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Xbox 360 controllerBill Gates has talked about the Xbox 360 in a new Q&A session, though disappointingly he didn't indulge in any Kutaragi-style trashing of the competition. Instead he said he was happy with the power of the Xbox 360 compared to the Playstation 3, and said basically both companies have "Ferrari's" in the next-gen console race. The advantage he pointed to with the Xbox 360 however was its early release:

Our Ferrari is leaving the starting line substantially before their Ferrari is, and in most races that's a very nice thing.

He also pointed out that the original Xbox was late to market in the first battle between the two companies, and that sales suffered as a result.

Gates' simple logic makes sense, and is enough to make you wonder whether Sony might have made a mistake in delaying the release of the PS3 until it's "future proofed". This will give Microsoft months of zero competition and time to embed Xbox 360 as the "original" next-gen console in the minds of average punters, who likely won't care less about detailed analysis of the specs as long as the graphics impress and there's a good lineup of games.

Microsoft sees Xbox 360 in driver's seat

Related:
PS2 Pricecut Trick for Xbox 360 Launch?
Designing the Xbox 360 User Interface
The mystery of the missing Xbox 360 cables
Xbox 360 Motherboard Image?
Xbox Summit, Games List
Xbox 360 Aspirations
Xbox 360 Comes With A Child-Lock
Xbox Live reaches 2 million
Japan facing Xbox 360 delay?
Xbox 360 links
Discussion >>
By Rob



Playstation 2The battle between Microsoft and Sony could see gamers walk away with some real bargains later this year. Retail sources have told Spong.com that Sony are planning on undermining the launch of the Xbox 360 by slashing the price of the slimline PS2 to just £60 in the U.K.

The sources say that the price reduction will probably be worldwide, with the console slashed to about $100 in the U.S.
Nintendo may also get in on the 360-spoiling with a price cut for the GameCube:

It was also claimed that Nintendo will make a similar move with its GameCube console, backed and buoyed by the release of the new Zelda game Twilight Princess, slated for launch in late summer. Official double bundle packs featuring Resident Evil 4 and Mario Kart are also expected.

“You can expect significant reductions in the price of everything this Christmas, but most noticeable will be the PlayStation 2,” our well-placed source told SPOnG. “We’ve been briefed to expect a price as low as £60 beginning at the start of December. Sony’s probably looking at a global price cut – around $100 in the States and a serious Platinum range announcement too.”

Slimline PlayStation 2 for £60 – 360 Spoiler Looms

Related:
Designing the Xbox 360 User Interface
The mystery of the missing Xbox 360 cables
Every Party announced for Xbox 360
Xbox 360 Motherboard Image?
Xbox Summit, Games List
Xbox 360 Aspirations
Xbox 360 Comes With A Child-Lock
Xbox Live reaches 2 million
Japan facing Xbox 360 delay?
Ha ha I have an Xbox 360, so there!
Xbox 360 Euro Showcase Announced for October
Discussion >>
By Rob



The Matrix OnlineSony Online Entertainment have announced they will be reducing the number of worlds in The Matrix Online from nine to three, due to a lack of players:

Recently, members of the community have noted that it can be difficult to find other players in The Matrix: Mega City. The current level of population density can limit opportunities for socializing with other players which are such a key part of our worlds.

Rather than simply removing six world's and moving players into the other three existing ones, SOE have created three all-new world's, and are offering some benefits to players to make up for the inconvenience, namely extra currency and XP points can be earned for a limited time. The company also left the hard work of naming the new world's to the players themselves, and recently hosted a poll on the official forums where players could vote on a range of different names. The winning names were Syntax, Recursion and Vector.

SOE recently acquired The Matrix Online from developer Monolith and Warner Bros. and announced a plan to eventually fold it into their Station Access service, where customers can get access to all of SOE's MMOG's like EverQuest and Star Wars: Galaxies with one subscription.

The Matrix Online News: Community Update -- World Merge via Gamespot

Related:
The Matrix Online
SOE: Station Access
Layoffs Follow Matrix Online Sale (22 June)
Sony Confirm Matrix Online Acquisition (17 June)
Discussion >>
By Rob



Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

The Australian ratings board has moved to ban Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas after an investigation into the Hot Coffee sex scenes.

The game had previously carried an over-15's classification, which has now been revoked. Because the game doesn't carry a classification anymore, it is illegal to sell, advertise or distribute it, and retailers have been ordered to clear their shelves of the game immediately:

“Businesses that sell or hire computer games should remove existing stocks of this game from their shelves immediately,” said Director of the OFLC, Mr Des Clark.

“Parents are strongly advised to exercise caution in allowing children continued access to the game, particularly if they might have access to the ‘Hot Coffee’ modification.”

The ban is the second in a series of blows to Take-Two and Rockstar Games after the ESRB in the U.S. revoked the game's Mature rating and replaced it with an AO or Adult Only rating.

The AO rating is expected to severely impact sales of the game, and another blow might be in the pipeline after the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly for yet another investigation, this time by the Federal Trade Commission.
The FTC investigation could result in a hefty fine or an even wider recall of the game in the U.S.

Australian Govt. Classification Office statement (.pdf)
Take-Two Interactive Statement

Related:
Granny takes on Rockstar
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Announces Federal Trade Commission Inquiry(26 July)
Did Rockstar damage the gaming industry?
Federal Investigation to Reheat Hot Coffee
Clinton Statement Praises ESRB, Smacks Rockstar
Rockstar Admit Percolating Hot Coffee (22 July)
Take-Two press release announcing ratings change
id CEO voices concerns over Hot Coffee
Hot Coffee Earns GTA: San Andreas Adult Only Rating
Rumour: GTA Sex Mod Clever Marketing Ploy?
GTA Hot Coffee Also Confirmed On PS2(16 July)
Interview With Assemblyman At Centre of GTA Sex Mod Row (16 July)
Rockstar Again Denies Stirring Hot Coffee (14 July)
Watchdog Jumps Into GTA Sex Mod Debate (12 July)
Rockstar Deny Sex in GTA: San Andreas (11 July)
Discussion >>
By Rob



PlayStation PortableC|NET have a handy review of the official browser for the PSP posted up that walks through its strengths and weaknesses.

Javascript appears to be fully supported, as well as podcasts. Sony have also tried to make typing as easy as possible with a virtual keyboard that has special shortcut keys for http:// and .com.
The main downsides are the lack of Flash support, and a freezing of the cursor while images on the page are loading.

Version 2.0 of the PSP's firmware that includes the browser has only been released in Japan so far, but it apparently works fine on U.S. PSP's and is available to download on PSPUpdates.com.

UPDATE:
Sony have stated that installing the Japanese firmware on the U.S. PSP will render the warranty void, so it might be advisable to wait until 12 August when the U.S. update is released.

C|NET: Inside the PSP's new Web browser

Related:
New PSP Update "Tough Cookie To Crack"
Gamesindustry: Sony launches PSP web browser update (27 July)
Sony unloads over 5 million PSPs worldwide
Blizzard Planning Diablo, Starcraft for DS/PSP?
Free Worldwide Shipping Offer For PSP, Nintendo DS
Discussion >>
By Rob



HL2: The Lost CoastGamespot have posted up the first hands-on of Half-Life: The Lost Coast. They describe the difference gamers will see now that high-dynamic range lighting is in place, and give some specific system specs; apparently a 2 GHz CPU, 1 GB of RAM and a GeForce 6800 or Radeon X800 are needed to play at maximum detail.

They also give a vague idea of the plot:

You fight your way up a sheer cliff face, trading fire with those pesky Combine soldiers every step of the way. You'll occasionally have to deal with some of the more vicious sorts of headcrabs, and at the end you'll have to bring down a Combine gunship with Gordon Freeman's trusty rocket launcher. You'll have to solve a couple of light physics puzzles as well, which we won't detail for the sake of preserving at least a little of the surprise. You'll even get to talk to an old man at the beginning of the level, who provides you with the impetus to head up into the hills and engage the Combine in the first place.

Read on

Related:
Another CS: Source mapping contest
DoD Source/HL2: Lost Coast Status Update
Lombardi: Folks will be quite pleased with DoD: Source
Valve Unveil Developer Community Site (29 June)
Doug Lombardi talks Steam (29 June)
Valve: Getting Closer To HL2: Lost Coast Release (27 June)
HDR, wtf?
Discussion >>
By Rob



Furgles CD HolderFor the fashionable gamer looking for some place cool to store all his/her games disks, let me introduce the Furgles CD Holder.

These furry storage unites can cram in 24 CDs/ or DVDs into their belly, so now you finally have a place from which you'll always enjoy reaching for your favourite game/film/album.

When life gets me down, I always like snuggle my Furgle CD holder. I give it a big hug, pull my DVD of Pocahontas from deep within its warm guts, and have a nice night… just the two of us. By no means is the Furgle supposed to replace that emptiness in your life, but being that it’s cute and holding 24 CDs and/or DVDs, how could life get any better? Next time you are at Home Depot, give up on your attempts to look masculine and purchase the first and last fluffy CD holder that you will ever need.

Furgles CD Holder

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Cool Nes deck-chair
Micro-Sized NES Controller
Giant NES Controller
NES Controller Belt Buckle
Haunted NES
Discussion >>
By Gary



PS3An interesting piece of news coming in from Spong. They report on analysts Wedbush Morgan who have come to the conclusion that Sony will hold back on shipping the PS3 until 2007, if the Xbox 360 fails to make an impact on the console market-share.

We expect Sony to defer a decision regarding PS3 launch until it is able to assess the likely success of the Xbox 360, and anticipate that Sony will make its decision shortly after the Xbox 360 launch. We do not expect the PS3 until mid 2006, at the earliest, and should Microsoft fail to garner sufficient software support to gain an insurmountable lead, we think that there is a possibility that the PS3 launch will slip into early 2007.

Just last week at the The PlayStation meeting, Sony let slip that we would see a Japanese release of the PS3 in Spring of 2006.

Sony is keeping tight-lipped on this as you might expect, though SPOnG cannot help wonder if the analysts quoted above have any tangible concept of what it takes to launch a videogame platform. The entire process is a massive undertaking and cannot be decided upon a whim, as suggested.

From manufacturing to retail, PR to third-party publishing/developing, SPOnG would assert that itÂ’s simply impossible to maintain a transient console launch strategy as Wedbush Morgan describes.

PS3 to Launch in 2007 if Xbox 360 Fails

Related:
Kutaragi rounds up PS3 features, pricing still unclear
Playable PS3 Demos At Tokyo Games Show?
Sony unloads over 5 million PSPs worldwide
PS3 Games at the Annual Playstation Meeting
Endless Saga PS3 MMORPG Announced
More Kutaragi banter on PS3 pricing
Sony announce Unreal 3 endeavour
PSP Web Browsing, TV Downloads Next Week
Kutaragi reiterates PS3 as a 'computer'
Playstation 3 tech specs
Discussion >>
By Gary





It seems to be a day for reflection, a day where I can't stop looking back on all the games I used to play, long before the Super-Nes days. This is helped along by too many cool flash animations to count. You guys keep knocking out these wonderful creations, won't you let me move on and think about Playstation 3 and Xbox 360? I guess not.

These Mario flash animations are amazing, with gripping musical scores to boot.

Alexander Leon's Official Mario Brothers Flash series Webpage

Related:
Over 30 online flash games
Play Sugar Crash
When video games and music collide
Video game TV spots, lots of them
Games music, mash-ups and remixes
Discussion >>
By Gary



Windows Vista1up.com's Darren Gladstone has a nice article in which he examines Microsoft's next operating system, Windows Vista (formerly Longhorn) from the perspective of a gamer.

The new OS which MS touts will have better security, search functionalities and a new browser version (among other features) will not be shipping until the last quarter of 2006, but the first beta has been released to beta-testers and IT pros the world over.

Microsoft's Lisa Sikora, Product Manager for Windows Gaming, wanted to drive home the fact that while there are vocal minorities of PC-only and console-only gamers, a larger number of people own both, and get their gaming fix wherever they can.

Sikora talked about big plans to get the PC out of the gaming ghetto -- the back, crap racks in retail stores. Basically, there's going to be a big push at retail to create a Windows gaming space, right there next to where you're accustomed to seeing the Xbox/X360, Playstation 2/3, and GameCube displays. While nobody could officially comment, word has it Wal-Mart is one of the retail chains considering rezoning stores to make more room for gaming -- even taking out stuff like other electronics.

But the big news, obviously, is the new OS. "When people want to show off what Vista and DirectX 10 can do, people will be showing off games. That's what [Microsoft's] executives do," says Wickham. Most will have to wait for a big consumer unveiling of the new OS this coming January at CES, yours truly was on-hand to see Windows Vista in action.

CGW breaks down the latest (and greatest?) operating system

Discussion >>
By Gary



Dexy's Midnight RunnersNamco are taking a step back into the past when it releases its classic games collection, Namco Museum: 50th Anniversary Arcade Collection. The company will be including some very notable 80s tunes into the collection of old-school titles, songs like "Come on Eileen," Loverboy's "Working for the Weekend," Fine Young Cannibals' "She Drives Me Crazy," The Romantics' "Talking in Your Sleep," and Dazz Band's "Joystick."

Namco Museum: 50th Anniversary Arcade Collection will be making its debut on the PS2, Xbox, GameCube, PC and Game Boy Advance for $19.99.

The set is slated for release in Autumn of this year.

Related:
Video game TV spots, lots of them
Pac Man's 25th Birthday, And We Salute Him
Pac-Man smashes Guinness Book of World Records
Discussion >>
By Gary



MTVMTV has announced its nominees for the coveted 'Best Videogame Soundtrack' award for the upcoming Video Music Awards.

The nominees are: Konami's Dance Dance Revolution Extreme, Electronic Arts' Madden NFL 2005 and Def Jam: Fight for New York. With a little less prestige, Rockstar Games' Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition and Activision's Tony Hawk's Underground 2 are registered contenders for the gong.

It was only last year that MTV entered the Video Game category into their awards event and 2004 saw Tony Hawk's Underground run away with 1st prize from rival nominees Madden NFL 2004, SSX 3, True Crime: Streets of LA and Need for Speed Underground.

The MTV Video Music Awards, which is being hosted by music mogul and artist P Diddy, will be recorded on August 28th, with nominations for the videogame category running to a public online vote on the official website.

MTV nominates Best Soundtrack Awards for videogames

Related:
When video games and music collide
Video game TV spots, lots of them
Games music, mash-ups and remixes
Discussion >>
By Gary





MouseBreaker.com links to over 30 online flash games to while away those idle hours at work (or home). As long as you have the flash plugin installed on your browser, you can play the games.

Be it FLASH CRICKET!, BMX STAR, HELI ATTACK 3 or MONEYBAGS MALCOLM!, there is certainly something for everyone here.

Over 30 online flash games

Related:
Play Sugar Crash
Discussion >>
By Gary



Ken KutaragiKen Kutaragi has once again hinted that the price of the Playstation 3 will be no push-over. Last week at Sony Computer Entertainment's PlayStation Meeting in Japan, Kutaragi stated:

I'm aware that with all these technologies, the PS3 can't be offered at a price that's targeted towards households. I think everyone can still buy it if they wanted to. But we're aiming for consumers throughout the world. So we're going to have to do our best (in containing the price).

He also reiterated that the Playstaion 3 will be backwards compatible with both PS1 and PS2 games.

Kutaragi also went on the defend his decision on choosing Blue-Ray disks over HD-DVD disks, while explaining the full HD features of the PS3 which Ken believes will save consumers money.

We're looking at a life cycle of 10 years with the PlayStation 3. We're currently shifting from standard TVs to HD TVs. But in the next couple of years, most flat-panel TVs will be full HD. We're releasing the PS3 with full HD features from the start so that consumers won't have to buy another version of the console in the future. For the same reason, we're using Blu-ray as the PS3's disc format.

Sony chief warns PS3 will be "expensive"; PS2 hits sales highs

Related:
Playable PS3 Demos At Tokyo Games Show?
Sony unloads over 5 million PSPs worldwide
PS3 Games at the Annual Playstation Meeting
Endless Saga PS3 MMORPG Announced
More Kutaragi banter on PS3 pricing
Sony announce Unreal 3 endeavour
PSP Web Browsing, TV Downloads Next Week
Kutaragi reiterates PS3 as a 'computer'
Playstation 3 tech specs
Discussion >>
By Gary





DesignInteract.com has an interesting look at the design of the Xbox 360 user interface. Designing the interface for the next-gen console took 2 years of hard graft according to the article.

Russ Glaser is group user interface design manager at Microsoft, and it was his responsibility for the design of the user interface. Where the Xbox was simply for gaming, the Xbox 360 will act like a media hub where people will be able to store their photos, music and an other media files, so understandably a lot more thought and care had to go into the design.

We added things to draw a wider audience, what we call the '‘digital entertainment lifestyle enthusiast,'” he says, the phrase not exactly rolling off his tongue. '“That person could be a gamer, but is more likely a gamer'’s mom'.

The Making of A Video Game Console Interface

Related:
The mystery of the missing Xbox 360 cables
Every Party announced for Xbox 360
Xbox 360 Motherboard Image?
Xbox Summit, Games List
Xbox 360 AspirationsXbox 360 Comes With A Child-Lock
Xbox Live reaches 2 million
Japan facing Xbox 360 delay?
Ha ha I have an Xbox 360, so there!
Xbox 360 Euro Showcase Announced for October
Discussion >>
By Gary



Counter-Strike: SourceTime to get out your mapping tools and creative minds, as hl2Mapping.com are holding another mapping contest. Contestants are asked to create a map for Counter Strike: Source, the prize is a free standard web hosting from dlhosting.co.uk for three months.

There are no specifications for the type of map and the deadline is 12th of August.

So what do I have to do to enter this competition I hear you asking. Well:

- Design a map
- Submit your map to sp00neyg@hl2mapping.com by Friday 12th August (23:59 GMT) along with your details (map name, your name, your email (IMPORTANT), any other contact information)
- Tell your friends about HL2Mapping.com (this will come in handy later) and ask them to register on the site
- Sit back, relax with a nice cup of coffee, and wait for the results

The maps will be judged by our staff on 2 rounds of judging, and will also be open to the public for a playtest between the 12th August and the 16th August where you (and your friends) can also vote in the site poll for your favourite map.

The winner (site voting may be taken into consideration by staff when winner is chosen) will be announced on HL2Mapping.com on Friday 19th August (and contacted via email), and the (free) hosting will run from the winners choice of date (no later than two (2) months after closing date of competition submissions.

CS:S Mapping Competition WITH Prize

Related:
DoD Source/HL2: Lost Coast Status Update
Lombardi: Folks will be quite pleased with DoD: Source
New DoD: Source Gameplay Trailers
Valve Unveil Developer Community Site (29 June)
Doug Lombardi talks Steam (29 June)
Valve: Getting Closer To HL2: Lost Coast Release (27 June)
Doug Lombardi Interview, DoD Source development still unclear
DoD: Source News Update & HL1: Deathmatch Source Revamp
Discussion >>
By Gary



Battlefield 2Battlefield 2 has sold 1 million copies worldwide since its launch on June 21st. That is according to a news article on Digital Illusion's (DICE) website.

The article also reveals that in total, over 6 million units of the entire Battlefield franchise have been sold worldwide.

The game has received numerous awards since its release, but also has taken heat due to some bugs in the game's release and a buggy patched subsequently released by EA.

Battlefield 2 was shown at E3, the gaming industry’s leading trade show, in May 2005. The product won many awards. Battlefield 2 received the official E3 prize '”Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2005'” as Best Online Multiplayer Game.

Battlefield 2 also received several awards from influential gaming magazines during E3. Gamespy praised it as Best PC Game, Best Multiplayer Game and Third Best Game, all categories. IGN gave Battlefield 2 the prize as Best PC Action Game, and Gamespot elected it Best Shooter Game.

Battlefield 2 sold 1 million copies

Related:
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Battlefield 2 GPU Wars, ATI Vs Nvidia
EA expected to tackle BF2 server issues
EA launch first Battlefield 2 patch
Battlefield 2 video card dilemma
Battlefield 2 demo, mirrors and torrent
Discussion >>
By Gary



Gary Grigsby's World at WarA playable demo is now available for Gary Grigsby's World at War. The epic WWII strategy game has garnered respectable reviews since it was released back in March.

The demo includes two tutorial scenarios and a full year of the 1941 scenario:

The included tutorials cover movement, combat, production and research and the demo also includes a full manual for gamers interested in learning more about the game. The 1941 campaign scenario starts with Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, and ends in the summer of 1942. Players can play any of the five major powers in the one year campaign, which also covers the opening of the Pacific theater of World War II with the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Download the demo (292 MB)

Related:
Official website
Gamespot review (8.4 Great)
2BY3Games - Developer
Discussion >>
Battlefield 2 GPU Wars, ATI Vs Nvidia
EA expected to tackle BF2 server issues
EA launch first Battlefield 2 patch
Battlefield 2 video card dilemma
Battlefield 2 demo, mirrors and torrent
Discussion >>
By Rob



Final Fantasy XI: The Vana'Diel CollectionSquare Enix have announced "Final Fantasy XI: The Vana'Diel Collection" will ship to retail in the U.S. on the 16th of August.

The PC pack will include Final Fantasy XI and the expansion packs Rise of the Zilart and Chains of Promathia in an easy-to-install single-DVD format.

Other goodies included in the pack include the popular mini-game Tetra Master, a Buddy Pass that lets players invite a friend to play for 30 days, and an iTunes Collectors Card to download a free song from the Final Fantasy XI Collection.

The Vana'Diel Collection will cost $29.99 when it's released, and can be pre-ordered on the official website.

Related:
Final Fantasy XI Clock
FINAL FANTASY® XI COMING TO XBOX 360 (16 May)
Discussion >>
By Rob



PirateA new study carried out by the Brunel University reveals that 80% of gamers have engaged in video game piracy at some time or another, with the 15-18 year old demographic topping 84%.

According to the study, 80% of the 217 people involved found illegally downloading games was an easy endeavour. 65% came to the conclusion that getting caught was not very likely.

70% said they would have no problem downloading a pirated game if they were made to wait longer than some other part of the world, with 58% saying they would not go on to buy a video game after downloading it.

Videogame piracy costs game publishers an estimated USD 5 billion per year and efforts to combat illegal downloading have met with little success, according to the study's author.

Study reveals high level of piracy amongst teenagers

Related:
'Operation Site Down' closes 8 illegal game servers
The Shadow Internet (02 01 05)
Discussion >>
By Gary



Grand Theft Auto: San AndreasYet another twist in the the 'Hot Coffee' saga. This time an 85 year-old granny has brought a civil suit against Rockstar seeking unspecified damages. 85 year-old Florence Cohen of New York bought 'San Andreas' for her grandson and the basis for the suit is that Rockstar and parent company Take-Two Interactive engaged in misleading and deceptive practices in both the packaging and selling of Grant Theft Auto: San Andreas.

When it rains it pours for Take-Two, who was notified only yesterday that the Federal Trade Commission was investigating the situation. The inquiry comes after the US House of Representatives voted 355-21 in favor of a resolution mandating the FTC to get their hands dirty with this.

The suit comes amid the discovery of a hidden sex mod in the popular game, although it is not yet known if the courts will consider the sex mod as part of the game, considering you need to download a special program in order to get your hands on the material.

There is, however, a logical side to this that's hard to argue against if we drop the drama for a minute. Ratings, be they for movies or for games, are as much about what is not in the game/movie as they are about what's in them. The ratings system moves from the "OK for everyone" side of the spectrum to the "OK for only a select few," establishing outposts (as it were) that dictate what can and cannot be in a movie or game. We can ask all kinds of sociology questions about what kind of society we live in when simulated violence is so welcome but sex isn't, but when we get back to Realpolitik, we see that she has a case. The rating justifiably told her what's not in the game as well (and we have no what of knowing if she actually looked), and Rockstar is going to have a tough fight on their hands with scores of angry parents. The big question on my mind is whether or not a civil court will consider the simulated, interactive sex minigame as part of the game or not, given the need to modify the game to get to the game's hidden content.

Grandma sues Rockstar Games

Related:
Did Rockstar damage the gaming industry?
Games produce non-violent nation?
Jack Thompson after Sims 2 'nudity'
Rockstar Admit Percolating Hot Coffee
Modder: "the scriptcode, the models, the animations and the dialogs by the original voice-actors were all created by RockStar"
Discussion >>
By Gary



PSPAs version 2.0 of the PSP firmware rolls out in Japan, detailed reports on its features have started to appear online.

For instance we now know the long-awaited official browser comes with tabbed-browsing similar to Firefox and any image can now be used as the wallpaper for the console. But mingled with the new features is a very strong security patch that stops homebrew code from running, and represents a new set of obstacles for hackers to beat.

A member of the MaxConsole.net forums has posted up a technical runthrough of the problems homebrew coders now face:

1) The format of the encrypted PRX files in flash has changed which means we can not decrypt these files using the current methods.

This is a big problem since in order to figure out the new format, you would first need a dump of decrypted code. The best way to get a dump of the decrypted code is to be able to run code on the PSP, but obviously right now there is no known way to run code on the 2.0 firmware.

And in order to run code on the 2.0 firmware you need to find an exploit, which at this stage would probably require having a dump of the decrypted code (trial & error exploits such as kexploit probably arent going to work anymore). So we've got catch-22 situation here.

I'm not saying that figuring out how to either run code on 2.0 or decrypt the 2.0 PRX files is impossible but it has certainly been made a lot more difficult now and we may need to look at alternative methods for each of these tasks.

Incase you are unaware of what a PRX file is, it's an executable module, similar to a windows .dll file. The PSP the kernel is made up of a number of ENCRYPTED PRX files and in order to reveal the kernel code, you need to either decrypt those files or get a ram dump. To get a ram dump you need code running on the PSP so thats not really possible on 2.0 right now and as already stated, neither is decrypting the PRX files

2) There are quite a few DNAS related files in flash (also when you update the firmware you are presented with a DNAS license). Not sure yet how DNAS is going to be applied on the PSP but its interesting that they've added it with 2.0.

Feature: Version 2.00 firmware a Hackers friend or Nightmare ? via PSPupdates


Related:
Gamesindustry: Sony launches PSP web browser update
Sony unloads over 5 million PSPs worldwide
Blizzard Planning Diablo, Starcraft for DS/PSP?
Free Worldwide Shipping Offer For PSP, Nintendo DS
Discussion >>
By Rob



Beavis and ButtheadMTV's Tony Callandra has told Gamecloud that the new MTV games division have a Jackass game in the works, and are also looking into the possibility of resurrecting Beavis and Butthead in a console game.

No other details on either of the games are given, though the rest of the interview is interesting as a look into MTV's plans in the games industry.

Gamecloud: MTV Games Interview

Related:
MTV Gets Into Video Games (6 July)
Discussion >>
By Rob



Doom Movie

More games movie news coming out of Universal Pictures; the studio has now launched the official website for the Doom movie.

The rather sparse site features a runthrough of the storyline (which will in fact be set on Mars despite earlier reports), a trailer, photos and downloads.

The downloads include a free screensaver, AIM icons and some desktop wallpaper of the official logo for the movie.

The movie is due to hit cinemas in the U.S. on 21 October, and will star The Rock and Karl Urban (Eomer in Lord of The Rings).

DoomMovie.com

Related:
Doom (2005) on the IMDb
Universal Pictures listing for Doom The Movie
Doom movie trailers tickle fans just right
Doom Coming to Phones (7 June)
Doom 3 Expansion, uninspiring money grabber?
id Software Biopic In The Pipeline (15 April)
Discussion >>
By Rob



God of WarUniversal Pictures has secured the movie rights for the acclaimed Playstation 2 game, God of War.

No scriptwriter has been announced as of yet, though Variety.com reports that Charles Roven and Alex Gartner of Mosaic Media Group will produce:

"We've been enthralled by this project since our first time playing the game in March and realized its narrative had great potential for large-screen production," Roven said.

Mosaic is a producer on Dimension's upcoming "Brothers Grimm." Recent producer credits include "Batman Begins" at Warner Bros. and U's "Kicking & Screaming," as well as both "Scooby-Doo" pics.

'War' bonds with Mosaic (Free reg. req.)


Related:
God of War official site
God of War Creator Blogs New PSP Game
God of War No False Idol
God of War - PS2 Avg Ratio: 95%
Discussion >>
By Rob



Revenge of the Sith DVDThis November will truly be the month of Star Wars, in which will see the release of both Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith to DVD plus Battlefront II for PC, Xbox, PS2 and PSP.

The Star Wars DVD is coming packaged with a 'bonus disk' that will include a brand-new full-length documentary (produced by Lucasfilm), plus two new featurettes; one that explores the prophecy of Anakin Skywalker as the 'Chosen One' and another showcasing the film's impressive stunts. Also included on the bonus disk, A 15-part collection of Lucasfilm's groundbreaking web documentary series, Making Episode III. As if that wasn't enough, there will also be a two-level playable demo of Star Wars: Battlefront II for the Xbox.

Revenge of the Sith gave audiences an extraordinary experience, and we want this DVD to do the same," said Jim Ward, Vice President of Marketing and Distribution for Lucasfilm Ltd. "From the beginning of production, George wanted to be sure we chronicled everything that went into the making of Episode III specifically to create an incredible DVD experience. This DVD has literally been three years in the making, and it's going to be a fantastic way to complete the Star Wars saga at home.

Thanks to IGNIQ member McGriff for the heads up.

Nov 1: Experience Episode III on DVD and Star Wars Battlefront II

Related:
Official Star Wars website
Battlefront II website
Discussion >>
By Gary



GTA: San AndreasAn interesting article over on Cheap Ass Gamer takes a new approach to the whole 'Hot Coffee' debacle. Instead of the usual articles siding with Rockstar Games, this author has lashed out at the games developers, accusing them of jeopardizing the entire games industry, leaving it vulnerable to lawsuits and making the ratings board look like a 'bunch of high school slackers who got caught smoking in the bathroom.'

Rockstar sold out their colleagues and their customers, leaving the entire gaming industry and the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) looking like a bunch of high school slackers who got caught smoking in the bathroom.

How Rockstar Screwed Us

Related:
Games produce non-violent nation?
Jack Thompson after Sims 2 'nudity'
Rockstar Admit Percolating Hot Coffee
Modder: "the scriptcode, the models, the animations and the dialogs by the original voice-actors were all created by RockStar"
Rockstar Again Denies Stirring Hot Coffee (14 July)
Clinton Statement Praises ESRB, Smacks Rockstar
Take-Two press release announcing ratings change
id CEO voices concerns over Hot Coffee
Discussion >>
By Gary



XBox 360Some amusing news coming in that suggests Microsoft has not been able to find room for basic audio and video cables inside the box that the Xbox 360 will ship with. At the recent Xbox summit, Microsoft showed off what exactly will be shipping with the Xbox 360; wireless controller, ethernet cable and the such, but no audio or video cables?

Many sites are reporting on this rumour, although it hardly seems likely to be the true, rather a misinterpretation of some kind.

1up.com has contacted Microsoft about the issue although they have declined to comment just yet.

When you purchase a new console you expect the manufacturer to provide everything necessary to have it up and running. The included cables and such might not be the best, but you can always pick up that S-Video cable later. If Microsoft's to be believed, though, their upcoming Xbox 360 won't even include basic audio/visual cables.

Xbox 360's Missing Cables

Related:
Every Party announced for Xbox 360
Xbox 360 Motherboard Image?
Xbox Summit, Games List
Xbox 360 AspirationsXbox 360 Comes With A Child-Lock
Xbox Live reaches 2 million
Japan facing Xbox 360 delay?
Ha ha I have an Xbox 360, so there!
Xbox 360 Euro Showcase Announced for October
Discussion >>
By Gary



Lara CroftThe official Tomb Raider: Legend website has been updated. Eidos has given the website a new look with a new Lara Croft. Some fresh screenshots have been posted along with concept art of Croft. Plus some fan-submitted art of the Tomb Raider star.

The site also includes an interview with Toby Gard, who talks about Lara's new look and what lies ahead for the long-awaited iteration.

The release date for 'Legend', under development for the PC, Playstation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, and PSP is still unclear, however some recent retail reports suggest the game's release may not be until sometime next year.

Tomb Raider: Legend Official website

Related:
Angelina Jolie not voicing Croft in 'Legend'
Saucy Tomb Raider: Legend screens surface
Tomb Raider's Djimon Hounsou and Bono to tackle poverty
Angelina Jolie and Bob Geldof Combine Forces
Discussion >>
By Gary



Ken Kutaragi/PS3Some very exciting news coming in from GamesIndustry.biz. According to an article, Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi has hinted that visitors to this year's Tokyo Games Show may get the chance to try out some playable Playstation 3 demos.

Kutaragi dropped the hint while speaking at the Playstation Meeting in Tokyo last week where he said:

We hope to use the Tokyo Game Show as a chance for everyone to get to know, or possibly experience, what next-generation entertainment is all about.

Comical Kutaragi also introduced the lasted PS3 dev kit, which is codenamed 'Cytology'. The kit is around the same size as an average PC but this size will shrink considerably come December when Sony release their 'PS3 reference tool'.

The Sony heavyweight also thrashed claims that there was a shortage of PS3 dev kits. So far only 450 have been shipped around the world, but Kutaragi explains that this is in no way due to a shortage:

We've been getting a lot of requests from developers since E3 that they want more development kits for the PS3 The demand for the kits has gone beyond what we can handle. We've been discussing what we can do about it

The company is expected to ship 200 dev kits in August with a further 300 due in September. That may pale in comparison to October, where the rate of production for Playstation 3 dev kits will increase to 3,000 units per month!

PlayStation 3 may be playable at Tokyo Games Show

Related:
Sony unloads over 5 million PSPs worldwide
PS3 Games at the Annual Playstation Meeting
Endless Saga PS3 MMORPG Announced
More Kutaragi banter on PS3 pricing
Sony announce Unreal 3 endeavour
PSP Web Browsing, TV Downloads Next Week
Kutaragi reiterates PS3 as a 'computer'
Playstation 3 tech specs
PS3 technical demos
Discussion >>
By Gary



The Lord of the RingsElectronic Arts announced that it has acquired the rights to develop two more games based around J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The company plans to develop The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth II, sequel to the popular real-time strategy PC game. They are also working on The Lord of the Rings Tactics for Sony's PSP, this is purportedly a role-playing game for the portable games machine.

The Battle for Middle-Earth II will enable players to battle armies of elves and dwarves, while Tactics for the PSP will let players lead either the fellowship of the ring or the evil forces of Mordor. Players can guard their favorite heroes, seize the high ground, and set ambushes for hobbits, wizards, and other annoyances. EA signed the deal with Saul Zaentz'’s Tolkien Enterprises, which licenses merchandise based on the Tolkien books and the films made by Time Warner'’s New Line Cinema. But it’s not an exclusive deal. Turbine has the rights to develop massively multiplayer online games based on the Rings trilogy.

Nevertheless, the deal will build on EA'’s success in the game market. The original version of The Battle for Middle-Earth was the No. 1 game in its category last holiday season. The Redwood City, California, company has also made some of the top-selling PSP games since the PSP'’s debut last spring, including Need for Speed: Underground Rivals.

EA Grabs the Precious Rings

Related:
EA look to boost market share in Japan
EA advise fans to uninstall Battlefield 2
Madden signs extension with EA
EA could make a move for Jamdat: Smith Barney
Discussion >>
By Gary



Half Life 2Looking to upgrade your PC into a gaming monster? We all want that extra power no matter what. Companies like Nvidia and ATI bring out a new graphics card every year in order to entice gamers and nerds alike into the stores. Let's face it, people just want to play those games at the highest resolution and eye candy up full.

If it's time for your PC upgrade and you wish to build the ultimate box primarily focused on gaming, or you're on a budget and wish to cut back on cost, Ars Technica has a nice guide for building both the machine that isn't being held back by cash and a 'budget gaming box' guide for the less fortunate.

Compared to the Hot Rod, the Budget Gaming Box and Performance Gaming Box represent significant increases in performance. The gamer who wants top of the line performance will be very pleased at the gains these systems make over the Hot Rod, without breaking the bank like the God Box.

The Budget Gaming Box is a monster for gaming that is within reach for quite a few people. The additional cost over the Hot Rod buys components with a significant performance gain, without making the price hit the stratosphere. The Performance Gaming Box is even faster, but the price tag alone is a monster.

Ars System Guide: Gaming Box

Related:
Nvidia launch 7800 GTX, promise worldwide availability
Nvidia to save Xbox 360's incompatible ass
ATI's Crossfire gunning to oust Nvidia's SLI (01 June 05)
Discussion >>
By Gary



Grand Theft Auto: San AndreasIt appears the storm over pornographic content in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas hasn't passed yet; the U.S. House of Representatives have voted to formally launch an investigation into the matter, to be carried out by the Federal Trade Commission.

The aim of the investigation is to find out whether Take-Two or Rockstar Games were deliberately deceptive about the presence of the Hot Coffee content in the game. According to Gamesindustry, the result of the investigation could mean a hefty fine, or an order to widen the scope of the recall of the game from retail outlets.

At this point, it's not looking good for the company; when they were being investigated by the ESRB, they blamed the content on the modders who create files like Hot Coffee, but as soon as the ESRB had handed down their decision, they u-turned drastically and admitted the content was theirs.

The investigation comes on the same day that a guide to interpreting the "difficult" ESRB ratings appeared on the FTC website. This might betray a level of dissatisfaction with the ESRB on the part of the FTC - the ESRB is not an independent body, but rather formed by the very games industry it's charged with monitoring. Indeed, the whole Hot Coffee controversy kicked off after a Californian assemblyman berated the ESRB for not giving the game an Adult Only rating from the beginning.

Read Take-Two's release on the new investigation - FTC launches probe of sex-fueled videogame company

Related:
Rockstar Admit Percolating Hot Coffee (22 July)
Rockstar Again Denies Stirring Hot Coffee (14 July)
Clinton Statement Praises ESRB, Smacks Rockstar
Take-Two press release announcing ratings change
id CEO voices concerns over Hot Coffee
Hot Coffee Earns GTA: San Andreas Adult Only Rating
Rumour: GTA Sex Mod Clever Marketing Ploy?
GTA Hot Coffee Also Confirmed On PS2(16 July)
Modder: "the scriptcode, the models, the animations and the dialogs by the original voice-actors were all created by RockStar"
Interview With Assemblyman At Centre of GTA Sex Mod Row (16 July)
Watchdog Jumps Into GTA Sex Mod Debate (12 July)
Rockstar Deny Sex in GTA: San Andreas (11 July)
Discussion >>
By Rob





Alice links to a cool article showcasing radio-controlled Star Wars ships that actually fly. Hackers have modded a bunch of home-made Star Wars spaceship models. You can check out some more pictures and other info over on the rcgroups forum.

As soon as I find the person who made that Nes chair, I am tracking these guys down and re-mortgaging the house for that Millennium Falcon ;)

MILLENNIUM FALCON & other STARWARS Parkflyers part 2!!

Discussion >>
By Gary



Nes ChairAnother cool games based design, this time in the form of a gaming chair. Craftster.org user boingo82 spent over a year reupholstering the chair to pay tribute to the Nes console.

Here is where I'm at. All I need is my parents to bring the upholstery stapler to my house so I can attach the flaps of white. It is very comfy. I'm going to do the other chair too, not *matching* but *coordinating*. (Because I don't want the pressure of trying to make two identical items.) Wink I'm also going to make some throw pillows with the spare foam, maybe with koopa troopas on them or something? Some sort of nintendo something, that I know.

I must have it !! | Via Kotaku

Related:
Micro-Sized NES Controller
Giant NES Controller
NES Controller Belt Buckle
Haunted NES
Discussion >>
By Gary



Soul CaliburHe may be blind, but 17 year-old Bruce Mellen from Lincoln, Nebraska will still kick your ass at Soul Calibur.

The Sioux City Journal reports on a local boy who just cannot be beat at the game, despite his lack of vision

Mellen has been blind since birth, but years of practice has gained the blind gamer cult status among his peers in many of today's toughest titles.

Bruce's father, Larry:

He just sat there and he tried and tried until he got it right. He didn't ever complain to me or anyone about how hard it was.

Bruce hangs out at Top Tags gaming center in Lincoln, Nebraska where people come to see him play. He often beats people while sitting backwards, just to freak them out.

I'll challenge them, maybe. If I feel like a challenge. I freak people out by playing facing backwards.

Blind Boy Masters Video Games

Discussion >>
By Gary



Gabe NewellAn interesting article over on Next-Gen.biz quotes Valve boss Gabe Newell expressing concerns over next-gen games development. According to Newell, developers should be 'terrified' of the giant hurdles involved in next generation console development.

Technologically, I think every game developer should be terrified of the next generation of processors. Your existing code, you can just throw it away. It's not going to be helpful in creating next generation game titles.

Most of the problems of getting these systems running on these multicore processors are not solved. They are doctoral theses, not known implementation problems. So it's not even clear that over the lifespan of these next generation systems that they will be solved problems. The amount of time it takes to get a good multicore engine running, the Xbox 360 might not even be on the market any longer. That should scare the crap out of everybody.

Newell explains that the problem lies in the writing of new code for multi-core games.

Really good engineers are going to be much more valuable and engineers who used to be valuable writing game code in the previous generation may end up becoming thorns in the side of key programmers who can write multi-core game code.

"Your Existing Code? Throw it Away"

Discussion >>
By Gary



Xbox 360At this year's Xbox summit, Game Republic president and former Capcom executive Yoshiki Okamoto announced 'Every Party', a new party game in development for Microsoft's upcoming Xbox 360 console.

As you can guess from the title, Every Party is a party game for everybody. Up until now, I was probably known for games that involved punching, kicking, slashing, shooting, and killing. But this is going to be a party game intended for all ages, so there will be no violence or grotesque scenes.

Every Party will play like a board game with 3D graphics. Players spin a roulette-like wheel that advances them across the board. The animation is being done by Sakura Momoko, better known for the popular Chibimaruko-Chan anime series.

Although Every Party purportedly does not take full advantage of Xbox 360's hardware capabilities (graphics are nothing to write home about), Okamoto explained that he decided to release it on Microsoft's next-gen console because of it's 'network gaming capabilities'.

I was asked by people as to why I'm making a party game for a next-generation machine, and whether it really needs the specs of next-generation hardware. But that's not what games are all about. Even nowadays, people play old-time games such as Famicoms. Games are, simply, supposed to be fun.

You should be able to enjoy as much as you can within your free time, which is what games are all about. As some people may know, I love board games and party games. I love having a blast with other people. But it's rare for people like me to gather together. The Xbox 360 will allow anyone to enjoy playing with each other at any time, any place.

Okamoto reveals Xbox 360 game

Related:
Xbox 360 Motherboard Image?
Xbox Summit, Games List
Xbox 360 AspirationsXbox 360 Comes With A Child-Lock
Xbox Live reaches 2 million
Japan facing Xbox 360 delay?
Ha ha I have an Xbox 360, so there!
Xbox 360 Euro Showcase Announced for October
Discussion >>
By Gary



PlayStation PortableSony Computer Entertainment has recently announced that 5.07 million PSP consoles have been shipped worldwide since the release of the hand-held. North America picked up the tab for more than half of those sold.

Games wise, the PSP has so far shipped 11.2 million copies of all the 49 games in the PSP catalogue, 7.3 million to North America and 3.9 million to Japan and Asia, with Sony promising 150 titles on the shelves by the end of March.

As far as the PSP's UMD movies, the company's proprietary format has faired out pretty well in North America where 4.3 million units have been shipped. These figures do include the Spider-Man movie 2 movie included with the 1st PSP package.

In Japan only 400,000 UMD films have been sold, but since the market remains strong in the US and Canada Sony plans to up UMD production in the country from 3 million to 5 million per month.

Newly announced PSP titles include Exciting Pro Wrestling PSP (known as WWE SmackDown! Vs. RAW 2006 in the US and Europe) and SCE Japan title Baito Hell (Part-Time Hell). Other games on show at the PlayStation Summit event included titles from Tecmo, Bandai, Aquaplus, Konami, Spike, Namco, Atlus, Square-Enix and Capcom.

Sony ships more than 5 million PSPs worldwide

The PSP is still slated for a European release on September 1st, with a wrapper of UKP 179.

Related:
PS3 Games at the Annual Playstation Meeting
Endless Saga PS3 MMORPG Announced
More Kutaragi banter on PS3 pricing
Sony announce Unreal 3 endeavour
PSP Web Browsing, TV Downloads Next Week
Kutaragi reiterates PS3 as a 'computer'
Playstation 3 tech specs
PS3 technical demos
Discussion >>
By Gary



Xbox 360 Motherboard Image?

French blog xavbox.com is claiming to have an image of the motherboard for the Xbox 360, though from the angle it's hard to be sure exactly what it is. The site also promises a tutorial for disassembling the console to come:

Mother chart Xbox 360
Preview...

The ventilator of left it is the GPU (graphics processor),
the ventilator of right-hand side it is the processor (which contain 3 core)

carte mère xbox360 - English translation
Discussion of the image on xbox-scene.com

Related:
Xbox Summit, Games List
Xbox 360 AspirationsXbox 360 Comes With A Child-Lock
Xbox Live reaches 2 million
Japan facing Xbox 360 delay?
Ha ha I have an Xbox 360, so there!
Xbox 360 Euro Showcase Announced for October
Discussion >>
By Rob



Black & White 2At a recent EA event, Lionhead chief Peter Molyneux mentioned the company are considering also bringing the long-awaited Black & White 2 to the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

He said technically it would be easy to do, explaining that the problem would be with the controls:

We'd have to go right back to the drawing board, as we've not got a mouse. What we did with the mouse is say, 'we've got 2 buttons, a middle wheel and that's it' - we haven’t got a keyboard (in theory, although we have shortcuts). If you're going to do it on the next generation machines, we have to take a new look. It's the freedom of picking stuff up with a mouse, and you have to change it. We're thinking about it though.

Molyneux also said Lionhead is already working on other games using the PS3 and Xbox 360 dev kits, though left us to guess exactly which games he meant.

A next-gen Fable game springs to mind (Microsoft tacitly confirmed an Xbox 360 Fable back in April), though Molyneux could also have been referring to their upcoming title, The Movies.

Eurogamer: Black & White 2 next-gen?

Related:
Molyneux announces Black & White 2 release dates
Lionhead announces end of support for Black & White multiplayer
Fable: The Lost Chapters Also Coming To Xbox
Black & White 2 official site
Black & White 2 screenshots
Video interview of Peter Molyneux about B&W2
Black & White Series To Have 5 Installments
Black & White Creatures For DS (12 May)
Discussion >>
By Rob



Nintendo Revolution controller mock-upSpong have some intriguing details about the shrouded Nintendo Revolution controller posted up - according to credible sources, the prototype developers are currently working on looks like a GameCube WaveBird controller.

Spong speculate that even devs are being kept from the big secret of the controller, because the prototypes described have no visible "revolutionary" technology in sight.

In fact, the detail given to Spong has the controller as basically "a WaveBird with a different button configuration", with no sign of a touchscreen pad or gyroscope:

I was told that it'll evidently be wireless by default and no highly rumoured special functions like gyroscopic technology or touchscreen pads were currently implemented or had even been hinted at by Nintendo. Also, "this is just a prototype, sometimes they change a lot before system launch, or sometimes, like in the case of the N64, the prototype was nearly the same as the final controller."

Spong: Revolution Controller ‘Looks Like a Wavebird’

Related:
Eurogamer: Miyamoto talks Revolution
EA snub Revolution?
Nintendo Revolution "Deepthroat" Dropping Hints?
Wireless Router For Nintendo Revolution, DS?
Revolution To Be Much Cheaper than Xbox 360, PS3
Nintendo's E3 Interactive Floor Display
Classic Nintendo titles remade on Revolution? (23 June)
Revolution Controller Mockups Gallery
Revolution Controller Sans Buttons Mock-up
Miyamoto: Nintendo Revolution interface "the big gun"
Miyamoto: Nintendo Revolution Controller Still Being Designed (8 June)
Discussion >>
By Rob



After BurnerJoystiq has hit upon a new rumour making the rounds, namely that SEGA are planning on a revival of After Burner for next-gen consoles.

The story began after SEGA announced they were working with Secret Level to bring one of their classic franchises to the PS3 and Xbox 360.

The company didn't give the name of the franchise, but rumours that it could be After Burner started with the discovery that SEGA had applied to register the name as a trademark with the United States Patents and Trademarks Office.

SEGA haven't given any official indication of what franchise they're working on, but watch this space for more details as they become available.

Sega’s big secret revealed?

Related:
Secret Level to develop classic Sega franchise (11 July)
SEGA partners with Secret Level for PS3, Xbox 360 content
PS2 to welcome SEGA classics
Sonic Boss on the Next-Gen Consoles (17 June)
Panovation Update On Sonic ORPG (8 June)
Discussion >>
By Rob
If WWII Was An RTS - 25.7.05  Email to a friend



If World War II were an RTS played by l337 speaking online players, what would the conversation be like?:

Eisenhower: yah this is gay
*Roosevelt has left the game.*
Hitler[AoE]: wtf?
Eisenhower: sh1t now we need some1 to join
*tru_m4n has joined the game.*
tru_m4n: hi all
T0J0: hey
Stalin: sup
Churchill: hi
tru_m4n: OMG OMG OMG i got all his stuff!
tru_m4n: NUKES! HOLY **** I GOT NUKES
Stalin: d00d gimmie some plz
tru_m4n: no way i only got like a couple
Stalin: omg dont be gay gimmie nuculer secrets
T0J0: wtf is nukes?
T0J0: holy ****holy****hoyl****!
*T0J0 has been eliminated.*
*The Allied team has won the game!*

If World War II Was an RTS - via Geek on Stun

Discussion >>
By Rob



Day of Defeat: Source

The latest Steam news gives an update on the status of Day of Defeat: Source and Half-Life 2: The Lost Coast.

Valve had previously said DoD: Source was lined up for an early spring release, but now have it chalked up for a release later in the summer. They also reveal it is being play-tested as we speak at the Valve offices, and mention some of the new features: namely a new grenade stun-effect and the ability to deploy the machine gun on any surface.

The company also use the update to announce that the Half-Life 2 level The Lost Coast is nearing completion and will be released "soon".

July 22 2005 Steam Update

Related:
Lombardi: Folks will be quite pleased with DoD: Source
New DoD: Source Gameplay Trailers
Valve Unveil Developer Community Site (29 June)
Doug Lombardi talks Steam (29 June)
Valve: Getting Closer To HL2: Lost Coast Release (27 June)
Doug Lombardi Interview, DoD Source development still unclear
DoD: Source News Update & HL1: Deathmatch Source Revamp
DoD: Source Screenshots Collection
Half Life 2: Lost Coast HDR overview<
Eurogamer: Half-Life 2: The Lost Coast preview
Discussion >>
By Rob



Sugar CrashSome clever individual has put together a neat little flash game, in which you play a sugar-cube. The object is to bounce a child around a small room while popping fun balloons and collecting yummy bubble-gum. For the child within who appreciated Space Invaders, have fun with this.

Sugar Crash | Via Wonderland

Related:
Duck Hunt makes triumphant return, via Flash
Discussion >>
By Gary



Angelina JolieEidos has recently confirmed that Angelina Jolie will not be lending her voice to the next Tomb Raider game, despite earlier speculation.

While speaking to Playstation World, executive producer Mike Schmitt said that Croft has had the same look and feel for too long and was in dire need of some 'modernising'.

We felt she'd had the same look for a bit too long and it needed some modernising. We wanted to make her more realistic - we've always felt she's a bit too cartoonish - but at the same time we wanted to make sure that she still looked like the video-game character people know and love.

Also, Schmitt laid fears to rest over the control systems for the upcoming Tomb Raider game by reassuring fans that the controls and camera angles were completely new. Fans of Angel of Darkness complained of the controls in that particular iteration of the franchise, but Schmitt was quick to confirm the new layout for 'Legend'.

The camera system is coming on nicely too. You're often presented with camera views best suited for the task at hand but, at any time, the player can manually manipulate the camera as they'd like.

ANGELINA JOLIE WILL NOT VOICE LARA

Related:
Saucy Tomb Raider: Legend screens surface
Tomb Raider's Djimon Hounsou and Bono to tackle poverty
Angelina Jolie and Bob Geldof Combine Forces
Discussion >>
By Gary



Mario KartSome more much needed PR for the games industry has come out of a recent study to find out if there is any credibility to go with the notion that violent games cause violent behavior.

The study was carried out by Game Revolution's Duke Ferris who did an awful lot of research before posting his findings, even sifting over charts and graphs from the Department of Justice.

Ferris came to the conclusion that kids who grew up with video games after 1993 actually had the least amount of violent crimes ever recorded. This gives very little credence to the recent onslaught of attacks on so-called 'violent games' by Hillary Clinton, Jack Thompson and many other people looking to blame some of society's woes on games.

The article has reference to every finding, so there's no arguing with the results.

I hope they take this to Jack Thompson's office and tattoo it to his forehead.

The truth is that these are the most non-violent kids we have ever had, and they all own Playstations. The government is so desperate to find some youth crime to crack down on that they’re strip-searching kids for 10 bucks while locking up 11 year-old girls for throwing rocks and eating french fries. The most peaceful generation of Americans in recorded history is being shoved through metal detectors, having their civil rights violated on a daily basis, are the victims of unreasonable search and seizure, and are treated with constant suspicion.

All because of a media lie. If nothing else can incite them to violence, maybe that will.

The Truth about Violent Youth and Video Games | Via Joystiq

Related:
Jack Thompson after Sims 2 'nudity'
Rockstar Admit Percolating Hot Coffee
Modder: "the scriptcode, the models, the animations and the dialogs by the original voice-actors were all created by RockStar"
Rockstar Again Denies Stirring Hot Coffee (14 July)
Clinton Statement Praises ESRB, Smacks Rockstar
Take-Two press release announcing ratings change
id CEO voices concerns over Hot Coffee
Discussion >>
By Gary



XBox 3601up.com has posted up a partially translated press release from Microsoft, from the recent Xbox summit. The press release details already confirmed and previously unknown titles currently under development for the Xbox 360, or in the pipeline.
  • Idea Factory: untitled
  • Eidos: untitled
  • Arc System Works: a 'battle melee action' game
  • Activision: Call of Duty 2, Tony Hawk American Waste, Quake 4, Gun
  • Atari Japan: Test Drive Unlimited
  • Artdink: Take the A Train X
  • SNK: KOF Max. Impact 2
  • EA: FIFA, Need For Speed Most Wanted, NBA Live
  • Capcom, Resi 5, Dead Rising
  • Kids Station, untitled
  • Cavia: untitled
  • Glef: untitled
  • Genki
  • Koei: Shin Sangoku Musou Special
  • Konami: Winning 11, Rumble Rose XX, Pro Yakyuu Spirits
  • Success: Operation Darkness, ZOOKEEPER
  • Jaleco: untitled
  • Square Enix: FFXI
  • Spike: untitled
  • Sega: Chrome Hounds (?)
  • Taito: World Air Force
  • THQ Japan, Saints Row, The Outfit
  • D3: X, Oneechanbara X
  • Tecmo: DOA4, DOA XVB 2, Project Progressive (action game) DOA Code Cronus
  • Tomy: Zoids
  • Treasure: untitled game
  • Namco: Ridge Racer 6, Frame City, untitled RPG, LOVE FOOTBALL
  • Hudson: Tengai Makyou ZIRIA
  • Hamster: untitled
  • Bandai: Z Gundam
  • Banpresto: Super Robot Taisen
  • Vivendi: untitled
  • From software: EM Enchant Arm
  • Frontier Groove: untitled game
  • Microsoft Game Studios: Everyparty (from Game Republic), Ninety Nine Nights, PGR3
  • Marvelous: untitled game
  • Yukes: Wrestle Kingdom
  • Ubisoft: Ghost Recon 3
XBOX SUMMIT: Game Announcements

Related:
Xbox 360 Aspirations
Xbox 360 Comes With A Child-Lock
The Sun: Xbox 360 to cut violence (26 May)
Xbox Live reaches 2 million
Japan facing Xbox 360 delay?
Ha ha I have an Xbox 360, so there!
Xbox 360 Euro Showcase Announced for October
Discussion >>
By Gary



XBox 360 Power ButtonsThe Inquirer has an interesting write-up examining what lies ahead for Microsoft's Xbox 360. We have all seen the specs and some pretty looking demos but really what do they have in store for the future and what will the console bring to gaming as a whole?

The Inquirer's Aaron McKenna attended the recent Xbox 360 briefing in Dublin last week, where he got to exchange some words with Microsoft's 'head honcho' in Uk and Ireland, Stephen McGill.

According to McGill, it's all in the design of the Xbox 360, to entice younger gamers into the living room. Microsoft envision their next-gen console as being the centerpiece of the living room for not only games, but digital music, movies, photos and everything else they can cram into the tiny console.

First and foremost, the Xbox 360 is the centerpiece of Microsoft'’s design to catch younger gamers with its media centre experience, making Microsoft thecenterpiecee of the living room by controlling everything from gaming to music to films.

It wants the Xbox 360 to be able to hook up to everything from iPods to PSPs and make it thecenterpiecee of the living room as opposed to simply the games console for the kids stashed underneath or on top of the TV.

Xbox 360: Great looking games, but what does it do?

Related:
Xbox 360 Comes With A Child-Lock
The Sun: Xbox 360 to cut violence (26 May)
Xbox Live reaches 2 million
Japan facing Xbox 360 delay?
Ha ha I have an Xbox 360, so there!
Xbox 360 Euro Showcase Announced for October
Discussion >>
By Gary



GavelIt seems that 'Hot Coffee' is not so hot after all, according to anti-game lawyer Jack Thompson, who is now out for some Sims 2 blood.

Thompson is most noted for his recent efforts to get an 'Adults only' rating on Grand Theft Auto : San Andreas, potentially crippling for the game's sales.

Now though, his eyes are firmly set on The Sims 2 from EA, which Thompson describes as the industry's 'latest dirty little secret'.

Sims 2, the latest version of the Sims video game franchise ... contains, according to video game news sites, full frontal nudity, including nipples, penises, labia, and pubic hair.

According to Jack Thompson, there is a way to remove the blur that covers the nether regions to make full frontal nudity available in the game.

The nudity placed there by the publisher/maker, Electronic Arts, is accessed by the use of a simple code that removes what is called 'the blur' which obscures the genital areas. In other words, the game was released to the public by the manufacturer knowing that the full frontal nudity was resident on the game and would be accessed by use of a simple code widely provided on the Internet.

In response to Thompson's extremely damning accusation towards Electronic Arts, EA vice president of corporate communications was quick to dismiss the claims as 'nonsense'.

We've reviewed 100 percent of the content. There is no content inappropriate for a teen audience. Players never see a nude sim. If someone with an extreme amount of expertise and time were to remove the pixels, they would see that the sims have no genitals. They appear like Ken and Barbie.

Sims 2 content "worse than Hot Coffee"

Related:
Rockstar Admit Percolating Hot Coffee
Modder: "the scriptcode, the models, the animations and the dialogs by the original voice-actors were all created by RockStar"
Rockstar Again Denies Stirring Hot Coffee (14 July)
Clinton Statement Praises ESRB, Smacks Rockstar
Take-Two press release announcing ratings change
id CEO voices concerns over Hot Coffee
Discussion >>
By Gary
Archives

Browse our archives:

Archive for this week:

30.7.05 Bill Gates Plays Up Xbox 360 Head-Start
 PS2 Pricecut Trick for Xbox 360 Launch?
 The Matrix Online Shrinks by Two Thirds
 Complete Ban on GTA: San Andreas in Australia
 New PSP Browser Reviewed
 HL2: The Lost Coast Hands On
29.7.05 Let Furgles look after the games
 PS3, possible 2007 release?
 Mario Brothers flash series webpage
 Vista and gaming, a winning combination?
 Namco announce 80s tunes for Museum collection
 MTV's Best Soundtrack Awards for videogames
 Over 30 online flash games
28.7.05 Kutaragi rounds up PS3 features, pricing still unclear
 Designing the Xbox 360 User Interface
 Another CS: Source mapping contest
 Battlefield 2 sells 1 million units worldwide
 Gary Grigsby's World at War Demo
 Final Fantasy XI PC Pack Coming Next Month
 Pirate ship enticing teens
 Granny takes on Rockstar
 New PSP Update "Tough Cookie To Crack"
 Beavis and Butthead/Jackass Games?
 Site for Doom Movie Launches
 God of War Movie Rights Snapped Up
27.7.05 Revenge of the Sith DVD coming Nov 1st with Battlefront 2
 Did Rockstar damage the gaming industry?
 The mystery of the missing Xbox 360 cables
 Tomb Raider site updated; new screens and interview
 Playable PS3 Demos At Tokyo Games Show?
 EA Announce new LOTR games
 Building the budget gaming PC and beyond
 Federal Investigation to Reheat Hot Coffee
26.7.05 Radio-controlled Star Wars Ships
 Cool Nes deck-chair
 Blind boy becomes gaming legend
 Gabe Newell expresses next-gen console concerns
 Every Party announced for Xbox 360
 Sony unloads over 5 million PSPs worldwide
 Xbox 360 Motherboard Image?
 Black & White 2 For PS3, Xbox 360?
 Revolution Controller "Big Gun" Hidden From Devs?
 SEGA's Next-Gen Surprise: After Burner?
25.7.05 If WWII Was An RTS
 DoD Source/HL2: Lost Coast Status Update
 Play Sugar Crash
 Angelina Jolie not voicing Croft in 'Legend'
 Games produce non-violent nation?
 Xbox Summit, Games List
 Xbox 360 Aspirations
 Jack Thompson after Sims 2 'nudity'





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