Play-Asia are now talking orders for Last Hope [Limited Edition] which includes a second OST CD, for $59.99/£30.82

update:
I got an email from play asia about my last Hope pre-order:

...

Activision Reveals Plans for Downloadable Call of Duty 3 Maps on Xbox Live

Activision, announced plans today to release two waves of Call of Duty 3 multiplayer maps after the holidays: the Bonus Map (free) and the Valor Map Pack (800 Microsoft points = $10.00/£6.80/€9.30). The Bonus Map, named "Champs," will take players to Port Royal de Champs, France for classic Call of Duty infantry-based combat that's great for small to medium-sized online games. The Valor Map Pack will contain five new multiplayer maps that will take players through a maze of French locales that serve up settings primed for intense close-quarters action, whether via online, split-screen or System Link play.

No date has been set for the release.




Call of Duty 3 for [s]£49.99[/s] £37.99 ...

For those that can't wait to get home to watch it on their 360 at home....
...

Forced bundles and high retail price putting consumers off, claims tracking firm

The high price of the PlayStation 3, along with the retail practice of bundling the console with software, has lead to a glut of stock online, claims tracking firm NotifyWire.

The company believes the fervour greeting the console launch has already slowed, with consumers put off by forced software and hardware bundles which in some cases can see the retail price doubled.

"I think we're already at the point where people won't pay a premium for the console or be forced into buying bundles," said Ian Drake, president of NotifyWire.

Drake believes interest is waning for the console, and compared the speed in which new Xbox 360 stock sold out before Christmas 12 months ago.

"Last year we tracked several one thousand dollar Xbox 360 bundles which would sell out in less than two minutes after becoming available."

Drake noted a US $1000 PS3 bundle was on offer at an online retailer for over 12 hours recently, claiming, "This sort of thing didn't happen with the Xbox 360 until well after Christmas."

NotifyWire tracks online retailers and informs members when product is available.

Drake also believes that consumers are becoming less trustful of auction sites such as eBay, where newly released consoles can sell for double the recommended retail price.

"I think people are tired of being gouged on eBay, and services like NotifyWire.com are making it easier for the everyday person to buy the PlayStation 3 online from a retailer they know and trust.

Gameindustry.biz ...

Stainless Software, the creators of the vehicle-combat franchise “Carmageddon,” return to their roots with “Novadrome,” an original 3-D smash-’em-up game.

Abducted by robots from the planet Nova, the players must stop their captors before they launch a full-scale invasion against Earth. Gamers will need to use their speed, wit and determination to defeat robot gladiators and other abductees in a series of combat-driving competitions in high-powered armored vehicles equipped with front-mounted automatic weapons. “Novadrome” also provides gamers with a multiplayer mode for up to eight players via Xbox Live*.

“Novadrome” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points. ($10.00/£6.80/€9.30)

GAME FEATURES

* Frantic eight-player combat driving action set in a far-out alien world
* More than 20 off-road-buggy-style combat vehicles
* Fifteen arenas full of non-stop, furious action. Combat arenas feature upgrades, power-ups, obstacles and mines.
* A wide range of dynamic vehicle-mounted weapons. Players can destroy their enemies and acquire their weapons as power-ups.
* Adrenaline-pumping boss encounters. Humans in vehicles battle a variety of gladiatorial robot opponents.
* Multiple gameplay modes and event types to choose from. Modes are Career, Arcade Challenge, Free Play, and Multiplayer.
* Top of the class. Gamers can experiment with the various modes and master their gameplay to top the online “Novadrome” leaderboards.
* Twelve achievements. Players can increase their gamerscore by 200 points with 12 diverse achievements.


Out now on Xbox Live Arcade

Xbox Xbox Live 2100 Microsoft Points Card £16.99 ...

Five UK universities were involved in the initial trial of XNA Game Studio Express, including Bradford, Derby, Hull, Belfast and Nottingham.

Students and gaming enthusiasts will be able to download the software for free, and many have already registered their interest in joining the XNA Creators Club, which allows DIY developers access to technical support, white papers, starter kits and other technology that will help them make the game authentic.

Head of Electronic Imaging and Media Communications (EIMC) at the University of Bradford, Dr Ian Palmer, said: “We’re very pleased to be part of the initial launch of Microsoft’s XNA Game Studio Express. The software will provide our students with the opportunity to easily experiment with their ideas with the knowledge that they will be able to see their invention in reality.

“This is a great chance for students to work on games without financial support, replicating the days when games were made with low budgets.”

http://www.digg.com/gaming_news/Univ..._Xbox_software




Preorder "Lost Planet: Limited Edition Steel Case" for [s]£49.99[/s] £39.99 (Xbox 360)
...

On Dec. 22, Nintendo and Opera Software bring the Internet to the living room couch with a free trial version of the Opera Web browser. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can download a free trial Opera browser to activate the Internet Channel of the Wii Menu and begin surfing the Web.

“In addition to providing innovative and exciting new ways to play, Wii also offers further services and entertainment for all the family. This newest Wii Menu Channel is just the latest example of how we are doing this” says Nintendo of Europe Marketing Director, Laurent Fischer. “Wii is the perfect console for everyone to enjoy and this is being reflected in the phenomenal sales across Europe. ”

“Our software brings the power and reach of the Internet to the hottest video game system available,” says Scott Hedrick, Executive Vice President, Devices at Opera Software. “Wii’s unique interface adds a new dimension to our browser, making it a useful tool that the whole family will enjoy operating with ease.”

The final version of the Opera browser will be available at the end of March 2007, and will be free for all Wii owners to download through the end of June. After June 2007, the browser will be available for download in the Wii Shop Channel for 500 Wii Points.

The Internet Channel joins the four channels which have been available since launch: Disc Channel, Photo Channel, Mii™ Channel and Wii Shop Channel as well as the newly available Forecast Channel.



...

The following Saints Row in game content is available for Xbox Live Gold members*

Name: The Ho Ho Ho Pack
Price: Free
NOT Available in: Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan
Dash Details: Santa Claus ensemble includes coat, hat, boots and hair. Happy Holidays!

(*This content will be available for Silver members after 12/25)

major nelson ...

Nintendo DS Software - Release Date - Q1 2007

Children of Mana (Nintendo) - 12th Jan 2007
Star Fox Command (Nintendo) - 26th Jan 2007
Actionloop (Nintendo) - 26th Jan 2007
Freedom Wings (ZOO Digital) - 26th Jan 2007
Guru Guru (505Games) - Jan 2007
Labyrinth (505Games) - Jan 2007
Monster Puzzle (505Games) - Jan 2007
Mystery Detective (505Games) - Jan 2007
The Professors Brain Trainer: Logic (505Games) - Jan 2007
The Professors Brain Trainer: Memory (505Games) - Jan 2007
Mech Assault Phantom War (Majesco) - Jan 2007
Flipper Critters (Conspiracy) - Jan 2007
Contact (Marvelous/Rising Star Games) - 2nd Feb 2007
New Zealand Story (Marvelous/Rising Star Games) - 2ndFeb 2007
Uno/Skipbo Compilation/Uno Freefall (ZOO Digital) - 2nd Feb 2007
Disney's Kim Possible Global Gemini (Disney/Buena Vista Games) - 8th Feb 2006
Magical Starsign (Nintendo) - 9th Feb 2007
Mario Slam Basketball (Nintendo) - 16th Feb 2007
Lionel Trains "On Track" (ZOO Digital) - 16th Feb 2007
Guilty Gear Dust Strikers (Majesco/THQ) - 20th Feb 2007
Fossil League (D3Publisher of Europe) - 23rd Feb 2007
Bomberman Land (Marvelous/Rising Star Games) - 23rd Feb 2007
Uno 52 (ZOO Digital) - 23rd Feb 2007
Monster Bomber (505Games) - Feb 2007
Touch Party Game (505Games) - Feb 2007
Turn it Around (505Games) - Feb 2007
Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses (Activision) - Feb 2007
Shrek Smash 'N Crash Racing (Activision) - Feb 2007
Party Carnival (D3Publisher of Europe) - Feb 2007
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (Konami) - Feb 2007
Death Jr. And The Science Fair of Doom (Konami) - Feb 2007
Lunar Knights (Konami) - Feb 2007
My Frogger Toy Trials (Konami) - Feb 2007
Xiaolin Showdown (Konami) - Feb 2007
Dino Master (Majesco) - Feb 2007
Super Black Bass Fishing (Majesco) - Feb 2007
Gunpey (Namco Bandai Games) - Feb 2007
Danny Phantom Urban Jungle (THQ) - 2nd Mar 2007
Actua Pool (ZOO Digital) - 2nd Mar 2007
Princess Natasha "Student-Secret Agent-Princess" (ZOO Digital) - 2nd Mar 2007
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis (Nintendo) - 9th March 2007
Spectrobes (Disney/Buena Vista Games) - 15th Mar 2007
Rayman Raving RabbidsTM (Ubisoft) - 15th Mar 2007
Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (D3Publisher of Europe) - 16th Mar 2007
Bubble Bobble Double Shot (Marvelous/Rising Star Games) - 16th Mar 2007
Schach (dtp) - 16th Mar 2007
Best Friends – Hunde & Katzen (dtp) - 23rd Mar 2007
Hello Kitty (Empire) - 23rd Mar 2007
Pokémon Ranger (Nintendo) - 30th March 2007
Mein Gestüt (tentative name) - 30th Mar 2007
Kameleon DS (505Games) - Mar 2007
Touch Detective (505Games) – French version - Mar 2007
Disney's Meet The Robinsons (Disney/Buena Vista Games) - Mar 2007
Diner Dash (Eidos) - Mar 2007
Zendoku (Eidos) - Mar 2007
SEGA Presents Touch Darts (working title) (SEGA) - Mar 2007
Petz Vet (Ubisoft) - Mar 2007
The Settlers (Ubisoft) - Mar 2007
Teenage Mutant Minja Turtles (Ubisoft) - Mar 2007
Theme Park (EA) - Spring 2007
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice For All (Capcom) - Q1 2007
Micro Machines V4 (Codemasters) - Q1 2007
Rafa Nadal Tennis (Codemasters) - Q1 2007
Garfield Nightmare (Classic) (Game Factory/K.E. Media) - Q1 2007
Harlem Globetrotters World Tour (ZOO Digital) - Q1 2007
March of the Penguins (ZOO Digital) - Q1 2007
Wiffle Ball Advance (ZOO Digital) - Q1 2007 ...