Boy, the future is getting crowded.

Just as we're adjusting to the futuristic game streaming of OnLive and different, but still pretty astounding Gaikai, we have to welcome the new kid. PC game streamer Happy Cloud will officially launch on the 18th of this month.

Where services like OnLive stream video of your gameplay from a remote server, Happy Cloud is actually bringing the full game to your computer. You download just the files you need to get started and then, as you play, you download the rest of the required files in the background until you have the entire game on your hard drive. Notable advantage: Offline play!

If Happy Cloud has a hurdle (and it's a big one) it's the severely limited selection. There are currently fewer than 10 titles on offer, though others like Cities in Motion and Europa Universalis will arrive soon. The company told us more games are on the way, but, for the moment, Happy Cloud's game selection seems like it's desperately in need of a silver lining.

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/ga...ng-this-month/ ...

Microsoft's Zune Marketplace may be getting a new business directive in the coming months, as a report this morning suggests that the current service on Xbox 360 will soon offer a streaming subscription option. Anonymous sources in Microsoft's Redmond, Washington homebase tell The Daily that the Zune-branded service will become an additional source of streaming content alongside the Xbox 360's current Netflix and Hulu Plus options.

Could this be the service Microsoft announced during its E3 2011 press conference, and has yet to speak about with any specificity? Or is it some derivation of the rumored Xbox Live Diamond project? That remains unclear, but with the company's plans to launch some form of streaming television on Xbox 360 this fall, it stands to reason we'll hear more about what's actually going on in the not-so-distant future.

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/ru...reaming-video/ ...

If you don't have a PlayStation Move yet, but desire one primarily for its function as a semi-imaginary golf club, good news! Sony is offering a bundle with a Move wand, a PlayStation Eye, and a copy of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters. It'll be out next week for $99.99.

The bundle of a popular Move-enhanced sports game and the hardware seems pretty natural to us, but the timing of this bundle is somewhat less natural: Tiger Woods 12 actually came out in March. We're not used to seeing new hardware bundles for random already-released games. Perhaps this one got stuck in a sand trap, much like this post has become mired in a forced golf metaphor.

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/ti...rdware-bundle/ ...

Too little, too late, we're afraid. For the past decade or so, the RIAA (amongst others) have spent every waking hour figuring out how to best sue and frighten every internet-connected human that even dares think about an illegal download. Now that said practice has failed miserably, it's finally resorting to something sensible. The entity announced today that AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cablevision have teamed up with the RIAA and MPAA in order to agree upon a six-stage notification system that'll electronically alert internet users whenever their account is used for wrongful downloading. It's actually not all that much different than the systems that have been in place at Suddenlink for what feels like eons, but at least this creates a standard protocol that the whole lot can adhere to. Oh, and before you ask -- under no circumstances will any of these notices result in termination of your broadband connection. There's no way an ISP would agree to such a thing, and indeed, they haven't here. The full run-down can be delved into below, but it's worth noting that no extra "watching" procedures are being put into place; your ISP will only drop you a line if a content overlord asks 'em to. Good times, no?

http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/i...fy-you-to-dea/ ...

Nintendo's 3DS has returned to the top of both hardware and software charts in the company's home territory as a rush of new titles in the region dominates sales.

In stark contrast to the sparse UK and US release schedules of summer, eleven of the top twenty software offerings are new to market in Japan this week, although some have been available in the West for some time.

The Media Create figures show the 3DS's adaptation of Tales of the Abyss, originally a PS2 title, continuing the popularity of the series with close to 75,000 domestic sales in week one, putting it comfortably ahead of the PS3 sku of the latest Street Fighter variant. The 360 version of that title also makes it into the top 20 at 12.

Classic shooter port GoldenEye 007 on Wii hits fourth spot with 36,174 downloads. Another classic remake, Ocarina of Time 3D, maintains a healthy chart presence at sixth with 24,190 sales this week.

On a system basis, Sony dominates the chart once more with six games each on PSP and PS3 in the table. Nintendo manages two each for Wii, 3DS and NDS, with Microsoft claiming the last pair for 360.

Hardware sales fail to reflect that position, however, with 3DS inching ahead of PSP with 30,233 sales to Sony's 29,871. PS3 sits just behind that at 26,441 whilst the gap widens before Wii at 12,423. The discontinued PSPgo manages a paltry 7 units.

Japanese software sales chart, w/e 8 July, 2011.

Tales of the Abyss (3DS) - 74,173 (New entry)
Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition (PS3) - 54,924 (New entry)
To Heart 2 Dungeon Travelers (PSP) - 37,396 (New entry)
GoldenEye 007 (Wii) - 36,174 (New entry)
Little Battle eXperience (PSP) - 24,471
The Legend of Zelda- Ocarina of time 3D (3DS) - 24,190
Atelier Meruru- Alchemist of Arland 3 (PS3) - 23,756
Steins; Gate (PSP) - 21,830
Mashiroiro Symphony Mutsu-no-Hana (PSP) - 17,897 (New entry)
Test Drive Unlimited 2 (PS3) - 15,254 (New entry)
Gundam Memories- Memories of the Battle (PSP) - 13,701
Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition (360) - 12,326 (New entry)
Wii Sports Resort (Wii ) - 12,241
Yakuza Of The End (PS3) - 11,867
Bleach Soul Ignition (PS3) - 9,050
Moujuuzukai to Oujisama Portable (PSP) - 8,910 (New entry)
Kaidan Restaurant Zoku! New Menu 100 Selection (NDS) - 8,209 (New entry)
Power Smash 4 (PS3) - 7,999 (New entry)
Test Drive Unlimited 2 (360) - 7,764 (New entry)
Pokemon Black & White (NDS) - 7,623
Japanese hardware sales chart, w/e 8 July, 2011.

3DS - 30,233
PSP - 29,871
PS3 - 26,441
Wii - 12,423
DSi LL - 4,963
DSi - 4,504
360 - 2,244
PS2 -1,222
DSL - 138
PSPgo - 7

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ardware-charts ...

The rate at which hardware iterates in the smartphone and tablet space has allowed the technology to nearly catch up with consoles. It won't be long before we're all carrying small devices more powerful than the PS3, says Doom creator and id Software programming genius John Carmack. Speaking in an interview, he commented, 'It's unquestionable that within a very short time, we're going to have portable cell phones that are more powerful than the current-gen consoles.'"
Even if that's the case, Nintendo still wants no part of it.

http://games.slashdot.org/story/11/0...rrent-Consoles ...

The test kit firmware was nabbed by a hacker known as Consoledev at demonhades.org, where another member of the forums was keen to point out the leak will not lead to custom firmware creation.

"No, this does not mean CFW," he said. "But this hopefully can be useful to devs in establishing the future of CFW. This firmware is only for developers, researchers and this will only work on TEST units."

So, unless you've got a debug PS3 knocking around at home kids, the firmware won't be much use. Stick to the public 3.66 firmware that went live last month.

As mentioned above, though, it could lead to the emergence of custom firmware in the future.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...re-366-leaked/ ...

Gamers are spending over £20 every month on digital content. MCV’s survey into the habits and opinions of download-loving gamers showed that on average regular users of these services spend £24 on apps, virtual items, DLC, downloads and subscriptions.

We surveyed 633 gamers that regularly use services like PSN, XBLA, iTunes, Steam and Battle.net.

Last week we revealed that a fifth of them no longer trust those services to look after their personal data properly. A further third say they doubt publishers can prevent online hacks.

The news about how much gamers spend on these services will come as an even starker warning to those already concerned about dented consumer confidence. Hacks and security breaches could take that £24 average down if gamers switch off from download services – when what publishers want is for it to rise as games retail spending slows.

Meanwhile, our survey also showed that Steam was the most popular download platform used, followed by Xbox Live, Facebook, PSN and iTunes.


TOP TEN DIGITAL PLATFORMS

We asked our panel of 633 gamers what services they used regulary. Here’s the Top Ten most popular online marketplaces:

1. Steam – Used by 73% of respondents
2. Xbox Live & Xbox Live Marketplace – 70%
3. Facebook – 66%
4. PlayStation Network – 65%
5. iTunes & App Store – 55%
6. Battle.ne – 38%
7. EA Store/EA Origin – 32%
8. Nintendo eStore/Wii Shop – 31%
9. uPlay – 17%
10. Good Old Games – 16%

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/digit...a-month/042682 ...

There may be be no word on a release date yet, but games retailers are already excited about PlayStation Vita. Speaking to MCV, online and High Street outlets have praised the platform holder for the device’s announced pricing.

Sony’s Kaz Hirai revealed during E3 that the WiFi-only model of Vita will launch at €249 in Europe. The WiFi/3G SKU will retail for €299.

“For the features you’re getting, there’s real value for money,” Play.com’s games buyer Keith Sharpe told MCV. “Judging by our customer feedback, Sony ia spot on with the pricing.”

GAME’s Neil Ashurst added: “The price is great value and people will be as excited as we are.”

However, some are worried the price isn’t feasible while mobile gaming dominates.

“Phones provide gaming experiences at a fraction of the cost. I’m worried Sony have priced themselves out of the market. I hope I’m wrong,” said Gameseek MD Stephen Staley.

Speculation is rife as to when Vita will arrive. Hirai has said the handheld would be available by the end of the year. But even Sony doesn’t seem to know the final date just yet.

It’s unclear whether Hirai referred to a global release or select territories – most likely the US and Japan, so the UK may have to wait until 2012.

Buyers suspect Sony may opt for a December release – possibly even launching after Christmas – and that there’ll be a smaller amount of stock in the channel at launch, ahead of larger shipments in January.

Details are expected to be given at Gamescom in August.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/retai...-arrive/042680 ...