latest news as it happens.
This device pulses any LEDs you connect to it with the beat of the music coming from your console.
It can also fade your LEDs when the console is off.
This device also works on the Xbox360's Ring-of-Light to pulse and fade it.
Multiple modes allow you to turn it off quickly, or set your LEDs to dim, on, fading, VU, or a select combination of those.
Change modes easily by using an existing button on your console, rather than opening your console each time or installing another switch.
Connect up to 150 LEDs, or with a SICKmods Power Extender to add 3Amps of power (~150 more LEDs).
Midway's highly anticipated action game Stranglehold is shipping today as region free US edition for Xbox360. The game is available as Regular and Collector's Edition. The latter includes a copy of John Woo's masterpiece Hard Boiled on DVD.
An Asian release version will follow later this week, which you might want to wait for as its cheaper and should be region free too.
Only one game this week, but its a classic, Sonic the hedgehog 2 is coming this Wednesday for 400 MS points. Features:
* Classic Sonic action: One of the world's most famous video game characters comes to Xbox LIVE in one of his fans' favorite titles. Experience the thrill of the fastest hedgehog in the universe.
* Enhanced graphics and sound: The game stays true to the original, but takes full advantage of high-definition graphics, with enhanced sound effects.
* Achievements and leaderboards: Take on the challenge of new achievements to conquer, and use the leaderboards to compare scores among friends and the rest of the Xbox LIVE world.
* Multiplayer: Play with a friend at home, or go online and play Sonic and Tails with the world at large.
It must be a year since i found out about a new project from CraigIX (Owner of the former GBAX.com Shop - Best one in Europe for DS etc) and now owner of GP2X UK.
Now because sites like Engadget have made the news public and got it wrong a tad too then i thought it was about time i posted what i know about the handheld that has been told to me will be more powerful than the PSP.
The handheld is not being made by Gamepark so thats one rumour dead. Craigix and some others are behind it and most likely it will be made in China (not 100% confirmed). The Console will be Linux Based again (like the GP2X). It will have a decent 2D and 3D Graphics Chip. I gather it will have a very nice 128MB of Ram, it will use SD Cards. It will have a touchscreen. TV Out will also be an option. The screen is rumoured to be 800x400 resolution, i understand that Sony/Sharp have the deets on the 480 screen. Wifi is also on the cards.
The console at this time doesnt have a Public name but sometime in October we will know for sure. It promises to be an exceptional console for homebrew and other items not 100% confirmed are some kind of keyboard too.
The price im told will be around the £150.
Like everything things change but it sounds a mouthwatering console, taking the ideas for the GP2X and features from the PSP/DS and making what could be a Dream Homebrew Handheld that doubles as a Console too.
Only PS3 sees modest growth following Bladestorm release
Sales of Nintendo hardware have fallen in Japan, where the DS handheld has shifted less than 100,000 units for the first time this year.
Despite the drop in sales, the DS still leads the market with 94,339 consoles sold for the week ended September 2. Nintendo's Wii sold 39,371 for the same period, according to recent data from Media Create.
Sony's PlayStation 3 was the only console in the region to record improved sales, with 18,068 consoles sold – in the same week that Koei's PS3 title Bladestorm entered the all-formats charts at number two by selling 58,996 copies.
Sales of the PlayStation Portable fell to 22,196, compared to 26,089 the previous week, while the PS2 sold 14,280 units, down from 15,139 the week before.
Microsoft's Xbox 360 sold just 1635 units, while the GBA sold 474 and the GameCube 73 units in the region.
As well as Bladestorm, there were two other new entries in the Japanese software charts last week. Bandai Namco's One Piece: Gear Spirit for the Wii sold 41,207 copies and entered the charts at number 5, while Banpresto's DS game Summonight: Twin Age took the number seven spot with 27,692 sales.
The full Japanese software top ten follows:
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates
Bladestorm
Gintama: Together with Gin-san! My Kabuki-cho Diary
Microsoft is in talks with the BBC to bring the broadcaster's library of content, including high definition TV programmes, to Xbox Live.
Video content is already available via Live in North America, where Microsoft has signed agreements with partners such as Disney, MTV and CBS.
As reported by the Sunday Times, the company is now speaking to the BBC and other European content providers about similar deals.
The news was confirmed by Ross Honey, senior director for media at Microsoft’s content and partner strategy group. He said Microsoft is keen to offer BBC programmes via Live including high definition shows such as Planet Earth.
"We are working diligently on multiple fronts to make it happen," he said, adding, "The BBC is a great content provider."
At last month's Leipzig GCDC, Sony announced plans to launch a TV tuner with PVR functionality for PlayStation 3. The company has also signed a deal with Sky to offer content via PlayStation Network on a pay-per-view basis.
Exclusively for the Xbox 360 - The Virtua Fighter 5 Limited Edition Arcade Stick! Put the smack down on your friends in style with this, officially licensed and endorsed limited edition arcade stick.
features
Experience the intensity of a cinematic, story-driven game with the freedom of NON-LINEAR missions in a free roaming FPS environment.
Start each mission with a fully interactive airdrop into enemy territory. Your landing spot can dramatically change the way each mission is played out.
Develop skills on your personalized weapon with field modifications that remain persistent throughout the entire game.
Utilizing the very latest technology to deliver truly believable humans within the gaming environment.
description
Medal of Honor Airborne™ is the latest video game from EA's acclaimed Medal of Honor franchise, credited with pioneering the WWII first-person shooter genre after its debut in 1999. This is the first game in the Medal of Honor™ series to be released on next generation platforms.
While building on the key tenets of the franchise including historical accuracy and authenticity, Medal of Honor Airborne is set to redefine the series by introducing players to an entirely new way of experiencing a WWII FPS - notably the fully interactive Airborne experience.
features
aka. Warriors Orochi
Play as any of the 77 legendary characters from the Dynasty Warriors® and Samurai Warriors® video game series. Yoshimoto Imagawa, Goemon Ishikawa and Kunoichi will return as playable characters. There are also two new un-lockable characters Orochi and Da Ji.
Go into battle with your own three-person tag team using characters from either series with the new “Team Battle System”.
Match wits against the Serpent King Orochi and history’s mightiest warriors! Ancient China and Feudal Japan will collide in four original storylines.
Marvel as China’s mighty Lu Bu faces off against the fierce samurai Tadakatsu Honda, then bear witness to the encounter between two powerful warlords Nobunaga Oda and Cao Cao.
Combine attributes from different weapons for more devastating results with the new Weapon Fusion System.
Play previously played and unlocked stages with any combination of available characters in Free mode.
Step into a Gallery with over 300 artifacts from the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series.
description
Without warning, the Serpent King Orochi descended from the heavens. Using his unworldly powers to shatter time and space, Orochi kidnapped the strongest, wisest and most courageous warriors from Ancient China and Feudal Japan to test his might against the heroes of these ages.
Most of the great armies of these two periods would succumb to the might of Orochi. Yet powerful warriors remain and are ready to continue the fight. Now, the greatest showdown in history is about to take place…
Platform: PC, Sony PlayStation 3 and X-Box 360
pages: 512
Covers ALL Elder Scrolls IV content - The Game of the Year guide covers Oblivion, Knights of the Nine, Shivering Isles, and all downloadable content.
Covers EVERY Platform - The guide is usable for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC versions of the game.
Written by Bethesda - The developers of the game wrote all the strategy in the guide.
Next-gen consoles have been banned from UK jails following concerns they could be used to coordinate terror attacks
The Sun reports that games consoles that can be used by inmates to send and receive radio signals have been deemed too much of a threat to the peace. Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's DS consoles have reportedly been banned from jails as a result.
As reported previously, UK home secretary John Reid said in March, "Advice was issued to all prisons in December 2005 that the Sony PlayStation 3 was barred from the prison estate because of the equipment's ability to send and receive radio signals." The banning of games consoles in UK prisons has now seemingly been extended to Microsoft and Nintendo systems.
A source told the UK tabloid, "The technology in the new generation of computer games makes them a security risk.
"There is concern that top terror suspects have been using systems already in jails. Radio software is an integral part of the equipment."
A secret security report obtained by the paper suggests that fears extend beyond the communication capabilities offered by next-gen consoles, with the banning of all games consoles in prisons still a possibility.
Gamasutra is reporting on information from a new research firm called Electronic Entertainment Design and Research, which has recently released a number of papers looking into trends in the gaming industry. One (perhaps surprising) finding: M-rated titles sell better than any other rating group.
"The study, titled 'Console Intelligence Brief 2007' examines the PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 since each consoles' release through June 1, 2007, and comprises some 219 retail and 187 downloadable games made available on the new platforms, examined by genre, ESRB rating, gross sales in the United States, MetaCritic scores, online functionalities, multiplayer capability and other core game features. Among the sample results made available, the study found that critics' favorite list and the blockbuster charts have a lot in common, with highly-rated titles selling up to five times better than titles with lower scoring reviews. Despite online connectivity being a marketing cornerstone for all new consoles, the study concluded that 45 percent of retail games are not utilizing it in any way -- 98 percent of Nintendo Wii games have no online functionality at all."
Wedbush expects Rockstar title to generate $400m in full-price sales
While Take Two has remained quiet on the release of exclusive episodic content for Grand Theft Auto IV, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter believes it won't appear on the Xbox 360 until at least the fourth quarter of 2008.
The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Grand Theft Auto IV were originally due for release this October, with chief financial officer Laine Goldstein previously revealing that the first of two exclusive packages for Microsoft would follow in March next year.
However, since the release of the highly-anticipated crime sim was pushed back until at least April 2008, any release date for the downloadable episodes – which Microsoft reportedly paid USD 25 million each for – has been up in the air.
"We note that the USD 50 million deferred revenue for GTA episodic content was reclassified as 'long term,' implying a release date no earlier than Q4 2008," commented Pachter in a note to investors following publisher Take Two's latest financial results.
Wedbush Morgan predicts that Grand Theft Auto IV will sell around 8 million units at full-price, generating revenues of USD 400 million. And despite the the fact that future titles in the series could sell even more units, the analyst remain sceptical of the franchises profitability.
"We do believe that the GTA franchise has a great deal of potential, and think that future versions will sell more than the 8 million units we expect from GTA IV.
"However, we remain sceptical that future versions will be as profitable as past versions, as the Rockstar team has apparently taken its studio name to heart," commented Pachter.
EA takes first and second spots with leading franchises
Electronic Arts' Medal of Honor franchise has made a triumphant return to the the UK charts, with the latest title crashing into the number one spot.
Medal of Honor Airborne takes the coveted position on its first week of release, backed by the publisher's market-leading sports series Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 at number two.
Sales of 2K Games' critically acclaimed BioShock for the Xbox 360 and PC dropped by 59 per cent, leaving it at number three this week, while South Peak Games' Two Worlds enters the charts at number four.
Nintendo's Dr Kawashima's Brain Training for the DS continues its top ten run at number five, and THQ's Stuntman: Ignition climbs up the charts from number nine to number six.
More Brain Training from Dr Kawashima is at seven this week, and there's another new entry for EA at eight with the latest The Sims expansion pack, The Sims 2: Bon Voyage.
Activision's Transformers: The Game falls to number nine and Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree is at ten.
The only other new entry in the top 40 is Capcom's Monster Hunter: Freedom 2 at number 39.
Classic 16-bit platformer Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is this week's Xbox Live Arcade release, and will go for 400 Microsoft points (GBP 3.40 / EUR 4.65) when it launches around 10am BST tomorrow.
As detailed on Xbox.com, Sonic 2 features the usual range of unlockable Achievements, online multiplayer options and enhanced graphics and sound.
Don't worry though, because SEGA insists it "stays true to the original, but takes full advantage of high-definition graphics, with enhanced sound effects". Phew. And of course there'll be a demo.
In the meantime, why not check out our Sonic the Hedgehog review to see how the first game turned out on Live Arcade?
Tomorrow will also see the launch of downloadable content for Band of Bugs and Bomberman Live.
One no doubt surprised and equally chuffed eBayer is now the proud owner of a PAL copy of Halo 3, after two leaked copies found their way onto the internet auction site.
The Australian seller, who surely must have 'acquired' the game from a warehouse or shop stock room, took pictures of the open boxes and the disc to verify the goods, before slapping them on eBay.
He boobed by offering the game for a shockingly low $149 Australian (£60) though, because we're sure some eager Halo fans out there would have paid hundreds.
Microsoft is likely sending an army of attack robots to the seller's house right now.
You're about to see the first ever screens of Ninja Gaiden 2, which allegedly appeared on the official Japanese Xbox website before being hastily taken offline again. Whoops! Seems someone made a mistake.
Our guess is that these shots weren't meant to be let out of the bag until Tokyo Game Show which kicks off next week.
The shots themselves show the starring ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, cutting off heads and being a general bad ass in detailed environments that are, believe it or not, even more stunning than the Sigma remake.
We'll be chasing for more info, but it's probably safe now to bet we'll be hearing more of NG2 next week when the doors open at TGS.
Konami has its sights set on making the next console-based Castlevania game exclusively Xbox 360, following comments by the series creator, Koji Igarashi, who pointed towards the console's popularity in the priority US market.
"I will be working on a DS [Castlevania game]" said Igarashi, "but I am thinking of moving to the home consoles for the future. I will continue to use 2D for the DS version, but I'm still trying to figure out which console to do the home console versions. I think the Xbox 360 would be the best platform for the U.S. market," he revealed.
He's not so keen on PS3 though, it seems. "The U.S. market is the biggest market for the Castlevania series, so I will give the first priority to the U.S. market. The platform will be the Xbox 360, since the PS3 isn't doing well everywhere in the world," he said.
Igarashi speculates that Konami's forthcoming release of Metal Gear Solid 4 may boost PS3 sales and make it a more viable platform for Castlevania.
The DS Castlevania Igarashi spoke of is a brand new game, Igarashi telling Game Informer that Konami will make an announcement about it "soon". And it's bound to be ace.
Well, let's not beat around the bush - Bizarre has unveiled the 50 achievements you can score in its Xbox 360 racing sequel Project Gotham Racing 4 and the full achievement rundown can be seen here.
Chatting with friends and family on Xbox LIVE® and Windows-based PCs is easy using the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit. This device easily connects to any Xbox 360 controller and provides easy to use chat capabilities while maintaining gameplay functionality in one easy-to-hold device. The Messenger Kit includes a Chatpad and Xbox 360 Headset.
More than 10,000 retailers in the United States alone are expected to open their doors at midnight on September 25 to begin selling Halo 3.
One million copies of the game have already been pre-ordered in North America. The company also recently announced pricing for a Halo 3-themed Xbox 360 console.
Halo 2 sold 2.4 million copies and earned up to US 125 million in its first 24 hours on store shelves. Microsoft expects Halo 3's launch to shatter its predecessor's day-one entertainment sales record.
In what Microsoft has dubbed the "Unite to Fight" launch week, regional events will be held at retailers in locations including New York City, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Miami, allowing gamers a chance to win merchandise and play the game with local celebrities.
Best Buy will be making Xbox LIVE Gold free for everyone during the first three days of Halo 3's availability. From September 25 through September 27, everyone with an Xbox 360 and a broadband connection can become an Xbox LIVE Gold member and experience Halo 3 online.
Microsoft will be giving away 8,000 points during this free Xbox LIVE period to 144 randomly-selected people. Those winners will also receive a chance to win one of two grand prizes, which include a Halo-themed Pontiac GXP Street Edition valued at USD 28,000 and a Samsung home theater entertainment system valued at USD 3,499.97.
Pontiac itself has teamed up with Microsoft to provide 1,000 lucky winners a copy of Halo 3 before it's available in stores with their "First to Own" promotion. Meanwhile, at the NASCAR Dover 400 on September 23rd, David Stremme will be driving the number 40 Target/Halo 3 inspired race car.
Microsoft has also announced Game with Fame sessions during the first week of Halo 3's launch, allowing gamers to play against their favorite actors, bands, and sports stars over Xbox LIVE. Bungie's Halo 3 development team will also be on Xbox LIVE during launch week, giving gamers a chance to play against the talent behind the game.
Finally, a new Xbox 360 Halo 3 theme and gamerpic will be available for Xbox LIVE Gold members only during launch week.
Stealing your bank account or credit card information is one thing, but now e-mail phishers are going after something truly important: Your Xbox Live account. Xbox.com forum-goer Whagi reports on an e-mail he received, purportedly from Xbox Support, announcing new features on his Xbox Live account. The e-mail links to a supposed Microsoft passport login page that's actually a phishing site designed to capture your login information.
The problem goes deeper than your Xbox -- if you use your Passport account for other Microsoft services, the phishers could have access to a lot of sensitive information. The same e-mail has reportedly been received by other users in the U.S. and U.K.
It probably goes without saying, but if you get a similar e-mail, delete it immediately. If you accidentally use the link, change your password immediately. And don't trust random e-mails to notify you about new Xbox Live updates -- that's what we're here for, after all.
Just install the device and do the flashing as if it was a previous Hitachi drive using Firmware Toolbox or the other known utilities. No special procedure to read / flash.
Feature List:
- This version comes with the flat cable included !
- Start Drive in ModeB automatically (Bonus Feature)
- Enable Software Reading and Flashing (Main Feature)
- 2 Options for Mounting: Wires or Flat Cable
- ONLY 9 Wires to Solder (Choosing FFC cable: only 1 additional wire)
- Support all models of Hitachi 79 drives
- Onboard Activity Blue Led
- Onboard disable jumper
- Can be leaved in place (recommended) for future firmware Upgrades
- Device Code Developed 100% by Maximus
The DVD Linker is a replacement product for the standard DVD cables of the Xbox 360. Perfect match whether yours are lost, damaged in a Frankenstein moment, or you just want spares on hand before trying your next wild mod.
What's In The Box
- 1 SATA cable
- 1 Xbox DVD cable
MS has announced that 3 Classic Dreamcast games will be making there way to XBLA:
"Ikaruga" (Treasure Co. Ltd.). "Ikaruga" is a quick-paced shooter with strong strategy elements featuring a slow-motion training mode and co-op play for two.2 Available soon for download from Xbox LIVE Arcade, "Ikaruga" is the perfect combination of beautiful, manga-style storytelling and refined, ultra-challenging arcade heroics.
"Rez" (Q Entertainment). "Rez," the legendary action-shooter created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade. A fast-moving, wire-frame adventure backed by industrial beats, the story of "Rez" takes players deep into the world's computer network, where they must hack the system, altering the visual output and even taking over the music, creating their own rhythms and eye candy as they dig deeper into the dreamlike cyberworld.
"Triggerheart Exelica" (Warashi). A shoot'em-up game where players battle against hordes of enemy ships, "Triggerheart Exelica" dynamically adjusts the difficulty to match a player's skill level. "Triggerheart Exelica" launches on Xbox LIVE Arcade this year.
Triggerheart Exelica was the last commerical game to be released for the dreamcast (well for now) from sega, but there are still more games being released for the dreamcast. Checkout our dreamcast section for more info.
For all you fashion plates and bon vivants (and also little boys and girls), we don't want you to forget that Microsoft is introducing two new colors into its multi-hued, wireless, Xbox 360 controller-world on October 2nd: blue and pastel pink. The weird thing here is that in Japan, a baby blue version of the controller will be available (as pictured), but apparently the Xbox team doesn't seem to think the market in the States is ready for such a bold color choice. Regardless, if you really need to get the lighter color, you can plan for the Japanese release date of November 1st.
GameDaily reports on analyst research indicating that online games will be a huge part of the games market in a few years. The online portion of games sales hit roughly $3.8 billion in 2006, and is expected to grow at a rapid rate in the next few years, with Massively Multiplayer Online Games leading the way. By 2011 analysts expect that number to hit $11.8 billion, which would be about a third of all game sales.
"'The main driver for sustained growth in the online games market will be the continued uptake of broadband services around the world,' said David Mercer, Principal Analyst at Strategy Analytics. 'Additionally, the very lucrative revenue opportunity in both the massively multiplayer segment and the electronic sell through market will continue to attract new entrants into the online games market.' While digital distribution is making more and more full games available for download for PC gamers (through services such as Steam, Direct2Drive, etc.), console makers have been much slower to offer entire games for download - although Sony is starting to do this on its PlayStation Network, with Warhawk being a primary example since it's available for download or on Blu-ray disc."
The Guardian Gamesblog has up a post noting that Gamestop will be rearranging stores to meet casual gamer needs. For example, they'll be creating a section just for music games (karaoke, guitar games, etc). They'll also be putting together a 'family-friendly' area, with a focus on titles like Nintendogs, Lego Star Wars, and the like. The post is based off of an interview in The New York Times with Daniel A. DeMatteo, Gamestop's vice chairman and chief operating officer. In his mind casual games are now so important to sales that the company is having to do some 'radical retail re-thinking':
"There is a real breadth of properties now appealing to a much broader audience than we've seen before. Honestly, we are having to retool the way we think of things in our stores in terms of merchandising, layout and also customer service because it is no longer only the hardcore gamer walking in who knows exactly what he wants."
Via Kotaku, IGN had the chance to play both the AO- and M-rated versions of Manhunt 2, and they now have a piece up pointing out the differences in the re-rated game. If you've been curious about what is in that warez copy floating around online, they'll piece it together for you. Be forewarned: the stuff that got cut out is pretty gross.
"The content may be too much for some to stomach, but the presentation is well done regardless. Manhunt 2's storyline is made more believable with realistic voice acting, atmospheric camera angles and pans, and moody transitional effects. There's even some comedy thrown in for good measure. Take, for example, a scene in which Danny decapitates a hunter and then uses his severed head to gain entry through a security door. A guard on the other side opens a peephole and sees the decapitated head staring back at him. 'Georgie Boy!' he exclaims. 'Come on in.'"
Microsoft has once again assembled an impressive collection of Japanese gaming luminaries to continue its push of the Xbox 360 in Japan.
Ahead of next week's Tokyo Game Show, the company rolled out Team Ninja's Tomonobu Itagaki, Mistwalkers' Hironobu Sakaguchi and representatives from Square Enix at a recent press event to announce format exclusives, brand new titles and release dates for high-profile games.
Team Ninja is developing Ninja Gaiden 2 exclusively for the Xbox 360, while Square Enix has unveiled two new titles – Infinite Undiscovery and The Last Remnant. Developer Mistwalker finally announced the much-hyped Lost odyssey will arrive in Japan this December with a US and Euro release in February.
The Xbox 360 has suffered from poor sales in the region, with the local charts dominated by Nintendo DS and Wii software, as well as titles for the PlayStation 2.
The latest sales data from Media Create shows that the Xbox 360 has sold 406,060 units since its release in December 2005. In contrast, the Nintendo Wii has sold over 3.5 million units since its launch a year later and Sony's PlayStation 3 has shifted over 1.1 million following a November 2006 launch.
As well as boxed games, Microsoft is also lining up a number of Xbox Live Arcade titles from some of Japan's best-loved development studios.
Dreamcast fan favourite's Rez from Q Entertainment and Treasure's 2D shooter Ikaruga will both make the jump to the download service, while Hudson Entertainment will be contributing new IP Omega Five. Warashi is also adding it's arcade shooter Triggerheart Exelica to the line-up.
As well as Japanese developed games, a number of titles from Western developers are also due for release before the end of the year, including Battlefield: Bad Company and Just Cause from Electronic Arts, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed, Viva Pinata: Party Animals from Krome and Eidos' Battlestations: Midway
Online gaming is leading the digital entertainment market, outselling both the video and music business, according to a new report from Strategy Analytics.
The firm calculates the online gaming market generated USD 3.8 billion in 2006 and it's expected to grow to USD 11.8 billion by 2011, with online sales accounting for one third of all software revenue in the industry.
"The rapid growth of the addressable market for digital distribution of both PC and console games will clear the way for distribution of mainstream hit titles which has up to now been restricted to the physical retail channel," said Martin Olausson, director of digital media research.
The continued uptake of broadband and opportunities in the MMO genre will help attract new business to online gaming, says the report.
"The main driver for sustained growth in the online games market will be the continued uptake of broadband services around the world," added David Mercer, principal analyst at Strategy Analytics.
"Additionally, the very lucrative revenue opportunity in both the massively multiplayer segment and the electronic sell through market will continue to attract new entrants into the online games market."
Tony Hawk has finally finished work on the demo for his ninth game, and released it today on Xbox Live [it's possible you've misunderstood - Ed].
It drops in at just over a gigabyte, and will let you skate around a small portion of the Proving Ground world.
Things you might like to try out on your adventures are the new Nail the Grab controls, where clicking the analogue sticks lets you control your hands when your board is airborne - or maybe you want to cut your own skating video with the new capturing and editing controls.
But there's lots more than that to come. You'll be able to modify your own indoor skate park in a great big garage, then invite your friends over for a cup of tea, for example. Or mess around with the scenery of the world to make your own organic skate-rink.
Plus it's all much bigger than last time around, and developer Neversoft is promising some bizarre music-synchronising video editing system (a bit like Guitar Hero note-matching) in the final box.
Proving Ground has also managed to not only retain the back-to-basics feel of Tony Hawk's Project 8, but improve on it with a grittier, more urban feel.
John Walker of writing fame went to see the game very recently, and came out with a large smile on his face. With hot competition from EA and Skate, now looks like the perfect time for Tony Hawk's to pull off a real tour de force.
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground is due out on PS3, Xbox 360, PS2 and Wii on 9th October
Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian is predicting that sales of Halo 3 could reach USD 200 million in "one of the largest and most successful product launches in digital entertainment."
Sebastian based his prediction upon "conversations with Xbox management as well as our own industry checks," with "significant preorders and broad consumer anticipation" of the Xbox 360 title. More than one million copies of the game have been pre-ordered.
"In addition, we expect Halo 3 to drive increasing Xbox 360 hardware sell-through, supported by the August price cuts," said Sebastian. "We note that incremental retail foot traffic resulting from the Halo 3 launch benefits video game specialty retailer GameStop."
As for competing consoles, Sebastian expects PS2 software prices to decrease, possibly accompanied by a hardware price drop. Even if Sony drops the price of the PS3 during the holidays, he expects the price of the 360 to hold steady, although he does not "rule out the possibility of other promotional activities into the holiday period as Microsoft seeks to take full advantage of Halo 3 momentum."
Microsoft has already stated that they expect Halo 3 to break the record set by its predecessor, Halo 2, which itself surpassed the film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest as the highest grossing entertainment launch.
PC titles are dominating the multiformat charts in Sweden, with EA's latest Sims title taking the number one spot, according to data from Dataspelsbranschen.
The Sims 2 Bon Voyage is one of eight PC titles in the top ten, with Blizzard's World of Warcraft, it's expansion pack The Burning Crusade and new Guild Wars add-on Eye of the North clogging up the charts.
Sony's first-party titles MotorStorm and Resistance: Fall of Man are at one and two in the PS3 charts, while 2K Games' BioShock is the best seller on Xbox 360.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess tops the Wii charts, as Nintendo's first-party Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl games lead DS sales.
The full Swedish charts follow:
Multiformat
1. The Sims 2 Jorden Runt (PC)
2. World of Warcraft (PC)
3. Medieval II Total War Kingdoms (PC)
4. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (PC)
5. Bioshock (360)
6. Guild Wars Eye of the North (PC)
7. Counter-Strike 1: Anthology (PC)
8. Warcraft III Reign Of Chaos (PC)
9. Warcraft III Frozen Throne (PC)
10. Motorstorm (PS3)
11. Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3)
12. Guitar Hero 2 Rock the 80´s (PS2)
13. Battlefield 2 (PC)
14. Singstar Svenska hits (PS2)
15. Counter-Strike Source (PC)
16. The Sims 2 (PC)
17. The Sims 2 H&M Fashion (PC)
18. Bioshock (PC)
19. Pokémon Diamond (DS)
20. Singstar 90's (PS2)
PC
1. The Sims 2 Jorden Runt
2. World of Warcraft
3. Medieval II Total War Kingdoms
4. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade
5. Guild Wars Eye of the North
6. Counter-Strike 1: Anthology
7. Warcraft III Reign Of Chaos
8. Warcraft III Frozen Throne
9. Battlefield 2
10. Counter-Strike Source
Playstation 2
1. Guitar Hero 2 Rock the 80´s
2. Singstar Svenska hits
3. Singstar 90's
4. Shrek 3
5. MX vs ATV Unleashed
6. FIFA 07
7. Guitar Hero 2
8. Valkyrie Profile 2 Silmeria
9. Rogue Galaxy
10. Singstar Pop Hits skandinavisk
Playstation 3
1. Motorstorm
2. Resistance: Fall of Man
3. Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2
4. Virtua Tennis 3
5. Ninja Gaiden Sigma
6. The Darkness
7. Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion
8. Formula One Championship Edition
9. Rainbow Six Vegas
10. Tony Hawk Project 8
Xbox 360
1. Bioshock
2. Guitar Hero 2
3. Forza Motorsport 2
4. Gears of War
5. Perfect Dark Zero
6. Kameo
7. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08
8. Blue Dragon
9. Dead Rising
10. Call of Duty 3
Wii
1. Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess
2. Boogie
3. Rayman Raving Rabbids
4. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08
5. Wii Play
6. Mario Party 8
7. Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition
8. Mario Strikers Charged Football
9. Harry Potter och Fenixorden
10. Shrek 3
Nintendo DS
1. Pokémon Diamond
2. Pokémon Pearl
3. New Super Mario Bros
4. Shrek 3
5. Mario Kart DS
6. The Sims 2 Pets
7. Hotel Dusk: Room 215
8. Worms Open Warfare 2
9. Need for Speed Carbon: Own the City
10. Super Mario 64 DS
PSP
1. Need for Speed Underground Rivals
2. Daxter
3. Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters
4. GTA Vice City Stories
5. Tekken Dark Resurrection
6. Tales Of the World: Radiant Mythology
7. Pro Evolution Soccer 6
8. Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
9. Burnout Dominator
10. FIFA 07
According to the latest information from Media Create for software sales in Japan last week, nearly twice as many units were sold for Sony consoles in the top ten as for Nintendo platforms.
This was largely due to robot fest Another Century's Episode 3: The Final moving straight into the top slot and shifting 186,000 copies alone, although Sony platform titles did make up four of the top ten, balancing the chart a little more than it has been in the recent past.
Other new entries last week included Haro Ichiza: Gundam Mahjongg for the DS at number six, and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories on the PlayStation 2 in at number seven.
The rest of the chart is as follows:
1. Another Century's Episode 3: The Final (PS2)
2. Final Fantasy Chronicles: Ring of Fates (DS)
3. Mario Party 8 (Wii)
4. Sengoku Musuo 2: Moushouden (PS2)
5. Bladestorm (PS3)
6. Haro Ichiza: Gundam Mahjonng (DS)
7. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PS2)
8. My Housekeeping Diary (DS)
9. Wii Play (Wii)
10. Wii Sports (Wii)
EA has told CVG that the European demo of FIFA 08 for Xbox 360 will hit Xbox Live Marketplace tonight at 9pm(GMT).
It's been reported that the demo's already available in the US and that there's been a slight delay to the European arrival of FIFA 08 on 360. Not to worry though, we should get it later on tonight if all goes well.
"Please note that the FIFA 08 demo will be going live today on Xbox Marketplace at 9:00pm GMT," an EA spokeswoman told us.
We're already being hammered about the PS3 version and we've been told: "The PS3 version will also go live today." Update: Readers are saying it's live on PSN right now. Go see.
You can read up on the game in our most recent interview with producer Joe Booth here while you wait.
Reports on the Xbox Box forums this week indicated that Xbox Live users were being targeted in a security scam by phishers, criminals who attempt to fraudulently acquire sensitive information from individuals such as usernames, passwords and credit card details.
Microsoft has confirmed the validity of these reports, telling Next-Gen that it has "taken action to help protect our subscribers' accounts".
A number of Xbox Live users have been receiving emails, supposedly from Xbox Support, informing them that Microsoft has made changes to all Xbox Live accounts. The emails redirect users to a replication of Microsoft's Passport login page where they are asked to enter sensitive information which can be hijacked by phishers.
According to Microsoft, it is all over this security threat. It says it is retraining staff on the ins and outs of phishing, will reimburse any users that have had their accounts tampered with, and has offered some advice to Xbox Live users.
In an email to Next-Gen the platform holder said:
"Microsoft has confirmed reports of certain individuals taking over subscribers' Xbox LIVE accounts through fraudulent behavior.
We've taken action to help protect our subscribers' accounts and are working with our call center staff to help reduce the likelihood of future incidents. This includes:
Retraining all customer support representatives.
Examining the policies and processes for account recovery.
Continuing to monitor the situation closely to take appropriate action as necessary.
In addition to these steps, we continue to recommend that our customers always be careful with whom they share information while connected to Xbox LIVE.
We will reimburse any customer whose account has been compromised in this fashion. If they have lost content such as Xbox Live Arcade games, we will provide the customer with replacement content at no charge.
This was not a failure of software technology. We want to reassure our customers that there has been no security breach of the Xbox LIVE network or of Bungie.net.
Customers who have any concerns about their account should visit www.xbox.com/support, click on the link titled "Troubleshooting Access to your Xbox Live Account," and perform the steps outlined there."
News from Play Asia of all the releases this week from the import store.
As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week, followed by a preview of next week's hits.
Xbox360™:
BioShock ASIA US$ 49.90
Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII ASIA US$ 49.90
HORI Fighting Stick EX2: Virtua Fighter 5 Limited Edition US US$ 79.90
Medal of Honor: Airborne US US$ 59.90
Musou Orochi ASIA US$ 59.90
Musou Orochi JPN US$ 64.90
Stranglehold US US$ 59.90
Stranglehold [Collector's Edition] US US$ 72.90
Nintendo DS™:
Biz Nouryoku DS Series: Wagokoro no Moto JPN US$ 48.90
Eiken DS Training JPN US$ 39.90
Gakken DS: Shin Toeic Test Kanzen Kouryoku JPN US$ 39.90
I Love Dolphin JPN US$ 39.90
Mahjong Haoh DS: Dankyuu Battle JPN US$ 48.90
Mainichi Suteki! Hello Kitty no Life Kit JPN US$ 29.90
Pocket Book DS Lite (lime) US$ 19.90
Pocket Book DS Lite (mint) US$ 19.90
Pocket Book DS Lite (mocha) US$ 19.90
Pocket Book DS Lite (orange) US$ 19.90
Pocket Book DS Lite (strawberry) US$ 19.90
Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon: Toki no Tankentai JPN US$ 48.90
Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon: Yami no Tankentai JPN US$ 48.90
SimCity DS KOR US$ 49.90
Worms: Open Warfare 2 US US$ 34.90
Sony PSP™:
Capcom Classics Collection (Best Price) JPN US$ 24.90
Coded Arms Contagion (English language Version) ASIA US$ 29.90
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII JPN US$ 58.90
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII ASIA US$ 49.90
Fate/Tiger Colosseum JPN US$ 48.90
Fate/Tiger Colosseum ASIA US$ 39.90
Fate/Tiger Colosseum Accessories Set JPN N/A
Fate/Tiger Colosseum [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 89.90
Fate/Tiger Colosseum [Limited Edition] ASIA US$ 69.90
Fish Eyes Portable (Best Collection) JPN US$ 29.90
Liquid Crystal Filter Portable JPN US$ 5.99
PSP PlayStation Portable AV Cable JPN US$ 24.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Component AV Cable JPN US$ 29.90
PSP PlayStation Portable D-Terminal Cable JPN US$ 29.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Headphone with remote control (white) JPN US$ 29.90
PSP PlayStation Portable S-Video Cable JPN US$ 24.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite - Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Bundle JPN US$ 399.90
Slide Case Portable 3 Colors US$ 4.99
USB Cable Portable JPN US$ 5.99
Worms: Open Warfare 2 US US$ 34.90
PC Games:
Football Manager 2007 (Japanese revised price Edition) JPN US$ 39.90
Kaseki Play JPN US$ 39.90
Two Worlds US US$ 49.90
Guide Books:
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 24.90
Warhawk Official Strategy Guide US US$ 17.90
Wild Arms 5: Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
Toys & More:
Berserk Figure: Judeau Hawk Soldier JPN US$ 8.90
Bomberman Phone Strap Gashapon JPN US$ 2.49
C3xHobby 1/7 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure: Hobby Angel JPN US$ 83.90
Dancing Girl 1/6 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Nile (Limited Edition) JPN US$ 98.90
Fullani Princess 1/8 Scale Painted PVC Figure JPN N/A
Mario Kart DS Racing Collection EX JPN US$ 2.90
Mon-Sieur Bome Collection Vol.25: Positive Penguin Life - Mitsumi Misatos Lucia JPN US$ 44.90
Naruto Shippuuden Collection Candy Toy Part 2 JPN N/A
Nohohon Broccoli Type US$ 9.90
Nohohon Carrot Orange Type US$ 9.90
Nohohon Tomato Red Type US$ 9.90
Nohohon Turnip White Type US$ 9.90
Queen's Blade 1/6 Scale Painted Resin and Cold Cast Statue Figure - Menace JPN US$ 204.90
Range Murata PSE Solid Painted Figure: 02 Trinode JPN US$ 9.90
Resident Evil 2nd Anniversary Edition 7" Action Figure: Labcoat Zombie US US$ 19.90
Serial Experiments Lain 1/8 Scale Painted PVC Figure - Lain JPN US$ 19.90
Shining Tears: Blanc Neige 1/8 Scale JPN US$ 52.90
Solty Rei 1/20 Scale Painted PVC Figure - Rose and Bike (Black Version) JPN US$ 14.90
Solty Rei 1/20 Scale Painted PVC Figure - Rose and Bike (Blue Version) JPN US$ 14.90
Street Fighter 1/4 Scale Polystone Mixed Media Statue: Akuma (with autographed poster) US US$ 249.90
USB Stress Button US$ 11.90
Water Game DS Lite Candy Toy JPN US$ 4.90
Video Game Soundtracks:
Shooting Love 2007 JPN US$ 29.90
VitaminX DramaCD - Ultra Vitamin 2 (~Tatsuo Suzuki, Daisuke Ono, Kosuke Toriumi) JPN US$ 29.90
It's all go in the HD DVD camp at the moment. Still on a high from the Paramount/Dreamworks deal, we're now hearing that HD DVD will soon have a 51GB, triple-layer disc on the way. The significance of a 51GB capacity is that it exceeds the current Blu-ray maximum by 1GB.
Obviously, 1GB is nothing more than a token increase, but it's an amusing nose-thumbing by Sony's opposition. Of course, the smile might be wiped from HD DVD's face if Sony announces a 100GB disc in the near future. There's also a DVD/HD DVD hybrid disc that has a 4.7GB DVD layer, and two 15GB HD DVD layers, something that could encourage DVD player owners to buy a hybrid disc for future upgrade purposes.
The good news is that the 51GB discs should play in all HD DVD players currently on the market. We discussed this with James Armour from Toshiba's optical storage division at CeBIT this year, and were told that although the third layer would be harder to read, and generate more data errors, the player's error correction should be able to fix these problems without picture and sound problems.
The other interesting news was that China has decided to introduce a low-cost HD disc format of its own. CH-DVD is similar in structure to HD DVD, but relies on Chinese technology to reduce the number of patent payments that need to be paid to owners. The plan is for the Chinese to introduce it next year, in time for the Olympics, of all things.
There are rumors that CH-DVDs will be encoded with MPEG-2, and might even be playable on HD DVD players. The format also includes some improved anti-piracy technology, which will be important if the Chinese want to secure rights to Hollywood movies--we all know how important copy protection is to the big studios.
Im sure many people will remember the CD Drive add on for the Snes that Nintendo eventually turned down and what was released later as the PSX(PSOne) well on our Dreamcast site theres a post about a prototype Disc drive for the Dreamcast. If only it had been mass produced then we could have had a fantastic option for what remains one of the very best homebrew scenes.
In an interview with develop magazine, general manager of Microsoft games Chris Satchell confirmed that Microsoft is still working hard to create a service similar to YouTube for XNA developers to distribute their games with the Xbox 360 community.
Since day one, Microsoft has openly talked about an Xbox 360 future where user created content and user created games would be shared and played across Xbox Live YouTube style, but nothing other than a paid yearly subscription to XNA has come to fruition. Satchell did sound optimistic in the interview going on to say that "we [Microsoft] need to provide people a stage to play on, a distribution medium so that they can show off their creativity to everyone. That's always been our vision and remains our vision". And we must say we agree with Satchell's optimistic vision. Talk about this YouTube style XNA has been floating around for ages, so let's get this service off the ground Microsoft and get motivated. We want to be able to see and play the gaming community's best work and be able to share (or possibly take over the world with) our uber secret X3F Goes to Space 4th person shooter that we've been diligently working on. When XNA YouTube goes live just be prepared guys ... be prepared.
In Japan, the state of play on hardware sales is shown below as follows:
DS Lite: 77,488
Wii: 29,088
PSP: 15,564
PS2: 13,360
PS3: 13,248
Xbox 360: 1,286
Game Boy Micro: 428
Game Boy Advance SP: 122
Gamecube: 82
Game Boy Advance: 0
DS Original: 0
All consoles except 2 have experienced another drop in sales, especially the DS Lite (down by 16,851) and the Wii (10,283) which have seen a very sharp drop from last weeks' reading. The only ones that have risen would happen to be the Game Boy Micro (up by 165) and Gamecube (up by 9).
Bizarre Creations has detailed the 57-song soundtrack for Project Gotham Racing 4, due out exclusively on 360 from 12th October.
PGR4 is also fronted by an exclusive song written and performed by The Prodigy called Shadow, which plays on the various menus and over the credits.
Cleverly, the sound team isolated little loops of the electronic track and made it so that entering a new menu initiates a slightly different phase of the song, giving you the sense of progressing through a tune rather than just listing to a jingle on repeat. It's like Rez for menus, innit.
What's more, if you stick around on the main menu for long enough without doing anything, the game just starts jamming, spitting out variations on Shadow with gay abandon.
Elsewhere on the soundtrack, there's a familiar mixture of various genres and styles, and the game will allow you to switch playlists off and on by genre, or individual song within a genre playlist, so if you don't like hip hop but do enjoy a particular song, you can make sure that stays in the mix.
It's all part of a push to avoid having people race in and opt for custom soundtracks - although this being 360, that is of course an option.
For more on the audio side of Gotham, as well as all the other sides, watch the site in the coming days. The full track-list follows. Apologies for typos if there are any - the bloody train is swinging from side to side whose bright idea was that.
Those of you tuning up for the 28th September release of Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights can now try out the multiplayer in a new Live demo.
We've already had a Juiced 2 demo, as you know, but this 1.37GB effort emphasises the online element with support for up to eight players.
Which is good news for everyone outside Asia, where the demo isn't being distributed. As one commenter on Major Nelson's blog notes, isn't that where all the big tuner fans live? Indeed it probably is, but it's also where all the Xboxes aren't, so you can see their point.
Activision has flown a new demo for Spider-Man: Friend or Foe into the Xbox Live web.
It's wrapped up in about 432MB of web, and features cartoon violence and friendship themes.
The demo will let you play as arachnid man himself, on your own or in co-operative mode with one of the baddies-turned-good Green Goblin or Venom.
You'll be able to try out a boss dust-up, too, against old Doctor Octopus, and eventually unlock a sidekick cheat code for your efforts - that you can use in the full game.
Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is being created for PS2, 360 and Wii by Next Level Games - the same brain responsible for the rather good Mario Strikers Charged on Wii.
There's also a PC offering from Beenox, as well as DS and PSP offerings from Artificial Mind & Movement - Activision's dream-team-port-squad.
Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is due out across all platforms on 12th October. Look for our thoughts nearer the time.
If you've been eagerly anticipating being able to ditch your white 360 in favor of a marketing tool that also plays games, you'll get your chance when the Halo 3-branded Xbox 360 arrives, which we now know will be on Sunday, thanks to a handy press release from Microsoft.
That just leaves you 2 days to decide whether or not to take the plunge. The question is really more of personal one: Is it worth it to you to pay $400 for a 20GB 360 featuring a headset, a Spartan green-and-gold finish, a Play and Charge Kit and permanent guaranteed virginity? That's something you'll have to decide for yourself.
features
Take control of your world by hacking mechanical devices, commandeering security turrets and crafting unique items critical to your very survival.
Upgrade your weapons with ionic gels, explosives and toxins to customize them to the enemy and environment.
Genetically modify your body through dozens of Plasmid Stations scattered throughout the city, empowering you with fantastic and often grotesque abilities.
Explore a living world powered by Ecological A.I., where the inhabitants have interesting and consequential relationships with one another that impact your gameplay experience.
Experience truly next generation graphics that vividly illustrate the forlorn art deco city, highlighted by the most detailed and realistic water effects ever developed in a video game.
Make meaningful choices and mature decisions, ultimately culminating in the grand question: do you exploit the innocent survivors of Rapture or save them?
description
After your plane crashes into icy uncharted waters, you discover a rusted bathysphere and descend into Rapture, a city hidden beneath the sea. Constructed as an idealistic society for a hand picked group of scientists, artists and industrialists, the idealism is no more. Now the city is littered with corpses, wildly powerful guardians roam the corridors as little girls loot the dead, and genetically mutated citizens ambush you at every turn. BioShock forces you to question the lengths to which you will go and how much of your humanity you will sacrifice...to save your own life.
BioShock is loaded with some of greatest, most modifiable weapons to ever blast their way into a shooter. But guns alone won’t be enough to defeat the devious AIs of Rapture. There are literally hundreds of other strategies players can use to take out his enemies.
features
Flickit-The days of button mashing are over. The intuitive Flickit dual analog control lets you perform skill-based trick executions that capture the real-world feel and true attitude of skating.
Define Your Style of Skating-Create your own style and personality with animation and physics that give you the freedom to decide how your skater looks, feels and rides.
Without Footage, It's Fiction-Capture your sickest moves in game and bring them online for the world to see.
Create Your Own Story-Skaters don't follow rules, they can choose how they want to progress through the game.
Make San Vanelona Your Playground-Get chased by security guards, impress and/or annoy the citizens in this fully reactive city.
Roll with the Pros-skate features professional legends and upcoming pros including Danny Way, Mark Gonzales, Rob Dyrdek, Mike Carroll, P.J. Ladd, Chris Cole, Jason Dill, Pat Duffy, Jerry Hsu, Paul Rodriguez, Dennis Busenitz, Alex Chalmers, Chris Haslam, Colin McKay, John Rattray, Ryan Gallant, Ryan Smith and Terry Kennedy.
Online Gameplay*-skate features an extensive online gameplay system including multiple online multiplayer modes. Gamers can hit up popular spots in the city with friends across the country.
description
skate is the closest thing to skateboarding without actually putting your feet on a board. With innovative controls that take advantage of the dual analog sticks, the power of the next gen hardware, and the ability to sculpt tricks that define your own style, skate delivers an authentic boarding mecca like no other videogame.
Individual style combined with physics-driven animations promise that no two tricks will ever be the same. And there's plenty of room to pull off those tricks-San Vanelona challenges you to explore, find, and own the best spots. You can even capture footage to create and show off your style with friends across the world-because without footage, it's fiction.
Get ready for all the fun, creativity and culture of skateboarding without the hours of practice, broken bones, and hospital visits.
description
Experience the excitement of true next-gen action as you take on the role of Inspector Tequila from John Woo’s influential action film, Hard Boiled starring Chow Yun-Fat. Ensnared by a crime boss with a gripping secret, Inspector Tequila is forced to cross the line from sworn duty to bloody revenge. Engage your enemies with intense cinematic gun battles and cause massive environmental damage in real-time or revolutionary slow-motion Tequila Time.
The top rated NHL franchise returns with an entirely NEW NHL EXPERIENCE featuring revolutionary right stick controls, all-new goaltending, a ground breaking face-off system, and stunning, next-gen visuals highlighting redesigned player models and animations.
features
Good and evil: Create and play any character you can imagine, from noble warrior to sinister assassin to wizened sorcerer.
Melee and magic: An all-new combat and magic system brings first person role-playing to a new level of intensity where you feel every blow.
Stunning graphics: Pixel-shader effects and high-definition televisions are fully supported to create unprecedented visuals, including lifelike towns, dungeons, and the most realistic forests ever created in a game.
Radiant A.I.: This groundbreaking artificial intelligence system gives characters full round-the-clock schedules and the ability to make their own choices based on the world around them.
Realistic characters: The game features over 1,000 non-player characters who come to life like never before with facial animations, lip-synching, and full speech.
Enormous environments: With its non-linear game play, the huge world of Oblivion is open for you to explore at your own pace, and shorter quests such as fighting bandits, mixing potions, creating magic items, and persuading friends keep the challenges coming.
description
Step into the most richly detailed and vibrant game world ever created. The Elder Scrolls® IV: Oblivion™ is the latest chapter in the epic and highly successful saga from Bethesda Softworks. Oblivion is the sequel to the best-selling, award-winning role-playing game (RPG) The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind®, named 2002 RPG and Game of the Year for Xbox®. Oblivion is another leap forward in role-playing with its combination of freeform gameplay and cutting-edge graphics.
features
Embroidered WCG-logo on the chest
Printed sponsor-logos (Samsung, Play-Asia.com...) on the back
Unisex
Size: L (Asian Size)
Limited availability
Only available at Play-Asia.com
description
"Beyond the game" is the slogan of the World Cyber Games (WCG), the "Olympic Games" for videogamers.
This years Hong Kong preliminaries for the main events in Dallas and Singapore just took place. Play-Asia is proud to be one of the local sponsors, along with the global sponsor Samsung.
Become part of the event now and get the official Sweatshirt, as long as stock lasts.
NPD has release the American sales for August. An other month and Nintendo are still on top with the Wii and DS. But the interesting story is that the Xbox 360 has Finally beaten the PS2 with 276.7K units sold (up over 100k from last month), Spurred on no doubt by the recent price cut and the release of Bioshock and soon Halo 3. Bad news for Sony as the PS3 was the lowest selling console, 130k, down 30k from last month.
* Nintendo Wii: 403.6K (4 million total)
* Nintendo DS: 383.3K (12.7 million total)
* Microsoft Xbox 360: 276.7K (6.3 million)
* Sony PlayStation 2: 202K (39.1 million total)
* Sony PSP: 151.2K (8.3 million total)
* Sony PlayStation 3: 130.6K (1.75 million total)
Software wise, its more good news for MS with the 360 taking 1st and 3rd place, while the PS3 only has the one game at 4th with the Wii and PS2 filling out the rest of the places.
Top 10 games:
1:Madden NFL 08—360—EA—896.6K
2:Madden NFL 08—PS2—EA—643.6K
3:BioShock—360—Take-TwoEA—490.9K
4:Madden NFL 08—PS3—EA—336.2K
5:Wii Play/ w remote—Wii—Nintendo—256.8K
6:Metroid Prime 3: Corruption—Wii—Nintendo—218.1K
7:Mario Strikers Charged—Wii—Nintendo—147.4K
8:Guitar Hero 2 w/guitar—PS2—Activision—145.4K
9:Mario Party 8—Wii—Nintendo—138.3K
10: Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s—PS2—Activision—127.1K
"Final Fantasy VII: Voices of the Lifestream is an OverClocked ReMix Album featuring free fan arrangements from the soundtrack to Square's legendary Final Fantasy VII for the Sony Playstation.
From jazz to techno to rock to classical, it features over forty five tracks from over forty artists, each interpreting composer Nobuo Uematsu's works in their own unique style."
Great news for all Final Fantasy VII fans!
Get it HERE through torrent.
Better set aside some time. You're looking at a 2 GB download ahead.
Will break into all-time top ten best-selling games
Halo 3 will sell more than 4 million units in the US by the end of October, according to GamerMetrics analyst Nick Williams.
"More importantly for Microsoft, Halo 3 will drive significant incremental Xbox 360 hardware sales during the upcoming holiday season, taking the focus away from the Wii and PlayStation 3," says Williams.
With the popularity of Halo 3's multiplayer feature, Williams believes that the impact of the game's launch will be felt by the rest of the game industry well beyond the launch period. "Gamers will have little free time to play other titles during the early holiday months, meaning less attention given to competing Xbox 360 software releases," he said.
Williams also believes that Halo 3 will eventually break into the top ten best-selling videogames of all time. Super Mario Bros. 3 for the NES is considered to be the best-selling console videogame in history, with sales of 18 million units.
According to NPD Group data, the fastest-selling Xbox 360 title to date is Gears of War, with 1.8 million units sold in the first two months. Madden NFL '08 has sold nearly 897,000 units in its first month.
The story's in the search results with this one -- after continually delaying its Total HD hybrid Blu-ray / HD DVD discs, Warner president Ron Sanders told TWICE that the format is "on hold for now," because the company fears being the only publisher of such discs could "be hard to make it go." Furthermore, while the studio is still planning on putting out both HD DVD and Blu-ray discs, but its talking to both sides about exclusives and "it's kind of crazy right now." Indeed. Too bad all that craziness is terrible for the consumer, eh, Ron?
SEGA today announced that the demo for SEGA Rally, is available for download on the Xbox LIVE. The demo features two quick race tracks taken from the colourful, steep sided Canyon environment and the gloriously muddy and downright dirty Tropical environment. Players will also have the choice of literally tearing up the deformable surfaces in either the Mitsubishi Evo IX FQ3 or the Subaru Impreza STi Spec C type RA.
SEGA Rally will be released across Europe for the Xbox 360, PS3, PSP and the PC on September 28th 2007.
The Legendary Edition of Halo 3 should sell out in the US, according to a Microsoft spokesperson.
In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, the spokesperson said that "While we cannot comment on specific numbers for the US sales of the Legendary SKU, we can confirm that demand remains high and the highly-collectible version of the game is on track to be sold out by the time Halo 3 launches next week."
The Legendary Edition Halo 3 retails for USD 129.99 and comes packed in a Spartan Mjolnir Mark VI helmet case along with two disks of extra content.
CVG is reporting that the Legendary Edition has already sold out in the UK, with all available units being accounted for by pre-orders.
SEGA Japan has finally whisked the velvety blanket off its line-up for Tokyo Game Show 2007.
Among the tray of delights will be playable versions of Valkyrie of the Battlefield and Imabi Kisou for PlayStation 3.
The first of these is an action-strategy game with a sort painted canvas aesthetic from the developers of the Sakura Taisen series, while the latter is an impressive-looking spooky survival-horror game you might not want to play in the dark. There's blood and stuff.
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams will also be playable, as well as traditional JRPG Fuurai no Shiren 3 on Wii.
SEGA plans to show many more games at the conference in trailer form, denoted below with an asterisk by the name.
PlayStation 3
Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (Yakuza 3)*
Valkyrie of the Battlefield
Imabi Kisou
Sega Rally *
The Golden Compass *
Wii
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams
Fuurai no Shiren 3
Ghost Squad
Miburi & Teburi *
The Golden Compass *
Doraemon Wii: Himitsu Doguo Kettei Sen
Xbox 360
Sega Rally *
PlayStation 2
Jissen Pachi-Slot Hisshouhou! Hokuto no Ken 2
Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus *
Seaman 2 *
Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 31: Dennou Senki Virtual On *
Jissen Pachinko Hisshouhou! CR Sakura Taisen
Nintendo DS
Sonic Rush Adventure
Sakura Taisen: Kimi Arugatame
BLEACH The 3rd Phantom
Picto Image DS
Mainichi Shinbun 1000 Dai-News *
Touch de Zuno DS *
The Golden Compass *
Kodai Ouja: Kyouryuu King - 7-tsu no Kakera
Dream Cat Smile DS
PSP
SEGA Rally *
The Golden Compass *
PC
Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus *
Eternal Sonata, the newest role-playing game from Japanese developer tri-Crescendo, shipped today to U.S. retailers, publisher Namco Bandai Games America announced Monday.
Set in the dream world of dying composer Frederic Chopin, Eternal Sonata follows the story of a young boy and girl caught up in a tale of good and evil, love and betrayal.
Set against the backdrop of Chopin's music (performed by pianist Stanislav Bunin), the game features a hybrid real-time battle system, cel-shaded graphics and a "light-and-dark" combat mechanism that alters enemy form and player attacks based on shade and sunlight.
Eternal Sonata should be in stores tomorrow for the Xbox 360.
During a recent interview with Dr. Greg Zeschuk, co-founder and president of the mighty BioWare, he let slip a few words on the possibility of a demo. When asked point blank if there'll be a demo, we were told, "We're still thinking of the exact form the demo could take."
We then pressed further saying, "So there was is one then?" to which a distinctly nervous Zeschuk replied, "Probably... I'm being particularly non committal... Our goal would defiantly be to have one depending on time challenges and things.
"I can't remember who said it, I think it was Mark Rein, I'd hate to quote Mark (laughs), but it's a huge challenge getting a game and demo out around the same time. We're still thinking about how exactly that's going to play out. We're clearly running out time though."
If you were sat there in front of him, it was obvious there's a demo in the pipeline judging by his reactions. Fingers crossed it's just pre-release. We can't wait.
UK electrical store Comet appeared to be selling limited edition copies of Halo 3 right now for £99.99. We were suspicious.
First we spoke to and confirmed with a Comet spokesperson that Halo 3 was definitely on sale via its website.
They first told us that there were plenty of copies in its warehouse and that copies ordered today would be delivered by Thursday. But it seems Comet has quickly realised its mistake.
Halo 3 "hasn't come into stock yet" said a Comet employee, who hastily called us after we slipped our order into the site.
"We're definitely not breaking the street date", promised the spokesperson, who said that Microsoft is very protective of the street date (which is September 26, you should already know).
They went on to say that it was just a mistake and that they would be contacting the department that runs the website to rectify the situation.
Oh well, it was all very exciting for a few minutes on what is usually a boring Monday.
Halo 3, the most hyped game of the year, should not be on the market before 26 September. But a Norwegian store was the first in the world to sell it.
Marked and communications chief of Expert, Trond Bentestuen, tells Spiller.no that five copies of the game have been sold from an Expert store in Stavanger.
- We're in dialog with the customers that have bought the game, Bentestuen says. This is to make sure that the customers that bought the game keep it to themselves. We're sure these are serious gamers that won't do anything silly. Bentestuen says that Expert does not have the right to crave the games back.
Expert does not want to tell who the lucky owners are. - The five Halo 3-copies were sold by mistake. We have now gone through the routines to make sure this won't happen again in other Expert stores.
Bentestuen says that when games arrive so long before the release date, they have the responsibility of keeping them from being sold. But this time the routines failed. Microsoft does not wish to comment the case to Spiller.no.
On the Norwegian IT site, ITavisen's forums, one of the lucky owners commented this on Saturday (translated, so all rights reserved):
I couldn't believe my own eyes. Ahead of me in the games section of Expert was Halo 3. I equipped my VISA card, and went straight home to try it. From what I can see, Expert has now stopped selling the game after what was a mistake from their side. I run through it with a friend yesterday, but I won't spoil the ending.
Image of one of the world's first Halo 3 owners:
In addition to that, another person by the nick of MOCAMBO who has got their hands on Halo 3, has posted more pictures (including spoilers, so beware!) on the Halo Fans Forums here.
features
Packaging: Window Box
Height: approx. 300 mm
Material: PVC and ABS
description
The Covenant control Earth. The Flood is unleashed.
With the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance, only Master Chief stands ready turn the tide as the Human-Covenant war comes to is shattering climax in Halo 3!
Clad in MJOLNIR Mark VI combat armor, the genetically engineered Spartan II super soldiers are the elite fighting force for the United Nations Space Command. This fabulously detailed ARTFX Statue perfectly replicates every detail of the armored battle suit as seen in the smash-hit game. As a special bonus, this PVC figure includes multiple bonus parts for a variety of posing options. You can choose to display him armed with deadly Energy Sword, or with dual Magnum handguns.
One of the highest quality Japanese collectibles ever produced from the Halo universe, the Master Chief ARTFX Statue measures a whopping foot tall (including the base, which even has the armor of a fallen Brute)!
features
Halo 3 themed artwork from renowned artist Todd McFarlane
Two different themes: Spartan with Master Chief, or Covenant Brute
Limited edition exclusive Halo 3 figurine comes with the controller
High-quality, scratch and wear-resistant controller surface
Award-winning 2.4 GHz RF technology provides a range of up to 30 feet
Integrated headset port for Xbox LIVE® play
Adjustable vibration feedback for longer battery life
Hook up to four Wireless Controllers and four Wireless Headsets simultaneously per Xbox 360 console
Available for only a limited time
description
Play Halo® 3 Like You Mean It. Really get into the game with this Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Controller. There are two different controllers available, both showcasing stunning original artwork from comic book master Todd McFarlane. Go for the Spartan theme featuring Master Chief, or the Covenant Brute featuring a Brute Chief. This controller comes with an exclusive collectible Halo 3 figurine from McFarlane Toys, and the controller is only available for a limited time. Hook it up with the Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Headset and make Master Chief proud.
features
Halo 3 themed artwork from renowned artist Todd McFarlane
Two different themes: Spartan with Master Chief, or Covenant Brute
Limited edition exclusive Halo 3 figurine comes with the controller
High-quality, scratch and wear-resistant controller surface
Award-winning 2.4 GHz RF technology provides a range of up to 30 feet
Integrated headset port for Xbox LIVE® play
Adjustable vibration feedback for longer battery life
Hook up to four Wireless Controllers and four Wireless Headsets simultaneously per Xbox 360 console
Available for only a limited time
description
Play Halo® 3 Like You Mean It. Really get into the game with this Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Controller. There are two different controllers available, both showcasing stunning original artwork from comic book master Todd McFarlane. Go for the Spartan theme featuring Master Chief, or the Covenant Brute featuring a Brute Chief. This controller comes with an exclusive collectible Halo 3 figurine from McFarlane Toys, and the controller is only available for a limited time. Hook it up with the Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Headset and make Master Chief proud.
features
Limited edition graphics with a Halo 3 logo and color scheme
Enhanced audio and voice quality over Xbox LIVE®
Up to eight hours of battery life with a built in rechargeable battery and charging cable
Removable ear grips with two size options for maximum comfort and stability
Communicate wirelessly with a range of up to 30 feet
Hook up to four Wireless Controllers and four Wireless Headsets simultaneously per Xbox 360 console
Available for only a limited time
description
Be Master Chief. Now you can practically be Master Chief with the Xbox 360™ Limited Edition Halo® 3 Wireless Headset. For the Halo® fanatic who is looking for an untethered and immersive gaming experience, the ergonomically designed wireless headset sports a Halo 3 logo with a visor gold power button, all in Master Chief green. The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Headset is only available for a limited time and can be paired up with the Xbox 360 Limited Edition Wireless Controller for the ultimate Halo 3 gaming experience. The headset utilizes the same 2.4 GHz radio technology employed by the award-winning Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. Experience unparalleled clarity and performance without wires to tie you down. Take command wirelessly, and show the world your gaming loyalty with the Limited Edition Halo 3 Wireless Headset.
Lace up your skates and grab your stick, NHL® 08 brings you back to the ice for another season of hard-hitting, lightning-quick action.
The revolutionary Skill Stick System evolves in NHL 08 and delivers an unparalleled level of control. Like its next generation counterpart, snap the right stick forward for a quick wrister, pull it back to wind up for a slapper, move it left and right to deke defenders and goalies. New Skill Stick moments now give you greater freedom to beat your opponent one on one, bury the puck in the back of the net or lay your opponent to the ice with a crushing bodycheck,.
features
Combat racing: In this brave new world of combat racing, gravity-defying machines are no longer confined to the speedways and stadiums of centuries past. In this grand spectacle of racing, the amphitheatre where drivers must prove their superiority is the untamed wilderness.
Fast-paced game play: Powered by the award-winning Unreal Engine 3 from Epic Games, Fatal Inertia boasts fast-paced single and online multiplayer experiences, eight racing series, six distinct racing environments, plus full racecraft customization.
description
In the middle of the twenty-second century, mankind's thirst for excitement has spawned an evolutionary sporting event that draws from the combined disciplines of rally racing, demolition derby, and high-performance aeronautics.
In Fatal Inertia, each craft is armed with a unique array of unconventional weapons that manipulate velocity, force, and even time. Explosive magnets that impact racecraft stability and rockets that can counter thrust and velocity are just some of the dangers drivers must face.
Through harsh environments spanning dense rainforests to immense glacier fields, and canyons of razor-sharp rock there is little room for error as drivers will reach speeds of over 500 mph. But Fatal Inertia is not merely a test of speed. The brave men and women who choose to compete must face the mental and physical punishment of low-altitude combat maneuvering.
features
Play as any of nine real samurai warriors from history: Musashi Miyamoto, Jubei Yagyu, Sanako Chiba, Ittosai Ito, Izo Okada, Soji Okita, Kojiro Sasaki, Ryoma Sakamoto and Yasubi Horibe.
Each samurai has different storylines, attributes and attack techniques .
Battles are loosely based on historical events including the raid of the Kira mansion and the battle at Ganryujima.
Customize your samurai’s nickname, fighting stance and weapons using items won online.
Collect and use Spirit Spheres to upgrade your samurai’s attributes including health, stamina, attack power and defense.
Earn experience points in battle to unlock new attacks.
Three difficulty levels: Easy, Medium or Difficult.
Perform Instant Kills by mastering grapple moves and using the environment to your advantage.
Edit your own range of diverse combo attacks.
Gorgeous high definition, next generation graphics employ light scattering, normal mapping and atmospheric subtleties.
Follow your ranking on Xbox Live and become the best in the world.
description
In feudal Japan, it was kill or be killed for the samurai. Kengo: Legend of the 9 lets you battle as one of nine famous samurai warriors while mastering expert techniques to gain an advantage over your foes. Become a Kengo Master as you fight your way through lush, high-definition Japanese environments.
features
Flickit-The days of button mashing are over. The intuitive Flickit dual analog control lets you perform skill-based trick executions that capture the real-world feel and true attitude of skating.
Define Your Style of Skating-Create your own style and personality with animation and physics that give you the freedom to decide how your skater looks, feels and rides.
Without Footage, It's Fiction-Capture your sickest moves in game and bring them online for the world to see.
Create Your Own Story-Skaters don't follow rules, they can choose how they want to progress through the game.
Make San Vanelona Your Playground-Get chased by security guards, impress and/or annoy the citizens in this fully reactive city.
Roll with the Pros-skate features professional legends and upcoming pros including Danny Way, Mark Gonzales, Rob Dyrdek, Mike Carroll, P.J. Ladd, Chris Cole, Jason Dill, Pat Duffy, Jerry Hsu, Paul Rodriguez, Dennis Busenitz, Alex Chalmers, Chris Haslam, Colin McKay, John Rattray, Ryan Gallant, Ryan Smith and Terry Kennedy.
Online Gameplay*-skate features an extensive online gameplay system including multiple online multiplayer modes. Gamers can hit up popular spots in the city with friends across the country.
description
skate is the closest thing to skateboarding without actually putting your feet on a board. With innovative controls that take advantage of the dual analog sticks, the power of the next gen hardware, and the ability to sculpt tricks that define your own style, skate delivers an authentic boarding mecca like no other videogame.
Individual style combined with physics-driven animations promise that no two tricks will ever be the same. And there's plenty of room to pull off those tricks-San Vanelona challenges you to explore, find, and own the best spots. You can even capture footage to create and show off your style with friends across the world-because without footage, it's fiction.
Get ready for all the fun, creativity and culture of skateboarding without the hours of practice, broken bones, and hospital visits.
features
Platform: XBOX 360
pages: 192
Coverage of side quests.
Detailed bestiary.
This strategy guide features a complete walkthrough of the entire game.
Extensive area maps.
In-depth listing of available items and equipment.
Expert boss tactics.
description
On his deathbed, the famous composer, Chopin, drifts between this life and the next. In his final hours, he experiences a fantastical dream where he encounters a young girl facing a terrible destiny and the boy who will fight to save her. On the border between dreams and reality, Chopin discovers the light that shines in all of us in this enduring tale of good and evil, love and betrayal. Developed by Tri-Crescendo and featuring the music of Chopin, Eternal Sonata delivers amazingly detailed 3D graphics, a captivating storyline and an innovative action battle system. Players adjust their battle strategy in the ongoing struggle between light and darkness. Beware of enemies lurking in the shadows, as their stats - attacks and potency - will change, as will their physical form. Lure them out into the light or destroy them there in the cloak of darkness. Also, players change their special attacks depending on whether they are in the light...or in the dark.
Brakken has put up his Scene website but sadly not his forums or downloads etc, but what is there is a blog like no other. Always one not to mince his words he has singled out those websites that do immense harm to the homebrew community.
Some of the stories are actually quite informative if you dont know some of the ins and outs of the scene. Click the link above for full info, some of the more interesting stories have also been copied to our Blog site for more discussion on our forums
The Xecuter Blaster360 v2 is an external switching device when, once fitted, allows you to flash your DVD Firmware without ever having to open up your Xbox 360 case ever again. In the era of constant firmware updates (30+ so far) this is an absolutely essential tool saving both time and effort, making the firmware update process a walk in the park. Also dumping your game backup to your PC is now a fast and simple process. A perfect ergonomic design means there is no soldering and no cutting of the external case - just plug 'n' go. You only ever have to open up your case once! No longer will you have to have your Xbox 360 in pieces all the time, no longer will you have to take the Xbox apart every time you need to update new features and functions or essential bug fixes, no longer do you have to have your Xbox 360 in bits every time you want to dump a game backup to your PC.
It was designed to be as ergonomically sound as the Xbox 360 itself. Its functionally perfect and works so good that Team Xecuter believes all firmware modders will be using this as standard by the end of the year, it just makes life SO MUCH EASIER AND QUICKER!
Imagine using this along with the X360 USB - Firmware modding has never been so simple !
Features :
- Once installed never open up the case again to update firmware
- Works with ALL firmware Samsung & Hitachi updateable drives
- High Quality Digital Sata Exchange Switching
- No soldering, no external damage, no problem !
- 5 minute install
- Modeb switch for Hitachi
- Eject Button
- High quality Sata Port (to connect to SATA or X360USB externally)
- Samsung MS28 / Power On-Off Switch
- Superior quality design - no cheap China manufacturing
- Ergonomically matched to the 360 case
- LED Glow feature
- LED Glow Off / Led Perm On / LED Off switch
Last weekend, it got known that the Norwegian electronic store chain, Expert, had sold some copies of the upcoming game Halo 3 a week and a half before the official release date.
The news spread around the world, and the lucky owners told everyone about the game content on various forums.
For Microsoft, this is a big crisis. They have tried as hard as they could to keep the game from being sold on beforehand, due to fear of the game's story and the game itself being leaked to the web before the release date 25 September in the USA and the day after in Europe.
Today, Microsoft wakes up to some really bad news:
A pirated copy of the game has been leaked to the Internet.
The whole Halo 3 ending video has been uploaded to YouTube.
Two copies of the game are being sold to the highest-bidding person on the Norwegian auction-service Finn.no.
It is not known where the pirate copy is from, but it looks to be an American (NTSC) version of the game. The YouTube video and the Finn.no copies, however, are most likely from the people who bought the game from Expert.
- As far as we can see by looking at our store systems, the mistake has happened twice. One nearby Stavanger, and the other in Oslo, marked director of Expert, Trond Bentestuen, says to VG.
He says that between five and eight games have been sold from the store chain, and that it was caused by human mistake. He is now working to get the games back from their owners.
- We are cooperating with Microsoft to get 110 percent control over the faults that have happened through our store chain. We strongly apologize what has happened, Bentestuen says.
- Are you considering to purchase the copies of the game that have been put out for sale on Finn?
- It is not impossible we might. We absolutely do whatever we can, Bentestuen says, while also making it clear that the customers that bought the game, have done nothing illegal.
- Will the case have consequences for those that sold the game?
- We are debating it. We first have to find out whether it was caused because they didn't know, or if they did it on purpose, Bentestuen says.
PS: Microsoft still hasn't answered our query for a comment on the case.
-----
Over at the site ITavisen, they can also confirm that Expert has made a deal with the two persons selling the game on Finn. ITavisen is also informed that more than five copies have been sold, but exactly how many is unknown.
Bentestuen makes it clear that the pirated version leaked to the web, does not come from the Expert-sale.
Readers, please do not post any links to neither the YouTube video with the ending without spoiler marking it, nor to the pirated version of the game!
Outspoken anti-games lawyer Jack Thompson has decided that a representation of a 2nd amendment lawyer in GTA IV is a mocking version of him. He has declared that if the representation is not removed he will attempt to block the release of the game. Excerpt from GamePolitics: 'The showcasing play of the game to Game Informer revealed that the first killing mission of the hero of the game, Niko, is to kill a certain lawyer. When Niko comes into this lawyer's office, having used subterfuge to do so, Niko pulls a gun on the lawyer who says, that the firm supports the second amendment and that 'Guns don't kill people. Video games do
Microsoft is hiring out London's iMax cinema, the UK's largest cinema screen, for the launch of Bungie's Halo 3 next week.
Celebrities including broadcaster Jonathan Ross (who provides voice talent for the game) and producer Pharrell Williams will be on hand at the event to add some glitz to proceedings.
Fans are invited to turn up at the iMax on London's South Bank from 6:30pm on Tuesday September 25 for a number of planned events, including a photographic exhibition, which will later tour key Pearl & Dean cinemas across the UK.
An invite-only aftershow party is also planned with top DJ talent due to entertain the crowd.
Halo 3 goes on sale Wednesday September 26 in Europe, with many analysts expecting the title to reach impressive sales figures across the globe.
Microsoft is offering three versions of the game for sale, from the Standard Edition to the Legendary Edition which ships with extra content and a collectable Spartan helmet case.
Official confirmation of the launch event is expect from Microsoft shortly.
With a week to go before the North American launch of Halo 3, Microsoft has confirmed the details for four US regional events.
Although 10,000 US retailers are expected to open at midnight, four retailers will host special events in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Miami.
In New York, the Halo 3 launch event will take place at the Best Buy on 5th Avenue a few blocks from Times Square. It will be broadcast on Spike TV and G4, with appearances by Bungie team members and local professional athletes.
GameStop will host the Halo 3 launch event in Los Angeles at the Universal CityWalk store. It, too, will be broadcast by G4 and Spike TV, with trivia contests, a celebrity autograph session, and an appearance by Master Chief himself.
Best Buy is hosting the launch event in Seattle, with Circuit City hosting the Halo 3 launch event in Miami. Bungie team members will be on hand at both locations. Miami Dolphins players Chris Chambers and Joey Porter will be signing autographs and playing against fans in Florida.
Attendees at all four of the regional events will have an opportunity to receive giveaways such as Halo Action Clix, collectible trading cards, T-shirts and hats, graphic novels and calendars, soundtracks, figurines, weapon replicas and even a Halo 3-themed Zune.
Halo 2 generated USD 125 million in sales within the first 24 hours of its release in November of 2004. Many analysts are expecting Halo 3 to break the record for the highest single-day gross in the history of entertainment.
The UK government has finally responded to an online petition filed after Manhunt 2 was banned by the BBFC.
"The Government is satisfied with the BBFC's procedure and with the provisions for appeal, and will not be intervening in this process," said a statement on the Prime Minister's website.
The government statement referenced the BBFC's guidelines and noted that it "uses its powers to reject works extremely rarely." It also noted that there is an appeals procedure "which the game's producers are apparently pursuing."
Shortly after the Manhunt 2 game was banned by the BBFC, a petition appeared on the Prime Minister's site which simply read:
"The BBFC have recently refused to rate the videogame Manhunt 2. As such, adults in this country will never be allowed to play this game. Adults should be allowed to make their own decisions with regard to what videogames they want to play. We all understand that this game is extremely violent and unsuitable for children. As such an 18 rating should have been applied."
Heavenly Sword, Super Paper Mario and Stranglehold all debut
Electronic Arts' Medal of Honor: Airborne remains at the top of the UK all-formats charts this week fending off serious competition from high-profile titles from Midway, Nintendo and Sony.
Midway's John Woo Presents Stranglehold debuts at number two despite only being released on Microsoft's Xbox 360 – the PlayStation 3 version is due in October.
Electronic Arts' Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 is at three this week, with Nintendo's new entry, Super Paper Mario for Wii, at number four.
Wii Play is at five and DS title More Brain Training from Dr Kawashima is at number six.
SCEE's new IP Heavenly Sword enters the top ten at seven, EA's the Sims 2: Bon Voyage is at eight, Dr Kawashima's Brain Training is at nine and 2K Games' BioShock at ten.
Codemasters' Colin McRae: Dirt re-enters the top 40 at 11 following its release on PS3 and Microsoft's Forza Motorsport 2 also breaks back into the charts due to a promotional bundle pack.
features
Official Harry Potter Figures, licenced by Warner Brothers
Harry Potter with Hedwig
Hermione Granger with Chrookshanks
Ron Weasley with Pigwidgeon
All three figures come with a base and a magic stick
Ubisoft has confirmed that Dark Messiah of Might & Magic: Elements has been pushed back into early 2008.
The first-person fantasy action game is now due in the fourth quarter of the publisher's financial year, which means it will be released sometime between January and the end of March.
It follows word from last week that it had been held back until the start of December. But, evidently, it has since found another patch of magical ice to run carelessly across.
Elements is the 360 version of the popular PC game from last year, whose delightfully gruesome source-powered antics prompted us to award it a healthy 8/10.
New to the console port will be revamped controls fit for a pad, Live integration for 10 of you on some fresh maps, plus a fantasy-bucket full of various nips and tucks.
High Street retailer Gamestation is supporting the launch of Halo 3 next week by opening over 190 stores at midnight.
And the company's leading stores in Edinburgh and Birmingham will allow consumers who have pre-ordered the game to play head-to-head against one another via Xbox Live link-up.
"This game will be huge and Gamestation's midnight openings are not to be missed," commented Colin Betteridge, area manager of Gamestation.
"Our customers will have the chance to be amongst the first to get their hands on this final chapter of the Halo story."
The majority of Gamestation stores will be opening shortly before midnight on Tuesday, ahead of the official launch on Wednesday September 26.
Microsoft is offering three versions of Halo 3 for sale. The standard edition, the Halo 3 Collector's Edition and the Halo 3 Legendary Edition.
High street retailer Argos has broken the Halo 3 street date, and has sold copies of the hugely awaited game to bundles of eagle-eyed customers.
The news spilled from our very own forum, where members posted jealousy-inducing shots of their freshly bought copies, complete with receipts.
However, Argos is apparently now aware of its rather glaring error and is once again playing by the original rules of releasing it next Wednesday. Meanwhile eBay enjoys massive traffic.
It all started when various stores on the Argos website told those of you reserving a copy that you could collect it today, or between "Wed 19th September - Thu 20th September".
Oblivious till tenders then dished out the game to unbelieving shoppers brandishing reservation codes, allowing them to enjoy the fruits of Halo 3 a week early.
Eidos's strange-looking Xbox Live Arcade puzzle game Geon: Emotions is due out today and will set you back 800 Microsoft points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 10.30).
Billed as an "abstract sports game", working out happens in Geon is almost impossible through traditional means.
"Will you choose to spread fear among the other players, or unleash a wave of bliss over them with the aim of subverting their cause?" says Gamerscoreblog, teeing it up.
"Play to your emotional strengths. Allow your dark side to dominate, or win through speed, courage, and style. You can be the master of Geon, but you must learn to use your emotions to your advantage."
We'd start by downloading a demo to see what on earth it actually is. Which is what we'd be doing if we weren't in Japan trying not to fall asleep.
Mass Effect has earned itself a 12 rating from the BBFC for containing moderate violence and some steamy hanky-panky. About time, says us.
But we wouldn't suggest reading any further if you are worried about spoilers.
The scene is the sort of thing you're likely to see in most films at the cinema, with a brief flash of a breast and some jazz saxophone wailing in the background. You can tell those involved really like each other and will probably pursue the relationship further, for example.
Developer BioWare has even given players the chance to see a lesbian encounter, depending on the the sex of your character and the choices you make throughout the game. You can find out a little more about it on the BBFC site, but it further uncovers what is likely to be a big part of the story in the game.
BioWare has included a relationship path in a large portion of its games to date. But, in keeping with nearly everything else in Mass Effect, the choice here is more detailed and has a lot more depth.
Mass Effect will be released exclusively for Xbox 360 on 23rd November.
Seen the pics of those lucky shoppers who've managed to get Halo 3 early? Well don't feel too jealous as according to unconfirmed internet reports they're about to get a hefty Xbox Live ban.
According to various reports Microsoft will ban anyone found playing its shooter before the official September 26 release date next week - even if they're offline when they play it. Your Xbox will magically detect whether you've been playing it or not.
Microsoft recently dropped the ban hammer on two unlucky gamers who managed to sneak onto the Epsilon beta test, the cheeky buggers.
In an email to Next-Gen, Argos blamed an administrative error for the early sales of Halo 3, saying that it now intends to strictly honor the UK street date.
"Argos would like to make it clear that it does not endorse breaking street dates and continues to be committed to preventing pre-release sales through its stores and web site.
"However, we are aware that a genuine administrative error has resulted in a small number of cases where Halo 3 has already been sold. We are currently ensuring that there are no further sales of this product in-store until the official release date, Wednesday 26 September. We have already taken steps to ensure that Halo 3 is unavailable on the Argos web site for reservation or purchase until the correct date.
"We accept that this incident falls short of the usual high standards we aim to achieve and operate within and we will be taking steps to ensure this doesn't happen in the future."
The first Halo 3 review is in ahead of its touted record-breaking release next week, and it's scoring big.
In latest issue of Japanese Weekly Famitsu, one of the mag's four reviewing editors gave Halo 3 a perfect 10/10, with the other free issuing an almost-perfect 9/10.
That's a final score of 10/9/9/9 (37/40) - pretty damn good considering Japan's infamous hatred of all things Xbox/FPS.
We're still waiting for details of the review to trickle in from Japan, though we imagine it probably says something nice about the multiplayer and how much they love the Chief's kooky army customisation. Those crazy Japanese, ay?
As for Western reviews, those will start arriving at the tail end of the weekend, just ahead of the big day on Wednesday, September 26. Believe.
2K Sports has whizzed a demo for NBA 2K8 up onto Live Marketplace.
Every region the service reaches will be able to download the measly 325.23MB file, then test-dunk the latest instalment in the consistently good basketball series.
New to the mix this year are "Lock-On D" defensive controls, more customisable signature moves, better controls off the ball, revamped graphics, swathes of online options, slam dunk contests and all the hip-hop you can wave half a trouser-leg at.
It joins other 2K Sports news that NHL 2K8 will now feature a video capture tool, well, if you download it for 400 points (GBP 3.40 / EUR 4.80) from Live.
NHL 2K8 and NHL 2K8 will be available on PS3 and 360 in October.
Game-industry analyst firm predicts Microsoft's console to be a "distant third" to the Wii and a resurgent PS3; DS on track to be best-selling platform ever.
This week, market research and analyst firm DFC Intelligence released its latest report, titled "DFC Intelligence Forecasts Video Game Market to Reach $47 Billion by 2009." As the title suggests, the San Diego-based research firm thinks the worldwide game industry's worth will increase by $14 billion in the next two years from its estimated $33 billion 2007 worth.
In addition to its pan-platform market predictions, DFC also handicapped the three-way race between the most recent crop of consoles. It predicts that sales of all three systems--the PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360--will total between 180 and 210 million units by 2012. In the shorter term, DFC believes the Wii will continue its winning streak until at least the end of 2008, at which point the PS3 could start taking over.
"We could have a situation where the Wii sells more hardware units, but by 2012 the PlayStation 3 is generating more software revenue," said DFC analyst David Cole.
Cole also believes that although the battle is far from over, the Xbox 360 will likely be relegated to third place when the dust finally settles. He says Microsoft's dependence on the US and Canadian markets are hampering its efforts to make the console a worldwide phenomenon. "The Xbox 360 will need to build a strong base outside North America to avoid being in a fairly distant third," forecast Cole.
DFC analysts also looked at the portable market, predicting that handhelds generally and the DS in particular will continue to see strong growth. "Revenue from portable game software has more than doubled in recent years," said Cole. "We think that the Nintendo DS could eventually become the best-selling game system ever in five years."
The company also augured that the worldwide PC gaming market will be worth more than $13 billion by the year 2012.
For some reason I have put the guts of a wireless Xbox 360 controller inside of an original, huge, 2001-model Xbox 1 controller - commonly referred to as “the Duke”, though what it has in common with John Wayne is beyond me.
Batteries. Much more useful up there than the memory slots or whatever the heck it was for.
Believe it or not this mod is suggested to me every once in a while so I figured I might as well take a crack at it and see what happens. It’s not often you get to work on a controller so large it’s classified by NASA as a low-level Earth-orbit object. For this reason, during the modding, I was careful not to drop it as this would have created an impact crater sufficient to snuff out all life on Earth and the dinosaurs, whichever comes first. Aerosmith and Bruce Willis were standing by to save the day in case of mishaps.
All ripping aside, it ended up being about as difficult as the PS360 controller, nothing I couldn’t handle. Since I did this on my own accord it is unclaimed and up for grabs. Best price gets it, so make an offer! Could ship just in time for Halo 3.
Based off the difficulty of this mod (harder than I would have liked) and the number of other projects I have going on I probably won’t duplicate this anytime soon, so first come, only served. More pics and a video below.
It's more than meets the eye. Especially in weight.
Looks quite normal from the front, except for the added guide button (between/above back and start) and the headset jack at the base. Couldn’t forget that, what’s trash-talking without one?
Back is also fairly normal, except for a small, recessed “sync” button below where the cord used to come out. Remember, if a burglar or elephant is in your house you can throw this controller at them for an easy knockout. (See your local state laws before carrying it in your purse, however)
Click here to download a short, yet thrilling, video of this amazingly backwards controller in action. And no, I don’t have an HDTV set yet, sorry. Think of it, in just minutes a day, by lifting and playing with this controller, you can burn off twice the calories of the regular Xbox 360 alone! Now how much would you pay?
Who would want to go back to a huge piece of accessory that was back in 2001? Thats like going from a 52" Plasma HDTV to an 13" analog tube TV.
After chaos broke out in the games industry yesterday, high-street catalogue retailer Argos has said an administrative error was to blame for putting Halo 3 on sale a week before its official launch.
A statement submitted to MCV read: "Argos would like to make it clear that it does not endorse breaking street dates and continues to be committed to preventing pre-release sales through its stores and website.
"However, we are aware that a genuine administrative error has resulted in a small number of cases where Halo 3 has already been sold.
"We are currently ensuring that there are no further sales of this product in-store until the official release date, Wednesday, September 26. We have already taken steps to ensure that Halo 3 is unavailable on the Argos website for reservation or purchase until the correct date.
"We accept that this incident falls short of the usual high standards we aim to achieve and operate within and we will be taking steps to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future.”
20 September 2007 16:10 GMT - Sony has announced at the Tokyo Games Show that their interactive online service Home, currently in closed beta, has been delayed until Spring 2008.
At an Xbox 360 games preview event we caught up with a nicely placed Microsoft executive to try and find out the Sony rival's thoughts on the news, and whether Home would pose a competitive challenge, when it eventually does launch.
John Rooke, Microsoft's UK marketing manager for second and third party Xbox 360 games, cut to the chase and said: "I think Sony will struggle".
Revealing that, "We hope to have 10 million users online by E3", up from the 7.1 million they have now, Rooke talked about why he thinks Xbox Live has managed to achieve such high audience numbers:
"Lots of people complained when we launched Xbox Live about our rigorous standards, but it has meant that now we can offer a complete service that works every time, for everyone."
Aspects of Xbox Live are carefully managed by Microsoft in order to ensure that any games developer can produce reliable Live-compatible multi-playing options.
It appears that Sony has not followed this path, as well as the Home delays, Virtua Fighter 5 is an example of a title that will offer more multi-playing features on the Xbox 360 platform.
With several days to go before Halo 3 is officially released in Europe, the US and Japan, it is with a sense of inevitability we report the leak of the final game onto the interweb, where the full release disc has been copies and distributed by game pirates.
Earlier this week, a couple of UK retailers (accidentally or otherwise), were accused of breaking the street date for Bungie's titanic third release, while similar reports have been hinted in other parts of the world, too.
Of course, illegally pirated versions of the full title won't work on normal Xbox 360 consoles, and those who have modified their systems could face bans from Xbox Live if Microsoft detect user agreement-breaching modifications. No Xbox Live would of course mean no online gaming; one of the most important aspects of the new release in any case.
That said, news of the game's leak once again highlights the organised and determined efforts of software pirates, who more often than not glean copies of big name releases prior to release.
Microsoft will not penalise Argos for releasing a small number of Halo 3 final boxed copies to the public a week before the official release.
Neil Thompson, senior regional director for the UK and Ireland at Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division, has told GamesIndustry.biz he is satisfied that the occurrence was not malicious, and that it was a genuine mistake which the retailer has gone to great lengths to prevent from happening again.
"From what I understand of it, it was an honest and genuine mistake. I'm disappointed that it happened because of the turmoil it creates, but I totally understand that in every organisation sometimes it's tough to manage every particular aspect of your supply chain and everything, to the nth degree, so that something won't go wrong at some point."
"I don't think there was any malice on the part of Argos at all, it was just an honest mistake. Argos reacted incredibly quickly to the mistake, they issued us with a detailed summation of why the mistake happened - mistakes like that, we have to be somewhat flexible."
He added that he was pleased other retailers hadn't used the slip as an opportunity to break the street date themselves, and warned that any company doing so intentionally could expect Microsoft to withdraw its support.
"I'm happy at the moment that nobody has used that as an excuse to go and do silly things. We've been very clear with retailers that if they do choose to go down that path, then a lot of the support that we've given them, in marketing and things like that - that has an impact on it."
"We're pretty forceful in our approach to these things, because we want it to be a fair market for all."
Halo 3 is set to launch next Wednesday in the UK in a blaze of publicity, with hype levels rivalling the biggest of box office premieres, but Thompson isn't concerned that too much hype could be an issue.
"Everyone will talk about the money, and stuff like that, because that's a headline-grabbing idea - that gaming is potentially going to be the biggest entertainment event that hits this country this year."
"If you over-hype something that doesn't deliver on the promise, then you run the risk of a backlash and that can work against you. I honestly don't believe that's the case with Halo 3."
Thompson spoke to GamesIndustry.biz at a press event in which Microsoft was rounding up its Christmas line-up, and the full interview will be published next week.
Microsoft has issued a statement (you have probably already seen) saying you will not be banned from Xbox Live for playing Halo 3 ahead of its official launch next Wednesday.
Copies of the game went on sale at UK retailer Argos yesterday, with many of you getting your hands on one.
Many feared their Live accounts would be in jeopardy after misleading comments were posted online, claiming anyone so much as running through the single-player element would have the Gamercard associated with the progress banned.
Microsoft has since come out and said it will also not penalise the retailer, as it is satisfied it was a genuine mistake.
Ahead of the highly-anticipated launch of Halo 3, Microsoft has released updated statistics related to its Xbox 360 console.
More than 11.6 million Xbox 360 consoles have been sold across the 37 countries where it is currently available.
According to NPD data, US gamers have purchased more software for the Xbox 360 (24.3 million units) than for the PS3 and Wii combined (19.8 million units). There are more than 250 games available on the Xbox 360, and the console has the largest games attach rate of the current generation at 6.3 games sold per Xbox 360 owner.
Xbox LIVE is currently available in 25 countries across the globe and is on track to reach 10 million members by the end of June 2008. In the last year, Microsoft claims that it has added a new Xbox LIVE member every 8 seconds. All told, Xbox LIVE members have spent more than 3.2 billion hours playing games on Xbox LIVE with their friends around the world.
The most popular games played over Xbox LIVE worldwide include Halo 2, Gears of War, Hexic HD, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas, Call of Duty 3, Call of Duty 2, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 3, Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, Crackdown, and PGR3.
Xbox LIVE Arcade has been a success, with nearly 70 per cent of all connected consoles downloading and playing Xbox LIVE Arcade titles. There are currently 86 titles available for download via Xbox LIVE Arcade.
To date, the most popular Xbox LIVE Arcade downloads worldwide are Aegis Wing, Uno, Texas Hold ‘em, Geometry Wars Retro Evolved, Bankshot Billiards 2, Street Fighter ‘II Hyper Fighting, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1989 Classic Arcade, Worms, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and Contra.
Microsoft also says that Xbox LIVE Marketplace is now the leading provider of on-demand high-definition content in the US, providing more than twice the number of hours as leading cable operators.
The Xbox 360 console was launched worldwide in November 2005.
Japan's Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association has announced Wii Sports and Monster Hunter 2: Portable 2nd have won its yearly Grand Awards.
The Best Sales Award has gone to Nintendo's Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl, for racking up over 4.9 million sales in Japan, with total worldwide sales as of July 2007 at over 10 million units.
The Global Award for Japanese Product goes to Capcom's Dead Rising, and Epic's Gears of War picked up the Global Award for Foreign Product.
Microsoft's Blue Dragon picked up the Award for Excellence and the Special Award went to two titles – Namco Bandai's 360 title The Idolm@ster and Sega's Love and Berry: Dress Up and Dance for the DS.
Welcome to this week's Games & Toys update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days.
A large number of interesting new titles were published this week. Leading next gen console sellers have been Heavenly Sword, Folklore (English language support) and Colin McRae DiRT for PS3™, the Asia versions of BioShock and Stranglehold for Xbox360™ and Sengoku Musou Katana for Wii™.
The most popular PlayStation2™ sellers this week have been the US release versions of .hack//G.U. vol. 3//Redemption and Guilty Gear XX Accent Core.
Top handheld sellers have been Drawn to Life and Jam Sessions for Nintendo DS™ as well as R-Type Tactics (Japanese / Asia), Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops + (Japanese / Asia / Deluxe Pack) for PSP™ along with the Japanese Slim & Lite PSP™ console release.
As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week
Xbox360™:
BioShock ASIA US$ 49.90
Fatal Inertia US US$ 59.90
Halo 3 Covenant Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Limited Edition US US$ 59.90
Halo 3 Spartan Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Limited Edition US US$ 59.90
Halo 3 Xbox 360 Wireless Headset Limited Edition US US$ 59.90
Kengo: Legend of the 9 US US$ 44.90
Madden NFL 08 JPN US$ 64.90
NHL 08 US US$ 59.90
NHL 2K8 US US$ 59.90
SKATE US US$ 59.90
SKATE ASIA US$ 44.90
Stranglehold ASIA US$ 49.90
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Game of the Year Edition) US US$ 64.90
PlayStation3™:
Colin McRae DiRT US US$ 64.90
FolksSoul: Ushinawareta Denshou / Folklore (English & Chinese language Version) ASIA US$ 49.90
Heavenly Sword US US$ 64.90
NHL 08 US US$ 64.90
NHL 2K8 US US$ 64.90
Nintendo Wii™:
Anubis II US US$ 24.90
Mario Strikers Charged JPN US$ 59.90
Sengoku Musou Katana JPN US$ 59.90
PlayStation2™:
.hack//G.U. vol. 3//Redemption US US$ 49.90
Ayaka Shibito (Best Selection) JPN US$ 34.90
Burnout Dominator JPN US$ 64.90
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core US US$ 39.90
Jojo no Kimyouna Bouken: Ougon no Kaze (Best Price) JPN US$ 19.90
Kiniro no Corda 2 & Kiniro no Corda 2 Anchor [Twin Pack] JPN US$ 89.90
Kiniro no Corda 2 Anchor JPN US$ 49.90
Kiniro no Corda 2 Anchor [Premium Box] JPN US$ 64.90
Kiniro no Corda 2 Anchor [Super Premium Box] JPN US$ 89.90
Madden NFL 08 JPN US$ 64.90
NHL 08 US US$ 34.90
NHL 2K8 US US$ 24.90
Nanatsu Iro * Drops Pure!! JPN US$ 64.90
Nanatsu Iro * Drops Pure!! [First Print Limited Edition] JPN N/A
Princess Concerto JPN US$ 64.90
Princess Concerto [DX Pack] JPN US$ 99.90
Resident Evil: The Essentials US US$ 39.90
Saint Beast: Rasen no Shou JPN US$ 64.90
Saint Beast: Rasen no Shou [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 79.90
Nintendo DS™:
Balls of Fury US US$ 24.90
DK: Jungle Climber US US$ 39.90
Deltora Quest: 7-tsu no Houseki JPN US$ 48.90
Drawn to Life US US$ 34.90
Elemental Monster JPN US$ 49.90
Gachapin Nikki DS JPN US$ 29.90
Jam Sessions US US$ 39.90
Jewel Quest: Expeditions US US$ 34.90
Katekyoo Hitman Reborn!! DS Flame Rumble Kaien Ring Soudatsuen! JPN US$ 48.90
Kyouryuu Ikusei Battle RPG: Kyouryuu Monster JPN US$ 48.90
My Sims KOR US$ 49.90
Original Frisbee Disc Sports: Ultimate & Golf US US$ 24.90
Sankei Sports Kanshuu: Keiba Ryoku Nintei Shiken: Baken DS JPN US$ 39.90
Scrabble 2007 Edition ASIA US$ 34.90
Simple DS Series Vol. 22: The Zero-Yon * Shinya JPN US$ 28.90
Tanoshii Youchien: Kotoba to Asobo! JPN US$ 48.90
Uwasa no Misu-Kun!! Natsuiro Striker JPN US$ 48.90
Sony PSP™:
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception (PSP the Best) ASIA US$ 24.90
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception (PSP the Best) JPN US$ 29.90
Bleach: Heat the Soul 3 (PSP the Best) JPN US$ 29.90
Bleach: Heat the Soul 3 (PSP the Best) ASIA US$ 24.90
Burnout Dominator JPN US$ 48.90
Hard Pouch Portable (Black) JPN US$ 9.99
Hard Pouch Portable (Blue) JPN US$ 9.99
Hard Pouch Portable (Pink) JPN US$ 9.99
Hard Pouch Portable (White) JPN US$ 9.99
Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops + ASIA US$ 19.90
Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops + JPN US$ 24.90
Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops + [Deluxe Pack] JPN US$ 44.90
New Style PSP Pouch (Felicia Blue) JPN US$ 19.90
New Style PSP Pouch (Lavender Purple) JPN US$ 19.90
New Style PSP Pouch (Monotone) JPN US$ 19.90
New Style PSP Pouch (Rose Pink) JPN US$ 19.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Battery Pack JPN US$ 48.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite - Ceramic White (PSP-2000CW) JPN US$ 199.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite - Felicia Blue (PSP-2000FB) JPN US$ 199.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite - Ice Silver (PSP-2000IS) JPN US$ 199.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite - Lavender Purple (PSP-2000LP) JPN US$ 199.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite - Piano Black (PSP-2000PB) JPN US$ 199.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite - Rose Pink (PSP-2000RP) JPN US$ 199.90
R-Type Tactics ASIA US$ 42.90
R-Type Tactics JPN US$ 48.90
Super Collapse! 3 US US$ 24.90
PC Games:
Hearts Of Iron Anthology (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 34.90
Loki (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 33.90
Pretty Soldier Wars A.D. 2048 US US$ 21.90
Star Wars: Empire at War Gold Pack (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 27.90
World in Conflict Collector's Edition (DVD-ROM) US N/A
Guide Books:
Eternal Sonata Official Strategy Guide US US$ 17.90
Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary Potion JPN N/A
Heavenly Sword: Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
My Sims: Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
World of Warcraft Dungeon Companion, Volume 2 US US$ 24.90
Toys & More:
Halo 3 - Master Chief ArtFX non scale prepainted statue JPN US$ 99.90
Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix Figure Set: 3 Kids with pets US US$ 29.90
Masterpiece of Shunya Yamashita: Shoko-san 1/7 Scale Figure JPN N/A
Official World Cyber Games Hong Kong Sweater Navy Green (Size L) US$ 29.90
Official World Cyber Games Hong Kong Sweater Navy Green (Size M) US$ 29.90
One-Coin Figures: Lamento - Beyond the Void JPN N/A
Real Action Heroes Death Note - L 1/6 Scale Figure JPN N/A
Real Action Heroes Death Note - Yagami 1/6 Scale Figure JPN N/A
Revoltech Black Getter OVA Version - Change! Getter-Robo Series No. 035 JPN N/A
Sengoku Basara 2: Date Masamune Prepainted PVC Figure with voice JPN US$ 39.90
Trinity Blood: Esther Branche 1/8 Scale Prepainted PVC Figure JPN N/A
Video Game Soundtracks:
Bladestorm Hyakunen Senso Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 34.90
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicle Ring of Fate Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 19.90
Korochan Pack Dragon Ball Best JPN US$ 14.90
Korochan Pack Dragon Ball Z Best JPN US$ 14.90
Nanoka to Suteki Na Nakama Tachi? Aoi Series Shudaika Shu JPN US$ 29.90
Oshare Majo Love And Berry 2007 Autun & Winter Song Collection JPN US$ 9.90
Princess Maker 5 JPN US$ 27.90
Radio DJCD Bleach B Station Second Season Vol.4 JPN US$ 24.90
The Idolm@ster Master Artist 10 Ritsuko Akizuki JPN US$ 21.90
With the success of DCEmu Reviews a site that has its content showing up on our PSP, DS, Wii, PS3 and Xbox360 and the main DCEmu Portal site. I Wanted to create a new Guide/Tutorials site where new guides and tutorials will show up on any of our network sites.
Just like our news where any coders can upload their releases and post releases and WIP News this will be extended to our Guides and Tutorials Site.
We will be accepting Guides and Tutorials for any Console Scene We Cover and the beauty of it is because the creators will be you the DCEmu Members which means that if you please you can update as you want. What this will mean that if all goes well then this new site could be a great help base for the whole Homebrew scene.
So 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
The critically acclaim new Final Fantasy titles have been kept for PS3 only. Over at the TGS, taking action from 20 - 23 of September in... Tokyo of course, two new trailers of the title were shown. Both ending with bold letters reading "For Playstation 3 ONLY".
Very sad news for the 360 owners and Final Fantasy lovers out there, and very good news for PS3 owners.
Microsoft announced 10 brand new racers and muscle cars in a downloadable car pack for “Forza Motorsport 2,” which will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace this weekend.
To get fans warmed up, MS offering a rally inspired hot little European hatch the 2007 SEAT Leon Cupra as a FREE download to bolster the already extensive collection of “Forza” racers. For 400 Microsoft points, Forza fans can own the track taking laps in 10 great vehicles including a race ready turbo diesel (the Audi R10) and a low performance class inline 4 that’s an absolute tuner’s dream (the Honda Civic Si Coupe). Show your muscle with an American classic, the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T or turn it up another notch behind the wheel of the 415 horsepower, 8,400 rpm 2007 Porsche GT3 RS.
For a full list of available cars, please see below:
2007 SEAT Leon Cupra (FREE DOWNLOAD)
2006 Audi R10 (#8 Audi Sport Team Joest) Prototype
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi
2006 Dodge Challenger Concept
2006 Honda Civic Si Coupe
2007 Honda Civic Type-R
1967 Lamborghini Miura P400
2006 Lamborghini Miura Concept
2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997)
2007 Saturn Sky Red Line
2007 SEAT Leon Supercup
For more information and new screen shots of some of the more notable vehicles in this car pack, be sure to cruise over to forzamotorsport.net
On the road to going gold and I've got some announcements for you along the way. First thing's first. The Level cap is rising!
Friday Sept. 28th, (first thing aka 10 am PST) we're going to be maxing out the level cap for the beta at Rank 25. This is going to allow you to rank up and unlock everything that's not marked Classified including new weapons, perks, and challenges such as:
Assault Rifles:
> G3
Light Machine Guns:
> M60E4
Sniper Rifles:
> Dragunov
Perk 1:
> Claymore X2
Perk 2:
> Slight of Hand
Perk 3:
> Martyrdom
Next weekend (Friday 28th / Sunday 30th) is going to be a mad rush to level 25 as it's official, come 11:59pm on Sunday the 30th the beta will be coming to a close. I know, I know... but don't worry. It'll only be a little over a month from that point that you'll be able to get your hands on the full version of the game on November 5th.
Two posts ago, I talked a bit about all the changes we've implemented to the game thanks to the beta, and now that the beta is closing on it's end and we're closed in on 'Going Gold' I wanted to clarify and go a bit more in depth on how effective this beta has been. Thanks to the tens of thousands of feedback emails we've received and the stat tracking behind the scenes here at IW, we've been able really optimize multiplayer before launch.
News.com has a piece looking at the way that Halo has transformed from game to franchise for Microsoft and the Xbox. Despite the heavy advertising and branded products that seem to be everywhere in anticipation of next week's launch, the company is still trying to keep the IP as pure as possible.
"Microsoft is wary of watering down Halo, meaning it would rather walk away from deals for Master Chief pajamas or Covenant sippy cups. Microsoft had little experience in talking to toymakers and others about how to transfer an onscreen experience to real objects. But such experts exist in the licensing arms of movie studios, so Microsoft partnered with 20th Century Fox to act as the main licensing agent for the Halo brand. Items that did not make the cut were a Halo-themed lottery ticket, lingerie modeled after a female hologram character, and toy guns based on the game's weapons. Instead, fans can expect high-quality action figures from McFarlane Toys, a tabletop game from WizKids, and replica weapons for mature buyers."
Microsoft's UK director believes Sony "underestimated" online challenge
Microsoft's Neil Thompson has told GamesIndustry.biz in an exclusive interview that he feels Sony's delay to the Home project is down to the company underestimating the challenges of the platform.
Thompson, senior regional director for the UK and Ireland at Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division, said he was disappointed in the delay, but dismissed the idea that a lack of price cut had played into Microsoft's hands in the run-up to Christmas.
"Well, what they announce at TGS and what they decide to do in any given market in time are not necessarily directly aligned, I think. But Sony will be doing things between now and Christmas I'm sure, they can't afford not to really, given the way that that particular business is going for them at the moment."
"But I think one of the disappointing/interesting things I heard from them at the Tokyo Game Show was that they just delayed the [Home] online service delivery again. That's more interesting, because I think they underestimated how challenging it is to deliver this sort of service, and to deliver the elements of the service that consumers really want."
He went on to question whether or not the final product would be quite what Sony had hoped for originally.
"It would be good to see the reality versus what they had on the blueprints - what they wanted to deliver against what they can actually deliver, because I know they generated a lot of interest based on what they said last year."
When asked about the new rumble-enabled Sixaxis controller, Thompson felt that Sony was forced to release products early in order to try and counter the progress of the Xbox 360.
"I think when I went to E3 two years ago, and they were showing a lot of their first PS3 stuff there, it felt to me like they'd rushed a lot of things out because they felt the momentum on 360 was growing at a rapid rate, and they felt they had to come out with something early."
"I think it's fair to say that over the last 12 months or so, it's becoming more and more apparent probably to the market, and Sony are a bright bunch so they'll understand this, but there are certain aspects in the way that they're offering the product out that aren't resonating enough, or perhaps they've inbuilt too much cost in things."
He pointed to Nintendo's work in the area of the original Sixaxis' main selling point, motion-sensing, and praised the way in which the Wii design approached the market.
"Perhaps where Nintendo really did a very clever thing, they went for quite simple innovation, but it was aligned to where certain broad-range consumers' demand was. That's always the tricky thing with technology - not finding out what's technically possible, but what technology consumers will actually want and desire."
Microsoft and Bungie's Halo 3 has been leaked onto the internet, with multiple file-sharing sites hosting the highly-anticipated shooter.
Uploaded within the past 24 hours, the 6.14 gigabyte file has been hacked and will be playable on illegally modified Xbox 360 consoles.
It's the latest upset to hit the release of the game, which isn't officially due until early next week.
High Street retailer Argos began selling the game in a select number of stores this week, but soon corrected its mistake. Microsoft told GamesIndustry.biz that it would not punish the retailer following the blunder.
And consumers hoping to avoid spoilers of the game were also advised to avoid video sharing site YouTube, where the ending for the game has been available since the start of the week.
Sales of the PlayStation Portable have increased by over six times on the previous week's figure, according to the latest data available from Media Create.
The handheld sold 95,487 units in the week ending September 16, up from 15,564 the week before. Sales of other consoles remained stable from the previous week, with the Nintendo DS in second place with 79,974, and the Wii in third shifting 26,181 units.
One of the reasons for the PSP's sudden jump in popularity could be the release of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII on that format - the title sold 487,000 copies in its debut week.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII was released in Japan last week and sold 487,000 copies in the seven-day period.
It was a bumper week for software sales in the territory, with two new Pokemon titles taking second and third spots yielding a top three sales figure of over 1 million units sold.
Elsewhere Mario Party 8 was the sole Wii entrant in seventh, with Wii Sports and Wii Play both dropping out of the top ten last week.
The full sales top ten is as follows:
1. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (PSP)
2. Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon: Toki no Tankentai (DS)
3. Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon: Yami no Tankentai (DS)
4. Fate/Tiger Colosseum (PSP)
5. Another Century's Episode 3: The Final (PS2)
6. Taiko no Tatsujin DS (DS)
7. Mario Party 8 (Wii)
8. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles - Ring of Fates (DS)
High Street retailer GAME is due to open 150 stores at midnight for the launch of Halo 3 next week.
The retailer expects thousands of customers to queue for their pre-ordered game, and will also be opening stores early on the morning of September 26.
"Halo 3 will be a huge event in towns throughout the UK, so we’re pulling out all the stops to help our customers start playing it as soon as humanly possible," said Robert Quinn, operations director at GAME.
"Over 800 GAME staff will be on duty at midnight to serve customers and keep the shelves full.
"Halo 3 is hotly anticipated by thousands of customers who have reserved it months in advance, and we are working flat out to make sure our customers are first to get the products they want," he added.
Earlier this week Microsoft revealed that it would be hosting the UK's official Halo 3 launch at London's iMax Cinema, complete with celebrities, competitions and screenings.
Learn how to dominate multiplayer matches with information on weapon locations and expert tips
Learn about every enemy, vehicle and weapon — their strengths and weaknesses and how you can exploit them
Confidently navigate the huge Campaign mode with our exclusive maps and step-by-step walkthrough
Complete list of all Achievements and how to unlock each one
Detailed annotated maps for all levels
pages: 272
Konami has smashed a lovely 1.18GB Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 demo right into the face of Xbox Live.
It will give you a chance to try out what Konami is calling “the greatest football game of all time”.
That might be because there's this new adaptive computer brain thing (Teamvision), which learns and adjusts its tactics to counter yours. Bastard.
Or it could be because Konami has been hard at work polishing up the graphics and refining the gameplay, even fitting a proper edit mode into the 360 version this time around.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 will be released for 360, PS3, PC and PS2 on 26th October.
Tick tock; that's a month later than deadly rival FIFA. It's like Viera against Keane all over again. Which will run the midfield this year, we wonder.
Microsoft wants you to celebrate the weekend with a bunch of papery garden dwellers, as it makes a new Live demo for Viva Piñata Party Animals available.
It bumbles around the place at 971.17MB, and aims to give you and up-to three chums a good old eyeful of the mini-game compilation based on the animated television series - part of the franchise-building madness that brought us really rather good Rare offering Viva Piñata.
Party Animals is due out this Christmas and boasts over 40 mini-games in total. These will have you doing all sorts of bizarre things like racing around town, burping boats down a stream, and smashing up innocent gardens.
In a meeting with Hiroshi Ogawa, Director for Infinite Undiscovery, and Hajime Kojima, Producer for the title, IGN learned for a second time at TGS this year that a game coming to Xbox 360 would require multiple discs. This time around, it's Infinite Undiscovery. The two game makers couldn't say exactly how many discs the game would require as it is still in the middle of production, but they were certain that it wouldn't fit on a single DVD. They also weren't sure how long the game would last, but estimated 30-40 hours.
Get used to the notion of a multiple disc games on Xbox 360. It's looking like you'll be seeing a lot of it in the future.
Microsoft has rolled out a minor system update for the Xbox 360. Don't get too excited though; all it does is add support for the Scene It? Big Button Controller.
The trivia game itself isn't out until Christmas, but Microsoft says its certification team needs time to test the new controller against the retail hardware/software combination before it hits stores.
A bit of a let down then, but the fall dashboard update - which we know pretty much bugger all about - isn't far away at all; it's rumoured to start streaming onto Xbox 360s next month. We'll keep you posted.
Despite the Xbox 360's lackluster sales in Japan, Microsoft's mammoth Tokyo Game Show booth still managed to turn out a huge crowd, especially on the appeal of forthcoming titles like Lost Odyssey. Of course, it's no surprise that Redmond dedicated a fair bit of kitted out demo space to Halo 3, what with all those limited edition consoles (like the one we got our hands on) being used to pound Covenant foot soldiers into submission.
Why oh why must the endless speculation about the HDMI ports on the Xbox 360 keep on going? Microsoft! Just level with us, stick the port on all three consoles, and send out a press release. The latest on the HDMI on Xbox 360 / or not fiasco comes in the form of an update to the Xbox 360's spec sheet to say that the Core console doesn't come with a HDMI cable included. Draw your own conclusions please. In similar Xbox 360 themed news, a new package for an already existing exploit promises to perform a "Timing Attack" and downgrade your 360 to an earlier, more hackable kernel. Mere mortals need not apply, as usual.
- Satisfying storyline that simultaneously provides closure while making you wonder what will happen next
- Four-player online co-op is a lot of fun
- Forge mode map editor lets you do some extremely crazy and unexpected things
- Web integration makes sharing new maps and custom modes easy.
The Bad:
- Rewinding saved films doesn't work quite like you'd expect it to
- AI-controlled Marines can't drive to save their lives (or yours)
- Inevitable flood of prepubescent online players sure to hamper your enjoyment of the online modes.
Todays the day we finally open our DCEmu Guides and Tutorials site
We will be accepting Guides and Tutorials for any Console Scene We Cover and the beauty of it is because the creators will be you the DCEmu Members which means that if you please you can update as you want. What this will mean that if all goes well then this new site could be a great help base for the whole Homebrew scene.
The url for the site is http://tutorials.dcemu.co.uk/ and already tutorials/guides are automatically showing up on some right hand columns on sites
So 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
With less than 24 hours to go before the game's launch, Microsoft has reported that it has already sold more than 1.5 million copies of Halo 3 in the US.
"The excitement and demand for ‘Halo 3’ has transcended a typical video game release and we’re preparing dedicated registers for its midnight release in our 24-hour stores,” said Darin Dickson, video game merchandise buyer, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. “It’s clear that this is one of the most anticipated games of the year and that 12:01 am Sept. 25 will be a memorable moment for thousands of gamers.”
As previously reported, approximately 10,000 US retailers will be open at midnight, with special events taking place in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Miami.
“Our customers have been waiting for ‘Halo 3’ since the day after ‘Halo 2’ launched in 2004,” said Jill Hamburger, vice president of movies and games at Best Buy. “‘Halo 3’ is going to bring the experience to new levels, and we are excited to help our customers get the best possible game playing experience.”
Halo 3 is the fasting pre-selling game in history, surpassing the previous record-setting pre-sales of Halo 2. The game will be released in 37 countries in 17 different languages.
The game will be available in three versions: the standard edition, a limited edition, and a Legendary edition. The Legendary edition has already sold out in the UK, with all copies being accounted for by pre-orders.
Early retailer reports indicate that the disks in the limited edition have a tendency to come loose in the tin, making them susceptible to scratching. The full extent of the potential problem will not be known until the game is made available to the public.
With worldwide sales of the Wii recently overtaking the Xbox 360 worldwide, Microsoft has set its sights on Europe.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Microsoft's group product manager Aaron Greenberg said "The number one objective is to win on a global basis and that may mean winning some markets and losing others."
"Europe is our priority focus right now."
Last week, Microsoft said it planned to increase the number of game titles in Japan. Even so, sales of the Xbox 360 in that country continue to lag far behind the competition. Its predecessor, the original Xbox, was outsold in Japan 24-to-1 by the PS2 and 6-to-1 by the GameCube.
"It's difficult to see Microsoft capturing a significant share'' in Japan, said Hiroshi Kamide, a Tokyo-based games analyst at KBC Securities Japan. "After two years on the market, Xbox's position in the country is such that it makes you wonder whether further efforts are even worth it."
Since 2005, Microsoft has sold 446,201 Xbox 360s in Japan, accounting for just 8.7 per cent of the new console market as of September 9.
More than 3.49 million Wii consoles and 1.17 million PlayStation 3 consoles have been sold in Japan since their launch in 2006.
EA has let fly new details for Dead Space, the survival horror game due next autumn on 360 and PS3.
It turns out the team handling its creation is EA Redwood Shores, previously responsible for The Sims, The Godfather and Lord of the Rings.
It all takes place in deep space. You fill the boots of Isaac Clarke, an engineer on a routine maintenance trip to a mining vessel. But the dodgy communications system you're on your way to fix soon turns out to be the least of your worries.
It's the mangled remains of the crew that provide the first inkling things might not be right, and it's soon revealed a vicious alien infestation is to blame. Scariness ensues.
It looks like the silence of space will play a key role in giving you the creeps here, with EA focusing on psychological thrills and atmosphere rather than trigger-happy action.
"This team has worked on some tremendous properties, but we always wanted to work on something that was darker and creepier," said Glen Schofield, executive producer of the game. "We're all such huge fans of the horror and sci-fi genres; we wanted to create the most terrifying game we could, and keep the player on the edge of his seat the entire time."
Ubisoft has announced its holiday 2007 line-up, with Hell's Highway missing its previously announced release window.
Assassin's Creed will be released for the Xbox 360 and PS3 in November, followed by a PC version in 2008. Beowulf, a tie-in with the upcoming film, will also be released in November for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PSP.
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway has now slipped into Q4, although the Wii port of Road to Hill 30 is still set for December.
Blazing Angels 2 for the 360 and PS3, CSI for the 360 and Wii, Heroes of Might and Magic V for PC, and Haze for the PS3 were also announced as holiday releases.
Other holiday titles include Nitrobike for the Wii, Naruto: Rise of a Ninja for the 360, and Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 for the Wii and the DS.
Ubisoft also announced that it has signed an agreement to publish No More Heroes, a Wii exclusive developed by Grasshopper Manufacture (Killer 7), in North America. The game is currently scheduled for a February 2008 release.
SNK has said the new and completely redesigned King of Fighters XII will be available in early 2009 across the US.
Confirmation came by way of Kotaku, who heard the news from SNK marketing manager Yoshihito Koyama at the Tokyo Game Show 2007.
This PS3 and 360 instalment will be a significant step for SNK, as it will discard the character sprites that have been used in the fighting series for almost a decade.
Instead, everything is being redesigned, creating a style described by Koyama as “3D mixed with 2D". It also goes some way to explaining the lengthy development time.
King of Fighters XII is currently unconfirmed for Europe.
King of Fighters XI was released here in the summer at a budget price, and earned itself a pat on the back from us for a splendid return to form.
Fresh from the Tokyo Game Show comes a new batch of screens for Namco's, which will feature a four-player VS mode.
The demo's been doing to rounds on US Marketplace for a while now but your only way of playing it over here is via the demo disc on Official Xbox Magazine.
Fingers crossed Namco sorts it out soon, or gives it to Atari to publish like it does most of the firm's games. Stay tuned for a release date.
Just in case you missed the explosion of Halo 3 reviews over the weekend, Bungie's shooter is doing pretty well at review stage around the world. We say pretty well, but with the game scoring an average of 9.7 on stat crunching website Metacritic, we actually mean bloodily awesomely. You can almost hear the champagne corks popping at Bungie HQ.
It wasn't long ago that 2K's Bioshock rocked the world of review scores, coming out with nothing lower than high 9s if not straight 10s.
Surprise - Halo 3 is doing the same. Is it a surprise though - wasn't it always going to score really high? You can read our review here. We're more surprised that some haven't gone out there and said it's an 8 because it's 'more of the same'.
At time of writing Halo 3 was sitting pretty with an average score of 97 out of 100, or 9.7 out of 10. Check out the list here. But there's a couple of points to consider before Halo 3 is crowned the biggest scoring 360 in the world ever though.
The first is that the review NDA was only lifted on Sunday at 8pm. Now pretty much every major site knew this was coming and had time to get their reviews ready but there are still a lot of magazine scores to add into that average. Then the game goes on general release and everyone has their say. That 97 may move in a week or two, higher or lower.
So has 360 had its finest hour already? Can it get any better than Bioshock or Halo 3? Will the likes of Mass Effect, PGR4, The Orange Box or GTA IV dare score more? Sound off below.
A word of warning before you run out to the shops on Wednesday to pick up your Limited Edition copy of Halo 3; according to several punters in the US, the LE tine packaging is scratching discs something rotten.
"A friend just opened 3 copies of Halo 3 Limited Edition and with all three copies both disc were loose inside of the package and scratched to death," says one angry NeoGAF poster.
The problem is blamed on the plastic and foam nub in the LE tin designed to hold the discs - at least it's designed to hold the discs in but apparently they pop off with ease.
A number of gamers in the States who managed to get their copies early are reporting that the discs have shipped detached and scratched beyond repair inside the Limited Edition tin.
Tin enthusiasts will already be well familiar finding their games scratched to buggery; a similar problem was reported with the Prey Collectors Edition tin last year. All we can recommend is that you check your game DVDs before leaving the shop; we'll certainly be taking ours back if there's any damage.
We've left a message with Microsoft's PR squad - who surely have nothing better to do than answer our queries - and will hopefully have the official line on the issue shortly.
A few photographs of the disk-scratching problem right here
Just before the (official) launch on Wednesday Microsoft has put up its latest live action Halo short by would-be Halo movie director Neil Blomkamp - and it's the best of the lot.
We had a blast watching the real-life (well, CGI real life) spike grenades and warthogs in action, but why is everything being filmed in a rented-out paintball field? With the money MS has thrown on advertising you'd think they could afford something even vaguely similar to the game's environments. Ho-hum.
Check it out for yourself over on the Discovery Channel (we're as baffled as you are).
An author on left-leaning AlterNet.org not only jumps on the controversy of Resident Evil 5's alleged racism, but calls it a "racist video game series." The article is such a mess that you really have to enjoy it for its absurdity. The piece starts by saying those who go to see the "blockbuster Resident Evil: Extinction" in the theaters may want to play the game, but those who do "will likely enter a world little-known beyond the expensive and expansive universe of gaming, a world increasingly populated with very dangerous depictions of nonwhites."
The author only covers RE4 and RE5 in declaring the series racist. For RE4 he says its Spaniards have "stereotypical Mexican accents" and that RE5 "could be a training video for a white supremacist race war or another U.S. military adventure in one of the increasing numbers of deserts on the planet." Beyond the Resident Evil series there is a rehash of the Haitian controversy from GTA: Vice City -- although the author is way off in his timeline calling GTA: VC "this year's most popular video game."
There's a lot more "racist" issues brought up, but the article really stands as great piece to highlight how even when you introduce diversity to gaming, it's not just the extreme exclusionists who get upset and don't understand why there are women, gays, non-whites in games, but the extreme inclusionists too. Although in the inclusionist's case they want a rosy picture painted of the non-majority group; however, that's boring for narrative, unrealistic and in the end racism really depends on context. There are more moderate views on race issues in video games and that really shouldn't be forgotten. The AlterNet article is just so weird in its "one step forward, two steps back" presentation, we can't help but share.
via MCV
Several readers contacted MCV to state that some Asda and Tesco stores have started selling Halo 3 early (game and receipt pictured). The latest twist in the tale comes just a few days after Argos went early, blaming the error on its store staff.
“We’re talking about very, very few copies.
It was an error on our part and we have instructed our staff that it musn’t go on sale until the official release date,” a Tesco spokesperson told MCV.
An Asda spokesperson added: “Nothing has been sold early and we have not followed Tesco or Argos in selling Halo 3 early. We are strictly keeping to the Wednesday release date.”
If you're desperate to download Frogger but just don't have the dough to make it happen, Microsoft has good news - the hoppy arcade classic and two other Xbox Live Arcade titles will go on sale this week.
Frogger, Bankshot Billiards 2 and Hardwood Spades will drop in price beginning at 5 p.m. PDT Thursday and remain on sale through 4:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2.
Frogger will drop from 400 to 300 Microsoft Points, Bankshot Billiards 2 will go from 1,200 to 900 points and Hardwood Spades will drop from 400 to 300 points.
This is Microsoft's second round of price-slashing this month. Over the Labor Day weekend, Small Arms, Gauntlet, Zuma Deluxe and Dig Dug were each half price.
Robinsod already released the schematics and documentation to perform the 'Timing Attack' that will allow you to downgrade any Xbox360 kernel to an exploitable kernel (which will allow you to already run Linux and also Homebrew application when they come out) earlier this week. Today he released a package of software tools that together with the Infectus modchip and his PIC interface (if you can't make this yourself, Team Infectus is working on a prebuild daughterboard) will allow you to perform this hack yourself.
From Robinsod on XBH:
[quote]
* 360 Flash Tool 0.85 [note: Flash Tool included in package below is 0.5, 0.85 will be released monday]
-Added:
Patch CB LDV if CPU keys are known
Additional recognition string for new flash images
-Bodged:
Disabled extraction of Kernel images when CD version is 1920 (extracting
files will cause a crash)
* DGTool
First release.
-To do:
Improve timing filters, still need to find the cause of the jitter. Byte 6 can of the hash seems problematic occasionally.
Improve logging
* Degraded
-Fixed:
Handling of bad blocks in Cx area Now you will see the bad blocks (and the replacements) listed as "notes". if you are very unlucky the block at 0x8400 (where the CB header is located) will be bad. In this case the tools will fail and the image is unusable today.
Handling of bad blocks in FS area (not 100% yet). Currently I test for bad blocks as I insert files into the flash image. If a bad block is detected it is simply skipped over. I had a look at a dump that contains bad blocks in the File System area and it appears the file system is unaware that some of the blocks it is using are marked as bad. I guess the flash driver silently does the remapping of bad blocks for the file system. I will fix this soon since it crashes the flash tool Wink
-Handling of replacement blocks at end of flash image
Now you will see the bad blocks (and the replacements) listed as "notes". if you are very unlucky the block at 0x8400 (where the CB header is located) will be bad. In this case the tools will fail and the image is unusable today - sorry.
-To be done:
Handling of bad block at 0x8400, start of CB
Using one of the spare blocks at the end of flash when guessing the hash
Please use the latest Degraded tool and create a new image (especially if you are French and have Bad Blocks) before downgrading
When you have downgraded to 1888 I would suggest you do the following:
If you have a LDV < 6 (Degraded will tell you this) or you don't care about being stealthy then just apply the 4532 update. Another fuse will be blown but now you will have your CPU key and you can increment the LDV in the CF sections of your original image.
If you have a LDV = 6 then you might want to consider:
1) Disabling the eFuses before applying the 4532 update then put the resistor back. No need to patch your original image
2) Sit out the next update
3) Accept that you will have an unusual number of blown fuses and see above
Now you have the possibility to
-Boot a vulnerable Kernel and run Linux
-Boot the latest Kernel and play on Live
-Change the region of your console for any Kernel (be careful on Live with hacked region codes, not recommended)
Its very likely that this hack will be fixed in future versions of CB (although we have found that CB version 1920 is still vulnerable). MS can also use eFuses to lockdown the CB version in a way we can't defeat even if we know the CPU key. I have no idea if MS will update the CB section in existing boxes or if it will be limited to new boxes.
MS may even take our new toy away completely making it impossible to boot vulnerable Kernels.
If the homebrew scene is of interest to you, then start saving for a new box, get its CPU keys and use one for homebrew and one for the latest games.
There's no reason not to go for a native XBMC360 now
A man charged in a case separate from the much-publicized anti-modder raids last month has been sentenced to ninety days in prison, another nine months of work furlough, and five years of probation.
"Police seized over 1,000 pirated game discs during the raid on Brown's home, along with 'numerous' mod chips. Ric Hirsch, Vice-President of Intellectual Property Enforcement at the ESA, said, 'Sentences that include jail time send a clear message that violating intellectual property rights is a serious crime with significant consequences and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.'"
features
Race and drift in front of a huge, pumping Hot Import Nights party crowd
Powerslides: Get your ride sideways through a turn and earn a huge NOS boost
Stun the crowds with your supreme drifting and car control skills
Car customisation: Fit 'Lambo' doors, resize rims, wide-body kits and move-anywhere decals
Race amongst the landmarks of San Fran, London, Rome, Tokyo, Sydney and Paris
'Driver DNA' - download friends' or celeb DNA and race against them
90 digitally scanned cars, over 350 aftermarket mods
description
Get into the drift with Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights - the only place where superstar DJs, smokin' hot models and totally tuned cars come into close contact. Juice up your ride with complete customization and boost your NOS power as you draft, drift, slide, spook and fight for your rightful place on the racing line.
Fast-paced, adrenaline-fuelled, pick-up-and-play action lets you enjoy the pure rush of powersliding your way around the globe. Wow the crowd, keep tabs on your opponents and take the crown as the rightful king of drift!
features
Custom-Made for Next-Gen: Enjoy amazing, high-definition, anime style cel-shading, and high quality textures shine to truly deliver an awesome next gen experience.
Innovative Battle System: Battle using a unique, hybrid turn - based/action RPG system that combines free-roam and turn-based action (up to three players during battle).
Strategic Use of Light and Darkness: Adjust your battle strategy in the ongoing struggle between light and darkness. Beware of enemies lurking in the shadows, as their stats – attacks and potency – will change, as will their physical form.
Dramatic and Evolving Storyline: Experience a deeply moving story focusing on the enduring struggle between good and evil all taking place in a dream during the final 3 hours of world-famous music composer Frederic Chopin’s life.
Mesmerizing Music: Listen as world-renowned pianist Stanislav Bunin performs Chopin’s original compositions, which are a key element in the environment and story of Eternal Sonata.
description
On his deathbed, the famous composer, Chopin, drifts between this life and the next. In his final hours, he experiences a fantastical dream where he encounters a young girl facing a terrible destiny and the boy who will fight to save her. On the border between dreams and reality, Chopin discovers the light that shines in all of us in this enduring tale of good and evil, love and betrayal.
Developed by Tri-Crescendo and featuring the music of Chopin, Eternal Sonata delivers amazingly detailed 3D graphics, a captivating storyline and an innovative action battle system.
Experience fast-paced hunting action in pursuit of the biggest trophy bucks throughout North America! Cabela's Trophy Bucks starts you at the most critical and exciting parts of each mission where players are immediately presented with a challenge. Keen observation and quick decision making are essential on your quest for that trophy buck of a lifetime! Eleven species of trophy deer are within your range, including Whitetail, Rocky Mountain Mule Deer, Sitka, Desert Mule Deer, Columbian Black Tail and more. Trek through North America's top hunting regions, across 24 states and provinces ranging from the Sonoran Desert to the Yukon Territory, on any one of 96 missions that put you right into the middle of the hunt! All new hunts including calling in turkeys from a blind, scaring up pheasants with a hunting dog and long-range varmint hunting. Complete career hunting slams across 5 animal species. You can even compete in over 20 shooting competitions based on real-life tournaments!
For those gamers who have been living in a remote, electricity-free cave for the past six months, we at IGN feel we owe you the service of the following announcement: Halo 3 goes on sale at midnight tonight.
Welcome back to civilization. Now take a long, hot shower, shave off the knee-length beard and finish the fight.
As if it were at all necessary to pound the point home further, Microsoft re-announced the pending release of Halo 3 today, reminding Master Chief-worshippers worldwide that the time-to-launch can now be counted in hours rather than days.
More than 1.5 million copies of Halo 3 have already been purchased through pre-orders, setting a new record for pre-launch sales and surpassing the previous record set by Halo 2 in 2004, Microsoft said.
After Halo 2 launched in November of that year, it generated a whopping $125 million in sales and remains the most-played game on Xbox Live to date almost three years later. But Halo 2's little brother is set to top even those record-smashing numbers, according to industry analysts quoted on the site GamesIndustry.biz today.
Goldman Sachs analysts Sarah Friar and Frederick Grieb predict in the article that Halo 3 may generate $170 million in revenue during Microsoft's first quarter, which ends five days after the game launches. Such a windfall would give the company's game division its first profitable quarter ever, the article notes.
More than 10,000 retail stores plan to open their doors for the Halo 3 launch at 12:01 a.m., and special Halo-themed events are planned at stores in New York, Miami, Seattle and Los Angeles. But will those retailers need to open a special station just for returns?
Now that some copies of the Halo 3 Limited Edition box set have shipped, some new owners are reporting that the game disk was found loose in the plastic case, unsecured by the plastic nub meant to hold the DVD in place. As a result, some of the disks appear to be scratched but playable, according to early reports.
A poster on the NeoGaf gaming forum said three copies of the Limited Edition disks they received were badly scratched. Three GameDaily.biz staffers report receiving scratched disks, and an IGN editor opened his Limited Edition box today to find a loose game disk with minor blemishes.
No similar problems with the Standard Edition and Legendary Edition have been reported. We'll keep you posted on the Limited Edition's reported issues and everything else Halo 3-related. For full coverage of the fight and the finishing thereof, head over to our Halo 3 launch center.
Microsoft plans to release exclusive Halo 3 content free to Xbox Live Gold members this week, according to a post today on the Gamerscore blog, an Xbox 360 and Xbox Live site run by Microsoft employees.
Gold members who click on the "Unite to Fight" ad on Xbox Live starting at midnight tonight will be able to download four exclusive Halo 3 items: a Halo 3 Dashboard theme, a Halo 3 Gamerpic, and two documentaries about the game.
The theme and picture pack will be available for download at midnight tonight. On Thursday, the "Inside Bungie: Halo 3 - The Story" video, which includes interviews with the Bungie team, will be available. On Friday, Microsoft will release the "Inside Bungie: Halo 3 - New Features" video in which Bungie team members discuss (surprise!) the game's new features.
If you have any time left, you might be able to actually play the game, which launches at midnight tonight.
That wonderful tradition of honoring games that have the mere potential for quality continued at this year's Tokyo Game Show, as show organizer Computer Entertainment Suppliers Association (CESA) held its annual Future Game Awards ceremony at the Makuhari Messe on the 23rd.
The Future Game Awards are initially selected by attendees of the show's first public day. Show goers picked 286 games out of the 702 titles on display. This list was then cut down to eleven finalists.
And the winners are:
Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (aka Yakuza 3, Sega, PS3)
Ace Combat 6 (Bandai Namco, X360)
Shin Sangoku Musou 5 (aka Dynasty Warriors 6, Koei, PS3/X360)
Super Robot Taisen OG Gaiden (Banpresto, PS2)
Haruhi no Yakusoku (Bandai Namco Games, PSP)
Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes (Capcom, PS2/Wii)
Takarajima Z (aka Zack & Wiki, Capcom, Wii)
Devil May Cry 4 (Capcom, PS3/X360/PC)
Dragon Quest IX (Square Enix, DS)
Professor Layton and the Devil's Box (Level 5, DS)
Metal Gear Solid 4 (Konami, PS3)
Japanese publishers often make a big deal out of these awards, going so far as to put special commemorative stickers on a game's packaging indicating that it was selected the previous year based on its potential quality.
Electronic Arts' Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 has climbed the charts to become the number one selling game in the UK thanks to its release on the PlayStation 3.
The sports game has jumped from number three to number one, knocking the publishers' own Medal of Honor: Airborne off the top.
MySims, another EA property for Nintendo consoles, has entered the charts at number two, with the game seeing 58 per cent of sales on the Wii and 42 per cent on the DS.
Super Paper Mario climbs the charts to number three, with Midway's John Woo Presents Stranglehold at number four.
Elsewhere in the charts, Codemasters' Colin McRae: Dirt enters the top ten at number eight and the second highest new entry is VU Games' World in Conflict at 15.
Sony's SingStar Rock Ballads has entered the charts at 25 and Sega's Sonic Rush Adventure breaks into the top 40 at 26 on its second week of release.
The only other new entry is Sony's PS3 title Warhawk at number 38.
Halo 3 has finally launched in the US, greeted by thousands of consumers desperate to get their hands on the highly-anticipated Xbox 360 title as soon as possible.
For employees at the GameStop in Folsom, California, one of the 10,000 US retailers opening at midnight, the launch of Halo 3 was just as big as they were expecting.
"Halo 3 is the biggest game ever for reservations in the history of GameStop," said a worker named Brian. "We've already pre-sold more copies than Halo 2, World of Warcraft, or any other big releases."
One of the questions analysts and journalists alike are asking is whether or not Halo 3 will cause a significant increase in Xbox 360 console sales. For this GameStop, anyway, the answer is yes.
"We have had multiple people buy the Halo-themed console...about 10 this past week alone...ready to play the game," said a GameStop employee. "Regionally, our supplies of used Xbox 360 consoles have dwindled down to only a few. We've definitely seen a spike in the sale of Xbox 360 consoles."
GameStop is the world's largest videogame retailer, operating 4,954 stores throughout the US, UK, and worldwide. This northern California store, on the outskirts of the state's capitol city, took almost 700 reservations, with two nearby stores having taken more than 1,000 reservations.
According to the GameStop employees, the majority of pre-orders were taken on the standard edition of the game, with approximately 20 per cent for the collector's edition. The Legendary edition, priced USD 129.99, was also in high demand. Of the 120 copies received by the store, all but one were pre-sold.
The line outside the store began at 10:15am, only a few minutes after the store opened. By the time the doors opened again at midnight, the line had wrapped completely around the building, with several hundred people waiting patiently.
Raymund Ofina, 16, was first in line. Actually, his older sister saved his place in line for him until school let out at 3:00pm, and stayed with him to make the purchase. What would motivate the siblings to remain outside a store for 14 hours?
"Halo is one of the best games ever made," Ofina said. "My friend got me into it. It was really fun, and I got hooked." He planned to stay up all night to play through the single-player campaign, although he would not admit to planning to stay home from school the next day.
Others in the crowd were not so coy, freely admitting that they planned to skip school and work if necessary. Most intended to play the campaign first, although a few said they would jump right into multiplayer matches.
Another GameStop employee, identifying himself only as "Cool Jeff", acted as an impromptu bouncer for the night. Fortunately, the crowd remained orderly, and the only unauthorized entry came from someone's small dog. Jeff promptly caught the ticketless interloper.
"They're here for the best game of the year," the 19 year-old remarked as he surveyed the crowd. "I am so excited to play this game. I am definitely getting one for myself!" He won't be skipping work, though--he has the day off tomorrow.
A few minutes after midnight, Raymund Ofina left the GameStop with the USD $129.99 Legendary Edition box hoisted above his head. The crowd outside broke into applause. Moments later, the screeching of tires could be heard as the next group of Halo 3 owners made a hasty exit from the parking lot, eager to head home to play the game.
Scenes like this repeated themselves all across the US.
While regional events in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Seattle featured celebrities and giveaways, attracting larger crowds, even the people waiting there were quick to leave...ready to go home and fire up the long-awaited game on their Xbox 360s.
Steve Evans, 21, arrived shortly before the midnight opening, thanks to a friend who saved his spot during the afternoon. "I think it's the best first-person shooter since Goldeneye. Halo 1 was great, Halo 2 was even better...Halo 3's got to be even better than Halo 2."
Unlike Ofina, Evans didn't plan to stay up all night.
"I'd like to do the multiplayer first, but I don't know if I am going to have the chance to," Evans said. "I've got to sleep. I like sleep."
According to Goldman Sachs analysts, Halo 3 may generate USD 170 million in revenue during Microsoft's first quarter which ends five days after the game's launch.
A Bloomberg article notes that Microsoft's stock rose the most in the five months since analysts recommended purchasing shares of Apple, Microsoft, and EMC. The Microsoft recommendation was based upon expectations that Halo 3 would boost revenue.
Microsoft climbed 95 cents, or 3.3 per cent, to USD 29.60 today for the top gain in the Dow average.
If Halo 3 does generate USD 170 million for Microsoft, it will mark the first profitable quarter for the company's gaming segment, which has been in the red since the launch of the original Xbox.
Goldman Sachs analysts Sarah Friar and Frederick Grieb predict that Microsoft will have shipped a total of 4.2 million copies into the retail channel by the end of September.
While these numbers are slightly behind those for Halo 2, which shipped approximately 7.5 million copies by the end of 2004, the Xbox had an installed user base of almost 20 million when Halo 2 was released.
In contrast, the Xbox 360 has a worldwide installed user base of just over 11.6 million.
The Xbox 360 Elite is selling well, and market research is indicating a high proportion of those buying it are people who don't already own an original Xbox 360.
That's according to Neil Thompson, senior regional director for the UK and Ireland at Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division, who spoke exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz.
"It's gone very, very, very well. Our data is saying so far that a lot of people buying it are new to the platform."
"It was interesting to us, because we thought that a lot of people who came to the platform early would have chosen the Elite, but a lot of the data we're getting out of store visits, etc, is showing it's new people, which is fantastic."
Thompson added that he wasn't sure what the overriding reason for that was, but felt it was vindication for Microsoft's plan to offer differing price points for its hardware.
"I don't know if that's because it's got great memory capacity and people are anticipating Marketplace and those sort of technologies, or whether they just like black. I don't know."
"But certainly here and what we've seen in the US there's a very strong trend to the Elite being a major proportion of the overall mix of consoles that we sell."
"What we're starting to find is the balance between the different levels of console that we have now, it is evening out somewhat - which I think is a great testament to the strategy that we had to begin with said that we need to offer to people at different points in their gaming experience, what they want from gaming and what they're prepared to invest in gaming."
In the second part of the exclusive interview, available tomorrow, Thompson also talks about the success of the Xbox 360 to-date, whether Microsoft will pursue a handheld gaming strategy, and if there's such a thing as too much hype for a videogame.
Codemasters has said that Jericho demos will be crashing down onto 360 and PC this Thursday, followed a week later on PS3.
It will give you a chance to try out the supernatural squad-based shooter written by horror author Clive Barker. The idea is that your group of magically-powered fighters is sent out to explore some silly old ruins slap bang in the middle of a dodgy dimensional rift. It just so happens that an ancient evil is stirring, and you have to go in and stop it.
We got a chance to play the gory game earlier this year, and labelled it as one of Codemasters' most promising titles. You can also get a better look at it today over on Eurogamer TV, where a new trailer will be available any minute now.
Clive Barker's Jericho is due for release in late October.
With just a few hours to wait before you can walk into a store (other than Argos) and buy your shiny copy of Halo 3, we thought you might like to see this: the most extreme Halo-themed case modding we've seen.
What you're looking at is the work of a UK-based, Halo-loving artist, known as 'Craget', who added a few of his own touches to his Halo limited edition 360.
The bottom bit is a base cooler artistically made to look like a rocky surface, and he's added two LED lights to give the face of the 360 that blue effect, then stuck on some awesome Master Chief action figures for effect.
It doesn't do any good for the console's portability but who cares when it looks this good. And if you're not quite so artistic keep an eye on eBay, where he'll be selling it soon.
Microsoft has admitted there's a problem with Halo 3's Limited Edition packaging scratching game discs, and is now offering replacements via the Xbox website.
The problem is blamed on the plastic and foam nub in the LE tin designed to hold the discs; it turns out plenty of gamers - including CVG - are opening their copies of Halo to find the discs loose and scratched.
Microsoft's replacement program lets those unfortunate few download and complete a form to get a working copy for free, with a minimum wait of two weeks. Other games are covered by the program, but you'll have to pay £10 for anything that isn't Halo.
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!
- 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.
Microsoft launched Halo 3 in the UK on Tuesday evening with a film-style premiere event at the IMAX cinema outside Waterloo in London.
Rather than focus on a midnight launch at a retailer Microsoft decided instead to roll out the red carpet, inviting a handful of celebrities along to the event.
Pharrell Williams and Christian Slater both attended, greeting fans gathered outside the cinema in the rain, while UK TV presenter Iain Lee hosted the show inside.
After some delays in ushering in the audience, made up mostly of Halo fans, Williams was called onstage to take on other celebrities based in locations around Europe - Carmen Electra joined from Paris, while LL Cool J battled from Amsterdam.
A fans' shoot-out followed, with a two-versus-two death match game - each team representing one half of the cinema audience, slogging it out to win Halo 3 copies for the onlookers they represented.
Unfortunately the teams were incorrectly named, causing some confusion for the audience, while one player's controller also failed partway through, leaving his team at something of a disadvantage.
As compensation Microsoft promised Halo 3 copies for everybody, which appeased the crowd, particularly as the event finished several hours before the game went on sale to the public.
The event was followed by an invite-only after-show event in Soho.
From the publisher: The epic saga continues with Halo® 3, the hugely anticipated third chapter in the highly successful and critically acclaimed Halo franchise. Master Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax.
Halo 3 represents the third chapter in the Halo trilogy—an international award-winning action series that grew into a global entertainment phenomenon, selling more than 14.5 million units worldwide, logging more than 650 million hours of multiplayer action on Xbox LIVE®, and spawning action figures, books, a graphic novel, apparel, an upcoming film adaptation, and more.
Developed by Bungie Software and published by Microsoft Game Studios, the highly anticipated Xbox 360™ flagship first person shooter Halo 3 is in stock today, shipping as Asia release edition at US$ 49.90 only. The game is also available as Limited Collector's Edition at US$ 59.90 respectively. Please note that both versions provide Chinese (mandarin) voice with English/Chinese subtitles only.
The Limited Edition ships in a sleek metal collector's case. In addition to the game, the Limited Edition includes the "Bestarium," a hardcover guide to the game's species, civilizations, and cultures. The bonus disc includes Bungie's high-definition home theater calibration tool; "Art Attack" with concept, production art, an exclusive Dashboard theme, and gamer pics; a Halo-themed minigame; and a variety of short films on a wide range of subjects.
Game features:
Epic story: The thrilling conclusion to the epic Halo trilogy.
Next-gen advantage: Taking full advantage of the power of Xbox 360™, Halo 3 expands on everything that has made the Halo franchise great, adding a wealth of technical and gameplay advancements.
Evolution of design: Next-generation high-definition visuals, enhanced A.I., an advanced real-time lighting engine, and new weapons, characters, and challenges are just a few examples of Halo 3's evolution of design and technology.
Unparalleled experience: Ultimately, these improvements provide gamers with an unparalleled experience and, in the end, tell an even more compelling and engrossing story.
Online multiplayer: The most complete online multiplayer experience ever conceived.
Only on Xbox 360.
Plenty of Halo/Halo 3 related products are either in stock or expected to arrive during the next couple of days. Check out Play-Asia.com's complete lineup of related items.
Halo 3 US US$ 59.90
Halo 3 JPN US$ 64.90
Halo 3 Collector's Edition US US$ 69.90
Halo 3 Covenant Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Limited Edition US N/A
Halo 3 Legendary Edition with Halo Spartan Mjolnir Mark VI Helmet! US N/A
Halo 3 Official Strategy Guide US US$ 19.90
Halo 3 Spartan Xbox 360 Wireless Controller Limited Edition US US$ 59.90
Halo 3 Xbox 360 Wireless Headset Limited Edition US US$ 59.90
Halo 3 [First Print Limited Edition] JPN US$ 69.90
Halo History Pack (Platinum Collection) JPN US$ 29.90
Xbox Live 12-Month Gold Card (Halo 3) ASIA US$ 49.90
Microsoft launched Halo 3 in the UK on Tuesday evening with a film-style premiere event at the IMAX cinema outside Waterloo in London.
Rather than focus on a midnight launch at a retailer Microsoft decided instead to roll out the red carpet, inviting a handful of celebrities along to the event.
Pharrell Williams and Christian Slater both attended, greeting fans gathered outside the cinema in the rain, while UK TV presenter Iain Lee hosted the show inside.
After some delays in ushering in the audience, made up mostly of Halo fans, Williams was called onstage to take on other celebrities based in locations around Europe - Carmen Electra joined from Paris, while LL Cool J battled from Amsterdam.
A fans' shoot-out followed, with a two-versus-two death match game - each team representing one half of the cinema audience, slogging it out to win Halo 3 copies for the onlookers they represented.
Unfortunately the teams were incorrectly named, causing some confusion for the audience, while one player's controller also failed partway through, leaving his team at something of a disadvantage.
As compensation Microsoft promised Halo 3 copies for everybody, which appeased the crowd, particularly as the event finished several hours before the game went on sale to the public.
The event was followed by an invite-only after-show event in Soho.
UK retail has reported that copies of Halo 3 are flying off the shelves, with High Street outlet Woolworths praising the "record breaking" sales.
As numerous retailers up and down the company took advantage of the anticipated release by opening at midnight or early this morning, some are suggesting the game may even beat day one sales of the biggest DVD and CD releases.
"Halo 3 has been flying off the shelves this morning," said Gerry Berkley, trading manager for games at Woolworths.
"In the first two hours that our stores were open it sold thousands and thousands of copies, breaking all previous first morning sales records for a computer game.
"If sales continue at this rapid pace, it could end up being the biggest ever first day sales number for an entertainment product, beating any CD, DVD or book that has gone before it," he revealed.
Specialist retailer Gamestation also saw a successful launch, as it opened over 190 stores at midnight throughout the UK, and provided a link-up for customers in two different cities to play against each other.
"Our midnight openings were a great success. Big crowds showed up with customers and staff alike in great spirits," offered Jenny Leach, senior product manager for Gamestation.
"The live link-up between our Birmingham flagship and Edinburgh stores added another exciting new dimension to the launch, providing extra entertainment during the lead up to midnight."
Don McCabe, managing director of Chips, said that some stores were close to selling out already, and he expected to be ordering more before the weekend.
"It's gone very, very well indeed," he said.
"In hindsight I wish we'd ordered more. Quite a few shops are heading for a sell-out by the end of the day and we'll be restocking for the weekend.
"Microsoft and (distributor) Gem have done a very good job, they deserve praise for keeping the supply lines strong and giving us everything we've asked for," he added.
Following a successful launch in the US, Microsoft treated a select audience of UK gamers to a special red carpet screening of Halo 3 last night at London's iMAX cinema.
Microsoft has made some tweaks to Xbox Live and it should now be up and running.
You can keep an eye on exactly what state the service is in on the official status page, which is updated by the operations center as it irons out various niggles.
Problems came, unsurprisingly, after Halo 3 launched in the US on Tuesday, prompting an enormous surge of Master Chiefs venturing on to the service in order to shoot each other and say rude words.
Microsoft boss Bill Gates has his signature on a limited edition Halo 3 console, which is being sold for charity on eBay.
Bald-headed smooth talker J Allard has also added his mark to a 30GB limited edition Halo 3 Zune. The current bid for the items stands at USD 2,150. All of that will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County organisation, which helps youngsters who've had a hard time get a better shot at life.
Bundled on top of these in the auction are piles of other goodies: an HD-DVD player, Halo 3 Legendary and Standard Editions, Halo Triple Pack (Halo, Halo 2, Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack), two extra limited edition Halo 3 wireless controllers (with McFarlane collectable figurine), a Messenger Kit, HDMI cable, and extra 120GB hard drive.
You'll also get a rare accessory pack, which comes in an aluminium casing with a Live Vision Camera, Quick Charge Kit, Memory Unit, Wireless Controller, Wireless Headset, Universal media remote control and a Play & Charge Kit. Oh, and you'll get a Halo 3 T-Shirt, too.
The Limited Edition Halo 3 Zune also comes pre-loaded with loads of stuff. There's Halo and Halo 2 soundtracks, plus loads of videos for Halo 3 and more than 120 pieces of artwork for the game.
Even the Limited Edition Halo 3 console comes with lots of bits and pieces: special edition 20GB hard drive, wireless controller, headset and downloadable from Live, plus an HDMI port, HD AV Cable, Ethernet Cable, Play & Charge Kit and one month's free Live Gold membership.
So that's, er, quite a lot of stuff then.
Pop over to the auction to see what it all looks like and to read the various terms and conditions for bidding, right here
Never mind Chantelle sashaying down the red carpet and Pharrell Williams having problems with his axis inversion at the London launch of Halo 3 last night. Over in Ireland, the game was launched by a real superstar - MacGyver.
Or rather Richard Dean Anderson, the man who played the ever-resourceful TV hero in the late '80s and early '90s and also appeared in Stargate: SG1.
That's according to Microsoft Ireland, who announced the star's planned appearance yesterday.
"As anticipation for the game reaches fever pitch around the globe it became clear that this was not going to be like any other game launch," said MS exec Orla Sheridan.
"We are bringing Richard Dean Anderson to Ireland, which will be his first time in the country, for the launch as the characters he has played such as MacGyver are heroes and pop culture phenomenons like Master Chief.
"Both are ordinary individuals who, despite in surmountable odds, have stepped up to the challenge to come out of extraordinary situations."
Unfortunately Eurogamer wasn't there to witness MacGyver's appearance, though we like to think he turned up and fixed everybody's broken Xbox 360 using only a Swiss Army knife and some duct tape. And a towel. If you were there, and especially if you have photos, do write in.
Bioshock could make its way to Wii, PS3, PS2 and handhelds, according to an analyst in a recent Take-Two report.
In a company update, Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey banked on Take-Two extracting more from the success of the critically acclaimed Bioshock, as well as the continued anticipation of GTA IV.
"We expect management could choose to raise capital now, leveraging a higher share price, investor enthusiasm over the GTA IV release, the franchise potential of Bioshock and their strong fiscal '08 guidance," said Hickey.
Don't put your life on hold though - if Bioshock should make it to other formats, Hickey (via GameDaily) doesn't expect it to happen before fiscal year 2009.
Valve Software's Orange Box of delights is clearly on of this Christmas's hottest properties and it's a joy to clap eyes on it once again courtesy of eight new screenshots.
The majority of the screenshots are snaps of Half-Life 2: Episode Two, although there's one of the game select screen too.
Look how much Valve is packing into Orange Box. Half-Life 2, Episode One, Episode Two, puzzle game Portal and team-based multiplayer blaster Team Fortress 2. It's like first-person shooter heaven.
Not too many moons ago we were at Valve's HQ and getting hands-on with its wares, and during the play time we got to grips with - among other things - a near final version of Team Fortress 2. Read our report, and you can also view exclusive TF2 gameplay movies from the on-going beta.
PC and Xbox 360 versions of Orange Box release on October 19, with the PS3 pack arriving a little later. Keep eyes on CVG for full reviews near release time.
Poor Microsoft Japan. They can't catch a break! All these big games and nobody in Japan cares. Not even for Halo 3. Not even for Blue Dragon. In a desperate, last-ditch attempt at shifting their units, their TGS booth was dominated by this: a wall featuring the disc and cover art of every 360 game on the market. Didn't look like it got the job done, since I was the only person I saw actually paying attention to it, but hey, at least it looked nice. Click the spoiler for a closer shot.
In a bizarre move Aurora Technology the owners of the King of the World MMORPG has taken the unusual step of banning men who play women characters but the ban itself does not stretch to women playing men. If you want to play as a woman now in game you have to prove you are a women via web cam. This is something that people ask for in many mmorpgs I myself have seen people say people who play women in EVE online as being some kind of degenerate but how long can a policy of verification by web cam last since its so easy to get around it doesn't seem to solve much and is an insult to many."
Microsoft has declared that Halo 3 enjoyed the "largest entertainment launch in history", doing USD 170 million [£83m] in sales in USA alone in its first 24 hours.
According to figures Microsoft put in its press release that we're too bored to actually research, that would put it ahead of cinematic releases like the execrable Spider-Man 3 and novels like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And the Meg White sex tape.
"Halo 3 has become a pop-culture phenomenon," said Shane 'Soundbite' Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios.
"Not only is Halo 3 setting sales records, it's also redefining entertainment," he added, worryingly. (An emergency meeting of the Eurogamer Word Council declared that until the definition of entertainment was sorted out again we would draft a suitable replacement in all future instances where it might be used.)
"Within the first 20 hours alone," Soundbite continued, "we've seen more than a million Xbox Live members come online to play Halo 3 - that makes September 25 the most active Xbox Live gaming day in history."
"Halo 3 is a genuine badger phenomenon and our customers have responded very enthusiastically to the release," Jim Hamburger of US retailer Best Buy gushed in support.
So, where were you on the most active and badgering Xbox Live gaming day in history? We were playing Ridge Racer 6 because we're so counter-cultural.
But back to Halo. By doing USD 170 million in sales, Halo 3 puts Halo 2's USD 125 million in 24 hours back in November 2004 to shame. What's more, only 1.5 million pre-ordered Halo 2, but 1.7 million got in there pre-release for the third game.
Presumably it will be quite successful then. Microsoft has previously said that Halo 2 sold more than 6.5 million copies worldwide (and you can bet it's sold a few more since June 2006 when that info first popped up). How many will Halo 3 sell?
And, more importantly, will it be able to hold off the challenge of multiplatform extravaganza Ratatouille in next Monday's UK badger sales charts? Try and get out of bed again one day to find out.
With Bizarre Creations now part of Activision, attention has turned to the developer's existing titles and whether they have a future.
The biggest news of their fate comes from Microsoft, which owns the rights to the Project Gotham Racing series. "Project Gotham Racing is a signature racing franchise for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live and we plan to continue the series but we have nothing further to announce," the publisher said in a statement yesterday. PGR4, recently completed, is due to go on sale here on 12th October.
In a statement to fans marking the acquisition yesterday, Bizarre said PGR4 "will continue to be supported after its launch in October". As to who will pick up the reins of one of the 360's best exclusives, that's a question for another time.
As for the other games, Newsweek's N'Gai Croal says he has confirmed that while SEGA owns the rights to The Club and EA owns the rights to Boom Boom Rocket, Bizarre itself has kept a hold of Geometry Wars, which means now it's technically Activision's. Sierra's deal for Geometry Wars Galaxies on Wii and DS is not affected by the deal, however.
As for Bizarre itself, Activision's announcement of the deal revealed that the Liverpool-based studio is set to go to work on a pair of new titles - one racing, one character-based - and that it expects the first of these to be released "after fiscal 2009".
So, in the meantime, let's all just concentrate on getting All Platinums.
Bungie has responded to criticism of the quality of the remastered Halo and Halo 2 cinematics in the Legendary Edition box of Halo 3.
The packaging claims the extras disc features "completely remastered, hi-res versions" of the originals, but those of you who splashed out on the lavish edition have reported that that is far from the truth: apparently the clips are poorly compressed and washed out with considerable artifacting.
However, Bungie lead writer Frank O'Connor has since come out of his Halo 3-themed house and tried to clear it all up.
"The cut-scenes were remastered, the pop-in reduced and they were output as as high resolution TIFFs one frame at a time to improve the quality over the originals," he wrote, in comments reported by IGN. "They were not, contrary to popular belief, remastered in 'HD'. And this was always advertised as a DVD disc, which obviously can't play HD content anyway."
"Apologies to folks feeling ripped off, but the false advertising claims are well, false. Watch the remastered ones side by side with the originals to see how much they've been improved.
"And hopefully folks can see past our old school graphics and listen to the commentary, which is the important part of that content anyway," he promised.
The Halo 3 Legendary Edition sold for around GBP 70 originally, and went like hot cakes. You can now pick one up for around GBP 130.
In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, the lead designer of Habbo Hotel has expressed his doubts about the viability of online communities on current generation consoles.
Despite the fact that consoles such as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have USB ports, allowing users to plug in a keyboard, people don't take advantage of that, Sulka Haro noted. Typing messages is central to the social aspect of online communities.
"Habbo is really all about the role-playing. If you can't chat, you can't role play," he said.
While it is certainly possible to port Habbo Hotel to home consoles from a technological standpoint, the company currently has no plans to move into that market.
"Also, one thing you have to remember is that we are targeting young people," said Haro, noting Habbo Hotel's popularity with teenagers. "Typically, those are not the people who have the latest consoles."
"PlayStation 3, Xbox 360...those are for people who are seriously into gaming. I don't know how many 13 year-olds have a PS3, but I bet it's not too many."
As for Sony's Home, Haro echoed Daniel James' comment that it is "a world with a USD 600 entry ticket." He isn't sure how many PlayStation 3 owners are the type of people who will be interested in this virtual community and, personally, it didn't appeal to him.
"At least in the demo I saw, it was this pretty clean Sony world," Haro remarked. "You're able to buy a virtual Bravia television that does not break. That's kind of funny, in some sense, but a bit too clean."
"It was too polished, somehow. I don't know. It didn't feel like I'd really call that place my home."
The complete interview with Sulka Haro can be read here.
Microsoft has said Live Arcade titles Hexic 2 and Texas Hold'em will be given a few tweaks in the coming days.
Changes to the poker title will mean you will have to stump up the adequate amount of cash to start a game, and no longer be able to exploit the competitive bankroll. The quality of language translation has been polished up, too, so you should no longer accidentally offend people from different countries.
Bankroll Leaderboards will be wiped clean when the title update goes live in the near future.
The changes to Hexic 2 revolve around restarting from a saved game in Timed Mode. Bombs should now appear correctly when you do, and the timer will restart after the first rotation rather than after the first combo - as it does when you begin a new game. Boards will now reset when there are no more available moves, and a sound will warn you when a bomb pops up for the first time.
Marathon, Marathon Weekly and Timed Leaderboards will all be reset when the Hexic 2 update goes live tomorrow.
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men will be released on 23rd November in Europe following a 20th November launch across the pond.
That's the word in Eidos' mother-company SCi's latest financial results, which also state that Tomb Raider: Anniversary for Wii and Xbox 360 is now down for a "pre-Christmas launch".
The publisher also reiterated that sequels to Just Cause and Battlestations: Midway are in development, and to no one's surprise confirmed that Tomb Raider and Hitman sequels are also planned.
And, for those of you with a thing for DS title Pony Friends, it'll be clopping its hooves all over the Wii at some point in the future - as part of a line-up of DS and Wii titles for calendar-2008 that's 20 games strong.
Watch out for more on Eidos' upcoming games in the coming days!
2K Games has slid a demo for NHL 2K8 onto Xbox Live.
It slams into the net at 1GB, and will give you a frozen taste of what to expect from the yearly update to one of the most consistently acclaimed ice-hockey series out there.
This year developer Kush is all about new bits and pieces. It has finally taken the plunge and mapped stick commands and movement to the right analogue stick, and added famous Superstar Moves that you can pull-off to impress your friends. Goalies have been revamped too, following criticism from 2K7, and should now behave more realistically than ever.
You can also get your hands on the new video capturing Reelmaker feature for NHL 2K8, which is currently being offered as a Live download costing 400 points (GBP 3.40 / EUR 4.65).
It all adds up to what 2K Games is rather unsurprisingly promising to be the best game in the series to date. NHL 2K7 scored highly with us because of its safe and polished approach, earning 9/10. We can only hope for more of the same, and that the glitzy new analogue stick controls don't fluff up a good thing.
NHL 2K8 will be released on PS3, 360 and PS2 in October.
Microsoft has popped on its shades and refused to comment over rumours that a new Core 360 SKU will arrive in time for Christmas.
The Internet started talking after Opposable Thumbs claimed to have inside information about it from the platform holder, as well as dirt on new game bundles for the Premium and Elite models.
The new Core will apparently feature an HDMI port, wireless controller, 256MB memory card and five Live Arcade games on a disc: Boom Boom Rocket, Pac-Man, Uno, Feeding Frenzy and Luxor 2. Opposable Thumbs claims it will be released "at the end of October" for USD 279.95 [£138].
But before that, we'll apparently be treated to Elite and Premium bundles with two free games: Forza 2 and Marvel Alliance. Premium will come first on 9th October, followed by the Elite on 23rd.
But it isn't the first we've heard about this. Back in August keen-eyed Internet hounds unearthed holiday bundles featuring the two free games, as well as an "Arcade: Just Play" Core system with a 256MB memory card and five free Live Arcade titles.
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Welcome to this week's Games & Toys update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days.
No doubt, this week has been all about the release of Microsoft's Xbox 360™ flagship release Halo 3. The game is in stock as Asian, Japanese and Asian Limited Edition; while US release versions are expected to arrive at Play-Asia.com early of next week.
Further hot sellers this week have been Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights (Xbox 360™), Agarest Senki (PS3™), Kekkaishi: Kokubourou no Kage (Wii™) and Bleach: Blade Battles 2nd for PlayStation2™.
Most popular handheld releases this week have been Sonic Rush Adventure, Namco Museum DS and KanKen DS 2 + Jouyou Kanji Jiten for Nintendo DS™ and Wangan Midnight Portable (Asia / Japanese for PSP™). Last but not least, Sega's Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus (also available for PS2™) has been leading the PC game sales this week.
As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week,
Xbox360™:
Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII US US$ 59.90
Cabela's Trophy Bucks US US$ 44.90
Eternal Sonata US US$ 59.90
Halo 3 JPN US$ 64.90
Halo 3 (Chinese Version) ASIA US$ 49.90
Halo 3 (Chinese Version) [Limited Edition] ASIA US$ 59.90
Halo 3 [First Print Limited Edition] JPN N/A
Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights ASIA US$ 44.90
Warriors Orochi US US$ 59.90
Xbox 360 Console (Halo 3 Special Edition) JPN N/A
Xbox 360 HDMI AV Cable JPN US$ 49.90
Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit (Black) JPN N/A
Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery Pack (Black) JPN N/A
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller (Halo 3 Edition) JPN N/A
Xbox 360 Wireless Headset (Halo 3 Edition) JPN
PlayStation3™:
Agarest Senki JPN US$ 64.90
PlayStation Network Card / Ticket -LOCOROCO- (100 HKD / for Hong Kong network only) Hong Kong US$ 15.90
Stuntman: Ignition US US$ 64.90
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion JPN US$ 69.90
Warhawk (w/ Bluetooth Headset) ASIA US$ 59.90
Nintendo Wii™:
Bass Fishing Wii: Rokumaru Densetsu JPN US$ 49.90
Boku to Sim no Machi / MySims JPN US$ 59.90
Cosmic Family US US$ 49.90
Fishing Master US US$ 44.90
Kekkaishi: Kokubourou no Kage JPN US$ 59.90
My Sims US US$ 49.90
Pool Party US US$ 34.90
PlayStation2™:
Angel Profile JPN US$ 64.90
Atelier Iris: Grand Phantasm (Gust Best Price) JPN US$ 39.90
Bleach: Blade Battles 2nd JPN US$ 64.90
Digimon World: Data Squad US US$ 39.90
Fantastic Fortune 2: Triple Star (Best Hit Selection) JPN US$ 34.90
Generations of Chaos Desire JPN US$ 64.90
Growlanser: Heritage of War [Limited Edition] US US$ 59.90
Hisshou Pachinko * Pachi-Slot Kouryoku Series Vol. 11: Shinseiki Evangelion - Magokoro o, Kimi ni JPN US$ 58.90
Kyou Kara Maou! Shin Ma-Kuni no Kyuujitsu JPN US$ 129.90
Nizu no Senritsu 2 (Best Hit Selection) JPN US$ 34.90
Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus JPN US$ 49.90
Saishu Shiken Kujira: Alive JPN US$ 64.90
Saishu Shiken Kujira: Alive [Konamistyle Limited Edition] JPN N/A
Saishu Shiken Kujira: Alive [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 89.90
SingStar 80's US US$ 34.90
SingStar 80's with 2 Microphones US US$ 59.90
SingStar Amped US US$ 34.90
SingStar Amped with 2 Microphones US US$ 59.90
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror US US$ 39.90
Warriors Orochi US US$ 44.90
We Are* (Best Hit Selection) JPN US$ 34.90
Yuukyuu no Sakura JPN US$ 64.90
Yuukyuu no Sakura [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 89.90
Nintendo DS™:
7 Wonders US US$ 34.90
Bartender DS JPN US$ 29.90
Digimon World: Dawn US US$ 34.90
Digimon World: Dusk US US$ 34.90
Eiken DS JPN US$ 39.90
Itsudemo Doko Demo: Onita Atsushi no Seiji Quiz DS JPN US$ 39.90
Jigoku Shoujo: Akekazura JPN US$ 48.90
Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights US US$ 34.90
KanKen DS 2 + Jouyou Kanji Jiten JPN US$ 29.90
Mitsukete! Keroro Gunsou JPN US$ 48.90
My Sims US US$ 34.90
Namco Museum DS US US$ 24.90
Nancy Drew: The Deadly Secret of Olde World Park US US$ 34.90
Picto Image DS JPN US$ 39.90
Prism: Light the Way ASIA US$ 34.90
Sonic Rush Adventure US US$ 34.90
Tamagotchi no Puchi Puchi Omisecchi: Mina San Kyu JPN US$ 48.90
Sony PSP™:
300 JPN US$ 14.90
Chronicle of Dungeon Maker (Eternal Hits) JPN US$ 25.90
Chronicle of Dungeon Maker (Eternal Hits) ASIA US$ 22.90
Coded Arms Contagion JPN US$ 48.90
Coded Arms Contagion US US$ 34.90
EXIT (Eternal Hits) JPN US$ 25.90
EXIT (Eternal Hits) ASIA US$ 22.90
Eiyuu Densetsu: Sora no Kiseki SC JPN US$ 48.90
Jet de Go! Pocket (Eternal Hits) ASIA US$ 22.90
Jet de Go! Pocket (Eternal Hits) JPN US$ 25.90
Nugase ! Yakyuuken Polorigurabia Tengoku JPN US$ 37.90
Pilot ni Narou! Flying All-Stars (Best Collection) JPN US$ 29.90
Simple 2500 Series Vol. 11: The Puzzle Quest: Agaria no Kishi JPN US$ 28.90
Wangan Midnight Portable JPN US$ 48.90
Wangan Midnight Portable ASIA US$ 42.90
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX Tagforce 2 ASIA US$ 39.90
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX Tagforce 2 JPN US$ 48.90
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force 2 US US$ 34.90
PC Games:
Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII ASIA US$ 39.90
Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus (DVD-ROM) JPN US$ 49.90
Two Worlds ASIA US$ 39.90
World in Conflict (DVD-ROM) ASIA US$ 39.90
Guide Books:
Halo 3 Official Strategy Guide US US$ 19.90
Heavenly Sword: Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90
Soul Nomad & the World Eaters The Official Strategy Guide [Limited Edition] US US$ 29.90
Toys & More:
Fate/Hollow Ataraxia 1/7 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Karen Hortensia JPN US$ 59.90
Final Fantasy VII - Advent Children Play Arts Vol. 2: Kadaj JPN US$ 34.90
Final Fantasy VII - Advent Children Play Arts Vol. 2: Reno JPN N/A
Final Fantasy VII - Advent Children Play Arts Vol. 2: Yuffie JPN N/A
Oh! My Goddess - 1/7 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure Urd (White Bikini Vers.) JPN US$ 52.90
Pia Carrot G.O. 1/6 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure: Ayano Kunugi (Maid Type) JPN US$ 59.90
SIF Ex - Rumble Roses: Dixie Clemets 1/8 Scale Prepainted Figure JPN N/A
Video Game Soundtracks:
Fate / Tiger Colosseum Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 23.90
Fate / Tiger Colosseum Original Soundtrack [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 29.90
Gold Disc - Koji Otori & Sho Nikaido & Taro Konokage (VitaminX Character CD) JPN US$ 19.90
Harukanaru Toki No Naka De 1 & 2 & 3 Hanazakari JPN US$ 37.90
Hoshizora No Sakamichi JPN US$ 11.90
Onnanoko Fantasy / Yumeiro Hanabi (Ne Pon? X Rai Pon! Theme Song) JPN US$ 11.90
Clear Vocal Album JPN US$ 22.90
While the release of the PSP Slim and Lite in Japan has reignited hardware sales of the console, numbers for other platforms dropped further, according to the latest retail data from Media Create.
Sales of the PSP, which in the figures isn't divided into individual SKU, hit nearly 280,000 in the week ending September 23 - that's up from 95,000 the previous week, and far more than normal chart-topper, Nintendo DS, on just over 70,000.
In fact most of the other platforms dipped once again as, with the PSP aside, hardware numbers continued to tail off.
The PlayStation 3 dropped by 18 per cent on the previous week, while sales for the PlayStation 2 dipped by 13 per cent, the DS by 12 per cent, and the Wii 5 per cent.
The only console to buck the trend, other than the PSP, was the Xbox 360, which saw sales jump by over a third - although that only represented a increase of about 400 additional consoles, to a total of 1687.
The hardware sales list in full:
1. PlayStation Portable: 277,794
2. Nintendo DS: 70,523
3. Nintendo Wii: 24,992
4. PlayStation 2: 11,373
5. PlayStation 3: 10,732
6. Xbox 360: 1687
7. Game Boy Advance: 382
8. Nintendo GameCube: 15
The PlayStation 3's new flagship title, Heavenly Sword, was top of the Spanish software chart for sales in the week ending September 23.
The data, compiled by Media-Control GfK Interational demonstrated a far wider variety of platforms represented than we've seen in the past, with each of the top five games on a different system.
The full chart is as follows:
1. Heavenly Sword (PS3)
2. WWE Smackdown! Vs. Raw 2007 Platinum (PS2)
3. Super Paper Mario (Wii)
4. The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (PC)
5. Dr Kawashima's More Brain Training (DS)
6. Pro Evolution Soccer 6 Platinum (PS2)
7. Pokemon Diamond (DS)
8. Colin McRae: Dirt (PS3)
9. WWE Smackdown! Vs. Raw 2007 Platinum (PSP)
10. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII has remained at the top of the Japanese software sales chart for a second consecutive week, despite pressure from new entries which include a new Metal Gear Solid title.
Portable Ops Plus, an expansion to the original PlayStation Portable title sold 93,000 units in its first week of release, according to data from Media Create, while Crisis Core racked up another 109,000 in the week ending September 23.
Pokemon titles took third and fourth places, while four other new entries, including Super Mario Strikers and Samurai Warriors: Katana also made the new top ten, with Nintendo platforms accounting for seven titles, and Sony platforms for three.
The full top ten is as follows:
01. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (PSP)
02. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus (PSP)
03. Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon: Toki no Tankentai (DS)
04. Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon: Yami no Tankentai (DS)
05. Katekyoo Hitman Reborn!! DS Flame Rumble Kaien Ring Soudatsuen! (DS)
06. Super Mario Strikers (Wii)
07. Kiniro no Corda 2 Anchor (PS2)
08. Mario Party 8 (Wii)
09. Samurai Warriors: Katana (Wii)
10. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles - Ring of Fates (DS)
The Sims 2: Bon Voyage has taken the top spot in the latest German software chart, compiled using data from Media-Control GfK International.
While Nintendo platform titles remained popular, taking up six of the top ten titles, neither of top two were Wii or DS titles, as Sierra's World in Conflict took second spot.
Pokemon and Brain Training titles still sold well, while Super Paper Mario, Pony Friends, Heavenly Sword and Medal of Honor filled out the rest of the chart.
The full chart:
1. The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (PC)
2. World in Conflict: Uncut Edition (PC)
3. Pokemon Diamond (DS)
4. Super Paper Mario (Wii)
5. Medal of Honor Airborne (PC)
6. Dr Kawashima's More Brain Training (DS)
7. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)
8. Pokemon Pearl (DS)
9. Heavenly Sword (PS3)
10. Pony Friends
Microsoft and Bungie are under fire from Xbox 360 owners experiencing disc-read errors from their new copies of Halo 3.
For some, that compounds existing problems with scratched discs in the Legendary Edition.
In both cases, Microsoft has already said that it will replace busted copies of the game, including Limited Edition versions, for free until the end of the year.
But that hasn't done much to quieten the discord on forums. A typical thread on Bungie's website now stretches to 30 pages, including anecdotal accounts of Microsoft support staff "confirming" that a bad batch of Halo discs exists and culminating in a 230-strong list of people claiming to be experiencing the disc-read problem.
Indeed, Eurogamer TV's own Johnny Minkley has had the same problem, although it's equally possible that he just put it in upside down or clogged it up with chest hair.
In other Halo-related developments, it's being reported that a bug which prevents players transferring Campaign mode progress between Xbox 360s is being tackled by Bungie at the moment.
The issue apparently occurs when you try to resume a Campaign having either moved the hard disk to another Xbox or used a memory unit to transfer it, resulting in an "unsafe to respawn" error that dumps you back to the main menu. Fortunately, you can still load any mission or insertion point to reclaim most of your progress, and a fix is expected soon.
And finally, tech boffins at Beyond3D reckon Halo 3 has joined a relatively poorly populated club of Xbox 360 games that run natively at 640p, rather than 720p, and then upscale.
It's well known that Bizarre Creations had to run PGR3 at 600p to achieve their desired frame-rate, so it wouldn't be completely surprising to discover that Bungie had been forced to do likewise to achieve their ambition.
Not that most will notice, of course. In fact, they would have got away with it if it weren't for those meddling kids.
Looking for more challenge in Blue Dragon? Microsoft released a free update for the game today that includes two bumped-up difficulty modes.
The download, available now on the Xbox Live Marketplace, includes the modes Hard Game, which lets you play at a difficulty level twice as high as the original, and Impossible Game, described as "the ultimate in difficulty, meant to be played starting at level 50 or higher." A third option contained in the update, called Game Plus, lets players start over using a saved game from near the end of the story.
The three-DVD Mistwalker RPG was released in the U.S. in August and was supposed to ship with these three options.
Missing from the original December 2006 Japanese release, the extra modes were released later as downloadable content there as a "new year's gift." In March, Microsoft told IGN the U.S. and European versions of the game would contain the "new year's gift" right out of the box and that the first set of downloadable content for Western gamers would contain the modes Strong Game, 6 Treasures and Shuffled Dungeon.
No word yet on when Blue Dragon players might see those modes.
Microsoft is shortly to release an updated version of the Xbox 360 Core model, it's rumoured.
Reported on Ars Technica, the new model is described as a "new version of the system" which sports and HDMI port. It features in a new pack including a 256MB memory card, a wireless Xbox 360 controller and XBLA games Pac-man, Uno, Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2 and Boom-Boom Rocket on disc.
A release date of late October is given along with a US price point of $279.99. If true, presumably the new model will launch on these shores before Christmas.
We've put a call in to Microsoft for comment on this report and it said: "We cannot comment on rumour and speculation".
It's additionally rumoured that Microsoft plans to launch a new Xbox 360 Pro bundle pack and Elite bundle pack next month - in the US at least. Both packs will come with Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Forza 2, sticking with existing price points.
Microsoft has told Next-Gen that the sheer amount of gamers attempting to play Halo 3 via Xbox Live resulted in some "minor issues" with the online service.
The launch of the title, combined with problems playing it online, also led to vastly increased traffic on Xbox.com which suffered operational hitches too.
Microsoft labelled Halo 3's launch day as the "most active Xbox Live gaming day in history" after more than a million people had been logged playing Halo 3 online. That may be the case, but there were many others who weren't able to get in on the action.
Gamers began voicing their dissatisfaction shortly after the game had been released. A multitude of problems were reported, not least on the official Xbox forums, including screens freezing, the inability to access Xbox Live and a mysterious game update that led to an error message.
A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed, rather vaguely, that there had been some issues, all of which have now been resolved.
"Xbox Live and Xbox.com experienced minor issues yesterday as a result of increased activity due to the launch of Halo 3. The issues were quickly resolved and both Xbox Live and Xbox.com are now working fine."
Bungie-developed shooter Halo 3 officially launched Tuesday, September 25, and raked in a record-breaking $170 million [£83m] in first day sales.
GameStop should just go ahead and put our tips email in their distribution list, because as soon as something interesting pops up on their POS system, we get a good four or five emails regarding it. The latest? Apparently an email has come down informing store managers to pull down any signage regarding the Xbox 360 core system, because once their current stock is gone there isn't going to be anymore. Seems like stores are preparing for the rumored new Core system, that comes with the 256MB memory card and wireless controllers. There are rumors upon rumors, but this one rings true.
We've been waiting and waiting, and after months of speculation, a hardware revision, a couple limited editions, and even a new SKU, it looks like Microsoft is finally shipping "Falcon"-equipped Xbox 360s with 65nm CPUs. According to the eagle-eyed posters in the official Xbox forums, Halo edition 360s from lot #734 appear to be the first machines with the new chips, and the time-honored method of peeking inside the case with a flashlight should confirm you have the latest and greatest once you get your baby home.
Craig, the owner of GBAX.com/GP2X.co.uk is running the Great North Run tomorrow for charity and is asking the community if they would like to sponsor him. All donations go straight towards Leukaemia Research and if you live in UK an extra 28% in tax will be added at no cost to you. Leukaemia Research is a great cause so if you would like to donate even a few $ or £ you can do so via his sponsorship page at http://www.justgiving.com/craigix. Good luck Craig for the run tomorrow!
. Instant results! And with its auto temperature sensor, it only turns on when really needed.
