Worldwide PSP-PS3 Connectivity
February 28, 2007
A few years ago, Sony’s then-head honcho Ken Kutaragi claimed that the PSP would become “the Walkman for the 21st Century.” Sure, PSP has shown a healthy sales total of 24.7 million units shipped worldwide at the end of 2006, but there’s still a lot of catching up to do to the Nintendo DS, which has already shipped 35 million units within roughly the same time frame. Although PSP sales have begun to gain momentum in closing the gap in recent months, a difference of 10 million units is still a formitable challenge.
Margaret Robertson of Edge (magazine) believes that the PSP’s numerous functions - the ability to play music, videos, films, and games - may have ironically had an adverse effect on sales: “[C]onsumers either fell into a category where they didn’t really want all of that or they were technologically savvy enough to have commitments to other mediums, particularly memory formats.”
Still, the Sony PSP has a few tricks up its sleeve in closing the handheld gap or even overtaking it, such as the impending release of a PSP camera and even GPS software. Jonathan Fargher of Sony Europe says next big project for the PSP will require the services of its big brother, as Sony intends to improve connectivity and integration with the PS3. Currently, users can access media on the PS3 with their PSPs from a range of up to 100 feet, but Sony is hoping to allow users the same access from any point in the world, provided that they’re within range of a wireless hotspot.
“If I have my MP3 Walkman or my iPod, or digital camera connected to PS3 then I can access those devices too,” Fargher stated. (I’m still not clear why you’d leave your iPod connected to your PS3.) Fargher also added that this feature may be available sometime within the next six months.
A New and Improved Nokia N-Gage Mobile Gaming Service
February 27, 2007
Officials from mobile phone company Nokia have announced that they and local telecommunications company Elisa will carry out a pilot of the new N-Gage mobile gaming service, which is set to run between February and mid 2007. Nokia device owners are promised improved game quality, performance and a new intuitive games interface.
Previous reports regarding the N-Gage have revealed an array of major-publisher support for the networked service, which will allow digital downloading of custom cellphone games and a number of Xbox Live-style connectivity and community features. The service itself is due to launch in mid 2007.
Nokia’s N-Gage portable console/mobile phone hybrid was pretty much a bust - and a high-profile one too - but Nokia has long claimed that it will continue to target the games market, initially via a range of new N-Gage compatible mobile phone handsets, with more public information likely at March’s Game Developer Conference in San Francisco.
Nokia reportedly hosted a secret two-day January workshop for publishers and developers, which was reports say was a chance for Nokia to unveil their new platform for the first time.
“The core of the Nokia games strategy is to make it easy for people to find, buy and play great quality mobile games and we’re excited to expand our relationship with Elisa to help make this possible,” said Jaakko Kaidesoja, director, games, multimedia, Nokia. “This pilot will help us further refine the N-Gage experience for our commercial launch later this year.”
R.I.P. Nintendo GameCube?
February 26, 2007
During a recent interview , Nintendo’s Marketing & Corporate Affairs VP, Perrin Kaplan, very clearly explains the fate of Nintendo’s GameCube console. “Are we producing any more GameCubes? No.”
She also said that nintendo has absolutely no plans to develop any more GameCube video games. Kaplan noted that Nintendo does have the inventory for people who still want to purchase a GameCube (for whatever reason).
Despite hearing it right from the horse’s mouth (no offense), recent conflicting Nintendo UK reports from last Friday have stated that worldwide production of the GameCube is still on-going: “I can confirm that globally, Nintendo is still continuing production of GameCube hardware and GameCube software,” stated a spokesperson for Nintendo UK, who was obviously dead wrong.
I don’t knwo about anyone else, but the euthanization of the GameCube looks like Nintendo is really pushing that Wii system!!!
Modified PS3 Offers Less Backward Compatability
For Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Australasia, recent changes in the PS3’s internal design means that the console’s backward compatability for PS1 and PS2 games “is not going to be as good as in the U.S. and Japanese models,” a Sony spokesperson said.
“Rather than concentrate on PS2 backwards compatibility, in the future, company resources will be increasingly focused on developing new games and entertainment features exclusively for PS3,” Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president David Reeves explained.
A Sony press release confirmed, explaining that the PS3 to be launched in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Australasia on March 23 would utilize brand new hardware, the specifications of which include the Cell Broadband Engine, a 60 GB HD drive, a Blu-ray disc player, built-in Wi-Fi, and a SIXAXIS wireless controller. Most important, the press release stated that the built-in emulation would support only a “broad range of original PlayStation titles and a limited range of PS2 titles.”
The reliability of backwards compatibility on the PS3 won’t be as good in the European market to start off, but Sony will be releasing regular downloads through the PlayStation Network to increase the number of compatible games over time. An official list of working titles will be published on March 23.
Microsoft Extends Platinum Hits for Xbox 360
February 23, 2007
Microsoft has announced an new batch of discounted games for both the U.S. and Europe for Xbox 360’s ‘Platinum Hits’ line of titles, which was launched last fall. Microsoft also confirmed that the line will be extended to Latin America, Japan, and Asia Pacific next month.
Set for release on March 16 are Electronic Arts’ Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, Burnout Revenge, and Fight Night Round 3, Activision’s Call of Duty 2, Tecmo’s Dead or Alive 4, Ubisoft’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter, 2K Sports’ Top Spin 2, and Rockstar’s Table Tennis.
The European market will get a similar collection of ‘Platinum Hits’ titles for an estimated retail price of 29.99 euros ($38.35), including Call of Duty 2, Dead or Alive 4, Project Gotham Racing 3, Table Tennis, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter, and Tomb Raider: Legend.
In Japan, the Xbox 360 ‘Platinum Hits’ line will debut with Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, Burnout Revenge, and Perfect Dark Zero, Sega’s Chrome Hounds, each costing 2,800 yen ($23).
In the Asia Pacific region, initial ‘Platinum Hits’ releases in March will include Dead or Alive 4, N3: Ninety-Nine Nights, Project Gotham Racing 3, and Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. Pricing for these games will vary slightly by region, Microsoft said.
“Platinum Hits not only lets gamers enjoy a broad portfolio of titles at an amazing price,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “It also ensures that existing and new gamers alike can get the most from their Xbox 360 by owning a great library of blockbuster hits. So if you missed playing a game the first time around, now there is a great reason to pick it up.”
Microsoft UK to Demonstrate IPTV Technology
February 22, 2007
Microsoft UK officials have announced that Microsoft will showcase IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) for the first time in Europe at The Connected Home Show, co-hosted at the third annual IPTV World Forum, in London on March 5-7. IPTV technology will be demonstrated by Ed Graczyk, worldwide director of marketing and communications for Microsoft TV during a keynote speech at the conference, entitled “Future of Connected Entertainment.”
Microsoft has already discussed IPTV plans for the Xbox 360 in the U.S., with talk of services including digital video recording and the ability to chat via Xbox Live while watching movies and shows. Bill Gates has also discussed the possibility of a deal with AT&T, which may lead to the Xbox 360 being offered for free in exchange for a long term IPTV service contract.
The first IPTV services for the Xbox 360 are expected to be made available by Christmas 2007 in the U.S., with Microsoft suggesting that, unlike current HD movie and TV show downloads, the service could launch at a similar time in Europe. The company implies that the use of Microsoft IPTV software technology could see companies such as AT&T, British Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, T-Online (France) and Swisscom becoming partners in their relevant territories.
“Separately the Xbox 360 and Microsoft TV IPTV Edition deliver unique and exciting entertainment experiences, but IPTV on Xbox 360 delivers a real value proposition for consumers, service providers and content and game developers alike,” said Graczyk. “By integrating these industry-leading solutions, we continue to drive innovation and enable new connected entertainment experiences for consumers.”
study: Video Games May Improve Surgeons
February 21, 2007
Playing video games may help you perform better during brain or heart surgery (if, of course, you are a surgeon).
New research form earlier this week shows that surgeons who performed best on suturing and laparoscopic (inserting a fiberoptic camera into the abdomen and following images on a monitor)surgery tests were the ones who also scored the highest on Super Monkey Ball 2, Star Wars Racers Revenge, and Silent Scope. Super Monkey Ball 2 involves steering a ball with a monkey in it down a wingind course while simultaneously targeting bananas, and expertise in this game was the most closely linked with higher test scores.
For the study, 33 surgeons who were attending a laparoscopic surgery course were studied, and the results show that their video game prowess better predicted surgical success than both years of medical practice and or the number of surgeries performed.
According to the study, which was headed up by Dr. James C. Rosser, Jr. of Beth Israel Medical Center in NY, doctors who play video games a minimum of 3 hours a week worked 27% faster and made 37% fewer surgical errors than non-video game playing surgeons. “For as little as 3 hours a week, you vould help your child become the cyber-surgeons of the 21st century,” said Dr. Rosser, who plays 5-6 hours of video games a week and says that playing video games can enhance hand-eye coordination and motor skills for laparoscopic surgeons, whose operations are guided by television monitors.
Trailer Shows New Tekken 6 Characters and Features
February 20, 2007
Production delays and the wishes of Tekken fans aside, Bandai Namco has finally revealed a new three-minute trailer (featuring in-game fight footage) for the arcade version of Tekken 6, which will feature the second-largest roster of characters of any other Tekken game. In addition to returning characters, the trailer also showcased 2 new characters: Leo and Zafina.
The trailer has been made available on the official Japanese Tekken 6 site, which has just recently upgraded to add a brand new Tekken 6 section.
According to reports, one new character is the blonde, German-born Leo, a fighter whose techniques are based on an explosive martial art that is known for its short range power and elbow strikes called Bajiquan. Namco representatives assure that both Tekken veterans and rookies will be able to adapt to him quickly.
Zafina, another new character, is sure to intrigue players with her mysterious nature, as well as her unique fighting style of fluid techniques.
The Tekken 6 trailer also featured brand new stages and environments, including Bryan’s stage, which features a tank sitting in the middle of the arena. As they’ve done in more recent Tekken games, it seems that developers will continue to pay attention to creating obstacles within the playing field.
Facial features in the game also look more detailed than ever. The character customization system, which has been greatly upgraded since the series’ last installment, offers customization for 10 different parts of a character’s costume.
Microsoft Hints at Free Live
February 19, 2007
Microsoft has suggested that multiplayer gaming through Live on Windows Vista will be a free service, unlike on Xbox 360, where users need a gold membership subscription to access to multiplayer.
Microsoft’s Shane Kim was asked in an interview whether it’d be free for PC users to play against friends, while certain premium-level stuff would be locked behind Gold, to which he responded, “Theoretically speaking, that’s exactly the kind of thing we’d want to do.” PC gaming’s traditional ‘multiplayer for free’ ethic that exists with the platform is a factor being taken fully into account by Microsoft for Live on Windows.
“In the Xbox world when we created Xbox Live, there was no other option. We’re sort of creating it as we go, we established that model and that framework. As we come into the Windows gaming world, there are alternatives that are out there so we have to be cognizant of that,” said Kim. “We do recognize that, unlike the Xbox 360 environment, there’s existing competition in the PC online space. So we have to take that into account as we think about how we’re going to structure our services, what they’ll pay for and what they won’t.”
It’s also possible that Microsoft’s plan for an integrated Live experience across PC and Xbox 360 could be a good thing for Xbox 360 owners in regard to paid-for content. If multiplayer gaming’s provided free through Windows Live, then the company may just see fit to offer the same to Xbox 360 fans.
Plead Your Case for Phoenix West
February 16, 2007
Capcom’s Phoenix Wright series of video games is a hit in the Japanese market, but it isn’t really making waves in the U.S. The next game in the series is being released in Japan this April, but Capcom USA is still on the fence regarding the game’s American localization. The cult following aside, Capcom wonders if the game will make them money.
This is where you come in. Fans are being asked to participate in the “Ace Attorney: Plead Your Case Contest.” From now up until the very end of February 28, Phoenix Wright fans are encouraged to persuade Capcom in bringing Phoenix Wright 3 to America through the power of comics. Utilizing the comic and word balloon templates Capcom has provided on their website, entrants must create their own one-page comic to state their case. The deadline for entries has been set for Monday, February 28th, 2007 at 11:59 PM PST. Three entries will be chosen as winners, and prizes include two Phoenix Wright collectible figurines and one Phoenix Wright collectible lapel pin (an approx. retail value of $18 ).
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