Botros game news posts on a quiz given by Nintendo to resellers that may re-confirm some of the rumours about the capabilities of the "Revolution:

Basically, below you will see a picture from an online quiz for Nintendo resellers where they threw in their first (of probably many) Revolution questions. The answer is "All of the above" are correct. Therefore, Nintendo is confirming (what they may have confirmed before) but now physically, not just from "word of mouth."
gamenews.botros.net: Nintendo Confirms some Revolution hardware

Related:
Nintendo Revolution Speculation
Revolution vs. PlayStation
Discussion >>

Kotaku links to scans of the latest Official XBox Magazine that's carrying exclusive screenshots of Half-Life 2 for XBox, and the announcement that the first-person shooter will be available for the console this summer.

More discussion and scans here: Xbox Forums - Half Life 2 on its way to Xbox this summer??

Valve also let fans know through the news updates when you open Steam that they'll be giving a sneak peek of the "Aftermath" episode sometime next week.

The episode will follow on directly after the events of the ending of Half-Life 2, and is tentatively scheduled for release during the summer, according to a feature in U.K. magazine PC Gamer.

Related:
Half Life 2: Aftermath
Slashdot | Half-Life 2 - Aftermath
Half life 2: Ending Extended With Aftermath Expansion
HL2 Lost Coast Tech Glimpsed on G4TV (31 Mar)
Discussion >>

The official teaser site for Final Fantasy VII spin-off Dirge of Cerberus has been launched by Square Enix.

The Japanese site contains a list of the people working on the game, but scant other info.

The release date is still "undecided", and the genre of the game is even unclear; the only concrete information so far is the game is being developed for the PlayStation 2 and its central character will be Vincent Valentine, a hidden character in the original game.

DIRGE OF CERBERUS -FINAL FANTASY VII - via Gamespot

Related:
Gamespot preview of Dirge of Cerberus trailer at 2004 Tokyo Games Show
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children U.S. Site Goes Live
PS2: Final Fantasy VII Dirge of Cerberus slated for 2005 (Sept '04)
Discussion >>

Francis Ford Coppola is quoted as being against the EA Godfather game that will include voice-over acting from Robert Duvall, James Caan and the late Marlon Brando.

When given a preview of the game, which is due for release this Autumn, the director said:

"They use the characters everyone knows, and then for the next hour they shoot and kill each other. I had absolutely nothing to do with the game, and I disapprove,"

Coppola Disapproves Godfather Game

Related:
Godfather film director whacks Godfather game
Coppola Slams Godfather Game
Caan, Duvall join Brando to voice Godfather (2 Feb)
Discussion >>

GamersHell reports that the Matrix Online, originally due for release in Europe today, will be held back to 15th April.

As a result the pre-order beta period will be extended and players who registered a pre-order key have until 8AM (GMT) 15 April to register their accounts with a retail CD key to avoid interruptions.

The Matrix Online Delayed in Europe

Related:
Official website for The Matrix Online
Opinions on Matrix Online from Metacritic.com
The Matrix Online (U.S.) Officially Launches
In-Game Ads Feature in Matrix Online Trailer (18 Feb)
Discussion >>

More Xbox rumours and speculation, yet these with a little more credence than some of the others. Xbox Advanced reports are that a number of Xbox 2 titles are already being planned.

Quake 4, Spider-Man, and Tony Hawk's Underground 3 have been verified for the Xbox 360 as Pre-order titles.

Without an official announcement from Activision on the Xbox 360 titles, rumors have spread about on the net for awhile of their existence, particularly to them appearing on the Xbox 360. Id’s John Camack had confirmed Quake VI was in development for the PC at last summers Quake con, while Neversoft has been on schedule with a new Tony Hawk game since the first in 1999. Yet, none of the developers have officially announced the titles Xbox 360 games as of yet.
Read on

Related:
Sony To Unveil Next-Gen Console Before Microsoft
Xbox 360 Developer Support List Offered
Sony and MS fight over who will reveal next-gen first
Discussion >>

As E3 gets closer with each passing day, rumours and speculation gather with great momentum. One thing we now know for sure is that Sony will be unveiling their PS3 a whole 3 hours before Microsoft get to show off their goods.

At 15.00 on May the 16th Sony will try prove to the world that their console kicks ass. All this before the software giant has a chance to move ahead with their Xbox 2/360.

The distance between these two essential events, both to be held in the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, is going to cause some headaches for the attending media, with the journey time between the two locations raising the possibility that Sony could drag their show out to disrupt the timing of Microsoft's party. Of course, Sony would never do such a thing intentionally. Even before the machines have been revealed, the next-gen console wars are off to a vicious start.

Via ferrago

Related:
PS3 will be first next-gen out of the gate
Quake IV on PS3 and Xbox 2?
Sony PSP Sales Exceed 500,000 in first 48 hours
Xbox 360 Developer Support List Offered
Sony Patent Covers Real-Life Matrix
Discussion >>

PC Gamer UK's latest issue features a 10-page article on Half-Life 2: Aftermath.The expansion will be following on from the ending that left Half Life 2 players drooling for more.

Although Valve have not let a whole lot out of the basket, early reports that suggested players would assume the role of Alyx can be laid to rest. You will be playing alongside Alyx while she plays a much more prominent and important role as a partner than in the original.

Little was revealed, but Valve suggests that the expansion may only be published via Steam in the Summer.

Aftermath will take place after the events in Half-Life 2, as the citadel you crippled will launch into space, and you and Alyx will escape from City 17. Without the barriers put up by the alien invaders, creatures previously unable to enter will be able to roam freely, making your escape that much more difficult.

Via IGN

Related:
Half Life 2: Capture The Flag Beta 1.3 Released
How to find your Steam ID
Gabe Newell: No Folk-Rock, Just An Expanded Ego ?
HL2 Lost Coast Tech Glimpsed on G4TV
Valve's Anti-Cheat Beta Begins Next Week
G-Man Sightings
Discussion >>

CBS News reports on a $60,000 study in West Virginia aimed at combating obesity in kids with the help of PlayStation 2.

The West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency are doling out the PS2's along with Konami's Dance Dance Revolution and a dance mat that plugs into the console.

The students, all children of PEIA-covered employees, are required to meet with researchers, play the game a prescribed amount of time, wear a pedometer and maintain a log. They get to keep the game software and pad.

So far, about a dozen kids have started playing the game. They will be re-evaluated after three months and again at the end of the study.
Dancing The Pounds Away

Related:
Study uses video games to fight obesity
Discussion >>

According to an article on engadget, Sony claims that they have managed to see off over half a million PSPs in North America in the first 48 hours of its release.

They did expect to unload 1 million however, earlier predictions were that they only sold just over 570,000 in the first week.

Last week P.J. McNealy estimated that Sony moved only 575,000 units in the PSP’s first week—though it’s entirely possibly that they sold 500,000 PSP Value Packs in those initial 48 hours and then only another 75,000 over the course of the next five days
Read on

Related:
Dev Uncovers Hidden Browser In PSP
In a Week, PSP Sales Add Up to $150 Million
PSP vs DS
PSP embraced by DIY technicians
Spider-Man 2 for the PSP…sock it to us
Discussion >>

The in-game ad revolution is beginning, and Grimwell Online has a report on "Massive Advertising Network" ads in the free MMOG Anarchy Online.

A new business model is being implemented by the developers FunCom, where non-subscribers see ads woven into the game while a subscription gets you an ad-free experience.

The ads Grimwell reports on entice players to buy Sprite, the new Motley Crue album or to tune into G4TV:

The advertisements were blinking on various billboards, both in cities and in instanced missions. They randomly displayed ads for the upcoming tournament, the "Rubi-Ka rumble", or the above product placements. Obviously, one or the other of them could be existing through time, human cataclysms, and space travel to the furture planet of Rubi-ka, but seeing Motley Crue ads did cause me to wonder when I'd see them touring Omni Entertainment.

Mmmmm Marketing

Massive INC. officially announced the network early last month, and have 40 titles lined up to include the in-game ads from top publishers like Atari, EA, Eidos and Ubisoft among others.

Related:
Refreshing Taste of Sprite Invades Anarchy Online
Massive Incorporated official site
"Massive Ad Network" To Launch 28/March
In-Game Ads: Is It Really Good For Gaming ? (25 Feb)
EverQuest II - Order a Pizza In-Game
Discussion >>

As was expected sooner or later, Activision and developer Infinity Wardy officially announced Call Of Duty 2 for the PC, sequel to the highly popular WW2 shooter.

According to the press release, the game is based around an entirely new graphics engine, featuring striking new visuals and advanced A.I. technology.

the most realistic squad combat and explosive action in new historic campaigns

Once again set in World War II and based around the idea that players feel more immersed when they are dealing with real events, players will be experiencing four soldier stories.

The game will expand on the series, letting players use squads for various mission objectives, feature battlefields with multiple paths, and revamped A.I. Lastly, Call Of Duty 2 will include a Battle Chatter System, one that lets squad-members make context-sensitive updates to players. Call Of Duty 2 is scheduled for a Fall 2005 release.
Press release

Via gamegossip

Related:
Call of Duty: Deluxe Edition Ships
Discussion >>

It appears a new alternate reality game in the style of the excellent ilovebees.com has been launched to stoke up interest even higher for the next-generation XBox.

Fliers bearing an ant logo have appeared near (and sometimes within) game stores in the U.S and the U.K., and members of the Alternative Reality Gaming Network were pointed by email to the website Ourcolony.net that lets groups of players form teams in a bid to solve puzzles and win an unnamed grand prize - the prizes won so far as players have progressed have been tantalizing teaser images of what is probably the XBox 2 hardware.

Gamespot lists the similarities between Colony and ilovebees, including a countdown to May 12th (4 days before Microsoft make their pre-E3 presentation on the 16th) that appears on every page, speculating that the same marketing firm, 4orty2wo, is behind the new campaign.

Thanks to Botros.net game news for the link

More info:
"Our Colony" An ARG-ish Viral for the Next-Gen Xbox?
The Next I Love Bees
ARGN forum members have been playing Colony for almost a month
Slashdot | Alternate Reality Game for Xbox 2 E3 Unveiling
I Love Bees Ends - DVD Edition Available (Nov '04)
Discussion >>

Chris points to an Eidos press release that sheds some more light on the next installment of the highly popular "Tomb Raider" series.

[...] Eidos is evolving the brand while building on the original values of compelling character and suspense-filled adventure gameplay. Crystal Dynamics has brought together the biggest and most diverse development team in Tomb Raider history and recruited Lara Croft’s original creator Toby Gard as the lead character designer. [...]

Tomb Raider: Legend revives the athletic, intelligent and entertaining adventurer who won the hearts and minds of gamers worldwide. Lara comes alive with intricately animated expressions, moves and abilities. An arsenal of modern equipment, such as a magnetic grappling device, binoculars, frag grenades, personal lighting device and communications equipment, allows gamers to experience tomb raiding as never before. [...]
Read on

Related:
Lara Croft shuns Bono
Lara Croft is back!
Sneak peek: New Xbox, New Lara Croft
Lara Croft's Mobile Adventures Continue With In-Fusio
Discussion >>

Nintendo have today announced that they will be opening a new specialized boutique. The two-story mega-complex positioned in New York City's Rockefeller Center will be open this Spring.

The World Store will be a place where Nintendo fans can catch a glimpse of everything Nintendo, from the latest news to upcoming events, games etc.

At the Nintendo World Store, gamers can check out new and unreleased games for Nintendo DS, GCN and GBA at demo stations. Along with videogames, there will also be merchandise, accessories, and trading cards for sale. For more details, please visit

Nintendo World Store Website

Via yahoogamesdomain

Related:
Nintendo DS Europe Release Date
Nintendo DS Launch Titles Announced
Nintendo Revolution Speculation
PSP vs DS
Discussion >>

Spong report on a leaked document containing a list of publishers and developers already contracted to the Xbox 360. Among the companies mentioned, are: Activision, Lucasarts, Konani, Epic Games, Rockstar Games and Sega to name but a few.

With E3 just around the corner you can be sure to expect even more rumour and speculation with regards mainly to the PS3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo's next-gen offering.

Sources claim that this initial roster will be further bolstered at this year’s E3 and while SPOnG keeps an open mind as to the validity of the list, it does make compelling reading nonetheless

Via spong

Related:
Microsoft: Xbox 360 Ram Increase ?
Xbox 360 Unveiled 3 Days Before E3
Latest Doom 3 Screenshots For Xbox
Xbox 2 May Include Price Hike
Xbox 360: Downloadable Demos From Day One, Wireless and more
Discussion >>

New Scientist reports on a Sony patent to protect a theory for a device that directs ultrasound waves to the brain to simulate senses like taste, smell and movement.

The aim was to use it to enhance entertainment like movies and video games, though a Sony spokeswoman said the work was a "prophetic invention" and that no experiments have been done on it yet:

IMAGINE movies and computer games in which you get to smell, taste and perhaps even feel things. That's the tantalising prospect raised by a patent on a device for transmitting sensory data directly into the human brain - granted to none other than the entertainment giant Sony.

The technique suggested in the patent is entirely non-invasive. It describes a device that fires pulses of ultrasound at the head to modify firing patterns in targeted parts of the brain, creating "sensory experiences" ranging from moving images to tastes and sounds. This could give blind or deaf people the chance to see or hear, the patent claims.
Sony patent takes first step towards real-life Matrix, via Threadwatch

Related:
Patents No.6,536,440 & 6,729,337 - "Method and system for generating sensory data onto the human neural cortex"
Slashdot | Sony Patents Matrix-Like Game Technology
Gamesblog: Sony smells
Discussion >>

CNN's Game Over column reveals that Prey, the first-person action game originally shelved while 3D Realms focused on Duke Nukem Forever, was quietly restarted a few years ago and will feature at this years E3 Expo.

The game will use the Doom 3 engine, and is described as "visually striking":

3D Realms, makers of the popular "Duke Nukem" series, originally worked on "Prey," but word is they have handed development to a third party and are overseeing work on the game. Take Two Interactive Software is the likely publisher for the game, given its relationship with 3D Realms, but has not made any announcements.

According to the original game FAQ from 1998, players take the role of Talon Brave, a reluctant Native American hero whose challenge is to survive an encounter with a trinity of alien species called the Tocara.

Related:
Prey to re-enter fray at E3?
3D REALMS' PREY RESURRECTED ON DOOM 3 ENGINE
3DRealms.com
E3Expo.com
Duke Nukem Forever Physics Engine SDK Free Trial
Duke Nukem Forever Physics Pass HL2
Discussion >>

EA have announced that they will be bringing Sean Connery back to the Bond world to lend his familiar vocals to a new game based on the classic Bond film, From Russia With Love.

The celebrated Scottish actor will record new dialogue for the game, and his likeness will be taken from the 1963 movie - as will the likeness of most of the other principal characters, with the actors all signed up to appear in the title.

The title will be released on PS2, Xbox and GameCube in autumn.

Via gamesindustry

Related:
EA Leads In-Game Advertising Charge ?
The Sims 2 Breaks EA Sales Record
EA's Battlefield: Modern Combat slips a year
Discussion >>

I came across this gallery of id-related tattoos via the Wonderland blog.

Last October id CEO Todd Hollenshead also announced an official competition for the best Doom 3 tattoo, the prize of which included a copy of the game (kotaku asked the obvious question - wouldn’t anyone who has an id tattoo already own a copy of Doom 3?), but he hasn't updated with a winner yet.

Related:
DefectiveYeti Reviews Doom Boardgame
DOOM 3 XBox all about the specs; Quake 4 for QuakeCon
DOOM 3 Mods List
Discussion >>

As the war of the next-generation consoles heats up, rumours are starting to spread concerning features like: hardware, compatability, cost etc.

One rumour in particular is that in the last month alone the Xbox 360 has had a ram upgrade, details are still very vague at this point.

If the current lineup [of games] in development for the next-generation Xbox was revealed," Okamoto said in the interview, "it would not only surprise users, but the entire industry. There probably wouldn't be anyone [in Japan] that would still be uninterested in buying the next-generation Xbox when they see the lineup." He called the still-under-wraps list "a powerful fleet of Japanese designers.

Via kotaku

Related:
Xbox 2 May Include Price Hike
Doom 3 XBox Impressions
Microsoft CEO: Xbox 2 'amazing, amazing innovation'
Xbox 360 Unveiled 3 Days Before E3
Discussion >>

Sony probably won't like this, but a blogger has unearthed a simple way to play multiplayer on the PSP with only one copy of the game:

To play any multiplayer game on a Sony PSP with only one copy of a game, do the following:

· Place the game into the 1st PSP. Start the game. Start a Multiplayer Ad-Hoc game. (Set the time to unlimited because moving the game between the units takes a while.) Enter the game.

· Once you are in the game, remove the game from the unit. A message will appear asking whether you want to exit the game, say NO! The game should resume.

· Now take the game and place it into the 2nd PSP. Start the game. Now go to Ad-Hoc games and find the server that the other PSP has already started. Enter the game.

· And now you are playing each other on two PSPs with only one copy of the game. And if you want to, you can do this with up to as many units as you wish. As long as the game supports that many players.

PSP Multiplayer With One Game via Boingboing.net

More PSP links:
Waterproof PSP for Underwater Scuba-play
Rumour: PSP Euro Launch May Be Delayed To September
Gold and Diamond-Encrusted PSP
Chat on IRC With Your PSP
Discussion >>

According to an article on CNN, Microsoft will be unveiling its next generation console, the Xbox 360 three days before the Electronic Entertainment Expo (e3) begins.

The event which will see more than 400 companies cover more than 540,000 square feet, showing off new games, new consoles and new gaming gadgets is set for May 18th and is dubbed to be the biggest and most important year for gaming and games technology as a whole.

Microsoft has the most riding on this year's show. Three days before it officially begins, the company will finally take the wraps off of its next generation Xbox (which will almost certainly be named Xbox 360). Microsoft hopes the new machine will help it unseat Sony from its long-held industry leader position, which won't be an easy feat.

Via CNN

Related:
Latest Doom 3 Screenshots For Xbox
Xbox 2 May Include Price Hike
Halo, Fable Sequels Confirmed for XBox 360
Xbox 360: Downloadable Demos From Day One, Wireless and more
Microsoft CEO: Xbox 2 'amazing, amazing innovation'
38 hand gun for your Xbox?
Discussion >>

The boardgame based on Doom got a surprisingly good review on DefectiveYeti.com.

The reviewer calls the game a "fun, exciting and very tense affair" and the core of the game is elegant and easy to learn, though it loses some points for being unevenly balanced:

I'd certainly recommend Doom to anyone who enjoys the video game, and to those board gamers who don't mind a lopsided contest or have the patience to seek out and adopt enough house rules to get the game to shine.
Link via Waxy.org

Related links:
Doom The Boardgame website
GamingReport.com review - 4/5
Discussion >>

This Brothers in Arms patch updates the US & UK digital download editions of the game to v1.03, adding multiplayer lobby features, a screenshot capture function and stability and performance improvements among other things.

Download US/UK Patch
Download German Patch
Download French Patch

Related info:
First Impressions
High Res Trailer
Offical Website
Discussion >>

Activision have today announced that Call of Duty - Deluxe Edition has shipped. The new Box-Set will feature the original Call of Duty "Game of the Year Edition" plus the PC expansion United Offensive.

Listen up soldiers! Be ready for a double-dose of cinematic intensity and chaotic battles as Activision, Inc.’s Call of Duty™: Deluxe edition has shipped to retail outlets nationwide. The newest addition to the best-selling franchise includes the highly acclaimed Call of Duty™: Game of the Year edition – winner of more than 80 Game of the Year Awards, Call of Duty™: United Offensive™ – the popular expansion pack featuring additional maps, vehicle-based multiplayer and more, along with the original Call of Duty soundtrack and strategy guides. Call of Duty: Deluxe edition for the PC is rated “T” (Teen – Blood, Mild Language, Violence – content suitable for persons ages 13 and older) by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $39.99.
Full press release

Via gamegossip

Related:
Call of Duty: United Offensive Official Movie
Call of Duty - United Offensive - Videos
COD: United Offensive map and mod tools
COD: United Offensive - Single player demo
Call of Duty website
United Offensive website
Discussion >>

An interesting article on the AP about Ken Kutaragi, the man who created the PlayStation and who was also behind the recently released PSP.
Someone with a record like that you'd think would be a shoe-in for the top spot at Sony, but he was actually demoted and taken off their board of directors last month:

It appears the 54-year-old Kutaragi's outspoken nature, in a corporate culture that's oiled by consensus, may be to blame. Independent and shockingly frank by Japanese standards, Kutaragi hasn't held back from criticizing company decisions.
[...]
Asked what he would do if he were running Sony, Kutaragi said the company must revive its original innovative spirit, when it boasted engineering finesse with the transistor radio, Walkman and Trinitron TV.
Demoted Sony Electronics Guru Is Outspoken

Related links:
PlayStation Boss Still Crucial to Sony Despite Snub
Kutaragi forced off Sony's board
PS legend Kutaragi to "step down" from Sony board
Ken Kutaragi on Wikipedia
Discussion >>

Square Enix yesterday launched the U.S. website for FFVII Advent Children.

There's nothing much on it yet except the official trailer, but it's a sign that a release date may be coming soon:

Two years have passed since the events of FINAL FANTASY VII.

Though Midgar-city of Mako, city of prosperity-has been reduced to ruins, its people slowly but steadily walk the road to reconstruction.

However, a mysterious illness called geostigma torments them.

With no cure in sight, it brings death to the afflicted, one after another, robbing the people of their fledgling hope.

And so Cloud, who walked away from the life of a hero to live in solitude, must step forward yet again.

Check the U.S. site out here, and for more trailers check the Japanese site.

Related links:
Square Enix announcement
AdventChildren.net fan site
Focus On: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children and Kingdom Hearts 2
FF VII Advent Children on the IMDb
Dirge of Cerberus official site
PS2: Final Fantasy VII Dirge of Cerberus slated for 2005 (Sept '04)
Discussion >>

Beta version 1.3 of this hl2 modification is now available. I have played earlier betas of hl2 ctf and let me tell you it was a most enjoying experience. When you play hl2 dm it gets more than tedious as there really is no objective but now with a "capture the flag" game-mode, it looks like the tides are finally turning in the hl2 modification arena.

The game pits the resistance from hl2 up against the combine. With all (or most of) the weapons from Half Life 2 at your disposal this mod will provide endless hours of enjoyment and is sure to satisfy the appetite of any fan of capture the flag.

New maps included in this release:

ctf_subway
ctf_canals
ctf_stinger
ctf_storm
Full changelog here

Download the latest beta here (66 Mb)
Have any questions ? Why not post them in the hl2 ctf forums

Related:
New Weapons, Map for Half-Life 2: DM
Garry's Mod V7a Released
I'm Still Seeing Breen - HL2 Music Video
How to find your Steam ID
HL2 Lost Coast Tech Glimpsed on G4TV
Valve's Anti-Cheat Beta Begins Next Week
The Hidden: Source Nearing First Public Release
Discussion >>

Not surprisingly, the largest XBox franchises will be ported over for the next-generation of the console, codenamed XBox 2, Xenon or 360 depending on which rumour you believe.

Head of Microsoft Game Studios Shane Kim, who directed the launch of both Halo 2 and Fable since taking the job last year, gave an interview on the official XBox site:

Xbox.com: What about existing franchises—will we see those on the next-generation Xbox?

Kim:[...]The short answer is yes. Without giving away all the surprises we have in store, gamers that love franchises like Halo, Fable, and Project Gotham Racing can safely assume we will continue to invest in them as we move into the next generation.
XBox.com - A Chat with the Man in Charge

More interestingly, Kim also said that while Microsoft have catered for the core gamer market with the XBox so far, they have a strategy to expand the appeal of the platform out to a wider market, a strategy Nintendo will also aim for with the forthcoming "Revolution".

While Kim said Microsoft's strategy will focus mainly on game titles to entice the mass market, Nintendo's controller and a user friendly interface will appeal to non-gamers, and a wireless LAN capability will "put an end to the need for consumers to have highly technical skills to play games online".

Related links:
Next-gen Halo, Fable, and Project Gotham confirmed
Xbox 360: Downloadable Demos From Day One, Wireless and more
Microsoft CEO: Xbox 2 'amazing, amazing innovation'
(Nintendo CEO)Iwata discusses Revolution connectivity, controllers
Discussion >>

While Sony's PSP has been gaining massive popularity and winning the hearts of media lovers the world over (not to mention, their wallets) the creator of the PSP, Benjamin Heckendorn is at work on a gamer's equivalent to the PSP, the Pheonix 2600 will be based on the old Atari 2600 console from the 80's.

The end product is expected to sell for in and around 300 US Dolloars (with the trade-in of an existing Atari 2600)

Via engadget

Related:
Dev Uncovers Hidden Browser In PSP
PSP vs DS
Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) Review
Nintendo DS: Half A Million Units Sold in Europe
Chat on IRC With Your PSP
Discussion >>

Gamespot covered the the event to launch the DOOM 3 for XBox conversion/Resurrection of Evil expansion pack, and chatted with id software CEO Todd Hollenshead.

When asked whether future id games would be written for PC's or consoles, he pointed to the fact that PC game sales are in decline while sales of console games are on the rise so multi-console development at id will happen.

He revealed the reason DOOM 3 was made for the XBox and not other consoles was simply a matter of having the power to run the game as id intended it to be played:

"Microsoft didn't pay us anything to choose the Xbox. It's simply the only console currently available that can handle our game with the intended results."

Quake fans will also get a first glimpse of Quake IV at the QuakeCon gaming convention in Texas in August:

he revealed that the next installment in the conference's titular franchise will indeed be on hand, a fact omitted from last month's official lineup announcement. "We'll have Quake IV multiplayer to play," he said "And because it's also the 10-year anniversary of QuakeCon, we'll have a few other surprises as well."
Hollenshead confirms Quake IV for QuakeCon X, talks next-gen

Related links:
QuakeCon 2005
id software
Hollenshead on Quake IV, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Doom 3 XBox/ Doom 3: Resurrection Of Evil Ships
Carmack Tackles DOOM For Cell Phones
Discussion >>

id software and Activision have today announced that the highly anticipated expansion to Doom 3, "Resurrection of Evil" has shipped to retail outlets worldwide along with the Xbox version of Doom 3.

In Resurrection of Evil, the story takes place two years after the events from the original game and this time you play as a different marine sent to assist Dr. Elizabeth McNeal in investigating a strange beacon on the planet. When you discover a weapon known as the "Artifact", Betruger will send three demonic hunters after you

Featuring new weapons (double-barreled shotgun for one), locations and even more flesh/soul crunching demons this really promises to be another terrifying experience.

Via gamershell

Related:
Doom 3 Mods list
Latest Doom 3 Screenshots For Xbox
The Official DOOM 3 Hardware Guide
DOOM 3: Resurrection of Evil Official Trailer
Doom 3 website
Discussion >>

According to the latest figures released by Nintendo, over 500,000 Nintendo DS consoles have been sold in Europe since its release. The top-selling title seems to be Super Mario 64 DS (not very surprising).

According to the report, 77 per cent of the units allocated to stores for the DS launch (which went on sale March 11th) were picked up by busy consumers.

Nintendo says games sales have also been "outstanding". More than 250,000 copies of Super Mario 64 DS have been shifted, and the title currently stands at no. 9 in the all formats charts. Sales of WarioWare Touched! are also said to be "extremely strong".

More titles are expected to boost sales, games coming out in May include: Yoshi Touch & Go, Need for Speed Underground 2 and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.

Via gamesindustry

Related:
Nintendo DS Europe Release Date
Nintendo DS Launch Titles Announced
PSP vs DS
PSP, DS Rival Gizmondo Launches in UK
Discussion >>

GamePro.com's Age of Empires III preview is short but highlights that this installment will be a dramatically enhanced RTS featuring all the latest technological marvels:

This visual end gets a significant revamp, featuring bloom effects and enhanced animations courtesy of the Havoc physics engine. While the ultimate system specs are unknown, the game so far shows an unprecedented level of graphical detail for an RTS.
More

Related links:
Official Age of Empires III Website
Age of Empires III Announced (Jan 2005)
Discussion >>

UK magazine PSM2 were the hoaxers behind the fairly convincing but fake image of the PlayStation 3 that circled the Internet last week. The design was embedded in an official-looking presentation slide which included a list of specs:

Created by the mag to show what PS3 'could be', the image was leaked on to the net and promptly front-paged over 20 websites and encouraged excited comment on forums worldwide, including our own.

The general consensus was that, while the unit's wireless joypads and PSP/UMD connectivity were welcome, the chunky look of PSM2's vision met with disapproval.
PlayStation 3 hoaxers exposed

Discussion >>

Forever Geek links to a script that lets PSP owners access IRC through the web browser built into WipeOut Pure.
It's currently limited to one network and channel, but the creator says you'll be able to join others in the future - access it through this page.

Engadget.com also has a round-up of the latest hacks for the PSP here, including getting DVD's and videos onto your PSP, a dead pixel checker and a how-to for using your Mac to play PSP games over the Web.

Related links:
Full Details on Shipping Schedules for all PSP Software Titles
Rumour: PSP Euro Launch May Be Delayed To September
Gold and Diamond-Encrusted PSP
PSP 101: Everything you need to know about the PlayStation Portable
PSP Resource Centre
Discussion >>

The Video Games Weblog points to a rave review of God of War for the PlayStation 2 on Wired.com

The game, which took three years to make scores points on graphics, polished gameplay and a convincing cinematic feel which is partly provided by an unusual visual technique - the player has absolutely no control over the camera:

Instead, it is carefully programmed to be always in just the right spot, automatically rotating and zooming to create a fluid, deliberately controlled visual experience.

This precise camera work, coupled with the high graphic quality, leaves you staring slack-jawed at the detail of each new room, the majesty of each new vista. The story is told sparingly but concisely, punctuated by what the game's fans have dubbed "'holy shit! moments" on gaming message boards. The orchestral score prominently features a full choir, further blurring the line between game and film.
Wired: God of War No False Idol

Related link:
God of War official site
Discussion >>

The Sydney Morning Herald reports on an immersive combat simulator developed for the U.S. military that punishes players who fail to shoot enemies in time with an electric shock powerful enough to knock them down:

Players enter a platform with a 360-degree screen that shows scenarios such as freeing hostages, street gun fights, taking out suicide bombers and team attacks on enemy positions. And VirTra takes the simulations a step further by enabling the computer game to "shoot back".

If a player fails to kill an enemy in time and the enemy is able to shoot back, the simulator delivers a powerful electric shock through the player's hips. You definitely know you have been hit," Mr Haag said. "It has the same power as a stun gun. It knocks you down.

"You have to continue to work through the pain and keep on fighting, as that is what you need to do - to keep on fighting even when wounded.
Link

Related links:
Games That Shoot Back
VirTra Systems, Inc.
VirTra Systems promo video
Discussion >>

In a somewhat zany promotional campaign this Saturday, guerrilla marketing team, "Team Alpha" will be parading the streets of Dublin in Splinter Cell attire with ps2s on their backs travelling to undisclosed pubs and clubs around the center of the Irish Capital.

The group will be handing out coupons to the crowds that offer a discount on Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory and will be redeemable at any Xtra-Vision outlet.

Chaos Theory, which was released on Friday for Game Cube, PS2, PC, and Xbox, will be running on a PS2s on the backs of members of the marketing team.

The events, which kicked off in London at the weekend, will also visit Birmingham on 16 April, Sheffield on 23 April, Manchester on 30 April, Newcastle on 7 May, Glasgow on 14 May, and London once again on 21 May.

Also "Team Evolution", a group of "free runners", will supposedly dazzle onlookers with “incredible and dangerous acrobatic feats”.

Via gamestoaster

Related:
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory - Gone Gold In Europe
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Trailer
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory SP Demo
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory First Patch V1.01
Discussion >>

Gamesindustry.biz report that game publisher sources believe the PSP launch in Europe could be pushed back to September.
There has been no official date announced by Sony since it went beyond its original planned launch in March:

It's now widely believed that June is the earliest possible date for the system to arrive - but comments from two senior sources close to the development of titles for the PSP have suggested that Sony may be considering slipping the system past summer entirely.

Our sources have suggested that Sony is planning to announce the European launch date for the console at E3, which takes place in late May - and would indeed leave the company on a tight schedule to get the console out in June.
European PSP launch may be delayed to September

Related info:
PSP Official site
Gold and Diamond-Encrusted PSP
PSP Stars in South Park episode
Sony To Handle Dead PSP Pixels
Dev Uncovers Hidden Browser In PSP
Discussion >>

Atari have released a playable PC demo of Driv3r featuring 2 missions, "Booby Trap" and "Tanner Escapes":

The DRIVER series chronicles the exploits of Tanner, a ruthless undercover cop and a fearless driver; DRIV3R sees him immersed in a global car theft ring. A mysterious buyer has ordered 40 stolen high performance cars. Tanner wants to know who the buyer is, and he intends to stop the deal going through; but he is always one step away from his cover being blown, and time is running out.

The game was originally released for PC last September, and the previous June for PlayStation 2 and XBox.

Download the demo from GamersHell.com (700 MB)

More info:
Driv3r official website
PC Screenshots
Discussion >>

Blizzard Entertainment announced that following the selling out of the first batch of 620000 copies of World of Warcraft in Europe, an extra 250000 standard box copies are shipping to retail on 15 April.

Bundled with these boxes will be a free Guest Pass, allowing buyers to invite a friend to play the game for 10 days.

The game costs €44.99 (UK£29.99) and includes a one-month subscription once registered online. After the first month, a basic monthly subscription costs €12.99 (UK£8.99), while the three-month plan costs €11.99 per month (UK£8.39) and the six-month plan costs €10.99 per month (UK£7.69).

Related info:
World of Warcraft Europe
World of Warcraft Feature Video
World of Warcraft Thoughts
Discussion >>

Browse our archives:

Igniq.com Weekly News Archives

Archive for this week:

9.4.05 Botros: Quiz Confirms Some Revolution Hardware
 HL2 XBox This Summer, Aftermath Sneak-Peek Next Week
 Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus Site Goes Live
 Coppola No Fan of Godfather Game
 Matrix Online Euro Release Delayed
 Quake 4 And Other Xbox 2 Titles Emerge
 Sony To Unveil Next-Gen Console Before Microsoft
8.4.05 Half life 2: Ending Extended With Aftermath Expansion
 PS2 Used To Combat Obesity
 Sony PSP Sales Exceed 500,000 in first 48 hours
 Ads for Sprite, Motley Crue Appear in Anarchy Online
 Call Of Duty 2 Announced
7.4.05 Alternate Reality Game for the XBox 2?
 Tomb Raider Revived
 Nintendo To Open World Store
 Xbox 360 Developer Support List Offered
 Sony Patent Covers Real-Life Matrix
6.4.05 Shelved 3D Realms Prey to be Unveiled at E3
 EA Bring Connery Back For One More Bond Role
 Gallery of id software Related Tattoos
 Microsoft: Xbox 360 Ram Increase ?
 Multiplayer PSP with One Copy of a Game
 Xbox 360 Unveiled 3 Days Before E3
 DefectiveYeti Reviews Doom Boardgame
 Brothers In Arms v 1.03 Patch
5.4.05 Call of Duty: Deluxe Edition Ships
 "Father of PlayStation" Ken Kutaragi
 Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children U.S. Site Goes Live
 Half Life 2: Capture The Flag Beta 1.3 Released
 Halo, Fable Sequels Confirmed for XBox 360
 Portable Atari 2600 In The Works
 DOOM 3 XBox all about the specs; Quake 4 for QuakeCon
4.4.05 Doom 3: Resurrection Of Evil Ships
 Nintendo DS: Half A Million Units Sold in Europe
 GamePro Get First Look at Age of Empires III
 Origin of Fake PS3 Image
 Chat on IRC With Your PSP
 PS2: God of War Gets Rave Wired Review
 Combat Simulators That "Shoot Back"
 Splinter Cell To Parade Streets Of Dublin
3.4.05 Rumour: PSP Euro Launch May Be Delayed To September
 DRIV3R PC Demo Available
 250000 More Copies of WoW To Hit Europe On 15 April