Looking for something a bit more eye-catching than a iPhone 4 with a wooden veneer? Then it looks like you can once again thank Stuart Hughes for throwing any subtlety to the wind and going all out with the so-called iPhone 4 Diamond Edition. As you can see, not only does the phone pack a smattering of diamonds (including a bedazzled Apple logo), but it's a white iPhone 4 (32GB, naturally), and unlocked for good measure. Of course, there's no guarantees you'll actually get it before white iPhone 4s become commonplace, but we're pretty sure this is $20,000 well spent either way.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/05/i...ocked-and-20k/ ...

The newest iPhone has become the fast-selling mobile handset in history - hitting 1.7 million units worldwide in its first three days of availability, according to figures released by Apple.

This significantly outperforms the 1.1 million mustered by the last model, the 3GS, and the 107,000 iPads (although the latter saw staggered international release dates).

Research by ITProPortal also suggests (though figures have been normalised) that the handset enjoyed a more successful initial launch than the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3 and the ubiquitous Nokia 1100.

If accurate, those figures would make the iPhone 4 arguably the most successful console launch of all time, at least if the opinion of Epic's Mark Rein that it is "the console of the future" is believed. As most iPhone owners do not use the device primarily (or at all) for gaming, its designation is a matter of some debate.

It is worth observing, however, that those platforms all went on to achieve huge long-term sales (100 million in 28 months in the case of the 1100), while the PS2 and DS both saw asynchronous Japanese and American launches.

In addition, the PS2 also had less than 1 million units available at launch and it is likely that its initial figures would have been higher had more stock been released initially - while other hardware brands tend not to enjoy the particularly passionate dedication of many Apple early-adopters, which led to long overnight queues outside many stores worldwide.

But even earlier console successes did not match the iPhone 4's launch momentum - the NES sold 500,000 in its first two months in 1983, though again that was Japan only.

Some 51 million iPhones and iPod Touches have been sold since launch. In May, Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster predicted that Apple would sell 36 million iPhones worldwide this year.

By way of contemporary comparison, 40 million Xbox 360s have been sold since its launch in 2006, according to figures released by Microsoft in April.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...g-console-ever ...

31 per cent of Japanese consumers are considering purchasing a 3D TV, according to a survey by Kakaku.com.

67 per cent of the 8957 people asked claimed to not be interested in buying a 3D-capable set, in a survey which ran during the week of Sony's various 3D gaming and movie reveals ahead of and at E3. The survey was purely online, which may suggest it only reached technologically-inclined consumers.

"Television makers' expectations for 3D are high but looking at the degree of interest among consumers, there is a big gap with the enthusiasm of manufacturers," said Tsuyoshi Kamada, head of Kakaku.com's media-creative section.

Of those who did not plan to acquire a 3D TV, some 70 per cent bemoaned the hassle of 3D glasses, 57 per cent the price, and 40 per cent a perceived lack of content.

The 31 per cent figure tallies roughly with a CEA survey suggesting that 27 per cent of US 'avid gamers' were considering the purchase of a 3D TV.

A prior survey, highlighted by Sony at its recent 3D press events, claimed 40 per cent of TVs will be 3D by 2014.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ested-in-3d-tv ...

Someone was murdered in Red Dead Redemption every six minutes during the first two weeks of the game's release.

That means there were a whopping 132,904,068 murders in total, according to Rockstar-released stats gathered by GameSpy.

Those numbers deduced that every RDR player has been run over five times.

RDR witnessed 15,072,596 executions in those two weeks. That's 15,000 times the amount of real people executed in the United States since 1975.

In-game soldier deaths amounted to 13,250,327 - a number equal to the Soviet and American deaths of World War II combined.

Slightly more uplifting figures recorded were 5,773,917 hats shot off during duels, $3bn spent in-game, 8.6 litres of alcohol drunk on average by characters and 300,000 miles travelled by train. That last number equates to travelling around the world 12 times.

The most hunted animal were deer, which lost 28 million of their species.

To accrue all of that, you spent 14 million hours playing the game. You'd need to play for 3710 years on your own to reach such dizzying numbers.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/on...ry-six-minutes ...

EA will offer a new piece of Skate 3 add-on content tomorrow in the shape of Danny Way's Hawaiian Dream.

That's not a naughty dream but one of palm trees, 24 new challenges, new skate park objects, Danny Way gear and a Danny Way character.

All of this will be available on 6th July.

There's no word on price, but Skate 3's last piece of DLC, the Maloof Money Cup, cost 400 Microsoft Points or $5.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/sk...m-dlc-tomorrow ...

Newly released today:



features
In true Hot Shots fashion, you can choose from a cast of wacky characters, all with distinct personalities and tennis skills
Play on courts in various exotic locations around the world
Customize and power-up each player with a plethora of collectibles unlocked throughout each game mode
You can compete head-to-head in a quick match against the computer or a friend, or engage in a doubles session (4 players) where fun and style go hand-in-hand with match strategy
From the zany character behaviors and designs to the colorful locales, dramatic camera angles, and realistic physics, Hot Shots Tennis delivers tennis action that fans of the franchise have come to expect
description
Take the proven Hot Shots formula of realistic game physics and loveable animated characters and apply it to tennis. What you get is an addictive colorful “pick-up and play” experience especially built for the PSP! With multiple characters and courts to choose from, unlockable items to collect, and multiplayer action, Hot Shots Tennis is destined to be a favorite for consumers of all ages. It’s Tennis…Hot Shots Style!

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-3g0f.html ...

Newly released today:



features
Staying true to its predecessor, N3II will pit players against hundreds of enemies on screen for some of the most prolific ‘Hack & Slash’ gameplay to date!
Improved graphical presentation on the Xbox 360 featuring more enemies on screen, over-the-top destruction (Orb Attack), and uncompromised levels of violence including a blood camera system
Campaign with various characters, each equipped with customizable weaponry/accessories allowing for enhanced combo attacks and features that progressively change enemy battles
Combat relentless enemies with a friend in fully supported online Co-Op play for 2 players via Xbox LIVE
description
In a mystical world of miracles and magic, humans co-exist alongside many other races including the elves, goblins, and ogres. But when the “Lord of the Night” suddenly appears, in a mere 3 months the fertile fields of the land are reduced to scorched earth. Before long, Orphea, the sacred land to the north, is besieged by the Army of the Night. Amidst the roar of battle, one man thunderously bursts through the ranks of a legion like a bolt of lightning – he is “Galen,” the ultimate warrior. Alone, he storms forward as he lays waste to the dark forces, letting nothing stop him in his path to Orphea Castle. Galen must battle through the hordes of enemies that await him and this onslaught escalates with imposing monstrous creatures that join the fray. Centering on “the inheritance of life,” a new battle between light and dark begins!

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-3peq.html ...

Newly released today:



features
Puzzle Quest 2 features more active elements allowing players to swing weapons with both hands, use sidekicks to access never before seen spells, and actively equip shields to wield in battle making every move meaningful and never passive
An immersive fantasy universe with vivid color, depth, and life provides a much bigger sense of exploration with a focus on battles that will drive the player forward, allowing them to seamlessly progress through the story for a much deeper adventure than ever before
Puzzle Quest 2 is designed to be easy to learn, but hard to master as players move through the game by leveling up their character. Four different character classes, Sorcerer, Templar, Barbarian and Assassin will constantly challenge players as they learn new skills and abilities
Players can immerse themselves into the Puzzle Quest community with multiplayer and online leaderboards, allowing them to experience new levels of challenges with their customized character
description
Puzzle Quest 2 is a brand new adventure from Infinite Interactive, the award winning developer of the supreme puzzle-rpg experience. Featuring a hallmark blend of match-3 gem matching and fantasy, Puzzle Quest 2 offers a captivating, rewarding, and accessible journey for players of all skill levels as they make their way to reclaim the once peaceful village of Verloren from the evil clutch of the demon Gorgon. Players will get closer to the Puzzle Quest action than ever before with a more intimate viewpoint of the world and choose from any of four character classes, Sorcerer, Templar, Barbarian, or Assassin, each providing interesting twists on class-specific mechanics for hours of replayability. Players will level up their character to progress through the adventure in Story Mode or dive into Instant Action, Tournament Mode, or Multiplayer Mode for a rich and diverse gameplay experience.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-3r26.html ...

Newly released today:



features
Choose Windia, the foppish English girl; Casper, the sassy German; Follett, the cautious French girl; or Rosa, the California valley girl. Travel down the roads of Gilverado and discover hidden conversations between the angels
Test your supernatural powers against the onslaught of the Ice Palace and its forgotten protector! Put your skills to the test with a new scoring system that demands more, but pumps out even more explosions of shiny tokens!
You can choose your own route through the game’s stages and set the difficulty for each, from a level of 1 to 3. These difficulty levels allow you to customize the bullet count and boss toughness. Watch out if you choose level 3 four times, though…
Save replays of your own games to watch later for your own enjoyment. Players can also download the top 20 scoring runs on the leaderboards
Check out your score on the online leaderboard, with rankings for each character and game mode. Two-player cooperative play is also available via Xbox Live!
description
Enter the world of Gilverado, a kingdom plagued by hideous monsters and tortured souls. Choose from four angels with unique demonic familiars and battle against a storm of enemies pouring out of Hell’s gates! Fight your way out of tight spots as you are surrounded by enemy units and bullets from both sides of the screen. The unique left/right shooting mechanic of Deathsmiles will keep you on your toes as you dodge and weave through complex enemy fire, beautifully crafted by the modern masters of shmups, CAVE.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-3t89.html ...